"Pst! Everyone! Wake up!"

A soldier groaned and grunted from where he was. However, he began to come to consciousness rather quickly. Not only him, but those gathered with him as well. After all, they recognized this voice well. They had heard it many times before. The soldier himself sighed. Was it time to get up already? He thought they weren't getting up until 5 AM for the battle… Yet that was the sound of his commanding officer.He opened his eyes and looked out. But at that moment…he noticed something. Lieutenant Noonian wasn't yelling at them to wake up. She was whispering for them to…

The barrack tents weren't much. They had portable bunks inside them, lined up down the interior of the tent. They were good enough to keep out weather, and the ground of the city was stone, preventing the problems of mud or water. And since there were no bugs here, it was a fairly good place to be. As the soldiers woke up, they groaned and blinked in the dim light of the tent. It was still dark inside, but the tent flap was open, and it spilled in electric light from the outside. Theylooked across to one another, seeing their opposing canvas walls filled with bunks and sleeping personnel. Yet they didn't look to each other long. Most of them turned down to the front…where, standing alert and in full battle array, was Lieutnenant Noonian.

"Madam…" One of the soldiers groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Is it time to move out already? My watch only reads 2 AM…"

"No, it's not. But I need to tell you all something." Noonian answered. Her face was anxious, and her voice was in a rapid whisper. She looked around a bit behind her, seeming to be afraid that someone might overhear her or follow her. After a moment longer, she turned back to them.

"Guys…we have a problem. I just got back from visiting General Ragnar's dwelling. I wanted to ask him something about tomorrow. He wasn't there. I looked around for him, but I couldn't find him. I finally went to General Cloud's tent…but he was gone too, and so was Commander Tifa. Nobody knows where they went. But they had taken their bedrolls and weapons with them."

On hearing this, the soldiers shook off their last bit of sleep and focused on Noonian. Their eyes widened slightly, and their own looks began to grow troubled.

"What?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Where are they?"

Noonian swallowed, and whispered again, but was louder in whispering this time…more forceful. "Guys…I think they saw something coming in the enemy troops. Something that made them think we couldn't beat them. I think they ran off and left us here without sounding a retreat."

Anxiety began to travel through the room at this point. Some of the recruits began to look to each other uneasily, while others began to look more surprised and confused.

"That's impossible…"

"Why would they do that?"

"They wouldn't have left us."

"Unless they wanted the New Shinra to be killing us while they ran…"

"That's crazy! General Cloud wouldn't run!"

"Hey, neither would General Ragnar!"

"How can you tell?"

"Haven't you listened to anything he said in his speeches?"

"Those were just speeches. They weren't actions."

"Hey, he came through after that one week. It's probably nothing."

"Yeah. He wandered of then and came back with more supplies and troops."

"That was before he knew there were two armies coming at him…"

"Hey, shut up! If this was a real army, you'd be arrested for treason!"

"And what's this supposed to be?"

"He didn't run anywhere!"

"Guys! Shh-shh!" Noonian suddenly hushed, putting a finger to her lips and quieting them down. "I don't want anyone else to hear! They might be trying to run too! I just came here to say, if they're running…we need to get out of here too. I don't know about you, but I'm not staying here for a guy who leaves us hanging like this."

"Lieutenant, I'm sure it's nothing." One of the soldiers called back. "General Ragnar wouldn't leave us."

"Oh yeah?" Another challenged in a different bunk. "What if he would?"

"Hey. The man charged right back down New Shinra's throat to liberate his town. He has balls of steel, if you ask me."

"Me too."

"Guys, I really think we're making a mistake." Noonian answered, her voice worried. "I really think he's gone."

"He'll be back by tomorrow's battle. You'll see." A soldier reassured.

"Well, if he isn't…I vote we get out of here while we can." Noonian responded. "If neither he nor Cloud show up tomorrow, we'll know that something's up. I'll stick around to cover you guys, but the rest of you better clear out of here and run for the south. If these guys run, then we know the rest of us don't stand a chance."

"I'm with the lieutenant." One of the soldiers spoke up.

"Same here."

"You guys are worried for nothing. I bet he'll show up with even more soldiers or some new weapon tomorrow."

"Well, just the same. If he doesn't fight tomorrow, I sure as hell ain't."

"I thought you wanted to fight against New Shinra?"

"Fighting them is one thing. I'm not sticking around under a damn coward."

"Fine. But I'm telling him tomorrow when he shows up that you said that…"

Noonian gave a nod. "Alright everyone. Just go back to sleep for now. Don't tell anyone I said this. I'll get the message out myself. Good luck tomorrow, whatever happens."

With that, the lieutenant turned and walked out of the tent back the way she came. She closed the flap behind her, plunging the interior back into darkness. However…she was quite confident that her soldiers wouldn't be going back to sleep so easily, now that she had firmly planted the seeds of doubt in their minds.


Wyvern patiently waited with arms crossed at the entrance to the valley. Ahead of him, he saw his two servants returning. He hadn't expected the dissention from Zola…but it didn't matter. In the end, they were both cowards, and they followed whoever was in charge. They'd follow commands. It was still night for now, but in a few minutes the sky would just start to turn purple. With it would come dawn, and with dawn would come the end of their time to move. However…he was well pleased with the progress so far. Both Zola and Noonian had set up their divisions to defect and flee for their lives tomorrow. With them, the beginnings of doubt and fear had arisen. Their retreat would only send more doubt and fear into the rest of the troops, making them that much easier to kill.

The dark esper stood calmly in the gloom as Zola and Noonian both returned to him. He wasn't worried about Bahamut. Oh no…that mind trick had been perfect. Now, the seeds of doubt were planted in his ex-brother's mind as well. He thought he had to race to protect the army from mind control, and so that was what he was doing. No doubt, he was also watching over that pitiful little human. Pity. Wyvern had been telling the truth about that. Personally, Wyvern considered mind control to be harming this upstart general as well. The true trick? To find a way to get him to kill himself… And he believed he had done just that. But for now, he blocked out the thoughts of himself and the two around him. He had set up a fake mental signature in their tent. After all…Bahamut would suspect them first of all, now that he was back in town. Of course…Bahamut could always pay a visit to the tent himself. But that didn't matter. At the moment, there was no way he could locate any of them. For now, they could move about unseen. If he eventually found Zola and Noonian and exacted a penalty from them…so be it. For now, he only needed them to stay alive a few more hours.

Noonian threw herself down into a kneel at Wyvern's feet. Zola, uneasy looking and nervous, only slowly followed suit. One of the only reasons that Wyvern was letting Zola live at this moment is because Noonian had shamelessly sold him out to save her own life. That was disgusting. It reminded him of Leviathan and Ogopogo…or even worse, himself and Bahamut. Nevertheless, he addressed them both.

"Is it done?"

"Yes, master." Noonian immediately returned. "I reset all of the remote charges."

Wyvern gave a nod, and looked to Zola. "And the artillery?"

The half esper swallowed once, quivering a bit. But in the end, he nodded. "…Yes, master. I replaced the first round in each with a cracked shell. They'll self destruct when they attempt to fire them."

"Splendid." Wyvern answered with a smile. He turned over to Noonian shortly after. "Your work is finished for this evening. You may return to your tent, and make sure you are seen tomorrow. I may yet have some use for you assuming the humans somehow wriggle out of this."

Noonian readily nodded. "Yes, master."

After that, the dark esper turned over to Zola, and cracked a wider smile. "You, on the other hand… I have one more mission for you to ensure your loyalty to the race of espers, and your hatred of humans. Rejoice, servant of mine…for your action will set off the chain reaction that will damn this entire army into destruction."


Tifa finished pulling on her second glove, and pulled it tight. After that, she punched her palm a few times to get a feel for it. After that, she gave a pleased smile and a nod. She stepped back a bit soon after, and then looked down at her body. She hesitated for a moment, before reaching down and feeling it, in particular the clothing on it. After Cloud had his own uniform made, Tifa, of course, insisted on the same. But hers had been simpler, and had come out much quicker. It was basically a military uniform variation on a gi. It was lightweight, breezy, and yet didn't cause much in the way of wind resistance. It had the tan color and her insignia on it as well. Her shoes were not combat boots like with so many other soldiers, but were more like combat tennis shoes. They were loose and allowed for lots of movement of her toes, but also possessed enough of a heel to do some damage.

The woman looked out through the slightly open tent flap. Dawn had broken. She let out a slow sigh. That meant it would be time soon. She would have to go get her troops up and lead them out to the battlefield. Another bloody fight was awaiting them…and despite as deadly as she was, Tifa felt nervous. It was only natural. It would really be a problem if she wasn't nervous at all about the firefight she was about to go into. What she had to do was channel that anxiety into her power, to make her disadvantage her advantage…and turn the ability of her enemy to induce fear to their ability to receive pain.

She wished that Cloud, Denzel, and Marlene were here… When they first started, they shared the same shell house. But that had changed. Tifa had to be closer to her ownunderling lieutenantsnow, and so she had set up her own personal tent near the barrack tents. Denzel and Marlene were both being put in the safe zone with the rest of the children. As for Cloud, he had his own tent too. As General, he was in an area where he was more available to everyone. At least she would see him soon…but for the rest of the day she would be too busy fighting to notice anyone…

The tent flap suddenly shifted. Tifa saw this out of the corner of her eye, and immediately whirled around. However, there was no need to fear, and she quickly relaxed. It was Lieutenant Zola. He looked ready for battle too, just like the rest of the army. He had put on similar armor and clothing to Cloud's, although his was more standardized. His massive tri-bladed sword was strapped across his own back, yet beneath both it and the armor he didn't buckle in the least. It was amazing. This guy had to be strong… Tifa knew that by now. And his ability to fight was incredible. She wondered where he had been on their first trip three years ago.

"Oh…hello, lieutenant." Tifa finally greeted. "I see you're up. Do you have your division ready?"

Zola didn't answer, just finished entering the tent, and then let the flap fall behind him. Tifa raised one of her feet and placed it against her cot, and then used that position to tie her shoe. She turned to it for a moment to focus on the action, but then she turned back to Zola. The young man looked anxious, she suddenly realized. He looked about the room uneasily, as if he didn't want to be in there. His head was downcast. He was breathing hard, and he appeared to be sweating a little.

The woman looked puzzled at this. She finished tying her shoe and rose up to look concerned. "What's wrong?"

Zola swallowed. He continued to turn his head around, and began to shift in place. He opened his mouth to speak…but then closed it again.

"You aren't getting nervous about the fight, are you?"

Zola tightened his fists and released them. He swallowed once, and shifted again in place. "Actually…" He finally managed to spit out. "Yes…yes I am. Very…very nervous."

Tifa raised an eyebrow at this, and turned her full body in his direction. "…We handled worse odds last time. And after seeing you in battle, I don't think you have anything to worry about. We'll get through this alright. Don't worry."

Zola didn't look up. He continued to quiver and look to the ground. Tifa watched this, and began to look a bit uneasy herself. She had never seen Zola so anxious before. He was the gung-ho one, always charging into combat at the whim of Ragnar. She didn't think he was afraid of anything. In fact, last time, he seemed to almost enjoy going into the thick of battle. She stared at the man for a moment more, before she began to walk forward toward him. He continued to grip and release his fists, and shifted uneasily on the ground. That was, until Tifa was up to him and took his hands. For a moment…he nearly ripped them away. But then he relaxed. Tifa looked a bit worried at this. His hands were covered with cold sweat.

"Here…" She reassured. "Zangan taught me a relaxation technique. I'll show it to you…"

Zola swallowed again…but then suddenly stammered out something. It was so quick, it sounded almost as if he was forcing himself to say it.

"No…no, Commander…that's not necessary. I just…I…" A brief pause, and then Zola looked up. His fearful face met Tifa's. "If you…if you could just look me in the eye…tell me that everything's going to be ok…I think I'll be alright."

Tifa paused and stared back at the young man. He kept sweating, and trembled in her grasp. The woman's face turned a bit anxious herself. Zola was acting strange. She had never seen him so out of it. And what kind of request was this? She didn't know… At any rate, his actions were making her a bit nervous too. And so, in the end, she gave a nod. She held Zola's hands up, and pushed them to his chest. After that, she turned her own brown gaze to look him straight in the eye. His own emerald green eyes stared back.

"It's going to be-"

Tifa cut herself off. Suddenly…Zola's eyes changed. They suddenly seemed to be much deeper…much stronger than before. They suddenly opened up, and stretched back into a deep oblivion contained somewhere in Zola's head. The green seemed to blaze forth…and the iris narrowed. It continued to narrow as she stared at it, but only on the sides. To her surprise…his pupils thinned until she wasn't looking at a human eye…but a reptilian one. What more…a yellow light began to shine in the back of the pupil, and started to come out…

Tifa's fingers began to slip and release Zola's, as she stared into that eye in growing fear.

"What are you-"

In a flash, Zola reached out and seized her head. His grip became like iron, and he kept her head aimed straight so that she looked straight into his eyes. Tifa tried to turn away…but it was useless. He held her firm. She tried to close her eyes…only to find that she couldn't. Her eyelids were frozen. The rest of her body was feeling strange…feeling stiff. And it only got stiffer as she found herself forced to look into that growing yellow light. She tried to call out to him again…but her lungs were slowing. Her lips were turning sluggish, refusing to move… Her thoughts were starting to slow down as well…and things were growing hazy.

Zola's limp trembled and his body quivered as he continued to hold Tifa in that stare. Her lips and eyelids moved slightly…but then stopped all together. Her entire body became motionless. But still he stared. As he did, the whites of Tifa's eyes began to darken. The pupils began to lighten. Both were turning into a dull gray. In a few moments, her iris drained of color and turned the same gray. Like a burning piece of paper, the grayness spread out from her eyes and began to bleed over her face. As it did, the soft pink skin turned gray and stiff as well. The movement continued to spread out, going to her hair. It traced down each individual strand, turning each one gray and rendering it motionless. It moved down her body next, through her neck, into her torso, and even spreading out onto her gi. It picked up speed, quickly moving over her motionless body…and turning rough once it turned gray. Zola's eyes began to wince and his face twisted as he kept holding his gaze, continuing it without ceasing or reprieve. He didn't stop until every part of Tifa had turned motionless, gray, and rough, from the top of her head to her feet.

Only then did Zola release her. His eyes turned back to normal, but she did not. He stepped back, but she didn't move. That was because she was no longer flesh and blood. Her entire body had turned into stone. She was now a motionless statue, frozen in the last moment of staring into her attacker's eyes. Such a sight Zola had witnessed hundreds of times before in the eyes of his enemies…before they were frozen like that forever. Each time…he had grinned the whole way, and cackled at their helplessness as he turned them into living sculptures.

Only now, on this occasion…did he force himself to turn away from his victim and closed his eyes…letting a pair of tears run from them.

"I'm…I'm sorry, Commander…" He whispered under his breath.

"For what? Ridding the world of one more human?"

Despite his fear and his sorrow at what he had done…Zola froze. A new fear soon seized him, and his own body turned to ice. He wheeled around in terror…and saw that Wyvern was standing right behind him. He was smiling pleasantly, admiring Zola's handiwork. The half esper himself slinked away, putting distance between himself and his master. He cowered again beneath him, cringing away from his shadow. He had no idea if his master had come in behind him, or if this was another illusion. In either case, he didn't want to find out. The creature trembled before Wyvern as he stepped forward. The dark esper kept his eyes and smile on the statue, and reached up to run his fingers alongside the stone face.

Despite his terror at even being around Wyvern, much less defying him…Zola felt his stomach turn when he saw this. He felt a horrible twist inside his belly…the guilt of what he had done. Never before until now had he felt guilty about turning a human to stone. But now…he felt like the dirtiest, most loathsome creature alive…

"Good work, Zola." Wyvern finally stated, turning away from the stone Tifa and back to him. "I always did have an affection for that lovely talent you basilisks have. Now…wait here with the statue until the army begins to move out. I'll alert you when the time comes. I'll throw up an illusion around you and this tent to make it look empty to earnest eyes. Once the time comes, however…take this statue out to the quarry and throw it in. Make sure it shatters into at least a hundred pieces on landing."

Zola's head snapped up at this. His eyes widened, and he turned in fear to Wyvern. "But…" He began to protest pathetically. "You…you told me we were only going to turn her to stone for this battle…long enough for you to lure-"

Zola's voice was cut off as a steel fist encircled his throat. He was immediately raised into the air by it. His eyes widened in fear, and he clutched his neck in agony. The grip was so hard he felt bruises begin to form, and the talons of the hand dug into his skin to drain blood. He struggled to breathe, but his airway was cut off. Gaping silently, he looked down and saw who held him. Wyvern was now holding him overhead with one hand. His face blazed with new anger, and his eyes glared at Zola with a look that could kill.

"This is the second time you have backtalked me, miserable worm." He hissed at him. "You will do as I command without hesitation…or you will share the fate of this worthless human. Your life belongs to me forever. Never forget that. You live and die at my command. And if you ever talk back to me again, you miserable wretch, I will tear out your tongue to ensure it causes you no more trouble. Understand?"

Zola continued to gape, although his face was twisting in agony from the power of Wyvern's fist. However, he gave an eager nod.

In response, Wyvern dropped him to the ground. The half esper clutched for his throat and gasped as he fell into a painful heap. The dark esper looked down on him as he groveled in pain and struggled for air. In the end, he merely snorted at him and shook his head.

"You're almost as pathetic as my excuse of a brother." He sneered. "For your sake, Zola…I would try harder not to emulate him."


Ragnar exhaled a bit as he tightened the laces on his boot before tying them. Another battle. Despite how well they had done last time, he was nervous. His crazed attack on the tank had been rather painful, and he knew he had to beat at least twice as many people as he had last time in this one. They were still sorely outnumbered. A lot could still go wrong. However…he had led them through the last battle. He had to try and get them through this. He certainly wasn't going to back down for anything. He'd meet them and beat them back again.

Ragnar straightened up and adjusted his uniform tunic, followed by his cape. After that, he looked around his room. He was still in the shell house, but he had made some additions since when he had first moved in. For right now, he looked in particular to his cot. A digital alarm clock had been set up there, and he saw that it was a mere three minutes until nine. At nine 'o clock sharp, he would lead the army out back to the valley, so that they could be set up in time for noon, when the New Shinra would arrive. After that…it was time for another battle. This one promised to be far more brutal than last time, with more troops on the New Shinra side and more weapons on the Planet Protector Army side. The thought made him anxious, but he forced it away. Cloud had been right. He couldn't afford to be nervous at a time like this.

Ragnar looked over to his side and spotted Ragnarok, waiting in its sheath. He turned away from the entrance and reached down to it. He quickly snatched the weapon up and proceeded to move it around his back. He wondered… The blade had been burning hot to everyone but him. Perhaps…the same effect would work on metal? He knew he could already slice through enemy tanks, but perhaps this would melt through them even easier… It was worth a shot, he thought as he finished adjusted his sword. After that, he turned back to the entrance to leave…

And immediately halted.

The young man's eyes widened, and he forgot about the battle as his arms dropped. His brain was soon grasped withsurprise.

"Master…"

There he stood, having come in as silently as the wind. He framed his doorway now, arms crossed, but still dressed in his mountain man garb. He still looked just as powerful, mighty, and fearsome as he had the day he had left him. His eyes still blazed with power, and his face had a hard and passioned look to it. On seeing him…familiarity and joy leapt in Ragnar's heart. He thought he would never see his beloved master again after he had left last time…but here he was, standing in his doorway. Had he changed his mind? Did he come to tell him some good word about how he had been doing? Even if not, just seeing him again filled Ragnar with happiness. A smile began to spread across the youth's face, and he stepped forward toward him in disbelief. "You're back…"

However, Bahamut turned his head up and gave Ragnar a hard look soon after he said this. When he did…Ragnar immediately froze again. His smile faded, and his joy was immediately smothered. The look on his master's face…it was not happy or kind. For a moment, the youth dreaded that this negative emotion was directed toward him, and it made him feel afraid. But then…he saw that there was something else. Bahamut's eyes were filled with worry…and fear of his own. Until now, he had never seen his master afraid before. But now, in the silence of the room, he saw that he was indeed scared.

That immediately unnerved the youth.

"…What's wrong?"

Bahamut continued to level his gaze at him, but he inhaled deeply and uneasily. "Ragnar…as you may have guessed, I did not come to pay you a social call. I wouldn't be here at all if the only concern was the approaching army. However…there is a much greater concern that's already here…one that's far deadlier than the New Shinra." The esper hesitated for a moment here…and slowly exhaled again.

"He is here."

The young man looked back, his own face concerned, and feeling nervous in the wake of Bahamut's own fearful voice. However, he leaned in innocently and gave a shrug. "…Who? Who's here?"

The face of the esper stiffened. "…Wyvern."

Immediately, Ragnar's eyes widened. The horrible stories of the living demon came back to him. The terrors and misery that Bahamut had spoken of flooded back into his memory. At once…he saw the images of Bahamut he had briefly witnessed before…saw how great and terrible they were…and imagined them evil…imagined the beast that had been the destructor time and time again throughout history…

"Wyvern…?" Ragnar echoed…his tone showing his growing fear. "But…he's dead. You killed him…"

"I don't know how he managed to return…but somehow he's pulled it off again." Bahamut answered, his voice still tense and fearful. "I spoke with him last night face to face. He's even madder than before…and far deadlier. For generations, I had an advantage over him with my ability to use my psychic powers…but somehow, he's finally managed to learn to use his own. I have no idea how much trouble he can cause…but I've been searching for him all night and finding nothing but empty air."

Ragnar's eyes widened as he stiffened. "He's in the camp?"

Bahamut gave a single nod.

The young general paled. He looked around uneasily for a moment, feeling himself start to tense up. He clenched his hands into fists and swallowed. In the end, he turned back to Bahamut helplessly. "Well…we…we need to find him. Stop him. Before he can-"

"He could destroy this entire army with a wave of his hand." Bahamut cut off. "If you tried to provoke him into a fight, he'd kill you. I'm the only one who has a chance against him, the same as always. But this time…I don't think he wants me."

Ragnar blinked and shrugged. "Who else could he want?"

"You."

The young man froze again at that. His face turned a bit white, and he recoiled slightly from the esper. His hand trembled, as he slowly raised it and pointed to his own chest. "…Me?"

"Wyvern is totally insane. He cares only for his revenge, and making me suffer." Bahamut explained darkly. "Now…he wants to stretch out to those that I've affected…everything I've 'created'. And that includes my former pupils. Until now, he only beat people who tried to challenge him, regardless of what connection they had to me. Rydia... Terra... Both sets of their friends... Even his attack on our home was just meant to bring me to him. But now...he's actively hunting them."

Ragnar began to shake. His eyes widened slightly. Charging into battles against mortals was one thing…but Wyvern was almost a demon in terms of his destructive capability and maliciousness. And Ragnar believed the legends. He was terrified of the thought of fighting with him. In the end, he turned back to Bahamut hopelessly once more. He gave a shrug. "So…he's going to come after me?"

"Actually…I don't think so." Bahamut answered…causing Ragnar to react with puzzlement. The esper saw this, and immediately explained. "You see…Wyvern may be mad with hate, but he's a man of his word so long as it goes along with his plotting. He told me he wouldn't lay a finger on you. So I think he's not going to try and hurt you himself. He's going to try and go through some other method."

Ragnar continued to look confused, and still was afraid. In the end, he gave a shrug of confusion. "Like what? What other method could he use?"

Bahamut frowned in reply. He turned away from Ragnar and looked to the ground. He tightened his arms and began to look nervous. Something about this part was making him anxious, and he said nothing about it right away. Ragnar, however, continued to stare at him. The esper continued to lean over troubled for a moment, but in the end sighed and let it out.

"…I didn't want to tell you this, Ragnar. I've been keeping an eye on them…and they seemed genuine. I didn't think you'd believe it… But the truth of the matter is this. Zola and Noonian…"

The young man gave a nod in response. "Yes?"

Bahamut turned back to the young general at that. "Haven't you noticed them? How strong they are? How fearless in battle? How easily they strike?"

Ragnar nodded back. "Yes." He answered. However, after that, his face changed slightly. Something began to work in his brain, even before Bahamut stated what it was. When he realized that, he began to feel a bit unnerved… Something wasn't right with them. He should have seen this weeks ago…but there had been no reason to fear them. They were outstanding combatants, and loyal to him all the way. And yet, as he thought about them…how unnatural their strength was…how they seemed to react in battle…

"They aren't human, Ragnar." Bahamut finally announced. "They're half-espers…some of the last creatures alive with true esper blood in them. They are also Wyvern's servants."

Ragnar's eyes widened again. He looked to Bahamut in shock. "What?" He nearly shouted. "His servants! And you knew this? You didn't tell me that when they joined with my army?"

Bahamut sighed and bowed his head. "I didn't think it would matter, Ragnar… I believed Wyvern to be dead. I read their minds and saw that they believed the same. Zola even looked like he might have had genuine devotion to you. But now that their master is back, it's only a matter of time before they return to him…assuming they haven't already. I tried scanning their minds back in their tent. I ran into an illusion…another set up by Wyvern. I went there to check it out personally, but it was too late. They were already gone. I don't know if they're still following you…or if they've worked some devilry. I haven't been able to find them or Wyvern since, so I assume the worst. There's no telling what they've been doing behind my back as I've been desperately searching for them."

Ragnar took a step back and turned his head to the ground. His mouth hung open, and his eyes filled with fear. He had never expected this…never believed it. Wyvern was here. Zola and Noonian…two of his high officers…they were probably stabbing him in the back as he sat here. They were working behind the scenes and they wanted him dead. Now what was he supposed to do? What were they trying? What did they want? What were they going to do to him and his army? Wyvern could destroy them all easily…so why hadn't he? What was he plotting? He didn't know. He only knew now that they had a wolf in the fold who was far more deadly than the foes that were approaching. But he didn't have the time or energy to divert to him. It wouldn't matter if he did. All he knew is that he was running around here, working some mischief, and he might not find out until it was too late.

There had to be something. There had to be some clue. He had to have left a sign. But what? Ragnar had turned in early last night…and had failed to see anything out of the ordinary in that time. But if he really wanted him, there could be anything waiting for him. Maybe his rations were poisoned. Maybe a sniper was waiting for him. Maybe Zola and Noonian were waiting to stab him in the back on the field of battle. He didn't know… And neither did Bahamut. His master couldn't help him now…

Wait a minute…Bahamut…

The youth suddenly raised his head as an idea came. Bahamut raised and eyebrow when he saw that, and his face turned to puzzlement. But Ragnar didn't explain himself. He thought now about what Bahamut had just said. Wyvern wasn't out to kill him this time. He was out to make him suffer by destroying the things near to him… That would goad Bahamut into a reckless fight far more easily than just picking a straight match with him. What if he applied this new philosophy to Ragnar as well? What if he was trying to hurt him the same way he planned to hurt Bahamut? If he did…then what would he do?

He'd go through the people closest to me as well…

Ragnar's face turned as white as a sheet. His expression turned to one of sheer horror as he realized the horrible possibility. Bahamut saw this…and he understood immediately. The look showed him all he needed to deduce the truth. On seeing this, the esper stepped forward, meaning to put a hand on Ragnar's shoulder…

But it was too late. The young man took off from where he stood, and immediately bolted past Bahamut and for the door. It was so fast that even with his reflexes Bahamut's human body was unable to keep up, considering his own distraction. Still, he turned around as he saw Ragnar run out onto the grounds outside, and immediately tear for the entrance to the grove. He quickly ducked his head outside and called out to him as loud as he dared.

"Wait Ragnar! It's what he wants!"

It was too late. Ragnar was no longer listening. The youth was already to the line of trees, and shooting through the opening in them.

As he did…a call blared on a trumpet, ordering the army to move out to the battlefield.


"Tifa, we need to get a move on. They just gave the call-"

Cloud cut himself off as he brushed past the flap into Tifa's tent. He had just ducked his head through the opening, but now he stopped when he realized the tent was empty. Tifa's things were there, but she was gone. The ex-mercenary hesitated at this. A moment later, he stepped inside and began to look around in puzzlement.

Cloud had just been preparing to move out, and was about to go to fetch the kid to go to the front. However, he had barely stepped outside when Barret ran up to him, telling him that he hadn't seen Tifa anywhere since last night. She was supposed to be heading a special forces group, but she hadn't even woken them up on time, let alone come to take them anywhere. To this, Cloud had grown concerned. Tifa wasn't one to sleep in. She always got up before dawn, even when she didn't have anywhere to be. That was her nature. So where was she?

She wasn't in her tent, it seemed. Cloud looked around the area for signs of where she could have gone. Her uniform was missing, he soon realized. Perhaps she had gotten dressed and moved out before he had arrived here. But that didn't seem likely either. She did get up early. Sure, she would run if she had overslept, but the very thought that she would oversleep was ridiculous. He was about to dismiss it all anyway, and reason that if her uniform was gone, she had to have gone out to the front lines. In another moment, he would have turned and left…when he spotted something.

Aconspicuous set of objects he had missed on first glance rested onher still unmade cot. Part of the covers on top had been straightened, and there was a sheet of paper resting on it, along with what looked like a small, black, hand-held tape recorder. Cloud stared at it a moment, and then took a step forward. This enabled him to get a slightly better look at it…and when he saw the paper he realized there was writing on it in black ink. The ex-mercenary walked forward the rest of the way and to the cot side, and then looked down on it.

Cloud reached for the tape recorder first. He lifted it up and examined it. It was heavy. There was a tape inside it, fully rewound and ready to play. However, he ignored it. He put it back down on the bed, and looked to the paper. With the recorder off of it, the full message could be read. He picked it up, held it before him, and did so.

The north side of the Cetra Valley. Come now and come alone or she's dead.

The man's body went rigid at this. A chill went down his spine. He nearly let the paper fall from his hands as his mouth opened slightly. His powerful blue eyes looked over the paper for a moment, but then back down to the tape recorder.He swallowed...and reached down and took it up. After doing so, he immediately turned the volume all the way up and pressed the play button. He quivered slightly as he listened.

There was a moment or so of static…before he heard a groggy, weak female voice.

"…Cloud…where…"

Another blip of static, and then nothing.

Cloud's eyes widened. His hand slowly closed into a fist. Fear began to flood him…and he retorted with anger as he stood there. His passion began to flare, countering his fear and filling him with fury. Slowly…his hand clenched around the tape recorder…growing tighter and tighter until the plastic began to bulge and crack in his hands. He ignored the fact that metal pieces began to come out from the sides, and started to cut into his hand. His eyes blazed in fury, and his jaw tightened.

In a snap, Cloud angrily flung the tape recorder to the ground…instantly smashing it into pieces. He reached behind him and drew out Event Horizon soon after. Holding it at the ready, he swung around violently and charged back out of the flap of the tent, and into the street…no longer caring about Ragnar, the Planet Protector Army, or anyone in it.


Five seconds later…Ragnar charged around the corner of a barrack tent and looked down the lane. He was just in time to see the boot of Cloud pass by a tent on the left side of the lane, before disappearing behind a tent. The ex-mercenary was running, and with his speed it took no time at all for him to be gone. But with the speed he had behind him, Ragnar saw that one of the tent flaps was still swaying from where he had left.He recognized it as an officer tent…specifically Commander Tifa Lockhart's.

The youth didn't waste a second. He quickly ran forward to the tent. There was no one to stop him. By now, the various army units had formed their groups, and were marching out. They were on the outskirts of the camp or in their main drags, lined up in neat formation and being led out by their superior officers. Ragnar could hear them moving, but he paid no attention. He was soon at Tifa's tent, andducked inside.

It took him only a second of looking over to see the smashed tape recorder on the ground. He stared at it…and soon realized he wasn't going to get any information from it. Cloud had seen to that. However, he also saw a piece of white paper that had fallen nearby with writing on it. The young man quickly ran up to that and snatched it off of the ground. He held it up to his eyes and read over it.

A moment later, Ragnar grit his teeth and tore the message apart. Wyvern was being rather thorough, it seemed… He was extending his chain of destruction. He had done something to Tifa…was using her as bait to get to Cloud. Cloud would be used to get to him. And at last, he would be used to get to Bahamut. The youth cursed him. How crazy could you be? How mad with hate could you be to make vengeance extend this far? What had Tifa ever done to the bastard? What had Cloud? They didn't even have a relation to him. They were just members of this army…

The army…

Ragnar paused again as another realization came over him. At once, it clicked. Of course… Wyvern wasn't just out to destroy Bahamut's pupil. He saw the Planet Protector Army itself as being Bahamut's creation. He wanted it destroyed too. That's why he was doing this. He wasn't just hurting Tifa, Cloud, and him…he was robbing the army of some of its highest officers. And Zola and Noonian were already entrenched inside the army's command too. They had a hundred troops apiece at their disposal. With that kind of interior sabatoge…they could ruin everything. That was why Wyvern was only acting now. He was going to wreck the army from within…and then let the New Shinra finish it off. He wasn't just attacking him and his friends. He was leading them away…stripping the army of leadership…

The young man smashed his fist angrily against the canvas walls. Cloud was already gone. That left the only general being him. No doubt…Wyvern wanted him to follow Cloud. He'd kill them together, or use him as bait to attract Bahamut. Then the PPA would be leaderless and ripe for the plucking. Ragnar swore again and looked outside. Cloud had already vanished from view, headed to the head of the valley now…either right into enemy hands or into the hands of Wyvern. If he went after him…he'd be like a mouse being led into a trap. He needed to stay. He needed to take command of the army. Wyvern wanted him to leave…wanted to keep his force leaderless… It made sense to stay…

However, the young man was torn inside. Cloud…he was his friend…his best friend. He didn't know if Cloud felt the same way, but Ragnar saw him in that light. He couldn't abandon him to this monster. He had no idea of what he was getting into. Wyvern would slaughter him or do who knew what else. That man had trusted him and helped him from the start. He had lifted him up when he was about to fall into despair. He was his companion in battleandpartner everywhere else. He couldn't do it. He couldn't just leave him to die. He didn't know what good he would be…he didn't even know if he was wandering right into a trap, though it was likely he was… But in the end, his heart could only make one choice. Despite knowing how important this was…how much he was needed here…he turned to another need.

"Everyone…" He said out loud, silently wishing his voice would reach the ears of all of the soldiers and officers. "…I'm sorry."

After saying this, Ragnar took off back out of the tent flap, and ran as fast as he could for the north entrance of the Cetra Valley.


Red XIII let out a long exhale as he turned his head to the side. Yuffie was running back up to him now, struggling to outstrip his pace as he walked along through the rock tunnel in the back of the valley. Behind him, the troops were marching in companies and lines…although by now the statement had been issued that some of them were missing their commanding officers. That was only one item of bad news with no apparent explanation that the Colonel had received since that morning. And from the look on Yuffie's face as she approached, she didn't have much good news to offer either.

To Red XIII's left, Barret walked along with a gruff appearance…concealing his growing worry. To his left, Cait Sith marched along, wanting to throw his hands/paws into the ring for a change. It appeared that they would need his help…especially if Zola, Ragnar, Cloud, or Tifa didn't show themselves. The beast himself walked forward only nervously, and his mind was afire with bad possibilities. This was not good. He could move the army to the front lines without much trouble, but when the battle went underway…they needed to have their leaders and heroes with them. Where could they be? This didn't make any sense… There wasn't a thing in the world that could keep Ragnar from attending this battle. So why had he gone off? Or was this just some great misunderstanding? Had one left, and the others gone looking for him/her? If so…they had to realize that they were needed back now…

Red XIII looked to the sky. It was clouding over…and turning rather dark. He hoped that this wasn't a bad omen of things to come…

Yuffie came to a stop next to the lion/wolf, and fell into step next to him. She continued to march forward along with the group. The beast raised an eyebrow and looked to her.

"Well…?"

The ninja frowned and shook her head. "Nothing. They aren't anywhere in the ranks. It's like they wussed out on us."

Red XIII immediately narrowed his one good eye. "Would you care to say that a little louder?" He calmly yet sarcastically asked. "Perhaps turning your head so that the army can hear?"

"Damn that Scrawny and Spiky…" Barret cursed. "Where the hell they run off to now? That damn general of ours can be just as frustratin' as Spiky Ass sometimes…"

"He wouldn't leave us hanging." Cait Sith reassured. "He wouldn't run away. I know he's not the kind of guy who would turn chicken."

"Even if I disagreed with that, which I don't," Red XIII answered back. "I know for a fact that Cloud would not run out if this army was ten times as large. The fact that they're gone testifies to the fact that something serious arose. Furthermore…the fact that they didn't tell any of us that they were leaving testifies to the fact that they were in some sort of urgent hurry. The issue here is not why they left…the issue here is if they will come back before we engage in battle."

"And if they don't?" Barret suggested.

Thebeast hesitated after hearing that, turning his head forward again before letting out a slow sigh.

"…Then I'm accepting any volunteers for field commander. Personally…I don't want that responsibility."


To be continued...