Chapter 7

The roar of Bahamut Sin echoed across the city of Midgar, sending the already panicked townspeople into complete hysteria. Tifa battled her way through the stampeding mob to where the children were located; encircling the Meteor Monument. They were all still, looking down on the ground as if nothing were wrong. She wondered why they were there, and also wondered with building fury what Kadaj had done to them.

Then she saw him.

"Denzel!" she cried, sprinting the last few metres to the young boy, dodging as many as she could. There were some people in such disarray that she nearly had to throw them out of her path. The eight year old boy didn't respond.

"Denzel? Denzel!" she repeated, grabbing his shoulders and shaking them forcefully. It took an impossibly long time for his head to rise, but when it did, Tifa recoiled in shock. His pupils had become cat-eye slits and there was nothing there. He was an empty vessel.

"What has he done to you?" she asked, feeling fear creep over her like an icy hand.

"There she is!" shouted Barret, pointing through the glass bottom of the upper deck of the Sierra.

"What's she doing?" Cid asked in bewilderment. "There are Shadow Creepers everywhere!"

"Not to mention that thing," Cait said, pointing to the flying abomination. "We have to get down there fast."

"Anything we do is fine. I don't really care as long as I get off this stupid stinking airship!" Yuffie almost yelled. She had turned a sickly shade of green.

Cid's jaw dropped slightly.

"Yuffie," he said in a dangerous tone. Most of the other AVALANCHE members took an involuntary step backwards in fear. "What did you call my Sierra?"

If Cid didn't look so formidable at that moment one could have almost laughed at his strained politeness. Apparently those anger management classes Shera had nagged him into going to were working.

Yuffie didn't get the hint of menace behind Cid's voice and continued to complain, oblivious to his ever darkening face.

"I called it a smelly, inconvenient, bucket of bolts that you think would run smoothly but nooooo, it has to jolt and shudder worse than my thirty year old Mini that cuts out every five sec-"

Yuffie stopped mid-sentence because Cid had flung her over his shoulder and had started marching to the upper deck. She couldn't speak or act for the first few seconds out of shock but nothing ever shut up Yuffie Kisaragi for long.

"Cid, you perv! I thought after marrying Shera you'd stray less, you know, you being so easy and all but here you are, trying it on with a girl who's half your age! I forbid it! I'm not goanna let me get in the way of you two. Were you waiting till I had come of age or something? I knew ever since we met that you liked me but this is taking it too far! Put me down now or I'll scream rape!"

Cid didn't reply which only infuriated Yuffie even more. She started kicking and punching the pilot but the blows were barely felt as Cid was so furious he didn't feel any pain whatsoever. He strode up the last few steps and reached the deck. Yuffie had taken to biting him in the shoulder but ceased as soon as she realised what he was doing.

"No way Cid," she yelled. "No way are you doing this to me again, not after last time!" Cid threw her wriggling body on the floor. Yuffie writhed and squirmed to get away, but Cid's strong hands held her fast.

"Do you know how bad I felt afterwards?" she said, trying to reason with him. "I couldn't walk properly for hours! Let me go!"

"See ya kid," he said with a grin, strapping the parachute onto her back and throwing her over the rail.

"I didn't think he'd actually snap like that," Cloud said thoughtfully to the others.

"Yeah," replied Barret. "But I can't say I blame him. I probably would have been the same."

"Should we go after them? Who knows what Cid can do? I've never seen him that angry before. He didn't even swear."

"You worry too much Red," Cait stated. "They'll be fine."

It was as if on cue a screaming Yuffie Kisaragi fell past the window. All the AVALANCHE members blinked. Then they turned back to their conversation.

"I didn't think he'd have the nerve," Barret said in a somewhat proud voice. He raised an imaginary champagne glass to the deck. "Kudos to you, Cid Highwind."

"She had a parachute on," Vincent deadpanned, breaking the mood.

"Oh," he replied quietly.

There were disappointed sighs throughout the room.

Tifa let go of Denzel, fully aware that nothing she could say would bring him back. Zanagan had always told her not to hold onto false hope in a hopeless situation. Instead he told her to find a different way to deal with things. She had to find out what was controlling them.

As Tifa looked to the skies she found her answer. A huge beast came plunging towards the Meteor monument, its master, a silver haired man. Even though Tifa had never seen him in her life she knew immediately that this was Kadaj. It was only after seeing him that she noticed that he was controlling Bahamut, except this summon was warped, darker than usual. This of course only meant bad things for Tifa.

The hulking beast landed on the monument with a grace that seemed very unusual for a monster that size. Kadaj dismounted slowly, almost tauntingly. Bahamut rose up again into the air and circled where the silver haired man stood. His hand raised in the air. Tifa braced herself for an attack but was surprised when all he did was click his fingers. Each child's face snapped up sharply to look at him. At least now she knew what was controlling them.

"My loyal servants!" Kadaj addressed the group. Tifa felt a slight touch of insanity radiating from him that made her shudder. "The time for the reunion has almost come!"

"Kadaj!" Tifa yelled. The teen completely ignored her and continued his speech.

"Mother is waiting for us! She is pleading for us to return to save her from the captivity she has been forced to endure."

"These kids have nothing to do with this, let them go!" she screamed at him. Kadaj dropped his raised hands and slowly turned to face her. Tifa couldn't help but flinch under his intense glare.

"It's rude to interrupt someone when they're speaking," he said derisively. He jumped down from the monument and walked towards her in the same, unhurried manner. Tifa found herself rooted to the ground, unable to do anything except watch each step he took towards her. Soon there was only a hairs breath between their faces.

"These children have everything to do with this. They were blessed with mother's mark. These are the one's that will bring salvation to Gaia."

"They're only children, and they're sick…" Tifa protested weakly.

"These children are going to the Promised Land. Isn't a lifetime of suffering worth an eternity of paradise?"

"No… that's just twisted logic!"

"You think the same as our traitorous brother."

"Cloud?" she asked bewilderedly.

"So you know him. He could have been great you know. He could have been the ultimate warrior, even greater than Sephiroth."

"Cloud is ten times the man Sephiroth was," she hissed fervently. Kadaj's eyes narrowed dangerously. Tifa lifted her hands in defence but Kadaj caught them easily and forced them back to her sides. She stepped backwards. Kadaj smiled; a sick, twisted smile that made her stomach churn.

"You're afraid of me," he commented. He pulled her back towards him, forcing her to meet his eyes. Tifa squirmed in his grip.

"But you don't know scared I can make you," he whispered. "What my brother did would be nothing by the time I would be through with you." Kadaj laughed and roughly threw her on the ground with such a force that it made her head spin. He looked over her a few seconds more before turning his back and walking away.

"Remember that before you interrupt me again," he finished, waving his hand. The children immediately followed, including, much to Tifa's despair, Denzel.

"No!" she cried, regaining her courage and bolting forwards in a blind attack. Kadaj saw it coming easily and landed his foot in her stomach, throwing her backwards into the stone monument. Tifa clutched her body in pain. The teen sighed and shook his head.

"Don't do that again," he said. He motioned to Bahamut who came swooping down to meet him.

"Take care of her," he ordered, pointing at the brunette. "And blow up that ridiculous statue while you're at it." The monster soared into the air once more and reared, opening his mouth in an ear-splitting roar. Blue energy started to gather at his mouth. Tifa had summoned Bahamut on countless enemies during her adventures two years ago, and knew the devastation of that particular attack. The enemies didn't just die. They were incinerated. So she did the only rational thing her brain could think of; she picked herself up off the ground and ran like hell.

Kadaj flicked his hand in an upwards motion. Twelve Shadow Creepers materialised from the ground and lunged at Tifa. Instinctively she jumped backwards to avoid their snapping jaws, but realised too late what their real goal was. Each one circled the brunette, preventing any escape. Her eyes snapped up to Kadaj's figure, watching her with amusement.

"I can't possibly have you following me and interfering with mother's plans," he laughed. Tifa never wanted to wring anyone's neck more. "The fact that you are a friend of my brother's just makes this more entertaining. If there's anything left of you could it tell him I'm at the Shinra Building? Now if you'll excuse me, I'm a busy man." He waved mockingly and left, each chid following with the diligence of any servant.

She took a step forward. Three of the Shadow Creepers advanced, barring their teeth and growling menacingly. The other nine monsters tightened the circle. Tifa sighed in frustration and returned to her original position. The three Shadow Creepers also retreated.

"So that's how you're going to play," she murmured softly to herself. She glanced upwards to see how much time she had. Bahamut had gathered only about a third of the energy it needed. That gave her about a minute and a half. In spite of herself she laughed.

"Right," she said to no one in particular, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "My choices are to be burnt to death or ripped to shreds. Which to choose, which to choose..."

Tifa took a deep breath and clenched her fists. Then, with a scream rushed to engage the awaiting Shadow Creepers.

Cid landed the Sierra neatly and asked his trainee pilot to steer it away from Bahamut Sin so it wouldn't "cause his baby any damage". Cloud wondered what he'd be like if he had real children someday. Actually, he'd didn't want to wonder. If it was a choice between the Sierra and Cid Junior, the airship would probably win outright. He entered the garage near the exit ramp to find his bike ready for him, all scratches and tears mended, and once more filled with fuel.

"Hey Cid, thanks for the present!" he yelled upwards. The pilot's head appeared from over the rail above him.

"Don't mention it Cloud, just let me mess around with it when we get back. Who knows? I might make it a better than before."

"As long as it doesn't blow up old man, then do what you want."

"I'll hold you to that."

"Unfortunately, I know you will."

"Yo Cloud!" Barret' head joined Cid looking over the railing.

"What is it?"

"Tifa and the kids are at the monument," he said.

"Thanks. I'll get them back safe Barret, so don't worry."

"That's not what I'm worried about. The cat said he saw both Bahamut Sin and Kadaj there too." Cloud banged in fist off the seat in anger.

"I swear, if he even hurts even one of them..."

"We haven't got time for thinking Cloud, just take Fenrir and go! We'll catch up as soon as we can."

"Alright," he replied, jumping onto the seat and starting the engine. Cid lowered the ramp.

"Good luck man, we'll see you in a bit."

"Later," he replied, kicking the accelerator into action and racing off into Midgar City.

Authors Note

I can't believe it's been almost three months. I don't deserve to live. I had so much more I wanted to put into this chapter but one, I think you waited long enough for this and it's not the shortest chapter I've written and two, I can't put the other part into words. Damn writers block. Thanks for reading everyone!

L.C.

To my reviewers:

Lilmione: wonderful penname! Thank you for all your reviews, they're so encouraging. I like when Cloud's a bit confused too, because angst-ridden Cloud is so much fun to write about. Cloud dreamt her memories because it was her way of connecting with him. When Cloud realised it was her memories, the connection brought them together, where before, it was only the stigma doing that. Usually these things make better sense in my brain, sorry for confusion. And I knew Aeris was going to die, my friend told me she died in disc three and when she died in disc one I was so annoyed cause I had levelled her up so much to get great gospel. Even now I still do it! I went to bed that night just thinking, she's gone. I can't believe she's gone... Thanks for reading.

Outfoxed: Believe me it is quite hard to keep this going. I do have an ending though, and I'm forcing myself to write in between before writing it so I'll actually finish this. Nevertheless, I find this so much fun to write about so all's good! Thanks for reading.