FINAL FANTASY VII

THE CHANGE OF TIME

AN:Are you suprised, shocked even, to see me actually updating this story. So am I. But lately I've been trying to complete some of my older stories, and I figured this one deserved to be finished as well, so I am updating, and with any luck I will continue to do so. And reviewing certainly would not hurt. Anyway, hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 11

Sephiroth continued to observe what was happening with Cloud, but he was also monitoring Aeris, while f-Aeris seemed to be just sitting in one spot looking out at the endless fields of flowers. Cloud and company had left Gongoga and found

Bone villiage, one of the most remote human settlements on the planet, and were currently using a lunar harp to make there way through the sleeping forest. Zack had not said anything so far, and Sephiroth was thankful to see his old companion still had some trust in him, even if Zack was the most annoying person on the planet. Then again, he was also very gifted because he was the only SOLDIER Sephiroth knew, who could drink twenty or more bottles of beer and still

be completely sober, a feat which he claimed was a result of his good upbringing. Sephiroth decided it had more to do with his thick skull.

After a moments silence Sephiroth noticed something odd about f-Aeris, she seemed nervous about something. He thought back on what she had told him about his own future, trying to remember anything important about what was going to

happen. It struck him suddenly as he shifted his observations to f-Sephiroth who was stalking Aeris in the Forgotten City.

"Your past self is nearing her death," Sephiroth said, noticing the way she flinched.

"Yeah, but it will work out for the best," She replied after a moments hesitation.

He raised an eyebrow and looked at her questioningly.

"With me gone, Cloud and Tifa can hook up and my past self can summon up the lifestream and follow my own path if this plan doesn't work," She explained.

"You forget, Zack is in that group, which means your past self will likely hook up with him, though I can't imagine anything worse than him getting married," Sephiroth took a moment to shudder, then continued. "That of course means Cloud

will be free to be with Tifa,"

"Even so, if this plan fails then she's my backup," f-Aeris said. Before Sephiroth could argue she said "No matter what you say I'm not sending you to stop it, so don't ask. This is for the better, now hush, its starting,"

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Cloud, Zack, and Tifa, approached the alter on which Aeris stood. The others had spread throughout the city to try and find Sephiroth, though Cloud doubted they could succeed. He observed Aeris kneeling on the alter, seeming to be locked in

prayer. He noted the way the light from above seemed to make her hair shine, though he reminded himself that Zack was her true boyfriend. He still wished he could remember the guy, after all they were supposed to have been friends in SOLDIER.

Zack started forward but Cloud held up a hand and said "Let me," Zack blinked a couple of times, before offering a small nod. Cloud moved up to the alter until he stood before Aeris, a smile playing on his motuh as he waited for her to notice,

but he felt something odd within himself. His hand invoulentarily twitched towards his sword. His hands shot to his head as he struggled against whatever was intruding in his mind, distinctly aware of Sephiroth's maniacal laughter in his mind, all he needed to know about the intruder.

The struggle ended, and he drew out his blade, lifting it slowly over the praying girls head, then struggling, trying desperately to turn the blade to the side, but he couldn't, and it came up. Just as it started to come down Zack shouted out

Cloud's name, and he stopped his swing and stumbled backwards with a look of horror on his face.

"What are you making me do?" He whispered to himself, Aeris heard it and looked up with a smile on her face. Seemingly oblivious to her near death.

Up above, a dark and sinister shape descended.

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Sephiroth watched this whole scene with his teeth clenched tightly, and an unreadable expression on his face. f-Aeris watched him closely for any sign of what he was feeling, and suddenly he shot to his feet even as the masamune appeared

in a surge of green fire held tightly in his left hand.

"I will not let this happen!" The silver haired general exclaimed angrily.

"It has to happen, in case we fail. Don't you get it, if she lives and your future self holds back Holy like he did before then the whole world will die! Just like that!" f-Aeris cried.

"I don't care! I may seem cold at times, but I will not sit back and watch an innocent person die!" Sephiroth exclaimed.

"Sephiroth," f-Aeris began.

"If you won't send me, then I shall do it myself," He informed her. Then a swirling green light surrounded him. She could only watch as he vanished.

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Horror filled Cloud's face as he saw f-Sephiroth descending towards Aeris, sword poised for the kill. He tried to lift his sword, tried to stop him, but he couldn't move. It was like he was a prisoner in his own body. Zack too felt horror flooding

through him, because he knew there was no way he could possibly get there in time. He was helpless in every sense of the word. They both were.

A loud clang echoed outwards and the masamune seemed to lift upwards so it tore through the air just above Aeris's shoulder causing her to cry out in shock as she whirled around. Everyones eyes were glued to the strange scene. f-Sephiroth

stood, his blade held in place above its intended target, by an identical sword held by an identical person. Two Sephiroth's standing there blades locked glaring into each others eyes. Nobody spoke, nobody moved. The only person who felt like he had any idea of what was happening was Zack.

Then the second Sephiroth spoke. "This time we finish it," Then they broke apart creating a thirty foot gap between them, then they seemed to fly at each other in their haste to start the fight.