After countless battles in the sewers and through the trains' graveyard, Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith finally reach the surface of the Sector 7 slums. Cloud helped the girls through the fence that lead to the train station.
Cloud walked ahead while the girls trailed close behind.
Tifa sigh, "I hope Wren is okay."
Aerith hummed in agreement, "We told her to wait for us at a place near Wall Market. And if anything happen, to go to Barret…"
They looked over to Cloud.
Wren… Cloud kept his eyes forward walk. His stomach had knots. Every time Wren crossed his mind. There is an instinct to go find her. Cloud clenched his head.
He mindless wandered the streets of the slum. Some people gave him suspicious glance while others didn't spare him a glance. He can't remember why he was here or who he was. What he does remember is an immense guilt and self-loathing.
Someone knocked him over and he fell to the ground.
He heard noises and yell, but one voice stood out. His eyes groggily trailed to a silvered-hair girl chewing out an adult.
"Watch where you're going! You knocked over my brother." She said.
"Beat it kid!" The adult said.
"No you beat it!" The girl shoved the man a few steps back.
The man was shock, but shoved the small girl back.
She fell on the ground. For a brief moment, she looked like a familiar girl with black hair. He couldn't remember who.
He couldn't tell if the silvered-hair girl or the blacked-hair girl before him was real or a memory. He had to protect her. He felt himself swiftly move and punched the man. The man was sent flying into some crates.
He realized he was on the ground again looking around dazed.
The girl quickly goes down to exam him, "Brother are you okay?"
His eyes met hers and again for a brief moment she looked like a familiar girl with black hair and ruby before showing a silvered hair and emerald eyes girl. Her name briefly came to mind and uttered it.
"W-wr-wren…?"
The girl stopped, "You said my name… by yourself… Then, can you tell me your name"
My name…
She didn't know his name... Wait… What was his name?
"Bro-o-tth-er…?"
The girl sigh, "Haah… Is this progress? I feel like I am still at square one. I was supposed to ditch you day one…" She realized the man that attacked can get up again at any moment, "Come on Brother. Let's go back to the inn. I can't leave you alone like this…" He remembered the child doing everything she can for him. A stranger she called brother. Then who was she really if they weren't siblings?
He suddenly remembered the day he ran into Tifa again.
He saw the child boldly walked up to him and took his hand, "Brother, don't worry me like that."
He blinked, "Brother?"
The little girl puffed her cheeks, "Brother, how mean. That monster must of hit your head really hard." She e4xplained as she flailed her hands, "I had to practically chase after you in the state you were in before you collapsed here. You and I had mercenary work."
Right… I remembered now.
Was I that out of it? Right, I guess I've must of blanked on who Wren was. Wait, why'd she called me 'brother'? He stared at her, "Did I?"
"Haah, Brother is brother." She accusingly pointed at him and he took a step back, "Remember they don't take a minor seriously as a mercenary here. When we came to town awhile back, I called you brother so I can be on the jobs with you. I didn't expect you to run into your girlfriend here."
He snapped out of the rush of memories when a hand on his shoulder. He looked over to see Tifa and Aerith worriedly eyeing him.
"Cloud?" Tifa said, "Are you okay?"
They shouldn't worry about me… Wren will be fine. Cloud shrugged off her hand, "Yeah." He turned to them, "Wren knows what to do. I trust her."
The women nodded at his assurance.
"Let's hurry!" Tifa said.
They all rushed up the road to be greeted by the view of civilians gathered at the Pillar's entrance.
"We made it! The pillar's standing!"
"Wait!" Cloud paused, "You hear something… above us?"
Aerith heard the noise too, "Gun fire?"
Suddenly, ground rumbled followed by gunfire and explosions.
They assess the situation. AVALANCHE facing off against Shinra. The results were grim as they witness someone falling from a high part of the tower. A thud made the group realize the person before them. The nearby people along with Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith hurried to the injured person.
Cloud knelt towards them attempting to wake them up, "Wedge! You all right?"
Wedge struggled to open his eyes and smiled, "Cloud… You remembered… my name." He tried to point to the top of the pillar but his hand failed to respond, "Barret's up top… help him…" He winced and coughed, "An' Cloud… Sorry, I wasn't any help." Wedge closed his eyes, he can feel himself leaving.
Cloud stood up, "I'm going up!" He turned to the flower girl, "Aerith! You look after Wedge."
Aerith nodded.
Tifa also turned to Aerith, "Aerith, do me a favor." Aerith intently listened, "I have a bar called '7th Heaven' in this neighborhood. There's a little girl named Marlene there…"
Aerith grabbed Tifa's hand in reassurance, "Don't worry. I'll put her somewhere safe."
Tifa faced the crowd, "It's dangerous here! Everyone get away from the pillar, quickly! Everyone get out of Sector 7!" Then Cloud and her bolted up the tower while Aerith tended to Wedge.
Aertith look over Wedges wounds, I don't think he will make it. She tried her materia but a paled Wedge stopped her.
"Go…. S-save…. Mar-lene…" Wedge said to Aerith. He mustered one last smile before going limp.
Wedge is dead.
She felt her hand shake then abruptly stood up. I need to get to Marlene.
Aerith ran through the crowds of panic civilians. The bar came into view. She managed to avoid falling debris.
Finally, she arrived to 7th Heaven where she heard soft cries behind the counter.
She peeked behind the counter to find a little girl with tears falling down her face, "Who are you?"
Aerith softly smiled, "Hello Marlene, I am Aerith. I'm a friend of Tifa."
"Tifa?" Marlene hiccupped, "I'm scared… I want to see daddy and Tifa."
"Don't worry you will see them soon."
"But what about home?" Marlene pointed around the bar.
Aerith paused as she looked at the small items around the bar. Her eyes landed on the fridge with drawings hang up on it. Of course, she has so many memories here. She grew up here. It's all she knows.
"Daddy, Tifa, Wren, Cloud…" Marlene's tears continued to fall, "They won't be able to find home."
Aerith warmly smiled and knelt down to the girl's level. She wiped the tears off the child's face, "Home is where the people you love are at." She points to Marlene's chest, "Home is here, when everyone is together. That's why its important for me to take you somewhere safe. Is that okay?"
Marlene sniffled and nodded. She raised her hands to Aeirth waiting to be carried. Aerith lifted Marlene into her arms.
"Now let's get going, shall we?" Aerith cheerily said.
She carried the child to edge of Sector 7 where a chopper landed in front of her and a familiar face greeted her.
"Hello Aerith."
She freezes, "Tseng…"
Tseng noticed the child she had in her arms and narrowed his eyes, "Your choices are limited." He bluntly said.
So they want to take me in now after all these years… Aerith chewed the inside of her cheek, "Then at least let me take her to my mom. I will go with you in exchange. No complaints."
Tseng hummed in amusement, "Is that child worth it?"
"Yes."
"Even if you will never see your mother again?"
"Yes." She quickly replied.
Tseng studied the woman's determined eyes, No hesitation I see… He would be proud if he was still here. Tseng stoically guided her to the chopper. As Aerith and Marlene entered the chopper, Aerith noticed the body at the corner. She couldn't make out who it was with their face covered and the suit of restraints. Her stomach churned at the sight. She knew the individual but couldn't describe who.
~7~
Elmyra was just finished preparing dinner. Her daughter disappeared with her 'Bodyguard' last night and haven't been back since.
"Hopefully Aerith is home on time." The older woman mused as she set the table, That girl doesn't listen when she sets her mind on something.
She heard a chopper sound getting closer. Elmyra peeked out the window to see a Shinra Chopper landing close to her house.
At this point, she didn't know whether to sigh or panic. Of course, they want Aerith…
However, Elmyra wasn't prepared to see Aerith walking in carrying a little girl, but seeing Tseng and Shinra troops that was a common occurrence.
Elmyra's eyes widen, "Aerith!?"
Aerith apologetically smiled, "Hi mom, can you do me a favor?" She puts down the little girl, "Marlene, this is my mom. She will be taking care of you. You were really brave today. Can you be a good girl for me?"
Marlene nodded, "I will be good."
Aerith smiled petted the girl head. She looked up to her mother, engraining her image into her memories.
What do I say now? I feel like I will never see her again. Elmyra's eyes sadden, "Be careful."
Aerith nodded, "Thank you for everything." She turned walking out the door of her home for the last time with a small sob she heard from inside.
When Aerith was escorted back to the chopper, inside she notices the body again. She looked around the chopper and saw Tseng giving orders to some troops.
Now or never, Aerith quietly crawled to the body and took off the head cover.
Her stomached dropped as she gasped, "Wren!?" The view of the child unconscious, fluids being pumped into her, muzzled, and restrained like an animal.
"Is that what its name is?"
She jumped at the voice behind her, she turned to the culprit "Tseng." Aerith glared, "What did you do?"
My job… He stoically stared at her, before turning to the chopper pilot, "Head back to Sector 7."
"Sir!"
~7~
At the top of the plate, Cloud and Tifa managed to get to Barret on time. Then out of nowhere a chopper appeared with Reno hopping on to the platform.
This is too easy, Reno briskly walk to the computer to activate the bomb, "You're too late. Once I push this button."
The group rushed to stop him but it was too late he pushed the button.
Reno smirked, "That's all, folks! Mission accomplished."
Tifa eyes widen, "We have to disarm it! Cloud! Barret! Please!"
"I can't have you do that. No one get in the way of Reno and the Turks…"
The trio engaged in battle with Reno but their showdown doesn't last long.
Well, I'm going to feel this later, Reno grunted in pain, he checked his watch "It's time." He sprinted and jumped out off the tower.
Tifa rushed to the computer panel attempting to stop the program. Each of her attempts ended in an error.
She faced Cloud horrified, "Cloud! I don't know how to stop this. Try it!"
Cloud viewed the computer and gritted his teeth, "It's not a normal time bomb."
They heard a chopper appeared from the direction Reno jumped off, only this time Tseng confronting the group.
"That's right You'll have a hard time disarming that one. It'll blow the second some stupid jerk touches it" Tseng said.
"Please, Stop it!" Tifa begged.
Tseng chuckled, "Only a Shinra Executive can set up or disarm the Emergency Plate Release System."
Barret aimed his gun at Tseng, "Shut yer Hole!"
Tseng smirked, "I wouldn't try that… You just might make me injure our special guests." He groughly pulled his guest's arm to show the trio a familiar flower girl.
Tifa eyes widen, "Aerith!"
"Oh, you know each other?" He coyly said, "How nice you could see each other one last time. You should thank me."
Cloud glared at the Turk, "What are you doing with Aerith?!"
Tseng shrugged, "I haven't decided. Our orders were to find and catch the last remaining Ancient. It's taken us a long time, but now I can finally report this to the president."
Aerith broke free of Tseng's grasped as she held on the door from of the chopper, "Tifa don't worry! She's alright!"
Tseng clicked his tongue and cruelly slapped her. He then shoved her back in the plane with Reno holding her back.
Tifa rushed to the ledge of the plate, "Aerith!"
"Hurry and get out!" Aerith yelled.
Tseng took this chance grabbed their other guest, "There is another reason Sector 7 is being destroyed. Harboring a dangerous experiment with you." He dangled the unconscious S2 by the neck in front of AVALANCHE.
What did they do to her?! Tifa covered her mouth horrified.
Barret grimaced, "It's impossible?!"
What the hell!? Cloud eyes widen, "Wren!"
Tseng smirked and tossed the limp child roughly back into the chopper.
Cloud snarled, "Let her go!"
Barret hollered, "The shrimp ain't got nothing to do with this!"
Tseng sadistically smiled, "Subject S2 is property of Shinra. It's lucky to even be alive thanks to orders to capture it came. I would've enjoyed ending its life."
Cloud glared.
Tseng glimpsed at his watch, "Well, it should be starting right about now. Think you can escape in time?" He signaled the chopper to flee as the bombs detonated.
"Aerith! Wren!" Cloud yelled.
~7~
She felt someone echoed her name. Was she dreaming?
Her eyes were covered with special goggles, but her senses mapped out her surrounding.
The feral beast charged at her.
She out maneuvered it and impaled the beast with the sword they gave her.
The beast cried until it went limp while she continuously stabbed it. Pools of its blood flowed across the floor.
[Test #350 completed.] The intercom announced.
She heard the door open. She looked over to see the scientist with the Turk.
"Improvement on kill rate. Needs to work on maintain control." The female scientist smiled, "Well done S2."
I completed the mission. She expressionless blinked at the scientist, "Mi-s-sion."
"Needs to work on speech." The scientist nodded, "Yes S2, you successfully completed the mission. Now it's time for your maintenance exam." She looked over her shoulder to the Turk, "Kai, please take S2. It's most obedient to you. Keep it occupied and get it cleaned up. Bring it to the pod room after." The woman sighed, "Unfortunately, it keeps killing the assistants that attended to it. Don't make too much eye contact with it. The goggles block out S2 telepathic abilities."
Kai stoically nodded, "Yes ma'am."
The scientist left and Kai turned his attention to her, "Let's go S2." He extended his hand to her.
She took it.
They walked through the corridor into a medical room.
Kai bent to her level, "Ok kid. Time to get you cleaned up." He took off the goggles off.
She blankly stared at him. Should I kill him? She lifts her hand to touch his face.
Kai didn't move. He showed no fear. 'I won't hurt you,' Kai took something out of his pocket, "Here have this lollipop."
She grabbed the candy of his hand and observed it, "Lo-li-pop?"
Kai took it back to unwrap it for her, "Here try and lick it."
She licked the sweet. I never had this… She didn't know she did a small smile. She looks back at him.
Kai smirked, 'You just a kid in the end like my sister.'
She pointed to herself, "Sis-ster?"
Kai stopped, 'Shit. That slipped out. Oh well…'
She couldn't read him when he briefly looked away before patting her head, "Yeah. You can be."
She saw his first genuine smile.
Next thing she knew. The blaring noises of the alarms shear as she was falling from a large height in the facility.
She saw Kai instinctively jumped to catch her.
Everything felt slow as she saw his eyes. His thoughts were loud, desperate, clear… She saw his whole life like rushing water. One person stood out. A little girl that looks similar to him.
Her falling remind him of the little girl facing a similar fate, 'Wren!'
"Kai…" She reached to him.
He managed to protectively grab her as he braces from impact.
Again, its was like a blur.
Now she is on the ground perfectly fine but Kai was lying in front of her badly injured and bleeding out. She felt tears running down her cheek. She looks at her hands again; they were drenched in blood. There were pools of mako around them.
She heard him cough. She gently turned him over let his head rest on her lap.
Kai struggled to open his eyes, "S2…?" Kai mind was jumbling, No, that's my sister. She was so innocent and I failed her. "*Cough* Wren… *Cough*" He managed to bitterly smiled, "Forgive me… You're stupid *cough* Big *Cough* Brother…"
Please don't go… She could her tears falling on his face, "Bro-th-er."
I feel like I'm slipping… Kai's tear trail down the side of his face, "I missed you… so… much *cough* Wren…"
"I-I'm… Wren…" She answered.
"Live… a little." He spoke. "For *cough* your sake…" He slowly shutting his eyes.
Her senses showed her that his body was shutting down, "Brother… Don't die…"
She looked up to be greeted by Wren with distant eyes and a hollow smile.
Wren pointed to the mako pools.
Her body didn't respond to her as she got up and dragged his body to one the pools, "Stop…"
Closer and closer, "Stop… Brother… can't…"
Wren hollow smile widen, "But you are."
She was forced to immerse Kai's body in the mako pool.
In matter, in a matter of moments Kai emerged out of the pool screaming. Wren broke out in maniacal laughter. He continued to crawl out of the pool in agony trying to rip out his whole being before passing out from pain.
She collapsed to her knee mortified, "What… did you… do…?"
Wren grabbed her face. She saw the maniacal smile and hallowed eyes, "You are doing what mother told you to do!" Wren continued to laugh.
Her stomach churned, "Who are… you?"
Wren stopped laughing, a distained faced washed over, she saw Wren speak something. She couldn't tell. Everything turned black.
She groggily opened her eyes. Wren… Kai… She heard muffled voices. She is greeted with the view of the floor moving with a blur of red from the corner of her eyes. Red hair…? She closed them briefly then she realized; Wait where am I? Her eyes shot opened. Her body won't respond. She also realized she is being carried like a sack, Who is carrying me?! She muffled through the restraint on her mouth. She attempted to peek at the person, but her head throbbed. She managed to get a glimpse of a bald head.
"Yo Rude, the kid is awake." Reno walked to the awake child, "Had a good nap." He grabbed out the muzzle from her mouth.
Rude grunted as he continued to walk while carrying Wren.
Great… these guys… Wren glared at Reno, "Bluh..." Wren blinked in surprise, I can't talk!
Reno laughed and poked her forehead.
Wren flinched in pain.
"Nah, ah, ah. You are under mako suppressants," He mumbled his next few words, "Actually, a whole lot of them to take down a squad of SOLDIERs…"
What? Wren continued to narrow her eyes at him, I can't read him, "Uwah…"
Reno laughed louder, "S2, you're cracking me up. You're going to be like this for a while." Reno grinned at Wren's hostility, "Now, now, the boss is waiting for us. We are just doing our jobs."
"Booh…?"
Reno held his stomach as he laughed again, "I don't know what you're saying?!"
"I think it is saying 'Boss…?'" Rude nonchalantly answered.
"Oh." Reno turned from Rude to Wren, "Why didn't say so?"
Wren rolled her eyes, what a moron…
The rest of the walked was quiet aside from Reno agitating the girl. Wren mindlessly looked around the halls of the building she was at. However, Reno would mess with her if she ignored him too long.
I feel like he is doing this on purpose, Wren inwardly sigh, I wonder if brother is okay. She unconsciously thought of her dream. I don't remember anything before the cabin… Were those memories? Who was that Wren? Her closed her eyes as her head throbbed. Its… Its probably the mako things they gave me… Yeah… that's what it is…
Finally, the Turk made it to the elevator where Wren release where she was. The elevators showed the logo of the building, Shinra Electric Company. The elevator doors open to reveal Tseng awaiting them.
"Hmm. It is awake." Tseng said.
Reno and Rude entered with the restrained Wren.
Wren turned her head towards Tseng and glared, "youh…"
Tseng smirked roughly grabbed Wren's hair to make her face him, "The professor asked us to escort you personally. You're a liability to the company should you escape again. Therefore, attempting to escape will end in your permanent elimination."
Wren gritted her teeth.
Tseng smirked at her reaction. He released her hair, "The professor is waiting we shouldn't delay."
"Sir." Reno and Rude said.
The Shinra's elevator ascended to their destination, they continued to walked through many turns around the hollow Shinra halls to where they approach a door.
The doors opened to reveal a lab with other creatures in large tubes. The Turks were quick to encase Wren in one of the tubes with a chair to connect the restraints too. Tseng roughly muzzled Wren again. He doubled check everything before approving Wren's tied down to the chair.
"Let's go." Tseng ordered. He walked away without sparing a glance and the others shortly followed.
"See you S2." Reno signed off.
"Farewell." Rude curtly nodded while fixing his shades.
Then, she was alone. The quiet wait gnawed at Wren.
They said Professor was waiting but I don't see anyone, Wren lightly bobbed her head, at least the headache is going away. The child took a deep breath and muffled through her muzzle, "Mean-yeezz…!"
It was silent.
Wren sighed; I still can't talk well yet. Those mako things are not fun. Wren remembered the events that lead to her capture, she frowned, I wonder if everyone is okay. What happened to Sector 7? Wren face fell, "Cloww… bro…"
From the corner of her eye, she saw silver hair, she turned her head so see the man that had always been stalking her ever since she arrived at Midgar.
Her eyes widen, Why is he here!? Her stomached twisted.
She heard the door open. Her eyes went to the noise to see two figures walked in.
She quickly looked back to the silver hair man, but he was gone.
"There is nothing over there S2." A voice called to her attention.
Wren faced the voices. Two figures stood before her on the outside of the glass. She could tell one is the professor with dark glasses and devilish smirk, but should couldn't tell who the blonde man in the suit was.
I still can't read them… Or talk…Wren helpless stared at the two figures as they observed her movement. I'll just have to listen what they have to say…
"I guess I should do the formalities," The professor fixed his glasses, "Hello S2, I am Professor Hojo. Here next to me is President Shinra."
Wren cautiously stared at them, President Shinra and Professor Hojo.
President Shinra huffed, "This is the child I put my investments in." He eyed the child.
Professor Hojo observed the child, "Obviously," He adjusted his glasses, "Her use to you can be decided how you want to proceed now that we have the Ancient in custody too. The knowledge of her pedigree will be kept secret between you and I as we previously agreed upon before Project S2 begun. This is why it was important for you to see S2 first before the meeting with the other directors."
President Shinra rubbed his chin in thought, "What are the options?"
Professor Hojo proceeded his explanation, "She can be groomed to be one of your heirs due to her paternal connection of you being the father DNA, or…"
President Shinra raised a brow, "Or?"
"You can disown her and use her genetic make-up, that being mixed with S-Cells and the deceased Ancient DNA, to be able to bridge a connection for the possibility to produce more Ancients with high level skillsets. Think of the production of Ancients as a way to breed another Sephiroth, no, a being greater than Sephiroth. Each are beneficial for you sir." Hojo clasped hands, rubbing them in anticipation.
Wren eyes widened at the Professors revelation, Ancients? What are those?... Wait… this guy is… my dad? Her eyes trailed to the President Shinra who observed her even more with a hard stare.
President Shinra huffed again, "I already have an heir. This abomination is more valuable to make Ancients. Do with her as you see fit." The president turned to exit the lab.
"With pleasure sir." Professor Hojo curtly bowed at his exiting superior. He turned back to tube and caressed the glass, "Oh S2, I was right the president saw my vision of using you to bridge the way to create more Ancients! You capture was truly a godsend sign to forward my research!"
This guy is insane. I have to get out of here, Wren eyes narrowed as her blood boiled.
Professor Hojo noticed Wren's eyes went feral, "Hmm, that expression…" His eyebrows knitted together, "Like when she annoyingly begged for her child… She was always weak willed. Well, she is the maternal DNA part of you from one of her eggs. I hypothesize it is why you succeeded and the others failed." The professor shrugged.
I have a mom? Wren head throbbed again. She heard a memory echoed in her mind briefly, "Who is mother?" He finally asked. "M-Moth-er?" She shook her head.
Hojo didn't notice Wren's reaction as he turned away from the glass and went to a computer, "Which should be your first partner? Hmm… S-cells SOLDIERS have high compatibility rate but most lack the strength after Sephiroth disappeared, but G-cells SOLDIERs have the copy ability… Maybe one of the Tsviets… Yes, a Tsviet might due. It might straighten out their unpredictability to something controllable while harnessing their powers. Endless possibilities!" Hojo broke into maniacal laugh.
She looked away from the laughing scientist, squeezing her eyes shut, Brother… Cloud, Tifa, anyone… I want to go home… I'm… scared…
~7~
The blonde man watched the camera feeds from Hojo's lab. He knew the professor was vile and obsessed with science. He knew his father was a greedy man obsessed with power and wealth. Though the most shocking and appalling discovery was 'another half-sibling' was produce through a petri dish. His half-older brother disappeared long before this thing showed up he thought all his competitors were out of the picture. However, seeing how his father disregarded the experiment rather quickly reassured that his plan to remove his father permanently has been untampered with.
He petted his guard hound while contemplating the fate of the thing called S2.
It looks like a human girl, but if Hojo had a hand in its creation then it's a weapon and a genetic abomination… Another Sephiroth they wanted… Meaning it can think for itself to an extent and it has power that can be useful to me… If I free it, I can mostly likely make it seek revenge against my father… Then I will get rid of it when it fulfilled its purpose. He stopped petting his hound and pulled out his phone. He heard a few rings that where shortly lived when the line quickly picked up.
"Tseng, make preparations for my arrival after your mission. I think it's time for the Vice-President to return to HQ." He said with a smirk.
A/N: Happy Halloween! I still consider this a Halloween upload. Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. (-^u^-) Also, I updated the story cover, the cover is Wren. It took me a while to make but I hope you all like it. To clarify story wise, S2-Wren is not Kai's sister, Wren from Kai's memories is. Also, the "She" & "Her" that is referred to in 3rd POV in the Flashback is S2-Wren, the maniacal "Wren" in the Flashback is someone else… Not sure if I described it well enough. I hope I did. Anyway, the plot thickens. What will happen to Wren? Why does she keep seeing a familiar silver-haired man? Leave a comment if you have any feedback. Until next time~(-^u^-)y