The Shade Behind the Shadows

From the dark starry night sky flickers like jewels looking down on a city, lights easily see the city teeming with people living their lives.

But then a train horn was heard, and it began Going past the sector, and people not paying attention to it.

It then stopped at what seemed like a base/ power plant.

A shadowy figure peeks out and looks around to look for anything but it is clear and the figure nodes behind him as other shadow figures run along the stations but the one shadow stays behind and looks back.

" Hey Cloud we need to get going hurry up"

The shadow figure quietly called out.

Then someone jumps high up into the air jumping over the train itself and does a front flip gracefully landing it.

"Psh show off"

Said the figure crossing his arms as he began to walk off.

"At least I know how to make an entrance better than you Storm" Cloud retorted With a ghost of a smirk his brother's response was him flipping him off not looking back.

He couldn't help but smirk at his younger brother's reaction and followed behind him.

" hey hurry the hell up you Two"

Commanded out a powerful voice.

But then two infantrymen came out of nowhere aiming at the two.

"don't move! Or we will use force" one of the infantrymen ordered out at the two trespassers.

The two brothers trade glances, with a whole silent conversation between them, and Storm could only nod his head and then reach into his black jacket with green outlines and the hoodie over his head covering his eyes from the enemies.

"we said don't move dammit!"

Roared out the other infantrymen, aiming his gun at Storm he then slowly took out something that caught them off guard.

It was a materia but not just any materia it was an odd-looking materia as it convulsed changing its color as if alive.

and they were surprised when the guy threw it at them as they both instinctively went for it but then they were both cut on the chest they didn't notice until it was too late.

Cloud then outstretched his hand and caught the Mako without looking at the slain men.

But Cloud looks at the Mako with a hint of curiosity.

"You know I'm surprised That worked"

Storm confessed as Cloud tossed Him back the odd Mako without saying a word walking ahead, catching up to the others Storm put the mako away in his jacket and followed suit.

they made their way through the building but two more Shinra infantrymen blocked their way without wasting any time Storm took out twin pistols and shot the two infantrymen in their right thigh making them fall on their knees Storm then got behind them and knocked them out.

"Let's keep moving, we need to catch up to the others"

He said putting away his pistols and running where the others left off to as then more steps from the stairs were heard coming downstairs with the others hiding off to the side behind stacked wooden crates.

"put down the weapons!"

Again yelled out an infantryman as they pointed their guns at the two mercenaries.

Unbeknownst to them behind them the group passed by quietly as and in a hushed tone cheered for the two.

"good luck"

"you got this"

"Yeah what they said"

Said Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge (in that exact order)

As then the four quickly and as quietly as possible went up the stairs.

At the same time, the two infantrymen noticed that two people were lying on the ground unmoving.

"You bastards!"

One of the Infantrymen roars out in rage as he shoots at them.

Cloud quickly reacted by standing in front of Storm and using the buster sword as a way to shield both of them from the reign of fire.

Storm behind him he once again took out the twin pistols but then hit them together with a small green light emanating From the two guns.

This caused the two infantrymen to look in shock as they saw the hooded boy step to the side and take aim at them but not with twin pistols.

The light then stops and instead of the twin pistols, it was a submachine gun that was revealed and aimed toward them.

The small window of shock was then taken advantage of by Cloud, he ran at one of the infantrymen and was easily cut up and the second was shot down.

the two without wasting time went up the stairway they saw some potions that had been laid on a bench as they graciously accepted the gifts that they were given.

When they caught up to the group, they looked back and saw the two Mercenaries.

"So what's the deal with those two are they one us now?"

Asked the girl but quickly put her attention back to the electric lock.

"They got balls both… uhm what was their name again?"

She asked once again one of her friends for the names of the mercs.

"Cloud and Storm Strife, also known as the Strife blondie is a FIRST class SOLDIER and an infantryman. with supposed unmatched marksmanship and rumors say that he's also an incredible inventor"

Biggs spoke, off the top of his head, remembering reading their files and with some extra research.

"Is that so?"

This piqued Jessie's curiosity as she turned to the two Mercs, the spiky blonde and his brother with the hoodie covering his face only the bottom half of his face seen.

It felt like an aura of mystery surrounded the two strife brothers but Biggs continued To speak.

" But those are just rumors and just like rumors there isn't a concrete source so I don't believe that part about the guy being a genius investor. The two also aren't part of Shinra anymore but still, they are professionals. Unlike us, they have experience within The field, and I'm glad we have them on our side."

Biggs expressed his gratitude for having the two mercs beside them, and Wedge gives them a thumbs up as he is happy to Have them on board.

But Cloud Ignores them, Strom glances at him and elbows his stomach causing his brother to lightly wince.

"This is a one-time gig when this is done we're done"

He said, crossing his arms.

This caused Wedge to look saddened by the mercs' cold words and back down, Storm, could only sigh tiredly at his brother's crude and cold response.

An awkward silence was left between them.

Storm not liking the awkward air that his brother made, went to go see what he could do to help with the two working On the door.

" Do you need any assistance?"

Storm politely asked the two they Turned to him and then back at each other.

"Nah we're good, thanks though."

Briggs answered, Jessie, nodding, with Storm nodding in understanding and just decided to lean on the railing crossing his arms but his right arm reached into his Jacket and took out the mako orb from before and just threw it up and caught it also doing some tricks to try to distract himself but his mind can't help but go back to when they got here.

-Flashback-

A man lay in the ground his breathing slow and labored looking up into the sky that were covered by the clouds raining and seemed that a storm from the distance too, the man could only put up a mirthful smile.

"You two are my living legacy you hold up my hopes my dreams my honor now their your's and remember to protect your dreams with your soul like a SOLDIER"

He said raising his hand and then putting something into his hands.

-Flashback end-

He caught the Mako and stopped as he again reached into his jacket and took out one of the two pistols but looking closely at the paint design called more to his attention, black wings aesthetics at the back with the hammer and at the front of the gun the art it was the like of head of a hawk.

But then the sound of the gate opening caught him from his musing and put away his items back in his jacket walking towards the gate as a big man with a machine gun for an arm walks past him with his brother standing by his side.

The man glances back at them.

"You two better be worth every last drop of gill you hear"

The two only nodded in confirmation, a hum leaving Barrett's lips, and then walked ahead.

They then followed them down the stairs as the others tried to hide behind the wall because there was a shinra security officer accompanied with a guard dog but as they stepped down the Guard dog caught a whiff of scent that was not normal, it turned to see the two as it smelled a strong stench of blood and mako from the blonde the same is said for the hooded man but also… something else.