"It is not over yet. Save yourself. A much greater danger awaits you. Save yourself Cloud. I forgive you for not caring about me. Save yourself. You always cared more about HER anyway....

"No, it's a lie!" His voice came thin and scared. "You were the one Aeris!"

But at the same time, he felt something strange. HER, it was true, Cloud did care about her, a lot. He loved both of them, he had known that from the beginning. Then why was it so hard to accept?!

"I can read your thoughts Cloud. Don't worry, I never did have a chance, did I? But you do, Cloud. Save yourself. Save yourself! Before it comes. Get out of there while you still can! Do you hear me! Now! Do you hear me? NOW!"

"...Do you hear me, NOW!" Barret's scream made him jolt out of bed, reaching for his sword, only it wasn't there. It was the first time he remembered he hadn't slept with his sword since that. And there was also the dream. The exact same dream...., no..., nightmare, he had for the last three months."

"Goddamn it Cloud, get up man! Did ya forget the meeting we was gonna have today! And then I'm the irresponsible one, yeah right! Come on! Get a move on it, goddammit!"

"Calm down Barret, we've still got a lot of time." The sweet voice was instantly recognized.

"Oh no, not another of these damned Shin-Ra corporate meetings. Why the hell did I accept to become the Peace Keeping minister. Oh, I remeber: Tifa, you made me do it. Never listen to another of your advices again. Reeve already waiting?"

"For the last half hour. The meeting's been delayed another hour because of the power shortage Midgar's been in the last few days. What's left of it is nothing more than a scrap pile."

"Well, I prefer power shortages than sucking the life out of the planet."

He felt an urge to take his sword, but it was an important meeting, and it wouldn't be very nice if he just appeared in there with that huge blade. He and Barret put on suits and prepared to leave. Barret was the Mines and Energy Minister.

As they went out the door, they both said:

"Bye Tifa!"

As he and Barret walked across Midgar, he saw the Shin-Ra construction workers, busy around the wreckage. The Shin-Ra tower, demolished by Meteor's damage, gleamed over it. Really ridiculous, he had told Reeve, the entire city in ruins while one building towered over this junk.

He entered the building, and went straight toward the conference room. Visibly disturbed, Reeve waited impatiently for their arrival, along with the executive board.

They were both kind of speechless, and took their seats quickly.

"Now we can get the meeting underway, right?" Reeve looked at him with a wary eye. He proceeded.: "Since the company has been,....acquired..., by this business group, we are met with many tasks. Primarily, to reconstruct Midgar, and provide power to the populace attended by the many Shin-Ra reactors. By the Peace Keeping office's request, all Mako reactors have been immediately shut down, and its exploration is now totally prohibited. Although he had the full support of this board, Minister Strife must now provide an alternative solution to this, with the risk of Shin-Ra's already low popular support falling at total discredit.

"Ahem. President Reeve, I have already presented you with a temporary alternative, and I've instructed the Energy Ministry scientists to begin immediate research on this form of energy." Cloud felt funny, being called "Minister Strife", but he knew this was no joke.

"Yes, something based on the atom I believe,....Atomic energy it was, right? Well, the top scientists are already at work, what concerns me is the potential of destruction this force has. We cannot approve its use on a short period of time, without further research. I'm afraid your proposal will have to be denied, at least at this time. You better begin working at something, Minister Wallace."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it covered." Barret tugged uncomfortably at his tie. Tifa had convinced Cloud and him that it was for the good of the planet, that two just men be in the command of the largest company in the world. Yeah right. Real nice.

"Only one more announcement, before the conclusion of this meeting. Our previously unfunded Space Navy Ministry has been reopened. Named for the post of Minister is Captain Cid Highwind." Cloud and Barret stared unbelievingly at Cid come in, in his old flyer's uniform, and greet the President.

In the way out, Cloud walked with Cid.

"How come you didn't tell us? I almost had a heart attack! It has been a long time since we haven't seen you. Where have ya been all this time?"

"Hey, you said you like surprises huh! Actually, I wasn't convinced in the beginning, but Reeve guaranteed that the Space Navy Minister could be a pilot, and that the ministry would get adequate funding. Weird name huh, Space Navy. Got no warships, but we're planning some more expeditions, mebbe even a manned mission to the moon if we can get the moola for it. Well, I gotta a lot of work to do, a lot of funding to get, damn man, I'm loaded with work! Oh yeah, forgot to tell ya: did ya hear that as part of my contract I made Shin-Ra gimme the Highwind. Neat huh. Call the guys, let's go out and celebrate!

IT HAD BEEN A LONG time since Tifa had been in the Highwind. Totally revamped, it was more of a gunship than an airship, thanks to Shin-Ra's worrying about their safety. Still, she insisted it needed to have a deck like the old one. So many good memories of that deck, of that time. The time she and Cloud had been alone, right before they went into the North Cave. The best time of her life. She mentally scolded herself for not telling Cloud, but she figured he must know. She didn't know how to deal with it, but the truth was she was in love with him. But he hadn't given up on Aeris, she thought. Strange, she wasn't jealous. She also had many memories of her, despite their rivalry over Cloud. But she figured he just needed some time. Time. The one thing they had a lot of now. The wind blew through her hair, messing it up. Condors flew around the Highwind, and by the smell of the breeze she could tell where they were. The continent of Wutai, going to Turtle's Paradise. The door opened behind her, and Vincent called her in.

"We are about to land. Come in, it's real bad weather below the clouds."

She loooked in the new bridge, all computerized and centered on the pilot, no longer were crew necessary. In the bridge, she saw everyone standing in their usual place. Vincent, down the steps in the back, Barret in the front, next to Cloud. Reeve was too occupied to come, but he promised he'd make it up to them. Red XIII was sleeping, close to Vincent. Yuffie was nervous at the thought of returning home, so that helped her motion sickness.

Thunderbolts rocked the ship, as Cid guided the Highwind with uncanny skill though the storm. The ship, like an agile insect, guided its way thought the gigantic bolts that criscrossed the sky, leaving a pattern of lights.

Her face glued to the viewport, she looked at the small town of Wutai. The Da-Chao statues loomed over the city, and the far-off pagoda was site of many activities. Godo was expecting them.

Inside, they talked and talked and drunk and remembered the good times. They didn't have much to do out of their lives now. He heard from Red that he was spending most of his time at Cosmo Canyon, keeping his late grandfather machine in perfect work. Vincent did absolutely nothing, and was quite bored. Yuffie was in training with her father, so she could be a full-fledged ninja. It was in this mood, of friendship and nostalgia, that the door suddenly opened up and two people came in. Cloud stared, one hand on his sword, at the Turks. They had met them once here, some time ago, but at that time they were off duty. Let's just hope that that was the case.

"It's already full, Rude. We'll come back later." Reno looked at him, his eyes locked with Cloud's. Rude, without a word, walked outside. As Reno followed him, Cloud shouted:

"Why this, I thought we didn't have anything to fight about now. What happened?"

Reno stopped, looked at him, and shortly said:

"You don't have a clue, do you? Well, gotta go. Duty calls.

Without another sound, he ran after his companion.

The silence dominated for a few seconds, then Cid, half drunk, muttered:

"Damn, only these guys to spoil a perfectly good booze. Get outta here!"

Tifa laughed, Barret cursed, Vincent reached for his gun, Red rattled his tail, Yuffie stood silent and Cloud remembered the past. His history with the Turks was a bad one, but he saw no reason to hold any grudges now, this long after the events.

"Well, it's about time we were back anyway. If Cid has one more glass, I don't wanna think about the hangover he's gonna have coming after him. Yuffie, say bye to your father, OK. We'll be back."

Reeve stood inside his apartment, the e-mail in his PC spelling perfectly the feeling of doom in his eyes. In it, a message from Shin-Ra security:

"Mr. President, the data of the prototype of the atom reactor has been stolen from Junon. Security surveillance took this picture of the intruders."

The black suits, one with a long red hair, the other bald with sunglasses, both tall and strong, walked out of the high security facility. In a disk, the prototype of the most destructive power ever created by man, save perhaps nthe Sister Ray, was in the hands of the Turks. Who they were working for, were they employees or bounty hunters, thousands of things filled his mind. All he could do was get his phone, and dial the number to Cloud, Tifa and Barret's flat.

The phone rang. An annoying innovation, if you ask Cid. He stumbled out of the couch, dizzy from the drink, and picked it up.

"Hey Reeve, my buddy. How you feeling? What? Ah, come on, what're ya so serious 'bout, tis'party night dude! Yeah, yeah you @%5#$, I'll get him."

Stumbling towards Cloud's room, Cid woke him up.

"Hey man, Reeve for ya." "Mebbe I let ya drink a bit too much! Do sumthin' 'bout that breath man!"

As soon as he picked up, Cloud was alarmed. A crashing sound, a muffled scream, and the phone was hung up in the other side.

"Barret! Tifa! Come quick! We've got a problem!"

In his sailor pajamas, Barret cursed him of every name he knew, but was up quick. Without any more delay, he, Cloud and Tifa were in their car, speeding towards Reeve's apartment.

Inside his apartment, Reeve was tied by the Turks.

"Don't worry, we're not after ya. Actually, your friends who are coming here are more of our interest. We'll release you as soon as we've delivered them."

"Why? What did they do?"

"Hey, it's nothing personal. How do ya think we survive now? Bounty hunting is the only way. And one man is very interested in them"

"Who?"

"Like if I was gonna tell ya. Dream on."

At that instant, a lightning bolt shot though the window, but Reno's armor absorbed it. "Come out now!"

Cloud stood outside, gathering his concentration. If he was to beat them, he had to be quick. He broke down the door and cast a Paralyze spell at the two ex-Turks. It missed, and Tifa shot a lightning bolt at Reno from the other side. It was responded by an electro-mag rod in Cloud's stomach, and he screamed of pain. Barret shot Rude, who dodged quickly behind a pillar.

"Just let Reeve go, we've got nothing to do with ya!"

"I don't think that's possible."

A flash in the sky, followed by a massive heat wave. Bahamut ZERO fired from space into them. The energy wave flattened Cloud and his companions, and offered enough time so the Turks could escape. Very injured, Cloud walked to Tifa's unconscious body and felt for a pulse. She was still alive, but they had escaped. Cloud saw a slip of paper, and read it:

"If you want your friend back, get the REAL prototype data, not the fake one you posted in Junon. We will tell you the rendezvous location later. After we have confirmed that its authentic, we'll let Reeve go. Au revoir.

RENO

Using the Cure spell, Cloud healed himself and Barret and carried Tifa back to their apartment. They went immediately to Shin-Ra HQ, and called an emergency meeting.

Reno stood inside the hideout:

"Do you think they fell for it?"

"Why not Rude? I just wish I knew more clearly what the Boss means to do with them. They ain't easy. We sure as hell can't compete with the seven of them. But that guy is filled with tricks up his sleeve huh."

"I guess so."

Reno looked at his friend, but he didn't see anything he liked there.

"Anything bothering ya Rude? Tell me, we're best friends."

He sighed, looked straight in his eye and replied:

"Reno, are we doing the right thing?"

"I've thought a lot about it. Actually, I don't have anything against them, I kinda admire them. But orders are orders, I don't think we have a choice. And hey: the boss guaranteed he wouldn't kill them. I wouldn't feel well by cheating someoneTHAT much. I don't think they deserve to die."

"I'm just not sure Reno. By what I've heard, the other thing the boss wants, the atomic reactor, is pretty powerful. I keep thinking about what a man like him would do with such a power. I might be a hitman, but I don't wanna see innocents dying out of the blue.I'm just not the same person you knew three months ago. Think I'm getting soft?" He looked really depressed.

"Rude, man, we've been best friends ever since we've joined the Turks. Hey, it's not like I never thought about the things we did three months ago. I had actually planned to leave the Shin-Ra, after this one last job. They just weren't the company they once were. Just hang in there man."

Tifa woke up stunned. She got up, and looked for Cloud and the others. A note in the table said it all:

Tifa, stay there. You were pretty hurt in the fight. Anyway, me and Barret are trying to take care of the problem. Just stay alert.

P.S.: After this is all over, I've got something I wanna tell you, it's not something you tell somebody throught a note. I'm not sure about this, but I guess I shouldn't hide my feelings anymore, that is, if I know what they are, right? Well, take care.

Cloud

She looked at it, and didn't know what to assume. She was afraid of being hurt again. She didn't want to expose herself, her emotions, to the same pain of three months ago. She had spent all this time trying to cope with these feelings, understand herself.But she couldn't hide the truth either. This was her breaking point.Her mental sanity was being challenged by these hidden and protected feelings. She needed to do something. She might never see Cloud again. The mere thought sent shivers through her spine. She had to tell Cloud everything. She had known that, and now that she had finally resolved upon it, he escapes from her. She wasn't gonna take the chance of not telling him. Because she had a very bad feeling about this.

The conference room was a blend of half-sleeping and angry ministers. For the umpteenth time, the Minister of Science and Technology denied Cloud acess to the files regarding the real atomic reactor.

"We can't give the plans to an unknown person. Its potential is too great for it to fall into wrong hands. I keep my decision."

Cloud responded impatiently:

"I know, that's why we aren't gonna let this get in the open. Trust us. The life of the president of this company is in the balance. We will take the plans, the REAL plans, and then we'll find a way to lure them out of their hideout. We will not let them get the info out to their client."

"If you can do all that, why didn't ya do it in the first place, and not let them get away with it......but I guess I have no option. But you must comprehend the power of this thing. A bomb using this energy could flatten Midgar and kill every single person living in it. Don't toy with it. Now, you've still gotta find out where their hideout is. And you gotta do it fast...."

Cloud looked in a microscope, examining the note Reno had left them. Something intrigued him, it was something unnatural, that said that somehting was in that note. It felt like the feeling he had in the City of the Ancients, when he felt something in his soul. Turning his attention back to the paper, he sighed. He had examined it many times. In frustration, he punched the control panel. Suddenly, he noticed something. He had turned on the IR spectrum in the scope. Some letters were spelled out, visible only in infra-red.

"WEL-ME TO THE -LD SA_CER"

Welcome to the Gold Saucer! The paper was from the Gold Saucer! Reeve had to be there! He called Barret, Tifa, Red, Yuffie, Vincent and Cid. They took the ropeway to the Gold Saucer.

Cloud's message had arrived. He said he knew where Reeve was. Tifa felt insecure. She didn't know wether to be happy or afraid. She was aching in her body and heart. She would tell Cloud, no matter what. She had finally resolved. She got some gil, her Premium Heart and made way to Corel.

Vincent had received a message from Cloud. He had nothing to do. And after all, Cloud had helped him sometimes in the past. He packed his Death Penalty, a few items and armor and proceeded to Corel.

Yuffie had been called. It sounded like fun, this hideout breaking thing. And after all, what was she doing in this boring little town. With her trusty Conformer, she headed to the meeting place.

Cid, recovered from his hangover, was stunned by the fact that Reeve was kidnapped. He kinda liked the guy. No way he was gonna let these Turk dudes get him. Venus Gospel in hand, he took the Highwind to Corel.

Red XIII received with alarm Cloud's request. He knew he had to help him, for he had done many things in the past for him, so he took himself and the Limited Moon to te appropriate place.

Barret waited for Cloud to come and get him. In the meantime, he changed his gun-arm, the polished Missing Score gleaming in the shade. He reloaded his arm (that's funny) and waited.

Ultima Weapon in shoulder, Cloud stood in the ropeway train. After the small trip, they went inside. After talking to Dio, they searched the entire Gold Saucer. No result.

"Hey Tifa" Cloud called her out.

"Y-yes?"

"Uh, well, I kinda, I'm not very good at this,.....do you wanna go to the Round Square? Remember the fun we had there. I also have some....shings to tell you."

"S-sure. Uh, kinda like right now? Uh, OK, seems good to me. Let's get going!"

In the door of her room, Barret, shook his head. Damn they were slow! God, couldn't they get this thing finished once and for all?

Inside the Round Square car, Cloud and Tifa payed their entry and took the ride. Tifa looked outside, telling Cloud to do it too. Many beautiful sights dotted the amusement park. But to Tifa, none more beautiful than the young man sitting in front of her.

"Uh Tifa, that thing I wanted to tell ya..."

"I know, let's wait until after that. I have something I want to tell you too."

"Uh, OK, no problem."

Down in the entrance, Barret shook his head when he heard from Cloud that nothing had happened. Man this guy was slow! He must have noticed by now!

The next day, Cloud got up early. He resisted the temptation to go into Tifa's room. Instead he took the Highwind around the desert for a recon run.

Tifa woke up, angry at herself for last night not having the courage to talk to Cloud. She repeated to herself that wasn't gonna happen today. After they finished their rescue mission, she was determined to do it.

Cloud returned at around 4 PM. He had separated a few targets that he thought were possible candidates. He took the Highwind again, this time checking every location.

Standing in the deck, Tifa and Cloud looked at the world below, supposedly searching for the sites Cloud had sem earlier. In reality, both of them were searching for one and the other's feelings

Throughout the afternoon, they flew over the desert. They finally found out where it was: a small shack, near the edge of a mesa.

The new Highwind could land on places the old one couldn't. "Parked" in the desert, they all got out and proceeded to the entrance.

"Hey Cloud, ya do realize that this is the hideout of the Turks. It ain't gonna be no cakewalk." Barret looked really worried.

"Sure Barret, but do we have a choice?" Cloud shrugged.

As he opened the door, he saw stairs leading towards a giant underground passage. As they prepared to go down it, a large mecha came blocking the door. It was the color of sand, and was perfectly buried in the sand, linked with a motion sensor. When they entered the house, it was instantly acrivated.

Three rapid high powered laser blasts hit Cid in the chest. The second ripped flesh off his shoulder, and the third nearly killed him. He felt an energy rouse up in him. The power swelled in his heart. An energy like none he had ever seen before. Somehow, a giant wave of missiles from the Highwind slammed into the robot, splitting it apart. Cid fell to the floor, and whispered:

"G-go, dammit. I'll get back to the Highwind. Move it!"

Hesitantly, Cloud went down the stairs, followed by the rest of his team members. He missed his step, and fell rapidly down below. Landing with a large thud, he looked upward and saw many entrances. Then he realized: there were many ways inside the fortress, he could not expect them to find him. Still a little stunned, he proceeded down the large metallic tunnel.

Tifa quickly descended the stairs. She came upon a place with five entrances.

"Each one of us goes inside one of these. We've got to find Cloud now!"

It was extremely difficult for Red XIII to descend stairs. After a long descent, he came upon a sewer-like system. He used his extraordinary smell to detect the direction Cloud was. He quickly began running. Suddenly, in front of him, oout of the sewer water, a gigantic creature ascended. It was grotesque. A plant-like beast, with razor talons attacked him. Being extremely agile, he dodged most of them. One slashed his back and another cut a part of his tail off.

The first cut was bad, and he felt Death approaching. His eyes glowed red. An unknown power concentraded. He concentrated his power, and the once sewery roof became a blanket of stars. The acumulated energy came in a huge blast of red fire. Cosmo Memory! The creature was disintegrated. Using the last of his power, Red cast Regen in himself. Then he tumbled down and fell unconscious.

Yuffie came to a museum-like corridor. Classic music echoed around, and historic pieces were hanged around the place. In the end of the corridor, a door and a giant statue of a beast holding a hammer. She looked at the eerie sight and thought it wasn't so fun now. She passed next to it, and suddenly the music stopped, the only sound being her rapid heartbeat. The statue came to life, and slammed its hammer with astounding speed.

Her ninja skills served her well. She dodged nearly all of them, only the last got her left leg. She fell crying to the floor. The pain was unbearable. Her bones shattered, helpless, she felt a great energy inside her. A giant white beam shot out and shattered the beast in millions of pieces. All Creation! She fell down, the pain having bested her.

Vincent descended quickly the large stairs. As he saw where he emerged, his eyes were disbelieving. Na exact replica of Lucrecia's cave, he saw her, in all her divine beauty, looking in his eyes, in the same place she stood the last time he saw her.

"Vincent dear, come closer, I could never tell you something, let me be the one to say it now. It's a secret. Yes, come a bit closer. Yes, that's good."

Vincent looked in awe. But something was wrong. Lucrecia wasn't like this, he felt somehting was just WRONG. He was right.

The strands of her hair became snakes, and shot toward him. His exceptional gunnery picked off most of them, but then the bullets expired. The last snake bit him in his throat.

The pain from its poison was immense. He felt it weakening him, every single second. A wave of energy took control of him, and he was no longer in control of his actions. All in his mind was CHAOS.....CHAOS....CHAOS....CHAOS.....CHAOS BLADE!

It totally destroyed the medusa look-alike.

He returned to his normal form. He used his last energy to cast Poisona. Then, exhausted, he fell and stayed there.

Barret found it hard to descend stairs using only one arm. In about ten minutes of descending, he began to feel heat, na unbearable heat. He got off the stairs at the base and could not believe his eyes. His town, Corel, was being burned to a crisp. He saw his house, and his wife Myrna in the window, trapped inside, screaming for help. He ran quickly, broke down the door. Holding his breath, he ran inside and took Myrna in his arms. After he was out, he cried. He tried to wake her and was succesful. In his arms, she looked at him, only Barret did not recognize these eyes. Unnatural eyes. Her arms around him began to crush his ribs, and her face degenerated into a skull-like mask of doom. Without breathing, Barret was dying. The power that he felt at this moment was much greater than anything he had ever felt or seen. A huge white ball came and disintegrated the entitiy impersonating Myrna. Catastrophe! But he had not breathed. He fell unconscious.

Tifa walked around. She felt something was wrong with this place. She was on a tunnel like that of a mine. Not able to control herself, she cried and cried. She had lost the chance. Oh God! In the tunnel ahead, there was a curve. She looked, and couldn't believe her eyes. She was back where she started! She screamed in frustration. Only something was strange. The passage where she had entered wasn't there, instead, on the wall there was a door that she could swear was not there the first time. Going through it, she saw the apparently lifeless bodies of her companions, all cluttered in the floor. With the exception of Cloud. She was happy. It was strange, and a part of her was disgusted. But she was happy that it was her friends and not Cloud, dead in front of her. As she said once, "Nothing matters to me. Only Cloud.". She saw a man, who turned around and confronted her. She screamed:

"What happened to Cloud? Where is he? Who are you?"

"I am a creature that you do not know. My power is to create illusions in people's minds. I obscured from your view this door. But a strange power you have, a feeling, LOVE, broke my illusion. No matter. I used puppets in these Turks, stupid humans. Their goal was to bring you to me. You were rumored to be one of the strongest people in the world. Your friends did not make that promise true. Will you??"

At that moment, a beam of light emerged from his eye. She flipped backwards, and the floor where she used to stand was disintegrated.

"Good. But can you keep it up?"

A rapid salvo, she dodged and dodged. But once, she stepped wrong, and fell, clutching her ankle.

"Now you die!"

The beam never reached its target. Tifa stared helplessly as Rude jumped in front of the beam.It ended, and his body, now barely recognizable, fell into the ground.

Tifa was horrified. Anger, revolt, love, everything mixed into her. She ran towards the thing, ignoring the pain. A quick sequence of kicks and punches, a Beat Rush. She followed with a Somersault to the face, In addition , she made a kick with water, a Water Kick. Holding him, she slammed him down like a meteor, Meteodrive. A rising uppercut, with the power of the dolphin, Dolphin Blow. She continued with a Meteor Strike. Then finally, she held the monster, and an explosion hit him, Final Heaven.

She fell to the ground, the life all but drained from her body.

Cloud continued to walk down the metallic corridor. Quickly, it became, narrower, smaller and dirtier. It resembled a mining tunnel. Up ahead, a curve. Stairs that weren't there, and a door that shouldn't be. It was opened.