I do not own Final Fantasy 7 or Final Fantasy 10

Just so you know I suck at action scenes, so if you were expecting a word for word of the Chocobo Eater fight...ain't going to get it. Besides am much better at eluding then telling....

Chapter 11

Mi'Hen Highroad

The next day

Watching as the Chocobo eater had disappeared into pyre flies, those who had watched the summoner and her guardians fight the beast, were in awe and admiration of those she had chosen.

None of them at the moment were thinking of the fight as many were soothing the frantic chocobos. It was those who had fought who were now somewhat confused at certain events that had happened in the battle.

This particular fiend was stronger then most, and was definitely not going to go down without a fight. Growling its hunger as it had attacked them, the battle had indeed been a good one. In the end two events had caused it to go down quicker then what even some had thought.

For starters, the blonde in black had held his sword arm out, and a part of him began to glow. Radiating the same exact aura, much to the shock of Yuna that Anima possessed and it was then that a spell that even now baffles all of them.

As none have really heard of a darkness spell such as the one that he had used...

Having creating binding ropes of darkness that held the creature in place, Auron had taken that time to yell at Yuna to summon one of the Aeons to finish it off. Ifrit being the one she had chosen at the time, once again as in the stadium, when the Fire king had done what it was requested of, it had approached Cloud and bowed to him in respect.

Within its hand that it holds out, was a glowing sphere that held a power to it. And even where she was, somehow, Yuna knew that it was Ifrit's way of giving his power to someone who was not a summoner.

Nodding his head, the blonde had taken it within his hands and bowed in respect to the Fire King who then vanished to their realm.

This of course had caught the interest of the others. The blonde in black sighing, he shook his head before even the first question could be asked. Kimahri guarding his back almost as zealously as he does Yuna's, the Ronso becomes a wall between him and the others.

"Let him go." Auron stated as Kimahri blocked a curious Tidus and Yuna. The male youth making a face, the older man just gave him a look that brooked no argument.

"But Auron..."

"When he is ready to truly share his story he will." The older man replied. "Allow him his peace."

"As much as I would like to know as well, Auron is right ya? I mean right now I am just glad that Cloud is on our side. If he had not held it down with that magic he did, that fiend would have knocked us over the cliff you know."

The simple nod of agreement from Lulu, the two younger members of their party find that despite they wanted to argue what was said. They knew they could not. Cloud indeed had done all that for them against the Chocobo eater.

It was at that moment, that Rin had approached and of course offered his reward. Which of course had many Yuna smile in delight as it involved being able to ride the Chocobos up and down the High road for free while they were there.

Thus it would allow the group and their summoner to go and make up some time on their journey. As the great big yellow birds, were considerably faster then they would be on their feet.

As they spoke, Cloud watched from his vantage point at the group gathering around the yellow birds as they seemed to be debating on what they needed. Thankful that the Ronso was keeping them from approaching him now, he held a familiar flame stone that was much like the dark one he also had.

Both were radiating the power of summons who once again are lending him their aide.

"Ask her to summon Valefor, he waits to lend you his power."

Raising a single eyebrow, Cloud turns to find a familiar young child beside him. "Valefor?"

"He is another one of us. He is one who is new like many others you will meet; many of us that you knew long ago are gone." The child said with remorse. "Time and Sin has destroyed their homes and them since your story became but a legend."

About to comment, he turns and finds the child is gone. The others in their small group looking at him curiously, he sighs and leaps onto the back of a Chocobo with ease. Long since wishing it was his cycle from years ago, he knows that in this day and age, it would not be good to possess a machine such as that one. There are many who would use it as an excuse to bother him.

So with ease he bent down and crooned a song to the chocobo that he was on. Low and soft, a memory really of one that he had been taught by Tifa and Aerith both who knew it as well. The bird listening it eventually relaxed and let out a chirp of pleasure.

"That was pretty."

Looking up to find Yuna staring at him from behind Tidus's back, Cloud could not help but smile at the almost possessive way the youth guarded the young woman he rode with.

"I thank you. It was something that two who meant the world to me taught me."

"Really?" Yuna perked up as she listened. "Can you tell us about them?"

Hesitant to speak, the older blonde thought about them and realized that it did not hurt as much as it once did. This small group of men, women, and Ronso were much like he had before. Although there were clear cut differences between them, and his friends of the past, there was a comfort about their presence.

"I do not see why not. Perhaps it is time for something that is not of Zanarkand."

"Cool...what..? HEY!" The other blonde looking irate, Cloud for the first time in a long while smiles as the others laugh in amusement. Seeing the young woman beside him, with her dual colored eyes, she smiles softly at him as she words Thank you.

Nodding his head simply, the blonde smiled as they set out. Tidus grumbling about some kind of payback when next they sparred, Cloud could tell he was listening as he spoke of his past. "Those who taught me the song.... Their names were Aerith and Tifa...and both I loved with all my heart. One helped me to forge my dreams; the other saved me when they became my nightmares."

-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-

Unaware of the one who followed a discreet distance now behind them, Seymour wondered about the man in black that was with them.

When he and the other Maesters have heard of this man who was able to go toe to toe with Auron, they had been intrigued. They wanted him to head their forces against Sin. To protect their secrets and Bevelle had many.

The man had turned them down flat. The way he had done so even went so far as to raise suspicion upon many of his colleagues. Even that of Mika himself, who despite being old was immediately alert as he sensed something odd within the man's being,

The only one who did not mind was the old Ronso leader, but then again the furred beasts were not all that bright to begin with most of the time anyway. They only got seats in Bevelle because they guarded the only pass to Zanarkand.

Be bad to alienate those who could save you.

But, someone who made the old man wary was surely a potential ally to be had. So he had set some of his own to follow the Lady Yuna, not only for the plan he has involving her. But to learn more of this man in black who travels with them.

What his spy told him, was very interesting indeed.

Pyre flies were erupting from his body. So many to the point that one would think he was unsent. But being Guado, who have long since held guard over the Farplane, they had a sense of who was dead and who was not.

And this man was indeed very much alive. In fact that only being near the Lady Yuna, whose sending soothed the pain he had been enduring from what his man had witnessed was a plus indeed as well.

This made him want to know more of course. Because it meant that he did have a weakness. And when one has a weakness, one is vulnerable.

Considering the event, that Yevon and the Crusaders were embarking upon at Mushroom Rock Road. He knew and understood that would be the time to catch up to them. After all, how can they get to Djose if the roads are blocked, without someone...lets say himself giving the order to let the through?

Smiling with intent, those around him do not notice nor do they care of the aura of the malice that settles around their leader. After all what Maester Seymour wants in the eyes of them all...

Maester Seymour gets.

And he wants to know more of the Lady Yuna and more of the man in black known simply as Cloud.

Thoughts pushed to the side as reports of Chocobos being taken came to him; he nodded his head for those around him to speed up.

After all he did not want to miss this meeting to come.