Sephiroth grimaced at the sight of the Northern Crater. Which once was the place were the Lifestream flowed, protecting the planet, was now a strip mine and excavation site. Bulldozers, helicopters and workmen were spread throughout the place, he wondered if they have reached the bottom of the crater where the monsters were powerful. But his blood boiled even more when he recognized the logos stamped on the trucks :"Racoon."

"Hey, you! This place is off limits!" A rough voice called from behind, Seohiroth turned to see a fat man dressed in a business suit, holding a cigar. "Did you hear me, mister? This is Racoon property and yer on it." He snapped his fingers, three of the workmen holding mallets approached them.

"Racoon is a fool." He whispered, looking around ignoring the fat man who was cursing and at the same time poking his chest. Then Sephiroth glared at them sharply, making the fat man step back.

"Are you @#%$^ deaf? Get the @#%$ offa' this land, or we'll drag yer #$%&* carcass down the cliff!"

Sephiroth looked at the three men and the other workmen who have stopped to watch them, and with a smile on his face he drew the masamune high in the air. And in a matter of minutes, the Northern Crater was flowing with the blood of his victims.

He walked towards the entrance to the deep cavern and disappeared into the darkness. The powers of the planet were waiting for him.

They went back to the Ancient's City later that day to face Racoon and his monster, hopefully, for the last time. They walked silently but quickly, worried, all of them felt that this may be the last battle they'd fight together. But they had to remain strong, there was hope, they did not know how the planet would help them, once again it would be up to them to save the earth from another lunatic-ruler-wannabe.

Cloud led the way, followed by Barret and Cid, they were heading for the Shell Building, where they first met Racoon's monster. That monster, gigantic in size and ready to absorb whatever materia attack they threw at him. Cloud was afraid, for he knew that they were almost too dependent on their materia powers, he looked behind him at his teammates. Barret was silent, his gun arm raised as if ready to fire should anything step in their way. Cid, on the other hand was calmly puffing on his cigarette, holding his spear on the other hand. Then there was Red XIII and Cait Sith, both of them silently looking around, trying to sense for nearby danger. Then he saw Tifa walking side by side with their light of hope, Aerith. He sighed and continued on making his way to the structures.

"I want to tell you something, Tifa." Aerith whispered, making her voice low that no one but the other lady could hear. Tifa turned her face to her, her eyes, puffy, she'd been crying that evening, since she discovered what Cloud told Aerith.

"I don't want to talk aout it right now." She said icily, walking a little faster. Aerith shrugged and ran after her, touching her arm.

"Tifa, you don't understand, I have to tell you now."

Tifa stopped and looked around, Yuffie and Vincent were following them from behind, coming closer, when they passed, she motioned them to go ahead, then she and Aerith followed, keeping their distance from the rest of the team. "Aerith, there's nothing more to explain. Alright, he chose you, congratulations, good luck to both of you." She said the words sharply, however trembling as tears formed in her eyes.

"But, Tifa...it's not that, it can't---"

"Can't what, Aerith? What do you want to happen? He loves you, you love him, it's as simple as that. It hurts me a lot, but it's the truth. I just have to accept that---" Tifa buried her face in her hands and cried out uncontrollably, but softly, not wanting the other members to know that she was crying. "---I've lost him."

Aerith shook her head, trying to hold the tears back, the only sound that came from her mouth were deep breaths, no words. She could not find anymore strenght to tell Tifa the truth, that Cloud still loves her...and that he would never leave her. But when she opened her eyes, she saw Tifa way ahead of her right behind Yuffie and Vincent, she walked slowly as she thought about everything that has happened in her life.

When they approached the pond by the Shell Building, Cloud stopped and faced them all. "We have to hold back the monster, while Aerith summons the Planet's gift."

Barret, Cid and Cait Sith volunteered to guard the entrance, while Cloud and the rest would stay in the lower levels. Aerith silenetly walked past Cloud and entered the building.

"Aerith...?" Cloud called as she walked by him, but seemed not to hear, he shrugged and turned to Tifa. "Tifa, I want you to stay by her side," He looked at Yuffie, "You too."

Yuffie nodded and ran after Aerith down the spiral staircase. "I'll stay up here, Cloud. You watch over her." Tifa said, smiling.

He shook his head and led her inside. "No, it'll be safer by her side. Red, Vincent and I will watch over the three of you, trust us." He looked back and nodded at Barret before entering the building with Tifa by his side.

All was in place, all they had to do was to wait, hoping that what ever the planet would give them would come fast. Somehow, they hoped that Racoon and the Beast would never attack tghem, they feared for each other. The Beast was too powerful, even just to stall it could prove to be fatal. But they knew that if they fought together, they would conquer the evil that once again threatened the earth.