Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Kadaj.

The voice seemed so distant, so far away.

Kadaj, can you here me? Wake up.

He knew that voice, so much different than the usual voice that filled his thoughts. He smiled, wanting nothing more than to draw into that voice. If only it wasn't so far away. If only it understood. If only it knew...

"Kadaj!" The hand on his shoulder woke him with a rough shake. Kadaj woke from his sleep with a start. His first impulse was to panic, after everything that had happened. But the firm grip on his should kept him still, and the familiar blue eyes calmed him immediately.

"Brother?" he gasped, unsure if what he was seeing was real.

Cloud nodded. "Are you alright?" he asked. His expression was determined and stoic, but through it Kadaj could tell he was concerned. The teen smiled in relief, nodding his head as he placed it hand on Cloud's sword arm, just to make sure he was really there. He looked away from him afterward, to his brothers who were in the room with him. Yazoo and Loz were on the floor, both unconscious.

He rose suddenly, fighting off the period of dizziness the quick action brought. He went to their side and shook Yazoo awake. His brother's eyes snapped open, and he looked in wonder at Kadaj, as he also woke Loz.

"Where's Vincent?" Kadaj asked Cloud.

"He's looking for Genesis."

Kadaj was surprised they were aware of what was going on, but didn't ask any questions.

"What about the others? Do you know where they are?" Cloud asked.

"No," he answered honestly.

Yazoo grabbed Kadaj's arm suddenly, making him look back at him. His elder brother's gaze was intense, but he said nothing. He didn't have to. He knew what thoughts were going through his head, and what he felt. Kadaj nodded briefly, before Cloud reached down and helped lift the younger brother to his feet.

"We need to find them," the blonde said.

"What about Genesis?" Yazoo asked, "What are you going to do about him?"

"I'll let Vincent handle that. Right now, all I care about is getting everyone out of here."

"Wait!" Kadaj said, grabbing his arm and keeping him from walking out of the room, "You don't know what's going on here. It's not what you think."

A brief flash of light filled the cavern, sparks erupting in the air as the heat from the strike grazed his skin. Vincent quickly leapt out of the way, continuing to move as the man before him attacked relentlessly. His blade swung left and right before him, the metal glowing with an intense energy. His eyes shone with an unstable joy, his movements betraying his madness.

Vincent lifted his arm, the blade slamming into the metal of his gauntlet. The force of the strike reverberated up his arm, the metal of his arm bending and hurting him. He quickly ducked low, avoiding the swipe taken for his head. He jumped back, soaring through the air to put some distance between him and his opponent. But Genesis followed him, keeping the space between them minimal, keeping Vincent on the defensive continuously.

He fired Cerberus, the bullets bouncing off the ex-SOLDIER's blade, or missing him entirely as he swerved to avoid them. He drew into Vincent again, swinging his red sword upward. It sliced through the front of his cloak, just barely missing his flesh. Vincent used Cerberus to deflect the next blow, then spun around and struck Genesis with his foot. The red-clad man blocked the blow with his arm, before jumping back to avoid the swipe Vincent took with his claw.

Genesis' foot collided with his abdomen, sending him tumbling backward. He landed on his feet, jumping back just in time as Genesis' flaming blade struck the ground before him. He landed a level above him, using the height to his advantage and firing at him again. Genesis effortlessly diverted the bullets, before drawing back his hand. With a quick thrust forward, fire shot from his palm.

Vincent moved again to avoid the flames. Genesis leapt onto the cliff to join him, his blade once again grasping for his flesh. His blade clashed with Cerberus again, the both of them pressing against each other in a battle for dominance. The fire ignited in Genesis' hand again, and Vincent had no time to avoid it before Genesis slammed his hand into his chest. The force of the blast singed his clothing, as he flew across the cavern. He landed harshly on his back, rolling several feet before coming to a stop. Pain from the blast racked his body, his thoughts disoriented from the intensity of his crash.

"There is no hate...only joy," Genesis said, as he landed before him.

Glaring angrily, Vincent pulled himself to his feet. Genesis was on him before he even rose completely. He struck him in the head with his fist, causing Vincent to stumble but not fall. His blade sliced him across the arm, the pair searing but not debilitating. Vincent blocked his next strike with his left arm, firing simultaneously with his gun. The last cluster of bullets hit their mark, piercing Genesis' stomach.

The ex-SOLDIER jumped away from him, stumbling with shock. He placed his hand over the bleeding bullet wounds, looking at them as if he couldn't comprehend them.

Vincent let Cerberus fall to the ground. Genesis started at the sound.

Energy surrounded Vincent, glowing and shifting as it engulfed his body. Genesis stared in wonder as in an instant, the flash of energy transformed his body. Vincent no longer stood before him, but instead Galian Beast. His shock turned to understanding.

The beast's animalistic howl filled the cavern, telling of his anger. The same fire that Genesis had directed at him how flew from his hands, engulfing the ex-SOLDIER as he stood before him. Genesis shielded his face, the blasts bombarding him one after another. Galian Beast howled again, and Vincent gave into the unintelligent rage that filled him. He let the beast drive his body without consent.

He closed in on Genesis, striking before he had time to defend himself. The blade was knocked from his hand, and he was defenseless as he struck him. Again and again, he bombarded him with his powerful hands, injuring him, breaking down his defenses with every indiscriminate strike. It was done in an instant, and the ex-SOLDIER had no hope of withstanding him.

With one last powerful blow, Genesis was thrown across the room. He crashed hard against the wall, the rock shattering from the impact. His body fell to the cave floor, broken.

Galian howled once more, before the energy withdrew from his body. Transformed again, Vincent now stood in his place, breathing heavily, exhausted. Lifting Cerberus back from the floor, he went up to Genesis, his weapon poised to fire.

Genesis was unmoving.

Vincent pulled the phone from his belt, quickly dialing the number. Tseng's familiar voice answered on the other end. "You can move in."

Vincent watched as the Turks swarmed the cavern, Tseng issuing orders among them. Several of their personnel were on Genesis, holding him down and binding his hands. But the ex-SOLDIER was still unconscious, and would have no chance of putting up a fight when he did awaken. Vincent watched them with a detached air, lingering for only a moment. With a nod to Tseng, he turned and continued his trek further into the cavern.

The place ran deep, in multiple directions, but it wasn't long before he found himself in a man-made structure-a place that was constructed of corridors and rooms. He found the lab first, and entered cautiously, ready for anything he may find.

He wasn't ready for the sight of Weiss in the tank. Shocked and terrified, he watched the man float around, unaware and unconscious. He couldn't even tell if he was alive, but his presence there was unsettling enough. Just a few years ago he had tried destroying the world. That his body was even being sustained was unthinkable, and dangerous.

"Vincent?"

The sound of Shelke's voice startled him. He spun around, surprised to find her laying on top of one of the tables. She was weak and confused, as she looked around the lab. Vincent ran up to her, examining her for any sigh of injuries. There was a bandage on her arm, but nothing more.

"Shelke, are you alright?" he asked. He helped her sit up, and she nodded her answer, her hand going to her head.

"I'm fine," she said. Her eyes went to Weiss, her unease clear on her face.

"It's alright," he said, "You're safe now."

"Where is everyone?" she wondered.

"I don't know. But we'll fine them. Can you walk?"

She nodded again, swinging her legs over the side of the table. He took her arm to steady her, but the moment she stood on her feet, her legs gave way. Vincent caught her before she could fall to the floor. "I'm fine," she said, trying to stand again.

He didn't give her the opportunity to convince him. He simply picked her light body up in his arms.

"Vincent..."

He took her out of the lab, back the way he had come. Halfway through the corridor, Tseng came to meet them, a pleased expression on his face. "Cloud found the others," he informed.

Vincent doubled his speed to get back to the main cavern, not bothering to hand Shelke over to someone else. He carried her all the way there, his place slowing when he saw the familiar crowd of Cloud, Yuffie, Reno, and the three remnants.

Yazoo was lowering Reno to the ground, after having to carry the wounded Turk there on his back. He looked in pretty bad shape, but Rude was over him, obsessively trying to tend his wounds while the red-head cursed at him. Vincent went to join them, cautiously lowering Shelke to her feet.

"That's everyone," Cloud commented.

"The Turks are securing the place," Vincent said, "They'll take care of everything here." He glanced briefly in the direction of the lab.

Kadaj gazed across the room at Genesis, as two of the Turks lifted his unconscious form from the floor and carried him toward the exit. His eyes were glued on him, until Vincent grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him forward. His eyes widened in surprise when the man grabbed him by the head, looking directly into his eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asked. Among the concern, there was fear.

"I'm fine," he assured, "Really." He was aware of what he was looking for.

"He's himself," Yazoo added.

Vincent sighed, his hand going back to the boy's shoulders. He offered him a nod, before glancing over the other brothers. All of them were in need of a good lecture, and somehow he needed to impress on them the importance of listening to him.

But there would be time for that later. Right now, he was just relieved that they were all safe, and together again.

A/N: Okay...confession time. There's only two (possibly three) chapters left. The ending kinda snuck up on me. And well, I guess it's obvious I can't finish the story in two chapters, so...

Basically, I'm asking you all if you want another sequel. *nervous laughter*

So, please review. Leave me your comments, your thoughts, suggestions. ^_^