Finally we've come to the point where we catch up with the prologue. I know the whole concept of time travel is confusing and the possibilities of what could happen are numerous. Will the Future gang vanish or continue to live on? Who knows. There's no way for Seph to know...or is there? ;)

Enjoy!


Chapter Six

Cloud entered the reactor with Vincent and Sephiroth. The rest had agreed to wait outside. It had been a very strange and emotionally painful trip here from Edge. Reeve himself had come and left the robot cat behind. He said this was something he had to be there for in person. Cloud didn't want to give everything up, but he knew deep down that it was the right thing to do. It was a chance for everyone to have a happy life. It was also a chance for others to live. Zack had given up everything when he sacrificed himself to save Cloud. Shinra was after them both, but Cloud knew that Zack could have escaped had he not decided to play decoy and face the troops instead of leaving him behind. The same went for Aerith. She'd be alive and happy, tending to her flowers and spending time with Zack.

"Having second thoughts?" asked Vincent.

"No," Cloud replied. "Just picturing what the future could be like for everyone."

Sephiroth led them to the spot where he had fallen and looked down into the mako vat he had fallen into. "I promise I'll do what I can to ensure the events of the past aren't repeated." He then looked at the other two. "I also will do what I can to ensure you do reunite with your friends."

"Don't worry about that," Cloud told him. "Like Nanaki said, if it's meant to be it'll happen."

"Indeed," Vincent added.

Sephiroth gripped the railing and prepared to jump. "I truly am sorry for what happened," he said.

"Just remember not to trust anything Hojo says," Cloud replied.

"Or what the books in his lab state," Vincent added. "Most likely they were planted there for you to find. He was hoping you'd unravel. He just didn't expect that there existed someone who could stop him."

Sephiroth looked to Cloud then and smirked. "And for that I am thankful."

With that said, Cloud handed him back his sword and materia before Sephiroth saluted them and jumped over the railing and plunged into the vat of mako.

The mako immediately began to burn him as he dove deeper into the glowing substance. His whole body threatened to convulse on him, but he kept pushing deeper until he hit the base of the vat. He waited and waited for any sign that he was going back to his time when he could hold his breath no longer. The precious bubbles of air erupted from his mouth and he resisted the urge to inhale, but his body refused to obey his commands and as the mako rushed into his lungs he began to wonder if he'd die here and everything would be for naught.

It was then that he envisioned Cloud and his friends and remembered his promise and the future he owed them. Setting his legs on the floor he kicked off from the bottom and pushed for the surface. When he finally reached it he took in a grateful breath of air and reached up towards the two pair of hands that were there to pull him out.

. . .

Sephiroth told his second in command a different story than what he had experienced, stating the events without the names and saying it was a vision from the future without actually having traveled there. But the other First was still just as shocked. "I can't believe the Cetra showed you a vision of the future. Talk about lucky, though are you sure you're okay?"

"What are you implying Zack?"

The dark-haired SOLDIER shrugged as he answered, "Nothing, it's just you keep looking at Cloud like he's your long lost brother or something."

It was true, Sephiroth had been looking at Cloud, but there was no way he could look at the teen and not see the powerful warrior he could become. He wasn't about to let that talent go to waste.

"I see great potential in him," he replied. "I don't believe he was given a fair chance to join SOLDIER and I'd like to offer him a second try."

Cloud couldn't even try to hide the shock and he was convinced that he hadn't heard him right. "What?"

Sephiroth smirked, seeing the young teen in such a pure state; untouched by the scars of battle and bloodshed. He had not yet faced real tragedy and Sephiroth took a moment to appreciate the grace of it. He then looked to his second in command and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Zack, when we get back I want you to set up a proper test for this candidate."

Zack wasn't sure which surprised him more, the fact that he was giving Cloud another chance to join SOLDIER or the fact that he was actually making physical contact. This was Sephiroth! The man didn't just pat you on the shoulder. He and Cloud exchanged looks before Zack worked up the courage to ask, "Are you sure you're okay, Sir?"

Sephiroth turned to look out at the landscape before them and nodded. "For once in a very long time, yes I am." He then turned and walked past the two. "Come on, we still have one more thing to do before we return to Midgar."

Cloud replaced his helmet as they made their way back to their guide who was waiting for them a little ways back with the other infantryman.

"There you are!" She sighed with relief. "When I saw the explosion I thought you guys were goners and went to help, but your lap dog here wouldn't let me pass."

"For your own safety, Miss Lockhart," Sephiroth replied. "The reactor couldn't be saved, despite Private Strife's attempts."

"Strife?" asked Tifa.

Under his helmet, Cloud's eyes were wide with fright. Oh why did it have to be Tifa standing there?

She approached him and tried to see through his helmet. "Is that really you Cloud? Why are you hiding?"

When he didn't answer Tifa placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Cloud Strife you take that off right now and look me in the eye!"

Zack nudged him lightly from behind. "Go on Spiky, just get it over with. What's the worst she could do?"

Cloud could think of a few things, but he slowly complied and removed his helmet before looking at her.

"I knew it," she said. "Why did you hide from me? And your mother, you know she worries."

He looked off to the side as he replied, "I know, I just…I didn't want to be a disappointment."

"How's that," she asked.

"Because I'm not a SOLDIER," he admitted.

"Not yet he's not," corrected Sephiroth. "He showed true valor in there, trying to prevent the reactor from going critical. I believe it's worth giving him another shot at SOLDIER, wouldn't you agree Zack?"

The other First blinked in confusion before smiling and gave his buddy a thumb's up. "Of course I do. Cloud's awesome!"

Tifa smiled hearing the news and grabbed Cloud's hand before leading them back down the trail. "Come on, your mother told me she'd make a big dinner to celebrate when you returned and you look like you could use a good meal!"

Sephiroth didn't object to letting the girl drag one of his men out of ranks and into his hometown setting. He and Zack followed slowly behind with the other infantryman bringing up the rear. Sephiroth turned to him and ordered him back to the inn to rest while they finished their mission. When they were finally alone Zack had to get his confusion off his chest.

"What was all that about, Sir?"

"Hmm?" asked Sephiroth.

"Saying that Cloud tried to save the reactor when you told us to blow it? And that thing that was at the top of those stairs. What the hell was that? You know something you're not telling and I thought friends trusted each other."

Sephiroth turned to see Zack's hurt expression before replying. "I will explain why once we're at the mansion. For now we're going to go to Strife's house and pretend like everything is fine."

"You mean it's not?" asked Zack.

"Not yet," Sephiroth replied, "but soon."


Looks like Sephiroth is already starting to act a bit kinder to everyone. I wonder if it'll last.