Hello, hello! A bit of a delay, but it's only been a month or so, right? :D You've seen worse from me XD

blauer Schmetterling: Aww, I'm so glad you liked the fight! I was kind of struggling with that one (not sure why. It seems fight scenes have to find me in the right mood or something XD). And English is your third language? Holy Moses! You are way above my head, hun. I speak English and can stumble around Spanish. Don't apologize for it! And thank you for your thoughts and prayers for my grandfather. He passed away a few days after my last update. More on that at the end . . .

Axel'sChakrams8: You just take all the time you need! Life gets crazy, and family and school can really kill your free time. All we can do is take it day by day, neh? And you have no idea how happy I got when you said you've loved this fic from the get-go XDDD I'm glad you like Isa, too! I really kinda hated his character in KH2, but I kind of liked him in Birth by Sleep, so he had to be included :) And thank you so very much for your prayers. He passed away about a month ago, but I know your prayers helped.

Evil StormSister: You probably already read above, but my grandfather did pass away about a month ago, but thank you so much for your prayers. I know they helped us out, and maybe even him in ways we couldn't see. And the fight scene . . .no, it wasn't my best lol. Your suggestions are great, though. I just need to wring the tension for all it's worth, huh? For some reason, fight scenes have to hit me at the right time, or I'm like, "Bleh, fights . . ." Haha what an awful writer I am! 'Depends on my mood,' haha pathetic XD I'm glad you like my interpretation of Isa, though! I was kind of nervous, but then really, who doesn't like sarcasm?

Wow I am chatty this evening. Onward!

"I said NO!" Barret roared, turning on Zack and waving his gun-arm in his face. "This is my resistance! I'm in charge!"

The small living room was packed with both Squall's party and Barret's. Among the other team was Yuffie, a small girl with short dark hair and more energy than Squall could even begin to fathom. Another member was a girl of average height and a strong build. She had long brunette hair and the build of a martial artist. While they waited for the final member to arrive, Zack had tried making polite conversation, but that had gone downhill rather quickly.

Yuffie snickered. "Barrets going to kill you."

Zack retreated a step, putting Barret's chair between the two of them. "I'm not challenging your authority! I'm just saying we stand a better chance with a little teamwork and-"

"There ain't nothin' wrong with my plan!"

"I didn't say there was!" Zack promised.

Squall put an elbow on the dining table in front of him and massaged his forehead. He did not like Barret, but that aside, he was an idiot. The man had no sense when it came to tactical assaults. He probably didn't even know what tactics were. His idea of an assault was "strap some bombs around the place and watch her blow!"

"Mr. Wallace," Squall began, "I don't mean to offend, but your plan won't work."

Lea gave the dark man a blank look. "Your plan is pathetic. And I do mean to offend."

Barret's jaw clenched and Squall was certain it took the man great self-control to keep from hitting Lea. Squall would know. He had the same problem. "What are you tryin' to say?" he snarled.

"I thought it was perfectly obvious-"

"Lea," Isa said.

"Hmm?"

"Shut up." Isa turned to Barret. "Please ignore him. He functions at an abnormally low IQ and should not be taken seriously."

Squall cut in before Lea could summon a retort. "Mr. Wallace, we cannot make this look like some kind of terrorist attack. This has to be precise, aimed directly at Xehanort. If we plant bombs randomly throughout the castle, it could cause the Heartless to escape into the city."

The larger man had a glare that could send a T-Rexaur running for cover. "My plan makes more sense! We take down all of them at the same time! Heartless, too!"

"Barret," one of his team said. It was the martial artist, Tifa. "You need to be reasonable. Squall's making sense."

"He doesn't even have a plan! And neither does that sorry General over there, either." He said 'general' more like a curse than a title.

A sharp knock interrupted any reply Zack might have been summoning. Tifa stepped out from behind the table and looked through the peephole before opening the door.

A man of average height stood in the door, but that was all Squall could tell about him. He was wrapped up in a cloak with a hood pulled up over his head, concealing all of him but the boots on his feet and the glow of a cigarette between his lips.

"Highwind?" Zack exclaimed.

The Admiral pushed the hood back from his face, revealing a scowl. His blue eyes darted around the room before resting on Zack. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Zack repeated. "You're part of AVALANCHE?"

Cid sighed. "I should just arrest you and claim the reward. Buy myself some nice gummi blocks." Instead of that, though, he hanged his cloak on the coatrack and took a seat by the table. "What'd I miss?"

"Not much," Yuffie said.

"Just Barret yelling," Lea added with a smirk. Was he trying to get shot?

Barret was not impressed. "I'm going to wring your skinny-"

"Barret!" Tifa admonished. "Can you try and be civil for a while?"

The larger man gritted his teeth in what, Squall was sure, was a valiant effort at self-control. "Squall wants to take over our resistance," he growled.

Cid gave Squall an appraising look. "And why's that? Going to take the kingdom over in one fell swoop?"

"More or less," Squall replied.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Got a plan?"

Squall opened his mouth to reply before Barret interrupted, "That's the best part! He doesn't have one!"

"Barret!" Tifa hissed. The larger man clamped his mouth shut and sulked in his chair.

"I may have something," Squall continued, "but I need to know what I have to work with."

"What is it?" Cid asked.

Squall pulled a map of the castle out from his pocket and unfolded it. "I have some people on the inside, but I don't have a way of knowing how many.

"First, we'll need a distraction. Something far away and minor enough to not arouse the higher-ups, but enough to take some of the guard away." He glanced up at Lea. "I had fire in mind."

Lea grinned. "My specialty."

"My people should be able to hold the guard there. Once we draw the bulk of the guard to the edge of town, we'll need another, much larger diversion. This should take place on castle grounds, or just outside the gates. If we have your assistance, this is where AVALANCHE comes in." He pointed to the western gate of the castle. "This should pull out most of what remains of the guard. While that is taking place, I will take a small team of three and infiltrate the castle and find Xehanort."

Cid arched an eyebrow. "That's it? We're just decoys?"

"It's necessary in an assault like this," Zack pointed out. "They've got us by numbers."

"What about Sephiroth?" Selphie seemed uncomfortable uttering the name.

Squall could feel his blood boiling at the mention of him. "I'll take care of Sephiroth." He didn't promise that lightly, either. He knew the soldier was going to be a problem. Squall could very well get killed removing him, but that was better than him killing any more of his team.

Zack gave him a look, so intense and focused that Squall did a double take. There was something in his gaze, a challenge that Squall didn't understand. What was that for? Was he trying to say something?

"So, that's your plan?" Cid chuckled, interrupting Squall's thoughts. "Just start a couple of riots, storm the castle, then call it a day?"

"Short and sweet," Lea said with a grin.

Barret crossed his arms. "Not interested."

Squall felt a new tension building up in his shoulders. If they didn't lend their assistance, the whole operation would tank. Squall would have to start from scratch, maybe even needing to involve civilians to reach their goals. He desperately needed people with their skills. It could very well make or break the assault.

Cid leaned across the table toward Barret, sending a wave of smoke into everyone's face. "What if I got ahold of a ship for you? Would you do it then?"

Barret's eyes widened. "A ship? I asked you before and you said there was no way you were getting me a ship for-"

"That was then," Cid shrugged. "I don't think I'll be executed for stealing from the king when there is no king. Well? How's that?"

The larger man's eyebrow twitched and his lip quirked, inner conflicts flashing across his face. "You lousy, worthless excuse for a-"

"What Barret's trying to say," Tifa interjected with a scowl, "is that he'll take the deal."

"I can speak for myself!" he howled, slamming a fist on the table.

Squall almost sagged in relief. Was it strange that he was exhausted now?

"Finally!" Yuffie exclaimed. "I am so sick of just sitting around! When do we get to kick some butt?"

Squall glanced her way. "In two days."

The streets were silent and empty at this time of night, and Cloud knew why. There had been several Heartless sightings over the past couple of days, and people seemed to think they'd be safer if they stayed indoors after dark.

But the Heartless didn't bother Cloud. They seemed to not really care he was there, and even avoided him. Cloud vaguely wondered why, but then dismissed the thought. He had more important things to worry with.

He wasn't sure where he was going, merely going where he felt he should. Something was calling to him, just up ahead. He had to find out what it was.

It wasn't until he reached the castle walls that he realized where he was. This was where he wanted to go? Why here?

A shadow moved and Cloud whirled around to see a large man step from the darkness, silver hair reflecting moonlight.

Sephiroth.

Strangely, he felt no fear. Only a hint of apprehension gnawed at his consciousness, but that was easy enough to dismiss.

"Are you ready to fulfill your purpose?" Sephiroth asked, a thin smile pulling at his lips.

Purpose?

What you were made for.

'I can't. . .Zack would-'

Now is your chance to show them. You won't be pushed around anymore.

You can protect yourself.

You will be feared.

Yes. He wouldn't be someone to order around. He would be the one in control for once. He would pilot his own destiny.

And no one would ever look down on him again.

"Yes. I'm ready."

I think Cloud just went to the dark side o.o

Sorry this wasn't the most exciting chapter, but I think I've gotten over the writer's block this fic has been giving me for the past few chapters. I can now see to the end. This makes me incredibly happy, as I do adore this fic and want very much to finish it XD

Personal Note:

Many of you have been praying for my grandfather and my family, so I wanted to let you know that he passed away just a few days after my last update. It was really pretty awful for a couple of weeks. Your rational side is telling you he's in a better place, he doesn't hurt anymore, you'll see him again. Then you have your irrational side screaming at God and wanting to know why he would take him away. A lot of you have been there before, but this is the first time I've lost someone close to me. It hit pretty hard, but God is providing a healing and peace I never knew I could have after this. I know my grandfather fought the good fight and his race is won, and I'll get to see him again. I'm not to the point where everything's okay yet, but I know I'll get there. Things are getting better, and I know your prayers have been a major part of that, so I just wanted to tell you guys thank you for that and for your encouragement. You guys are awesome :)

Hope you have a wonderful week!

God Bless,

-RainFlame