Chapter 8

Zack rubbed his eyes. He had to have been seeing things. It couldn't have been Genesis; he should have degraded all the way by now. The Sun moved away from the man's back. He was now visible. Zack smiled, "GENESIS!!!! I don't know if I should hug you or fight you." Genesis had moved his light brown hair off of his face, and smiled at Zack. "It's been four years and you are still the same…puppy. Put you sword down. I am not here to fight you. I'm here to help." Zack had looked at him. He noticed that the color in his hair had returned. Zack had moved his glance to Genesis's wing. The black feathers had been falling out, and white ones were growing in. Zack knew something had changed in Genesis.

"Zack, I don't wish to fight you. I really wana help you if you will let me. Before you say anything, I wana share some things with you." Genesis motioned with his hand for them to continue walking with the group as they talked. Nanaki and Cloud walked behind them, listening in on what they could hear.

"I've been looking for you for the past three years Zack. I spent that year thinking as I was looking for a cure to my degrading. I found myself in the Modio region. I walked into an old bath house." He looked at Zack's face; he was hurting at the thought of what had happened at that bathouse."Yes Zack, the very spot Angeal …" Genesis trailed off. "I stood there on the 3rd floor. I thought I felt Angeal, I felt shaken. I missed my friends. I heard of Sephiroth, things just seemed to fall apart. In my hate, my desire for revenge, had robbed me of those I hold dear". Genesis had held back the tears the best he could. They were too much. His pain had become over whelming, he collapsed into Zack's arms. He looked up at Zack with tears in his eyes. "I need to regain my honor Zack. I thought it would be a good start by helping Angeal's puppy." Zack studied him very intensely. His former enemy was now begging for his forgiveness. Boy what a turn of events, he had been so loyal to Shinra. He was hunting Genesis down for his treason. Now he was going to take Shinra down, he was now an enemy of Shinra. He knew that if Shinra didn't fall then other people could lose their lives and freedom, just because Shinra felt like it. They had to pay, for himself , Cloud, Angeal, for everyone on the planet. He knew he was going to need all the help he could get.

"Genesis, I will help you find you honor." Zack said with a smile as he was helping Genesis to his feet. Genesis didn't say anything; he just gave Zack a hug. That was more powerful then word's itself. Zack embraced his former ally. "Genesis I have one question. How did you beat the degradation? " Genesis look at his hands and looked back at Zack. "I honestly haven't a clue." Zack looked at him and grinned. "I think it's cuz you had a change of heart. Your pureness must have healed you… I think… maybe… something like that." Genesis smiled, "I like that theory Zack".

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The newly large group had continued to lead the people to Fort Condor. They were getting really close the fort was in sight. Zack was glad to have Genesis back in his life. It made him happy to see Cloud was befriending him very quickly. Genesis had taken a great interest in Cloud. He had seen that look in a man's eye. He thought of where he had seen it… It hit him like a brick wall. Angeal had that look in his eyes when he looked at him! It made Zack miss Angeal more than he has ever missed him before. As they continued walking he watched Genesis have a talk with Nanaki. Zack had zoned in and out while listening to their conversation. It was a little too deep for Zack, it made his head hurt. They were talking about LOVELESS and the way of life in the canyon. It made Zack's mind feel like it was melting, so he directed his attention elsewhere. He had drifted into thinking about Aerith. He had missed her so much. He was looking forward to seeing her, at the same time he was afraid. What if she had been mad at him for leaving her, or making her worry? Would she forgive him? The most painful thought in his mid was what if she had moved on? That would crush him. He would rather spend the rest of his life back in the Shinra mansion then to know that she no longer loved him. His heart sank, and he looked as though he was about to cry.

"What's wrong Zack?" Cloud asked out of concern.

"Nothing really buddy. Just thinking a lot, that's all" Zack said with a half hearted smile.

"You can tell me Zack, that's what best friends are for."

"I told you about Aerith. I'm just really missing her. I'm nervous to see her"

Genesis had been listening, "You mean you're worried she didn't wait for you" Genesis said with a reassuring look.

"Yeah…" Zack said as he kicked a rock.

"Just have faith and stay positive Zack" Genesis said.

"Trust me Zack I'm sure she's waiting for you!" Cloud said with smile. Nanaki nodded in agreement.

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They had arrived at Fort Condor, the people were making their way into the fort. Zack and Genesis were looking around. They had felt something coming; they knew it couldn't be good. Zack and Genesis had drawn their sword at the same time; Cloud and Nanaki were slower to react. In the horizon was a black helicopter was flying toward them, it was a Turk chopper. Genesis turned to the group. He dropped a bag on the ground. "Grab some materia, they are some of the best there is. Hurry you will need them to take on the Turks." Zack and Cloud quickly bent over and grabbed materia. Zack had grabbed a restore materia along with a bolt 3 and Ultima. Cloud was handed by Zack a restore materia, along with a Ice 3 and a Comet materia. Nanaki had smelled the tiny orbs on the ground. He had grabbed a heal materia, flare and ne looked around and found a fire 3. They had equipped the materia, Zack had to quickly show Cloud how to use them. They hurried to Genesis's side, as the helicopter had landed. The door on the side of the chopper had opened and a black suit had walked toward them.