Disclaimer: I do not now or before and most likely not in the future, own Final Fantasy, Square Enix or any of the characters.

A/N: This is the first of two chapters that I've been dreading. Although I got some valuable advice about fight scenes, this battle was a bitch to write. The way I had it playing in my mind and planned out, it just didn't translate to paper very well. Each scene break is a different POV and part/team of the immense battle. When one scene changes, I give a little bit of a landmark of the previous scene to let you know where that team is at in their part of the battle. I'm sorry that this part may be kind of confusing.

Reviews, critiques and flames are welcome. I absolutely love all reviews about the story as it gives me motivation, I use good constructive criticism to help my writing improve and I feed the flames to the fires of my imagination.

Thanks to my before posting beta Queen of Jokers and my after posting beta SubZeroChimera!

"If today was perfect, there would be no need for tomorrow." -Unknown

Chapter 76

"I said that I am ready to go! Sebastian! Let's go already," Rufus screamed at anyone who would listen.

Tseng stepped in to the doorway to the bathroom, "Sir. Sebastian is waiting at the helicopter."

Elena and Harley stood outside the bedroom door while Rufus yelled at Tseng, "I can't find my rifle!"

"Sir, we have it in the helicopter," Tseng stepped aside as Rufus rushed from the bathroom into the bedroom, "Whenever you are ready we will leave."

Tseng followed Rufus with Elena right behind him. Tseng's phone beeped that he had a message. Glancing up to make sure that Rufus was still busy berating the girl at the front door, he read the message: It's a go -Reno

Tseng glanced back at Elena. He didn't want her to come, but he knew that Rufus would insist. He slowed down to let her catch up, "Elena, I am going to need you to either stay here or stay next to me when we get there."

A shy smile quickly turned into a more confident one and she said in a soft way, "Yes sir." Elena watched as Harley shut the side door to the helicopter and stepped back from the rotors.

Sebastian took off and started his flight plan toward the northern crater. Seemingly in a foul mood, Rufus just looked out the window at the scenery.

Tseng wasn't sure if the young president knew what he was getting into, he'd trained in hand to hand combat and firearms, but he was still not battle hardened. Just knowing that he was going to get into trouble, they would have to intervene, again. He wasn't even really sure why he was going to begin with, except maybe to go after Hojo. Maybe Rufus was nervous that they would kill him before he could get him back to Midgar.

Having talked to Elena beforehand, she knew that her main job was to stick to Sebastian and Tseng. All three of them would keep Rufus safe while he lived out some sort of fantasy he had about being a warrior. The three Turks knew better and they all readied themselves. The other thing that Rufus didn't know was that Reno and Rude would be there. Tseng hoped that things would be too hectic and nothing would be said. Rufus just seemed interested in retrieving Hojo himself.

Darkness fell and Reno scanned the exposed encampment that housed the guys and Jade.

"Okay, from what I can tell, the three boys have their backs to us, Jade is facing us though," Reno lowered the binoculars and looked behind him and then at Tifa, "Ready?"

A tentative nod from Tifa and they started their silent infiltration into the clearing. Large boulders and crevices created a more dangerous terrain, but they continued their advance. As their party consisted of more people, they went slower and with more deliberate movements. Dodging from one side of the path to the other, they eventually made it to the barrier.

Rick stretched out his arm and lightly touched the wall and his hand sunk in with some resistance. He singled to Kunsel to bring the group closer. The high winds made it impossible to talk; they would have had to yell, thus giving their tactical position away. Kunsel went first and ducked through the barrier and found a suitable spot for the two medics to stay for the time being.

Once they got Aerith and Harding in, the larger group of long-range fighters went in to the area farther in. Tifa, Reno and Kunsel took a place directly behind them. Tifa sent messages to the flanking teams that they were in their position. Her heart beat like wild animals fighting; it hurt to think about what was coming.

It all started to sink in; when she saw Yuffie and Barret move to one side and then Vincent and Rick to the other side. They were really doing this. They were going to kill them, or be killed. Regardless, she had told herself to accept whatever fate had in store for her at this point. Kunsel had told her to think more positive, but looking through the binoculars across the large barren snow-covered field, her gut twisted. Her tears threatened her and she fought them as hard as she would have to fight the love of her life.

Deep chocolate-brown eyes glazed over, she couldn't help but see his blood mixing with the pure snow. She had inadvertently brought her heart to a battle when it should have never left the Inn.

Reno's hand gently touched hers, when she looked at him she tried to hide the tears that filled her eyes. He leaned over and his cheek brushed her cheek lightly as he whispered in her ear. A smile crossed her lips as she blushed. Reno's smile oddly enough perked her up and got her head back in the battle to come.

Kunsel signaled from the very front and everyone braced themselves as he watched Tifa for the signal. When the messages from the other two teams lit her phone up, she gave the signal and the attack began…

Rick and Vincent from one side of the open trail sent the first bombardment directly at Jade. Just as she twitched from the strikes, Yuffie and Barret sent theirs in. Rick first hit with a firaga spell and Yuffie's shuriken flew through the air - deflected by Zack. Tifa's jaw dropped at the magic that Rick sent forth, she'd never seen anything like it before.

Just when she was getting lost in the awesome power of the magic, Reno grabbed her wrist and ran forward to another large boulder. Rick sent another firaga and Barret and Vincent kept up the salvo. Kunsel, Reno and Tifa braced and then when Jade was down they ran forward.

Zack was the first to reach them. His wing span easily equaled all three of them head to toe. He didn't have a sword that they could see, but he did hover just above their heads before he landed behind them. They kept running for Jade, not looking back. Magic and gun fire from Rick and Vincent went over their heads and was continuously hitting Jade.

While Vincent and Rick kept up their attack on Jade, Yuffie and Barret began firing at Zack, who quickly turned on them. Barret didn't shy away from taunting him though, "Come on Princess. Don't let your tiara get in the way."

As her and Reno got closer to Jade, Tifa couldn't see Cloud or Sephiroth, "Where are they?!"

Reno yelled, "Just go for her for now."

Tifa kept running, but then Cloud and Sephiroth made their appearance from above their heads. They both went straight for her and in a moment of blinding speed, Kunsel blocked Masamune just before it could strike Tifa's neck. Reno slid up to them and Cloud changed direction dove for him. Reno held Cloud off while Kunsel held off Sephiroth. Tifa sent the signal and the two other teams ran forward and began their attack on Jade.

Kunsel matched Sephiroth strike for strike until the former General got in a lucky strike, slicing up Kunsel's right side along his ribs.

The martial artist screamed, "Kunsel!" And his arm fell limp as the long sword went into his arm and shoulder.

"Watch out Tifa!"

Tifa ducked under a sword strike from Sephiroth and stood tall. She held her fists up and readied herself when Sephiroth laughed, the deep grounding baritone of his voice sounded tauntingly evil, "Oh, little girl, you have no idea who you're dealing with."

When he dove for her, she jumped to the side and kicked at him as he passed her. A swift kick to his hip knocked him to the side and then she jumped forward and let out a series of punches and kicks that made him lose his balance. He stood up and laughed again, "Nice try." Tucking his wings behind him, he took a battle stance with his sword in his left hand and his right held out in front of him, with a smirk he goaded her, "Let's have some fun."

Kunsel staggered to his feet and when Sephiroth started his sword attack, he knew that Tifa was in trouble. Leaping forward, he blocked one swing and then another from below. Tifa jerked and flipped backward as another just grazed her leg. Trickles of blood ran down her leg and she landed and then jumped up and did a back kick and made contact with Sephiroth's face. Blood dripped from his lip and a cry from behind her caught her attention.

When Tifa turned, she saw Reno jab at Cloud's ribs and brought it around and with his backward turn, hit Cloud in the back with a shock of electricity. From the low altitude that Cloud hovered, the shock sent him to the ground. Landing on his side, the green-eyed Cloud exclaimed, "What are you doing here? You can't win, Jenova will rise again!"

With a smirk, Reno chided, "I don't think so! From what I hear, she says that to everyone." Flinching back, Reno stood helpless as Cloud executed a backward roll and ending it on his feet, he pulled his sword and swiped at him from a higher vantage point. Reno stepped to the side and jumped up when Cloud passed him. Jumping on the surprised blonde's back, Reno had him in a head lock and jerked backward with the electricity flowing through Cloud's bare stomach.

Cloud flipped over and landed on his back, crushing Reno with a sickeningly sound. Rolling off the Turk, he jumped to his feet leaving Reno coughing mouthfuls of blood to the wintery ground. Mercilessly, Cloud kicked him and then grabbed his shirt, "I wouldn't try that again if I were you." Cloud picked him up and tossed him several feet across the barren arena. Seeing Tifa looking at him, the blond gloated, "I knew you missed me." Running toward her, she let loose with a flurry of kicks and punches until she flipped backward, dodging as he swung his sword, grazing her shoulder.

When Tifa screamed out, Kunsel was momentarily distracted leaving Sephiroth an advantage, getting another strike to his ribs. A well-timed shuriken throw Yuffie struck Sephiroth, slicing across his bare chest. She followed up with a swift kick to his stomach and punched out and knocked him back to the ground.

Out of breath, Harding ran behind Yuffie, offering her help before he'd stopped moving, "Tifa, I'll get you fixed up right away."

"Get Reno first," Tifa insisted and hesitantly Harding ran over to Reno who now lay motionless.

Yuffie turned to Cloud and grinned, "Come on pretty boy, show me what you got!" Yuffie flipped backward and simultaneously tossed her weapon toward Cloud as it flew past his head.

Daring to look at her, Cloud laughed, "You missed me!"

Yuffie landed on her feet and fell forward and caught herself with her hand, cutting her eyes up at him, she asked, "Are you sure?" Cloud turned just as it struck him in the back of his head and knocked him back to the ground. Tifa ran toward him but stopped short when Sephiroth sent Kunsel sliding past her on the ground.

Sephiroth looked at both girls and licked his lips, "I'm going to enjoy this."

Barret and Vincent continued to fire at Jade until the other two teams attacked her. Then they turned their attention to Zack who flew rapidly toward them. A loud cry out that closely resembled a battle cry emanated from him as he got closer. He moved like lightening flying left, and then right, dodging their attempts to hit him. As he got closer and Vincent knew it was going to come down to hand to hand.

"Barret, move back and cover me," Vincent jumped to the side and fired Cerberus rapidly trying not to hit a fatal shot. He didn't want to kill him unless he had no other choice. Zack jerked back as a bullet hit his shoulder and another hit lower down on his arm and then one in his side.

From the other side, a blizzard spell hit him and staggered him. Rick ran forward and pulled his sword and covered Yuffie when she left to take Harding over to Tifa. Rick swung his sword and Zack dodged to the right, then turned in a swift tight turn and tackled Rick from the side. Vincent recognized the move before it was fully executed and led out a shot and got Zack in his other arm. Despite the injuries to his arms, Zack was able to get Rick down and kneed him in the neck. In a quick maneuver, Rick got a hold of his leg and twisted until Zack fell to the side and Vincent was on him in a flash.

"Allow us to help you," Vincent trained his gun on him and Zack laughed, "Is something funny?"

"You think you can save these bodies, but they belong to us now," Zack flipped over to his stomach, rising to a knee and tried to take flight. Vincent got off a few shots and the shots ripped through the once beautiful wings. Zack cried out and fell to the ground in a heap. Sephiroth instantly looked in their direction and then in Jade's direction. Zack looked intently at the silver warrior, seemingly sending a message to him and Sephiroth turned to aid Jade. Tifa took a quick breather and fell to her knees.

Vincent, Barret, Rick and Aerith ran forward to Tifa's position where Harding continued working on Reno. Vincent asked, "What is his condition?"

Wiping his hair off his forehead, the medic sounded tired, "Well he's still alive, a couple of broken ribs and he got his bell rung pretty good," Harding took out some bandages and wrapped the cut on his stomach, "He'll need stitches for this cut, but I can do that later."

Aerith gave the red-head some medicine, waking him up a little. Rick pulled the injured Turk off to one side next to a large outcropping of boulders that stuck out like a behemoth at a chocobo farm. Thinking that he thought he saw something, the curious young Turk pulled himself farther in between the boulders, "Oh, geez. That is just nasty! Hey I found something!" Reno yelled to Tifa and she quickly shot him a look. Aerith got to Kunsel and started to assess his injuries.

"What?" Reno wrinkled his nose in disgust.

Tifa turned her attention back to Vincent, and the commotion going on ahead of them, "Hey Vincent, look!" Tifa pointed at the other two teams, Sephiroth had gotten there and began fighting beside Jade.

Tifa looked back at Zack who lay out on the ground. His arms bled as he agonizingly pulled himself to standing. His wings lay lifeless and just drug along the ground. However something that Vincent saw concerned him, his movements were getting faster, "Tifa, I believe that we must finish this as soon as possible, they seem to heal very quickly."

"Okay. Barret, Yuffie you two cover our rear, Rick how are you?" Tifa reached out and pulled Kunsel up. Rick nodded and stretched his shoulders, "Kunsel, you okay?"

Kunsel pulled his shirt out a bit and checked his cuts, he paled momentarily and said, "I'll survive."

Tifa strained a smile, "Harding! How's Reno?" Harding gave thumbs up, "Great, we're heading on in. Reno, do you think you can cover our butt with Barret and Yuffie?"

"Just consider me all over your butt baby!" Reno stood, staggered and then regained his footing, "Let's get this shit done!"

Tifa smiled, "You're an ass Reno!" The red-head winked at her and Tifa turned to Vincent, "You and Rick get on in there; we'll take care of Cloud and Zack. Harding go on, they got injured up there."

Tifa was getting frantic, Cloud still lay motionless and then she heard a helicopter, "Reno! Look!"

"Oh hey, Tseng is here!" Reno stumbled over to Tifa, "We got more back up." The helicopter landed near the barrier and Tifa waited for Aerith to look over her shoulder.

She then saw three more Turks and non-other than Rufus, "What the hell is he doing here?"

Reno shrugged his shoulders, "Fuck if I know."

"Well Reno, I should have figured that you would be here. So we have Fair over there and I assume that this is Strife. Tseng, get them to the helicopter," Rufus smiled at Tifa.

Reno had to hold Tifa back, "Rufus you idiot! Don't you know what is going on here?" Tifa wrestled with Reno, as he was trying to keep her from moving any farther. She stopped quickly when Reno gasped out in pain and saw blood soaking through his bandages and shirt.

Sebastian and Tseng stepped in front of Rufus. The President stood with his arms crossed, "Well Reno, I came for Hojo, but if you can get Jade too, then I will let the little scrappy tramp keep her winged men."

Cloud pulled himself up and picked up his sword. Although his footing was slow and unsteady, the blond jumped forward and went for Rufus when Sebastian pulled out his sword. Tifa's eyes grew wide at the beautiful sword, the light blue glow made up what looked like an almost see through blade and she'd never seen any sword like it.

When Cloud took his stance, Sebastian did the same. The smooth voice from the stoic Turk spoke with an almost bored fashion, "I don't think so Cloud."

When Cloud swung up and over his head, Sebastian blocked it and the battle became a series of blinding sparks and quick movements. They both seemed to know what the other was about to do. They moved in unison and created a dangerous dance of force, until Cloud collapsed. It seemed that the previous head injury caused an unforeseen problem and during the battle with Sebastian, it exacerbated it.

Cloud held himself up on his elbow and he favored his side and his head. The wound on his head bled and it trickled down the back of his neck, staining his shoulder. Sebastian approached, ready for the killing blow when Tifa ran forward and jumped between Sebastian and his prey, "No! I won't let you!"

"Move or I will move you!" Sebastian kept his stance with a firm look and steely eyes. Tifa shuddered from the coldness of his gaze. He jerked forward and swung with a back swing from behind, bringing the sword around him and Tifa flipped up and over the swing. She connected a kick and then a punch.

"Sebastian! That's enough. If she wants to keep the same creature that will kill her, then so be it. We have more important quarry that we need to rescue," Rufus smiled and tugged at his white coat, "Let's go."

"Rufus! Stop being the little bitch we all know that ya are," Barret trained his gun on him, "Listen. Your little boy toy needs to back off and both of you need to leave. Now!"

Yuffie looked Sebastian over, "You mean to tell me that this hunk of spankable man is Rufus's lover? That is so sad and disappointing."

Barret laughed and then Elena spoke up without thinking, "Sebastian doesn't even like Rufus. Harley is his lover…" Elena stopped talking and shrunk back behind Tseng.

Tseng shifted his eyes to her, "Elena, you talk too much."

Rufus's face dropped and turned to Sebastian, "Is that true?"

Sebastian sheathed his sword and spoke, "Your father knew how much you liked me and would follow my recommendations before any other Turk, so he ordered me to stay close to you to keep you out of trouble."

Everyone stifled laughter and when Rufus skulked off, Elena and Tseng followed and were smiling. Reno added, "Well that explains a lot."

Rufus yelled to all four Turks, "Get me Hojo!"

Reno pointed to the area that he was before with the rock formation and informed Sebastian, "He's over there, but you're gonna need a spoon and some baggies."

Sebastian scrunched his nose and saw that Reno wasn't kidding, then he rolled his eyes, "Whatever."

Cloud still lay on the ground and Aerith began looking at his wounds. Pushing her away, he spoke weakly, "I don't want your pity."

When Tifa felt something grab her from behind, a screech caused everyone to turn, "Zack let her go!" Barret aimed for his other wing and waited for him to comply.

"Step away from him, Cetra whore," Zack's stare bore down on Aerith and when she didn't move, he grasped the cut on Tifa's injured arm. When she screamed, Cloud looked up and pushed himself up to sitting. Zack pulled her closer to him and he smiled over her shoulder to the rest of the group. Letting go of her shoulder, he took a handful of her hair and held it to his face, "You smell good. I wonder if you'll smell this good when we're finished with you?" The harshness of his touch sent a snapping sound from one of her ribs, "Now, tell the Ancient to get away from him," Tifa screamed out and tried to kick free.

"Damn it Barret, shoot him!" Reno stormed up to him and Zack sent him sliding back on the ground with a swipe of his uninjured wing.

"I can't, I might hit Tifa."

Yuffie threw her weapon and Zack dodged to the side, "We got to do something!" They heard another crack as another one of her ribs broke.

"Let her go!" A voice from behind Yuffie spoke and then he pushed the young Ninja to the side, "I said let her go!" Cloud stood there, wobbly and unsteady. Falling to one side, Barret jumped back, letting Cloud fall to the ground.

Zack's eyebrows pinched together, "What are you saying?"

Burning green eyes flared underneath blond eyebrows daring the other to challenge him. Cloud pushed himself up to standing again and stepped to him and got up to his face. A stern look covered the blonde's face and his words were low, only Zack and Tifa could hear his hushed voice, "She is mine to do with what I want."

Cloud moved his face to the side of Zack's neck and smelled of him. Backing away just a little, the blond slowly and gently touched the black and red wing that was partly folded to his back. When he reached Zack's face again, Cloud took a hold of Tifa's wrist and yanked her out of Zack's arms. Hearing another crack when Cloud pulled on her, Aerith got to the ground and began taking care of her injuries. Cloud stood like a brick wall between Zack and Tifa.

They stood there for a moment, staring each other down until Cloud relaxed his stance and stepped into Zack's arms. Nuzzling up to his neck, chest to chest, Zack spoke softly to him, "You're injured, let me help you."

Cloud looked up and Zack's limp wing flapped and then both wings folded around them. Zack winced when his wing finished covering most of them and it pulled on the fresh injuries that oozed blood. Cloud looked up into his face and stroked Zack's cheek with one hand and held on to his shoulder with the other. Zack moved his face forward and the blond rested his lips gently on the brunet's lips.

They all stared dumbstruck; everyone's mouths hung open until Yuffie said, "Is it wrong that I totally think this is hot?"

Reno added in complete awe, "Yeah, no shit… I am so gonna have some fucking awesome fantasies as soon as this is over."

What happened next changed everything. Cloud pulled away and whispered, "This is for all of us." When Zack fell, they weren't sure what happened, but his lax form didn't move. Aerith gasped at Cloud as he stood, still facing away from them, "He isn't dead, but he will recover quickly," Turning around, he urged, "Go now. Go kill her before she can kill us all."

Aerith moved over so she could give Tifa some medicine and she looked up at Cloud, "Why? Why are you helping us?"

Getting to his knees, Cloud looked her over and ran his fingers softly over the arm he broke and his eyes saddened. Leaning forward, he slowly kissed her. His green eyes burned with an intensity that was almost blinding to her. Closing her eyes, she cried with the feel of his lips, his hand caressed her neck and cheek and the thought that he was still in there somewhere couldn't quell the feelings that flooded her. She didn't want to think that this kiss was the last, the want to grab him and keep him to herself forever was almost overwhelming.

When he rose, he smiled and the flame of green died to a dull shine, "Now I think I understand why he was keeping you from me." Collapsing, he remained unmoving.

Tifa tried to sit up, "Cloud! No!"

Barret backed everyone up and initiated moving Tifa and Aerith to the side and out of sight. Tifa maneuvered herself so that she could see both Cloud and the battle being waged with Jade. She looked at Aerith and the girl who was once so beautiful and full of life seemed to inhabit in a whole new bracket of stressed.

Lines crossed her face in a pattern of desolate pain, something that she thought that she could fully understood. However, there was something about the look that suggested something more. Aerith's emerald eyes, once the epitome of precious and pure, now resembled something out of a catalog of dire pain. She wanted to ask, but she dared not. What if it was something that didn't bode well for any of them?

Then she looked over at Cloud, he didn't move, she studied him closely to see his chest moving, his life was not forfeit. Even the monster turned on its own kind, how would Jade take the deception? He had said to kill her before she killed everyone. The drinks of knowledge he had taken from them brought him to a different conclusion that separated him from his partners.

A/N 2: Thanks to everyone who reads, favorites, subscribes and/or reviews, I appreciate your time and I dedicate all of this to you. To quote another author, "Getting reviews makes me feel all warm and squishy."

Please send me your reviews if you want. It is really easy. Just click your arrow in the little box, write what you thought or felt about the chapter and then click right down there, just below the box. A little lower… a little to the right… yeah, right there! Click it! *grinning*