Cloud was still standing there, when a second shape launched it's self from the forest, and knocked him aside. Red, Vincent, and Yuffie stopped in shock as the new figure landed, rolled, and got up, almost effortlessly. But that was not what held there attention. By now Sephiroth had landed, and turned to face the new comer. And that was what held the attention. The new comer looked exactly like Sephiroth…P
The two Sephiroths starred at each other. It was virtually impossible to tell them apart. Then, the first one spoke.P
"So, you did get thought. No matter. I dealt with you once, I can do it again."P
The two were now circling, having forgotten everything, and everyone else. P
"You took me by surprise last time. I would have never believed even you would go so far."P
"Ha! You didn't believe because you never accepted the power."P
"The power…Or the collar?"P
With those final words, the two launched themselves at each other. It was a fight unlike any that had ever been fought. But Red, Vincent, and Yuffie weren't concerned with the two. They rushed over to Cloud who was just starting to sit up.P
"What….What happened?"P
Yuffie answered. "Sephiroth tried to kill you, but Sephiroth saved you."P
"What?"P
Red shook his head. "What she means is that a Sephiroth nearly killed you, but a second one saved you. Do you remember anything that just happened?"P
"No…I…nothing. How did I get over here anyway? And why dose my shoulder…What the hell?"P
Cloud suddenly noticed the battle.P
"What's going on? I thought there was only one. Where'd the other Sephiroth come from?"P
The others shook their heads. Then Red spoke up. "We don't know. You got that vacant look in you eyes, walked across the clearing, then stood still while Sephiroth jumped out of a tree, and nearly speared you on his sword. But before he could, the other one leaped out of the bushes, and knocked you out of the way. Then the two just started to fight."P
"They hate each other…" A new figure emerged from the forest. A ghost from Cloud's past…P
"No…Not him. Anyone but him." Cloud started to get up, slowly. But a second voice stopped him.P
"I agree. I have enough trouble without you running around causing me more. Haven't you caused me enough trouble already, Jenova?"P
Cloud turned to look at the other speaker, and fell back down, in shock. "It can't be…"P
Red looked at him puzzled. "What do you mean?"P
"It's Zack. But Zack's dead. I saw him die. How can he be here yet…"P
"Cloud, relax. I'm sure there's an explanation. All we have to do is figure it out." Red looked away, deep in thought for a minute. "Like how you survived a fall from the plate, or two journeys into the lifestream, or the second time, when both you and Tifa entered you came out without any sign of Maco poising. But right now may not be the time to seek that answer."P
The two Zacks were now facing each other as well. It was at this point that Chrono made his first move, with the soldiers backing him, towards Jenova.P
"In the name of the king, you two are hereby arrested. Surrender, or we will be forced to use drastic measures."P
The two Zacks looked at the soldiers. In fact, the two almost seemed surprised by their presence. By now, the two Sephiroths were so deep into their battle that a voice would not be enough to stop them. Then one of the Zacks spoke. Only his voice was not that of Zacks…P
"It seems that we shall need to continue this latter"P
Slowly, his shape began to change, taking on that of Jenova's. The two Sephiroths were still fighting. Only it seemed as though one of them had lost whatever pattern he once had. With one sudden move, the other Sephiroth shot his sword forwards, and buried it deep into the other's side. The one who was stabbed fell. Zack turned, and ran towards the still standing Sephiroth, sword drawn. But the standing one leaped into the air. Zack looked at him, growled, then ran over to the Sephiroth laying on the ground. Zack picked him up, then vanished into the woods. At the same time, Jenova flew off, following the other Sephiroth. The others just watched the four go. Yuffie turned to Cloud.P
"Now that we've proven Jenova can shape shit, can I go find my shuriken?"P
"YUFFIE!!" The three yelled at her.P
She looked puzzled. "What? All I want to do is get my…"P
BTHUNK!P/B
Yuffie's shuriken landed right in front of her…minus Materia.P
"My shuriken! But wait….My…err Materia is missing."P
A voice from the near by trees replies.P
"Is that what you call these funny rocks? Well, I think I'll keep them as a reminder of what I owe you. Latter."P
The girl jumped out of a tree, and vanished into the woods. Chrono walks up to the four.P
"Would someone mind telling me what just happened…?"P
HR
Author's note. Yes I did say she'd get named soon. It will happen in the next chapter, One Spell plus Two Doubles and Three Materia Equals Trouble. And I will explain the appearance of both Zack and the second Sephiroth, or at least I will eventually. But the strangeness is just getting started. And in case you're wondering, no I have no idea what inspired me to throw in two Sephiroths. But it is getting interesting, is it not?P