Morning came sooner than Cloud would have liked. While he may have sounded confident while convincing Genesis that everything would be fine, his own confidence in his friends ability to accept his current companions wasn't as strong. Barrett especially tended to shoot first and ask questions later. Hopefully he had not been on Cid's way. At the thought of Cid's trip, his PHS buzzed in his pocket.
"I assume you're close?" Cloud asked into the phone.
"No hi, how ya doing? Damnit Cloud ya ain't go no damn manner do ya. Anyway yah you bet Shiva's tits I'm close. I'll be land'n in about 10 minutes, so get your ass in gear." Cid cursed into the phone.
"Alright we'll be waiting, just keep an open mind ok?" Cloud asked the pilot.
"Ah hell Cloud whatcha got us caught up in now?" And again the line went dead leaving Cloud to stare at his phone for a second. Scratch Barrett, Cid was probably going to try and take them out with the airship.
Cloud left the space that had been his room for the evening, and found that the others were ready themselves, a small blessing. Weiss was carrying on a quiet conversation with Sephiroth, though as to what they had to talk about Cloud was clueless. Genesis was packing a small duffle bag, and Aerith was sitting in a chair, Zack behind her, with a hand on her shoulder. It was obvious that now that he could touch the girl, he didn't want to stop unless he had too.
"Cid just called, he'll be here shortly. I'll go meet him, see who is with him and explain things as best as I can. When I think it's safe I'll come back to the front of the cave and we can depart." Cloud offered.
"That's probably for the best. I imagine this will all be quite a shock for them." Aerith said looking up at Cloud with her comforting smile.
He headed out of Genesis' makeshift home without a glance back. He knew the others would make their way up soon and the cave entrance wasn't too far away. His thoughts turned inward for a moment, he knew that what should matter most was that Aerith and Zack were back with them. But on the for front of his mind was Sephiroth, the man always seemed to dominate his life. He had accepted Sephiroth because honestly he didn't know what else to do or how to deal with the information.
The idea that Sephiroth had been a mere puppet to Jenova, a state he himself had been, reminders of which still set his blood on fire, almost caused his brain to shut down. Sephiroth couldn't possibly be a victim when he had caused so much damage. But it was true, Cloud knew that without a doubt, Sephiroth had been as much a victim to Jenova as anyone. So how was he to deal with him? He couldn't continue this cold indifference on the subject. What were they now? What would they be? The idea of friends was laughable, but in his previous fights with Jenova, it was his friendship with his companions that had made them so strong, and so reliable.
He couldn't deny though that he and Sephiroth were so much alike, and not because of shared DNA. The memories that he had of Zack's while separated where still there if he wanted to access them. Sephiroth was a loner for the most part, who felt most alive in the heat of battle. He had few friends, but greatly valued them. It was why Genesis's and Angeal's defection from SOLDIER hit him so hard. He had felt isolated and alone. In this time, he came to count Zack as a friend, if for no other reason than their mutual loss. While Cloud was friendly to the others, he counted Tifa and Vincent as his best and closest friends. He knew if the two of them were to turn their back on him, and he not understand why, he might very well loose it all himself, with or without a parasitic influence.
His musing didn't go much further as he heard the Shera's engines and looked up to see the airship coming over the top of a small glove of Banora apple trees. She had enough space to land just in front of the cave, although Cloud did take a few steps back to be safe. Cid left the engines running as he stepped out to meet Cloud.
"Yah said us, but all I see is your scrawny ass, where the others? " Cid asked.
"They are in the cave. Did you pick up anyone on the way? We need to have a bit of a talk before we go any further." Cloud looked up to the bridge, spotting Vincent and waving him down.
"Tif' didn't come because she couldn't get anyone to make sure the kids were safe, Rude's been sent out running all over hell's half acres, over somethin' I assume is your fault." Cid stated. "Yuffie is currently in Wutai attendin' some damn ceremony, Nanaki said to get him on the way back through, Barrett is headn' to meet Tifa, So it's just me Cait Sith and Vinny" Cid finished.
"Alright, when Vincent makes it down I'll explain what's going on but I'm serious you have to keep a level head." Cloud said.
"What's going on Cloud?" Vincent asked, red eyes scanning the area. He caught the last bit walking off the airship, Cait Sith on his shoulder.
"It's a long story I don't have time for, and it's going to take a lot of trust, but let me finish, then maybe you'll understand." Cloud looked the two in the eye and got a silent nod from those involved. "Two days ago I got a visit from one Genesis Rhasodos. He had a message for me from the goddess Minerva. Jenova is back and planning something big, we don't know exactly what yet, but we need to find out soon."
"You said Jenova, not Sephiroth" Vincent pointed out.
"Observant, but yes, Sephiroth and Jenova are no longer partners, I should say." Cloud offered the gunman. "But I'm not finished, I'm also not sure how to say this, so I'll just get it out, Zack. Aerith and Sephiroth are alive. Their spirits were rejected by the lifestream because of the manner of their deaths, and their bodies have repaired themselves." Cloud looked away. "They along with Genesis and Weiss are in the cave."
Cid's mouth opened as his cigarette fell from his mouth. "Holy Shit Kid."
"Aerith, Zack and Sephiroth are in the cave together, and Sephiroth is free of Jenova's influence." Vincent stated back to Cloud calmly. "And Genesis and Weiss, who I thought was dead myself are in there as well."
"Yes, I've spoken with all of them. Aerith and myself are ready to speak on their behalf. Sephiroth has hazy memories of anything after he set foot in Nibelhiem. He's been Jenova's puppet all along. It was a hard truth for me to accept, but if I can everyone else should be able too. He's the man he was 10 years ago, sane and rational. As for Weiss, you know he was controlled by Hojo, apparently after the battle, Genesis found him and saved him. He now serves the man loyally, and I was led to believe by Minerva that he will have an important role to play in coming events."
"You've spoken to Minerva yourself?" Vincent asked.
"Yes in the cave, before I met with the others. It's hard to describe, but the important thing is that you understand that the people I'm with are our allies. We need to hurry, we need to stop in Fort Condor and meet with Reno, apparently someone claiming to be Yazoo was spotted there. " Cloud finished.
"Ah hell, I ain't doubted you before and I sure as hell ain't gonna start now. Anyway weirder shit has happened I'm gonna at least warn the crew that old Seph-ir-rot an't here to gut'em." And with that Cid headed back onto the airship.
"It tis an odd situation Cloud but it will be good to see the we lass again." Cait Sith acknowledged.
"I trust your judgment Cloud, but trust I will have an eye on both of them. Part of Weiss's actions were Hojo's doing but not all. " Vincent said crossing his arms.
"I know, and I honestly am keeping an eye on them too. I've offered trust until its breached, if that happens their dead." Cloud stated.
"Then go collect your comrades, everything else can be discussed in the air. I have to agree with Cait Sith though, seeing Aerith will be good for the soul." and with that he turned and reboarded the Shera.
Cloud stepped back in the cave to find Aerith smiling holding Zack's hand, his signature grin in place. "Ears picked up a bit of that sounds like it went well, and they all like Aerith which is great."
"What's most important is that none of us will be shot out when we leave this cave. I don't relish a fight, especially one with Valentine so soon." Weiss stated
"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess ,We seek it thus, and take to the sky, Ripples form on the water's surface, The wandering soul knows no rest." Genesis quoted walking toward the airship, duffle bag slung over his shoulder.
Sephiroth looked at him, an unknown emotion in his eyes, as Zack questioned."I didn't think you quoted it anymore since the play was complete now. You said you had discovered the Goddess's gift. "
"While the play may finally be complete, I still adore its pages, and the passage seemed rather appropriate for our current quest. Besides the play has many interpretations. We might yet be seeking a new gift, or even writing our own play. Only the future knows for sure. " Genesis stated. Weiss followed closely behind.
"I like the idea of writing our own story." Zack said smiling at Aerith.
Surprisingly then Sephiroth spoke. "Every story has been told before, the characters my change but the story remains the same."
"If only you had been so philosophical back in the old days my dear friend. Oh the wonderful conversations we could have had." Genesis smiled.
"You might be surprised how philosophical you can get trapped inside your own mind." Sephiroth said bitterly and Cloud turned away, making for the airship, Zack and Aerith close behind.
Genesis dropped back in step beside Sephiroth and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ah the fates are cruel, be here we are, all of us with a second chance. A chance to be who we were always meant to be!" Genesis exclaimed.
"Finding out who I'm meant to be now is a bit unsettling. Before I was defined, by Shinra, by Hojo, even by you and Angeal, who am I now that I'm not Shinra's General, I have no idea what I want or who I even want to be." Sephiroth admitted to one of his oldest friends.
"Ah a story of self discovery!' Genesis smiled. "Being remolded and reshaped can be painful and long. I might suggest speaking with the blonde, it seems it's something he's done more than once in his life."
Sephiroth almost let out an undignified snort at Genesis's suggestion. "The man would rather slice me in two then talk to me, and not without good reason. I doubt very much he's going to be giving me any advice that doesn't involve me jumping back into a reactor."
"Cloud see's you as a kindred spirit Sephiroth. It may be painful for him and hard to accept, but he has indeed accepted that you are not the monster Jenova made you. If you're willing to work for it, I dare say you'll find a better friend in him then even myself and Angeal. He understands you, because he's literally been you. Just wait and see." Genesis said , the others had safely made it on the ship.
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On board the Airship was slightly awkward. "Honestly Cloud I thought you'd lost your mind." Cid exclaimed.
"Hey old man, I'm Zack and this is Aerith, but I guess you know her." Zack said sticking out his hand.
"Old man damn you, I could run circles around you kid, watch your damn mouth." Cid curse and Zack drew back as Aerith giggled and whispered to him. "Don't worry Zack he's always like that." then looked back to the others.
"I did miss you Cid, Vincent, you look much better then I last saw you, lighter really." Aerith offered.
"A lot has transpired in the last few years, I have lost a few of my burdens. " Vincent offered.
Then Weiss stepped on board and leveled a stare at the gunman. Neither spoke and finally the tension broke when Weiss turned away and took a seat, keeping his eyes off Vincent. Genesis would not approve of him, sparking any fight with Cloud's friends, even if it had been Valentine. Weiss served Genesis and Genesis served Cloud now.
Finally Sephiroth and Genesis joined them on board, to the crew's credit, while near mortal terror momentarily washed across several of their faces, they were able to quickly regain their composure and Shera was set to take to the skies.
"I'm assuming Fort Condor?" Cid asked Cloud.
"As quick as possible Cid." Cloud stated.
Cid smiled. "Then ya all might want to take a seat. Shera here as a pretty damn good top speed." That was the only warning they got as the airship sped off into the distance.
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Not much to say on this chapter, its slightly shorter but the next part is Fort Condor, and there is really going to be enough for it to be its own chapter. I will say, please review, I'd like to know what parts people like and what they don't, that way I can adjust and move on.
I also hadn't intended for Sephiroth to bare his soul to Genesis the way he did, but it just came out, otherwise Fort Condor would have been part of this chapter. Anyway happy reading -DHT