Final Fantay 7
By Sephiroth Zero

Chapter 4 "Secrets revealed"

    Days slowly rolled by into a week as Avalanche prepare for their next assault on Shinra.  Deep in their war room, Cloud, Barret, Wedge, Vick, Jessie, Tifa, and the other members went over the plan carefully.  With the recent attack still fresh in the air, security measures were beefed everywhere in Midgar as a precaution for the next strike.
    "Since the measure have been beefed up in all of Midgar, it'll be harder for us to break into the Reactors since they'll be ready for us." Barret muttered as he pointed out the new patrols that were now stationed around Midgar. "So headquarter has plans for us to take care of the Reactor 5, the most recently completed one of all so it'll be easier for us to find a way in." Barret stated as he switched to the map of the Reactor 5 total layout.
    "How did you get a map of the total display of Reactor 5?" Tifa asked questionably as she looked at the map.
    Chuckling Barret remarked, "Headquarters got a lot of agents in the very core of Shinra, so getting a map is a quite simple task." "Now the main attack force in this mission will be the same as the previous one." Barret said.
    "I'm going too." Tifa snapped to Barret.
    "Tifa, this is a messy business, you shouldn't get involve, Cloud nearly got killed in our last mission." Barret complained back while Cloud frowned at the reference made at him.
    "That's exactly why I want to make sure it doesn't happen again, end of argument." Tifa said before marching out of the room.
    Shaking his head at the situation, Barret noticed everyone else just staring at him questionably, muttering to himself he yelled, "Don't just stand there get ready we move out in 15 minutes." As everyone filed out of the room Barret muttered, "Idiots."


    On the 70th floor of Shinra HQ, in the President office, four figures carefully listen to the recording of the Avalanche attack plans. Reeve frowned as he heard about the spies the Avalanche claim to have in Shinra. Leaning back against the wall in shadows, Cloud carefully listened to every part of the plan memorizing the entire thing in his mind. As the recording ended, President Shinra took out the tape as he sat back in his chair, his finger tapping in anticipation.
    "It seems," the President said shattering the silence, "that Avalanche is preparing another attack." "Now that our spy has kindly given us the location, I believe it's time that I see who my enemies are face to face." he continued to the shock of most of the people in the room.
    "Sir, isn't that an unnecessary risk on your part." Heidegger argued back as the President stood up. "Besides we can easily set our newest weapon against them." He added as the President thought about it.
    "I'll do it." Cloud interrupted as everyone stared at him as he stepped out of the shadows. "If they don't surrender, then I'll destroy them." he sneered back as he tossed a piece of materia in the air before he caught it and crushed it to dust. "There's someone there that I got to take care of." He added coldly.
    "Then so be it." Reeve replied as he turned to the President to see his response.
    "Fine, you go Cloud, but remember these are just misguided people." the President said as he watched Cloud leave the office.
     "I know." Cloud answered as his eye let out a greenish glow. Not taking a second glance he walked down the staircase as he made his way to the flight deck. As he entered the elevator he noticed another occupant in it.
    "Where are you off to Cloud?" Rufus asked.
    "I'm heading to Reactor 5, got to take care of some Avalanche scum." Cloud smiled back as he pushed the button to the flight deck.
    "It's a pity isn't it." Rufus sigh as he stared behind him the city.
    "What?" Cloud asked confused at the questioned.
    "The fact no matter how the Shinra Company tries to help the world there are people out there, trying to destroy us for some odd reason." Rufus muttered sadly. "Come on, my old man put 100,000,000 Gils in the Save the Children fund and 1,000,000,000 Gils to the save the Guardians of Cosmo Canyon." Rufus said as Cloud's eyebrow raised in shock.
    "That's a lot of money." Cloud whistled in appreciation.
    "That's nothing." Rufus commented back. "He just recently put 5,000,000,000 in the Save the Cetra funds." Rufus stated as Cloud frown at the comment.
    Scratching his head puzzled, Cloud asked, "Isn't there only one Cetra left for the fund to go to?"
    "Yep." Rufus responded as an eerie silence fell over the two as they contemplated what the previous statement meant. As the elevator slowed to a stop, Rufus muttered, "That's one rich Cetra." Cloud nodded as he left the elevator as he walked off to his waiting chopper.

    Several miles away from where Cloud Strife was preparing to leave on his chopper, Avalanche was having some problems in their missions. Barret, Tifa, and Cloud were racing through the empty train tunnel as several guards chased after them.
    "How could they have known where we were?" Barret asked in rage several bullets whizzed by him. "There must had been some kind of spy in our midst." he stated as he continued to run.
    "Less talk, more fleeing!" Cloud yelled as he ducked several more shots and turned a corner nearly running straight into a laser barrier. "That would have stung." he muttered as he gazed at the barrier, scanning their surroundings until he noticed a ventilationshaft. "Everyone in the shaft." he screamed as he ripped off the cover and leaped in. Barret and Tifa quickly followed as the guards chasing them stopped and argued who was to go down there.
    "You better go in, you're the leader." one of the guards commented as he stare down the shaft.
    "Are you kidding, you get in the shaft and chase them." the Leader retorted as soon all of them started to argue on who was goingin. Meanwhile Avalanche quickly made their way to the core of the Reactor, setting the charges without many incidents at all. As they slowly made their way to the exit Cloud started to slow down as he scanned his surrounding.
    "What's the matter Cloud?" Tifa asked as they made their way to the exit at the T shaped walkway in front of the Reactor.
    "This was too easy, other than the guards at the train, there has been absolutely no threats or guards." He remarked as they stopped at the intersection that branched off to two different exits. Hearing the soft sound numerous clicks, Cloud recognized the sound as he yelled at Barret, "It's a trap!"
    "You got that right!" a voice behind them congratulated as numerous Shinra soldiers came spilling out of the two exits gun raised. "Don't fire unless they resist." the voice ordered.
     Turning to the voice, Barret growled, "Coward, show your face!"
    "Certainly." the voice obliged as Cloud the Turk came silently striding out of the door holding a thin katana in his right hand as he stared at the shocked Avalanche. "Surprise," Cloud smirked as he notice the SOLDIER with them, "you're still alive I see, guess my shots weren't as fatal as I had hope."
    "Bastard." Cloud the SOLDIER growled as he drew his sword out, as all of the soldiers cocked their weapon to fire.
    "No, leave him to me." Cloud ordered as held his sword before him. Growling the SOLDIER charged at the Turk who leaped over the attack at the last possible moments. Sparks flew as the two blades stroke each other, as the combatant fought. Barret and Tifa watched hopelessly from the fray at the stunning sword skill that each possessed. As the two fought, neither winning, each dealing the other equal to what he had received.
     The intensity of the battle was suddenly broken as one of the soldiers cried, "By the Ancient, its Jenova!"
    The two immediately disengaged as the hulking grotesque form of Jenova landed between them cutting them off. Opening its mouth, a glint of light appeared as it released a trail of lasers cutting through the walkway, creating a gap between the two sides of the walkway.
     *A pleasure to meet you again, Cloud Strife.* Jenova chuckled in her usual disembodied voice projection. *Unfortunately the Lost One is mine as is Sephiroth.* Jenova continued as she ensnare the SOLDIER in her tentacles.
     "Damnit I don't know what the hell is happening, but this Reactor going sky high in about 25 seconds!" Barret interrupted shaking his arms up and down.
     *Till the next reckoning son of Andrian.* Jenova laughed as she flew off with her prize.  Huge membrane wings shape sprouted from her back as they lifted the two into the sky. *Beware it could be your last* she said as she vanished into the distance.
    Cursing to himself, Cloud ordered, "Evacuate the premises immediately!" Turning toward Tifa and Barret, he said, "You two come with me now." Before Barret could even protest, a flash of light blinded their vision as the Shinra Helicopter came rising up behind them.
    Opening the doors to the Helicopter, the pilot yelled, "Hurry up." Cloud and Tifa quickly scramble into the chopper as it hovered in front of them. Noticing Barret not moving the pilot yelled, "Sir, the other person isn't coming on."
    Turning to Barret and Cloud yell, "What are you doing The Reactor is going up any minute."
    "There is no way I'm going on any stinking Shinra helicopter." Barret retorted back. "I'd rather go up with this stinking Reactor before I accept help from someone from Shinra." Barret continued crossing his arm and snorting.
    Grumbling at Barret's idiocy, Cloud sighed, "Fine then if that's what you want." Yelling toward the pilot he said, "Okay let's go." "Have a nice barbecue." he commented as the helicopter started to move away.
    "Damn #&^%# Shinra." Barret cursed as he leaped at the chopper grabbing it by the landing skid. "Pull me up." he yelled as he hanged dangling in the air as they flew away from the Reactor.
    The three watch as they pull away from the Reactor, as the complex soon erupted in a huge column of fire rising high over the city. The chopper was tossed around as it was struck by the shockwave emitted from the destruction of the Reactor. Several pieces of shrapnel lodge themselves into the side of the chopper as it flew toward Shinra HQ.

    Meanwhile in the sector below the Reactor sat a small little church near the edge of the city. Inside the church in front of the main altar was a nice bed of flowers sprouting from the dirt underneath the church. Sunlight came in through the tiled window on the side give the area a soft warm glow. Kneeled before the bed of flower a brown hair girl in a pink dress and red jacket carefully tended toward each of the flowers.
    "Excuse me…" a voice interrupted the quiet serenity of the place as a messily dressed guy in a suit wearing shades on his forehead entered. Getting no reaction he continued, "Good day miss, I'm Reno."
    "That's nice." the flower girl commented as she continue to care of the flowers. "I guess you're here for some reason," she added not even turning to face him," few like you ever come here."
    Scratching his head at her allegation, Reno coughed, "Actually I'm here to meet the last of the Cetra." As said the last word the girl stopped, continuing he said, "I've heard that she's been known to be seen here."
 Standing up and turning to face him, she asked, "Why do you seek her?"
    "My partner and I seek her help in discovering the whereabouts of the City of the Ancient." Reno replied walking up to her. "You should know Aeris Gainsborough, last of the Cetra." he added flatly as he stared at her shock.
    Looking away from him, Aeris asked, "Why do you want me?"
    "I've been searching with my friend for a way to destroy the entity that calls itself Jenova." Reno replied as he walked by her and look at the flowers. "He hopes that the power of the Ancient may hold the key to that thing's destruction." Reno said as he took a sniff of the flower. "Such a scent," he commented about the flower, "despite Shinra attempts, they found that it was nearly impossible to grow flowers in Midgar, but you seem to do it quite easily."
    "Yes, the flowers seems to able to grow easily here, that's why I enjoy coming here." Aeris said as she stared at her flowers. "Shinra has done much to try to help all, even me, but I prefer to stay around down here where I can help people around me more." She stated as she started to water the plants. "And here I can here the voice of my mother, she talks to me here." Aeris muttered quietly.
    Eyebrow perked as he heard her last comment, Reno asked, "But didn't your mother die two years back during the Hojo Rebellion?"
    Nodding in reply, she said, "Yes, but I can hear her voice here from the planet."
    "The…planet?" Reno muttered scratching his head.
    "Charming conversation isn't it?" a voice mocked as a silver hair figure stepped in. Dressed in the traditional Turk suit he had short-cropped hair toward his neck with a few curve strands sticking out in front. His mako eyes glint silently as he smirked at the two. Snapping his finger several MPs came running in behind him.
    "Valve of the Turks." Aeris stated as the Turk did a formal bow at his name and gave a smirk.
    "Valve? It can't be…" Reno gasped as he stared at the Turk before him.
    "Been a long time hasn't Reno, it seems the years have been better for me than it has for you." Valve laughed  as he watched the anger filling Reno. "I do say how's life outside the Turk, I heard your still quite the drunkard." he taunted.
    "So why are you here?" Reno asked trying to keep his cool.
    "To capture and retain the Cetra." Valve answered with a grin. "Of course that's how I interpreted the orders, the real ones are so shallow to my standards." he continued as he slowly walked up to the two. "So why don't you resist, I heard you're quite an adversary ancient." he sneered as a huge katana seemingly teleported into his hand.
    "You are a disgrace the ideal of the Turks." Reno growled as he pulled out his nightstick and stood before Valve.
    "You are living in the old days," Valve growled as he took a swing at Reno who ducked underneath the blade, "much has change in the Turk since you were last in it." The two attacked each other slashing and dodging each other attack. Eventually the two's weapon were locked as the two struggle to break free of the other grips.
    Laughing as he watched, Reno struggle, Valve said, "Your just as good as the old day, however I am not." With one heave he send Reno sprawling back as he said, "Here's something I was preparing just for you." "Shockwave!" he screamed as his blade slammed into the ground sending a crescent wave of energy trailing through the ground slamming into Reno and sending flying backward into the altar. Steams slowly started to rise from the floor as Valve laugh triumphantly, the MPs staring in the sideline impartial. As he took a step to finish off his batter opponents a flash of light blinded his vision. As the light cleared the Cetra and Reno were gone, screaming in anger Valve slammed his fist through one of the walls.
    "Curse that Ancient." he muttered as he looked at his destruction.
Back at Shinra HQ, Meta let out a soft curse as he attempted to discern which of his 67 keys was the one of his laboratory. After several futile attempted, he remembered that the company used keycards now and quickly opened the door. Quickly stepping into the pitch-black room, he shut the door behind him, and leaned back against it as he took a breath. Taking a step forward he suddenly noticed a pair of mako eyes staring at him.
    "Who are…?" he cried before a black gloved hand grabbed him by the neck and slammed him hard onto the closed door. Gasping for air, Meta feet kicked fruitlessly in the air as it attempted to find something stable to place itself on. A soft laughter filled the room as tiny balls of flame suddenly appeared around the lab partially illuminating the room.
    "Sephiroth?" Meta gasped as he saw the face of his captor.
    "You're hard man to contact Meta," Sephiroth said as he stare at Meta, "you should really check your answering machine more often."
    "I'm a scientist," Meta choked as struggled against Sephiroth's vice like grip, "Besides, why would you ever use a phone?"
    "That information is not for me to give out." Sephiroth replied back coldly. "I request a piece of information from you, Meta." Sephiroth stated as he held the scientist against the door. "I need all the files on the White Materia." he sneered as his eyes glint menacingly.

    "So how's it going Reno?" Cloud asked as he stared down at his hospitalized friend totally covered with bandage in numerous places.
    "I just been trash senselessly," Reno yelled at Cloud, "how do you think I feel?"
    "He's okay." Cloud smirked as Rufus and Reeve sweat drop in the background. "Well what should we about the Turk, Valve?" Cloud asked turning around to Reeve and Rufus.
    "Well you have my sincere apologizes about the whole mess, if that helps." Rufus commented as Reno snorted. Roll his eyes, he added, "Of course I could send a complaint, but the fact is the head probably not going to do much about it."
    "It's best if you stay away from most of the Turks, the new ones seem to be a really crooked bunch." Reeve said as he turn to leave. "Well I got some work to get to, so you three don't try to do anything stupid." Reeve stated as he left the door as Rufus and Cloud smile and waved. Stopping as Reeve was out of sight, Cloud and Rufus took advantage of Reno immobility as they stuck goofy looking things and draw pictures on him.
    "So he should be all right." Dr. Ghast was saying to Aeris as they enter the room, both stopping in a daze position as they saw Reno.
    "Help." he muttered all wrapped up in confetti and clown costumes.
    "Curse those Shinra scum." Barret swore as he pounded his fists into the wall. Shinra officials had compensated his gun and replaced it with an artificial hand. "Damn them all." he continued to pout as an evident hole was starting to form on the wall as he pummeled it senselessly.
    "Calm down Barret." Tifa replied as she sat back in a nice comfy recliner. "What's the problem?" she asked sick of Barret's constant cursing at their predicament.
    "This!" Barret cried spreading his arm. Tifa looked around at the spacious and luxurious room they were in and shrugged. "Don't you understand?" he asked as Tifa looked blank at him blankly. "They are using a psychological means against us trying to get us to relax and think that they are the good guys." he explained as he punched a hole right through the wall scaring the people walking down the hall on the other side. "This place looks nice, but you have to remember that the they locked us in here and put guards at the door to make sure we don't leave." he added as he turned away from the hole.
    Rolling her eyes, Tifa retorted, "But the doors aren't lock and there are no guards posted outside."
    "Sure they are," Barret growled as he march to the door, "they have @#&* Guards outside and the door is lock." Walking to the door Barret opened it up easily and look outside, staring for a minute he muttered, "Now what do you know there are no guards or lock doors." Looking around Barret yelled, "Come on Tifa we're going to break out of Shinra HQ." Sighing as she got up, Tifa followed Barret as they sneaked out into the empty hallway.

    "Well the President wishes to see you Aeris." Dr. Ghast said in his office as he finished filling out Reno's medical report. "You should feel honor that the President allow to see him such short notice and considering your recent incidents." Dr. Ghast added to Aeris who was wearing the normal SOLDIER uniform and sword.
    "Dad," Aeris groaned, "I'll be okay and besides I'm sick of all the this SOLDIER training what's the use of it anyway?"
    "In case Jenova came back," Ghast retorted as he put down his clipboard, "besides I don't want to lose you like how I lost your mother."
    "I'm sorry dad." Aeris apologized remembering how painfully the memories of mother's death were on dad. Giving him a goodbye hug she promised, "I'll come back as soon as I'm done talking with the president." Ghast smiled back at her and patted her hand softly as she left. Letting out a sigh he return to his work as an another voice interrupted him.
     "Professor Ghast." A red lion creature with a flaming tail asked as it enters the office. "I hope, I'm not interrupting you or anything," the beast said as it noticed the startle expression on Ghast.
     "Oh no," Ghast interrupted as he walk up to the beast, "I just forgot you're coming Nanaki."
     "Well I came because Grandpa has some bad news." Nanaki explained as sat down on the floor. Grim look filled his face as he said, "He said the Planet cries are starting again."
     "Impossible the last incidents when that was heard was during the Jenova Massacre and…" Ghast trailed off as he remember the other incident.
     "The Hojo rebellion." Nanaki finished.
     "Five years, two years," Dr. Ghast muttered," these attacks are to closely related to not be connected." "But what threat has come this time?" he asked as Nanaki shook his head having no answer to give in return.

      Aeris slowly walked up the steps to the president office as thought quietly to herself about her reason for coming here.  She knew the president was a very reasonable man, but his mere presence was enough to send a shiver down her spine. His cold eyes reflecting many years of battle and scars that all seem to stab into any one he gazed at it seems. As she enter his office what she saw shocked her.
    "Sephiroth?" Aeris gasped as she saw the long silver hair SOLDIER before her holding the president up by his collar.
    Grinning as he saw Aeris, Sephiroth grinned, "How nice of you to come Cetra, I was just discussing with the President here why he should hand over the White Materia over to me." Holding the President up higher, but since you're here I guess I could help him change his mind about giving it to me." Holding out his hand, a huge funnel of fire issued out of thin air as it went crashing toward Aeris. Using her Cetra power Aeris generated sphere around herself as the Flames slammed into her. The Flames all rolling around her shield leaving her unscathed. Quickly taking advantage of Sephiroth's distraction, President Shinra quickly wiggled out of Sephiroth's grip and delivered a kick straight into Sephiroth's chin sending his crashing back into the wall.
    "Aeris, "President Shinra yelled, "get out of here now, before he…"
    "Too late!" Sephiroth growled as his eye glowed and energy started to radiate out of his body. President Shinra curse as a blinding flash of light filled his vision.
    Vincent stood on the top of one of the building on top plate surrounding the Shinra HQ. His black overcoat flying back against the window as he stared silently at the top of Shinra HQ. In an instant a huge beam of blue light came crashing down from the heavens into the top of Shinra HQ. Vincent let a gasp as he raised his arm up to shield his eyes from the flash. As the flash dimmed Vincent stared back at the Shinra HQ, now missing it's top three floors with all the windows around it blown away.
    "It has started…" he muttered sadly as he turned away from the destruction and vanished only a small trail of cheery blossom lingered where he stood.

     Well Chapter 4 is now done and I'm glad. What to do next.... Well sends any comments or request to sephirothzero@oocities.com