A Past Long Forgotten...

Chapter 14: Conflict

Disclaimer: I don't own FF7... shucks ;)

Vincent was helping Aeris to get her battle gear together, preparing for the worst. Mysteriously, she had found her staff leaning against the wall in her upstairs bedroom. The planet seemed eager to help her.

"Aeris… If you won't let me call Cloud, then I'm coming with you." He started. Aeris looked to him, raising an eyebrow. Vincent could see she was about to protest.

"Don't argue. I want to help you. I'm not taking no for an answer."

Aeris bit her lip. "Alright... But only if you promise to take care of yourself." Vincent grinned, "I'll do my best… you still remember how to use that staff?"

Aeris stood back to check. She swung it around in a graceful arc and landed in a battle pose.

"I guess that means yes," Vincent smiled.

Aeris smiled, and then sighed. "I'm ready. I'm certain that the planet will help me… since Meteor is gone and ShinRA is no more… I'm able to hear the planet again, even here in the slums." She looked thoughtful. "And now that I know I'm not just hearing voices…"

Vincent looked over at her, "Where do we begin?"

Aeris closed her eyes, "Sephiroth is still in Midgar… I can sense his presence… but… I'm not sure where Jenova would lead him…"

Vincent looked thoughtful for a few moments before answering, "The ShinRA building… it's never been completely destroyed- especially the lower levels… I imagine that it would be an excellent place to hide… familiar to both Sephiroth and Jenova."

Aeris nodded, "We should start there."

With that, the two were off.

Sephiroth sat against one of the walls of the ShinRA building, trying to piece together his plans. Mother had left him alone for several hours now, and he was contemplating how we would continue his plan that the puppet and his friends had stopped the first time around. Mother said she new the way; that they could summon Meteor again. With the white materia buried underwater deep beneath the ancient city, there would be no way to stop him this time.
Cloud and Tifa were making their way through the ruins of Midgar towards the basement level of the ShinRA building. Monsters in the area were plentiful- it was one of the few places where they could thrive. The pair had no trouble warding them off quickly and efficiently. It had become a routine for them to travel to Midgar, check the ShinRA building, and leave.

However, this time was different. Monsters lay slain leading up to the building, indicating the presence of a human. Upon reaching the building, the two were surprised to find large, bloody footprints leading into the ShinRA building, the door was closed carefully and deliberately, perhaps even locked…

"Cloud…" Tifa reached for his arm before they entered the building. She sounded worried.

"It could be anyone, Tifa… probably just some kid from the slums trying to loot the place." He answered, shrugging it off.

Tifa didn't look to sure, "Maybe…"

"Or just some bum looking for a warm place to sleep." He suggested.

"I guess… but why the ShinRA building?" she still looked concerned.

"Only one way to find out, Tif." Cloud half smiled at her, and then proceeded to reach for the door handle. He was not surprised to find it locked. He backed up and put his full weight into opening the door. It didn't budge.

"This is odd…" He rubbed his shoulder absently.

Tifa walked around the building a bit until she found a window. Expertly, she backed up and performed a spinning kick- easily shattering the glass.

"This way Cloud." She winked at him. He grinned. The two climbed into the building through the window.

Cloud walked back over to the inside of the door he had been unable to budge.

"It's sealed." Tifa gasped, "Someone melted the metal... looks like with fire materia."

Cloud looked thoughtful, running his hands over the melted doorframe. Looking down at the floor, the same large bloody footprints continued. Tifa noticed the same thing. The two looked at each other and nodded. They were able to follow the footprints down several flights of stairs towards Hojo's old labs before the bloodstains faded and disappeared.

"Maybe we should call the others…" Tifa was unsure.

"It's probably nothing…" Cloud insisted, though internally he was beginning to feel something strange.

The two continued down the stairs in complete silence, eager to discover the presence in the ShinRA building. As they walked down a seemingly deserted hallway, Tifa heard something. It sounded like the shuffling of feet and a muffled but distinctly masculine male voice.

Tifa stopped dead and looked over at Cloud, "Sh!" He stopped walking and the two listened.

"This way." Cloud inched down the hallway stealthily with Tifa in tow. They followed the noises until they grew louder.

Tifa's heart was beating so loudly she was certain whoever was in the ShinRA building could hear it. Moments passed like hours until they reached the lab that the mysterious stranger was hiding in. Tifa went forward first, and peered through the tiny window in the door; she fell backwards at what she saw, completely dumbfounded.

"It can't be." She rubbed his eyes, clearing her head. "It just can't be."

Cloud looked concerned, "What is it?"

"Sephiroth." Tifa answered, in a hushed voice.

Cloud's eyes were disbelieving. He peered through the window too, but with a slightly different reaction than Tifa. She saw his face reddening in anger and hate.

"Cloud, don't do anything rash! If it is him, we need to call the others!" She was whispering, clearly worried about what Cloud might do.

Cloud didn't seem to hear her at first. "No, Tifa. I won't wait to end this again! After all he's done…!"

Cloud moved backwards, clearly intending to burst through the door. Tifa grabbed his arm. "Cloud, stop! It might not even be him!"

But he didn't stop. He pulled his arm from Tifa and put his full weight into the door. It crashed open.

Sephiroth turned and smirked, "I was wondering how long it would take you to make a move, puppet. I have sensed your presence since you entered the building."

Cloud's eyes widened, he clearly could not believe what was in front of him.

"How!" Was the only word that escaped his lips. Tifa stood back, a hand covering her mouth as she watched the scene. It did not seem like it could be real.

"Mother helped me." He answered simply, "She is not ready to give up her quest to rid the planet of you filthy humans."

Cloud snarled, quickly becoming enraged. "I killed you once Sephiroth, I'll gladly send you to hell again!"

Tifa assumed a battle stance, clearly ready to assist him. She noticed something different about Sephiroth though… it was in his eyes. He always wore an expression of malice and hate, but Sephiroth had always had a faraway look in his eyes. Tifa always attributed it to Jenova speaking to him internally, but now he seemed more… human.

Sephiroth drew his sword, "We end this now."

Without a moments' hesitation, the two began a fierce swordfight. Tifa awaited an opportunity to help Cloud, and checked to make sure her restore materia was ready for an emergency.

Before the fight could progress much further, a startled gasp from Tifa nearly shook Cloud to losing his guard. But it was the all too familiar voice that caused him to back away in shock.

"NO! Stop! Cloud, please don't hurt him!"

Cloud turned in disbelief to see Aeris standing in the doorway- a horrified expression on her face.

"A-Aeris?" He stammered.

Author's notes: Friends, we've reached chapter 14. I am finishing this story ASAP. There are only a few more chapters to go  I'm writing as fast as I can. I know it has been literally years, but I am determined.

I know it's been too long, and I've lost many of readers due to my chronic disappearances. I hope that those of you who've stuck with me don't hate me too- and those just joining us will enjoy the story.

More than anything- I appreciate your dedication. Every time I receive a review, it reminds me that I need to get writing. I can't believe I have 150 already. Thank you for all the support.