Rescuing Aerith

"Cloud!" Aerith cried out. Cloud motioned to Barret and the control panel. Barret stood back, aimed at it with the microlaser and fired, completely destroying it and opening the cage. At that same moment another cage opened, holding a large, malnourished creature that resembled a cross between a lion and a dog. Aerith embraced Cloud tightly.

"You came for me!" Aerith said happily. Cloud nodded, as Tifa came up for a group hug.

The lion-like creature exited his capsule, growling at the party members. He bared his teeth, and then ran away, jumping out a window.

"The hell was that thing?" Barret muttered.

"We need to go!" Tifa said, as the three fled the labs upward.