FINAL FANTASY VII:

Return of Sephiroth PART 4
WEAPONS on a Rampage

By: Dave (Cloud)

     “It’s closing on us FAST! “Cid shouted as he looked out the window. The Emerald WEAPON approached the battleship. “Any ideas?” the commander asked. “Well, since our materia is useless here, we have no other ideas,” Cloud said. “Can we take him out with our cannons?” the commander asked a fellow crewmate. “I’m not sure,” he responded, “it seems to be made out of a material that we’ve never seen or come up against.” “The only way to know for sure is to try,” the commander said, “Get ready to fire on my mark.” The battleship’s weapons locked on the WEAPON as it got closer and closer to the battleship. The Emerald WEAPON locked on the ship with its lasers. “Sir!” a crewmember shouted, “It seems to be charging up its weapons.” The Emerald WEAPON fired its lasers. “Brace for impact!” the commander said as the lasers tore through the hull of the ship. “Heavy damage to the engine room!” the crewmember shouted, “It’s gonna blow!” “%$#@!” Barret exclaimed, “We need to get off this ship and fast!” AVALANCHE and the ship’s crew raced for the lifeboats just as Emerald WEAPON’s lasers struck the hull again. The blast barely missed AVALANCHE but killed most of the crew including the ship’s commander. “That was #$@%$# close!” Cid shouted. “We can’t take another hit like that,” Cloud said as he ran toward the lifeboats. Suddenly the ship started to topple over. “AHHHH!” Yuffie shouted, “We’re gonna DIE!” “We won’t if we keep moving and you shut up!” Red shouted as he pushed Yuffie aside. The team got in the lifeboats and departed from the sinking battleship. Just as they got off, Emerald WEAPON fired its lasers for the third time, completely destroying the battleship.

     As the team watched the explosion, Reeve emerged from the portal. They inspected the now ghost town of Manhattan. “This is unreal,” Reeve said in shock, “How could anyone do something like this.” “I’ve never seen anything like it,” the pilot said. The attack chopper flew over the city. “There,” Reeve said as he pointed to the destroyed the Chrysler Building, “that’s where Cait Sith was last before he was destroyed.” The chopper landed near the wreckage. Reeve went over and began digging for the remains of Cait Sith and his friend. He found Cait’s friend’s body crushed under the debris with a shattered tequila bottle. “I almost feel sorry for him,” Reeve said as he continued to dig. As he dug he found chips and stuffing everywhere. Reeve gathered as much stuff as he could and then went back to the chopper. “Reeve!” the pilot answered, “I’ve found Cloud’s location. It seems they’re about 50 miles off the coast.” “Let’s get there as soon as possible,” Reeve said as he climbed back in the chopper, “I have a feeling they’re in trouble.” The black and gray attack chopper took off and headed for the ocean.

     Reeve was correct. AVALANCHE was in trouble. The Emerald WEAPON slowly approached the two lifeboats they were in. “Oh crap!” Barret shouted, “Its coming right for us!” “What are we gonna do?” Tifa asked. “Well guys,” Cloud said, “I guess this is the end. If our materia worked, we could kick this guy’s sorry ass.” “We’re DOOMED!” Yuffie shouted. Just as hope seemed to fade the attack chopper came to the rescue. “We’re saved!” Red shouted. “Drop the mako bomb now!” Reeve shouted. The chopper dropped the mako bomb in the water. “Cloud, everybody, grab on!” Reeve said as he threw a ladder down to them. “What are you doing here, Reeve?” Cloud asked. “I’m here to save your ass!” Reeve answered. Everyone climbed the long, rough, leathery ladder up to the attack chopper. The Emerald WEAPON ate the bomb and submerged in the water. Yuffie and Red were the lasts ones up the ladder. “Okay Yuffie,” Cloud said, “Grab Red and climb up!” “Okay,” she said. As she was climbing, Red looked down on the water. “Yuffie, HURRY!” he shouted. “I’m going as fast as I can,” she said. As Yuffie and Red got aboard, the Emerald WEAPON suddenly rose out of the water and fired a laser at the chopper. “Direct hit to the tail!” the pilot shouted. Just as Emerald WEAPON was about to fire another shot the bomb blew him to a million pieces. The shock wave blew the attack chopper a good 200 miles east. “Everyone all right?” Reeve asked. “Yeah, we’re fine,” Cid responded.

     “Reeve,” Cloud said, “back on that statue you mentioned something about a doomsday missile. Does it really exist?” “Yes,” Reeve answered, “it was the missile that went through the polar icecap and penetrated the core. When that happened, it superheated the core into plasma like substance. That is really how the Lifestream formed.” “Then what about Holy and materia?” Barret asked. “Holy has always been around,” Reeve answered, “On this planet certain people have supernatural abilities in which if the planet was threatened they can use this secret weapon to protect it. It’s only been used once and that was for the destruction of Meteor. We know them better as the Ancients. When people found out about this, they began to hunt them down and kill them for their powers. When people found out about the missile, it was too late to call Holy. So, the Ancients protected the people and condensed their powers in orbs we know as Materia. The Ancient’s powers have always come from deep in the core of the earth. That’s why when mako condenses, it forms materia.” “So that’s the truth,” Red said. “Why didn’t we ever know about this?” Tifa demanded. “The information was held in top secret files the Shinra made after the missile hit. They didn’t want people to know the truth because if they did, there would be a major rebellion,” Reeve answered. “So where to?” the pilot asked. “The commander said Sephiroth was heading for this city named Paris,” Cloud answered. “Ah, yes Paris,” Reeve said, “the most beautiful city in Western Europe.” “How do you know about Paris?” Red asked. “The Shinra had files on cities in the 20th century,” Reeve responded. “Let’s just find some land and ask where Paris is,” Cloud said. The attack chopper flew away toward the Iceland coast.

     Seven long hours passed before land was spotted. The attack chopper landed in Iceland. “I don’t think this is Paris,” Yuffie said. “Sir,” the pilot asked a passing civilian, “Where are we located?” “Iceland, of course,” the guy answered. “Could you tell us where Paris is?” Cid asked. “Oh man you guys are a long way from Paris,” the guy answered, “Paris is about a thousand miles southeast of here.” “We don’t have enough fuel to take us that far,” Reeve reported. “Okay then,” Cloud said, “We’ll spend the night here and then refuel.” The whole team nodded in agreement.

     That night was a chilly, windy one. AVALANCHE sat near a campfire they made. “This reminds me of home,” Red said, “the home in which I may never see again.” “Come on Red,” Tifa responded, “Be strong and have faith.” “It’s not as easy as you think, Tifa,” Red said, “I mean come on. Look at what Sephiroth has already done. He’s wiped out a whole city, destroyed an entire naval fleet and has once again woken up the WEAPONS.” “Nothing is impossible, Red,” Barret said, “We’ve defeated Sephiroth before and we can do it again.” “Barret’s right! We can kick his ass again!” Yuffie shouted. The sun had completely set now and the night began to get colder. “Well guys, lets get some rest. We have a busy day ahead of us,” Cloud said.

     In the middle of the night, the sounds of screams woke the team up. “What is everyone screaming about?” Tifa asked. “I don’t know but lets find out!” Cloud shouted. The team got their ultimate weapons and ran toward the base. “HOLY #@$#!” Cid replied, “It’s the Ruby WEAPON!” “He’s destroying the base!” Red shouted. “Reeve, you, Tifa and Yuffie get the attack chopper and prepare to fire on him,” Cloud ordered, “The rest of us will see what we can do down here. “Be careful, Cloud,” Tifa said as she hugged her husband. “Don’t worry about me,” Cloud said, “I’ll be alright.” The two kissed each other and then departed. “Pilot,” Reeve ordered, “Head for the Ruby WEAPON!” “Yes sir!” the pilot responded, “heading for Ruby WEAPON.” Reeve locked on Ruby with mini mako missiles. “Hang on, girls,” Reeve said, “this might get a little rough.” On the ground, Cloud, Barret, Cid, Red XIII and Vincent were trying to distract Ruby. “Okay guys get ready to attack on the count of three,” Cloud said, “1… 2… 3… ATTACK!” The five heroes ran right for the Ruby WEAPON. Ruby saw them running toward him and decided to go after them. “It worked!” Cid shouted. “Here we go,” Cloud said, “OMNISLASH!” “CATASTROPHE!” Barret shouted. “BIG BRAWL!” Cid shouted (the Highwind crashed so Cid can’t call it). “COSMO MEMORY!” Red shouted. “CHAOS!” Vincent shouted. Cloud attacked with the Omnislash at full force. The WEAPON was stunned a bit but was able to knock Cloud about 50 feet away. The other four weren’t much more successful. Vincent got pounded trying to do Chaos Saber on Ruby while Barret, Cid and Red were smacked a good 70 feet away. “Okay that didn’t work so well,” Vincent said dazed.

     “They’re getting creamed down there!” Tifa shouted in a fearful voice, “Oh Cloud don’t die on me!” “Don’t worry, Tifa,” Reeve said, “Cloud’s a fighter. He survived severe mako poisoning.” “Your right,” Tifa said. “Ready to fire missiles, Reeve,” the pilot said as he held the trigger. “Fire!” Reeve shouted. The pilot fired off four mako missiles. One missile went right through Ruby’s stomach. Two more knocked him on the ground and the other blew off his right arm. Tifa and Yuffie cheered. “Don’t too excited,” Reeve said, “he isn’t completely finished. He can still destroy us.” This made Tifa and Yuffie very uncomfortable. The Ruby WEAPON stumbled to his feet. He saw the attack chopper and charged up his Ruby Ray. “Shit!” Barret shouted, “He’s gonna attack the chopper!” “TIFA!” Cloud shouted. “Reeve he’s charging his ray up!” the pilot shouted. “Quick, push the eject button!” Reeve shouted. The pilot did so. “It’s not responding!” the pilot yelled. “Yuffie grab the parachutes in the back!” Reeve ordered. Yuffie quickly ran to the back of the chopper. “Reeve, we only have two parachutes!” she shouted in an alarming voice. “SHIT!” Reeve shouted,” Tifa, you get one and Yuffie and I will get one.” “Two people can’t fit in a parachute,” she said. “Grab on to my back!” Just as they were about to jump, Yuffie dropped some of her hard -earned materia. “My materia!” she shouted as she got off Reeve and ran to pick up her materia. “Yuffie!” Tifa shouted. “Don’t worry about her just jump!” Reeve shouted. “I can’t leave Yuffie behind!” Tifa shouted. “We don’t have time to save her!” Reeve shouted. Just as the two jumped, Ruby fired his ray and blew the attack chopper up to pieces. Reeve and Tifa parachute safely to the ground. Cloud and the others ran up to them. “I’m so glad you’re alright!” Cloud said as he hugged Tifa. Tifa started to cry. “What’s wrong?” Cloud asked. “Yuffie… Yuffie… didn’t make it,” she said in a sobbing voice. The Ruby WEAPON suddenly fell over dead. It died of an overload when it fired it’s Ruby Ray because it had severe stomach and chest damage. “Two down, three to go,” Cid said.

     As the team walked back to their campsite and mourned the loss of Yuffie, they heard Sephiroth’s evil laugh. “So, you guys have survived this long,” he said as he appeared in front of them, “I’m impressed.” “You MURDERER!” Tifa shouted, “It’s because of you we’ve lost Cait Sith and Yuffie!” It’s because of you that millions of innocent people died!” “Listen Sephiroth,” Cloud said, “you’ve gone too far this time! I challenge to fight me here right now, right here!” Sephiroth just mocked him. “You may have defeated me seven years ago, but I shall win this time and there’s nothing you can do to stop me!” “Okay you son of a $#$%#! You asked for it! Omnislash!” Cloud shouted. As Cloud charged at him, Sephiroth dodged him and kicked him into a tree. “CLOUD!” Tifa shouted. “HAHAHAHA! Your pathetic moves won’t work this time,” Sephiroth said as he stood over Cloud,” I have learned to counter them which makes you unable to defeat me!” “Leave Cloud alone!” Tifa shouted,” or you’ll have to take me down as well!” “Do I sense pity for this weak fool?” Sephiroth asked. ‘He’s not weak!” Cid shouted, “he kicked your sorry ass last time and he’ll do it again!” “Oh really,” Sephiroth said, “then how come he isn’t doing that right now? I am wasting precious time putting up with you fools. Now if you excuse me, I must continue with my plan! If you wish to follow, head southeast across the ocean to the city with a tall, metal tower.” Sephiroth flew away laughing. “Lets get Cloud to bed,” Reeve said.

     In the morning, Cloud regained consciousness. “Oh, what happened?” he asked. “Sephiroth kicked your ass!” Barret responded. “My head feels like shit!” Cloud said. “It’ll hurt for a while,” Tifa said as she kissed him. “So how are we gonna get to Paris?” Vincent asked. “I can take you there,” a guy said, “My name’s Joe. I happen to be a bomber pilot and I have a shipment in Paris that I need to pick up. If you want, I could give you a lift. “We really appreciate it, Joe,” Tifa said. “Then it’s settled,” Joe said, “I’m leaving in one hour. I’ll see you folks out at the airfield.” The team waved bye to Joe as he left the room. “We still have a chance of stopping Sephiroth,” Cloud said as he sat up in bed. “Okay gang lets MOVE OUT!” Cid shouted. The crew went to the airfield about 50 minutes later. “Almost loaded,” Joe said as he pushed a cargo crate in the back of the plane, “Why don’t you guys get in and get ready for take off.” “We really appreciate this, Joe,” Cloud said. “So, you guys are going after that Sephiroth character?” Joe asked. “We sure are,” Cid answered. “You guys have guts. I have to give you credit for that,” Joe said. “Well, we’ve defeated Sephiroth before in the future,” Cloud said, “and I believe we can do it again!” “Alright friends,” Joe said, “Get ready for take off!” The bomber took off from the airfield and headed for Paris. “How long until we get there?” Tifa asked. “About 7 to 8 hours,” Joe responded. “Let’s just get there as fast as we can,” Cloud said, “before Sephiroth can do anymore damage or take anymore lives!” The big bomber flew over the gracious waters of the North Atlantic toward the city of the final confrontation: Paris.

Part 5
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