Poll Question: According to the circumstances described in this story, who is more deserving of execution, Sephiroth or Cloud? (Please e-mail or review your answer, and I'll reveal the outcome in the next chapter. I will say, however, that it won't have an affect on the ending. I already have that planned out.)
Also, I will give a special acknowledgement to whoever can decipher the meaning of the chapter title. (No Cheating!)
Chapter 20- Debut De La Fin
"President Rufus?"
"Yes, Reno?"
Reno was dressed very neatly for this historic occasion. Normally his attire was very sloppy, but that was just Reno's way of being himself. Whenever Reno dressed so nicely, it usually meant that he wanted something.
"I think I've solved our Sephiroth problem."
"How so?"
"After speaking with Rude and Sakura, we think that the best plan for Sephiroth is execution."
Rufus raised one eyebrow and replied, "Tell me about Sakura again, won't you?"
"Uh, okay. She's just a girl that I picked up off the streets…"
"So she's a prostitute.", Rufus interrupted.
"Yes, and at first, I was going to…"
"Pay for her services?"
"…But when I saw her, and noticed that she was…"
"A man-girl?"
"Stop it! Anyway, I let her stay at my place."
"Because you were lonely, and you couldn't find a real girl."
"Yes."
Rufus curiously queried, "Who wants Sephiroth's execution the most?"
"Probably me. I intend for this to be a big golden star in my leadership column."
"That's good. It will be your first. I approve. Sephiroth has been a thorn in my side for long enough. However, he does have the right to a trial by jury."
"Sir, there are some people in Midgar who don't want to see this happen. Maybe we should have his trial behind closed doors, and us Turks can be the jury. But sir, what if the jury decides in his favor?"
With a wink, Rufus answered, "That would certainly be an outcome to die for."
Little did Rufus know, there was a spy listening to their conversation. After hearing Rufus' final statement, Yuffie sighed deeply and entered the room.
(Ring!)
"I'm sorry, this number cannot be reached. Please hang up and dial again."
(Ring!)
(Ring!)
"Hello. This is Vincent. I'm not here right now, but leave a message."
"Hey, Vinny. It's me, Yuffie. I decided to go ahead and take Maternity Leave from work. I know that's really early, but Sephiroth's going to trial soon, and us Turks are going to be his jury. I don't know about you, but I refuse to be a part of that mockery of justice. You should too. I'm trying to find evidence that will prove Sephiroth's innocence in Marlene's case. I think I've already gotten a few leads. I know Cloud told Tifa that Sephy had lost his sword, and a few weeks ago, I think I spotted it. I'm gonna check and see if it's still there. Oh, and I think I'm starting to get my first weird craving. Can you pick me up a bottle of Clear Coke? Love Ya! Bye."
The weapons store where Yuffie had previously seen the Masamune looked quite the same as it did before. It was a small red-brick building, much like a large storage shed. When she went inside, Yuffie instantly spotted the owner. He was very old, and he had a long white beard. In fact, he seemed like he belonged in some kind of Seniors Biker Club. Even from here, Yuffie could sense that the old man was checking her out.
It wasn't too hard to understand why. Even though she was still just a B cup, Yuffie had begun to develop a very beautiful and shapely derriere over the years. She had gotten much taller, and her choice of clothing had become Americanized. Currently, she was wearing a very short pair of white shorts, and her tiny baby bump was already beginning to show through the tight green tanktop that she was wearing. Heck, even Yuffie thought Yuffie was attractive.
"Sir, did you recently have a Masamune sword here that had a big 'S' on the handle?"
The old man rubbed his beard and replied, "Yeah, but I sold it."
"Can you tell me how you received it, and who you sold it to?"
Yuffie's jaw hit the floor when the owner said, "That sword was a gift from President Rufus."
"No way! That sword is an important clue to solving a murder mystery!"
"Hmm. Sounds like he just wanted it off his hands. Either that, or he didn't bother testing it at all. When I received it, though, it was as clean as a whistle. Not even a fingerprint on it. If it had been, like, bloody or something, I wouldn't have taken it. Now by law, I can't tell you who I sold it to, but I can tell you it was one of those ShinRa suits. He even left an ID Number: 23487651."
"Thanks for your co-operation."
(Ring!)
"Hey, Vinny, did you pick up my Clear Coke?"
"Of course not. They haven't sold that in stores for at least a decade. Besides, I'm at work. I can't believe I got placed in the Data department on my first day. Cloud's been assigned to be Rufus' servant boy."
"That's good."
"What's good?"
"That you're in Data. Listen, can you look and see if there are any files about the Turks testing Sephy's Masamune for evidence? I have sources who tell me that ShinRa may have had the sword the whole time, and the idiots gave it away."
"Seriously? Let me look…
…Oh my God."
"What, Vinny?"
"There are no files. Either Rufus forgot to do the paperwork, or he didn't really get it tested for DNA. I hate to say it, but I think ShinRa is conspiring against Sephiroth."
"No duh. Well, can you check an ID Number for me?"
"Yeah."
"23487651."
"…You won't believe this, Yuffie."
"What? What?"
"That's a number that has yet to be given out."
"What do you mean!? Did it not turn up in the system?"
"Oh, it turned up alright. The way they've been talking, I never would have expected this. I bet no one even told you."
"Spit it out, Vinny!"
"It's a number that is scheduled be assigned to a new ShinRa member, but its not too soon. The membership doesn't officially activate for six months."
"Huh? Why would
someone be allowed to buy something with an un-activated
number?"
"Only if the person received approval from the
President to start her account early."
"But Vincent, surely Rufus didn't make a mistake. Why would he sell it and then try to get it back?"
"He wouldn't. Maybe it was a trick. Perhaps this person convinced Rufus to start the account early, not knowing that she would get the sword.
"Vinny?"
"Yeah?
"Why do you keep saying 'she'?"
"Because whoever bought the sword is a woman. But that's all it will tell me."
"A woman? Who could that be?"