A/N: I didn't flesh out the fight with Roche because I kinda want to push further into the story. Hope you all enjoy this next chapter! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
••••••••••••••••••••

After a while, they saw the flare. It was time for their distraction to begin. Wedge and Biggs climbed up while Cloud and Lailah walked through the front gate. Stepping through the gate, they entered the warehouse grounds and were spotted by the security officers sweeping the area.

"Hey! Over there!" A security officer shouted.

"T-Targets sighted!" A second one hollered as he and his comrades closed in on them.

"Light them up!" A third officer yelled as he aimed his gun and fired.

Cloud used his sword as a shield to protect himself from the gunfire.

Lailah charged forward with her chakrams. Protecting herself with a barrier of light, she closed in on the officers. She drew their attention away from Cloud and sliced through their firearms. She unleashed a powerful fire spell that knocked the enemies back.

Cloud soon joined her. He stood by her side, holding his sword. "Give up?"

One security officer was frightened, but he didn't back down. "K-Kill the bastards!"

"Don't hold back," Cloud told his friend.

Lailah infused her chakrams with lightning, the marks on her face turning yellow. She unleashed her power and took down enemies left and right. Spinning on her heels, she prepared to attack the officer charging toward her with his gun raised, but he was shot down from above. Looking up, she saw Biggs.

"They're up there too!" An officer hollered, spotting the man above.

"We've spotted more intruders. Send backup," another informed his comrades.

Lailah targeted the security officers who attempted to target Biggs. Switching to fire, she tossed her chakrams and took out the enemies. Her attention was drawn to the platform above as two sentry launchers were deployed. Rolling her eyes, she placed a barrier around her and Cloud as they simultaneously fired missiles at them.

Just then, an elite security officer and riot trooper ran up to the pair. "Give it up!"

Cloud gripped his sword with both hands. "I'll handle the one on the right."

Lailah focused her attention on the riot trooper. She wondered if he was going to make a move, but all he was doing was circling her while holding his riot shield. Tired of him doing nothing, she tossed her chakrams. The circular disks flew through the air and sliced the assailant's back. He stumbled from the pain and cried out, his riot shield falling to the ground. Finishing him off with an ice spell, she caught her chakrams.

Looking over at Cloud, she saw him wipe out the elite security officer. Then, she heard an explosion. Glancing in the direction it came from, she saw Biggs had detached one of the sentry launchers and shoved it off the edge. It exploded the moment it hit the ground. Smiling, she looked up at him and gave him a thumbs up.

Biggs sent a thumbs up her way too before focusing on the second sentry launcher.

Suddenly, a door flew open. A shock trooper and an elite grenadier ran out and targeted then. "Don't let them escape!" The elite shock trooper shouted as he charged at Lailah.

Without using her chakrams, she raised her palm and silenced the shock trooper with a single bolt of lightning. The single spell was enough to annihilate the man. At the same time, Cloud used his materia to wipe out the grenadier.

Biggs destroyed the second sentry launcher.

Standing side by side, Cloud and Lailah heard a creaking noise. Not too far away from where they stood, a small gate opened and numerous guard dogs ran out. They dodged one of the dogs that lunged at them. It only took a few seconds for them to be surrounded by the canines.

Lailah glanced around at the dogs. She could take control of them, but it would be difficult with multiple targets. It would take too long to speak to all of them. As she prepared to kill the animals, she heard a whistle. Looking over her shoulder, she spotted Wedge standing on top of a vehicle.

He had blown a whistle, successful grabbing the attention of some of the guard dogs. "Don't worry—I've got this!" He hopped off the truck and started to run as fast as he could. He screamed as some of the canines took chase. "Catch me if you caaan!" One dog lunged at him and managed to bite him on his backside, but that didn't stop him. He kept running around, occasionally shooting at the animals.

Seeing Cloud could handle the few guard dogs that stood in front of them, Lailah targeted the canines pursuing Wedge. She threw her chakrams and killed two of the dogs.

"Don't eat me! Please don't eat me!" Wedge pleaded as the last remaining canine was hot on his heels.

Without breaking a sweat, she manipulated one of her chakrams mid-air. The curved blade soared through the air toward the canine. With a single cut and a blast of flames, it was dead. Catching her weapons, she took a step back when Wedge fell onto the ground in front of her and Cloud. He was clearly exhausted from all the running.

"Think I ran off the pizza..." Wedge huffed out between breaths.

Biggs laughed from the platform above. "Helluva show, man! If only the ladies loved you that much!"

Wedge looked up at his friend. "I'm glad someone's enjoying themselves..."

Cloud, having withdrawn his sword after the fight with the guard dogs, thought the coast was clear until an alarm echoed around them. The heavy metals doors slowly raised to reveal sweepers.

"Of course they store mechs here..." Biggs grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.

Cloud looked up at him. "You ready?"

"Hell yeah!" He shouted back.

Wedge grinned. "More than you know!" He revealed what he had hidden in his pockets. It was mines. "Look what I found. Let's give these jerks a taste of their own medicine!"

Cloud, Lailah, and Wedge teamed up to take down the two sweepers. Wedge strategically placed the mines down and Cloud and Lailah lured the large machines towards them. In no time, the two machines were destroyed.

Wedge cheered after seeing the enemies were defeated. "Now that's what I call teamwork!"

Cloud returned his sword to his back. Lailah disabled her chakrams. Biggs gave them all a thumbs up for their success.

However, their joyful moment was interrupted when more security officers poured from the warehouse. An entire squad of officers surrounded them.

"Stay where you are!" One growled at them.

"Well, shit," Biggs cursed at seeing how many officers there were.

The security officers aimed their firearms at Wedge, Cloud, and Lailah. "All right, assholes! Show me your hands!"

While trying to figure out a plan of action, the low humming of an engine not only caught their attention but the officers as well. They looked around just as Roche appeared on his motorcycle. He laughed maniacally as he knocked over the men surrounding the three. He came to a stop at the same time as Biggs regrouped with them.

"Well, aren't we having a wonderful time kicking the hornet's nest!" Roche cackled before dismounting the vehicle and drawing his blade. "You know what I want. A second dance—just the two of us and that magnificent beast in your company. Where is it?"

Lailah was about to step forward, but Cloud stopped her by holding his arm out in front of her. "Gone," he said.

Roche didn't seem convinced yet he didn't linger on the subject. He was still excited about the fight regardless. Dragging the tip of his blade against the ground, he slowly stalked towards Cloud. "You turned the key... The engine roars with excitement..." Raising his sword, he aimed the sharp tip at the ex-SOLDIER. "It hungers to be set free!"

Cloud was aware of just how dangerous this man was. He would face him alone. He drew his sword. "Fall back."

Lailah, Wedge, and Biggs were shocked. The girl didn't move until Biggs grabbed her arm and pulled her away from her childhood friend. She trusted in Cloud's strength, but she still worried about his safety.

Standing on the sideline, Lailah watched as the battle between Cloud and Roche begin. She watched the two exchange blow after blow, dodge and block each other's attacks, and receive punishing blows. She felt her hands twitch every time her friend was struck by the formidable enemy. She was tempted to heal him whenever he was hit.

Eventually, Cloud was able to defeat Roche. As he withdrew his blade, he asked, "Satisfied?"

Roche sheathed his sword while laughing. He slowly walked over to his motorcycle. "With such fleeting pleasure? Hardly. There are higher heights to which you and I can still soar..."

The sound of a siren blared. More sweepers emerged from the warehouse and targeted the group. Between the machines and officers, there were too many to fight. Biggs, Wedge, and Cloud drew their weapons before being blinded by a spotlight on one of the sweepers.

"Okay, boys! Give 'em everything you've got! But kill the girl and swordsman first!" An officer shouted.

The seemingly calm Lailah patted Cloud on the back as she walked past him. She cast a reassuring smile over her shoulder at him before focusing her gaze on the overwhelming amount of enemies surrounding them. Inhaling deeply, she transformed. Her body was larger than normal in her wolf form, roughly the same size as a sweeper. Her white fur and red markings turned black as the flames from the disk changed to sable. The pupils of her eyes vanished as they were consumed by the gold, radiating brightly.

Cloud, Wedge, and Biggs took a few steps back at seeing the large beast, their wide eyes focused on her.

The security officers backed away as the large creature gazed menacingly at them. "K-Kill it!" One hollered.

As one of the sweepers charged forward, black tendrils emerged from the ground and wrapped around its body. They tightened and crumpled the machine with ease.

Roche laughed excitedly to see the canine. "Magnificent! Such power!" He mounted his motorcycle, his laugh echoing around them as he sped around. He rammed into the remaining sweepers, knocking them back. He then sped past the wolf and between Wedge, Biggs, and Cloud. "We really must do this again. Until then...try not to die. I'll see you on the road, my friend." As insane and quick as he arrived, Roche left.

Biggs, Cloud, and Wedge aided in fighting. They focused on one of the sweepers while Lailah dealt with the other one. With their combined efforts, they were able to defeat all the machines.

Lailah, believing they had destroyed all the sweepers, reverted to being human. She felt a sense of relief but it vanished when more sweepers appeared. She regretted changing back too soon.

A red sweeper aimed cannons at Cloud. He was prepared for missiles, not chains. However, Wedge jumped in front of him. The chains wrap around his body, pinning his arms to his sides.

Cloud was shocked at what he did. "Wedge!"

"Run! Run while you can!" Wedge shouted.

Lailah was about to target the sweeper incapacitating Wedge, but another machine blocked her. She prepared her chakrams for battle. Alas, she was stunned when gunfire rained down on the sweeper. The barrage of bullets not only destroyed the sweeper but also decimated the other one that was restraining Wedge.

Alarmed, she turned around to see a group of unfamiliar men infiltrate the warehouse grounds. She was about to attack them when one ran past her shouting, "Friendly! Friendly! Stand down!"

Spinning on her heels, she saw the mysterious group take down the red sweeper. Wedge was freed from the chains and collapsed to the ground. She wanted to check on him, but the group of strangers helped him. She took a few steps back when she saw how well they were handling the threat without their help. She didn't turn to leave until Biggs shouted her name. She followed him and Cloud away from the warehouse and out the gate.

"Wedge'll be fine," Biggs reassured them. "But you two won't be if they start asking questions."

"And who are "they"?" Cloud inquired.

"First guests to the party. Another Avalanche cell. Our holier-than-thou friends from the old guard... It's always their way or the highway. Lately they've been a real pain in the ass... Till now."

Cloud stood up as the gate began closing. "So then why are they here?"

"Beats me. We've been on the outs ever since our cell got labeled too extreme... though they're the ones running around with mil-spec gear. Word is they've cut a deal with Wutai... Promised 'em all the materia in Midgar, apparently." Biggs looked over at the blonde. "Think there's any truth to that?"

"You tell me."

"Sometimes I think we're the only ones who've realized the war is over."

Lailah watched the other members of Avalanche battle until the gate was sealed. She could still hear the fighting going on. Her attention was drawn to the sky when something bright exploded. It was a flare.

"Okay—mission complete. Let's make our way back to the lot," Biggs said.

"Right," Cloud replied. "Let's go, Lailah."

The snowy-haired girl followed Biggs and Wedge into an alleyway near the security checkpoint. Vehicles and officers blocked the entrance, meaning they would need to find an alternate route to escape. Fortunately, the alley was perfect.

"So, are we not gonna wait for Wedge?" Cloud asked as Biggs climbed on top of the dumpster.

"If we stuck around or went back, he'd only get upset," Biggs responded.

"Why's that?"

"Guess a SOLDIER wouldn't understand... I'll tell him you were worried about him, though. Who knows—might just make his day." He climbed over the wall.

Cloud was next. He climbed onto the dumpster and held out his hand for Lailah. He helped her up onto the dumpster before climbing over the wall with her. They followed Biggs a little ways down the street until they arrived at the entrance of a small alcove filled with crates.

From behind one of the stacks, Jessie emerged. "You made it! Over here!"

Just then, the sound of vehicles approaching caught their attention. The group dove behind the boxes to conceal themselves from the passing vehicles.

"Could you have been any louder?" Jessie asked. "I mean, it made my job a lot easier, but— Wait, where's Wedge?"

With perfect timing, Wedge appeared and tumbled onto the ground. "Wedge?!" Jessie shrieked.

Before she could run to him, she was stopped by Lailah. The snowy-haired girl grabbed her arm just in time to stop her from being spotted by more incoming vehicles. "That was close..." She sighed in relief as Lailah's hand fell from her arm.

"We'll go get him," Cloud said.

He and Biggs emerged from cover and made their way over to Wedge.

"Hey, buddy. How you doing?" Biggs asked as he and Cloud helped him up off the ground. "C'mon..." He grunted.

They were able to support Wedge long enough for them to return to cover.

"Not my finest hour..." Wedge grunted out. He fell on the ground when Cloud and Biggs released him.

"You get hit?" Biggs asked.

"Just winged, I think..." He tried to sit on his rear end, but fell over and shouted in pain. "Or shot!"

"Really? Let me see..." Biggs yanked down Wedge's pants to see the extent of his wound.

Jessie also took a peek. "Are we seriously doing this here? That's...wow."

Wedge smacked his hand repeatedly against the ground. "You guys are the worst..."

"Your ass is fine. Maybe singed, but the only casualty is your underwear. This is like a bruise or a mild burn at worst!" She gave his singed cheek a firm slap, eliciting a mix of a gasp and grunt from him.

Curious, Lailah wanted to see the injury. She wondered if she could heal it to provide him some comfort. She didn't even get a glimpse when Wedge knew what she was trying to do.

"D-Don't look!" Wedge's face turned red as he quickly pulled up his pants.

The snowy-haired girl patted him on the shoulder when he got to his feet. She provided him with some healing.

"Oh, wow," Wedge sighed in relief. "I feel so much better!"

She smiled sweetly at him, causing his blush to deepen.

Cloud found himself smiling as he watched Lailah interact with Wedge.

Jessie caught a glimpse of his rare smile and grinned. "Is that a smile I spy?"

The ex-SOLDIER promptly dismissed his smile and changed the subject. "It's not safe here. We should go."

Biggs, Jessie, and Wedge gave him thumbs up. "Copy that!"

Leaving the area, they walked down the street. They squeezed between the fence and some vehicles to avoid being seen. Once far enough away from the commotion, they acted like normal bystanders to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Acting as their guide, Jessie led them to the entrance of the Plate Partition and opened the door. "Right, this is it! Through here and we're home free."

"Where exactly are we going?" Wedge inquired, walking through the door behind Cloud and Lailah.

"When we get there, you'll know! Now that I've got my blasting agent, we should have everything we need for our next mission!"

"Sure hope so," Biggs commented as he and the others followed Jessie down the pathway.

Cloud joined the conversation. "Yeah...m-me too. For your dad's sake."

Lailah's eyes widen at his slip-up. She glanced over her shoulder at him and saw he too realized his mistake.

"Hey! What the hell, man?!" Biggs hollered just above a whisper so Jessie wouldn't hear.

Unfortunately, Jessie had heard them. "Huh?"

Wedge was the first to try and cover it up. "Uh—Cloud was just saying how he hopes to come back and try the Midgar Special with Lailah next time!"

Jessie didn't seem to buy it. "Really, huh? Cloud said that?"

Biggs nodded with a nervous smile. "Sure did! Wants a whole pie to share with Lailah, isn't that right?"

Cloud joined in on the lie. "That's...that's right..."

Luckily, Jessie had gobbled up the lie. "Really...? Well, okay then! Maybe I'll lend Mom a hand next time too!"

"That'd be awesome!" Wedge cheered.

"Super-duper awesome!" Biggs chanted.

Lailah sighed in relief to hear the boys were able to cover up the slip-up.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the Plate Edge of Sector 7.

Along the catwalk, Jessie looked around at the various boxes. "Should be somewhere around here..." She opened one and smiled. "Bingo! I half figured my dad got it wrong, but nope! They're here just like he said!"

Biggs peered into the box. "Parachutes?"

Wedge was stunned. "Huh? Whaddya mean "half figured"?!"

Jessie spun to face him with her hands on her hips. "Fifty-fifty is pretty good odds, if you ask me! This is gonna be fun!"

"But we're a parachute short!" Wedge shouted before she ran off.

Her eyes widen at the realization. "Oh..."

Lailah decided to pull out her notebook and quell their concern.

'Two parachutes will be enough. I can get down on my own.'

Cloud was curious at what she meant. "More secrets hidden up your sleeve, huh?"

She nodded with a smile and put her notebook away. She waited for the others to put on the parachutes. Once they were ready, they climbed over the railing and stood on the pipe. Biggs and Jessie were using one parachute while Cloud and Wedge would be using the second one. The snowy-haired girl sat on the railing between them, staring down at the slums below. She looked up at Jessie when she expressed her appreciation.

"Thanks guys. I really appreciate you coming all this way with me. And like I said before, I'd be grateful if you kept this between us until after the mission. I don't wanna...complicate things," she said.

"Sure." Bigga threw his arms into the air. "Okay, who's ready to fly?!"

"Me! Me!" Jessie chanted.

Biggs looked over at the ex-SOLDIER. "Hey Cloud—you let him down gently, all right?"

"Yep," Cloud replied before briefly checking the restraints a second time.

"And you," Biggs said, eyeing the mute girl. "I'm looking forward to that next trick of yours."

Lailah smiled in merriment before looking back down.

Just as Biggs wrapped his arms around Jessie's waist, she shouted, "Wait, I almost forgot! One more thing!" She scrambled towards Cloud, startling Biggs.

He tried to keep his balance. "S-stop it! What in the hell are you trying to—" He yanked her back a little to prevent them from going over the edge.

"Easy!" Jessie looked over her shoulder at him. "You'll make us fall!"

"Not if you do first!"

Dismissing Biggs, she leaned in and whispered to the blonde. "Swing by my place after—so I can "pay you in full." Make sure Lailah's with you too." With a smile, she jumped off without warning.

"Huh?! Now?!" Biggs screamed as he and Jessie fell.

Lailah heard the girl giggle as she fell and couldn't help but grin. Her gaze drifted over to Wedge and Cloud.

"Wait! Gimme a minute!" Wedge shouted as he felt Cloud preparing to jump.

"No," Cloud quipped.

"Why do you have to be such a hard-ass, bro?"

"I ain't your bro." Before jumping, Cloud met Lailah's gaze. "I'll see you on the ground."

Smiling, she nodded.

Cloud then shoved Wedge by the shoulders and they fell off the pipe.

Laila hopped off the railing, landing on the pipe. She took a deep breath and remembered Zephyrus' blessing. Exhaling, she jumped off the pipe. Seeing Biggs and Cloud had deployed their parachutes, she waited a few more seconds to transform. As she fell past everyone, her body morphed. She had shifted into a bird.

Spreading her wings, she took flight.

"What?!" Wedge bellowed at the sight of the multicolored bird. "Since when could she do that?!"

Cloud was just as stunned. Eyes widening, he watched the beast fly through the sky. He didn't look away until he heard Wedge speak. "I wish I could've done more... Just got hurt—"

"You did enough," the ex-SOLDIER replied. "You took one for the team. Be proud."

"Yeah...?" Wedge seemed unsure but came to accept Cloud's words. "Yeah..."

"Feels like we're flying high these days!" Biggs cheered.

Jessie giggled. "Now more than ever!"

Biggs glanced over at Cloud before searching the sky for Lailah. She was circling them, prepared to catch any of them if something were to happen. "They're keepers all right."

"Yeah!" Jessie shouted with a smile. "Together we can take on the world!"