Chapter 33: The Beginning of the End

"Unfortunately, you two aren't it." Judgment turned to see the spirits, each glaring at each other. Kuja gave off a purplish aura and Sephiroth a green. Both were somewhat transparent and in a blue tint.

"You two are not the chosen soul, and yet you are ill-processed. Your souls are very powerful indeed." Judgment said.

"Of coarse, I am. I am a god!" Sephiroth's ghost explained.

"…I see your using souls from both worlds. Which soul are you using?" Kuja asked.

{Come on! Think! You cant let your world die! Not after Zidane told you what a wonderful place it is!} Kuja screamed inside his mind.

Stepping right through Kuja, Judgment turned to walk down the tube. "That soul will reveal itself in due time. Soon, my pawns. Soon."

Kuja gazed after him as Sephiroth left. He knew he couldn't leave EON; the souls would simply vanish if they went into that atmosphere. But he had to something to save his world. He tried calling out to Zidane, but Zidanes mind wouldn't allow him to communicate. He would have to try when Zidane was more open, when he was closer…

** *

There was nothing between the two. The Red Rose and the Burmecian Hand. Freya, from her position on the bow, took a closer inspection upon the walls of EON. No opening. How the devil did those beasts get out?

"I don't see an opening." Freya called to her comrades.

"That's simple enough, we make one." Zidane smiled.

"Are you nuts? This thing wont even dent it!" Cid Highwind snapped.

"We gotta DO something." Yuffie moaned.

"Hey, we got any fire power left on this thing?" Barret asked Steiner.

"Nay, we ran out of cannon balls."

"I can do it!" Vivi called. Everyone looked at him. "Well, I can."

Zidane laughed. "Of coarse. Everyone grab onto something. Vivi, meteor this sucker!"

"WOAH WOAH WOAH! Stop right there!" Yuffie screamed. "METEOR WILL DESTROY THE ENTIRE FRIGGIN PLANET!"

Freya, Steiner, Vivi, and Zidane looked confused.

"What the $%^'s goin on?! Sephiroth took the black materia with him!" Cid shouted from his position at the wheel.

"…Noooo. Meteor is a big rock that blows up monsters, not planets." Zidane said.

"…I think them fooz know what theyz talkin bout." Barret said.

After a couple minutes more of idle banter, Vivi won permission to use his second most infamous attack. The spell that even the legendary Deathguise couldn't master. The spell that lies within the hearts of behmoths. Meteor.

When the sky grew dark and the wind ceased to blow, you'll know when it hits. You'll know when the meteorite will strike. And if your lucky, you're not the target. Unfortunately for the Burmecian Hand, it was the target. But such a creature of legendary might won't go down with a single meteor. A large rock, about the size of Tifa's buggy descended from the heavens at alarming speeds. Shrinking from the enormous heat, the rock would still leave a gaping hole within the earth, or whatever it seeks.

After a large flash and an ear shattering thunder, the way was clear. A hole, about the size of the original meteor, would be too small for the Red Rose. This is where the team will take it on foot.

"I know I said it before, but lets mosey." Cid said as he left the Airship in a 'parked' position. The battle of airships was still going on, but it wouldn't be as hard now, since the original objective was cleared.

** *

It was dark within the halls of EON. Now was not a time for fighting, but a time for hiding. If a sentry anti-body came hovering down an empty blood tube, the heroes would seek shelter and avoid its alarms. It had been hours of silently walking. The heroes had no plan, and no idea what to expect. Hopefully, it was confront Judgment, take him down, and get the hell to shimmering island. But such gifts would be doubtful, for Judgment always had something planned. The final showdown was coming; they could feel it.

{Zidane…come closer.}

Zidane looked up from the dark tunnel. He was leading the party, with Vivi, Cid, Yuffie, Freya, Barret, and Steiner behind him and that order. He placed his arm up in the 'stop' motion.

Zidane thought up an answer to this voice's statement. {Who are you?}

{You do not recognize your own brothers voice?}

{K-Kuja?!}

{Kuja is I and I am Kuja.}

{I thought you were dead!}

{I was and still am. I am speaking to you because I have been brought forth to this astral battlefield.}

{Brought forth?}

{EON. It is like a huge pumping station, sucking the souls from the soul cycle deep from Gaia's center.}

{But why?}

{Judgment, the sentient part of EON, is trying to build a soldier strong enough to destroy the entire multi-verse. He calls it Grand Weapon, and has found the soul fitting it.}

{…Does he know about the crystal?}

{Fortunately he does not. He believes that the crystal's soul, however, has come into being with his weapon. I know that he is terribly wrong. For the crystal's soul has taken life within you.}

{…So who's soul is powering Grand Weapon?}

{I do not know. Judgment says very little. But I must warn you. You are running out of time and there is much danger ahead. I will do my best to aid you.}

"Thanks." Zidane said aloud.

"…your welcome." Yuffie whispered. Cid smacked her on the head.

"Freya?" Zidane asked before they started to move.

"…yes?"

"Are you still worried about Irontail?"

"…Yes, I suppose I am. But I must stay with my fellow warriors and fight to rid this world of EON. I love Irontail so much, but…this comes first."

Zidane smiled. He had Garnet to worry about, and was pretty sure that each of his team had their loves to. His talk with his brother gave him insight with what was going on, but was it wise to share such perilous information.

"Zidane, what's wrong?" Vivi asked.

"…Look…" And from there, Zidane told of his conversation with his deceased brother, and of the very meaning of what they were doing now. It was no longer just about they're worlds, it was for all.

Suddenly, out of the blue, the tube brightened neon blue. The team got into a battle formation.

"Well, well, well. It looks like we have a couple germs within our system." Judgments cackling voice rang all too clear. The tube split from underneath them and they fell into a steel arena.

The arena was a round room, about 500 feet in every direction. The floor and walls were made of cold gray steel. Prison bars made large gates along the walls made for an entrance of some kind of creatures.

"Show your self!" Steiner shouted into the darkness.

"I'm surprised you got this far without being detected. It's a good thing you stepped on that last nerve and alerted me. Hahahahaha. Zidane Tribal, Vivi Ornitier, Adelbert Steiner, Freya Crescent prepare for the battle of your times!

"Hey! Wait a min-" Before Yuffie could finish, the three members of avalanche were sucked away towards a different chamber.

The prison doors opened, and from within those doors, came the enemies of time. Zidane gasped. Vivi stepped back. Steiner twitched as Freya frowned.

Every villain those four had ever faced besides each other strode from those prison doors, awaiting their revenge.

"H-how is it possible?!" Vivi cried.

"The powers of EON have no limitations, simple minded fools! Hahahaha! I must leave you to your undoing. I have much more important business to attend to…" Judgments voice died away as the villains drew closer.

Of the first creatures to come was the unforgettable prison cage. The one from so long ago that had captured Garnet from the downed Prima Vista. All those years ago.

"We beat em once, we can beat em again!" Zidane smiled. With his extraordinary experience he cut down the foe within one hit of his mighty sword. Thus gave hope to the team. The four had beaten them all before, and can do it again!