BROTHERS IN ARMS
by Digintegrated - Hunter Bill
Disclaimer : There we go for a change! I own a slight modification of the scenario, to be detailed in the forthcoming chapters: Cloud and Squall will have to... oops, I was about to say too much. Surprise! ;-) However, Squaresoft is the rightful and lawful owner of the remaining. I still admire your work, Mr Hironobu Sagakuchi :-)
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CHAPTER 3
GATHERING
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The three other people, still laying on the ground, had regained consciousness in the meantime. The girl with long hair asked Cloud:
"What happened? Where's Sephiroth?"
Then, as she noticed the SeeD group:
"Who are they?"
"People who've been put in the same jam as ours.", Cloud answered. "They've just seen him entering this castle and offer their help."
"What? Damn!"
The gatling-armed man was not rejoiced at all.
"Calm down, Barrett...", the girl replied.
The spearman approved.
"She's right. No time for going berserk. We're gonna find that Sephiroth, whatever happens."
He was back up and had started to smoke a cigarette.
"Tell me, that Sephiroth is indeed this man in black we've seen going in, right?", Rinoa asked.
"Right.", Cloud answered. "No ambiguity about this, that's his name. We just have to know if there exists a link between him and your enemy, Ultima...how does it go again?"
"Ultimecia."
"Yeah, Ultimecia...". Cloud watched around him. "But... there are people missing!"
"What people?", Squall asked.
"We were eight and now there's only four of us left! They must have remained back there... they were not able to fight anymore when Sephiroth turned up. Looks like you've come right on time..."
"If you think so...", Squall continued with a cold voice. He didn't wanted to be responsible of four extra lives, however, if these four people were indeed linked to their SeeD mission, maybe he would accept to bear this responsibility.
"By the way...", Cloud resumed. "Here are my battle companions: Cid..."
"Nice to meet you, guys", the man with the spear said before drawing on his cigarette.
"Barrett...". The giant nodded.
"...and my friend since childhood, Tifa."
"Nice to meet you.", the long-black-haired girl answered, smiling.
Squall, Rinoa, Zell, Quistis, Selphie and Irvine introduced themselves in turn.
"I might look idiot", Barrett asked the SeeD group, "but have you been trained for battle or have you been taught something that way?"
"Yes, we're going to prove it", Squall answered. The young man looked a bit more delighted as he heard the word "battle". The six SeeDs drew their respective weapons out; Zell, who had no weapon but his fists, started a demonstration of his punch-and-kick combos, that drew Tifa's attention.
"Okay, I have proof.", Barrett said.
"Listen up", Cloud interrupted. "We have a world to save or I should rather say... two worlds."
"True.", Squall continued, with his usual serious tone. "We will not go further by trying to impress ourselves. Everybody to Ultimecia's castle."
The ten people made their way to entrance. A cloud of white smoke went through the gateway.
Once they got inside, a bright and green shine blinded them all. When it dimmed, the fighters could see the entrance hall at last. The room had a square surface, a waxed floor and a balustrade that went from the left wall to the right one, passing by the back. There was a S-shaped staircase with a red carpet that allowed access to it. Many candelabrums were providing light for the room. The room itself had, among other things, four exits, one on each side, on the upper level, the last one on the left, downstairs.
"One really has to be nuts to live here", Zell remarked.
"You're telling me!", Barrett approved.
They gazed at the room for a while, then Cloud exclaimed:
"My materia! It's not glowing anymore!"
"Your what?", Selphie asked.
Cloud showed his sword. The SeeD members could notice many coloured crystalline stones inlaid into the base of the blade.
"They allow us to use magic powers when we carry them.", Tifa explained. "Apparently, they will make no response."
"Damn! Mine too!", Cid and Barrett said, almost at the same time.
Rinoa seemed to understand the serious situation. She tried to cast a Cure spell several times, but failed.
"Ultimecia...", she said at last. "She has neutralized our magic powers."
At the moment, Squall's body came surrounded by a white aura. Many light beams flooded out from him, converged above the group and took the form of a magnificent bird creature. Its multicoloured body had two huge white wings, and its fine head ended with a long blue beak. It was Eden, the Guardian Force found by the SeeD team in the Deep Sea underground facility.
"Guardian Force?", Cloud questioned.
"They are magical spirits who grant us their powers and allow us to cast spells, as you do with your materia, I think.", Squall explained, since he had made a junction with Eden.
The majestic flying creature appeared as a contrast with the almost horrifying atmosphere that reigned in the room. Eden looked down to the group and said to them:
"As you have noticed, Ultimecia has forbidden you to use your magic powers in her citadel. You will neither be able to cast spells nor summoning us, even summoning myself. However, I have a bit of time left to provide you with some crucial information."
The group listened to Eden attentively.
"Ultimecia is protected by a dozen minions, all very powerful. You must vanquish them all to claim all of your magical abilities back. These servants are wandering somewhere in the citadel."
The Guardian Force examined Cloud's group.
"You... You must have come from the past.", it told them. "From the time that preceded the Cataclysm. From this remote period when the planet's energy crystallized itself to turn into en materia. Ultimecia had to search really far away to bring you here."
"Cataclysm?", Cloud asked intrigued.
"Unfortunately for you, I have not enough time to explain you.", Orbital resumed. "Nevertheless, it appears that the time compression has made appear a new place in this castle, in which a vast amount of knowledge about this world and both your enemies is hidden. If you are clever enough to find this place, luck will shine upon you when you face Sephiroth and Ultimecia. From now on, hurry, brave fighters, and may time play for you and not against you!"
The Guardian Force disappeared.
"Well, we have our weapons left.", Cid remarked.
"I think we're gonna need them now.", Barrett went on, pointing his machine gun arm towards the balustrade's stairs.
Something had appeared on the top of the stairs. It was a reddish four-pawed monster, looking like a sphinx.
"Welcome...", the creature declaimed with a taunting voice. "My name is Sphinxaur, and you will not live long here."
"Sure?", Cloud retaliated.
He and Squall were already gone upstairs and were staring at the creature, straight to its eyes. It swung its claws towards Cloud who knew it was coming right for him, and dodged.
"Lay down, I'm coming!", Barrett shouted as he went up, bursting his machine gun upon Sphinxaur. The two swordsmen had just enough time to crouch. Stopping Barrett once he turned berserk was a complete madness. Sphinxaur was hit in the head, but managed to retaliate with a Thundaga. The fighters were down in a moment, but got back up easily.
Cloud dashed to the monster and wounded him with a single blow from his big sword. Squall followed him and pulled the trigger of his Gunblade while hitting Sphinxaur. The explosion of the weapon rocked the creature who didn't manage to recover. Sphinxaur had soon begun to blow into dust. In a brief minute, there was no more of it.
"One down already!", shouted Barrett, triumphant.
"And others will follow...", Squall added.
Author's note : first cross-over fight... yeah, I made it a bit too short, but you see, Ultimecia's first minion is the easiest to defeat, even if all that you can do are physical attacks.
Greetings time:
Shadowrune12: thanks.
Kismit: nice from you to read too. Thanks for the piece of advice, I'll try to refer to it.
Gemini83: Woaow! ::startled:: You really enjoy it? ::touched:: Well, I think I could say so about your post FF7 fanfic. I'll do my best to satisfy you too.
Last thing: I finished the translation of this chapter while listening to "Eyes on me"... ::sniffs, eyes flooded:: ... that was such touching lyrics... but I don't know if a songfic was made from it on FF.N, anyone could tell me?
Well, I hope you enjoyed this and see ya next chapter! ;-)
~~ Digintegrated Hunter Bill ~~