Cloud hefted his bag over his shoulder as he and Genesis walked into town. They had spent a week in Rocket Town, just to cover their mission, before they set off to Nibelheim. They had been given a month to complete it, based on their past skill level. Currently however, the mission had been a cake walk. Genesis and Cloud had discovered that the airship was right on schedule and due to launch in 6 months. They hadn't run into Cid however and Cloud didn't know how he felt about that.
The airman had died fairly early on. When the world came apart, areas rich in mako like old Midgar, Modeoheim and Nibelheim suffered first. Monsters poured out of the area and Cid had died, trying to evacuate the residents of Rocket Town. Cloud hadn't been there, but had been told that the man had defended the airship as it lifted into the air, fighting with everything he had.
"So which one is yours?" Genesis asked, looking to Cloud, who had gone very silent. Lost in his thoughts.
"That one over there." Cloud said softly, coming back to the present.
As he stood here, he realized that his mother really was alive. Back at Shinra he had known that she would be, but it was rather disconnected. He had Zack and Sephiroth to think about. Standing here now in the dirt path heading into town, it truly hit him. Mother is alive. And Cloud wasn't prepared.
"Cloud?" Genesis noticed the shift in Cloud's mood almost immediately.
"Gen, she's here, in that house." Cloud slipped out.
The red head instantly knew the reason for his lover's distress. He had to say he couldn't blame him. "It's alright, Cloud, we can get a room at the Inn, then go and wake Vincent. We can check on your mother and Jenova in the morning."
"No." Cloud said, shaking his head, "If I don't go tonight, I won't sleep and it will only make me more nervous in the end. Besides, if we get a room at the inn, Shinra will figure out where we are."
"Then lead on, my dear." Genesis said a bit poetically .
Cloud just shook his head, but Genesis noticed the small smile that appeared on his lips.
It was midday, which unfortunately meant that people were about. Cloud could hear the chatter of the towns folk, he knew they were talking about him and who he had with him.
Sephiroth may have been the famous General, but Genesis wasn't unknown. Here was Cloud Strife, village pariah, walking back home head held high, dressed in a SOLDIER's uniform with Commander Rhapsodos in tow. He had only been gone a little over a month.
Cloud was sure someone was going to have a heart attack, he just hoped that it wasn't his mother.
Luckily Tifa was not one of the people out and about. Cloud wasn't sure what, if anything, he was going to do for her. If Nibelheim didn't burn, she would almost be better off staying in the town. Even if she wouldn't, there wasn't anything Cloud could do to make her want to leave. Tifa had loved Nibelheim as a child and only the town's complete destruction had driven her away.
All too soon Cloud was standing at his front door. Genesis just placed a reassuring hand on his back.
Taking in a deep breath, he knocked on the door. He heard a bit of noise before the door flew open and standing there was his mother, just as he remembered her.
"Cloud?" She said, complete surprise on her face.
"Hello mother." He said, moving up and pulling her into a hug. Genesis silently slipped in behind him and shut the door.
"What are you doing back so soon?" She said, moving back to get a good look at him. "And your eyes! Already?"
"It's a long story, but yes, I'm officially a 3rd Class SOLDIER." Cloud said, trying to smile at his mother.
The pride that shone in her eyes was unmistakable. It was a look he had once dreamed about. "My son, a SOLDIER and so quickly!" She gushed, before pulling him into another hug.
"He's a real prize." Genesis said, smiling at Miss Strife, who had seemed to notice him just now.
"You- you're-" She stuttered, before looking back to Cloud for confirmation.
"Genesis Rhapsodos, mama, nice to meet you." Genesis said, trying to turn his charm on. He really wanted Cloud's mom to like him.
"Nice to meet you too, Commander." Miss Strife said, revealing that, yes, she knew exactly who this man was. Cloud tried to wrack his brain. He hadn't thought Genesis had been as well known, of course though he had had a slight Sephiroth obsession as a child.
"Genesis is fine." He said with his brightest smile.
"How long have you been sleeping with my son?" Miss Strife asked with a stern look.
Genesis just gaped and stared, and Cloud about had a heart attack.
"Oh, don't look at me like that, I wasn't born yesterday. Cloud shows back up here after being gone for less than 2 months, a SOLDIER 3rd Class, when I know the program takes at least a year. With one of the commanders in tow. Combined with the way you two look at each other, it wasn't hard to put together. I just thought I had taught my son better than that." Miss Strife said with a scolding tone.
Genesis looked at Cloud, both of them horrified. Cloud hadn't planned on telling him mother anything, but if she had figured out Cloud and Genesis's relationship so fast, Cloud realized he may not have another option.
"I assure you mama, while you have guessed the nature of our relationship correctly, your son made into SOLDIER by his own skill." Genesis said smoothly, trying to calm the woman.
"Lovely, my son, the fag, like I wasn't enough of an outcast in this town." Miss Strife snapped.
"Mom?" Cloud said, almost in shock.
"Don't mom me!" Miss Strife whirled around on him. "I should never have let you go to Midgar! I knew you had always been odd, but this I never dreamed of!"
Cloud was about to have another break down and Genesis was about to light the woman on fire, mother of Cloud or not.
"Mom, I just-" Cloud started, but she cut him off.
"I don't want to hear it! Get out my house! Out of this town before someone else finds out! Don't you dare come here again until you've gotten yourself straightened out!" She nearly screamed, pointing at the door.
Genesis just walked over and took Cloud by the arm. The man was frozen on the spot. "Come on, Cloud." He said softly.
Cloud just let Genesis drag him out of the house and to the inn. His mind was still numb when he was pushed down into a bed. His mother in his memories had always been so kind and caring. Cloud never imagined she would have reacted that way. She was always angry about how 'intolerant' the rest of the town was of her and her young son.
He knew his father had died while she was pregnant and, even though she had been married to him, the town's people hadn't thought it right for her to raise her son on her own. She had been pressured to marry the town black smith, who had lost his wife the past winter, and refused. Stubbornly, she raised Cloud all on her own. Until today she had always loved him, no matter what he had done.
"I'm so sorry, Cloud." Genesis said, rubbing the blonde's back. It was only then that Cloud realized he was crying. For 15 years he had missed his mother and now it seemed, even though she was alive, she was still lost to him.
"She's alive. I suppose I'll just have to be content with that." Cloud finally said.
"She doesn't deserve you as a son." Genesis said softly.
"We should go wake Vincent." Cloud said, sitting up, he felt guilty for letting the man sleep as long as he had.
"He's been asleep for 25 years at this point. I'm sure he'll be fine until morning." Genesis said.
"I need to do something." Cloud said, looking up at Genesis.
Genesis nodded in understanding. "Alright, just go wash your face and we will head up to the mansion."
It was late and the sun had already set by the time they stood in the doorway of Shinra Mansion. So far nothing had bothered them.
"We need to get the key." Cloud said as they walked into the rundown manor.
"Why?" Genesis said, looking to Cloud, "You think the door would stand up to either Rapier or First Tsurugi?"
Cloud paused for a moment, before responding. "It is a reinforced metal door meant to keep Chaos from escaping."
Genesis shrugged, "Well, it was a thought."
"It's not like Lost Number is much of a challenge" Cloud said, moving up the staircase.
It wasn't long before they stood in front of the safe. Cloud quickly spun the dial, still remembering the old combination. Right 36, Left 10, Right 59, Right 97.
Lost Number materialized out of the chest almost like a summon, but a few quick slashes from First Tsurugi and the creature was a mere memory.
"Here." Cloud said, tossing Genesis the Odin summon.
"You didn't say there was a summon in there." Genesis said, looking over Odin.
"I forgot, I remembered there was some kind of materia, but you've got to understand the sheer amount we came across in our travels." Cloud said, grabbing the key before shoving Cosmo Memory in his pocket. He would have to get it to Nanaki somehow.
"It amazes me some days." Genesis acknowledged.
"Which reminds me, you can fly. We should put collecting Knights of the Round on our list of things to do." Cloud said
"Mmmhmm," Genesis hummed a bit. "You're lucky the remnants didn't find it in your stash. Even if you weren't able to recover it."
Cloud almost snorted. "No kidding."
Cloud caught sight off several creatures in the shadows, but none seemed willing to tempt their fate against the two walking through the mansion.
Finally Cloud opened up the door leading to the basement.
"Hojo is a lot creepier than Hollander ever was." Genesis said off handedly as they made their way down the stairs and into the basement.
"Yah well, I won't argue that one with you." Cloud said, he could tell Genesis was trying to fill the silence, likely to keep Cloud's mind off his mother. He appreciated it, he really did, even if it wasn't working.
Cloud stopped in front of Vincent's door. I would be good to see the man again, even if he would have to pull him out of his solemn state. Turning the key, Cloud opened the door.
He nearly fell over when he saw Vincent standing in front of the door. "Hello Cloud."
"Well, that was easier than I thought it would be. But how? You died years before..." Cloud said, looking the man over.
"Chaos was not very happy to be confined again... I absorbed his memories up until we were separated." Vincent said smoothly. "I wasn't sure if anyone else would remember or what happened. When are we exactly? And who is your friend?"
Genesis felt a little sad that Vincent didn't remember him, but at least they wouldn't have to spend the next year pulling him out of his shell.
"We're about 6 months before the original Nibelheim incident. This is Genesis Rhapsodos, he was a SOLDIER 1st and one of Sephiroth's friends. I ran into him not long after your memories end and, well, he's mine." Cloud said, before taking Genesis's hand in his.
Vincent just lifted a bit of an eyebrow. "I suppose it's good you finally found your peace. But this means Sephiroth is still sane?"
"Yes, and Genesis plans to save him." Cloud replied.
"You were actually part of my plan." Genesis finally spoke.
Vincent looked over to Genesis, "If you think I can help save Lucrecia's son, I will gladly aid you."
"Do you even realize who else we can help?" Cloud asked Vincent.
"The Tsviets." Vincent said, finally realizing exactly how far back they were.
"Unfortunately many of the experiments have already begun. But we can give them a happier ending." Genesis said, a bit of regret in his eyes.
"What do you know of the Tsviets?" Vincent asked cautiously.
Genesis just sighed, this was a conversation he wasn't prepared to have.
"Let's go back to the inn, we have a lot to talk about." Cloud said, knowing Deepground was an uncomfortable subject for Genesis. When Vincent had discovered Genesis's role in the project, it had been at least a year later. If what Vincent said was true, the wounds inflicted by Deepground were fresh in his mind.
Vincent nodded. "I believe we've both spent enough time in this basement."
They were glad that the sun had set as they reentered town. The innkeeper had given them a strange look as they entered, but dared not to question men from Shinra. Though when he was about 5 steps up, he did speak up.
"Aren't you Elle Strife's kid?" He finally stuttered out.
"Yes, Edward, it's me." Cloud said before looking down at the man. Edward had always been a bit odd, keeping late hours at the inn.
"Well, look at you! Your mama outta be proud." The man laughed.
"You would think." Cloud said. before slipping on up the stairs. He wasn't in the mood to discuss his mother at the moment.
Once upstairs, Vincent turned back to them.
"So what do you plan to do exactly? And does anyone else remember?" Vincent asked.
"I really should start at the beginning. The answers to your questions will only bring more questions." Cloud said, sitting on the bed. Genesis leaned on the wall next to him.
"Go on." Vincent said with a nod of his head.
Cloud explained what he knew, how the world had fallen apart a few years after the incident with Omega. How Minerva had taken them from a dying world and sent them here. What they had discussed so far and how odd Reno was acting. Through all of it, Vincent kept his stoic mask.
"So after everything we went through, the world was still lost?" Vincent said in his deep voice.
"Yes, she just couldn't survive. We honestly thought that everyone else was long gone, but first Reno with his fractured memory and now you. I don't know if anyone else remembers anything at all." Cloud said, looking up at his old friend.
"Like I said, I only remember what Chaos remembered. He wasn't bound to Gaia and thus managed to survive. How Minerva managed to including him in her spell, I don't know." Vincent replied.
"She did say time was hard to manipulate. Maybe she did it on accident." Genesis offered.
"It still doesn't explain what you plan to do." Vincent pointed out.
"Kill Hojo, kill Hollander, send Jenova to the stars via Cid's rocket." Cloud listed off.
"What about Shinra's mako reactors?" Vincent asked.
"That's why we are still with Shinra, we plan to change things from the inside." Genesis answered.
"Very well. I will speak to Sephiroth as you have asked, but my time would be better suited to act outside the company. Not that I could got back if I wanted to. I'll set up something, likely in the Forgotten City, for the Tsviets to hide once they are free." Vincent said
"That's good, we have so much to focus on that having you take care of them would be wonderful." Cloud acknowledged.
"You still have managed to avoid telling me what your friend has to do with Deepground, however." Vincent pointed out.
"I..." Genesis started as Cloud took his hand. "I was project G. The first branch of the Jenova project headed by Professor Hollander. I was listed as a failure, but I was also the basis for the Deepground project. "
"Where were you when everything happened?" Vincent asked with narrowed eyes.
"Asleep, not unlike what you did to yourself. And for many of the same reasons. Though I would argue that my transgressions were greater. I turned my back on everyone I cared about, abandoned the one I loved and led one friend to death and there other to insanity. I may one day share the details pertaining to all of this with you again, but not tonight." Genesis said, holding Cloud's hand tightly.
"Did you ever atone for your sins?" Vincent asked.
"I'm trying to now." Genesis answered. Vincent just nodded and let the matter drop.
"Let's sleep, in the morning we can head to the Reactor." Cloud said before kicking off his boots.
Genesis didn't argue as he took off his coat, belt and boots before crawling into bed beside Cloud. Vincent silently walked over and took the bed furthest from them. It had been an emotionally exhausting day for all involved.
It was early morning when the trio started to make their way up to the reactor. However, it seemed that over night everyone knew Cloud was in town.
"Cloud!" Mayor Lockhart was walking across the town square, a smile on his face. Cloud about groaned. He had never cared for Tifa's father and the sentiment had been returned. He glanced down and a younger Tifa was about 10 steps behind the man.
"Can I help you, Major Lockhart?" Cloud said, turning to face the man.
"Such a fine young boy, aren't you?" The man said, patting Cloud on the shoulder. "Making our town proud."
"Doing my best, sir, but if you don't mind, we are on a bit of a time table." Cloud said, looking to Genesis who was a bit up the way, Vincent had already disappeared.
"Of course, of course! Busy Shinra business and all! I'm glad to see someone actually taking a look at that reactor. Do you mind if we at least get a picture of this? Our hometown hero with the commander?" Mayor Lockhart smiled and Cloud wanted to strangle the man.
"Maybe when we get back, mayor. We really need to make it up the mountain and back before dark, you know." Genesis said as he placed a hand on Cloud's should.
"Of course, of course! We'll have a dinner for you ready this evening!" Mayor Lockhart said with another smile and Tifa just smiled at him and waved. Before she left, he heard her say "I knew you could do it!" with a smile.
"That would be pleasant." Genesis said, turning on his charm, before steering Cloud out of the town.
"How could you put up with that man?" Cloud said, now back in a foul mood.
"He reminds me of my father." Genesis said blankly.
The trek up the mountain was nearly painless. The only thing that saw fit to attack them had been an elder dragon. Between the three of them, the creature had fallen swiftly.
"She's in there alright." Cloud said, staring at the door to the reactor.
"You can feel her?" Genesis said, slightly frightened at the prospect.
"Yes, it seems whatever Minerva did, she left her cells within me." Cloud said, looking at the door warily.
"Perhaps you should wait outside." Genesis said.
"I don't believe she can control me. But you're probably right. It's best to play it safe." Cloud said, crossing his arms. "Just repair the reactor and we'll figure out what to do with her later."
Genesis nodded in agreement, glad that Cloud had listened and decided to stay outside.
Cloud walked a short distance away and sat next to a rock as Genesis and Vincent entered the reactor.
Once inside, Vincent started talking again. "I did not want to have this conversation with Cloud around. But he is one of the few people I consider family. I know almost nothing about you and, what I do know, isn't good. Why would he have chosen you? Cloud doesn't let many people in."
Genesis just looked to the gunman. He had endured a similar conversation once before. Vincent's devotion to Cloud was powerful, a bond born out of a turbulent past.
"You've asked me this before, you know." Genesis started out. "And I'll give you the same answer. I originally met Cloud when he was just a cadet. I, through a series of events, fell in love with him. When I spoke of abandoning someone earlier, he was who I was referring too. When I regained myself, I thought that he was dead. It wasn't until many years later that I discovered otherwise. I love him more than anything else on this planet. Now that I've found him, I won't allow anything to take him away from me again."
Vincent just looked at him as they made their way deeper into the reactor. "You had better be telling the truth or I'll put a bullet through your head. Cloud's been through enough."
Genesis just shook his head, at one point those words would have caused his temper to flare, now however... "It warms my heart a bit to know that Cloud has someone like you watching out for him. But I promise, I would rather die than cause Cloud more grief."
Vincent just went silent again and Genesis was bit relieved. It was odd for him to be talking with a Vincent that knew Cloud, but not him.
It was not long before they were standing in the main room of the reactor. Though several of the pods now sat empty. "It seems we may be saving a few more lives." Genesis said, looking over the unused machines.
"This also means that Hojo must have made regular trips back to Nibelheim over the years." Vincent said, inspecting the pods. Only 7 were currently in use.
"Well, let's fix the reactor and put these poor souls out of their misery." Genesis said, using Rapier to breach one.
Vincent silently followed suit. They knew from the future that none of these creatures could be saved from their fate.
When it was done and the reactor valve was fixed, Genesis just looked up at the door leading to Jenova.
"Why don't we just dispose of her now?" Vincent asked, following his gaze.
"Because in the future she tainted the Lifestream. That's what ultimately led to the planet's death." Genesis explained.
Vincent just looked back over at him. He still wasn't exactly sure what to make of Genesis. "Good reason."
"We need to time it with Cid's rocket launch, but that won't be for several more months." Genesis explained further.
"He won't forgive you." Vincent said.
"We know, but we'll try to make it up to him anyway." Genesis said "Let's leave her for now, there isn't anything else we can do."
Vincent just nodded and together they silently made their way back out of the reactor.
When they got back outside however, terror gripped Genesis, Cloud was gone.
That's it for chapter 7, I hope you all enjoyed it. I know Cloud's mom's reaction was probably a bit startling, but people seem to forget she's from a small mountain town.
I also hope you like Vincent :) Please Review- DHT