*Chapter 4: First Taste of Freedom*
Cyrus finished her training down in the lab for the day and she was told that Sephiroth is heading out on a one-day mission with Angeal. But Genesis was nowhere to be found in the building to go with them. Cyrus had a feeling that her brother might be away for a while. And Wutai and Shinra have been at war for some time and Sephiroth couldn't stand witnessing death. He had been through so much. Now one of his friends is missing...
"Hey Cy, wanna do some training with me? Just don't try to crisp me." Zack said, forming a grin.
"No thanks. I've already done with mine." Cyrus replied, adjusting her black wristbands. "Zack, you've been down there in Midgar, right? What was it like?"
"Depends which part of Midgar I've been. Mostly the upper plate. Not sure about the slums yet..." Zack replied. Cyrus walked over to the window.
"If I had some freedom, I'd explore the whole city of Midgar and see what it was really like. The people, the shops, the food, anything." She spoke. "I can handle the monsters myself."
"I'm sure the people are nice down there. But keep your guard up. Sometimes others can be very sneaky and try to attack you. Like stealing your gil or anything." Zack told her.
"I'll keep that in mind if I ever go out." Cyrus said.
"Keep your chin up, Cy. I'm sure someday you will go out." Zack said as he patted her shoulder. "Well, I'm off to do some training. See you around!" He walked away to leave Cyrus alone in the hall. The silver haired teen smiled a little. She felt like Zack is also a good brother figure to him. He gives her confidence. He'd help her out if he could...
Cyrus is wandering around the first floor to see some employees and tourists around. She found it a bit amusing that this building has a gift shop and a couple of museums around. If only people knew what Shinra was really like... One security trooper accidentally bumped into Cyrus.
"Oh! So sorry, miss." He said, giving her a nod.
"I'm fine. No worries." Cyrus told him. He walked away and Cyrus found something on the ground. A key card. She picked it up. She was about to call him, but she stopped herself from doing so. A key card can access the back door. Cyrus looked around, making sure no one is watching, and put the key card in her back pocket.
She wandered in the back to see one of the doors that lead outside. She took out a key card and started to think. Should she dare sneak out? Or should she just stay in the building like every day? Making sure no one is walking through the halls, Cyrus pressed the key card against the door, and the light turned green. It slides open and Cyrus took a step out and look around. All she could see is a maze of fences and storage boxes. And there are a couple of Shinra guard dogs patrolling the area.
'The Vanguards. They could find my scent if I sneak out. I need something to distract them with...' Cyrus's thoughts were interrupted when she hears some whistles. The Vanguards' ears perk up when they hear the calls from the security officers. They hurried out of the area. Must be feeding time for them. Cyrus hurried through the maze and avoided the Vanguards and the officers. Cyrus hid behind the wall as a camera moved to the left. It turned to the right, and Cyrus rushed down the direction to get to the exit. She climbed over a fence and left the storage area.
Quinn and Dakota walked around Sector 8, undercover from anything that is Shinra related. They made sure their appearance won't give anything away. They are armed with weapons of course. Quinn has a Fire Blade. Dakota has Sais with some materia.
"You think Elfe was serious about taking down President Shinra? How are we going to do that while he was protected by the Turks or the officers?" Dakota asked.
"We have an army. Everyone was trained for this and when the time is right, we strike." Quinn replied. "Don't forget that someone is funding us."
"...Do you know who?" Dakota asked.
"I asked Elfe, and she said it is classified info."
"Someone funding AVALANCHE must really hate Shinra as well."
"And if it's possible, we need to find out about the Phoenix girl." Quinn said. "Come to think of it, we never seen the likes of her in public. She could always be in the building."
"I don't see the reason why we should get info about that girl. We can't break into the Shinra building." Dakota told him with a shrug. Quinn rolled his eyes as they continued on to walk down the street of Sector 8.
"50,000 gil?! You promised us 100,000!" Elfe yelled on the phone. "You better not scam us-"
"Tone it down, Elfe. The first half is only for taking down the president. The rest will come to you when the job is done." A male voice said on the line. Elfe could see the guy who is funding her smirking on the end. "Our meeting is tonight. Meet me at my apartment in Midgar. We will discuss more about the gil. And I will show you which of the Turks shall be taken down. My apartment is in Sector 8."
"Very well. I will be there." Elfe said, hanging up the phone.
Cyrus has a hoodie on as she walked around the streets. She is outside! She is in Sector 8 and noticed a big poster of Loveless, which made her eyes roll. There are people walking around and some cars driving by. Cyrus noticed the shops and see some clothing on display. She smiled a bit when she turned to see some kids running around with their toys. She walked down the sidewalk and made sure there are no Shinra troopers around. If any of them have seen her, she'd be in big trouble. Cyrus thought about returning to the building before dark. Cyrus looked up at the steel sky and see bits of blue. She frowned a little that the sun is blocked by the plate in the lower slums. Her thoughts were broken when someone accidentally bumped into her from behind. Cyrus stumbled forward and quickly turned around to see two people.
"Dammit! I'm so sorry!" Quinn said as he looked at her. Dakota shook her head in embarrassment. "I wasn't paying attention."
"That was unlike you, Quinn. Bumping into a girl." Dakota said.
"I'm okay. Really." Cyrus spoke. Her hoodie fell off as she brushes her arms. Quinn and Dakota were taken back by her appearance. The silver hair. The mako eyes. This is the one they are looking for!
"Hey, you-!" Quinn's mouth was covered by Dakota's hand.
"Um, so sorry about that." She quickly said. She brought her friend over for a huddle. Cyrus watched them in silent and confusion. "Quinn, we can't give ourselves away yet. She'll make a run for it." Dakota whispered.
"That's the Phoenix girl, right? How can we be sure it is?" Quinn whispered back.
"We need to act casual. If she is the Phoenix, we'll convince her to give us some info about Shinra before we bring her in our headquarters."
"You sure?"
"Trust me on this." Dakota and Quinn turned back to Cyrus. "Ahem. Sorry. Let us introduce ourselves. I'm Dakota. And this is Quinn."
"Um, hi." Quinn spoke, scratching the back of his head. "And...you are?"
"I'm Cyrus." The silver haired teen replied. "It was nice meeting you two. I should get going." As she was about to walk away, Quinn and Dakota went around to stop her.
"Not to be forward, but...do you know a way to a bar that is located in Sector 7?" Dakota asked. "We're new around these parts."
"Are you travelers? You don't live around Midgar?" Cyrus asked. "And I don't know where this bar is..."
"We're just passing through. We are planning to stick around for a couple days." Quinn said.
"You never been to Sector 7?" Dakota asked. Cyrus is silent for a moment. Quinn cleared his throat and brought Dakota over.
"We can't blow this." He whispered. "What if she suspects something?"
"Maybe...maybe she hasn't gone out much." Dakota said with a shrug. "Let's take this slow." Cyrus crossed her arms at the strangers as they turn back to her. "Sorry. I understand that you don't want to tell us the directions because we don't know each other that well." Dakota told the silver haired teen. Cyrus sighed a little.
"To tell you both the truth, this is my first time being outside." Cyrus said.
"Oh? You...never go out in public?" Quinn asked, placing his hand on his hip.
"Mind telling us where you're from?" Dakota asked.
"It's classified." Cyrus told them. "Sector 7 isn't far since we're in Sector 8. You guys can take the train or walk there. I'm going to explore on my own." Before Quinn and Dakota could reply, they hear some screaming coming from around the corner. The three hurried around to see some monsters in the streets as the civilians were running away. Cyrus puts on her hood and charges at the monsters.
"Hey! What're you doing?!" Quinn shouted as he got his sword out.
"Wait!" Dakota stopped him as she saw Cyrus using her martial arts to fight off the creatures. She didn't even get a scratch on her. A winged monster flew down to attack, but Cyrus used her Firaga to hit it. Cyrus used a backflip on another creature to kick it on the jaw. Quinn and Dakota watched the teen in awe. Cyrus is the experienced fighter. "It's her." Dakota whispered.
"But it could be from the Fire Materia." Quinn said as he recalled the Firaga move.
"She has no materia on her."
"Dakota, we need more proof than-" Quinn was interrupted when the voices of the Shinra troopers were heard. "Damn! We gotta run!"
"Hey! What's going on over here?!" One security officer asked, bringing out his gun with his partners. Quinn and Dakota hid behind the wall and there is no sign of Cyrus in the streets. Where did she go? "Who handled the monsters?"
"Did someone call the SOLDIERs or the Turks?" The other officer asked.
"Whoever did this, they did a damn good job." The third one spoke. Quinn then looked up to see Cyrus climbing up the ladder to get on one of the rooftops. He nodded at Dakota, and they decide to follow her. Watching from one of the windows of the apartment building, a male with blond hair forming a smirk. This day is getting interesting...
Cyrus hopped on each rooftop to avoid any attention as her hoodie stays on her head. She felt proud after she defeated the monsters in the streets, but she had to get out of there when the Shinra troopers arrived. She could hear the train below her. Cyrus smirked and jumped down from the roof to land by the bridge. The train is approaching, and she jumps on one of the carts.
Quinn and Dakota watched from the top of the rooftop. No way they could keep up with her. Dakota knew that Cyrus is the one they are looking for. All they need is proof. She has to expose her powers...
"Zack, have you seen Cyrus?" Kunsel asked. "One of the Turks is looking for her." Zack stopped doing his squats and turned to his friend.
"Last I saw her was only an hour ago. What does a Turk want with her?" Zack wondered.
"Cyrus was assigned for training with Tseng, but he couldn't find her anywhere. She's not in her room or answer the phone calls." Kunsel replied. "He is tracking her down with the chip and-"
"Wait, what?! Chip? Cyrus was chipped?!" Zack asked.
"Her phone is chipped." Kunsel told him specifically. "In case no one got a hold of her, they can track her."
"Wow. That's kinda unfair."
"I think so too, but...it's Hojo's idea after Cyrus got the phone. She didn't even know."
XX
Veld was staring at his paperwork while Tseng is looking at his phone to track down Cyrus. Tseng is one of the loyal Turks and have a good heart deep down, but sometimes he had to do bad things. He was supposed to meet Cyrus for martial arts training, but she was nowhere to be found. The sound of the beep is heard on the phone, and it showed the location of where Cyrus is. Tseng's eyes went wide for a moment before he composed himself.
"Found her yet?" Veld asked without looking up from his work.
"I won't be long, sir." Tseng replied as he walked out of the office. Laying on the couch is Reno. He formed a smirk as he thought of Cyrus getting caught by Tseng, but it would be funnier for him if Sephiroth found her in Midgar instead.
"So...the bird has spread her wings and fly. Took a lot of guts." Reno spoke. Veld didn't say a word. Rude, sitting by the desk, didn't say a word as he pushed his sunglasses up. The Turks pay no mind about Cyrus, but only Tseng cares. He's known Cyrus when she was a little girl. If only Aerith was easy to reason with then.
Cyrus got off the train as she arrived in Sector 7. Daylight hits this section, and Cyrus could feel the warm sun hitting her skin. As soon as she walked down the steps of the train station, a young man around her age rushed down with the box in his arms.
"Coming through! Coming through! Special delivery!" He yelled out. Cyrus raised her brow as she watched him hurried down the path, making everyone move out of their way. He has dark red hair, and his head is shaved on one side. Cyrus looked down to see the card on the ground by her feet. She picked it up and read it.
"Jay and Viola's Delivery Service. Need something in a hurry? Call us or come visit Sector 7!" Cyrus finished. "Hmm. Well, I am in Sector 7. Maybe...I could check out their business." She made sure her hoodie is on and started to follow wherever the man is going with the box.
Sector 7 is a quiet section with shops and homes and there are some friendly people around with their friends and family. Cyrus could smell the barbeque in the air from one of the homes. Her eyes found the same young man with the box ahead of her. He walked in one of the buildings. Cyrus walked up to the building and saw the sign. She entered in the building to see the young man putting the box down on the counter where the young woman stood on the other side.
"So, Viola, check this out!" The man opened the box and inside are the materia. The woman, Viola, looked inside with wide eyes.
"Jay, where'd you find those? You...didn't steal them, did you?"
"Of course not! A group of-" Jay's voice was cut short when Viola cleared her throat at him when she noticed Cyrus coming in. Jay turned around. "Oh! Welcome, miss! How can we help you?"
"Uh, hello. I was just looking around." Cyrus said.
"Well, if you are not here for anything, then leave!" A strict voice spoke from the corner of the office. Cyrus turned to see a middle-aged man with a toothpick in his mouth. He has dark blond hair and brown eyes.
"Frank!" Viola scolded. She turned to Cyrus. "Don't mind him. He's always like that to customers who didn't come here asking for delivery." Cyrus didn't say a word as she noticed the box. She couldn't help but to look inside. Materia. She looked up at Viola.
"Where'd you find those?" She asked.
"Somewhere." Jay said with a shrug. Cyrus knew that he was lying. He got them from someone. He mentioned a group. These orbs could be stolen or worse. Cyrus decided to leave it at that. She can't rat out these people. She's only out for some freedom. Jay took the box of materia in the back as Viola turned her attention on Cyrus.
"Hmm. You know, it's funny, you look familiar. Have we met before?" She asked.
"No. This is my first time being here." Cyrus replied. "I'll just be going now-"
"Wait!" Viola went around the counter and studied Cyrus's face. "Those eyes...and that hair color..." Cyrus's jaw tightens a little. "You don't...happened to be related to the SOLDIER from Shinra, aren't you?"
"You mean Sephiroth?" Frank spoke. "Nah. That guy don't have siblings."
"Still... Not everyone has silver hair." Viola said as she looked at Cyrus's bangs. The teen looked away, looking down at the floor. "Look, if you are related to that Sephiroth guy-"
"Did someone say Sephiroth?!" Jay asked as he came back out. "Dude, he's like one of the best SOLDIERs around! I heard he can take down a Behemoth in one blow with that Masamune! Not a scratch on him!" Cyrus couldn't help but to smile a little.
"Well, you are right." She said as she removed her hoodie. "My brother can strike anything down in one blow and...I am his sister."
"The hell?! So, he does a sibling! Why didn't Shinra mention anything about you?" Frank asked, sitting up in alarm. Before Cyrus could say a word, someone walked in. Jay and Viola's eyes widened. Cyrus turned to see Tseng coming in with a stern look.
"Tseng?"
"Cyrus." Tseng spoke.
"A Turk." Jay whispered to Viola.
"Just act natural." Viola whispered back.
"Hey, we don't take kindly to Turks like you!" Frank said. Tseng raised his hand at him.
"At ease. I am not here for any trouble. I am here for her." He turned to Cyrus. "You shouldn't be here. Or anywhere outside the Shinra Building."
"Tseng, I was going to return before-"
"Wait outside." Tseng ordered. Cyrus sighed and turned back to the others. She apologized to them before walking out the door. Tseng turned to the three owners of the building. "Did she tell you anything?"
"We just met her. She didn't tell us her name yet." Jay replied.
"We know it now." Viola said.
"She's a sister of Sephiroth, huh? That's all we know." Frank spoke as he crossed his arms. "Is there a reason why none of us heard of her?"
"That's classified. But if that is all you know, the better." Tseng told them.
"Hold on, why do you want her back?" Jay asked.
"Classified." Tseng repeated. "Go on with your lives and forget you met her." With that, Tseng walked out. Jay looked at Viola and Frank. They are confused. Viola is now concerned about Cyrus. What is her story?
XX
"How did you find me, Tseng?" Cyrus asked as she sat across from him in the train. "I was only gone for a while. I was gonna come back. Would be nice if you called instead."
"How did you leave the building without being noticed by cameras or security?" Tseng asked, ignoring her question.
"...I've got a way." Cyrus said. Tseng gave her a look. He is demanding the truth. Cyrus knew that Tseng means well, but she wasn't sure if she could trust him. "A keycard. I used a keycard to get out from the back." Cyrus admitted. "Before you say anything, all I could tell you is that I wanted to be outside. I know I wasn't supposed to, but I need some freedom."
"And you were the one who fought the monsters in Sector 8?" Tseng asked.
"Well, yes, but how did you know-"
"You need to be more careful! There could be witnesses-"
"I was careful!" Cyrus said. She remembered the ones she spoke to from Sector 8. They saw everything. But she hasn't used her Phoenix powers on the monsters. Only Firaga and her martial arts. "No one saw anything. I didn't use my powers. I promise you."
"You know what will happen if anyone saw your abilities. As much as I hate it, people will die." Tseng said, almost looking sympathy. Cyrus nodded a bit. Shinra didn't want outsiders to know. "Listen, this is between us for now. Nobody in Shinra doesn't need to know about you sneaking out. I care about you, Cyrus. I don't want you to get hurt." Tseng told her.
"Then...when will I go out into the world?" Cyrus asked. She knows she has asked this question too many times to Sephiroth. But she wanted to know what Tseng would say.
"I wish I could say." Tseng replied. Cyrus frowned a bit. They went quiet on the train ride back to Sector 8 to return to the Shinra Building.
Cyrus was walking down one of the hallways to get to the elevator after she returned to the building. She kept the keycard hidden and she was surprised that Tseng didn't even tell her to return it to the owner. How odd.
"When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end. The goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar. She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting." A voice spoke. Cyrus went around the corner to see Genesis leaning against the wall, reading the Loveless book. Where did he come from?
"Nice to see you too." Cyrus said in a sarcastic tone.
"No need to be rude now, Cyrus." Genesis said as he smirked.
"Mind telling me where you been all this time?" Cyrus asked. "My brother was looking for you. He and Angeal were sent out on a mission."
"Nothing important. Let's just say I paid a little visit to my family for a while. Is it wrong to visit those who mean dear to you?" Genesis asked as he dramatically placed his hand over his chest where his heart is.
"Guess not." Cyrus said. She was about to walk away until Genesis spoke again.
"And Wutai doesn't know when to quit. You should visit there sometime. Oh wait...you can't. Your wings are clipped." Genesis chuckled. Cyrus turned to him, flames in her hands. "Careful now. You don't want to be locked up in that fireproof room now, do you? Little birdie."
"Shut up." Cyrus warned him as her eyes turn gold.
"Enough!" Cyrus and Genesis turned to Tseng who appeared in the hallway. "Cyrus, stand down." The silver haired teen sighed, her flames vanish, and her eyes went back to normal. She turned away and left without saying a word. Genesis huffed in amusement. Tseng glared at the ginger SOLDIER. "You watch what you say around her." He said.
"Or what? She'd burn me alive?" Genesis asked. "She is nothing but a weapon. And you...you are just a Shinra lapdog." Tseng wanted to wrap his hands around that man's neck. Genesis walked past the Turk. What was going on with Genesis lately? He was acting off.
Cyrus is in her room and held the key card. Better to hide it from anyone, especially Sephiroth. She may have got caught, but she will try again the next time.