Cetra Legacy

by Aquila Hawk

Twenty years have passed since the fall of Meteor and the world has not begun to heal. Day by day, the planet's life is losing life. Now the final subject of a mad scientist's rampage is bound to an ancient prophecy to defeat the true crisis.

4. Operation Fallen Phoenix

Chapter 3: Fallen Phoenix

"Father, stop!" Caden yells as he sees Cloud leaving by Chocobo. Swift was running as fast as he could with two passengers, which is still pretty fast.

Cloud stops, and turns around to saw his son getting off Swift. "Caden, what's going on? I thought you were going to spend the day with Marlene."

"A wannabe personnel administrator changed our plans." Caden walks up to Cloud and his chocobo. "We're going with you instead."

"What?!?!"

"Barret also figured that the General Assembly would have questions about me. Also, those soldiers that keep popping up all over the place, I think they're looking for me. They used an old Slavedriver to get me."

"Who would have the money to pull this off? Undamaged Slavedrivers are hard to find, they were almost all destroyed at the beginning of the Wutai-Shinra war. …Well, we might as well get moving. Marlene, you're going to need a chocobo, so take Aura. Caden, tell your mother that you're coming with me."

"Ok." Caden ran for the house, went in through the back door, and quickly yelled, "Going with Father. Love ya! Bye!" Caden ran out the door again.

Tifa walked into the room just recently vacated by Caden, leaving her students alone in the adjoining dojo. "I hate it when he does that," Tifa muttered as he turned around again to rejoin the class.

The unlikely crew was soon on its way. It was quiet for a long time, with only the occasional 'wark' the chocobos made. The silence quickly began to bother Marlene. "So, Cloud, why did you decide to become an archeologist?" Marlene had known Cloud since the days in Midgar, but she never understood his driving force or ways. "It's so different from what you and Papa did. A soldier of your skill could have been a general by now."

"You were probably to young to remember when Aeris died," Cloud said softly.

"No… I remember her, I even remember the day Elmyra found out. I was too young to understand what happened… I used to call her 'the Flower Lady.'" Marlene turned her head away almost sorry she asked the question.

Cloud sighed lightly. "It's all right, I know how hard it is." Cloud carried on answering Marlene's question, "After the war, I began studying anything and everything I could find about the Cetra. I needed to know what they..., she died for. So… I took up archeology. First as almost a hobby, but it consumed me in he end. By the time I realized it, I was already an expert in my field. Well, I couldn't be a mercenary as well, so I put down my sword for good."

Caden, with his usual wit, could not resist joking about the large sword on Cloud's back. "So, what's that on your back."

Cloud looked at Caden with a questionable look. "That was bad."

Caden tried to look as regal as he could; proud of what he jokingly saw as complement. "I try my worst." None of the three could keep a straight face.

"Well I have another question. Why don't you look a day over twenty?" Marlene asked.

"Good health, careful diet," Cloud all so carefully said.

Caden knew Cloud was joking. "Come on, seriously."

Cloud mood grew serious, "The Jenova cells in my body keep me young... Actually, it's a virus called Genocide that Jenova's body produced. The same virus transformed or killed most of the Cetra population into monsters 2000 years ago."

"So, why haven't I become a monster yet?" Caden became a little concerned.

"Maybe because you are genetically related to Jenova himself."

"Well, uh… that's a comfort… I think."

Cloud continued. "We don't age, but it comes on the heels of those who didn't survive the experiments."

"Eternal life; kinda unsettling," Marlene said.

"Interesting response. Most people would kill to have the ability to live for ever."

"So, why doesn't everyone have this virus?" Marlene was intrigued by the thought of immortality.

"First of all it does cause most people to turn into monsters, and even if it does work, the person is nothing more than a puppet when Jenova is near by..." Cloud trailed off

Marlene knew there was more. "And?"

"And some people just want to live out their lives."

"So, where does that leave me? I was born to be like Sephiroth, who was born to be like Jenova," Caden was again bothered by the idea of his liniage.

"The same thing we all have to do, follow what we feel is right," Cloud said. Cloud's wisdom was years ahead of what his face would say.

"I'll be there with you, Caden." Caden looked over to his right to see Marlene give a warm smile. "But first, let's talk with the Union."

It took two days to reach Cosmo Canyon, the seat of the International Union. For years before the fall of the Shinra, this small rock-face city was a haven for peace and enlightenment, but now it was the home of open dialog between the seven nations. The building that housed this champion of peace was a beautiful testament to the architectures of the world. Each section of the building had it's own unique appearance, and national origin. Truly a wonder of the new world order.

As for the International Union's General Assembly itself, five members were chosen by each nation, one for each of the Union's branches. These branches were the Science, Economic, Security, General Diplomacy, and Judiciary Councils. At any given time, these thirty-five members will be discussing various diplomatic and international issues, but the coming days would be different from any policy they have ever come across.

As they rode into the city, Cloud, Caden, and Marlene were met by Nanaki. "I trust that your journey went well?" Nanaki walked up to his old friend. "So, I take it he knows... the truth."

Cloud jumped off his chocobo. "He knows, and he took it very well… but this whole thing has gotten completely out of control. Jenova is apparently still alive. Caden wishes to address the General Assembly directly."

"The General Assembly? But we haven't had a meeting of the General Assembly since…"

"Since Mako Reactor One was shut down. I know, but the planet may be in a greater danger then ever before. You know better than I do that if the Mako reactors in Midgar continue to operate, then the planet will die within the century. Caden may be the key to our survival. The second sign is already here."

Nanaki looked very distraught. "Very well, but you know that our success rate at rallying even two councils together is not great. Now try getting all five together..., I can't promise you anything."

"They'll come for this meeting. Our very survival is at stake."

Caden looked out into the eternal darkness surrounding him. He could not figure out where he was, or even if it was in existence. "Caden, come, join me! The powers of the planet will be ours," a voice spoke to him. Caden stepped back. It shocked him, because the voice sounded much like his own, but somewhat older.

"Who are you? Show your face!"

"Do you really think you can face me? Can you handle the truth; what came before you?" Two glowing green eyes pierced the darkness of the abyss.

"You are just an illusion; a trick of the mind. Sephiroth died twenty years ago." The eyes were soon accompanied by the figure of a tall man, with long platinum white hair walking out of the unknown. He wore a dark partially armored cloak and wielded a two-meter long sword.

"Did I, or was that another of Jenova's illusions? Come boy, let's see if you truly are of my blood!" The figure commanded as he began his charge.

The darkness faded as Caden woke up from the nightmare. He sat up on his bed, and looked around. "It was just a dream, nothing more. But what did it mean? There was something different about this one… Was that... Sephiroth?"

Caden got out of his bed and dressed for the day. Again, he was faced with making a speech, but this one would affect the planet. His distaste of public speaking needed to be put aside. He took only a few minutes to get ready, and left room. Cloud was waiting outside. "Ready?"

"Yeah, but… nothing, just forget about it. Come on, I have to make a fool of my self on a podium again."

"Hey! At least you don't have motion sickness."

Marlene was sitting at a table sipping a cup of coffee. She looked up just as Caden and Cloud walked in the kitchenette. "So you ready to look stupid again, Caden?"

Caden jerked his head back. "Hey! …That's what I said... Sorta."

"Come on you two, Caden's not that bad at public speaking… really." Cloud turned toward the door. "Well, let's go?"

"Yeah, we're coming." Caden followed his father, and Marlene followed close behind.

"All rise! Now entering, Executive General Nanaki of Seto." All the members stood up as Nanaki entered the grand hall that housed the International Union's General Assembly. Caden, who despite being nervous, was calm and collected. Cloud had taken his place in the Nibel Science Council seat, and Marlene sat in the general stands.

The Assembly sat down again as Nanaki approached the podium. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly, I am aware that this is a very unusual gathering. However, it has been brought to my attention that a force still exists that could unravel everything we have put together over the past two decades. I am referring to the ancient threat, Jenova." The crowds began to murmur. Most of the Assembly thought it preposterous that some biological experiment could be so dangerous, but they continued to listen. "As you are all well aware, the Jenova Project implemented by the Shinra was carried out in Mako Reactor One on Mount Nibel. What you may not know is that one of the test subjects did survive after it was shut down. He has come here today to brief you on this new threat. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Caden Strife"

Caden walked up to the podium as a silence swept across the spectators. The Assembly's eyes fixed on Caden as he began to speak. "Good morning members of the Assembly. As Executive General Nanaki just stated, I am the last surviving test subject of the Jenova Project. My existence was no accident. Shinra's chief scientist, Dimitri Hojo, was obsessed with creating a clone of the greatest warrior in the history of this planet. About twenty-six years ago he took cells from Sephiroth, and cultivated them into the man you see before you.

"It sadly does not end there. Six years later, after the last of the ancients, Aeris Gainsborough, was murdered, Hojo returned and added cells taken from her to my pod while I was still developing. As a result I am an ancient and Jenovan.

"Just recently, I was made aware of all this. This is because, during the graduation ceremonies for the Wutai Military Academy, two unidentifiable men stormed the campus. I later learned their leader was a man by the name of Lenox, but he is only a liaison between the terrorist and a the organization's leader. That someone or something reactivated the eight Midgar Mako Reactors, and is threatening the planet directly.

"I believe that I encountered this phantom leader, and that it was Jenova. I could not sense his presence at all, as if alien to the Lifestream itself. If he were of this planet's Lifestream, I would have known. Only Jenova was ever alien to this world. Even Sephiroth had Spirit Energy from the Lifestream flowing through him.

"If Jenova is allowed to exist, the planet will die, and us with it. This is a serious threat that must be met swiftly, there is no other choice. Members of the Assembly, consider this," Caden finished as he put his notes down. "I now yield the floor to Executive General Nanaki." Caden walked away from the podium, as the hall again erupted into murmurs and whispers.

Nanaki again approached up to the podium. The hall silenced as he began to speak. "Chairman Strife of the Science Council will know discus the threat of Jenova and the study into Cetrae Angelus." Nanaki backed away as Cloud approached the podium.

Cloud stood at the podium and stared out across the other thirty-four members of the Assembly as he began to speak. "Fellow members of the Assembly, 2000 years ago, a creature crash landed onto our planet in northern Icicle, in the Northern Cave region. This creature soon made contact with human kind when he wandered into a nearby Cetra village. Those that survived the encounter wrote that it had the appearance all their ancestors, and that it promised peace and fellowship. The creature betrayed the Cetra's trust by unleashing a plague, now known as Genocide. The virus caused vast mutations in the exposed, those that survived the infection became monsters. Most of the Cetra people died this way.

"The Cetra survivors called this creature the 'Crisis from the Sky.' They fought long and hard until the Cetra mage Ifalonoe trapped it in a geological stratum, most likely by means of a powerful quake like spell. There it remained until sixty-three years ago, when Professor Ivan Gast of Shinra found it in an outcrop north of Bone Village. He named the creature Jenova after the inscription above the creature. Three years later, after it had been falsely identified as an ancient, Shinra approved the Jenova Project. Their goal was to use the creature's cells to create an ancient.

"Jenova, however, was still alive, and had other plans. Twenty years ago, Jenova and Sephiroth tried to find the Cetra promised land, believing it over flowing with Spirit Energy. They believed that if they absorbed all the Spirit Energy there, he would become a god. Jenova failed and now it has returned to finish what it started over two-millennia ago. This is the true danger of Jenova.

"Ifalonoe could not destroy Jenova with the power he had, but he realized that someday his descendants would. To ensure this, he created two powerful relics. They were the White Materia and a sword that has only so far been identified as the 'Holy Sword,' because the rest of the tablet was missing. The Cetra legend goes that, 'when the hour of darkness comes, the last of our kin will fall summoning the great justice. But from this darkness, a descendent of Ifalonoe will come baring the wings of an angel and the curse of the dark one. He will rid our world of the great evil that destroys all existence. He will mend the broken soul of the Cetra, and he will be called Cetrae Angelus.' This 'Cetrae Angelus' is our only hope against Jenova, but who is he and does he exist?

"Yes he does, and he is here today. The legend states that he must be descended from Ifalonoe. Aeris Gainsborough was the last descendent of Ifalonoe, and was slain summoning Holy. Caden Strife was born after Aeris died, but is an Ancient. Jenova was referred to as the 'curse of the dark one' by some older circles Cetra nomads, and Caden also carries the lineage of Jenova. All the signs show that he is the Cetrae Angelus." The Assembly burst into a roar of voices as they debated the new revelations amongst themselves.

One of the members stood up to ask a question. "Your basing this whole 'Cetrae Angelus' on a legend, so how do you know he exists, no less your son?"

Cloud remained calm. "Faith. Twenty years ago, it was faith that save us all from Meteor, now it may be they only thing that will save us from Jenova."

The man was not content. "Well, how do we know that Caden won't go mad like Sephiroth did?"

Cloud was disturbed by the accusations of Caden's insanity presented to the Assembly. "Sephiroth went mad the moment he thought about his origins. Caden on the other hand came here willingly to disclose his unorthodox past to all of you. I doubt he has gone mad."

The man continued to rant, determined to undermined Cloud. "This is preposterous! Are we all just supposed to believe the some guardian angel will come and sweep away all the world's problems? What about the terrorists cells in Junon? Is your 'angel' going to do anything about that?"

Nanaki walked up to the podium. "Chairman Carrol, enough! I have seen much strange phenomenon in this world. Chairman Strife is right, we must act. Therefore the International Union's Security Council will be charged with the duty of preparing and executing a plan for combating Jenova. We may even find some link to the terrorists in Junon. I therefore declare Operation Fallen Phoenix re-opened. Unless there is anything else to discuss, the Assembly is adjourned." Nanaki moved from the podium, followed by Cloud and Caden. The rest of the Assembly filed out of their seats as well.

Nanaki slowed down and waited for Caden. "Your speech went well today, Caden. I know that it was difficult, but you came through it. You should fell very proud."

"All I did was talk, nothing more," Caden said. He grew a little more serious. "But who was that man that kept attacking Father?"

"Chairman Carrol of the Security Council from Mideel. He has always been an outspoken proponent of Mako energy; one of only three Assembly members."

"Great, I get to deal with him next. He doesn't seem to like Father much does he?"

Nanaki sighed. "He was on duty the day WEAPON attacked Midgar. The same day we invaded it. Cloud broke Chairman Carrol's arm in the assault. It wasn't personal, but he never forgot it." Caden looked at Nanaki with a worried face. Nanaki tried to reassure him. "I wouldn't worry about it though. He'll follow orders because he knows that it's too dangerous not to."

"That explains his eyes." Caden stopped for a moment. "Do you think that I will be able to fulfill the prophecy, or is Chairman Carrol right?"

"Caden, never doubt yourself or the sacrifices of others. The only reason we exist is because of the faith and sacrifices of those before us."

"Like your father?"

"Yes… but how did you know?"

"Father told me when I doubted the old legends. It must have been two years ago when he found those tablets. I thought it was a fairy tale, not the prophecy that could save the planet. He told me that many people sacrificed themselves to protect the innocent, and that we all needed to believe in something. He told me about the sacrifices your father made protecting Cosmo Canyon."

"Your father is wise beyond his years now. During the war no one would have ever expected such words from him. They say that parenthood can change a man, so I guess the old saying is true." Nanaki solemnly bowed his head. "Thank you."

"For what?" Caden had not thought much of what he said.

"For reminding me what we are fighting for."

"Then I have to thank you for the same thing."

"Very well, but I believe you have an appointment now."

"Yeah... um... wish me luck." Caden began to walk away.

Nanaki watched as Caden walked away. "That boy may be our only hope. I just pray he doesn't forget."

Caden entered a boardroom with a large table. He saw seven people standing by it, but no one sitting. He watched as Chairman Carrol sat down at the head of the table. "Everyone, please sit. We are now going to discuss the plans for Operation Fallen Phoenix. As you may already be aware, I really don't see any threat from this one creature, if it exists at all. However, this was not my call. Young Mr. Strife is here to address us on this… thing." Carrol's glowing amber eyes pierced through Caden as he entered.

"Thank you Mr. Chairman." Caden nervously eyed the council Chairman, but soon diverted his attention to the rest of the council. "As you were all just informed, there is a threat to this planet. From what I have seen and heard, the source of this threat may be emanating from the ruins of Midgar. There have already been reports of massive assaults by a well organized terrorist group on major cities and locations. This organization is using tactics and weapons that indicate some connection to the Shinra. Except there is one problem with that theory, the Shinra do not exist any more. This leaves one other theory open, someone from Shinra has returned, and has control of or is being controlled by Jenova.

"From the intel I gathered, the main body of the terrorist is commanded by a man named Lenox. I looked into it further, and apparently, Lenox was the general that succeeded Sephiroth in SOLDIER. He some how survived the attack by WEAPON, and now he's returned. Mr. Chairman, as he was your commanding officer, can you shed any light on our adversary?"

Carrol's eyes glowed softer upon hearing Caden. "Well… General Lenox was not what I would call a compassionate man. Under his command, SOLDIER became even more hard-lined and merciless."

"But wasn't Heidegger the commander of SOLDIER?" Caden asked knowing full well what the answer was.

Carrol continued. "Heidegger was a pencil pusher, Lenox was the one out there commanding the forces. He loved wars of attrition, no matter what side it happened to. Most likely, he'll keep the more seasoned troops closer to the back line, and throw the rookies in to fight first. The old cliche 'That which does not kill you can only make you stronger,' was his mantra. Don't underestimate him; he will not be a push over."

"So the question is, what do we do now?" Caden asked.

Some of the council members squabbled amongst themselves, until the Councilwoman from Junon spoke up. "Maybe we should try to get someone into Midgar, or a small force even. At least that way we'll know what's happening there. Right now, Junon forces are already surrounding the Midgar Ruins."

Carrol waited for the Junon representative finish. "Actually that may not be out of the question. Caden, will you lead the strike force?"

Caden was a little skeptical of the Chairman's sudden change of attitude towards him. "I don't know if I'm qualified to."

Chairman Carrol's demeanor did not change. "Your Musashiden title qualifies you beyond a doubt. Caden, if the legend of Cetrae Angelus is true, then you may be our best hope. I'm not saying I believe it at all or that you'll succeed, but we do need you in Midgar. Maybe you will find your phantom there."

Caden sat forward on his seat. "Then I will accept the mission."

"Good. Assemble your task force." Carrol stood up and walked over to a large map. It became clear to Caden that the Security Council had been working for a long time on a Midgar assault. "We will use an old diversionary tactic to insert Mr. Strife and his team. First, air strikes from Windwalkers and Highwind will weaken the perimeter defense network; the Nibel Air Force has already pledged their support in a Midgar assault. Second, heavy artillery strikes from the surrounding bluffs to throw off ground forces near the slum entrances. Third, Junon forces will take the entrances to the city that would ideally be abandoned by the terrorist. With luck, the terrorist will expect an urban assault in the Midgar slums. Finally, we will have a dummy air strike that will land Mr. Strife's task force in sector three of Midgar's Upper Plate. The task forces Windwalker will experience 'mechanical trouble' and 'crash' into the city. Caden, I assume you know how to operate a Windwalker."

"Yes, I'm certified to fly Windwalkers and Falcons. Now, will the Highwind will be the command ship for this mission?"

Chairman Carrol looked over at Caden. "Yes. As for your air boss, you will be under the command of Nibel Air Command directly."

Caden knew exactly what this meant, and who he answered to. "Rear Admiral Highwind?"

Carrol was a little surprised. "Yes, you know him."

Caden looked smugly across the room. "He's the one that taught me to fly."

Carrol looked at Caden with a questioning eye. "Is that so?" Carrol turned to the rest of the council. "If there are no other pressing issues, then the meeting adjourned. We will convene in two weeks to go over more detailed plans. I suggest that you all contact your governments and convene with them on Operation Fallen Phoenix." Chairman Carrol calmly walked from the room. He was soon followed by a couple of the council members. The rest of the members stayed behind to gather their materials and to talk among themselves. Caden did not wait for the rest of the members to leave, and so left himself.

Marlene was standing outside the boardroom. "So Caden, I here you're the one leading this suicide mission."

Caden turned to Marlene. "Psychotic yes, but not suicidal. You want in?"

Marlene looked at Caden questionably. "Not gonna give the same old line?"

Caden and Marlene started walking. "I need people I know I can trust, and I trust you. Besides, you already volunteered."

"Just the two of us isn't going to cut it. You'll need more people you trus… nooo. Don't even think about!" Marlene stopped and scowled at Caden. Caden wryly gave a half smile. "You just thought about it. You are not going to ask Bowden, are you?"

Caden tried to reason with Marlene. "Come on, he's not that bad. Anyway he was my roommate at the academy, and we only got into a little trouble that one time."

"You greased up a wild chocobo and let it run through the headmaster's office, twice!"

Caden scratched his chin. "Yeah, it really wasn't that funny the second time." Marlene looked at Caden with a stern face. Caden decided that the chocobo issue would not help him. "But I can trust Bowden in an emergency like this. Anyway there are only a few people who know as much about high explosives in Mako reactors, and we need to take out the eight Midgar Reactors."

Marlene shook her finger at Caden like a teacher scolding a student. "Alright, but no chocobos!"

"Ok, ok, now who else would be able to help?" Caden responded while trying not to break out laughing.

"There is some one you may want to meet." Caden and Marlene stopped and turned to see Nanaki behind them. "He lives in the southern province of Wutai near the abandoned lightning materia mines. You may need his help, but I wouldn't tell your father about what you find. It may be difficult for him to accept." Nanaki did not wait for an answer by either Caden or Marlene, but left the two to decide their next move.

Marlene did not know what to make of what just happened. "That was... odd. What do you think he meant?"

Caden stared off in the direction Nanaki left. "It means we're going to meet someone who may be a link to my past" Caden turned to face Marlene. "Well then, I guess we're on our way to Wutai. We better start tomorrow morning, though."