AN: As promised here is the next chapter ON TIME :) And thanks to all who took the time to review. A special thanks to those new to the story and who took time to review every chapter starting at the prologue.

"So if we fail…"

"Then this planet will cease to exist, before Jenova can use it as her vessel." Chaos finished.

There was a long moment of silence, than Yuffie spoke, her voice soft.

"You would really kill everything on the planet…all those innocent people?" She almost looked numb.

Cloud responded. It would be better coming from him. "It would be for the best Yuffie."

At her incredulous look he continued, "I was there at the end remember. There was no rebirth, no Omega to carry the planet's Lifestream to the stars. She was too weak in the end. Best she leaves now, while she is still strong."

"You can still stop this," the offer surprisingly came from Chaos. "Get Citadel to awaken. She was created to hold and keep Jenova from entering the Lifestream. If you can do that… well then my time had not yet come."

Sephiroth started giving orders, "We need to split up. Cloud and I will go after Jenova. The rest of you need to intercept the Weapons."

This was met with protests from most everyone.

Cloud though for once agreed with Sephiroth.

"I doubt the Weapons will not be able to sense Jenova. She is using a Weapon's body for a host. They will then see humanity as the threat because of Shinra. It happened last time as well. All of you need to head to the Northern Crater. As Sephiroth said, you need to intercept the Weapons before they reach Juno and Midgar. Or a lot of people are going to die."

"Forget it," Zack said stepping forward, "let the rest take care of it. I'm coming with you."

Cloud shook his head, "This is not your fight Zack."

"She took Arieth! That makes it my fight!" Zack shouted and Cloud actually flinched.

"Zack, please you were my best friend once and…" Cloud ran a tired hand across his eyes, "you trusted her to me then. Can you do that one more time?"

I won't let you down this time. Cloud swore to himself.

Zack's eyes softened and Cloud wondered if some part of him, no matter how small, still remembered their friendship. Or if now when Zack looked at him, all he saw was Rain.

Finally Zack nodded, "You bring them back, both of them."

"Let's do this then! Everyone get on board." Cid barked.

Sephiroth waited until everyone was almost on board the airship before moving. Cloud had looked at him suspiciously, but then saw his intention and moved on ahead.

Chaos was still very much a part of Vincent's physical form, but it seemed a part of Vincent's mind had started to surface. The eyes had changed back to red. Whether Vincent had fought to get partially in control or the demon was letting his host surface was unclear.

However Sephiroth wanted to talk to the man. He might not get a chance later.

"You are my father."

It was not a question, but a statement. But Sephiroth wanted to hear it from the other man's lips.

There was a long pause, and then Vincent slowly inclined his head.

"We were only together once, and then she left for…" the man struggled for words, "by the time I re-awaked you were… it was already too late."

"Too late? For what… being a father?" Sephiroth narrowed his eyes at the man, "Your right it is too late. I don't need a father, never did. But the truth though might have changed my perspective. I might have wanted one, but it's too late now."

Sephiroth started to walk past the man. However a clawed hand shot out to grasp his arm.

The man did not look at Sephiroth however the words were filled with regret "Know that…it was not that I did care. I was always watching out for you, just in the only way I thought I could."

Sephiroth understood the unspoken meaning. Watching from where a monster belonged, in the shadows. Sephiroth had come through seeing himself as a monster, he wondered if this man ever would though.

"Sephiroth," Vincent's voice once again took on the gravel tone that meant Chaos was not far off.

"Remember you know Jenova better than anyone. You know what it will take to weaken her. Cloud will need your strength. He will not be able to face this alone."

Sephiroth nodded, "I know, he is not alone."

Arieth sat by the edge of the pool and watched the creature in the water in silence.

This was not Rain. The presence coming from the form of Rain almost made Arieth sick. The Planet…it was in a state that terrified Arieth, even more then the creature in front of her. Not even the surroundings could comfort her.

Normally the Forgotten City comforted Arieth. It sang with memories of those of the past, her people. This place remembered them and strove to give peace and strength to their remaining daughter.

For some reason though, it had always brought out a sense of sadness, even aguish from Cloud or Rain whenever they came here with her. However Jenova seemed to take pleasure in the waters. Arieth realized something much more must have happened here for the creature to find pleasure in the dwellings of her enemy.

Arieth watched as Jenova ran her fingers through the water, "You were laid to rest here once."

The words for some reason did not surprise or shock Arieth, it seemed so oddly fitting.

The creature watched her thoughtfully, "Do you remember? How much did the planet communicate with you? Their precious flower girl…that is what they used to call you."

The planet had told Arieth nothing of what Jenova spoke off. Yet the feelings Arieth got whenever she was around Cloud or Rain betrayed much. Arieth had always been able to sense far more then what most people did. It was the reason she had gone with the two when Cloud and Rain first appeared in her church all those years ago.

The times the planet spoke to her were few. It mostly came as feelings, awareness of the Lifestream and those close to it. The planet favored those two, its heroes. That is what the planet had called them. During their years together Arieth had begun to piece together enough to know the siblings knew of future events, and it was the planet's doing.

That and the planet's reassurance had been enough for her all these years.

Arieth was sitting on the ground, so she felt the slight tremor that suddenly ran through the ground and she gasped.

Something was happening!

The planet…what was it doing? It had suddenly gone from an almost panic state to an eerie silence and within that silence something was stirring….something Arieth did not like.

"Don't worry," Jenova continued mistaking her gasp, "I don't want kill you this time. You are not the threat to me as you were back then."

Whatever was happening Arieth had no wish to draw the creature's attention to it. "Then why bring me? If it is as you say and you have no intention of killing me."

"It not that I have no intention of killing you, after all you are a child of my most hateful enemy…however this time you are not my target. You are not the threat. My rebellious son is the only real threat to me. His body is strong, terribly so, but his mind is weak. It is why I choose this body instead of my firstborn son. If I was to choose my eldest, he would not hesitate to strike. My daughter though, both my sons treasure and with memories of his past existence starring him in the face…"

Rain's face cracked into a smile that was so unlike Rain, "He will be broken, before I even lay a hand on him. All this, after all, is more now than just taking this planet. If my son refuses to join me…I will give him despair."

The sound of an airship drew both their attention to the sky. In the distance Arieth recognized Highwind. However it did not descend for a landing. Instead two figures dropped down before the craft began to move off, heading north.

Jenova emerged from the water and quickly grabbed Arieth by the back of the neck with one hand while the other ripped Arieth's ribbon from her hair.

"Ah, they are finally here."

Cloud and Sephiroth appeared at the forest's edge. They only stopped once they reached the water's edge, on the other side of the pool. Both men's faces were set and hands resting on the hilts of their blades.

"Oh dear," Jenova made a sound of disproval with her tongue. "I don't like those faces."

"Let Arieth go." The words were spoken quietly from Cloud, yet there was strength behind the soft tone.

"Is that how you talk to your mother? Really…how imprudent you both always are! Very well, if that is your answer."

Jenova's hand was still on the back of Arieth's neck, while the other hand began to twirl Arieth's pink ribbon between her fingers.

"You remember this ribbon don't you Cloud? You used to wear one just like this on your arm. You and all your friends as a tribute to the one you could not save. You speak so boldly now, but I wonder… what will you give to make sure it does not happen again?"

Jenova drew Rain's blade, "I even made sure she would have the same grave."

Cloud's face paled and those eyes.

Arieth saw those haunted eyes he would sometimes get, eyes that only Rain could draw him out from. Now it was Rain or her face which was the one causing those eyes and there was no one to draw him back out.

Tears streamed from Arieth's eyes, when Sephiroth reached out and laid a hand on Cloud's shoulder. Arieth saw Cloud start violently as if he had forgotten Sephiroth was even there.

Slowly Cloud turned his head to look at the General and Arieth saw his expression change. It was as if he found himself and become strong again. It was then that Arieth made a decision.

She would not be the one to cause that look again and so she moved.

AN: So the next chapter is all ready and will be posted in two weeks. Thanks again to all those who reviewed and please keep your feedback coming. It is greatly appreciated.