[Gradius]

PRIDE 12

"We just caught sight of a trio of bogies leaving your area. Guessing you couldn't keep Titan locked down?" Barret clenched the receiver hard in his fist. He strained his eyes trying to make out the other pair following him up into the air. He felt  the Shera 3 shudder as Cid now pushed the engines bringing the massive ship forward.

"We had him, but then we got...interrupted." Barret grunted at the response, hearing both disbelief and hesitation in it. Elena stepped forward, gesturing absently, Seraphim intercepting another salvo of rockets. As if finally annoyed by the constant interruption, the enemy Airship now turned towards them. Nodding with satisfaction Barret brought his mouth back to the mouthpiece.

"Got inte...wait, spotted two again. Might be that same that..!. What the... Is that...!" Barret stuttered as two figures streaked towards them. Quickly, both Elena and Jessica raised their shields, but whoever it was had no interest in them. The next few seconds seemed slowed to the three hosts, eyes widening as Tifa and Scarlet flew past the observation deck of the bridge, locked in vicious combat. The three seconds felt like thirty to Barret watching his friend and her rival, now changed, exchange swift and powerful blows that rocked the very air surrounding the ship while also yanking hair that waved and flowed between them. Then they were gone and time sped up, the Shera shaking in the turbulence of their passage. 

"Bloody... What was that!?" Cid shouted, struggling with the wheel. Barret, Elena and Jessica ignored the grey haired pilots curses, sharing a look, that latter two nodding to the former's unasked question. He growled, heading for the hangar. He wasn't about to let Odin get all the fun with regards to Titan.

*****

"Too late!" Scarlet cackled, propelling them into the reactor, white and black armor appearing around her body. Tifa screamed as metal ripped at her body, tearing her wings. She could feel Siren working frantically to repair any damage, fighting the pain tearing at her mind, even as her feathers became armored, deflecting the jagged metal that creaked and sliced at her back and wings. In a maddened frenzy her attacks became more savage, grabbing hold of Scarlet's helmeted head and back, fingers curling into claws and tearing away the protective covering. Her fists hammered into Scarlet's face and shoulders, the pale skinned woman ducking her head to avoid the worst of it, but could do little to protect her back, drilling the occasional punch into Tifa's side and stomach.

A long piece of metal pipe pierced her torn wing, making her jerk in agony, crashing through an ancient locker room, the cabinets creaking across her back until they split. As fast as Siren armored her back, it was stripped away, barely giving her any relief. Sucking in a breath she gave voice to the tearing agony, shrieking directly against Scarlet's head, the sudden vertigo disrupting Scarlet's movements and now they tumbled through the walls like a blue and green saw blade. Ancient cables snapped and cracked against Scarlet's armor, Shiva's liquid based protection very susceptible to the low current that still ran through some of the wiring. Disoriented, they continued pummeling and kicking, but there was a definite weakness in Scarlet's blows, her nausea weakening her against Tifa's fury.

Then...they were through into the open, The relief was immediate, but she was tiring. Out of desperation she punched at Tifa, arm elongating into a sharp spear that cut into the brunette's cheek as she barely dodged. In a rage, Tifa's knee shot up under Scarlet's chin snapping her head back as their momentum slowed and a hand chopped down on the frozen limb, cutting off the spear tip, Scarlet crying out as her arm reformed. Grabbing the other woman's hair before she could pull away Tifa unleashed another shriek that carried all the pain she'd endured in the passage through the reactor, right into Scarlet's face. She held nothing back, blood leaking from Scarlet's ears and nostrils, the armor falling from her body as she sagged, eyes rolling back into her head. "JUST...DIE!!" Tifa howled, giving one final vengeful swing, cracking her fist across Scarlet's temple with everything she had left, splitting them apart. Even through the roaring in her ears she heard the SNAP!

The light in the Scarlet's eyes flickered and she went limp, flying back to crash against an inner wall, before falling straight down into the reactor. Out of control herself, Tifa spun wildly, crashing into the bulkhead and falling onto a broken bridge. Landing with a tired WHUUFF, Tifa struggled to move, but her limbs refused to budge. In fact she barely had any feeling at all. Reaching out a hand she tried to drag herself only to give a weak cry as pain exploded in her midsection. Her eyes flitting around, Tifa immediately recognized the location. Even with the damage she still saw Cloud falling...falling after the Airbuster exploded. Struggling, she was able to get a hand to rise, barely off the ground...reaching for her memory, before falling limp. Blood pooled around the four foot metal spike that pierced her back, dripping through the grating in the floor.

Several levels lower Scarlet finally slammed through a bulkhead that fell inwards, taking her with it. She made no sound...incapable of any...head twisted at an odd angle. Her color began to change, Shiva's enhancements fading, staring up unseeing at the ceiling.

*****

Sitting back, Cloud felt the powerful mana weaken and finally fade. Immediately he shot up, nothing else mattering to him. "I'm heading to check out what hit that other reactor." He grunted at his detachment. "Make sure this group can't link up with any of the others."

He didn't wait for any acknowledgment, jumping out from their hidden location and moving in a rapid lope. Up above he felt another powerful rush of mana and sharp eyes picked out a descending object. Stronger than anything else that had shown up thus far it could only be one being. As if to confirm his suspicion there was a burst of debris nearby and he spotted Titan leaping to intercept.

Now, just one more and maybe they'd have a chance. Wouldn't do to spring his surprise early. Of course if anything happened to Tifa...

*****

Rushing outside, Yuffie paused to guide Beck and his outwards. Her eyes angled upwards and she stiffened, seeing figures, one green, the other blue, darting back and forth into one another.

"Tifa," she breathed, trying to will some strength to her friend as she fought her perennial rival. From where she was it looked like the green figure was overwhelming the blue, delivering more strikes than she was taking, but at the same time she felt unease.

Scarlet, the blue figure seemed to be the one controlling the location of the fight, letting herself take hits to maneuver Tifa into an advantageous position. What it could be Yuffie didn't...!

With a sudden lunge the blue, glowing figure suddenly dove at the green driving her forward into a nearby reactor. Horror immediately rushed over Yuffie and she had to hold herself back, to not tap into Leviathan to immediately make her way across. The sound of dislodged rubble made her spin around rapidly, but it still wasn't quick enough as the kunoichi felt herself grabbed...

*****

Back in Reactor 5, Scarlet stirred, the blonde woman groaning, reaching for a familiar figure. Abruptly she shot up, clutching her head in confusion. "Uhh...huh?!" She moaned, her vision blurry, nauseated. Her head and neck ached abominably and she shot over vomiting violently. Gagging she heaved, feeling better but moving slowly to give her stomach a chance to relax. Slowly, it settled but...something was wrong...or rather, something was missing. Grabbing hold of the wall, the blonde pulled herself upright, stumbling slightly. Yes...something was definitely wrong, she decided. She'd been fighting Tifa...yes Tifa...and then, and then... Giving a frustrated scream, Scarlet pounded her head against the metal walls. Lost...had she lost again!? NO! Another anguished scream and slam and there was a loud clatter and a shard of glass from a broken window fell nearby.

Slowly she turned and stood in front of the dirty glass, an expression of fascination staring back at her as she used it to study her appearance. Hair a mess...to be expected, a silvery tiara with what looked like an aquamarine gem around her forehead. Lips full and red, teeth good, none missing. She was back in her favorite red dress, with the golden buttons and plunging neckline to give everyone a perfect view of her assets. She ran her hands down to the material, clinging to her curves, a red stockinged leg pushed out from the slits in the sides, clad in a pair of black, spike heeled boots. "Lovely," she murmured, caressing the soft material of the stockings, it feeling oddly similar to the stuff making up her dress, moving her examination forward.

Black gloves extended to her elbows, under the bands to a red gauntlet on her right arm, from which perfectly painted nails peeked out. "Slinky...I like it." Scarlet purred, adjusting the gauntlet slightly, then focused downwards, heels would be a detriment here...but it would be a waste to get rid of such a pair. Reaching down, lips curled into a bright smile as she found a slot to push in the heels, turning it into a simple pair of boots. "Sexy...perfect for stomping uppity fat titted brunettes!"

Looking back into the glass, Scarlet brushed at her face, irritated at her lack of makeup, rubbing the slight hint of crows feet by her right eye... A slight...slight... "NOOOOOOOOOO!!" Scarlet shrieked, punching through the glass, stamping her booted feet. Fingers curled as she clenched her fists, entire body heaving in outrage. She would pay. She...distracted by a soft shuffling noise, Scarlet turned around slowly, her fingers uncurling. Unholy joy lighting up her face.

A loud, metallic clanging noise. Eyelids fluttered, vision blurred as Tifa moaned, gagging in memory of pain...excruciating pain.

She twisted her head, thinking she'd heard something, but there was only silence. Absolute silence. Pushing herself up onto her side she shoved away a piece of pipe, ignoring the blood smear it left as it rolled away. She gave her head several solid taps...nothing. Groaning, Tifa pulled herself up, looking around in confusion. In doing so she paused, patting her skirt, and feeling her chest restricted. Taking a moment to do inventory, Tifa tugged off her t-shirt, wincing at a slight discomfort across her back, studying the pale orbs. Something felt off to her before simply shrugging and slipping the shirt back over her head, pulling it over the black sports bra. Her arms and hands were clad in her familiar black gloves with a pair of red and black gauntlets protecting her hands. She also now had a greenish vambrace across her right arm with an odd looking rune across it.

Stooping down into a kneeling position, she adjusted her favorite red boots, trying to stay calm and understand what was going on. But the more she tried to think the greater her anxiety. Suddenly frantic, she jumped up and moved to a light jog down a passage. Moving down a series of stairs until hearing a shrill scream. "NOOOOOOO..." She knew that voice. She hated that voice. Suddenly eager, she rushed in its direction as it faded, guided still by a series of loud stamping, crackling noises. Finally she sped around a corner and...Scarlet. Pale skinned and blonde haired and dressed in an all too familiar manner. "Scarlet!!" She shrieked, almost falling over as she charged.

"TIFA!" Scarlet shouted in a perverse joy, swinging around at the girl's scream. Breasts bounced only slightly under the thin covering of her shirt, long bare legs pumping, rage twisting her pretty face. Hate and arousal combined in a savage screech, the blonde sprinting towards her oncoming foe. The impact knocked them both into the air, falling to bounce twice as they wrapped up in a warring ball, rolling back and forth before speeding back down the hall where Tifa came from. Crashing at the split in the junction they broke apart, Scarlet wailing as Tifa grabbed her hair from behind, pulling her into a choke hold. Grimacing, struggling to breathe, the blonde rammed an elbow repeatedly into the girl behind her and when that failed, she dug her nails into the arm strangling her.

Tifa twitched, the woman's nails, reaching her skin under the glove covering, just only just. But, with a blue flash from gem around her head, Tifa shrieked as those same nails now punctured her skin and Scarlet started drawing lines in her gloves and she shoved away. With a maddened snarl, Scarlet swung around, fist already in the flight. The blow shook the brunette, but she only hissed in response and swung a punch of her own. Knee to knee, wild punches and the occasional slap rocked faces and shoulders, both women sitting on their haunches as they swung viciously. A teeth rattling punch left Scarlet dazed and an uppercut catapulted her onto her back. In a flash Tifa was back on her, hands going around her throat.

Kicking out, the blonde sent the brunette sliding back. With a scream Tifa slid out of sight and through a passage. Scarlet could hear rattling and staggered upright. Placing a hand on the broken door frame she stared down at a stunned Tifa, lying in a heap at the midpoint in a stairwell. Then she smiled. Tifa, on the other hand, got up warily, wincing as Scarlet strained and tugged free a piece of the banister, a four piece of jagged metal. The brunette stared, the blonde marching down the stairs, swinging her new weapon, throwing herself down the remainder of the flight as Scarlet swung. She landed roughly, slipping slightly and getting her arms up to block another swing, gauntlets absorbing most of the blow, getting knocked through an open door. Following close behind Scarlet swung hard, twice, getting in good hits across Tifa's shoulder and upper arm, before getting kicked in the gut. Tears leaking down her face, the brunette got back to her feet and stumbled away, clutching her shoulder.

"GET BACK HERE TIFA!!" Scarlet howled, shrieking with laughter, swinging the pipe over her head. Booted feet clopped loudly on the metal floor, breasts bouncing dramatically as Scarlet pursued the fleeing brunette. Tifa whirled, chair in hand and flung it at Scarlet. The blonde cursed, swatting it aside in time to catch Tifa squeezing though a partially opened entry way. Growling, Scarlet fought her way through the slim opening, cursing at the pressure on her chest. The room was dark with barely any light. Slowly her eyes accustomed to the gloom and her interest was piqued. It was one of the old Assembly plants for the Air Buster. She'd completely forgotten about them after the mech's failure. Might be worth investigating after...

"Oh Scaaaarrlet!" The blonde yelped and swung around, swinging her pipe. A cruel giggle met the sound of glass breaking and the pattering a light feet. Scarlet took a deep breathe and kept her weapon up. A sharp pain hit her shoulder and she swung around again wildly. "So close...so close..."

Keeping her breathing shallow Tifa came up behind the hated blonde and grabbed her head, slamming it into a table. Scarlet reacted quickly though, swinging around rapidly with her rod, clipping the side of the girl's head. Tifa wailed loudly, but powered on through, grabbing the pipe on the back swing. Whining in terror and fear they shambled across the darkness, blundering into workstations and desks, fighting for control of the weapon. Her vision was still burry and her jaw ached though and slowly Scarlet gained control, shoving her onto and over a desk, shadowy face intent. With an desperate grunt, Tifa caught her with a swift backhand and kicked out, pushing Scarlet away and slipping away into the darkness once more.

"Get out here and fight you coward!" Tifa chuckled darkly at Scarlet's shout, crawling along the floor, ears sharp for any movement. With a sudden burst, she shot out, grabbing Scarlet's legs out from under her. As the blonde fell, Tifa shot up with an elbow to the midsection, and flipped the woman over onto her back. By the sound of the clatter, she still held onto the pipe, so Tifa scuttled off again. "You scared to face me you little trollop!?"

This wasn't her, she knew. Or how she fought, but she needed time. Her arms and head still ached abominably and...it felt good to scare the cxnt. To not feel bad, like when she lost control fighting M or Elizabeth. There was no one here now to see just how nasty she could be. Her hands felt something hard and cold, running up and down, judging it's strength and wieldiness. Well, well ,well...her smile widened as her grip tightened on it. "Damn you Lockhart! Get out here and...GAHHH!!"

"It's Strife..." Tifa hissed into Scarlet's ear, cracking her new weapon across the blonde's back. Scarlet stumbled and swung wildly, catching Tifa's pipe on the downswing. Hammering away at one another in darkness, more shots missed than were blocked or hit, but enough hit to hurt. Tears blurring her vision Scarlet fell against the wall, stumbling just in time to avoid another blow that gave a hollow CLONG against the wall. Hands scrabbling she felt a switch and gave it a pull. Immediately there was a sliver of light that grew as a door groaned open and she darted towards it spinning around to spot Tifa.

"What did you say, LOCKHART!?" She mocked, seeing the tear streaks and bruises that dotted the brunette's magnificent body as she stepped back into the light. Her shirt and skirt were torn, a black bra peeking out from a rip along the side.

"I said, it's STRIFE!!" Tifa spat, smashing a desk with a four foot pipe that looked like a part of a rocket assembly for one of her Air Buster's missiles. She glared at Scarlet, the woman's dress already starting to give under the strenuous activity and the stockings she wore were full of holes and runs. "Tifa...Lockhart...STRIFE!! I took his name when we got married. Get it right you ancient...old...NAG!!"

With a final scream, Scarlet abruptly found herself on the backfoot, Tifa swinging wildly at her. Down the hallway to a staircase she barely managed to defend herself, a heavy upswing from the brunette managing to knock the pipe from numb hands, that waved wildly, grabbing onto something that snapped before tumbling down the stairwell. There was a surge in the back of her mind and she heard Tifa shout in surprise as she fell. Groaning, rubbing the back of her head, Scarlet's eyes opened to find herself holding a thick and long piece of rubber cable. On the landing above there was the sound of something breaking and Tifa, for some reason, was now defenseless. But, determination on her face, she leapt down, hands reaching for the cable

With a SNAP, CRACK, Scarlet whipped rubber insulate wiring through the air to slash around Tifa's waist, sounding very much like a whip.

Must've felt like one too judging by the scream and how Tifa landed roughly at Scarlet's feet.

Another sharp CRACK and Tifa yelled at a sharp stinging pain across her rear, rolling away and rubbing furiously at the pained spot. "Now, this IS fun!!" Scarlet cackled. dragging her arm back again. Needing to make some room, Tifa vaulted over the edge to a lower level, looking back up as Scarlet's head appeared. A middle finger later and she took off at the blonde's angry bellow. Down a corridor filled with doors. With a grunt of irritation, she flung them open one after another as she ran past, knowing Scarlet would stop to check each one. In the process she stumbled, the ground shaking again...

*****

"YUFFIE!!"

The startled kunoichi found herself short of breath, her face clutched between two thinly covered mounds by an enthusiastic brunette. Making her way down several ramps, following Beck and the others, they'd run into a familiar group heading up. Before anything could be said, Josy was on her. Rapidly, she tapped the bigger girl's back. "Josy...I don't think she can breathe!" A voice said, and suddenly she could again, gasping, while the other's pretty face was embarrassed.

"What are you doing here?" Joslyn demanded. Wearing an outfit reminiscent of Tifa's, with wrist and leg guards, she gave the kunoichi a light shake. "Why didn't you tell anyone anything about what you were doing?"

"It was a spur of the moment thing," She replied defensively, pushing Jo's arms off. "I didn't have time."

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?" To her horror, Yuffie saw tears in her friend's eyes, as she hugged her again. "Losing all three of you at once. I could barely..."

"I'm sorry Jo, I really am." Yuffie hugged the bigger girl back, patting her gently. "But when it happened I had to make the choice then and there. You have no idea what they were doing to Cloud and to Tifa. It was..."

"So you've been here longer than we know!"

"Oh shit! TAKE COVER!!" Yuffie screamed, pushing on Jo, knocking both women to the ground as blast of white lightning struck near them. Entire body crackling with energy, Alexander strode out from the small crater. Fenrir leapt at him, only to be blasted away. Kujata bellowed, lightning arcing from it's horns to be swatted away. Zangan, Nanaki, Rude and Yangus darted at from different directions. Rude and Yangus he blocked, Red he dodged, but to the surprise of everyone Zangan's blow landed, sending the Esper flying. Yuffie immediately turned to Josy, to tell her to run, only to gape at the ethereal woman hovering over her head. There was a tingle in the back of her mind, Leviathan waking up, and she recognized the creature. "Lak...shmi?"

"Ah, so you're the girl Leviathan chose?" The woman floated around her lazily, peering at...no...through her. "Oh yes, I can see her modifications in you. Where is the overgrown lizard?"

"LIZARD!? Lakshmi you presumptuous starlet..." Yuffie snapped her hands over her mouth and shuddered. There was a violent explosion behind her and Yangus flew past, hurling his axe the way he came. "We were saving her in case we ran into an issue. But I supposed with Alexander out in the open..."

Clapping her hands together, Yuffie focused, letting go. A spiralling whirlwind of water shot up from the ground, knocking around the remaining combatants. With a gurgling screech and hiss, Leviathan manifested herself again, standing almost as tall as the Shinra building. That immediately unloaded a volley of rocket fire in her direction. Hissing in anger the Serpent whirled on the building, taking heed Yuffie's warning about damage, and opened her mouth.

"NO!" Alexander roared, firing a beam straight up, that clipped the Sea Dragon's beak causing it to recoil. "We did not come this far to falter now. I will not dishonor the doctor's memory! If you all need a reminder as to what I'm capable of...ALLOW ME TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ONE!!"

*****

Running, Cloud stumbled at the sudden oppressive mana. It was unfamiliar to him, while also horrifyingly familiar. This was what Titan had been talking about.

The little shit had been holding back this entire time!!

*****

"RAHH!!" Barret bellowed, swinging his arms upwards, sending Titan flopping over onto his back. The massively muscled Esper rose slowly, touching his face in surprise and wincing from the blood leaking down his chin. He stared across at the Odin empowered Barret who pointed a red painted fist weapon at him, smirking. "Warned yah. This time youse goin' down."

"You failed to warn him about my biggest weakness Odin." Titan chuckled, spitting. He smashed rocklike fists together, shirt tearing as his upper body swelled ridiculously in comparison to his lower, towering over the muscular black man. "I'm glad I didn't kill you last time, human. You've proven to be most entertaining. And now, with Odin, I don't need to worry about you breaking easily!"

With a massive swing of his body, Titan threw punch that Barret met with an accompanying roar, his artificial fist pushing against Titan's stone like. The impact threw up dust clouds and stone around them, then Barret gave a pained grin. With a shout, a pair of boosters on his old rocket fist ignited and powered Titan's back until the limb slipped away it smashed into the Esper's chest. Once more Titan tumbled over, rolling to end up against a concrete wall, stunned.

"Oh, the big guy couldn't wait to tell me bout your weird ass kink!" Barret shouted, jumping from foot to foot. "So I broke out Ol' Betsy here. You like punchin' shit? Well, with her on, so do I. So..."

A low rumble disrupted the air around them and even Titan looked startled by it. Then his face settled into one of resignation. "And just when it was getting good," he grumbled, getting to his feet and dusting himself off. The look he shot Barret was one of pity. "Odin, if you have any sense, you will encourage your host to surrender...or run. Either is good."

*****

Even up in the sky, the Airship duel seemed to falter with neither side firing. Within the Phoenix, Diabolos hissed in aggravation at the power of Alexander's mana. On the other side, Seraph and Carbunkle hastened back to Elena and Jessica, encouraging them to pull back.

Before the eyes of everyone around a massive construct of white and gold emerged to plant two massive pillar like "hands" on either side of the Shinra building. Looking like a moving fortress it settled it's head above it and, with a flash, a pair of pure white wings flared out from it's back to envelop the tower, shielding it from view.

More concerning though, were the pauldrons that rose from it's back with a loud humming sound. Those with Espers immediately dove for cover, but those without...many were not so fortunate when Alexander's beams fired, levelling much of the surrounding area.

*****

Back inside Reactor 5 Tifa yelled as Scarlet's improvised whip raised another painful welt across the small of her back, tearing her shirt even further. Cursing, she pulled the ruined garment off her body, moving rapidly she scooped up, spun and released, hurling the broken half of a desk top at Scarlet, the blonde throwing herself to the ground to avoid it. Getting back to her feet she resumed the chase, following Tifa up and down several staircases finally finding her shambling down a corridor in an exhausted trot. Cackling Scarlet whipped the cable back and forth, across the passageway, following her prey as she slipped down a side hallway. Darting around the corner, she flew back from a punch to the face.

"Persistent old bag!" Tifa spat, rubbing her knuckles. Her entire body ached from the beating Scarlet had inflicted on it, but she focused the pain into her core, to feed the fury she felt.

"Sanctimonious trash!" Scarlet hissed back, cracking her improvised weapon against the floor, near the girl's foot, forcing her away. Getting back up she twirled her weapon, the cable glowing a soft blue. A foot near the end glowed bright and ice formed into spikes. Grinning at the sudden change Scarlet whipped her arm back and forth she slashed the cable towards Tifa, cracking against the wall or slapping loudly if it caught a part of the girl's body. Tifa grimaced, jumping back, unable to get close. Attempting to snatch it would've had her hand damaged if not for the gauntlets, and it was taking all she had to avoid the spikes. Another swing had her fall back onto her rear, the spikes grazing her cheek, Tifa wailing at the splash of blood. Panting, she glared up at Scarlet who strutted casually up to her. Grinning, the blonde pulled back her arm.

On the floor, Tifa felt a painful pulse on her right arm, like something trying to make it's way out. In slow motion, Scarlet brought her arm forward, the cable arcing through the air towards her, Tifa surged up and to her left, bringing her right arm around, spinning in the air before landing on her feet. Then everything sped back up and Scarlet stared in shock at the flopping two foot length of rubbery wire she held. The remained fell to the ground, ice melting rapidly, behind Tifa, who stared at the three foot long green blade coming out of her arm between the wrist and elbow, slowly fade back into the her arm.

She was immediately dragged back to the present when Scarlet slammed a spiteful punch into her ribs, using the remains of her whip around her hand like a knuckleduster, and Tifa swore, delivering a vicious clout that knocked Scarlet further down the passage. There was blood on her gauntlet she noted with satisfaction, striding towards the moaning woman, reaching for her as the entire building shook causing her to stumble. What the hell was going on out there she wondered...then grimaced clutching her head. Didn't matter. Not right now.

Scarlet spat, the coppery tang of blood in her mouth. The taste driving a rage that ate away all the aches she felt. With a ferocious growl Scarlet twisted around, hacking clawed hands with blue nails at the distracted Tifa, making the girl retreat with a trio of red stripes appeared on her cheek and two across her shoulder, blood dripping down the side of her face. A kick to Scarlet's stomach, doubling the blonde over, a knee that brought her back up to be grabbed by the front of her dress and thrown roughly down the hallway. The RIP was loud.

Panting in nervous energy, Scarlet was back to her feet quickly, expecting Tifa to rush to keep her advantage, Her torn dress covering only half her body, with a pale, pink tipped breast peeking out. But the girl remained stationary. Maintaining eye contact with Scarlet, Tifa brushed a finger across her cheek, leaving a red smear, which she then popped into her mouth. Taking a deep breath through her nostrils a look of euphoria crossed the girl's face, twisting it into a bright smile, that she turned on the blonde woman. Scarlet smirked back ripping away what remained of the top of her dress, tying it firmly around her waist.

Tink, tink, tink. The sound of the gold buttons hitting the floor were loud in the sudden silence that surrounded the pair, the only other sound being their steady, heavy breathing. With a final, emphatic, twist Scarlet tightened the knot around her waist. Licking the blood leaking down her cheek, Scarlet wiped away the thread with a thumb, that she then used to smear a red line just over her gently swaying breasts. Tifa's hands moved slowly...up to her bra...as if hypnotized, then stopped and her face turned severe, raising her fists and advancing on Scarlet.

The blonde cackled, rushing at Tifa, arms out. The brunette's hands grabbed her wrists, bodies splashing together breasts first, spinning around and shoving one another against one side of the hallway, then the other. Thick hair protecting her head while a furious Scarlet slammed it up against the metal, Tifa kneed Scarlet away and leapt at her, pushing them into a pair of broken sliding door that groaned as they hit, and finally collapsed. Balance lost, Tifa and Scarlet clung to one another as they stumbled down a sloping incline, finally falling together in a wild tumble into another room. Smaller with an open pit in the center, it simply looped around, continuing downwards where the women finally rolled apart.

Rushing to her feet Scarlet leapt at Tifa, jumping through the air, feet extended in a dropkick to the brunette's chest, knocking her back down. Tifa grunted, rolling onto her hands, Scarlet dragging her up by the hair and punching her up against the wall. The brunette got her feet up, kicking the charging blonde away and pushing away from the wall. Getting an arm up she blocked another blow, biting back a scream as it hit the bruise from earlier, making her own punch clumsy and easily blockable and staggered in surprise from a vicious roundhouse kick. Gritting her teeth, Tifa quickly slammed her head forward, butting Scarlet in her prodigious chest and shoving Scarlet against the wall, arm biting into the blonde's throat.

"Gaahh...!" The blonde gagged, flailing, swinging a wild, clawed fist that tore the strap on the sport's bra. Tifa's right boob spilled out dramatically and immediately bounced as Scarlet homed in such a target with fist to the underside.

"Ugh...harpy!" Tifa moaned, jumping away, then back, both women grabbing one another by the neck and shoulder. Back muscles immediately rose as the woman strained against woman, blue eyes glaring into brown. Scarlet's height advantage had the taller, voluptuous blonde pushing down on Tifa, but the lithe, curvy brunette matched her push for push. Tifa snarled and Scarlet growled, booted feet squeaked on the metallic floor, their contest seeming without end. With a sudden shout, Scarlet shifted her grip to under Tifa's pits, lifting and throwing the girl to the ground.

Tifa grimaced, eyes widening in terror as she rolled away. With a yell, Scarlet brought her gauntleted fist down where Tifa had been, a trio of blazing blue claws sliding into the metal as if it were butter. Surging back to her feet Tifa brought her arm around, the green blade there again, in a wide downward arc. Scarlet twisted, cutting through the floor and bringing the claws up. When green and blue met there was an explosion of energy that sent the two women flying in opposite directions. Scarlet rolled down a decline, while Tifa slammed up against a wall, crying out as her back hit a recess. Falling to her hands and knees, the brunette shouted again as the remains of gun turret fell over onto her.

Rapid footfalls dragged her attention back to the matter at hand and she rolled blindly, hearing the solid CLONK of a booted foot hitting the wall. Getting back up, a push kick from Scarlet sent her stumbling, but she maintained her footing, swaying away from stiffened palm, nails aimed for her eyes. She delivered a punch to Scarlet's ribs, took a punch spattered blood across the floor, kicking the blonde's legs out from under her. A booted kick sent the blonde skating across the floor where she staggered to her feet, glared at Tifa, and stumbled into a run down another decline. Cursing, Tifa hobbled after her, through a broken door with the letters B7 titled across it. As soon as she stepped through something hit her across the ribs and Tifa cried out, falling to the ground, hearing something clatter where her head had just been, scuttling behind a desk for cover. "cxnt! Fight me properly!"

"You're one to talk, you two gil tart!" Scarlet snarled, drinking in the horror on Tifa's face as she hefted the desk the girl hid behind above her head. She dove away from the point of impact, but couldn't avoid the thrown lantern that clattered against her shoulder. The brunette shouted and spun around, fury on her face. With a loud SPLAT they crashed back together, wrestling fiercely. Throwing arms around each other's neck, fists dug into bellies and set boobs bouncing. Feet were stamped on, to little effect, and shins kicked with only marginally more effectiveness. Scarlet bit Tifa's ear, she grabbed a heavy tit and squeezed! Yelling, the blonde butted the brunette across the side of her head. When that didn't garner the result she was looking for Scarlet dug in and responded in kind, raking her nails down a pale, massive, orb.

Yelling, Tifa slammed an elbow across Scarlet's face, then again, the blonde woman responding by attempting to trap the brunette's arm against her side. Grappling fiercely she managed to get Tifa's arm down, but the curvy brunette managed to muscle her hands around Scarlet's waist, pulling them in close together, while the older woman's went around her back. "I'll crush you now!" Scarlet spat, excitement lighting up her eyes as their bodies squeezed together. "I'll have you SCREAM for mercy, strumpet!"

"You and who else, you old bat?" Tifa snapped, feeling that all too familiar excitement when her boobs matched up against another pair. Powerful teats squashed and spread together, the massy orbs struggling for limited space while also pressing back on their owner's diaphragms. "My duckies will ruin your pathetic bags!"

Growling and hissing, the busty, half naked pair squirmed together obscenely, writhing as the massive orbs squashed and rolled. At times they rhythmically pumped the dense, firm glands into one another the hot flesh sticking together and peeling apart reluctantly. Other times they made short, back and forth, pounding flurries that had the flesh clapping together loudly. They squeezed together tightly, keeping the pressure on the heavy, oval orbs constant between impacts. Scarlet squeezed mightily, working her boobs on top of the shorter girl, eliciting a grimace from Tifa and forcing the voluptuous brunette back several stubborn steps before getting halted. Tifa's arms loosened briefly, surprising the blonde and got their breasts back on an even footing. Rotating her hips rapidly, she then beat the curvy mature into a retreat until her back felt the cold surface of the wall.

She groaned expressively now, Tifa's eyes glittering maliciously as she used her advantageous position to hammer the blonde's boobs mercilessly. Scarlet groaned, trying to force them away, but Tifa pressed her up against the wall with sheer strength and, to her horror, Scarlet felt her feet start to leave the floor. Knowing only too well how it would turn out if Tifa got her in the air, Scarlet released her hug and dug her nails into the brunette's back.

That got a response, Tifa yowling and pushing Scarlet away. Not intending to let her get away Scarlet swiped with a clawed hand again, leaving four more bleeding runs on Tifa's shoulder, gurgling soon after from a kick to the stomach. Hunching over, she kept moving, grabbing Tifa around the waist, holding on grimly despite a series of blows to her back. digging her nails into the girl's back, she snarled, tearing away Tifa's skirt with her teeth and biting down on outside of her thigh. Tifa shrieked, slamming her fist over and over into the blonde's bare back. She dragged her own hands over the woman's skin, but without any nails to speak of it had no effect. Feeling liquid run down her leg and the ferocious snarling from Scarlet, Tifa felt her mind slipping and lips pulled back from clenched teeth in a hideous grimace.

Worrying Tifa's leg, Scarlet felt Tifa let up for a second and prepared for what the girl might try next. Over her own ferocious snarls she heard a building growl and suddenly she screamed releasing Tifa's leg for a second before biting down again. Another fearsome growl and she shrieked, releasing Tifa's leg, frantically trying to get away, resorting to giving the girl a wedgie that tore the black cloth panties she wore before falling to the ground. Reaching around her back, a sharp burning pain radiated across her shoulder as sweat flooded a bleeding series of bite marks on the back of her shoulder. Across from her, Tifa glared, licking the bright red liquid from her lips and spat. Scarlet now smiled, licking the blood on her own lips, making a scene of swallowing it.

"Now we have a bit of each other." She crowed, stumbling to her feet, staring pointedly between Tifa's legs where a patch of brown fuzz peeked up from under her torn skirt and ruined panties. Tifa merely glared back, kicking away her underwear, tearing off what remained of her bra and wrapping it around her skirt as a belt. It wasn't perfect, but it did preserve her modesty...at least for a little longer. Scarlet's smile only grew wider as now Tifa's breasts were free and unencumbered.

"I had planned on just killing you, you old WITCH. But now I'm just going to break you!" Tifa hissed. "I want you to live with the knowledge that, at the end of the day, you weren't even second best. To know that EVERYONE knows you were never as scary as you made yourself out to be. That you were always just a jealous, scared, old crone who couldn't move on."

"Oh Tifa, my dear. We both know you're all talk." Scarlet retorted, marching up to the younger woman. There was no fear in her eyes as she shoved her boobs into Tifa's breasts, her entire body tingling as the succulent orbs seemed to swell even further on contact. As eager to restart this as she was. As eager as Tifa clearly was from the way her eyes glittered at the jostling breast meat. "Without me, who would you have? Mikoto or Elizabeth? Maybe your sister? No! I'm the only one you can fight like you have to! That burning, uncontrollable urge to fight without any restraint or concern. Imagine what would happen if you didn't have me around!"

"Without you I'd be home, raising my children, living with Cloud." Tifa gritted out, shoving with her chest and knocking Scarlet back a foot. But despite her anger the brunette was shaken, remembering only too well those early years when Elizabeth pushed her too far. "If I need someone to take out frustration on I have Mikoto or Elizabeth. You have no idea the peace I had in those years without you. The life we'd made for ourselves. Ever since you showed back up all you've done is thrown everything into chaos."

"LIAR!" Scarlet snarled, grabbing Tifa at the elbow, smiling as the girl reciprocated the grip. They were nipple to nipple now, her long pink spike straining towards Tifa's thick brown tip. "I heard all about your fights with those twats, Elizabeth and M. And how you always restrained yourself after the savage beating you gave the former. Where's your restraint now Tifa? Admit it, cow...you need me!"

"NEVER!" Tifa spat, giving her body a twist and shoving her right breast into Scarlet's left. "I made many mistakes. Letting you push my buttons was one of them. But I am done, you Planet damned battle-axe."

"It will never be done! Not for us!" Scarlet snapped, bashing her tits deep into Tifa's monsters. "You caused this Lockhart! You broke me into fighting up on the cannon. And don't pretend you never chased after me as well. If you hadn't, we wouldn't be here now. It's your fault I got addicted to dominating stupid, fat cows that didn't know their place."

"I defended myself from a self absorbed SPINSTER that thought a gassed up girl would be no threat." Tifa growled, matching Scarlet's motions, jostling their boobs together for position, the weighty orbs rolling together, nipples stabbing, drawing lines of fire inside the ample jiggling flesh. "And yes I sought you out, I won't deny it anymore. But I let you be after you beat me up in the tower. You could've gone your own way after that, but you CHOSE to come after me again. I don't need you. You need me! And I'm going to make sure you never get me!"

"There's only one way for you to manage that!" Scarlet hissed, snapping her head forward and butting the younger woman. At the same time she thrust out her chest hard, making her stumble and fall onto her rear. There was a quick shot of pain from Tifa had been holding her, but she ignored that. Standing over her young rival, Scarlet bounced her breasts in her hands. "Because I will keep coming back Tifa. When I want something, I get it. Always! So get up Tifa. I'm going to flatten you again. And if you're a good girl after, I won't hurt you too much!"

Tifa, however, didn't seem to hear Scarlet. Instead she was looking around, as if for something else. Belatedly Scarlet noticed one of her bands in the girl's hand. That must've been what she'd felt. And on Tifa's palm was a tiny spot of blood...

The needle! Grabbing her arm Scarlet gave the forgotten device a soft press and heard the familiar hiss and pressure as it delivered it's dose. Immediately it was as if a fog was lifted from her mind. "...va." She shivered at the faint voice and this time kept her finger on it, delivering a dangerously high dose. "Shiva..."

"Scarlet!!" She whispered at the same time, hearing Tifa murmur...talking to something else. Then came the familiar jealous rage as the eyes Tifa turned to her flashed green. It wasn't hers...not entirely. Tifa gripped the band hard, forcing her hand into the needle, then threw it away to the side. Likewise, Scarlet felt the rush of chemicals fade, the small reservoir empty. It had been enough, barely. Opposite her now were two Tifa's, one bruised and battered, the other spectral. Likewise there was a ghostly Scarlet beside her. There was a deep confusion, and some fear as the other touched her arm.

Then...any sense of alarm was gone as Scarlet's tiara shattered and Tifa's vambrace crumbled. With renewed purpose the two charged into one another, arms going firmly around backs, egged on now not by just their own personal hatred, but also by the animosity of the figures floating above them.

*****

"Dammit!" Barret swore, stumbling again. The rumble of the earth went for longer this time and, while it disrupted his movements, he could see Titan also staggering slightly, unable to jump away again. But it was still too far away...for him anyway. He cursed again, growling. "Shit...fine. Have a go!"

Immediately the black man's movements smoothed out, moving in a lope that seemed too fast for one of his bulk. Forced back into his mind, Barret heard the loud clopping of hooves on the ground as his body moved. Titan whirled quickly at the change, recognizing the danger. His arms became stone, blocking the massive blade that replaced the false fist on the man's arm. "Odin..." he acknowledged. "Is this really the time?"

"No time like the present!" Barret/Odin laughed, kicking out and sending Titan sliding back. Another beam of white energy cut just above their heads, both ducking automatically. "With the brat throwing a fit, it adds a fair layer of danger don't you agree?"

"You haven't changed a bit." Titan grunted, smashing the ground beneath their feet, cracks spidering towards Barret's feet. Even as he jumped though, Titan was there, smashing him back to the ground. Twisting around, he stabbed his sword into the ground, using it to leverage his fall, digging out a chunk of rubble that he hammered back up at Titan. Smashing it aside, the monstrous humanoid landed roughly, fist speeding to Barret's face to be blocked by the sword. "Your host moves well, but he will feel the effects of what you put his body through."

"You underestimate them, Titan." Barret/Odin chuckled, gesturing. A red glow covered his body and now Titan once more found himself on the backfoot. A loud WHOOSH went over their heads as Alexander fired again, the fortress like Esper not giving his enemies a chance to recover.

*****

"Get him to stop firing! I have things under control!" Diabolos snarled into the mic. He was barely able to maintain his human form, the agitation from Alexander's transformation eating into his control. The little fool was to be a last resort and instead he lets himself get goaded on the first day.

"He won't listen, sir." The voice on the other side of the mic was calm. "Though to be honest we're not even sure if he can even hear us at the moment."

Diabolos hissed in irritation, slamming back down the microphone, glaring across at the remaining two airships. The third had retreated after receiving a hit to it's aft section. Even at the distance they were at he could still see the bodies getting sucked out of the ship. Of the remaining two only the bigger one, possibly the flagship, was proving a threat. Whoever was piloting it knew what he was doing. Or had help...Typhon maybe. Or Lakshmi. From behind the bigger ship, the smaller appeared below, unloading a swarm of missiles.

Cutting his hand through the air, Diabolos formed a trio of voids, that swallowed the attack. The bigger ship rose higher, doing the same, a group of five dragonriders appearing from it's deck. The heat from the Phoenix's furnace roared as ship turned rapidly, bringing it's guns to bear. One of the dragons dropped quickly, from the deck guns, the rest dipping low. He'd have to deal with them personally.

*****

"Is that your doing?" Yuffie grunted, managing to keep her balance at another quake.

"It came from over there." Zangan pointed across devastated cityscape. Dust clouds rose and fell, indicating a fight of some intensity. "I believe that's where Barret went."

"Well, that keeps Titan off our back. But we still need to do something about that barrier." Nanaki rumbled. They were hidden, just in front of the ramp that led into the remains of the Shinra garage. Guided there by Beck, who insisted there was a passage still there that could lead into the building. He slashed it with his paw, causing a series of sparks, but nothing else. A gunshot abruptly pinged against a rusted mini van near their location causing them all to dive for cover. "Three...no, maybe five stories above us."

"So they can fire through but we can't? Talk about unfair!" Joslyn huffed.

"There is another way." Joslyn yelped as Tseng appeared nearby, flanked by Reno. "Terrato and Golem were pretty banged up by Titan so need time to recover. But...there are ways into Shinra that were only accessible by Turks."

"Because of course you guys would have secret entrances." Yuffie rolled her eyes, huffing in irritation. "Okay, me and Leviathan'll keep Alexander distracted. The rest of you go with those two."

"We'll keep Alexander busy." Jo stated firmly. She returned Yuffie's annoyed stare with one of her own. We both know Levia doesn't stand a chance against him. Lakshmi's good at healing...and I'm not letting you out of my sight again."

"We don't have time to argue." Nanaki growled as Yuffie opened her mouth to protest. "Two huntresses are better than one for taking down big prey. Once we find Cloud and Tifa, we'll contact you on what next to do."

Yuffie bit her lip, fighting the urge to let her friends know. But she couldn't yet. If they did run into Cloud he'd still need to maintain the image of an enemy. Instead she looked inward. "Showtime," she pulsed to the waiting Leviathan. Appearing in a typhoon of water, Leviathan hissed fiercely at the stationary Alexander. His wings gave a brief flutter to indicate his annoyance, firing off a beam at her. Which was deflected by a hastily erected barrier. Floating around the massive serpent, Lakshmi gestured at Alexander, a blue aura appearing around him before shattering. Frowning prettily, a red glow running up Leviathan's serpentine shape.

Back down below Yuffie and Joslyn remained in cover, as the fire in their direction intensified. The kunoichi unhooked her shuriken, and Joslyn slipped on a pair metal tipped gloves. Nodding, the pair jumped out at a small group of purple armored troopers that came out from Alexander's barrier, clearly seeking them out. Dodging an ducking from supporting fire, they took out all but two quickly. The remaining, one wielding a pair of tonfa that Yuffie recognized, chased the kunoichi beyond the range of his allies, while Joslyn found herself tackled. A quick kick drove off her attacker who's outfit was clearly lighter than Yuffie's attacker and was clearly not worn by a man.

"Remember me girly!" The voice was muffled, but her opponent tore off the helmet revealing herself as broad faced blonde. For a second she didn't, recognize her that is, but then it hit her and Jo's eyes narrowed.

"You were with that bitch Scarlet!" She growled, raising her fists. "I still owe you for that cheap shot in the library."

"Call me Barbara!" The woman laughed and lunged at Joslyn, absorbing a punch the face, lifting the brunette off her feet and throwing her to the ground. Flipping upwards, Jo kicked her under the jaw, getting back to her feet only to receive a blow that rattled her teeth. Dancing away she studied the woman warily. Barbara grinned. "And you're the baby sister I spanked back then. I think after I'm done I'll rename you Mitch."

Jo smiled coldly. She knew what that meant. Dodging away from another grab, she got behind the blonde, flipping her over onto her face. While she was stunned, Jo quickly worked the straps of her gear, pulling loose the padded armor she wore before jumping away from grabbing hands. When Barbara charged back to her feet her upper body was only covered in a thin white vest.

*****

Cid cursed, spitting out a flavorless wad of gum, struggling to keep his ship on point with the opposition. He recognized that he was outclassed on a ship to ship basis, but there was no fucking way he was going to lose as a pilot.

Swinging the wheel around, and reducing speed, he pointed the newest Shera directly at the enemy Airship, reducing it's profile and slowing it enough that latest salvo shot past. He immediately angled upwards, giving the lower gunners a target while also, hopefully, putting himself out of range of it's rockets.

No such luck as another salvo streaked from what looked like portable launchers on it's upper deck. And at this angle...he glanced over at Jessica and Elena. Both were sweating freely, the former more than the latter as she hadn't had as much time to get used to the connection. Alternating now, Elena pushed out her hands and Seraph appeared, her barrier absorbing the rocket strikes.

"Highwind..."

Cid grimaced, tapping the side of his head. Must be the stress and how he'd been without a cig. He was starting to hear things. Down in the bowels of the ship, Rufus stared in rapt fascination as the massive materia stone pulse red. He'd come after hearing a voice, but now it seemed the Knights were also agitated.

*****

"What is it?"

Cloud could feel Bahamut's agitation. Initially he'd thought it directed towards Tifa and his worry. But now he could feel the Dragon King's presence swelling up within him. Simultaneously, Leviathan appeared just front of the tower to challenge Alexander. There was also another Esper with her...a far smaller one that seemed to be trying to provide support for it's massive compatriot. Now his concern only grew...for Yuffie as well.

"We need to hurry."

"I know this." Cloud grumbled, ducking beneath a collapsed building, to avoid a group of jet pack troopers exchanging fire with several heli troopers. The last thing he wanted was to get drawn into a fight. He was worried about...he abruptly sighed with relief...feeling Siren's presence return. Weak as it was, it was still there. At the same time though, he also got a lingering touch of Shiva's presence. He grimaced...unhappy with that connection, but at least it meant his wife was alive...and she still hadn't crossed the line. "What's got you so antsy?"

"I...don't know. There's something familiar coming. Something dangerous. I think they may have called in reinforcements."

"Shit!" Cloud cursed. Squirming out, back into the open, he moved in a rapid crouch, glaring up at the reactor, then paused. He trembled with indecision, torn between his desires and duty. Finally, he cursed, pulling off the helmet and unlimbering his arms. It was still sore, but the injury shouldn't bother him too much now. As much as he wanted to rush to Tifa's side, he knew what her reaction would be when she learned he abandoned their friends. Still...he'd make this quick. "I think it's time we made a move!"

Bahamut's roar echoed in his head, unleashing the dragon king on the battlefield. Leaping onto his back, Cloud stood steady as the dark leviathan rose into the air, angling towards the Phoenix.

*****

Despite the fact the reactor shook from nearby explosions, how ominously it shuddered from the ground tremors, Tifa and Scarlet remained laser fixated on one another.

"I nearly..." Lying flat on her stomach, Siren could feel Tifa's spirit leaving her body despite how frantically she worked to repair the damage to her partner. The wings had taken the brunt of the damage, but the forceful trip through the walls of the reactor had shredded considerable sections of her back. Her body had been already weakened even before being impaled. Shuddering, Siren came to the decision. It was dangerous...for her. And knowing Tifa the poor girl would blame herself. Setting her hands firmly on the brunette's head. Siren carefully merged their forms, letting her essence speed up the recovery process.

Immediately she was beset by pain. It was as if every nerve in Tifa's body was on fire and screaming. At the same time, she felt their memories, merging. Becoming jumbled. This was the risk in a union like this. She could lose herself, believing she was Tifa even if...after the girl recovered. Which would lead to her mind fading away completely. Whimpering, she slowly levered herself into a kneeling position and reached around her back. Agony spiked as the action caused her muscles to move against the bar. She could reach it with only her left hand and slowly...gradually pulled it from her back.

She blacked out for several seconds as it came free, then continued in her actions. The risk was great. She'd miss being with Cloud...so soon after learning what love was, but he would be unlikely to live long after Tifa if anything happened to her. At least this way she'd...Tifa moaned, gagging in memory of pain...excruciating pain. Her head rose at the voice, whispering. "Be careful."

"I was..." Flat on her back Shiva glowered, working rapidly to mend the damage done to the battered, blonde woman. The beating she'd taken at the hands of Siren's host should've killed her for certain, if not for Shiva's last second armoring of the fool's head. As it stood Tifa's blow had simply broken her neck, rather than possibly knocking it clear off, Scarlet clung barely to life with the same tenacity she'd approached everything else. Growling, self preservation vied with concern and a need for revenge. Despite everything, she HAD developed a degree of affection for Scarlet, despite her treatment early in their partnership. And Siren had to be sorely weakened after their battle and it behooved her to finish the job and give them both what they desired. It was a risk, considering the woman's personality...but still.

Carefully, she merged their forms. her essence supercharging Scarlet's recovery, her own forceful personality pushing the other to side as it recovered. If Scarlet failed to recover before Shiva felt herself slipping away..well...she wasn't THAT fond of the mortal. The pain hit her hard. A deep grinding agony that radiated from the neck, Shiva carefully adjusted Scarlet's head, bone and sinew and cartilage healing, knitting back together. While that pain disappeared others quickly demanded her attention. She began working her way down and...NO! Shiva felt Scarlet's personality grab hold, forcing them together. Memories came at her fast. Her first mech creation...taming the Fairies...her relationship with Rufus becoming more open...Alex locking himself away after the break up with Siren...she couldn't... Scarlet stirred, the blonde woman groaning, reaching for a familiar figure, "You'd better win..."

With a spinning punch Scarlet smashed Tifa up against a wall, following up with a kick that dug into the wall as the brunette dodged away. "Bitch!" Tifa swore, kicking Scarlet's leg upwards, the sharp pain distracting the blonde. Head snapped back by a short uppercut, she was whirled around and pressed up against the dirty metal, Scarlet cried out now as Tifa delivered a trio of punches to her the back of her ribs, swinging her elbow back to smash across the girl's face. Freed and furious, Scarlet slashed her nails across her rival's face again. Tifa yelled and Scarlet yelped in surprise, a burning running along her cheek. Trembling, she felt the blood and stared at Tifa, left hand curled into a claw, her nails long and curved. She hissed. "My turn!"

Snarling, Scarlet didn't flinch away from the brunette, responding to runs across her shoulder with a cut near Tifa's neck. A punch set Scarlet's right boob wobbling, she grabbed Tifa's fist swinging back and butted the girl's left tit. Tifa staggered, recovered, and rushed back with a wide, arcing punch. Gasping, Scarlet managed to grab the limb, to her surprise, Tifa reversed the hold, spinning them around and tossing her onto her back. With a ferocious growl, Tifa kicked Scarlet in the side, lifting the older woman off the ground with a cry as she tumbled further into the building. Hair obscuring her face, Scarlet struggled onto her stomach, to get back up.

"Bitch...you...c'mere!!" Tifa hissed, yanking Scarlet's head back. Fist clenched she hammered the blonde across a desk that somehow had remained upright. Sweat stained, bruised and heaving, Tifa glared down at the stubborn woman as she rolled onto her side, pushing herself up on her arms again. Lips pulling back in a vicious grin, Tifa grabbed her by the hair again, pulling the complaining blonde to her feet. Two more punches and Scarlet sagged, almost sitting back down on the edge of the table. Holding her up by the hair, Tifa slapped her hard, then a second time for good measure. "This was...the only...ever outcome you...you old cxnt!"

Shifting Scarlet around in her arms, Tifa once more brought their breasts together, this time deliberately. She was going to end this with a complete humiliation for the old broad. Tightening her arms she felt their breasts squash, both magnificent sets resisting stubbornly. Studying the contrast closely she pulsed an unasked question to Siren. "I had to..." came the embarrassed response. "Your injuries were horrific and I had poured a lot of energy into them. I didn't take it all though..." Tifa sent a reassurance. While it had been fun using them to torment Cloud, she wanted nothing to do with the back pain having a comparable pair to Elizabeth would entail. Focusing and dipping her head in closer to observe the rippling mass of titflesh Tifa was unprepared for Scarlet's next move. The mature's head darted forward and claimed the brunette's mouth, biting down on her lips.

Blood and spittle mixed and Tifa instinctively tried to pull away, only for Scarlet's arms to fly around her back, holding them together. Outrage mingled with horror as Tifa felt Scarlet start to hump her and, fighting back the only she could think of, bit down on the blonde's mouth as well. Chewing on each other's lips the two retained eye contact, the lenses providing a glimpse into each other's feelings. Tifa's lashes fluttered and she blinked rapidly when the blonde's tongue invaded her mouth and distracted her, allowing Scarlet to push her up against a rubbish pile with boob and hip thrusts.

Likewise Scarlet's lids squeezed shut, first in ecstasy when Tifa's tongue pushed back against her own, the pink organs fencing deliciously, then in agony with a muffled grunt when Tifa bit down on the invasive object and pushed them back into a stumbling rotation in the center of the room. Eyes glittered gleefully at one another's discomfort and who knows how long it would've gone on for if Tifa's knee hadn't shot up between Scarlet's legs. The blonde's mouth immediately opened in shock and her grip slackened, Tifa swinging a vicious blow into the woman's left tit, knocking her to the ground.

Scuttling back and scrambling back upright Scarlet gasped, her excitement clear while Tifa panted, circling warily away from the eager cougar. She could feel Siren struggling to soothe away the pain from the cuts and bruises, to work on her injuries, but brutally suppressed it. Her efforts had left her sorely weakened and if not for Scarlet's constant need for an edge who knew how it would've turned out. She shook her head, trying to free it from the images that had flashed through her head. The dream coming true, where she submitted to Scarlet. She would not let that happen again. Wait...again? When did...!!

Grunting, Tifa stumbled from the punch Scarlet levelled at her while she was distracted. With a growl she swung up from her hip, staggering the blonde to the side, then her booted foot smashed into Scarlet's side, dumping her back onto the table. Rushing in, the blonde jumped away and Tifa froze at the small blue orb that appeared where Scarlet's body had been, then leapt at the screamed warning from Siren before it exploded. She shouted as the immense cold bit into her legs, falling onto her stomach. Shaking her head, Tifa's ears alerted her to Scarlet's approach, rolling away in time to avoid the thrown desk. She stared in shock at the, at least, ten foot circle of ice where Scarlet had been, gagging as the woman in question dug a fist into her stomach, then punched her against the rusted doors opposite where they'd come in.

Grimacing, Tifa ducked another blow, that left an dent above her head and got her foot against Scarlet's stomach, pushing the older woman back. Arms waving, Scarlet kept her balance in time to see Tifa slip through an opening and rushed after the brunette. Coming out into another sharply turning corridor, Scarlet moved in a hitching run after Tifa who hobbled around the corner. Wise now, after the last time she followed the bitch around a turn Scarlet took this one wide and threw herself to the ground to avoid a hurled gun turret. Rolling over, she crossed her arms in an X to block an attempt by the brunette to stomp on her face, twisting the captured foot and dumping Tifa to the ground with a surprised squawk. Before she could move, Scarlet had crawled on top of her hands clawing at the girl's face.

Kicking her leg up, Tifa sent Scarlet sailing over her body to land with a loud "OOF!" Struggling upright, she spun around, wobbled dizzily, then focused on the blonde crawling through a split in the wall. Moving to follow she only absently noticed the B8 on one side.

*****

Cloud could feel it now to.

With Bahamut manifested he could feel everything the dragon felt and there was something on the edge of senses that filled him with unease. No...not unease. Fear...a terrible fear, not unlike the one Sephiroth had once instilled. He'd come back once, could Schroeder be so desperate as to...

His presence, and inaction, confused both sides of the air battle. Both thought he was there to assist them, Diabolos expecting it, Cid surprised if elated by his friend's reappearance. Yet he did nothing.

Even the battle down below took on a confused edge as Barret and Titan both paused in hammering one another to stare up at the man one called an ally, the other friend. Yuffie paused in her attacks on the tonfa wielding trooper for a second at his appearance, before resuming. Jo forgot about her opponent entirely with her lover's arrival, getting hurled across the rubble by her long hair for her distraction. Those making their way inside heard the lapse in hostilities and while it worried them, they continued.

Another powerful rumble, this time even felt by those in the air and Bahamut, then Cloud through him, understood what was coming. Immediately the dragon king flew near the Phoenix and Cloud shouted something indistinct. Whatever it was, the Airship ponderously turned in the air, flying back towards the Shinra building. However, on the ship's bridge Diabolos was quite unhappy.

"What are you doing!?" He demanded, face becoming demonic in rage as he rushed over to the pilot. The sweating pilot cringed in terror at the Esper's proximity. "Bring us back around!"

"I'm trying sir!" He gasped, veins on his neck standing out as he fought the wheel. "But something's taken control, I can't budge it..."

Snarling, Diabolos started to reach for the wheel, then paused and phased downwards, through the floors of the ship to the engine. "Why are you doing this?" He shouted at the metal frame, reaching for it, then yanking his hand back as the fire flared brightly. Pulling back he snatched the internal communicator, shouting into it. "Contact Alexander!!"

Relying on Cid to take his opportunity, Cloud now directed Bahamut towards Alexander and Leviathan. "You've got to stop!" He shouted at the massive Espers, using mana to pitch his voice so it would be heard. "I don't know what you think is coming, but it's not that. It's..."

Hastily Bahamut, angled his flight to avoid a beam of energy. Alexander's head turned slowly towards him, following by the cannons on his shoulder. "Ah...shit!" Cloud cursed, clinging tight to Bahamut's scales as the dragon lord dove to avoid the dozen or so light beams the titanic Esper fired at him.

Alexander bellowed. "TRAITOR!!" Was what came across. Technically incorrect Cloud decided, since he hadn't been the one being friendly with them, but doubt he could make the argument now. Instead, he merged with Bahamut, becoming a smaller and more mobile target. All his energy devoted to avoiding attacks distracted the white Esper, something Leviathan couldn't ignore, surging forward and coiling around Alexander, aiming her breath at his face. Alexander roared again, wings flaring out to his sides, slicing into Leviathan causing the Serpent to shriek and pull away.

"We don't have time for this!" Cloud growled, the feeling getting stronger. Alexander's massive frame shifted above the building as another quake hit, this one causing several buildings to collapse. Grimacing he sucked in a breath and fired a gout of superheated air against the armor covering Alexander. Immediately the cannons reoriented onto him. "Ah...shit!!"

*****

Tifa stumbled, reeling from Scarlet's slap, falling against an old computer mainframe. Shoving damp locks out of her face, she glared across at the approaching blonde, hefting an empty glass container over her head. A swift kick had her stagger, croaking in pain as she dropped it to shatter against the ground. Pushing herself off, Tifa's fist cracked against Scarlet's jaw, bloody spittle flying from between bruised lips, while the younger woman recoiled from a clubbing blow across her forehead.

Falling onto the console once more, her hand fell across an old wrench. Rusted and worn by time, it was still solid and Scarlet wailed as it crashed across her hand, cracking her gauntlet. Clutching her wrist, Scarlet shuffled back, away from Tifa who waved her new weapon around with clear intent. Moving around the unfinished frame of one of the Air Buster's cannons Scarlet barely kept it between herself and Tifa, the metal ringing from repeated strikes. Moving faster and faster, fear giving Scarlet strength she head a loud curse and clatter. Turning, she spotted Tifa getting back to her feet, the wrench sliding under a collection of broken desks.

Locking eyes with Tifa, Scarlet turned around fully and advanced slowly on the brunette who moved towards her just as steadily. Fists smashed into faces and stomachs to pained yells. Open palms smacked against bare breasts and shoulders to shocked squeals and angry cries. Legs kicked and feet were subjected to stamps to the sound of violent curses. Tifa snapped Scarlet's head back with an uppercut. Scarlet doubled Tifa over with a knee to the gut. Linking her fingers Scarlet pounded her fists across the top of Tifa's head, dropping the brunette to her knees. Tifa delivered a duo of elbows to the blonde's midsection before a kick sent her rolling back. Grabbing hold of the metal frame to halt her movement, Tifa hauled herself back up and lunged at Scarlet, jumping in a spinning kick.

Getting her hands in front of her Scarlet managed to block Tifa's foot from taking off her head, but couldn't stop the momentum from sending her flying back to slam back against the far door. "Ha...ha...you put Berserk...in the...in the Lifestream!" Tifa growled, breasts jiggling enticingly with her heavy breathing, glaring across at the fallen Scarlet who stared back, bust wobbling as her breathing heaved. She felt her pain lessen as Siren soothed away the worst of it, ignoring Tifa's pleas to save her power. "Is there...no level you won't sink to?!"

"If it mean...means beating you? No!" Scarlet sneered across at the all but naked brunette. Even with the cuts, blood and bruises covering her body the blonde still felt her body stir at Tifa's presence. The hint of dark brown fuzz from under the girl's panties that were barely hanging on made her nipples stiffen painfully. It disgusted her...it intrigued her. She urged Shiva on with healing her injuries, but any healing fell far behind the damage, rising back to her feet. "And why...do you complain Tifa? Does it...not make you...feel alive!? Look at us!

Scarlet threw out her arms, displaying her bruised, battered and bloody body with a tattered dress that barely hung on. Her once neatly prepared hair hanging down her face in damp, lank strands. Yet a joyful smile shone on her face causing the blonde to radiate a raw sexuality that Tifa could feel affecting her despite how much she didn't want it to. Scarlet threw back her head laughing loudly at the ceiling, a genuine, joyful laugh, giving her tits a wriggle before slamming a fist hard against her chest for emphasis. "I feel...every bite...every scratch and punch. It hurts more...than I ever imagined. But I...I haven't felt this alive...since Shinra was destroyed. All of our other fights...were nothing like...this. This...fighting like this...this is what you and...I were meant for!"

"You are...insane!" Tifa spat, leaping at Scarlet, hand flashing out. Her fist smashed against the metal wall to a yell of pain, Scarlet ducking under the blow and darting out the door, still laughing. Growling Tifa didn't run this time, but stalked down the corridor to the now familiar bend, Scarlet's cackling unbearably loud in her head. The woman had completely lost it. And was determined to take her along for the ride. Tifa shuddered at how her body had nearly betrayed her during Scarlet's rant. She bit her lip in frustration and brought her hands up to slap her cheeks. She had to finish this quick.

In the corner, Scarlet lounged against the wall as if waiting for her. Her laughter halted and she smirked at the approaching Tifa who moved to a trot, approaching the blonde warily, fists raised. Circling briefly, she ducked under a jab, into a low blow that had her seeing stars. Twisting to the side, she felt another blow pound into her ribs, curling her arm over her head to smash into Scarlet's face. A knee hit her forehead, snapping Tifa back upright and into a bearhug.

"Got...you..." Scarlet grimaced, squeezing Tifa tightly, breasts ballooning out under the pressure. Tifa wriggled furiously, grunting, arms trapped. But her legs weren't...and quickly went around Scarlet's waist, ankles locking tightly. Now Scarlet groaned, the brunette's legs flexing like a pair of scissors, ready to cut Scarlet in half. With an angry growl, she butted Tifa hard, only for the girl to spit out an invective and return the favor. She knew a losing battle when she saw it and Scarlet abruptly released Tifa and grabbed the younger woman's monster tits. As expected Tifa responded violently, punching Scarlet while loosening her legs, allowing the blonde to shove the girl off of her.

Scarlet lunging at her, Tifa got her knees up to block the crazed blonde. A punch rattled her teeth and another had her seeing stars. Pushing out with her legs, she sent Scarlet stumbling away, rolling back to her feet, swaying slightly. The coppery taste of blood in her mouth made her spit and now she leapt at Scarlet.

A punch landed, her leg raised to block a kick from Scarlet, then the blonde caught the brunette's fists, arms splaying out wide as their upper bodies slammed together. Heads went over shoulders, teeth clenched and muscles strained. Breasts squashed together dramatically, bellies barely touching as legs slid together, left legs sliding between one another. Blood engorged nipples played havoc in both pairs of taut titflesh, but blonde and brunette bore the pain stoically, the growing burning in wrists and shoulders providing more discomfort. "You really want...me to...crush you...one last time."

"You were the one who...made...the promise." Scarlet hissed through clenched teeth, shoving her head to the side, she forced Tifa to face her fully, foreheads pressing, noses tip to tip, blue eyes glaring fiercely down slightly into brown. Locked hands shook violently, going down low to hip level, wrists bending slightly, then back up to chest level, right arm first, then left. Feet shuffled across the dirty floor unsteadily, one, then the other shoving the other back. "But you seem...to be...scared and...ohh...owww..."

Tifa's arms seemed to ripple, rising slightly to just above their heads, then down just below their straining breasts. Almost as if in sympathy, Scarlet groaned and suddenly her face was level with Tifa's. Legs buckled and her boobs sank below the brunette's orbs that rushed back out to fill the now empty space. Tifa's breasts pressed under her chin, the girl trying to force her face below them. She staggered back, puffing and blowing as Tifa forced her up against a pile of crates, something cold pressing into the back of her hand.

"I was...NEVER...scared of you!" Tifa snarled, her muscles whining in effort to push the mature to her knees. That Scarlet could still be so strong, after so long, actually scared the brunette. Her mind inadvertently went back to Nibelheim and the first time she ever lost to the woman. Scarlet untiring, despite her best efforts...NO! That wouldn't happen again! Another abrupt rumble as the floor shook...but they'd been coming so regular now that Tifa didn't let it distract her. "You have...no tricks anymore. Woman to woman...I've always...beaten youaaaaaaahhhhhhgggggg!!"

Tifa wailed at the intense pain from the top of her head. Desperate, Scarlet banged the drill across Tifa's scalp again, forcing the brunette to push away, clutching her head. Tifa tottered, dizzy and Scarlet froze, studying the massive hammer drill. The quake had all but dropped it into her hand... Tentatively she squeezed the trigger.

Nothing.

To be expected. No battery could last a decade. Her gaze turned back to Tifa who regarded her warily. Even without power, the tip in the drill was still at almost ten inches and could do some damage. And the way Tifa held her head...she was clearly hurt. Then, with a contemptuous grunt, she tossed it aside.

"Don't need it." She rasped, spreading her arms and stalking towards Tifa. "I don't...want any...doubt...about how I beat you this...time."

Grimacing, Tifa removed her had from her scalp, wiping the suspect dampness onto her shirt that still remained wrapped around her waist. She blinked rapidly to clear her vision and bring Scarlet into focus, just in time to lash out and stagger the blonde, a spatter of red at their feet. Scarlet's retaliatory blow spun Tifa around, and she wiped the red track from her lips before turning back to Scarlet. Their fight was slower now, both women hurt and husbanding their strength. Each punch that landed sent the recipient stumbling along the corridor, but still they managed to keep their feet.

Scarlet landed a punch that staggered Tifa such that it looked like she would fall...only for her back to land against a creaking, swaying door. "No...no..." She whined in frustration, stumbling towards the gasping brunette, swinging another punch that rocked the younger woman. Then another and had her knees buckle. Then...Scarlet stumbled...touching a trembling hand to her face and feeling the trickle of blood from her nose. Tifa's hand was around her neck and spun them around, shoving her roughly up against the metal portal. A fist drove into her stomach, making her gag, spittle leaking to the floor, then another twisted her head up against the metal. Her face a mask of hatred, Tifa hauled back a fist and slammed it forward with what strength she had left.

Only for the door to groan ominously as Scarlet managed to, more by luck than anything else, dodge the blow. Falling together the two women wrestled, grappling wildly with strength brought on by desperation, spinning repeatedly against the barely open entryway that grated and rasped louder and with increasing frequency as Scarlet slammed Tifa's head against it. As Tifa's knee to Scarlet's stomach drove the blonde into it. They spun around again, clinging together tightly until Scarlet's knee jammed up between Tifa's legs. Mouth falling open the girl was finally vulnerable and Scarlet was cognizant enough to recognize it. Her fist hauled back and she screamed as it crashed against Tifa's jaw, slamming her up hard against the door that finally gave up the ghost.

With a hideous, metallic groan the frame collapsed outwards Tifa's body rolling over and off of it into the next room. Gulping down lungfuls of air, Scarlet coughed abruptly, squinting. Flat on her face, Tifa stirred, still somehow conscious. "You...will not...I won't..." Scarlet cursed, staggering after her foe, on legs that felt like rubber. In the back of her mind she recognized the old storage area, but dismissed it. She was so close. Coming up behind the brunette she kicked her weakly, to no obvious effect. Reaching around she grabbed Tifa's long, lank hair and pulled the girl's head back. She gave a trembling smile at the exhausted, beaten look on the brunette's face. "I...win!" She gasped, fist pulled back.

The fist was in flight when it faltered, fingers uncurling, entire arm shaking. Scarlet's mouth opened and closed rapidly, without sound. Between her legs, Tifa ground her knuckles into the thin underwear. Releasing the girl's hair, Scarlet tottered back, croaking piteously, falling to her knees in front of Tifa. She could only watch, hands still over her wounded privates as Tifa got to her hands and knees, bare breasts hanging down heavily and crawled towards her. "NO!" She felt Shiva scream and a final surge of energy from the normally reluctant Esper rushed through her. "DON'T YOU DARE LET THEM WIN!!"

Tifa groaned, feeling sick in the pit of her stomach. But she only clenched her teeth and powered through the hurt. Scarlet hadn't moved and now...now...her vision went blurry and her arms shook, barely support her weight. "Let me!" She felt Siren's gentle touch and new strength flowed into her limbs. It wasn't much, but hopefully it would be enough. "Together!!"

Shaking her head to clear it, Tifa looked up at the soft scraping and shuffling sound. Scarlet crawling towards her, blue eyes intent and focused. Rising up on her haunches Tifa let out a breathe and spread her arms as the blonde woman approached. She got the first punch, sending Scarlet's left boob bouncing outwards. She slapped away the blonde's hands, landing a weak blow that sank into her right tit, Scarlet's uppercut hitting her left simultaneously. Grunting, shrieking, the two frantic femmes traded punches, matching each other blow for blow, continuous uppercuts sending the firm mounds bouncing to and fro.

With a horrendous groan, Scarlet threw herself at Tifa, wrapping up in a tight clinch, her arms going under the brunette's back to snatch hold of the hair sticking to the girl's back. Tifa's hands went under Scarlet's pits and up to grab hold of thick, sweaty, blond locks. Fighting purely on instinct now, head over the each other's shoulder, blonde and brunette rocked back and forth, thrusting bountiful boobs, that suddenly found themselves waging war against one another.

"Ooowwahhh..." Scarlet moaned, Tifa's hefty monsters flowing over her smaller...slightly...tits. This was what she'd wanted and yet she couldn't muster the energy to be more excited. Not even the fact that their bellies, and by extension nethers, were also kissing affected the blonde. Everything she had was focused on one thing. Crushing the brunette in her arms till she cried for mercy. There was nothing left in the tank, and Shiva's voice had fallen silent. She was on her own. "Got you...now. Umm...weak...ling..."

"Uhhhhh...no! You...wish." Tifa gasped, Scarlet's massive, firm teats digging into her larger pair. She'd planned on saving this for the finale...after taking her personal vengeance out of Scarlet's hide. But the blonde had proven surprisingly capable, utilizing her viciousness to even the odds, as well as the fact she and Shiva had shared a link for far longer than her and Siren. She twisted her torso and grimaced, engorged nipples meeting and scraping past painfully before springing back, even stiffer, to dig into taut mounds. " I was...ohhh...I'm...stronger...than...you!"

Whimpering and sobbing both trembling beauties squeezed their filthy, sweat stained frames together tightly, the massive wall of shining, straining flesh crushing and resisting in equal measure. Scarlet's stockings finally gave up completely, shredding under her constant shuffling, working her tits deep into Tifa's orbs and splitting apart to hang off her legs. Her sniveling cries were pitiable in Tifa's ear, but the young woman could hear her own weeping sighs and didn't take any comfort from her enemy's suffering.

Tifa squeezed, Scarlet's head flew back, shaking wildly, hair flailing as she wailed in clear torment. Shoving forward, breasts shuddered visibly under pressure, Scarlet's seeming about to give way under Tifa's advance...then the brunette's glands rippled back sullenly as she gave an explosive gasp, her arms relaxing.

Lips pulled back in a vengeful snarl, Scarlet crushed Tifa to her self, the younger woman's head facing the ceiling. Teeth clenched, face contorted and finally the brunette gave a pained scream, Scarlet's boobs rolling forward inexorably into her own like the mechs the woman once created. Shoving forward, tired eyes lit up in excitement as it looked as if Tifa would fall, then arms spasmed and Scarlet whimpered in frustration, muscles shrieking in pain at her and she sank back onto her haunches.

Breasts were definitely softer now, cleavages shrinking as they took turns, working the plastered glands together with nervous energy. Legs spread for added balance, both realizing that if they fell it would be over. Clad only in the shredded remnants of their former attire...in the center of the room where there had once been a planted bomb Tifa and Scarlet shifted their torsos rapidly, splashing their boobs against one another viciously. Heads rose off of shoulders to press together. To bear witness to the moment the loser broke. It would be soon both knew. Their tits...they couldn't take much more.

*****

"Gonna break your back, bitch!" Mitch snarled, twisting her head to get it away from Jo's cleavage. Hefted off the ground, Joslyn gyrated, groaning as the woman she was fighting seemed determined to go through with her threat. Stiffening her hands, Jo slammed her palms against her opponent's ears hard. The woman cried out loudly, dumping Josy onto the ground roughly as she staggered about drunkenly. Furious, the young woman smashed a fist across the stocky blonde's face, ducking away from a wild swing, kicked her leg out from under her. An overhead punch dropped the woman to the ground.

"You want more, you fat cxnt?" Jo swore as the blonde struggled back up to her hands and knees, drawing back her foot. But before she could send the bitch rolling with a kick to the gut, Lakshmi held her back with an internal shout. Joslyn's eyes widened in realization and the shock allowed Barbara to grab her legs and yank them out from under her. Falling with a yell, she dodged a punch, slammed an elbow across the blonde's jaw. Following that, Barbara attempted to pin the slimmer woman but Jo knew her situation. She was being held down by the weight and superior position of the blonde and knew how to deal with it. Her hands shot up and grabbed the twin mounds that bounced under Barbara's vest and crushed and squeezed.

Barbara shrieked, her hands immediately going for Jo's wrists. She'd had her breasts squeezed many times before this, but never had they hurt this badly. Distracted, she was unprepared for Joslyn toppling her and flipping them over. However, their struggle had landed them on the edge of a small pit where the road had collapsed in on itself. Hands torn away by lost balance, Jo instead grabbed hold of Barbara who, furious from the pain, threw her arms around Joslyn as well. Yelling and cursing, blonde and brunette rolled and bounced down the steep decline where the shock of the landing broke them apart.

However, instead of getting back to their feet, the pair opted to crawl back together, hands grabbing hair or thinly covered busts, both quite happy to engage their foe in a primitive brawl.

While her friend was busy with her catfight, Yuffie flipped and dodged away from her opponent's skillfully wielded tonfa, struggling to gain an opening for her shuriken. Early in the fight she'd recognized his movements. They were variations of what she'd witnessed and fought against while watching or sparring with Cloud. Which was no good since she'd never won even a single match against him. And this guy was even faster...wait.

This wasn't sparring.

Immediately Yuffie, gestured and balls of water formed around her. With a single flick of a finger each droplet flew with the speed of a bullet at her rapidly dodging target who ducked into a doorway. "Hey now..." he shouted from cover. "That's not sporting, bringing magic into it!"

Sporting? Yuffie's eye twitched, throwing her shuriken in a wide arc, enhancing the blades with water. It cut through the stone of the house easily, at head level, whirring as it came back to her, unblooded. Had he circled around somewhere...the rock was right in front of her face, before she arced backwards into a flip. A second went between her legs and she deflected the third with her shuriken then blocked his tonfa.

"So...is it true you female ninjas are as good in the sack as the stories say?" He quipped, grinning at her maddeningly over their linked weapons. "Just need to know. Haven't been with anything but blondes, blondes, blondes for months now. Never got a chance to play with that brunette they kept locked up before she got her mind back."

Yuffie's eyes slitted, then flickered to the side. He shouldn't have been able to hear anything, but quickly flipped away as Shelke landed where he had just been. Yuffie vaulted over the small bodied woman, kicking out and catching him in the stomach, sending the annoying trooper flying into a rubbish pile. "Glad to see you guys made it."

"We ran into some problems." Shelke twirled her saber-like nunchaku. "Ruby's on the move from Gold Saucer. He seems to be heading in this direction."

"Well then I guess we need to finish this quickly." Yuffie grunted, both women turning towards the groaning man who was slowly getting to his feet. His expression turned nervous at the looks both shot him.

*****

"By the Planet...what are they..." Titan raised barrier to block Barret's punch, only for it to shatter easily. Darting in under the massive Esper's arms, the black man delivered a series a rapid punches to his muscular midsection as a backhand spun him away. "You aren't going to last trying to outmuscle me I'm afraid."

"Buddy, right now I'm just having fun. The real fight ain't started yet!" Barret grunted and spat. Didn't want to admit it, but the big bastard was tough all around. Wasn't put out in any way by the fact that he could match him blow for blow now. Almost made him feel bad. A growing dot in the sky made him grin. Almost... "But it's about to..."

Titan caught Barret's look and dove to the right, avoiding Vincent as he crashed heavily into the ground, arms up to deflect the barrage of bullets. He couldn't dodge Eight's swing though, the bandana clad young man leaping off of Vincent's back, sword biting deep into his arm. Focusing, he altered his skin's texture around the blade, making it stone and snatching the weapon out of the man's hands. Getting back up, he snapped the blade in two as Eight ran back towards Barret. "I thought you were looking for a fair fight."

"Once, mebbe..." Barret growled. The his right Eight twirled a glinting spear he pulled from behind his back, making clear his skill with it was in no way inferior to a sword. To his left Vincent curled up, body growing, morphing into a familiar winged demonic form. "But you took three of my friends from me. So instead, we're just gonna beat your ass till you cry uncle."

"Three?" Titan cocked his head puzzled, backing away warily. Who was he...no matter. "I don't have an uncle...though I'm guessing the meaning is lost on me. But come then, mortals. Try your luck once more!"

*****

The deep, massive room rumbled again, several girders falling to crash on the edges of the platform. One would've been careful...if one noticed.

Which Tifa and Scarlet clearly did not, focused, as they were, entirely on one another. The dark, dimly lit area echoed with the petulant cries of both blonde and brunette. The air resounded with the solid, fleshy impacts of their massive breasts as the voluptuous pair  beat them together with a savage violence that was out of place based on the exhausted, desperate expressions the two wore.

Somehow, they were still fighting. More than that, they'd gotten off their knees and now swung the red and raw orbs to slap together to pained shrieks. The bottom half of what remained of her dress, had been torn off below the knees, leaving her in a mini skirt that barely hung onto her hips. What remained of her stockings was left inside of her boots. On the flipside Tifa fought effectively naked, or close to it as her shirt became looser and looser with each swing of her hips.

Shapely, oval breasts smashed and crushed together, flattening into one another thickly, before bouncing off and repeating the process with the other. On some level Tifa and Scarlet knew there was no way they should still be able to fight like this. They'd been unable to stand, much less engage in the violent boob boxing match they were now committed to. Even stranger still was Siren and Shiva who fought beside them. The Espers fought as if possessed, spectral forms shimmering in and out of existence as they tore essence from one another, fighting in a soundless, bitter combat.

The intensity of Tifa and Scarlet's duel increased by the minute, mirrored by Siren and Shiva's increasing violence. A freezing cloudburst drenched the two sweat soaked women. Teeth chattered audibly and breasts all but sizzled from the water that covered them but, as if refreshed, the furious women upped the violence and pounded the swollen glands together all the harder. Tifa slammed a pain maddened Scarlet along the thin suspension bridge that linked the reactor core to the more centralized area about half way until a savage left on left had her croak in agony. Now Scarlet smashed the angry faced Tifa back the way they came, both clinging to the bridge rails for dear life...as well as that little extra oomph to each swing. Until all four orbs clapped together solidly and Scarlet stiffened and agony, now forced to defend against an advancing Tifa.

Back and forth they went along the bridge, plying their huge, seemingly even, tits against one another. Orbs swelled under the pressure of the violent, repeated contacts, supple, sexy legs quaked with each cruel impact and screams gargled in the back of hoarse throats. A brutal right on right collision saw Scarlet's boob punch deep into Tifa's pillowy tit and brunette collapsed onto her knees, shrieking. Just as quick though, using the same railings that gave them added power, she pulled herself back up and slapping her glands under the approaching Scarlet's, the blonde screeching at the contact.

Three minutes later a wailing Scarlet fell forward into Tifa, dragging the girl down into a seated position. Kicking the blonde away Tifa jumped back to her feet, only to watch her shirt float down into the pulsing green depths of the reactor. Her distraction allowed a groaning Scarlet to pull herself back up and set her feet as the now, completely naked brunette attacked her. Battering one another with frantic determination, over the course of thirty loud, agony inducing impacts Scarlet floated backwards, squealing in terrible suffering. Even as her back hit the grating, Tifa gave a tortured groan, hanging onto the railings for dear life as her legs gave out.

Their agony called to Shiva and Siren, enraging both Espers who diverted the energies they ripped from one another towards their partners. Arms forming into a pair of blades, Shiva stabbed Siren in the midsection, ripping them outwards to tear her in half. Siren shifted into a gaseous form of heated air, flowing over Shiva, making her scream even as she froze her core. Reforming behind the Ice Queen, Siren's clawed hands folded around the blue woman's neck, hefting her off the ground. "You will never reform again when I'm through with you!" Siren hissed, claws sinking into Shiva's neck, siphoning back the energy Shiva had stolen. Squirming wildly, Shiva finally stiffened her body, spikes shooting out across his body, causing Siren to yell in frustration as she dropped her.

"You were ever too full of yourself!" Shiva spat. Lunging at the green haired Esper, the two wrapped up together in a manner similar to their hosts, their forms flickering back into reality near the ancient control panel. Growling and grunting, they pushed against one another, yanking green and blue hair as they wrestled in a very physical manner. "I'll make sure you have a good seat as Scarlet enjoys your little bitch and while I take Cloud for as long as he lasts. By the time we're done, neither will be able to think about you."

Siren's slap echoed through their location, Shiva staggering under the force of it. Whipping around, the blue woman backhanded the green haired female before they locked up once more, forms solidifying fully now. Back on the bridge, Scarlet yelled as her left boob splashed against Tifa's with a hollow PLOP staggering the brunette again, who barely kept her feet. Two dozen more heavy blows and now Scarlet went down onto her right knee, arm flung over the railing to avoid falling completely. Smelling blood Tifa flung her breasts with greater energy and confidence, sensing the panic in Scarlet's swings, imagining the feel of the mature's weighty breasts softening, yielding in the face of her superior tits. The squeal as she fell was loud, the blow causing her leg to dangle out over the abyss, panic making Tifa move with frenetic energy at the thought of falling.

"How can she still hit so hard?" The thought entered Scarlet's mind unbidden as she aggressed furiously. After everything they'd done to one another...after every edge she'd given herself from physical to psychological, Tifa seemed tireless. Her boobs, beautiful and perfect ached abominably, contorting out of shape with each battering impact against the wild brunette's. Wham...wham...WHAM!! Tifa screamed, staggering again. But hair sticking to her face the younger woman barely paused, hurling the oversized glands into her own with sickening force. "No...no...I....won't..."

"Please..." Tifa whimpered quietly, almost sick with pain. Her massive, heavy boobs hammered Scarlet back step by aching step, the blonde's huge, firm orbs meeting hers equally. Gritting her teeth, Tifa increased the power behind her swings, smashing the mature's swollen orbs with a massive THUD! Scarlet twisted around, falling with a terrible shriek, rolled once and then weakly pushed herself back up. Tifa, herself stumbled, reaching for a railing that was no longer there, stepping out onto the main console platform. Hair, once so neatly coiffed, hung in strands down Scarlet's face as she stumbled back towards Tifa, both wailing as their left boobs splattered together. "Why...Why can't I..."

For five, endless minutes Tifa and Scarlet smashed one another to and fro, staggering and stumbling...but not falling. With a loud ripping sound, the remains of Scarlet's red dress floated gently to floor, Tifa's heel shredding it further as she and Scarlet bashed their way across it. Completely unaware she was now left in a pair of panties so damp they were see through, Scarlet panted heavily and continued to heft her tits against Tifa's as hard as she could manage. A hefty blow finally knocked them apart, moaning and gasping. Massaging the brutalized orbs carefully, pressing fingers gently into the sore flesh, crying quietly, privately, not wanting to display weakness. The damage that had been done...Tifa threw back her long, lank hair and Scarlet shoved scraggly locks from her face and the pair glowered balefully at one another.

The pain that throbbed even now from the plump glands only fed the fury running through the women, their breathing coming faster and faster, fists clenching and unclenching. Scarlet pointed a shaking finger at Tifa, flipping it over to crook it at the younger woman. With a whine that came from the pit of her stomach Tifa leapt at Scarlet, rushing full into the blonde's waiting arms with a loud SPLAT!

Shiva hefted Siren, throwing the green haired Esper to the ground. Siren rolled, spun and threw herself at the blue skinned female, wrapping arms around her torso and flipping them backwards. Flung apart, Shiva quickly got back to her feet and charged at Siren who ducked under a punch, connected with an uppercut, then was pulled into a breast smother as Shiva tried to shove her over. Instead, Siren lifted her in a bearhug then threw to the ground again. Grunting, Shiva started to rise, then screamed as Siren threw herself onto the Ice Queen, grabbing her hair and her head against the floor grating. Shiva's response was pure female, latching onto Siren's hanging tits and squeezing. With a shriek, Siren dropped her torso onto Shiva's to protect her tits, only for the blue skinned Esper to roll her over and dig her hands into the green hair. She wasn't there for long though as Siren pushed against her, reclaiming the top spot.

"Fat...ooohh...cow!" Scarlet moaned, leaning into Tifa. Her arms were wrapped firmly around the powerful brunette's shoulders, over her arms, pulling the girl into a crushing embrace that saw their titflesh bulge out dramatically. Scarlet reared, trying to heft Tifa off the ground, but failing. "Fucking...oooff...behemoth BITCH!!"

"Hah..hah...I'll make...you...hmmm...sorry!!" Tifa hissed hoarsely. The pain was enormous. Her arms clenched tightly around Scarlet's mid back, squeezing the fierce faced blonde mightily to little to no effect despite the amazing compression. "Call me...owww...names...you... floppy titted...old...bat!!"

Blonde and brunette pulled each other in closer, crushing the breath from one another in mutual bearhugs. Sweat poured down their bodies to puddle on the metallic floor under their feet, and dribbled down their faces in rivulets that pooled between their rippling cleavages. Shoving with their ample chests control seesawed, curses and groans bouncing between the two, as they stumbled back and forth. Arms flexed, then loosened, then tightened again in an unintended rhythm as the plentiful orbs ground mercilessly between them.

"I'll have you...ouch...BEG for...shit...for mercy you...slut..." Scarlet panted, fighting to breathe around the glands forced back into her lungs by Tifa's current push. As soon as her arms relaxed, Scarlet's flexed as she poured out all the pain she'd experienced back at Tifa. The girl's groan was expressive. "When I'm...huff...done I'm gonna...gonna...stuff those...oversized boobs...of yours...down...youeow...your THROAT!"

"Not without...puff...help...you...witch!" Tifa groaned. The agony was insufferable, approaching a level of agony she thought might rival the twins' birth. But still, almost mechanically, she responded to Scarlet slackening of her hug by applying her own, continuously forcing their brutalized tits into conflict, wearing away the firmness of both magnificent sets of rounded flesh. "After I've...dealt with...you...I'll shove them...down YOUR throat!"

The pain was as maddening as it was unceasing. Growling like they were barely human, Tifa and Scarlet sank into a painful squat, arching their backs to shove their tits together even harder, slowly moving back upright. In the process, by accident they relaxed simultaneously and, for a brief second their boobs separated. The immediate cessation of pain was like a trigger and immediately blonde and brunette slammed forward. The massive, direct impact of all four breasts at once was too much for both women. Scarlet wailed loudly as her legs failed, held up only by Tifa's arms, but the brunette also gave a choking moan and sank down along with Scarlet.

But even this did not make them stop as, heads bowed, forehead to forehead, they kept pumping and banging their boobs together frantically. For maybe three minutes they did this until Scarlet shifted her left leg up. Tifa followed with her right, their naked privates brushing together with every other thrust. Intelligence slowly returned to their eyes and Tifa blinked wearily at the savage snarls from the embattled Espers as they rolled past her vision behind Scarlet. She could feel Siren's energy flowing back into her and despaired, knowing the same would be happening to Scarlet. Somehow Siren and Shiva seemed to have access to a far greater source of energy than before. Who knew how long they could keep fighting...how long they could keep her and Scarlet fighting.

"That she would view Tifa as just a casual rival to fight on the odd night. But that's not going to happen. I finally get that. Tifa, the next time you fight, remember what you said. Nothing held back. Because I don't think you're both walking away from the encounter. And if you don't give it your all Scarlet will make you suffer for it."

Viola's words echoing in the back of her head Tifa gasped, getting her left leg up, moving into another squat as she and Scarlet kept trying to crush one another. It was in her nature to engage in a fair fight...regardless of the consequence. No matter what she said, or who she fought, it was an immutable fact of her character. She was the one that always reacted and responded to others. Even back during Nibelheim or Midgar, when she thought she was the one with the initiative, it always ended up not bring the case. She was just acting in the manner she was wired to.

How others expected to. Staring into Scarlet's fiercely grimacing face as the two women slowly rose as one, Tifa's expression shifted.

Scarlet felt a subtle hesitation from Tifa and she ground her arms around the brunette's body, moving her left hand up and her wrist, strengthening her grip. It was happening...she was weakening. Keeping the fearsome snarl on her face, internally she was smiling gleefully. She was the best and... Pain exploded in Scarlet's gut. It was so sudden all she could do was gasp, legs wobbling. Then it came again, even worse this time and the blonde screamed as her legs gave out, once more supported by Tifa who...this time...did not come down with her. But even as she slid down the woman's sweaty frame, she still felt the knee in her stomach settle back down on the floor. "Che...cheater!" She croaked. "I...was...win...win..."

"I'm...not...playing...your game...anymore..." Tifa gasped, feeling her leg muscles shriek with the effort to stay upright, a spasm causing her right to bend slightly. Still, she kept herself stable as Scarlet's legs kicked and slid across the floor grating. Her eyes briefly flashed green and, just out of her vision, Siren hauled Shiva up by the neck and forced the blue skinned Esper across her shoulder in a backbreaker. Tifa's jaw clenched. "Scream... Scream...you...pain in...my ass. SCREAM!!"

"No! No...noooaaAAAAHHHHHH!!" Scarlet's wail trailed off into a horrified screech as Tifa's orbs weighed down heavily on her boobs, the pain agonizing. She struggled to get her legs back up...to fight back, even managing a weak, ineffective kick between Tifa's legs. When that failed Tifa simply lifted her breasts off for a second, then let them fall back down. Scarlet's vision went grey and her arms separated, unable to maintain her grip. Then gravity took her and she shrieked again in excruciating pain, Tifa shoving letting her weight fall onto Scarlet unencumbered. The flesh splashed together, jiggled, flattened, then gave way as Scarlet shrieked again in a way only a woman could. She could barely breathe, when the pressure was suddenly gone and she lay limply on the metal grating. Gagging, Scarlet's fingers curled as she sobbed in humiliation and rage, but before she could do anything, she felt her hair grabbed and she was dragged along. "Let...go. Let me...go...dumb...bitch!"

A blow to the back of her head made Scarlet black out for a second and when she came to, it was to the sound of shrieking metal and she struggled to rise, only to find her herself unable to do so. Twisting around, eyes bugged out at the sight of her hands trapped by a piece of jagged pipe, bent into a rough form of cuffs. Body heaving in outrage she glared up at the naked Tifa, smirking at the way her hairs glistened  at her head's level. "So you...couldn't...beat me...could you." She said, mockingly. Tifa's face was expressionless as leaned across the railing, near Scarlet...but not too close. The reason was obvious enough. Shiva and Siren still grappling fiercely, but Scarlet could feel Shiva's desperation and weakening. "Cheating cxnt!"

"This was...never a fair...fight to begin...with." Tifa replied, still catching her breath. She glared down at Scarlet, pulling herself upright with a deep, satisfied breath. "It never has been with you. You fought by your own rules. I decided I didn't need to follow those rules."

Scarlet snorted, coughing hard. She gingerly tested the bonds. If she really wanted to, she could probably get them off. But doing so would require a lot of energy from Shiva. "Well aren't you just...just..."

Tifa felt it as well. The quake that struck rocked the entire building and the platform shifted with a loud clattering. The section where Shiva and Siren still fought suddenly tilted hard sending both Espers' physical forms falling into the pulsating green void beneath them. With a burst of green and blue the figures exploded and shot back towards Tifa and Scarlet. The platform rocked again and there was a loud rumble. Tifa started to run...then froze...turning to stare at the bound Scarlet. Her nature once again fighting against her better sense.

This time, she didn't have the time as there was a roaring in her ears and she had the brief image of a green tide. Hurled violently into the air, she had a brief moment of immense pain, then nothing else.

*****

"What the fuck was that!" Cid cursed, struggling to keep his ship level. Falling to his knees, the pilot fought his way back upright, staring through the bridge window in horror. A series of eruptions blew out the nearby ancient reactor, greenish liquid shooting out of it like a geyser. "Is that...mako?"

"No..." Rufus hobbled onto the bridge, walking past Cid up to the glass, Cissnei and Reno following close behind. His head panned slowly from reactor to reactor. "Not Mako. It's the Lifestream...the same vein we tapped to make Mako at this location."

"Is this your doing?" The menace in Cid's voice was thick enough for the escorting Turks to place hands on their respective weapons. "Did you..."

"I am as shocked as you are." Rufus remarked without even looking around. There was another rumble "And I don't think what's going on is over either."

"Wha..." Cid pulled wildly on the wheel, bringing the Airship around as another reactor exploded. Then another. And another. Each major reactor on the outskirts of the city going up one after the other. "Are they trying to wipe us all out together!?"

*****

"That your plan!?" Barret snarled, sweat dripping down the side of his face, at the nearby reactor explosion. Opposite him, Vincent also struggled, both men restraining an arm, trying to force Titan to the ground. A boomerang whirled through the air to clip across the giant's jaw, making him stumble and fall to a knee. "Get us all gathered then here then blow up the city?"

"I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about!" Titan grunted, stamping his feet. He frowned and stamped again...but whatever he was going for wasn't happening. "If that was the case why would we be fighting you like we are?"

"So this is all just a coincidence!?" Vincent rumbles, stabbing a clawed fist into Titan's back, both him and Barret finally forcing the struggling Titan to the ground, facedown. With a gesture Death Penalty emerged in his hand, which he pointed at the Esper's head. "Do you think us fools?"

"Think whatever you want, it will not change the fact that this is not any of our doing and..." Titan retorted, ceasing in his struggles as the second building erupted, bright green liquid spewing out from it. "It appears to be getting worse."

*****

"You were playing with her." Yuffie stated, her tone and stare accusatory.

"Was not!" Joslyn retorted defensively, emerging from the pit dragging her unconscious opponent out by the leg. "Could've dealt with her a lot sooner, but Lakshmi wouldn't let me. Turns out this skank has a bun in the oven."

"What?" Yuffie remarked in surprise, giving the woman a once over. Must be very early since she wasn't showing yet. Either way, she stood to the side and let her friend drop the blonde next to the, similarly, unconscious trooper she and Shelke had dealt with.

"Now..." Jo turned bright eyes back to Yuffie. "What's going on with Tifa? Why was she and Scarlet looking like that?"

"Scarlet..." Yuffie hesitated. She doubted Tifa or Cloud would care if she learned what had gone on since their capture, but decided it would be better for her to hear it from them. "Scarlet had been torturing them both, trying to get Tifa to agree to fight her again. Why they're looking like that...your guess is as good as mine."

"Uh..."

"Wait...she would've needed to beat my sis to capture her anyway...so why would she want to fight again already?" Joslyn regarded her suspiciously.

"Hey..."

"I don't know...maybe she got lucky and knew it." Yuffie replied. "All I know is..."

"HEY!!"

"What!" Both Yuffie and Joslyn turned to Shelke, who pointed off to the distance. Both busty women turned to stare at the pillar of green, glowing liquid shooting up into the air.

"Is that..."

"Yeah...mako!" Yuffie answered, stunned. The ground shook beneath them violently and an eruption knocked them to the ground. Getting back up, coughing, the kunoichi spun around to see a second gusher shoot upwards. To her horror it was from the direction Tifa and Scarlet had flown off in.

*****

His mind was blank.

He'd felt her getting stronger and drawn strength from that himself. It had to mean that she was emerging victorious. Then, like the flip of a switch, it was gone. Twisting around in the air, risking being hit by Alexander he'd turned in time to see the Reactor go, the mako still spilling into the air even now.

Not that it mattered now. She was gone. Throwing back his head Cloud/Bahamut roared, letting everyone know his pain. And the Planet answered.

A quake stronger than any other, caused sections of the city to sink and even Leviathan and Alexander were affected, the latter tumbling over and reverting back to his human form to avoid accidently crushing the Shinra building, while the former retreated back into Yuffie. On the ground, the discharge from the reactors gathered in fast flowing streams that all flowed towards the center of Midgar. Suddenly realizing their danger, Barret, Eight, Vincent and Titan all scrambled together, only to be caught up in the flow, dragging them along.

From up above Diabolos, Cid and all the others saw what others did not.

The way the liquid moved in straight lines, as if funneled towards the center. Instead of spilling off down the various side streets it moved as if controlled, gathering in the small plaza like area in front of the Shinra building. Grabbing hold of their prisoners Yuffie, Shelke and Joslyn hastily rushed up into the building proper, expecting to be fired upon, only to find the Turks, Nanaki and Beck's group, with the shooters slumped in a group near the stairs.

"What's going on?" Tseng demanded. "We were dealing with these and come back to find...this..."

"It has something to do with the reactors," Yuffie blurted out, fear and concern etched across her face. "There's something...they started exploding...this stuff was coming out and...Tifa...oh gods...Tifa was fighting Scarlet in one of them!!"

"Yuffie..." Jo grabbed her friend, shaking her gently. It wasn't like her to panic like this. "Calm down. It's sis we're talking about. She..."

Bahamut sounded off once more, and there was no mistaking the pain in the roar. And again the earth shook.

"None of this is possible!" Tseng growled, rubbing his face in frustration. "Midgar is one of the most tectonically stable places on the Planet. We've never had quakes here...ever!!"

"These...are not...quakes." Immediately everyone was on alert as Alexander stumbled into the building. The young Esper looked worn, clearly the transformation took a lot out of him. But before they could feel confident a portal opened behind him and another Esper some among them recognized emerged. "Don't you feel that prickle in the back of your minds? A feeling of unease? What's coming is an anathema to us. And it's reacting to Bahamut."

"Impossible!!" Leviathan growled, taking control from Yuffie. "She was all but obliterated, and her kin sealed away. Bahamut is the only to appeared redeemable..."

"You're thinking too small Leviathan." Diabolos hissed, letting his wings flare out behind him. "She was not alone, even before creating her children. It's why it took all of us to push her to it. And why we needed the Knights to defeat her after the fact."

"You..." Bahamut roared again and this time, the answer was personal and had every non Esper sink to their knees in terror. Beck and his group in particular had no connection or partner to dull the fear, puddles forming beneath more than one. It wasn't particularly loud, or even threatening, but everyone that heard it could feel the power behind it. Her link with Leviathan the oldest and strongest, Yuffie still had to crawl to the entrance, joining Alexander and Bahamut there. From out of the green pool, Titan crawled wearily, Eight and Vincent slung over his massive shoulders, Barret dragging himself along behind. "Get...back..." Titan croaked. "She's...coming..."

From the center of glowing liquid a figure slowly emerged, as if being formed by the substance itself.

Massive, golden curling horns sat atop a head covered in raven dark hair with reddish highlights. Two pairs of wings, one a dark navy blue and the other a light emerald green, flared outwards, flapping absently. A black tail swished back forth behind wide, pale hips that became scaled and armored as one went down ending in pair of greenish spikes under the heel. Fully formed now, it shook out it's hair and gestured, mana swirling around to wrap her in a black and gold battle bikini. It looked directly at them now and, despite herself, Yuffie legs finally gave out she felt a trickle run between her legs. "That's..."

"Titan...my old friend..." It purred, a voice filled with malice and hate. "Diabolos..."

"Tiamat!!" Diabolos rasped, leaping outside, form fully shifting into his Esper form.

*****

"They should be here soon..." Ramuh remarked. Kneeling next to a tranquil pool a young woman simply nodded, her gaze fixated into it's depths. Her appearance was unusual, hair color and style shifting intermittently from blonde, to black, to brown or red and then back again. She was clearly quite tall as even kneeling her head reached Ramuh's shoulders. "They'll be...different from those that came before."

She raised her head briefly, then lowered it again.

"Yes, they've always been different from the circumstances that eventually led them here." Ramuh conceded.

She glanced up at him again.

"I can't say for certain that they hate each other more than when they fell together from the tower. But it was strong enough to affect Shiva and Siren."

She sighed.

"Yes, it is easier when they were already affectionate. But they do come more experienced in this state." Using his staff Ramuh pulled himself upright to stand beside the woman who rose to be almost twice his height. They were on a small island, floating in a sea of green. Approaching them now were two, very large fish like creatures who swam just above them. Mouths opened and two naked, clearly female, figures dropped gently to the ground, before they flitted off. The women were still, frighteningly so until the Ramuh waved his staff and a pair of swirls emerged from the green, sinking into the blonde and brunette bodies at his feet.

With an explosive gasp first one, then the other shot upright. Ramuh wove his hands again, and nodded in approval as they turned to face one another. Faces immediately tensed, then dropped in surprise and Ramuh knocked his staff on the ground to get their attention. There was a lot they needed to know. "Welcome...Tifa. Welcome Scarlet."

_____________