Ch 1

Cloud's hopes have been restored. Is Sephiroth really returning?

Return of the One Winged Angel; storming ShinRa HQ

Falling felt like forever. The wind around him whistled in his ears as he plummeted to the ground. Was he only plunging to his death or would Sephiroth be there to save him in time? He could only pray.

'SEPHIROTH!' he cried out in his mind.

Suddenly, he felt himself land in someone's arms. He slowly opened his eyes and they widened as he saw that familiar beautiful face he had so longed to see again.

"... Sephiroth..." he breathed.

"Hold onto me, Cloud. This plate's about to come down," Sephiroth said.

Cloud nodded and clutched onto him. The next thing he knew, both were enveloped in darkness and the sound of the falling plate became distant. The blonde felt his heart beginning to race and began to hyperventilate as the darkness seemed to come closer to him.

"Cloud... calm down. My darkness will never hurt you as long as you're with me," came Sephiroth's soothing voice.

He looked up to see a comforting smile on the ex-General's face. He rested his head against his muscular chest while Sephiroth stroked his blonde hair.

"Where are we going?" Cloud asked.

"I'm taking you to the playground. After that, I have to leave you for awhile," Sephiroth replied.

"NO! I don't want you to leave! Listen, I'm sorry for what I did five years ago, but..." tears came to his eyes. "... I was trying to save you. I didn't want to lose you," he whispered as they flowed down his face.

"I know you were, my love. I forgive you. But, rest assured; I'll be back for you, I promise," Sephiroth said before planting a kiss on his forehead.

The blonde could only nod before his eyes drifted closed as Sephiroth hummed him a lullaby he used to sing to him when they were SOLDIER. His voice became distant until he couldn't hear it anymore.

When he awoke, he found himself laying on the slide at the playground with Tifa hovering over him, worry on her face.

"Oh Cloud, thank goodness you're awake! But come quick! It's Barret..." she said.

Cloud slowly sat up and saw the ruins of what remained of the Sector 7 plate and there kneeled the AVALANCHE leader. The blonde got up and the two hurried over to him. Barret went into a fit of rage, fearing the worst for Marlene and the rest of AVALANCHE as he saw the wreckage of the once Sector 7.

"... Biggs... Wedge... Jessie..." Barret sniffed, human hand resting on the wall of rubble.

"All three of them were in the pillar," Tifa said sadly, resting a hand on the burly man's shoulder.

"... Most of all... Marlene," said he, tears threatening to fall.

"Barret... I don't think Marlene's dead," Cloud said.

Barret whipped around, his eyes wide at the sudden news. "What?" he exclaimed.

"Remember what Aerith said? 'She's alright. She put her somewhere safe'. She's still alive, Barret," Tifa said.

"Oh yea, that Aerith girl. She risked her life for her," Barret said.

As he rushed towards the exit, he turned around and added "This ain't over! Not yet!" he said before heading off.

"Barret, wait up! You don't where she is!" Tifa said, making to follow him.

As Cloud made to go, he shifted gaze over his shoulder, as if feeling Sephiroth's presence behind him, but there was nothing.

Go on, Cloud. Follow them.

"... I'll see you, Sephiroth," he said before leaving.

Arriving at Elmyra's house, they heard sigh and say "Cloud, wasn't it? Is it true?"

"I'm sorry. The ShinRa have her," Cloud said, looking away.

"... They came by here earlier, saying something about her being the last Ancient..." so, Elmyra told them her story on how she met Aerith by the train station while awaiting her husband's arrival from the war.

She described Aerith's mother's last words before she died. As months went by, she began to notice Aerith's special gift and how the ShinRa wanted her so badly, so she was constantly hiding from them. After her story, the trio was in awe.

"That's amazing... running from the ShinRa for so long," Cloud said.

"Before they took her, she brought a little girl here," Elmyra said.

"That's Marlene!" Barret suddenly said. Then, he added "Please, ma'am. Marlene's my daughter, you see?"

"Your daughter?" Elmyra gasped.

"I know. But, I have to fight the ShinRa! Yet, I regret not being able to be with my girl. So, I have to keep fightin'. See now, I'm going in circles already," Barret said.

"I get what you're saying. She's upstairs, sleeping," Elmyra said.

Barret hurried up the stairs while Cloud stepped outside for awhile. He looked to the skies as he clutched at the feather tied around his neck.

'... I can't believe ShinRa has her. What's worse... they're responsible for what they done to you. When we rescue Aerith... I'm going to bring down ShinRa!' he thought.

... And I will be there at your side to help you.

After Barret spent a few moments with his daughter, he came barreling down the stairs upon hearing that Cloud and Tifa were going to rescue Aerith.

"I'm sorry, but could you watch Marlene a bit longer?" he asked.

"Of course I will. Just be careful and don't get yourselves killed," Elmyra replied with a nod.

"It's not safe around here anymore. You better go somewhere else," Barret added before heading off with Tifa and Cloud.

Heading to Wall Market and picking up the batteries needed to proceed to ShinRa HQ, they followed a pack of kids to an alleyway. Arriving there, they saw a wire leading up. Starting the climb up, Cloud stopped at a couple of kids, gawking at the sight of the destruction of Sector 7.

'... All of that, just to get to us? How low can ShinRa sink?' he thought.

They will pay, won't they, my love?

Cloud smiled to himself at the comforting sound of Sephiroth's voice. He was close to him, though not visible.

"Yea... they're going to get it when we get there," he said before continuing the climb.

Reaching the HQ, Cloud was in awe at the sheer size, so were the other two. "Cloud, you've been in ShinRa. You've been here, right?" Barret asked.

"Actually, no. This is the first time I've been to the actual headquarters," Cloud admitted.

"Awright! Let's go!" Barret shouted, ready to barge inside.

"Wait! There has to be another way!" Tifa stopped him.

"There is no other way, Tifa! If we don't go in there now, Aerith will..." he trailed off for a moment. Then, he focused his attention on Cloud. "What do you think, Cloud?" he asked.

Cloud pondered for a moment; going in the front meaning starting an early ruckus, which he meant to save until they rescued Aerith. But taking the stairs may take longer and by then, Aerith could be...

What do you have to be afraid of? You can take them. I'll be there with you, granting you my strength.

'... Thank you, Sephiroth,' he thought. Then, he said with a smirk "Let's go!"

"Awright! Now we're talking!" Barret laughed before following Cloud inside.

Indeed, security was on them, upon realizing who they were. There were twenty soldiers and three of them.

Hmph. Pathetic. Let's take them together, Cloud!

'Right!' Cloud thought with determination, gripping his Buster Sword tightly.

Suddenly, he felt Sephiroth's spirit joining his and immense strength began flowing through his being, filling him with unfathomable power. So, this was the power of the mighty General. Once, did he experience by sight, but this was no ordinary strength. This felt more... even words couldn't describe how he was feeling inside.

My strength is your strength. Our souls are joined together. We fight as one, Cloud!

With a united battle cry, the trio began fighting away at the soldiers. Cloud fought more fiercely with the speed and strength of the famed General.

"Cloud... how is he..." Tifa gasped as she took down a guard.

"What in the...!" Barret breathed, shooting down another.

As they fought, Cloud could feel him guiding his sword, as if it were his own weapon. Never did the blonde imagine fighting alongside his long time lover again after what happened five years ago. All of his pent up emotions were flowing out as he continued to fight; anger at the Planet, sadness of losing Sephiroth, joy of fighting beside him once more, and love that was finally rekindled. Tears welled up in MAKO eyes as the siege neared its end.

Tears? Why cry?

'... I thought I lost you five years ago. And now, here you are... fighting beside me again! I thought I would never see you again,' Cloud replied.

He felt his tears disappearing, as if being wiped away.

Like I said, I forgive you for what you did. I understood why you did what you did. Now, let's finish them!

With a final scream, Cloud finished the last of the security, leaving him panting as his sword was poised out to the side. His sword arm finally dropped to his side as Sephiroth's presence vanished from inside.

"Cloud... are you ok?" Tifa asked, timidly going up to him.

"... Yea, I'm fine. Let's just find Aerith and get out of here. Who knows how many more guards could be lurking around," Cloud replied, glancing over his shoulder.

The two nodded in agreement before following him to the elevator. Once on, another trap was sprung on them, resulting in more fights. Sneaking past some guards, they made their way up, obtaining keycards as they went. Coming to the 66th floor, they spotted ShinRa executives heading into the meeting room. Climbing up a ventilation shaft, they overheard President ShinRa's plans.

"That dirty..." Barret cursed under his breath.

"Shhh! Listen!" Tifa whispered.

Hojo came in and spoke of the progress he was making with Aerith. After a few minutes, President ShinRa adjourned the meeting.

"Let's follow him," Cloud said, referring to Hojo.

Crawling out, he followed him up to the science floor.

"Is this today's specimen?" asked Hojo's assistant.

"Yes. Please get it ready," Hojo replied.

The assistant nodded before leaving. Hojo stalked up to the glass and patted it a few times.

"My precious specimen," he cooed.

Finally, he left and the trio spread out. Tifa walked up to the glass chamber and looked through. There laid a creature that looked half-dog and half-lion and its fur was the color of flames, all the way down to the tip of its flaming tail.

"Is this going to used in some sort of experiment?" she asked.

While the two were looking around, Cloud spotted a tank to his right. Walking up to it, he heard Sephiroth's voice again.

Mother... she's really here.

Suddenly, he heard Jenova's own voice creep into his mind.

Hello, my son. So this is the one whom you take interest in.

Yes, Mother. I'll be back for you when I can.

Cloud clutched at his head at hearing not one, but two voices in his head.

'Sephiroth, stop it! It's hurting me!' he pleaded, collapsing to his knees.

"Cloud!" Tifa gasped, seeing his friend in sudden pain.

As he started to fall back, he thought he heard Sephiroth calling for him as well.