Sorry about the last chapter. I ate too much raw sugar. I think I'm diabetic now. I'm better now though. I drank twenty liters of soda, so that should balance things out, right? No, I did not drink it all at once. That be just plain stupid. Cas is my friend and, consequently, owns himself. Kinda odd is that he has a deed. Bought it off Ebay he said. I don't own Ebay.

"So, can you talk while you're in the whatever?"

"Yes."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm concentrating my energies onto the sword and the materia. Just as you would when normally using materia."

"Could you explain the process? Cloud was a little vague."

"As long as you don't interrupt."

"Yeah, yeah. Hey Vince! You want to hear this?"

Yuffie looked to where Vincent was sitting, right on the edge of the Mako pond. He didn't respond. Yuffie walked over and sat down beside him. Vincent had a odd look on his face, like he was seriously considering taking a swim in the Mako.

"Earth to Vincent. Anyone home?"

"Hmm? Sorry, things on my mind."

"It's Order isn't it?"

"What else could it be? I'm worrying about what it might do. And whether or not I can stop it."

"Of course you can. You can just shoot it between it's eyes, BAM! You're making a mountain out of a molehill. You and me, it'll be dead in no time."

"I think not Yuffie. Even the two of you couldn't defeat Order."

"What do you know Cas? You're just being pessimistic."

"Actually I'm being optimistic. Order isn't just the fusion of Vincent's limits. It's the creation of a Weapon."

"Weapon? Like Diamond or Ruby?"

"Round about. Except unlike the more normal Weapons, this one has full intelligence and supreme healing powers."

"We've fought bad guys that could heal themselves before. If you didn't notice, they're not around anymore."

"I'm not arguing that. I'm saying that Order has the combined healing power of four creatures and Jenova. That's fairly impressive. Just imagine for a moment, what would have happened if Ultima Weapon was capable of casting Regen on itself, or worse yet, it always had Regen active. It would be almost unstoppable. Order is somewhat like that."

"How do you know so much?"

"I hacked Baxent's files. I was bored and I wanted to know what was up with you. It would have been a bit of a hassle to ask and ignorance is bliss."

"I don't know if I should hate you for who you are or go back to hating you for what you've done."

"But either way, you hate me. I would prefer the former, since I'm more likeable if you know why I do things."

"So why do you do anything? Like pissing me off."

"Because I try to bring about happy endings. Unless I'm drunk or I'm in a particularly bad mood. People hate me then and for good reason."

"You gonna tell us what the hell you're doing anytime soon?"

"Sure, if only to hear myself talk. As I told Cloud, it's possible to summon anyone from the lifestream, so long as they never truly entered it."

"What's that mean."

"I mean if they retain their personality and consciousness. The lifestream is the return of all life to it's source and then return to another state of existence. For the best example, think of reincarnation. Cloud believed, as do I, that Aeris had not returned to the normal flow. More that she stayed in limbo, trying to help everyone, much like what Sephiroth did. There is great knowledge to be had at that junction point. All wisdom is collected there. Old is compared to new, strength is melded with weakness, becoming the best it can be as a whole. But I digress. The process is just like using summoning materia, except a little more effort is needed. By placing the eighteen needed materia into the clear materia, you then just need to focus on what, or who, you wish to summon. The basic principle is used when making any other type of materia. It's just that summoning materia is hard since you're calling forth an entity to do your bidding."

"Eighteen? There's only sixteen summons, not including the master summon. How'd you come to eighteen?"

"The final piece needed. That's why Cloud went to the Ancient city. He needed the Holy materia."

"What? Why?"

"The Holy materia is just as vital as the master summon materia. The master summon binds the other summon materia together. The Holy materia puts a connection to the lifestream, which is key to the whole operation. If the lifestream accepts the ritual, a new materia will be born, at the expense of the other materia."

"You mean I lose my Leviathan?"

"No. The mastered materia will be reborn anew. The only loss would be the master summon materia."

"This is too much. I'm taking a nap."

Yuffie wandered over to the makeshift tent she and Vincent shared. Soon, gentle snores could be heard. Vincent smiled to himself. He wondered if he would ever get used to it.

"Thinking happy thoughts there Vincent?"

"Are you psychic or something?"

"No, I can see a haze coming off your body. It's what I associate with happiness."

"Another message from the lifestream?"

"No, just having fun. How do you feel? As a whole?"

"Anxious, I think. I really am worried that Yuffie could get hurt. I don't want anything to happen to her."

"Did you know that most males will fight to the death to protect what they deem is theirs?"

"Is that a pointed remark?"

"Only in conjunction to what's next. They also lose hope when they can't protect what's theirs. You know about that, don't you? Cloud didn't lose hope, he got stronger from it. You need to do the same."

"And you know how?"

"You, Cloud, Hojo, Lucrecia, Sephiroth. You all were injected with Jenova cells. Lucrecia only benefited from the passive effects until she lost her mind. I heard about it. Tough break. You have my pity."

"I don't want it."

"You're getting it anyway. Hojo used the Jenova cells for a power boost, completely negating their healing effects. Sephiroth was the shining example. He became the most powerful warrior in his time. But he had one fatal weakness. He didn't have any weaknesses. His combat style left almost no room for a counterattack. He could hold off an entire battalion by himself with minimal injuries. And he couldn't be bribed, seduced or anything. So what happened? Fate threw a monkey wrench into his works and he couldn't handle it. Having never had a mother before and his father figure was considerably lacking, Sephiroth snapped and clung to the closest mother figure he could. I feel sorry for him and I hope he can be reborn. Maybe all this is fate's way of making it up for him."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh sorry. My mind must have wandered. I was just babbling. Anyway, what about Cloud? His mind didn't really snap. Physical trauma did that. Add on the Mako poisoning of being stuck in a tube for the better part of five years and I'd say anyone wouldn't be at their best. Cloud could only hang on with a lie. But he hung on, that's what counted. Hope is a double-edged sword. It's both the sharpest blade and the dullest tool. But it never goes away and anyone trying to manipulate hope can never be sure which side is the sharp side. And you. You may not know it Vincent, but you have extraordinary power inside you. You just need to let it out."

"I think that's my problem. Order is trying to get out."

"Not what I meant. Did you know that Aeris, in the course of things, was a fairly powerful Ancient?"

"Wouldn't know. She was the last."

"Yes, that's true. I'm saying that she was untrained in how to use her power. If she were to come back now, after gaining near infinite wisdom, she would be a force to be reckoned with. Cloud too."

"Where is Cloud? You said he started the ritual before Leviathan was here. What happened?"

"I don't honestly know. I think that Cloud's spirit has become trapped in limbo, unable to escape. It might seem like torture, but I think he's alright. He's probably with Aeris right now. Who knows? We'll find out when this is all over."

"You make it sound like you don't really know what will happen."

"I don't. I wasn't around when this sort of thing was still done. I'm working off word of mouth. The records themselves didn't say how this was done. Mostly it was done by clans who stayed in one spot until the materia naturally grew and matured."

"How long did it take?"

"The Knights of the Round there was left unfinished because of the Jenova disaster. You think that anyone would purposely leave anything at thirteen? Of course, maybe it was finished. Twelve knights and a leader not counted with the rest, its possible. As far as I can tell, it was probably ready to be used at least seven hundred years ago. That extra time gave it a real power boost."

"So how long should this take?"

"Right now it should be ready in about four hours. A lot of the work has already been done. The materia has had plenty of time to mature. Plus the Ancients were sticklers for just letting things happen at their own pace. And more importantly, I am pouring a lot of my own energy into this. In reality, this should take about three years at a more measured pace."

"Just out of curiosity, how long would it take if I did it?"

"Longer than your extended life could allow."

"..."

"Don't be grim about it. I just have a talent for these kinds of things."

"..."

"..."

"So, what would I be capable of doing?"

"With what?"

"If I let it out."

"Oh that. Well, you wouldn't be as strong as Cloud or Sephiroth. Of course they used swords which rely on physical strength. Nor as powerful as Aeris, considering she's an Ancient and all. I'd say you'd be a force in your own right. Even compared the Cloud, Sephiroth and Aeris, I'd still wouldn't like to face you in combat."

"And what of Yuffie? I had a dream. A voice told me she has Jenova cells in her. What'll happen to her?"

"Did she become infected several years ago, or recent?"

"Recent."

"So she did have a good time."

"Leave our personal life out of it and answer my question."

"Eventually she would change. I don't know if she'll live as long as you will, but then again, she is younger then you so it might balance out. She will become stronger, faster, etc. of course. Otherwise, I don't see how she can change. She might develop new abilities or discover a wealth of knowledge. But it's all circumstantial. Jenova cells interact with the lifestream in such a way that can only be considered unique. Now perhaps Yuffie would like to join in this conversation before her ears burn off."

"How'd you know I was awake?"

"You weren't snoring."

"Jerk! (blows raspberry)"

Several hours pass.

"Hey Vince?"

"Yes Yuffie?"

"Whatever happens, I'll always love you."

"Thanks Yuffie, I'll always love you too. Why all the mushy stuff?"

"Order."

"I know. I'm worried about it too. I feel sick just thinking about it."

"I'm sorry I can't help. I wish there was something I could do to help."

"You just being here is more than enough."

"Vincent."

"I love you Yuffie."

"I know. But man, you really don't look good. You're looking paler than usual. Want something to eat?"

"Yes, I think that might help. You're too good for me Yuffie."

"I'm too good for anyone. Relax, it'll be over soon."

"Over? Yes, yes it will."

Yuffie picked herself up and walked to the supplies. Yuffie looked for something to eat and settled on a candy bar she had hidden away for an emergency.

"I got something for you Vince. You better eat it, 'cause I was saving it. Vincent? What's wrong?"

Vincent's body was wracked with pain. It seemed like every cell in his body was on fire. Vincent slowly lost the battle to remain conscious. Dimly, Vincent was aware of Yuffie crying out to him. She was trying to wake him up, but to no avail. It was time for Order to come.

Dum dum dum! The end is coming like the conclusion of a story. What will happen? Will Vincent die, again? Will Yuffie become a widow? Which one of these eligible bachelors will date our lovely bachelorette? What the hell am I babbling about? To find out, go to the next page.