Sephiroth lived in constant fear of having his mind attacked. His nights were not filled with sleep, and he spent most hours of the night laying back on the couch, staring at the ceiling.

Zack had taken Tifa to a doctor to get her pregnancy started on the right foot, as Cloud was obviously not going to do it. He still refused to speak to Tifa, unless she was in his way. In fact, his attitude got worse. He hadn't come out of his room in the last three days, and no matter what the effort, he wouldn't leave. He either shouted everyone away or simply did not answer. What was wrong with him no one knew.

Tayeko spent each night practicing with her weapon and materia. Cid bought her a pair of shiny, silver handguns, lightweight and easy to use. Shooting two guns was harder than one, but also more fun.

Yuffie'd only become more frustrated with Striker. He didn't show definate signs of interest in either girl. Just when she thought he had his eyes on her, he'd do something to make Kat think the same thing.

Tseng spent every night in the bar. No one in AVALANCHE really talked to him besides Aeris and Tayeko, and they were both usually off on their own tangents. He drank more frequently, and called Elena constantly, hanging up whenever her voice came through. He was sure she was getting angry with these mysterious calls. He was also beginning to enjoy Cait's antics at the bar, though he felt truly sorry for Reeve's lack of a life.

Cid was sneaking on the phone everyday, talking to Shera for hours. How he truly loved that woman. He never smoked one cigarette while he was talking to her. He often heard Marlene's voice in the background, screaming "Uncle Cid!" He hoped the little girl wouldn't tell later. That was the last thing he needed, taunts about Shera. He'd almost been caught when Barret walked in the room one time he was on the phone. He lied, saying he was calling in a part for the Tiny Bronco, and slammed the phone down.

Vincent many nights wandered out of Kalm to visit the peaks over looking the ocean. There was nothing that interested him in town. He simply liked to stare at the stars, envisioning his beloved's beautiful face in the sky. He hoped that perhaps he'd be able to find her again one day.

Vincent also noticed several nights, Red XIII was also by the beach, howling his heart out to the moon. Probably mourning his grandfather, Bugenhagen. Vincent understood the red beast's pain. Losing a loved one was truly painful.

"Things just can't get any better, can they, Dark Nation?" Rufus said to his pet, who was laying on the floor by his feet.

Rufus sighed as the phone began to ring.

"I can't take much more of this!" He screamed. He spun around to his desk and grabbed the receiver.

"Yes!?"

"Mr. President," his secretary began in a nervous voice, "A very important call for you on line two."

"Who the hell is it?" he demanded.

"Pro...Professor Hojo."

Rufus' face fell. "Thank you, Taryn," he said, clicking over.

"Hello?"

"Ahh, Rufus, my boy!" Hojo taunted. "How nice it is to finally speak to you!"

"Hojo, are you still in my goddamned building?"

"Of course, of course," Hojo answered. "Why, is there a problem?"

Rufus rose to his feet, taking the phone with him. "Look, Hojo, I don't know what the hell you're up to, but I want my freaking building back! Give it back!"

"My, my, a pity," Hojo mused. "Let's not have a temper tantrum, hmm? I thought we got over that when were were five."

"Shut up Hojo!" Rufus screamed. "Don't think you can treat me anyway you like! I owned your ass!"

"Hmm, yes, the past is a pretty wretchid thing, I suppose," Hojo said. "But its the same with the Turks, right? They're not around for you to boss around anymore, either, now are they?"

"Shut up!"

"Such a pity, Rufus, such a pity."

Rufus was blowing so much steam, even Dark Nation had become upset and was pacing the room with his master. "What did you call me for, Hojo? What tricks have you got up your sleeve? And where's that damn Jenova alien? What are you doing in my building?!"

"So many questions!" Hojo exclaimed. "I called you because I have a proposal to make."

"What?"

"Heh, heh. By this time in a day or two, there'll be a new ruler of this world."

Rufus stood enraged. "Oh, and let me just guess who that'll be."

"If you guessed me, you win the prize," Hojo said. "But I won't be the face of the rule. Someone else will, someone who I think will surprise you."

"Who?"

"No, no, now didn't I just say it was a surprise?"

"Hojo, if you think you're gonna take my empire from me and rule the world, with somebody else as a front, you've got another thing coming!"

"Really," Hojo said, unconvinced. "How is that?"

Rufus stammered. "I...I.. I won't have it!"

Hojo laughed. "Listen to my proposal, Rufus."

"You need to hold a press conference as soon as possible. You need to announce that you are abandoning Shin-Ra, INC. Tell the world that the company is no more. Tell them that the world's power will be ensured by a new force.

"You're going to give all of your funds to me. All of your power. All your factories, your machiniery, reactors - anything. Anything you own, it becomes MINE. And the world must know you are nothing more than common folk. Ensure them to trust the new power. Convince them you weren't cut out for this after your Daddy died."

Rufus was so red by the time Hojo had finished, Dark Nation thought he'd explode.

"You fucking psycho!" He screamed whole heartedly into the phone. "You have truly lost your mind! What makes you think I'll ever do that?"

"I'll force you!"

"You don't scare me, Hojo!" Rufus yelled. "No one scares me! No one ever has!"

"I hear the fear in your voice, Rufus," Hojo teased. "You're just a little boy."

"I won't do it! Forget it!"

"Like I said, I'll just force you."

"HA! How? Nothing in this world could force me to resign myself to such a fate."

Hojo laughed for several minutes.

"Oh, dear, sweet Rufus. Shall I tell you?"

"What the fuck are you talking about, lunatic?!"

"Alright, then, Rufus," Hojo said, a smile in his voice. "If you don't comply, I'll kill Samantha."

Rufus was silent for a moment. "W-who's Samantha?" He knew only one person named Samantha, and Hojo could not be referring to her.

Hojo laughed. "Come, Rufus! Surely you haven't forgotten your own mother!"

Rufus frowned. "What kind of sick game are you trying to play, Hojo?" he demanded. "My mother's been dead for twelve years!"

Hojo laughed so hard Rufus wanted to tear his own hair out. Why did that bastard have to bring up his mother?

A little boy looked over the railing at the top of the tall, regal staircase, clutching his teddy bear close. On the floor below, his parents stood, the fat blonde man he knew as his father and the gorgeous red head that was his mother.

"Samantha, you aren't going anywhere," his father boomed at the top of his voice. "You can't walk out on this family!"

"I'll do whatever I damn well please, Harry," his mother shouted, pulling her coat on. "I'm not happy here. The nerve of you to call this a family! You're never around!"

"Shut up!"

"I know your schemes, Harry," his mother cried. "News travels fast from the Honey Bee Inn. I know it all!"

"I said shut up, you arrogant bitch!"

His hand flew across her face.

The little boy wanted to cry, but knew better. Instead, he clutched that teddy bear for all it was worth.

His mother spat a bit of blood on the marble floor. "I'm leaving, right now," she declared. "Where's Rufus?"

"You've got to be kidding," His father laughed, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're not going anywhere with that boy."

"He's my son!" his mother cried.

"He's my heir!" the father screamed. "You won't take him!"

His mother burst into tears. "Fine! I'm leaving now, without him! God help his precious soul, that he will not end up like you!" She headed for the door.

"If you step of that door, you'll be dead before the night is through!"

The little boy was scared. His pet, a small black puppy named Dark Nation, crept up close next to the trembling boy. The boy reached out a hand and stroked its neck.

"That's just a risk I'll have to take!" His mother screamed. She ran out the door.

His father cursed a blue streak and broke several glass objects that were seated around the room. He then picked up the phone.

"Yes... Tseng? This is the President. My wife just left the east wing. Kill her immediately."

The little boy didn't know what it all meant. Why did his mother leave with out him? She was the only person that loved him, and the only person he loved, beside Cuddles the teddy bear and Dark Nation. Why did she leave? And why did his father want to kill her?

He didn't realize until much later.

"My mother is dead!" Rufus screamed into the phone. "My father had her killed when she tried to leave him!"

"That is only the story you've been told," Hojo said. "Have you ever seen her body?"

Rufus hesitated. "No..."

"Very well. Your mother is alive. She lives in Kalm, alone. Would you like proof?"

Rufus' blood was boiling. "Yes..."

In the new Shin-Ra building, Hojo motioned to Jenova, and the alien nodded, waving her hands through the air, casting a spell. Back in Junon, an image projected itself before Rufus' very eyes.

There he saw, the woman who was his mother. Of course she had aged some, but she was still his mother. She was sitting in a small den, holding a picture of him in her hand He noticed other pictures of himself around the room. His mother was crying, her blue eyes damp with tears.

"Mommy..." he whispered softly, reaching out to touch the image. It faded away.

"Do you believe me now?" Hojo asked.

Rufus closed his eyes. "Yes..."

"So, what is your decision?"

Rufus thought back to his mother's face. The only person he'd ever loved... the only person who ever loved him. Would he give it all up for her? To see her again.. to be with her again. If he didn't Hojo would kill him anyway. Better to live with her and be happy without his riches and empire than to not live at all.

Rufus bowed his head. "Yes... I will do it."

Hojo squealed. "Oh, wonderful! After your press conference you can go to your mother and live life happily ever after! And I hope you enjoy the surprise of your successor when you see him! He is going to be a militant leader, I asure you."

"Whatever," Rufus muttered, hanging the phone up. For the first time since he was eight, Rufus Shin-Ra's eyes were filled with tears. Dark Nation whimpered. Wiping at them with the back of his hand like a small child, he picked the phone up and called out.

"Yes?" his secretary answered.

"Taryn," he said miserably. "I need to hold a press conference... for the whole Planet."

Hojo replaced the phone and smiled at Jenova.

"It's done," he said. "We can begin."

"Wonderful!" Jenova exclaimed, spinning around. "I cannot wait to get my hands on Cloud."

Hojo smiled. "You know, I must applaud you for that stunning image of Samantha Shin-Ra you drew up. She looked just like that brat's mother. You really had him convinced."

Jenova laughed. "What a pity its going to be when he finds out it wasn't real," she said. "Magic is funny that way, Rufus. Ha ha!"

She looked cautiously around the dark room, wondering where this sudden feeling of dread came from. The alarm clock read 1:58. Tifa sighed.

Aeris was sleeping peacefully next to her in the king sized bed they were sharing, her hands clasped together near her face and a small smile on her face. Tayeko slept next to Aeris, laying with her back to them.

Yuffie and Kat had spread their sleeping bags on the floor and were both asleep.

Cloud still hadn't come out his room, and this forced Zack and Striker to sleep on the floor in the hall. Downstairs, Sephiroth slept on the couch, Barret in the recliner, and Cid on the floor in his sleeping bag. Vincent was nowhere around, and Tseng opted to stay at the inn in Kalm. Cait Sith spent his nights at the bar, and often Red would sleep outside, under the stars.

Tifa took a slow breath, putting a hand to her stomach. It was hard for Tifa to believe that at twenty years old, she was having a baby. She wasn't sure she was ready for the pressure, but in a way it brought a sliver of happiness.

She only wished it was Cloud's child. It would make going through this much easier, and raising a family with Cloud was something she would enjoy doing. But now Zack would more than likely want an active part in his child's life.

Tifa sighed. Not only were these thoughts plagueing her mind, but at the moment she was worried and fearful, for what reason she could not identify.

She covered her face with her hands, wondering if something bad was going to happen. This feeling was keeping her from sleeping. She glanced over at Aeris, wondering how she was able to sleep so easily, with all there was to worry about. The flower girl must have been dreaming about something wonderful, judging from the smile on her face.

Tifa shook her head and decided that she was overreacting. The best thing to do would be to put her head back against that pillow and try to go sleep. After all, what was there to worry about? If and when Jenova came, she'd be ready. It wasn't like they hadn't taken her down before. And no matter what anyone said, pregnant or not, Tifa was going to fight.

Rolling on her side, Tifa place her head against Elmyra's soft pillow. The scent of fresh cut flowers filled her nose. Forcing her eyes closed, Tifa decided there was nothing to worry about. She was safe here with her friends. And even if Cloud was angry with her, she knew he'd always protect her.

Vincent's eyes opened. He quickly absorbed his surroundings, and sighed quietly to himself.

He was sitting outside beneathe a tall oak tree in the dead of night. The stars lingered overhead, and Vincent shook his head, trying to rid the nightmare from his memory.

"This is why I do not sleep," Vincent said quietly to himself.

Vincent rose and walked a bit towards the edge of the cliff, which over looked the ocean. The night breeze wafted in from the sea, bringing with it the fresh, chilled scent of the northern ice continent. Vincent briefly recalled the events which had passed, killing Sephiroth in the Northern Crater and then barely a week later recruiting him into their ranks. Nearly a month had passed since that time, and Vincent found himself pondering once again his purpose. He would have returned to the dreaded coffin in the Nibelheim Mansion, but the strange dream which he and the rest of AVALANCHE had the night after their defeat of Sephiroth changed all that. He knew that it meant something, and now that Sephiroth was alive, he vowed to keep his promise to Lucrecia and protect and guide her son, even if he was nearly thirty years old.

Vincent remained perfectly still as the cold breeze hit his face, his frightening red eyes the only source of light besides the moon and stars. Nearby predators avoided Vincent, afraid to attack the stoic man thanks to his dreadful presence.

"I will find you soon, Lucrecia," Vincent quietly vowed to himself.

Vincent was standing on the edge of the cliff, the cold breeze blowing his hair and cape askew. He was so beautiful, even in the imperfections caused by Hojo. She walked towards him, her arms behind her and her pale blue dress flowing against her body with the wind.

She stood right next to Vincent, looking up at his tall form. His eyes were fixated on the ocean below, and he slowly closed them, inhaled, and continued staring out into the night.

Lucrecia circulated Vincent, her thick, long, wavy chocolate brown hair hair wrapping around her body as she moved. Her blue green eyes tried to meet with his blood red ones, but he merely continued staring foward.

Lucrecia ran her soft, delicate fingers down Vincent's fragile face, carefully outlining the contour of his cheek bones. She smiled, feeling the smoothness of his skin she once, so many years ago enjoyed. Her hand seemed to blend with his skin.

Lucrecia ran her other hand through Vincent's velvety black hair, leaving a feeling a freshly woven silk beneathe her fingers. She sighed, wishing he could feel her touch him, feel her kiss his lips the way she once could.

Lucrecia's eyes swelled with tears as she walked slowly away from Vincent, leaving him alone to observe the ocean. She continued walking until her already seemingly transparent image almost completely dissapated.

"I'm not real..." she cried softly to herself. "Just an image... not strong enough to even show myself to the man I love..."

A ghost, but not quite. An image. A copy, a reflection. And she couldn't gather the strength to come together.

Vincent suddenly recognized a faint, farmilar, sweet scent in the air around him. Looking carefully around him, he inhaled the air once more.

"Lucrecia...?"

Vincent shook his head and sighed. The miserable feeling of dread returned to him, making him wish he'd never left the Shin-Ra Mansion's basement.

"Why does life taunt me this way?" he quietly asked himself, his eyes downcast as he continued to watch the ocean.

Sephiroth felt strange and touched his temple. What was that awful feeling? He felt like something dark was lurking around, teasing the edges of his mind.

Was it Jenova?

Sephiroth glanced at the Masamune, which he strategically rested against the the arm of the couch. If Jenova was around, he's be more than willing and ready to start the fight against her. In fact, he wouldn't mind too much if he finished it either. All he knew is he wanted her and Hojo dead.

Hojo especially was the one he wanted the honor of killing. After ruining not only his life, but Tayeko's and many, many, others as well, Sephiroth thought the word hate was an understatement of the way he felt about the Professor. Hate would probably be a word he would have used towards Hojo when he was a child, but now, Sephiroth wasn't sure how he could verbally explain his feelings for the man, but instead would let the Masamune do the talking.

Sephiroth shook his head to try to clear the dark presence that seemed to be sliding into his mind. Whatever it was, he'd be awake and ready to deal with it if anything happened.

Cloud Strife was laying in the large bed, his back to her. The only light in the room streamed in from the moonlight outside, highlighting his blonde hair. Jenova wasn't sure whether he was asleep, but the way his breathing seemed, it was unlikely.

Jenova pressed her hands against the window, the decorative bracelet she wore tinking against the glass. She'd been slowly invading Cloud's weak mind throughout the last few weeks, making him more and more sesseptable to her pending attack. And now was the time.

"Showtime," Jenova said aloud to her self.

Jenova raised both her arms, and with a bit of magic, the window flew open. She climbed inside, quietly making her way over to Cloud's bed. She sat next to him, startling him a bit. He rolled over and looked at the beautiful creature.

"Wha...?" he mumbled, staring at her. His eyes traveled over her body, wondering what a scantly clad, seductive, and beautiful woman was doing in his bed.

Jenova's eyes glowed red and she placed her hand on Cloud's forehead. Her fingers began to blend with his flesh, and Cloud wanted to cry out, but his voice failed him. Jenova gave him a comforting smile, and pushed further.

Cloud's mind blacked out. Suddenly, his mind was filled with thoughts that were not his own. Fragments, memories, words, and ideas, swam through his mind, flooding his head.

son........

........kill.......

...........hojo.........

..............shin-ra.........

..................rufus.......

......................junon.......

..........................tifa.......

..............................cetra........

....................................planet.........

He looked back at Jenova, whose eyes were now their soft, dark blue color again. He nodded.

"Yes, Mother."

Jenova stepped away from Cloud's bed as he rose from his bed and began dressing himself. She laughed to herself and walked back to the window, climbing out onto the roof again. She glanced back at Cloud, who was lifting his sword from where it sat in the corner. She closed her eyes and quickly relayed another thought to his mind. Cloud's body jolted a bit, but he quickly recovered and nodded at Jenova.

Jenova laughed. "Just a little fun to start everything off," she said.

Blinking his own mako enhanced eyes, he tapped Zack, who was sleeping next to him, on the shoulder. Zack groaned in response.

"Zack, wake up!" Striker whispered in a hurried voice. "Cloud finally came out!"

Zack grunted and sat up on his elbows in his sleeping bag. His eyes slowly focused on Cloud, who was much closer to them now. He noticed he was wielding his sword.

"Cloud?" he said.

Cloud stopped in front of Zack and Striker, staring them down. They were blocking the hallway.

"Move," he instructed.

Striker quickly stood up and moved his sleeping bag out of Cloud's way, and Zack climbed out of his, scooting to the side. Cloud passed them without a word.

"What's up with him?" Striker asked.

Zack shrugged, standing up and shaking out his sleeping bag. "I don't know, but I don't like the looks of this."

They watched Cloud as he stopped in front of the girls' room. He stared at it for a few moments, then, with brute strength, kicked the helpless door in.

"Hey!" Striker shouted.

"What's he think he's doing?!" Zack asked. "Let's go!"

The two ex-SOLDIERs jogged down the hall to the room, and carefully stepped over the broken door, inside. Kat was the only one who was awakened by the breaking down of the door, and was staring at Cloud horrifully, holding the blankets of her sleeping bag over her shoulders.

Cloud was on Tifa's side of the bed, standing over her and studying her face intently. His sword was gripped securely in his right hand, but hung to the floor.

"Tifa..."

"Cloud!" Zack called. "What are you doing?"

Cloud turned and glared at Zack. "Stay out of this," he said sternly.

Zack blinked. Something was wrong with Cloud. His eyes were cold and vacant, and showed no emotion.

"Tifa," he said again.

Kat nudged Yuffie, trying to wake her. The ninja girl groaned.

"Yuffie!" Kat whispered, trying not to be heard by Cloud. "Get up, get up!"

Yuffie threw the covers off and opened her eyes, staring at Kat. "What?? Its not time to get up!"

"Shh!" Kat scolded, pointing at Cloud.

Yuffie sat up and looked at Cloud, confused. "Cloud! What are you doing in our room?"

Cloud ignored her. He grabbed Tifa's shoulder and squeezed it hard, causing her to finally awaken, her eyes flying open as she cried out in pain.

"Cloud!" Zack shouted as he and Striker advanced foward. "Cut it out!"

Aeris woke up and looked up at Cloud, immediately frightened by the coldness in his face. She glanced to her side and noticed the tears in Tifa's eyes as Cloud held his grip on her shoulder.

She quickly sat up. "What are you doing, Cloud? You're hurting her!"

Cloud snatched Tifa out of the bed by her shoulder, and threw her to the floor. She fell on her face and screamed.

"Cloud!" she cried, trying to stand. "What are you doing?"

Aeris sat on her knees on the edge of the bed, holding her night clothes as best she could to keep from being too revealing. She stared at Cloud.

"Stop it, Cloud! " she cried. "Zack, do something!"

Zack and Striker both started to march towards Cloud, but he held his hand out and blasted them backward with a powerful energy force. They both flew back against the wall, groaning in pain.

Kat was squeezing Yuffie's hand in fear, and by now Tayeko was wide awake, just in time to see Zack and Striker hit the wall. She pulled the covers off and stood, walking around the bed to see Tifa on the floor, Cloud hovering above her.

"What the hell is going on?" she asked, wiping her eyes and placing her hands on her hips.

Aeris climbed off the bed and ran to Zack and Striker. "Are you alright?" she asked.

Striker was unconsious, but Zack groaned in response, holding his head. Aeris turned back to look at Cloud.

"What are you doing, Cloud?" she cried. "Stop!"

Cloud ignored her and turned back to Tifa.

"You're carrying Zack's child, Tifa," he said.

Tifa's eyes welled with fresh tears and she trembled, glancing at the sword which he held firmly in his right hand. She nodded carefully.

"I can't have that," Cloud said. He kicked Tifa hard in the stomach, and she cried out at the top of her lungs.

"Stop!" Aeris cried, her eyes too forming tears.

Tayeko stomped forward and tried to hit Cloud, but he saw her coming and blasted her against the wall as well. Kat and Yuffie screamed. Tayeko immediately fell unconscious.

Tears ran down Aeris's cheek. She slowly stepped closer to Cloud, begging him to stop.

"This doesn't concern you, Aeris," Cloud said. He turned back to Tifa, who was writhing on the floor, holding her abdomen.

Aeris turned to Kat and Yuffie. "Hurry, run downstairs!" she instructed. "Tell them we need help!"

The two girls nodded and hopped out of their sleeping bags, still holding hands. They raced towards the door in their pajamas, but were stopped when Cloud slammed them against the wall as well.

"Cloud!" Aeris cried.

Kat fell unconcious but Yuffie was still awake, though her forehead was bleeding badly. She tried to sit up and moaned.

Zack was beginning to recover, and sat up as well. He shook his head to clear it, and began to stand. He reached a hand out to Yuffie, and once Cloud turned his back, she darted out the door.

Tifa was bawling at incredible decibles, and everyone downstairs was already awake, wondering was the comotion was. Yuffie stumbled down the stairs.

"What the hell happened to you?" Cid asked, catching Yuffie in his arms before she could crash to the floor.

"Cloud's... lost it," she panted. "He... hurt... everyone..."

Sephiroth stormed up the stairs and Barret cursed, following as well. Cid helped Yuffie stand before pulling out his PHS and calling Vincent, Tseng, and Cait Sith.

He turned to Yuffie. "Go outside and tell Red XIII to get in here," he said, hanging up the phone after speaking to Cait. He ran up the stairs.

Sephiroth was holding Tayeko in his arms, full of rage. He cast cure on everyone, and slowly Tayeko, Striker, and Kat began to regain conciousness.

"Strife!" He screamed, advancing towards Cloud with the Masamune in hand. "What are you - "

Cloud glared at Sephiroth murderously and blasted him towards the wall as well. However, it didn't even knock the former General to the floor. He shook his head, his blood boiling with rage.

Cloud had to act fast. Just as Yuffie, Red, Cait, Vincent and Tseng raced in, he cast Stop on the entire group.

Aeris fell to her knees. "I can't... move!"

"My arms! My arms!" Barret yelled.

"SHIT!" Cid yelled, trying to reach for his spear.

Kat burst into tears and Yuffie fell to the floor. Tayeko struggled to make her arms move and Vincent remained still, succumbing to the attack. Cait fell off his moogle and remained still on the ground. Striker tried to move his legs to no avail.

Sephiroth was immune to the spell, but it did make him move slower. Nothing he could do could help him prevent the act he and the rest of AVALANCHE were about to witness.

Cloud held his sword high above him, staring down at Tifa, who was scared for her life. He stayed there several moments, just looking at her.

"Farewell," he said.

Everyone screamed as the Ultima weapon slashed down across Tifa's belly, slicing her open. She screamed, blood pooling beneathe her body. Her hands went to her abdomen and she curled up into a ball, crying out in pain.

"Tifa!!!" Barret cried. "Damn, Tifa!"

"No!" Aeris screamed, exploding in tears. "Oh, Cloud, how could you do this?"

"Oh... Cloud, no" Red said. "What have you done..."

"Shit!" Cid screamed in rage "Goddamnit motherfucker! Tifa!"

"Tifa! Tifa, Tifa Tifa!" Reeve's voice cried through Cait.

"Tifa!" Yuffie screamed. Kat's eyes filled with tears.

"Tifa, No!!" Zack yelled.

The group was a crying, screaming mess. But none of them could move, not even Sephiroth could move fast enough to do anything.

Cloud gave the group an evil smile before walking to the window and pushing it open. He nodded at them, and jumped out.

As soon as Cloud was gone, the spell was broken. Everyone immediately rushed to Tifa's side.

"She's loosing too much blood!" Tayeko cried.

Tears spilled from Aeris' eyes as she placed her hands on Tifa's bloody abdomen. "Come on, Tayeko. Help me cure her."

Tayeko nodded and placed her hand atop of Aeris', and they began to cast healing spells on her. But even ten minutes later, nothing worked to stop Tifa from bleeding or to make her concisous again.

"Why isn't it working!" Aeris cried.

"We've got to get her to the hospital!" Zack yelled. "Someone call an ambulance!"

Kat and Yuffie raced downstairs to do just that. Tseng volunteered to wait outside for the paramedics to arrive.

Aeris placed Tifa's head on her lap and stroked her friend's hair. "It's going to be alright," she said. "It has to be..."

Striker grabbed the pillowcase and placed it on Tifa's abdomen, hoping to stop the bleeding. Sephiroth stepped towards the window and looked outside.

"Cloud, where are you?" he said quietly. "What are you doing?"

About ten minutes later, Tseng came rushing upstairs, three paramedics behind him. They fell next to Tifa, shocked.

"What happened here?" one asked, a young man with dark hair.

"Some lunatic sliced her up!" Barret answered. "You've got to help her!"

A female paramedic injected Tifa with a Hi-Potion. "That'll keep her alive for awhile," she said. "But you've got to get her to Midgar immediately."

"Midgar?" Zack repeated. "Why?"

The third paramedic, an older, dark complected man, shook his head. "We don't have what's needed to save her here in Kalm," he said. "Only Midgar does."

"What about her baby?!" Aeris asked in a paniced voice.

"How far along is she?"

Aeris shrugged. "About a month or so."

The female paramedic inspected her abdomen. "It's hard to say. Please, try to get her to Midgar, fast."

Cid jumped up from where he sat on the edge of the bed. "Let's go, goddamnit! We've got to get to the Highwind!"

Zack shook the paramedics hands as they left, and the rest of AVALANCHE geared up and got ready to leave to the Highwind, Zack carrying Tifa in his arms as they left.

A loud roar in the air above her caught her attention. It seemed the Highwind was also setting course for Midgar. She knew AVALANCHE was on their way, taking their precious Tifa to the hospital. How perfect. Now to the next part of the plan.

She'd have to get a hold of Sephiroth and mate with him. That shouldn't be too hard. And Hojo already his plan for obtaining the Cetra.

She smiled and took to the skies, flying towards Midgar as well.

Things were running along right on course.

They stopped at the waiting area. One of the medics turned to the group.

"You've got to stay here," she said. "You can't go any further."

"Why not?" Sephiroth snapped, forgetting to keep the others from thinking he was worried.

"This is an emergency," she said. "We have to get her to intensive care and no one is allowed past this point.

"Not even family?" Barret roared.

The medic looked at him strangely.

"Look, we're the only one's she's got," Zack said. "Can't even a few of us go?"

The medic turned her back to him. "We'll let you know what happens," she said, and they continued down the hall towards the elevator.

"Shit!" Cid cursed. He lit a cigarette.

"Sir," a nurse at the desk called out to him. "This is a hospital. There's no smoking here!"

"Fuck!" Cid put the cigarette out and stuffed it back into the pack, flopping down on one of the couches.

Aeris was still crying, and took a seat on the other couch. Zack sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her. Tayeko and Sephiroth also took a seat.

"I'll kill Cloud for what he's done," he said.

"Please, let's not talk about Cloud right now," Zack said, stroking Aeris's face.

"But why did he do it?" Yuffie asked as she, Barret, Striker, and Kat sat next to Cid on the other couch.

Red took a seat on the floor with Cait Sith. "We may never know..."

Vincent sat in a chair and took a magazine, pretending to look interested in it. Tseng remained standing, looking quietly at the floor.

"What do you think they're going to do to her?" Kat asked, leaning against Striker.

Striker merely shook his head.

Reeve suddenly ran inside, out of breath. He stopped in front of the sullen group.

"I got here as soon as I could," he said, panting. "Where is she? Is she alright?"

"She's in intensive care," Zack answered. "They'll probably have to operate."

Reeve's eyes went wide. "What about her baby?"

Aeris started bawling again.

"They don't know yet," Tayeko answered.

Reeve took a seat in a chair next to Vincent and put his head in his hands, just as a young nurse with brown hair came rushing from the elevators.

"Excuse me!" she said to them. "Do any of you know where we can find the biological father of Miss Lockheart's baby?"

Zack's head popped up. "That's me..." he said.

"Please, come with me," the nurse said. "We've removed the baby from her womb and put it in an artifical tube, but the baby has also lost an incredible amount of blood, and we can't afford to take any more from Miss Lockheart. Please, you've got to come give blood for your child."

Zack quickly stood up and nodded. "Alright, let's go."

He blew Aeris a kiss as he followed the nurse to the elevators. Cid scratched his head.

"Artifical wombs?" he said. "I didn't know they had technology like *that*."

"That's probably why they sent us to Midgar," Red said.

"Right," Reeve said, running his hand down his face. "Shin-Ra's medical technology has always been quite extensive."

"Yeah, well, they never used it to help none of the little people!" Barret thundered.

Tayeko shook her head and leaned again Sephiroth.

"What about Jenova and Hojo?" Striker said.

"We can't leave until we are sure Tifa is safe and well," Vincent said.

"But what if Jenova comes here?" Yuffie asked. "Then Tifa will be in more danger."

Vincent shook his head. "I've got the feeling Jenova's already got what she wants.

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

Vincent looked down. "Cloud."

"Ah, Cloud," Hojo laughed. "Welcome to the new Shin-Ra building."

Cloud nodded.

"It doesn't belong to Rufus anymore," Hojo explained. "He gave it up to me. Rather nice of him, wouldn't you say?"

Cloud nodded again.

Hojo grinned. "So, I suppose Jenova gave you your mission?"

"Yes," Cloud said.

Hojo leaned against Rufus' desk. "Yes, well, tommorrow everything is officiated. Rufus is coming here tommorrow afternoon to hold a groundbreaking press conference, in which he hands the company and the Planet's leadership over to you. That makes you the new ruler of Shin-Ra inc... even though I plan to change the name."

Cloud nodded.

"You're going to have alot of things to do once you run this company," Hojo said. "But soon, with the help of Jenova, we won't only be ruling this Planet, but many others as well."

Cloud smiled.

Hojo patted Cloud on the shoulder. "Get some rest, boy. We've got a big day ahead tommorrow."

Zack held his hand up to stop them. "I don't know, I don't know," he said.

"What about the baby?" Aeris cried. "Is the baby alright?"

Zack nodded. "Yeah.. they took my blood for the baby... and luckily it was a match."

"What do you mean, luckily?" Cid asked. "You are the goddamned father, right?"

Zack sighed and shoved his hands deep into his pockets.

Aeris walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Zack, what's wrong?"

Zack looked away from the group. "I'm not the father."

"Where's Cloud?" Jenova asked, taking a seat on the desk.

Hojo put his hands behind his head and leaned back. "Ah, he's sleeping," he said. "Getting well rested for tommorrow."

"So what's the plan?"

"Tommorrow Rufus will hold his press conference," Hojo answered. "AVALANCHE will most likely see it on television, and you know as well as I they'll go beserk. They'll come straight to the press conference and that's when you nab Sephiroth. I'll inject the two Cetra with something to put them out, and we'll bring them all back here. Leave a few monsters to take care of the rest of AVALANCHE, and we're clear. You can mate with Sephiroth first, then I'll begin my experiments. All the while Cloud will be 'ruling' the world for us."

Jenova pressed her hands together. "Excellent," she said.

"What do you mean, you're not the father?" Barret screamed. "Then who the hell is?"

Zack shrugged. "How should I know? I can't ask Tifa, she's not even conscious."

"All we can do is forget it for now," Aeris said. "We should go to the inn and sleep in. Tommorrow we'll come back and check on her."

Everyone groaned their agreements and after leaving their information with the nurse at the desk, began to make their way outside.