Author's note: Hello guys :), I apologize for the wait and long delay, here is Chapter 2 of Bold Climax ^^! Hope you enjoy ^_^.
Bold Climax
Chapter 2: Flames
Cloud was resting after his fight with Kefka. He knew the other members of Chaos would be notified of his actions. He didn't care due to his thoughts. He continued to rest until he had the strength to fight once more.
'I need to keep moving forward to face Chaos. I never wanted to be with them, let alone with Sephiroth.' Cloud thought. He wanted to be with his fellow Warriors of Cosmos', his own beloved friends which whom he knew close to his heart.
A cloud of feathers got his attention. Sephiroth arrived and he wasn't alone.
"You ignorant traitor." Sephiroth spoke.
"So you decided to have Ultimacia with you. I already know why," Cloud declared.
"On the contrary, you managed to shut that jester up. I'll let this slide due to his annoying mouth." Ultimacia spoke.
Ultimacia was a woman with silver hair that had two side burns reaching below her waist. The rest of the hair was styled like horns with pink tips. She was wearing a loose red robe that partially covered her front. Her eyes glowed an etheral yellow. She soon faced Cloud with a very cold stare.
"However, I won't tolerate insubordination. If you do repeat your actions agains't us, you will face certain death. Not even the mark of Chaos will save you." Ultimacia warned.
Cloud knew he was on a fight rope. After seeing Ultimacia turn away, which revealed her black wings, he was now in a mental struggle.
'How long do I have to endure this..? I'm already conflicted with this cursed symbol.' He thought. He just wanted this conflict to be over and done with.
Lightning was with Tifa, whom was longing for Cloud. She looked slightly downtrodden.
"Keep your mind at ease, Tifa. This is not the time or place to long for that Warrior of Chaos." Lightning lectured.
"His name is Cloud and he has been fighting to oppose Chaos. Cosmo did say one of the warriors will rebel agaisn't Chaos. I know its Cloud, I just know it." Tifa said with convictions.
"Be that as it may be, Tifa. Even if he is an unlikely ally, if he attacks, I will fight back." Lightning warned. She really didn't want Tifa to be hurt after all.
Tifa understood Lightning's intentions. Soon, a young woman came into view. She had soft brown hair with matching eyes. She wore what appeared to be a ceremonial robe with a white top and purple hakama. The outfit had an indigo glow. The woman held a decorative staff on her armor.
"He will rebel soon. I know he will betray Chaos and side with Cosmos." The woman said.
"I hope it comes soon, Yuna. He's someone dear.." Tifa said.
"You sound rather convinced. Do you have feelings for this man?" Yuna asked.
"W-what? Am I that easy to read?" Tifa stuttered with a blush.
"Your reaction says it all." Lightning noted. Tifa reacted to Lightning with a shy smile upon her face.
"I too fell in love with a man by the name of Tidus. He was always upbeat and energetic." Yuna said.
"Sounds like he was the opposite of Cloud. Cloud was always quiet unless spoken to." Tifa revealed.
"Let's save this girl chat later. We got company." Lightning spoke.
"Great. More counterfeits." Tifa groaned.
Tifa, Lightning, and Yuna watched as the counterfeits formed images of Cloud, Ultimacia, and Kefka. They all assumed their respective combat stances, ready to fight.
"Let's go!" Lightning bellowed. Everyone agreed quickly and rush forward for the upcoming battle that's taking place.
Lightning dashed at the Cloud counterfeit. Though it wielded a Busted Sword like weapon, Lightning knew it wasn't a real skill. With swift speed, she casted a magic spell.
"Ruin." She commanded. The bolts impacted the Cloud counterfeit, caused it to dissapear.
"Can't feel proud in this fight.." Lightning commented, swinging her gunblade.
Tifa was fighting agaisn't the Kefka counterfeit. She hurled several punches that landed their mark, causing it to comically cry out.
"I don't really like clowns like you," Tifa said.
She performed a powerful uppercut, hurling the counterfeit up in the air. Tifa soon nose-dived and grabbed the counterfeit.
"Smashing blow!"
Tifa hurled it down on the ground hard. The impact caused it to bounce. She finished it with a knee blow on its back. The impact caused it to dissapear.
"Quite a workout for me," Tifa said, stretching her arms up to alleviate her shoulders.
Yuna was facing agaisn't the Ultimacia counterfeit. She focused on hurling fireballs to it.
"I may not know of your abilties, but I won't hesitate to fight." She said.
The counterfeit held an unstable orb of darkness. Yuna felt the pull from the orb and knew the danger from it.
"A black hole?! How dangerous." Yuna noted.
She focused on the staff. Yuna soon channeled light magic.
"Holy barrage!" She commanded.
A solvo of light beams pierced through the counterfeit, destroying it.
"Even if I can become strong." Yuna spoke. Her own attacks were successful in less than two minutes.
The three girls were now able to rest. However, Lightning knew it wasn't safe to linger.
"We need to move from this area. It's not safe here." She said.
"I agree. Let's move on forward, then." Tifa replied back to Lightning calmly.
Cloud was soon called by Sephiroth. He had a displeased expression.
"Cloud, we got orders to handle a scuffle. Apparently some Counterfeits Chaos launched were defeated." Sephiroth explained.
Cloud remained silent, but he acknowledged the order. With reluctnace, he followed Sephiroth.
"You are to go with me and Jecht to find out what is the ordeal." Sephiroth spoke.
The person named Jecht was a muscular man. He had a dark punk hair and a red bandanna that appeared ripped. His feet were bare, save for sports tape around the middle. He held a large black sword with red rune markings.
"So I'm helping with this problem? Let's make it quick." Jecht commented.
Cloud knew this was going to be difficult for him. He did not realize how much of a problem will be.
The three soldiers of Chaos arrived, near where Lightning, Tifa, and Yuna were located.
"So a trio of women were responsible. Such a minor issue." Jecht spoke obnoxiously.
"Don't sell women short. We're stronger than we look." Tifa said.
Jecth soon got his attention to Yuna and dashed at her, Sephiroth attacked Tifa, which left Cloud and Lightning. Cloud didn't want to fight, shifting his eyes in despair. He just couldn't bear to watch.
"Why are you hesitating? Don't hold back." Lightning spoke.
'Damn it. I am hesistating.. I'm overcome with despair.' Cloud thought. He doesn't want to let Lightning know of his own thoughts.
"So you are a true warrior..." Cloud spoke.
"As the same to you." Lightning replied.
The combatants charged and locked blades. Cloud and Lightning were in a strength struggle, trying to overcome one another.
"Your heart is not truly in the fight. Why are you hesistating?" Lightning questioned.
"I won't reveal my reasons." Cloud answered back.
Lightning soon broke off the clash. Cloud looked as though he was struggling, glancing at Tifa.
'I see now. He does care for Tifa, but doesn't show it openly. This doesn't mean he should hesistate.' Lightning thought.
Casting ruin magic, Cloud was forced to block the bolts. He wa sent flying and pushed to a rock wall. Sephiroth noticed the performance in dissapointment.
"What's the matter, Cloud? Why are you not fighting back?" Sephiroth questioned.
"Shut up." Cloud snapped, standing up. He doesn't want to overshadow his own strength agaisn't him.
Cloud charged to fight agaisn't Lightning, whom anticipated the attack.
"So you wish to fight, but don't want to hurt the Warriors of Cosmos. I can sympathize and help you overcome the mark of Chaos in you." Lightning said.
"What will that do from learning about it? I'm in a prison with scum." Cloud said.
"Yet you retain hope. You're a better warrior than me, Cloud." Lightning revealed. She was indeed telling the truth towards the sullen warrior.
"It matters not. Just fight me." Cloud said.
"You don't have the will to fight us anymore. You're already in a vulnerable state." Lightning revealed.
Cloud felt his strength leave his body. His need to fight dissapeared, leaving him on his knees.
"Just get out of here.." Cloud spoke, defeated.
"The woman you care for will be safe." Lightning said.
Feeling a sense of relief, Cloud soon collapsed. His own eyes soon fall into mild darkness, as sleep had already overcome him.
"Damn, I knew he would be useless, Sephiroth. He didn't last long!" Jecht commented in dissapointment.
"He has yet to embrace the darkness within. It's only a matter of time before he throws everything he holds dear away." Sephiroth revealed.
"Then let's leave. We can't fight them all." Jecht said.
The warrios of Chaos were exhausted from their fighting. Unable to continue with a fallen comrade, Sephiroth and Jecht dissapeared with Cloud in tow. Lightning had soon seem them secretly behind a hidden wall, as her eyes roamed over the battlefield.
'Hope you can overcome your trails, Cloud. Tifa really wants you to be strong so don't give up for anything.' She thought.
Cloud was forcibly thrown on the ground thanks to Jecht.
"You are still a weak person, Cloud. Why did you hesistate to fight Lightning?" Jecht questioned.
"None of your concern.." Cloud replied.
"It is my concern. If you fail us, we'll make sure you'll never come back. Damn it, Sephiroth tries to stop us." Jecht warned. Lightning then gritted her teeth in light discomfort as she watched the following warrios of Chaos.
'To see such a despicable sight. Even the Fal'cie weren't his cruel.' She thought.
Tifa saw the occassion and was willing to beat the stuffing out of Jecht. Reluctant, she was forced to watch them beat Cloud.
'I won't give up on you, Cloud. I know you can do it.' Tifa thought, holding her hands close to her heart. She knew Cloud was capable enough to fight on his own thus far.
Author's note: Chapter 3 is coming soon, hope you guys enjoyed reading this awesome chapter :)!