The 'Gift' of a Second Chance

by KnightsShadow

Cloud gets sent back into the past. How will he change it, what will he change, and will Sephiroth remember? Perhaps something very unexpected will happen instead. Though you'd think the title said it all. A SxC story. *Crisis Core Spoiler.*

13. Chapter 13

A/N: Ah, I have forgotten to mention. Rayleigh is the scientist from Before Crisis, the one who was with Cloud the first time he was introduced in the game. All you need to know is that he simply risks his life to save her, no matter jeopardizing the mission by losing valuable information on a disk to Avalanche. That is all. ^~^

(As I was lying…)

Another thing is that I have to thank doug for bringing my attention to the little problem about Zack's character (I didn't write him very well-rounded like). I shall try to rectify that as the story goes along. But, for now, I shall have to use the excuse that I have not been writing in Zack's POV for quite a while now. Excuse me. (Oh, and Zack was not present when Jenova was taken away, in case some of you were confused.)

In this chapter, I refer to Loveless. I shall be using both the Japanese translation and the English translation, whatever suits my purpose for the moment. So, if anything seems off and it feels as though part of Loveless is incorrect…it may not be.

P.S. I am not Japanese.

*Sigh* …I don't know what I'm going to do about Sephiroth…writing him like this…

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Chapter 13

Cloud and the group stood together with the rest of the town. They watched as the rocket was started and lifted into the air. On autopilot, the plane would continue going on and on…forever. Whatever remained of Jenova after that would be none of their concern. They watched…as the calamity from the sky took to the sky once again, never to return. Jenova was no more and silence was the only thing heard.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Sephiroth bemoaned his luck. It had been a week since their return from Nibelheim and he hadn't been able to contact Cloud at all. It was worrisome, thinking either Cloud was avoiding him for reasons unknown or something had happened to him. Neither one of these choices really appealed any at all to Sephiroth and he sighed, dissatisfied. He got up from his desk, stacking his papers off to one side, to finish them later but Zack decided to interrupt him with a bang of his door. "Hey, Sephiroth!" he entered cheerily. "Guess what?"

Sephiroth took one glance at Zack and sat right back down, a hand coming up to cover his distressed face. "What is it, Zack?"

He looked thoughtful, "I just saw Cloud walking down the hall, looking kind of worried, but he asked me to tell you…" he scratched his head, "something about a waiting aircraft?" he shrugged, "Or something about flying somewhere..."

Sephiroth watched him in silence for a while thinking about the promise Cloud had made and wondered if it was already time for him to go… "Where is Cloud?"

By now, it seemed Zack had gotten used to him using Cloud's first name at any given notice, though Zack only seemed to think that it was because of a new budding friendship. Of course, though it was true Sephiroth was very fond of Cloud…it wasn't friendship that he was seeking. Zack tilted his head curiously to one side, a very puppy like movement, "Last time I saw, he was heading back to the bunks. I think he forgot something. Why?"

Sephiroth got up and headed to the door, passing Zack along the way. "I need to see him…" he whispered to himself. He sighed again, not noticing that Zack was still following him.

"Wow." Zack trotted up next to Sephiroth. He glanced at Zack from the corner of his eye with a raised brow. "Looks like you've got a bad case of puppy love." He chuckled.

Sephiroth stopped abruptly, turning to Zack with a frown, "How do you associate my behavior with being infatuated?" He waved his hand dismissingly, "Let alone, one associated with a puppy?"

Zack laughed a little, "I mean," he couldn't help but smile from ear to ear, "with you sighing like that, it seems like something's held your attention for a long time. That usually happens to people who have someone they like but don't have the guts to reach," he frowned, "or maybe it's that they got rejected?"

"Zack." He warned.

Zack came back looking more amused than ever, "Well, in any case, I still think you've got a case of something."

Sephiroth ground his teeth in tense frustration and continued moving. He would have to remedy his behavior and try to stop being so…obviously lost. It wouldn't do if a lot of people found out about his little problem. There were far too many people already who seemed to want to know his innermost secrets. He sighed again only to stop it immediately after. Now, impatience caught at his throat. He stifled a sound of annoyance, glancing at Zack from the corner of his eye, "Regardless of what I am feeling, go and locate Cloud. I will need to speak with him before I depart."

Zack stood and gawked at Sephiroth's back. Curious, Sephiroth turned to regard Zack with a raised brow. He started. "Y-You didn't deny it." He pointed a finger at him in disbelief. "You really are in love with someone?"

Sephiroth felt his eyebrow twitch in irritation and crossed his arms, his finger tapping impatiently against his other arm, "Zack…"

"Who?" he grinned and bounded over, "I have to know!"

He gave an irritable sigh and continued on his way, ignoring any rants Zack might give. How could he have given himself away so easily, to Zack no less…? He gave a light frown and confusion clouded his judgment. He was in love?

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Cloud walked amiably across the cliff's edge, just outside of Midgar. It wouldn't have been a very smart thing to do if Shinra caught sight of their recently stolen/missing aircraft. So, they had decided that this was as close as they were going to get. He grumbled, nervously wondering what was going to happen once Sephiroth had met his mother… "Hey, Cloud!" Cid called from atop his ship. "Ya see him yet?"

"No…" though he wasn't trying hard to spot him by looking around. He had other things in his head that worried him more at the moment.

"Ah, damn it!" he hit the railing with a fist, "That damn…he ain't worth all this," he cursed, "after all he's done." He turned around and leaned his back on the railing, lighting up a cigarette. He blew out a puff of white smoke and scratched his chin.

Cloud let out a small breath of air. Apparently, Cid was having a bad day. He glanced around once more, wondering what was taking Sephiroth so long, when he suddenly saw a glint of silver making its way over. He called up to Cid, "I see him. Make sure Vincent's awake." He looked back down and put his hands on his waist, "Wouldn't want him to shoot Sephiroth in his sleep…"

"Yeah, I got it." Cid snarled, walking back into the interior of the ship.

Sephiroth approached the aircraft cautiously, not wanting to alert the crew into panic and made his way over in bottled irritation. Cloud hadn't been in Shinra, and now he saw why. Cloud stood ahead of him, waiting for him to approach, as he made his way over. He sighed, his irritation melting away and thinking that it was a good thing he had informed Zack to leave finding Cloud for later and to return to his duties. He had grudgingly complied. He walked up to Cloud and looked down at him with a soft look in his eyes, "…Cloud."

Cloud tensed, just slightly, and Sephiroth had to hold back his impulse. "Sephiroth." He nodded.

Sephiroth tore his eyes away from Cloud and took in the sight of the ship, floating before them and slightly wondered what they had done with his…with Jenova. "I can't stay away from Shinra for long." He looked back at Cloud, who merely shrugged.

"You won't have to. It's not that far by sky. It should take less than a day, with you returning in the evening…if everything goes well…"

"I see…"

"There are a couple of chocobo on the ship. We used to breed them specially. They should help you get across."

"Chocobo?" he hadn't thought he would need a mount to cross anything, "Is it unreachable by ship?"

Cloud nodded, "The only way to get there is by chocobo or by submarine, and since we don't have a sub…" He sighed and scratched the back of his head, "We had to remodel the interior of the ship to make room for more than one chocobo since the farm has no available space." He gave a slow nod and Cloud continued, "In any case, I really should be getting back. I'll leave it to you guys not to kill anyone on the journey."

He started walking back, halting slightly when Sephiroth caught his wrist. He looked back inquiringly, "Be wary of your surroundings."

Cloud quirked a brow. It was Sephiroth's way of saying, Be careful, and he nodded with a smile. "I will." His wrist was released and Cloud watched as Sephiroth turned around to walk up to the ship. He did the same but back to Shinra.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Cloud was slowly making his way back to the bunks when a roar sounded throughout the halls. He froze, straining his ears for any remnant of sound. He picked up shuffling feet and scared whimpers up ahead. "Help! Someone help us!" Someone was yelling from down the corridor.

Cloud ran towards the cry. It had been strange that the halls had been empty and too quiet but it seemed he was soon going to find out why. But…why were there no Soldiers this high up to go and aid the others? "I'm coming." He panted under his breath as he rounded the corner.

"Help! Aaaahhhh!" There was a ripping sound just as Cloud made out the man that had been dragged back into a growing darkness. His sounds immediately quieted and Cloud froze. There were bodies littered everywhere.

The beast…,no, thing in front of him was of enormous size. Cloud could only make out that the hall was being blocked by a massive furry hide. He gritted his teeth. What was this thing? He whipped his head from one side to the next, trying to make out if there were any survivors amongst the littered bodies on the floor. Some, he noted, were Soldiers… Suddenly, he noticed a frightened women crawling towards him with wide eyes. She couldn't seem to take her eyes off of the creature in front of them. He knelt beside her with a frown, "What happened?" he demanded.

She flinched, but relaxed just ever so slightly when she got a look at his face, her eyes were still wide. "I-I don't know…" she stammered. The tears suddenly started pouring out of her, "I-I don't…" She hiccupped, "It just c-came a-and," she had a hard time swallowing but clenched her hand in a fist, then looked down in absolute distress as her tears plopped to the ground. "It appeared out of nowhere," she gasped, somehow trying to muster the strength to explain despite the gruesome noises the creature was making from eating its meal. "The m-monster," she clenched her eyes shut, "it was just suddenly there and we…" she looked up at Cloud with sorrowful eyes shimmering, "we tried to run away, the Soldiers came to help, but" she looked back at the carnage, "somehow, it enjoyed our fear and it…nearly ate us all. The Soldiers' swords couldn't pierce its hide and no one knew what it was…" she shook her head, distressed.

Cloud nodded in understanding and reached over to help the woman sit upright against the wall. "I understand." They shuffled quietly against the wall. "I'll go and try to distract it. Use the time to escape and call for help. There should be a high alert by now but they might need to know the exact location. Go inform whoever you can and help clear out those who can't fight."

She clutched at his arm in fright. "You can't!" she protested, "It'll kill you!"

Cloud shook his head and released her grip on his arm. "There are more important things than my life. Go and tell the others." He stood up and cautiously approached the beast, he gave the woman a determined look and watched as she carefully tried to stand and straggle away. The beast's head lifted up at the sound of footsteps and its ears twitched back. Cloud stared at it while the massive rippling of muscle and fur slowly made it around a one-eighty, staring straight down at Cloud with massive claws, teeth, and sickly shimmering red eyes that harbored slits of insanity. He shuddered at the familiar look he was getting. It was so similar to how Sephiroth had looked at him before…

Surprisingly to Cloud, it laughed, a pull back of skin from its teeth and a sequence of jarring eruptions from its throat. Its eyes glistened with intelligence! "You," it bellowed with a low rumbling breath. It sounded ghastly, "You are the one the master seeks." It spoke slowly, as though trying to make an effort into being understood.

"Master?" Cloud stalled cautiously, still hearing the soft clacking of high heels a little distance off. He hoped the woman made it to the other floors alright.

It laughed, if that was called a laugh, again. "Yesss~" it rumbled, its glowering red eyes pinning Cloud where he was. "Masterrr~. The professor…" It bared its teeth in a grin, hissing as though it found something funny. "He would prefer you alive…"

"Hojo!"

The beast charged with a roar, surprisingly agile for a creature of that magnitude. It threw its body against the walls, clawing its way over, for more versatile agility. With one lunge, it hurled its weight, claws outstretched, towards Cloud.

With a yell, Cloud charged.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Sephiroth looked around the crystal cavern with Vincent by his side. Strangely enough, the silent man's company was more welcome than many other people he had ever met, and it was soothing. But now, glancing around the cave where his mother was supposedly residing, he couldn't help but feel suspicious. How, and why, would a lone woman live such an isolated life in the middle of nowhere? He sighed. There wasn't even a trace of any living arrangements, signs of life, or anything else of the sort.

Vincent glanced at Lucrecia's son from the corner of his eye in comprehension. He knew what Sephiroth was searching for but he also knew that he wouldn't find it. "You suspect she does not dwell here." He looked at the crystal alter situated in the far back of the cave.

Sephiroth looked at him in slight surprise. "Yes." He answered, indicating the empty area with a sweep of his hand, "No one could live here for long."

"Live…" he smirked. Vincent walked closer to the center alter and stood right before it. It glimmered translucent and beautifully in the sheen of the crystal cavern.

"Vin…cent?" There was the faintest whisper of a voice. Sephiroth clutched at his sword in defense.

Vincent sighed. "Lucrecia…"

"Vincent." A faint whisper of a woman was outlined on the steps of the alter and Sephiroth watched in amazement as she became more solidified. She was crouched just before the steps, fresh tears in her eyes that were threatening to spill. "Vincent, it is you."

"Yes." He answered hesitantly.

Lucrecia looked away, a scared look in her eyes. "I'm alive…" she stated, "I wanted to disappear…I couldn't be with anyone…I wanted to die…" she cried, "But the Jenova cells inside me wouldn't let me die…" There was a hysterical glint in her eyes.

Vincent walked a bit closer; a hand outstretched, but refrained from touching her, "Lucrecia…" He felt worried; he had seen this all before and didn't want her to suffer the same way anymore now that he knew what he could do to help.

"Stay back!" she yelled, taking a frightened step back. Vincent hesitated before dropping his arm and keeping to where he stood. She squatted back on the alter, her back facing them, and started plucking imaginary flowers in her hands with a light chuckle, "You know," she began, "Lately, I dream a lot of Sephiroth…My dear, dear child." She looked down sadly at her empty hands, "Ever since he was born, I never got to hold him even once. Not even once." She repeated distantly, "You can't call me his mother…That…is my sin."

Vincent stared at her with hardness in his eyes. He couldn't approach her, a fact he remembered from the past, but he also wouldn't dare try and interrupt her lest he frighten her more than she already was. So he stood there, unmoving, waiting for her to continue. He wasn't disappointed.

She glanced frantically around, as though expecting something to come at her with ill intent. When she saw that nothing was coming, she settled back down into a distant expression, "Vincent…"

"He's alive." He stated, knowing where this was going. He indicated to Sephiroth who had been standing back and watching the whole interaction with a slight expression indicating that he didn't know what to do in such a situation. "And, he is here."

Lucrecia's eyes lit up as her head whipped towards Sephiroth's general direction. She took in the silver hair, the slit green pupils, and the stoic expression with strange disbelief. She stood and took a tentative step forward, a palm outstretched, "My…son?"

Sephiroth looked at the woman, who was supposedly his mother, approaching him. He didn't know what to say or how to act when confronted with such a situation. What was he to do? He sighed, walking to close the rest of the distance between them. He slightly glanced at Vincent, who merely nodded, and looked down at Lucrecia, his mother… "I am Sephiroth." He confirmed quietly to her.

She looked up at him with eyes that were a clearer clarity than Vincent had ever seen them. She was sane again, if only for the brief moment. "Lucrecia…"

Lucrecia reached a hand up and touched a light hand to Sephiroth's cheek in absolute affection. She smiled and looked beside her at Vincent, "Vincent," she replied fondly, orbs of light gathering around her, "Thank you…" And in a flash of light, she vanished.

Vincent looked at the spot where Lucrecia had occupied just moments ago with sadness. She was gone. But, at least, unlike last time, she wasn't bound to a crystal cavern any longer for an eternity with no rest. He looked up at Sephiroth, who seemed just about as confused as he could indicate. "She no longer resides here."

Sephiroth looked at him in dismay. "Then…I may no longer contact her…"

"No…" Vincent frowned, "Hm…" he seemed thoughtful as though contemplating something strange.

"Is there something else?" he asked curious but reluctant to experience such a strange event again.

Vincent smirked, "If you wish to talk to your mother again…contact Cloud." He whirled around and walked to the exit.

Sephiroth stared at the man's back in unblinking countenance. Why did he have the feeling Cloud had some way of now contacting the dead? He shook his head and walked out with a sigh. Cloud was one mystery in many, and he was going to have to solve all of them.

xxx xxx

Zack wandered through the halls in half-minded absentness. It had been a week since the incident back in Nibelheim, a week since Sephiroth had reassured that he would inform him later on what had happened… And still, neither of them had said anything. He was now searching for Cloud again. Earlier, he had forgotten to stop Cloud and to demand answers for his questions but it had simply slipped his mind, until Sephiroth had mentioned he wished to talk to Cloud. He hummed in contemplation. Why was it that both of them refused to say anything, Sephiroth especially? It seemed like something had come up before, after he had gone back into the inn, which had bothered Sephiroth…but now…?

He sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. Something was going on between the two of them and he wanted to find out what. Obviously, something strange had happened that they couldn't discuss in public or something but still… His phone rang. " 'ello?"

'Zack' It was Tseng. 'Get to the Soldier floor immediately. There has been a situation and I am unable to contact the General.'

"What?" Zack halted in his tracks, "What happened?"

'Nothing is clear as of yet. You are to assess the situation and to interrogate a witness, the one who called for emergency. She is waiting on the floor beneath, right where you should be now. Head to the stairs at once. You are to await further instructions.' There was a click as the phone line died.

Zack gripped the phone in his hands. He was still curious on what was going on with Cloud and Sephiroth but, right now, there were more pressing matters. He rushed to the stairs where he was supposed to meet with the woman. Apparently, she might have a clearer idea on what was going on than he had at the moment.

xxx xxx

Zack was panting by the time he reached the stairs. He had run around in circles trying to determine which staircase Tseng had been talking about, seeing as how there were two of them on completely opposite ends of each other. He finally decided that he had found the right one when, completely embarrassing on his part, a woman came up to him and asked if he was the Soldier she was supposed to be waiting for. He chuckled nervously. "Sorry…I didn't know which staircase…" he trailed off.

"It's fine," she explained hurriedly, "but we need to hurry." She glanced around nervously, as through expecting something to come and jump out at her out of nowhere. "I-I don't know what happened to that Soldier…"

"Wait." Zack lifted a hand and looked at her confused, "First tell me what's happened. I didn't get the whole situation."

"Oh!" she looked at him apologetically, "Then I'll try and make it quick, there's no time left." She tried swallowing, her eyes still wide with a fear behind them. "T-There was a great beast," she explained, "a monster. It…came out of nowhere and slaughtered almost everyone on that floor." Her body started trembling slightly at the memory of her friends and acquaintances dying before her very eyes, "I couldn't move, couldn't get away as the monster started e-eating my companions."

"What?" Zack looked at her wide eyed. The beast was still on the loose? "We need to help whoever else we can!"

"B-But there's another thing." She quickly explained, "Everyone alive is off that floor, only…there was that one Soldier…"

Zack whirled on her, "Who?"

"Um…I don't know his name. He came to help me and distracted the beast." She gripped the hem of her shirt. "He told me to run…I don't know if he's still alive."

"I'll go and have a look." He looked at her grimly. "What did he look like?"

She looked up at him teary-eyed as she imitated large spikes on her head, "He had blonde hair with spikes going out in all directions. It really looked gravity defying." She said, still amazed through the fear. "And, he had the most cerulean of eyes. It looked like it held a tranquil lake…"

Zack's eyes went wide. It couldn't be…could it? "What uniform was he wearing?

"H-He was wearing a 2nd class uniform…" she answered quietly.

"Damn!" He rushed towards the stairs and ran right to the top. It had been Cloud! There were no other 2nd class Soldiers whose descriptions matched Cloud's and no way whose eyes would be described the same. He prayed, and hoped to dear Gaia that he wasn't too late…that he wouldn't find the body of one of his closest friends.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxx

Sephiroth was on his way back to Midgar with a lot of thoughts in his mind. Unfortunately, none of his thoughts seemed to be in order at the moment. A nagging sensation at the back of his head kept warning him about something, something he should be listening to, and it was bothering him. But, he just couldn't place what could be making him feel so uncomfortable! If ever his instinct rose up to warn him about something, he wasn't one to ignore them. Now, he was certain…something was most definitely wrong.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Zack froze, glued to his spot. There was blood everywhere. It was smeared across the walls and splattered around the floor, papers were scattered unceremoniously here and there with blood soaking into the unsuspecting documents. It was a nightmare. He held his breath in, afraid of what he might find. How could this have happened? And…there were bodies littered all over the place. It didn't seem like there was a single survivor left… "…Cloud."

He quickly glanced around, trying to find those familiar blond locks. He glanced around corners, under desks, behind every nook and cranny but, there was nothing. He couldn't find Cloud. He couldn't find Cloud at all. Panicking, he flipped open his cell phone and dialed Sephiroth's number by memory. It rang twice before there was a click on the other end. 'What is it, Zack?' Sephiroth's serious voice drifted coolly into his ear. It seemed he was already suspecting something had happened.

"Sephiroth, there's been trouble!"

There was a slight shuffling before Sephiroth spoke again, 'Explain.'

"There's blood everywhere! I can't find Cloud, and the monster that was supposed to be here is nowhere in sight! We need help. There are bodies of Soldiers everywhere, which means the monster was stronger than anyone thought." He explained as panic rose within him.

'Cloud was there? Why?' he sounded worried

"He tried to save a woman…I don't know what happened to him. Sephiroth, we have to find him!"

'I'll be there immediately.' The phone clicked.

Zack surveyed the surrounding area with horror. He would have to call Tseng and let him know that a search party might be necessary. He sincerely hoped that Cloud was alright.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Sephiroth rushed into Shinra without so much of a glance to anyone in his way. His heart had stopped the moment Zack had called to confirm his suspicions that his uneasiness had something to do with Cloud, and he hated it. He hated the fact that he couldn't do anything to prevent Cloud from harm, hated that he hadn't been there to protect him. And, it ground at his pride of being able to do what others could not. "…Cloud." He whispered, hoping to whatever great power was up there that he would be safe, that he would still be alive.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Hojo cackled with delight. Who knew his experiment would prove so successful? Not only that, the creature had left the halls without a trace and there had been no one to follow it back to the labs. He rubbed his hands together, he would have to reward him later but for now… He looked down at his prize, lying unconscious atop his experimentation table. It was a cold iron table with restraints so that the experiment wouldn't be inclined to…panic. "Ah, what a perfect specimen you will be," he whispered, observing the blonde boy in front of him. It was already apparent, among the bloody mess, that his wounds were knitting at a faster rate than a human could ever possibly endure. "Hm…" some sort of innate power must have awoken when he was thrust so close to death. He grinned. This was going to prove even more interesting.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Zack quickly ran down the stairs, hoping to meet Sephiroth at the door. "Ah!" he quickly skidded to a stop when he nearly ran into the very man himself. He blinked up at Sephiroth in surprise. He was fast! "Sephiroth!"

The man glanced worriedly about before his eyes landed on Zack's in a frown. "Where is Cloud?" he asked, if not a little desperately.

Being worried himself, Zack didn't notice the slight change in tone. "I don't know." He said distraught. "I haven't been able to find him anywhere," he didn't say that he couldn't find his body either.

The creaking leather of Sephiroth's glove being clenched into a fist was what brought Zack out of his worried stupor. He looked surprised at Sephiroth to see the man in a murderous glare. His anger mingled in with grief. Sephiroth walked the rest of the way up and onto the floor where everything had happened. He hardly spared a glance at all the bodies lying around, instead taking in the blood smeared walls and the blood scattered floors. "You said a monster attacked this floor." It wasn't a question.

Zack slowly nodded, "Yeah… The woman said it was a beast or something."

Sephiroth rounded on him. "Where is she now?"

"I think she's still where I left her."

Sephiroth wondered if there was any information she could give him that would help him identify the creature. "Let me see her."

"Alright. She should be right down the stairs."

Sephiroth followed Zack back down to see a woman, who he must have missed in his desperate haste, sitting quite solemnly on the first step of the staircase. She was huddled to herself as though the life had bled out from under her. Sephiroth approached her, wishing to speak, but found he couldn't find the words to disturb such a glum look on her face. It was when he had been staring for a little that she finally noticed someone was beside her. "Oh!" she quickly got up, surprised, "General Sephiroth…, I didn't know you were here…" she said quietly, looking downcast.

For a brief second, Sephiroth found himself starting to hate the woman. She had been the cause of Cloud's disappearance, and she didn't seem like the type to be worth saving… He sighed, banishing his ridiculous thoughts. Of course, Cloud would go and try to save anyone he could…no matter his own life. He supposed it was one of the reasons Sephiroth liked him so much, though he wished Cloud would take better care of himself more often… "Could you describe the creature?"

She nodded fervently. "Yes, of course." She thought about it, "It was really large and had black fur. Its eyes were a bloody red and…it could talk…" she remembered startled. "It was talking…with the Soldier. It said something about his master being a professor that wanted him…" she looked like she was trying to concentrate and remember all the important detail. "Then," she looked haunted, "there was a yell and…nothing."

"Professor…?" Sephiroth's eyes widened. She couldn't mean…

"It talked?" Zack intervened? "How is that possible?"

Sephiroth looked up with cold eyes and started walking away. "Hojo…" he breathed.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Cloud groaned, and found his body ached all over. He wondered if he was still alive. He tried flexing his fingers and found that he could, though pain seared up throughout his body every time he tried. He sucked in a breath, unable to breathe properly without his breath hitching in a searing sensation, but tried cracking his eyes open. He grunted from the effort, only to freeze at the sight of the dark damp room he was in. The air smelled foul, like something thick wavered in foggy dampness, and the familiar aftertaste of mako hung right before him. He panicked and tried to sit up only to find himself strapped to the iron table by his ankles, wrists, and neck. This could not be happening.

"Specimen C," the man dressed in a drooping lab coat approached the table with a glint in his glasses. "you have awoken, have you?" he turned to the clipboard held in his hands with mild interest. "No physical change, no damage," he hummed, apparently pleased, "increased altitude in regenerative properties. Hm…a drastic change in resilience, takes well to mako injections. Good…good…" he whispered to himself.

Cloud stared wide eyed at the man in front of him. It was dark and yet he could see every outline of that deranged figure that had been forever etched into his memory. "Hojo." He hissed.

Hojo looked up from his clipboard, "Oh? Do you know me, boy?" he smirked, amused.

Cloud ground his teeth in anger and tested his restraints, simply daring the things to try and stop him. He pulled, willing them to break, but never took his eyes off Hojo. "You…" he growled.

Hojo laughed in amusement. "What is it, boy? Speak up."

Cloud grimaced, remembering that the Hojo of his time was already dead…and if he said anything suspicious… He looked away, once again feeling the pain shoot up his body, and winced, "Why am I here?" he asked quietly.

"Hm…" Hojo turned back to his clipboard, "You have unique cells in your body, S cells… Who gave them to you?"

Cloud's eyes flashed in anger as he turned back towards Hojo but snapped his teeth shut before saying something he would later regret. "What are you talking about…?"

"Research was conducted," he continued, ignoring Cloud's response, "your past indicates you have had no prior experience with mako, your family record is unimpressive, your sudden increase in ability is duly noted…and your genetic coding is difficult." He looked at Cloud over the rim of his glasses with suspicious eyes, "Who was your father, boy?"

Cloud sighed; it was the one thing he couldn't answer with a sure definite. Unfortunately, and like Sephiroth, he had never known his father. Not even his mother had made mentions of him at all in the past. It had bothered him at one point, yes, but after a couple years he found himself uncaring. It was the life of a man that had absolutely nothing to do with him. "I don't know." He answered truthfully.

"Hm…" Hojo stared at him for a little until deciding that he was telling the truth. He glanced back and flipped through some of the papers. "M cells…" he nodded, "your particularly strange genetic makeup shall be referred to as M cells." He started walking away.

"Wait!" Cloud shouted, angry again, and pulled on his restraints, "Release me!" he demanded.

Hojo ignored him, headed up the stairs and exited through the door.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Rufus rubbed his eyes in fatigue. Sleep had eluded him for the past two days and it was taking its toll on him. Of course, some of that was partially because of his proceedings to take over Shinra. Yes, he had entertained the thoughts of keeping his father alive for a while this time but, seeing as how everything seemed to be crashing around them quickly, a fact he knew thanks to Cloud, he was now unsure how he should move. "Perhaps Cloud has some ideas on how things should change…" he briefly wondered to himself.

The door to his office opened and Lazard stepped through. "Good evening, Rufus." he greeted. He took a seat in one of the plush cushions across the room, crossed his legs, and entwined his fingers above his knee. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Rufus looked at the man that was his half-brother and sighed. "Lazard," he said wearily, "I have some things I need your assistance with."

Lazard looked at Rufus surprised, but otherwise didn't say anything. Instead, he opted for fixing his glasses back in place, "Of course." Something strange was going on, he decided. Ever since that mission with Cloud Strife, Rufus had been acting very strange…very different, that it surprised him. Rufus had started to treat him with respect and gained a maturity that he had no shadow of over the years. Just what, exactly, had happened during that mission?

Rufus was tiredly glancing at the papers splayed across his desk as he tried his concentration. "The use of our energy source is declining. As of yet, there have been no alternatives but…" he gave one look at Lazard, "something must be done."

Lazard stared wide eyed at this abrupt change in Rufus. Since when had he taken anything seriously, let alone started caring for the planet? Now he was really curious about what had gone on during that particular mission. "I see…" he stated, adjusting his glasses again and trying to look as though he didn't suspect anything wrong, "what do you propose?"

Rufus gave one irritable breath and looked away, "That's just it." He confessed, "Something powerful enough to replace our current energy source? Is there even such a thing?" he slammed the papers back down, getting even more short-tempered from his lack of sleep. He turned his chair and looked out the window to see the whole view of Midgar. The lights were glittering beautifully in the night. He sighed.

Lazard pondered this for a moment, wondering if there really was actually a thing that could replace their current energy source of mako. "Perhaps if we…utilize all our resources…" hm…this was much more difficult than he had first anticipated.

"Even if all our materia were to be horded into one area and wrung of all its magical power, we would still be very lacking in a fraction of the energy sources we receive from the mako." He growled. "The lifestream is the strongest source that we have ever encountered."

"I see…" he felt dismayed by the absolute lack of options, "this is becoming more and more concerning by the minute."

Rufus snorted. Lazard had no idea what was going to be happening anytime soon while he had all the answers. He leaned back further into his seat with a sigh and pinched his eyes closed. If there was anyone else who would be able to help him it would be Cloud. "…Cloud." He whispered.

Lazard gave one startled look at Rufus, who gave no indication that he thought someone had heard, and frowned. Why had Rufus just as suddenly have thoughts of Strife? This was confusing indeed.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Sephiroth rushed past the startled scientists, with Zack following nervously behind, and into the labs where Hojo had a habit of keeping secret experiments. If Cloud was anywhere, he was guessing he would be there. "Wait, Sephiroth!" Zack panted, trying to keep up with Sephiroth's fury, "Where are we going?"

Sephiroth didn't answer. He merely stood before the very doors daring to bar his path downward towards the labs, and to Hojo. He pulled Masamune out, much to the frightened dismay of the nearby scientists, and sliced the entry in half. It fell off its hinges and thudded to the ground. Sephiroth barely had enough patience for it to fall before he lunged through the doorway. He breathed in an irritated shudder as he descended down the darkened staircase with Zack cautiously following behind him. They were on the second floor, descending lower by the stairs of the darkened rooms, but the first floor was clearly visible. In the center of the lower floor was a cylindrical glass casing, and what seemed like an observation panel for experiments. Zack shifted, not liking the scene one bit. The air was thick with the scent of mako and the shadows held foreboding sensations. Sephiroth looked around, clearly displeased about something, and stopped in his tracks. "What do you see, Zack?"

Zack glanced around, wondering if he should flee back the way he came, but stood there and shuddered while rubbing his hands up and down his arms, "Um, why isn't there anyone around? And, what is this place?" He took two steps towards the edge of the staircase railing and looked down. A green substance caked the walls in every which corner they could reach. There were, Zack realized with horror, also stains every now and then which resembled very closely to dried blood on the walls and floor.

Sephiroth grimaced, "How did Hojo know we were coming?" No, it wasn't that Hojo knew they were coming but…he didn't want anyone discovering what he had done. Sephiroth rushed back up the stairs after it was obvious that no one was there. Zack took one look at Sephiroth and followed suit, knowing better than to question the General.

Back upstairs, where everything was sterile once again, the two of them found a couple scientists huddling around together in what seemed like a gossip circle. Apparently, they were talking about what the General was doing in the science department. "Hojo's not going to be pleased," one commented.

"Yeah, the professor has a short temper sometimes."

Sephiroth didn't wait to hear any more before approaching the group, "Where is Hojo?" he demanded.

The three of them looked startled at the sudden approach but shifted, shying away from the question. "The professor isn't available at the moment." One of them commented nervously and avoided eye contact.

Sephiroth's eyes narrowed. "You will tell me his location." He threatened.

Zack looked nervously from the scientists to Sephiroth. "Hey, Sephiroth." He asked cautiously, "Are you sure this Hojo guy is the one that took Cloud?"

"Only Hojo could do such a thing."

"Oh." He looked at the scientists who looked as though they were wondering if they'd have any chance if they were to flee. "Can't you please tell us where Hojo's keeping Cloud?"

"Cloud?" One scientist frowned before shaking his head. "I'm sorry. Even if it is at the risk of someone's life," they knew very well the habits of the demented yet ingenious professor, "we cannot divulge the information regarding his location."

Sephiroth had had enough. He took one step closer to the professor and looked down at him with deadly eyes. "Why?"

The scientist adjusted his glasses in a frightened gesture and took a step back, "H-He would kill us."

"Oh?" Sephiroth drew Masamune and walked forward dangerously, "I suppose I could relieve him of that burden." He smirked.

A yell resounded throughout the halls of that floor.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Cloud's eyes shot open as he woke to the pain of needles. His jaw snapped shut as a scream was caught in his throat. Hojo was standing with a calculating look beside him. He glared, his eyes glowing green in the darkness of the room, and tried to spit curses in between pants of breath. He soon found that his voice wasn't working correctly and opted for grinding his teeth in frustration. He felt he had been down, up, wherever this was, for quite a while now but he had no sense of time to be sure. The only thing certain was that he was sure to feel more and more onslaughts of pain about every half hour or so…of course, knowing that didn't help, seeing as how he had been dragged here nearly unconscious and with no indication of when that mad man had started tinkering with him.

Hojo flipped through the papers in front of his nose with a look of fascination. "Interesting…interesting." He looked up from his papers with a grimy smirk. "Did you know, my boy," he chuckled, "that you and your mother look nothing alike?" Cloud glared at him, of course he knew. He had thought it strange at first, seeing as how they looked nothing alike, but later found that he couldn't care less. He loved his mother, no matter how different they were. Hojo continued, obviously knowing he couldn't answer, "I've tested your genetic code, boy." He laughed, "It doesn't match that of your mother's."

What? Cloud looked at Hojo as though he had grown a second head. What did he mean he didn't have the same genetic coding as his mother's? Wouldn't that mean that…he was adopted? His head was spinning. Before, he had only thought he looked a lot more like his father, and that had been why his mother and he were so different…

Hojo cackled at the look Strife was giving him, thoroughly enjoying revealing information he didn't know but was important to him. He readjusted his glasses as he took in the re-struggling figure. Strife was just as he predicted, different, strong, a success. "I suppose that your father brought you into the family from another, more powerful, being." He murmured, looking over his notes. It seemed as though this boy's cells were nearly as strong, no, stronger than that of Jenova's cells. It was strange, that he would be able to find a specimen with the perfect cells in every aspect but, he couldn't help but be elated. It was clear, that with these cells, he would be able to create an even more unique and powerful specimen. As long as the boy was within his possession, he would have limitless amounts of living M cells at his disposal.

Cloud stopped moving, he even stopped breathing, as Hojo took on a sly glint in his eyes. It was obvious the professor didn't even realize he was there anymore and, if he was lucky, he would simply go away and leave him be. Then he could try and find a way out of his binds and escape, he nearly grunted. Of course, he would have to deal with the searing pain escalating with each minor movement he made.

Cloud watched as Hojo turned around and walked away, hunched over his minor calculations.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Genesis crashed into the top windows of Shinra Inc., startling the employees working on that floor. He ignored them and ran towards the stairs, Rayleigh was right behind him. He was slightly impressed, however, from her quick recovery of being flown straight through the windows on the higher floors of the building. Apparently, she knew her priorities. "Where is he?" she yelled over the panicked yells of the other people on the floor, following steady behind his back, now bare of the wing he had had moments before.

He spared a glance at her over his shoulder and grinned with a shrug. "He should be around here somewhere."

Rayleigh gave him an irritated glare, "One can learn to rely on you easily, Rhapsodos." She praised sarcastically.

"I'm sure." He replied just as sarcastically.

They ran through the main hall of the Soldier floors, running down as they went by, knowing Cloud wouldn't be on the higher floors. Those were restricted to some degree. They rushed down the steps and out onto the lower floors. Genesis underwent his strategic calculations and determined that they would be running into Shinra personnel within half an hour. They would need to find Cloud before that time but…where could he be? Rayleigh was panting behind him, a scowl still directed at his back, "By my guess," she puffed, "I believe the best possible route is to ask for directions."

"Of course," he said sarcastically, "please, take your time."

She gave an irritable stomp but didn't stop running, "This is impossible," she touched her forehead with a sigh, "and to be teamed with an incompetent fool…" she murmured quietly enough.

Genesis' brow twitched at the comment but otherwise said nothing. They didn't have time to be bickering this way and that at the moment. Giving a snappish huff, they rounded the corner, "Oomph." He bumped straight into something sturdy and had to stagger back a step. Fortunately, he didn't hit Rayleigh.

Rayleigh slowed, grateful that something had made Rhapsodos stop and panted towards him with a click in her step, and a hand on her hip. Her lab coat was still miraculously hanging off her shoulders in a loose cape. "Look here, Rhapsodos," she said tersely, "if we are to get anywhere…" she looked up to find that they had run right into Shinra's most prominent figure…, Sephiroth. "General…" she said breathlessly, surprised.

Genesis groaned and clutched his nose, giving a cross glare at whomever… "Sephiroth!" he jumped back, with a hand on his sword.

"Genesis." He growled, not the least bit surprised but, he didn't have time for this. He turned to leave.

"Where are you going, Sephiroth?" Genesis spat annoyed at being ignored. He raised his weapon and pointed it at Sephiroth, "The mysterious abyss 'tis the Gift of the Goddess. In pursuit of this gift we take flight. Within the heart's water surface a hopeless wander will flow. Like ripples to waves come forth the dreams below."

Sephiroth continued walking away but with a grimace on his face, "Loveless…"

"Sephiroth!" he charged, "You dare turn your back on me?"

Zack trotted up, "Genesis! Stop!"

Sephiroth quickly whirled on his feet and deflected the blow with his sword in one swift motion. "I don't have time for this." He glared, parrying Genesis again before sending him backwards with the force.

"Neither do we, Rhapsodos." Rayleigh gave a trembling sigh that withheld her anger, "Or have you forgotten why we have come back here?" she shot him a pointed glare and stared at his white hair.

Genesis took one annoyed look at her before re-sheathing his sword, "Fine." He looked threateningly at Sephiroth, "Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return."

Sephiroth shook his head, gave a shrug and sighed. "Really, Genesis…"

Zack huffed, now getting curious at the encounter, "Why are you here?" he looked at Rayleigh and stared. She was clad in red heels and had red lipstick to match. Her glasses were rimless and she had her lab coat around her shoulders for a makeshift cape. "Um…who are you?"

Rayleigh put her fingers to her forehead and sighed with her eyes closed. "I used to be a scientist here…"

"Used to be?" he frowned.

"Enough of this," Genesis snorted, "You are quite the noisy one, Zack the Puppy."

"Puppy?" Zack yelled flustered. "Angeal used to call me that!"

"Zack." Sephiroth warned, heading down the hall again, "There are more important matters."

Genesis crossed his arms, "Important? What, you were not sent to deal with the intruders?" he laughed, "Or would you rather I rot and see me in hell?"

Sephiroth shook his head and shrugged again, now remembering why he hadn't cared whether Genesis lived or died. He kept on walking. Hojo's underground lab should be somewhere on the lower floors, perhaps even underground, if what those scientists had said were true. Surprisingly, he found threatening people proved to be a great asset. It came with quick answers and a beg for mercy with no bloodshed necessary. He wondered if he should do it more often…

Genesis' scowled, "You ignore me yet again!" Now his ego was bruised, "What is so important that you should turn your back on me?" he stepped forward once but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

Rayleigh gripped a bit harder, though that was nothing a Soldier couldn't handle, "You are losing your track of time, Rhapsodos. Do you wish to die?" she released him when he made no other attempt to head towards Sephiroth, "Now, we must find Cloud Strife. Otherwise…" she shook her head with a frown.

Sephiroth paused, and whirled on his heels. Had he just heard correctly? "What do you want with Cloud?" he asked dangerously. Zack merely followed him without a word.

"It is no business of yours, Sephiroth." Genesis waved.

Zack waved his arms around, "Wait, what's going on?" Everyone ignored him.

Sephiroth drew his sword and started approaching Genesis with dangerous steps and a glare in his eyes. "If you prove to be any harm to Cloud, I shall dispose of you first."

Genesis looked startled at Sephiroth's sudden change in attitude. "I wouldn't think one mission has made you so close to a mere cadet." He rebuked, trying to hide his discomfort.

"One mission." He chuckled, a cold death reflected in his slit pupils "If only I were..."close"." He charged at Genesis, his sword diving head first towards his heart. Genesis barely managed to draw his sword and block. But, he was being pushed back.

Genesis looked up at Sephiroth while trying to hold his ground, which was difficult since his footing, was slowly giving way. "What makes him so important to you?" he shouted with a grunt. The swords sent sparks of fire, sliding against the other. This was becoming a dangerous game.

Sephiroth didn't look the least bit burdened, if only a little bored, as he stared down at Genesis. "I could ask you the same."

Genesis heaved his weight against his sword and parried. He jumped a step back and regarded Sephiroth with unwavering eyes. Though, he noticed his arms were trembling from the effort of just that one blow. "Isn't it obvious." He grimaced, "Look at me, Sephiroth. Why else would I be wasting my time?"

Sephiroth held his sword up again, "You foster hope that Cloud may be the one to save you." He stated with a fierce glare, "And what do you propose to do, once you've found him?"

"He is the one who offered."

Sephiroth looked at him with slight confusion reflected in his eyes. "Why would he?"

Genesis shrugged. "Why don't we find out?" He looked at him, "Where is he?"

Sephiroth's fist clenched tightly before he turned and sheathed his sword at his side. If Genesis was to be an ally, only if it were for the moment, than saving Cloud was a better option than fighting it out with him. "He's with Hojo."

"What?" he shouted suddenly angered, "And you left him there with him?"

"Hey," Zack frowned, "we were on our way to rescue him but...what are you guys talking about?" he put his hands on his hips, "What's going on? Why does everybody want Cloud?" He scrunched his face and crossed his arms in confusion, "Does everyone know something that I don't?

"We're wasting time," he outraged, he took one glance at Zack but turned back towards Sephiroth, "tell me where he is. You know what a madman like him is capable of."

"I know."

Zack sighed. Obviously, he would have to get his answers later. "What's going on?" he whispered to himself.

"Good," Rayleigh breathed, "At least, we've got our priorities straight."

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Dangling from the top of the building with an insane glint in his eyes, Hollander watched the exchange with a giddy atmosphere. How could Genesis have kept this little piece of information from him? And, who exactly was this Cloud boy everyone was talking about? How had he gotten a hold of those rare Jenova cells when neither he nor Hojo had experimented on him? Hm, questions, questions… He would have to find out soon. Though he didn't regret reviving himself using Genesis' cells, there was still the fact that he too was deteriorating. He cackled.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Hojo was talking again, Cloud noted with loatheness. He groaned with pain. Hojo was really going overboard this time… He could barely see through all the mako haze and he was sure his body was scarred every which way from the experimentations. How could Hojo come back and do this to him every two hours without rest? He had found out that Hojo had only been tinkering with his body for a little less than a day, when it had felt like years for Cloud. The man had absolutely no mercy. "I have injected new Jenova cells and enhanced your mako intake." He scratched something on his clipboard and lightly scratched at his greasy hair, "It will take a couple years for you to adjust to your newly enhanced body, boy." Cloud really doubted it but Hojo had started mumbling to himself, "M cell extractions continue to result in failure," he scratched his head with his pen this time and pushed up his glasses, "Specimen C continues to have a great tolerance and adaptability to receiving classified J cells." He turned around and started walking back slowly, "Experiment proves to be inconclusive at the moment." He paused and looked up, "Hm…I wonder how Sephiroth is doing."

Cloud was staring at him as best he could, even his hearing was giving him a little trouble with everything being so keen but, why would Hojo suddenly want to know how Sephiroth was doing? That didn't make sense, even to his perfect calculations. He would have snorted if he could. Perhaps Hojo was feeling a bit of parental concern…surely not….

Hojo resumed his steady movement towards the back. "Next day transfer forms are completed." He paused again and tapped his chin with his pen, "Hm…expected results…" he glanced back at Cloud and smirked, "That fool Hollander's experiment should be failing about now." He laughed and started walking away again, "That boy won't live another day."

Cloud stared in horror. He had to get out of here, otherwise he was endangering a life he could have saved, his mother's, though he knew his mother wasn't really in any danger, and he would be unable to fulfill a promise. Genesis deserved a life, after what had happened the last time, and be damned if he was going to be the one to deprive it of him. Grinding his teeth, he strained against his binds and ignored the dripping of blood from his arms.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Sephiroth ran down the stairs with the others trailing closely behind him. So far, they had not run into anyone else this far down the building and that saved them the trouble of having to stop and explain why there were intruders working together with the General. "Are we nearly there yet, Sephiroth?" Genesis asked impatiently. He felt like something was happening to his body to make him so tired and it was worrying him. Right now, he was even panting heavily.

Sephiroth took one look at him and frowned. How could a little exercise, like running down a couple steps, have made him so tired? "It should be close."

Zack and Rayleigh were panting even more so than Genesis, "W-Wait…" Zack panted, "wait f-for us…"

Rayleigh glanced at Zack, "This…is ridiculous." She panted.

Zack nodded furiously and gulped, trying to soothe his dry throat, "Yeah…we've…already gone down…fifty floors…" he was feeling dizzy now.

"Perhaps, the elevator…might have been," she took a couple quick shallow breaths, "…a better alternative." She ended quickly.

Sephiroth slowed, though it wasn't because the others were tired. "We're here." He stopped before a small door leading down a narrow passage at the end of the back staircase in Shinra. It had lead them all the way down where no one would possibly go without good reason and brought them further underground. The door was even placed behind the last set of stairs for a safety precaution in case someone knew that this wasn't an actual dead end. Sephiroth looked at it with contempt and cut the door in two. There was no use in being discreet now.

Genesis was now pale, sweating, and feeling sluggish. "We must hurry," he said in apprehension and rushed in after Sephiroth.

Rayleigh and Zack followed suit.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Cloud had gotten an arm free and was bent over sideways in trying to get the other free as well when he suddenly heard a loud crash from behind him. He froze and strained his ears, hoping that it wasn't Hojo coming in with something else before working more frantically to get his binds loose. He grunted with the effort. The binds were stronger than he anticipated and his blood and sweat were making his grip on the thing slick. His hand slipped and he tried again, digging his nails into the straps. Now he could hear footsteps approaching as he finally got the ones on his wrist loose enough to slip out of. He started working on the ones on his forearms.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Genesis had doubled over as soon as they had stepped through the door. Something was clearly wrong with him. Rayleigh came up to him and put a hand on his forehead, checked his pulse, and sighed. He was breathing laboriously. "His degeneration is in its final stages." She declared, "Someone needs to help him up and we need to locate Strife quickly, otherwise he won't make it through the night." She shook her head.

Needless to say, Sephiroth wasn't the least bit pleased. He grabbed Genesis by the arm and slung him over his back. His body was slack against his back. "Let's get moving."

Zack looked worriedly at Genesis. "Wow. It must've been hard…,knowing that you were going to die soon."

Rayleigh nodded with a frown, "Yes. Strangely enough, I pity the poor fool." She shrugged lightly, "In any case, Strife should be able to save him."

Zack looked at her confused, "How?" he shrugged and shook his head indicating that he didn't understand, "What can Cloud do? It's not as if he has some magical power or something."

They continued walking and Rayleigh's eyes never left the back of Genesis', "He doesn't need "magical powers"," she stated mildly, "it is what's inside of him that matters."

"Inside of him?" now he looked even more confused. "You mean his blood or something?"

"No. His cells."

"Why Cloud's?"

She looked at him then, slightly perturbed, "Actually, I'm not sure. I think he received the Jenova cells necessary to cure Genesis' degradation but, really, it's strange."

"Jenova cells? Wait. How do you know all this?"

She looked at him with an isn't-it-obvious sort of look, "I used to be a scientist here in Shinra a little while back." She shrugged, "I quit."

"What? Why? Don't they pay scientist really well here?"

She glared angrily at nothing but a memory, "Yes, they did. I figure Genesis left for nearly the same reason as I have." She sighed, suddenly losing her anger, "I've been thinking…about things, and all I can think of is that something had happened to Strife. And, based on how Genesis was going on about retrieving the boy, I guessed it was Jenova cells he harbored. Now, I'm not so sure…"

"Jenova…Jenova…" Zack mumbled to himself in thought. His head shot up, "Ah…" and frowned, "Why does that name keep coming up everywhere?"

She looked at him surprised, "Do you know something?"

Zack tapped a fist into his other hand, indicating that he had a light bulb revelation, "Why didn't I remember it before? He looked at her cheerily, "The first time I heard that name was when Sephiroth had said it was his mom's name," he peeked a glance at Sephiroth but he was already further ahead of them, "the second time was when Genesis mentioned it in the Nibelheim reactor…" he paused, "Nibelheim…hm…"

"If I remember correctly, that was where Jenova was stored by Hojo and some of the other scientists." She nodded sharing a thought with Zack.

"Yeah…but then Genesis said something about the Jenova Project and that Sephiroth was a monster."

She sighed, putting her fingers on her forehead. "Typical, but it would make sense."

"But then, Cloud jumped out of nowhere and knocked into Genesis before he could say anymore." He crossed his arms, "It was strange, like he almost knew what Genesis was going to say and stopped him before he did.

Rayleigh looked at him with dawning comprehension about something, "You say he was there?"

"Huh? Yeah. Nibelheim is his hometown." He grinned, "And you know what's really strange?"

She shook her head, "No."

"Well, I can't believe I didn't remember this before but…back at Nibelheim's inn I saw Cloud go out in the middle of the night." He chuckled, "He thought I had fallen asleep and left right after but I watched him go into the Shinra mansion through the inn's window." He waved his arms around, "Then suddenly, I heard Sephiroth exiting his room so I hid back in mine and waited. After he left the inn I peeked through the window again and saw that he was going into that creepy mansion too!"

Rayleigh frowned, "That's strange. That mansion hasn't been used in years after…"

Zack continued noticing that Rayleigh wasn't going to say anymore, "You know, Sephiroth came back after a little while, though, but I didn't see Cloud come out." He frowned, "Through the inn's window you can see through one of the mansion's windows." He scratched the back of his head."

"Did you see something strange?"

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, "Well, yeah…" he sighed, "I saw Cloud but…he was with someone else. It was really strange but I didn't say anything. Come to think of it, that man looked really similar to one of Cloud's friends."

"His friends?"

"Uh huh. They were kind of an odd group but I only met them the second time we went back to Nibelheim. The similar looking guy's name was something like Vincent Valentine."

Rayleigh froze in her tracks and stared at Zack wide eyed, "Vincent Valentine…?" she shook her head. "That can't be."

"Huh? Why?"

"B-Because…he's supposed to be dead." She clenched her fists and continued walking, "He was a Turk and was said to have died in that mansion after Hojo had shot him. Apparently, we were wrong in thinking that Hojo would leave a perfectly healthy body untouched of his experiments." She shook her head, "But, why now? Why didn't he approach us before? Then we could have done something."

"Then, how did Cloud know where to find him…?" Zack was shocked that Cloud knew such a dangerous person, "How do they even know each other?"

Rayleigh glanced at him in determination. "That's what we're going to find out. Who exactly is Cloud Strife?" She breathed out slowly, "When I see him, I'll see if he's the same as before. There are just too many unanswered questions."

xxx xxx

Sephiroth had been listening the entire time, unbeknownst to them and he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Yes, he believed mostly everything that had to be about Cloud's strange behavior, since he already knew the truth, but what took him by surprise was that Cloud's acquaintance had also been experimented on. But, he had to give them credit; they were surprisingly more intellectual than he had first thought except…the little fact about Zack forgetting he would be able to hear every word even from a further distance. He paused as another door came into view and waited for the other two. "Ngh." Genesis groaned, "Put me down, Sephiroth…" he said weakly.

Sephiroth complied, kneeling to prop Genesis against the wall and next to the door. He sighed, "Never did I believe it would come to this."

Genesis put his face in his hands and chuckled, "Neither did I…" he dropped his hands and looked at them, "What have I done…to deserve this?" he looked away in anguish. "I never thought I would die this way…"

Sephiroth looked down, "Before…I would have said I hardly cared," he looked away, "but now, I'm not so sure."

Genesis looked at him silently, "…you've changed." He looked down again, "I wonder what happened while I was gone…"

Sephiroth smiled lightly, which surprised Genesis greatly, "A boy named Cloud Strife happened." He quirked a brow, "And ever since, nothing but strife has come my way."

Genesis laughed, "Oh? How interesting. I must get to know him better."

The other two approached and Rayleigh shook her head at Genesis, "Tell me." She demanded, "The truth."

Genesis shrugged, "What do you wish to know?"

She adjusted her glasses, "Everything." Zack nodded. "Who is Cloud Strife and why is he the key to all these unanswered questions?"

Genesis quirked a brow and looked at Sephiroth who merely shrugged, "Please clarify."

"No." Sephiroth shook his head and walked to the door, "It is not his story to tell." He took one glance back at them before drawing his sword and slicing the door clean off. He entered without waiting for them to follow. Unsurprisingly, there were a horde of fiends this way and that. The only good thing about them was that they were all contained in such a small place, barring the passage off towards the next room. Hojo had really gone to try and make sure no one disturbed him. He went in further without hesitation.

xxx xxx

"Now explain, Rhapsodos. What do you know of him?" The three were still outside the door a while after Sephiroth had gone in. Rayleigh rose her fine brow, "And it seems the General knows more than all of us combined…"

"Yeah," Zack confirmed, "which is really strange cause I've been with him the longest, but I'm still confused!" he ruffled his hair in agitation.

Genesis looked at the both of them tiredly, "I do not know much about him, in all actuality."

"Alright," Rayleigh turned to Zack, "then tell us what you know about him."

Zack nodded, "Well, I first met him on the way to Modeoheim. He was just a cadet then." He shook his head, "He seemed like an ordinary boy, I think, except that he was from a town with a mako reactor in it." He grinned. "Um, after that, I think we met up again a couple time until the Nibelheim mission." He looked at Rayleigh, "I told you about that part."

"Yes, you did, and I've filed away the information. Please continue." She nodded.

"Hm, after that, things went really strangely. Before, he didn't seem strong or fast. He didn't even look like he knew anything about materia either but, after we got back…"

Genesis intervened, "I believe the part you skipped was where I came in?" he was sweating and pale but his concentration didn't waver.

Zack nodded, "Yeah."

Genesis closed his eyes, "Hm, it did seem strange that I couldn't hear him sneaking up on me. And…" he opened his eyes but didn't look at anything in particular, "he looked exactly like the Goddess in the flesh…"

"Goddess?" Rayleigh asked.

"Minerva, the Goddess." Genesis put his hand to his face and clenched his eyes shut.

Rayleigh's eyes widened, "He does look rather similar, doesn't he…?" She quickly looked towards Zack, "Tell us the rest."

"Okay… Uh, after we got back, I hadn't seen him in a while but it was right before the competition. There were these three kids, they stole some of the other Soldiers' weapons before the competition but Cloud brought them all down with ease!" he laughed, remembering how happy he had been, "And then, the competition came!"

They looked at Zack expectantly, "And?" Rayleigh inquired.

"I couldn't believe it. He beat his opponent in the first round with such ease! It was amazing!" Zack was on a roll, "Oh, and I hear he bested the Admiral in his second round!"

"You didn't see?" Genesis asked.

Zack shot him a pout and a glare, "I was too busy chasing after you."

Genesis smirked, slumping further onto the wall, "I see…"

"Are you sure, Zack? That's pretty impressive for a cadet to pull off…to best an Admiral…" Rayleigh seemed deep in thought.

"Yeah, that's what I thought too." He shrugged, "Not even I could beat Admiral Girard."

She nodded, "Go on."

"After, he fought Sephiroth!" he laughed, "He was even on par with him! I couldn't believe that either. No one's been a match for Sephiroth before while not in Soldier."

Genesis looked at him wide-eyed, "A mere cadet lasted against Sephiroth?"

"Not only that, he just suddenly rose to being a 2nd class Soldier."

Rayleigh furrowed her brows in thought, "That is…strange." She looked up, "How can anyone follow the General if they have never seen him fight before, or have fought against him?"

"Let alone, bear Jenova cells…" Genesis added solemnly.

"Yes." She sighed and looked towards the door Sephiroth had gone in moments before, "I wonder if he has found him yet…"

Genesis clenched his fist, "Perhaps we should go in after him."

"No." she said, "Not in your condition."

"Hm…then I'll go." Zack volunteered. "And, I'm kind of worried. Something seems really strange about this place." He peered into the dark depths of the room in apprehension.

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Sephiroth hacked the last beast in half and stood there with blood trailing slowly down his sword to drip onto the ground. He was angered, no, he was more than angered. The beasts had dared keep him away from Cloud so long that he hadn't been able to contain his rage… His grip tightened on Masamune's hilt as he started stalking forward, toward that door that begged to be destroyed. Nothing should stand in his way. His eyes glowed green, black slits narrowing dangerously, and a cold emptiness chilling the eyes. He gritted his teeth… No, nothing would stand in his way…ever again. He smirked.

The crimson river trickled down, caressing the silver steal. It dripped and dripped and dripped in the ever darkening darkness. A crimson drop was the only thing left in its wake…

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

Cloud was panting and sweating profusely now. His fingers shook uncontrollably as he tried to muster enough strength, and keep it long enough, to finally free one of his legs. It had taken forever to release his top half and he didn't think he'd make it, at least not before Hojo decided on making a reappearance. His hands trembled and his body shook with fatigue as he braced both hands on the bind around his ankles. He heaved, only to fall back and hit his head against the hard table. Grimacing, he struggled up again, his arms protesting against the strain, and decided to try again. He was running out of time…and so was Genesis.

xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx