Author's note: Not much to say, so let's continue on. Except that a few more scenes from "Kingdom Hearts: Crisis Core" and one scene from the first episode of "Sailor Moon"(in the first English Dub back in 1995) will appear in this chapter.
I don't own Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Type-0, Sailor Moon or Pokemon. I do own Arien, though.
Chapter 11: Awakening of Destinies.
January 12th [2:12 PM]-Year-1996.
Old ShinRa Building-Midgar Ruins.
(~Forgotten Tears-DIRGE OF CERBERUS FINAL FANTASY VII~)
Elena felt her head ache. It felt as though she'd been hit by a brick several times and stabbed into her skull. It hurt a lot, and she felt a bit disorientated. When her head finally cleared that she wasn't having any more dizzy spells, almost everything came back to her instantly. Everything from her earliest childhood memories to...everything she saw hours ago.
It scared her. How was this even possible? Was her life in Edge a lie? It didn't make any sense.
"Troubled thoughts, I gather?"
The voice of Rufus ShinRa brought Elena out of her said thoughts, as she turned to the young President who, despite being excellent in hiding his emotions, he actually looked a bit pale himself. Maybe he was scared of the memories too.
"Sorry, sir. I was just...well, yes, I did have troubled thoughts." Elena replied, feeling embarrassed. "I...don't know what to make of this."
"Nor do I." The young ShinRa admitted, which surprised the female Turk. "However, I believe it's more of...the guilt of my reckless actions in our previous lives. Yet, we cannot let this overcome our lives now. The main concern is how Militas Ultra know all this and why they wish to destroy us. I do believe that, perhaps they studied everything in surrounding areas of the world to learn of us."
"But what if our entire lives here had been lies?" Elena couldn't help but voice her current fears.
Rufus shook his head, "Doubtful. If our memories of our current lives had been a lie, then Militas Ultra would have never existed."
"I wish they didn't." The young woman sighed. Everything that's happened, and even though she hadn't been fully involved with the enemy until joining the Turks, or rejoining depending on what was happening, just ten days ago.
(~End Forgotten Tears~)
The door of the room they were currently in knocked gently, before it opened. Elena, quickly going into Turk mode, secretly reached her hand to her gun as she stood up and in front of Rufus in case of Militas Ultra soldiers. Both relaxed when Reno peaked his head through the doorway, and upon seeing both looking alright, opened it fully and stepped inside, with Rude and Tseng close behind.
"Hey, you're both awake. You feeling alright?" Reno greeted, with signs of relief on his expression even though he tried not to show it.
"I am fine. Perhaps admittedly...conflicted with myself." Rufus responded. "To think that we have been living two lives and not even know of it until now. Yet, while there are selfish actions done long ago, the fact remains that we must do everything in our power to prevent history from repeating itself, and more importantly, to decipher how and why Militas Ultra knew all of this."
"It's funny, sir. I was thinkin' of this bein' our chance to redeem ourselves. Not sure why but...I kinda got a feeling I did something really terrible that it used to haunt me in my sleep long time ago." Reno admitted. He knew, as did everyone else in the room, while they were all now aware of having mysteriously been reborn into the future, there were still memories missing and Reno had a feeling certain ones were...painful that he felt it deep within his heart.
Maybe he wasn't ready to face those memories just yet.
"It is as the President had said. We must focus now on how our enemy has gained such knowledge without either of us or our comrades even realizing it and why they wish to destroy us." Tseng pointed out firmly. He too felt there were actions long ago he came to regret, but he couldn't let that stop him or anyone else now. They had a job to do.
"Maybe they're worried we might cause harm to the world again?" Elena piped up, worriedly. "What if we've been fighting an anti-terrorist who want the good for the people of the world?"
Reno shook his head, "Nah, I don't think that's the case. Those sleaze balls were willing to hurt people in order to get to us. Not only that, they got one of the Support Materia pieces which..."
Before he can continue, however, his PHS rang in his pockets. The redhead shared a confused glance with the others before pulling out his phone and answered it after the third ring. "Hello?"
"Is this the Turks Second in Command?" A young and somehow familiar man's voice quired on the line, and from the sound of things, he sounded like he wasn't talking to who he expected to speak.
Reno on the other hand, knew that voice was familiar. So familiar that the redhead's eyes widened as he blutered out the name he didn't expect to speak in person just yet, "Cloud?"
"...How did you know my name?" Cloud asked, sounding a bit suspicious after a soft gasp of shock and surprise.
Realizing how stupid he sounded and that, in disappointment, that Cloud, after remembering Arien and Rafe and St. Andrew talk about the guy years ago, and only now Reno realized that yes they did know the spiky-haired guy but didn't remember it at the time, Reno recollected himself.
"Uh, sorry. It's just, uh...I thought you were someone else." Reno replied awkwardly, clearing his throat. "But yeah, I'm the Second in Command; Reno of the Turks. So, what's up?"
"...I...if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to make an appointment for a flight to Modeohiem. The air flights are grounded, or so I heard on a couple of days ago and they still won't reopen the airports, and I know that to reach WRO everyone has to have authority from ShinRa Company." Cloud explained, after a few moments of silence. Probably to absorb the realization that the Turks Second in Command wasn't someone who he was expecting to sound like.
"Modeohiem, huh?" Reno muttered, thoughtfully. He looked at both Tseng and Rufus who, after thinking about it, nodded to give him permission to help Cloud, as they assumed, to reach there. "Yeah, I can get ya' there. 4:50 PM sound good?"
"Yeah. I'll be waiting." Cloud replied.
"Great! Meet me at WRO HQ and we'll go from there." Reno replied, before the two men hung up after a short farewell before he reported to Tseng and Rufus, "Not sure why, but Cloud wants to head over to Modeohiem. I'm thinking he's rememberin' something there too."
"...Modeohiem is where I first met him, abliet briefly. It was a mission Zack and I assigned to go, in order to locate Angeal Hewley and Genesis 8,000 years ago...one of the memories I have regained." Tseng explained. He thought back of what he saw back in the Church eight years ago during a mission here in Midgar Ruins, and now he knew it was not a simple imagination gone haywire.
It was one of his memories of his previous life.
(~Uncertain Visions*Memory II-The 3rd Birthday*~)
Flash-Back: 8,000 years ago...
Tseng was approaching Zack who was about to enter the Church.
"Zack." He spoke up. "We are to leave for Modeohiem."
"I know." Zack replied as he paused. "I just need a minute."
"Aerith's not there right now." Tseng told him, which made the young man turn around and his expression was that of suspicion, his blue eyes, glowing slightly, gazed at him.
"How do you know Aerith?" Zack asked.
Tseng felt himself become uncomfortable as he replied, "It's a complicated matter."
"Oh really?" Zack mocked. "She didn't mention anything about knowing you."
Somewhat relieved, Tseng then told him, "If that's the case, then I won't either." just as a ShinRa chopper landed behind him, ready to take passengers. The Turks then turned and headed inside the chopper.
He heard Zack sigh and then say, sarcastically, "Yeah, well, whatever I suppose."
End Flash-Back:
"...It was around the time Zack began a relationship with...Aerith Gainsborough." The Wutaiian realized. Aerith...the name of a young woman, kind, gentle but also stubborn in her own ways. For a delicate young lady who tended flowers, she wasn't one to be messed with.
"Aerith...you mean that...Uh..." Reno trailed off. "Who was she again?"
"Wasn't she a special kind of person with strong magic without Materia?" Elena asked, thoughtfully.
"Yes; back then, Aerith was the last of the Ancients, formerly known as the Cetra." Tseng confirmed after a moment of thought.
"Ah, right. The legendary group who can read the Planet or somethin' like that." Reno realized, before asking, "Wait...would that mean she's...been reborn too? I mean, sure she was like us but...she was also the last of her kind."
"Perhaps Aerith may had something to do with our rebirth, and if she is among us today, it would certainly have Militas Ultra attempt to target her as well." Rufus stated. "Perhaps we should investigate Modeohiem as well, in case the Organization is sighted there. An old Mako Factory is there too."
"I'll make the arrangement to head over there once we're done here in Midgar, sir. For the time being, I suggest you return to Headquarters should the enemy attack once more." Tseng said.
"Agreed." Rufus nodded. "I believe we have spent enough time here."
Sastified that Rufus wasn't going to argue the point, Tseng nodded before turning to the female member in the room. "Elena, you are to safeguard the President and not to leave his side until we return."
"Yes, sir." Elena nodded.
"Reno, Rude. You're with me. We search the city for more clues and then reach WRO to meet with Cloud." Tseng ordered.
"Yes, sir." Rude nodded.
"Roger that, boss." Reno said.
"Get moving. Before our enemy realizes we are here." Rufus ordered. The Turks nodded. (~End Uncertain Visions*Memory II*~)
Two weeks later...
January 26th [11:12 AM]-Year-1996.
(~A Closed off Village-CRISIS CORE FINAL FANTASY VII~)
Kalm.
In the past two weeks since finally understanding the meaning of Militas Ultra's words, Rosalind had spent that time helping Veld to locate the other missing pieces of the Support Materia to help Felicia who somehow became connected to it once more. He let Shears know of their whereabouts, while the younger man, Felicia, and Highground were investigating Corel for any clues of the Materia and to meet up with them in Junon.
Ace, Rem and Machina had joined them for a little while before leaving to find the rest of their comrades to combat against the enemy Organization, now identified as Milites from their own past. The two former Turks still didn't understand the meaning of it, but they didn't question it.
So far they had no luck in finding the pieces, but they refused to give up. Right now, they were just about to leave Kalm after spending a night there, out of Militas Ultra's eyes since again, like the past six years, the Organization had quietened down. No doubt to plan their next strike of an attack. Rosalind hoped it wouldn't be another siege considering that ShinRa was struggling as it is, but all she could do, in order to keep her family safe, was to help Veld now. She couldn't return to her life as a Turk.
When she woke up this morning, Rosalind found that Veld had been missing which concerned her greatly. Did he take off without her? To ensure her safety? The young woman felt a bit of an ache at that thought, but ultimately decided to go find her superior even though they were no longer part of ShinRa. It took her a few hours to find the man and still had no luck.
'Sir...where are you?' Rosalind thought to herself, worriedly.
Her mind lingered to more of her memories of everything that has happened. Even now after two weeks, Rosalind still didn't understand how rebirth was even possible. So lost in her thoughts that she almost walked right into someone in her search for the former Director. She managed to stop herself from colliding into the person, but when the former Turk looked at the person, her eyes widened in disbelief and familiarity...
(~End A Closed off Village~)
A young woman, younger than her, very likely 18 or 19 at best, with long black hair and...
'Tifa?' Rosalind mentally asked in shock, as another memory came back to her...from a long, long time ago...
(~Tifa's Theme-FINAL FANTASY VII: ADVENT CHILDREN~)
Rosalind had just defeated the monsters that lingered around the Nibel Mountains after saving a teenage girl in dressed in a brown and white cowgirl clothes, turning to face her as the latter was holding a cat in her arms.
"Um… thanks!" The dark haired girl said, a bit awkwardly.
"Are you all right?" Rosalind asked, approaching her.
"Yeah, I guess." It was clear that she was a bit shaken, but not completely rattled.
The female Turk was sastified that the girl was alright, before asking, "Really, what are you doing here in the first place?"
The girl gazed down at the Cat in her arms, explaining, "She ran into the mountains, see. I was trying to get her back when the monsters attacked." just as the cat gave an adorable 'Meow'.
"So you were following your Cat...do you know what's in these mountains?" The Turk realized.
"Of course I do! There isn't a person in this town that doesn't. They say that anyone that tries to cross these mountains will never come out alive." The girl replied.
Rosalind knew that rumor. These mountains were where the very first Mako Reactor was built 50 years earlier, though it was beyond repair and no one even borthered in even trying. Making up her mind, she nodded, "Well then, let's get you home."
"Huh?"
"You can't go back alone."
The girl was silent on that, and rather a bit annoyed. Seeing that made Rosalind realize that the girl wasn't budging.
"All right. Wait here for a bit. When I've finished with my business here, I'll head back to town with you." She instructed.
"All right." The girl nodded after a moment, before realizing something and introduced herself, "Oh! I'm Tifa, by the way."
"My name is Rosalind." Rosalind replied.
"Sorry, about that." Tifa spoke up apologetically, bringing Rosalind out of her memories.
"Oh, it's alright." Rosalind shook her head. Deep down, she had a feeling that Tifa, who like others had been reborn, didn't remember her just yet, or if she did, Rosalind didn't want to create such a fuss when Felicia's life was on the line and Militas Ultra was around-wait!
'Didn't Arien say that Cloud and Tifa lived in the Chocobo Farm outside of town? Why is Tifa here in Kalm? Did something happen?' Rosalind thought to herself.
"Say, I'm looking for somebody." Tifa spoke up again. "Have you seen a guy with spiky hair?"
'Cloud left too? Don't tell me that...' Rosalind thought to herself, worriedly. If Cloud left the Farm, then that would mean...Cloud's memories were returning too.
Aloud, she shook her head, "No, I haven't. While on the subject, have you seen a man in a gray suit?"
"I think I saw him head to the beach by the river." Tifa answered, pointing at the road to her right. "It's down this way."
"Thanks. If you like, I'll let you if I see who you're looking for." Rosalind replied.
"Are you sure?" Tifa asked, surprised.
"I'm not doing much." The older woman replied.
Tifa was surprised by this, then nodded with a smile. "Okay. Thanks. Oh. I'm Tifa by the way."
'Just like how we first met 8,000 years ago.' Rosalind thought to herself, sadly. But she held a smile of her own, 're'-introducing herself, "My name is Rosalind."
"Rosalind...um, have we...met before?" Tifa asked, thoughtfully. Now it was Rosalind's turn to be surprised, but her heart ached that Tifa didn't fully remember and, given the situation, she didn't want the other young woman to get fully caught in the conflict with Militas Ultra. She wasn't ready for her past yet, but at the same time, Rosalind didn't want to lie either.
"...Maybe. I'm not sure." She eventually said. It wasn't a full lie, but she didn't want to have Tifa go into the same struggles that Rosalind herself and the rest of the Turks had gone through for the past six years. Not the way how Militas Ultra were somehow forcing the past to come back to them.
"Hmm...Sorry. It's just...a weird deja vu happening. I guess I'll find him in Edge. He said that if he wasn't in Kalm, he would be back in the City if I wanted to meet up with him." Tifa thought. "I guess I'll see you later."
"Yeah. You too." Rosalind nodded. (~End Tifa's Theme~)
(~Calm before the Storm-DIRGE OF CERBERUS FINAL FANTASY VII~)
It hadn't taken long to finally find Veld who, true to Tifa's word, was at the shores of beachline of the large river that flowed through out the fields, surrounding the Midgar Ruins for some parts. Rosalind had arrived to find the man standing there, gazing in the distance.
"Sir?" Rosalind spoke up, after clearing her throat politely to get his attention, stopping just a few feet from him.
"Rosalind...do you remember, what I told you in Nibelhiem in our previous lives? About...how I made the misguided order in Kalm?" Veld spoke, aware of the young woman's presence, but did not borther in turning to face her.
The young female former Turk remained silent for a moment. She should have known; Back 8,000 years ago, an order gone wrong had costed Kalm to be burnt to the ground, most people losing their lives. Veld had been a resident when he had the time, because Felicia and her mother once lived here. Rosalind remembered a painful illusion that had shown her and Veld's memories in the ShinRa Manor for a mysterious reason. It had been like Sephiroth's attack in Nibelhiem itself, how she saw Veld fail to find his family, how he lost his arm and was then experimented on...having had an artifical arm much like the one he had now done by Hojo before the mad scientist released him, claiming him to be useless.
He had also lied to Veld and informed him that his family had died, while in reality he experimented on Felicia, implanting the piece of the Support Materia in her hand before releasing her to die alone.
"...Yes, sir." Rosalind replied after a moment of silence, lowering her gaze and unable to look at the man's back.
"When Militas Ultra first began the War, I thought it was nonsense. But then, as years went by, ever since I first laid eyes on Felicia in Junon, I knew she was familiar, but what the President had done clouded my senses. Yet as we met again two years ago, I ultimately knew it was her...and I knew...these visions that are our memories...were not fake. But I could not prove that, especially given how the rest of you were not quite certain." Veld explained.
"...I think I understand, sir. We couldn't be fully certain back then." Rosalind muttered. "Since Christmas four years ago, I've been...having dreams of facing against Zinconiade, and...Fuhito. But now I know...they were memories of that encounter...If Militas Ultra use the Support Materia...if they do what he had done..."
She paused, placing a hand to her chest, and while she knew what she had to say, she was terrified. Not much scared her a lot, but the memories she held now, Rosalind didn't think she had what it took to face the monster again for the second time.
"...I think...no...I know that...I'll have to face it again." She finally finished. (~End Calm before the Storm~)
She hadn't even realized that Veld had approached her, because he placed his left good hand on her shoulder. Rosalind gazed up at him in surprise, and was even more so that, the usually stern man held a gentle look in his eyes, something she'd never known him he'd do. Not from what she could remember.
"Then we will make sure Militas Ultra do not receive the Materia. Or at the very least find a way to get the other pieces back if they do have them." Veld said firmly. "I will not lose my daughter again, and I will most certainly not allow Zirconiade to be revived or used."
Realizing that Veld wasn't going to let history repeat itself if he could help it, Rosalind nodded in agreement and determination.
Only for the two former Turks to hear an unusual sound and as the turned sharply in alarm and defense to see what it is, Rosalind and Veld were both forced to shield their eyes as a bright combination of light and darkness appeared before them. When it faded, the two of them lowered their arms and gasped in shock and horror at the very familiar figure that suddenly appeared before them.
(~The Key-KH:BBS~)
"Sephiroth!?" Veld exclaimed. He and Rosalind couldn't believe that not only Sephiroth appeared out of nowhere but now...now he resembled to that of his past self when he lost his mind, only this time, the former General of SOLDIER had gone into a transformation. His coat was darker and monster like, red strapes, dark wags that symbolized darkness, and to the two former Turks' astonishment, a single Black Wing...much like Genesis.
"Hmph. So Veld, and young Turk. We meet again." Sephiroth smirked, brandishing his Masamune in his left hand. "I take you both had retired, but seeing that Militas Ultra are still lurking around, it seems you both had become fugitives."
No. This couldn't be happening. Sephiroth couldn't possibly be driven insane again! On top of that, he had a single wing! Was this the result of Jenova Cells all over again?
"What have you done to yourself!?" Rosalind demanded, schooling her fear.
"I have demostrated the power of Darkness. Reborn from the darkness of Cloud's heart, his darkest memories of me are what give me power." Sephiroth explained calmly.
'Darkest memories...Sephiroth can't possibly mean-!?' Rosalind was horrified. What in the world was going on, and what did Sephiroth mean by the power of darkness? "Don't tell me Militas Ultra convinced you to turn against people!"
The Silver haired man snorted. "Militas Ultra had nothing to do with regaining my memories. Nor will they or either of you stand in the way of sending Cloud into the deepest abyss. I am his Darkness, and as long as he lives in the past, I will continue to hold onto him."
"Again, you have drawn yourself into being delusional. If you want Cloud, then I'm afraid neither Rosalind nor I know of his whereabouts, and even if we did, neither of us will tell you!" Veld grunted angrily.
Rosalind though did, but she refused to say anything. Not only was Cloud in danger but...Tifa was as well. Both of them were in Edge and that ultimately meant that everyon the City was in danger should Sephiroth attack just to get his revenge on the one who...who defeated Sephiroth more than once.
"Hmph. Not delusional, Veld. I am aware that Jenova was never my mother. Yet, I will make Cloud see the truth of himself, and the light within his heart will die." Sephiroth chuckled, his wing taking flight as it lifted him off the ground. "You both are not worth my time. But should you get in the way...I will not hesitate to kill you."
With that, Sephiroth took off towards Edge before Rosalind or Veld could stop him.
(~End The Key~)
"NO!" Rosalind screamed out, and was about to take out her gun to open fire, but Veld stopped her. She gazed up at him pleadingly and shocked. "Sir?"
"Fighting him now would only result in our deaths. We can only pray that Rufus will have SOLDIER on alert." Veld told her firmly. "I know we shouldn't let him go but...you know as well as I do that we are no much against Sephiroth."
"Even so...Cloud and Tifa are there. I met Tifa earlier while I was looking for you...now they're both in danger even though I haven't told Sephiroth that." Rosalind muttered, in worry and guilt. She failed again...she failed to stop Sephiroth from attacking Cloud and Tifa...now both of them were going to end up in a new conflict against an enemy who, for some sickening reason, was brought to be reborn in the future like the rest of them.
Before either one could continue the conversation, the two former Turks heard another sound and by the time they looked, again they were too late to their shock and horror a Militas Ultra soldier was there, firing tranquilizers at them. Rosalind could only gasp before she was shot in the leg while Veld was shot in the shoulder. Both of them grunted as the tranquilizers sleeping drug quickly took hold of their consciousness.
'No...I can't...let this happen...' Rosalind thought desperately to herself. Unfortunately, she lost her battle as her world went black before she even hit the ground. By the time she and Veld both did, the Militas Ultra soldier, joined by three others and Qator Bashar approached the two unconscious former Turks.
"Bring Veld to high-prison room, and lock this woman in the holding cell. Make sure she doesn't escape." Qator commanded coldly.
"Yes sir!" The Militas Ultra soldiers saluted, before two each grabbed the two unconscious Turks roughly. While two dragged Veld's unconscious body, another one heaved Rosalind's unconscious form over his shoulder and carried her away.
Qator watched them for a moment before following, thinking to himself. 'Veld would certainly know where his daughter is. Once we get the information from him, only then can we round up the other Turks and execute them. But first...this young woman must be held in confinement. She's the one who stopped Zinconiade. We can't let it or her live.'
Yet Militas Ultra payed no heed to Sephiroth attempting to find Cloud, nor where they fully aware that Zack would be returning very shortly and that the latter's adventure was drawing closer to an end.
Edge.
Meanwhile, Reno and Rude were on patrol in the more deserted part of Edge for anymore clues on the Enemy. It had been two weeks since Reno had returned with Tseng from Modeohiem which, much like in the past, resulted in Zack whom they met up not long after Elena took Rufus back to the ShinRa Building in Edge, to kill Angeal who once again had his former pupil to kill him, giving Zack the newly restored Buster Sword.
Since then, Zack, devastated for having killed Angeal, had vanished to continue his journey to stop Genesis, last seen in Costa Del Sol according to Elena who had gone there to keep an eye on him before being called back to the sighting of Militas Ultra in the same place a day or two ago. While the two Turks had managed to capture one, the captive, like others before him, refused to reveal Aulstyne's true goal other than having ShinRa and the Turks destroyed.
Reno stretched as he yawned, before sighing. "Man. Still no clue why Militas Ultra really want to get rid of us, not a single trace of the Support Materia, or Highground or our old boss, or even everyone else. Not even Zack or Genesis. Seriously, how the hell did that guy know about all this so quickly while the rest of us didn't?"
"Genesis must have been reborn with memories, or maybe he was never reborn, but had been asleep...for a long time." Rude theoried.
"What? And survive the War 5,000 years ago when it split the world into pieces? C'mon, be serious, Rude. My money's on the first part on what you said. At least with Sephiroth he hasn't caused major problems..." Reno trailed off as he realized what he said. "Come to think of it, with most of us remembering but Zack and Chocobo-Head still clueless, I sure hope Sephiroth won't go all 'I-wanna-destroy-the-world-and-kill-everything-and-everyone' all over again. Militas Ultra is bad enough."
"You said you and Veld saw him during the siege two years ago, right?" Rude pointed out.
Reno nodded, "Yeah, but still. That was two years ago and back then we still had no clue. We have one crisis that has been goin' on for six years, Zack's in another that's been going for almost a month or two and that said second crisis almost got us killed. Sure we still don't remember everything, but I don't wanna end up goin' up against the guy who burned down Nibelhiem and claimed some nasty-lookin' lady-monster was his Ma'."
"So you remember me as well. This would mean that Cloud is closer in regaining the memories of his past." A familiar and horrifying smooth voice spoke.
(~The Key of Darkness-KH:BBS~)
Freezing in their steps at the voice behind them, the two Turks spun around and saw, to their horror, Sephiroth had somehow appeared without them hearing him. Unlike the last time Reno had seen him, the man's clothes were different and on his back was...
"Oh crap...!" Reno muttered horror, as he and Rude both unconsciously took a couple steps back. If Sephiroth was like what they were both seeing, then the redhead's fears had come true. The silver haired man had once again lost his mind.
"Don't worry. I will not kill you...just yet. If you stand in my way, then I will gladly take your lives." Sephiroth smirked coldly as he hovered above the Turks in amusement.
"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that you're after Cloud, right?" Reno said, his heart hammering with intensed fear. He had forgotten how terrifying Sephiroth was when the silver haired man had completely lost it. Plus, given how he remembered Rosalind saying once 8,000 years ago that Cloud had thrown Sephiroth into the Mako Pool in the Nibelhiem Reactor despite having been stabbed into the stomach like a shish-kabob, Reno would safely say that since Sephiroth remembered now, it was most likely he wanted revenge on the poor kid who has no clue about this right now.
"Cloud's heart belongs to Darkness, and belongs to me. Soon he will understand, because I can sense him in this City." Sephiroth responded.
"Darkness...?" Rude mumbled, confused and horrified.
"Now I'm seriously lost." Reno muttered. First the guys in the Black Coats, then the Heartless and Nobodies Machina mentioned two years ago just before Legend's death, and now Darkness being more than just being unable to see in dark places? What was the Universe coming to?
"Don't worry. You will soon understand. For now..." Sephiroth trailed as he sped downward before the younger men could react and summoned a small Meteor Spell which knocked the Turks away, sending them back as they screamed and crashed onto the road, hitting their heads and losing consciousness almost instantly.
Sephiroth smirked, before walking away to continue his own search. It wasn't long before he spotted a familiar young woman with long black hair and chuckled. Another one of Cloud's friends who helped to stop him long ago.
Cloud returned to his room in the hotel for an early lunch when he spotted something seemingly glow and explode from outside. Shocked and confused, he hurried to his window when saw another flash of zipping light rain down into the city of Sector 4 of Edge.
'Something's wrong.' He thought to himself, feeling a terrible feeling of dread in his stomach which crept up towards his heart. He had to find out what it was...and fast.
Without any second thought, he abandoned his now forgotten lunch and raced out the door the second time today, far earlier than intended and for a different reason which would ultimately become part that would change his life forever.
(~End The Key of Darkness~)
Just after Zack's battle against Sephiroth in "Kingdom Hearts: Crisis Core"...
Screaming out in agony, Zack crashed onto the ground after having rolled and slid to a stop on the hard road, back to where he left Tifa. He lost his grip on the Buster Sword which landed next to him, scattered. He was out to count, exhausted, bleeding and his vision started to go all dark.
Just as Cloud arrived, and when he did, his eyes widened in sheer horror at the sight before him. Cloud gasped, before kneeling at the wounded and now unconscious Tifa who had been attacked earlier, muttering her name, before catching glimpse at another friend and horror grew higher, seeing a defeated and weakened Zack on the ground. Immediately he felt that this scene was familiar, something he'd seen in his dreams last week.
"Zack..." Cloud muttered, unable to say anything else.
(~Dread of Night-KH:DDD~)
"So you finally arrived, Cloud." Sephiroth spoke as he paused just five feet from the trio, as Cloud looked up, his eyes widening in horror and disbelief, recognizing the man from his nightmares, and unable to believe that the horrors of Sephiroth's wrath had actually come true. How could this be? "Perfect timing."
'No...how could...how could he do this!?' Cloud thought furiously, blaming himself for being unable to protect Tifa like his promised, and that Zack had lost the fight against the madman.
Zack noticed his friend, and despite feeling guilty for having to put Cloud who was oblivious to his past at the moment, knowing that it was very unfair that Cloud had to put up with facing Sephiroth all over again, grunted weakly, "Cloud...finish Sephiroth off..." using those words he said to his friend 8,000 years ago.
Gazing at his friend in shock, Cloud realised that Zack was asking him to finish off Sephiroth. He didn't know why, but suddenly Cloud wanted vengeance, revenge and make Sephiroth pay for his crimes.
So without hesitation, he stood up and rushed over to grab the Buster Sword, surprisingly feeling as though he used this weapon before, and the sword did feel strangely light, before he leaped over to the silver-haired man, screaming in fury, "SEPHIROTH!"
Cloud leaped up before thrusting the Buster Sword down at him, but was blocked by Sephiroth's fast movement, clinging against the masamune with sparks that lasted for a few seconds, before the latter simply thrusted and knocked Cloud behind him as the younger man cried out before landing ten feet away as he rolled to a stop, fortunately with the Buster Sword still in his hand.
'Damn!' Cloud cursed to himself. Just then, sensing movement, he quickly rolled out of the way before Sephiroth could skewer him like a pathetic scrap of meat with the ridiculously long sword. Cloud struggled to stand, having been easily outmatched by the now former hero who had turned into some kind of monster, especially with the unusual black wing, just like Genesis had.
"You should know better, Cloud, than to test me." Sephiroth warned darkly.
"How could you do this!?" Cloud shouted, finding unusual strength grow inside him, as though something within his heart was calling out to him, to use some sort of power. Without any thoughts of his own safety, Cloud raced foward and clashed against Sephiroth who was shocked by the sudden recovery as Cloud slashed and clashed against him as though he remembered how to fight.
Unknown to everyone, Tifa, in her unconscious form, must've cried out to her friend as though she sensed Cloud was in trouble, because her body began to glow in light, which somehow connected to Cloud's heart, as his body now glowed in the same light as he and Sephiroth fought. Cloud gave another yell and pushed on his sword. Sephiroth pushed back, and then his eyes widened in surprise as the masamune was suddenly wrenched from his hands. The blade went flying through the air and out of his reach.
Cloud did not hesitate. He darted forward, breaking through Sephiroth's defenses, and swung his sword. The Buster Sword glowed as he struck; landing blows again and again without pause or respite. Sephiroth cried out as each blow hit home, unable to defend himself from Cloud's attack.
For the final blow, Cloud leaped into the air and raised his sword above his head. The tip glowed brightly as all the energy within the blade gathered at that one point. Cloud descended and brought the blade crashing down upon Sephiroth. (~End Dread of Night~)
Sephiroth stepped back, moving shakily and clutching at his wounded chest. Blood poured down his face and chest, spilling through his closed fingers and dripping onto the floor. Sephiroth coughed, and the movement caused him to drop his masamune, which clattered onto the floor. Sephiroth took a deep, shaky breath and slowly raised his head.
Cloud panted, before collasping to one knee, holding one hand onto the hilt of the Buster Sword, using the weapon as support, while Sephiroth stared at him with reanewed shock and hatred.
"Impossible! How could...how could you have that kind of power again?" Sephiroth exclaimed. Without waiting for an answer, he warned to his enemy, "Do not think this is over, Cloud. Someday...someday...I will return, and you will give into the darkness!" and with that, he vanished in mixture of light and darkness, away from this world for now.
Cloud only stared at the spot where Sephiroth had disappeared from. He didn't understand what the latter was talking about or how he knew his name, and at the moment, didn't care. He was too exhausted to even consider the man's words right now. At the moment, his mind returned to the injured forms of both Zack and Tifa, and Cloud knew, he had to get back to them, hoping and praying that they weren't dying. If they died now, or if even because of Sephiroth, Cloud would never forgive himself.
But by the time he had slowly managed to get back to his friends, Cloud's strength finally gave way, as the Buster Sword slid from his weak grasp and clattered on the ground, before he collasped right next to Zack on his stomach, losing consciousness from exhaustion.
Zack, only having enough strength to weakly reach out, as he realised that his friend had won the battle for now, and whispered a croak, "Cloud...you did it..." before his hand went limp and his world went black once more.
All three of them were left lying on the ground, unconscious and bleeding.
"Reno! Reno, wake up!"
Moaning as a familiar female voice, very welcoming, screamed out next to him, Reno blinked his eyes open, feeling a sense of deja vu and saw that Elena was kneeling next to him, very worried.
"...Hey, 'Lena...are we dead?" The redhead groggily asked.
Elena sighed in relief, before answering, "No, you idiot. You and Rude are still alive."
Reno just smiled, pushing himself up, still sore from the unexpected attack. "Heh. Just what I wanted to hear."
As he did, he saw that Rude was slowly standing up as well as Tseng had woken him up too. Elena stood after Reno did and the Turk Leader was the last.
"Are you two alright? What in Leviathan's name happened?" Tseng asked. When he and Elena didn't receive the expected timely report, they worried and at Elena's suggestion and Tseng's agreement, the two ventured off to find their missing comrades into the location the Turk Leader had ordered them to look at in Sector 3. When they did, they found the two men sprawled on the ground, unconscious and a few burn marks on the ground from an attack.
Reno rubbed his neck that became stiff, and then remembered almost instantly of what did happen before he mentally groaned in dismay. Tseng and Rufus were gonna kill him for this.
"Well, the good news is me and Rude are okay. As far as I'm aware..." Reno began, turning to his partner and asked, "You're okay, partner?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry." Rude nodded.
"Great. I was worried that you weren't." Reno smiled in relief, before frowning as he turned back to Tseng and continued, "Bad news is...Sephiroth happened."
"What!?" Tseng gasped. He began to lead the Turks to the direction that Reno and Rude were pointing at as they figured where Sephiroth would be.
"Yeah, and he went through a change of clothes much makes him more monster-like now...even though he's wearing a pretty damn ugly black tutu. But other than that, he's now lost it again, this time talkin' about wantin' Cloud to use 'Darkness' or whatever the hell that meant." Reno reported, while still finding the Darkness thing unbelievable.
"You're saying that Sephiroth is here? How can you be certain?" Tseng asked, not fully understanding or believing this.
"I'm tellin' ya, boss! Sephiroth's back and is still as nuts as he was before!" Reno insisted.
"Are you certain it was Sephiroth and not Genesis?" Tseng questioned.
Reno rolled his eyes, "Pfft! Please, how many guys can wield a ridiculously seven-foot long friggin' sword that can be used as a skewer that'll turn you into a shish-kabob?" referring to the masamune.
"There's no mistaking of Sephiroth's sword." Rude commented in agreement.
Elena held a slightly terrified and concerned expression, questioning, "Can Sephiroth...really do that?"
"'Lena, as far as memories go, that silver-haired twit can kill a behemoth in just a single hit." Reno told the rookie. He was about to continue when, as he and his companions reached at the abandoned street, all four of them froze in their tracks as they saw the crippled forms of Zack, Cloud and Tifa, unconscious and barely even moving.
In shock and fearing for the worst, the four Turks immediately rushed over and checked over on how seriously injured the unconscious trio were, grimly discovering that Tifa's bleeding was being held by a bandage, Zack had cuts all over his body, and Cloud surprisingly suffered minor injuries but practically exhausted. Immediately the Turks knew, that Sephiroth was the case of this.
It wasn't long before the four of them quickly made to get the unconscious and injured trio to hospital for treatment, holding their current assignment off for a little bit.
January 26th [2:12 PM]-Year-1996.
World-Mysterious Tower.
Not even two weeks went by as Mickey had returned to his second home in the Realm of Light, having been called for an urgent meeting by Yen Sid. Given how they were still nowhere near closer in locating Terra, Ventus's Heart or Aqua's whereabouts, whatever the Sorcerer was about to say must be either an update of the eight year long search, or, the more likely scenario even though Mickey hoped it wasn't the case, bad news.
When he arrived, Yen Sid gave him the bad news Mickey had been dreading.
The King had raced up the stairs and when he burst through the door, he panted as he stood before his mentor, the tall old man with long gray beard and hair, and he wore a long blue robe with a matching pointy had that had symbols of stars and a cresent moon, once again seated in his chair.
"Mickey, the stars bring me grave news." Yen Sid began, getting straight to the point. "The world we spoke of is now in a brink of destruction. I'm afraid this means the one who summoned the beast many years ago is close to reviving himself, two other warriors of darkness having already located themselves there and the Organization having three pieces of the stone to summon the beast, which is close to being reformed."
"Oh no!" Mickey gasped in horror. "How did-what's causin' all this to happen?"
The Sorcerer closed his eyes for a moment, before turning his gaze to the stars out of his window, and answered, "The one who stopped the creature has been captured, and Organization themselves...hail from another world, but sent to the one close to being sent to darkness. One of their leaders once many times possessed by a powerful being beyond my knowledge."
Mickey gasped again, before pleadingly asking, "Then, there's nothin' we can do to stop the world from falling into Darkness?"
"I know that you still are not to save it, Mickey. But now the time has come for us to at least aid them as much as possible. You must save the chosen and then seal the World's Keyhole. If it is destroyed by the beast, it will cause destruction into the Realm of Light, and I fear that it will find a way to bring forth Kingdom Hearts once again."
"NO!" Mickey screamed. "Not Kingdom Hearts!"
He remembered the last time he saw Kingdom Hearts with his very own eyes...back eight years ago in a memory that was vague but still as strong as ever...one that continued to haunt him.
Flash-Back: During the events of "Sailor Moon 0-Birth By Sleep"...
Serenity, Grovyle, Jason, Aqua and Mickey all gasped in shock and realization. They were too late; Vanitas had merged and taken over Ven's heart and body and forged the ultimate weapon Xehanort had wanted all along. Despite this, the group stood ready, refusing to surrender and give up.
Vanitas then explained while pointing the weapon skyward towards the heart-shaped moon, confirming the group's fears, "This X-blade will open a door-one that leads to all worlds! Then, Keyblade-bearing warriors will flock here from each and every one of them, to battle for the light within Kingdom Hearts!"
He then gazed up with an evil grin, concluding, "And just like the legend says, the Keyblade War will begin!"
End Flash-Back:
"...I don't want that happenin' again." Mickey said, calming down. He clutched his fist which shook. Whoever this man who was reviving himself was, he was not going to let that man get away with it. "Where is it? Where's this world that needs to be saved?"
"It bears the name of Midgar-Ruins, one of the many places connected to the Keyblade Graveyard. A world where a Meteor once nearly destroyed 8,000 years ago." Yen Sid answered.
"Right. I'll head over there right away and see if there's anything I can do to help." Mickey nodded. He turned to make his leave.
"Remember, Mickey. Do not interfere fully unless it is necessary." Yen Sid cautioned.
The young King nodded in a silent promise, before racing outside to transport himself into Midgar Ruins, a name that sounded strangely familiar to him, but at the same time, he couldn't figure out for the life of him why that was the case. Either way, the world was in trouble, and if the monster that could match Chernabog succeeded in destroying it, it would wreak havoc into the rest of the Realm of Light, and if what Yen Sid said was true...
It could again summon Kingdom Hearts.
January 27th [12:12 PM]-Year-1996.
World-Midgar: Location-Midgar Wastelands.
Qator waited within one helicopter outside of the large army of Militas Ultra soldiers, waiting under orders to siege another full scale attack on Edge in a plot to catch and destroy ShinRa once and for all. This time the Turks short on man power and SOLDIER no match for the large army.
It was all part of the plan since the capture of Veld and Rosalind who both remained unconscious since yesterday. Under Aulstyne's orders, they would destroy the Company and overtake Edge, forcing people to follow their orders until they could do with what they wanted with the Support Materia.
"Everyone ready and accounted for?" Qator questioned over the radio.
"Yes sir." One of the soldiers reported.
'It won't be long now before ShinRa has finally met it's ultimate end. It was a close call in Midgar Ruins, but with two Support Materia in our hands, all we need now is locate Elfe and the other piece. Veld would know where they are. Commander would be questioning him as of this moment right now.' Qator thought to himself.
Just then, there was another crackle of life and another one of the soldiers gasping before reporting, "Sir! A SOLDIER 1st Class is coming! On the back of a truck! He's heading towards Midgar."
What? SOLDIER on the road? Would that mean ShinRa had become aware once again? This wasn't good. Still, one SOLDIER against an army would be a death sentence to him.
"Kill him, and proceed with the attack. If he fights back, give him all your might." Qator ordered, turning on the transmission via the helicopter from above. Down below he saw the soldiers firing at will at...the SOLDIER in the back of a truck, with spiky black hair, blue eyes and...a large sword on his back. Qator's lone eye widened in shock and realization.
"...Zack Fair?"
As soon as the Militas Ultra Army saw the 'SOLDIER' approach, they quickly held out their rifles, machine guns and sword, standing steady to fight the foolish lone 'SOLDIER 1st Class' that was attempting to be a hero to save their enemies.
That young swordsman was Zack who, after finally understanding all of his memories, stood before the large army before him calmly not long after he defeated Genesis. Zack had come with a realization that his journey has come to end, but at least he could do what he could to protect Cloud...
And Sailor Moon.
Placing his hands onto his hips, he shook his head and muttered in exasperation, as though this was a casual day, "Boy oh boy. I guess ShinRa must've been pretty busy."
Whoever these guys were as he didn't know about Militas Ultra, they looked pretty tough and far too many for Zack to take down without fatal wounds, but he wasn't backing down. Plus, this might help ShinRa to get a break without having to worry about a siege. So, determined to take these losers down, Zack calmly unsheathed his sword and held it in front of him, the same way he did when he faced the ShinRa's army in his previous life.
"Embrace your dreams...and, whatever happens..." Zack told himself.
He paused before continuing, with stronger determination, "...Protect your honor, as SOLDIER!" before racing towards them, shouting to challenging all of them, "Come and get it!"
Zack soon fought his final battles.
January 27th [6:00 PM]-Year-1996.
World-Earth: Location-Tsukino Residence-Neo Tokyo.
Serena Tsukino, an almost 14 year old school girl, had just returned home for the second time today after being forced out and return to the Library by her mother due to her bad results of her Test, scoring only 30. She had long blonde hair in pigtails and two buns on her head, blue eyes and wearing her school uniform. She was lying on her bed in her room, exhausted.
It's been a couple of days since she met a hunky looking guy in the Park, and earlier she felt...an unusual pang of sadness that she had no clue of while on her way to her best friend's mother's jewelry store which the said mother was acting strange today that not even the daughter knew of. There was a big sale on Diamonds today, but Serena backed out on buying anything, met a cute but rude guy earlier as well.
She had just fallen asleep when her window made a slamming noise which woke her up.
"Huh?" She muttered, looking behind her and saw...a black cat with a Cresent Moon mark on her forehead, and red-orange pretty eyes. Serena's eyes widened as she recognised the cat as the one she saved earlier from three mean little boys who tried to place a bandaid on the cat's head.
Gasping in fright, and thinking that the cat wouldn't understand her, Serena asked anyway, "You scared me! What're you doing here?"
"Why, Serena. I came here to see you of course. Who else?" The cat suddenly spoke in a female human voice.
That freaked the teenage girl out as she fell off her bed and clinged onto the side of it, muttering in fear. "A talking cat!? Oh man! I have been studying too hard!"
The cat, unfazed by the girl's reaction, cleared her throat before introducing herself. "My name is Luna, and I have been searching for you for a very long time."
Serena just whimpered in fear, as Luna explained to her about being a chosen one, being uncertain when they first met and yet she'd been watching the girl and now had come to accept that Serena is a chosen one; A Sailor Scout of the Moon. Serena was still scared, which at that point, Luna felt annoyed after pointing out that her friend was in trouble by monsters.
So to prove her point, she leaped as magic dust trailed behind her, and a round golden locket materialized before it landed softly on the quilt of Serena's bed. It was a beautiful locket with four small crystals of red, blue, yellow and green inside it, and in the middle, was a cresent moon with a pink round circle above it.
"What is that?" Serena asked, peaking an eye open to see it.
"It's a special locket, just for you." Luna replied.
For me?" Serena asked, now no longer scared, and was happy that the cat, although was talking, was actually giving her a gift. She picked it up, and said, "It's beautiful!" before hooking it onto the middle of her school uniform red bow.
She giggled to herself and went over to the mirror on her dresser, going on about how her friends would be jealous, making Luna feeling even more annoyed and embarrased before she quickly explained that Serena is destined as Sailor Moon, explaining about evil power appearing on Earth.
"This is no joke, Serena. It's your destiny."
"My destiny?" Serena asked, "I must be dreaming."
"It's not a dream." Luna said, "I'll prove it to you. Now, repeat after me; MOON, PRISM, POWER!"
Deciding that she is dreaming, Serena also decided to go along with it and saluted, "Okay!" before exclaiming, "MOON, PRISM, POWER!"
And the transformation began. Her locket covered her body in ribbions which began to magically replace her school uniform and got her into a new outfit; A white outfit with a short blue fuku, blue sailor's shoulder-scarf with two white lines, a red bow where her locket now rested on her front, and a red bow on her lower back, red boots with white stripes on the top with two cresent moon symbols, white gloves with red linings that ended on her elbows, dangling moon earings, a red choker with a cresent moon, a golden tiara with a single red ruby stone in the middle, and finally, two ruby jewels in her hair buns, and when she finished transforming, she did a pose, and she is now the champion of the world.
Serena had become Sailor Moon.
Realising that she was looking at herself in her mirror and seeing that her clothes changed, Serena, or, rather right now, Sailor Moon, was looking down at herself, exclaiming, "AH! What happened!? This dream's getting weirder and weirder! I'll never study that hard again! I wanna play the Sailor V Video game!"
As she was exclaiming this, Sailor Moon didn't notice that even Luna was a bit surprised at the transformation, that, or she's just dumbfounded at Sailor Moon's reactor.
However, after Sailor Moon finished, her hair-jewels suddenly glowed and the next thing she knew, she was hearing a familiar but pleading voice.
Someone was calling for help...someone familiar to her as though she was right there.
Sailor Moon blinked, turning to Luna in realization. "That's Molly."
"That's right. She's in big trouble." Luna confirmed.
"Yeah, but what can I do?" Sailor Moon thought, "I keep forgetting, I'm just a kid."
Luna shook her head and corrected, "You are Sailor Moon. You must fight to protect your friends. Believe in yourself."
Puzzled, confused and a bit nervous, Sailor Moon somehow felt that Molly needed her right now, and even if there was probably already someone there to help her, she decided to at least try this heroine stuff just once. Besides, if Sailor V could do it, as she is a sailor scout now, Sailor Moon could too.
"Okay." she finally replied.
With that, Sailor Moon and Luna sneaked out of the house and raced towards Molly's store...
Thus began Serena's true destiny as Sailor Moon.
January 27th [1:00 PM]-Year-1996.
World-Midgar: Location-Midgar Wastelands.
Qator felt furious. Not only had Zack killed all of the SOLDIERs by himself, but that young swordsman alone had reduced Militas Ultra's numbers as the number of man power had decreased for the last couple of years. It was only just maybe 30 left now, meaning they need to recuit more men. On top of that, the two soldiers with him were told not to do anything, and that Zack collapsed with Sephiroth arriving.
"If one man can do that on his own, then the Turks are capable of doing this as well." He said to himself, before grunting. "Fine. Then the Support Materia is our last hope."
Knowing there was no choice left, Qator ordered the two surviving soldiers with him to retreat, which they did so and flew back to the Midgar Ruins to report to Aulstyne of the latest failure...just as Cloud arrived.
January 27th [2:17 PM]-Year-1996.
ShinRa Building-Edge.
(~Sorrow/Ventus's Theme-KH:BBS~)
Reno and Rude had both narrowly returned to HQ in one piece after being ambushed by Militas Ultra soldiers from the Midgar Ruins, forcing them to land into the ruined city that used to be their home in their previous lives. They fought long and hard until the enemies were defeated before retreating before more would attack.
Still, considering that they'd been called back with no sign of Zack, Cloud or Tifa who had escaped, most likely to fight Genesis and possibly Sephiroth. Just moments on top of everything, both men had a much clearer vision of one of the three that they couldn't figure out until now.
The girl with long blonde hair, and unusual outfit...They were certain that they finally remembered who Sailor Moon was.
"Looks like we were right 'bout Sailor Moon at least." Reno was saying as he and his friend were making their way inside. "That still doesn't answer where or when she came from and whether or not she's even born yet."
"Maybe she's on her way into our past right now, if she's exists yet." Rude stated.
The younger man shrugged hopelessly, "Or maybe we missed her by a hundred years or a bit longer and she could be dead for all we know."
"I doubt Sailor Moon is dead, but that still leaves on whether she is born yet or not."
Reno and Rude both paused as they saw that Tseng had approached them while waiting for them leaning against the wall, with Elena standing there as the young woman had already returned a short time ago.
"I'm told by Elena that there were no sign of Zack, Cloud or Tifa." The Turk Leader changed the subject onto the more important matter.
"Same here. Not a single trace." Reno reported with a sigh.
Tseng lowered his head a bit, feeling the pangs of guilt and sorrow seep into his heart. They failed again; they failed to find Zack and Cloud and now Tifa on time. Perhaps Militas Ultra got to them, or perhaps...they had already left this world behind to chase after Sephiroth and Genesis. Either way, the Wutaiian Turk knew that the three of them would not be seen again for a very long time. Just when Zack had come to accept his 'dreams' were memories of his past life as well.
"I see. You did what you could." Tseng replied, before questioning, "What of Sailor Moon?"
"Haven't seen her, but definitely remember her. I think she's the one who somehow helped Cloud to defeat Sephiroth 8,000 years ago, just as she helped Squall to defeat Ultimecia. From what I remember hearing after Metetorfall." Reno said.
"Maybe the reason why we remember Sailor Moon now is she just started her own journey or could be on her way into our past. I think so, at least." Elena said thoughtfully.
"Maybe..." The Turks Second in Command replied, scratching the back of his head. It sounded right, but he wasn't certain and from the looks of the older men and the young woman, neither were they.
Sighing, he then quiried to Tseng, "So, what we do now?"
"Report to the President and wait for his next orders. It is all we can do for now. If Zack, Cloud and Tifa are still alive, then we will have to let them defend themselves against the enemies. Until then, we return our priority to Militas Ultra." Tseng commanded.
Despite being worried for the trio that were out there and three separate enemies still on the loose, the Turks had very little choice. So they obediedly followed their leader to report to the President. (~End Sorrow/Ventus's Theme~)
January 27th [2:23 PM]-Year-1996.
President's Office-ShinRa Building-Edge.
(~Sign-FINAL FANTASY VII: ADVENT CHILDREN~)
Rufus had been waiting for the return of his four Turks as he sat behind his desk. The group now stood before him in formal positions, despite Reno's usual shaggy appearence. They just made it back about five minutes ago and were hesitating a little to report their failure.
Finally, it was Tseng who broke the news. "Mr. President. I'm afraid we failed to find the whereabouts of Zack, Cloud and Tifa."
Rufus just frowned, but not surprised. "Hmm...I see. You all did what you could." He said. Like Tseng, he couldn't blame them for their failure. They had done their best, and that was important.
Reno, angry with himself for being unable to find the others, just sighed before thinking aloud, "You know, if I know Cloud, he's probably gonna go and find Sephiroth and settle a score with him, and knowing Tifa, she's gonna go and look for Cloud." which he knew for certain if anything bad happened to Zack. The redhead wasn't sure why...but he just felt...like Zack had suffered a horrible fate, like 8,000 years ago in all of their previous lives.
"Yet we don't know if Sailor Moon exists yet or not." Rude pointed out, which made Reno sigh. He was right, of course. Who knew if Sailor Moon herself had gone into their past yet or was just starting her journey as of now or will be tomorrow, or perhaps she isn't even born yet.
Elena, still confused on this 'Sailor Moon' and the evidence of her memories of her previous life, stated, "But even so, Cloud managed to fight Sephiroth according to the report and maybe he can defeat him, this time without Sailor Moon's help."
(~End Sign~)
"My thoughts exactly. We should stay out of their way." Rufus said, agreeing with the youngest Turk. Then he frowned again, voicing his other main concern. "However, my main concern is, what does Fuhito attend to do next?"
(~Evil Lurking*Xehanort's Theme-KH:BBS*~)
This surprised three of the Turks whose eyes widened at the President's words. Fuhito? The mad scientest who tried to summon Zirconiade
"What? AVALANCHE's Scientest?" Reno asked, shocked, before pointing out while trying to keep his cool. "But our colluages killed him 8,000 years ago. I mean, the guy tried to summon Zirconiade to destroy the world, and used the former Director's daughter as part of his plan, since Hojo implanted it inside her body. Wasn't he killed along with the summon?"
"That is correct. Fuhito has met his end." Tseng nodded to confirm his Second in Command's question, before explaining as he shared Rufus's worries, given their current situation with Militas Ultra, "However, if Sephiroth has returned, and so has Genesis, then there's no doubt that Fuhito is back as well."
Rufus nodded in agreement, continuing for the current Director of the Turks, "Yes, and even though Hojo was not reborn nor revived, Fuhito is no fool when it comes to things like this. This could mean, that he will certainly return." his brows furrowing at the thought of the mad scientest's return.
This made the Turks worried, but none more so than both Reno and Elena. The latter then asked, trying to hide her nervousness and fear, "And...he's going to try something to harm the world?"
"He was even using the original AVALANCE for his own deeds." Rude said, having remembered that detail, as did everyone else in the room.
Despite his own fears, Reno then pointed out, confident that they can handle a mad scientest, "Well, no matter what that loser comes up with, we're Turks, right? We can handle him easily!"
"It won't be easy with just the four us." Tseng pointed out, gravely concerned despite Reno's confidence. But he remembered, Futhio was very dangerous and could mulipliate people's minds by just talking. (~End Evil Lurking*Xehanort's Theme*~)
He then questioned challengingly at the other three Turks, "You remember, that the last time our comrades fought against Ziconiade, that they all nearly lost their lives?"
This the three of them did not remember straight away. This question alone, however, horrified Reno, Rude and Elena who all lost their calm and professional postions as all three of them gasped in realization. True they were still recovering memories of their past-lives, but none of them had actually thought that there were massive near losses and sacrifices. Could be true that Zirconiade was that dangerous?
Still, Reno demanded in horror, "What the hell's that supposed to mean!?"
"We cannot do this on our own." Tseng simply answered, unfazed by the trio's reactions, but knew how they felt. Mentally, he was horrified when he remembered this as well.
"Then it's settled." Rufus finally decided, after thinking about how the situation has gotten a lot worse. He then stood up with authority, which made his Turks resume their formal position, as he gave out his new order to the four of them.
"I want all of you to gather all of our former comrades. Perhaps like Cloud, one of them has the power to stop the enemy, just as Cloud has done to Sephiroth."
Although Genesis had stopped his threat, and Zack had inadvertedly drastically reduced Militas Ultra's numbers which also ended his long journey as his heart now sleeps within Cloud's heart, Sephiroth was on the loose as Cloud, having used Zack's Starshard and attatched it into a Motorcycle he bought for his new journey, left behind the World for the very first time.
Tifa followed by entering a Corridor of Darkness a member of Organization XIII opened up and found herself in Traverse Town, beginning her quest to find Cloud.
On Earth, Serena Tsukino has finally awakened as the true Sailor Moon and began her quest that would eventually lead into discovering the truth of her own previous Life.
But back in Midgar, Militas Ultra, having captured Veld and Rosalind, begin to seek means in locating Felicia for her piece of the Support Materia while searching for the final piece.
As Mickey begins to arrive for the rescue mission, Rufus orders the Turks to reunite with their former comrades...
While Fuhito begins the final perparations for his resurrection, to renew his plot to revive Zirconiade.
A/N: I think we're about three or four more chapters until the end of this story, because after this, as well as updating my other stories and starting new ones that keep bugging me, "Kingdom Hearts: Echoes of Night" which focuses on Cloud's journey right up to the near ending of "Sailor Moon-Season 11" will be up next after this.
See you in the next chapter!