Journey Fourteen – Reminiscence

17th May

Two years, how long, yet so short time this mess have become. The Nimbus Galaxy is now the epicentre of conspiracy and I'm the unfortunate victim in the centre. Firstly, there are Lawrence and his party, are they our enemies or allies? Then here comes the XIII Order, who actually control the scenes behind the Theophilus Star System and Jehovah herself, who appeared in my dreams. What do these people and a robot have in common? Ah, yes. The connection between my black wing and only that Order wanted to capture me to unlock the path to Lost Eden. Speaking of which, that vision Jenova showed us, before she 'fell', admittedly, I really wanted to know what that man has to do with mother. Why did he insert something strange to me? And to add the confusion, the artefacts are now part of this conspiracy and yet, we've only found Kusanagi, the legendary sword so far. As for the Holy Magatama of Yasanaki and the Yata Mirror, even I have no idea.

Finally, the research for Seraphiel's Compass is complete and now we fully understand its function – the ability to pinpoint the exact planet that you wish to see in no less than five seconds. But also, it also tells the history of each planet, which may be useful on my past that I've never step foot on beforehand.

Well, I'd better wrap this blog entry up; I've got to train Aerith, now that she decided she wants to hone her staff skills…and of course, my sword skills.

-Sephiroth

Kinja Residence – Garden

CLANG!

Practice after practice, Aerith tried her to thrust her end of Princess Guard to Sephiroth's new Chinese-style dark crimson-and-black gown from his chest, but in the end, she was defeated as his tip of his newly modified Masamune was above of her head, just slightly.

"At least, you're improved for the last few months," He noted, while she was catching her breath "and your magic skills are going along, too."

"Yeah…but," Aerith gasped as she tidied herself with her combination of her cherry top, deep red short sleeve shirt, alongside her bright red knee-length skirt and her black shorts "I'm not as strong as you, Sephiroth. I'm not like Sora, you know."

"Tea's ready!" Kei shouted as he brought a tray of Chinese teapot and cups "You guys must be tired from all that training."

"Gee, thanks Kei!" Aerith smiled as she took one and sat down on the floor. "So, how's your business in the bookshop industry?"

"Oh, it's fine. Just got a couple of rare ones, new releases and historical books, though with technology coming along, it's a bit hard to sell ancient types and whatnot. How about you? I've heard Sephiroth and you have recently formed a group to tackle this XIII Order…what is it called?"

"You're referring to Dratis Iris" The One Winged responded to Kei's question.

"'Dratis', eh? A local Second Eden language for 'spreading truth'."

"I would believe so and your sister's involved, too."

"Yes, it would seem so. And so did the others too, including the Yeager Enterprise."

"Speaking of which," Aerith spoke as she sipped her tea "I wonder how Yuffie and Leon are, since the two are testing their MA in the field."

"I wonder why their MA has Gummi technology. I mean, Gummi may have high defence and speed, but I still don't understand, why."

Yeager Enterprise Testing Field, Agatiti

With its speed as twice as a black chocobo, the MA Kami-Kaze dodged every oncoming dummy objects and shot them down, using 'her shuriken'. Meanwhile down on the ground, Eliza, Andrew and their newly assistant fresh from Lukia University, Yazoo were monitoring on the test.

"Miss Kinja and Andrew," the silver-haired person remarked "The results from YESHUA's upgrade system and check is complete. Would you like to see them?"

"Yes, please and Yazoo," Eliza replied as she handed him some documents "could you deliver this to the director?"

"Of course." And he left, leaving the two Chiefs alone.

"Are you happy now, YESHUA's not destroyed by some meteor or other disaster?"

"Yes, but you don't have to tell me that!" The Chief Engineer exclaimed. "But anyway, what surprises me is also my curiosity – how can he connect to Jehovah's system? I mean, he can connect to Lakia, but why Jehovah now? Two years ago and no one knows about this."

"True, that always seem to be in question, but I mean, since then, he's been closed to Aerith and Sephiroth for some time and I don't know how he relates to them."

"However, right now, let's just concern on Kami-Kaze. Speaking of which, here it comes."

Kami-Kaze descended onto the ground and when the hatch opened, Yuffie and Leon got out and felt a little 'MA-lagged' after so many tests in the last few days.

"So how are you feeling?" Eliza asked.

"Can I go to sleep, now?" Yuffie complained as her sanity was nearly out of order.

"Erm…no comment?" He softly joked.

"Well, we've 'tortured' you for a while, so technically yes." Andrew replied, rather soundly. "We've got what we need."

"Really? Yeah!"

"We'll let you know, whether Kami-Kaze is ready to go outside the testing range. YAZOO!" And the young man appeared in a quick time.

"Yes, Andrew?" he asked politely and was given a CD from the Chief Engineer.

"Could you take this data CD to H.Q. over at Second Eden, please? The director wanted to know Kami-Kaze's progress A.S.A.P."

"Yes, sir." And he soon went to the office, after a civil bow to Andrew.

"So, now what?" Yuffie asked with some curious thoughts "Can I take Kami-Kaze whether the sky takes, after I take a nap?"

"As soon Eliza's and my director over at Second Eden gets the go-ahead. Right now, I think your friend; Sephiroth is holding a meeting inside the Lukia National Library in Akagi soon, ever since he took the leadership role of the new group that has been co-operated by our company, too. "

"Yep. I hope you'll come to provide our support."

Somewhere within the Nimbus Galaxy

"Two years and you've still haven't captured the One Winged Angel?" The Superior cried with anger towards his three of the XIII Order members. "Not only that, but you did not report to me until the last minute. This is highly unacceptable for you three!"

"Hey!" Axel exclaimed with a hint of his smirk "I wasn't informed the One Winged Angel is a skilled swordsman!"

"Plus, not only that," Larxene explained bitterly "that One Winged Angel has allies, like that crimson stranger, that Lord Ashura and the lady!"

"We are truly sorry; we could not get our objective." Vexen apologised with the same expression as the blonde girl "However, we do least know what person we are now looking for."

"Aye, it is true." The Superior remarked "At any rate, while you're in Second Eden attempting to capture the objective, your fellow friends have unearthed the one of the three MAs, though we've lost the rogue MA, Jenova; thanks to that blasted MA, Jehovah!"

"So, what was the name of this newly discovered MA?"

"…Jennifer."

Somewhere also in the Nimbus Galaxy

"So, we've got a troublemaker in our hands." 'Master' recalled about this event Lawrence told him two years ago. "This XIII Order, is it true they have seized the Theophilus Star System, just to make them research to find Lost Eden?"

"Yes, well at least according to the sources from Renaults." The crimson stranger replied with some concern. "Not only that, but his son, Alexi, disappeared, during the time the Star System was completely seized by them."

"Come to think of it, wasn't Alexi joined the XIII Order, after some disputes with his dad?" Bellima asked with some curiosity.

"Unfortunately, we have no source regarding the connections between Alexi and the XIII Order." Ryoujin explained softly.

"So, I guess it's back to square one." And she sighed.

"Any plans to do further prevention to this XIII Order?" Astaroth asked with some interest in mind.

"…We shall wait and see…" The 'Master's' only replied to conclude the discussions.

Lukia National Library, Akagi

"All clear for meeting!" Yuffie shouted merrily, after searching the library for anything suspicious ad returned to the private room.

"Thanks Yuffie…" Sephiroth remarked "…but next time, don't shout in the library and in any circumstances, don't shout to us when we are suspicious around the environment!"

"Oh right! Oh right! Sheesh, you don't have to tell me." To which, the young kunoichi sat down next to Leon at the end of the left-hand side of the table.

"Before we move on to our mission, are there any questions as to why we're here in the library, instead in Second Eden?" Only Bach's hand had shown up. "What now, Bach? More silly complaints from nowhere?"

"Why and since when did you take the leadership role, Sephiroth?" Bach asked with a curious tone "I thought you didn't have enough skills to pilot the Vatican."

And then he sighed and grunted a little. "Listen, first of all, I'm not the admiral of some space ship I can't do. Even I have some difficulties of controlling Jehovah. And second, your father gave us a generous large sum, so that Aerith and I can form a resistance group against the XIII Order. Understand?"

"Uh, okay. Now over to you."

"Right, I've just got a word from the Governess of Mana Mosso and there's seemed to be a disturbance of a XIII Order member in there. I don't know what's going on in there, but at the same time, I've received an unknown message that he only wants Aerith and me."

Yuffie put her hand up immediately. "Do you know who it's from, Sephy?"

"No, not really and don't call me 'Sephy'! Only Aerith gets to say that!"

"Okay! Okay! You don't have to tell me so!"

"So, Leon would take the lead on sorting the mess out in Mana Mosso, while YESHUA, Aerith and I will meet this person."

"Wait, why are you taking YESHUA with you?" Eliza asked with her curiosity.

"I sense that person who wrote the message might have set up the trap, so it would be wise to take him along and he can connect to Jehovah's system. Plus, you have that newcomer, what's his name again?"

"Yazoo."

"…Yazoo, who can control Lakia's weapon controls, while you pilot. Now any questions?" No one put their hands up this time. "Apart from Aerith and YESHUA, you can go." And everyone left without a word, leaving Aerith and YESHUA behind.

"What message are you talking about Sephiroth?" She asked gently.

"Aerith, take out your mobile." He replied as he got out his 'flip mobile' from his left, long crimson sleeve of his new Chinese suit and Aerith soon followed suit, despite the confusion and little frustration that he did not answered her question. "Now, what do you see?"

"Huh? I've got a message?"

"Yes, now open the message, read and see what you think. I'll do the same." Feeling confused with his action, but she did and read this cryptic message from her mobile.

"To: Sephiroth and Aerith

From: X

Come alone and meet me in the forest part at Mateel. There are discussions that are personal and confidential only to you and me."

"Who on Hollow Bastion is X?"

"That doesn't matter to me. Although I don't trust this guy. However, if we don't do as the message told, who knows what's going on with this 'X'. Therefore, there is only one thing to do."

The Next day. Inside the Vatican's MA docking area. Jehovah cockpit

"Are you three over you heads?" Zack exclaimed on the screen as he was typing some controls. "You can't just go to Mateel alone! You'll be killed from those monsters!"

"Zack, don't concern Sephiroth, YESHUA and me." Aerith responded very gently to Zack. "Jehovah's defence systems are pretty powerful for protection and I think Sephiroth's piloting skills are vastly improving, despite only for two years."

The spike-haired person sighed as a reply, to which he has doubts over the One Winged Angel's MA skills. "Fine, but don't blame me, if the insurance doesn't count death." And with a touch of a button, the displays of the docking area was moved to the silent, beautiful; black blanket of the stars and next to the cockpit, the planet Mateel was 'next' to Jehovah.

"Master Sephiroth and Mistress Aerith," YESHUA's voice said in an expressionless tone. "The presence of the mysterious messenger is in the five kilometre range."

"Right, next stop – meeting with 'X' and sort out the mess of the events two years ago." Sephiroth remarked calmly, as his arms controlled down to the surface of the poisonous planet.

Author's Notes: I would like to apologise to everyone about this rushed, short chapter and there is the reason – exams are coming up and now my chemistry teacher (who is head of this subject) now hates me and there's a little extra story after the author's notes. In other news, a present to Lily Silver – Yazoo has now joined the team and has some role to the fanfiction, though not really major.

And yes, I know the XIII Order is actually Organization XIII and the Superior is DiZ (or Samuran or Wilbur Wonka as I would like to call him. Ha ha! Lord of the Rings and CATCF jokes, because Christopher Lee is doing the voice of him), but since this is my fanfiction, I can modify slightly just to make you happy.

And thus Episode 2 – The Evolution Era begins – Sephiroth and Aerith getting a new makeover (though in particular, Sephiroth's new clothes was the inspiration of Jin Uzuki's new costume from Xenosaga III and Citan's from Xenogears), Yazoo coming in and the confusing plot solved. Okay, so I made you more confused and I'm sorry.

Thank you to Black Malva, Lily Silver, Tish, turtlerad17 and all the other AeriSeph fans! Reviews and comments are welcome, but no flamers or any AeriSeph hate mails! And enjoy the mini-story chapter! Nimbus Detour – where the journey needs to stop and think what it a moment happens!

EXTRA! Nimbus Detour – Bypass One – Accident

Rufus's and Alda's apartment, City of Serapha

DING DONG!

"Rufus, get the door!" Alda exclaimed as she was cleaning her Crane and Sparrow parts.

"Why can't you do it?" Rufus's voice shouted.

"I'm cleaning my guns and my legs need to get some rest. That marathon cost me my thighs!"

"All right!" And as soon as he opened the front door, he noticed a familiar person – long, silver hair and dressed very smart casually. "Yazoo?"

"Hello Rufus, I came to see you for a visit and explanation."

"Really? Then come in! Alda! Yazoo's here!"

A few minutes later and already, things were silent as the two men were opposite to each other and drinking their tea.

"I have some funny news about two years ago." Yazoo started off talking as he was sipping his milky tea. "My younger brother Kadaj got his first job as the Governor's assistant and something bad was happened."

"Really…" Rufus replied, albeit trying to stay calm from that event.

"Turns out, there was a raid in the office and at one time, Kadaj was held hostage by these weird people."

"Uh-huh, keep talking." Rufus was now drinking his tea at a slightly steep angle.

"And he received a death threat from this particular person that if the Governor refuses to cooperate, he will shoot my younger brother in the head."

"…So what was the description of this person threatening your younger brother?"

"He has loosely blonde hair, wears a white suit and has a shot gun."

Rufus stopped drinking and froze after what Yazoo described this 'person'. "…"

"Was it you that tries to threaten Kadaj to death two years ago?"

"Er…no. It was someone else. You must have taken the wrong person." Rufus nervously lied to him.

"I see. Well, thank you for your time." And with his final sip, Yazoo stood up and left the apartment. Then, Alda came in the living room, looking rather angry to the blonde guy.

"Did you have to make an excuse again, Rufus?" She asked.

The Silver-Haired siblings' apartment

Yazoo opened the front door and closed it gently and there, on the sofa, was Kadaj, curling up a roll and shivering in fear.

"Did…you…f-f-f-find the person….who…tried…to…kill…me?" He asked in fear; his emerald eyes wide open.

"Nope, turns out Rufus is not one of them." He replied and sighed at the same time.

"But…I…know…it's…him!"

"Well, you should have given me more details than these you've given me!"