CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 15

"What are we gonna do now?"

Barret asked Godo that was riding a chocobo. Earlier that day they landed on the shore of the east continent. Godo lead the army and marched towards the southeast.

"We are going to go a tunnel at the south of Midgar. The ancient army will surely use that route." Godo replied.

"And we are goin' to attack them right?" Barret asked.

"No. We will try to seal the tunnel. That will buy us time." Godo answered.

Barret didn't know Godo had such a plan. He actually still didn't know what is the purpose of doing that.

"What's gonna happen next?" Barret asked again.

"We will send a few of our best men into the tunnel through the route near the marsh and gather more intelligence about them. When they couldn't find their way out, they will surely need to past by the marsh and the Midgar Goloms will surely bring heavy damage to them. Then when they are weak, it is time for us to attack them." Godo explained his plan.

Barret was impressed with Godo's plan. But he still had a lot of questions.

"How are yer men gonna go past dat marsh? And, what if they already went through dat tunnel?" Barret asked.

Godo kept quiet. He knew the answer for the first question but not the second one.

"We have the finest chocobo and they will surely get my men past the marsh. But for the second question…we could only pray that they hadn't past through that tunnel yet." Godo said.

"Dad!"

Godo turned his head towards the voice and saw Yuffie rushing towards him on a chocobo. He quickly asked what happened.

"Some Shinra army's leader wanted to see you. He is waiting in front of our army." Yuffie asked while panting away.

Godo was shocked to hear this. He never thought that the Shinra army would reappear again. Shinra had fell for quite some time and this really gave him a big shock.

"I will go and meet them personally." Godo said and kicked the side of his chocobo.

"But dad, that was probably a trick!" Yuffie warned Godo.

"Then you two follow me." Godo said and rode away with Yuffie and Barret.

"Greetings Lord Godo."

A man in a Shinra's soldier uniform greeted Godo. Godo greeted back and walked until he was in front of that man.

"Joseph ,Commander of the Shinra Underground Army." Joseph introduced himself and saluted. He looked at Godo's force, and then he popped up a question.

"What brings you and your army here?" Joseph asked.

"My army and I came here to save the planet. Let us past or we will not hesitate to use our force." Godo warned Joseph.

Joseph just stood there quietly. He was actually quite furious with Godo. He never liked Wutai's soldiers. They were once his enemies and he will not believe them easily.

"Let me do the talking." Reno stood out from behind Joseph.

"Reno?!" Yuffie and Barret shouted.

Reno was shocked to see the two of them. No wonder they didn't saw them in Fort Condor. They went to Wutai to call for help.

"Reno! I am gonna fry yer $((*(#$@$( a$$ for blowing up sector seven!!!" Barret shouted at Reno and pointed his gunarm at Reno, threatening to kill him.

Immediately, soldiers of both sides pulled out their weapons. A firefight could happen any moment now.

"Hey, you two calm down will you?" Elena tried to calm the two.

"Barret, put down the gun." Godo commanded.

"But…"

"No buts! Put it down now!" Godo shouted before Barret could say anything.

Barret mumbled something and pointed his gunarm way from Reno. Soon, all soldiers put down their weapons.

"We don't want anything like this to happen again won't we?" Elena told everybody.

Everybody looked at each other. Most of them agreed. They won't want to start a firefight this early.

"What do we say if we let them past?" Elena continued.

"No way!" Joseph shouted.

Everybody stared at Joseph.

"You all would probably spoil our plan to attack that 'thing' out there." Joseph continued.

Godo shook his head, as he was disappointed of what Joseph had said.

"You all don't even know what is out there?" Godo asked.

The entire Shinra army was silent. They really had no idea what was out there.

"I know what is out there. But…I would only tell you for a price." Godo told Joseph.

Joseph rubbed his chin. He knew exactly what Godo meant.

"Ok, we will let your army past if you tell us about this 'thing'." Joseph said.

Godo nodded.

"This 'thing' you guys said is actually an army from the past. It is an ancient army revived by an unknown force used to conquer the world." Godo said.

"This ancient army are experts in using spells and magic. What destroyed Junon was a powerful spell that could be used at long range and can cause heavy destruction. This army cannot be underestimated." Godo continued.

"Do they wear robe?" Rude suddenly asked.

"They are ancients. They probably do." Godo answered.

"Then there is at least 12,000 of them out there." Rude said.

Everybody was shocked when they heard that. An army with 12,000 spellcasters? What kind of army is this?

"How did'cha know 'bout this?" Barret asked Rude.

"We saw them docking in Junon. At first everybody thought they were just a cult. At least fifteen ships docked in Junon. Each ship can carry about 800 men." Rude answered.

"That's a real big army. Okay, warriors. Let's go." Godo attempt to continue his journey with his army.

"Where are you all going?" Joseph asked.

"Did that has anything to do with you?" Godo asked Joseph.

"We are defending Kalm at Midgar. We got a mako cannon and we don't want you guys being shot for wandering around." Joseph answered.

"That is a good excuse, but it wasn't good enough. Anyway, it won't hurt us so I am telling you what we are going to do too. We are going to seal the tunnel and force them to through the marsh. Now, shall my army past?" Godo asked for permission.

Joseph nodded. Godo thanked Joseph and lead his army towards the tunnel at the south of Midgar. Joseph watched as his army left. Godo and his army would probably be able to stop that ancient army. He probably don't even need to engage into battle. He looked at Godo until he disappeared from his sight, then he rode off with his men back to Midgar.

"What the ^($$@$@$(*&^&%$ are you doing?!!!" Cid was obviously scolding his men again. Ah, Cid. He will never change.

Suddenly the PHS on Cid's pocket rang. Cid picked up and listen.

"Yo Cid!"

Cloud shouted at the PHS from the bottom of the plate. Cid's head popped out, a cigarette still hanging in his mouth. He smiled when he saw the Avalanche.

"Well, well... Look who's here." Cid said.

"Hey Cid!" Aeris shouted at her top of her voice while waving.

Cid smiled and nodded back. He was glad to see the rest of them here.

"When is the cannon ready?" Cloud asked.

"It won't be ready until tomorrow!" Cid replied.

Cloud nodded and put up his thumb showing that Cid is doing a good job. Cid smiled back and went back to finish his job.

"I wonder how his men worked with him." Red XIII asked wondering how Cid's crew could tolerate Cid's temper.

"They are already used to it." Tifa answered.

"I really don't understand you humans." Red XIII said and shook his head.

"Ah, my old enemies."

The Avalanche turned their heads towards the voice. They saw the three Turks standing behind them.

"I can't believe that we are standing here talking." Tifa said.

Reno kept quiet. He knew what Tifa was going to say. She is going to say the same thing what Barret had said earlier.

"Let's forget everything from the past, okay?" Elena said.

"I can't. Reno destroyed sector seven. That was something I won't be able to forget." Tifa said furiously.

"So, this is it. You all go your way while we go ours." Reno said and left with the other two.

"Wait!"

Cloud shouted at the Turks. The three Turks stopped.

"What can you tell us about this army?" Cloud asked.

Reno turned back. He looked straight at Cloud.

"Why do you need to know?" Reno asked.

"I can't think of any army that could wipe off the Fort Condor army in one night." Cloud replied.

"What?…The Fort Condor army was wiped out?" Reno asked with surprised.

Cloud nodded. Reno took a deep breath, then he spoke.

"According to Godo…"

"Godo? Godo was here?" Cloud interrupted.

"Your two other member just brought the whole Wutai party here. Godo told us that this was an ancient army. It uses magic and spells and there are at least 12,000 of the out there. Now, would you excuse me?" Reno said and left with Rude and Elena.

"An ancient army?" Cloud repeated what Reno said.

Aeris face changed when she heard this. She doesn't feel quite well.

"Is there something wrong?" Tifa asked Aeris.

"Nothing. I…I just need to go back to the highwind for a while. Bye."

Aeris said and left the others. Once again, this myterious girl had to confront her past again. She was an ancient, the last ancient on the planet and now she had to fight against her race. It wouldn't be easy for her.

"Now…we are going to find Barret and Yuffie. They must be with Godo." Cloud said.

"Come here yer little %(*^*)$$ brat!!!"

A voice was heard. The Avalanche immediately recognized that voice. It was Barret's. They saw someone running towards them. It wasn't Barret. It was Yuffie. And she looked like she just messed with Barret's temper.

"Cloud! Help me!"

Yuffie ran towards Cloud and hid behind him. Now, Barret appeared and he looked really mad. Barret stomped until he was in front of Cloud. Cloud calmed Barret.

"What did you took from him this time?" Cloud asked Yuffie.

"Nothing?" Yuffie lied.

"Why you…" Barret said but was interrupted by Cloud.

"Give it back, now!" Cloud said commanded.

Yuffie kept quiet for a while. She took out some gil from her pocket and gave it to Cloud.

"Hey! That's not what ya took from me!" Barret shouted.

Cloud stared at Yuffie. This time he is angry too. Yuffie knew she can't fool around with them any longer so she took out a picture from her pocket.

"Here."

Yuffie gave the picture to Cloud. Cloud took a look. It was a picture of Marlene. No wonder Barret was so mad. Cloud gave the picture back to Barret and Barret put it into his pocket.

"So, why are ya guys here?" Barret asked Cloud.

"We just happen to find this Shinra army. We will help them in protecting Kalm.

"So yer all are now with tha Shinra eh?" Barret asked.

"We have no choice. The Fort Condor army was just wiped out by the ancient army." Cloud said.

"What?! The Fort Condor army defeated?" Barret asked with surprise.

"Yes. And this is the only way we are going to save Kalm and the rest of the world. So are you with us?" Cloud asked back.

"At first I plan to join Godo. He wanted to seal up the tunnel and made dat army march through tha marsh. But since everyone's here, I will stay." Barret replied.

"And what about you Yuffie?" Cloud asked Yuffie.

"Here is more fun than with dad. For instance…" Yuffie smacked Barret in the back of his head.

"Why yer…" Barret's temper shot up.

"Come and see if you can catch me!"

Yuffie shouted and ran off. Barret chased after while cursing at her.

"It's nice to have everyone here." Tifa chuckled.

Cloud nodded. He took a look at the highwind.

"When do you think they will attack?" Cloud asked Vincent.

"It is hard to tell. But I have a feeling they are going to attack real soon." Vincent answered.

"The journey from Fort Condor to here is quite near. They would probably arrive tomorrow." Red XIII said.

Cloud nodded. This time he is ready for them. He will make sure that he will help to fight in this battle. If he failed, Kalm will be destroyed too.

"And by the way…"

"Where is Aeris, right?" Red XIII answered for Cloud.

"I saw her sitting on the deck. She was there ever since she heard about that ancient army." Vincent said.

"Do I look that obvious of always asking about Aeris?" Cloud asked.

Red XIII and Vincent nodded.

"Uh Red, would you mind if you go and talk to her?" Cloud asked Red XIII to do him a favor.

"Why?" Red XIII asked.

"You know…Tifa's here and…" Cloud said.

"I understand. I will try to cheer her up." Red XIII said and walked towards Aeris.

"Who actually are you going to choose?" Vincent asked.

Cloud didn't know how to answer this question. Even he himself don't know who to choose. He just kept quiet. Vincent shook his head and walked away.

"Hey."

Aeris turned her head. She saw Red XIII behind her.

"Never heard you said 'hey' before." Aeris said.

"Just trying to cheer you up. I guess I did a bad job." Red XIII said.

"Nevermind. You are the wisest of us all." Aeris replied.

"It is about the ancient army?" Red XIII asked.

Aeris nodded.

"I will be alright. I just wanted to forget it. You see, ever since I knew I am an ancient, I tried to look for anther ancient. But now, more than 10,000 ancients showed up but they are my enemies. I just don't want to believe this is true." Aeris expressed her feelings.

"Well, you just have to take it. Try not to think about it." Red XIII said.

"But no matter what, I am still an ancient. I am just different from the others. I am an ancient." Aeris said.

"But all of us didn't think you are different. You have feelings just like all of us. Look at me, I am different too. But they won't care about this. The fact is, they already take you as one of them." Red XIII comforted Aeris.

Aeris looked at Red XIII. She finally smiled.

"Thanks, Red." Aeris said and walked into the highwind.

Red XIII looked at Aeris as she left. He got up and followed Aeris.

Suddenly, Red XIII ear went up. He heard something. Red XIII is different from the other and he could hear the slightest sound even from long range.

He heard shouting. It came from the tunnel at the south of Midgar. Red XIII walked to the end of the dock. He stared into the direction where the sound came from.

"Yo Red! Come in! Cloud had something to say!" Barret shouted from behind Red XIII.

"Tell Cloud to come at once. Tell him that they are here." Red XIII commanded.