Chapter 11: Well, who says this bodyguard stuff only works one way? - Aeris
"Will you look at the size of that thing?"
Everyone stared in disbelief at the sight on the TV.
"And there are four of them?" Red asked.
Rude nodded. "All four awoke in the center of the earthquakes, they now seem to be heading in a straight line to a meeting point."
Everyone had followed Rude back to the Turk's office, after arriving he switched the TV on and on each channel was the same thing.
Cloud turned to Rude. "Do we know where it is yet?"
Rude walked over to his desk and spread out a map, four areas were circled each with a straight line that pointed to one point.
"If they keep heading the same direction then they will arrive at this point." He pointed his finger at the center of the ocean that lied between Junon and Costa de Sol.
"So what do we do?" Asked Yuffie nervously. "I mean your not thinking of fighting those things."
"We have no choice," Cloud shook his head. "Have they attacked anyone yet?"
"Rude turned back to the TV. "No, they are just walking to this destination."
"These monsters." Aeris kneeled down by the TV. "They are called Weapon, right?"
"Yeah but, these just seem different." Cloud kneeled down beside her and pointed to one that was passing by the dig site below the City of the Ancients. "The Weapon's we fought would be attacking those people, this one is just ignoring them."
Vincent pointed to the map. "What is located at this point?"
Reeve studied at the map and shrugged. "Nothing, its just ocean."
Red shook his head confused. "So why head there?"
Cid stood up and walked to the door. "Well we ain't going to find out sittin here on our ass's, I say we get out there before those things get together."
"Cid's right, fighting those creatures one by one will be a lot easier than letting them get together." Agreed Cloud.
"Wait, wait, wait," Yuffie shook her hands and head repeatedly. "You expect me to go fight those thing? Nuh uh, not happening."
"Fine, I don't want everyone to go anyway."
Yuffie raised an eyebrow, she didn't expect him to agree with her. "You don't?"
Cloud stared at the TV screen. "No, I still want to check out this Tysall guy. If he has something to do with this then I want to find him first before he can get away. And since Yuffie has already made it clear she doesn't want to go fight weapon she can come with me."
Reno who was sat in his chair took out his nightstick and 9mm from his desk. "I guess your going to need our help on this so me and Rude will help take one of those things out."
Cloud nodded. "Ok, Cid you drop me, Yuffie and Aeris off at Gongaga. After that the rest of you should try and at least stall those things."
Aeris glanced at Cloud. "You trying to protect me again?"
"I knew you'd say that," He grinned and nodded towards the materia on Elena's desk. "But the reason I want you with us is so you don't use up your strength. If the worst comes to past and those things get together maybe that materia will be able to at least damage them in one blow."
"He's got a point." Agreed Red.
"Fine." Aeris walked over and picked the materia up. "I guess I am a little curious to what this thing can do."
"Good." Cloud headed over to the door and stood next to Cid. "After dropping everyone off I think it would be a good idea to check out the destination of those monsters."
"No problem," Cid gave him the thumbs up and then nodded at the TV. "Two of em are already in the water so the rest of you guys split into two groups and we'll attack the ones still on land."
After that Cid took off and headed towards the airport. Cloud gave Tifa the rest of his materia since he wouldn't need it as much, much to the disliking of Yuffie.
"Ok," He sheathed his sword behind his back and stepped over to the door. "Lets go."
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On board the Highwind a little later everyone was preparing for the oncoming battles.
Red walked up the steps to the front of the bridge where Cloud and Aeris were stood.
"Do you think these Weapons were created for the same purpose?"
Cloud continued to stare out the window into the pitch-black night. "You mean to destroy Jenova? It's possible, but then why head into the middle of the ocean?"
"Good point, do you think that this Tysall person is Jenova?"
"Either that or working for her. I guess soon we will find out."
Red watched the water beneath them pass by and let out a deep breath. "Then it looks like this is it."
Cloud grinned. "Payback time."
Since she boarded Aeris had been examining the new materia, trying to work out how to cast it with out draining all her strength. 'It's like its made of the purest of Lifestream, so much power.'
"Any luck?"
She looked up to see Cloud smiling at her.
"Fraid not, I would have to be at full strength to just cast a small amount of its power."
"Hey," Cid shouted, the two turned round to face him. "We're coming up to Gongaga, should be there in a few minutes."
"Good, after we pick up Zack we will head straight to Tysall's office, Barret already told me where it is."
Aeris put the materia in her pocket and turned to Cloud. "Well, you ready?"
He nodded. "Yeah, but..." Cloud glanced round the bridge. "Where's Yuffie run off to?"
"She's up on deck." Said Cid. "Think she went to spy on Reno and Tifa, either that or grab their materia."
"Wonderful." He sighed and turned back to Aeris. "I'll go get her, meet me at the landing bay ok?"
She nodded and picked up her staff. "Ok, just don't be too hard on her."
Cloud nodded and turned round heading towards the door. As he reached the stairs to the top deck he could feel the Highwind descending towards the ground, floor tilted a bit forcing him to hold on to the railings. 'Red was right.' After the jet leveled out Cloud was still holding on to the railings. 'This really is it, so why do I feel I'm missing something?'
He let go and began to walk up the steps. 'We run in, find out if this Tysall really Jenova and then force him or her to show us where the Soldier army is located, and destroy it. Simple.'
He opened the door and a cold rush of air swept over him, a few spots of rain managed to get through as the wind forced the door open.
"Yuffie?" He asked as he closed the door behind him.
"You just missed her." Said Tifa. She and Reno were stood next to the railings watching the town a few hundred meters ahead.
"Yeah, once she couldn't con us out of our materia she left."
"Figures." Cloud stepped forwards and joined the two as they continued to stare out into the darkness.
"Are you leaving?" Tifa leaned back to look at Cloud.
"Yeah," He put his hands on the railings, the wind picked up a little speeding up the rain. "Once we're done here we'll come help you guys."
"If your going to take on Jenova, I think you're the one that will need back up."
The Highwind finally settled down on the ground, the jets died down to a small blue flame. They heard the landing bay door open and Yuffie soon came running out.
"Hey you gonna stay up there forever?" She shouted up at Cloud. "It's freezing out here."
Cloud grinned and stood back. "Well, good luck guys."
"Yeah," Reno crossed his arms. "Trying to take out four of those monsters, I think were gonna need all the luck we can get."
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"Geez it's freezing out here!"
Aeris rubbed her arms to try and keep warm. Even under the thick white coat Shera had given her, the wind still managed to force its way through.
She walked down the ramp and stood outside, up ahead she could see Yuffie taking a good look at the town from way up in a tree. 'How did she even get up there?'
Behind her someone ran down the ramp, she spun round and saw Cloud running up to meet her, still carrying half his equipment in his arms.
"Hmm nice look." She smiled although her words were half lost in the wind.
"You think so?" He finished putting on the long black leather coat and sheathed his sword behind his back. "You don't look to bad your self."
Up ahead Yuffie came running back still in her usually outfit. "Hey! Come on are we going or not?"
Cloud stared at her and raised an eyebrow. "Why the rush? I thought you didn't want to come."
"Well I really want to hurry up so we can go stop the Weapon monsters."
The two gave her an unconvinced look. "Uh huh, try again."
"Fine, since this guys suppose to be so important I thought he might have some fancy stuff."
"Fancy stuff? As in new materia?"
"Yup, that stuff."
Cloud grinned and shook his head. "Well I guess any motivation is better than none."
"Yep! So are we going or not."
"First we have to pick up Zack remember?" Reminded Aeris.
"Yeah, we'll head there now." He looked over at the town ahead. "Although I'm not sure where it is now."
As the Highwind lifted off behind they could see Tifa and Reno waving them off before heading back inside the ship. Once the lights from the ship had gone the three were then left in total darkness.
"Let's go," Cloud started forwards heading for the center of the town. "And keep a look out, he might know were coming."
Aeris and Yuffie follow him closely behind trying to keep watch for any monsters but in the darkness and increasing rain its was becoming harder to see anything at all.
After slowly making there way through the open plains they reached the town and took cover. The surrounding buildings slowed down the wind and rain making it easier to hear and see.
"So where to?" Yuffie shivered as she ran on the spot and rubbed her arms to keep warm.
"Just keep heading towards the center of town, we might get lucky and find Zack on the way." As Cloud finished something ran up and knocked him down.
In a flash the creature ran in to the darkness and disappeared.
"What the hell was that?" Shouted Yuffie, she pulled out her shuriken and spun round to where the creature had disappeared too.
Cloud stood back of and pulled out his sword. "Where the hell did it go?" He backed up to a wall and glanced around.
Aeris pulled out a fire materia and cast it in the air. The area around them lit up and 3 of the creatures scurried around to find the darkness once more.
"It's them!" Cloud shouted. "The ones we fought before."
"Your right." Aeris swapped the materia for lightning, before one of the creatures could find its way back to the dark it was hit by a powerful bolt 3 spell. The bolt ripped through its hard, thick skin and forced its way through its body. It fell to the floor in a spasm before dieing.
One of the others turned round and screamed at Cloud, it jump in the air at his face. Cloud took a step back and spun round with his buster sword, the impact sliced the monster in half instantly.
He looked round to see Yuffie pulling her shuriken out of the last one.
"That all of them?" She looked around but nothing else came.
Cloud scowled and stared into the darkness. "We should move before more of them show up."
Aeris and Yuffie nodded and then started towards the town center, after and few moments of waiting Cloud turned and followed.
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"Will ya look at the size of that thing!"
Barret leaned over the side of the railings as the huge monster called Weapon passed by under the Highwind, each of its monstrous steps shook the earth like an earthquake.
"So any volunteers to go first?" Reno leaned over not looking particularly bothered.
Tifa laughed. "Yeah sure, those who have a death wish please stand forward."
Red shook his head. "I don't think we will be able to attack two of these monsters at the same time." Weapon took another step past the Highwind shaking the earth while doing so. "This one is twice the size of those we fought before, even together I doubt we can stop even one."
"Great that's Cloud's idea down the tube," Barret grumbled. "So what are we gonna do?"
Vincent loaded his Death Penalty and took aim. "Tell Cid to move closer in, we should attack from the Highwind."
"He's right, it will be much safer from this height." Agreed Red. "I'll go tell him."
"Well it's better than nothing I guess." Reno pulled out his nightstick and charged it up.
Tifa took out the materia Cloud had given her, picking the most powerful one she had. "Comet 2, no point in using anything smaller."
The Highwind shook and began to descend and leveled up the Weapon's head, Cid circled it round Weapon until they were flying in the same direction as the monster. "All right, let him have it!" His voice started on the intercom. "But hold on, if that thing manages to hit the ship then it's all over."
A barrage of fire opened up from Vincent, Barret and Rude as they concentrated their fire on Weapon's head. Vincent switched on his laser sight and a thin red beam lined up with the monster eye, he pulled the trigger and the bullet hit with pinpoint accuracy but the impact seemed to have no effect.
Reno finished charging his nightstick and held it out aimed at the monsters kneecap. A huge burst of electricity was fired, it flew through the air with great speed until it made contact with its target.
Tifa, Red and Reeve were all lined up behind the others, Tifa looked down the line and they all nodded at her.
"Ok, on the count of three," They all held out their materia and concentrated. "1... 2... 3!"
The sky that was already black darkened even further as wave after wave of comets replaced the rain in the air. Each one hit its target, after a few second it was impossible to even see the monstrous creature.
On the bridge Cid struggled to fly the ship, the mass of firepower hitting the monster was starting to affect the Highwind too.
Back outside Barret and Vincent eased up on their fire, the dust made it impossible to take aim at anything.
"Did we win?"
Vincent leaned over the railings and peered through the dust and darkness. "I cannot see through."
They all waited anxiously until another step shook the earth, from within the dust Weapon emerged and continued on its path.
"What the hell?" Barret stood in disbelief. "There's not even a scratch on that thing."
All everyone could do was stand and watch as the monster continued on.
"It's not even taking notice of us." Red shook his head. "I don't think it even cares."
"Hey! Yeah you!" Reno leaned over the side shouting. "I teach you to ignore a Turk." He switched the nightstick on to full power, the rod shook violently unable to hold at such a high power, Reno fired, the gigantic blast of electricity hit Weapon directly in the face. But once again the monster took no notice and carried on unscarred.
"How can we beat this thing?" Tifa stared as the last of the electricity dissipated. "No creature on the planet could have survived what we just through at it."
"And yet this one doesn't even have a scratch." Reeve lowed his head. "We don't have a chance of winning do we?"
Everyone stayed silent, the answer was obvious.
"So now what?" Rude put his gun back in his jacket and shifted his glasses.
"There's nothing we can do here." Red turned away from the monster. "Perhaps we should just head for their destination, there maybe something there that will give us a clue on what to do."
Tifa bit her lip feeling helpless to do anything, it was a feeling she hated most. "Fine, I guess your right. There's nothing we can do."
"Don't worry." Reno walked up and patted her on the shoulder. "Maybe we'll find someway to stop them, and if not there's always the materia Aeris has."
Tifa nodded and smiled. "Your right, we not out just yet."
"All right, tell Highwind to step on it. We have to get there now." He glanced at Weapon. "Who knows what will happen if all these creatures meet up."
After they managed to stop staring at the monster everyone turned to the door and headed back inside, only Vincent stayed behind.
He stared at Weapon for a little long, his face expressionless. After a few moments he holstered his weapon and sighed. 'If one of these creatures is so powerful, what hope do we have of destroying all four?'
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"You two alright?"
Cloud walked up to Aeris and Yuffie, the two were sat at the side of the fountain in the center of town. They were huddled together trying to keep warm.
The rain had turned to snow in the last hour from the cold. The water fountain behind them had frozen solid, icicles ran down from each of the openings.
Aeris tried to stop her teeth chattering as she answered. "Y, y, yeahh we, we're fine."
"S, s, sssuperrr."
"Any s, s, sign of ZZZack?"
"No, just a couple of those creatures running around." He held his hand out. "Maybe we should head to the Global Corp building."
Aeris took his hand and Cloud pulled her up, along with Yuffie who refused to let go of her.
He smiled. "I'm sure it will be warmer there too."
The two girls looked at each other shivering and grinned "Lets go!"
Cloud spun round and pointed down one of the streets. "Well, its right down there. Let's whoa.."
The girls sprinted past and headed down the street, knocking Cloud of his feet in the process. "Come on Cloud, hurry up!"
"H-hey wait a sec." He jumped to his feet and chased after them. "Hey come on wait for me."
When he reached the Global Corp building Aeris and Yuffie were already in side stood next to one of the heaters in the reception area.
"You could have waited you know."
"Are you kidding?" Yuffie was practically hugging the portable heater. "We've been sat out there for the past hour freezing our butts off while you've been running around."
The doors behind them then flew open, a chilling breeze swept through out the room. A dark figure ran in and closed them behind him.
"H-Hey, wait for me will ya?" Zack bent over and put his hands on his knees while gasping for breath.
"Zack?" Cloud look stunned. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Looking for you guys, I guessed you where here when this huge jet flew over town."
"So we've just been out there in the freezing cloud looking for you and you've been doing the same." Yuffie's face went red. "Who knows how many times we just missed each other."
"Well we're here now aren't we?" Aeris reasoned. "There's no point in worrying about it anymore."
"So now what do we do?" Asked Yuffie.
Cloud looked over to the receptionist and shrugged.
She watched him walk over and smiled. "Can I help you?"
Cloud shrugged once again. "Err yeah, we're here to see Tysall."
"Oh I'm sorry, Mr. Tysall has left earlier today so I'm afraid a meeting won't be possible."
"Where's he gone?"
The receptionist smiled and shook her head. "I'm sorry but I can not reveal that information. Is there anything else I can help you with."
Cloud scratched his head and though for a moment. 'He's not here? Now what? Wait, there might be something useful in his office, maybe something that proves what he's up to."
"Yeah where's your bathroom?"
She leaned over the desk and pointed down a corridor. "Straight down that corridor and second on the right."
"Great." Cloud waved the others over to him. "Ok, straight down this corridor."
Everybody nodded and began to follow Cloud when he looked at the receptionist who had a puzzled look on her face.
"Umm, we all have to go. Err... It's been a really long day traveling."
She nodded her head slightly not looking convinced but she went back to her work anyway.
After passing the corner Cloud looked around for any signs to Tysall's office.
"Do you know where we're going." Asked Zack.
"Not really, the receptionist said Tysall's not here so I guess the best thing we can do is try and find his office." He noticed an elevator a little further down the corridor. "Then we can try and find anything useful."
"Not here?" Aeris said to know one in particular. "Maybe he knew we were coming."
"It's possible, but how would he know? Who could have told him?"
"I guess your right." She crossed her arms and thought about it.
The group followed Cloud down the corridor to where the lift was located, after waiting for it to return to the ground floor they all entered.
"Huh..." Zack shook his head as the doors closed behind them.
"What?" Asked Cloud, everyone looked at Zack.
"I have this really weird sense of dejavu, I could swear that I've been in this lift before."
"I don't see how." Cloud shrugged. "It's the first time any of us has been here."
"Yeah I guess, ah never mind." Zack crossed his arms and stared at the floor. "Think I'm loosing my mind."
"Not another one." Yuffie grinned. "It was bad enough when Cloud lost his. You know for awhile he actual thought he was you."
Zack grinned and looked smug. "Well, I guess you can't blame him. Who wouldn't want to be me?"
Cloud rolled his eyes and pushed the button for the top floor.
"How do you know it's that one?" Aeris asked him.
He shrugged. "It's always the top floor."
"That's our brilliant leader." Said Yuffie. "Master of strategies."
"Bite me."
After a long slow ride up the lift reached the top floor and Aeris was the first one out, she unzipped her coat and held it over one arm as it was much warmer in side. Cloud came out second and did the same with his.
After running round the top floor for a few minutes they managed to find the room with the golden plaque at the side, strangely there didn't seem to be anyone else around.
"Tysall." Cloud read. "This is the place."
"What gave it away?" Yuffie opened the door and ran in. "Geez this place is boring."
"What are these?" Aeris followed the hyper active ninja and examined one of Tysall strange antiques. "They don't even look like they're from this planet."
"I wouldn't touch anything, who know what security systems that guy has." Cloud walk straight up to Tysall's desk and looked around for anything interesting.
"What are we looking for exactly?" Zack joined him and began to check the draws.
"I'm not sure," He shook his head. "Anything that connects him to Jenova."
"Check his computer." Aeris suggested.
"Umm anyone know how?" Cloud leaned over the laptop and scratched his head.
"You don't know how?" Yuffie grinned. "Didn't Tifa try to teach you?"
"Yeah, but the key word there is 'try' and 'failed' would probably come after."
"Useless aren't you." She pushed him out of the way and sat down. "Now lets see." She switched it on and began to open files at random.
"Try looking for a map of this place." Zack sat on top of the table a stared at the screen. "Maybe there's and archive of all the work done here."
After a few minutes of looked Yuffie smiled in triumph. "Woohoo! I found it."
"A map?" Cloud and Aeris had begun to examine the strange artifacts after a while of waiting, although they still couldn't figure out what they were for.
"Even better, how does the location of the laboratory sound?"
Cloud grinned and walked over. "Perfect."
"Then that's our next destination." Zack announced.
"If there's anything to link Jenova to Tysall," Aeris turned away from the artifact she was studying. "Then I guess we'll find it there."
Yuffie taped a few keys and the printer started up.
Zack stood up off the table and began to shake his head, he brought his hands and held them over his eyes. "Ughhh..."
"Hey what's wrong?" Cloud walked up and put his hand on Zack's shoulder.
"Haha," Zack swung his arm round and hit Cloud in the face knocking him down to the floor.
"£$%&! What the hell are you playing at?" He held his now bloody nose and stumbled as he tried to stand up.
Zack just grinned and walked over to the door. "Haha, catch me if you can." He swung the door open and ran out down the corridor."
"Are you alright?" Aeris kneeled down next to Cloud and pulled his hand away from his nose, a trickle of blood ran down. "Oh, here let me help."
Cloud shook his head and pushed her hand away. "We don't have time, go after him."
"But..."
"I'm fine just go."
Yuffie grabbed the print out and headed after him. "Come on Aeris he's fine."
Aeris hesitated for a moment and then followed Yuffie. Down the corridor Yuffie caught a glimpse of Zack as he turned the corner, he was fast but not as fast as the young ninja and soon she was gaining up of him. Zack glanced over his shoulder and grinned, he reached another elevator and ran in, calmly he turned round and pushed the button and as the doors began to close he just waved at Yuffie as she arrived to late.
"Dammit!" She pounded her fists on the doors. "Open up you stupid thing!"
A few seconds later Aeris ran round the corner, she walked up and stood next to Yuffie who staring at the doors. "Did he..."
"Yeah, I just missed him."
Cloud was last to appear from around the corner, a few drops of blood dripped down onto his coat. "Elevator?"
The two girls nodded.
"Wonderful," He sighed. "What the hells wrong with him?"
Yuffie just shrugged and continued to push the call button for the lift. Aeris searched her pockets realizing she left her coat back in the office with her potions in it, after searching for a few moments she pulled out a small cloth and shrugged. 'This will do.' She stepped over to Cloud and held it up to his face and gently wiped away the blood that had run down to his chin.
"There, good as new." She pulled the cloth away.
Cloud smiled and taped it with his finger. "Ouch."
"Well, maybe not new."
Behind them the lift arrived and Yuffie stepped in. "Hey you two are you coming or what?"
"Do you even know where he went?" Aeris then Cloud stepped in.
"Try that one." Cloud read down the list of floors. "B1, that wasn't on the last one."
Yuffie nodded and pushed the button. The lift moved down quickly and the doors soon opened again. Before them a long corridor stretched out, instead of the white painted walls as the floors above this one had solid metal ones with very few doors. At the end of the corridor was another lift, the light at the top flashed indicating it just returned.
Yuffie walk straight down towards the elevator. "Do you think Jenova's controlling him?" She turned to Aeris.
"I don't know, it's possible I guess but I didn't think she could unless the person had Jenova cell in them."
"Your right." Said Cloud. "Plus if she could then why just control Zack?"
"I can't feel her either."
Cloud looked puzzled at her. "What do you mean."
"Before when Jenova came close to us, even though she was disguised as Sephiroth I could sense she was there. Although at first I though it was just Sephiroth I was sensing."
The lift doors open and they entered again.
"Hey where are we going?"
Yuffie pulled out the map and checked it. "Ummm it looks like we're heading down the elevator so, huh, the laboratory."
"That's where Zack's heading." Cloud went into his thoughts again.
After a minute the lift slowed to a halt, the doors opened and all the three could do was stare at what lied before them. The row after row of the egg shape containers seemed endless.
"It can't be." Whispered Cloud.
Yuffie and Aeris walked up to the closest ones and looked into the small windows.
"Hey there's a guy in there."
"And in this one too." Said Aeris.
Cloud stepped out of the lift and stared. "It's really happening."
"Huh?" Yuffie gave him a confused look. "What's happening."
"This is it, this is them, the Soldier army that will attack Neo Midgar."
Aeris stepped back and shivered. "So that means Jenova is here."
"That's right." The voice from behind startled them. Zack stood calmly with his arms crossed, a satisfied grin across his face.
"Jenova." Cloud glared at him.
Zack laughed. "That's right, your friend Zack here was kind enough to lend me his body."
"Let him go." Yelled Aeris.
"Sure," He smiled at her. "Would you like to volunteer to change places with him?"
"I..." Her voice left her.
Cloud drew his sword and step in front of Aeris. "Let him go!"
"Hmm, brawn over brains again huh Strife?" Zack took a few steps back towards a heavy-duty steel door. "It seems that Reno has informed you of my plans, but it does not matter, eventually you would have come here."
A short man walked through the steel doors and handed a remote to Zack.
"Steven's forget about Reno, he has betrayed us" Zack took a few steps closer to Aeris but Cloud took one forward to meet him. "Meet me at the satellite instead."
Running from around one of the pods, another of the strange creatures that had attacked the group on many occasions started screaming and waving its arms in the air. Steven's took out a 9mm and executed it on the spot.
"Such annoying things aren't they?" Zack shook his head. "They are a by product of our special methods for creating Soldiers, at first I thought they could be useful but when discovered that they have two minds which are constantly fighting for control over the body, the risk was just too great."
The creature squirmed around until finally dieing.
"I'm sure you have already encountered them. One brain is quite intelligent, planning attacks, working in groups, the other however is more of a crazed animal, this causes the creature to be too unpredictable to use."
"So you just free them on to innocent people." Aeris scowled at him.
"Why not?" He shrugged. "It's not the only side affect however, this winter weather is a new as well. The increasing amount of Lifestream used to power these machines seems to be causing the same effect as the northern creator, just not on such a grand scale."
"Stop wasting time." Cloud gripped his sword a little tighter.
"Very well, Steven's you can leave now."
Steven's nodded and walked back through the door he entered through.
"Well Strife," Zack held the remote out and pushed a button. "Let's make thing a little more interesting."
Behind them a few of the containers opened, liquid Mako poured out of them. For the few seconds that Cloud was distracted, Zack ran up and pushed him out of the way. He took hold of Aeris and grabbed her staff.
Cloud regained his balance a turned his sword to Zack.
"Back off." He brought the staff up to Aeris's throat and applied enough presser to it difficult for her the breath.
Cloud gritted his teeth, he hesitated before stepping back.
"You don't seem to be doing so well Strife." Zack grinned as ran his hand down the staff until it reached the special materia Aeris had been carrying. On his hand a deep cut opened up and strange substance began to leak out, the substance soon took shape of another alien like hand and it reached out to take the materia. "If you don't mind, I'll be taking this."
"What have you done to him?" Yuffie felt sick from the sight.
"I'm using Zack here as a host, a little trick to stop Cetra girl here from sensing where I was."
Cloud was growing impatient and shuffled forwards.
"Ah ah," Zack held the staff tighter up to Aeris neck. "Unless you want to loose her again I suggest you stay right where you are."
Cloud gripped his sword even tighter. "If you kill her, then there will be nothing stopping me from cutting you to pieces."
"My we are sure of our self aren't we?" He lifted Aeris up of the floor, but as her feet left the ground she stomped the heel of her boot as hard as possible into Zack's shin. "Agh! You little bitch." He lifted Aeris up further and threw her at Cloud knocking him down too.
Cloud quickly rolled over her and shielded her body incase Zack tried to attack them again. "You ok?" Aeris nodded and coughed as she gasped for air she could now have.
"Well this has been fun but I'm afraid I have to go." Zack turned and limped over to the steel door. "I'm sure my friends will keep you company." He pointed to the now awake Soldiers behind them before running through the door.
"Hey wait this isn't over!" Cloud swung his sword behind him and chased after Zack.
"Hey! What about these guys." Yuffie backed up closer to the door as the Soldiers advanced on them, their clothes still dripping with Mako. "Cloud?"
Aeris grabbed her shoulder and spun her round. "Yuffie hurry up, we don't have time to worry about them."
"Err right." The ninja glanced once more at the small army and then ran for the door. "Wait for us Cloud!"
___________________________________
"Will you look at that."
Cid stood at the controls of the Highwind and stared at the structure in front of him. They had arrived at the apparent meeting point of the weapons to find it wasn't just water that was there.
"What is that thing?" Tifa walked up to the front of the ship where Cloud normally stood and stared out of the window.
In front of them was a huge disc shaped structure that rested on top of the water, it was about the size of a Mako reactor but not as tall as one. All around it movement could be seen, pulsating lights and machinery were busy performing different tasks.
"So this is where Weapon is heading." Said Vincent, not really as a question.
"They must be coming to destroy this place." Red walked up closer to the window. "The last time Weapon was created it was to destroy Jenova. It's possible that these are here to perform the same task."
"Destroy Jenova?" Reno repeated. "Then how come it attacked all those city's?"
"I'm not sure, perhaps Jenova found a way to control them, or maybe they just weren't built as well as these new models."
"You mean these invincible models." He added.
Cid brought the Highwind in closer to the ocean structure for a closer look, as the ship passed over he could make out people on top of it.
"Hey who are they?" Tifa squinted her eyes to try and make out the uniforms they were wearing when something else on top of the structure took her attention. "What is that?"
"What?" Reno asked.
"Come on, I want to get a closer look." She took hold of Reno's hand and dragged him up to the open deck. Outside it was still dark, the lights on top of the structure providing the only light in the area.
"Is that what it think it is?" Reno leaned over the railings and pointed to the middle of the structure where and large turret was taking aim at them.
"%$£$& Brace for impact!" Cid's voice came over the intercom, Tifa and Reno gripped onto the railings and watched as a stream of light was cast onto the ship.
The turret opened fire and a bright light lit up the darkness, the first round scored a direct hit on the Highwind sending it out of control, inside the group struggled to keep standing. Another blast hit the wing and black smoke started to pour out of the engine.
"Do you think you could at least dodge one bullet?!" Barret shouted.
"Hey! I'm doing the best I can here! It's able to anticipate every move I make."
A third blast hit and parts of the control room equipment exploded, fires started up and Reeve, Barret and Rude quickly ran over to put them out.
"We have to land!" Cid struggled to keep the ship level. "One or two more hits and were toast."
Tifa gripped on to the railings even tighter as she saw the water below them draw ever closer, there wasn't time to reach for the door.
"Hold on to your ass!" Cid pulled back on the controls and the Highwind's nose lifted up slightly, a few moments later the ship hit the ocean and a wave of water came crashing down over them.
After a few moments the ship settled and rested on the surface of the water.
"Is every one ok?" Reeve glanced around and saw everyone crawling to their feet. "Well that was fun."
"Ugh," Cid stood up and looked around. "My ship, why my ship? What did it ever do to them?"
"Can you fix it?" Asked Vincent.
Cid walked around and examined the damage. "I don't know, on land it wouldn't to too difficult but on water its twice as hard."
"The cannons stop shooting us at least." Reeve sighed.
"That's probably because were too low for it to hit us." He walked up to the front and looked up out of the window. "It can't see us from down here."
Next to the downed ship a few hundred meters away was the floating structure.
"Hey Tifa, Reno you guys ok?" Cid switched on the intercom.
A moment of silence passed.
"Hey you there?"
"They were outside when we hit the water." Red ran up to the window and began to scan the surface.
Reeve walked over to the door. "I'll go check the upper deck."
"This is just great." Barret grumbled. "We're stranded in the middle of the ocean right next to a base that wants to blow us up and now Tifa and the Turk's gone missin too."
"Not to mention Weapon will be approaching soon too." Added Vincent.
"Oh yeah, this is great." Cid rolled his eyes.
Meanwhile outside, the water splashed and a dark hair figure appeared on the surface. Tifa pushed her soaking wet hair out of her face and gasped for air, a few meters away Reno appeared from the water too.
"You ok?" He swam closer.
"Yeah, where's the ship?" She swam round in a circle.
"We were passing over this place when we were hit, maybe it's on the other side."
"Wonderful, so now what are we going to do?" Another wave washed over them.
Reno swan up and gasped for breath. "We... we should head for that thing." He pointed to the metal structure next to them, the lights lit up the black water.
"What?" Tifa yelled. "They just tried to kill us!"
"I know, but what happens when we can't swim anymore?"
She stared at the water, her dark reflection staring back. "Uhh fine, but if I get shot I'm blaming you."
They began to swim towards the base, and after a hundred or so meters their feet touched solid ground underneath the water.
"What's this?" Tifa tried to see through the water to see the surface they were stood on.
Reno kneeled down and brushed his hand over it. "It feels like metal." Looking up it seemed that the ramp ended up at the base of the structure. "Come on, it looks like we can get in up there."
They waded through the water up the ramp until they reached a heavy-duty steel door, the water had now fallen below they're ankles.
"Now what?" Tifa grabbed the handle and pulled as hard as she could but the door didn't budge one bit. "It's locked."
"Unless you have a key."
"Key? What key?"
He grinned pulled out a contain materia.
"Oh, that one." Tifa smiled and took a few steps back.
Reno concentrated and a huge flare hit the door lighting up the whole area, after a few seconds the solid metal began to melt and drip down to the water. After the flames died down and the metal cooled a large hole was left in the middle of the door.
Reno leaned over and peeked inside, after a few moments he stood up and looked at Tifa. "Well, ladies first."
______________________________
"Get back here!"
Cloud ran up the stairs as fast a he could, Zack was only a little further ahead. Behind him Aeris and Yuffie were trying to catch up, the few Soldiers that Zack had released were not too far behind either.
After reaching the top of the 40th floor Zack stopped and open the door at the top of the stairs, he glanced down to see Cloud gaining on him. "Come on Strife, you can do better than this."
Cloud looked up and stared coldly at his prey.
Zack grinned and stepped through the door. Now just below ground level they were in the underground vehicle storage area, the huge parking garage type room was filled with army jeeps, small tanks and other military vehicles, quite a few were Shin-Ra made.
Zack ran over to one over the motorbikes and jumped on, one of the jeeps next to him had gone, most likely taken by Steven's. A few seconds later Cloud appeared at the entrance and spotted him.
"How about a change of scenery?" He grinned at started up the bike.
Cloud ignored everything else in the room and head for the other set of bikes but by the time he started it up Zack had already opened the large metal shutters at the main entrance to the storeroom. Through the shutters opened a long tunnel that dipped down and traveled too far for him to see the end of.
Finally reaching the top of the stairs Yuffie and Aeris ran into the storeroom to see Cloud already setting chase on Zack.
"Hey wait for us!" Aeris waved her are in the air.
Cloud squeezed the breaks and skidded to a halt just in front of the two. "Come on, let's go!" He unsheathed his sword and placed it on the bikes weapon rack.
Aeris nodded and climbed on the back, she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight.
"Hey what about me?" Yuffie ran up to the bike.
Cloud pointed to the jeep next to them. "You know how to drive right?"
"Of course." She ran up to the jeep and jumped in. "Heh, now this is fun."
At the door the Soldiers appeared and headed towards them but before they even got close the three had already passed through the shutters.
"You sure you didn't want to take the jeep?" Cloud looked in the side mirror at Aeris, her head was rested on his back and her grip on his waist had gotten tighter.
"Maybe, but I took the car last time remember? This time I wanted to ride with you."
Cloud took one hand off the bike and placed it over hers holding it tightly, up a head in the tunnel he could just make out Zack's bike. "He's making sure we follow."
Aeris leaned over a little to catch a glimpse of Zack. "Just remember, you can't kill Jenova yet Cloud."
"I know, I know. There must be someway to get that parasite out of Zack."
The huge tunnel stretched along, florescent lights shone from above lighting up the entire passage. The walls and ceiling were made from solid concrete and metal, though the tunnel was only built wide enough for only one vehicle to travel through.
"Where do you think this place leads?" Aeris wondered.
"I'm not sure, I think we're heading east now." He thought about it for a moment. "Out to sea? But that doesn't make any..." Cloud stopped as his thoughts reminded him of Weapons destination.
"Maybe it does." Aeris had the same idea.
Catching up in the Jeep Yuffie looked quite happy driving along.
Cloud grinned. "Huh, never seen her smile like that unless she's stolen something."
Aeris giggled but tried to stop. "That's not very nice you know."
"Yeah, but its still true though."
"Say, Cloud."
"Mm?"
Aeris bit her lip not sure whether to ask. "Before when you chased Zack or Jenova I mean, you looked so determined to stop her. I know we're trying to save the planet and all but, there was something more than that, I could see it in your eyes the way you looked at him."
Cloud sighed and shook his head. "I know, your right. It's just, I know what it's like to be controlled by her, been able to see everything before you but do nothing to stop it. It's worse than anything I could imagine." He grinned and squeezed her hand a little. "But don't worry, I promise I'm going to stop her."
Up ahead the tunnel began to curve up slightly, a few hundred meters in front Cloud could make out Zack on his bike.
"We're nearing the end." Cloud signaled Yuffie to speed up, the tunnel leveled off again as the ceiling changed from thick metal to a clear type of glass. They were under water thought not too deep now, up ahead above the water Cloud could make out some sort of strange structure.
"What is that?" Aeris asked before he could.
"I don't know, but it seems that is where we're going."
As they got closer the size of the structure grew, even in the still pitch- black night they could see everything that was illuminated by the huge lights. Finally reaching the end of the tunnel they reached the entrance, in front of the door was the bike Zack had ridden and beside that was Zack.
Aeris quickly jumped off the bike to run to his aid but Cloud stopped her by grabbing her arm.
"Wait! It could be a trick."
Aeris glanced back and forth from Cloud to Zack's motionless body.
"Your right, but what are we going to do?"
"Wait here." Cloud stepped off the bike and took his sword swinging it over his shoulder, he slowly walked over to Zack's body. "Hey, can you here me?"
Zack remained still, his chest facing the floor.
Cloud kneeled down next to him and rolled him over, keeping a tight grip on his sword. Across Zack's chest was a large gash although there was no blood seeping out, it was just empty.
"Hey, you alright?"
"Unghh."
Cloud leaned back and looked at Aeris and Yuffie. "She's gone, Aeris think you can help him?"
She nodded and walked over. "Why do you think she left him?"
"Maybe because we're 'here'" He looked at the structure in front of them. "Where ever here is."
Aeris kneeled down and placed her hands over Zack's chest, a soft green light glowed over him and in a few seconds the wound had closed and healed.
"Is he gonna be ok?" Yuffie leaned over and stared at his blank face.
"I'll be fine." Zack opened one eye, his voice was dry but he still managed a slight smile.
"What happened?" Aeris asked.
Zack sat up rubbed his eyes and sat up. "I'm not really sure. I can remember everything clearly up until yesterday, then I can only remember a few images of things happening. And then I heard Yuffie's voice just now."
"Did you see what happened to Jenova?" Cloud held his hand out and pulled Zack to his feet.
"Jenova..? No, just a few images but nothing I can put together."
Down the tunnel the faint sound of motor engines could be heard growing nearer.
"What's that sound?" Yuffie squinted her eyes to see.
"The Soldier's, they're still after us." Cloud stood up and drew his buster sword. "Get inside, I'll hold them off."
Aeris ran over to the thick steel door and tried to open it. "Nghhh... it's no use it's locked."
He looked at Zack and Yuffie. "Help her, I'll hold these guys off." They nodded and ran over to the door, Zack held out his sword and Aeris step out the way as he began to slash at the handle.
Meanwhile the few Soldier's had reached Cloud, as they step out of there vehicles he saw that they still had no weapons.
'Makes it easier for me at least.' He counted 6 in total that had arrived now but more could be coming on the way. The first two ran up on a straightforward attack but Cloud dodged to the side hitting the first one down with the flat side of the sword. The second skidded and spun round only to meet Cloud's second swiped of the blade.
Another three joined the fight, surrounding Cloud they closed in and attacked simultaneously. Cloud parried the first blow but the second hit his back knocking him to the ground, the third ran up kicking him in the chest repeatedly.
Cloud managed to grab his foot and pull him to the ground but one of the two still standing took the buster sword and raised it over his head.
'Oh f"£k!' He rolled to the side, the blade just missing his head, the other two Soldier's however grabbed both of Cloud's arms and pinned him to the ground while the third lifted the sword up once again.
"Ha, too easy." The Soldier grinned and began to lower the sword down onto Cloud's neck, as the blade touched his throat and a drip of red ran down his neck the Soldier dropped to his knees and dropped the sword to the side, the look on his face couldn't understand what happened.
Cloud glanced over to see Aeris holding her staff, she swung round hitting the next Soldier along the side of the head. Cloud grinned and used his now free arm to punch the last Soldier straight in the face breaking his nose.
"Thanks." He grinned and stood up over the Soldier who was cradling his wounded nose and took back his weapon. "I own you one."
"Well, who says this bodyguard stuff only works one way?" Aeris smiled tied the staff back to her dress.
"Hey guys its open!" Zack shouted. "Hurry up it looks like more of those guys are coming."
Cloud and Aeris glanced behind them to see the rest of the Soldier's approaching the end of the tunnel.
"Ok time to leave." They exchange looks and ran for the door.
________________________
"Steven's are we ready?"
Tysall walked onto the bridge, the Soldier's immediately stood up and saluted.
"Yes sir, preparations for launch have been completed, but..."
"But?" He didn't like that word.
"But I'm afraid that the large monsters that have been sighted seem to be heading in the direction."
Tysall sat down in his chair and stared out the huge window that over looked the black ocean. 'Weapon, so this is the planets last resort. Not bad, but its going to take a lot more than that.' "Is the primary weapon fully charged yet?"
Steven's check the control panel. "Not yet, it seems the materia is not a powerful as predicted."
"I know," 'Dam Cetra girl, she took it and the materia is only half grown.' what is its current level?"
"37% sir."
'37% that's not enough to destroy this planet but, it should be enough to rid myself of those dam creatures.' "It will have to do."
Another Soldier walked up to Tysall and saluted. "Sir, we have discovered two sets of intruders, one from the access tunnel and another from the outside."
'The access tunnel that's Strife but, from the outside?' Tysall stood up and followed the Soldier to his control panel. "Lockheart and Reno? Where did they come from?"
"An hour ago the Highwind was caught flying over the station, after shooting it down we believe they swam on board."
"No problem, Steven's take a team and eliminate them, leave Strife and the Cetra alive though." He held up the small container and grinned. "They still have a purpose."
"Yes sir." He pointed to the four guards stood next to the doors. "You come with me."
After they left Tysall sat back down in his chair. 'So this is it, if this fails it will all be for nothing. Let's just hope Strife is as predictable as I assume he is.'
The Soldier's still left in the room stood waiting for his command.
"It's time." Tysall nodded.
________________________
"So now what?"
"How should I know?" Reno shrugged.
After walked through countless corridors, dodging the occasional guard they had managed to get lost inside the huge base. Each corridor looked the same metal, plain, boring type and it only made it harder to figure out where to go.
"I'm sure we've been down here before."
"How can you tell?" Reno leaned up against the corner and glanced around, after seeing there was no guard he started down the next corridor. "This whole place looks the same."
A large tremor ran through the base, Tifa knelt down to keep her balance.
"What was that?"
"I don't know. You think Weapon is here yet?" Reno spotted a window on the other side of the corridor.
Another tremor passed through, this time stronger, it continued on shaking the entire base.
Tifa clung to the wall as she followed Reno down the corridor towards the window. As she reached it Reno was just stood there staring, a look of disbelief on his face.
"You must be joking."
_________________________
"What's going on?"
Aeris held onto one of the tables as the tremors began. They had just arrived at sort of canteen when the whole place began to shake.
"Are we been attacked?" Zack looked around but saw no one else in the room.
Yuffie ran and hid under the table Aeris was clinging to. "Maybe it's Weapon."
Cloud made his way over to the large window that over looked part of the ocean. "What the?" He shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "Hey guys, is it just me or..."
"... Is the water getting lower?" Aeris finished.
Another large tremor shook the room throwing everyone to the floor, the floor tilted and Cloud slid along until he hit the far wall, quickly followed by Aeris and Zack. Yuffie still clinged on to the table legs until the floor leveled out again.
Cloud shuffled over to Aeris. "Hold on, I have a really bad feeling."
"What do you mean?"
"I think I just figured out what this place is." He leaded over and glanced out the window. 'This just got a lot harder.'
______________________________
Note: Ok it was time for a big chapter so there you go. Much thanks to those who reviewed, it's always good to know that other readers like the story so far.
"Will you look at the size of that thing?"
Everyone stared in disbelief at the sight on the TV.
"And there are four of them?" Red asked.
Rude nodded. "All four awoke in the center of the earthquakes, they now seem to be heading in a straight line to a meeting point."
Everyone had followed Rude back to the Turk's office, after arriving he switched the TV on and on each channel was the same thing.
Cloud turned to Rude. "Do we know where it is yet?"
Rude walked over to his desk and spread out a map, four areas were circled each with a straight line that pointed to one point.
"If they keep heading the same direction then they will arrive at this point." He pointed his finger at the center of the ocean that lied between Junon and Costa de Sol.
"So what do we do?" Asked Yuffie nervously. "I mean your not thinking of fighting those things."
"We have no choice," Cloud shook his head. "Have they attacked anyone yet?"
"Rude turned back to the TV. "No, they are just walking to this destination."
"These monsters." Aeris kneeled down by the TV. "They are called Weapon, right?"
"Yeah but, these just seem different." Cloud kneeled down beside her and pointed to one that was passing by the dig site below the City of the Ancients. "The Weapon's we fought would be attacking those people, this one is just ignoring them."
Vincent pointed to the map. "What is located at this point?"
Reeve studied at the map and shrugged. "Nothing, its just ocean."
Red shook his head confused. "So why head there?"
Cid stood up and walked to the door. "Well we ain't going to find out sittin here on our ass's, I say we get out there before those things get together."
"Cid's right, fighting those creatures one by one will be a lot easier than letting them get together." Agreed Cloud.
"Wait, wait, wait," Yuffie shook her hands and head repeatedly. "You expect me to go fight those thing? Nuh uh, not happening."
"Fine, I don't want everyone to go anyway."
Yuffie raised an eyebrow, she didn't expect him to agree with her. "You don't?"
Cloud stared at the TV screen. "No, I still want to check out this Tysall guy. If he has something to do with this then I want to find him first before he can get away. And since Yuffie has already made it clear she doesn't want to go fight weapon she can come with me."
Reno who was sat in his chair took out his nightstick and 9mm from his desk. "I guess your going to need our help on this so me and Rude will help take one of those things out."
Cloud nodded. "Ok, Cid you drop me, Yuffie and Aeris off at Gongaga. After that the rest of you should try and at least stall those things."
Aeris glanced at Cloud. "You trying to protect me again?"
"I knew you'd say that," He grinned and nodded towards the materia on Elena's desk. "But the reason I want you with us is so you don't use up your strength. If the worst comes to past and those things get together maybe that materia will be able to at least damage them in one blow."
"He's got a point." Agreed Red.
"Fine." Aeris walked over and picked the materia up. "I guess I am a little curious to what this thing can do."
"Good." Cloud headed over to the door and stood next to Cid. "After dropping everyone off I think it would be a good idea to check out the destination of those monsters."
"No problem," Cid gave him the thumbs up and then nodded at the TV. "Two of em are already in the water so the rest of you guys split into two groups and we'll attack the ones still on land."
After that Cid took off and headed towards the airport. Cloud gave Tifa the rest of his materia since he wouldn't need it as much, much to the disliking of Yuffie.
"Ok," He sheathed his sword behind his back and stepped over to the door. "Lets go."
____________________________
On board the Highwind a little later everyone was preparing for the oncoming battles.
Red walked up the steps to the front of the bridge where Cloud and Aeris were stood.
"Do you think these Weapons were created for the same purpose?"
Cloud continued to stare out the window into the pitch-black night. "You mean to destroy Jenova? It's possible, but then why head into the middle of the ocean?"
"Good point, do you think that this Tysall person is Jenova?"
"Either that or working for her. I guess soon we will find out."
Red watched the water beneath them pass by and let out a deep breath. "Then it looks like this is it."
Cloud grinned. "Payback time."
Since she boarded Aeris had been examining the new materia, trying to work out how to cast it with out draining all her strength. 'It's like its made of the purest of Lifestream, so much power.'
"Any luck?"
She looked up to see Cloud smiling at her.
"Fraid not, I would have to be at full strength to just cast a small amount of its power."
"Hey," Cid shouted, the two turned round to face him. "We're coming up to Gongaga, should be there in a few minutes."
"Good, after we pick up Zack we will head straight to Tysall's office, Barret already told me where it is."
Aeris put the materia in her pocket and turned to Cloud. "Well, you ready?"
He nodded. "Yeah, but..." Cloud glanced round the bridge. "Where's Yuffie run off to?"
"She's up on deck." Said Cid. "Think she went to spy on Reno and Tifa, either that or grab their materia."
"Wonderful." He sighed and turned back to Aeris. "I'll go get her, meet me at the landing bay ok?"
She nodded and picked up her staff. "Ok, just don't be too hard on her."
Cloud nodded and turned round heading towards the door. As he reached the stairs to the top deck he could feel the Highwind descending towards the ground, floor tilted a bit forcing him to hold on to the railings. 'Red was right.' After the jet leveled out Cloud was still holding on to the railings. 'This really is it, so why do I feel I'm missing something?'
He let go and began to walk up the steps. 'We run in, find out if this Tysall really Jenova and then force him or her to show us where the Soldier army is located, and destroy it. Simple.'
He opened the door and a cold rush of air swept over him, a few spots of rain managed to get through as the wind forced the door open.
"Yuffie?" He asked as he closed the door behind him.
"You just missed her." Said Tifa. She and Reno were stood next to the railings watching the town a few hundred meters ahead.
"Yeah, once she couldn't con us out of our materia she left."
"Figures." Cloud stepped forwards and joined the two as they continued to stare out into the darkness.
"Are you leaving?" Tifa leaned back to look at Cloud.
"Yeah," He put his hands on the railings, the wind picked up a little speeding up the rain. "Once we're done here we'll come help you guys."
"If your going to take on Jenova, I think you're the one that will need back up."
The Highwind finally settled down on the ground, the jets died down to a small blue flame. They heard the landing bay door open and Yuffie soon came running out.
"Hey you gonna stay up there forever?" She shouted up at Cloud. "It's freezing out here."
Cloud grinned and stood back. "Well, good luck guys."
"Yeah," Reno crossed his arms. "Trying to take out four of those monsters, I think were gonna need all the luck we can get."
________________________
"Geez it's freezing out here!"
Aeris rubbed her arms to try and keep warm. Even under the thick white coat Shera had given her, the wind still managed to force its way through.
She walked down the ramp and stood outside, up ahead she could see Yuffie taking a good look at the town from way up in a tree. 'How did she even get up there?'
Behind her someone ran down the ramp, she spun round and saw Cloud running up to meet her, still carrying half his equipment in his arms.
"Hmm nice look." She smiled although her words were half lost in the wind.
"You think so?" He finished putting on the long black leather coat and sheathed his sword behind his back. "You don't look to bad your self."
Up ahead Yuffie came running back still in her usually outfit. "Hey! Come on are we going or not?"
Cloud stared at her and raised an eyebrow. "Why the rush? I thought you didn't want to come."
"Well I really want to hurry up so we can go stop the Weapon monsters."
The two gave her an unconvinced look. "Uh huh, try again."
"Fine, since this guys suppose to be so important I thought he might have some fancy stuff."
"Fancy stuff? As in new materia?"
"Yup, that stuff."
Cloud grinned and shook his head. "Well I guess any motivation is better than none."
"Yep! So are we going or not."
"First we have to pick up Zack remember?" Reminded Aeris.
"Yeah, we'll head there now." He looked over at the town ahead. "Although I'm not sure where it is now."
As the Highwind lifted off behind they could see Tifa and Reno waving them off before heading back inside the ship. Once the lights from the ship had gone the three were then left in total darkness.
"Let's go," Cloud started forwards heading for the center of the town. "And keep a look out, he might know were coming."
Aeris and Yuffie follow him closely behind trying to keep watch for any monsters but in the darkness and increasing rain its was becoming harder to see anything at all.
After slowly making there way through the open plains they reached the town and took cover. The surrounding buildings slowed down the wind and rain making it easier to hear and see.
"So where to?" Yuffie shivered as she ran on the spot and rubbed her arms to keep warm.
"Just keep heading towards the center of town, we might get lucky and find Zack on the way." As Cloud finished something ran up and knocked him down.
In a flash the creature ran in to the darkness and disappeared.
"What the hell was that?" Shouted Yuffie, she pulled out her shuriken and spun round to where the creature had disappeared too.
Cloud stood back of and pulled out his sword. "Where the hell did it go?" He backed up to a wall and glanced around.
Aeris pulled out a fire materia and cast it in the air. The area around them lit up and 3 of the creatures scurried around to find the darkness once more.
"It's them!" Cloud shouted. "The ones we fought before."
"Your right." Aeris swapped the materia for lightning, before one of the creatures could find its way back to the dark it was hit by a powerful bolt 3 spell. The bolt ripped through its hard, thick skin and forced its way through its body. It fell to the floor in a spasm before dieing.
One of the others turned round and screamed at Cloud, it jump in the air at his face. Cloud took a step back and spun round with his buster sword, the impact sliced the monster in half instantly.
He looked round to see Yuffie pulling her shuriken out of the last one.
"That all of them?" She looked around but nothing else came.
Cloud scowled and stared into the darkness. "We should move before more of them show up."
Aeris and Yuffie nodded and then started towards the town center, after and few moments of waiting Cloud turned and followed.
___________________________
"Will ya look at the size of that thing!"
Barret leaned over the side of the railings as the huge monster called Weapon passed by under the Highwind, each of its monstrous steps shook the earth like an earthquake.
"So any volunteers to go first?" Reno leaned over not looking particularly bothered.
Tifa laughed. "Yeah sure, those who have a death wish please stand forward."
Red shook his head. "I don't think we will be able to attack two of these monsters at the same time." Weapon took another step past the Highwind shaking the earth while doing so. "This one is twice the size of those we fought before, even together I doubt we can stop even one."
"Great that's Cloud's idea down the tube," Barret grumbled. "So what are we gonna do?"
Vincent loaded his Death Penalty and took aim. "Tell Cid to move closer in, we should attack from the Highwind."
"He's right, it will be much safer from this height." Agreed Red. "I'll go tell him."
"Well it's better than nothing I guess." Reno pulled out his nightstick and charged it up.
Tifa took out the materia Cloud had given her, picking the most powerful one she had. "Comet 2, no point in using anything smaller."
The Highwind shook and began to descend and leveled up the Weapon's head, Cid circled it round Weapon until they were flying in the same direction as the monster. "All right, let him have it!" His voice started on the intercom. "But hold on, if that thing manages to hit the ship then it's all over."
A barrage of fire opened up from Vincent, Barret and Rude as they concentrated their fire on Weapon's head. Vincent switched on his laser sight and a thin red beam lined up with the monster eye, he pulled the trigger and the bullet hit with pinpoint accuracy but the impact seemed to have no effect.
Reno finished charging his nightstick and held it out aimed at the monsters kneecap. A huge burst of electricity was fired, it flew through the air with great speed until it made contact with its target.
Tifa, Red and Reeve were all lined up behind the others, Tifa looked down the line and they all nodded at her.
"Ok, on the count of three," They all held out their materia and concentrated. "1... 2... 3!"
The sky that was already black darkened even further as wave after wave of comets replaced the rain in the air. Each one hit its target, after a few second it was impossible to even see the monstrous creature.
On the bridge Cid struggled to fly the ship, the mass of firepower hitting the monster was starting to affect the Highwind too.
Back outside Barret and Vincent eased up on their fire, the dust made it impossible to take aim at anything.
"Did we win?"
Vincent leaned over the railings and peered through the dust and darkness. "I cannot see through."
They all waited anxiously until another step shook the earth, from within the dust Weapon emerged and continued on its path.
"What the hell?" Barret stood in disbelief. "There's not even a scratch on that thing."
All everyone could do was stand and watch as the monster continued on.
"It's not even taking notice of us." Red shook his head. "I don't think it even cares."
"Hey! Yeah you!" Reno leaned over the side shouting. "I teach you to ignore a Turk." He switched the nightstick on to full power, the rod shook violently unable to hold at such a high power, Reno fired, the gigantic blast of electricity hit Weapon directly in the face. But once again the monster took no notice and carried on unscarred.
"How can we beat this thing?" Tifa stared as the last of the electricity dissipated. "No creature on the planet could have survived what we just through at it."
"And yet this one doesn't even have a scratch." Reeve lowed his head. "We don't have a chance of winning do we?"
Everyone stayed silent, the answer was obvious.
"So now what?" Rude put his gun back in his jacket and shifted his glasses.
"There's nothing we can do here." Red turned away from the monster. "Perhaps we should just head for their destination, there maybe something there that will give us a clue on what to do."
Tifa bit her lip feeling helpless to do anything, it was a feeling she hated most. "Fine, I guess your right. There's nothing we can do."
"Don't worry." Reno walked up and patted her on the shoulder. "Maybe we'll find someway to stop them, and if not there's always the materia Aeris has."
Tifa nodded and smiled. "Your right, we not out just yet."
"All right, tell Highwind to step on it. We have to get there now." He glanced at Weapon. "Who knows what will happen if all these creatures meet up."
After they managed to stop staring at the monster everyone turned to the door and headed back inside, only Vincent stayed behind.
He stared at Weapon for a little long, his face expressionless. After a few moments he holstered his weapon and sighed. 'If one of these creatures is so powerful, what hope do we have of destroying all four?'
____________________________
"You two alright?"
Cloud walked up to Aeris and Yuffie, the two were sat at the side of the fountain in the center of town. They were huddled together trying to keep warm.
The rain had turned to snow in the last hour from the cold. The water fountain behind them had frozen solid, icicles ran down from each of the openings.
Aeris tried to stop her teeth chattering as she answered. "Y, y, yeahh we, we're fine."
"S, s, sssuperrr."
"Any s, s, sign of ZZZack?"
"No, just a couple of those creatures running around." He held his hand out. "Maybe we should head to the Global Corp building."
Aeris took his hand and Cloud pulled her up, along with Yuffie who refused to let go of her.
He smiled. "I'm sure it will be warmer there too."
The two girls looked at each other shivering and grinned "Lets go!"
Cloud spun round and pointed down one of the streets. "Well, its right down there. Let's whoa.."
The girls sprinted past and headed down the street, knocking Cloud of his feet in the process. "Come on Cloud, hurry up!"
"H-hey wait a sec." He jumped to his feet and chased after them. "Hey come on wait for me."
When he reached the Global Corp building Aeris and Yuffie were already in side stood next to one of the heaters in the reception area.
"You could have waited you know."
"Are you kidding?" Yuffie was practically hugging the portable heater. "We've been sat out there for the past hour freezing our butts off while you've been running around."
The doors behind them then flew open, a chilling breeze swept through out the room. A dark figure ran in and closed them behind him.
"H-Hey, wait for me will ya?" Zack bent over and put his hands on his knees while gasping for breath.
"Zack?" Cloud look stunned. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Looking for you guys, I guessed you where here when this huge jet flew over town."
"So we've just been out there in the freezing cloud looking for you and you've been doing the same." Yuffie's face went red. "Who knows how many times we just missed each other."
"Well we're here now aren't we?" Aeris reasoned. "There's no point in worrying about it anymore."
"So now what do we do?" Asked Yuffie.
Cloud looked over to the receptionist and shrugged.
She watched him walk over and smiled. "Can I help you?"
Cloud shrugged once again. "Err yeah, we're here to see Tysall."
"Oh I'm sorry, Mr. Tysall has left earlier today so I'm afraid a meeting won't be possible."
"Where's he gone?"
The receptionist smiled and shook her head. "I'm sorry but I can not reveal that information. Is there anything else I can help you with."
Cloud scratched his head and though for a moment. 'He's not here? Now what? Wait, there might be something useful in his office, maybe something that proves what he's up to."
"Yeah where's your bathroom?"
She leaned over the desk and pointed down a corridor. "Straight down that corridor and second on the right."
"Great." Cloud waved the others over to him. "Ok, straight down this corridor."
Everybody nodded and began to follow Cloud when he looked at the receptionist who had a puzzled look on her face.
"Umm, we all have to go. Err... It's been a really long day traveling."
She nodded her head slightly not looking convinced but she went back to her work anyway.
After passing the corner Cloud looked around for any signs to Tysall's office.
"Do you know where we're going." Asked Zack.
"Not really, the receptionist said Tysall's not here so I guess the best thing we can do is try and find his office." He noticed an elevator a little further down the corridor. "Then we can try and find anything useful."
"Not here?" Aeris said to know one in particular. "Maybe he knew we were coming."
"It's possible, but how would he know? Who could have told him?"
"I guess your right." She crossed her arms and thought about it.
The group followed Cloud down the corridor to where the lift was located, after waiting for it to return to the ground floor they all entered.
"Huh..." Zack shook his head as the doors closed behind them.
"What?" Asked Cloud, everyone looked at Zack.
"I have this really weird sense of dejavu, I could swear that I've been in this lift before."
"I don't see how." Cloud shrugged. "It's the first time any of us has been here."
"Yeah I guess, ah never mind." Zack crossed his arms and stared at the floor. "Think I'm loosing my mind."
"Not another one." Yuffie grinned. "It was bad enough when Cloud lost his. You know for awhile he actual thought he was you."
Zack grinned and looked smug. "Well, I guess you can't blame him. Who wouldn't want to be me?"
Cloud rolled his eyes and pushed the button for the top floor.
"How do you know it's that one?" Aeris asked him.
He shrugged. "It's always the top floor."
"That's our brilliant leader." Said Yuffie. "Master of strategies."
"Bite me."
After a long slow ride up the lift reached the top floor and Aeris was the first one out, she unzipped her coat and held it over one arm as it was much warmer in side. Cloud came out second and did the same with his.
After running round the top floor for a few minutes they managed to find the room with the golden plaque at the side, strangely there didn't seem to be anyone else around.
"Tysall." Cloud read. "This is the place."
"What gave it away?" Yuffie opened the door and ran in. "Geez this place is boring."
"What are these?" Aeris followed the hyper active ninja and examined one of Tysall strange antiques. "They don't even look like they're from this planet."
"I wouldn't touch anything, who know what security systems that guy has." Cloud walk straight up to Tysall's desk and looked around for anything interesting.
"What are we looking for exactly?" Zack joined him and began to check the draws.
"I'm not sure," He shook his head. "Anything that connects him to Jenova."
"Check his computer." Aeris suggested.
"Umm anyone know how?" Cloud leaned over the laptop and scratched his head.
"You don't know how?" Yuffie grinned. "Didn't Tifa try to teach you?"
"Yeah, but the key word there is 'try' and 'failed' would probably come after."
"Useless aren't you." She pushed him out of the way and sat down. "Now lets see." She switched it on and began to open files at random.
"Try looking for a map of this place." Zack sat on top of the table a stared at the screen. "Maybe there's and archive of all the work done here."
After a few minutes of looked Yuffie smiled in triumph. "Woohoo! I found it."
"A map?" Cloud and Aeris had begun to examine the strange artifacts after a while of waiting, although they still couldn't figure out what they were for.
"Even better, how does the location of the laboratory sound?"
Cloud grinned and walked over. "Perfect."
"Then that's our next destination." Zack announced.
"If there's anything to link Jenova to Tysall," Aeris turned away from the artifact she was studying. "Then I guess we'll find it there."
Yuffie taped a few keys and the printer started up.
Zack stood up off the table and began to shake his head, he brought his hands and held them over his eyes. "Ughhh..."
"Hey what's wrong?" Cloud walked up and put his hand on Zack's shoulder.
"Haha," Zack swung his arm round and hit Cloud in the face knocking him down to the floor.
"£$%&! What the hell are you playing at?" He held his now bloody nose and stumbled as he tried to stand up.
Zack just grinned and walked over to the door. "Haha, catch me if you can." He swung the door open and ran out down the corridor."
"Are you alright?" Aeris kneeled down next to Cloud and pulled his hand away from his nose, a trickle of blood ran down. "Oh, here let me help."
Cloud shook his head and pushed her hand away. "We don't have time, go after him."
"But..."
"I'm fine just go."
Yuffie grabbed the print out and headed after him. "Come on Aeris he's fine."
Aeris hesitated for a moment and then followed Yuffie. Down the corridor Yuffie caught a glimpse of Zack as he turned the corner, he was fast but not as fast as the young ninja and soon she was gaining up of him. Zack glanced over his shoulder and grinned, he reached another elevator and ran in, calmly he turned round and pushed the button and as the doors began to close he just waved at Yuffie as she arrived to late.
"Dammit!" She pounded her fists on the doors. "Open up you stupid thing!"
A few seconds later Aeris ran round the corner, she walked up and stood next to Yuffie who staring at the doors. "Did he..."
"Yeah, I just missed him."
Cloud was last to appear from around the corner, a few drops of blood dripped down onto his coat. "Elevator?"
The two girls nodded.
"Wonderful," He sighed. "What the hells wrong with him?"
Yuffie just shrugged and continued to push the call button for the lift. Aeris searched her pockets realizing she left her coat back in the office with her potions in it, after searching for a few moments she pulled out a small cloth and shrugged. 'This will do.' She stepped over to Cloud and held it up to his face and gently wiped away the blood that had run down to his chin.
"There, good as new." She pulled the cloth away.
Cloud smiled and taped it with his finger. "Ouch."
"Well, maybe not new."
Behind them the lift arrived and Yuffie stepped in. "Hey you two are you coming or what?"
"Do you even know where he went?" Aeris then Cloud stepped in.
"Try that one." Cloud read down the list of floors. "B1, that wasn't on the last one."
Yuffie nodded and pushed the button. The lift moved down quickly and the doors soon opened again. Before them a long corridor stretched out, instead of the white painted walls as the floors above this one had solid metal ones with very few doors. At the end of the corridor was another lift, the light at the top flashed indicating it just returned.
Yuffie walk straight down towards the elevator. "Do you think Jenova's controlling him?" She turned to Aeris.
"I don't know, it's possible I guess but I didn't think she could unless the person had Jenova cell in them."
"Your right." Said Cloud. "Plus if she could then why just control Zack?"
"I can't feel her either."
Cloud looked puzzled at her. "What do you mean."
"Before when Jenova came close to us, even though she was disguised as Sephiroth I could sense she was there. Although at first I though it was just Sephiroth I was sensing."
The lift doors open and they entered again.
"Hey where are we going?"
Yuffie pulled out the map and checked it. "Ummm it looks like we're heading down the elevator so, huh, the laboratory."
"That's where Zack's heading." Cloud went into his thoughts again.
After a minute the lift slowed to a halt, the doors opened and all the three could do was stare at what lied before them. The row after row of the egg shape containers seemed endless.
"It can't be." Whispered Cloud.
Yuffie and Aeris walked up to the closest ones and looked into the small windows.
"Hey there's a guy in there."
"And in this one too." Said Aeris.
Cloud stepped out of the lift and stared. "It's really happening."
"Huh?" Yuffie gave him a confused look. "What's happening."
"This is it, this is them, the Soldier army that will attack Neo Midgar."
Aeris stepped back and shivered. "So that means Jenova is here."
"That's right." The voice from behind startled them. Zack stood calmly with his arms crossed, a satisfied grin across his face.
"Jenova." Cloud glared at him.
Zack laughed. "That's right, your friend Zack here was kind enough to lend me his body."
"Let him go." Yelled Aeris.
"Sure," He smiled at her. "Would you like to volunteer to change places with him?"
"I..." Her voice left her.
Cloud drew his sword and step in front of Aeris. "Let him go!"
"Hmm, brawn over brains again huh Strife?" Zack took a few steps back towards a heavy-duty steel door. "It seems that Reno has informed you of my plans, but it does not matter, eventually you would have come here."
A short man walked through the steel doors and handed a remote to Zack.
"Steven's forget about Reno, he has betrayed us" Zack took a few steps closer to Aeris but Cloud took one forward to meet him. "Meet me at the satellite instead."
Running from around one of the pods, another of the strange creatures that had attacked the group on many occasions started screaming and waving its arms in the air. Steven's took out a 9mm and executed it on the spot.
"Such annoying things aren't they?" Zack shook his head. "They are a by product of our special methods for creating Soldiers, at first I thought they could be useful but when discovered that they have two minds which are constantly fighting for control over the body, the risk was just too great."
The creature squirmed around until finally dieing.
"I'm sure you have already encountered them. One brain is quite intelligent, planning attacks, working in groups, the other however is more of a crazed animal, this causes the creature to be too unpredictable to use."
"So you just free them on to innocent people." Aeris scowled at him.
"Why not?" He shrugged. "It's not the only side affect however, this winter weather is a new as well. The increasing amount of Lifestream used to power these machines seems to be causing the same effect as the northern creator, just not on such a grand scale."
"Stop wasting time." Cloud gripped his sword a little tighter.
"Very well, Steven's you can leave now."
Steven's nodded and walked back through the door he entered through.
"Well Strife," Zack held the remote out and pushed a button. "Let's make thing a little more interesting."
Behind them a few of the containers opened, liquid Mako poured out of them. For the few seconds that Cloud was distracted, Zack ran up and pushed him out of the way. He took hold of Aeris and grabbed her staff.
Cloud regained his balance a turned his sword to Zack.
"Back off." He brought the staff up to Aeris's throat and applied enough presser to it difficult for her the breath.
Cloud gritted his teeth, he hesitated before stepping back.
"You don't seem to be doing so well Strife." Zack grinned as ran his hand down the staff until it reached the special materia Aeris had been carrying. On his hand a deep cut opened up and strange substance began to leak out, the substance soon took shape of another alien like hand and it reached out to take the materia. "If you don't mind, I'll be taking this."
"What have you done to him?" Yuffie felt sick from the sight.
"I'm using Zack here as a host, a little trick to stop Cetra girl here from sensing where I was."
Cloud was growing impatient and shuffled forwards.
"Ah ah," Zack held the staff tighter up to Aeris neck. "Unless you want to loose her again I suggest you stay right where you are."
Cloud gripped his sword even tighter. "If you kill her, then there will be nothing stopping me from cutting you to pieces."
"My we are sure of our self aren't we?" He lifted Aeris up of the floor, but as her feet left the ground she stomped the heel of her boot as hard as possible into Zack's shin. "Agh! You little bitch." He lifted Aeris up further and threw her at Cloud knocking him down too.
Cloud quickly rolled over her and shielded her body incase Zack tried to attack them again. "You ok?" Aeris nodded and coughed as she gasped for air she could now have.
"Well this has been fun but I'm afraid I have to go." Zack turned and limped over to the steel door. "I'm sure my friends will keep you company." He pointed to the now awake Soldiers behind them before running through the door.
"Hey wait this isn't over!" Cloud swung his sword behind him and chased after Zack.
"Hey! What about these guys." Yuffie backed up closer to the door as the Soldiers advanced on them, their clothes still dripping with Mako. "Cloud?"
Aeris grabbed her shoulder and spun her round. "Yuffie hurry up, we don't have time to worry about them."
"Err right." The ninja glanced once more at the small army and then ran for the door. "Wait for us Cloud!"
___________________________________
"Will you look at that."
Cid stood at the controls of the Highwind and stared at the structure in front of him. They had arrived at the apparent meeting point of the weapons to find it wasn't just water that was there.
"What is that thing?" Tifa walked up to the front of the ship where Cloud normally stood and stared out of the window.
In front of them was a huge disc shaped structure that rested on top of the water, it was about the size of a Mako reactor but not as tall as one. All around it movement could be seen, pulsating lights and machinery were busy performing different tasks.
"So this is where Weapon is heading." Said Vincent, not really as a question.
"They must be coming to destroy this place." Red walked up closer to the window. "The last time Weapon was created it was to destroy Jenova. It's possible that these are here to perform the same task."
"Destroy Jenova?" Reno repeated. "Then how come it attacked all those city's?"
"I'm not sure, perhaps Jenova found a way to control them, or maybe they just weren't built as well as these new models."
"You mean these invincible models." He added.
Cid brought the Highwind in closer to the ocean structure for a closer look, as the ship passed over he could make out people on top of it.
"Hey who are they?" Tifa squinted her eyes to try and make out the uniforms they were wearing when something else on top of the structure took her attention. "What is that?"
"What?" Reno asked.
"Come on, I want to get a closer look." She took hold of Reno's hand and dragged him up to the open deck. Outside it was still dark, the lights on top of the structure providing the only light in the area.
"Is that what it think it is?" Reno leaned over the railings and pointed to the middle of the structure where and large turret was taking aim at them.
"%$£$& Brace for impact!" Cid's voice came over the intercom, Tifa and Reno gripped onto the railings and watched as a stream of light was cast onto the ship.
The turret opened fire and a bright light lit up the darkness, the first round scored a direct hit on the Highwind sending it out of control, inside the group struggled to keep standing. Another blast hit the wing and black smoke started to pour out of the engine.
"Do you think you could at least dodge one bullet?!" Barret shouted.
"Hey! I'm doing the best I can here! It's able to anticipate every move I make."
A third blast hit and parts of the control room equipment exploded, fires started up and Reeve, Barret and Rude quickly ran over to put them out.
"We have to land!" Cid struggled to keep the ship level. "One or two more hits and were toast."
Tifa gripped on to the railings even tighter as she saw the water below them draw ever closer, there wasn't time to reach for the door.
"Hold on to your ass!" Cid pulled back on the controls and the Highwind's nose lifted up slightly, a few moments later the ship hit the ocean and a wave of water came crashing down over them.
After a few moments the ship settled and rested on the surface of the water.
"Is every one ok?" Reeve glanced around and saw everyone crawling to their feet. "Well that was fun."
"Ugh," Cid stood up and looked around. "My ship, why my ship? What did it ever do to them?"
"Can you fix it?" Asked Vincent.
Cid walked around and examined the damage. "I don't know, on land it wouldn't to too difficult but on water its twice as hard."
"The cannons stop shooting us at least." Reeve sighed.
"That's probably because were too low for it to hit us." He walked up to the front and looked up out of the window. "It can't see us from down here."
Next to the downed ship a few hundred meters away was the floating structure.
"Hey Tifa, Reno you guys ok?" Cid switched on the intercom.
A moment of silence passed.
"Hey you there?"
"They were outside when we hit the water." Red ran up to the window and began to scan the surface.
Reeve walked over to the door. "I'll go check the upper deck."
"This is just great." Barret grumbled. "We're stranded in the middle of the ocean right next to a base that wants to blow us up and now Tifa and the Turk's gone missin too."
"Not to mention Weapon will be approaching soon too." Added Vincent.
"Oh yeah, this is great." Cid rolled his eyes.
Meanwhile outside, the water splashed and a dark hair figure appeared on the surface. Tifa pushed her soaking wet hair out of her face and gasped for air, a few meters away Reno appeared from the water too.
"You ok?" He swam closer.
"Yeah, where's the ship?" She swam round in a circle.
"We were passing over this place when we were hit, maybe it's on the other side."
"Wonderful, so now what are we going to do?" Another wave washed over them.
Reno swan up and gasped for breath. "We... we should head for that thing." He pointed to the metal structure next to them, the lights lit up the black water.
"What?" Tifa yelled. "They just tried to kill us!"
"I know, but what happens when we can't swim anymore?"
She stared at the water, her dark reflection staring back. "Uhh fine, but if I get shot I'm blaming you."
They began to swim towards the base, and after a hundred or so meters their feet touched solid ground underneath the water.
"What's this?" Tifa tried to see through the water to see the surface they were stood on.
Reno kneeled down and brushed his hand over it. "It feels like metal." Looking up it seemed that the ramp ended up at the base of the structure. "Come on, it looks like we can get in up there."
They waded through the water up the ramp until they reached a heavy-duty steel door, the water had now fallen below they're ankles.
"Now what?" Tifa grabbed the handle and pulled as hard as she could but the door didn't budge one bit. "It's locked."
"Unless you have a key."
"Key? What key?"
He grinned pulled out a contain materia.
"Oh, that one." Tifa smiled and took a few steps back.
Reno concentrated and a huge flare hit the door lighting up the whole area, after a few seconds the solid metal began to melt and drip down to the water. After the flames died down and the metal cooled a large hole was left in the middle of the door.
Reno leaned over and peeked inside, after a few moments he stood up and looked at Tifa. "Well, ladies first."
______________________________
"Get back here!"
Cloud ran up the stairs as fast a he could, Zack was only a little further ahead. Behind him Aeris and Yuffie were trying to catch up, the few Soldiers that Zack had released were not too far behind either.
After reaching the top of the 40th floor Zack stopped and open the door at the top of the stairs, he glanced down to see Cloud gaining on him. "Come on Strife, you can do better than this."
Cloud looked up and stared coldly at his prey.
Zack grinned and stepped through the door. Now just below ground level they were in the underground vehicle storage area, the huge parking garage type room was filled with army jeeps, small tanks and other military vehicles, quite a few were Shin-Ra made.
Zack ran over to one over the motorbikes and jumped on, one of the jeeps next to him had gone, most likely taken by Steven's. A few seconds later Cloud appeared at the entrance and spotted him.
"How about a change of scenery?" He grinned at started up the bike.
Cloud ignored everything else in the room and head for the other set of bikes but by the time he started it up Zack had already opened the large metal shutters at the main entrance to the storeroom. Through the shutters opened a long tunnel that dipped down and traveled too far for him to see the end of.
Finally reaching the top of the stairs Yuffie and Aeris ran into the storeroom to see Cloud already setting chase on Zack.
"Hey wait for us!" Aeris waved her are in the air.
Cloud squeezed the breaks and skidded to a halt just in front of the two. "Come on, let's go!" He unsheathed his sword and placed it on the bikes weapon rack.
Aeris nodded and climbed on the back, she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight.
"Hey what about me?" Yuffie ran up to the bike.
Cloud pointed to the jeep next to them. "You know how to drive right?"
"Of course." She ran up to the jeep and jumped in. "Heh, now this is fun."
At the door the Soldiers appeared and headed towards them but before they even got close the three had already passed through the shutters.
"You sure you didn't want to take the jeep?" Cloud looked in the side mirror at Aeris, her head was rested on his back and her grip on his waist had gotten tighter.
"Maybe, but I took the car last time remember? This time I wanted to ride with you."
Cloud took one hand off the bike and placed it over hers holding it tightly, up a head in the tunnel he could just make out Zack's bike. "He's making sure we follow."
Aeris leaned over a little to catch a glimpse of Zack. "Just remember, you can't kill Jenova yet Cloud."
"I know, I know. There must be someway to get that parasite out of Zack."
The huge tunnel stretched along, florescent lights shone from above lighting up the entire passage. The walls and ceiling were made from solid concrete and metal, though the tunnel was only built wide enough for only one vehicle to travel through.
"Where do you think this place leads?" Aeris wondered.
"I'm not sure, I think we're heading east now." He thought about it for a moment. "Out to sea? But that doesn't make any..." Cloud stopped as his thoughts reminded him of Weapons destination.
"Maybe it does." Aeris had the same idea.
Catching up in the Jeep Yuffie looked quite happy driving along.
Cloud grinned. "Huh, never seen her smile like that unless she's stolen something."
Aeris giggled but tried to stop. "That's not very nice you know."
"Yeah, but its still true though."
"Say, Cloud."
"Mm?"
Aeris bit her lip not sure whether to ask. "Before when you chased Zack or Jenova I mean, you looked so determined to stop her. I know we're trying to save the planet and all but, there was something more than that, I could see it in your eyes the way you looked at him."
Cloud sighed and shook his head. "I know, your right. It's just, I know what it's like to be controlled by her, been able to see everything before you but do nothing to stop it. It's worse than anything I could imagine." He grinned and squeezed her hand a little. "But don't worry, I promise I'm going to stop her."
Up ahead the tunnel began to curve up slightly, a few hundred meters in front Cloud could make out Zack on his bike.
"We're nearing the end." Cloud signaled Yuffie to speed up, the tunnel leveled off again as the ceiling changed from thick metal to a clear type of glass. They were under water thought not too deep now, up ahead above the water Cloud could make out some sort of strange structure.
"What is that?" Aeris asked before he could.
"I don't know, but it seems that is where we're going."
As they got closer the size of the structure grew, even in the still pitch- black night they could see everything that was illuminated by the huge lights. Finally reaching the end of the tunnel they reached the entrance, in front of the door was the bike Zack had ridden and beside that was Zack.
Aeris quickly jumped off the bike to run to his aid but Cloud stopped her by grabbing her arm.
"Wait! It could be a trick."
Aeris glanced back and forth from Cloud to Zack's motionless body.
"Your right, but what are we going to do?"
"Wait here." Cloud stepped off the bike and took his sword swinging it over his shoulder, he slowly walked over to Zack's body. "Hey, can you here me?"
Zack remained still, his chest facing the floor.
Cloud kneeled down next to him and rolled him over, keeping a tight grip on his sword. Across Zack's chest was a large gash although there was no blood seeping out, it was just empty.
"Hey, you alright?"
"Unghh."
Cloud leaned back and looked at Aeris and Yuffie. "She's gone, Aeris think you can help him?"
She nodded and walked over. "Why do you think she left him?"
"Maybe because we're 'here'" He looked at the structure in front of them. "Where ever here is."
Aeris kneeled down and placed her hands over Zack's chest, a soft green light glowed over him and in a few seconds the wound had closed and healed.
"Is he gonna be ok?" Yuffie leaned over and stared at his blank face.
"I'll be fine." Zack opened one eye, his voice was dry but he still managed a slight smile.
"What happened?" Aeris asked.
Zack sat up rubbed his eyes and sat up. "I'm not really sure. I can remember everything clearly up until yesterday, then I can only remember a few images of things happening. And then I heard Yuffie's voice just now."
"Did you see what happened to Jenova?" Cloud held his hand out and pulled Zack to his feet.
"Jenova..? No, just a few images but nothing I can put together."
Down the tunnel the faint sound of motor engines could be heard growing nearer.
"What's that sound?" Yuffie squinted her eyes to see.
"The Soldier's, they're still after us." Cloud stood up and drew his buster sword. "Get inside, I'll hold them off."
Aeris ran over to the thick steel door and tried to open it. "Nghhh... it's no use it's locked."
He looked at Zack and Yuffie. "Help her, I'll hold these guys off." They nodded and ran over to the door, Zack held out his sword and Aeris step out the way as he began to slash at the handle.
Meanwhile the few Soldier's had reached Cloud, as they step out of there vehicles he saw that they still had no weapons.
'Makes it easier for me at least.' He counted 6 in total that had arrived now but more could be coming on the way. The first two ran up on a straightforward attack but Cloud dodged to the side hitting the first one down with the flat side of the sword. The second skidded and spun round only to meet Cloud's second swiped of the blade.
Another three joined the fight, surrounding Cloud they closed in and attacked simultaneously. Cloud parried the first blow but the second hit his back knocking him to the ground, the third ran up kicking him in the chest repeatedly.
Cloud managed to grab his foot and pull him to the ground but one of the two still standing took the buster sword and raised it over his head.
'Oh f"£k!' He rolled to the side, the blade just missing his head, the other two Soldier's however grabbed both of Cloud's arms and pinned him to the ground while the third lifted the sword up once again.
"Ha, too easy." The Soldier grinned and began to lower the sword down onto Cloud's neck, as the blade touched his throat and a drip of red ran down his neck the Soldier dropped to his knees and dropped the sword to the side, the look on his face couldn't understand what happened.
Cloud glanced over to see Aeris holding her staff, she swung round hitting the next Soldier along the side of the head. Cloud grinned and used his now free arm to punch the last Soldier straight in the face breaking his nose.
"Thanks." He grinned and stood up over the Soldier who was cradling his wounded nose and took back his weapon. "I own you one."
"Well, who says this bodyguard stuff only works one way?" Aeris smiled tied the staff back to her dress.
"Hey guys its open!" Zack shouted. "Hurry up it looks like more of those guys are coming."
Cloud and Aeris glanced behind them to see the rest of the Soldier's approaching the end of the tunnel.
"Ok time to leave." They exchange looks and ran for the door.
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"Steven's are we ready?"
Tysall walked onto the bridge, the Soldier's immediately stood up and saluted.
"Yes sir, preparations for launch have been completed, but..."
"But?" He didn't like that word.
"But I'm afraid that the large monsters that have been sighted seem to be heading in the direction."
Tysall sat down in his chair and stared out the huge window that over looked the black ocean. 'Weapon, so this is the planets last resort. Not bad, but its going to take a lot more than that.' "Is the primary weapon fully charged yet?"
Steven's check the control panel. "Not yet, it seems the materia is not a powerful as predicted."
"I know," 'Dam Cetra girl, she took it and the materia is only half grown.' what is its current level?"
"37% sir."
'37% that's not enough to destroy this planet but, it should be enough to rid myself of those dam creatures.' "It will have to do."
Another Soldier walked up to Tysall and saluted. "Sir, we have discovered two sets of intruders, one from the access tunnel and another from the outside."
'The access tunnel that's Strife but, from the outside?' Tysall stood up and followed the Soldier to his control panel. "Lockheart and Reno? Where did they come from?"
"An hour ago the Highwind was caught flying over the station, after shooting it down we believe they swam on board."
"No problem, Steven's take a team and eliminate them, leave Strife and the Cetra alive though." He held up the small container and grinned. "They still have a purpose."
"Yes sir." He pointed to the four guards stood next to the doors. "You come with me."
After they left Tysall sat back down in his chair. 'So this is it, if this fails it will all be for nothing. Let's just hope Strife is as predictable as I assume he is.'
The Soldier's still left in the room stood waiting for his command.
"It's time." Tysall nodded.
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"So now what?"
"How should I know?" Reno shrugged.
After walked through countless corridors, dodging the occasional guard they had managed to get lost inside the huge base. Each corridor looked the same metal, plain, boring type and it only made it harder to figure out where to go.
"I'm sure we've been down here before."
"How can you tell?" Reno leaned up against the corner and glanced around, after seeing there was no guard he started down the next corridor. "This whole place looks the same."
A large tremor ran through the base, Tifa knelt down to keep her balance.
"What was that?"
"I don't know. You think Weapon is here yet?" Reno spotted a window on the other side of the corridor.
Another tremor passed through, this time stronger, it continued on shaking the entire base.
Tifa clung to the wall as she followed Reno down the corridor towards the window. As she reached it Reno was just stood there staring, a look of disbelief on his face.
"You must be joking."
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"What's going on?"
Aeris held onto one of the tables as the tremors began. They had just arrived at sort of canteen when the whole place began to shake.
"Are we been attacked?" Zack looked around but saw no one else in the room.
Yuffie ran and hid under the table Aeris was clinging to. "Maybe it's Weapon."
Cloud made his way over to the large window that over looked part of the ocean. "What the?" He shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "Hey guys, is it just me or..."
"... Is the water getting lower?" Aeris finished.
Another large tremor shook the room throwing everyone to the floor, the floor tilted and Cloud slid along until he hit the far wall, quickly followed by Aeris and Zack. Yuffie still clinged on to the table legs until the floor leveled out again.
Cloud shuffled over to Aeris. "Hold on, I have a really bad feeling."
"What do you mean?"
"I think I just figured out what this place is." He leaded over and glanced out the window. 'This just got a lot harder.'
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Note: Ok it was time for a big chapter so there you go. Much thanks to those who reviewed, it's always good to know that other readers like the story so far.