THANK YOU ALL THAT HAVE REVIEWED AND I WANT THE REVIEWS TO KEEP COMIN SO TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK. I PROMISE THE STORY GETS A WHOLE LOT BETTER!
Neo glared angered as he watched Seriphron from his location. He quickly concealed himself to avoid detection and continued to watch Seriphron and the group in the hospital.
"Seriphron… Well that's certainly a strange and yet familiar name." Cid said as he thought for a moment and dismissed the idea. Seriphron bowed respectfully to each of the members of Avalanche before peering through the glass and spotted Tifa. He then saw Rufus and the position in which the man was above her.
"Excuse me…" Seriphron said as he opened the door and cleared his throat.
"What right do you have to place your pathetic hands upon her?" Seriphron questioned as Barret and the others entered. Rufus turned to face the man who had entered and nearly froze from shock.
"Sephiroth?" Rufus questioned as each member of Avalanche turned to Seriphron who shook his head.
"No… I am not Sephiroth… though I resemble him my loyalty has always been to Tifa and Cloud alone." Seriphron answered with a nod Yuffie glared at Seriphron and narrowed her eyes.
"You do look a lot like Sephiroth, now that I think about it." Yuffie frowned as Seriphron waved his hand in banishment of the idea.
"Sephiroth would never aid you; he was a fool who thought 'he' could rule the world as a god." Seriphron said as Cid and Barret laughed at his insult of Sephiroth. Seriphron stepped closer to Tifa's bed and placed his hand above her skull and a light began to emanate from the tips of his fingers.
Slowly, Tifa's fingers began to twitch as color returned to her features. Her eyelids fluttered for a moment and Seriphron stepped back pleased with his actions.
"She'll be just fine." He said as he turned to the others. "Have any of you seen Cloud?"
At the mention of Cloud's name, Tifa shot up in her bed and quickly grabbed her head due to the pain of the simple motion.
"Tifa are you okay?" Rufus questioned as he started to her side as Seriphron stepped closer as well.
"Miss Strife." He bowed as Rufus momentarily looked stunned before Tifa finally regarded Seriphron. Tifa shook the pain in her head away and glanced at Seriphron and narrowed her eyes in thought. As if reading her mind, Seriphron introduced himself.
"Tifa, I am Seriphron and I have come from a distant time to protect Cloud from his certain demise… please if you can tell me where he is before it is too late." Seriphron said as Tifa looked at him for a moment and shook her head.
"How do I know you aren't after him as well… and why did you call me 'Miss Strife'?" Tifa asked as Seriphron was shocked.
"I would never harm Cloud or you. There are others that have traveled through time to harm him and I must stop them before they can kill him. To answer your second question, you were his wife; it was the title you wished to be referred to in my time." Seriphron said determined. Vincent stepped forward and spoke before Tifa could think about his words.
"Tifa, I think I met up with your attacker recently… she had very…" Tifa stopped Vincent and spoke
"He… the person who attacked us was a 'he' not a 'she'…" Tifa interrupted and thought for a moment… she lifted her head to begin but Seriphron interrupted her.
"Vincent I believe the only culprit capable of that level of destruction in the specific way I came upon it, was a woman named Archia… did this girl have two guns that appeared out of nowhere?" Seriphron questioned as Vincent nodded lightly. Seriphron frowned as he realized who had come to kill Cloud. He turned to Tifa and continued. "Tell me about this male who attacked you."
"I forgot his name but he had two long spears… and red hair…" Tifa's mind was fuzzy and she wished she could have remembered the name the attacker had given her.
"Axel…" Seriphron growled as Tifa nodded at the familiarity of the name.
"That's it… his name was Axel… he told me to tell Cloud he was going to pay… Seriphron why do they want Cloud? Are there more of them?" Tifa asked worried that Cloud could be in danger. Seriphron looked at Tifa and nodded before he walked to the window and looked out before sighing.
"In the future, Cloud and you have united the world into the most peaceful place in the entire known galaxy… but there are those that wish to disrupt that peace… there is a group we refer to as the Exiled. These are individuals who are willing to destroy the unbelievable peace you and Cloud have brought to our world. They have killed each member of Avalanche without mercy… of the Exiled there are seven individuals who are the most dangerous… the leaders. I have clashed with only the two I have named but I did catch a glance at the one they all call their leader… he is a blasphemy… his very existence is a mockery of all you and Cloud have worked for." Seriphron growled as he shook away his anger.
"He and another of the seven have killed both you and Cloud in my world… and now he has come here to do the same. I will not allow them the chance to change history to their own tastes." Seriphron said as Tifa soaked up the information.
"Cloud is here in town." Vincent said and turned to Tifa. "If you call him, he'll come." Vincent added as Tifa jumped from her bed despite the pain and searched for her cell. Rufus seemed hurt from the complete dismissal of his presence but he went to Tifa's side to aid her in standing. Tifa held the phone to her ear as she heard the dial tone finally come up.
"He's gonna answer…." Tifa said aloud to herself in disbelief. Her heart was pounding widely as the dial tone continued until a click was heard followed by his voice.
"Hello… Tifa?" Cloud's voice spoke as Tifa's eyes watered as she smiled and spoke.
"Cloud, it's good to hear your voice again." Tifa smiled as she tried to control her tears of joy from just hearing his voice. "Cloud come down to the hospital quickly and be careful please… I can't wait to see you again." Tifa whispered into the phone as Cloud gave back acknowledgement of her words before hanging up. She turned to Rufus who smiled softly to her and embraced her in a slight hug. Tifa hugged back and allowed him to lead her back to her bed.
█
Neo frowned as he reported back to Cain, Archia and Axel. The three were shocked from the news.
"What! Seriphron is here?" Axel frowned in frustration as Archia tried to stop pacing.
"We nearly were killed in the last fight against him…" Archia added nervously. Cain sighed as he stood up and thought.
"Seriphron only knows about the identity of Axel and Archia… that means if we keep the two of you out in the field we won't have to worry about him knowing we are all here." Cain said. Neo frowned and interjected.
"Archia and Axel aren't that expandable… We can handle him… it's seven of us and one of him." Neo added as an afterthought.
"True but Seriphron has just as much skill as the Cloud of our time if not more… I watched as he nearly killed Axel and Archia. He maybe just as strong as Cloud which means he may be a serious problem..." Avius said. His brother only sighed before Lexa frowned. The trio had arrived moments ago after hearing Neo's report.
"We still have yet to locate Dr. Lacrosse… my hunches have all been wrong… Seriphron will no doubt get to Jenova's essence way before us." Lexa said as Avius folded his arms over his chest.
"Though that is seen as a bad thing… it just means will have to deal with them sooner than later." Avius added as Cain spoke.
"Then what should be done now?" Avius questioned his brother who looked at Archia and Axel.
"The two of you are going to attack in a few moments. But not because Seriphron will think only you two are here… he knows that we have all come… he's smart." He began nonchalantly. Archia and Axel glanced at one another and accepted their roles. "Lexa get ready to continue searching… Seriphron will try to find Dr. Lacrosse and since he will be capable of locating Jenova's essence, we will have a chance to get to it before they can get their hands on it. That means you are all to be ready at a moment's notice." He said as his eyes narrowed.
"I will destroy all hope of their future utopia…" He thought aloud to himself quietly.
█
Cloud entered the hospital with little trouble and made his way up to Tifa's room. As he stepped off the elevator a young man who resembled Sephiroth smiled to him. Cloud had kept his weapon with him and instantly unsheathed the massive blade and pointed it at the young man.
"Wait, Cloud I mean you no harm… I am here to aid you." Seriphron began as Cloud's eyes narrowed.
"Where's Tifa?" Cloud growled. Before Cloud could do anything violent Seriphron lead Cloud into the room where Tifa and the rest of Avalanche including Rufus awaited his appearance.
"Cloud" Tifa gasped as she stood from her bed fully clothed as tears threatened to fall from her eyes. Cloud walked towards her and hugged her close to him and then turned his gaze to Rufus who regarded him with a look of mistrust. Cloud looked away and sighed.
"I'm so sorry Tifa… it's my fault." Cloud began as he pulled Tifa from him and held her at arms length in front of him.
"It's alright now Cloud, you're here and safe… that all I could ever ask for." Tifa smiled as Cloud only shook his head. "Cloud, we've all missed you so much… I'm so glad that you're safe…" Tifa repeated as Cloud turned to Seriphron and Tifa began to speak again. "He's Seriphron and he's here to help… I know he looks like Sephiroth but he's not him…"
"I don't want his help…" Cloud said as he eyed the Sephiroth twin.
"Trust me Cloud these people are far more powerful than Sephiroth ever believed he was… they will stop at nothing to kill you. They have learned all of your skills and know your movements, not only that but they have unreal speed and strength, easily surpassing the best that were within the SOLDIER program." Seriphron said as he stepped next to Cloud and bowed slightly before continuing, "I am here because I failed to protect you in my time. I was going to be the head guard for you and your wife, Tifa." Cloud froze for a moment in shock.
'Tifa… my wife' Cloud thought as he caught her gaze as she blushed in front of him.
"In Seriphron's time we're married… and we've united the planet so that peace is everywhere… Seriphron said that no one starves and everyone is happy." Tifa said as she avoided his gaze from embarrassment. Cloud turned to Seriphron who nodded, confirming Tifa's words.
"How do you know that this time and yours are connected? What makes you think that if anything changes here it will affect your world?" Cloud asked as Seriphron smiled.
"The scientists of my time have a theory called Complete Occurrence. It states that the future can't be changed because in the end if all individuals present in the future still exist in the past during time transfer and time retransfer, then the future is inevitable. The only things that change the future is the death of important 'world changing' individuals and other major changes that would stop those important individuals from continuing on their path." Seriphron said as Cloud looked at Tifa and then back to Seriphron.
"So, if they kill me…" Cloud started
"The possibilities of such a tragedy are deadly." Seriphron stated as he looked to Tifa, "She is just as important as you are Cloud… but the Exiled believe that without you Tifa will not matter." Cloud shook his head trying to make sense of the information he was taking in… beings from the future wanted his death and they would be stronger than Sephiroth. Seriphron sighed as Tifa looked to Cloud who stood amazed and confused.
"Cloud we'll fight through this together." Tifa grabbed his shoulders and shook him and looked into his eyes. "Come on Cloud, we have Seriphron here to aid us… we won't lose I know we can win and stop this threat if we all pull together right everyone?" Tifa turned to the others and received a nod from each of them. "We'll find Red XIII and then…" Cloud interrupted Tifa as he spoke aloud to Seriphron.
"Tell me how did we die?" Cloud asked in a solemn voice. Seriphron looked down and seemed ashamed. He sighed and turned to Cloud and spoke.
"I know you may become displeased with my failure but I shall not hold anything from you Cloud. To be honest I arrived too late. Tifa had been cut up in a grotesque manner and when I inspected her body closer I noticed she had been beheaded I found her head several yards away from the scene…. The one I believe to be the leader was pulling his blade from your body that was the only blemish upon you. He was greatly injured but I could not see his face… I tried to avenge your death but I was confronted by two of the assailants you have some knowledge of now: Axel the one who attacked Tifa and Archia, the one who has brought destruction to this area." Seriphron stated as Cloud thought for a moment and shook his head.
"I won't let them do that to Tifa! Where are they?" Cloud asked as Seriphron began to speak but Cloud continued. "Where are they?" Cloud asked as Seriphron began but Tifa started.
"Cloud, I'm disgusted by this also but you can't let rage consume you. I know you're afraid of such a future but we can't rush into this without a plan." Tifa said quickly.
"I left, because I thought my friends would be safe… I wanted to protect you Tifa… and those monsters would do that to you…" Cloud growled as his anger began to flare again. Seriphron nodded solemnly and spoke.
"They wish to attack you before you have reached full strength. There is a doctor here in this realm, now that can bring out even greater strength in you… though even that won't guarantee that you'll survive the fight it will give me someone that can at least hold two of them off as I battle the rest." Seriphron began as Barret cut in.
"We'll be right there alongside of ya." Barret said boldly as Seriphron nodded.
"Just be careful… the future depends on your survival to reach the utopia we were before the Exiled began this horrible war." Seriphron said as he looked outside. "Even now one of them is using the elements to hinder our progress."
"You mean they can control the weather?" Rufus asked as Seriphron regarded him nonchalantly. Rufus was taken back a bit by the look but ignored it and continued. "So is it true or not, Seriphron?" Rufus asked again as the young man nodded.
"Great we got a freak that can manipulate the weather of the planet." Cid called out, Seriphron looked out the window and suddenly two figures in black hooded coats appeared atop a building across from the hospital.
"There they are… Archia and Axel" Seriphron calmly spoke. The rain began to pour harder as the window the group tried to see through became blurred because of the water pounding it. Seriphron narrowed his eyes as he noticed one of the black figures begin to aim in their direction.
"We must leave now!" Seriphron yelled as the entire group rushed out of the room. Seriphron held his hand up as a large beam sliced through the side of the hospital. Luckily, Seriphron's barrier blocked most of the attack. Cloud got to his feet after the explosion and checked for Tifa, who was being shielded with Rufus's body.
Cloud watched as Rufus helped Tifa stand and he noticed the glance Tifa gave him… so secretive and full of emotion. She turned her eyes to Cloud quickly and smiled.
Archia and Axel jumped from their location and attacked the group immediately. Seriphron headed out to meet them but a bolt of lightening struck him out of the sky and into the ground below. This gave Archia and Axel a chance to directly attack Cloud and the rest of Avalanche.
"Remember Axel we have to get them to show us where the essence is… that means no killing." Archia called to him as he used his two long metallic double edged spears to attack Cid and Cloud.
Archia landed on the level above Tifa and Vincent and shot several shots below her. As she did this Yuffie and Barret were readying a double teamed attack for the woman.
Archia lifted her head and saw a shuriken heading her way and stood her ground. She knew that when she jumped Barret or another of the Avalanche group were going to fire, so instead, Archia simply caught the weapon and tossed it aside.
"How'd she catch my weapon?" Yuffie huffed as Barret pushed her to the side and fired his arm cannon.
Cloud and Cid were doing their best to avoid the powerful swings of the spears but because Axel swung them so fast and hard each time Cloud parried or blocked a blow the wind that followed the weapons would knock them off balance. Also it was extremely difficult to fully block Axel's actions because of his strength.
When it seemed as though Axel had gotten the upper hand Seriphron appeared.
"Axel…" Seriphron growled as Axel turned to face him and then Archia appeared next to him.
"Seriphron… good to see that you're still breathing… for now" Axel grinned Seriphron materialized a long double-bladed masamune into his left hand and attacked. Axel and Archia vanished before the blade could get to close and reappeared on the building they were on before the attack began.
"Seriphron… I hope you can get to Jenova's essence before us… we knew where it lies now…" Axel laughed as he and Archia vanished. Seriphron quickly checked Cloud and Tifa's condition.
"Jenova's Essence" Cloud repeated aloud and Seriphron nodded.
"Come, there is little time… we must get to it before them… I know exactly where it is. We don't have a moment to spare." Seriphron said with urgency.
██
The next chapter will become very twisted and strange… so stay with me as the story unfolds okay… and keep reviewing!