3rd POV:
''You're giving me management over the Materia Research and Development branch?,'' Scarlet asked with surprise.
''Yes. Considering where things are heading and the uncertainty of that 'Serpent' being either hostile or friendly, we must probably develop new weapons. I expect you to take the branch in a more ... militaristic direction, seeing your expertise as the Head of the Weapons Research and Development,'' Shinra explained calmly.
Scarlet's face nearly split wide with giddiness while Palmer and Heidegger seethed quietly. She crossed her legs and smiled smugly at them.
They all vie for more funds for themselves...and their branch (of course), so her just getting management over an entire department was huge.
''Of course, I EXPECT results. Am I understood,'' Shinra asked her with an edge.
''Of course, Sir,'' she replied toning her smirk down a bit.
''Sir, I drafted a plan for how we can aid the survivors of the Sector 7 plate...,'' Reeve began, but slowed down to a halt when Shinra gestured with his hand up and down.
''While the most immediate concern is to navigate this 'Serpent', ultimately with the Ancient back in our grasp where she belongs when can proceed with the Neo Midgar plan once certain matters are taken care off,'' Shinra explained to him.
''So, she could guide us to the Promised Land?,'' Palmer asked.
''While I can already predict that the daughter won't be as pure as her mother, I could make even more accurate predictions if I was allowed access to her. So, whether she can't or can guide us to this Promised Land remains to be seen.
Now, of course, if I would have had access to her for longer then I did briefly, I could try and breed her with this unidentified creature or that black hooded person who defeated the Black Dragon. The same person who the Turks up till now still haven't found. I understand she was taken from my hands, because people where afraid she would get damaged, but I assure you we can get her cooperation with more... softer means. I'm speaking psychologically, in case you didn't understand it. Yes, damaging such a valuable specimen would be a waste, but it would always be better to have a reserve just in case,'' Hojo rubbed his hands his body slightly shaking from excitement.
So many variables. So many possibilities. So many new things he could explore and research. So much more understanding he could gain!
Oh, it was like a chest of unimaginable treasure! And these lackwits were too dumb to see the wonder.
Because they were afraid. Pah! Discoveries could not be made without taking a few risks!
(Still, he wondered how he could get that 'Serpent' to procreate with the Ancient. Like, how would that happen physically. And if it was not possible he would still like that black hooded person. All SOLDIER's bar a few, were accounted for. Subject Z and C. Anyone else was either a test subject not worthy of mention or already dead. Which could only mean that that person was naturally that strong.
A Subject with the Ancients physiology and that black hooded persons physique. Ooooooh! Hojo began shuddering a little more with excitement and had to suppress his laughter.)
''No,'' Shinra said simply, while the others looked at Tseng to see what he would say to that jab,
''AVALANCHE is still at large. And Tseng has warned me that the Black Hooded person was sighted again, possibly in response to us dropping the plate, which means he was probably residing in the slums. A home we very much attacked,'' Shinra began.
''Mister President I assure you, my men can take care of any challenger that would dare approach us,'' Heidegger boasted.
Shinra turned his head slowly and gave him a disdainful look making Heidegger retreat into his seat.
''And then there is also the 'Serpent', of course. Whether it was the Ancient or the Planet, someone clearly called it here. And Wutai might even use this as a chance to stir up trouble.
I have no interest in stretching ourselves thin. So no, Hojo, you will ONLY get access once things have calmed down a bit and we knocked some of these enemies from the board. And as for-,'' Shinra explained.
Shinra's secretary came into the meeting room.
''What is the meaning of this?,'' Heidegger asked.
''Mr.President you said to come and get you immediately once preparations for your speech are done,'' his secretary reminded him.
''Good, dismissed. Meeting is adjourned,'' President Shinra stood up.
Normally he was all for killing his enemies, regardless of how many there were and what the collateral damage was and how many innocents were killed. But even he knew when not to tempt his luck. Right now, he needed to handle things delicately.
Tseng and Reeve quickly followed after him to see after their own duties.
Hojo left too, but slower. Contemplating...things, in his head. For once not talking out loud about his hypotheses.
...
With the President gone the mask fell off.
''He is afraid,'' Scarlet sneered.
''Yes. Afraid of rats,'' Heidegger shook his head with disbelief.
In fact, he has never seen the President so meek before. How pathetic.
''Well, whatever. I will go and play with my new toys and you...muck in the dirt or something. I don't know,'' Scarlet giggled while she left the meeting room too making Palmer and Heidegger scowl.
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''Ladies and Gentlemen, we are interrupting the program for an important message from President Shinra. He seeks to address the recent event where the plate fell. Have a look,'' the news reporter said and then the TV switched screens from one place to the next.
...
''Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your attention. As you have noticed or been notified the Sector 7 plate fell. You might be asking who could have done such a terrible thing, I'm sure.
It was AVALANCHE.
Not only were they not satisfied with blowing up Mako Reactors, destroying nearby buildings, inconveniencing you, putting people in hospitals at risk who relied on equipment that is running on electricity the Mako Reactors provide and countless other crimes.
Their terrorist acts also extended to direct bodily harm, attacking the people and the very body that we all worked tirelessly to build for years. Our city that never sleeps.
BUT...as you may also have noticed, while the plate did indeed fall, a tragedy did not occur. Even now, you can find the Sector 7 plate outside of Midgar. But even so the numbers of dead are in the twenties, 26 to be more specifically.
And to that I have only one thing to say.
I'm sorry.
It is our failing as your protectors that something like this could occur at all. That AVALANCHE could drop the plate-''
---
Barret slammed his fist against the wall. Most of them were on the top plate hiding near Shinra HQ in an alleyway, aside from Jessie, Wedge and Biggs. He would have liked to invite them, but they weren't here for shits and giggles. President Shinra's little speech was playing everywhere in the world that had a screen, a radio or a PHS and internet and they were listening to it on Zack's PHS.
Waiting for the signal to storm Shinra HQ.
''When will he interrupt his god damned speech? If I have to hear another minute of his fake sympathy, I'm gonna puke,'' he complained.
''You heard him. When the timing is most optimal. Now stop complaining,'' Cloud replied. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
''Guys, play nice,'' Tifa chastised them making Zack snicker and Barret grumble.
---
''-on good hardworking citizens...
And, I'm sorry, that our prototype was not enough. The 'Serpent' was a proof of concept, being developed by us and still in it's infant stages. We planned on deploying it much earlier. But AVALANCHE forced our hand. So we released it from Mako Reactor 2 and had it-''
The screen stuttered and static could be heard.
People were getting confused, first thinking that some technological difficulty must have occurred. That would be the first time it ever happened if that was the case. Still, they excitedly began to talk among themselves at the implications of what President Shinra said.
The 'Serpent' was a prototype developed by Shinra?
The stuttering and static ended and the video resumed...
Only, it wasn't of the President.
Instead it was of some people doing something to the Mako Reactor.
''Well then. The honor is all yours,'' the black man said. Their faces were obscured. Their whole body was. Only colors could be really made out and nothing else besides. The blonde guy took something from the black man and then did something near the Reactor.
After some time the black man and the blonde guy left and the Mako Reactor exploded. It was a small explosion and after some time the Reactor shut down and that was that.
Rather anticlimatic.
Then the screen switched. It was a radio waveform.
''Mister President, preparation are complete.''
''Then proceed with the plan.''
The screen switched back to the previous scene at the Mako Reactor. Shinra Security bots came into view and began firing and unleashing a barrage of rockets into the Mako Reactor and after a while it triggered a massive explosion and the screen died.
The people stared a little confused, not really comprehending what they were supposed to do with what they have seen.
The scenery shifted. This time the saw the video from ... a body cam, it appeared to be. It was hectic. But there were moments were the person sat still and talked to several people or the persons partner did.
Apparently they were AVALANCHE. And ... they were defending the pillar...from the Turks?
The scenery shifted again. A lamp was hanging low, the rest of the room almost completely dark. The could hear slow clapping, then it increased a little and then finished off weakly. A person stepped forward at the edge of the light, almost indiscernible because of his black clothes and black helm.
''Truly, every time I think a person has hit a new low, someone comes along and proves me wrong. Shinra's perversity and banality for evil truly know no bounds, even now they feel entitled to claim the fruits of someones elses efforts and play you for a fool.
Whose you may ask? The planets of course. Please, you must be intellectually challenged if you cannot see the truth of the 'Serpent's' origin. Green and Mako that it was. And they way it disappeared afterwards into the earth? Hm.
Allow me to introduce myself, as that would be only polite. I'm Zero, leader of the Black Knights,'' Zero stepped forward fully into the light, dragging a chair after him and putting it down. He sat on it and crossed his legs while leaning his chin on his fist and the arm on his arm rest.
''Shinra is destroying our planet. That fact has been long known to us of the Black Knights and we have been preparing for this day. How do we know, you may ask? Look no further then the immediate vegetation around every Mako Reactor. Shinra says that Mako is abundant and infinite, but the evidence speaks for itself.
Even now, as we mutilate her body and kill her, the planet still has enough love in her bossom to send her agent, the 'Serpent' and save the people on that plate and in the slums. Perhaps not all, but certainly better then Shinra who tried to kill all of them.
The very people who are harming her. Such love... moved us. We can not repay her love by spitting in her face so we will act NOW.
You have seen the evidence. Shinra will say it is fake. They will say they are being framed, as if they were the victims.
And when all rhetoric and attempts fail?
Shinra will tell you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It will be their most powerful essential command.
Some of you will listen. (*Zero shrugs*)
Suit yourself.
The folly is wholly yours to commit and for you to suffer the consequences.
In...(*Zero looks to the side for a moment*) 3 hours, time enough for all to evacuate or abandon Shinra, at precisely 0218 hours, I will enter Shinra HQ through the entrance and see to my objectives.
Anyone and EVERYTHING that stands in my way, that is still there when we will conduct our business, will be seen as siding with the oppressors, the destroyers of our planet and will be dealt with accordingly,'' Zero stood up.
''They will be annihilated with extreme prejudice. So, stand ready for our arrival, Shinra. Your clock is ticking. Tick, tock, tick, tock,'' Zero turned around and disappeared into the shadows and the light went out.
The screens snapped back to President Shinra who was barking orders at everyone around him furiously.
---
''Finally,'' Barret celebrated.
''Was it smart to announce where he will be attacking?,'' Tifa asked them.
''Shinra was uncontested for a long time. Their only challengers were Wutai, briefly. They provided some challenge with their ninja ways and warrior life style. And AVALANCHE was more like a pest to them. Sorry, guys.
But the point is that they got complacent. Even during m-our time, Shinra was used to blunt headed approaches to problems that stood in their way. They ABSOLUTELY will focus their efforts on the entrance, especially with Heidegger in charge. If anything their approach only got messier ever since Wutai surrendered. The old Shinra was evil too, but they would have NEVER gone ahead with such a sloppy move like dropping the plate to kill 6 people,'' Zack explained.
''Yup. And while they focus their efforts on the entrance, security will be lax elsewhere. There will also be chaos because some people WILL want to leave,'' Cloud added.
''Indeed. Ripe opportunities for someone to sneak around. And Shelke will take care of any security stuff related to technology,'' Nox told them. There was no need to wear his Zero outfit since that alter ego was on high alert know, because people will keep an extra eye for him.
''You made your way fast over here. Weren't you in the slums?,'' Barret asked him.
''I'm fast. And like I said, the clock is ticking. Now that you remember the plan... again, we can go. Or are there any more hick ups?,'' Nox asked them.
''No. Let's go get Aerith,'' Cloud said and began walking.
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''So? Did we get tasked with finding that Zero guy and who messed with the radio funk signals?,'' Reno asked them and stretched out on the couch.
''President Shinra has ordered us to stay back. We are Turks, but despite our small enhancements our expertise does not lie in open battle. Which this ones will seem to be. So no. After wards, is another matter,'' Tseng replied and was writing something in his documents.
Reno bounced his legs a little and watched Rude apply new ice to his skull, while Cissnei was sulking in the corner.
''You think Nox will kill Shinra?,'' Reno asked.
''He will be certainly here to get Aerith back. Any other objectives of his are purely speculation till he fulfills whatever other objectives he has,'' Tseng replied and continued to write in his documents.
''You didn't say that Nox was that black hooded person that defeated the dragon. Or that he was the only one unaccounted during the battle under the plate. Or that he was that 'Serpent'... somehow. Why?,'' Reno asked and stood up to look at Tseng properly.
A moment passed. Tseng continued writing, without offering an answer.
''So it is decided then. We are a-,'' Reno chuckled mirthfully.
''Dropping an entire plate,'' Tseng cast him a look,'' Does not make one friends. As our friend Zero can tell you.''
''This place may be secure, but you should always proceed as if the walls have ears,'' Rude spoke up and winced from the pain.
''Yeah, yeah,'' Reno waved them off and laid his feet on the table,''Still, I'm glad the plate didn't fall...Well, you know what I mean.''
''Maybe. But don't go approaching Nox seeking to shake his hand. You heard his little speech. We are still here and thus, certainly no friends of his,'' Tseng told them,''In other words. Stay out of his way and let Heidegger try his luck.''
''By the way, did people try to leave Shinra? Our workers, I mean,'' Rude asked.
''What do you think? Heidegger barred them from exiting and now the whole situation is getting heated,'' Reno replied.
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Tseng has asked her a few questions, but he gave up very quickly and then took her and locked her in her room. Well, the room she and her mother used to reside in, all these years back.
At least she only saw Hojo for a very brief moment before he was called to go to a meeting with Shinra. He left promising her to 'fix her loneliness'. Aerith shuddered.
Still, she looked around her room, to think most of their former things were left untouched.
She shook her head.
No.
No time for a trip down memory lane. They were here for Nanaki.
'I admit, this complicates matters just a little bit,' 'Aerith manifested herself and stared at the paintings on the wall with sadness. There was no need to bother hiding, since it was just the two of them. They were still speaking in her head.
''What do you mean?,'' Aerith asked her in her mind.
'We need to make our way out of here. The original place where we were kept. A floor below it was Nanaki. That is where we need to go,' 'Aerith' replied.
''In case you haven't noticed. All my Materia except Holy was taken,'' Aerith reminded her.
'Yup. Which means you need to learn what it means to be a Cetra. Remember what I said when we made that mako dome to repel the Whispers?,' 'Aerith' asked her.
She frowned a little.
'I understand. I was the same as you once. Afraid that me being a Cetra, being too different and people knowing about it, could make me alone. But then I understood, I can just be myself. The people who want to stick with me despite my differences, those are my real friends. No?,' 'Aerith' asked her.
Aerith nodded after a while. She was right. Nox himself was different. Maybe totally different then her, mostly, but still. Perhaps that factored in, why he didn't treat her any differently after he found out, perhaps it didn't.
But even so she was reluctant to become a full fledged Cetra in practice. It would only make her more different and it would put expectations on her shoulder. Expectations of an entire dying culture. She would be expected to bring it back.
'I understand. I do. But you can't make the same mistakes I did. Remember. The planets are trying to stack all the cards in this worlds favor. You MUST,' 'Aerith' pressed her further.
''...Alright,'' Aerith sighed,''Alright. Then tell me what to do,''
'Making a green protective dome is not the only thing Cetra's can do. How do you think Holy was formed?,' 'Aerith' asked her.
''Are you saying...?,'' Aerith asked her with disbelief.
'Holy is special. It needed multiple Cetra's to make it. But as for the rest? That is well within your means to do. We have a few hours till we are meant to escape anyway. We should use that time to practice. Trust me, it is not that hard. We have a gift for it. While I was 'dead' I had a lot of time to practice. I'm sure you'll pick it up in no time,' 'Aerith' assured her.
Aerith looked at the paintings on the wall a bit. Did Ifalna know how to do it? Then why did they never escape. She never really talked with her. For one she wanted to let her rest, for two she didn't want to reopen old wounds and for three it felt like insulting Elmyra by clinging to her old mother so much. Elmyra loved her. Truly. It was only right that she returned that love in kind. She couldn't do that by constantly reminiscing about her old mother, even if she also loved her too.
'She didn't have the gift. Not all Cetra's were the same. I also learned a lot about our history and culture while I was 'dead'. There were 'Warriors' and 'Priests' and all sorts of differently gifted people. And the lucky ones were a bit of a jack of all trades,' 'Aerith' continued.
''And master of none?,'' Aerith asked her curiously. She was listening attentively.
'If they were lazy, but no. They could absolutely be master of all,' 'Aerith' explained.
''Are we part of that group?,'' she asked.
'Yes. The Arbiters of Fate ensured we are equipped to handle the challenge. The 'original' dragged her feet and didn't want to learn about her powers, wanting to be normal. She also kept too many secrets, wanting to hide how TRULY different Cetras are to humans, even if they can have children together. She died and then was forced to finish the fight from the Lifestream. So she had to learn what it mean to be a Cetra anyway.
I had my memories, but unlike you I was too peaceful and sheltered. I didn't grow enough to speak to the Planet as clearly as you do. At least not until it was too late. I didn't make sense of things in time and had my memories stolen. I nearly died too, like the original, if it wasn't for Cloud. And now my body is resting in a suspended state of being.
You. You HAVE to be better. I'm sorry, that is a lot for one person to carry, but at least you have your friends. But it is no longer enough to defeat Sephiroth we must annihilate him and Jenova and for that you need to embrace what it means to be a Cetra,' 'Aerith' explained to her. She was repeating herself a little, but that was only because she knew herself.
''Alright! I get it. I will take this seriously. Now, how do I form Materia?,'' Aerith huffed.
'Simple. Really. You ask,' 'Aerith' replied.
''I...ask?,'' Aerith made a confused face.
'The Lifestream is made out of memories. Materia and monsters are no different. People who want to save others gather together and combine their strength and then you have a Cure Materia. That is why manufactured Materia is weaker, because Shinra forces them instead of asking them. No one likes to be forced so they resist a little which makes the Materia weaker.
People who were harmed become bitter and so can turn into monsters.
And so on and so forth. Eventually, again, they all return to the Lifestream. Materias dissolve, monsters die and the process repeats. Or they get reborn as a baby, if they want to give someone else a chance and want oblivion for themselves. A lot choose that over merging with the consciousness of the collective, of all the other people in the Lifestream.
There are many souls in the Lifestream, a lot are ready to help if you just ask nicely. You can do that, so try it out,' 'Aerith explained.
Aerith nodded and sat down, clasping her hands in a prayer and closed her eyes.
After a while she opened her eyes. Her hands were empty.
'Try again. It is fine if you didn't succeed the first few times, we have some time to spare. You really only need to ask, so try again and stop always turning to me after a failure,' 'Aerith' reassured her, making her nod.
She clasped her hands again in a prayer and closed her eyes.
---
Mayor Domino was confused. Fuhito had recovered and they got orders to assassinate Shinra for the plate drop. Only...no one was coming. Were the Black Knights the assassins? Then why no establish contact with him?
He was looking anxiously at his monitors for any suspicious persons, just in case Zero's threat was a diversion or distraction or subterfuge. Only he didn't see any people out of the ordinary.
Hm
---
''You want us to what?!,'' Barret asked incredulously.
They easily got in. Security was tighter at the entrance, because of the threat issued and as a consequence security got lax in other places.
''We are NOT taking the elevators, Barret. Not only is there a lot of traffic, because people are trying to get out, but Security is going back and forth to keep them in. Even her messing with cameras won't do us any good then. Ergo, stairs. So chop, chop,'' Nox explained and began climbing the emergency escape stairs.
Honestly, why the Shinra workers didn't use these stairs to escape he had no idea. Then again, Shelke told them that it wasn't THAT many people.
(Of course. Nox had to roll his eyes.)
So the elevators were still functional. And even if they did take the stairs, the issue was that security was tightest around the entrance and would stop them.
...
Zack and Nox were fine and Cloud was just a little out of breath. Meanwhile Tifa and Barrets needed a little longer to catch their breath.
''Did you have to talk the WHOLE way?,'' Nox asked him with a huff.
''Talk? All he did was complain and say his goodbye's to Marlene,'' Zack replied.
''I... hate... you... and... your... stupid... SOLDIER physique,'' Barret gasped.
''59 floors. Never again,'' Tifa added.
''You held yourself pretty well though,'' Cloud frowned in confusion.
''Never again,'' she repeated, even if she felt thankful for calling her sporty.
''Guys, hurry up. An hour is almost over,'' Nox told them.
Barret made a sound of frustration.
''Let's go save Aerith and kick some Shinra ass,'' Barret then pumped his fist, trying to see the positives.
''We only have a few objectives. We are not here to pick a war, just a fight. For now. Now come. Shelke will open any doors for us,'' Nox told them and walked away.
---
For the past three hours she has been here, Aerith has been struggling to get her attempts to work.
She released a sigh of frustration and began trying again.
She gasped as finally green particles began gathering in front of her and spiraling and converging into a point.
A Lightning Materia, she felt the moment it landed in her hand.
''Yes!,'' she pumped her fist up,''Thank you, guys.''
''Why did that one work, though? And not the others. I didn't do anything different?,'' she asked 'Aerith'.
She pursed her lips.
''Me?,'' Aerith asked her suspiciously and rested her hand on her hip, while holding the Materia with the other.
'I'm sorry. I wasn't entirely truthful. Even if it is as simple as asking, it still takes a few hours to do this process. Days for the more powerful Materia,' 'Aerith' explained.
''Then why not just be honest?,'' Aerith asked.
'Would you have waited for three hours?,' 'Aerith asked flatly back.
Aerith thought about it for a bit.
''No,'' she replied. At least not without getting distracted in some way.
'There you go. That process requires uninterrupted and continuous effort. Some Cetra's went days without food to form the more powerful Materias. Now, let's escape,' 'Aerith' told her.
Aerith nodded and made her way over to the door.
---
''Change of plans. Aerith escaped herself and is making her way to the Labs,'' Nox told them and held his finger on his earpiece for Shelke to tell him the information.
''Why?,'' Barret asked as they all turned around and began making their way in the other direction.
''We will have to wait and see,'' Nox replied.
So she DID have a plan. Kill Hojo. Fair enough, though he would have loved if he was in the know. No matter, he is not THAT much of a hypocrite that he will take issue with that.
It is also a good thing since, Hojo and Jenova are near that place and they are also objectives that they needed to complete.
---
Nanaki was resting in his cage peacefully. Well, as peacefully as one can rest in a cage. It did help that he was a dog. He could imagine that being a human, his situation would be much more inconvenient.
His grandfather certainly never slept without this 'bed' of his.
...Nanaki had to admit it was pretty comfy.
His ear twitched and he opened his eye a little to see what was happening once he heard some noise. There was a woman sneaking around and she was making her way... over to him?
Was she an escaped 'subject' as well? Nanaki stood up and watched her with more attention.
Once she came close enough she waved cheerfully at him.
''Hi, I'm Aerith. Just ... give me a moment to open this up then we can make our way out of here,'' she reassured him and then made her way to the control panel.
She didn't have to fiddle with it much as Shelke did her the kindness of opening it. Unlike her old room this one was linked to the internet, where as hers was manual.
''Thanks, Shelke,'' Aerith quietly muttered under her breath which Nanaki heard. Aerith also guessed that is why the cameras didn't alert anyone. Though the fact that there were little to no people was a little. She wondered why that was?
''Alright, let us go,'' Aerith instructed him and turned around.
Nanaki raised his 'eyebrow' a little in disbelief. He knew he was 'strange' to most humans outside of Cosmo Canyon. Yet she not only bothered to save him...as if he was a person, but also turned her back to him as if no expecting him to attack her once her back was turned.
Foolish, but he supposed grandfather did talk about people like her. People with a kind heart. He sighed and followed after her. In that case, he better not disappoint his grandfather then.
Aaaand he supposed the two of them had a better chance to get out then alone.
---
Nanaki readied himself for battle when they stumbled upon a few people. They were in still in the main lab, just a different part of it. Hojo did have a huge playground for him to do his experiments after all.
''Guys? What are you doing here?,'' Aerith asked them and ran up to them to embrace Nox.
''Saving yo ass, is what. And kicking some Shinra ass,'' Barret explained to her briefly.
''Well, yes. But also no. We are here to kill the president, Hojo and Jenova. Nox will kick Shinra ass while we make our escape. And of course save you,'' Zack explained.
''Why did you let yourself get captured? I know it was to not put Marlene in danger, but you could have escaped the Turks after wards. Was it to kill Hojo? Get revenge?,'' Nox asked her after they ended their hug.
''Also, did they not take your Materia or did you manage to get it back,'' Nox asked immediately afterwards.
Surely not. They couldn't be that st-
Well.
They did drop a plate. As far as investments and return went that was a VERY dumb move. Them all being so close to Mako must have messed with their head somehow.
Probably.
Aerith shook her head.
''No, they did take my Materia. Look. We don't have time. We really don't. I...,'' she looked to the side a bit,''I'll explain everything once we are outside of here. Let's go fulfill all the other objectives.''
Her erratic behavior confused them a bit, except Nox and Zack who knew she was a Cetra.
''Alright. Then let us go, Hojo is this way,'' Nox gestured with his head and then began leading the point. Aerith walked up next to him and he handed her a few of his Materia, to which she gave an appreciative nod. He also gave her an earpiece so that she could hear what Shelke had to say like all the others.
''And who is this?,'' Tifa asked Aerith, while looking at Nanaki.
''A friend I made. We lab rats need to stick together,'' Aerith replied when he looked like he wouldn't answer after some time.
''Something must be special about ...,'' Nox lowered his body a little and Nanaki lowered his body to hide a little in embarrassment,''Him. Otherwise why else would he be here compared to all the other monsters that exist in the world. Or was he a successful experiment, unlike all the other monsters we have seen on our way here? Can it talk?''
''Don't be absurd. Dogs don't talk,'' Barret replied.
''No, he would be rather correct in his assumption. I'm surprised that you would even entertain the notion. Hojo only wanted me for my unusual demonstration above average intelligence compared to other dogs,'' Nanaki replied surprised.
He noted how the white haired man didn't seem all that surprised.
''What the...? What are you?,'' Barret demanded to know and pointed his gun at him.
''An interesting question. I suppose I am nothing more than that which you see before you and let's leave it at that. With that said, I wish to thank you for rescuing me,'' Nanaki turned to Aerith after answering her. She smiled and nodded.
''What should we call you?,'' Nox asked and the waited before an elevator.
Talking dogs.
Of course. It was a fantasy world.
Mako must be somehow responsible for this. Somehow.
Moving on.
''Call me whatever you wish,'' Nanaki replied.
''Then how about Red XIII? Or just Red?,'' Aerith suggested first. She decided to give him a few of the Materia that Nox gave her. He was stingy with his Materia, but considering circumstances he probably didn't mind.
She cast a quick look at him and he nodded.
He could always take them back after wards.
''Fair enough and thank you. Now, you said you wanted to kill Hojo? I don't know about the other objectives, but I wish to lend you my aid,'' Nanaki offered.
''Now you are speaking my language. Let's go,'' Barret pumped his fist up with a grin.
---
Oh, no! They walked right into a trap! Whatever shall they do?!
The party protected their eyes a bit as Hojo turned the lights on, once they made their way into a room. It was clearly a testing room of some sort, considering all the destroyed robot parts lying in the corners. His experiments were probably evaluated here.
''It seems we have some intruders who wish to abscond with Shinra's property. We can't have that,'' Hojo told them from his observation box and pressed a button to close the doors behind them and to the observation box.
''Hm? How is this possible? Could Norman have...? No,but he was a subpar scientist, his plan should have never succeeded,'' Hojo muttered and tried making his way out when he saw that the doors wouldn't close.
The doors to the exit also wouldn't open.
Turns out, the game was rigged from the start.
Hojo was precisely where Shelke guided him. It was never his trap to spring, but theirs.
''Wait, you better not harm me, do you know how much knowledge would get-''
Nox sprinted like the wind through the doors and jumped to the observation box. Some sort of robot tried to stop him, but he just slapped it away and kicked Hojo's head through the reinforced glass and even provided enough force to go through that barrier.
Hojo landed on the ground, his head squashed like a grape making some look away from the sight.
Nox landed on the ground following Hojo through the hole he made.
''Hell, yeah. That is one objective ta-,'' Barret began to celebrate.
''Ready yourselves,'' Nox pulled out his green spear sword. The others followed him suit, but in confusion.
Hojo's body began convulsing and his skin began to ripple. The other jumped back in anticipation.
Skin split, bone broke and shifted and after what the other's assumed to be a horrifying process Hojo's transformation was complete. There was no longer a man, but a disgusting creature.
It had no legs, but stumps for legs bundled together...or it was his torso that supported it on the ground. The arms, if they could be called that, were longed then his body and under his head was a red sphere that was open for them to observe.
''How? How did you know?,'' Hojo addressed Nox, his voice scratchy and gratting on the ears.
''There is no point in telling you. Even if I did, your low intellect couldn't possible make you comprehend. After all, that is why you killed Gast. No? It was him that lead Project Jenova, you just provided your child for the project. Sephiroth,'' Nox taunted.
''I played a much bigger role in it, you fool!,'' Hojo yelled.
''Please. Seethe and cope somewhere else. I doubt you can deal with us like you dealt with Gast. For a scientist you don't really seem to use your intellect all that often. Always resorting to violence. How... neanderthal,'' Nox scoffed.
Head games. Gotta love them.
''Fool, I will dissect the answer from your corpse! This is not the place I will die, I still have to witness and prove my hypothesis about Reunion,'' Hojo shot back.
Cloud winced and held his head a bit, several scenes flashing before his eyes.
''Cloud?,'' Zack asked in concern.
''I'm fine. Let's kill Hojo,'' Cloud bit out.
''...Gladly,'' Zack pulled out his buster sword.
Hojo swiped at Nox leaving himself open to attacks from the back. Suffice to say that for someone so 'smart' he had no notion for battle. He ignored the others just try to get Nox in his hands, while he received continuous damaged from the others. Nox was just dancing and weaving in between his arms.
Unlike last time when he was just a little younger and weaker then now, he felt confident in taking care of Hojo this time. He could also afford to get rid of him, since he really didn't need him for anything and the man just caused problem with his 'experiments'. More like he tinkered and just happened to create something that functioned a little.
Nox wasn't entirely sure, but if he had to guess Hojo injected Jenova cells in his body.
Moron.
After a while, Hojo finally got the notion that maybe he shouldn't focus on only on person and tried to attack the others.
Big mistake as Nox extended his Mako tendrils and grabbed his arms while he put a leg on his back. Despite his arms being malformed they couldn't bend back to reach him and any spells, few that Hojo cast, Nox just slapped away. Holding him in place he also couldn't attack the others, so Cloud and Zack ran forward and after jumping over a Graviga spell thrust their swords in the red sphere.
Hojo's body shuddered and collapsed.
''Well, that takes care of that,'' Zack said.
''Why did he turn? What was that?,'' Tifa asked them.
''Whatever it was, it is now dead. Let's go, we have to deal with Jenova,'' Nox instructed them.
The party was nearly out of the doors, when the corpse stirred and Nanaki caught the bones breaking again.
''Guys?,'' he addressed them.
''What the?,'' Nox remarked with disbelief. This time like all the other he was surprised. The only one not surprised was Aerith, but no one caught her lack of surprise.
This time Hojo had a golden oval shaped head and his face was strangely shaped into the head. His body was much more human. White. With normal arms. His legs were still bound together forming a triangle with the tip pointing down. Past the waist, he was no longer white, but black. And from the back of his head extended a fleshly long braid that ended with a yellow tip.
''Kgyahah, kghyahahahahkakakakghyaha. Witness my perfected form,'' Hojo descended into laughter again.
''I have the feeling the fight just got harder,'' Zack muttered.
''Second phases usually are. Of course he has a second phase,'' Nox muttered back. Again, like last time he was in Nibelheim the Mako Reactor a ill feeling began permeating through his body.
Wanting to take no chances, he decided to wear his Mako armor. He hasn't used it since he began using Mako tendrils in his body to reinforce every part. But he did not want to come into contact too much with Hojo. He looked like a knight clad in green, with just a few gaps here and there to breathe.
Unfortunate, but he did need oxygen to survive.
''I'll take center, you damage him at every opportunity,'' Nox ordered and sprang forward.
Aerith immediately had to thrown down a barrier as Hojo cast a powerful Meteor and Nox was catapulted into the barrier. The room began melting and he cast an Earth spell so that his friend could all escape. The spike tearing through the walls like butter and creating a path. The party jumped through, while Nox engaged Hojo again, but followed after them shortly with a crash.
The party and Hojo now finding themselves in a much bigger part of the lab filled to the brim with egg shaped cubicles.
Nox grabbed his braid when Hojo tried to pierce him with the tip. He had to guess it was poisoned. Hojo's claws meanwhile tried to pierce through Nox' armor. Nox punched him dazing him a little and then he swung him over his head by the braid.
He tried cutting off the braid, but Hojo cast a powerful tornado and he was swung away.
Wings unfurled and Nox stabilized himself in the air. Time enough for Hojo to cast a Black Hole at him. Only the most powerful monsters could cast that, as no normal Materia could shoulder that strength.
Nanaki cast an earth pillar to the side, making it arc thanks to the Black Hole and push Nox away thanks to it's speed. It swung back around and hit Hojo too, before it crashed into the distance as the Black Hole exploded and they all had to jump away.
''We are too close together. Scatter. Attack him from different angles,'' Cloud ordered.
They nodded and did as he said. There was risk involved in that too, but better that then all of them dying. Still, no one would die again if he had something to say about that.
Wait. Again?
No! Now is not the time.
He saw Nox engage Hojo again. Some green tendrils extending to wrap around his throat, but the were burned away as Hojo caught on flame, the metal, despite being several meters away, already beginning to melt.
So elemental magic probably won't work as he will absorb it.
So far only physical attacks seemed to work.
Cloud began running while Aerith cast a MBarrier on him. Just when Nox punched him and Hojo flew a little back Cloud jumped and cut through the braid. Some blood did land on him and he hissed as it began burning and he began feeling weak.
The blood that landed on the metal floor began corroding thanks to the corrosive properties of the blood.
Barret run up to him, stopping his barrage of bullets and caught him, careful not to touch the poisoned area and he began casting several Cure's on him.
Hojo wailed and recoiled. Now with the braid gone, Nox summoned his sword and began trying to cut his head off only for Hojo to cast Freeze on the area encasing him and nearly a few other in ice.
Aerith and Nanaki cast Fire on the ice to melt it, once they saw Nox encased in ice. Nox himself could still react and think in the ice, so he too cast fire from withing the ice.
Hojo saw that and immediately attacked them. Moving at a speed that would have had them dead if Zack didn't jump in and intercept him. Aerith and Nanaki jumped back to give them space and get to safety while also providing aid to Zack and Nox without hindering them.
Zack parried every swipe that Hojo threw at him with his claws, but with their speed almost evenly matched neither of them could get the upped hand.
Tifa came from behind with a spring and slid under Hojo's...legs? then she immediately pushed her self up with her hands and she flew between Zack and Hojo to deliver a kick to Hojo's face.
Was it dangerous to put herself through the space between Hojo's claws and Zack's sword? Yes. But she had a plan and so had to take the risk.
Then she landed on Hojo's head and jumped off. Hojo swatted Zack away to turn and try and attack her. Only to receive a powerful Aero to the face, the wind cutting like blades through his eyes, temporarily blinding him.
Zack jumped to try and and cut his head, but the blade only sunk in a few millimeters deep. Hojo despite still being blind felt that and took a swipe at him. Zack kicked himself away just in time and ripped the Buster Sword out of his throat.
Hojo narrowed his eyes at him, his eyes already healed.
It was around this time Nox finally burst out of the Freeze spell and crashed into Hojo
Hojo tried intercepting him, but Nox just grabbed him, Mako Tendrils exploding from him, and he threw him through the metal floor down into the abyss. The area around the middle pillar of the massive room that was not lit up.
The party could hear sounds and spells being thrown around, briefly illuminating the room, but aside from that they couldn't help him since they were afraid to hit him instead of Hojo.
Hojo flew back up again, once again going through the metal floor. Aerith got an idea and cast an Earth spell from the ceiling. The spike hit Hojo and sent him back down, straight into Nox' hands who slammed him back into the spike and dragged him through it all the way to the base.
Hojo tried to swipe at him and then cast some Magic in between.
But finally, Aerith manage to cast Silence on Hojo. She already tried that a few time throughout the fight. But she either didn't hit him because of the speed, could make an attempt because her friends were in the way or Hojo resisted it.
Usually the caster could tell, if a spell failed because it was absorbed, resisted or because the enemy was immune. Hojo was not immune just resistant to Silence.
Nox seized that opportunity and had his Mako Tendrils wrap around Hojo's arms again. He Summoned his sword and tried to slam the tip through his heart at the same time the two of them crashed back into the metal floor.
The blade only dug through the skin only a few millimeters again.
''I told you this is my perfect form. Kgyahaha,'' Hojo boasted as he continued to struggle. He descended into laughter while trying to get out of Nox' grasp.
Shit. Nox quickly tried to come up with an idea, before Silence runs out and Hojo sets his body aflame again.
Oh!
He took in a deep breath, as it would probably become messy and closed any small gaps that he still had in his armor.
He would have liked to say a cool one liner or something. But silence could be a mockery unto itself. Hojo was not worthy of any words to waste on. That type of thing.
His laughter turned into gurgles as a massive Mako Tendril slammed into his open mouth and went down his esophagus. Smaller Mako tendrils entered through the gaps in his eyeballs slithering to his brain.
Hojo began to struggle as he realized what Nox was trying to do.
The skin may be hard as diamonds. The insides too, only to a smaller extent. And any damage he did suffer was healed almost instantly. But Nox had yet to encounter or hear of anyone that could survive without his brain and heart intact.
Once the Mako tendrils went far enough Nox opened up their ends into several smaller tendril and they began to blend. Blood landed on his helmet as Hojo spat it out and gunky blood began bleeding out from his eyes.
Some of the party members turned away from the gory sight until the heard a pop and out of sheer curiosity turned back around.
Hojo's skull was missing from up top, brain matter flowing out like liquid. And his chest was popped open, tendrils having burst from within and a chunk of heart clinging to the tendrils.
The party members who couldn't stomach that wanted to immediately turn back around, but it was now that Hojo exploded into dark particles and scattered into the air.
Nox cast an Aero spell on himself and all the remaining blood that clung to him was thrown of his armor at his feet. Then he incinerated whatever evidence remained of Hojo, just in case. And finally when the feeling receded he dropped his armor.
The party quickly made their way over to Barret and Cloud.
''Cloud! Are you alright?,'' Tifa asked him in concern and knelt near him.
''Nearly. The poison took a lot out of me,'' Cloud replied honestly and stood up. The area where the blood landed had a massive red rash on it, but was slowly receding thnks to his SOLDIER physique and all the Cure's Barret cast on him.
''It's a good thing none that weren't you two or myself got hit. I had a feeling that poison would be very troublesome, so thanks for the assist,'' Nox nodded and cast a Full Cure on him. The rash receding near instantly.
''I didn't do much,'' Cloud humbly replied.
''You did enough, buddy. Honestly Hojo reminded me a bit of Sephiroth. I'm surprise we were strong enough to defeat him,'' Zack assured him.
''Yeah,'' Cloud nodded and rubbed his arm where the rash was now completely gone.
''How do you feel now?,'' Nox asked Aerith.
She looked down for a bit.
''Not better. My mother won't come back and all the harm he caused her with his experiments won't be undone. But I'm glad he is no longer around to torment anyone else,'' Aerith told him and buried her face in his chest for comfort. He hugged her a bit.
It hurt. Hojo was telling her what happened to her mother after she died. How he 'preserved' every part of her 'elegance'. Him being dead didn't undo what he already did. So she didn't feel good at all, but at least there was a small sense of peace.
Like a child who was afraid that a monster lurked under their bead. Until they one day confronted their fears and realized she had more power over the monster then the other way around. In a manner of speaking.
Now... now she could move on and look to the future, without constantly looking over her shoulder, afraid that Hojo would come and ruin her life again.
Shinra...will probably follow the same path, considering what Nox wants to do to it. Not that he needed to bother too much as soon enough they need to leave Midgar to take care of Sephiroth and he would do the work for him. With or without Meteor.
''I'm sorry to interrupt, but we need to leave. All that commotion must have attracted someone. You said you had other objectives to complete,'' Nanaki interrupted them.
''That is right. Jenova and the President. Let's go guys,'' Aerith told them and broke off the hug with Nox.
The Party nodded in agreement.
''Shelke?,'' Nox asked through his earpiece.
''So about Jenova and the President. Some thing happened while you all were fighting Hojo. I ... you may think I will sound crazy,'' she told him.
''Crazy? You have seen, just like us, what Hojo did. I doubt whatever you say will make us think of you as more crazy than that,'' Nox replied.
''...Right. First Jenova. You're actually exactly in the room you need to be. If you turn to the pillar in the middle, you will notice that something is missing. A tank that contained Jenova. Before you all burst through the walls to enter this room it was taken,'' Shelke told him.
''By the Whispers?,'' Nox guessed. Not too far fetched if his assumption was right that Jenova controlled them.
''No. By Sephiroth,'' Shelke told them.
''What?,'' the party asked incredulously. Minus Nanaki who didn't have an earpiece as Nox only took extra with him for Aerith. Aerith just pretended she was shocked.
''Sephiroth? That is impossible. I killed him,'' Cloud replied firmly.
Tifa, Aerith, Zack and Nox shared a subtle glance.
Hojo might have succeeded in the end with his Reunion project. If not with Cloud then with someone else. Even from beyond the grave that man was a nuisance.
''Nevermind that. We can always get Jenova another day. What about the President?,'' Zack asked her.
''Yeah, about that too...''
---
''How long has he been dead?,'' Tifa asked Shelke.
They made their way to the President from the labs easily enough.
Surprisingly there were no people on their way to him.
President Shinra was slumped over his desk, dead, something thin having pierced through the throne like chair and his body. The blood was already dry.
''Nearly an hour. Sephiroth killed him first and then made his way over to the labs,'' Shelke replied to her question.
''What now? Some dead guy coming back to life was not part of the plan,'' Barret asked him.
Nox hummed, thinking for a bit.
If Sephiroth took Jenova, then the two may be colluding. Considering what Zack said about Project Jenova and the bits and pieces that he found out himself over the years, that assumption was not too far fetched.
In that case. Sephiroth needed to die too. Maybe he was the Big Bad, maybe he was just an agent following the orders of the Big Bad, maybe he got it all wrong and neither were the Big Bad.
For fucks sake, he wished ROB would have just been straight with him. He is starting to let paranoia affect him.
''Where did the disappear to?,'' Cloud asked her.
''They left Midgar,'' she replied making him frown. Zack instantly recognized that look of his for what it was.
Nox scoffed and approached the corpse of Shinra.
''A man on top of the world, dead for an hour and no one knows anything. Even if there is chaos in Shinra HQ because of us it is still so...pitiful. As pathetic in death as he was in life,'' Nox shoved his corpse from the chair.
''Nox,'' Aerith exclaimed and frowned with disapproval. Tifa too. Just because Shinra was dead didn't mean they had to be disrespectful to him in his death.
''Change of plans then,'' Nox looked at the clock,''nearly three hours have passed since my statement. I will still provide a distraction and you will use that opportunity to leave. Only instead of going to the slums you will leave Midgar. We need to defeat Jenova.''
''And Spehiroth,'' Cloud added.
''Yes. Now go, Shelke will guide you out. On that note. Since our esteemed President is dead, nothing stops you from using his voice to issue orders. So tell the Infantry to let those who want to leave out,'' Nox nodded and the gestured with his head to the door.
''...Are you sure you are fine by yourself?,'' Tifa asked him.
He nodded.
Barret dragged Tifa by the hand and shoved Zack and Cloud when they seemed to want to stick around.
Nox waited a bit and then enveloped himself in a green cocoon of Mako before he stepped out of it as Zero.
The plan was to kill Hojo, Shinra and Jenova. He would attack the foyer and provide a distraction and then they would all retreat and engage in guerrilla tactics while waiting for Shalua to finally find a solution to the Fusion Reactor. He could and would have used that time to also pay attention to the world if Jenova wasn't the Big Bad after all. Just in case.
Now? The plan has slightly changed. Not too surprising since no plan survives first contact with the enemy. He would need to destroy some infrastructure and supply chains of Shinra so that they wouldn't be able to heckle them on their journey in search of Sephiroth and Jenova.
Oh well, it would help in attacking the idea that Shinra was the top dog.
Zero knelt down and picked Shinra up by the neck. Then he began making his way over to the helipad and opened the door.
''Help! Heeeelp!,'' someone screamed.
Oh?
Palmer was hanging off the side of the heli pad. With how fat he was it was a wondered he hadn't already fallen. Then again, he was hanging by his elbow and gripped his wrist with his free hand. Even a fat man could hang off something for hours in that case.
''Oh thank you. Something terrible happened. Sephiroth entered the office while I was talking to Presi...,'' he trailed off as he finally registered who it was.
''I'll give you anything. Please,'' he begged.
''Anything?,'' Zero asked him curiously.
''Yes! Anything! Whatever money you want to have,'' Palmer furiously nodded causing him to slip a little.
Zero checked the time.
''Well, I suppose it is better then leaving this place empty handed,'' Zero talked out loud.
''That's right! You don't need to dirty your hands every again in your life. I mean... President Shinra is already dead,'' Palmer quickly agreed.
''Correct. So,'' Zero knelt down to be closer to him,''Could you make a grand entrance for me?''
''Huh?''
Zero cut off his arm and then jumped after him while putting the President between him and Palmer.
---
''And you are saying that you have everything under control?,'' a news reporter asked as they saw Shinra workers leave by the dozens. A camera drone was flying near her being operated by her colleague.
''Indeed. The President is magnanimous. Though there is no need to worry, as thanks to my efforts we have everything in hand, but he does take the people's comfort in consideration as well. Once everything is over, then these coward may see that they never should have worried in the first place and trusted in Shinra's ability to protect it's citizens,'' Heidegger boisterously laughed.
''And what about Zero's accusation that Shinra was the one that dropped the plate?,'' the reporter asked.
''Lies, I tell you. You would be a fool to believe in them. After all that Shinra has done, why would we turn around and harm our own citizens? I would urge the public not to believe in those falsehoods and to open their eyes to the true perpetrators of this evil. AVALANCHE.
And I would also urge the public to remember who it was that saved them when the plate dropped down,'' Heidegger scoffed.
He noted how the reporter nodded. But he knew her, she was often one of their mouth pieces. Her smile was strained this time around.
''And do you anticipate any difficulties in taking care of this new terrorist group that calls itself the Black Knights? The hour of 0218 is nearly upon us and any minute now they will attack,'' she asked him.
Heidegger sneered.
''Let them come I say. Then they will see what that terror will earn them. I promise you as long as I live none of them will succeed in their so called objectives, whatever they may be,'' Heidegger boasted.
The reporter was about to ask the next question.
*Shatter*
The windows above the foyer shattered and a body landed on the ground. Heidegger only recognized the lump of meat for who it was because of his yellow suit. Palmer.
The colleague turned the drone around in time to catch the next event.
Zero landed on Palmer and Shinra also nearly turned into a pulp if it wasn't for Palmer and Zero doing their own things to stop his fall a bit. Still since he was a little intact, Zero put his boot on Shinra's back and pulled him by his head ripping out from his torso and held the head up by the skull for all to see who it was.
After a while he flexed his fingers and the skull caved in. Then he let it drop.
''OPEN FIRE! ENGAGE!!! WHAT ARE WE PAYING YOU FOR!?,'' Heidegger yelled at them. he pulled out his PHS and began ordering some people to release their more power bots. Like the Airbuster or the Scorpion Sentinel or the Arsenal.
Zero snapped his fingers and a Barrier came over him. The bullets he could ignore, but he wanted to send a message. So even a scratch could not be permitted.
He was more interested in the SOLDIER's and the robots and the supply chains.
He summoned a simple Mako sword and near blinked to the eye of normal humans. Even the SOLDIER's barely reacted in time as Zero appeared in between the Infantry and the SOLDIER's and swung his sword, several people getting flung in the air.
He run towards a direction and ducked under a random swing of a sword then jumped over another and parried the next in the air. Landing on the ground he immediately parried another sword and instead of attacking the guy who he just parried he turned around to swing at someone who just raised their sword above their head, their head flying off.
Several SOLDIER's tried to swing at him at once since he was surrounded and he just quickly spun to parry and create distance between all of them, with the help of an Aero spell.
It was around time that someone cast a Fire spell on him. He just went through it, the flames bouncing off him, and grabbed the caster so her could stab him twice. The second time he pulled his blade not the same way it entered, instead he pulled it to the sides and the blood flew into another SOLDIER's eyes blinding him and stopping his attack.
He kicked the guy he just stabbed into another SOLDIER and decapitated the one he blinded. Zero kicked his head into the face of another and parried another blade when he landed.
He then evaded a few swings of the SOLDIER's sword and threw his sword into one of them. He summoned another Mako sword and parried a few swings, while jumping forward to kick the sword her threw through the SOLDIER into another.
Someone cast an Ice spell.
Zero formed a fire ball in his hand, hot enough to instantly melt and then vaporize the ice. The steam was dense enough that it blinded the SOLDIER's allowing him to hack and slash at a few of them. Not too much though, as he had to mindful of them swinging wildly. They did kill a few of their own in that confusion.
The same caster who cast the Ice also cast an Earth spell to elevate them all above the steam cloud.
Well, Zero had his fun. He used that spell as a launching pad to catapult himself away the SOLDIER's following after him.
''After him,'' the reporter demanded to her colleague who nodded and began direction the drone.
Zero ignored or dodged the SOLDIER's spells. He also ignored or dodged their attempts to slash at him. He didn't need to bother with them anymore since he demonstrated their weakness.
He could just turn his speed up to max and leave them in the dust, but the Shelke told him through the earpiece that a reporter was following him with the drone.
How could he say no to such a golden opportunity. He would have had Shelke herself recording everything, but at that point he felt it would have been too on the nose and the 'inauthenticity' would have harmed their goals.
He coated his sword in lightning and began cutting through any reinforced doors, the heat making short work of the metal and the kinetic force from his body bursting through them, no problem.
Shortly afterwards he jumped over a barrage of a Robot. The Arsenal. He just entered the weapon manufacturing facility.
''Take care of it. Better yet, make it shoot at the SOLDIER's,'' he ordered Shelke.
He began freely swinging his sword as he pumped more mana in them, to make the blade of electricity longer and began destroying everything in his path. Necessary equipment meant to be used to manufacture robots were cut up and several times and began falling apart.
The SOLDIER's not really able to stop as they were engaged in battle with the Arsenal.
Zero left and most of them followed after him, only a few staying behind to hold the Arsenal back.
When he was close to the manufacturing facility for Materia something flashed red. Only one thing flashed red like that. A summon.
A body slammed into Zero and both him and it went through the wall and found themselves outside of the building.
After a few seconds of them spinning Zero could finally see who it was. Bahamut. All summons contained a copy of the god or legendary figures.
It tried snapping it's mouth at him only for Zero to hold it open with his leg and arms and slam free arm into it's eye then he cast a Bolt. He wanted to finish it off quickly.
Respect where respect was due, most creatures would have died from such an attack thanks to catastrophic damage, but Bahamut kept on going and tried to breath fire on his arms and leg.
Zero disengaged, the fire narrowly missing him. as he moved around to his back using his Mako tendrils as grappling hooks. He summoned a Mako sword and slammed it into the base of it's wing. Then he kicked it down so it could gain further depth and used the same kick to catapult himself away. A faint tendril connecting him and the sword.
He quickly used the chance to summon electricity in the form of a bow and arrow and fired.
Bahamut simply dodged as it was pretty fast, the arrow landing into the side of Shinra's building.
That was fine. New plan then.
Zero pulled himself back with a mighty pull by the tendril and slammed into the dragon. He used the tendrils to grapple his entire wing and pulled till the two were aligned with Shinra HQ. Then he pulled till it snapped and began casting Fire to propel themselves into the building.
---
''Miss Scarlet, it seems you were right. The summoning Materia is giving Zero trouble,'' one of her worker praised her.
She pulled her legs from the human functioning as her cushion and crossed them the other way.
''Of course it did. The idea came from me. All this boasting and I have to be the one to pull Heidegger out of his mess. Summon Shiva as well,'' She ordered them.
''Miss Scarlet, the machine still needs one minute to cool down before it can gather Mako again. Ii it overheats it could cause a massive explosion,'' the same worker told her.
Scarlet made a sound to express her distaste and rolled her eyes.
''Uh, guys? I don't think Bahamut is doing good,'' another worker told them and pointed at the screen.
''Miss Scarlet, what are your orders?,'' the same worker asked.
''Miss Scarlet?,'' he asked again when he didn't receive an answer and turned around. He barely caught her walking away, the human functioning as her cushion crawling after her before the door closed.
---
Zero let go and watched Bahamut slam into the hole the came out from. He followed after him, ending his fall by casting a massive fire spell in the facility.
The SOLDIER's were blown back and Zero burst out of the fires to go to the next place.
...
Nearly an hour did Zero's rampage last. Nothing they tried stopped him completely. It only delayed him.
The SOLDIER's were running after him all this time and he eventually lead them to the end of the Sister Ray Cannon for his grand finale. He hasn't destroyed or killed anyone in the last few minutes. The Shinra HQ building was in flames in the back ground, though Zero left it standing. He wanted them weaker, not completely defeated. Not yet.
''You...,'' one SOLDIER hatefully spat but the stopped as he had to catch his breath a bit,''You killed my brother!''
''Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down?,'' Zero asked nonplussed. He stepped closer to the edge of the Sister Ray Cannon. The camera drone still following him, moving closer to capture everything better.
Zero rolled his eye behind his mask.
Fucking mainstream media. At some point most news agencies stop reporting the truth and want to sell sensationalism to make money.
Oh, well. He can use that to his advantage, especially since it was streaming live to the people who had a TV.
How did that saying go? 'Don't interrupt your enemy when they are making a mistake.'
''You caused all this damage, wrought havoc across Midgar, killed countless of us and now... Now you want to run? There is no place you can run to where Shinra won't hunt you down to. We will hunt you down to the end's of Gaia!,'' another SOLDIER stepped forward and decalred.
Bingo.
He still had some Mako and thus mana left from when he saved the plate. He could use that too.
Zero snickered, his shoulders shaking. He stopped as if trying to be serious, but then he began snickering again. As if the notion of his threat was so... pathetic that he couldn't threat as anything less but a joke.
The people hang to their TV's with anticipation.
Zero's snicker turned into a chuckle, for a bit he laughed like he was out of breath. Then he threw his head back and his arms out and descended into full blown laughter.
The one who just issued the threat to him swallowed. The SOLDIER's who were on the Sister Ray Cannon fidgeted. Other tensed ready or afraid to jump him or what he would do next.
Zero laughed and laughed and he laughed till his laughter slowly died out.
''Run? Who's running? Where?,'' Zero asked them calmly, head still thrown back.
''AND WHY?!!!!,'' he snapped back and screamed explosively.
The SOLDIER's jumped back, but then starred at the ground.
''Huh?''
The ground was tinted orange. Like someone just turned off the night and it was suddenly day. And it was soooo warm, suddenly,
They looked up and some of them dropped to their knees, swords falling out of their hands.
Zero unfurled his Mako wings and jumped up to fly in the air.
He raised his hand above his head. Far above him and above Midgar was a ball of flame. twice the diameter of Midgar. Zero waited a bit letting the drone approach him.
Then he released an amused huff.
''Playtime is over,'' he told them and tilted his head.
''The suffering Shinra is experiencing is self inflicted. They dropped a plate to kill 6 people and failed. With or without the planets interference, it makes no difference.
I could turn this city to ash and end a dynasty.
A far more worthwhile investment, wouldn't you say? Irregardless of the atrocity I will commit by doing that.
But like I said. Despite the harm they are causing her, the planet still loves you all. Pray that it remains that way and change your behavior. Wake up or I will pay you another visit,'' Zero kept it brief.
He waited a bit to let the message sink in and when he was satisfied he condensed the massive ball of flame into a basketball and detonated it above his head.
The light was blinding allowing him to make his escape.
Night returned. Behind, where he was previously, the people could only see a cloudless sky.
And the stars hanging high and clear above their heads.
(A.N.: 12101 words. Hope you enjoyed reading that. Stay safe and cheers out there.)