When Sherry and Genesis finally made it into the room with the others, they were greeted with an awkward silence. Zack was staring at Vincent with open interest, while the other teens were trying not to look embarrassed by standing next to him. Veld looked like he had no idea what to say to the man he had thought dead for two decades, and Sephiroth didn't seem to be faring any better. Especially not after he got a good look at Vincent's face and understood very well what Sherry meant when she said they looked alike. Angeal and Tseng were the only ones that weren't staring at the ex-Turk, but the former did give Genesis a hard look when they walked back in. All-in-all, it was like walking into a minefield.
Sherry nearly groaned as her analogy hit too close to home when Veld pinned her with a glare. "You. I have so many questions, and there will be no more deflections."
Genesis practically growled next to her, but Vincent spoke up with a frown. "I agree. We were interrupted before you were able to explain anything. How did you even know where to find me? Or what happened to me? Or who I am?"
Veld looked at Vincent with thinly veiled horror at all the things that had changed and the one thing that hadn't, his visible age, before he looked back at Sherry pointedly. "All excellent questions, among others. I was finally able to piece together why Commander Hewley was so pissed, and that adds one more layer, so you both will sit right there and explain this all."
For once, Sherry was just as irritated as Genesis. She shook her head at his imperious tone and glared right back. "Why should we bother? It isn't as though you have made a secret of the fact that you really don't believe us. Why should we tell you everything just so you can deride us more and waste our time? We don't have much of it left."
Genesis pulled her back when Veld took a threatening step forward. They stood staring daggers at each other for several seconds before Genesis shocked several of them when he pulled something out of an inner pocket of his duster and handed it to Veld with a warning. "Do not rip a single page. That is the only copy printed on Gaia."
Veld took the book with a sneer, but he flipped it open curiously. It was no secret that the Commander was a literature fanatic. Why the fiery man felt the book was relevant was the question. Veld had his answer soon enough. His head shot up, and he pinned them both with a shocked look. "What is this supposed to be? 2019? How?"
Sherry sighed and shook her head at her husband before she answered. "The publication date is December 2019 because it was published on another planet, Earth, where I am from. The timeline there is different than the one here on Gaia."
Several gasps were heard around the room, and Zack's 'wow' was heard above them all. Veld had looked back down at the book before he looked back at her. "Wilson?"
She gave him a longsuffering look. "It's called a maiden name. I was Sherry Wilson before we married. That was my second book."
Vincent broke into the conversation. "I find it hard to believe you are from another planet, but even if that were so, that does not explain how you knew anything."
She took a deep breath and shook her head. "You're right. I suppose Genesis was trying to offer tangible proof of the story we have to tell. If you want it all, then you need to settle in. It's long and ugly, and it's going to take us the rest of the evening without interruptions."
Veld tilted his head slightly as he handed the book back to Genesis. Once he had it tucked back into its spot, he led her to a seat and pulled her down next to him. They shared a look. It was something they had discussed a few times, whether they would share the whole story, possible future, and all if they had to. Neither of them wanted their friends to know what might have been, not now, but they did deserve to know that they weren't being lied to. If they felt they were keeping things from them, then it would be even harder for them to accept what needed to be done. It was a fine line for them to walk. Still, it was a line Sherry had some experience with already. Genesis kissed her temple, and she smiled up at him before they turned to the rest of the room and launched into the tale of how they met and the others that had changed their lives forever.
It was well after dark by the time they finished. Sherry had managed to tell them who had shown up and vague reasons why. She refused to explain more than that because it was part of a future that would never come to pass now, and she told them as much. They didn't like it, but she was thankful they didn't press more. It was harder for her to explain her knowledge, but she managed to explain that some sort of connection existed that allowed the tales to pass to her world, and she just happened to be the one chosen. She wasn't sure why, but Genesis insisted it was more for her personal strengths and less for her knowledge.
By the time it was all said and done, both Zack and Cloud had several sets of eyes on them, and they were both sitting there slack-jawed. Especially Cloud. He now understood why they had followed him, but it still didn't make sense. He wondered if they were all crazy, but the rest of the group seemed to be at least considering it. It was nuts. Tifa was sitting beside him and looking at him like she didn't know him, which wasn't really untrue. They were barely acquaintances, but he hoped they could be more. He tried to ignore the looks she was giving him as he refocused on the rest of the group as the man with the gun-arm started pacing and talking again.
"You were right. I don't believe a damn word of that. I do believe you are an author, as that was the best damn fantasy tale I've ever heard, but now you will explain how you know all of the information about Shinra and Vincent. Who told you?"
Much to everyone's shock, it was Angeal that stood with a tired sigh. "Veld, she can't use materia."
Tseng spoke from the corner. "Nonsense. I have seen her use magic. She is on par with Commander Rhapsodos."
Angeal shook his head, but it was Sherry that spoke. "No, he's right. I can't use materia. That doesn't mean I can't use magic. You forget that I am a l'cie. That means I have magic inherently. I believe that because I have magic of my own that the materia won't work for me."
Sherry held his eyes and pushed back her sleeves so he could see she had no accessories on before she turned out her pockets. His eyes widened when he realized she was giving him a visual reminder that she had no materia on her person before she smirked and froze his shoes in place. "I am sure you have heard Genesis say that I am never weaponless. Did you never wonder what he meant?"
Veld's face turned to a blank mask as he gestured downward. "Do you mind?"
Sherry's smirk widened slightly as she snapped, and the ice around his feet shattered. The Turk director frowned. "Tell me again how the two of you haven't killed each other? You're far too much alike."
Sherry shot him a mischievous look. "Do you really want me to answer that? There are children in the room, after all."
Veld's glare did not improve at her verbal jab, and Genesis did not sound amused either. Vincent was the first to speak. "As improbable as it sounds, I have seen enough to at least consider the truth of the tale I have heard. That doesn't explain why you sought me out,"
Sherry's face lost all mirth, and she walked until she was right in front of him. She wanted to reach out to him but stopped herself for several reasons, not the least of which was the fact that he might shoot her. She still gave him a warm look. "I told you why. Nothing more, nothing less. You may not feel it, but you are needed."
His eyes flashed, and his voice lowered to the point that she had to strain to hear him. "You believe there is a deeper connection between us, don't you?"
Sherry sighed. "I don't know. That is something only a blood test would be able to confirm. What I do know is that the two of you have something in common, or rather someone. Someone else that feels guilt and has locked themselves up because they didn't see a way to stop the madness."
His eyes widened, and Sherry nodded. "Lucrecia is still alive, but when she couldn't stop Hojo or keep him from taking Sephiroth, she tried to kill herself. The Jenova cells in her body would not let her die. She then put herself in stasis. She is locked in crystal somewhere behind a waterfall on this continent. All I know is that, as the crow flies, it is somewhere between here and the desert."
Sephiroth had joined them by that point. "My mother is alive?"
Sherry nodded. "Yes, and that is something the two of you can discuss, but that is only one reason I sought you out. I told you. You have seen enough; you know enough about what has gone on behind the scenes that need to be changed, and you have the means to help those that can make it happen. If you feel enough to be guilty, then stop moping and do something about it. Make changes."
Vincent was glaring at her, but she didn't back down, not even when Genesis tried to pull her away from the glaring man. She continued as though neither man was angry. "Look, you may think I'm being harsh, that I couldn't possibly understand, but you're wrong! I'm not saying this to hurt you. I know how it feels to lose everything, everyone you love. I have lost my family, my childhood, my innocence was stolen. But not once did I ever have the chance to give up and walk away. Not even now. I know what will happen when I go to that reactor, and I will not stop. Don't think that I am pushing you just because I'm ignorant of how hard it is for you."
Vincent's scowl had turned to confusion as Genesis wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back. She had started to cry as she was no longer able to keep back the memories of everyone she lost. The mask of merriment she wore daily was cracking, and the pain was shining through. The depth of it shocked all that saw it before Genesis turned her and pulled her head down.
He looked across at Veld. "We are done talking tonight. Period."
No one even bothered to argue when Genesis picked his wife up and carried her out to find a room they could share for the night. Once they were gone, the rest looked around, and Veld sighed. "It is late. We might as well get some rest. Why don't you all go home and I will contact you when we are ready to go to the reactor. The rest of you can find a place here to sleep. There should be plenty of rooms."
The two locals took the opportunity to jump up and rush out. They didn't even make it to the door before Sephiroth called out. "Cloud." The boy froze in his tracks and turned slowly while trying not to scrunch his shoulders. Sephiroth ignored his obvious hesitancy. "Make sure you are back here by 08:00. I am aware we are busy, but it would be prudent to make sure you are with us if we need to leave quickly. Make sure to bring your things and let your family know you will be leaving as well."
Tifa looked at Cloud with wide eyes, and he managed to give the General a salute. "Yes, sir. I'll see you all tomorrow." The boy turned and followed the girl out, still trying to make sense of the day. His dreams were all coming true, and now he wasn't sure if he wanted them to. The Soldiers were obviously nuts. Still, the look Tifa shot him held more than a little awe, and he squared his shoulders as he waved her goodnight and told her that he would see her the next day. He just hoped his mom understood too.
The next morning found the group, minus Tifa, once again gathered in the same room. They were subdued as they trickled in, and Sherry and Genesis were the last ones to enter. Neither of them looked as though they had slept much the night before. Not that the rest of the group looked well-rested either.
Cloud was huddled with Zack and Aerith, and they all looked miserable. After having the night to think about everything, the two oldest teens realized what was coming and were not looking forward to saying goodbye, even if it was for different reasons. Zack wasn't too fond of Genesis, but he knew Angeal was. Aerith was going to miss Sherry. As for Cloud, he already missed his mom, even though he wasn't gone yet. At least she had given him a cheery send-off that morning.
Angeal was still scowling when the couple came in, but silence reigned until Veld finally broke it. "I have had time to consider your words, and honestly, I see no reason for you to lie. You haven't asked us to do anything. Your purpose in coming wasn't primarily for Vincent even, you just took advantage of the location while you were here. The only reason you're here is to go to that reactor, isn't it?"
Sherry gave him a haunted look that reminded him uncomfortably of the one from the night before. She managed a ghost of her usual smile. "Glad we got that out of the way. Can we get ready to go then?"
Angeal stood swiftly and nearly shouted. "Absolutely not! Neither of you is going to go up there and throw your lives away!"
Sherry stood as well but managed to keep her shout behind her teeth. She took a few deep breaths that were helped when Genesis stood next to her. She finally shook her head and gave Angeal a sad look. "We aren't trying to throw our lives away. Our lives have not been our own from the moment we were marked. We have two choices. You have two choices. We can either go to the reactor to fulfill our focus, and you can let us, or you can force us to stay here, and we become c'eith. If that happens, you will have to kill us. I know you don't want that."
Angeal growled and shook his head. "There has to be another way."
Genesis laughed bitterly. "Do you think I have not looked? Did you think I did not ask the goddess myself?"
The bear of a commander crossed his arms and turned away. It was several seconds before he turned back with a pleading expression. "Surely, it would not hurt to at least take some time and try to look for another way."
Sherry sighed and shook her head. She turned to her husband. "Genesis, have you checked your brand since we got to Nibelheim?"
His eyes widened. Her tone held resignation, and his hand shot out and grabbed her arm. He pushed up her sleeve so he could see where her brand was nearly a third of the way open already. His eyes shot to hers. "It wasn't like this in Banora."
She shook her head with glistening eyes. "No, it started progressing rapidly as soon as we got here. I've been paranoid about checking it ever since I woke up. Call it not wanting to get burned again."
He dropped her hand and checked his own. He gave her a worried look when he saw that it was nearly identical. His voice was low. "What does this mean?"
She looked over to Angeal when she answered. "It means that we might have two, maybe three days, if we're lucky." She grabbed Genesis' hand and squeezed before she looked back at Angeal. "Don't think this is easy for us. Going back to that crystal sleep terrifies me, but the thought of becoming c'eith scares me more. The thought of Genesis becoming c'eith petrifies me to my bones. I can't let that happen."
She was interrupted when Aerith ran over and wrapped her in a crushing hug. The girl was crying, and Sherry could hardly understand her. "I don't know why the planet would do this to you."
Sherry patted her hair and tried to console her. "It's alright. Sometimes these things don't make sense to us, but there is a plan. I can't say I get it, but I can say that I found the man I love because of how this started. I can't regret it. I have to see the good. I can't focus on the bad. You shouldn't either."
Angeal's eyes softened as he realized the woman was right. Even if they couldn't change their fate, they had accepted it, and focusing on the negativity during their last moments was not a good thing. He smiled as he watched his best friend practically glow at his wife's words. If nothing else, he was happy to see that. Satisfied that his friend had found a woman that could stand beside him.
He put his hand on Genesis' shoulder. "I won't stop you, but if you think the two of you are going alone, you're crazy."
Genesis smirked, and Sherry laughed wetly as she extricated herself from Aerith. They both gave him a nod as Veld and Sephiroth joined them. The General was frowning. "From what we have already been told, it would be best to expect the unexpected. Just because we are protected from her influence does not mean she will be unprotected. It would be wise to go as a team."
Veld nodded. "Besides, I want to see this first-hand. Tseng and I will both go as well."
Sherry rolled her eyes at him but laughed when Zack piped up. "You're not leaving me."
Angeal pinned him with a mock glare. "No, I doubt we could." Zack just grinned at him.
Sephiroth then turned to Vincent, as he had been quietly watching from the corner. "And what of you?"
The ex-Turk raised a brow. "I'm up already. I might as well see how much of their story is true before I decide what do next."
At Vincent's answer, Sephiroth turned to Cloud. "Cadet, you would be the quickest as you know where she lives, please retrieve Miss Lockhart and meet us at the head of the trail. Be prepared for the hike to the reactor and back."
Cloud jumped to attention at being called cadet and flushed, but saluted smartly before he rushed to do as he was told. Genesis raised a brow at the General. "Cadet?"
Sephiroth looked over at them both, his eyes lingered a little on Sherry before he answered Genesis. "I may not have seen what you did, but despite his cringing and blushing, it takes determination to face us. It may be buried, but I believe that if tempered correctly, the warrior you saw can be found once more. I will find him."
Genesis gave Sephiroth a curt nod. "Then I will leave First Tsurgi in your care until it can be passed on." That was all that was said as they headed out.
Sherry grabbed Sephiroth's attention as the rest were leaving. She didn't say anything as she held out a thick manilla envelope. When he eyed it curiously, she shrugged. "Just promise you'll read through it before you return to Midgar. It's from both of us."
He raised a brow, and she chuckled. "Don't give me that look. You can't expect him to change overnight just because his life is on the line."
Sephiroth gave her a sad smile and nodded. "You have my word." With that, they both turned to follow the rest to wait for the two teens.
It was a quiet trip up the mountain that was barely disturbed by the occasional monster attack. The Soldiers had everything dealt with before it got close to the others, so there was little to worry about. Not that there were many of them. It seemed even the beasts felt the pall surrounding the group and kept their distance.
Before they took the last turn into the clearing around the reactor, Sephiroth took the lead with Genesis and Angeal. He felt it was better to be safe. A fact that turned out to be for the best when the group followed the trio into a scene from a nightmare. The man-made valley seemed to be filled with gleaming bodies that all turned to them with malice as soon as they entered. The Soldiers immediately took up arms and called out orders to get the teens back.
Veld and Tseng corralled the two girls and Cloud and tried to grab Sherry as well. She glared at them before she called on Phoenix and was out of their grasp before they could do much about it. Neither man had seen that particular stunt before but pushed aside their awe. Now wasn't the time.
Sherry managed to blast a wide enough hole in the front lines with Genesis' help that she was able to land and rush to their side before they were swarmed again. Despite the incoming monsters, she was close enough that they could hear her yelling over the din.
"These things, they were once men. Hojo has had them steeping in mako in the reactor for god knows how long. From the looks of it, the mako must have had Jenova cells too. She has to be using them to protect herself. We need to make a path for Genesis and me to get inside. If we can take her out, then they should become dormant, or at least mindless. You can then- you can put them out of their misery." She hadn't missed the way all three men tensed at her words, but they needed to know what they were facing.
Thankfully, they were all seasoned warriors, and Sephiroth nodded without looking back. "We will clear a path."
He did glance back at that point, and his expression was torn. He still nodded before he turned back. Angeal grabbed Genesis as they rushed passed. They two friends shared an emotional look before they parted, and Genesis threw an explosive blast that threw several monsters off their feet and allowed him to drag Sherry closer to the reactor. Sephiroth and Angeal both closed ranks behind them and tried to garner the attention of as many of the things as they could. Between Sherry and Genesis, it was not difficult to blast their way through the ranks as they ran to the towering structure.
Once they were inside, the noise dimmed to a distance buzz as Genesis led her unerringly toward the center. Even though he did not know what they were looking for, he was familiar with the layout of a typical reactor and knew where to go when she told him to find the middle.
It was not long at all before they found themselves in a room full of empty pods. Genesis looked around with a noise of disgust. "This was where they were from?"
Sherry nodded and pointed upward. "Yes, and she is behind that door. It may not be easy to get through."
Genesis glared at her before he held out his left arm and let his eidolith come out. He crushed it in his hand, and as soon as Alexander was next to them, he pointed to the door. The eidolon roared before he made short work of the metal barrier and part of the wall around it.
Sherry smirked up at him. "You never do anything by halves, do you, love."
He returned her smirk with one of his own, but it faded quickly. "Let us finish this."
She nodded and followed him into the room. They both looked up at the angelic-looking structure with disgust. Despite their desire to complete their focus, they both hesitated. They knew once they were done, that would be it. It was bittersweet. Especially as they had not been allowed to say a proper goodbye. Still, it had to be done, and those same friends were depending on them to complete this task so they would not be overrun.
Genesis looked down at his wife. "Ready?"
She nodded back. "As ever."
They turned together, and Sherry summoned Phoenix again while Genesis had Alexander demolish the offensive effigy. Once the monster was exposed, the couple faced each other, and Genesis clasped Sherry's right hand with his left. The couple nodded to each other before they turned to the tank and gave their eidolons the command to smash the enclosure and incinerate anything that leaked out. Nothing could make it into the mako below.
Sherry and Genesis were standing face to face with one hand up, ready for their nemesis to be exposed. As soon as part of the tank fell away, they both let a go of a jet of flame that progressively got hotter. The being inside the tank was obscured by the white-hot flames as the whole room seemed to shake around them. They ignored the debris that fell to splash loudly below them. As long as it was nothing from inside the ball of fire they had created, it didn't matter.
They both grimaced as the heat blasted back at them. The mako inside the tank had finally exploded and tossed the top to the side violently. Alexander shot it from the air, and Genesis pulled Sherry closer to him and to the side to avoid the falling debris. Phoenix managed to throw up a barrier of fire between the two of them and the rest of the room that only had an opening large enough for them to continue to pour their energy into demolishing what was left of the entity that had haunted Gaia for far too long.
They could both feel their energy draining, but by the time they had to allow their eidolons to disappear and their hands to drop, the flames were enough to continue on their own. They watched in silence as their eidoliths floated back down and to their respective partners. It was several minutes later that the flames died down enough for them to see that there was nothing left of the being that had once been known as Jenova. The flames that were still licking against the sides of the blackened and cracked tank were barely being fed by the remains of the tiniest bit of mako in the bottom and would soon die out as well. All that was left was the ash that was floating down and coating everything in the room like filthy snow. A grim visual of the taint that she had once been.
Genesis loosened his hold on his wife, but only enough to look down into her eyes. He cupped her cheek with the hand that was not on her waist. "Does this mean our focus is complete?"
Sherry's hand had already gone to his waist as well, and she covered his hand with hers as she nodded. "It is."
Genesis took a deep breath. "I lo-"
He was interrupted by shouts from the outer room. The two lovers turned their heads as Sherry's hand dropped to Genesis' waist. His only dropped to her shoulder as they saw their friends rush in. Neither of them was allowed to tell them to be careful. None of them were prepared for what they saw next.
The mako that was slumbering in the depths of the reactor suddenly surged as an unseen wind started to swirl around the two that were still holding each other tightly. They looked back to each other with wide eyes, but it quickly turned to resignation, and those that knew them could also see love.
Zack pulled Aerith back as the mako got pulled into the wind, and the whole thing seemed to pick them both up. The process was beautiful and terrifying to watch for the group below as their friends were lifted on a column of the lifestream that solidified into spikes of sparkling crystal. By the time everything settled, the room that was only moments before coated in the grim remnants of a monster was now a sparkling memorial dominated by the couple that was immortalized in each other's arms. Even as statues it was clear to see the love they shared as they gazed at each other.
The sound of Aerith softly weeping into Zack's shoulder was the only thing to break the silence for a long time. Not even Veld was heartless enough to think to tear the rest of them away. He now had a lot to think about, as did Vincent.
Cloud and Tifa still felt like outsiders, but they both realized that life was never going to be the same. Not for either of them. They had a feeling this signaled a change for the whole planet. At least Cloud knew he no longer had to be a bystander. That made him lift his head and look at the General's back with a determined glint. He might not know about the stories he heard, but he did know that he wasn't going to let anything happen to his village or his mother.
As for Angeal and Sephiroth, they both stared at the beautiful statue in silence. Neither could find the words to express how they felt. Not even Angeal. He had hoped they would have been able to make it before this happened. Hell, he had hoped it was a bad joke, some sort of misunderstanding. The only thing that kept him on his feet was the fact that he remembered Genesis saying this was Sherry's second focus. Perhaps this would not be the last time he saw his friend.
Finally, he clapped Sephiroth on the shoulder. "We've done all we can here. Let's get back. I think there is a lot more we need to do still."
Sephiroth nodded absently as he put a hand over the envelope inside his jacket. Yes, there were still many things that they needed to go over. He paused and looked back once more and felt a pang as he realized he lost more than one friend that day, but he had at least gained the knowledge that perhaps it wasn't as impossible for him to make friends as he was once led to believe. He turned to follow the rest of the silent group back down the mountain, vowing that this would not be the last time he came to visit this place.
A/N: First, I would like to thank Gennavain - Thank you! I'm sorry things are bad, but I'm glad I could help. You really made my day too! Now, onto the rest of the AN, I know this may not be what you were expecting, but this is NOT the last chapter. There is one more that will tie up loose ends, and we actually get to see Sherry and Genesis once more, so don't fear it's all over. I told you it might be unconventional, but it would be beautiful, and that's still the goal. Thank you all for reading!