Chapter Ten

Cid Highwind frowned. "A robot?"

Suddenly, there was a loud creaking noise, then a CLANG! And the Highwind gave a shudder.

Maena grabbed hold of Vincent's arms. "I think it's changing into a robot!" she exclaimed.

They all peered through the settling dust and mist.

It was gone. The blue airship had disappeared.

Nanaki stepped forward, a frown on his red muzzle. "Hmmm… It's like it just… moved on its own, without any humans guiding it."

"See!" Maena cried. "I'm telling you--it's a robot!"

"I believe you," Vincent said quietly.

Suddenly, out of the mist of smoke, something huge and blue and terrifying burst into view. It was a gigantic robot. And it was hovering inches above the deck of the Highwind.

"Whoa," Cid said quietly, so awestruck that he couldn't cuss. "Kinda reminds me of the Proud Clod."

Vincent grimaced at the comparison. Indeed, it did look like that huge, horrifying creation that had long since been defeated. It's arms were massive, and probably full of lasers and guns. Vincent felt Maena move closer to him and he put his arm around her.

"What do we do, Captain?" Shera asked calmly.

"Well…" Cid scratched his head. "I guess we'd better fight it."

Suddenly, there was a loud clang. Another one.

Maena grabbed onto Vincent's arm, gasping in horror. "It--it's arm!" she cried.

The robot's arm had folded in on itself, then folded back out--transformed into a sword. And it was a HUGE sword.

Vincent whipped out his rifle and fired at the monstrous machine. His bullets pinged off of it, useless.

"#%$#!" Cid exclaimed.

Yuffie stepped in front of the others. "Let me at 'em, Cap!" she cried, her stance crouched and defensive. She twirled her shuriken. "I'll slice its arms off!"

Nanaki leaped in front of her. "Hold it, Yuffie. It hasn't attacked us yet, and we don't have a plan."

"Oh." Yuffie straightened, her shuriken hanging down at her side. She glanced at the others. "So… what do we do?"

There was a moment of silence.

Maena spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why hasn't it attacked us?"

"Hmmmm…" Vincent rubbed his narrow jaw. "Good question."

The big, blue robot just stood there, looking like a massive sentry. Or… maybe not just looking like one.

"I have an idea," said Yuffie. She ran towards the robot.

"Yuffie! Wait!" Shera called.

Maena looked at Vincent. He immediately knew what she was thinking.

"Maena…" There was warning in his voice.

She took off running after Yuffie. She called behind her, "I have to take care of her!" Soon she had reached Yuffie's side.

Yuffie gave her a crooked grin as they ran to the feet of the enormous machine. Then, they stopped.

"What now?" Maena whispered.

Yuffie circled Maena, rubbing her chin. "Hmmm. I'm glad you came along. You're the perfect size. I'm glad you're tall."

Maena frowned. "WHAT!?"

"Get down on your knees."

"What?"

"Just do it, dummy!"

Maena shrugged, then knelt, keeping a cautious eye on the robot that towered above her. "Okay. What now?"

"Hold still." Biting her tongue in concentration, Yuffie climbed on Maena's shoulders and grabbed Maena's hands. "Stand up!" she yelled happily.

"Ouch! Yuffie! Quit swinging your legs!" Maena winced as she stood. "I'm not a chocobo, you know."

"Obviously! DUH!" Yuffie slapped her forehead mockingly. "Now… I want you to jump up and down!"

"WHAR!?"

"Just do it!" Yuffie blew out her breath in a tortured sigh. "If only Vincent or Cid had come along. They're taller than you, and they would surely have the good sense to do as I ask."

"Who ever said that doing as you ask is good sense?" Maena prostested. But she obeyed. "What is the purpose of this?" she asked breathlessly between jumps.

"I'm seeing if this thing is paying any attention to me!" Yuffie called. She was waving his arms like a madwoman. "Heck! It's not! It's just standing there!"

Maena stopped jumping and leaned backwards. "Get off."

Yuffie slid to the ground, landing in a crouch, then straightened. Her arms were crossed and she bit her lip as she peered up at the big robot. Then, she walked slowly closer to the robot.

"Yuffie!" Maena hissed. She glanced over her shoulder. The others were slowly creeping closer. She looked back at Yuffie. The little ninja was almost between the robot's big metal feet. "Yuffie! Be careful!" Drawing on her emotions and all of her willpower, Maena held her arms over her head and closed her eyes. Suddenly, a pink, glowing cloud appeared in her hands. She took a deep breath, then launched it towards Yuffie. The glowing cloud swallowed Yuffie up.

"Hey!" Yuffie yelled, halting. "What IS this?"

"It's my own, personal Protect spell," Maena called to her. "Keep going."

Vincent stepped up beside of Maena. That was all. He didn't say anything, didn't look at her. But she knew somehow that he was thinking of her.

Yuffie advanced towards the robot. Soon, she was standing between its legs. She took one more step…

…And WHOOSH!

The gigantic sword came swishing through the air as the robot stepped back. The sword narrowly missed Yuffie as she jumped back. The robot just stood there, holding the sword in front of Yuffie. It would not let her pass. Yuffie came bounding back like a frightened rabbit. She grabbed Shera's jacket. "Dude! Did you SEE that!?"

"Yes, Yuffie, obviously," Vincent answered sarcastically. "We ALL did."

They all stood there looking at the sentry that blocked their way.

Cid shook his head. "Well, we can't get rid of IT, but it doesn't really look like it wants to get rid of us." He shrugged. "I guess I'd better go give orders to the flight crew, and I'd better warn them that we're carrying some heavy cargo." He chuckled dryly, then marched off, Shera at his heels.

Vincent stared up at the robot. Cid was right. It did resemble the Proud Clod, that huge thing Cloud and his allies had once battled in the streets of Midgar, but this one was larger and it was… blue.

Maena gently slipped her arm through his. "What is it?"

Vincent felt a shiver go up his arm, starting at the place where Maena's arm touched his. "It's nothing," he said, attempting nonchalance. "It just reminds me of something we once fought, that's all."

Maena was silent, feeling a bit left out. She had heard many snatches of stories about Cloud and the "others." Sometimes she felt like the odd one out because she hadn't experienced their adventures. "Hey, Vincent," she started, not really sure what she was going to say.

Suddenly, Vincent dropped to his knees on the deck and bowed his head.

"Vincent!" Maena screamed. She knelt beside him. He was gritting his teeth as if in pain. "Vincent! What's wrong!?"

Vincent reached over and grabbed his claw-arm. "Something's wrong," he managed, his eyes shut tightly. "I don't know how this is happening…" He opened his eyes and turned to Maena. His eyes were bright red--the pupils, the irises, the whites--all red. "Maena…" His voice was hoarse. "Maena, get back… I'm becoming Chaos."

Maena jumped backwards, confused. Didn't Vincent only become this Chaos creature when angered in battle? What was going on!? She looked up at the sky, as if hoping for a good sign. All she saw was the moon, blood-red, and the stars. One of the stars fell.

Suddenly, Vincent was himself no longer. He was Chaos.

Maena felt her heartbeat quicken. She was suddenly very afraid.

The airship gave a shudder as it began to take off again.

Suddenly, the huge blue sentinel turned and raised its sword above its head. It was aiming it at the bridge!

"NO!" Maena screamed.

Then, the airship was still, and the robot settled back into its original position. Maena realized with a start what was going on. The robot was not going to let them leave.