Depths of Unknown Forest 3:32
Yuffie didn’t have much idea what was going on, only that she wanted it to stop now.
She had been one of the first to be knocked out, and overall she was feeling thoroughly sorry for herself. After coming to, she had found herself lying in the corner of a darkened cell. Someone on the left of her realised she was awake and touched her gently on the leg.
With a yelp Yuffie struck out a fist, hitting the person square in the fist. The man cursed and clutched his nose.
Yuffie’s senses cleared and she saw the man moaning softly on the floor. He looked about fifty. Old, to say the least. And he was awfully thin. Yuffie instantly felt sorry for him and put out an arm.
“Oh gawd, I’m so sorry.” she said. “I thought you were some sort of bad-guy.”
Looking up, the man grunted. His face was pallid and grey, but his eyes shone brightly.
“Not to worry.” he said, nursing his bruised nose. “Lucky for me you aren’t very strong.”
“Hey!” said Yuffie defensively. “It was a reaction punch. And... and I didn’t want to hurt you, ya know. You should be grateful you didn’t get one of my mega ones.”
She stuck out her fist and punched the air several times. He chuckled weakly.
“You’re a bright one. What’s your name?”
“Yuffie. Yuffie Kisaragi.” she said, waiting for the realisation to dawn on his face. Waiting for him to say ‘Wow! Yuffie! The saver of the Planet!’ but he just nodded.
She looked at him, surprised. “You don’t know who I am?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Should I?”
“Well... yeah! I saved the Planet five years ago!”
He laughed again, but soon stopped as a great wracking cough spread through his whole body.
“You? Save the Planet?”
Yuffie looked at the man, an incredulous look on her face. How could the old geezer not know who she was?
“How long have you been here?”
“Aaah, well. That would be coming up to about... seven years now.”
“What! Seven years in this dump? No wonder you look a mess.”
“I’m touched.”
“What’s your name?”
“Ariken. I used to survey the mako grounds here for Shin-Ra before I got captured.” he grimaced. “I wonder where they think I went?”
“Gawd...” breathed Yuffie. “You really have been out of touch.”
“Why?”
“Well, Shin-Ra is kinda in ruins.” she said proudly. “I busted it’s ass five years ago.”
For some reason he wasn’t surprised. “Aaah, well. President Shin-Ra had it coming. And that boy of his, Rufus. Nasty son-of-a-bitch, that one.”
“I’ll say. Glad he’s dead.” said Yuffie.
“He’s dead?” asked Ariken. “Things have changed.”
“They sure have.”
“Tell me...” he said eagerly. “Is... is the sun still shining up there?”
She considered his ridiculous question for a moment before realising that it wasn’t a joke.
“Yep. Hotter than ever.”
“Wow.”
“You haven’t seen the sun in seven years?”
“Nope.” he said sadly. “I dream of it, though. Wish I was in Costa Del Sol where the sunshine never stops...”
She looked about to see about twenty other prisoners sitting in other parts of the room. As far as she could tell, none of them were her friends.
“Where are we?”
He grinned. “That I can tell you. This place...” he gestured around him. “Is the Ecos. It’s basically a prison. And once you check in, you don’t check out.”
Yuffie looked at him in horror. “Who runs it? I’ve never heard anyone-”
“There’ve been numerous people who’ve come and gone, but this one seems to have stuck fast. He’s surrounded himself with a small army of mercenaries. He captures travellors in the woods.”
“What for?”
At this, Ariken shivered. “They put you in the ring.”
“The what? The ring?”
“Yeah.” said Ariken softly. “You fight for your survival in there. Against other prisoners.”
“Gladiators.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t believe it.” she muttered in disgust. “I’ve run into a Coliseum.”
“Crazy isn’t it?”
“Gawd, yeah. Who runs it again?”
Ariken sighed. “A total lunatic.”
“Name?”
“Corneo. Don Corneo.”

-
Fort Condor Medical Wing 5:12
Blam. Blam. Blam.
The bullets ripping through the air woke Tifa from her nightmare. She found Nicholas standing over her.
“What is that?” she asked.
“They are... they are executing the infected people.” he whispered.
She clutched him in fear. “Is it... my turn?”
“No. You have some time left.”
“How much?”
He shied away from the question. “About as much as me.”
“So we’ll die together.”
“No, Tifa.” he said firmly. “Cloud will come. Cloud will save us.”
He shook his head. Her mind was deteriorating fast. In a minute she would ask what she asked every time he had stood beside her.
“Is Cloud back?”
There. She had said it. Kindly, Nicholas said: “Not yet Tifa. Soon.”
There was a silence. Finally, Nicholas spoke up.
“You really do love him, don’t you.”
She turned red, embarressed. “Does it show?”
“He loves you too, Tifa.”
“You think so?”
He nodded, then smiled. She would never know how painful it was for him to say that.
“We’ve been through a lot together.” she said wistfully. “And now... I just love him so much, you know?”
It was ironic, he thought. But never mind. He said nothing.
In a silence that seemed to last forever, Tifa took his hand and kissed it gently.
“You’re a good friend, Nicholas.” she whispered. “You deserve better than this.”
He shook his head. “I would not like to think so.”
She closed her eyes and fell asleep. The sunlight fell on her flushed face and shoulders, making her look angelic. Briefly, he swept over her and kissed her on the cheek.
“I love you, Tifa.” he whispered.

-
Ecos Colliseum 3:58
Reno found himself being pushed roughly in to the centre of a large area. A a short sword was thrust into his hand.
Suddenly, blaring lights came on and he shut his eyes involutary.
Then, from above...
“Oh, my. The Turk.” said a familiar voice.
Even though he was dazed, Reno attempted to keep some of his wit and failed miserably.
“Shut up, Corneo, or I’ll chuck of the Da-chao statue again.”
“Hohohohohoho. Such humour.” giggled Corneo. “But first, I’ll ask my question. It’s good: I’ve had five years to make it up. Here goes...
Question: Why am I going to kill you now?
1. Because you tried to do it to me five years ago.
2. Because I don’t like you.
3. Because you messed up my chances with that gorgeous babe, Yuffie.
Which one will it be?”
Reno chuckled. “Firstly I’d like to say that for five years work , that’s pretty poor. I’ll go with number three.”
There was a choking sound. “Wow, you actually got it right... what happens now? Erm, could you pick number two instead?”
“Ok. I pick number two.”
“Ha!” shouted Corneo jubilantly. “WRONG! Close, but no cigar! Oh well, Reno. I’m sure you’ll entertain me. Have fun dying.”
“Shut up before I shove this sword down your gullet.” muttered Reno.
There was a sharp clap and one of the Don’s goons shouted out a name. The doors on the other side of the arena opened and someone came through.
“Elena?” gasped Reno.

-
Wutai Hive Room 3:58
Vincent closed his eyes tightly and tried to shut out the screams.
It wasn’t any good.
He shouted in frustation and punched the wall with his fist. There was a dull crack and the skin on his nuckles split apart.
Priscilla had changed. A few hours ago she had attacked Godo and had to be dragged out of the room screaming. Godo himself had torn of one of Priscilla’s many arms in self-defence. It lay bloody and disembodied on the floor.
Shera wept in frantic prayer in the corner, but it was clear she was losing her sanity. Every now and again she would screech and then return to  incessant mumbling.
And still Vincent had not changed.
As he sat in the middle of the room, a plan came into his head. It was desperate and almost suicidal, but he reasoned that it was only a matter of hours before they worked out the Cancer in him was dead and he was killed.
He had been fascinated by the hybrids when they suddenly teleported in using a vortex of some kind. Vincent hypothesised that, if they could come in, he could get out.
Walking up to Godo, probably the most sane of all the two left, he put a hand gently on his shoulder. With a yell Godo pulled away.
“Gettt away Vincentt.” he choked. “Itt iss too late... for mee...”
Vincent nodded. “For you, maybe. But not for me.”
“Whatt do you... mean?”
“I want you to make a vortex.” said Vincent calmly. “I’ll go through it and come out... wherever.”
Godo considered it for a moment. “Wheree... would you go?”
“Can you take me to any place in the world?”
“Yesss. I cann... see... the world...”
Vincent stopped him, fascinated. “You can ‘see’ it?”
“...Yes. I don’tttt know howw.”
“Intriguing.” murmured Vincent to himself. “This must give Sephiroth an overwhelming edge in battle.”
“...Whattt?”
“I want you to take me to Cloud.” he said firmly.
“Yess... Vincentt. Q-Quickly... I don’tt know howw much longerr I cann... hold out.”
Vincent nodded. “I’m ready.”
“Anddd... Vincentt?”
“Yes?”
“Telll... telll Yuffiee... that... I... love her.”
Touched, Vincent smiled. “I’ll tell her Godo.”
“T-T-Thankk... you.”
Drawing himself up to his full height, Godo roared out loud, and the Jenova vortex opened. Purple lightning flared out from a single opening as the space in the cell ruptured to create the wormhole.
The door opened and Sephiroth came through, katana in hand.
“Vincent!” he roared. “It will kill you!”
Laughing, Vincent shrugged and ran headfirst into the opening.
With a blinding flash, he was gone.

-
Ecos Colisseum 3:59
Reno stood in horror as Elena came through the door, sword in hand.
For a brief moment he was speechless.
They had definatly treated her badly. Dried blood caked her temple and dribbled down past her eye. Her normally attractive face was haggered and bruised. There were rips and tears on her Turk uniform.
In a quiet rage so terrifying that even the guards turned back, Reno hissed and looked up to the Don sitting on his velvet couch.
“If you have even touched her with your fat hands, then I will personally rip you to shreds.” he whispered.
Don Corneo looked shocked, but said nothing.
Running up to her, Reno grasped her with his hands, letting the sword fall to the floor.
“Elena, you’re Ok?”
She nodded, keeping her face set. Reno saw she was struggling to remain neutral.
A man appeared to push them away. Reno snarled at him but did nothing. He opened a scroll and read it aloud.
“The two combatents will fight until the resulting death of one opponent. All forms of combat are allowed except for magic and projectile weapons. If the two combatents refuse to fight then both will be executed.”
The man rolled up the parchment and put it in his pocket. He smiled horribly.
“Fight.”
They stood still for a long time. The man repeated his order.
“Fight now.”
Reno picked up his sword, tears in his eyes.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Elena.”
“I said FIGHT!”
With a movement so swift it stunned Reno, Elena moved forward and stabbed at him with astonishing speed. Swearing out loud, Reno twisted away, the blade catching his suit and splicing it open.
He felt betrayed. The only person who understood him, the only person who liked him (except Rude) had just tried to kill him.
Then realsiation dawned on his face. He recalled that she had slowed just slightly when dealing the lethal blow, giving him time to move out the way. He shook his head, picking up his sword.
“No more second chances.” he said to Elena. “Next time, try and kill me.”
She looked shocked, but nodded. “I’ve always wanted to prove I could beat you, Reno.”
“Dream on, babe.”
With renewed strength she swung at his leg, then brought up the blade to splice open his ribs. With ease, Reno rolled to the left and stuck out his foot to trip her over. She yelped and crashed to the floor.
“Come on sugar, I said try and kill me!”
She shouted some obscenity at him and flipped up. But instead of standing on her feet, she brought herself up and then down in a cartwheel that impacted on his head and sent him reeling.
He was aware of her sword whistling through the air, and he ducked. Too late. The sword chopped through his ear, sending the tip of it to the floor.
She brought the weapon down to finish him off, but he swept his up, clashing the two swords together.
Clenching his teeth as blood flowed from his severed ear, he smashed his blade up, knocking her weapon away and leaving her temporarily vulnerable.
A cheeky thought entered his head then. Sweeping across with his sword, her sliced off the material of her suit just above her chest. The whole shirt collapsed and her breasts poked through the slit.
He grinned. “Nice bra, Elena.”
She gasped out loud and pulled over her blazer to cover them up. Up above he heard the Don and his thugs laughing as Elena turned a crimson shade. He wasn’t sure if it was fury or sheer embaressment. Probably both.
“Now, I’ll really kill you.”
“Yeah, babes. Try, and I’ll reveal more than just your bra.”
There was laughter again as Reno jumped into the air and came down behind her. Swinging her blade deftly across, and turning in a full spin, she cut across him, stopping his blade and kicking her foot down in a roundhouse that sent Reno flying.
He landed on the floor a few feet away. Feigning dazed, he let Elena run up to him before rolling to the side and slicing his blade down to reveal her shapely legs.
“Wow.” cried Reno, not meaning to say it out loud. He had never thought Elena was so attractive. He had always seen her in the Turks uniform.
Once again, Elena turned red.
“Stop it!” she cried. “You’re embaressing me.”
Reno roared with laughter. “Elena, I never realised how big you’re bum was.”
She looked hurt. “Only joking.” he added.
“Well,” she said playfully. “We’ve seen all of my assets... let’s have a look at yours!”
With a  move so quick he only saw the glint of the sword, Reno looked down with surprise as his trousers fell down. He clutched at his boxers fearfully, worried that they might slip down any second.
With another swipe his shirt slipped off and he stood semi-naked facing the crowd. It was his turn to go red.
“Oh yeah?” he stammered. “Well...”
Instead of finshing his sentance, he slashed with his sword five of six times and the whole of her uniform fell off. He gasped at her superb figure as she stood speechless in her underwear.
He shurgged off his blazer and it fell to the floor.
“Now,” he muttered loudly. “If I can just split the bra open...”
His sentance was drowned out by a shout of anger by Elena. She pounced on him, punching him in the face and elbowing him three times in the crotch.
She stood up, satisfied, as he lay on the floor in unimaginable pain.
“And that’s for even thinking about such evil thoughts.” she said, raising the sword triumphantly above her head.
Reno could only gasp in pain. “Well, babe...” he whispered. “You hit me in the balls, and you win. But I get the last laugh.”
As she bent down to pick up his sword he jabbed it up, cutting her bra in two.
She screamed as it fell to the floor, leaving her exposed.
Looking up, Reno realised that, although his genitals were crushed, he was just about the luckiest man on the Planet at that moment.
“Yowzers.” he said.

-
Ecos Colsseum, Don Corneo’s Throne Room 4:02
Corneo wished he had a pair of binculors at that moment.
“Damn.” he shouted. “Why couldn’t you idiots build the Throne closer?”
The thugs gaped at Elena as she struggled to hide herself.
“What, boss?”
Corneo sighed. “Nothing.”
“So... should they die or not, boss?” said a mercenary. “They broke the rules, after all.”
“To hell with the rules!” shouted Corneo. “That was the most entertaining fight in five years, eh boys?”
The thugs nodded furiously.
“Put that Reno back in his cell. And as for the other one...” he mused. “Give her a bath and then send her to my bedroom.”
“Yes, sir.” they grumbled.
“Woo-hoo!” shrieked the Don excitedly. “Don’t worry, Darlin’! Papa’s comin’!”

To Chapter 4