PROLOGUE.

The Lifestream.

That's what we call the river of life that circles our planet, giving life to the world and everything in it. The Shin-Ra Electric Power Company discovered a way to use the Lifestream as an energy source. Because of Shin-Ra's energy, we were able to live very comfortable lives. But wasn't that because we were taking away from the planet's life? A lot of people thought so. Shin-Ra used their power to stop anyone who got in their way. Shin-Ra had a special group of warriors called "SOLDIER." And all of the SOLDIERs had Jenova Cells put inside of them. Jenova was a calamity that fell from the sky a long, long time ago…and tried to destroy the planet.

Anyway, there was one SOLIDER, named Sephiroth, who was better than the rest. But when he found out about the terrible experiments that made him he began to hate Shin-Ra. And then, over time, he began to hate everything. Shin-Ra and the people against them. Sephiroth, who hated the Planet so much that he wanted to make it go away, and the people who tried to stop him.

There were a lot of battles. For every battle, there was more sadness. Someone went back to the Lifestream too…

Two Years Ago.

A brunette woman kneeled down on the cold ground, praying as hard as she could, wanting to do everything in her power to prevent the calamity to come. She heard a noise, and sensed his presence, and looked up to see a spiky haired blonde standing a few feet away.

She smiled beautifully, but their silent moment was ruined as a figure dropped from the bright light above. A flick of silver flashed in the sun's reflection as a tall thin man with ghostly pale skin and long silver hair landed onto the ground a few paces from her.

He carried a long katana with him, and in seconds, it's rammed through the brunette's middle, from back to front. He looked up at the blonde, smirking as his pale blue-green and viral eyes glitter with malice. With a great noise of grating metal, he pulled his sword free, and she fell forward, eyes wide open in shock. However, her beautiful smile did not leave her face.

As she fell, her red hair ribbon came undone and a small pale green Materia fell from it, bouncing to the floor, where it emitted a pure sound against the glass there, and continued until it fell into the clear and crisp water below.

The blonde rushed forward, catching her before she hit the ground and cradling her limp form in his arms. "Aerith…"

And then it came – the chosen day. In the end, the Planet itself had to make the battles stop for good. The Planet used the Lifestream as a weapon, and when it burst out of the earth…and the fighting, all the grief and sadness…everything was washed away.

"Sadness was the price to see it end," Marlene ends her story, looking at Denzel, who is resting in the small bed beside her chair. "It's been two years since they told me that…"

One Year Ago.

"Is it ready?" Rufus ShinRa inquired, peering over the shoulder of his top scientist and trusted partner, Professor Blais.

"She, President Shinra, she," the scientist replied, pressing a few more buttons on the control panel before him. It's attached and wired to a large glass container in which a figure floated amongst a mass of green-ish clear liquid.

Rufus approached the glass cylinder, looking at the floating shape within. The girl, who appeared to be in her late teens or early twenties, was in a medically induced sleep, and her closed eyelids fluttered repeatedly. Tubes were hooked up to her mouth, and bubbles spurt from her nose every now and then.

"Right," he smiled, the anticipation almost making him jump. "She."

"Alright, now, stand back, Mister President, Sir," Professor Blais requested. "It's time to let her see the world."

Both men stepped back from the glass case as Blais pressed a large green button on the panel. Slowly and with a hiss of freeing air, the container slid open, letting all the water seep out. The young woman inside was freed from the tubes and wires and she too slid out with the water.

She slumped to the floor in the pool of water, and her eyes snapped open as she shot up into a sitting position, gasping for air. Rufus kneeled down beside her, reaching out to her but her eyes widened and she shrank away.

"It's alright," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I'm not going to hurt you. It's all going to be okay, my dear."

He glanced over his shoulder and the scientist understood what he meant to have done, so he stepped forward, a small syringe in hand. The young woman was too freaked to notice as he kneeled down and stuck the small needle into her arm, and then, she relaxed.

She took a deep breath, looking at both men around her before flinging her hands to cover what little she could, trying not to blush. Rufus smiled, taking off his incredibly large white lab coat and draping it over her.

She smiled sweetly, thanking him in a quiet voice as brown locks fell into her face. Her hair rippled down to her shoulders, and Rufus found her smile contagious as she looked up, staring at him with large green eyes that reflected so much inner power.

"She's perfect," Rufus stated, looking up at Professor Blais. "Is the information in her memories?"

"See for yourself," he suggested, crouching in front of the girl. "Initials?"

"Um, A.G," she replieds.

"Age?"

"Twenty-One."

"Birthplace?"

"Kalm."

"Profession?"

"Trainee under the ShinRa Company, in the Magics Department. Top of my class."

"Good," Rufus smiled. "Very good. It seems you're ready for your training…uh, to continue it, that is."

As her face lit up in happiness, the President of the company exchanged a satisfied grin with his scientist. The Professor then aided the young woman to her feet as she pulled the lab coat closer to her skin, steadying her as he does.

"In that case," Rufus stated, getting up as well. "It's time for the show to commence."

Professor Blais nodded, taking the girl out of the lab as Rufus watched them leave, pleased that the last year's arduous work seems to have paid off. He smiled, anticipating the triumphs to come as he walked towards another area of the lab and sat down in a wheel chair, readying himself for his usual "performance".

Six Months Ago.

"God, 'Lena, it was just a joke," Reno muttered, blocking the swipe that his blonde co-worker aimed at his head. "Besides, if you hit me, it can be considered harassment and I can charge you."

She jumped back, eyes-wide with realization. This made him laugh. From a little ways away, their teammate, Rude, watched in amusement.

"C'mon, 'Lena, like I'd actually do that," he chuckled. "I'm not a jackass."

"Oh, really?" she raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Okay, not that much of a jackass," he replied.

Just then, the doors to the office flung open and President Rufus ShinRa entered, being pushed along his path by Professor Blais. The scientist made sure he was secure before leaving. The three Turks straightened up, but he waved it off with one hand, letting them relax.

"Turks, my finest, my most trusted," he smiled, looking at them despite the bandages covering half his face and the white robe over most of his body. "I've called you here for an important matter."

"Got work for us again?" Reno inquired, leaning against a table as he fished a cigarette and a Zippo lighter from his pocket. "Or are the interesting things still whooshing out of the ShinRa radar?"

"No, nothing that important has come up, yet, Reno," Rufus stated, folding his hands on his lap. "No, I've called you three here because it is time that you return to full force. It is time you return to being the true Turk team you once were."

"Eh?" Reno frowned, his cigarette hanging loosely from his mouth as a flame flickered just beneath it, wanting to jump from the Zippo lighter to the inviting stick of lung disease.

"You'll have to excuse him, Sir, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed," Elena sighed, patting their leading Turk on the shoulder. Reno glared at her, but a question danced behind his eyes. "In translation: the President is saying we're getting a new Rookie."

"We are?" Reno perked up, looking towards their boss.

"Yes, but don't give me that look, you're not treating this new Rookie the way you did Elena when she joined the team," Rufus chuckled as Reno's face dropped.

"Aww, damn, but it was so fun, yo," Reno stated, remembering the deep shade of red Elena had spent her entire first day on the team being, as she had spent it taking his report on the Sector Seven plate-drop incident, and instead of talking about work, he'd flirted and teased and complimented.

"Yeah, for those with sick senses of humor," Elena muttered.

"Aw, c'mon, ya loved it," he grinned, leaning in close. She scoffed and swatted him away.

"That was an experience I'd rather have sand-papered out of my brain," she quipped, and he feigned a hurt look. "Yeah, you heard me. Not everyone falls to that cheesy Casanova charm you're rumored to have."

"Rumors?" he smirked. "So you do talk about me with the girlies!"

"Girlies? What the hell are you talking about?" she frowned, before shaking her head. "Reno, you're completely insane."

"Yeah, but that's what you love about me, huh 'Lena?"

"Ahem," Rufus cleared his throat and the two snap back to attention.

"Sorry, boss-man," Reno nodded.

"Yes, well, as Elena kindly pointed out to you, I'm speaking of adding a new member to your ranks. And before you can ask, yes, qualifications are good."

"What about profession?" Rude spoke up, the sound rumbling from deep within him.

"You three cover Weapons and Demolition." Reno smirked. "IW Intelligence." Elena smiled. "And the Martial Arts." Rude nodded. "Tseng, had the magics covered to a degree."

"So, is that what the new Rookie is in?" Elena inquired, despite a small pain in her chest at the mention of Tseng. "The Magics Department?"

"Yes, she's highly specialized with Magic, more than Tseng ever was," Rufus nodded.

"She?" the blonde lit up suddenly. Reno groaned. Rude chuckled.

"Oh crap, as if we couldn't shut her up before," the redhead muttered. "Now she's gonna talk non-stop to the new female Turk in the business."

"Is it my fault I got stuck on a team with nothing but guys all this time?" Elena snapped, glaring at him. "No, it's not. So excuse me for being excited about girl-time."

"Yo, what do you think we visit the Seventh Heaven on Fridays for?" he rolled his eyes. "You get to talk with Tifa, and sometimes with the crazy ninja kid when she's around."

"Your point?" she stared. "That's like, rare. If ever."

"Ahem," Rufus cleared his throat, interrupting them again and bringing them back to the serious matter. "Now, may I present to you, the newest Turk: Adelia Gale."

From the door Professor Blais had exited through a while ago, a petite brunette already in Turk uniform wandered in, looking a little shy. Her brown locks fell to her shoulders in waves, and she had soft green eyes that traveled the lengths of the Turks before her, examining her new team with profound interest.

"Hi," Elena smiles warmly. "I'm Elena, and this is Rude and Reno."

"Um, hi," she waved, slightly shy. "I'm Adelia but, you uh, already know that, right?"

"Kind of," the blonde nodded, laughing. "It's alright to be nervous y'know. I was just like you two years ago."

"You've only been here two years?" Adelia frowned, walking closer.

"Yep. After this redheaded idiot got himself hurt on a mission," she laughed, taking a jab at Reno's pride in the process. He glared at the back of her blonde head.

"Watch it, this redheaded idiot is also your senior officer," he reminded her, and the brunette laughed as Elena stuck out her tongue at Reno.

"My apologies, gramps," she chuckled, sending him over the edge as he launched himself at her, tickling her oh-so-very sensitive sides.

"Are they always this…," Adelia looked at Rude and Rufus, trailing off.

"Unprofessional?" Rufus suggested, smirking.

"Immature?" Rude offered.

"Yes," the both said together, nodding. Adelia giggled as she joins the two men, watching the childish scene before them play out.

One Month Ago.

"Isn't it kind of weird, working alongside someone that looks just like her?" the petite ninja inquired, bouncing in her seat as she talked at the Seventh Heaven bar with Tifa and Elena.

"Not really," Elena shrugged. "I mean, I was never close to the Flower Girl, and I barely knew her long, with my joining the Turks being so quick."

"But, you do think she looks like her, right?" Yuffie prodded. "I mean, the hair, the eyes, her attitude…well, sometimes her attitude. She's like a slightly younger version of—"

"Shh," Tifa whispered, swatting at the 18-year-old's shoulder. At the questioning look she gave her, Tifa sighed, motioning a little ways away at a table where Adelia sat, playing with Marlene and Denzel, the two kids living with Tifa at the Seventh Heaven. "I'd rather not let Marlene hear her name, last time she cried for a few hours."

"Sorry," Yuffie grinned sheepishly. "It's just…it's really weird, y'know? To have someone so much like her…whoa. Y'know what I just find weirder?"

"What?" both older girls inquired with bored sighs.

"Has Cloud…has Cloud met her yet?"

"No," Tifa shook her head sadly. "He uh, he hasn't been around much."

"Really?" Elena frowned. "I mean, we've come here a rare few times in the five months Adelia's been with us, so I always found in coincidence he wasn't around when we were. But, he hasn't been around…at all?"

Tifa shook her head sadly again, sighing. "There's a lot going on in his mind, and I guess it's too much to deal with right now."

"Baka," Yuffie muttered, speaking of Cloud.

"'Lena!" someone called from the doorway, and the female Turk turned to see Reno leaning there, signaling it's time to go.

"Alright then, that's my annoying boss come to get us," Elena stated, making the other two laugh as she stood up. "Adelia, time to get moving!"

Present Day.

"What is that thing?" Adelia scrunches up her face, looking at the remains of…something, on the ground before them.

"Pay dirt," Elena replies, crouching down near the center of the crater. "Just, not really nice-looking pay dirt."

"Who cares?" Reno's annoyed voice floats in over their communicators. "Just get the damn thing."

"Y-Yes, Sir," Elena stammers. "C-Chopper time, then."

"You got it," he agrees, guiding the helicopter down towards the Northern Crater.

As Elena reaches out with a box in hand, a few light taps bounce against her shoulder and she looks up to see Adelia frowning, pointing forward. She follows her direction, and spots three figures slowly emerging from the mist surrounding them.

"What the—"

Gunshots resonate in the area and both female Turks feel the rush of air as the bullets just miss them. The blond jumps to her feet, gripping the box tightly in her hands.

"Reno, hurry!" Adelia pleads, looking up to try and spot the chopper she begins to hear. "Reno!"

"Who the hell is that?" Elena ponders, before the next sound out of her mouth is a scream of agony. She drops the small box and falls to her knees, clutching her shoulder with one hand.

"Elena!" the brunette cries out, ducking down to her.

"Elena, are y-you okay?"

"Son of a bitch," the blonde hisses through gritted teeth. "Whoever the hell just shot me is gonna pay dearly."

"Don't talk about our mother that way!" a voice shouts, before Adelia is grabbed by the hair and hauled to her feet, wincing. She looks up at the man holding her, a large, muscular man in black leather, with a stock of silver hair. He pins her arms behind her back in moments, immobilizing her when she tries to help Elena.

The blonde in question hisses in pain again as she too is pulled to her feet, this time by a thin man with flowing silver hair that falls to his mid-back. His cool and uncaring demeanor goes well with the coldness in his eyes as he pins her arms back, ignoring the cry of pain she gives off at the strain on her bleeding shoulder.

"Elena! Adelia!" Reno's voice cries worriedly over the com-link, and Elena has a moment of strength come to her as she whips her head backwards, smashing it against her captor's nose. He grunts and swears as he lets her go, and she grabs her com-link.

"Reno, go, g-get out!" she pleads. "We're under attack! Go!"

The man behind her growls as he grabs her again, pulling her arms back tighter and making her cry out yet again as she drops her communicator. He holds her with one hand, and pulls a large Gunblade from his black leather robes, aiming at the helicopter just barely distinguishable amongst all the mist.

He fires off a few rounds, and Reno swears loudly as his flight path wavers to avoid the hit.

"You ain't getting' away with kidnapping the Turks, yo!" he yells through the com-link, hoping they can hear him before the flies off, cursing to himself. In the misty Northern Crater, the two silver-haired men smirk before they walk off, dragging the female Turks with them.