Ch--15
Cloud sat in Cid's house in rocket town calmly drawing a picture of Skye. He missed her, even they way she got on his nerves with the talking. They had been there for five days now preparing for the big day getting materia and other things like potion together and fixing the Highwind. Vincent opened the door and looked in on Cloud. He was just staring at the drawing in a dream like state.
"Cloud?" Vincent said looking in on him Cloud shook his head and looked at him.
"Yea?"
"Cid said we're leaving in an hour... you might want to grab your things..." He said watching Cloud's lethargic movements. He took pity on him; he knew what it was like to lose some one they love to something they can't stop.
"I just need some time alone... that's all" Cloud said as he stood up and walked over to the window.
"Just some time a lone" He said softly as he looked out at the Highwind. Vincent nodded and left almost silently. Cloud walked around the first floor shaking his head and trying to find some logic behind everything. He looked at a painting on the wall it was of a mountain with a cave in it. From this painting he got sudden inspiration. He ran out side leaving his drawing on the table.
He ran out side to the Highwind.
"I have a plan!" He yelled as he ran on board to find everyone staring at him like he was crazy.
"Oh and what would your plan be?" Tifa said grinning as she turned to face him.
"I'll lead a small party into the cave... It will only be with one or two other people ya' know and the rest of you will go to Como and get the huge materia. After my party gets Skylie we'll all meet in ... name a random Town Cid"
"The Golden Saucer" Cid said shrugging.
"And meet at the... Ghost inn ... From there we'll put together another plan" Cloud said looking around.
"Cloud... You might want to know that while you were sleeping last night there was a shine... And the Cave that Skylie was taken from... it's kind of not there any more" Tifa said softly.
"Then we'll find away but we're getting in that damn City if it kills me!" Cloud said as he sneered.
"Fine... then I'll go with you" Tifa said putting her hands on her hips
"And If Tifa goes I go" Barret said crossing his arms.
"Alright... Cid take us to the nearest cave" Cloud said as he walked over into the operations room and sat down at the table. He put his head in his hands and sighed.
"It'll be okay...You'll find her" A familiar voice said softly. He looked up to find Aeris standing before him.
"Aeris" He said softly she smiled.
"Yes Cloud it's me... You need to keep up hope though... You can do this... You're going to find her before she can break the seal... because you have to"
"And if I don't"
"Then no amount of preying or luck can save this planet..." She said looking down at the ground.
"Why now... why do you have to come and tell me this now! WHY!" Cloud said banging his hand on the table she placed her hand over his it felt like nothing but cool air.
"Because... you need to know it now... So you don't take any unnecessary risks" He looked away from her.
"Cloud... all I can tell you is that the northern most Cave will answer more questions then I can right now... and she isn't dead..." She said as she pulled her hand away.
"...Don't for get me" She said with a smile as she disappeared Cloud slammed his fist on the table and looked around the empty room void of other humans Just then Tifa walked in.
"We're there" she said looking at him he looked distressed.
"Tell Cid to head for the northern most cave..."
"Alright... but you need to keep your mind off of this... polish your sword do something but don't morn over her... she's probably not even dead yet" she said as she left the room. Tifa was right he need to do something else so he headed for the bridge to find everyone there.
"Why the northern most cave" Cid said as he supervised the pilot.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you" Cloud said smiling as he headed towards the cold cold north towards destiny towards fait, towards the crystal palace and towards Skylie.
