A man stood watch from a distance, the burning remains of the house were smoldering. Wearing a black suit with a red tie the man had bright blonde hair. The man had a toothpick sticking out of his mouth. His face was young, but tough. His blue eyes were cold and far-seeing, its as if he saw a different world then other people. His gaze was that of a veteran soldier.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone, pressing several numbers in and began to wait. The toothpick in his mouth bobbed up and down as he waited. He rested his back on a great oak tree and waited. He had hid under the leafy green foliage of the trees, but he was still witness to the fight that had gone on.
He had stubble on his face, at least three days worth of it. He carried no more then a small Shinra sniper rifle with him and a phone, he was a professional.
At last a response came through the phone, "Hello. This is Mrs. Kisaragi, what is the problem." The soft voice of the woman was pleasing and mature then he had remembered in all the years prior to their reunion under the W.R.O. yet she still had some attitude problems it seemed.
"This is Blonde. The situation has turned violent. I require back up."
From her desk in Wutai the matured Yuffie rotated in her chair and put her soft hand on her head as she thought about what to do. Dressed in a yellow clothing to display her power as ruling figure of Wutai she even wore the ceremonious bangles and a ribbon passed onto her from her father. Yuffie had grown into a woman at last, but still her stubborn and rudeness shown through at times.
She spoke to Blonde and sighed, "Back up is on the way, hold position for two hours. Oh…Blonde, you better be right about this."
Yuffie turned the phone off an immediately called Cid Highwind. The phone rang only once before a familiar face picked up, "Ya? What is it?" Cid's voice was groggy and a little slurred, it was like he had been sleepy or drinking.
Yuffie smirked at Cid's slurred speech and gave him the order, "You are going to need to take off from Edge with two familiar faces, Cloud and Tifa Strife."
"Whoa? I haven't seen them for three months since the wedding. I'll be ready and waiting, Yuffie." said Cid, who was obviously excited.
Yuffie clicked off the phone and sat in her chair, thinking to herself, wondering how to break the situation to the married couple. It only took a minute, but she found a way to tell them, and even if it was a lie she would get Cloud and Tifa to end this on-going situation with the strongest remaining Tviste in the world. She picked up the phone and called Cloud.
It rung three times before Cloud picked up, the sound of giggling and sheets rustling were heard, Yuffie almost dropped the phone when she heard Cloud speak, he was panting a little and his voice was soft, "Hello? Hello?"
Before Cloud had a change to hang up on the silent caller Yuffie blurted out, "Cloud. It's Yuffie. We have a situation." She was blushing and angry at the same time at the two of them.
Cloud's voice became serious and worried almost instantly, "You said you would never call unless it dealt with…"
"Sephiroth is making a move again." interrupted Yuffie. She lied very well and had been practicing more then usual lately. She was the leader of Wutai and a leading member of the W.R.O., but more importantly she was assigned the task of doing the impossible and somehow turning a lie into a truth.
"Where?" Cloud asked. Tifa rolled over and moaned softly to Cloud, "Honey, what's the matter?" Yuffie was again disturbed that she was interfering with their activities, but continued despite her own conscious telling her not to say anything.
"Five miles south of Kalm. Cid will be waiting for you." she said, hanging up the phone. Yuffie started to break down and rested her head on the desk, her hands covering her face as she cried into them. She felt guilty and sad about what she had just done and took it bitterly. All alone in the top of the Pagoda she let her tears flow freely.
Cloud turned to Tifa on the bed and got up, "He's come back again." Tifa wrapped the covers around herself tighter as Cloud took away happiness for business. She understood and hated it at the same time.
"I never thought it would come to this." Tifa sighed. Throwing back the covers and reaching for her clothes. Cloud put on his black shirt and pants in front of her as they talked.
Throwing on his leather vest Cloud stated, "Its for the planet, but I promise I won't help the W.R.O. after this." Tifa stopped putting on her bra and stared at the changed Cloud; his relentless spirit had been quelled after becoming a husband to her, but he still stood as a pillar of strength to her. Her childhood love and now husband had never been iron willed before, but it seemed as if even he was changing and somehow staying all the same still.
Cloud turned to Tifa and smiled, "I'll be waiting outside." Tifa smiled back and threw on her black shirt. Then she put her black shorts on and watched Cloud leave the room and go down the hall.
Tifa moved over to the desk next to the closet and pulled out a drawer. Inside was a cherry box that was artfully painted with the words, "Fight for what you believe in." She smiled and opened it saying, "I should have changed it to 'Fight for your love' now that I have him."
Inside was her weapon, a metal fist with five shining materia slots. The black gloves were her favorite weapon and even putting them on she felt power come back to her; everything she did years ago was done wearing these gloves. She slipped one on the right hand first and then the left. Backwards from what she originally learned.
"I've become ambidextrous in my fighting skill and completed my training. My master would be proud."
She closed the box and put it back into the desk and turned to the door and walked out. She gracefully clenched her raised fists and smiled as she added, "Maybe this time I can actually test them out."
Cloud waited for Tifa on his bike, his sword placed inside the bike itself. He stood watching the door, placing on his black goggles and fixing his still spikey yellow hair. When Tifa came out she grinned and hopped onto the back of the bike saying, "I'll make your cake when we get back, okay honey?" Cloud blushed and returned the grin.
They took off down the street towards Edge. Passing the beautiful trees and grass as they neared the city. Tifa held onto Cloud tightly from behind. The two were happy knowing that they would never leave each other behind again, the couple made their vows early May and they had been husband and wife for three months. Though on Cloud's birthday Sephiroth came back on a quiet August day. Once more the two of them knew they would be thrown into conflict with the threat to the planet.
As they neared the city newer buildings started to come into view, brick and wood structures lined the dirt roads. People were expanding away from Midgar, spreading out farther and farther. Each house they passed had beautiful tended fields of crops and some livestock, occasionally their would be two houses close together.
Even the poorest citizens of Midgar had spread out across the plains in an effort to stake out a better life, but it was not easy. The fields needed to be worked, even though the harvest drew closer and closer it would be only the beginning of their toils. Cloud and Tifa flew past the farms on their bike, down the dirt roads and at last the wreckage-city of Edge appeared on the horizon.
Edge was built from debris of Midgar and was falling apart even now. The steel structures jutted out from the ground and clawed towards the sky even as they appeared like they were about to fall. As they headed into Edge a few pieces of land appeared to have been cleaned out as factories poured smoke and steam into the sky. Dirty men and women worked bringing in carts of debris and scrap metal Midgar and Edge's falling structures to the factories to reforge them into something of use.
Soaring past the people Cloud pointed out the open field at the edge of the city, the Highwind waited. They came to the end of a dirt road and saw a paved one, the bike jumped onto the clean pavement and Cloud accelerated towards a small shack near the large airship. Other smaller craft came into view. Thin wisps of smoke billowed out of the shack and into the air.
A man greeted them in a grey vest, it was Cid. The dirty blonde hair of Cid was partly covered by leather goggles, and in his mouth was a paper cigarette. He wore a silver pendant around his neck that clung to his blue t-shirt and tanned leather pants. His arm stretched out to greet Cloud and Tifa as they approached on the bike.
Cid grinned as Cloud pulled up next to him and both Cloud and Tifa got off the bike, "Hey. Look it's the married couple, back in action in just three months after their union."
Tifa couldn't help, but give a slight giggle. Cloud didn't laugh, but looked up at the Highwind. Cid rested his hand on Cloud's shoulder, "Not that one, we're going in the Tiny Bronco II. It's just to Kalm basically."
Cid stepped back and showed a familiar red craft that had appeared to be like the first Tiny Bronco. It had a more powerful engine and looked capable of flying faster then before. It still had the familiar 'Bronco' paintjob it had before, but some subtle differences stood out. It was armed.
"Hop on in everyone, let's go!" said Cid.
He pulled back the cockpit and Tifa and Cloud jumped up and entered in. Cid turned the key and the Tiny Bronco II roared to life, the propellers spun and it moved.
"Hold onto your drawers!" yelled Cid.
The Tiny Bronco geared up and moved down the pavement, it began to bounce and softly lifted into the air before bouncing down on the ground. Then Cid pulled up and it flew into the sky, everyone was sucked into their seats as it shot up into the air and lurched east. The sun flashed into everyone's eyes as Cid brought the craft around and headed south, climbing higher into the air. Cloud and Tifa's hair blew wildly in the wind, but the thrill of flying was exhilarating.
Tifa threw her arms up in the air and yelled, "Alright!" in surprise and wrapped her arms around Cloud tightly as Cid pointed the Tiny Bronco down and leveled out the plane. It soared high above Edge and Midgar.
From the ground people looked up into the sky and waved to the plane as it took flight. Though from the ground they were mere dots. The Tiny Bronco flew quickly and darted between the mid-morning fog as they soared south east towards Kalm.
After several minutes of flight Cid looked back at the two and yelled over the roar of the engine, "I used the old Tiny Bronco's parts and made this new one! She still has the same spirit she always did!"
Cloud nodded and could barely understand Cid over the roar of the engine and the wind, everything moved so quickly. Cid thrust the throttle and the engines became even louder, Cid pushed the plane harder and everything jumped. The ground blurred and everything seemed to fade into nothingness except the plane and its crew.
Then they sighted Kalm and Cid started to slow the plane and he checked his phone. A call came through and he yelled into it, "Blonde? Alright! We are coming down."
Cloud tapped Cid on the back as he shut off the phone, "What is it?"
Cid pointed down, "We have to land. Hold on!" Tifa clinged to Cloud tighter as the plane jerked and Cid pointed it down, cutting off the planes engines. Falling into a gliding descent.
They passed Kalm and continued south towards a small collection of hills on the map it was still technically part of Kalm, but was on the far outskirts. The winds ripped though the cockpit as they descended into the fields below.
As it touched down the plane jerked violently and Cid pushed a line out and something shot from the back and jerked the plane, but it quickly anchored the plane into the ground and Cid pushed another button and a spring released as the plane came to a complete stop.
A man came running up to the Tiny Bronco. His blonde hair and black suit had the markings of a W.R.O. member. He spoke firmly and business-like, "I'm Blonde. Ex-SOLDIER and W.R.O. intelligence expert." Cloud took one look at the man and centered his eyes coldly on the man. Blonde sensing this dislike turned to Cloud and smiled, "I didn't realize this was as serious as first believed. A man named Aurum killed a bunch of Hunters and has been on a rampage lately. Three Ex-SOLDIERs identitifed were with the Clan Arush, but they took off into the woods and I lost track of them."
Tifa stood next to Cloud and Cid was silent. Blonde handed his phone to Cloud. He pressed a few buttons and saw the faces of Oni, Han and Miko and then a man with silver hair and a slender form, all taken in this location. Then a picture of the Clan Arush group from an earlier date.
"They are here?" asked Cloud.
"Clan Arush was wiped out, the other three disappeared about two hours ago. Aurum is the silver haired man, but it that is not his true hair color, it was blonde originally."
Blonde shook his head, "His appearance has changed and his behavior has been exceedingly disturbing. I am barely able to track him, but somehow this band of Hunters and Ex-SOLDIERs staged an attack on him and even as elites they were simply slaughtered."
Cloud handed him back the phone and stared at Tifa, "Sounds like him, huh?" Tifa nodded and stepped back, thinking to herself. Rationalizing if it was really true that Sephiroth was back.
Cid turned to leave and called to Cloud and Tifa, "Alright, I'm heading back. Take care of this you two. When you need a pick-up just call." He hopped into the Tiny Bronco and looked at Cloud again, "Happy birthday, Cloud."
The engines roared and Cid shifted the Tiny Bronco's gears and turned it around. Gunning the throttle and quickly lifting up into the skies again. He disappeared into the sun and Cloud turned his attention to Blonde again.
"It's an honor to work with you two." he said as he bowed respectfully. "If we move west of here we will be able to cut off two of the three, and possibly the rest of the SOLDIER group. The order is to kill Aurum before he reaches Kalm, but he makes no mistakes."
Cloud and Tifa started to follow Blonde west into the woods, they ran at a sprint moving as fast as they can to spot and trap Aurum as he dealt with the Hunters.
Meanwhile in the depths of the woods to the west, Oni and Miko were leaping behind trees as they were being pursued by Aurum. Their footfalls were silent as they broke through the trees, they had been pursued for two hours and the strain on their bodies was growing with each passing second.
At last Miko said to Oni, "He's still behind us. Let's make our stand." Oni nodded and the two stopped on the side of the cliff. They turned around to see a black suited man bob and weave through the trees, long flowing silver hair covered hair trailing behind him as he swiftly moved in for the kill.
Oni pulled out his gun from off his back and fired at the man, but he disappeared behind a tree and the bullets hit the trunk, harmlessly cutting into the base of the tree. Miko jumped up higher and her eyes flashed as fire erupted in an explosion falling two nearby trees and creating a wall of flame to cut off retreat. At last Aurum spoke his voice cold and sinister, just as he spoke through the phone, "Where is Han?"
Oni's eyes widened and Miko literally gasped as the figure showed himself. He was not carrying a gun in his hands.
"Where is he? I need to be with Han." Aurum repeated.
Oni pointed the gun at his body and Miko focused her eyes on his body. Though Miko saw the similarity to Sephiroth, it was clearly not him. She began to tear up at seeing the man and having been tormented by this man for the entire day.
"Where is Han?" Aurum repeated again, moving towards Oni.
Oni fired and Aurum dropped to the ground, though no blood was drawn and no visible mark was seen. Aurum's body faded into the ground and disappeared.
Oni looked around and shouted, "Where are you!?"
Through the trees a cold laughter filled the air, it was mocking Oni for his vain attempt to kill him. Miko stepped back and propped herself up against the rock face.
"You can't kill me. We are one in the same."
Several copies of Aurum stepped out from beyond the trees and laughed at Oni. They spoke in unison and even laughted together, "I am a sacrifice to Sephiroth. Bring me to Han. Aha-ha-ha! Take me! Take us, to Han!"
Oni pointed his gun at the left most Aurum and then shifted to the right, then to the center and drew back in fear, he was outmatched ten to one by Aurum. The ground began to give way and spikes shot up from below the Aurums', piercing their bodies, but causing no visible damage. It was like fighting a ghost, no matter what was done to them it had no effect on the body.
"What are you!?" Miko cried out, seeing her magic had no effect on Aurum. Though the forms of Aurum turned their heads to her and faded into nothing right before her very eyes.
"Dammit. Stop toying with us!" yelled Oni. He backed himself into the rock face next to Miko and stood ready to fight back, even if they would be slaughtered in the end.
Aurum appeared between Miko and Oni, his presence just came into place as if he teleported right next to the two. He whispered into a distracted and paranoid ear of Oni, "Will you take me to Han?"
Oni's eyes widened and he turned around and fired a shot right into the chest of Aurum. Miko screamed and fell down the rock face, landing next to a tree. Her leg bleeding badly as the form of Aurum disappeared again.
"You shot me, Oni! Why!? It hurts!" cried out Miko, her hand wrapped around her leg. She placed her hand into the bullet wound and started to dig into it. The wound grew larger as she dug in and extracted some shrapnel from her leg. The armor piercing round did not shoot clean through her leg, but instead hit the thick metal plate and exploded into her at the close range.
Oni rushed down the hill and looked at her leg as she pulled out pieces of shrapnel from the bullet exploding in her. Then with the bloodied hand she closed her eyes and the wound healed and she stood up again.
Distracted, but not confused Oni kept a watch for the ghost-like Aurum. Shouting into the woods, "What do you want with Han?"
Aurum appeared next to Miko again, his body nuzzling the form of Miko without alerting her. He waved her hand in front of Miko's eyes and smiled. Miko yelled at Oni, completely unaware of Aurum's presence, "Oni!? Why did you shoot me!?"
Oni looked at her, "You can't see him next to you, his hand in front of your face?" Miko shook her head and looked around, but saw nothing at all.
"You've lost it Oni, there is no one here. Aurum is gone." she stated.
Oni shouted into the woods, "Aurum, show yourself to me! Why can't Miko see you? What's going on?"
The Aurum nuzzling Miko disappeared and laughter filled the woods before the cold voice spoke again, "I am a manifestation of your mind. I exist, but I don't exist. I can make myself appear to you or hide my presence from your senses. Take me to Han.
Oni looked around and yelled out, "You lie, you know where Han is. You take us to him!"
The figure of Aurum appeared again, propped up against the rock face, a grin on his face. He chuckled and smiled widely, "You are worthy. I can hide or show myself to anyone I please if they have Mother in them. I can break people and control them if they are weak-willed. Even now I control this soul-less body with Mother. Those foolish enough to act like my father make perfect shells, the absence of spirit in a still living body makes possession effortless."
Miko turned and gasped, "Sephiroth!?"
Aurum bowed and smiled, "A manifestation of my spirit through the soul-less. My beautiful fiancé, I await you at the Northern Crater. Oni, what you seek is also at the Northern Crater. Return to Kalm quickly. Han will be waiting."
The body of Aurum faded out. Oni turned to Miko and stared at each other.
"Fiancé?" Oni asked Miko.
"What do you seek, Oni?" Miko asked Oni.
The two stood looking at each other, an awkward moment in which both their innermost desires had been revealed. Sephiroth promised to marry Miko and deliver Oni with the means to get revenge on AVALANCHE. Truly, Sephiroth had returned.