Bizarre Occurances Chapter 11
Confrontation
By Dino Pollard
Avalanche was all gathered in the cockpit of the Highwind. They were all
waiting patiently as the large airship approached Mideel.
Yuffie, are you alright? Vincent asked.
No, actually no Vincent, Im not, she replied, swallowing.
Enghhh
Damn Yuffie, Barret broke in. Just dont barf yo guts
on me.
If ya dont SHUT UP then maybe I will, Yuffie glared.
JUST FOR KICKS!!!! Barret uttered a low growl.
There it is, Cid said to the pilot. Land us now.
You got it, sir, the pilot replied.
NOT TO HARD ON THE STICK, DAMN YOU!!!! Cid ordered. The pilot
landed the Highwind nearly perfectly.
Is that good enough sir? the pilot asked.
Youve been practicing, Cid noticed as he headed out the
cockpit. Good job.
Remember, Sephiroth reminded the team as they began to head out.
If Cloud has recovered, dont say anything about Jonah to him.
Dont tell Tifa, either. The burden on them is great enough. That goes
for you as well, Yuffie.
Oh sure, Yuffie protested. ALWAYS blame the good-looking
ninja with motion sickness!!!
Youre right Sephiroth, Aeris said. Well, lets
go!! I cant wait to see them!!
*****
Oh, hello!! the doctor greeted Avalanche as they entered.
Im afraid theres no change in your friends
condition.
Wheres Tifa? Barret asked.
Shes right in the room with him, the doctor replied.
*****
Cloud..... Tifa began. What are you trying to say? I wish
I could understand you.
Urggh....ulph....itshadh.... Cloud muttered.
Cloud, are you OK? Aeris asked.
Nothings changed, Tifa replied. I think hes
really gone...
Only time will tell, Vincent said.
Man, its like hes not even Cloud or somethin, Barret
said. Lookit his damned face!! Dis is all screwed up!!
Yes, it is interesting, Red said. And confusing.
The Jenova in him has kept him alive so far, Sephiroth began.
But Im not sure if he will survive.
Dont say that!! Yuffie protested.
You worried about him, Yuffie? Cait asked.
Well, he kinda grows on you... she replied.
I know what ya mean, Barret said.
We all do, Red broke in.
Listen to his fuckin words!! Cid exclaimed. Maybe hes
not doctor-sick, but brain-sick too.
Suddenly a loud rumbling is heard.
Theyre......coming...... Cloud muttered.
Theyre.....coming.....
What the hell is THAT?!? Cid asked.
It wasnt me!! Cait exclaimed. THAT much is true!!
It must be the Lifestream, Sephiroth replied. Beneath
us.
A loud roar is heard in the distance.
No..... Sephiroth began. He reached for his sword.
What is it? Aeris asked.
The Ultimate WEAPON, Sephiroth replied.
We need to stop it, Vincent said, loading his gun.
Lets go, Sephiroth ordered. Aeris, stay here with
Cloud and Tifa.
Hey, ILL stay!! Yuffie broke in. Im too YOUNG
to die!!!
Be a man Yuffie!! Barret commanded. Er... woman.
Thats it Barret!!! Yuffie exclaimed. You just made
THE LIST!!!
Ahh, screw you, Barret replied running out.
What a lame-o, Yuffie said. Might as well follow his
fat-ass.
BITE ME!!! Barret called back.
Im going too, Aeris said, grabbing her staff.
No, its too dangerous, Sephiroth replied.
Youre starting to sound like Cloud!! Aeris exclaimed. I
can take care of myself!!!
Just as when you were almost killed by Bizarro-Sephiroth? Sephiroth
asked. Youre not that great of a fighter.
Whos going to stop me!?! Aeris shouted. Im
going and you cant stop me!! She pushed her way out. Sephiroth
gritted his teeth and followed, drawing the Masamune.
*****
Yo, Barret began once outside. Whats all this green
shit everywhere?!?
Lifestream, Red replied. Theres WEAPON!!!
Its time to kick ass or chew gum!! Cid said, cracking his
knuckles. And Im all outta gum!!
Damn straight!!! Barret exclaimed. Lets take da punk
out!!!!
Oy vei... Cait began. Thats a BIG mamma-jamma!!
You can say that again cat!! Yuffie agreed, whipping out her
shuriken.
What are you all waiting for? Sephiroth asked, rushing forward.
An invitation?!?
Well, actually... Yuffie began. It would be kinda nice
and classy...
Umm... Elemental Attack!! Cait said, a little unsure. In response,
the red orb in his hand began to glow with energy and summoned the Kjata
elemental monster!!
Sephiroth slashed WEAPON several times in succession, for all the good it
was doing. The creature, angered at his attempts, caused him to fly back
with a powerful blast of energy.
Cid reached inside his jacket and pulled out several sticks of dynamite.
After lighting them with his cigarette, he tossed them at WEAPON. The creature
roared in pain.
Bulls eye!! he exclaimed victoriously.
Barret looked around and saw a mattress lying by some garbage cans.
Hmmm, he thought. Grabbing it, he shouted to Cid. YO!!
Light DIS on fire!!!
Now THATS a good idea!! Cid replied. He lit a stick of
dynamite and threw it on the mattress.
Cmere ya badass sonnuva bitch!! Barret taunted at WEAPON.
It turned to face him. GO TA HELL!!!! He shouted. He lept at
WEAPON wrapping the mattress around its head as it exploded. It roared in
pain, firing a blast of energy at Barret.
SH-------------IT!!!!! Barret cursed as he was thrown to the
ground.
What do we do? Aeris asked, chanting a healing spell.
We keep fighting, Sephiroth replied. He took a green orb from
his armlet. ULTIMA!!!
Hello... Yuffie said, staring at the orb.
The orb began to shake as green energy erupted forth from it, engulfing WEAPON.
The tremors began to grow worse. WEAPON sensed this and flew away, still
in pain from the attack.
I think Im in love.... Yuffie said, still staring at the
orb. Sephiroth put it back on his armlet. Aww...
Its not over yet, Sephiroth said, sheathing his sword.
Lifestream will ravage this town. We must head back to the
Highwind!!
Are you serious, Sephiroth? Aeris asked.
Dead serious, he replied.
Ya heard the man!! Yuffie exclaimed. Lets MOVE!!!!
What about the people? Aeris asked.
They must fend for themselves now!! Sephiroth replied.
Tifa!! Cloud!! Barret called. Git yo asses out here
now!!!
Whats going on?!? Tifa asked, running out of the clinic.
Get Cloud and meet us at the Highwind!! Sephiroth ordered.
A--alright... Tifa replied.
TIFA!!! HURRY!!! Aeris exclaimed.
Come on!! Sephiroth ordered, pulling Aeris to the Highwind. I
didnt save your life to let you die here.
But the people.... she began.
...will be fine, Sephiroth replied. There is nothing more
we can do for them, and you know it.
Then why are we leaving in such a hurry? she asked.
They are safer than us at the moment, he said.
....youre just as heartless as you ever were, she told
him, turning away.
You were the one who believed in me, he replied, looking her
in the eyes. Dont give up on me now.
You mean like you gave up on those townspeople in Nibelheim?
she asked.
Vincent overheard their arguement once he reached the Highwinds deck.
Are they insane? he thought. I cant let them die
here. Vincent climbed on the railing and jumped to the ground with
a grunt. He ran over to them.
Sephiroth, no!! Vincent shouted. You arent the same
man you were. She...
...is absolutely right, Sephiroth finished, cutting him off.
I wont let this turn into another Nibelheim.
Hurry!! Vincent shouted. Get back to the Highwind!!
No, he replied. Im staying here to try and save these
people. Get Aeris back to the Highwind.
Aeris opened her mouth to protest.
Thats an ORDER!!! Sephiroth exclaimed. Now go!!
Vincent nodded, pulling Aeris back to the ship. Sephiroth ran to the other
houses.
I wont give up on anyone again, he said to himself.
*****
Cid grabbed onto the ladder and began to pull himself up. Yuffie was right
under him.
Hurryhurryhurryhurryhurryhurry!!! she said in fear. Cid kicked
her head to make her back off. OW!!! That HURT!!! Cant you watch
it, old man!!!
Who you calling old you damn brat?!? Cid replied. Keep
your damn distance!!! Or Ill kick you again!!
Move yer ass, Cid!! Barret ordered from the Highwinds deck.
Red was staring over the edge of the railing watching Sephiroth and Aeris
have it out. Vincent began to follow Yuffie up the ladder.
What about Sephiroth and Aeris? Red asked Cid as he crossed over
the railing.
Why the fuck are you asking me?!? Cid asked. Besides, in
times like this you gotta worry about yourself!! He ran into the Highwind.
HEY!!! Yuffie protested as Barret pulled her over the railing.
Easy on the merchandise!!
Shut up and git movin!! he ordered. Get off yer slow-movin
ass, Vinny!!!
Get inside the cockpit!!! Vincent exclaimed to Red and Barret.
What about Aeris and Sephiroth? Red asked again.
Ill worry about them, just get inside!! Vincent replied.
The two nodded and ran into the ship.
*****
Gramma Im scared!! the child cried.
Its OK, honey, his grandmother replied, trying to calm
him down. Everything will be fine. The elderly women shut her
eyes, prepared to face the worse. She held her grandson close. Although she
has spent most of her retirement in Mideel, she now wishes she had chose
Wutai or Kalm. She may have lived a long and fruitful life, but her grandson
was just a child. He didnt deserve to die at such a young age. Then,
the door was ripped from its hinges. The woman looked up to see a man in
his late twenties or early thirties standing above her. He had long silver
hair, his bangs perfectly framing his delicate features. His black cloak
flowed over his muscular body. She noticed a very long sword held at his
side, the Lifestream reflecting off of it.
Come on, he said to her, his emerald eyes flashing. Or was it
a glow...?
Who are you? she asked.
Thats not important, he replied. He reached out a gloved
hand. Reluctantly, she grabbed it and he pulled her out of the house, alongwith
her grandson.
They ran for what seemed like forever. Pulling the woman along with one hand
and holding the child close to him with his other arm, he led them into the
forest surrounding Mideel.
Run to safety outside of this forest, he ordered. The woman nodded
and heeded his advice.
Gramma, who was that? the boy asked once they ran out of the
forest.
An angel, she replied. God heard our prayers and answered
them.
How do you know it was a angel? the boy asked.
Did you get a good look at him, sweetheart? she asked him. His
hair was white, as if it were made from the clouds themselves. His cape was
a substitution for the tunic of old days. And he had a sword of fire.
How do you know? he asked.
No man could wield a sword that large, she replied.
*****
The silver-haired man saw a few more people were left. He began to run to
them when the ground began to split in pieces!!
SEPHIROTH!!! Aeris shouted to him. He turned to the Highwind
where Aeris was. Then back to the people. There wasnt any time left.
He leapt from sectional to sectional until he reached the Highwinds
ladder. Once he reached the top, Vincent grabbed his hand and pulled him
up.
I couldnt save them all, Sephiroth said.
You saved many people this day, Vincent replied.
At least you tried, Aeris broke in. ..........
I vowed never to kill anyone again, he said. And I
failed.
That wasnt your fault!! Aeris protested.
We can argue all we want, Vincent said. But the others
are waiting below.
*****
The tremors are getting worse!! Tifa exclaimed.
Shouldnt we move somewhere safer?
Yes, the doctor said. Take your friend and go somewhere
safe!!
But what about you? she asked.
Well be fine, he replied.
OK, she said. She grasped the handles of Clouds wheelchair
and pushed it out the door. Come on Cloud!!
Theyre....here..... Cloud muttered.
Youre right!! she exclaimed. Theres the
Highwind!! She pushed the chair as fast as possible to the waiting
airship. As they began to cross the ground, the tremors grew worse. The ground
itself began to split into pieces!! Clouds wheel hit a disjointed piece
of ground, causing the both of them to fall forward.
Tifa looked at the ground she just landed on. It began to split!! Then, she
fell into it, into the green liquid beneath!!
*****
Yuffies eyes began to fill up in tears as she saw Cloud and Tifa fall
into the Lifestream.
Cloud....Tifa..... she began. She buried her face in her hands.
Red rubbed up against her leg to comfort her.
Damn.... Cid cursed. He took a drag on his cigarette and stared
up at the ceiling.
Cait shook his head and rubbed his eyes.
I should have done more, Sephiroth said.
You did all you could, Aeris replied.
Did I? he asked.
No way deyre dead!!! Barret exclaimed. They gotta
be alive!!!
*sniff* you think so...? Yuffie asked, calming down a little.
I know dose two, he replied. Theyll be fine.
Look at all that damage down there, Red noted. Many people
have lost their homes.
Its just a big lake of green shit now, Cid said. Guess
we better start pickin up the pieces. Pilot!! Land us!!
Yes sir, the pilot replied.
Look!! Vincent said. Two bodies have just washed up on
the shore!!
*****
Yo Tifa, Barret said. You awright?
Uhhhh, she muttered. B--Barret?!?
Yeah, dats right, Barret replied.
Wheres Cloud? she asked.
Hes over dere, Barret said. He pointed over to where Red
was standing above Clouds body.
Is he okay? she asked.
Don worry, Barret replied. His spikey-headed ass
kin get through anythin.
I saw Cloud, she said. In the Lifestream, I saw the truth.
Cloud wasnt created by Hojo!!
Dats great!!! Barret replied.
*****
Red tilted his head when he examined Cloud.
Fascinating.... he said.
Urrgghhh, Cloud uttered.
Cloud? Aeris asked. Hes coming out of it!!
Nice to see you all again, Cloud said as he began to awake.
What happened?
In the Lifestream we put the pieces of your memory together,
Tifa said.
Welcome back to the land of the living, Sephiroth said. Now
you can resume your position as leader.
Good, Cloud said. Sephiroth....thanks.
Youre welcome, Sephiroth replied. Lets continue
this in the Highwind.
*****
Everyone, Im sorry, Cloud apologized once the team was
in the Operations Room. For the past five years, Ive been living
a lie. When I was young, I wanted to be strong so Tifa would notice me. I
started getting into fights, I never cared who it was. Thats when I
first heard about Sephiroth and SOLDIER. I thought that if I became as strong
as Sephiroth, then even Tifa would have to notice me. So seven years ago,
I told her I was going to join SOLDIER. But I never made it. I signed up
for the Pre-SOLDIER program, which trains people who want to be in SOLDIER.
But I didnt make the final cut. Instead, I was made an MP. I felt ashamed
that when Rudy and I accompanied Sephiroth and Zack to Nibelheim I never
let anyone know, save for my mother. I felt embarrased because I hadnt
made it. So I kept my mask on the whole time.
So Zack was at Nibelheim five years ago? Aeris asked.
Yes, Sephiroth replied. I hadnt remembered the names
of the escorts. When we met Rudy, I remembered him. Now I remember that Cloud
was the other one. The one who stopped me.
Whaddaya mean? Barret asked.
When Sephiroth went insane, Cloud began. I followed Zack
to the Reactor. He tried to stop Sephiroth but was injured. It was at that
time that I saw Zack and grabbed his sword. I ran into the Jenova Chamber
Sephiroth was in and I was able to sneak up on him. Thats when I ran
him through with Zacks sword. I then went out of the chamber to help
Tifa. Zack called to me and told me that Sephiroth was still alive and that
I should kill him. When I challenged Sephiroth--
--I shoved my blade into him, Sephiroth finished. But Cloud
grabbed ahold of the blade and was able to lift it. Once his feet touched
the ground, he swung it until I fell into the Lifestream.
I just have two questions, Red said. If Cloud was never
in SOLDIER, then why is he so powerful? And why does he wear the uniform
of SOLDIER with Zacks sword?
SOLDIERS are injected with Jenova cells and Mako, Sephiroth replied.
I assume after my death Hojo used Cloud as a template to
help create the clones. Because of the Jenova in his body, alongwith his
past experiance with me made Cloud into a puppet of Jenovas.
Then what about the uniform? Red asked.
After Sephiroth died Zack and me were taken into the basement
of the Shin-Ra Mansion and placed in seperate tubes, Cloud replied.
We escaped and because my clothes were covered in blood stains and
all slashed up, Zack gave me one of his spare uniforms. We then caught a
ride to Midgar. During the trip, Zack said that we should be mercenaries.
Once we reached Midgar, Zack was shot and they left me for dead since I was
already unconcious. I regained conciousness a short time later and saw
Zacks sword, but no Zack. I took his sword then became a mercenary
when I saw Tifa at a train station. And the rest is history.
Wow, Yuffie said.
So now what do we do? Cait asked.
Well, Tifa began. Since we cant reach Bizarro-Sephiroth,
and the Shin-Ra arent planning anything, then why dont we spend
some time at the Villa Cloud bought in Costa del Sol?
Good idea!! Yuffie said.
Well Cloud, Aeris began. What do you say?
Sure, why not? Cloud replied.
_____________________________________________________________________________
AUTHORS NOTE: Yep, yep. Chapter 11 is done. I hope you enjoyed the
interplay between Sephiroth and Aeris. Sephiroth would probably have just
let the townspeople die if Aeris didnt remind him of Nibelheim. And
I cut out the part where Cloud and Tifa are in the Lifestream because its
kinda hard to write all that up what with the conversations going on between
the people in the past while Tifa is making comments. So dont start
bitching because that part wasnt in here. Again, Im going to
examine some other possibilities as to why Cloud is as strong as he is.
Its not because hes been injected with Mako and Jenova because
then all MPs would be as strong as Cloud which would be bad.
Anyhoo, by the time you read this, hopefully Ill have at least started
Chapter 12, or, with a little luck, have it finished. All I can tell you
about Chapter 12 is that youre gonna see two new characters and some
new concepts. One of which is related to another Final Fantasy game, which
I wont mention just yet.
.