Despondency

The air filled with thick, acrid smoke and dust that infiltrated every corner of Cloud's lungs as the Plate collapsed. They landed, at full speed, the three of them rolling into burning concrete, causing them to cry out in pain ... and then grief. The smoke took forever to clear up, for Cloud to spy Barret only a handful of feet away. The Black man fired his machine gun into the burning mass, a mixture of impotence and pain and rage on his face.

"Marlene… Marlene! Marlene! Marlene! Biggs! Wedge! Jessie! Goddammit. Goddamn you! Goddamn you all!" he punched the concrete, screaming, and then in a smaller voice ... "Marlene... Marlene…"

"It was us. We did this, Daddy," Tifa said, putting her hand on his shoulder. Barret shook his head.

"No. You can't think like that. Whatever came before, it was Shinra that pulled the trigger today. Am I right!?" he scowled at Tifa. The temerity in suggesting the **** of their daughter ... their friends ... was their fault was a bridge too far.

"...Yeah," Tifa agreed, finally, clenching her hand, as Barret took it into his massive paw. "Hold on to this. This… anger. Okay?" he hugged her tightly, and she felt renewed in her commitment to destroy Shinra.