The Keystone

Chapter One

Aeris Gainsborough stood in amazement and awe at all the neon, glitz and noise that animated The Gold Saucer. The last time the group had been here they were in search for Sephiroth, now it was to get the Keystone which was in the possession of Dio, to get the Black Materia before Sephiroth does! They had to find out if he really had the thing though!

"This better not be another dead end, Cloud!" Yuffie Kisaragi complained as she stumbled passed their leader in searching of the solid ground, the tram platform. "Does anyone have a tranquilizer, Dramamine." The teenage ninja swallowed hard the chunks that were forming in her throat, "something!"

In his normal stoic and collected manner Vincent Valentine also exited the tram car. The crimson caped man wordlessly tossed the girl a small bottle. Behind them Aeris also stepped off the tram and watched the fireworks flair in the evening sky. She was soon followed by, Cid Highwind, Barret Wallace, Red XIII and Caith Sith. Tifa Lockhart exited last following Cloud Strife, Aeris had noticed how drained their leader looked. From the look in Tifa's eyes the Cetra flower merchant knew that it didn't go unnoticed.

They were all fatigued both physically and mentally, such to the point that their materia was useless because none of them had the strength to cast anything. The party had no choice but to move on they need to get to the temple of the ancient before Shinra or Sephiroth. Tifa limped over to Yuffie to make sure she was alright, the older woman having twisted her ankle in a fight back in Wu-Tai's Do Cho Mountain. Aeris had to admire the martial artist for her forgiving nature, because she was aggravated with Yuffie too but not to the degree the others were. Tifa, for example, was so angry with Yuffie when she had stolen their materia such to the point that Aeris feared that the young ninja would get the beating of her life or her neck snapped whichever came first.

That is if Cloud, Aeris, and the other guys didn't get to Yuffie first. But that was all in the past and they indeed need to move on now.

Cloud spoke out to the party heading for the gate, "Alright people lets mosey."

Cid lit a cigarette walking in step with Red and Barrett, "He sounds like he's from some hick town sayin' shit like that."

Tifa, Aeris and Yuffie fell in just before the boys, Tifa darted Cid a death glare, "Mind you that we come from the same 'hick' town, Highwind."

Cid cleared his throat, "Awe hell Tifa you know I'm only bustin' his ass." He took a long drag of his cigarette and looked around at he others. Everyone was accounted for except for Cait Sith. He turned around to find him over by the tram, "Hey Fucknut you comin' or what?"

The robitic cat-moggle duo turned to them with a startled jump. "I- I'll catch up too you guys. I get in here free anyways."

"That is one strange bastard," Cid commented before following along with the others.

~*~

The party had split up in to two groups one group went off to buy supplies and the other to find Dio and the keystone. Red XIII padded at Cloud's right side as they headed for battle square, "Cloud, I suggest that we stay here for the night. We do not know what we will find in the temple of the ancients rather than know exactly which southern island it is on for that matter."

Cloud Strife nodded in response, "I understand that Red but you know as well as I that if Shinra or Sephiroth get their hands on the Black Materia we're going to be up the creak."

Vincent had decided to join this party, he listened to the conversation carefully and looked over to Tifa to see what she thought of the situation. She was silently watching the pace ahead of them. It would seem that she was healing from her injury nicely, or she hid the pain better than anyone he had seen.

"Tifa," Cloud addressed her suddenly. "You didn't have to come with us to the Battle Square you know. You wont be any use to us if you mess up you ankle any more."

"I'm fine," the ruby-eyed beauty waived her hand with a cheerful laugh. "Don't worry about me. It's not he first time this has happened the best thing to do is walk it out." She twirled around in front of him and smiled, "Besides every one else has injuries too, it's like when we were kids Cloud, everyone went home with I bruise or two, some more than others." She turned around again walking straight so he would not see the worry in her eyes, "To add to that I also what t o keep my eyes on you. something just isn't right with you Cloud. I just know it!"

Cloud watched his friend closely as he tied to hide his smile. At that moment Tifa looked like she did five years ago, when he watched her from a far. Why couldn't he talk to her then? He had gotten his dream, and he came home to Nibelheim. He wanted to talk to her so badly.

Glowing blue eyes. Soldier uniform. Dark hair. Infantry uniform. Assault riffle. Blonde hair. Cloud shook his head feeling a sudden stab of pain again. Something was not right. As quickly as the pain came it was gone again. They really needed to get the keystone and head Sephiroth off.

"Damn you Sephiroth. I won't let you win!"

With those thoughts the four continued on to the Battle Square.

~*~

Meanwhile the other half of the party made their way to the Ghost Hotel. They had an item shop and a restaurant there one stop shopping for the crew. Aeris, Cid and Barret were busy organizing equipment for the continuation of their journey. Yuffie chose to sit and watch them from her perch on a chair. The cocky teen let out a yawn, "I don't see why Cloud wants to push on like this. I'm so sleepy and I reek something fierce!"

Barret gave the girl a look, it wasn't the first time that he prayed to the greater powers that his daughter would not be like Yuffie. "Quit yer complainin', I'm getins sick o' hearin' it."

"I think I have a right to complain," the ninja came to stand menacingly over Barret's shoulder. "None of us had a decent bed or shower since Wu- Tai, and to be honest I don't like running around in circles this is ridiculous!"

Aeris glanced up at Barret seeing the annoyed expression on the hulking man's features. She stood up from her kneeling position on the lobby floor, "Yuffie, we're all here by choice, you don't have to continue along you know."

"I'm not sayin' I don't want to be here. You've seen the people I have to deal with back home!" Yuffie countered exasperated. "Like I really want to be there!"

"We wouldn't have gone to Wu-tai if someone didn't run off with our materia." Cid breathed out some cigarette smoke. "That escapade set us behind almost a week's progress mind you."

"An' we wouldn't have ta be pushin' dis hard now." Barret added.

Yuffie didn't have a decent defense for this. She picked up a grenade "I don't think you guys noticed it as much as I do," the teen said sitting down sounding very serious.

Aeris counted off some potions, "Notice what?"

"I don't now if this is the right way to say it but Cloud. he's.. weird."

Cid let out a roaring laugh, "That's the understatement of the year! Spike's got his issues but it looks like there getting to 'im."

Aeris looked down, "I know ever since seeing Sephiroth and all those black cloaked men in Nibelheim he seems to be pushing a lot harder. I've never know any one to have some much hatred for one person before. He does need a break like any of us do."

"The kid's probably gon have a breakdown if 'e ain't careful." Barret added. "Yo Cid gimme them rounds."

"GAWD. I don't want to be around when that happens." Yuffie's stomach growled, "I'm hungry."

The other three groaned in unison, defeated. Yuffie will never stop being Yuffie.

~*~

This was battle six and a swarm of vampire bats fluttered about Cloud's head. A few drops of blood fell from a nice cut on Clouds face. Those that accompanied him watched the battle on the large screen video monitors. Dio had a baud smile on his face, "The boy is pretty damned good in there. Especially since he was all jacked up before goin on in there."

Vincent, Red, and Tifa watched on unable to help their friend and leader. They had to wince at some of the hits that Cloud had received. Cloud dashed out of the way of another attack from the swarm, only be side swiped again. A flair of red light surrounded they Mako-eyed warrior moments and later a pyramid of yellow energy surging with electrical power wove through the cluster of bats.

Cloud let out a breath thanking his lucky stars for that ether bonus before that round started. An announcer's voice called out to him, "Your doin' great! Does the challenger want to go another round?"

"Does he have to win all the fights?" Red asked the Gold Saucer owner.

"No, the boy doesn't have to win." Dio laughed again, "I just wanted to see how the boy fights I'm going to give you guys the keystone any way which way these fights go. Of course he doesn't know that."

Tifa was furious after hearing this, "WHAT?!" She wanted to go for the man's throat.

"Bring it!" Clouds voice called over the speaker system.

The screen split, half showed the battle arena the other half the announcer's booth. The sexily dressed woman spun the handicap wheel, "Alright challenger you handicap is." the wheel stopped on a circle of multi colored orbs. "Your materia is broken! Go for it!"

"Shit." Cloud muttered. He rummaged around in his item pouch for something that would help him out here, he was weakened and bleeding there had to be something. He opened up his hand to find that the only thing in there was a Hyper! He felt his adrenaline starting to peak by now, but he couldn't handle many more attacks. This should work. He broke the small pill in his mouth there was almost a sudden urge in him to attack with out reason or mercy.

Red XIII padded closer to the screen not believing his eyes, "Did he just take what I think he did."

Vincent merely nodded, "He's trying to break his limit."

Tifa kept quiet watching her secret love fight for his life! "Why does he think he has to prove himself all the time!"

The Ghirofelgo swung on its razor sharp pendulum Cloud dashed just before it gave him any serious injury. The blonde warrior held his shoulder feeling his warm blood cover his hand. Cloud glared at the monster, watching it sway back and forth its long yellow colored mane moving with it's movements. All Cloud saw was silver and green, his hatred rising mixing with the effects of the hyper, the young man reared back on the defensive again. "C'mon you bastard."

Ghirofelgo attacked again the pendulum meeting the steal of Cloud's blade. Cloud was sent sprawling with a pained scream; it took him a few moments to gather himself again. That voice came to him again, calling him a weak puppet mocking him for his efforts. In defiance he struggled to stand, "Shut up.

Weak

"Shut up!

You will fail boy!

Cloud glared at Ghirofelgo, only seeing Sephiroth stare back at him. He was to his limit, and Sephiroth will pay for is mockery! The monster was gearing up for another attack pivoting it's pendulum to strike out, this time with deadly force.

The trio on the view floor watched as Cloud took a different defensive pose. Squaring his feet to in the same line as his shoulders he held the blade out in front of him. "What's he doing?" Tifa cried running closer to the screen, "Cloud run away get out of there!"

Vincent stood beside her she couldn't watch what was to happen next she held Vincent's arm turning away from the scene. Vincent took his clawed arm protectively tuning Tifa's body fully away from the happenings. He and Red still watched on and beheld one of the most amazing sites yet.

Cloud charged at the on coming Ghirofelgo, dashing out of the pendulum's way and within a quick reflexive motion stabbed the monster trough. He paused for a moment then tore the sword upward screaming a name as he did so, effectively slicing Ghirofelgo in half.

The battle was over, and Cloud stood victorious in a pool of blood. Tifa turned back to the frightening scene, as the crowd erupted in to cheers. She let go of Vincent, quickly apologizing for her actions. He nodded to her, there was none needed he knew the anguish she felt at that moment.

Cloud was escorted out of the arena to get cleaned up in the locker rooms. Tifa heard the mane that he screamed as did Red and Vincent. He had screamed 'Sephiroth', with pained and confused eyes Tifa watched his retreating form on the screen, "What is happening to you."