THE ZIRATCHI

Chapter 9

I awoke with a splitting headache in a bed within a steel room. A few seconds of rapid blinking cleared the blurriness from my vision as I sat up. It only took a second to recognize my enviroment as being my room aboard the Shera.

A frown crossed my face as I wondered how I had come to be here. I stood and noticed my sword leaning in the corner. I quickly retrieved it and placed it across my back before heading to the door. However, a split second before my hand reached the handle the door flew open and sent me flying backwards with a startled cry.

"Oops! Sorry about that," I heard someone say, and looked up to see Zack. He had obviously found the Buster Sword, because it was sheathed on his back.

"Hey, hows it been?" I asked casually.

"Oh you know, same old same old. I guess my old sword didn't really work for you," Zack replied as he sat down in a chair over in the corner.

I plopped down on the bed and told him "Its a good weapon, but my style relies on speed of movement, and manuverability. Sadly, that sword lacks both,"

"I never have any trouble moving it in a hurry," Zack informed me.

I shrugged as I said "Yeah, but your way more experienced with it than me,"

"True," He acknowledged, then asked "So what exactly happened in the Forgotten City? Vincent only said you went off by yourself, and he found you unconciouss,"

I frowned. So Vincent hadn't told anone about my alliance with Sephiroth, I'd have to thank him for that. But more importantly, what had happened to the silver haired warrior? It occured to me that he may have had to retreat from

Ultor's army. It was still rather strange to think of Ultor by any other name than Ziratchi.

"To be blunt, Ziratchi kicked my ass, but not before telling me his actual name. He calls himself Ultor," I explained.

Zack nodded as he said "Cool, Nanaki did some more research and found out why Ultor is so interested in destroying the lifestream. It seemse that many years ago, the ziratchi lived on this planet during a time when the lifestream

was dormant. When it was reawakened by the Cetra however, it percieved the ziratchi as a threat and drove them from the planet, many stayed behind and declared war on the lifestream. The Cetra took up the fight, and eventually won. At least, thats what Nanaki says,"

I took the information in before saying "Well it looks like Ultor might be taking another crack at the war thing. In the Forgotten City he was raising massive army,"

"Damn, we better go share that information with Cloud eh?" Zack asked.

"Agreed," I agreed.

--

We reached the bridge where the rest of AVALANCHE was in the midst of looking worried. "Hey guys, we have a minor problem," I began.

"We know," Cloud said pointing out the window. I looked and saw that we were near the Golden Saucer, and it appeared to be under attack, if the smoke and flames rising from it and into the night air were any indicator. "Corel is also

under attack," Cloud said.

"So whats the plan?" I asked as I took in the scene of destruction. Corel Prison was completely hidden from view by massive billowing clouds of smoke, and the glow of flames was strong down there. The actual saucer had smoke billowing from

several parts of it, and I could see the glow of countless small fires, I saw a small explosion go off on the upper section.

"We are going to split into two groups, one group will defend Golden Saucer, the other group will handle Corel," Cloud explained.

"Why don't we call the WRO for help?" Zack asked as he leaned against a railing.

"The WRO is also being attacked," Vincent deadpanned.

"I'll lead the Corel group," Barret voulenteered. I understood why.

"I'm with him!" Yuffie declared in an excited tone.

"I call the saucer, I've never been there before," Zack said.

"I'll join him," I said. Soon we had settled the matter. Zack, Vincent, Tifa, and myself would tackle the saucer. Cloud, Yuffie, Barret, and Cait Sith would take Corel. Cid would pilot the airship, and Nanaki would see if he could dig up any more

info on our enemies.

We made our way to the outer deck as airship passed by the amusement park. "We will be passing by the Gondala tracks soon, you will have to jump onto them and get inside from there!!" Cid shouted over the intercom.

I saw the tracks coming into sight, and braced myself for the jump.

"You ready for this?" Zack asked with a smile.

"Sure, but I'm not so sure about you," I said with a grin.

"Lets go!" Tifa said, and jumped. I followed and sailed through the air right at the track, and soon my feet came down hard. Zack and Vincent landed as well with loud thuds.

Without a word we all broke into a sprint to get inside the saucer. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the airship flying away towards Corel. I reached up to my back with my right hand and drew my blade, it was time to kick some butt.