Sephiroth lay panting on the ground, he body burning in pain. He wore
only his black pants and boots. His coat lay somewhere close, but where was
his Masamune? Where was he?
…Sephiroth…
Fighting the pain raging though his body, Sephiroth pushed himself to one knee, his white hair falling down around his shoulders like silk. "Who is there?" He demanded balling his hands into fist. "Show yourself?"
He was in a Mako reactor… The one that had once housed his mother… Where was that? He couldn't remember anymore. "Where are you?" Sephiroth managed again. A figure walked into the doorway at the far left. It was him! The Masamune shone brightly in the light from the Mako. An expression of intense power shone on his double's face. The double walked past him, up to the shell that covered his mother's container.
…Sephiroth…
A blond boy ran in… Cloud! He remembered Cloud! He remembered this! Cloud started forward and everything went black. He lay in the city of the ancients now. Next to him, a girl in pink kneeled praying. The Ancient! But I…
A blur of black and silver passed from above, and Sephiroth saw his double come out of nowhere, Masamune drawn, ready to cut into the flesh of the Ancient. Sephiroth reached out, trying to push the Ancient out of the way. Pain coursed through his veins and he found he could not move. Then Aeris… Yes… Aeris was her name. She looked into his eyes and saw him there!
…Sephiroth…
All was black again and he lay on a beach this time. The ocean raced onto his feet and receded. A crab slowly passed him, its eyes never left him as it took safety in the ocean. Sephiroth sat up, and put is hand on his head. "Where am I?" He muttered looking around again.
"Wutai, or close to it anyway." A whispery voice answered and Sephiroth turned his head. Before him stood a tall narrow man with long black hair, wearing black and red clothes. One of his hands glinted in the bright sun, as if made of metal. With a second look, Sephiroth saw his hand was a huge claw.
"Who are you?" Sephiroth asked getting to his knees, and putting one hand on the ground.
The man smiled, and even it looked hard as stone. "My name is Vincent. I was a good friend of your mothers."
"Jehova?" Sephiroth asked shooting him a look.
Vincent turned, a sad glint coming to his red eyes. "No… Your real mother, Lucrecia."
Vincent held his good hand out to Sephiroth and he took it, surprised at the strength that pulled him to his feet. Vincent reached to his side and Sephiroth now saw that his sword was sheathed at Vincent's side. Vincent handed the sheath to Sephiroth, followed by a bundled of clothing.
Sephiroth buckled the sheath to his side, and shook out the bundle revealing his coat. He ran his arms through it, and sighed at the comfort it provided. He opened his eyes and looked to Vincent again, who just stood there watching him with no apparent interest. "Thank you."
Vincent nodded and turned. He motioned for Sephiroth to follow him and Sephiroth caught up. "I brought you out of the Life Stream, Sephiroth. You and I have business to attend to."
"And how did you do such a thing?" Sephiroth asked raising a silver eyebrow.
Vincent's tone stayed the same. "I have a connection in the Life Stream." Sephiroth asked no more questions, knowing that the other man would tell him everything when it was time. He owed this man to listen, but that didn't mean he would follow.
They traveled quickly, going into the mountains and crossing a wooden bridge. Soon, they came to plains again and to an orient looking town. Sephiroth had help Shinra take this town once…
"What of Shinra?" Sephiroth asked, feeling an urge to break the silence.
"It still exists. A man named Reeves runs it, and has found alternative sources of power such as solar power. Cold Fusion is also within their reach. But the corporation is much more environment friendly."
Sephiroth did not know why, but he felt as if four somethings far away had just received good news. What is going on, he asked himself silently. Are those the Weapons?
They traveled fast, Vincent setting a pace that had been grueling for most people, but Sephiroth was not most people. Soon, Wutai came into view, and Sephiroth remembered not coming back here since the war Shinra lead against it. They entered the city, the thriving people paying no attention to them.
"It has changed…" Sephiroth commented as a Wutai villager passed by.
Vincent simply nodded and lead Sephiroth from the street into the inn, where a huge stature stared menacing at him. In one table on the far right, two figures sat having a drink, or looking as if they were trying to out drink each other. One was a Wutai citizen with black hair, and a throwing star looking weapon at her side. The other wore pilot clothing, with a long spear leaning against his chair.
Vincent led Sephiroth over to the table and he sat down. The two others simply stared at Sephiroth like wings were sprouting out… Or as if he once had…
"I hadn't believe it was possible," the girl muttered… Yuffie…
The man regained composer quicker, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit up. "Shit, is all I have to say…" Cid…
Vincent nodded and waved at a waitress for two drinks. She quickly brought them over, giving the men second looks. Vincent took one drink then turned toward Sephiroth. "Let me explain what you are doing back here. And it isn't simple so listen hard." Sephiroth only nodded. "The Lifestream has been in constant pain these last few years and I only recently discovered why…"
"How long have I been gone," Sephiroth interrupted. "How many years?"
Cid leaned closer and whispered, "You've been cold for twenty one fucking years buddy."
Vincent nodded and continued. "In that time, many things have happened. Shinra, now under Reeves as I told you, is protecting the world and trying to heal the damage it has made. All members of SOLDIER are now based on basic strength and not any more on Jenova Cells."
"How about the members of your team?" Sephiroth asked. "The ones who set me free of Jehova…"
"Red is elder at Cosmo Canyon. Yuffie here is soon to be leader of the Wutai Empire," Vincent answered nodding to the long black haired girl. "Cid still has the Highwind, and is an executive at Shinra. Barret has fixed up Coal town, and the desert around Gold Saucer has been replenished with fertile land."
Sephiroth nodded and raised a hand to his temple. "What of the one Soldier…" Cloud… "Cloud?"
"Cloud and Tifa are married…" Vincent began. "He is the only one who does not know of your coming back, that we know of."
Sephiroth took a drink and sighed. "I screwed up… I know I did… From the moment I found Jehova, I went nuts. Her voice filled my mind and I could not get rid of it! What of Neblhiem?"
"It no longer exist…" Yuffie chimed in. "The Mako reactor next to it broke down. An explosion occurred and tore the city apart. Luckily, most of the village had been evacuated already, after Shinra let out of what it knew of Coal town and Kalm."
"To which brings us to our problem…" Vincent added. "You are back because the Lifestream has been cut open. You were spit out intact, minus the insanity. Not many others were like you so any others that were spit out survived. A few who were like you came out whole and…"
"And what?" Sephiroth asked. "Who was like me and what happened?"
"We believe Zack, and a few others like him have come for Cloud. It seems that Jehova still lives in his cells and wills them through him. They took him from his villa home and have are trying to turn him into the next one like you were…"
Cid leaned forward. "And he beat you twenty one years back. He was stronger than you then, and has only been getting stronger these twenty-one years. Not even one of the Weapons you are buddies with could stand toe to toe with him."
"So how did these others take him?" Sephiroth asked eyeing Cid.
"They threatened to kill his son." Yuffie answered. "Do you know anything of what we are telling you about?"
Sephiroth shook his head no. He did not even remember what happened most of the time he was crazy, much less dead. "How did you know I would be back?"
"I figured since Zack had come back, that you would as well." Vincent replied. "I would not be surprised if Aeris walked in right now." Sephiroth made a grimace at the name. "I merely listened for any changes in the Lifestream, and your coming was very loud. I almost thought the Weapons would awaken with the noise."
"So what do we do next?" Sephiroth asked.
"We hop in the Highwind, then go pick up Barret, Tifa, and her son. Then we go to Shinra headquarters and plan our next move." Cid answered flicking his cigarette into an ashtray in the center of the able. "Shit! That was my last cigarette!"
…Sephiroth…
Fighting the pain raging though his body, Sephiroth pushed himself to one knee, his white hair falling down around his shoulders like silk. "Who is there?" He demanded balling his hands into fist. "Show yourself?"
He was in a Mako reactor… The one that had once housed his mother… Where was that? He couldn't remember anymore. "Where are you?" Sephiroth managed again. A figure walked into the doorway at the far left. It was him! The Masamune shone brightly in the light from the Mako. An expression of intense power shone on his double's face. The double walked past him, up to the shell that covered his mother's container.
…Sephiroth…
A blond boy ran in… Cloud! He remembered Cloud! He remembered this! Cloud started forward and everything went black. He lay in the city of the ancients now. Next to him, a girl in pink kneeled praying. The Ancient! But I…
A blur of black and silver passed from above, and Sephiroth saw his double come out of nowhere, Masamune drawn, ready to cut into the flesh of the Ancient. Sephiroth reached out, trying to push the Ancient out of the way. Pain coursed through his veins and he found he could not move. Then Aeris… Yes… Aeris was her name. She looked into his eyes and saw him there!
…Sephiroth…
All was black again and he lay on a beach this time. The ocean raced onto his feet and receded. A crab slowly passed him, its eyes never left him as it took safety in the ocean. Sephiroth sat up, and put is hand on his head. "Where am I?" He muttered looking around again.
"Wutai, or close to it anyway." A whispery voice answered and Sephiroth turned his head. Before him stood a tall narrow man with long black hair, wearing black and red clothes. One of his hands glinted in the bright sun, as if made of metal. With a second look, Sephiroth saw his hand was a huge claw.
"Who are you?" Sephiroth asked getting to his knees, and putting one hand on the ground.
The man smiled, and even it looked hard as stone. "My name is Vincent. I was a good friend of your mothers."
"Jehova?" Sephiroth asked shooting him a look.
Vincent turned, a sad glint coming to his red eyes. "No… Your real mother, Lucrecia."
Vincent held his good hand out to Sephiroth and he took it, surprised at the strength that pulled him to his feet. Vincent reached to his side and Sephiroth now saw that his sword was sheathed at Vincent's side. Vincent handed the sheath to Sephiroth, followed by a bundled of clothing.
Sephiroth buckled the sheath to his side, and shook out the bundle revealing his coat. He ran his arms through it, and sighed at the comfort it provided. He opened his eyes and looked to Vincent again, who just stood there watching him with no apparent interest. "Thank you."
Vincent nodded and turned. He motioned for Sephiroth to follow him and Sephiroth caught up. "I brought you out of the Life Stream, Sephiroth. You and I have business to attend to."
"And how did you do such a thing?" Sephiroth asked raising a silver eyebrow.
Vincent's tone stayed the same. "I have a connection in the Life Stream." Sephiroth asked no more questions, knowing that the other man would tell him everything when it was time. He owed this man to listen, but that didn't mean he would follow.
They traveled quickly, going into the mountains and crossing a wooden bridge. Soon, they came to plains again and to an orient looking town. Sephiroth had help Shinra take this town once…
"What of Shinra?" Sephiroth asked, feeling an urge to break the silence.
"It still exists. A man named Reeves runs it, and has found alternative sources of power such as solar power. Cold Fusion is also within their reach. But the corporation is much more environment friendly."
Sephiroth did not know why, but he felt as if four somethings far away had just received good news. What is going on, he asked himself silently. Are those the Weapons?
They traveled fast, Vincent setting a pace that had been grueling for most people, but Sephiroth was not most people. Soon, Wutai came into view, and Sephiroth remembered not coming back here since the war Shinra lead against it. They entered the city, the thriving people paying no attention to them.
"It has changed…" Sephiroth commented as a Wutai villager passed by.
Vincent simply nodded and lead Sephiroth from the street into the inn, where a huge stature stared menacing at him. In one table on the far right, two figures sat having a drink, or looking as if they were trying to out drink each other. One was a Wutai citizen with black hair, and a throwing star looking weapon at her side. The other wore pilot clothing, with a long spear leaning against his chair.
Vincent led Sephiroth over to the table and he sat down. The two others simply stared at Sephiroth like wings were sprouting out… Or as if he once had…
"I hadn't believe it was possible," the girl muttered… Yuffie…
The man regained composer quicker, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit up. "Shit, is all I have to say…" Cid…
Vincent nodded and waved at a waitress for two drinks. She quickly brought them over, giving the men second looks. Vincent took one drink then turned toward Sephiroth. "Let me explain what you are doing back here. And it isn't simple so listen hard." Sephiroth only nodded. "The Lifestream has been in constant pain these last few years and I only recently discovered why…"
"How long have I been gone," Sephiroth interrupted. "How many years?"
Cid leaned closer and whispered, "You've been cold for twenty one fucking years buddy."
Vincent nodded and continued. "In that time, many things have happened. Shinra, now under Reeves as I told you, is protecting the world and trying to heal the damage it has made. All members of SOLDIER are now based on basic strength and not any more on Jenova Cells."
"How about the members of your team?" Sephiroth asked. "The ones who set me free of Jehova…"
"Red is elder at Cosmo Canyon. Yuffie here is soon to be leader of the Wutai Empire," Vincent answered nodding to the long black haired girl. "Cid still has the Highwind, and is an executive at Shinra. Barret has fixed up Coal town, and the desert around Gold Saucer has been replenished with fertile land."
Sephiroth nodded and raised a hand to his temple. "What of the one Soldier…" Cloud… "Cloud?"
"Cloud and Tifa are married…" Vincent began. "He is the only one who does not know of your coming back, that we know of."
Sephiroth took a drink and sighed. "I screwed up… I know I did… From the moment I found Jehova, I went nuts. Her voice filled my mind and I could not get rid of it! What of Neblhiem?"
"It no longer exist…" Yuffie chimed in. "The Mako reactor next to it broke down. An explosion occurred and tore the city apart. Luckily, most of the village had been evacuated already, after Shinra let out of what it knew of Coal town and Kalm."
"To which brings us to our problem…" Vincent added. "You are back because the Lifestream has been cut open. You were spit out intact, minus the insanity. Not many others were like you so any others that were spit out survived. A few who were like you came out whole and…"
"And what?" Sephiroth asked. "Who was like me and what happened?"
"We believe Zack, and a few others like him have come for Cloud. It seems that Jehova still lives in his cells and wills them through him. They took him from his villa home and have are trying to turn him into the next one like you were…"
Cid leaned forward. "And he beat you twenty one years back. He was stronger than you then, and has only been getting stronger these twenty-one years. Not even one of the Weapons you are buddies with could stand toe to toe with him."
"So how did these others take him?" Sephiroth asked eyeing Cid.
"They threatened to kill his son." Yuffie answered. "Do you know anything of what we are telling you about?"
Sephiroth shook his head no. He did not even remember what happened most of the time he was crazy, much less dead. "How did you know I would be back?"
"I figured since Zack had come back, that you would as well." Vincent replied. "I would not be surprised if Aeris walked in right now." Sephiroth made a grimace at the name. "I merely listened for any changes in the Lifestream, and your coming was very loud. I almost thought the Weapons would awaken with the noise."
"So what do we do next?" Sephiroth asked.
"We hop in the Highwind, then go pick up Barret, Tifa, and her son. Then we go to Shinra headquarters and plan our next move." Cid answered flicking his cigarette into an ashtray in the center of the able. "Shit! That was my last cigarette!"