(A/N: this chapter will develop the friendship between Y/N and Aerith. I am pushing to the direction of Cloud and Tifa on the Skywheel)

After a few days rest at Costa Del Sol, the party continued on their hunt for Sephiroth, since even Rufus Shinra himself wanted him gone. Still reeling from the failed assassination attempt on the company president, Barret let out a warning for Yuffie.

Barret: you try anything funny- anything... I'll shove you in the Sister Ray, point it at Wutai and blast you back home!

Yuffie: yeesh, but... I hear you!

She then eyed the group's equipped Materia on their weapons.

Yuffie: you won't regret this, or my name isn't Yuffie Kisaragi!

With that, the Wutai ninja is officially part of the party's ranks.

The only way for the party to track down Sephiroth is through those strange black robed people. From what they learn of what a local doctor told them, that they were on their way to the Gold Saucer, that even the doctor found strange since he didn't give a clear answer. 

With the lead they had for now, the party went on their way to the amusement center known as the Golden Saucer.

Yuffie: look! Look, look, look! Something is coming!

The girls saw the light illusion summons of Ifrit and Shiva flying towards to greet them. 

Aerith: this is incredible!

Y/N however was not too impressed at the fireworks display as the colors were too bright, giving him a little migraine; he can only ease his headache by covering his eyes with his hood.

As the group exited the ropeway ride, the girls instantly ran off, leaving the boys in the dust. As they made their way, they saw more of those robed men.

Meanwhile, the Turks along with Space and Aeronautics director Palmer were patrolling and hunting for Avalanche.

Palmer: Barrett Wallace... Tifa Lockhart... and Cloud Strife... look at them. Look! Waltzing around with a flower seller and Hojo's lab rat. Who are these people?

Rude: don't forget, they have the hooded SOLDIER Assassin with them

Elena: at least they're finally on a real wanted list. It's about time

Palmer: that's all well and good, but why am I in charge of handling out the posters?! Don't they know I have a division to run?! 

Elena: I think you're where the president wants you

(Back to the Saucer)

Just like Costa Del Sol, the group were separated and roamed around the amusement center to take it all in, but the boys managed to catch up with the girls.

Tifa: excuse us, coming through!

They watched an opening performance with white furry creatures called Moogles, led by a talking cat mascot.

Cat Mascot: alright everyone! Let's get this party started! Hope you're ready to boogie!

He then shot a magical orb at Yuffie, transforming her current clothes to a kimono and proceeded to dance with Tifa and Aerith backing her up.

Then a big muscular mustached man came out and called out Y/N. The man was named Dio, the director of the Gold Saucer. After introducing himself, Y/N let out his hand, only for Dio to grab it tight.

Dio: well Y/N, shall we duel?

The Assassin tried to walk away, but Dio's grip was tight.

Y/N: let go. Now

Dio: now now. When fate sets us a challenge, we must rise to meet it!

Cat Mascot: are you ready to rumble?

The stage began to rise and a holographic simulator activated and presented Y/N and Dio in a retro style polygon figure form. 

Y/N instantly learned the basics of both offense and defense as if his ancestor's skills and talents were passed down to him. He finished off Dio with a Limit Break, knocking the muscle man out.

Dio: well fought, young man

With sportsmanship, Dio raised the Assassin's arm while the crowd below gave him an applause. Then Dio presented a gold ticket.

Dio: a small token of my thanks. One golden ticket. Your ticket to paradise

Y/N: hmm... cool

The party continued to walk through the Saucer until Yuffie let out a suggestion.

Yuffie: a teensy little break. All those in favor?

Tifa and Aerith instantly raised their hands while Red XIII reluctantly raised his paw, making it a 4 to 2 majority vote.

Tifa: yea or nay?

Y/N: hmm...

Y/N gasped as he saw another robed man, but his visions messed with him to reveal another Sephiroth illusion.

Sephiroth: have your fun... while you still have time

Aerith snapped the Assassin out of his senses while she held his hand.

Aerith: hey... maybe you should lay down a bit

Y/N: no... I'm alright

Cloud then blocked his way.

Cloud: maybe you should...

Barret: come on man. I know this ain't your style. Why don't we book us some rooms?

Y/N: alright

Yuffie: well then, the four of us are off

Tifa: get some sleep babe, alright?

The group separated, leaving the three guys to find a hotel to rest and sleep for a while. They then found a ghost themed hotel, in which Barret had to let out a rant. 

Barret: can you believe this shit? This is what the planet is dying for? This is why we're bleeding her dry? Look at it! Look! All of it- Mako! Siphoned straight from the Lifestream! From her veins!

Cloud: hey! Get a grip!

Barret kicked down one of the decors in anger; then a giant Moogle popped up, which turned out to be an animatronic.

???: what do we have here? A man with a rain cloud over his head! So how about a reading to clear those somber skies? Whether it be dark or bright, I'll read your future right! Just don't shoot the messenger

Barret: this some kind of toy?

The three then saw the same cat mascot from earlier.

Cat Mascot: yoo-hoo lads. Eyes up here. I'm Cait Sith, fortune-teller extraordinaire. Put it there

Barret: hmph, it's a toy alright. Pretty lifelike though

Cait Sith: come on pal, give us a smile. The Gold Saucer is meant to be a happy  place filled with happy people, don't you know, so show us those pearly whites

Barret: back off!

The three entered the haunted themed hotel where they checked in, but found out that all the rooms were fully booked.

However, Cait Sith came to the aid.

Cait Sith: hello again! Nowhere to stay?

Barret: what's it to you?

Cait Sith: now then. did you want one suite or two?

Barret: you trying to scam us?

Cait Sith: I wouldn't dream of such a thing! And to prove it, I'll pay the entire bill myself

Cloud: sure you will

Y/N: I need a damn bed now

Cait Sith: well aren't we a prickly bunch

The feline proceeded to hack the hotel's booking system using his personal mechanical moogle to open up two suites.

Cait Sith: you there- dangly man. Would you mind checking one more time?

The concierge checked and was surprised.

Concierge: a timely cancellation! The Tonberry and Eligor suites have just become available! Shall I book them for you?

Cait Sith: it feels so good to do good! Alright lads. Enjoy your stay! Toodle-oo!

With that, the suites are ready on the fourth floor, so the three proceeded to the elevator at the top of the main stairs. They went inside the Tonberry suite where they had to adjust to the strange decor.

Y/N: room is a room

Cloud: we're gonna head out a bit

Barret: but not for fun! Just to take a walk. Hey, you've been acting pretty weird lately, Y/N. Rest up and shake it off, you hear me?

Y/N: order received

Cloud: we'll be back soon man, get some sleep

Cloud and Barret left Y/N alone, leaving the Assassin to rest for a while, hoping to forget the crazy visions he had lately.

(A few hours later)

After managing to get some rest, Y/N woke up and heard a knock on the door. He opened the door to see it was Aerith.

Aerith: I thought to check to see how you're holding up

Y/N: I'm feeling alright now. I got some sleep at least

Aerith: that's good to hear

Y/N: how is Tifa doing?

Aerith: she's fine. She's with Cloud as we speak

Y/N: hmm, about time those two get some alone time together. What of the others?

Aerith: Barret is taking a walk; Red and Yuffie are trying everything out; which leaves little ol' me alone

Y/N: want me to escort you?

Aerith: look at this as another friendly date

Y/N: lucky me

Aerith: come on! 

The flower girl grabbed Y/N's hand and the two walked back to the Gold Saucer through the walkway. 

Aerith: it just so happened the Skywheel is running a special for couples

Y/N: for couples? As in...?

Aerith: I'll leave that up to your imagination. It's more fun that way

Y/N: we're just friends you know

Aerith: good close friends to be exact. Come on!

The two went around sightseeing what the Gold Saucer offers, such as the VR style games and the Event Square, in which they walked through to see the play called Loveless is featured. Y/N was taken aback that the lead character was a familiar face to him.

Aerith: wow... talk about beautiful. Do you know her?

Y/N: that was Jessie, she was fighting for Avalanche until her last breath

Aerith: you know she was an actress?

Y/N: Cloud might have mentioned about that to me. I never was quite acquainted with her 

The two went inside the theater, but saw they were too late and missed the play; however they heard from the PA that Skywheel Square is open.

(Meanwhile with Barret)

Barret saw people running out of the Battle Square in panic; as he went inside he saw bodies of Shinra guards along with bullet holes.

Barret: what happened?

The big man continued his way inside to try to find the source of the massacre. Then in the elevator, Barret saw a figure who has a gun arm just like him.

Barret: it can't be...

As Barret tried to catch the person, the elevator door closed.

(Back at Skywheel Square)

The Skywheel's couples' hour was currently ongoing as the pairs of lovers are looking to right the gondolas and share private time and moments together without the disturbance of the crowds.

Aerith: come on, let's get in line

She said as she wrapped herself around Y/N's arm and pulled him towards the ride; she then went and pulled down Y/N's hood.

Aerith: much better with your hood down

But as they attempt to get in line, the ride suffered some minor technical difficulties. Then Cait Sith came running in.

Cait Sith: Y/N, we got trouble!

Aerith: aww, hi little guy

Y/N: what's wrong?

Cait Sith: get to the colosseum! On the double! Because between you and me... there's been a wee shooting in the lobby over there. And the word around the Saucer is that a man with a gun for an arm was the perpetrator

Y/N and Aerith were shocked to learn that the description obviously fit to one person only.

Cait Sith: I'll round up your pals for you, alright? Now get going! There's not a moment to lose!

Aerith: that can't be true, can it?

Y/N: we better go find out

With the surprising news, Y/N and Aerith caught up with the rest of the group with the main focus is to track down the man with a gun for an arm, the same person who Barret saw in the elevator.

To be continued...