So, because you guys were so great with your response for me I dedicated time to update the chapter for you. I'm so happy because it is over 1,800 words of story just for you! :) Thank you for all who helped. I could still use some more feedback. If you can, please spread the word! ;)

Story notes: I just realized that Banora isn't supposed to be gone at this point... but I guess that is where creator's licence comes into play. I'm also aware that the character's may be a bit OC but I really like the idea of what Genesis could be if all that we, as an audience, have seen is sick Genesis. Makes you wonder what he would be like before it all!

Bold: these are Zack's thoughts

Bold and Italic: Jenova

Uppercase and Italic: The Goddess

Well you know, your plan may be all good and thought out… but how exactly do you plan on getting to Midgar? I'm kind of a fugitive. Zack asked the squid, hoping to finally catch it in a trap.

Jenova's response was a chuckle. Then pain shot through the body, Zack hissed.

Why the heck do I still feel the pain when I'm not in control… Zack thought bitterly as the pain faded. Alright, your highness, what did you do now!

Now, now, pet, Jenova purred. We will get to Midgar by flight.

I've got wings now! Zack exclaimed but immediately sobered. If only I still could fly. If only Cloud were here.

Depression gripped Zack. He had failed again. He couldn't comprehend why the planet would give him a second chance to screw everything up.

I'm so sorry Cloud…

- Point break -

Genesis tripped Sephiroth using his feet. Sephiroth should have known to bind Genesis' feet when he bound his hands and then later his mouth. Sephiroth took his time standing up. Angeal had caught up with Genesis and pinned him to the ground. There was a struggle but Sephiroth made sure to end it before either one of his friends were pushed past their limits. Neither one were doing well. Sephiroth was quick to cast sleep of Genesis. The eldest of the three relaxed as his mind and body fell into a materia-induced slumber.

"Thank you Seph," Angeal pushed out as he rolled off Genesis and breathed.

Sephiroth pulled more rope out of his bag and bound Genesis' feet, giving Angeal enough time to catch his breathe. Sephiroth then stood up and offered his hand to Angeal.

"Thank you again," Angeal said, taking Sephiroth's outstretched hand.

"We are almost there," Sephiroth commented as he pulled Angeal up.

"Yeah," Angeal mumbled and started again.

Sephiroth picked up Genesis and started after Angeal. This was their second day of walking. They would have gotten there sooner if Angeal was in peak condition, but he wasn't and they weren't there yet. Most of that time, they kept Genesis asleep for it was not only easier to deal with him that way but their friend obviously needed it. They walked the rest of the morning is silence and got to Banora for a midday meal, or what was left of Banora. Most of the vegetation was still burnt from Shinra's attack, while giant pools of Mako had filled the craters from the bombs. The only evidence still there was windmill now broken on top of a hill. Everything that made Angeal's past was gone. Even his mom…

"My home," Angeal whispered.

"Let's find the cave," Sephiroth prompted.

Angeal nodded and they continued their next trek of the journey. Sephiroth figured the sooner they could get Genesis help, the sooner he could help Angeal. Altogether, the sooner he would get his friends back. They took a break right outside of the cave to eat something. Sephiroth watched Angeal nibble at the food.

"We will not move from this spot until you eat more than that," Sephiroth declared. "Even if it were take you all day."

Angeal looked like he was going to argue, but thankful kept eating. Once Sephiroth was satisfied Angeal had eaten enough they continued into the cave. It was an endless maze with a confusing puzzle. Angeal waited for Sephiroth to track down three orbs that for some reason that was called the Goddesses Orbs. Angeal wanted to help Sephiroth but he was too tired and weak to attempt that, instead he was sitting with Genesis.

In the opening of the caves, that they were in was covered in moss. There was a ramp leading down into the greater part of the opening below. In the upper portion of the room was another entrance leading further into the caves with a pedestal before that. This is where the goddess' orbs came into play.

"Mmmm…" Genesis groaned.

Angeal was about to cast sleep on him again until he saw Genesis' clear eyes. They were still feverish, but they weren't the insane ones that he had come to associate with Genesis.

"Mmm mmm mm…" Genesis' brows forward has he tried to talk through the cloth that was covering his mouth.

Angeal reached down and removed the fabric.

"'Geal?" Genesis mumbled. "What's going…"

"How are you feeling?" Angeal asked, it couldn't be possible, but he had to try.

"Confused, sick…" Genesis started as he tested out his binding. "Very confused…"

"We are in a set of caves under the remains of Banora," Angeal supplied.

"Remains?" Genesis asked as he tried to sit up but didn't even have enough strength to lift his head. "Agh."

"Yes," Angeal replied as he helped Genesis sit up and lean against the wall of the cave.

"Last one," Sephiroth interrupted.

"Seph…" Genesis mumbled upon seeing his friend.

Sephiroth turned toward Angeal raising an eyebrow.

"He's… different," Angeal slowly supplied, not wanting to voice his hopes aloud in case it wasn't so.

Sephiroth nodded, walked over to Genesis and looked him in the eye. The two looked in the other's eyes for some time. Angeal wasn't sure what Genesis was looking for, but knew all too well that Sephiroth was trying to find any reason to doubt that Genesis was… well Genesis. After a while, Sephiroth took a step back.

"Report Commander Rhapsodos," Sephiroth commanded.

"Excuse me? You want me to do what?" Genesis inquired as he sat forward. "I am the one tied up, hopefully for good reasoning. I feel sick and weak. I've got a pounding headache and now you're telling me to tell you why all of this is happening? *$&% no! You can tell what's going on."

"Genesis…what's the last thing you remember?" Angeal asked cautiously.

"I'm not sure…" Genesis started. He sighed, relaxing against the wall and taking some time to think about it. "I'm getting bits and pieces of things. Flashing images of fights and mostly pain. I think my last clear thought before everything went unclear was reading LOVELESS on Junon's cannon in the simulator. We were about to start our regular training session.

Given the circumstances," Genesis started while motioning to his bound hands. "I will admit to letting my frustration and anger get the best of me during our training session. That was when I received my wound in my shoulder for Sephiroth. I'm not sure how that had led to this, but I have a suspension that it was related.

"I would like to say that not a lot of time has passed between now and then, because my shoulder is still shooting pain. However, I'm wrong with that aren't I?" Genesis asked.

"That happened almost two months ago," Angeal supplied

"Tell me that attacking Shinra was a dream," Genesis almost pleaded.

"It was not a dream. You were not yourself and still may not be," Sephiroth revealed and turned to Angeal. "We will continue with our mission as originally planned. Perhaps we will know for sure if our friend is back."

With that announcement, Sephiroth bent down and untied Genesis's feet then started toward the pedestal in the middle of the room. Angeal got up and cautiously helped Genesis to his feet, not wanting to hurt either one of them.

"Are you sick Angeal?" Genesis asked his friend.

In response, Angeal smiled at his friend and walked them toward where Sephiroth was now standing. Sephiroth placed the orbs in their slots. The three watched the gate open up and allow them entrance. They traveled further in, not knowing what to expect. They entered into a cavern with a broken statue and a massive rock formation behind it.

- Perspective change -

"What exactly are you guys here for?" Genesis inquired.

"We're not exactly sure…" Angeal trailed off as he looked around.

Sephiroth has already begun to investigate the cave further, looking for any clues. Genesis didn't see the point in a further investigation of the tiny space. There was literally the ugly formation of rocks behind the broken but beautiful statue. Looking at the statue brought warmth to him, but not the warmth that the fever was doing. It was a different kind of warm. Shaking his head, he broke apart from Angeal and sat down, not missing the flinch that indicated of a restrained reaction on Angeal's part. Angeal relaxed and sat next to Genesis. Genesis took this moment to actually study his friend; to say that he wasn't looking good was an understatement. Sephiroth on the other hand was just starting to get annoyed with the lack of information that the room was giving him. Genesis smiled at the thought that at least he can still count of Sephiroth's short patients in some areas. Some time passed as Sephiroth was now working is second time through the room.

"Well, I guess that this was a bust," Genesis muttered, sighing. He was so tired.

"There has got to be a clue," Angeal stated determinedly as he stood up and started around the room as well.

Genesis rolled his eyes at his friend's antics. He just wanted a bed, now that he thought about it, if they were in Banora was right above their heads. Genesis had to halt his thoughts; Angeal had said the remains of Banora, what did that mean for the villagers. He looked up to inquire his friend about the safety of the villagers when his eye caught on the statue again. That warmth spread over him again. The eyes seemed to encourage him to come before the statue. Standing up, he staggered over to the statue. The closer he got, the less awful he felt. As soon as he was ten steps away, bright light flooded his vision. He blinked rapidly for his vision to clear. The sight before him took his breathe.

Before Genesis stood a woman in gold and silver armor, her hair was blond, but that is not what captured Genesis' awe. It was the look in the eyes.

Be at peace and rest, the voice was soft and soothing. When you wake, all will be as it should.

Before Genesis realized what was going on, he fell into a deep slumber of peace.

- Point Break -

Pain was all that Cloud knew. Everything burned. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't think. It all hurt. Cloud tried to focus. He tried to force his eyes open, but it was too much. A sea of green pain evaded his eyes. Green? Pain? Panic gripped Cloud's heart in a cold iron fist. With a wave of adrenaline, Cloud slammed his hands against the containment he was sure was there, hoping to smash through it. No luck. The first think he needs to do is stop the pain. To stop the pain, he has to get out. Every attempt to get out raised his anxiety. Again and again he tried, and again and again he failed. He lost all thought process as he tried to thrust every inch of himself against his prison. Before long, Cloud could feel himself slipping back into unconsciousness. He tried to fight, to stay awake and set himself free, still nothing. Pain was the last thing he felt.

Thanks again for all of the responses for the questionnaire!