Chapter 9

"You're such a jerk! That boy looks up to you...he actually wants to be your son!" Aeris screamed at Sephiroth. Sephiroth rolled his eyes.

"He is not my son. He is just some creation; some stupid creation" Sephiroth muttered. Aeris stopped walking. She turned around and planted her feet.

"You're afraid of him! You saw that blast stuff he can do...so did I! You're afraid he can kill you! So you abuse the poor kid; you tell him his worthless. You talk him down so fears you; so he thinks he is actually nothing. You are truly weak!" Aeris screamed at him. She stood on her tip-toes, glaring at him. Sephiroth took a small step backwards.

"Why do you care about the boy so much? He is worthless! An attempt to clone me. And a failure at that!" Sephiroth roared back at her. Aeris now take a few steps back.

"I actually talked to the boy! He is a real person with real feelings. And you're just abusing those feelings for your own good. He is a real person; not some cooked-up creation! That's why I care! You know, I bet you once acted like a normal person! Maybe you should act like one now! Why kill this whole planet to be a god? Why?" Aeris spat back. Sephiroth took a step forward, dropping the bag filled with materia on the ground.

"I am not a normal person! I am Jenova! The strong survive-" Sephiroth began, his glaring face looking down at Aeris. Aeris leaned up again.

"And you're afraid of your own son! You're afraid of Cloud! That's why you left the boy out there to die! You're afraid you'll die if you tried to fight with him!" Aeris screamed in his face. Sephiroth grabbed her throat and lifted her into the air.

"I fear no man!" Sephiroth roared at her. Aeris glared at him; her hands pulling on his wrists. She dug her fingers into his wrist in a vain attempt to get free, but Sephiroth did not flinch. Aeris squeezed as hard as he could, but it was not working. Aeris closed her eyes tightly and used every-bit of strength she had to dig her nails in. But still, Sephiroth did not move.

"You fear Cloud...and you fear a boy!" Aeris screamed. She kicked forward, hitting him in the face. Sephiroth grabbed his face, letting her go. Aeris hit the ground. She rolled over onto her belly, then lunged at Sephiroth. Her head connected with his knee, causing him to buckle slightly. Aeris got to her feet and sprinted back the way they came. Sephiroth quickly regained his composure and pulled his sword out.

"Damn you Cetra!" Sephiroth screamed as he followed after her. Aeris turned back to see where he was. The moment her head turn, she tripped on a rock. Aeris smacked into the slanted ground hard, her hair flying into the air all at once then falling back down, covering her face. Sephiroth slowed his pace, laughing.

"You are pathetic. To think, you were the only one who could stop me..and you just ran away!" Sephiroth said between laughs. He held the sword high into the air. Aeris rolled over, knocking the hair and dirt from her face. She gasped as she looked up at the sword.

"Just...just kill me!" Aeris screamed at him. Her eyes were wide; her body shaking. Sephiroth stopped laughing.

"This will give me great joy. I must thank the boy for one thing; he gave me a chance to re-live killing you!" Sephiroth boomed as he thrust the sword downward. Aeris clenched her eyes closes while her jaw moved so much her teeth sounded like a drum being played. After a moment, she opened her eyes. Sephiroth was looking down at her but now his eyes were wide. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. They locked eyes for a moment before focusing on what had blocked the path of Sephiroth's sword.

"You will not kill her again!" Cloud screamed at Sephiroth. Before Sephiroth could react, Tifa jumped over Cloud and kicked Sephiroth right in the face, knocking him back across the ground. Cloud and Tifa both looked down at Aeris.

"You're alive!" Cloud screamed, the scowl on his face morphing into a smile. Tifa blinked, her eyes going wide.

"Aeris...!" Tifa screamed as the happiness dripped of her tongue. Aeris quickly got to her feet.

"Cloud...Tifa!" Aeris screamed in delight. She instantly grabbed Cloud's right hand and Tifa's left hand and squeezed them tightly.

"Aeris..." Cloud muttered softly. For a moment, everything was right for them. Sephiroth coughed as he stood up, knocking dust off his shirt. Everyone looked over at him.

"Sephiroth-" Tifa began to say. Sephiroth clenched his fists together.

"Stop it! You sound like that rotten movie!" Sephiroth screamed. He bent down and picked up the Masamune. He spun his wrists as he got into his normal fighting stance. Aeris let go of their hands and looked at him. The happiness leaked out of her face.

"He's up to something...like before. He wants to make the planet blow up again" Aeris stated. Tifa turned towards Sephiroth as well. She dropped back into her fighting stance as well.

"How is that possible...he couldn't have gotten the black materia" Tifa remarked. Cloud steadied his sword in front of him. He heard there words but they did not register in his brain.

"Regardless of that, we need to stop him; here and now" Cloud stated, making it clear that was the only thing on his mind. Sephiroth sneered at them. He glared at the three of them; the failed experiment, the flower girl, and the reckless tour guide. The three most significant people in his life. The three people who directly caused his demise. The snarl curled up on his face.

"You will be joined in the Lifestream Cetra, it would seem. Very fitting it will be these two lost souls with you. You all should be swimming in that stream now...all of you! You all have cheated death. No longer can you cheat it. Your luck runs out here and now; no repeat of that fluke. Thanks to me, you all will find you rightful place...in the Lifestream with the other damned!" Sephiroth eyes narrowed as he glanced at the three of them. Cloud held the blade up; his eyes looked right past it and into Sephiroth dark eyes.

"Not them...not me. Not by your hand" Cloud replied coldly.


"It's like trying to hit a raindrop!" Barret screamed. He blanketed the area with gunfire, but the boy kept cart-wheeling out of the way.

"This approach is not working" Red remarked. Barret nodded and cut the gunfire as Red ran towards the boy from the side. Red leapt into the air towards the boy. The boy somersaulted into the air and kicked Red right in the face, knocking him down. Red landed on his feet and lunged back at the boy, tackling him to the ground. The boy landed on his belly. Red growled and dug his claws into the back. Red jumped off his back when Phoenix began to stir. Phoenix kipped up to his feet while Red landed in front of him. Both went into a defensive position instantly. The wind blew onto them as they looked each other over. The only sound between them was the wind blasting their body.

"You're fast" Phoenix muttered. Red smirked despite himself.

"As are you. Agile too. Not many humans like that" Red stated. Phoenix smirked as well.

"I'm not exactly human. Nor are you" Phoenix replied. Red bowed his head down; a spark in his eyes. He rushed forward at the boy and crouched down like he was going to jump. Once the boy began to back-flip, Red ran at him again. The moment Phoenix's hands hit the ground to push him over, Red headbutted him, knocking him off-balance. Red watched as the boy fell downwards, but was caught off guard when Phoenix grabbed his neck and put him in a front-face lock. Red tried to pull away as Phoenix's knees smacked into the ground.

"Good move..." Phoenix forced out through clenched teeth as he held the face-lock on. Red kept fighting backwards.

"Same to you" Red muttered. Suddenly, he switched his momentum and rushed forward. The force of the move broke him free from the face-lock. But the instance he got closer, Phoenix wrapped his legs around his mid-section. Red turned his head and tried to attack, but Phoenix punched him right in the face. As Red's head spun away, he swatted the boy in the face with his paw, knocking Phoenix's face to the side as well. Red rolled off him and glared at him. Phoenix kipped up to his feet once more; all their movement kicking up dust into the air.

"Damn...Red, don't...attack" Barret muttered, but it was too late. Red and Phoenix rushed at each other again, sending even more dust into the air. Barret covered his face as the dust cloud blew his direction. Barret held his gun arm up to block the dust. Squinting, he watched the silhouettes moving through the storm. Despite the violent nature of what was going on, Barret felt like he was watching a performed dance; they never stopped moving nor did they waste a motion. Barret coughed away some dust as the two dances parted ways; Red held his ground as the boy back-flipped away from him. Barret pushed forward through the dust storm and stood behind Red.

"Don't attack Red! Let me fill him with holes!" Barret screamed. He aimed the gun the best he could through the dust. The wind blew the dust all about creating an even worse smoke-screen than before. Barret and Red both clenched their eyes closed while the dust passed over them. Both slowly opened their eyes when they felt the dust pass them by.

"Do not fire at him; it will not work at this time" Red muttered softly. Barret clenched his jaw tightly.

"Why not? Bullets will kill him at any time!" Barret roared. Red crouched down into an attack stance.

"You're missing the point; we do not need to kill him. We need to keep him away from the others" Red replied. Both of them looked at the boy; he was just standing there, looking at them. The wind once again sent his jacket into the air behind him.

"He's waiting for us to make the first move. We need to keep him away from that cave" Red stated. Barret grinned and aimed the gun to the left of the boy. He opened fire towards the left of Phoenix. Instinctively he sprinted to the right, his feet kicking up dust. Bullets flew through the dirt the boy left behind. Barret stopped firing suddenly, causing the boy to skid to a stop. Barret looked down at Red.

"Now, we're between him and the cave" Barret remarked. Red smirked as he planted his feet into the ground like a sprinter would do.

"Rather clever Barret. Now, you stay here and guard the entrance to the cavern. I'll engage him. That way, if he gets past me and makes a break for the cave, you can stop him" Red muttered. Barret nodded.

"Right. I can't wait to bust this punk up!" Barret roared. Red crouched down and began to run at the boy. Phoenix blinked as he looked at the situation.

"They've pushed me away from the cavern. They know I want to head that way...well, so be it then" Phoenix said. He watched Red approach and waited, the wind blowing over his body.


The fires danced on their torches, filling the damp cave with ample amounts of light. Their dances could be followed on the walls behind them; their shadows mimicking their dance step by step. The fire-powered light danced on each of their faces. Tifa's face was filled with a mixture of worry and confidence that only she could carry. Aeris' eyes shined, as always, with her warmth and courage. Cloud's teeth gritted together and body shook from the intensity which he held in it. Sephiroth stood in his fighting stance, his eyes ready to shoot an ice dagger. The only sound in the air was the cracking of the fire in the air. Tifa shifted her weight, taking her eyes off of Sephiroth and throwing them onto Cloud.

"Cloud...we got your back" Tifa softly whispered. Cloud's eyes went wide as he straightened up just a touch. He glanced back at her, looking at her. Tifa bite her lip and nodded once. Cloud turned back towards Sephiroth, then broke into a sprint towards him. Sephiroth sneered as he blocked Cloud's first swing.

"Never much on patience" Sephiroth muttered as he quickly kicked Cloud in the stomach. Sephiroth quickly swung downward at Cloud, but Cloud jumped back. Sephiroth kept swinging at Cloud, causing Cloud to keep back-pedaling until his back hit a wall. He swung hard at Cloud, who ducked under the blow. The Masamune smashed into the wall, giving Cloud an opening. He ran forward and head-butted Sephiroth in the stomach, knocking him back. Cloud then jumped up and swung his sword down hard, but now Sephiroth jumped back. Cloud glared at Sephiroth. Sephiroth sneer grew on his face.

"I've always been a step ahead" Sephiroth coldly remarked. His face began to shake as Cloud began to laugh softly. Sephiroth ground his teeth together. His face turned red as his jaw began to grind its bones.

"What are you laughing at?" Sephiroth demanded to know. Cloud stopped laughing but a smile had formed on his face. He shrugged his shoulders while holding his sword.

"You're a lot slower than you use to be" Sephiroth face grew contorted for a moment, then after a few deep breathes it returned to normal.

"I am just warming up" Sephiroth pushed through clenched teeth. Cloud let one hand off his sword and held it up to his face. He slowly cupped his fingers up and towards him. Sephiroth's eyes went wide again.

"Son of a bitch" Sephiroth screamed as he rushed Cloud. Cloud put both hands on his sword and grinned.


The bright blue suddenly flowed to a dirty brown. Then again the brown shifted to a blue background. This switching continued for a few more moments until the world stop still to Phoenix's eyes. Once he regained his sense of sight, he saw that Red was still crouching down in front of him, ready to attack. Behind Red, he saw that Barret's gun was still firmly locked on him.

"You did not attempt an attack" Phoenix forced out. His eyes filled with confusion. Red's fur blew in the breeze; his tail flapping around like a flag behind him.

"That is what you wanted" Red calmly stated. Phoenix jaw locked in his mouth. He held his hands down at his side. They held tightly in balls of anger.

"You may think you can slow me down...I can get past you" Phoenix stated. Red glared up at him.

"As long as I can breathe fresh air, I will not let you past me" Red hissed, his body curling up, ready to spring into action. Phoenix held a hand up in the air, silver energy whirling around it.

"I can change that!" Phoenix screamed, throwing his hand downward. Red jumped backwards, but the blast hit the ground far in front of him. Red began to cough as a huge dust cloud kicked up in front of him. From behind them both, near the cave opening, Barret blinked.

"What the hell?" Barret send. Suddenly a silver blast came flying out of the dust-cloud towards Barret. Barret jumped to the side and hit the dirt. He heard the blast smash into the mountain-side. Barret rolled over and looked up as rocks began to tumble down the hillside. Suddenly, he saw the boy racing past him and down into the cave. Barret got to his feet and fired some badly aimed bullets. Then, he saw the rocks falling down towards him.

"Damn!" Barret screamed as he turn and ran back towards Red. The dust was clearing up, allowing Red to watch the rocks falling down the hillside.

"Avalanche..!" Red screamed. Barret turned around finally and looked back at the mountain-side.

"He got in there!" Barret bellowed. Red took a deep breathe of the clean air and shook his head.

"That was very clever of him...now it's up to Cloud and Tifa...and they don't even know the boy is coming...they were counting on us..." Red looked down at the ground. Barret stomped towards the rocks.

"Like hell it is! I'll move every damn rock to get down there" Barret roared. Red looked up, then shook the shame from his head then ran towards the rocks as well.


The sounds of metal clashing filled the damp cavern, making it sound like some sort of punk-rock concert was going on. Cloud backed into a wall. He held his sword up, blocking Sephiroth's strikes, each one pushing Cloud further and further into the wall. Sephiroth sneer grew more and more with each blow.

"I'll ask the Cetra what it was like to watch you die this time!" Sephiroth roared at him. Cloud's already-tight grip fastened harder on the sword. He began to push away from the wall, forcing himself forward as Sephiroth slashed at him again and again. Sephiroth's sneer faded somewhat but then he kicked Cloud in the gut, knocking him back into the wall. As Cloud hit the wall, the sneer came back in full force.

"Then I'll gut the tramp and toss her around, just like Nibelheim. Maybe I'll let you live to watch them die...!" Sephiroth laughed while he attacked Cloud. Cloud suddenly screamed and ducked down, ramming his shoulder into Sephiroth's gut. As Sephiroth reeled back from that blow, Cloud pulled one hand off the sword and punched Sephiroth right in the face, knocking him onto the ground. He then swung Ultima Weapon down one-handed, but Sephiroth rolled out of the way and got to his feet. Backing into a defense stance, he wiped some blood from his lip.

"I've wanted to punch you for years!" Cloud hissed. Sephiroth flicked the blood of his fingers while the sneer that had been home to his face returned from a short vacation.

"I thought a fly bite me" Sephiroth remarked. Cloud's jaw tightened and he rushed forward, swinging his sword with all his force. Sephiroth quickly ducked down as the sword slammed into the cavern wall. Cloud quickly swung back the other way, but his target was a few feet back. Undaunted, he jumped into the air and swung down at his nemesis, but again all he hit was rocks. Sephiroth now made his move; he swung for Cloud's neck like an executioner. Cloud quickly held up his sword to block, the clang of metal vibrating throughout the whole cavern.

"You should get your two girls to help you" Sephiroth muttered as he pushed the sword more towards Cloud's neck. Cloud grunted; his block was awkward and he was using all of his strength to hold it.

"You always like picking on girls?" Cloud forced out as he got to his feet. He could almost feel the cold steel against his neck.

"Well, instead of just fighting one, I can fight three little girls...make it even!" Sephiroth hissed as he pulled back suddenly and quickly swung for Cloud's neck again. Cloud quickly adjusted his stance and blocked the blow, then returned a swing of his own. Sephiroth blocked it then attacked again, as they two began to trade blows, in an effort to see who could be-head who first.

"Come on Cloud...!" Tifa screamed out from back; her hands balled up into fists at her sides. Aeris clenched her hands in front of herself. She felt her pounding heart on her hands. It felt like it could fly out of her body at any moment.

"Please...come on Cloud...!" Aeris forced out. Both of them watched as the Ultima Weapon and the Masamune each attacked one another, seeing if the other one was breakable. But with each blow, they seemed to strengthen and not weaken. Suddenly, the whole cavern began to shake. Rocks and boulders began to shift and shake as the mountain was hit but a large force of energy. All of them lost their footing. As Sephiroth stumbled backwards, Cloud seized the moment and rushed forward, again ramming his shoulder into Sephiroth's chest, causing his enemy to fall back into a cavern wall. Cloud's eyes glazed over in rage when he saw Sephiroth, laying against the rocks helplessly. He screamed out in anger ran forward and began to slash his sword madly at his rival, who held up his sword to block. It did not matter, Cloud was swinging blindly and hitting anything in his path.

"I'm going to kill you for all you've ever done! You killed my town! You killed my mother! You killed my friend! You killed my dreams!" Cloud screamed as he kept swinging downward at Sephiroth, barely even hitting the sword. Most of his blows were hitting the wall near his target.

"Focus Cloud!" Tifa screamed out while she got to her feet from the rumbling.

"Don't let anger blind you!" Aeris called out; her hands clenching together so hard that a few cuts on her hands busted open and let loose small streams of blood. Suddenly, Cloud stopped swinging. Aeris' eyes went wide while Tifa quickly re-made her fists. Both watched Cloud take a few steps backwards. Then, both saw the blood red that was mixing with his shirt.

"No!" Both screamed at once. Sephiroth stood up and glared down at the wounded prey. Blood had stopped dripping from his lips, but when his sneer returned again, his teeth now showed their blood-stained new color. Cloud weakly held his sword up, his body shaking.

"You could have killed me if you had a smudge of talent. However, you lack even that much. You should be honored to be killed at my hands" Sephiroth hissed. He held his sword up high, much like an ancient executor. Suddenly Cloud pushed off the ground and slammed his shoulder into Sephiroth's stomach once again. Sephiroth stumbled a moment but then regained his position. Cloud breathed heavily as he slid down Sephiroth's body. Sephiroth helped him go faster by elbowing him right in the top of the head, knocking Cloud face-first into the dirt.

"I am tired of that move!" Sephiroth then kicked Cloud off of him, causing Cloud to roll over and look upwards. Sephiroth leveled the sword on Cloud's neck, then lifted it high into the air.

"It's over Cloud" Sephiroth remarked. Suddenly, something caught his attention from his side. Turning his head slightly, his face had a meeting with a fist.

"Never!" Tifa screamed. Sephiroth stumbled back into the wall. Tifa ran at him, running up his chest, kicked him in the face, then jumped backwards, landing flat on her feet. Aeris fell to her knees near Cloud, quickly putting her hands over his chest. Sephiroth wiped both the fresh and dried blood from his mouth.

"You bitch!" Sephiroth screamed, running at her. He swung at her, but each time Tifa jumped back, dodging each blow. Then her back hit a cave wall. Sephiroth's eyes flashed with joy as he ran and swung at her as hard as he could. Tifa fell to her knees and head-butted his groan. Sephiroth let one hand of his sword as he gasped in pain. Tifa stood up and smiled.

"I'm shocked. I could have sworn you weren't a man. I guess I was wrong" Tifa balled her fists back up and waited for him. Sephiroth stood up, then suddenly threw his sword at her. The sword slammed into Tifa's right leg, bouncing off her knee. At once Tifa fell onto her other knee, grabbing the damaged one. Tears rushed to her eyes as blood began to pour out of her leg. Tifa stood up and tried to take a step forward, but her right leg buckled and she fell down. She looked over as she heard his footsteps next to her. She watched a hand wrap around the sword, then followed the sword blade up until she saw Sephiroth glaring down at her.

"You will never do that again!" Sephiroth held the sword up high. He then turned around and swung his sword downward. Aeris blinked as the once giant rock she held turned into two large rocks. The rocks hit the ground as Aeris back-tracked a few steps, Sephiroth menacingly advancing towards her.

"Damn you Cetra...you sneaky gutless-" Sephiroth began. Cloud ran up beside Aeris and swung his sword weakly at him. Sephiroth calmly ducked down then punched Cloud in the gut. Blood flew from Cloud's mouth when he his back meet the ground. Aeris quickly scurried over to Tifa and grabbed her leg. Cloud dropped his sword and stood up, punching wildly at Sephiroth a few times. Each time his fist hit nothing but air. Finally, Cloud landed a blow to Sephiroth's chest. Cloud looked up at Sephiroth's face.

"What the hell was that suppose to do" Sephiroth smashed the back of his hand into Cloud's face, knocking him back down. As Cloud tried to stand up Sephiroth kicked him in the stomach, causing even more blood to come out up through his body. Aeris tried to help Tifa stand, but even healed Tifa could barely stand. As Sephiroth turned around, Aeris pushed Tifa down then ran away from her. She faced Sephiroth and clenched her hands. Sweat rolled down her face.

"Hey! Come on! Kill me you coward!" Aeris screamed out. Tifa rolled over and looked at Aeris. She grabbed at the wall, using it to get to her feet.

"Aeris...no..." Tifa whispered as she forced herself to stand up. Sephiroth slowly marched towards Aeris. His eyes locked onto her.

"Cetra, you have been a thorn in my side for to long. Even when I kill you, you haunt me" Sephiroth spat out. Aeris trembled; her feet were shaking with a desire to move. But her heart would not let her.

"Come on...! You seem to enjoy killing me" Aeris forced out. Cloud's fingers wrapped around Ultima Weapon. He used the sword to push himself up, glaring at Sephiroth. Then he saw Aeris standing there. Cloud went to scream, but instead of words, blood came out of his mouth.

"Oh, you worthless little Cetra. You will die, here and now. I will wash my hands on your blood. I do enjoy killing you. It's a shame I only get to do it twice. I'd thank the boy, but I doubt I'll see him again" Sephiroth cracked his neck as he walked closer and closer. Aeris took a depth breathe; her heart going so fast that if it flew out of her chest it would go through a block of cement.

"You...you are such a jerk! He's your son!" Aeris screamed. Tifa slumped down the wall. She had to force herself to keep her eyes open. Cloud nearly fell down. Instead, he fell to one knee. His glanced over at them; his eyes filling up with fire.

"He is my son by genetics! I never wanted a son. I do not want a son! Once I blow up this planet, I will not have a son!" Sephiroth screamed. Aeris fell onto her butt as she glared up at him.

"You are afraid-"

"I fear nothing!"

"You are lying! I can see it in your eyes! You got lucky...if Cloud had landed one blow you'd be dead! And if you hadn't thrown your sword, like a child, Tifa would still be kicking your butt!" Aeris was trembling. She closed her eyes tightly.

"It never occurred to you that I was playing them for fools? It is so fun to kill a dream" Sephiroth replied. Aeris' eyes flung open. Her hands slowly transformed into fists.

"What you gonna do Sephiroth? I know you don't have the Black materia! You said the planet was going to die-" Aeris began. Sephiroth moved the sword up high into the air above her.

"You've proven that an attack from outside the planet will not work...thus I will attack from within" Sephiroth quickly glanced back at the bag of materia.

"No..you don't mean-!" Aeris began again, but stopped when she looked into Sephiroth's eyes. They gave her the answer. Sephiroth's sneer once again filled his face.

"You will now die Cetra. All of your allies will then die. Then I will kill the planet and become a god! No one can stop me!" Sephiroth began to laugh. Suddenly, the laughing stopped and was replaced by a groan. Aeris' eyes flung open. She looked up and watched Sephiroth falling backwards, small traces of silver sparks covering his face.

"I told you to never harm her again!" Phoenix screamed as he came running down the cavern path. He jumped over Aeris and slammed his staff into his father's face. One more time, blood flew from Sephiroth's face. The boy jumped at Sephiroth again, but this time Sephiroth swung his sword upward, ripping into the boy's chest. The boy went flying over his father's head and skidded along the ground, leaving a slight trail of blood.

"You ungrateful brat! I told you to stop them, and you failed. You are a failure; one huge failure!" Sephiroth screamed. Phoenix flinched, his eyes twitching. His staff was shaking wildly in his hand.

"Don't listen to him! He's just saying that! Who cares what he thinks? I don't think your a failure!" Aeris screamed. Phoenix's eyes stopped twitching as he moved his arms down to his sides. Sephiroth sneered at the boy.

"Kill her boy. Prove you are my son. If you end her life I will spare yours" Sephiroth commanded. Phoenix's eyes filled with anger suddenly.

"Father-" He began, but Sephiroth just laughed. He waved his hand.

"You do not need to ask-" Sephiroth interrupted.

"I will stop you" Phoenix finished. Sephiroth stopped laughed instantly. The echoes even seemed to stop. His head reared back. Cloud got to his feet, his eyes now glued on Sephiroth. Sephiroth took a deep breathe.

"What did you say boy?" Sephiroth forced out. Tifa pushed away from the wall and crouched down into her fighting stance. Her fists squeezed tightly together. Phoenix slammed his wrists together in front of his body, silver energy glowing around his wrists. His eyes narrowed; his eyes locked on Sephiroth.

"You are joking boy. You cannot not...you will not kill me. You do not have the guts...I am your father, after all" Sephiroth said. He sneered at the boy. Phoenix's eyes did not waver.

"I told you not to hurt her" Phoenix stated. His jaw tightened as he gathered even more silver energy around his hands. Sephiroth's eyes bugged out.

"Damn you boy; you will now die with her then!" Sephiroth screamed. Suddenly footsteps entered into his ears. He turned to his left and was meet by a punch to the face. Tifa keep slugging him in the face.

"You're not going to kill anymore dreams!" Tifa screamed as she ran up his chest, kicking him in the face. Sephiroth bent forward from the impact as Tifa's boots smacked into the ground. She quickly followed up with an uppercut then knocked Sephiroth off his feet. The Masamune bounced off the ground a few seconds before his body did. Sephiroth groaned as he got to his feet. Tifa stood there, her arm pulled back, energy gathering in her fist. Sephiroth then heard footsteps coming from the other side. He turned around and this time was meet but a sword blade to the chest. Slash after slash hit his body as Cloud swung like a mad-man at him. Sephiroth stumbled in place as blood oozed off of him. Cloud jumped into the air, his sword glowing like a lightning bolt.

"You're path of terror ends here!...Omni-" Cloud began. Tifa's energy glowed brightly in the dark cave. The light covered her anger-covered face.

"Final-" Tifa began. Even more light was gathering around Phoenix's hands, so much so that his wrists were not even seen.

"Final-" Phoenix began. Cloud began his downward descent.

"Slash!" Cloud flung his sword downward.

"Heaven!" Tifa finished, throwing her charged up fist forward.

"Flash!" Phoenix finished, the huge silver beam flying from his hands. All three attacks smashed into Sephiroth at once. The energy merged all into one huge block of energy. Then they all exploded; the core of the explosion being Sephiroth. All of them were flung backwards, the light so bright than no one could see anything.


"Did you feel that?" Red asked, looking up at Barret. Barret blinked.

"Feel what?" Barret demanded to know. Before Red could answer, the whole mountain began to shake. They quickly turned and ran down the hill of rocks. They reached the bottom and turned back at the mountain.

"What the hell was that? An earthquake?" Barret questioned. Red blinked then shook his head.

"No; more like an explosion...oh no!" Red sprinted back to the mountain side and up the rocks. He quickly began to throws them off. Barret made a face then his eyes went wide.

"That boy...damn!" Barret screamed. He ran up to the rocks and began to throw them aside himself.


"Oh man..." Aeris groaned. She knocked a few small rocks off as she stood up. The cavern seemed even darker than before, except a faint green light in the distance. She took a few steps, looking around.

"My goodness, this whole place looks like a tornado hit it" Aeris muttered. Then, her foot hit something. Looking down, she say the handle of the Masamune sticking out from some rocks. She kicked the blade aside then took a few more steps forward. Her foot hit something else. She casually looked down. Her face was covered with a mixture of relief and satisfaction.

"No more damage can be done by you" She remarked. Then, off to her left she heard groaning. She turned and ran over. Tifa lay there, face down. Aeris rolled her over and gasped.

"Tifa...!" Aeris said. Her clothing was tattered but still holding on. Her face had slight burn marks on it. A trace of blood was on her lips. Aeris closed her eyes. She stood up and walked back towards Sephiroth's body. Walking right past it, she looked down at Cloud. Her eyes teared up slightly; his shirt was gone and his entire chest was covered in burn marks. Aeris bent down and gently rubbed his chest. She felt him breathing still. She got up and looked to where the boy had been. She then jogged over. He was laying face-down with his arms covering his face. His clothing looked tattered as well. Aeris took a few steps back, then cupped her hands together in front of her. She closed her eyes as green energy began to gather around her.

"Great Gospel!" She suddenly screamed as the green waves flung off her and onto the others. She opened her eyes. She heard Tifa coughing, followed by Cloud gasping for more breathe. She watched Phoenix put his hands on the ground before turning and running over to Tifa. Before Aeris could reach her, Tifa was on her feet, knocking dust off herself. All her wounds seemed to be gone; her face once again burn-free. Aeris stopped a few steps in front of her. Tifa looked into Aeris' eyes and smiled.

"He's...?" Tifa asked hopefully. Aeris smiled and nodded. Tifa's eyes went wide as she raced to Aeris, hugging her tightly. Aeris returned the hug, then they pulled apart, still holding hands.

"We did it! We did it!" Both of them chanted as they danced around. Cloud pushed himself up to his feet then shook his head, sending dust into the air.

"We did what?" Cloud asked, looking at the both of them. Tifa and Aeris looked at each other, then let go and went running to Cloud. Each girl latched onto a side tightly. Cloud blinked, then smiled.

"We did it?" He asked loudly. Both of them looked up.

"We did it!" They both screamed. The girls let go of Cloud, who looked down at them.

"I don't believe it..." Cloud began. Suddenly, the entire cavern began to shake. Aeris fell backwards and rolled over onto her face. Tifa grabbed onto Cloud and they fell backwards on top of each other. Aeris rolled over and looked up in horror.

"Oh no!" She screamed out. Huge boulders were flying downwards; almost as if the cavern was falling inward. Tifa shrieked loudly when she saw a huge boulder falling towards her and Cloud.She put her hands up as if they could block the boulders. Cloud just stared upwards.

"Not like this..." He mumbled. Suddenly, when the boulder was mere feet away, a giant silver ball of energy came from no where and smashed into it, cracking the boulder into dozens of harmless rocks. Cloud and Tifa both shielded their faces. Aeris' body shook uncontrollable as the boulder neared her. From no where, she felt herself grabbed and being thrown around. The next thing she knew, the boy was letting her go and turning around. The huge boulder was laying where Aeris had been just moments ago. They boy stood up and extended his hand down to her. Aeris grabbed it and let him pull her to her feet. She gazed onto him.

"Thank...thank you" Aeris forced out. The boy nodded and began to walk towards Sephiroth's body. Tifa opened her eyes and looked up at the ceiling.

"Did...did I just see that?" Tifa asked. Cloud shook his head, then quickly rolled over and got to his feet. He helped Tifa up then turned to Phoenix.

"You just saved our lifes" Cloud stated. The boy kneeled down and glared at Sephiroth's body. He bent down and picked the body up, throwing it over his shoulder. The others watched as the boy walk past them and towards the green light. When he reached the cliff, the boy dropped the body and watched it fall down into the Lifestream below.

"I am aware" Phoenix answered finally. He turned around again and walked back towards them. Tifa glared at him.

"Why? You had no reason-" Tifa began. Phoenix glared over at her as he walked.

"I have my reasons" He replied coldly. He stopped when he neared the bag of materia. As he bent down to pick it up, Aeris' hand grabbed his own hand.

"Thank you Phoenix..." Aeris stated. He looked up at her.

"Thank you Aeris" He replied. He grabbed the bag of materia and flung it over his shoulder. Aeris leaned up as he did, looking at him.

"You listened to me" Aeris stated calmly. Phoenix glanced down at the ground. His face shook a little.

"You were right" He simple stated. She sighed softly. Phoenix walked past her and back the way they had all come down. Aeris turned and followed. Cloud watched them both walk along as Tifa walked over to the Masamune and bent down to look at it.

"Where you going...? Phoenix...why were you so nice to me? You had no reason..." Aeris asked nervously. The boy marched along a few steps as if he didn't hear it. Suddenly, Cloud's eyes went wide.

"He's your brother!" Cloud screamed suddenly. Everyone stopped what they were doing. Tifa looked up at Cloud as if he had farted in church. Both Phoenix and Aeris stiffened. Then slowly both of their heads turned slightly to look at Cloud.

"How...how..." Phoenix mumbled, his eyes wide in shock. Aeris' head spun around and looked at the boy again. Cloud shrugged his shoulders and smirked.

"You two look alike...they way you walk, your facial expressions...you two even look alike from the back. You dress the same too" Cloud stated. Phoenix's eyes turned their attention from Cloud to Aeris. Aeris clenched her hands over her heart.

"That's...that's...you were nice to me because I'm your sister..." Aeris forced out as sweat began to build on her face. Phoenix nodded his head, then he looked back at Cloud.

"How did you know...I mean...it can't be that obvious" The boy asked. Cloud's face softened slightly.

"You saved her life...you had this look in your eye when you saved her. The look that she mattered a lot to you...more than Sephiroth did. But when I saw you two together...it was crystal clear" Cloud stated. Tifa stood up and looked at Aeris, then Phoenix, then Cloud.

"You're right...it's not obvious at first, but when they're together...wow" Tifa chimed in. She did not even realize her hand holding the Masamune. Phoenix nodded.

"The Nifix Device only allows the user to bring back someone with the same DNA type" Phoenix explained. Cloud nodded while Tifa just shook her head. Aeris felt a tear drip down her face.

"That's..that's why you protected me from him...but why didn't you tell me?" Aeris asked. Phoenix gazed at her for a few moments. Suddenly, the cave began to shake again.

"Damnit...the cave is falling apart!" Cloud screamed. Suddenly, the ground seemed to tilt upwards.


"Damnit! We are wasting time!" Barret screamed. Red glanced around at all the rocks.

"I agree, but do you have a way we can move them faster?" Red asked. Barret grinned and shook his gun-arm. Red quickly ran off the rocks. Barret leveled the gun towards the cave and opened fire, sending bullets into the rocks. Red watched as the rocks began to break apart.

"This will take time!" Red screamed over the hum of the bullets. Barret's grin grew even wider.

"Not as much as the way we were doing it!" He replied. The smoke from the gun covered his grinning face while boulders became rocks, and rocks became dust.


"Let's get out of her" Tifa screamed as she ran towards the cave entrance. Cloud followed behind her, with Aeris close behind him. Phoenix turned and began to run, but suddenly the bag of materia got snagged onto a rock. As Phoenix ran, the bag ripped open, sending materia onto the ground and rolling towards the edge of the cave. His eyes went wide as the materia began to fall into the Lifestream.

"No!" He screamed as he dove onto the ground, trying to grab any materia he could. Aeris heard his screamed and turned around.

"No!" She echoed, her eyes going wide in terror. Cloud stopped and grabbed her wrist.

"We got to go Aeris! This whole place is going to collapse!" Cloud screamed, tugging her towards the mouth of the cave. Aeris fought against his hand.

"But the materia...! It's going into the Lifestream...!" Aeris screamed. Cloud yanked her arm.

"So what?" Cloud screamed, pulling her harder towards the exit. Phoenix crawled to the edge of the cliff and watched the materia plummeting.

"No...no...no!" Phoenix screamed. The Lifestream began to bubble up with each added materia. Phoenix stood up and turned around, running towards the cave entrance.


"See, I told you it would work!" Barret screamed as he had finally gotten a good bit of the rocks out of the way. Red nodded.

"Now let's get in there-" Red began. Just then, Tifa forced her way through the small hole in the rock wall.

"Tifa...what's happening?" Barret asked. Tifa looked at them; the Masamune still in her hand. Before she could react, Red did.

"You defeated him?" Red asked quickly. Tifa nodded.

"Guys, you wouldn't believe what happened-" Tifa began as Cloud pulled Aeris through the hole.

"We gotta run..! Now!" Aeris screamed, interrupting what Tifa was about to say. Barret and Red's eyes shot open.

"Aeris!" They both screamed. Aeris nodded impatiently.

"Let's go, now! All the materia fell in the Lifestream...it's going to blow!" Aeris screamed. With that they all turned and ran up the hill as fast as they could. After a few minutes, a ball of silver energy smashed into the rock wall, making the small hole a little bit bigger. Phoenix came running out of the hole and raced for the hill. As the boy reached the top of the hill he saw the Highwind taking flight. He glanced upwards at it as it flew towards him.

"I got to get out of here...anyway is a good way" He screamed as he jumped up with all his might and grabbed onto the ladder that was dangling from it. His body jerked from the motion as he held on. The Highwind made a huge turn and flew over the ocean. Phoenix slowly began to climb up the ladder. As he neared the top, he heard a gun lock in place. He stopped walking, his body freezing.

"I'm going to blow your brain out you son of-" Barret began. Cloud grabbed Barret's arm and pushed it aside, sending bullet flying down into the water. Barret stopped firing and glared over at Cloud, who ignored him. Cloud bent down and extended his arm towards the boy. Phoenix grabbed his arm as he neared and Cloud pulled him up onto the deck.

"What the hell is your problem Spikey?" Barret roared. Cloud glared up at Barret. He stood up and pushed his chest against Barret's.

"He saved our lives in there Barret! I don't care what you think or what anyone thinks, but I know I owed him one!" Cloud snapped. Barret blinked and grumbled. Slowly, he turned and walked away from the two of them. Phoenix watched him leave before turning his attention to Cloud.

"We haven't finished our fight" Phoenix muttered. He rolled onto his belly, then pushed up to his feet. He knocked some dust off jacket. Cloud took a deep breathe while a slight grin grew on his face.

"I'm aware of that too. But now is not the time-" Cloud began. Suddenly, the mountain exploded upwards. Green energy went flying upwards into the air as rocks and boulders flew outwards. Cloud covered his face while Phoenix turned away, the bright green light shooting out to all sides. The shock wave from the explosion slammed into the Highwind, knocking it all around. Cloud fell onto his backside while Phoenix ducked down to be on one knee.

"This...this is what Sephiroth planned?" Cloud asked. Phoenix nodded as he held his arm up to block the intense wind.

"I believe so...I'm not sure why though" Phoenix screamed. Both of them moved their arms slightly and took a look at the former mountain. The door to the Highwind opened as Tifa stood in the doorway.

"Cloud...what is going on out here?" Tifa screamed loudly. Cloud looked over at her, then at Phoenix, then once again to Tifa.

"I have no clue! It's not natural, that's for sure" Cloud screamed. Phoenix got to his feet. He stared at the mountain-side, the wind blowing his coat backwards.

"What have I done...?" He muttered. His eyes glossed over, just staring at the mountain, which was morphing into a volcano, spewing Lifestream into the air.