Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy, or any other properties mentioned in this story. This is a work of fan fiction.
"Insert Disk Two"
Chapter Twenty-One: "Obsidian and Diamond"
OOOOOOO
Early the next morning we were all gathered together on the Highwind's bridge. The airship was holding position about a thousand feet up, not far to the west of Junon. Far ahead, just visible above the horizon, was Obsidian Weapon. The creature was hovering in place, not doing anything.
"So how are we gonna do this?" Cid asked.
"Good question." I answered. "The game presented it as just another battle, but that can't be accurate given how powerful the thing is."
"Do we still have any missiles?" Tifa asked.
"Two air-to air." Cid replied. "But I'll tell you right now, my gut says all they'd do is piss it off."
"You're probably right there." Cloud said.
"So what'da we do!?" Yuffie demanded. "I mean, we gotta fight two of these things?"
"In fairness Diamond should be easier." I mused. "After all, all we've gotta do to it is annoy the hell out of it and keep it busy 'til the mako canyon finishes it for us."
"Well hell, if it's just a question of annoyin' it Yuffie can handle that alone." Barrett said. Everyone but the princess laughed. "Really though, what are we gonna do?"
"Is there any way to shield this vessel from the weapon's attacks?" Tseng asked.
"There might be!" Shera exclaimed. "I could install Barrier Materia in the generators… Infused with all that power the materia could be used by one of us to shield the entire ship."
"How strong would the shield be, though?" Aeris asked.
"That would depend on the number of material we used, and how powerful each of them is." Shera answered.
"Hell I'm game 't try." Cid said. "Though… How long'll it take 't get it ready?"
"Less than an hour."
"Let's do it." Cloud decided. "Everyone, give Shera the material. You too, Yuffie."
Yuffie scowled but handed over two Barrier material, adding to one from Aeris, one from Vincent, and one from Rude. Shera accepted them and rushed away to start the work.
"Now, this'll help keep us safe but what about how we're gonna hurt it?" Cloud asked.
I said "I'm wondering what would happen if Aeris were to cast that Aurora spell on my sword…"
"And Cloud has Omnislash!" Yuffie shouted.
"Yeah, I am itching to try that out." Cloud admitted.
"What about the new material from those caves yo? Reno said.
"Good point." Elena agreed. "I don't see the stupid "switch your life and magic power" one being useful at all, but we do have Quadra-Magic and that Summon."
"We should think like predators." Denah suggested. "An overwhelming initial attack, before the creature knows we're coming…"
The discussion continued for some time until a plan emerged. We would approach the Weapon from behind. Cloud and I would be using Long Range Materia, while Barrett, Yuffie, Vincent, and Elena would use the ranged weapons they already had. Between Omnislash from Cloud and an Aurora-infused sword in my hands, we would try to crack the creature's armor. Then Cid would launch the missiles into the breach in the armor. An excellent plan. I should've known it wouldn't work…
OOOOOOO
The first part of the plan went smoothly. By approaching from the aft, Obsidian Weapon didn't realize we were there until we had gotten incredibly close. Shera activated the Barrier Materia in the generator, and a visible shell of shimmering green energy enveloped the hull. But as the weapon realized we were there and turned to face us, we got a surprise. As quickly as it had turned towards us, it turned again and flew away.
"Whoa. Didn't see that coming." Tifa said.
"Is it… Running from us?" Yuffie asked.
"Sure looks that way." I said. "But why…?"
"Who cares why? After it men!" Cid shouted.
The Highwind's crew went to work and soon we were following in the Weapon's trail. It was faster than us, but not by much, and once it stopped moving we caught up in a matter of minutes. Whereupon it immediately flew away again.
"It IS running from us." Cloud muttered.
"Yes. And I think I know why." Aeris said. Everyone looked to her as she continued "Red called it. Remember? When we were deciding who would stay at Mideel with Tifa."
"You think he was right then?" Vincent asked.
Aeris nodded. "Yes."
"Mind filling in those of us what weren't there yo?"
I said "The Weapons serve the planet. The Cetra serve the planet. So the weapon won't fight us because it senses Aeris' presence and isn't willing to risk harming her."
"Should we just forget about this then?" Tifa asked.
"No." Cloud said. "The weapons may mean well towards the planet itself but they're a threat to humanity. They've got to be stopped."
"Then I can't be here." Aeris said. "You'll have to land somewhere and drop me off 'til the fight is over."
Cid started to speak, but before he could Cait spoke up instead. "Whoa! Big news from Midgar lads and lasses! Diamond Weapon is on the move, coming up out of the sea bearing right for the city!"
"How long until the mako cannon is ready to fire?"
"Eight hours." Cait replied after relaying the question to Reeve and getting an answer. "But the Weapon's E.T.A. to the city is just five hours."
"Let us use this to our advantage." Red said. Aeris and half of our group should be left in Diamond Weapon's path. They can keep it busy, assuming it's even necessary to fight with Aeris there discouraging it. The rest of us, then, can deal with Obsidian Weapon, then return to enter Midgar."
"That's not a bad plan at all." I agreed.
"Then let's do it." Cloud said…
OOOOOOO
===Begin Third-Person P.O.V: Cloud===
It took less than an hour to reach Midgar and drop off Aeris, Myself, Tseng, Elena, and Cait Sith. Afterwards, the rest of our team flew off in search of Obsidian. "We need to rethink our plan don't we?" Tifa asked.
"Basic plan is still sound." Cloud answered. "Though we need someone else to use the Long Range Materia Christian was going to use… Red! You up for it?"
"Of course." Red said, accepting the material.
"What shall I do?" Denah asked.
"How good are you at casting?"
"Not as good as the elders, but I can hold my own."
"Great." Cloud said. "Take this." He gave her the Ultima material.
"Most powerful…" Denah mused. "Where did you find this?"
"Believe it or not, it was in a well."
"Heads up people!" Cid shouted. "We've got a lock. Movin' in now!" Everyone rushed to the outer deck, ready to do battle, as Shera activated the Barrier material once again.
As Highwind approached, Obsidian turned to face them. It was instantly clear that it knew Aeris was no longer aboard; It's weapons opened fire, destructive energy splashing against the barrier.
"Make this quick!" Shera shouted over the intercom. "With power like that the barrier won't last long!"
"Y'all heard the lady!" Barrett shouted. "Let's do it!" He opened fire on full-auto.
Vincent and Yuffie began their own attacks as well, while Cloud and Red used the long-range effect to inflict damage from afar, building towards their limit attacks. Lacking long-range options Tifa Reno and Rude were casting their most powerful spells, and Denah began casting Ultima.
On the bridge Cid and his crew worked hard to maneuver in ways that avoided the majority of Obsidian's attacks. Shera monitored the barrier, which was holding up better now that most of the shots were missing.
Obsidian fired a spread of eight missiles. Highwind dodged most, but two impacted the barrier, causing the entire ship to shudder and tilt to the side. Yuffie caught herself as she nearly went over the railing, then grabbed Reno who would have gone over. Vincent fell, as Tifa shouted his name. As the ship righted itself, Vincent reappeared, transformed into Chaos. The creature vented it's rage upon the weapon, grabbing ahold and tearing at Obsidian's armor.
Meanwhile Denah, who had somehow kept her footing, finished casting Ultima. The powerful spell ignited the air around Obsidian's head in a burning cloud of green energy that ate through the weapon's armor like an acid. Immediately she began casting again.
Yuffie threw another group of shurikens, then had to grab ahold of the railing once more as Obsidian casted Shadowflare which passed through the barrier and tore into an engine pod, causing the ship to tilt again and stay that way. "That does it!" She exclaimed. Magic power swirled about as the ninja activated the Leviathan summoning material.
A thick swirl or fog formed, torrential rain surged through the sky, and Leviathan appeared, hovering between the airship and the weapon. "I greet you once again Scion of Wutai." The sea serpent said. "I see no reason to ask that which you require of me. It is rather obvious." With that, Leviathan turned and joined in the attack.
Denah's second Ultima spell was even more effective than the first. Striking the same part of Obsidian's body as the first, it completely removed the remaining armor around it's head.
Tifa and Reno casted Thundaga at the same moment. Twin lightning bolts shocked Obsidian, which responded with another spread of eight missiles, followed instantly by a powerful energy blast. The missiles missed, but the blast was dead-on target. Shera's barrier took the brunt of the damage, but not all of it.
"The barrier is down!" Shera exclaimed over the intercom. "Coming back up in two minutes, everyone be careful 'til then!"
Clinging to Obsidian, Chaos ripped through the armor and started damaging the creature's interior.
Levathan swam through the air, striking when it could and dodging around Obsidian's attacks.
Obsidian seemed to be getting better at fighting, making smarter choices. It's next attack was timed so that the missiles Highwind avoided would be aimed directly at Leviathan. The summon took the hit, and with apologies to Yuffie retreated into the materia.
Cloud swung his blade again and again, the long range material converting the slashes into waves of energy that surged towards Obsidian. With each blast he felt himself growing stronger, closer to being able to launch a limit attack. Again he attacked, and felt the surge of power. It was time. "Vincent!" He shouted. "Erm, Chaos! Whatever! Get clear!" To his surprise, the creature listened and flew away.
Leaping high into the air, Cloud unleashed Omnislash for the first time. Again and again he struck, powerful blows piled one on top of another in a cataclysm of destruction. "Damn." Barrett exclaimed, watching the attack.
"Most impressive." Red concurred.
As Cloud's attack wound down, large sections of Obsidian's armor began to break off and fall away. "This is it!" Cid announced. "Everyone get secure, we're coming around and launching the missiles!" Highwind flew in an arc, first away from Obsidian, then around and back towards it. The weapon continued to fire what attacks it could in it's current condition, though between the damage it had taken and the Highwind's now greater distance all were missing the mark.
"We're in range!" The gunnery crewman announced.
Cid gave the order. "Fire!"
Two missiles launched from the airship's lower decks, and flew straight and true towards their target. The first was intercepted by an opposing missile from Obsidian, but the second found it's mark. A massive explosion echoed through the skies, it's light blinding anyone who tried to see what had happened.
As the thunderous blast died down, Cid ordered the airship crew to hold position. Directly ahead was a massive black cloud of smoke and debris. "Did we get him?" Yuffie asked.
"I think so…" Cloud answered.
There was a lull. Then Denah's ears perked up. She listened intently before saying "I wouldn't be so sure…"
Even as she spoke, the smoke rippled and Obsidian surged forth out of the darkness. It was broken, battered, in terrible shape, but still functioning. As it faced the Highwind an eerie glow began to shine from within as it prepared a massive blast of energy. Cid shouted for evasive maneuvers and all the airship's crew was panicking. For nothing, as it turned out. Obsidian tried to fire the blast, but something, perhaps the damage it had already taken, caused a backfire effect. The Weapon unwittingly destroyed itself in a detonation that thundered even louder than the missile blast had…
OOOOOOO
===Resume First-Person P.O.V.===
I stood looking up towards the Midgar plate and the massive Mako Cannon extending outwards from it. Aeris stood by my side. "Home sweet home…" She whispered. "You know, I had hoped that I might never come back here."
"Can't blame you there." I agreed. "It's not exactly the best place to grow up."
"No… And yet… There are still so many good people stuck here."
"It'll get better." I said. "Once Shinra is out of the way."
"That's good to know…" She leaned against me. "I just thought, you've never actually been into the city itself have you?"
"Nah… Never even seen it this close until now."
"So, supposing my presence doesn't slow the Weapon down? What will we do then?"
"Honestly, I'm more worried that it might try to walk the long way around us. "Because see, if that happens it wouldn't be hit by the cannon's shot at the crater."
"And then the whole of Midgar would be in danger, yes?" Tseng asked, approaching us."
"Exactly."
"Heads up!" Cait exclaimed. "It's coming!"
We turned and looked to the north. Diamond Weapon was approaching. Though it was so enormous that all we could see was it's head, just beginning to peak over the horizon miles away. "Slow mover." Elena said. "It's gonna take forever to get here."
"Let's go out and meet it half-way." Aeris suggested.
Tseng concurred. "Yes. The further out we engage, the better to react to anything unexpected it might do…"
OOOOOOO
Elena hadn't been kidding. Even moving towards the approaching Weapon ourselves rather than waiting for it to come to us, it was still over an hour before we drew close. As with Obsidian, Diamond was unwilling to risk harm to Aeris. As soon as it realized what she was, it turned to the west and tried to circle around us. Luckily, as depicted in the game this particular Weapon was unable to fly. With it's slow walking speed we were able to run in front of it's new path before it got far.
Blocked again, Diamond Weapon turned and tried to circle around the other way. We blocked it again, and then again. After a few repetitions, it realized we were stopping it on purpose and returned to it's original position. Once there, for some time it simply waited.
"Any idea why it's just standing there?" Elena eventually asked.
"Good question lass." Cait agreed. "I can't believe it's just going to give up this easily."
"Me either." Tseng and I said at the same time."
Aeris said "It's thinking, I think. Trying to figure out how to get to Midgar even with us in the way."
"I'm just glad Red was right about how these things react to you lass. I'd not like to have this giant shooting at us."
Moments after Cait had spoken, Diamond began to move, numerous weapon pods emerging from all over it's body and powering up. "You just had to say it, didn't you!?" Elena screamed.
"I'm not sure we're the target!" I shouted back to her. Diamond Weapon opened fire, enormous numbers of missiles and focused energy blasts passing high over our heads, zeroing in on Midgar.
"Apparently it realized it was in range." Tseng said.
Aeris looked towards the city. "Look!" She exclaimed.
We all turned and quickly saw what she had seen: A bright aura of energy was forming around the end of the Mako Cannon. "They're preparing to fire!" Cait said.
I looked at the cannon, the weapon, the cannon again… "Get clear of this thing! Fast!" I shouted. We ran, hoping to put as much distance between ourselves and Diamond Weapon as possible. As we ran, the cannon opened fire. A nearly blinding burst of concentrated Mako power surged towards Diamond, which continued shooting, though now all of it's own blasts were vaporized by the approaching cannon shot.
Soon, the energy from the cannon was passing directly overhead. I estimate it was nearly half a mile above our heads, but the radiant heat coming off of it was still incredible even at ground level. We all fell to the ground, hoping we were far enough away.
Another half second and the energy reached Diamond Weapon. The powerful creature unleashed a terrible cry as it crumpled, destroyed instantly. Barely effected, the energy blast continued on it's way towards the barrier around the Northern Crater.
"Damn…" Elena mumbled as she picked herself up.
"No kidding." I agreed. "Is everyone alright?"
"Aye lad." Cait said.
"I'm good." Aeris said. I took her hand, helped her to her feet. "But let's not do that again."
"What happens next?" Tseng asked as he stood.
"The barrier around the crater is down." I said. "All that's left is stopping Hojo from helping Sephiroth with another energy blast, then going after the madman himself."
"And it looks like we won't have to wait on that, either." Aeris said, pointing. Following her gaze, I saw the Highwind returning. It was battered, with an engine pod still trailing smoke, but airworthy nonetheless.
Watching as Highwind landed to collect us, I said "The rest of this will be really rough, with no chances to rest or recover… Let's get it over with…"