Author's note: We're almost at the ending, and while it will be emotional, don't worry, this will not be the end of Zack since I like him so much.

Let's continue on and please remember these notes.

The Bold is the Author's Notes.

The Italic is both memories, thoughts and dreams.

The Bold & Italic are the names of the worlds.

The Brackets (-and Bold-) are the BGM(which will never happen, but one can dream, right?).

I hold no rights to Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy VII, Pokemon or Sailor Moon.

CHAPTER 13: Decisions.

Zack had been aware that he'd seen more of the memories that were finally becoming more and more clear since he'd been knocked out, but he couldn't figure out where he was right now. As his world finally began to return to him, he slowly became aware that his body felt sore, but he was no longer lying on the ground. He was aware of the soft mattress touching the back of his body, his head resting on a soft but firm pillow, the beeping of something that he tried hard to recongise, but his tired mind failed to do so.

Finally, he willed his eyes to open, and while the light was a little too bright at first which made him close them slightly, he tried again, and this time, his vision was clearing as he became aware that he wasn't alone. Four familiar figures stood next to him on what he realised was a bed, and room was white with a heart monitor, and a doorway which led into the halls with a window that overlooked the city of Edge. One of the figures with the familiar bright red hair sat on the visitor chairs which was backwards, having his arms leaned on top of the leaning part, and his chin resting on his arms.

Zack then immediately recongised them; Reno, Rude, Tseng and Elena.

"Hey, looks like Sleeping Beauty's awake." Reno lightly teased, happily. His comrades were all relieved in their own ways.

Despite not knowing where he was, Zack remembered what had happened and sat up a little, groaning as his stiff body protested a bit, but managed to make himself more comfortable as he rubbed the back of his head. Zack was instantly aware that his wounds were mostly gone, his ruined clothes were replaced by what appeared to be a resting gown, while replacements of his outfit were next to the bedside table, with the Buster Sword leaned against the wall next to it.

"Where am I?" Zack asked, eyes shifting around at his surroundings again. It reminded him of the labs which he mentally shuddered, but this seemed...more nicer than Hojo's horrible labs.

"Edge Hospital." Reno answered simply, before sighing as he shook his head, showing his relief despite trying to hide it, "Man, you and the other two looked like hell when we found you."

Other two? At first confused, then Zack remembered. Cloud. Tifa. Looking around, the swordsman looked to his both sides of his bed. Behind the Turks to his right was Cloud, still but his breathing was even, possibly still out cold but alive. He didn't seem to have suffered as much injuries as Zack did. To his left, was Tifa in the similiar position. He couldn't tell if her wound was stitched up due to the thin white blanket covering her torso, but by judging her even breathing, even she was alright as well.

Still, Zack had to make sure, as he turned back to the Turks, asking, "Are they gonna be okay?"

"Don't worry. They'll be alright, and so will you, as long as you continue to rest, and then you'll make full recovery." Tseng answered, while making caution that Zack should continue to rest, via under the doctors' orders.

Zack sighed in relief. So Cloud did manage to stop Sephiroth after all. He still felt guilty for having failed to prevent history from nearly repeating itself, he was glad that they weren't stuck in test tubes or used as experiments. Which reminded him now that the Turks were here. He realised that they found them and brought them here for recovery, not like when...

He mentally shook off the thought. He didn't want to think about the horrible experiments from 8,000 years ago. So instead, he said, a little awkwardly now that he fully accepted that his dreams were memories of his previous life, "Um, I knew the three of you. Back in Midgar a long time ago, when I was SOLDIER, right?"

Reno rubbed the back of his head, seemingly uncomfortable himself, "Yeah, but I ain't got a clue about this whole reb-" before cutting himself off once he realised what Zack said, and exclaimed in surprise, "Wait a sec! You mean you remember now?" which surprised the other Turks once they absorbed on what the bed-ridden man had just mentioned.

"Yeah, sort of." Zack replied, before admitting, still a little uneasy about the entire rebirth thing, "Except that, all of my memories were shown to me in dreams. I think it's still going, or coming or whatever. I remember...that Cloud and I were used for experiments by Hojo...he placed some of Sephiroth's cells inside us."

The four Turks glanced at each other on what young swordsman was saying, which again brought uncomfortable memories in three of them who knew what Zack was talking about. Tseng then quired, "So your memories came to you in forms of dreams, correct?"

"Yeah, pretty much." Zack confirmed.

Reno easily sympathied the man who was still a year younger than him, saying, "Not easy, huh? I think I know how you feel, though." and Rude and Elena both nodded in agreement.

'I'll bet.' Zack thought to himself. While he knew that, even now, Reno was still hard to figure out, but even the redhead was human. A Turk, but human. He then realised that even they had their memories returning to them, which meant that, like himself, Cloud and Tifa, the Turks were all reborn into the future to have new lives. He then asked, finding himself curious, "So, how did you guys remember?"

The Turks glanced at each other once, wondering if they should reveal what was going on in this world, before turning back to Zack, and Tseng was the one to explain, "We have recovered some of our memories, but they were, rather impossible to decode as children. Our memories only grew stronger as we all reached adulthood."

When Zack looked a little uneasy, Tseng continued while assuring him, "As such, we're still recovering missing pieces of them, but to ensure you, Rufus does not intend to repeat history."

Rufus. Rufus ShinRa. The son of the President of the Company in Midgar in the past. Even he was reborn. Rufus had been the vice president and from what Zack could remember, he had a total dislike towards his own father which was understandable since the old President, along with Hojo especially, were the most disliked people in human history. So Rufus was a bit different now, huh?

Wanting to know more, Zack then questioned, "What about his old man?"

"Well, ol' Shinra wasn't reborn or whatever, but Rufus's second old man wasn't any better." Reno answered easily this time, beating Tseng to it, much to his superior's annoyance. "About six years ago, he died, so Rufus became the new President and has been ever since, so, things are trustful around here." and he meant it. Despite the still ongoing war against the terrorists known as Millitas Ultra, ShinRa was definately not the same as they were before.

Relieved at this, Zack then remembered that, it meant that those who did the right thing, chosen or not, were reborn to live in the future, though it didn't make sense in why Sephiroth was chosen to be reborn. Wait, if all of the Turks were reborn, then that meant...

Cissnei.

Zack realised that he hasn't seen Cissnei yet, and asked, a little urgently, "What about Cissnei?"

(~Discovery in Sadness-DIRGE OF CERBERUS FINAL FANTASY VII~)

Startled by the unexpected question, the Turks once more shared an uncomfortable glance, as though more tough memories returned to them, and suddenly felt that Zack would going to be saddened by the bad news which wasn't as bad as one would think, but it was still a little heartbreaking. Eventually after a tensed moment of silence, Reno sighed and explained, "She ended up quitting the Turks a few months ago to have a normal life. I think she blames herself since we lost one of our elite Turks-Legend who committed sacrificed himself by killing himself and a suicide-terrorist who tried to kill thousands of people in Cosmo Canyon."

So Cissnei was no longer a Turk despite having been reborn as well, because the guilt was unbearable, even for someone like her who grew up to be an adult quickly, but Zack then realised that even Cissnei showed emotions that threatened to break her. Which meant that the sacrifice of this Legend guy finally made Cissnei reach her breaking point.

"That wasn't her fault, though." Zack pointed out, saddened.

"Yeah, but she wouldn't listen, no matter how many times some of us tried to comfort her." Reno sighed, and he knew, because he was one of those people who tried to give his former collague and friend the comfort that she needed.

"I see." Zack muttered. If only he could find her and tell her that it wasn't her fault. But on the other hand, he blamed himself for having to kill Angeal due to Genesis, and having asked Cloud to finish off Sephiroth. In fact, despite not having known what really happened eight years ago, he blamed himself for the horrible fates of Terra, Ven, Aqua, and Serenity.

(~End Discovery in Sadness~)

"Zack." Tseng began once more, before he pulling something out of his coat's pockets and to Zack's shock, it was his Starshard. He completely forgot about it. The Wutaiian Turk continued, "This object of yours, I gather this is what you used to travel to other worlds, yes?"

Zack's eyes widened in shock. He didn't reveal anything about that. "How did-!?"

"Just because we haven't seen other worlds or notice that you came back doesn't mean we're stupid." Reno easily cuts him off, explaining with a lazy shrug, "This is one of the few places that knows about other worlds, but hasn't told anyone about it."

So even ShinRa was aware of other worlds? Zack felt uncomfortable once more. How many of those few worlds did know about other worlds. He suspected that Mickey's world must know, and it was plainly obvious that the mysterious tower was another since, well, it only had one occupant.

"Come to think it, I think this is the very spot where some war took place." Reno continued after some deep thinking.

"Huh? A war?" Zack asked, confused. It couldn't have been the Wutai War, could it? He also remembered about another War, the Sorceress War, took place 8,000 years ago too, which left many children orphaned.

Tseng explained, "The legend says that around 3,000 years ago, war took place in our world, all the worlds which were originally a single world. People fought for the secrets of Kingdom Hearts, but ended up splitting the worlds into what is known today, as the true Kingdom Hearts itself sleeps, waiting to awaken. I've heard much about the legend in Wutai, during my second childhood."

"So...that happened after the Calamity?" Zack guessed.

"Seems like it." Reno shrugged. He and the other Turks knew that Zack was talking about Jenova.

Absorbing all of the information he learned today, combined with everything else he learned ever since leaving Olympus Coliseum to find answers of his dreams, Zack never had thought that it would come down to this, and what's more, he wasn't certain that Genesis was reborn himself or not. It seemed very unlikely for some reason, and the man himself was still out there. There was still missing pieces of the puzzle that needs to be solved, and Zack realised, combined with his memories, he's the only one who can solve this and put an end to Genesis's mad terror upon other worlds and prevent him from making other people lose their minds into madness and their hearts into darkness.

"Genesis is still out there." Zack muttered after a few moments, which made the Turks narrow their eyes in confusion. "I have to stop him. I have to get all of my memories back to make things more sense..."

"You need to rest." Rude instantly told Zack who made a move to try and get up and stopped him from doing anything too foolish.

Zack glared at the Turks, even at Tseng quickly admended, "He's right. Zack, just wait until you made full recovery. We'll be keeping an eye on you."

"Waiting is not my thing." Zack groaned, collasping back onto the bed in defeat. While he knew that they were admittedly right, that didn't mean he had to like it. Plus, he was too concerned about the other worlds and what other damage Genesis could do if he didn't stop him on time.

This only made Tseng chuckle a little, "You haven't changed at all."

Even Reno grinned, teasing, "Yeah, you're the same Slick I knew in the previous life." seeing more fond memories appear in his mind.

"Aw come on!" Zack half-heartedly pouted, before his expression turned serious once more, requesting to the four Turks as he glanced at both the unconscious forms of Cloud and Tifa, "At least look after Cloud and Tifa when I leave. I don't have much time."

(~Missing You-KH2~)

"Uh, sure. No problem." Reno replied, with the others nodding in agreement.

"Zack...we're just worried about your health." Elena told him.

After a moments of silence, the Turks moved to leave, but as Reno stood from the chair, he paused, then turned back to face the recovering man in bed, telling him in order to prevent Zack from getting the wrong idea and also to lift the weight that was hanging on his shoulders, "Don't think that you're a prisoner, man. This is nothing like whatever happened before. And just so you know, there aren't any traces of Hojo or Hollander anywhere. A few years back, we concluded that they're still dead."

Well, that was a relief at least, Zack thought. He'd hate to think that those like Hojo and Hollander would've been either reborn or revived to cause any more evil than the two had already done 8,000 years ago. That would've been some kind of a sick joke if those two scientests were here in the present. Sighing, and remembering how he himself had killed the degrading Hollander, he admitted, "Yeah...Hollander had injected himself with Genesis's genes, and I was the one to kill him in the past."

"That explains a few things." Reno thought, not certain if he heard that part before or not. There were memories still missing from his past and he was certain that more were yet to come. At the moment, he admitted, a little reluctantedly, "To tell the truth, Genesis attacked us and reminded us too. What gets to me is, if he was reborn, why does he look like he was in the past and not on some other job?"

"I don't know, man." Zack thought, miserbly. "Maybe he wasn't reborn at all, or something. I wish I had the answer." and he also wished he knew the answer on why his body changed into that of his previous life. Sure he'd been identical to his pastself before now that he thought about it, but being phsyically changed like this...something really happened.

"You ain't the only one." Reno chuckled softly, before losing his smile as he thought, and his eyes did hold slight fear as he continued, "I want to find the answers too. A lotta things are happening around here, and...I hate to admit it, but, I'm really freaked out about all this."

(~End Missing You~)

"Reno!" Rude called from the hallway.

Sighing, Reno called back to his partner lazily, "Yeah, yeah. I'm comin'." then turned to face Zack for the last time, smiling a little again, "Well, you make a nice recovery, and then when you're 100% A-ok, you can go off and find Genesis. If you want, the Turks can help you. Just let us know."

"Yeah, thanks."

With a nod, Reno waved a farewell before heading out of the door to meet up with his co-workers, leaving Zack alone with the unconscious Cloud and the unconscious Tifa, left to his own thoughts about the situation. He appreciated Reno's offer for help, except that...he didn't want anyone else involved. As Zack sighed and gazed up at the ceiling, he recalled on what Sephiroth told him, about the man who talked about darkness and tried to get Sephiroth to accept it. Looks like he succeeded in doing that after eight years, thanks to Genesis's help.

He then realised that the guy who talked to Sephiroth eight years ago could very well be the same evil man who forced both Terra and Aqua to disappear and caused Ven to lose his heart and land in an never-ending coma that was worse than Mako Poisoning that Cloud had suffered for just five years, just as Yen Sid had told him.

(~The Other Promise-KH2 Final Mix~)

"Angeal...call me stupid, but I can't just sit around and wait." Zack sighed, once again speaking to his deceased friend, and he meant it. He couldn't just wait. He didn't care if he was injured or not. He had to stop Genesis once and for all, even if it meant losing his life and end up stuck in the Underworld for all eternity.

So after a little protesting and making sure that the doctors weren't around to see this, Zack slipped out of bed, changed out of his hospital gown for his newly replaced SOLDIER 1st Class uniform, and found to his relief that Tseng had left the Starshard on the bed side table as well. Hoisting the Buster Sword onto his back and grasping the Starshard once more, he gazed for the final time at Cloud and Tifa. He knew that they were in good hands and were safe and as long as he could protect them, they will remain safe.

"Cloud...Tifa...give me a little more time, okay?" Zack muttered, before closing his eyes shut, and concencrated on what he wished for; to find Genesis and put an end once and for all.

It granted his wish, and like many times before, Zack was wisked away in the familiar zipping light which even went through the ceiling of the hospital and left Edge behind to continue his quest and to end it once and for all. Zack didn't know if he'll ever see it again, but that was the last thing on his mind.

It was only half an hour later when Reno returned to check up on the trio, only to discover that the middle bed was completely empty. All was there was the hospital gown. The redhead gasped before turning to the bedside table and his fears were confirmed; it was also empty. Gone were the Buster Sword, the replacement of Zack's clothes, and the star-like item that Tseng had left behind. The Turks had just made a mistake in leaving it with Zack, realising that he wouldn't just stay put.

"Zack!" Reno cried out, despite that the swordsman was long gone. (~End The Other Promise~)

Tseng wasn't going to be happy about this. In fact, Reno was certain that his superior would most likely be mentally kicking himself for leaving the Starshard behind.

When Zack landed in an canyon like pathway on a dirtroad, after a bit of a wobble due to his injuries but managed on his own, he pocketed the Starshard before walking towards the path that led down to outside of the canyon. This place was familiar, he was certain of it. It was more of a country now that he realised it. He was familiar of the country part of things, even if it now felt strange and deserted since he lived the last eight years in Thebes.

But as Zack paused to a stop on the cliff that has the perfect view of the entire village before him, at first he thought it was strange that it looked familiar, but when his eyes darted more closely, they widened in disbelief. He recongised this place. Save for the now gone Mako Reactor, the village was just as the same as it was in his previous life.

"This place... this is my old hometown!" Zack exclaimed to himself, feeling a surge of happiness rise in his heart. "This is Gongaga!"

Gonaga. His birthplace of his previous life. He was finally here.

A little has changed as Zack realised, since his recent memories had showed the Mako Reactor had blown up and left as a huge metal scrap of junk. Now it had been cleared up for a couple of more farm houses which was a nicer change of pace. It seemed that either everyone was inside or had gone off somewhere. He couldn't tell and even though this was his old home, to those who were born here after 8,000 years, he was an outsider, and at the moment, he certainly felt like one.

While he was saddened by the fact that his parents in his previous life were gone, and...his parents back in Olympus Coliseum...Zack shut his eyes at the truthful hurt and horror that they died in the fires Sephiroth had caused.

No. He shouldn't think like that right now. Genesis had to be here, Zack was certain of it.

"This is very surprising." A familiar female voice spoke behind him.

Startled and quickly finding that the voice was as clear as he had heard it in his memories, Zack whipped around in surprise, and his eyes widened in shock for the second time today. The young woman, same age as Cloud...the same uburn curly hair, the same matching eyes, the same face...the only difference was that she wasn't wearing her Turk uniform. Instead, she was wearing a light blue dress, brown boots, and a necklace. But there was no mistaking of her now.

"Cissnei!" Zack exclaimed without thinking, realising this a second later and awkwardly asked, "You uh...remember me, right?"

Cissnei nodded, replying, "Who else do you look like, Zack? Even after a long time, you haven't turned up here at all."

She was right. He hasn't been here since 8,000 years ago, and Zack had a feeling that must've been the last time they ever saw each other. He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering, "I'm sorry. I only just remembered myself recently and well..." he trailed off, unable to continue.

"I'm the one who should apologuise." Cissnei told him, and before he knew it, she was unable to hold in her emotions right now and hugged him which surprised him for the third time today. When Zack gazed at her, he could see, she was close to tears, especially when she added, "I couldn't save you in the past..."

Oh crap. Reno had said that Cissnei was feeling guilty for Legend's death. Now Zack just made it worse since he inadvertedly made his old friend remember and it made him uncomfortable and feeling guilty himself. So he did the only thing he knew he could do; he akwardly hugged her in return to give her comfort.

They stayed like this for a few moments, before letting each other go. After a moment of silence, Zack couldn't help but admit, "I can't think of the last time I saw you."

Wiping away her tears, Cissnei nodded in agreement, "I know. I haven't even told you my real name...at least, I don't think I have."

"That's okay. The past can't be changed, no matter how hard you try. You can only remember it. Even remembering is hard."

That was true. Their past can't be changed and even remembering can be difficult. But then, Zack realised that the memories never even faded. Just sleeping, even within the remains of the Lifestream or even Kingdom Hearts. Or even people's souls. Either way, they can't always live in the past.

Cissnei was in an agreement, and while she was relieved to see another person she met in her previous life, she couldn't help but question, "What brings you here?"

"It's Genesis. He's the reason why I came back." Zack answered.

"I see. So it's true, then. Genesis is still alive." Cissnei thought, with some concern.

"Reno told me that you guys encountered him a few years back."

"That's right. I assume he told you that I'm no longer with the Turks, right?"

Zack nodded, before telling Cissnei, "It wasn't your fault. You did what you could." referring to Legend.

"I guess..." Cissnei muttered, rubbing her forearm in slight guilt.

"So anyway, thanks."

"Huh? For what?"

(~Friends in my Heart-KH2~)

The swordsman smiled warmly, telling his old friend, "For everything...in the past. It doesn't matter what happened before, because this is the future. But at least one thing hasn't changed. We're still friends, right?"

The former Turk blinked in surprise, then when she realised what he meant, she smiled and nodded, "Right. Perhaps now would be the time I told you my real name."

Cissnei leaned up to Zack who bend a little as the former whispered out her real name she didn't get the chance to in their previous lives. When she did that, the two leaned away as Zack smiled, liking the real name.

"Rekka, huh? That's your name?" Zack thought.

"I was given my current name by ShinRa, and I still use it. I prefer being named Cissnei anyway, since I'm used to it." Cissnei shrugged a little.

"Well, you can use whatever name you feel comfortable with. Plus, both Rekka and Cissnei suit you perfectly." Zack told his friend, which made her blush a little with a smile. (~End Friends in My Heart~)

"Indeed it does." A new unwelcomed familiar voice spoke, seeming above them.

Zack and Cissnei both glanced around in alarm before looking up, just in time to see Genesis shoot down, his crimson sword in hand and made to attack Cissnei who froze. But Zack immediately pushed her out of the way, but were still both knocked away by Genesis's Firaga spell and land five feet away hard on the ground, while the crimson man landed gracefully without a hard hit.

(~Xigbar-KH:DDD~)

"Yet, none of us were heroes in the past, and it'll be the same here in the present." Genesis continued tauntingly, pierching his sight on the two who stood up with little difficulty.

Zack grunted at his arch enemy, "Genesis!"

"How tragic...Meeting an old friend who you haven't seen in years." Genesis continued to taunt.

Realising that Cissnei's life was at risk if he didn't get her out of here fast while keeping Genesis at bay, Zack turned to his friend and urgently told her, "Cissnei! Run!"

Cissnei gasped at this, trying to protest, but Zack stopped her, continuing with a serious look in his eyes, "Don't worry about me! Just go!"

She hesitated. Cissnei didn't want to lose Zack again, not when they just reunited. But by judging the look on his face, he didn't want anything happen to her, especially when Genesis was very dangerous in strength. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to do so and nodded, muttering, "Be Careful." before making a run for it, praying that Zack would be alright this time.

"How noble. Protecting her now, hmm?" Genesis smirked, as though he was enjoying the scene.

"Leave Cissnei out of this!" Zack snapped, glaring at him with anger that he tried to control. However, before he could say anything further or even prepare himself into fighting Genesis once more for round two, the familiar painful jolt hit his mind once more, and he squeezed his eyes shut, hissing in pain. No, not now!

"Not again...!" Zack grunted, before blacking out before he collasped.

Genesis smirked, but then grunted as he shut his eyes tight, and black mists of darkness began to show on his chest, but he shook his head and then took off into the sky to make his escape once more. He used too much darkness through out the entire ordeal and now the darkness was starting to take a hold of him.

There was only one place he can retreat to for now, and Genesis knew, Zack would find him there. (~End Xigbar~)

(Fragments from Zack's Dreams/Memories)

(~Moonlight Wandering-CRISIS CORE FINAL FANTASY VII~)

Fragment 58: When Zack, Lazard and the unconscious Cloud made their way into the Banora ruins that had greenary grow all over the place. It hasn't completely covered the manor. The Lifestream was all over the place. After Zack learned about the nature of the Dumbapples and requested Lazard to take care of Cloud, Zack ventured off to find Genesis new hideout, finding a hole in the ground which he follows, finding records of Genesis's secret childhood hideout, finding a desk and an old diary of some sorts.

Zack read it aloud, "First Prize: Banora White juice. Processed foods Category, National Agriculture Awards. The Idea to make this juice came from a Banora youth named Genesis.Wow. Genesis' comments: I am very honored. Banora White Juice tastes great, but the fruit itself is quite tasty as well. My dream is for my parents and me to serve the hero Sephiroth our apples one day. Since we are close in age, I would like to show him what I've accomplished in my life. Wow...just wow!"

Seeing this as a new light, Zack decides that Genesis had suffered the same fate as he casted upon Angeal and Sephiroth; Hollander and ShinRa were the cause for all of this. He then decided to try and save him from his fate.

Fragment 59: When Zack ventured through the crystal caves, he found Genesis at what appeared to be the statue of the goddess and despite his words in saying that he wasn't a monster, Genesis gathered the Lifestream energy that turned him into a large monster which forced Zack to battle him. Afterwards, Genesis returned to normal, the same way he was before he began to degrade. Despite this, Zack was forced to fight him the second time and was victorous, with the statue seemingly cracking and breaking. After Genesis was knocked out unconscious, Zack carried him back to the surface.

Fragment 60: Upon Zack's return, Lazard died after protecting Cloud who was seated in a chair after ShinRa troops attacked and took back the bike. He was aided by the Angeal Copy that protected Aerith, and after a bizzure picnic of Dumbapples, Lazard and the Angeal Copy faded away into the Lifestream, where Zack found a letter from Aerith-her 89th and possibly final letter and to Zack's shock, four years had passed and made him realise that he was reported dead.

Knowing that he had to find Aerith and let her know that he was okay and apologise to her, coming to fully accept that he loved her, Zack carried Cloud while leaving the seemingly dead Genesis behind.

Little did Zack know, his and Cloud's fates were fully sealed, and this was leading into the beginning of something much more threatening than the last seven years of conflicts.

(~End Moonlight Wandering~)

'...Ugh...What happened?' Were Cloud's thoughts as he slowly awoke. He remembered having passed out on the ground...instantly memories of what happened earlier came back to him and he jolted upright in his hospital bed, exclaiming, "Tifa! Zack!" while accidently having startled Reno who jumped nearly out of his skin at the sudden wake up call.

"Whoa! Calm down, Cloud. You nearly gave me a heart attack." Reno told him.

Recongising Reno and ignoring the annoying redhead's comment, Cloud instantly asked about his two friends, "Where are they?"

"Tifa's fine. She's still fast asleep." Reno answered quickly, gesturing at the bed next to the empty one to Cloud's left.

True to Reno's words, Cloud saw his childhood friend sleeping eventually since the last 24 hours. While he was relieved that Tifa was alright, he turned back to Reno, noticing the absence of his recent friend that was more familiar to him, and questioned, "What about Zack?"

'Ah, hell. I was afraid he'd ask that.' Reno grumbled to himself, hesitating on how to break the news. He already had seen the slight frustration coming from Tseng, he didn't want to hear it coming from the spiky-chocobo haired guy as well. In the end, Reno knew that he had to give out the semi-bad news. So with a resigned sigh, the Turk explained, "He ran off to take care of some business, and had asked us Turks to look after you and Tifa. So, if I were you, I'd stay behind 'till he gets back. I mean, that blow you guys got from...you-know-who wasn't a pretty sight."

He was careful in not to reveal Sephiroth's name, but Reno had a feeling that Cloud knew what he was talking about.

Cloud, stunned by the words, gazed his sight at the sheets. Zack left, and wanted the Turks to keep him and Tifa safe? Cloud felt his chest tighten, suddenly feeling that it was his fault that Sephiroth had come and hurt his friends. What did Sephiroth mean by his words? Was it connected to his nightmares? Why did it have to involve his friends? He then realised that, as long as Sephiroth was around and was still alive, no one would be safe, and Zack didn't stand a chance in defeating him. What if Zack left to handle him?

The blonde clutched his fists. It was his fault, and he had to do something to keep them safe. It would be difficult since he was in a hospital and despite knowing that escaping would land him in trouble, Cloud knew that there wasn't any choice.

"Sorry, but I can't stay." Cloud said to Reno, and before the latter knew what was about to happen, Cloud did the only thing he could think of.

He punched him in the face.

It was a surprisingly hard hit that Reno was out like a light and the red-haired Turk collasped onto the floor. Cloud mouthed an apology before getting out of bed and found what appeared to be a SOLDIER 1st Class uniform on his bedside. It was a little big on him, but he could cope. With that in mind, he changed out of his hospital garment and into the uniform. It felt...familiar and just right. But Cloud didn't have time to think about that. He gazed at Tifa for the final time, knowing that as long as she stayed put, she would be safe.

With that, and with some difficulty through the hospital, he managed to sneak away to the back exit and left.

It wasn't even seven minutes later when Tifa woke up slowly as well. Pushing herself up as she instantly realised she was in a hospital and with memories of what happened came back to her, she glanced around and noticed two empty beds, one of them haven't even been made up. It seemed like that patient left somere. She then remembered, the strange feeling of warm light while she was unconscious. She didn't know why, but she had felt, more than seen, that Cloud was fighting the madman who attacked her, the one who demanded to know where Cloud was.

Sephiroth.

'Cloud. Where are you?' Tifa thought. She had to find him, and fast. With that in mind, despite still being sore, even though she realised that her fatal wound was stitched up and healed by use of healing magic, she slipped out of bed and noticed the unconsious redhead on the floor. He looked familiar, but decided to worry about who he was later.

Right now, she had to find Cloud. As Tifa, still in her hospital garment and knowing that she had to find suitable clothes for travel uses, raced out of the room and down the hallway...

And passed a sudden shell-shocked Elena who, being a rookie, didn't have enough time to even think about chasing after the still recovering woman, calling out her name, but was ignored. She already heard that Zack disappeared and instantly her fear grew. Elena then turned and raced into the room where her fears were confirmed.

All three beds were empty, so Cloud must've left before Tifa woke up. Even worse, Reno was sprawled onto the floor, out cold, and with a deep purple bruise that was growing on his jaw. Elena, fearing for her superior, raced over and sat on her knees, grasping at his shoulder and shook him.

"Reno! Wake up, Reno!"

This did the trick, as Reno groaned while mentally grumbling at his sore face and head, before flickering his eyes open. The first person he saw above him was a worried Elena. Just great.

So, the first thing Reno told the rookie was a weak chuckled, "Tseng's gonna kill me."

Now they had to find Zack, Cloud and Tifa and get them back to the hospital so that the three of them could make full recovery, or at least find them before they could get themselves killed by not only Genesis and Sephiroth, but also ShinRa's current enemy; Militas Ultra.

Back with Zack...

"Genesis!" Zack cried out as he awoke from another memory. Panting while trying to tell himself to calm down, the young swordsman stood up and gazed around for any signs of the crimson man. To his dismay, Genesis had disappeared again. Sighing, he thought about his recent memories; ShinRa...no, he told himself, Hojo and Hollander...they're the true monsters, and they tricked most of ShinRa into this. Those memories must've caused Genesis's heart to slowly surcumb to darkness and that darkness must've told him to force out memories of the past out of Zack himself, Angeal and Sephiroth. Maybe even the Turks and Cloud as well.

While Zack was aware that he had to find Genesis and possibly fight him, he decided now and then, he won't let Genesis go crazy anymore, even if it was the last thing he'd do.

But where could...

Zack's eyes narrowed. Now he remembered.

Banora; That's where he has to go.

(~An Ancient Hymn Sung By The Water-CRISIS CORE FINAL FANTASY VII~)

Once again, the Starshard teleported Zack to where he needed and wanted to be. The Banora Ruins. As Zack looked around, he had thought that Banora was different the last time he saw it. Now it was unrecongisable. It was as though he just stepped into a fresh green forest that covered everything. None the less, the pathway towards the underground tunnel was still clear at least.

"Genesis...I'll find you." Zack muttered, before making his way down the path, pushing away the bushes and leaves, cutting away a couple of fallen trees, and continued to follow the path as long as he could.

Eventually, he found the entrance which had been a little hard in getting out off, but he had found an exit before. Zack knew he could find it again, but for now, his mission was to find Genesis and get him to his senses. Zack knew where to go, because it wasn't by following directions.

It was following his memory.

So Zack carefully climbed down the pit, making it to the bottom safely, and right there, was the building of the secret base that Genesis used so many times. The path diverted off in two separate ways. A short path to the right and then a long one that curved to the left. He knew that it was the same one that he read up about Genesis' youth and the Banora White Juice. He sighed. There was no need to look at it now, especially when he already remembered.

With that in mind, Zack instead followed the longer path, passing the familiar crystal like carven while fighting off against the resident monsters that were thankfully not Heartless, but were still dangerous along the way.

(~End An Ancient Hymn Sung By The Water~)

But as Zack had found where he was looking for, it seemed he had one more obstacle to reach Genesis as all of the secret locks from 8,000 years ago were gone.

(~Hunter of the Dark-KH:BBS Final Mix~)

But in front of the podium and the opened large doors, was what apppeared to be a Behamoth, but as Zack looked a bit more closely, this thing was somehow...mutated to be two times bigger, having a double club tail with spikes, a large green mane like a lion's, it's skin turned into scales, and it's head was that of a giant Condor's, and it wasn't happy to see him, especially as it roared, stomping it's front legs that caused vibrations.

"Boy oh boy..." Zack sighed, drawing out the Buster Sword, holding onto it's hilt tightly, "I guess this is a breath of the wild." before dodging out of the way as the double club tail came at him. The tail hit the far wall and was buried up to the hilt. The impact caused cracks to form in the wall, spreading more than a metre before coming to a stop. Zack got to his feet and charged, slashing at it's leg before rolling out of the way when the Behemoth roared and charged, creating small tremors around the entire room that was practically too dangerous to run the risk of a cave in.

With it's back turned to him, Zack immediately Firaga, causing severe damage to the monster's scales as it roared in anger, before it turned just in time to see Zack preform his Tornado Spell as he spun three times before sending it over. It was hit in the gust of powerful in before he leaped into the air and with a yell, he slashed at the side of it's body and cut into the flesh, but still not deep enough to kill it immediately though it still made a deep flesh wound as blood splattered out which was coloured unusually yellow and orange which reminded him of...well, let's just say it gave him memories of throwing up when he was stomach-sick, mainly due to a few cases of food poisoning.

The stench that came with this blood reminded him of that as well and made him feel nausous. Zack shook that thought away as he jumped back to avoid the Behamoth's left front claws that were as long as his arms, and then had to duck behind a rock when the monster flared up green gas which, seeing as it hit grass on the ground and moss the walls, it was poison as the greenary died instantly. He narrowed his eyes at this, knowing that he'd have to be extremely careful with this thing and wondered how Genesis managed to avoid this thing. When the monster near him, Zack instantly chanted Thunder which hit the monster's head, but did very little damage, but it did distract it enough for him to use the trick he used back in training in the simulation program in his first memory-dream that repeated itself since his journey began.

Zack slid his way underneath the monster while narrowly missing it's right claw and beneath its belly, he raised his sword and sliced through the soft flesh. Blood spread across the blade and dripped onto the floor, but Zack was already gone. Avoiding the thrashing tails, he rolled out from underneath and scrabbled out of the way. He turned back to the Behemoth. The monster was flailing wildly. Its four legs stamped on the ground, but its movements only served to increase the amount of blood pouring from its wound. Its head swung left and right, saliva flying from its frothing jaws. None the less, it was still tough enough to notice him and spat out a large green glob of poisonous saliva that was the size of him like a cannon ball of a pirate ship. Zack leaped away, but the impact of it caused him to fall to the ground. He nearly lost the grip of the Buster Sword, but Zack managed to hold onto it, and quickly rolled out of the way several times to avoid in getting crushed to death by the double club-tails and almost lost the upper half of his body when the Behemoth attempted to bite him at his torso.

"Take that!" Zack yelled, as he thrusted the sword at the same side he made the deep cut once the Behemoth was close enough, causing it to roar in agony as it was losing more of it's disgusting blood which Zack tried hard to fight off the urge to gag at the horrible stench and to prevent himself from losing his lunch, not to mention avoid in becoming lunch himself. He cart-wheeled out of the way while expertly slashing at it's front legs as he did so, realising that it was another skill he quickly remembered from his previous life and repeated this attack three more times.

He then stopped as the Behemoth suddenly rose onto its hind legs. Zack jumped back just as the front legs came crashing back down onto the ground. The impact caused the ground to shake, and Zack tottered, trying to stay on his feet. A shadow fell over him. Zack jumped back as once again the Behemoth rose and brought its feet down on the ground. When the monster had landed Zack ran forward and jumped onto the Behemoth's head. He ran along its shoulders and back and then leapt off from behind. While he was in mid-air, the swordsman twisted his body around and brought his sword down on the monster's hide, cutting another deep gash in its flesh. The Behemoth roared in pain, rearing onto its hind legs again.

Its tail started to thrash. Zack jumped over the tail as it swung past him, and then ducked as it swept past over his head. The third time it came by Zack did not move out of the way in time and was flung across the room.

Zack shook his head as the Behemoth's shadow loomed over him again as the monster loomed above him, while losing blood, it was relentness and ready to take a bite out of him. Zack knew he had to do something quickly, or he'll be the Behemoth's dinner menu. Having an idea, he quickly chanted ice, and the huge ice block materalized above the Behemoth before falling on top of it's head, causing it to roar in agony as it seemed to be weak against ice. Zack then casted blizzaga at it's face, causing it to rear back and gave Zack movement to roll out of the way while quickly picking up the Buster Sword, which he had dropped when he crashed into the wall. While the Behemoth struggled against the drop of it's body tempreture as well as the loss of blood which was finally causing it to lose it's strength, Zack this time drew back his fist. Flames formed around his hand, circling his fist as he chanted Firaga once more. With a triumphant cry Zack thrust out his hand and cast the flames towards the Behemoth.

The fireball struck home. Flames swept over the Behemoth's body and engulfed it in a wall of flame. The monster gave a loud roar of pain and stomped across the ground. Its tail lashed and its body thrashed as it tried to shake off the flames. Too late it saw Zack approaching. The monster tried to draw back, but Zack swung his sword and slashed it across the Behemoth's face. The monster gave one last roar before it slumped, defeated, onto the ground. Without any more resistance, the flames swept over the rest of its body. The Behemoth began to dissolve, burned away by the heat of the flames. When the last traces of its body had disintegrated the flames flickered and died out, leaving only a pile of ash behind. (~End Hunter of the Dark~)

Seeing how he defeated the mutated Behemoth, Zack panted before checking around the room cautionly to make sure there weren't anymore monsters that would appear to attack him or ambush him by surprise. Once he was convinced that the room was now clear, Zack spun his sword and sheathed it behind him, before pulling out one of the healing potions he managed to retrive from a wandering traveller just before he left Gongaga earlier and jugged it down, as well as a exliar to restore his magic stimina. He needed both if he had to face Genesis in a massive battle just within those doors.

Sighing as he turned to face the doors, Zack prepared himself for the final confrontation which he hoped would not only get Genesis back to his senses, but all put an end to all of this madness once and for all.

'Well, it's now or never.' Zack thought to himself.

With that, he entered the doors and into the familiar cave like room. It seemed to be the only place that hasn't been touched in years, not even by nature. The statue he remembered was still broken, the room was still a little dark, and right in the middle of it, was the very man he'd been looking for and as he suspected would be here, the one who was the main reason for the troubles and losses and struggles Zack had to put up with for the last several weeks.

Genesis.

A/N: The final battles as well as possibly the ending of this story are in the next chapter! What will happen to Zack there, only I know but cannot say until that time comes. Sorry that this chapter was a bit shorter, but at least I added a new battle that wasn't in my original version that I haven't posted.

See you real soon!