Chapter 26
Garik Ronso! You know too much. The Shinra can no longer afford to keep you alive"
In a large room in the Gilgamesh Auditorium Garik Ronso was meeting with a Shinra captain. Originally Garik had hoped to win power over the other Ronso by allying with the Shinra but now he saw that a deal with Shinra was a deadly bargain. The captain clad in a red uniform and several other Shinra guards surrounded Garik with their weapons ready. The Shinra wanted to eliminate Garik because he knew the location of their weapon.
"Grrrrrr" Garik groaned angrily. He looked around at the Shinra troops but it seemed they had the drop on him.
The Shinra soldiers prepared to shoot Garik.
"NO!"
Kimahri rushed into the room. Kimahri opened his mouth wide and used a technique he had learned from a fiend. A strange grey colored gas sprayed out of his mouth and swept across the Shinra troops. The Stone Breath technique Kimahri used petrified the soldiers changing them into stone statues. The soldiers then burst into rubble on the floor.
Behind Kimahri were Tidus, Yuna, Auron, Jecht, Braska, and a few Ronso men and women. All of them stared at Garik in disgust. Garik stood up straight and watched Kimahri. In Kimahri's eyes there was a look of hurt and disappointment. Honor and loyalty were both virtues that the Ronso people lived for and were basically the cornerstone of their whole culture.
"Garik not need help from hornless Elder" scoffed Garik.
"Garik, why betray Ronso?" said Kimahri in a hurt tone.
Garik walked over to Kimahri and stood very close to him. Garik looked to be almost twice Kimahri's height. He towered over him.
"Garik not need to explain actions to hornless Elder…RAAA" Garik growled and delivered a powerful right punch to Kimahri's left cheek. Kimahri fell to the ground at the powerful blow.
"Kimahri!" yelled Yuna.
She moved forward to go help him but Auron put his arm up to block her.
"This is a Ronso affair. If you help him now you'll shame him forever" said Auron.
Yuna watched Kimahri on the ground.
"HA! Elder need human girl to fight battles! HA! Kimahri no true Elder! Garik true leader of Ronso! Garik strong! Garik mighty! Kimahri hornless! Kimahri small! Kimahri weak!" mocked Garik throwing his arms in the air.
Kimahri slowly began picking himself up from the ground.
" Kimahri hornless…yes…Kimahri small…yes…but Kimahri…not…WEAK!"
Kimahri sprang up from the ground. He delivered a straight right punch into Garik's gut. Garik reared over in pain. Kimahri punched his stomach again with his left hand and then delivered a devastating uppercut with the same hand to Garik's chin. Garik fell back several feet and hit the ground flat on his back. He lay there a few moments then tried to get back up. He fell back to the ground though.
"Ronso deal with Garik" said Kimahri.
"Yes Elder Kimahri" said a Ronso male.
A few of the Ronso went over to help Garik up. They held him up and dragged him out. He wasn't unconscious but he wasn't full aware of his surroundings either. He mumbled incoherently as they carried him out. Yuna rushed over to Kimahri.
"Kimahri are you alright?" asked Yuna.
"Kimahri fine" said Kimahri sadly.
Kimahri had high hopes for Garik. This was a big disappointment for him. The others came over to Kimahri. Auron patted him on the shoulder.
"Kimahri you are a true Elder. Kelk would be proud" said Auron.
Kimahri held his head high and they all left the room
(Next Scene)
In the Shinra Building Rufus clamored about angrily in his office. Heidegger, Scarlet, and Tseng stood there with him.
"Reno, Rude, and Elena" have reported heavy losses at the auditorium.
"They fought off the forces at the auditorium? Weren't there members of SOLDIER there?" yelled Rufus.
"3rd class ranked" said Tseng.
"3rd class? Why weren't 1st and 2nd class sent there?" asked Rufus angrily.
"All 1st and 2nd class SOLDIERS are here defending this position" said Scarlet.
"…Imbeciles!...have we been able to contact Ansem and Kuja?" asked Rufus.
"There is no response from the Mt. Gagazet facility" said Heidegger.
Rufus hit the top of his desk with his hand. He was so furious. His plan seemed to have fallen to pieces. Rufus was about to say something but the monitor above his desk turned on suddenly. Rufus and the other executives looked confused. The monitor was snowy at first then the face of Kefka popped up on the screen.
"Woo hoo hoo" laughed Kefka.
"Kefka!" yelled Rufus.
"Surprised? Dear Rufus it seems your plans have fallen apart. I almost feel sorry for you…but not really" said Kefka.
"What is this?" asked Rufus.
"This is payback Rufus. I have acquired true power and you will be the first to witness it! You have been found guilty Rufus! You must now face my Light of Judgment! Woo Hoo Hoo!" laughed Kefka wildly.
The screen went dark. Before long there was a loud rumbling sound high above the Shinra building.
"What…"
Before Rufus could finish his sentence a huge burst of energy shot down from the sky and struck the Shinra building. The building immediately exploded from the impact of Kefka's Light of Judgment.
Far away on the rooftop of another building Seymour Guado looked through a pair of binoculars at the destroyed Shinra building. He cracked a smile as he watched the destruction.
"Master Seymour, are you not afraid that Kefka will use that power again?" asked one of the Guado that stood behind him.
"Kefka is a fool. By the time he musters up enough power to do that again. We'll have him out of our hair. Our job will be done then" said Seymour.
(Next Scene)
A few hours had passed and Terra and Alkaiser stood on the rooftop of a building. They had been battling soldiers all day and the Shinra forces had now grown thin. Many Shinra soldiers had surrendered because of the lost of their leadership but there was a few stranglers left in the southern parts of the city. From the rooftop they scanned the horizon. Much of the city looked trashed, several buildings were crumbled and smoke billowed into the sky. Alkaiser looked to the south and saw a group of soldiers marching. He watched closely and then he realized who they were.
"Black X!" yelled Alkaiser.
Alkaiser ran and leapt over to the next building. He then rushed in the direction of the Black X soldiers.
"Wait! Where are you going?" asked Terra. As she was about to fly after him she heard a scream.
"AHHHH help me please! Someone help!"
It was the cry of a little girl. Terra turned to see a little brown haired girl on a fire escape across the street. The building was about to collapse from all the damage it had taken.
"AHHHHH"
Terra quickly flew across the street. She grabbed the little girl and held her close to her. She then flew up in the air. A few seconds later the top of the building caved in. The little girl held on to Terra as tight as she could and cried.
"It's alright now. I'll get you to a safe place" said Terra.
Terra looked around but Alkaiser had already run off and she didn't see where he went. Terra decided it was best to take care of the girl first.
(Next Scene)
"Aww man they kicked everyone's asses already!" yelled Zell as he ran into the Auditorium.
The remaining Shinra soldiers were being tied up and held captive and all of the other people were standing around trying to figure out what to do next.
"Zell!"
"Yuffie!"
Yuffie came running up to Zell and gave him a big hug.
"Are you alright?" asked Zell looking down at her.
"Yeah you?" asked Yuffie.
"They attacked the Garden but we got rid of them" said Zell.
"Zell you're a little late" said Marle as she and Crono walked up.
"Sorry. The SeeDs ran into some trouble but we got here as fast as we could. I see you guys cleaned shop in here" said Zell.
"Was there ever any doubt?" asked Marle.
(Next Scene)
The SeeDs had arrived a little late but they left the Garden hovering outside and walked into the Auditorium. Squall, Laguna, and Ellone were talking.
"Squall, Ellone are you two alright?" asked Laguna.
"I'm fine" said Ellone as she hugged Laguna.
"We were under attack but we managed to fight them off" said Squall.
"Hey Laguna whose this lovely young lady?" asked Edgar looking at Ellone. He always had his eye out for beautiful young ladies even during tragedies like this one….
"Hi I'm Ellone" smiled Ellone.
Edgar held her hand gently and kissed it softly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you…Ellone" said Edgar smoothly.
A few feet behind Edgar Sabin watched and he simply sighed and covered his face in shame.
"Squall we have some new arrivals out here and three airships just landed in front of the Auditorium" said Irvine as he walked up.
Outside of the Gilgamesh Auditorium three airships were parked in a line on the street. The first one was the Highwind which was of course Cid Highwind's airship. The middle one was Rikku's father's airship and the third ship was possibly the most technologically advanced of them all. The front of it looked almost like a dragon. It was red and large rocket boosters protruded out of the back.
"…now that's a ship" said Setzer as he looked at the last ship.
"It's a Ragnarok type from Esthar" said Laguna.
Several people were gathered outside of the Gilgamesh Auditorium now including SeeD members, Returners, and all of the other people that had fought the Shinra earlier. Cloud, Tifa, and Zack had finally made their way there as well. Out of the Highwind Airship Cid Highwind, Lucca, Barret, Shera, Lulu, and Wakka came. Out of Rikku's father's
Airship came Cid, Rikku, Paine, Shinra, Brother, Buddy and a few other Al bhed. From the Ragnarok Airship several Esthar Soldiers came. The Esthar uniform was very high tech looking, like their Airship. The helmet they wore made them look almost like insects.
"Yunie!" Rikku ran up to Yuna and hugged her tightly.
"Is everyone alright?" asked Yuna.
"We were so worried about you" said Rikku.
"Yuna are you safe? Where are the bad guys?" asked Brother as he walked up.
"Well we've beaten them all. The rest have been rounded up" said Yuna.
"Oh that is too bad! I wasn't afraid at all! I was going to beat them all!" yelled Brother. Brother began flexing his muscles and showing off.
"That's not how I remember it" said Shinra.
(Flashback)
"Nooooooooooooooo" screamed Brother
Buddy and Shinra stared at him while he clung to a chair in the airship.
"How are we going to pry his arms off the chair?" asked Buddy.
"I'll go get the spatula" said Shinra
(End Flashback)
"Yeah that's how I remember it" said Buddy.
"Me too" said Paine as she walked up.
"CRID IB!" (SHUT UP!) yelled Brother.
Wakka, Lulu, and Cid walked up next.
"Yuna you okay?" asked Wakka.
"Yes I'm fine. Wakka I'm so glad you all are alright" said Yuna.
"We came as fast as we could but those soldiers were crawling everywhere" said Cid.
"They are reporting that the Shinra building was destroyed most of the Shinra troops are handing themselves over. The northern part of the city where we are now is safe" said Lulu.
(Next Scene)
The Esthar soldiers from the Ragnarok walked up to Laguna, Kiros, and Ward.
"President Loire we came as fast as we could" said an Esthar soldier.
"The Shinra have fallen apart according to reports" said another soldier.
"What about that weapon they used to destroy Vector?" asked Kiros.
"The destruction of Vector has been confirmed. No other cities have been attacked though. The Esthar capital has already been evacuated and other cities around Gaia have been following suit just in case there is a chance of another strike. The Shinra leadership has been destroyed" said the soldier.
"…but we can't take that chance. Inform everyone to stay clear of the Eshtar capital.
(Next Scene)
"Lucca, are you alright?" asked Marle.
"Yes I'm fine. How about you all?" asked Lucca.
Crono nodded his head yes.
"I can't believe all this is happening. I mean they just attacked out of nowhere" said Lucca.
Zell and Yuffie walked up to them.
"So you're alright Lucca?" asked Zell.
"Well physically I'm not hurt but I'm still a little shaken" said Lucca.
Auron walked up and whispered to Yuffie.
"You do know that you're going to have to give me back all that materia once this is all over, don't you?" whispered Auron.
"Aww" said Yuffie.
Auron walked away.
(Next Scene)
"Freya! It's been a long time" said Zidane.
"Zidane you look well" said Freya.
"Garnet this is Freya. She was a neighbor of mine when I lived in Lindblum a few years ago" said Zidane.
"It's nice to meet you" said Garnet.
"It is an honor to meet you your majesty" said Freya bowing her head.
(Next Scene)
"Wow, you found some people like you? Is that why you ran off?" asked Zack to Red XIII.
"I'm sorry about that" said Red XIII.
"It's ok Red XIII" said Cloud.
"It's great that you've finally found some of your own people" said Tifa.
"Red XIII?" asked Azelia who overhead.
"Oh…that's the nickname they have for me" said Red XIII.
"Oh I see…it's nice….well Nanaki…Red XIII I'll be inside…if you want to talk later" said Azelia softly.
"Alright" said Red XIII.
Azelia walked away. Cloud and Zack watched the whole thing.
"Whoa ho ho ho! Red XIII is so smooth with the ladies!" joked Zack.
"So smooth…" joked Cloud.
"Red XIII you should go talk to her. Seems like she really wants to get to know you" smiled Tifa.
"Oh alright" said Red XIII.
He began to walk away.
Several citizens were now venturing back into the city since the Shinra were out of the northern parts. They looked around at the devastation and rubble the soldiers left. Out of the crowd Aeris walked up and beside her was Marlene. Barret ran up to Marlene and lifted her up in his arms.
"There's Aeris" said Cloud.
Aeris walked up to them.
"Aeris are you alright?" asked Zack.
"Yes, the police are letting a lot of people out of the shelters. The northern part of the city is pretty much safe now" said Aeris.
(Next Scene)
"Seifer! It's you! You're alright ya know!" yelled Raijin as he and Fujin walked up.
Seifer refused to stay on board the Garden. His left arm was in a sling from his injuries.
"Raijin…Fujin" said Seifer.
"Seifer, you're hurt!" said Raijin looking at his arm
"INJURED" said Fujin.
"I'll be all right" said Seifer.
"Seifer where you been all this time?" asked Raijin.
"…it's a long and embarrassing story…I'll have to tell it to you sometime…but right now we have to figure out a way to get the Shinra out of the southern parts of the city" said Seifer.
"Seifer…you look kinda banged up ya know? You sure you should be doing all this?" asked Raijin.
"This? It's just a scratch man. I can't worry about that right now. You know it's going to be up to us if anything else goes down. These SeeD wimps can't hack it without our help! We're a posse right?" asked Seifer.
"Yeah! We're a posse ya know!" yelled Raijin.
"AFFIRMATIVE"
(Next Scene)
"Hey Yuna do you want to try out my new invention?" asked Shinra. Shinra had a small metallic wristband in his hand.
"What is it Shinra?" asked Yuna.
"I call it a garment grid. It uses special spheres I've manipulated into what I call dresspheres. They can be used to give the user special abilities. Could I test it out on you first? It's perfectly safe" said Shinra.
"Well...I suppose…" said Yuna.
Yuna took the wristband and attached it to her right hand.
"What do I do now?" asked Yuna.
"Activate it" said Shinra pointing to the garment grid.
Yuna activated it and suddenly in a flash of light her whole outfit had changed. Yuna's robes had now changed into a low cut white shirt, some very high cut shorts, and a long blue and white sash that hung down on her left leg. In holsters on her hips were automatic pistols.
"Wow I feel like I know everything about guns now?" said Yuna amazed.
"Yes that's the gunner dressphere. That's the amazing thing about dresspheres. They give the user all the knowledge and experience of an expert. You've shown me all I need to know. You can deactivate it now" said Shinra.
Yuna tried to deactivate the garment grid to return to her original form but it wasn't working.
"Shinra somethings wrong….I can't change back" said Yuna.
"Uh oh…I guess I didn't work all the kinks out…" said Shinra holding his head.
"I'm stuck like this?" asked Yuna.
"Well not forever…just maybe a few hours…or a few days…"
"A few days?" yelled Yuna.
"It will be a few days at most. I just need time to figure out what went wrong. You're not going to able to summon any Aeons in that form" said Shinra.
"I can't even remember how" said Yuna.
Tidus walked up to Yuna.
"Wow….looking nice"
(Next Scene)
Locke, Setzer, Gau, Cyan, and Celes stood around the steps of the Gilgamesh Auditorium. They had now changed out of the Shinra clothes they had on and were now in their regular clothes.
"So they say Shinra is down and out but what about the Empire? Weren't they in on this too?" asked Locke.
"They got double crossed by the Shinra. Although I'm sure the Empire would have double crossed them first if they had the chance" said Setzer.
"I still don't think this is finished. I mean where's Kefka and the Emperor? I wouldn't count either of them out yet" said Celes.
"Kefka is a very crafty dastardly scoundrel indeed" said Cyan
"I wouldn't be surprised if he had something to do with the Shinra building blowing up…"
(Next Scene)
"Vincent I've been worried about you for so long" said Quistis.
"There's no need to worry anymore" said Vincent.
"It looks like you're going to have a lot to tell me about what all you've been doing" said Quistis as she looked at Shadow in the distance. He leaned against one of the support pillars outside the auditorium by himself.
"Yes I do"
Cloud noticed Quistis talking to Vincent. As he looked at Vincent he recognized him from one of the strange dreams he had been having. He knew for sure that he had never met this man…or had he? Squall and Rinoa talked near Cloud.
"Hey who is that guy Quistis is talking to?" asked Cloud.
"What's his name Rinoa?" asked Squall.
"Quistis said his name was Vincent" said Rinoa.
Cloud watched the two of them talk.
"Vincent…"
For the next half hour everyone continued to talk with each other. All of a sudden a strange thing happened. Around the area several small balls of light began to appear one by one. The continued to appear until there were hundreds of them all over the place. Everyone looked confused as the balls of light continued to appear.
"I have a bad feeling about this" mumbled Auron as he grasped the hilt of his sword.
(Next Scene)
All over the city these strange balls of light began to appear. In one area in particular there were several dark lights. Kairi, Riku and Sora along with a crowd of others that had left the police shelters watched in the street as these dark balls of light began to appear. Kairi held on to Sora. He held her and tried to comfort her although he felt fearful as well.
"This is the craziest day ever" said Riku.
"Sora…." said Kairi.
"It's ok Kairi I'm here" said Sora.
(Next Scene)
Alkaiser chased the Black X soldiers into the southern parts of Square City where there were still a number of Shinra troops. Marching down the center of the street were several Black X fighters wearing the full body uniform with a large black X stitched into the front. Leading the fighters were three figures. Alkaiser recognized one of them as he watched them from a rooftop.
"Shuzer…"
Two Shinra tanks blocked their path. The huge beast creature known as Berva ran with great speed toward one of the tanks. Rearing back his right hand Berva delivered a mighty blow to the front of the tank that dented its whole front side.
"I love crushing these Shinra stragglers!" laughed Berva.
He grabbed the left side of the tank with both hands and flipped it over. Berva began laughing with delight at what he'd done. Shuzer took care of the second tank. With his magnetic powers he lifted the metal tank off the ground and slammed it into the side of a building.
"Heh heh looks like someone's been practicing….you're still pretty weak though…" mocked Berva.
"Berva I swear…." said Shuzer angrily.
"Will you two stop the bickering? The master wants us to eradicate what's left of the Shinra" said Cindy as she walked along.
"Do we even have too? There are hardly any left since their building went boom" said Berva.
He was large enough to dwarf the average Ronso his large mouth opened wide as he laughed revealing the sharpest cruelest fangs.
"…three Black X Emperors…weren't there four Emperors? Oh well it's time to end this once and for all!" thought Alkaiser.
Alkaiser ran and leapt off the roof. He landed between the Emperors and the Black X fighters.
"This is the end! You've hurt enough innocent people and now you must pay for your crimes!" yelled Alkaiser.
The three Black X Emperors turned around and looked at Alkaiser.
"Al creep…" said Shuzer.
"Is this the golden boy that gave you trouble Shuzer?" asked Berva.
"Hmm he's finally shown up" said Cindy with a smile on her face.
"Give up now!" yelled Alkaiser.
The Black X fighters looked as if they were waiting on a command for them to attack Alkaiser. There were a few moments of silence. Alkaiser's cape blew in the wind to his left and some glare from the sun shown off his golden armor. He stood there defiantly as golden energy swirled around his body. He was prepared to fight every last one of them if he had to.
"So foolish….very well…Black X fighters stand down…I think he wants to take us on" said Cindy Campbell.
The Black X fighters began backing up and clearing the way. Berva and Shuzer walked up and stood near Cindy.
"This is it for you all. I won't show any of you mercy…" said Alkaiser as he clenched his fists.
"Heh, I could crush this pup myself and he wants to fight us all?" laughed Berva cracking the knuckles on his massive hands.
"I've been waiting for this…." grinned Shuzer as clanked his claws together.
"It's time to cast this flesh aside…and show my true form" smiled Cindy.
Although Cindy Campbell looked like a human she was in fact not. The human form was simply an illusion to hide what she really was, an evil mystic. Cindy's skin began to rip and tear apart as if something larger was growing from her body. The flesh and clothes burst off and the true form of Cindy emerged. Her true form was that of a half spider half woman. The top portion of the creature's body was of a woman with purple skin and long fiery red hair and eyes. The human torso still had the arms and hands of a woman whereas the rest of the body was that of a giant spider. Now Cindy revealed her true form as Arachne.
"Alkaiser you've made a grave error" said Arachne. Venomous pus oozed from her mouth as she licked her lips.
"Enough talk! I want a piece of the golden boy!" yelled Berva.
Berva ran and leapt into the air. He came crashing to the ground attempting to land on top of Alkaiser. Alkaiser rolled to his left and dodged just in time. Berva crashed into the ground and created a pot hole under his huge bulk.
"Show me what you got kid!" mocked Berva.
"Gladly" said Alkaiser confidently.
Alkaiser dashed forward and gave a quick right punch to Berva's midsection. Berva stood perfectly still until the moment the punch would connect and then shifted slightly to his left and avoided it. Alkaiser punched again with his left hand and Berva shifted slightly to his right and avoided it.
"What are you swatting at flies? Come on hit me kid I'm standing right here!" Berva mocked and laughed with his deep voice.
Alkaiser was starting to get furious. He began punching at Berva as quickly as he could but he managed to dodge each one.
"How can he be that big and be so quick?" thought Alkaiser.
Alkaiser stopped attacking and leapt back.
"Don't tell me you're out of steam already?" laughed Berva.
"I'm just getting warmed up! Try dodging this! Shining Kick!"
Alkaiser used possibly his quickest attack. His right leg radiated with gold energy as he performed a flying kick toward Berva with great speed.
"Sad…"
As Alkaiser got close to him with the kick Berva effortlessly dodged the attack and grabbed Alkaiser's leg.
"Sorry kid but time's up! You had your chance!" yelled Berva.
Berva held on to Alkaiser's right leg with his right hand and began twirling him around like a windmill. Faster and faster Berva twirled him and then he tossed him straight into the air. Alkaiser went flying very high into the air.
"Alley…." said Berva.
As Alkaiser flew into the air a spider web attached to his foot.
"…oop" grinned Arachne finishing Berva's comment. With her web around Alkaiser's foot she pulled him down from the sky very hard and fast.
Alkaiser plummeted to the hard asphalt and left a dent into the ground as he crashed flat on his back. Next an old abandoned car fell upside down from the sky and crashed on top of him. Shuzer had magnetically lifted the car.
"Hmm that was a nice team play" said Shuzer.
With a huge burst of golden energy the car was flung into the air. Alkaiser emerged glowing brightly.
"Alkarl was right…they are incredibly strong. I'm going to have to be very careful" thought Alkaiser.
"He's ready for another round" said Arachne.
"Time to die Al Creep!" yelled Shuzer.
Shuzer's right claws bent back and the barrel of his rail cannon protruded out. A ball of red energy gathered at the tip then Shuzer began firing rapid shots at him. Alkaiser leapt to the left to avoid the first shot. The second shot he ducked and the third shot he did a back hand spring as the shot barely passed over his head. Berva came from behind and brought both of his hands down together to smash Alkaiser. Alkaiser rolled to his right and avoided the blow as Berva's strike cracked the ground. Berva followed up with a straight right punch to Alkaiser.
"I have to play this smart" thought Alkaiser as he tried not to let his emotions get the better of him.
Alkaiser moved quickly to his left to avoid the incoming punch. Berva then followed up with a right front kick.
"Now's my chance" thought Alkaiser.
Alkaiser held his hands straight out in front and gathered the golden energy. The bottom of Berva's foot hit the energy.
"Phoenix Turn"
The energy knocked Berva back and he began twirling and spiraling through the air before he crashed to the ground on his stomach. Shuzer managed to get close to Alkaiser during this and slashed horizontally with his right claw. Alkaiser was knocked back a bit. Alkaiser prepared to attack Shuzer when…
"Rava Shot"
Arachne used a form of magic that hadn't been used since ancient times on Gaia. A stream of dark energy shot from the hands and struck Alkaiser in the chest knocking him back and across the ground. Alkaiser skidded a few feet and recovered but as soon as he got up Shuzer ran at him to slash him once again.
"Ray Sword"
The sword of blue energy appeared in Alkaiser's right hand. He raised the sword horizontally and blocked the downward slash of Shuzer's left claw. The two struggled in a stalemate.
"Shuzer, I've always wondered…how do you manage to pick your nose with those claws?" mocked Alkaiser.
"Die!" yelled Shuzer.
Shuzer then slashed with his right claw and Alkaiser blocked it with his ray sword. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Arachne shooting another Rava Shot at him. Alkaiser pushed away from Shuzer and the stream of dark energy passed between him and Shuzer.
"Kaiser Wing"
Alkaiser hurled his sword at Arachne. The Ray Sword took on the image of a bird made of blue energy as it flew toward Arachne.
"Interesting…" said Arachne.
A forcefield of dark energy surrounded her body and the Kaiser Wing attack bounced off of it. The Ray Sword went spinning back and landed in Alkaiser's right hand. As soon as Alkaiser retrieved his sword Berva came from behind and punched Alkaiser with the force of a mack truck. Berva punched downward and smashed Alkaiser into the ground. Alkaiser's body actually left an imprint into the asphalt.
"I'm through playing around with you kid!" said Berva with an angry tone.
Berva was normally a joker but it seemed that Alkaiser actually being able to knock him down angered him. Berva grabbed the back of Alkaiser's neck into his incredibly large right hand. Berva lifted Alkaiser up and began slamming him down repeatedly face first into the asphalt. Berva then held on to Alkaiser's neck and tossed him to the ground. Alkaiser bounced almost like a football as he skidded across the ground.
"I'm damaged….I've never felt this before…"thought Alkaiser.
Red had never felt severe pain when in Alkaiser form before. He tried to lift himself up from the ground.
"Lightning Web"
Arachne shot another web out at Alkaiser. This one was a web charged with energy. It wrapped around Alkaiser's torso as he got to his feet. Arachne sent surges of harmful energy that shocked Alkaiser.
"ARRRRGGHHH" yelled Alkaiser in pain.
As Arachne let go of Alkaiser with her lightning web Shuzer detached his metal claws from his arms and they shot forward like rockets. The left claw slashed Alkaiser across his chest and the right one slashed him in the back. Alkaiser fell to his knees. He felt his power fading.
"Heh…looks like the golden boy is out of steam" chuckled Berva as he walked over to the fallen Alkaiser.
"This is going to be good" said Shuzer as his claws flew back to him and reattached to his arms.
"Gentlemen may I have the honor?" asked Arachne.
"I kind of wanted to rip him apart piece by piece but I guess you'll make it a lot neater won't you Arachne?" asked Berva.
"Indeed" smiled Arachne a green ooze dripped from her mouth and landed on the ground. Steam rose from it as it burned into the ground.
The three Black X Emperors began to walk closer to Alkaiser.
"This can't be it…they killed my family…everyone that meant anything to me…" thought Alkaiser as he lied sprawled on the ground.
The three Emperors got closer.
"My mom, my dad, and sister…"
The three Emperors were now very close to him. Alkaiser remembered Alkarl's words.
"Alkaiser the hero's power is connected to their will. The stronger your will the more power you can summon. Open your mind and you can learn new techniques…"
His words echoed in Alkaiser's mind. Arachne began forming a large ball of dark energy.
"I refuse to let it end like this!" thought Alkaiser.
"There's going to be nothing left but ashes" laughed Shuzer.
"Hey guys, here is a little something I've been saving just for you!" yelled Alkaiser.
Alkaiser's body began to glow with golden energy and immense power began welling up in his body.
"What?" asked Berva.
"Al-Phoenix"
Alkaiser lunged at Arachne with his right fist filled with golden energy. He punched at the large ball of dark energy that she was forming. The gold and the dark energy collided with each other in a stalemate.
"Shuzer you were right about one thing…there are going to be a lot of ashes…but they won't be mine…Re-Al- Phoenix!"
Alkaiser created a new technique on the spot. Alkaiser's body was engulfed with fiery golden energy. Soon that energy took on the shape of a flaming bird, a Phoenix. The Phoenix spread its wings out and the flaming energy that composed them began to take up the entire city block. Shuzer, Berva, Arachne, and the rest of the Black X troops were engulfed by the Phoenix. The faint cries of all of them could be heard as they were incinerated. The blast of energy from the Phoenix blew out windows in the nearby buildings. Soon the flaming Phoenix began to dissipate. Alkaiser reappeared and was now alone in the street. He fell to the ground on his hands and knees.
"It's over…finally" said Alkaiser as he sat there.
"Hero…it is far from over" said a sinister voice.
Alkaiser looked up. A small white orb floated in the air in front of him. It was the same orb that Arachne had been holding and the voice was of the Black X master, known only as Boss X. The world around Alkaiser began to distort and change form. Everything became darker and soon Alkaiser was in a place that seemed familiar.
"This is like Alscape" thought Alkaiser.
Alkaiser had been somehow transported to a place that resembled the Alscape where he had trained. It was a dark pocket dimension that was similar to the Alscape known as the Magisphere. The leader of Black X gathered power from this dimension so he couldn't travel in the real world. The throne room in Cindy Campbell's building emitted the same energies so Boss X could gather power there as well. Alkaiser stood up and looked around the dark area. All was silent at first then he heard the voice from the darkness.
"You've meddled in my affairs long enough"
"Where is he?" thought Alkaiser.
"Now I shall destroy you myself"
Out of the darkness a very large figure appeared and towered over Alkaiser.
"Holy…"
Boss X seemed as tall as a small building. His skin was pale and smooth. His right hand had what looked like a large cannon attached to it. Boss X had a long reptile like tail that he waved back and forth. The large claw on his left hand clenched tightly and when Alkaiser looked straight up at his face there was one large eye staring at him. The eye blinked a few times before it began to turn a dark red color.
"This can't be good"
Boss X held out the cannon on his right arm and shot a huge burst of blue energy at Alkaiser. The shot came so quickly that Alkaiser barely dodged it as he leapt to the right. Boss X shot another round at Alkaiser. Alkaiser leapt back to the left and barely avoided it again. He then ran at Boss X with his Ray Sword in his hand. Alkaiser leapt high into the air. He closed in on Boss X ready to stab his eye. Boss X quickly swatted him to his left with his left claw and Alkaiser went flying away like a gnat. Alkaiser hit the ground and before he could recover he was hit by a sweep of Boss X's tail. Alkaiser went flying again and skidded across the ground.
"Damn…I'm too weak from the last fight…I don't know if I have anything left…" thought Alkaiser.
Alkaiser got up and used his Al-Blaster attack. The stream of green energy shot across to Boss X and hit him in the torso. The attack did absolutely nothing.
(Next Scene)
Alkarl stood where Alkaiser had fought with Berva, Shuzer and Arachne. The place was badly damaged from Alkaiser's attack but Alkarl also sensed something in the area.
"He's here. It's a pocket dimension like the Alscape. Together we just might be able to break through" said Alkarl to someone approaching behind him.
(Next Scene)
Boss X's eye turned purple and began flashing. He held out his cannon and began charging up a massive amount of energy. Alkaiser had been beaten very badly. He felt that he needed a little time to recover his energy.
"I guess this really is it…" thought Alkaiser as he stood their hunched over and tired.
Boss X prepared to fire his cannon.
"Mom, Dad, Sis…I'm sorry. Bye Hawk…bye…Terra" thought Alkaiser.
Boss X then let loose massive stream of purple energy. Alkaiser stood there as it sped toward him. He had given all he had. The gold energy around Alkaiser began to fade. The stream of energy closed in on Alkaiser and just as it was about to hit…
"Never thought you'd give up so easily"
Alkarl grabbed Alkaiser and leapt back with him as the energy crashed into the ground.
"What is this?" yelled Boss X.
"Alkarl?" said Alkaiser as he looked up at him.
"I told you not to fight them all yourself. You always were hardheaded. Don't worry though. The calvary has arrived" said Alkarl.
Behind Alkarl the five heroes walked up. These were the same five heroes that Alkarl had fallen out with before.
"They've come to their senses" said Alkarl.
"He's hurt let me heal him" said Alkuni a female hero in red armor.
She placed her hand on Alkaiser's chest and performed a technique to revitalize him.
"Boss X your time has come" said Alkaz a male hero in green armor as he folded his arms.
"You've destroyed the lives of many people with your evil organization" said Alkaia a female hero in blue armor as she pointed at Boss X
"Now is the time for you to pay for your crimes" said Alkael a male hero in silver armor as he clenched his fists.
"Now is the time for justice" said Alkuni a female hero in red armor as she put her hands on her hips.
"…and we will ensure that justice is served" said Alkeo a male hero in white as he put his right hand out in front of him.
"Very well then…you shall all perish…" said Boss X.
Boss X rushed the group of heroes. He lifted his left claw up and smashed it into the ground. The heroes scattered in various directions.
"Last Shot"
Alkaz the green hero charged his right fist with green energy and leapt at Boss X. He struck him right in his midsection and there was a huge flash of energy on impact. Boss X doubled over as if the attack actually did damage but he quickly recovered and knocked Alkaz to the ground with his left claw. As Alkaz lied sprawled on the ground Boss X lifted his left foot to crush him.
"This one is a scorcher! Mega Windblast!"
Alkuni the red hero shot a massive stream of red energy at Boss X that struck his shoulder and knocked him back a bit. This gave Alkaz the opportunity to get away. Steam rose from Boss X's shoulder as if the attack had burned him.
"I'll destroy you all for you insolence!" yelled Boss X
He was furious now and his eye flashed between red and white. He swung his tail swiftly at Alkuni and knocked her back several feet. In his fury he began firing rapid shots of red energy at the heroes. The others did their best to dodge but Alkael the silver hero rushed toward Boss X with his Ray Sword in his hand.
"You can't get enough of me! Turbid Current"
Alkael split into seven separate heroes each of them wielding a Ray Sword. They all ran toward Boss X. They all then leapt high in the air and landed on various parts of Boss X's body. Two attached to his left leg, two to his right, one on his mid section, and one on each shoulder. Alkael and his seven parts began stabbing Boss X. Boss X began grabbing at the Alkael's and shaking to try and knock them off.
Alkarl and Alkaia the hero in blue then rushed at Boss X. All the Alkael's leapt off Boss X. Alkarl leapt in the air and hovered a bit. He formed a large ball of black energy in his hands and hurled it at Boss X.
"Dark Sphere"
The Dark Sphere sped at Boss X. Boss X fired a shot of red energy at the Dark Sphere and it dissipated.
"Energy Chain"
While distracted with the Dark Sphere Alkaia hurled a chain of blue energy from her hands. The chain wrapped around Boss X's left leg. She pulled on it with all her might and he stumbled a bit.
"Justice strikes like lightning from above! Tower!"
Alkeo the hero in white raised his hands in the air. When he brought them down several large bolts of lightning began to strike Boss X.
-AAAAAAAGGGGHHH-
Boss X actually screamed in pain as each bolt struck him.
"Now to end it and wipe Black X from existence!" said Alkaiser.
Boss X stood there stunned by the damage he took. Alkaiser began to glow with golden energy.
"Re…Al…Phoenix"
Alkaiser ran forward and was suddenly engulfed by the Phoenix. The Phoenix screeched as it spread out its flaming wings. The fiery bird crashed into Boss X and engulfed him in flames. Piece by piece Boss X's body began to slowly chip away. Soon he faded away entirely. Alkaiser reappeared in the spot that Boss X had stood. He bent down on his hands and knees and he wept.
"Finally…it's all over…I've avenged their deaths…"
The world around them began to distort and change and soon they were back on the street of Square City. Alkaiser was still bent down on the ground. Alkarl put his hand on his shoulder.
"Your father would have been very proud….I know it…"
(Next Scene)
Terra had dropped the girl of safely with the police and flew down into an alleyway.
"Staying in this form has tired me out a bit" thought Terra.
Terra changed from her Esper form to her normal form. She began walking out of the alley. She was near the Gilgamesh Auditorium and noticed all the people out there and the strange white lights that surrounded them.
"What is this?" thought Terra.
Outside of the Gilgamesh Auditorium the small white balls of light began to move and merge together.
"What the hell is going on?" asked Cid Highwind.
Everyone outside of the auditorium stood there with puzzled looks on their faces as the balls of light merged with one another. They merged and formed one large spherical shaped light. The light began to stretch vertically until it was oval shaped. The oval shaped light began to expand horizontally and vertically. It continued to grow wider and taller. Everyone stood there silently. Soon something could be seen inside the light. It had a humanoid shape. As it floated out of the light one could see that it had very long fiery red hair and a tail.
"That tail…it's like mine" said Zidane as he saw it.
It was Kuja in Trance form that floated out of the light. He looked at the crowd of people staring at him.
"Sephiroth….it feels good….to reclaim what I've lost…" said Trance Kuja.
Trance Kuja lifted his right hand into the air.
"Oh shit meteors!" yelled someone in the crowd.
Several meteors flew out of the sky and began crashing to the street below. Everyone scattered and screamed as the meteors showered down on them. Trance Kuja flew into the air and flew off.
"Who is he…he's like me?" thought Zidane as he watched him fly off.
Out of the large white portal various fiends began rushing out. Some of them were big some were small and some were flying. They surged out of the portal and began attacking immediately.
(Next Scene)
"Shera take Marlene with you into the auditorium!" yelled Barret.
"Daddy I'm scared!" cried Marlene.
"I know baby daddy won't let them hurt you"
A fiend known as a lesser drake rushed at them. Puffs of smoke blew from the nostrils of the large lizard fiend as it bound on all fours toward them. Barret let loose a spray of bullets and shot the drake down before it got close. Shera then grabbed Marlene's hand and they ran toward the auditorium. The people that couldn't fight made their way as fast as they could to the auditorium while the ones that could fight did their best to protect them. Cid Highwind was near Barret and the two prepared to fight the fiends.
"Well…there ain't no getting offa this train we're on…" said Barret holding up his gun arm.
"…Barret what the hell's that mean? C'mon it's ass kickin' time!" yelled Cid
Three lesser drakes rushed at them. Cid leapt in the air. Barret began firing rapidly and managed to kill two of them. Cid came down from the air and stabbed his spear into the back of one of the drakes and killed it. Cid leapt off its back and landed on the ground.
"Well so much for these little babies" said Cid.
-RAAAAARRRR-
A large Red Dragon stood on its hind legs and roared at Cid.
"I guess that's the mommy"
The dragon opened its mouth wide and shot a large fireball at Cid. Cid leapt back just in time. The Red Dragon opened its mouth again and prepared to fire another large fireball. Suddenly an energy beam struck the Red Dragon in the side of the head. Cid looked to his side and a few feet away Lucca held a large gun on her shoulder.
"Lucca what are you doing? Get into the auditorium where it's safe!" yelled Cid.
"It's ok Mr. Highwind this is the invention I was trying to tell you about. I can help out!" said Lucca excitedly.
Lucca aimed the bazooka like gun at the dragon once more and fired a powerful beam at its head. The Dragons head reared back at the blast. This made the dragon furious and it opened its mouth and shot a large fireball at Lucca. The fireball went flying toward her.
"Lucca move!" yelled Cid.
"Oh please this is cake" smiled Lucca.
Lucca fired off two large blasts of energy. The first one hit the fireball and caused it to dissipate. The second one traveled into the dragon's mouth. The dragon's eyes rolled back and steam blew out of its mouth as it toppled over and crashed to the ground.
"Hmm not bad" said Cid.
A strange creature known as a Rhyos charged toward them. The Rhyos was a fiend in the chimera family. It had three heads. The main center head was a bulls head, the head on the right shoulder was a bird and the head on the left shoulder looked like a cat. Its two feet were hoofed and its tail had the head of a snake. Barret and Lucca began firing rapidly at the Rhyos as it charged forth with its bulky arms flailing.
"He ain't slowing down get out of the way!" yelled Barret.
The attacks didn't seem to faze the Rhyos at all. It charged at Cid, Lucca, and Barret and lifted its massive left arm up. Lucca ran to the left, Barret to the right and Cid leapt into the air. The Rhyos brought its hand down and crashed it into the ground. Cid landed on the fiends back. The Rhyos struggled violently. Cid tried to stab his spear into its head but he was eventually knocked off. He hit the ground with a thud and before he could get up the Rhyos was already prepared to smash Cid with his foot.
Zell came in with a flying kick out of nowhere that struck the Rhyos across the face and stunned it long enough for Cid to get up. The Rhyos roared with all three heads and charged at Zell. Yuffie ran up and hurled her shuriken at the Rhyos. The fiend easily deflected shuriken with its arm and continued charging at Zell. The Rhyos punched downward at Zell. Its attack missed when Zell quickly evade to his left.
"Bring it!" yelled Zell as he ran up and delivered a powerful punch straight to the Rhyos stomach.
Although Zell's punches were very powerful the Rhyos seemed unfazed. It reared its hand back to strike Zell and suddenly Sabin rushed into the fight.
"Not bad kid but you're going to need speed and power for this guy" said Sabin as he rushed the fiend.
Sabin began punching the beast in the stomach at an incredible speed. His fist moved with amazing speed and his punches could barely be seen as he pummeled the fiend. Sabin finished his combo with a right uppercut to the Rhyos middle head which knocked it to the ground.
"Whoa man that's incredible! You have to teach me how to do that move!" said Zell.
"Sure I can…AHHHH"
Sabin was interrupted as a large bird fiend known as a Zu swooped down and snatched him up in its claws. The large black feathered bird fiend flew up high above the buildings with Sabin in its claws.
"That kid was admiring me and you made me look dumb!" yelled Sabin as he struggled to get free.
Sabin managed to get a hold of one of the Zu's toes. He grabbed it and bent it back which broke the toe. The Zu screeched in pain and as a response opened its claws. Sabin was released but he managed to quickly grab a hold of another of its toes.
"Don't think you're getting off that easy!"
As the Zu flew around in circles Sabin managed to climb it. After a few moments Sabin was on its back and then onto its head. The Zu shook a bit to knock Sabin off but he held on. Sabin reared his right hand back and punched the Zu in its head. The Zu was knocked out and came crashing to the ground. Sabin held on as tight as he could as the Zu plummeted. The bird fiend crashed on top of several drake fiends crushing them and killing them.
"I'm so glad you decided to drop in" laughed Edgar who had been fighting the fiends that were just crushed.
Sabin jumped off the dead Zu and landed next to his brother.
"Shall we?" asked Edgar.
"Sure" said Sabin.
Edgar pressed a button on his handheld device and it suddenly changed into a chainsaw. Several snake fiends known as Anacondeurs slithered up to them. Edgar swung his chainsaw at the fiend that approached him and severed its head. Another Anacondeur approached to Edgars left. Edgar swung the chainsaw at its head but the fiend quickly snapped back and evaded. The Anacondeur lashed its tail at Edgar and he simply swung his chainsaw at it and lopped it off. The snake fiend screeched in pain. Edgar ran forward and cut off its head with the chainsaw. Behind Edgar another Anacondeur prepared to strike. It snapped forward at Edgar but Sabin stepped in just in time and grabbed the fiend by the mouth.
"Stand back Edgar" said Sabin as he held on to the fiend's mouth.
Edgar got out of the way and Sabin began spinning around. As Sabin held on to its mouth it's tail lashed out and struck down several fiends nearby. Sabin let go of the Anacondeur and it flew several feet away. Edgar's device changed into a drill and he drilled a whole into the chest of another Anacondeur.
Another Anacondeur near Edgar was taken down when Zidane stabbed it from behind. A large wolf fiend known as a bandersnatch leapt at Zidane with its claws extended. Zidane moved but the bandersnatch managed to scratch his arm. A bit of blood from poured from Zidane's right arm. A flash of blue light flashed around his body as a cure spell had been cast on him. The pain quickly subsided and the wound partially healed. He looked to see that Garnet had healed him.
The bandersnatch came back and leapt at Zidane again. Zidane stabbed the fiend in the chest as soon as it leapt on him. It managed to knock him down but Zidane killed it.
"Thanks for the assist babe" winked Zidane as he got up.
"No problem" smiled Garnet.
"Whoa!" yelled Zidane.
Zidane grabbed Garnet and pulled her out of the way as a humongous club struck the spot where they were standing.
"I guess we should stop flirting and pay attention eh?" said Zidane as he held her.
"Maybe so" smiled Garnet.
Towering over them was a fiend known as an iron giant. It was a giant clad in metal armor and wielded a metal club.
"I'll handle this…" just as Zidane prepared to fight the beast Garnet interrupted.
"Cyclops!"
Garnet summoned a large one eyed horned creature that flew down from the sky. The Cyclops eye glowed and suddenly a shower of ice came from the sky. The large chunks of ice crashed into the Iron giant and knocked it over. Zidane stared at Garnet.
"Heh, sorry I'll let you get the next one" giggled Garnet.
"Zidane help!" yelled Vivi.
Zidane and Garnet looked to see Vivi was wrapped up in one of the tentacles of a large plant fiend known as an Ochu. The fiend lifted Vivi up into the air with its tentacle.
"I'm coming Vivi!"
Zidane ran toward the Ochu and leapt onto a petal at the base of its body and used it almost like a spring board. It launched him in the air. Zidane flew toward the tentacle holding Vivi and slashed it. Strange green ooze squirted out of the severed tentacle and the Ochu flailed about. Vivi fell and hit the ground hard and Zidane landed beside him.
"You alright?"
"Yeah I'm ok" said Vivi.
Vivi got up and shot a huge burst of fire at the Ochu. The plant fiend flailed about as the fire spread across its body.
Another group of bandersnatch came and bounded up to them. As one of the wolf fiends lunged at him Zidane managed to grab its head and leap over his head and back like leap frog in reverse. The fiend turned around quickly and ran back at Zidane. Zidane side stepped to the left and stabbed the bandersnatch in the neck. Three more bandersnatch ran at Garnet and Zidane. Vivi cast a fire spell that set one of them ablaze. The remaining ones leapt at Garnet Zidane.
"YAAAAAH" yelled Steiner.
Steiner charged straight into the fiends and knocked them back with the weight of his heavy armor. Steiner drew his sword as the two creatures got back up. One of them lunged at Steiner from the left. Steiner swung his sword horizontally to his left and slashed the fiend. He quickly swung back to his right as the other bandersnatch leapt at him.
"For Alexandria! YAAAAHH!"
Steiner was very spirited as he ran forward and slashed another bandersnatch. Near Steiner Beatrix fought a strange undead creature known as a Forbidden. It was a tall skeleton warrior that wielded two swords. Beatrix lifted her sword horizontally to block the downward slash of the fiends left sword. The Forbidden quickly slashed downward with its right sword and Beatrix blocked that as well. The fiend moved quickly and expertly as it slashed at her. She ducked under the horizontal slash of its left sword and jumped back at the vertical slash of its right sword.
"There's an easy way to beat you"
Beatrix reached in her pocket and pulled out a phoenix down. She threw it at the Forbidden and it instantly fell to the ground in a pile of bones. A large fat Aeon that looked like a lady bug fell from the sky and landed on top of some small reptilian fiends known as skinks that were near Beatrix.
It was Cindy one of three Aeons known as the Magus Sisters that Braska had summoned. He would have summoned Yojimbo but he didn't have any gil left.
"Do what you will" commanded Braska.
The three Magus Sisters came together. All of them were large insects with human faces. Cindy was a ladybug, Mindy was a wasp, and Sandy was a grasshopper. Mindy the wasp pointed her stinger at some cat like fiends known as Coeurls. Mindy then began firing hundreds of stingers at the Coeurls. Sandy the grasshopper ran at another group of Coeurls. She slashed horizontally with a blade of red energy which damaged them all. Cindy the ladybug shot up into the air again and crushed fiends under her massive size.
"Yuna summon an Aeon" said Braska
"Father I can't summon! I'm stuck in Shinra's invention!" yelled Yuna.
"Run to the auditorium I'll cover you" said Braska.
"No…wait…I can still fight"
Yuna pulled out two pistols from her holsters. Shinra's invention filled her mind with the knowledge of guns.
"Then let's do it Yunie" yelled Rikku as she ran up.
"Yes" said Paine.
"Y!" yelled Yuna
"R!" yelled Rikku
"P!" yelled Paine
Yuna, Rikku, and Paine stood close to each other and posed.
"…Ladies now is not the time for that…" said Braska.
The three of them cut it out and got down to business. Rikku was armed with two daggers and Paine with a curved sword. A large wingless dragon known as a Flame Dragon opened its mouth wide roared.
"Any good battle cries Paine?" asked Rikku.
"How about…kick…its…ass" said Paine.
"Here it comes!" yelled Yuna. The Flame Dragon bounded at them and lifted its right claw up and smashed it into the ground. Yuna and Rikku dodged to the left and Paine dodged to the right. Paine ran and slashed the fiend on the side of its neck. The thick scaly skin of the dragon seemed unfazed though. The fiend turned its large head toward Paine to bite at her.
"Blizzaga"
An ice spell hit the Flame Dragon's head hard and froze the right side of its face. Paine looked to see Nida standing there.
"Looks like you can handle yourself…but a little help can't hurt" said Nida.
Before Paine could respond the Flame Dragon reared his head back and shot a large stream of fire at Paine. Paine rolled and dodged to her left near Nida. Yuna shot the Flame Dragon in the back and it roared in pain.
"Hey ugly come over here!" yelled Rikku taunting it.
The Flame Dragon moved over to Rikku and Yuna. In the distance Tidus saw Yuna and Rikku fighting the dragon. He ran to get over there but several Lesser Drakes blocked his path to them. Tidus remembered the words Auron repeated to him over and over in his training.
Cut the ones that matter
Tidus ran through the crowd of drakes. He quickly slashed the first one in the neck and killed it. He ran past another one as it slashed at him and quickly slashed the next one in the neck. Three of drakes stood in Tidus' way. Tidus ran and leapt high into the air. With a forward somersault he landed on the ground behind them and ran toward Rikku and Yuna. Unknown to Tidus Auron watched him the whole time.
"Good Good" thought Auron approving of Tidus' technique.
A bull like fiend called the Dual Horn rushed at Auron. Auron stood there and did not move as the fiend rushed him. Auron reared his sword back.
"Pray!...Shooting Star!"
Auron struck the Dual Horn with his sword and launch him straight into the sky. The fiend went flying over the buildings and never came back. Auron noticed Yuffie fighting in the distance.
"Yuffie stop using so much materia" yelled Auron.
"Awww"
Meanwhile Tidus ran toward the Flame Dragon. He put his hands in his mouth and whistled. Yuna heard it and she knew immediately who it was. He leapt in the air and landed on its head. Tidus then bounced off his head and back into the air.
"Energy Rain!"
Tidus concentrated and several beams of energy shot out and exploded on the dragon killing it. Tidus landed on the ground and Nida, Paine, Rikku, and Yuna ran up to him.
"Not too shabby" said Nida.
"Thanks" said Tidus.
"Oh no here come some flying ones" yelled Rikku.
Several strange flying creatures known as Ahriman came swarming around them. They looked like large eyeballs with bat wings attached. Paine ran at one of them and leapt in the air. With a quick overhead strike she slashed off the left wing of the Ahriman. One of them flew behind here and shot a bolt of electric energy at her. It struck Paine and shocked her. She swung her sword at it but it quickly flew back and dodged. The Ahriman were swift and for the most part dodged everyone's attacks as they swatted at them.
"Let me try" said Yuna.
Yuna raised her guns and let loose a barrage of bullets on the Ahriman striking them down. One of them flew behind her and she pointed her right pistol back and shot it without even looking. Yuna rolled forward and dodged as an Ahriman swooped in on her left. Yuna turned around and shot it from a kneeling position.
Three more Ahriman swooped in on her and before she could shoot a blitzball came and hit one of them. The blitzball ricocheted off the Ahriman and hit the next two causing massive damage. The blitzball bounced back to Wakka's hand.
"WOO HAH!" yelled Wakka.
Jecht ran up near Wakka.
"Hey Tidus your father's here. What do you say to a little blitz ya?" laughed Wakka.
"This is no time for games tubby!" yelled Rikku.
"There's always time for blitz!" yelled Wakka.
Wakka kicked the ball at Tidus. Tidus hit the ball with his right elbow and it went flying toward Jecht. Jecht also hit it with his elbow. The ball went flying back to Tidus and he hit it in the air. Jecht leapt in the air and started spiraling. He kicked the ball back at Tidus as he spiraled. Tidus leapt and began spiraling too. He kicked the ball with a tremendous amount of force. The blitzball bounced all around the battle ground.
It hit and knocked over a Dual Horn then ricocheted and knocked a Coeurl straight in the face. The Coeurl went flying back and the ball bounced on to hit an Anacondeur in the head and knocked it out. A bandersnatch ran at Locke and the blitzball came out of nowhere and knocked it out.
"A blitzball? That's got to be the most random weapon I've seen" said Locke.
Ward then ran by carrying a large harpoon.
"I take that back"
A large fiend called a Wendigo rushed Locke.
"Whoa"
One of the Wendigo's punched down at Locke. Locke jumped back and the powerful punch crashed into the ground. Locke ran behind the bulky fiend and leapt on his back. The creature struggled to get him off. Locke pulled out his dagger and stabbed the creature in his neck. The creature still flailed about as Locke repeatedly stabbed it.
"Sir Locke!" yelled Cyan.
Cyan rushed forward and stabbed the Wendigo in his chest. As the Wendigo fell back Locke leapt off of it.
"Thanks" said Locke.
"Thou art most welcome" said Cyan.
A few more Wendigo approached them and they seemed to go into fits of rages flailing their arms about.
"I think they're pissed" said Locke.
The Wendigo rushed at them in a rage. Gau leapt in front of Locke and Cyan and he seemed to be in a rage too. The wild boy Gau roared like an animal at the top of his lungs. The Wendigo stopped dead in their tracks. Gau used a technique he learned from his days in the wild Veldt. He brought both of his fists up and then smashed the ground. This sent caused the ground to shake violently and the Wendigo fell into holes as it gave way.
Next a scorpion fiend called a Stilva came at the three of them from the side. It struck at them overhead with its scorpion tail. All three of them moved out of the way just in time as the stinger sunk into the ground. The Stilva reared its tail back again to strike. As it did so a bolt of lightning struck it on the head and damaged it. Terra in normal form ran up to help.
"Terra! You're alive" yelled Locke.
Terra recognized Locke from her fuzzy memories.
"…Lock…"
"Yeah it's me Locke"
"I hate to interrupt this reunion Sir Locke but this fiend is none too pleased with us" said Cyan.
The Stilva rushed at the four of them and lashed at them with its claws. Cyan deflected the left claw with his sword and Locke deflected the right claw. The Stilva reared its tail back to strike them again. Gau quickly jumped and held the tail down. The fiend struggled and the others sprang into action. Locke ran and jumped on its head. He stabbed it several times. Cyan sliced off the left claw with his sword. Terra charged up a spell.
"Ice 3"
Locke leapt off the Stilva as the ice spell hit it and finished it. Near them Celes and Setzer fought a Stilva of their own. Celes ran up and did an overhead slash. The Stilva raised its right claw and blocked pushing her back a bit. The Stilva rushed them and Setzer hurled several cards at it that sank into its skin. The fiend hit both of them with its claws and knocked them down. It lifted its scorpion tail up to strike. Shadow appeared on the back of the fiend and sliced the tail off completely with his katana. Red ooze squirted out of the severed tail and the Stilva flailed about. Celes ran up and stabbed the creature right between the eyes finishing it.
(Next Scene)
Inside the auditorium several people that couldn't fight hid in the hallways. Outside the battle could be heard. Lulu could have fought but she held Vidina so she had to keep him safe. Near her was Shera and on the floor sat Marlene and Prince Puck.
"Are you scared?" asked Marlene.
"Me? Scared? I'm not afraid of anything!...are you scared?" asked Puck.
"No my daddy's out there. He's really strong" said Marlene.
"Fiends have gotten inside!" yelled someone in the hall.
Two Bandersnatch came bounding down the hallway. Marlene and Puck held on to each other and screamed as the fiends ran toward them.
"Firaga"
Lulu cast powerful fire spell and held Vidina at the same time. The blast hit the two Bandersnatch. Their flaming bodies fell to the floor.
"It's all right children" said Lulu.
(Next Scene)
Back outside a huge fiend known as a Behemoth stomped about on its hind legs. It was a huge furry beast with bull horns and a long tail. The ground seemed to shake at each of its steps.
Kimahri, Freya, Fratley, and Cid Highwind stood together. They looked at each other and nodded. They then ran toward the Behemoth. Each of them leapt high into the air. Freya and Fratley landed on the fiends left shoulder while Kimahri and Cid landed on its right shoulder. They all reared back their spears and plunged them deep into both sides of its neck. The fiend began falling backwards. All four of them leapt off of it and it came crashing down to the ground. The Behemoth landed a few feet away from Rinoa.
"Rinoa you sure you don't want to go inside?" asked Squall.
"No I'm staying by your side this time" said Rinoa. She had a weapon attached to her arm that launched disks.
"Well ain't this sweet?" said Seifer.
Fujin and Raijin were near him.
"Seifer…shouldn't you be resting?" asked Squall.
"What? Please its just a few fiends. I don't need both hands to take care of a few fiends!" said Seifer.
"That's Seifer he's tough as nails ya know?" said Raijin.
"Whatever…" said Squall.
Several quick creatures called Barongs prepared to attack them. The Barongs were slim four legged creatures. The strange thing about the Barong was that their legs were blades that they used to cut their prey. Two of them ran at Squall and Rinoa. Rinoa shot the circular disk at one of them. The Barong quickly dodged and lunged at her with its front feet. Rinoa leapt back and the fiend plunged its feet into the ground. Rinoa's disk returned to her arm. The Barong lifted its right blade leg to slash Rinoa.
"Waterga"
The water spell blew the Barong back before it could strike. The other one lashed horizontally at Squalls head. Squall ducked and the fiend lashed again vertically. Squall side stepped to dodge and sliced the Barongs head off. As that one died another Barong leapt at Squall from behind. Another well placed Waterga spell blew it away before it hit.
Nearby Seifer, Raijin, and Fujin fought together. Seifers left arm was still in a sling but he still wielded his gunblade expertly. As a Barong lashed at Seifer he sliced off it's front leg and sliced again to decapitate it. Raijin fought with a bulky battle staff. He lifted up horizontally to block the downward slash of a Barong. Raijin pushed off the Barong back.
"Thundaga"
Raijin cast a lightning spell that instantly shocked the fiend. Fujin wielded a weapon that was similar to Yuffie's. She hurled it at the approaching Barong. It sliced off the right leg of one and the head of another. Two more lunged at Fujin. Her weapon returned to her hand and she quickly cast a spell.
"Aero"
The wind spell blew them back. The two fiends landed near Cloud. Cloud slashed horizontally and lopped off both their heads. A wasp fiend called a Granaldo flew toward Cloud. Cloud stepped quickly to his right as the fiend flew toward him. With a quick horizontal slash Cloud cut the Granaldo at its abdomen and split it in two. Another Granaldo swooped down on Zack with its stinger extended. Zack quickly sliced off the stinger.
"Demi"
Aeris cast a gravity spell that knocked the fiend to the ground.
"You know you're so hot when you're killing fiends" joked Zack.
"Very funny…" said Aeris.
Aeris held a staff in her hand.
"This must be what the planet tried to warn me about" thought Aeris.
A group of the skeleton fiends called Forbiddens ran at them.
"Stop…Seal Evil!"
Aeris cast a mystical spell on them that stopped the skeletons dead (no pun intended) in their tracks.
"Whoa" said Zack in amazement.
Tifa ran up and jump kicked one of the frozen skeletons and smashed it to pieces. Cloud and Zack followed suit and began smashing the petrified fiends. Behind them Red XIII lunged at a Bandersnatch and bit it on its neck. Near Red XIII were Azelia, Kaz, Roban, Seren, and Amir. Another large group of bandersnatch rushed them.
"I'm ready to fight!" said the feisty Roban in a gruff tone.
He ran into the group of Bandersnatch fearlessly. He lashed at one with his right paw and struck it across the face. Roban began howling wildly doing a Howling Moon limit break and went into a berserk mode. Roban ran and slashed another Bandersnatch. Two approached from behind and Roban back kicked them both. Soon several Bandersnatch began to gang up on him clawing and biting him. The large Kaz ran and with a powerful swipe of his claw knocked several of them off of Roban.
"Roban you don't need to take them all on yourself friend" laughed Kaz.
Roban growled rushed off to fight some more. Red XIII and Kaz soon fought side by side. A bandersnatch lunged at Red XIII. He jumped to the right and lunged forward biting the fiend on the neck. Another approached from behind and Kaz leapt on it. Seren cast a Fire spell that scorched the fur of one of the fiends.
Seren then ran and slashed another across the face with her claw. Three Bandersnatch surrounded Amir. Azelia landed on the back of one of them and bit into its neck. Amir ran forward leapt on another one. The remaining one ran away in fear and was soon taking down by Red XIII as he leapt on it.
Crono stabbed one of the Bandersnatch nearby and Marle shot an arrow that lodged into another ones neck.
"Crono look out!" yelled Marle.
A winged Demon creature called an Aeshma stood a few feet away from them. It shot a beam of energy at both of them. Crono grabbed Marle and pulled her out of the way of the beam.
"Chew on this!" yelled Marle as she fired a bolt and it lodged into the fiend's stomach.
Crono ran at the fiend with his katana raised. The creature shot another beam of energy at Crono. Crono leapt above the beam and stabbed the fiend in the neck. Black blood squirted out. Crono leapt off of that Aeshma and onto the back of another one and stabbed this one in the neck as well.
Another Aeshma prepared to attack Marle but it was quickly taken down by a spray of bullets from Laguna's machine gun. Laguna turned to his left and let loose another spray of bullets on an Aeshma. Ward ran up with his harpoon and stabbed one of the fiends in the stomach.
"Ward where'd you find the harpoon?...oh well"
Laguna fired off more rounds from his gun. An Aeshma shot a beam at Kiros as he ran toward it. Kiros weaved in and out of the beams it shot and lunged forward. Kiros plunged his two knives into the chest of the Aeshma. He then moved out of the way and Laguna fired off more rounds from his machine gun.
A huge Behemoth stood on its hind legs. It lifted its left foot and brought it down. Irvine, Selphie, Quistis, and Vincent scattered as the foot came crashing down. The Behemoth then came down on all fours. Quistis lashed her whip across the right side of the Behemoth's face. It turned to face Quistis and Selphie struck the left side of its face with her nunchaku.
The Behemoth opened its mouth wide and rushed at Selphie. Irvine fired a demolition round that exploded on impact as it hit the fiend's neck. Quistis lashed her whip around the right horn of the Behemoth and yanked as hard as she could. She pulled its head a bit to the side but the Behemoth struggled and her whip came loose. Vincent began firing on the fiend but the bullets seemed to do little damage to it.
"Quistis! Vincent! Here!" yelled Selphie.
Selphie cast an Aura spell on both Quistis and Vincent which activated their limit breaks. Quistis did her laser eyes limit break. Two beams of energy shot from her eyes and burned the Behemoth in its neck. The fiend then stood back on its hind legs and towered over them. Quistis had done her limit break and now Vincent had to do his.
"Uh oh" thought Vincent.
Vincent felt the beast within him welling up. He always felt it but this time it was different. The words Vincent read on the scroll on Setzer's airship rang through his head.
There is one with a beast within
One who must atone for sin
The power he wields
It will be his shield
When Chaos returns again
In a flash of light Vincent instantly transformed into a large winged demon. Vincent had transformed into Chaos.
"Whoa!" yelled Irvine.
Chaos flew up to the Behemoth. The fiend slashed at Chaos. Chaos managed to dodge the attack and flew higher.
"Satan Slam!" yelled Chaos in a demonic voice.
A large flaming skull appeared under the Behemoth. Several smaller flaming skulls began flying around and bombarded the Behemoth knocking it to the ground. These flaming skulls continued to fly around the area and crashed into the remaining fiends destroying them. After a few moments Chaos came down from the sky and landed on the ground. In a flash of light Chaos changed back into Vincent. Vincent fell to his knees and Quistis went to his side.
"Are you alright?" asked Quistis.
"Yes…I'll be alright" said Vincent.
The fiends had been killed and the portal that they came out of had vanished. Everyone stood around many of them still amazed at what had happened.
"This day just keeps getting worse and worse eh Cloud….Cloud?" Zack looked over at Cloud.
Cloud looked very dizzy. He held his head and began swaying a bit.
"Cloud?"
Cloud fell to the ground unconscious.
"Cloud!"
(End Chapter 26)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.