Howdy y'all! Well I see that the last chapter wasn't much of a hit. But no worries this next one will be a woozy. Luckily for y'all and myself, baseball is cancelled today so I get to spend the whole night typing up a new chapter =0). Well anyway, let's recap shall we? Vain has began raising the dead, first he brought Sephiroth back, then an army of Soldiers that Vincent and Chaos managed to kill. Now he's planning on bringing back someone else to help him with his Valentine problem. Will he succeed? Or will the group find him before he can began? Let's begin shall we?
Disclaimer- I am now the proud owner of four fanfics, two of them based on Final Fantasy 7, which is sadly to say, not mine.
Chapter 17- Paying The Price
"How many were there?" Cloud asked in disbelief. Vincent had arrived at the Final Paradise and reported about the army he had faced in the dessert. He explained that they looked like the men from two years ago that Sephiroth sacrificed for the reunion.
"At least fifty." Vincent answered monotone as always. He could understand their surprise but did they have to have him repeat what he has already said.
Yuffie starred at Vincent with a bit of admiration in her misty gray eyes. 'Wow, Vinnie's so strong, brave, mysterious and he's so..' Yuffie's nose crinkled up as she got a whiff of air, she almost gagged, 'And he smells like a dead corpse.' Yuffie took a few steps away from the cloaked man.
"Well that's bad. We know he can raise an entire army of people now." Zack commented. He tapped his foot on the ground as he thinks, "The question is, where is he?"
"North Crater." Vincent answered almost immediately. Zack and the others turned towards him wondering how he would know. Vincent fought the urge to roll his eyes at them, "Everyone that has been brought back from the dead have come from North Crater."
Cloud nodded his head in agreement, "Now why didn't we think of this when Sephiroth was brought back." He shook his head at his own stupidity. Cloud turned towards Cid. "Cid, you'll pilot the Highwind to Cosmos Canyon where we can pick Red up. Then we'll go to North Crater and fight Vain. It's time we finish this once and for all." Everyone stood up ready to go.
"Wait da minute." Everyone turned to Barret. Barret held a hand up as he thinks, "Wadda bout Sephiroth. Can't forget that bastard."
Cloud shrugged his shoulders not knowing what to do about him, "He hasn't done anything yet so we have no idea where he is. We'll just wait till he tries something then we'll finish him off too." Everyone found that reasonable considering they can't figure any better way to handle Sephiroth so they left. First stop, Cosmos Canyon. After that, their final battle will begin.
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Yuffie paced around the airship. Miraculously she doesn't feel like she needs to toss her meals. Must be because she feels so nervous. She remembered Cloud telling her once that you won't feel sick when you are really nervous. She's nervous because they're headed towards North Crater. They had left Cosmos Canyon only five minutes ago and they have a half an hour before they will reach North Crater.
'This is it.' Yuffie kept repeating in her head. It filled her with confidence and fear. Fear that someone can get seriously injured. She doesn't want to see anyone injured again after what she saw happen to Cloud.
Yuffie stopped her pacing and sighed. She looked across the large room towards the stairs as she notices someone climbing up them. She immediately recognizes the person walking up to the deck as Cloud. Her legs seemed to start walking by themselves as she walks after Cloud.
She climbs the steps silently not wanting to let him know she's coming up. She stops at the door of the deck. She slowly opens the door to the deck outside the Highwind. She spots Cloud at the far end of the deck, leaning against the railing, watching the land fly by underneath them. The wind blows ripples through his clothing and blows his spiky blonde hair to the side.
Yuffie took a hesitant step on deck and closed the door behind her. She leaned against the door and looked down at her feet. "Hey." Yuffie looked up at Cloud as he greeted her. He's still looking off to the passing mountains. A grin played on Cloud's face, "I'm surprised, you're not tossing up your insides." He said jokingly.
A faint pink crept up onto Yuffie's cheeks from embarrassment. "Yea well, I'm too nervous to feel sick." She retorted back as she headed towards him. She stopped next to him and grabbed hold of the railing as she gazed out into the passing landscapes.
Cloud's grin dropped and his face became solemn, "Yea." He agreed quietly. Each remained silent, lost in their own thoughts about the upcoming battle. Each knew the fight isn't going to be easy. Each doesn't know what to expect when they reach the North Crater.
"Pretty ironic." Yuffie suddenly said. Cloud looked to his left to look at her. Yuffie gave a dry laugh, "We're fighting our super villain dude at the North Crater. Just like two years ago." Yuffie explained.
Cloud nodded once, "Yea ironic." He agreed turning his gaze back to the passing land.
"Cloud?" Cloud looked back towards Yuffie. His mako eyes locked with her misty gray ones. Yuffie turned her eyes off to the side, "Are you scared?" Cloud shrugged his shoulders not knowing if he felt scared or not. Nervous maybe, but not scared.
Cloud took his hands off the railing and turned his entire body towards Yuffie. "Are you?" Cloud asked. Yuffie hung her head and slowly nodded her head. Cloud placed a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry Yuffie. Everything will be alright." Yuffie didn't reply. "Let's get back to the bridge. We'll be there in a few minutes." Cloud said walking passed her. Yuffie silently followed.
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Vain cursed silently. Just when he's about to leave to start his new scheme, the Highwind lands in North Crater. "They must know I'm here." Vain said aloud to himself. Vain thinks about the situation for a moment before a smirk plays across his face, "Well I guess I'll have to finish them off myself!" Vain chuckled silently as he walks towards the Highwind.
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Cloud stood in front of his friends as they stand outside the Highwind, "Alright everyone. There's a lot of ground to cover. We'll split up but don't wonder too far from each other. When you find him contact the rest of us." Everyone nodded and began walking off in different directions.
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Red XII sniffed the ground as he silently walked around the large boulders. All his nose can pick up is mako and dirt, no scent of any other person or thing in there. He snapped his head up as he heard a rock fall. He quickly and silently walked around a boulder and looked behind it. All he sees is the cliff of the crater. He turns around and continues searching.
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Tifa walked around nervously glancing in all different directions. She doesn't want to be attacked off guard. She looks up at a boulder and then starts climbing it. Her footing slipped a bit on the way up but she manages. She stands on top of the boulder and looks around from the higher altitude. She can see a few of her friends but not the man they're searching for. She starts climbing down.
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Vincent kept his Death Penalty in his right hand as he slowly and silently walked at the side of a boulder. His metal boots not making even the faintest of sounds. His crimson eyes search for a single movement. That's all he needs is one movement from their enemy and he would spot him. Vincent stopped and slowly scanned the area.
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Cloud jumped off a ledge and landed on the rocky ground. He continued searching. He looked side to side hoping to spot Vain. He has a score to settle with him. ARRGGHHH!!!! Cloud quickly turning around hearing a scream followed by some gunfire. Cloud wasted no time and sprinted towards the direction.
His muscles tensed and his breathing quickened with nervousness. He soon got there. Everyone else is already there gathered in a circle. Red XII sat down his head bowed in respect. Tifa has her face covered with her hands sobbing. Yuffie stands next to her sniffling. Zack gathered Tifa in his arms to calm her. Cid stood off to the side cursing silently.
Cloud took a couple of hesitant forward. He knew someone had just died. The gunfire must of been a last desperate attempt to save himself. Cloud walked in the circle and looked down at his fallen friend. Blood formed underneath him from the place on his chest his heart would be. Cloud clenched his fists, his shoulders shook from the anger he held back.
Tifa fell to her knees and cried, "You can't be dead." She yelled through her sobs. Tifa's shoulders shook as she cried, "What, what about Marlene?" Tifa looked at Barrets rugged face. "She'll never be the same without you. You can't be dead Barret!" She screamed in anger. Zack crouched down and hugged her form trying to will her pain away.
Vincent gave a silent prayer to his comrade, no, his friend. One of so little he has left in the world. He could already feel himself almost starting to transform. He fought Chaos back. There is no reason to release the beast within when Vain is still hiding in the shadows.
Cid reached for his pack of cigarettes. He held the pack in his right hand and flicked it so the butt of one cigarette came out of the package. He brought his hand closer to his mouth. He looked back down at Barret's fallen form. Cid smashed the pack of cigarettes in his hand and threw them to the ground.
"GOD DAMMIT!" Cid yelled out. Everyone glanced over to him. Cid grabbed hold of his Venus Gospel, "YOU ASSHOLE! COME OUT AND FIGHT LIKE A MAN!" Cid yelled out into the crater. Cid looked around, "WHEN I FIND YOU I'LL F*^(#%^# KILL YOUR SORRY ASS! YOUR NOTHING BUT A F(^*&$#%$ PIECE OF SH- ugh."
"CID!" Most of the group cried in horror. Cid blinked once and looked down as blood started running from his mouth. The bloody end of a sword is coming out of his chest. Vain, who stood behind him, smirked, his eyes glinted insanely as he pulled the sword out slowly. The pilot dropped to the ground, a pool of blood quickly forming from underneath him. Vain laughed wickedly, a sword in each hand.
"Yooouuuu BASTARD!" Cloud launched himself at Vain, quickly bringing the Ultimate Sword slashing down as he jumps into the air. Vain crossed his swords and blocked the attack and kicked Cloud in the gut sending him back.
"HIYA!" Zack immediately jumped into action swing the Buster Sword rapidly trying to break through Vain's defenses. Vain blocked the strike aimed at his feet then brought both swords over his head and swung. Zack quickly brought the Buster Sword up to block the attack. He succeeded but the force of the attack sent him falling back.
Zack flew back and as his body hit the ground Vincent fired a shot from his Death Penalty. The bullet went soaring through air. Vain quickly dodged it letting the bullet whiz passed him. "Ultima!" Tifa shouted before a massive explosion blew up around Vain. Vain remained unhurt and charged at Tifa.
Yuffie quickly jumped out in front of Tifa and threw her Conformer at Vain. Vain slid to a halt as the Conformer comes screaming through the air right at him. Vain smirks and quickly swings the sword in his right hand. The Conformer connects with the sword and as an effect, gets split in half. "Dammit!" Yuffie cursed.
Vain gave a wicked laugh and threw the sword in his left hand towards Yuffie. Yuffie's eyes widen in surprise and on pure instinct she jumps out of the way. The sword continued forth and Tifa, who stood behind Yuffie, isn't as lucky. The sword impales Tifa in her ribs. "TIFA!" Yuffie screams and runs to help her.
Cloud quickly gets up and charges forth at Vain once again, "You'll pay for my friends!" Cloud yelled as he swings the Ultimate Sword. In Clouds blind rage, the attacks are sloppy and random. Vain taunts him and easily blocks the attacks.
Vincent couldn't take in anymore. The fury in his is too great for him to control any longer. He let's go and Chaos takes control. The transformation quickly takes place and the demon looks out into the battle seeing a familiar enemy. Chaos bares his fangs and glides forward.
Vain spun his wrist and knocked Cloud's Ultimate Sword out of his hands. Vain's eyes widen in excitement as he swings his sword at Cloud's mid-section. Cloud quickly dies off to the side to gather the Ultimate Sword. Vain looked at Cloud and laughed only to be sent flying into a boulder by the powerful fist of Chaos. Cloud stand down knowing full well not to get in the way of the demon. He walked over to Zack to wait for an opportunity.
Vain stood giving his head a quick shake to get rid of the dizziness. Vain rubbed the cheek that the demon had struck, "Well now, if it isn't the King of Demons. Haven't you learned from out last encounter?" Vain asked amusedly.
Chaos snorted and flew forth, he flexed his claws as he advances on Vain. Chaos swings his sharp deadly claws at Vain, Vain blocks them with his sword, but is slightly surprised to see the sword not cutting the claws. Chaos floated above Vain as he struck with his claws continuously. Vain blocked his strikes with a bit of difficulty.
Chaos brought back one arm and tried driving into Vain. Vain saw the attack coming so he jumped out of the way and does a one-eighty turn and cuts Chaos' arm off with his sword. Chaos howls in pain and flies back away from Vain, his left arm holding onto what's left of his right arm.
Vain laughs triumphantly at the one armed demon. Chaos closes his eyes and growls. Vain paused and looked up at Chaos. Chaos' eyes snapped open, the usually dull red turned into a brighter one. Chaos opened his mouth and blew out a red mist, it surrounds his body then circles around the right arm. The mist morphs onto the slashed limb and forms a new arm.
Vain nodded his head as he rubs his chin, "Now THAT is an interesting trick." He says a bit impressed. Chaos immediately flies down, instead of slashing with his claws he picks Vain up off the ground and throws him. Vain skidded across the rocky ground a couple of meters. "Why you little" Vain stood up and turned around only to be met with Chaos' claws. Chaos slashes Vain in the chest and across the face leaving five deep claw marks. Then he picks Vain up off the ground and throws him again.
Vain caught himself before he hit the ground and began gathering energy. Chaos charged at Vain. Vain smirked, "Let's see if you remember this, HOLY'S BEAM!" His arms outstretched in front him crossed at the end as he released powerful energy beam from within him.
Chaos' eyes widened a bit remembering the attack. He immediately stopped in mid air and crossed his arms over to protect his face as his large bat like wings wrapped around him. The blast hit him and still pushed him back. The attack passed and Chaos came out of his guarded state.
"HOLY'S BEAM!" Another beam of energy came straight at Chaos. This time Chaos isn't able to guard himself and he gets hit with all its might. Chaos roars in pain as the blast sending him flying to the ground. Chaos hits the ground hard and remains motionless.
Vain panted heavily. Perhaps attacking them all at once wasn't the smartest way to go about taking care of them. But he had almost all of them defeated, all he needed to do is take care of the Wutianease girl. Vain began walking in the direction where Yuffie kneeled beside Tifa. Vain smirked, soon all his troubles would be over.
Suddenly Cloud and Zack jumped out in front of him both posed to attack. Vain let out a frustrated breath, 'They'll never learn that their attempts are futile.' Cloud smirked at Vain in a knowing way, Zack's smirks matching Clouds. Vain narrowed his eyes at them both.
Cloud launched himself at Vain like last time he made one swing with the Ultimate Sword, which Vain easily blocked, then jumped out of the way. Zack followed up the attack with the same results. Vain started laughing pitying them, "You can never win against me. Give up."
Cloud and Zack both jumped away in front of Vain. Vain stopped laughing as he noticed both their eyes a fiery orange. Cloud and Zack's smirks widened, "We'll beat you with our new attack." Cloud commented. Orange and red light surrounds both of them. Vain clutches his sword tighter ready for whatever they have planned.
"COMBINED OMNISLASH" They yelled in union. Both charged forth with amazing speed swiftly striking blows at Vain. Theirs swords glowed white as energy gathers within them. They both attacked Vain at least twenty times their strength stronger then usual. Then Zack jumped into the fatigued Vain, the white energy in his sword gathering to the tip. Zack swing hard sending Vain flying up. Cloud quickly jumps into the air and elbows him in the back sending him to the ground.
Cloud looks as though he floats in the air as he raises his sword above his head, his sword glowing even brighter before, "FINAL BLAST!" Cloud yells out before swinging his sword down releasing all the energy from the sword flying at Vain.
Vain stood and looked up. His eyes widen in fear as the massive white energy blast comes flying down at him. The light the energy gives off reflects off his eyes as it advances. Then the energy hits exploding around him. He lets out a scream of pain as dust and dirt create a cloud around him.
Cloud lands on the ground and falls to his knees exhausted. His muscles tense as he waits for the cloud of dust to clear. Zack sluggishly walks over to his friend and stands by his side. The dust clears to reveal nothing but a crater in the ground smoking from the heat of the energy. Cloud sighs, "It's over."
Cloud looks over his shoulder to see Vincent getting off the ground. He looked over at Cloud and gave a nod which Cloud returned. Cloud's eyes widen as a thought strikes him, "Tifa!" Both him and Zack run back towards Yuffie.
Cloud breathed heavily as he looked down at Tifa. He turns to Yuffie, "Is she..." He's unable to finish for fear of the answer.
"I think she'll make it." Yuffie said. Zack and Cloud sigh. "The sword hadn't hit any major organs. I was able to pull the sword out and stop the bleeding with some Cure materia." Yuffie explained.
Cloud nodded his head and looked at the fallen Barret and Cid. Both his comrades, both his friends, both part of his family. Cloud shook with anger. Someone places a hand on his shoulder and Cloud looks over to Vincent.
Vincent rose his head up and closed his eyes, "The price for victory." He said before heading towards Barret's form. He picked up Barret and headed towards the Highwind. Cloud took his example and hurried to pick up Cid. The two of them deserved a proper burial. Zack looked down at Tifa for a moment before carefully picking her up off the ground. Yuffie ran over to help Cloud carry Cid.
They needed to call Barret and Cid's family and friends to inform them of their deaths. That challenge may seem harder then facing their enemy.
Sniff Sniff. Poor Barret and Cid. I'm sorry for all their fans out there. I don't hate them really. It's just happened while typing so forgive me. I hope y'all don't hate me for it but I thought it would give the story a nice twist. Well I hope y'all enjoyed that chapter more then my last. I'm sure it's better then the last one. It looks like they've finally defeated Vain. But what of Sephiroth? Will he ever show up again? Will he cause trouble. Have the remaining members of AVALANCHE already forgotten about him? Find out what happens next time. TTNC. Review please.