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Ashen Skies	By : Cynthia Category: Final Fantasy VII > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 1380 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and all characters are the property of Square Enix. I do not profit from this fanfiction, it’s for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter List
- 35
- 36
- 37
"Ashen Skies"
Chapter 36
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Warnings: Graphic violence
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Author's note: Sorry for the delay on this chapter. Aside from personal life interfering, there's so much going on and it can be difficult to describe some events and scenery, so I had to put more time and effort into it. I have also disabled anonymous reviews, due to gratuitous religious bigotry spouted by cowardly homophobes that lack the testicular fortitude to preach their foolishness under a registered name.
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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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            They stopped at the ruins of Icicle Inn that night to refuel. Though the town itself was wiped out, the fuel pumps still worked and there was plenty remaining to fill all of the vehicles. They reached the frozen plains at the base of Gaea's Cliff by early the next morning. They could have made better time if it weren't for the sheer amount of forces they had to move. It was hard enough to keep such a large number of ground vehicles moving together smoothly through snow flurries, without the added problem of crossing ice and avoiding wandering WEAPONS.
Aerith's abilities certainly helped reduce the risk of conflict before they reached the prearranged location, but the chill environment itself worked against the armies' progress. The Cetra was able to doze during the journey, since the long-range scanners could detect any WEAPON activity before it came close enough to pose a threat. Once, Angeal had to wake her up so that she could use her ability just in case, when a single WEAPON approached the edge of the scanner range. Above the ground transport, the formation of helicopters flew and kept a sharp eye out on the ashen horizon.
            Inside one of those choppers, Zack fair listened to Reno's announcement over the speaker and he stroked his wife's braided hair, forcing a smile when she opened her eyes to look at him. "We're about to land, Sweetheart," Zack informed. His eye went to the glowing materia crystal resting against her bosom. "How are you holding up?"
            Her jade eyes reflected the light of the crystal and she nodded. "I'm okay. Like I said before; it's not hard to keep it going once I get it started. I just want this finished."
            Zack nodded, empathizing with her completely. "You're doing great, Aerith. I'll go and get our coats."
He gave her hands a squeeze and he got up to do what he said he was going to do. He closed the curtain behind him and he went to the little supply cubby, where Angeal said he'd stashed the winter coats for them. Zack spotted his old mentor as he approached. The Commander was standing by the hatch, looking out the little window beside it. His muscular arms were crossed over his chest and he leaned against the wall. His features relaxed into a faint smile when he spotted his former pupil and Zack smiled back in response.
"Ready for this, big guy?"
Angeal nodded, his dark blue gaze shifting to the window again. "Are you?"
Zack considered it for a moment and he grabbed hold of the cubby when they hit a bit of turbulence. His ears started to pop and he knew they were descending. "Ready as I'll ever be. Hey Ange, you remember the promise you made to me about Kirsten, right?"
The bigger man nodded. "You and Aerith will make it through this, Zack. You know I would take care of her if either of you were ever unable to, but that isn't going to happen."
Zack scratched his head, unsure of what to say. "Well, it just makes me feel better knowing you've got our back, okay?"
"Absolutely." Angeal patted Zack on the shoulder. "You need to stay positive and focus, Zack. Don't worry about the future, just worry about making it to the bottom of that crater. One thing at a time."
"Yeah," Zack agreed, forcing another smile. "One thing at a time."
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            Tents were immediately erected in the chosen spot for the forward base, under cover of the forest, just near the edge of it. Medical equipment was unloaded swiftly and ground-to-air missile launchers were stationed around the encampment for defense. Land mines were also placed, but they weren't pressure-activated. They were designed to detonate by hand remote, if anything hostile made it through the outer perimeter defenses.
The troops assembled, with the SOLDIER operatives taking up the front line, regular militia behind them and ranged specialists bringing up the rear.   Reeve was with the ranged teams, riding a snow mobile that had a flatbed full of explosives and gadgets attached to it. Vincent rode with him, classified as a ranged combatant whilst in his human form. Lazard stayed behind in the command center tent, monitoring communications and organizing troop formation with assigned officers. Shalua stayed with him, ready to assist the medics once the fighting began.
Tifa also remained in camp with a regiment of defense troops, prepared to fight off any enemies that managed to get past the armies. She nibbled her lower lip uncertainly as she watched Cloud put his jet boots on and adjust them. "Cloud, I know it doesn't need to be said, but—"
"I'll be careful." He smiled bravely at her.
She took a deep breath and nodded, closing the distance to give him a hug. "Whatever happens, you'll always be my best friend."
He returned her embrace tightly. "You too," he whispered.
He looked up through the snow-capped trees as the armies began the march to the designated position near the base of the crater. The helicopters and Cid's great airship flew in a tight formation above the ground troops, led by Rufus Shinra himself. The president had nothing left to fear and it seemed to Cloud that he was on a personal suicide mission, more than prepared to surrender his life in this fight. The man wasn't exactly loveable and it was probably a better end than slowly suffocating when his lungs finally collapsed, but Cloud couldn't help but feel a stir of pity for him—and even for that witch Scarlet he flew with.
A soft, cultured voice interrupted his thoughts. "Pardon the intrusion," Nanaki said as he padded over to them through the snow, "but General Sephiroth wishes to know if you're ready for deployment, Lt. Strife."
Cloud pulled away from Tifa and he straightened her coat, making sure it covered her sufficiently. "Stay warm, Tif." He turned to Nanaki and nodded. "I'm ready. Let's get this over with."
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Meanwhile, in the City of the Ancients:

            Shera answered the satellite phone before it could ring twice and wake the baby. "Shera Highwind."
            "Mrs. Highwind, we're ready to deploy," said Lazard's voice through the static of interference. "Please ask Shelke to begin her net dive."
            "Of course, Director. Right away."
Shera ended the call and sighed. She went to the ladder and climbed up to the loft bedroom, where Shelke waited with Denzel and Marlene to do her part. The kids were playing a board game and they looked up at her when she reached the top of the ladder and climbed out.
"Shelke, it's time."
The young girl with the oddly mature eyes nodded solemnly and stood up. She removed her boots and lay down on the bed while Denzel and Marlene stayed at her side.
"Can I get you anything to help you relax?" offered Shera uncertainly. "Some tea?"
Shelke shook her head. "No, Mrs. Highwind; I'm okay. I just need to concentrate for a few minutes, to get started."
"I'll take the bassinet outside," murmured Shera thoughtfully, "Just in case Kirsten wakes and starts fussing."
"Thank you, Mrs. Highwind." Shelke closed her eyes and slowed her breathing as Shera went back down the ladder to try and move Kirsten outside without waking her.
"Is it scary when you do it?" Marlene asked, watching with interest.
"Shh," advised Denzel, "She has to concentrate."
"It can be a little scary, at first," Shelke obliged. "But I'm used to it. Don't worry."
Denzel and Marlene both lapsed into silence as Shelke cleared her mind and shut her eyes. There was no visible sign to the naked eye that she had achieved her goal, but the way her face went utterly blank of expression told Denzel she had succeeded in her net dive and was now out of her body.
"Be careful, Shelke."
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            A light snow began to fall. Sephiroth stood mutely next to Angeal, watching as Cloud and Genesis flew to the crater together. An un-natural hush had fallen over the army, brought about by anticipation. Aside from an exchange of whispers here and there, the ranks were so quiet you could almost hear the snowflakes hit the ground. Angeal had a pair of high-powered binoculars and he was watching the pair fly closer and closer to their goal.
            "They should reach the target destination in approximately two minutes," guessed Angeal with a frown as he assessed their range.
            Sephiroth nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. He glanced behind him at the ranks of troops and he spotted a familiar, red-caped figure in the back. Vincent caught his gaze and gave him a quiet nod. It was a simple gesture of encouragement, less than most men would give their own sons before a battle. It was enough for Sephiroth and he nodded back. The General faced forward again and he checked his transmitter before relaying information to the forward base.
            "The decoys are moving into place, Director. Do we have a go with the guide?"
            "Affirmative," answered Lazard. "The guide is ready. Is the package being sent?"
            "Yes Sir. It should arrive at the destination shortly after the decoys."
            "Good. I trust your people are in place?"
            Sephiroth glanced around at the sea of grim faces behind him. "All combat forces are in place and all gear has been checked. We're prepared to move at the signal."
            "Check," replied the Director. "Hold your position, General. The air forces are a go, over and out."
            Sephiroth looked to Angeal. "What is their status now, Commander?"
            Angeal lowered his binoculars reluctantly and looked at him. If he noticed the veiled tension in Sephiroth's stance and voice, he didn't call attention to it. "They've reached the outer edge of the crater."
            "And Lt. Fair and his wife?" pressed Sephiroth. He could have ordered someone to bring him a pair of binoculars too, but he didn't want to be distracted trying to keep a constant eye on Cloud.
            "They're still making steady progress and they both look okay, as far as I can tell."
            Sephiroth nodded and he absently lifted his masamune and inspected the flawless blade needlessly. He estimated they had about five minutes before hell broke loose—and it would begin with Cloud and Genesis doing their part. He concentrated on the long, deadly length of his blade and he tried not to think about what would happen if Cloud weren't fast and agile enough. He was equal to Genesis in terms of flight speed and dexterity—if not better—but all it took was one little slip.
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            Genesis and Cloud touched down near the rim of the crater, whisper-quiet. They looked at one another silently and the former walked cautiously to the edge and leaned forward to peer into the misty depths below. They could hear a lot of activity inside, from echoing roars to stomping feet. Pieces of rock broke free to fall into the crater, dislodged by the slight tremors caused by the commotion inside.
            "How many do you think are down there?" Cloud said, pitching his voice as loudly as he dared to be heard over the wind and the noise.
            Genesis tore his attention away from the chill, swirling fog, fighting a moment of dizziness. "Feel free to fly in there and count," he suggested, gesturing grandly at the huge cavity.
            Cloud shuddered, rubbing his sweater-clad arms. The uniform he wore was designed for both warmth and motion, combined with the usual protective body armor pieces meant to repel fatal hits to vital areas. He came up beside Genesis and peeked over the edge. The taller man instinctively grabbed him by the straps of his body armor when it appeared the blond might overbalance.
            "I'll say it once more," Genesis muttered. "We're fucking insane, to be doing this."
            "Just fucking desperate," countered Cloud immediately, his blue eyes staring into the hole in the world. "Aren't you the one that's always saying sanity is overrated, anyhow?"
            "True, but it was much easier to come to that conclusion when I was participating in comparatively mild forms of insanity. This is on a much larger scale."
            "Doesn't matter," Cloud insisted as he checked his materia bangle and boots, one last time. "We've got to do this now, before something comes out of that hole and spots us."
            Genesis sighed. "Let's hope we don't end up as martyrs." He lifted his left arm and narrowed his eyes on the red materia socketed to his bangle. "Well Strife, I'm ready when you are."
            Cloud lifted his wrist as well, his blue eyes determined as he held Genesis' gaze. "On three?"
            "Of course," agreed the redhead. "One..."
            "Two..." said Cloud.
            Genesis paused for half a breath before uttering the final numeral. "Three."
            As one, they activated the summon materia on their bangles. The sky above them churned with the power of the materia and two immortal creatures took shape. Genesis summoned the Phoenix: a giant bird of fire and ash. Cloud summoned Odin—or as Nibel residents called him, "Wotan": a dark warrior with a horned helm, who rode on the back of a six-legged steed. Flames and lightning crackled and danced around the conjured beings as they fully manifested. They understood their summoners' purpose and they acted on it immediately.
            Phoenix took to the air with a mighty flap of its wings, before diving straight down into the crater. Odin galloped through the air down after the bird, with his shadow blade poised and ready to strike. Genesis and Cloud averted their eyes as the fiery explosions lit up the interior of the cavernous depths.
            "Wakey, wakey," called Genesis as something inside the crater billowed in protest, loudly enough to make the ground shake violently beneath his and Cloud's feet.
            Cloud stared into the crater as he and Genesis fought for balance. The fog parted for long enough for the two Soldiers to catch a glimpse of what was coming up after them. Cloud was the first to put his thoughts into words.
            "Fick mich!"
            "That's Sephiroth's job, not mine," shouted Genesis. He activated his jet boots and smacked Cloud on the back of the head. "Turn the boots on now, Strife!"
            Cloud immediately did as advised and both of them took flight as a mob of WEAPONS of various sizes flew, climbed and crawled out of the crater like monstrous ants in a frozen anthill. They were forced to split up to divert the creatures' attention, but they had planned for this to happen. Both men unleashed various materia spells, drawing the monsters away to give Aerith and Zack a better chance. The couple rode on the back of a nimble black chocobo and they waited a safe distance away while the angry WEAPONS came out of the crater. Now that Aerith was no longer masking them, the creatures seemed to sense the presence of the massive human armies in the distance and it had the same effect on them as the scent of blood to a school of sharks.
            Zack and Aerith might as well have been invisible, even if she weren't using her abilities to conceal them.
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            "Holy mother of fuck!"
Reno stared wide-eyed at the spectacle of every size, shape and color of WEAPON imaginable swarming out of the crater. Some took to the air to follow and punish the two small winged people that had dared to provoke them. Those that lacked the ability of flight fired lasers and projectiles at the fleeing Soldiers. The Alphas were too numerous to count and they came out in colors of white, bronze and silver. The rest were monstrous things of nightmares, with characteristics of animals, monsters and humans combined.
            "All units, move in," ordered Sephiroth over the transmission.
            Reno didn't immediately comply—not even when the other aircrafts started forward and opened their weapon compartments. Rude reached out and shook the redhead by the shoulder. "We're on the move, partner. Don't lose it now."
            Reno came out of his shocked daze and he swallowed his terror, forcing a cocky grin at his bald copilot. "I ain't losing nothing, man. Let's kick some ass."
            Rude nodded, giving Reno a crooked, approving grin. "Solid."
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            Zack waited until there were no more WEAPONS coming out of the crater before he directed the chocobo around big rock formation, where there was some protection from the wind. He dismounted first and held onto the reins with one hand while helping Aerith down with the other. He held her close with one arm as he released the reins and patted the bird on the neck.
            "Go on, boy. Get out of here." He gave the chocobo a gentle swat on the side, prompting him to take off. He felt Aerith shiver and he looked at her with concern, noting that the materia crystal around her neck was flickering a little.
            Zack tried to adjust her coat to keep her warm. "Aerith, you okay? Do we need to get undercover?"
            She shook her head. "I'm okay. I just need to focus." The crystal glowed more steadily and she gave him a weak smile. "Let's go."
            He returned her smile, proud of her efforts. He instinctively supported her as they began to walk towards the edge of the crater. "Do you see her yet?" he asked, raising his voice a little to be heard over the howling wind and the roars of the WEAPONS.
He looked over his shoulder and he grimaced in dread at the sight of the terrestrial monsters closing in on the ranks of humans far in the distance. The armies were moving forward, ready to meet the enemy in one last, desperate battle for survival. He felt a little better when he got visual confirmation that Cloud and Genesis were still ahead of their pursuit, and they both appeared to be unharmed.
Aerith looked around for a few moments before answering his question. "There," she said, narrowing her eyes against the chill wind. "I see Shelke up ahead, by that dip in the edge!"
Zack looked in the direction of her pointing finger, but even knowing the girl's spirit was there, he couldn't see a thing. "I'll take your word for it. Let's get moving."
            Aerith agreed and together, they cautiously made their way to the location where she said Shelke was waiting for them. Aerith stopped at the edge and peered down, nudging Zack. "There's a path," she explained. "Shelke says the Alphas use it to come and go from the crater."
            Zack looked at the indicated path critically. He guessed that the WEAPONS themselves must have carved it out, for the sole purpose of making the journey to the surface quicker for the flightless, smaller Alphas. He estimated that it was wide enough to fit an armored transport rover—just barely. It was certainly wide enough for he and Aerith and though it was broken in some places and narrowed in others, he was sure he could get them both down safely. Keeping any WEAPONS they met on the way from munching on them was Aerith's task. The jagged ramp spiraled down into the mist and there was no telling how far down it went.
            He looked over his shoulder again once more, narrowing his eye as the first missiles streaked out from the human ranks to explode amongst the WEAPONS. The shock troops would follow up while the creatures were disoriented and the air force would press the attack from above, to keep the WEAPONS scattered and distracted. Forefront on the attack would of course be the specialized SOLDIER operatives, led by the Firsts.
            "Take care of each other, guys," Zack whispered, his voice lost on the freezing wind. He put an arm around Aerith and together, they began their descent into the crater with a living ghost as their guide.
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            There was no time to think—only to react. Cloud wheeled in the sky desperately, zig-zagging on sheer instinct without daring to spare more than a glance behind him. More than once, a plasma beam from one of his pursuers came so close it clipped the edged of his wings. His right forearm still burned a little from a shot that came close enough to char the surface of his sweater sleeve. From his peripheral vision, he was able to monitor his red-clad companion and he adjusted his evasive tactics as best he could to ensure they stayed as synchronized as possible. Genesis seemed to have attracted the bigger share of WEAPONS, but the army was prepared to adjust tactics to compensate and hold the lines as steady as possible.
            Up ahead of him before the line of trees, Cloud saw the front line of SOLDIER operatives hold formation, with Sephiroth and Angeal hovering over them. The heavy artillery operators had launched the missiles and they were whistling through the air in an arch, heading for the WEAPON ranks. Now was the time to kick his boots into top gear, if he didn't want to get caught up in the explosions. He saw that Genesis had already made that same deduction. The red-clad Soldier activated the maximum speed level of his boots and he was streaking like a comet toward the human armies, leaving his WEAPON pursuers behind quickly.
            Cloud hastily pushed a button on his control bracelet and he prepared himself for the extra jolt of speed he'd come to expect from the boots.
            It never came.
            Cloud glared accusingly at the control bracelet, all too aware of the creatures behind him and the airborne explosives heading their way. He was safe from being physically caught by the WEAPONS, but when those missiles hit he could get caught up in the blast radius or hit by flying shrapnel from whatever body parts they blew off their targets. He saw what the problem was—one of the plasma shots he'd narrowly avoided must have damaged the control device. He could see a blackened mark near the button panel.
            There was no help for it and as he heard the first explosive impact go off somewhere behind him and felt the heat, Cloud made a desperate choice and he hoped it was the right one. He could have flown directly up in the hopes of avoiding the inevitable shrapnel, but since it was likely to fly in all different directions, he chose a different option. Cloud dove for the ground and deactivated his jet boots at the same time. Fortunately, the damage that disabled the ultra-boost didn't affect the emergency throttle.
            He hit the snow and plowed into it, quickly tucking up to a fetal position when his momentum slowed and stopped. Something big and heavy whistled past his head and he heard someone shout his name. More missiles were fired and the explosive impact was deafening in the frozen valley. Cloud covered his ears and gritted his teeth, hoping he was low enough to avoid getting hit.
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            "It looks like Strife is in trouble," Angeal observed with a frown of tense concern.
Genesis made it out of the line of fire and to the advancing frontlines, but Cloud was lying curled up in the snow. Sephiroth considered the situation, concerned yet irresolute over what action to take—if any. Cloud flinched a couple of times as shrapnel flew past him or landed near him, so he was at least conscious. He appeared to be unharmed as he cautiously lifted his head to have a look around, but the advancing weapons were getting close to his location, fast. In fact, one of the smaller Alphas noticed his lone form up ahead of it and the creature advanced eagerly.
"Lead them on, Angeal," Sephiroth ordered, his emerald gaze fixated on the sight of his lover as he spread his black wing. "I'll assist Cloud."
Angeal nodded. "Affirmative."
Sephiroth took to the air and raced towards Cloud without another word. Overhead, the air force was joining the missile bombardment, unloading the first wave to give the ground forces an advantage before close combat began. Sephiroth compressed his lips grimly and increased his speed when he saw that the Alpha WEAPON was getting ready to fire upon Cloud. He called the blond's name and he activated one of the materia orbs in his bangle.
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            Cloud sensed the danger even as he heard Sephiroth's voice call out to him. He hastily reached for his sword and rolled to his feet, recognizing the static sound of an Alpha charging its weapon. He saw the threat and he didn't allow a moment's hesitation or doubt. Running or seeking cover was not an option, so he chose to press an attack. He dodged quickly to the left as the creature attempted to fire on him and he smirked through his dry-mouthed adrenaline rush when the Alpha's blast failed to go off. Evidently, it took damage from the initial attack and its ranged attacks were disabled.
            Cloud wasted no time, quite aware that the small WEAPON had more than enough functions to make up for the lack of projectiles and plasma shots. He rushed at the being with an angry, desperate kind of vigor. He slapped its arm away with his black wing when it reached out to grapple with him and he yelled as he followed through with a slash from his sword. He put his opponent off-balance with the ferocious attack, making it stumble. His thick, heavy blade struck hard where the Alpha's shoulder met its arm—just as Cloud intended. Trying to drive the point home where a human hear would be was a useless endeavor. His first priority was to cripple the Alpha and get the hell back to his allies before other WEAPONS could close in on him.
            He didn't even hear Sephiroth approach. The man was so silent and so focused, he was at Cloud's side before the blond even knew it and his razor-sharp masamune joined Cloud's heavy claymore. Cloud gave the taller man a grateful, fierce little smile as Sephiroth slashed at the Alpha. Sephiroth spared a subtle half-smile in return and together, they ruined whatever plans the creature had for Cloud and made their way back to the front lines.
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            "Damn."
            Zack snarled the curse with feeling. The trail down into the crater was literally broken in half before them, leaving a wide gap. The eerie green glow from the Lifestream far beneath them lit up the jagged walls around them, brightly enough that there was no need for artificial luminance. He and Aerith would have to jump across or scale the walls down to the lower part of the ramp beneath them.
Some disturbance from below made the walls shake and the path tremble beneath them. Zack signaled Aerith to stick close to the wall and he peered over the edge of the ramp they stood upon, looking down into the green-tinged depths. Something was coming up through the mists. He saw a pair of featureless, glowing blue eyes that were as big across as he was tall and he backed up hastily, drawing his sword.
"Zack?" The concerned inquiry echoed against the walls.
"Back," hissed Zack, "get back, Aerith!"
Aerith backed away as advised, prompted by the urgency in his tone and the gesturing motion he made with his free hand. Zack backed up with her and he stood in front of her protectively as the WEAPON rose from the depths and hovered before them on jets. Aerith's materia crystal glowed almost as fiercely as the neon blue eyes of the jackal-headed, bipedal creature. Zack held his sword ready, determined to defend his wife to the death. The WEAPON scanned the area, its eyes seeming to settle on the small humans pressed against the cavern wall for a moment. The cold blue gaze swept over Zack and Aerith and the creature snorted in an almost puzzled manner, as if it knew something was nearby but couldn't figure out where. Zack felt Aerith's arms go around his waist as they held their breath and waited for the being to lose interest and move on. The muzzle came close enough for the hot breath to fan Zack's spiky hair and the Soldier grimaced at the smell.
~What the hell have you been eating, buddy? Oh right...people.~

The creature finally gave up and it ascended to the yawning exit above, leaving two shaken little humans staring after it. When it was safe to let his guard down and speak again, Zack breathed a sigh of relief and secured his weapon again. He turned to face his pale companion and he forced a smile at her as he cupped her face and kissed her trembling lips.
"Just think of all the stories we're going to have to tell our kids, someday. Wild times, huh?"
Aerith gave a shaken laugh that threatened to turn into a sob. She nodded and sniffed, laying her hands over his. "They probably won't believe half of it."
"Doesn't matter," he insisted, shaking his head. He kissed her once more. "As long as we get to tell them about it. Let's get going, babe. Do you still see shelke?"
Aerith looked past his shoulder at something and nodded. "She's right behind you. I agree, we should get this done as soon as possible."
He took her hand and started off again, trying not to think of what would happen if they ran into another WEAPON and Aerith's powers failed to conceal them.
~**************************************~

            As soon as Cloud and Sephiroth made it back to the ranks, Reeve opened a storage unit on his trailer that contained hundreds of familiar, spherical objects. He activated a switch and the spheres came to life with the blink of ruby targeting scopes. Their propellers whirred and they surrounded their creator like a swarm of mechanical bees, inquiring to him in their tinny, artificial voices.
            "Target?"
            Reeve's jaw dropped in disbelief. He combed his gloved fingers through his dark hair and frowned at the automations. "The WEAPONS, of course."
            The bomblings whirled around in confusion and Reeve wanted to break down and cry with frustration when they answered: "Negative. Too many targets."
            "Goddammit," snapped the engineer, at the end of his rope. "I programmed you to automatically seek out and attach to WEAPON life forms! Why are you little bastards still debating me?"
            Vincent noticed his problem and he approached, eyeing the hovering constructs with interest. "What exactly did you program them to react to, Reeve? The mere presence of WEAPONS, or a direct command?"
            Reeve forced himself to calm and he shut out the sounds of the explosives and primal roars up ahead. Once again, he'd outwitted himself and he shook his head in exasperation, wondering how he managed to screw himself over all the time. He'd programmed a specific command order, to avoid any risk of premature launch.
            "Employ directive 'overkill', starting...now."
            The robotic bombs flew away in all different directions, looking like and oddly blinking cloud as they swarmed towards the enemy creatures far ahead. Reeve sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Thanks, Vincent. I think I panicked a bit and forgot."
            Vincent nodded, his breath fogging the air despite his collar half-covering his mouth. "Stop thinking so much about what's happening around you. Focus on your job and leave your anxiety for when it's warranted."
            "Easier said than done," grumbled the Administrator. More loudly, he finished; "but you're right; I'm no good to anyone if I keep thinking about how important this fight is."
Reeve climbed into a seat near the containment unit. The seat was set in the center of a spherical, cage-like structure and like his command seat in some of the helicopters; it had computerized panels built into it. The cage structure surrounding it was armed with all manner of energy field generators, plasma launchers and satellite transmitters. He adjusted his headphone and mouthpiece as he sat down in the chair and he reached up to grasp the handles of a visor that hung overhead. He pulled it down over his head and he plugged the jack into his temple before resting his circuit-graphed fingers over the lighted panels in the arm rests.
"I think I can take it from here," Reeve assured Vincent once he was booted up and ready to go. He was forced to raise his voice further over the increasing sounds of conflict up ahead. "You should probably join the other ranged attackers."
Vincent shook his head, his ruby gaze steady on Reeve as he climbed onto the platform and stood beside the odd control center. "My place is here, until such time as I'm needed elsewhere. If the enemy makes it past the main fighting forces, you'll need someone to cover you."
Reeve didn't argue with him. Vincent always managed to find his own role in combat and truth be told, having him—as well as Chaos—nearby gave the engineer more confidence. He activated the visor covering his eyes and he communicated quickly with the grid, immediately generating a repellant shield of crackling energy. The dome encompassed most of the back ranks, protecting the artillery and summoners from direct return fire—and not a moment too soon. Streaking bolts of blue, red and yellow colors shot over the valley from the WEAPON ranks, like deadly shooting stars. The creatures had recovered enough from the initial assault to retaliate, and the front lines wavered and broke as those outside Reeve's dome were forced to move or die where they stood.
Sephiroth and Angeal ordered the charge and the SOLDIER lines rushed forward, their various weapons glinting in the cold morning light. They were all seasoned by now, too grim and disciplined to let loose battle cries as they rushed to meet probable doom. Overhead, the air force ranks led by Cid Highwind, President Shinra and the Turks were adding their missile fire to the ground launchers; but they were forced to hold back to conserve ammo. There was an arms station behind the forward base for helicopters to reload, but breaking away from battle to land once the fight began would be a task in itself.
Reeve tried to block out everything and he checked the status of his own weapons, determined to do his part to keep the enemy off balance for as long as possible. The smaller plasma launchers he'd designed from various WEAPON parts were ready to go. The two cannons on either side of the spherical cage would take longer to charge. He selected his target area and he began to fire, adding white-hot bursts of plasma to the assault of missiles arching into the back ranks of the attacking WEAPONS. The SOLDIER forces would attack the front lines from the ground and do what they could to prevent them from breaking through to the ranged units and the forward base in the forest beyond.
~***********************************~

            Angeal finished off a big humanoid WEAPON with a serpent's head just as someone summoned Kjata to the field. Ordinarily, the summoning spells were saved for last but in this particular situation, some were being activated early to keep the enemy off-balance. The enormous elemental bull manifested in the middle of the WEAPON ranks and it immediately evoked its tetra disaster to flatten several Alphas and knock a couple of nearby larger WEAPONS off their feet. The roaring billow of the summoned creature split the air as it charged, gored and kicked through the mob surrounding it before dissipating again.
            Angeal smirked a little, approving of the summon decision. It was only a brief assault, but the WEAPONS never seemed to quite know how to deal with summoned creatures—possibly because they were formed from the very blood of Gaia. To the terran "guardians" of the planet, the summoned creatures were kin. It probably confused the hell out of them when they were confronted by the beings.
            "Press the attack," hollered Angeal to his units, pointing his Buster Sword at the first line of disoriented WEAPONS. "Take out the smaller ones first, if you can! We can't risk them getting through to the forward base!"
            The logic was sound. Focusing all attention on the larger threat would leave them vulnerable to the Alphas slipping past the ranks. Off to the right, Sephiroth was ordering his troops to do the same. Cloud and Genesis' assigned troops were charged with helping them distract the bigger WEAPONS, while the air force and ground artillery concentrated fire on them. Cloud's jet boots were no longer functioning properly, but neither he nor Genesis required them, now that the fight had begun. The speed boosts would only hinder tight maneuvers now.
            The ground troops shouted battle cries as they closed the remaining distance to the enemy and the two forces met with a violent clash. Gunfire, plasma shots and the ring of metal filled the air as the specialized SOLDIER operatives tore into the Alphas with everything they had. The cries of the wounded and dying soon joined the fierce roars shaking the air. Some of the larger WEAPONS regained their senses and began to retaliate against the air force. One of the helicopters barely missed getting hit by a beam of energy and another suffered a direct hit—saved only by their absorption field. It was doubtful that the shield could absorb another hit like that and the pilot evidently drew the same conclusion and increased altitude.
          Angeal twisted in the air to avoid a downward swipe from the chitinous claw of an infuriated, six-armed WEAPON. The creature was eerily beautiful...female in shape with almond-shaped eyes, copper and red coloring and delicate facial features. Her "hair" was composed of metallic tentacles that moved independently of each other. Angeal found himself somewhat fascinated by the creature, even as he searched for a weakness to attack it. He yelled a warning when one of the hair tentacles whipped out at a passing helicopter that was trying to get a good shot. The pilot obviously couldn't hear Angeal's shout, but he saw the danger and tried to move out of the way.
~***************************************~

            "Uh...partner...hair thing...big hair thing, heading right for us."
            "Yo, I see it," Reno grunted through clenched teeth. "Hang on, man!"
          The chopper tilted sideways as Reno turned as sharply as he could and dove. Rude kept his cool, though his bronze complexion took on an ashen tone as he held onto the brace overhead with one hand and adjusted the settings on his weapon panel with the other. A low curse and a groan escaped his lips and his butt lifted out of his seat a little as the aircraft swooped toward the frozen earth below. Beside him in the pilot seat, Reno was as white as a ghost and spouting every swear word in his vocabulary—plus a few new ones.
            *BAM!*
            The hair-tentacle-thing hit the backside of the chopper in a glancing blow and the kinetic shield absorbed most of it. Unfortunately, the strike jostled the aircraft violently and for a moment, the helicopter spun out of control. Reno compressed his lips grimly and snarled, making use of every pilot skill he knew to regain control of his chopper. They fishtailed in the air briefly before Reno steadied them and began to ascend again, trying to avoid another hit from the seeking, deadly tendrils.
            "Fox twenty-four, are you all right?" Tseng's voice inquired over the transmission. "Do you require assistance?"
            Reno and Rude shared a relieved look as they checked their pursuit and found it out of range. Reno adjusted his mic to answer. "It's cool, Snake sixty-two. We're out of the hot-zone now."
            Rude checked out his window and upon seeing Tseng's hovering nearby, he gave the thumb's up. His relief was short-lived, however. While checking in on them, the Turk director failed to notice the gigantic hand reaching up from one of the WEAPONS below. The bald Turk's mouth fell open and it took him a second to react to the sight of the creature trying to grab his superior's chopper like a toy.
            "Tseng, look out!" Rude barked into his mic.
            Reno saw the danger as well, and he quickly turned the chopper to face it and give Rude a clear shot. Tseng muttered something over the transmission and took evasive action while his co-pilot fired a round of bullets at the up-reaching hand. The fingers were just about to close on the aircraft when two missiles streaked through the air and hit the WEAPON'S hand, dead-on. The big humanoid WEAPON withdrew its hand with an angered roar and Rude twisted in his seat to locate the source of the missile attack. The rat-tat-tat of artillery guns followed up and a familiar, ShinRa-marked helicopter descended from above, closing in on Tseng's attacker aggressively.
            "President Shinra," Rude muttered, torn.
It was basic instinct to try and protect the Big Boss, but he recalled Rufus' speech to the Turks before they set out to do this. Rufus made it quite clear that he didn't want anyone stepping in to save him or Scarlet, no matter what happened. Beside him, Reno watched the president's chopper unload on the threat and he hooted in approval—though Rude thought he detected a strained quality to it. The redhead started to join the president and Rude targeted the WEAPON that Rufus was going after. Tseng evidently had similar ideas, because his chopper began to follow President Shinra's as well.
"All of you, hang back," Rufus' voice said over the transmission. He was briefly overcome by a fit of coughing before he spoke again. "Allow us to handle this one. Conserve your missiles and help...the ground teams with artillery gunfire."
Reno shared a dreading look with Rude before responding. "Yo Rufus, you sure you want to expose yourself like that?"
"I've...made my decision." Rufus coughed once more. "Watch yourselves."
Rude shut his eyes and rubbed the spot between his brows before glancing at his partner. Reno had an uncommonly solemn look on his face and when his blue-green eyes met Rude's, they nodded at each other.
"This is how he wants it," Rude said.
"It's his choice, man," agreed Reno.
"Fox twenty-four," Tseng said, "resume assistance with pressure fire."
With a heavy sigh, Reno obeyed and turned the chopper to seek out ideal targets.
~*************************************~

            Sephiroth was hit with a blinding pain in his left shoulder as he swooped away from an incoming attack. In his effort to avoid the swinging arm of one WEAPON, he failed to see the plasma fire coming at him from another direction. He fell to the ground with an oath of pain, doing his best to land softly. The snow cover helped him achieve this and he somehow managed to hold onto his sword and he used it as a crutch as he struggled back to his feet. He could smell his own charred flesh and he scowled at the stench. The burning pain of his leather coat fused to his skin nearly made him gag and he raised his eyes to see his initial opponent closing in on him. It would crush him like an insect, if he didn't move fast.
            The General lifted his materia bangle and made a quick decision as the humongous foot of his enemy began its descent on him from above. He heard Cloud's voice shout his name from somewhere to the right, just as the Barrier spell activated and formed a protective field around him. It wavered but held as the WEAPON'S foot came down.
            "Sephiroth!" The cry sounded again and Sephiroth twisted to see Cloud Strife diving at the WEAPON with his heavy two-hander leading the way. He had broken away from his targets to come to Sephiroth's aid, leaving his men to handle their jobs without his direction.
            "Strife, get back in formation," Sephiroth ordered, even though he knew his own peril. "My men are coming to assist me."
            Cloud didn't answer—either because he couldn't hear him or because he was too focused on the enemy. The blonde attacked Sephiroth's aggressor with savagery that surprised the General. His sword gouged a jagged slash in the side of the WEAPON'S blank, humanoid face before Cloud wheeled away in the sky, switching quickly to evasive maneuvers. His actions succeeded in capturing the WEAPON'S full attention—as well as the attention of a few other nearby creatures.
            "Bold move, Cloud," muttered Sephiroth with a grunt, unable to take his eyes off of his swooping, spiraling lover. "Too bold. Little fool!"
            A flash of red caught his attention to the right and the next thing he knew, Genesis was at his side. The narcissistic poet laid a hand over Sephiroth's injured shoulder and activated his Cure materia, healing the injury before Sephiroth could react.
            "Rhapsodos," Sephiroth said with a frown, "you've broken formation!"
            Genesis was unrepentant. "Complain to someone who cares." He looked up, where Angeal had joined Cloud. "Face it; without us, they're nothing. You would be dead now, if we waited on your troops to get here."
Sephiroth was forced to concede the point. He gestured at his men as they approached and he barked an order into his mouthpiece that they should forget him and focus their efforts on the creature that Cloud and Angeal were now battling together. He followed Genesis' gaze up as the pain faded from his shoulder. As usual, Angeal made up for his lack of grace with sheer force and he opened up a nasty gash in the WEAPON'S right side.
Sephiroth tested his wing for a moment and when Genesis gave him an inquiring look, he nodded. "Let's finish it."
"Now you speak words I can understand," agreed the redhead.
~*****************************************~

            The lighting blinked overhead as the rumbling caused by the battle nearby interfered with the equipment. Already, there were more wounded than the medical teams could care for and the difficult choice of easing pain rather than treating injuries had to be made. Shalua moved amongst the maimed and injured, trying hard not to blame herself as shaking, bloodied hands reached out to her in fear and hope.
            "Use materia on that one," she said in a tightened voice to the female medic following behind her. She nodded at the young troop whom she deduced to be strong enough to get back into the fight. "Get him back on artillery as soon as possible."
            "Yes, Doctor."
            "Ma'am, what about this one?" The male medic to her left called out, gesturing at another injured trooper.
            Shalua looked down at the man, quickly examining him with a professional eye. She swallowed when she saw that his right arm was nearly severed and burned. She shook her head. "Conventional medication. Ease his pain and give him fluids."
            "Yes Ma'am."
            Shalua shut her good eye briefly and she reminded herself that it was necessary to save all potent and radical medications for those who could be most useful in this fight. There was no cruelty to it; merely practical warfare. Everyone knew what this was about.
            "I'm going to check on the Director," Shalua informed her colleagues. "Keep doing what you can for the blue patients. I'll be back soon."
            The "blue patients" were those designated either too far gone to save, or too weakened to be of significant use to the fight. Shalua tried not to let it gnaw at her conscience as she exited the med tent and staggered over to the Control tent. The guards recognized her and they allowed her inside. One of them helped her to steady herself as a heavy crash from the field shook the ground enough to knock her off-balance.
            "Thank you, I'm fine," she assured the guard as she righted herself. She continued through the door and she found Lazard hunched over the control panel, with one of his military advisors close by. She approached him and even with the noise and the fear and the distractions, she could see how tense his body was. She came up beside him and she steadied him when another tremor made him falter. The lights within the tent flickered again and for a moment, his eyes met hers through the transparent lenses of their glasses.
            "How are you?" Lazard asked. He was pale, but composed.
She couldn't actually hear his soft-spoken inquiry over the sound of the explosions, screams and streaking missiles, but she could read his lips. For some reason, she found it amusing. They were in the middle of a bloody, desperate battle to buy time for their entire species and Deusericus was asking her how she was...as if it were a sunny day in the park.
            Shalua reached out and brushed aside an unruly lock of blond hair that had fallen over Lazard's forehead. She smiled.
            "I'm fine. How are you?"
            Her human hand settled over one of his and he returned the gentle pressure as she squeezed. "I've had worse days."
~**************************************~

-To be continued
- 35
- 36
- 37
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