Chapter 28: The One to Tame WEAPON
"What the hell is this?!"
Sephiroth's eyes shot open as he bolted upright into a sitting position. Next to him, Aeris lay awake, frozen in fear.
Vincent stood at the foot of the bed, his arms crossed and looking extremely irritated.
"I've spent the better part of an hour trying to find you and it's in her bed?! While the girl has a life-threatening illness?"
"Nothing happened, Vincent!" Aeris protested weakly, "I think Sephy just fell asleep next to me..."
"While embracing you?" Vincent shot back.
"I...!" Aeris couldn't even respond to that.
"...And I'm not in the mood to hear any stories about evil goblins being responsible for this scenario either," Vincent told Aeris pointedly, "I know your attempts to lie are often outlandish, to say the least."
Aeris bristled at that comment. She may have been a weak liar, but she hadn't attempted to tell a wild whopper like that since she was eleven.
"Leave her alone, Vincent," Sephiroth said as he stood up, "You'll notice I was outside of the covers while she was under them. I do have boundaries when my mind is in the right place."
"What the hell is going on between the two of you?" Vincent asked, "Don't tell me you two were sleeping together while the rest of us were climbing the Great Glacier..."
Aeris let out a mortified squeak as she pulled the covers over her head.
"I assure you that isn't the case," Sephiroth argued, getting irritated himself.
"All we did was kiss!" Aeris confessed from underneath her blanket.
Vincent's eyes widened uncharacteristically for a moment before he recovered and glanced at Sephiroth, awaiting either denial or confirmation.
"...It's true," the Seraph hybrid said finally.
"...You two..." Vincent said scowling, "...have feelings for one another now?"
Aeris finally pulled the covers down, gasping for breath.
"...For better or for worse," Sephiroth admitted as he glanced at her with a smirk on his face.
"Why not?" Reno whined, not for the first time.
"I already told you," Medea said firmly, "The medicine hasn't been tested on pure-blooded humans. It was risky enough using it on Aeris with her being half-human."
"So test it on me when Jenova's dead!" Reno begged the Seraph woman, "Aeris looked like she was having the time of her life on that stuff!"
Tseng went up to them. "No, Reno," he told the younger Turk.
Reno grumbled as he walked away.
The front door opened and Rufus walked in, rubbing his back and wincing.
"Morning, chief," Reno greeted the new president, "Ready to find the last WEAPON and kill Jenova?"
Rufus shook his head. "Count me out," he said, "Headquarters is probably in utter chaos right now. I probably should have headed back there last night now that I think about it,"
"You all right, sir?" Reno asked, "You keep rubbing your back."
Jessie walked into the room just as Reno was asking that question. She then began coughing violently as she hurried away.
"Must've slept weird," Rufus lied. Never again, on a hard floor…
Tseng walked up to Rufus and Reno. "Sir," he said, "Do you think headquarters is managing to keep things under control?"
"Of course," Rufus answered, "I've already taken steps to having Scarlet and Heidegger removed, as they're the ones most likely to cause trouble now that the old man is dead. Veld is keeping the Turks in line, and Reeve is currently acting president until I return."
"A guy like Reeve as acting president, sir?" Reno asked dubiously, "Isn't he kind of a wuss to be in charge?"
"Don't underestimate him," Rufus said with a smirk, "He's way too smart to let anything get past him."
"Hey, it's the man with the plan!" Reno exclaimed as Vincent and Sephiroth walked into the room, "So we gotta hike through the snow again or what?"
"Cid will be giving us a lift to Holzoff's place," Vincent informed him, "I think it would also be a good idea for all of us to go, save for Aeris and Reidmar."
"And the chief," Reno indicated Rufus.
"I thought as much," Vincent acknowledged, "I'm sure Midgar needs you right now."
"I suppose this means that my journey ends as well," said Tseng, "I can't let the new president travel back to Midgar alone."
Vincent nodded in understanding.
"What about you, Reno?" Tseng asked.
Reno shook his head. "Hell no! I'm sticking around here! Sephiroth hogged all the fun with the last WEAPON we went up against. I wanna get another chance to kick some serious monster ass! Think I might be getting addicted!"
"Shall we get ready, sir?" Tseng asked.
Rufus nodded. "Let's go."
"You hear…don't you?" Aeris asked Reidmar as he took the remains of her breakfast away.
"I don't," Reidmar said ruefully, "The Planet has shut me off. It's a miracle it still speaks to you."
"It says I can still make things right," Aeris said half to herself, "That's what I gathered from all it said. But make things right how? It never can make itself clear!"
"I understand your frustration, little girl," Reidmar told her, "But you have to understand something. Planets are all like that. They're not like the rational, sentient life forms that inhabit them. They're unable to articulate properly. They lack the brains we have to do so. All we can do is maintain awareness of their basic needs, and tend to them so that we can continue to enjoy their greatest gift: life. Fortunately, the needs of a living planet are fairly simple. This kind of terrestrial abuse is rare, to tell you the truth."
"But it had to be my home that experienced it," Aeris sighed.
"It sounds as if things will be over soon, though," Reidmar reassured her, "The man behind the abuse is dead, and his son wants to rectify things. I'm confident that your friends can handle Jenova, and I trust that whatever you did with that white materia will take care of Meteor."
"They'll have to hike past Gaea's Cliff again," Aeris said absently, "So they'll send part of the group away."
"Actually, Cloud, Tifa and Jessie will be coming along this time," Reidmar told her, "All three of them managed to surprise everyone with how well they handled Ruby WEAPON, so Vincent offered them the chance to fight, which they all accepted."
Aeris smiled and nodded.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Reidmar asked.
Aeris shook her head. "I'm good," she said, "I guess I'll just take another nap. Though…if Sephiroth wants to see me…it's okay if he comes in and wakes me up."
Reidmar smiled in understanding. "Why don't I just go get him now so you can spend time together before he leaves?"
Aeris' eyes lit up. "Thanks, Reidmar. You're taking this better than Vincent did."
"I'll be downstairs with everyone else if you guys need me," Reidmar said as he winked at her, "You two behave, though. You're not in any shape to be walking, let alone anything else, if you know what I mean…"
"Reidmar!" Aeris' eyes widened in a mixture of horror and embarrassment before she slid completely under the covers.
The older Cetra chuckled as he left the room, just as Jessie entered.
"Not stoned, are you?" the computer guru teased.
Aeris giggled as her head peaked out from her blanket. "My reputation's ruined, isn't it?"
"Well, once you get better everyone else'll probably tease you a bit," Jessie admitted, "I guess with you still being sick, it's not really funny...yet."
The two girls inevitably dissolved into giggles.
"You seem a lot better," Aeris remarked, "How are you dealing with...things?"
"I don't have to!" Jessie announced happily, "I found out all that crap about those employees being killed was complete crap made up by Shinra's publicists. I didn't commit manslaughter like I thought..."
At least not that time...she thought, reminding herself that her only kill was in self-defense.
"But you've got something else on your mind," Aeris noted, peering curiously at her friend.
"I'll tell you once you're better," Jessie promised, "It's a bit surreal. I don't want the shock to kill you..."
Aeris burst out laughing again. "That bad?"
"Just get better, all right?" Jessie said sincerely, "Don't die on me, okay?"
"Look who's talking!" Aeris half-joked, "I heard you're going to help fight Jenova. Don't get yourself killed, alright?"
"Tell you what," Jessie suggested, "Let's make a pact: neither of us is going to die, at least not until we're old and senile. Sound fair?"
Aeris nodded. "Definitely. Should we shake on it?"
Jessie held out her hand, which Aeris accepted.
"Sorry my hand's so sweaty," Aeris said sheepishly.
"No dying?" Jessie asked.
"No dying," Aeris promised.
"Any idea of what you plan to say to the public, sir?" Tseng asked as he and Reno helped load Rufus' things into the small airplane.
"That the days of currying favor and elitism are over," Rufus answered, "There are strong, capable, honest people in this world. It's time to let them have their day in the sun, so that things can finally get done right."
"Does that mean we're getting raises, sir?" Reno asked hopefully.
Rufus raised an eyebrow. "On top of the bonuses I promised you two and the soldiers? Dream on. You'll be eligible for higher commissions at the end of the year, just like everyone else. Of course, keep up the stellar work I've seen so far, and the 'eligibility' part will just be a formality."
Reno shrugged. "Fair enough."
"All right," Tseng announced, "Your things are packed. Shall we go, sir?"
Rufus scanned the horizon. "Beautiful day for traveling, isn't it?" he said absently.
He then scowled as he saw something hovering in the air below Meteor.
"Sir?" Reno scowled as well.
The figure in the air gradually became larger and clearer.
"Shit!" Rufus swore, "If that's what I think it is…!"
"That's the last WEAPON!" Reno exclaimed as a big grin appeared on his face, "Oh, YEAH!"
Rufus whirled around to face the Turks. "Do you have materia equipped?" he asked sharply.
"Yeah, chief," Reno held up his nightstick, which held two summoning materia, along with a Comet materia.
Tseng pulled back the sleeve of his jacket, revealing a metal bangle with mastered materia.
"We really got our spells maxed from the fight with Diamond WEAPON," said Reno.
"We've got to warn the others," Rufus said as he instantly took off running.
"It's beautiful," Aeris remarked as she examined the Masamune, "Seph, this sword looks like it was made for you. Wish I had a fancy-pants staff so we could be a matching set."
"Hopefully you won't be too out of practice by the time you recover..."
"What are you thinking about?" Aeris asked after observing the distant look on Sephiroth's face.
"About what Mom and the professor might have said if they'd seen what we did last night. That wasn't exactly a brother-sister kiss. If Vincent had issues, I worry what they'll think."
"The sure have a lot to get used to, huh?"
Sephiroth nodded. "This probably doesn't make things any easier for them."
"After this is over, they're gonna bring Mama and Papa back here," Aeris told him, "I don't even know what I'm going to say to them…it's been so long."
"I'm sure you won't have a problem once you drink your medicine," Sephiroth joked.
Aeris made a face. "I had to beg Medea not to give me that stuff until after you all leave. I can't believe I acted the way I did yesterday. First I scared off Jessie and Tifa, and then I beaned Zack trying to juggle the kiwi he brought me…"
Sephiroth's expression hardened. "He brought you snacks?"
Aeris saw the look on Sephiroth's face and began to giggle. "Is that jealousy I'm sensing from you? What- you think he's gonna seduce me with kiwi?"
The image of Zack feeding Aeris slices of fruit by hand did not bode well with Sephiroth.
Just as Aeris was about to continue teasing Sephiroth, the door swung open and Reidmar burst inside suddenly.
"Ultima WEAPON is approaching quickly," he panted, "Sephiroth, we need you outside. Aeris, I'm going to take you underground where it's safer."
"Seph…?" Aeris looked concerned.
"Don't worry," Sephiroth took her hand and gave it a brief, reassuring squeeze, "If we could take WEAPON out when we all split up, it won't be any problem with us all together."
Reidmar quickly gathered Aeris into his arms, and the three left the room.
"I'm sorry, kid," Reidmar huffed as he carried Aeris toward the lake, "I wouldn't put you through this otherwise."
"I'm not going to die just because you had to carry me for a couple minutes," Aeris answered, slightly irritated.
Reidmar stopped after hearing a low whooshing noise.
"What's wrong?" Aeris asked.
Reidmar looked around. "I hear something," he said quietly.
Aeris then gasped and pointed back toward the path to the outer city. Ultima WEAPON was hovering right above the two of them.
"This…can't possibly be a good thing," Reidmar stated lamely.
"Why won't that thing hold still?" Reno exclaimed as he and everyone else ran toward the lake where the monster had flown off to.
"Oh, shit…!" Jessie said as she saw WEAPON rising above the trees. The first thing she noticed was a familiar figure clad in pink sleepwear, perched on top of the creature's back, clinging tightly.
Sephiroth wasted no time. He shot off into the air, intending to end this once and for all.
"Aeris!" he called out as he approached her.
The young half-Cetra spotted Sephiroth hovering in the air right before her.
WEAPON roared angrily.
"Don't move!" Aeris shouted, "I'm all right! This was the Planet's intention all along!"
Sephiroth stared confusedly at Aeris.
"I guess I'm the only one who can handle WEAPON, since we're both connected to the Planet," Aeris explained.
"You're not in any shape to be taming WEAPON!" Sephiroth protested, "Doesn't the Planet realize that? Do you simply want to sacrifice yourself like your ancestors did?"
"It's not that simple!" Aeris argued.
WEAPON roared again. Aeris began absently patting it on the head.
"Hey, now," she said softly, "It's okay. You've just gotten everyone worried about me is all."
The roaring quieted down to a soft growl.
"Oh wow…" Aeris commented as she looked off into the distance, "When did that end up happening?"
From up in the air, one could easily see the Northern Crater. But what had originally been an invisible energy field was now a bright pink barrier encircling the mouth.
"Guess we have some work to do, huh, big guy?" Aeris said to WEAPON.
Before Sephiroth could say anything, WEAPON flew off, taking Aeris in the direction of the Northern Crater.
"Reidmar!" Medea exclaimed as she ran over to where her husband lay on the ground.
The Cetra groaned and attempted to sit up.
"What happened?" Vincent asked sharply.
"Just flew down…" Reidmar wheezed, "I tried to protect her, but that thing just knocked me into a tree. I think I might have conked out for a minute."
"You're bleeding," Medea told him.
Reidmar held his hand up to his bleeding temple and proceeded to heal the wound without incident.
"Aeris is riding WEAPON as we speak," Vincent told Reidmar.
"So that's what the Planet had in store for her then," Reidmar mused, "It still thinks that she could still make things right after all. My guess is that her ties to this world might allow her to have some control over WEAPON."
"But she's too sick to be riding around like that!" Medea protested, "I had yet to give her the medicine for today! The kind of physical exertion that would be involved in riding that thing might kill her!"
"Where the hell are they going?" Reno asked.
"Wherever it is, I'm sure Sephiroth is following closely behind them," said Vincent, "Let's head back to where Cid's waiting. We might be able to track them down from the Highwind."
"See anything?" Cid asked fifteen minutes later as he and Vincent stood in the cockpit of the giant airship.
Vincent peered through a pair of binoculars. "No. Try heading over to the other side."
Cid expertly steered the aircraft around the barrier.
"I see WEAPON," Vincent announced, "Move in slowly."
"The hell I'm going near that thing!" Cid argued, "I saw what that last WEAPON did to the president's chopper!"
Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light.
"What the hell's going on now?" Cid exclaimed.
The light soon dissipated, revealing a large hole in the giant barrier.
"I think they've already gone inside," said Vincent, "This is our chance, Let's go."
Cid nodded and began to steer the airship toward the opening.