Note: Thanks for all of the reviews coming in. There are just two chapters after this one.
To G.P. Larue, if you already don't like the situations in this story, then i wonder what you'll say about the ending, which, by the way, i had planned since the start of the story. I think the reason why we hate to see, for example, an untimely end to Sephiroth, is because we've become attached to him and the image that SquareEnix paints of him.

We think Sephiroth is exactly who Tetsuya Nomura says that he is. This is not so. Tetsuya used his imagination to come up with his own personal version of Sephiroth. Maybe i think Sephy is someone entirely different. I'm entitled to that right. Besides, i'm more of a Yoshitaka Amano fan, anyway. For the 'character purists' out there, the prequel, Baroquen Heart, will stick closer to the script, because Yuffie's personality is one that i think Tetsuya got right.

Chapter 23- Being For The Benefit Of Mister Strife

It was 9:00 p.m. when the accused arrived, and the door was locked behind him. All of the courtroom elements were here. Rufus was perched in the judge's chair. Cloud Strife was fidgety, stressing over the fact that tonight was his first night on the job: as a prosecuting attorney. The jury was set, and in position. Sephiroth knew he had no chance with this one sided six-person jury: Scarlet, Reeve, Tseng, Heidegger, Palmer, and Vincent. It quickly became apparent to Sephiroth that his number was up when he noticed that there were no commoners in the room, and he had no lawyer on his side. He would have to represent himself.

The thick silence in the courtroom was slashed by the banging of Rufus' gavel. "Let's begin. We'll start with the opening argument from Cloud." As Cloud approached the front of the courtroom, he locked eyes with Sephiroth. Only weeks ago, Cloud had sought him out for help. Now, Sephiroth could see where Cloud really stood. Throughout the entire proceeding, Sephiroth menacingly stared a hole through Cloud's head. Even reformed enemies have their breaking points.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, i submit to you a man of untold violence. I have witnessed the destruction of my hometown at the hands of Sephiroth."

Sephiroth quickly jumped up and yelled, "Objection! He can't claim that last statement, because it's Zack Fair's memory, not his!"
Rufus calmly replied, "Overruled. If it's in Cloud's head, then it's a memory. I'll allow it."

Cloud took a sip of water and continued, "This man has been accused of not only the destruction of Nibelheim, the murders of many innocent people, including my best friend, Aeris, and conspiracy to take over the world through an unholy reunion, but he is also accused of murdering an innocent teenage girl named Marlene. I am convinced that he is guilty of all of these crimes, but the death of Marlene is the one that we must prove today. Sephiroth is a murderer, and he must be put to death."
"Okay.", Rufus said. "Sephiroth, it's your turn."

"I don't have much to say. What i do know is that i am no longer a menace to society. I have been reformed, unlike many of the people in this room. This isn't a court, it's a three ring circus! Everyone here knows that i'm doomed to be condemned, so let's make this quick."
"Alright.", Rufus replied. "That sounds reasonable. I understand that both sides have just a couple of witnesses, since this is on short notice. Cloud, do you have any witnesses?"
"I have two. First, i'd like to call Reno to the stand."

Reno strolled up to the bench and plopped down onto the chair in a very un-professional manner. "Reno, you were the investigating officer at Marlene's crime scene, right?"
"That's right."
"According to the official police report, Sephiroth's sword was at the scene of the crime, right?"
"Yes. It was covered in blood. Since only Sephiroth can use the sword, it had to be him."
"Exactly. Let the jury take note of the fact that only Sephiroth can wield that sword. I think that fact speaks for itself. I have no further questions."

"Sephiroth, would you like to cross-examine the witness?"
"Yes, i would. Now, Reno, did the Turks receive a missing items report from me concerning my sword, seeing as how it had been stolen from me before the murder occured?"
Reno grinned from ear to ear and smugly answered, "No. No such document exists."
"Of course it does. I filled one out one the night of the murder. For God's sake, i signed it right in front of your face!"
"I guess i must have lost it."
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, i believe this is an indication of the incompetence and neglect for justice on the part of this town's lead investigator."

Rufus corrected him, "Actually, it's an indication that you never signed the report."
Sephiroth looked up at Rufus and muttered, "Just shoot me."
"That can be arranged."
"I have no further questions."
"Fine. Cloud, call your last witness."
"I call Sakura to the stand."

Sakura's approach to the bench was more graceful than Reno's, but still exuded a sense of betrayal. "Sakura, explain your relevance to this case."
"I am an independent entertainer, and i always work the streets around the club that Sephiroth claims to have visited along with you on the night of the murder."
"Sakura, were you in that area during the specific time given by Sephiroth through his recent statement?"
"Yes, and during that time, i did see you, Cloud, but i never saw this man at that club during the night in question."

"Judge!", Sephiroth exclaimed.
"What, Sephiroth?"
"What statement are they talking about? I never released a statement!"
"Cloud, play the cassette tape."
Cloud Strife pressed a button on his tape player, and out spouted the voice of Reno.

"Sephiroth, when did you go to the Main Street Club?"
"9:00 p.m."
Suddenly, the tape stopped.

"Judge, Reno confided in me that the recording you just heard would not be released! Besides, that's only a portion of the conversation. You see, i left, and then came back."
"Yes, but you don't have proof of that. Would you like to cross-examine the witness?"
"I have one question."
"Okay. Go ahead."

"Sakura, i'm kind of confused. Isn't 'Independent Entertainer' just a fancy phrase meaning 'Unwanted Whore'?"

Cloud, who had just taken a drink, spat water from his mouth out of shock. "I object!"
"Sustained, if you'll give me a towel to wipe the spit off of my face."
"Sorry."
"Sephiroth, do you have any witnesses?"

"I have two. I call Tifa Lockheart."
"No you don't.", Rufus corrected.
"What do you mean?"
"I have not approved that witness. Due to recent developments, i consider her to be deeply disturbed, and not fit to give a reliable testimony."
"Okay. What about Yuffie?"
"No. Since i am the judge, i would consider her testimony to be a form of work, and she's on maternity leave."
"You've got to be kidding me."

"Jury, do you require time to deliberate?"

Scarlet, the head juror, quickly hopped up and answered, "No, i think we've reached a decision."

"And what decision is that?"

"Sephiroth is guilty."

"Okay. I schedule the execution for tomorrow, by swordblade."

"WHAT?"

"You heard me, Sephiroth. You die tomorrow, in a public execution at the town square."

"Whatever. I couldn't be happier. Can i at least get a last meal?"

Rufus banged his gavel down in conclusion and answered, "Make it yourself."

After the trial had been concluded, both Cloud and Vincent had a horrible feeling in the pit of their stomachs. They knew that what they had done was wrong, but Cloud was the one who felt the most convicted. As the Turks filed out of the courtroom, and Sephiroth was led back to his jail cell, Cloud approached Rufus and simply exclaimed, "I can't do this, Rufus. Just give me my money now, because i quit."

"Fine. Take the money and go."

Rufus handed Cloud an envelope, and Cloud hit the road. However, when he got home, there was a note on the kitchen table. It read,

Dear Cloud,

Sorry i had to leave without you. I got a message on the phone saying that Shera has gone into labor. See you at the hospital. It's getting late, though. What about Renfroe in the morning?

Love,

Tifa

Cloud instantly headed to the hospital, but Shera was the farthest thing from his mind.

"Well, Yuffie," Vincent said as he and Yuffie arrived at the hospital together. "Sephiroth's being executed tomorrow."

Yuffie's face contained a look of shock as she exclaimed, "What? No! I think i've almost figured this thing out! The sword was the only DNA left, right?"

"Yeah."

"And we found that it had been 'cleaned' and sold to a former Turk, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, i think i've found that person. I accessed their old Turk account with the password that you provided, and i know there was no personal information, but i sent the person a message. Today, i got a message back saying that they would come by the house tomorrow. He's bringing the sword, too. I'm so close, Vinnie!"

"Yuffie! I know you've done such a great job investigating, especially since you've had no help, but you know nothing about this person! They may want to harm you!"

"Aw, Vinnie, you're just protective of our baby."

"What, and you aren't?"

"Just think. How many former Turks can there be?"

Cid did not care for Sephiroth. Cid didn't worry about Cloud and Tifa, and he certainly wan't losing any sleep over the hyperactive ninja. The only thing that occupied his world was the child that had escaped from inside of his wife, Shera. Oh, how she beamed with joy as she said, "Cid, it's a girl. Isn't she the most beautiful child you ever met?"

"Oh, honey, she most certainly is."

"What should we name her?"

Cid fought back the tears as he thought of a name. "Well, it's September. How about Autumn?"

"That's perfect, but Cid..."

"Yes, darling?"

"...It's okay if you cry."

"Well, at least they gave me some food and a stove.", Sephiroth mused. After condemning him to death, it was the least Rufus could do to provide him with a way to cook his last meal. After much elbow grease and cries of 'A little more to the right', Sephiroth had finally installed the stove inside of his spacious jail cell. But what to eat? Sephiroth finally decided on some breakfast foods: eggs and bacon, with maple syrup on top. After he had finished eating, Sephiroth went to sleep, having much faith that someone in the world knew the truth.

But then again, it isn't faith if you use your eyes.

'Pleasant' dreams of Aeris, the flower girl, lulled him to sleep. He slept soundly through the night.

Here she was, outside of Shera's hospital room. When Cloud saw her, he held up an envelope. "Tifa, you're not going to Renfroe tomorrow."

Tifa queried, "Why is that? I thought you said that Rufus would loan you some."

When Cloud handed Tifa the envelope, which read 'Being For The Benefit Of Mister Strife' on the front, she quizically stated, "Cloud, there's nothing in this envelope."

"Exactly. I've been tricked."

My name is Cloud Strife.

I'm the guy who sold out his idol

for thirty pieces of nothing.

Beat that, Judas.