Okay

Okay! Finally got to work on the new chapter. So sorry about the wait! Been real busy lately with the new job…situations, and with all the visitors I had lately. I hate making everyone wait cause I know how irritating it can be to have to wait forever just for a new chapter! I hope I didn't make anyone too impatient. Anyways, I hope this chapter is entertaining! Please enjoy, and please review!

-Annubis

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, Squaresoft does.

Chapter 14

The screams were like a stab to the heart for Zack. He heard her. He could feel her pain as she was drug from her cell and taken away. Zack paced to the cell door. Aeris had never returned.

"Damn you, Hojo." Zack said under his breath. He took many precautions because of the lasers that surrounded him on the cell walls. Zack did not feel like being fried today.

'What can I do? What!?' Zack bit his lower lip. His brow furrowed inward as he tried to maintain composure. 'There's gotta be a way…' Zack thought many minutes and then sighed.

"I hope it works…" The dark haired man took in a deep breath. 'Now or never…do it!' His thoughts scolded him. Zack turned and faced the center of the room. His back was against the door.

"I'm bustin' outta here!" In a flash Zack darted towards the laser to his right closest to the door. All the lasers fired, hitting the door as he leaped to the side. The hissing of melting metal sounded loudly as the lasers shot through the heavy door. Zack punched the first laser, crunching it against the wall. He turned and kicked for the laser in the other corner, but dropped before contact. The lasers shot, following the man. Zack ducked and crouched beneath the target as the lasers shot and obliterated the other weapon. Zack headed back towards the door.

'Didn't go all the way through…needs more.' Beads of sweat dripped down the side of his face. Zack took another breath and flew towards the left corner, kicking the third laser as the beams flew and hit the door.

'They're fast…but not fast enough!' Zack smiled as he somersaulted and kicked the last laser. All was quiet in the cell as he landed softly on his feet. Zack took in a few quick breaths, he had never moved so quickly in his entire life. He did not know whether to praise or curse the cells implanted within his body.

"Now…let's see how the door is doing…" Zack frowned as he saw the door was still in tact. He shoved his hands into his pockets. The lasers did not do as well as he had wanted. He snarled and kicked the door out of the wall and into the outer room the cell was held. The sound was almost deafening. A moment later sirens sounded and lights flashed in warning.

"So much for escaping quietly." Zack scoffed.

Aeris slowly lifted her heavy eyelids. She made a soft moan as she tried to raise her arm to her head.

'My whole body hurts…it feels like my blood is on fire.' Aeris winced as she moved slowly. She opened her eyes and looked down at herself. Her body was exposed, tiny needles and tubes protruded from the skin. There were tiny scratches and punctures throughout her body. Aeris slowly turned her head to find a small table covered with bloody utensils. She felt herself get dizzy. The sound of the door opening frightened her. She quickly closed her eyes as she heard footsteps near her.

"So…you're still out, eh. Well, let's get these out!" Aeris felt a tug at all the tubes and needles in her arms. She squeezed her eyes tightly and then there was a great flood of pain as the objects were ripped from her body. She cried out loudly and tears slid down her cheeks.

"Oh! You are awake!" Hojo smiled to himself. Aeris sniffed, she looked to see the ugly man looking down at her like she was a prize. "Too bad for you…I guess you have to feel everything." He tilted his head. The door slid open and the three soldiers from before entered the room. Aeris' eyes widened in fear as the men looked over her. She was distracted once Hojo began pulling the needles from her body.

"Oh, listen to her. What a sound!" One of the soldiers chuckled to himself.

"I want her to make that noise when I get through with her." Another hissed.

"She'll make that noise when she looks at yer face!" The third laughed and hit the man on the shoulder.

"Here…have your fun." Hojo lifted the girl from the table and dropped her to the cold cement. Her body was naked and cold. Aeris scrambled to get away. She was pulled across the floor by many hands.

"No!" She clawed to get away. She looked down at herself and stopped. There were scars on her chest and stomach.

'He…he operated!?' Aeris gasped as her mind went numb. She did not want to think about what Hojo had done. He noticed where Aeris' attention had gone. His chuckling startled everyone.

"Just needed some samples…You heal beautifully." The scientist cackled to himself. "All right boys, I'm done for the day. Take her to her cell when you're through." That was all. Hojo turned and took small, quick steps out of the lab. All was silent.

"I wanna make her scream!" One soldier growled. Aeris hid her face, not wanting to see theirs.

"Now, come on! You got to go first the last time! I wanna go!" Another called out.

"Why the hell do you wanna go first!? I never get to go first!" The men began fighting. Aeris scooted across the floor as the men began pushing and shoving each other. She made her way across the room and hid in the corner. She turned her back to them, wishing she could disappear. She heard things crashing into others and the sound of metallic objects hitting the cement. She also thought she heard a sliding sound, like the noise the door makes.

'Go away. Go away…' Aeris rocked back and forth.

"What the hell!?" One man called out.

"You think your gonna take her away from me!?" Another shouted. The fight commenced and this time there was punching and kicking. Soon there were shuffling noises. Aeris did not dare look. She did not want to know which one would win the fight. The battle was over quickly and everything fell silent, except for the footsteps that neared the girl.

'Please…just go away. Don't touch me…please.' Aeris' mind was tired and seemed like on the edge of sanity. She could feel the man getting closer and screamed as she was tugged at and lifted from the ground.

"Ah! Don't touch me!" Aeris spun around to hit the man. She was not going without a fight.

"Whoa! Easy!" A familiar voice called out. Aeris opened her eyes.

"Zack!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and began sobbing.

"Aeris, we have to hurry. Are you okay?" Zack looked down at her, his eyes looked pained.

"Y-yeah…" She sniffled quietly.

"Come on; let's go find you some clothes." Zack put his arms around her.

"Zack! You're hurt!" Aeris pointed at his torso. He looked down, his mouth gaping.

"Well I'll be…those lasers were quicker than I thought!" Zack laughed nervously as he ran a hand over one of the many cuts on his body.

"Laser?" Aeris looked at him with concern.

"Hojo…didn't want me to escape." He laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm fine! Really!" He grabbed Aeris' hand as another alarm sounded.

"Uh, oh…" Aeris squeezed the young man's hand.

"We gotta go!" The two darted from the lab. Aeris turned her head back to look at the soldiers who were previously fighting. All she could do was laugh, they got what they deserved. The two prisoners made their way towards the locker room.

"Almost there!" Zack looked back at Aeris. When he turned the corner he was met with a hit to the face.

"Halt!" A loud voice called out. Zack rubbed his chin. The blow from the butt of the gun was hard and quick. Zack growled and clenched his fists, preparing to knock the offender out.

"Don't move or I'll shoot the girl!" Another voice called out behind Zack. Aeris was held against another soldier his gun pressed against her head. More soldiers came around the corner, aiming their weapons. The two were surrounded.

'Damn…what do I do? I could knock those two out in a blink of an eye but I won't be fast enough to evade the others.' Zack gritted his teeth.

"You sure are good at getting yourself caught in sticky situations." A red haired Turk walked around the corner.

"Reno!" Zack cursed under his breath. Reno held up a hand, silencing Zack. He slowly opened his jacket and pulled out his electrical prod.

"You…" Reno turned his head and looked around at the soldiers. He gave Zack a smile as he raised his prod into the air. "…better get the hell outta here!" He spun and whacked the soldier aiming at Zack in the head. Reno was sent into a frenzy, hitting every soldier, electrocuting them instantly. Zack rolled his elbow back and hit the man holding Aeris captive in the face. Aeris reached and grabbed Zack's hand as they ran away from the fight. Reno kicked and pulled a gun from his holster with his other hand. He became a tornado of bullets and electrical current, hitting all that got in his way. Zack and Aeris ran around the next corner and stopped, three more guards made their way to the scene.

"Don't move, or I'll shoot." The main guard in the front shouted. Zack looked up and smiled mischievously.

"What's so funny, punk?" The guard kept the gun pointed at the escapees. The two guards by his side dropped to the ground. "What!?" The man turned around to find Rude of the Turks. Rude grabbed the man and picked him up. The guard was sent flying across the hall, sliding to Reno's feet.

"'Bout time!" Reno shook his head.

"Let me show you how it's done…" Rude looked at Zack and Aeris. He stepped to the side and bowed to them, opening the hall for their escape. After they continued on he turned back and ran to Reno's aid.

"Red! You're here! I'm so glad!" Tifa came running towards the animal from the thick fog.

"Tifa!! Something is strange…why did it get dark all of a sudden and where is everybody?" Red turned his head back and forth looking for the rest of AVALANCHE. Tifa's eyes widened as she stared at the black materia beneath his feet. AVALANCHE had defeated Sephiroth's surprise attack in the crater and had stolen back the materia from Jenova.

"Everyone's waiting! Cloud's in trouble! Please! Come help us!" Tifa sounded so desperate. She raised a finger and pointed towards the center of the crater. "Over there!" She said almost too quickly.

"R-right! I'm not sure I understand…but I'll go if you want me to." Red padded down the side of the crater in search of his friends. Tifa swayed her hips as she made her way to the edge. She looked down and smiled to herself. Her eyes shaded to a bright green.

"Heeheehee…and remember…" Tifa situated and made a cute pose. Her body was engulfed by a bright light. Sephiroth reappeared in her place. "…The black materia!"

"Cloud! Cloud don't!" Tifa yelled as loud as she could, but know one seemed to hear her. Tears formed in her eyes as she watched Cloud reach for the Black Materia from Red XIII's paws. President Rufus and Scarlet were near, watching the whole spectacle.

"I'll take it from here. Give me the…Black Materia." Cloud's eyes glazed over.

"No!" Tifa covered her mouth. She tried to move but a force was keeping her away.

'Don't do it Cloud. No!' Cloud's mind screamed within his head. 'You aren't a puppet! You never were!' His mind tried to keep him from giving the materia to Sephiroth.

"Cloud! You're not a puppet! I know you! I always have! You know the truth! You know about Zack!" Tifa tried screaming again, but still failed to be heard. She fell to her knees and began sobbing as Sephiroth's laugh echoed in her brain. "You bastard!!" Tifa hit the ground. She looked up to see Cloud walk closer to the evil man.

"Cloud! No, stop it! Please!" Red XIII ran towards the boy, but did not reach him in time. Cloud levitated into the air. He walked towards the Huge Materia that Sephiroth was hiding in.

"No…no!" Tifa whispered in disbelief.

"We gotta get outta here!!" Barrett ran and pushed all the others out. He stopped and saw Tifa. "What the hell are you doin'!? We gotta go!" He trudged over to her and picked her up as the room filled with bright light.

"He's gonna summon Meteor! He's gonna kill everyone!!" Tifa screeched out loud. Everyone boarded Shinra's airship. The ground shook from all parts of the world as the WEAPONs crawled from their cells underground. The monstrous beasts towered over the land, finding their targets. Sephiroth had set them free.

"No! Cloud!!" The last thing Tifa saw was Cloud falling into the bright light as the airship took off, taking everyone away.

Zack and Aeris had found the locker-room and confiscated two SOLDIER, First-Class uniforms.

"Brings back memories…" Zack smiled as he put on the final piece of armor. "Haven't changed much either." He looked down at Aeris and smiled.

"Hmmm…" She looked down at herself. "How do I look?" She asked, frowning. The uniform was too big and hung slightly on her body exposing some of her shoulder.

"We'll stop by the house before we leave Midgar. You can get into some better clothes and get your supplies also." He walked up to her, his look serious. "We gotta get Cloud." The couple walked towards the door but stopped dead in their tracks. A man in a suit was blocking the way. He was tall and had a square jaw. His dark hair was slicked back. Zack did not know who he was, but he knew he was a Turk.

"Junon…make your way to Junon. Your friends have been taken there." The man folded his arms.

"Who are you?" Zack raised an eyebrow.

"Reeve…" The man turned towards Aeris. "You'll know me as Cait Sith." The corners of his mouth turned down.

"Cait Sith!? You! You're the one responsible!" Aeris stomped up to the man and slapped him in the face.

"Aeris! Don't!" Zack pulled her back. He knew Turks were dangerous and did not want anymore trouble.

"No…I deserve it. Hojo's gone too far. We needed to end this. I'm sorry." He lowered his head slowly. "Go, now, to Junon. It will be a long journey because of the checkpoints that have been set up for security purposes. The WEAPONs have been set loose." Reeve sighed.

"WEAPONs!!" Zack's eyes widened with fear.

"What?" Aeris shook her head in confusion.

"One of Sephiroth's plans." A loud siren interrupted Reeve. "Hurry, you must leave!" The man turned and ran out the door.

The door to the lab slid open quickly. Hojo sprinted through and stopped. He could not believe his eyes. The three soldiers he left with Aeris were in their underwear. All of them were stacked on top of each other and strapped to the operating table. Hojo grabbed a scapula and threw it into the wall, screaming in rage.

Aeris made her way up the stairs to her room. She opened the closet to find her favorite pink dress and red jacket. She slid it off of the hangers and looked at it admiringly.

"Tifa, you never seize to amaze me." Aeris smiled as she noticed the tiny stitches that had sewn up the holes in her clothing caused by Sephiroth's sword. All of the stains were even washed out. "She would make a great housewife." Aeris giggled.

Aeris changed into the new clothing and made her way down the stairs. Zack watched her adjust the bangles on her arms as she made her way to the closet. She opened it slowly and pulled out her staff. She seemed to shudder when she looked at it. It made Zack tilt his head.

'She shouldn't live this life. I shouldn't make her go, but…I don't want to leave her alone.' Zack sighed.

"I'm coming, no matter what." Aeris seemed to read his mind. She pulled her hair up and tied up the pink ribbon she always wore. On top was the precious materia her mother had given her. It shown brightly, it had ever since the incident at the City of the Ancients. The thought brought only bad memories and bad feelings.

'That materia…I have a bad feeling about all of this.' Zack closed his eyes.

"Don't you want to change?" Aeris walked to the door.

"Naw…I'm used to this outfit, besides we don't have the time. Almost missed wearing it…even missed the boots…but only a little." Zack chuckled to himself as he lifted each foot. "I'll come back for the shoes when we are finished." He smiled at Aeris. Zack looked at the coffee table. His sunglasses were sitting in the center, waiting to be worn. Zack took long strides to the table and grabbed the glasses.

"Nice shades." Aeris rolled her eyes as he slid them on his face.

"Can't leave home without 'em!" Zack laughed. The two were about to leave when they heard a familiar cry.

"WARK!!"

"Oh! Almost forgot! Hector!" Zack sprinted through the house and out the backdoor. The chocobo was running in circles crying out loud as if in pain. "Whoa boy! I'm here!" Zack picked up a package of feed and ran to the bird. He gave it a few handfuls and patted its side.

"That bird reminds me of someone else I know." Aeris folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at Zack.

"Who?...me?" Zack looked confused.

"Nevermind…let's get going. At least we don't have to walk!" Aeris smiled and climbed on top of the chocobo.

"Ding…"

"What?" Barrett looked over at Tifa.

"The glare…" Tifa muttered. Barret ran to her side.

"You'll be better soon. You've been asleep for a long time." He helped her sit up.

"I'm hungry." Tifa yawned.

"Hey, why don't you ask?" Barret looked at her seriously.

"…Because I'm scared." Tifa shook her head.

"Don't worry. I dunno where he is either, no one does. Guess I shouldn't tell you not to worry." Barret lowered his head.

"He's still alive, right? How long…was I out?" Tifa looked at her shaking hands.

"Must've been about seven days now." Barret stretched.

"What about Sephiroth?" Tifa took in a deep breath.

"You ain't over it yet. Remember that huge light, in the Northern Cave? Since then, the crater's been surrounded by this huge barrier of light. Everyone knows Sephiroth sleeps in that big hole, protected by the barrier. We can't do a damn thing about it. We just gotta wait till he wakes up. An on topa that some huge monster called WEAPON's been on a rampage." Barret rubbed his own shoulder.

"WEAPON?" Tifa tried to think.

"Remember that huge monster that was with Sephiroth at the bottom of the crater? Well it's up here now. They say its some legendary monster from the past." He shrugged his shoulders.

"WEAPON…is protecting Sephiroth?" Tifa tried to sit up more but failed.

"Dunno. But he's tearin' shit up. Right now Rufus' fightin' it. I hate to say it, but he's got guts." Barret helped pull Tifa out of bed. "We shoulda' been the ones to destroy it…but we ain't got no time." Barret hung his head. He slowly made his way towards the covered windows.

"Time…hey! What about Meteor!?" Tifa ran up to him. Barret looked at her, pain in his face. He pulled the lever on the wall and all the shades slid open. The sky was a bright orange and in the middle was a giant, glowing red ball. Meteor had already been summoned and was on its way towards the planet.

"…do we have to give up?" Tifa asked quietly.

"Dunno…" Barret shook his head. The door to the room opened. President Rufus entered.

"I thought that Cloud would show up to save you all. Guess not, oh well. We don't need him anymore. Hojo has a new pet. Two actually!" Rufus laughed loudly.

"No!" Tifa covered her face.

'Zack…Aeris. They were taken!' Tifa tried not to cry. Everything was too much to handle at once.

"Meteor has been summoned…essentially it's all but over now. So, there's no need for you now." Rufus pulled back a strand of hair from his face. He scoffed. "No, maybe there is an important task for you…" His evil grin widened. A large man, Heidegger, made his way into the room.

"President! Preparations for the public execution are complete." The fat man saluted.

"Execution!? What're you gona get by executin' us!?" Barret shook his fist.

"You are to be executed for causing this situation. People are ignorant. They'll feel better as long as someone is punished." Rufus looked out the window.

"I take back what little praise I had for this damn jackass!" Barret stomped as his arms were pulled back by Heidegger.

"Well, enjoy your last moments together." Rufus smirked and left the room.

"I'll tie your hands now." Heidegger tightened his grip on Barret's arms.

"Is everyone here!? These are the ones responsible for this madness!" Scarlet put her hands on her hips. Many cameras were pointed at her.

"The hell are these people!?" Barret shook with rage.

"We will be broadcasting your miserable deaths live on national television!" Scarlet cackled loudly.

"Scarlet, why a public execution in this day and age?" A reporter shoved a microphone in her face. He looked very strange and Barret could see through the disguise.

"With the chaos resulting from the meteor reports, we desperately need to rally public support…its better that we punish somebody, anybody." The blonde haired woman glared at Tifa.

"You make me sick…" Tifa snarled.

"They'll never admit it, but everyone loves this stuff! We'll start with this girl!" Scarlet cackled as the cameras panned the room and caught Tifa's expression.

"If you've gotta do it…do me first!" Barret rocked in his chair.

"Camera this way! Make sure you get this, the audience just eats up tearful goodbyes!" Scarlet marched as the guard pulled Tifa towards the other room. They shoved her in quickly.

"What are you doing!?" Tifa shouted as the guard untied her wrists.

"This is my special gas chamber. Take your time, and enjoy a slow, painful death." The blonde woman shoved Tifa into the chair. The guard quickly strapped her arms down. Scarlet leaned her face in closely to Tifa's.

"Stuck up slut!" Scarlet slapped Tifa across the face and left the room. As she turned a shiny object flew from her cleavage. Tifa's eyes lit up as she saw it was the key. "Show's about to begin!" Scarlet laughed as the chamber door was locked.

"Stupid…" Tifa shook her head. A moment later sirens went off. Tifa looked around the room. She knew she had to hurry. She stuck her foot out, reaching for the key on the ground. She slowly pulled it across the floor and wedged it in between her feet. She began to sweat as she heard the hissing from above. The gas was seeping in. Tifa raised her two feet, trying to get the key into her mouth. The loud ting made her cry out.

"Damn it! Come, on!" Tifa whined. She tried again, but slower. The gas was already starting to affect her. She brought the key to her lips and bit the metal. She felt light headed. With the key in her mouth, she leaned forward and unlocked her right hand. After it was freed, she grabbed the key and unlocked her other hand.

"Alright…" She whispered and jogged to the door. It was locked tight. Tifa turned and sunk to the floor. A loud knock rang out.

"Tifa! Tifa! Hold your breath! Don't worry! I'll get you out!" Barret called from the other side.

"Come on! I can't hold forever!" Tifa called out.

"Shit! It must be locked form another room." Barret banged his head on the door.

"Hmmm…we gotta go with a different plan. Let's get out of this room first!" Cait Sith ran out of the room, he was still wearing his reporter disguise.

"Tifa! I'll help you, I promise!" Barret left. Tifa sat up and walked around the room, trying to find a way out. She could hear a loud growl from outside.

"Which button stops the gas…?" Tifa looked at the wall around the chair. "Open it…" Tifa muttered as she hit the door. A loud sound rang out as the side of the wall ripped open. WEAPON was near and fired at the building. Tifa stumbled towards the opening. A loud knock sounded at the door. Scarlet's voice called out.

"What did you do? HEY! Open it!" Scarlet shrieked out her orders.

"First you lock me in this weird place…and now you're telling me to come out?" Tifa climbed through the large hole in the wall and made her way across the side of the building. "Make up your mind…" She gasped for fresh air. Her grip loosened and she fell, falling to the canon below. She could hear Scarlet and the guards close behind.

"Our little game of hide and seek ends here. The execution may have been unsuccessful but your death by falling from here and crashing into the water below still might be pretty exciting." Scarlet glared as Tifa tapped her foot impatiently. "Stuck up #&!" Scarlet slapped Tifa across the face.

"Quit slapping me! You old wench!!" Tifa hit the woman across the face. Scarlet stumbled and almost fell over the side. She turned and slapped Tifa again and the fight continued back and forth. Tifa cursed herself. If she had all her energy she would punch Scarlet's lights out, but the gas had even affected the way Tifa walked.

"God! I can't stand it anymore! Take her away! Now its time to pay up! I'll really drop you if you don't settle down!" Scarlet cackled and turned her head backwards towards her soldiers. "Ah! Wha-!?" Scarlet was met with a punch to the face.

"Huh?" Tifa smiled when she noticed what had happened.

"I always hated that woman!" Aeris tapped her pole on the side of the cannon. She looked back to where the soldiers were. Zack was standing over the pile of injured men, smirking. He had his sword resting on his shoulder.

"Nice hit!" Tifa laughed. "Didn't know you had it in you!" She walked up to Aeris and gave her a hug.

"Sorry we didn't get here sooner. Traffic was unbelievable!!" Aeris shook her head.

"Hey! Over here!" A voice called from the sky.

"Is that!?" Tifa turned her head upwards to see Shinra's airship, the Highwind.

"Come on! What are you waiting for!?" Cid's voice called over the ships intercom. The girls and Zack ran towards the ship and climbed aboard. They were helped up by the rest of the crew.

"Wow! This is amazing!" Aeris looked around in disbelief.

"Well…I did promise to give ya a ride!" Cid smiled. "Now…what they hell have you two been up to!?" Cid shoved everyone into the main cabin of the ship.

"It's a long story…" Zack rubbed the back of his neck.

"Why don't ya' tell us! Everyone's…here…" Cid cleared his throat.

"No…we are missing someone…" Aeris shook her head. She knew there was bad news by the looks on everyone's face. "Where's Cloud?"

Done! My god this one took for freaking ever to write! Well I'm starving, I need food! I hope you enjoyed, and please, please review! I love hearing for you all!

-Annubis