Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Ashen Skies ❯ Chapter 30 ( Chapter 30 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The past month has been blessedly uneventful.  Several babies have been born and the colony is thriving.  Lazard and Rufus have been careful to keep their people patrolling, even though it would seem there's no reason to continue seeking out and destroying WEAPONS.  You see, we are very much aware that the protection offered to us by this place is precarious.  None of us can understand the complex will of Gaia and we can't predict whether the city of the Ancients will remain a safe haven indefinitely.  

With that in mind, our military and research leaders continue to stay alert; continue to fight and continue to search out possible solutions to end this war with the planet.  They day may come where we must evacuate and search for yet another place to hide away and preserve what remains of humanity.  We'll fight extinction to the bitter end and we can't afford to get complacent or slow.

As for the condition of President Shinra and Scarlet; it's steadily getting worse.  The treatments have definitely slowed the growth and bought them time, but so far, nothing we've tried has shown any sign of reversing the process.  People avoid speaking openly about it but I can see it in the eyes of the Turks and all of Rufus' followers.  They know that their president is going to die.  He knows it too and so does his brother.  

But if there is one thing I've learned about Rufus Shinra, it's that the man is relentless.  Say what you will about him; he's cold, he's ruthless, he's arrogant and he's cruelly ambitious—but even those who hate him have come to admire him for pressing on the way he does.  As Genesis would say: some people are so cowardly it would take a body cavity search to find their spine.  President Shinra can't be counted amongst them.  There's still a chance we could discover a cure for his condition but he's prepared for the worst and he doesn't complain.

I think I may even miss the man when he passes.  I can't say the same for Scarlet, but I have to give the broad credit; she's almost as fortified as her lover about the fate she's most likely to share with him.  

True to his word, Cloud has refused to do any further testing for my new jet shoes until I have worked out more of the kinks.  I joked with Vincent that perhaps he could convince Chaos to do some testing for me—which was a foolish move on my part, in hindsight. Vincent's eyes flashed amber and Chaos spoke through his lips, warning me to drop the idea immediately.  

I believe his exact words were: "Unless you favor pain, you will banish such foolish thoughts from your mind, engineer."

Ah, the joys of living with a soul-sucking demon.  

On the bright side, I managed to hover around for a while in the boots I designed for Genesis...without informing Vincent that I was testing them again, of course.  I think that may be why Cloud's boots went haywire when he tried to alter the jet force.  His feet are smaller than mine you see, so I wasn't able to run as many personal tests on them.  Lieutenant Rhapsodos will have to be the one I approach with further testing, though I still have my doubts that he'll be as attentive to instructions and cooperative as Lieutenant Strife was.  A shame, but if I want to perfect these inventions I can't be too picky.

-Reeve Tuesti

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

Genesis was not a morning person.  He typically awoke shortly after sunrise—as was his habit since becoming a member of SOLDIER—but he made it clear to all around him that he did so under protest.  This was one such morning and Angeal stayed tactfully silent as he started putting together a breakfast of eggs and sausages.  Genesis was grumbling as though he couldn't help himself, stumbling about the small kitchen in a half-asleep stupor as he got out the mortar and pestle for grinding up some coffee beans.

"I miss appliances," complained Genesis.  He took out his frustration on the hapless beans, mashing and grinding them with heartless vigor.  The kettle was already whistling away on the stove and Angeal hastily took it off the burner when Genesis' aqua gaze narrowed on it in annoyance.  

"Be thankful we have real coffee and a plentiful food supply again," suggested Angeal.  "At least the days of freeze-dried coffee and bean curd are gone."

Genesis smirked at the memory.  "Ah, the 'good old days'."  

His smirk faded into a pensive little frown and he absently scooped some of the ground coffee and transferred it into the little muslin pouches for dunking.  True, there were some tough times at the Modeoheim base, when they had very limited space to raise livestock and grow produce.  They had to be more creative and conservative in those days, often skimping on meals to preserve food supplies.  Sometimes breakfast was cold gruel or porridge and lunch was the bean curd mentioned by Angeal.  During these lean times, dinner was the only meal of the day that included meat proteins and veggies or fruit.  There were times when the food supplies were so low, the civilian population had to live on nothing but grain and curd.  The colony tried to keep the militia at full strength—seeing as they were everyone's protectors—so military people ate better than civilians during those times.

Genesis combed his fingers through his bedraggled hair and he glanced sidelong at his companion.  "I'm insane."

Angeal nodded, hardly pausing his cooking.  "The first step to overcoming a problem is to admit you have one."

The redhead glared at him.  "Feeling like a smart-ass this morning, are we?"

The bigger man's mouth relaxed into a subtle smile.  "You walked into that one and you know it, Gen."

"Fine."  Genesis dunked the two coffee bags into the waiting mugs and reached for the kettle.  

Angeal leaned back to give him room so that he wouldn't bump the frying pan.  "What made you say that, anyway?"

The redhead poured some steaming water into the mugs and he sighed.  "Because when you reminded me of the harder times we faced in Modeoheim, I got nostalgic.  I actually miss going hungry, not knowing for certain when my next meal is going to be or if we'd even live to see another sunrise.  It's madness."

Angeal considered this for a moment and he shook his head.  "No, it isn't.  The old colony was our home and we defended it every single day.  It was our only sanctuary, until we moved here.  We grew accustomed to a hard life, with certain death waiting just around the corner.  Living like that makes every moment more intense, because it could be your last.  Besides, it was our home.  We all miss it sometimes, whether we admit it or not."

Genesis swallowed an annoying lump in his throat and he grimaced.  "Soon I'll be as sentimental as you are.  I need action.  A fight...a scouting mission...anything.  I've grown too used to conflict and these doldrums we're in are smothering me.  I can feel my edge dulling already."

"Write more poetry," suggested Angeal.  

"Your sarcasm is biting."

The big soldier chuckled.  "I was being serious.  I may not understand it the way you do but I know your love of poetry is important to you and it keeps you occupied.  Maybe you could write a play for the kids, or something.  I'm sure Zack would be happy to perform in it."   

Genesis considered the idea.  "Hmm, Captain Salty Dog meets his end, slain by a siren that grew bored of his hubris.  I like the sound of it."

Angeal smirked sidelong at his lover.  "Hubris is actually your department, Gen. Why is Zack such an attractive target for your contempt, anyhow?"

The redhead shrugged and handed Angeal's coffee to him.  "His never-ending optimism and perky nature bugs me.  I can't help it."

Angeal risked giving Genesis a brief kiss.  "And you'd still be one of the first people to defend him if his life was in danger."

Genesis grumbled under his breath before answering.  "Your damned puppy has a way of growing on a person...like a toenail fungus."

 Angeal parted his lips to respond to that, but someone knocked at their door, interrupting the conversation.  It was unusual to get visitors this early in the morning, unless it was about work.  The big soldier nodded at the front door.  "Maybe you'll get your wish and someone's brought us official mission orders."

"I'll get it," Genesis said—almost eagerly.  His sour mood perked up a little at the possibility of having something potentially dangerous to do.  Coffee mug in one hand, he half-stumbled to the door, still groggy from sleep.  When he opened it and found Reeve Tuesti standing there, he couldn't contain his frown.

"Oh, it's you.  Tell me they sent you with orders, Tuesti."

"Good morning to you too," replied the engineer pleasantly.  "May I come in?  Something smells good."

Genesis sipped his coffee and frowned at the older man.  "First tell me what you're doing here and then I might invite you inside."

Angeal overheard and he tried to make up for his partner's rudeness.  "Come in, Reeve.  Join us for breakfast.  I assume you're here on some sort of official business?"

Genesis stepped aside to let the engineer in, shooting his lover an annoyed look.  Reeve patted him benignly on the shoulder in passing.  "I appreciate the offer of hospitality, but I really can't stay for breakfast.  I came by because I have a favor to ask of Genesis."

"Did you fail to take notice of my blazing sarcasm and the scowl on my face?" Genesis demanded incredulously.  "Now is the wrong time to ask me for any favors."

"It's difficult not to notice when you're in one of your moods," Reeve assured him, taking a seat on the couch in the living room area, "but my research is more important than waiting for your morning sourness to fade."

Angeal finished frying up the food and he frowned at Reeve as he transferred the eggs and sausages to a couple of plates.  "It must be something special."

Reeve nodded in agreement, looking up at Genesis—who was watching him impatiently and sipping at his hot beverage.  "Yes, it's important enough for me to risk the Rhapsodos wrath this morning.  See?  I can be poetic too."

"Clever," murmured Genesis, "now try one that doesn't suck."

Reeve's eyebrows shot up and he regarded Angeal.  "He really is a cranky one in the mornings.  How do you manage, Commander Hewley?"

"With practice," answered Angeal.  He gave Genesis his plate and the redhead was gracious enough to thank him before taking it to the little table between the kitchen and the living room.  The first floor of the house was all one room, but the arrangement of the furniture made it seem less cramped.  "Can I get you something to drink, at least?  We have milk and juice in the cooler."

"No, thank you," answered Reeve.  He stroked his well-trimmed beard and regarded Angeal with faint amusement.  "Funny, I would have imagined the domestic situation here to be the other way around."

Genesis paused with a bite of egg halfway to his mouth.  "In what way?"

Reeve gestured at the redhead.  "Well, it's just that you're so...." He then gestured at Angeal, who sat down adjacent to Genesis to eat, "...and he's so..."

Genesis cocked an eyebrow.  "I assume you mean to say that Angeal's a manly man and I'm the 'girly' one, therefore I should be the one doing the cooking and cleaning."

The engineer shrugged.  "No offense."

Genesis snorted.  "Never judge a book by its cover.  So, are you going to tell us what you want or should we keep discussing your quaint, old fashioned assumptions?"

"I get the message," answered Reeve.  "Well, I'm here this morning because I'm in need of a flyer to help me finish some tests on a project I've almost completed.  I thought you might be interested."

Genesis swallowed his bite of egg and washed it down with a little coffee.  "Why me?  Why not my more cooperative and cool-headed companion?"  He gestured at Angeal with a fork.

"I'll be honest with you; I designed these devices with the two fastest winged soldiers in mind.  Not only would Angeal's bulk and weight throw off my calculations; the boots aren't likely to fit him.  One pair is sized for you and the other is sized for Cloud.  You two are the most nimble in the air and operating these devices will require some finesse."

"In other words, Angeal and Sephiroth are both too clumsy," guessed Genesis with a crooked smirk at his lover.  Angeal gave him a look that was the facial equivalent of flipping someone the bird.

"What exactly are these boots?" Angeal asked of Reeve, ignoring his companion's smug grin.  

"Jet boots," obliged the engineer, "constructed from parts gleaned from Alpha weapons.  If Cloud and Genesis could master flying with them active, nothing could catch them in the air.  It would bring a distinct advantage to our forces."

"So you want me to put on a pair of experimental rocket boots and test them out."  Genesis' face was expressionless.

"Yes, that's the plan."

Genesis cut into the yoke of his egg and he studied the runny yellow liquid thoughtfully.  "Interesting."

"No."

Both of them looked at Angeal, whose chiseled features were stern and quietly authoritative.  Genesis raised his eyebrows.  "'No'?  Care to expand on that?"

Angeal regarded Reeve soberly.  "I have all the respect in Gaia for you and your work, but not all of your inventions work out the way you plan.  You've narrowly avoided some disastrous results in the past and I can't risk my second in command getting blown up by untested equipment."

Genesis was about to tell Angeal that pulling rank to justify his protective urges wasn't going to win him a fuck anytime soon, but Reeve spoke first.  

"The equipment has been tested—as much as I'm able to.  I can promise you, it won't explode.  To finish the testing I need either Cloud or Genesis to help me.  I can't make the final adjustments without someone telling me what needs to be altered to make use of the boots easier on the wearer, understand?"

"And you haven't asked Cloud to do this?"

Genesis scoffed at Angeal.  "When it means explaining to the General that he wants to use his beloved, blue-eyed canary to test experimental jet boots?  Please."

"Actually, Cloud has already participated in testing his pair of boots," explained Reeve.  "Uh...without speaking to Sephiroth first, I might add.  In fact, if the General happens to come for a visit while I'm here, I'll have to make use of your back door."

The redhead smirked at that and Angeal rolled his eyes.  "I assume since you're coming to us, Cloud's tests came out less than satisfactory."

"Well, there are some bugs to work out," admitted Reeve, "but I've fixed the problem with his controls and I made sure the same error wouldn't be repeated with Lt. Rhapsodos' pair.  I just need him to help me confirm that the project is complete."

Angeal sighed and looked at Genesis.  "Well?"

"'Well', what?" Genesis shrugged and paused with a fork full of egg partway to his lips.  "You've already released the caveman on this.  Why bother asking me?"

The bigger man's eyes remained steady on him.  "Because you're a rebel at heart and no matter how amicable you pretend to be, I know that the more I resist, the more you'll want to participate.  If you think the alleged advantage this new invention could bring is worth the risk of testing it, you'll do it whether I like it or not."

Genesis smirked.  "True.  I'm glad I have your gracious approval to make my own decision about this."  He opened his mouth and took his waiting bite of egg, aqua eyes flashing with dry humor.

"You two are like an old married couple," Reeve observed.

When both Soldiers frowned at him, he decided he was best off taking his leave and keeping such observations to himself.  "Well, now that I have your cooperation, I trust you'll meet me on the outskirts of town after lunch.  I think the open sky is the best place to complete the testing and so long as we stick to this territory, we should be safe from any WEAPON interference."

Angeal looked up from the plate he had just prepared for himself and his ambiguity returned full-force.  "You didn't say anything about testing out in the open.  I don't like it, Reeve.  Genesis is easy to spot as it is and if a WEAPON does get attracted to the activity and those boots malfunction—"

"They can be disabled," assured the engineer.  "I ran extensive testing after Cloud's experience to be absolutely certain of that.  If it comes to a situation like that, all Genesis needs to do is activate the emergency shutdown and dive into the Sleeping Forest.  We know for a fact the WEAPONS won't go in there."

Having become restless and eager for some action, Genesis shrugged.  "That's good enough for me.  I've out-flown plenty of WEAPONS in the past, without the benefit of jet boots.  Unclench, Angeal."

The bigger man sighed again and shook his head.  "This is a disaster waiting to happen."

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

Later that day after lunch, Aerith burped Kirsten after feeding her and she hummed to the infant as she paced the living room with her.  Zack came out of the kitchen and he stood in the archway, leaning against the frame as he watched mother and daughter.  Aerith looked up at him and smiled, endeared and amused as always by the way he watched their daughter with a touch of awe.  He still expressed amazement that they had made her together and Aerith found it adorable.

"Want to hold her for a while?" offered the Cetra, approaching her husband.  "She's settled down now."

Zack reached out for her with a nod and he smiled broadly down at the baby as he took her in his arms and cradled her.  "I'd hold her even if she was screaming her little head off.  Yes Daddy would...yes he would!"

"Thank Gaia for that," Aerith said sincerely.  Just as she'd predicted, Zack was a wonderful father and a great helper.  He shared the burdens of parenting along with the joys and Aerith got more sleep than most other new mothers as a result.

"Aw, she's a good girl," Zack excused.  "Except for when she has a tummy ache or poopy pants, right kiddo?  We hate the poopy pants, don't we?"

Aerith covered her mouth on a giggle and Kirsten stared up at her father curiously and cooed in response to his baby talk.  Those strong arms could wield a deadly blade with frightening savagery.  The calloused hands could probably snap a man's neck with hardly any effort at all.  Despite these facts, Zack handled the fragile infant with care and tenderness, leaving no doubt that one of the safest places in the world for Kirsten to be was in his arms.

Aerith was about to announce how much she loved him when a knock on the door distracted her.  "I'll see who it is," Aerith offered before Zack could make a move toward the door.  

She slipped the burping towel off her shoulder and set it on the dining table as she walked to the front door.  Angeal Hewley stood there waiting and the first thought that entered Aerith's mind was that he had a mission assignment to give to Zack.  She smiled up at him, though she always hated it when her husband was called away for duty.

"Hello Commander Hewley," Aerith greeted, stepping aside to make room for him.  "Come in."   

"Aerith," greeted Angeal softly.  He stepped through the doorway and he smiled at Zack when he saw the younger man cradling the baby.  "I hope I didn't come at a bad time."

"Nah," denied Zack amicably.  "She just had her lunch.  Look Kirsten, it's your Uncle Angeal!  Say 'hi' to him."  

He tilted the baby in his arms to face Angeal and she grasped at the air with chubby fingers, looking up at the big man with her blue-violet eyes.  She was a pretty child, with her honey-colored curls, rosy cheeks and inquisitive eyes.  Angeal couldn't help but smile at her and he reached out to let her grasp his finger.

"How is the colic now?  She seems much better."

"We powered through it," Zack answered.  "I guess it's just something every parent has to deal with, sooner or later."

"The worst part was knowing she was in pain and being helpless to do more," Aerith added with a pout at her daughter.  "It's such a relief that it cleared up.  Dr. Lewis told us that sometimes, it can take months to go away."

"I'm glad it went away," replied the commander sincerely.  "Your family deserves as much peace as you can get...which is why I'm hesitant to ask for your help today."

Zack shared a frowning look with Aerith before shifting his daughter in his arms to gently rock her.  "What's up, man?"

"Nothing too serious," assured Angeal with a nod at Aerith, evidently noticing the anxiety she tried to conceal.  "It's not an official mission and we don't have a host of enemies closing in on us.  Genesis is helping Reeve test out a device and it needs to be done in open air space.  There is a risk that comes with leaving the sanctified territory, as you know."

"And you want me to come with as added security, just in case," reasoned Zack.

Angeal nodded.  

Aerith relaxed.  "That doesn't sound so bad.  Are you bringing Cloud and the General, too?"

Angeal shook his head.  "Not unless we need to.  Sephiroth has enough to deal with and Cloud has already assisted with this project once."

Zack shrugged.  "Okay.  So when are we heading out?"

"Now, if possible," answered Angeal.  "Genesis, Reeve and Valentine are already on their way to through the forest."

"I want to come with," Aerith said when Zack handed the baby over to her.

He raised his eyebrows.  "Really?  What about that baby?"  He looked down at their daughter with concern.  "I don't like the thought of bringing her outside the safe zone, Honey."

"We won't," she insisted.  "I'll get someone to watch her while we're out."

He looked like he wanted to argue but he saw something in her eyes and he smiled, instead.  "You want to get out for a little while, don't you?  I get that."  He leaned over and kissed her.  "Okay Aerith.  Who'd you have in mind as a babysitter?"

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

Yuffie blinked when she opened the door to find Aerith and Zack standing there with their baby.  "Um...hi."

"Hi Yuffie," responded the other woman with a smile.  "Do you remember how you told me if I ever need help with the baby, I can come to you?"

The Wutaian cast her mind back, remembering some half-hearted promise she might have made because it was just what friends were supposed to say in support of each other.  "Er...I guess so."

Zack put the nappy bag on the doorstep and grinned at her.  She couldn't be sure since his other eye was concealed beneath a patch, but Yuffie thought he winked at her.  "Now's your chance to make good on that, Yuffster.  Aerith and I have to go out for a couple of hours and we need someone we can count on to watch the munchkin for us.  Could you do that?"

Being hormonal and miserable, Yuffie wasn't quite as susceptible to Zack Fair's charm as she might have been a couple of months ago.  "Did you just wink at me?"

Zack flushed uncomfortably.  "Uh...well, I—"

Aerith turned and frowned at her husband, shifting the baby in her arms so that she could poke him in the side.  "Zackary Fair!"

He winced, more from the exasperated look on her face than the little poke in his side.  "What?  I...it just...I was only..." He trailed off into sputtering, clearly humiliated at being called out.

Aerith rolled her eyes and returned her attention to Yuffie.  "Anyway Yuffie, would you mind watching Kirsten for a little while?  I wouldn't ask if I didn't really need the help."

"W-What about Tifa?" asked Yuffie, trying not to look panicked.  

"She's training," replied Aerith.  "Please, Yuffie?  We've never asked before."  She eased the baby into Yuffie's arms, begging her with her eyes.

"B-but—"

"It will give you some practice for when your own little one comes along," reasoned Aerith with a smile.  "I trust you."

Yuffie couldn't turn down the request, no matter how badly she wanted to.  She sighed and she hoped this wouldn't become a regular thing with her friend.  "Oh, all right.  You'd better not be more than a couple of hours, though!  A lot of smells make me sick and baby poo is top on the list."

"Get Tseng to help you," suggested Aerith, unperturbed.  "He's going to need practice too, after all."

"He sure is," agreed Yuffie grumpily.

Aerith and Zack thanked her vehemently before taking their leave.  Yuffie watched them go with a sigh and she looked down at the infant in her arms when they were out of sight.  She turned her head to yell into the house for her husband, fully intending to make him change every poopy diaper that occurred while Aerith and Zack's little miracle was under their care.

"TSENG!"

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

They met up just outside the edge of the Sleeping Forest and Vincent didn't look particularly enthused as Reeve put the box he was carrying on the ground and started to open it.

"You've heard what they say about people who keep repeating their actions and expecting a different outcome," reasoned the gunman softly, his ruby gaze hooded.

"Sometimes that's true," admitted Reeve with a grunt, "but other times, repetition provides brilliant results.  There's a fine line between madness and genius, my friend."

"Sometimes I wonder which side of that line you walk," muttered Vincent.

Reeve chuckled, used to his affectionate criticism.  "I guess we'll find out soon, won't we?"

A few feet away, the intended recipient of his experiment was conversing with the others.

"So, here we are."  Genesis looked around at the gathered group.  It didn't really surprise him that Angeal got Zack into it, but he was mildly curious about Aerith's presence.  "I take we've lost some of the new parent jitters?"

The Cetra smiled a little, shrugging.  "Yes, we have—at least for a couple of hours.  Besides, I want to see what happens when you try using these jet shoes."  She looked at the box that Reeve opened, where a pair of said footwear rested amongst insulating foam padding.  

"Come to see if I'll ram myself into a tree, have you?"

Aerith patted the bag hanging from her shoulder.  "I brought a healing potion, just in case."

Genesis resisted a smirk.  Aerith didn't need healing potions or materia to take care of injuries, but she couldn't reveal that fact to just anyone.  He could have told her she had nothing to worry about if their current company discovered the truth about her, but he could appreciate her caution.  It was her secret to share with whomever she chose to, when she was ready.  

"Well Lieutenant, are you ready?"  

Reeve's question drew Genesis' attention back to him.  He nodded at the older man, curious about the jet boots in spite of himself.  "I'm ready."

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

Meanwhile , somewhere south of Bone Village:

"Come on, partner.  Sing a few lines with me.  You'll like it."

Rude shook his head stubbornly.  "I don't sing, man.  Especially not songs about jerking off."

Reno rolled his eyes behind the shaded goggles and he popped his gum.  "Fucking prude.  'Sides, it's not about a guy jerking off.  It's about a girl getting off thinking about a guy—or another chick…I haven't figured that out yet."

"So you're singing a girl's song," Rude pointed out.

Reno paused, glancing at the bald man sidelong in a considering manner.  He shrugged a moment later and adjusted his earphones.  "Girl shmirl.  I'm secure in my sexiness, yo."

"I think you meant sexuality."

"Whatever," Reno shrugged, and then he resumed singing.

"I love myself, I want you to love me.  When I feel down, I want you above me."

Rude began to tap his knee to the rhythm, despite his earlier criticism.  His partner had a decent singing voice and it was better than listening to the engine all the way home.

"I search myself, I want you to find me.  I forget myself, I want you to re-mind me!"

"Waarrk!"

Reno paused at the interruption and he twisted in his seat to pear through the open cockpit door.  "Shaddup, ya overgrown chicken.  Everyone's a critic."

Rude spared a glance through the doorway to look into the cargo hold as well.  The chopper they were using had been altered for the specific purpose of transporting livestock from the wilds to the colony.  This time, they were bringing back three wild chocobos and a couple of wandering cows they'd found near the ruins of Icicle Inn.  The animals didn't look too happy at all and the choco rooster was scratching the floor of his pen.  He eyed Rude in a way that suggested he'd like to peck his eyes out.

"Maybe we should secure the door shut 'till we reach the capitol," suggested Rude after a moment's consideration.  

"Not after what happened the last time, partner," objected Reno.  "Those giant rabbits trashed the cargo bin so bad, I didn't think we'd get it fixed up enough to use again.  I want to keep an eye on all the livestock we pick up, from now on."

Rude tried to ignore the beady eyes on him and he shrugged.  "It's your call, Red.  If they get loose and come in here pecking, I'm jumping ship."

Reno laughed.  "Chickenshit.  It'll be fine, you'll see."

Rude grunted, not entirely believing him.  "Keep singing.  It'll take my mind off the stink and the noise."

"Hey, you like my singing!  You go it, big guy."  Reno smiled broadly at his companion and he obligingly resumed where he left off.

"I don't want anybody else.  When I think about you I touch myself—"

Reno reached out and poked his partner, making Rude swat at him and frown.  Amused, the Redhead began to bop in his seat, dancing as much as his position would allow him to.

"Ooh I don't want anybody else, oh no, oh no—"

A huge, biomechanical form broke free from the forests below and it rose before the chopper before Reno finished singing his line.  

"OOHH SHIIIT!"

Both Turks shouted the curse in unison and Reno grabbed the control stick and banked sharply to the right.  Rude caught a brief glimpse of huge, glowing blue eyes set in a dog-like face before his partner's quick piloting reactions took them on a different course.  The WEAPON was winged, silver all over and a cross between feline and canine in biology.  In fact, it was built almost like their ally Nanaki.  Rude hastily grabbed for the targeting equipment overhead and opened the control panel next to it as Reno deftly evaded the attacking creature.

"Came out of nowhere," shouted Rude over the ruckus.  The livestock in the cargo area were bleating, tweeting and clucking with alarm as the helicopter listed to the left and right.

"Shut the cockpit door, yo," Reno hollered back.  "The last thing we need is a fucking cow or chocobo sliding in here and crushing us, if anything comes loose!"

Rude unquestioningly did as his partner demanded.  An explosion went off somewhere directly behind them and he cursed as the aircraft shook from the residual disturbance in the air.  "We hit?"

Reno shook his head and flipped a couple of switches overhead.  "Nah, he missed us.  I'm bringing the energy shield online.  Give this fucker something to think about while I evade, partner."

"In spades," agreed Rude.  

His heart was thundering and he felt like he could shit his pants at any moment, but the familiar thrill of conflict made up for all that.  He set up his targeting system and he waited for the opportunity for a shot at the beast.  Reno piloted the aircraft in a wide, choppy circle around the aggressor and the moment he had a clear target, Rude took it.  Two of the armed rockets launched from the chopper and the WEAPON was none too pleased when they struck its outer shell, blowing off a piece of shoulder armor.  Rude followed up with specialized Darkness missile, hoping to blind the creature.  

"Hang on, partner," Reno warned when the Darkness missile failed to impact.  

Rude wisely grabbed hold of the overhead bracer with one hand and his seat with the other as Reno swerved and dove, heading straight for the ground.  Years of experience with the redhead kept Rude from upchucking into his mouth and he couldn't help but grin when he heard his partners' wild shout.  Even if they died this afternoon, at least Reno would go out having fun.

"I'm calling it in," announced Reno when they reached the outskirts of colonial territory.  The WEAPON fired a concussive blast that struck their energy shield and the redhead swore violently.  

"You concentrate on flying," suggested Rude as he adjusted his headgear.  "I'll call it in!"

"Good thinking, yo," shouted Reno.

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

"What do you think?"

Zack looked up at the swooping, soaring figure of Genesis and he shrugged.  "He's a showoff...like always."

Angeal smirked at him.  "But the jet boots.  In your opinion, should I approve them?"

Zack watched how fast the already speedy redhead zipped through the sky and he stepped closer to Aerith, putting an arm around her to draw her close.  "This could really give us an edge, Ange.  I think maybe you'd better clear it with Seph, the Prez and the Director, but it looks like Gen's pair works, at least."

Angeal nodded, having come to the same reluctant conclusion.  Reeve and Vincent were nearby, looking up at the spectacle of the swooping lieutenant with interest.  Angeal walked over to them.  "I think you'd better do more testing just to be sure, but I'm satisfied that this can be approved on the weapons list."

Reeve's smile was only a little smug.  "I thought you might say that, once you saw a good field test."

Angeal would have responded to that, but he heard a distant roar and the sound of an approaching helicopter.  He shot an alarmed look over his shoulder at Zack and he manifested his wing immediately, taking to the air to scout.  Vincent also took heed of the sound and he allowed Chaos to come forth so that he could assist, if needed.

"Zack?" Aerith cried, pressing closer to her husband.  She felt the anger of the planet drawing near and the cries of the Lifestream began to assault her.  She clutched at the materia crystal hanging from her neck, taking comfort in Zack's presence.  

Zack kept one arm around her as he drew his sword and searched the skies.  He edged closer to the forest with her, prepared to drag her into the safety of the canopy.  "It's okay, Aerith.  Just be ready to run to the city, all right?"

She nodded, still clutching the white materia.  "There has to be something I can do."

His good eye flashed as he looked at her.  "You can get your butt to safety if I tell you to run.  That's the best thing you can do."

She frowned at him, preparing to lecture him about underestimating her.  The source of the noise crested the hills at that moment and Aerith forgot to be angry with her partner for trying to protect her.

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

~Well, this is turning out rather well.  I've never flown so fast.  It's going to take some getting used to, but I'd say Tuesti is onto something.~

Genesis wasn't given the opportunity to enjoy his enhanced flight speed for long, however.  He distantly heard what he assumed to be thunder in the distance and he thought he detected the sound of an incoming ShinRa aircraft.  He didn't pay it any mind at first, as he was too thrilled by the speed of his trajectory.  He felt like a deadly red missile and he smirked as he thought of all sorts of puns he could later share with Angeal.

~I have a very foul mind.  Crotch-missile Genesis, incoming.~

His self-amusement was rudely cut off when he rolled back over in the air and saw what was heading directly toward him.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!"

He shouted the oath just before he banked desperately to the left, attempting to avoid a head-on collision with two wide-eyed Turks in a ShinRa chopper.  Behind them was a flying WEAPON, and it was far from charitable.

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

" Uh...partner..."

Reno saw that they were about to flatten Genesis like a red pigeon and he threw everything he had into banking left when he saw how the Soldier was dodging.  "Lean left, Rude!"

The bald Turk complied without question and by some slim miracle, the chopper narrowly avoided clipping Gen and turning him into bird mulch.  The passengers had no time to savor their success, though.  The WEAPON that was following them still had them hot in its' sights and while the vivid figure of Genesis gave it momentary pause, it was still primarily angry at the humans in the noisy aircraft.

Rude fooled with the weapons panel and shot another missile at it, trusting his partner to avoid major hits from the creature.  He spoke into his mic as calmly as possible while he worked, trying to keep the target occupied while he conveyed tactical information to the base.  Tseng wasn't immediately available but the response to the distress call was immediate.

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

Zack was torn between the need to protect his wife and the desire to join his comrades as Genesis and Chaos prepared to engage the pursuing WEAPON overhead.  He heard the static-distorted reports from the Turk chopper weaving and circling overhead and he understood what was going on.  They evidently picked up the tracker on their way home.

"Go and fight."

Zack turned to face his wife with open bewilderment on his face.  She gave him a shaken smile and she caressed the side of his face with her hand.  "It's okay, Zack.  It's who you are.  Go and do what you do best."

He briefly forgot about the chaos around them.  "Aerith..."

"Go.  Do what you can."

He smiled at her then, unable to contain the pride and love he felt for her.  "You're awesome, you know that?"

She looked up at the fearsome creature overhead—which was now chasing after Chaos.  "Just be careful."

He pressed a hurried kiss against her mouth and winked at her.  "You've got it, Sweetheart."

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

Unf ortunately for Zack, kicking ass remained a problem for him as a non-winged person.  Like Reeve, he could do little more than watch as his companions flew overhead and engaged the threat.  

"I feel like such a dick," he complained after jumping up and down and waving his arms for ten minutes.  

No wonder Aerith was so cool about letting him "join the fight".  He couldn't get in on the action and his buds were too preoccupied to give him a lift.  He glanced at Reeve and he remembered that the engineer had brought both sets of jet boots with him.  Cloud's pair was still nestled in the box, next to the one Genesis was now making use of overhead.  Zack began to grin as an idea came to him.  He spared a glance overhead and he winced as Chaos narrowly avoided an explosive projectile fired from the WEAPON.  There wasn't much time to spare.  Soon, Sephiroth and the rest of the army would arrive to help end the threat.

After taking a quick look to ensure that his wife was safely near the forest's edge, Zack decided to help Reeve's experiments along a little more.  The engineer had drawn his gun and he was too busy taking shots at the WEAPON overhead to notice Zack's approach.

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

Cloud was just looking forward to an end of his inspection duties when the emergency call reached him.  His pulse quickened when he heard Rude's insanely calm announcement that a WEAPON had pursued he and Reno to the territory.   Now that he was a member of the First Class, he didn't need to give anyone an explanation or wait for orders.  He looked at the half-confused troops he'd been inspecting and ordered them to get ready for a strike.  He spread his wings and just as he took off, he spotted a familiar figure with long silver hair gliding toward him on a black wing.

"I'm ready for action, General," Cloud said as he pulled up and hovered before his lover and superior.

Sephiroth likewise halted his trajectory and he looked Cloud up and down for a moment, all business.  "Weapons ready?"

"Yes Sir."

The serpentine gaze seemed satisfied.  "Then let's handle the situation as best we can."

Cloud couldn't agree more.  He flew alongside his lover as the rest of the militia prepared to move out.  From what he understood, Angeal, Genesis and Zack were already on the job and Rude and Reno were there as well.  He was confident that they could handle the monster before the army had to invest in heavy fire, but he didn't know what kind of WEAPON they were going up against.

Beside him, Sephiroth reminded him of the dangers behind getting too comfortable with success.  "Don't get complacent, Cloud.  Never let your guard down."

Cloud stiffened a bit and berated himself for getting cocky.  "Understood."

He didn't see Sephiroth's faint smirk of approval.

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

 When they arrived, Cloud had time to notice that Aerith was watching from the edge of the forest and he wondered why she hadn't left yet.  He heard her shout Zack's name and he got his answer.  He blinked as he spotted his friend shooting up into the air before him, with jets of flame expelling from his boots.  

"Was ist das?"

Cloud barely had the chance to blurt his wonder aloud before he was forced to dodge away from white-hot, streaking plasma fire.  He saw Sephiroth twist in the air and head toward the weapon.  He saw Zack somehow come up level with the thing and drag his sword along the underside of it with a shout.  Genesis and Angeal were on either side of the creature, while a Turk chopper brought up the rear.

    "What are you doing?" Cloud shouted at his friend, when he realized Zack was in the air using oddly familiar jet boots.

Zack didn't hear him.  The one-eyed Soldier was evidently too busy trying to steer the boots to let him land on the WEAPON—which took a sudden and unhealthy interest in him.

"Zack, move out of the way!" Cloud hollered, waving an arm.  He saw the other man wave his arms frantically and he realized that Zack couldn't move away if he wanted to.

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

"That fucking idiot!"  

Genesis almost let Zack fry, but a quick glance into his past reminded him that the stupid puppy was worth saving.  He saw Angeal and Sephiroth from the corner of his eye as he streaked toward the moronic imbecile they were trying to save.  He heard the garbled commands over the satellite frequency attached to his ear and he vaguely noticed Aerith's wide, panicked green eyes as he dove.

"You dumb little bastard," Genesis growled as he caught Zack under both arms and streaked with him toward the forest.  

He tried to aim for an open area and he was forced to swerve aside to miss Chaos.  He scowled at the demon in blame and he ignored Zack's sharp complaints, seeking a reasonably soft spot to land.  The sound of the gunfire and roaring overhead assured him that the battle wasn't yet won.

He ended up plowing into the earth with his arms tightly wrapped around Zackary.  Aerith jumped hastily aside as the two of them came to a rough halt.  Genesis barely had time to climb up off of Zack before he realized that the WEAPON'S attention was completely on him, Zack and Aerith.

"Oh hell....Angeal, move your ass,"  Genesis said into his comm. unit, and his dark wing immediately shot out to cover Aerith and her unconscious husband.

"Genesis, I want to see!"

He shook his head and glared up at the diving weapon with a bloodied mouth.  "No, you don't."  

He did his best to cover her and Zack.  He braced himself as the beast's landing shook the ground.  The others were closing in on it but there was no way they would reach it in time.  Genesis shut his eyes and he did his best to cover Aerith and Zack.  He heard a song from somewhere within the forest and as the WEAPON began to descend upon him, he felt an odd warmth.  There was a pleasant tingle in his bones and he shut his eyes, wondering where it came from.

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

S he could bear it no longer.  Her husband, her friends and everything she cared about were going to die.  Aerith reacted on instinct, reaching inward as she had done when he had been harmed before.  "Zack!"

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

Sephiro th came to an abrupt halt over his friends and he ordered the other Soldiers and the Turks to do the same.  He stared down at the spectacle below him and he tilted his head curiously.  The WEAPON was acting strangely.  It seemed to have lost interest entirely in Aerith, Zack and the others.  In fact, it looked around with a somewhat confused air—as if it had woken from a dream.   A white, twinkling nimbus was spreading out from Aerith to engulf everyone and everything within the vicinity.  

"What the fuck's going on here," demanded Reno's voice over the receiver, "this ain't right!"

"Weapons hold," insisted Sephiroth.  The WEAPON wasn't seeking them out anymore.  In fact, it was behaving as if they weren't there at all.  

"What's happening?" Cloud asked softly beside him.  The blonde had his sword ready but he waited for Sephiroth's mark.

Sephiroth's gaze went to the source of the scintillating bubble of light and he tried not to express the sudden rush of hope he felt.   He understood how the convoy had made it all the way here from Modeoheim.   He understood how they'd gotten by for so long without being blown away like the other bases.  Rufus wasn't entirely wrong.  They really did have their own key...in the form of Aerith.  

"We have the most important tool at our disposal, Cloud.  Aerith can make us invisible to the WEAPONS."

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

-To be continued

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