Author's Notes: I am glad to say that this chapter was posted in a timely manner. Hooray! On this day ten years ago, 9-11-01, many of us recall the terrible events that occurred in the USA. I would just like to say Rest in Peace to all of those that were lost in the attacks, and you will be missed. To any of my readers that might have lost a loved one in the attack, you have my strongest condolences. I would like to invite you to all take a silence before you read this chapter, to remember the tragedy that took place on this day ten years ago. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the Chapter.


Chapter Six

The group stands in the bridge of the large airship, gazing out the large glass window. Silence falls over them, the blond shaking his head. Near his side, the brunette barely manages to stifle a sob. I approach the glass to see what lies beyond its sleek surface. Clouds drift past the aircraft in the light blue, briefly cutting across the object of their stares. Meteor, the fiery rock that plummets to the planet, threatening the life of it. Mother's Will. Beside me, the blond exhales heavily.

"Rufus and the others' plan was a failure…" the blond says.

"What a bust," another says, fingers tapping his gun-hand anxiously. "But, I kinda hoped it'd work."

"We been botherin' them as much as we can…" the stuffed cat says, slumping atop his Moogle. "But there ain't no other way… Wonder if we've been wrong all this time…"

The scarlet beast turns to him, nodding sadly. "Makes you worry, doesn't it?" He whimpers a little as he sits.

"Don't worry!" the tall brunette encourages. "Think!"

I turn from the scene outside as the rest turn to face her. The pilot nods and steps forward, addressing the group. "Hey! The girl's right. You start worryin' an' there's no stoppin' it. Things just start fallin' apart an' get worse an' worse."

"You're pretty damn optimistic," the man with the gun-hand replies sarcastically. "You up ta somethin'?"

Pacing, the pilot walks over to him. "Yeah," he admits, "I've been thinkin' about this an' that. All the time, we been up here lookin' at the planet. I been thinkin' even when we were floatin' in the ocean in that escape pod."

Beside me, the blond turns from the group, sapphire eyes drifting back to the ominous sight before them. "I've been thinking, too," he says, voice distant and soft. "About the universe…planet…ocean… How wide and big… No matter where I go and what I do, it won't change a thing." The pilot shakes his head in disagreement.

"Maybe you're right," he replies. He turns back to the window, eyes finding the same scene as the blond's. "But I came up with somethin' different." He turns back to the group, and they step closer, gathering around him. "I always thought this planet was so huge. But lookin' at it from space, I realized it's so small. We're just floatin' in the dark. …Kinda makes you feel powerless. An' on top of that, we got Sephiroth festerin' inside it like a sickness." The pilot turns away from them and nods to himself. "That's why I say this planet's still a kid. A little kid sick an' tremblin' in the middle of this huge universe." He turns back to face them, eyes bright and determined as they look upon the faces. "Someone's gotta protect it."

*~*~*0*~*~*

Eyes opened, thin beams of morning sun peeking through the blinds. He blinked and stirred from the mattress, shifting across the made covers. Blue gazed at the ceiling, tracing the familiar peeling paint and water stains. Sighing, he sat up, feet swinging aside and landing on dusty floorboards. Cloud rubbed his eyes, his mind still hung on last night's dream. Just like all the others…they were friends – family. He was with them, doing everything in his power to prevent Sephiroth from achieving Mother's Will.

But why?

Why was he always stopping Sephiroth? Didn't he want more than anything to help Mother exact revenge on the planet that enslaved her? Didn't she deserve it? A cool hand rubbed his temple as he attempted to massage away the oncoming headache.

"Someone's gotta protect it." Those words rang true within his thoughts. He had to protect it back then – alongside those allies. And yet, he hated them more than anything for foiling Sephiroth's plan. Perhaps it hadn't been her decision to destroy the planet. After all, what use would that bring? Mother wanted to enslave the planet – ensnare it with her will and rage, leaving no escape from her wrath. If the planet was destroyed, what good would it do?

Perhaps that was why he had fought alongside those allies, if he truly had. If these dreams showed something his memory had forgotten. If Mother wanted to take the planet, why allow Sephiroth the pleasure of annihilating it? He had stopped him to allow Mother to put forth her true will rather than Sephiroth's pathetic interpretation.

Sephiroth was a failure.

Not only had he failed at destroying the planet, but he couldn't even figure out what his own mother wished. And he would be doomed to fail again, just as before, because he still believed it was Jenova's will to destroy the planet. No such luck.

'Don't worry, Mother,' Cloud thought to himself. 'I won't allow him to interfere with your true will. I'll make sure ShinRa suffers for what they did to you, and the rest of the world too. And I'll make them pay for what they did to me.' He stood from the musty bed, lifting his Buster Sword from the corner and not bothering to sheathe it. Quickly, he slid open the door to the underground staircase and walked briskly down the creaky wooden steps.

The door to the lab flung open, slamming and bouncing back as it contacted the wall behind it. Sephiroth stood from his desk, shocked and enraged by the sudden outburst. Cloud didn't hesitate; sword at his side, he hastily passed through the narrow hallway lined with bookshelves approaching the unsuspecting general.

"Cloud," he said, voice calm as he relaxed. "What are –" Without warning, the Buster Sword launched at him, slicing through the air. He ducked quickly, stepping backwards as he dodged.

"You worthless failure!" he yelled angrily. Cloud struck again, missing Sephiroth by only inches as he pressed against the back wall. Quickly, he reacted, jumping over the desk as Cloud struck again. The latter's speed was impeccable, and he managed a hit across Sephiroth's muscular bicep. Warm blood oozed from the wound, but Sephiroth ignored it, dodging the large steel blade as it made another strike. He ducked beneath it, reaching upward and grasping the raging blond by the wrist as he twisted the blade from his hand. The blond winced as his wrist was twisted behind his back, the bone stretched painfully to its limit.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Sephiroth demanded, pulling the other tighter into his hold.

"You're a failure, Sephiroth," Cloud spat, struggling to free himself. "And a traitor to Mother!"

"What are you talking about?" he replied through gritted teeth as he fought to keep the blond subdued.

"She never wanted to destroy the planet, Sephiroth – you did!" he snapped back, finally breaking free of Sephiroth's hold. With no weapon, he took a defensive stance. "You've failed her! You're worthless to her! That's why she had you call upon me. So I could carry out her will."

"Using the Ultimate Destructive Magic was Mother's will – her wish to destroy the planet that enslaved her," the silver haired general replied, standing tall. "This world caused her suffering and so she wished for it to suffer. Annihilating this planet would be the punishment."

"What mercy you chose to show, especially when ShinRa took no mercy for her," Cloud said. Sephiroth recoiled. "I'll make sure that everyone on this planet that held her captive suffers. I'll make sure she's happy, unlike you." Their eyes locked, Mako gleaming across the room as they dared the other to strike. Cloud moved for his sword, and Sephiroth quickly grabbed his sheath from the corner, drawing the Masamune as Cloud readied his own once more. Neither struck, tension thickening in the muggy basement air like a humid afternoon. "Just stay out of my way, Sephiroth!" he snapped, backing back down the hallway before leaving the ShinRa manor behind.

*~*~*0*~*~*

"Everyone's clear on the plan, correct?" Vincent asked for the umpteenth time. Behind the control panel of the Highwind, Cid rolled his eyes and exhaled with a puff of smoke.

"Yeah, yeah," he waved off, leaning back in his chair. With furrowed brows, Tifa stepped toward him. Gloved fingers yanked the cigarette from his lips, stamping the smoldering ash with her foot. "Damnit, woman–"

"This is serious, Cid!" she shouted.

"Why the hell you think I'm gettin' my smokes now?" he fussed. "You wan' me to take a break later?" Yuffie snickered nearby, her airsickness subsiding as she focused on the mission ahead. Tifa turned away, and Cid grumbled curses under his breath as he lit another cigarette behind her back.

"I think we've got it, Vincent," Nanaki interjected, attempting to stifle a laugh. "What's more important – are you sure you'll be okay facing Sephiroth alone?"

"I'm sure, Nanaki," Vincent replied. "Besides, once he realizes it's just me, I'm sure he'll suspect that I'm a distraction."

"I still don' get what we're s'posed to do once we've got Cloud with his ass against the wall," Barret said, adjusting his weapon.

"Capture if we can," Tifa recited, "Or try to trigger something."

"Or both, if we're lucky," Nanaki added.

"Still seems like a long shot," he replied, sliding a Mastered Fire Materia into the slot on his gun. "Think I'll need this 'All' Materia?" he asked rhetorically, before discarding it and adding a Time Materia in its place. Behind him, Yuffie snatched the discarded All Materia.

"Damnit, Yuffie – keep your theivin' lil hands offa my–"

"Chill, Barret!" she yelled defensively. "I was gonna pair it with my 'Cure'!" Barret shook his head as she slid it into the supportive paired slot. "All ready!"

"Me, too," Barret said.

"Good, 'cause we're here," Cid said, landing the Highwind a safe distance from Nibelheim. The ship shuttered as the engines shut down, and Cid stood from his pilot's chair.

"Alright," Vincent said. "I'll go into town first. Don't follow until my signal, is that clear?"

"Crystal," Yuffie chimed. "Be careful!" He nodded and soundlessly jumped to the rooftop of the nearby house. Metal feet carefully danced over shingles, unnoticed under the quiet cover of night. Finally, he leapt from the last rooftop, landing on the other side of the wrought-iron gates of the ShinRa Manor. He crept to the door, warped and crooked in its frame; as expected, the rusted lock held the doors tightly closed, and a chain had been padlocked around the once ornate handles. 'Good,' he thought.

The last thing they needed was soundless entry. After all, Vincent's intention was to draw Sephiroth's attention, not slip in unnoticed. He went to the window on the right-hand side of the old doors. The bent blinds had been drawn over the window, but no light shown behind them. Using his metal claw, Vincent punched out the glass, the cracked surface easily shattering. Flecks bounced across the floorboards inside, and Vincent crept inside. The rotting wood whined as he stepped inside, echoing throughout the creaky Manor. Nearby, the wall stood slightly apart leading down to the secret lab below. He hastily slid open the door, a loud cluck echoing through the hollow stairwell.

Below, something stirred. A door closed, a foot stepped slightly closer. Calmly, Vincent proceeded down the first step, and it wailed as he pressed his weight into it. Suddenly, the door at the bottom of the stairs opened, and Vincent hoped it was Sephiroth. He hesitated, gazing downward to the bottom of the stairwell. Sure enough, silver locks glided into view, and footsteps began to race through the rickety stairwell.

He slammed the wall back shut, and the heavy brick bounced with a loud bang that caused the mansion to shutter. The footsteps neared, and Vincent dashed through the window. Behind him, the wall opened, and heavy boots raced towards the window. Red floated across the path to the gate, gracefully gliding over the wrought-iron. He peered over his shoulder; Sephiroth jumped the fence effortlessly, chasing with skill and expert speeds. Vincent led him towards the mountains, shooting a blast of Fire back towards his opponent. Sephiroth dodged, and followed in the game of cat and mouse.

They crossed the narrow mountainside, and Vincent ducked behind a nearby cliff. As expected, Sephiroth missed the move, racing past him. Not for long. Heavy soled boots skidded to a stop, dirt spraying into the night air. Moonlight danced across the slender Masamune, gracefully deadly as it slid back inside its sheath. Vincent seized the moment. He cocked his weapon and moved behind Sephiroth.

But what he couldn't see, was the smirk that slid across pale lips.

*~*~*0*~*~*

Fire burned across the midnight sky near the ShinRa Manor, smoke gliding across the sleeping town of Nibelheim as it burned the unkempt shrubbery.

"That's the signal!" Tifa said softly.

"He did it!" Yuffie exclaimed in celebration. The air filled with a hiss as the group shushed her. "Sorry," she whispered. "I can't believe it actually worked!"

"Yeah, go figure," Cid replied half-heartedly. "Hang on to your britches. Looks like we're goin' in."

"Don't sound so disappointed," Tifa scolded and Cid bit back his response. In the shadows of the houses, the group made their way to the manor. The shrubs by the fence smoldered as the fire burned itself out. Yuffie dashed to the gate, pushing on the wrought-iron. It clanged, but stayed in place.

"It's locked," she whispered, and, with skill only an expert Wutaian ninja could possess, jumped the fence. "Ooff!" She let out a grunt as her shirt snagged on the rod, the rusty iron easily catching the fabric as it brushed too closely. "I'm stuck!" she yelped quietly. Tifa pulled the fabric free, and she fell to the ground with a thud.

"An' you were worried about me takin' this seriously," Cid chuckled as he threw his cigarette to the ground and stomped it out. The rest followed suit, climbing over the fence otherwise smoothly. None bothered to check the front door, and instead followed Nanaki to the window Vincent had broken moments earlier. Inside, glass scattered the floor and the wall was open, revealing the dark spiral stairway.

"Think he's down there?" Barret asked.

"Most likely," Tifa replied. She took the first step, and the plank wailed beneath her weight. She cringed at the sudden noise, but cautiously continued down the stairs. They creaked as the others followed, filling the hollow stairwell with deafening noise.

"Glad we weren't tryin' to sneak up on 'im, or anything," Cid said, wincing. Tifa shushed him, though there wasn't much point over the creaking.

"Tifa, you sure this is gonna even hold alluv us?" Barret hissed.

"We're almost there," she replied. The stairwell fell silent as they reached the stone cave that lead to the lab ahead. A door on the left stood open, and Tifa shined a light inside. "Nothing out of the ordinary," she stated.

They proceeded to the lab that was dimly lit. It was disheveled and cluttered, torn paper and open books scattered across the floor. She scanned the desk and headed back towards the back of the lab, cautiously passing through the hallway that was lined with jumbled shelves. Dusty books had been strewn across the shelves, the floor – someone had been researching. Tifa swallowed hard as she approached the room. She could see the desk lamp illuminating the area – more papers, books, dust, cobwebs, syringes –

"Guys!" she called.

*~*~*0*~*~*

He turned, silver locks shimmering beneath the moon as they swept across his face in the cool mountain breeze. Mako eyes pierced into Vincent's gaze, vivid against pale skin. They didn't quiver as he stared down the barrel of the other's drawn weapon, and the smirk didn't fade. A moment of fear shot down Vincent's spine, an icy shiver that kept him speechless. He swallowed, but stood his ground.

"What happens now?" Sephiroth asked, taking a step towards his opponent. "You've got me."

"What have you done to Cloud?" he replied coolly.

"And what would make you think I've done anything to him?" Sephiroth mocked.

"Don't try my patience, Sephiroth!" Vincent spat. "Hojo's told me that it was you, so I want answers." A calm chill lingered in his eyes.

"Where are the rest of your comrades?" he inquired. "Looking for Cloud in the Manor?" Vincent's stomach dropped with horror and his mouth went dry. "Don't look so worried – they won't find him there. Your set-up was a waste of time."

"You knew it was a setup?" he responded quickly, his weapon lowering slightly. "Then why'd you follow me – why'd you leave the manor?"

"You're looking for Cloud, right?" Sephiroth replied. "And I need to find him." He hesitated, in awe at the unexpected statement. Uncertain whether to believe the sly villain, Vincent lowered his gun, finger still poised on the trigger as it rested at his side.

"Elaborate," Vincent demanded.

"Well, it seems that things have not gone according to plan," he said. "Cloud has left, and intends on…well, to be quite honest, I'm not precisely certain of his intentions. Except that he intends to carry out Jenova's true will."

"Jenova's true will?" Vincent repeated. "What do you mean – what is her will?"

"When I summoned Meteor, I was fueled by my hatred of this world," Sephiroth replied coldly, turning his back. Mako gleamed against the vivid moonlight glinting in his eyes. "And hate still, of how the world treated her – treated me. My creation…an experiment – ShinRa's puppet – a monster. She wants to punish this Planet for its actions, the actions of its inhabitants. Suffering. Annihilation. She wanted to eliminate the Planet – and so I summoned Meteor, to please her – to fulfill Her will."

"And Cloud?" Vincent asked. "Will he attempt to destroy the Planet?"

"So I had thought," he continued. "With vast amounts of Mako and Jenova cells, his mind was altered, memories changed. My intentions had succeeded. And so, he abandoned his allies – his enemies – and, I won't deny, intends to eliminate all of you." Vincent scowled at the other, but he ignored the disapproval. "But now, his mind has…changed. He no longer sees Her will as I know it exists – to destroy this Planet. He believes Mother wants to enslave it – manipulate and control it."

"How would he achieve that?"

"That, I am uncertain of," he admitted. "I suspect he first intends to find her – her remains that ShinRa had held captive before I freed her. Passed that, I'm not sure. It is likely he will seek revenge on Neo-ShinRa, and as I mentioned, the rest of you."

"And?" Vincent pressed. "How can we reverse the effects?"

"We don't," Sephiroth replied blatantly. "Or rather, can't. Once merged, the Jenova cells and Mako cannot be separated from the blood. And I believe that adding additional of either would create dangerous circumstances."

"What do you propose we do then, Sephiroth?" Vincent asked, his voice stern with frustration. Finally, the other turned to face him. With his back to the moon, bangs left his face shadowed, yet Mako stood out brilliantly against the darkness. Gleaming aqua met vermillion, serious and unwavering.

"Kill him."

*~*~*0*~*~*

The sun was beginning to peak through the mountains to the far east of Nibelheim, the dark sky trimmed in a pale gold. The main group had made their way back to the Highwind, still waiting for Vincent to meet them. Lids drooped over maroon eyes, and Tifa sighed impatiently. Nearby, Cid grunted in his sleep; he sat in his pilot's chair, head hung to his chest. They all sat in the bridge, waiting for metal footsteps to make their way inside.

"Maybe we should go after him," Yuffie suggested with a yawn.

"I know, Yuffie," Tifa said, shifting uncomfortably. "But he said we shouldn't go after him 'no matter what,' remember?"

"Well, yeah, but I'm sure he didn't mean if he was gone this long," she sighed.

"Perhaps she's right," Nanaki said wearily. "He's been in the Nibel mountains for some time now."

"If he isn't back in another hour, we'll start searching," she agreed. "It'll be light then, so the cliffs won't be as hard to see."

Suddenly, Nanaki's ears pricked upward. "No need," he said. "Vincent's on his way to the bridge now." The group became alert at the warning, aside from Cid, and his footsteps entered the room.

"Vincent – are you okay?" Tifa asked, standing.

"Fine," he replied, passing her. He stood at the front of the bridge, gazing out the window of the Highwind.

"We didn't find Cloud," she said. "We searched the entire Manor. He wasn't there."

"I know," he replied, as blatantly as before.

"What do you mean?"

"Sephiroth told me." His response was quiet, and unexpected.

"What?" Yuffie exclaimed. "I mean, you talked to him?"

"What did he have to say?" Nanaki asked.

"Where's Cloud?" Tifa asked.

"He doesn't know," Vincent said. "But, we have a problem."