Well, I can finally cross this chapter off the list. I swear it gave me so much trouble writing it. My main problem was I was being so dang picky about how I wanted it to turn out. I'm not 100 percent satisfied, but I'm happy with it. At least I finally got it out of the way and you all get a nice healthy-length chapter. :)

I don't have much else to say, except I hope everyone's having a great weekend and I hope your next week is fantastic. Until the next update,

enjoy!

Oh, and if you could let me know in the reviews if you prefer line breaks or the three dots I've been doing to cut to different scenes that'd be super helpful. I don't mind either way, I just want to make it easier/more enjoyable for you guys. ;)


A couple days had passed since Sephiroth had arrived in Cosmo Canyon. His injury had healed only hours after they were inflicted. He had spent the last few days learning about the planet, the mother; a goddess who protects the planet and a story that told of the ancients and how they were wiped out by a scourge called Jenova.

The story had angered him, but he also found himself confused and conflicted. All his life he was raised to believe Jenova was his mother and that she had great power. Only the latter was true, and yet as he was raised to be the perfect SOLIDER he hadn't detected that Hojo ever lied about Jenova being his mother, even though one of his skills was being a living polygraph. Perhaps in his sick and twisted way, Hojo had believed what he said. Jenova cells had been a part of him since before he was born. Perhaps Hojo believe that Jenova had done all of the work instead of his true mother? It would explain his twisted thinking process at least.

Sephiroth pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Trying to figure out his past was such a strain. Even in such a pure place as this, free of Shinra's pollution and evil touch he couldn't get away. By now Tseng would have already informed the president that he had gone rogue and he didn't even want to think about how Hojo was taking this news. He knew (possibly more than anyone else) how twisted the scientist could be. Sephiroth knew he could only react one of two ways, Rage on a warpath or handle it passively while planning insurances for whenever the renegade general returned for answers or revenge.

The silverette wanted nothing more than to forget Shinra and move on, but he never broke any promise he made and he intended to uphold the one he made to those from the future. He hated sitting here doing nothing while his enemies were allowed time to plot and scheme, however the chopper was still out of gas and Reno said his informant said to wait for him to arrive. Reno never gave out a name, only smirked and said "You'll see," whenever he asked. It was working the general's last nerve if he was being honest, hence why he was sitting on the edge of one of the cliffs overlooking the open grasslands to the south.

His gaze rested on his sword lying on the ground next to him. "Masamune…you and I are soaked in blood. Myself, a monster and you, my song of death. Is that truly all we were meant for, or can we yet be saved?"

He noticed a small dust cloud kicking up from the south and he squinted his gaze to zone in and see through the darkness. Two small shapes came into view and he glared at the sight until it got closer and he relaxed when he saw it was Zack and Cloud arriving on chocoboback.

Using his agility and speed, Sephiroth headed down to meet them.

They were dusty and tired-looking, that was the first thing he noticed when they reunited. His arrival startled the birds, making them squawk in surprise, but they were too tired themselves to throw their riders and run. Cloud easily regained his control while Zack waited for his to calm itself.

"Jeez, Seph! You mind not swooping down and giving us a heart attack?"

The general smirked. "Are you talking about the chocobos or yourselves?" He was thankful they had arrived safely, but something else needed to be addressed before he led them further. "Were you followed?"

It was Cloud who responded. "No sir. There were Turks searching Costa Del Sol, but we managed to get passed them undetected thanks to Zack's evasion skills."

Sephiroth nodded before looking at Zack for confirmation. The ravenette nodded with a smile. "Yep, I even took us on twisted and super confusing paths just to lose any sneaky followers who tried."

The general noticed the death glare Cloud was giving Zack which told him all he needed to know. "You got lost."

Zack faltered and scratched the back of his head. "Nothing gets passed you, does it," he chuckled.

"Come on," Sephiroth told them with a smirk as he led them towards the protected entrance of the village.

The guards still carried on with their task, but didn't stop the newcomers since the general was leading them. Cloud still felt nervous under the intense glare from one of the guards while Zack just waved and gave them a friendly smile before throwing a chummy arm over the blonde's shoulder and whispering in his ear, "Just smile and wave, it lowers their guard."

Sephiroth led them towards the stairs when a voice called over to them, "Yo Zack! You finally made it!"

The ravenette turned and was surprised to see Reno. "What the? How'd you get here?" He quickly scanned the area as did Cloud.

Reno saw this and held up his hands. "Relax, it's no ambush."

"Reno came here with us," Sephiroth added.

Zack turned to his C.O. and blinked. "Reno's on our side? How'd you manage to turn a Turk?! That just doesn't happen!"

Sephiroth smirked at that, "Ask yourself. Apparently you're the reason he turned."

"I told you," Reno said with a sheepish grin, "I have one flaw that makes me a bad Turk. I'm too loyal to my friends. I mean, it would have been nicer to realize it sooner before kidnapping the Lockhart girl, but my new boss said he'd clean up my mess this time before telling me to go and safe the flow-"

WHAM!

Reno suddenly found himself sitting on his butt in the dirt, with a hand pressed against his chin. He looked up to see Cloud standing over him. "Dude, the hell's wrong with you?!"

"Did you just say you kidnapped someone named Lockhart?" Cloud was furious. "Was her name Tifa?"

It clicked for Zack as his eyes grew wider. "Oh shit."

Reno glared at the blonde before spitting out a bit of blood. "Yeah, that's her. Why, she your girlfriend?" He was such an ass when in a bad mood.

Cloud went to attack him again when Zack intervened and grabbed his buddy in a bear hug. "Alright, that's enough. Calm down Spike."

"Let me go," the teen protested as he struggled. Zack had to arch his head back to avoid a savage head-butt that would hurt the blonde a lot more than him. It was no contest when it came to strength, Trace amounts of mako going up against First Class levels was like a mouse going up against a lion. Though Zack would wager a lion was a bit more tame than his friend at the moment.

Reno had stumbled back to his feet and Cloud kicked out with his legs. "I will kick your ass when I get the chance," the blonde threatened.

"Go ahead and try," Reno said as he pulled out his electric mag rod. "Let him go Zack. Let's see how well he fairs."

Sephiroth grew tired of this and stepped in between the two, shoving Reno back down and gripping Cloud's shoulder so tightly the blonde winced before passing out old.

"Spiky," Zack cried out in panic until Sephiroth rolled his eyes.

"He'll wake up in a few hours. I didn't cause any permanent damage." He then looked down at Reno with a stern glare. "However I cannot say the same for you unless you keep your distance until our informant arrives. Am I clear?"

"Crystal," Reno gulped.


Cloud wasn't sure how much time had passed since the general knocked him out, but when he came to he still thought he was dreaming.

Tifa smiled at him as she leaned over to block out the glare from the flickering candlelight. "Good morning sleepyhead, or should I say good evening?"

The blonde sat up only to roll his shoulder as he felt the ghost pain from what Sephiroth had done then he turned as realization kicked in and he noticed Tifa sitting there. "How'd you get here? Reno said he kidnapped you!"

"He did," she replied sweetly, "and when I saw him again I kicked him right in the family jewels."

"Well, guess there goes my revenge plan," he chuckled nervously.

"It's okay, he's alright now that he's on our side. But he better not let me catch him pulling double spy work or he'll be answering to my fists." She punched her right fist into her left hand for emphasis.

"But, I don't understand, how did you get away from the Turks? Did they let you go?"

"Pfft, no. Vincent got me out. I guess he's the one who set Reno straight."

She stood up and took Cloud's hand. "Feeling up for a walk?"

He nodded and she led the way over to the large bonfire burning in the center of the village.

Zack saw them and waved for them to join him. "You guys are just in time for dinner!"

Once they were seated bowls of soup were passed out for everyone. Cloud looked around for Vincent, but couldn't see him."

"What's up," asked Zack.

"Just looking for Vincent," he replied honestly.

"He's talking with the general and Bugenhagen, it shouldn't be too long."

"Who?"

"My grandfather," replied the red lion-like creature that approached them. "It's nice to finally meet you. Sephiroth had quite the story to tell when he arrived. I look forward to see if fate favors our bond."

"Excuse me," asked Cloud who was confused in more ways than one. A few examples were that the creature could speak and exactly what kind of bond did he mean?

The cat purred with laughter at the blonde's reaction. "Relax my friend. I have a good feeling about what's to come."

Reno approached the blonde next and it was clear he had been drinking a bit. "Yo, sleeping beauty's finally woken up eh? Did Princess charming plant a smooch just right? Yeowch!"

Tifa had stood quickly and pinched a sensitive nerve in Reno's back that made the drunken red head wince. "Just keep walking Reno. You're lucky you got away with a gentle kick before."

"THAT was gentle," spluttered Reno.

"Yes," Tifa replied with a dead serious glare. "Next time I won't go so easy and I can't promise it won't cause any permanent damage." Reno took the hint and backed off like a frightened cat.

With that out of the way Tifa smirked and sat back down next to Cloud while Zack was seated on the blonde's other side. Both teens were giving her a frightened look. "You're going to have your hands full with that one," Zack whispered.

"Tell me about it," the blonde whispered back.

"What are you two whispering," Tifa asked.

"Nothing," they both replied.

Nanaki just purred contently on Tifa's other side. They had both heard the boys, but only Nanaki saw Tifa secretly smile at what they said.

While the group waited for Bugenhagen, Sephiroth and Vincent to arrive Cloud took the chance to look at everyone who the ex-Turk had apparently brought with him. Zack had told him that Vincent had arrived by airship, one constructed by a pilot named Cid and they had picked up another on the way. A man named Barret from the mining town of Corel. Cloud was also relieved to see Aerith safe and sound sitting on Zack's other side. She seemed to be looking around at everyone as well, and perhaps she shared the same feeling he did; that this was very familiar.

Finally after another fifteen minutes the trio approached. Vincent took his seat next to Barret who gave the man a look, but then focused on the old man and the silverette.

"Hey, don't I know you," asked Cid. "Yeah, you're Shinra's posterboy!"

"I was," Sephiroth replied calmly, but both Cloud and Zack knew the general well enough to tell he was suppressing his annoyance. "Now however I am no longer associated with Shinra."

"They kick you out? What for," asked Barret. "The Shinra haven't done anything real serious. They offered my town help with remodeling. Someone named Scarlett is supposed to come by in a few days."

That got Sephiroth's attention. "The last thing Scarlett cares about is helping others. Her interests are building powerful weapons and then testing them out. If she spoke of remodeling your town then she means to destroy it."

This caught some of them by surprise. "What'r you sayin'," Barret shouted. "You sayin' The Shinra's lying to us?"

Sephiroth stared directly at him as he replied. "Firstly, there is no 'The' in front of Shinra and yes, that's exactly what I'm implying."

"What about the space ship in Rocket Town? That all a scam too," asked Cid.

Sephiroth shrugged. "I don't know if it's a scam, but all I do know is the launch will fail and the company will eventually abandon the project."

"SHIT!"

The group watched the pilot jump up in a rage. "What do you mean the launch will fail? Who told you so much, huh asshole? That's my livelihood!"

"Hey, watch your mouth, there's women present," Zack challenged.

"Shut up Porcupine, I don't give a flyin' rat's ass!"

"Perhaps you should tell them why you know, Sephiroth, like the three of us agreed," inquired Bugenhagen.

"Go ahead Sephiroth, we're all ears," Aerith told him with a friendly smile and Zack nodded along.

The general wasn't nervous, but he did feel hesitant. Taking a moment to get his thoughts in order he also took a moment to appreciate the fact that Cloud's group had been reunited for the most part. Only two were missing, and he knew that only distance and timing kept the group from being complete.

"There once existed a group of fighters that stood together against a powerful threat. Loss, destruction and heartache had given them a common goal, to destroy the enemy they shared. They started by blowing up reactors in the city of Midgar, but stopped when they realized it was hurting the citizens more than their enemy. The enemy's name was Shinra. The president was merely annoyed by their efforts and when he confronted them he set a trap and left to enjoy a meal. The trap was no match for the group, however it wasted their time and they were nearly caught in the explosion. Their leader, a powerful warrior fell from the top of the plate and landed in the slums where he met a young flower girl…"

Sephiroth described the most important part of the tale, never calling a name directly, but instead giving them a nickname. As the tale went on those gathered around the campfire began to look at one another, slowly seeing similarities between the characters, the events and in each other. When Sephiroth concluded his story he finally revealed the real names.

"The gun-arm Barret Wallace, the Angry Smoker Cid Highwind, the Ninja Yuffie, the Vampire Vincent Valentine, the martial artist Tifa Lockhart, the flower girl Aerith, the robot feline Reeve, the intelligent lion Nanaki, and the leader Cloud Strife."

The entire group turned to Cloud and he couldn't help the involuntary flinch and the desire to shrink into the ground.

"He ain't no leader," Barret growled.

"He's the perfect leader," Sephiroth replied. "And he is the only one who has ever been able to defeat me."

The group each contemplated the seriousness of what this realization meant, that the story was about them and that they had endured such hell. "But this don't even make sense! The shit ain't even happened yet," shouted Cid. "You're tellin' us that we become some merry band of heroes and save the whole damn planet? Where's yer proof?"

"Because he's seen it, as have I," replied Vincent from where he sat.

"Oh and we're supposed to take your words for it? What have you two been smoking? Mako fumes?"

"Hey, buddy, you okay," asked Zack as he noticed Cloud holding his head in pain while Tifa rubbed his back in a circular motion.

Barret scoffed at the sight. "Some leader."

"Shut up Barret."

Barret looked over at the blonde as did Sephiroth and Vincent. The bulky mining man got up and stood over the teen. "What'd you say to me?"

Zack was about to stand before Cloud lifted his head and glared at the man with slightly glowing eyes. "I said shut up. Or do I need to pound the message into that thick head of yours?"

Vincent smirked at this and Sephiroth realized that wasn't the younger Cloud, but somehow the one from the future.

Barret was two seconds away from grabbing the kid by his collar when Sephiroth approached. "Cloud? How is this possible?"

"Don't ask me, it's whatever Vincent did." The blonde shot the Turk a glare, which surprised Sephiroth. "This isn't what we agreed on. Only you were supposed to go back with him."

"I wanted to make sure there was a chance you would set things right if he proved untrustworthy."

"Yet another painful struggle. Perfect," the blonde grumbled as he held his head tighter with his one hand.

"Spiky, what's goin' on," asked Zack.

Cloud looked over at Zack and smiled when he saw Aerith sitting next to him, both looking super concerned. "Well, I guess the pain was worth it. This is the only good reunion."

"What's happening Cloud," asked Tifa.

Cloud glared again at Vincent. "Ask him. I've been trapped in here with the kid ever since he pulled my mind from the future."

"So that's what happened," asked Vincent. I had guessed what might occur, but wasn't sure.

"Yeah, my body's in a coma thanks to your little stunt," Cloud growled. "You know how I feel about labs and hospitals."

"But I know Reeve's looking after you, so there's nothing to worry about," the ex-Turk replied smugly.

"Asshole," Cloud grunted under his breath. He then turned to Sephiroth. "Looks like I was right to trust you."

"What damage is this doing to you," asked the general.

Cloud wasn't going to lie. "Right now there are two complete minds fighting for control. The headaches and the visions the younger one has been experiencing are the result of my own mind trying to take control. I don't want to, but if I don't take control or try to surface every now and then…"

"What…what happens," asked Zack.

"I risk fading away. Putting two of the same person into one body is dangerous enough, but now our very minds are at war with each other."

"Couldn't ya just fuse together," asked Cid.

"If that happened neither past nor future version would be the same and there'd be severe brain damage. The memories, thoughts and personalities wouldn't blend right. Staying conscious this long is going to cost me, but I needed to surface. I'm still connected to the future and I can hear what's going on. Jenova still lives."

Vincent and Sephiroth bristled at the news.

"How! You and Zack burned her to ashes."

"I know, but she's still around in the future as is Hojo. Somehow he's responsible for her survival." His body shuddered from the pain and it was all Zack could do to hold him upright.

"Easy Spike. We'll get 'em. This time we'll make sure they can't come back."

Cloud smirked at his best friend. "Just don't die this time. I'm already carrying a heavy burden. I don't need to become your living legacy again." He then looked over at the flower girl next to Zack. "Aerith, I never got to thank you for everything…"

"shush," she said as she gently cradled his head in her hands. "Don't thank me yet, wait until after I help you."

Cloud's vision was starting to blur from the pain. "Wait, Hojo has an old lair hidden near Wutai. It's old in my time, but it may be where he's…hiding now…"

"Alright that's enough," Aerith replied sternly. "You've done your job, now let me do mine…bodyguard."

Cloud's eyes cleared as he focused on her. "You know?"

"You're not the only one whose been getting strong flashbacks." With that she went to work, concentrating her energy on the white materia tucked away in the ribbon tied in her hair. It glowed brightly before Cloud felt its soothing power flow into him and then he gladly let the darkness take him.