Final Fantasy VII: Armageddon

Chapter 2

Disclaimer- Final Fantasy VII in all it's form and splendor, and all things related to Final Fantasy VII are copyrighted by Square-Enix.

"No... this can't be Cloud who wrote this... I can't believe that... no. He would never make an alliance with Jenova." Vincent thought... or tried to think.

Vincent ran towards the 7th Heaven Bar. He knew that if anyone knew where Cloud's sword was, with the exception of Cloud himself, it would have to be Tifa. It was the best plan for the moment. It would be worthless to search the whole world for him. By that point, Cloud's plan would already have been activated.

Also, as he ran down the streets, Vincent decided not to tell Tifa what Cloud is doing, by any circumstances. Tifa's feelings for Cloud could cause her to make quick, senselss decisions, and it would put her in danger. Vincent couldn't put his friend in danger, even if it meant lying.

Vincent burst into the bar to find Tifa, Marlene, and Barret, who was visiting his daughter.

Vincent ran towards the bar, exhausted. He sat down on a stool next to Barret. Due to his prophyric hemophilia, he was unable to perspirate, but people got the idea. He was out of energy.

Barret patted him on the back and said, "Hey, man! You okay?"

Vincent put raised his hand in affirmation. He tried to start speaking, but he was too exhausted. He then took a deep breath and said, interrupted by constant panting, "Do any of you know where Cloud went?"

Tifa shurgged, and Barret said, "Nah, haven't seen Cloud in a while. A few weeks ago I saw him get on that bike of his and drive out."

Tifa replied, "And if he'd just come back from a long trip, this would be the first place he'd come. He's not... back yet."

Vincent widened his eyes in fright. If Cloud had been gone for weeks, that would give him enough time to do so many things. Not only regain his old blade, but use it to wreak havoc!

It was difficult for Vincent to think of Cloud in this way. Vincent thought, "No... Cloud would NEVER do something like this... but then again... they said that Sephiroth could never have become a bad person... he could never have burned Nibelhiem... he could never have killed his friend's father... he could never have turned on Zack and Cloud. It's all Jenova! It's all HER fault things ended up this way!"

Vincent clunched his fist and left the bar immediately. Tifa and Barret, concerned, ran out after him.

Vincent lept into the air before they knew it. He was already flying away when they exited the building. They had no choice but to look on. They couldn't chase him just out of curiousity. They decided to leave him be.

Vincent landed near the Shin-Ra monument, just recently rebuilt. He decided it would be useless to search for Cloud. He could be anywhere right now. So, he decided he would hide in the shadows until he could sense Cloud's presence.

But there was no wait... he felt him... faintly... and then, it began to grow. Vincent heard a great noise behind him. The sound of a motorcycle. Fenrir. Cloud had returned to Midgar.

Cloud stopped short. His sword was covered in tape, most likely because in it's current state, it was cracked and worn, and it would fall apart had it seen more action. But there was something strange about him.

"Hmmm... at least he steals from the best." Vincent muttered jokingly, noticing that Cloud's clothing had changed in style to more similar to his own.

Cloud rose from his motorcycle, and began to walk, sword in hand. He walked down the road, people staring at him. What was it? Vincent knew there was something different about Cloud, but he couldn't quite get a specific look. There was his clothing, which were much more frightening... but there was something else. Something physical.

Vincent started following Cloud. Cloud seemed not to notice him.

Cloud kept going down streets, seeming to have no destination. He walked and walked, until he came across a dead end in an alley. He took a deep breath and said, "Vincent."

Vincent felt embarrased. Cloud had known he was there the whole time.

Cloud turned towards him and said, "Vincent... the rest in not for you to see... return to your home, wherever that may be. Don't get in the way of my duty."

"What duty, Cloud? I read your diary, you know! I know what you plan to do, and I will not just stand here and let you do it! Even if you are my friend, and a hero who saved us more than once, if you turn away from us now, you're no better than Sephiroth!", Vincent yelled.

"Sephiroth acted for selfish reasons. His intentions were to become a god himself. My intentions are far different. My intentions will help the world altogether. Now, you must stop follwing me. You cannot possibly comprehed with the minimal information in that diary what I truly plan to do."

"Then what is your intent?"

"There is no need for me to explain it. All of my intentions will become real... soon. Very soon. You must wait, Vincent."

"I said I will not wait around and wait for you to do this! You're going to merge with Jenova, and her power is too much for you! You can't beat her once you've merged with her! She will have complete control over you, and use you to destroy the world! You know that, Cloud! Why are you doing this?"

"Hmph. You really have no idea what's going on, Vincent. Go home and stop pretending like you understand the situation."

Vincent immediately brandished the "Death Penalty", his most deadly firearm. Cloud gasped, and then yelled, "Why are you yelling at ME? You're the one who's acting irrationally! I asked you to go home, and not get involved, and you overreact and pull a gun on me!"

Vincent rose his gun higher, so that it alligned with Cloud's head.

Cloud chuckled and said, "No, Vincent! You wouldn't shoot me. I've saved you more than once... I beat Sephiroth, remember? If it weren't for me, you'd be dead."

Vincent wanted to shoot, but he couldn't. Cloud was right. He was a hero.

Vincent put the gun away, and walked home.