FINAL FANTASY VII:

Return of Sephiroth PART 2
Sephiroth in Manhattan
By: Dave (Cloud)

     Cloud and the rest of gang stumble out of the now ruined Highwind. “Where are we”? Barret asked. “I don’t know, but wherever we are, Sephiroth is here with us,” Cloud answered. Cid came up from the control room. “We have a problem,” Cid announced, “the engine has been flooded with water and is now inoperable.” “So your saying the Highwind is a sitting, floating duck,” Cait Sith said. “That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Cid replied, “Unless we can get the ship out of the water, were stuck here.” “Shit!” Cloud shouted. “Red, how long until the portal collapses?” Vincent asked. “If I remember correctly, the portal should stay open for another 48 to 72 hours,” Red answered. “Hey!” Tifa shouted, “I see land!” Everyone looked toward the Statue of Liberty. “All right,” Cloud said,” we’ll swim for that statue.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

     The team jumps in the cool water and swims for the Statue of Liberty. “We’re almost there!” Cloud shouted to the rest of the team. They finally reached Liberty Island and swam ashore. “Whew,” Cid exclaimed,” that was one hell of a swim!” “You said it.” Barret agreed. “Hey Red, do you see any boats or rafts or something?” Cloud asked. “Sorry Cloud,” Red responded,” There is no site of any craft whatsoever.” “I guess we’ll just have to sleep here tonight.” Cloud said. As the team was ready to go to sleep a security guard spotted them. “Hey!” the guard shouted, “What do you people think you’re doing here! The statue is closed! Can’t you read the sign.” “We’re sorry sir,” Cloud replied, “but our airship crashed just over there and now we have no where else to go for right now.” “Is it possible you could call a boat or something?” Tifa asked. “Sorry, but you folks are outta luck. The next boat doesn’t come here until 10a.m. tomorrow morning,” he responded. “Damn!” Cid said. “Well, is it possible we could spend the night here?” Red asked. “HOLY SMOKES! A talking dog!” the security guard said. “Oh, him. Don’t be afraid of him. He won’t bite you or rip your head off,” Cait Sith said. “Oh, well that’s nice. Anyway since you youngsters don’t have anywhere else to go, you can sleep here for the night,” the guard said. “Thanks a lot!” Cloud said.

     The guard leads the crew up to the blocked off torch. “Well you can sleep here. Sorry, but it’s no fancy hotel room or anything,” the guard said. “It’ll do,” Cid said. The guard sits down and fixes himself some tea. “What year is this?” Cloud asked. “What year is it?” the guard asked with a puzzled look, “It’s 1999.” “Did you say 1999?” Cait Sith said in a panicked voice. “Yeah, why do you ask?” the guard asked. “1999. The year Shinra’s doomsday missile hits the polar ice cap!” Cait Sith said as he ran up to Cloud. “Doomsday missile?” the guard asked. “It’s a long story,” said Cait Sith. “ Where are we?” Barret asked. “Manhattan, of course,” the guard responded. “Lets just get some sleep.” Yuffie said. “Good night everyone,” Tifa said. Everyone responded back.

     In the morning, Cloud and the rest of the gang went downstairs and outside the statue. “It’s almost 10 o’ clock,” Cid said as he looked at his watch, “There should be a boat coming anytime now.” “I see it!” Yuffie shouted. A small tourist boat was approaching the statue. When the boat stopped and let the tourists off, Cloud went up to the driver. “Excuse me, but can you take us to the mainland?” Cloud asked. “How did you get here before everyone else?” the driver asked. “It’s a long story,” Cloud replied. Suddenly, everyone screamed. “What the hell IS that?” one guy asked. “Is it an alien ship?” another guy asked. “That’s our busted airship,” Cid answered. “Is it a government prototype for some space mission?” an old guy asked. “No, it’s just a plain old airship,” Cid answered. Cid turned to Cloud. “God, these people are STUPID!” “Cid, we’re in the 20th century,” Cait Sith replied, “these people have never seen an airship.” “Oh, right.” Cid said. Cloud handed the driver of the boat some gil. “What is this?” he asked. “It’s money,” Cloud said, “now could you please take us to the mainland?” “I only accept American currency,” the driver said. “Here,” the guard said, “It’s on me.” “Thanks.” Tifa said. “Okay, climb aboard.” The driver said.

     As the boat approached Manhattan, the crew was astonished by how tall the buildings were. “Damn! Look at those twin towers!” Cid said. “They’re WAY bigger than the AVALANCHE building.” Barret said. In the back of the boat, Tifa looked out toward the calm sea.” “You okay?” Cloud asked. “I’m worried about our kids, that’s all,” she answered. “Don’t worry, said Cloud, “I left a note saying we’ll be gone for a while. Besides, Reeve will take care of them.” “I guess you’re right,” she said. The boat finally docked in Manhattan. “All aboard!” said the driver. “All right, friends,” Cloud said, “We have about two or three days before this portal closes. Red, how can we keep the portal open longer?” “You need a device that can send out a pulse that disrupts the flow of time. In other words, you need something that can open a gateway in the time stream,” Red said. “There is nothing in this time period that can do that either,” Cait Sith added. “Well, we have no other choice but to hurry and destroy Sephiroth and then get back to our own time period,” Cloud said. Everyone nods in agreement. “We must stop Sephiroth before he puts his plan to action,” Cloud said. “MOVE OUT!” Cid shouted. “Right!” Cait Sith shouted, “Taxi!” The crew gets in two different taxis. “Where to?” the driver asked. “Umm…well… hey Red? Where in the city is the portal over?” Cloud asked. “Here!” Red shouted as he pointed to Central Park on the map, “I remember seeing it when we came out of the portal.” “Take us here, sir!” Cloud said as he pointed to the map. “We need to hurry if were gonna stop Sephiroth in time,” Barret said. “This city… I know it somehow,” Vincent said in a puzzled voice. “What do you mean?” Tifa asked. “I not quite sure,” Vincent answered, “but it just seems familiar.” The cabs drove off right for Central Park. “I’m turning on the TV,” Cait Sith said, “they might have something about Sephiroth.” Cait Sith turned on the TV just as a news bulletin came on. “This CNN reporting live from Central Park, where a guard was found stabbed to death just a few minutes ago.” “Sephiroth!” Barret shouted. “SHHH!” Cloud said. The reporter continues to talk. “We have a police sketch of the suspect.” A sketched picture of Sephiroth appears on the screen. “We just got this in that the suspect is still in the park and goes by the name Sephiroth.” The team just looked at each other speechless. “Well, I guess Sephiroth as started his plan,” Cloud said, “and this time there may be no stopping him.” “Listen,” Red said, “We’ve beaten him once, we can do it again.” “He has too much power,” Cloud said in an angry voice, “anybody who has that much power has the ability to rule all of time!” The cab sped of toward Central Park.

     Unknown to the team though, Sephiroth was already putting his plan into action. The cool, sunny day brought many people to Central Park. They had little idea it would be their last day alive. Sephiroth walked down the street, heading right for the park. “My master plan is working,” he said to himself,” Cloud and the others will soon be trapped here in this time period while I return to the future and take over the world! The time is just around the corner, mother. We will rule all of time together, FOREVER! HAAAAA HAA HAAAA! Sephiroth reached the entrance. The guard there saw him recognized him and pulled out his gun. “You there! Freeze!” he said. “You will be the second of many to fall at the hands of the great Sephiroth!” Sephiroth said. The guard fired his gun at him, only to find that the bullets could not hurt him. “You fool!” Sephiroth said,” you think you can hurt me but my strength is far superior than you think.” Sephiroth charged at him with his Masamune, stabbing him through the heart. He removed the sword from the guard’s heart. “The blood of fools shall stain this blade of mine as a warning to all humanity!” Sephiroth said as he walked in the park. Earth’s fate was just beginning.

     The taxi pulled up to the Central Park gate. “We’re here,” Yuffie said as she got out of the taxi. Cait’s friend walks up to inspect the dead body. “Guys! Come here!” he shouted. The rest of the team approached the body. “OH MY GOD!” Tifa shouted as she looked at the body. “His heart has been ripped out,” Vincent said. “Why would he do such a gross thing?” Red asked. “To prove his power,” Cloud answered, “to tell us he isn’t gonna be so easy to defeat.” The whole team entered the once beautiful park, now a park turned into a place of terror and chaos as Sephiroth rampaged through it.

     Off the American Atlantic Seaboard, an aircraft carrier and several battleships were approaching. “Yes Admiral, we will reach the U.S. coastline in about five minutes,” said the captain. “Excellent,” the admiral said, “Are the jets ready for take off?” “Yes sir!” the captain answered,” We’ll launch them on your order.” “Launch them,” the admiral ordered. The admiral went to an intercom and spoke to the leader of the flight squadron. “The latest report on Sephiroth’s whereabouts was in Central Park. That was about an hour ago but he might still be in there. Be careful on what you’re firing at. I don’t want innocent people getting hurt.” “Yes sir. Setting course for Central Park,” the pilot responded. Four navy jets took off from the carrier. They approached the city quickly. “Admiral, we have the city in view,” the squad leader said,” We should reach Central Park in about one minute.” “Well done,” said the admiral as he turned the intercom off. He turns and looks at the captain. “Pray to God they’ll be safe,” the admiral said.

     Cloud and the rest of the crew continue to search for Sephiroth. “We’ve been searching for almost an hour and still no Sephiroth,” Barret said. “It’s like he vanished into thin air,” Red added. Just then they hear people screaming. “This way!” Cid shouted. They ran toward the zoo. “All right friends,” Cloud said, “pull out your weapons and get ready.” Cloud pulls out is Ultima Weapon while Cid holds his Venus Gospel. Everyone was ready for the final confrontation as they walked in the zoo. They crept carefully though so he wouldn’t hear them. “I think the screams came from that building over there,” Barret said quietly. “We’ll check it out,” Cloud said quietly. They entered the building, only to find innocent children slaughtered on the floor. “That sick BASTARD!” Cid shouted. Tifa screamed at the site. “That does it Sephiroth!” Cloud shouted at the top of his lungs, “you’ve proven your point! You are more powerful than ever, is that it Sephiroth? ANSWER ME! “I see you finally get the picture,” Sephiroth said as he appeared behind the team. “Why did you kill these, poor innocent children? Huh, WHY!?” Cid shouted. “It’s all part of my plan,” Sephiroth answered, “you see, by wiping out all life on Earth, I can have free access to the portal. That way I can control all of time and live forever! You think this is bad, watch this!” Sephiroth floated away and headed for the Empire State Building. He perched himself above the building and began to transform. “Now feel the wrath of the One Winged Angel!” Sephiroth shouted. Sephiroth finally transformed into the One Winged Angel. Just as he was about to build up his power, he saw the jets coming from a distance. “More annoying people to get out of my way,” he said, “I can take care of these guys with no problem.”

     The fighter jets approached Sephiroth quickly. “Admiral!” the squad leader said, “He’s transformed into a something else that I can’t explain!” “Hold your course, pilot,” the admiral said, “and fire missiles on my mark!” “Yes sir!” the squad leader said. As the jets were getting ready to fire, Sephiroth was building up his power. “In range, admiral!” the squad leader announced. “FIRE!” the admiral shouted. Each jet fired two missiles at Sephiroth. “Missiles away!” the squad leader said. Sephiroth saw the oncoming missiles. “They will never learn, will they?” Sephiroth said. He put up a Reflect shield around himself. The missiles reflected off Sephiroth and headed for the jets. “Shit!” the squad leader shouted, “Admiral the missiles have deflected off of him and are coming right for us!” “Oh my God! Get outta there!” the admiral shouted. The missiles collided together, knocking out two of the jets. Cloud and the rest of the team were watching from below. “Nothing can stop him!” Cait Sith shouted in a panicked frenzy. “Admiral, we just lost two jets!” the captain reported. “Pilot, GET OUTTA THERE NOW!” the admiral shouted. “I’ve lost control of the jet!” the squad leader said. The squad leader suddenly crashed right into the Empire State Building. The other jet slammed to the ground near where Cloud and the others were. “Damn! That was close!” Cid shouted. “Uh… guys look,” Yuffie said as she pointed to Sephiroth. “You pathetic fools! I warned you guys that you can’t defeat me! I now must teach you all a lesson. A lesson that will teach you to bow down to the One Winged Angel!” Sephiroth shouted. Suddenly the worst happened. He shot down a huge purple beam through the Empire State Building and it spread through the city. It was the Heartless Angel move. Vincent collapsed in shock. “This was my vision!” he exclaimed, “It was this city he wiped out.” It all lasted a few minutes. The only survivors of Manhattan were Cloud and the team and Sephiroth. Cloud and the party looked around. All they could see was dead bodies. The question that went through their minds was why did he spare them? What does Sephiroth have in store for Cloud and the rest of AVALANCHE?