Cloud opened his eyes. Immediately someone approached. His ears heard the distinct sound of paws instead of boots.
"Red?" He blinked just as Nanaki came into view.
"You gave us quite the scare." He replied.
Cloud connected the dots that Vincent must have carried him the rest of the way. The gunslinger approached at a slower pace. The blond read relief in his eyes.
"I take it something happened to Sephiroth?" It was the only conclusion.
"Genesis is getting his ass beat." Cloud sat up.
"Beat, and not dead?" Nanaki tilted his head.
"At Sephiroth's request I can't kill him. Yet."
"Possessive over my possible son already?" Vincent's inquiry earned a pink flush on the blond's cheeks. Cloud looked away but that just made his embarrassment more obvious.
"Speaking of, the next reactor we need to lure Genesis so the sightings of him will give Sephiroth an excuse to follow. He wants to ask you about his mother." Cloud relayed, and the atmosphere lost the humor.
"...You told?" Vincent was tense.
"I did warn him you may or may not give him the answers he seeks. But the curative cut his connection to Jenova. When he asked a few questions I showed him in a dream of what she looked like in that cave. I didn't give him any details of where she is."
"...I suppose I knew this was coming. Just not so soon." The gunslinger stated more to himself.
"If only Genesis hadn't pulled that stunt so early." Cloud commented before turning to Nanaki. "I take it Vincent caught you up to date?"
"For both me and grandfather. We had a sense of change some days ago. Around the same time you arrived, I suspect."
"So, then. Will it be all right if we ask for your help?" Cloud remained hopeful.
"Although I may not remember as you two can, I have this sense that I do know you. If you wish for my help then I will gladly assist."
"Of course we do. I still see you as my friend." Cloud smiled fondly. It was good to see Nanaki. And without the scars. He hoped it remained that way.
"It's still a strange thing. That I've helped you in your travels in another time. A different path on Gaia's timeline. But I still want to help." Nanaki nodded.
"Your help will always be appreciated." The blond wanted to scratch at an ear like he used to, but had to remind himself that Nanaki had to get used to them first.
Before they left, Cloud visited the old man. He was delighted to see him awake. And thus Cloud learned a few details.
"As you laid dying, I prayed for the planet to intervene. It was to my great discovery to learn the planet isn't crying anymore. I felt a hope giving rise. And it is with this hope that the planet answered my prayers and helped you. But, I get the sense it wasn't just you that received her blessing."
So that was why the Goddess stepped in.
"...Sephiroth. He was the one dying. Our connection is strong enough that should one of us perish, the other falls. Sephiroth was deceived into taking a curative that was designed to rid the body of any Jenova's influence. The process has been reversed and he no longer senses Jenova's presence."
"Hmm. That almost seems impossible. And yet here you are, standing and alive. Perhaps that boy just needed the right kind of help."
"...He also remembers everything that transpired before I got sent back in time." Cloud felt the stares. And they were all apprehensive.
"Of course, there's always a catch whenever the planet is forced to intervene. I trust you and Sephiroth have come to an understanding of sorts?"
"Yes." Cloud didn't go into details.
"Then let's hope this remains as a blessing. It would be a shame for it to turn into a curse."
After a bit more of catching up between them, the three were given supplies before heading on their way. As they traversed, Cloud debated between them which reactor should be their next target.
"There's one in Junon isn't there?" Nanaki asked.
"That one needs careful planning. Plus, that cannon also needs to go. That one really would require the help of Genesis, if not Sephiroth."
"But the villages remaining are Corel and Gongaga. If I recall they are high risk of destroying the villages." Vincent had a point.
"Meanwhile Junon is simular to Midgar where the people will be fine."
"But such a stance will reveal our faces. Honestly I'm surprised Turks aren't on our tails, yet. Mine and Vincent's faces are known after the Nibelheim reactor." Cloud had nearly forgotten about the Turks until this moment.
"We could spread out. We can cover more ground this way."
"And if the Turks set a trap?" Cloud raised an eyebrow. "It seems likely with the lack of them chasing us."
"Of the villages, which one is the least liability to the village?" Nanaki inquired.
Cloud had to put some thought into it. While he would have preferred Corel, it has the highest risk to the people. And he would feel horrible if Barret got involved and witnessing a major fight between Cloud and Genesis. If Sephiroth got involved then it would be a huge disaster.
"Gongaga." Cloud decided.
"I was hoping you wouldn't say it." Vincent hated the idea of heading into a humid climate.
"I'm not about to be the reason Barret gets involved." Cloud felt better with this decision.
"Barret, was he one of our friends?"
"Yes. If everything runs smoothly then we're all that is needed to help the planet. But if an opportunity rises where one of our friends joins us, I won't argue." The blond knew the planet worked in strange ways to bring people together.
Such as spitting Cloud out so close to Vincent.
"Should we make contact with Genesis? If given enough of a warning then we should arrive at Gongaga at the same instance as Sephiroth." The gunslinger suggested.
Cloud pulled out his phone. He searched through his contacts. He ignored the one that was Tifa as he scrolled until he found Genesis. The bastard put himself down as Gen. He sent a message.
Make yourself seen around Gongaga. Do not engage with anyone.
Barely a minute later he received a reply.
I suppose I am being used as bait to lure someone out?
Cloud answered.
Yes. I cannot stress that you aren't supposed to engage. That is left to me.
Understood. Genesis answered.
Cloud really hoped that he did.
xXx
Perhaps Cloud had been too eager. They ended up pushing themselves in their travels to reach Gongaga within three days when it should have been five. However when he asked his companions, they were willing to keep going.
When the village was in sight Cloud relaxed.
"Well, it doesn't look like Sephiroth isn't here yet." Nanaki observed how quiet everything was.
"Shall we take care of the reactor while we're waiting?" Vincent supposed it wouldn't hurt.
"Might as well. There really isn't anything else we can do." Cloud didn't mind.
Sneaking in went well. This should have been a red flag. As Cloud entered the control room his ears heard soft footsteps. Not boots, no, dress shoes?
Cloud tensed as he raised one hand to his companions. They stopped with growing curiosity. They were both alarmed when the blond raised a hand to grip the handle of Fusion Sword.
"I was beginning to wonder if you would ever show." The familiar voice of Tseng startled them. They whirled around to face him as he casually approached. "Don't worry, the cameras have already been disabled."
He wasn't lying. Cloud hadn't noticed the subtle humming of the cameras wasn't present. Really that should have been another red flag.
"What do you want?" Cloud narrowed his eyes.
"I believe this is yours." Tseng held up a Shinra ID card. The picture was a younger Vincent from his Turk days.
Vincent stared in disbelief.
"...You remember?" Cloud frowned. He had his doubts.
"I'm afraid I don't. I discovered the match through Hojo when he lied about ever seeing Valentine." Of course he did. "However, someone did start having dreams about you and Sephiroth."
"Who?" Cloud was amazed.
"Someone very interested into reshaping the company. In the hopes to avoid a certain future. That is, if you'll allow it." Tseng didn't have to say more.
"Rufus Shinra?" The blond blinked.
"It has to be a sign." Nanaki spoke up. "It's no coincidence this started happening."
"It's a matter of whether I can trust him." Cloud crossed his arms.
"He's willing to provide resources when you tackle Shinra."
"And the catch?" Cloud was still wary.
"None. Whatever it is you require in your search, you're free to use the company's resources. And, the Vice President is wondering what your conditions would be in allowing him to step up as president."
"I haven't even - "
"Energy that can replace mako." Vincent interrupted. "And, no more experiments. The science department disbanded completely."
"Not even a research team to keep the Soldiers alive?" Tseng had a point. The men needed their mako intake.
"...Fine. Just a small number so they can start weaning themselves off the stuff."
"I'm not so sure that can be done."
"I'm a walking testimony that it can." Cloud stood firm.
"Very well. This can be arranged. These are reasonable enough." Tseng agreed.
"Understand that the moment he turns his back on our agreement, it's over. You can relay that to him, too." Cloud was serious.
"I'll be sure to pass your message along. Oh, you should keep this. This is the new updated security so you have access to the restricted floors." Tseng tossed the company ID card with Vincent's face on it.
The Ex Turk caught it. He observed it for a moment before putting it away.
"Will this work at Junon, too?"
"It can. Whether the security there will be pinged or not will be a different story. At Midgar I have free reign whether to let it slip." Tseng shrugged as he turned to leave.
Good to know.
Cloud didn't relax until he knew Tseng had left. Although he wasn't sure what to think of this new ally, he knew better than to turn it away. However after Genesis, he wasn't so easy to put faith in others.
"Can we trust Rufus?" Nanaki turned to them.
"...A young Rufus is a powerful ally." Vincent stated.
"Whether he can be trusted to honor the agreement we have set remains to be seen." Cloud had his doubts. He turned to the gunslinger. "Why did you set the requirements? I didn't even agree to anything."
"If he is having dreams of you and Sephiroth, then he won't be so ready to betray you. If anything he will be more cautious when it comes to you." Vincent had a point.
"...I'll trust you on this, then." Cloud gave in. "Now, I believe we have a reactor to shut down."
When it was done and over with they emerged from the reactor. As they left behind the village, Cloud sensed the presence. He blinked as he turned, searching.
"Is he here?" Vincent noticed.
"He's close." Cloud confirmed.
"Shouldn't we meet outside of the village?" Nanaki suggested.
"Yes. Besides, we still need to get to the meeting point."
"...You sure you want to do that with Sephiroth so close?" Vincent was catching onto the plan.
"Why not? It'll be fun." Cloud allowed a smirk. Behind him Vincent and Nanaki shared a worried look.