Tifa had no idea how long she had been holding her breath for. It felt like eternity as she watched the shadows slowly disband form the window only to be replaced by faint smoke. The next thing that occurred was a loud shriek that only Bahamut Sin could vocalize. She let out a deep sigh of relief as she watched the summon constrict its body with pain with Cloud's sword buried deep within its chest. Moments later, the creature's wingspan could no longer support the body.
Get the ship out of the way! Barret commanded instinctively. He already realize that the creature was going to descend to the city below.
Grab on to something, replied Cid as he steered the ship at an increasingly steep angle.
The Sierra thrust under Bahamut's body just in time before the summon monster came crashing down. The momentum of its fall caused the entire airship to rattle violently once more. Cid winced as he felt the ship colliding with the girders of the Midgar City complex. He whispered a few curse words under his breath while regaining the ship's balance.
I don't see Cloud anywhere! Tifa cried worriedly as she dashed to the windows. Her black eyes widened in fear as she searched the vast city for one man. Her heart thundered heavily against her chest as she watched the foundations of the city collapsing under Bahamut's weight. Do you think Cloud got caught under... Yuffie said sharply. We all know how strong Cloud is. Don't even think that Tifa!
Tifa nodded. She shouldn't doubt Cloud's ability. After all, the leader has taken on Sephiroth himself. But what can we do? What if he needs our help. We can't even find him in this mess.We will. I'm going to maneuver the Sierra around the entire city. Just relax, said Cid as he expertly glided the ship smoothly over the Midgar ruins.
She didn't even hear the pilot's words. Her gaze remained fixed at the destroyed city as if she was mesmerized. She watched the citizens below her huddled in corners because of fear and injuries. She did sympathize with them and promised herself she would devote all her time after the catastrophe to help heal them but for now, the only thing on her mind was Cloud. She knew it was selfish to be looking for only one person while the entire city needed AVALANCHE a lot more, but she told herself over and over again that Cloud could not die. Not after what they all have been through.
Tifa backed away from the window in surprise as the bleak stream of sunshine that entered the window was now replaced by a thick black fog. She turned to look at the rest of the AVALANCHE members who also had a look of confusion on their faces.
What's going on? she whispered to herself.
The brunette squinted her eyes to get the clearest vision possible through the thick fog that was slowly building up by the moment. At the corner of her eyes, she caught sight of a platinum haired man who resembled someone she no longer wanted to keep in her memories.
He stood tall and proud, hovering over a young blonde who laid limply on the ground before him. The platinum man made a reach for his side, revealing a long thin masamune blade and poised it dangerously over the blonde's chest.
Tifa screamed though the glass window even though she knew he could never hear her.
Vincent demanded.
Tifa pointed to the direction where her leader weakly supported himself on one knee.
Red XIII gasped. How could that be?Through Kadaj and Jenvova... Vincent answered to no one in particular.
Yo, this is $#. Why the hell is Sephiroth here? Yuffie yelled in frustration. Cid and Barret would have been proud for her choice of words if they weren't in such a dire predicament.
Cid. Can you land the ship please? I need to go help him, Tifa said defiantly. It was more of a order than a question.
Tifa. Reconsider. It's too dangerous! Cid argued.
I'm not turning back. He wouldn't just leave one of US stranded like that. I'm going with or without your help! she retorted hotly.
Wait. What about the entire city? If that is indeed Sephiroth, the entire Midgar is in danger! What about the people? And forget about Midgar. The whole word is in a crisis! Cait exclaimed. He hopped over and placed a reassuring hand on Tifa's shoulder. I understand how you feel but...-No you don't! Tifa cried. She shrugged herself away from his touch. Look. I know it it's selfish for me to no care about Midgar while one man is in trouble but it's CLOUD! I...I just...can't think of anything else right now but him. She turned away from the crowd behind her. She didn't want them to see her frustration boiling that was mixed with a rush of salty tears. She quickly brushed away the few that trickled. She couldn't look or be weak now. Cloud needed her. How about this? I'll go help Cloud. You guys can go help the people.Tifa. It's too dangerous to go by yourself! Barret pointed out.
Well I am not going to leave Cloud here at Sephiroth's mercy! She nearly screamed at her friends. She knew Cloud was strong but damnit, he is a mortal after all. She took a moment to breathe and spoke a bit softer this time. Cid...please...let me off. I have to help him... she begged with tears that were at the verge of bursting.
Everyone turned to stare at the pilot.
Ah $. You know I can't stop you girl. We'll be up to help as soon as possible. We still have to stop the other silver haired men.Thank you... Tifa said sincerely. I'll be fine.
Cid lowered the Sierra enough so that the ship perched on the roof of a destroyed building. Tifa hurried to the sliding doors. She turned back once and gave her team a real genuine smile. Don't worry about me.
And with that, she took off.
Do you remember me? Sephiroth mocked the Ex-Soldier before him. His blade never left the outline of his heart. Or have I just merely become a memory to you? You can rest assure that I will never be just a memory, Cloud... the one winged angel hissed.
Cloud angrily narrowed his eyes at his nemesis. What the hell are you doing here Sephiroth?To finish something that I should have done two years ago. This Planet belongs to Mother!
Cloud's eyes instantly became alert as the masamune was raised above his head. He rolled over to his side just in time to miss the blade crashing down. He hastily picked up his own weapon from the ground and blocked a vertical strike from the masamune. Countering, Cloud took advantage of a nearby plank, using it as a springboard to give himself the boost to leap into the air. Snickering, Sephiroth followed suit, defying all laws of gravity and resistance. The one winged angel grinned wickedly as he towered above the Ex-Soldier once more. Cloud blocked just in time as the the deadly masamune blade was lashed out at him once more, this time aiming for the arm.
Sparks exploded into the air from the pressure of the two dangerous weapons colliding. Sephiroth's moves were extremely fast and well executed, which left his opponent defending almost the entire time. Cloud's arms were starting to become limp from the shielding and the wielding of the heavy sword. He winced in shock as Sephiroth rammed himself into his parry, sending him flying through a glass window of an office building.
The mercenary grunted in pain as showers of shards exploded around him. He threw his arms protectively over his head until the rain of glass stopped. Looking up, he was facing his enemy once more. Jumping up, he had no choice but to retreat backwards as the masamune blade relentlessly attempted to strike him in the front. Cloud could feel his exhausted body already wearing down due to his previous battle with Kadaj. However, he forced himself to carry on. Sephiroth's strength was nearly twice as great as Kadaj's and if he let his guard down now, it would all be over.
For you! Sephiroth warned.
A ball of green light formed within his black fist. He waited until he could almost feel the power of materia merging with the Planet's own source of energy. Sensing that it was potent enough, he allowed the ball to be released from his hand. The sphere of green light rapidly bounced from wall to wall, each bounce brought it closer to Cloud who was still preoccupied with warding off the masamune.
His vision blurred, no longer able to see the black silhouette of the angel as the electricity in the office went out. The entire room went dark, making the green light extremely visible to the eyes. The energy burst across the room like a stream of laser emitted from a prism.
It was too late to block.
A loud cry of agony echoed throughout the room as the force of energy was thrust into Cloud's unguarded flank, knocking the wind out of him. His throat dried as felt himself being tossed out of another set of windows on the other side of the building. No longer able to hold the sword, he dropped his weapon and held on to his arm, which was endlessly gushing with blood.
You're losing it Strife, Sephiroth simply stated.
Beads of swear poured from his head and face as he gasped heavily for breath. His cold Mako eyes held no emotions, only empty blue voids as he wiped away a thin trail of blood at the corner of his lips.
This time when Sephiroth raised his masamune, Cloud knew it was all over. Sephiroth wouldn't be the memory. HE would be the memory. If he could could cry, he would, but it wouldn't be from the physical pain that was caused by the harsh weapon embedded in his right shoulder at the moment. It would be because he knew he was going to die without having his life fulfilled.
The life that he wanted with her.
Everything that he wanted to tell her.
Everything that she wanted and should know.
It would not be fulfilled.
Sephiroth exerted extra force on the hilt of his blade, forcing it to drive deeper into the bloody wound of his victim's shoulder. I should have killed you a long time ago. I guess you will meet your end now. a female voice screamed from the distance.
Although he couldn't budge at all from his current condition, his mind and senses were still as keen as ever. He turned to the source of the voice and spotted a horrified Tifa with a hand over her mouth. He wanted to tell her to leave, to run as fast as she could so no one else would die at the hands of Sephiroth but not a single sound came out when he parted his lips.
No Tifa...don't come...
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Author's Notes: I am sure most of you have already watched AC by now and I have to say that it is a great movie EXCEPT it lacked alot of CloTi scenes. The fight scene with Sephiroth here does hold some resemblance to the movie as you can tell but I changed some dialogues and I'm sure you can pretty much guess that Cloud would not be fighting Sephiroth alone in the next chapter. Speaking of the next chapter, the next one will be the final one seeing that there is not much to add anymore. However, I will continue to write more CloTi AC fics in the future so check back!