It took Josh another few hours till he came back to Edge, and by then he saw it in more of wreck than when he left with Skye, building were in flames, houses in ruin, and people either lying dead or injured on the streets as they were aided by the W.R.O. He got off his bike and took off his goggles, and then walked around. "Josh!" Raiha called running up to him. "What happened?" He asked her, She stopped taking a breather, then looked up at him and spoke while panting. "We were attacked by monsters a few hours after you left with Skye…" She then looked at the city as the sirens of ambulances and fire fighters drove in to help. " Why? Why is this happening?" She whispered looking down on the street, with fists clenched. Josh looked at her for a minute, unable to give an answer or a reason.
Soon a new figure appeared from the smoke, the person was a boy no more then thirteen years of age, wearing a blue singlet with blue piloting goggles on his head that was used as a type of bandana to hold the front of his brown hair back, he looked at Josh with his blue eyes, as he walked towards them, letting his brown jacket –which had the sleeves tied around his waist- blow in the wind as he walked towards them, as his boots thumped on the ground. Josh took a good look at him. The boy took a good look at Josh, as he appeared to be chewing something in his mouth, Josh guessed it was most likely gum. "Well now, so yer the famous Josh that everyone been talkin' 'bout." He spoke. "And whose been talking?" Josh asked him. "Who'd ya think? Lil' Ninja Princess brat and lil miss bimbo over there." The boy replied carelessly. WHACK! " Joey! How many times do I have ta tell ya boy?! Respect people older than ya!!!" Cid yelled at him. Joey spun around with an anger flame in his eyes " I know! I know! Now F**K off already Pop!" He yelled. Josh shook his head, " Cid Highwind eh? Jeez… I never thought to see those genes past on…" He sighed. " And that's not all he got from our dad." Someone else said. He turned around and saw two near identical girls standing behind him. One of them had brown hair and blue eyes like Joey and Cid did, and wore clothing that was similar to Joey's except that her jacket was blue and she wore it over her white top, with the sleeves rolled down to maximum, like Joey she wore goggles on her head that she used as a bandana, boots and long pants as well. The other wore a brownish-pink jacket, with the sleeves rolled up, under her jacket she wore a white tank top, followed but a short loose brown skirt and a light blue bandana on her head, instead of goggles, and just like Cid and Joey she had blue eyes as well. " Right so, these are the twins, the one with brown hair is Rhena, and the other one is Ferria they're nineteen and the hypocrites of the Highwind family." Joey said, suddenly a shoe was thrown on his head. "OW! Rhena what the hell is wrong with yer damn mind!?" He shouted to his sister. " Call me a hypocrite will ya?" She said giving her thirteen-year-old brother a dangerous smile, strong enough to kill "Whatever…" Josh said looking around and noticed something. "Where's Tifa? And did Cloud and Vincent return yet?" He asked. "Yea, they made alright… They went to the W.R.O right now." Cid answered lighting a cigarette. Josh nodded and started to walk off, then he looked at the water as thinking that he felt the ground tremble a bit, suddenly the water did splash as the ground shook again, he looked again and he saw something the corner of the water's reflection, slowly he focused on the corner of the small puddle of water, and saw that it was a behemoth, though slightly deformed… He spun around and saw it approaching them, suddenly he saw something on the top of it, as it got closer he saw it was controlled by a man. " Oh…Jesus now we got something big on our hands." He said pulling out two of his handguns and began firing his weapons as the bullets ignited quickly as if it they were fired by machine guns.
Cid turned to his children, "Alright ya'll know what to do?" He looked them, making sure they follow the plan. "Yea, yea!" Joey said waving him off as he ran to the Shera, with his twin sisters following after. Joey immediately ran up to the captain's spot and slowly started steering the Shera, whereas his sisters went to the controls and got the weapon ready, as did the rest of the flight crew. Joey turned to his sisters, "Alright when I say fire then I mean fire goddammit!" He ordered. "Alright easy on the controls, lower the altitude! Engines one raise the flames! Engines two fire it up! Come on! Come on!" He looked through the target lock, making sure they had on the bullseye. "Captain! Target lock and missiles are good to go!" The flight crew told him. "Alright, lower down the speed, and bring out the launcher!" Joey ordered. The crew worked on it, and Joey looked at the scale that measures the speed, he smirked seeing that they were slowing down. "Sir! Launcher is ready!" The crewman announced. Joey nodded once. "Alright go!" He commanded, and his sisters released the missiles.
Josh watched as the missiles were fired and smoke covered the area, people were screaming and Raiha helped out with the evacuation of the citizens, soon as he looked at the smoke, he made out a silhouette of the man that was controlling the behemoth. Josh one of his guns away and pulled out his sword, he watched with caution while waiting for an attack, but then, the enemy disappeared as the smoke disappeared. Josh look around, getting prepared for any sneak attacks… Then through the smoke...A guy charged at Josh holding a gun-like sword, his attire looked similar to Sephiroth's but it was red and a bit faded on the shoulder pads, the guys' hair was white as snow and he had a long face.
The guy slashed at Josh but he dodged the attack as he aimed his one gun at the guy and just backed up to his bike, holstered his one gun and took out a sword he had in a holder along the side of the bike; near its handle was a skull with a spiked crown at the end of the handle.
Josh still aimed his gun at the guy with the big gunblade as Josh shouldered his sword giving the guy a smile. they both charged at one another, and clashed swords and exchanged some blows, but didn't come close to hurting each other. This lasted for about two minutes as the guy changed his plan to use the gun part of the blade and almost shot Josh just missing him. He blocked gunshots and then went in for the kill as he slashed at the guy making him drop the gunblade and falling to the ground. Josh looked over at the dead guy as he walked over to the guy just examining him because he looked familiar. Cid watched as his kids finished killing the target. Then looked at Josh and saw the dead guy. " What the??" He looked over. Josh kneeled down looking at the man he just killed. As he looked at the guy, sudden images appeared in his mind of a man with red hair and blue eyes, wearing red attire with black pads, holding a book, then it change from image to image to image. He held his head and winced slightly. " Oi, ya alright?" Cid asked him. Josh nodded, "Yea, I'm ok. But there's something familiar about this guy, but I don't know how..." He said to him. Cid raised an eyebrow and bent over to get a better look, "Sure doesn't look like any guy I've seen…" He observed. "I see…" Josh replied.
Suddenly there was a loud crash and the ground shook hard, with enough force to cause Josh and Cid to nearly fall over and walk in a stagger. Cid turned around and saw the Shera, in an unusual landing position with the nose of the ship dented. Soon the hatch opened and Joey jumped out and landed on one knee, looking smug as he stood up while all the flight crew with the exception of his older twin sisters came rushing out in a frighten frenzy. "Well, that takes care of that." He smirked without a care in the world. Cid came walking up to him and gave a good whack on the head. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?!?!?" He exclaimed. "OWWW! I was landing the ship! YOU could THANK me instead of HITTIN' me on the head!" Joey shot back. " I TOLD YOU TO BE MORE CAREFUL WHEN YOU LAND THE SHERA!!!! SMARTA## NOW LOOK!!!!" Cid pointed to the dent and the now noticed broke wing. " So? Nothin' with a little repairin' can fix." Joey replied carelessly. Cid growled and yanked him by the ear. " Alright, how about this, while I do the repairin' ya are going to help with yer sorry little A## and the cost for the repairs will come out from yer the money ya've been savin' to get that gizmo of yers! Instead of the money I had to work my butt off to earn!!!" Rhena and Ferria came out as they heard the commotion and just shook their heads watching their father and brother clash head to head with each other. Josh looked at them. " So uh… Where's Laura?" He asked them. " We don't know, she's been missing since the attacks started." Ferria, the gentle twin answered, " Well do you where Vincent is?" Josh asked. " He's in the W.R.O with Cloud, Tifa, and Zack." Rhena answered. " And where is this W.R.O that they're with?" "Don't worry we'll take ya." Rhena replied with a small smirk. Ferria turned and made sure that Cid or Joey won't catch them, she then nodded and waved her hand over, gesturing that they go to the damaged aircraft quietly. Rhena looked at the wing from top to bottom, left to right, she sighed softly and reached into her pockets, slowly pulling out something with looked like a small pocket knife, she pressed the tiny button and all the tools came out, she pushed the rest back into knife and only left the screw driver out. She squatted and looked at the damages, screwing the bolts into place, which took her like three seconds, she then looked over to the dent, and shook her head, her brother's gonna fix that later, she told herself as the three of them made their way into the Shera. Rhena took the over the controls, while Ferria steered the ship.
Outside, the two Highwind continued fighting when a gust of wind appeared. They both stopped and saw that The Shera up and running. Joey and his father looked at each other for a milliseconds, before trying to catch up, and realizing that it was no used they stopped a few feet away from where they just stood earlier.
"Ferria the coordinates." Rhena said to her. "Fifteen degrees west and thirty degrees South, W.R.O headquarters' is closing in." Ferria replied. Rhena nodded. "Ok prepare for land––"" No wait, don't land." Josh interrupted her. "Just keep this thing flying." He ordered as he opened the hatch. Josh looked at the area below them and saw it was under attack by more of those people in red. "Alright just stay in the air and don't descend!" He dived down from the plane without the use of a parachute.
Zack flew and crashed into the wall, unable to get up for a few minutes as he laid on top of the debris. He looked as the dust acted like a smoke screen, covering up anyone from recognizable forms to mere silhouettes. Zack squints his eyes as he saw someone moving in on him, cocking a gun. Zack gritted his teeth and slowly got up, when suddenly a gust appeared and stopped in front of him. He put his arm in front of his eyes to keep the dust away and looked. His father stood in front of him wielding the First Tsurugi. "Dad…" " Zack run now!" Cloud ordered him, Zack nodded and stood and ran out as fast as he could. By the time he could see a shadow on one of ground and looked up only to see Josh sky-diving towards the battleground. He landed on feet and looked around, seeing the place in ruin and most of the sections in flames. He pulled out his sword and joined in the fight.
Tifa rushed and gave the enemy a good fight using everything that she got in her. Soon Cloud rushed out from where and attacked some more. After a few minutes, the enemy ceased, but then… Tifa looked down on the ground as she saw the small pebbles started to shake and move, she gasped lightly when she saw something in the distances. Cloud stood next to her, as she appears to stare off in the distances. He looked as well, instantly as if out a revelation, he knew what was coming towards them and brought out his sword, going into fighting stance. Tifa got into position as well, and she turned to him. "What's coming Cloud?" She asked him, not moving from her spot. "Guardhounds, a hundred or more, there's too many to count." Cloud replied. "Get ready…" He said. Josh pulled out his sword and got ready for the fight, Zack stood next to his mother and got into his hand to hand combat position, since he currently had no sword to fight with. Ten minutes passed and the army of Guardhounds arrives and immediately charge at them. Cloud and the rest waited till the perfect time to attack, and when it came they gave it all they got. Cloud slashed more of them and finished most of the off with his Onmislash, Josh saw one try and attack Cloud, but he moved in for the kill and stabbed the groundhog before it could get to Cloud.
"Thanks." Cloud said. "Don't mention it." Josh says to Cloud approaching him and taking his sword out of the hound.
He looked around and saw Tifa and Zack taking care of the rest for in ten minutes.
After ten minutes and they held back the hounds and what else there was attacking, Josh just stood there as he sheathed his sword over his back, but suddenly he heard a loud rumble and sensed something really big coming. He saw that it was a jumbo sized behemoth.....the monster was as big as an airship. The thing approached slowly from far away from the city. "Oh shit......you gotta be kidding me."Zack and Tifa looked at the Behemoth and slowly backed away. " Mom what is that... Thing?" Zack asked. "Rephrase that.......what is it plan on doing when it get over here?" Josh said as he rushed towards a tuned up car that was left there by someone, he got in and drove to the oncoming behemoth as fast as he could. " Run!" Cloud ordered Tifa and Zack along with the others. It didn't take Josh that long to get to the behemoth who was almost getting close to Edge. He stopped the car right in the monster's path and just waited to get closer as he jumped up on the behemoth's leg as it crushed the car. Josh just climbed to the top of the big guy as he could see as far as the eye could see and he saw that it was being controlled by some guys in red armor.
He knocked off each one of them but all except for one who he shot Josh which made him go flying off the behemoth......the guy put his gun away and continued to steer the behemoth onto Edge. What the guy didn't know was that Josh was hanging on still by the behemoth's fur......he slowly climbed up as he approached the guy and knocked him off but before giving him a grenade which blew up when the guy hit the ground.
Josh looked up as he got out his sword and stabbed the behemoth on top of the head......it didnt really work......he did it two more times and it only made the monster angry. Josh decided to run out towards the behemoths face and jumped off.......and what the big guy did was that he caught Josh and swallowed him.
Cloud jumped and stabbed the Behemoth on the back with his sword as well as using his Limit break Omnislash. For some reason......the big monster roared in a weird way as it stated to collapse to the ground......moving only a little and then laying there dead.
Cloud jumped off and looked at the creature for a second, before cutting it's stomach and throat open to give Josh a way out.
But there was no sign of Josh but then.......he saw a sword near the big behemoth's chest and Josh came on through covered in blood and just shaking his head and then some of his clothes. "Sweet Jesus.....do never go in a behemoth.....you never know what they may have in their stomach........jeez......wooooo."Cloud walked over and helped him up.
Josh stood up with Cloud's help and just looking at him with his now blood-red eyes, but before Cloud could say anything, Josh turned his head away from him and just checked that gunshot wound and just rubbed on the used to be gunshot wound.
He looked at him, wondering how he could heal him. And how can his eyes change colour? But he decided to let it go till later... Zack helped his mother up. Tifa walked over and placed a hand on Cloud's shoulder, Cloud placed his hand on top of her's. She looked at Josh. "You need to get cleaned up." She pointed out. "Yeah yeah.......I think I already know that." Josh said as walked over to his bike and just looked for something and found a can of cola in his pack on the bike and took a drink out of it. "Tell me, did you see anyone up there?" Cloud asked. "What on the big guy?" Josh asked as he turned around and pointed in the direction of the big dead behemoth.
"There was a man controlling him right?" Cloud looked over. "If you want to speak to the guy.....you can find his bodily parts laying over there somewhere." He looked around near the dead Behemoth and saw the body parts. He looked at the burnt material that laid near the parts. Taking it in his hand, it was burnt but the colour was able to be seen. Cloud spoke one name. "Genesis." When Cloud said that name, it starts to hurt Josh's head like a hammer that has been pounded to his head dozens of times. He held his head as he fell to his knees just couldn't stand the pain.
Tifa went over to him as Cloud just looked at him. "Josh are you alright?" Tifa asked him.
"No goddammit!" Josh yelled it out still holding his head......but in his mind, he could see the images of Zack and Sephiroth battling Genesis and both of them individually battling him. Also Josh saw Genesis reading a book and reading out loud to himself saying, "The infinite mystery The gift of the goddess is what the three men seek But their fates are scattered by war One is taken captured, one flies away And the last becomes a hero But the three are still bound by a solemn oath To seek the answer together, once again." Tifa glance over to Cloud. "LOVELESS, interpretation Act I." They hear someone say. Laura then came out of the shadows. Josh looked up still holding his head as he saw that it was Laura" Josh, what do you see?" She asked, seeing his blood red eyes. "Tell me everything that you see in your mind."
"I......I saw......Zack......and Sephiroth......indiviually battling against Genesis......also him reading a part of LOVELESS which I said........thats mostly It." Josh said to her as he stood up slowly still in his bloody clothes and was still holding his head with his one hand. She nodded." I see."
A few days past and Tifa was in bar by herself, when the phone rang.
She picked it up. " Hello?" " Mommy, when can I go home?" Skye whined on the other line still clutching the red orb that Josh gave him.
"Soon alright, I promise." She said. "Ok.... Bye mommy, I miss you." Skye said. She nodded. "Me too. See you soon."She said last as Skye hangs up.
She was going to finish getting the bar ready and the phone rang again. She picked it up. " Hello, Seven Heaven bar, Tifa speaking." She waited for someone answer."Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess We seek it thus, and take to the sky Ripples form on the water's surface, The wandering soul knows no rest." She heard somebody say on the phone. "Hello who is this?" She asked. "There is no hate, only joy For you are beloved by the goddess Hero of the dawn, Healer of worlds Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul Pride is lost Wings stripped away, the end is night" The person continued."My friend, do you fly away now? To a world that abhors you and I? All that awaits you is a somber morrow No matter where the winds may blow My friend, your desire Is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess Even if the morrow is barren of promises Nothing shall forestall my return"
She blinked twice then the person hanged up and she shook her head trying to put that event in the back of her mind and just got back to cleaning.
She started cleaning the bar table and didn't notice that a man wearing a red attire came up behind her.
He places a hand on her mouth to prevent her from screaming. "It seems you keep interfering. I will have to dispose of you... Permanently." He whispered dragging out of the bar.
Tifa flung her arm back trying to knock the man, but he gripped on her hand with his unbelievable strength, he gave her smile and knocked her out.
Then he carried her like a damsel and took her to a secret location.
Purposely he left a note in the bar that said this : Even if the morrow is barren of promises Nothing shall forestall my return To become the dew that quenches the land To spare the sands, the seas, the skies I offer thee this silent sacrifice
Josh was on the highway sitting on the edge of it just looking to the horizon. He had different clothes on.....from having a new red jacket that had holsters for both his guns and his sword on his back, he wore dark blue jeans and a pair of black shoes and he wore a white t-shirt which a black dress shirt with no tie was over it.
He couldn't help think that he is having some of these memories or whatever they are in his head....."Well that's what this power is for." He thought in his head.
Laura suddenly stepped out of nowhere. "So why are you here?" She asked.
He looked over at Laura and just stared at her, "And why are you here talking to me? I thought you are still not a friendly type."
"Considering what happened a few days ago, I thought it's best that I kept an closer eye on you."
"In case of what? You think I'm going turn into Genesis?"
" I don't know, all I know is that you came here from nowhere, you have amazing skills, and your eyes change colour out of the blue."
"So, what's there not to suspect?" She says folding her arms while standing and looking at the horizon as well.
Josh just shrugs and just stands up on the edge still looking out, taking a deep breath and the making himself lean forward and falling toward the ground below which was the highway was over one of the sectors.
Laura shot up slightly and shook her head once and jumped in after him. He landed directly onto his feet when he hit the ground and just looked up at the falling Laura who was chasing after him."Nice landing." She just said simply landing with her feet as well."Thanks......" He said as he just decided to lay and punch on her chin she moved her head one way and held his arm and looked at him."Fighting isn't going to solve anything; I suggest we find a way out other then up." She said letting his arm go and heading out first."What's wrong? You don't think we can have fun and spar or something?"
She glance at him and didn't answer, then continue on."You're no fun......oh well." Josh said as he just charged at her as he pushed her making her go forward.
She fell face first on the ground, and then she slowly got and let out a big sigh. "I'm going to pretend that didn't happen." She said started to walk.
"What's wrong? Didn't your dad teach you how to fight?!?" Josh said just standing there. "Or you just too chicken enough to fight? Since you still think of your dead husband........boo hoo.....move on."
She clenched her fist and punched him straight in the jaw, letting him fall to the floor.
Josh just slowly sat up and just looked at her smiling. "Nice one.....but is that all daddy's taught you......come on." "Alright." She swung her leg up and kicked his chin, watching him fall again.
"Satisfied now?" She asked. "Or you rather I bring my gun out?"
He couldn't help but just laugh at her. "Oh my goodness girls.... come on now. That's just old." He said getting up, but when she was about to punch him again, he grabbed a hold of her hand and just looked at her with his red eyes. "Go ahead.....I dare you to try to shoot me. Come on.......you coward." She raised her eyebrow. Then pulled out her gun and aimed, when all of a sudden her cell phone rang.
"Sorry." She picked it up seeing the caller I.D was her father.
Josh just shook his head as he just walked passed him and when he did he said only one thing to her, "Coward." After he said it, he just continued on walking.
"Laura Valentine speaking… Tifa's been what?" "Alright, we'll be there shortly." She said flipping the top head of phone down and placed it in its place.
She caught with him. "We have to get to the Seven Heaven now, there's been a kidnapping." She informed him.
"Well have this thing later then.....let's go." Josh and Laura went back to his bike and drove to the bar and only seeing mostly everyone inside just worried and talking when they got there.
Yuffie walked over to Laura and handed her the note that she found. She read it. Then turned to Josh. "It's a quote from LOVELESS." She said handing the paper to him.
Josh took the paper and saw the quote and when he did, he saw more images of Genesis in his head from way back then which one of them was him saying this quote.
"Kid you ok?" Yuffie looked at him placing her hand on his shoulder. "Yeah.....sure......." Josh said as he gave the note to Yuffie and just walked into another room in the bar and just leaned against the wall holding his head. Laura just watched and sighed.
Then she wondered about his red eyes, and how sometimes his attitude would change.
"Why are we just standing around here for? C'mon there's gotta be something we can do?!" Zack started.
"Zack we no clues, no witnesses, no ransom notes, and only this quote." Laura said calmly.
"How are we suppose to find her with no leads?" She looked at him.
"All we know is there's some trying to resurrect Sephiroth and Genesis has a connection with it." Cloud spoke. "So we find Genesis, we might find Tifa." He said.
"But it might be too late by then..." Raiha sighed. "Don't lose hope." Cloud told her.
Josh then suddenly sees an image of a cavern and Genesis was holding a body in his saying my brother to the lifeless body as he disappeared. Josh blinked a couple of times as he rushed to his bike and just dove off without saying where he was going.
