Swiftly but cautiously, Cloud and Lailah ascend the floors of the Pillar. They took out any Shinra forces that got in their way as they desperately tried to reach the top.

When they were climbing the stairwell to the eighth level, they were blinded by the searchlight of a helicopter. They both winced and covered their eyes.

The loudspeaker on the helicopter crackled as someone aboard addressed them. "Testing, testing... Attention, Avalanche scum! We know all about your evil plans to destroy the pillar. But the Turks—ahem! But Shinra—that's us—won't let you get away with it! So go crawl back into whatever hole you crawled out of, or something!"

Lailah lowered her hand when the spotlight shifted. She glared at the helicopter when she recognized the voice. "It's that weirdo from Sector 5..."

Cloud looked over his shoulder at her. Unlike her, he didn't recognize the voice belonged to the Turk he fought in the church. "What...?"

Hearing a click, the shapeshifter noticed the machine gun attached to the helicopter was being aimed at them. She quickly grabbed Cloud's hand and tugged him up the stairs just as a barrage of bullets was fired at them. They took cover behind spare pipe parts while the helicopter kept firing at them.

When the firing ceased for a second, Lailah went to take a peek at what the helicopter was doing. She flinched when the gunfire started up again and knocked down some of the spare pipes. She was pulled back into Cloud's arms as their cover was slowly disappearing.

"Not good," Cloud mumbled.

Just then, the helicopter's loudspeaker turned on to address them again. It was a different man this time. "Throw down your weapons and surrender! Shinra does not negotiate with terrorists!"

Lailah tried to figure out what they should do. She thought about transforming and destroying the helicopter, but she was afraid the wreckage would fall to the ground and cause more destruction and casualties.

When an explosion erupted and more spare pipes fell, they knew their cover wouldn't last much longer. She glanced toward the next available spot they could take cover behind. Another idea that came to mind was she could draw the helicopter's gunfire while Cloud ran to the next floor. However, she knew he wouldn't leave her behind and discarded the idea. Feeling his arms tighten around her, she looked up at him.

"Gotta move," he said.

"I could protect us while we head to better cover," she suggested.

"It's all we got. Let's—"

The sound of footsteps drew their attention. Looking to the stairs, they saw Tifa running up. The helicopter suddenly lurched, causing its aim to falter. The bullets pierced the stairwell and destroyed it.

Cloud and Lailah saw what was happening and rushed to Tifa's aid.

"Cloud! Lailah!" Tifa shouted as the stairs below her disappeared.

Cloud grabbed her outstretched hand and pulled her to safety while Lailah protected them with a barrier. A few bullets hit the barrier before she quickly follows them behind cover and dispels it.

"What the hell?!" Cloud shouted at the sable-haired girl.

Tifa smiled. "Nice catch!"

"You're crazy!"

"Just like you two. So suck it up, 'cause I'm not leaving."

"It's getting more difficult as we ascend the Pillar," Lailah spoke up. "We'll need all the help we can get."

Cloud couldn't dismiss the truth she spoke of. "Yeah."

The shapeshifter peeked out from behind cover just enough to see the helicopter was no longer shooting. The machine gun needed time to cool down, providing them with a perfect window to move. "I'll take the lead. Make sure to stick close to me whenever I cast a barrier."

Tifa nodded. "Right."

"Lead the way," Cloud added.

Carefully and quickly, they moved from cover to cover. As they did, the ex-SOLDIER asked, "Where's Aerith?"

"I sent her to Seventh Heaven to get Marlene out," Tifa answered.

"And Wedge?"

"I asked him to show her the way."

"Okay."

Tifa hugged herself while taking cover behind a metal panel. "We can still stop this...right?"

Cloud nodded. "Yeah."

"Don't lose hope, Tifa," Lailah said.

Tifa smiled with determination. "Then let's keep moving!"

While being taunted by Reno, the trio ascends the Pillar. Floor after floor, they wipe out Shinra forces and dodge the gunfire of the helicopter. On the ninth level, Lailah grew sick and tired of Reno's taunts and jumped out from cover. Creating a powerful gust of wind, she caused the helicopter to lurch violently. The gust was just enough to blow the helicopter away long enough to reach the next level.

Just as they were about to climb the ladder to the twelfth level, they saw an explosion come from the thirteenth floor and picked up their pace.

Upon reaching the twelfth level and wiping out the enemies, Lailah spotted the helicopter as it caught up to them. She gripped her chakrams tightly, the spotlight solely focusing on her. She glared at the helicopter when she heard Reno address her. "Now, now. Be a good girl and come with us. It'd be easier than dragging your bullet-riddled body along."

As she contemplated whether to deal with him, a large white appendage lashed out from a couple levels above and knocked the helicopter away. The shapeshifter recognized Zeus' tail and grinned. It seemed the beast had also grown tired of Reno's taunting.

The helicopter was swatted away from the Pillar and vanished from sight. Knowing it wasn't a permanent solution to get rid of the helicopter, she deactivated her chakrams and turned to her childhood friends. "That explosion came from the floor above, right? Let's hurry."

Due to the earlier explosion, part of the stairwell was blocked off. They had no choice but to cross a metal beam. Safely across, they rush up the stairs to the next level.

On the thirteenth level, they saw the fire caused by the earlier explosion and a pile of debris next to a destroyed helicopter. Underneath the rubble, they saw a familiar face—Jessie. They rushed to her aid.

"Jessie!" Tifa shouted, falling on to her hands and knees beside Jessie while Cloud and Lailah pulled the debris off her body.

In her beaten and bruised state, Jessie still found the strength to be her teasing self. "Oh, jeez... Tifa... If you could see the look on your face..."

"Cloud," Lailah called out the blonde's name.

"I've got her," he responded. Carefully, he picked Jessie up in his arms and carried her away from the flames.

The snowy-haired girl walked beside him, wondering if she could save Jessie's life. A sense of dread engulfed her heart even when she tried to convince herself she could save her friend.

"So...you guys...get to hear my last words... Heh... Lucky me," Jessie weakly smiled.

Cloud stopped and gazed sadly at the girl in his arms. "Like hell they're your last."

"It's okay, Cloud... It's okay." She feebly raised her hand and stared at her palm. "They were my bombs. They were all...my victims. I had it...coming."

"Could you put her down over here?" Lailah gently asked the ex-SOLDIER.

Cloud nodded and did as she asked. He gingerly placed Jessie down on the ground with her back leaning against a slab of debris. Tifa dashed over and fell to her hands and knees in front of her.

Jessie winced once Cloud let go of her. She then tried to smile as Lailah took her hand and held it between both of hers. "My heroes," she smiled at them. "So gentle..."

Cloud placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Just try to hang on!" He looked over at the shapeshifter, clinging to a small hint of hope. "Lailah."

From only holding Jessie's hand, Lailah knew she wouldn't be able to save Jessie. The flame of life within her was extinguishing quickly. She only had a few minutes left to live and there was nothing she could do for someone who was so close to death. Unlike Biggs, she knew there wasn't even a slither of hope in saving Jessie. She hung her head in shame. "I'm sorry, but...there's nothing I can do."

Jessie chuckled and tried to squeeze one of Lailah's hands. "So dramatic... I...I just wish that... I could've had you two over again... Everyone... With Mom's cooking... I really wanted...to believe...we could..."

"Yeah. You owe us a pizza," Cloud said, wishing this wasn't the end for Jessie.

Jessie giggled shakily. "That's right. I do. Especially Lailah." She turned her head to cast her smile at the shapeshifter. "My dad...woke up. He mentioned an angel...with white hair and...gold eyes saved him. I could only think...of you, Lailah. Thank you for...saving him. I wanted to...take you to meet my parents...but...I don't think..."

Tifa began crying. She wanted to deny Jessie's fate just like Cloud and Lailah.

Hearing her sniffles, Jessie's smile faltered. "Oh no... Tifa's crying. Did I say something wrong?"

Tifa looked away, trying to hide her tears from her friend.

Jessie, with her other hand, gave Cloud one last fist bump. "Don't you guys...have somewhere to be? It's not polite...to stare...you know..." With those final words, her eyes slid close and her body fell limp. She was gone.

Cloud grabbed Jessie's hand one final time before it fell out of reach before gently letting it go.

"Jessie..." Tifa whimpered sorrowfully. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She covered her eyes as she was wracked with sobs.

Cloud gazed at Tifa to see how devastated she was. He lifted the hand he grabbed Jessie's with. Clenching it tightly into a fist, he felt anger and sorrow form a vortex in his heart. As he tried to contain his emotions, his attention was drawn to the ground. A gentle emerald glow came from the root-like markings. Following them, he saw they were leading back to Lailah.

Tifa also noticed the markings, her sobs quieting. She looked over at the shapeshifter. "Lailah..."

"I would like to ensure Jessie's soul makes a safe journey back to the Lifestream," Lailah spoke just above a whisper, still holding Jessie's hand. Taking a deep breath, she recited the Blessing of Eternity. "Though this body has perished, thy soul remains eternal. Although lost, thy soul has been found. With Gaia's blessing, thy shall return to the Earth Mother and never be lost again. This body's journey has ended, but thy soul will remain for all eternity as the blood that flows through this world until the day of rebirth. Return to the Lifestream, adrift soul. May you rest in peace."

The roots wrapped around Jessie's body, encasing her in a warmth of emerald light. As the roots faded, Lailah released Jessie's hand and held out her palms. An emerald orb emerged from Jessie's body and she held it gingerly in her palms. Standing up, she walked to the edge of the level where a section of the railing was missing. Outstretching her hands, she held the orb as it took another form. An emerald butterfly took shape. Flapping its wings, it flew away into the night sky. She smiled as she watched the butterfly. "Farewell, Jessie."

Keeping her tears at bay, she turned to face Cloud and Tifa. Unable to meet their faces directly, she hung her head and wrapped her arms around herself. "I'm sorry for not being able to save Jessie."

Tifa wiped the tears from her cheeks. "It wasn't your fault. In the end, what you did for Jessie was more than I could have asked. Thank you, Lailah."

"She was my friend too. There was no way I wouldn't help guide her. She may be gone, but she will be reborn again. Perhaps we will see her again in another life. But first, we need to stop Shinra."

Cloud nodded in agreement. "Let's go."

The air around them was heavy with sorrow and anger as they headed further up the Pillar. Drawing closer to the top level, they heard Barret shouting, "I ain't done with you yet! You hear me?! Think you can come up in here—do what you want—and we're gonna take it?!"

They ran up the remaining stairs. Lailah grabbed Tifa's hand and tugged her to the top just before the stairs collapsed. The sable-haired girl sighed in relief and thanked her best friend. When she released her hand, she heard the gunfire and spotted Barret taking cover behind canisters. "Barret!" She tried to run over to him but was stopped when the helicopter started firing at her.

"Tifa?!" Barret shouted. "Get your ass behind cover! Now! Chopper's gonna chew you up!"

Lailah ran to Tifa while Cloud dashed over to join Barret. She erected a barrier around them and they ran to take cover with the others. Safely behind the canisters, Barret glanced between the three. "You ready?"

Cloud held his sword tightly. "Yup."

They quickly moved away from the canisters when the helicopter's gunfire caused them to explode.

The helicopter's gunfire died down when the machine gun overheated. Lailah took that time to activate her chakrams. Hearing the helicopter drawing closer, she looked up to see Reno preparing to jump out. She glared at him while he smirked back.

He tapped his deactivated baton against his shoulder. "Nice to see you again, princess. You kicked my ass before, but that won't happen again."

Lailah's chakrams floated above her palms. Concentrating her magic, flames erupted from the curved blades. "We'll see about that."

Reno activated his baton and jumped from the helicopter. He targeted the girl but was quickly intercepted by Cloud. The ex-SOLDIER blocked the baton with his sword. Neither one of them could break the other's defense.

Reno jumped back. Cloud attempted to bisect him with his blade, but he nimbly dove down and avoided the sword. "Missed me!" The redhead taunted. Instead of attacking him, the Turk dashed toward the console. Cloud and Lailah attempted to pursue him, but the helicopter opened fire on them.

"You're next, asshole!" Barret growled.

Reno made it to the console. "Sorry, losers! Gotta play for keeps today. No time to dick around." He got to work on dropping the plate.

An announcement resonated from the console. "Plate separation authorized. Awaiting confirmation. Plate separation authorized. Awaiting confirmation."

"Yeah, yeah, coming right up." Reno went to press the button to drop the Plate, but he was kicked in the side and sent rolling. He recovered from the attack, glaring at who managed to sneak up on him. "Well, well. Look at you, princess. You're ready for a fight aren't you?" He gripped his baton. "Not many people can sneak up on me. I'll give ya points for that one, but don't expect me to go easy on you. That old geezer never did say you had to be uninjured. All he said was to bring you back alive."

Lailah didn't say anything. Instead, she closed the distance between her and Reno and attacked. Like their battle in the Sector 5 slums, they exchanged blow after blow without even injuring each other. Neither of them had a single scratch yet.

The two jumped away from each other to reevaluate their attack plan.

Reno began laughing like a madman. "Y'know, I was really hoping to tear into that First-Class asshole, but you're sooo much more fun than him! Don't hold back, princess!" He charged at her but didn't make it far before Cloud, Barret, and Tifa joined the fight. The redhead clicked his tongue in annoyance when they interfered. "Sorry, but this dance isn't for you assholes. It's between me and her!"

"Time to switch partners then, asshole!" Barret shouted, firing at the Turk.

"You mess with her, you mess with us!" Tifa yelled, throwing a few punches at Reno.

Cloud stood beside Lailah and asked, "You know him?"

"Not really. We fought once in the Sector 5 slums, but that was it," the snowy-haired girl answered. She switched from flames to ice. "Let's take him down."

Cloud held his sword with both hands. "Right."

Combining their strengths, they fought against Reno. They took a few hits from the Turk and vice versa before they started to truly wear him down. Lailah used her healing magic to patch up her comrades whenever they took too much damage from the redhead.

In the midst of the battle, Reno had to put some distance between himself and the group. He was feeling the battle was beginning to drag on and his strength was slowly draining.

Lailah held her chakrams, glaring daggers at the Turk. She wondered what he was planning until she heard him yell and eye the helicopter he rode in on.

"Say what?!" the redhead shrieked after hearing what Rude was planning. Seeing the helicopter was about to drop bombs, he ran for cover and jumped over a fence. "I see you're doin' whatever the hell you want. Guess I'm rubbing off on ya."

"Heads up, guys!" Cloud yelled when the helicopter flew towards them. They dodged the incoming bombs and returned to attacking Reno when he rejoined the skirmish. Barret and Lailah focused on the helicopter seeing as they were the only two who could reach it with their weapons.

When Lailah caught her chakrams, she heard the familiar hissing of Zeus. Looking around, she wondered where the cobra was. The beast slithered up the side of the pillar and made his way to the top. She was shocked to see he set his sights on the helicopter. She didn't expect him to help them with this battle, but she appreciated his assistance nonetheless.

With a powerful blow from Zeus' tail, the helicopter was knocked out of the sky. Reno screamed the name of his partner as it came crashing down in a fiery explosion. He was caught in the explosion but survived. He was convinced Rude was dead until the man himself emerged from the flames to join him in the battle.

Zeus hissed at the Turks, displaying his sharp fangs. Weak from helping as many people as possible on the Pillar, he cast a powerful lightning spell. Bolts struck the Turks and stunned them. The single spell was all he could do in his weakened state. Slithering over to Lailah, he telepathically spoke to her. "Survive this battle and you shall have my blessing. For now, I must depart and gather my strength. Farewell for now, Rhea."

"Thank you for all your help, Zeus," the snowy-haired girl replied. "Please, rest."

The cobra vanished as quickly as he appeared.

Lailah rejoined the fray, only for Reno to begin solely targeting her. He tried to electrocute her with his baton, but she blocked his attack with her chakrams. He stared into her golden eyes. "That damn snake caused a shitton of trouble already. You gonna call for another monster or are you gonna show me that little transforming trick of yours, princess?"

"I only save that for formidable opponents," she hissed before kneeing him in the gut. He fell to his knees as the wind was knocked out of him. She took a few steps away from him and smirked in satisfaction. "Compared to what we've fought before, you and your partner are barely worth the effort."

"Damn...you!" Reno spat between inhales, trying to refill his lungs.

"Reno!" Rude shouted, seeing his partner down.

Lailah delivered one final kick to the redhead's side to finish him off. His body rolled away, his baton slipping from his hand.

Tifa rushed to the console and tried to deactivate the protocol. Barret kept an eye on the defeated Rude, aiming his gun at him.

Cloud saw Reno reaching for his baton. He moved his sword, placing it between the redhead and the weapon. He glowered at him. "How do we stop it?"

Reno laughed feebly. "Who knows?" He rolled onto his back and lost consciousness.

Sensing the chilling presence of the specters, Lailah saw two of them flying towards her. They circled her before floating upward.

Suddenly, Barret shouted, "Where you going?!"

The snowy-haired girl spotted Rude running towards the console while the brute fired at him. She went to stop him, but she was intercepted by a vortex of specters. They blocked her, Cloud, and Barret from approaching the console.

The ex-SOLDIER swung his blade at some of the specters. "Move!"

Barret fired at the specters. "Getting real tired of your shit!"

When Lailah heard Tifa scream, she conjured a wind spell. Her markings turned green as she manifested a powerful vortex. It blew the specters away, allowing them through.

"Tifa!" Cloud hollered once seeing she was collapsed on the ground. He ran toward the console with Lailah behind him.

Rude saw them approaching and didn't waste any more time. He pressed the button. He turned around, leaning his back against the console and using it to support his battered body.

The alarms blared as the automated voice announced, "Plate separation initiated. Plate separation initiated. Commencing separation sequence. Section 1 separation imminent. Evacuate immediately. Plate separation initiated."

Barret gritted his teeth in anger. He glared daggers at the Turk. "You son of a bitch! What have you done?!"

Cloud and Rude charged at each other. The ex-SOLDIER swung his blade. The Turk ducked underneath the blade and stormed over to Reno. The blonde was about to chase after him when Tifa called out his name. She was more important than Rude and he went to her aid.

Lailah glowered at Rude as he slung Reno's body over his shoulders. Her eyes narrowed when he turned and their gazes met.

A medical helicopter arrived. Rude boarded with Reno and departed. At the sound of Barret screaming and shooting the control console, she spun on her heels and ran over to join them at the console.

Tifa stared at the warning message on the screen with a frustrated expression. "What do we do?!"

The warning vanished as the screen changed. A man with dark brown eyes and shoulder-length black hair appeared on the screen. It was Tseng, the leader of the Turks. "Nothing. There is nothing you can do now."

Tifa shouted back, "You can't do this!"

Suddenly, Aerith walked into view. "Tifa! I found Marlene!"

Lailah gasped in shock at seeing her on the screen.

"Aerith!" Tifa yelled in bewilderment.

Barret stepped forward at hearing his daughter's name. "Marlene? My Marlene?! What did you do with her?!"

"Where are you?!" Cloud asked worriedly.

"I'm at the—" Before Aerith could answer, the man interrupted her.

Tseng stepped in front of her and summoned security officers to grab her. They dragged her off-screen as he said, "Your activities unwittingly brought you into contact with the Ancient, who is now back in our custody where she belongs. For this, you have my sincerest gratitude. A shame we were unable to obtain the daughter of Gaia as well. Alas, the sector in which you stand has been condemned." He held a finger up to his lips with a smirk.

Cloud was puzzled by the word. ""Ancient"?"

Lailah felt the term was familiar, but she didn't understand why.

"Run! You have to go now!" Aerith begged her friends off-screen.

"And where exactly do you expect them to go?" Tseng asked.

"Aerith!" Cloud shouted before the feed ended.

Rubble rained down on them as the ground shook. The plate was about to fall.

"Total plate separation imminent. Evacuate the area immediately," the automated voice announced.

They backed away from the console and looked around to see the flames and rubble were increasing.

Tifa was in shock. "No, no, no..."

An explosion came from above. Large pieces of debris fell, separating the group.

"If we don't get the hell outta here right now, we're dead!" Barret shouted. "We gotta think of something! Think dammit think! Look around... Gotta be something! Shit...shit... Shit!"

Lailah searched for a way down. She ran over to the railing, dodging the flames and avoiding the falling platforms of the plate. She leaned over the railing, wondering if she could transform and carry them to safety.

She was pulled from her thoughts when the railing broke. She gasped at feeling her body falling forward. Fortunately, Cloud grabbed her before she could fall. He took ahold of her wrist and pulled her back. Even though she would've been fine if she fell, she preferred to avoid it. "Thanks," she sighed in relief.

"Let's get out of here," he said.

She nodded and followed him, but they both stopped when they saw Tifa on her knees. Lailah was quicker than Cloud and rushed to her best friend's aid. She placed a gentle hand on her arm. "Tifa..." She peered at the younger girl's face to see tears forming in her shock-filled eyes. The sound of another explosion made her very aware of just how limited their time was. She managed to pull Tifa to her feet. Taking her hands, she squeezed them. "We can't stay here, Tifa."

Tifa was in too much shock to say anything.

"Hey!" Barret shouted, grabbing their attention. "Over here! Found us a way out!"

"Tifa," Cloud called out the girl's name.

"I've got her. Let's go." Lailah made sure to keep a hold on one of Tifa's hands as she tugged her to where Barret was waiting for them. "C'mon, c'mon!" The man hollered at them.

Grabbing the handle, the brute used his gun arm to destroy the door of the lift before kicking it out, creating the perfect opening for them to zipline down the cable.

Lailah pushed Tifa forward, allowing her to latch on to Barret. Cloud was next to jump. He grabbed on and held out his hand to the shapeshifter. However, she shook her head. "Go."

Cloud's mako-infused eyes widen. He couldn't believe what she was saying. "We're not leaving you behind!"

"You're not," she told him. "I'll be right behind you. Now go!"

Barret didn't wait. He jumped off with Tifa and Cloud and zoomed down the cable.

Lailah jumped off the lift and transformed into a bird just before explosions tore the pillar to shreds. She flew behind them, dodging the explosions as the plate fell. She could hear the screams of the people below.

She narrowly missed a large pile of debris and flew through the flames. The fire burned a few of her feathers while she soared through the air. Pieces of debris hit her body, but none were heavy enough to throw her off-course or threaten to knock her out of the sky.

All of a sudden, a large piece of debris came from above. She saw it heading for Barret, Cloud, and Tifa. They wouldn't be able to dodge it at the speed they were going. Not having the mana to erect a barrier strong enough to protect them, she knew there was only one thing she could do. Flying as fast as she could, she used her body as a shield.

The large piece of debris collided with her body. A painful, shrill cry erupted from her throat as she was knocked out of the sky. Her large body slammed into the ground, her world being engulfed by pain before turning dark.