He was almost the same as before. Only, the Soldier's coat wasn't altered in any way. Cloud couldn't help but admire the wing.
Pale eyes opened. Cloud went still. He was the only one who dared to approach while Vincent remained at a distance.
"...You look like a Soldier. And yet I have no memory of you."
"I don't claim to be one. But, we are alike in a way." Cloud found similarities between this interaction and the first.
"Unless you have my curse, I do not believe we are the same." The Soldier scoffed.
"What curse?" Cloud wondered. He was beginning to suspect that perhaps one of the flasks might be coming in handy.
"My body is dying from the inside. Slowly, painfully. Surely. All because of some silly race to create the perfect Soldier. Guess I'm not perfect."
"I might have something for you." Cloud produced one of the flasks. "However, this comes with a cost."
"How would you have a cure?" The man was suspicious.
"Do you want it or not? It's your choice if you want to live or not." The blond wasn't interested giving away the complicated process.
"Well, I don't exactly have anything to lose. So, what is this cost that you speak of?"
"Help me destroy Shinra. Not necessarily everyone, just certain department heads, then finally the president."
There was a burning passion at the idea of destroying Shinra. Perhaps this Soldier already had the means to try. However his body was a setback in the plans.
"...And the Soldiers?"
"Leave them out of the equation. That includes Sephiroth. He is off limits."
"Let me guess, you want to claim him to defeat yourself?"
"No. He is off limits. Any attempts on his life and I will find out. Then I'll consider this moment in time of helping you out a waste." Cloud wasn't going to leave things by chance.
"...Although I am uncertain as to why, I suppose it can be done. But, to be frank, I would like to know your names before I accept this."
"Cloud." He figured it wouldn't hurt.
"...Vincent."
"Genesis Rhapsodos. But you might have known that already."
"I'm afraid I was locked away for some years. Good to know, though." Cloud knew this might land him in trouble, but it was the easiest vague history he can give.
"A shame. Curious, though. How would you know of Sephiroth?"
"My ultimate goal involves him. Which is why he is off limits. Here. Bottoms up." Cloud approached to hand over the flask.
Genesis accepted it. He took a moment to study the contents curiously. Once he was satisfied the redhead gulped everything down.
Cloud watched as the subtle changes took place. He hadn't realized how pale Genesis was until color returned to his skin. Even the pale blues of his eyes changed from blue grey to the morning sky blue. His hair changed to a vibrant more alive red.
"I'm...beyond words." Genesis was in disbelief.
"No need for thanks. But your help in tackling the company would be appreciated." Cloud knew the redhead would come through.
"You have my loyalties. And quite honestly, the company has it coming." Genesis smirked.
"Don't get too excited. We need to secure a few things first. Then figure out a plan to take on Shinra. Mind you, we'll be hitting them hard and take care of all the targets in one go."
"Bold. And if everything goes according to plan, highly effective. I suppose you're working on the minor details." Genesis tilted his head.
"Still working on them. If you have any input, I'm willing to listen." Cloud was open to ideas.
"I can provide a major distraction. I turned my back on them already, so it wouldn't be out of place for me to just show up and cause chaos." Genesis offered.
"Well, that will be helpful. But how long will such a distraction last?"
"If I can get my inside contact to help, probably an hour."
Cloud turned to Vincent.
"Think we can accomplish everything in an hour?" He asked.
"Yes. Whether we can escape is another matter."
"We could be dramatic and fight our way out." Cloud didn't mind. It's not like it hasn't been done before.
Only difference would be his companions. Cloud pushed away the sting in his chest. Unless fate willed their involvement then Cloud wouldn't drag them into this mess.
"I have one question. Should they send Sephiroth to take care of me, what am I to do? You stated he's off limits."
"He won't be sent your way." Cloud was confident. If the dreams continue the way they are then Sephiroth won't be a problem.
"While I have some doubts, I've learned it's best not to question you."
"Smart." Cloud was beginning to like this man.
"Would you happen to have a phone? We will need to stay in contact somehow." Genesis had a point.
Cloud had actually forgotten about his phone. He pulled it out of his pocket to check. Somehow being sent back in time the planet graced him with a still working device.
"Here." Cloud handed it over.
Genesis fiddled with adding his number in the contacts. Then he pressed for call, and his phone rang from inside his coat. The redhead hung up and handed the phone back.
"I assume that you're the one to contact first." Pale eyes turned to the caped figure who was still awkwardly keeping his distance.
"Vincent doesn't have a phone. Which will be rectified soon. But first we have a friend we want to pick up." Cloud began to leave.
"Do you happen to have another one of those flasks? I might have a friend who will need it."
The blond glanced at his companion. The Ex Turk didn't seem nervous of the request.
"He can get around faster than us." Vincent pointed out.
"Here, then." Knowing that Genesis had the reflexes, Cloud tossed a flask. The redhead caught it with success.
The blond debated whether to toss the second one. But before he could come to a conclusion Genesis outstretched his wing. Cloud couldn't help but admire it.
"Until next time." Genesis said before taking flight.
When he was out of sight Cloud turned to Vincent.
"...Can we really trust him?" The Ex Turk asked.
"You wait until now to bring this up?" Cloud raised an eyebrow.
"My apologies."
"It's fine. I suppose we'll learn if he can be trusted or not. Either way, let's keep moving to Cosmo Canyon."
xXx
"You seem chipper." Angeal commented.
Sephiroth had a more relaxed air about him. Even his smile seemed more genuine. That was a hard feat even for his friends to pull off.
"I dreamed of him again. This time I learned more about him."
"Oh? Would you care to share?"
"His name is Cloud. He's stronger than myself. At least, in the dream he is. I want to test it out in real life."
"Wait, wait. Hold a moment. You're saying he's real?" The commander had his doubts.
"I know he is, Angeal. Someone woke him up, calling his name. I heard the voice." Sephiroth knew that was no illusion.
"And he's stronger than you?" Angeal couldn't fathom it.
"He's the first person who forces me to analyze and calculate my attacks. But each moment I think I'm getting the upper hand he throws me a surprise and sends me off my feet."
Beyond them Zack was silently listening. However he wasn't doing a very good job of it. Even so the Elite paid him no mind.
"Materia or no materia?"
"He didn't use any so I didn't either. But I think he had a Summon."
"Did you get a good look at any of his gear?" Angeal wondered.
"He has a Ribbon. His shoulder guard has a wolf head motif on it. I think it might be a show in favor of Fenrir. He has a matching earring. I didn't get a good look at his materia, but I sensed a Summon. A powerful one at that."
"Ribbon? Those are rare. They make status effects useless." Angeal tilted his head.
"And what is his style of fighting?"
"Challenging head on but remain nimble. And he uses speed to his advantage to overwhelm. But his strength rivals my own."
"I see. Have you wondered why these dreams started? Or why you're sharing dreams with a random stranger, if he's even real?"
"No." Sephiroth felt his heart sink. "But I know he's real."
"Forgive me if I have my doubts. But, your descriptions are too bizarre to simply shrug off. I'm just worried about you." Angeal wasn't saying it out loud, but the implications of what happened with Genesis was there.
"I'm not losing my mind, Angeal. Trust me. You would be the first to know." Sephiroth furrowed his eyebrows.
"All right. Just know I'm looking out for you." Angeal assured.
"I understand." The general really did.
Some odd hours later the alarms went off in the early evening. Sephiroth had been in his office at the time. He emerged to discover rogue robots attacking anyone and everyone.
As the general finished his floor of damage control, he felt the tower shake. His ears caught the sound of an explosion from way up. Sephiroth guessed Hojo's laboratory. His assumption was correct when his PHS got a message telling him to investigate.
Sephiroth entered the lab to find Genesis cutting any and every scientist down. Hojo was the sneakiest and found himself a good hiding spot. Sephiroth had scanned the bodies briefly with his eyes.
"So you're behind the attack." Sephiroth accused. He didn't draw out his weapon. Instead he studied the black wing on his friend's left shoulder.
"It is time these people who want to play God get their reckoning." Genesis studied him. He didn't attack. Even as enemies now they held a sense of honor from being friends.
"Then what does that make you? The judge and executioner?" Sephiroth blinked.
"I am the hand that delivers their punishment."
"And what wrong did they do to you?"
"You above all should understand." Genesis smirked. "Surely you can't be so blindsided."
Sephiroth kept his mouth shut. Of course he knew. But acknowledging it out loud meant shattering this fragile illusion he created in order to protect himself. It felt like even implying it was taboo.
"You understand." Genesis read him like an open book. He understood Sephiroth enough to read him better than most.
Sephiroth turned away. Part in shame. Part in horror. This was the closest he had become from breaking his own chains he created for himself.
"Here. This might help you." Genesis tossed a flask.
Sephiroth instinctively caught it. He then observed the small bottle. It was small, and almost looked like any regular Ether bottle. Except the glass was clear to see the contents. Some almost clear liquid with hints of green shimmering.
"What is this and where did you get it?" Something about it was otherworldly.
"A little chocobo gave me one to cure my illness."
Chocobo?
"Cloud?" Sephiroth found himself asking.
"So you know of him?" Genesis narrowed his eyes.
"Where is he?" Sephiroth felt hope growing. He had a lead to find the blond warrior.
"Out in the middle of nowhere. They didn't exactly say where they were going, however."
They? Then Cloud really was traveling with someone. That other voice?
"Can you contact him?"
"I'm afraid I didn't get a number." Genesis sighed.
That was a lie. Sephiroth knew Cloud aimed to tackle the company. And he wouldn't pass up an opportunity of having a deflected Soldier on his side. Especially one that can fly.
"I know you're lying." Sephiroth glared.
"If you want his number so bad then drink that flask." Genesis wasn't going to budge.
"Why?" Sephiroth frowned.
"It's harmless. Just a cure to save you. It saved me, after all." He was still evading the question.
Sephiroth glanced at the bottle in hand. After a moment of consideration he removed the top and gulped down the contents in three gulps. For a moment they stood still, waiting.
"I don't feel different...?" As he spoke Sephiroth felt it.
Pain. Immeasurable pain from the inside out. The general doubled over as it hit him like a tsunami. Next he was on the floor struggling to breathe. The last he saw before Sephiroth passed out was a black wing stretching out as Genesis made his escape.