Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Ashen Skies ❯ Chapter 20

"Ashen Skies"

Chapter 20

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Warnings: Yaoi (implied) Het( very mild)

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*Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all related characters belong to Square-Enix. This fiction piece is strictly a non-profit exercise of creativity and entertainment for people (like me) who can't get enough of this world and the characters.*

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"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Reeve couldn't quite hide the concern in his voice as he asked his lover the question.

 

Vincent nodded once, curtly. "I have to be. We won't know until we test it." His ruby gaze settled on the Soldier standing guard by Sephiroth's door. "Unlock it."

 

Reeve swallowed and covertly reached into his jacket as the man obeyed. The medical team had assured him that they'd done all they could to undo Hojo's work. They'd promised that they'd removed Sephiroth's trigger to the best of their ability. He'd find out if they were right in a moment, after Sephiroth laid eyes on his biological father. If the science team was wrong, things could go from bad to worse, very quickly.

 

~Damn it all, I hope they're right. I don't want to shoot Vincent's son, even with a tranquilizer dart. Hojo, you bastard!~

 

Vincent paused as the guard began to unlock the door and he turned to face Reeve. His eyes met his and held them. "Do what you must," he insisted softly. "As will I."

 

Reeve took a deep breath and nodded, reaching out to pat the other man on the arm. The only thing that made this more bearable was Vincent's understanding. Knowing now that Vincent wouldn't hold it against him if he had to fire on Sephiroth, the engineer steeled himself against his guilt and squared his shoulders. At the same time, Vincent put his back to him and faced the iron door as it was pulled open.

 

Sephiroth looked up from the book he was reading as Vincent took two slow steps into his cell. His emerald gaze swept the gunman without comment and the ever-present blonde next to him on the bunk tensed up. Cloud's bright blue eyes shot between his lover and Vincent uncertainly and his tension was as obvious as Reeve's.

 

"Hello, Sephiroth," Vincent greeted softly. He made no move and waited for a response.

 

Sephiroth regarded him quietly for a moment before shutting his book. He gave Vincent a nod. "Hello, Valentine."

 

Vincent didn't take offence at the formal use of his name. He merely nodded. Cloud stared between the two of them with his lips parted and Reeve was certain he had an equally stupid expression plastered on his own face.

 

"Well, Sephiroth?" prompted Reeve, unable to stand not knowing, "Do you feel any sudden urge to kill?"

 

Sephiroth shrugged, his lips curving slightly at one corner. "Not particularly, no."

 

"So, it's okay?" Cloud looked between the General and Vincent. He seemed ridiculously young at that moment; his expression was so full of relief. "You don't want to attack him?"

 

"No," answered Sephiroth calmly. He set his book aside and stood up in a smooth, easy motion. The guard tensed and he held his arms out to either side. "Unless Mr. Valentine draws a weapon on me, I have no reason to attack him."

 

Reeve felt his tension drain like water from a faucet. By the look on Strife's face, he was feeling the same relief. Father and son now faced one another silently and Reeve could imagine the awkward struggle they both faced. He nodded at Cloud meaningfully and the blond evidently understood his silent suggestion. Cloud stood up and joined him at the entrance, leaving Sephiroth and Vincent alone together. Reeve backed out and motioned the guard to follow him as he gently coaxed Cloud to follow him.

 

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"There's no need for this," Sephiroth informed Vincent once they were alone. "I've suspected Hojo wasn't my true father for some time."

 

Vincent nodded. "I should have suspected the same. I should have known, but I didn't."

 

Sephiroth tilted his head. "Self-blame? I know what he did to you. I don't hold you responsible. Why should you?"

 

Those words, so simply spoken, were painful to Vincent. More painful than he ever expected, in fact. His heart clenched in his breast and he very nearly put a hand over his chest. Dear gods, this was his son standing here before him, calmly telling him not to blame himself.

 

"Sephiroth," Vincent began, struggling, "What was done to you...to us...I..."

 

"Couldn't have stopped it," interrupted Sephiroth with a cool smile. "I know who's to blame. Your guilt is pointless and what's more, it's unproductive. I neither want nor expect a warm, parental bonding moment from you."

 

Vincent shut his eyes and nodded. He really couldn't expect more and he didn't know how to give more anyhow. The time for father-son dynamics was long past. He couldn't turn back time and he couldn't change the past.

 

"I suppose we'll just go from here," Vincent finally murmured. His throat hurt. It felt constricted. His chest was tight, as well. Sephiroth's apparent coldness was probably a blessing.

 

Sephiroth's eyes stayed locked on him. "I think that would be best."

 

Vincent gave another nod and turned around. He had to get out of there. He couldn't seem to get enough air. "Guard," he said through a tightened throat, "The General is clean, now. Release him."

 

The guard nodded and Vincent began to walk stiffly out of the cell. As his foot crossed over the threshold, Sephiroth spoke.

 

"I'm rather glad," said the General softly.

 

Vincent paused and looked over his shoulder at him.

 

Sephiroth's jade eyes met his and held them. His features relaxed ever so slightly as he resumed speaking. "I'm not sorry that you're my true father."

 

The statement was simple, almost business-like. Yet, there was a hidden gleam of regret in Sephiroth's eyes that echoed Vincent's. Perhaps the chance for bonding wasn't entirely lost. Vincent gave his son a last, respectful nod and then left the cell. Reeve and Cloud both stood waiting. The young blond bit his lip and gave Vincent a sympathetic look before his face brightened at the sight of his lover walking free from his cell. Vincent favored Reeve with a tired, quiet smile as the engineer patted his arm and coaxed him toward the tunnel exit.

 

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Cosmo Canyon, several days later:

 

"Are these readings accurate?" Rufus narrowed his eyes on the screen, hardly believing what he was seeing.

 

"I'm afraid so," confirmed Scarlet with a grim look at him. "We don't have much time, Rufus." She made a sweeping gesture at the mass of blips closing in on their location. "Do we fight or run?"

 

Rufus shook his head and his gray eyes remained fixed on the screen even as he reached for his satellite phone. "We don't have the firepower to put up anything remotely resembling a battle. Help me get the word out for immediate evacuation. I want all our fighters to cover civilian transports until they're safely away and then get out of the line of fire. I'll contact Modeoheim and tell them to expect our company."

 

As often as they clashed, when the situation was dire he and Scarlet worked well together. She nodded her consent and got on the phone immediately, organizing the fighting force while he contacted the Modeoheim base to inform them of the situation. Upon learning their danger, Lazard immediately began preparations to accommodate them and Rufus was grudgingly thankful for his cooperation. The tricky part wasn't in organizing shelter for his colony. It wasn't even in organizing his fighting teams to hold the approaching army of WEAPONS at bay. No, the tricky part was announcing the evacuation and keeping the inevitable panic of the masses in check.

 

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"Stay calm and follow the instructions of the militia. This is not a drill. Collect only what belongings you need and move in an orderly fashion to the transport area. Air and ground transportation are to be immediately boarded for evacuation."

 

Tifa listened to Rufus Shinra's announcement and looked around nervously. He really couldn't have said it any more clearly or calmly but wails of panic were already bouncing off the rocky walls as people began to rush for the hangar area. There wasn't enough air transport available to carry everyone and people were shoving each other aside to be amongst those fortunate enough to board a chopper. She made her way through the growing throng of terrified bodies, and tried to make it back to the bunker area.

 

As she struggled through the crowd, she looked around for a familiar head of bright red hair. She had no luck spotting her boyfriend but she was nearly bowled over by a slender form just as she reached the bunker area. Tifa caught hold of Yuffie reflexively, feeling some relief at the sight of the Wutai ruler.

 

"Tifa," Yuffie gasped upon recognizing her. "You're going the wrong way! The hangar's the other way!"

 

"I know," she said as calmly as she could, "I'm just stopping in to get some clothes before I board."

 

Yuffie shook her head and grabbed hold of her hand. "No Ma'am, there's not time for that!" She put her mouth close to Tifa's ear so that other civilians wouldn't hear what she said next. "We don't have enough room for everyone, got it? Anybody that doesn't move fast enough is going to get left behind. The Turks are gonna do what they can but we don't even have enough ground transport for everyone!"

 

Tifa froze and stared at her with wide eyes. She hadn't realized the situation was that bad. "They're just going to leave people to fend for themselves?"

 

Yuffie started pulling insistently on her arm, dragging her along with her. "They're saving everyone they can but they can't work miracles. Now come on, Captain Highwind's airship is waiting and you're coming with me!"

 

"Wait, what are the Turks going to do?" Tifa demanded as she followed alongside her friend.

 

Yuffie looked at her and for a brief moment, her dark eyes glittered with fear she couldn't completely hide. Her husband was the leader of the Turks and she was no stranger to battle. If Yuffie was scared, the situation had to be bad.

 

"They're buying us some time," Yuffie answered. She picked up the pace and kept a tight hold on Tifa's hand, even as she wiped her eyes with her free hand and sniffled. "A handful of them are going to hang back and keep the bad guys busy, so more people can make it out. Ground transport's going to try to take people somewhere safe to hide until Modeoheim comes with more air support to get people up north."

 

Tifa understood the implications all too well. "I can fight," she insisted. "I want to help."

 

"They'll just tell you the same thing they told me," Yuffie said with a little smile of empathy. "They won't let anybody with boobs join this fight...except Scarlet. Considering her boobs probably aren't even real, well..."

 

"What? Why not?" Tifa thought of the respect Reno seemed to demonstrate for her fighting abilities and she wondered if it was all just an act.

 

Yuffie shrugged. "Supposedly it's too dangerous to risk anybody that might be able to squeeze out a few babies. They won't even let Elena in on the fight and she's totally gay!"

 

"But you said Scarlet's going to be fighting," Tifa huffed. She'd never resented her womanhood before but she wanted to scream in frustration.

 

"Yeah." Yuffie grunted as the crowd thickened and traveling became more of an effort. "She's head of weapons development though and she's doing Rufus. I guess she's not prime breeding material like the rest of us." She shook her head in disgust.

 

Tifa was baffled. The urgency of the evacuation was bewildering enough without outdated gender roles being shoved on her. As she struggled to keep hold of her friend and make it to the hangar, she began to grudgingly admit that it made some sense. Survival instincts being what they were, it was quite natural for the men to want to protect the women and children.

 

~The problem with that logic is that if all of the men get themselves killed trying to protect us, who are we women supposed to have babies with anyhow?~

 

Tifa felt a moment of sheer, hysterical amusement at the thought. The only thing keeping her from losing what remained of her control and laughing like a madwoman was Yuffie's constant tugging on her hand. Tifa fought down the hysteria she felt, reminding herself of how dire the situation really was. She could see Cid Highwind's big airship now as she stumbled behind Yuffie into the hangar area. The Shera was at the forefront and for now, most of the civilians were being loaded onto some of the choppers. Four of the helicopters were being guarded in the back and nobody was being allowed onto them. They were newer than the rest, having been just recently constructed and tested. Tifa saw Rude standing outside one of them and her heart fluttered as she spotted Reno poking his head out to say something to the bald man.

 

"Reno!" She waved and shouted at him, instinctively starting forward. One of the MP's blocked her path and shook his head, drawing a frown from her. Her shout had gotten Reno's attention and he climbed out of the chopper and ran to meet her. A cocky little smile curved his mouth and his ponytail bounced with his sprinting motions. He looked like he was about to take a joy-ride, not go up against Shiva knew how many WEAPONS.

 

"Hey, babydoll. I was just getting on the phone to have someone look for ya!" His voice betrayed a hint of relief at the sight of her.

 

Tifa embraced him and from the corner of her eye, she saw Tseng approach Yuffie and speak softly to her. "What's this about forbidding all of the women to help fight?"

 

Reno winced and glanced over his shoulder at one of the fighter choppers. "Not all of 'em. See? Scarlet's hopping into one of the bird's right now with the Prez."

 

"But the rest of us can't fight?" Tifa pulled back and gazed at him searchingly.

 

Reno appeared to struggle for words and he reached up and adjusted the goggles propped on his forehead. "Sure, you can fight. We just...uh...don't want most of ya doing it now."

 

Seeing the impatient frown on her face, he pulled her close and murmured to her. "Listen to me, okay? You girls aren't the only ones being kept out of this. Highwind's been ordered to keep out of it too and focus on getting more people away in his ship. This ain't even a fight, it's a diversion. Believe me Toots, if those bastards get past us, you'll have your fight."

 

Tifa's throat closed up. "So, you don't plan to...meet up with us later."

 

Reno's pale features sobered, the cocky smile dropping. He took a breath and brushed his thumbs over her cheekbones. "Did I say that?"

 

"Didn't have to," she whispered. Her vision was blurring and she blinked rapidly and swallowed. "You and the others are planning to die so we can get away."

 

"I don't have any plans to die," he assured her. "Maybe I will anyhow but I won't go down easy. Bossman's fighting with us, ya know. He wouldn't be in on it if all we're gonna do is act like lemmings."

 

That brought a little smile to Tifa's face and she glanced at the chopper containing Rufus and Scarlet. The President was slipping a pair of headphones over his head and checking his radio unit. She had to give the man props for bravery. His position of leadership gave him a free pass to stay out of the line of fire and give orders from a safe distance, but instead he was preparing to fight alongside his Turks and risk his own life.

 

Tifa thought she heard a roar in the distance and her eyes went back to Reno. The sirens began to blare, indicating that the threat was indeed coming into visual range. Reno squeezed her around the waist and pressed his forehead against hers. He smiled at her confidently and reached down to squeeze her bottom shamelessly. For once, she didn't mind.

 

"Get your tush on the Shera," insisted Reno. "We all need to be up in the air soon and I'm not going until I see this fanny disappear into that airship, got it?"

 

"Reno." She didn't know what else to say. She could see the resolution in his sea colored eyes and she knew he wouldn't let her board his chopper with him and help. His mouth covered hers abruptly and he gave her a kiss very much like the one he'd given her the first day they'd met. It was hurried but passionate...almost desperate. When he broke the kiss, he winked at her.

 

"You gonna slap me this time?"

 

"I will after this is over with," she breathed. "When you meet up with me alive and whole."

 

"Wouldn't have it any other way, babe." He gave her a light smack on the bottom and urged her toward the waiting airship. People were piling into it and the MP's were having trouble keeping order. "Get going. There's not much room left."

 

Tifa reluctantly parted from him and she saw Elena standing by the ladder, helping people grab hold and climb up. The blonde saw her and waved urgently, pausing to mutter something to the MP next to her and point Tifa's way. For a moment, Tifa felt a flash of panic when she lost sight of Yuffie. She searched the area and found her again. Her heart went out to the ninja. Yuffie could complain about Tseng all she liked but now that it was time for them to separate, her true feelings were obvious. She cast one more glance at Reno's retreating form before hastening over to help deal with Yuffie.

 

Nanaki had a mouthful of Yuffie's long shirt and he was tugging insistently on it, trying to urge her away. She had her arms around Tseng's neck and she cursed angrily at the lion creature and resisted his efforts. Tifa approached and she saw Nanaki heave a little sigh as if relieved. She put her hands on Yuffie's shoulders and gently began to disengage her from Tseng.

 

"We have to go," Tifa explained in a soothing tone when Yuffie gave her a desperate look. "Please, Yuffie. The sooner we lift off, the better everyone's chances are. You said so yourself, remember?"

 

Yuffie looked between Tifa and her husband and she slowly released him, practically pouting. "Yeah, I know. I just...he..." She gestured at Tseng, who had a remarkably calm look on his sculpted features.

 

"I know," Tifa assured her. "Just trust him. Let's go while we still can."

 

Yuffie sniffled and allowed Tifa and Nanaki to lead her away. She stopped when she reached the ladder and she turned to glare at Tseng unexpectedly. "Tseng, if you die on me, I...I'll kill you!"

 

The odd threat got a reaction from Tseng. One elegant black brow lifted and the left corner of his mouth turned up in a crooked smile. "We...can't have that, can we? I'll do my best to ensure you have no need to kill me." He gave her a formal bow and his dark eyes betrayed a moment of fondness before he turned and started toward his chopper.

 

Elena shared a nervous smile with Tifa before ushering the ninja toward the ladder, ahead of the line. There were some protests but the blonde Turk peered into the crowd with a warning glare. Her suit wasn't just for looks, after all. Her expression said that she'd happily fuck up anybody that got in her way and there were no further objections. Tifa climbed up behind Yuffie and Elena allowed a couple more families to board before climbing up herself. Cid stood on the deck with his wife and puffed a cigar as he waited for the airship to reach maximum capacity. One of the MP's nodded at him and Shera quickly pulled the ladder up, wincing at the wails of fear and disappointment from the remaining colonists.

 

~***************************************~

 

"This is a diversionary strike only," Rufus reminded his small team as he gave the deployment order and started his chopper's engine. "I expect you to remember that in particular, Reno."

 

"Who, me?" Reno's amused voice broke through the transmission and Rufus could imagine the crafty grin on his angular features. "Subtlety's my middle name, boss."

 

"Hardly," Tseng's cool voice responded. "This isn't a game, Reno. Rude, keep him in line."

 

"Didn't need to be said," promised Rude.

 

Rufus smirked. There was something comforting about the familiar banter. He'd never said it aloud but he trusted his Turks, more than he trusted anyone or anything in the world. Pity Elena couldn't be at Tseng's side, but Rufus agreed with his decision to give her a better survival chance and leave her out of this fight. The fewer they risked, the better.

 

"We'll move out first, to draw their fire away from the transport vehicles." They'd already gone over the plan of action before but Rufus thought it best to reinforce orders. "Once we've got the attention of our targets, I'll give the command for the ground transports to start moving. The air transports will follow shortly after and those remaining will stay underground until we can return and retrieve them. Do not--I repeat--do not engage an enemy for longer than necessary. If you get into trouble, use evasive maneuvers and ask for assistance. Watch yourselves."

 

"Understood," Tseng responded.

 

"You got it," answered Reno eagerly.

 

The pilot of the other chopper replied as well and Rufus hoped he was good. He didn't know the man but Tseng picked him and his copilot out. Four helicopters. They were about to attack a mass of approaching WEAPONS with only four helicopters. It was madness, but they only needed to keep their attention for long enough for the transport vehicles to get safely out of range. The unfortunates left behind might survive the attack, provided there weren't many Alpha WEAPONS in the invading force. Rufus wasn't familiar with the smaller ones yet but he knew from the reports he'd gotten that they weren't to be underestimated.

 

"Don't you think it's odd that Modeoheim is closer to the Northern Crater, but they've come after us and Fort Condor first?" Scarlet's question gave Rufus pause and he looked at her thoughtfully.

 

Yes, it was odd. She made a good point. The WEAPONS were originating from the Northern Crater so logically, Modeoheim should have been their first target. Somehow, the northern fortress managed to evade heavy attack, despite its close proximity to the most active birthing place of WEAPONS. Could Lazard have discovered some method to keep the creatures at bay that he wasn't sharing, or was it just dumb luck?

 

"Stay focused on the mission," Rufus said grimly. He determined that if Lazard really did have some special means of keeping the WEAPONS away from his colony, he probably wasn't even aware of it. There were certain places in the world that the creatures didn't disturb. It would be just like Lazard to have picked a spot that radiated some kind of mystic shield. He'd always had ridiculous luck, that way.

 

~************************************~

 

"Oh shit. Look at that."

 

Tifa really didn't want to look. She didn't want to see what kind of opposition they were facing...didn't want to see what Reno and the others were putting themselves up against. Elena's gasped comment was too much to ignore, however. Without even meaning to, Tifa approached the golden-haired Turk and pressed her face against the rounded window to see. Beneath the ascending airship, a horrifying scene unfolded. There were seven massive WEAPONS below, stomping towards Cosmo Canyon. If that wasn't alarming enough, the dozens of smaller WEAPONS following in their wake only compounded the severity of the situation.

 

Unlike the Alpha WEAPONS described by Cloud, these ones were bronze in coloring. They shared the smooth humanoid structure and lack of feature's he'd told her about but their tint was obviously more suited to blending in with desert surroundings. She had time to shake her head and despair over the fate of the MP's and civilians still back at the fort before one of the big WEAPONS looked up and took noticed of the airship she was riding in.

 

Tifa's mouth moved silently as the gold-plated scorpion creature seemed to glare straight through the window at her. Its eyes were garnet in color and the pupils were rectangular. The animal aggression in that gaze held no pity and a frightening craftiness.

 

"I think we're in trouble," Tifa said in a tight voice. She grabbed hold of Elena's arm reflexively and the blonde, seeing the danger, grabbed right back.

 

"Why, what's going on?" Yuffie came up beside them and peered through the window. "Whoa! He's...he's about to shoot!"

 

"What's about to shoot?" The voice came from a teenaged boy. People started crowding around the women and Tifa swore their combined weight made the ship list to one side.

 

"Stay calm," Tifa urged through stiff lips. "Everybody, just stay calm!"

 

"We're gonna die!" Wedge shouted. Jessie promptly slapped him on the arm and told him to shut up, even as she bit her lip and looked out the window. The creature below lifted its tail and the stinger lit up as it prepared to fire.

 

Cid Highwind's voice suddenly shouted over the intercom. "Buckle the fuck up, people! It's about to get rough! Shera, hurry up!"

 

Tifa was treated to the interesting sight of the window view suddenly obscured by a web of crackling energy. At first, she thought it was the result of the WEAPON firing and she shut her eyes and clung to Elena and Yuffie, expecting a blast of searing pain. Something struck the ship and she saw the glaring flash of light through her tightly shut eyelids. Voices cried out and the cabin shook beneath her feet. Tifa recognized one of the screams as her own and even as she fell to the floor, she kept a tight hold on her two companions. Her knees struck the deck with bruising force and her head clunked against Yuffie's painfully. Elena's elbow dug into her ribs and knocked the breath from her. A body slid right past her as the Shera tilted dangerously.

 

"Owch," Yuffie hollered. "Geez, you're head is hard!"

 

Tifa's vision was completely obscured by her hair and she lay gasping for breath on her back. The spot above her right eyebrow throbbed and she blinked through the strands of blanketing hair at her friend, hardly believing she was still in one piece. Yuffie was partially on top of her and she had one hand plastered over her forehead. Elena's cheek lay against Tifa's left breast and she groaned, lifting her head and peering around in confusion. People lay everywhere in confused tangles.

 

"I think," Elena wheezed, "It missed us?"

 

"No, it hit us," Tifa coughed. "Something absorbed the blow. Yuffie, get off! I need to see what's going on."

 

"You and me both," agreed the smaller woman. She groaned and got to her feet, offering Tifa a hand up. Elena followed and all three of them gazed through the porthole to see what was happening outside. The shield of energy surrounding the ship began to fade and the scorpion below was lining its stinger up for another shot at them.

 

"I think we're screwed," Elena said.

 

Tifa was about to agree but then one of the black choppers serving as a diversion took a sharp dive at the WEAPON. Fiery projectiles erupted from the chopper, striking the scorpion's head and claws. One of the other choppers joined it and the creature's attention quickly shifted away from the airship.

 

~**********************************~

 

"Stay the fuck off my girl, asshole." Reno piloted the chopper into a nosedive and Rude immediately started shooting.

 

Tseng evidently had similar thoughts, because his chopper rapidly closed in from the west and added its firepower to theirs. Reno shouted wildly and Rude grinned, keeping the guns locked and the trigger down. A bigger blast of rocket fire shot down at the creature from above as Cid and Shera unleashed their own volley on the creature. Apparently, they took the attack personally.

 

"Enough," Rufus' voice cautioned over the communications system, "don't waste all of your ammunition on one target. Pull back, both of you."

 

Reno gave his partner a wry smirk and shrugged. Rude stopped shooting and straightened his tie. Oddly enough, Tseng didn't immediately comply with the order. His chopper kept firing for a few moments and at first, Reno figured it was because his copilot was a newer guy. Tseng's voice spoke up over the unit and he realized that wasn't the case. The man was just pissed off.

 

"My apologies, Sir," Tseng's clipped tone was tense and angry. "That warranted a bit of something extra."

 

"Just don't do it again," Rufus advised. "Oh, hell."

 

Reno exchanged a confused look with Rude before looking out the window and seeing what caused the sudden outburst of cursing from their boss. "Aw, shit! Duck and cover, man!"

 

One of the other large WEAPONS had taken an interest in Rufus and Scarlet's chopper as it flew overhead. Unfortunately, the damned thing had jets on its feet and it lifted off from the ground in pursuit.

 

Rude's eyebrows shot up. "How's he supposed to duck and cover from that?"

 

Reno circled around with a worried expression. "Don't ask me, yo! Shit...shit!" Now the airship passengers were safe but the boss was in trouble.

 

~*********************************~

 

"Rufus, I need you to get closer to it!" Scarlet was struggling to hone in on the pursuing WEAPON while Rufus streaked the chopper through the air from side to side.

 

He looked out the window and over his shoulder on his side of the cockpit. He took one glance at the creature's angry face and voiced his disagreement. "Oh, I don't think so."

 

"Ru...fus!" Scarlet tumbled in her seat as he boosted the speed of the chopper and swerved in the sky. "Goddamn it! I can't shoot with you...flailing around...all over the place!"

 

"Live with it," Rufus advised. "You should be buckled in, by the way."

 

"You coward," she accused, even as she took his advice and fastened her seatbelt.

 

"Say what you will." He smirked sidelong at her. "I only need a few moments." He wasn't as impressive as Reno when it came to flying but he knew a trick or two. He'd seen a glance of the other choppers giving chase and he just needed to cooperate with them long enough for the right...moment.

 

Rufus pulled back on the stick and forced the chopper to climb abruptly. Scarlet twisted around in her seat and fumbled with the targeting visor, furious with him. Somewhere beneath and behind them, Reno and Rude fired at the menace chasing them while Tseng and the pilot of the other chopper did the same.

 

"Careful, you might give yourself a nosebleed," Rufus advised Scarlet as he leveled off and she stared at him. The screech of metal and roar of the WEAPON reached their ears. Both of them looked back to see the creature falling to the earth.

 

"Yo, everything all right boss?" Reno's voice asked over the communication unit.

 

Rufus adjusted his headpeace and spoke into it. "It would appear so." He felt a tickle in his chest and he coughed to clear it. "Resume the mission. We've still got work to do."

 

"We're on it," promised Reno.

 

~***********************************~

 

"This is going to be worse than Condor, isn't it?"

 

Sephiroth looked side-long at his lover and nodded. "Probably. Just be ready and this time, make sure you've got a working parachute."

 

Cloud found himself grinning. "I've got a backup wing if I need it."

 

Sephiroth looked into the amused blue eyes and he smiled quietly. "You sound so certain of that."

 

"So you'd just let me crash to the ground?" Cloud tilted his head curiously but his teasing little smirk didn't fade.

 

Sephiroth sighed. "I think you'd be rather useless if I allowed you to be flattened. No, I suppose I wouldn't let you crash to the ground."

 

"Thought so." Cloud had a smug look on his face.

 

"You really think well of yourself, don't you?"

 

Cloud looked at him sideways and shrugged. "Only when I know I'm right."

 

The banter could have continued but Angeal walked through the cabin towards the two men. The serious look on his face quickly sobered Cloud and Sephiroth immediately schooled his features into a cool mask. Angeal crouched over Sephiroth and took a deep breath.

 

"We probably won't find any survivors in the base." He said it flatly. His chiseled face bore the stony expression of one who'd seen too much tragedy.

 

Cloud felt deeply shamed, suddenly. Tifa's apparent safety and Sephiroth's restoration had made him lax. People were going to die. There was no way to help that at all. Upon looking at his lover from beneath lowered lashes, he saw that the realization hadn't escaped Sephiroth, either.

 

"We'll save who we can," insisted Sephiroth. "I need you and the others to concentrate on your job. Don't dwell on it, Angeal."

 

Angeal nodded and his eyes stayed locked on Sephiroth's. "We'll do that, but are you sure you're up for the task of leadership so soon?"

 

Cloud winced and looked at his lover sidelong. He was ashamed to admit he'd been wondering the same thing. Sephiroth stared back at Angeal and appeared to consider the question for a moment.

 

"I'll do what needs to be done," answered Sephiroth . "Make sure you and the others do the same."

 

Angeal studied him silently for a moment before giving a nod. "We will. I'll leave you to it and do my rounds." He stood up and took his leave, giving them both a respectful nod.

 

"You could have thanked him," Cloud blurted once Angeal was out of earshot. He immediately regretted it when he saw the lift of Sephiroth's eyebrows.

 

"For doing his job?"

 

"No." Cloud shook his head and he wondered if Sephiroth only ever lightened up around him. "I meant, for being there. He's your friend." He spared a covert look at his lover, fully expecting to see agitation on those angelic features, instead, he found himself facing a rare, quiet smile.

 

"Yes, he's my friend. So are Zackary and Genesis. They already know this, Cloud. Trust me, emotional displays would only make us all uncomfortable. They wouldn't know what to do with themselves if I hugged any of them...particularly Genesis."

 

Cloud plugged his nose as laughter threatened at the thought. He could just imagine the look on Genesis' face if Sephiroth hugged him. Confusion, suspicion and panic would likely ensue in that direct order. Provided the poet didn't run away screaming, he'd probably flat-out ask Sephiroth what sort of drugs he was on. Zack, on the other hand, would likely glomp Sephiroth. He was the most shamelessly affectionate person Cloud had ever met. Wondering if his observation was shared, he gave Sephiroth a curious smile.

 

"I don't think Zack would mind a little affection."

 

Sephiroth looked properly horrified by the idea. "I'd never get the man off of me. Don't even suggest it."

 

Cloud snickered into his hand. Dry as it was, Sephiroth did have a good sense of humor. "It couldn't be that bad. You put up with more from me."

 

"You share my bed," Sephiroth reminded him in a low voice. His emerald gaze warmed on the blond suggestively. "I make certain allowances."

 

Cloud forced his gaze up, looking at Sephiroth with bashful loyalty. "You should let your friends see this side of you more often."

 

"I'd never hear the end of it, if I did." Sephiroth rewarded him with another one of those brief, sexy smirks. "As I said, there are reasons behind the protocol."

 

Cloud nodded and his thoughts immediately went to Tifa. Truthfully, all he knew was that she'd made it successfully onto one of the air transports. That wasn't a guarantee of her safety and his face fell at the thought of something happening to her while they were on route. He squirmed in his seat and shifted his safety belt uncomfortably. His back hurt. He felt like his shoulder blades didn't quite fit.

 

"Your friend is a smart woman, from what you've said."

 

Sephiroth's soft comment broke into Cloud's thoughts and he stopped for a moment. He knew the soft-eyed look of worry he gave his lover was anything but manly. "She is, but she's just human...like me."

 

"Don't underestimate the Turks." Sephiroth's voice was confident, ironic. "True, they aren't Mako-enhanced Soldiers like some of us, but they're a clever sort." His gaze settled on Cloud and he paused, his lips parting uncertainly. He regained his thoughts and sighed. "The two of you survived Nibelheim. She'll live through this."

 

Cloud understood that Sephiroth was trying to offer him comfort. The effort meant a lot to him, because he knew it wasn't a thing that came naturally to him. He cared enough to try. That was important. Without warning or thought, Cloud laid his head on Sephiroth's shoulder.

 

"Thanks."

 

Sephiroth looked down at him with obvious surprise but he didn't make any demands for him to move. Cloud felt the long fingers sift into his hair and he closed his eyes as Sephiroth slowly stroked. It felt good. His eyes began to drift shut just as Vincent approached.

 

~***************************************~

 

"Don't wake him." Vincent's voice was a soft murmur as he seated himself across from Sephiroth. He cast a look out the window over his shoulder, peering at the dark sky. "I just wanted to discuss things while we still have time."

 

"I suppose you'll be bringing a guest?" Sephiroth considered ceasing his gentle stroking of Cloud's hair but he shrugged, deciding against it. Vincent knew what was going on between them and it was too late to try and play the role of the "good son".

 

"That depends on what we find when we get there," answered Vincent. "Reeve and I have gone over the readings and I'm sorry to say, there may not be much left to save on the base itself. I'm sure Angeal told you this already."

 

"Yes," agreed Sephiroth. "I'll tell you the same thing I told him. Just do your part. We can separate the rest out later." He glanced down unwittingly at his sleeping lover and discovered the annoying urge to pull a blanket over him and kiss those parted lips.

 

"We'll do our part," agreed Vincent. His eyes briefly rested on Cloud and his pale lips twitched. Thankfully, he said nothing. "The science team has their equipment ready for a search and rescue. Time is our greatest asset."

 

"Agreed," Sephiroth answered. "How long can we expect to wait before reaching our destination?"

 

"Five hours," Vincent answered. "Should you need anything, I'm at your disposal."

 

Sephiroth nodded. Vincent was a valuable asset. He knew the man wasn't helping out of a sense of obligation to him. There would be time to sort their personal relationship later...after they'd succeeded in rescuing the people from Cosmo Canyon. The real test would come when they reached their point of origin.

 

~***********************************************~

 

Nightfall brought no relief with it. While the Shera and the other aircrafts continued their trajectory north, the ground vehicles were forced to keep going toward Gongaga as advised. Rufus and the Turks did their best to keep the WEAPONS from launching a full assault on the base but four choppers simply weren't a big enough distraction. The creatures were single-minded in their determination and the only thing they knew was there was a mass of humans to destroy.

 

Reno and Rude depleted their ammunition first. Tseng and Rufus were more conservative but eventually they too used up the last of it. The president and the Turks hovered their choppers over Cosmo Canyon and watched the Alphas break through the main entrance. The bigger WEAPONS began tearing into the remaining structures outside. They could do nothing at all.

 

"Enough already," Reno muttered, his face tense. "Fuck, why don't they stop?"

 

"You know why, partner." Rude's expression was deceptively calm. The Alphas gained entrance and they began to pour into the underground shelter. "They want us all dead. Just be glad Tifa and Elena are safe, man."

 

Reno looked off into the distance, though the Shera was long beyond his sight and so were the choppers following it. "Thank fuck. Your girl was on there too, man."

 

"She's not 'my girl'" insisted Rude.

 

Reno gazed down at the carnage below. "Maybe not, but I'll bet you're sure as hell glad Jessie's not down there, yo."

 

Rude clenched his jaw. He followed his partner's gaze and he could imagine the terrified screams of remaining colonists as Gaia's monsters filed inside. How many survived depended on how soon help arrived, how deep the survivors went and how far in the Alpha WEAPONS delved.

 

"Yeah. I'm glad she's not down there."

 

~***********************************~

 

"Cougar, do you read? This is Sunhawk. Copy?"

 

Rufus stared at the sight of the approaching line of choppers, hardly believing they were coming. He pursed his lips in response to the sound of his half-brother's voice but he shifted the mic and answered. "I copy you. You're too bloody late."

 

Lazard's voice retained a professional demeanor as he responded. "Rescue teams are being sent in to deal with the situation. What is your fuel situation?"

 

Rufus looked at his fuel gauge, exchanging a grim look with Scarlet. "Low. I can't stay in the air for much longer and I doubt the situation is much better for my people. Whatever you're going to do, move faster."

 

"We've met up with your air transport and informed the base of their arrival," Lazard informed. "We have fuel available for you, but we must first find a suitable landing spot. Additional transport is on standby to retrieve colonists from Gongaga."

 

"How very kind of you," Rufus muttered under his breath. He fought another cough before answering aloud. "Turks, be ready to aid the evacuation efforts for the remaining civilians."

 

"I'm prepared," Tseng answered.

 

"If anybody's left," Reno grumbled.

 

Rufus cut off the frequency and took a moment to catch his breath. For the first time, he noticed Scarlet looking at him with faint concern on her face. He pressed his lips together. "What now?"

 

"The cough is getting worse." Her eyes scanned him and a platinum lock of hair fell over her forehead. "Should I worry, Rufus?"

 

"Don't be ridiculous." He waved her concern away and checked on the readings on the control panel. "It's this climate and this dust."

 

She nodded. "Of course."

 

~*************************************~

 

"Hit hard, hit fast," Zack advised. The Soldiers following him nodded and as the cabin doors opened, one of them threw up right on the floor. Zack winced and patted the guy on the shoulder.

 

"Don't think about it, man. We aren't fighting other people. Just follow me and the other officers, strike before they can hit you and don't waste a minute worrying about it, kay?"

 

"Why don't you wipe his ass and hand him a diaper, while you're at it?" Genesis strolled past Zack, unsheathing his red blade as he went.

 

Zack glowered at the redhead and the only thing that stopped him from mouthing off a response was the sight of Angeal emerging from the other chopper across the way. He sighed. Genesis never handled it well when he was forced to travel apart from his lover, even when they were on the same mission. Sephiroth and Cloud were disembarking from the same aircraft as Angeal while several MP's set up a defensive perimeter around it.

 

"Hey look," Zack said, reaching for Genesis' shoulder. Incoming missile fire interrupted his sentence and he ended up grabbing his friend by the arm and tossing him unceremoniously to the ground. He swore he heard Cloud yell something impolite in his home tongue at the top of his lungs. He thought he saw the blond dive at Sephiroth while at the same moment, Vincent rolled and tucked his cape over his head. Zack tasted dirt even as he shoved poor Genesis' face hard into the ground and covered his body with his own.

 

"Zack, Genesis!"

 

Zack spit dirt and lifted his head to see Angeal sprinting toward him. The groans of his men behind him assured him that they too had lived through the blast. He raised his hand and risked waving it at Angeal.

 

"We're okay!"

 

"Not for long," promised Genesis as he spit out a glob of dirt. He shoved Zack off of him and stood up, brushing his hands over his clothing while catching his breath. The indignant look he gave Zack promised Future Pain.

 

"I saved your ass," Zack reminded him. He climbed to his feet and accepted Angeal's hand gratefully as the larger man came up beside him.

 

"I suppose you did," agreed Genesis. "Shoving my face into the dirt, however..." His expression changed and his aqua gaze fixated on something over Angeal's shoulder. "Fuck...duck."

 

For a brief second, Zack nearly made a pun. There was no sarcasm on Genesis' features though and Angeal shoved him without warning, giving him a taste of dirt again. The three of them sprawled onto the ground as another missile came in. Dirt and rock peppered their clothing. Men shouted nearby and Zack saw a woman Soldier load a bazooka and fire in the general direction where the most recent assault came from.

 

"Okay, that's it," Zack muttered, "We need to go in, man!"

 

"Sephiroth's team is already moving in," observed Angeal with a pointing gesture. Sephiroth was indeed charging into the main entrance of the fort and Cloud followed closely behind with his sword drawn. Zack suffered a heart-stopping moment of fear when an Alpha to the right of the entrance went after Cloud, but the blond leapt into the air and unleashed a quick series of slashes with his sword. Zack's shout of warning died on his lips and he had time to notice that Sephiroth likewise seemed surprised. A hand grabbed hold of his jacket and he was suddenly yanked into motion.

 

"Move, assholes!" Genesis yelled while waving his free arm as if farming chickens. His sword bounced on his back and Zack tripped along after him helplessly. Other operatives and MP's jumped out of the way to avoid them. Angeal took to the air and drew his sword, frowning grimly.

 

"W-wait...hold it a minute!"

 

Zack might as well have been talking to a brick wall. Genesis kept dragging him along and Angeal dove straight at the big WEAPON that stomped over to the entrance and attempted to stop them. The Turk choppers were still hovering above and so were a couple of the ones from Modeoheim. Zack barked a curse, certain that his end was coming. Angeal sliced at the legs of the WEAPON and dove aside as it stumbled after him. Gunfire and explosives shot down from above and Zack ended up thrown against Genesis' body from the concussive force of it.

 

"You...crazy...and they tell me I'm reckless!" Zack shouted the accusation in Genesis' dirt-smudged face even as he drew his weapon and turned. The big WEAPON fired back but thankfully, the chopper it was aiming for managed to move aside. Zack shouted and charged. He heard someone's feet and the flapping of wings behind him and he knew he wasn't alone.

 

"Get ready, Zack."

 

He hardly had time to acknowledge the warning before Genesis caught him under the arms. He was being carried swiftly towards the enemy and he hastily readied his sword.

 

"You serious?"

 

Genesis swooped towards the disoriented WEAPON. Angeal hovered near its right shoulder and the look on his face said he didn't much care for what Gen was about to do.

 

"Think you can handle it?" There was a teasing, challenging undertone in the statement.

 

Zack thought about Aerith and his unborn child. Maybe sanity wasn't enough to protect them. He nodded and stared at the huge figure they were rapidly closing in on. "Let's do it."

 

Genesis and Zack both ignored Angeal's horrified look. Genesis made good use of his flight speed and chucked Zack straight at the WEAPON'S crotch. Zack flew through the air with a wild yell, his sword catching the rays of moonlight as he arched towards the creature. The warding gestures Angeal made had no effect and he watched with wide eyes as his apprentice zoomed through the air, while his lover ascended and watched with a curious smirk on his features.

 

"You...idiots!"

 

Angeal shouted the comment just as Zack collided with the WEAPON.

 

~**********************************************~

 

-To be continued