Chapter Nine

Unknown Fate

One Day later...

Gera was sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing only his pants and boots, the moon shining through into the window. He wasn't used to a world that was always night... but that wasn't what was on his mind... he was looking down at his new right hand... it felt like his arms were numb, but he moved the fingers like they were his original arms... He sighed, closing his eyes.

Why.... why did all of this have to happen...?

"Because you are weak."

He looked up, glaring.

"Don't start with that, Voice..."

"I have to... I am sorry for your lost, but she would have wanted you to be happy, not sulking all day."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"I know... I'm leaving today in search of Sora and the rest..."

The Voice was quiet for a moment, then spoke again.

"You should get dressed and ready... you need to go to other worlds and get stronger for your revenge..."

"Re.... venge...."

He stood up, frowning.

".................. no."

"Hm?"

Gera went over to a chair, having his clothes there, repaired and cleaned. He picked the shirt up, then spoke.

"Mella wouldn't want me to go out and look for him for revenge... granted, I will kill him if I get the chance, but I won't solely look for him just for that reason... but a pretty damn good reason."

He was about to slip his shirt on when he stopped.

"Come in, Yuffie. I know you're outside of the door."

There was some stumbling at the door, as if someone stumbled against the door. It then opened, showing Yuffie walk in awkwardly.

"H-hey, Gerara... I wasn't ea-"

"It's alright, Yuffie."

He gave her a small smile, which took her from surprise. He looked down at his shirt blankly for a minute.

"I... really should thank you... for everything..."

Yuffie blushed a bit.

"Ohhhh... put your shirt back on and stop showing off."

Gera chuckled a bit, slipping his shirt on. Just as he did, Holy warped into the room.

"Gera... mind if I talk to you for a second?"

He nodded, but looked up when he added another word, Holy turning toward Yuffie.

"Alone?"

She looked away, a hand up to her mouth.

"Alright...."

She started to walk to the door, then stopped in front of it, looking back at Gera. She then left the room. Gera shook his head.

"Yes?"

Holy walked to the other side of the room, looking out the window at the ally. He saw a few Soldiers run past, not noticing them in the room.

"........ The Holy Father has great sorrow for you, Gera... losing your arms... your love..."

Gera looked away, the pain coming back again. Holy continued.

"But, he has done something which he has never done before."

He turned to him.

"He has reincarnated her heart."

Gera seemed confused, but felt some hope in his heart.

"What... does that mean?"

Holy looked out the window again, his arms crossed.

"........ The Father has sent her heart into the past and let her reborn again. She's alive now, somewhere in a world."

His eyes grew wide as joy began to form on his face. Holy quickly stopped him.

"Here's the catch-"

Gera sighed and hung his head a bit.

"There's ALWAYS a catch..."

Holy chuckled at that, then continued.

"She has a new personality, a new body, and doesn't look like the Mella you know of..."

He looked away toward the floor.

"Why, though? Why can't he just maker her look the same as before?"

"Because, he doesn't decide what the person looks like when they are born. All he does is make sure the soul reaches the woom."

Gera just nodded sadly. Holy sighed, turning around.

"She should a little older then you, and could look like anyone. Her looks will be different, but there's one thing you can recognize...."

He strolled over to him and started to head for the door.

"Just look into the woman's eyes... her heart... see if she has the same sparkle that Mella did for you."

With that, he disappeared... leaving Gera there, alone... his necklace shining faintly....

**************************************************************

Gera was in front of a shop, gathering potions and exliers with the munny he had gathered from the Heartless he had defeated before.

You got to wonder why Heartless would be holding munny at all...

He payed the shop owner with all the munny he had, then turned and walked toward the center of the 1st District. He looked up at the sky and saw a shooting star fly across it. Once more, his senses where sharped, and he could sense what the shooting star really meant.

So many hearts... and the heart of that world... gone...

He looked down at his hand... his new metal hand... thoughts about Mella filled his mind once more. The only reason he wasn't still sobbing over her was the fact that Mella wouldn't want him to... and the fact that God had reborn her made him regain his hope. He sighed, then, suddenly, the tips of his fingers turned into claws. His head jerked back by shock.

"Wh-what?"

"You like?"

He turned around and saw Jet walking over to him.

"Yeah, I had those cutom made, and figured the claws would help. Had to add that myself, though... so it really is more custom then other custom arms."

"'More custom then other custom arms?'"

Gera raised an eyebrow at him. Jet gave him a look.

"Hey! Don't make fun of the guy who got those arms for you!"

"Yeah..."

Jet blinked.

"Errrm.... I mean, you can't get arms better then that!"
Gera closed his eyes, silent. Jet hung his head.

"I'll shut up, now."

"Thank you... Jet...."

He looked at Gera... that was the first time he really talked to him like he was normal. Then...

"Hey, you don't plan on leaving without saying good bye, are you?"

Gera looked toward Cid's store and saw Leon, Yuffie, and everyone else there. Aerith looked at him with a smile, all of them walking toward them and stopping.

"You need to say good bye so we know you're grateful for us helping you."

Cid rubbed his nose with his thumb.

"Well, we all know he's all grateful and stuff for us. Just be sure not to lose any more limps, alright? No one wants to see you in that much pain again!"

Gera gave a small smile. The caring they all had for him...

"You all... Leon... Cid... Aerith... Holy... Jet........... Yuffie...."

He placed his fist in his palm, which was flat, and gave a bow. A sign of respect from the dojo he was in in his home world. He only did this to those he respected fully and truly.

"Thank you... so much..."

Leon gave a smile. He went over to him and held out a small bag.

"Here... it's a gift from all of us..."

Gera looked at the bag, then at Leon.

"Leon... I can't... you all have already done so much for me already."
He chuckled, tossing the bag at Gera, making him catch it.

"Don't worry. We're all friends now... in that bag is some munny and items for you. You can come back any time you need, and we'll be here."

Gera looked at the bag, then nodded, putting it in his pocket.

"Thank you, again...."

He turned around and started to head for the door to the world, then stopped. He turned to everyone, giving one more look at them... and at Yuffie. He gave her a warm smile, then looked away. He snapped his fingers, a portal of darkness appeared, knowing that the Voice had taught him that, like he said.

"Good bye-"

"No. No good byes."

Everyone turned to Holy, who had his arms crossed.

"We may separate, we may go to different worlds, but we will always meet again. So, no good byes. No saying farewell. Just... see you later."

Gera looked away, whipping his eye.

"Well then... see you all later, then."

He walked into the portal... and disappeared. Yuffie had a worried look on her face as she watched the darkness from the portal disappear as well...

End of Chapter Nine...