Disclaimer: The characters and places in this story all belong to Square-Enix and the creators of Final Fantasy VII.

Notes to the story: This chapter follows the events of the game pretty closely. Of course, the original Battle Arena fight is a lot tougher - I think you have to fight about 5 enemies, but since that'd take way too long, and would be way too boring, I only wrote one fight.

Ciao!

-Ludi

-oOo-

: Chapter Seventeen : Battles and Trials

The people of Wutai seemed to be well-versed in the legends of the Ancients. Asking Lord Godo of the whereabouts of the Temple of the Ancients confirmed what Cait Sith had said - that it lay somewhere on the East Continent. Cloud was eager to leave Wutai and search for Sephiroth again. They had wasted precious time being caught in the storm and spending the night in Wutai. If they did not start moving soon, then they might lose Sephiroth for good. Godo, however, informed Cloud that it was not possible to simply go straight into the temple. The legends, he explained, said that in order to enter the temple meant having an artifact called the Keystone. With the Keystone alone could access into the inner sanctuary of the temple be obtained - the outer sanctuary meant nothing.

Godo also provided information as to the location of the Keystone. It had reached his ears that a weapon seller east of Gongaga had found the Keystone and was selling it for a large amount of money. Cloud knew he had to act fast. Sephiroth would be after the artifact - and so would the Shinra, who were also after Sephiroth. Cloud personally had become suspicious of the Shinra's motives for capturing the man. While it seemed reasonable at first that he was being hunted for the murder of the late President, it was now more credible that they wanted him out of the way so that they could lay claim to the Promised Land alone. Or perhaps they were hoping that Sephiroth would lead them straight to the Promised Land without them having to do the dirty work themselves. However, it seemed that they had largely underestimated Sephiroth's power, and Cloud felt that sooner or later they would pay for it.

Just before the group had set off, Yuffie had stopped them. She had decided to stay with them. Cloud had had mixed feelings about this, but since he and Yuffie seemed to be getting on better now - and since the group didn't seem the same without her - he decided it couldn't be a bad thing.

"I am going to prove to my father," she'd explained, "that I am a worthy member of the Wutai warrior-clan. And I want to make him forget about what I did to displease him. See?"

And so, after two days in Wutai, the nine began their journey in the Tiny Bronco for the New Continent. Sure enough, to the East of Gongaga village, lying on the edge of a small peninsula, was the small house of the renowned weapon seller. Unfortunately, while the Keystone had indeed come into his possession, it transpired that he had recently sold it to Dio, the fun-loving owner of the Gold Saucer. While Cloud was reluctant to meet Dio again, there was no choice but to ride the Ropeway again up to the Gold Saucer. Those that hadn't visited the amusement park were thrilled to have some proper recreation time, primarily Cid and Yuffie.

"Wow!" Yuffie exclaimed on arrival. "After all that hassle back in Wutai, I could do with a bit of fun!" If anything the Gold Saucer seemed noisier than usual - the music was particularly cheery, and even more actors in stuffed suits were waddling around looking ridiculous. Cloud, who had little time for frivolities anymore, merely grunted.

"Hang on a minute 'little sis'," he said sarcastically. "We're not here to muck around, in case you hadn't noticed. We're here to get the Keystone."

Cid glared at him evilly.

"Cloud, you're such a killjoy. Sometimes I just don't know whether I bother hangin' with you. Even workin' the on Space Program got me more time off than in this here little band."

Cloud ignored the remark.

"Shut up Cid, and smoke your cigarette."

Putting on a disgruntled expression, Cid scowled and stuffed his forever-present cigarette between his lips. Cloud looked at the information screen and scratched the back of his head.

"Now, where are we going to find Dio and the Keystone?"

Cait Sith seemed to know a lot about the affair, which wasn't surprising since he'd worked at the Gold Saucer.

"If you go the Battle Arena, you'll find Dio's Showroom," he told them. "That's where he keeps his special collectors items and puts them on show."

"Well, I suppose we'll just have to go there and ask him nicely," Cloud sighed. "God, I'm going to hate this."

"Don't worry," Aerith told him slyly. "He thinks you're into Sephiroth, remember?"

He stared at her in mock offence.

"That'll be the day. Aerith, I thought you'd know by now that I'm a ladies' man."

Tifa looked at them suspiciously.

"What's going on here?"

"Oh, you know that Dio guy," Barret grinned scurrilously. "He definitely bats for the other side."

"And he'sinto Cloud!" she cried, horrified. "Oh no!"

Cloud's protests went largely unnoticed, and as they walked to Dio's Showroom he was left feeling strangely nervous. The showroom itselfwas a small chamber off the main Battle Square that housed many precious antiques Dio had collected over the years. In fact, many of the items on show seemed fairly dubious, but the only thing that was of interest to Cloud was the Keystone. It rested on a purple cushion on a marble pedestal in the centre of the room. As Cloud and the others were looking up at the tiny, almost insignificant piece of rock, Dio himself entered the hall. He was, of course, delighted to see Cloud again.

"Ah, you've decided to come and visit me again, boy. Such a pleasure to see you."

"You too," Cloud replied dismally, seeing the furtive grins on his friends' faces.

Dio beamed at him, dismissing his less than enthusiastic tone.

"And what can I do for you, my boy?"

Cloud, while secretly aching to shout at him and tell him not to call him 'my boy', spoke through a clenched, false smile.

"I was wondering, Dio. Could you lend me this stone? I need it badly."

Dio frowned.

"Do you want to borrow it, or do you want to keep it?"

"Well..."

Seeing Cloud's uncertainty, Dio suddenly smiled again and crossed his arms over his muscular chest.

"Hmm. You want something and I happen to be the one who has it. I think this sounds like the making of a bargain."

Cloud froze, involuntarily fearing the worst. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to agree to a bargain with Dio, whatever it may be.

"What will it be?"

Dio saw the doubtful look on his face and gave a short laugh.

"There's no need to be so worried. It's only a small thing you could do for me."

"All right," Cloud replied shortly.

"Well," Dio began smilingly, "I'd like you to do a spot of fighting for me in the Battle Arena. Do you think you could?"

"Is this for your personal entertainment?" Cid asked with a hint of disdain, failing to keep his opinions to himself. Dio glowered at him but said nothing to him and continued speaking to Cloud.

"You'll fight against one of my best fighters. Is that okay with you?"

Cloud shrugged, trying to pass off as unconcerned. "If you say so."

Dio grinned. "That's my boy! Now if you could just wait here a moment while I have the arena prepared, and then I shall send for you immediately. If you would just read over the rules while you're waiting..."

Cloud nodded and Dio left with a springy step. Once he was out of earshot, Yuffie broke into giggles.

"Awww, Dio wants big, strong Cloud to prove his strength and manliness!"

Cloud scowled heavily at her, especially when he saw that everyone else was trying to suppress their smiles. "Hey, don't push it!"

"Don't worry, Cloud," Tifa smiled up at him, taking his arm. "I know just how strong and manly you really are!"

"Is that right?" Aerith remarked, raising a well-marked eyebrow.

Soon Cloud was hurriedly led away to the Battle Arena. This was a raised platform surrounded by a dull, swirling moat, with seats all around for an audience to watch the battles from. As Dio ushered him on to the platform, he grinned at Cloud.

"Feeling nervous?"

Cloud looked at him in mild disbelief.

"Why should I be feeling nervous?" he asked loftily.

Dio said nothing and snapped his fingers. From a drawbridge on the opposite side of the arena, a man appeared from through the door. Cloud stared up in astonishment. A hulking, muscular man had entered into the arena, wielding a mighty double-edged axe in his oversized hand. He must've been 7 foot at the very least, and weighed at least the same as a fair-sized truck. Dio slapped Cloud cheerfully on the back.

"As I say, ' The brave never fear the grave.' Good luck, my boy."

Cloud rolled his eyes in annoyance. Why did he get himself into these things? He was squandering valuable time fighting an axe-wielding maniac, and all for Dio's personal entertainment. He didn't see why he should be put through this waste of time just to get the Keystone. It was getting more than ridiculous.

Drawing his sword, Cloud stepped forward and smiled cockily at his opponent.

"Well, guess we've got to see this thing through then."

The bulky man stumped forward, slapping the handle of his axe menacingly on his palm - the platform vibrated with every step he took.

"Only one of this is gonna see this through, little boy," he growled, "And it ain't gonna be you."

Cloud waggled his finger at him, gesturing for him to come over.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

The man scowled at him.

"You think you're so hot, don't you? Well, you won't be smilin' once I get this axe through you!"

With a loud battle-cry, the larger man raced forward, charging at Cloud with a surprising agility for someone his size, brandishing his weapon with a frightening sturdiness. It was all Cloud could do to roll out of his path as fast as possible. The man crashed past him, sending a rush of air surging past Cloud, the axe narrowly missing his head and slicing a few strands of his hair. The blond wisps fluttered down to the ground like thread. On the floor, Cloud clenched his teeth fiercely. This man was going to be a tough opponent, he could tell.

"Cloud!"

Cloud looked up in surprise to the seats above the arena. The others were standing around, watching him, obviously overwhelmed by the size of Dio's champion fighter. It was Tifa who had been calling, looking down on him with a stricken face.

"Cloud!" she cried. "Look out!"

The man had regained his stance and was advancing toward Cloud, his axe raised high in the air for a strike. Cloud set his jaw. Tifa's cries had distracted him and he hardly had any time to react to the manoeuvre. Again he rolled, leaping to his feet as the man whizzed past once more, burying his axe with a resounding thud into the platform. Incensed, he ripped his blade out of the floor with a roar. To him Cloud was nothing more than an annoying fly that needed to be swatted. Again he charged, but Cloud was ready. Raising his sword horizontally above his head, he just managed to catch the axe's blade as it fell. Using all his strength, Cloud pushed forward with his sword, keeping the axe from slicing through him. Both men struggled desperately to keep the upper hand, and after an exhausting battle to this effect, Cloud finally won. His opponent seemed to be tiring quicker than Cloud, and he keeled backward as Cloud managed to force him backward with his sword.

However, he was not to be outdone by Cloud's unexpected strength. Running at him again, he slashed wildly with his axe, in his fury totally missing his target, who was dodging the assaults with the alacrity of some graceful gazelle. This, nevertheless, failed to impress Cloud's short-tempered adversary.

"I've had enough of this!" he bellowed. "Stop this nonsense and fight me like a man!"

Cloud decided that this pointless little fight was getting nowhere. His rival was evidently all brawn and no brains. It seemed to Cloud that he had no idea of how to handle materia, though it was standard issue with all soldiers or warriors, whether in the Shinra or not. In that case, he resolved, he would beat him with exactly this weak spot. Picking up a round orb of ice materia from his pocket, he fixed it into one of the slots in his weapon. The man, sensing he was up to something, began to charge toward him again, axe raised.

Commanding the power of the materia, Cloud spread the energy about him in a cloak of magic. Extending his arms out toward the roaring beast of a man, a burst of pure energy erupted from his hands. Within seconds it has flashed across the room - the man charged straight into it and was immediately caught in an explosion of blinding blue light - and then he was simply locked in an encasement of glittering, frosty ice, his amazed expression stuck in place like a frozen mask.

Cloud dropped his hands on his knees in exhaustion, unable to believe he'd got through it all so quickly. After a moment of unsure silence, there was a sudden whoop of joy from the audience stands. Cloud stared up at his shouting comrades and couldn't help smiling at them as they applauded him for his quick victory. He hadn't done much, he thought, no need to get so excited about it!

Dio walked into the arena rapturously, and gave Cloud an mighty clap on the back that almost sent him choking.

"Well done my boy!" Dio exclaimed, looking ready to hug Cloud, which horrified Cloud considerably. "Somehow, I knew you'd make it. Here." He handed Cloud the small rock that was the Keystone. "I think I owe you this."

Cloud received the stone gratefully and was escorted out of the arena with the air of a hero. Once outside, he was besieged by his friends.

"Cloud, you did it!" Tifa cried, beside herself with elation. She threw her arms round him ecstatically and embraced him tightly. "I'm so proud of you!"

He gazed down at her in embarrassment.

"What, you think that fat oaf was a challenge, Tifa? He was nothing!"

Cid seemed impressed.

"You know Cloud," he grinned, "I thought you were a wimp. Guess I was wrong."

"Yeah!" Yuffie chuckled. "You sure showed him, bro!"

Beside him Aerith said nothing, but he was surprised and disturbed to feel her clasp his hand in hers and squeeze it lightly before suddenly letting go. Any other day he would've turned and smiled and thanked her, but for some reason, in that insoluble moment when their skin had touched, he'd felt something very new and very different, and somehow he couldn't face her. After a moment she walked away, seemingly unconcerned,her eyes downcast, a slight smile on her face.No one had seen the small exchange, or the sudden troubled look on his face. Only Vincent looked his way, silent, as ever; but with an obscure, esoteric glint to his eye. Maybe he had seen, maybe he had not.

Taking quick control of the surge of emotion, Cloud spoke out exultantly to the others.

"Okay, okay, let's not get too excited." He held up the Keystone triumphantly. "We've got the Keystone, so now we can move on. And I don't know about you guys, but can't wait to get out of here!"

"Aw!" Yuffie's face fell. "I wanted to play on the arcades."

"Don't give Cloud a hard time," Tifa whispered to her harshly. "He just had a gruelling battle, you know."

"Oh, 'gruelling' my foot!" Yuffie retorted rudely, yet she complied with Cloud's wishes to go back to the station anyway. Unfortunately, as they got there, a small, angry crowd had filled up in front of the monorail's tram. Confused, Cloud pushed his way to the front. A woman employee of the Gold Saucer was trying to hold the shouting people back desperately.

"What's going on here?" Cloud asked her, all the while being fiercely jolted by the heaving mob. The woman turned to him, still trying to control the milling of bodies in front of her at the same time.

"I'm sorry, sir," she breathed agitatedly, "but the tram's broken. It won't be fixed until tomorrow morning. No one can get down."

Groaning to himself, Cloud pushed back through to the others.

"What's wrong?" Barret asked, craning his neck for a better look of the crowds.

"The tram's out of orderb" Cloud grumbled. "Now we're stuck here."

Everyone began to moan, except for Yuffie, who was thrilled at the chance to play the arcades. Cait Sith hushed the shouting by raising his hand.

"Hey, listen everyone! I've got an idea! I can get us free rooms at the Ghost Hotel here. I'll just talk to the owners and explain the situation. That okay with you?"

Cloud nodded, pleased.

"That'd be most appreciated. Dammit, why did this have to happen now, when we were all ready to get going after Sephiroth?"

No one bothered to offer an explanation. They all journeyed tiredly back into the Gold Saucer and into the Ghost Square. After a quiet word from Cait Sith to the hotel owner, free rooms were guaranteed for all. While these were being prepared, the nine got the chance to do some catching up.

"Right," Cid began, as they all sat down together in the lobby, "now that we're all nice and settled here together, let me take this opportunity to ask a question that's been buggin' me for ages."

"What's that?" Cloud asked.

Cid took his time producing another cigarette and lighting it with his expert fingers. Taking a long pull and savouring it with a satisfied air, he spoke in his harsh, dissonant voice.

"Like, what the hell is goin' on here? I mean, it's all very well chasin' after this Sephiroth dude, but why you're botherin' sure as hell gets me."

"I'm all for it," Cait Sith put in. "Ever since Nibelheim, this has got pretty confusing."

"Yeah." Barret stepped in. "I've been in this here troupe since the beginning, and I still don't get what's goin' on."

Cloud sighed.

"Look, let's just put it this way. Five years ago, I met Sephiroth in Nibelheim. He found out his mother, Jenova, was an Ancient and that made him crazy. He burned down the entire village, killing most of its inhabitants - included my own mother. When I challenged him, he could have killed me, but for some reason, he didn't."

He paused and Cid looked at him intently, letting his ash drop on to carpeted floor unheeded.

"Go on."

"Well, " Cloud continued, "a while ago, Sephiroth came back into my life. Well, sort of. He murdered President Shinra just before the President was about to execute me, Tifa, Barret and Red, and took Jenova with him. Obviously, he's planning on ruling the Planet. By finding the Promised Land, this will become possible." He took in a breath and shrugged. "So there's two elements to this chase. I have to find out why he didn't kill me, why he destroyed my hometown. And we have to save the Planet."

Cid raised an eyebrow.

"Save the Planet? Sounds crazy to me, but I ain't got nothin' better to do, so I guess I'll tag along."

Cloud sat back and creased his forehead in reflection.

"And now it's got more complicated. Sephiroth's having some sort of Reunion that he's invited me to."

"Sounds like fun," Cid commented wryly.

Cloud shook his head.

"But there's some weird connection. These strange, tattooed people have been invited too." He pointed to Red's tattoo. "Red's got one too."

"Yes," Red replied uneasily. "I've been worried about that. I keep on thinking that one day, I'll go mad like those cloaked people."

"But you haven't yet," Tifa cut in, ruffling his fur affectionately. "Think about it - if it was Hojo that turned the others crazy, then you'd be acting crazy too by now. Maybe he didn't finish experimenting on you - maybe he didn't even start it at all!"

"But what if he has?" Red persisted.

Tifa shook her head soothingly.

"I don't believe it! You're as sane as any of us! And a whole lot wiser too! You just have to be strong, Red. If you do turn out like those freaks, we'll stand by you, okay?"

Red lowered his head, only half satisfied. Cloud spoke again after a moment's quiet.

"You know," he began, "I don't know exactly what's driving Sephiroth onward. How does he know where to find the Promised Land? I mean, no one's ever seen it. It's only been mentioned in myths. How do we know it even exists?"

"But it does exist," Aerith suddenly intervened softly from a corner.

Everyone turned toward her.

"Do the Ancients tell you?" Yuffie asked, interested despite herself.

She nodded.

"Yes. They do, though not very often."

Cloud turned to her, forgetting his previous discomfit at what had happened earlier between them.

"Do they tell you where it is?"

She gazed back at him thoughtfully, then removed her eyes from his face.

"It isn't exactly a place I could lead you to," she explained eventually. "You see, the Promised Land is not a physical place."

"It isn't?" Cait Sith was surprised. "Then what is it?"

"I'm not exactly sure what it is," she answered despondently. "But what I know is that it's something that you feel."

"But," Cloud challenged her, "the elders at Cosmo Canyon said it was the Cetra's burial land. How can it be a place you just 'feel'?"

She seemed gratified to hear him question her, as if it was a relief to her to finally speak her mind on the matter.

"I'm not exactly sure how it works, but when the journey is finished, the individual transcends its earthly self and becomes one with the Planet. And I don't mean just understanding and respecting the Planet and all that it is. I mean, really and truly feeling as the Planet, uniting in its wonder, sharing in its pain." Her eyes began to sparkle with fervour. "When this is accomplished, the Cetra shall be at rest. They can live and die in peace. That is the Promised Land."

Cloud was speechless. In all his fantasies of the Promised Land - of streets paved with gold, pollution free cities and green land everywhere - he had not expected this. It was something spiritual and intangible -more than that even -something that none of them would probably ever find.

"Geez," Barret remarked. "Talk about mind-bogglin'."

"Do you think you'll ever find it Aerith?" Cloud asked of her. She did not answer readily, but remained silent for a long while, as though she were carefully treading round the words she would reply with. After a moment or so, she spoke.

"Yes, I think I might." She looked up at him suddenly, her gaze almost questing. "Do you want me to find it, Cloud?"

He did not see the relevance of the question.

"Me? If it is something that will make you and your kind happy, then of course I do. Why, don't you want to find it?"

She took a long time in answering again.

"I...I..." She paused, then stood up, the frown on her face giving way to a large yet wavering smile. "No, nothing. It doesn't matter. I'm tired. I think I'll go up to bed. Goodnight."

She pivoted round quickly and almost ran up the stairs. Cloud stared after her in sudden uneasiness. Why had she evaded his question? Barret gazed after her too, confused.

"Hey, did someone say somethin' out of line? Cloud, did you annoy her?"

"I don't know," he replied shortly, puzzled.

Yuffie seemed bemused with the whole affair.

"Goodnight and that's it? Leviathan's tail, my brain hurts! I've never hung out with anybody who makes me think so much! I'm with an old pal of Sephiroth's, an experiment of Hojo's, a member of the Cetra..." She trailed off with a yawn. "Well, I dunno about you lot, but I'm going to bed too. See ya."

She walked up the stairs and up to her room. Vincent spoke.

"Well, fascinating as this little chat has been, it is very late. We'd better get some sleep for tomorrow's journey. Isn't that so, Cid?" He turned to Cid. "Cid?"

Cid, however, was still sitting in his corner, mouth still clutching on to his cigarette and snoring loudly through his nose, fast asleep.

-oOo-

Next: The traitor in their midst is revealed...