Chapter Text
It is if everyone dies alone
Does that scare you?
I don't wanna be alone
To Die For - Sam Smith
Yuffie was out with her friends in Midgar when the warnings came out. The trio had been in the city for roughly a week, the news and government repeatedly telling them that they were safe. Despite the ongoing problems in Forsyth, the issues were contained and business would continue as normal. Even with Yuffie’s father urging her to come home, the trio had decided to stay the final three days.
Kyoko and Valexi had all agreed that it was okay to stay and therefore when the lock down happened, none of them were upset with one another, however, there was still tension. Clearly everyone felt some sense of responsibility. Kyoko and Yuffie were worried about Valexi, after all she was the youngest and had medical issues. Valexi had informed them that she had visited the pharmacy in order to restock on medication and that she would be okay for at least another week.
Kyoko was currently on the phone with her parents, begging them to understand that they had followed the directions of the Midgar government, that they had been told repeatedly they were safe and there was no expected change in plans as it related to travel and movement around the city. Her long, straight, black hair was perfectly in place, Kyoko sitting on the couch with her small purse next to her. Her long, slim yet toned leg was bouncing, in what Yuffie knew was anxiety, Kyoko had a tendency to keep cool headed despite fidgeting when Yuffie and Valexi would typically lash out or cry, respectively. Her typically arched eyebrows furrowed as she listened to what they had to say. Her naturally golden skin was further tanned from their time spent at the pool and she leaned from left to right as she tried to withhold a sigh of discontentment. Yuffie could hear her mother yelling on the other line. She turned to look out the window, wanting to give Kyoko her space. The older girl and Yuffie had been friends for as long as Yuffie could remember. While Kyoko wasn’t royalty, like Yuffie, she did hold a high status within Wutai, her father renowned for his skills, almost rising to the rank of a pagoda guardian. Once one of the current guardians either passed or retired, Kyoko’s father Hanzo would replace them. Yuffie’s father and Kyoko’s father would not see the situation the same way, it was up to Yuffie to return Kyoko back home, safely, unless they wanted a fight between some of the high standing houses of Wutai warring with one another.
Yuffie moved to sit on the couch, her ears picking up the other girl's conversation. Valexi’s conversation was not going smoothly either. The curly-haired blonde was sniffling on the phone with her grandmother, explaining to her that it was going to take longer than she anticipated to get back home. She flipped her shoulder length hair over, also flipping the phone to her other ear. Yuffie could hear her grandmother comforting the blonde, explaining to her to be safe and careful. Valexi was currently on the bed, her short legs tucked under her as she explained to her grandmother about bills and money, depending on how long she’d be stuck there. Her pale skin was slightly reddened, especially on her nose and shoulders, the young girl having forgotten to put on sunscreen for the first few hours after their arrival. Yuffie sighed as she heard her softly speak to her grandmother. Valexi was from Icicle Village. She had moved to Wutai to find work and send support to her grandmother, her brother still living there and the two were just getting by. Valexi’s family wasn’t as fortunate as the other two, but they had invited her into their small group easily. The blond was originally a bartender, and not a very good one. This is how they had met her before taking her under their wing and getting her a much easier job, one that suited the petite blonde. It involved office work, within the palace. It wasn’t with Godo, but she basically functioned as a secretary for a nobleman.
Yuffie had told both of them that her father would care for their families while they were likely to miss work and therefore unable to help, especially in Valexi’s case. The girls were thankful and were in the process of exchanging information between the three families, while also trying to find a way to safely and legally exit the city. Her father and her had already discussed something to this effect and he was prepared to come get her, not himself, but he would send for her if she needed. At the moment Yuffie didn’t request it and her father didn’t want to push the issue. The two had had discussions previously about him being overbearing.
Yuffie watched her friends finish their phone calls, the guilt within her growing. She felt that this was her fault, despite the girls telling her it wasn’t, but she didn’t believe it. It was her who dragged them this far out for vacation. It was Yuffie who told them not to worry about the rumors, despite her father warning her about going to Midgar. They had agreed not to blame one another but it was weighing heavily on her. Whatever happened here, it would be on Yuffie’s conscience.
- . - - . . - . . - . . . - . . . . - . - . . - . .
That was two days ago. That was the first day they were told they wouldn’t be leaving as originally planned. Now, Wednesday, was the day they were supposed to leave the city and instead Sector 8 was sent into lock down and there were hundreds of videos being uploaded to the net that showed hundreds infected from Forsyth.
Valexi couldn’t stomach the videos. Bystanders were filming people as they were attacked by the people who, according to the filmers- had been dead, and no one seemed to be doing anything about it. Kyoko had explained, or tried to, that there was little they could do to help those people at the risk of themselves. Valexi didn't find it okay that they were recording, regardless of trying to spread awareness or not. After agreeing to disagree, the next video showed a chained up individual, their leg bleeding, heavily. Kyoko pointed out that with an injury like that they should be dead. Although not dead, the person… or thing, was definitely not alive. The chain continued to rattle as the woman lunged out at the person recording, laughter in the background as they poked at it with a stick. Her pajamas suggested she had been attacked while she had been sleeping. All three girls frowned and looked away, Kyoko deciding that was enough of Forsyth for the time being.
Yuffie hadn’t told the girls about the direct train from Forsyth to Sector 8, which was why she knew they were locking down that sector. Yuffie had been present when her father was told about the experiments happening at their facility there. Professor Hojo and Doctor Crescent, renowned for their study in eugenics. Yuffie had frowned, it had its perks, sure. The idea of ridding the world of hereditary diseases was a noble cause, however, the intel from Wutai operatives was that they were using what they were finding to create a bioweapon, capable of turning the tide against the Republic of Junon. While Wutai was not in on the war, they were definitely interested in knowing what would inevitably happen. Wutai wanted to remain neutral, but it was becoming increasingly difficult with Shinra’s involvement in Midgar. The Midgar government had employed Shinra and its scientists in helping them win the war, and it appeared their trust in the doctors would be their downfall.
She suspected Kyoko knew, as she had held her stare when she mentioned Forsyth was a good distance from Midgar and they were probably fine. Valexi, knowing less of the large metropolis that was Midgar, nodded in understanding. Yuffie and her friends were in Sector 6, typically a party under the plate and above the plate was the vacation resorts. They had been under the plate, late at night when the klaxon horn rang out, the honking siren informed them that all of their belongings above the plate were now abandoned as travel between sectors and plate boundaries were forbidden. They were currently staying in the typical capsule hotel rooms found under the plate in Sector 6, the lack of privacy not to Yuffie’s liking, but unfortunately they had no other option.
The girls had purchased new clothing and items to help get them home, as they had arrived in party clothes, which consisted of short dresses and tall heels. Assuming they would need to be quick and mobile, Yuffie had suggested (in thanks to her father the previous day) that they get the comfiest clothing they could find and running shoes. Yuffie also told them to buy backpacks and not luggage to take whatever else they would end up buying/acquiring on their exit from Midgar. Right now their belongings were their dresses and chargers. In Valexi’s case, it also included the medication she needed.
Kyoko was wearing pink and black running shoes. Her choice of leggings were black and cropped, the bottom stopping about mid calf. Her top was a white rib knit halter crop top. She had thrown a fit at the store, asking why they didn’t bother having real t-shirts or athletic clothes. Valexi had explained they were basically shopping in the red light district and therefore their choices were limited. Yuffie agreed, most of the people here were dressed for the clubs, not exercising.
Valexi was wearing a dark pink sports bra and a small black sweater. Her petite size allowed her to fit the only zip up the girls could find, an extra small. Her pink sports bra matched the shorts, which were ombre of the dark pink and eventually black bottoms, stopping just above her knees.
Yuffie also found black leggings, settling for the fitted pants instead of the dark green cargo pants she had considered. Hers were the full length and came up to her navel. She also grabbed a sports bra, dark green in color. She wasn't too concerned, as it was similar to her typical outfits. The summer air meant that she wouldn't require a hoodie, and Yuffie was fine without one.
The next morning, the girls woke up early to begin planning their exit from Midgar, Yuffie’s dad agreeing to have them taken from Kalm back to Wutai. It was simple, really. Go to the train station, board the train to Sector 4, leave via the buses then get to Kalm.
"What's the plan?" Valexi's northern accent cut through Yuffie's mental notes of what they would be needing as they began their transition to Sector 4, which was the only sector allowing Midgar residents to leave the city.
“Well,” Yuffie started, looking at the map in her hands while Kyoko stared over her shoulder and pointed to the most obvious path, “We could definitely take the most direct route, however, I’m hesitant to travel with such a large group.”
“What? Why? Do you think those things are here?! In Midgar?” The fear in Valexi’s voice was evident and Yuffie mentally cursed. They didn’t need to lose their heads just yet. While it was of course dangerous with Sector 8 having closed, as of right now there was no change in plans according to Shinra.
“No! No, that's not what Yuffie is saying at all,” Yuffie thought Kyoko was protesting that idea too much, she did actually believe that if those things weren’t in Midgar now, they would be soon. Kyoko continued, ”She’s just being her careful self, you know how she is Valexi, she just doesn’t like crowds and she wants us all to be home as soon as possible.”
Valexi looked to Yuffie who held her stare and nodded, while lying easily, “Kyoko’s right, let's get moving now so we can try and beat the crowds.” Valexi was the youngest of the three and Kyoko felt responsibility for her, as she was the oldest. Double checking their small set of belongings, the girls set out toward the train station, it was early enough that they could stop for breakfast, Valexi needing food before a long day.
- . - - . . - . . - . . . - . . . . - . - . . - . .
This was a bad idea, Yuffie thought. They should have skipped breakfast… or maybe they should have left last night, but the trains shut down as soon as the horns rang out. They had only been told via radio and through text messages that the train station would open up and get them moving. Currently the gates separating Sector 7 and 6 were opening, allowing citizens to travel between the sectors freely. Sector 5 gates were closed and were directing people to the train station. However, the train station was already overcrowded, people attempting to force their way into trains while yelling and arguing about the lack of preparedness on the government's part while arguing with each other about who had more of a reason to be on the next train. The guards were scanning individuals, visual body scans, metal detectors, and temperatures. Anyone who looked sick was taken to the medical tents, not necessarily turned away, but delayed in getting on a train. Yuffie believed the majority of these people were from Sector 8 and 7. The citizens of Sector 6 merely lumbered around, continuing their business as usual.
The men were catcalling all the women, while the women from the red light district continued trying to find their customers. The restaurants were serving customers, many keeping their windows open to draw in those who, like Yuffie and her friends, were waiting for the tension and arguing to die down. The aromas had drawn many of Sector 7s children, complaining that they were taken from their beds too early and were now hungry. Their parents caved, taking them to grab a bowl of ramen or a rice ball from the western restaurants while the eastern cuisines offered omelets and pastries.
Yuffie turned her attention back to the train, agreeing with those blaming the government, Midgar should have shut down the trains from Forsyth days before they had. She didn’t pretend to know it all, but if any communicable illness or biohazard was able to spread as easily as this one, common sense tells her they shouldn’t have risked it. They didn’t know what exactly was happening, but they knew that it was contagious. The radios had not explained and the nets weren’t capturing how it was spreading, only that it was causing the dead to rise again.
Her father had already begun to limit entry into Wutai. Ships were held miles off the coastline until Wutai doctors could confirm everyone on board was okay. Even then only a few people were let in to unload; Wutai's army standing guard. Anyone not agreeing with Lord Godo’s methods were refueled and sent on their way back home. The airports were different, the military base further from the main town was now the only area on western island that accepted planes. Delays and cancellations were abundant, however very few people were leaving the country. Her father had already been planning this, even before the net became overloaded with videos of these things. The Wutai espionage team having alerted Godo, Yuffie had also been informed- Shinra was potentially working with bioweapons.
The young woman frowned though, biting her nail. If she had been stuck in Forsyth with a contagious disease, she would want the chance to leave, however, at the risk of so many people, the government should have acted and done the right thing. She shook her head, it didn’t matter now. She and her friends had to make it out of here, they were healthy, they were doing things the right way, there was no reason why they should be denied.
Yuffie watched, checking in on Valexi who watched on, her hands white as she held tightly onto her backpack straps and looked to Kyoko, the arguments causing her anxiety to rise. The taller girl was also scanning the crowd, her hand over her eyes to shield from the sunlight that streamed in from below the plate at just the right angle. Kyoko caught Valexi’s eyes before speaking, “It should be fine. The trains are moving as fast as they can, people are just getting impatient.”
Valexi nodded, turning to look again at the front of the line, which was across the open field of people. Yuffie made eye contact with Kyoko who shrugged and shook her head, telling Yuffie she didn’t believe anything she said either. Before they could continue having the silent conversation, Valexi spoke again.
“If everything is okay, why do you think they have heavily armed police officers?”
“In case it gets out of hand. Look-” Yuffie pointed to two men, arguing and shoving each other before the officers stepped in to separate them. One man was shoving another, claiming he had cut them in line, despite the lack of an overall line. The other had claimed he was already there and that the first man had touched his wife. Yuffie sighed, tensions were definitely high. It didn’t help that the majority of the people here in Sector 6 were tourists and visiting. No one really had anywhere to be but on a train out of here. Additionally there was a long line of people coming from Sector 7, moving much faster than the trains were moving out of the station. Yuffie had tried to look, but the buildings were blocking her view from how far the line truly extended from Sector 7. Valexi peeked over and nodded, looking around the train station again.
“Do you think the snipers are for us, or for those things?”
Kyoko looked at Yuffie, the two having not noticed any snipers. After some searching, Valexi finally pointed one out for them, higher up on the pillars that held the plate up. Another was further, almost along the wall separating Sector 6 from Sector 7. And while it was almost impossible to tell from their view, Yuffie did not doubt there was more in Sector 7 and 8.
“They have views of multiple sectors, obviously they are here to protect us in case anything gets too crazy. You never know with people. Come on, let's get a bit closer, we have to figure out how to get on the train.” Kyoko was clearly getting anxious, deciding to move instead of just waiting. Yuffie followed Kyoko’s lead, the taller girl able to see her destination better than Yuffie or Valexi. She easily slid past people, grabbing Yuffie’s hand who in turn grabbed Valexi.
There was a commotion to Yuffie’s left, first just people shoving and yelling again. Yuffie doubted she heard it at first, but she looked around, swearing a shot had rang out. More yelling, this time over by Sector 7, the Shinra government workers begin to pack up their belongings. The arm guards started pushing people back, the gates starting to close. The people of Sector 7 were panicking, the large crowd pushing forward while the armed guards shoved back. Yuffie clenched her friends hands, looking around. To the right, a blood curdling scream let out just behind that same group that was fighting earlier. The shoving stopped, as did the arguing. The group of people seemed to push away from the screaming woman, a wide open circle opening around her. Next to her was her friend, a younger girl, her brown hair pasted to her face, clearly having been sweating through a fever if her pale skin was anything to go by, vomit on her shirt. The armed guards moved forward to surround her, her friend pleading for help. Yuffie watched in horror as the brown haired girl turned to face the crowd, blood staining and dripping on the side of her face as she chewed. Her friend held her neck, blood beginning to pour between her fingers. The crimson liquid was already staining her top, the yellow shirt soaking it up.
The guards called to the screaming woman, telling her to move away from her friend. The group began murmuring before they became louder, one man screamed for them to shoot her. The guards were yelling for crossfire, the circle around the two girls not optimal for shooting. One guard was on the radio, Yuffie assumed it was for the snipers. Her eyes went up, finding the one that was closest to the train station and realized he, or she, was already trained on the woman.
“We have to go.” Kyoko said, pulling the two girls toward the train station.
Neither moved, watching as the guards continued yelling for the girl to step away from her friend. The brown haired girl’s eyes were unfocused and she was unable to maintain her posture. She turned, making what Yuffie thought was eye contact before she seemed to come alive, lunging out toward the guard. A shot rang out and the girl's head exploded, the guards having stepped back before she could grab them. Kyoko pulled them again, Yuffie and Valexi following this time.
The crowd of people began to come alive again, men grabbing their screaming wives and crying children as the guards tried to maintain control of the second girl who was bit. Yuffie heard one radio for them to shoot her as she fell to the floor, her eyes rolling back. Yuffie didn’t see more as Kyoko had reached the crowd that had turned back toward the train station again. The Shinra workers had begun telling people the train station was closed, guards pushing forward as they blocked the train doors. No more rides would be given until further notice. Yuffie watched as the last train closed its doors and began its journey to Sector 4. The security gates also slammed shut, blocking anyone, Shinra employees included, from entering the subway.
A shot rang out from the guards on the ground and Valexi covered her mouth, pointing at one of the men who had taken the guards gun and shot one. Within seconds the man hit the floor, brain matter and blood coating the ground near him. Yuffie didn’t realize how much blood the human body actually had until it surrounded the man on the ground, soaking into the concrete following the cracks toward them. The guards immediately formed a circle, pointing at the citizens to step away before they opened fire. The man’s wife was crying, dropping to the floor and sobbing.
Yuffie turned to Kyoko, her jaw dropped and met Yuffie's eyes. Both girls nodded and began moving back toward the hotel. They needed a new plan. Yuffie moved Valexi in front of her as she navigated them back the way they came.
“Team 7 to Control. Sector 6 compromised. I repeated Team 7 to Control; Sector 6 is compromised.”
Yuffie locked eyes with one of the guards, the woman's dark brown hair pulled back into a high bun, wisps of hair framing her face as she spoke into her radio. In her blue eyes Yuffie saw fear, apprehension and uncertainty visible to the young woman. It was clear that the confidence this woman typically exuded was gone, the unease evident. Her eyes flashed from Yuffie, to the group and then high above them, likely toward a sniper. She clutched her radio closer to her ear, a transmission coming through that only the team could hear. As Yuffie and her friends passed her, the woman holstered her handgun, tucking it away on her thigh before pulling her assault rifle forward and pointing it at the rowdy group. They were yelling and screaming at the armed guards that it was their fault the situation was becoming worse. The soldiers continued yelling at them to get back, begging them to stay where they were lest they have to use lethal force.
Valexi was crying, inhaling deep breaths as she struggled to not panic, her grip on Yuffie’s arm bruising. She didn’t have time for her arm however, she had to keep moving them. They were running back toward the hotel at this point, the train station, obviously, unsafe at the moment. The commands being given were to return to their homes (or hotels) while the officers gained control of the situation. Kyoko was cursing under her breath at how messed up the entire situation had turned.
- . - - . . - . . - . . . - . . . . - . - . . - . .
They stopped several blocks away from the center of Sector 6. Valexi tried to maintain her composure, but it was clear the tears were falling. Yuffie called out to Kyoko that they had to stop. The young Wutain was scared her friend would begin to hyperventilate and Kyoko turned and grabbed the blonde by the shoulders. Making eye contact she placed her hand on Valexi’s chest, asking for Valexi to copy her breathing. Breathing in slowly as she nodded, Valexi’s worry crossed her face, but followed her lead regardless.
The three were huddled in an alley, people still running and screaming, even the citizens of Sector 6 facing the reality of what was happening. Valexi had slowed her breathing, despite the tears still falling down her face. Yuffie opened her phone, her hands shaking as she tried to reach her fathers contact information before pressing the call button. She lifted the phone to her ear. It didn’t ring. She pulled the phone away, checking her single and saw that it was strong. Hanging up she called again… No answer. She cursed. Her father had warned this could happen if the phone lines became overrun with citizens trying to make calls. He reminded her to send a text, despite the fact that it may take longer, it would eventually send and he would receive it. He didn’t have to beg her to send updates, Yuffie agreeing easily to keep him in the know about their whereabouts and ongoings within Midgar.
Yuffie Kisaragi: I think it’s reached Sector 6. I love you. I’m sorry. (1234)
Yuffie watched the spinning circle, waiting for it to report a delivery time. It continued spinning and Yuffie could feel herself begin to panic.
“We need to get back to the hotel, gather ourselves and see what happens. Maybe if the soldiers can get a hold of it, this will pass and we can continue leaving.” Kyoko was holding Valexi who was sniffling and leaning on the older girl.
“Yeah… yeah that’s probably for the best,” Yuffie shuddered out, holding in her own panic as she moved towards the street opening. The three girls walked out, turning right before making their way back to their hotel.