Planetary Crisis

by ShadowKitsune77

Set 1 year after Dirge of Cerberus, life has returned to normal for Cloud and the others until strange creatures appear on the planet claiming that they were sent there by accident. This is my first fanfic, please go easy on me.

29. Reactor Raid

Chapter 29: Reactor Raid

I finally got round to typing the next chapter for this story, I apologise for its length but that is part of my writing style. P.s. I've changed the story's rating to an M so that I can include more gore.

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It had been at least ten and a half hours since Rufus had held the meeting and the sun had now set as evening approached. The whirring of jet turbines could be heard as the Sierra flew through the slowly darkening sky towards Midgar. Max was looking out of the window at the scenery, scenery he thought he would never see again. He still felt a little woozy but that was probably due to the savage beatings he got mostly from Loz but some of Illusion's other cronies had their piece of him too. Not to mention he was still trying to get all those drugs that Hojo had injected into him out of his system. Pandora saw Max looking out of the window and she walked over to him. "You ok?" She asked as she placed her hand on Max's shoulder.

"Yeah…" Max answered as he turned his head round to look at her, "I still feel a little woozy but I'll be ok."

"Maybe you should get some more rest," Pandora suggested as Max shook his head.

"I'll be ok," Max replied, "I've done enough resting for the last five days." Max turned his body round wincing in pain as he did so.

"Careful…" Pandora warned as she gave Max a worried look.

"I'm ok…" Max stated with a grimace as he felt the back of his neck, "damn…my neck still feels sore…"

"Well you did have a lot of needles injected into it," Pandora reminded him. "I'm surprised they didn't kill you."

"Nah…" Max replied as he felt the puncture mark on his neck, "I was too valuable a prisoner for them to just kill me. We haven't heard anything about Illusion for a while."

"Is that such a bad thing?" Pandora asked.

"Well…yeah," Max answered, "we don't know where she is or even what she's planning…" Max ruffled his hair, "well…no…that's not the complete truth…I know one thing she's planning, she's gonna use my blood to make her army more powerful…my powers…in the veins of our enemies…" Max shuddered at the thought of his own powers being used against him.

"Let's just focus on getting the Life Stream back to normal," Pandora stated as she put her hand on Max's shoulder to comfort him. "Then we can deal with Illusion and her lackeys."

Max nodded, "you're right," Max replied as he smiled at Pandora. "We should focus on one thing at a time, the future of this world is in our hands." The two heard the sound of laughter, they turned round and saw Cid at the controls laughing like a maniac as he made the Sierra go faster. The sound of jet turbines could be heard as the ship hurtled forwards.

Tifa walked up to Max and Pandora, "Looks like Cid is enjoying the new upgrades," Tifa remarked with a smirk as Cid continued to laugh. Max also smirked as he remembered upgrading the ship ten hours ago.

(Flashback)

Cid was in the engine room of the Sierra tuning it up for the trip to Midgar, he was busy barking orders at the technicians. "Be careful with that! That engine is worth more than ten of your lives!"

"We're sorry Mr Highwind," One of the technicians apologised as the technicians continued to work more gently on the engine.

Max entered the hangar and looked at the Sierra before climbing up the ladder and onto the airship, he entered the Sierra and made his way to the engine room where Cid was still giving his orders and technicians were running about the place carrying out his orders. "You know, I could upgrade the Sierra for you and make your job and the technicians' jobs easier," Max suggested, he spoke so suddenly that Cid almost jumped out of his skin. The pilot turned round and saw Max stood behind him.

"Don't do that!" Cid yelled at the Kitsune, "are you tryin' to give me a heart attack?!"

"I didn't mean to creep you out," Max stated as he took a few steps closer to Cid. "But I am an inventor, and I'm also quite the skilled mechanic. I can make the Sierra operate so much better."

How…" Cid questioned as he gave Max a sceptical stare.

"Hmmm…" Max stated as he paced round the engine room and touched one of the generators with his finger. "I could replace those propellers outside with say…ooooooohhhh…I don't know…jet turbines."

Cid's eyes grew wide with shock, "go on…" Cid uttered as he started to become intrigued, Max smirked and he began to tell Cid what he could do to improve the Sierra. "And you can really do all that?" Cid questioned as Max nodded.

"Of course," Max answered as his grin grew wider. "I've tuned up the airship I have on my world about a million times. By the time I've finished you won't even recognise the Sierra."

Cid rubbed his chin, "I don't like the sound of that…" Cid stated in a worried tone as he gave Max an anxious look. "I don't want ya changin' ma baby too much."

Max sighed but he couldn't help but smile at Cid, "relax Cid, I know what I'm doing," the Kitsune reassured the pilot as a wrench appeared in his hand. "Just give me some time to make my adjustments and I'll call you when I'm finished."

"Alright…" Cid gave in, "but you better not wreck my ship."

"You have my word Cid," Max promised as he crossed his heart with his fingers. "You have my word as a royal."

Cid gave Max another sceptical stare, "maybe your word ain't enough."

Max sighed again, "Cid, I'm a prince, as a royal I'm bound to my word." Max explained, "any promise I make I have to keep."

"Alright, I'll take yer word for it," Cid stated as he left the engine room and made his way back into WRO HQ. Max smiled again as he got back to work.

Ten hours later Cid and the others entered the hangar to find Max stood outside the Sierra waiting for them, he was leaning against the ship. "You guys took your time," he commented as he pushed himself off the ship.

"We were on the other side of HQ," Cloud answered, "What's this about anyway?"

Max grinned, "I'll show you all," he replied as he walked closer to the group. "Behold!" Max exclaimed as he pointed at some brand new jet turbines. "Those old propellers which, to be perfectly honest were…I'm sorry to say this Cid…crap…" Cid scowled at Max as he heard this. "Sorry Cid, but they were…anyway…" Max quickly got back to the point, "they have been replaced by brand, spanking new, state of the art jet turbines…these babies can make the Sierra go faster than the speed of sound."

"You mean…it can break the sound barrier…" Yuffie asked as she gave Max a worried stare.

"Yes, the Sierra is now cable of breaking the sound barrier," Max answered, "but the ride is a lot smoother so hopefully, you won't be sick."

"She better not be…" Cid threatened as he brandished his spear at Yuffie causing the ninja to flinch.

"Why don't we continue the tour…" Max suggested quickly changing the subject, Cid put his spear away and the group entered the Sierra. "Well, I cleaned and waxed the floors first of all," Max explained as the group looked down at the floor.

"Wow…" Cid commented obviously impressed, "the floor's so shiny I can see my reflection in it."

The group heard the sound of growling and they looked down and saw Red having trouble walking. "The floor is so shiny and slippery that my claws can't even grip it…" Red uttered as he fell flat on his stomach, "a little help please…" Nightshade sighed as he used his telekinesis to lift the beast up, "thank you," Red replied gratefully as Nightshade put him down again.

"You're welcome," the Kitsune responded as the group moved on.

"I've upgraded all the living quarters," Max continued to explain as Max opened a door to one of the rooms. The group looked around and saw that the room was larger and had a more futuristic feel to it.

"Hey, this is like being on the set of a sci-fi movie," Zack commented as he looked round the room. He saw a strange looking machine in a corner of the room near the giant bed. "Hey, what does this thing do?"

"That is a food and drink dispenser," Max answered as he walked over to Zack. "It's voice activated, all you do is talk into this speaker here," Max explained as he pointed to a speaker at the top of the machine. "You place your order and it comes out of the dispenser here." Max pointed at the large dispenser at the bottom of the machine.

"It's that easy…" Aerith questioned, she too was intrigued by this.

"Yeah," Max answered, "it's completely idiot proof, even Zack could use it."

Hey!" Zack yelled as he folded his arms and gave Max an offended look. "I am not an idiot!"

"Sure you're not…" Dark Max muttered sarcastically in Max's head.

Max shook his head, "why don't you try it out Aerith?" Max offered as Aerith walked over, "just talk into the speaker."

"Ok…" Aerith replied as she got closer to the speaker, "chocolate ice cream please," Aerith requested. The machine hummed and bleeped before a tall glass with chocolate ice cream, brownies sandwiched between the ice cream and smothered in rich hot fudge sauce materialised in the tray like dispenser at the bottom of the machine. (A/N, this is a machine very similar to the kind of thing you'll see in Star Trek or any other sci-fi film/TV series, I just thought I'd add one in here because it was futuristic.) Aerith grabbed the glass with the ice cream in it, she also grabbed a spoon and began to eat the ice cream.

"Let's move on," Max stated and the group left the bedroom. Max led the group to the engine room and they were surprised to see that the old cogs and propellers were replaced with more up to date technology.

"Ma…engine room…" Cid uttered in shock as he stared at the brand new generators.

"I up dated the technology in this room," Max replied as he looked proudly at the new technology. "These generators have special power crystals in their cores," Max explained.

"Power crystals…" Lance uttered as he stared at Max.

"I had a few in my dimension," Max answered as he held his hand out and a blue coloured crystal appeared in it. "This is what a power crystal looks like, they're rare on Terra Firma but on the Kitsune World they can be found almost anywhere." Max informed the group, "anyway…I had a few spare and I thought that the Sierra could do with some upgrading, these crystals make the engine work more efficiently and silently."

"I wondered why I couldn't hear any noise," Cloud commented.

"Good thing to, I used to get a headache just walking passed this room." Barret complained.

"That's why I put the crystals in," Max stated as the crystal he was holding disappeared into his dimension again. "They're more efficient, don't make any noise and they never run out of power."

Cid's eyes lit up when he heard that, "they don't run out of power…" He asked as he gave Max a questioning stare.

"Nope," Max answered, "most Kitsune technology runs off these crystals. Not to mention those old cogs were just ugly, no offence."

"None taken," Cid answered, "I can keep the crystals right?" Cid asked hopefully.

"Yeah, they're yours," Max replied as he nodded his head, Cid smirked at this. "And all this time you wanted me out of the engine room…" Max stated as he gave Cid a sly grin.

"Alright…you made yer point!" Cid yelled irritably, "what else have you done?"

Max led them out of the engine room and took them to another room where there was a pool table, a wide screen TV, the latest game console, a seating area and a karaoke machine. "Welcome to the media room," Max told everyone as they looked around.

"Cool, the Playstation X!" Zack exclaimed excitedly, "I've always wanted one of those!"

"This room has everything," Tifa uttered in amazement as she stared round the room.

"It even has a karaoke machine!" Aerith squealed with excitement, "we have to do karaoke some time!" Aerith suggested excitedly as she picked up the microphone.

"You won't get me on one of those…" Cloud stated as he folded his arms.

"We will," Zack replied as he walked up to Cloud and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Once we've got several pints in ya!" Cloud scowled at Zack, "relax, I was just kidding…jeez…you're such a stiff sometimes."

"Yeah…" Drogo agreed with Zack, "Don't be such a killjoy."

"Let's go to the bridge," Max suggested quickly changing the subject as the group left the media room and entered the bridge. The group saw countless flight technicians working on the new high tech computers. "I updated the computer systems," Max explained as the group stared at the new computers. "And I have a special surprise for you Cid."

"A surprise…" Cid uttered in shock, "it ain't even my birthday yet…"

"Think of it as an early birthday present," Max replied as he led Cid over to the captain's area. Max turned the computer on and pressed a button.

"Greetings," a female voice that sounded exactly like Shera's suddenly spoke. "My serial number is 001364789, but you may call me Shera version 2, how may I be of assistance?"

"What the hell?!" Cid yelled as he leapt back in shock, "is this some kind of freakin' joke?!"

"Nope," Max stated, "I installed an A.I. into your computer, I programmed it to sound exactly like your wife."

"Joy…" Cid muttered, "But how did you get the voice?"

"I may have been responsible for that," Angel confessed as she held up her mobile and pressed a button causing a recording of Shera's voice to play. It played for a few seconds before Angel pushed another button and the recording stopped.

"Shera version 2 is programmed to follow your every command." Max explained.

"My every command…" Cid repeated as he grinned, "Shera 2, could you run a diagnostic on the Sierra?"

"Running diagnostic now…" Shera 2 answered, "The engines are running at full capacity and the shields are at 100."

"Thanks," Cid replied gratefully.

"I also programmed Shera 2 to obey Cloud's commands if you're ever indispose," Max told Cid.

"I'm the pilot here!" Cid snapped at Max causing the Kitsune to shake his head. "But I gotta admit, I love what you've done with the ship."

Max smirked, "see, you should've let me upgrade your ship earlier," Max stated smugly.

"Alright…you made yer point!" Cid yelled as Max continued to smirk.

"I've also added an extra mod to the Sierra," Max added as Cid stared at Max wondering what he meant. "But I'm not gonna show you that one just yet."

"Why not?!" cid demanded eager to know what else Max had done to his beloved airship.

"Because it's not necessary to show you right now and the Sierra needs to be airborne first," Max answered. "Well that's about everything, I guess we should be heading to Midgar now."

"Yeah, you're right." Cid agreed as he pushed a button on the intercom. "I need the Sierra takin' to the runway pronto!" Cid yelled down the intercom.

"Understood captain," one of the technicians spoke back and the Sierra was taken to the runway.

Once everything was clear Cid flipped the switches on his control panel to ignite the engines and the Sierra soon took off and made its way to Midgar.

(End Flashback)

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Max continued to smirk at the memory of seeing Cid's face and enthusiasm for the improvements, "Cid should've let me upgrade the Sierra ages ago." Max stated still grinning smugly.

"Yeah," Tifa agreed, "then the Sierra wouldn't have been so easily damaged, so…"

"So what…" Max asked as he gave the raven haired woman a questioning stare.

"That extra upgrade you put into the ship, what was it?" Tifa asked curiously.

"That's for me to know and you to find out," Max answered as he tapped the side of his nose with his finger.

"You can tell us," Pandora probed, "especially your beautiful wife."

"Like I said," Max replied refusing to give in. "It's for me to know and you to find out, besides, I don't really want to go into it right now."

Pandora and Tifa sighed, Tifa was about to say something when she was interrupted by something. "SMOKE ON THE WATER!" Drogo's loud voice could be heard as music blared away on the karaoke machine in the media room. (A/N, the line is from the song Smoke on the Water by a band called Deep Purple. I don't own the song.)

"Sounds like Drogo's enjoying himself…" Pandora muttered irritably as she held her hands over her ears. "It would be better if he could actually sing…"

"I'm just glad to see everyone again and hear their voices," Max stated happily, "even if it is Drogo's terrible singing." Max closed his eyes and let Drogo's out of tune singing flow through his ears.

"Want to go to the media room?" Tifa asked as she smiled at Pandora.

"Ok," Pandora answered, "you don't mind do you Max?" Pandora asked.

"No, go ahead," Max answered without opening his eyes, "Have fun."

"Ok, see you later," Pandora replied and she and Tifa made their way to the media room.

Max sighed as he watched them leave before turning round to look out of the window again. "How are you holding up?" A familiar voice asked, Max turned round and saw Cloud stood behind him.

"Cloud…" Max uttered in surprise as he jumped back slightly, "I didn't hear you coming."

"I've been watching your fighting style with great interest," Cloud stated as he walked up to the window and looked out at the scenery outside, leaning on the railing as he did so. "Your sword skills, how you can cast magic without using materia, your different forms," Cloud began to list everything off.

"Why are you mentioning this?" Max questioned as he stared at Cloud.

"You just remind me of someone," Cloud answered as he turned round to look at Max. "A friend of ours, he was a brave warrior who helped us with the Meteor crisis and several other things."

"I see…" Max stated as he walked over to the railing and leaned on it, "who was he? This friend of yours," Max asked as he gave Cloud a curious look.

Cloud sighed, "you know something, I've forgotten his name," the ex SOLDIER replied not taking his eyes off Max. "I know, it sounds bad not remembering a friend's name but…it's been a while since I've seen him. It's just seeing you fight has reminded me of him that's all."

"Do you miss him?" Max asked.

Cloud nodded, "yeah," he admitted, "but he's doing other things."

Max chuckled slightly, "busy man huh…" he replied good heartedly.

Cloud also chuckled, "yeah, something like that," the ex SOLDIER responded. "Anyway," Cloud quickly changed the subject "it'll be another half hour before we reach Midgar, do you want to go to the media room?"

Max nodded, "sure," he answered as he and Cloud pushed themselves off the railing, "I could do with a few laughs after being held prisoner."

Cloud laughed at this and he and Max made their way to the media room, when they entered they saw Tifa, Aerith and Pandora sat down on comfortable chairs talking. Zack was singing on the karaoke machine, Barret and Lance were playing pool and Drogo was on the game console. Lance had potted the black ball causing Barret to stare at him in shock, "that was an impossible shot…" Barret uttered hardly daring to believe it. "How did you do that?"

"The sensor in my eye," Lance answered smugly as he pointed to his left eye. "It enables me to pull off feats that are otherwise impossible, like that seemingly impossible shot."

"Yeah, yeah…" Barret muttered dismissively, "how about another round?"

Lance smirked," I'll just kick your ass again…" Lance stated half warningly and half mockingly as he set up the balls. "You wanna break this time?" Lance asked, Barret grinned as he got into position and the multicoloured balls fired off in all directions on the table.

Zack had just finished singing and moved away from the karaoke machine and walked towards Aerith, he sat down next to her and kissed her on the neck. "Uuuuuuuhhhh…" Pandora uttered as she took her fingers out of her ears, "how could you two listen to that?" Pandora asked as she stared at Tifa and Aerith.

"WHAT?!" The two women yelled at the same time as they removed earplugs from their ears.

"That's how…" Pandora stated when she saw the earplugs, "I wish I had a pair of those…"

"The way he was singing, you'd still have been able to hear it with the earplugs in," a familiar voice suddenly spoke up. The group turned round and saw Yuffie stood at the door, her hair was all over the place and there was a sleeping mask on her head just above her eyes. "I know I did…" Yuffie muttered irritably as she glared at Zack. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" She screamed at the raven haired man, "HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET MY BEAUTY SLEEP WHEN YOU'RE MAKING SUCH A RACKET?!"

"With a face like yours you're gonna need plenty of it…" Zack retorted as he grinned at Yuffie.

"Grrrrrr…" Yuffie growled under her breath as she continued to scowl at Zack. "I suffer from motion sickness and I'm trying to sleep it off…" Yuffie continued to rant irritably, "I don't need your voice piercing my ear drums!"

"Relax…" Zack uttered as he started to back away from Yuffie slightly, "you're scaring me…besides I've finished anyway."

"Good," Yuffie snapped back, "I can finally get some piece and quiet."

"Hey Max, why don't you get up there and sing…" Tifa suggested as she smiled at the Kitsune.

"I don't know…" Max replied as he ruffled his hair nervously, "I'm not really much of a singer…besides…I get stage fright…"

"Come on…" Pandora chipped in as she took hold of Max's hand, "it'll be fun, besides, I could come up there with you and help you get over your stage fright…"

Max stared at Pandora before sighing, "alright…" he gave in, "but we're only singing one song…"

"Ok…" Pandora agreed as she dragged Max to the karaoke machine and started to look through the tracks before she chose one that she thought would be good. Pandora hit the play button and music started to blare out of the karaoke machine.

"Uuuuuuuhhhhh…" Yuffie moaned as she rubbed her eyes with her hands and winced as she heard the music. "I'm going to bed…" she muttered as she left the room.

"Pandora…" Max nervously called out Pandora's name as she gave him a microphone, "what song did you pick?"

"Just relax," Pandora answered as she picked up a microphone and stood next to him. "Let loose and have fun with it…" Pandora advised as she brought the microphone to her lips, "tell me about it stud…" Pandora began in a sexy voice before giving Max a gentle nudge.

"I got chills, they're multiplyin'," Max began to sing, he was a little nervous at first but he soon got into it. "And I'm losin' control, 'cause the power you're supplyin'…IT'S ELECTRIFYIN'!" Max yelled the last part of the verse at the top of his lungs as he removed his shirt and started swinging it round above his head causing everyone in the room to stare at him in shock.

"You better shape up," Pandora sung the next part trying hard not to laugh as Max continued to swing his shirt round in the air. "'Cause I need a man, and my heart is set on you," Pandora continued as she jabbed her finger into Max's bare chest. "You better shape up, you better understand, to my heart I must be true!" Pandora sang the last part of the verse as she placed both her hands on her heart.

"Nothin' left, nothin' left for me to do," Max and Pandora sang at the same time. "You're the one that I want, you are the one I want, o, o, oo!" They both sang the chorus as they both pointed at each other, "the one that I want, you are the one I want, o, o, oo, the one I need, oh yes indeed!" Max and Pandora yelled the last part out before Pandora turned her back on Max and walked to the other side of the stage.

"If you're filled, with affection," Pandora started to sing the second verse still with her back to Max. "You're too shy to convey, mediate in my direction. Feel you're way!" Pandora sang the last part as she turned her head round slightly and gave Max a sly grin.

"I better shape up, 'cause you need a man," Max sang the next part of the verse as he walked over to Pandora. And wrapped his arm round her waist.

"I need a man!" Pandora sung loudly as she smiled slyly, "who can keep me satisfied!" Pandora winked as she continued to sing.

"I better shape up if I'm gonna prove," Max sung his part.

"You better prove," Pandora sung as she turned round so that she was facing Max. "that my fait is justified!"

"Are you sure?" Max asked.

"Yes, I'm sure deep down inside," Pandora answered, she and Max took a deep breath before singing the chorus again.

"You're the one that I want, you are the one I want, o, o, oo, honey!" Max and Pandora sung the chorus for the final time. "The one that I want, you are the one I want, o, o, oo, the one that I want, you are the one I want, o, o, oo. "You're what I need, oh yes indeed!" Max and Pandora held the final note until the song ended. They both bowed as everyone cheered and clapped loudly. (A/N, the song that Max and Pandora were singing is called The One That I want, it is from the musical Grease. I don't own the song it belongs to its respective owner.)

"That was amazing," Tifa complimented her friends as they got off the stage and walked back over.

"Yeah," Aerith agreed as she gave Max and Pandora a smile, "I never knew you could both sing."

"Oh yeah," Pandora answered, "Max is a real pro, he sings in the shower every morning."

"Pandora!" Max yelled at his wife as he scowled at her.

"What…" Pandora replied as she gave Max a small shrug, "you do sing in the shower."

That's not something I wanted broadcasting," Max stated as he folded his arms.

"Max sings in the shower…" Drogo asked as he smirked at Max before taking out a pen and a note pad. "Man anything I hear after this is pure gold," Drogo continued as he began to write on the pad before it burst into flames. "Yikes!" Drogo yelled in shock as he dropped the charred remains of the note pad and the ashes landed on the floor. Drogo looked up and saw Max stood there with his hand held out in front of him, magical energy pulsing from it. "Hey!" Drogo snapped as he glared at the Kitsune.

"Drogo…I don't want you telling anyone about it ok!" Max snapped back.

"What would you do if I did?" Drogo asked mockingly as he gave Max a sly grin.

Max grinned back as a fireball formed in his hand, "Pandora's not the only who has a quick fire shot," Max answered.

"That little flame couldn't incinerate a fly," Drogo retorted as he pointed at the small fireball in Max's hand.

The fireball in Max's hand increased in size until Max was able to hold it over his head, "You were saying…" Max questioned mockingly.

"Errrrr…" Drogo stammered to shocked to speak.

"My magic skills have increased since our last adventure Drogo," Max explained as he still held the giant fireball above his head. "I know how to combine spells to make them more powerful, I know how to increase the size of the spell as you have just witnessed. And…I know quite a few Nova spells, I can go on, take your pick. Bearing in mind that this particular spell can cause some extremely nasty burns and can incinerate several ant hills in a row."

"You w…wouldn't…" Drogo stammered as he began to become frightened of the giant fireball.

Max smirked evilly at the hedgehog, "try me…" he answered menacingly as his eyes flashed red for a second before returning to normal.

"I'm going…" Was all Drogo said before he ran out of the media room as fast as he could.

Max smirked again as he easily cancelled the spell, "works every time," Max stated as he walked back over to Pandora.

"Wait…you were bluffing…" Cloud asked as he gave Max a questioning look.

Max nodded, "yep, I wouldn't really use a spell that big and that powerful in an enclosed space with all my friends around." He answered, "I was just increasing its size to show Drogo what damage I could cause if he tried anything like that again."

"It helps to keep Drogo in line," Pandora added as Cloud nodded to show that he understood.

"How about an encore…" Angel suggested as she looked at Max and Pandora.

"Yeah, you have to sing another song," Tifa insisted, "maybe Max could go solo."

"I don't think so…" Was all Max said,

"Max, Max, Max, Max!" Zack started to chant for a few seconds before everyone was joining in chanting the Kitsune's name over and over again.

"Once is enough for me thanks," Max replied ignoring the chants, "I'm gonna go somewhere else for a while." Max told the group before leaving the media room, he could hear disappointed moans coming from the group and Zack muttering 'party pooper' under his breath but Max just ignored it and walked down the corridor. He saw Nightshade in his usual spot leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. "Hey dad," Max called out to the older Kitsune.

"Hmmmm…" Nightshade mumbled under his breath as he opened his eyes and saw Max stood in front of him. "Oh…it's you…" he stated in a monotone voice causing Max to scowl at him.

"Gee…thanks…" Max muttered sarcastically, "Is that any way to greet your son?"

Nightshade chuckled slightly as he pushed himself off the wall, "what do you want?" The Kitsune asked his son.

"Just thought I'd see how you were," Max answered as Nightshade smiled slightly.

"I'm fine," the older Kitsune answered, "you know me, I'm tough."

"I know," Max answered, "why are you here by yourself?" Max asked inquisitively as he stared at his father.

"I like the peace and quiet," came the reply, "not that I get much of that round here," Nightshade continued a hint of sarcasm in his voice, which caused Max to laugh.

"I see your point," Max agreed with the older Kitsune as Nightshade smirked. "Why don't you go to the media room for a while, play some pool or something." Max suggested but Nightshade merely shook his head.

"Nah," he answered, "I'm not really the social type, besides I really don't want to listen to some wannabe losers who think they can sing but really they can't carry a tune to save their lives."

"Some of us aren't that bad…" Max uttered in an offended tone as he folded his arms and scowled at Nightshade.

"I don't like karaoke," Nightshade stated as he started to walk off.

"Too fun for you…" Max asked mockingly as he followed Nightshade.

Nightshade stopped in his tracks before turning his head round and glaring at Max out of the corner of his eye. "Watch it…" he uttered menacingly as his red eye flashed.

"Come on…" Max continued to probe deeper, "remember that song you sung at mine and Pandora's wedding reception that was…" Max stopped for a moment as he tried to think of what to say next, "a unique experience…" Nightshade lifted his eyebrow, "ok…it was the worst thing I'd ever heard…but you looked like you were enjoying yourself…and that's the main thing."

"I saw Shelke earlier," Nightshade informed Max quickly changing the subject. "She said she wanted to see you in the computer room."

"Ok, thanks," Max thanked his father merely nodded in response. "I better go and see what she wants, later dad." Max stated as he patted his father on the shoulder before turning round and walking off, Nightshade watched Max go before shaking his head and walking off in the other direction.

Max walked through several more corridors before he entered the computer room, he saw Shelke sat in her usual spot with the helmet on her head. "Shelke…" Max called out the girl's name as he walked closer to her, "you there?"

As Max got near Shelke, she lifted her hands up and removed the helmet. She put it down next to her before looking up at Max, she smiled when she saw him. "I see you got my message," she stated in her usual manner.

"Yeah," Max answered as he ruffled his hair.

"It's good to have you back among us," Shelke stated as she gave Max a courteous nod. "You had us all worried, I'm just going to check your vitals," Shelke told Max as she stood up.

"My vitals…" Max repeated, "but I feel fine…I just have a few pains here and there but it's no big deal…right…"

Shelke just looked up at Max, "you were constantly beaten up and injected," she answered in a serious tone. "Plus you were out of it for a while, I have to check if you're well enough to go into battle." Shelke walked over to another chair, "sit down on the chair," Shelke ordered as she pointed to the chair she was standing next to. Max walked over and he sat down in the chair, Shelke picked up another helmet and held it over Max's head.

"What's with the helmet?" Max asked as he stared nervously at it.

"Just relax, this helmet links you to the computer, it enables me to check on your vitals and your health both external and internal," Shelke explained, "I know it'll feel a little uncomfortable but it's necessary." Max nodded and Shelke put the helmet on Max's head, she then walked over to a computer and pressed a few buttons on the keyboard before holographic versions of Max's internal organs appeared on the screen. "Let's see," Shelke muttered to herself as she began to press more buttons on the keyboard causing the screen to zoom in. Shelke began to examine Max's vitals as Max breathed in and out slowly to help keep himself calm.

"How is it?" Max asked as he tried to look in Shelke's direction but the helmet made it impossible for him to see.

"Well, your vitals are normal," Shelke answered, "and your brain didn't sustain any damage despite the number of potent tranquilizers that were injected into you."

"And…the drugs…" Max uttered as he tried to resist the temptation to rub his neck and arm.

"The drugs are completely out of your system now," Shelke replied, "so you don't have to worry. I'm just going to check your general health now." Shelke pushed a few more buttons as she continued to check Max over. After a while she shut the computer off and walked over to Max and removed the helmet, Max stood up. "You're perfectly fine," Shelke told Max as she smiled at him, "you sustained no internal injuries and your external injuries have healed."

"That's good," Max replied as he smiled back, "but what about the pains in my neck?"

"It's nothing to worry about," Shelke replied, "it's because of the number of injections you had, it will go away in time."

"That's a relief," Max stated as he began to relax, "so that means…"

Shelke smiled again, "you are perfectly capable of going into battle."

"Good," Max answered as he smirked, "I can get my revenge on Loz for beating me up."

"I like to check the vitals of everyone to make sure that they are fine," Shelke told Max. "I checked yours now because of what you went through."

"I see…" Max stated as he scratched his head, "what did you want to see me about?"

Shelke led Max back over to her chair, "I've been going into the SND non-stop since you returned," Shelke explained to Max. "I've been trying to find information and the location of Illusion."

"What did you find?" Max asked eager to find out where his enemy was.

"Illusion and her minions are currently in the Northern Cave," Shelke answered as she sat back down in her chair.

"The Northern Cave…" Max repeated Shelke's last words as he stared at her, "are you sure?"

Shelke nodded, "quite sure," she replied, "the SND never lies, Illusion is in the Northern Cave but for what purpose I do not know. That is something I will have to research," Shelke informed Max.

"Let me know when you find anything, you've got my number right?" Max asked.

Shelke smiled again, "I always have your number," she answered, she was about to put her helmet on to go back into SND again when she suddenly put it down again and sighed.

"What's wrong?" Max asked his voice was filled with concern.

Shelke sighed again, "I was once with Deep Ground," she replied a hint of sadness in her voice.

"I see…" Max stated, "but you're not with them now."

"I know," Shelke responded as she sat back in her chair, she sat still for a second before sitting back up again. "Be honest with me Max, how old do you think I am?" Shelke asked the Kitsune.

"You want me to guess your age…" Max questioned as Shelke nodded, "ok," Max replied as he placed his hand on his chin and started to think. "Nine…maybe ten…" Max guessed as he looked at Shelke.

Shelke shook her head, "I'm actually twenty years old," she answered a hint of sadness in her voice.

"You're twenty…" Max uttered as he stared at Shelke in shock, "but you don't look any older than nine…"

"I know it's hard to believe," Shelke answered, "but it's true."

"What happened?" Max asked not taking his eyes off the girl in the chair.

"When I was nine years old I was taken into Deep Ground," Shelke began to explain as she sat back in her chair again. "My body was pumped with Mako, for some reason it stopped the aging process. I still aged chronologically but physically I'm still nine years old." Shelke sighed as she closed her eyes.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Max uttered sadly as he gave Shelke a sympathetic look. "Isn't there anything you can do?"

Shelke shook her head, "no," she answered still with her eyes closed. "Although my body no longer needs Mako to sustain it thanks to Reeve, I haven't been able to find a way to age my body so that it was on par with my chronological age."

"There must be something," Max stated as he started to think.

"I've tried everything I could think of," Shelke responded, "I've looked at every piece of research I could find but I've found nothing."

"I'm sure even Hojo would've thought of something…" Max uttered.

"There's nothing in Hojo's research either," Shelke responded as she sighed again. "I know I sometimes come off as cold and abrupt but that's just how I operate. But, now, I just want to be normal, sure I help the WRO but there are times when I just want to go on a girls' night out with Tifa, Aerith and Yuffie. Unfortunately there are the age restrictions."

"You must be desperate," Max stated.

Shelke opened her eyes suddenly, "excuse me…" she uttered.

"Go on a girls' night out with Yuffie…" Max answered as he chuckled slightly.

Shelke also laughed slightly, "good point, but Tifa and Aerith would be there as well." She sighed again and she hung her head.

Max sighed again and knelt down beside Shelke, "listen Shelke," Max started to say as he placed his fingers under Shelke's chin and gently lifted her face up so that she could look at him. "I'll do whatever it takes to give you an adult body."

Shelke's eyes widened when she heard that, "y…you really mean it…" she stammered hardly daring to believe what she was hearing.

Max nodded, "I promise," he answered sincerely as he crossed his finger over his heart.

Shelke smiled weakly, "you shouldn't make promises that are impossible to keep," she warned the Kitsune.

"I think I'm capable of keeping this promise," Max responded. "I will find a way to help you, it may take a while but I'll find a way."

"I know you will," Shelke stated as she continued to smile at Max. "I trust you Max, I trust your word."

Max smiled back, "thanks," he replied gratefully as he removed his hand from under Shelke's chin and stood up.

"I better get back to work," Shelke stated as she picked the helmet up again. "I need to find out more information, plus I'll be guiding you all through your mission."

Max smiled again, "with you guiding us this mission can't fail," Max complimented the girl's computer skills.

Shelke smiled back, "thank you, that actually means a lot to me. I will guide you as best I can."

"Thanks Shelke, we can always count on you," Max told the girl.

Shelke was about to respond when Cid's voice echoed through the intercom, "alright you good for nothin' gobshites! We're comin' close to Midgar now, everyone had better prepare themselves, Cid out!"

Max shook his head when he heard that, "well, I guess I better go and prepare myself," Max stated as he started to leave the computer room.

"Don't forget your promise," Shelke called out to the Kitsune.

Max stopped and turned round to look at Shelke, "I never forget the promises I make to my friends," he answered, he smiled at Shelke one more time before he walked out of the computer room. Shelke smiled one more time before putting the helmet back on her head and diving into the SND.

---

Meanwhile in the secret area of the Northern Cave Illusion was spying on Max and the others through a crystal ball. "So…they're heading to Midgar to destroy all the reactors," Illusion spoke to herself as she looked deeper into the crystal ball. "You may have escaped me this time Max but you can't escape your inevitable death forever," Illusion continued, "you have yet to face my new soldiers, but I highly doubt that you'll survive against them." Illusion laughed evilly as she said this.

Hojo entered the room, "all of the new soldiers have been injected with Max's blood," Hojo informed Illusion.

The Dark Kitsune grinned evilly, "excellent, I knew I could count on you Hojo," Illusion complimented the scientist as she made the image in her crystal ball disappear and she stood up and walked towards Hojo. "Max and his friends are heading to Midgar to destroy the reactors," Illusion explained. "I can't allow that to happen, I will be despatching everyone including the new soldiers to Midgar to stop them."

"Do you want me to tell them?" Hojo asked.

"No," Illusion replied, "I've given them all the order telepathically, they'll be in Midgar as we speak. Max and the others won't even know what hit them. Ha, ha, ha!" Illusion laughed evilly, her laughter echoed through out the Northern Cave.

Meanwhile the Sierra was hovering over Midgar and everyone was at the back of the airship putting parachutes on as they prepared to jump into Midgar. The back door opened and the wind blew into the room. "I told the other pilots to keep the Sierra up!" Cid informed the group yelling over the sound of the wind.

"Alright! This is it everyone!" Max called out to group as he walked towards the open door. "We'll destroy those reactors and re-purify the Life Stream!"

"Why are we jumping out of the airship?" Angel questioned as she stared nervously at the open door.

"Because it's more excitin'!" Cid answered as he grinned at Angel, "besides, Midgar is crawlin' with monsters and I don't want anythin' to happen to the Sierra!"

Max jumped out of the Sierra and the rest of the group followed suit with everyone running towards the open door and diving out of it. "Whhhhhhhhhhhoooooooooooooooo!" Max yelled as he fell through the sky.

"I'm not afraid of heights…I'm not afraid of heights…" Angel muttered to herself repeatedly as she tried hard not to look down.

"This is livin'!" Drogo shouted at the top of his lungs as he performed several flips in the air.

"Show off!" Lance called out to the hedgehog as he rolled his eyes. As soon as the group reached a certain point they pulled on the strings of their back packs and the parachutes shot out slowing down their fall.

After a while they reached the ground and struggled to get their parachutes off, "now what?" Pandora asked as she looked around the ruined city.

"This way," Cait Sith answered as he bounded off behind the corner. The group followed the cybernetic cat and they ended up in what was left of an alleyway.

"This is a dead end…" Sunny remarked as she looked at the remains of a building.

"That's where you're wrong lassie," Cait Sith stated as he walked over to what looked like a door in the floor and opened it.

"I remember this place," Red commented as he walked towards the open door. "This door leads to the underground."

"The underground leads to the reactors," Cloud stated. "Come on!" Cloud walked up to the open door and walked down the steps.

"I predict that we'll have many battles in that tunnel," Isis stated in her usual manner as she followed Cloud down the steps.

"Isis seriously needs a boyfriend…" Drogo muttered as he watched her walked down the steps. "Then maybe she won't be so miserable."

"You're forgetting, every time she meets a potential boyfriend she scares him off." Sunny reminded her husband.

"I wonder why…" Drogo mumbled sarcastically.

"Come on," Tifa stated as she walked passed the group. "Cloud and Isis are waiting." Without another word the group walked down the steps and entered the underground. The group gasped when they saw how complicated the room looked.

"That's a lot of stairs…" Max remarked as he looked all around him. "How will we know which way to go?"

"Relax," Cloud answered as he started to walk down the first set of steps. "We've been down here before, we'll guide you." The group followed Cloud down the first set of steps and they began to traverse through the underground labyrinth fighting several monsters that had taken to living in the underground.

After a while they came across a ventilation shaft, "looks like a dead end…" Pandora stated.

"No, it leads to the subway," Tifa answered as she smiled at Tifa. "We have to crawl through this vent."

"You expect us to crawl through that hole…" Angel questioned as she looked at the vent and then down at herself. "But…it's probably dusty in there…my dress will get all dirty…"

"You sound just like my soon to be ex girlfriend," a familiar voice spoke up. The group turned round and saw Reno, Rude and Elena stood behind them.

"When did you guys get here?" Cloud asked as he continued to stare at the three Turks.

"About five minutes ago," Reno answered in his usual casual manner as he leaned against the wall. "Rufus figured that you guys would need help."

"So he sent us to assist you," Elena added as she smiled at the group as Rude silently nodded.

"How are things with you and Tseng?" Aerith asked the blonde haired Turk.

"To be honest…it's not going so well," Elena admitted as the smile disappeared from her face. "He's become so obsessed with work."

"This is Tseng we're talkin' about…" Reno stated as he stared at Elena. "He's always been a workaholic and he always will be...and when was the last time he even cracked a smile?"

"Yeah…" Zack agreed with the red haired Turk, "Even when I used to work along side him he didn't laugh at my jokes or even crack a smile." Zack informed the group as he thought back to his SOLDIER days.

"He missed three dates in a row just so he could fill in some paperwork," Elena stated sadly. "Sometimes I think work is more important to him than I am…"

"That's not true Elena," Tifa reassured the blonde haired woman as she walked up to her and placed her hand on Elena's shoulder. "Tseng cares a lot about you."

"He has a funny way of showing it…" Elena stated irritably as she folded her arms.

"Well, I think it's time you told Tseng exactly how you feel," Tifa told the woman.

"What do you mean?" Elena questioned as she stared at the raven haired woman.

"You need to tell Tseng that you won't accept second best," Tifa answered. "You need to be firm with him, you need to ask Tseng which one's more important to him, his work or you."

Elena thought for a moment before nodding, "you know Tifa, you're right, if Tseng really does care about me then he needs to show it. If he does care about me then he should put me before his work."

"That's the spirit!" Tifa exclaimed as she gave the Turk a thumbs up sign.

"Thanks Tifa," Elena replied gratefully as she smiled at her friend. "I should go to you for relationship advice more often."

"Ahem…" Cloud cleared his throat causing the two women to stop talking and stare at him. "When you two have finished giving relationship advice, we have a job to do."

"Sorry," Elena and Tifa apologised in unison, Cloud examined the vent before opening it and crawling through. He crawled through the vent and climbed down the small ladder which led to the old subway station where the trains used to run through the city.

"Ok guys!" Cloud called through to his friends, "you can come through!"

One by one the group members began to crawl through the vent and joined Cloud on the other side. When it got to Angel's turn she hesitated, "do I really have to go through there?" She questioned as her nose wrinkled in disgust.

"Hurry up!" Cid yelled irritably as he glared at Angel, "you're causin' a traffic jam! Now get yer ass through that vent or I'll shove my spear up your rabbit hole!" Cid threatened as he grasped his spear on his back.

"I'm going…" Angel spoke quickly as she began to crawl through the vent. "Good lord!" Angel's complaints echoed through the vents so everyone could hear it. "I'm an aristocrat…I shouldn't be crawling through vents…" Angel eventually reached the other side, "someone had better catch me!" Angel demanded as her head peeped through the vent's exit.

"Angel…there's a ladder underneath you, use it…" Drogo muttered sarcastically causing Angel to scowl at him. "Don't tell me you don't know how to climb down a ladder…"

"Of course I know how to climb down a ladder!" Angel snapped at Drogo, she turned round and began to climb down the ladder but she lost her footing and fell off the ladder. "Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!" Angel screamed as she fell.

Lance leapt up into the air and caught Angel in his arms, "gotcha!" Lance called out as he landed safely on the floor with Angel still in his arms.

"Thanks Lance," Angel whispered in Lance's ear as she kissed him on the cheek.

"What kind of a husband would I be if I didn't save you," Lance whispered back, he kissed Angel on the lips before putting her down on to the ground.

"What is the freakin' hold up?!" Cid's yells could be heard on the other side of the vent.

"It's nothing!" Lance called back to the foul mouthed pilot, "Angel fell off the ladder but she's fine!"

"Well maybe if she didn't wear that damn dress!" Cid shouted through the vent, "She wouldn't have lost her footing!"

"Excuse me!" Angel snapped her voice echoing through the vent.

"Cid just get over here!" Lance yelled through the vent, "and stop insulting my wife!"

"Fine, fine…" Cid muttered and he crawled through the vent, after a while everyone was on the other side and was walking through the subway. Four years ago the subway was filled with the sound of trains speeding through the tunnel from sector to sector, however since the destruction of Midgar the underground had fallen into disrepair. Most of the lights on the ceiling were broken while others were still working but they flickered slightly, electricity sparked from the frayed wires along the walls.

The group carried on walking with Cloud leading the way, Max walked up to Reno. "Hey Reno, just out of curiosity, what did you mean by soon to be ex girlfriend?" Max asked as he gave Reno a curious look.

"Ahhh…it hasn't really been workin' out between me and Emma lately," Reno answered as he let out a sigh. "I mean don't get me wrong, it was fun when it first started but she's become really clingy lately."

"Clingy…" Max questioned as he stared at Reno confusion etched on his face.

"She calls me every five minutes," Reno explained as he continued to walk down the tunnel. "She constantly reminds me of any dates we have planned and get this, a few days ago she asked if she could move in with me."

"Is that such a bad thing?" Max asked not taking his eyes off Reno.

"Can you imagine living with her clingy behaviour 24/7?" Reno responded as he raised his eyebrow, "trust me…it's not something I want…I mean…me and Emma, we were just a bit a fun."

"Well she obviously doesn't see it that way," Max stated as he smirked at Reno. "She's crazy about you."

Reno sighed exasperatedly, "I know…" he replied as he scratched the back of his head. "I've only been going out with her for three months and she already wants to move in with me…I'm in way over my head here, I feel like I'm not in control of this whole situation anymore."

"Well, you just need to get back in control of said situation again." Max stated.

"But how…" Reno questioned.

Max thought for a moment, "You really don't love her do you?" Max asked.

"Not in the way she wants me to," Reno answered. "Like I said, it was just a bit of fun."

"You really need to tell Emma that you don't feel the same way about her…at least, not anymore," Max told Reno straight.

"Are you nuts?!" Reno questioned in panic as he waved his arms for emphasis, "she'll kill me…"

"You're gonna have to tell her sooner or later," Max replied solemnly as he placed his hand on Reno's shoulder. "And if I were you I'd do it sooner because the longer you leave it the harder it's gonna be."

Reno thought for a moment before sighing, "You're right," Reno agreed with Max. "I've gotta tell Emma even if it means she's gonna have my head on a platter. After we finish this mission I'm gonna tell her."

"You sure…" Max questioned as he gave Reno a sceptical stare.

"Yeah," Reno replied, "I will tell her that it's over."

"Hey you two!" Cloud called out to Reno and Max, "keep up will ya!" Max and Reno nodded before running to keep up with the rest of the group. The group kept walking through the underground tunnel and stopped when they reached the tunnel which led to the sector 8 reactor. "Alright, we're gonna split off and go to the different reactors," Cloud told the group. "Max, you Pandora and Yuffie got to the sector 8 reactor."

"Ok," Max stated before turning to Pandora and Yuffie. "Let's go guys."

"Good luck," Tifa told the three before they ran down the tunnel leading to the sector 8 reactor. The rest of the group then walked down the main tunnel and carried on going until they reached another tunnel which led to the sector 7 reactor.

"Ok, Reno, Elena and Emily, you guys go to the number 7 reactor," Cloud commanded as he looked at the three.

"You got it," Reno stated in his casual manner before he, Elena and Emily ran down the tunnel leading to the sector 7 reactor. The main group continued through the tunnel and stopped and as they reached side tunnels which led to the different reactors everyone started to leave the main group to go to each reactor.

After a while it was just Zack and Aerith remaining and they arrived at the tunnel which led to the sector 1 reactor. "You ready?" Zack asked as he looked at Aerith.

"Yeah," Aerith answered as she looked back at Zack, "let's go." The two ran down the tunnel and stopped when they came across what looked like a barrier. "A dead end…" Aerith uttered as she examined the barrier.

"It's not like any barrier I've ever seen," Zack stated as he too examined the barrier. Zack and Aerith both saw that the barrier was purple and seemed to be pulsating with dark power. "Dark power…" Zack uttered, just as he said this static crackled in the headset he was wearing.

"Zack…Zack can you hear me?" Reeve's voice spoke through the static.

"Yeah," Zack answered, "I can hear you just fine."

"Good," Reeve replied, "I'm glad to see that the headsets I gave everyone are working fine. It will enable me to keep in contact with you all."

"We've got a problem Reeve," Zack began to explain the situation to the man on the other side of the headset. "There's a barrier down the tunnel leading to the sector 1 reactor, it looks like it's powered by some form of dark power."

"I know," Reeve responded, "there are similar barriers in all eight sectors, the source of the dark power supplying the barriers is in the sector 1 reactor but be careful the security is tight in there."

"We know Reeve," Zack told the man.

"I'll try to guide you through as best I can," Reeve offered.

"Thanks Reeve," Zack replied gratefully.

"You're welcome," Reeve replied. "Now, do you see a ventilation shaft to your left?" Reeve questioned, Zack and Aerith turned round and walked away from the barrier, they looked left and they saw a vent in the wall.

"Yeah we see one," Zack told Reeve, "but it's too small for a human to fit through."

"Hmmm…" Aerith mused as she examined the vent more closely. "We're gonna have to change our forms," Aerith stated.

"Well duh…" Zack muttered as he rolled his eyes, this caused Aerith to scowl at him. "Ok, ok…let's go." Aerith gave Zack a satisfied smile before they both focused their energy and they slowly shrank and began to grow fur and a tail as they turned into ferrets. Aerith turned into a chestnut brown ferret with bright green eyes while Zack turned into a jet black ferret with a tuft of spiky hair on his head and bright blue eyes. "Let's go," Zack spoke in a high pitched voice before touching his throat in shock. "I don't really sound like that do I?"

"Just hurry up Zack!" Aerith commanded in an equally high pitched voice.

"Ok," Zack uttered still in that squeaky voice and the two began to crawl through the vent. They ran through the vents as fast as they could turning left, right then left again until they eventually reached the entrance of the reactor. "We're here…" Zack uttered as he and Aerith looked around, "we're inside the reactor."

"Be careful," Reeve warned through Zack's now mini headset, "the entrance to the reactor is guarded by motion detecting, heat seeking turrets."

"Now you tell us…" Zack moaned in a high pitched voice as he folded his small arms.

"You go first," Aerith told Zack as she crawled behind him.

"No way…" Zack protested as he scowled at Aerith. "I've seen this sort of thing before, the black ferret always dies first!" (A/N, this line is a parody of the film Evolution where Ira Kane tells Harry Block to pick up the alien sample and put it in a jar to which he replies "I've seen this in a movie once the black guy dies first…" I don't own this film or this quote but it's funny.) Aerith scowled at Zack, "What?" Zack squeaked as he shrugged his small shoulders, "it's true…" Zack stated defensively as Aerith continued to scowl at him. "Alright…I'm goin'…" Zack muttered as he crawled out of the vent and crept slowly along the ground, he managed to crawl a few inches before the motion sensors on the turrets detected him and all turned to target him. "Oh shit…" Zack uttered to himself as the turrets opened fire.

Zack leapt just in time as several bullets hit the spot where Zack was a few seconds ago. Zack continued to leap and run as the turrets continued to open fire at him, "that's it!" Zack yelled in a high pitched voice, "These turrets are goin' down!" Zack quickly changed back into a human and leapt out of the way of the gunfire, Zack smirked as he summoned two giant swords out of his dimension.

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Zack let out a battle cry as he charged at the first turret and swung one of his swords round cutting the turret in half. Zack performed several flips in the air as he dodged the turrets' bullets, Zack's swords charged with energy and he slammed the swords into the ground as he landed creating a double blade beam which destroyed several turrets at once. Zack's eyes looked from side to side as the last two turrets began to target him, "heh…" Zack snickered slightly as he smirked and disappeared in a flash of green light just as the turrets opened fire. Zack warped from place to place avoiding the gunfire he warped in the middle of the two turrets, Zack whistled and patted his ass causing the two turrets to target him again. "Over here!" Zack yelled, the turrets primed themselves and Zack quickly warped out of the way as the turrets fired at each other and blew up.

Zack warped back to the vent where Aerith was, "piece of cake…" Zack stated smugly as he smirked at Aerith and folded his arms.

"Don't get too cocky Zack," Reeve warned the raven haired man. "You still have a long way to go, you must go inside the reactor I will give you more instructions once you get inside."

"Thanks Reeve," Zack replied gratefully. "Come on Aerith," Aerith crawled out of the vent and reverted to her human form. Zack took hold of Aerith's hand and the two walked passed the destroyed turrets and entered the reactor.

"So this is what a reactor looks like on the inside…" Aerith uttered as she looked around her.

"Yeah," Zack stated, "I was hoping these planet killing machines wouldn't be rebuilt. I guess it's our job to destroy them…again."

"Alright, you both need to go down the steps and go through the door on your right," Reeve instructed Zack and Aerith through the headsets. "Be careful as there are several guards patrolling the area."

"Understood," Zack replied as he and Aerith walked down the steps and went through the door on the right. They crept down the corridor and hid round the corner just in time to see two Dark Kitsunes and two Deep Ground Soldiers patrolling the corridor.

"Guards…" Aerith whispered to Zack, "What do we do?"

"Ssssssshhhhhhhhhh…" Zack told Aerith to be quiet, "listen…" Zack and Aerith then listened out to conversation that was taking place.

"Do you think the WRO would be able to get in here?" One of the Deep Ground Soldiers asked one of his comrades.

"No way," One of the Dark Kitsunes replied. "Illusion and Hojo put various fail safes in place to make sure they can't sneak into the reactors."

"I just hope the relief guards get here soon," the other Deep Ground Soldier stated in a bored town. "Guard duty is so boring."

"Attention all personal!" A voice echoed through out the intercom in the reactor, "Two WRO agents are sneaking around the sector 1 reactor! All guards in the sector 1 reactor be on the look out for the intruders!"

The guards then started to pace round looking for the intruders, Zack and Aerith went further back down the corridor. "They know we're here…" Aerith whispered in a slight panicky tone, "but how…"

"I think destroying the turrets might've got their attention," Zack answered as he ruffled his hair in a sheepish manner. "Probably not the smartest thing to do now that I look back at it but it was the only way we could get in here."

"The guards are now on high alert, you have to find a way to get passed them without getting caught." Reeve informed Zack and Aerith, "there should be a door at the end of the corridor that the guards are patrolling but it's locked. One of the guards is holding the key to the door you must get the key without the guards noticing."

"Alright," Zack whispered, "I got an idea of how we can get passed the guards." Zack focused his energy as his form changed and he became a Dark Kitsune with black spiky hair and wearing a guard's uniform.

Aerith stared at Zack, "I'm not sure about this…" Aerith uttered as she hesitated, "I heard from Pandora what Dark Kitsunes do to women…"

"It's the only way we can get passed them without being caught," Zack reasoned with the Cetra. "Besides I won't let them do anything to you."

"A…alright…" Aerith stammered as she focused her energy and reluctantly changed into a Dark Kitsune with long black hair tied back in a platted ponytail and wearing a very revealing outfit. Zack just stared at her, "what…" Aerith asked as she saw Zack staring at her.

"N…nothing…" Zack stammered as he shook his head to snap himself out of it, "You just…you look great…"

"Let's just get this over with…" Aerith merely stated as she started to walk forwards, "this is making me feel uncomfortable." Zack and Aerith crept back up the corridor, they just rounded the corner when the floor made a clanging sound causing all the guards to turn round and point their guns at Zack and Aerith.

"Halt who goes there?!" One of the guards yelled their fingers quivering on the triggers of their guns. Zack and Aerith stepped out of the shadows. "Oh…you're Dark Kitsunes…" the same guard uttered as he let out a huge sigh of relief. "For a second there we thought you were intruders."

"Intruders…" Zack and Aerith uttered in unison as they looked at each other before they looked at the guards, pretending to be intrigued.

"Yeah," one of the other guards replied as the guards started to lower their weapons. "We received word that two WRO agents are sneakin' around the place, they managed to get passed the security somehow."

"We can't have that," Aerith stated as she shook her head.

"Yeah," Zack agreed, "we should warn the other guards at the other reactors, there may be more of them." Aerith scowled at Zack but she quickly hid it to avoid suspicion.

"Hmmm…" one of the Dark Kitsunes thought, "that's not a bad idea, we must alert the other guards in the other reactors at once."

Zack scanned all the guards and he saw that one of the Deep Ground Soldiers had a key card connected to his belt. He started to walk over to the guard with the card key, "we'll patrol this area so you can warn the other guards," Aerith told the guards to keep their attention on her so that Zack could take the key card.

"Really…" one of the Deep Ground Soldiers spoke up as he smiled at Aerith, "wow…that would help out a lot…"

"Well, it's mine and my comrade's shift anyway," Aerith continued and she watched Zack creep closer to the guard holding the key card out of the corner of her eye. "Please be careful Zack…" Aerith prayed to herself as Zack reached out and carefully removed the key card from the guard's belt and gave Aerith a quick thumbs up sign before stepping away from the guard.

The guards started to leave but one of the Dark Kitsunes got closer to Aerith and placed his hand on the wall behind Aerith to stop her from moving. "Hey cutie…" the Dark Kitsune started flirting with Aerith, "what do you say we get together after this shift is over?"

"Sorry…but I'm not interested," Aerith bluntly told the Dark Kitsune.

"It wasn't a request," the Dark Kitsune stated, "It was an order." The Dark Kitsune smirked as he moved in to try and kiss Aerith, Zack growled under his breath and was about to march up to the Dark Kitsune but he stopped when he saw Aerith punch the Dark Kitsune square in the face causing him to be sent flying into the back wall. The Dark Kitsune slammed back first into the wall and slumped to the floor unconscious, the other guards heard it and ran back into the room but before they could react Aerith was behind them. She punched one of the guards in the stomach repeatedly, she used her Cetra powers to boost the speed and strength of her punches. She then punched the guard in the face causing him to fall to the floor unconscious.

One of the two remaining guards tried to punch Aerith in the face but she quickly grabbed his fist and squeezed down on the pressure points causing the guard to cry out in pain. She then elbowed him in the stomach before punching him repeatedly in the face causing a tooth to fly out of the guard's mouth, Aerith then slammed the guard's head into the wall knocking him out. The one remaining guard, a Dark Kitsune saw his comrades lying unconscious on the floor and started to run away but he tripped up and landed on the floor. His eyes grew wide with shock when his middle tail was grabbed and he suddenly felt himself being dragged along the floor. "No! Please no!" He yelled as he desperately tried to dig his claws into the floor to stop himself from being dragged backwards but the floor was made out of reinforced titanium and his claws were unable to grip the floor. The Dark Kitsune came to a stop when his rear end bumped into a pair of boot clad feet, the Dark Kitsune turned his head round and looked up to see Aerith looking down at him and smirking evilly.

Zack shielded his eyes as Aerith kicked the crap out of the Dark Kitsune, when Zack opened his eyes again he saw that the Dark Kitsune was unconscious along side his comrades and Aerith was just stood there in shock. (A/N, I decided to have Aerith fight back in this chapter. I did like Aerith when I played Final Fantasy VII but I didn't like the fact that she was physically weak so I decided to make her stronger.) "Aerith…" Zack uttered as he walked over to Aerith, "that was amazing…how did you do that…"

"I'm not sure…" Aerith answered as she looked down at her hands which were shaking, "I just…lost it…I guess those training sessions with Tifa are starting to pay off…" Aerith added as she laughed slightly.

"I'll say…" Zack uttered as he continued to stare at her. "You were awesome…and so attractive too…damn…"

Aerith scowled at Zack, "Zack there's no time for that!" Aerith scolded as reverted to her original form and clothing. "The guards could wake up any minute, we have to get out here." Aerith continued as she started to walk off.

"I know, I know…" Zack uttered a hint of disappointment in his voice as he too reverted. "I just wish you could've stayed in that form for a little while longer…" Zack continued as Aerith stopped in her tracks and turned round to scowl at Zack again. "Alright, I'm coming…" Zack stated with a sigh as he followed Aerith to the door at the end of the corridor.

"Do you have the card key?" Aerith asked as she stared hopefully at Zack.

Zack smirked as the card key appeared in his hand, "can Rufus Shinra still be trust?" Zack asked in a joking manner as he swung the card key round his fingers, Aerith just scowled at him. "Ok…that was a bad joke…" Zack admitted as he got closer to the door, "Let's just get outta here before the guards wake up." Zack saw the card key reader and swiped the card through the slot, the card key reader blipped for a few seconds before the light turned green and the door was unlocked.

Zack opened the door and he and Aerith stepped inside, "it's so dark in here…" Aerith stated before she used her Cetra powers to summon a ball of light which provided some light in the dark room.

"We should be careful," Zack added as he also summoned a ball of light to make the room lighter. He and Aerith walked down the dark corridor using the balls of light that were floating in front of them to light their path. They reached the end of the corridor and turned right, Zack was about to walk down the next one when a laser beam appeared out of nowhere a few inches near Zack's foot causing him to jump back in shock. "Whoa!" Zack cried out as he and Aerith saw many more lasers activate all along the corridor. Some were hovering horizontally while others were hovering vertically and some of the lasers were moving in random directions. "What the hell…"

"It seems you've stumbled on a laser grid," Reeve spoke up in the headset.

"Why didn't you tell us that before?" Zack complained into the headset.

"For some reason, my sensors couldn't detect the laser grid," Reeve explained. But now I know it's there I can determine the pattern of the laser grid's movements and guide you both through it but you'll both have to listen very carefully."

"We will," Zack promised. "I know we can regenerate but those lasers will cut us both into confetti…" Zack stated a little nervously before turning to Aerith. "I should go first."

"Are you sure?" Aerith asked.

"Yeah," Zack answered, "then you follow me afterwards."

Aerith nodded and Zack walked to the edge of the laser grid. "Ok, the first laser is a horizontal one and will appear at your feet in five seconds." Reeve informed the raven haired man through the headset. "Get ready to jump over it when it appears." Zack bent down slightly preparing to jump, when the laser appeared Zack jumped over it. "There are now two vertical lasers moving towards you, you must jump between them when you have the chance." Zack saw the two laser beams moving towards him and he jumped through them twisting his body to avoid getting hit by the lasers.

Reeve continued to direct Zack through the laser grid, several horizontal lasers some higher than others were moving towards Zack. Zack jumped over the first laser and quickly rolled under the second one, he continued to follow the pattern until he got passed the lasers. Two vertical lasers appeared near Zack and moved slowly from side to side, the raven haired man waited for the right moment before quickly running between the two lasers. As Zack got to the other side of the corridor he could hear a crackling sound, he turned round just in time to see a wall of horizontal lasers moving towards him at a great speed. Zack sighed for a moment before running up the wall and performing a back flip over the lasers, he landed safely on the other side and the lasers disappeared. (A/N, the laser grid part is a parody of Resident Evil 4 when Leon had to get through a corridor filled with lasers. Of course I changed the layout of it slightly, with the exception of the last part. I don't own Resident Evil, it belongs to Capcom.) "Heh…that was easy," Zack bragged as he stood on the other side of the corridor.

Aerith gulped nervously as Reeve began to guide her through the laser grid, she came across two diagonal lasers that were criss-crossing each other. Aerith waited until she spotted an opening and she quickly ran through the two lasers. Aerith quickly jumped as she spotted two horizontal lasers moving towards her and she quickly twisted her body round as two vertical lasers followed the horizontal ones. She jumped and dodged in this fashion until she safely reached the other side, she was breathing heavily. "Phew…that sure took a lot out of me…"

"I never knew you were so athletic," Zack remarked as he smirked at Aerith.

"Neither did I," Aerith admitted as she smiled back at Zack. "Maybe it's all the training I've been having or the powers from the Life Stream."

"Maybe…" Zack replied as he ruffled his hair, "we better get going, everyone's counting on us to lower the barriers.

I'm glad you both made it through the laser grid," Reeve stated with relief. "I've managed to deactivate the laser grid to make the return trip easier for you both."

"Thanks Reeve," Zack and Aerith both thanked in perfect unison.

"You're welcome," Reeve replied, "now you need to go straight ahead and turn right at the corner to a door at the end of the second corridor." Aerith and Zack ran down the corridor and quickly turned right, they ran down another corridor being careful to avoid the security cameras. They reached a door at the other side of the corridor, Aerith reached out and was about to open the door but Zack reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Wait…" Zack warned Aerith as he gently pulled her hand away from the door handle. "Reeve is there anything behind this door that we should know about? Like snake pits, laser beams, swinging pendulums, swords that drop on your head, moving spiked walls of death, spike pits…the list just goes on."

Both Aerith and Reeve laughed out loud when they heard this, "Zack…I don't think that kind of stuff would be in a reactor…" Aerith stated as she tried hard not to laugh.

"Errrr…well…there could be…" Zack stammered quickly as he scowled at Aerith and folded his arms.

"Aerith is right Zack," Reeve agreed with the Cetra. "It's a recently rebuilt reactor not an ancient tomb, anyway…" Reeve quickly changed the subject, "that door will take you outside the reactor and into the main control centre."

"Thanks Reeve," Zack replied gratefully and he released Aerith's hand. Aerith reached out for the door handle and opened the door. Zack and Aerith then walked through it and they ended up on a metal bridge where the ceiling and the sides were completely covered in glass.

"Wow!" Aerith exclaimed as she walked over to the side of the bridge and pressed her face against the glass and looked out at the ruins of Midgar that seemed to span across the entire area. "You can see most of Midgar from here!"

"Yeah," Zack agreed as he walked over to her. "Isn't that the Shinra building?" Zack questioned as he pointed to the ruins of a building at the far side.

"Well, what's left of it," Aerith stated as she looked at the building Zack was pointing at. Aerith continued to look around before sighing to herself as she looked at what was left of her former home. "Come on," Aerith finally said as she came away from the glass.

"Coming," Zack replied and he too came away from the glass but not before seeing a strange looking monster fly over the bridge. "Whoa!" Zack yelled as he leapt back.

"What's wrong?" Aerith asked as she turned and saw Zack.

"I thought I saw a…never mind…" Zack answered as he ruffled his hair, "let's get going, everyone else is counting on us." Aerith nodded and the two made their way across the see-through bridge and the saw a door leading into another building on the other side of the bridge. They walked up to the door and opened it before walking through.

Zack and Aerith found themselves in another corridor that was lit up by strange lamps that seemed to emit a strange purple glow. They both looked up and saw small purple coloured crystals in the ceiling, "what are those crystals?" Aerith questioned as she stared at them in awe.

"I dunno," Zack replied as he shrugged his shoulders. "But whatever they are they're not of this world. I've never seen anything like them." Aerith suddenly stepped back in fear, Zack saw this and he turned round to see Aerith stood slightly behind him her hands were clasped tightly to her chest and she had a scared expression on her face. "Aerith…what is it?" Zack asked his voice was filled with concern.

"I sense…so much dark energy…" Aerith uttered her voice shook violently as she continued to stand there in fear. "Can't you feel it?" Aerith questioned as she stared at Zack.

"Yeah," Zack answered, "but it's not really that strong."

"Maybe it's because I'm part Cetra," Aerith stated as she remained where she was. "Cetra are more receptive to this kind of thing," Aerith explained.

"Surely there wouldn't be that much dark power coming from those little crystals," Zack responded as he pointed at the crystals on the ceiling that were providing the corridor with light.

"I wouldn't be too sure Zack," Aerith warned the raven haired man. "Even a small crystal can contain a lot of power. Just look at materia, they're only small orbs yet they contain a lot of power."

"Good point," Zack agreed with Aerith. "The reason why I can't sense it as much is because I'm not a Cetra." Zack then looked back at Aerith, "you ready to continue?" He asked as he held his hand out to her.

Aerith nodded, "yeah," she answered as she walked towards Zack and took hold of his hand. "We have to do this." Aerith smiled at Zack and he smiled back, they ran down the corridor and came across a metal door with a security code on it.

"Oh my goodness!" Reeve suddenly yelled down the headset causing both Aerith and Zack to jump.

"What is it?" Zack questioned through the mouth piece of the headset.

"My sensors have gone completely off the charts!" Reeve explained in a worried tone. "Whatever's in that next room is huge! Are you both sure you want to continue?"

"We have no other choice," Aerith told Reeve. "We have to do this for the Planet."

"I admire your bravery," Reeve complimented the two. "Alright, I'll hack the security code for the door, I just hope you're prepared for what's on the other side." The sound of typing could be heard on the other side of the ear piece as Reeve typed away on a computer. A clicking sound could be heard as the door became unlocked.

"Thanks Reeve," Zack and Aerith both thanked the man before pushing the door open and running into the main control room. The room itself was completely dark except for a purple glow emitting from the centre of the room. The two crept further into the room and they saw a fairly large purple crystal suspended in mid air in the centre of the control room. "It's another one of those purple crystals…" Zack uttered as he and Aerith stared at it. They both closed their eyes as they could hear a faint humming coming from the crystal which slowly grew louder and the two opened their eyes again.

"The dark power in this crystal is stronger than in those crystals we saw in the previous room…" Aerith uttered as she clasped her hands close to her chest again and stared nervously at the crystal.

"Yeah…and it's strong enough for me to feel it too," Zack stated. "So this thing is responsible for those dark barriers that are blocking the entrances to the reactors."

Aerith nodded and Zack started to walk slowly towards the crystal, Aerith watched nervously for a few seconds before sensing that something was amiss. "Don't!" Aerith yelled as desperately thrust her hand forwards in an attempt to stop Zack but the raven haired man was too far away from her. As soon as he stepped into the crystal's light, he was lifted up into the air and purple electricity surged through his body.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Zack yelled in both pain and shock as the electricity continued to surge through him. Zack was then sent flying to the back of the room and he crashed into the far wall and slumped to the floor.

"Zack!" Aerith yelled as she ran up to him, she saw that he was smoking all over and his hair was even more stuck up than usual.

"Uuuuuuuhhhh…bzzzzz…that…bzzz…was a…bzzzz…shocking…bzzzz…experience…bzzz…" Zack mumbled as his body crackled with electricity between each word.

Aerith sighed as she shook her head, "do you have to come out with the electricity jokes now?" She asked in a half worried half frustrated tone.

Zack shook his head and he staggered slowly to his feet, "who's jokin'…" Zack questioned as he stared at Aerith. "That thing gave me the biggest shock of my life…" Aerith stood and scowled at Zack. "Ok…that was a bad one but you can understand where I'm coming from."

"Yes, I understand," Aerith answered with a nod. "We just need to get to it somehow."

Zack was about to respond but he was cut off by a low growling sound, "I don't think we're alone in here Aerith…" Zack uttered as he looked around for the source of the sound. The growling grew louder, so loud that it caused the room to shake. Zack and Aerith found themselves staring at the crystal again and they saw to their surprise that the crystal had turned on to its side and rose upwards as it embedded itself into something. Aerith and Zack then saw a pair of glowing yellow eyes staring at them, they stepped back as the eyes disappeared.

"What was that?" Aerith questioned as she stared at the place where the eyes were before.

"I dunno…" Zack answered as he scratched his head, he too was puzzled at what he had seen. "Maybe we just imagined it." Zack and Aerith crept further into the room, as they did so a thick gooey substance dripped from the ceiling and landed on Zack's left shoulder. Zack looked to his left and saw the drool, "ewww…gross!" Zack yelled in shock as he quickly wiped the liquid off his shoulder.

Zack and Aerith found themselves instinctively looking up and they saw a large purple bat like monster hanging upside down on the ceiling. "Whoa!" Zack and Aerith yelled at the same time and they leapt out of the way just in time as the monster let itself drop from the ceiling and it landed perfectly on the floor. The beast glared at Aerith and Zack through its gleaming yellow eyes, the top of its head and back were covered in strange dark purple armour. Long sharp finger like projections stuck out of the folded sections of its wings and they were tapping the floor menacingly. Zack and Aerith summoned two swords from their dimensions and got into fighting stances.

With a screech the monster opened its mighty wings and flapped them causing it to hover in midair. It swooped over Zack and Aerith aiming to scoop them up with its sharp talons but they ducked just in time and the monster stopped at the other side and turned round and hovered in midair at the opposite side of the room. The monster opened its mouth and screeched as loudly as it could creating powerful ultrasound waves which zoomed through the air towards Zack and Aerith. Aerith quickly cast reflect causing the ultrasound waves to bounce back towards the monster. The monster screeched in pain as it fell to the ground and staggered round the circular room blind, deaf and confused. Zack and Aerith saw their chance and they ran up to the monster while it was incapacitated and hacked away at the armour with their swords. The monster screeched even louder and shook its head violently trying to snap at Zack and Aerith with its fangs but they simply leapt out of the way.

After a few more seconds the monster had regained its sight, hearing and senses. It flew back into the air again and slowly opened its mouth as a dark purple coloured ball formed inside its mouth and a dark purple beam fired out of it and circled round the room as it aimed for Zack and Aerith. They dodged out of the way but the beam caught Zack's arm completely disintegrating it. Zack and Aerith dodged the beam for a second time before staring at the place where Zack's arm used to be before another one grew in its place. "I love being able to regenerate," Zack stated as he looked at his newly formed arm.

The beam suddenly stopped and the monster snarled at the two as it flapped its wings a couple of times and thrust its sharp talons out in front of it, the talons turned bright green as the monster zoomed towards Zack and Aerith and its talons dug deep into their shoulders, blood trickled out of the wounds in both Zack and Aerith's shoulders as the monster lifted them up into the air and looked down at them with its greedy eyes and it brought its face closer to them. Zack and Aerith looked at each other and nodded before swinging their swords at the same time and knocking more armour off it. The monster screeched again and it released Zack and Aerith. The two fell to the floor and they looked at their wounds and saw green poison oozing from the wounds before a pale green light made the poison disappear and completely healed the wounds. (A/N, thanks to their newly acquired Life Stream abilities Zack and Aerith can regenerate and are automatically immune to even the most deadly of poisons.) "I'm so glad we're no longer affected by poisons," Aerith commented as she and Zack staggered to their feet.

The monster stared at the two in shock before it folded its giant wings into its body and quickly opened them again as it thrust purple coloured energy balls at them. Zack and Aerith looked at the balls before quickly jumping into the air. They swiped at the energy balls with their swords leaping higher and higher, as soon as they got close to the monster's head it snapped at them but they quickly dodged out of the way and landed on its back. With quick sword strikes they got rid of the final pieces of armour leaving it completely exposed. Zack and Aerith then saw the purple crystal embedded in its back, "that must be its weak point," Aerith remarked as she slashed at the crystal with her sword. Zack did the same and the monster screeched in pain as Zack and Aerith continued to hack away at the crystal. The monster struggled wildly causing both Zack and Aerith to lose their balance and fall off the monster's back.

Aerith landed on the floor below the monster while Zack landed on the floor behind it. The monster saw Aerith lay below it and it swooped down aiming to kill her with its claws. Zack also saw this and he started to run towards Aerith, "AERITH!" Zack yelled out the woman's name causing her to look up and see the monster swooping down towards her.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" Aerith screamed at the top of her lungs too afraid to move.

Zack skidded to a stop in front of Aerith and he looked up at the monster glaring at it. As he did so a golden-red aura began to surround him. "Prove your honour…" a familiar voice echoed in Zack's head. Zack nodded as he focused his energy, he leapt into the air and launched into a punching and kicking combo on the monster's head punching and kicking it several hundred times before pushing off the monster's head to leap further into the air. Zack quickly positioned his body round so that his head was facing downwards before thrusting his fists out in front of him and spinning round rapidly as he free fell and punched the crystal on the monster's back causing it to shatter and explode on impact. Zack landed safely on the floor and watched as the monster fell to the floor dead and its entire body became crystallised before shattering into millions of pieces. (A/N, this is one of Zack's D.M.W. attacks from Crisis Core. This particular attack is called Rush Assault and can be obtained by matching three of Angeal's faces in the D.M.W. reel.)

Zack smirked at the monster's remains before running over to Aerith. "Are you ok?" Zack asked the woman his voice was filled with concern.

"Yeah…" Aerith answered as she held her head. Zack reached his hand out and helped Aerith to her feet, the two looked around and saw that the other dark crystals in the room and the previous corridor had shattered and were replaced by normal lights. "What you did before to that monster…it was amazing."

"I did it to save you," Zack answered, "it was a move I learned from my old mentor." Zack explained to Aerith.

"I see…" Aerith stated not being able to think of what to say.

"Looks like we got rid of all the dark power here," Zack stated quickly changing the subject.

"Yeah," Aerith agreed. "I wonder if the barriers have gone yet."

Zack's phone rang, he reached into his pocket and picked it up before answering it. "Hello…" Zack spoke down the phone.

"Zack, it's me Max," Max answered on the other side of the phone. "You guys did it, the dark barriers blocking the entrance to the reactors are gone. We're gonna continue with the next phase of the plan."

"Operation destroy the crap out of the reactors," Zack joked down the phone.

Max also laughed, "Max out," Max finally said as he calmed down before hanging up on the phone. Zack put his phone back in his pocket and he and Aerith ran out of the control room and made their way back to the reactor.

Meanwhile the remaining seven groups began to enter the reactors simultaneously, the groups entered the elevator rooms in each of the reactors and got into the elevators which took them down to the reactors themselves. The groups then ran down the stairs and entered the main reactors. Max's group looked round the building. "So green…" Max uttered as he looked around at the green coloured walls, he walked over to the barriers on the path and saw that there were several platforms below but ultimately there was no ground only a sea of green.

"Well what did you expect?" Reeve questioned through Max's headset. "Midgar is just full of Mako."

"So that's what that green stuff is…" Max stated.

"Yeah…" Yuffie muttered as she rolled her eyes. "For a superior race you sure are dumb…"

"Hey!" Max snapped as he glared at Yuffie. "I'm not dumb! I have an IQ of 350 and I invent my own stuff. In fact I come from a long line of inventors."

"Yeah, yeah…" Yuffie uttered in a bored tone. "I didn't ask for your life story let's just get this over with…this place gives me the creeps…" Max and Pandora started laughing causing Yuffie to scowl at them. "What's so funny?!" She demanded as she folded her arms and tapped her foot impatiently on the floor.

"I thought you would've enjoyed a place like this, considering that this is where materia comes from," Pandora remarked as she smirked. Max also smirked before bursting out laughing again.

"Ooooooooooohhhhhhh!" Yuffie moaned as she stamped her foot on the floor. "You're both mean…" Yuffie sulked as she continued to scowl at Max and Pandora.

"Let's just go," Max stated abruptly quickly changing the subject and the three walked along the path and climbed down the ladder to the next level.

Meanwhile in reactor seven Reno's group were climbing down the ladder to the next level. Reno and Emily were already at the bottom and were waiting for Elena to climb down. Eventually she reached the bottom of the ladder, she was about to jump off the last step but her foot got caught and she ended up falling off the ladder but Reno quickly caught her in his arms. "Careful…" he warned her as Elena looked up at him. "You're still as clumsy as ever…"

"And you're still a joker," Elena retorted as she gave Reno an amused smile.

"Yeah I sort of left myself open to that one," Reno admitted. "But I can take my job seriously."

"Just try not to take it too seriously," Elena stated as she waved a warning finger at him.

"Hey I don't wanna end up like Tseng," Reno replied as he grinned at Elena. "A boring old git who has no life outside of work…" Elena scowled at him, "it's true though…" Reno stated in a defensive tone, "when was the last time Tseng had a social life?"

"I know…" Elena responded as she laughed at Reno's defensiveness.

Emily whistled to get the two Turks' attention, "come on guys, we have a job to do." She told them, Reno and Elena looked at each other before Reno released Emily and they were soon on their way.

The eight groups travelled further into the reactors and climbed down several more ladders to get to the lowest level. The groups crossed the bridge which led to the self destruct devices in each reactor. "I sense something…" Max uttered as his group got closer to the self destruct device.

"Be on your guard," Cloud warned through his headset, the eight groups moved more cautiously.

"That's as far as you go!" Evil voices spoke to all of the groups at the same time as purple coloured crystals appeared in front of the eight groups and materialised into strange looking purple monsters wearing purple coloured armour with the purple crystals embedded in their backs. Some of the monsters were stood on two legs while other were stood on for or more legs, they all had gleaming yellow eyes and were advancing towards the groups.

"What is that thing?!" Yuffie yelled as each of the groups took a few steps backwards as the crystal monsters advanced on them.

"Humph…more monsters to contend with," Vincent spoke indifferently down the headset as he readied his gun.

"I predict that there will be an 85 chance that we'll all die," Isis estimated a little pessimistically as two machine guns materialised in her hands.

"Isis you're not helping!" Drogo yelled down his headset as he readied his katanas.

"I don't like those odds," Barret uttered, "and I'm not a betting man…"

"You're such a liar Barret," Tifa admonished down the headset.

"Shit!" Cid yelled as he felt around his pockets, "where's my cigarettes when I need 'em?!" Cid asked desperately causing Angel to scowl at him.

"We're staring death in the face and all you can think about are your damn cigarettes!" Angel yelled at the pilot. "Well if you do manage to find them you can shove them up your arse!"

Everyone was stunned when they heard Angel yell that, "did she just…" Reno questioned as he cleaned out his ears to make sure he heard it correctly.

"Yeah…" Lance answered as he spun his spear round.

Drogo laughed, "So miss etiquette has a potty mouth…" he stated in an amused tone as Lance scowled at him. "What…" Drogo questioned as he shrugged his shoulders, "it was bound to happen one day."

"Guys…can we just defeat these things before they decide to kill us and eat us!?" Cloud yelled down the headset.

"Guys, me and Aerith have seen this kind of monster before," Zack informed the group through the headset. "We saw one in the control room, it was the monster that was responsible for the barriers that were blocking our way."

"And now these guys are guarding the self destruct devices," Nightshade stated as he rested his sword on his shoulder.

"So our goal is clear, defeat these monsters to get to the self destruct devices." Max stated as he held his sword out in front of him. With a cry Max charged towards the monster and Pandora and Yuffie followed, everyone charged at the monsters at the same time. The monster that was fighting Max's group materialised a crystal sword in its hand and swung it round aiming to attack the group but Max leapt forwards and parried the attack with his own sword just in time. Sparks flew as the two swords smashed against each other with a metallic clang, Yuffie and Pandora the jumped towards the monster which summoned another crystal sword in its hand and parried their attacks.

In reactor seven Reno, Elena and Emily were fighting against a crystal monster that was in the shape of a human but had dragon features such as wings and a tail and was wielding a giant spear. The spear monster spun round in a circle swinging its spear round. Reno, Elena and Emily dodged this attack and Emily quickly swung her dual wheeler round like the blades of a windmill catching the spear and causing the monster to stop spinning. Elena saw her chance and fired at the monster with her hand gun. The bullets ricocheted off the monster's armour. The monster roared and turned its attention to Elena, Reno ran towards the monster and leapt on to its back he held his nightstick in the air which crackled with electricity before Reno stabbed it into the monster's armour. The monster roared in pain and shook wildly as pieces of armour became loose.

"Whoa!" Reno yelled as he grabbed on to the horns at the back of the monster's helmet, holding on for dear life as the monster continued to shake. Eventually the monster threw Reno off its back and he went flying back first into a wall.

"Reno!" Elena yelled as she took a piece of materia out of her pocket and put it in her gun, Elena then pointed the gun at the monster and opened fire. Bullets encased in ice were shot out of the handgun and shattered on the monster's armour upon impact causing more armour to fall away. The monster roared in pain before leaping into the air. Elena ran over to Reno and helped him, "are ok?" She asked as she helped Reno to his feet.

"Yeah…" Reno muttered as he saw Elena and smiled at her. "I am now." His smile soon faded when he spotted a shadow over them. "Look out!" He yelled but Emily was already in front of them and swung her dual wheeler round blocking the monster's attack and knocking it off balance. The monster opened its wings and hovered in the air before spinning its spear round creating a massive tornado trapping Reno, Elena and Emily inside it.

In all the other reactors the groups were fighting off various crystal monsters which were in various shapes, sizes and wielded various weapons. Vincent's group fought against a large crystal monster with multiple arms. Vincent and Isis ran towards the monster while Sunny stayed back and shot arrows at the monster, the monster roared as it slammed its hands on the ground. Vincent and Isis leapt into the air to avoid the monster's hands. As the monster slammed its hands into the ground again Vincent and Isis leapt on to the arms on opposite sides of the monster and ran up the arms to its shoulders. The monster tried to bat them both off it with its other arms but Vincent and Isis easily dodged them and leapt a final time, they flipped in midair and pointed their guns at the monster and opened fire. The monster screeched in pain and staggered round as bullets were pumped into it creating dents in the armour causing pieces of it to fall off. Sunny saw her chance and ran at the monster she took another arrow out of her quiver and put it in her bow as she ran. Spikes formed in the monster's arm and it swept its arm in a horizontal motion causing the spikes to spring out of the arm and aim at Sunny. Sunny easily dodged the spikes and pointed her bow at the monster's helmet. She then released the arrow and it impaled into the monster's helmet, Sunny then rolled out of the way and took out three arrows and put them in her bow. She shot all three at the helmet knocking it off. Vincent and Isis fired more bullets at the monster and the shoulder pads were removed.

The monster roared and swiped its arms upwards knocking Isis and Vincent out of the air, they managed to flip themselves again before landing on their feet. The eight groups put up a valiant effort and were able to remove the armour of all eight of the monsters revealing purple crystal cores embedded in their backs, heads, or arms. "Is that crystal the core?" Tifa questioned as she stared at the crystal lodged in the monster's forehead.

"Yes," Aerith spoke into her headset so that everyone could hear her. "The crystals are the monsters' weak points, we have to attack the crystals until they shatter."

"Sounds easy enough," Cloud stated as he swung his sword round.

"Easier said than done," Zack warned him through the headset. "You have to actually get to the crystals."

"Let's just end this damn freak show!" Barret yelled down his headset as he readied his gun arm. The eight monsters realised that they were now open to attack and lunged themselves at the groups. But the eight groups had already powered up their weapons and themselves ready to perform their special moves. Everyone glowed brightly with energy.

"Everyone attack…NOW!" Cloud commanded down his headset and the monsters were hit with Blade Beam, Satellite Beam, Apocalypse, Elemental Attacks, Psychic Wave and a wide variety of physical and magical attacks spontaneously. The monster roared and screeched in pain as they were unable to move. The crystals were continuously being pelted by the attacks until they all shattered unable to withstand the onslaught any longer. The eight monsters let out high pitched, blood curdling screeches as they were lifted up into the air, the monsters roared as their bodies slowly turned to crystal and shattered into millions of pieces.

The groups stared at the shattered pieces of crystal before they disappeared, Reno rested his nightstick on his shoulder. "That was a shattering experience…" he uttered.

"You're even worse than Drogo sometimes…" Emily stated with an exasperated sigh as she rolled her eyes, "and he tells some bad jokes."

"Well excuse me for having a sense of humour…" Reno responded irritably as he scowled at Emily. "Would you rather I was a miserable git like Tseng?" Elena scowled at Reno, "I was just kidding..." Reno added quickly, "man you two need a sense of humour." Reno walked towards the self destruct button, Max, Vincent, Drogo, Cloud, Rude, Angel and Zack did the same in the other reactors and they all pushed the self destruct buttons at the same time.

"Self destruct sequence has been activated!" A synthetic female voice echoed through the intercoms in the reactors. "All employees have ten minutes to evacuate, repeat, all employees have ten minutes to evacuate!"

"Brings back so many memories…" Cloud muttered as he rolled his eyes.

"The reactor's gonna blow!" Cait Sith yelled as he ran round in circles in panic.

Lance and Drogo stared at each other before sighing, "He's worse than Yuffie…" Lance stated as he pointed at Cait Sith.

"Yeah…" Drogo agreed, "for once I agree with you."

Lance and Drogo turned round and made a run for it, "hey! Wait for me!" Cait Sith yelled as he tried to run after them but he was unable to keep up. Lance and Drogo ran up the steps and slid under the door just in time as it slammed shut leaving Cait Sith trapped inside the reactor.

The other groups quickly made their way out of the reactors dodging turrets that came out the walls and opened fire in a desperate attempt to stop the groups from escaping and sliding under doors that were slamming shut. The groups eventually managed to get out of the reactors and ran up the stairs leading to the elevators. The groups got into the elevators and listened to the annoyingly catchy lift music, "WE'RE IN A HURRY HERE!" Max yelled at the speaker in the elevator. "WE DON'T NEED TO LISTEN TO THIS SHIT!" The elevators made a dinging sound as they reached the top floor, the doors opened and smoke emitted from the elevator in reactor eight as Max launched a fireball at the speaker in frustration. The groups quickly ran through the remaining corridors and ran along the bridges leaving the reactors and got to safety just as all eight reactors blew up at the same time.

"Was it wise of us to leave Cait Sith in the reactor?" Lance asked as he gave Drogo a questioning look.

Drogo was about to respond when the burnt remains of Cait Sith's head landed on the ground near their feet. Drogo picked the head up and saw that the fur was completely burnt off on one side leaving the metal frame exposed and one of the eyes was hanging out. "He was a good friend, noble courageous…" Drogo stated mockingly as he gave a fake eulogy.

"Brave…" Lance uttered as he repeated one of Drogo's words.

"Hell no!" Drogo yelled as he laughed loudly, "he was a bloody coward, I just hope Illusion will quit while she's ahead," Drogo added in a half joking manner as he causally threw Cait Sith's burnt head over his shoulder.

"You really need to stop those bad jokes…" Lance uttered as he gave Drogo a dig in the arm. "They're not funny."

"Yeah, yeah…" Drogo muttered, "come on we gotta meet the others at sector eight." Drogo and Lance ran away from the blown up reactor and made their way to sector eight where everyone else was waiting for them.

"Took your damn time!" Cid yelled at the two.

"Where's Cait Sith?" Tifa asked as she searched for the cybernetic cat.

"He remained behind," Drogo told a half truth. "Nobly sacrificing himself to save me and Lance,"

"Really…" Zack asked eagerly.

"Not really…" Drogo stated, "We left him behind on purpose."

"You know, Reeve's really gonna kill you two," Reno told Lance and Drogo as he folded his arms and gave them an amusing smile.

"Come on, Reeve probably like mass produces Cait Sith," Drogo replied as he stared at the Turk. "I mean what version was that one?"

"Version six if I remember correctly," Tifa answered. "To be honest we've all lost count."

"Look, the Life Stream!" Aerith yelled suddenly and she pointed upwards, everyone looked up and saw the purple corrupted Life Stream float up to the sky and joined up with the pure Life Stream.

"Wow…if it didn't look so eerie looking I'd say it looked beautiful," Pandora remarked.

"I guess all that's left to do for this mission is to purify the Life Stream," Nightshade stated as removed his shades to clean them.

"Errr…I'm afraid it's not that simple," Aerith spoke up causing everyone to stare at her in shock.

"What do you mean it's not that simple?!" Yuffie questioned irritably.

"We can't purify the Life Stream here," Aerith answered. "There's too much corruption."

"Illusion…" Max asked.

Aerith shook her head, "there has been corruption in Midgar long before Illusion showed up."

"Damn Shinra!" Barret yelled as he thrust his de transformed metallic hand into the air. "They were never satisfied, destroyin' our planet to line their damn pockets with gold!"

"Not this again Barret…" Tifa uttered as she rolled her eyes. "Rufus has seen the error of his ways, and it's about time you remembered that."

"But Tifa…" Barret started to protest.

"Can we just hear what Aerith has to say?" Max asked slightly irritably as he scowled at Barret and Tifa, Barret fell silent. "Go ahead Aerith," Max continued as he turned his attention back to Aerith.

"My point is, we have to go to a place that's pure," Aerith started to explain. "A place that's full of energy a place that has a strong connection to the Cetra."

"The Forgotten City…" Avalanche and the Turks stated at the same time.

"The Forgotten what?" Pandora questioned as she and the rest of her friends gave Avalanche and the Turks confused looks.

"It's a godforsaken ruin on the Northern Continent!" Cid answered as he gave Pandora and amused smile. "That's all you need to know."

Aerith scowled at him, "do you mind?" Aerith asked the pilot in an annoyed tone as she walked up to him and jabbed him in the chest with her index finger. "The Forgotten City is the one place that's left that belonged to my people!" Aerith yelled, "So please show some more respect."

Everyone just stared at Aerith in shock at her newfound confidence, "wow…go Aerith!" Zack yelled as he walked over to Aerith and wrapped his arms round her neck. "You're hot when you're angry you know that…" Zack stated flirtatiously.

"We don't have time for that Zack," Aerith admonished the raven haired man as she removed his arms from her neck. "The fate of the world is in our hands," Aerith reminded him as she walked off.

"The fate of the world is always in our hands…." Zack complained as he followed Aerith.

Cid took out his phone and dialled a number, "this is Cid here, land the Sierra on the outskirts of Midgar!" He commanded.

"Rodger that!" One of the co-pilots on the Sierra answered, "We're just approaching the city limits now."

"Good," Cid stated and he hung up on the phone. "Come on, the Sierra's gonna be waitin' for us." The group followed Cid out of sector eight and they made their way towards the outer slums and eventually left the ruined city just in time as the Sierra landed. Two crew members were stood on the deck and lowered a rope ladder so that the group could get on board. When everyone was on board the crew members pulled the rope ladder back up and the Sierra quickly took off. The group then went inside the ship and went their separate ways as they did their own thing. Cid entered the bridge and resumed command of the Sierra.

"Are we headin' back to base?" One of the co-pilots asked Cid.

"No," Cid answered as he was stood at the controls. "We're headin' to the Forgotten City."

"But captain…" The co-pilot started to speak up.

"I said we're goin to the Forgotten City!" Cid interrupted as he scowled at the co-pilot. "There's somethin' important that we've gotta do there, oh and if you question my orders again I'll skin ya alive ya hear me?!"

"Yes captain…" the pilot answered nervously, "we'll set a course for the Forgotten City…"

Cid grinned, "That's more like it!" Cid yelled happily as he pushed a button on the new control panel that Max put in. "I love this upgrade," Cid stated with a smirk as he reached down and opened up a secret compartment underneath the control panel and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He opened the pack up took a cigarette out and put it in his mouth. He then took a spare lighter out of the compartment and lit the cigarette up. However as soon as Cid lit it, a water faucet came out of the ceiling and sprayed a small jet of water on to the cigarette putting it out. "What the hell…" Cid cursed as he looked up at the faucet then down at the soaked cigarette and back up at the faucet again.

"I'm sorry Cid but this is a non-smoking flight," Shera two informed him.

"I suppose Max installed that faucet as a joke!" Cid yelled irritably as he threw the soaked cigarette on to the floor.

"Actually Shera installed the faucet herself," the A.I. answered. "She also programmed it to come out and spray water every time you lit up."

"So this is part of Shera's campaign to get me to quit smokin'…" Cid questioned in annoyance.

"That's correct," Shera two replied calmly. "But it's for your own good."

"Shit!" Cid cursed, "I'll smoke whenever I want!"

"I'm afraid I can't allow that Cid," Shera two stated. "And I will inform Shera about your secret stash of cigarettes."

Cid sighed, "Fine…I'll quit if it'll get everyone off my back!"

"Glad to hear it," Shera two responded happily.

"I wanna get to the Forgotten City in double time," Cid told the A.I. "So divert some of the powers to the thrusters."

"Very well," the A.I. responded, "power is being diverted to the thrusters."

"Thanks," Cid replied gratefully as he pushed the ignition button and large blue flames shot out of the thrusters launching the Sierra forwards. The Sierra took off and made its way to the Northern Continent, as the Sierra passed the Midgar overlook several cloaked figures were stood on the tallest hill watching the airship as it flew passed. Red eyes gleamed from under the hoods and mouths were twisted into evil grins before the cloaked figures disappeared in a flash of purple light.

It was approaching nightfall by the time the Sierra landed near the ruins of the Forgotten City, the group walked on to the deck of the Sierra and two crew members lowered the rope ladder so the group could get down to the ground. The group climbed down the rope ladder as soon as everyone was on the ground they made their way to the entrance of the city, as soon as they entered Max and his friends stared at the entire area and saw that it was nothing more than a few giant shells that were broken in some places and a few sparsely placed trees and other strange looking plant life. "This is the Forgotten City..." Drogo uttered as he stared at one of the broken shells, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"I have to be honest..." Sunny added as she looked to her left and saw a strange looking tree. "I was expecting something a little more..."

"This place is a dump..." Drogo cut in causing both Sunny and Aerith to scowl at him.

"This place is merely a facade," Aerith replied not taking her eyes off Drogo. "To stop any intruders from finding the real city."

"So where is the real city?" Angel asked as she gave Aerith a curious stare.

"You'll see," Aerith answered as she turned round and started to walk off, everyone else started to follow her.

Max was about to follow but he stopped as he could hear murmurs, he closed his eyes and pricked his ears up so he could hear the voices more clearly. "The voices of the planet..." Max whispered to himself.

"The aura of the Cetra is strong here," Aurora spoke in Max's head. "That means that the voices of the Planet can be heard more clearly. Also your magic will be greatly affected here."

"Affected in what way?" Max asked his mother's spirit.

"You'll find out soon enough," she answered, "when you reach the real city of the Ancients."

"I see..." Max replied, "There's a lot of magic in the air here. It'll only be a matter time before Illusion finds out that the reactors were destroyed. We have to find the City of the Ancients quickly and re-purify the Life Stream." Max opened his eyes and he saw Nightshade stood next to him with his eyes closed, "you feel it too, don't you?" Max questioned causing the older Kitsune to open his eyes.

"Yes," Nightshade answered without looking at Max. "There's a lot of magic here, the Cetra must've been magical by nature but...there's something else as well...something not quite right..."

"I know," Max replied as he looked around him. "I sense it too...I sense a lot of death..." Max and Nightshade looked around them again. "We better catch up with the others." Nightshade nodded and they ran to keep up with the others. The group walked down a path and entered a small forest, as they left the forest they came across a lone shell and a lake. As the group walked closer to the lake to make their way to the giant shell Max stopped and turned to the lake, he walked closer to the lake and looked into it. As he looked deep into the water he saw Aerith's body lying at the bottom of the lake lifeless there was a stab wound in her chest and her long hair was flowing behind her. "Huh..." Max thought to himself as he quickly looked away, but when he looked back he saw that Aerith's body had gone. Max shook his head, "did I see what I thought I saw?" Max questioned in his head as he looked up and saw Aerith walking with the others. "Did I just see Aerith's death? Was it a vision of the past or was it a vision of what's to come?"

"Hey Max!" Pandora called out to him, "you coming?!"

"Errr yeah..." Max answered as he shook his head a final time before running to catch up with the others as soon as he got there Pandora turned to look at him.

"Are you ok?" She asked as she gave him a concerned look. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I thought I saw...never mind." Max finally said, "We've got more important things to worry about."

"You're right," Pandora agreed. "Come on, we should get going." Pandora took hold of Max's hand and the two followed everyone else. The group entered the giant shell and in the centre of the shell they saw a crystal staircase leading down.

"Crystal staircase that leads down..." Isis uttered as she gave the stairs a questioning look. "There is nothing down there it's completely illogical."

"Isis, everything's illogical according to you." Drogo told her as he walked passed her. "Just because it doesn't seem logical doesn't mean that it's not real or it doesn't work."

"We have to go down the stairs," Aerith informed the group as she stepped on to the first step. "It leads us to the City of the Ancients." Aerith walked down the stair case and the rest of the group followed. As Max walked about half way down the stairs a bluish-white aura surrounded him and his fur colour changed from green to whitish-blue and the pupils and irises disappeared. Two large white feathered wings grew out of Max's back and arched round almost hitting Reno in the face.

"Hey!" Reno yelled at Max as he pushed the wings away. "Watch where you're puttin' those things!"

"I can't control where my wings go when I first transform," Max replied without turning to face Reno.

"Wait…" Reno uttered as he realised that Max didn't normally have wings. "Since when did you have wings?"

"I don't normally," Max answered as he continued to walk down the stairs. "This is my light form."

"Light form…" Reno questioned.

"It's a long story," Max stated. "I don't really want to go into it at the moment."

"And you chose to transform on the stairs with me right behind you…" Reno uttered angrily as he glared at the back of Max's head.

"I didn't choose to transform," Max retorted as he turned his head round to look at Reno. "I was forced into this form, there's something about this place that's affecting me…yet I'm not a Cetra."

"Well don't try and explain it to me…" Reno stated.

Max smirked at Reno, "Don't worry, when I do get round to explaining it I'll explain it in laymen's terms so you can understand it."

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?!" Reno demanded as he continued to glare at Max.

"Reno!" Elena yelled from behind the red headed Turk. "Just get moving!"

"But Elena…" Reno started to protest but Elena scowled at him.

"JUST MOVE IT!" Elena yelled at the top of her lungs causing Reno to jump back suddenly.

"Yes mam!" Reno yelled in fright as he saluted, Elena scowled at Reno again and he quickly turned round. Max chuckled to himself before he turned round and started to walk down the stairs again.

As the group continued to walk down the crystal staircase Max looked around and he saw a crystalline city below him. "Wow…" Max uttered in awe, "This place is amazing…"

"This place is the City of the Ancients," Aurora informed Max. "There is a Holy aura through out the entire city."

"So that explains why I'm in my light form," Max stated as he continued to walk down the stairs. "Does that mean my magic is affected too?"

"Yes," Aurora answered, "this is a sacred place, your magic will be extremely strong here."

"I guessed as much," Max replied. "I just hope Illusion doesn't find this place." The group continued to walk down the staircase which seemed to twist and disappear into the roof of one of the buildings. The group eventually reached the bottom of the staircase and walked out of the building to find themselves in a street.

"This place is so beautiful," Pandora stated as she looked round at the futuristic looking buildings and the lampposts which seemed to emit a strange glow.

"Yeah," Max stated in agreement. "The Cetra must've been an advanced race." The group walked down the street and entered the city centre. The group saw Aerith and Zack stood at the edge of a large lake.

"Zack! Aerith!" Cloud called out to his friends as the group ran up to them. "There you are, you got slightly ahead of us."

"What are you both looking at?" Angel asked.

"We're looking at the altar in the centre of the lake," Zack answered without looking at the group. The group also looked at the centre of the lake and saw a very ornate altar there, plus several pillars in the lake which led to the main area.

Aerith was staring at the altar, her eyes were wide and her body was shaking slightly. "Aerith…" Tifa called out her friend's name. "Are you ok?"

Aerith said nothing, she closed her eyes as memories of her death flooded her mind. "What's wrong?" Pandora questioned as she stared at Aerith.

"I think I know," Max replied as he walked up to Aerith. He placed his hand on her forehead and focused, Max winced as he saw Sephiroth jumping down from a great height and running Aerith through with his sword. Max also saw the White Materia falling out of Aerith's hair and landing in the lake. He then saw Cloud putting Aerith's body in the lake outside the giant shell and he watched as Aerith's body sunk to the bottom. Max eventually pulled himself out of Aerith's mind and removed his hand from his forehead. "When I saw a vision of Aerith's body in the lake, it was just a memory…it had already happened…" Max stated but he couldn't help but feel confused. "But…I wasn't even there when it happened…I didn't witness the event…so why was it I could see Aerith's body in the lake?"

"People aren't the only ones who have memories," Aurora answered. "Places and objects also have memories, this place must've remembered Aerith's death and you were able to tap into the memories."

"I get it, it's because I'm psychic and I can tap into anything." Max stated as he nodded, "I think I understand now." Aerith opened her eyes and saw Max stood opposite her. "Are you ok?" Max asked.

Aerith nodded, "yeah," she answered as she smiled. "It's just being in this place that's all."

"It just brought it all back," Max replied.

"How did you know?" Aerith asked as she gave Max a questioning stare.

"I saw into your memories," Max confessed as his ears drooped slightly. "I saw everything that happened to you, I also saw your body in the lake before we came here. I wasn't sure what it was at first but…"

"You were able to tap into the lake's memory," Aerith finished Max's sentence for him.

"Yeah," Max answered, "but how did you know about that?"

"This place was home to the Cetra," Aerith answered, "their magic and memories are still here even though they're long gone. Those who are highly tuned to the voices of the Planet can see the memories here."

"Like me and my father," Max stated. "So, what now?"

"I have to get to the altar to purify the Life Stream," Aerith answered.

"Are you sure that's wise?" Cloud asked as he gave Aerith a concerned look.

"I'll be ok," Aerith answered as she looked at Cloud and smiled at him. "That's all in the past, besides, Zack'll be with me."

Zack nodded before he realised what Aerith had said, "I will…" he questioned as he gave Aerith a blank stare.

"Of course," Aerith answered as she smiled at him. "The purification spell requires two people and you're the only other one who can do it with me."

"Why me?" Zack enquired as he continued to stare blankly at Aerith.

"Because the spell can only be performed by Cetra and those that have become one with the Lifestream," Aerith answered as her smile faded.

"Oh yeah…" Zack replied as he suddenly remembered. "I know which spell you mean now," he turned to Cloud and the others. "The spell will require all of our concentration so you guys will have to protect us from any enemies that might show up."

"Don't worry," Cloud replied as he smiled at Zack. "We've got your backs," Cloud promised as he placed his hand on Zack's shoulder.

Max closed his glowing white eyes before opening them again, "you better hurry and get to the pillar." Max warned the two as he turned his back to them and summoned two glowing swords in his hands that were identical to each other. (A/N, in Light Form Max wields two swords instead of one.) "Dark forces draw near."

Zack and Aerith looked at each other and nodded before jumping on to the first pillar and leaping from pillar to pillar until they reached the altar at the centre. They walked to the centre of it and knelt down holding each other's hands as they did so staring into each other's eyes before closing them and lowering their heads. Zack and Aerith's lips moved in perfect unison as they muttered a prayer under their breaths. (A/N, they are speaking in Cetra while they are muttering the chant. Due to Zack's prolonged period in the Lifestream Zack knows how to speak Cetra.) As the two continued to pray the corrupted Lifestream started to surround them and glowed as it slowly started to become pure again.

The rest of the group readied their weapons and started to patrol the area round the altar to look out for any enemies. Max stayed near the pillars which led to the altar keeping his eyes open and his ears pricked as he watched and listened for any sign of an enemy. Max could sense that something was amiss and he quickly spun his right hand sword behind him. Max looked round slightly and saw a strange blue skinned creature with glowing red eyes stood behind him. The creature was staring at Max in shock before its head fell clean off and its body fell to the floor lifeless. "Don't try to sneak up on me, you never know what I might do," Max stated with a smirk as he stepped over the headless body only to be greeted by more of the strange creatures. "Great…more of them…" Max uttered as he shrugged his shoulders while spinning his two swords. "You're funeral…" Max stated with a hint of amusement in his voice before he charged at the newcomers.

Isis and Vincent were stood back to back as they were surrounded by the creatures. They tried to shoot at the creatures but the creatures kept teleporting. "Well…this is getting annoying…" Isis stated a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"I thought you never showed your emotions," Vincent commented as he turned his head slightly.

"I don't," Isis replied indifferently as she spun her gun round in her hand before shooting at one of the creatures that was unlucky enough to teleport into her line of fire. "Besides, you're one to talk, you're even more miserable than I am."

"Humph…" Vincent grunted and he and Isis leapt out of the way as a giant nova spell was fired at them. When they landed they saw that the creatures had mutated even further and grew extremely dark purple fur over their bodies and sharp claws sprang out of their fingers. "These must be the drones that Illusion created using Max's DNA," Vincent remarked as he was wrestled to the ground by one of the mutated creatures. It snarled at him and scratched him with its viciously sharp claws focusing various elements with each claw swipe, Vincent merely grunted before calmly throwing the creature off the creature landed only to have several bullets pumped into it. The creature screeched in pain as it eventually collapsed to the floor dead with countless bullet holes in its body and head.

Vincent looked up and saw Isis stood over the creature's body smirking as she held a shotgun in her hand. "And I thought you were an expert gunslinger," she stated in a mocking manner.

"I guess I'm nothing compared to you," Vincent responded as he sat up.

"No retort, no witty remarks…" Isis enquired as she gave Vincent a questioning look.

"We have more important things to worry about," Vincent stated as Isis reached out and helped Vincent up. Isis and Vincent smirked at each other before grabbing each other's hands and spinning themselves round in a circle and opening fire at the creatures. The creatures fell to the floor dead as Vincent and Isis stopped spinning, they spun their guns round above their heads and smirked at each other again.

Tifa dodged one of the creature's spells before elbowing one in the gut, and grabbing it and throwing it into more creatures knocking them all off their feet. Cloud then leapt overhead and slammed his sword into the ground causing seismic waves to emit from the sword and smash into the creatures killing them. The group continued to fight against the creatures as Zack and Aerith continued to purify the Lifestream. "Where are these things coming from?" Max questioned as one of the creatures used its telekinesis to pick Max up and throw him into one of the buildings. Max was sat in a room dazed for a few seconds before running through the Max shaped hole in the wall. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Max yelled as he ran towards the creatures holding his two swords behind him causing a trail of sparks to fly behind him as he ran. As he got close to the creature he swung his swords round striking the creature across the stomach cutting it cleanly in half. Max smirked as the creature died a painful death.

Max and the others looked around and saw that there were no creatures left. "Thank goodness that's over," Angel stated as she let out a sigh of relief. "My dress was almost ripped in that battle."

"Next time wear pants," Drogo suggested with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Or better yet wear a miniskirt, it won't get ripped and it's very easy on the eyes." Angel, Lance and Sunny glared at him, "what?" He questioned as he stared at the three. "It's true, I mean look at Tifa, she's deadly and she's easy on the eyes."

"Keep digging Drogo," Lance warned his friend as he pointed his spear at Drogo's throat. "You'll soon find yourself trapped."

"Lance you're forgetting, I'm the ex King of Thieves!" Drogo bragged as he moved Lance's spear away from his throat. "I can get myself out of any hole I dig myself into, no matter how deep it is."

Lance was about to respond but Tifa stopped him, "look, there's no more creatures. Does that mean it's over?"

Max closed his eyes as he could sense another presence, "no, this is far from over," Max answered as he opened his eyes again and looked at the group. "There's someone else here."

"I don't like the sound of that," Cloud spoke up as he tightly clasped his sword.

"You don't like the sound of anythin'," Barret spoke up. "I don't know who's a bigger miserable git, you or Vincent!"

"Barret!" Tifa yelled as she glared at Barret. Barret merely shrugged, Tifa sighed and she turned to look at the altar. "I think Zack and Aerith are close to finishing."

"I bloody hope so!" Cid yelled irritably as he too looked at the altar. "They sit there prayin' to the damn Planet and we're the ones that risk our lives protectin' 'em!"

The rest of the group scowled at Cid but they said nothing and looked at the altar to see that Zack and Aerith had stopped praying as the last bit of Lifestream changed back to green. Zack and Aerith both smiled and opened their eyes both unaware of the impending danger they were in. Max closed his eyes again as the evil presence he could sense grew stronger and Max opened his eyes again and looked up his eyes were wide with shock as he saw Sephiroth and Kadaj leap from the ceiling of the city with their swords pointing downwards as they fell aiming to impale Zack and Aerith on their swords. Max tried to yell a warning to Zack and Aerith but his voice wouldn't work and the two continued to remain unaware of their impending doom. Max and the others all covered their eyes not being able to watch the scene that was about to unfold.

The group could hear two metallic clangs and opened their eyes to see Zack and Aerith both stood up and Sephiroth and Kadaj were still in the air their eyes were wide with shock as Zack and Aerith's swords were stabbed deep in their stomachs. Sephiroth stared at Aerith in shock, "not this time," Aerith whispered to Sephiroth as she forced the sword further into Sephiroth's stomach causing him to cough up specks of blood. (A/N, the sword Aerith has stabbed Sephiroth with is a replica of the Masumame that she created forged from her dimension.) Kadaj and Sephiroth moaned in pain as Aerith and Zack removed the swords causing the two to fall to the floor.

"So…the bitch in pink has finally grown some fangs…" Sephiroth whispered as he looked up at Aerith his eyes glazed in pain.

"I never make the same mistake twice," Aerith stated as she smirked evilly at Sephiroth. "Besides, the Lifestream has made me stronger."

"Ironic isn't it? How you meet the same end that Aerith did all those years ago." Zack questioned he too was grinning at both Sephiroth and Kadaj.

"It…doesn't matter…how many times you kill us…" Sephiroth spoke still in that weak voice. "Illusion will…bring us back…"

"We'll be back to play…soon enough…" Kadaj added.

"Well you won't be able to be brought back without a necromancer," Zack stated. "And we intend to put an end to Illusion." Sephiroth and Kadaj continued to stare at Zack and Aerith before dying and turning into a severed hand and a skull. Zack and Aerith picked up the skull and the severed hand and dropped them into the lake. Zack and Aerith then left the altar leaping from pillar to pillar and landed back on the main area next to the group.

"That was…amazing…" Max uttered in shock after finally finding his voice.

"Yeah," Cloud agreed. "I didn't think you guys had it in you."

"Well I learned that if I was to survive that I'd have to stand up for myself," Aerith answered. "I don't really condone violence but in some circumstances it's necessary."

"I couldn't agree more," Zack stated agreeing whole heartedly with Aerith. "I taught you well."

"I was the one that taught Aerith that her hands could double as weapons," Tifa spoke up as she glared irritably at Zack. Zack and Tifa continued to argue and Reno's phone rang, Reno reached into his pocket and pulled his phone out.

"Reno here," Reno spoke into his phone.

"Reno, it's Rufus." Rufus answered on the other side of the phone. "How was the mission?"

"The mission was a complete success," Reno explained happily. "We're returnin' to HQ."

"Glad to hear it," Rufus replied. "Try to get back as quick as you can then we can debrief and plan out what to do next."

"Yes sir," Reno obeyed, "Reno out." Reno hung up on the phone and put it back in his pocket. "That was Rufus," Reno informed the group. "We should return to HQ," Reno told them, not wishing to be in the City of the Ancients any longer the group made their way back to the house where the crystal staircase was and began their slow ascent. As soon as they got out of the City of the Ancients Max reverted to his normal form and the group made their way back to the Sierra.

A few hours later they arrived at the WRO HQ and were soon in the meeting room. "First of all I'd like to congratulate you all on your success," Rufus began the meeting as he smiled at the group. "Thanks to your efforts the Lifestream has been purified again."

"It won't stop Illusion from retrying though," Nightshade stated pessimistically.

"I don't think Illusion would be stupid enough to try and corrupt the Lifestream again," Max replied as he placed his arms round the back of his head.

"We must defeat her before she tries anything else," Cloud stated determinedly as he stood up and banged his fists on the table.

"Illusion's lair would be heavily guarded and have countless traps," Reeve warned the group. "If you thought the reactors were bad, Illusion's lair would be 100 times worse."

"Reeve's right," Vincent agreed with man. "We need to come up with a plan, we can't just barge right in there we'll be killed."

"Plus I'm exhausted!" Yuffie complained, "I know Illusion's a threat to this planet but surely we could rest first."

"Evil doesn't rest," Max told Yuffie as he scowled at her. "Even now Illusion's plotting a new way to conquer this planet. We can't let that happen."

"But we're exhausted Max," Tifa stated agreeing with Yuffie. "We fought monsters in both the reactors and the City of the Ancients, we all need time to rest otherwise we'll have our asses handed to us."

"I agree with Tifa," Rufus replied. "You all did very well, and I will give you all time to rest and then we'll come up with a plan to rid the world of Illusion for good." There were general murmurs of agreement before everyone left the meeting room and went their own separate ways.

Max was sat on a roof in Kalm when Pandora landed next to him, "so this is where you've been hiding," she spoke to the Kitsune.

"I wasn't hiding," Max answered as he turned round to look at Pandora. "I came up here because it's quiet."

"What are you thinking about?" Pandora asked as she sat down next to Max.

"By now Illusion probably knows what we've been up to," Max started to explain. "Yet she hasn't shown up either at the reactors or at the City of the Ancients."

"That's because she sent her lackeys to take care of us," Pandora reminded him.

"I know…but, I get the feeling that this is far from over," Max continued. "Illusion's planning something, something big, I know she is."

"Well, we'll worry about that when it happens," Pandora stated reassuringly as she wrapped her arms round Max's neck. "For now, we should enjoy this reprieve while we can."

"Yeah you're right," Max replied as he smiled at Pandora before kissing her on the lips.

"I know I am," Pandora stated as she too smiled, the two kissed for a while before Pandora suddenly yawned. "I guess I'm more tired than I thought."

"Why don't you go back to HQ?" Max suggested kindly. "Get some sleep."

"Aren't you coming?" Pandora asked him.

"Nah," Max answered. "I'm not really tired, but I'll be along later."

"Ok," Pandora stated as she kissed Max on the lips again. "Night Max."

"Night Pan," Max replied affectionately as he smiled at her. Pandora also smiled before flapping her wings and flying back to HQ. Max sighed to himself before lying back and looking at the star lit sky.

Meanwhile Reno was walking through the streets of Kalm until he arrived at an apartment building. He entered the building and climbed up two flights of stairs before approaching his apartment. He was about to put his key in the door to unlock it but he was surprised to learn that the door was already unlocked. "Huh…" Reno uttered to himself as he pushed the door open slightly and grabbing his nightstick before charging through the door. "Alright, show yourself you bast…" Reno started to yell but he stopped both in his tracks and in midsentence as he saw Emma sat on the sofa in the living room. "Emma…" Reno uttered in shock as he lowered his nightstick. "How did you get in here?"

"I had a spare set of keys, remember?" Emma answered as she got up and walked up to Reno holding a set of keys in her hand.

"You could've told me you were here," Reno replied as he closed the door and removed his jacket. "I thought you were burglar I could've clubbed you on the head."

"I called your phone," Emma told Reno as she pointed to the phone and an answering machine on a coffee table near the sofa. "But you didn't answer so I left several messages on your answering machine."

"I was on an important mission," Reno replied. "I wasn't home all day."

"I also left several messages on your voicemail," Emma continued as she started to get a little irritated. "But you didn't answer that either."

"Emma, I already told you that I was on a highly dangerous mission I'm hardly gonna take time to listen to my voicemail." Reno explained himself.

"Well, you're here now and that's all that matters," Emma replied as she smiled at Reno. "I'm just gonna get started with dinner." Emma told the red haired Turk as she sauntered into the kitchen.

"Great…" Reno stated as he laughed nervously before sighing and flopping down on the couch. He sat there for a while just thinking. "You're gonna have to tell her sooner or later," Max's voice echoed in Reno's brain. "And if I were you I'd do it sooner because the longer you leave it the harder it's gonna be." Reno sighed again as he got up and walked into the kitchen. He saw Emma stood at the worktop cutting onions and humming to herself. Reno gulped nervously before approaching her, "errr…Emma…" Reno started to speak up.

"Yes…" Emma questioned without looking at Reno as she continued to chop the onions.

"There's something I need to tell you," Reno continued in a nervous voice as he started to sweat.

"What is it?" Emma asked as she stopped what she was doing and turned to face Reno still holding the knife.

"Errrr…geez…where do I start?" Reno started as he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his shirt. "Look…I've had a lot of fun with you…but…that's all it was…a bit of fun."

"I don't understand," Emma replied as she gave Reno a nervous look. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean this isn't working out anymore," Reno answered as he nervously stared at the knife Emma was holding in her hand. "We're not working out anymore…"

"Are you dumping me…" Emma demanded in both shock and anger at the same time as she glared at Reno, her hand gripped the knife even tighter.

"I wouldn't say 'dump'…" Reno tried to sugar coat the truth as he started to back slowly out of the room. "More like calling it a day…"

"So you ARE dumping me!" Emma screamed at the top of her lungs as she threw the knife at Reno.

"Whoa!" Reno yelled as ducked just in time and the knife stuck into the wall behind him. "Emma…I know you're angry and upset but…" He dodged to the left as Emma threw a frying pan at him. "Look…can we just talk about this…"

"TALK!? WHAT IS THERE TO TALK ABOUT?!" Emma screamed at the top of her lungs as she continued to throw inanimate objects at Reno. "YOU'RE DUMPING ME!"

"Stop throwing things at me!" Reno yelled in panic as another frying pan hit him in the arm. "I can understand that you're upset but surely you knew that this wasn't gonna be a long term thing…I mean when I first met you we had a lot of fun…"

"IS THAT I ALL I WAS TO YOU?! A BIT OF FUN!" Emma screamed at Reno as she stomped up to him and glared at him. "EVERYTHING YOU EVER TOLD ME WAS A LIE!"

"No, you got it all wrong," Reno tried to reason with Emma while cowering under her glare at the same time. "Everything I said to you I meant it at the time but…I just don't feel that way about you any more." Reno continued to explain as he looked around at the now destroyed kitchen. "You know me I'm not a guy who stays in long term relationships…I'm not really looking for commitment…commitment scares me. Look I've wanted to tell you, I just couldn't find the right time…"

"SO YOU WERE PLANNING ON DUMPING ME!" Emma screamed at the top of her lungs as she continued to glare at Reno tempted to throttle him. "FINALLY IT ALL MAKES SENSE! THE EXTRA MISSIONS YOU WERE TAKING! CONVIENENTLY FORGETTING ABOUT OUR DATES! YOU WERE AVOIDING ME!"

"Yes, I was avoiding you," Reno admitted out of both fear and guilt. "I should've told you right away but I just hid like the coward that I am…but, at least it's out in the open now…"

"Yeah…I suppose you're right…" Emma stated in an eerily calm voice, her eyes suddenly softening. Reno sighed with relief as he finally got Emma to calm down. "If today taught me anything it was that…YOU'RE A LYING, NO GOOD, COWARDLY AND SAD EXCUSE FOR A MAN!" Emma suddenly shouted again as she jabbed her finger hard into Reno's chest between each word. "YOU'RE SO SELFISH AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT MY FEELINGS AT ALL!" Emma continued to yell as she barged passed Reno and ran out of the kitchen to the bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

Reno sighed as he slowly walked out of the kitchen and to the bedroom door. "Emma…" Reno called into the bedroom as he tapped on the door. "Come out please…we need to talk abut this." A few moments later the bedroom door opened and Emma walked out of the room carrying a large bag with clothes in it. "Emma…" Reno called out the woman's name as he got in front of her blocking her path. "You don't have to leave yet."

"Oh I'm not leaving," Emma answered coldly as she glared at Reno. "You are!" Emma shouted the last part as she thrust the bag into Reno's chest causing him to fall over.

"What…" Reno questioned as he threw the bag off him and stood up. "But this is my apartment…you can't throw me out."

"Well you should've thought of that before you decided to dump me!" Emma retorted as she continued to scowl at Reno. "NOW GET OUT!"

Reno was about to protest but he realised that he didn't have a choice so he kept his mouth shut. "Alright…I'll leave for now, give you time to calm down…but then we need to sit down and calmly talk about…" Reno didn't have chance to finish his sentence as Emma had shoved him out of the door and threw his bag out before slamming the door in his face.

Reno sighed as he picked the bag up and started to climb down the stairs and walked out of the apartment building. He walked down the street before coming across a bench and sitting on it. Reno sighed to himself again as he sat back on the bench. Elena walked passed and saw him, "Reno…" Elena uttered as she stopped and stared at the red haired man. "What are you doing out here and why do you have a bag?"

"Emma kicked me out," Reno answered not looking up at Elena.

"What happened?" Elena asked as she sat down on the bench next to Reno. Reno sighed and he began to explain everything that had happened from the moment he told Emma it was over between them to the moment she kicked him out of his own apartment. "So let me get this straight…" Elena spoke up as soon as Reno had finished. "She kicked you out of your own apartment…"

"Yeah," Reno answered as he finally looked up at Elena. "It sounds weird I know but…"

"Weird is an understatement," Elena cut in hardly daring to believe what she had heard. "She kicked you out of your own apartment."

"You don't have to rub it in…" Reno muttered irritably as he scowled at Elena.

"No I mean…" Elena started before stopping, she sighed before trying again. "Ok, what did you say to Emma to make her throw you out of the apartment?"

"I just told her it wasn't really working out and we should call it day," Reno answered truthfully. "But she went completely psycho at me. My kitchen looks like a bomb went off in it." Elena tried hard not to laugh when she heard that. "But I told her and weren't you nagging me to tell her for weeks?" Reno asked in his own defence.

"I meant for you to let her down gently," Elena corrected as she stared at Reno. "You couldn't even do that right."

"I tried to let her down gently," Reno responded quickly as he used his hands for emphasis. "But she went completely overboard…I already told you what happened to my kitchen."

"I suppose you're right…" Elena stated with a sigh, "you did tell her and that's the main thing." Elena smiled at Reno. "I guess you want a place to stay."

"Yeah," Reno answered as he flopped back on the bench. "But I'll just crash at Rude's for a few days."

Elena laughed, "Good luck with that," was all she said.

"What do you mean by that?" Reno demanded as he scowled at Elena.

"Rude's getting wasted at the bar," Elena explained trying not to laugh at the expression on Reno's face. "He won't be back for at least a couple of hours, you're welcome to stay at my apartment for the night." Elena kindly offered as she stood up.

"Thanks Elena," Reno replied gratefully as he smiled at the blonde haired woman. "But I don't want to be a bother."

"It'll be no bother," Elena insisted as she smiled back at Reno. "I could do with the company, besides, I've got a bottle of wine in the fridge and I'm hardly gonna drink that by myself."

Reno's grin grew wider, "well since you put it that way, how can I refuse?" Reno questioned as he stood up and grabbed his bag. "Lead the way," Elena smiled and she led Reno to her apartment building.

The two entered the building and climbed up three flights of stairs before approaching Elena's apartment. Elena put her key in the lock and opened the door. "Here we are," Elena stated as she and Reno entered the apartment and Reno was surprised to see how clean it was. "I know it's not much but do make yourself at home."

"Thanks," Reno replied gratefully as he entered the small but cosy looking living room. He put his back down before sitting on the couch and looking round. "I like your apartment," Reno commented as he continued to look around. "It's so…clean."

"Thanks," Elena thanked the red haired man as she entered the kitchen. A minute later she entered the living room with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Elena sat down on the couch next to Reno and poured some of the wine into the glasses. She gave one to Reno before picking her own glass up, the two took a sip of their wine.

"So…how are things with you and Tseng?" Reno asked Elena as he tried hard to make conversation.

"Not so good…" Elena answered with a sigh as she stared dejectedly at her wine glass. "I followed Tifa's advice, I gave him an ultimatum, either me or work."

"How did he take it?" Reno questioned.

"He was shocked at first," Elena started to explain. "He wondered where it had come from but I forced him to make the choice, no prizes for guessing what he chose."

"I'm sorry," Reno apologised sincerely.

"Are you?" Elena asked as she gave Reno a sceptical stare.

"Of course," Reno answered honestly as he took another swig from his wine glass. "I know how you felt about Tseng, you were head over heels in love with him."

"It's a shame he didn't feel the same way about me…" Elena stated sadly as she downed her wine in one. "More wine…" Elena offered as she held the bottle up.

Reno smirked, "I thought you'd never ask," he answered slyly as he held his glass out to Elena. Elena also smiled as she refilled the glasses.

An hour later and the wine bottle was completely finished and Reno and Elena were slightly tipsy from the wine. "No way!" Elena yelled, "Tseng was actually like that…"

"Yep," Reno answered as he nodded. "Even before you joined the Turks he was a miserable git," Reno laughed as he continued to gossip about his superior. "The guy was a complete bore to work with."

"Who told you all this?" Elena questioned eagerly as she got closer to Reno.

"Zack," Reno answered as he snickered. "He's worked on many missions with Tseng back in his SOLDIER days. He's told me that he tried to crack a few jokes to Tseng, but he never cracked a smile."

Elena laughed loudly when she heard that, "Sounds like Zack, but he can be a bit of a goofball at times."

"I'd rather work with a goofball than a miserable ass," Reno stated in a half joking manner. "At least the goofball has a sense of humour."

"I guess you're right," Elena agreed before giggling again. "I think this wine's gone straight to my head…" Elena stated slightly drunk.

"You need to learn to handle your drink…" Reno responded jokingly as he smirked at Elena.

"What do you mean?" Elena demanded as she scowled at Reno, her hands were on her hips.

"Exactly what I said," Reno answered. "You're not accustomed to this amount of alcohol."

"Are you calling me a lightweight?!" Elena yelled at Reno as she jabbed her index finger in to his chest.

"When did you hear me say the word lightweight?" Reno asked as he smiled at Elena. Elena thought for a moment but couldn't answer. "Aha!" Reno yelled triumphantly as he waggled his finger in Elena's face.

"Ok, ok…" Elena uttered quickly as she stuck her tongue out at Reno and stood up. "But if we were to have a drinking a contest I'd be able to drink you under the table, and Rude too."

Reno started laughing, "I'd like to see you try," Reno mocked Elena as he stood up and smirked at her. "Me and Rude are the undisputed champions of drinking!" Reno boasted as he jabbed his thumb into his chest.

Elena just stared at him, "that's nothing to be proud of," she stated sternly.

"Meh…you've gotta be good at somethin'…" Reno replied indifferently as he shrugged, Elena merely nodded unsure of what to say. For a few moments there was an awkward silence between them. "You deserve better," Reno suddenly said breaking the awkward silence.

"What…" Elena uttered hardly daring to believe what she had heard.

"I said you deserve better," Reno repeated, his tone of voice had completely changed. He was no longer joking around but he sounded sincere. "You're a very special woman you know that…"

"Oh stop it…" Elena uttered in an embarrassing tone.

"I'm serious," Reno replied as he walked up to Elena. "You're smart, beautiful and funny."

"Don't forget clumsy," Elena cut in.

"Maybe that's just one of those quirks that makes you irresistible," Reno stated kindly as he smiled at Elena.

Elena smiled back, "you really think I'm irresistible?" Elena asked.

"Yep," Reno answered. "Tseng doesn't know what he's missing, I mean he had a beautiful woman on his shoulder and all he can think about is work. Sometimes I think he takes you for granted."

"Well…he has his redeemable qualities," Elena quickly spoke up

"Really…" Reno questioned as he gave Elena a sceptical stare. "Such as…"

"Well…" Elena stammered as she tried to think of any redeemable qualities Tseng had. "He's a…great leader…"

"That's the best you could come up with…" Reno scoffed as he folded his arms not taking his eyes off Elena. "You could've at least said that he has a tattoo or a personality, then I would've been more inclined to believe you."

"A tattoo is not a redeemable quality…" Elena snapped at Reno as she scowled at him.

"Neither's being a bore…" Reno shot back.

"Like you're one to talk!" Elena suddenly snapped at Reno causing him to stare at her in shock. "The way you parade around with your wild, unruly hair, your untucked and ruffled shirt and…" Elena walked closer to Reno. "Your rugged good looks…" Elena uttered in a dream like voice as she reached out and stroked Reno's face "and your beautiful eyes and pouting lips and…" Elena suddenly stepped away from Reno and scowled at him. "How you always brag and boast about you being god's gift to women!" Elena snapped again causing Reno to give her a confused look. "I hate you Reno…" Elena whispered in Reno's ear. "But…at the same time…I can't help but fall for you…"

"Errr…Elena…" Reno started to say. "What are you...Mmmmmmm…" Reno couldn't finish the rest of his sentence as Elena had started kissing him on the lips. Reno was shocked at first but he wrapped his arms round Elena's waist and kissed her back. However the two soon broke apart as the door bell rang, "I'll get it," Reno stated as he walked to the door and answered it. "Tseng…" Reno uttered as he saw his superior stood at the door.

"Reno…" Tseng stated indifferently as he stared at the red haired man. "Is Elena in?"

"Yeah, I'll just get her," Reno answered. "Elena! Tseng's at the door!" Reno yelled into the apartment and a few seconds later Elena was at the door.

"What do you want?" Elena asked rudely as she glared at Tseng.

"Elena…have you been drinking?" Tseng asked, his voice was filled with concern.

"Don't act like you don't care!" Elena snapped at Tseng. "We all know you care more about your work than you do about me!"

"I'm glad I've caught Elena, I need you to come back with me," Tseng requested completely ignoring Elena's outburst.

Elena stomped up to Tseng, "if you think I'm even gonna give you a second chance you can forget it!" Elena yelled as she jabbed her finger into Tseng's chest. "I will never get back with you! You've made your choice now deal with it!"

"I need you and Reno to come back with me now," Tseng requested again much more urgently this time. "HQ has been attacked."

"What?!" Reno and Elena questioned at the same time as they stared at Tseng in shock, Elena's anger for Tseng has long since gone.

"HQ is being attacked," Tseng repeated. "Everyone else is on their way, we must return to HQ right away."

"Ok," Reno and Elena stated in perfect unison, they grabbed their weapons and followed Tseng out of the apartment building and ran as fast as they could to the WRO HQ meeting everyone else on the way. As everyone got to the entrance they saw several Dark Kitsunes, Deep Ground Soldiers and a whole host of crystalline creatures attacking the building. The group withdrew their weapons and fought their way through the hordes of dark creatures and soldiers.

"Hurry!" Tseng yelled to the group as they fought their way through and ran into the building. "We must get to Rufus!" More creatures and soldiers met them in the lobby but the group soon made light work of them and ran to the elevator only to find that it was completely destroyed. The group ran to the stairs and began to climb them fighting creature after creature as they made their way to the top.

The group reached the top floor and ran down the corridor to Rufus' office, they barged through the door to find that the office was a complete mess. They saw a shadowy figure stood at the back of the room and two people floating in the air. The group got closer and were shocked to discover that the two people that were floating in the air unconscious were Rufus and Pandora. "PANDORA!" Max yelled at the top of his lungs as he saw Pandora floating there unconscious, her hands were tied behind her back.

"Hello Max…" The shadowy figure spoke up as they turned round and stepped out of the shadows to reveal Illusion. "Did you miss me?"

---

Finally chapter 29 is complete, sorry to leave it like that but I thought I'd leave this chapter on a bit of a cliff hangar plus the chapter's already long enough. Chapter 30 will be on its way as soon as I can find time to type it. I don't own Final Fantasy VII or any of its character they belong to Square Enix. However my own characters of my creation and belong to me so if you want to use them please ask.