. R O A D . T O . D A M A S C U S .

. S A G A . T H R E E : T H E . J O U R N E Y . I I .

Chapter Eleven: Demon's Death

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

Revelation 21:8, The Holy Bible

Midgar was in chaos. The ShinRa building had took most of the brunt of the Weapon's attack and the cannon, which still stood was still running full on power, gathering energy from the Reactors all around the large city. Everyone below on the ground was running around in panic while the Soldiers were set out under Zack's command to regain control and evacuate the city.

At the mainframe control of the Sister Ray, sitting high above the city and before the large cannon, a man in white lab coat laughed. "Just you wait, Sephiroth. I'll give you all the Mako you want. My sweet Jenova… we'll be together!" He crackled.

The intercom buzzed to life and Reeve's voice came through, demanding, "Hojo! Stop, the cannon is unstable! Midgar is in danger!"

The oily haired scientist laughed again, pressing the button on the intercom, "One or two Midgar? It's a small price to pay." He cracked.

Reeve's voice came through, aghast, "No! Hojo! NO!"

However, Hojo pressed few buttons, cutting the intercom dead and worked on the control a while longer. "Show me… Sephiroth. It should be near. Go beyond the powers of science. Before your presence, science is powerless. Show me…" He then laughed more crazily.

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Cid stood next to the young pilot, directing him as the airship flew to Midgar. "Good, you know what to do, right?"

The young pilot nervously nodded. "Yes Sir, Captain Highwind."

Cid grinned at the youth and turned to Cloud who were handing him a pack. "We're here."

"Put that on, we're jumping into Midgar. We got no time to waste." Cloud turned to the cat again. "Reeve, can't you stop the Mako Reactors?"

The cat shook its head; the crown finally toppling off and it didn't bother to pick it up. "We can't stop it."

Barret frowned, growling. "You're from ShinRa, ain't ya? So why's it impossible?" The cat didn't reply for a while.

Cid stepped up; putting his two cents in. "We came a long way to get here. You better not double-cross us now!"

The cat shook slightly. "I can't make you trust me. We lost half of the power and someone had to do it manually and stop Hojo."

"Hojo?" Cloud asked, surprised to hear the name again. "What is going on?"

The cat turned to Cloud. "Hojo is at the Mainframe, controlling the Sister Ray; he cut off the controls from us. We can't do anything."

Cid growled. "You damn fool! Why can't you shut down the reactor?"

The cat's eyes went wide. "No way! If we shut down the reactors, all hell will break loose!"

Cid picked the cat up and shook it. "Why? Can't you just shut off the valves?"

"Yeah, it's easy to shut off the reactor's pipe valves. But the reactors made a path for the energy to escape from below. Once you open that, it'll be impossible to close it until everything blasts out, and we can't try to stop the energy from gushing out."

Barret barked. "An explosion!"

"That's right. This blast'll be way stronger than when the Reactor Five blew up."

Barret turned away. "Damn. What will happen if all da reactors blows up?" He asked.

The cat struggled and broke free from Cid's grips. "It'll make a huge crater where Midgar stand, making a hole. Forget about the reactors, we got to deal with the Cannon! We got to get to Midgar! That's the first thing. If it is turned off, the reactors can be safely turned off and the power will be rerouted back safely."

Cloud patted the cat. "Right, got to stop Hojo, first."

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Scarlet and Heidegger came back and had heard everything. "What are you doing?" Scarlet screamed. "You're associating with the enemy!"

Reeve shook his head. "No. They're going to help us. Stay out of the way!"

Heidegger laughed hollowly. "Don't be so ludicrous! I don't recall you givin' me any orders! The Peace Preservation will give their best effort to make the enemy retreat!" Scarlet smirked along with Heidegger while Reeve's eyes went wide. "The President is dead! Now I'm doing things my way!" Heidegger boomed, laughing more.

"That's right. Nothing can stop us. Come on, Heidegger dear, I'm going to use the new weapon!" She snapped her fingers and two guards came in and surrounded Reeve, taking him by the arms.

Reeve was flabbergasted as he realized he had been betrayed. "Hey! Wait! Cloud, everybody, I'm sorry!"

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Cloud stared at the cat as it went dead. "We're on our own." She announced and moved to the deck of the Highwind with everyone behind her. "Let's do it."

Barret stared over the railing, looking at Midgar below them. "Even if we get there, Midgar's under martial law. There'll be no way we could slip into the slums."

Tifa leaned over the railing too. "Looks like all the transportation from the slums is cut off."

"We're going under." Cloud announced. "We're taking underground tunnels. We'll have to split up into two groups." She pulled out a map that she had gotten from Cait Sith earlier. She unfolded the map and pointed to the blue print of Midgar. "Alpha group go this way, to the Sister Ray, Beta group go this way to the Reactors, to turn it off when Alpha succeeds turning off the Sister Ray. That's the only way we can do that. I hope Zack had evacuated the entire city in time."

Vincent peered at the map. "Whose Alpha group and who's in Beta?"

Cloud looked up at him. "I'm leading Alpha. Barret's leading Beta. It's up to the rest of you to decide which to join. We need just enough."

The red-clad sniper nodded. "I'm going with you."

Tifa pushed away from the railing. "Me too."

Cloud folded the map and put it back in her pocket. "Well, rest of you are in Beta. Got your PHS with you?"

Everyone took out their phones and showed it to Cloud, they had been previously set to speed-dial and open group connections.

"Good. Let's jump." Cloud stepped back and gripped the railing, not too happy that's been the choice of entering Midgar was by jumping.

"You're not goin' chicken' out, aren't ya?" Barret asked seriously.

Cloud sputtered at him. "What? Hell no!"

Tifa giggled and pushed Barret to the edge. "Don't worry about him. He's just teasing ya."

Cloud rolled her eyes. "Whatever, let's mosey."

Cid slapped Cloud on the head. "Wimpy!"

"Mosey!"

Yuffie watched the triads trading between Cid and Cloud. "And I thought I was the immature one?"

Cloud shot her a look and turned to everyone. "Here we go!"

Barret was the first to jump, yelling some curse words as Tifa, and then Cid and Vincent, dragging the unwilling teenager, followed him behind. Red hesitated and then jumped at last. Finally, Cloud stepped up to the railing and took a deep sigh, whispering, "Ikes…"

She made the jump and there were seven parachuting ascending down into the darkness of Midgar.

Luckily for Avalanchers, they landed into some random dark alley, not too far from each other's and met up soon enough. The Highwind was gone from the sky already.

Cloud took out her phone. "Reeve? You're still there?"

Reeve's voice came though. "Don't call me. Heidegger is going after you guys. Be careful. You're on your own. Zack is out of Midgar in Kalm. He's going to Junon for now."

"All right, thanks." She pocketed her phone and stood up. "We're all here. Let's go!" She went over to the manhole and lifted it. "Alpha Team with me now." She leapt down the hole and disappeared into the darkness, followed by Vincent and Tifa.

The Beta team went in shortly after, going in the opposite direction though the sewer until they hit the underground railway tunnels that connected all ten Reactors.

"Sounds strange comin' from me… But it feels like home bein' back in Midgar." Barret spoke roughly as he led the Beta Team, keeping his phone on with connection open, connecting with Cloud's phone. "Kinda makes me sick…"

Nanaki snorted. "I have an old score to settle with Hojo. But I think Vincent should hold the honor for us all."

Vincent's voice came though Barret's phone. "Thank you. I'll make him pay dearly for you all too."

"No problem." The wolf replied as he slithered alongside with Barret and Yuffie on his sides. Cid trudged from behind, guarding the rear ends.

In the opposite end of the tunnel, Cloud, Vincent and Tifa ran into Elena.

"What are we going to do?" Elena gasped, mocking a fake fear and turned into sneer. "I think its okay for you to ignore your orders now."

Reno appeared by her side, looking exasperated. "Elena. Shut up."

Rude came out of the shadow, ever so silently as he was. "We're Turks, Elena."

Elena gave him a nasty look. "Yes, sir. You're right."

Reno ran his fingers in his wild red hair. "I'm not really up for it, but…" He turned, facing Cloud. "Old roommates, it's a pity to see you killed."

Elena smirked. "That's right. Our orders were to seek you out and…" She was suddenly interrupted by Rude grabbing her shoulder and jerking her back.

"Shut up, girl."

Elena ignored him and went on. "Kill. Our company may be in turmoil, but an order's an order. That's the will and spirit of the Turks! Believe it!"

Reno and Rude rolled their eyes behind the dark glasses.

Cloud gave her a weird look. "Uh, I thought they told you to shut up."

Elena looked livid. "Ooh! You are going to get that! Little shit!"

Cloud sighed and pulled out her sword, grinning like a madman at her. "Bring it on little girl!"

Vincent drew out his sniper while Tifa balled up her fists.

By the time Cloud had completed a silent spell she was reciting in her mind. Ifrit appeared and roared fire upon the Turks, scorching them slightly but mostly surprising them.

Reno stepped back, holding his rod tightly, glaring at Cloud. "I know we've got a weird relationship, but… We have to end this like Turks!" He launched forward, zapping his electrorod at the three Avalanchers who dodged easily.

Cloud snorted at him. "Aw come on, Reno. Did you forget to train in the time between?"

Reno jabbed some punches at Tifa but received powerful jabs in return.

Elena ran to Vincent, giving him some high kicks, which he dodged easily.

Cloud rolled her eyes as she batted the jolts with her sword. "Aw come on, we got no time! I have better thing to do!"

Reno stepped back, drawing his electrorod away. "Wait, Elena."

The blond Turk twirled around, missing a shot from Vincent. "Reno! You're not violating the order, aren't you?" She was so furious that she looked out of place, her hair disarray while her uniform were scrunched up.

Reno glared at her, taking his sunglasses off, throwing it aside. "They're right. ShinRa's finished. It's come down to this."

Rude stood back, watching Elena, ready to hold her back because Elena had been furious ever since she had believed that Tseng died.

Elena's face twisted into some kind of pain and confusion as she turned to Rude. "Rude…" Rude shook his head silently at her and she turned away.

Reno moved to her, taking her shoulders and drawing her into a hug. "Elena, you were a great Turk! We can do better…" He let her go and turned to Cloud. "Farewell. If we both survive… If we can save our lives…" He then walked away with Reno and Elena following him silently.

Cloud placed her sword back in its hoist. "They were always the good people, working for the wrong company."

Vincent placed his gun back in his belt. "Let's go."

The three continued down the dark tunnel and found the exit, climbing out, entering the street that faced the Headquarter. "This way." Cloud pointed to the alleyway around the Headquarter that led them to the tower of Sister Ray.

As they approached the tower, making move to climb it, a thundering footsteps stopped them. The blonde fighter turned around and raised a golden eyebrow as she gazed up at the giant robotic mech. "Oh shit, you've got to be kidding me…" Vincent and Tifa turned, their jaws dropped as well.

"Cloud… I think one Knights of Round would do…" Tifa whispered as she stared wide eyed at the dark red and maroon mech standing before them, towering high at thirty stories.

The door on the top of the robot's head swung open, revealing Scarlet. "Hello dearies! You like my Proud Clod?"

Cloud sputtered at the woman. "Proud Clod? That ugly thing? Look like a bunch of junk!" Scarlet turned scarlet, fuming as she slammed the door shut and the mech robot, Proud Clod, moved ahead to attack.

Cloud reached to her sword and ran her hand across the familiar red stone. "Knight of Round, come." The ground shook around Proud Clod robot and the wall of red rushed up, enveloping the mech robot inside while the thirteen Knights bestowed their attack on the mech.

Cloud, Tifa and Vincent waited and watched the Knight of Round do damages. As soon it ended, the mech robot clunked and stirred, unable to do anything more and broke down. Scarlet was heard screaming anguish inside with Heidegger fuming and cursing at her for making a piece of junk.

"Nooo! This is the Proud Clod! Noo!"

The mech robot sparked and explosion was heard from inside Proud Clod.

Tifa shook her head in amusement. "Come on, we got a job to finish." She made her way up the stairs of the Sister Ray tower.

As the three reached the top, they found Hojo at the control, laughing manically. He was flipping some switches and turning knobs here and there.

"Hojo! Stop right there!" Cloud shouted, drawing her Ultimate Weapon. Vincent narrowed his crimson blazing eyes as he drew out the Death Penalty he was bestowed from Lurcecia, a perfect gift for revenge. Tifa moved into positions as she brought up her hands, gloved by Premium Heart gloves that packed powerful punches.

Hojo didn't acknowledge them but ignored as he continued his work. "Oh, that failure."

Cloud sneered at him. "At least remember my name! It's Cloud!"

The mad scientist paused as a crude smirk made its way to his thin lips. "Oh, that's right… The chosen one…" He turned around. "I had a plan, a big plan for you and Sephiroth. But it all ended when you escaped. That's why I evaluated you as a failed project, the failure."

Cloud snarled at him. "What did you do to me?"

Hojo shrugged his shoulder as he stood there calmly. "I only made you stronger, a perfect compatible companion for Sephiroth, to create a better race. You two were my Adam and Eve."

Tifa gaped in horror as she remembered the story Zack had told them and realized Cloud had no idea what had happened to her. "Cloud! Don't listen to him!"

Hojo's eyebrow rose as he glanced to Tifa, "Ah. He-he. So you know Cloud's truth," he turned to Cloud and smirked with oily smile, "You were perfect." Vincent growled, "This does not matter now, Hojo, meet your end."

Cloud frowned, suspecting something was amiss but shook the suspicious thoughts aside, "He's right, none of this matter. Just stop this nonsense!"

Hojo's grin grew wider, "Nonsense? Oh, this?" he turned and spread his arm wide to the Sister Ray before them; "Sephiroth seems to be county on the energy, so I am going to lend him a hand."

Cloud's blue eyes went wide, "why? Why do that?"

Hojo's face twisted into a snarl, "quit asking me why, you moron!" He turned to the control panel. "Energy level is at… ah, eighty three percent. It's taking too long." He went on button pressing. "My son is in need of power and help, that's the only reason why I am doing this. Sweet Jenova…" He murmured.

Vincent raised his gun and fired a shot. The bullet ricocheted off the control panel. "He is not your son." He said with deadly calm.

Hojo turned back around, peering at the tall red-clad sniper. "I know that voice… So long dead, you should be… Vincent Valentine, am I right?"

Vincent held the gun high, still aiming at Hojo. "You should pay dearly for all of your crimes." His voice was ice cold and ever so calm.

Cloud snarled at the doctor. "I can't believe you're the one who did this. The crime against many of us, Sephiroth, Zack, Vincent, Nanaki, and me… everyone who had suffered under your insane experiments. It ends now." She raised the sword, ready to strike.

Hojo laughed. "Hee, hee, hee! No, you're wrong! It's my desire as a scientist! Hee, hee! I was defeated at once long ago but… I've injected Jenova's cell into my own body!" He spread his arms wide as he kept on laughing. "Here are… the results!"

Tifa nearly screamed as Hojo transformed into something ghastly and horrendous. His skin turned green and his hair became thinner, sticking to his face as he became mottled.

Cloud groaned in disgust. "Let's kill him and put him out of his misery." She jumped and attacked Hojo who fought back as strong, surprising the three Avalanchers.

Vincent released few fires upon Hojo while Tifa plummeted few rounds of powerful jabs and punches. Hojo attacked as well and transformed again. He grew double head and turned purple, taking on some familiar appearance of Jenova that the party had encountered before.

Cloud sliced his arms immediately and Vincent started to use some of the Summons to assist them in the battle. Hojo transformed again into unrecognizable twist of deformity, no longer what he was once before.

Tifa blasted several volley of fire upon him while Cloud used her Limit Break, the Braver combined with Climhazzard. Finally, Hojo withered and fell to the ground, weak and spent. The blonde stepped back, gesturing her hand to him for Vincent to have the last attack.

Vincent aimed his gun at Hojo's deformed head. "At last, you're wiped from the Planet." With a single shot, Hojo was dead.

Tifa ran ahead to the control and gasped. "Cloud! It's almost at hundred percent!"

Vincent and Cloud moved to her side and worked on some buttons and switches until the numbers dial started to go backward to zero.

"Barret! In five minutes, it's safe to shut off the Reactors." Cloud announced though the phone.

Barret's gruff voice replied. "Good, 'bout damn time. Hojo's dead now?"

Vincent replied. "Yes. At last." He stared back at the rotting corpse that was decaying fast before his eyes. He knew Cloud wasn't ready to face the truth to what had happened to her during Nibelheim. It wasn't time yet, even though it made him very curious to the three children's purpose in the entire event. He supposed, perhaps, they had no purpose and hopefully didn't survive.

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Meanwhile, up in the Northern Crater, Dark Sephiroth stood in the darkness of his private chamber, holding a red glowing stone that his lackey had brought him, recently discovered.

"Hmm… You got out of mother's grasp. She wasn't too happy about it. But now I know where you went… My dear brother… Come forth…"

The red stone glowed.

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In the Middle Land, Sephiroth was watching Cloud on the plane's wall.

"One Winged Angel!" Shiva shrilled as she made way to his side, gasping at him. "Look! You're being summoned!"

Sephiroth looked down to his hands and feet, surely, they were becoming invisible. "Who would summon me?" Then, he was gone.

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Sephiroth opened his eyes as he found himself floating. Soon, he realized he was floating and looked to his left, seeing a black wing and on his right, he had white wing as well, almost transparent.

"Ah, you're one of the Summonses now."

He looked down and a frown knitted on his brow. "Dark Sephiroth, what's the meaning of this?"

Dark Sephiroth shrugged as he held the stone up to show his counter part. "You're mine now. I'm your master and you will do whatever I want you to do. You see, you're no longer in Jenova's hold but I have a better plan."

Sephiroth descended and stood on the ground, facing Dark Sephiroth as he curled his wings around his body protectively. "I will never be yours."

The darker counterpart laughed. "Oh, how wrong you are… you see, they're coming and I have a plan for you. It's such a pity that I am going to use you against your sweet little one…" He drawled and clutched the stone tightly, taking it away from Sephiroth's sight.

Sephiroth, or rather, the One Winged Angel stared at his darker counterpart, not replying back as he disappeared back to the Middle Plane.

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