Not a single thing changed about the Ancient Forest. The foreboding aura that it emitted still sent shivers down Cloud's spine as he rode through the forest night. He let out a deep breath, feeling the harsh deep chills piercing his skin with the accumulation of speed he demanded on Fenrir. He was alone and he hated that feeling. It was when he was alone that old memories started flooding back. He kept his keen gaze straight on the road ahead of him. Vincent had offered to head in first and if everything was safe, he would contact Cloud. However, the blonde couldn't just stand idle while his partner could be in danger. He chuckled to himself. He was acting like Tifa again. He remembered her pursuit to accompany him on the mission. Cloud was relieved that she eventually obeyed his words to stay behind. He just wished that another certain woman would have done the same.

God, why does it always lead back to her?

She was like a looming shadow that never left his side but he was the one who created that shadow. He created the ghost of the once sweet flower girl. He let Sephiroth kill her. He needed forgiveness now more than ever. His eyes stared blankly ahead and hoped that the dead shadow would hear him. Please forgive me Aeris...

Cloud shook his head. He couldn't be thinking of her right now. He had to concentrate on his current mission which was to find the orphans and bring them back to Tifa. He knew that if he didn't get back to the bar in time, Tifa would ease her worries by going into the forest herself. He knew she was headstrong and determined but he didn't want those qualities to destroy her life. Feeling a new surge of impulse, Cloud raised the gauge and the jet black mobile dashed off into seemingly never ending woods.

For a moment, he had to grip on to the handle bars to prevent himself from swaying. It was not from the force but rather, it was from a hot flash that appeared from no where. While holding on with one hand, his other gloved hand would hold his head as he suppressed a low moan of pain. He bit down on his tongue and clenched his teeth in hopes that the pressure would help ease the pain that was ramming through his head. The head ache felt familiar. It was the same ones he felt when Sephiroth manipulated him. Why now? Why was it happening again?

Before he could even think about the possibilities, his PHS rang out. Letting his hand trail from his head, he picked up the small device.

It's Vincent. The entrance appears to be safe. I see the children. Actually, there's a whole bunch of them and a silver haired man seems to be making some speech about the Planet and Geostigma. Cloud, you better get down here fast.I'm...ugh, on my way.Are you all right? Are you injured?No Vincent. It's just a head ache. It will fade.Don't worry. It's nothing. I think I see your bike up ahead. I'm going to park it right next to yours. You'll see me in a second.

Cloud quickly disconnected the PHS and neatly placed it back into his pockets. He halted Fenrir to a stop and climbed off the bike. He shook his head clear once more. The pain seem to have subsided and he was relieved for that. The last thing he needed was any distraction while completing this mission.

Vincent turned his head and lifted a single golden clawed finger to motion his leader over. Nodding, Cloud quickly ran over and ducked down beside his comrade. Peeking through the cracks between the bushes that shrouded their bodies, Marlene and Denzel were the first two people he spotted. Surrounding them were a few more children their age and in front of the small group, a silver haired man with threatening teal eyes spoke fervidly. He held a slender katana in one hand and that was what worried Cloud.

Vincent, do you think he plans to hurt the children?No. I don't think so. He was rambling on about Geostigma the whole time and saying how the Planet must pay. It seems he needs these children.I don't get it. What does this all mean? Cloud arched his brows in confusion as he peered through the bush again. His own fingers felt for the hilt of his sword. Intuition from years of fighting told him that trouble was going to occur.

I don't know but it seems as if all this is connected.Let's not worry about this now. We need to get the kids away. one of the children's voice echoed through the forest. What are we suppose to do?My child... Kadaj sneered as he leaned in closer towards the boy who spoked out. The Planet is making us suffer by racking our bodies with pain. We will join as a family and...FIGHT BACK THE PLANET! Kadaj screamed in glee. He tossed his head into the air and laughed bitterly. Hee hee hee... His teal deleterious eyes sparked to life as he started to swing his katana around idly, tossing it from one hand to the next.

Some of the frightened children huddled closely to each other. They did not know what their fates were going to be as captors of a truly insane man. Kadaj walked around the circumference of the circle he created around his prisoners.

Hm...and what do we have here? It seems there are more prisoners to add to my collection. With lightening rapid speed and inhuman reflexes, Kadaj leaped into the air and somersaulted, landing in front of a tall tree. With a single flick of his wrist, the katana met the bark of the tree and ended the nature's creation. The bush was now gone. Green leaves swirled as the branches began to split, revealing Cloud and Vincent who were now fully exposed to their enemy.

Cloud mentally cursed at himself. He was sure that they were absolutely quiet. How did Kadaj detect their presence? Did he know that they were here all along?

Kadaj's smile widened into a sickening grin as he roughly kicked Cloud's right shin, bringing the blonde to the ground on one knee next to him. Before Cloud could counter with an attack, his neck was met by the tip of Kadaj's katana. He looked up and saw Kadaj's eyes sparkling satanically. His long fingers curled around the hilt of the blade as he inched the tip closer to Cloud's neck until he could actually feel the cold metal touching his skin.

Under this dire circumstance, Vincent thought it would be best not to move. His clawed hand slid behind his back, reaching for his Death Penalty. Kadaj did not seem to notice the gunner although he was right behind his leader. The silver haired man crouched down until he was at Cloud's level. Sneering, he leaned in until their faces almost touched.

Anger burned in Cloud's eyes as he was forced to stare into the orbs of his enemy.

What the hell do you think you are doing by kidnapping all these children?Heh...something we should have done a long time ago. We're going to strike back at the Planet. And you, I know you feel a sense of connection to all this, don't you? Heh...Mako infused puppet.How did you...know? Cloud stared back at the man in shock. Sure his blue eyes were abnormal but one couldn't confirm it was Mako unless one was told. No one knew that he was infused with Mako except his comrades and ShinRa. Was this mysterious person somehow linked with ShinRa? The closer Cloud examined his face, the more he realized how much resemblance Kadaj had in common with Sephiroth. He found himself uttering the name of the one winged angel.

Kadaj released another roar of laughter. I knew we were all connected. He twisted the hilt with his fingers, causing the blade to teasingly edge around Cloud's neck, particularly to where the pulse was most vital. I do look like him, don't I?

Staring back at the children, Kadaj motioned for them to step closer. I want you to look at this man.

Marlene and Denzel held each other as they stared at their captor with fear in their young eyes. The little girl yelled out. The rest of the children stared in disbelief that Marlene actually knew the man who might be their only source of rescue. As a result, they all huddled closer to the young girl who stood defensively over Denzel.

Kadaj stood to his full height. He looked down at his captive with disgust. This Cloud you know...he is a traitor! Kadaj screamed as he readied his blade to penetrate the blonde's neck. However, his action was voided by a single bullet that whizzed passed his arm. The shot did not do cause much harm but it did graze his wrist, causing him to drop his katana. A small cloud of smoke dispersed from the Death Penalty' muzzle. Vincent frowned. He couldn't remember the last time he had ever missed a shot. Kadaj was obviously not human for any regular human would not have been able to evade that bullet.

Before his enemy made a reach for his weapon, Cloud instantly leaped to his feet and kicked the katana a few feet away. Marlene, Denzel, get in the bike! He pointed to the direction where his Fenrir was parked and the kids instantly made a run for the vehicle.

You won't get away with this! Kadaj screeched between his teeth. Picking himself up from the ground, he extended an arm, preparing his fist to strike Cloud's face but the latter was quicker. Raising his buster sword, the attack was blocked. Countering, Cloud shoved the Sephiroth clone against the bark of a tree and cleaved the blade against his chest. Even in this fatal position, Kadaj only grinned wickedly. You're weak Cloud. Don't you ever forget that.Shut the hell up. Cloud muttered dangerously under his breath. The tension between the two men was so strong that Cloud felt as if his mind was going to be taken over again. How was this man connected to Sephiroth? Although he didn't show it, Cloud felt a hint of fear coursing through his body. Sephiroth can't come back. He's dead...isn't he?

Is that fear I see running through the almighty Cloud? The same Cloud who defeated...SEPHIROTH? Hee hee.How do you know about that. Who are you? He roughly shoved his body against Kadaj while one hand clasped his throat. The fear was now replaced with fury as Mako infused eyes demanded answers to the enigmatic puzzle that was starting to unfold. Tell me!Oh, you'll find out within time... Vincent's voice pierced through the air. We have to get out of here now.

Cloud glanced back and saw that all the children were already safely strapped on either bikes. Vincent was already starting the power on his mobile. Marlene wrapped her arms around a rather nervous Denzel as she stared with pleading eyes to bring her back to safety.

Damn you to hell. This isn't over...

He reluctantly released Kadaj and ran to his bike. Climbing on, he started his own ignition. Within seconds, the engines roared to life as the two vehicles speeded off through forest. He cast one more look back before focusing on the wayward road ahead of him. The path appeared to be much more dangerous than when they entered. It was as if the whole forest was trying to cease them from escaping. Cloud had to steer roughly from side to side to avoid a few close encounters with long protruding branches. He saw that Vincent was having the same problem. It seemed that every turn they made, the long sharp branches would reach out and grasp them.

Cloud commanded. He turned around to make sure that Marlene and the other children obeyed him before drawing out his sword. He managed the bike with one hand while the other battled the obstacles in his path to freedom. He expertly removed the blockades by cleanly segmenting the branches while Vincent fired at the ones that were out of the sword's range. Cloud prayed that Vincent would not miss his shots. The forest was pitch dark and Cloud was sure that if he was in the position of firing a gun, he would most likely miss all his targets. However, he knew that Vincent was anything but a neophyte when it came to sharpshooting. He reassured himself that he had nothing to worry about.

Why am I feeling so startled? It was a rhetorical question. He already knew the answer. His blood ran cold at the though that Sephiroth may still be alive. If he was, then all the fighting AVALANCHE had done were for nothing.

Her death would have meant nothing. NO! He couldn't be alive. He just couldn't.

Even in the darkness, Vincent could tell that Cloud was tense.

Focus. We're almost out of here. He pointed straight ahead at the narrow road, which seemed to be converging. At the very end, there was light.

Vincent was right. They were almost at the entrance. With this new motivation, Cloud felt a new surge of energy rising. His sword ended the final barricades in the way, sending shards of branches in all directions. Marlene instinctively ducked and dragged Denzel down with her. Vincent easily removed his lacerated red cape and through them over the children behind him. He was quite surprised to find that none of the children fell off his bike during the whole ordeal. It certainly wasn't that big and there were only a couple of seats linked together in the back.

With a final rush, the two bikes zoomed into the green fields. Cloud halted his Fenrir to a stop and quickly helped Marlene and Denzel off. Are you two OK?

Marlene nodded, a bit startled from the whole ride and from being Kadaj's prisoner.

Yes, I am fine.

Denzel nodded similarly although he remained silent. Cloud glanced over at Vincent's group. It appeared that they were all fine too.

Cloud, how are we going to get out of here? Marlene asked while observing her surroundings. They were on a flat piece of land and there didn't appear to be any routes that were connected with other regions. There wasn't even a boat that could transport them over the oceans.

Don't worry. We called Cid before and his men will be back with the Highwind to come pick us up. Next stop is Midgar.

Author's Notes: Thanks for reading everyone! It was a blast writing this chapter, and I promise the next one will be filled with CloTi action. I haven't decided if I am going to write another chapter or wait until more information is released. If I have the time, I will continue and if not, I'll wait until more info on AC is released and then somehow merge them all together. I noticed that the Highwind didn't appear in AC. I didn't want to abandon our old FF7 airship so I put some use into it by letting it become Cloud's transportation. I guess this could explain why Cid arrived in Midgar with his new airship, Sierra. Please leave a review and once again, thank you so much for your support!