AN: I own nothing to do with FFVII. All characters and locations are property of Square Enix.
Chapter 9: Betrayal
This was truly priceless thought Sephiroth as he paced forwards. He couldn't decide what he found more amusing, the look of complete bewilderment on the face of Genesis or the look of horror that was etched onto Cloud's. They were both satisfying in there own way. Jacob and Isaac had both moved forward to flank Genesis and help raise him to his feet.
"Sephiroth…what have you done?" Genesis cried in dismay.
Sephiroth withdrew Masamune in a flash and pointed it towards Genesis. "What I always planned to do from the moment you brought me back you stupid fool! Did you really think I would be content to follow your every order like the rest of the mindless individuals that follow you?"
Jacob and Isaac withdrew their own swords crossing them in front of Genesis in an effort to shield him. Sephiroth sneered at them "You two are ridiculous, I could kill him in an instant and there would be nothing you could do about it."
"You trained us Sephiroth" retorted Isaac. "We know your every move."
He couldn't believe how stupid they really were. He had taught them yes but only slowly making them master the few techniques he had shown them instead of covering the full extent of his martial knowledge.
"I suppose I should thank you in a way Genesis. You did bring me back, another foolish move on your part there." Genesis couldn't stop shaking his head. This wasn't happening! How could he be so blind as to what had been going on under his nose!
Cloud had drawn the First Tsurugi and was slowly stepping back with Aerith behind him. Her body was quivering, although Cloud couldn't tell if it was from anger or terror. Sephiroth would have to go through him if he planned on going after her. He was shocked by Sephiroth's words though. Genesis had brought him back! Why would anyone even consider bringing back someone as sadistic and twisted as Sephiroth even if they thought it would help save the planet in some way.
"You brought him back Genesis?" yelled Cloud. "I take back what I said, your not mad. Your insane!!!"
Sephiroth turned his attention to Cloud. Flexing his wing he stalked towards him slowly.
"And there I was thinking that you would be happy to see me again. It's been far to long since we played together don't you agree?" Sephiroth smiled with pure malice. "The truth be told Cloud, you may blame Genesis for returning me to this plane of existence but its really your own fault I was able to come back in the first place. I anchored my consciousness to the despair, the loneliness and darkness that dwells deep inside you and fed off it. It kept me strong. So in a way I should thank you as well."
Sephiroth felt his words cut another chink into Cloud's fragile mental armour. Doing this felt so good, the pleasure it gave have was indescribable.
As they backed away from Sephiroth, Aerith felt Cloud sag slightly at the words of his nemesis. She whispered to him "Don't listen to him Cloud, its not your fault."
Sephiroth's advanced hearing picked up her words and he sniggered. "I must admit I am very surprised to see you again. Not unpleasantly though as it will be good that you can join the games once more even if it will only be for a little while. And spare trying to comfort him with your words, they are but small spots of light which are quickly extinguished in the sea of darkness that is his soul."
By now they had reached the relative safety of their line. The others formed up beside them readying their weapons. "I've no interest in playing your games Sephiroth" Aerith told him calmly "All I'm interested in is stopping you. Now tell me what you have done to Alpha."
"Jenova is perfection, the ultimate life form. Able to adapt and improve anything it infects. The magnificence of Jenova cannot be denied by any of you." His eyes glazed over as he spoke lost in his own words and admiration.
The great organism had started to shudder and convulse now, negative lifestream still flowing freely from its eyes and mouth. It gave one last agonizing cry and then it began to change. Its face melted and reformed turning into a blackened mass that resembled Sephiroth's own visage. Long lank silver hair grew from its skull, and from behind its left hand a huge curved protrusion erupted and began to grow, into a giant curved bone like sword. Finally in a mirror image of Sephiroth's own a massive white wing burst out from behind its right shoulder and unfurled.
"Alpha is no more!" cried Sephiroth triumphantly. "Although it was true that it would play a part in creating a new beginning it was in a way that none of you would have ever imagined." Sephiroth turned in a circle as he spoke these words talking to everyone present. He stopped and pointed Masamune towards the new creature.
"Behold….. Jenova Weapon!!!!!"
**********
Genesis activated the comm on his coat and spoke into it while Sephiroth rambled on about Jenova's brilliance. "Take down that traitor and destroy the abomination that Alpha has become. Also try and grab the Cetra girl she may be able to assist us in our experimentation."
Isaac's team started to draw back and prepare to flank the WRO's line while Jacob and the regular squads moved forward to engage Sephiroth and the corrupted Weapon.
"You haven't just betrayed me Sephiroth, you have betrayed the planet and for that you must pay.
**********
He had heard the orders given by Genesis and as much as he would have liked to stay and show them his power now wasn't the time. It would be easier to let the WRO and Genesis's force squabble amongst themselves now so he could continue his plans. Soaring to the sky he landed on Jenova Weapon's shoulder. "As much as I would like to play I really must be going, I still have so much to do. But I feel it would be improper for me to leave this happy reunion without giving you all a gift." Sephiroth gestured at the bubbling negative lifestream that was seeping into the ground making it come together and manifest into a dozen distinct forms.
The Shadow Creepers growled.
Maybe he could spare a few minutes to watch.
**********
Was it true thought Cloud. Had he really held on due to the darkness that lies within me. He knew he couldn't trust him but he also knew that for once the words were true. He felt the rage and self-hatred in him start to build to uncontrollable levels. It was because of him the world was in danger again, because of him that more people were in peril from Sephiroth's ambitions of godhood.
Beside him Aerith held onto his arm. "Stay calm and focus Cloud."
Shaking his head to clear it from the verbal poison that Sephiroth had injected into it he began to regain his composure. "Thank you" he told her.
"I have to try and cure Alpha, there may still be a chance to stop Sephiroth here." She began to run forward.
"Damn it Aerith" muttered Cloud as he hurried to keep up with her, Tifa and the Turk's followed hot on their heels.
Bullets were buzzing through the air as Genesis's men opened fire indiscriminately. Cloud was doing his best to parry any bullets that were heading in the direction of their small group as it advanced but he couldn't stop all of them. One got through his defence gashing deeply into his left arm and causing him to grunt in pain.
Beside him Aerith span her staff in wide arcs, any bullets that came near to her stopped in mid flight and fell to the ground harmlessly. She spared a second to look at him as she heard him grunt concern etched on her face. With a grimace he winked at her and mouthed "Just a scratch".
*********
Vincent was doing his best to hold the left flank on his own, most of the WRO troops were dead or severely wounded. Unfortunately it was close to collapse, he knew it. While it was just a single squad that had attacked them they were the elites, the ones with the black wings. Vincent stopped to haul a wounded soldier back to his feet as he reloaded "Cerberus". Dragging the wounded man with him he started to pull back. They needed to retreat.
**********
He may have been weaker than normal but he could still fight better than most. He had charged the Rapier with fire Materia and had started to hack his way towards Sephiroth. Several Shadow Creepers had attempted to block his path but a single bow from his sword had caused the beasts to evaporate. Jacob's squad was with him although they struggled with several of the beasts. The regular troops had been getting torn to pieces by the abominations.
"Jacob leave your men to deal with the creatures, come help me with Sephiroth" ordered Genesis
Jacob patted one of his men on the back and assigned him de-facto leadership of the group before running to join his father. Genesis struck again slaying one more of the beasts and finally the way forward was clear,. Together Genesis and Jacob approached the feet of Jenova Weapon.
**********
The comm was crackling with a retreat order but Cloud had to ignore it, he had other things to worry about at the moment.
The few of Genesis's men that had tried to block their advance had been dispatched in short order, Tifa and the Turk's were finishing off two of the winged soldiers who had swooped down behind them and tried to grab Aerith while Cloud had been busy dealing with the ones to the front of them. But the thing Cloud was struggling with now was on a whole different level.
It wasn't far to the Weapon but this Creeper blocked their path. At the moment it had its jaws clamped around the First Tsurugi which he held out in a horizontal position before him. It towered over him standing on it's hind legs making repeated swipes with its fore legs the razor sharp claws missing his belly by millimetres. Out of the corner of his right eye he could see another of the creatures approaching him.
The situation couldn't be much worse really. He found he kept getting distracted as well by the presence of Sephiroth which he could see standing high up on the shoulder of Jenova Weapon.
Behind him he could hear the soft voice of Aerith chanting something he couldn't quite understand. Thankfully it gave him something to focus on and he snapped his attention away from Sephiroth and back to the monstrosity that he struggled with in front of him, once again he sucked his chest in as the Creeper's claws swiped at him. What ever she was doing he hoped she was almost finished.
To his right he saw the other creature prepare to pounce on them.
**********
Tifa felt the man's bone snap as she unleashed a hard kick to his ankle. To his credit he didn't cry out in pain, he went down silently and still tried to drag her down with him. She pushed him away with her boot and carried on forward, Cloud and Aerith looked to be in trouble. He was fending off one of the creatures but he couldn't do anything about the one that was preparing to leap at them from the right.
Behind her Tifa heard the distinctive snap hiss that came from Reno's Mag-Rod and knew that the man who's ankle she had snapped earlier was definitely out of the fight. She burst into a sprint and leapt forwards.
Just then the creature launched itself forward, but Tifa had already taken this into account. She sailed through the air and her knee connected with the side of the Creepers head sending it sprawling. It quickly got back on all fours and turned to face her.
It sprung forward lightning fast she moved to dodge it but she knew she wouldn't make it out of the way in time. She was sent crashing towards the ground hard but not in the direction that she expected. She looked up wondering why she hadn't been torn to pieces by the claws of the Creeper and breathed in the faint smell of aftershave. Instead of the snarling face of the monster she was greeted with the grinning face of Reno.
"I owe you one Reno." she smiled at him.
He dragged her back to her feet as Elena and Rude joined them and all four turned and faced the monster.
"Don't worry about it. Maybe this will get old man Barret off my case a bit." he replied "Anyway I don't think were out of the woods just yet. Elena, Rude get ready!"
The four of them braced themselves for the next attack. The creature leaped forward again but this time it never reached them. Beams of white light started to fall all around impaling the Shadow Creepers and causing them to dissipate but leaving everything else they touched unscathed.
**********
Aerith opened her eyes as she finished her prayer, just in time to see the first rays of light begin to rain down. The creature that Cloud had been shielding her from was struck several times and melted away. She started to race ahead as the beams fell all around them, Cloud sticking close to her side. They reached the feet of Weapon as its great wing began flapping and it started to raise itself off the ground and away from them.
Sephiroth gave a mocking salute with Masamune and laughed. They had fought so hard to get this far but it was all for nothing he was getting away. Cloud was mesmerized by the sight of Sephiroth.
"Cetra. Come with me!"
She snapped her head around to see Genesis and one of his men standing opposite them. She took a deep breath, drinking in the air she hadn't realized how tiring calling on her powers was going to be. "I can't do that I'm afraid." She told him. "I will ask you one last time to stop what you are doing. We should work together to defeat Sephiroth."
"I must decline I'm afraid. The WRO is to weak to stop him, I must accelerate my plans now and you would be far to useful for me to ignore. Jacob bring me the Cetra but don't harm her."
She sighed and finally accepted that there would be no reasoning with him. She felt exhausted and had to kneel down.
"Her Name is Aerith not Cetra! And I'm afraid you taking her is not going to happen Genesis." said Cloud who had finally pulled his attention back to the here and now rather than focusing on Sephiroth. She looked up at him happy that he was still by her side. He looked tired himself now though, a sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead, his face more pale than normal. The sleeve of his left arm clung to his flesh, it was soaked in blood, and more was pumping from where the bullet had struck him earlier in their charge. He lied to me! He said it was only a flesh wound but from the state of his arm she realized it must have hit an artery. She wasn't angry though for she knew he hadn't wanted her to be worrying about him when they were surrounded by the enemy. She would have done the same if the situation had been reversed. If only she had the strength to cure his wound now. Her gaze fell on the staff by her side and she read the inscription again.
For the one who brings light to my darkness.
She smiled to herself as she read it and knew that he wouldn't lose this fight. She was giving him the strength he needed just by being here.
**********
Sephiroth gazed down at the scene below. He was high up but he could still make out what was going on down there. Cloud was shielding the girl from Genesis and one of his lieutenants. In a way he wished he could have stayed to watch as it would have been highly entertaining. Whatever the outcome someone he despised would lose something, Cloud would lose the girl again and possibly his own life or Genesis would lose another of his precious "Sons".
He had plans to put into motion now though and he had stayed to long here already. Now he needed to find somewhere that he could go where he wouldn't be disturbed. He had a place in mind and as he re-entered Jenova Weapon he knew that this time nothing would stop his ascent to godhood.
**********
Jacob sized up his opponent, he wasn't as physically imposing as he was and he looked tired and wounded. Yet he wasn't about to make the mistake of underestimating him. This was the man that had slain Joseph, and by all accounts his fighting options had been severely restricted at the time. He wouldn't lose through, he couldn't lose. He would kill the man who had defeated his brother and then take this "Aerith" to assist in Genesis's tests.
He tried a few experimental thrusts towards Cloud, the first two were parried with the ringing of metal on metal, but the third bypassed his defences and forced Cloud to twist out of the way at the last moment.
"Your to slow." Jacob taunted him, as he slashed for Clouds legs causing him to jump back at the last second again.
At that moment a woman with long dark hair and three people in blue suits arrived and began checking on the Cetra. Would he have to fight these ones as well? It wouldn't matter, if he could beat the man he faced now then he doubted the others would give him a problem.
Suddenly he was forced on the defensive, his concentration had started to slip and now Cloud had attacked raining down four heavy blows from his sword. He managed to parry them all as they were struckwith more force than speed but still he berated himself for being distracted by the new arrivals.
"Cloud are you o.k" shouted the dark haired woman.
"I'm fine" replied swordsman. "Just take care of Aerith"
Jacob realized he now had another advantage. His opponent wasn't concentrating on just the fight, he was concerned for the Cetra's condition. Now he had to find a way to exploit this weakness.
**********
His hands were sweating and his grip on the Tsurugi kept slipping. At the moment his opponent was keeping as much distance between them as possible his striking at Cloud and dancing away before he could retaliate. He spared a glance behind him and was relieved to see the that Tifa had helped Aerith to her feet and they were falling back the Turk's shielding them. Cloud struggled backwards as more thrusts arced towards him. Once again though he didn't follow up the attack. He's waiting for me to get distracted then he attacks, he doesn't have to close as he knows that in my condition I can't hold out forever.
Cloud started to turn his head in the direction of the others again but instead of back peddling he stepped forwards this time. At the same time Jacob lunged forward on the attack again, Cloud instinctively parried the first two thrusts but the third pierced his side.
It didn't matter though, as Jacob had left himself exposed from the trio of stabs and Cloud was now inside his defences and ready to exploit the error. He hammered the Tsurugi down and felt it bite through his rival's shoulder blade, blood sprayed out in crimson arcs as flesh and muscle were parted.
Jacob's grip on his sword became limp and it clattered to the ground beside him. He followed up by bringing the pommel of the Tsurugi down upon Jacob's head and felt his nose break under the force of the blow. He tottered slightly blood streaming from his nose before collapsing forwards.
Gripping his sword in both hands Cloud plunged it downwards and through Jacob's back finishing him off. He looked towards Genesis who was shaking with pure undiluted rage. Pulling out his sword with his right hand he hefted it back over his shoulder and prepared for Genesis to attack him.
Genesis approached blade drawn until he reached the body of his dead "Son" He sheathed his sword and knelt gathering the body into his arms his eyes filled with grief. "Go now and leave me to grieve for my loss" he told Cloud without looking at him. Cloud turned and began to walk back to his comrades who had started to board the trucks they had arrived on barely 30 minutes ago.
"Know this though" Genesis spat out the words. "Next time we cross paths it will be us who meet in battle and that will be a fight that you won't walk away from!"
Leaving Genesis to his loss and not looking back he replied with one word. "Whatever"
*********
The SHERA
I knew this was a bad idea thought Cid as they headed back towards Cosmo Canyon. Twenty-Six men were dead and they had another dozen who probably wouldn't survive the flight back. Yuffie had the comm officers headset on and was franticly explaining the situation to Reeve, even her usual airsickness forgotten at the moment. Reeve had stayed behind to work with Rufus on getting food shipments organized for the refugees and they had neglected to take Cait Sith with them. She finished up reporting and headed over to Cid.
"The boss didn't take it to well I guess?" he asked her as he read through a report about which direction Sephiroth had headed off in.
"I can't decide what he is more upset about" Yuffie replied looking around for a sick bag just in case. "What Genesis is doing with his supposed vaccine or the fact that Sephiroth is back and he's got possession of a Weapon"
Cid passed her a sickness bag that was pinned to the side of a desk which she received gratefully, he kept them all over the SHERA as Yuffie was a frequent flyer on her. "I'd guess Sephiroth, don't get me wrong Genesis is up to some pretty insane stuff but at least we know where he is. Meanwhile we have possibly the most evil man in the history of the planet, running around with one of the most powerful things on the planet and no one has a clue where he's heading and what he's planning on doing."
Yuffie's shoulders sagged at that very true statement. "What are we going to do Cid? Is he always going to come back?"
"Don't worry Reeve will think of something. And don't forget we've got the guy who's defeated Sephiroth twice on our side. Things aren't that bad just yet!" said Cid trying to cheer her up.
"And Aerith's back as well" added Yuffie.
"Exactly!" He tried to sound more confident than he felt. Truth be told he had a feeling things were going to get worse before they got better, and with Sephiroth back that was something that seemed all too possible.
**********
Barret wasn't looking forward to this. He just wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. He had spent the last 30minuites passing up and down the main corridor of the SHERA trying to build up the confidence to say it. He stopped outside the Turk's quarters took a deep breath and walked right in.
He stopped dead as soon as he entered the room and his mouth gaped open and closed. Tifa and Reno were sitting at down opposite each other and she had her hand in his!! "WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON!!!" he boomed.
Reno shot out of his seat quicker than you could say "Mog" and almost hit the ceiling. Tifa looked over at Barret and shook her head fixing him with an angry glare. "I came to say thank you to Reno for what he did today." She stood up, marched over to Barret and poked him in the chest with her index finger. "I can't believe how rude you are barging into his quarters and shouting the like that. I'm disappointed with you"
Damn! Why did she have to make him feel so bad, he was only trying to look out for her, Marlene and Denzel. "What are you doing her anyway?" she asked still jabbing him in the chest with her finger. Reno watched with a small smirk on his face and Barret felt his blood begin to boil again. As Tifa turned back to him Reno wiped the smirk from his face. "I'm sorry about HIM Reno"
"Its fine Tifa, don't you worry about the old man." replied Reno. "Although I am interested to find out what prompted his visit." Reno looked expectantly at Barret.
"Well I um... how do I say this?" Barret looked sheepish.
Reno looked at him expectantly "Say what old man?" There was a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Thank you" Barret's shoulders slumped slightly. "You saved Tifa out there so thank you."
For once Reno put a genuine smile on his face as he replied to Barret. "You don't need to thank me old man, I did it because it was the right thing to do. You might not like me and truth be told I don't care much for you either, but I do care about Tifa and I didn't want her getting hurt."
Tifa's cheeks turned a light pink "Reno..."
"Well that's good because your right I don't like you either Turk!" Barret turned and headed out the door, as he walked out though he muttered under his breath. "Really though Reno, thanks."
**********
He left the medical ward feeling better than when he had arrived, but then that really wasn't saying much. When the doctor had first seen how much blood he had lost he looked as if he was about to pass out himself. "How are you still standing?" he had asked him mouth agape. Cloud didn't really know himself, despite his bravado he knew he had been pushed hard in that last fight. If Genesis had pressed the attack he would have lost, there was no doubt in that. His arm and waist had been healed and he now proudly wore bandages around both areas. He had been ordered to get some rest but first he had to check on Aerith. She had assured him she was fine, just a little tired and had told him to get himself checked out as he looked to be in a far worse state than her.
As he walked to her room his thoughts turned dark as the image of Sephiroth sprang into his mind. Was he really the reason Sephiroth was back? He wished he could dismiss it but he couldn't, Sephiroth was a master of mind games, truth or lie it didn't matter he knew how to tell you something and convince you of it utterly. He had been feeling more upbeat since she had come back, but now that his greatest rival had returned again his mood had started to sink again. It wasn't because he was worried for himself, it was her he worried most about. Time and again Sephiroth had shown his appetite for spite and cruelty and nothing fed it more than destroying whatever Cloud cared about. Aerith was going to be at the top of Sephiroth's list for things to take away from him.
As he reached Aerith's cabin door he stopped and looked behind him. He could have swore he had heard a soft padding sound behind him but nothing was there now. "Nanaki" He called out. He didn't expect a reply for Nanaki had stayed in Cosmo Canyon. He must be more tired than he realized.
He entered her cabin and looked around. Panic set in as her saw her laying on the bed. He rushed over to her but stopped short, she was just asleep. Her chest was rising up and down slowly, so Cloud picked up a chair and placed it next to her bed and sat down beside her. She must have been dreaming as she kept muttering softly, so softly Cloud could barely hear what she said.
"Duty........promise me........again"
Cloud took her hand in his and within minutes he was asleep as well.
A/N: Thank you to those that have reviewed so far it's appreciated. I will aim to get Chapter 10 ready for Sunday.