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FOR THOSE THAT LOVED THIS WORLD

FIVE

The journey to the crater was quiet, everyone lost in their own thoughts and doubts. Cloud dozed; plans, thoughts, dreams … memories drifted across his mind. He was unaware of Tifa gaze as she tried to puzzle out what he and Vincent had spoken of. Both had been very subdued when they returned but at the same time she had seen determination in both their eyes. And infinite sadness.

"I think I found one of them," said Cid, looking at the controls in front of him.

"Who?" asked Yuffie.

"Kadaj," said Cloud, awake at Cid's first words.

Cid looked up and nodded.

"I will go down."

They all turned to Vincent. Cloud nodded.

"Wait," said Tifa looking frantically between the two of them, "what are you two planning?"

"To defeat Sephiroth," said Vincent.

"How?" demanded Tifa, still looking between the two. "Will I see you at the end?"

She suddenly had a clear thought as to what they were planning. She hadn't heard what they had said when they picked up Vincent but she had heard enough of their conversation at the bar to piece together a startlingly accurate idea as to what they were planning.

The last statement got everyone's attention but Vincent calmly nodded,

"At the very end."

Somehow this unsettled Tifa more than if he had said no. He wasn't lying, she knew that much but was he telling all the truth. Did he mean she would see both of them or one of them?

She couldn't press the issue, Vincent had left the bridge and Cid was lowering the airship for him to get off.

And she didn't want to know at that moment.

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Vincent waited at the bottom of the rise for Kadaj, he did not have to wait long. Kadaj stood for a moment looking down at Vincent.

"You," he said and started down the hill, drawing his sword.

Vincent drew his gun and flexed his metal fingers. Vincent ran several attack possibilities through his mind. He wanted Kadaj to think he was really fighting and the openings he left were accidental. And he had to remember to leave the openings. The only thing on his side was that Kadaj hadn't really fought him before so wasn't aware of all Vincent's capabilities.

About half way down Kadaj broke into a run, he brought his sword up and swung it down aiming at Vincent's head. Vincent easily blocked it.

"You have to try harder than that," he said.

Kadaj ground his teeth in anger.

"Just let me pass," he said.

"Defeat me," countered Vincent.

"Fine, I will," snapped Kadaj and tried to kick Vincent.

Vincent dodged and leveled his gun at Kadaj and fired. Kadaj twisted out the way and continued round Vincent, going for his back. Vincent ducked and lashed out with his claws, catching Kadaj across the forearm. Kadaj returned the favour with a shallow cut across Vincent's thigh. Kadaj began a relentless attack against Vincent using all his skills and techniques. Vincent dodged and blocked looking for a way to trick Kadaj; perhaps step into one of his attacks. After a series of kicks, Kadaj would try to stab Vincent in the left side. If he 'miscalculated' and didn't sidestep the stab would hit him just above his hip and be thrust up into his chest.

Kadaj jumped back.

"Why don't you attack me?" he asked.

Vincent leveled his gun and pulled the trigger, Kadaj ducked and swung his sword up catching Vincent's gun but not knocking it aside.

"You're trying to delay me," guessed Kadaj lunching into another series of attacks. And Vincent 'miscalculated' his defense.

Kadaj didn't move, he stared at his sword for a while before looking at Vincent. He pulled his sword free before stepping back, Vincent fell to his knees. Kadaj stared at the blood on his sword, watching it slid down the blade and stain the ground.

"Why can't I live?" asked Kadaj looking down at Vincent. "Does everyone hate me that much?"

"You are not meant to be here," said Vincent.

Kadaj shook his head.

"Don't die," he said.

"To end it," said Vincent, his hand moved beneath his coat.

"Don't die, please," begged Kadaj falling to his knees. Instinct told Kadaj to move, he leapt back just as a brilliant globe of light engulfed Vincent and spread outwards. Kadaj scrambled back, shielding his eyes from the intense light.

Slowly he stood, he felt slightly … hollow? As if some part of him had disappeared. Kadaj put a hand to his chest, as if – as if his link to life had been weakened. He frowned, looking towards the crater. If Cloud killed Sephiroth; he, Kadaj, would cease to exist.

"I have to stop him," he muttered and set off at a run.

He wanted to live – he wanted to be Kadaj.

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Cloud stood staring at the note lying on the table, he had written it earlier and placed it where it would be found later. The airship had landed almost an hour ago; Cloud had delayed entering the crater till he had some sort of sign that Vincent's plan had worked. But there had been nothing. Had it failed? Even if it had, he still had his part to play. Turning abruptly he left the room and went to the bridge.

"I'm going alone. This is my fight and I will finish it," he said as he entered. He stood waiting for an argument and was slightly surprised when he didn't get one.

Tifa smiled sadly,

"Finish your fight," she said. So we can all live our lives, she added to herself.

He looked at each of them in turn, lingering on Tifa's face, before leaving the bridge and exiting the airship.

Movement caught his eye as he left the airship. It was Kadaj. He saw Cloud and changed direction to meet him.

"You can't kill Sephiroth," said Kadaj.

Cloud waited for Kadaj to continue.

"If he dies so will I," said Kadaj.

"If he lives he will kill you," said Cloud.

Kadaj said nothing at first; he stood glaring at Cloud. After a while he took a deep breath and let his head fall back, staring at the sky. Cloud saw tears run down his face.

"I don't get to live," he said. "I'm a puppet."

"You have a choice," said Cloud, "fight with me now and we'll end it together."

Kadaj looked at Cloud sharply, frowning. He giggled,

"To end it?"

"To end it."

They set off toward the crater together.