Cloud sat down on the well, in the center of Nivelheim, facing the mansion. He looked up and saw the familiar starlit sky, the same one that blessed him seven years ago bfore he left for Midgar to join SOLDIER. It was getting cold and the silence of the town seemed uninviting to warm thought of his past.

"Hey, Cloud." A voice called him, he turned around and saw Tifa approaching him from behind the well. "Mind if I join you?"

Cloud smiled and nodded. It was just like that day, when he made a promist to protect Tifa on her hour of need, they were just children back then, but the memories were as fresh as if it happened yesterday. Tifa sat down next to him and lay her head on his shoulder.

"Hey, why are you so silent? Are you alright, Cloud?" She asked her childhood friend. He simply smiled at her and nodded, then looked back towards the mansion. "I know you're worried. We all are, Racoon's turning into another Sephiroth. But we have to remain strong, I know we can defeat him..."

"I know, I'm really glad that all of you are here to help..." Cloud smiled at Tifa. "I know he's hiding something from us and he knows that we'll try to stop him. But...I feel that he wants us to interfere, he wants us to fight him."

Tifa sat up straight and looked at Cloud. "What do you mean?"

"I'm saying that, he's been leaving us in the middle, sometimes he acts innocent then the next moment he makes it obvious that he'd hiding something from us. Now, either he wants us to keep on chasing him or he's a damn bad actor." Cloud leaned back against the well and folded his arms. "That's why I'm not taking anymore chances. I don't trust him, I'm keeping an eye on him and try to predict his next move..." He paused for a second and put his arms around Tifa. "I hope you'll forgive me for my actions, Tifa. I'm afraid that the moment steps out of that mansion with the Black Materia, I'll have to kill him...I can't let the whole tragedy happen again."

"Cloud, I understand." Tifa said, submitting to his embrace.

"Thank you." Cloud said, releasing his embrace and stared back at the mansion.

"Um, Cloud...I want to ask you something..." Tifa said, he turned around and looked at her. "Sure, what?"

"When this is all over, I mean, when the Black materia is really destroyed and Racoon's dead, what are you going to do?"

Cloud looked at the sky. "Well, go back to the Villa...find myself a decent job, aside from killing monsters...yeah, I guess that's it. Unless another wacko decides to threaten the earth again then I guess I'll have to take action again!" He laughed at the thought of what he was going to tell his employer...from a weakling kid that left Nivelheim, to a Shinra SOLDIER wannabe, to the leader of Avalanche turned hero, his life was as colorful as can be. What about office skills?

"Naah, I don't think I'll turn into those tie-and-suit kind of guys." He turned to Tifa, "What about you? Are you still going to live with me in the Villa?"

Tifa smiled and stared at the ground below, "Well, I hope that I'd live there not because I'm just your friend... what I really want is to settle down, have a family...you know, life's too short...we never know when the earth will be threatened again and if we'd lose each other...I've known you all my life, and we've been together through good times and bad...I just thought that..."

Cloud scratched his head and felt his face flush. "Tifa, are you asking me to marry you?" Tifa remained silend for a moment, blushing, then looked at Cloud and nodded. Cloud averted his eyes, his face painted red and turned around. "Uhm, Tifa--I--"

Before he could say anything further, Tifa wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a long passionate kiss. It lasted for minutes, Cloud was trembling, barely responding to the display of affection from his childhood friend, suddenly he released himself from the kiss, gently and scratched the back of his head.

"Tifa, I'm sorry...but I'm not ready yet...please give me more time..." Cloud stuttered. Tifa smiled and put her hand on his arm.

"It's alright, I understand. I know, it wasn't a good time to ask..not when were still threatened by Racoon and the Black Materia." Tifa giggled. "Don't worry, after this mess, I'm sure everthing will be clear for us."

"Thank you, Tifa. I'm really sorry, I didn't want to hurt you. I really do care about you...but I just dont think that this is a good time..."

Tifa nudged Cloud roughly at his ribs. "It's alright, we can wait. I was only teasing."

The path to the secret library was covered with blood and the remains of monsters. Cries and howls could be heard echoing in the dark and dismal place. The corridor that lead to the laboratory of Mardule Racoon was lined with dead beasts, big and small, chopped up into so many pieces that no one would be able to distinguish which arm belonged to who.

Up ahead, the room was opened and more blood was being spilt on the floor and the walls that protected the Materia Drainer Machine from the outside world. Before it a black-cloaked figure stood, covered in the blood of those he slain.

Sephiroth put his hand on the machine and studied the materia orbs inside, there were magic, revival, skills and added effects materia, all linked together and being drained of their energies. It lead to a tube where a blue ribbon of light flowed towards its master, Racoon.

Sephiroth, dug his hand into the matreria pile and pulled out the single white materia orb. It was cold to the touch and smaller than the other orbs. Then he raised his sword and struck the machine.

Tifa and Cloud sat in silence watching the evening sky. "Hey, you two lovebirds!" Yuffie cried form behind, jumping up and startling them. "It's getting late, aren't you guys sleepy, yet?"

"No, Yuffie." Tifa said icily, showing a bit of dissappoinment at the sudden interferance of the ninja girl. Cloud just smiled and continued to stare at the mansion while tightly clutching his materia pouch.

"Oh, well, I was just walking around town, they're all asleep, all the good shops are closed. Oh, by the way, I think Vincent and Red are on their way here. We couldn't sleep, not with the duet of Barret and Cid snoring." Yuffie said sitting down beside Tifa.

'Just great', Tifa thought. It was the first time that she and Cloud were alone in a long time and now her friends come to interrupt. 'Oh, well, when this is over...'

Tifa's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden explosion coming from the mansion. It busrt into flames threatening to spread across town. Cloud stood up and darted for the mansion cursing as he jumped down from the well.

"Get the people out of here!" He yelled, drawing his Buster Sword and bashing throught the gates of the mansion.

"Wait! I'm coming with you!" Tifa ran after Cloud. "Yuffie, you stay here and help the others!"

"Good idea! You guys go and beat the crap out of Racoon while I help---" Her eyes spotted the townsfolk running out of the materia store, a huge grin came across her face. "While I help these good people carry their loads..heheheh..."

Cloud ran to the mansion with Tifa by his side. "Racoon, the game is over!!" He yelled, then kicked the door open. The main hall was on fire, the portraits on the walls were melting and the chandlier had fallen on the marble floor. Then from the balcony, Racoon's body came falling down and hitting the ground hard.

They ran to him, he was bloodied and covered with deep cuts. Then they looked up and gazed in horror at the cold eyes staring back at them.

"Se--Sephiroth..." Cloud whispered, his eyes wide and his arms weakened suddenly. Sephiroth cold stare pierced Cloud's soul. Then he regained his composure and raised his sword. "Sephiroth! Come down here and fight me!"

Sephirpth grinned, he had no time to deal with his former adversaries, with a wave of his hand, he summoned a lightning bolt that electrocuted Cloud and sent him and Tifa to the ground twitching. Sephiroth jumped down from the balcony and landed in front of Cloud and Tifa.

"I can kill you right now..." He said mockingly kicking Cloud's side. Cloud jumped in the air and retaliated with a kick which Sephiroth blocked easily and at the same time drove an uppercut to his chin, Cloud staggered back drunkedly and fell.

"You are still weak." Sephiroth raised his blade and prepared to slice Cloud down, when another explosion rocked the mansion. Sephiroth, looked up and and then back to Cloud. "Next time we meet, I hope you will be stronger."

And with that, Sephiroth leaped up to the balcony, leaving Cloud on his knees. "Sephiroth---you coward, let's finish this NOW!!!!" Tifa ran to his side and helped him up.

"Cloud, it's too dangerous, we have to get out of here before the place falls down on us--"

"No, I have to--"Cloud weakly protested, then they heard a window crash and Sephiroth leaped out of the building. Their eyes went wide at what they saw he cradled in his arms. Her white face, buried in his chest, her green eyes calm and turned towards them, her smile, still warmer than the fire that seared their skin. They only caught a glimpse of her calm, innocent face but it was enough to bring back hope and the pain.

"AERITH!!!" Cloud screamed running after Sephiroth, but they disappeared into the mountains. Cloud stood before the burning town in disbelief. Aerith was alive...and Sephiroth had her. It was confusing, but his mission was clear, he had to get her back. He would not let go of this chance to set everything right again.