After freeing themselves from under the broken pieces of the gate, Tidus and Paine ran off in the direction Seifer went, in hopes of catching him. Turning a street corner, they found half a dozen Bevelle soldiers and a group of civilians pinned down between a pack of Lupine and a squad of red soldiers.
With a glowing red energy forming in his hand, Tidus cast a Haste spell on himself and Paine. Together, they rushed in to aid the cornered soldiers. From behind the Lupine, Paine dealt fatal slashes to the fiends. Tidus rushed past Paine, vaulting over the Bevelle guards, and striking the ground with his sword, blasting the rogue soldiers into the air. Before they could hit the ground, Tidus leapt up, attacking the circle of soldiers around him.
Tidus landed, with the red soldiers landing in a heap beside him. He and Paine approached the soldiers they saved, some of which were injured.
"Generals!" one of the guards exclaimed. "You saved us!"
"You bet!" Tidus said, patting him on the shoulder. "I told you, you can always count on us."
"We have orders directly from Lady Yuna," another soldier said. "We're to escort the citizens to the airship for evacuation."
Suddenly, a device on each of the soldiers' belts began to blink a red light. They appeared to be a receiver of some sort. Each of the guards checked their device for a moment.
"What are those?" Paine asked.
"These are how we get orders from the City Sphere, ma'am," one of the guards said. "Standard issue."
"What do they say?" asked Tidus.
"It's a red alert," the first guard answered. "All military personnel are to secure the spire, immediately."
"We should get going then," Paine said, turning to Tidus. "That's where Seifer was heading, too, wasn't it?
"I'll go," Tidus answered. "Some of these soldiers will need help getting these people to the Celsius," he said, pointing toward the red flares in the sky. "Come back me up once you've done that."
Paine nodded, reluctantly. She helped a couple of soldiers to their feet, and together they made their way to the Celsius. Tidus took the battle-ready soldiers toward the spire.
Yuna, Kimahri, and Wakka were helping the people of Bevelle board the airship. Activating her gunner dressphere, Yuna and her guardians created a perimeter around the Celsius to allow safe boarding for the evacuees.
"Yuna, I don't think the Celsius is big enough to hold the entire city, ya know?" Wakka said. "What are we going to do about the rest of the people?
"We'll have to make two trips, I guess," Yuna sighed. "That's the best plan I have, right now. We'll have to keep the second group of people safe until Brother and Buddy come back."
"You guys up for it?" Wakka asked Yuna and Kimahri.
"No choice," Kimahri said.
"Yuna, we're picking up a signal you should hear," Buddy said over the radio.
"Is it from the spire?" Yuna asked.
"No, I think it's from… another airship?" Buddy said. "I'll patch you through."
"Hello? Hello?" Selphie said. "How's everybody feeling tonight in Bevelle? Having a good time?"
"Selphie?" Yuna asked. "Is that you?"
"Heeeeeeey, guys!" Selphie answered, as the Ragnarok soared overhead. "Gotta say, I'm not a huge fan of what you've done with the place, what with all the fire and whatnot."
"Yeah, we're in a bind, you guys," Yuna said. "Mind lending a hand… or twelve?"
"You bet," Selphie said. "How can we help?"
"We need to get the rest of these people out of the city," Yuna answered. "Got any room on that thing?"
"Some of them might need to squeeze in, but we should be able to take them," Selphie said, landing the Ragnarok down the street from the Celsius.
As the hanger doors opened and the ramp to the loading bay extended, Squall, Quistis, Irvine, and Rinoa all walked out onto the street. The crowd of people around the Celsius began to split and make their way over to the Ragnarok. The four SeeDs approached Yuna, Wakka, and Kimahri.
"What's going on here?" asked Squall.
"I'm not completely sure, to be honest," Yuna said. "The city's been bombed in several places, fiends have appeared in the streets, and we're under fire from rogue soldiers. I'm just trying to get everyone to safety."
"Alright. We'll take the rest of the people on our ship," Squall said. "After that, you and I need to talk. There's some pretty concerning news regarding this place."
Just then, Paine arrived with the people she was escorting.
"Paine!" Yuna gasped. "Are you alright? Where's Tidus?"
"I'm good," Paine panted. "Your boyfriend went back to the spire to secure it. And I think I know who's behind this whole thing. That guy that you saw yesterday, Seifer. He went ahead to the spire after the bombings."
"Seifer's here?" Squall asked.
"You guys know each other?" asked Yuna.
"He's an asshole," Squall answered.
He and the other SeeDs looked at each other, and then towards the Ragnarok. Their eyes met with Cloud's, who was standing just inside the loading bay of the airship. Cloud nodded at them and then headed back inside.
"What's he doing with you guys?" asked Yuna.
"What, are we all buddies now?" Paine asked.
"We have similar goals," Squall said, turning to the other SeeDs. "I need you three to help Yuna get these people out of here. Cloud and I will find you when we're done."
"Where are you guys going?" asked Wakka.
"That's classified," Squall answered as Cloud burst from the Ragnarok's hanger, riding Fenrir.
Cloud pulled up next to the SeeDs. He looked at Yuna and her guardians and nodded. Squall got on the back of Cloud's motorcycle.
"Awwww. You two look so cute on that motorcycle," Rinoa said.
Cloud and Squall scoffed.
"Alright, you boys have fun, now," Quistis teased.
"Just go," Squall said. "They won't stop."
Cloud revved his engine and they took off towards the spire.
"We'll be able to go soon," Yuna said. "Once your ship is loaded up, we'll take off."
"No, you guys take off first," Quistis said. "You're already full. We'll take the rest and any stragglers."
Yuna looked off toward the spire with worry. Wakka took her by the arm and guided her onto the Celsius. Soon after, the Celsius took off, beginning its ascent.
Meanwhile, at the town square in front of the spire, all the remaining Bevelle forces had engaged the deserters in all out combat. On both sides, swords, axes, hammers, spears, and rifles crowded the battlefield. As soon as Tidus arrived, the Bevelle army took notice. They soon rallied to his side and formed a defensive line. Standing opposite to Tidus and his army, the red soldiers formed their own line. From the middle of the rogue army, Brackus emerged. His armor was painted red to match the others'.
"I told you I would retake this city," Brackus called out.
"You haven't taken anything," Tidus answered. "What you have done, is attack innocent civilians and bombed their homes. Do you think you're on the right side of things?"
"I am commanding an army for someone much mightier than you or I," Brackus said. "I am on the side of power, so when this is over, I will be right."
With a look of concentration, Tidus began to walk out toward the red army. Watching him, the Bevelle soldiers advanced, following suit. Soon their walk sped into a jog, eventually into a full on charge. Brackus grinned, signaling his forces to advance and meet them head on.
Tidus focused his energy into his blade. As the two armies clashed, he leapt up and swung his sword, unleashing a barrage of beams upon the red soldiers. As they made contact, the beams exploded with energy, creating a clearing in the swarm of rogue soldiers. Tidus landed and looked past the opposing forces. His eyes met with Brackus', who began making his way to the spire, escorted by two guards. Tidus began cutting himself a path through the waves of red armor. When he finally made it to the other side of the battle, Tidus could see that Brackus was almost to the spire.
Tidus ran as fast as he could to catch up. As Tidus approached, Brackus ordered his two guards to slow him down. They were both heavily armored; one wielded a battleaxe and the other used a hammer.
The hammer came swinging across, as Tidus slid under it. He turned and slashed the hammer soldier in the back, scratching the armor. Over his shoulder, Tidus could see the axe soldier about to bring his weapon down on him. Tidus used his sword, deflecting the axe into the ground, then he shoulder charged the guard. Not even phased, the guard swatted Tidus away with his arm, knocking him to the ground.
The two heavy soldiers stepped on each of Tidus' arms, pinning him down. The axe wielder lined up a strike by bringing the blade close to Tidus' neck. As the battleaxe was raised for a strike, the soldier was struck under his arm with a spear, causing him to drop his weapon. The two guards turned to see a handful of Bevelle soldiers approaching to back Tidus up.
The red soldier with the axe pulled the spear out of his side, and picked up his weapon. The two heavy guards turned their focus to the advancing Bevelle soldiers. Tidus stood up to attack, but was interrupted by one of his own soldiers.
"General," the soldier said. "We can handle the fight out here. You secure the spire, sir."
"Are you sure about this?" Tidus asked.
"Of course, sir!" she said. "You can count on us, too."
Tidus nodded and continued to chase Brackus. The two met at the front door of the spire.
"Nowhere to run, Brackus," Tidus said. "Give it up."
Brackus drew a pistol and began firing at Tidus. Using his buckler, Tidus shielded himself from the incoming shots and charged at Brackus. He tackled him, busting the doors to the spire open. Tidus shoved Brackus onto the ground, pushing him into the main hall of the tower. Brackus stood up and stumbled backward down the center aisle of the room. As Tidus closed in on Brackus, he was greeted by a familiar voice.
"Hey, you made it, buddy!" Seifer said, sitting with his legs hanging off the stage.
Sephiroth stood behind him, by the podium.
"Hey, I know you," Tidus said. "You were in Baaj that day the Aeon escaped. Man, I thought you were cool. Are you the guy behind this attack?"
"I wouldn't call it an attack," Seymour said, as he stepped out from behind the stage. "It's more like a diversion."
Seymour stood in front of the stage, joining Seifer and Sephiroth.
"Maester Seymour!" Brackus cheered, running up to him. "Everything is going according to plan, sir. We have him right where we want him."
"Indeed," Seymour said. "Your job is done, now."
Seymour grabbed Brackus by the throat, lifting him off the ground. Brackus began choking and squirming to free himself. He looked at Seymour, and then at Seifer and Sephiroth. Seifer threw his hands up in a shrug. A loud snap could be heard, and Brackus stopped struggling.
"Seymour!" Tidus yelled. "You monster! You're going to pay for all this!"
"Please. If we fought now, you wouldn't see why you were brought here," Seymour said, dropping Brackus on the floor.
"How about I just beat it out of you?!" Tidus growled.
Tidus charged down the aisle, between the pews. He jumped to strike Seymour, but Seifer fired his gunblade, blasting him out of the air. As Tidus struggled to pick himself up, he could hear a loud engine in the distance.
Everyone in the room turned their attention to the door, as the sound of the engine accompanied by squealing tires grew closer. Moments later, Cloud and Squall rode in on Fenrir. They skidded down the middle of the room, stopping between Tidus and Seymour.
"Squall?" Tidus said, looking at the two. "Hey, man. Nice bike."
Squall and Cloud hopped off the bike. Tidus stood up and joined them.
"This is a genuine surprise, Cloud," Sephiroth said. "I never thought you would make it here."
"Come on. You're going after the 'heart' of this place," Cloud said. "You really couldn't help yourself, could you?"
"I suppose not," Sephiroth chuckled. "I'm glad you're here though. You get to see the fruits of my labor up close. And you brought Seifer's old friend."
"Yeah, we should really thank you," Seifer said. "This is turning out way better than we expected. Now we're just waiting for a few more friends…"
"He's in there! The general is in the spire!" said a soldier from outside the tower. "Let's get in there and back him up!"
Soon the room was flooded with Bevelle guards. They took up positions in the center and side aisles, in the pews, and in cover behind the stone pillars.
"This room where we're all standing," Seymour said. "Is very special. This whole building is special; a mechanical marvel. It holds the greatest secret in the land."
"Stop stalling," Tidus said. "Just get over here and die."
"You're cornered," Squall said. "You've got nowhere to go and you're outnumbered."
"You've actually got that backwards, Squall," Seifer grinned.
Sephiroth drew his sword and began levitating. He started slashing toward the stone pillars in the room, cracking them.
"What are you doing, Sephiroth?" Cloud shouted. "We need to stop him!"
Cloud jumped up to intercept Sephiroth, but was struck by a lightning bolt cast from Seymour's hands. Cloud dropped to the ground.
"Squall! Come on!" Cloud shouted.
Ignoring Cloud, Squall charged at Seifer, who jumped off the stage to meet him. Their gunblades clashed as they fought. Not knowing that his back was to Seymour, Squall slashed at Seifer, who evaded each strike. Seymour blasted Squall in the back with a fire spell, sending him stumbling forward. Seifer then blasted him with a shot from his gunblade, laying him flat on his back.
Sephiroth turned his attention to Cloud, bringing his sword down to meet Cloud's. The impact forced the surrounding pews and guards to fly in every direction. Sephiroth grabbed Cloud by the collar and threw him into Tidus, knocking them both to the floor.
The guards began firing their rifles and swinging their weapons at Sephiroth, who was unaffected by their attacks. In retaliation, he swung his sword, cleaving through a dozen soldiers at a time. Taking a break from the carnage, Sephiroth went back to weakening the supports in the room.
"What's he doing?" asked Tidus, standing up.
"It looks like…" Cloud said. "He's trying to bring the building down on our heads!"
As the last stone pillar came crashing down, a massive slab of stone slid down by the door, covering the exit. Another covered the window behind the stage. This was followed by a loud rumbling and the spire began shaking violently. The ceiling slowly started to descend. From the outside, each tier of the spire began to flatten, collapsing into each other. As the chaos inside the main hall of the spire ensued, Sephiroth, Seymour, and Seifer grouped up together. Seymour began conjuring a portal behind the three of them.
"Like I said," Seymour said, looking around the room. "A mechanical marvel."
The three villains disappeared and the portal with them. The room became smaller and smaller, until the stage, the pews, even the candles began to be crushed. Tidus watched as the lights became extinguished, and his hope with them.