Disclaimer: I think we all know how this works by now. I don't own any part of the Final Fantasy VII compilation or any characters herein except for possible OC's. Cloud's swords are fan named and are linked in my profile if you need to know which sword he's using. This story makes references to events in the compilation as well as to the story that came before it. There are also swears because that's what people tend to do from time to time.

"Vincent Valentine." Shelke greeted him when he entered her workroom in the WRO building. She had a cast on her left arm and was thusly forced to type with one hand.

Vincent strode over with a touch more haste when he saw that. "What happened?" Had someone hurt her?

Shelke smiled at the growl in his voice. "I fell badly." She explained. "The treatments come with the risk of more fragile bones. I must simply double my dose of calcium supplements and be more careful."

"Hm." Vincent nodded slightly. "I'd like you to do something for me, if you can." He pulled the relic crystal out of his pocket and held it out to her. "This crystal has some strange properties."

Shelke turned so she could take the crystal with her good hand and squinted at it. "Interesting." She said. "But I'm not a scientist. Would not they be better than I?"

"Possibly." Vincent said. "But I thought you might like to look at it first."

Shelke looked up at him and wondered if he saw her as an extension of Lucrecia, or assumed that having her memories meant that she shared in her interests. Or possibly he saw her as like her sister, who had shown a definite interest in Lucretia's research herself. That second theory was more satisfactory than the first. Though Shelke was nothing like either woman, she much preferred the idea of being compared to her sister. "Is it connected to Chaos?"

"No. Or at least I don't believe so." Vincent said. "It belongs to a relic Cloud found. Apparently it has the power to draw souls back into bodies."

Suddenly Shelke was a lot more interested. "Restore the dead. So it works akin to a phoenix down?" Her eyes widened then. "Is this what restored Zack Fair and Angeal Hewley?" Vincent nodded and she looked back at the crystal again. Here it was. The key to bringing back her sister. "May I keep it? For examination purposes?"

"I was going to bring it to some of the WRO scientists, but when they're done I suppose." Vincent said.

Shelke palmed the crystal. "They may damage it." She stated. "I will be far more careful."

Vincent arched a brow at her sudden change in tune, but then he nodded. "Alright."

"Thank you. I will let you know my findings."

"There's one more thing, Shelke." Vincent drew in a breath. "Chaos has become fully sapient. It's capable of speech now. Was there anything in Lucrecia's research that talked about something like that happening?"

"Not that I can recall." Shelke put the crystal in her pocket. "Though as you have brought up Lucrecia, that reminded me of a very troubling discovery I made." She motioned at her arm. "It's why I fell in fact, for it startled me badly." She licked her lips. "I did a Synaptic Net Dive in an attempt to discover possible substitutes for the Protomateria when I came across malicious code. Specifically, this code is in fact Professor Hojo's neural data."

Vincent's eyes narrowed and he found his hand coming to rest on Cerberus. "Hojo had downloaded himself into Weiss."

"Yes, as you had said. However, it would seem that Hojo made several copies of himself. Potentially while he was in control of Weiss to prepare for contingencies."

Vincent nodded slightly. Yes, that sounded like something Hojo would do. "Are you alright? Other than your arm."

"I caused a bad headache from tearing myself out of the SND so quickly, but other than my arm I have recovered fully. I don't believe he noticed me."

Vincent was inclined to disagree, but since Shelke wasn't showing a dramatic change in personality, he was willing to believe she had escaped unscathed. "Do you think you could find a way to...destroy that data? Safely?"

"I believe I can." Shelke said. "But it is also entirely possible that he could hold the answers we need."

Vincent made a slashing motion with his gauntlet hand. "It's too much of a risk. Hojo was brilliant, but he was also hopelessly twisted. It isn't worth it. No."

Shelke inclined her head. "Very well. I will see about destruction or containment then."

Vincent nodded to Shelke, and considering the matter settled, turned to go. "If you come across any new information on Chaos, let me know." He said when he reached the door.

"I will." Shelke promised. She waited a few moments after Vincent was gone and then turned back to her console, beginning to type furiously with one hand. She respected Vincent's wariness toward Hojo, but she knew it was a risk she had to take. Besides, she wasn't Weiss. If Weiss had been able to do what was necessary, then the Tsviets wouldn't have needed her in the first place. Hojo had the information she needed to resurrect Shalua, and once she had placed in a few safeguards, she would extract that information.

Sometimes Cloud wished there was a back entrance to Seventh Heaven, mostly so he coud avoid a lecture from Tifa, but sometimes-as in this case-so he could avoid curious patrons. Fortunately there were only a few when Cloud dragged himself into the bar and headed straight for the counter. Tifa watched him approach, worry written all over her face.

"Were there any survivors?" She asked softly when he reached her.

"A few, and some animals." Cloud replied. "The WRO evacuated them to their Edge location. I don't know what's happening from there."

"And Sephiroth?"

Cloud shook his head slightly. "...He maintained he wasn't responsible. Though...Tifa, he said some other things that has me worried." He hesitated and rubbed his face, feeling it was crazy to even think it, let alone say it out loud. "Sephiroth thinks Jenova is still alive."

"That's impossible!" Tifa hissed and glanced toward her patrons. "The last of her died when you killed Sephiroth's remnants!"

"Did she? Sephiroth pointed out that he has her cells, and that I and possibly Zack still do as well. Everyone who had and was cured of Geostigma presumably have Jenova's cells. Dormant maybe, but apparently still in our blood." Suddenly this was sounding a lot less crazy. "That damned Reunion theory of Hojo's, and the crater is still there. There's just...a few things that aren't quite adding up. I think we need to try and talk to Aerith."

"Talk to Aerith?" Tifa frowned. "...I was surprised when she showed up at the Forgotten City, but Sephiroth had just been thrown out of you and..." She trailed off. "You're right, Cloud. If there's any chance that Aerith can help us, we need to try. She would know what's going on better than we do." She rubbed her arms. "If only we could bring her back to us..."

"I know, but I think the only way would be with the relic and to I think that requires an intact body...it's not so cold up there that Aerith's would still be in one piece even if we could find it in the depths of that pool." Cloud rubbed his face. "Of course if we'd had a fucking Phoenix Down when it had happened in the first place-"

Tifa put a hand on his arm. "Enough. Let's not worry about the past. Let's just get to the Forgotten City."

"Right." Cloud let out a heavy breath and dropped his hand, then reached for his phone to call Cid, only for it to go straight to voice mail. Calling the home phone got Shera and an explanation that Cid was off helping with the evacuations of Junon. Cloud thanked her and hung up. "Well, so much for that. I should have realized with the tidal waves heading for shore no one is going to-wait." Cloud dialed another number.

"Strife. How interesting." Rufus answered after the third ring. "And to what do I owe this call?"

"Are your Turks available?"

"Hm? That would depend on why you want to borrow them."

Cloud moved around behind the bar and into the house portion so the patrons wouldn't be able to hear him, putting his back against the wall. "Sephiroth. You know he's alive and was near Icicle Inn. I'd think your company would be interested in that."

Rufus chuckled lowly. "So you want my help to bring down Sephiroth?"

"No. I just need a Turk and a helicopter to get there and even if you and I are square, you owe a debt to this world."

"These are some of my favorite conversations. Nothing better than some old fashioned blackmail."

"I haven't even started to blackmail you, but I could if that will get the job done. Zack and Angeal have told me some pretty dark stuff you probably wouldn't want people to know about." That was a total bluff of course, but it was worth a try.

"Is that so? You know, normally when someone has information on Shinra that the company doesn't want leaked, I just have them killed. That's what the original kill order on Zack Fair and you was about, after all."

Cloud felt his blood run cold. "...What do you mean?"

"Do you think the showdown on the cliffs over Midgar was a coincidence? My father didn't want either of you bringing to light the experiments Hojo was doing. Ironically, the leader of the Turks at the time tried to overturn it, which I suppose is why you were spared. Too bad about Fair though."

The phone creaked as Cloud's fingers squeezed it. "...Son of a bitch."

Rufus laughed. "Not to worry. I'm not my father, and recent years have given me a change of heart. Still, you should keep that in mind the next time you try to claim you have dirt on my company."

Cloud clenched his jaw. "...Fine. I'll make my own way." He hung up and was about to tuck his phone away again when it rang. After a moment of hesitation in which he considered just letting it go to voicemail, he answered it.

"Don't be so hasty. I didn't say I wouldn't help you." Rufus said, still sounding damnably amused.

"What's the price then, Shinra?" Cloud growled. "Keeping quiet about those secrets?"

Rufus chuckled. "If you had anything concrete on me or my company, I would know about it."

"Cloud?"

About to answer Rufus, Cloud turned instead to see that Denzel had come down the stairs while he'd been talking.

"Shinra?" Denzel's fists were clenched.

Cloud nodded slightly and remembered that Denzel knew full well who had really dropped the plate on Sector Seven in Midgar and killed his parents and many of their neighbors. "Yes." He added, taking the phone away from his ear. "Rufus Shinra."

"Why are you talking to him?"

Cloud heard Rufus ask what was going on, but he ignored him and went over to Denzel instead. If he had to, he would find another way or he would just wait until Cid or a WRO copter could take him. Denzel was more important than placating Rufus.

He knelt down in front of Denzel. "I need to get somewhere, and he has the resources to help me get there."

Denzel just stared at Cloud for several moments, looking hurt. It was one thing when he'd tolerated the Turks and Rufus in the bar before, but then Marlene had been there to keep him calm. However, this seemed to be different.

"Denzel." Cloud said, and set the phone down entirely. "Sometimes you have to do things, work with people you don't like, for reasons that are more important than why you don't like someone or something." He paused a beat. "Rufus isn't the one who hurt your family, and maybe, in his own way, he's trying to make his own amends."

Denzel sniffed and wiped his eyes, then turned to go upstairs without a word. Cloud sighed softly and picked up the phone again. "Rufus?"

"Yes, Cloud?"

"I do have dirt on your company. You and I both know who murdered the citizens of Midgar's Sector Seven and you just admitted yourself why Zack was murdered. I don't give a damn who was running the company at that time, and you know others won't care either. But I'm willing to let the past stay the past and give you a chance to do better. Whether you help me now or not, you have a lot more innocent blood on your hands. You still have to live with that."

"A fine speech, if an unneeded one." Rufus said. "A helicopter will meet you outside of Edge soon. Don't be late." He disconnected.

Cloud sighed and shook his head, then stood up and put his phone away. Instead of turning to leave though, he headed upstairs to Marlene and Denzel's room to find Marlene sitting beside Denzel on his bed and rubbing his back while he muffled his sobs into his pillow.

"Marlene." Cloud intoned softly. "Can I have a minute with Denzel?"

"Okay, Cloud." Marlene rubbed Denzel's back one last time and hopped off the bed to leave, though she paused by Cloud to squeeze his hand before leaving the room and closing the door behind herself. Cloud took a moment to marvel at how mature she was for only eight years old, but then he supposed the kind of life she'd had lately had forced her to grow up a bit fast.

He moved to sit down in the spot she'd vacated, though he put his hands in his lap instead of reaching out to touch him.

"Four years..." Denzel muttered into his pillow.

"Hm?"

"Tomorrow..."

"Ah." Cloud looked up toward the ceiling. Four years since Sector Seven was wiped out, Denzel meant. Four years since all those innocents died. Had it really only been such a short time? "Do you want to light some candles for them tonight, Denzel?"

"Mm..."

"Alright. We'll do that when I get back." Hopefully he'd return. He was going to the Northern Continent to seek Aerith's spirit, but Sephiroth was presumably still over there too and the temptation to take Cloud out would probably be too great if the opportunity presented itself to him. He'd just have to make sure to remember Merciless.

"Cloud?"

"Yes, Denzel?"

"When will I be strong like you?" Denzel sat up, wiping his face. "When can I learn how to fight and be strong?"

Cloud pursed his lips and fixed his gaze on a spot on the far wall. "...You know, when I was around your age, I wondered the same thing."

Denzel gave him an exasperated look he didn't see. "That's what adults always say."

Cloud chuckled softly. "I suppose we do, but it's the truth." He sobered again. "When I was around nine or ten, a person I wanted to be friends with lost their mom. She was convinced that if she could climb the mountain behind Nibelheim, she could find her again. I followed her, I knew I couldn't stop her from going but I thought I could keep her safe. I failed, and we both fell. I just got banged up a little, but she nearly died and everyone blamed me. I blamed myself too, and I was so angry. I got into fights. I wanted to make myself stronger." He looked down at his hands and flexed his fingers. "It wasn't real strength though."

Denzel sat back and drew his legs up to his chest. "So you went to Shinra to become strong?"

"Yeah, that's pretty much what happened. I guess I got my wish. But in the end..." Cloud turned to look at him. "It's all of you who make me strong. You're already strong. Maybe not physically, but here." He tapped Denzel's chest. "That's where it counts the most. You don't have to be able to do what I can to be strong."

"I want to be able to do what you do, though." Denzel stated.

"Hm." Cloud smiled slightly. "I think you could handle some of my smaller swords. How about we find some time to practice out back soon?"

"Really?!" Denzel forgot completely about his bad mood and perked up. "You mean it?!"

Cloud nodded, and the next moment found Denzel's arms around his neck.

"Thank you, Cloud!" Denzel let go and sat back again before Cloud could consider how to react. "I won't let you down, I promise!"

"I know you'll try hard, Denzel.' Cloud said. "I need to go now, and I'll pick up some candles on the way back."

Denzel sobered a bit at that and nodded solemnly, but couldn't completely dim his excitement. He watched Cloud leave before flopped onto his back on the bed.

Zack sat in an alleyway in Junon, Buster Sword fallen beside him and legs drawn up to his chest while he shivered as if he was freezing, unable to understand why he felt so terrified.

Well, that was technically untrue. He knew why he was scared. There were Infantrymen everywhere, and while a lot of them were in Kymera Enviro colors, the uniforms themselves were practically the same as Shinra's and they all kept staring at him!

Sure they might have just been taking note of the sword on his back, but there had been countless dozens facing him on the cliffs over Midgar and chances were very good that they remembered him. After all, he was pretty damn memorable. Zack had thought he could push through the anxiety until he caught one in the middle of checking the sight on his rifle and happened to point it in Zack's direction. It hadn't seemed intentional as he had jerked it down again when he'd realized he was aiming at someone, but the damage had been done and Zack had only just barely managed not to run, stumbling into the alley where he now huddled.

He didn't understand this level of terror. He'd never been this frightened of anything in his life, and it was so ridiculous! He remembered having a similar reaction in Reactor Zero when they were fighting the Genesis clones, but he'd been fine in the end there. Here there was no battle, no gunfire, so why was he freaking out like this?! It wasn't like they would gun him down even if they did recognize him, so why couldn't he calm down?!

He stayed like that for several minutes before someone touched his shoulder. Before Zack had time to acknowledge who had touched him, he was on his feet, Buster Blade in hand.

"Whoa, Zack!" Kunsel held up his hands defensively. "It's just me!"

"...Kunsel." Zack sighed heavily and let the end of the blade touch the ground. "Sorry man. You startled me."

"No kidding." Kunsel let his arms drop. "What's got you so jumpy?"

"Mm." Zack shook his head. "Ah...it's hard to explain, and it's pretty dumb honestly." He was starting to feel a bit calmer now that he had a familiar face to look at it.

"Okay...well, come on. Since you're here, we can always use more help. Luxiere is trying to coax a puppy out of a drainpipe. Maybe you can work your skills on it." Kunsel grinned.

Zack rolled his eyes and hefted his sword onto his back. "Asshole. How do you even know about that nickname?"

"Know about what?" Kunsel arched a brow. "I just mean you're good with animals."

"Y'uh huh." Zack gave him a light punch in the arm as he passed him, but found himself promptly freezing when he was given the jarring reminder that the entire Infantry from both companies were out in force.

"Zack? ...Oh. Oh, I get it now." Kunsel's expression darkened when he saw where his friend's gaze was. "Come on. Let's go find Luxiere. We won't let the bastards get anywhere near you."

"...Thanks, Kun." Zack squeezed his eyes shut and gave himself a shake, then turned toward him. "Lead on." He found he was clenching his jaw to keep his teeth from chattering, but he had this damnit! He would be fine!

"Took you long enough!" Reno hollered when Cloud pulled up to the chopper. "I was about to leave without you!"

"Sure." Cloud left his driving goggles with the bike and pulled his swords free. He paused long enough to fully assemble the weapon and stepped over, giving Reno a surly look before stepping past him to board the helicopter.

"What's with that look?" Reno followed, shutting the door before heading for the cockpit where Rude was already sitting. He turned back to toss Cloud a headset to both muffle the noise of the chopper and allow them to remain in contact easily.

"I just had a reminder earlier that tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of you dropping Sector Seven." Cloud replied flatly before putting the headset on.

Reno stared at him for a few moments before he blew his breath out in a rush and jammed his own headset on. He tapped the mic. "Mic check."

"Check." Rude said.

"Check." Cloud said in the same flat tone, and chose a seat to strap into.

"Oi, are you gonna be like this the whole way? I'm not sure I'm being paid enough for this." Reno stated even as he swung into the pilot's chair. He blew out his breath again when Cloud didn't answer and started the pre-flight check. Soon enough they were into the air, and Reno lasted a whole ten minutes before the silence made him antsy.

"So why're we chauffeuring you anyway?"

"Rufus didn't tell you?"

"Nope. He just told us to head to Edge and wait for you."

Cloud huffed a sardonic laugh and didn't reply for a few moments. "I'm going to try to talk to a dead woman."

"Ehh?!"

Cloud chuckled again, and Reno could swear the skin around his neck was trying to crawl up his head. "I'm talking about Aerith, Reno. Weird things are going on at the Northern Crater, and she showed she can manifest in the living world. I'm hoping she can do it again and she can tell us what's going on."

"Well that's not creepy at all." Reno muttered. "What's going on at the Crater anyway? Besides the fact that the bastard who was supposed to be locked up in your head running around?!"

"Interestingly enough Sephiroth doesn't seem to be responsible, though he mentioned Jenova when the subject of the Crater came up."

"...And you're saying the President knew about all this?"

"Not everything, no. But we both know how smart Rufus is. He'll put the pieces together. Besides, you guys already know what's in the Crater, don't you?"

"Eugh..." Reno shuddered. "The only thing I saw in the Crater was Sephiroth's creepy remnants when they kidnapped Tseng and Elena, and I ain't goin' back there for all the gil in the world!"

"Fine. Just take me to the Forgotten City."

Reno flicked the coms over to the private channel. "We are definitely not being paid enough for this." He commented to Rude.

Rude nodded in agreement, his eyes on the sky ahead of them.

Reno blew his breath out again and focused on their destination as well. When they got back to Junon, he figured it would be a good time to ask for a raise.