OH

OH! So sorry about the wait! So busy with the new job. Doing everything. Anyways, I wont shilly shally dilly dally (HA HA!) anymore and just post the new chapter. How's

that sound? Stay with me and continue reading please. Oh yeah, reviews are always welcome!

-Annubis

Disclaimer: I do not own final fantasy VII, Squaresoft does.

Chapter 15

Zack watched Aeris and Tifa in the corner of the room. He could tell that Aeris was very upset about what had happened to Cloud. Tifa was holding onto Aeris arms nodding her head. Her brown eyes were shining, as if she were about to cry. Tifa brushed a strand of her dark hair out of her eyes and continued her speech with Aeris. Aeris turned her head to the floor and took in a deep breath. She smiled at Tifa and shook her head from side to side and giggled nervously. The two continued in their private conversation. Zack rolled his head over in Cid's direction.

"You think he's okay?" Zack folded his arms and walked slowly towards the captain.

"Damn…I dunno. That boy…" He looked around to make sure no one else heard him. "He's got some issues." Cid reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a lighter for his new cigarette.

"Yeah…but it's not his fault." Zack shook his head. "It's Sephiroth's. Somehow, he can get under Cloud's skin."

"Don't let the same happen to you." Zack and Cid jumped at the sound of Vincent's voice. He approached them and leaned against the nearby wall. "You've gone through the same he has, plus more. Who knows, instead of being stronger, you may actually be weaker than Cloud when in the presence of Sephiroth." Vincent lowered his scarlet eyes.

"Thanks for the confidence boost." Zack scoffed. He noticed Cid was staring at Aeris and Tifa.

"Those girls…" Cid shook his head and made his way to the pilot. "Let's get the hell outta here. We gotta find Cloud."

"Here you'll be able to rest and eat. All the necessities are onboard." Vincent pushed away from the cold wall and made his way to the window, gazing outside.

"It even has chocobo stables!" Yuffie jumped in between the two men. Her excitement ended quickly as she leaned forward. "Urk!" She did not do well with airsickness.

"Where'd you come from?" Vincent snarled.

"Chocobo…Wait!" Zack scratched his forehead and ran to Cid. "We gotta go outside of Junon first. My chocobo is down there!"

"How the hell are we gonna find your bird!?" Cid looked down through the window. He pointed and screamed some obscenities. Dozens of chocobos were running frantically through the plains. It was a wild stampede. "That damn monster has them all running scared!" Cid jumped up and down, shaking the microphone in his hand.

"Hey!" Zack grabbed the device from Cid's hands. "Is this the mic that you used to call out to us when we were outside?" Zack's brilliant blue eyes widened.

"Uh…yeah. Sure is! Why?" Cid puffed out a long trail of smoke.

"I've got an idea!" Zack smiled and slapped Cid on the arm.

"Wark! Wark!" Many chocobos called out in fear. Gold, green, blue and black birds scattered all around. They covered the plains. Even though the large monster was gone, they still scurried to find shelter and safety from the dangers of the giant WEAPON.

"KWEH! KWEH!" A monstrous sound called from the sky. All the birds were sent into hysterics. They crowded, ran into each other, and almost crushed their own young. Among all the dangerous birds, one golden chocobo lifted its head and stopped.

"KWEH!" The sound called out again. The golden chocobo tilted its head and began jumping up and down with excitement.

"Wark! Wark!" The bird called out. A giant breeze pulled its feathers back as a giant airship descended. The bird hesitated, unsure of its safety as the plane landed.

"Kweh! Kweh!" The sound called again as the door to the vehicle opened slowly.

"Wark!" The bird darted for the plane, shoving all the birds around him to the ground. He recognized the dark haired man that was waving his arms in the air. He stopped delightfully as his master patted him on the side and led him into the aircraft. He was welcomed with open arms.

'Green…everywhere…pretty.' Cloud's mind tingled. 'Where am I? What happened?'

Cloud felt his body floating. He felt weightless. He tried to move but his body would not respond.

'I…Sephiroth…Zzzzz…' Cloud's mind went numb.

"No! I-I can't give up! I…have to keep…going." It was so hard to talk. It took up too much energy.

'I…have to be strong. Like Tifa…said.' Cloud's eyes shot open. He could hear the sound of waves crashing around him.

"Tifa!" Cloud looked to see sand all around him. He slowly brought his hands up and clenched the wet sand around him. His head pounded and he felt sick to his stomach. His head wobbled as he tried to gain the strength to pull himself.

"Be strong, Strife! You are…not a puppet…you are not…a failed experiment…" He gritted his teeth as he pulled his body across the soft, wet ground.

'Tifa…I came for you…in the reactor. You were bleeding…so much. Sephiroth was…crazy.' Cloud felt himself fall. His face pressed against the wet sand. His blonde hair pressed against the side of his face. 'No, I can't give up. Can't let Sephiroth win…' Cloud coughed. His lungs were on fire.

'I ran up the metal…stairs. The reactor…more blood.' Cloud felt his whole body go limp. He lay in the sand and closed his eyes.

"I will never abandon you…" Cloud mumbled.

"Zzzz….Zzzz…" Cloud's mind went blank. He couldn't remember anything. He fell into darkness. The sound of the waves crashing was replaced by the sound of a man crying out to him.

"Mako poisoning…" The man's voice sounded. That was the last thing Cloud heard.

"Where are we going?" Tifa asked.

"Maybe we should go to Icicle Inn. The people there seem to know a lot about that crater. Maybe they will know something about that green…stuff." Cid shrugged his shoulders.

"That's the smartest thing you've said…ever!" Yuffie cackled.

"Shut yer' yap, brat!" Cid swung his arm at her.

"Green light?...Icicle Inn?" Aeris stopped and noticed everyone was staring at her.

"Aeris, there's something we need to show you." Tifa put a hand on her friend's shoulder.

Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep…

"Zzzzz….Zzzz…" Cloud felt a buzzing on his tongue.

"Doctor! He's awake again!" Cloud slowly opened his eyes to see a nurse running out of the room.

"So he is!" A voice called on the other side of the wall. A man in a white coat ran into the room. The doctor pulled Cloud's face up to look into his eyes. "Son, do you know what happened to you?"

'What?' Cloud's mind called out.

"Boy you sure are lucky to be alive. You have a severe case of Mako poisoning. Your body is trying to shut down. Do you understand what I am saying?" The doctor talked slowly.

'Yeah…a little.' Cloud thought.

"Zzzzz…" The sound came from Cloud.

"I don't think he comprehends." The nurse shook her head.

"They found you on the beach…a week ago. You've been here for a week." The doctor continued.

'A week!? Already…' Cloud remembered the feel of the sand. It all felt like it happened moments ago.

"Zzzzz…" This was the only sound he could make.

'Why can't I talk!?' Cloud's mind churned frantically.

"Sir…I don't think…" The nurse tried to get the doctor to stop.

"I'm not giving up!" The doctor yelled. He stared at Cloud's eyes.

"Zzzz…"

Aeris watched in horror as the video played the death of her father and the capture of her mother. She never knew of the tortures they had gone through. Her father was brilliant. There was no reason he should have died.

"I don't believe it…" Aeris covered her mouth and closed her eyes. Zack gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

"You okay?" Zack whispered to her.

"Yeah…just…never knew." Aeris sniffled.

"Do you need to be alone?" Cait Sith purred.

"No…it's all done and over with. We've got more important matters. Like Cloud…and the planet." Aeris turned and walked out of the tiny cabin.

"Aeris…" Zack whispered.

"She'll be alright." Tifa walked next to Zack. She bit her lower lip. "We'll all be alright." Zack could see the worry in her eyes.

"Tifa…I'm sorry…about Cloud." He smiled at her reassuringly. "We'll find him."

"I…" Tifa shuddered. She couldn't find any words to say.

"We should go. We have a lot of work to do." Zack wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "We'll beat this…everything." The two walked outside and towards their group of friends who were talking to an old woman.

"I heard of a great doctor in Mideel. He knows a lot about Mako and the Lifestream. If your friend fell into the lifestream…it washes out to the North. You might be able to find him going North East. Head over the ocean it's quicker that way to get to the island. That is…if he is still alive." The old woman showed them where the island was on a map.

After a long flight, the group finally made their way through the thick forest and into the town of Mideel. They walked down the path to the center of the town. Everyone parted ways to check out the different shops. Tifa, Aeris, and Zack remained at each other's side. A large puppy ran up to Tifa and barked.

"What a cute little puppy!" She leaned down and started petting the yellow haired dog.

"Yeah no one knows who he is. They found him washed up on the beach about a week ago!" A man's voice called out.

"Poor guy…how did he live?" Another voice sounded.

"I dunno, but the doc's taking good care of him." The first man said. Tifa stood up and ran to Aeris.

"Aeris! Aer-…" She watched Aeris, who was lying on the ground.

"He's here! Cloud!" Aeris stood up. "The planet told me! I can feel him!" Aeris grabbed Tifa by the wrist.

"I overheard some men talking about a doctor who was taking care of a man found on the beach a week ago!" Tifa chimed in. The girls jumped up and down and ran towards the clinic. Zack remained behind. He leaned down and touched the place where Aeris had been.

"What's this?" He could hear whispers in his mind, but nothing made any sense to him. It was all in a foreign language.

'Why do I hear these noises?' Zack raised an eyebrow.

"Zack!" Aeris called and ran towards him. "What's wrong?"

"I…I heard voices. From the ground." Zack pointed at the dirt beneath his feet.

"Voices!? H-how long have you heard them!?" Aeris grabbed Zack by the arm.

"Ever since I escaped from the Shinra lab a few weeks ago." Zack bit his lip. He looked confused.

"You can hear the planet!" Aeris gasped. "I don't believe it!"

"You can do that too, right?" Zack looked around.

"Yes! All the time! It's the planet talking. The power of the Ancients, Zack!" Aeris hopped up and down. She did not know what it all meant but she was just happy that someone else could hear them too.

"Aeris!! Zack!! Come quick! I found Cloud!" Tifa yelled across the street. Zack and Aeris glanced at each other and sprinted for the clinic.

"Where…where is he-…" Aeris stopped and stared in horror. Cloud was in a wheelchair. He wore an oxygen mask; his brilliant eyes were brighter than ever.

"Oh…my…" Aeris shook her head.

"Cloud…oh, Cloud! Are you alright!?" Tifa kneeled down in front of the chair.

"Severe Mako poisoning. Lucky he's even alive." The doctor walked into the room.

"Is he going to be okay?" Aeris held her hands against her chest.

"I don't know. He made it this far, but he doesn't seem to be improving at all." The doctor cleaned his glasses on his white jacket. "I think…he's still in there, somewhere."

"He never gave up on the boy." The nurse joined the conversation.

"Cloud…Cloud it's me, Tifa." Tifa was on the verge of tears.

"And Aeris!" Aeris kneeled down next to Tifa. "…and Zack!" She added.

"I'm going to get the others!" Zack turned to walk out the door.

"ZZzzzzz…." A loud buzzing came from Cloud. "Ack!" The noise made Zack stop.

"Huh?" He slowly turned his head to see Cloud staring at him with his bright eyes. The oxygen mask covered the rest of his face. The sound was eerie and hollow.

"What!?" The doctor ran to Cloud in astonishment.

"Zzzz…Ack!" Cloud called out again.

"Zack!? Is-is that what you've been trying to say this whole time?" The doctor asked Cloud. He grabbed a hold of Cloud's face. The girls stared in wonder.

"What does it mean?" The nurse asked. The doctor quickly turned and pointed a finger at Zack.

"You! You're Zack, right? What is going on!?" The doctor was anxious.

"I…Uh…" Zack stared at Cloud's eyes. He frowned and glared.

"Cloud and Zack are friends…they go way back." Tifa stood up.

"I see…but why would it effect him so much?" The doctor looked at the two men. Cloud met Zack's gaze.

"Zack! Zack! ZACK!!" Cloud shook and convulsed and fell to the floor.

"Cloud!" Aeris and Tifa gasped.

"How? How does your presence bring him out of a coma?" The doctor questioned the dark haired man.

"Because…" Tifa muttered.

"Because…" Aeris joined.

"Because he thinks he is ME!" Zack ran up to the blonde haired boy and pulled him up.

"Zack!" Aeris yelled out.

"What the hell are you doing!?" The doctor ran backwards and hit the wall. "Put him down!"

"No! I'm getting sick of this bullshit!" Zack tightened his grip around Cloud's collar. He reached for the oxygen mask and ripped it from Cloud's face. He threw it over his shoulder and pulled Cloud across the room. "Yeah! You remember me!" Zack spat.

"Oh…Zack…" Tifa whispered. She shivered at his anger. He looked crazy.

"Come on! Say something!" Zack lifted Cloud from the ground. He spun and slammed Cloud against the wall near the entrance.

"Zack…" Cloud mumbled as he slowly lifted his head and made eye contact with his old friend.

"Besides that…" Zack took in a deep breath. He appeared so tired. Everything was silent.

"Zzzz….sSs…eph…iroth." Cloud whispered, never faltering his gaze. "SEPHIROTH!!" Cloud yelled loudly. Everyone covered their ears. He began gasping for air. Zack loosened his grip and dropped Cloud to the hard, wooden floor. The doctor ran across the room to help Cloud. Zack held up a hand, stopping the doctor.

"Stay…" Zack lowered his hand. He did not look at the girls. He knew what their faces would hold. He knew that Aeris was staring at him, like he was a monster. Cloud slowly lifted his gaze to Tifa.

"Tifa…" Cloud rolled his eyes over to Aeris. "Aeris…" And then back to Zack. "Zack."

"Yeah…everyone's here." Zack said quietly and leaned forward, pressing his head against the wall.

"What…happened?" Cloud asked.

"Unbelievable!" The doctor gaped at the scene before him.

"What the hell is going on? Where did those three go?" Cid had gathered the rest of the group and was looking for Tifa, Aeris, and Zack.

"Maybe they found Cloud." Red XIII suggested.

"We hafta find them!" Yuffie flailed her arms in the air. Suddenly a loud scream called out across the town.

"SEPHIROTH!!"

"What the hell was that!?" Barret stopped and turned to everyone.

"Sounds like trouble!" Cait Sith began trudging towards the clinic. Everyone followed in a panic. They ran up the street and into the small clinic. Cid beat them all there and burst through the door.

"What the hell's goin' on!?" Cid stopped and stared. Cloud was on the wooden floor, shaking. He looked miserable and sick. Zack was leaning against the wall, glaring at the blonde haired leader.

"What'd you do?" Barret called out. A ringing from Cait Sith's phone brought him outside and away from the group.

"Please everyone calm down." The doctor sat down in a chair, exhausted. Upon seeing the doctor, Cid sputtered and pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and flicked it out the door.

"He's back…don't worry." The nurse brought the doctor a glass of water. Everyone remained silent for a minute. Cait Sith re-entered; closing his phone.

"It's Shinra! They're stealing all the Huge Materia! They're heading for North Corel first and won't hesitate to destroy the town! Their next target is Fort Condor. We gotta move!" Cait Sith headed for the door.

"Wait a minute!" Barret walked to the cat. "What the hell you talking bout'?"

"I'm afraid I will have to explain all the details later, but to keep it short, I work for Shinra. Don't worry, your daughter is safe! And so is your mother, Aeris! I have things fixed now. They, of course don't know that I'm siding with you." Cait continued to explain.

"My daughter! When wasn't she safe!?" Barret picked up the cat.

"No! Barret! Trust him. It's all okay. We have to go!" Aeris grabbed Cait Sith from Barret and began petting him. "His name is Reeve. We can trust him now. He helped Zack and I escape and told us where you were. If it weren't for him, we would not have found you!" Aeris pleaded to stop the fight and worry about more important matters.

"North Corel! Damn! Let's go!" Barret cursed.

"Wait…how are they getting there?" Zack pushed away from the wall.

"By train, of course." Cait shrugged.

"No…the tracks are all destroyed now." Zack shook his head. His dark bangs swaying.

"Then, they'll find some other way!" Cait pushed everyone out the door. "We gotta go!" He looked at Cloud and pulled his ears back.

"Shinra…" Cloud rocked back and forth.

"Please…leave him here. He's not ready yet. Come back for him when you are through. I still need to run a few tests." The doctor picked Cloud up slowly and laid him on the nearby bed.

"Fine…Let's go." Cid grabbed Tifa and Aeris' arms and pulled them out the door. "Doctor's orders." Cid pulled out a new cigarette. Zack looked back at Cloud and then to the doctor. He nodded and left the clinic.

'You bet I am coming back for him.' Zack ran to the Highwind.

Cid drove the Highwind over the Reactor of North Corel. He saw the destroyed tracks and turned his gaze over to Zack.

"Nice one. You and a buncha bombs did this eh?" Cid chuckled to himself. "Serves that damn Shinra right!" He flew in low and stopped the Highwind from going any further. It was a tight squeeze because of all the mountains surrounding the reactor.

"Damn!" Zack hit the panel. "They brought in helicopters!" He clenched his fists and pulled out his sword. Today was just an aggravating day for Zack.

"Where the hell do you think you're going!?" Cid called out as Zack made his way to the platform outside.

"Keep driving…there will be soldiers on this plane soon!" Zack opened the door and leapt outside. The whooshing air flew into the cabin.

"That boy's a knucklehead!" Cid laughed. "I like him!" He pulled his cigarette from his mouth and threw it against the window. A second later he pulled out another and lit it up.

"He ain't goin' alone!" Barret headed outdoors too. His footsteps were heavy and loud against the metal interior.

"Shinra will do anything to get you all outta the way." Cait Sith hid in the corner. His Mog body was shut down and only the cat was operational. It jumped down from the Mog and crawled to Cid. He wiggled his rear and jumped onto the panel.

"I don't think they even noticed…." Cid's mouth dropped open and his cigarette fell out. He gaped at the sight before him. Five Shinra helicopters flew up in front of the Highwind. A loud warning called out. Cait Sith screeched at the sound.

"EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY. YOU ARE INTRUDING ON SHINRA OFFICIAL BUSINESS! LOWER THE PLANE AND YOU WILL BE SAFELY ESCORTED OUT!"

"Oh…shit…" Cid continued staring. The Shinra officials below continued loading the helicopters on ground with all of the materia. The five in the air neared the Highwind.

"We gotta do something!" Aeris cried out. Her hair was a mess.

"I ain't handing them over this baby! They've already took everything else away from me!" Cid growled and pulled on the throttle. "We're not goin' without a fight!"

"Yeah!" Yuffie jumped and then held onto her stomach. "Urk…" She slowly stood up straight and took in deep breaths.

"I'm going out." Vincent mumbled. He turned, his cape flaring behind him, and left the cockpit to join Barret and Zack outside.

"Is there any other places troops may be let on?" Cait Sith called. His fur was puffed out and his back arched.

"Yeah…That door opposite of the other those guys went through." Cid pointed a gloved thumb behind him. There's a small walkway out there. It will lead them soldiers straight in here!" Cid spat.

"I'm going!" Tifa ran to the door. She pushed on the door.

"Me too!" Red followed. His beads clacked together.

"Wait for me! I can't stand this!" Yuffie slowly made her way to Tifa.

"I'll call Shinra and find out what's going on." Cait Sith pitter pattered out of the room.

"What do I do!?" Aeris looked around.

"You stay and run back an' forth! You got that healing power right? You keep everyone going!" Cid waved at her.

"I-I can do that!" Aeris nodded her head. She looked at Tifa and gave her a concerned look.

"You'll be fine!" Tifa smiled and opened the door. The battle was a bout to begin. A warning called out again.

"LOWER YOUR PLANE IMMEDIATELY! IF YOU DO NOT COMPLY WITHIN ONE MINUTE, YOU WILL BE LOWERED BY FORCE! I REPEAT!" The warning command sounded again. Zack smiled and waved at the helicopter on his side.

"Hello, assholes!" Zack continued smiling. He raised one hand into the air and saluted them with his middle finger.

"Damn boy! You crazy motha-." Barret was interrupted as bullets flew from the craft in front.

"That was not one minute…" Vincent replied.

"HOLD YOUR FIRE!" One copter called to the other. "YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO COMPLY!"

"I think you pissed them off!" Barret chuckled.

"Glad you're having fun…" Vincent loaded his revolver. He lifted his metallic arm behind his cape and pulled out his Remington and began pushing in the ammo.

"Oh…you know you're enjoying this too." Zack smiled. "You were a Turk remember."

"Hmmm…" Vincent looked sideways at Zack. A small corner of his lip turned up.

"Yeah, well! These guys are nothin'!" Barret pulled open his gun arm and started pushing in the clips. "So glad I updated my arm back in Mideel!" He chuckled.

"TEN!"

"You guys ready?" Zack looked over his shoulder.

"NINE!"

"Definitely!" Barret lifted his gun-arm.

"EIGHT!"

"Shall we start celebrating our victory?" Vincent smirked. The other two laughed.

"SEVEN!"

"Here we go!" Tifa tightened her gloves.

"SIX!"

"Been a while since I bit a human…" Red XIII growled.

"FIVE!"

"Oh, boy! Show me where they're at!" Yuffie pulled out her Shuriken and ninja stars.

"FOUR!"

"I'll be ready. I'll keep everyone safe." Aeris whispered to herself. She held onto her precious materia. It glowed within her grasp.

"THREE!"

"You're attacking!?" Cait Sith hung up his phone and ran into the cockpit.

"TWO!"

"Jes' Show me what you got! We're not giving anything up!" Cid pulled on the throttles and began pushing many buttons on the panels around him.

"ONE!"

'Bring it…' Zack glared and clenched his teeth.

"FIRE!!"

The battle had begun.

Ha! Okay done. Gotta go for tonight. I promise to get the next one in sooner. I try to get one every week. Please continue reading and reviewing. Right you all later!

-Annubis.