*AUTHOR’S NOTE* This Fanfic is about the Desert Rose you receive after killing Ruby Weapon. It doesn’t follow the guideline of how the game gives you the rose, but my version of the story. They don’t go kill Ruby and get the Desert Rose, much more happens. You also will notice the love connection between Yuffie and Cloud…no background is included as it is supposed to make you wander why…Also, you should note that only Cloud, Yuffie, and Vincent are mentioned as major characters (not all the ff7 team is used). I don’t say why it is only the three but you should guess at it…makes you wander again! Enjoy!

“A rose that blooms once every thousand years in the desert.”

            The man laughed heartily and picked up a book off of his table. He handed it to Cloud and allowed him to read.

            “Open it up to page four hundred sixty. There you will find what I am talking about.”

            Cloud looked at the cover. It was old and dusty, bound with leather yet in terrible condition. No words on the front, only an engraving of a wild dragon and a creature, which Cloud had never seen before in his life.

            He opened the book carefully; fearing the pages would fall out of the very bind in which it was held. The pages did not slip, nor did they even rip as he turned them with carefulness like one carrying a newborn child. The inside was quite unlike the front, it was well made and kept nice and clean. Every page was perfect…neither a word misspelled nor a stain covering the text. Each page was also handwritten; nothing was done by computer. All of the pictures were hand drawn as well.

            He finally flipped the book to the page, four hundred sixty. This was decorated with drawings of a flower blossoming in a desert garden. The petals were colored red, the stem green. The thorns appeared much sharper than any other plant he had seen.

            The writing was in great form. It seemed to come out of the early ages of the earth, back when man wrote as beautifully as they spoke.

            Cloud looked up at the man and asked, “Where did you get this book? It seems very old…what is all this in here?”

            “One question at a time my friend. To answer your first, I got this book long ago. I once heard a whispered tale about the powerful ancients of the past. I developed quite a need to find text with such information written inside. I searched the library at Kalm, but nothing was found. So then I ended up finding it in Mideel village! The doctor said he had a book and he dug it up not too long ago. Anyhow, this book explains so many things Cloud. It has information about the ancients, Jenova, magic, meteor, the Weapons, and some other hidden secrets. It was after reading it that I discovered what three things my heart desired: the Earth Harp, the Guide Book, and the Desert Rose.”

            Cloud seemed to understand and dug his nose back in the book. He sat down and read the only text written under the drawing of the rose:

            The Rose of the Sand, or as some call it the Desert Rose, is a fascinating flower, which many flower lovers believe to be extinct. The tale is said that in a desert a certain flower may grow, a rose, which is only seen as one (if seen at all). Once every thousand years the flower will bloom for a few weeks and then die. It would be reborn in a new location not far away and bloom once again in a thousand years.

Another thought on the rose is a bit different. The rose is not believed to be limited to the desert; in fact it is believed that the flower once bloomed in grasslands. Since it moves, the rose is currently thought to be within the desert. Calling it the Desert Rose, or Rose of the Sand, is simply not correct. The rose will once again be outside the desert, but maybe in thirty thousand years.

Cloud shut the book and set it down in his chair as he stood to speak with the traveler. “So you want me to find this flower for you? What will be my pay?”

The man scratched the back of his neck and answered, “Go and retrieve the flower. Only on your return will you then know what I have to offer. If mine is not enough then go elsewhere with it. I am sure many will want that rose. But I warn you to be careful. This is not wanted only by me, many search and many are willing to die for it or even kill for it. I cannot even say if it has been found.”

“I’m sure your offer will be plenty. I must leave now, goodbye sir. I am off now; perhaps I shall retrieve this rose for you. But may I ask, what reason do you want it for?”

“That business is my own. Goodbye now Cloud.”

Cloud left the little house in Kalm and headed to the valley where the great Highwind was waiting. A rope unfolded out of the massive ship and fell to the ground. Yuffie came sliding down on the rope and hopped off.

“Hello Cloud! Did you buy me that thing you promised?”

Cloud held Yuffie’s hand gently in his own. He kissed her sweetly and sighed, “I tried to find the ring but…I was stopped by the traveler. I told him I was in a hurry but he insisted on listening to his words. I met him in his house and he told me about a Desert Rose. He promised a great reward…that’s when I left and then my promise slipped my mind…I’m sorry Yuffie.”

Yuffie was not the sort to care deeply for possessions (well, not anymore) so she simply said, “It’s alright I’m sure we can get it some other time.”

“We could go right back in Yuffie, the town is right here! Not too far I’d say.”

Yuffie giggled and grabbed the rope, “It’s OK Cloud! We can get it later. Come on up now, Vincent is waiting!” She climbed back up the rope and was quickly followed by Cloud. The Highwind took off and flew over the remains of Midgar and off into the skies.

The next day came quickly. Dreams of the flower slowly faded as Cloud woke up in the nude. He awoke holding another body, that of Yuffie. She kissed him lightly and they got up and showered then dressed. Breakfast was waiting for them in a chamber of the Highwind. They sat and soon Vincent came in dressed in his normal red outfit.

Eggs, bacon, sausage and toast were piled in plates on the table. They each helped themselves to a helping and ate merrily.

“Vincent, Yuffie, I have something to tell you. When I visited that traveler in Kalm he told me of the Desert Rose,” Cloud quickly told them all about the Rose, “He offered a great reward if it were to be brought to him, potted and alive of course. We need to find this rose, and fast!”

Vincent stood up and spoke, “I have heard of this devilry before! Before, long ago, I heard Professor Ghast speak of such a flower. He said it was in the desert below the Golden Saucer. He just didn’t know exactly where to go.” 

“The Corel Desert…it’s just as I feared,” Cloud said hanging his head.

“What about the desert? We can use the buggy! Or, better yet, the Highwind!” Yuffie cheered quietly at her idea and sat back waiting for a response.

Cloud just laughed and said: “It’s not the desert that bothers me. Do you know what beast resides within the sands of Corel?” Vincent and Yuffie both shook their heads. “A beast greater than any other…Ruby Weapon. Do you know what he is capable of? Do you really want to be attacked by such a great monster? He is terrible!”

Vincent cleared his throat and stood up before Cloud. He looked down on him with a power only seen when he seemed upset or was extremely serious. He spoke; his voice sounded deeper, darker, and a little more evil: “Ruby Weapon? Did we not take Diamond Weapon? Ultimate Weapon? Emerald Weapon? Did we not return both the Earth Harp and Guide Book to the traveler? Now, don’t you think we can fight one more? Don’t you think one more task can be completed, one more item retrieved for the traveler of Kalm?”

Cloud stood up and spoke now, his voice too seemed different yet his was more powerful and seemed to make Vincent shrink where he stood, “The arts of this weapon are much more than those of its brethren. I am worried much about the new one, for he has powers unmatched even to those of Sephiroth! You remember the evil set afoot when Sephiroth hid himself in the crater…such powers are easily matched, no, surpassed by Ruby! This you must understand before you speak. You would need an army of Shinra soldiers to destroy this Weapon, and that we do not have.”

“Shinra fell when Midgar was destroyed by Meteor. I remember it well,” Yuffie said shifting her weight left and right as she stood, “There it was, the great Meteor, falling down towards Earth. Then a green light appeared…the White Materia? It surrounded Meteor, but it was too late to save Midgar. The light had only surrounded and destroyed Meteor after it had crushed Midgar down to an inch off the surface of Earth. Shinra fell and Midgar lay in ruins. It was never rebuilt nor Shinra re-founded.”

“Yes we know of this!” Vincent said angrily. “I’m sorry if I seem a bit upset but I don’t understand why we can’t kill this thing. We three are strong enough!”

“Where were you a minute ago? I just spoke why. RUBY WEAPON IS TOO STRONG FOR US TO DESTROY. Did you get it that time Vincent? I swear Vince sometimes you just don’t listen. It’s like you looked up at the ceiling and covered your ears while humming.”

Vincent grabbed his pistol and held it up to Cloud’s throat. Cloud seemed not scared and actually began to laugh. “What’s so funny Cloud? Man am I sick of you thinking you can take charge around here. You think you can tell me what to do? Think you can insult me and get away with it eh? I think not Cloud.”

Cloud quickly grabbed Vincent’s gun hand and twisted it around causing him to drop the pistol. He did this so fast; Vincent could not pull the trigger.

 “You want to try it again Vince? I don’t believe I gave you permission to point a gun at me. That will be your last time doing that.”

Cloud motioned for Yuffie to leave; she ran to the bedroom and waited while Cloud stood holding Vincent’s arm.

Cloud had his arm twisted behind his own back. Vincent screamed as Cloud pushed up on the arm. Suddenly, a great surge of power came into Vincent; he tore his arm away and turned to face Cloud. Vincent tackled him and picked up his pistol. He stood, aiming it at Cloud. Cloud was lying down looking at the gun barrel in horror.

“You are not Vincent…he would not do such things…” Cloud slowly backed away.

Vincent laughed and shot Cloud in the leg. Cloud screamed, gripping his wound tightly.

The chamber door opened and at first nobody was to be seen. Vincent looked over and waited. Suddenly a shadow crept in and slipped past Vincent’s senses. This was when Cloud noticed this could not be Vincent for sure. Even Cloud noticed that shadow, the real Vincent would have gotten a clear picture of it and probably shot the thing.

Then the shadow jumped out and tackled Vincent to the ground. It took his gun and put the barrel up to his head. A very recognizable voice spoke; Cloud realized who it was right away, “Back to Hell with you.” The shadow pulled the trigger and blew a hole through “Vincent’s” head. Blood splattered all over the ground and on Cloud’s shoes.

The shadow raised and showed itself. It was the real Vincent. He had on black clothing (like the same before only black not red).

Vincent holstered the pistol and looked at the impersonator. “Cloud, do you know what that thing is?”

Cloud shrugged and went over to touch the body. He put his hands on its face and felt rapid warmth coming over the corpse. “Vincent, his face is getting really hot. I may have a clue who this is…of course it is an assassin! But, for who?”

“So we must then. It is off to the desert we go.” Vincent became silent and sipped from his mug.

Yuffie sat on the ground hugging her knees and tears rolled down her cheeks. The desert…she thought shaking her head, If only it weren’t the desert, then I would be glad to go.

The door to the office opened up and in walked Dio followed closely by Cloud. “Welcome to the Gold Saucer again! You three seem to always return here when in greatest search for ancient artifacts. Well I don’t have the Rose but I may know where to find Her.”

They were in Dio’s office somewhere within the Gold Saucer. Before they had spoken to him about the keystone and now they knew he would know about the Desert Rose.

Dio grabbed the mug out of Vincent’s hands and sipped it himself. Vincent only laughed for the mug belonged to Dio.

Dio drank alcohol of any type from the mug. He didn’t use a regular cup for he wanted to make people believe he drank coffee. Dio had been a recovering alcoholic for the past year and soon enough alcohol touched his lips again and he steered off the path. He now claims to still be recovering and was very embarrassed to see that Vincent knew his secret. 

The mug was put down and Dio began, “You thought the Rose was either in my hands or in the desert’s. You were wrong; I do not have the Rose of the Sand. The desert has Her neither. I do admit She lies somewhere below our feet, yet She is in the hands of the enemy. You may have thought he only guards the desert for Her but you were wrong…he holds the Rose himself. Desert Rose we call Her, and Ruby Weapon holds the Rose in his grasp. You no longer can steal Her…you must win Her back! Defeat Ruby and achieve the grandest prize the desert has to offer, the Rose of the Sand.”

“I notice you continue to call the Rose her instead of it or something like that.”

“Cloud, if you understood the power of Her then you may yet disagree with calling Her an it. You will understand once you see Her power…Anyways my friends, I can offer you no help other than what I have told you today. So you must leave my office and let me be! Good luck finding Her!”

The Ropeway finally ended and the three stepped out to see four uniformed soldier-types standing around the ticket booth. As they approached the four noticed and stood erect in guard-like fashion; one on each side of the stairway and two in front of the booth.

Cloud walked up to the booth soldiers and said, “Why are there guards in Corel? Just before we came up you types weren’t around…”

“Excuse me pig! I’m not sure you are wanted around scum. Go back to the mines where you belong.”

“We don’t live here. Trust me, we just came from the Saucer.”

The soldier laughed a little and suppressed his smile quickly, “Well, yea you seem the type not to be in them mines anyhow! OK listen up; if my captain hears us I’m dead. My team just captured this town…I think its Corel.”

“Captured? Why would you do that to Barrett’s home town?” Cloud asked now seeing things may get rough.

“Barrett? Well anyway, we are a group trying to revive Shinra.” At this the three gasped and Cloud’s mako-filled eyes seemed to turn red. “We…didn’t kill anyone to get this place under control…” he said now feeling a bit uneasy as the angry eyes stared at him.

Vincent placed his hand on his pistol handle and almost pulled it out on the soldier but Cloud grabbed his hand and shook his head. Vincent nodded and waited, hand on handle, for the soldier to make a move.

“Hey now…take it easy there. I don’t really like this group much but it has to do. I joined in Gongaga a year back but only because they said I would be paid a lot and get to carry a gun. I haven’t seen a bit of gil from all this. They won’t let us leave though because so many guys count on this place. We get free food, shelter, and clothes. They will hunt me down if I were to quit now. That’s why we all can’t quit because not everyone wants to leave. Their old lives were much worse and some didn’t even have homes. Now they get that luxury for no cost at all. So I guess I see why but…I need the money. I don’t enjoy hurting these Corel folk anyhow.”

“Hurting? I thought you said…” Cloud began but the guard said, “Hurting yes, killing, no.”

 The guard hit the other guard next to him in the chest. The other guard turned and removed some headphones he had been wearing beneath his helmet.

The first guard said, “My name is Carter, this here is Paul.”

“Hi, sorry for not talking earlier but I don’t like standing around so I listen to my music while we wait. Nothing exciting happens anyhow,” Paul said shaking hands with the three.

Yuffie scratched at her head, said, “Don’t you two have ranks or something? Why Carter and Paul?”

“I think it’s a bit obvious why Carter and Paul,” Carter said grinning, “Carter’s my last name, Paul’s his first. Paul doesn’t talk much and he’s a bit of a wuss when it comes to fighting. We are Privates if that helps. Shinra doesn’t give much for promotions.”

 “So you are Shinra…reborn…” said Vincent removing his hand from his gun and turning around. It seemed now he trusted the two more, but still not the guards at the staircase.

Cloud said, “Well we’ll have to catch up sometime. Plus, sooner or later we have to liberate Corel…for Barrett. But the Rose awaits us.” Cloud and the others said goodbye and left for the stairs.

The guards at the staircase looked a bit upset and growled at the three, “Coming into Corel? Well I see our two buddies over there didn’t stop you two so I guess we’ll have to. Your little mind tricks won’t make us believe you’re not up to no good. Guess we’ll punish you three then those two.”

The guard pulled out a small blade and slashed at Cloud’s face. Cloud blocked it with his hand; he felt the sharp blade enter his skin and tear a large rip causing blood to spill forth. Cloud pulled out his sword with his free hand and stabbed the guard in the throat. Blood leaked onto the ground as he dropped to his knees, gripped his throat, and tried to scream. The guard rolled over motionless.

The other guard began to run but Vincent pulled out his silenced pistol and shot him in the back. He fell down the stairs.

They picked up their corpses and hid them in some junk (not hard to find in Corel) and left the town.

The Highwind took to the air and flew over the grassy plains. Soon they looked out the window and saw the desert loom up ahead like some kind of unbearable doom they were all sure was to happen.

The ship hovered above the desert floor and the three jumped out. The Highwind left them and headed for some other destination.

A large white building was ahead and had some two or three guards posted at the doors. A loud roar could be heard from within the walls. Shinra was undoubtedly stationed here.

Cloud had his hand bandaged up and he felt fine so he pulled up his sword again. Yuffie pulled out her ninja stars, daggers, nun chucks, and whatever else she had and was ready. Vincent pulled out a Sniper CR and lay down on the ground aiming for the door. He picked off a total of five guards that stood watch around the building. Security seemed a bit lax; no guards came running out. The only ones seen were outside.

Vincent stayed behind for sniper cover. Yuffie and Cloud walked to the door and went in silently.

“Yuffie take this radio. Put on the headpiece. You can now speak with Vincent and me through this.”

“I know Cloud! Just don’t be too loud, I’m going silently.”

“You just be careful,” he warned holding her slightly, “I don’t want anything happening...”

She kissed him and ran off silently into the shadows.

Cloud walked around for a bit and began to notice the place was empty. He walked down a corridor, which lead to two rooms. The walls were metal and very shiny, everything was this way.

Both doors were closed and each had a sign. The sign to the right said, “WARNING LAB MAY BE USING TOXIC CHEMICALS”. The left door had a sign that read, “Access denied by anyone not wearing uniform”.

Cloud looked around and supposed if no one was there, how could he get caught? He foolishly entered the left door and an alarm immediately sounded. He looked up and saw a camera and four turrets aiming right at him. It was an automatic system, which noticed anything different than the original uniform. The turrets were about to tear Cloud apart.

Cloud ran back down the corridor and out the door. He heard a gunshot and was missed by mere inches. He hid himself back in the building and called through the radio, “Vincent watch it! I’m coming out now! Darn lucky you’re such a terrible shooter Vince.”

“Sorry Cloud, pulled the trigger right before I knew it was you. I’ll be sure of my target from now on.”

Cloud ran out and grabbed one of the dead soldier’s bodies. He grabbed one shot in the skull and no blood spilled on the uniform but did get on the helmet. He grabbed an unbloodied helmet and pulled both into the building. Cloud walked into the right door this time and saw a table decorated with lab equipment: beakers, test tubes, chemicals, and the like. A dead scientist lay on the ground next to a guard.

Cloud swept away the lab equipment and put the soldier’s body and the helmet on the table. He leaned down and checked the scientist’s body. It had a giant claw mark on its back. The guard had a similar pattern on his chest and face.

“Yuffie I think we have a situation here. I found a guard with claw markings and a scientist with the same ones. Something may be running loose; I think it could be whatever made those wailing noises we heard. They seemed to have died down though.”

A scared voice came on the radio, “Cloud…I think I found the problem.” Yuffie began to spurt tears.

Yuffie was crouched next to a wall, hiding from something. She was in the kitchen and a terrible monster was rummaging through the food and tearing the place apart. He was tall, about Cloud’s build really, but had a mutilated face. His face was all cut up but no blood came out. He had long claws protruding from his ten fingers and wore a scientist’s clothing; a white lab coat and black pants. His shoes were now gone and his feet were human-like but mutilated much like his face. He seemed to be a scientist somehow changed into a monster. It was undoubtedly so.

The creature picked up a toaster and threw it near Yuffie’s position. She screamed and crawled away from the kitchen completely. Yuffie got up and ran down the hall to the entryway. There she radioed Cloud, “Where are you? Which way did you go, right, left, or straight?”

A crackling voice came over the headset, “Straight and turn right.”

She ran into the lab room and saw Cloud standing in the nude undressing the soldier’s corpse.

“Oh my god!” she exclaimed nearly puking at the scene. “What are you doing?”

“Putting on a disguise! What did you think…OH MY GOD! HOW GROSS ARE YOU YUFFIE? I MEAN SERIOUSLY! I’m just trying to get past the automatic camera.”

“Sorry, it just looks so wrong…anyway the creature was hideous. Same muscular build as you but a different face. I couldn’t see his face well because of the cuts. The slash marks all over his face and feet looked so new…but not an ounce of blood dripped from the creature. He was wearing a lab coat and black pants like these scientists.”

Cloud finished his disguise and now was dressed as a Shinra soldier. He even picked up the gun and held it pointing upwards. “I’ll go on ahead, you deal with that thing. I guess that was what killed everyone; I just wonder why those guards outside didn’t do anything! Maybe they were scared stiff…smart but dumb, should have ran.”

Yuffie grabbed some chemicals and mixed random ones together (of course she knew what she was doing) and created some sort of bomb-like mixture.

“Don’t know how you do the things you do.”

“Learned it back in Wu-Tai. An old bomb master taught me this. It should provide a little something for our creepy friend back there.”

Yuffie ran back down the corridor and towards the kitchen.

Cloud walked now into the left door and held his breath. The camera swept over him and a light on top blinked green, allowing him entry. The turrets turned away for now.

Cloud ran down the hall, past many different doors, and tore open the big doors at the end. A large red creature loomed before him, bound with chains and many machines. He struggled an escape but it was no use, the Shinra’s drugs were too much and lost him any bit of strength he had left.

“Ruby?” Cloud wondered and took pity to the creature.

Ruby weapon let out a large wailing and looked over at an empty cage. The bars were slashed open as if by claw. Scientists lay dead near the cage and Cloud noticed a particular one; he held a syringe that was now emptied.

Ruby weapon spoke now, his voice seemed to fill the chamber with sadness. It was a very deep controlling voice, which caused the walls to rumble: “That is where he once was. They used the syringe on the poor scientist and he turned into a monster. He grew claws and cut himself all over his face…no blood spilled forth. It was as if he were dead. He killed off all the guards and scientists within the structure. I heard he made ones on the outside go deaf, they didn’t even know because the desert is so quiet. I don’t know why they did this to the poor thing, but he got his revenge and broke free. They all are dead now and I have no way to leave.”

Yuffie stood at the kitchen entrance with the vial of the explosive concoction in her hand. The monster tore and ravaged the room searching for nourishment. Yuffie threw a ninja star into his left breast and he felt no pain, only turned to face her and smile.

“You think this will stop me? Do you know what they did to me? They turned me into a horrible creature, all part of a big plan to create some super soldier! I wasn’t even a test subject, I even created the injection!”

“So why kill?”

“To get even.”

“Kill for revenge? Well you killed all of the Shinra soldiers and scientists. Why are you attacking me now?”

“Who said I was? You threw it at me.”

“You threw the toaster,” Yuffie said half smiling.

“Yes I did, but I did not know anyone was there. You see…I can’t help what I do. I’ve been here for hours now and can find no escape. This body has powers unheard of, and many flaws. I get so hungry and can’t consume enough food. But I can do tricks like turn people deaf and I got these claws.”

“Super soldier…and they made you? Look at you! Definitely a first time test.”

“Careful, I created the thing that did this to me! They just threw me in a cage and injected me. My creation wasn’t supposed to look so ugly or have the eating disorder but they added something to it. They ruined be on purpose…Larkey and his men wanted me to fail so he could use his creation! Ha! Showed him. But I also search for Larkey…he isn’t here! He bailed as soon as he saw me swipe the cage. I couldn’t get to him at the time so I had to kill everyone in my path and he escaped me.”

Yuffie now felt a pain in her chest for the beast and walked towards him. She touched his face and a tear rolled down her cheek, “To see how they tortured you…it makes me so upset. How could Shinra do such things? Larkey…we’ll see him later.”

The monster nodded, said, “But I still won’t let you leave here alive. Not now that you know Shinra’s secret. We built this place for the holding of Ruby Weapon and are successful. He lies in the room your friend went to. Once in Shinra, always in Shinra.”

The claws came up into the air and a gleam of light bounced off them and they came across to Yuffie’s face. She jumped back, avoiding the blow, and revealed her knives hidden in her sleeves. She stabbed him in the leg with one and came around with the other into his back. He clawed at her arm and she jumped away, knives still in him.

The monster jumped forward as Yuffie ran out the door and down the hallway out into the desert. The beast flew after her out into the open sunlight. She dove face down in the sand and the beast dove in the air towards her.

            “She makes it all too easy,” said a voice.

            A gunshot rang out and the beast fell in front of Yuffie. He stood up and was shot again. He walked forward and the shooter shot him again, again, and again. Finally the beast dropped to his knees.

            Vincent put down his Sniper CR and walked over. He put his pistol to the creature’s neck and pulled the trigger. A loud scream echoed in the desert that day, never to be heard again. The creature fell face down in the sand.

            Cloud stood in front of Ruby and was amazed he could even talk. What’s more that he was friendly. “Do you have the Desert Rose?” he asked not sure what he should be saying to a giant creature like this.

            “No I don’t. I sense that you have thought it was in my possession. Dio told you…no doubt about that. I would never trust Dio if I were you. He works now with the Shinra.”

            “Shinra even took Corel!”

            “Yes, they even have the Gold Saucer. Dio is getting paid a lot for this. Rufus is having a ball with his new accomplishments.”

            Cloud stepped back and sighed deeply, “Rufus…I thought Diamond killed him.”

            “Rufus from the old Shinra? Ha! No my child, this is not the same man. This is one who really wants the image Rufus Shinra and his father had long ago. He calls himself Rufus for this purpose.”

            “How did you get here in the first place? I thought you were the strongest Weapon.”

            Ruby let out a deep laugh, “Not against Larkey!”

            “Who’s Larkey?”

            “The scientist who did all this! First off, he captured me. Larkey created some type of drug, which he shot into my neck from a distance while I slept. I was out cold for days at a time. They had this structure built from long ago and put me in it. Now look at me! I can barely move…”

            A loud gunshot went off in the distance. Again a shot was heard then three more followed. Then a different shot went up into the air, followed by a disturbing scream, which died out at the end in a gurgling mess of death.

            “The one Larkey created has fallen, I sense it. Your friends are coming…make sure they are careful of the turrets!”

            Cloud nodded and ran back into the hallway with the camera and turrets. He stopped Vincent and Yuffie just before they entered.

            “Not a step further! This camera will see you are not a soldier then the turrets will tear you apart.”

            Vincent aimed his shotgun up at the camera and said, “Not if I’m around.” He shot but the camera remained unharmed.

            “Don’t bother,” said Cloud. He reached up and grabbed some wires in the back. “Should have done this earlier,” he said almost laughing at his stupidity. He broke the wires and allowed the others to come through. He removed his Shinra disguise and the three walked into the chamber.

            Ruby stared down at them. Yuffie and Vincent understood right away he was no longer a foe. The great creature seemed to smile at them.

            “So you have all gathered at last. I require your help, release me from this doom!”

            Yuffie nodded and pulled out the explosive vial she had made earlier. She ran into an open door. Inside were all sorts of computers connected to wires, which were in machines that ran into Ruby’s body. It controlled the amount of drugs being sent into his body and the shield that prevented escape. She tossed the explosives into the room; a flash of light and then fire. A big blue flame-wave slowly swept across the floor, pushing the devices against the wall and crisping them black.

            “Now we must wait for a while for the drugs to leave my system completely. After that I must use all my strength to break free of these chains, which bound me head to foot,” Ruby said with higher hopes than before.

            “Can’t you break out easily? They’re only chains!” Vincent said.

            “Not made of metal. They are made of a mako substance Shinra created; it’s stronger than anything on this earth. This whole place is made of it.”

            They all sat and waited. Vincent slept, Cloud fiddled with his sword, and Yuffie was reading out of some book.

            “Yuffie,” Cloud said, “Come here.” She sat next to Cloud smiling slightly. “What book is that?”

            “I forgot to tell you…I found this near the kitchen. It is a record of previous Shinra history written by Larkey himself!”

            “Let’s hear it,” Vincent said waking up hearing the name Shinra.

            Yuffie began, “Well, I will tell you all you need to know. Read the rest if you wish. A few years ago, Rufus Shinra had a friend named Manny Davis. When Rufus took control of his father’s company Manny became jealous and wanted to kill his friend. But, Manny joined as Rufus’s right hand man for about a week. He broke off and made a resistance group called, Brotherhood Alliance. He wanted Shinra to fall just as much as we did…he fought for days against his former friend but failed in the end. After Diamond Weapon killed Rufus, Manny took upon the name of Rufus and created a new Shinra. That is what we see here…an alliance originally made to end Shinra…now it is slowly becoming it. Manny got together anyone from old Shinra and had them join him anew. They currently operate in Corel and the Gold Saucer.”

            “So that’s how this all happened…wait…what about Ruby?”

            “It said they found him in the desert and attacked him with many men. He was asleep, so Larkey shot a dart into his neck causing him to pass out. They had this structure built already and dragged his body here, hooked him up, and began running tests. They found the rose and now Rufus probably holds it.”

            Cloud hung his head low and gripped his sword tightly. Yuffie sat next to him and held him gently, kissing his neck passionately. Cloud smiled and kissed her back. They stood up and Cloud ran forward to one of the chains, which bound Ruby, and cut down upon one of them. His sword sprang back and the chain remained unharmed.

            “Like I said…not working. Wait for it…strength will return,” said Ruby.

            They waited for hours…finally Ruby growled. He let out a great bellow and the chains around his arms snapped. He stood up now, it was a surprise that he crouched, and his head touched the ceiling. His arms thrust upward and the roof tore off and flew into the sky. Ruby now stood all the way, stretching himself upward. He was of great size and looked down upon the three in great kind eyes full of thanks and love. Ruby tore apart every section of the base and growled terribly.

            He picked up Cloud, Yuffie, and Vincent. He carried them to the Gold Saucer and yawned.

            The great beast was about halfway to the top of the Saucer from head to foot. He placed the three on the steps of the battle arena. He squished the guards in the area and said, “Now, you know I can destroy this place with one sweep of my arm. I do not wish to for this place is still a fun part of the world. You three must kill Larkey and Rufus. Liberating Corel would be a good idea too. I shall await you here.”

            He began to walk off but Vincent yelled, “No wait! Put me atop the Battle Arena so I can use my Sniper CR to provide cover fire.”

            “I will, if you need me to move you again just call.” Ruby placed him atop the roof and sunk down below to hide.

            Yuffie disappeared again and Cloud walked into the main chamber. He saw the slides. One new slide was added. It was labeled, “UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS”. Two guards stood in front, both stared at Cloud threateningly.

            Cloud walked up and then one of them dropped his gun and embraced him like a brother. The other did the same. It was Carter and Paul.

            Carter looked Cloud up and down and said, “Hey man, where’s the other two?”

            “Vincent is sniping, Yuffie…I never know where she’s off to. Why aren’t you at Corel?”

            “Rufus moved us here for some reason. This slide leads to his private chamber. I wouldn’t go down yet if I were you. Not exactly easy. Guards everywhere…”

            “Larkey,” Cloud said, “Where’s he? Who exactly is he?”

            “He was at the desert base.”

            “Oh, he isn’t anymore. Destroyed that, Ruby Weapon is now helping us.”

            Carter smiled, “Well then Larkey will be in Corel. We hope to liberate those people if you get a chance to kill Rufus.”

            “OK,” Cloud said, “But where did Larkey come from?”

            “He was here in the start. Rufus hired him as head scientist and he now is like that Hojo guy. He’s a terribly threat.”

            Cloud nodded and asked, “I need your guys’ help. Can you open this door and go down to Rufus? I will follow behind and when I can, I’ll take a soldier uniform and…”

            “Better plan! We’ll put a gun to your head and escort you to see him personally. We’ll tell him you are an intruder and then that’s when you take action.”

            Cloud agreed and they put a machine gun to his back and one to throat. They slid down into the chamber and saw three elite-guards (in black while Paul and Carter wore purple). The elites stood around the room facing the center where the slide stopped and dropped you twenty feet from ceiling to floor. The three hit the floor and immediately the guards stood up and aimed the guns at Cloud again.

            Paul spoke this time, as Carter seemed fearful in front of Rufus, “We have an intruder sir! He was trespassing territories and even slain a few guards. What do you want us to do with him?”

            “Leave him here. I want to see a good show. Elites!” He clapped his hands; the elite-guards walked over in perfect fashion and stared at Cloud mercilessly.

            Paul and Carter stepped back a bit and watched as the guards began. One grabbed him from behind and held him while another socked Cloud in the gut. The third guard walked over to Paul and Carter.

            “Leave now, this is not for your eyes,” said the elite pointing towards the exit slide.

            “You’re hurting Cloud…do not touch him anymore,” Paul said while he aimed his weapon at the elite’s heart.

            The black-clad warrior kicked the weapon from Paul’s hands and punched him in the jaw. It sent Paul flying into a table and it broke sending him to the ground.

            Carter tackled the elite to the ground and started punching his face left and right like a crazy animal. Paul stood up and came over wielding a pistol. He put it to the guard’s head and did not hesitate to pull the trigger.

            The other two elite’s heard the shot and turned, ran at Paul. They dove in to tackle his legs but he jumped and flipped over them. He landed back facing the two and turned around to see them on the ground just standing up. Paul took his shots; he sent them both flying back into the wall full of holes.

            A loud gunshot rang, not from Paul. Carter looked down and saw his stomach blasted open…blood spilled from it in large amounts. He dropped to his knees and was dead.

            Paul turned to see Rufus wielding a shotgun. He shot again and sent Paul into the next world. His body flew back into the wall, a small grin appeared on his face even in death.

            Cloud clenched his fists and turned to face the shooter. Rufus smiled at him and pointed the gun at his head.

            “Now you have no choice but to die intruder. Your rebellious friends have fallen, now you shall follow their unwise path to death.”

            “Rufus…why did you…I can’t believe…”

            “Loss of words? So? It happens when one loses someone they hold dear. Would I miss Larkey…if he were to fall? Probably. He is the only person that I care about now, not a soul matters. The three elites…ha! I can get more any time.”

            Cloud glared at him, “You’re insane.”

            “Am I? Well that doesn’t matter now! I have the Rose of the Sand! Not a one can stop me now.”

            Cloud saw the Rose sticking barely out of his front pocket of his suit. Rufus smiled and pointed the shotgun again, ready to blow Cloud away.

            He knew it was coming; death was at hand. Fate had been sealed…he would die here…almost alone. Rufus…Manny…would kill him. It was not as things should be. Cloud sighed and closed his eyes tightly.

            A wire wrapped around Rufus’s neck and he began to choke and cough. Cloud opened his eyes and saw Yuffie holding a piece of fiber wire; choking Rufus. His shotgun dropped to the ground. Rufus began to kick and tried to yell. It was no use now. Yuffie took out a dagger, bored of choking, and stabbed him in the neck. Cloud pulled the Rose out of Rufus’s pocket and stored it in his pack.

            “Its no use now getting the reward,” Cloud had said when he and Yuffie left the room, “It isn’t even potted. He plucked it…darn you Ruby!”

            “Hey!” Yuffie said, “How about a thank you for saving my life Yuffie?”

            “Thanks Yuffie. It’s just…they died to protect us.”

            “No. They died for the Rose. Even though it is unplanted it still holds power beyond imagination. Your little traveler friend in Kalm wanted it planted so he could make more of the Roses and soon have powers even you have not seen.” A man stood there holding a giant sword. He was wearing a white scientist coat, a red and black striped tie, black pants, black-rimmed glasses, and a nametag, which read: Dr. Larkey.

            Larkey grinned and sheathed his sword into the holster on his back. The scientist closed his eyes and began humming some ancient tune. Yuffie fell to the ground, captured in its power. She slept heavily on the blood stained carpet right next to Rufus’s corpse. Cloud stood strong and would not be put under the spell.

            Larkey ceased and said, “Well then young Cloud, you have chosen death. Defying my command was not an option here and never will be.”

            “Command? What are you talking about? You’re mad Larkey. I can see it in your mako eyes. They’re just like mine aren’t they? I bet Rufus did this to you, didn’t he?”

            “Manny…he…well, I suppose he did. But what does that prove?”

            “You’re just another one of his creations, another one of Shinra’s lab rats. Do you not see? You have been used! Try to remember anything about your childhood. Just try!”

            “I can’t…” Larkey said, “It’s as if my past was erased completely. I have tried before but it doesn’t come to me. Manny told me it was stress related.”

            “It’s not. Actually I have a file on you. I picked it up inside the desert base. It says that Hojo created you.”

            “Created? No, he changed me!”

            “Are you so sure? Don’t be so quick to know! You do not want to hear what else there is. Either way you must know. Hojo needed you; he was creating a new species from scratch in order to have the ultimate being. He wished to make a humanic life form from mako. Naturally this meant the species would be terribly strong and smart. He gave you powers unknown to this world. Some you do not show…but you know them well. You choose not to use them, and I ask you…why?”

            Larkey sighed and hung his head low, “I guess I was afraid people would judge me. I was afraid of my powers…I did not know their origin so I hid myself from the world until Manny found me.”

            “It says in the files that after you were created, Hojo stuck you in a mako capsule where your body stayed submerged in mako until you became too strong for him to handle. You were almost ruined by the stuff…luckily he knew what he was doing and pulled you out after almost a year. He kept you by his side…but soon he knew death was nearing and he transferred his scientific brain into your body thus making you what you are today, his replacement. Now you are a mako soldier with the brain of a scientist…truly the ultimate species: strong, smart, quick, and brave.”

            “I don’t believe you. Where’s this file?”

            “Right here,” Cloud pulled out a file from his pack and handed it to Larkey, “I hope you find what I told you is true.”

            Larkey read through, with each word he read his brows seemed to droop. His spirits seemed to lessen as he read through, his doubt now clearing. It seemed to him that all of this was too true…

            Cloud grinned for a second and then began to feel a sort of pity. Here was someone just like him; used by Shinra, experimented on, lied to. A heavy feeling of hate filled the both of their hearts. Larkey finished and turned to Manny. He kicked the body and broke down onto the ground, closing his eyes…fighting back tears.

            “I believe you Cloud. It’s all true, and Manny even knew. You and            me Cloud! We are alike in many ways…”

            “Yea I know. I do pity you Larkey, but I can’t let that get in the way of my goal.”

            “Do not pity me Cloud, for I do not pity you. We should instead join together! We are like brothers, both used in some ways by Shinra!”

            “I’m different. I was once almost human. You were created, made…you were never human.”

            “Don’t you ever say that! I WAS ONCE A MAN JUST LIKE YOU!”

Larkey unsheathed his sword and rushed fast at Cloud. His steps fell upon the earth like raindrops, very quiet and gentle. He was quick and strong, he knew what he was doing. If Cloud did not know better, he would be dead by now.

Larkey sliced through the air, landing his blade on Cloud’s metal shoulder pad. Cloud countered with his blade thrusting up into the scientist’s stomach. Blood spilled into the floor as Cloud dug in deep, twisting and turning.

Larkey reached out a hand of alliance to Cloud, a last minute decision over life and death. Cloud denied his wishes and spat on Larkey’s face. Cloud tore upward and his blade cut through Larkey’s insides and up his middle. His face was split in two as the sword exited the top of the skull and flew into the air. Cloud sheathed his sword and watched the body fall to the ground, guts and blood spilled to the floor.

Yuffie awoke and jumped up to meet Cloud. She nearly puked when she saw the bloodbath laid out before her. Cloud picked her up in his arms and strode out the door, turning his back away from the scene completely.

The Highwind soared high through the skies above the Southern Waters. Vincent, Yuffie, and Cloud sat in the meeting room in a debrief.

Cloud said, “Nice job out there yesterday. The death of Paul and Carter is a sad one but their loss is not in vain. Their brave efforts have made the people of Corel fight back and now they won liberty. They say Barret finally made his peace with that town and fought by their side all the way through. Now the people praise him as way before. Now, Shinra has been destroyed and I have reports from Red XIII and Tifa that they have cleaned the entire Gold Saucer and all is back to normal. Now…how about this Rose business?”

Yuffie managed a small smile, said: “I visited the Kalm traveler and he told me the truth to its power. Cloud, place it on the table and I will demonstrate.” Cloud placed the Rose on the table and Yuffie tickled the stem. The Rose let out a blinding white light and the Highwind was illuminated like never before.

Ruby Weapon, Emerald, Diamond, and Ultima flew by the Highwind and stopped to look in. Ruby waved and went on with the rest high into the sky.

“They have been set free, thanks to the Rose. That is the power she holds, to set free a lost spirit. The Rose can heal as well.”

Vincent scratched his head and said, “Spirits? Ruby Weapon wasn’t dead…”

“It works like this: the weapons come out when earth is in trouble. Until trouble is gone, they may not return to rest. If they are killed, then they are to remain spirits and roam the earth until someone uses the Rose. After all trouble is gone, then they all become spirits. We released them back to the earth where they can rest.”

“Didn’t they try to kill us?” asked Cloud.

“No…they didn’t know. Meteor confuses the Weapons somehow. That’s why Ruby knew we were not evil.”

“So Shinra held them back?”

“No, Larkey did. He was tied with the Weapons in a strange way we will never understand. Once he died, they were all spirits. I just released them from this world. Now they will be used again when needed, if the earth calls forth the Weapons that is.”

            “This all makes sense now,” said Cloud, “nobody knew the truth of this Rose but the traveler. He wanted more Roses to help people, not rule them! So now we should keep this and use it when needed, or give it to someone in a higher authority…someone who may need it. The Rose of the Sand really was what this whole ordeal was about…one simple red Rose in the desert…”

END:::NOTE--- I really enjoyed writing this one. Please send me feedback; I want to hear your opinion. Criticism is welcome; tell me if you hated it and why. I want to know if it sucked! Also please tell me problem spots in the story. Niceness is welcome too…thanks!