Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, folks. I sorta lost my drive, that was until I listened to some music that reminded of FF7 (Thank you Evans Blue!)

Disclaimer: I don't own FF7, just anything outside of the game I own…so…sleepy…

Part 11

Back at Healin Lodge…

"I asked you a question!"

Staring down at the blade being pointed dangerously close to his throat, Rufus Shinra quivered fearfully. The Turks lay defeated and some unconscious, while the others watched from the sidelines warily fearing for Shinra's life.

"I'm telling you I don't know anything about that woman that took the Goddess! I was only doing as I was told by the one you call Artemia! And that woman was not her!" Shinra snarled fearfully and Cloud frowned.

"Shinra, listen up! If Selena dies-"

"Cloud, if Selena dies, we will too."

Cloud's eyebrow quirked and he barked "tell me what you know and don't you dare lie to me."

Just to make sure he got the point, he poked Shinra and earned a startled cry.

"Alright, alright! Calm down…As I was saying, beside the fact that Selena is a Goddess, do you know what she rules over?"

Silence filled the room and Shinra continued on.

"Cloud, she is the very Goddess of the Lifestream. She is the very guardian of Life and Death, and she also holds the Promised Lands within her grasp. But according to Artemia, Selena has forgotten her past thanks to some incantation the Moon Goddess preformed after Selena had returned from her life on earth, specifically from the Mount Nibelheim region. All roughly about four years ago."

"Four…Years ago?...She must have been forced to leave during the Rampage…" he mumbled half to himself. Rufus nodded and slowly rose to his feet.

"Then…If that's true…Why can't I remember her?"

"Perhaps your modifications had something to do with it. You're still gaining back some of your lost memories, right?" Rufus pressed carefully and Cloud glared menacingly.

"What about her bodyguards?"

"The Summons? They've been at her side since the very day she was born. She did tell you about why Artemia is seeking her life?"

"If she did, I wouldn't be asking you, now would I?" Cloud hissed, jabbing Shinra with his sword again.

"Oi, oi, calm down Strife!" the latter hissed and Cloud waited.

"Alright, Alright, I'm listening…"

"As Artemia had mentioned when I asked, it all stems from the fact that Selena was born out of marriage. The Sun god, Helios, had made love to the Goddess of the Stars and when she found out she was pregnant with Selena, Artemia was naturally infuriated. And the gods think humans are bad for our family dramas…Pathetic really…"

Cloud frowned and started backing away slowly.

"Alright…I'm going now…And Shinra…"

"Yes?"

"Thanks…" he said, feeling rather awkward to be thanking an enemy as he backed out of the building, then turned to run back to Fenrir. He leapt off the stairs, mounted his bike and took off before the others could try to pursue him.

As he sped along and was a good distance from the lodge, from the corner of his eye, a golden blur caught his attention. He slowed slightly to see a cloud of dust fly behind a massive golden beast he had never even seen before. Somehow, the beast saw him, turned on heel in mid-run and barreled straight at him. Cloud instantly revved Fenrir and shot off.

Chancing a glance back, the creature started losing ground, but suddenly, earthen spikes shot up before him and swerved to dodge each of them. He didn't have to look back to know the monstrosity was closing in, but if it was lookin' for a fight, by the gods, the bastardly thing would get one!

He pressed a button and Fenrir's sides flew open and he snatched up a couple swords, fusing them together instantly.

Just then, a surprise spike erupted underneath him and took out his back tires. Fenrir was sent careening in the air along with its driver, but while it landed with an ugly skid, Cloud landed on his feet, sword in hand. He took his stance as the massive beast came closer.

Its golden mane gleamed like wildfire under the sun, his thick ebony claws dug up the earth as an earth shaking roar broke through over the loud din from earlier. Finished, familiar amber eyes bored into Cloud's, but expecting a fight, nothing happened. The big cat sat on his haunches and became enshrouded in light. His form changed to something close to human and before Cloud stood a furious Shibuki.

"When I motion for you to halt, that doesn't mean drive faster!" he bellowed and Cloud snarled at him.

"Well, I'm so sorry, Shibuki! But I have other matters that need my attention!"

"Where's Selena?"

"I don't know. Some woman in a black cloak kidnapped her while we were at Healin Lodge."

Shibuki breathed a sigh of relief and looked to the heavens as if to personally thank the gods.

"That is definitely a sign…A good sign at that…" he breathed and Cloud felt confused.

"Shibuki, what the hell's goin' on?"

Shibuki looked at him for the longest of times before saying "Tell me what you know and I'll explain the current situation at hand."

Cloud growled irritably, explained quickly what he had learned earlier and when he finished, Shibuki nodded.

"Well, that's a start for you, Cloud Strife…Alright, as you held up your end, I shall do the same…To begin, I just came from the little bar…Cloud, Artemia has the children."

The young warriors eyes widened.

"Denzel…Marlene…" he murmured with fright and Shibuki nodded to confirm this.

"Yes and my guess is she put Tifa under some spell. I'm willing to wager that Artemia ordered Tifa to send you to the place where you and Selena were ambushed, but lucky for us, fortune smiles. Come with me and I shall take you to her."

"But what about the others-"

"Cloud, I must deliver Artemia's challenge to Selena first. Nothing will happen to Denzel and Marlene unless Selena declines."

"And Tifa?"

Shibuki frowned.

"As we speak, she's currently turning your friends against Selena. If they should capture her, which they won't I assure you, Tifa will guide them to Artemia and the onslaught will happen from there…Now I'll ask you one more time: Are you coming or not? Selena could definitely use your help, Cloud…More than ever…"

Cloud frowned and nodded. He started towards Fenrir, but Shibuki called out "Leave it. Where we're going, it won't be able to make it."

"But-" he began to argue, but Fenrir was consumed in an earthen sphere.

"It will be protected until you come back for it, now come on."

Shibuki transformed into his true form and lowered himself for Cloud to mount. Once on the Great Lion Summons back, Shibuki roared proudly and took off.

Hide out in the woods somewhere…

"But…Yumiko, I'm not as strong as you or Skyler-"

"Shut up!!!! Shut up, shut up, shut up!!!!!!!" the dark haired woman yelled. Selena cringed under her sister's harsh voice and Faera stirred awake.

"How dare you doubt yourself like that?! Has Artemia made you forget your pride as a Goddess? Has she truly broken your spirit? The Selena I knew was a brave spirit, who would never back down, even if she sensed a beating along the way! The Selena I see now is a cowardly one, who has forgotten the very meaning of her title!" Yumiko fumed irritably, but stopped as Selena slowly curled up and clutched at her head.

"Selena?...Selena, I'm sorry…"

"…Cloud…Cloud…"

"Selena? Selena, I said I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."

Yumiko shook her shoulder slightly, but her sister kept whispering that name as if it were her lifeline.

Flash …a blond little boy held the hand of a blonde little girl while he was recovering from a head injury…Flash…The boy and girl are older, teasing one another under a beautiful summer sky…Flash…A large military truck stops in the little town where they grew up and he leaves…Flash…they're older now, and he comes back in disguise, never revealing himself to anyone but her alone…Flash… "I love you"…Flash…

"Selena…Selena, answer me!" Yumiko was shaking her frantically now, while the young goddess hyperventilated and broke out into a cold sweat. Her eyes were wide and blank as she her whispering escalated in volume and pace.

...Flash… "I love you"…Flash… "Stay with me"…Flash…Flames erupted and death claimed the towns people as a man with silver hair stood in the center looking up at the sky…Flash... "I have to go…Whatever happens Selena, I will always love you"…Flash...

"CLOOOOOOOOOOOOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The final scene played in her mind of what appeared to be a dead Cloud being led away on a stretcher had finally gotten to her. Selena's eyes glowed a powerful green-blue and she screamed. Yumiko grabbed Faera and fled immediately just as the planet's life crept up through the floor. All anyone could see after that was the blinding light of Life.

Author Note #2: Sorry about all that Flash and …'s, but in case you don't know, those were Selena's memories coming back. If I got carried away, I apologize (is it me or do I do a lot of apologizing? O.o?). Either way, it was caused by a spur of the moment, the fact I haven't slept a wink and I've been alone for more or less than five days.