With the public transport on lockdown, getting to the topside will not be easy. On top of general security on high alert looking for any survivors of Avalanche, Sara and the others could go to one place where they might find someone who can get them to the topside; Wall Market.

As the group headed back to the main street, a young girl made an announcement that caught the residents and the group with interest.

"My fellow grounders, listen up, because boy, do I have some news for you! So after bombing Reactors 1 and 5, what do the ecoterrorists do? They go for the trifecta and take out Mako Reactor 7! Another attack by amateurs who don't care about collateral damage. The sky is falling, and Avalanche is to blame! But wait! Did you know Wutai is the one funding their activities!? For all their claims about fighting for the slums. They're nothing more than pawns of Wutai, puppets dancing to the tune of their foreign masters! And that's the truth! Topside news delivered straight to your ears! That'll be five gil! Five gil, come on!"

However, some of the audience begin to grip what the girl said—ignoring the girl demanding money.

"Damn, man! Knew we couldn't trust Wutai to leave us alone."

"It's the reactors. They want 'em; we got 'em."

"Does this mean there'll be another war?"

"Five gil apiece cough it up! The truth ain't free, you know!"

Barret, however, was not thrilled to hear what the girl said. He gritted his teeth and clenched his teeth as he snarled, "We ain't no damn pawns of Wutai! I couldn't care less about the rest, but that shit?"

Barret was about to march over to the girl, ready to tell those residents the absolute truth, but Tifa stopped him and pleaded.

"No one will listen to us. There's no point in even trying."

Barret looked at her, stunned; he had never seen Tifa looked so hurt and defeated. That he forgot his anger, Tifa let go of his arm and lowered her head, murmuring, "I'm sorry."

Barret wasn't angry at her, but he understood her concern and spoke calmly, "Hey...Hey Tifa, listen. There's no room in this for regrets or what-ifs or any of that. All we can do is keep moving forward. Keep following this path we chose. Where, so we can say we did all we could."

"I know," Tifa nodded but then looked at the residents who were still gripping and said, "But...right now...instead of looking forward, you need to look around. Everyone here is terrified. So I'm asking you...don't."

Barret took her word and decided not to do the impulsive action he was about to do. He knew that Tifa was right, that the people around him were terrified and angry. Of course, they wouldn't know the real truth about Shinra because they've lived with Shinra for all of their life. If he were to shout to everyone about the fact, they would never listen to him, and they would probably think that he was a mad man. After calming the fumes of his anger, Barret begins to walk away from the crowd, and together they left.

It didn't take them long to reach Wall Market. Unlike the town's vibrant colors at night, it seemed that the town was less active during the day despite what happened during the night when the plate collapsed. However, Sara did notice that the locals seemed a bit on edge.

"Do we really have to deal with Corneo again?" Tifa complained.

"Got no other choice," Cloud spoke though his words didn't sound too thrilling either.

"As much as I hate the bastard, we gotta do it." Sara groaned while shaking her head.

Barret seemed to catch on to something that went on between the three of them and asked, "What? Did you guys get into it with him or something?"

"I don't wanna talk about it," Tifa mumbled.

Barret turned to Cloud, "Hey, Cloud, what happened?"

"Don't recall."

Barret turned to Sara, who didn't seem to want to answer either. And so he decided not to ask anymore. They went up to Corneo's mansion as Cloud opened the first gate, expecting the guards to be in front of the second gate, but strangely, none.

When they opened the door to the main foyer, silence welcomed them.

"No one's home," Barret said as he looked around the room.

But, Sara knew that Corneo would have his men out guarding his home. Something must've happened and not a good one.

"Let's check Corneo's office," Sara suggested.

Cloud nodded and headed up the stairs leading to Corneo's office. Once he opened the door, there was no sign of anyone inside. However, he sensed a presence trying to hide. He grabbed his sword and took a swing where he felt the presence only to find a familiar henchman with a gun pointing at him; Leslie.

Leslie's eyes widened in shock, and he commented, "Long time no see."

"Leslie?"

Sara walked over with a surprised look. Leslie only gave her a nod and put his gun away. Cloud also put his sword away.

"What brings you back here?" Leslie asked curiously.

"Well," Tifa explains, "We need to find a way to get topside as quickly as possible, and we figured Corneo oughta know one."

"Is that so..." Leslie said while crossing his arms and taking a few paces in the room. Then he stopped pacing before turning to the group.

"In that case, I can help."

The whole group was stunned to hear those words.

"You serious? Then tell us!" Barret exclaimed.

"Follow me," Leslie said, then walked away, heading to Corneo's room.

That was not the answer Barret wanted to hear. Leslie's vague answer gave Barret and Tifa doubtful thoughts. Leslie had to know something, but why should they follow him? Barret and Tifa turned to Cloud and Sara.

"Let's just hear him out," said Cloud.

"Yeah," Sara nodded.

The four of them walked to the door that Leslie went in. When they walked in, they saw Leslie placing a ladder on the edge of the trapdoor. Cloud, Tifa, and Sara looked at the hole in the floor with a foreboding feeling.

"So, what's the deal with the hole?" Barret asked, looking at the hole curiously.

"Unfinished business," Leslie answered coldly.

Everyone wondered what he meant by unfinished business.

"If you three give me a hand with it, I'll give you what you need to get topside."

"You want us to go back into the sewers with you?" Tifa asked, not liking the idea.

"What's down there?" Sara questioned.

"Corneo's hidey-hole," Leslie answered, "That's where I'm headed."

"You're not gonna try to screw us over, are you?" Barret looked at him, questioning.

"If that's what you think, walk away. I'll find somebody else to work with, and you'll have to find another way to get topside," Leslie stated.

Barret let out a groan; Tifa lowered her head while Cloud and Sara gave him a stern look. They knew that coming here was a gamble and that if you wanted something, you have to give something back. That's how things work at Wall Market, a lesson that Cloud and Sara learned. But, with their friend held in Shinra, there was no stopping them.

"All right, we're in, "Cloud exclaimed.

"Say what?!" Barret shouted.

"He betrays us; he dies," Cloud gave Leslie a stern look.

"Fine by me," Leslie smiled.

"He means it," Tifa warned him.

"And I won't be able to save your ass if you do betray us," Sara added.

Yet, Leslie seemed confident despite Cloud's warning. He walks over to the ladder and looks at the group.

"I'll tell you more after we've climbed down. When you're good to go, let me know."

The others looked at each other before they all gave the nod, confirming that they were ready to do whatever Leslie wants them to.

"You guys ready?" Leslie asked after seeing them not going anywhere.

"Yeah," Cloud answered.

Leslie nodded, "Okay, follow me."

"Seriously, what's the deal with the hole?" Barret wondered.

"It's a trap for the don's enemies," Cloud answered.

"What?!" Barret looked at Cloud with a shocked look.

"No one's ever gotten out alive," Leslie added, but then he looks at Cloud and says, "Well, until recently, that is."

The five of them went down the ladder heading for the sewers. Needless to say that none of them like the stench of the sewers. Yet, it was the perfect hiding place to lay low for a while. They made it down into an empty chamber with the big hole in the wall made by Corneo's pet.

Barret turned to Leslie and said, "You are gonna hold up your end of the bargain, right?"

"Long as you hold up yours, yeah," Leslie said with a cocky smirk.

"I don't trust you, and I don't like you," Barret dictated, "So if you so much as breathe in a suspicious way. I'll turn that face of yours into a honeycomb."

Leslie shrugged, "I'd save your bullets for the monsters if I were you. Some are a lot tougher than you'd think. Hate to say it, but I can barely take 'em on my own. You, on the other hand, shouldn't have any trouble, am I right?"

They couldn't argue with that, even at a glance. Sara could tell that Leslie didn't seem all that skilled in combat or much less have experience in fighting monsters. Sara knew that Leslie was up to something; he is an intelligent guy.

"Let's get this over with," Cloud said.

Leslie nodded then walked over to the massive hole in the wall that leads to the connected sewers.

"Head for the trunk line," Leslie ordered, "It marks the border with Sector 7. You four lead the way; I'll follow a short distance behind."

Leslie leaned against the wall as he waited for the others to lead on. Luckily they knew where to go, so it wasn't that hard to get to the trunk line. However, after the damage dealt from the fallen plate, several pipelines collapsed, and the monsters ran frantically. Yet, as the others did their best to clear any creatures that come their way, Leslie followed behind. Though Barret kept looking back, making sure the little bastard didn't run away. After a while, they made it to the trunk line.

"Made it. 'Bout time." Barret sighed in relief.

"This way," Jessie walked over to a pathway, "There should be a door with Corneo's mark on it around here somewhere.

They followed Leslie as they looked around for anything that could be Corneo's mark. Sure enough, there was a small gate that had two red lanterns. Sara knew those lanterns weren't put there as a decor; they were Corneo's mark.

"Hey...wasn't this locked before?" Tifa wondered; she knew the last time they were down here, the gate was locked.

"Your time to shine." Leslie said, "Clear the path ahead, would you?"

"Yeah, yeah..." Barret rolled his eyes as he and Cloud went through the gate.

"Can I ask you something?" Tifa asked, "Why did you help us out before? You could've lost everything."

"Andrea, he told me to," Leslie answered.

"That really it?" Tifa tilted her head confused.

"And I couldn't bring myself to let it happen again," Leslie muttered.

"Huh?" Tifa wondered; she couldn't hear what he said. Leslie shooked his head.

"It doesn't matter; let's go."

Tifa didn't ask any further, but she knew that Leslie might be hiding something.

They cleared the monsters that were lurking around. Once they did that, Leslie opened the door and turned to the others.

"We're getting closer to Corneo's hideout; from here, I'll take the lead."

Naturally, the others were in an area that they've never been to. So it would make sense that Leslie would lead the way. But they could tell that Leslie seemed to have this look in his eyes. As if he were excited or nervous. Leslie stopped at a door that wasn't far from where they entered.

"This is?" Barret asked.

"Yeah," Leslie answered."

"So how we supposed to get topside?" Cloud asked impatiently.

"Through here," Leslie pointed to the door.

Barret gritted his teeth, and Cloud sighed, "Then you're telling me we're not done?"

"Sorry guys, but it's not that simple," Leslie said.

Suddenly they heard a loud groan; it sounded like some hog. A small shadow came barreling down and knocked out Leslie. Who landed on the ground hard. The thing that attacked him was about as big as a dog, yet it walked on two legs with small arms and a pig's face and had a long tongue. It spots a small bag and grabs it with interest before running off.

"No!" Leslie's eyes widen in horror when he saw the pig creature taking the bag. He gets up and turns to the group.

"We gotta catch him!"

"Huh?"

"He took the key to the door! Without it, we're screwed!"

Now that wasn't good. Sara gritted her teeth because if she went all out, it would make things quicker. But she didn't want to expose that part about her yet. However, she felt someone gripping her shoulder; she turned and saw Cloud, who gave her a smirk.

"Don't worry, wait for the right moment," Cloud whispered.

Sara nodded with a smile. She knew that Cloud was right; all she had to do was wait for the right moment.

The five of them chased the little pig. They followed it through a labyrinth of waterways. However, when a group of monsters blocked their path, Sara took the opportunity and jumped high into the air avoiding the mob of creatures. Though her jump was so high, Tifa and Barret were surprised. Yet, they had to put their surprise aside and focused on taking care of the monsters.

Luckily Sara used her inhuman speed to catch up with the little vermin. When she saw the vermin ahead of her, she drew her sword, and in a quick motion, she sliced the swine in half!

She took a deep breath and sheathed her sword. It wasn't long before the others catch up to the scene. Cloud saw the small pouch that the vermin took and picked it up. He opened the bag then picked up the object that was inside. He was surprised to see that the so-called key was actually a necklace. The necklace had a silver heart-shaped pendant with two golden lilies in the middle. Why would Leslie be carrying something like this?

"Give it back!"

Cloud saw Leslie, who was glaring at him.

"That's..." Tifa wondered when she saw the pendant in Cloud's hands, and she looked at Leslie.

"Give it back," Leslie demanded as he reached his hand out.

Cloud sighed and gave Leslie the pendant back. Leslie seemed a relief to have the necklace back.

"That's not a key," Barret said while he stared at Leslie.

Leslie looked at the group. They knew that he lied to them, and the latter lowered his head.

"Sorry."

"That's not your pendant either. Were they family?" Barret wondered it would make sense for a guy like Leslie to carry something like that around.

"No," Leslie shook his head and looked at the pendant.

"It belonged to my fiancee, Merle. We were a happy couple for a long time, and even though we were struggling a lot, I thought if we got married, things would work out. But six months ago, on that day, Corneo picked her as a bride, and on the next, she vanished without a trace. But before she did, she gave it back salt on the wound. Thing cost me a small fortune."

It was a sad story to hear, and hearing it, Sara began to make sense of why Leslie helped her and the others on that day when they first came here. It was his way of atonement for what he couldn't do with his lover.

"Why did you wanna come down here?" Tifa asked in confusion. Sara wondered the same thing.

"Revenge," Leslie answered.

Sara knew why Leslie had told them to come down here. It was so that he could make it to Corneo's hideout safely so that he would kill the man himself. But Sara knew that revenge wasn't the best thing to do.

"I know I need to let go, but I can't. I need closure, 'cause without it. I'll never be able to move on." Leslie said while clenching his fist.

"It's fine as long as you get us topside; we're still in," Cloud told him.

Leslie seemed relieved to hear those words and said, "Thanks, and don't worry; I got you."

Barret patted Leslie on the shoulder and smiled, "You all right."

Leslie could finally breathe; now that things were clear, everyone could move forward without any intention between them.

"I know a shortcut; follow me," Leslie said while going through a hallway.

They followed him, yet as they did, Barret couldn't help but feel disgusted at how Corneo did something terrible to Leslie's lover and all the other brides he had previously.

"That twisted piece of shit." Barret cursed, "I'm gonna enjoy beatin' him to a pulp."

"Corneo's mine, and mine alone," Leslie told Barret.

"Huh?"

"Please," Leslie begged Barret.

Barret couldn't say no to that; after all, he could tell that the poor guy wanted his revenge. So he said no more.

They made it back to the door that leads them to Corneo. However, Leslie was the first to go inside; the others could only peak through the cracked door. They could see that Leslie was inside a massive room with lots of boxes and things that Corneo kept.

Leslie looked around and called out, "It's Leslie! Got some urgent info for the don!"

"Oho?" A familiar voice was heard, and coming out from a large folded screen was Corneo.

"Come alone?" Corneo asked.

"Course," Leslie lied.

"Really? Without my little Avalanche kittens?" Corneo questions Leslie, "I thought I told you to round them up and bring them to me."

"Actually, it's them I came to talk about."

Corneo nods and gestures to Leslie to come over and tell him the news. Leslie comes over, and when he does, he points a gun at Corneo's head. But before he could pull the trigger, Corneo punches him in the chest. Leslie falls and coughs several times. Corneo held Leslie's gun and sighed as if he knew that Leslie was about to do something dirty.

"Leslie," Corneo looks at him, "I don't think I need to remind you why I'm down here. Spilling the beans to those four escaped artists was a serious mistake, and now I'm on Shinra's shitlist!"

So that's why Corneo had been hiding and probably why his house was deserted. Yet it seems that Corneo thinks that Leslie told Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Sara the beans when Corneo himself told them.

"The plate stunt was meant to be an unprecedented tragedy claiming countless innocent lives. But those naughty little kittens organized an evacuation and screwed up the plan. I'll let you in on a secret. Shinra's going to abandon Midgar and build something close to paradise."

This news shocked everyone who listened. Shinra's going to abandon Midgar? How? And why?

"I was invited to be a part of it. Don of a new and improved Wall Market. I'll be lucky to live another week."

Don turned to Leslie and said, "Leslie, I was gonna let you run your own place give you a piece of the action. What a shame."

Yet, Leslie gave Corneo a stern look. He would never accept anything from the bastard because he had already taken something he held dear.

"Pop quiz time, kiddo!" Corneo smirked, "Villians like us only divulge our evil plans in a certain situation. But what is that situation, hm?"

Leslie had heard that question many times, and it only happens when Corneo is about to kill someone, and he knew the correct answer.

"When you think...you've already won," Leslie answered.

Corneo pointed the gun at Leslie's head and said, "Goodbye."

However, two blades were pointed right at Corneo's neck, stopping him from pulling the trigger.

"Think again, Don!" Cloud growled.

"It's over for you, piece of shit," Sara spoke coldly.

"Huh! It's you!" Corneo exclaimed, and Barret grabbed the gun from Corneo.

Tifa rushed over to Leslie and pulled him away from Corneo. Barret looked at Corneo with a stern look.

"You were talking 'bout the Sector 7 plan, keep talking asshole," Barret demanded.

"Ahh! Over there! Over there, look!" Corneo pointed something ahead, but Barret didn't seem that convinced.

"Don't try to bullshit us!" Barret retorted.

Corneo smirked, "But that's the thing! It's not technically bullshit when it's true."

Suddenly something big was running towards them from a large pipe. It was that monster; Sara had stuck her sword up its butt. Only this time, it seemed madder than before. The beast landed right between the group as Corneo makes a run. Tifa was about to get hit by the tail when Leslie pushed her aside to avoid getting hit. However, Leslie gets hit in the process and shoved to a room. Corneo runs over to the room where Leslie was pushed in. But, Corneo turns to the creature.

"Good Abzu! Feel free to play with your food! Don out!"

Corneo leaves the room while the group faces the don's pet, Abzu. Abzu makes a screeching sound, and more of those little vermin start to come. They were coming out from the other sewer pipes.

"Bastard!" Barret cursed at seeing Corneo leaving.

"First him, then Corneo," Cloud commanded while ready his sword.

There wasn't much of a choice; they had to deal with Abzu and his miniature minions. Sara gritted her teeth as she wanted to end this as quickly as possible. She turned to the massive monster with fire in her eyes and raised her sword.

"We don't have time for you!" Sara roared.

Sara quickly began to strike at Abuz with such force that Tifa and Barret were stunned at seeing such quick movement and strength. Cloud clicked his tongue, annoyed that Sara was supposed to hold back her power. Unfortunately, the unexpected happened.

Sara swung her blade at one of Abuz's horns. The horn did broke in half, but at the same time, it broke Sara's blade!

Sara was shocked to see that her weapon broke in half. With a fractured blade, she couldn't do much to help. She landed next to Cloud as she looked at her broken sword. But she had to think of what to do next.

"Cloud, I'll support you guys from the side with magic." She told him.

"All right, we're counting on you." Cloud nodded and rushed into battle.

Abzu started to run around in a frenzy. At the same time, slashing at the group with its massive claws and swinging its tail along with making a lot of growls and screeches that were commands for the little minions. Abzu was a formidable opponent to fight, though what help out with the group was Sara's powerful magic spells. Whenever she saw one of her friends taking heavy damage, she would use a powerful healing spell, and when a minion tried to attack her. She would attack back with a lightning spell or fire spell.

The battle was a long one, but they defeated Abzu and his minions.

After seeing Abzu dead on the ground, Sara rushed over to the door where Corneo exited. When she got there, she only found Leslie lying on the ground.

"Leslie! Are you okay?" She asked while shaking him, worried that Corneo might've killed him.

But to her relief, Leslie let out a groan, and his yellow eyes opened.

"Where's Corneo?" Leslie immediately sat up.

"Sorry, the bastard got away," Barret replied.

Tifa noticed a familiar necklace and picked it up. Sara helped Leslie get up from the ground. However, she could tell that Leslie was not happy to hear the news.

"It's fine," Leslie grumbled, "I'll track him down eventually, not like I have anything better to do."

"You know, I wouldn't be so sure about that," Tifa spoke with a smile.

Leslie looked at her, confused by what she meant. Tifa walked over to him and gave him back his fiancee's necklace.

Tifa let out a sigh before saying, "She could still be out there."

Barret nodded and added, "Can never be sure how much someone means to ya till they're gone. Don't give up on her yet."

"Right," Sara nodded, "Never give up on the ones that mean the most to you."

Leslie looked at the pendant and wondered, "Was it a message? What was she trying to tell me?"

Cloud didn't know how to answer that. After all, how could anyone know what was going through Leslie's fiancee's mind when she gave Leslie the necklace.

"We'll meet again."

Leslie and Cloud looked at Tifa, who was smiling as she looked at the pendant and said, "It's a symbol of reunion."

Leslie looked at the pendant, he remembered how his lover looked at him with sad eyes, but there was also a resolute in her expression. After hearing some words of encouragement, Leslie put the necklace back into his pocket before letting out a sigh of relief.

"Then I guess I've got no choice but to find her first," Leslie looks at the group with a smile, "Thanks."

"Hold up; I think ya might be forgetting something." Barret reminded Leslie, who smiled in return.

"I haven't," Leslie replied, but he notices Sara's broken weapon. Sara was still holding her broken sword. He goes over to a bunch of crates and searches through them.

"Sara, I might have something for you as a weapon replacement."

Leslie pulled out a long wooden box from a wooden crate. He sits the box on a table nearby and opens it. Sara walks over curiously, and her eyes slightly widen at what was inside. Inside the case was a katana with a black sheath, a gold guard, and a black hilt. Sara grabbed the weapon and unsheathed it. The blade was slightly curved, but the weight of the sword was somewhat heavy.

Barret whistled at seeing the weapon, "Now that is a fine weapon."

"Where did you get this?" Sara asked.

"Corneo bought it off from somewhere at a black market auction," Leslie explained, "The dude that sold it to him said that this blade is supposed to be the twin blade of a famous sword. Which famous sword? Corneo didn't know, he asked the man, but the only response was, "The sword's name is Muramasa, and its twin brother had shed more blood than this one." However, the sword is made out of the finest steel in the world so that it won't break or rust easily."

Sara stared at the blade; her eyes were filled with mixed emotion that was hard to decipher. Cloud could tell that Sara seemed slightly troubled, but she let out a sigh, and a small smile formed on her face. That expression made Cloud confused. Was she happy to receive this sword?

Sara turned to Leslie and said, "Thank you."

Leslie nodded, "Don't mention it."

He walked over to a large sack nearby and grabbed it, "Let's get out of here, and then I'll give you what you need."

The five of them climbed up the ladder that was in the room. Then went through a tunnel that leads out to the open air.

Barret took a deep breath and said, "Ahh! Taste that sweet Midgar smog!"

Tifa and Sara chuckled at Barret's reaction. It felt good to be out of the sewers.

"This way!"

Leslie opened a gate nearby, and the others followed. They saw him going through the bag he brought and pulled out a gun-like tool.

"Grappling guns," Leslie smiled, "You can practically fly with the souped-up motors on these babies." He paused and looked at a giant wall nearby, "Sector 7 is on the other side of that wall. The guns'll get you over and past it, along with any number of other obstacles. But they're one-way tickets. So once you startup, there's no coming back. You should probably get your affairs in order, just in case."

"Thank you," Tifa smiled.

"Didn't tell you before, but we're looking for someone too," Barret said.

"That right?" Leslie wondered, then he pulls the necklace out of his pocket. He looks at it and clasps it in his hand, and says, "Hope you find 'em."

"You too," Cloud said.

"Thanks again for the weapon," Sara smiled.

Leslie smiled back and brought his fist out to Sara. She was surprised that he was asking for a fist bump. She bumped her fist with his as she smiled. After Leslie gave the group the grappling guns, he took the sack he brought and left. On his way to find his lover.

"Let's go," Barret said as he walked on over to the wall Leslie mentioned.

They walked over to the wall as everyone was filled with anticipation.

"Ready to do this?" Barret asked, "Once we start up that wall, we won't be coming back here anytime soon."

"I was born ready," Sara stated.

Barret chuckled, Tifa nodded in agreement, and Cloud continued to walk over to the wall. They stopped in front of it as they looked up.

"So when this is over, you gonna go on being a merc?" Barret asked Cloud.

"That's the plan," Cloud replied.

Barret smirked, "Reckon it suits you."

"Yeah, it does." Tifa agreed.

"Better than going as a monster hunter like me," Sara giggled.

"Used to think you were a little shit with a big attitude and a bigger inferiority complex," Barret said, "Quite possibly the worst person I have ever met. But that was before I figured you out. All this? It ain't you."

"Deep down, you're a pretty nice guy," Tifa stated, "Didn't see it when we were kids, but..."

Cloud interrupted her, "Don't know about any of that, but kindness is no use on the battlefield. If anything, it's a liability."

"Even a SOLDIER has to show a soft spot now and then," Sara added, "There's a time when you show that side and a time when you have to remain hard as stone."

"Yeah," Barret nodded, "No one's asking you to treat Shinra with kid gloves."

Tifa cracked a few knuckles as she looks up and says, "Aerith's up there waiting for us."

Barret smirked, "Then we better get a move on, huh?"

Cloud grabbed his grappling gun, "Ready?"

Everyone nodded, and they shoot their grappling guns up to the wall and lift off, leaving the slums. Once they made it to the top, they could see that the damage of the topside of Sector 7 was beyond words. Buildings were fallen, the roads were in shambles, and there were still survivors roaming around.

"Two goals!" Barret exclaims, "Goal one! Kick some Shinra ass and save the planet! Goal two! Save the girl while kicking more Shinra ass and get out!"

"Copy," Cloud replied, while the girls nodded in agreement.

They started walking on what was a paved road. Yet, with all the wreckage lying around, it seemed that the area didn't seem all that safe.

Barret said, "Gotta be careful, no tellin' what's gonna collapse or when."

A steel beam collapsed on top of the building, causing it to crumble as if on cue. Everyone ran away from the scene to safety.

"See what I mean?" Barret stated while looking at the wreckage.

As they walked further and further into danger, many of the survivors stood around with uncertainty while others cried for their losses. The group didn't bother to help the survivors, for they knew help would come. They saw a member of the neighborhood watch standing near a broken pipe. The member saw them and stood in front of them.

"Hey, you guys might wanna turn around." Said the watchman.

"A friend of ours needs help," Tifa insisted.

The watchman shook his head, "It's too dangerous."

"For you, maybe," Cloud retorted.

The watchman sighs exasperated, and said, "Just try to be careful."

The watchman lets them pass, and the group continued on their journey. They found a ladder by a steel pillar and climb up it. Once they reach the top, they came across some monsters. But, nothing stopped them as they kept on climbing up the ladders to where ever it leads.

When they climbed the ladder that reached the top of the steel pillar, they looked around to find something to help them get the topside. They found a part of the collapsed plate that was leaning against the edge of another platform.

"So that's where we have to climb?" Tifa asked.

"If it comes apart while we're up there...ahhhh, splat!" Barret half-joked.

Cloud rolled his eyes, "We've made it through worse, you know."

"No need to get cold feet now," Sara added.

"Yeah, no kidding," Barret agreed, "It's a miracle we haven't been killed a dozen times over by now."

As they continued walking on a broken pathway, they came across a dead end.

"It's a dead-end, "Barret said.

"Maybe not, look." Sara pointed at some rope that was dangling down from the edge of the remains trainway's tunnel.

"I bet that rope may have been used by the search and rescue," Sara said, "Which means we might be able to get up there using the grappling guns."

"Good thinking!" Tifa rejoiced, "Try to aim for that part of the rope that's hanging there. Just remember, we can't come back down."

"Don't screw up and fall," Barret added, "By the way, how well you do with this grappling gun will tell us a whole lot about you."

Sara rolled her eyes and used her grappling gun. Aiming at the edge of the rope, she was up at the top in no time.

Barret's jaw dropped, "Damn! You make it look too easy."

Sara giggled, "Then it should be easy for you three."

Sure enough, it was easy for the others.

"Too easy," Barret grumbles, "This keeps up; I'm gonna get bored."

"Hold it."

Cloud stops his tracks as he takes cover. The others rush over as they look out at where the collapsed plate is. There they found a group of Shinra infantrymen along with a giant robot.

"Kill-team," Cloud said as his eyes narrow.

Sara clicked her tongue, "Here to eliminate any shreds of evidence and intruders."

Barret humphed, "We can take 'em."

Sara shook her head, "We need to stay on mission, Barret, and let's hope that we don't run into that giant mecha."

The giant mecha, along with a group of footmen, left the scene and went somewhere else.

Barret sighed and said, "I know, saving Aerith is our top priority."

They continued going through the remains of the tunnel. They found a group of soldiers inside a part of a tunnel.

"Why don't we use our grappling guns to get up there? Jump over all this shit." Barret suggested while pointing at the edge of the tunnel above them that was opened.

"Not much choice," Cloud agreed.

They used their grappling guns to reach the top of the tunnel. However, when they started walking on top of the tunnel, the concrete beneath them collapsed. They went right back into the tunnel, surprising the soldiers.

"What the-"

"It's them! Avalanche!"

"2-3, this is 1-4 we have contact!"

Barret scoffed, "I guess everybody and their mother knows we're here now."

In no time, the group defeated the soldiers along with a few guard dogs.

"They'll be coming for us now," Tifa spoke with a worried tone.

"Well, to hell with subtle!" Barret exclaimed with a grin.

"As long as we keep moving, we'll be fine," Sara assured Tifa.

"Just thinkin' about bustin' into Shinra HQ's got me fired up!" Barret smirked as he thought of all the ideas he came up with when they reach their destination.

"Save some for later," Cloud told him.

"No need, son. I've got more than enough to keep me goin' for days."

Sara chuckled, "You're not the only one who's fired up."

Barret recalled the first day he made Sara a member of Avalanche, "That's right, you also wanted to go bustin Shinra HQ's for something..uhh..."

"I was looking for information on certain people who were like my closest friends," Sara explained.

"So you've been waiting for this moment, huh?" Barret asked.

"More than you can imagine," Sara answered.

They reached the collapsed plate and started climbing up. The higher they went, the more dangerous the collapsed plate is, for even cement could crumble any moment if one was not careful. Finally, they reached the plate's mid-level, but they were stopped when the giant mecha appeared and started shooting at them.

"Hide!" Cloud shouted.

They took cover by using large storage containers. The mecha kept shooting bullets at them; it was like a never-ending hailstorm.

"That son of a bitch is back!? I thought we lost him!" Barret exclaimed.

"There's only one way to go! Keep going when that mecha loads up another round of bullets!" Sara suggested.

"We were heading there anyway," Cloud said.

And so they carefully made their way down the row of storage carts, avoiding getting it by the storm of bullets. They finally reached for cover, making the mecha move on but continued to search for them. Suddenly Tifa stopped and looked at the view from where they stood.

"Cloud..."

Hearing Tifa calling him, Cloud stopped and turned to her only to be stunned by the view.

The sunset is shining over the collapsed plate of Sector 7. Though the view seemed breathtaking, it was a painful reminder of the horrors they went through that day. Seeing all the buildings that crumbled with the plate, the group took it all in.

"I guess...we'll build another bar," Barret spoke.

"Yeah, we will," Tifa nodded; she turned to Cloud, "You'll help too, won't you?"

Cloud turned around and said, "For a price."

Tifa and Barret chuckled since that was Cloud's way of agreeing.

They continued to use their grappling guns and reached the top. But when they got there, a rain of bullets shot below their feet.

"Run!" Sara shouted as they ran up the steel bridge.

They started running as fast as they could with the mecha shooting at them. However, they manage to dodge the bullets barely. When they reached a dead-end, Cloud spots an area of the collapsed plate to use his grappling gun. But the mecha blocked his way.

Seeing that there was no way to escape, Barret declared, "Was gettin' tired of playing tag anyway!"

"C'mon!" Cloud exclaimed as he drew his sword.

The mecha was undoubtedly a tricky opponent, with its guns constantly shooting at the group. It was hard enough for Sara to deal damage without using her full power. Finally, she had enough of using a handicap and decided to go all out.

"I'm getting tired of holding back!" Sara shouted.

She raised her sword, which seemed to glow red as if it was ready to unleash full power. In a split second, she was under the mecha and made an undercut move, causing it to override its system and fall.

Seeing their opponent on the ground, Barret rejoiced, "We win again. Not that there was ever any doubt!"

Suddenly the mecha begins to make a strange noise. Everyone looks at it cautiously.

"Now what?" Barret wondered.

But when Cloud noticed a red light blinking on the mecha. His heart dropped, "Shit! Run!"

The mecha exploded, causing the plate they were on to collapse.

Sara quickly used her grappling gun and aimed at the next level. Tifa rolled down to her death, but Cloud jumped to her, grabbed her, and used his grappling gun to reach the next level. Barret also uses his grappling gun on the collapsed area, but the rope snaps, and Barret falls.

"Tifa!" Cloud warns her; Tifa immediately grabs her grappling gun and points it at Barret.

"Barret!" Tifa shouts to him.

Barret grabs the rope.

Everyone barely reaches the top, but they couldn't help but feel the adrenaline rush that happened moments ago.

"There's such a thing as too much excitement," Barret comments.

"Yeah," Tifa agrees, "And there's still more to come."

"Guess so," Barret nodded.

"Hope everybody's warmed up," Cloud spoke.

"I'm warmed up enough," Sara smirked, "Because it's time I finally get the answers I've been looking for, I'm more than ready."

After a moment of calming their adrenaline rush, Cloud, Sara, Tifa, and Barret began to walk forward. They were heading for the belly of the beast or Shinra's Headquarters.