Disclaimer: You already know so no use writing it, right?

Chap. 15

While Cloud and Lucrecia spoke, Aeris, Yuffie, and Red XIII sat around a fire nearby. They had finished helping the people and tending the wounded.

"You know, this is almost like the time when we all sat around the campfire at Cosmo Canyon.

"Yeah. And just like last time, I have a bad feeling about what's to come." Red XIII muttered.

"You are such a downer sometimes, Red." She looked into the sky. "You have to be positive."

Aeris nodded, "She's right. You can't get through things in life if you always doing that."

Red XIII stared into the fire, "Perhaps."

Yuffie then turned to Red XIII and he instantly turned his head away. Huh? That was strange. Was he...staring at me?

At that moment, Cloud and Lucrecia came running toward them.

"We have a problem."

Cloud went on to tell them about the Highwind's discovery.

"Weapon? But how?"

I don't know. From what they told me, it was the same Weapon whose head got blown off by the Junon cannon."

Yuffie whistled, "Talk about revenge."

"There's also another problem. It's heading for Costa Del Sol. And I'm guessing it's not to say hello."

A few minutes later, the Highwind came to pick them up. Cait Sith stayed behind to help with the damaged Junon while the others flew to Costa De Sol, Weapon's next target. Everyone went to talk in the conference room on the Highwind.

"So what's the plan?" Cid asked from the corner.

We have to stop Weapon. That simple."

Is it? This isn't just any monster we're dealing with. It's a @#$%&*$ Weapon!" Barret exclaimed.

Don't worry. We've defeated the Weapons before and we'll do it again."

Red XIII commented, "Do you think this has anything to do with our current situation with Jenova."

Vincent nodded, "No doubt about it."

"But what?"

"We'll have to worry about that later. Right now, we must stop Weapon before it reaches Costa De Sol."

"He's right. Many innocent people's lives are at stake." Zack then asked, "Any ideas?"

Cait Sith answered, "Well, from what we know about this Weapon, it attacks only in the water. The cannon was able to destroy it because it came up to the surface."

"That suggests that it is weaker on land and shallow water." Lucrecia agreed.

Tifa nodded, "Okay, so we have to fight it on land. But how do we get it on land?"

Zack answered, "We'll have to wait until it starts to surface. The best we can do is to wait for it to get in shallow water. It'll be close, but I think we could pull it off."

Vincent nodded solemnly, "We don't have much choice."

The intercom came on, "Weapon located. Moving in to battle position."

"Let's go."

Everyone left the conference room and headed for the deck. Zack pulled Cloud back briefly.

"Is something wrong? You haven't said more than two words the entire time."

No, I'm okay. Just a little preoccupied, that's all." With that, Cloud left. Zack shook his head, I really should shut up more often.

The Highwind lowered closer to the water. As it did, ripples began to form and a large triangular shape stuck out of the water. It began to slowly rise and was followed by a metallic, fish-looking creature. Its head looked blown in half, with the other half looking like a distorted creature. Sapphire lumbered onto land and opened its mouth. A thin beam shot out and hit one of the houses in Costa De Sol.

Zack looked at Cloud. Alright, here goes nothing. "So Cloud, what's the plan?"

"The plan? O...okay. Zack, you, me, Yuffie and Red XIII will hold off Weapon. The rest of you have to help everyone evacuate the town."

"Sounds good. Let's go."

The Highwind lowered to the ground and the four of them jumped out and rolled on the ground. The Highwind then moved away toward Costa De Sol and the four of them faced the rising Weapon.

"Suddenly, this doesn't seem like a good idea anymore." Yuffie said.

Red XIII countered, "Come on. Who's the one always saying you have to be more positive?"

"You're right."

Zack looked over to Cloud, who was now armed with a pair of fighting gloves that Tifa lent him.

"Cloud, will you be okay?"

"Don't worry. I'll be fine."

Zack looked down briefly before pulling out the Buster Sword. This isn't right. As weird as it is, he should be holding this sword. His thoughts were interrupted when the giant monster roared at seeing them.

"Let do it!"

The gigantic monster/machine roared again and lashed down it tentacle at amazing speed. The four of them dodged the attack and scattered. Zack leapt forward into the water and slashed at the Weapon's armor. Not surprisingly, there was no damage aside from a slight scratch. Weapon then shimmered with energy and a destructive Bolt3 flashed. Zack was blown back and he slammed into the sand. Shaking it off, he looked up just in time to see the tentacle come down on. But it was suddenly knocked away by an attack from Red XIII. At the same time, a spinning object flew out at slashed the armor before bouncing off of it. Yuffie jumps into the air, catches it and slashed down on the Weapon again. Weapon snapped and knocked Yuffie down. Yuffie rolled and stood up. Weapon shimmered again with energy.

"Move now!"

All three of them jumped out of the way as Weapon opened its mouth. A thin white beam of light shot out and they had to run to avoid its destructive path.

"What do we do now?"

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking. Where's Cloud?"

He was soon answered when a cry came out of nowhere. Cloud had launched himself at the weapon and struck it hard with his fist. Roaring, Weapon swung again and slammed Cloud in the water. Everyone else moved in to fight again as Cloud swam out of the way. Yuffie swung her shirken again aiming for the chest, but Weapon backed away. The shiriken however did manage to nick the side of the head. Weapon roared again, this time in pain.

"That's it. Aim for the head."

Zack and Cloud ran toward the Weapon while Yuffie and Red XIII stayed back. Both of them shimmered with energy and two Comet magic flew down and hit Weapon. Weapon turned on them and attacked, lashing out its tentacle arms. But Yuffie and Red XIII moved out of the way. At the same time, Zack and Cloud jumped on the arms and ran straight up to its head. Cloud attacked first, sending his fist straight into the side. To his surprise, he managed to crack through it. Weapon roared in agony and hurled Cloud right off. Luckily he landed in the water again. Zack turned his attention to the crack and positioned his sword.

"Climhazzard!"

Zack rushed forward and stabbed into the crack of Weapon. He then launched himself upward, creating a giant gash on the side of Weapon's head. Weapon roared even more and reeled back. Zack dove back down in Braver fashion and struck Weapon in the same area. Weapon roared further and then fell back, creating a huge splash. Zack landed on the water and raised his sword in victory. But it was short lived as Weapon began to move again.

"Aw, come on!"

But instead of rising, Weapon's chest opened. Everyone regrouped as they saw a dark figure come out of it. One they had seen already.

"Hojo."

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AN: Sorry about the long delay, but I had to get my thoughts organized a bit.