Premonitions II: Crisis Core
Chapter 88: The Great Father
Vincent, Zack, Barret, Yuffie, Red XIII, and Cait Sith stood outside the entrance to Ah-Ma, checking in with their weapons one last time before they departed. They needed to be ready.
Vincent had his Death Penalty.
Zack had his buster sword.
Barret had his gun-arm.
Yuffie had her conformer.
Red XIII had his jaws.
Cait Sith had his mitts.
With nothing further ado, Vincent nodded to everyone. They then began the trek to the ruins. It started by following the wall surrounding Ah-Ma until it curved to the right. And then, the area south of Ah-Ma came into view. A hundred yards away, they could see a strip of the ground lower, and they all realized that it was the beginning of the canyon.
And possibly the beginning of the end as well.
They descended into the canyon, preparing for anything. It began as narrow and only a few feet across; everyone had to march single file. Gradually, it began to widen, and, shortly thereafter, the canyon curved to the right.
"Where are those ruins?" Yuffie asked aloud, already growing impatient.
"Close," Vincent assured her. "They could even be around this bend."
Upon following the curve, everyone gasped in surprise.
They were all amazed at what they saw.
And, for a moment, they all forgot about the ruins.
"Jessie!" the overjoyed Barret exclaimed.
She had her head down, and was still bound to the post.
Barret ran to her, and gave her water from his canteen. He then cut her loose, and helped her to her feet.
Jessie threw her arms around Barret and kissed him, and then began to struggle for breath, as Barret was notoriously a constrictor.
Jessie, no doubt, was happy to see Barret again. But then, her happiness quickly faded.
"You shouldn't have come!" she suddenly said.
"Bullshit," Barret dismissed.
"No," Jessie shook her head, "I was a trap set. You don't know what lies ahead!"
"What's that?" Barret inquired.
"I can't remember," Jessie replied. "I'm sorry."
We're close, thought Vincent. We're really close.
Barret then turned to the other five.
"I think we got our answer," he said.
He then turned back to Jessie, and embraced her again.
"You're alive!" he exclaimed. "We all thought we lost you."
"Me too," she replied. "But there was a cave under the cave. And that's where I met...I...can't remember!"
"Did he have long silver hair?" Yuffie asked.
"I...can't...remember," Jessie repeated.
"I think we'll find out soon enough," Barret observed.
"I say we keep going," Zack insisted, his lust for Sephiroth's blood beginning to build. "Before we lose all our memories."
The march thus resumed. The canyon continued for another mile before curving to the left. Beyond the curve, the path split. One path turned sharply to the right and continued deeper into the canyon. But straight ahead was an arch that was surrounded by columns on each side.
Everyone stopped to behold it. After days of uncertainty, their quest was finally coming to an end.
This had to be it.
"It's the ruins," Zack said aloud.
And then, above the arch, they saw the word that they had been waiting to see: Xenara.
"This is it," Vincent announced.
He turned, and briefly scanned each of his companions.
"Anyone who wants to turn back better do so now," he warned.
Initially, nobody responded.
The answer was quite obvious.
"I think it's safe to say we'll turn back when hell freezes over," Zack finally said.
The six of them then approached Xenara, its arch and outer columns bearing down on them. They slowly passed under the marble arch. And, without looking back, they all went inside.
The first room inside featured a stone path with columns on each side. Beyond each set of columns was a bed of grass which appeared lush and green, despite the biome outside. Slowly, the six travelers descended the marble stairs from the entrance and onto the stone path, all drawing their weapons.
"Be prepared for anything," Vincent warned.
Zack, meanwhile, carefully scanned the room for any signs of Sephiroth. As he failed to find him, he was somewhat relieved.
He did not want to spoil the ruins with Sephiroth's blood.
Vincent was more concerned about smaller enemies and booby traps. After scanning the room carefully, he realized that there were none.
The second room continued the stone path. There were marble pools with clear, pristine water on each side of the path. There were artificial waterfalls on each wall.
As the group descended another small set of marble steps to enter the room, they all kept vigil on the waterfalls, as Sephiroth could easily be hiding behind one of them.
Vincent was scanning the waterfalls for another reason; he was waiting for Lucrecia to appear. He made his way slowly through the chamber, alternating his attention between each side of the room.
No Lucrecia.
No Sephiroth.
Everyone also began to grow suspicious. There were no enemies, and, so far, no Sephiroth.
Perhaps Xenara was truly abandoned.
The third room began with another small set of descending, marble steps. The marble path ended in the middle of the room, as a large square surrounded by columns. There was what appeared to be an altar in the center of the square. Nothing else.
There was nothing apparently there.
For a long time, everyone stood in silence.
Then, Yuffie said it.
"Well, it looks like we've been had," she lamented. "Yet again."
Everyone silently turned around.
Their hopes had been too high.
"Or have we?" Yuffie suddenly blurted out. "Look!"
She pointed to the ceiling.
The ceiling had an opening at one of the columns.
Yuffie ran to the column; it had grooves on one side, allowing anyone to climb it.
"Okay," she said. "Looks like we're going up."
She then started to climb.
"I'll be damned," Barret whispered.
"What?" Jessie whispered back.
"Yuffie saved our asses," he replied.
Everyone quickly followed Yuffie up the column.
The fourth room was filled of marble statues and idols. They appeared to be gods or mythical figures. They were from one end of the room to another, which ended in a doorway with complete darkness beyond it.
Suddenly, Zack drew his buster sword.
"What is it?" Yuffie asked.
"Look!" Zack whispered.
He pointed his buster sword toward one of the statues. It was a statue of Sephiroth, aiming his sword.
"It's just a statue," Vincent said.
"Beautiful, isn't it," commented a familiar voice from behind.
Everyone spun around in unison.
Sephiroth was standing there, armed with his sword.
Each and every traveler armed their weapons.
Sephiroth simply stood there. While his sword was out, it did not seem to be aimed at anyone.
"We've been looking for you," Vincent began.
"Well," Sephiroth replied, "you found me."
"It's one of you and six of us," Barret announced. "I'd give it up if I was you!"
Instead, Sephiroth scanned each and every one of them. He seemed almost confused.
"Who are you?" Sephiroth then inquired.
Yuffie and Zack turned to each other in confusion.
To Vincent, it made much more sense.
"You've lost your memory," he stated.
"I've been relieved of it," Sephiroth replied. "The Great Father has blessed me so much. He allowed me to atone for my sins. Now, I can't even remember them."
Vincent did not like the sound of that. Either Sephiroth was lying so they would let their guard down, or they were in immediate danger of suffering the same fate.
And he knew Sephiroth needed to be kept alive.
"The Great Father is all-wise, all-powerful, and all-loving," Sephiroth continued. "He can bless you as well if you're willing to atone. I can take you to him."
Forget it, Vincent thought. It's too dangerous for us.
And yet...if the Great Father can take memories away, it follows that he should have the power to return them. In any event, we would learn more of the situation.
"Please do," Vincent agreed.
Sephiroth smiled.
"He's in the next room," he announced as he pointed to the doorway. "Please follow me."
Vincent did as he was told. The rest of the travelers followed him into the next room.
The room was completely dark. Nobody could see anything ahead of them, nor anything more than a fraction of an inch away.
Zack saw this as an opportunity. If only he could determine where Sephiroth was, he would be able to finish him off with the greatest of ease. All he had to do was sneak up behind him.
Vincent, on the other hand, became nervous.
This was a mistake, he thought. How could I be so fucking stupid? Sephiroth could turn around at any moment and stab me.
And then, an ethereal, self-illuminating being began to materialize in front of them. He cast a slight light on Sephiroth, who stopped in his position.
Is this him? Vincent thought. Can we get the answers we need?
He seemed elderly.
He had a white beard and long, white hair.
He was dressed in robes.
Yet he was astral, and translucent. Everyone could see through him with the greatest of ease.
"Do not be frightened," the being began in a gentle, soothing voice. "I am only benevolent."
"Who are you?" Vincent inquired, although he was quite certain he knew what the answer would be.
"I am the Great Father," the being replied.
The room suddenly lit up.
The floor had black and white tiles. There were ivory pillars lined up in two rows. There were decorations all over the walls, appearing as if they dated from two centuries ago or more.
The Great Father beamed over each and every guest and smiled.
"Welcome to Xenara," he greeted.
Everyone was amazed. His presence felt like nothing anyone had felt before.
"Very few have made it here," the Great Father continued. "Have you come from afar?"
"Great Father," Vincent began, "we crossed the ocean through the Storm Belt. We passed through the city of Welsanlai and their strict, mass surveillance. We passed through a dangerous forest and the Emerald Cave before we found this place."
"You have risked much to seek me," the Great Father acknowledged. "What is it that you are seeking my blessings for?"
Vincent decided to be straightforward.
"People have been losing their memories," he began. "They've been forgetting small things at first. But, later, it becomes more serious. Many lives are at stake here."
"I know of this," the Great Father replied. "It is a blessing I bestowed on them."
"A blessing?" asked Yuffie skeptically.
"That you bestowed?!" Zack added.
"I am blessing you all as we speak," the Great Father continued. "Your difficult memories will be gone in a matter of minutes."
"Thanks but no thanks!" Zack insisted. "We need those memories. The good and the bad!"
"O, how little you all know," the Great Father lamented. "You were fortunate that my son has brought you to me."
It was Vincent who noticed that the Great Father was looking directly at Sephiroth.
"Your son?" he inquired.
He began to grow suspicious.
"Yes," the Great Father answered. "He is my son."
"In the spiritual sense," Yuffie observed. "I guess that means I'm his daughter."
"No," dismissed the Great Father. "You are my granddaughter."
"Granddaughter?!" Yuffie inquired as a wave of fear rushed through her body.
She had not forgotten.
"Who are you really?" Vincent suddenly inquired in a confrontational tone of voice.
"Since you will not remember anyway, I shall tell you," the Great Father replied.
The Great Father smiled. But it was no longer a benevolent smile; it was now a spiteful one.
No, thought Yuffie. It can't be.
And then, the Great Father visually changed his form.
Everyone recognized him now.
It was a face that none of them could forget.
"Hojo?!" Vincent exclaimed. "You're dead!"
"I killed you!" Red XIII added.
"Only one of my avatars," Hojo corrected.
"Avatars?!" Cait Sith inquired.
"You of all people should understand the nature of avatars, Reeve," Hojo said.
"So that wasn't your real body we destroyed back in Midgar?" Vincent demanded.
"It was my original body," Hojo clarified. "But I had a back-up plan."
"A back-up plan?" asked Cait Sith.
"Many years ago, I discovered this place," Hojo continued. "I created the CPU you see behind me."
The intruders directed their attention to the vertically-standing rectangular prism behind the projection of Hojo.
"Dare I ask what that's for?" Yuffie asked.
"I have always intended to rebel against the Shinra," Hojo replied. "That CPU has the power to drain memories. It turns its victims into mindless zombies for the brief rest of their lives. With a mindless army of zombies, I could take down the Shinra singlehandedly. I would then effectively rule the world."
"I hate to break it to you," Yuffie began, "but the Shinra's gone."
"Each and every continent is a democracy," Vincent added. "With a Continental Governor in charge."
"Then I will destroy them one by one," Hojo replied. "Besides, the CPU serves a second purpose as well."
"A second purpose?" Red XIII inquired.
"I've been having the same premonitions you had," Hojo continued. "As soon as the reactor was destroyed, I started having them. I knew it could not be a coincidence that a temporal vortex appeared above Midgar right before I started having them. I knew the premonitions were real, and that I was destined to die in the near future."
Barret glared at the CPU.
"What the fuck did you do?!" he demanded.
"Right after Meteor was summoned, while the rest of you were in prison," Hojo replied, "I had wireless implants inserted into my brain. They sent my thoughts, my personality, and my memories into the CPU you see behind me."
"You shouldn't have said that!" Vincent reprimanded as he raised the Death Penalty and aimed it at the CPU.
He pulled the trigger.
A bright yellow energy barrier immediately appeared, audibly deflecting the bullet.
I knew it couldn't be too easy, Vincent realized.
"You really think me that stupid?" Hojo taunted.
"Nobody's..." began Vincent.
He began to finish the expression, but he could not.
How do I finish it? he thought to himself. It's so simple.
He then realized what was happening.
Oh shit.
"I've now began to accelerate," Hojo continued.
"Accelerate?!" Zack exclaimed.
"You'll lose all of your memories in less than a minute," Hojo continued. "And then, your facilities!"
The CPU did not emit any light, nor did it emit any different sound.
But everyone began to feel their memories fade away forever.
Red XIII began to lose his first. His encounter with Giva faded away forever. His heroic father Seto faded away forever. Witnessing the passing of his grandfather, Bugenhagen, faded away forever. Even his second name faded away forever, and he was suddenly Nanaki once again. And then, that name faded away forever as well.
Barret also began to lose his memories. His new relationship with Jessie faded away forever. His daughter Marlene faded away forever as well, along with his first wife, Myrna, and his old friend, Dyne.
Jessie began to lose her memories next. Her relationship with Barret faded away forever from her mind as well. Her survival of the falling plate faded away forever. Her time with AVALANCHE, and the memories of Biggs and Wedge faded away forever.
Yuffie began to lose her memories, beginning with her memories of Zack fading away forever. She looked at him, and had no idea whom he was. Her memories of Wutai began to fade away forever as well, along with everything she stole.
Zack's memories of his relationship with Yuffie faded away forever. His time in the Shinra Mansion and the Island Gulag faded away forever as well. The memories of his parents, and of Gongaga, faded away forever.
Vincent was the last to be affected. His transition from a human being to a bizarre creature faded away forever. His old memories as a Turk faded away forever. His memories of his father, Grimoire, faded away forever. Finally, his memories of his beloved Lucrecia faded away forever.
He no longer had any idea why he was down on the Southern Continent.
Hojo beamed over everyone triumphantly. Soon, they would all forget how to stand.
"I may have some unpleasant fortune to warn you about," Cait Sith began. "Or, rather, something you seem to have forgotten."
"Forgotten?!" Hojo exclaimed.
"I'm not really here," Cait Sith replied. "I'm home with my husband and daughter. Your memory draining has no effect on me."
"And who can you say this to?" Hojo retorted. "Look around you. Everyone is gone."
"Even Sephiroth," Cait Sith noticed as he took a hop forward. "Your own son."
"I had him brought here solely to get him out of the way," Hojo replied. "He was becoming dangerous. He could still take me down."
Sephiroth, at that moment, forgot how to stand, and collapsed to the ground.
"You can't let him die!" Cait Sith warned as he took another hop forward. "If he goes into the Lifestream, you won't believe what he'll be able to do."
"I don't care!" Hojo snapped.
Cait Sith took another hop forward, right into the projection of Hojo.
"Have you gone mad?" Hojo demanded. "If you're not forgetting like you say you're not, you'll know there's a forcefield protecting me!"
Cait Sith looked forward. The spot where he saw the forcefield was less than a foot away.
"I don't care!" echoed Cait Sith as he lept forward.
And then, Cait Sith found himself suspended in the air. His lower half was still on the same side as his friends. His upper half was on the same side as the CPU that contained Hojo's memory.
Cait Sith attempted to fire the HP Shout at the CPU, but it was of little use; the bright yellow glow of the force field was blinding him.
Although Cait Sith could not feel any pain, he could tell when he was beginning to overheat. He knew the energy from the force field was overloading him.
And then, his whole body turned red.
"Aw, shit!" he exclaimed.
Less than a second later, Cait Sith exploded into an orange fireball and was gone.
A moment later, the bright yellow force field flickered and died.
But Cait Sith, the only one of them who was immune to the memory drain, was now reduced to a dissipating cloud of smoke.
"You only destroyed the shield!" Hojo taunted. "Now, nobody can help your friends!"
Almost as if on cue, Zack collapsed to the ground.
Then, Yuffie collapsed.
Jessie was third.
Barret was fourth.
Red XIII was fifth.
And then, Vincent began to feel his knees weaken.
He knew he had to do something about it.
But he had no idea what to do.
Soon, he would forget how to stand.
It would be over in a matter of minutes.
This was the end.
"Vincent!" called a female voice.
Vincent slowly turned his head.
One of the decorations on the wall happened to be an antique mirror.
And Lucrecia was standing right in the mirror.
Who are you? Vincent thought.
"Vincent!" Lucrecia cried. "You have to remember!"
"Who...are...you?" Vincent asked aloud in confusion.
She looks familiar. But who is she?
"You have to shoot the CPU!" Lucrecia shouted.
Vincent turned toward the CPU. He wanted to shoot it with the Death Penalty.
But he had forgotten how to raise his arm.
No.
A smirk appeared on Hojo's projection.
And then, Vincent collapsed on one knee.
I'm done.
"No!" cried Lucrecia. "Vincent!"
To explain what happened next would be difficult.
She might have felt the strong urge to stop the danger. It is also possible that some emotion awoke in her after watching the situation.
But, in any event, Lucrecia, before she could change her mind, staggered out of the mirror.
And back into the real world once more.
"Good heavens!" exclaimed Hojo. "This defies all logic and reason!"
Lucrecia was outside of the mirror; she was now in full corporeal form.
"You have to remember! Please, Vincent!" she pleaded.
She began to run toward her failing love.
"Fine!" Hojo snarled. "You'll become just as forgetful as the rest of them!"
She continued to run toward him.
She began to feel her memory fade, but she continued toward him. Even after her memory of him faded away forever, she still continued, as if some powerful instinct was forcing her to do so.
Perhaps it was because of her love for him.
As Lucrecia began to forget how to walk, she stumbled to the ground a mere yard from Vincent, succeeding only to reach out with her left arm and grab his.
The feeling of her soft hand on the skin of his arm suddenly evokes something.
Something buried deep in his mind that was still there.
Lucrecia? he suddenly recognized.
Of course!
Vincent knew his renewed memory would only last a few seconds, but that was all he would need.
He rose to his feet, aimed the Death Penalty at the CPU, and pulled the trigger.
"No!" cried Hojo.
The CPU exploded loudly.
The projection of Hojo immediately disappeared.
MEANWHILE...
Everyone in Ah-Ma was going about their daily routine when they all nearly gasped in unison. The memories that had been drained were suddenly back. They suddenly remembered everything important. They suddenly remembered everything unimportant. It happened in the bazaar as well; everyone suddenly remembered what they had sold the previous week.
Ra-Da stood up on the mat he had been sitting on and made his way to the exit of his lodge. He gazed at everyone else's amazement. He wondered how everyone's memory suddenly returned; at first, he was completely mystified. Then, he remembered how the visitors travelled to the ruins.
He put two and two together.
"Thank you," he said.
IN ANOTHER PLACE...
In the Homestead, Giva's memory returned as well. It was a feeling of amazement and a wonder as she slowly regained the memories she had lost all those years ago. She could see the other members of her tribe roaming the streets, first in confusion, and then in wonder, as their memories slowly came back.
And she remembered exactly how she got there.
She remembered exactly how everyone got there.
"Of course," she said to herself. "I can't believe I forgot!"
She then thought of Red XIII, as well as his companions.
"I wonder...if they'll find our arrival route."
SOMEWHERE ELSE...
Back at Xenara, all present had their memories restored. They had al risen to their feet, and looked on in wonder at the woman who was finally free.
Lucrecia, meanwhile, eyed the charred remains of the CPU.
"The divorce has been finalized," she announced nonchalantly.
Jessie immediately threw her arms around Barret and kissed him.
"We did it!" she exclaimed.
Yuffie immediately followed suit, throwing her arms around Zack, pressing her lips against his, and, to his surprise, wrapping her legs around his waist.
"I can't support myself!" she complained as she began to slide down.
Vincent, meanwhile, turned toward Lucrecia. It was a result of the day that he had been anything but expecting.
There stood Lucrecia Crescent.
In the flesh.
"Lucrecia," Vincent began. "You're out."
Lucrecia raised a trembling hand. She gazed at it briefly.
She then made eye contact with Vincent. Her eyes were wet.
"I'm out," she whispered as she placed her hand on her forehead. "Oh my God, I'm out!" she then exclaimed. "How?!"
"You came out on your own free will," Vincent replied. "To help us."
Lucrecia gave him a sad look.
"But I still haven't atoned for my sins," she lamented. She then turned toward the mirror. "I still belong there. I don't yet deserve to be out."
"You've earned your life back," Vincent informed her.
"Have I?" Lucrecia asked.
"Absolutely," Jessie replied. "You jumped Vincent's memory. You allowed him to put an end to Hojo for good."
"And you saved our sorry asses," Barret added.
"And everyone in Ah-Ma," Red XIII said. "I'll presume they got their memory back as well."
"And God only knows what he would've done had he continued to live," Zack finally said. "Hell, you probably saved the whole world!"
Lucrecia stood humbled, tears finally escaping her eyes.
"You've earned it back," Vincent reinforced. "Welcome back."
Lucrecia clasped her hands together.
"It's good to be back," she choked through her tears. "But...what's next?"
"What's next?" inquired Vincent.
"I've been frozen in time for thirty years," Lucrecia replied. "I can't just pick up where I left off."
She then glanced at Vincent.
"I suppose I'll think about it along the way," she continued.
Deep down, she was wondering why Vincent was not taking her into his arms.
Meanwhile, Sephiroth, realizing that everyone's attention was focused on his mother, saw his chance. He darted up and began to run.
Zack was the first to notice; he was so caught up in the moment that he had forgotten all about Sephiroth.
Now was his chance to make the kill.
"Oh, no you don't!" he hissed as he drew his buster sword.
"Zack, wait!" Vincent pleaded.
And so began the chase.