Chapter 2…

It had been 8 hours after the end of the meeting in Cosmo Canyon. Everybody is assigned duties and was running against time to do the best they can before the arrival of the Jenovian army. The Cosmo Canyon’s observatory team confirmed the elapsed time. 36 hours till the first meteor enters the atmosphere. If something isn’t done by that time, game’s over. If the meteor shower is being somehow repelled, it’s up to the dwellers of this planet to defend themselves, against these unknown but unquestionably strong invaders.

During the meeting, the man requested authority from Godo that he will be his advisor on every matter concerning this attack. Of course, Godo had his doubts of this man. His identity is unknown and the only reason he is here is because he is with the Avalanche. But something tells him that he is obligated to trust this man. Something is his eyes tells him that he know how to fight this battle and win it. Besides that, he didn’t seem to have a choice.

With a nod of acknowledgement, Godo accepted his request and as expected, receives controversial opinions from his fellow officers and warrior, even from the Avalanche. Many of his officers are reluctant to take ‘orders’ coming out from someone they don’t even know but Godo insisted that his orders are carried out. Within the Avalanche, Barret and Cid are not very fond of his orders too. Only the observant ones such as Red XIII and Vincent that are aware of his vast knowledge on this matter received his orders without asking any questions. Even though everyone did as he ordered reluctantly, they knew that this isn’t the time for quarrelling. Doom is coming, like it or not, dictatorship works well in such times.

With 28 hours remaining on the clock, Godo and the man are alone in the meeting room, while everyone else had already left to carry out their duties. Even though Godo was there when the man give out his orders, Godo don’t really understand what each order will lead to but remained silent and only observed, knowing that interfering and asking many questions will slow down the progress of entire campaign. Now that they had time to spare, Godo started asking what each of the member of Avalanche are assigned to do, as they are all sent out to different location to perform different tasks.

“Well, now that we had a little time to spare till we all meet our worst nightmare, I would like detailed information on what your orders to the Avalanche are.” Godo said in a stern voice and the man knew that he couldn’t avoid these questions. He stood behind him silently and waited for a question.

“Now, what was it you wanted Barret to do in Kalm? You…aren’t thinking of turning that peaceful town into a battlefield, are you?”

The man remained silent for a moment, as if those questions are what he intended to do.

“When the Jenovian army starts coming, nowhere in the planet will be safe. Barret will be in Kalm, and a few other officers in all the other towns will be in charge of barricading the towns, fortify them and teaching the civilians there to defend themselves. Even if they fail, they must be able to escape in haste. No one is to remain alive in the hands of the Jenovian army. They take no prisoners.”

Godo felt a chill through his spine the moment he heard those words. Take no prisoners. That could only mean mass massacres. The Wutai warriors are not capable of doing this. Godo could only hope that the people of those attacked towns and city can evacuate quick enough before the Jenovians come through their doors and barricades…

“Hammer it correctly, ya )(*&*(#!!!”

Barret gave out an earth-shocking roar to a low-rank soldier that is putting up a barricade around Kalm. Barret, now bare bodied, was using a pick to dig deep into the ground, to enable long logs of wood to be stuck into the ground, forming a sort of barricade to slow down incoming enemy forces into this town. Even though this is not his hometown, he swore that he would protect this town, as it seemed so fragile and non-sustainable to attack. He knew that his buddies back in Coral will be able to defend themselves, with their mines and self made weapons, and those nomadic lives, they are much tougher than this peaceful town. He felt rather appreciated here.

Work. Construction. A lot of digging. That is actually the true inherited skill of Barret. Barret was a coal miner before he became a rebel against Shinra. He loved his job very much. The excitement when new coal deposits are discovered, the sweat of effort, the digging in the dark, all those are was he is made for, not firing off endlessly from his gun-arm. This was his life. This should be his life. He missed it very much.

“Daddy, daddy! I wanna help too!”

Barret turned around and saw Marlene running towards him with a shovel in her hands, hoping to be able to help this town that was preparing for battle. The surrounding seems tense for the adults, as they seemed to fear for the worst. People are running around, carrying tools and fortifying strategic places with whatever they got, hoping that it will stop an enemy army from marching it. Things seemed grave. But for Marlene, she seemed like she just wants to join in the excitement, and couldn’t waiting to help her father out.

“Go home Marlene, it dangeruss out here.”

Marlene looked back with a sulky face and refused to go back home. Barret could only let Marlene join him and she started digging the earth with that little shovel of hers. Barret felt amused seeing her doing this and couldn’t stop thinking what future lies for her if this town should fail to defend itself. Still, he continued his work with determination, determination to defend this town, at all cost.

“Well, what about Tifa? Why send her off to Wutai, to train my warriors?” Godo continued asking questions. The man just replied.

“Tifa is a superb martial arts expert. You might think that your warriors know enough close combat skills, but Tifa could teach them a thing or two before the battle begins. I can assure, your warriors will be much stronger with just a little training from her.”

“How?” Godo asked with a puzzled look.

“Attention!”

A commanding cry was heard and the former warriors of Wutai stood straight in a line and stomped on the ground in unison, showing a proud army waiting for command.

The warriors are now in a martial arts Dojo in Wutai where they receive all their training. Sword-fighting, ninja skills, swift killing flash attacks…the deadliest skill are all available here.

The Wutai warriors, all battle hardened veterans, waited for their new one-day course trainer to appear in silence. The trainer must be some mysterious sensei or some great ninja that is qualified enough to teach them a thing or two. The Wutai warriors waited, and was shocked when a woman with a superb body wearing a tank top and short skirt walked in, instead of the old man or cold warrior they expected. Tifa greeted the warriors with a polite tone, and started introducing herself.

The Wutai warriors all thought that it was a joke that their superiors send them a woman to teach them martial arts. They promised that they will be impressed. They are. They hadn’t seen a woman with such a figure in Wutai before.

While Tifa is introducing herself, one of the Wutai warrior couldn’t help cracking a joke to the one next to him.

“I would LOVE to wrestle with that chick!”

The warrior next to him snickered and Tifa looked at the two with a stern look. The two resumed their positions but Tifa walked towards them and looked at them straight into the eyes.

“Would you like a wrestle with me?”

Tifa looked at warrior that cracked that joke with a sly look and the warrior just looked back like a statue.

“Yes, maam!”

The warrior stepped forward and prepares himself for an attack. He cracked his finger and was confident that he could easily grab her and slam her onto the ground. He waited for the moment and then he lunged his attack. But to his surprise, he only grabbed the thin air and Tifa dodge it effortlessly. He tried to attempt another fatal attack with his other hand but Tifa just block it away.

Before the warrior even knew that his second attempt missed, Tifa countered with a punch to his chest and the warrior was knocked backward towards the wall, slamming his back in excruciating pain. In less than a split second, Tifa lunged towards him and send a punch right next to his face. The punch went right through the wall, and the fist was fully buried into the concrete wall, leaving debris falling and dust floating. The warriors looked at Tifa in shock. If she hadn’t gave any sort of mercy, her fist would be in his brain by now. Now they ARE impressed.

“By the end of this course, you all should be able to dodge all of my basic attacks.”

Training of dexterity, and the skill of dodging, that’s what the man wants the warriors to learn before battle. It can save your head from being chopped off by a Jenovian’s blade. How hard can this course be? Dodging Tifa’s punches are harder than dodging bullets.

“The Turks. Yes, the Turks. I saw you giving out a list of locations to Vincent and he just took off with the other Turks without saying anything. Do you all know something that I don’t?” Godo asked the man again. The man paused for a moment, then he answered with an average tone.

“The moment I gave that list to Vincent, he already knew what it was and there was no need to repeat anything to him. He knew what to do. Inside that list, is something hidden from you since the battle between Wutai and Shinra. Those are the location of secret arsenals of the Shinra army. It may prove very useful against the Jenovians.”

Godo looked at the man and rubbed his chin. During his fighting days, he heard of secret weapons being developed at the end of the war to fight against his army in case Shinra loses the war. But unfortunately, they lost the war too soon and there is no chance of bringing out those weapons and only a handful of people knew of this thing. A rumour, many would say, and time did it’s job by making people forget about it. Godo didn’t really care about until the man brought out this issue, and what would had caused his defeat, might save this planet from destruction.

The surrounding is dark, very dark. The only light that was there is from the flashlights the Turks bring with them. The three Turks travel cautiously through the dark corridors and walkways that seemed endless from the entrance point. No sign of life was felt. No monsters, no creatures, just like an abandoned building, or…a grave…

Vincent is leading them at the front and moves forward at a fast pace. Even though he travels fast, but his senses are constantly scanning the surroundings for booby traps and other life threatening threats. He had been with the Shinra for a long time. He knew them just too well. Such facilities are never safe, even for their own men.

So the journey into nothingness and pure darkness continues for another hours before Vincent started to slow down his pace and observed the surrounding with his senses more cautiously. It is as if he had been here before and knew that this area is more dangerous that the area before.

Vincent suddenly stopped and signalled the Turks to do so. He then knelt down and feels for something on the ground. His fingers suddenly came in contact with a something. It feels like a wire. Elena stepped closer towards Vincent to provide some light for Vincent when she noticed that it is a wire. Vincent turned his head aside and Elena’s flashlight followed. She saw a familiar device attached to the wall. To her surprise, it was something she saw before when she undergo training when she entered Shinra. She gasped.

“That’s… a high explosive device! If we hadn’t noticed it…”

Boom. End of the Turks. It is a blessing that Vincent noticed it, however he knew about it. A chill was sent up Elena’s spine imagining how is it to end up in this place of eternal darkness. Reno and Rude didn’t say a word but are deeply impressed with Vincent’s instinct, or whatever he possessed.

In just a split second, Vincent flicker his long sharp claws and cut the trigger wire and skilfully handle it safely. They soon continue their journey deeper into this facility and in just a short while, Vincent stopped and examined the surroundings. He sniffed and the Turks can smell something too.

“Gunpowder…fuel…” Reno said and Rude agreed with him. Their goal is near. This is what they had been looking for.

“Careful with your torchlight. Don’t press the switch or it will create a spark that will blow everything up.”

Vincent warned his team and that was what they had in mind too. They proceed cautiously forward and soon they realised that they had entered a large room, the size unknown. They wander around for a while, and Vincent is looking for clues or the sign of what he is looking for.

“Here! I found something!”

Elena cried out and the others came to her to see what she had discovered. Elena is standing in front a mountain of crates and a crate had been smashed open, not by her, perhaps from a fall. Inside was filled with ammunition of infantry weapons, the standard Shinra machine guns and rifles. They had discovered something useful.

“Heck! What the hell is this?!” Reno exclaimed and the others shone their torchlights towards his direction. In front of him is something that towered over him, something like a statue of a monster that walks on two legs. Like a dinosaur.

“A Shinra security mech. But this looks bigger and tougher.” Rude replied and examined the dormant machine.

Unlike the standard Shinra security mech that is armed with double machine guns and rocket packs, this machine seemed to be armed with heavy artilleries and high explosive missiles, with high velocity auto cannons as it’s primary weapons. This is a war machine, one that is used for real battles, for killing.

“The Shinra had built these weapons long before they used them for security purposes. The war with Wutai ended before they are dished out to the battlefield. Even though they seemed old and weary, they are still capable of dealing a huge amount of damage to whatever enemy we have ahead of us.” Vincent explained and the Turks continued wandering round.

After some time past by, the team realised that something is wrong with this place. At first they thought it was fatigue or prolonged period in the darkness, but now they actually feel that the earth is moving beneath them. A trap? A defense mechanism?

Vincent observed for a little while and then he placed his ears onto the floor, listening. After listening, Vincent led the team out of the room and then ordered the Turks to flash the surroundings. To their surprise, they saw they it wasn’t a room they had entered. It seemed like they entered something huge.

“Listen…”

Vincent said and the team do what he said. They heard voices. Voices of waves…water? Here?

“Take a clear look.”

Vincent took the flashlight from Elena and flash the surroundings again. Now the picture starts to get clearer. They saw…a huge ship in front of them. A ship so huge that it can carry thousands of troops and machines. The Shinra really know how to hide things well.

“Godo, here’s some new toys for you.” Reno cracked a joke and the others just stared at the ship in awe. Never did they knew Shinra possess such weapons.

“Weapons. What type of weapons can Shinra possibly possess that never surfaced?” Godo asked the man and the man stared back at him coldly.

“Don’t look at me like you don’t know anything about it. Is Project Tori going fine?”

Godo’s face turned into surprise the moment he heard the mention of that project. Project Tori, which means the Bird Project in his native language, is one of biggest secret the new planet’s defence forces are trying to keep. Godo, having obtained the knowledge of building airplanes and airships from the ruins of Shinra, started on a massive research and construction of airplanes used for war. With a facility deep inside the mountains of Wutai, only those that work there knew about that. How can this man know so much about them? Where does he get his sources?

“I can see that it is wise for you to construct such weaponry, even though the world is at peace. Although the research of powerful airplanes hasn’t been fully achieved, I believe now is the time to test the strength of this new…air force of yours.”

Godo listened and nodded. This project had started not more than half a year ago and even though much achievement had been gained, still the lack of battle hardened experience and good leadership is a problem. None of the pilots had real experience is such combat. Who can guide and teach them? Well…there is only one person…

“I sent Cid and his crew to the Project Tori facility.”

As if the man is reading Godo’s mind, the man spoke out Godo’s thoughts. Godo looked at him even more in astonishment, puzzled with the amount of vital information held is his head.

Cid and his crew had their mouths wide open. They are now on a platform hanging high in a huge hangar, with noise and sparks and people running around. The pace of things going here are fast. Machines assemble huge machines, and production seemed to be going on around the clock, producing all types of small planes and a number of huge airships. Their two valuable airships are now not the only flying machine roaring through the sky anymore.

“Commander Cid. As you can see, with the rate of such production, we will be able to muster around two hundred fighters and bombers and ten airships by the end of the day. Hopefully this will be able to defeat any incoming enemy forces.”

A guide of the facility explained to Cid as if Cid is a general or something.

“Commander?” Shera, that is beside Cid asked.

“Didn’t they brief you at Cosmo Canyon? Commander Cid, you have been promoted to Commander rank and we hope your experience in the air will help us train our pilots for battle.”

Cid looked at the guide and stared straight at him. His eyes are so fierce that the guide felt a sense of hostility and shed away.

Suddenly, Cid’s eyes started to smile and then he patted the guide on his shoulder.

“Get all those pilots that wanted my training to assemble in front of the Highwind. We will start our first battle experience training.” Cid said with a sinister smile.

The guide acknowledged Cid’s command and bolted out the door to perform his duty. Shera looked at Cid and asked what will that training be.

“Well, if they need to be in the air, they need to know what the air is like. Let’s bring them for a ‘joy’ ride.”

Shera and Cid’s crew were shocked when they heard the mention of a joy ride.

“No…not that…”

One of Cid’s crew said while trembling, as if it dreaded him so much. Cid looked at his crew, and then back into the production area. He puffed his cigarette and said in style.

“Let’s teach those (*&$)(*#$@ what the air is like.”

“In your opinion, where will the Jenovians land and start attacking?” Godo asked the man, knowing that he will surely know the answer.

“From what I see, they will land all around the planet, but I think most of them will concentrate on the east continent, as there is a huge amount of plains for them to fortify a base there.” The man said, as if he had studied the world map thoroughly.

“So…I assume you will use Midgar as a fort, right?” Godo asked, knowing that the best place to use for a fort, is that piece of debris of metal.

“That is the best place we can find, and those metal debris can provide us with much cover. With some level of fortification, we can prevent it from collapsing easily and the top of the plate can prove useful in launching magic attacks. Yuffie will find out more on the terrain as we speak.”

“Yuffie?” Godo asked, surprised that his daughter’s name is mentioned.

“Yes, Yuffie, along with Red XIII and Cait Sith. With her and Red XIII’s skills in the wild, along with Reeves’ knowledge of the area around Midgar, I believe that they can find terrain that is suitable for ambush or defensive purposes.”

The man replied. Godo only looked back at him, knowing that her girl will do the job well, but still, he is worried of her. What will happen to her when the war begins?

“Look over there. That seems like a good place for ambushing the enemy.” Red XIII spoke to Yuffie when he spotted a dense forest on the around the ledge of the mountains. Higher ground with some camouflaged, great for a big magic hit and swift run operation.

Red XIII turned around and saw that Yuffie is actually staring at Midgar, looking at the piece of debris with people working around the clock under it, making it a better fort. Red XIII can see that she found her awe for such things, even in such times.

“You know, Red. When I was a little girl, I heard from the wanderers about a big city of metal, glowing in the dark with dim lights, forever noisy and always filled with life. It was so different than the town I used to grow up in. That was a place I wanted to visit.”

Yuffie said and started to get sentimental.

“When I was old enough, I ran away from home to see the world. The first place I really wanted to see is Midgar. The moment I entered that city, I realised that how complicated and how stressful life could be. There, it’s all about money, fame and success, so different from our people. ”

“Now all of that had turned into a piece of huge debris. Nobody wanted to stay there anymore. Unlike other places where even after war or famine, people still go back there to populate it. Such a place…seems like that’s there no sense of belonging, isn’t it?”

Yuffie spoke out her thoughts as if she had matured a lot. Red XIII just listened and stood by her.

“You know, when I came to Midgar from Cosmo Canyon, that’s what I thought of too. A society too driven by reality.” Red XIII replied with his opinions.

“But deep inside this city, there is some form of belonging and it’s culture. Even though it seems weird to us outsiders, they have their life and their sense of belonging. Maybe not now, but I believe, that after many year, after many seasons, the people here will come back and populate this place, with their pride of the past. This place is a place of it’s own.”

Red XIII said and started to walk away. Yuffie followed and then suddenly a cry was heard from behind.

“Wait up!” Cait Sith was seen hopping towards them, after hopelessly being left behind. As always, Cait Sith seems to be left out.

“Now…what are we supposed to do?”

A voice was heard from behind the man. The man continued trekking up the mountain, and as always, paused for a moment before replying.

“That was the same question Godo asked me.”

The man can be seen trekking up a snowy mountain, with Cloud and Aeris behind him. The only place that is covered with snow at all times are the mountains near the northern crater, as with the barrier Sephiroth built gone and the amount of energy there diminishing, the snow gets thicker and colder. Cloud and Aeris could only follow and rubbed themselves to keep themselves warm.

“This is once the place created by the Ancients, to prevent such a thing from happening. The Ancients knew of the existence of the meteor spell and it is used by the Jenovians for mass destruction.”

The man talked about the Ancients and Aeris listened carefully, knowing that he knew a great deal about them.

“You all once summoned holy and the lifestream to push a single meteor back. That was sufficient for a huge single meteor. But now the number of meteors had increased even though the size had been smaller, even holy with all the lifestream will not be able to resist it. An ancient weapon needs to be used and only an Ancient can use it. Thus explaining your presence here.”

The man answered and Aeris understood what the man said. But still, Cloud is still not convinced with what the weapon is that could resist such a massive meteor attack.

“Even I myself haven’t seen this Ancient weapon working yet. Hopefully the myths and legends of the Ancients are true. Or else…” The man said.

“Or else?” Cloud asked.

“We will all die and all effort are wasted.”

Cloud was shocked to hear that such a big burden and task had been placed on their shoulders, based on myths and legends. He couldn’t express his frustration but still, he followed, knowing that there’s nothing better to do.

After climbing some cliffs and crossing a lot of snow, they come to what seems like a death end. Filled with disappointment and fear, Cloud and Aeris seemed to have doubt about those myths and legends the man had been talking about. But the man remained calm.

“This is a dead end!”

Cloud cried out and the man just remained quiet. The man looked around for a moment, and then he sat down on the cold snow, as if he is waiting. He asked Cloud and Aeris to sit down but Cloud resisted and paced around in frustration. Aeris could only wait in the cold, hoping that something will happen soon.

Night fell and it’s started to get colder and colder by the second. Cloud and Aeris had to cast some spells to keep themselves warm. The man remained cool and waited there, as if he was meditating. Suddenly, his eyes opened and flame seemed to spark from his eyes. Cloud and Aeris looked at him.

“It’s time.”

Cloud and Aeris turned around and stare into the direction of the man’s eyes. They can see a few dots of flames in the sky, increasing in size slowly. At first only a few was seen, then more and more appear, and after that clusters was seen. Meteors. They had arrived.

The snow beneath them suddenly shook and the man stood up, balancing himself skilfully. Cloud and Aeris held together to keep themselves stable, and then a loud rumbling noise was heard. A faint light can be seen gleaming from beneath the wall that once seemed like a dead end, and suddenly, the wall of snow and stones crumbled down and a path was seen, leading into nowhere.

“The path…it appeared only when the meteors are seen.” Aeris started to understand what the waiting is about.

“It’s a camouflage mechanism. Only during disasters will this path will opened.” The man added and started walking into the path. Cloud and Aeris started to get up and follow the man.

“What are we waiting for? We have an entire planet to save.” Cloud said and withdraw his sword, leading Aeris into the path where lurks in it is unknown.