Journey Twelve – Reason
The bright, celestial light died down and Jenova decided she had enough of being beaten by the two mechas. However, before she fell to the floor, she has one last haunting statement to her 'dear little sister' Jehovah and especially the two protagonists Aerith and Sephiroth.
One last thing, before I fall… She slyly explained to the Lost Eden MA. You there, the impostor who liked my 'son'.
"What is it?" Quickly replied the One Winged Angel via communication.
That black wing of yours…I'd be careful, if I were you.
"What…?"
…Beware of the shadow behind the Theophilus Star Government. They want your black…wing for this reason.
"Why…? My black wing?"
That…I could say…no…more. And so the beautiful, yet deadly alien fell and disintegrated into dust and silence stood still in there with just MAs, Kami-Kaze and Jehovah.
Jehovah cockpit
In turmoil, Sephiroth could not believe his mother never explained to him why he was in Lost Eden some time ago. Curled up into a foetus position and with a clear few thoughts, he wanted some explanations.
Mother, why haven't you told me you were with me as a baby in Lost Eden? Why did that man injected me with some kind of liquid? Why does my black wing have to do with this? Come to think of it, who was that person and why does he have to involve with her and me? So many questions left wondering to me.
The same can be said for Aerith. With Jenova's last words, the artefacts, Seraphiel's Compass, the green, red and blue strangers, along with Astaroth and the Archangel Michael himself, she sought after the answers that her father would not finish, even if he was still alive or at worst, dead.
Dad, did you really wanted me to continue these words onto mine? I said I wanted to find you, as well as exploring new worlds, but why do you want me to find Seraphiel's Compass and the artefacts ?Why do you want me to find the truth about the Archangel Michael? Was he some kind of saviour or just someone else? And who are those people, especially Astaroth? Did you sent them to us, like in the Olympus Coliseum and Akagi, to test Sephiroth's skills? Why? Are you even alive father?
All seem so much confusion, when it finally died down, they can hear the sorrowful silence and suddenly…
"Aerith! Sephiroth! You'd better get here now!" Bach's voice shouted via the audio link.
"Why? Can't you hear both her and I need to contemplate ourselves?" The One Winged Angel angrily asked.
"This is an emergency! That black dude and green lady had killed the 'other' Sephiroth and have disappeared, leaving that party and us behind."
"What did you say?"
Several hours later outside the Northern Crater
Once the two parties were out of this 'hell-hole' and only Aerith and Sephiroth have gotten out of Jehovah, there have been a tense situation between them and Bach, who looked rather angry; after the rest of Bach's group, along with 'Kami-Kaze' have entered in the Vatican's docking platform.
"Why did you leave the Vatican without telling us you're confronting Jenova?" He asked with anger mixing with concern to the two.
"I couldn't say anything about it and I don't want you and the others to get involved." Aerith replied so calmly and sadly.
"Why not tell Lord Ashura?" Sephiroth soon quickly followed with bitterness. "He has reasons with the connection to the Jenova incident, as well as the Lost Eden incident. However, in exchange for our explanation Aerith and I went A.W.O.L, you have to give us where did that Astaroth and that green lady and how did that clone got killed?"
"What! Damn you; no wonder you're called the 'Bringer of Misfortune' for one good reason. Fine, well…
"After 'Kami-Kaze' went ahead of us, there were already conflicts between somehow that blonde swordsman…"
"You mean Cloud Strife."
"…yes, that's him, with his party against that green stranger and that black cloak dude against the 'other you'. Vincent explained to Cloud on the way we're on the good side, when suddenly, that black dude just killed the 'other' you by thrusting his arm onto his body and ripped off his heart and he just dropped like that. And then suddenly, that green dude just nearly spiked us with her needles and then they disappeared."
"Sheesh, that doesn't make sense there."
"Yeah, and now…"
"Aerith! Sephiroth!" Cloud's voice shouted as he himself came running towards the people. "Are you really leaving the Planet?"
"I'm afraid so, Cloud." Sephiroth remarked sadly. "And this time, Vincent is staying with you."
"I wish that both Sephiroth and I could stay here for a long time, but unfortunately, we've got other commitments to look forward."
"I see. Even though I lost Aeris, I'll still going to lose you as her. And yet, you've given me enough hope that I can go on forward without her. Thanks."
"You're welcome." And so, Aerith smiled for the first time and memories can only be preserved as the sunset was beautifully landscaped the world. However, that does not stop the reason why did both of the individuals went A.W.O.L without telling them.
Meeting room, Vatican
"…And that's about probably it." Aerith finally got her breath back as she sat down.
"Wow! And I thought you were risking your lives!" Yuffie exclaimed as she looked around the meeting room."
"Though there is one thing I am now confused about this," Eliza quickly explained "and that is Sephiroth's origin and his connection to Lost Eden."
"Yeah, come to think of it, did your father thoroughly researched about these, Aerith?" Adrian curiously asked to Aerith.
"I never knew he only concentrated on Lost Eden itself and not Sephiroth himself, as well as the connection to his black wing."
"That's a fact and speaking of which, what are the connections between Astaroth the black one, that green stranger, as well as the others?" Ashura clearly observed and asked logically.
"Don't forget the crimson stranger as well!" Bach exclaimed.
"Well yes, and then there's the Theophilus Star Government. I bet they have some connections on blocking and passing false details to the people in the Star and Solar Systems."
"But Jenova gave me a warning that I couldn't even escape." Sephiroth spoke for the first time. "And that person – does he have some connections with my mother and was I born from the past?"
"I know you have vague memories of your Lost Eden childhood memories there Sephiroth, but what interests is that the Theophilus Government never wanted to capture you."
"So, there is only one thing to sort this mess out." Bach stood up as he declared his next point of action.
"What now, Bach?" Adrian complained "Another one of your ridiculous complaints again?"
"No, not this time, Adrian. It's going down to the head office and confront the President!"
"Oh dear. Here we go again."
Many several hours later in Second Eden
"Cool! I've never been in Second Eden before!" Yuffie exclaimed, like a tourist, as she looked at the wonderful sites of the city.
"Yuffie, I may as excited as you," Leon moaned a little, "but did you dragged Sephiroth, Aerith and me to this place!"
"Leon," Aerith pleaded softly. "Just please be more soft. You and Yuffie haven't been here for the second time. And besides, Bach's crew are heading down to his dad's place, before confronting the government tomorrow. So, let's enjoy the tour of the city for the rest of the day."
"Yes, but…" Finally he submitted as the four 'people from the Heart Star System' were walking around the streets of the metropolis in Second Eden. Finally, they can start acting like they were tourists of this strange new world. That it, until a crimson arrow was striking at Sephiroth as he narrowly dodged it, while picking the small child and telling him to get to a safe place.
"Oh, so the One Winged Angel has come out of his wheelchair and into a speedy recovery." He smirked with confidence as he clicked his fingers, making the citizens, apart from the four to a deep slumber.
"Okay, now what do you want?" Sephiroth hissed, positioning his stance and ready to strike, while protecting Aerith by his side. "Another clash against me? Because I'm in a much better mood for that!"
"Oh, I wish I would like to, but sadly I can't. This time, I'm here to warn you about the Theophilus Star Government."
"Then, what do you wish to tell me?"
"Have you ever heard of the XIII Order? The people who wear similar clothing to Astaroth, but with different coats."
"I have never heard such an organization, but what the hell is this?"
"The XIII Order is an organization, who wanted to control the darkness, as well as light and wanted to unlock the secrets behind Lost Eden for centuries. Plus, they are controlling the Theophilus Star Government, just to hide the facts, people need to know beyond their planets; which might explains that one of the members is the son of the President of Second Eden, who is being manipulated the whole time."
"The President has a…?" Unfortunately, Sephiroth's sentence was not finished, when he sensed danger and grabbed Aerith to avoid any danger, as the boomerang effect of the weapon was behind the four, though the crimson stranger was slightly lucky, as his mask was removed from his face as he dodged it. "Dammit! Show yourselves, you fools!"
"Well, well. Looks like they noticed us, Larxene!" shouted a rough male voice.
"Oh dear, shall we reveal ourselves, Axel and Vexen?" shouted a female voice.
"Might as well do it." Shouted another male, as the three dark persons appeared in front, revealing their faces, of the four and the crimson stranger, now revealed.
"That's the XIII Order?" Yuffie was scared when asking, as she nearly grabbed her small shurikens from her right pockets.
"Yuffie! Leon!" Aerith announced, while trying to hide her panic face and getting her newly acquired weapon, Princess Guard. "Go to Bach's location now! Sephiroth and I will try to distract the three."
"WHAT! But you're not skilled on battling them! Let me handle them, while you and Leon would go and tell Bach!"
"Don't worry. I had some lessons learned from Alda."
"Okay, but don't you dare get a scratch!" And so, the two ran, though with a little drawback.
"Hey! Come back!" shouted Larxene as she and Vexen sprinted towards the two, though they were unexpectedly halted by a rain of swords dropping down on them. "What the…?"
"Ah, yes…some new challengers. I like it!" shouted a familiar voice to Sephiroth, Aerith and for some reason, the crimson stranger, as he rapidly appeared behind Vexen, with his European sword and whacked him to the ground hard. Then, Ashura appeared, with his trademark eyes, turning fiercely red. "Pfft! I've seen better fighters like Sephiroth than him!"
"Ah, Lord Ashura! You've arrived!" The crimson stranger happily exclaimed to the 'multiple-personality-disorder-man'.
"It's been a while, Lawrence." Ashura proudly said as he looked to him. "So, how's the drug that combats leukaemia I've given to you?"
Lawrence! Both Aerith and Sephiroth were completely shocked that the crimson stranger is actually Bach's older brother. I thought he's dead! Hang on…why have we seen him again in the Olympus Coliseum as the crimson stranger?
"I hate on you two on having a nice reunion," Axel explained, clutching his weapons and targeting Lawrence at the same time. "But, I'm here to finished you off!"
Then, despite Vexen getting a painful damage from the crazy swordsman, he summoned his big shield weapon and strike at the two unaware people, though thankfully, Sephiroth and Aerith knew the danger and sidetracked the attack.
"I hope you successfully know how to attack your first opponent, Aerith." Sephiroth remarked as he unsheathed and slightly lengthen his Masamune to offensive position.
"Don't worry Sephiroth." Aerith smiled as she positioned her quarterstaff, Princess Guard, to her crane stance, thanks to the training from Alda. "I'm a quick learner when it comes to combat skills."
He smirked in reply. "Good, now shall we get it on?"
And then, the unlikely alliance between the One Winged Angel, the brown-haired woman, Lord Ashura and his collection of swords and Lawrence, the crimson stranger against the three XIII Order members has begun on the battle to determine on what on Second Eden the turmoil has got into.
Meanwhile, back at the board meeting room, Yeager Enterprises Building
Yuffie and Leon came bursting out of the meeting room doors, despite there were security guards behind them.
"BACH!" They both shouted, while trying to avoid the security's grasp. "AERITH, SEPHIROTH AND LORD ASHURA ARE IN BIG TROUBLE, NOT TO MENTION THE CRIMSON STRANGER FROM THE OLMYPUS COLISEUM IS WITH THEM!"
"What!" Bach exclaimed, as he stood up from his seat. "Uh, security? Let them go! They're with me!"
The security guards let the two go and left the room without a word. "Okay, okay. Just calm down and explain to everyone on this situation, while telling us, on how the hell you got here in such a short notice."
"Oh fine." Leon finally caught his breath and explained to Bach, Adrian, Alda, Rufus, Zack, YESHUA, Eliza and now, Bach's dad. "We were in the city square doing some sightseeing, when suddenly, that crimson stranger came from nowhere. He warned us of this organization called the XIII Order or something and suddenly, the members of the same group appeared from nowhere and attacked them. Thankfully, while we're running to your place, that psycho woman nearly ambushed us, when Ashura came to the rescue and distracted the others. After a while, we're finally arrived at the entrance to the Yeager Building, via this 'fast monorail'…"
A while earlier, reception area, Yeager Building
The two came running towards the desk, feeling a lot worried from the event and impatient.
"Excuse miss, but where's Bach and the others?" Yuffie quickly asked as her patience with time was not on her side. "This is really an emergency!"
"He's in the meeting room with the others, but I'm afraid he's too busy to take your answer." The receptionist boringly replied, while playing solitaire on her holographic computer."
"But THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!"
"Sorry, but the answer's no."
"Oh sod off!" Leon angered, not feeling his old-self, as he decided to ignore the receptionist's reply. "I'm going straight off to the meeting room!" And he left in a walking-cum-running pace leaving Yuffie behind.
"Hey, wait for me, Leon!" And so did the young kunoichi.
"Hey! You can't just barge in a middle of a meeting." She shouted, though both of them ignored her plea. "Ugh, guards, get them!"
"Eeep!" Their voices shouted.
"You don't have to tell us the whole explanation, Miss Yuffie." Adrian complained to Yuffie on how did the security guards nearly took them away.
"Whoops!" she exclaimed. "Guess I spilt that out."
"Well anyway," Bach explained "Now that we know that they're in danger, we might as well help them and deal with this XIII Order."
"But first," Bach's dad, Yeager Senior interrupted as he stood up "We need to deal with some financial business with the mergers."
Author's Notes: Sorry for the short chapter guys. Writer's block has now entered in my brain. Agh! I've been concentrating too much on playing Shadow of the Colossus, I nearly forgot the fanfiction I've been making as well as planning another fanfiction after that (i.e. Dark English Roses)! And yes, Aerith and Sephiroth have now left the FFVII world, leaving Vincent back to where he belongs. And yes, now you know the truth about Lawrence, you will have find out soon on why he knew Ashura and his reason he's still alive in the next journey.
As to why the XIII Order members arrived in Second Eden for apparent reason, you would have to read further journeys to reveal their motives on getting their hands on Lost Eden. Now, you can bring in the theories in, as I don't want to spoil this for you and like the ICO genius, Fumito Ueda-san, I'll leave the imagination to you on the Nimbus Galaxy. I love different theories bringing in my fanfiction. Oh, and for the person asking me on Aerith's definition, she IS just a normal human with no Cetra powers and magic – just pure combat skills, though with some or little damage to an opponent.
Well, reviews are welcome, though NO flamers and anti-AeriSeph ones or I'll never going to release another chapter of Nimbus Exploration again. And in the next journey, there will be not one or two, but THREE clashes between the unlikely alliance, Sephiroth, Aerith, Ashura and the crimson stranger, Lawrence and the XIII Order members, Axel, Larxene and Vexen. Geez, this is starting to turn into a FF7/KH crossover now.