Chapter Fifteen

Both Spike and Cloud froze.  The crowd had disappeared into the mist…almost as if they had vanished completely.  The sounds of them had faded away as well, making the three (Tifa was the only one who hadn't vanished) wonder if they had been transported to some alien location.  Tifa ran to Spike, more for reassurance than anything else.  But, Spike could offer no comfort.  An unfamiliar expression played across his face.  Was it…fear?

"Spike!" Cloud yelled, still in midair, trying to wrest his sword from whatever the hell was holding it, "Where the hell are we?! What the hell is goin on?!"

"I…I…I don't know," Spike wavered slightly, "I haven't a goddamned clue!"

Finally, the mist seemed to disappear slightly. A lone figure walked from the depths of the shroud.  Shadows hid his face, but Spike didn't need to see the face to know who it was.

"Vicious!" Spike uttered.

"Nice to see you too, Spike," Vicious cooed, "This isn't a dream…you won't wake from this, I'm afraid."

"But…how…wha-" Spike stuttered.

"Cat got your tongue, Spiegel?" Vicious laughed, "You're always rambling like an idiot, I'm glad I finally shut your mouth for once."

"What the hell do you want with us?" Tifa asked, her voice shaky.

"Well, I'm glad you asked," Vicious answered.  He continued, "As you probably know, Spike killed me in a battle for the ages.  Remember, Spike? How my sword ripped through your torso so easily? Well, I couldn't let it end there, could I?  No…not there.  I was sent here," He motioned with his hands to the surroundings, "to the underworld, where I met Sephiroth.  Apparently, he had some grudge against this worthless warrior," he motioned towards Cloud, "So, we thought it advantageous to join forces.  When I had learned that you, Spike, were headed here, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to see you again, Spike.  You see, last time, the fight wasn't fair.  You had a long range weapon as I only had a sword.  And since I'm all for fairness, I decided to freeze your gun so you and could fight one on one."

"Excuse me, ass!" Cloud yelled, still in midair, "Why the fuck you freeze me?!"

"I didn't freeze you, you poor excuse for a warrior. I froze your sword. And I did that so you wouldn't be able to interfere with the fight.  I mean, the fight was unfair last time.  I don't need you interfering, even though, it would probably make no difference, being that you are the pond scum I wipe my boots on."

"Why you mother-"

"Flowery words from someone who can't even begin to have a chance against me, being that your sword is frozen.  You really are as weak and stupid as Sephiroth said." He turned to Spike, "Now, Spike, are you ready to finish the fight that has yet to end?"

"It did end, Vicious," Spike answered, smirking slightly, "You're just still tied to the past.  To vain to let go and admit that I did defeat you."

"Oh no, Spike," an evil grin spread across the white haired man's face, "It's only just begun!"

Rushing at Spike, Vicious unsheathed his sword, and swiped violently at the lanky figure.  Whipping out his throwing knife, Spike did the only thing he could do.  And that was to attempt to block the longer reach of Vicious' sword.  Sparks flew as the sword hit rock.

"You're only delaying the inevitable, Spike!  Why don't you just be a good boy and stay in one spot so I can send you to Julia?"

Dodging another furious attack, Spike shot back, "I already have my 'Julia'!"

Ducking from a back-handed slash that would have cleanly removed Spike's head from his shoulders, he sprang up and drove his knife deep into Vicious' ribs.

"ARG!" Vicious cried, "Lucky one there, Spiegel." He grabbed Spike by the back of the neck, and pulled him close into his body. "But, see, you made a fatal error. You got just a bit too close." As he whispered that into Spike's ear, he brought his sword around, and prepared to skewer Spike through the back.

As the sword neared Spike's back, a little green orb of light glowed on the end of the sword.  It grew bigger by the minute until it engulfed both warriors.  Then, the Ultima spell released, sending Vicious flying through the air.  He landed yards away, and didn't move.  Tifa ran to Spike, who looked around, bewildered.

"Was that you?" he questioned her.

Sheepishly looking down, she answered, "Yeah.  I thought Cloud try something underhanded."

"Not to interrupt you two lovers, but CAN YOU GET ME DOWN FROM HERE?!"

"Cloud, let go of your sword," Spike answered. 

Cloud obliged.  Not ready for the onrush of gravity, he plummeted to the ground with an "Oomph!"

Rubbing his bruised ribs, he glared at Spike.

"Gee, thanks, asshole,"

"No problem, Cloud," Spike cheerfully replied.  Looking at the downed man who was still unconscious, Spike continued, "Do you think he's dead, Cloud?"

"I don't know," Cloud said as he stepped up beside Spike, "But there is only one way to find out." He started walking toward Vicious.  As he neared him, Cloud pulled a gun out from under his shirt.

"Cloud!" Tifa screamed, "You were gonna cheat?!"

"Hey!" Cloud shot back, a sardonic grin on his face, "Be thankful he's still alive and that I'm gonna spare his life."

"Wha-?" started Tifa.

"Hey, life's only too short for me to hold grudges like this.  I figured I'd be nice and step down."

As he was saying all of this, he was still walking toward Vicious. 

"You're right, Cloud.  Life for you IS too short!"

Before anyone could move, Vicious rolled over and drove his sword deep into Cloud's stomach.  So deep that it came out of his back by more than a foot.

"CLOUD!" Spike and Tifa yelled as one.

Without removing the sword from Cloud, Vicious spoke, "You see, Spike?  Everyone you let get close ultimately dies.  First Julia, now Cloud.  Soon, you both will die."

"Not yet," came a rasping voice.

Turning his head, Vicious looked in shock.

The sword was still in Cloud's body.  Vicious still had an iron grip on the handle.  It was a scene out of Cloud's own past, when he had beaten Sephiroth years ago.

"Never…count…a…warrior out," Cloud grunted.  He pulled in the power from around him…all the energy he could muster.  His body spas med from the exertion of it all.  His own life was draining from him and yet, he felt a need to protect Tifa and Spike.

"Now, Vicious, you will die!" Cloud screamed as he released the energy he had built up. Both men we engulfed in a blinding white light, brighter than the sun. As the light reached its apex, an ethereal voice came from the light.

"Good-bye Tifa and Spike.  May you both live out the rest of your days in absolute happiness," the voice, which seemed to be Cloud's, whispered.  And just like that, the light vanished, leaving Tifa and Spike still in the Underworld.  In the crater caused by the energy blast from Cloud, the White Materia, Aeris' White Materia, sat, still warm from Cloud's hand.