Okiedokie…the last chapter was, um, pointless? But I wanted to put in a teensy bit more interaction between the characters…specifically between the couples before revealing the gory details of Sephiroth's plan as Red XIII sees it. Oh, and if you're expecting the battle to start right away, that's going to be in the next chapter still…XD

Now for the thank yous to all who reviewed:

spikestrife: Thanks for the vote of confidence and, um, they're not going to fight yet, all the action's in the next chapter still, but I've already started working on it, so you won't have so long to wait. It's pretty much planned out in my head. XD

jisAtsU siLENcE: Thank you for the review and the encouragement. It really helped, believe it or not. Hope you like this chapter! (crosses fingers) XD

GundamWingFanatic90: I love the pairing too. XD heheh, Sephiroth's gonna get it, that's all I have to say. Hope I updated soon enough and thanks for the 'good luck' oh, and gundam wing's great! Trowa's definitely my favorite (weird hair though) hehe

Within the darkness,

You are the light that shines a way…

Chapter 8 – Is there Hope?

What do you fight for?

Who do you fight for?

If you stand to lose everything, will you hold your ground…

Or give up?

Cosmo Canyon

Five minutes after they disembarked, the members of Avalanche stood at the entrance to Cosmo Canyon, and waiting in front of that entrance was their friend, Nanaki. They went through the usual formalities, and then Nanaki suggested they go up to his late grandfather's observatory…

The group had gathered inside the large room, waiting in tense silence, until…

"Hey Red, where's Reeve?" Barret asked.

"I'm right here." Reeve answered instead, entering the room.

Barret opened his mouth to say something, but Cloud, all business now, interrupted him. "Nanaki, what else have you learned about Sephiroth and his plan?"

Everyone's eyes turned to Nanaki. "It is worse than I feared-Sephiroth has grown strong…much stronger than what I first thought."

He looked at everyone, somehow feeling like it was to be the last time they were to see each other… "No…there has to be a way! We can still defeat him…there just has to be some way…"

Reeve's grave voice cut through the stiff silence, saying, "Nanaki…please, continue."

He nodded, though he detested what he was about to say. "Sephiroth…he has gained the power of the Ancients, and he intends to use it to destroy the world to build a new one in its place-a world where he alone can live, a world where he is immortal.

"T-that's crazy!" Yuffie stammered.

Nanaki looked at her. "As crazy as Sephiroth himself."

Vincent spoke up. "What must we do, Nanaki?"

Red shook his head regretfully. "I do not know; I was hoping we could think up a plan together."

A long, awkward silence followed.

Cloud looked at the expressions on his friends' faces, knowing he must be wearing exactly the same one. The same look of anger mixed with frustration at the bleak situation. It seemed all was lost…but he still wasn't ready to give up. At least, not without a fight. He looked at Tifa. Her face was leeched of color. "I'm not giving up…our future is worth fighting for…I believe in it."

He reached out, took his girlfriend's hand in his, and said in a quiet, reassuring voice, "I'm not giving up; and you shouldn't either. There must still be a way."

She looked at him. "Cloud…" And she threw her arms around him, trembling, not a trace of the optimistic girl she usually was showing. "I-I'm scared."

"I know. It'll be alright…just…don't give up. I'll be right there with you."

"Thank you." she said, holding him tighter, afraid of what was to come, and knowing that, even if it meant losing each other, they couldn't just quit…

Yuffie watched as Tifa threw her arms around Cloud. She could see that her friend was shaking violently; and, although she wanted to help her, she understood that the only one who could ease Tifa's troubles was Cloud.

She was scared, too…and her heartbeat was predictably erratic. Just then, she felt a hand wrap around hers. It was cool, almost icy…she looked down at the hand that held hers, and followed it up to the arm, and, finally, to the face of its owner. "Vincent…" she murmured.

He said nothing; just continued to hold her hand.

She knew what the gesture meant, though, and she was grateful for it. "Thank you."

He turned to look at her. "You're welcome."

Nothing more was said after this, but, in that instant of time, they both realized and accepted what they had felt and denied - their feelings…but this just wasn't the right time for that. There were simply too many other things to worry about; but maybe after it was all over and they were still alive…maybe then.

Nanaki, regarded as the most knowledgeable member of Avalanche, was without a clue. He knew not what they had to do, but he felt that they had to do something. It wouldn't be right if they simply surrendered to Sephiroth's will. At least, he thought it wasn't. And then he thought of something. "Wait…Sephiroth is stronger, but he's still mortal…so maybe…" He turned to Cloud. "Cloud?"

He turned. "Yeah?"

"I have to something to tell you…"

Barret was leaning on a wall, feeling like his world was tumbling down all around him. He felt helpless, and, if there was anything he wanted to do right then, it was to see his daughter before he got sent to the afterlife. It felt horrible, having thoughts like this, but he didn't think there was any hope left. And the atmosphere in the room wasn't helping matters; it was all gloomy and tense…so he turned on his heel and walked out.

Reeve watched Barret walk out of the room, and, deciding to do the same thing, he turned around and started on his way, but he was stopped by a heavy hand on his shoulder. It was Cid.

"What is it, Cid?" he asked.

"You givin' up without even tryin'?"

"…I don't think there's anything we can do, Cid…"

"Of course there is; we'll think of something. I know it."

Reeve shook his head in denial. "I can't believe that right now, Cid. Sephiroth almost succeeded in destroying the Planet before, and we were barely able to stop him. He's stronger now; you heard it too, didn't you? What can we possibly do…"

"We can fight."

"What? But…that's impossible…" he said, his voice strained.

"I don't think it is, Reeve." Cloud stated.

Reeve turned. All of his friends were looking at him; and he could see that none of them had given up…and maybe he shouldn't either. He turned to face their leader. "What do we do, Cloud?"

"Well, first of all, we can't just throw in the towel, so that means we go and fight him. It's not impossible to beat him right now; he's still mortal, and that means he can still be killed."

"But…he has the power of the Cetra."

"Yeah, but that doesn't make him invincible. Even the Ancients can die."

"Maybe…maybe you're right." Reeve said, hopeful again.

Cloud turned to stand in front of them, slipping almost effortlessly into his role as their leader. "All you really have to do is trust yourselves and the power you posses…but you can't fight for something you don't believe in, so if there is even a sliver of doubt in your minds, I want you guys to think it over. Remember what you're fighting for. I know I've asked you to do this before, but this is something we all need to do. If we do this, if we go to battle with Sephiroth, we have to do it without regret." he finished, turning his head in the direction of Barret who had re-entered the room moments before he had started speaking.

Nanaki was the first to talk. "I'm going." he said quietly.

"Me too!" Yuffie said.

"I'm going too." Vincent stated.

"I'm in." Cid, Reeve and Barret announced at the same time.

Tifa smiled softly. They would all battle together, just like they had then. "I'll go, too."

Cloud had to smile. "Okay. Now we just need to think of a plan…"

And so they buckled down and worked on that plan all through the night.

4:00 am

Yuffie yawned loudly. "Man, I am so tired!"

The comment was followed by several agreements.

It had taken a lot of time and energy, but they had finally come up with a plan. At this point, it was the only logical thing they could come up with, so they decided to go with it.

Tifa stretched; her muscles felt stiff. "I think we should all get some rest; we're going to need all the energy we can muster for the battle with Sephiroth."

"You're right." Vincent said, looking like he had slept in a comfortable bed instead of staying up all night like the rest of them.

Cid grumbled. "Yo, Vincent, aren't you tired?"

"No."

"Man, I am so jealous of you." Cloud said, wearing a tired grin.

Barret laughed. "Heh, you look like a zombie, Cloud."

Cloud glared at him. "Oh yeah? You're one to talk, Barret! You look like you got run over by a dozen chocobos!"

They ended up chasing each other across the room like little boys playing tag. It was a light-hearted sight that took away a little bit of the tense atmosphere that had been threatening to smother them.

Tifa had to smile. That was right. They had to make the most out of their time together; there was no use worrying too much about something you had no control over. "No matter what happens now, we can have no regrets."

Reeve watched his friends laugh and run around, making a lot of noise. It was hard to believe that they could be like this hours before they had to face Sephiroth again, but…that was how they were. And he wouldn't change it for anything.

He had been ready to give up, but now he realized that if he had let that happen, he would've regretted it immensely. He was glad he had decided not to. Then he yawned…loudly.

Moments later, the sound started to echo throughout the room. Yuffie stood up from where she was sitting, cross-legged in a corner and declared that she was going to sleep.

Soon after, the rest of the crew decided to do the same…

4:25 am

Vincent stood outside, watching the moon slowly make its way across the still dark sky. It would be dawn soon, but he wasn't tired…and besides, he had had more than enough sleep in the years when he had lain in that stuffy coffin inside the damp, cold basement in the Shinra mansion. "In a few hours, we face Sephiroth again..."

He let out a sigh. He knew it wasn't going to be easy…it would be their most difficult fight yet, in fact, and it was likely he would need Chaos's strength; and though it gave him unrestrained power, there was the chance that he could lose himself in it, and if he failed to control it he would be that monstrosity for good. "Chaos…"

Just then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. "What're you doing out here?" It was Cloud's voice.

"Just thinking." he replied.

"About the battle?"

"Yes."

Vincent glanced at Cloud. The blond-haired man looked lost in thought. He decided not to bother him, but Cloud spoke then. "Did you want to ask me something, Vincent?"

"Yes." he answered, not at all surprised that Cloud had noticed his earlier action.

"What is it?"

"You asked us earlier to examine our feelings and remember what we're fighting for…and now I'm asking you. What are you fighting for?"

"I'd like to say I'm fighting to save the Planet, but…I'm not." He smiled faintly. "It's selfish, but I'm really only fighting for myself…and for her."

"That's natural, I suppose. After all, she's important to you."

"Yeah…" he said, thinking of her…of Tifa.

And then, "Vincent, do you know what you're fighting for?"

"…I'm not sure anymore. I suppose I'm fighting for a lot of things."

"…I see…"

Cloud started to walk away, but just before he reached the stairs, he said, "Think about it, Vincent. Before we ever even set foot in the Northern Crater, you have to know…you have to know what's really important to you." He turned around to face his friend. "Remember…no regrets, alright?" "It's up to you now, Yuffie. Make him see."

With that, he turned and ran down the steps.

"No regrets…huh? He laughed; a low, joyless chuckle. "It's too late. I've done too many things I regret. I am guilty."

"What's so funny?" a voice said, startling him. The voice belonged to the only girl who could ever hope to break his stony façade…Yuffie.

"Y-Yuffie! How long have you been here?"

"Long enough."

"How much did you hear?"

"Well, now, let's see…oh…EVERYTHING!" she answered, grinning.

He stared at her. "She heard everything? But…how could I not sense her presence?"

She laughed. "Are you wondering why you didn't realize I was here?"

"As a matter of fact, I was."

"It's because you were so preoccupied. Even Cloud knew I was here." she said, not a hint of laughter in her expression.

He frowned. "Cloud knew?"

She walked over to him. "Vincent…can I ask you something?"

He looked warily at her. "…What is it?"

"What do you regret the most?"

Deafening silence was her answer.

"Vincent, please. I know this is difficult for you, but you need to face up to it. It's the only way you can be free." she pleaded, actually serious for once.

He hated to do it, but he would have to deny her; no one could know. Not even her. He turned around… That was a mistake.

As soon as his eyes met hers, he knew he would never, not in a million years be able to deny her…anything. He hated it. He sighed deeply.

"Vincent?"

He smiled reluctantly. She really was persistent. "You know what I regret most, Yuffie."

Understanding showed in her eyes. "…Lucrecia."

He nodded. "I could never forgive myself for letting all that happen to her…"

"It was her choice, wasn't it?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"It wasn't your fault." she said decisively.

"What are you saying?" he asked, frowning.

"She chose to be with Hojo, didn't she? She chose to have Jenova's cells injected into her, didn't she?"

"…Yes." he replied, finally understanding.

"She was a fool." Yuffie whispered, suddenly very angry.

Vincent heard her mumble something under her breath, but it was too low for him to hear. "What are you murmuring about?"

She looked him in the eye and said in a very serious, angry half-whisper, "I said she was a fool."

"What! She did what she had to do-"

"She did what she wanted to do. She was just being selfish; she had no right to scorn you," she said, referring to the time when they had gone to the underwater cave.

He was lost for words. "Was she really…?"

Flashback

Lucrecia looked at him sadly. "I'm a scientist, Vincent, and so is he. We know what we're doing."

"No! Lucrecia, don't do it!"

She shook her head. "Please. Just…leave me alone, okay?"

He was left standing alone in the cold.

End of flashback

"It was her choice…" the thought repeated itself in his mind incessantly, and it was followed by another, one which made him question the correctness of everything he had ever done for her. "She wanted to do it. She chose to make an experiment of her own child…"

"Lucrecia…" he muttered, clenching his fists.

"Vincent." Yuffie said, shaking him from his reverie.

"What is it?"

"Don't…don't hate her."

"…Why shouldn't I?" he asked bitterly.

"You…loved her, right?"

Vincent nodded stiffly.

"Then I think…you should give her the benefit of the doubt. Getting angry isn't the best option right now; not if we hope to beat that silver-haired creep."

"You're right." he said, smiling. "She's matured, but she's still a child at heart. It's endearing…" he thought, forgetting his anger for the moment.

"Wasn't that a bit too easy?" she thought, a little surprised and confused.

"Yuffie." he said, waving his hand in front of her face. She'd spaced out again.

"Huh? What is it?" she asked.

"You were angry." he said softly.

She nodded. "Does it matter?" she asked, a feeling of impending doom settling on her. (a trifle exaggerated, ne?)

"It matters to me." he replied, his voice still soft, almost kind, and filled with something that was very like joy.

Yuffie was taken aback by the unexpected sweetness of his words. She had never imagined Vincent had this side in his personality…and she liked it. "W-why does it matter?" she asked, even more confused because she was so nervous.

"Because it's you." he said sentimentally. (all this is taken right off the top of my head)

She blushed. "Thank you." she said, for lack of anything better to say in reply.

He reached out and brushed his hand against her cheek, making her turn even redder.

Yuffie's heart was pounding hard. She didn't know how to respond; Vincent was acting very affectionate and she didn't know how to deal with it…so she did the only thing she could think of.

She changed the subject.

"So, um, Vincent, what do you want to do after this is all over?"

Vincent, who but a moment before had been looking at her with warm eyes, pulled away abruptly and withdrew behind his wall of indifference. "What was I doing? Yuffie's attitude must be rubbing off on me."

"I don't want to think about it just yet." he said shortly.

"There he goes again. Yuffie, you idiot! Look at what you've done; he's withdrawn again."

"I understand," she said, wanting to make him revert to the person he'd been just a scant second before; the person she knew was the real Vincent. "Just…think about what I said, ok? And…about Chaos…if you turn into him…" she trailed off, thinking of what could happen.

"I might need Chaos' power." he said quietly, confirming her worst fear.

"But...if you turn into Chaos, you could lose yourself in your anger…and then you won't be you anymore." she whispered, the thought of it making her inexplicably sad for some reason.

He heard the thread of sadness and worry in her voice and smiled. She really did care for him. "Don't worry. I'll be fine." "I have something…someone…to return to, after all."

She studied his face for a moment, her eyes soft and unexpectedly moist with tears. "Do you promise?"

"I promise." he said, wiping her tears.

"Thank you."

Scene Change

Cloud was lying on his back, his head on Tifa's lap, thinking.

Tifa sat with Cloud cradled in her lap, also thinking. "Do you think it worked?" she asked.

"Yeah. I think both of them already knew what they felt for each other; all they needed was a little push."

She laughed. "I suppose so."

He looked at her. "Are you happy?"

She smiled. "Of course."

"Good. Vincent's a hard one to crack."

"I agree. He's always so…distant. But he still helped us out, so it's only right we do him this little favor in return."

"Yeah… Hey, Tifa?"

"Hmmm?"

"Don't forget…later…be careful, okay? For me?"

She kissed his cheek. "I will. You do the same, okay?"

He nodded, standing. "We should get some sleep. It's going to be a long day."

"Alright." she replied.

And so they walked to the room they shared, hand in hand. (before your thoughts wander too far, they only sleep! Hehe)

7:15 am

The first stream of light came into the room, waking a reluctant Cloud Strife. He opened his eyes and looked around, his gaze falling on the woman who was lying beside him, in his arms. Tifa. Smiling, he pressed his lips to her forehead, waking her.

Tifa opened her eyes and smiled at what she saw. "Hey."

"Good morning." He sighed unhappily. "It's time."

She closed her eyes. "Already?"

"Afraid so."

She sat up. "I feel like I just fell asleep."

He lay back on the bed. "I was kind of hoping this day wouldn't come."

She looked at him. "I know. I feel the same way."

He sighed loudly. "Well, there's nothing for it. We have to go."

She nodded. "Let's just get this over with."

9:15 am

The group walked down the treacherous path on the way to where Sephiroth was bound to be waiting for them. When they were halfway there, a deafening crash was heard.

"What was that!" Yuffie exclaimed.

"I don't know. But I have a feeling we're about to find out." Cloud answered grimly.

Unfortunately for them, he was right. A scant second after the words left his lips, they came across a deep, seemingly endless chasm, and the only way across was a narrow, crumbly ridge on its right side.

Cloud was the first to cross, followed by Tifa and Nanaki and the rest of Avalanche.

A few feet away from reaching the other side, a large stalactite came falling from the cave's roof, making all of them hang on to anything they could, except for Tifa, who had lost her balance and was now holding on to Cloud's hand, her dark eyes wide with fear.

"Hang on! Don't let go!" Cloud yelled, feeling like his heart would jump out of his chest.

"Cloud…!"

Nanaki bit Cloud's shirt and pulled with all his might.

After what felt like an eternity, they managed to pull her up and get her on safe ground on the other side.

"…Are you okay?" Cloud asked her, his eyes filled with worry.

"Y-yes…just a little shaken up, that's all."

He held her tighter. "I'm glad…"

Just then, an image loomed before them, an illusion…of Sephiroth himself. And he was smirking.

"Problems?" he mocked.

"Sephiroth!" Cloud hissed.

"If you're having problems this early in the game, you should turn back now. You cannot hope to defeat me."

"We'll see about that!" Barret yelled.

"You're goin' down!" Cid chimed in.

Sephiroth laughed; a maniacal, haunting laugh that made the hairs on the back of their necks rise. "You're fools, all of you. I cannot lose. But…since you're all so eager to die, I'll be happy to oblige you."

Then the image simply vanished.

"That Sephiroth…he thinks he's already won!" Barret shouted, irate.

"Let's just go." Vincent said, calm as could be.

Barret sighed. "…You're right. Hey, Cloud! Let's get moving!"

Cloud nodded. "Sephiroth is going to regret provoking me."

With those words, Avalanche continued on, determined to put an end to Sephiroth and everything he represented.

a/n: Okay, that's it. all the action starts next chapter. Sorry if this chapter's a bit confusing, but my mind's pretty cluttered at the moment. Anyway, tell me what you guys think, alright? Thanks. Until next chapter!