The Arrival of Omega Weapon

Chapter 16

"What is it with this world?" Rinoa, Squall and Seifer were talking in a small house that a girl had directed them to. Squall was looking out the window looking at the mountains.
"What do you mean?" Rinoa asked "Almost everywhere I look, I see barren land, dead soil and no greenery. Why is that?" The mood in the room turned dark.
"You really know how to kill a moment, don't you, Squall." "Sorry, Seifer."

A tense silence filled the room.

"It's a problem the world over." Squall and Seifer looked at Rinoa "As I was riding in the airship, I was able to look down at the ground. It's as if the life simply left the ground. In one place it's so bad, they've build a large city which is far above the ground." "Well… you're half right, Rinoa." A new voice came from the doorway.
"Elena?" Rinoa recognised the voice.
"Hi. Sorry to bother you. I was just wanting to make sure you were okay." "We're fine." Seifer said "What was that about Rinoa being half right though?" "Midgar, the city Rinoa was on about was built, but it wasn't built because of the barren land. It's the other way around. Up until about 10 months ago, Midgar was powered by Mako." "Mako?" confused faces were all around "Spirit energy. Mako is a natural product of the planet. Reactors were used to extract it and turn it into a form of power. The problem that came with it, though, was that Mako is the lifeforce of the planet. As we took more out, we were doing more damage to the surrounding area. If it had continued, it may well have destroyed the planet."

All three SeeD's were horrified "And this still happens?" "Tifa was part of this?" "What's being done about it?" All three questions came at the same time.

"Whoa. Not so fast. Okay, no, this doesn't happen any more. Like I said, this stopped about 10 months back. It was the time Tifa became President actually, it was her pressure that stopped it. In fact, before then, she was in a group which… erm… protested the use of Mako. As for what's being done?" She stopped "Well?" Rinoa pressed after a brief moment "There's nothing that can be done." "Say what?" "All we can do is leave it and le the planet repair itself. It'll take a great deal of time, but it's all that can happen." "I… see."

Outside the building came a shout calling Elena's name.

"I've got to go, don't hesitate to ask questions, we'll tell you if we know the answers." "Okay Elena. See you later."

After Elena left. Rinoa, Seifer and Squall looked at each other.

"So? What do we do now?" "To be honest. I don't know." Squall answered "It looks like they are in quite a mess, but is it really our place to interfere… or even help?" "That's a good question." Rinoa agreed Seifer snorted "It's not our world, but for the moment, we're stuck here. As I see it, we have two options. We just sit back and enjoy it as a vacation, or we offer our services and help in any way we can.

There was a brief silence.

"Well…" Squall broke into the quiet room "I think we should help. I was travelling with that Cloud fellow, and even though he's very good in battle, it looks like he'll need help in this." "I've fought with the Barret guy too." "As I have with Tifa." "And you're thinking on the situation?" Squall asked "From what I've heard, Tifa and Cloud saved this world with Barret and some other people. It took a combination of the group of them to do it… Almost like it did when we faced Ultimecia, Weird… But, I think they're missing some of that group, they could probably use the help." "Seifer?" "I say, we help, as well." "Huh?" Squall looked strangely at him.
"What's the look for? I think we should help. It'll give us something to do. Plus, it may present us with a way home." "Hadn't thought of it that way. You might be right." "Of course I am."

They all laughed. It broke the tension and cheered them up immensely. After that they sat around and talked about they're recent travels in this new world.

………

As Sephiroth waited in the operations room of the Highwind. He thought of his life and compared it to the life of his dead counterpart from this world.

He couldn't believe how different the two of them were, despite being the same person. He had, in his world, summoned Meteor to destroy one person. Now that he had time to think about it, he realised it was the wrong thing to do. His counterpart, on the overhand, had summoned Meteor for his own goals and to destroy the entire world. Because of this, he hated himself for everything he had done. In both worlds.

Tifa had told him to remain on the ship, she said it was for his protection. But Sephiroth guessed that it was, in fact to keep from attracting too much attention. Both ways were acceptable and he had agreed. Now he awaited everybody's return.

He walked over to the front of the room. A computer display he was working with shone. He got back to learning of this world.

About a half hour had passed.
The main door opened. Sephiroth turned to see who was coming in.
He saw a very familiar sword come through it and reached for his own blade. He could only think 'Was it a trap?'

………

Cloud reacted on instinct to the sudden attack as he entered the room. After blocking a strong downward stroke, he dived into the room. Rolling on his impact with the floor, he got up facing his attacker.

The colour drained from his face when he saw. Strangely, though, there was a similar amount of shock on the face of the other man, as well.

"Sephiroth?"

Sephiroth only sneered with hatred and lunged. Cloud easily blocked and jumped back, further into the room.
'How is Sephiroth here?' Cloud thought 'Is this who Tifa wanted me to see? But why?'

Sephiroth lunged again and Cloud blocked again.

"Sephiroth! Stop!" Cloud shouted "Why should I. Zack!" Sephiroth demanded "You will pay for your murderous actions!" "Zack?" Cloud said confused "Don't insult my intelligence, Zack. You may have changed your hair colour, but that sword you use sticks out much more than your hair!"

Cloud saw there was no reasoning with this person, so he did the only thing he could. He fought.

As Cloud went onto the offensive, he saw that Sephiroth was having trouble blocking the majority of his attacks. That, in itself, was strange. As Sephiroth's skills were the basis of his own, and he hadn't done anything special, so why was Sephiroth having trouble reading his strikes?

The sparks from the two blades flew off in all directions as they impacted each other. Cloud stepped back and then went in with a simple combination that's only purpose was to gauge Sephiroth's strengths. As the combination ended, he was surprised to find that it had disarmed Sephiroth and his blade had flown off to the main monitor at the back of the room.

Sephiroth fell to his knees "Finish it!" "Pardon?" "Kill me, Zack!" Sephiroth really believed he was Zack, it seemed "Kill me like you killed my family. My friends." Cloud had to stop this "I can't…" "What!" Sephiroth's head snapped up and looked Cloud in the eyes.
"Two reasons. One, I didn't kill your family, or friends. Two, I'm not Zack! I'm…" Tifa came running in through the door "Cloud? Sephiroth? What's going on in here!"

………

Reno and Rude finally landed outside of Corel. They had been surprised, to say the least, that Tifa and Elena had left Junon very quickly and even more surprised at the destination.

Elena ran toward them excitedly, but suddenly stopped. Remembering her job and greeted them politely.

"Hello there, Reno. Rude. Welcome to Corel." "That's enough, Elena!" Reno said sharply "Why are you here! You know something is going on. The president… Tifa's safety is our main objective, but we can't do that if she's running off all over the place." "But, Reno. It is safe here." She said adamantly "How do you know that!" Reno exclaimed throwing his arms into the air "Mainly, because most of Avalanche is here. Including Cloud."

Reno froze and turned back slowly. Rude also had a worried look. Elena spotted it.

"Something wrong?" "Elena? Was there anything strange about Cloud?" "What? Don't think so. Anything in particular?" "Has he dyed his hair black? Or even look like it was once dyed?" "No. His hair is still as blond and spiky as it was. There's no sign of tampering." "I think I need to see him." Reno started to the Highwind.

………

"OH NO YOU'RE NOT!" Reno jumped from that statement from Elena.
"You two are going to get cleaned up. You look terrible. I'll go and inform Cloud and Tifa you are here." "Don't forget to tell them about me, then." A new voice sounded from the Genelka airship. Elena's jaw dropped when se saw who it was.
"A-A-Aeris?" "Glad you remember me, Elena. If you don't mind, I'm going to get cleaned up too. I need to get to the old reactor site quickly." She started off without waiting for a reply.

Elena was very confused about her appearance. She also noticed her figure was almost constant flickering. Elena dismissed it and pointed Reno and Rude towards the town.
As they started walking, Elena turned to the Highwind then stopped. If this was that important, Rinoa and her group might need to know what was going on as well. She turned back to the town and ran up to Reno and Rude.

Reno looked at Elena curiously "I've got to get someone from town first." Elena said, without speaking any further "Oh." was all Reno said.

………

Aeris stood before the large hole where the Corel Reactor used to stand.

"Ahh!" She breathed heavily "That was harder than I thought."

Being connected to the lifestream certainly had its advantages. But the strain it puts on her if she is out for a long period is immense.
Without another thought, she jumped into the hole.

A number of nearby people gasped in horror and ran to where she had been. As they turned back, they froze.
Before them, the air seemed to shimmer and shake. If finally formed a figure and Aeris reappeared.
Everyone took a step back. Three of the group were right on the edge though and they fell.

Aeris looked back and gasped. She instantly used her magic. She had discovered a number of useful new materia in her travels and used one to help the people.
"FLOAT!" Aeris said, concentrating on the three fallers."

The three men looked at each other, with wild expressions, as they stood on air.
One of them tried to go up, like scaling an imaginary staircase. To his surprise it worked. Smiling, the three soon made to back and were all standing on solid ground again.

Aeris gave them one last glance and then turned and made her way back to town.

………

Rinoa and her friends were still talking when Elena entered, but it seemed to have turned to less important matters. They were smiling and joking among each other. Elena decided it was okay, so she knocked politely and entered.

Rinoa smiled "Hey there, Elena!" That took her back a step "Huh? Why so cheerful?" "We've made a decision. But that's something else. What's up?" "Erm… Well, they'll be a meeting happening on the Highwind very soon. It'll be good if you came too." "Sure, that's fine." "Great! Shall we go then?" "Just a minute." Squall spoke up "A question first?" "Huh? Oh, sure, go ahead." "Is there anyone on this world that could find a way for us to get home?" Elena looked at Squall, then looked down "Probably not, no. From what I know, only one person would even try, but he died a year ago."

Elena fully expected the three smiles to disappear, and was a more than a bit suspicious when they didn't.

"Why are you still happy?" "We were just wondering, that's all. It would have doubled the chances, but it wasn't really necessary. We have someone on our world that's probably already working on a way now." "Really?" Elena's heart jumped "That's great! You'll be able to go home." Squall nodded, but Seifer interrupted "Maybe, but we don't know how long it'll take, or even if they are. So we've decided to help you out 'til then." The smiles around the room broadened "It'll give us something to do." Seifer completed "Thanks." Elena said dryly, were they taking this seriously?
"Shall we go?" Rinoa asked

The three mercenaries stood up and started towards the door. Elena's mind went back to Reno and Rude as they made their way to the town. Something about the way they looked, wasn't right. It was like they were scared, but how could that be? And why?

"Elena. You okay?" Rinoa asked concerned from the doorway "Oh. Yeah, sorry. Thinking, that's all. Let's go then."

………

Cloud was puzzled, after hearing Tifa's explanation that this was not the Sephiroth from this world. He tested a theory of his.
Turning to Sephiroth, he asked "Was there a man named Hojo from your world?" "Hojo? My father?" That almost sealed it "You know?" "Of course." "Now I know you're not the Sephiroth from here. Our one didn't know." "Why did you want to know about Hojo?" "Oh, yes. Do you know if he found out anything about Jenova?" "Jenova? Lets see." Sephiroth thought for a moment "I remember something called that. An alien organism from the time of the Ancients. He made a breakthrough when I was about 2 years old, I think. He did something, but there was an explosion, he didn't survive."

There was a silence before Sephiroth spoke again "I'm assuming he survived here?" Tifa nodded, Cloud just stood there.
"What did he do?" "Hojo found the secrets of Jenova." Cloud said quietly "Before our Sephiroth was born. Hojo implanted the cells of Jenova in you… Our Sephiroth, it ultimately drove him mad."

Another silence ensued.

"TIFA! Where are you?" A voice was heard clearly through the quiet.
Tifa stepped out the room and saw Elena with Rinoa, Squall and Seifer standing in the hallway "In here, Elena."

………

A breeze of air passed him. A lost, but not forgotten piece of history. He raised an arm, which surprised him. He pushed the door to the equipment cupboard which had housed him for almost a year.

Following the orders of his unseen controller, he stepped out into the bright lights and pyrotechnics of the Gold Saucer.

It was busy, he was literally surrounded by people, both staff and patrons. But he had a job to do, he reached the portal to the entrance and jumped in.

As he left through the main entrance, the ticket masters looked at him strangely for a second, before returning to their duties.

The airtram was waiting and he boarded. As the tram began its descent, he suddenly realised something. It thrilled him beyond belief.

Cait Sith was needed again!