Ripples of Fantasy 7: Mako Awakening|PART II (Shun/Ethar)

[Shun]

Biggs... Wedge... Jessie......Marlene... Shun-


Cloud, Tifa, and Barret come to in the playground... Everything has been decimated; shards of flotsam and jetsam jut oddly from the glad face of a slide in the playground; steam ascends starting from the debris everywhere and a few spots...

Barret starts running over to the heap of flotsam and jetsam that was the entryway to Sector 7.

Barret speaks, "Marlene!! Shun!!! Where are you two!?"

"MAR - LE - NE!!"

He hurries to the other side.

Barret yells out again, "Shun! Biggs!"

He hurries to the opposite side.

Barret grits his teeth, "Wedge!!"

He runs back to the middle.

Barret cries out, "Jessie!"

He punches the debris over and over.

"GOD DAMN IT!!"

"Damn it!!"

"Damn it ALL TO HELL!!"

He ceases.. and his shoulders starts hitching.

Barret's fist shakes, "What the hell's everything for!?"

"ARGGHHHH!!!"

Cloud yells, "Barret!"

Tifa also yells, "Barret!"

Barret lets out a frustrated howl, "ARGGHHHH!!!"

Cloud and Tifa runs up to him, Cloud looking around..

"Hey.." He looks towards barret.

Tifa walks up behind the big guy, "Barret, stop... It would be ideal if you stop, Barret."

Barret starts to shake.."URGHHHH!!!"

(He shoots his gun on the heap of junk and debris, clearing it with projectiles... at that point he stops, and tumbles to his knees.)

Barret sighs and shakes his fist.. "God damn..."

He punches the ground. He goes and perches himself on the end of the slide. Cloud and Tifa stand close-by.

Barret sighs, "Marlene... Shun... Poor little guy.."

Tifa lays a hand on his huge shoulder, "....... Barret......?"

"Marlene is.... I think Marlene is protected.."

Barret turns his gaze upward towards Tifa.

Barret cocks his head sideways, "....huh?"

Tifa smiles and nods, "Just before they took Aerith, she stated, 'Don't stress, she's all right.' She was presumably talking about Marlene."

Barret stands excitedly, crying out, "T, truly!?"

Tifa sighs and looks away, "But..."

Barret's eyes look at her with concern and sighs, "Shun..... Biggs...... Wedge.... Jessie......"

Cloud rings it, "Every one of them were in the column. Shun was with us though.. I saw him as we zipped down.."

Barret beams at cloud, "Think I don't have the foggiest idea about that?"

He turns away, not confronting both of them. "Be that as it may... we, every one of us battled together."

He sits on the slide once more.

Barret gulps, "I don't wanna consider them dead! especially... Shun.."

Tifa holds her head. "What's more, the other individuals in Sector-"

Barret interrupts, "This is altogether messed up!" He then shouts, "SHUN! GETCHO SKINNY ASS BACK HERE! WE NEED YOU!"

And just as he says that two figures emerge from a bright mako colored light... two beaten up figures.. none other than Shun and Ethar..

Everyones eyes goes wide.. Barret rushes over to help Shun and notices Ethar and his injury, "Shun, uhh you aight'?"

Shun smiles weakly and offers a thumbs up.. "Y..yeah.. I.." He points to Ethar, Tifa wastes no time and helps Ethar to his feet and get them both to sit down on the crude playground set...

Tifa looks at Ethar, checking his wound.. "Cloud.. Where is that cure materia.."

Cloud scratches his head and cant recollect, "I don't remember..after the explosion it seems we have lost a bit of our materia."

Tifa nods and looks back at Ethar, "We need to get you to a doctor, umm.. Who exactly are you?"

[Ethar Luxun]

The journey through the dimensional rifts wasnt all to strange for Ethar, as he had traveled to other dimensions before, but when he emerged from the portal, he heard new voices.

He slowly opened his ocean blue eyes, as his gaze met Tifa's whom helped him up to his feet. The wound in his chest was still in the process of healing due to the severity. When she asked Ethar who he was, he replied "My name is Ethar....Ethar Luxun.... Duke of the Noran Water Court... And who might you be?" He asked, as he looked on past the woman, and to shun who seemed to be alright, and in better condition he was in. "Interesting..." Ethar said, as he looked around where he and Shun had been placed. The sights, smells, and even the feelings were all different. He knew he wasnt on any planet he knew of, but in an entirely different place and time.

It was then Ethar might of recognized where he could possibly be. This was the previous place Shun had been prior to him coming home. They were in a place where Shun had left off, and the imploding vortex brought them right back to the moment he had left.

Looking back to Tifa, he gave a soft smile. "Not to worry m'lady. I just took a sword through the chest, Ill be....fine..." He said, as a sharp pain zinged, if thats the word, through his chest, as it caused Ethar to cough up some of his blood. "OK, Maybe a small bandage might be required... My body cant seem to heal itself fast enough on its own..." He said.

Then he remembered the individual he and shun was fighting earlier, and immediately scanned around them. There was no sign of the overpowered energy anywhere, which might of been a good thing, but he felt very powerful energies from all the people that seemingly knew shun.

"Shun, your gonna have to explain whats going on here.... Hate to say it, but Im kinda lost here...."

[Shun]

Tifa pats and touches Ethars scar in amazement.. She never seen anything with a healing factor before.. "Your speech. It's nice. I am Tifa Lockhart! The spiky guy is Cloud Strife! Don't let his big sword intimidate you annnd the rude guy over her is Barret Wallace, Leader of Avalanche! But I.. hmm.. I do not remember you being here before.. Did you save Shun? bec-"

Barret hinders and obnoxiously interrupts, "They obliterated a whole town just to get to us! They slaughtered so many people...."

Tifa gets up and gives a sigh, patting Ethars wound with some torn cloth, she speaks, "...are you saying it's our blame? Since AVALANCHE was here? Innocent individuals lost their lives as a result of us?"

Barret then stands up and shakes his head. "No, Tifa! That ain't it! HELL no!! It ain't us! It's the damn Shinra! It's never been no one but the Shinra!"

Cloud ventures back, confronting far from Barret and Tifa, He looks at Ethar and Shun, more so interested in Ethar and he sighs, "Get used to these two coming to odds, Nice to meet you... Ethar you say? Well, any friends of Shun is a friend of mine, also.. hold on.."

Barret faces away raising his arms. "They're malevolent and destroyin' our planet just to... assemble their energy and line their own damn pockets with money! and on the off chance that we don't dispose of them, quickly, they're going to slaughter this damn planet!"

He pivots.

"Our battle ain't never gon' to be over until we dispose of them! And now we have new blood to join the ranks of AVALANCHE"

Tifa shakes her head. "....I don't know if he will join us."

Barret narrows his eyes, "What don't ya know!? You don't trust him?"

Tifa shakes her head again and looks away, "It isn't so much that. I don't know about ... me. My emotions."

Barret confronts Cloud, whose back is as yet turned. "An' shouldn't something be said about yo lil' spikey ass?"

Cloud looks toward Shun and Ethar, still not turning. Cloud remains silent, "..........." Cloud then leaves the play area.

Barret Shouts, "Yo!" .... "Where's the hell he believe he's goin'?"

Tifa slaps her forehead, "Gracious! Aerith!"

Barret "oh right, that young lady. What's up with her? An' is Bun and his friend alright?"

Tifa wipes her hand of the Norans blood, "...I don't generally know... I don't know what kind of blade could make a wound like that but he seems to be.. healing? It's not like anything I have seen.. Be that as it may, Shun is only scratched and scathed and... Aerith.. Sh's the one I left Marlene with."

Barret shakes his head, clenching his eyes closed, "Damnit! Marlene!!" Barret then hurries to the exit of the play area and at that point stops and turns.

Barret looks at Ethar. "Yo, If you join us, There ain't no turnin' back forreal forreal." He exits. Tifa hoists Ethar on her shoulders, "You're pretty light to carry." She chirps, "Shun, can you walk?"

"yeah.. ngh.. I think I will be fine.. lets go.." Shun, Ethar and Tifa set out toward the exit..

Tifa then stops and thinks back over her shoulder... at that point she then exits, following Barret, draging Ethar with Shun in tow.

The bunny boys vision would blur slightly as the four walked.. it then blurs back in only to see that Cloud is strolling along the broken interstate, away from the play area.

"Cloud!" yell Tifa.

He swings to see Barret, Tifa with Ethar and Shun coming up.

Barret speaks, "Take me to Marlene!"

Tifa chimes in, "Will you help Aerith?"

Cloud looks and stops to answer, "Yeah.... In any case, before that, there's something I need to know."

Tifa doesnt notice but she hoists Ethars body up further and his hand slaps against her breast, she is oblivious but talks," And what's that?"

Cloud steps forward.. "It's about the Ancients."

Shun and Ethar's vision would flash white, as though lightning were striking, at that point goes their visions go totally dark...

They can hear a disembodies voice...

"In my veins courses the blood of the Ancients. I am one of the legitimate beneficiaries to this planet!"

Their vision goes white once more... Their sight coming back to them... back at the broken roadway.

Shun utters a word as his vision comes to.. "Agh.. Sephiroth.."

Cloud looks at Shun, "Sephiroth...?" the spikey haired blonde faints down and Barret and Tifa, along with Ethar on her shoulder and Shun beside them race to him.

Shun gulps.. "Dude.. Cloud.. are you are okay?"

Barret shakes the blonde EX-SOLDIER, "Pull it together, man!"

"Y-yeah..." He rises. "We need to go to Aeriths.. Ethar? I need to get used to your name, here.. take this, my last one." Cloud hands Ethar a Hi-Potion, wanting him to drink it so he will be back to his fighting fit...

"Let's move." Barret pats bun on his back, The group would now be headed to Aeriths house....

[Ethar Luxun]

Everything started to move quite quickly, as Ethar suddenly was lifted up, and slung over the woman's shoulder after she introduced herself. "Erm, Miss Lockhart, This is not necessary. I can walk.." Ethar started to say, but Tifa seemed to ignore him, as he listened to the others have their conversation.

"Shinra? AVALANCHE? These names are not familiar to me..." He said, not at all embarrassed.

When Ethars vision blackened, and the voice spoke to them, Ethar recognized the voice. "I know that voice... Tis the one I got the wound from." He said, as he heard Shun utter a single name after their vision returned to them. "Sephiroth? Thats the guy that said I was like him? Next time I meet him, our battle will end in my favour!" He said as he saw Cloud walk up to him with a potion in hand.

Shaking his head, Ethar said "Keep it, I just need to rest a little bit, and Ill be at peek condition. From what i just saw, you might need it more then me." He tuen fidgeted a bit, and slid himself off of Tifa's shoulder and stood under his own power. "Thank you miss Lockhart, But I can handle myself." He said, as his wound was already nearly half closed from when she first saw it.

"NOw where did...." He said as he started to look around for something amongst the debris. It wasnt long before Ethar found his enchanted staff that was sucked into the vortex. Picking it up, he saw some rubble move nearby, and saw a familiar tail sticking out of it. Walking over to it, Ethar picked off some of the debris, and low and behold, Summers was under that rubble, all curled up and scared. "Ey, You alright?" He asked.

The demoness looked up at Ethar, and hugged him tighly. Looking up to Ethar, then over to the group of people, Summers immediately saw Shun and rushed over to him and tackled him "Bun Bun! Your ok!" She said, as tears streamed from her eyes as she hugged Shun tightly.

Smiling softly, Ethar walked back over to the group. "So anyone want to tell me exactly what happened here?" He asked, hoping that someone would give him a straight answer.

[Shun]

Shun is surprised.. He immediately feels fear... the girl he was courting is here.. in this hell hole.. All he could do was hold and hug her back, "I did not want you to be here summie.. You could seriously get hurt.. agh.."

"Who is that?" Tifa asked, peeping from Shuns shoulder.

"My succubus.. Summers.." He replied timidly..

Cloud draws his huge sword, "A Shinra puppet!?"

Shun pushes Clouds sword back, "No no stop... Shes.. mine... ya know."

Barret squints his eyes, "Aight' half pint, you comin' wit' us then. We got two new blood, les' go."

Shun sighs and takes summers by the hand and falls into the group.

Tifa walks next to Ethar, She explains, "You must be very new around here then. You are in Midgar. This is the most innovatively propelled city on the planet. Its substantial round structure is bolstered over the ground by eight Mako Reactors and a focal column, with different backings around the city. On account of its eight Mako Reactors, the city's monstrous power-requests are met, yet at a cost to the encompassing field, which has turned into a desolate no man's wasteland because of the city sapping the worlds life vitality. Because of this, the city and its reactors are a prime focus for us.. AVALANCHE who look to reestablish the planet to its previous state and prevent Shinra from sapping its life vitality. Before you got here, Bun helped us take down a good few reactors but nows not the time. We must make it to a friends house."

And so Shun ,Ethar, Summers, Cloud, Barret, and Tifa touch base at Aerith's home.

Aerith's mom, Elmyra, is standing, confronting the divider. They stroll over to her.

Ethar would notice that Elmyra has short, dark brown hair, and wears a green dress with a white cook's garment. Her clothing is like that of a regular traditonal housewife.

Elmyra looks to the crew, "Shun......Cloud...... Wasnt it?" She pivots. "And who is these new young faces? I have not seen them before. Aww the little lady looks like a doll in her little halloween costume! Would you like some waffles little one?" She offers to Summers.

"That's Ethar, but-" Cloud goes to explain but is cut off,

Elmyra softly gulps, "It's about Aerith, would you say it isn't?"

Shun bows his head.

Cloud speaks in a saddened tone, "...Sorry. The Shinra.. they have her."

Elmyra nods, "I know. They took her from this home."

Shun's yes widen, "They were here?"

Elmyra nods, "That is the thing that Aerith wanted..."

Tifa rings in, "Why is Shinra after Aerith?"

Elmyra turns away, "Aerith is an Ancient. The remaining survivor."

Barret's nostrils flare, "...What did you say? In any case, aren't you her momma?"

Elmyra glances off, "...Not her genuine mother. Goodness... it's more likely than not been 15 years ago......during the war. My better half.. my husband.. was sent to some far away place called Wutai."

Sudenlly it would appear that Ethars and Shun's vision would blur again.. and Aerith's home vanishes from their vision.. leaving just dark and them blacking out...

However, they could both hear Elmyra's voice..

"One day, I went to the station since I got a letter saying he was getting back home on leave."

Their vision goes white. A train shrieks and blows, and the two see the Sector 7 prepare and train station. A train is maneuvering into the station. The entryway opens, and brilliant light fills their vision. They can see different individuals getting off and welcomed by their families... Elmyra remains close, watching the general population getting off... At that point the trains entryway closes. She strolls, perplexed, to the conductor, who shakes his head. She sits hopelessly on the means to the stage.

"My significant other never returned. I think about whether something transpired?.... No, I'm certain his leave was quite recently wiped out. I went to the station regular. And at that point, one day.........."

Shun's and Ethars vision goes white... they see a lady lying on the bench to the stage. A young lady is circling her, crying. Elmyra rushes over also, stoops by the lady. The young lady races to her.

"You used to see this kind of thing a ton amid the war."

Her final words were, "Please take Aerith some place safe."

"My significant other never returned. I had no children. I was most likely forlorn. So I chose to bring her home with me."

A train shriek sounds... their vision's goes white, and then blurs to dark.

"Aerith and I turned out to be close rapidly. That tyke wanted and loved... LOVED to talk. She used to converse with me about everything and everyone."

Their vision would go to the family room in Elmyras house it would seem that some time has past. They can see Aerith as a youthful young lady, running down the stairs, stumbling on the floor covering. Elmyra ascends from the table, encourages her up, embraces her, afterwards Aerith hastens out the front entryway. The family room vanishes off from their vision to black again..

"She revealed to me she got away from some kind of research lab...some place.. What's more, that her mom had as of now come back to the planet, so she wasn't alone.. just... numerous different things."

Shun and Ethar would wake up in the front room, in the present...

Barret would be fanning both of the saiyan's, "Aye yall' straight?.. and watcha mean come back to the planet?"

Elmyra sighs, "I didn't realize what she implied. I inquired as to whether she implied a star in the sky...Hmm, she said it was this planet... She was a secretive kid.. from multiple points of view..."

IT would seem this episode of visions would not stop as the two saiyans are still being bombarded with them.. Their visions go blurry then fade..

Ethar sees the flower girl..

Aerith looks a bit timid, "Mother."

Elmyra moves in the direction of the stairs. Aerith, as a young lady, running down the stairs. Elmyra is talking in the present.

Aerith frowns, "Mother... don't cry..."

Elmyra fights her tears away... "Aerith recently proclaimed that out of the blue. When I asked her in the case of something had happened..."

Aerith tries not to tear up herself, "Mother.. somebody dear to you has.. passed on... His soul was coming to see you, yet he as of now come back to the planet."

Elmyra's voice rings in the two saiyans heads, "Around then I didn't trust her."

"But..."

Their vision pans to Elmyra sitting at the table, holding her head in her grasp. Her shoulders are hitching upwards..

Elmyra speaks softly, "A few days after the fact... We got a notice saying my better half... had died..."

Elmyra's voice seems to tremble, "...and that is the manner by which it was.. A considerable measure had happened, however we were glad. Until one day..."

Their vision goes to a lounge room. Tseng, the leader of the Turks is in the parlor with Elmyra.

Tseng intertwines his fingers in his lap, "We need you to return Aerith to us. We've been saerching for her for quite a while."

Aerith peers out from behind Elmyra, "No! Never!"

Tseng narrowes his eyes, "Aerith, you're an exceptionally uncommon tyke. You are of unique blood. Your genuine mother was an 'Antiquated'."

Elmyra nods, trying not to show any signs of fear, "Obviously I heard it. That she was an Ancient."

Tseng smirks and nods, "The Ancients will lead us to a place where there is incomparable satisfaction. Aerith will have the capacity to convey satisfaction to each one of those in the ghettos of Midgar. That is the reason Shinra might want Aerith's cooperation......."

Aerith turns out from behind Elmyra, "He's off-base! I'm not an Ancient! I'm most certainly not!"

Tseng sighs, "In any case, Aerith, clearly you hear voices in your head infrequently when you're isolated?"

Aerith studders, "N-No, I don't!" She then runs out the front entryway. The room vanishes from the two saiyans vision...

Elmyra sighs, "In any case, I knew. I thought about her strange powers... She made a decent attempt to conceal it, so I gone about just as I never took note."

The Saiyans and Noras visions now returns into view, Cloud crossing his arms.. "It's stunning how she's kept away from the Shinra for all these years..."

Cloud looks at them, "Uhh, you two alright?"

Shun nods, "S..orry.. oww.. continue.."

[Ethar Luxun]

Summers eeped and hid behind Shun as Cloud drew out his sword, but Shun protected her. "Thats right! ShunBun and I aim to get married someday soon!" She said proudly, but then Barret had to go and call her a half pint.

"Half Pint?! No name calling!" Summers said, growing furious as she pointed a finger at Barret, and like Silly string, whipped cream sprayed from teh tip of her finger, getting barret in the face with a bullseye.

Shun then took her other hand, and lead her back into the group after having her fun with Barret.

Tifa gave Ethar the rundown on what was going on, and where they were and what 'Avalanche' was. To Ethar, it sounded like a rebel movement, and an admirable one at that. "A very noble goal." He said, as he looked to Shun and said "Im proud of you Shun. You made some very good friends here." as his attention turned to a home that they were coming up to.

An older woman greeted them, and Ethar introduced himself "A pleasure to meet you Ma'am. My name is Ethar Luxun." as the woman went on to talk about Summers, who gave a little huff as she said "Costume? This is my normal clothes... But I do love me some waffles!" as her eyes lit up like a christmas tree.

It wasnt long after they settled down in the house, a visual vision over took Ethar, and like a good boy, Ethar just watched and took in information that would probably prove vital to hsi role in this dimension.

When it faded, Ethar was asked by cloud if he was alright. "I believe I just witnessed a visual illusion. A vision. I think the magical energies of this world and my own are possibly having difficulty adapting to eachother. But from what I am understanding, this...Aerith girl is in trouble and needs rescuing. And it just so happens, Im probably the one to help do it. Once Im all healed up, and someone helps tell me where Aerith is exactly, I can fly in and get her out." He said, though he wasnt sure if people flying was normal for anyone in Midgar.

[Shun]

Elmyra squints at Ethar, "Fly? Oh dear. I'm afraid Shinra has anti aircraft or anti fly anything since sector 7 was taken down. You will need tobe stealthy in your approach hun."

Shun sighs, "Flying would be more easier but.. It would make us stick out like a sore thumb with their helicopters everywhere.."

Elmyra made the little succubus a tower of waffles, they definitely hit the spot. We also began brushing the little demons hair while she ate, "Cloud? Be a dear and fetch your friends something to drink! I bet they're parched!"

Cloud goes to the kitchen and does so meanwhile barret is in the corner still getting the cream out of his eyes from summers, "Damn dat lil' brat! She messin' up my vision. If we ain' need to recruits I woulda left her in the wreckage. But Shun would be mad." He grumbles to himself.

"Please continue miss Elmyra.." Shun states.

Elmyra nods, "The Shinra required her. So I figure they wouldn't hurt her."

Shun forced himself upwards into the sitting position on the couch, rubbing his forehead, "However, why now....."

Elmyra chirps back, "She carried a young lady here with her. In transit here, Tseng discovered them. She most likely couldn't get away sufficiently quick. She chose to go to the Shinra in return for the little young lady's security."

Cloud taps his boot on the floor handing Shun and Ethar a tall glass of cold ice water, "Must be Marlene."he adds.

Barret eyes widen, "Marlene!! Aerith was gotten due to Marlene!?... I'm sad... Marlene's my lil girl. I'm ...truly... sorry..."

Elmyra looks equally as shocked, "You're her dad!? How on the planet would you be able to ever leave a kid alone like that!?"

Barret looks down and is obviously saddened, "...please don't begin with that... I consider it constantly... What might happen to Marlene, if I... argh... In any case, you gotta comprehend somethin'......I wanna be with Marlene... And, I gotta battle for her.'Cause on the off chance that I don't... the planet's going to pass on. So I'm gonna to keep fightin'! But, I'm concerned more with Marlene. I truly just wanna be with her... continuously. Could it be any more obvious? I'm goin' in circles, now."

Elmyra smiles, "I think I comprehend what you're stating... She's upstairs snoozing. Why not go and see her."

Barret wastes no time and goes upstairs.

Tifa closes her eyes, "It's my blame... I was the person who got Aerith required in this."

Elmyra shakes her head, "Dont say that. Aerith doesn't feel that."

Cloud motions for Ethar, Summers, and Shun to go upstairs, into the room, where Barret is sitting with Marlene. They follow..

Barret has tears flowing, "I'm so glad....... I'm so happy you're all right..."

Marlene is holding her father and smiles, "Daddy, don't cry. Your hairs hurt!"

Cloud begins to leave the room. Barret stands to his feet.

Barret, "Cloud! Shun! New guy! pip squeak!"

Cloud turns.

Barret wipes a tear, "Y'all goin' to go save Aerith, right? She's done as such much for me.... cuz' if it's the Shinra you're dealin' with, I can't simply stay here, forreal forreal! I'm comin', as well!"

Marlene circles Barret to Cloud and Shun, She particularly looks at Summers though.

Marlene hugs Summers and says, "Prepare to have your mind blown. Learn to expect the unexpected. Aerith was telling me all kinds of things... Like what sort of individual Cloud and Shun is. I wager you are Shuns friend? She is Shuns friend, right Cloud?"

Cloud shrugs, "I don't know"

Marlene sticks her tongue out, "Moron!"

Shun smiles and hugs the girl, booping her lil noose, "Boop! Summers is my succubus queen!"

Marlene snickers, "I wanna be a succubus when I grow up!"

Ethar, Shun, Barret and Cloud goes to clear out.

Tifa walks up, "You all are following Aerith, right?"

Cloud nods, "Definitely."

Tifa cracks her knuckles, "I'm running with you guys then."

Shun chirps in, "We're going directly into Shinra central command...You gotta be ready for the most exceedingly terrible."

Tifa gives the bunny a nod, "I know... At this moment, I feel I need to stretch myself as far as possible. Because if I remained here... I'll go insane."

Barret runs ground floor. He addresses Elmyra.

Barret gives a sincere look, "Apologies, but.. would you be able to deal with Marlene somewhat a bit more?"

Elmyra nods, smiling warmly, "Yes, I wouldn't fret."

Barret sighs a relief, "This place is unsafe at this point. You better go elsewhere."

Elmyra nods, "...You're correct. Yet, guarantee me that you'll return to her. Try not to get yourself slaughtered."

Shun, Summers, Ethar, Cloud, Tifa, and Barret go out and remain in the yard...

Tifa rubs her chin, "How would we get to the Shinra Building?"

Barret looks over, "There ain't no train that goes up there anymore..."

"....."

Shun looks and nods, "All things considered, how about we go to Wall Market. We may have the capacity to discover something there. Back to Midgar we go.."

Tifa bends down to Summers and hugs her, "You're just so tiny and precious! I am sorry but I tried my best to refrain from hugging you. Stay close to us okay? We are going to be facing Danger."

Cloud signals, "Lets all head off, back to the ghetto."

[Ethar Luxun]

Thinking things over after Elmyra told Ethar that they had anti-air capabilities, Ethar let out a sigh.

"You dont know how to fly yet Shun. Remember? I could carry one or two people in myself, but if I was by myself, id be able to fly fast enough, I can knock out their air support rather quickly and clear a path for the rest of ya. Shun can tell ya, Im one hell of a fighter, Especially when I transform." He said, as Barret started to call Summers a lil brat, and that she would of been left behind if it wasnt for shun. "Watch it. Summers is a good friend of mine as well."

Then he saw the man break down into tears as Cloud offered them some water. "Thank you." Ethar said as he took the glass, and slowly drank down the cold water. HAving his liquids replenished, Ethars body was soon healed to his peek conditioning. Much to Tifa's surprise, without a huge wound to distract the womans view, Ethar turned out tobe fairly well built for a stranger. Infact, the huge wound did not even leave any trace of a scar. Infact, There were no scares of brusing of any kind on Ethar's chest. The man was damned near flawless. Something no human could pull off.

Summers was happily nomming on the waffles while people played with her hair.

Later on, She went with the others where she met Marlene. The small girl started to talk to her, as Summers replied "Im shuns...erm...girlfriend actually." as she blushed and gave Shun a wink. When shun booped her nose, she also stuck her tongue out at him and giggled while her tail swayed softly.

Ethar and the others soon left Summers with Marlene when Tifa approched them, as she wanted to go with the bunch to rescue Aerith.

"I think its a great idea you are coming along Miss Lockhart." He said with a soft smile, as Tifa hugged Summers. "I-If its ok, ID like to stay with miss Elmyra and Marlene. They have the best waffles I have ever eaten!" She said with a bright smile.

Sighing a bit, Ethar said "Very well Summers, when we figure out a way to get home, We will come pick you up." He said as he softly smiled, as the small succubus hugged Marlene and Elmyra.

Looking back to Tifa, Ethar said "Shes not a fighter, She'd be safer here. Anyways..." as he looked over to cloud. "You only have the one sword there Cloud?" He asked, a bit curious as Ethar had a bit of an idea...

[Shun]

Elmyra smiles and takes little summers back in to let her play with marlene, but not before Shun gives her the deepest kiss ever. "Please take care of Miss Elmyra.. and dont be a bad butt!" he snuggles her and lets her leave off.

Tifa is rather flattered by Ethars comeliness. "You are quite the gentleman. I feel more comfortable with your presence, I hope you don't take that the bad way. I rather enjoy your company Mister Luxun."

Cloud nods, and draws his buster, showing it as they walk, "Yeah! what's the idea Ethar? Think you could hold it?"

Before they know it, Shun, Ethar, Cloud, Tifa, and Barret go to Wall Market in midgar. They go to the Weapon Shop and address the old man there.

"You all goin' up to the plate? You better have this battery then."

Cloud steps forward, "You're going to offer me something you simply found?"

The old man smiles wide at him, "Hello, you knew? In any case, I repaired it, so it's good."

Shun rings in, "Hum.. Why do we require a battery to scale to the plate though?"

The old man looks Shun up and down, he is thrown off secretly by the bunny ears, "Uh, You'll discover when you arrive. How 'bout... a lil 'session of 100 Gil for each one?"

Cloud looks at Shun, "......."

Being Naive, Shun agrees, "Good, I'll take them" The Old geezer gives Shun the Batteries.

The group proceeds with going north. When they reach the Don's chateau, they see two youngsters. One of them approach the crew, "Wanna see something totally cool you guys? Tail me!"

They take after the youngsters to an extensive divider. A little young lady is sitting at the base. There is an electrical cable running up the divider.

The kid speaks, "Everybody scaled this wire. Looks scary.... Brr."

Tifa raises a concerned brow, "Will we climb it?"

The kid nods very fast at her, "No doubt. It leads up to the Upper World."

Barret fist pumps and smiles, "Awright! We'll climb this wire!"

Cloud speaks in a calculated tone, "It is extremely unlikely we can do this. You know how far it goes up?"

Barret does a shrug at him and points, "There IS a way! Look! What's that resemble?"

Shun shrugs himself, "Only an ordinary wire."

Barret smiles, "YAP. Well to me it would appear that a brilliant glossy wire of hope."

Cloud peers up the divider.

Tifa puts her hands on her hips, "You're correct. This is the best way to spare and save Aerith..."

Cloud sighs, "Alright, that was an awful similarity, at the same time, Barret, Shun and I see how you feel."

Shun smiles clenches his fist, "lets go!"

Cloud shakes his head, "Hold on, before we go, What about the Sword Ethar?"

[Ethar Luxun]

Summers blushes hard in the kiss, and gives Shuns butt a lil squeeze. "Just bring yours back in one piece, ya hear?" She asked as she giggled.

Ethar gazed at Clouds sword, as he was asked if he could hold it. "I picked up a 10 story skyscraper, and threw it like a stone once... Pretty sure your sword is super light compared to that." He said as he held a hand out, incase Cloud would let him try holding his weapon.

And after buying the battery, Ethar gave Shun an odd look. "Not sure why we would need a battery. those things look darn heavy.... " He said as they would soon come up to the wire.

They started to talk about climbing up the wire to get to their destination ,but Cloud asked Ethar why he wanted to know about the sword again. "Well, judging by its size, ID imagine I could store a potentially large amount of power in it, and maybe with it, it will be easier to cut down any solid defenses they have. Just saiyan...." He said wit ha grin.

Ethar then looked up the wire, and started to float up into the air as he took flight, more then likely to everyone's surprise. Ethar wasnt kidding when he said he could fly. Especially with no wings, or any type of device. "I know a faster way we can get up to the top. If everyone joins hands and holds tightly, I can get us up to the top faster then climbing...."

"Unless your not all afraid of heights..." He said, giving a grin to Barret in an attempt to tease him.

[Shun]

"MAN! AIN' 'FRAID OF NO GAHDAMN HEIGHTS BOI." Barret yells out at Ethar. "I'mma climb dis mah damn self mister fancy pants!"

Tifa eyes sparkle when she see's that Ethar can rise off of the ground with no effort.... she immediately latches onto him, "How.."

Shun and Cloud grab a leg of Ethar..

Cloud is perplexed though, "How is it you are able to do this? Are you telling me this can be taught, Ethar?"

Shun looks down at barret, "Man... you should have just taken the free ride.."

"AIN' NEE' NO' RIDE' FOO!!!!" He yells at him.

Barret starts to climb the wire..... and climb..... and climb... and climb... and climb... and climb... also, climb.... and when he reach the highest point of the divider he see the two youngsters from prior, sitting on the top.

One kid says, "Sheesh man! This is bad..."

Another kid chimes in, "kinda scary, huh? Father revealed to me that it's the Shinra's doing."

Barret climb some more... scaling electrical cables, broken propellers, and bits of debris, until he reachthe top. The Shinra Building itself is before them.

Shun, Ethar, Cloud, and Tifa touch base at the foot of the Shinra Building.

"That was.. Ethar, you are amazing! You can really fly.. I want to know where you come from if you have the time after we rescue our friend!" Tifa added with a warm smile to the Noran.

Cloud unholsters his buster, spinning it with effortless grace, "Hmm I do need an upgrade to this crusty thing, I'd be happy to let you work on it Ethar."

Barret gasps and gasps as he is the last to make it, "MAN I MADE IT UP HERE MAH DAMN SELF! WITHOUT YA HELP FANCY MAN." He then stops and looks at Cloud, "Yo, you oughta know this building admirably."

Cloud shakes his head and throws his hand up,"......Not truly, now that I consider it.. This' the first occasion when I've ever been to the Headquarters even though I used to be a part of Shinra."

Barret nods, "I caught wind of this place some time recently. Each floor over the 60th is unique and difficult to get to notwithstanding for workers. Must be the place they took Aerith. security's really light at this point. Awright, les' go y'all!!"

Barret goes running toward the entryway.

Tifa shouts, "Hold up a moment! You're not considering just... going directly through the primary passage,right!?"

Barret chuckles, "Well what else does it look like!? I'm going to kick some Shinra ass forreal forreal and......."

Tifa shakes her head, " Watch your mouth! That is not going to work! We must discover another way...."

Baret scratches his head, "Ain't going to be no other way! if we keep wastin' time this way, Aerith'll....."

Tifa sighs and stands to her feet," And I realize that! But, only if we got caught.... Hey, Shun, Cloud. ...What would it be advisable for us to do?"

Cloud shrugs, "We should bust on in?"

Barret smiles and raises his gunarm, "Now we're in business! C'mon, we should go!!"

Shun, Ethar, Cloud, Barret, and Tifa bust on in Shinra Headquarters....

The Secretary eeps and jumps, "Pardon me! If you don't have an arrangement, you'll simply have to lea..."

Barret shushes them, "Needn't bother with no arrangement... dis' a 'mergency! Any individual who don't wanna get their face bashed in better git outta the way!!"

"Yaagghh!" he punches them.

Barret balls his fist, "Who do they think they are?"

Two random Shinra guards walk by, "Hello, you don't surmise that is AVALANCHE?"

One Shinra yells, "Gatecrashers! Sieze them!!"

Immediately they shoot at the Noran aiming for his head.

[Ethar Luxun]

Ethar was proud to show off his abilities, but when Tifa latched onto him, he couldnt help but blush when she got so close to him. "I say! Miss L-Lockhart!" He said as he blushed. He got distracted from being embarassed when Shun and cloud grabbed onto him.

He could feel their weight almost holding him down, but like an elevator, Ethar flew up as hard as he could until they had reached teh top, but not before Cloud asked if flying is something that could be taught. "Well, to some it is teachable, others...not so much... " He said, as they arrived infront of the building. Just the looks of it screamed evil to Ethar, which put him at ease. "This is the company that is killing the planet? Ha, if your friend wasnt in there, I could vaporize the entire building from here....."

He said as they started to plan. But it seemed the direct approach was what was decided on, but Ethar shrugged. The sooner he would get back to his home, the better.

And within minutes, they were inside, and Barret was already doing what he did best. Yell and punch everything.

Shaking his head, Ethar noticed the two guards, who in turn noticed him and started to yell. "They obviously dont want to talk..." Ethar said, as they opened fire on him.

Using his alien reflexes, Ethar actually moved his arms at high speed and actually caught their bullets a minute later.

Things were silent as Ethar held hsi fist up. And making sure Tifa and the others were watching, Ethar opened his fist, and dropped atleast 20 live rounds onto the ground. "Tsk Tsk, now I have to defend myself..." Charging a ball of energy in his other hand, Ethar immediately threw it forward, and a blinding beam of light burst from his hand, and engulfed the two guards.

A moment later, all that was left were smoking boots.

Dusting his hands off, Ethar looked to the others and said "Wouldnt it be easiest to use their computer systems to find out WHERE your friend is being held exactly? Instead of a wild goose chase?"

[Shun]

Tifa, Barret and Cloud give the longest "......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................" Before barret goes, "PSH! Ain' got time fa' no old magic tricks."

Tifa is wide eyes, "What... are you... You took the bullets and... how!? HOW.... teach me.." she clasps her hands together.

Cloud runs his fingers through his spikey hair, "I never seen such raw power.. Those were Shinra elite."

Barret shakes his head, "How about we push on yall..! nevermind the cheap tricks!"

Shun is standing there in awe as well.. and wipes the sweat off from the whole spectacle, "W-wait... We are literally going alert the whole of Shinra we do not have Jessie around.. She could hack into their mainframe and get us in but.. she perished.... I'm trying to live to go home to my summers... Just.. How about we sneak in discreetly?"

Tifa nods and softly bonks Cloud on his head, "Could it be any more obvious? We should be watchful and locate an alternate course!"

The party go down a side rear way and through an entryway. Inside, they find... stairs....

Loads of them....

Cloud looks to the party, "I advise we do not fly directly up, they have monitors for irregular movements so we will have to take the stairs like regular people.

They begin climbing.

Barret raises his brow, "Yo... Y'all truly gonna to take these stairs as far as possible up?"

Shun looks at him, "Well we must get to Aerith to help her some way or another."

Barret shrugs, "Nah..."

Tifa chimes in, "I don't have room schedule-wise to contend with you Barret! I'm going!"

Barret frowns, "Y, yo, Tifa! Try not to go off alone man forreal!"

The party keep on climbing... and climb and climb.. and.. more, climb.... They are climbing stairs all through this entire discussion:

Barret trying to keep his pace, "I don't have the foggiest idea... why the hell... we gotta climb..."

Shun pants, "...because we would prefer not to begin a huge scale fight until we've saved ...Aerith.. huff..."

Barret seems to chuckle, "...heh heh."

Cloud growls lowly, "Thump it off. You're giving me the wet blankets."

Barret looks back at Cloud, "So even you will battle for another person. I had you figured wrong I presume."

Cloud narrowed his eyes, "Who cares what you figured!"

Barret shrugs, "I'm simply sayin' maybbe I was wrong..."

Shun huffs and laughs, "Heh heh......."

Cloud looks at bun, "What's that expected to mean, Shun?"

Barret continues, "How much more do these stairs go on?"

Tifa jokes, "Why not ask them?"

Barret squints, "It's not one of them perpetual stairways or somethin', d'ya think?"

Shun yells, "Obviously not!!"

Barret sighs, "Right... couldn't be that...."

Barret moans, "It is safe to say that we are there yet?"

Tifa speaks, "Not yet."

Barret asks again, "...there yet?"

Tifa yells, "I said not yet!"

Barret sighs, "Bruh..."

Tifa snaps, "See, don't ask! We're wayyyyyy far from being there, alright!?"

Barret shakes his head, "Damn, man! I've had it! I'm backpedaling!"

Tifa quips, "Also.. hey you alright?"

Barret gasps, "............." Barret stops to rest, gasping.

Tifa pats his back, "C'mon, Barret. Pull it together!"

Barret nods and wipes the sweat from his brow, "Definitely, well all I know is I'm simply substance "n" blood.... 'cept ...for this arm of mine. Dont treat me like I'm from SOLDIER or somethin'........"

Tifa snaps, "Shouldn't something be said about me!? I'm human as well! Goodness, do what you need, I'm going on! Ethar! Shun! Cloud LETS GO" She grabs Ethar by his wrist and drags him...

...

However, She delays.

Tifa looks, "......?" She sighs, "Yaah! Barret! You go first!"

Barret frowns, "What're ya oblivious? I didn't mean that..."

Tifa smirks, "OK, good!"

Barret goes onwards.

Tifa looks back, "Cloud, you proceed as well!!" Cloud proceeds.

Shun looks around, "Hey... What floor is this?"

Tifa laughed softly, "...I surrendered tallying."

Barret whines, "Why they gotta fabricate these structures so damn tall? That Shinra.... They're not that damn great."

Tifa exhales, "........."

Barret gasps, "huff.... Man, I'm beat... Marlene, Daddy needed to see your face one more time..."

Tifa snaps, "Would you quit acting like a retard and climb? It's slightly more stairs left to go...!" she pauses, "...maybe."

They eventually achieve the top floor.

Barret looks like hell, "F... at long last... M... made it... N... never wanna see... no more stairs whatever remains of my life..."

Tifa is also gasping, "hagh... puff... this truly removes it from you... Be that as it may, this is it. We would do well to get ready...! What do you say... Ethar? Are you ready to go through the door? Or do you have any questions?"

[Ethar Luxun]

"It took many years of training to get to where I am today Miss Lockhart. But Ill be glad to get you started when we are all done here." He said wit ha smile after his show had shocked and aw'ed them.

They decided to head up the stairs in order to avoid suspicion. But thats when Ethar gave Cloud an odd look. "So that tiny burst of energy I just gave off isnt suspicious? You people are sure strange..." He said wit ha shrug as he followed the group up the stairs.

He kept to his usual quiteness as he listened to the group argue like a bunch of school children until they got to the top where a door lay before them. Even though everyone was tired, Ethar didnt even seem phased that they had climbed over 60 flights of stairs. "YA know, the Elevator could of also been Non-suspicious... But whatever." He said, as Tifa asked him if he was ready.

He walked up to the door and placed his hand on it. "Hmm..." He said, as he used his ability to sense energy to see that there were guards on the other size of the door. And he knew that by the way they moved and were positioned, they were unaware of their presence.

"Ill just be one moment...maybe two." He said, as Ethar suddenly used his Zanzoken to open the door. It was like he had turned invisible, as the group could only see very brief flashes of Ethar, as he actually ran up behind the guards, and broke their necks in an instant. Quick, and very silent.

The guards were all standing with twisted necks for one moment, then Ethar re-emerged infront of the group, and all teh guards fell to the floor at almost the same time. "YEah, just one Question miss Lockhart. Did you just see that?" He asked with a grin on his face.

[Shun]

So Shun, Ethar, Cloud, Tifa, and Barret achieved the 59th floor of the Shinra building they all stand in silence at the doorway.

Cloud speaks, "That energy blasts is similar to Materia Usage. Only thing that shocks me is. Well. How much raw power you used to evaporate two SOLDIER's to nothing but.. Boots.

Tifa would then Ethar one instant and then gone the next.. It scared her as she opened the door and seen the twisted heads of the 3 shinra guards. Dead within a matter of seconds. Tifa would begin to try to piece things togther with Ethar, "Just.. What are you? Are you.. human? Or an Ancient? This place would be very dangerous... if you were.. IF Shinra were to make 100 of you.. Our world.. dear gaia... You just moved like a blur.."

Shun meanwhile spots a small card on the floor where the gatekeepers had stood, he notices and tilts his head, "What's this?" He stoops and gets the Keycard 60. They enter the lift to the 60th floor.

Barret eyes bulge, "This is the genuine card. Try not to loose it, bun."

Tifa clasps her hands together, "I trust Aerith is OK."

There is a little television of a Shinra employee snoozing at the reconnaissance framework. They leave the lift onto the 60th floor. They see two other workers.

Cloud raises his voice, "People as you don't have a place here! Go on, get out!"

One guys speaks up, "What're you doing here!? No unapproved individuals are permitted here!!" They duck into a side room. They see four guards on watch.

Barret chuckles, "Lookit that, all them gatekeepers is runnin' around. Cloud, you feel free to flag us when it's okay to come."

The gatekeepers are watching behind a line of statues, for reasons unknown. Cloud holes up behind every statue, pushing ahead when the watchmen turn away. He flags the others to take after. They advance past the guards.

Barret celebrates, "Awright! We going to shake!"

Tifa shakes her head, "Forgt that, we're here to spare Aerith."

Barret quips back, "For hell's sake, I realize that!"

They all climb the stairs to the 61st story. It is a worker relax.

Individuals on the 61st story talk amongst each other, "What's keeping her? Did she overlook her keycard?" one of them chime in, "Indeed, even workers can't stroll around over the 60th floor without a keycard.." another one adds, "This is the parlor floor. Above us are the unique floors for the top dogs in the organization." one sighs, "It's extreme working under somebody. Tires you out." another nods, "I thought I heard a ruckus first floor a moment prior. Do you know what really matters to that?" the other worker adds in, "No thought. In any case, no compelling reason to stress in light of the fact that everything over the 60th floor is sheltered."

One of them see's Shunbun, "The hell are you? What're you doin' around here?"

Cloud steps up, "Where's Aerith?"

One worker says, "Aerith? How could you realize that name? You should be...!?"

He continues, "Aerith, you imply that child. The assistant. Better believe it, I was startin' to stress ovr her myself. Thus another adversary shows up on the scene, eh? That is to say, she's definitely not? It's another person?"

They look at Shunbun, ".........."

The guy calms down, "Goodness, I see. So you should be the whatchama call it..." He snaps his finger, "Shinra, Inc. Repair Division!! You know, it would appear that this building is beginning to go to pieces. This entryway was recently pushed open. You should settle this immediately. And investigate alternate floors as well. I'll give you this."

The man gives bun the Keycard 62!

....

A female overseer comes in and looks Shun in the eyes, "I don't remember if saw your face here. You new here?" He pauses, "Let's assume, you're adorable. Give me a chance to show you a few... things."

Shun scratches his head, "Things?"

She quips, "Wipe that idiotic look off your face. I was just going to educate you how to get to the following floor. The higher ups in the organization utilize the floors over the 60th floor. However, you can't arrive without a keycard. Get a keycard and you can utilize the lifts openly."

*ding*

She claps, "...voila! You hear that sound and the entryway opens. Remember, there are diverse sorts of cards. One keycard won't let you go all around. For instance, Keycard 60' just takes you to the 60th floor. 'Keycard 65' just takes you to the 65th floor."

She sighs, "It's a security framework deserving of Shinra. All things considered, all the control in Midgar and the world, so far as that is concerned, is controlled by them."

Cloud buds in, "Um, I'm kinda in a rush..."

She raises a brow to him, "Really? That is excessively bad... Well, be off."

They go up to the 62nd story. It's the Mayor's floor. There are four rooms, loaded with bookshelves.

Standing outside the Mayor's office is Hart.

Hart looks and see's the group, "Huh? How did you get up here.. This is the Midgar Mayor's Office. Leader Domino is in his office."

Hart gives a nod, "I am the Deputy Mayor. On the off chance that you ought to have any inquiries feel allowed to ask me..."

"Thanks" Says Shunbun as they enter the workplace and spots an elderly man.

Domino looks at the party, stroking his beard, "Gee? Goodness, and who may you all be? All of you should be those... ahem.... Me? I'm Domino, the Mayor of Midgar. Really, I'm Mayor in name as it were. The city and everything in it is truly keep running by Shinra, Inc. My lone genuine employment is viewing over Shinra's documents... Me! The Mayor! A curator! Ohh....... Hold on a minute.. You need to get upstairs? I tell to you what, in the event that you can figure the secret key, I'll give you my keycard. Yes, that is it. Figure the secret key and I'll give you my keycard! Get it on the first attempt and I'll even toss in an exceptional thing!"

Tifa shrugs, "We... did not even get a word in but... uh.. lets go.." The group heads back out of the office.

Hart spots them and approaches, "Did you talk with the Mayor?"

Shun rubbed his tiny chin, "We need that secret key.."

Hart looks at them, "What? A secret key? Goodness, I get it..."

Tifa scratches her head and turns to Ethar, "It seem's we need to find another way of getting that secret key.."