Chapter 26 Pre-War

Author's Note: Hey, I'm back. You probably want an excuse...don't have one. So leave your complaints on the reviews if you want. Anyway, while this is short, is should suffice. I hope you like, it's going to get real intense next chapter.War is bad however, so if you don't like it DON'T READ. I believe I warned you about that last chapter. Anyway, here you go, enjoy, read, reviews.

Sephiroth and his now, number of 6 group, found themselves to the ShinRa HQ, which was heavily guarded by soldiers. It was indeed obvious they were preparing for war. There were at least 1000 soldiers in visible sight around the compound. Each in heavy army carrying rifles, bazookas, and other wide assortment of weapons. ShinRa had what looked like a circular wall around the building. It had pedestals on them, and on top of them, snipers. Sephiroth could see other soldiers around the city as they approached ShinRa HQ.

Security let them in, knowing full well that they were coming. Security inside was actually tighter than outside. Every soldier was armed to the teeth, and this time, machina was present in the building, each with missiles and lasers. They were led to an elevator to meet the president. After they got in, Sephiroth pressed the main button that lead them to the highest floor. While they passed every floor, they noticed that each floor had at least a hundred soldiers in it, each with the same security as the first floor's. Finally they reached the top floor with the sound of a ding, and the doors opened.

When they got off the elevator and unto the top floor, they were surprised to see what little security was present. Mainly, the Turks, and a man in white was present. Reno, Rude, Elena, Tseng, Tifa, Riku, and Sora. The final one, was President Rufus, who acknowledged them by standing up to welcome them. The six moved forward to them, and at last, everything was going to be revealed.

"Welcome Sephiroth, and honored guests," said Rufus pleasantly. "Hope it wasn't any trouble getting here."

"It wasn't, answered Sephiroth looking at the Turk he didn't know. "Quite an elaborate setup you have here President Rufus."

"Aw, thank you, replied Rufus sitting down. "Let's get started with this. First I want to know your battle status and combat abilities. While these Turks have told me about you, I have to hear first hand."

"I'm fully ready for battle, my abilities, are huge in variety and powerful when used by me," responded Sephiroth. "I can tell you right now we are all ready for battle."

"My experience, along with my two brothers, are equal," came Kadaj. "We have fought many battles, and have a wide sort of abilities thanks to our...uh...mother."

"I'm a little tired, but I won't be a burden," said Yuffie next. Understandable really, she had just fought Seymour with her most powerful ability Raikiri. She could perform it three times in a day, so she was a little drained. "My experience, well there's a list, but let start with-."

"I have 1100 years of experience," butted in Vincent. "My abilities are demonic like."

"Excellent," said Rufus standing up and walking towards to a door that automatically opened up for him. He went unto a ledge where the Turks went right behind him. "Come out here if you would."

Sephiroth followed suit with his friends behind him. The Turks moved out of the way for Sephiroth and his group. They proceeded to the edge of the platform. He saw what Rufus wanted him to see. 15,000 or so Nobodies, as well as twice that in Heartless, were proceeding from the high mountains to Zanarkand.

"I'll admit, that's impressive as it terms of any army," commented Rufus. "I'll admit, I knew of this invasion for awhile now, thanks to you." Sephiroth merely turned his eyes to Rufus, then switched his attention to the army. "Even with your advanced warning, I know that we won't win."

Sephiroth looked on Rufus's face. "Unless, you had me, right?"

"Wrong," corrected Rufus. "Even with your skill, against this number, we won't win. That's why I enlisted some help."

"Help?" wondered Sephiroth.

"Yes, you see, with the archives of this place, I found out about a little device in an underground desert called, 'Sister Ray'. A very powerful cannon that will tip the favor in our hands. We recovered it, placed it in a place called 'Baaj Temple', and as we speak, are readying it for use. However, it won't be ready for at least an hour into the war. That's the main reason we need you."

"To delay them, that's what you need me for?" said an irritated Sephiroth.

"In part, the other is that Organization XIII might show up, and only you, your friends, and my Turks can go one on one with them," explained Rufus. "I hope you won't disappoint me."

"Fine, but before we do anything else, may I have access to your records?" asked Sephiroth. Rufus was a little surprised. "It was one of the reasons that I came here."

Rufus smiled and nodded. "Sure, access the main library in the 18th floor, we'll grant you access."

"Thanks," replied Sephiroth turning around to his friends. "You guys can do whatever you wish, I have to search some things."

Soon after the group left. Sephiroth went into a elevator by himself and went down. Yuffie and Vincent went to a separate one, and went down to the bottom floor. The 3SHM went in another, and went to the local bar. Rufus watched as they left. He turned to his Turks.

"Did you guys find out if we can use them?" asked Rufus seriously. "If we can, then this war is ours."

"Yes we can boss," said Reno happily. "As a bonus, we can use the Tsviets."

"Excellent," said Rufus. "But is there something you aren't telling me?"

"Yeah, they're hidden in the desert, so it'll take some time to dig them out and bring them Zanarkand," confessed Reno scratching his head. "But they will be here. Probably a short time after the Sister Ray is ready."

Rufus looked out into the battlefield and smiled.

Yuffie and Vincent were talking about old times down in the first floor. They were happy to be together, though Vincent didn't show. And Yuffie mainly talked with Vincent listening only. Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz were all enjoying a drink at the bar. They were reminiscing about the past, enjoying each others laughter. After all, it could be the last drink they ever have in their Second Life Time.

"You know, this may be the last drink we ever have," noted Yazoo taking a shot. "Makes you wonder."

"Yeah, but don't worry, we'll make it...hopefully," said Loz starting to cry a little. "Don't cry Yazoo.

"Regardless, we had one hell of a second life," said Kadaj filling each one's cup, then holding up his to the sky. "Cheers."

"Cheers," said Yazoo and Loz taking a sip together along with Kadaj.

Sephiroth was down in the library computer area on the 18th floor. The room was dark, with the only light coming from the computer Sephiroth was using. Sephiroth was furiously typing to find out what he came to see. Finally he found it.

"Top Secret...file," said Sephiroth slowly, becoming fascinated. "It says '1100 hundred years ago, an incident called 'Meter' became into place. During that time, a swordsman who was considered the best at the time, was controlled by an entity known as 'Jenova'. However, a group called 'AVALANCHE' came in and stopped this legendary SOLDIER. Afterwards, many events led to the Meteor incident.'

"I see, so this is the world I came from," Sephiroth read. He kept of reading. '100 years later, after all but one of the members of AVALANCHE were dead, a war from Zanarkand and Bevelle took place. While Bevelle won the war, the survivors of Zanarkand, the summoners, created Sin. Sin destroyed most of Bevelle, but still remains today. It was suspected that the entity known as Jenova infected Yu Yevon's mind to create Sin'. Well that makes sense."

Sephiroth shut off the computer and went to the elevator. He had his answers. When Sephiroth arrived at the fist floor, it looked like war was about to begin. Every soldier was around the entrance, armed and ready. Sephiroth ran passed them, and into the city. Indeed he was correct, the war was about to begin. The large army had begun to descend into the city. ShinRa machina went on to delay them for time. After another minutes, the Heartless and Nobodies were in the city. Yuffie, Vincent, Loz, Yazoo, and Kadaj had come out by this point.

"Everyone, let's go," said Sephiroth drawing Masamune.

On the side of the Nobodies and Heartless were the leading member of Organization XIII. Marluxia, Axel, Roxas, and Zexion. "Well," said Marluxia. "It was lucky for us that the Heartless Ansem merged with Xenmas to become whole."

"Indeed," commented Zexion. "This makes him more powerful than Sephiroth know. And to spice things up, he'll be coming to this party."

"The boss is coming?" asked a surprised Axel. "I thought he never fights."

"He may not, all I know is that he's coming here," responded Zexion.

Axel looked at Roxas who became nervous. Axel walked over to Roxas and whispered, "This will be very bad for Zanarkand. Hell, actually Spira. We win with battle, it's over for Spira, and Xenmas will achieve his goal."

"Two things," whispered back Roxas holding up two fingers. "One: I'll be up to Sephiroth. Two: Right now, I don't care. All I want is to fight Sora."

Axel stepped back, looked at the advancing army and sighed. This was looking bad.

Author's Note: There you go, hope you enjoyed it. Again, next chapter, war, don't like, DON'T READ. For those of you who like it, you'll enjoy the next chapter. Also for Dirge of Cerberus fans, there will be Deepground and Tsviets next chapter. I haven't decided if I wanted to put the war into one or two chapters. So you guys decide k?