Chapter Nine

'The worst is over now…'

The walk across the snow-covered plains wasn't long, but Sephiroth was already exhausted. It wasn't far off now. Ahead, Sephiroth could see a few welcoming buildings set against the white terrain. Smoke rose from every one of them; he would give anything to just rest…for a little while. And behind them, mountains and glacier stretched across the horizon. Just beneath the haze, a crater reached up into the sky.

As he came nearer to the village, he pulled the hood of his black cloak back over his streaming silver hair. No one was outside in weather like this, especially at nightfall – good news for Sephiroth. There was only one house that didn't look as though a cozy fire blazed within. In fact, it looked as if it hadn't been occupied for a while. Cautiously, Sephiroth pushed the unlocked door open and stepped inside.

The inside was dimly lit by moonlight that leaked in through a hole in the ceiling. Machinery along the wall indicated that the facility had been used for research, but it had a homely touch to the décor. It almost seemed as though someone had turned the building into a living space rather than simply using it for research. He looked at the screen on one of the mechanical devices. Several file names were listed and ready to be watched on the touch-screen. "The Original Crisis," "Weapon," and…"Confidential" were listed. Absentmindedly, Sephiroth played the first.

The scene that appeared shocked him. A woman in a red dress stood nearest to the camera. Her long earth-colored hair and vivid green eyes reminded him of the Cetra that he had just slain merely hours ago. In the exact place he now stood, a man with dark hair and a crisp white lab coat fiddled with the machine.

"P-Professor Gast?!" Sephiroth exclaimed aloud, lowering his hood. The man turned and approached the woman. It was almost as though a picture from Sephiroth's memory had been placed upon the screen. Years ago, Sephiroth had learned of the man's death. That had been before Sephiroth had begun his training to become the greatest general SOLDIER would ever see…when he was still small. Mako eyes fixed on that face as he and the woman began discussing the Cetra and what they were capable of. She spoke of an injury…one that required a large amount of energy to heal.

"The crisis from the sky," she called it. The one that injured the planet posed as a friend, deceived them, and infected them with a virus…turning them into monsters. 'Monsters…' Sephiroth repeated the word in his mind as he touched the back of his hand where he knew a Roman Numeral I stained his pale flesh. When he glanced back to the screen, the video had ended and the titles had reappeared on the screen. Hesitantly, he touched the second title.

Again, Gast continued to press various buttons for a moment before turning to the Cetra woman and speaking. "Ifalna, can you comment on the thing called Weapon?"

"Weapon," Sephiroth repeated. He'd heard the term used by Professor Hojo on several occasions, but had never really figured out what it truly meant. On the screen, the Cetra nodded.

"Yes Professor," she began, walking towards him. "The one the Professor mistook for a Cetra…was named Jenova. That is the 'crisis from the sky.'"

'…Jenova…mistook for a Cetra…?' Sephiroth thought. So…it was true. The Ancient…Aerith had been right. Jenova…wasn't an Ancient. He wasn't an Ancient.

"The Planet knew it had to destroy the 'crisis from the sky,'" the woman continued. "You see, as long as Jenova exists, the Planet will never be able to heal itself."

My son… You're wasting time. The Promised Land is just ahead…almost in reach…

"Mother…I…"

That's enough, Sephiroth. You shouldn't believe the lies of the ShinRa. After all…have they ever told you the truth? Haven't they lied to you your entire life? They used you. They made you believe you were…one of them. They lied to you, my son. Why believe them now? Even your precious Professor Gast – he told you I died giving birth to you. And yet…still…I exist. Here I am. After being kept from my son…for so long… And you? You were made into a monster by the ShinRa.

The screen had gone back to the main menu. All that remained was the "Confidential" file. It contained two videos that were a record of ten and twenty days after 'daughter's birth.' Sephiroth hesitated; he knew Jenova was trying to hold him back – he'd seen more than enough for her tastes. But that didn't matter; he pressed the screen. Sephiroth wasn't sure which one he chose, but…he would soon find out. The screen went dark.

Again, Gast stood in the same place and the Cetra approached him. She spoke softly and lovingly. They talked about the video…about their daughter. The Ancient scolded him for "doting on her like that."

"Aerith is different from the other children. I wonder what dangers await her…?"

'Aerith…' Sephiroth remembered. A twinge of guilt knotted in his stomach. The scene continued. Gast vowed to protect her and their daughter… Gast had always been a little more noble than Hojo had been. They embraced tenderly; a knock interrupted the scene. The woman answered the door. Suddenly, she ran back, screaming.

"I-it's them!" she yelled. Gast stood in front of her as ShinRa infantrymen stormed the door. A familiar laugh cut through the tension.

"I've been looking for you, Ifalna…or should I say Cetra!" Sephiroth gritted his teeth as Hojo appeared behind the two grunts. "Long time no see, Professor Gast!" They argued for a moment. Finally, Professor Gast's head fell.

"That's it…" Gast said. "I'm severing all ties with the ShinRa. Hojo, please leave."

Sephiroth hadn't expected Hojo to leave without what he wanted. The Cetra dropped to her knees and offered herself in place of the daughter. Sephiroth knew that Hojo wouldn't bite – he wanted both of them. Gast turned and comforted Ifalna. Hojo turned; noticing the camera, he ordered one of the grunts to destroy it. Gunfire filled the air as the screen went dark. The sounds of a struggle ensued. It ended after a moment, one final gunshot ringing over the empty facility.

Sephiroth hung his head. So…Hojo had been the one to kill Gast. And afterwards, no doubt, took the woman and her child back to his lab in Midgar. His heart felt suddenly heavy, and he turned from the screen.

Have you seen enough? Sephiroth didn't answer the question, and instead headed for door. The sun rose over the glacier and sparkled across the Northern Cave: his destination. A bitter wind cut across his path as he wandered through the glacier, but it didn't bother him. Humans – and even normal members of SOLDIER – might have found the venture impossible, freezing in the stinging winds that bit at their skin straight through clothing. However…thanks to Jenova, the bitter cold didn't affect him in the slightest.

Sephiroth looked around; a twisting path led to a cave nearby. Though the freezing temperatures didn't affect him, the non-stop walk had made him rather weary. He walked the narrow path and approached the cavern. Suddenly, he stopped and knelt near the entrance. '…Footprints?'Three sets of footprints were barely visible in the snow. He stood, and entered with caution, placing a hand on the hilt of the weapon on his back.

Three laid on the icy cave floor, unconscious. Closest to him was an older man that Sephiroth vaguely recognized. He wore a blue jacket and pilot goggles on his head. Beside his hand, the remains of a cigarette smoldered on the icy cave floor. He had been a pilot for ShinRa years ago, Sephiroth remembered, the pilot of the Highwind. Sephiroth had boarded the airship several times while working with SOLDIER…

The second was another familiar face. Long russet hair covered the girl's back and short bangs hung over her closed eyes. She wore a tank top and a short skirt, leaving her body the most exposed to the elements. 'Foolish…' Sephiroth thought. But then, he had known the girl was foolish as soon as he had met her as their guide to the Nibel Reactor. Nibelheim…the reactor…

The final shuddered with the cold, his Mako enhanced body deteriorating more slowly than the other two. Blond spikes covered his head, but a glimpse of bright blue caught Sephiroth's eye. Cloud stared weakly in front of him. Sephiroth approached; the blond reacted, but acted as though his vision was nearly gone. The silver-haired man knelt before him, touching a warm gloved hand to the blond's icy cheek. He moved slightly into the hand, welcoming its warmth. Lids closed over blue eyes as the cold finally took over, leaving the blond unconscious.

'…Cloud…'

It isn't much further now. We cannot stop! We must reach it…the Promised Land…

Before he knew it, Sephiroth rose over the Gaea Cliffs to the top of the crater. Inside, a fountain of Mako swirled uncontrollably. A smile curled onto his lips unwillingly as Jenova took control.

This energy…
"This energy…" she said aloud, raising her arms to the sky above. "This is it! The Ultimate Destructive Magic…Meteor…" Sephiroth's eyes followed the steep rocky path down to the Mako whirlwind; men in black cloaks dotted the treacherous path.

'…Sephiroth clones…' he thought.

Like us, they will soon return, becoming a part of the Lifestream, Jenova said. Jenova drifted down the steep path with ease, Sephiroth watching as she took control. …He could feel it… Cloud wasn't far behind. The whirlwinds subsided as they passed through. Sephiroth hesitated. Black cloak figures collapsed, unable to defend themselves against the monsters residing within the crater. Two approached him, bleeding profusely from their wounds.

"This is the end…for all of you," Sephiroth said, drawing his blade. The blade flashed in the green glow of the Lifestream; the two clones fell lifelessly from the path into the Lifestream below.

"Sephiroth!" Footsteps approached quickly from behind him. Sephiroth didn't have to turn to know that it was the blond that advanced.

"This is the end!" a girl's voice shouted enthusiastically.

You're right.
"You're right," Jenova said. "This is the end of this body's usefulness."

The world swirled around him as his mind sank into darkness. He felt a stinging sensation across his body, his flesh prickling all over. Sephiroth tried to open his eyes, but heavy lids refused to budge. He could hear voices all around him; though they were muffled together, various works broke through.

'…Planet…withering…Cetra…'
'…Sephiroth…'
'…Summon…Holy…prayers…'
'Sephiroth…'
'…Sacrificed…return…Meteor…'
'Sephiroth!'
'…Weapon…planet…'
'Sephiroth?!'
'…Lifestream…life…'
'…Sephiroth?'

"By the likes of you human beings…" Dazed, he tries to prop himself up on a shaky wrist. "You really thought you could defeat me?!" Wide-eyed, he chokes on his breath as the blade impales him. Teeth clenching, I lift his weak body; he slumps against the blade over the light below. "Don't—test—me!"

"M-my family…and m-my hometown…" he utters quietly. Those eyes meet mine, unfocused but intense in the eerie light. His hands begin to shake by his side. "You've done it, alright! I will never…forgive you!" he yells. Mustering his strength, hands grip the blade, and blood trickles down the surface as it cuts into his gloved hands. Feet touch the platform, and power struggles against my grip. Suddenly, he slings me sideways, and I slam into the nearby wall. I hear him collapse in front of me, breath heavy and trembling.

My eyes open, and I meet his. Bright blue sapphires, fierce and determined…familiar …

"No…" I say, realization sinking over me. I wince slightly I move, the wound suddenly more painful than before. "…Impossible…!"

You cannot lose! We must reach the Promised Land!

"Mother…" I say, a smile touching my lips. It is the end – I am finished. And together… "Come to the Promised Land with me." Swiftly, I embrace her, and the distant light below grows closer as I plummet downward into the brightness. A tear shimmers briefly, and the words quietly escape my lips.

Bright eyes snapped open as a silence caught the air. Mako irises scanned the nearby scene. The familiar gates of Nibelheim stood before him, glowing bright in the embers that spread wildly across the town. He passed through them, placing a hesitant hand on the scorched wood; the heat from the flames was absent. '…An illusion?'

Sephiroth's heart skipped a beat as he entered the town. The blond stood near the old ShinRa Manor, and the brunette stood by him. In front of the two, a towering figure spoke coldly. Long silver tresses moved gracefully in the slight breeze, the strands dancing around striking Mako eyes. Sephiroth took a step towards the scene, hesitant and unsure at first. The cool voice touched his ears, the words cutting through the crackling fire.

"Do you understand?" she asked in Sephiroth's own husky voice.

'Jenova!' he said, the words falling soundlessly from his lips.

"I don't want to understand," Cloud replied, turning away from him. Those cobalt eyes stared right through Sephiroth, almost as if the blond could see him. For a moment, a tense silence fell over the group. "But, I want to ask you one thing… Why…? Why are you doing this?" Suddenly, Jenova disappeared from behind Cloud and appeared before him, not allowing the blond to turn his back on the ex-general. His laugh rang through the air.

"I want to take you back to your real self," Jenova chuckled. "The one that gave me the Black Materia that day…" she smirked to herself. "Who would have ever thought a failed experiment would prove so useful? Hojo would die if he knew…"

'…Failed…Experiment…?' Sephiroth remembered his visit to Nibelheim. There had been a file… So…Hojo had…

"Hojo?!" Cloud exclaimed, cutting off Sephiroth's thought. "What does he have to do with me?!"

"Five years ago, you were…constructed by Professor Hojo, piece by piece, right after Nibelheim was burnt," Jenova explained. "A puppet made of vibrant Jenova cells, her knowledge, and the power of Mako. An incomplete Sephiroth-clone…not even given a number…that is your reality." The blond shrugged unsurely.

'No…he was there…five years ago…'

*~*~*0*~*~*

Blue eyes stare back into my own. The thick blade falls from my abdomen, clanking loudly on the metal floor of the reactor. My hand rises as I collapse, covering the wound; blood seeps over gloved fingers, dripping silently to the floor. Weak eyes meets his, andrage burns through them…hate and hurt swirled together in a piercing gaze.

You didn't betray him, Sephiroth. He betrayed you.

Words fall inaudibly from the ShinRa infantryman's lips. A sharp high-pitched ringing fills the reactor and my vision falters. Limbs feel weak and heavy, and my breath shakes with the strain. The ShinRa grunt backs away from me, walking down the narrow path to the door. Finally, the large Buster Sword clatters to the floor. He removes his helmet, and messy blond hair stands up in every direction. Those deep blue eyes meet mine again, sapphires glistening with freshly fallen rain. They pierce my mind, and sudden regret seeps over the pain and anger.

"Whatever happens…don't…don't let me hurt you… Promise me…"

*~*~*0*~*~*

The memory replayed in his mind, fading away each time the phrase, stated in his own voice, interrupted the scene. It was strange; suddenly, none of it mattered anymore. She had lied. Cloud… He had been on that mission to Nibelheim five years ago. Why was she trying so hard to convince them otherwise? If she lied about that…

Come on…the Black Materia!

Jenova's voice rang through his ears louder than in the past weeks. Fire burned in those words, a threat begging to be carried out.

"Please! Just a little longer!" Sephiroth pleaded. Jenova fell silent. Voices nearby – some familiars, others not – spoke quietly and muffled. Darkness had settled around him. Sephiroth wasn't sure where he was anymore; his eyes refused to open and his body wouldn't move. Somewhere close, a heavy breath sighed.

"Yes," he said quietly. "That is how it got started." Another voice spoke, but it was distant and muted. "I couldn't figure it out either," the voice said again. It was as though he was speaking to himself, as if he were suspended outside of the reality below. "I wasn't pursuing Sephiroth." Finally, he knew the voice.

'Cloud…!' Sephiroth thought. He wanted to awaken, to open his eyes and gaze into bright blue.

"I was being summoned by Sephiroth," he said.

'…No…'

"All the anger and hatred I bore him made it impossible for me to ever forget him," he continued, frustration in his voice.

'It wasn't me that summoned you…' Sephiroth thought. 'It was her… …Mother…Jenova.'

"Sephiroth?" the blond called suddenly. He heard him shift nearby as he turned and spoke again. "Sephiroth? I'm here. And I have brought you the Black Materia." The blond shifted again, and exhaled softly as a footstep came nearer. "Sephiroth… So we finally meet again," he said. Suddenly, the world around him began to shake in the darkness, and a falling sensation swept over him. His body lurched as the crystalized Mako caught, suspended in its cage. Screams and voices echoed below.

The Black Materia!

Suddenly, the crystal softened into a congealed form of Mako. It turned cold around him, and he could feel her. Her presence. She was there – with him when he had plunged in the reactor. He had severed her head, and together they became travelers of the Lifestream. And now, she was still with him. A sudden warmth filled him, and power overwhelmed him. The Black Materia! The world crashed around him, and a shrill high pitched ring filled his ears. A roar erupted nearby, and screams echoed in the cavern.

And suddenly…silence.

'…and we can breathe again…'

*~*~*0*~*~*