*I don't own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters, though Katlyn is mine.

"What do we have here?" inquired Hojo, circling the latest addition to his lab.

The scientist who had delivered the crystal-encased woman answered, "During my trip to investigate the strange signal that had been affecting all of our experiments, a Turk by the name of Rude discovered her deep in the crater. At first, I had dismissed her, however circumstances revealed that she was the source of the signal."

"Circumstances?"

Shifting from foot to foot with nervousness, the young scientist explained the strange phenomenon that had happened at the Crater… including her proximity to the WEAPONs. As the tale was told, Hojo's face expressed more and more interest.

"So… what you're saying is that as time goes on, she shows stronger signs of life?" he clarified when the younger scientist finished. When the nod of confirmation came, Hojo almost cackled with sadistic glee. Glancing back at the one who delivered such a fine specimen, he queried, "Have you thought about your future here at the Science Department?"

"Well… I had actually hoped to become a member of your team one day," came the eager admission.

Pleased at this response, Hojo commented, "Well, then today's the day then, isn't it? Of course, we'd have to go through the necessary paperwork… but you can consider yourself promoted." As the other scientist's eyes gleamed with shock and excitement, Hojo continued, "After all, this is the first time that a mako egghas been discovered."

"Mako… egg?"

"Yes, I believe that calling this an egg would be an accurate description," Hojo mused. "After all, she's in a protective shell as she grows more and more alive… similar to that of traditional eggs." Turning towards the rest of his team, he called out for as many tools as they could find. Turning back towards the woman, the sadistic scientist's eyes gleamed with excitement. He couldn't wait to get his hands on her cells to see what potential wonders they held…

However, in his excitement, he didn't notice the mako's glow slowly becoming brighter.

It was time. Soon, Katlyn would be leaving the Goddess' home for good.

"Katlyn Grace Lune," Minerva intoned formally, her assistants flanking her sides as she addressed her kneeling champion. "Today is the day you set out on your journey to fulfill my will. What is your task?"

"I must prevent Jenova from accomplishing her desires through any means necessary," Katlyn replied, following the ritual that Leviathan and Shiva both taught her.

"And how will you do so?"

"By focusing my attention on those who were most affected by her desires: Sephiroth Crescent, Genesis Rhapsodos, Angeal Hewley, Zackary Fair, Aerith Gainsborough, and Cloud Strife. In addition, I will also focus on reducing Shinra's reliance of mako in order to allow Gaia to finally heal, and end Shinra's reliance on the man who has willingly become Jenova's pawn: Professor Hojo."

"And what are the consequences if you should fail?"

"The WEAPONs that were created when Jenova came to Gaia will awaken once more, and fulfill their duty. In addition, my soul shall go into oblivion as retribution for those whom I could not save." Katlyn was surprised when she had heard this aspect of the ritual, for whenever she and Minerva had talked about her mission the Goddess had never once mentioned it. However, when Leviathan explained the reasoning behind it, Katlyn could see the point of having her soul obliterated if she should fail. After all, it would be the only fitting punishment for allowing millions of people to die such a horrible death.

"Then, stand up, my champion, and accept my Gifts." As she did so, Katlyn finally looked into Minerva's eyes for the first time since the ritual began. Though her face was impassive, there was no denying the smile reflected in those brilliant orbs. Closing her own eyes, Katlyn could feel the strength that was only granted to her during training sessions finally become a permanent part of her. When she felt it stop, Katlyn opened her eyes once more.

As she held out the final things that she would grant to Katlyn until the Materia that gave her a portal to Gaia would be activated, Minerva stated, "Know this, Katlyn: even though to you it seems like several years have passed, to Sephiroth and the others who know of your existence it has only been six weeks since the Ball."

Unsure if replying would break the necessary ritual, Katlyn only nodded.

"Then the ritual is complete. Now, the transfer of your soul into your new body shall begin!" rang out Minerva's voice. As everyone else cheered, she said softly to Katlyn, "Well done."

"Thanks," replied her champion, grinning. Sobering, she asked, "So… how long will it take for me for my soul to fully transfer?"

Shrugging, the Goddess replied, "It varies. However, it normally doesn't take longer than five minutes."

"Ah." Falling silent, Katlyn mulled over what she may find once she arrived on Gaia. Without a doubt, the crystal containing her body would've been delivered to the Science Department… which meant that there was a high possibility of Hojo wanting his greedy little mitts on her cells. Damn it… "I'm going to have to fight right from the get-go, aren't I?"

"Probably," came the amused answer.

Katlyn purposefully slumped over as she gave an exaggerated sigh. "Well, there went my plan to sneak out of Shinra…"

"Pfft, you know it wouldn't have happened anyway," commented Ifrit, who surprisingly had become good friends with Katlyn during her stay. Although, you wouldn't have thought it from when the two of them first met…

"Oh, just shut up," came the good natured retort. "So… any bets on whether or not Sephiroth'll see me before I make my dramatic exit?"

"I'll take you up on that!" called out Ramuh, raising his staff in the air. "I bet he'll just miss you," he predicted.

"No way, he'll definitely be there!" came Typhoon's response.

As the two started to bicker (with Odin and Leviathan looking on disapprovingly) Katlyn suddenly felt a tug in her gut. Looking down, she was startled to see that she was becoming transparent… which, oddly enough, was not something you saw every day in a Goddess' household.

"It's happening!" trilled an excited Phoenix. The rest of the assistants turned to see the phenomenon happening for themselves.

Katlyn fought the tears as she felt herself being pulled elsewhere, for it struck her in that moment that it was unlikely that she would ever see this place again. Seeing this, Ifirit demanded, "Now, don't wait too long to summon us, okay? We get bored on this end!"

Giggling at this obvious attempt to cheer her up, Katlyn made sure to promise to do so. Suddenly, the leader of the Knights of the Round (Katlyn still wasn't sure what any of their names were- they always changed the subject whenever it was brought up… and when she asked Minerva, the Goddess was amused enough to continue their game) intoned, "We gave your body an additional gift besides the clothes and materia… make sure you check your left front pocket to find it."

As darkness filled her vision, Katlyn called out, "Will do! And thanks, guys, for everything!"

A chorus of voices replying, "Good luck!" was the last thing she heard before she disappeared completely.

"Professor, look at the egg! I think it's about to hatch!"

Hojo, drill in hand, turned at that cry. His eyes widened as he saw that the mako egg was glowing brighter and brighter by the second. This… had been entirely unexpected.

Noticing several other people just standing around watching, he barked out, "Don't just stand there! Take readings, set cameras to record this, and write down any observations you see! Are you all scientists, or not?"

As they scattered, Hojo made sure to grab some syringes. After all, most hatchlings are very confused when they first break through their protective covering, which would be the perfect time for him to collect some samples. After that… well, he'll surely think of something.

When a cracking noise was heard, he turned back around and immediately shielded his eyes. The light was almost blinding. When he had adjusted, he could see deep cracks surrounding the egg.

Suddenly, without warning, the egg exploded with a brilliant burst of golden light.

"So, Genesis, what were you talking about in your e-mail?" finally inquired Angeal as the three Firsts arrived into the elevator. As he pressed the button for the Science Department floor, he was slightly surprised to see Sephiroth looking interested in the conversation.

Genesis, gleeful that one of them finally asked, explained, "Well, as the two of you may recall, I was stuck with a stupid escort mission to the Northern Crater. Well, what should we find but a woman encased in mako!"

Sephiroth turned towards him at that. "Impossible."

"Nothing but the truth," Genesis smirked. "What's more, guess who she reminded me of."

Angeal, having been friends with the man for so long, knew that the redhead would drag out the anticipation for as long as he could. "Genesis…" he started warningly.

"She reminded you of Katlyn Lune, didn't she?" interrupted Sephiroth, his eyes widening.

Genesis, slightly irritated that his thunder was stolen, struggled to not grit his teeth as he nodded.

However, his irritation was put to the side when he heard Sephiroth whisper, "Is that was she meant…?"

Angeal, having also heard the whisper, inquired, "Sephiroth… did you have another dream with her?"

As the elevator door opened, the Silver General nodded.

Genesis' irritation was completely gone upon seeing the nod. After all, hearing about Sephiroth's dreams were definitely more worthwhile. "What happened in it?"

As the three of them walked towards the seventh layer of Hell- er, rather, the Science Department, Sephiroth (having been by now used to explaining his dreams to his friends) answered, "She simply gave me three pieces of advice, then mentioned that we'd be seeing each other sooner than I may think."

Before the two Banorans could ask more, however, an explosion was suddenly heard.

Katlyn felt herself fall to her knees. She couldn't believe how hard it had been to escape the mako… she had to go into the first stage of her Champion mode to finally break herself free. Which, as she glanced at her surroundings from underneath her hair, was probably a good thing… after all, that meant that Hojo wouldn't get a chance to see what she really looked like.

Speaking of Hojo… she was horrified to hear his voice comment, "Well, this is unprecedented…" Looking towards the slimy bastard, she saw him coming closer with a syringe at the ready in his left hand.

At this, she summoned her sword and uttered the first words that Minerva's Champion would ever speak on Gaia… "AW, HELL NO!"

Sephiroth started at the roar that came from the Science Department. That voice sounded familiar! Quickly outdistancing his friends, as he approached the innocent-looking door that was the doorway to many men's living nightmares. Hearing fighting going on beyond it, he quickly summoned Masamune and kicked it open.

What he found was chaos. Scientists left and right were running, while a golden blur in the center of the room Hojo at bay. Sephiroth was amused, for while the scientist was surprisingly strong from constantly wrestling unwilling specimens onto his lab tables, it was obvious that his latest target would not go down so easily if the way that Hojo kept dodging its blows were any indication.

Sephiroth felt the temptation to let the good doctor suffer at the hands of what had been no doubt his next specimen. However, if he didn't help out the madman and the specimen was defeated Hojo would no doubt make his lab visits extra painful… reluctantly, he stepped up and blocked the blade that had been headed for Hojo. The room stilled, and Sephiroth could finally see what, or rather who had caused such chaos.

The first thing he noticed was the sword. While he could feel the solid edge of it pressing against the much longer Masamune, the blade itself appeared to be made of pure light. Second, the golden armor of an unfamiliar design, which was also glowing. If he was a betting man, the armor was much stronger than its flimsy appearance suggested. Finally, he saw the person's face… and was stunned. While her hair shone with golden light, her eyes were unmistakable. It couldn't be…

"Sephiroth?" whispered Katlyn Lune with shock.

"HA! Pay up!" shouted Typhoon gleefully.

As he dug into his pocket for Materia, Ramuh grumbled his displeasure.

A/N: Yeah, not so happy with the ending... however, anything else I came up with was worse, so I'll just leave it.