Empathy Chapter Five: Battle Of Souls <BODY ><script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-47423994-1', 'fortunecity.ws'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <center> <br> <div> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=728&height=90"></script> </div> </center> <center> <br> <div style="height:5px"></div> </center> </P><P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT BACK="#ffffff" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 PTSIZE=12 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Times New Roman" LANG="0"> <Center>Empathy: Chapter Five<BR> Battle of Souls<BR> A Final Fantasy 7 Fanfic by Hika-chan<BR></center> <BR> Ralena stood on the deck of the Highwind, Red XIII was next to her and the cold northern air bit at her skin. "We're almost there," she whispered to herself.<BR> <BR> Red looked up to her and nodded, "Yes." The cat paused to think. "Ralena?"<BR> <BR> "Yeah?"<BR> <BR> "Do you think we can trust you're brother's friends?"<BR> <BR> Ralena looked down at Red and then back towards the door to the deck, they had picked up the remaining Turks. They could have avoided the little side trip, but Ralena had insisted because for her brother's sake, and they may actually help. "It's too late now to worry about it. But I think it'll be alright. They only went after us when it was their job. Now that ShinRa HQ was blown to a bunch of burning bits... weeell... you know."<BR> <BR> Red smiled at her inability to choose the right words, "Yes I know."<BR> <BR> They landed at the Northern Crater, AVALANCHE and the Turks got off they spilt into two groups of six, Elena, Cid, Cait, Reno, Ralena and Vincent were one group and Cloud, Tifa, Rude, Yuffie, Red and Barret were in the other. The trip down to the center of the crater was long and held many different paths. On several occasions Ralena, Reno, and Vincent spilt from the other half of their group in order to fully explore the tunnels only to end up running into each other again where the paths remet. Monsters were rampant in the cave, which made the journey even more treacherous. Finally they had all met up again, just above the craters center.<BR> <BR> They would have to go down an odd stairway of rocks, all of which floated, probably due to all the energy that came from the planet in this spot. Cloud, Tifa, and Yuffie took point, everyone else following behind. As soon as the front party landed on the last rock Jenova attacked, barely leaving room for the combatants that were there, leaving the others no choice but to stand back and watch.<BR> <BR> Unnoticed in the rear, Ralena put a hand to her head. She closed her eyes and winced. Something was wrong, her head ached. Perhaps she shouldn't have come down here after all. The voice was in her head again and it was drowning out her thoughts. �My daughter, help me...�<BR> <BR> Her eyes opened and were blank, but in her mind Ralena was not aware of her body�s actions. She drew her seondary weapon and walked up slowly behind Vincent and Reno, both to busy watching the fight.<BR> <BR> �Kill them my daughter.�<BR> <BR> �Why? Reno�s my brother and Vince-�<BR> <BR> �Do it!! They Don�t care about you, not like I do. Join Sephiroth and I.� The blade was raised above her head.<BR> <BR> �NO!� he mind cried in protest, �That�s not true! I know how they feel. I�ve felt it too!� <BR> <BR> �They were lying. They tricked you.�<BR> <BR> �NO!� Her body hesitated and she said to the voice in sudden realization, �You�re controlling my body now aren�t you?�<BR> <BR> �It is too late for them now�� Jenova took full control of her body and the blade began its decent into Vincent�s back, but somehow he had sensed it and turned just in time to catch it in his claw. She pulled back and swung again, this time at Reno.<BR> <BR> �Ral! What the hell are you doing!?� Reno Shouted, dodging another blow.<BR> <BR> �Look at her eyes, she�s being controlled,� Vincent answered, �Try to restrain her!�<BR> <BR> Red turned, hearing the disturbance and tackled her from behind, Vincent and Barret were fast upon her, holding her down. �Ralena!� Reno shouted holding her head in his hands, �What�s wrong? Who�s controlling you!?�<BR> <BR> Tears streamed from her blank eyes and Vincent remembered the last time he saw her in such a state. �Come on Ralena,� he coaxed, �Take control, who is it?�<BR> <BR> She turned her head to the side, looking past Red and Barret. �Th� th� th�at.� They looked up and saw the creature Cloud, Tifa, and Yuffie were fighting.<BR> <BR> Reno's eyes narrowed, �Jenova."<BR> <BR> Yuffie took a moment to turn her head back and shout, �What�s wrong?�<BR> <BR> Reno stood and shouted back, �Just kill it quick!�<BR> <BR> �Red, Barret, hold her down.� Vincent drew his gun and aimed carefully at Jenova.<BR> <BR> Ralena was growing increasingly frustrated. �Help Me!� The voice screamed, and Ralena responded in kind, screaming in anguish. Jenova was increasing her battle rage, her powers made her especially vulnerable to her influence, and she began to radiate it. �Uhhh, Vincent.� Reno began, �We have a problem.� With a sudden burst of magic and power the others were thrown back and Ralena broke free. �Elena, try to calm her down! Rude guard her weapons!� Reno ordered his fellow Turks.<BR> <BR> She attacked with tooth and nail, unable to control her body. �Dammit Cloud finish that F^@#ing thing off! Ralena�s goin� nuts!� Cid yelled.<BR> <BR> Cloud called upon the knights of the round, the first knight attacked.<BR> <BR> Ralena kicked Red.<BR> <BR> The Second<BR> <BR> She scratched at Barret.<BR> <BR> The Third<BR> <BR> She started towards her weapons.<BR> <BR> Fourth<BR> <BR> Elena was knocked out of the way.<BR> <BR> Fifth<BR> <BR> Reno grabbed her.<BR> <BR> Sixth<BR> <BR> She flipped him over her.<BR> <BR> Seventh<BR> <BR> Vincent got in her way.<BR> <BR> Eighth<BR> <BR> He refused move.<BR> <BR> Ninth<BR> <BR> She dodged his claw.<BR> <BR> Tenth<BR> <BR> She pounced him<BR> <BR> <BR> Eleventh<BR> <BR> Her hands wrapped around his neck.<BR> <BR> Twelfth<BR> <BR> Vincent�s eyes began to glow red.<BR> <BR> Arthur<BR> <BR> Ralena blinked and dizzied.<BR> <BR> Jenova fell.<BR> <BR> Her eyes faded back to normal, �What was I? Vincent!� she released his neck in horror. �Oh my God� She got off him quickly and helped him sit up.<BR> <BR> He coughed a moment and looked at her, her eyes watered. �Don�t worry, I�ll be fine.�<BR> <BR> Tears began to stream down her cheeks, �I�m sorry, I�m so sorry!�<BR> <BR> �Shhh� it�s ok,� he put his arms around her and the others walked up around them.<BR> <BR> �It wasn�t your fault,� Elena said, smiling slightly, �Don�t worry.�<BR> <BR> �Thank you.� Suddenly the ground under them began to rumble. �What the?� A light flashed and suddenly they were all floating before Sephiroth and what seemed to be a big glowing rock. �It�s him! It�s Sephiroth. But� it�s not.� Ralena thought as he and Cloud exchanged words. 'He�s insane, I have to get through to him somehow, but I�ll need help. He�s too strong now.� Ralena had somehow moved herself towards Vincent and reached for his hand, but just a she did a shockwave ripped them apart. �And you sister. I would have thought more of you then to join these wretched humans.�<BR> <BR> �I am not your sister.�<BR> <BR> Then the being that was Sephiroth morphed, combining itself with the remains of Jenova. She only knew this because she could still feel the alien being in the back of her mind. But it was too weak to control her now. There were several parts to attack, the three groups of four were on either side and to the front of the creature. The empath and the female Turk quickly cast protection spells as Vincent and Reno began with attacks. The four of them had been lucky enough to end up in front of the creature. �Oh shit.�<BR> <BR> �You said it bro.�<BR> <BR> For some reason, of their group it favored attacking Vincent. Ralena thought it was because Jenova was still influencing him, there stood a chance that he would recognize Vincent and somehow snap out of it. At one point the creature powered up, aiming at Ralena. As the beam shot out she shut her eyes tight. The blast never came, she felt heat, but not the blast itself. Did someone cast one of the barrier spells on her in time?<BR> <BR> She opened her eyes in time to see Vincent fall down at her feet. �No� NO!� She screamed, the emotional impact of his sacrifice, pushed her limit and she raised her hands in the air. Just like in her mind lights shone from the sky and fell down upon the creature, battering it. She fell to her knees breathing hard. She felt the magic of a megalixir and opened her eyes. To her surprise Vincent was getting up. �Wha-?�<BR> <BR> �Damn sis that was some hit!�<BR> <BR> �How did you?�<BR> <BR> Vincent shot at the creature when he stood, �Remember I�m tougher than I look Ralena.� She smiled, on the one side she saw the flare of a fire spell go off. The light was brighter than it should have been. When it faded all but Tifa, Barret, Yuffie, and Cloud were at the spot where they met up before fighting Jenova.<BR> <BR> �What the f&^# are we doin� back up here?�<BR> <BR> �Perhaps they�re fighting Sephiroth on another level,� Red said.<BR> <BR> �What�s that supposed to mean?�<BR> <BR> �I think they�re between this plane and lifestream.� Ralena answered.<BR> <BR> �How?�<BR> <BR> �I don�t know.� They waited for what seemed to be an eternity, then the four missing members appeared out of thin air among the group.<BR> <BR> Cloud smiled at them, �Mission accomplished everyone, time to go.� There was a loud cheer in response and everyone began to head back up to the Highwind. But Ralena and Cloud stopped and hesitated.<BR> �What is it?� Tifa asked, Vincent stopping behind her.<BR> <BR> �He�s still here,� Ralena whispered.<BR> <BR> �And he�s laughing.� Cloud fell to his knees and grabbed his head. Ralena quickly knelt by his side and concentrated, one of her materia began to glow and then both fell over.<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> Ralena held onto Cloud�s foot as they seemed to travel, to fly down a strangely lit tunnel. She had taken the �spirit� materia after her own rescue and was using it now to go with Cloud. It was difficult and although she didn�t know it, the Jenova cells and Cetra blood were the only things that allowed her to enter. When they stopped she found herself standing about twenty feet from Cloud�s left, and he was standing directly in front of Sephiroth. The SOLDIER had on only his black pants and boots. He brought up his sword, ginning evilly at Cloud.<BR> <BR> Cloud drew his Ultima Blade, she could see and feel the tension growing in him, just from being in Sephiroth�s presence. It was odd, Ralena could see his aura growing brighter and brighter. Sephiroth waited confidently for Cloud to make the first move.<BR> <BR> It came much faster than anyone expected. His omnislash came quickly and viciously. When he was done Sephiroth could barely lift his sword, blood ran down his face and his spirit began to dissipate into the lifestream. A column of light came down on Cloud, he looked up, reaching for someone�s hand, and he was pulled out. Ralena ran towards the fast disappearing Sephiroth.<BR> <BR> �Cloud are you ok?� Tifa asked.<BR> <BR> �Yes.�<BR> <BR> �What happened? Why is Ralena still out.�<BR> <BR> �Aeris said she had one thing left to do. She helped us.�<BR> <BR> <BR> Ralena put her hands up to Sephiroth�s face. �Don�t be scared, concentrate and you�ll be fine."<BR> <BR> �Who? Why?�<BR> <BR> �You saved me once, so Aeris and I are gonna save you.� <BR> <BR> * * *<BR> <BR> Sephiroth was sitting in his room at the ShinRa Tower, idly letting his hands glide across the keyboard. He had just looked over the report given to him from the president, another amateur mission that he could easily complete the next day. Something in the music changed the course of his thoughts. All the things he'd done so far, every aspect of his career had been for the sake of the corperation. Or in some cases just for the president's twisted enjoyment. None of the things he did would ever be considered good, not when it boiled down to it. Where would that leave him later in life? To only be respected by SOLDIER's and to be feared by them and all others. He was not concerned about love, he never cared for that, but still the fact remained that he would never know what it was like to truly be appreciated, not as a weapon, but as a human being. He failed to see the similarity in the two.<BR> <BR> He grinned suddenly, almost ready to laugh at the thought. "Human being" they were only words to him nothing more. But words he was sure no one ever used when discribing him. He got up slowly and left his room. It was late so he knew he could walk the halls without being bothered by others. This was his favorite time of day, when he could be alone with his thoughts and feelings. But tonight as he had yet to find out, his feelings were not only his own.<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> Ralena sat in the corner of her cell, her arms were wrapped around her legs and she rocked back and forth. The mind altering drugs had finally worn off and she had once again awaken to the cold dark cell. Tears streamed down her face as she cried and spoke quietly, asking for help from whoever would listen. "I don't want to be here anymore. I don't want to get anymore shots. I don't like wires or machines. I want the leave. Please someone, anyone, help me. Save me. Please get me out."<BR> <BR> <BR> Sephiroth found himself by the door of the prison level from the stairwell. He wasn't quite sure how he had ended up there, but he never did. He always wandered mindlessly when his mind was working overtime in it's own philisophical ramblings. He opened the door and walked about the level, until a noise caught his attention. 'That's odd,' he thought, 'I don't recall there being anyone special being arrested lately.' This prision level of the ShinRa tower was only for political or extremely hostile prisioners. Most others were on the 30th through 32nd floors. As he approached it was easier to make out the sound. They were, crying? Who the hell was in there?<BR> <BR> Allowing his curiosity get the better of him he looked inside the cell. In the corner opposite the bed he saw a small figure. A girl judging by the voice, a child by that and her size. Perhaps she was the daughter of a rival company owner. It wouldn't be the first time, but he had heard nothing of a hostile takeover (and as far as takeovers went ShinRa was the most hostile). After a moment the girl's crying ceased and she looked up to see him through the window. Unexplainably he backed away from the window, the girl had green eyes, just like his.<BR> <BR> "Hello?" her voice was timid and very frightened. She could still see the strangers shadow on the wall opposite the cell door. "Are... are you hear to save me?" He didn't answer. "Or... are you here to take me back to... him?" The last word was very hesitant and whoever "he" was deathly frightened her, and in this building very few people could evoke that kind of response. Then again children were more easily frightened.<BR> <BR> He moved back infront of the window, he decided that tonight, he could be a little sociable. She had sat up straighter and he could see now that her hair had been cut short, though he could not tell the color because it was so dark. "Who is he?"<BR> <BR> "The doctor."<BR> <BR> "Doctor?" That answered it. Only Hojo.<BR> <BR> "Yes. He does... wierd things to me. He puts me in strange chairs, and cells, and tubes. He puts all these things on me, and wires and shots in me."<BR> <BR> "How long have you been here?"<BR> <BR> She sniffed, "A long time, I've been here almost as long as I remember. Since I was... four I think." More tears began to flow from her eyes. "I don't want to be here anymore! I don't want to be drugged anymore! I want to go outside! I want to see the sky again! I... I... I just want to go home..."<BR> <BR> Sephiroth stood there and listened to the girl cry, she was an experiment of Hojo's, but for this long? She must have been important to him, one of his long standing experiments. She'd been here so long, she probably didn't even know who he was, or anything about him. "What's your name?"<BR> <BR> "Huh?"<BR> <BR> "Your name. What is it?"<BR> <BR> It had been so long since any one had asked, or even cared, the girl wasn't sure if she knew how to say it anymore. But she knew it, it was on the charm she now held in her hand. "It's... it's... Ruh-lay-nuh."<BR> <BR> "Ralena huh? My name's Sephiroth."<BR> <BR> "Sephiroth?"<BR> <BR> "Yes."<BR> <BR> "Are you gonna help me get out?"<BR> <BR> "I don't know."<BR> <BR> "Oh..."<BR> <BR> "Tell you what, I'll come back and talk to you tomorrow night ok?"<BR> <BR> "Really?"<BR> <BR> "Yeah. But I have to go now, I have to get up early in the morning."<BR> <BR> "Umm... Sephiroth?"<BR> <BR> "Yes?"<BR> <BR> "What time is it?"<BR> <BR> It was such a simple question, and yet she said it in a way that it seemed as though it meant the world to her. Had she gone all these years without genuine human contact? She said she had been there since she was four and she looked to be between twelve and fourteen. He had no doubt that Professor Hojo and the other scientist saw her as nothing more than a specimen, and never even used her real name. "It's 1:30 in the morning."<BR> <BR> "Mama never let me stay up this late."<BR> <BR> Her parents were probably dead. "I have to go now. Ralena..."<BR> <BR> It felt so good to hear he name said by somebody else, "yes?"<BR> <BR> "Don't tell anyone about me ok? If that happened I doubt I could come see you again and I would get into trouble allright?"<BR> <BR> "Yes sir."<BR> <BR> He grimaced, Sephiroth hated that term when it wasn't said with a soldiers confidance. He had grown so tired of everyone calling him that, the only ones who didn't were the president and Hojo. "Please don't call me 'sir.' Goodnight Ralena."<BR> <BR> "Good night Sephiroth."<BR> <BR> And so it went for the next few months or so that Sephiroth would visit the girl and talk to her through the cell window. Before he went out on missions he would let her know how long it would be till he returned. At one point he was able to get a key and went inside to talk to her, he had even brought a flower to her once. She had marvelled at it so much that it had amazed him. It was an interesting time for the both of them. For the first time in his life he thought of himself as human and the first time since she could remember that she was treated like one.<BR> <BR> The simpilest thing brought her joy and wonderment. Her favorite thing had been listening to recordings of what he had played on the piano. "Did you play this one too?" she would always ask, every once in a while there was something he didn't play, but she liked it all. "I want to learn to play too! Will you teach me sometime Sephiroth?"<BR> <BR> "I can't promise that Ralena, but maybe someday. I'll try."<BR> <BR> "Sephiroth?"<BR> <BR> He knew what was coming, the tone in her voice said it all. "Yes?"<BR> <BR> "Are you ever going to help me escape?"<BR> <BR> He sighed, "Ralena..."<BR> <BR> "I know... you'll get in trouble."<BR> <BR> "I've got to go." They bid each other good night and he left the cell. When he borded the elevator he slammed his fist against the wall. As long as she was Hojo's favorite hobby he couldn't get her out. Sure he had other projects but she was always given some personal attention from Hojo at least once a day. There was no way he could get away with it. Or was he just looking for excuses? Did he really want to let her go? She was the first person he had ever connected with, talked to without her being afriad him. Well, in the beginning she feared him, but at that time everyone she had ever seen scared her. He enjoyed talking to her. The one person in the world who didn't think of him as a warrior, as a SOLDIER, as a killing machine. To her he had a personality, a spirit and a soul. And yet for all the things she did for him he did nothing for her, nothing that could last. The flowers died, the music faded, and he would leave every night.<BR> <BR> He could easily do it, even if he didn't try to hide the fact, there was not a SOLDIER in all of ShinRa that stood a chance against him. The only ones who might have been able to do anything against him were perhaps the Turks, and only if all four were up for the fight. But if he did things that way he would have to make sure he killed all of them, or the Turks would hunt her down and catch her again. Besides if he did things that way Ralena would see him the same way as everyone else. She was very sensitive when it came to death, when the first flower he gave her died she had cried, thinking it was her fault. She seemed to find everything precious and new, and if he killed in front of her she would see him as a destroyer of everything and anything she held dear. <BR> <BR> No. He could not do that to her, if he did help her escape it would have to be very covert. He'd have to wait for something big to happen, something that was enough of a scientific interest to take Hojo away, but not to a place dangerous enough for him to have to take Sephiroth along.<BR> <BR> The next day found him pondering this dilemma as he watched some kids on the 48th floor training. The children here were picked out of orphanages around the world for any special skills they may possess, wheter it be intellectual or physical, some even spiritual or mystical though Hojo would never allow those if he knew. The majority of the students here were to be future high rank SOLDIERs or Turks. But the difference was the simple fact that they got to comminucate with each other, trained and congratulated. At one point he saw Rufus, the president's son, and some red-headed teen teaming up for dodge ball. He watched the game with relative disinterest, that was all she wanted. To be a normal kid, wheter she knew it or not, of all the things one would think it was the least he could do for her. But how?<BR> <BR> Three days later he recieved his answer. Hojo was going to off to Gongaga to examine a malfunction in the Mako reactor, it would take them at least six days to get there and six more back so Sephiroth had a week to get her out. The very night Hojo left Sephiroth went to the prison level. "Ralena."<BR> <BR> "Sephiroth?" for some reason she was quiter than usual, he unlocked the door and slipped in.<BR> <BR> "How are you tonight?"<BR> <BR> "Why didn't you come last night?"<BR> <BR> He sat down next to her on the bed, "I'm sorry but I had to go see a few people and get a some stuff together."<BR> <BR> "What for?"<BR> <BR> "You promise not to tell?"<BR> <BR> "Yes."<BR> <BR> He leaned over and whispered, "I'm getting you out of here tonight."<BR> <BR> Her eyes went wide, "Really!?" he nodded. "Oh Sephiroth thank you!" She threw her arms around him and tried her best to control the loudness of her voice. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"<BR> <BR> "Alright, alright," he smiled, "calm down. I have this all timed out." He looked at his watch, "Come on we have to go." They made their way to the stairs and he handed her a black cloak. He told her to climb onto his back, and so they piggy backed down the stairs with Ralena struggling to keep the oversized helmet on her head.<BR> <BR> "What is this for?"<BR> <BR> "Hopefully if anyone gets a glimpse of you they'll think you're part of my jacket, so when we get down stairs I need you to stay close to me alright?" <BR> <BR> "Uh-huh, why're we taking the stairs?"<BR> <BR> "Because the elevators have cameras in them, we have a much smaller chance of being detected by going this way."<BR> <BR> "Wow you really know your way around here!"<BR> <BR> "Comes with the teritory." When they reached the basement level he let her off his back. Quitely he put his ear to the back door and listened. "tsk tsk tsk," he muttered quietly, "asleep on the job." He opened the door and with Ralena clutching onto his shirt they slipped pass the guard who was content to snore quietly in his chair. Ralena had thought it remarkably easy for all the fuss Sephiroth had mentioned it would be to get her out, he did not mention to her the scheduled partols of the stairwells, and had simply told her some of their scheduled stops were so that they could rest.<BR> <BR> They journeyed throughout the city streets, down alleys, past bums, drunks and bars. They went over walls and through so many alleys and back streets Ralena had compeletly lost sense of what direction they were going. Even if she could tell where they were going she wouldn't have noticed. Every sight, every sound, every smell enchanted her. No longer was she in a sterile cell or lab, she had never walked so far, never had the room or joy to skip into puddles. Only one thing could brake through the near euphoria she felt at that time. Sephiroth's voice, the same thing that shattered her lonliness. "We're almost there Ralena."<BR> <BR> "Almost where?"<BR> <BR> "I found a family to take care of you."<BR> <BR> "But I thought you..."<BR> <BR> He stopped in the middle of the Alley and kneeled down beside her. "Ralena, I wish I could take care of you, teach you about the world, show you how to play the piano, but... this has to be our last night together."<BR> <BR> "But I want you to take care of me Sephiroth!"<BR> <BR> For the first time Sephiroth heard gunuine regret in his voice, "I know I know, but I'm too important to the ShinRa and too involved to take care of you and keep you safe from the doctor."<BR> <BR> Tears began to swell up in her eyes "But-"<BR> <BR> He put a finger on her lips, "shhh... I know, If it could be any other way. But it won't work out. The ShinRa would never let me go, and with you gone they would become too suspicious if I left right away. If I was with you they'd find you even faster."<BR> <BR> "Why can't you just leave?"<BR> <BR> "No one 'just leaves' the ShinRa Ralena, they know I have no interest outside the corporation, at least they used to. I really wish I could stay with you. But I can't. If they had any clue or indication of where you were they would hunt you down, and they would find you." He felt like he was saying the same thing over again. He knew before he left what he would say, and how she would respond. He had planned on telling her with a commanding authority that this was how it was and she would live with it. But now he could not form the words he had rehershed in his head. Ralena grabbed onto his shirt and cried into his chest, as if keeping hold of him would make him stay. "Ralena, you know I'm right. But here I have something for you"<BR> <BR> She pulled back and he took out a small package and opened it, inside was a mini tape recorder and a few small tapes. "Here, now at least, you can here me. It's got some music on here, I know how much you like it." The gift only seemed to stir up more tears from the girl. She took the box and held it close to her chest. <BR> <BR> "But what can I give you? I don't have anything..."<BR> <BR> "That's perfectly fine you've already done more for me than anyone else ever has."<BR> <BR> She bit her lip and nodded, "You too." Suddenly her eyes lit up as she thought of something, she reached into the folds of her clothes and pulled out something putting it in his hands.He looked down in his hands, there lay a small stuffed...<BR> <BR> "Ralena... this is..." ...Chocobo.<BR> <BR> "Keep it, to remember me by." He smiled lightly, and nodded.<BR> <BR> "Let's get going then." He led her the rest of the way to the house. It was rather nice for being in the slums, but to her it was one of the greatest places she'd ever been to. After a quick tearful goodbye they gave their farewells. "Who knows, maybe someday you'll save me." On that day she said goodbye to her angel, till he came back a demon.<BR> <BR> * * *<BR> <BR> Aeris appeared behind Sephiroth, hands on his shoulders and wings from her back. Sephiroth was on his knees, Ralena was kneeled in front of him and his face was in her hands. �Just trust me.� He looked at her. �We can give you a second chance.�<BR> <BR> He smiled lightly and nodded, �I want one.�<BR> <BR> She smiled, "I'm getting you out of here." <BR> <BR> <BR> When Ralena opened her eyes, Vincent was holding her. �Are you alright?�<BR> <BR> �Yes I�m fine.� There was a rumble again and the earth began to shake.<BR> <BR> �We�d better get out of here,� Cloud said, �Aeris helped us so we�d live.�<BR> <BR> The ground began to crack under their feet, Cloud and Tifa ran but Ralena seemed reluctant to go. �What�s wrong?�<BR> <BR> �I don�t know, just a feeling I have,� she answered Vincent.<BR> <BR> Then she heard it, the shrill cry of a panicked child. Out of the light stumbled a young boy. She ran to him, Jumping back down towards the pit. She knew who it was, she didn't even need to see the white hair to give him away. �Ralena wait! It�s not safe!�<BR> <BR> She grabbed him and barely dodged a falling rock. �Don�t worry Sephiroth, we�ll be ok.� She jumped up to the final ledge only to have the ground crumble beneath her feet. She was able to grab it with her free hand. �Seph, you have to hold onto me ok?�<BR> <BR> �Uh-huh.�<BR> <BR> �Vincent help!� He reached down and pulled both of them up. �Ok now we can go.� They both ran, Ralena holding the child, grinning madly at Vincent. �Looks like you get to keep your promise after all.�<BR> <BR> <BR> When all were aboard the Highwind there was a very shaky liftoff as the crater became a geyser of mako energy. They approached Midgar as Meteor hovered over the great city, in the distance Holy erupted from the Cetra city. Ralena kneeled behind Sephiroth and Vincent stood behind her watching over like the others. �What�s going on?�<BR> <BR> �Holy is trying to save the planet.�<BR> <BR> �It�s not strong enough,� Red stated, � Meteor is breaking through.�<BR> <BR> The boy in her arms spoke up, �Is there anything we can do?�<BR> <BR> �Pray, Sephiroth. We can pray.�<BR> <BR> �How do you do that?�<BR> <BR> �You put your hands together and hope for everything to be alright.� After a few moments lifestream, like beanstalks, came from the ground and headed towards Midgar, helping Holy.<BR> <BR> �What�s that?�<BR> <BR> The sparkling energies nearly took Ralena�s breath away. Cloud answered for her. �Lifestream� and Aries� prayer.�<BR> <BR> Reno walked up beside them, �It�s��<BR> <BR> ��Beautiful.� Elena finished breathlessly. The white and green light penetrated the red of Meteor. Cracks began to form in it until. �It�s gonna blow!� Ralena grabbed Sephiroth, crouching low and putting him behind her, and Vincent moved to cover them with his cloak.<BR> <BR> Cid started below deck to the controls, �I�m gonna try an' take �er down!�<BR> <BR> �Everyone hold on!� even if they had not been ordered, everyone headed towards the rails. The hull shook violently, and the ship began to creek.<BR> <BR> �Don�t worry, Cid�s the best pilot around, he�ll get us down.�<BR> <BR> Down below at the controls Cid was cursing like� well Cid. �Aww FUUUUUUUUUUUU#&!!!!� The impact with the ground caused those who could not hold on to slide and tumble halfway across the deck.<BR> <BR> <BR> �owww�. My head.� Yuffie groaned sitting up. She looked around seeing everyone else getting up.<BR> <BR> �Good thing you didn�t hurt anything important,� Barret grinned.<BR> <BR> �Yeah, yeah, yeah� Where are we anyway?�<BR> <BR> �We�ve landed about a mile outside Midgar.�<BR> <BR> �Cid? I thought you were flyin� the ship.�<BR> <BR> �We landed about ten minutes ago.�<BR> <BR> �Oh.� She looked around the deck, spotting several small groups about the deck including the crew. �What�s goin� on?�<BR> <BR> �We took some damage from when Meteor blew up, we won�t be able to take off again till it�s fixed.� She looked out towards Midgar. Most of the party was down on the field, Red was playing with Sephiroth while Ralena seemed to be arguing with Cloud. Tifa was standing on the sidelines and Vincent looked as though he were trying to settle the dispute.<BR> <BR> �We saved him for a reason Cloud, I don�t care about what he did. Look at him! He is four for Christ�s sake! He can�t do anything!�<BR> <BR> �You say that now but when he gets older he could go nuts again, you�ll see.�<BR> <BR> �Jenova was controlling him! She�s dead now and he�s fine! He Might not even have Jenova cells in him anymore!�<BR> <BR> �How do you know that?�<BR> <BR> Ralena paused a moment and swallowed. �Because she got a hold of me too, when it died I felt it let go. It�s gone Cloud.�<BR> <BR> �But how do we know-� <BR> <BR> �If we raise him right this time, he�ll be fine.�<BR> <BR> �How do-�<BR> <BR> �She�s right Cloud,� Vincent interrupted, �He rarely received any attention from his father growing up and it was obvious he cared only about science. If he were to grow up in the right home environment he could be as normal as��<BR> <BR> �As any of us?� Cloud finished pessimistically.<BR> <BR> Vincent grinned behind the collar of his cloak. �Just like any of us,� he stated ironically.<BR> <BR> �Fine you can take care of him if you want but I�ll be checking up on him.� <BR> <BR> Ralena grinned, �We wouldn�t have it any other way� Uncle Cloud.�<BR> <BR> Cloud shuddered then put his hand to his head, �What am I getting myself into?� moments later they all shared a laughed at Cloud�s expense. �So who�s gonna raise him again?�<BR> <BR> �I am,� Vincent and Ralena both answered in unison. She looked up and at him and blushed. Before the issue could be pushed further they were interrupted.<BR> <BR> �Hey look!� They all turned, Elena was pointing out towards Midgar. They followed her finger, people were coming out of Midgar.<BR> <BR> �Looks like AVALANCHE is still needed after all,� Tifa grinned.<BR> <BR> �Well then,� Cloud said checking his Materia, �Who�s up for clearing out some refugees?� Cloud grinned and they all headed out towards the city.<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> </P><P ALIGN=CENTER>That�s it there ain�t no more!<BR> Well� not yet anyway :)<BR> </P><P ALIGN=LEFT><BR> </FONT  <center> <div> <br> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=300&height=250&cache=0"></script> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=300&height=250"></script> </div> <br> <br> </center> </HTML>