*I don't own Final Fantasy VII, Labyrinth, or any of their characters.
Jareth had been sitting on his throne, fighting boredom by indulging in memories about the Williams siblings when he heard it:
"I wish Jareth the Goblin King was here, right now!"
Although he didn't recognize the voice, the magic surrounding it was all too familiar. It was his lost heir's magic.
A grin filled his face as he prepared to transport to Gaia. Promises were promises, after all, and he didn't intend on breaking this one. Oh, this would be a trip to remember, he could feel it in his very bones!
As he disappeared with a poof of glitter, his Goblins were slightly disappointed that he hadn't taken them with him. Then, one of the many chickens filling the throne room managed to accidentally pop the cork off of one of the casks of ale, and their disappointment was soon forgotten. After all, that ale wasn't going to drink itself…
Sephiroth would never admit to it, but he was slightly terrified as the lights around them flickered on and off, as if there was a storm outside. It didn't help that the few things that were in his room were shaking as well.
Toby's eyes were widening slightly as all of this was happening, as if he hadn't expected the current events.
Finally, after several moments, the lights fully went out. As Sephiroth's eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness, he almost yelped at the silhouette of a second man standing over at the far side of the room. The silhouette's arm lifted, and suddenly light started to shine from the strange orb that Sephiroth could now see the man holding.
His eyes widened as he took in the appearance of the newcomer, who at this point tossed the strange brightly-shining globe up towards the ceiling, where it hung suspended (which was slightly unnerving to the other two in the room). The only thing that the five year-old's mind could come up with was whoa.
The first thing that caught his attention was the armor. Black in color, it was in a style that Sephiroth had never seen before in ANY of his books. With an extremely high upturned collar and a cape, it should've been ridiculous… yet, somehow, this man somehow managed to make the strange armor look fierce.
The second thing was the hair. It was in a unique shade of blonde that Sephiroth had never even seen in his books. If he had to venture a guess, only his own silver hair could even come close to the color, which was a poor comparison indeed. And the way it was styled! Sephiroth honestly could not figure out how the man even got his hair to spike like that… and he totally wanted to learn. It would make Hojo so mad to see it defying his plan for the boy, which was why Sephiroth wanted his own hair to look like that when he finally got it long enough.
The eyes were the next thing. At first, it seemed as if they were two different colors. However, looking closer, Sephiroth could see that they were, in fact, the same shade of blue. It was due to the enlarged pupil in his left eye that gave the initial impression that they were different colors. They were as unique as Sephiroth's own, which oddly relieved the boy.
Finally, the things that caught Sephiroth's attention were the very things that suggested to Sephiroth that the stranger wasn't… human. With the markings around his eyes, the upturned eyebrows, and the pointed ears, Sephiroth's instincts just screamed that this being wasn't normal. In fact, Sephiroth felt the distinct feeling he got whenever he faced off against a fellow predator. This person was dangerous, and Sephiroth knew it.
In fact, if he was asked who was the deadlier predator, Sephiroth knew that this time it wasn't him. That realization made a rare trickle of fear run down his spine.
Luckily, the being chose to regard Toby first. "Was it you who summoned me?" he demanded.
Taking a bracing breath, Toby held his ground as he responded with, "Are you Jareth?"
"I am the Goblin King," came the being's answer. Sephiroth's jaw almost dropped. The Goblin King was REAL?!
"Then yes, it was I who summoned you."
Narrowing his eyes, the newly-identified Jareth studied the lab tech. "You remind me of the babe," he said softly. If any other person had spoken those words, Sephiroth would've disregarded it as normal conversation. However… when the Goblin King said these words, the boy somehow knew that they were significant.
Toby seemed to know their significance as well, for he replied with the same tone and cadence, "What babe?"
"The babe with the power."
"What power?"
"The power of voodoo." Wait, what was voodoo?
"Who do?"
"You do." At this point, Sephiroth would freely admit that he was officially lost.
"Do what?"
"Remind me of the babe." Once he had said these words, the Goblin King seemed to have a pleased expression fill his face. "You are indeed of the Williams' bloodline," he added.
Bowing slightly, the lab tech had a small smile on his face as well. "I am known as Toby Willeth, your Majesty."
"Another Toby! I'm glad to see that my lost heir's name still lives on!"
Nodding, Toby remarked, "The names of the Williams siblings are actually rather popular in my family. In fact, I have two cousins and an aunt named Sarah, and my great-grandfather was also known as Toby."
"So is that why you said that you may or may not be named after Toby Williams?" asked Sephiroth before he could stop himself.
This finally brought the Goblin King's attention to the third occupant of the room. Eyes widening slightly, he studied Sephiroth intently as he inquired, "And who is this?"
The Goblin King's manner prevented Sephiroth from keeping silent. Imitating Toby's own actions in the hope that he wouldn't make this being angry (he recalled all too well the stories that Toby had told of angry Underground creatures), Sephiroth bowed slightly as he answered, "I'm known as Sephiroth, sir."
"Sephiroth… what an unusual name," purred Jareth as he stepped towards the boy. Tensing slightly, Sephiroth nevertheless held his ground as the Goblin King stopped just before the bed he sat on. As he crouched down, Jareth continued, "An unusual name for a very unique child."
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed as he seemed to catch sight of one of Sephiroth's bandages. "Why is this boy injured?" he demanded angrily, turning his head towards the lab tech.
"He is injured thanks to the actions of one who should be locked up in a mental institution," Toby replied, eyes darkening slightly at the mere thought of Hojo. "A lot has changed here on Gaia since you moved my ancestor here from Earth, your Majesty. So much so that I had to place my trust on what is considered to be an old family legend in order to try and make things right."
"Explain," came the order, along with a stern frown.
Nodding, Toby proceeded to explain the current situation with Gaia, one that Sephiroth was familiar with from other overheard conversations. Tuning it out, he proceeded to watch the Goblin King's reaction. As Toby talked, the already stern visage steadily turned sterner and sterner, until it got to a point where Sephiroth was almost trembling with fear. The only reason why he didn't was that he knew the look wasn't aimed at him.
Jareth was furious.
"So you're telling me," he began, the fury in his voice barely suppressed, "that the leader of this Company, who somehow has managed to become the ruler of the majority of Gaia, allows a madman to perform experiments on an innocent child in order to further his own power?" As the one named after his Toby nodded, Jareth had to clench his gloved fists in order to prevent himself from taking any action he would later regret. "Why haven't the remaining Ancients stopped this madness?! While their numbers had been greatly reduced the last time I was here, there were enough to prevent this catastrophe!"
A sorrowful expression filled the young man's face. "There is only one Ancient left, and she has to conceal her heritage lest Hojo find out and perform experiments on her, as well."
Closing his eyes at this, Jareth realized that Minerva's fears had been realized despite the deal that had allowed Toby to come here. War would be coming if this Shinra wasn't stopped. Unfortunately, however, he knew that unlike his kingdom and Earth, he could only do so much here on Gaia. "So… why did you summon me? As much as it pains me, I can't reorder time in order to prevent this Shinra from even forming. Minerva would be most displeased if I interfered in her domain that much."
"I summoned you here because of Sephiroth," admitted Toby.
Upon hearing his name, the boy looked towards the man that even Jareth could tell he looked up to. "Toby… are you saying what I think you're saying?" he asked, in a voice that was much older than it should've been.
Looking towards Sephiroth, the young man answered, "I had asked you if you trusted me, Sephiroth, and you said yes. Now, tell me… what do you think I'm saying?"
Taking a deep breath, the silver-haired child hesitantly responded, "Are you… going to wish me away?"
Now that got Jareth's complete and utter attention. That was something he could do, and if he was reading the boy's face correctly it seemed like it was something the child himself wanted.
A child who actually wanted to be wished away to the Goblins. Now if that wasn't an indicator of how bad the world has gotten, Jareth mused, he didn't know what was.
Sephiroth held his breath. Did Toby really want to fulfill his secret dream, the one he had never told anybody?
Toby stared at him for several long agonizing seconds. Out of the corner of his eye, Sephiroth could see the Goblin King watching the two of them with an interested look on his face. Sephiroth wasn't surprised by this, however, for what Toby would say next would affect all of them.
As Toby opened his mouth, however, Sephiroth once more felt a sense of déjà vu. A biding anger started to fill him, and Sephiroth knew it wasn't his. It belonged to the same… thing that had wanted revenge back when Toby had been telling him about the Calamity. What was it?
"Sephiroth… I am, indeed, going to wish you away to Jareth."
The thing inside of him surged.
Even Jareth was alarmed when young Sephiroth's eyes started to glow a brilliant green and his hair started moving on its own accord. His childish features twisted into a virulent hate that could never exist on a child as young as he, even after going through some of the tortures that he had been through. Though Jareth had just met the boy, it was obvious even to him that this wasn't the child who had expressed hope at being wished away. Something was using Sephiroth as a conduit.
"I will not let you take my Promised Son, Goblin King!" snarled the thing possessing Sephiroth.
Eyes narrowing, Jareth summoned another crystal as he answered, "If he is wished away to me, then it is well within my rights to take him. Even Minerva herself granted me this when we struck our deal."
"Minerva? Paah!" spat the possessed five year-old. "That meddling fool. If it hadn't been for her interference, this world would currently be my next vessel to sail the stars, which is a far more noble purpose than to simply contain pitiful mundane creatures!"
Toby stiffened upon hearing the words. "It can't be…" he breathed.
Sliding a glance towards the young man, Jareth asked, "Do you know who this is?"
Not taking his eyes off of Sephiroth, Toby replied, "If I'm correct, then the being we're talking to is the Calamity itself, a being that the Shinra Science Department unearthed and has named Jenova."
Jenova? Now, why did that name sound familiar?
"However, she's supposed to be dead inside of a containment tube," added Toby.
"Really? Then, how is she managing to use Sephiroth as a conduit?" inquired Jareth.
Jenova apparently decided to answer that question as she laughed and said, "These foolish humans are so easy to manipulate. Once my prison had been discovered, it was no trouble at all to plant the suggestion of injecting various creatures with my essence into the mind of a man with blind ambition. Once I was satisfied that my instructions were being carried out, I then suggested to have my essence inserted first into a pregnant human, then again into her unborn child in order to finally gain the Heir I have been so long denied."
Heir she had been denied? Wait a minute… no, it couldn't be…
"So, you used Hojo to gain Sephiroth? Why?"
"Revenge, foolish mortal. Once Sephiroth is strong enough, he shall summon Meteor onto this pathetic planet, then absorb enough of your Lifestream in order to become what he was always destined to be. Then, the two of us will use the shell of this planet to once again sail the galaxies, searching for other worlds to sate our desires on! And no one, not you, not the Ancients, or even the Goblin King will be able to stop us!"
That cinched it. The hatred of humanity, the need to have a 'Son', the desire for revenge, the drive to find worlds to 'sate desires'… Minerva's Calamity could only be one being. "Guinevere, you Unseelie scum, so that's what you've been doing since His Majesty the High King banished you from the Underground," Jareth growled.
At this, Toby whipped his head towards the Goblin King so fast that he almost got whiplash. "Wait, you know the Calamity?" he said incredulously.
"Indeed I do," answered Jareth. "The name 'Jenova' gave me the first clue. I had thought it sounded familiar, and then it hit me- it was a bastardization of 'Ginerva', which on Earth is another language's version of 'Guinevere'. Guinevere, the White Phantom who disguised herself as a beautiful mortal woman, married a mortal King, cursed him and his Kingdom, and pinned it all on an innocent Fae named Morgan."
"Morgan… wait, do you mean Morgan le Fay?!" Toby yelped.
"So, you figured out who I truly am, Jareth," sneered the newly identified Guinevere. "It's been a very long time, indeed, since I was called by that name."
Snorting, Jareth replied, "I bet it has been. Still bitter over the fact that my Labyrinth didn't deem you worthy of a wish-away?"
Glaring, Guinevere gritted between Sephiroth's teeth, "Arthur was supposed to be mine! My Son, my Heir, the culmination of my life's work!"
"Arthur's destiny was on Earth, hence why he had to be returned as a changeling for Sir Ector's second child, who was destined to die that very night," retorted Jareth. "Besides, even if he had been allowed to remain Underground, you still would not have been found worthy. You know the laws- only Fae are allowed to adopt wish-aways. Once you made the decision to turn yourself Unseelie, you forfeited everything that had made you Fae."
"Wait, wait, wait… you wanted Arthur, as in the King Arthur from my family's tales of Earth, as your son. Then, when you were denied him you decided to disguise yourself and married him?" Toby clarified.
Seeing where his lost heir's namesake was going with this, Jareth confirmed, "Indeed she did."
A disgusted look filled the young man's face as he half-shouted, "That is SICK and WRONG! If you could do that with Arthur, then what would you do with Sephiroth?!"
"If you think that was sick and wrong, then it's probably a good thing you don't know how Fae become Unseelie," quipped Jareth, highly amused by this.
Toby looked at the Goblin King. "Do I really want to know?"
"Let's just say that the absorption of human souls is the least of it," answered Jareth.
"Absorption of human…" Toby's voice trailed off as he recalled the words that Guinevere had uttered earlier. "She plans on turning Sephiroth into an Unseelie!" he exclaimed with horror.
Clapping said child's hands, Guinevere mockingly responded, "Congratulations, the stupid mortal figured it out!"
"I wouldn't underestimate humans if I were you, Guinevere," Jareth advised lightly.
"Speaking from experience, Goblin King?" sneered Guinevere in reply.
Surprisingly (even to himself), Jareth responded honestly. "Yes, actually, I am. I underestimated Sarah, and that mistake cost me dearly. I had thought that the offer to become my Queen would be enough for her to stay… however, her love for her brother was far greater than her attraction to me."
Toby's eyes widened at this. "But what no one knew…" he quoted.
"… was that the Goblin King had fallen in love with the girl, and had given her certain powers," finished Jareth sadly. "Actually, it was more like one power… but it was a power that was unlike any other." Looking at Toby, he continued, "When Sarah used it to defeat me, the Labyrinth decided to grant it to Toby, as well. And now… through him, you wield this same power."
While Toby seemed confused, Guinevere seemed to realize what power that was, if the fear that was filling Sephiroth's face was any indication. "You didn't… even you wouldn't be that foolish!" she exclaimed.
Jareth steadily gazed into the possessed five year-old's eyes as he responded, "Even Kings are foolish when it comes to those they love."
"But to give her the power to disar—" Guinevere began, however she cut herself off before she could inadvertently tell Toby what his inherited power was.
Unfortunately for her, however, Toby wasn't a member of Project S for no reason. He had heard the word that Guinevere had begun to say, and finally understood what Jareth had been trying to tell him.
The Goblin King, in order to protect her from any danger, had given the girl he loved the power to make any creature of the Underground powerless against her. And now, through her actions, Toby and all other members of the Willeth family had that same power.
"How?" Toby asked Jareth quietly.
Understanding what Toby was asking him, Jareth answered back just as quietly, "Words have power, young Toby. Just believe in them, and they can accomplish almost anything."
As the lab tech's eyes lit up with realization, Jareth was sure that Toby could almost hear those fateful six words that had eventually led to this point in time:
You have no power over me.
Toby looked over at the possessed Sephiroth, then back at the Goblin King. The expression in his face was obvious in its meaning. Will it work for him?
Luckily for Jareth, Guinevere chose this moment to attack by launching Sephiroth's body towards Toby, an enraged cry passing through his tiny lips. Tossing the crystal that had been in his hand the entire time at the boy, Jareth was pleased to see it expand and trap Sephiroth. Thankfully, his magic still was more powerful than the Unseelie's.
As the possessed child struggled to free himself of the crystal prison surrounding him, the Goblin King, knowing that Guinevere would hear nothing, used this opportunity to whisper in Toby's ear, "All you have to do is phrase it right, and you can use your power to free Sephiroth." As soon as the lab tech nodded his understanding, Jareth turned back towards the silver-haired child. Channeling his magic, he weakened the crystal enough for Guinevere to break through.
Hubris, after all, was a dangerous weakness… and Jareth, from past experience, knew that the Unseelie had a large amount of it.
A few well aimed punches later, Sephiroth's body finally freed itself from the crystal. "Seems your magic has gotten weaker with age, Your Majesty," came the mocking sneer, just as Jareth anticipated.
Pulling upon centuries of dealing with Runners, the Goblin King drew himself regally as he intoned, "Guinevere the White Phantom, you have this one chance to willingly relinquish control of the child known as Sephiroth. If you do so, then I will give you my vow that no harm from me or mine will come to you, and you will be free to live as you have lived since your banishment. Should you not relinquish control, however, the consequences will be dire… for you. The choice is yours, and yours alone."
"HA! And why would I give up control of my Son? He was able to break through one of your 'unbreakable' crystal prisons… he will be perfect to rule by my side!" Guinevere retorted, smirking.
Shrugging, the Goblin King turned away from the Unseelie as he felt Toby's magic build up. "Don't say I didn't warn you," Jareth sing-songed as he watched Toby's face fill with resolve.
"Guinevere the White Phantom, release Sephiroth now or else I will make you!" threatened Toby, his eyes narrowing as he took a step towards his target.
Turning towards the lab tech, Guinervere cocked the five year-old's head as she lightly responded, "Hmm… no."
Drawing himself up tall, Toby then, with his heart fully believing in the Goblin King's words, uttered the six words that would change the fate of Gaia irrevocably.
"You have no power over Sephiroth!"
As the magic of his bloodline surged towards its target, Guinevere realized too late how foolish underestimating a 'mere' human was. She gave one last cry of despairing anger, then Sephiroth's unconscious body slumped to the ground. He was free from the Unseelie's control for good.
Once again, Sephiroth was roused by the sounds of two voices. This time, however, both of those voices were calling out to him, rather than just talking about him.
"Looks like he's coming to," commented one voice, which sounded familiar although Sephiroth couldn't remember why.
A touch on his shoulder, then the second voice coaxed, "Come on, Sephiroth… open your eyes. You're safe now."
That's Toby, blearily thought Sephiroth, and the other… why does the other man's voice sound familiar, as well?
Suddenly, a rush of memories filled his mind. Toby telling him a story about the Goblin King, the Goblin King actually appearing in his room, then Toby said he was going to—!
Sephiroth suddenly jolted upright, and promptly knocked foreheads with Toby.
"Ow, Sephiroth, you certainly have a hard head," Toby complained as he rubbed his head. As Sephiroth rubbed his own forehead, he heard the Goblin King chuckling with amusement.
"Wha—" Sephiroth started to ask, however his voice came out as a croak. Horrified, he tried to clear his throat.
Jareth, seemingly sensing what Sephiroth was going to ask, handed him a glass of water that he summoned right out of the air. "What is the last thing you remember, Sephiroth?" he asked as the boy gulped the drink down.
As soon as he finished, Sephiroth took a deep breath of satisfaction. Thinking for a moment, he finally answered, "The last thing I remember is Toby telling me that he was planning on wishing me away. Then, suddenly, this… thing surged inside of me. After that, it's a blank until I heard you commenting on how I was coming to and Toby telling me to open my eyes, sir."
Toby and the Goblin King looked at each other. When the royal nodded, Toby turned back towards Sephiroth.
"Sephiroth…" he began, "Hojo lied to you about your mother." As the boy's jaw dropped at this bombshell, the lab tech continued, "Jenova was the name that Professor Gast gave what he thought was a frozen Ancient... but we later discovered it was none other than the Calamity itself. Hojo simply told you that Jenova was your mother due to the fact that he injected some of her cells into you while you were still in your real mother's womb. And Sephiroth… just now, Jenova had used your body as a conduit to try and prevent me from wishing you away."
The silver-haired child was stunned speechless. Of all the things he had learned that night, this was the most surprising of all.
"Luckily for you, I discovered Jenova's true identity," added Jareth. "She is an Unseelie who was banished from the Underground by the High King himself. Through the Williams' bloodline that runs through his veins, Toby here was able to release you from her control."
"So… she's not going to take me over again?"
"Nope," answered Toby.
Sephiroth knew that he was closer than he had ever been to shedding tears as he realized one distinct consequence of this. "So… you won't be wishing me away, then? I have to stay here?"
"NO!" immediately protested the lab tech, pulling Sephiroth into a hug. "Sephiroth, if you want to go with the Goblin King, then I'll gladly wish you away," he gently corrected. "After all, even if Jenova no longer has any power over you Hojo is still a very real danger."
"And even if he was reluctant, I would do everything I could to… persuade him to change his mind," added the Goblin King. As the two Gaians separated and looked towards him with shock on their faces, he continued, "It may be weak of me, but I will never abandon a child who was in a situation that contained only a quarter of the danger that you seem to face on a daily basis, Sephiroth. The fact that you are still alive after all of the dangers that Toby has told me about…" he trailed off, seemingly considering something. Shaking his head minutely, he continued, "Well, let's just say that there is a long-unfulfilled position in my Kingdom that you would be able to fulfill perfectly… after some training, of course."
Cocking his head curiously, Sephiroth couldn't help himself. "What position would that be, sir?"
Smirking slightly, the Goblin King replied, "I'll tell you when the time is right, Sephiroth. After all, even if you are perfect for this position I won't take away your right to choose your path. From what Toby has told me, you've rarely had the opportunity to actually have a choice, thus I will ensure that anything that affects your future greatly will be your choice."
Nodding his understanding, Sephiroth could instantly tell that he and the Goblin King would get along very well if the magical being had been able to discern that after knowing him for such a short time.
"Sephiroth," Toby's voice called out softly, breaking the five year-old's short reverie. As he turned back towards the lab tech, the man asked gently, "Are you ready?"
Knowing this was good-bye, Sephiroth initiated a hug for the first time in his life. "I'll never forget you, Toby," he vowed against the man's chest.
As he hugged Sephiroth back, the silver-haired child could hear Toby's voice thickening as he responded, "And I'll never forget you, Sephiroth."
When the two Gaians finally separated, Toby stepped away from Sephiroth. Looking towards the Goblin King, Toby finally uttered, "Goblin King, I wish you would take Sephiroth away."
Jareth smiled as he stepped towards his newest charge.
"Now, Toby, ordinarily I would offer you either your dreams or the chance to run my Labyrinth… however, I think I have a better option," he proclaimed as he laid one hand on Sephiroth's shoulder. Summoning a crystal in the other hand, he held it out to the man who reminded him so much of Toby Williams. "Once you take this, you'll know what it's for."
Nodding, the lab tech walked towards the offered crystal. As his hand hovered over it, he hesitantly asked, "You'll take good care of Sephiroth… right?"
"I give you my vow that I will."
Looking pleased with Jareth's reply, Toby grasped the crystal. As he processed the crystal's purpose, the lab tech smiled.
As he summoned his magic to take him and Sephiroth home, Jareth couldn't resist. "Give her my best regards, would you Toby?"
"Oh, I will!" Toby enthusiastically replied, laughing.
Jareth laughed along with him for a few moments, then bent down and whispered in Sephiroth's ear, "Close your eyes." As soon as the boy did so, he transported back to the Underground… back home.
Sephiroth kept his eyes closed as he felt a shift all around him.
Once the shift ended, he heard the Goblin King order, "Now, open your eyes, Sephiroth, and take your first glimpse at your new home."
Slowly, he obeyed… and promptly gasped with delight. It was better than anything he had ever imagined! The Labyrinth was absolutely huge, the Castle beyond it more majestic than any Gaian castle… and now, it was to be his new home!
"Welcome to the Underground, Sephiroth," intoned the Goblin King gleefully. "Now, follow me. I'll take you on a rare guided tour of the Labyrinth, and then we'll go and meet the Goblins…"
Sephiroth smiled as he eagerly trotted behind the King.
Toby ran up the steps to the reactor. He needed to do this now, before anyone else got wind of what he was planning to do.
As he entered his code and the door opened, he could feel Jareth's gift in the coat pocket. The innocent-looking crystal was the key to stopping Hojo's sick plans for good!
Quickly, he made his way to where he knew Jen-Guinevere was being housed. After several guesses, he finally successfully entered Hojo's password. Once he entered the ominous chamber, he stopped underneath the coil that led straight to the Unseelie. He needed to get that stupid doll out of the way… climbing up, he proceeded to push the heavy statue out of the way. Once finished, he climbed back down the coil and faced the remains of Guinevere.
Glancing up, he studied the Unseelie. The name 'White Phantom' really did suit her, with her long white hair and her ugly grey skin that looked blue thanks to the tint of her container…
Taking a deep breath, he took the crystal out of his pocket. This was it… the future of Gaia was riding on his next action. He could almost feel Guinevere's wrath as he hefted it.
"Well, it's now or never," he muttered, then threw the crystal as he shouted, "Jareth sends his best regards!"
As the crystal flew towards its target, Toby could sense Guinevere trying to deflect the crystal from making contact. However, Jareth's magic was too strong for it, and pierced through the defenses like a hot knife through butter. The crystal struck.
A bright light ignited at the point of impact. Instinctively, Toby knew that staying out of the open was a Very Bad Idea, and dived behind one of the other pods. Seconds after he did so, the container holding Guinevere exploded. The lab tech held his head between his knees as the force of the explosion rocked the pod he hid behind, shattering the glass that was the barrier between the world and the poor creature who had once been a specimen of Hojo's. All around, he could hear the glass on the other pods shattering as well. As he remained crouched down, Toby could hear Guinevere scream first in anger, then in agony.
Finally, after several moments, the reactor was silent except for the distant screaming of various alarms. Tentatively, the lab tech lifted his head from his knees and peered around the now warped pod. Destruction galore greeted his eyes. However, as he stared at the sea of broken glass with the warped pod islands, he noticed something rather… odd. There was no sign of any of Hojo's former specimens anywhere. No blood, no flesh, not even any hair.
As he knelt and stared, suddenly he felt someone from the Lifestream coming to him. While it wasn't a regular occurrence for any of them, all members of the Willeth family had the ability to talk to someone who was in the Lifestream. While most of the Willeths assumed it was the same as the Ancients talking to the Planet, Toby knew from talking with Ilfana (who had sensed that he was different from other humans, thus leading to the first tentative steps of their friendship) that it wasn't the same. While Ilfana could literally feel whatever the Planet was feeling, Toby had never experienced the same. He could only speak to those who wished to speak to him. Knowing what he did now, Toby realized that it was how Toby Williams' magic had reacted with the unique magic of the Lifestream.
Looking towards the newcomer, Toby was shocked to see it was a blonde-haired man who, despite Toby never seeing him before, looked disturbingly familiar. Studying the newcomer, Toby suddenly realized why- the man shared many of the same features as he did. The shape and color of the eyes, the slope of the chin… they were the same. This was an ancestor of his… but which one?
Clapping the lab tech on the shoulder, the blonde-haired man smiled a proud smile. "Congratulations, Toby," he began, "you have successfully managed to thwart Shinra big-time while giving Jareth the Heir he was denied when Sarah won me back!"
It took several moments for Toby to process what the man had said. "Wait, wait, wait… don't tell me you're—!"
"Tobias Willeth, also known as Toby Williams," the founder of the Willeth line finished with a mischievous grin. "And Minerva herself sent me to thank you for saving the Planet through your actions today."
"Huh?"
Laughing outright at the dumbfounded look on the younger's face, the elder Toby explained, "You see, my many-great grandson, if you hadn't done the right thing by wishing Sephiroth away to His Majesty, then he would've grown up and be overcome by Miss Crazy like he was earlier. Considering how strong Sephiroth is now…"
"… As an adult he'd would've been unstoppable," the lab tech breathed.
Nodding, Toby Sr. continued, "Not only that, the fact that Jareth gave you the key to completely wipe the Grey Bitch off of the face of Gaia—"
"Wait, you mean…?"
Pointing, his ancestor instructed, "See for yourself." As the brunette looked towards where the blonde was pointing, he gaped at the sight of the destroyed container that had once held Guinevere. The only thing that was recognizable was the various cords that were hanging down and spiking. Jareth's crystal really had done a number on the poor container…
Suddenly, the sound of voices drew the attention of the two Willeths.
"Shall we continue this discussion, say, when you're safely on your way back to Nibelheim?" asked Jareth's former heir.
"Oh yes, let's do so," agreed his descendant, who promptly proceeded to dash out of the reactor through the nearby fire escape as his ancestor's ghost trailed behind him.
Minerva watched with a smile as the one who immigrated to her realm proceeded to explain to the one who had managed to save Gaia exactly how far-reaching his actions were.
Jareth's magic had indeed managed to wipe the Calamity from the face of Gaia. In fact, it had been so powerful that those who had even one cell of hers somewhere in their body had been completely cured of it. Young Genesis Rhapsodos and young Angeal Hewley would never know the horrifying process of degradation that their futures once held, and Sephiroth's true mother Lucrecia Crescent would finally be able to find peace.
Even she would admit to being surprised by this turn of events. When she had allowed Jareth's once-heir onto Gaia, it had been a desperate decision to try and prevent war. The Willeth bloodline was truly a gift to Gaia, one that Minerva knew she would have to thank Jareth for. Of course, it wouldn't do for the one member who made all this possible to be caught… with a thought, she erased all of the video and audio footage that would prove Toby's involvement in the disappearance of the Calamity, and all of the video footage that had recorded the Goblin King's visit.
Who knew that a desperate decision would turn out so well?
Maybe, she thought to herself, I'll have to make contact with Jareth in order to re-negotiate the Goblin Kingdom's involvement on Gaia as thanks for what he did… both then, and now.
Toby waved as his ancestor went back into the Lifestream, then turned towards the main part of Nibelheim. His mind was still stunned by all he had learned from the original Toby.
Wow, he thought to himself, who would've thought that one wish would have such a far-reaching effect?
So stunned was he that he didn't bother to check just exactly who was in the center of the small town until he heard the bellowed, "TOBY WILLETH, PAY ATTENTION WHEN I'M TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION, WOULD YA?!"
Starting, he looked around the town square and was surprised to see his cousin Karen waving both of her arms enthusiastically.
"Karen?!" he said incredulously as he rushed towards her. As the two hugged each other, he gleefully demanded, "What in Odin's name are you doing here in Nibelheim?"
Separating, the genetically spiky-haired blue-eyed brunette (Toby still remembered all the battles she had trying to get her hair to lay flat. Some of them were pretty epic, especially the one time she had managed to get her hands on some materia…) replied with a large grin, "Well, Mom finally had someone buy her old wardrobe, and since she's just getting over a bout of the flu I offered to go and deliver it!"
"Wait, someone actually wanted that odd thing?" he asked disbelievingly. The wardrobe in question could only be called odd, having only three walls being only the beginning of its many quirks.
Slapping him lightly, Karen scolded, "Just because no one else in our family liked it doesn't mean that it won't ever be loved, Toby, you know that!"
"Well, yeah, but Aunt Sarah's wardrobe… I'd like to meet this buyer of yours," Toby commented.
"Yeah, just like you always wanted to meet the Goblin King from the old family legends?" she scoffed.
Smiling a knowing smile, he answered, "Yep."
Karen looked at her cousin suspiciously, noticing he was smiling the same smile he wore whenever he knew something no one else did. "Toby… what did you do?"
Tapping her nose with his index finger, he simply answered, "Well, let's just say that legends do have basis in actual fact."
Her jaw dropped as Karen got the very thing he was implying. "Toby, are you telling me—"
"Excuse me, are you Karen Willeth?" interrupted a male voice.
Both cousins turned to see who the newcomer was. "Oh, my…" Karen breathed upon seeing the blonde-haired, green-eyed man standing there, dressed in the attire of a Nibelheim native. Toby turn his head to see the look on her face. It was obvious even to him that his cousin definitely liked what she was seeing. He internally grinned at the future potential blackmail.
Holding a hand out, the newcomer introduced himself, "My name is Manus Strife…"
"Oh, so you're the one who bought my mother's wardrobe?" Karen asked, finally shaking herself out of her momentary stupor as she clasped hands with him. "You're definitely not who I was expecting…"
Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, Manus replied, "Yeah, I get that a lot."
"Well, then, Mr. Strife, let's follow Karen and help you get your new wardrobe home, then. Shall we?" interjected Toby, cackling gleefully on the inside at the quick glare his cousin gave him.
"And you are?" asked Manus politely, yet with the slightest bit of suspicion. Being a fellow male, Toby could instantly recognize that Manus was as attracted to his cousin as she was to him.
"Toby Willeth, her cousin," answered the lab tech, noticing that as soon as he said those words Manus relaxed. As the two clasped hands, Toby could tell that the two of them would become friends now that he was obviously eliminated as a potential rival.
Oddly enough, Toby was okay with the idea of becoming friends with the Nibelheim native. As the three of them walked towards where Karen had parked her truck with the wardrobe awkwardly stuffed in the bed, Toby watched as Manus and Karen continued to interact as if they had known each other their whole lives. Smiling softly, Toby had the not unwelcome feeling that Manus could very well become a member of his family soon enough…
And so it was that life on Gaia and in the Underground continued.
After several years of subtle training on his part, Jareth finally revealed his desire to make Sephiroth his Heir. Sephiroth was only too happy to fulfill this position, having fallen in love with the Goblin Kingdom and all of its secrets. Many times afterward, he would often be found in the Labyrinth helping to distract Runners from their goal, hoping to have other children experience the same happiness he had found in the Underground.
Minerva, in the meantime, made contact with the Goblin King once more, and granted the Goblin King more freedom on Gaia in thanks for all he did for her realm. Not long afterward, wished away Gaians started to arrive with the same frequency as wished aways from Earth.
In fact, it was during his sixteenth year that the Heir met someone from his old world for the first time since he had been rescued by the King. Young Cloud Strife, the son of Manus and Karen, had been running the Labyrinth hoping to win back his baby sister that he had so foolishly wished away. Sephiroth was only too pleased to harass the seven year-old in order to teach him a lesson about cherishing others. By the time his thirteen hours were up, despite the King feeling lenient and letting him go back home with his sister, Cloud Strife would honestly say that he hated Prince Sephiroth with every fiber of his being.
It seemed some things remained the same after all…
A/N: Well. I can't tell you HOW many times I was surprised at what I had written. In no way did I expect to make Jenova a notable figure in King Arthur stories (that honestly came about when I was looking for a good name for an Unseelie- turns out, 'Guinevere' really does mean 'White Phantom' according to babynames dot com), have Cloud be a member of the Willeth family, or have Toby Williams be the one to visit Toby Willeth after he demolished Jenova. However, since I liked all those ideas... they stayed!
This chapter is dedicated to my new niece Aurora Sullivan, who was born as it was being written (September 10th, to be precise). I'm so excited to be an aunt for the first time! (And yes, I AM planning on spoiling her as much as I can. I'm thinking of going along with a fairy tale theme for spoilage, considering she shares the same name as Disney's Sleeping Beauty... I already got her a stuffed fox that I've taken to calling Didymus in my head ^^)