This is pretty much the last chapter. In this chapter, Rufus gets to meet Hojo for the second time in his life. And Sephy gets to have a change of heart in this chapter.
Chapter 11.
That night the ball was being held in the ballroom of Shinra Inc. It was highly decorated. There were lights set up. Potted bushes and trees with gold and silver lights in them. A real band. A large grand piano was set up. There were several tables around a huge dancing floor. The balcony doors were open so that the guests could wander out and get some fresh air. It was magnificent. Some of the guests were the guests at the large party 11 years ago. They wanted to see if the rumors were true. Rufus Shinra had returned.
Rufus was in the other room with Rupert getting ready to make their appearance and to greet their guests. He was fidgeting and playing with his chain around his neck. He had refused to take it off. Rupert didn't mind. Vincent was with the other Turks making rounds and making sure there was no danger for anyone. The announcer was talking to both strawberry blondes about how they were going to enter. But Rufus wasn't really listening and Rupert had noticed. He held up a hand. "You may leave. He knows what to do." He told him. The man bowed respectfully and left. Rupert turned his eyes onto his nephew who was looking out at the guests as if trying to find something. Rupert understood completely.
"Rufus, tell me the truth." He said softly. Rufus turned and looked at him. "Huh?" He asked. Rupert smiled at him. "Are you happy? I mean are you truly happy?" He asked. Rufus smiled. "Yes, uncle. I am happy. I've found where I belong. I found out who I am and who my family is." He said. Rupert smiled. "I believe you there." He frowned again.
"But I don't think you are truly happy. There is something missing." He said. Rufus tilted his head. "What would that be?" He asked. Rupert reached up and placed his hand on Rufus' shoulder. "I think what you are looking for now is someone to share your life with. Someone to love and care for. Maybe you will find her out there, somewhere." He said motioning to the guests. Rufus kept on smiling and shook his head. "Maybe." He said with actual hope.
They finally went out and began speaking to the guests. Everyone was so surprised to see Rufus but they greeted him with smiles and laughs. Rufus was always smiling but on the inside he was frowning. As he looked guest to guest, he did not see the one face he wanted to see. But he did see several faces that surprised him big time. Reeve and Aeris was there at the party. So was Barret, Marlene, Elmyra, several people he had met on the journey. They were all beaming at him, shaking his hands gratefully. Mayor Domino was there as well. He smiled brightly at Rufus and said, "I knew it was you." Rufus just smiled and shook his head. "Yes, you did, Mayor Domino." Then they both went off to talk to more people.
As the party went on, Rufus still didn't see Cid or Tifa. But he did get a real good look at an unwelcome guest. He had spotted Heidigger in the crowd staring towards Yuffie with malice. And it was clear what his plans were. Immediately, Rufus waved to Vincent. Vincent hurried over to his side. "Something wrong, Rufus?" he asked. Rufus looked towards Heidigger who was slowly making his way towards Yuffie. "That man, that's Heidigger." He told the Turk. Vincent looked over then scowled. "Don't worry, Rufus. I'll take care of him." He said and he left Rufus' side.
Heidigger was only a few feet away from grabbing Yuffie when suddenly two pairs of hands grabbed his arms making him cry out. Yuffie turned around and gasped seeing who was standing right there. Vincent and Rude pinned Heidigger's arms to his body. Reno quickly placed a protective arm around his girlfriend and glared at the fat man. Heidigger looked up at the two Turks and smiled nervously. "H-Hello." He said. Vincent smirked. "Do you have an invitation, sir?" He asked slyly. Heidigger laughed nervously. "Uh, no. But I'm an old friend of Red's. I, uh, pratically raised the boy, yes." He said. Vincent and Rude smirked even more and rose their eyebrows. They looked at Yuffie. "Princess?" They both asked. Yuffie folded her arms and glared at Heidigger.Just as a man stepped up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hun, who is this?" He asked. Yuffie looked up at the man who was glaring at Heidigger. "Oh, this is that jerk I told you about, Daddy." She told him. Heidigger went very pale. Godo looked at Vincent. "Vincent, would you be so kind to throw him out on his ass?" He asked. Vincent nodded. "As you and Rufus wishes." He said with Rude dragging Heidigger out.
Yuffie giggled as Rufus stepped up smiling. She jumped forward and hugged her best friend. "No more fat man!" She said happily. Rufus hugged her and looked at her father. "Ah, Godo, I'm glad you could make it." He said. Godo smiled. "Yes. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I had to be here for my daughter and her new boyfriend." He said looking at Reno who was grinning. Rufus smiled. "Yes. Well I'm glad you're here." He said. He gave them a small bow. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have more guests to greet." He said. Godo bowed back.
Rufus walked right up to Rupert who smiled when he stepped up. "Rufus, your friend is here." He said nodding to the right. Rufus turned and saw Cid and a woman smiling at each other when they noticed Rufus. Rufus smiled and walked over with Rupert. "Cid, I'm glad you could make it." He said. Cid looked a little surprised. "You're not mad anymore?" He asked. Rufus shook his head. "Nah, I've thought a lot about it and I've decided that being mad at you wouldn't help. I mean, you did help me find out who I was." He said. Cid smiled before looking at the woman. "Oh! By the way, this is my wife, Shera. She $#$# surprised me this $$#$# afternoon at that stupid &$#$$# hotel room. I didn't even know that she was going to $$$ here." He said. Rufus laughed and shook his head. He turned to Shera and smiled.
"Good evening, Shera. You're lucky to have a man like Cid even though he is a little subversive." He said. Shera and Rupert both laughed while Cid looked puzzled. "What the $&$# does that mean?" He asked. They just laughed some more.
Rupert decided to change the subject by looking around. "So where's Miss Lockhart? Didn't she get my invitation?" He asked. Cid frowned now looking uneasy. "Oh, she got it alright. It's just……" He paused. "She couldn't make it." He said. Both Rufus and Rupert frowned. "Couldn't make it? Was there trouble?" Rupert asked. Cid blew out a sigh. "Oh yes there was. She left this afternoon." He told him. Rupert nodded slowly. "Oh, I see." He said. Rufus ran his hand through his hair.
"All well. As long as she's happy with her share of the money, that's all that counts." He said with a shrug. Although he was very disappointed that Tifa wasn't coming. Rupert and Cid looked at each other. "Actually, none of them took the money, Rufus." His uncle said. Rufus looked at him with surprise. "What?" He asked. Cid nodded. "We refused the reward money. Not one cent." He said. Rufus looked back at him. "Why? You needed that money, didn't you?" He asked. Cid shrugged while Shera looked at him uneasily. Then looked back at Rufus. "They wanted and needed that money before they met you, Red. But things changed during your journey here." She told them simply.
Rufus looked completely stunned. He couldn't believe that Tifa and Cid had not taken the money they had so desirably wanted in the beginning. "But it was a million gil, Cid." He said. Cid smiled softly. "Yeah, but a million gil isn't worth ruining a friendship with you, kiddo. We had decided that we didn't want it because we didn't need it. We are the richest people there is. We have you as a friend." He shook his head. "We just wanted to see you be happy and have the family you deserved." He said. Rufus felt touched. He smiled and placed a hand on Cid's shoulder. Cid tapped his shoulder then turned to Shera. "Now if you'll excuse us. We're going to &#$$# dance on that $#$# dance floor!" He said dragging Shera with him. Rufus and Rupert laughed and shook his head.
Then the young Shinra looked away frowning. Rupert saw that look and took his nephew by the arm. "Rufus, follow me. I think we need to talk." He said. Rufus followed without heisitation. They stepped out onto the balcony and over looked the city. The wind was slightly blowing.
Rupert placed his hands on the railing and breathed in the fresh air. Rufus joined him with his eyes closed enjoying the breeze. His uncle looked at him. He sighed and turned towards the young Shinra. "Rufus?" He asked. Rufus opened his eyes and looked at his uncle. "Hmm?" he asked. "Tell me, my boy. Is this what you truly want? All this?" Rupert asked gesturing to the party inside.
Rufus smiled. "Of course, uncle. Ever since a child I wanted to do these sort of things. I want to make a difference. I came here to find my home with you." He said. Rupert shook his head. "You can't find your home without your heart, Rufus. Your home is in your heart." He told him. Rufus stared at him. "This is where I belong, uncle. This is where I want to be." He said. Rupert nodded. "Yes, Rupert. This is where you belong but I don't really think it's where you want to be." He said. There was a silence between them. Rufus turned away and looked back at the city looking pained. "Then tell me, uncle? Where do I want to be because I don't know." He said. Rupert studied his nephew. "You want to be out there, Rufus. Looking for her." He turned and walked towards the party again. Rufus just stood there staring with surprise.
"In your heart, you know what's best for you. You must follow your heart, Rufus. Don't block it out. Go find Tifa." He heard his uncle say. Then he was alone. Rufus continued to stare at the city. He didn't know what to do. He was so confused. Even more than he was before. His eyes slowly lifted and he looked at the moon. "Tifa." He whispered.
In the junkyard, Tifa was sitting curled in a corner. Tear streaks running down her face. She had tried her hardest to get out, to go back to Rufus and warn him. But she couldn't get out. Not without help. She sighed and looked up through a crack. Right at the silver orb in the sky. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her body. "Red." Just then there was a noise. The machine began to move. Tifa gasped standing up and moving to the middle. The walls were now closing in on her. Ready to crush her. "Oh no." She whispered weakly.
Rufus was still standing there when he heard something strange. He heard a whisper in the air. Turning around he tried to find out who was whispering his name. But there was no one out on the balcony with him. There was that whisper again. Rufus turned and listened hard. He began to follow the voice to find out who it belonged to. It lead to the stair way so he went up looking upward to find the person calling him. He was approaching the roof. "Hello? Who's up here?" he called almost at the top.
At the top, Hojo was grinning. Rufus was coming closer to his death. He was stepping right into his trap. Hojo looked over at Sephiroth. "Sephiroth, when he comes up kill him." He said. Sephiroth looked at him then towards the stairs. So many thoughts were going through his mind at the moment. He was trying to decide what to do. Do what his father says or warn Rufus? He looked at the ground trying to think very quickly. He then glanced at his watch seeing that it was almost 11: 30. That was then it hit him. Tifa Lockhart. Sephiroth scoffed and looked at Hojo.
"No." He said. Hojo shot him a look. "What?" He asked. Sephiroth backed away. "I said no. I will not take part in this any longer. You want him dead, you kill him yourself. I've failed before and I will not do it again." He said. He turned away and vanished in smoke. Hojo growled. "Stupid experiment. I should have never made that mistake." He growled and got ready to kill Rufus.
The walls were inching closer to Tifa. She was standing against the wall starting to panic on how close the walls were now. She hugged herself closing her eyes. "Rufus……" She whispered tearfully. She turned a little so that the walls wouldn't touch her. She was going to die, she knew it.
Suddenly there was a crunch and the sound of metal being crushed. Tifa's eyes shot open. Sparks were flying now. She cried out when sparks flew at her. She covered her head as the wall was ripped away from her. She lowered her arms and looked forward, listening to the machine shutting down. Smoke all around her, blinding her vision. She waved her hand to get it away from her face. There was a loud crash close by making Tifa jump.
Then a tall figure stepped closer waving a hand. Just like that, the smoke was swept aside. Tifa's eyes grew wide seeing Him. Him and his eerie green eyes staring back at her. Sephiroth smirked as he could sense her fear. He held out his hand. Tifa looked at it then back at him.
Rufus stepped onto the roof looking around. There was nothing but a few gargoyles, the small smoke and steam stacks, a large generator. But there was no one around. Rufus squinted his eyes as he began to wander on the roof. He felt an eerie feeling. He had a feeling that he shouldn't have been up there. He turned to go back down when suddenly the stairs vanished. Rufus gasped stepping back. "What the!" He exclaimed. There was a soft evil laugh in the air. Dark clouds began to form. Rufus spun around his eyes wide. He knew he was not alone. He swallowed hard and looked around. Mist began to form all over the roof top. Then a shadow appeared from behind a generator.
"Well, well, well. Look who we have here. Rufus Shinra at last. It has been quite a while." A wicked voice drifted towards him. Rufus spun around and looked at the man coming towards him. He knew that voice. But he couldn't place it. Then the mist around the man fell and Rufus got to see him.
Flashes of memories danced all around his mind. He remembered this man. Rufus' eyes widen. "You! Hojo!" He exclaimed. Hojo sneered stopped several feet away from Rufus. "I see you remember me." He said. Rufus narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. "You……you killed my family. You tried to kill me." He hissed between his teeth. Hojo continued to sneer. "Yes. And tonight I will kill you. I will finish the curse that I placed upon your wretched family." He grinned. "With this." He held up the black orb. It was glowing reddish-black.
Smoke burst out and minions formed all around them both. A few of them attacked Rufus already. He rose his arms to protect himself and then swung to knock some back. Hojo just laughed evilly. There was a crack of lightning and thunder. Rufus grabbed a minion and threw it away from him. He had a cut on his cheek already from being scratched by one of their little claws. "I am not afraid of you, Hojo! I was as a child but I'm not now!" He snapped. Hojo sneered. "You are foolish then, boy. I am your worst nightmare."
Rufus smirked back at him. "Actually my worst nightmare has to deal with me being out in public with nothing but my boxers. But for you I'll make an exception." He frowned angrily. "I'm not afraid you anymore, Hojo. I will never be afraid of you." He said. Hojo glared. "Then I shall make you afraid!" He waved the orb and the smoke formed into giant hands. They struck out and wrapped around Rufus making him gasp. They lifted him up off the ground, higher and higher. Hojo stepped forward with his own hands out stretched. Rufus was hovering over nothing now. He looked down only to see thousands of feet between him and the ground.
"Are you afraid now, Boy?" Hojo laughed. Rufus wouldn't admit it but he was terrified. The only thing that was holding him up from falling to his death was smoke. "Okay, I'm dead." He whispered. Hojo laughed. "Yes you are, Rufus Shinra. Finally all Shinras will die." He said. He opened his empty hand and so did the smoky hand. Rufus began to fall. He waved his arms as he fell. "Oh shit!" He yelled.
Suddenly there was a flash of silver and something grabbed him on the back of his jacket stopping him from falling. "Red!" He heard that voice. Rufus' eyes shot towards the building and he saw Tifa standing behind Hojo looking scared. Hojo spun around and gasped seeing her. "You! How did you escape!" He exclaimed. There was an evil laugh. "I freed her, you moron." A voice above Rufus rang out. Rufus looked up and saw Sephiroth holding him by the back of the jacket. Again Hojo spun around and his eyes grew wider. "Sephiroth! You dare to betray me!" He roared. Sephiroth flew over the building and landed letting Rufus go. "Let's just say I had a change of heart." He growled. Hojo snarled. "You will all die!" He yelled. The sky was filled with lightning and thunder.
Tifa hurried forward and threw her arms around Rufus startling him but he wrapped an arm around her hugging her close. "What are you doing here?" He asked looking at her. Tifa looked up at him. She smiled. "I've come to save you again." She said. Rufus smiled back and they both turned their determined eyes onto Hojo who pointed at the gargoyles and they came to life. "Kill them all!" He yelled. The gargoyles charged towards them. Rufus pushed Tifa behind him. "It's my turn to protect you, Tifa!" he said.
He charged toward Hojo only to be hit aside by a gargoyle. Rufus quickly got to his feet. Sephiroth took off into the air being followed by a large winged pig. Tifa faced another gargoyle that charged. She quickly rolled to the side dodging it's heavy fist.
Rufus found Hojo standing in front of him, smirking. The evil man waved his hand at him then pointed to behind him. Rufus spun around only to get hit by a stone fist. He went flying to the ground clutching his chest. "Okay, that one actually hurt." He growled getting back to his feet. "Shinra!" Sephiroth yelled. Rufus dodged another attack and looked up at the silver haired man slashing a gargoyle to pieces. "That black orb! Destroy that black orb!" Sephiroth yelled. Rufus turned towards Hojo seeing the black orb hanging on a cord in his hand.
Gritting his teeth the young president charged at Hojo, only to jump aside to avoid getting hit again. He continued to run towards Hojo who snarled at him. He quickly tucked the orb into his pocket. "You are messing with the wrong person, Rufus Shinra!" He snarled. Rufus skidded to a stop and smirked at him. "So are you, Hojo."
Hojo snarled again and threw a destructive spell towards Rufus, which he ducked and it hit the gargoyle behind him blowing it up. Rufus flinched but looked wide eyed at the destroyed rubble of the gargoyle. "Well I guess I better avoid that." He turned towards Hojo only to get hit by his fist. Rufus went flying across the ground. That had been one powerful punch. "Red!" Tifa cried out. She charged towards Hojo. Hojo spun around and caught her by the neck. She gasped as he tightened his grip. Rufus quickly stood and his eyes widen. "Tifa!" He cried out. He ran forward to rescue her but Hojo flung her towards him. They both went crashing towards the ground. Rufus and Tifa quickly sat up making a quick look at each other then at Hojo as he advanced on them. He was laughing evilly. As soon as he was close enough, Tifa's hand lashed out and grabbed his lab coat yanking him down. Rufus sent his fist sailing right into Hojo's face. Hojo let out an outraged yell but couldn't do anything at the moment since both Rufus and Tifa rose their foot and kicked him hard in the stomache.
Hojo went flying back but managed to catch footing. He growled angrily waved his hand. A huge wind spell hit them both. It sent Tifa flying across the roof towards the other edge. Rufus spun around to see if she fell. She had managed to catch one of the smoke stacks to stop herself. Hojo kicked Rufus hard in the stomach making grunt and wrap his arms around his middle. "I'll finish with you in a moment!" The scientist snapped. He started to advance on Tifa, who sat up. "You have been a thorn in my side for a long time, girl!" He growled.
Just then Sephiroth slammed onto the ground raising his sword to slash Hojo but the scientist easily back handed him, sending him flying into the generator and slump to the ground. Hojo continued to stalk towards Tifa who cowered in fear. "You will not stop me from destroying the rest of the Shinras and their wretched company, no longer! My curse is complete!" He roared raising a hand above his head, which transformed into a blade. Tifa jerked her head and tightly closed her eyes waiting for the blade to drop.
"Hey, Hojo!" Rufus yelled. Hojo slowly looked over his shoulder. Rufus was standing up holding his side. His eyes dark and murderous looking. He had something clenched in his other hand but Hojo nor Tifa could see what it was. "Aren't you forgetting something!" Rufus called. Hojo turned a little to see better. Rufus held up whatever it was he was holding. "There's something about living on the streets for 11 years and that's learning how to be a pick pocketer." He said. Hojo's eyes went wide.
In Rufus' hand was his precious black orb. It was glowing red hot and smoking. But Rufus had so much adreniline running through him that he didn't feel the burning. "Say goodbye to your precious rock!" He yelled. He turned around and threw it as hard as he could off the building. "NOOOOOOO!" Hojo yelled running after it. The orb fell faster towards the ground far below. Hojo stood on the edge, his eyes wide as golf balls.
The orb fell faster and faster. There was a scream in the air, Hojo's outraged and terrified scream. It grew louder as the orb approached the roads below. It finally stopped falling and smashed against the ground into thousands of pieces. There was a loud screech in the air. Echoing every where. People in their homes, at work, at the party let out terrified yells and covered their ears. Glass all over shattered at the high pitched scream. Rufus stood glaring at Hojo's back.
From where the orb shattered a brilliant green tornado shot upward spinning faster. Spirits were taking forms. The minions screaming as the spun in the tornado. Hideous moaning noises filled the air. Hojo looked terrified. The spiritual tornado began to suck up things. Hojo went flying right into it. Tifa gasped as she was caught in the wind and started sliding towards the tornado. "Red!" She screamed. Rufus spun around and gasped. He ran forward and slammed to ground grabbing Tifa's hands and holding her tightly. They both began to slide towards the edge. Tifa screamed closing her eyes tightly. Rufus kicked trying to catch anything.
Suddenly he felt a strong hand snatch his ankle and hold tight. Rufus and Tifa looked to see Sephiroth slam his sword into the roof to hold him down. They held each other tighter. Then the tornado exploded and shot towards the ground. They all just sat there shaking a little from the aftermath. After a minute the three of them stood, Rufus helping Tifa stand and they looked off to where the tornado used to be. The black storms dissipated like they were nothing and the stars once again shone with the moon. Rufus kept his arm around Tifa tightly and she held to him the same. Sephiroth pulled out his sword and slid it into it's place at his waist. The three stood there looking towards the clear sky. The silver haired demon smiled dryly. "He's gone." He whispered.
Rufus and Tifa looked at him with surprise. They couldn't help but stare at him and wonder why he saved them. "Why did you help us? He was your father." Rufus asked. Sephiroth turned his eyes onto them and smiled. "Like I've said I've had a change of heart. Besides, Aeris would kill me if I let anything happen to Tifa." He said. Tifa and Rufus' jaws fell with shock. Sephiroth smirked and nodded.
"Rufus!" They heard someone yell. The three spun around looking towards the stairs only to see Rupert, Vincent, Cid, Yuffie and the Turks run up, which all of them halted seeing Sephiroth standing there. Sephiroth smirked again and gave a small wave then vanished into smoke.
Rupert and the others looked Rufus and Tifa over with shock. "What happened! Are you alright?" He asked. Rufus and Tifa looked at each other then smiled. They looked back at the worried people. "We're fine. Don't worry. Just taking care of a small pest problem." Rufus said simply. Cid looked at Tifa. "Teef? I thought you $$#$ leaving." He said. Tifa smiled sweetly. "I couldn't. My heart was still here in the city. I couldn't leave without it." She said. Rufus nodded. "And my heart was about to leave me but she came back." He said looking at Tifa who looked up at him. Rufus smiled down at her then cupped her face bringing his down and placing his lips onto hers.
For a minute Tifa looked surprised but she smiled between their kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. He wrapped his around her waist and pulled her closer. The others smiled seeing them.
Vincent turned around and looked towards the moon only to see a beautiful face smiling down at him. Danielle Feine Shinra. The Turk smiled and waved. "Don't worry, Dani. I'll take care of him." He whispered. Reno and Yuffie looked at each other and smiled. They wrapped their arms around each other shared their own kiss. Shera walked up behind Cid and wrapped her arms around his waist making him look at her. They smiled at each other. Rupert smiled proudly at his nephew.
