Hey guys sorry its taking me so long to update, the world is crazy, be safe everyone.
(Cloud)
You pursued the remnants, assuming that your friends would be close behind to back you up. There was no time to wait, they had taken Autumn and you needed to save her. You wondered why, she didn't have geostigma, she was in no way a danger to their plans to resurrect Sephiroth. It just didn't make sense. You tried not to linger on the thought, you'd worry about it when Autumn is safe in your arms.
As you approached, Kadaj who now had Autumn took the left fork in the road, you attempted to follow as Autumn called out your name but you were soon attacked by Yazoo and Loz who forced you to take the right fork in the road. You fought them for a bit, you knew they were just trying to stall you from chasing after Kadaj but you couldn't find an opening to get away from them. They kept jumping back and forth from their bikes, landing recklessly all while trying to hit you. It was easy enough to dodge but you needed a distraction.
As if on cue Reno and Rude's helicopter appeared over head.
"You losers are chasing the wrong guy!" Reno taunted them as he shot a machine gun at the remnants. Loz swung his bike around, apparently they have machine guns too because he fired a barrage of bullets at the helicopter. Then Rude shot a rocket at them as he hung out the door of the helicopter. He blew up part of the highway as Reno laughed. You continued to fight Loz as Yazoo took off down the ruined highway and launched himself through the air, he successfully knocked Rude out of the helicopter, just when you thought he was going to fall Alyssa grabbed his hand and hoisted him back into the helicopter.
Reno in typical Reno fashion lost control of the helicopter and crashed it, the three of them narrowly escaped the explosion as you continue to fight the two remnants. A second helicopter flown by Tsung, showed up, this distracted the remnants just long enough for you to speed away into a tunnel. Loz and Yazoo continued to chase and fight you, at one point Loz even threw his entire motorcycle at you, which you easily cut in half, forcing the remnants to travel together but it gave you the opening you needed to put some distance between you and them. Once you exited the tunnel you heard explosions behind you, you took a moment to look back and saw that Reno and Rude had set off some bombs. You were surprised that the Turks had your back, but then again it shouldn't surprise you, they all care about Autumn too.
As you finally caught up with Kadaj he was struggling to remain in control of his bike because Autumn was putting up a great fight trying to get away.
"You're more trouble than you're worth" Kadaj yelled at her.
"And you're a tool!" Autumn yelled back. You smiled, her insults are the worst sometimes. Autumn caught sight of you and stopped struggling for a moment, kadaj must have gotten suspicious because he turned around and tried to crash his bike into you. You slashed at him, careful to keep Autumn safe. The fight continued, leaping from bike to bike, swords clashed, but you couldn't get Autumn away from him, no matter how much she struggled. As you approached a cliff that leads to the ruins of the Midgar slums, Kadaj sped up, you realized what he was going to do. Kadaj rode his bike right off the cliff, taking Autumn with him, you followed, when you were close you kicked off fenrir and launched yourself toward Kadaj. That finally caught him off guard, he released Autumn in an attempt to recover himself, you took that opportunity to catch Autumn, who immediately wrapped her arms around you.
You landed in a low crouch as Fenrir landed a few feet away from you. As you stood you placed Autumn on her feet. Kadaj scrambled to get up but his bike landed on the other side of you. As he ran past he tried to snatch up Autumn again who tried in vain to punch him. Regardless of the situation you couldn't help but laugh, sad to say it gave Kadaj the opening he needed to get to his bike.
"Cloud!" Autumn turned to you, she tried so hard to look angry but she just looked cute.
"What?" You tried to sound innocent but the look on Autumn's face told you she wasn't buying it. "I"m sorry, I really need to teach you how to fight"
"Seriously not the time Cloud, that would have been useful before the three crazy guys showed up" she told you.
"You're right, stay here" you told her as you went to pick up fenrir, thankfully its still in an okay- enough condition for you to ride it.
"I'm going with you" Autumn said as you got on the bike, "Theirs no way you're leaving me here" she finished as she hopped on behind you.
You thought for a moment, you weren't sure which was more dangerous, leaving her here or taking her with you. After a moment of thought you ultimately decided to take her with you. "Fine but if the Turks or Cid show up, you're going with them."
"Whatever you say Mr. Strife"Autumn said pretty unconvincingly, you weren't sure what she was planning to do but you didn't have time to linger on the thought. You ripped the sleeve off your shirt, revealing Aeirth's memorial ribbon and your geostigma, then rode off. "Just had to show off your rippling biceps?" Autumn questioned.
"I thought you liked my muscles" you replied knowing it would catch her off guard. You could feel Autumn bury her face in your back. When this is all over you're never gonna leave her side.
You followed Kadaj's trail to the church, you didn't bother parking and just rode right inside where you found Kadaj crying and screaming 'mother'. The fight continued, you felt bad that you damaged the church even more than it already was. Kadaj began casting spells you slowed your attacks so they you could could protect Autumn. One of the spells destroyed the fountain, glowing water began to rain down, as it hit your skin you could feel it healing you, but it seemed to hurt Kadaj who then fled toward the old ShinRa building. You took one last look at the church, a pool of that strange healing water was now forming, part of you wondered if it was Aerith's doing.
As you sped away from the church in pursuit of Kadaj, Autumn seemed distant. "Whats wrong?" you asked.
"Nothing I… its just, your geostigma, its gone" she commented, "I never met her but I feel like we should thank Aerith for that." You just nodded in agreement.
When you finally caught up with Kadaj he was waiting for you at the end of the road leading the the Shinra building. You stopped Fenrir and told Autumn to stay back.
"Brother, I'm with her at last" Kadaj said.
"So whats gonna happen now?" you asked.
(Autumn)
You stayed by fenrir as you watch Cloud address Kadaj. Their conversation really didn't make much sense to you, all this talk of mothers and reunions.
"Mother's going to tell me" Kadaj said, he looked completely insane.
"i guess a remnant wouldn't really know" Cloud taunted.
"So what if I'm a puppet?" He questioned. "Once upon a time so were you!" he yelled out as he casted another spell, Cloud easily avoided it as you took cover. They fought at a breathtaking speed. It was hard to keep track of them.
(Tifa)
"Yo Cid! Park this Turkey!" Barret called out.
"Shut up! You want off? Then jump!" Cid replied, "Get off my back" He mumbled to himself.
"He can handle this alone" Vincent said suddenly, you looked at him surprised as Yuffie vocalized your question. "Kadaj is a remnant of Sephiroth…" he went on to explain the connection between the remnants, Sephiroth and Jenova, Yuffie and Barret clearly didn't understand.
You watched Cloud's fight, maybe he could handle this one on his own. Its only been a few years, but you and your friends are out of practice, you're so much weaker than you were, but Cloud, he seems to be just as strong as when you last faced Sephiroth, if not stronger.
Suddenly a voice came though on Cid's radio. "Does anyone have eyes on my girl?" Reno asked.
"Reno!" Cid yelled out in annoyance.
"How'd that fool get this channel" Barret complained.
"Guys hate on Reno later" Alyssa's voice came through now, "Does anyone see Autumn?" she asked frantically.
You looked out but saw no signs of her, you only saw the Turk's helicopter and Cloud fighting Kadaj. Cloud wouldn't be stupid enough to let her come along, would he?
(Autumn)
Cloud continued to fight Kadaj, you remembered Cloud's fusion buster sword from the fight with the behemoths but it still amazed you how quickly he was able to assemble and disassemble it, all while fluidly fighting. It finally seemed like Cloud was going to win, he had Kadaj backed up to the edge of the old Shinra building and his katana was several yards away. Cloud stood for a moment, trying to figure out Kadaj's next move, when kadaj suddenly threw the box that contains the remains of jenova above his head and off the roof, them jumped off after it. You were close enough that you could still hear him.
"My reunion. Bet you're dying to watch"
Cloud ran and jumped off the building after him. You rushed to the edge, fleeing your hiding place, hoping that Cloud would be ok, you heard Kadaj screaming out in apparent pain. You watched in horror as Cloud was snatched out of the air and thrown onto a lower level of the building. Masamune appeared as Kadaj transformed into your greatest nightmare.
(Alyssa)
You were in panic, no one had seen Autumn, and now Reno was arguing with Barret and Cid, why couldn't they understand none of that matters right now, you need to find Autumn. You watched as Cloud continued to fight Kadaj but something wasn't right, why didn't anyone else notice that something isn't right?
Frozen in fear as you gazed upon the man that massacred your town and took everything from you and Sephiroth appeared in Kadaj's place.
"Awe shit, I did not sign up for this" Rude said as he realized what was happening. Reno began fly the helicopter away when you stopped him.
"Reno, we need to get in closer" You told him.
"what?!" Reno looked at you in disbelief.
"Are you crazy girl?"Rude asked.
"look" you pointed out, on the building, near where Cloud and Sephiroth were fighting, you finally caught sight of Autumn and you had a feeling you weren't the only one. "We need to get her out of there" You pleaded with him.
"I'm coming for you Autumn-baby!" Reno said as he turned the helicopter around.
"This is not how I wanted to die" Rude mumbled. You elbowed him. "I mean lets go save Autumn"
"Thats what I thought"
(Autumn)
You were frozen in fear, this scene was all to familiar. You knew you had to move, had to get away, you'd only be a distraction for Cloud when they start fighting, but you couldn't move, you were so useless.
"Good to see you Cloud" Sephiroth said. Cloud just glared at him. Sephiroth swung masamaune causing a shockwave, Cloud shielded himself, as Sephiroth used the distraction to fly up to a higher level. "Your geostigma is gone? That's too bad" he said
Cloud realized how close you are to Sephiroth but so far you've gone unnoticed, Cloud hoped to keep it that way by distracting him. "Sephiroth, what do you want?" Cloud asked. You used this as an opportunity to sneak away. for now you wanted to get to somewhere you could hide, you'd worry about an escape route once you're there.
"The last thought of geostigma's dead. Those remnants will join the lifestream and girdle the planet- choking it, corroding it" Sephiroth replied with a sickening smile. "what I want Cloud, is to sail the darkness of the cosmos with this planet as my vessel, just as my mother did long ago" he raised his hand, as if summoning the oncoming thunder storm. "Then one day we'll find a new planet and on its soil we'll create a shining future."
"what about this planet?" Cloud asked, you were almost out of the line of fire, just a few more yards.
"Well, thats up to you, Cloud"
Just as you were about to reach the stairwell down into the building lightning struck, you tried to control yourself but let out a squeal of fright, the lighting struck a few inches from you and the force of the strike threw you to the ground several feet closer to the fight.
"What do we have here?" Sephiroth asked with a sickening smirk, already knowing the answer. Without a second thought Cloud rushed at him, trying to prevent him from getting to you. You regained your composure and ran towards the stairwell again, "Oh where did you find this strength?" he asked.
"I'm not about to tell you" Cloud yelled back.
"No matter" And with that Sephiroth swung masamune once again, forcing Cloud to defend himself. You screamed in pain as Sephiroth grabbed you by your hair, forcing you to your knees.
"Autumn!" Cloud yelled. You could hardly open your eyes you were in so much pain.
"Well isn't this a familiar scene" Sephiroth sneered. "How many years has it been since I took away your beloved Jace?" He held Masmune to your throat. "hmm I rather like you on your knees, perhaps I'll keep you." Your eyes widened in fear as you struggled to get away.
"You leave Autumn out of this" Cloud said.
"No, I don't think I will" Sephiroth replied, he dropped your hair and swiftly grabbed your arms restraining you, as he turned to face Cloud. "You were weak, the only reason you could push me into that reactor is because Jace already weakened me before I killed him, and your precious Autumn here crippled me." You struggled against his grip, kicking and thrashing about, Cloud stood ready, he knew one wrong move and Sephiroth could simply kill you.
"Why us, why did we deserve this?" Cloud asked.
That distracted Sephiroth for a moment, you tried to escape but he was already ahead of you, "Do you really think distracting me with witty banter would save you?" he asked.
You looked back at Cloud, neither of you had a plan.
"Eat this you fucker!" Alyssa screamed as she unleashed a barrage of machine gun rounds from the doorway of the shinra helicopter. Sephiroth faltered which gave you enough of an opening to escape, as you dropped to the ground, Cloud rushed to your side as Alyssa continued to fire her machine gun. You had to admit for someone whose never handled a gun before today she's super handy with it. Once you and Cloud were a few yards away. Rude fired the rocket launcher, hitting his mark and setting a decent amount of the building on fire.
"Are you hurt?" Cloud asked frantically.
"I've had worse" you told him, he carefully caressed your face searching for signs of injury, a few bumps and bruises but nothing fatal. At this point Sephiroth had turned his attention to the Turks.
Once Cloud was satisfied that you were alright, he pulled you to your feet. "You need to go with the Turks, i'll distract him" he ordered you, usually you didn't like taking orders but just this once, you're perfectly fine with it.
"Come on Autumn, we gotta go" Reno yelled as he held a hand out to you, Rude fired the rocket launcher again trying to keep Sephiroth at bay, but he just keeping coming, walking, completely unscathed, out of the flames.
"Go, I promise I'll come back to you" Cloud told you.
"You better" you told him, then ran to Reno. Cloud turned to fight Sephiroth when he realized what the actual target was. Just when you were about to reach Reno, Sephiroth swung Masamune again, this time damaging the propeller blades of the helicopter. Reno nearly fell out as Tsung was force to fly away. "We're going down, brace for impact" "we need to save Autumn" "Shit man i did not sign up for this!" "God damn i shouldn't have let Tseng fly" "We'll steal the airship, check out that fancy paint job!"
You looked back at Cloud but he was already fighting Sephiroth who had lunged towards you. Their speed shocked you. The shinra helicopter exploded in the distance, but you were relieved to see that the Turks and Alyssa all seemed to be ok. Cloud had lured Sehpiroth away to a different rooftop hoping to keep you out of danger. You had no where to run, with the stairwell destroyed, you're on a rooftop with no where to go.
Cloud and Sephiroth fought in close proximity for a while, it seemed they were evenly matched. Though you couldn't help but worry, you trust Cloud with your life but Sephiroth, you shuddered, he ruins lives without remorse, kills because he has mommy issues. You watched in horror as Sephiroh swung masamune downwards at Cloud, he was able to block with his fusion buster sword but not it was a test of strength and Sephiroth had the advantage with leverage. He forced Cloud to his knees, but he kept fighting. You absently bit your lip and reached for the wolf pendant you now wore around your neck but it gave you little comfort.
Suddenly Sephiroth changed his tactics and swung masamune sideways, Cloud dodged by rolling a few feet away but now Sephiroth was free to prepare another attack.
"I've thought of a wonderful present for you. Shall I give you despair" He asked as he sliced a section of the building, it happened to be just below where you were standing. As the roof beneath you fell away you scrambled to get to safety but you just weren't fast enough. Letting out a yelp of fear, you braced yourself for a hard landing.
"Don't worry I'm here" Cloud said so only you could hear as he caught you in mid air. Before you realized what you were doing you wrapped your arm around his neck pulling yourself closer, relieved that he came to your rescue once again. He landed on the lower rooftop and used his buster sword to shield you from the debris falling from the upper levels of the building. You reluctantly released Cloud knowing you'd only distract him, but his arms held you for a few second longer before finally releasing you.
"On your knees. "Sephiroth ordered. "I want you to beg for forgiveness" He slashed at the building again but Cloud easily dodged and deflected the debris. You watched helplessly as Cloud kept getting back up to attack, Sephiroth deflected his attacks like they were nothing. You could see the telltale signs of fatigue in Cloud, while Sephiroth showed no signs of even breaking a sweat.
"No please don't!" You cried out, falling to your knees in despair as Cloud was impaled through the chest with masamune.
"Is this the pain you felt before, Cloud" Sephiroth asked as he twisted masamune, Cloud tried his best not to show signs of pain but he was struggling, he gasped in pain as Sephiroth lifted him off the ground. "Let me remind you. This time, you won't forget"
"Cloud" you whimpered as Sephiroth's black wing appeared, he tossed Cloud into the air, then flew after him unleashing a series of slashes, striking Cloud over and over. At one point Cloud managed to grab masamune but Sephiroth responded by throwing Cloud onto the rooftop creating a crater around him. Sephiroth hovered above him.
Without thinking you ran to Cloud, he was breathing heavily and bleeding from several slashes. No you couldn't let this happen again. You fell to your knees next to Cloud and cradled his head in your lap.
"Autumn you need to run" Cloud told you catching his breath.
"I can't let this happen again" You told him.
"Well isn't this precious" Sephiroth commented, you realized he was going to attack you, but Cloud moved to shield you.
"I won't let him hurt you" Cloud said as he fell to the ground again. You couldn't figure out a way to get you and Cloud to safety. When you tried to stand you were grabbed by Sephiroth, you could feel the bruises forming where he grabbed you.
"A shame really, you couldn't save your beloved last time, what makes you think this time will be any different?" Sephiroth asked you. Your response was to spit in his face. With a frustrated growl he threw you to the ground and turned his attention to Cloud "Tell me what you cherish most" Sephiroth told Cloud. "Give me the pleasure of taking it away?" Then he flew into the air ready to deal a fatal blow to Cloud, you turned away, you knew you weren't fast enough to save him. After several tense moments before hearing the sounds of metal clashing, you turned to see Cloud back on his feet, blocking the attack.
"I pity you" Cloud said as they struggled to overpower each other. "You just don't get it" he said as he finally overpowered Sephiroth, knocking masamune out of his hands. "There's not a thing I don't cherish!"
Sephiroth chuckled a crazy maniacal laugh. Cloud though was unfazed, you watching in awe are Cloud separated the fusion sword into five smaller swords, they surrounded Sephiroth. You were speechless, you've never seen anything like this before, not from Zack or Jace, or even uncle Angeal and Genesis. For the first time Sephiroth looked shocked, he frantically looked around for a way to avoid this, when Cloud began unleashing his attack, his movements were a blur he moved so fast, rapidly alternating between slashing at Sephiroth or throwing the sword, Cloud expertly landed every hit, as black feathers flew everywhere. It was clear when Cloud finished his attack that it was over. Cloud landed, while Sephiroth mortally wounded hovered.
"Stay where you belong. In my memories" Cloud said then turned his attention to you, he was pretty beaten up but still managed to give you a genuine smile.
"I will never be a memory" Sephiroth said as he wrapped his ruined wing around himself, his body dissolving away to reveal Kadaj who fell to the ground. He tried to attack Cloud but he was far to weak, you could see him beginning to dissolve into the Lifestream. Cloud caught the remnant allowing him a few moments of peace before he passes.
"Brother…" kadaj trailed off, you took a few steps towards them but stopped when Kadaj cried out, the crazy look in his eyes returned, "Mother! is that…?" Then the remnant faded into the Lifestream.