Everyone was at the marsh. Cloud, Tifa, Aeris, Barret, Red 13 and Vex. They just saw a large white bird being chomped on by the giant cobra that lunged up and snapped the bird. Vex sighed and turned to everyone else and frowned and shrugged.

Vex: "Well now what are we going to do?"

Cloud: "Sephiroth crossed here right?"

Vex: "He's nuts."

Cloud: "Well, yeah but he's probably powerful enough to destroy something like that." (Turns to everyone.) "What are we going to do?"

Tifa: (Walks over to a sign that was posted up down the marsh edge a little.) "I found something! Check it out!"

Aeris: (Cloud and everyone else followed to the sign. Aeris read it over and turned to everyone, puzzled.) "It's a sign that that reads: Beware of swamp, Midgar Zalom dwells within. What's a Midgar Zalom?"

Vex: "I'll bet it was that huge lizard that attacked that bird."

Red 13: "Midgar Zalom is a snake."

Vex: (Rolls his eyes.) "Whatever."

Barret: "There's more on here, it reads: "A chocobo is faster than human feet. If you get one at Choco Billy's Chocobo ranch, you will be able to cross." What the hell?! This's an advertisement!"

Vex: "Hey, maybe the ranch folk put the Midgar Zalom lizard in here to extort people into buying a chocobo!"

Tifa: "Not everyone is a sleaze bag."

Vex: (Blinks) "Well...I haven't had much good encounters."

Cloud: "How about if we check this Chocobo ranch out? It beats standing out here like a bunch of dorks."

Vex: "Boy, I'm glad I didn't have to say that line." (Runs on the road ahead of them.) "Come on, you slowpokes!"

Cloud: "Hey!" (Runs after him.)

Tifa: "Well not everyone can run over 50 KPH...!" (Tifa and Aeris run after them.)

Red 13: "Well I can!" (Runs after them and passes Tifa and Aeris effortlessly.)

Barret: "God damn it! I hate runnin'!" (Runs after them.)

 They run along the road and they eventually see the ranch. They smile as they pass a lot of leafy foliage and some trees. The mako wasn't drained up here much and it showed by the beautiful scenery. The blue sky had some clouds but they were puffy and white, a sign of fair weather. They came closer and closer when something caught Vex's eye. He turned and saw it and ran in that direction which surprised everyone else.

Barret: (Walking) "The hell he's goin?"

Cloud: (Walking) "Don't worry about it. He'll be back."

 Suddenly Aeris tripped over something and she fell to the ground. She saw she had a scrape and everyone ran back to her. They were all asking if she was all right and Cloud tore off some cloth and cleaned the scrape. She smiled but winced when he did it. Tifa was particularly interested in what happened and they checked the every area. Tifa found a hole which was what tripped Aeris. They looked at what caused the hole and saw a cute little creature emerge.

Tifa: "What is this? A mole?"

Cloud: "I don't know..." (Looking at it's tail and it's little eyes.)

Choco Billy: (Came up running and screaming.) "NO! DON'T COME CLOSE TO IT!"

Tifa: "What do you mean?" (Pokes it gently and it glares and bites her finger.) "AAGH! OUCH!! You little rat!!" (Threw it into a bush.)

Choco Billy: (Runs up to them.) "What in the world are you guys doing, you idiots?" (Glares and starts to hyperventilate.) "That thing was a 'Mu!' Mus are social animals and can kill you! They're gonna swarm if we don't run now!"

 The Mu angrily jumped back into it's hole and made a screeching noise. Suddenly five, ten, fifteen burst from the ground. Everyone nervously stepped away from them and more appeared behind them. One's raised it's tail and shot out a large clump of dirt which crashed into Cloud, knocking him to the ground with surprising force. Another dove into the ground and the ground began to shake. Suddenly Aeris was blasted from below by a jet of slimy, green water. She was knocked onto her face. Tifa took out the Fire and the All Materia and combined them she glowed with a chant and a whisper and sent a blaze onto them. They screeched and countered by all diving into the ground and another rumbling could be felt and Tifa suddenly felt the ground give way from her feet and Cloud rushed to grab her hand. Cloud was holding Tifa, keeping her from falling into a pit of angry Mus which attempted to bite Tifa's ankles by jumping. Cloud was losing his grip but Barret lent a hand and dragged her out effortlessly through combination. Cloud put the ice materia and an All materia together and summoned a coat of ice on the mus freezing them solid. Choco billy was surprised at them when they walked up to him.

Choco Billy: "Wow! You guys are good! Thanks for getting rid of them, they were messing up business."

Cloud: "Who are you?"

Choco Billy: "Choco billy, the master of Chocobos at your service. I work with my sister Chole and my Grandpa in this Chocobo ranch. Come inside, I'll thank ya kindly by lettin' you stay for dinner or even the night." (Walks them over to the house.)

Tifa: "Thank you, your too kind!" (She, Cloud, Aeris, Barret, Red 13 go into the house.)

Aeris: (Turns to the country side, lost in thought) "Where did you go, Vex?"

 Vex followed the bird into the forest and he looked around. There were no hostility but he felt watched by all around him. He shivered as he searched the area. He looked about and found nothing but some large trees, the tracks of the bird he was following and a couple of areas where he could start climbing the trees.

Vex: "What's with this place? I can feel the presence of something but I don't see it around. It's hiding from me...why would it do that?" (He sat on the stump of a tree and looked around.) "I don't sense anything that's out to get me but...something's a miss."

Chocobo: (Stepped out of the thicket and looked at Vex who was just as curious. It kept it's distance and cooed silently to itself.)

Vex: "So what are you?" (Vex got up and went closer to it. The bird backed off.) "It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you. I don't think you want to hurt me either right?"

Chocobo: (Cooed and warked as it walked around picking up berries from bushes and eating them. It cooed and warked.)

Voice: "It's scared of you because you're a human..." (The creature jumped down from the tree. It was all white with small red bat wings and it wielded a bandanna and a tiny spear.) "Who are you anyway?"

Vex: "I'm just nobody, I'm VEX!" (Jumps up on the stump) "That's right, Vex the Shinra buster! Who are you?"

Mog: "I am Mog, I'm a moogle and I've been watching you. You don't seem hostile and you're just a kid but...when you grow up, you'll probably become evil."

Vex: (Blinks in disbelief) "Well, Mog. I'm not evil and I'll never become! I'm with a group that wants to save the planet from an evil empire bent on enslaving the world by taking Mako from the land. I think Mako is like...electricity juice or something."

Mog: "Interesting... This bird here is named Choco, and he is a Chocobo and one of my friends!" (Points to the chocobo and it coos back.) "Well, what's up now?"

Vex: "My friends and I want to cross the Midgar Zalom swamp but there is that huge Midgar Zalom swimmin' around. It ain't safe for us to cross..."

Mog: "I can help you. Choco can outrun the Midgar Zalom any day of the week."

Vex: "Really?! You'd help us?"

Mog: (Shook its head) "No, I'll help only you. I don't trust full grown humans."

Vex: (Smiled and shrugged.) "Whatever! Thanks for your help...but we don't have to leave right now. Cloud and everyone else probably won't get a chocobo any time soon so we can play and become friends!"

 Meanwhile, back at the Chocobo ranch. Cloud, Aeris, Barret, Tifa and Red 13 were sitting down to a nice home cooked meal. They were chomping down the food and it made Grandpa of the Ranch happy. Choco Billy and Chole were also there but they weren't saying much to the guests.

Grandpa: "You made it out of Midgar huh?"

Cloud: "Right, We need a chocobo to get across the swamp."

Grandpa: (Puts his food down in terror) "What!? You wanna cross that swamp! How foolish can you be?! There's a huge cobra living there!"

Cloud: "We know...we saw it eat some bird. It's huge but it doesn't swim faster than a chocobo right?"

Grandpa: (Regains his peace) "Right, but..."

Tifa: "But what?"

Choco Billy: "You can't take any Chocobos in this ranch because the ones I have out there, are for someone else!" (Munches some food.) "However, it just so happens that I have a special piece of Materia that will attract Chocobos. It's called the Chocobo Lure. I'll talk to you more when the dishes are done."

Chole: "... ..."

 The supper dishes commenced, all the dishes were washed, dried and put away. The team was forced to help but for a great meal like that, they were happy to help. Back in the forest, Vex was laughing and cheering as Mog performed his kupo dance and they both played in the field. Vex and Mog took a little swim first and raced to the rocks on the other side of the river. Mog then spent some time teaching Vex how to ride Choco. Mog watched in happiness as he saw Vex enthusiastically Rode Choco around and Vex cheered as he made some jumps over some downed logs and rocks and such.
 They then rolled in the lush grass and the winds and weeds tickled them whimsically. They looked up at clouds in the pink sky and they watched the sun set. Mog gave Vex a kupo nut and they both ate heartily staring at the scenery. At night, they caught fireflies and Mog showed Vex to his home which was a tree house in the canopy of a tree. Mog had a spare bed and Vex was very happy he finally found a true friend.

Vex: "Thank you for doing this..." (He got into the feather bed.)

Mog: "No problem, next morning...I'll take you across the marsh." (He looks to his spear.) "I'll protect you."

Vex: "Thanks but I won't need protectin'!" (He boasts.)

Mog: "Oh, big talker! Well, we should start early next morning so the Midgar Zalom won't be as quick as usual. Let's get some sleep..." (He yawns and turns off the light. They both sigh and drifted off into sleep.)

 Meanwhile, Back at the Chocobo farm. Cloud and everyone else found lodging upstairs. Grandpa rented it out periodically as an inn so it had all the fixings. Everyone was quite tired and had less money due to that they bought the Chocobo lure for a whopping 2000 Gil. Everyone but Aeris went to sleep quickly. Aeris was still worried about Vex but she also eventually got to sleep as well.
 The next morning, Cloud got up first. He slowly awoke Aeris and Barret and told them that he's going Chocobo hunting and needed their help. When they came downstairs quietly, the noticed that Grandpa was at the stove, making pancakes for them. Cloud walked up to Grandpa and told them that they're going Chocobo hunting and to tell Tifa and Red 13 not to worry about it.
 The lure didn't work extremely well at first. Cloud walked around and noticed no Chocobos but finally found one and they engaged the Battle. Just as that was going on, Vex and Mog were all ready to go. They jumped onto Choco and took to the road. They took the road at normal speed as not to lose stamina as they needed it to cross the way. They looked onto the marsh and realized it wasn't swimming with Midgar Zaloms and they started to run across it. Vex and Mog looked at one another with smiles when they saw it was mostly clear sailing. When they saw the mine entrance, they looked on in horror when a they saw a Midgar Zalom right there.

Vex: "Oh no! We were so close!"

Mog: "Let's get out of here, Choco!" (Turns Choco away from the massive cobra and it gave chase. They tried to off it but it was really fast, and they noticed that it was also very large. They were suddenly knocked off of the Chocobo when the Midgar Zalom used its tail to swish the swamp water to overturn them.)

Vex: "What now?!"

Mog: (Took a deep breath and positioned his spear.) "I'm going to buy you enough time to escape to the other side. Take care of yourself Vex."

Vex: "No, you can't do that! It's too dangerous!!" (Gets in front of him.)

Mog: "Don't worry about me, I'm good at fighting. You go get to the other side. It's only about 70 Meters, now go!" (Shoves Vex to the run and Vex backs off.)

Vex: "... ... okay..." (Starts to run to the mine entrance.)

 Mog took out his spear and glared at the hissing snake. He jumped onto Choco and circled Midgar Zalom. Midgar Zalom snapped down on them but it missed, they were fast enough to avoid the black snakes jaws. Vex continued to run with little success as he was up to nearly his chest in water. Mog stabbed at the snake's belly and made contact. The Zalom roared in anger and used its tail to knock them into the water. Mog gripped his spear and chanted and began to glow, he used his new found power to jump up and take a sonic swing at the Zalom and he...missed! Midgar Zalom took the opportunity to bite him hard in the arm. Vex could see the blood and Mog Landed down on the ground. Choco screeched in wild fury and savagely attacked Midgar Zalom in the belly. Midgar Zalom took Choco with its coils and began to squeeze the poor Chocobo's body. With each harsh cruel binding, Choco screeched in pain. Mog was losing a lot of blood and staggered around. Mog attempted to jump up and was knocked down again with Midgar Zalom's tail. Vex shuddered as the snake released Choco again, certain that the yellow bird took it's last gasp.
 Mog attempted to jump again and Vex wondered desperately in his mind. "Why doesn't he run away?!" Midgar Zalom hissed and struck the moogle hard again with its tail. Vex shuddered again and glared at the gigantic snake. Vex took a great big breath and screamed in pure rage. He jumped up high and back into the water.

Mog: (Floating helplessly in the water) "... ...what...are...you...doing...? Run...save...yourself..."

 Vex ran in the water in a considerably fast speed. He jumped up and did a flip in the air. He screamed in rage as he took his feet in the air and put them in front of him. He crashed into Midgar Zalom's upper side of its body with a force so powerful it caused the colossal snake to tumble into the murky water. It screamed out in shock and anger as it fumbled around on the ground. Vex took the opportunity to take the Moogle and race him to the mines with the Midgar Zalom close behind. He gently placed the fallen Moogle on the shore and turned back to the hissing and screeching Snake. "I'll never forgive you!!!" Vex screamed as he started towards Midgar Zalom. Midgar Zalom saw him coming and tried to use its tail to knock him back but was too slow. Vex landed on its head and took it by the hood and leapt down with all his might. The snake was lifted over and slammed down on its head in a flipping attack. The snake roared in anger and righted itself. It began to move oddly and his strangely.

Mog: (Turns weakly over to the battle.) "Oh no...it's using...Beta...! I'll...use my last...energy to...protect him...Shield..." (The fallen moogle began to glow and Vex noticed in surprise when a giant rainbow colored shield formed around him.)

 Midgar Zalom hissed and revealed its fangs to the clouds. Suddenly the area became red and a lurid tornado of red fell from the clouds and exploded into the marsh. The intense heat and light engulfed everything in flames and evaporated most of the swamp water. The other two midgar Zaloms in the swamp felt the water boil horribly and felt the fiery explosion. Everything was incinerated but Vex who was protected by Mog's shield spell. The shield shattered and the Midgar Zalom was out of breath and panting, exhausted from the spell. Vex jumped up and took the fierce snake by the hood again and ran with it to something odd but effective on the shore, a log in the shape of a spike. Vex took the weakened Midgar Zalom and took it over the spike log and with all his strength, pulled midgar Zalom down on it. There was a cracking sound and the sound of the snakes scream. When it was over, Midgar Zalom was limp and hanging over the wooden spike, which was bloodily driven through its head. Vex hopped down, panting and exhausted and he hurried over to Mog.

Vex: "Oh Mog..."

Mog: (Lying down on the ground.) "...finally the top snake of the marsh has been destroyed...What happened to Choco...?"

Vex: "He's...gone..." (Gulped painfully and Leaned over to him.) "What do you mean? Was that why you didn't run away?"

Mog: "Long...ago, when my parents were alive...we lived towards the marsh. I wanted to swim so I went into the swamp and that...creature appeared. My parents...were killed trying to save me from it..."

Vex: "Ohh..." (His eyes began to burn and his throat was going dry.)

Mog: "I trained hard each day...gaining enough skill in magic and combat so...some day...I could return here and avenge my parents..."

Vex: "And you did! If it weren't for you..." (Noticing that he was starting to choke a bit and swallowed them down.)

Mog: "Well...you were the one to defeat it..." (Winced on the ground) "Before I go..."

Vex: (Aggrieved) "Don't s-say that..."

Mog: "You and your friends are...trying to...save the planet from withering away...I see it everyday, animals...plants...dying...I want to tell you that...I believe that you and your friends will do that...you need to hold onto your dream and...never give up...my...fri..end... (His eyes close)

Vex: (Screams in sadness and the tears free themselves from his eyes) "MOG!!! Don't go!!" (Weeps into Mog and gains a shocked look as the moogle sparkles and vanishes, transforming into a white crystal with Mog and Choco's picture. Vex grabs it and realizes that it was his level four limit break: Chocobop."

Mog: (In a voice that surrounds him.) "Please don't cry...we'll always be friends...we'll always be...at your side. Save the planet, Vex. Don't let Sephiroth win."

Vex: (Wipes his eyes) "Wait! How do you know about Sephiroth?!" (But there was no response.)

 About a half an hour later, Cloud and everyone else arrived on Chocobos and set them free when they served their purpose. Aeris walked up to Vex who was sitting down, in melancholy. When Vex saw her, he jumped up and leapt into her arms. Aeris's eyes grew wide and glassy when she asked him. "Vex! what's wrong?!"

Vex: (Let go of her and smiled to her broadly.) "Nothing now...I'm going to help you save the planet! I want to make everyone around me happy so..." (Jumps up on a rock.) "Let's go everyone! We've got a schedule to keep, let's go get Sephiroth!!"

 They all smiled at him warmly as he nodded to them and they took a look at the Midgar Zalom on the spiky tree. They looked at Vex and he nodded, smirking. They all smiled again and they slowly walked to the mines and continued their journey.
 

That's the End of Chapter 11 for my story. Man that was tough to write, but I hope you will think it's good!