Chapter Five

Next day, at the peak of Mount Gaea …

"I still think we should hide the Highwind," Rane said doubtfully, staring at the Highwind which looked completely out of place on top of the mountains. "Why don't we park it somewhere in the forests? Then Sephiroth won't see it and become suspicious."

"We need a quick getaway, in case anything goes wrong," Lynx argued. "If we hide it in the forests, what if something happens, and we'd have to grab everyone and run to the Highwind? It would take ages, and before we get to Highwind, Sephiroth would've eliminated either one of us, if not all."

"We don't have to hide it that far deep into the forests, just enough to conceal it from anyone who's on their way up. If Sephiroth's halfway up here, and he sees that Highwind sticking out of the peak of the mountain like some kind of screaming banner, he'll probably be more alert and start attacking first," Rane reasoned. "Then we'll have more problems. You don't think he would give up Rynn that easily without a deal, do you?"

Lynx pursed her lips thoughtfully, then sighed. "You're right. Alright, I'll just move it slightly out of view." She climbed back into the Highwind, leaving Rane to inspect the vast area.

Rane kicked a few pebbles away as she walked across the clearing, looking down at the ground for any telltale signs that might indicate that the Ultimate Sphere was buried there. The color of the earth here was unlike anything she had ever seen; it was a brilliant shade of red with streaks of yellow and orange. Lynx returned a few minutes later.

"Found anything?" she asked.

Rane shook her head. "I don't even know where to start looking. Hey, don't you think the color of the ground here is weird? I haven't seen anything like it."

Lynx examined the ground, and nodded. "It's a pretty color, though. Well, why don't we look around? I'm sure it's got to be somewhere here …we are on the right mountain, aren't we?" Lynx asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Rane glanced at her. "Of course. Don't you dare to tell me that we're not. But how are we going to find the Ultimate Sphere? We don't even know how it looks like. And remember how Shuyin said it was buried deep in the peak of Mount Gaea? I'm starting to wonder how Sephiroth is going to get the Ultimate Sphere."

Lynx giggled. "Maybe he brought a few shovels with."

Rane looked at her and giggled too. "Say, that's not a bad idea. Too bad we didn't bring any with us."

"Well, he's not going to get it anyway. He's gotta get past us. And it's not going to be easy," Lynx drawled.

"And Cloud too," Rane added. "I guess he'll join the party after Sephiroth and Rynn arrives."

"Meanwhile, we'll look for anything strange on the ground," Lynx said.

"Speaking of strange …is it just me, or is there some kind of weird humming sound somewhere close by?" Rane asked, looking at Lynx quizzically.

Lynx glanced at her, and smiled. "You heard that too? I thought it was my ears ringing. I guess I wasn't really going crazy like I thought I was."

"Hey, maybe that's the sound that's emitted by the Ultimate Sphere …" Rane trailed off.

"You think?" Lynx asked doubtfully. "How can the Ultimate Sphere make this weird sound? Maybe it's some kind of bird species."

Rane rolled her eyes and started walking to the center of the clearing. "Birds don't make monotonous and shrill humming sound. Besides, check this out; it's getting louder as I walk closer to the center," she told Lynx, her voice heavy with excitement.

"Humming birds do," Lynx replied, walking towards Rane. "So you think you found the source of the sound?"

Rane was standing right in the smack center of the clearing center, staring down at the pebbles scattered about. She knelt down and examined it. "Hey, Lynx, look at this; the pebbles seemed to be arranged to form some kind of symbol," she said, awed.

Lynx lowered herself next to Rane. "Wow, that's pretty cool. Do you think this is where the Ultimate Sphere could be?"

Rane grinned. "I don't think – I know. It's gotta be right below this strange symbol."

"So what we gonna do?"

"We'll sit and guard this," Rane said with a mischievous smile.

Lynx raised her eyebrows as she saw Rane's expression. "Uh-oh – I don't think I like that look on your face."

Rane looked at her innocently. "What look? I was just happy we actually got here before Sephiroth, and found where the Ultimate Sphere lies. It just makes things much easier than I thought."

There was a sudden loud rustle from the forests. Both Rane and Lynx jumped, startled, and turned to each other, eyes wide. "Did you hear that? It's a ghost!" Lynx asked, her gray blue eyes wide with terror.

"It's not a ghost!" Rane snapped, feeling more scared than ever. "Why don't you go check out what it is?"

There were more rustling, this time it sounded more like footsteps, and was approaching them.

Lynx glared at Rane. "Why don't you go? I'm quite happy just sitting here waiting for that whoever or whatever to come for me."

"Hey, we're trained mercenaries, we shouldn't be afraid!" Rane protested. A twig snapped, and they jumped again.

"I wasn't trained, but you are! Why don't you go?" Lynx argued.

Rane glared at Lynx. "Okay, fine, I'll go. Geez," she muttered, turning around to head towards where the sound was coming from. She hesitated, and grimaced every time she heard the rustling.

"Hey, what are you standing there for? Go ahead," Lynx said persistently.

"Shut up, Lynx. I need time to gather up my courage," Rane snapped, but she was feeling jittery inside. She was, in fact, afraid that whatever that thing which was heading towards them, would jump out of nowhere and eat her in one swallow. She shuddered and erased the thought from her mind.

"Come on, Rane, it's getting closer!" Lynx said urgently.

Rane gritted her teeth, and started walking towards the forests, where the footsteps was approaching them. This is stupid. We're all prepared to come and fight the most powerful person ever known to human, and now we're scared out of our wits by the rustling sounds. For all you know, it's probably a mice, she thought to herself.

"Hey, whoever you are, come out and show yourself!" she called out, trying to sound brave, but she couldn't keep the slight tremor from her voice. There was no reply, and the footsteps suddenly stopped. She felt a sharp chill running down her back. Oh no. Where did that thing go? She bit her lip. This is bad. I'm going to kill Lynx! Summoning up all her courage, she walked a little bit further into the forests, then stopped and turned 360 degrees around, looking suspiciously into every dark corners cast by the trees. "H-Hello …? Are you a ghost?" she asked slowly.

"No, I'm not, are you?" a voice suddenly said, from right behind her neck.

Rane jumped and screamed in fear. Without even bothering to turn around, she ran wildly back to the clearing where Lynx was standing and looking at her direction in horror when she had heard Rane's scream.

"Lynx! Did you hear that?" Rane screamed hysterically, running right at Lynx. "Lynx, help me! It's coming!"

Lynx's eyes widened and she screamed as Rane went crashing into her. "What's coming?" Lynx shrieked. "Rane, you're scaring me out of my wits!"

Suddenly, there was a hysterical laughter, and a familiar figured stumbled out of the forests. "Cloud?" Both Lynx and Rane cried in surprise when they recognized the figure.

Cloud was laughing so hard, he was doubled over holding his stomach. Lynx and Rane exchanged glances, and stormed over to him.

"You scared us, Cloud," Lynx declared. "And it's not funny!"

Cloud was holding up his palms in surrender, still shaking all over with laughter. "I'm sorry," he breathed, still red in the face from laughing. "I – I didn't mean to." He straightened up, trying not to laugh, but still grinning widely.

Lynx and Rane were standing in front of him, arms folded across their chests, their faces flushed with embarrassment. "It's your fault. Who said it was a ghost?" Rane glared at Lynx, her face still red.

"What? Hey, you were scared too, okay? Don't blame me!" Lynx protested, defending herself.

"Yeah, but only because you said it was a ghost!"

Cloud started laughing again, then stopped and cleared his throat. He grinned at them. "It's okay, girls. It's my fault; blame me. Anyway, I'm sorry."

Rane rolled her eyes and flipped her chestnut hair over her shoulder. "I'm sure you are. I was pretty freaked out, you know."

Cloud touched her arm, grinning. "I am sorry. Anyway, what are you girls doing up here? Is it just you two?"

"Yeah," Lynx replied. "We took the Highwind and flew all the way here. Made it before you and Sephiroth." She grinned mischievously.

"Well, what made you come? I thought you guys leave it all up to me," Cloud said, lifting an eyebrow quizzically.

"It was Lynx's idea, but I agreed because I was really worried about Rynn," Rane explained. "Anyway, you arrived early for the party. We thought you'd arrive after Sephiroth and Rynn do."

"Yeah, I took a shortcut through a small town," Cloud replied. "Well, I'm glad to see you girls. So, what have you girls been doing?"

"We only just arrived like, a second before you showed up, and Rane was pointing out this weird pebble symbol thingy in the smack center of this clearing. She reckons it's where the Ultimate Sphere lies, and I think she could be right," Lynx told him, leading him to the center of the clearing.

Cloud crouched down and studied the pebbles. "It does look like a symbol," he said. "But how do we tell if the Ultimate Sphere lies beneath it?"

Rane shrugged. "That's what we haven't figured out. Anyway, I guess we should lay low until Sephiroth shows up." She sat cross-legged on the ground.

Lynx suddenly slapped her forehead. "Oh, stupid me! I left the Highwind running! It's going to eat up all the fuel!" she groaned as she clambered to her feet. "Be right back!" Before she entered the forests where the Highwind was hidden, Lynx turned and gave Rane a discreet wink.

Rane rolled her eyes. Lynx had deliberately left Cloud and Rane alone. Cloud didn't seem to mind as he turned to her and smiled. "This is a real surprise. I really didn't expect to see you so soon," he said.

Rane mustered a faint smile. "Well, you did leave without saying goodbye, Cloud …"

Cloud paused. "I know, Rane, and I'm sorry. I just …" He hesitated. "You and Tidus were still sleeping when I left, so …I had no choice."

Rane nodded quietly. "It's okay." She studied him for a moment, then smiled worriedly. "You look tired, Cloud. I can't imagine hiking all the way from the North to South."

Cloud massaged the back of his neck and nodded. "I am exhausted, and I'm sick of trains and planes and boat rides. I haven't had enough sleep, either, and all those hiking is enough to last me my whole life. When this is all over and we return to Planet, I'm going to Costa Del Sol for a long, long vacation. And I do mean a vacation. I won't even take my sword with me." He paused, then smiled faintly at her. "You can come too, if you want. It'll be much better with you around …but it's your choice."

Rane gazed into his eyes, and exhaled very quietly. "Of course I'd go. Since when do we go anywhere without each other?" she asked lightly.

Cloud smiled, and nodded, saying nothing for a moment. "That'll be awesome. The sun, sand, saltwater …" he turned to her. "And you. What more can I ask?"

"Your sword. You can't leave your sword behind. You're my protector, remember? Whatever would you do if someone attacks me?" Rane teased, smiling mischievously.

"So you're saying that, without my sword, I won't be able to protect you and fight off your assailants?" he asked playfully, a mischievous gleam twinkling in his aqua eyes.

Rane shook her head and smiled. "No, what I'm saying is, it won't be the same Cloud Strife without his Buster sword."

Cloud smiled and chuckled. "Alright, you convinced me. If you're coming, I'll bring my sword along so you won't have any problems recognizing me."

Rane laughed and shook her head, but before she could say something else, they were both interrupted by Lynx's urgent scream, "Rane, Cloud! Sephiroth – I saw him! He's coming!" Lynx burst out of the forests, breathing hard. "He's less than ten meters awa –" She didn't have time to finish her sentence.

A bright flash whipped past, and right at Lynx.

"Lynx!" Rane screamed, leaping up to her feet and running towards Lynx, who collapsed onto the ground; weakened, but still alive. As she helped Lynx up, Rane looked out, and realized that the bright flash that Sephiroth had used to hit Lynx was actually Bolt3.

Out of the forests on Rane and Lynx's right, emerged Sephiroth, Rynn – and Seifer.

Rane's mouth fell open, and she saw Lynx was sharing her exact shock.

"What – Seifer?" Lynx screeched in disbelief.

"Wait –" Rynn started, but she was interrupted by Cloud.

"Sephiroth, let her go!" Cloud said, standing in the center of the clearing.

"Why should I?" Sephiroth asked mildly.

Rane and Lynx ran over to where Cloud was standing and they both glared at Sephiroth.

"You're not getting the Ultimate Sphere without releasing Rynn!" Rane snarled.

"Yeah, you gotta get past us!" Lynx chimed in.

"Lynx, don't be silly – what do you think you're doing?" Seifer asked, raising his eyebrows.

Lynx glared at her brother. "The question is, what are you doing?" she snapped.

Seifer spread out his arms and gestured to himself. "What do I look like I'm doing?"

"We don't have time to stand around and chat. Sephiroth – if you don't release Rynn this instant, you're not going anywhere," Cloud said irritably, as if he was starting to get sick of all the words that they were throwing at each other.

"She's not in my hostage. She just with me," Sephiroth replied.

"Rynn, come on, hurry up!" Rane urged, gesturing at her sister. To her terror, Rynn looked at her, bit her lower lip, and turned to Sephiroth. "Rynn, what the hell are you doing?"

Cloud withdrew his sword and stood back.

"Let her go!" he shouted at Sephiroth.

"Wait a minute!" Rynn cried. "Cloud, don't! He's not –" She didn't finish her sentence. A hyena-like laughter echoed loudly throughout the whole forest. Rane met Cloud's eyes, and instantly, she knew he was thinking what she was thinking; that the laughter was that of someone whom they know. Before anyone could react any further, a grinning figure emerged from the forests on their right. Rane felt the blood draining from her cheeks, and she could feel the heavy sense of shock that fell upon them.

"Well, well, well," Shuyin drawled. "Look what we have here; a party!"

Rynn gasped. "Shuyin?" she snarled angrily.

Sephiroth merely lifted an eyebrow, and mildly said, "Why is everyone here?" And at that moment, Rane realized that the person who had cast the Bolt3 on Lynx wasn't Sephiroth – it was Shuyin.

"Looks like we've got ourselves some visitors. Any more surprises?" Seifer asked easily.

"Rynn, crush that bastard!" Lynx yelled, withdrawing her four-sided boomerang-like dagger. "Come on!"

"Oh, please, I won't even waste an ounce of my precious strength on this piece of shit," Rynn snorted, rolling her eyes.

Shuyin snapped angrily, "This isn't some sorority party! I'm here to –"

"Sephy, this is the bastard who's going to steal the Ultimate Sphere from you once you get it!" Rynn interrupted, turning to Sephiroth.

Rane and Lynx glanced at each other simultaneously, eyebrows lifted in a 'What-the-hell?' mode. Sephy? Rane wondered silently. What the heck? Did Sephiroth brainwash my sister or something?

"You? Steal the Ultimate Sphere from Sephiroth?" Seifer scornfully asked Shuyin. He chortled. "Ha! In your wildest dreams!"

"Yeah, good luck trying to get it!" Rynn chimed in.

Rane couldn't stand it anymore. She covered her ears with both hands, and cried, "Stop it, everyone! No one is getting the Ultimate Sphere!"

At that moment, Shuyin had grabbed the chance to attack Sephiroth. Rynn screamed as Shuyin crashed into Sephiroth, and they both collapsed onto the ground. Both guys pulled out their swords simultaneously, and started violently attacking each other. Rynn was screaming, "Stop that!"

In one final, powerful swipe, Sephiroth slashed his Masamune sword at Shuyin, a burst of flames exploding from the blow, and Shuyin fell forward, weakened and bleeding.

Rane was too shocked to say anything when she saw her own sister running towards Sephiroth and asking him, her eyes full of concern, "Are you okay, Sephy?"

Rane was even more shocked to see Sephiroth giving her sister a reassuring smile and a nod. She felt faint. This isn't happening. This is insane. Sephiroth and Rynn …it's impossible! Somebody wake me up from this nightmare! her mind was yelling. She saw Lynx running towards her brother, and the next thing she knew, there was a loud crack, and the ground started shaking. Rane stumbled, and Cloud grabbed her to support her.

"Oh my God! Earthquake on a mountain!" Rynn gasped, grabbing on to Sephiroth's arm.

Sephiroth was standing calmly, staring at the center of the vast clearing. He shook his head. "It's the Ultimate Sphere. It's been awakened by our vibrations …and its protector is rousing to fight off whoever who's standing on this ground." He turned to Rynn and smiled calmly. "This is it. When I defeat Omega Weapon, the protector of the Ultimate Sphere, it will give me the Ultimate Sphere."

To Rane's horror, Rynn smiled up at Sephiroth. The ground started shaking more violently now, and Rane had to hold on to Cloud's arm to support. Suddenly, the ground began to split open, and everyone lost their balance. Except Sephiroth, who was staring into the ground calmly, his Masamune sword in one hand. Cloud grabbed Rane's hand and started running off to the side, and she grimaced as she heard a horrifyingly loud roar from the depths of the opened ground.

"Who dares awaken me from my sleep?" a deep, menacing voice growled, sending more vibrations into the ground.

Sephiroth smiled, and in a flash, attacked the Omega Weapon with full force. The battle between them was a terrifyingly tough one, as everyone else watched in amazement.

In the midst of the battle, Lynx and Seifer ran over to where Rane and Cloud were standing.

"Quick, Rane, let's get into the Highwind! Who knows what would happen if Sephiroth defeated this guy – he'll probably explode!" Lynx cried urgently. But before anything else happened, Shuyin suddenly rose again, his eyes full of fury and rage, and without warning, he cast an incredibly powerful greenish magic – Ultima – at Sephiroth – but Rynn reacted quickly. She shoved Sephiroth, who was in the middle of fighting the Omega Weapon, and they both crashed into Rane. At that instant, everything happened so suddenly. Sephiroth, Rynn, Lynx, Seifer, and Rane managed to avert the powerful magic, but Cloud was standing right at the center point of where the magic would hit. The incredibly powerful magic hit him like a ton of bricks, draining almost all of his HP and instantly sending him into paralysis. Rane watched in stunned horror as Cloud collapsed to the shaking ground, unconscious.

"Cloud!" Rane screamed, struggling to her feet and running towards Cloud. But before she could reach him, Shuyin attacked her from behind. As Rane spun around to face Shuyin, she drew out her laser-blade. She relentlessly attacked Shuyin, her every slash representing every bit of revenge and hatred in her heart, and her final blow that instantly killed the already weakened Shuyin was her Ultima magic.

The Omega Weapon seemed to be roaring more furiously, sending so much vibrations through the ground the Rane could barely stand up as she and Lynx made their way towards where Cloud was lying unconscious. Sephiroth leapt into the air, and resumed attacking the horrible monster.

Lynx cried to her brother, "Help us here, Seifer, we have to get Cloud into the Highwind!"

"Yeesh! What the hell –" Seifer made a face and shook his head disagreeably, but he helped Lynx to lift the unconscious Cloud off the ground.

"Guys, wait!" Rynn cried out. "I – I can't leave Sephiroth here! Seifer! You're not leaving Sephy here, are you?"

"Of course not!" Seifer snapped. "I just have to get this dude on the Highwind."

Rane stared at her sister in stunned shock as Lynx and Seifer dragged Cloud into the Highwind. "Rynn, Sephiroth is going to destroy this monster any time now, and once he does, he's going to get the Ultimate Sphere. And when he does, he's going to be so incredibly powerful that we won't even stand the least bit of chance against him!" she screamed, over the roars and vibrations, right at her sister.

But Rynn stood there, staring back at her sister. She shook her head and said pleadingly, "Rane, please. Sephiroth isn't going to harm any of us. He didn't harm me, Rane, and you have to believe me! I can't leave him here!"

"He won't have any problems coping by himself," Rane snapped. She couldn't believe it. "Rynn, he's not any ordinary guy, okay? He's just about the most violent person on the Planet!"

Rynn's eyes were tearing over. "No, he's not! That's where everyone has it wrong!" she cried. "Rane, I won't leave without him! If you go without him, then you're going without me too!"

Rane stared at her sister, dumbfounded, wondering if she was in some kind of a nightmare. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. First Shuyin, now Sephiroth. She shook her head, finally giving up.

"I can't believe you, Rynn," she seethed. "I'm going back to Highwind, and I'll tell Lynx to wait for you." With that, she spun on her heels and ran back to the Highwind.

As Rynn turned around, she saw Sephiroth delivering his last blow of his powerful sword, his face tensed in seriousness, and suddenly, the Weapon began to fall apart and the vibrations lessening.

"Sephiroth!" Rynn cried, running towards him.

Sephiroth smiled at her calmly as she approached him. Then, the Weapon rumbled a little, and finally gave in.

"The person who can defeat me will be the proud owner of the Ultimate Sphere …" And with that, the Omega Weapon produced a large, shiny orb from its heart, and presented it to Sephiroth. As Sephiroth reached out to take it, the Weapon roared again, and the ground started vibrating more violently.

Sephiroth grabbed Rynn's hand and started running. "We have to get out of here; this thing is gonna blow to smithereens!" he shouted.

"We've got to get back to the Highwind!" Rynn cried as they ran into the forests. "There it is!" She pointed wildly at the hidden Highwind.

Lynx appeared at the deck as she rolled down a rope ladder. "Hurry up!" she yelled at them.

Rynn started climbing the ladder, and Sephiroth followed after her. They barely got into the deck safely when someone piloted the Highwind high up into the air just as the peak of Mount Gaea began to disintegrate.

Everyone stared in awe as the tallest mountain in the Southern Continent began to rumble and collapse, and then explode into gazillion bits, and as Rynn leaned back against Sephiroth, exhausted, she thought, It's finally over.

***

Later, on the way back to the coast of Western Continent …

"What did you think you were doing, following that crazed villain?" Lynx demanded of her brother, who was calmly piloting the Highwind.

Seifer sighed. "Look, Lynx, I'm sorry you had to find out this way, okay?"

Lynx shook her head angrily, tears filling her eyes. "I'm your sister, Seifer. You used to tell me everything. What happened to that sister-brother relation we had? You knew we were after Sephiroth, but you didn't say a word to me! How could you keep that a secret?" she seethed, raising her voice angrily.

"Easy. I just keep my mouth shut," Seifer replied lightly.

Lynx couldn't remember the last time she was so mad at her brother. Even at a time like this, he could actually joke. She turned around angrily and stalked over to the edge of the cockpit, staring out the window. Seifer sighed, putting Highwind on autopilot, and walking up towards her.

"Look, kiddo, I'm really sorry, okay? But I knew you would never understand what Sephiroth and I are doing. You would never understand Sephiroth; everyone still thinks he's that evil villain who once wanted to take over the world and kill everyone for his own strength, but he's not. Even Rynn, who has been with him for a few days only, has seen past him. He's turned over a new leaf, Lynx, but no one would believe that. No one would care to believe that, except Rynn and I," Seifer said quietly, putting his hand on Lynx's shoulder. "Sephiroth only wanted to get the Ultimate Sphere; he had no intentions of harming anyone, Lynx. Trust me. I know him; I've been along with him for more than a year."

Lynx glared at her brother. "So you knew about Shuyin too?"

"Shuyin?" Seifer knitted his eyebrows. "Heck, no way. Lynx, listen, I'm truly sorry about all this, okay? But right now, I think you're still deciding what to do with Sephiroth; whether you should listen to your own heart or to what I just told you."

Lynx said nothing for a moment. Then she exhaled. "You're right; I won't know what to do with Sephiroth. It's not in my place to say so. Rane's my friend, and so is Rynn, but they're both arguing. I'm not choosing sides, I'm going to stay neutral and wait until all this blows over."

Seifer smiled and ruffled her hair. "That's my sis."

She glared at his sideways. "Don't think I've forgiven you yet. I still can't believe you would keep that big a secret from me."

Seifer raised an eyebrow. "Hey, I wouldn't dare think that," he said defensively, giving her a charming smile.

Despite her anger, Lynx smiled sweetly. "Well, there is something that you can do to make me forgive you …" she said slowly.

Seifer looked at her suspiciously. "What is it? I don't like that smile on your face."

"What smile? I'm just being nice," Lynx said innocently. "Well, you see …Zell and I have been discussing …"

Seifer groaned and rolled his eyes. "Not again. I assume this has something to do with Zell?"

Lynx looked at him and raised an eyebrow innocently. "Why, yes. In fact, we've decided to …" she smiled happily, and added quickly, "Get married. And you gotta say yes for me to forgive you."

"Get married?" Seifer exploded, his face turning red. "What the hell? Are you guys crazy?"

"Yes, crazy about each other," Lynx replied simply.

"No way!" Seifer snapped, his green eyes burning over. "Not in a million years! Not when I'm alive! Not when …" he trailed off when he saw Lynx's gray-blue eyes watering over. She was looking at him with those puppy eyes again, with that expression that she knew perfectly well always win him over. "Arrgh! Don't look at me like that!" he groaned.

Lynx said nothing as she lowered her head sadly.

Seifer peered at her out of the corner of his eyes. "Oh man …why Zell?" he groaned. "What have I done to deserve him as my brother-in-law?"

Lynx instantly brightened as she looked up at him, her eyes shining. "So you agree? You'll allow us to get married?"

"Married! Yeesh! You're still young!" Seifer scoffed.

"Well, we won't get married so soon, we'll just be engaged," Lynx replied, smiling up at him.

Seifer looked at her, then finally let out another big sigh, this time, it seems, much bigger than the one that she had heard last. So he did really have a pair of huge lungs.

"Alright, alright, I give up," he grumbled. "You win. I won't stop you both from …" he gagged. " …getting engaged."

"Yay!" Lynx cried happily, throwing her arms around her brother's neck and smothering him with kisses. "Thank you, thank you so much! You're the greatest brother in the world!"

***

Meanwhile …

Sephiroth and Rynn approached Rane, who was sitting next to Cloud's unconscious body.

"Rane," Sephiroth said.

Rane turned and looked at him for a moment. Rynn held her breath, half-expecting her sister to start yelling at Sephiroth, or even worse, attacking him. "Good to see that you're both safe," she said.

Sephiroth exchanged a glance with Rynn, who nodded for him to continue. "Listen …I've got Restore materias, and maybe I could help cure Cloud."

Rane's eyes watered a little as she looked at him. "Look, you've done enough damage, okay? Just go. I've already tried using my cure magic on him and just about everything else, but nothing works," she said, her voice quivering.

Rynn felt her heart crashing to the ground when she saw how dejected her sister was. She stepped forward.

"Rane, Sephiroth's only trying to help," she ventured. "He says the Ultima that Shuyin used had some kind of combined materia to it, and to cure Cloud, we'll have to use combined restorative items."

Rane said nothing, turning away as she stared down at Cloud. She wasn't sure if she should believe Sephiroth, but she trusted her sister with all her heart, and she would do anything to revive Cloud – even to entrust him in Sephiroth's hands. But she had no choice; she couldn't let him lay unconscious like that.

She stepped aside to allow Sephiroth to examine Cloud, and Rynn pulled her sister into a hug. Despite her worries about Cloud, Rane mustered a faint smile at her sister.

"I'm glad to see you again, Rynn. I was really worried," she whispered quietly.

Rynn hugged her sister tightly. "I'm so happy to see you too. But I'm okay."

Sephiroth was combining some items and casting them onto Cloud. He cast a purple magic, and then straightened up, looking over at Rane. "He'll be fine, but he's going to be in coma for a few days. Don't worry, he'll definitely wake up," Sephiroth told her quietly.

Rane looked up at him, unsure to believe him or not, but she said quietly, "Thank you."

Sephiroth nodded and took a step closer. "Look …I apologize for what happened back at Mount Gaea. I didn't know you or Cloud or any of your friends, in that matter, were going to show up. I mean, I kind of expected Cloud to stop me from getting the Ultimate Sphere, but …believe me please, I never mean to harm anyone." He withdrew a shiny orb; the Ultimate Sphere. "This sphere …it can be separated to be given to different people. If you'll allow and accept it, I'd like to offer you and your friends, including Rynn and Cloud, an equal amount of this sphere's power."

Rane didn't know what to say, or do. Rynn touched her arm, and said, "Accept it, Rane. It's not like it will do us any harm."

Sephiroth looked at her and nodded. "Rynn's right. After all this, I think all of us here each deserve an equal amount of this sphere."

Rane looked away. "You were the one who defeated the protector of this sphere, and you deserve to keep it," she said quietly.

"Yes, but I'm offering parts of it to you guys, mainly because I owe it to everyone here," Sephiroth replied.

Rane was silent for a long time. Then she nodded slowly. "Alright, I'll accept your offer."

"There're six of us altogether, so I will divide it in six equal parts," Sephiroth said, gently touching the shiny orb. "Once you hold and keep it, it will never part from you; the sphere will infuse itself with your spirit and soul and body." When he lifted his hand, a part of the shiny, gaseous orb was lifted too, and he held it out towards Rane. "Take it, and treasure it."

Rane hesitated for a moment, then took it, and said, "Thank you."

Sephiroth did the same thing twice more, handing the second part to Rynn, who held it close to her heart, and the third to Cloud. He placed the part of Ultimate Sphere on Cloud's chest. Then he turned back to Rane.

"Thank you for giving me a chance; for believing in me," he said quietly before he left the deck with Rynn.

Rane lowered herself next to Cloud again, feeling the sphere infusing into her body, her heart, her spirit. As she gazed down at Cloud, watching the way his sphere infused in his body, she thought to herself if she was crazy for trusting in someone like Sephiroth – the rival who had tried to kill Cloud several times ago. But Sephiroth's words, Thank you for giving me a chance …for believing in me …played in her mind over and over again. Maybe Rynn was right about him; maybe he was a changed person.

Rane heard footsteps on the deck, and she looked up to see her sister approaching her. "Hey," Rynn said.

Rane smiled faintly. "What are you doing here? I thought you went with Sephiroth."

Rynn lowered herself and sat next to Rane. "Well …I just came to talk to you. There's something I need to let you know, and …I know you're not going to like this."

Rane looked at her sister silently, then she said, "I know what you're going to say, Rynn. You're going to tell me to give Sephiroth a chance."

Rynn gazed at Rane, then nodded. "That's right," she said quietly. She reached out and held Rane's cold hand. "Rane, I love you with all my heart. You're the only family I have left." Her eyes watered over. "I know we've been through this before, when I first met Shuyin. But …Rane …Sephiroth is different. He's not the person everyone thought he was. He doesn't harm anyone anymore. I mean, look at me, Rane – he could've hurt me, or even kill me, when he captured me, but he didn't. He's a totally different person …he really has a good heart, Rane, I just want you to see that, please."

Rane said nothing. She didn't know why her sister always has to fall for the bad guys. But she thought of Rynn's words, that she was the only family Rynn had left, and she knew how true it was. They only had each other; there was no one else in the world. She loved Rynn too much to see her being troubled by the fact that Rane wouldn't accept the person she loved, even if it was someone like Sephiroth. She let out a small sigh. "I'm not objecting you both anymore, Rynn."

Rynn gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Rane." She hugged her sister. "Thank you."

***

Back on the coast of Western Continent …

Lynx was the first to jump out of the Highwind. She gave a happy squeal when she saw her boyfriend waiting on the beach, along with the rest of their friends. She ran across the sand and threw her arms around him happily. "Zell! I'm so happy to see you!" she said cheerfully.

Zell grinned and kissed her nose. "Yeah, but you have a hell lot of explanation to do."

She smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, hon, but we'll talk about it later. Guess what? Seifer agrees to let us engage!"

Zell's eyes brightened. "Really? Man, that's fantastic!" He hugged her tightly and kissed her on the cheek.

Vincent, Tifa, and Tidus were walking towards them. "Man, what did you think you were doing, stealing the Highwind like that?" Vincent complained.

"What do you mean, steal? Rane and I were only borrowing it!" Lynx said innocently.

Zell couldn't help laughing as he pulled her closer to him.

Rynn was climbing down from the Highwind with Sephiroth, Seifer, and Rane. Sephiroth and Seifer were supporting the unconscious Cloud as they walked. Tidus stared at them.

"Is that who I think it is?" he asked, dumbfounded.

"Oh my God, it's – him! It's Sephiroth!" Tifa gasped.

Lynx sighed. "Don't panic, guys."

Tifa looked at her. "What do you mean, don't panic? What is he doing here?"

"Ask Rynn and Seifer," Lynx said.

"What's wrong with Cloud?" Vincent asked.

"He got attacked by Shuyin's Ultima-plus magic," Lynx told them.

"Shuyin?" Tifa asked in shock. "What –"

"Long story. Come on, let's help them get Cloud into the inn. Then I'll fill you guys in with all the details," Lynx said hurriedly, rushing over to Rynn and Rane.

Rane smiled a little when she saw Tidus approaching her. "Hey," Tidus greeted, hugging her tightly. "Glad to see you're okay."

She nodded. "Yes, we're all okay. Except Cloud. He's still in coma," she replied anxiously.

Tidus put a comforting arm around her. "It's okay, he'll come around soon. Come on, let's go in."

Later, Rane stayed with Cloud in the room while everyone left for the beach. She sighed as she plopped down on the seat next to his bed. He looked so peaceful, as if he were sleeping, and although Sephiroth had assured her that he would wake up in the next few days, she couldn't help worrying. She was terrified that she would never see those passionate blue-green eyes looking at her again.

Rane tenderly brushed his blond hair off his face, studying his sharp, perfect features. She gazed at his straight, perfect nose, his full, sensuous mouth, his strong jaw …and her heart squeezed tightly. All this time, he was right in front of her, yet she never noticed him the way she should have until it was too late. She felt guilty sitting here looking out for Cloud, instead of reuniting with her boyfriend. But she knew in her heart that she couldn't leave Cloud like this.

Exhaling softly, she put her head down on his muscular arm and closed her eyes, feeling the exhaustion washing over her like a tidal wave. Soon, she slept, with her head on the crook of his smooth, strong arm.

***

Later …

The door unlocked, and someone entered the room. Rane awoke with a start, and looked up to see Tidus entering the room.

"Hey," he said, giving her a faint smile. "How's Cloud doing?"

Rane looked at him, then sighed quietly. "He's still unconscious," she said softly. "But his breathing is regulating, and I guess that's a good sign."

Tidus came up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "He'll be alright, Rane." He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, then hugged her to his side. "Anyway, I came to tell you that we're heading out for dinner …are you coming along?"

Rane hesitated as she gazed at Cloud. She really didn't want to leave Cloud by himself, but she didn't want to leave Tidus either. Her eyes watered over. What should I do? she asked herself silently. "I …I'm not feeling very hungry. You guys can go ahead without me," she said quietly, gazing up at him.

Tidus looked at her for a moment, then said gently, "You haven't eaten since this morning, Rane. You missed lunch, and at least, just get something to eat. If you don't eat …" He looked away. "Then you won't have strength to keep an eye on Cloud," he finished quietly.

Rane felt her heart twisting painfully when she saw Tidus. How could you do this to him …? He's never even complained once about you being with Cloud, a voice inside her head chastised her. She stared away. "I …" she trailed off, not knowing what to say.

Tidus pushed a strand of her chestnut hair over her shoulder and touched her cheek tenderly. "It's okay, then. I'll get some takeaways for you."

Rane looked up at Tidus, feeling ever so wronged. I should really be punished, she thought as she barely mustered a faint smile. "Thanks, Tidus."

Tidus smiled a little, and kissed her. "Don't wear yourself out, Rane. He'll be fine, trust me. Oh, by the way, I've got a blitzball tournament in three days. You gonna come?"

Rane hesitated. She couldn't promise him, because if Cloud wasn't awake by then, she wouldn't leave him. "I'll see about it, Tidus," she said lightly.

Tidus looked at her, saying nothing, then nodded.

"Alright. See you." He turned and walked out of the room quietly, leaving Rane feeling more crushed than ever. She felt so guilty, so full of remorse. Tidus hadn't done anything to deserve the way that she was treating him. He hadn't done anything to deserve a girl like her …a girl who can't keep her love for him. If I really loved him, it doesn't matter how long he's gone, or how much I thought he was dead …I'll still love him no matter what happens. But …two years has passed …and it is as if those feelings had been erased and replaced by fresh new ones for …Cloud … Rane gazed at Cloud's sleeping face, a tear rolling down her cheek. How could something so innocent and simple, turn out to be something so painful and complicated?

Rane shook her head slowly, letting her hair cascade down her shoulders. She placed her hand tenderly over Cloud's hand, and whispered softly, "Do you see what you're doing to me …? I feel like I can't go on without you …. Yet every time I'm with you, I think of Tidus …and every time I'm with Tidus, I think of you. Tell me, what should I do?" She smiled mirthlessly. "To make matters worse, you don't even know how I feel for you, Cloud. And I don't know how to let you know …" she trailed off, her mind picking snatches of reminiscences of her past with Cloud.

She remembered the first time she met him at Seventh Heaven, Tifa's bar, she had thought he was some kind of egoistic jerk and had kept her distance from him.

She was a bartender trainee then, and she had recently gotten a job at her cousin Tifa's Seventh Heaven in Midgar. Tifa had coached and trained her. Rane's traineeship lasted three months, and after that, she was a full-fledged bartender and part time manager. The first week of her new position, when she was still busy learning to train new trainees and managing the bar, Cloud Strife had walked into the bar with several other friends. Rane remembered she had told the new trainee to serve their newcomers, and went to fix drinks for other customers.

The trainee, Sophie, returned and said, "Rane, that spiky-head guy insists on having you taking his order."

Rane had been irritated. She shook her head. "I'm fixing these drinks for other customers, Sophie. Tell him to order, or get lost."

"But –" Sophie stopped when she saw the look on Rane's face. She turned and went back to the guys.

Rane took the drinks she had made and slid them across the counter to some other customers. Just as she was about to turn around and head into the backroom, she heard a voice saying, "You're new here."

Rane stopped, and turned around slowly to see the spiky-head guy standing across the counter. She gave him an annoyed look. "I'm not. I've been training here for three months."

"You're not training anymore, are you? You seem to be running the business," he had said easily.

"I am," Rane had replied shortly, starting to turn away.

"Hey, wait a minute. I haven't ordered my drink yet," he said.

Rane looked at him with a frown. "Didn't Sophie take your order?"

"She did. But I insisted on getting direct service from you," Cloud had said, grinning.

Rane's face turned red. "I'm busy. I've got two other trainees to take your order, but you refused, so you can either get lost, or get lost."

Cloud had seemed amused instead of offended. "Well, can't you fix me a drink? I don't think Tifa would be very happy to find out that you rejected her best customer."

Rane almost scoffed in his face, but she didn't. Instead, she decided to just take down his order and fix him a drink to get him out of her face. "What do you want?" she asked shortly.

"Your name," Cloud replied simply. "Tifa should really introduce nametags here. Maybe you could suggest that to her."

Rane glared at him. "I bet that would've made the best suggestion ever," she retorted. "Well? Are you getting a drink or not?"

"Only if you let me buy you a drink too," Cloud replied.

She couldn't believe how annoying he was. Rane put her hands down on the counter. "Look, mister –"

"Cloud. I'm Cloud Strife," he interrupted with a friendly smile.

Rane glared at him, feeling like pulling his hair out. "Whatever," she snapped. "I don't care if your name is Heaven or Thunder or Dirt – I don't have time for your games; I've got a lot of things to do."

"And a lot of trainees too," Cloud added with a grin. "Why don't you take a break, relax, and have a drink with me? This would be a good opportunity for those trainees to learn better."

She looked at him, exasperated, then let out an exhale and counted to three. "Okay, fine. But after the drink, I hope you'll leave me alone," she said abruptly.

Cloud beamed. "Sure. Double vodka on the rocks, please," he said.

Rane turned her back to him and fixed the drink for him, and a Blue Lagoon for herself. She had told the trainees to run the place while she joined him at the counter.

"So, you haven't told me your name," Cloud prodded.

"It's Rane."

"Rane …" he had smiled. "That's a pretty name. It matches with mine; see, Cloud and Rane? It's a perfect match."

It was all Rane could do to stop herself from standing up and pounding his spiky hair flat. "Fantastic," she muttered.

"What do you do then, besides working here?" Cloud asked pleasantly.

Rane was quiet for a moment. "I was a mercenary …until my master died when the Sector 6 plate was destroyed. So I decided to lay low, and I got a job at Seventh Heaven."

"You were a mercenary? That's pretty cool …but you seem quite young. How old are you?"

"I'm turning seventeen."

Cloud had looked at her in surprise. "Man, you are young. What made you become a mercenary?"

Rane said nothing, thoughts returning to her mind. "I want to be able to protect myself," she had said quietly. "Now that President Shin-Ra is dead, and his son Rufus is taking over …you never know what may happen. I want to be ready for any disasters."

Cloud looked at her carefully. "That's true. You never know," he had said quietly. "I'm a mercenary too. I lead Avalanche. You heard of Sephiroth?"

She had smiled bitterly. "Who hasn't, living in a world like this?"

Cloud nodded slowly. "He's my rival. He's the reason I went along with the Avalanche group."

Rane had turned to him in stunned surprise, speechless for a long moment, and it was the first time that she met him straight in the eyes, and saw those brilliant Mako eyes. She suddenly realized it. "Soldier …you were in Soldier, weren't you?" she asked, knitting her eyebrows.

Cloud had smiled mirthlessly. "You could say that."

She was staring into his eyes, as if captured by the mesmerizing gleam. "Your eyes …they're Mako eyes …"

He had gazed back at her, saying nothing. Suddenly, Tifa's voice interrupted them. "Cloud! You're hitting on my business partner!" she complained.

Rane had gotten up, gave Tifa a quick smile, and left in haste.

Thinking back now, Rane recalled that after several times of visiting the bar, she had gradually got to know Cloud better.

She smiled a little, now, as she gazed down at Cloud. We've come such a long way. I was only sixteen then …I've learnt so much, over these four years.

"So you see …that's why you have to wake up, Cloud," she said softly. "Because I don't want to keep only memories …I want to keep you by my side. Besides, we still have that vacation in Costa Del Sol, remember? I promised I'll come along …and I will, no matter what. As long as you're next to me …" The tears filled her eyes as she gently brushed his hair aside. " …everything would be perfect."