“I can’t believe you don’t remember me! Don’t you remember me? I’m Christina! Remember? Christy?” Christy said, her hands on her hips. Tifa slapped both her hands to her mouth with an “oh!” Christy grinned, so she did remember. “Come on Tifa! I got to get you out of here! We don’t have much time.” With that, both women headed out the cell doors.

“Guys! Wait for me! Wait! Oh! Don’t make me hurt somebody!” Yuffie cried out, while trailing the guys, who were desperately trying to lose her. No such luck. “Would that somebody be yourself?” Reno called over his shoulder. He narrowly avoided being hit by Yuffie’s shurieken. “Hey! Watch where you’re throwing that!” Reno said. “Don’t be a baby! If you had waited, I wouldn’t have thrown it!” Yuffie shot back. Bickering soon followed. Cloud rolled his eyes. Barret sighed and rubbed his temples. “You guys stop fighting! At this pace we’ll never get to the island!” The bickering stopped, but Cloud would have to watch his back for a few days. Barret sighed again. This wasn’t going as planned.

“ So what have you been up to Christy? And how come you got into Shinra and stayed there?” Tifa asked as she took a sip from her cup. Christy sighed. Those memories were painful, but she had to talk about it sometime.
“I went to Shinra to spy on them for an anti-Shinra company I worked for at the time. Shinra found out about the company and crushed them. I continued to work for Shinra so that I could keep an eye on them and to see if anything big turned up.” She replied, taking a sip of her drink. And something big did turn up… she thought absently. “ Anyway, what about you? What have you been up to?”
“Well, as you know I was in Avalanche for a time and after that everything got so peaceful, it was so dull. I got sad at first, being a barmaid again, but I think I like the peaceful life and the exciting life the same!” Tifa and Christy both giggled.
“Anyway about my-“ Christy began, but Tifa cut her off.
“He’s fine. He’s a big boy now, and he can take of himself. I’m really proud of him.” Tifa said, taking another sip of her drink.
“Oh! Sounds like someone has a crush!” Christy said, elbowing Tifa playfully. Knowing that Christy liked to play matchmaker, she quickly said, “It’s not like that! We’re just friends!” Christy rolled her eyes as if to say “Sure, and my name’s Trini and I like to eat mud.” Then they heard a few shrieks. “Reno! Give me back my book! I need that to study! If you don’t give it back I’m seriously gonna hurt you!” a familiar voice screeched. Reno’s here… thought Tifa.

“To study! What are you now? A book worm?” Reno teased as the ninja chased him around. Suddenly he felt someone grab him by the collar. “You should give that back Reno.” A voice whispered in his ear, sending shivers down his spine. That only meant that this was- “Tifa!” he exclaimed while hugging her. “I guess someone missed me. Great to see you again Reno.” She said softly in his ear. As she pulled away, Yuffie rounded the corner yelling “Reno give me my #$^*%&# book! Or by the gods I swear I’ll kill- Tifa!” Throwing her arms around her friend, Yuffie said “Gawd Tifa! You had me so worried! I thought that Hojo had his dirty hands on you!” The ninja looked like she was about to cry.
“Sorry to interrupt, but we should go, we got company.” Christy said, nodding toward the soldiers at the front of the little café. Reno wolf whistled, then asked, “Who’s you’re lovely friend Tifa?” Reno was relived that Tifa was back, not to mention that she had brought a lovely lady with her. “Introductions can be made later, let’s go!” Yuffie said. They quickly but casually made their way to the door, covering Tifa as much as they could.
“Hey! You there! What are you hiding?” said a drunken soldier. “Let’s get out of here, and quick!” Christy whispered looking anxiously at the door. “Hey! That woman looks like the Ancient who escaped!” “That is the Ancient! Get her! Call for back-up!” “Too late for that! Let’s stay and fight!” Yuffie exclaimed, whipping out her weapon and getting into a fighting stance. “Ditto!” Christy shouted. Reno rolled his eyes. Women. He pulled out his nightstick and also got into a stance. Christy tossed Tifa her sword and gloves and she pulled out a Magnum. “Let’s do this!” they shouted together.

Tifa punched a guy in the nose, hearing it break, then pivoting, she kicked another right where it counts. With a “mommy’ he was down.
Reno’s nightstick sizzled after frying so many guys. He turned and punched a guy in the jaw, sending him flying into the wall of the alley where they were corned. He turned to see Christy with her gun level to his head. “Prepare to die.” She shouted and fired. Reno stood paralyzed, but the bullet passed right by him and hit a guy that was about to shoot. With a wink and a grin, she turned and shot a couple more guys with perfect aim.
Yuffie sliced at the soldiers in front of her, blood pooling beneath their bodies that were piling fast.
After the fight, every one was tired, save for Tifa. Christy was panting, leaning over with her hands rested on her knees. The way she was gulping for air reminded him of the way a beached fish would. Yuffie grinned and wiped the sweat of her brow, which had formed there during the battle. “What a workout!” she exclaimed. Reno was breathing heavily, taking out like 100 soldiers was no simple task. Tifa was humming and heading toward a hotel.  “Come on! It’s almost dark! We should get to the hotel soon.” She flashed a beautiful smile at the group. No one questioned how she knew where the hotel was or why she was so happy.
 

To Chapter 5
To Main Menu
 
 

Chapter 16: Let’s pray the past won’t repeat itself

Yuffie yawned and stretched, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Last night had been a disaster, when Tifa and Reno had finally shown up, Cloud had a cow. A big one. He had blown up in both of their faces, and Tifa had given him a good couple of hits, which he still had purple bruises over his arms and face to show for it. Reno just started yelling, then everyone, save for Yuffie and Sephiroth, were engaged in a fierce argument. They had almost gotten kicked out of the inn too. Yuffie winced, feeling the guilt hit her like a herd of wild chocoboos. Guilt, Yuffie just hated that emotion, and when she had confessed that she was the one that had caused the trouble, it looked like she was in deep water, and she would be on her best behavior. She was too young to die! So, giving a groan, she went downstairs to face her fate.

Christy sat silently, watching her brother silently sip some coffee. He was definitely not a mourning person. He almost got into a fight with Reno again if Tifa hadn’t show up and said if she heard a peep out of them, both of their @$$#$ would be kicked. Christy rubbed her temples, the silence weighing on her shoulders like a ton of bricks. Looking at Sephiroth, who was going over the route to the still unknown destination, the site of him calmed her down. Looking up, Sephiroth noticed that Christy was staring at him. She waved and smiled, while he acknowledged her with a nod. He sighed, the attraction that she had for him was obvious, but in light of what Yuffie had been doing lately, he’d rather pretend to be indifferent towards her. Besides, what would people say if they found out that the great general had a crush on his archenemy’s sister? He rubbed his temples and went back to looking at the map before him.

Yuffie stood, her mouth gaping open at the site before her. Reno looked so weird when he wasn’t in his Turk suit. But, in blue jeans, and a white shirt, she had to admit that he looked okay. Maybe it was just that she wasn’t used to seeming the redhead without his suit. “Don’t just stand there and admire the view, come and help me load all the junk you girls have on the chocoboos.” Reno said, giving her a flirtatious grin. She stuck her tongue out at him, the girls only had a bag to each of them. Obviously someone was over the fact that Yuffie had almost got him killed, all because she wanted some entertainment. But Cloud was a different story. Still clad in his famous, if not tacky, purple suit, Cloud would send her death glares every once in a while. Yuffie sighed, everyone seemed over the ‘event’ as she called it, but Cloud hadn’t. Suddenly, getting another idea, that wasn’t evil, Yuffie raced to find the brunette.

Tifa sat silently on Spike, twirling a strand of hair and daydreaming. Just then, Yuffie raced up to her, a huge grin on her face. “Tifa! My best friend in the whole wide world!” Yuffie exclaimed, while Tifa looked at her friend suspiciously. “What do you want Yuffie? If it’s about the materia, forget it. It’s mine, and I’m keeping it.”  Tifa said to Yuffie, who began to shake her head vigorously. “No, not that! I have a favor to ask of you. You see…” Yuffie said, whispering her plan to Tifa, who broke out in a grin. She nodded, and then both brunettes walked off to the chocoboos.

Cloud looked up, to see a very happy Tifa and Yuffie walking up to him, Tifa with an evil smile, while Yuffie looked extremely pleased with herself. Cloud had a sinking feeling in his stomach. What torture were they going to bestow on him? Hadn’t he suffered enough? Sephiroth, also sensing something about to happen, looked up from the conversation he was having with Christy. Christy and Reno both looked at the deviously smiling Cetra and the happy Yuffie, both who had stopped in front of Cloud. They heard him gulp and say, “um, hi?” Both girls smiled sweetly at him. “Oh, Cloud, it’s nothing, just that Yuffie had the perfect idea! And I think that’d it work just fine. Break it down Yuffie!” Tifa said. Christy paled, Sephiroth raised an amused eyebrow along with Reno. This would be interesting…

Rufus stood next to Koji, who was standing in front of his beloved capsules that held his precious clones that he had formed form Sephiroth’s DNA and another Avalanche member who was totally clueless. One of the mothers was a fallen Ancient. They had taken blood DNA from their selected people, and fused them together, like it would happen if they did ‘something’. That had made the 2 clones that were floating in front of them. They had been enhanced with Jenova cells. He smirked, they’d be strong, just like their daddies.

Christy felt like she was in heaven. She didn’t even care that she was sitting on one of the giant birds she hated so much. She didn’t want this moment to end! She sighed contently, as she felt his arms wrap tighter around her. She had to admit that Yuffie’s plan wasn’t so bad, she could get to like this. “So, when do you think that we’ll reach, um, wherever you’re taking us, Sephiroth?” Christy asked looking at the silver haired general. “In a day or two.” He replied softly, turning around to see how the others were doing, trying to ignore the warm feeling he got by being with her.

Yuffie sat with Cloud’s arms wrapped around her. Unlike Christy, she was in a living #$**. Gawd! She had apologized a million times, and he still was mad at her. But, from what she could see, the others were all enjoying this. Maybe this was her punishment. “What do you think they’re doing back there?” Yuffie asked, turning to see Cloud’s reaction. He just glared at her angrily. “I’d rather not know.” He snapped coldly. Yuffie sighed and swerved to look and see what Tifa and Reno were doing.

Tifa sighed deeply as Reno’s grip tightened thinking to herself as how much she felt for him. Sighing again, Reno whispered softly in her ear asking, “ What are you thinking about?” snapping out of her thoughts and answering “ Ah nothing. Just wondering when we’re going to stop and rest.” Making up the sentence out of nowhere, and mentally hitting herself for her stupidity. Reno looked ahead and saw Christy falling asleep in Sephiroth’s arm and answered “Soon, it looks like Christy is falling asleep.” Tifa nodded, also feeling a little sleepy. Soon, she was fast asleep in Reno’s arms.

Cloud sighed, running a gloved hand through his hair, silently cursing himself. Yuffie had informed him of today’s events, and he had felt the jealousy rage up within him. Tifa, falling for Reno? Christy falling in love with Sephiroth! What was wrong with them? They used to be the enemies! Used to be… those words echoed through his head. Jenova, he felt her presence stronger, every time he got closer to Cave Island. He smiled a little, maybe he could have a little heart to heart with Tifa about this.

Yuffie tossed and turned in bed. Sweat was glistening her frail body as she had a nightmare, the one where she saw her mother die in front of her eyes. The one she hadn’t had in years. The one that usually meant something horrible was going to happen. She gave a small cry, tears were starting to flow down her cheeks, making her seem more like a small child than a 19 year old. Tifa watched sadly as her small friend fretted. Deciding to do something, she kneeled beside Yuffie, silently she began to pray for this nightmare to end.

Cloud walked into the girls’ room, it was well past midnight. He could hear Yuffie’s agonized cries, and he quickly ran in, sword raised. Instead of seeing the girls in immediate danger, he saw a silver glowing Tifa, kneeling beside a Yuffie, who was howling in agony. Feeling Jenova grip his mind, he felt the urge to make Tifa stop hurting Yuffie or anyone else. Sword raised over her head, he felt the memory of how he almost killed Aeris, but he pushed this aside. Only now there was no one to stop him. Grinning evilly, he lowered his sword to an oblivious Tifa.

Reno rounded the corner of the hotel, headed to his room that he shared with the other guys. He was totally wasted, he had spent several hours at the bar, trying hard to forget Tifa. He had fallen head over heels for the Ancient, and he was angry to admit that her heart belonged to someone else. Strife. The word was like a vile curse word on his tongue, and he had tried to get images of Tifa and Cloud together out of his head, pretending that he didn’t care, but he did, with all his heart. He had never fallen in love, only thinking that women were only good for a night or two, but Tifa was different. She hadn’t fallen for his charms like every other girl, instead he had fallen for hers. So what about the other times? When they had sat on the roof together? Stop thinking like that! He commanded himself silently. Maybe he should check on Ti- the girls. He opened the door a crack, to see a sight he never thought he’d see. Strife was about to kill Tifa! He charged forward, knocking Cloud to the ground, not worrying about himself.

Cloud felt Reno charge and hit him, knocking the wind out of him, and Jenova still controlling him, he slashed Reno 5 times across the chest, making the redhead scream. He didn’t know what had just happened, all he knew was Tifa was safe, and he all he could do was thank Reno with all his might, something he thought he’d never do.

Reno’s cry snapped Tifa out of her trance, just as she finished Yuffie’s nightmare. She looked up to see Christy sitting up in bed, staring in horror as her brother slashed Reno, getting her gun under her pillow, she shot the sword out of her brother’s hand. She saw Tifa run over and start cradling Reno and comforting him in Cetra, while her necklace glowed silver, healing the Turk. Yuffie woke up with a start, to see Reno in Tifa’s arms as she cried over him, and to see Sephiroth comforting a sobbing Christy. What is going on? She wondered. Only then did she see Cloud, and the look on his face told her everything. She suddenly felt nauseous. Cloud had almost killed Tifa! What was wrong with him? As though hearing her thoughts, Sephiroth said, “Jenova.” While rocking a sobbing Christy, who was watching the scene with wide eyes.  Tifa looked up, and instead of seeing wine-colored eyes, Yuffie saw golden eyes that were narrowed dangerously. Sephiroth tightened his hold on Christy and whispered, “She’s going to eliminate the enemy.”

Chapter 17: Destroy the enemy… A new addition to Avalanche

Rufus Shinra sat at his desk, an insane smile on his face. He had just sent out his two clones that would go and destroy Avalanche, save for the Ancient and Sephiroth. Yes, he needed them very much alive if his experiments were to succeed. Cracking his knuckles, Rufus smiled evilly. When he got his hands on those 2, they would wish they were dead. Then, only then, would he kill them. Evil laughter rang out through his office, the kind that chilled you to the bone.

Barret snapped his head up. He had just had the wildest dream! Tifa reviving Sephiroth, Christy and Sephiroth getting together, a love triangle, and Spike almost killing Tifa. I need to lay off those pain reliever pills. Barret concluded, getting up to check on Marlene and get a drink of water. Walking down the hall, he cracked Marlene’s door open a bit, peeking in to see his little girl fast asleep. He smiled, and climbed back into bed after both tasks were accomplished. He just hoped his dream was just that, a dream.

Nanaki felt a shiver run through the planet. Something wasn’t right. It seemed that Jenova was back, and now the planet’s guardian was going to pick off the threat, one by one. He wished his grandfather was here to give advice, but he shoved that thought out of his head. He looked up to the moon, hoping that the others were all right.

What! She wouldn’t! Yuffie thought watching Tifa slowly walk toward Cloud, murder gleaming in her fierce gaze. Out of nowhere, a sword, a katana, flew into Tifa’s hand that caught it with ease, and unsheathing it with god-like speed. Cloud stood there, paralyzed. He remembered his last fight with Tifa all to well. Looking up, he silently pleaded with Sephiroth, who stood there frozen, but his face said that Tifa must have manipulated him, and now he couldn’t move. Christy was also frozen, but with fear, and not from a spell. “You’re fate is sealed Cloud Strife, you should know not to mess with the Cetra.” Tifa stated, looking down murderously at Cloud who was frozen with shock at her words. Slowly, she put the sword to Cloud’s neck, but then her eyes darted to where Yuffie was sitting, frozen. Christy held her breath, too scared to watch. “Duck.” She said, throwing her sword. They heard the sound of sword piercing flesh, but it wasn’t Yuffie’s even though she cried out in surprise.
“Come out, if you want to live.” Sephiroth said, letting go of a trembling Christy. A young girl, about 20, stood. She had long blonde hair and striking green eyes. Her left leg was bleeding, Tifa’s katana was stuck deep in her leg. Tifa snorted, and left the room, picking up Reno on the way, her katana sheathing itself, before disappearing. Sephiroth walked over to the girl, looking at her intently, before asking, “Who are you and what are you doing here?” The others weakly nodded save for Cloud, who was still frozen in place. “My name is Annita. I’m here because I heard a ruckus, so I decided to check it out. I hid so that girl wouldn’t get me, but I guess she did.” Annita stated, wincing as she looked down out her wound.
“I’m so sorry for Tifa’s behavior! She’s usually not like this!” Yuffie said, hopping out of bed, with only a long nightshirt. She then proceeded to cure Annita. Christy’s eyes narrowed. Annita looked startlingly like Sephiroth, and that Ancient, Aeris, was her name, she wasn’t too sure. Then a thought struck her, what if they did ‘something’ and then the Cetra had gotten pregnant and then… Stopping herself, she reasoned, Annita looked 20, which meant that the Ancient had her when she was 2, which wasn’t possible. She sighed. That still didn’t shake off the resemblance that Annita shared with the general.

Tifa sat beside Reno, brushing hair out of his eyes. His strands of crimson reminded her about the blood he had shed. Sector 7, Biggs, Wedge, Jessie, all lost because of the man who was lying beside her on the bed. The man she was falling for. God! She mentally slapped herself. Get a hold of yourself Tifa! You almost kill Cloud and that girl, she couldn’t think of that presence of that girl as innocent, and all you can think of is Reno. You’re hopeless Lockheart. She thought to herself as she looked down at Reno. He had saved her, no doubt. But why had she felt so much power flow through her veins when she felt anger towards Cloud? Did the planet want so badly for her to kill Cloud? This was so confusing…

Yuffie sat silently, after Tifa had cooled down, and her eyes were her normal color, they had all sat down together and started eating, even Annita. Not liking the silence, she stood up, while hitting her fist on the table. Everyone looked up, except for Annita and Sephiroth who were silently sipping their soup. “Let’s go out and do something fun! Gawd! When was the last time anyone laughed around here?” Yuffie stated, eyeing the members warily. “The kids’ got a point there, maybe we should go do something fun. But the Gold Saucer is too far away, so what can we do?” Tifa was holding back Yuffie so she wouldn’t kill Reno, then she suddenly spoke up. “Karaoke!” Tifa exclaimed happily. Yuffie and Christy cheered, while the guys sweat dropped. Singing wasn’t the type of stuff they do in public. Man, the only time I sing is when I get drunk. Huh, maybe if I get a hangover, Tifa can be my nurse, hehehe.  Reno thought, a grin on his face. Singing! What are the girls thinking! I couldn’t sing in front of Reno! Cloud thought, a horrified look on his face. But, the girls looked so hopeful and excited, he nodded. This will be amusing, maybe I can just watch puppet and Reno make fools out of themselves. I wonder how good Christy sings… Sephiroth thought, with a thoughtful expression on his face. With another cheer, the girls dragged the guys to a Karaoke Bar.

Chapter 18: Karaoke Time! Another new addition to Avalanche!

Tifa popped in a CD with the song that Christy had selected. Music started to play, and Christy came out in a white tang top and blue jean shorts, and started singing.
Turn it inside out so I can see
The part of you that’s drifting over me
And when I wake you’re, you’re never there
And when I sleep you’re, you’re everywhere
You’re everywhere

Just tell me how I got this far
Just tell me why you’re here and who you are
Cause every time I look you’re never there
And every time I sleep you’re always there

Cause you’re everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it’s you I see
You’re everything I know that makes me believe
I’m not alone

I’m not alone

I recognize the way you make me feel
Sephiroth and Cloud’s jaw dropped, as they saw Christy pull off some dance moves, and they seemed to touch the floor. Tifa and Yuffie were giving engorging shouts, while Reno gave some wolf whistles. Christy blushed, but continued singing.
Starting to think that you might not be real
A sense that now the waters getting deep
I try to wash the pain away from me
Away from me

I’m not alone
I’m not alone

And when I touch your hand
It’s then I understand
The beauty that’s within
So now that we begin
You always light my way
I hope there comes never a day
No matter where I go
I always feel you so

Cause you’re everywhere to me
And when I catch my breath, it’s you I breathe
You’re everything I know that makes me believe
I’m not alone

You’re in everything I see
So tell me
Do you see me?
After Christy was finished singing, she had received a round of applause. Blushing, she exited the stage, receiving hugs from everyone, save for Sephiroth, who just stood there and stared at her. When she walked by him, she heard him say, “You have the voice of an angel.” “Thank you, Sephiroth.” She whispered, and blushing, she sat down at the table that they had just occupied. “I’m going next!” Yuffie exclaimed, running up to the stage. Everyone groaned, while Yuffie stuck her tongue at them. Getting on the stage, she popped in her selected song into the slot. Music played, and Yuffie started to sing.
I used to think
I had the answers to everything
But now I know
Life doesn’t always
Go my way, yeah…

Feels like I’m caught up in the middle
That’s when I realize…

I’m not a girl
Not yet a women
All I need is time
A moment that is mine

I’m not a girl
There’s no reason to protect me
It’s time that I
Learn to face up to this on my own
I’ve seen so much more than you know
So tell me to shut my eyes
“Stop! The agony! The torture! Make her stop! I’m getting a headache!” A very drunk Reno shouted, making the music stop, and everyone looked at him, very angry. Yuffie just looked like she was about to cry, but instead, she whipped out her shuriken and started chasing Reno around, who was laughing his head off, even though he might lose it. Tifa sighed. “Guess it’s my turn!” she said cheerfully and headed up to the stage. Reno and Yuffie stopped long enough to see another guy walk up onto stage also. The two started talking and Tifa nodded her head, and popped in the CD. The two started singing as the music started. Reno and Cloud looked about ready to kill the dark skinned man when he linked arms with Tifa.
What’s my mother****** name?
R-U-L-E
Blowin’ back on this Mary Jane, I’m analyzin’ the game.
And the game done choose me.
To bring pain, and p**** n****, and h*** holders, it’s one in the same.
Ever since you told me…
There’s only room for 2. I’ll be making less room for you.
Now only God can hold me.
Hug me, love me, judge me, the only man that can help is above me, holla.
I’ve met so many men
And, it’s like they’re all the same.
My appetite for loving
Is now my hunger pain.

 And when I’m feeling sexy, who’s gonna comfort me? Cloud and Reno’s jaw dropped when Tifa sang these words. Reno then grinned, and yelled something that sounded like ‘me’, but Christy clamped a hand over his mouth. Sephiroth and Yuffie rolled their eyes in union. Cloud was still staring at Tifa, who looked like she hadn’t heard anything, but the blush on her cheeks gave it away. She continued singing along with the black man, who had a deep voice.
My only problem is
They’re insecurity.
Tired of being alone, yeah, yeah.
Sitting there arguing on the phone, yeah, yeah.
 While you’re telling all your friends, yeah, yeah.
That your nigga don’t understand my love.

Cause I’m real.
The way you walk, the way you move, the way you talk.
Cause I’m real.
The way you stare, the way you look, you style your hair.
 Cause I’m real.
 The way you smile, the way you smell, it drives me wild. If looks could kill, the man would be six feet under. Cloud and Reno were giving him dangerous death glares, but the man ignored them. Christy and Yuffie were cheering Tifa on, while the rest of the male population seemed to be doing the same save for Sephiroth and the gang.
Cause I’m real, and I, can’t go on without you.
Girl I be thinking about this relationship,
And I wanna know is this as good as it gets? Cause we’re been through the worst times, and the best times,
But it was our time even if it was part time.
My baby be lookin’ at me, smilin’ at me and laughin’ like we wasn’t happy,
But not knowin’, we growin’ and gettin’ married.
Hard loving, straight thugging,
Baby, I ain’t doing this here for nothing.
I’m here to get it poppin’, hoppin’, let’s ride up in the Benz
Hair blowin’ in the wind sun glistenin’ off my skin,
 I’m nasty, huh, you know me.
But you still don’t feel with your baby.

Cause I’m real.
The way you walk, the way you move, the way you talk.
Cause I’m real.
The way you stare, the way you look, you style your hair.
Cause I’m real.
The way you smile, the way you smell, it drives me wild. Cause I’m real and I can’t go on without you.

Now people loving me and hating me, treating me ungratefully,
But not knowing that they that ain’t making or breaking me.
My life I live it to the limit and I love it.
Now I can breathe again, baby, now I can breathe again.
Now people screaming what the deal with you and so and so.
I tell them n*****, mind their own biz, but they don’t hear me though. My life I live it to the limit and I love it,
Now I can breathe again, baby, now I can breathe again.
Tired of being alone, yeah, yeah.
Sitting there arguing on the phone, yeah, yeah.
While you’re telling all your friends, yeah, yeah.
That your nigga don’t understand my love.

Cause I’m real.
 The way you walk, the way you move, the way you talk.
Cause I'm real.
The way you stare, the way you look, style your hair.
 Cause I’m real.
The way you smile, the way you smell, it drives me wild.
Cause I’m real, and I, can’t go on without you.

 Cause I’m real.
 The way you walk, the way you move, the way you talk.
 Cause I’m real.
The way you stare, the way you look, style your hair.
Cause I’m real.
The way you smile, the way you smell, it drives me wild. After they had finished, the two received a round of applause, but receiving glares from Reno and Cloud. When Tifa came down, arms still linked with the man who looked rather enthusiastic, Cloud stiffened, while Reno gave a smirk. “Babe, you were wonderful up there.” Reno said, slinging an arm around a giggling Tifa. “Thanks Reno,” The others gathered around her, and her friend. “Who’s your friend, Tifa?” Christy asked curiously. The others nodded, looking curiously at her friend. “Oh! How silly of me! This is-“ just as Tifa started introducing them, a gang of people, wielding weapons and Shinra logos on their hats burst through the door. This was obviously going to be bloody.

Chapter 19: Don’t lose the one you love

Rufus Shinra sat at his desk, hands tucked behind his head, and an evil smirk rested on his face, just like his shoes rested on his desk. “Sir, team has been deployed.” Rufus looked up to see Elena, in a crisp salute. “Good, how has the cannon been coming along? And how are my two clones doing?” Rufus asked, eyeing the Turk with cold eyes. That seemed to make her shiver, even though she tried her best to hide it. “The cannon is almost complete, sir. As for the clones, we have successfully gotten them into Avalanche without much suspicion.” Elena said. Rufus raised an eyebrow. “Who suspects them?” He asked, certainly Sephiroth and the Cetra would, but whom else? “The traitor sir.” Was the professional reply. Oh, so the traitor, or Christina, was the one who was suspicious. But why? He had always thought that Christina had always been a little ditzy, but how would his perfect clones arouse suspicion in her? She had never seen or heard of the clones, had she? Rufus shrugged nonchalantly. It didn’t matter now, his plan was working smoothly.

Sephiroth glanced at the gangsters with interest. Even though this wasn’t a fair fight, Sephiroth decided that a little stress relief would be fun. Christy pulled a handgun, and decided that this could get bloody, and she guessed this would be the perfect time to release all the anger she had kept inside because of Cloud’s stupidity. Yuffie pulled out her shuriken, casually propping it up in a throwing position. This would be a good way to get some practice. Tifa silently got into a fighting stance, Reno and Cloud on either side of her, arming themselves and looking cockily at the enemy. How could to men so alike not get along? It sort of reminded her of Aeris and her, when fighting for Cloud’s affection. Charging into battle, Avalanche sliced at the enemy or shot, something along those lines, save for Annita and her new, or old friend, who stood beside her with a smirk on his face.

Christy dodged a bullet that went whizzing by her, she in turn, shot a couple of times, and missing once in a while, but she usually hit her target. Then the enemy fell to the ground, moaning and groaning, reminding her of a zombie, blood puddle under them included. She just hoped that there were no lickers around. She hated Resident Evil for thinking up those vile creatures, which had given her nightmares that she didn’t want to think about. She whacked a guy over the head with her gun, knocking him out, but not for long. He lifted up his gun and shot her. The bullet pierced her as she gave a gut-wrenching scream.

Sephiroth looked up from the man he had just cut his arm from. Christy was in trouble! The thought fueled him to where he had heard the scream, barely dodging fists, knives, and bullet that surrounded the battlefield like the sweat that hung in the air. He then saw Christy body, blood pooling under her. Please don’t die! He thought, picking her up. Looking around desperately for Yuffie or Tifa, he only caught a glimpse of Yuffie’s shuriken. Running toward her, he gritted his teeth when he felt several bullets strike him. His only thought was to save Christy, he couldn’t let her die!

Cloud had heard his sister cry out, but he couldn’t see her, so his thoughts of saving her were quickly replaced. Slicing a guy right through the stomach, impaling him, he moved through the mass of the endless bodies, bullets grazing his arms, legs, and face, only making small cuts, but they stung nonetheless. He chopped off guys legs, letting them fall, screaming in pain. Cloud’s eyes were cold, emotionless. Just like Sephiroth’s when he was killing on automatic.

Tifa kicked a guy hard, sending him crashing out the window, glass shattering everywhere. She had heard Christy’s cry, and she saw Sephiroth running toward Yuffie, carrying a wounded Christy. That had gotten her pissed. She could already feel the planet aiding her, fueling her rage with power. Gathering the energy, Tifa lifted her hands over her head. The wind turned different colors, forming spirals around her and whipping Tifa’s hair around and forming a ball where her hands seemed ready to hold it. Her eyes, turning a gold color, she cried out. The ball widened, and seemed to explode, rays of light flashing out of it and killing all the gangsters, and healing everyone else in her party. Now was one of those times she was glad that she was Cetra.

Reno looked up, to see a white ball forming over the crowd, and getting bigger by the second. Realizing that Tifa must be behind this, Reno stopped mid swing in the attempt to zap a guy’s face off. Feeling the light heal him, Reno stood there, eyes closed and smiling. He could hear the agonized cries of the men, but it was drowned out by a voice, the voice of an angel. It seemed to be singing in Cetra, making him feel at peace, and oddly very happy. Tifa… it had to be her voice.

Everyone, save for Annita and Tifa’s new friend, James, were crowding among Christy’s bed, watching their friend breathe. Sephiroth felt sad and angry. Why hadn’t he protected her? “It should be no problem if you protect her.” His words from the past echoed through his head, making him feel even sadder. He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Tifa, standing in a now empty room, except for him and Christy. “I need to talk to her.” Tifa said softly, ushering the general out of the room, who didn’t complain. Tifa turned to Christy. “He really likes you, you know. You should tell him how you feel. With his reputation, he might be killed before you get the chance to say your feelings.” Tifa said, a tear trickling down her cheek as she remembered a boy from her childhood that was killed before she had a chance to voice her feelings. She didn’t want her best friend to experience it.
“You really think, that he likes me? He doesn’t even talk to me, much.” Christy said, looking up at her friend. Tifa nodded, turning to look out the window. “But, what about you? Shouldn’t you tell Reno or my brother how you feel?” Christy asked, hoping to steer the subject to Tifa. Her friend didn’t talk much about her feelings, but she could feel the love triangle that had befallen her friends. Well, she guessed Reno was a friend, even though they didn’t talk much. Tifa blushed, “I don’t know, I don’t want to hurt them but, if I had to choose, I don’t know.” She said. Just then, Reno ran in, panting. “Tifa! Christy! We need help! You’re new friends were traitors! They came and took Yuffie!” He snarled, pure rage showing on his face. Tifa felt a pang of jealousy, but it was quickly covered up by worry. This was all her fault, if she hadn’t admitted she was Cetra, none of this would have happened. Sensing her drop in moods, Reno wrapped a comforting arm on her shoulder and said, “Tifa, doll, it’s not your fault. I’m sure no one thinks that way, right?” Christy nodded. Sephiroth entered the room and eyed Christy with concern, making her blush. Cloud also came in and leaned against the wall. “Let’s save her.” He said, eyeing the party warily. They nodded.

Yuffie sat in a cell, sulking. How could she let her guard down? How could Annita do this to her? She had thought that they were friends. Well, she could get out of this mess, or wait for the others. She wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible, so she began thinking of a way to escape. After a couple of hours of deep thought, Yuffie gave up. There was no way she could escape when she had shackles tied to her wrists and ankles. But, she couldn’t think like that! Looking around the plain white room, she didn’t see anything, except for a little door that seemed to lead to a freezer and another door that led to a corridor. Yuffie sighed, maybe if she slept on it…

Annita punched, kicked, and jabbed at an invisible enemy. Sweat was glistening her body, as she gave a high kick, she almost hit James, who had just entered. “Watch where you shadow box.” He snapped. Annita looked at him annoyed, who returned the gaze. Annita sighed. She wanted to get back at the people who had put her in that god-forsaken capsule. She would make them pay! James watched silently, thinking once again how much he loved Annita. Sure, she was brash, but she was also breath-taking gorgeous. She was the only reason he followed orders, so that she could one day be happy. He sighed, propping himself up against the wall. His only hope that Annita would one day be happy with him, but he knew otherwise. He still loved her though.

Chapter 20: Rescue! Save your friend in need!

The gang had just left Nibelhiem, riding one of those stupid giant birds. Christy hated it! She just had to ride with her brother, just because he didn’t want her ‘mingling’ with Sephiroth. Give me a break, Christy thought while rolling her eyes. He just didn’t want her to get any closer to Sephiroth than possible, but it was already to late. Christy knew that she had fallen for the silver haired ex-villain. Concentrate on getting Yuffie back! She silently willed herself, but found it easy to say, hard to do.

Tifa sat on one of the big birds, smiling. Sephiroth and Reno were in front of her, obviously in an argument, of what, she’ll probably never understand. When Cloud declared himself leader again, he wanted to make sure that the two girls in his life weren’t any where near their past enemies. Tifa giggled, watching as Reno and Sephiroth continued their heated argument. She had to admit, she had only tried to set up Sephiroth and Christy once, but it hadn’t ended well. She wasn’t a good matchmaker. But, she had tried to encourage Christy to him, but she guessed she shouldn’t force her. Then, she tracked her sights back on Cloud, who was sitting with Christy, who looked extremely unhappy. She giggled again, but then she instantly turned her thoughts back to the ninja that was held captive. She hoped that she was okay, she was really worried. “Are you okay back there?” she heard Reno yell. “Fine! Just worried about Yuffie! How do you think Yuffie’s doing?” She yelled back. Reno shrugged, temporally, his thoughts went to the kid, no, she was a woman now. Saving the world helped you grow up. Reno sighed, rubbing his temples. He really hoped that she was okay.

Yuffie woke up to the sounds of her cell door automatically opening. She looked up to see Annita, who was holding a tray of food. “I’m sorry I got you involved in this Yuffie, but I want my revenge on the people who did this to me!” Yuffie looked up at her, and asked, “Did what to you? And who did ‘this’ to you?” Annita looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she held herself together. “They locked me up in that freezer like a #$%^&%(@ Popsicle!” She snapped, while gesturing to the door that led to the freezer. Yuffie nodded her head sympathetically, saying, “I understand how you feel.” Annita served her head at her, glaring dangerously at her. “How could you know how it feels? Didn’t you have a perfect childhood?” She spat, looking at Yuffie, who just shook her head. “No, I always felt like I was in a prison, everyone telling me to behave, make Wutai proud, blah, blah blah, basically not to have a life. So I started to rebel, just like you got out of your jail, I got out of mine.” Yuffie said. Annita looked at her shocked, then she held her nose defiantly in the air and stalked out of the room. Yuffie sighed, so much for making friends.

The travel worn gang had finally reached the shore of the ocean, where a kind old man had rented them a boat. Cloud felt his sword, feeling her presence grow stronger. He narrowed his eyes. He wouldn’t let her get the better of him. He didn’t want to kill any one of his friends. He looked back at Sephiroth, who was sitting there calmly talking to Tifa in Cetra. Having that bond with Tifa made Cloud feel jealous, but he served his head to look at Reno, who was snoring, mouth wide open, and he was quite loud too. What does Tifa see in him? He thought silently to himself. He had always considered Tifa smart, but she must be a genius to find something good in Reno. Christy was sitting in the boat, looking slightly green, seasick. That reminded Cloud of Yuffie, she was usually the one that was sick by now. He hoped that she was all right.

Rufus stood silently in front of Koji’s lab. Walking in, he spotted Koji’s assistant, some girl whose name started with a M. Missy? Marsha? He didn’t really care to remember. “Where’s the professor?” He asked, Mindy that was her name, turned around to glance at him. Suddenly realizing who was there, blushing, she hastily said, “He’s down at the lab. Said he found something big.” Rufus nodded, not even sparring her a glance, and walked toward the private lab. With a hair flip, he opened the door. Koji stood at his desk, hunched over his desk, mixing some concoctions. “What are you doing Koji?” He asked, looking at the scientist who whirled around in surprise. “I found a way to make the Jenova cells stronger! By my calculations, 66% stronger than before! We can make super soldiers with these babies!” Koji exclaimed, pushing his glasses back to the bridge of his nose. Rufus raised an eyebrow, and then asked, “Won’t that hurt them? Or kill them?” Koji looked thoughtful, before saying, “ If we find the right specimen, one that is strong and has blood related to Jenova or injected with the cells themselves, it should be no problem.” Rufus gave a mad smile. He had the perfect specimen…

Chapter 21: Romance and Super Soldiers don’t mix

Yuffie looked up to see none other than the devil himself. “What do you want?” Yuffie asked coldly. The president looked amused. “Well, let’s just say I want to play a new game. Being a bad guy all the time isn’t all it’s cut out to be.” He stated flatly. Yuffie shivered at this tone of voice. She didn’t like it one bit. “So, what does your boredom have to do with me?” She asked, looking at a thoughtful Rufus. “I thought it would be a great honor to be included in my little game.” Rufus said with a shrug. Yuffie snorted, but curiosity got the best of her. “What game?” Rufus smirked, this was going exactly according to plan. “Well…” Was what Rufus started, looking evilly down at the ninja who was trembling with fear. That’s how Rufus Shinra got respect, not by money like his father, but with fear. He grinned, this should prove to be interesting…

Tifa stood next to the others near the entrance of the cave. At least that’s what she thought, Tifa wasn’t too sure. Right now, the guys, save for Sephiroth, were arguing which way to go. Reno thought left, while Cloud thought right. She sighed and rubbed her temples. Tifa was pretty sure that they were only doing this to get on the every one else’s nerves. “Let’s go this way.” Christy suggested, pointing to the middle cave. Sephiroth nodded. “It seems like one person on our team is on track. You can fight over who has the smaller brain, but it’ll be a close call. So save this for later.” Sephiroth said, cape swishing behind him as he followed Christy. “What did he just say!” Reno snapped, Tifa put a hand on his arm. “C’mon, we gotta save Yuffie.” She said softly, letting go of his arm and following the pair, who were rapidly disappearing. Reno turned to Cloud, who said, “This is far from over Reno.” With that, he followed Tifa into the cave, Reno reluctantly following.

“Do you think that they’ll be expecting us Sephiroth? I mean, I’m getting nervous now. Maybe I should use some of your medicine.” Christy joked, trying to get conversation to spark. Whenever she was nervous, she usually was a chatterbox, she didn’t want to seem like that in front of Sephiroth, but like he said, it was like breathing to her. “I guess, I think those two clones will be there to stop us, but… there’s something else about them too…” Sephiroth trailed off at the end of his sentence. Christy looked up at him, curious. Had he noticed the resemblance he had to Annita? Of course stupid! Christy silently said to her self, smacking her hand over her forehead. Sephiroth looked down at Christy, who seemed to be in some distress. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” Christy looked up at the general with a shocked expression on her face. Blushing, she asked, “Do you really mean it?” Sephiroth nodded, but he looked up, when he heard a noise. He turned to see Christy loading her gun, a grim smile on her face. Hearing footsteps, he found a crevice big enough that it might fit them in. Pushing Christy in, he followed. But upon entering, he found himself tightly pressed together with the blonde, who was still blushing furiously. He guessed the crevice was smaller than he thought. Silently looking down at her to ask if she was all right, the words stopped dead when he saw her. God, she was beautiful. Instead, he slowly inched his face near her’s. Christy felt her heart pounding so hard, she wondered if Sephiroth heard it. Instead, she closed her eyes, waiting for the kiss.

Yuffie looked up at Rufus, staring at him like he was a mad man. He was, though. She couldn’t let the others walk into this trap! So, after Rufus had stated his plan, Yuffie struggled on end trying to break her chains until her wrists were rubbed raw and bleeding. All the time, Rufus had stood there and laughed like a maniac. He was, in some ways, Yuffie was sure, more insane than Hojo. Tears started falling down her cheeks as she realized that this would be hopeless.

Koji stood in front of the 100 some men he had picked for his new project, which he had dubbed ‘The Jenova Project Revived’. Stupid name, but names served of little purpose. Koji smiled evilly, looking at the men who were lined in front of him. He liked the looks of fear on their faces. The first man was strapped down onto a table, where he looked calm, but Koji could tell was probably screaming for mommy inside. Oh well, it didn’t matter to him. Getting out a syringe, he filled it with the Jenova cells, and the cells of the Cetra that his evil brother Hojo had collected. It was like a gold mine! Mixing the cells together, and putting in a potion that he had called, ‘Potion Evety’ Koji made his way to the soldier. “This won’t hurt a bit!” He cackled, while injecting the concoction into the poor man, who screamed all the way through the procedure.

Annita watched with an amused expression on her face as Koji injected another man with his concoction. She was next, and no matter how painful it looked, she wouldn’t back down. She’d get stronger, to get revenge! She had seen the results, the men would buff up, but still not lose their original speed, only they would be faster, not by much, but faster. When they couldn’t punch a dent in the wall, they could do it with ease now. Huh, she wondered how much improved that she would become. “You’re next, my precious specimen.” Koji smirked, while Annita looked calm and collected, walking up to the table and getting restrained. Just like her father. Ignoring this, he got a special potion out, a better one than ‘Potion Evety’ he still hadn’t thought of a name for it, maybe he should just keep the name. He got the best cells, and mixed them with care. He wanted the best for the best only. He wanted to see the down fall of Avalanche, and why not do it with his own creations? He would make it all ironic like, making them see how funny life truly was, and that their efforts were wasted. Koji grinned evilly, injecting the solution into Annita, whose face was contorted in pain, but she didn’t scream once.

Tifa looked ahead, hearing a noise, it sounded like footsteps. She also felt heated emotions from two of her friends. She didn’t think Cloud would like that, so she kept quiet. “I think we’ve got company!” Reno exclaimed, looking at the 45 soldiers that had seemed to appear out of nowhere. Tifa’s eyes narrowed, they had Jenova cells and Cetra cells in them! Half of her wanted to run and embrace them, while the other half wanted to kill. Tifa cried out, clutching her head in pain. Reno looked at her worriedly, but Strife told him ‘no’, they had bigger problems to face. A dark skinned woman, probably the leader spoke up. “I am Jennifer! We are here to eliminate the enemy! Prepare for death Avalanche!” Both parties charged into battle, Cloud and Reno were seriously outnumbered. On the down side, the soldiers seemed to be superior to every other, faster, stronger, and they had better stamina.  Reno and Cloud were heavily wounded, but they still fought the hopeless battle. They heard Tifa cry out again, this time, they heard a rumbling. “What the #^** is going on?” Reno shouted. “I don’t have a $%^&*$# clue!” Cloud shouted back, the planet seemed to be trembling. What was going on?

James walked down the corridor that Annita had been walking down. He heard that the professor had a break through that could make weaklings stronger. Maybe it would also make him stronger. Walking through the door, he noticed Annita standing with her back to him, rubbing her arm. “Feel any stronger?” He asked, while Annita twirled around to see him, still calm and collected. “A little. Be careful James, I don’t trust that guy at all. His procedures hurt like a ^&*%$.” She stated, walking out the door. “Ah! My other specimen! Come in, come in!” Koji stated, readying the potion. James felt like running out of this place, it gave him the creeps. But, instead, James walked to the table and was strapped down. I do this out of my love for you Annita, so you can find happiness. James thought, while Koji injected him with the potion. For Annita, James would do anything. Even going to %$** and back.

Christy felt the ground shake and tremble, but it didn’t break the kiss that she was sharing with Sephiroth. And she had thought that she was in heaven when he just held her! Wow! She moaned a little, when Sephiroth began to kiss her more passionately and he wrapped his arms around her waist and she shivered. She ran her hands through his waist length hair and increased the kiss. She felt him press closer to her, if it was even possible and she put her arms around his neck “ You know I love you?” Sephiroth whispered in between the kiss “ I know” Christy answered and they continued to kiss. Then the ground started cracking, and that broke the kiss. She was disappointed, why did these things always happen to her? “C’mon, we got to get to the others!” Sephiroth shouted over the ruckus, holding her hand and pulling her down the tunnel. What was going on?

Chapter 22: Puff the magic dragon, or something like that.

Tifa felt the blue dragon approaching, which she had decided to name ‘Chibi’ even though the huge dragon was anything but small. Chibi appeared on the horizon, blowing fire and burning the men, making them scream out in agony. When he task was accomplished, he looked back to Tifa. “Lady,” he said, while bowing as best he could in the small cave. “Hi Chibi! Thanks for helping me! I really appreciate it.” Tifa said. She even had a pet name for a dragon that had killed about 45 super soldiers and hadn’t even breaken a sweat! Reno was impressed. That’s Tifa for you… Cloud thought, an amused smile briefly crossed his face. The dragon drummed his claws that were a fierce gold like his eyes and gleaming long teeth, on the cave bottom, making it shake a little. Tifa giggled, and hugged and stroked his muzzle, while steam spouted from his nostrils. Obviously the dragon, as fierce as he may look, had a soft spot for the Cetra. Huh, just like me. Reno thought. “Hey, how come you never told me that you had a dragon? That could talk?” Reno said, looking at Chibi with interest. The dragon glared at him, but he glared back. Deciding something, he turned to Tifa and spoke to her in Cetra, and the comment made her blush. Just then, a dusty Christy and Sephiroth showed up. Christy screamed when she saw the huge dragon.

Yuffie heard screams, shouts, and death echo through the small room that she was held prisoner in. What in the world is going on? Yuffie wondered, wishing her cell had a window so she could see. And possibly use it to escape. Then she heard her door open, and she looked up to see James. Was it just her, or did he look buffer? “You friends are here, let’s go meet them, shall we?” James said, taking the shackles off the wall, but they still met at an iron handle, which he held in his hand. “Let’s go,” James said, dragging Yuffie along the long corridor. Whenever Yuffie tried to break free of his grasp, he yanked her hard, making her stumble and/or fall. She got many bruises this way. At the end of the corridor, was an elevator, where Annita was standing, arms crossed across her chest. She looked tougher too. “C’mon, let’s get this over with! I want my revenge now!” She snapped. She reminded Yuffie of a small spoiled 2-year-old whining for a toy. James just replied, “Be patient Anna, you’ll get it soon.” Yuffie didn’t like the sound of that. She hoped the screams and shouts weren’t her friends dying. Stop thinking like that Yuffie! She silently screamed at herself. Easier said than done.

Rufus sat silently at his desk, smirking. His cannon was complete and in position! Soon, he could get rid of that pesky Avalanche! But, there was something else that disturbed him. When he had sent out his new and improved super soldiers, nothing happened. Sure, Avalanche might be wounded, but not dead. How could 2 men destroy 45 super soldiers? Maybe the Ancient did something. But how? Didn’t Koji say that the cell mix up would mess up her mind? Obviously, it hadn’t. Maybe he should talk to Koji. With that thought, Rufus made his way down to the lab. He ran into his clones, and their prisoner. “Having fun?” He asked, an amused expression was on his face when he noticed the condition of the young ninja. “Yeah, loads.” Was Annita’s sarcastic reply. Rufus shrugged it off. As long as they defeated Avalanche, he didn’t care what they said to him.

“Ah! It’s a dragon!” Christy exclaimed, hiding behind Sephiroth who started blushing. Reno looked amused by this, and he turned to the dragon. He guessed he was scared of the beast when he first saw him, but now, him and Chibi shared a bond. They both wanted to protect Tifa. “It’s okay! He’s on our side.” Tifa said, stroking Chibi’s muzzle. “How do you know that the dragon’s loyal? He could just kill you right now.” Cloud said, still fingering his sword, and eyeing the dragon. The dragon snorted, “Why would I want to hurt Lady Tifa? She was the one who raised and protected me when I was young. It would be like killing my big sister. I don’t think you’re very bright.” Cloud looked enraged, but so did Chibi, so they decided getting into a brawl over it would be worthless.
“Question! Tell me, why do you call Tifa, ‘Lady’, if you don’t mind my asking.” Reno said, walking up to Chibi. “It’s the way he shows respect.” Sephiroth answered. “Hey! You guys! Did you forget we can here to save Yuffie? We can settle this later, c’mon, follow me.” Christy said, walking down the tunnel with Sephiroth tailing her. “Hey, what about Chi over there? I don’t think he can fit through the tunnel.” Reno said, already have made up a nickname for the dragon. “Chi?” Chibi asked, looking thoughtfully down at Reno, who grinned.
“It’s a nickname.” He said, but that still didn’t solve the problem of getting Chibi through the door. “He can shrink, it’s handy too.” Tifa said, and when Reno looked to where the huge dragon was, only to see a teddy bear size dragon in his place.  Tifa scooped him up in her arms and ran to catch up to the others. “Cute!” Christy exclaimed, when she saw Chi, when the rest of the gang had caught up with them. Chibi snorted, not liking to be referred to as ‘cute’. Sephiroth looked at the dragon with interest. So, this was Tifa’s guardian. He wondered if he had one. “Hey! How come you never call me cute?” Reno teased, while this got a laugh out of everyone. If these were going to be the last moments of his life might as well live it up! “Because, Sephy would get jealous.” Christy laughed, while Tifa giggled and elbowed Sephiroth playfully saying, “Oh, I better get the scoop from one of you!” Cloud instantly thought of how Yuffie had said that to him. He sure hoped she was all right. “Man Sephy, didn’t know you had it in you!” Reno said, slapping him on the back. The couple blushed in union, while everyone else laughed. Laughter is perfect medicine, Christy thought as she linked arms with Sephiroth, who turned a deeper shade of red.

Chapter 23: Shinra Ray, and betrayal

Annita waited at the entrance to president Shinra’s office. If she and James didn’t defeat Avalanche, then the president would. Huh, Avalanche wouldn’t get one member through that door. Well, the boss had said that he needed her father alive and the Cetra woman. James walked up to her saying, “You shouldn’t think so hard. It’ll give you gray hairs.” Annita snorted and replied, “Huh! Like you know what it means to think hard. I doubt you’ve thought more than 5 seconds.” James smiled slightly at this barb, knowing that this was her way of showing affection. He hoped that they could defeat Avalanche. If they didn’t, he hoped that Annita would be spared, he didn’t want her to die. Leaning himself against a wall, he too, became engrossed in deep thought.

Yuffie squirmed around, not liking the cold man’s gaze to rest on her. He gave her the creeps! Gawd! If I ever get out of this alive, I’ll never steal something as long as I live! I swear! Yuffie vowed to herself, still struggling to get out of her bindings. “You can stop fidgeting now, it’s useless and it’s giving me a headache.” Rufus stated, twirling his shotgun on his finger. She boldly kept up her ruckus, until Rufus raised the gun, aimed it at her head and fired. Yuffie let out a terrified scream, hoping that it wouldn’t end this way.

Tifa’s eyes narrowed, and her grip on Chibi was tightening. Yuffie! She had heard her friend’s distressed cry, and instantly she felt the planet willing to help. Maybe if she… “Uh Tifa, Chi’s turning bluer than usual. Maybe it would be good to loosen your death grip.” She heard Reno say. Alarmed, she looked down to notice that her friend was indeed, bluer than usual. “Oh! I’m sorry!” Tifa cried out, loosening her hold a little, while her dragon kept gulping in air like a beached fish. “Hey, he does a good Christy impression!” Reno declared, cracking up. Everyone but Tifa and Chi shot him glares. He put up his hands as a sign of peace. “Geez, don’t got to get all touchy about it.” He said, looking at Tifa who seemed to be in La-La land for the moment. “Be serious Reno! God! Yuffie might be in danger and you’re joking around! Honestly, what is wrong with you?” Christy scolded, while Reno just looked serious. “Did you ever consider that this might be the last moments of life? So if they are, I want to live it up!” Reno declared, and then he inched toward Tifa, and whispered, “Speaking of living it up, how about some ‘sugar’.” Tifa snorted and whacked him on the arm playfully saying, “Shut up Reno.” Sephiroth nodded in agreement, while Cloud just scowled. “Be serious for once Reno! We’re not going to die! We’re not up against Sephiroth.” Cloud snapped, but then noticing the glares that Sephiroth and Christy gave him, he quickly added, “No offense.” “None taken.” Sephiroth said calmly. Tifa looked at her friend, marveling how he could stay so calm. Maybe he uses medicine. Maybe I should get me some. Tifa concluded, following the others to the entrance of Shinra Headquarters.

“Sir! They’re here!” Elena shouted, making her way to the office. “Elena, that’s very unprofessional. Calm yourself. You and Rude get into position. I want you to help defeat Avalanche.” Rufus said, with a smirk on his face. He knew that the blonde Turk would have an inner conflict if she should follow friendship or her loyalties. He didn’t see why people wanted friends, they only stabbed you in the back after they were done sucking you dry. Rufus found it easier to be a cold uncaring man. That way, you wouldn’t be a doormat. “Yes sir.” Elena stated, going into another salute. Rufus smirked. He always got his way. And if this was true, Avalanche would soon be crushed.

Yuffie sat silently, still in the office of Rufus. Rufus had obviously just shot the bullet to scare her and make her shut up. And it worked well too. Yuffie thought, looking up to where the bullet just barely missed her, making her wince. Still bond like she was in a cell, she decided that since the others were on their way, she might as well memorize something that would be useful. A shiny object caught Yuffie’s wandering eyes. Squinting, Yuffie managed to make out the words, ‘Shinra Ray’. Hey! That sound like Sister Ray! Wasn’t that a cannon? I’ll bet all my materia that this ‘Shinra Ray’ is a cannon too! Oh no! I got to warn the others! Yuffie thought, as she resumed her attempts to get out of the binds that held her. This was going to take a while.

Reno walked along the corridor, standing beside Tifa and Chi. Reno sighed and ran a hand through his unruly locks. He hoped that Strife was right, and that they weren’t going to die. He turned to Tifa, who was staring at him silently. When he caught her gaze, they smiled softly at each other. “We’ll get through this.” Tifa whispered, taking up Reno’s hand. Expecting a smart mouthed comment from Reno, but getting none, Tifa looked up to see the ex-Turk looking at her thoughtfully. “Tifa-“ he began, but he was cut off by new comers. He looked up to see Elena and Rude. “What in the #^**!” Cloud snarled, “Turks!” “Nice to see you to Cloud, Reno. Tifa.” Elena snapped, spitting out the last word, like it was a curse to her. Maybe it was. Guess Rude still likes Tifa. But how can they both just go back to Shinra? I thought they ran off to get married, not to go back to this #&** hole! Reno thought, eyeing his fellow Turks. “What are you doing here?” Sephiroth asked, noticing that everyone was wound up tight. He had heard stories of the Turks from Reno. Maybe they’re here to help. Christy thought, looking up at Sephiroth, whose arm she had entwined with her own. “ It’s simple really. We’ve come to kill you.” Elena said. “You and what army?” Cloud challenged. Then two figures stepped out from the shadows. “Us.” Was all they said. This isn’t going to end well… Tifa thought silently, unconsciously tightening her grip on Chibi.

Chapter 24: Show down! Sephiroth vs. Annita

Rufus Shinra stood observing the battlefield from afar. This should be interesting. Taking out a pair of binoculars, he inspected the members of Avalanche. Sephiroth was there, Masamune drawn, while he had a protective arm around the traitor, Christy, who had a Magnum out, and Rufus was sure, was loaded. Rufus smirked, he had never thought in a million years that anyone would be able to thaw the ruthless general. And Strife’s own sister too! He would have laughed, but deciding against it, he continued to observe the remaining members. Speaking of the devil, Rufus saw Strife, in a battle position, and he could see the fight brewing in his eyes. He had expected to see Strife holding the Ancient’s hand, but instead, he saw that the honor belonged to the redhead Turk, Reno. He was also in a fighting stance. The Ancient was holding something that looked like a teddy bear, but on closer inspection, he found it was a dragon. So that is her guardian. He thought absently, switching his view back to his allies. Maybe he should consider this a game. It was obvious that they were going to pick each other one on one, with no interference. Rufus smirked, watching as he saw Annita challenge her father to a duel. Rufus had no doubt that Sephiroth’s own daughter was as good or better than her father was, if he hadn’t improved when he was dead. Rufus grinned, and suppressed the urge to shout, ‘Let the games begin!”

Sephiroth had seen some pretty messed up things on the battlefields, but he never thought he’d see the day when his own daughter would be out for his blood. He looked down at Christy, who had tears running down her cheeks. He hated to think that he was the one behind those tears, but he had to defeat the creature that had been spawned from his own flesh and blood. He turned to Christy again, cupping her chin so that she faced him. He gently brushed their lips together, then walking forward in the arena that was probably the size of a football field.
“Let’s do this, father.” Annita spat. Sephiroth could tell that she hated him with a passion, but he had no clue why. She charged into battle, raising her sword to him. Sephiroth dodged, but she slashed side-ways, cutting him in the stomach. He winced, but didn’t show any other emotion. She didn’t either. Again, she charged into battle, but this time, Sephiroth blocked, then quickly, he sliced her arm, cutting a deep gash. Taking the time to catch her off guard, and not lose the opportunity, Sephiroth also went to impale her, but she dodged, so his blade went by, barely nicking her.  Annita and Sephiroth’s swords meet as they both went to strike each other. Sephiroth, very quickly, slashed to try and get her stomach, but she blocked. “Not bad, father.” She hissed, while trying to cut his neck, but missing. Sephiroth took the time to cut her through the left thigh, making her wince in pain.  Jumping back as best she could without hurting her leg, Annita took a few precious seconds to exam her wound. Those seconds were all Sephiroth needed to charge forward and he thrusted forward. While he was still thrusting forward, Annita twirled around, the intent of cutting his head off, but she decided to play with him. Slashing him savagely across the back about 20 times, she smiled in satisfaction as he fell, defeated. “Revenge will be sweet!” She exclaimed, about to thrust her sword into her father, but a bullet shot the sword out of her hand. Rubbing her hand tenderly, she glared at who had just fired the bullet.

Yuffie sat, still binded. She heard the gunshots and the clash of sword on sword, and now, all was quiet. Please! Please save my friends! I don’t want any of them to die! Yuffie felt tears running down her face, and putting her raw hands together, she prayed. Wincing as her tender wrists rubbed against her bindings. Please…

Tifa looked at the battlefield, where father and daughter were battling. I want to help him! Tifa thought, tears running down her cheeks. Please, don’t let him die! Reno stared calmly at the scene before him, noting that neither seemed to have an advantage, and that both were too caught up in battle to cure themselves. Reno sighed, hoping that Sephiroth wouldn’t get himself killed. That would only hurt Tifa and Christy. Cloud’s eyes were narrowed, observing the scene before him. His hand was itching to pull out his sword, but he knew that if he charged blindly into battle now, he could get himself killed, and he didn’t want Christy to be sad. That thought pained him, so he kept his distance, watching warily. Christy plopped down on the floor, hand covering her mouth in horror, tears streaming down her face. Each hit that got him, she felt in her heart, ripping it to shreds. Please! God please don’t let him die! I’m begging you! She felt the salty tears sting her cheeks, the wet trails leaving paths for the burning liquid to follow. She felt arms wrap around her, and expecting to see Cloud, she saw Reno. She knew that he was doing this as a friendly gesture, and not as a come on. With that acknowledged, Christy wept bitterly into his shirt.

“That’s enough, Annita. You have defeated him, there’s no reason to kill him now. Besides, the president needs him for an experiment.” Elena shouted, her barrel smoking. Annita looked up at her, rage coloring her face. “Shut the %$#^ up! You don’t know what it’s like to be treated like some %^&%$#* dog! I want my revenge! And no one will stop me!” Annita shrieked, her voice going from calm to shrill. James just looked at her sadly. She had reached the breaking point, and now he was sure that not even he could reach her. Only one person could. Mother.

Rufus smirked, this was going better than planned! Now all he needed was the Ancient, and the plan would succeed. He watched with amusement as the traitor broke out of Reno’s embrace and ran to Sephiroth. He grin grew wider. Torturing them sounded fun.

“Sephiroth, please, wake up. Please.” Christy said, cradling his head on her lap. “Get away form him, Annita won the duel fair and square.” Rude snapped, pulling out a gun and pointing it at her head. “No! Take me instead!” Everyone looked up to see Christy, tears streaking down her face. Guilt had obviously gotten to her. “Just leave them alone!” Tifa said, still cuddling Chi. Cloud and Reno looked at her shocked, but Reno was the one who went to try and comfort her, but she pushed him away. “How about it boss?” James shouted, looking up at where Rufus was standing. Deciding that this would be a perfect way to hurt all of them, it seemed that mostly all the Avalanche members had a bond with her. He nodded. “Under one condition. You also give us back Yuffie.” Christy said, tears still streaming down her face. “Christy! You can’t do this!” Tifa and Cloud shouted. Sephiroth just laid there in shock. What if she dies? Rude just went over to Christy and grabbed her arm, while tossing the keys to them. Annita, still steaming, snapped, “You’re little ninja is in Rufus’s office.” With that, she and James left the room. “I’ll see you guys later!” Christy shouted. Tifa looked down Sephiroth and cast cure on him. Sephiroth just stood there, still shocked, but whispered even though he knew Christy was long gone, “Bye Christy.”

Yuffie looked up to see the others walk through the door. Cloud kneeled beside her and began unlocking the restraints. Yuffie noticed that everyone seemed sad and/or angry. She saw that Tifa was silently sobbing into Reno’s shirt and that Sephiroth could barely stand, like he had gotten another whooping. Sephiroth just stood there, a cold look on his face, and his eyes, when he felt her staring at him, he turned to look at her, and the look he gave her sent chills down her spine. Cloud seemed so, quiet. What had happened to them? Then noticing that Christy wasn’t there, she asked, “Hey guys, where’s Christy?” Everyone seemed to stiffen. “What? Did I say something wrong?” Suddenly a thought hit her. “She’s not dead? Is she! Oh no!” Yuffie wailed, while sobbing into Cloud’s shirt, because he was conveniently there. Tifa shook her head, saying, “She traded herself for you Yuffie. Now c’mon, we should get out of here before anything else happens.” Yuffie felt that familiar emotion get her, guilt. She hated it, but at the same time, relished it. She deserved this pain.

Chapter 25: Find the strength to go on

Rufus stood in front of the traitor who they had captured. She seemed to be crying, not that Rufus cared. He just needed her so that he could lure Avalanche to this place. Rufus gave her a cold stare, while he could see that she was shivering, not out of fear, but out of something else. “Please don’t let me die… please… Sephiroth… Cloud… anyone, please…” Rufus looked up to see that she was mumbling to herself. Curious, he walked up to her, tilting her head up so that she would look at him. The look in her haunted eyes startled him, and the hatred was there with such a force, that if Rufus had been any less brave, he would have recoiled in fear. “Tell me, do you want to die? I’ll let you go and see your friends again, if you do my bidding.” Christy, in her confused state, only thought about seeing her friends, so she agreed. Sephiroth… was the last conscious thought she had before passing out in exhaustion.

Yuffie sat on the bed of the hotel they were staying in, thinking. After Sephiroth had healed her, she decided that she needed some time to think. “Listen kid,” Yuffie looked up to see Reno, but she didn’t do anything about the name he had called her, when it usually threw her into a rage. But she just sat there, like she hadn’t heard him. “C’mon kid, no one blames you. She saved you of her own free will, you didn’t force her to.” Reno said, and he smiled sadly, remembering the time he had said that to some one else. Yuffie just sat there, then she said, “If I hadn’t let my guard down, none of this wouldn’t have happened, Christy would be here, and not captured in a cell, or worse de-“ she didn’t finish her sentence because she broke down into sobs. Reno stood silently, wishing Tifa were here to calm Yuffie down, he wasn’t very good in that department, but she was downstairs making dinner.

Tifa sat at the table, and silence, once again reigned. God, she wished that they could get conversation started. First, she had chatted away, about anything. About how one time that Cloud had tried to get her favorite doll down from the cabinet, but he had fallen, breaking his tailbone. It got small smiles, but it was like they didn’t want to be happy. Tifa sighed and rubbed her temples. She didn’t feel like being happy, but she decided that someone needed to slap some reality back into the grim party. “Geez! What would Christy say if she were here? God! Cheer up! I feel like I’m at a funeral! God! Christy’s out there, and we can save her, but you guys just sit there, feeling sorry for yourself! I don’t know about you, but I’m going to save my friend! God!” Tifa exclaimed, picking up her bag and leaving the rest of the party to sit there in silence, stunned. Sephiroth soon followed, gathering his belongings and throwing some gil on the table. Reno then hurried after them, the thought of looking after Tifa was fueling him. He had just found the strength he needed to go on.

Cloud sat on his chocobo, thinking. Tifa was right, why feel sorry for yourself when you can do something about it? My child… He heard Jenova’s voice come to him, sweet as sugar and at the same time, as cold as ice. Why risk your life for her? She obviously doesn’t love you any more. But I still love you, child, come back to your mother. Jenova said, acting like a mother who had just commanded a child, and at the same time, like a robber who said, ‘put’em up.’ No! Cloud shouted at Jenova, Christy is my sister! If she doesn’t love me, I’m not Cloud Strife! He heard Jenova make a ‘tsk tsk’ sound. My child, how can you be so naïve? It’s obvious that she will use you and then dump you. Cloud stiffened, remembering. You foul creature! Go bug another one of your ‘children’. He felt Jenova’s presence fade, and with that, Cloud became more determined. He would rescue his child hood friend even if it killed him. He didn’t notice Sephiroth arguing with Jenova also.

Christy sat next to Rufus, like a guest of honor, in more ways than one. She felt sick to her stomach. After she had agreed to help, Rufus had dragged her down to the lab, where she meet Koji. That guy gave her the creeps. She looked down at the ring that she was to wear. It was like a leash, whenever Rufus wanted to, he would just press the button hidden in his ring, and she would feel large amounts of pain. But, she deserved it. She looked down at the table, not even looking at her reflection. She couldn’t bear to look at herself anymore.

When the group arrived back at Tifa’s bar, having no where else to go besides Wutai, and Yuffie didn’t want to go back to the needy city with nothing to help. The silence was strained, and everyone seemed tense. “So, where do you think she might be?” Reno asked, trying to break the silence that was overwhelming. Everyone shrugged, while Yuffie just looked on, dazed. Everyone knew that the young girl was stricken, and nothing they could say would stop the flow of guilt. “Under ground in the sewers. Shinra’s back up head quarters.” A familiar voice said. Everyone turned around to see Reeve. “Hello Reeve, how are you?” Tifa asked pleasantly. “Fine thank you.” “How do you know about the new headquarters?” Reno asked, looking at Reeve curiously. “Well, we’ve known about Mr. Shinra being alive for quite some time. Your meeting with him only confirmed it. Besides, we have established a spy in the institute.” Reeve answered, and Sephiroth looked up suddenly. “Was Christy the name of your spy?” He asked, and Reeve looked surprised, then stated, “Yes, how did you know that she was our spy?”   “Because she told us when we had a happy reunion?” Tifa supplied. Yuffie said forcefully, “I’ll go! I want to help save Christy!” Sephiroth and Tifa both stepped forward and said, “I’ll go too.” Reno grinned and said, “Jinx!” “Reno! For once in you life be serious! My sister may be endanger, and all you can do is play childish games? Am I the only one who cares?” Cloud snapped at Reno, who looked angry, and oddly enough so did Sephiroth. “Don’t you dare say that I don’t care for her! We probably would be saving her right now if it weren’t for your whining and moaning! Now shut up puppet!” Sephiroth snarled, looking at an enraged Cloud. “Care for her! Care for her! How could you care about anybody Sephiroth? The heartless general suddenly goes after my sister! You’re probably using her! You stay away form her! I’ll kill you if you come within an inch of her!” Cloud snapped, and Sephiroth’s eyes went deadly cold, sending the room temperature down by 25 degrees. Before any one could react, Sephiroth put his sword to Cloud’s throat and hissed dangerously, “I’ll take you on any day puppet.” He hissed. “Right here! Right now!” Cloud snarled, heading out the door, which Sephiroth soon followed. “I think we should stop this.” Tifa said worriedly, following them. The others soon followed.
 
 Chapter 26: Fight! Show down between Cloud and Sephiroth

 Sephiroth and Cloud stood, glaring at each other at a distance. “Don’t you think that we should stop them?” Yuffie asked, looking at the battlefield with a worried glance. “Better to get this out of their system, and besides, do you really want to die right now? Besides, if it gets out of hand, I can get big again.” Chibi asked, once again in Tifa’s arms. “Isn’t that dangerous? People can see you, y’know.” Tifa said, looking worriedly at Chi. Reeve wondered what they were talking about, and as if Tifa could read his mind, she said, “Chibi can shrink and grow, quite handy actually. Right now, he’s in compact size. Yuffie giggled at the thought. “ I think I want to save Christy first before you go off and start scaring the $%^& out of people.” Reno said, looking at the little blue dragon that nodded. Geez and they thought that he was immature. “Gentlemen, can’t we do this in a civilized manner?” Reeve said. Both men death glared him, and pulling out their swords, the message obvious, ‘mess with us and die.’ “I withdraw my comment.” Reeve said, hastily, flinching at the glares he had received, they were so cold. Tifa sighed, and closed her eyes, contacting someone who should see the fight that was about to begin. Yelling, Cloud charged into battle, but Sephiroth quickly blocked and jumped away, but not before trying to slash at Cloud, barely nicking him on the arm. Cloud charged again, thrusting his sword forward, but met air, and Sephiroth twirled and slashed him on the back. He winced, but didn’t do anything else. Instead, he slashed out, getting Sephiroth on his arm, and Sephiroth too, slashed out and got Cloud on the arm. Then, knocking Cloud down, he felt the planet, aiding him with the power that he needed to destroy his enemy. But since he had some of the enemy’s blood in him, he received little power, but he concluded that power was enough to destroy Strife. A blue energy ball forming in his hand, he slammed his hand down where Strife’s head was positioned. When the two solids collided, Strife would surely die.

Christy sat in a chair, feeling sick. She was in a room, that was supposed to be comfortable, but it still felt like a prison. She was worried, what was happening with the others? Were they going to save her? She sighed for the millionth time, drawing the attention of her ‘baby-sitter’, Annita. Christy… Christy looked up, expecting to see Tifa, but saw nothing, but instead cried out, Tifa! It was so good to hear her friend’s voice, but noting that no sound came out, she asked, How come I can hear you? What’s wrong? If you can talk to me, why didn’t you talk to Yuffie when she was captured? Why didn’t you talk Rufus out of doing all these horrible things? If you can control his mind, why don’t you? She heard Tifa sigh, and say, Woah Christy! Slow down, I can only answer one question at a time! I’m back at the bar, and I didn’t talk to Yuffie because she probably wouldn’t understand. Yes, if I wanted I could control minds, but I can’t control Rufus because he can’t be controlled. You can hear me because I’m inside your mind, and I came to talk to you because there’s something you should see… Christy instantly panicked. What was the bad news? Why can’t you control Rufus? Is everything all right? Tifa sighed again and said, I can’t control Rufus because there are certain people that the planet cannot simply reach, and yes everyone is fine, for now… Are you sure that you want to see this? Christy nodded, and she felt a cold draft form about 3 feet in front of her. Looking up, she saw a TV screen like thing, about 20 inches wide. The thing that really scared her was what was on.

Annita looked at her hostage, which she had to ‘watch over’. Huh, yeah right! It’s more like baby-sitting and it was obvious that the hostage knew too. God! She hated that Christy woman! She was so mad! She was so close in getting revenge and she just comes waltzing in and takes it! And she was so close! She felt like ripping her hair out in frustration. Then, looking back at her, she saw that her hand was clapped over her mouth in horror, tears streaming down her face. This got Annita to raise her eyebrow. What was so terrifying?  Was it her? She went over to her and stared at the direction she was, but she didn’t see anything. Scratching her head and shrugging, she decided to shadow box some more. She wanted to be in top shape to get revenge, so she began kicking, jabbing, and punching at the air. James watched this scene from afar, and decided that it was time to tell Annita that they had to help the Turks pick two new members. So, he headed down to the cell, hands in his pockets.

Cloud waited for death, he could feel the intense heat nearing him, but he felt it suddenly go ice cold. He opened his eye, and saw Sephiroth glaring at Yuffie, who had obviously casted an ice spell on the little ball. “Sephiroth! Stop this now! Christy could be in danger! What would she have said if you had killed Cloud?” Tifa scolded, looking at Sephiroth like a mother would a child. Sephiroth hung his head down in shame, and said softly, “I… will not kill him.” “That’s a good boy, now, c’mon. I want to hear the rest of Reeve’s story. Then we can rescue Christy together.” Tifa said, turning her heel and walking toward the bar, Reeve tailing her. Reno looked after Tifa, a grin on his face. He guessed that she could tame any one, or thing, he thought, thinking of Chi. Looking back at Yuffie, who was curing the two men, he headed back to the bar.

“And that’s all my spies have gathered. It’s pretty meager, but I guess this information will have to do.” Reeve finished, while looking at everyone’s reaction. Reno whistled, while Sephiroth, Chibi, and Tifa raised an eyebrow.  Cloud was like a statue, he was so straight that Reeve wondered if he was tied to a board or something. Yuffie just looked horrified, and she shouted, “We gotta get her out of there as soon as possible!” Everyone nodded. Sephiroth was the first one out the door, and the others soon followed, save for Reeve and Chibi. The blue dragon looked up at Reeve and asked, “Aren’t you coming?” Reeve just shook his head and said, “I’d only get in the way. Besides, I’ve got a business to run.” With that said, Reeve left. Chibi shrugged and ran to catch up with the others.

Chapter 27: A new addition to the Turks, the more the merrier!

Yuffie wrinkled her nose when she saw a piece of trash float by her. Why couldn’t Shinra’s new base have been somewhere else? Yuffie sighed, if she wasn’t feeling guilty right now, she wouldn’t have been here. That thought made her hate the emotion more than ever. Gawd! It smelled in here! She tried to pinch her nose, but it didn’t help at all, the stench was too strong. Yuffie sighed again. This was not her day.

Annita looked around, trying to find a recruit that she had to correct. “This isn’t dancing class! Put some strength into that blow!” Annita snapped, when she saw one of the recruits. She didn’t even bother to learn his name. With skills that bad, he wouldn’t last long. James looked at Annita, thinking how beautiful she was, even if she was yelling her head off. Annita, sensing that she was being watched, turned to him and rolled her eyes, exasperated at the troops. James gave a small smile, this should be interesting.

Reno walked through the sewage, wrinkling his nose distastefully. God, it stank in here. “Hey, Tifa! Don’t you have any powers that would make this place smell better? Maybe with a lemony after smell?” He asked Tifa, who was walking in front of him, Chi cuddled in her arms. Chi seemed the only one not complaining, but Reno wouldn’t complain either. Being cuddled up to Tifa, warm and dry… Reno grinned. “Uh huh, I have something in mind that would help. But I don’t think I want Shinra to know that we’re here.” Tifa answered, still trudging through the waste. Sephiroth rolled his eyes, seeing the redhead grinning like that. It didn’t take a scientist to know what he was smiling about. He sighed, he really missed Christy, and he hoped that she was all right.

Rude walked up the aisles of people that Annita had deemed, ‘worthy’. Anyway, he had saw one that had amazing potential, and he also happened to be a clone. After they had dismissed the rest of the class, they were left with one person. The chosen one was a boy, who was talented with a sword and his fists. He had chocolate colored hair, and the most striking blue eyes. Rude knew whose clone he was…

Rufus sat as his desk. He had approved of the Turks’ new member, and had sent them off on their first little mission. If he had his way, which he always had eventually, Avalanche would soon be crushed. He smirked, and leaned back in his chair, feet propped up on his desk. This should prove to be interesting…

Christy closed her eyes, the intent of getting some sleep, but instead, she heard a familiar voice. Sephiroth! Christy exclaimed happily, but then remembering why Tifa had contacted her, she asked, is something wrong? No, I just contacted you to tell that we should be arriving to rescue you any time now. Christy felt a little disappointed. That’s all he wanted to say? Hey, Sephiroth? She asked, feeling a blush creep out on her face. If she or Sephiroth died now, she wanted to tell him her feelings, even if they weren’t returned. Hmm? She heard Sephiroth say, and she answered, I love you.
 

Chapter 28: Clones, who needs them?

Cloud felt Sephiroth stiffen, and he wondered what had the general so up tight. It took a lot to scare a general, much less Sephiroth, and he wondered what was going on. But as he was about to voice his concern, Chibi said in a quietly voice, “They’re here.”

Yuffie walked behind Sephiroth, silently fuming. How could that new Turk Tim think her a child? When they had first come into view, the Turk had just looked at her like she was unimportant, and then he had asked his boss, “Do we have to take the kid?” If no one were in her way, that Turk would be long dead! She gritted her teeth, clenching her fists. Revenge would be sweet!

Tifa sighed, not liking the glares that Reno and Cloud were secretly exchanging. Ever since Tim had revealed that he was technically her and Cloud’s son, the two had been pissed, well, not Cloud any way. Tifa decided to think about how Christy was doing, and she hoped that she was all right. She followed the new and old members of the Turks to the room where they would fight for their lives and Christy’s.

Elena sighed, as she led the members to the room where they were supposed to keep them ‘occupied’, while they injected Christy with Jenova cells so that Annita or James could control her. And if that didn’t work, Rufus would take care of them. So either way, Avalanche’s fate was sealed. Opening the door wide that led to a big room that was big as a football field. She grinned and said, “Welcome to your death Avalanche.”

Reno raised an amused eyebrow when Elena stated that. He knew that Elena probably had more than 5 people that were going to try and kill them, and if he was right, it had something to do with Christy. He sighed, and looked down at Tifa, who looked nervous. He was going to protect her even if he had to die for it. He looked at Cloud, and they once again, engaged in a silent glaring match. He didn’t deserve her, he concluded, and he turned to look at Tifa, and she gave him a reassuring smile. He cracked his knuckles, reading for what was going to happen next.

“Where are you taking me?” Christy shrieked, as an employee, whose name she didn’t even bother to know, carried her down to the lab, slung over his shoulder. “God! Let me go!” Christy snapped again, but the man kept heading to the lab. When they finally reached their destination, the man called out, “Professor Koji! I have her!” What are they going to do to me? Christy thought, while thousands of horrible thoughts raced through her mind. She saw Koji step in and usher them to a room that had an operation table and scientific operating tools neatly lined up on a tray on wheels. She felt a knot form in her stomach. What’s going to happen to me? Please save me Sephiroth! She thought, tears streaming down her face as they strapped her down onto the table. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t break free, and she struggled until Koji injected her with liquid that made her feel drowsy, and she was out like a light.

Koji watched with gleaming eyes as his latest experiment went to sleep. Mixing up his concoctions, and picking the best cells, because he would need the strongest to control her, if she was as stubborn as her brother.  He took care to inject her and then he cleaned the area around the injection spot. “Brad!” he snarled, turning to his assistant.
He went into a crisp salute, and he said, “Sir!” “Take her to the field, and tell James that she’s ready.” He nodded, and threw Christy over his shoulder and walked down to the room where the others were supposed to be fighting.

Sephiroth stood, facing off his ‘daughter’ Annita. She had, once again challenged him to a duel, and he had accepted, wanting revenge for the last time she had hurt him. But that was just play, and now it was time to show her how good he was. Yelling, she ran toward Sephiroth, who dodged. Raising her sword again, she yelled, preparing to strike him. Sephiroth sighed and shook his head, she was worst than puppet! He hit her down with one fluid blow to the back. She came up sputtering, like she had just eaten mouth full of dirt. And she probably did. With another strike, she was on her knees. “You held back when I first fought you! You were toying with me!” She accused. Sephiroth just shrugged, and said calmly, “Why should I kill you? But you’re asking for it now, so I won’t hold back.” They lunged at each other again. But in the end guess who the victor was? Sephiroth.

Tifa just looked at Sephiroth, impressed. She didn’t know that he would finish his ‘daughter’ so fast. After she had been defeated, she just disappeared, and Tifa had to admit that she had no idea how that had happened. Maybe she went back to Jenova to power her up when she finally decided to show her ugly face. “Next, our fighter will be, Rude!” Elena exclaimed, and Reno stepped up, a smirk on his face. Seeing Tifa’s worried expression, he said, “Don’t worry doll, I’ll be fine. Besides, I have a score to settle with Mr. Clean over there.” And with that said, the two new fighters stepped up and took fighting stances.

Brad just rounded the corner, almost to the room where battle was raging. He sighed, so they had started without him. He looked up annoyed at Christy’s sleeping form. She didn’t look it, but she was sure heavy!  He sighed as he approached the door, and he swung it wide open. Everyone turned to stare at him, and he wasn’t use to this kind of attention. “Hey, James, special delivery. The package you ordered finally arrived.” Brad joked, and walked over to James. He laid Christy down and there were gasps. “Christy!” He heard Sephiroth shout. Huh, so he does like her, he thought to himself, while quietly retreated to a corner in the room so that he could watch, but not take part in.

Rufus sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was bored, and even thought the thought of blowing up Avalanche to smithereens made him smile, it didn’t keep him occupied for long. He had paced for a while, but that hadn’t helped either. He looked at his desk, were paper work was quickly pilling up. Rufus sighed again as he sat down. Sooner or later, he would have to do it. So, to do something, he began to work on papers.

Rude looked at Reno again, glaring at him. He had thought that Reno would be more merciless to his old comrade, but he guessed that it didn’t apply to him. He was probably still ticked about him and Elena running off to get married and joining Shinra again. But what else did he expect him to do? Watch while him and Strife battled for his one true love? Sure, he loved Elena, but they say that you never forget your first love, and that was true. He charged into battle again, blocking most of Reno’s hits and trying to get a clear shot of him, but Reno knew his style too well. But, Rude could say the same thing.

Yuffie wasn’t really paying attention to the fight that was going on practically in front of her face. She was instead, looking at the guy in the corner. He looked so familiar, brown hair and eyes, but who could he be? He reminded her of… but wasn’t he supposed to be dead? She then looked over to Reno and Rude, and she winced at what she saw. Reno was breathing heavily, as was Rude and he had bullet marks on his left leg, where Rude had obviously gotten lucky. He also had a few nicks and scratches, but other than that, he looked fine. Rude on the other hand, had quite a few blackened pieces of flesh. She wondered whom was going to give first, they both looked exhausted, but the will to win was strong, and that was what was keeping them alive.

Chapter 29: Fighting between old Friends

Christy woke up with a groan, she had a headache that felt like a train had hit her. “So, you’ve finally woken up. It’s about time.” She heard the snooty voice of Elena, and that was defiantly something she didn’t like to wake up to. Looking up, she saw the others, and she was about to run to them, but James said, “No.” Instantly, she felt like someone had chained her against a wall. She couldn’t move! He’s controlling me! What do I do? She thought frantically. “Man! Let me go!” Christy shrieked, trying to jerk up from her floor position. James just looked at her and said, “You’re under my control now. I want your friends to pay for what they did to Annita.” Up until then, Christy hadn’t noticed that the blonde was missing, and the pain in James voice told her that he had loved Annita and that he wanted to make them as miserable as he was. She instantly felt sorry for him, and she would have comforted him too, if he weren’t the enemy. She sighed, and looked out to the battlefield.

Tifa looked at the battlefield, a horrified expression was on her face. She was down on the ground, staring wide-eyed at the fight, tears flowing from her eyes. God! Now I know how Christy felt! She thought bitterly, looking up to see her friend catch her eye and give her a smile. She tried to smile back, but she couldn’t. She felt the presence of Jenova in Christy, and she could only guess how it got there. Speaking of which… she turned to look at Sephiroth, whose eyes were transfixed on Christy, and it was like they could read each other’s thoughts just by looking into each other’s eyes. She choked back tears, wishing she could have told Reno how she felt. She felt someone nuzzling her, and she knew that it was Chi, trying to make her feel better. She scooped up the dragon and sobbed into his scales that scratched her face. “He’s not dead yet.” Tifa looked up to see Cloud, kneeling beside her, brushing strands of her hair away from her face. Huh, if he had done this 5 weeks ago, I would have been in heaven. Tifa thought to herself. No matter how hard she tried, the tears wouldn’t stop until she knew Reno was safe.

Yuffie looked around, wondering if there was anything or anybody to help them. Suddenly, she spotted Cloud’s bag of materia lying near her feet. She was about to help herself to all his materia, when she remembered her vow. She pouted, maybe if she…Don’t even think about it Yuffie! A vow is a vow! She heard her conscience tell her. Yuffie sighed, and decided to look, once again at the mystery guy. She had caught him looking at her once in a while, and every time he caught her eye, he would mouth the word, Shinra Ray. What did that mean? Think Yuffie! Think! She thought to herself, hitting he palm on her head. Then, like a lightbulb had been turned on above her head, Yuffie snapped her fingers and exclaimed, “I got it!” Everyone turned to look at her, except the fighting two, wondering what she had got. She mouthed, tell ya’ later.

Reno hit Rude again, hitting the button that shocked him and he could feel the air around him sizzle. This would be the final blow, he knew. “Stop!” He looked up to see Elena, running toward Rude, and when she got there, she spread her arms in front of him, like she was shielding him. “Stop! You won already! Don’t you have any mercy for your friends?” Elena said, and that was like his slap back into reality. He had just kicked the crap out of his best friend, and he didn’t even feel guilty about it! But that guilt came crashing down on him, even thought outside he looked perfectly calm. Turning away, he stated, “Fine, I win this one. You guys just throw the next guy out.” He walked back to the group, and noticed that Tifa had been crying. For me? I thought that she loved Strife. He thought, and as he was close enough to her, she threw her arms around him and sobbed, clutching his bloody jacket, stained with his and Rude’s blood. “Sh, I’m fine, I’m here.” He cooed into her ear, making her shudder. He failed to notice Cloud’s jealous expression when he watched this.

Cloud felt that he needed to prove himself, so when a shaky Elena announced that James would be up next, he stepped forward. He saw his eyes narrow, and the glare he sent him obviously meant that he was gonna die. He wondered what weapon James used, but he knew that he would find out soon enough. So, he readied himself, pulling out his sword and thought, Tifa, I do this for you!

Chapter 30: The return

Sephiroth looked at Christy, who was looking at him back. Ever since he had seen her come through the door, they had been in their own world. Oblivious to anything else lost in each other’s eyes that stated the others thoughts like a book. Sephiroth was sure that he loved Christy back, but how could he be sure? He had never had anyone tell him that they loved him, well, the women who thought that he was handsome and tried to snag him did, but they didn’t say it with the depth Christy had said it with. A cold glare or two had sent them running to new game. Besides, he didn’t deserve her, he had too much blood on his hands, and she was purer than he could ever be. He looked at her again, not knowing how to voice his feelings.

Tim watched with interest as his ‘father’ tried to fight James, who was skilled with a gun, and just so happened to have a shuriken with him. Huh, guess he is the clone of Yuffie Kisaragi and Barret Wallace… He thought absently, turning his attention back to the fight. It seemed that James had the upper hand, rage helping him in speed and strength, but clouding his mind, like a double-edged sword. He snorted, deciding that James was a fool. Annita had never seemed interested in the black man, other than being friends, and James probably couldn’t take that. He winced as he heard the sound of sword against flesh, James’s distressed cry escaping him. “Mother! Come to my aid!” James cried, and Tim’s eyes widened. He was summoning Jenova? What was he thinking? The ground started shaking, and Tim fell to the floor, and he heard James’s evil laughter and he was saying, “Yes mother! Help me get my revenge!”

Christy felt the ground shake, and she felt the presence of Jenova growing steadily stronger. What! Oh no! What’s happening? Christy thought frantically, but suddenly she felt the hold that James’s had over her break. Getting up, she ran to Sephiroth and threw her arms around him. She clutched tightly onto him and whimpered, “I’m scared, they injected me with her cells and now she can control me too.” She felt his arms wrap tighter around her, and she didn’t care if Cloud saw and scolded her. She honestly didn’t care, she was just so scared. Then she saw her, Jenova, rise from a huge crack that had opened in the floor. Oh no! She thought, squeezing her eyes shut, not wanting to see the monster whose blood ran in her veins.

Tifa looked at Jenova, who hadn’t changed a bit. She stepped out of Reno’s embrace, and walked up to the beast. She knew that while Jenova had been gone, she probably learned a couple of parlor tricks. Chibi was next to her, growling. She looked up at her and said in a calm voice, “Hi Jenova.” “Stupid Cetra ^%$&*! I’m here to put an end to your foolish race!” Jenova snapped. Everyone looked at her like a rock had just spoken. Tifa sighed and closed her eyes, so this was one trick. She could talk now.

Jenova turned to Christy, with an evil look on her face. “Come, my child, mother needs you.” She said in a sugary voice, but at the same time it was ice cold. She didn’t want to! But her legs, seemed to have a mind of their own, started walking toward the foul beast, and went to stand by James, who was smiling insanely. Probably no one could reach him now. “Wait! Christy! What are you doing? Stop!” Yuffie shouted, and it was obvious that she had no clue what was going on. “Help me Sephiroth! What do I do?” Christy shouted, looking scared and confused. Jenova then turned her attention to Sephiroth. She smiled and said, “Yes, my son, mother needs you. Come to me.” Christy looked at Sephiroth, afraid for him, and her.

Reno looked up calmly at Jenova. What if Jenova could control Sephiroth again? Would it be meteor all over again? He wouldn’t stand for it! Taking out his gun, he aimed and shot at Jenova’s fat head, but it didn’t seem to affect her at all. Jenova turned to face him, and she sneered. “Foolish mortal! Do you think that a toy could defeat me? Ha! You are a fool!” She cackled, waving one of her tentacles around. Then she turned back to Sephiroth, who was still frozen in place. “Come my child, come to your mother.” She cooed, in the sweetest, but most vile voice she had. Sephiroth laughed and shook his head. “You are not my mother. Lucrecia was my mother!” He laughed, and Reno wondered if he had gone insane again. Jenova shrugged and turned to Cloud and crooned, “ My son, you can help your mother can’t you? Your beloved mother.” Cloud squared his jaw, fighting the urge to go to her. The last time this had happened, he had almost killed Aeris! No, he silently willed himself, don’t do it Cloud! You can bet her! You’re stronger now!

Brad looked up Jenova, with a calm expression on his face. So this is the dreaded Jenova.  He thought, eyeing the monster warily. His fellow comrades, Elena, Rude, and Tim were looking at their now insane friend, who was laughing his head off. Brad wondered what was so funny. He looked back over at Yuffie, getting frustrated. She hadn’t said anything about the cannon, and if she didn’t, who would? He certainly couldn’t, now any way. He sighed, it depends on Yuffie if any one will survive today. All she had to do was tell the others about the cannon, so they could be on their toes. Yuffie, please tell them! He silently willed her, but of course, she couldn’t hear him.

Chapter 31: Demons and Angels

Chibi looked at Jenova and decided to was time to get into action. So, he silently began getting bigger and bigger, ‘til he was as big as the monster herself. He couldn’t let this monster hurt Tifa! He roared, and everyone turned to look at him, startled. Fire seeping from out of his nostrils, he bellowed and charged at the evil creature. Jenova cackled and whipped a tentacle at him, barely missing him. He blew fire out at her, which she recoiled at, but did nothing else. “My children do defeat that nasty little fly up there. For me, please.” Jenova exclaimed, looking down at Christy and James. James threw his shuriken up at the dragon, missing him the first time, but when it came to return to him, it hit Chibi on the leg, barely making a scratch, but getting him nonetheless. Christy, whose eyes had gone dull and vacant, pulled out her Magnum and proceeded to shot at the dragon. Chibi snarled, but turned his attention back at Jenova. This wasn’t going to end well.

Yuffie looked at James, putting two and two together. So he was her clone! She had to stop him! She took out her shuriken, and instead of trying to hit him, because she knew that Jenova would just whip it away, she aimed it at his shuriken. When the two hit, they clanged, and Yuffie’s shuriken pulled James’s shuriken back to her. He looked at her, furious. She just laughed, and stuck her tongue out at him. He just smirked, and drew out a gun, and proceeded to shot at the dragon, who was having a hard enough time trying to dodge Christy’s well-aimed bullets. When one finally did hit him, he bellowed out in pain, glaring daggers at the young man. Tifa opened her eyes, and Yuffie could see that they were gold again, and she heard Sephiroth shout, “Come on you guys! We got to distract Jenova!” Yuffie didn’t need to be told twice. She pulled out both shurikens and got into a throwing position. If this was her last battle, she would go down fighting with the honor of Wutai!

Elena decided that she had enough, and turned to leave, but Rude held her back. “Elena,” He said hoarsely, and at the sound of his voice, she shivered. “We have to stay, our orders state that.” He continued, looking at Elena pleadingly with his beautiful stormy gray eyes that he hid behind his sunglasses. “But they didn’t say that Jenova would come, did they Rude? Would you rather die or live?” Elena shrieked shrilly, losing her cool. “I’m staying.” They turned to see Tim and Brad who had said the same thing. If they weren’t in such a serious predicament and if Reno were still on their side, he would have said, ‘Jinx’. As much as she hid it, she had missed their fellow Turk when they had gone back to Shinra without him. But, her and Rude knew he would have refused, now that he had Tifa as his friend. Tifa. She thought angrily. She was the soul person who did this. Elena would get revenge on her soon. “Rude! Please! We have to leave!” Elena said urgently, but her bald husband just shook his head. “I must stay here, Elena. Orders are orders.” He said softly, and he felt Elena slap him. “So! Your orders are more important to you than your wife and life? Rude! Please come with me!” Elena said, tears streaming down her face. It didn’t matter to her that the battle for the planet was happening in front of her eyes. She just wanted to get Rude out of here, where they could be happy without Shinra.

Rude saw the conflicting emotions in her eyes, and he felt that he should go with her, but he felt that destiny meant for him to die here. “Brad!” He said hoarsely, feeling like his throat was covered with dust and that someone had stuffed cotton balls into his mouth. “Sir!” Brad said, already knowing the order. “Get Elena out of here!” He commanded, giving Elena a last kiss farewell. “No! Rude! Let me go!” Elena cried, reaching a hand to her husband, but all was for naught. Brad was already running away from the place that was collapsing because of the fierce battle raging with in its walls. “Bye Elena.” Rude said solemnly, and a lone tear trickled down his cheek, but he stood up. He was going to help Avalanche defeat this monster.

Sephiroth and the others ran forward, yelling battle cries, sans for Tifa. Chibi was firing his fiercest flames, while Cloud, Sephiroth, and surprisingly Tim, were slashing away at the beast like men possessed. Rude, Reno, and Yuffie were all shooting, or throwing, at Jenova. Tifa was gathering energy from the planet. Jenova was howling in pain and rage, while slashing around at everyone with her tentacles, hitting Sephiroth, Cloud, or Tim and made deep gashes. The others were too far away to even get hit, but Jenova casted spells on them, while they did the same. Christy and James were shooting like crazy people, hitting everyone a few times, but Yuffie healed everyone. Still, it was obvious that Jenova would win.

Tifa felt that there was enough energy to do her new limit break. Putting her hands like she was praying to her chest, she felt the wind whip violently around her, forming a light around her. The wind was now colored and was swirling around her, forming like a shield. A ball was forming in her clasped hands, were she held the silver materia. Thrusting the materia out, she shouted, “Evil Be gone!” A huge white beam shot out form the ball, hitting Jenova. She screamed with pain, and the white light began to engulf her. “Get them my children! Avenge your mother! She will come back and help you!” Jenova howled, as the light fully ate her. It circled her, sending another beam into the sky, and the beam turned into a big white case of ice. The ground opened up to eat Jenova, who was incased in the ice, with internal fire raging around her, ever frozen. Then, the ground swallowed her up, but a little of the capsule was sticking up. A long, green dragon appeared, wrapping its serpent like body around the rest of the capsule, and breathing fire onto it. He looked at them, with big red eyes, and then he drove the capsule into the ground, slamming his body into it, and when the capsule disappeared, he did too. Then, where Jenova had been standing, a huge beam shot up, like Holy. It formed a rainbow over the land, like the planet was rejoicing, and it was, it was singing the happiest tune that Tifa had heard in ages.

Cloud looked at the beam, like the others, he was stunned. “Cloud.” He looked over to see Aeris. “Aeris!” He shouted, while he could see every Cetra that had lived spirits dance around the beam, but he didn’t pay attention to them, he was only focused on the angel in front of him. It was true too, she had angelic wings sprouted form her back, and her hands were clasped in front of her. “Aeris! I’m so sorry that I wasn’t able to save you! I was your bodyguard!” Cloud shouted, realizing that she was indeed real. “Sh, Cloud. I know. It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know what was going to happen. Besides, I met my mother and Zack.” Aeris said, clasping Cloud’s hand in her own. “But-“ Cloud started, but Aeris shook her head, smiling one of her famous sweet smiles. She kissed him on the cheek, and turned back to the beam, which was slowly fading. “Bye Cloud.” She said, spreading her wings and flying back up to heaven. When the beam faded, they saw that everyone seemed battle worn, and he could see that Yuffie was about to cure everyone, but a beam shot the materia out of her hand. “Stop right there.” A cold voice snarled, making everyone turn to see their new adversary.