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Description
FFVII
Making a Decision ~ Making a Stand

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Emotive themes
Setting: 3 years after DoC
Rating: M
Status: WIP
OCs: 25%
Disclaimer: All related Final Fantasy VII names and characters are copyrighted © by Square Enix. However, this story and the OCs are mine. Thank you.

MAKING A DECISION ~ MAKING A STAND

Cloud, his sword still gripped tightly in his hand, leaned on the short wall and over the edge of the balcony, his eyes making a frantic search below for Denzel. He was not where he expected him to be. Finally, he set eyes on him lying amid debris from the broken pillar. Intense worry darkened Cloud's face at the sight of his blood soaked side and motionless body. "Denzel!" His call reverberated on the surrounding rocks. Denzel had to move. Cloud couldn't go down there to face his lifeless broken body. He had to move.

After a repeated call of his name, Denzel shifted his arm, moving as if he was going to sit up. His cursing moans carried up to the top balcony and to Cloud's relieved ears. He let his breath out in a swift gasp. "Hang on I'll be there as soon as I can." After breaking apart his swords and sliding them back in place behind him, he knelt by the stricken animal. He ran his gloved hand along the red matted chest, feeling the weak exhale of its breath. He connected with the materia in his glove, and the familiar refreshing energy enveloped his hand. He directed the incandescence into the lion-creature and watched the open wounds begin to seal.

After some strained moments of waiting, he left the creature comfortable and breathing deeply, and jumped down to the level below. His swords lightly bounced against his back as he landed, and he ran to Denzel. Finishing what Denzel was struggling to do, Cloud lifted a length of jagged stone from the teenager's chest and tossed it over his shoulder. Denzel, shaking with an escalating fever, was clammy with a sickly sweat. He crooked his head and groaning with pain attempted to raise himself onto his elbows.

Cloud forced him down with an unyielding hand on his shoulder. "Don't move." His blue eyes turned ice-cold, and his face emptied of emotion. His gut seized with anguish at the sight of him and he attempted masking his distress and fear.

Denzel, his face scrunching up with consternation and agony, looked away from Cloud's concerned gaze. "At least I got the sucker..." He trailed off with a chesty drawn out moan.

Cloud's hand lit up with power and he covered Denzel's extended gash running the side of his chest. The injury had broken ribs and torn through flesh, almost damaging his vital organs. If it weren't for the Barrier the kid could have been killed so easily... so quickly. And here Denzel was, more wrapped up in whether his opponent was dead or not than his own near death. Cloud didn't care about the enemy right than. Denzel, the boy that was his, was a bloody mess. But, he was alive. He tried to steady his trembling hands while resisting the urge to let his irritation flare and keeping his tone even, he stated, "You need more practice with that weapon."

Denzel made a choking sound in his throat attempting to bring forth words. Cloud watched his flesh rejoin and left his hand there to make sure he was healing. He turned his eyes back to Denzel, and Cloud's face was a wall of stern deliberation. The hand on Denzel's shoulder, holding him firm went to his face and stroked his cooling forehead, brushing away his damp fringe. Denzel watched him with questioning eyes, and he opened his mouth, but remained quiet.

Those eyes watching Cloud were the same eyes of the boy who looked to him with trust and awe, and they looked to him now with a similar expression, but something was different in that anxious pleading crease of his brow. Something he recognized and had seen in himself in days past when he was young like Denzel. A need for affirmation, to know he did the right thing. "You did well," Considering. Considering he was using a weapon he was unfamiliar with, considering he was fighting opponents a league above him, considering he had only been training seriously for a year, without any real confrontations. But all Cloud was thinking about was Denzel's open flesh and near death and blood... blood pooling around the boy, the boy in his care. For one quavering moment of his heart, he wondered if it was right to have brought along someone so young. Maybe, he could claim, that concern was the inclination of a parent. That had to mean something for his own maturity – but than, if he was right, Denzel shouldn't be there at all. But what could Cloud do? Denzel was seeking the ones he loved just as much as Cloud was. The boy was growing up and it was all unknown and untraveled territory to Cloud.

Denzel breathed steadily now, his voice was understated as he said, "Because of your training." Sighing, he cast his despondent gaze away.

Cloud caught the disappointment on his face. He understood. He remembered times when he had been frustrated at his own lack of skill, angry even. It eventually passed until he had other concerns, when all the fighting meant to him and was good for, was protecting those concerns. It had been awhile since he had fought like this, but it was all coming back, like worn useful clothing that he hadn't outgrown, but was far from comfortable. But unlike years past, he could put it on and take it off when he needed to. He grasped Denzel's shoulder and supported him up to a sitting position and dusted off the rubble. "I'll give you some tips with that weapon." He nodded towards the blade, glinting between the fallen stone.

Denzel shook his hair free of grit. "Yep."

His one word reply was enough and all Cloud needed to hear to know what Denzel was thinking and seeking. It was Cloud's responsibility. Whether Denzel was aware of that or not didn't matter. Denzel was sensing his own inadequacies and it annoyed the teenager. Cloud knew that place of frustration and failure. Denzel knew that he needed to improve his fighting, not for his own sake, but for those he wanted to look after and it was Cloud's job to teach him. He and Denzel spoke the same language at times. Maybe Tifa was right. Denzel was becoming like him, but maybe, Cloud could help him do it differently, and do it better.

"Did you find out who they were?" Denzel must have been feeling a lot healthier for his expression changed in an instant to one of excited urgency. "Are they Deepground?"

"I don't know." After what the men said to him, he couldn't really say who they were. "I'm hoping we will find out." He suddenly looked up as if sensing movement. The pale orange lion-creature bounded down to them and landed with a soft thud on the stone. It padded to them with graceful steps. The animal was not unlike Nanaki in form, although its coloring was a muted flame. Gentle contours were supple and smooth and its back was straighter than Nanaki's. It also lacked the fire-tail that Nanaki was known for. Delicate amber eyes stared at them for moments, studying them with a kind insight. On seeing her curves and velvety fur, Cloud would have guessed the creature was female.

It bowed its shapely head and spoke. "I owe you a great debt for saving my life." Its voice was mellow, deep, soothing, like warm honey, and feminine. "My name is Deneh."

Cloud creased his brow in recognition of the name, recalling a distant conversation with Nanaki about this particular creature from his tribe.

"Do you know Nanaki?" Denzel, still seated on the floor, leaned forward in anticipation.

"Nanaki is my mate." Her eyes blistered with sudden fire and she looked them over once more, this time remaining on Cloud's face. "You are Cloud Strife, friend of Nanaki?"

Cloud inclined his head, now feeling at ease in her presence. "I am." He rose to his feet and sensitive to any new tragedy, he said, slowly, "Where is he?"

"And who were these pe—" Denzel depressed his lips, closing his mouth at Cloud's outstretched hand, indicating he stop speaking.

Deneh lowered her muzzle to the stone, her eyes glazing with the moisture of unshed tears. "He faces execution in the hands of our enemy from where I escaped."

Cloud had a sudden pain in his head and a twisting in his gullet at the thought of Nanaki being killed. "Is it nearby?"

Cait Sith aloft his giant Mog, bounded up the stairs with a mighty thumping, interrupting them. On reaching the top step, he hollered with glee to the others climbing after him. "Not to fear, he's here and he's – alive!" He leaped off his ride, arms out wide and coming at Denzel. Abruptly, he recoiled from any embrace. "But, he's in an appalling state."

"Thanks for caring." Denzel lifted a brow in sheepish merriment. "Yeah, still alive. For now."

Cait pranced closer and swept his gloved hand over Denzel's torso, making sure to avoid the dark stain of blood on his already dark shirt. "My, my, it look's as if you had a vicious encounter with... rocks?"

"It felt like it."

Shelke was not far behind Cait and she was followed by Elfie and Cissnei with Veld coming silently behind them all. Denzel kept his eyes on Shelke, giving her a relaxed smile. She gave the slightest shake of her head and a grin played on her mouth. After giving Deneh a cursory glance, she walked with heavy feet past them all and headed to the flow of life-stream. Not seeming to care who was watching her, she immersed her arms and face in the refreshing light of the Planet's energy and heaved an exhausted sigh of relief.

Elfie, concealed in her forest-green cloak, stepped forward and gave a nod to Deneh in greeting and she looked to Cloud, her somber eyes creasing with gravity. "We saw another group similar to this."

"Coming our way?" he raised his eyes in concern and skimmed what he could see of the cavern below.

Cissnei, leaning against a pillar, swinging her shuriken, shook her red curls and her manner was less concerned. "They were headed in the opposite direction."

Elfie stepped closer to Cloud as if she needed more of his attention. "There were too many for us to start a fight without provocation."

Veld narrowed his eyes at the two women and said, more in speculation, "They're going up top?"

"Perhaps a scouting party after me." Deneh lifted her head, sadness continued to dim her ruby eyes. "Or they are moving up."

Cloud turned his attention to Deneh again and he squatted to speak with her eye to eye. "Tell me where he is?"

Deneh's steady gaze held his, searching his steely blue stare. "He is a prisoner at Aurinium City, the city under Mount Nibel."

"There really is a city?" Denzel promptly shoved Cait aside from blocking his view.

Deneh nodded. "Although we did not know it was inhabited."

"Are there any other prisoners there? Humans?" Cloud's voice was too desperate, brimming with too much hope, and he forced her attention back to him.

"There were men from above. Strangers to us."

Lowering his head with a frown, he rested his arm heavily on his knee. Now that Nanaki was in their clutches, it was only another set back.

Denzel piped up, "We can rescue Nanaki. Can't we?"

His question was heard by all, but Cloud knew it was for him specifically. But Deneh spoke before he could find an answer to give him. "The city had many men like these plus monsters." Her words tumbled out in a rush, yet Cloud could not mistake the unspoken hope edging her fear filled words. "Now that you have saved me, my freedom will not be in vain." She halted and stared at Cloud's crestfallen expression. "But, I fear I shall be too late and perhaps it was a futile plan all along."

Cloud glanced back at her, his pale brows creasing as he puzzled over her remark.

"What do you mean?" Veld's query was demanding, as if knowing an important statement when he heard one.

"The plan, on my escape, was to attempt warning the people of Nibelheim that an enemy was going to destroy them." Her words incited a combination of reactions, ranging from horror to anger.

Cloud shot to his feet and stared at her with alarm, imaging the innocent people of Nibelheim being captured or killed. Imaging the suffering of a burning Nibelheim – again. A fuming need to retaliate thundered up from some buried place in his soul.

"But – but –how can we tell them – all?" Cait danced in a mad panic, as if he were stepping on hot coals.

Elfie, her face drained of color, spoke to Deneh, her voice soothing in its unexpected softness. "When is this to happen?"

"Dawn, I believe." Her voice was like lead, falling to the ground.

Veld glanced at his wrist watch. "Less than four hours."

"Even if they're warned, they'd never get away. They'd lose their livelihoods, their homes," Cissnei added, her tone blunt, almost disparaging.

"Damn!" Denzel cried. "Nibelheim... all those people... the houses..."

Cloud knew what Denzel was really referring to. Cloud's home and Tifa's. Although they weren't the real ones, still, it was Cloud and Tifa's link. Their only connection to their childhood, to their deceased families. What did Denzel say about Tifa? She missed Nibelheim more than she said. Oh, Gaia, not Nibelheim again... not his and Tifas' home town... the water tower. And just when he had been forming plans to take Tifa to Nibelheim. Cloud pressed his temple, fighting the weight of the loss that seemed to keep accumulating around him.

Veld had opened his phone, only to flip it shut in a swift flick of his wrist. "No connection."

Deneh hung her head with grief. "I am sorry to deliver such dire news, but I have neglected to tell you something else of grave importance." Having gained everyone's attention, she paused.

"Spit it out, woman!" Cait cried, breaking the tense silence.

"It seems pointless to even inform you, but Nanaki and I overheard their plans regarding a second ambush on Rocket Town."

"What?" Veld growled. This news appeared to aggravate his usual coolness even more. "But how?"

The deep tones of the lion-creature continued with more wretchedness. "Simultaneously and from under the ground."

Cait made a garbled sound and reeled back, collapsing on Denzel's legs, not caring abit about the blood. Denzel, oblivious to his slack weight, stared bug-eyed at the lion-creature, and muttered, "Not...WRO?"

Cloud looked away and considered the enemy's cunning strategy. They could assail Rocket Town before WRO even knew what had happened, at the same time, Nibelheim would be attacked in a similar manner. A startling realization began to hit him. Would there be other towns targeted for an attack? Edge?

Elfie cast a glance at Cissnei and Veld, and said under her breath, "Is Shinra there?"

"He is, but whether he is there or at Healin is anyone's guess." Veld switched his gaze back to Cloud. "WRO have troops there—"

"No." In weary resignation, Cloud's eyes closed and his mouth constricted in a grim line, as he tried to hold in his fury. "They left WRO to go on a rescue and evacuation mission—"

"That's right." Denzel interrupted, his voice quiet yet intense. "Leviathan hunting."

"All of them?" Veld's voice lifted with shock.

Cloud sighed, his muscles tensing with the burden of knowing what WRO's plans were and yet having no control over them. "Probably not all, but a good deal and maybe all their ships. Hopefully, Reeve left a fair amount of soldiers there for this Council Meeting he had planned." He fiddled around in his pocket for his phone. Even though Veld said his didn't work, he had to try his own at least. No signal at all. "Damn." Maybe they could warn Nibelheim, maybe... but Rocket Town... no way. His chest seized with anguish over the possible destruction of WRO and Reeve, and everything he had been working for, and than the death of all those Leaders from around the Planet. Deepground's plan ran deep with shrewd inside detail.

"What are we going to do?" Denzel muttered. The desperation had gone from his voice, replaced by resignation to failure and… loss. WRO was his future after all and Reeve was the one who had given him the placement and the opportunity there.

Cloud stared at Cait, pondering the animated feline as he eased himself, in an undignified manner, to a sitting position, still appearing faint with shock. With his voice hard, like steel, and urgent, Cloud demanded, "Cait, you can contact Reeve?"

Cait stood and dusted himself off, far too leisurely for Cloud's liking. He strolled to Cloud, a sway in his hips, proud he was the one who was being called on to offer the needed help. He raised his open palm at Cloud. "May I?"

Cloud handed him the phone. Grinning like an overexcited goon, he clamped his paw around the object. He lifted his other paw at Cloud and with a flurry of his fingers, warned him to stand aside. Amid a loud pop and a sudden frizzle, the cat sparked with electricity. For a few seconds his body sent out static vibes, shocking everyone and making the fine hairs on their skin tingle. Cait's petite frame stiffened and vibrated and every furry strand on his rigid body stood on end, even his red cape stretched out behind him, as power coursed through him, lighting him up like an iridescent beacon.

"He's a walking talking power socket," Denzel mumbled.

The inner light now gone, Cait, his fur still sticking on end, ignored him, and with the same inane grin, opened his palm to Cloud. "At your service."

Losing his patience, Cloud grabbed the phone and without considering whether it worked or not, dialed Reeve's number. Than he remembered what time it probably was. After many rings, someone finally picked up-- "Reeve?"

"Cloud?" The voice drew his name out, in a gloomy tone. "Do you know what time it is?"

"I've urgent news."

There was a deep yawning grumble and Reeve started, "Can't these things wai—"

"Nibelheim and Rocket Town are going to be attacked."

"What did you say?"

Cloud could sense Reeve sitting bolt upright in his bed, suddenly wide awake. Cloud pronounced each word carefully, "Nibelheim and Rocket Town are going to be attacked from underground," He ended with a tired sigh, as the reality of the enemy's plan started to unfold in his thoughts. "You won't see it coming."

"When?" He cried, incredulously.

"Within hours."

"I'm finding it hard to believe."

"Believe it. Get your troops and ships back to Rocket Town. Now. And warn Nibelheim, but I'm not sure what good that will do—"

"I can't do that," Reeve stopped him short, his voice turning severe with annoyance. "I have no proof of this." He raised his voice, growing angrier with each word. "I have people depending on us at Runngar and I have people from around the Planet currently here, watching everything we, I, do. It will incite panic."

Cloud's eyes flashed with abrupt rage. And so they should panic, bloody diplomats. The fury that had been building for the last couple of days was threatening to explode at the first person to conflict with him. He was ready to lash out at all and anyone. He kept his voice short and turned his back on all the eyes intent on him and the conversation suddenly turning sour, and he walked away. Not caring about his temper, he yelled down the phone, "Shit, Reeve, I'm telling you to."

"I can't on that alone, Cloud. You are in no position to be making orders or demands of me or WRO. Not this time. No."

"Why are you pulling this shit now? Damn it, Reeve!" Cloud shouted and his eyes must have been glowing with Mako, because even he could feel the heat. He wanted to say a whole lot more and before he could, he banged his phone shut with an angry twist of his arm. He restrained his boiling rage as best he could without throwing his phone across the cavern and seeing it smash into a thousand pieces on the rock face. Which might have given him some satisfaction. He kept his back to the others aware of their silence, aware of their stares as they waited... for something. He couldn't believe Reeve was putting on his pompous Director attitude shit. Now, of all times.

He stormed towards the edge of the platform, staring blankly out into the shadows, not seeing anything but his own lethal fury. Damn Reeve. At that moment he wanted to wring the arrogant man's neck till he couldn't breath. Damn his conceited pride. If Reeve was standing beside him right than there wouldn't be a man present who could keep Cloud from throttling him. He wanted to throttle him, because... because Cloud knew what he was trying to do. But why would Reeve do it at the risk of all those people? Damn that smart risk-taking Sonofabitch. He was indeed a clever man. Because now the decision was all up to Cloud. But he always wanted to make the decision with Tifa beside him, not when she was painfully absent and he didn't even know where she was and maybe she would never even know about his decision... but – he knew what she would say already. The barest sound came from his lips, -"Tifa... finally... I've made a decision." She would smile and be pleased. He knew that much.

He exhaled a long arduous breath, he was wasting too much time and he hated wasting time. He gazed down at his phone. After a pause he turned to everyone, who had been so unnaturally quiet as if sensing his volatile rage could be directed at any one of them at the slightest remark. Even Denzel was smart enough to not breathe a word, not this time. Cloud could do it for Denzel and WRO and the people of Nibelheim. He'd have to do it with his heart, because his head would over think it way too much. After a weighty breath and steeling his resolve, he flipped his phone open again and pressed redial. It rang once. Cloud's voice dragged as if it was being pulled from a depleted chest. "Alright, Reeve, put me in a position where I can make those demands." He could have sworn the man was grinning from ear to ear at his words. Damn him.

"Good. It's about time."

"Reeve, did I ever tell you you're a bastard." Cloud heard a muffled sound. Was he chuckling?

"It comes with the job." He paused. "Permanent position?"

Cloud took a quick breath and without thinking about it at all, he replied, "Yes."

"I'll inform everyone we now have a new CIC—"

"I don't care about titles right now." Cloud squinted at a distant point, his mind attempting to scrape together some plan and thinking how much he still wanted to clip Reeve around the ears. "Go into Lockdown now and call Cid and get the ships back, but not to barge in. Arrange a rendezvous point and he must approach with caution." Knowing Cid that could be a difficult task. "Make sure he listens to you. And there's no telling what they might do to the communication lines and even if those ships come back late, at least that's something and they'll be forewarned and not arrive into chaos."

"I have ways of contacting Cid. So you think that mission was a decoy?"

"Looks like it. It's too well set up to be coincidence." Cloud sighed. How far reaching was the enemy's plan? "We need to be on high alert. Get word to the people of Rocket Town. We don't know what resources the enemy have at their disposable or if they have plans to attack other locations so get word to the office at Edge too. At least this way we are better prepared and losses can be fewer."

"Right. I guess I shall have to inform the Council." A grave sigh followed. "The enemy has planned well it would seem."

"Yeah." Cloud could hear the defeat in Reeve's voice already. It was true, they had planned well. Too damn well. "But they haven't planned on us," he said with staunch encouragement. They hadn't planned on him.

"You're right."

"And warn Nibelheim—"

"They will never get out on time." Reeve's voice was soft and thoughtful. "It's already so late."

Cloud let out an unexpected gush of held breath. "I know… but…" Running his hand through his high spikes, he glimpsed the faces focused on him. His eyes settled on Denzel and his miserable drawn face, devoid of his usual cheerful disposition. He didn't like seeing him like that. "As a precaution, inform them." He scanned the faces of the others. Shelke had come to stand by him and she looked up at him, impatient to move on. It was like looking into the face of an excited child. When did she change so much? His gaze swept over Veld who was narrowing his eyes, eager for some news. Cloud said, while looking them all over, "We can disable their force here at Nibelheim." Amid surprised glances and sharp gasps, Cloud looked at Denzel and the building excitement going on behind his hopeful eyes at Cloud's statement.

"What?" Reeve's response was bordering a shout in his ear. "How many is, we? And how many are you facing?"

"I'm not sure how many of them there are - yet." The enemy wouldn't need as many troops for Nibelheim as they would for Rocket Town. That was Cloud's assumption and what he was counting on. "Rocket Town will be facing a larger force."

"Perhaps, but it's still dangerous."

"Maybe, but, there's-" Cloud did the math as he contemplated those standing around, waiting, including Deneh, her mouth agape, and he spoke on their behalf, "--five of us," and he looked at Veld, attempting to judge his tough exterior, but Cloud was not going to make a decision for him and he said, vaguely, "maybe eight."

Veld quickly glanced at Elfie and Cissnei, and raised his voice. "Eight is correct."

Cait bounced up and down in front of Cloud's face, flouncing his hands, his ears were still fans of grey frizzy fur. "Nine! Nine!"

"Eight plus a Mog." Cloud rubbed his neck, considering what he was asking of Veld and his team to do and all of them, especially Denzel. Shifting his stare away from all of them, he settled his thoughts on Deneh and her eyes, softened by tears. "Besides, we have to rescue a friend."

"Not Tif—"

"No." Cloud's tone went gruff and he turned his face from the probing eyes. Just the mention of her name, sunk his heart with a dead weight, reminding him that she was suffering out there, somewhere. All his heartache centered on her not being where she should be, with him. He couldn't stop for a day, an hour, a moment, in searching for her, for if he ever stopped, she would be lost. He said softly into the mouth piece, "not yet."

"Right. I'll start making the calls."

"Protect those Officials, they're important and your civilian staff and yourself especially. Be ready to send a ship to Nibelheim if you need to. But if it comes to that and Deepground do destroy Nibelheim and take its people, we'll have to figure out a new contingency plan." He didn't like to think where he might be if that happened though.

Veld spoke loudly, making sure he was heard, most likely by Reeve, "And make sure Rufus knows."

"Gods, is that Veld?"

"Yeah..."

"I don't even want to hazard a guess at how you met up with him."

"There's no time to tell you anyway." How could Cloud even explain that? It was too strange to believe. "Tell Shinra." Rufus no longer had the troops he used to have, but he had man-power and a lot of resources that needed defending. And most likely Shinra was unaware of the murder of his own people at Teeth Gap.

"I'll call him now. I will hear from you later." He paused and there was a low breath. "Do your best and good luck."

Cloud put his phone away and looked to Veld. He wanted his help more than he was willing to say, but he didn't want to pressure him. With as much sincerity he could gather, he started, "Veld, I'll not ask it of you, but if you lend a hand—"

"No." Veld held his hand up. "You don't need to ask."

Elfie stepped forward, a building storm in her eyes, made her face fierce. She said with even more force, "We're not ones to walk away." Even Cissnei stood erect, slotting her weapon into her halter with a firm click, ready to go.

A sharp edge was in Veld's voice, almost accusatory. "You don't understand what Deepground will be capable of if they possess the Purification Agenda. They must be stopped."

"The Planet will be in far more danger than these attacks," Elfie added.

Cloud frowned at the two of them, suddenly wondering how much more they seemed to know about it. He had pushed that formula from his thoughts. Saving lives seemed a lot more important. He looked to Deneh, the only one who knew how to get to the city and Nanaki. "Is this city far?"

"No. perhaps you will walk half an hour..."

"That's good and bad. If we stay near the life-stream, we won't need as long to rest." They would need a little down time, Denzel would at least, but only sparingly. Cloud had nearly forgotten the man who had disappeared in the black cloud. "We don't have long, because they already know we're here."

Description
FFVII
Making a Decision ~ Making a Stand

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Emotive themes
Setting: 3 years after DoC
Rating: M
Status: WIP
OCs: 25%
Disclaimer: All related Final Fantasy VII names and characters are copyrighted © by Square Enix. However, this story and the OCs are mine. Thank you.

MAKING A DECISION ~ MAKING A STAND

Cloud, his sword still gripped tightly in his hand, leaned on the short wall and over the edge of the balcony, his eyes making a frantic search below for Denzel. He was not where he expected him to be. Finally, he set eyes on him lying amid debris from the broken pillar. Intense worry darkened Cloud's face at the sight of his blood soaked side and motionless body. "Denzel!" His call reverberated on the surrounding rocks. Denzel had to move. Cloud couldn't go down there to face his lifeless broken body. He had to move.

After a repeated call of his name, Denzel shifted his arm, moving as if he was going to sit up. His cursing moans carried up to the top balcony and to Cloud's relieved ears. He let his breath out in a swift gasp. "Hang on I'll be there as soon as I can." After breaking apart his swords and sliding them back in place behind him, he knelt by the stricken animal. He ran his gloved hand along the red matted chest, feeling the weak exhale of its breath. He connected with the materia in his glove, and the familiar refreshing energy enveloped his hand. He directed the incandescence into the lion-creature and watched the open wounds begin to seal.

After some strained moments of waiting, he left the creature comfortable and breathing deeply, and jumped down to the level below. His swords lightly bounced against his back as he landed, and he ran to Denzel. Finishing what Denzel was struggling to do, Cloud lifted a length of jagged stone from the teenager's chest and tossed it over his shoulder. Denzel, shaking with an escalating fever, was clammy with a sickly sweat. He crooked his head and groaning with pain attempted to raise himself onto his elbows.

Cloud forced him down with an unyielding hand on his shoulder. "Don't move." His blue eyes turned ice-cold, and his face emptied of emotion. His gut seized with anguish at the sight of him and he attempted masking his distress and fear.

Denzel, his face scrunching up with consternation and agony, looked away from Cloud's concerned gaze. "At least I got the sucker..." He trailed off with a chesty drawn out moan.

Cloud's hand lit up with power and he covered Denzel's extended gash running the side of his chest. The injury had broken ribs and torn through flesh, almost damaging his vital organs. If it weren't for the Barrier the kid could have been killed so easily... so quickly. And here Denzel was, more wrapped up in whether his opponent was dead or not than his own near death. Cloud didn't care about the enemy right than. Denzel, the boy that was his, was a bloody mess. But, he was alive. He tried to steady his trembling hands while resisting the urge to let his irritation flare and keeping his tone even, he stated, "You need more practice with that weapon."

Denzel made a choking sound in his throat attempting to bring forth words. Cloud watched his flesh rejoin and left his hand there to make sure he was healing. He turned his eyes back to Denzel, and Cloud's face was a wall of stern deliberation. The hand on Denzel's shoulder, holding him firm went to his face and stroked his cooling forehead, brushing away his damp fringe. Denzel watched him with questioning eyes, and he opened his mouth, but remained quiet.

Those eyes watching Cloud were the same eyes of the boy who looked to him with trust and awe, and they looked to him now with a similar expression, but something was different in that anxious pleading crease of his brow. Something he recognized and had seen in himself in days past when he was young like Denzel. A need for affirmation, to know he did the right thing. "You did well," Considering. Considering he was using a weapon he was unfamiliar with, considering he was fighting opponents a league above him, considering he had only been training seriously for a year, without any real confrontations. But all Cloud was thinking about was Denzel's open flesh and near death and blood... blood pooling around the boy, the boy in his care. For one quavering moment of his heart, he wondered if it was right to have brought along someone so young. Maybe, he could claim, that concern was the inclination of a parent. That had to mean something for his own maturity – but than, if he was right, Denzel shouldn't be there at all. But what could Cloud do? Denzel was seeking the ones he loved just as much as Cloud was. The boy was growing up and it was all unknown and untraveled territory to Cloud.

Denzel breathed steadily now, his voice was understated as he said, "Because of your training." Sighing, he cast his despondent gaze away.

Cloud caught the disappointment on his face. He understood. He remembered times when he had been frustrated at his own lack of skill, angry even. It eventually passed until he had other concerns, when all the fighting meant to him and was good for, was protecting those concerns. It had been awhile since he had fought like this, but it was all coming back, like worn useful clothing that he hadn't outgrown, but was far from comfortable. But unlike years past, he could put it on and take it off when he needed to. He grasped Denzel's shoulder and supported him up to a sitting position and dusted off the rubble. "I'll give you some tips with that weapon." He nodded towards the blade, glinting between the fallen stone.

Denzel shook his hair free of grit. "Yep."

His one word reply was enough and all Cloud needed to hear to know what Denzel was thinking and seeking. It was Cloud's responsibility. Whether Denzel was aware of that or not didn't matter. Denzel was sensing his own inadequacies and it annoyed the teenager. Cloud knew that place of frustration and failure. Denzel knew that he needed to improve his fighting, not for his own sake, but for those he wanted to look after and it was Cloud's job to teach him. He and Denzel spoke the same language at times. Maybe Tifa was right. Denzel was becoming like him, but maybe, Cloud could help him do it differently, and do it better.

"Did you find out who they were?" Denzel must have been feeling a lot healthier for his expression changed in an instant to one of excited urgency. "Are they Deepground?"

"I don't know." After what the men said to him, he couldn't really say who they were. "I'm hoping we will find out." He suddenly looked up as if sensing movement. The pale orange lion-creature bounded down to them and landed with a soft thud on the stone. It padded to them with graceful steps. The animal was not unlike Nanaki in form, although its coloring was a muted flame. Gentle contours were supple and smooth and its back was straighter than Nanaki's. It also lacked the fire-tail that Nanaki was known for. Delicate amber eyes stared at them for moments, studying them with a kind insight. On seeing her curves and velvety fur, Cloud would have guessed the creature was female.

It bowed its shapely head and spoke. "I owe you a great debt for saving my life." Its voice was mellow, deep, soothing, like warm honey, and feminine. "My name is Deneh."

Cloud creased his brow in recognition of the name, recalling a distant conversation with Nanaki about this particular creature from his tribe.

"Do you know Nanaki?" Denzel, still seated on the floor, leaned forward in anticipation.

"Nanaki is my mate." Her eyes blistered with sudden fire and she looked them over once more, this time remaining on Cloud's face. "You are Cloud Strife, friend of Nanaki?"

Cloud inclined his head, now feeling at ease in her presence. "I am." He rose to his feet and sensitive to any new tragedy, he said, slowly, "Where is he?"

"And who were these pe—" Denzel depressed his lips, closing his mouth at Cloud's outstretched hand, indicating he stop speaking.

Deneh lowered her muzzle to the stone, her eyes glazing with the moisture of unshed tears. "He faces execution in the hands of our enemy from where I escaped."

Cloud had a sudden pain in his head and a twisting in his gullet at the thought of Nanaki being killed. "Is it nearby?"

Cait Sith aloft his giant Mog, bounded up the stairs with a mighty thumping, interrupting them. On reaching the top step, he hollered with glee to the others climbing after him. "Not to fear, he's here and he's – alive!" He leaped off his ride, arms out wide and coming at Denzel. Abruptly, he recoiled from any embrace. "But, he's in an appalling state."

"Thanks for caring." Denzel lifted a brow in sheepish merriment. "Yeah, still alive. For now."

Cait pranced closer and swept his gloved hand over Denzel's torso, making sure to avoid the dark stain of blood on his already dark shirt. "My, my, it look's as if you had a vicious encounter with... rocks?"

"It felt like it."

Shelke was not far behind Cait and she was followed by Elfie and Cissnei with Veld coming silently behind them all. Denzel kept his eyes on Shelke, giving her a relaxed smile. She gave the slightest shake of her head and a grin played on her mouth. After giving Deneh a cursory glance, she walked with heavy feet past them all and headed to the flow of life-stream. Not seeming to care who was watching her, she immersed her arms and face in the refreshing light of the Planet's energy and heaved an exhausted sigh of relief.

Elfie, concealed in her forest-green cloak, stepped forward and gave a nod to Deneh in greeting and she looked to Cloud, her somber eyes creasing with gravity. "We saw another group similar to this."

"Coming our way?" he raised his eyes in concern and skimmed what he could see of the cavern below.

Cissnei, leaning against a pillar, swinging her shuriken, shook her red curls and her manner was less concerned. "They were headed in the opposite direction."

Elfie stepped closer to Cloud as if she needed more of his attention. "There were too many for us to start a fight without provocation."

Veld narrowed his eyes at the two women and said, more in speculation, "They're going up top?"

"Perhaps a scouting party after me." Deneh lifted her head, sadness continued to dim her ruby eyes. "Or they are moving up."

Cloud turned his attention to Deneh again and he squatted to speak with her eye to eye. "Tell me where he is?"

Deneh's steady gaze held his, searching his steely blue stare. "He is a prisoner at Aurinium City, the city under Mount Nibel."

"There really is a city?" Denzel promptly shoved Cait aside from blocking his view.

Deneh nodded. "Although we did not know it was inhabited."

"Are there any other prisoners there? Humans?" Cloud's voice was too desperate, brimming with too much hope, and he forced her attention back to him.

"There were men from above. Strangers to us."

Lowering his head with a frown, he rested his arm heavily on his knee. Now that Nanaki was in their clutches, it was only another set back.

Denzel piped up, "We can rescue Nanaki. Can't we?"

His question was heard by all, but Cloud knew it was for him specifically. But Deneh spoke before he could find an answer to give him. "The city had many men like these plus monsters." Her words tumbled out in a rush, yet Cloud could not mistake the unspoken hope edging her fear filled words. "Now that you have saved me, my freedom will not be in vain." She halted and stared at Cloud's crestfallen expression. "But, I fear I shall be too late and perhaps it was a futile plan all along."

Cloud glanced back at her, his pale brows creasing as he puzzled over her remark.

"What do you mean?" Veld's query was demanding, as if knowing an important statement when he heard one.

"The plan, on my escape, was to attempt warning the people of Nibelheim that an enemy was going to destroy them." Her words incited a combination of reactions, ranging from horror to anger.

Cloud shot to his feet and stared at her with alarm, imaging the innocent people of Nibelheim being captured or killed. Imaging the suffering of a burning Nibelheim – again. A fuming need to retaliate thundered up from some buried place in his soul.

"But – but –how can we tell them – all?" Cait danced in a mad panic, as if he were stepping on hot coals.

Elfie, her face drained of color, spoke to Deneh, her voice soothing in its unexpected softness. "When is this to happen?"

"Dawn, I believe." Her voice was like lead, falling to the ground.

Veld glanced at his wrist watch. "Less than four hours."

"Even if they're warned, they'd never get away. They'd lose their livelihoods, their homes," Cissnei added, her tone blunt, almost disparaging.

"Damn!" Denzel cried. "Nibelheim... all those people... the houses..."

Cloud knew what Denzel was really referring to. Cloud's home and Tifa's. Although they weren't the real ones, still, it was Cloud and Tifa's link. Their only connection to their childhood, to their deceased families. What did Denzel say about Tifa? She missed Nibelheim more than she said. Oh, Gaia, not Nibelheim again... not his and Tifas' home town... the water tower. And just when he had been forming plans to take Tifa to Nibelheim. Cloud pressed his temple, fighting the weight of the loss that seemed to keep accumulating around him.

Veld had opened his phone, only to flip it shut in a swift flick of his wrist. "No connection."

Deneh hung her head with grief. "I am sorry to deliver such dire news, but I have neglected to tell you something else of grave importance." Having gained everyone's attention, she paused.

"Spit it out, woman!" Cait cried, breaking the tense silence.

"It seems pointless to even inform you, but Nanaki and I overheard their plans regarding a second ambush on Rocket Town."

"What?" Veld growled. This news appeared to aggravate his usual coolness even more. "But how?"

The deep tones of the lion-creature continued with more wretchedness. "Simultaneously and from under the ground."

Cait made a garbled sound and reeled back, collapsing on Denzel's legs, not caring abit about the blood. Denzel, oblivious to his slack weight, stared bug-eyed at the lion-creature, and muttered, "Not...WRO?"

Cloud looked away and considered the enemy's cunning strategy. They could assail Rocket Town before WRO even knew what had happened, at the same time, Nibelheim would be attacked in a similar manner. A startling realization began to hit him. Would there be other towns targeted for an attack? Edge?

Elfie cast a glance at Cissnei and Veld, and said under her breath, "Is Shinra there?"

"He is, but whether he is there or at Healin is anyone's guess." Veld switched his gaze back to Cloud. "WRO have troops there—"

"No." In weary resignation, Cloud's eyes closed and his mouth constricted in a grim line, as he tried to hold in his fury. "They left WRO to go on a rescue and evacuation mission—"

"That's right." Denzel interrupted, his voice quiet yet intense. "Leviathan hunting."

"All of them?" Veld's voice lifted with shock.

Cloud sighed, his muscles tensing with the burden of knowing what WRO's plans were and yet having no control over them. "Probably not all, but a good deal and maybe all their ships. Hopefully, Reeve left a fair amount of soldiers there for this Council Meeting he had planned." He fiddled around in his pocket for his phone. Even though Veld said his didn't work, he had to try his own at least. No signal at all. "Damn." Maybe they could warn Nibelheim, maybe... but Rocket Town... no way. His chest seized with anguish over the possible destruction of WRO and Reeve, and everything he had been working for, and than the death of all those Leaders from around the Planet. Deepground's plan ran deep with shrewd inside detail.

"What are we going to do?" Denzel muttered. The desperation had gone from his voice, replaced by resignation to failure and… loss. WRO was his future after all and Reeve was the one who had given him the placement and the opportunity there.

Cloud stared at Cait, pondering the animated feline as he eased himself, in an undignified manner, to a sitting position, still appearing faint with shock. With his voice hard, like steel, and urgent, Cloud demanded, "Cait, you can contact Reeve?"

Cait stood and dusted himself off, far too leisurely for Cloud's liking. He strolled to Cloud, a sway in his hips, proud he was the one who was being called on to offer the needed help. He raised his open palm at Cloud. "May I?"

Cloud handed him the phone. Grinning like an overexcited goon, he clamped his paw around the object. He lifted his other paw at Cloud and with a flurry of his fingers, warned him to stand aside. Amid a loud pop and a sudden frizzle, the cat sparked with electricity. For a few seconds his body sent out static vibes, shocking everyone and making the fine hairs on their skin tingle. Cait's petite frame stiffened and vibrated and every furry strand on his rigid body stood on end, even his red cape stretched out behind him, as power coursed through him, lighting him up like an iridescent beacon.

"He's a walking talking power socket," Denzel mumbled.

The inner light now gone, Cait, his fur still sticking on end, ignored him, and with the same inane grin, opened his palm to Cloud. "At your service."

Losing his patience, Cloud grabbed the phone and without considering whether it worked or not, dialed Reeve's number. Than he remembered what time it probably was. After many rings, someone finally picked up-- "Reeve?"

"Cloud?" The voice drew his name out, in a gloomy tone. "Do you know what time it is?"

"I've urgent news."

There was a deep yawning grumble and Reeve started, "Can't these things wai—"

"Nibelheim and Rocket Town are going to be attacked."

"What did you say?"

Cloud could sense Reeve sitting bolt upright in his bed, suddenly wide awake. Cloud pronounced each word carefully, "Nibelheim and Rocket Town are going to be attacked from underground," He ended with a tired sigh, as the reality of the enemy's plan started to unfold in his thoughts. "You won't see it coming."

"When?" He cried, incredulously.

"Within hours."

"I'm finding it hard to believe."

"Believe it. Get your troops and ships back to Rocket Town. Now. And warn Nibelheim, but I'm not sure what good that will do—"

"I can't do that," Reeve stopped him short, his voice turning severe with annoyance. "I have no proof of this." He raised his voice, growing angrier with each word. "I have people depending on us at Runngar and I have people from around the Planet currently here, watching everything we, I, do. It will incite panic."

Cloud's eyes flashed with abrupt rage. And so they should panic, bloody diplomats. The fury that had been building for the last couple of days was threatening to explode at the first person to conflict with him. He was ready to lash out at all and anyone. He kept his voice short and turned his back on all the eyes intent on him and the conversation suddenly turning sour, and he walked away. Not caring about his temper, he yelled down the phone, "Shit, Reeve, I'm telling you to."

"I can't on that alone, Cloud. You are in no position to be making orders or demands of me or WRO. Not this time. No."

"Why are you pulling this shit now? Damn it, Reeve!" Cloud shouted and his eyes must have been glowing with Mako, because even he could feel the heat. He wanted to say a whole lot more and before he could, he banged his phone shut with an angry twist of his arm. He restrained his boiling rage as best he could without throwing his phone across the cavern and seeing it smash into a thousand pieces on the rock face. Which might have given him some satisfaction. He kept his back to the others aware of their silence, aware of their stares as they waited... for something. He couldn't believe Reeve was putting on his pompous Director attitude shit. Now, of all times.

He stormed towards the edge of the platform, staring blankly out into the shadows, not seeing anything but his own lethal fury. Damn Reeve. At that moment he wanted to wring the arrogant man's neck till he couldn't breath. Damn his conceited pride. If Reeve was standing beside him right than there wouldn't be a man present who could keep Cloud from throttling him. He wanted to throttle him, because... because Cloud knew what he was trying to do. But why would Reeve do it at the risk of all those people? Damn that smart risk-taking Sonofabitch. He was indeed a clever man. Because now the decision was all up to Cloud. But he always wanted to make the decision with Tifa beside him, not when she was painfully absent and he didn't even know where she was and maybe she would never even know about his decision... but – he knew what she would say already. The barest sound came from his lips, -"Tifa... finally... I've made a decision." She would smile and be pleased. He knew that much.

He exhaled a long arduous breath, he was wasting too much time and he hated wasting time. He gazed down at his phone. After a pause he turned to everyone, who had been so unnaturally quiet as if sensing his volatile rage could be directed at any one of them at the slightest remark. Even Denzel was smart enough to not breathe a word, not this time. Cloud could do it for Denzel and WRO and the people of Nibelheim. He'd have to do it with his heart, because his head would over think it way too much. After a weighty breath and steeling his resolve, he flipped his phone open again and pressed redial. It rang once. Cloud's voice dragged as if it was being pulled from a depleted chest. "Alright, Reeve, put me in a position where I can make those demands." He could have sworn the man was grinning from ear to ear at his words. Damn him.

"Good. It's about time."

"Reeve, did I ever tell you you're a bastard." Cloud heard a muffled sound. Was he chuckling?

"It comes with the job." He paused. "Permanent position?"

Cloud took a quick breath and without thinking about it at all, he replied, "Yes."

"I'll inform everyone we now have a new CIC—"

"I don't care about titles right now." Cloud squinted at a distant point, his mind attempting to scrape together some plan and thinking how much he still wanted to clip Reeve around the ears. "Go into Lockdown now and call Cid and get the ships back, but not to barge in. Arrange a rendezvous point and he must approach with caution." Knowing Cid that could be a difficult task. "Make sure he listens to you. And there's no telling what they might do to the communication lines and even if those ships come back late, at least that's something and they'll be forewarned and not arrive into chaos."

"I have ways of contacting Cid. So you think that mission was a decoy?"

"Looks like it. It's too well set up to be coincidence." Cloud sighed. How far reaching was the enemy's plan? "We need to be on high alert. Get word to the people of Rocket Town. We don't know what resources the enemy have at their disposable or if they have plans to attack other locations so get word to the office at Edge too. At least this way we are better prepared and losses can be fewer."

"Right. I guess I shall have to inform the Council." A grave sigh followed. "The enemy has planned well it would seem."

"Yeah." Cloud could hear the defeat in Reeve's voice already. It was true, they had planned well. Too damn well. "But they haven't planned on us," he said with staunch encouragement. They hadn't planned on him.

"You're right."

"And warn Nibelheim—"

"They will never get out on time." Reeve's voice was soft and thoughtful. "It's already so late."

Cloud let out an unexpected gush of held breath. "I know… but…" Running his hand through his high spikes, he glimpsed the faces focused on him. His eyes settled on Denzel and his miserable drawn face, devoid of his usual cheerful disposition. He didn't like seeing him like that. "As a precaution, inform them." He scanned the faces of the others. Shelke had come to stand by him and she looked up at him, impatient to move on. It was like looking into the face of an excited child. When did she change so much? His gaze swept over Veld who was narrowing his eyes, eager for some news. Cloud said, while looking them all over, "We can disable their force here at Nibelheim." Amid surprised glances and sharp gasps, Cloud looked at Denzel and the building excitement going on behind his hopeful eyes at Cloud's statement.

"What?" Reeve's response was bordering a shout in his ear. "How many is, we? And how many are you facing?"

"I'm not sure how many of them there are - yet." The enemy wouldn't need as many troops for Nibelheim as they would for Rocket Town. That was Cloud's assumption and what he was counting on. "Rocket Town will be facing a larger force."

"Perhaps, but it's still dangerous."

"Maybe, but, there's-" Cloud did the math as he contemplated those standing around, waiting, including Deneh, her mouth agape, and he spoke on their behalf, "--five of us," and he looked at Veld, attempting to judge his tough exterior, but Cloud was not going to make a decision for him and he said, vaguely, "maybe eight."

Veld quickly glanced at Elfie and Cissnei, and raised his voice. "Eight is correct."

Cait bounced up and down in front of Cloud's face, flouncing his hands, his ears were still fans of grey frizzy fur. "Nine! Nine!"

"Eight plus a Mog." Cloud rubbed his neck, considering what he was asking of Veld and his team to do and all of them, especially Denzel. Shifting his stare away from all of them, he settled his thoughts on Deneh and her eyes, softened by tears. "Besides, we have to rescue a friend."

"Not Tif—"

"No." Cloud's tone went gruff and he turned his face from the probing eyes. Just the mention of her name, sunk his heart with a dead weight, reminding him that she was suffering out there, somewhere. All his heartache centered on her not being where she should be, with him. He couldn't stop for a day, an hour, a moment, in searching for her, for if he ever stopped, she would be lost. He said softly into the mouth piece, "not yet."

"Right. I'll start making the calls."

"Protect those Officials, they're important and your civilian staff and yourself especially. Be ready to send a ship to Nibelheim if you need to. But if it comes to that and Deepground do destroy Nibelheim and take its people, we'll have to figure out a new contingency plan." He didn't like to think where he might be if that happened though.

Veld spoke loudly, making sure he was heard, most likely by Reeve, "And make sure Rufus knows."

"Gods, is that Veld?"

"Yeah..."

"I don't even want to hazard a guess at how you met up with him."

"There's no time to tell you anyway." How could Cloud even explain that? It was too strange to believe. "Tell Shinra." Rufus no longer had the troops he used to have, but he had man-power and a lot of resources that needed defending. And most likely Shinra was unaware of the murder of his own people at Teeth Gap.

"I'll call him now. I will hear from you later." He paused and there was a low breath. "Do your best and good luck."

Cloud put his phone away and looked to Veld. He wanted his help more than he was willing to say, but he didn't want to pressure him. With as much sincerity he could gather, he started, "Veld, I'll not ask it of you, but if you lend a hand—"

"No." Veld held his hand up. "You don't need to ask."

Elfie stepped forward, a building storm in her eyes, made her face fierce. She said with even more force, "We're not ones to walk away." Even Cissnei stood erect, slotting her weapon into her halter with a firm click, ready to go.

A sharp edge was in Veld's voice, almost accusatory. "You don't understand what Deepground will be capable of if they possess the Purification Agenda. They must be stopped."

"The Planet will be in far more danger than these attacks," Elfie added.

Cloud frowned at the two of them, suddenly wondering how much more they seemed to know about it. He had pushed that formula from his thoughts. Saving lives seemed a lot more important. He looked to Deneh, the only one who knew how to get to the city and Nanaki. "Is this city far?"

"No. perhaps you will walk half an hour..."

"That's good and bad. If we stay near the life-stream, we won't need as long to rest." They would need a little down time, Denzel would at least, but only sparingly. Cloud had nearly forgotten the man who had disappeared in the black cloud. "We don't have long, because they already know we're here."