The fire Cloud had started to destroy the woman began to spread. The ceiling and walls caught fire, but not the floor. Cloud drifted in and out of consciousness. His head spun and vision blurry. He couldn't make out any distinctive details whenever he opened them. So he kept them closed.

At one point the heat was too much. Somehow he found the strength to crawl. Cloud could still sense her presence as she continued her attempt to take control over him. With nowhere to escape the smoke swirled around inside the reactor. Cloud coughed as he slowly became more aware of his need to escape.

He made it to the doorway onto the stairs that lead to the room of contained monsters. It was then Cloud lost his remaining strength. He laid there, dizzy from the smoke and her power as she took advantage of his despair. As she did so he saw flashes of her memories and finally learned her name.

Jenova. The calamity of an alien species that crashed onto the planet. She invaded an Ancient and took control of her. Then she sought the destruction of the world. Her plan didn't work and she ended up locked away, not fully dead but unable to move.

Then Hojo discovered her. From there were a string of events leading to Sephiroth's birth. She had watched Dr. Lucretia Crescent's love affair, then breaking it off. Her pregnancy. Her disappearance as Jenova attempted to take control of her, just as she was doing now with him.

I need to move. Cloud opened his eyes. It was so hard to breathe. He weakly coughed, but it only made it worse.

As he continued to see her memories he grew confused. He couldn't tell if he was her, or if she was him. There didn't seem to be any difference anymore. Why was he fighting again? Who was he? Or she? Confusion swept through as he/she tried to figure out which and who they were.

No time to waste. Must escape. But how? This body wouldn't move. The lungs and throat burned from the heavy smoke. Eyes watered but did little help to ease the stinging pain. There was little hope. They could sense Sephiroth's approach, but he wouldn't make it in time. Therefore there was nothing to do but accept the end was here.

Suddenly arms held him in a gentle embrace. In that moment he had a moment of clarity and remembered who he was. The change of gravity almost made Cloud throw up. He groaned and instead leaned his face into the uniform. It smelled different. Not like Zack or Sephiroth. For some reason this didn't make him panic.

Soon they were outside of the reactor. Relief filled Cloud as he finally breathed fresh air. Finally he was safe. He almost surrendered to slumber.

"Hey. Stay awake. You must fight her off." A voice encouraged.

Huh? Who is this? Cloud didn't recognize the voice. And yet it was strangely familiar. It was a struggle to open his eyes. But he caught sight of greying hair and pale eyes.

Genesis?

"I would appreciate it if you return him to me." Sephiroth appeared, voice dark. His presence made Cloud want to go to him. He wiggled in the embrace that held him. But his strength was still greatly diminished after destroying Jenova's first host.

"I don't think so." Genesis spread his wing out.

What was going on? Why wouldn't Genesis hand me over? Cloud was too much in a daze to think. He had given up trying to reunite with Sephiroth when he began to drift in and out of consciousness. It was difficult to keep track of what was happening around them.

Another figure appeared. Cloud recognized the mayor's voice. In an instant he was cut down by Sephiroth. With the distraction Genesis took flight. Afraid of falling Cloud hung onto the rogue Ex-SOLDIER. However before they got too far Sephiroth casted a Blizzard. It was a successful hit.

Genesis almost crashed, but just seconds before impact he managed to frantically use his wing to steady them. It worked twice as hard as they ascended. Cloud could distantly hear Zack's voice as he confronted the general.

The next few moments were a blur to Cloud. One minute they narrowly escaped Sephiroth and flying through the air. The next they were crashing through a roof. The ice spell had frozen the black wing and they fell.

The speed at which they fell made them fall through the roof. The floorboards shuddered upon impact. Then with a resounding crack the floor gave way under them. Cloud barely had time to react as they fell again. This time they landed in the basement. Genesis crash landed on one of the coffins to soften his landing, with Cloud crossing over his stomach.

"You're welcome," Genesis groaned in pain. It was hard to tell if he was sarcastic or really was being an outright bastard.

The last thing Cloud remembered was a golden claw reaching upwards from inside the coffin.

xXx

Vincent had a difficult time processing the sight before him. He had pushed through the remaining top of his coffin and thus the invading bodies fell to the floor with a groan and thump. One of them was still miraculously awake.

With silent movements Vincent leaped out of what was once his resting space. He turned to study the two bodies that made an unfortunate crash landing. A blonde SOLDIER, either Third or Second Class, and a First Class with a crimson leather coat. Attached to his left shoulder was a long, black wing.

Something was wrong with this SOLDIER. His hair color was almost depleted. Eyes pale and almost the color of one after someone died. Those pale eyes blinked up at him with confusion. Over the pair of them the remnants of an ice spell was still in effect.

"Who are you?" The crimson warrior gasped out.

"... I should be asking you the same." He was hesitant to give out his name. He had no idea how much time had passed.

"Genesis Rhapsodos, if that means anything to you."

"Not really." Vincent admitted. He motioned to the blonde. "And him?"

"I have no idea. I only saved him from the reactor. Then we tried to escape Sephiroth." The spell was beginning to lose its effect and Genesis slowly sat up, gently rolling the unconscious SOLDIER into his lap.

Sephiroth? Vincent pondered at the name. It couldn't be a coincidence.

"Why would you escape?" He inquired.

"He lost his mind to her. Jenova. This one, destroyed her body." Genesis pointed at the blonde. "Now she's trying to control him as host. I think. Not entirely positive on that theory."

This was certainly disturbing news. Vincent watched as the wing gently flapped the remaining ice off the feathers. After admiring the feathered appendage Vincent studied the other young man's face.

He destroyed her? He had his doubts, but he was impressed all the same.

Suddenly Genesis jerked. He looked upwards as fear took over his face. Then he turned to Vincent.

"Please, can you help me? If we let them reunite, she will have his body as a new host. I can't bring myself to see that happen."

He had the same cells as Sephiroth and the boy. Yet he was dying slowly. It was as if the cells connected them in such a way to that of a hive. And Vincent didn't like the idea of the Queen Bee emerging and fully functional. But there was a catch.

"First, tell me something."

"What is it you wish?" Genesis caught on.

"Is Hojo still alive?"

"Tch. That old man isn't willing to kick the bucket yet. Why, got a score to settle with him? If so, I can help you with that. It might take some time, though. If I survive from my body dying."

"... Then you have yourself a deal."