"I told you Cloud wouldn't bring it with him," he said smugly. Then he looked at Cait.
"Thank you for verifying that for us," he said. "I'm afraid that you don't have much choice. You're no match for us without your friends. Hand it over and we won't be forced to hurt you."
Tifa looked around desperately. Now that she realized what they were planning she knew she could not let the materia fall into their hands, but she also knew that they were probably right. She and Cait couldn't defeat them alone.
Still, she knew she had no choice but to defend the Crystal at all costs.
Without a word she slowly walked over to Reno, head bowed. A smile spread across his lips, but it disappeared as she suddenly launched a vicious kick at his groin. He dodged enough to take it on the hip instead, but it still knocked him off his feet. He stumbled back and fell to the floor.
"We're more than a match for the likes of you," she said defiantly.
For an instant he did not move, then he turned and slowly got up. He looked at her furiously.
"You're going to pay dearly for that," he said.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that," said a strange voice.
They all turned to see a someone standing in the doorway. He wore a black cloak and was carrying a long sword, and for a moment Tifa almost gasped in shock because she thought it was Sephiroth. But looking at his face she saw it was not. The man had short dark brown hair and darker features than Sephiroth, though the same green eyes that glowed as the mark of SOLDIER.
"Who the hell are you?" Rude questioned.
"That's not really important," Tarkin replied, looking at Reno. "What is important is that you are interfering in something you do not understand. Things you cannot understand. None of your small minds can comprehend what you are really dealing with here. You are like children playing with a deadly weapon, and it's just a matter of time before you do something that will destroy you all."
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Elena demanded.
"It is not nonsense, " Tarkin countered. "It is deadly serious. It is also unimportant. It doesn't really concern me whether you destroy yourselves or not. What does concern me is the Crystal Materia. I am afraid I cannot let you take it. In fact, I can assure you that it would be in your best interests to just walk out the door right now and never bother these people again."
"C'mon Reno," Elena said, "let's just kick his butt too..."
She stopped as Tarkin turned and looked at her sharply. Tifa could almost feel the power emanating from him. She had felt the same feeling from Sephiroth, and she shuddered inwardly. Even though he didn't look like him, they way he spoke, the way he acted and moved, all reminded her vividly of their former foe.
"I don't know who you are, but we don't need any help," she found herself saying, even though she knew it was not true.
"Be silent," he said and turned to stare at her. The look hit her like a physical blow.
He turned back to look at Reno. For a long time they just stood there, staring at each other, and Tifa could feel the power flowing between them. Finally Reno looked away.
"Maybe this isn't the right time," he said slowly. He looked at the other two.
"C'mon, let's get out of here."
Elena seemed about to protest, but Tarkin looked at her again and she said nothing. The Turks turned and walked slowly out of the room without another word.
Tifa felt totally lost. Who was this guy and where did he come from? How did he know so much about what they were doing? She wanted to thank him for helping them, but she had the distinct feeling that he hadn't done it for their benefit. In fact, she felt that she was in greater danger now than they had been when confronted by the Turks. She suddenly realized that she was slowly backing away from the man.
He turned to look at her again, and laughed coldly. Even that reminded her of Sephiroth.
"You have no need to fear me," he said softly. "At least, not yet."
He looked over at Cait for a moment, then, still chuckling, turned and strode deliberately out the door.
Tifa looked at Cait, but he said nothing. She quickly walked over to the door. She could see the man walking away. She closed the door, turned, and leaned up against it.
"Now that was really weird," she muttered.
Tarkin continued down the road, still laughing to himself. The irony of actually helping Cloud and his friends was just too much, he thought, shaking his head. Lucrecia was such a fool sending the Turks to interfere. She could have ruined everything without even realizing it. As it was she had forced him to reveal himself. He really didn't think that would matter now, but one never knew. The funny thing was that they were both working for the same goal. It wasn't enough to bring Sephiroth back, Cloud also had to pay for what he had done. But she was so shortsighted! Let them keep the materia, let them do the dirty work. She didn't see that in order for the revenge to be perfect, Cloud had to be the one to bring the materia into the lifestream. Cloud had to be the one to bring back Sephiroth!
"You have slain my son," she said. She spoke evenly, neither angrily nor sadly. "But you have also obtained the means to bring him back to me. You can redeem yourselves. You can right your wrong. Give me the Crystal Materia so I can have my son back."
Cloud glanced up. There seemed to be hundreds of bats in this room. Many more than had been in the previous chamber, and they were out in the open, exposed.
"Lucrecia," he said slowly. "We didn't want to hurt your son. But don't you see what he was doing? He was going to destroy the planet. He was going to destroy all of us. We had no choice."
"He would not have done it," she answered sharply. "I know he did some things he shouldn't have. I know he had his problems. But they weren't his fault, and he could not have done all these things he was accused of. Now give me the Materia. I know you didn't mean to hurt him. I do not wish to hurt you, I do not wish to see any further death. But you must give me the Materia."
Cloud looked at the others.
"Should I tell her we don't have it?" he whispered.
"I don't think she'll be too happy to hear that," Cid observed.
"I suppose not," Red agreed, "but she's going to find out eventually."
Cloud glanced around one more time, but there was no where to run. He decided to tell her the truth.
"We don't have it," he said.
"What do you mean?" she questioned.
"We didn't bring it with us," he replied. "We thought it would be too risky. We left it with the others."
Lucrecia stared at them, and Cloud saw a look of anger pass across her face.
"I should slay you all," she said sternly. "But I will not kill you needlessly. You shall remain here as my prisoners. You shall never see the light of day again unless the Crystal Materia is delivered into my hands."
"Lucrecia, stop this."
They all turned to see Vincent, Barret and Yuffie walk into the cavern from a tunnel off to the right. Lucrecia stared at them, anger plain on her face.
"I told you never to come back here!" she said sharply.
"I'm only here to help my friends," Vincent replied. He walked over to Cloud, seemingly unconcerned by Lucrecia's anger or the bats flew restlessly above their heads.
"Is everyone all right?" he asked.
"We're fine," Cloud replied.
"Good," he said. "C'mon, let's get out of here."
"They must give me the Crystal Materia!" Lucrecia shouted.
Vince turned and looked at her angrily.
"Leave them alone," he said. "They did nothing wrong. Sephiroth would have killed them if they hadn't killed him first. Just like he killed all those other people."
"I won't listen to you!" she cried angrily. "They must stay here. If you try to leave I will have my bats destroy you all!"
"Your bats will not attack me," Vince replied evenly. "I have just as much power over them as you. They will not harm my friends while I am here."
He motioned for them to follow and walked back over to Barret and Yuffie.
"Vincent!" Lucrecia said. "Do not defy me. Help me. You cared for me once. Those feelings can't be all gone. You couldn't help me then, but do so now. Help me get my son back!"
Vincent stopped and looked down at the floor. Slowly he shook his head.
"Give up this foolish quest before it destroys you," he finally said.
"I cannot," she replied. "It is all I have left."
"If you believe that than you are already dead," he replied. "But I don't believe that. My friends and I are leaving. The only way to stop us is to kill us. Do you wish to add more blood to your son's legacy?"
He motioned for the others to head back to the tunnel he had first emerged from.
"Please don't do this," Lucrecia said, and now there was no anger in her voice, only sadness.
They walked into the tunnel. Vincent last. He turned and looked back at her one more time. She stood unmoving in the firelight, no longer looking foreboding or evil, just very much alone.
"It doesn't have to be like this," Vincent said. "Come with us. Help us attempt to heal some of the damage Sephiroth did. In the end you might heal yourself as well."
"My wounds are too deep for that," she answered.
For a moment more he looked at her, then he turned and followed the others into the darkness.
Night had fallen by the time the others returned. Now they were all gathered in Cid's living room.
"That's right," Tifa replied. "It was the strangest thing."
"And you have no idea who he was," Cloud said.
"No, I've never seen him before. Have you, Cait?" Tifa said, looking at him closely.
Cait shook his head.
"Never."
"Well if that don't beat all," Barret said. "Looks like we've got a mysterious benefactor on top of everything else."
"Whoever he was, he was not our friend," Tifa replied quickly. "I'm sure of that. There was an unmistakable feeling of coldness about him. It seemed to me he wouldn't have thought twice about slitting our throats if he thought it necessary."
"So then why did he help you?" Cid questioned.
"I don't know," Tifa said. "I don't think he did it for us. For some reason, he did not want the Crystal Materia to fall into the Turk's hands. I think he has his own plans for the Materia, but what that might be, I have no idea."
"If that were true, then why didn't he take it from you himself?" Cloud asked.
"I don't know," Tifa said emphatically. "The whole thing just doesn't make any sense to me. I had the feeling that if he had wanted the materia, he could have taken it from us. I don't know what stopped him. I don't know what his plan is, but one thing I know for sure, he doesn't have our best interests in mind."
They all fell silent, digesting this newest information. Cloud did not like this latest twist in their adventure. He had thought things were becoming clearer now that they knew who the Turks were working for, and what they wanted, but now this. What was he supposed to make of this? Who was this person? What was he after? Was he friend of foe? Tifa obviously thought he was a foe, and he had no reason to distrust her judgement. But if so what did he want, and how did he know so much about them? It disturbed him that he had no answers to these questions, but even with these new developments their mission was unchanged.
"Irregardless of whether this person is working for or against us, we still have a mission to complete," he said. "Cid, you didn't get to tie up the loose ends on the rocket today as you had planned. Can we still leave tomorrow morning, or will we have to postpone it?"
Cid shrugged.
"We can go," he said. "I was just being a mother hen. The rocket is in good hands, and they can live without me for a few days. If we take the Bronco it shouldn't take much longer than that. Tomorrow morning will be fine."
"Good," Cloud replied. "Well, I suggest we all relax for a while and then get a good night's rest. Whoever this mysterious person is, I'm sure we haven't seen the last of him. I've a feeling what he is up to will be apparent soon enough."
Cid grunted in agreement and the gathering broke up. Most of the others went off into the rooms where they were going to be sleeping. Cid turned to look at Shera, who was cleaning up in the kitchen.
"Shera, what the hell are you doing?" he asked .
She looked at him questioningly.
"Cleaning up," she responded. "Sorry I didn't have time earlier."
"You've had a tough day," he said. "Go get some rest. You can clean up tomorrow."
She put the cup she was holding down on the counter.
"Okay," she said. "Thank you, for everything."
"There's no need to thank me," he said quickly. "Now go on."
She walked out of the room. Cid watched her go, shaking his head.
"You're lucky to have her."
Cid jumped. He turned and saw Vincent sitting in a darkened corner of the room. He had thought he and Shera were alone.
"Her? What are you crazy?" he responded. "She's caused me nothing but trouble since the first day I met her."
"She is devoted to you, and it is obvious you care for her more than you let on. Don't make the mistake of taking her for granted."
"Oh please." Cid began, then "...is it really that obvious?"
Vincent nodded.
"Man, I must be losing my touch," Cid muttered.
"I envy you, my friend," Vincent said slowly.
"Oh stop it," Cid said. "My life ain't so great. And things could get better for you too. I'm sure Lucrecia will come around."
Vincent shook his head.
"I have little hope of that," he said sadly. "All I've ever wanted to do was please her, and something has always prevented it from happening. If anything the rift between us has grown, and now the gap is so wide that I am afraid no bridge can span it. She has been poisoned by life's bitterness, and the flower I once knew has grown withered and dry. Even if I were to grasp it in my hand now, it would merely turn to dust."
Cid didn't know what to say. He never considered himself what you would call a deep thinker, and Vincent's philosophical bent usually went right over his head. This was way too heavy for him. Still, it didn't take a genius to see that his friend was in a darker mood than was usual, even for him.
"I think you need to relax for a while and forget about your troubles" he said, walking into the kitchen. " And there's nothing better at helping you do that than a stiff drink."
He turned as he was about to enter his room and saw Tifa coming up to him.
"What's up?" he asked.
"I wonder if you can do something for me," she said.
"Name it," he replied.
She hesitated.
"It's probably nothing," she said finally. "Just kind of a feeling I got. I wouldn't want to bother the others with it. And I certainly wouldn't want to spread any unfounded rumors."
She stopped again, as if not sure how to continue.
"Just spit it out," he prompted.
She nodded.
"I want you to keep an eye on Cait."
He frowned.
"What makes you say that?" he questioned.
"Like I said, just a feeling," she replied. "He hasn't done anything to make me suspicious, not really. But he deceived us once when he was spying for Shinra. I would hardly say it's a stretch to think that he might do it again."
Barret looked at her like he thought there was more to this than she was letting on, and indeed, that was exactly what he thought. If she had suspicions about Cait, why had she waited until now to broach them to him? In spite of her statement to the contrary, he must have done something.
"Sure, I'll keep an eye on him if you want me to. I have to admit it's difficult to trust Cait after what he did in our last adventure," he said bluntly. "But in the end he helped us fight against Sephiroth and Shinra. Not to mention that he helped us find the vault at Shinra headquarters just recently. You didn t seem to harbor any suspicions then. Did something happen while we were gone?"
She hesitated again, which made him sure he was right. The only question was whether she was going to share the information with him or not.
"Like I said," she replied. "I don't want to spread any rumors. Especially since I could be reading this completely wrong. It's just that before our mystery man left, he and Cait looked at each other and I thought I saw something in the way Cait looked at him. There was something in his eyes. Something like..."
Barret looked at her impatiently.
"Like what?" he blurted out.
"Recognition," she replied slowly.
Aeris voice. He heard her as clearly as if she were standing in the room right next to him, and for a moment he almost opened his eyes to look. But he didn't. He knew the voice was in his head, yet he also knew that it was not from his own mind that the voice came. He had no doubt that the voice was her's, and her's alone, even though she might not be in the room with him but someplace far away.
"Aeris," he said without speaking. "Aeris, we're coming for you."
For a long time there was no answer, and he sensed some kind of hesitation or perhaps confusion. But her voice was calm and even when she spoke again.
"It is not necessary."
Now he felt confused himself.
"Don't you understand?" he said. "We want you to come back."
He sensed amusement.
"But I haven't gone away," she replied. "I've been there with you all along, just as you have been with me. We are all part of the planet, no matter what form we take. You have no need to feel sorry for me, or for what happened."
Cloud shook his head.
"But I don't just want you to be here in spirit," he replied. "I want you here for real. I want to see you standing before me. I want to see you and touch you. I want to bring you back to this life and I think we may have found a way. Are you telling me you don't want to come back?"
"Being there in spirit is real," she replied softly but emphatically. "Your senses tell you that is not true, but your senses can be deceived. But no, I do not begrudge you your quest. I just want you to be sure of your motives. You owe me nothing. What happened was my fault, if anyone's, but I chose freely, and I accept my fate. You must decide if you are searching for me or yourself."
"I don't understand," he said.
"Let go of your anger and your guilt," she replied, "and then do as your heart tells you."
"My heart tells me to go on," he said immediately.
"But your heart is troubled," he said. "and that prevents you from seeing things clearly. You do not see the road ahead, it is dark and dangerous, and going down the wrong path will lead you swiftly to disaster. You may find that it demands sacrifices you are not prepared to make. You must be sure of yourself."
"We've been down many a dark and dangerous road before," he said.
"Indeed, but this time..."
Then there was silence.
"Aeris?"
Cloud waited, but he got no response, and suddenly he felt deeply troubled. He thought something had happened to her. Someone, or something, had abruptly cut her off, even as she had been in the middle of trying to tell him something important. What had happened?
He called to her for some time, but there was only silence. Try as he might, he could not reestablish contact. Eventually, and inevitably, he fell into a fitful sleep.