Well here we are again. This second chapter should be a bit more interesting. Once again tell me what you think at jonathon_clayton@yahoo.co.uk! Enjoy! The Second Coming Chapter 2 Midgar. Virtually destroyed, the once full of life slums ruined, left in a mass of metal and rubble. Everywhere people set about the laborious task of trying to rebuild homes and lives. Above it all stood the now half-ruined Shinra HQ building. The population of Midgar still looked at this huge monolith with fear and dread. At the very top of the building was the President’s office, one of the few rooms still remarkably intact. At his makeshift desk, the new President of Shinra, Reeve sat writing as the sound of a helicopter cut through the air. Damn choppers”, Reeve said aloud, “How am I supposed to rebuild the planet with those things buzzing around all day long?” He stood up just as he heard a slight foot tread behind him, he wheeled around… *********************************************************************************** The Highwind sped towards Midgar as inside the occupants prepared themselves to land. I wonder what it will feel like too see Midgar without it being totally controlled by Shinra?” asked Tifa who had joined them on the Bridge. Dunno”, answered Cloud,” Probably the same as it was before. The people wont have had much time to adapt yet.” She suddenly burst into tears then and raced from the room. Cloud quickly cast a bewildered look at Barret before speeding after her. He found her on the outside deck, leaning against the cool metal bars, staring out at the rushing view all around her. He walked over and stood next to her, mixed feelings of guilt, love and remorse welled up inside him. I’m sorry if what I said hurt you,” he said quietly. She turned to him and opened her mouth to speak when suddenly the side of the ship above them exploded blowing them both of their feet. Immediately the ship began too lose altitude and descend rapidly leaving a trail of flames behind it. Cloud managed too stager over to where he knew Cid kept the spare Parachutes for the deck and picked up two. He raced over to where Tifa was struggling to her feet, and strapped the parachute to her. He quickly glanced down and saw Midgar rapidly rising up to meet them, then grabbed Tifa and threw her clear of the ship. He then strapped on his own parachute and dived after her into the cool air. He span over and over as the air rushed around him, as he got nearer to the ground he ripped his cord and his parachute sprang out above him. He looked below; just in time to see the Highwind plow into the Sector 4 slums, fireballing as it did so, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. He just hoped the others had got out okay! 30 seconds later he landed on the hard concrete of the Outskirts of Sector 4, rolled as he landed and came up on his feet. He gathered in his parachute and started too stuff it back into its bag. He turned and saw that Tifa was doing the same thing a few feet away. As soon as his chute was safely away he sprinted over too her, just as she finished getting rid of her own chute. We’ve gotta get over to the Highwind!” he said as he reached her, “there may be some survivors” I hope so”, she whispered, her face again streaked with tears. He turned from her, he hated to see her upset, once again his feelings were rising to the surface, threatening to explode in one long tirade of emotion. Once again he found himself thinking about… C’mon Cloud, we’ve gotta move!” cried Tifa breaking into his thoughts. He turned and started too sprint towards the place where he had seen the Highwind go down. He knew that there may be a chance of some of his friends surviving and the longer it took him to get to them, the chance of survival would lessen. However as he raced round a corner, past a small sleazy looking bar, he ran straight into a small patrol of Shinra SOLDIERS. It’s one of the Rebels!” shouted the leader, a tall well built man, “Get Him!” As the ten SOLDIERS slowly walked towards him, rifles unslung and pointing directly at him, Cloud drew Ultima Weapon ready for their onslaught. The blade gleamed a bright blue as the first SOLDIER raced towards him, pulling a stun grenade from his belt. So they wanted to capture him, not kill him, he could use that to his advantage. The SOLDIER threw the grenade towards him but he was already moving. He somersaulted over the SOLDIER’S head, avoiding the blast, landed behind him and drove his sword straight through the man’s back. He was dead before he hit the ground. Cloud sensed a sharp movement behind him, he span round slashing upwards and chopped off the arm that had been going for his neck. The sheer heat from the blade cauterised the wound so that there was no blood and the SOLDIER slumped to the floor, moaning in agony and clutching the stump just under his shoulder. Two more moved towards him and he swung, easily beheading one, then slashed downwards cutting the other in two. He looked up too find his next opponent/victim when too his horror he realised that the remaining six soldiers were pointing their rifles straight at his heart. We tried to take you alive!” shouted the leader, “but you have left us with no choice!” The crack echoed around the bar and the surrounding area… To be continued… There you go. It was a bit livelier than last time! Sorry to leave you in such a place but the next chapter will be coming soon!