[Video / Action]

[tinymakoaddict]

[The video flicked on with a crackle and a burst of static, and showed the ever-dim streets of Treno, and the prone figure of Shelke laying in front of it. She makes an annoyed sort of sound and pushes herself back to her feet. She seems to be on the path in front of the card coliseum, and already on the path nearby are two dispatched monsters that

Comments

[heartofheaven]

Shelke!

[Tifa knows Treno well by now; she knows exactly where Shelke is and a giant snake is kind of hard to miss. She runs to join Shelke, hoping that she's not too late...]

[tinymakoaddict]

[Shelke couldn't answer if she wanted to, considering her phone is on the ground and she is now in the air, leaping backwards as the massive creature chomps down on the air where she was a moment later. She moves quickly back along the walkway, taking a few swings at the creature with her weapon when it dives at her, but mostly doing her best just to keep from being eaten as it chases her down.]

[heartofheaven]

[Tifa arrives to find that Shelke is still alive, thank goodness. She immediately lays a gloved hand on Shelke's shoulder as she stands beside her, staring up at the serpent.]

Are you okay? Where did that thing come from?

[tinymakoaddict]

[Shelke instinctively starts to pull away from the hand until she realizes it's Tifa, and the young girl visibly relaxes.]

It came out of the water, I was trying to get rid of some of those...Hell Houses...it ate one of them.

[Meanwhile the snake has backed up a bit, rearing up to its full height as it considers the new arrival. Tifa is bigger than Shelke, after all!]

[heartofheaven]

[These monsters shouldn't be here, but there's no time to ponder that.]

Stay back!

[Tifa steps in front of Shelke to make herself the prime target for the monster, her fists raised. The huge snake takes the bait, lunging towards her. Tifa leaps out of its way and takes the opportunity to attack, dealing it a dizzying blow to the head.]

[tinymakoaddict]

[Shelke was rather impressed as Tifa essentially kicked the monster away. She knew how strong the heroes of the Jenova war were, and yet seeing it in action was something else. Still, she wasn't someone who needed to be protected all the time...]

I am perfectly capable of helping...

[She moved to step out from behind Tifa, tossing one end of her linked blades at the retreating, dizzy creature, slashing it along the nose as it moved away and being rewarded with a deep, angry, pain-filled growl.]

[heartofheaven]

[Although she knows that Shelke can fight, Tifa has never seen it, and seeing the little girl in action surprises her.]

Then come on!

[She dashes across a bridge, following the serpent.]

[tinymakoaddict]

[Shelke nods, catching her sword on its back arc and hooking the cord behind her again as she runs after Tifa. As they approach the creature, which does appear to be injured, she leaps forward to slash at it again..,

Only this time, the head shoots towards her as well.]

Wha-?

[The creature snatched her up in mid-air and...Gulp. Uh oh! The snake swallowed Shelke whole! And she dropped her swords, they're on the ground outside of the snake!]

[heartofheaven]

No!

[Tifa's shock and distress stops her for only a moment before pure anger fuels her strength. She throws herself at the snake, causing it to rear back with the force of her strike. As it recoils, she darts over to grab Shelke's swords.

The snake lunges at her, trying the same move - but Tifa is ready. She holds both blades up, and as the snake tries to swallow her, the swords pierce the roof of the creature's mouth. It immediately rears back, thrashing and hissing in mortal agony.

It's near death now, but Midgar Zoloms aren't easily defeated. The snake casts Beta, and fiery magic blasts Tifa aside, slamming her into a wall. She curls up to protect herself, but the swords have done their work.

Finally, the snake crashes into the bridge, its head lolling over the edge, its tail still in the water.]

[cetra_flower]

[ Aerith hadn't been far behind Tifa and while she stayed out of the actual battle range, she was moving towards where Tifa had landed. She was already casting the cure spell as she approached the wall, not paying attention to anything else.]

Tifa..can you stand?

[heartofheaven]

[Tifa nods, getting to her feet as the spell heals her.]

Thanks, I'm fine, but-

[She turns, moving towards the dead snake.]

It swallowed Shelke!

[Looking back at Aerith.]

Can you keep watch for me? I'm going to get Shelke's swords so I can cut her out of there.

[cetra_flower]

[ Aerith gave a slight nod before turning to survey the surrounding areas.

[heartofheaven]

[Now this is not pleasant at all, but it has to be done. Wrinkling her nose at the stench of blood and death, Tifa climbs over the side of the bridge and reaches out to pull the swords from the serpent's mouth. It's a good thing she's so physically strong because it really isn't easy. After almost losing her grip and falling into the water below, she finally manages to tug the blades out.

Next, to cut open the monster's body. This is difficult in a different way because there's always the risk that she'll end up hacking into Shelke's body as well as the monster's. Hoping silently that this won't happen, Tifa drives one sword into the serpent's belly, ripping the flesh open. She's literally butchering it.

Out come the serpent's blood and guts... It's horrible, but the worst thing will be seeing Shelke's body...]

[cetra_flower]

[ Aerith had turned to watch briefly before looking away.

Did you find her?

[ A moment later, there was an odd sound and then the sound of something falling from the edge beside the bridge and a splash as it hit the water below.. ]

[tinymakoaddict]

[As Tifa tore into the Serpent with Shelke's weapons, various organs and fluids and such poured out onto the walk and into the water, and then after a few moments, there seemed to be a faint glow frominside the creature. It got brighter as Tifa cut, and then finally a glowing orangish orb about four feet wide simply rolled out and bounced twice on the sidewalk, stopping just before it would've tumbled into the river itself.]

[Inside, curled up into a tight ball, was Shelke. After a few seconds the shield spell faded, and Shelke uncurled with a gasp, flopping out on her back. She had an unpleasant about of the creature on her despite the spell, but she hadn't been digested or acid-burned or anything. Lucky her. She was silent at first as she just sat up slowly and shook her arm, shaking some of the goo off onto the path and the water.]

...That was disgusting.

[heartofheaven]

[Tifa gasps as Shelke rolls out - dirty, but alive.]

Shelke, oh, I'm so glad you're alive!

[She crouches down and moves to envelop Shelke in a tight hug, not caring that they're both covered in the monster's blood and guts.

Then she hears a splash, and looks up.]

...Aerith?