A/N: No more Vincent/Tifa. Sorry if that upsets someone. Now, it's going to be Vincent/Yuffie! :) Ugh, I wanted to change so many more things around, but I figured it was too late for any major changes. Like trying to get more of Jenova into the picture, and less of Hojo. He just doesn't strike me as nearly as frightening.
6.) Three is Company
"Keep up, slowpoke." Cid shouted back to Zack, who was tagging along at a slow pace. Then, more quietly, "is it safe?" He whispered to Cloud.
Cloud put his hand over his coat pocket in assurance, looking up at Cid.
"Never put it on, or else something bad will happen. That baby wants its mommy. But its mommy happens to be a beast called Jenova, so don't let the two get together."
Cloud nodded as if he understood.
Cid was on his way to meet with the 'person smarter than him' and Cloud and Zack were off to the Charging Chocobo Inn.
Cid took another path after a short while, bidding the two hobbits farewell shortly and in an informal manner.
Then the two hobbits continued on their way to the Charging Chocobo through the countryside.
"This is it," Zack stated suddenly, stopping in his tracks in the middle of a field of crops.
"This is what?" Cloud questioned.
"If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been." Zack said, almost sounding sad.
"Come on, Zack." Cloud said, trying to reassure his friend.
Zack nodded and took a step forward.
"Remember what Rufus used to say?" Cloud asked once they continued walking.
"What? You mean about the jelly thieving trolls?" Zack asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"No, not that. He said 'It's a dangerous business... Cloud, going out your door. You step out onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.'"
"Oh, that," Zack murmured, nodding.
Meanwhile, Cid was going off seeking the man more intelligent than he. He entered a large black building and strode inside. His steps slowed when he saw the man whom he was looking for.
"Smoke rises from the mountain of Doom, and the hour grows late, and Cid the Purple rides to Gongaga, seeking my counsel. For that is why you have come, is it not? My old friend..." A low voice hummed.
The man with long, silver cascading hair still had his back turned to Cid, but his mysterious powers must have given him the insight to know who was coming to meet him long before they even arrived.
"Sephiroth," Cid acknowledged, strutting up to him. "You knew it was me?"
"The mirrors," Sephiroth said, gesturing to the mirrors in the room.
"Right," Cid said, only now noticing the mirrors.
After Cid explained the situation to Sephiroth, he had some questions.
"You are sure of this?" Sephiroth asked quizzically.
"Am I ever wrong?" Cid asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sephiroth just stared at him, and the birds that were flying around them in the tree-filled garden seemed to get quiet.
"So the Ring of Power has been found," Sephiroth confirmed, choosing to ignore Cid's previous comment.
"Only after I've told you fifty times," Cid grumbled.
"And yet you did not have the wits to see it. Your love of the Halflings' leaf has clearly slowed your mind," Sephiroth said, a corner of his mouth moving upward in a rare gesture.
"But we still have time. Time enough to counter Hojo if we act quickly," Cid said.
"Time? What time do you think we have?" Sephiroth asked, his voice becoming slow and strange.
They both stop in their tracks and Cid looks up at Sephiroth.
"Mother has regained much of her former strength. She cannot yet take physical form, but her spirit has lost none of its potency. Concealed within her fortress, the Lord of Midgar sees all. Her gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth and flesh." Sephiroth's voice echoed from every direction from where he sat in a chair of elaborate design. "You know of what I speak, Highwind. A Great cranium, wreathed in mako."
Cid, who was standing before Sephiroth, didn't have much of a clue as to what the intelligent man was saying, but he took a stab at it. "You mean Jenova's head?"
"He is gathering all evil to him. Very soon he will summon an army great enough to launch an assault upon the Planet."
"How do you know?" Cid challenged.
"I have seen it," Sephiroth answered, bright mako eyes glinting devilishly.
"A palantír is just asking for trouble," Cid said as the pair walked into a hall.
"Why? Why should we fear to use it?" Sephiroth said, before throwing the cover off of the palantír.
"Those stones in the ancient scrolls—"Cid began.
"The Seeing-stones," Sephiroth prodded.
"Yeah—they're not all accounted for. So we don't know who else could be watching." With that, Cid threw the cover back on the palantír.
"The hour is later than you think. Hojo's forces are already moving. The nine have left Nibelheim."
"The nine?" Cid asked, furrowing his brows.
"They crossed the river on Midsummer's Eve, disguised as riders in black."
"They've reached the Shire?" Cid's teeth clenched down on the toothpick in his mouth.
"They will find the Ring, and kill the one who carries it."
"Cloud!" Cid bellowed.
"You do not seriously think that a Hobbit could contend with the will of Hojo? There are none who can. Against the power of Midgar, there can be no victory. We must join with him, Highwind. We must join with Hojo. It would be wise, my friend."
"You stupid --. You were supposed to be the smart one."
Furiously, Sephiroth shouts out, pointing his masamune as he did so, pining Cid high up against the wall, causing the captain to shout in pain. Sephiroth walked to him slowly, with his sword still pointed at him, then let him drop to the ground. But as Sephiroth approached him, Cid reached for a conveniently placed stick-like thing and whacked the man across the head, causing him to fall onto his back.
Then the duel began.
For some time, they make hits at each other, each causing each other to fall to the ground. It seemed for some time that Cid was winning, especially as he sent Sephiroth flying through the shut door, but Sephiroth soon recovered better than ever. At seeing the weariness in Cid's face, he made a sudden movement with his hand, causing the stick-thing in Cid's grip to fly into his own hand. Then, he threw Cid to the ground, approaching him with both weapons and pointing them at the man on the ground.
"I gave you the chance willingly, but you have elected a way of pain!" Sephiroth shouted.
He used his masumane to throw Cid to the top of the tower, a malicious grin spreading across his pale face.
Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring or Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children. Unfortunatly for me.