Disclaimer: If I didn't own FF7 when I started this story then obviously I
don't own them now. They are still property of Square Enix
Authors notes: Well it has been a while, sorry for the lack of updates, but school was coming to an end and I had a lot of work to do. Sadly this will be my last update for a while. I am going to be away from my computer for a while so I promise that this chapter will be a long one. So just sit back and enjoy, and please don't forget to review.
Apocalypse Rising
Chapter 6: An Ally Lost
In a world of pure darkness Cloud ran, he had been running for what had to have been six hours. He had been running towards the only source of light in this strange place. The light had at first seemed to be hundreds of miles away, though now it was only a mile at the max. Though his desire to reach the light was great, it was not the reason he was running, he was running because behind him in the darkness he could hear something chasing him, drawing steadily closer, it was the fear of this creature that drove Cloud to run to exhaustion.
The mysterious light was getting closer now only a few feet, but Cloud couldn't run anymore, the exhaustion finally taking over Cloud stumbled and fell to his knees. It was this moment that the creature in the darkness had been waiting for. Cloud had only enough strength to turn and see what the strange beast was. All he saw was the all-encompassing darkness, and then suddenly a monstrous beast began to form, before it even had a full shape the creature launched itself on him. Instead of ripping his flesh the dark beast seemed to seep into Cloud's skin. His flesh began to darken, and his eyes began to be shrouded in a black haze, and then the planet's greatest warrior, passed out.
Barret had been left in charge of watching after Cloud's body, it was up to him to keep the fallen warrior safe. He had just been thinking of leaving his post to grab some coffee when he heard muffled sounds coming from Cloud's room. Reacting instantly Barret wrenched the door open and to his utter amazement saw Cloud struggling to get up out of the bed. Barret ran over to his friend and helped him slowly rise to his feet.
"Easy Cloud, easy. You've been out of it for a while" Barret said in a quiet yet strong voice.
"How long, how long have I been out Barret?" Cloud muttered in a weak and raspy voice.
"Five days man, now just try to relax, I am going to call the others." Barret said as he headed to the door. When he got to the other side of the door Barret quickly grabbed the PHS and dialed Cid's number. Barret quickly told Cid about the situation and hung up. Before going back into Cloud's room Barret gave a sigh of relief, now that Cloud was better they might be able to stop this unknown enemy.
..................................
Tifa had been sitting in the conference room for about an hour now. She had looking out the porthole watching the world below, as she tried to sort out her thoughts. Tired of just sitting around she got up and headed out onto the deck.
Outside, the sky was beginning to darken as the day began to end. Tifa saw Vincent standing in the center of the deck. He was holding the Masamune and was practicing sword formations, with amazing grace and speed. Standing by the railing at the farthest edge of the ship was Yuffie. The young girl was leaning against the railing and watching Vincent. Though she still wore many bandages around her arms she seemed to have made a quick recovery from their last battle.
Not wishing to disturb Vincent while he was training Tifa walked over to Yuffie.
"Hey kid what are you doing?" Tifa asked
"Oh hey Tifa, nothing much, just enjoying the view." Yuffie said in a distracted voice
"Yeah I know what you mean, the clouds look so nice during sunset. "
Yuffie looked at her confused. " What are you talking about?"
"Well you said you were enjoying the view, I just assumed you were looking at the sky."
" Well actually I was looking at Vinnie."
"What!" Tifa choked out in a surprised voice.
" Yeah I mean he is incredible, I mean I didn't even know he could use a sword. Did you know he could fight like that?" Yuffie said her voice taking on her usual hyperactive tone.
"Well. um, yeah I figured he knew how to fight with tons of weapons, I mean he was a Turk right, that must have meant he had extensive weapon training right?" Tifa said awkwardly.
"Nah that can't be it, I mean I have seen people in Wutai train their entire lives to that level of skill, and he is like so dashing and all."
Tifa gave a slight chuckle at the Yuffie's response.
"So you are watching him because he is such a good fighter?" Tifa asked in a playful voice.
"Yeah mostly that, and the fact that he saved my life doesn't hurt. The guy could rival Cloud in heroic acts. "
Tifa just smile at Yuffie's comment and her mind quickly flashed to how she had made Cloud promise to be her hero, when her thoughts were interrupted by Cid's voice blaring on the intercom.
"Alright Vincent, Red were coming up to Cosmo canyon get ready for landing."
Yuffie looked up at Tifa in surprise. "Cosmo Canyon? Why are we going there? I thought we were going to Midgar to see Cloud." She asked
"Red and I are going there to do some research. In a few days we will meet up with you in Midgar." Vincent said as he sheathed his sword and was heading for them.
"You mean you're leaving us already?" Yuffie yelped.
"For the time being yes."
"Fine, then I am going too!" Yuffie said in her attempt to match Vincent's monotonous voice.
Vincent merely raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Yeah that's right I am coming too, and also I want you to do something for me." Yuffie said in a pompous tone.
Vincent's face showed no emotion, his crimson eyes staring at her with unnerving intensity. " And what would that be Yuffie?"
"I want to learn to fight like you" Yuffie said, her voice now meek under Vincent's gaze.
"No" was Vincent's only reply.
"Vinnie please! I can't afford to lose another fight, I need your help!" Yuffie whined.
"Just take her with you Vincent, the creatures we are fighting are only going to get stronger, she could use the help." Tifa chimed in.
Vincent let out a sigh. "Fine you can come with me, but only if you stay silent."
" You got a deal." Yuffie said in a happy voice.
After a few minuets Highwind landed next to the great canyon, and Vincent, Red, and an exceptionally perky Yuffie stepped off the ship.
"Give our best to Cloud." Red yelled to Tifa as the group disbanded, Yuffie waved her hand and jumped up and down. While Vincent just gave her a look before he turned and started walking into the canyon city.
Red and Yuffie soon followed Vincent.
"So were are we going huh?" Yuffie chirped
"Red and I are going to the observatory to research something, you can go and have fun with the other children." Vincent said in a harsh voice.
"Hey! Who are you calling a child? I am going to do some research. Uh.what exactly are we researching?"
"These" Vincent said as he pulled three materia from his bag.
"Materia! What do they do, what do they do! And why is that one shiny and the other not?" Yuffie shrieked.
"We don't know that's why we are researching them." Red growled.
Taking the hint Yuffie shut up and followed the others up to the observatory.
Inside much had changed, gone were tables and instruments, instead were bookshelves, many, many bookshelves.
"This is the data capitol of the world, I have copies of almost every text ever recorded." Red said proudly.
Yuffie let out soft whistle. "Nice Red, nice."
Vincent somehow seemed unimpressed. "Let's get to work shall we."
Red nodded and began to explain how he cataloged everything.
...................................
The Highwind landed at Midgar around 1:00 A.M. Despite the late time, the city still seemed to be bussing with activity. When Cid and Tifa got to the Hospital, Tifa saw Barret and Reeve sitting at a table with two cups of coffee.
"Well, glad to see you boys have bee keeping busy" Tifa said from the doorway.
Barret gave a slight smile and walked up to the others.
"Hey there you two. God what happened? You look like death"
Tifa was confused at Barret's comment and looked at herself. Her clothes were all dirty and she had cuts and bruises all over her legs. She had not realized what a mess she was.
"Don't get us started man, this trip has been hell." Cid said
"So where is he?" Tifa asked, her voice a little edgy.
"He is in his room right now resting." Reeve said in a nervous voice.
Tifa caught the tone in his voice and she looked at him sternly "What is wrong?"
"Nothing, it just seems like Cloud isn't himself right now."
"When can I seem him?"
"Just wait until tomorrow Tifa, Barret will take you and Cid to some fresh rooms." Reeve said.
Tifa relented and allowed Barret to guide her and Cid out of the waiting room and to some guest rooms. Though she was curious as to what Reeve had meant when he said that Cloud had not been acting like himself.
...................................
"This is soooo boring! Vincent when are you going to help me learn to fight?" Yuffie cried out, breaking the complete science of the library.
"Later Yuffie" Vincent said, his voice though usually emotionless was no filled with annoyance.
"Just take her Vincent. I can stand to do this on my own for a while, besides if I hear her yell one more time I will not be held accountable for my actions." Red muttered.
"Fine, Yuffie come with me"
" Alright, finally, so were we going?"
"Just outside of the city, it should be the perfect place to train, and if you say another word on the way there I will call up Cid and have him take you as soon as possible."
Deciding to take Vincent's advice, Yuffie shut up and followed him out of the observatory. They walked for about ten minuets until they reached a small clearing right outside of town.
"Alright this will do." Vincent said as he unsheathed his sword. "Now I want you to attack me, do all you can to lay a blow upon me, but without the use of materia. Begin."
Yuffie stood frozen in surprise for a moment. She was more than a little intimidated by Vincent's form in the dark night. "You're kidding right, I mean I knew we would train but I didn't think we would fight each other."
"If you wish to learn to fight, then attack me, before I lose my patience." Vincent commanded.
Yuffie grabbed her shriuken from her holster on he back. "Fine but don't complain when I cut you." Yuffie said playfully as she charged.
Yuffie held the weapon from its center and swung at Vincent with all her might. Vincent just sidestepped the blow and the weapon impaled the soft ground where he had once been standing. Yuffie tried to pull out the weapon but it was firmly stuck in the ground. Yuffie was about to try to pull it out again when she felt the cold steel of the Masamune touching her throat.
" You're dead, try again." Vincent said as he pulled the blade away from her throat.
So Yuffie attacked again, and once again met with failure, this exchange continued for about two hours, always with the same result. Yuffie was now breathing hard, and her face was covered with dirt.
"Gawd Vinnie how long do we have to do this?" Yuffie whined.
"Until you succeed. Now begin again."
Yuffie muttered some curses and began to attack once again. She was starting to think that maybe she should have stuck to research with Red.
....................................
Red had been reading for many hours, and had gained almost no information on the three strange materia that lay before him. He had found a reference to the three but it did not mention their purpose. Red looked out the window and saw that the sun was already beginning its slow rise. Upon seeing the time Red was startled out of any fatigue he had been feeling, he knew that time was of the essence and that he had to keep working. He just hoped that he could find some answers soon.
....................................
Tifa awoke late in the morning, she hadn't realized how tired the last couple of days had made her. She quickly showered and changed her clothes, and went out to meet the others. She walked into the hospital waiting room and saw Barret sitting in a chair outside Cloud's room.
"Hey there kid, nice of you to join us. "
"Hey Barret, where are the others?"
"Well Cid is off at Shera's and Reeve is at a staff meeting."
"And were is Cloud?"
Barret's face went grim, he is out in the courtyard, so far as any of the doctors can tell he has made a full recovery, but..."
"But what Barret, if they say he is fine then he is fine."
Barret let out a sigh of defeat "Fine, you'll see what I mean when you see him." Barret conceded and started walking with Tifa at his heels.
In the courtyard Tifa saw him, the first thing she noticed was that he no longer wore his usual navy blue shirt and it was no replaced with a pitch-black trench cloak. Other than his clothes Tifa didn't notice any other changes. Cloud turned his head and made eye contact with her. For one brief instant Tifa was filled with dread, there was something wrong with his eyes. They no longer held the bright green fire that they once held in there were dark orbs that held no emotion, they reminded her of shark eyes.
Slowly he moved over to them, and Tifa had to fight the urge to run away. When Cloud reached her he took her hand and gently kissed it, this normally beautiful gesture was a true test of Tifa's devotion, when his skin made contact, it was like touching ice. Cloud now took a step back looked her up and down, almost like he was seizing up an opponent. Finally he broke the unnerving silence.
"Tifa, you look well." He said in a voice so cold that it rivaled even Vincent's.
"So do you Cloud. You have no idea how worried I was about you. " Tifa said in a rushed tone.
"Yes it is good to be back among the living." Cloud said with a little chuckle and flashed a smile, but Tifa noticed that though he was smiling his eyes were still busy almost like they were studying something.
Anything she noticed about Cloud's eyes was instantly forgotten when she heard the sound of screams coming from behind her. Tifa had only enough time to turn and see a wolf like beast charging through the courtyard. Barret already had his gun arm aimed, but the beast manage to tackle the large man and knock him over. Tifa was about to strike when Cloud pushed her away and from his dark trench cloak pulled out his buster blade.
When the creature laid eyes upon Cloud, it did something strange. It stopped right in its tracks and laid itself prostrate before him. Cloud looked confused for a moment and then a grim smile flashed on his face and he swung his blade and clove the creature in two pieces.
Cloud walked to Tifa and offered her his hand to help her rise, but Tifa did not accept it. She scrambled to her feet and helped Barret rise.
"Well that was exciting" Cloud said lightheartedly, "I'm going to go get some food, you guys want to tag along." He called back as he walked away.
"Sure be right there." Tifa yelled to him, but her mind was not on food, it was on the smile that Cloud had worn when he killed that creature. There was just something about it that put her on edge. She would have to keep a close eye on him.
....................................
In the depths of the Northern Crater Zack stood. The room he stood in was a circular area and in its center was a small pool of black lifestream. Kneeling before it was the dark general Crassus. The general seemed to be in some sort of trance, not a single part of his enormous body was moving, in fact it did not appear that he was even breathing. Zack did onto respond to his general's apparent paralysis. This was routine after all. Not too long later the general stirred and rose to his full height of seven feet.
"What have you learned master?" Zack asked in a quiet yet respectful tone.
"The beast has found something of value, it appears that we have some items to collect." Crassus responded with a voice that rocked the walls of the canyon.
"Then what do you wish me to do?"
"Go to the misshapen one, tell him that it is time to test his experiments, and then return to me."
"It shall be done my general" Zack said as he bowed, and he stepped into the shadows where his body disappeared.
Crassus just stood in this dark chamber, and after only a few short moments Zack's form reemerged from the shadows.
"He says it will take him only an hour to get all his men in there but he wishes to know how many you want."
" Send all of them, I want that Canyon flooded with blood." Crassus said in a voice so calm and collected that it seemed to radiate evil.
"As you command, though should we go observe what has happened to Valentine. "
"No, that fool is of no importance now, all that matters is taking the materia from the beast. I shall meet you at the canyon in one hour. Now go, and organize the attack. I have business elsewhere. " The general commanded and Zack faded away.
The general stayed one more moment in the dark chamber and then he too faded into the shadows.
....................................
Red had found something. In front of him on a small table, lay a few items, the two dull materia, and the glowing green one. Next to these materia was a thick hardback leather bound book. It was open to the middle, and on one of the pages was a graphic picture. The picture depicted three weapons, two swords and one battle staff. At the hilt o each blade and the end of the staff were one materia each. On the first sword, which looked like a giant claymore was a glowing yellow materia. The next blade, seemed familiar to Red, it had many of the same characteristics of the Masamune, yet they were obviously not the same, at the pommel of this blade was a bright red materia. The last weapon was the biggest surprise to Red it was Aeris's old weapon the Princess Guard, and at the base of it was a bright green materia, like the one before Red. The weapons were all placed in the ground, and from the ground it looked as if lifestream was flowing into them.
Red turned the inspected the next page only to find that he was missing a few pages, the ones involving the two swords were gone, but thankfully a page on the battle staff still remained. This page was all written in another language, and Red was determined to decipher it. He was so focused on the book that he did not see the great airships flying toward the canyon, nor did he see the first of many soldiers jump from the plane into the canyon.
...................................
Yuffie had been asleep when the first of them came, but not Vincent. They were still in the small clearing minuets outside of the Canyon. Yuffie had wanted to return to the city but Vincent had let her, but he had decided to stay and train on his own. He had stayed up all night, and yet no fatigue showed upon his figure. He had been practicing the blade formations when he saw the first airship, and he had seen the men jump from them when they opened their parachutes. The numbers had started at ten, but then increased to twenty, and then continued to increase, now the soldiers raining from the sky were as abundant as rain drops in a storm, Vincent had wasted no time getting back into the canyon city. The first thin he did was wake Yuffie from her bed at the Inn.
"Gawd, what do you want. I trained with you all night, can't a person get some rest?" Yuffie complained.
"Get up now, enemies are falling into the canyon as we speak."
Yuffie got up as quick as she could and pulled out her weapon. "Let's go get Red.
However by the time they got out of the Inn the first wave had landed.
"This is not good." Yuffie muttered under her breath as she beheld these strange soldiers. They seemed to be a mix of human and metal, as if someone had decided to rip off random body parts and put metal claws or blades in their place.
Vincent tried to rush up to the observatory but the creatures also seemed to be heading there and they seemed to be prepared to fight for the right to get up there.
Vincent pulled out the Masamune. "So the dance begins." Vincent muttered just loud enough for Yuffie to hear before he jumped into the battle. In fact Vincent fought like it was a dance. His movements so graceful, his attacks so precise that it looked like it was all choreographed by the god of war.
In a short time Vincent had already killed twenty of these walking abominations, though for every one creature he killed, two civilians died. Vincent realized this and yelled out to Yuffie.
"Yuffie I want you to guide these people out of here, there is a freight truck in the back exit of the canyon, get them in there and take them somewhere safe."
Yuffie didn't need to be told twice, and she ran from the center of the battle and started to guide civilians. She also cast a huge fire spell on the troops that were still in the sky, hoping to even the odds in Vincent's favor. As she was stumbling in her bag for another Materia, she found something. Her PHS! With this she could call in for help. She quickly found a small deserted building and dialed a number number. Crossing her fingers she hoped the call would go through.
....................................
Cloud was alone in the waiting room when he heard Tifa's PHS go off. Tifa and Barret were off in the mess hall getting some food and he was the only one to answer it.
"Yeah, who is it." Cloud asked in a harsh voice.
"Oh Gawd, Cloud, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice right now." Yuffie's voice cried from the phone, and from what Cloud could hear from the background noise, there was a fight going on.
"Yeah Yuffie, it's me, what's going on?" Cloud asked in an uninterested voice.
"Big trouble, the canyon is being overrun, Vincent is fighting them off but there are just too many, I need you guys to get her ASAP."
Cloud let out a small grin as he reached for the batter on the back of the PHS.
"What's that Yuffie, I can't hear you I think your phone is breaking up. Just get back to Midgar and tell us what is happening. Goodbye. " Cloud said and pulled the battery out ending the call.
....................................
Red had done it, he had deciphered the page and had found its news to be incredible, if the text was true then they might have the one weapon in their power to destroy this strange enemy. However, all Red's joy died when he saw what was outside the window. What he saw was his people being killed, by strange warriors, Red let out a ferocious howl of anger. He quickly put the orbs and the translated page in a bag and angled his head so that the strap fell around his neck. With that done, Red ran through the window and dropped the ten feet. He landed with a loud thud, but he was unhurt. He then proceeded to kill the first strange attacker he saw.
He continued to battle his way down from the observatory down to the main section of the canyon. There he saw the blurred form of Vincent who was mowing down these troops left and right, yet no matter how many he killed more kept coming, and then red saw him, a man if you could call him that because he was taller than anything he had ever seen, was standing on top of the edge of the canyon, watching him and Vincent. The figure made eye contact for just one second and then he disappeared. Red ran to stand side by side with Vincent.
"Did you see him?" Red asked.
"Who that creature at the top of the canyon? Yes I saw him, yet he has made no move."
"Where is Yuffie?"
"I sent her to take as many people as she could out of the canyon. She should be long gone by now. "
"Good, then let us fight this battle to the end." Red said grimly.
Vincent only nodded his head and attacked the next creature.
....................................
"Crap, Crap, Crap! Yuffie yelled as she drove the packed truck. They were now ten minuets out of the canyon, and she was beginning to worry about Vincent.
After her call had been terminated she had done her job and saved as many people as she could find, now she wanted to go back into the battle.
"You there." Yuffie called to one of the people sitting next to her.
"Yeah"
"Can you drive this thing?" Yuffie asked in a rushed tone.
"Sure."
"Great, take over, I'm going back in. Don't stop driving till you get to the next safe town, you hear me? Now go!" Yuffie yelled as she jumped out the driver's side door and ran as fast as she could back to Cosmo Canyon.
...................................
The battle was heating up. Both Vincent and Red were fighting incredibly, yet the lion beast was beginning to tire, and opponents were overwhelming Vincent.
Vincent reached into his pocket and pulled out his Odin materia. "Odin I summon you, attack with Steel Bladed Sword!" Vincent yelled, and the great god appeared and struck with his mighty blade cutting many of the monsters into two pieces.
When the spell ended, Vincent knew he was out of MP, he was formulating a plan when he saw the giant figure again, though rather than doing nothing this time the giant was chanting something only Vincent could hear. It was in some sort of ancient language. When the giant stopped chanting Vincent felt the earth shake, and begin to crumble beneath him. Vincent managed to jump away from the collapsing ground, but Red wasn't fast enough, Already he was being swallowed by the ground.
Red knew his time had come, and without thought threw his neck back sending the small pouch to fly towards Vincent. The dark warrior caught it and looked at Red confused.
"The green one, place it in Aeris's weapon, it brings life, use it quickly!" Red yelled, and then the ground swallowed him.
Red didn't think of his friends as he fell into the earth. No, his only thought was of his father, and how he felt he had failed him in some way for not saving the Canyon.
And deep in the GI Caves the lay the stature of the great lion-beast Seto, and from that statue fell a single tear, for the loss of his son.
....................................
Yuffie had made it back to the Canyon just in time to see Red fall, but there was no time to grieve, there was only time for action. She saw Vincent and yelled for him.
"Vincent over here, come on!" She yelled.
Vincent turned and ran to the young ninja. " What are you doing her?" He barked.
"I did my job and helped as many as I could find. Now I am here to fight.
"No" Was Vincent's only reply.
"What do you mean no? I can help."
"No, I mean this battle is pointless, there is no way we can continue to fight this force.
"Fine, then what do you suggest?" Yuffie asked irritated.
"Do you know how to hotwire a car?"
"What kind of thief do you think I am? Of course I can hotwire a car!" She yelled
"Then you see that buggy over there? Set it up I will cover you."
Yuffie didn't even bother to respond as she ran for the small red buggy that was at the edge of the canyon.
True to his word not a single creature got close to her, and she was able to hotwire the car.
"Vinnie, get in!" She yelled out.
Vincent jumped into the car and Yuffie put her foot on the gas and they sped out of the conquered canyon.
The two rode in silence till they were a safe distance away.
"So should we head to Midgar?"
"Yes get us there as fast as you can, I have some reading to do." Vincent said as he inspected the page inside the bag Red had thrown to them.
....................................
It was about 4 AM when Yuffie got them to Midgar, and she was glad to get out of the buggy. When they got inside the city Yuffie felt a little better, but she still felt like she just wanted to cry for the loss of her friend. Though she would not show a sign of weakness in front of Vincent.
"He was a great person." Vincent said, as if he could read her thoughts, "When everything is taken care of we shall give him a proper burial."
After that Vincent said nothing until they got to the hospital. When they got there, there was no one to great them, no welcome, just an empty waiting room.
"Where the hell is EVERYBODY?!!" Yuffie yelled, her emotions finally taking over her.
Her little outburst managed to attract the attention of a few orderlies who directed them to their friends.
Tifa was sitting next to Barret and Cid, while Cloud was leaning against the table, Reeve was off in his lab somewhere.
"Oh God! Vincent, Yuffie are you OK? What happened? Where's Red?" Tifa cried upon seeing the grizzled forms of her friends.
"Enemies attacked the canyon, and have taken it over, Red is gone, but we did manage to keep his research form falling into their hands." Vincent responded.
" Well what did you figure out?" Cloud asked totally blind to the fact that everyone else was asking about Red.
Unfazed Vincent looked at Cloud, they both seemed to be seizing each other up, like two Alpha wolves preparing to fight over who would lead the pack.
" Red found that if we combine a certain materia with Aeris's old ultimate weapon, we can restore one soul, and only one soul from the lifestream and restore that soul to its physical body. " Vincent said slowly allowing the full effect of this information sink in.
As he said this, Vincent had to fight thoughts of Lucrecia from taking over, the urge to bring her back was almost more than he could bare, for he already knew who had to be revived.
Everyone in the room had a deep ponderous look on their face except for Cloud, whose face was alive with joy.
"This is it everyone! This is our chance to wish her back. This is our one chance to be reunited with Aeris!" Cloud said, his voice so ecstatic that it resembled a lunatic's.
All the others were nodding their heads as if already in agreement with Cloud, and Vincent let out a sigh, he had expected this reaction but it did not make it any easier to deal with.
"No Cloud." Vincent said
Cloud stopped dead in his tracks and he looked a Vincent menacingly.
"What Vincent?"
"We can't use this power on Aeris." Vincent said
"Then who did you have in mind Vincent? Please tell us, who do you think is worthy of the gift of life?" Cloud asked scathingly
"The person we should wish back is.." Vincent began, though his voice did not change anger was beginning to grow inside of him.
"Yes, Yes spit it out already Valentine!" Cloud snarled, he was voice filled with disdain.
"Sephiroth. The man we should bring back is Sephiroth." Was Vincent's reply.
TBC
Final Thoughts: Well there you go, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. This will be my last one for about a month, but after that I will hopefully be posting at a regular basis. I hope that you all you Sephiroth fans enjoyed that last bit. I don't mean to leave you with a cliffhanger, but I just feel this is the best place to end the chapter. If you have any ideas you would like to share don't hesitate to tell me them. As always your opinions mean a lot to me so share them, and Please Review
Authors notes: Well it has been a while, sorry for the lack of updates, but school was coming to an end and I had a lot of work to do. Sadly this will be my last update for a while. I am going to be away from my computer for a while so I promise that this chapter will be a long one. So just sit back and enjoy, and please don't forget to review.
Apocalypse Rising
Chapter 6: An Ally Lost
In a world of pure darkness Cloud ran, he had been running for what had to have been six hours. He had been running towards the only source of light in this strange place. The light had at first seemed to be hundreds of miles away, though now it was only a mile at the max. Though his desire to reach the light was great, it was not the reason he was running, he was running because behind him in the darkness he could hear something chasing him, drawing steadily closer, it was the fear of this creature that drove Cloud to run to exhaustion.
The mysterious light was getting closer now only a few feet, but Cloud couldn't run anymore, the exhaustion finally taking over Cloud stumbled and fell to his knees. It was this moment that the creature in the darkness had been waiting for. Cloud had only enough strength to turn and see what the strange beast was. All he saw was the all-encompassing darkness, and then suddenly a monstrous beast began to form, before it even had a full shape the creature launched itself on him. Instead of ripping his flesh the dark beast seemed to seep into Cloud's skin. His flesh began to darken, and his eyes began to be shrouded in a black haze, and then the planet's greatest warrior, passed out.
Barret had been left in charge of watching after Cloud's body, it was up to him to keep the fallen warrior safe. He had just been thinking of leaving his post to grab some coffee when he heard muffled sounds coming from Cloud's room. Reacting instantly Barret wrenched the door open and to his utter amazement saw Cloud struggling to get up out of the bed. Barret ran over to his friend and helped him slowly rise to his feet.
"Easy Cloud, easy. You've been out of it for a while" Barret said in a quiet yet strong voice.
"How long, how long have I been out Barret?" Cloud muttered in a weak and raspy voice.
"Five days man, now just try to relax, I am going to call the others." Barret said as he headed to the door. When he got to the other side of the door Barret quickly grabbed the PHS and dialed Cid's number. Barret quickly told Cid about the situation and hung up. Before going back into Cloud's room Barret gave a sigh of relief, now that Cloud was better they might be able to stop this unknown enemy.
..................................
Tifa had been sitting in the conference room for about an hour now. She had looking out the porthole watching the world below, as she tried to sort out her thoughts. Tired of just sitting around she got up and headed out onto the deck.
Outside, the sky was beginning to darken as the day began to end. Tifa saw Vincent standing in the center of the deck. He was holding the Masamune and was practicing sword formations, with amazing grace and speed. Standing by the railing at the farthest edge of the ship was Yuffie. The young girl was leaning against the railing and watching Vincent. Though she still wore many bandages around her arms she seemed to have made a quick recovery from their last battle.
Not wishing to disturb Vincent while he was training Tifa walked over to Yuffie.
"Hey kid what are you doing?" Tifa asked
"Oh hey Tifa, nothing much, just enjoying the view." Yuffie said in a distracted voice
"Yeah I know what you mean, the clouds look so nice during sunset. "
Yuffie looked at her confused. " What are you talking about?"
"Well you said you were enjoying the view, I just assumed you were looking at the sky."
" Well actually I was looking at Vinnie."
"What!" Tifa choked out in a surprised voice.
" Yeah I mean he is incredible, I mean I didn't even know he could use a sword. Did you know he could fight like that?" Yuffie said her voice taking on her usual hyperactive tone.
"Well. um, yeah I figured he knew how to fight with tons of weapons, I mean he was a Turk right, that must have meant he had extensive weapon training right?" Tifa said awkwardly.
"Nah that can't be it, I mean I have seen people in Wutai train their entire lives to that level of skill, and he is like so dashing and all."
Tifa gave a slight chuckle at the Yuffie's response.
"So you are watching him because he is such a good fighter?" Tifa asked in a playful voice.
"Yeah mostly that, and the fact that he saved my life doesn't hurt. The guy could rival Cloud in heroic acts. "
Tifa just smile at Yuffie's comment and her mind quickly flashed to how she had made Cloud promise to be her hero, when her thoughts were interrupted by Cid's voice blaring on the intercom.
"Alright Vincent, Red were coming up to Cosmo canyon get ready for landing."
Yuffie looked up at Tifa in surprise. "Cosmo Canyon? Why are we going there? I thought we were going to Midgar to see Cloud." She asked
"Red and I are going there to do some research. In a few days we will meet up with you in Midgar." Vincent said as he sheathed his sword and was heading for them.
"You mean you're leaving us already?" Yuffie yelped.
"For the time being yes."
"Fine, then I am going too!" Yuffie said in her attempt to match Vincent's monotonous voice.
Vincent merely raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Yeah that's right I am coming too, and also I want you to do something for me." Yuffie said in a pompous tone.
Vincent's face showed no emotion, his crimson eyes staring at her with unnerving intensity. " And what would that be Yuffie?"
"I want to learn to fight like you" Yuffie said, her voice now meek under Vincent's gaze.
"No" was Vincent's only reply.
"Vinnie please! I can't afford to lose another fight, I need your help!" Yuffie whined.
"Just take her with you Vincent, the creatures we are fighting are only going to get stronger, she could use the help." Tifa chimed in.
Vincent let out a sigh. "Fine you can come with me, but only if you stay silent."
" You got a deal." Yuffie said in a happy voice.
After a few minuets Highwind landed next to the great canyon, and Vincent, Red, and an exceptionally perky Yuffie stepped off the ship.
"Give our best to Cloud." Red yelled to Tifa as the group disbanded, Yuffie waved her hand and jumped up and down. While Vincent just gave her a look before he turned and started walking into the canyon city.
Red and Yuffie soon followed Vincent.
"So were are we going huh?" Yuffie chirped
"Red and I are going to the observatory to research something, you can go and have fun with the other children." Vincent said in a harsh voice.
"Hey! Who are you calling a child? I am going to do some research. Uh.what exactly are we researching?"
"These" Vincent said as he pulled three materia from his bag.
"Materia! What do they do, what do they do! And why is that one shiny and the other not?" Yuffie shrieked.
"We don't know that's why we are researching them." Red growled.
Taking the hint Yuffie shut up and followed the others up to the observatory.
Inside much had changed, gone were tables and instruments, instead were bookshelves, many, many bookshelves.
"This is the data capitol of the world, I have copies of almost every text ever recorded." Red said proudly.
Yuffie let out soft whistle. "Nice Red, nice."
Vincent somehow seemed unimpressed. "Let's get to work shall we."
Red nodded and began to explain how he cataloged everything.
...................................
The Highwind landed at Midgar around 1:00 A.M. Despite the late time, the city still seemed to be bussing with activity. When Cid and Tifa got to the Hospital, Tifa saw Barret and Reeve sitting at a table with two cups of coffee.
"Well, glad to see you boys have bee keeping busy" Tifa said from the doorway.
Barret gave a slight smile and walked up to the others.
"Hey there you two. God what happened? You look like death"
Tifa was confused at Barret's comment and looked at herself. Her clothes were all dirty and she had cuts and bruises all over her legs. She had not realized what a mess she was.
"Don't get us started man, this trip has been hell." Cid said
"So where is he?" Tifa asked, her voice a little edgy.
"He is in his room right now resting." Reeve said in a nervous voice.
Tifa caught the tone in his voice and she looked at him sternly "What is wrong?"
"Nothing, it just seems like Cloud isn't himself right now."
"When can I seem him?"
"Just wait until tomorrow Tifa, Barret will take you and Cid to some fresh rooms." Reeve said.
Tifa relented and allowed Barret to guide her and Cid out of the waiting room and to some guest rooms. Though she was curious as to what Reeve had meant when he said that Cloud had not been acting like himself.
...................................
"This is soooo boring! Vincent when are you going to help me learn to fight?" Yuffie cried out, breaking the complete science of the library.
"Later Yuffie" Vincent said, his voice though usually emotionless was no filled with annoyance.
"Just take her Vincent. I can stand to do this on my own for a while, besides if I hear her yell one more time I will not be held accountable for my actions." Red muttered.
"Fine, Yuffie come with me"
" Alright, finally, so were we going?"
"Just outside of the city, it should be the perfect place to train, and if you say another word on the way there I will call up Cid and have him take you as soon as possible."
Deciding to take Vincent's advice, Yuffie shut up and followed him out of the observatory. They walked for about ten minuets until they reached a small clearing right outside of town.
"Alright this will do." Vincent said as he unsheathed his sword. "Now I want you to attack me, do all you can to lay a blow upon me, but without the use of materia. Begin."
Yuffie stood frozen in surprise for a moment. She was more than a little intimidated by Vincent's form in the dark night. "You're kidding right, I mean I knew we would train but I didn't think we would fight each other."
"If you wish to learn to fight, then attack me, before I lose my patience." Vincent commanded.
Yuffie grabbed her shriuken from her holster on he back. "Fine but don't complain when I cut you." Yuffie said playfully as she charged.
Yuffie held the weapon from its center and swung at Vincent with all her might. Vincent just sidestepped the blow and the weapon impaled the soft ground where he had once been standing. Yuffie tried to pull out the weapon but it was firmly stuck in the ground. Yuffie was about to try to pull it out again when she felt the cold steel of the Masamune touching her throat.
" You're dead, try again." Vincent said as he pulled the blade away from her throat.
So Yuffie attacked again, and once again met with failure, this exchange continued for about two hours, always with the same result. Yuffie was now breathing hard, and her face was covered with dirt.
"Gawd Vinnie how long do we have to do this?" Yuffie whined.
"Until you succeed. Now begin again."
Yuffie muttered some curses and began to attack once again. She was starting to think that maybe she should have stuck to research with Red.
....................................
Red had been reading for many hours, and had gained almost no information on the three strange materia that lay before him. He had found a reference to the three but it did not mention their purpose. Red looked out the window and saw that the sun was already beginning its slow rise. Upon seeing the time Red was startled out of any fatigue he had been feeling, he knew that time was of the essence and that he had to keep working. He just hoped that he could find some answers soon.
....................................
Tifa awoke late in the morning, she hadn't realized how tired the last couple of days had made her. She quickly showered and changed her clothes, and went out to meet the others. She walked into the hospital waiting room and saw Barret sitting in a chair outside Cloud's room.
"Hey there kid, nice of you to join us. "
"Hey Barret, where are the others?"
"Well Cid is off at Shera's and Reeve is at a staff meeting."
"And were is Cloud?"
Barret's face went grim, he is out in the courtyard, so far as any of the doctors can tell he has made a full recovery, but..."
"But what Barret, if they say he is fine then he is fine."
Barret let out a sigh of defeat "Fine, you'll see what I mean when you see him." Barret conceded and started walking with Tifa at his heels.
In the courtyard Tifa saw him, the first thing she noticed was that he no longer wore his usual navy blue shirt and it was no replaced with a pitch-black trench cloak. Other than his clothes Tifa didn't notice any other changes. Cloud turned his head and made eye contact with her. For one brief instant Tifa was filled with dread, there was something wrong with his eyes. They no longer held the bright green fire that they once held in there were dark orbs that held no emotion, they reminded her of shark eyes.
Slowly he moved over to them, and Tifa had to fight the urge to run away. When Cloud reached her he took her hand and gently kissed it, this normally beautiful gesture was a true test of Tifa's devotion, when his skin made contact, it was like touching ice. Cloud now took a step back looked her up and down, almost like he was seizing up an opponent. Finally he broke the unnerving silence.
"Tifa, you look well." He said in a voice so cold that it rivaled even Vincent's.
"So do you Cloud. You have no idea how worried I was about you. " Tifa said in a rushed tone.
"Yes it is good to be back among the living." Cloud said with a little chuckle and flashed a smile, but Tifa noticed that though he was smiling his eyes were still busy almost like they were studying something.
Anything she noticed about Cloud's eyes was instantly forgotten when she heard the sound of screams coming from behind her. Tifa had only enough time to turn and see a wolf like beast charging through the courtyard. Barret already had his gun arm aimed, but the beast manage to tackle the large man and knock him over. Tifa was about to strike when Cloud pushed her away and from his dark trench cloak pulled out his buster blade.
When the creature laid eyes upon Cloud, it did something strange. It stopped right in its tracks and laid itself prostrate before him. Cloud looked confused for a moment and then a grim smile flashed on his face and he swung his blade and clove the creature in two pieces.
Cloud walked to Tifa and offered her his hand to help her rise, but Tifa did not accept it. She scrambled to her feet and helped Barret rise.
"Well that was exciting" Cloud said lightheartedly, "I'm going to go get some food, you guys want to tag along." He called back as he walked away.
"Sure be right there." Tifa yelled to him, but her mind was not on food, it was on the smile that Cloud had worn when he killed that creature. There was just something about it that put her on edge. She would have to keep a close eye on him.
....................................
In the depths of the Northern Crater Zack stood. The room he stood in was a circular area and in its center was a small pool of black lifestream. Kneeling before it was the dark general Crassus. The general seemed to be in some sort of trance, not a single part of his enormous body was moving, in fact it did not appear that he was even breathing. Zack did onto respond to his general's apparent paralysis. This was routine after all. Not too long later the general stirred and rose to his full height of seven feet.
"What have you learned master?" Zack asked in a quiet yet respectful tone.
"The beast has found something of value, it appears that we have some items to collect." Crassus responded with a voice that rocked the walls of the canyon.
"Then what do you wish me to do?"
"Go to the misshapen one, tell him that it is time to test his experiments, and then return to me."
"It shall be done my general" Zack said as he bowed, and he stepped into the shadows where his body disappeared.
Crassus just stood in this dark chamber, and after only a few short moments Zack's form reemerged from the shadows.
"He says it will take him only an hour to get all his men in there but he wishes to know how many you want."
" Send all of them, I want that Canyon flooded with blood." Crassus said in a voice so calm and collected that it seemed to radiate evil.
"As you command, though should we go observe what has happened to Valentine. "
"No, that fool is of no importance now, all that matters is taking the materia from the beast. I shall meet you at the canyon in one hour. Now go, and organize the attack. I have business elsewhere. " The general commanded and Zack faded away.
The general stayed one more moment in the dark chamber and then he too faded into the shadows.
....................................
Red had found something. In front of him on a small table, lay a few items, the two dull materia, and the glowing green one. Next to these materia was a thick hardback leather bound book. It was open to the middle, and on one of the pages was a graphic picture. The picture depicted three weapons, two swords and one battle staff. At the hilt o each blade and the end of the staff were one materia each. On the first sword, which looked like a giant claymore was a glowing yellow materia. The next blade, seemed familiar to Red, it had many of the same characteristics of the Masamune, yet they were obviously not the same, at the pommel of this blade was a bright red materia. The last weapon was the biggest surprise to Red it was Aeris's old weapon the Princess Guard, and at the base of it was a bright green materia, like the one before Red. The weapons were all placed in the ground, and from the ground it looked as if lifestream was flowing into them.
Red turned the inspected the next page only to find that he was missing a few pages, the ones involving the two swords were gone, but thankfully a page on the battle staff still remained. This page was all written in another language, and Red was determined to decipher it. He was so focused on the book that he did not see the great airships flying toward the canyon, nor did he see the first of many soldiers jump from the plane into the canyon.
...................................
Yuffie had been asleep when the first of them came, but not Vincent. They were still in the small clearing minuets outside of the Canyon. Yuffie had wanted to return to the city but Vincent had let her, but he had decided to stay and train on his own. He had stayed up all night, and yet no fatigue showed upon his figure. He had been practicing the blade formations when he saw the first airship, and he had seen the men jump from them when they opened their parachutes. The numbers had started at ten, but then increased to twenty, and then continued to increase, now the soldiers raining from the sky were as abundant as rain drops in a storm, Vincent had wasted no time getting back into the canyon city. The first thin he did was wake Yuffie from her bed at the Inn.
"Gawd, what do you want. I trained with you all night, can't a person get some rest?" Yuffie complained.
"Get up now, enemies are falling into the canyon as we speak."
Yuffie got up as quick as she could and pulled out her weapon. "Let's go get Red.
However by the time they got out of the Inn the first wave had landed.
"This is not good." Yuffie muttered under her breath as she beheld these strange soldiers. They seemed to be a mix of human and metal, as if someone had decided to rip off random body parts and put metal claws or blades in their place.
Vincent tried to rush up to the observatory but the creatures also seemed to be heading there and they seemed to be prepared to fight for the right to get up there.
Vincent pulled out the Masamune. "So the dance begins." Vincent muttered just loud enough for Yuffie to hear before he jumped into the battle. In fact Vincent fought like it was a dance. His movements so graceful, his attacks so precise that it looked like it was all choreographed by the god of war.
In a short time Vincent had already killed twenty of these walking abominations, though for every one creature he killed, two civilians died. Vincent realized this and yelled out to Yuffie.
"Yuffie I want you to guide these people out of here, there is a freight truck in the back exit of the canyon, get them in there and take them somewhere safe."
Yuffie didn't need to be told twice, and she ran from the center of the battle and started to guide civilians. She also cast a huge fire spell on the troops that were still in the sky, hoping to even the odds in Vincent's favor. As she was stumbling in her bag for another Materia, she found something. Her PHS! With this she could call in for help. She quickly found a small deserted building and dialed a number number. Crossing her fingers she hoped the call would go through.
....................................
Cloud was alone in the waiting room when he heard Tifa's PHS go off. Tifa and Barret were off in the mess hall getting some food and he was the only one to answer it.
"Yeah, who is it." Cloud asked in a harsh voice.
"Oh Gawd, Cloud, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice right now." Yuffie's voice cried from the phone, and from what Cloud could hear from the background noise, there was a fight going on.
"Yeah Yuffie, it's me, what's going on?" Cloud asked in an uninterested voice.
"Big trouble, the canyon is being overrun, Vincent is fighting them off but there are just too many, I need you guys to get her ASAP."
Cloud let out a small grin as he reached for the batter on the back of the PHS.
"What's that Yuffie, I can't hear you I think your phone is breaking up. Just get back to Midgar and tell us what is happening. Goodbye. " Cloud said and pulled the battery out ending the call.
....................................
Red had done it, he had deciphered the page and had found its news to be incredible, if the text was true then they might have the one weapon in their power to destroy this strange enemy. However, all Red's joy died when he saw what was outside the window. What he saw was his people being killed, by strange warriors, Red let out a ferocious howl of anger. He quickly put the orbs and the translated page in a bag and angled his head so that the strap fell around his neck. With that done, Red ran through the window and dropped the ten feet. He landed with a loud thud, but he was unhurt. He then proceeded to kill the first strange attacker he saw.
He continued to battle his way down from the observatory down to the main section of the canyon. There he saw the blurred form of Vincent who was mowing down these troops left and right, yet no matter how many he killed more kept coming, and then red saw him, a man if you could call him that because he was taller than anything he had ever seen, was standing on top of the edge of the canyon, watching him and Vincent. The figure made eye contact for just one second and then he disappeared. Red ran to stand side by side with Vincent.
"Did you see him?" Red asked.
"Who that creature at the top of the canyon? Yes I saw him, yet he has made no move."
"Where is Yuffie?"
"I sent her to take as many people as she could out of the canyon. She should be long gone by now. "
"Good, then let us fight this battle to the end." Red said grimly.
Vincent only nodded his head and attacked the next creature.
....................................
"Crap, Crap, Crap! Yuffie yelled as she drove the packed truck. They were now ten minuets out of the canyon, and she was beginning to worry about Vincent.
After her call had been terminated she had done her job and saved as many people as she could find, now she wanted to go back into the battle.
"You there." Yuffie called to one of the people sitting next to her.
"Yeah"
"Can you drive this thing?" Yuffie asked in a rushed tone.
"Sure."
"Great, take over, I'm going back in. Don't stop driving till you get to the next safe town, you hear me? Now go!" Yuffie yelled as she jumped out the driver's side door and ran as fast as she could back to Cosmo Canyon.
...................................
The battle was heating up. Both Vincent and Red were fighting incredibly, yet the lion beast was beginning to tire, and opponents were overwhelming Vincent.
Vincent reached into his pocket and pulled out his Odin materia. "Odin I summon you, attack with Steel Bladed Sword!" Vincent yelled, and the great god appeared and struck with his mighty blade cutting many of the monsters into two pieces.
When the spell ended, Vincent knew he was out of MP, he was formulating a plan when he saw the giant figure again, though rather than doing nothing this time the giant was chanting something only Vincent could hear. It was in some sort of ancient language. When the giant stopped chanting Vincent felt the earth shake, and begin to crumble beneath him. Vincent managed to jump away from the collapsing ground, but Red wasn't fast enough, Already he was being swallowed by the ground.
Red knew his time had come, and without thought threw his neck back sending the small pouch to fly towards Vincent. The dark warrior caught it and looked at Red confused.
"The green one, place it in Aeris's weapon, it brings life, use it quickly!" Red yelled, and then the ground swallowed him.
Red didn't think of his friends as he fell into the earth. No, his only thought was of his father, and how he felt he had failed him in some way for not saving the Canyon.
And deep in the GI Caves the lay the stature of the great lion-beast Seto, and from that statue fell a single tear, for the loss of his son.
....................................
Yuffie had made it back to the Canyon just in time to see Red fall, but there was no time to grieve, there was only time for action. She saw Vincent and yelled for him.
"Vincent over here, come on!" She yelled.
Vincent turned and ran to the young ninja. " What are you doing her?" He barked.
"I did my job and helped as many as I could find. Now I am here to fight.
"No" Was Vincent's only reply.
"What do you mean no? I can help."
"No, I mean this battle is pointless, there is no way we can continue to fight this force.
"Fine, then what do you suggest?" Yuffie asked irritated.
"Do you know how to hotwire a car?"
"What kind of thief do you think I am? Of course I can hotwire a car!" She yelled
"Then you see that buggy over there? Set it up I will cover you."
Yuffie didn't even bother to respond as she ran for the small red buggy that was at the edge of the canyon.
True to his word not a single creature got close to her, and she was able to hotwire the car.
"Vinnie, get in!" She yelled out.
Vincent jumped into the car and Yuffie put her foot on the gas and they sped out of the conquered canyon.
The two rode in silence till they were a safe distance away.
"So should we head to Midgar?"
"Yes get us there as fast as you can, I have some reading to do." Vincent said as he inspected the page inside the bag Red had thrown to them.
....................................
It was about 4 AM when Yuffie got them to Midgar, and she was glad to get out of the buggy. When they got inside the city Yuffie felt a little better, but she still felt like she just wanted to cry for the loss of her friend. Though she would not show a sign of weakness in front of Vincent.
"He was a great person." Vincent said, as if he could read her thoughts, "When everything is taken care of we shall give him a proper burial."
After that Vincent said nothing until they got to the hospital. When they got there, there was no one to great them, no welcome, just an empty waiting room.
"Where the hell is EVERYBODY?!!" Yuffie yelled, her emotions finally taking over her.
Her little outburst managed to attract the attention of a few orderlies who directed them to their friends.
Tifa was sitting next to Barret and Cid, while Cloud was leaning against the table, Reeve was off in his lab somewhere.
"Oh God! Vincent, Yuffie are you OK? What happened? Where's Red?" Tifa cried upon seeing the grizzled forms of her friends.
"Enemies attacked the canyon, and have taken it over, Red is gone, but we did manage to keep his research form falling into their hands." Vincent responded.
" Well what did you figure out?" Cloud asked totally blind to the fact that everyone else was asking about Red.
Unfazed Vincent looked at Cloud, they both seemed to be seizing each other up, like two Alpha wolves preparing to fight over who would lead the pack.
" Red found that if we combine a certain materia with Aeris's old ultimate weapon, we can restore one soul, and only one soul from the lifestream and restore that soul to its physical body. " Vincent said slowly allowing the full effect of this information sink in.
As he said this, Vincent had to fight thoughts of Lucrecia from taking over, the urge to bring her back was almost more than he could bare, for he already knew who had to be revived.
Everyone in the room had a deep ponderous look on their face except for Cloud, whose face was alive with joy.
"This is it everyone! This is our chance to wish her back. This is our one chance to be reunited with Aeris!" Cloud said, his voice so ecstatic that it resembled a lunatic's.
All the others were nodding their heads as if already in agreement with Cloud, and Vincent let out a sigh, he had expected this reaction but it did not make it any easier to deal with.
"No Cloud." Vincent said
Cloud stopped dead in his tracks and he looked a Vincent menacingly.
"What Vincent?"
"We can't use this power on Aeris." Vincent said
"Then who did you have in mind Vincent? Please tell us, who do you think is worthy of the gift of life?" Cloud asked scathingly
"The person we should wish back is.." Vincent began, though his voice did not change anger was beginning to grow inside of him.
"Yes, Yes spit it out already Valentine!" Cloud snarled, he was voice filled with disdain.
"Sephiroth. The man we should bring back is Sephiroth." Was Vincent's reply.
TBC
Final Thoughts: Well there you go, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. This will be my last one for about a month, but after that I will hopefully be posting at a regular basis. I hope that you all you Sephiroth fans enjoyed that last bit. I don't mean to leave you with a cliffhanger, but I just feel this is the best place to end the chapter. If you have any ideas you would like to share don't hesitate to tell me them. As always your opinions mean a lot to me so share them, and Please Review
