. 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 Twelve: Journey's End

Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

Romans 1:10, The Holy Bible

"Seven days." Cloud turned away from the bay window on the Highwind, facing everyone. They had left Midgar after shutting the Sister Ray and the Reactors down successfully. They were currently hovering in the sky, circling while the Avalanchers held a meeting. "The Meteor is going to fall, in seven days."

Nanaki rubbed his head against Cloud's hand. "That's what Grandfather said."

Cloud turned to the red wolf. "You… you want to see everyone in Cosmo Canyon again?"

The wolf turned away, whispering, "Yes."

The blonde turned to the massive guy who was hugging himself, staring out of the bay window at the clouds below. "Hey, you want to see Marlene, right?"

The massive black man turned to Cloud, frowning. "Don't ask me that."

Cloud shook her head as she closed her eyes. "We'll beat Dark Sephiroth. Then, if we don't release the power of Holy in seven days… there won't be a planet left to protect." She shrugged her shoulders as she turned away from everyone, gazing out of the window. "If we can't beat Dark Sephiroth… It's as good as death for us. We'll just go a few days sooner than the rest who'll die from Meteor."

Barret scowled as his rough voice rumbled. "Don't be thinkin' you're gonna lose before ya even fight!"

Cloud snapped as she turned around. "No!" She heaved a long sigh, gazing up into Barret's dark eyes. "What I meant was…" She turned facing every one. "What are we all fighting for? I want us all to understand that. Save the Planet… for the future of the Planet… sure, that's all fine. But really, is that really how it is?" She stepped forward. "For me, this is a personal feud as you all know that. I want to beat Dark Sephiroth and get Sephiroth back; go back to what it was once before. Barret, you want to beat him for Marlene's future. Tifa, for Nibelhiem and for the children. Vincent, for Lucrecia and Sephiroth. And Nanaki for Cosmo Canyon and Seto. Yuffie, for Wutai. We all have different reasons, but can't we go back at least one or two days, just maybe…" She sighed and turned away again. "Maybe it could be our last time."

Barret looked away as a tear fell from his eye. "You're right. It sounds cool sayin' its to save the planet." He grumbled slightly. "But I was the one who blew up that Mako Reactor… Lookin' back on it now, I can see that wasn't the right way to do things. I made a lot of friends and innocent bystanders suffer…" He shook slightly as his hand balled up into tight fist. "At first, it was for revenge against ShinRa, for attackin' my town. But now…" He shook his head, he was crying openly and freely. "Yeah, I'm fightin' for Marlene. For Marlene… for her future… Yeah, I want to see her one more time before I go ahead in this last battle, or whatever it will be." He broke down, tears streaming his face.

Tifa embraced her arms around Barret. "Shh, it's all right."

Cloud turned back to him. "Go and see her. Make sure you're right, and come back." Turning to the others, she smiled. "All of you. Get off the ship and see whomever you're fighting for one more time. Then, come back."

Cid lit another cigarette. "Maybe ain't none of us'll come back. Meteor's just gonna kill us anyway. Let's just forget any useless struggling!"

Cloud gave him a withering glare. "I won't hold it against you if you don't come back. But I am going and hell I'm not giving up. I know my future. It's down in that damned Northern Crater." She pointed behind her out of the bay window where the Northern Crater was ahead of them.

Cid rubbed the back of his neck and turned to the pilot, whispering some commands and turned back to Yuffie. "Hey, let's get you to Wutai."

The teenage girl nodded. "Yeah, let's."

One by one, Cloud watched each member head down to the quarters below to pack for the next few days and leave the Highwind to head out to their hometowns. Finally, it was just Tifa and her left behind with the airship out in the grassy field not far from Nibelheim and Rocket Town, they had no where to go and no one to see and they decided to camp and wait for the others to return in few days.

After the Highwind left them, Cloud was found lying on the grass, watching the clouds passes by, changing shapes. Tifa made her way from the camp and sat on the grass beside her.

Silence passed between the two for a while until Cloud opened her mouth. "What are you going to do, Tifa?"

The brunette turned to her. "Did you forget? I'm… all alone. I don't have anywhere to go."

Cloud pushed herself off the grass and leaned on her elbows, turning her head to Tifa. "No, that's not true. Zack told me that your brother and cousins are still alive. They're all at Junon Harbor."

Tifa's cinnamon red eyes went wide. "Really? I forgot about them… oh…" She looked away as she remembered something. "That's right… they think I'm dead."

Cloud shook her head. "That's in the past. Go, go see them. They're your family and you deserve to see them again. They would be happy to learn that you're alive."

Tifa smiled and stood up. "You're right. But, what about you?"

Cloud looked away, watching the clouds again, smiling. "Don't worry about me. I have everyone here with me, in my heart. It doesn't matter to me if nobody comes back; I'm still going down there and find Sephiroth."

Tifa nodded, bowing her head. "He's waiting for you. I was afraid Yuffie had found out your secret but I'm glad she hadn't, it would had made a whole lot more mess. I believe in you, I can see how much you love him and he loves you. I just wish I have that. I thought I would have it with you," She laughed, "that were before I found out. How funny it turned out."

Cloud turned her head and looked up to Tifa from the ground, smiling, "You'll get that kind of love someday. It takes a right person to give you that."

Tifa smiled back, "I'll come back. I promise. As your friend, no matter what, I'm going to be by your side to face Dark Sephiroth."

Cloud smirked at her, "Thanks, go on. Go and find your brother and cousins."

Tifa nodded and returned to camp and in short time, she had loaded her bag and hopped onto the chocobo that they were left with. She sped off toward the horizon toward the Junon Harbor. Cloud watched until she disappeared over the horizon and turned back to the darkening sky, watching as the stars appear.

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Cid grumbled as he trudged though the town of Wutai, dragging Yuffie behind him. She was very unwilling to face her father but Cid had suggested it would be the best for the two to reconcile and settle their problems.

Bury the axes… hopefully not into each other's backs. He though as he finally stopped and turned around and lifted the teenager girl over his shoulder, ignoring her screams and kicks as he passed the villagers to Good's house.

"Put me down! I can walk myself!" Yuffie spat as she kicked, trying to get off Cid's shoulder.

"No can do. You tried to get away the last time. I'm takin' you there."

Yuffie huffed and settled down, fuming.

Cid chuckled as he got to the gate of Godo's land and saw him standing in the garden, apparently expecting them.

"Come in." The lord of Wutai waved his hand at them and Cid entered the gate, putting Yuffie down.

The young teenager looked down, trudging her foot in the dirt, not daring to meet her father's eyes.

"I hear that you have been trying to save the Planet." Godo walked up to them. "I am proud of you. You have proved me there was a better way. After that trial, you still proved me wrong farther."

Yuffie peeked up at her father though her unruly bangs. "You're serious?"

Godo smiled at her. "That's right." He then looked at Cid. "Thank you, for taking care of her. You have been better father than I was in short time."

Cid felt pang of guilt. "Nah, I'm no father. Yuffie just need someone watchin' after her. She's a big girl and can take care of herself. Just need some encouragin'."

Godo bowed his head. "Yes. I haven't been encouraging her. She had run away, fortunately for me, she ends up in your company and I am grateful for that. I had been expecting you, daughter, since the Meteor had appeared in the sky."

Yuffie puffed her bangs out of her eyes. "Oh. Sorry, I've been busy, you know, doing rescue mission and fighting for the Planet and all that." She waved her hand.

Godo laughed at her and gave her a noogie. "It's good to see you again. Come and have dinner with me before you go back?"

Yuffie nodded and turned to Cid. "Can he come?"

"Yes, he can." Godo smiled at the pilot. "He is welcome any time."

The two Avalanchers followed Godo into his house.

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Vincent Valentine stood at the entrance of Nibelheim. The town looked about as normal as it could be, with people busying around, except for one difference, everyone was expecting death to befall them soon with the Meteor hanging in the sky.

He entered the town and walked among the people, heading toward the ShinRa mansion. He never thought he would want to return to the damned place but he was here.

"Lucrecia. If things had gone our way, without Jenova and Hojo's interfering… we would've been a normal family, happily raising our son." He whispered as he entered the long forgotten overgrown garden. "I thought it was a burden of guilt of a sin. But with Cloud and the rest, I've learned, there was no sin, just a cruel twist of fate that befallen us. Oh, Lucrecia, my love, I do pray that Sephiroth would have a normal life, if we ever succeed."

He sighed and sat down on the bench where he had found Lucrecia sitting at one time when he proposed to her. He rubbed the cool stone, remembering the past.

"For you, for Sephiroth." He stood up and walked out of the gate, not looking back as he left the town. It was all he needed; a moment of reflecting and that was all.

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Barret found his way to Kalm and was shocked to find the town overflowing with casualties from the slums. He trudged though the crowd, looking for familiar face until he bumped into a tall ebony haired man with violet steel eyes. He grumbled and stepped backward, noticing the man had the uniform of the General of ShinRa's Army.

"Oh shit!"

The man turned around and stared at him. "Do I know you?" he frowned as he thought he recognized the black man.

Barret's eyes widened slightly as he mumbled. "Oh shit… damn, of all the place I'd to bump into a general of ShinRa… Hey, it's me Barret!"

The man laughed. "Ah, I thought I recognized your voice."

Barret cocked his head in confusion. "How the hell?" He gestured to the town.

"Junon was full, we had to redirect some of the refgree into other towns and Corel was willing to take some in."

"Good." Barret gruffed as he glanced around.

"So, what are you doing here, and alone?" Zack asked curiously.

Barret shrugged, "I came to find Elmyra and Marlene. I was told they came here. Cloud sent all of us out to see our families, friends, whatever before we go and face da damn Sephiroth."

Zack frowned and looked around in the crowd. "Check that inn, I think I met her. Cute little girl with short brown hair and brown eyes?"

Barret nodded. "That's her."

"She's in that inn. She is in good hands with Elmyra. I am heading out to Junon right now. Good luck."

Barret grunted a thank you and got lost in the crowd while Zack left in the opposite direction, heading out of the town with some people.

Upon entering the inn, he was relieved to find it less crowded and spied a little girl. The girl turned around and saw him. She let out a squeal and ran to him. "Daddy!"

"Marlene!" He scooped her up and gave her a bear hug and sloppy kiss. "I miss you. Are you okay?"

Marlene nodded as she kissed Barret on the nose. "I miss you too. Auntie Em says we're goin' to stay here until you come back. You're back! Are you finished?"

Barret shook his head sadly. "No, honey baby. I came back to see you. I have one more job left to do."

Auntie Em, or Elmyra showed up and smiled at Barret. "Oh, you're here. It's rather a mess now. What is happening?"

Barret shrugged. "Midgar got hit. We're on our way to finish the whole thing."

"Oh dear!"

"Anyway, I'm here to spend some time with my little girl before I go. Let's say we go over to the restaurant and get some good dinner?" He asked his daughter and was received a joyful squeal. "Dinner is it, then." He smiled as he led Elmyra out of the inn with Marlene in his arms.

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Tifa leaned on the railing, overlooking the calm ocean with the Meteor hanging in the sky above at Junon Harbor. It had taken her a while to get there but she was here and now she had been searching for her cousins and brother.

But due to the Midgar being attacked, Junon Harbor became busy, taking in more soldiers and casualties and she wasn't able to find him or anybody else.

"Hey, were you looking for Timothy Lockheart?" A young cadet in naval uniform appeared by her side with a slip of paper in his hands.

Tifa turned to him. "Yes. Is he here?"

The cadet waved his hand, motioning for her to follow him. Tifa complied and followed the young cadet though the base until she was placed before a door in one of the soldier's apartment complexes.

"This is his room. I think he is in. Good day." The cadet left, leaving Tifa at the door.

"Here go." She turned to the door and knocked.

The door opened and a tall dark brown haired man with cinnamon red eyes looked down, frowning. "What is it?"

Tifa gulped, recognizing her brother, older and rugged. "Timmy?"

The man frowned. "What, no one called me by that name for years…Oh gods! Tifa, is that you?"

Tifa nodded, a tear rolled down her cheek. "Yes, it is I."

"I thought you were dead. The ShinRa told me you were killed in the mountain during your tour guiding years ago. How did that happen?" He grabbed Tifa in a fierce bear hug and welcomed her into his apartment.

After sitting down at the table and given a cup of tea. "I got a long story to tell you… Oh, it's great to see you again…" Tifa smiled at her brother who was almost crying. "I didn't die. The ShinRa lied, lied about everything…"

And the two talked though the night, sharing memories and some sibling squabbles between the two.

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Nanaki returned to Cosmo Canyon, making his way up to where Seto watched over the town and sat next to his stone figure. "Father, you have given me a large burden. I hope you are proud of me."

"Ho ho ho. He is indeed proud of you, son."

The red wolf turned to find Burgenhagen sitting next to him. "Grandfather." He nuzzled his Grandfather's hand as the old man rubbed his head.

"Just one more battle, isn't it?"

"Yes."

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Cloud stood on the grassy hill in the front of her camp. She had been camping out there for the last three day, enjoying the peace. The sky was still dark but with a hint of morning twilight peeking beyond the horizon to her side. Today was the day and she knew it in her heart.

Standing up, she stretched and tugged the gloves back on her hands and brushing her shirt of the dust. Then, she sat down on the grass, resting back on her elbows, set to watch the dawn coming.

The grass rustled and she turned her head to see dark silhouette coming over the horizon of the hill. The person came closer and she saw it was Tifa, smiling at her.

"Tifa, you're here."

"I promised." The brunette woman hugged Cloud. "I told you I'd be here."

"Yeah." Cloud turned and saw few more figures coming. "Look…"

Cid appeared with Vincent and Yuffie at his sides. Barret then appeared with Nanki following behind.

"We're here." Barret grunted, half smiling at the blonde fighter. "We're all here, we all started this and we all see to the end of this."

"That's right. We're goin' to get that bastard down." Cid grabbed the blonde and gave her a rough noogie on the head.

"Hey, watch the spikes!" Cloud protested playfully and wiggled out of the pilot's grip, giving him a punch in return.

"Hey, look…" Tifa pointed to the east. Everyone turned and watched the sun rise, giving a beautiful pinkish dawn. After they watched the dawn, they all returned to the airship, going to their normal station, Cid at the pilot control while Yuffie sat on the other control board with Vincent half hiding in the shadow. Nanaki was sitting nearby Cid while Barret and Cloud positioned themselves at the bay window and Tifa on the side.

"Hey, hey…" The cat hopped onto the mog and made a bow.

Cloud smiled at the cat. "Reeve, you're back."

"Yeah, I got the station again. It's going be tough managing to get the people out of Midgar and rebuild the Headquarter in a different place. But I'm here, and so is Zack. We're going to see this though with you all."

Cloud grabbed the cat off the mog and gave it a squeeze. "Great, glad to have you guys back."

Barret gave a curt nod. "I guess that's everyone."

"Thanks everyone." Cloud said as she placed the cat back on the mog.

Barret grunted a snort. "We didn't come back for your spikey headed ass! We came back for Marlene. Guess it's jes' my… watcha call, feeling or somethin'." The man shook his head. "I, uh, I ain't got no words now…"

The wolf gave him a withering look and a lopsided smile. "Although she's not here, she left us a window of opportunity."

"We can't let it go like this."

Cloud nodded at Cid. "Aeris… Let's all go together. She should've returned to the planet by now, something stopped her and now she's stuck… We've got to let go of Aeris's memory."

Tifa clasped her hands together under her chin. "That's right. She needs to rest in peace."

Cid slapped his palm on the control deck. "Has anyone here changed their mind?"

Cloud smirked at him. "I'm counting on you, Cid, you better not change your mind."

The pilot gave him a look. "Hell not, not likely in a million year!" He turned to the control. The airship took off to the sky. "Hey… there are two levers here that've been buggin' me for a while now…" He reached to one of them. "Let's try them out."

Cloud peered over the control, curious. "What is it?"

Cid shrugged. "All right, so what should I do? You decide, Cloud."

Cloud pursed her lips. "This is our last battle. Our target is the North Cave. Our enemy is… Dark Sephiroth! So let's move out!"

"Right on!" The pilot crowed as he flipped the levers. The Airship rumbled and the side panel on the outside strips away from the exterior, several of extension appeared. Extra rudders, and jet-propulsion engines appeared. The Highwind then roared its engine as the jet blasted, speeding the airship across the sky like a comet streak.

"Oh damn! My baby's full of surprise!" Cid grinned with glee.

"We're almost to the North Cave." Cloud whispered as she stood at the bay window, watching the land and ocean blur below them.

The Highwind flew closer and close to the Northern Crater and landed near the mouth of the crater. Cloud smirked and stuck a tongue at Cid. "Let's mosey!" And the pilot grumbled.

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Upon the edge of the cliff down to the Crater, the group gathered together, their weapons ready.

"Uggh… How would you even know? You don't know how tough it is… getting sick on boats and rides… So, please… just leave me alone." The young teenager groaned as she turned into different shades of green.

"I really do understand, kid. When I get sick on a flight, it's a real killer. When I was in Soldier, I completely forgot about my motion sickness."

The youth glared at Cloud. "Oh… do you have that white tablet?"

Cloud laughed at her. "Nope, got no more, you used the last of my pack. But try this. If you're nervous a lot, you won't get sick. But you can't always be nervous. Right?"

Yuffie nodded balefully.

"So, it's better for you to move around while you're riding. It's also might be a good idea to stretch sometimes, too."

The youth nodded and tried to do some stretches while Cloud turned to the rest of the team. But, she was stopped again when Yuffie tugged on her shirt. "Hey, sign this for me?"

Cloud frowned as she took the paper. "What is this?"

The girl smiled weakly. "An agreement, if you die, I get your Materias." Everyone groaned at her.

"Forget it girl." Cloud tossed the paper to the wind and Yuffie whined. "You guys ready?" She turned to everyone.

Everyone gave their affirmation and started to follow her down the steep trail to a cave in the Crater's wall where it would lead them to Jenova and Dark Sephiroth.

"Shh… the radar is detecting some life forms around here." Vincent whispered as he held out small radar that he had picked up in Midgar recently. It picked up life form, helping them to see where the monsters were hiding. There were so many in every crook and nanny of the cave.

Cloud gave him an affirmative nod. "Thanks. Weapons ready?"

Each drew out their weapons, some guns cocked, announcing they were ready and armed.

"Ooh, lemme at some of them…" Yuffie whispered and was slapped over the mouth by Vincent.

Cid harshly whispered back at her, "Shut up… we've gotta save some of our energy for Darkie."

Yuffie nodded and pried the hand off her face. "Eeee… Vinny, your hand's wet and cold!"

Vincent looked back at her. "I didn't touch you."

The teenage girl's eyes went wide and she turned around. "Ooooy…" She then let out a blood-curdling scream as a zombie like monster boggled at her.

Cloud spun around and they were soon surrounded by few more of those zombie monsters. "Oh here we go…"

They all lashed out in battle against the monsters that kept coming down at them, attacking them with strongest power attack that froze, killed or put them into coma.

Finally, when the last one fell. Cid and Cloud went and helped the rest to cure and heal, even wake up everyone else.

"Oy…" Cloud hauled the teenager up. "You promise to shut up? I'd hate to go back to Highwind and get a duct tape for your mouth."

The girl nodded and strikes a salute. "Yuffie pwomise."

The blonde leader laughed at her and slapped her head. "Come on. Let's get going. Vincent?"

The raven-haired sniper held the monster detector and shook his head. "None ahead for a bit."

Avalanche followed their leader into the next part of the cave and was encountered with a steep hole in the ground and the green light glowing at the very bottom. There was narrow ledge along the wall spiraling all the way to the bottom.

"Oy, anybody got fear of height?" Barret mumbled as he looked over the edge. When no one replied, "Guess not. Let's get this over with… ugh…"

One by one, each shimmered along the wall, careful to not fall over the edge until they reached the bottom with luck of no monster encountering them.

"Vincent. Can that thing map out the area?" Cloud asked as she moved to the tall sniper.

"Yes. But not precisely. But it would show us the path…" He worked the device in his hand and it made a soft beeping as it mapped out the whole cavern ahead. "There are two paths that end up together. Should we split?"

Cloud rubbed her chin as she thought about it. "I think so. We'd cover more ground and if we pick up some more things, it could help. We're running low on elixir, we sure need to refill them up. There oughta to be natural springs around here."

The sniper turned the device off and pocketed it. "Alpha and Beta team again?"

Cloud laughed and shook her head. "No, split four and four. Barret, Tifa, and Nanaki with me. You take the rest."

Vincent turned to Cid, Yuffie and Cait Sith. "Come on." Then they took the right path and Cloud took the left path.

They didn't know that the right path was very direct and easy while the left path was shorter but harder, filled with monsters ready to pounce and attack from every corner and shadows.

Yuffie pulled on Vincent's cloak as they entered another part of the cave. It was huge and the ceiling was unseen. "Look…" She pointed to the strange structure of the wall that was broken off on the top. Compared to the other walls, it was smooth and curved.

Cid grumbled as he ran his hand across it. "The walls are strange here, some of them are smooth, rough, and slimy, what's next?"

Yuffie shook her head and ran back up the path. "No, come here! Look! You can see it here."

Cait Sith hopped over to her and took a look. "She's right. Good gods…" Reeve whispered. "Looks like a breeding ground of something…"

Vincent moved to Yuffie's side and took a look around. The chamber of the cavern was vast and huge as hundreds of broken topped walls turned out to be huge eggs, creating labyrinth across the chamber. "Weapons. The Planet created Weapons here… It seemed like it."

"Let's get out of here…" The teenage ran ahead and found the exit across the chamber, which led them into a spiraling bone structure that bridged over glowing Mako pool.

In the left path where Cloud's party went though, they were having hard time to fend off the monster but made it though several chambers, but fortunately for them, each chamber were smaller and nothing compared to the right path's caverns. They've crossed underground forest full of strange kinds of plants growing everywhere, snarling the path and the walls.

"I hope this is the last passage." Barret wiped his brow after shooting some oversized bats down.

"I think so." Cloud went ahead and entered the last cavern with stepping stone leading to another exit. The stepping-stone was slippery and ebony black with glorious bluish waterfall cascading down one side of the cave, glowing with hint of green.

"Oh my, if it weren't so dark and dangerous, this would be a paradise." Tifa whispered as she stepped down the stones after Cloud.

"Yea… Wouldn't live here anyway. This is a hell hole with pretty faces." Barret grumbled as he followed behind with Nanaki straining to climb the stones on four.

"Whatever, can somebody help me here?" Nanaki yowled as he slipped off one of the stone and was caught in time by Barret.

"Two legs are better for this kind of path."

"Shut up." Nanki snapped at the big man and stalked ahead to catch up with Cloud.

"Come on, there is it!" Cloud pointed to the exit, they all could already see glowing green light coming from it and some talking. "Hey, it's the other party!" She ran ahead and was greeted by the other party.

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Dark Sephiroth sat on his stony red throne in the mist of the darkness, smirking as he rolled the red stone in his hands. "Hmm… They're here…"

The angelic Sephiroth appeared. "What is it?" He asked curtly to his counterpart.

"Oh, they're here… it's time…" The darker side stood up and reached out to touch Sephiroth who cringed as the hand connected with his chest.

"What, what are you doing?"

"Making us a god. Just what we always had wanted… you have the power and I have the mind, together, we'd rule the world… first thing first, we're going to let them get rid of mommy dearest."

Sephiroth winced as the pain coursed though his body. "What the hell?" He looked down and saw that his dark brother's hand merged into his body as their bodies came closer. He nearly bowled over in pain.

"Ahh, delicious. Mommy had done her part. It's our turn. We're stronger and we can do better than she did… Now, we're going to be one…"

Sephiroth bit his lips, trying to not cry out, but his mind screamed as their bodies became one.

"Oh, the power… this is good… Well, I don't need this any more." The Dark Sephiroth tossed the dull red stone away.

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"Oh no… He's not coming back." Shiva looked around, worried as Sephiroth had disappeared.

"Look…" Phoenix pointed to the portal window. The Summoned Ones gathered and watched the scene of Dark Sephiroth merging with the One Winged Angel. "He's taken to the darkness…"

"Damn! That bastard… He was the strongest of all of us… never got a chance…" Ifrit growled as he burst ablaze.

"We have one hope left…" Ramuh waved his staff and crack of lighting shot to the portal window and the image changed to Cloud and Avalanche at the bottom of the crater. "They're strong and our hopes lie in their hands."

"Bunches of mortals… how foolish." A dark voice that no one had noticed boomed.

"Ah, Odin." Ramuh turned to greet a massive god of the Nibel brooding behind him. "What is the other option do you suggest?"

Odin glowered at the thunder god, his yellowish eyes blazing underneath the helmet.

"Nothing. At least all of us are in their hands and we surely will be ready to assist them."

"I'm ready to kick ass if they use me." A large red dragon chortled.

"Bahamut dear, we all know that." The dark black dragon, Neo Bahamut shook his long head and trudged away to lie next to Leviathan in her massive form of the sea dragon.

"Let's watch and hope for the best." Leviathan raised her head and nodded once at Ramuh.

Ramuh turned and with crack of thunder from his staff, the portal window widened large enough for everyone to watch.

Every one of the Summoned Ones had gathered, to watch Avalanche head into war against Jenova and Dark Sephiroth.

Three dragons, Bahamut, Neo and Zero moved together and huddled with Leviathan, the water dragon. Phoenix sat with Shiva, Ifrit and Alexander, the holy judgment knight.

Thirteen Knights of the Round sat at their round table, their sword lay out, pointing to the center all around, in honor for Avalanche.

"Am I late?" A yellow plump Chocobo appeared and nearly everyone groaned.

"Oh, come on over here. I saved you a seat." Typhoon waved at him and Choco-Mog joined him with Titan and Kjata.

Hades and Odin sat separately, far away from everyone, brooding in their darkness as they watched among the rest.

"Judgment Day begins…" Ramuh whispered.

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"Hey! Where the hell you've been?" Cid stood up from sitting on the ledge of the path that surrounded the glowing green light of the depth as he saw Cloud exit the second cave mouth.

"Long way, too many monsters." Barret came out and slumped onto the ground, grabbing Tifa's pack and searched though for a water bottle.

"Well, we're here at last." Vincent pointed to the greenness down below. The entire cavern they all stood in was circular and the pathway surrounded the wall, with stepping-stones that lead to the center of the Planet floating suspended.

Cloud peeked down and her eyes went wide as she gaped. "Jenova's there… Sephiroth… he…" She clutched her head as another scream ripped though. "Ahh… it hurts…"

Tifa gasped and knelt beside her. "What's happening?"

Cloud rocked back and forth. "Uhg… I can't find Sephiroth but Jenova and Dark Sephiroth are waiting for us…" She groaned and let go of her head as the pain subdued.

Vincent helped her up and handed her a water bottle that she gladly accepted. "It's all over now. With this…"

The girl looked slightly green as she kneeled over to the ledge, looking down. "Oh man… 'Materia Hunter Yuffie' sounds like the last chapter of 'Materia Forever.'"

Nanaki snorted at her. "All life on this planet, indeed the very life of this planet is in our hands…"

Reeve's voice came though the cat. "Gods… I'm glad I decided to join your side. You guys are the best fighter out there…"

Zack's voice was heard following Reeve's. "Oh shut up. You're just kissing them up because they might die."

Cloud bopped the cat on the head. "You shut up, Zack! You haven't been here with us!"

"Ok, okay, sorry, your majesty!" The blonde rolled her eyes and turned away from the cat.

Barret stood up after finishing a bottle. "Well… looks like this is our last big job and we ain't getting any pay…"

The cat bobbed its head. "Maybe you'll get hero honors and some good pays… if you guys make it out alive."

Barret growled at the cat. "Right, you've been real helpful." He scowled sarcastically.

Cloud crossed her arms. "This will be the end of it. Judgment Day is here."

w w w . y a s h o d o a . c o m / r o a d t o d a m a s c u s

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