"Alright Barret, we're almost there." Cid said, "Now remember, they have very advanced technology, be on your guard."

Barret nodded and followed Cid to the edge of the forest. They peered out through the leaves. Vincent had transformed into Chaos and was circling the house. Cid and Barret froze with terror when Vincent turned to stare in their direction.

The door to the house opened and Yuffie stepped out, "Hey Vincent!" She called to the skull-faced demon. He turned from the suspiciously moving underbrush and gave his attention to Yuffie.

"I'm going to Gonaga to pick up some munchies," She yelled, "Be back in a few!"

"Oh, this is too perfect!" Cid exclaimed as Yuffie began to walk away. He turned to Barret, "You do have the Time materia, right?"

"Yup!" Barret said with a smile and showed him the green spell materia.

"Great, well you know the plan!" Cid replied. Barret nodded and cast Stop on Chaos. As soon as Vincent stopped moving, Cid and Barret ran like there was no tomorrow until they were safe under the veranda. Seconds later they heard the flapping of wings as Vincent's time resumed.

"Alright, looks like he doesn't suspect anything," Cid whispered, "Let's get in the house."

It was dark inside the house. Dark and dreary. Stuck in the piles of ash that were once furniture, were flags with the picture of two interlocking bandanas on it. The walls were covered with markings of some sort. Cid squinted in the poor light in an attempt to decipher them.

"Why don't you use your lighter?" Barret suggested.

"Good idea." Cid said and removed it from his pocket. The small flame revealed that it was writing.

"Syo dra vmysac uv Ramm luhcisa ouin cuimc" Cid read as he ran a finger over the words, "Wonder what the hell it means." He moved the lighter downwards and saw that right beneath the words was a rather gruesome drawing of him and Barret's skin being burned off.

"Wait a minute Cid!" Barret said shakily, "Isn't that? Is that Al Bhed?!"

Cid looked thoughtfully at the writing, "Well I'll be damned, it is!"

"But-But that's not until Final Fantasy X!" Barret cried, his voice cracking.

Cid turned a gave Barret a serious stare, "VERY advanced technology."

Barret started to panic again. "Come on Cid, let's get out of here!"

"Not without my spear!"

"Here! Take you're stupid spear!" Barret screamed and threw Cid his spear.

Cid caught the spear and stared at it for a moment before turning to stare unbelievingly at Barret. "You mean to tell me that you've had my spear this entire time?!?!"

Barret looked down at his feet guiltily.

"Why the hell didn't you give it to me??!!!?!?"

"I dunno." Barret mumbled. Cid slapped Barret.

Just then they heard the front door open and the laughing voices of Yuffie and Vincent.

"Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!" Cid cursed, "Quick, get in the closet at the top of the stairs!"

The two quickly scrambled up the stairs and flung themselves into the closet as Vincent and Yuffie walked into the living room.

"That's strange. I could've sworn I heard voices coming from here." Yuffie said as she scratched the back of her head. Vincent shrugged as he threw down the pile of pillows and blankets he was carrying and flopped down on top of them. Yuffie soon shrugged as well and flopped down beside Vincent.

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Luminik: Poor Barret and Cid? What's to happen to them? Stay tuned for the next and final chapter to find out!