Something was warm against my leg. Every other part of me was freezing cold. It was a cold that came from inside, and burned like fire, but so cold. It tingled and hummed in a terrible way, rattling the bones and raising the hairs on the skin. The feeling was a mix of self loathing, guilt, helplessness, and confusion. Where am I?
I suppose it doesn't matter anymore. Who knows how long I've been asleep… he might be dead already.
Even as I shivered terribly, I told myself not to think that way. There had to be a hope… had to be a way… there must be something. The warmth on my leg moved.
Slowly, my swollen eyelids lifted, painstakingly slowly. I noticed I was in a library, small and circular, sitting at a desk and right across the way was the entrance. The warmth was Furball rubbing against my leg. The cat appeared and disappeared as if he were magic.
Groggily, I glanced around. There he was, the one who'd swept me away from Shinra's tight, slimy clutches. I wished he'd swiped Reno and Rude too.
"Vincent?"
When he stood, I knew it really was him. A small warmth spread amongst the cold in me, yet the terrible numbness of having lost all hope was still there, easily noticed. I wouldn't have been surprised if Vincent had walked up to me, his crimson cloak swaying about him, and asked me when it was my flesh became ice and my heart a shriveled, hopeless thing.
The tall man didn't speak, but placed something on the desk. I glanced over. It was the file Rufus had handed me, with no explanation whatsoever.
"I suppose the story you told me near Nibelheim … had some blanks in the chapters" His words weren't an accusation, merely a statement. I nodded, not totally listening, almost asleep. I wished I were asleep.
"What time is it?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.
"11:09 exactly" Vincent sat across from me in an old, cobweb covered leather chair. "This is the basement beneath Nibelheim Mansion. My home" Glancing around, Vincent seemed nostalgic. "This library is the very place where Sephiroth learned 'the truth' about the Cetra and his 'mother' Jenova" He stood and moved around. "Jenova was locked away here"
"Oh" I mumbled. "No wonder she's so irritating right now"
"What Sephiroth learned" Vincent did a sweeping turn towards me. "Was a half truth. And just like him, you know a half truth. You know half of the reason of why you're here. But it is so much deeper than you know."
A few days ago, that would've intrigued me. Why couldn't someone have said that to me sooner? But still, I was respectful, and I looked up at him. But he could read my eyes; He's gone forever. Nothing matters now.
"How long have you housed Sephiroth?" Vincent asked me.
Shrugging, I thought back. "Couldn't be more than… two or three months. Not very long. But I …"
"You knew him. Before…" Vincent muttered.
"You know about … what happened?"
"In parts" His voice as dark and melodramatic as ever, Vincent's piercing red eyes gazed up at me through fluttering black hair. I shivered. "After Cloud first defeated Sephiroth here in this Mansion, and he fell into the Lifestream and into slumber, he found you in the plane of Dreams."
"At first, he planned to use you, feeding off of your soul to be able to project himself until he was strong enough to awaken again. And you didn't mind; anything for company to escape the dark pit of loneliness."
"I'm sorry" Whispering, I clutched my shoulders. Furball had leapt into my lap, curling up against me.
"Don't. I too have done insane things to escape… that which I run from. Loneliness hurts everyone…"
As I bit my lip and glanced up at him, I wondered how he'd come by this information. Vincent always seemed to know a lot.
"So… what's going on now?"
"It seems that when you ran from Sephiroth in the Plane of Dreams, Zack led you to Gaia. Kadaj and his brothers, and your brother and the blonde girl –"
"Crystal" I smiled a little.
"It seems they raced after you immediately. But Sephiroth, utterly devastated by his own monstrosity, escaped into the realm of Dreams."
"Kadaj and the others were separated. Crystal and your brother found themselves in Wutai, and they attempted to reach the mainland immediately. Kadaj and his brothers arrived in Edge, but had to escape underground into the ruins of Midgar to escape being seen."
"After hearing rumors of Kadaj and the others being sighted, I came to Midgar to see if it was true. I found the three, and they did not fight; Kadaj explained what had happened and why they were here. They said they were looking for you, and the other members of their group."
"At this, I instructed them to immediately join Tifa at Seventh Heaven, and I set out to follow the rumors following you immediately; 'a woman with silver hair, wearing dark clothes, up in the snows of the upper continent'. You weren't hard to find."
"What about Cloud?" I interrupted him out of curiosity. I wondered if Cloud had tried to help me.
Vincent's dark eyes grew darker. "I have not spoken with Cloud for a long time. He disappeared a few weeks ago."
Surprised, I sat up in my chair, and Furball mewed his complaints. "Wait a minute… about when?"
"The end of last month"
About the time I had the dream where Cloud and I spoke, I desperately hoped I hadn't caused him any harm.
"Okay, go ahead" I told him somberly.
Vincent seemed to be searching my face; but he nodded and continued. "After I found you, and answered your questions, I allowed you to travel to the continent. Before leaving the North, I made sure to instruct Reno and Rude's team that, as they headed north, to avoid certain paths as they were caved in"
"You sent them after me?"
With a small smirk, Vincent nodded. "Someone had to watch out for you"
"I didn't know where Sephiroth was, and I thought he might know something about Cloud. So, I headed further north, as the rumors had stated that he'd been sighted near the Northern Crater. Yet, I didn't find him. He is amazing at what he does, so I moved on without finding him. He certainly didn't want to be found."
"I see" Nodding, I tried to keep my heart from sinking lower.
"I returned to the bar at Tifa's to see if Cloud had perhaps returned… and was visited by a surprise guest."
Curious a bit, I hoped it was a friend, hoping they were near, just at Tifa's…
"It was Head of Shinra himself" I almost gagged. Vincent actually smiled. "While I was there, Rufus made sure to show me some of this. You have that in front of you, and more."
It was then that the folder in from of the dark haired man came back to me. Glancing down at it, I wondered if I should open it. "Go ahead" Vincent told me, almost reading my mind. "It's about you"
Confused, I reached for the manila folder. Part of me really thought this folder was bad news; especially since Jenova was almost urging me to read it.
With trembling hands, I took the file and unfolded it. Only three pages were in it. One was a photo, small, dated a few years ago. Another was a file of information, and the other a timeline. There was a fourth page, but the bottom corner was badly burnt. Behind all that was a photo, but I didn't look at it yet.
"The information is about a woman who arrived on this planet a few years ago" Vincent told me. "A few months before Rufus' father was killed and Sephiroth returned."
April 17th, I went out to investigate a strange pulsing aura that appeared near the Chocobo Farms. Nothing out of the ordinary once I arrived, but the aura was gone. Asked farmers, reported seeing 'odd lights' and 'bursts of color' along with 'a terrible vacuum sound' about 12:15 a.m.
Returned to Midgar puzzled. The aura had a similar feeling to a powerful mako; a materia spell?
April 23rd, aura reappeared, softer than before, and very near Midgar. Left immediately and arrived with aura still present. Shocked to see a huge vortex in the sky! It was like a black hole, blinding in color, flashing all sorts of shades of purple and blue. Ended about 3:15 a.m.
April 23rd, 6:35, reports of a strange woman hobbling into town. Broken arm, concussion, bleeding in the upper neck area and around the scalp; glass embedded in the skin, injuries similar to car crash. Taken to Seventh Heaven Bar and treated by citizens.
April 25th, seems the woman has very little memory, perhaps due to injuries, or the vortex, or both. The energy seems to have been a sort of materia, but none I can recognize.
I skipped a few entries.
June 13th, woman (named Maria), lives with bartender Tifa Lockhart; shows no significant aura or powers, and no memories returned.
Was unable to write due to interruptions; Sephiroth returned and attacked Shinra. It is Nov. 16th; Maria is traveling with a close friend, Aerith Gainsborough. She travels with a group of rebels.
With Aerith, Maria seems to have gained a surrogate sister/daughter, and she has begun to show some talent. Has absolutely no ability to use materia, and cannot cast magic. She also seems close to Cloud Strife, head of the rebels. Perhaps he has seen me twice during this journey.
There was blood on the next entry, and a rip through the page. Whoever had been writing had gotten hurt, or something had happened.
Maria has still no memory, Aerith died three months ago. Is engaged and plans to marry in December. Lives in Edge, and works with the WRO.
The aura from her first arrival has appeared many times now, once when Aerith died, once when Sephiroth activated the black materia, and again when Sephiroth died. It seems the aura is that of extreme magic; this does not make sense as Maria has no magical abilities at all.
Was able to trace the aura to the Northern Crater
Blinking, I looked at the page again. I squinted. "There is no more" Vincent watched me grow confused in silence. Flipping the page over, I then let my eyes fall onto the photograph, a sharp gasp escaping my throat.
"What does it mean?" I shouted, standing. The cat flew from my lap and onto the floor hairs on end. In anger I kicked my chair aside. Vincent didn't seem surprised but then he never did.
"Why?" Confused and rattled I shoved the photograph in Vincent's pale face.
"Why is there a picture of my mother in this file!?"
Bitterness is like cancer.
It eats upon the host.
But anger is like fire.
It burns it all clean.
Maya
Angelou
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"What does this have to do with saving Sephiroth?" I mumbled. Vincent leaned down near me.
"Because, the woman Maria was thought to perhaps have been the secret to defeating the "mother". She wasn't. But there's a chance you are."
"Why not Crystal? Or Jamie? Why me? They're from a different world too, they're from Earth!"
"You and Maria had something in common" He told me. "You both – "
"STOP CALLING HER MARIA!" I shouted eyes clouded with tears. "HER NAME'S REBECCA! REBECCA!"
How Vincent could be so patient with me, I don't know. He placed a hand on my shoulder. I quieted down.
"We have to understand this to save Sephiroth" Vincent muttered. "For as long as Jenova's around, he'll never be free"
"I hate you" I muttered, knowing very well she was laughing at me, my misery. "I want to kill you"
"There must be a way we can" He told me. "We'll find a way. Now, Rufus has delayed the execution so that we could prepare –"
"Rufus?" I wondered surprised. "Why is he helping?"
With a thoughtful look, Vincent paused in his words. "In his own words, he told me – retribution." Standing, he shrugged his lean shoulders. "I don't suppose I know what he means"
"I still don't like him" I muttered. But I stood too.
"Come on" He told me. "Tifa's waiting."
"What – what are we going to do?" I whispered.
Smirking over his shoulder, Vincent swung the door wide for me. "We're going to interrupt an execution"
0-0-0-0-0-0
As I clung to Vincent's chest and he soared through the air, I wondered why I hadn't realized it sooner. It didn't really make a difference, it was just curious to me. A small serene smile on my lips in the way of a tiny light of hope in misery, I mulled over the thoughts.
It was so strange why Zack had watched over me. I wondered why he had. I suppose he felt like he should, after the near death car crash he'd saved me from. Now I really knew. He'd known that I would grow up to make his old friend happy, if only for a little while. Somehow, it was fate, that I would meet Sephiroth.
Part of me felt like I'd lost my mother all over again. Another wanted to forget I ever had a mother.
(mother mother mother love me mother where did you go I stole your mother mother's dead take away my curse)
0-0-0-0-0-0
As we flew I tried to put the pieces together.
It started when I was born and almost killed that day as a child; Zack Fair died in my place and began watching over me, for no reason I can really believe but fate.
Then, years later, my mother was killed in a car crash. According to Rufus' file, she or someone who looked like her arrived in Midgar almost two and a half years ago, before the events of Final Fantasy VII, but close to the beginning of the game. She had no memory, and Tifa took her in.
Even though a lot of holes were in the paper, it seemed that, though the character wasn't mentioned in the game, "Maria" traveled with the group, either for the whole time, or part of it. She had no powers.
I also had to think back to the temple, where I found the necklace that looked like something had been removed from it. I wondered if it had meant anything to Aerith.
We began our descent at the edge of Edge, so as to not draw attention. The cold metal of Vincent's clawed hand grasped mine, and I jumped. A little surprised, realization came over the cold man's face, and he turned to face me and offer his other hand.
"No" I whispered. "I'm fine, just taken by surprise, that's all"
"Deep in thought?" He wondered.
I nodded.
"Yeah"
I took hold of his golden, frozen hand, and he led me quickly and quietly into the night life of Edge, towards the Seventh Heaven.
Vincent's stature and demeanor drove most away, so we had no trouble making it through the city. As we approached the bar, I tried taking everything it; the sound of patting feet upstairs, running water coming from the kitchen, laughter and humming from all around. This was the busy part of the night, I would think, yet it was empty tonight. I saw on the door a "closed" sign.
Vincent pushed the door open and pulled me inside, not missing a beat even as the children gasped in delight and ran to him. Behind the bar, a woman looked up, a serious determination in her eyes, and she began shooing the children upstairs. She was easily recognizable as the busty beauty of Final Fantasy VII; Tifa.
I hadn't truly disliked her, but something about her intimidated me. Perhaps it was the freedom in her personality; in the part of my heart I held fear and hesitation, she had a friendly smile and open arms. Not even Sephiroth had warmed that part of me. I bit my lip.
As the little children ran up, I noticed more than a few glancing at me, and I noticed fear. They were afraid of my silver hair, and the memories it triggered; all but one. There she was, a little older than in the movie, but by half a year. It was Marlene, protectively being pulled by Denzel towards the stairs. Her innocent, fascinated eyes were on me, until they disappeared from sight behind the wall.
I felt Vincent let go and step aside, and suddenly I felt very naked in front of this woman so much braver than me. I felt so weak.
But of course; there was her kind smile. "Hi; I'm Tifa. You're Samantha, right?"
"Uh… you can call me... Sam" I stuttered slightly, feeling my hands shake a little. But I got down to business. "Where's Sephiroth right now? What are we planning?"
Tifa didn't point out my eagerness; instead she led me to the pinball machine. I was a little confused until it turned into an elevator that led Vincent, Tifa, and I into a secret basement.
As the wheels turned and we went into the earth, I heard a few more voices. Barely, I could recognize one, and I smiled; finally someone not so intimidating, yet still so cool. The accent and cursing had to be Cid from the movie. I hoped so. He'd reminded me of my beloved uncle. I wondered if he smelt like him too, smelt like smoke.
Sure enough, I turned and the first thing I saw was a tuff of blonde hair and a big grin, with a cigarette in his hand. Part of me wanted to smile; but the happiness button in my heart had frozen over. Have to Save Sephiroth
The three of us stepped out, and a few other people were there; I didn't truly recognize them. One had dark hair and was in a suit. Another was an old man, which was strange, since I'd heard nothing of an old man in the movie at all.
Shyly, I stepped out, but stepped back to allow Vincent and Tifa to be front of me. Vincent stepped back into the shadows and Tifa stood over by the table and smiled over at me. "Everyone, this is the girl, Sam…"
"W – Wiley" I told them. My entire lower arm was shaking.
"Hey, kid, no need to be jittery, we don't bite" Cid grinned and winked, and a part of me felt warmer. Cid made me feel secure.
"Well, this is part of our group" Tifa began. "I'm afraid we couldn't all be here since we're all… well…"
"Doing different missions?" The one in the suit smirk kindly. Tifa gave him a look.
"The smart ass is Reeve" Cid introduced the one in the suit and he waved at me with a fatherly smiled. I kind of liked him.
"And I am Bugenhagen!" The old one laughed. I noticed he was floating on a … green ball. Shaking my head, I wondered if I'd start seeing dragons and unicorns next.
"Nice to meet you" Summoning all my fleeting courage I dropped the small talk. "Where's Sephiroth?"
Almost immediately, I noticed Cid's hand went to his harpoon, ready to fight, but Tifa put a hand on his shoulder. His eyes went wide and he laughed sheepishly. "Hehe… sorry. Old habits, you know"
This was not looking good.
"Sephiroth is being held underground in the prison below the Gold Saucer, and it's at the Saucer that they're gonna kill em" Cid told me. The others didn't seem too teary eyed over it, but there was a terrible sadness amongst them.
"So what's the plan?"
"At the moment, Yuffie is in the Saucer with Barret" Tifa said, sitting down at the table with a world map in front of her. A little braver, I stepped up and joined them. Reeve politely scooted down so I could sit, so I shyly sat beside him.
"My Grandson, Nanaki, is near Nibelheim" Bugenhagen began. "A few Shinra soldiers have been messing around with the technology there, and we don't think Rufus knows about it"
"So, somebody's pulling the strings?"
"Well, we know Rufus didn't originally want Sephiroth killed in front of everybody. He wasn't even going to let the public know he'd come back. Somebody let it leak" Reeve said. "I know; I may not work at Shinra anymore, but Rufus has told me as much."
"Here's our master plan!" Cid cheered.
All right guys…
Masamune has been placed in that crazy guys museum; you know, the one who owns the Saucer and has all those treasures? The sword's been added to his presentation so our master ninja is gonna steal it back.
While that happens tonight, we'll all be ready to get Sephiroth out of there. I'm going to ask to visit Sephiroth in his cell with Reeve. While that happens, Vincent will help Cid get into the control room. They're going to fix the camera to look like Sephiroth is still in his cell even though Reeve and I are gonna bust him out.
Reno and Rude are going to be with Rufus the whole night, but at shift change, Tseng and Elena take over, and Reno and Rude will come get us out of the prison. At this point, Vincent will be in Sephiroth's cell pretending to be him, and we'll take the real Sephiroth out of there.
"Wait, I don't get it. Why do you guys want to help him?"
…
For the first time, Vincent spoke up.
"None of you need come with me. But this must be done if I am ever to atone"
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
I can forgive, but I cannot forget,
Is only another way of saying, I will not forgive.
Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - torn in two, and burned up,
So that it never can be shown against one.
Henry
Ward Beecher