Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since I last updated this. It doesn't feel like it's been that long. Then again I have been working on other stories too, so that could explain a few things. I am happy to get this chapter up finally. It went through three rewrites before I was satisfied. I'm still not 100 percent happy with it, but it works best with what I have planned.
This chapter and the next one will explain the cliff-hanger that was left from the previous chapter. A lot happened while Zack and Cloud were off training. ;3
I don't know when the next update will be, so I apologize if the cliffhanger at the end of this chapter is also a little cruel, but my time is even more limited now that I have a solid job. I was strictly in the training stage and was unsure if I was gonna make the cut, but two others were let go and I'm still there, so I'm gonna take that as a good sign. ^w^
I hope you're enjoying this crazy ride so far because its far from over.
Sephiroth adjusted the large trench coat he had disguised himself in as he made his way through the slums. His phone had been ringing nonstop all morning, but he had ignored it, choosing instead to do some digging into whatever files he could find on the Cetra, but there was nothing. There was one file that he had passed because it was complete nonsense. A legend that says the ancients would lead the inhabitants of the world into the promise land. Sephiroth knew now not to ignore any kind of miracle, considering the knowledge he possessed was the result of one, but surviving a dip into pure mako was a far cry from waiting for someone to lead everyone to a new world where everything is perfect.
For Sephiroth that future didn't exist. His perfect future included his friends and they were no longer around. Zack and Cloud were decent substitutes, but no one could replace Genesis and Angeal. After hours of searching and putting up with that senseless phone he couldn't take it any longer and decided instead to start looking for Vincent. The ex-Turk was supremely skilled at remaining hidden. The current Turks could stand to learn a thing or two from him. Sephiroth had noticed a few Turks in the crowd above the plate, poorly trying to remain hidden as they tailed their targets. He wasn't followed though, as he made his way to the train that would lead him to the station in sector seven. He wanted to make sure he covered as much ground as he could, but like the city above, the slums were a big place. Finally he decided to stop and take a small break. He was in the middle of sector five and saw there wasn't much to look at, except for a church. It looked promising so he made his way inside.
The light shown beautifully through a hole in the ceiling and dust danced in its many shafts as he took in the peaceful scene. Some of the pews had succumbed to the elements and had either broken down or were showing signs of rotting, but the flower bed in front of the alter more than made up for anything else in the room.
Sephiroth made his way over to the flowers and examined them. He was no botanist but he did know that the soil (like everything else in this city) wasn't healthy enough to support natural plants. Whatever trees and foliage that did exist had been imported and were kept in planters. He kneeled down to touch one of the flowers.
A sudden gasp made him look up and he was stunned when he saw her. The young girl was everything the others had described her as. The last living Cetra, the healer of the world and the beloved friend of Cloud and his team was standing there, obviously frightened and yet he could do nothing except stare at her. When he finally regained control and was able to move he slowly stood and felt guilt when she took a timid step back.
"Please, forgive my intrusion. I mean you no harm."
She relaxed a bit, but he could tell she was still guarded. "You just startled me. I wasn't expecting anyone to drop by since my boyfriend is off on a mission."
Sephiroth smirked slightly at that. Of course, how could he have forgotten? He had sent Zack off on that very mission the day before in order to get Cloud away from the Turks long enough to promote the cadet into a Third Class.
"I was looking for someone, but he's proving difficult to track down," he told her.
She examined him, but all she could see were a few strands of silver hair. "Perhaps I've seen him, what does he look like mister?"
He failed to hide a small smile then. It had been some time since someone had called him 'mister'. "Please, call me Sephiroth." He removed his ball cap and sunglasses, revealing his long silver hair and bright green eyes.
Aerith smiled at him and offered a cute little curtsy. "Oh, I didn't realize I was in the presence of the legend himself. It's an honor to meet you general." She then giggled and smiled sweetly at him. "Zack's told me nothing but good things about you. It's nice to finally meet you in person."
"Likewise, Zack speaks very fondly of you," he replied. He then decided to see if she had perhaps seen Vincent. "The man I'm looking for, he wears a red cloak and has a golden claw encased on his left hand.
Aerith gently weaved her way through the flowers as she tended to one that was drooping. "I haven't seen anyone like that, but I'll keep my eyes open for you."
Sephiroth nodded, not wanting to intrude any longer than he already had. "I would appreciate that. Send word through Zack if you spot him."
He made his way to leave when she ran up to him. "I'll let you know when I see him, but please take this, I noticed that you seemed to like it." She held out the flower he had been examining earlier and he nodded before reaching out to accept the gift.
The moment their hands touched Sephiroth felt a cold chill overcome him as he saw a flash of events. Aerith kneeling with her hands clasped in prayer looked up and Sephiroth himself coming down and stabbing her through the back. The general stumbled back a pace, turned on his heel and left without another word, leaving Aerith standing there wondering what was wrong.
He didn't run, but the pace he set heading away from sector five would make any seasoned speed-walker jealous. When he finally stopped he found himself back in sector seven near the giant pillar. The general sighed as the images finally faded from his vision. He looked down at his hand and wondered why he had been overcome with such guilt. That vision was from another time, a different him. How could he have had such a vision, especially when that seemed to be Cloud's forte?
"It's a relief to know you haven't turned after all," echoed a gruff voice that enveloped his surroundings.
Sephiroth looked up then and couldn't help but glare at Vincent who was perched at the top of the first flight of stairs leading down from the pillar.
"Where have you been," Sephiroth countered. "It would be a lot easier to plan things out with someone who has better knowledge of the future."
Vincent just continued to stare at the general before he slowly stood and approached. "I take orders from no one."
The general let his annoyance get the better of him as he replied, "It seemed like your group had a solid leader."
Vincent's gaze hardened as he replied in a dangerous tone, "Cloud was a good leader, but our group functioned as a team. If someone else could handle a mission better he stepped aside and let them take over. Sadly, I fear that Cloud is gone forever at the rate this one is progressing, even after I tried to boost his determination."
"So you did do something to him," Sephiroth growled. "Do you have any idea what kind of trouble that's gotten him into?"
"I know, Tseng's tried to force him to join," Vincent replied carelessly.
"And that doesn't trouble you?"
"No, because it won't work and Tseng knows it." He stopped when he was a few feet in front of Sephiroth. "I've known Cloud for years. He does not have it in him to be a Turk. He possesses some of their skills, but not their mindset. Their way of thinking is impossible for him to comprehend and not for a lack of understanding. He simply just doesn't fall for their bull."
Sephiroth considered this for a moment before answering, "That may be, but do not forget that was the future version. This current Cloud may not follow the same path."
Vincent smirked. "And that's precisely why I intervened."
"What exactly did you do?"
"I opened a path that connects the conscious minds of both past and future individuals. The future is trickling back through the lifestream and that is why this Cloud should only be seeing flashes or vague images. It may fluctuate and show more or less, but it should be enough to get the message across."
Sephiroth was impressed by this. It seemed Vincent had found a way to not only travel through time himself, but set up a way for the future Cloud to try and influence the past as well. That left Sephiroth with only one conclusion.
"You don't trust me."
The ex-Turk nodded. "I watched you kill Aerith and take control of Cloud, forcing him to hand over something devastating and it left him in pieces. Pieces that not only put him out of commission, but Tifa had to put back together piece by piece. I saw him reduced to a drooling, mumbling vegetable. I will do whatever it takes to prevent that from repeating. I will also kill you if you betray us and try to harm anyone of our group and those we care for." He then lifted his head slightly.
"Why did you flee from the Cetra?"
Sephiroth stared him down and challenged him. "I saw flashes of what a different man had done to her and I aim to prevent it this time."
Vincent knew exactly what he meant by that, but wasn't too quick to believe him. "If that were true you would not have fled in fear."
Sephiroth glared at the ex-Turk, but he couldn't deny the truth. Those visions had scared him. The very idea of losing control and mindlessly killing…it wasn't something he liked to think about. He was a trained killer, true and could level an army as if it were a light workout. But to kill for the sheer joy of it, he wouldn't even humor such an absurd notion.
"The repercussions of altering the timeline are having an effect on everyone, not just a select few." He took a step closer towards the man. "Even you are being affected. I doubt you would have done such things in the past."
Vincent just stared at the general as if his words didn't even phase him. "You forget that I was a Turk. I've had to do some things that required a heart of stone. What I did to Cloud was nothing. My main concern is to fulfill the wishes of the others." He then looked back towards the church. "Cloud wanted those he couldn't save to get another chance. Barret wanted to prevent the deaths of those who followed him. Nanaki wanted us to reunite."
"And the others," asked Sephiroth.
"I won't reveal that information until I know your true intentions are to protect the planet."
Sephiroth actually found himself forcing back a growl of frustration. "How many times do I have to prove my intentions are honorable? Nibelheim still stands, Zack is now mentoring Cloud and I've done the best I could to make sure he has the best chance to regain the strength he had."
Vincent however saw a different reason. "Don't compare him to those you lost. Cloud is neither Angeal nor Genesis and he never will be. They are lost to you. No matter how much you try to compare their strengths. He can use materia well, but he will never possess the skill the commander did, and vice versa, Genesis was never able to best you in combat of any kind. Even comparing Zack to his mentor is unfair."
Sephiroth glared at Vincent. "How could you know such things? You've been sleeping for decades. You could never know them as I did."
Vincent turned and revealed a hint of a smirk, "I was a Turk. Some things you learn by research and other times you study people. You are like an open book."
Sephiroth's glare intensified. "Then why can't you trust me?"
Vincent's smirk vanished as he turned, "an unfinished book."
They only thing that kept Sephiroth from walking away was not knowing if he'd ever be able to track the man down again. He was surprised he had found him when he had, though he knew it was because the man wanted to be found.
"Things are changing."
Sephiroth looked over at the man, "In which way?"
Vincent turned to the direction of sector five. "Keep an eye on her. With Zack gone she has no one to trust. Tifa is reliable, but she lacks the power to keep her promise."
"What are you talking about?"
Vincent turned back to glare at him. "Last time, Cloud and Zack kept Hojo distracted when he captured them. With no new toys to play with the professor will focus on his main tools. His interest in the last Cetra is increasing. Already he's preparing to make his move. I am afraid of what would happen to her if she were to come in contact with Jenova."
Sephiroth blinked in surprise. "Jenova is dead. We already took care of her."
Vincent just stared at him. "You should be more thorough."
"We blew up the reactor around her burned corpse. I don't see how you could be more thorough than that," the general countered.
Vincent shook his head and turned. "Arrogance was always your greatest weakness."
With that he took off, leaving the general behind to think about the cryptic information the ex-Turk had shared with him.
. . .
Over the next two days the general spent whatever time he could in the church. He had come to know Aerith well in those few days and quickly grew a concrete resolve to keep her protected. Ever since he could remember there was always a static buzz he could hear in the back of his mind. When Jenova was destroyed that static has finally stopped and it had bothered him ever since. But whenever he visited the church the unease and irritation ceased and he felt himself able to fully relax. She was truly a gift to the world. As he watched her tend to her flowers he saw that she possessed a silent power that radiated with the pure essence of the planet. She could sense every living thing and knew just what it needed, be it plant or person. On the afternoon of the third day she looked over at him and smiled.
"You seem like you have a lot on your mind. Would it help to talk about it?"
Sephiroth gave her a small smile as he pushed off from the pillar he had been leaning against. "You don't want this burden, believe me."
She stood up and brushed herself off before going to fetch some water. "But it's not fair for one person to carry it alone. Even if it's classified you can tell me, just leave out the names and details."
He admired her intelligence and obliged. "There is someone who is very secretive and not easy to track down. Their assistance would help make things easier, but when they appear they only pass judgment and offer nothing but riddles that go unanswered with the lack of clues given."
"It sounds like they're afraid," she replied. "Perhaps they want to help, but their fear keeps them from acting. They're taking steps to prove to themselves that you can be trusted. At least that's what I think."
Sephiroth hadn't considered that possibility. Vincent didn't seem like he was afraid, then again Turks never did wear their emotions on their sleeves. They buried them under layers of steel.
She tilted her head slightly at him. "Does that help?"
The smile he had before returned as he nodded. "It does."
. . .
A couple sectors away, Tifa had just gotten off work and was headed back up to her apartment. The night shift had been crazy enough, but then she had to stay and work double shifts when another waitress never showed up for her shift. Tifa was in no mood for anything so when a red-headed man in a snazzy suit that was too blue for his own good bumped passed her she had no patience for his crap.
"Buzz off."
The man chuckled as she kept walking.
"Funny choice of words."
She heard the sound of static and made to turn when a powerful and painful electrical current shot through her and her world went black.
