3rd POV:
''Let's go. This way,'' Cloud ordered as they turned around a corner in the hallway and took the emergency stairs to enter Shinra HQ in the first place. The others followed behind him.
They hurried down the stairs and while doing so, Shelke spoke in their head piece, informing them that someone was about to intercept them, at the end of the stairs, unless they get off earlier on another floor.
''Who?,'' Zack asked.
''Tseng.''
''I want to meet him,'' Aerith told them.
''What?! Why?,'' Barret demanded to know.
''I need to know something. Only one thing,'' she told them,''Is he alone? Any traps?''
''No,'' Shelke replied,''He is alone. He looks expectant.''
''I don't like this. But make it quick,'' Cloud ordered her.
---
''Aerith,'' Tseng nodded.
''Did you know? About my mother?,'' Aerith asked him directly. All of them ready for battle, just in case.
''...,'' Tseng turned his head to look down and avoid her eyes.
''You promised you buried her,'' Aerith's voice cracked and she stepped back, gripping her fists.
Tsneg sighed and threw something yellow at them suddenly. Barret immediately wanted to shoot him on instinct, but Zack and Cloud who had faster reflexes acted quicker. Zack pulled his gun arm down, both not wanting to have a confrontation right now. Aerith caught the yellow Materia.
''Your Store Materia. All your stuff is still in there,'' Tseng assured her.
''I don't get it. Why are you helping us?,'' Tifa asked.
''The Turks job is to ensure that nothing harms the companies interest,'' Cloud added.
''That is true. But what are these interests, hmm? When Sephiroth was still alive most of our efforts was directed to ensuring he had ties to Shinra. A home, friends that called this place home, a sense of fulfillment, adoration and adulation. Of course, certain partied made that difficult. Hojo mostly.
The fact of the matter is, that Sephiroth was a force of nature. I don't know how or why, but Nox is the same. There is little we can do about that. There are only two ways to beat a force of nature. You fight it with another force of nature or you get smart. I would harm Shinra's interest more, by continuing to fight. Better cut our losses and recuperate to fight another day,'' Tseng explained to them.
''So you don't know?,'' Zack asked him.
''Know what?,'' Tseng asked with confusion.
''If you knew or suspected that things would turn out this way, why not tell the President? Why not try to stop him and advise a better path? Why drop the plate?,'' Cloud quickly fell into their conversation. No need to tell Shinra or Tseng that Sephiroth is back.
''Because he is a mutt, that is why,'' Barret answered in his stead,''Shinra says jump and he barks and jumps as high as he can.''
Nanaki cast Barret a dry look, but let them continue their conversation.
''If it helps you, then you can think of me as such. I would not recommend going through the same way that you came in. A fight is about to break out. No? The battle will be chaotic and you may risk stumbling on an Infantry Troop-''
Almost as if on cue the building shook.
''-On floor 3 there is a display of former Shinra transport models. Take one or two and then drive through the window. There is a highway at the level of the floor below, but you do need some speed. Be it success or failure, I'm sure you will survive. Far better then getting caught, I would argue,'' Tseng continued calmly.
''He is right,'' Shelke told them through their earpiece.
They all backed a little slowly towards the emergency stairs as the building shook again.
''You broke your promise to me..., but I also won't forget all the times you helped and saved me when I was younger,'' Aerith said, finding her voice again and then turned around to run up the stairs, the other following after her.
Tseng sighed and watched them run off. He adjusted his gloves and walked off, ready to report to the new president.
He wasn't lying when he said the Turks worked to protect Shinra's interests.
A MASSIVE difference, compared to saying that they worked to protect President Shinra's interests. And Tseng was always one that ...fulfilled orders in...unconventional manners, until directly ordered otherwise.
Like he told Reno, dropping a plate does not earn one friends. And Veld always told him that he should look for loopholes in any order. They were Turks, not machines who followed orders blindly. They still had their own personality and principles.
(It really was a shame that President Shinra ordered him directly to drop the plate and not to finish off AVALANCHE.)
So, it was high time for a change in leadership.
Now, he would have liked if he knew more about Rufus' personality, but alas the man had few friends and kept most things close to his chest.
Still, Tseng doubted that Rufus' will be as monumentally stupid as his father.
If nothing else this attack will serve as a wake up call, hopefully, to remind those at Shinra that there is ALWAYS a bigger fish and that they can't just do as they please. Not all the time, at least, and not THAT blatantly evil either.
''Good luck, Aerith,''
---
Cloud and Zack took a motorcycle, while the rest climbed into a mini truck. Barret and Nanaki in the cargo bed, while Aerith and Tifa took the cockpit.
''Ready yourselves,'' Cloud told them and slammed his Iron Blade into the ground to spin around a few times with the bike and then delivered a slash while letting go and driving towards the window. The slash delivered an Aero arc and smashed the window.
Zack and Tifa, who was driving the mini truck drove after him and all landed on the highway.
They drove off into the distance, just passing a glance when they saw Bahamut burst out of the building, but then focused back on the road.
...
They stopped near the edge of Midgar, at a toll booth. For one to wait for Nox, but also because the highway ended not shortly past the booth.
In the distance Shinra HQ was smoking and on fire in some spots. After some time they looked up when the sky was swallowed up by an orange ball of flame.
''Damn,'' Barret muttered as he stumbled back.
Cloud looked at the sight weirdly in awe, wishing he could do that too-
-
The surrounding buildings were on fire, everyone dead, burned to a crisp. Sephiroth stood amidst the flames, giving him a confident smirk and then turned around to walk and disappear into the flames.
-
''Are you alright?,'' Tifa asked him and looked at him with concern, the others giving him the same attention too.
When did he start griping his face? Oh and the fire in the sky was gone.
''I'm fine.'' Cloud told them confidently. The awe gave way to a crawling feeling of dread.
What if Nox turns out like Sephiroth?
Cloud released a short breath. He will stop him, like he did Sephiroth, Cloud thought with determination. Although, he now needed to stop Sephiroth. Again.
Tifa frowned, not looking convinced, but she didn't press him. Nor did the others.
Shortly after that incident Nox arrived quickly and touched down, thanks to Shelke pinpointing the others thanks to their PHS and giving him the location.
''One moment,'' Zero told them and went behind the booth to change from his outfit.
''So, what now?,'' Tifa asked around.
''I don't know about you, but I need to stop Sephiroth again,'' Cloud told them.
''What do you mean 'Again'? You telling me your scrawny ass was the one who 'killed' Sephiroth in Nibelheim?,'' Barret asked him with disbelief.
''He was. I was there too and was beaten, but he chased after him,'' Zack interfered. It didn't sit right with him to continue the charade. But he supposed it was the truth, just not ALL the truth.
Barret made a sound, a little embarrassed at how wrong he was.
''Told you, I was SOLDIER First Class,'' Cloud replied as if that explained everything. He crossed his arms and gave Barret a confident look.
''I guess,'' Barret muttered and rubbed his head.
He moved on from this conversation and turned to address Nox.
''What Tifa asked. What now? Do we chase after Sephiroth or what?,'' Barret asked him.
''Before we continue our conversation, we should get moving. We can talk while we walk, but it is better to not tempt fate and have Shinra take notice of us, even if,'' Aerith gave a brief look at Shinra HQ in the distance,'' Well... you know. Since we are in the same boat, I think it is important to all be on the same page, regarding information and stuff. Right?''
Aerith turned to look at Nox, who nodded, having nothing more to add.
''Jenova and Sephiroth need to be stopped,'' Nox explained to them and they all began walking, trying to make their way off the highway.
''And what about this guy over here? What do you plan on doing?,'' Zack asked and pointed at Nanaki who was pretty quiet since they escaped Shinra HQ.
''Though I am grateful that you saved me, I have no means to reward you. I will start making my way to Cosmo Canyon and should you ever pass by, come seek me out and I shall reward you,'' Nanaki told them. He didn't want to get involved in whatever task they set themselves up to.
''Why not travel with us? Us chasing Sephiroth and Jenova means that we will stop by Cosmo Canyon anyway,'' Aerith offered him.
''Hmm. You're offering to be travel companions with me,'' Nanaki thought about it for a moment,''I suppose I can accept.''
Only up till they arrive at Cosmo Canyon anyway.
''I get why we need to stop Sephiroth, Tifa told me what he did to her hometown, but why do we need to stop Jenova? I never even heard the name so what or who is she?,'' Barret asked.
Nox opened his mouth about to answer, until he saw a black feather fly down from the sky. He pulled out his sword from the Store Meteria and the others followed him suit and immediately after wards Whispers began to circle them all. At the end of the highway a sort of white gate opened.
''Not them again,'' Zack whined.
'Careful, this is when I lost my memories. It's a trap,' 'Aerith' told her variant.
''And how will the trap play out?,'' Aerith thought back.
'Don't cross the gate. Sephiroth sees himself as a god. That is the most important information you need to know about him. He will like to chose the battlefield, the traps, to be the one always in control. Deny him ALL of that and never play his games,' 'Aerith' explained.
''We can't go through that white portal,'' Aerith told them.
''Are you sure?,'' Barret asked her and took another look at the portal,''Sure looks inviting to me. And the Whispers don't give us any other way out.''
''That is what he want us to think,'' Aerith replied and she gripped her staff.
''Who?,'' Nanaki asked.
''Sephiroth.''
A few more black feathers descended from the sky. Zack and Nox noticed it too, but Cloud was the closest and could act the quickest.
He blocked an attack aimed at Barret's back and pushed the attacker away, making him land some meters away from them.
''Sephiroth. I killed you,'' Cloud bit out and entered his stance.
Sephiroth flicked his katana, the metal cutting the air sharply from the speed and he looked down at the them with a confident smile, clothes and hair blowing in the wind.
''Did you?,'' he challenged him.
''I killed you once. I'll kill you again,'' Cloud insisted.
Sehpiroth briefly looked him up and down.
''Show me,'' he mockingly encouraged him.
Nox intervened and scoffed.
''Oh, please. The only reason you're alive is because of Hojo's project Reunion. How amusing. A lab rat in life as he was in death and I guess in life again,'' Nox cut through the tension and mocked him back.
''Ah, yes. The aberration. How does it feel to know your existence is so reviled that you only exist in this universe?,'' Sephiroth asked him. He knew that the others already knew about the Whispers, thanks to Cloud (or more accurately the Jnova cells inside him) and soon enough they will know about different timelines anyway. Even if he did steal their memories, some information will still be retained, because the Planet will inform them.
That is fine, he just needed most memories gone and, of course, the little interloper. He was a little surprised, she still had the courage to fight after he killed her in the 'original' timeline and 'killed' her in her own timelines too.
Oh, well, he can use these developments to break their spirits even more.
''Aberration?,'' Nanaki repeated confused and cast a brief look at Nox.
''Hoh? Are you saying that I'm so strong I can exist despite the world trying to erase me? Then kneel before me, little lab rat,'' Nox replied back.
''I couldn't be further from a lab rat if you tried. My mother and I, the Planet belongs to us. We are her gods,'' Sephiroth replied back.
''Please. Everything special about you came out of a bottle.
But it doesn't surprise me that you don't seem to comprehend it. Lab rats can seldom understand the world beyond their little cage. So let me spell it out of you. Gaia ISN'T yours to conquer. Or Jenova,'' Nox scoffed.
(Technically he was correct. The best kind of correct.)
Nox didn't know HOW exactly Sephiroth was made, the documents on that were nowhere to be found at Shinra HQ. But he can imagine that it was still an accurate insult. And that Jenova must be somehow involved.
'Well, I guess there is at least one other person in this group, who we don't need to worry about Sephiroth playing mind games with,' 'Aerith' commented. In a way she was relieved. It meant Nox had more of an own agency in regards to how he used his time loop ability and Sephiroth couldn't trick him.
The dread she was feeling the moments Sephiroth indicated that he knew Nox was the one with the time traveling ability, disappeared a little because of that.
Come to think of it, how does it even work? Does he just wish for it and then time turns back or...
No. Now is not the time. Focus.
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes just a little bit. The insults getting to him a little, not because they were accurate. But because he was a god and yet he was denigrated to the lowest life for imaginable. The fact that someone would even DARE entertain that notion was grating. And he also didn't like how Nox insult his mother.
''How crude. I'm surprised none of you are running like ants. Look, the Planet is even coming to your rescue,'' Sephiroth tried one last time to spring his trap.
''And walk into your trap? We know that gate is your doing,'' Cloud replied back.
Sephiroth's smile widened a little.
So be it.
He jumped forward, and ordered the Whispers to intercept Nox when Zack, Cloud and him jumped to intercept him too.
Only-
Sephiroth's smile dimmed a little as the Arbiters of Fate interfered. The white ghosts beginning to work against his Whispers.
On one hand that was good, because that meant less of a barrier between the world for him to draw memories through, from other worlds. On the other hand-
Nox's Mako tendrils slithered around Masamune and locket it in place. He tried to swing him with the sword into the others, but he locked himself in place with other Mako tendrils. So he was forced to dodge two of the attacks from Cloud and kicked Zack away.
He then tried to cast a spell at Nox only for Aerith to erupt a pillar of earth from the ground and redirect his arm into the hand.
The bullets from Barret Sephiroth just ignored since they were too weak and Nanaki's attempt to cast Silence on him failed due to his own natural magic defense.
Sephiroth was forced to dodge several more attacks and block one as Zack and Cloud came back and Tifa joined them. Sephiroth saw the opportunity and grabbed Tifa's leg when she tried to kick him and swung him into the others.
Nox had to admit. Sephiroth was STRONG. It took considerable effort to lock Sephiroth and himself into place. He couldn't really help in attacking him or else Sephiroth will rip through the Mako Strands if he doesn't keep them as dense as he currently does.
Perhaps that massive fire ball stunt was a waste, as he now had just his usual Mako Strand reserves to work with.
Meh. He worked under worse condition and he had allies.
Aerith was about to cast another spell when 'Aerith' notified her of something.
'Go through the gate,' she told her variant.
'What? Why? Just a second ago you said it was a trap to steal our memories,' Aerith argued in her mind.
'Yes, but that was before the Arbiters of Fate came. They neutralized the trap, but failed to prepare it to turn on Sephiroth when he steps in. Still better then devastating the city. And you NEED to deal with him quickly, because all these Arbiters of Fate being here means that defenses somewhere else got weaker. So go all out inside the domain he prepared. NOW!,' 'Aerith' urged her quickly.
''Guys, after me,'' Aerith called out and ran towards the gate. Barret and Nanaki hesitated for a moment, not knowing why suddenly they were running towards the gate when she told them to be mindful of it previously, but they trusted her. Well, Nanaki didn't have any other option the moment Barret ran after her and the others quickly followed.
Nox stood a little behind to continue and hold Sephiroth in place then he kicked him away and quickly flew into the gate too.
Sephiroth smiled victoriously for but a moment, before his smile turned down and he lightly scowled while looking at Arbiters of Fate around him. The trap already completely failed, but there was not reason to leave. If he left, the Arbiters would return to where they came and bolster the defenses again. And he refused to leave completely empty handed today.
---
They were on some kind of plat form in the air, debris flying and floating around them.
''Ugh, guys?,'' Zack pointed at the MASSIVE black figure flying above them.
''Well, fuck me sideways,'' Barret cursed. He jerked and cursed again as the massive black figures previous black eyes turned purple, seemingly activating.
The party readied themselves to battle it, only for Nox to cut it all short as he flew towards it and evaded and weaved through it's attacks and fingers and entered through it's eye socket. For a brief moment nothing happened until the black figure jerked and then his head exploded. The body began to dissolve and Nox flew back to them.
''That takes care of that, but where is Sephiroth?,'' Cloud asked and looked around.
The sky turned orange as a massive fire ball parted the clouds aside. A similar attack to Nox' own. But in addition to that, tornadoes of fire destroyed some of the floating debris too.
''You just had to ask,'' Zack complained amidst the noises, while they all shielded themselves from the currents of wind and heat.
For a moment most of the party members worried, how they could protect themselves from that attack, but all the fire began being funneled and flown to a single point. Nox immediately understood, what Sephiroth was doing and released a frustrated sigh. The guy was absorbing the Mako of the attack and making himself stronger by it.
Eventually all that fire exploded weakly and turned into black particles with some specks of purple in it. Sephiroth emerged from the explosion and held himself in the air with his black wing, the others readied themselves to fight him.
Sephiroth let some time pass while he was looking down on them from his place in the air.
''Give me the Black Materia, Nox, and I will let you walk away,'' Sephiroth told him and held his hand out.
One looked in surprise at Nox, while the others looked confused.
''The Black Materia is only useful for one thing. To summon Meteor and destroy the planet. Heh, are you saying you are too weak without it? Then put your meager ambitions of world domination to rest, little lab rat,'' Nox mocked him.
Sephiroth's smile widened a little.
''Remember that we started with reason,'' he replied.
''All that up till now was 'reason'?,'' Nanaki asked with disbelief.
Sephiroth lifted his arm up and then flicked his wrist slightly. The buildings began flying immediately up in the air...
And then began descending down on their position.
Aerith immediately cast some Aero spells while she, Barret, Tifa and Nanaki jumped away. The spells she cast redirected most of the smaller buildings. Smaller being comparative to the bigger debris that flew at them. The 'small' debris were still bigger then the church in Sector 5. They landed safely on another platform.
Cloud, Zack and Nox coated their swords in spells and jumped at the debris that Aerith's spells couldn't redirect and began cutting through them, making them into smaller pieces. Now they began getting affected by her spells too, since they were smaller now and one of the pieces landed in the middle of the group that jumped away, forcing them to scatter.
Nox tried to buy them all time, as Zack and Cloud landed on another platform, but Sephiroth flicked his wrist again and a debris flew into him at quick speeds before he could react and they crashed into another debris.
Sephiroth flew down to meet up with Cloud and Zack. For a moment they all had a standoff.
''Don't underestimate Sephiroth, just because you killed him once,'' Zack warned Cloud and readied his Buster Sword.
''I didn't the first time either,'' Cloud replied back and entered his own stance.
Nox exploded from the debris he was previously and tried to fly at Sephiroth again. Once more Sephiroth flicked his wrist, but this time Nox anticipated it and dodged the debris, until Sephiroth had enough and most of the floating debris around Nox descended upon him.
Like matter attracting matter in the vacuum of space, the debris formed into a ball around Nox, the debris too unnumerable to dodge it all, and then Sephiroth cast a special Graviga spell on it to increase the gravity around the debris.
The other party members had to jump from one platform to the next as most of the debris was sucked to Nox' place to trap him. It did have the added benefit that with less debris around the had a better view over the battlefield, so the others quickly saw Zack and Cloud and began making their way over to them.
Zack and Cloud jumped Sephiroth he blocked the first strike and redirected it into the path of Cloud's sword, Masamunes reach easily allowing him to do that, and blocked it too. He pushed them both back with his strength and the split, both going into opposite directions to split his attention the moment the touched ground.
Sephiroth waited patiently until the came back to him again, he dodged Cloud's downward slash to the side and parried Zack's own down ward slash, then immediately moved that parry into a block by letting his arm rotate more and blocked Cloud's next attack without turning to face him. He pushed him back with his strength and parried Zacks side was attack at his throat.
Then he effortlessly dodged Cloud's attack from the back and grabbed his face to throw him up in the air, he began thrusting Masamune once or twice at him to try and pierce him, but Cloud blocked the attack and Sephiroth had to give that up as Zack came back and began attacking him quckly.
Cloud landed back on the ground and was about to join Zack, but he was stopped by the others jumping from above him near him.
''Don't interfere, just provide support from the back,'' Cloud instructed them and then jumped back into the battle.
''Where is Nox?,'' Tifa asked not seeing him. All that debris from previously, not allowing them to see the others. She had a suspicion, but still felt the need to ask.
''My guess would be that he is trapped in that gravity encased ball over there,'' Nanaki dryly replied making her flush.
Hey! She suspected. She just didn't know and wanted to be sure.
''Then what the hell are we waiting for,'' Barret asked rhetorically and began shooting at the ball. His bullets cased with lightning only for them to do nothing.
Aerith looked at the fight between Zack and Cloud versus Sephiroth.
'He is toying with us and stalling for time, because the Arbiters of Fate are still out there fighting the Whispers so long as we are here or else this turns back into a trap again. This allows him to get more memories from the other worlds. Either way he wins,' 'Aerith' pointed out.
'I gathered,' Aerith though back as a reply.
Think. Think!
'You can call to the Lifestream for past warriors to come lend Nox their strength. Considering what he is, he should be able to do that himself, but he is too closed off. I'm sure the will lend us their strength,' 'Aerith' offered and made her variant nod with determination.
''Guys, I have a plan, but I need to pray. You need to defend me,'' she told those closest to her, but the others also heard her because of their enhanced senses.
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes and turned to her, but gave to give his attention back to Zack and Cloud.
They nodded, even if they didn't know what her plan was and moved in front of her, while Aerith knelt and put her hands together in a prayer.
---
Nox tried to struggle, but no matter how hard he tried his body didn't move an inch. he could feel, it wasn't just the debris, Sephiroth did something and his body felt... heavier. Like every movement, even breathing, was a chore and felt slugish. Speaking of breathing, he would probably run out of air pretty soon.
And even his Mako Strands couldn't dig themselves towards any direction.
Think. THINK!
First, his current problem. He was probably at the center of a gravity spell, only ... much stronger then all the ones he encountered or cast before. How does he get himself out of it? He updated his checkpoint the moment they all found Aerith in Shinra HQ, so he was not too afraid to try something and die.
From then up till now, it was just business. Losing THAT was not as devastating to him as the fun he had with Aerith (and he supposed Cloud was there too) back in Sector 6.
Hmm.
More gravity?
Correct him if he was wrong. He was no scientist and was only good in biology and a little in chemistry, he had passable grades in physics, but when something had to much gravity didn't it collapse into a black hole? Or did it have to do more with density? Then again, the more gravity the denser something had to be, so he guessed there was no difference at all. Maybe?
Although, him ending up in a black hole sounded dreadful. Wasn't there some sort of time dilation going on inside of it? Time passes slower inside then outside? Then again, he could always kill himself.
And with him being at the center of this ball? He would definitely end up in the middle of the black hole.
Then again, he once heard that if Earth was ever turned into a black hole, it would only be a smaller then a tennis ball. He could definitely survive a tennis ball sized hole in his body, so long as it was not his head or head he could heal.
...
Yup, he was definitely insane enough to try it.
He began trying it, only to wince and as the debris began applying more pressure on his body, because the density increased. He tried to wear that Mako knight suit again, like he did against Hojo, and while it functioned a little, he had too little Mako left to increase it's own density enough to withstand the density around him.
Yeah, he regrets the stunt with the fire ball a little now.
...
...
!!
---
Tifa jumped high and kicked one of the floating debris at Sephiroth and he slashed at it. But Nanaki cast a fireball to intercept it and before he could slash it, it exploded kicking a dust cloud around him.
He was about to cast Aero when he widened his eyes a little momentarily, because of the information he just got from memories outside of this universe. Or it was more accurate to say he made a connection from the memories he got. That cost him as Cloud and Zack moved through the cloud, both their swords connecting with him.
When the dust settled, his cloth around his chest was cut, but Cloud's attack at his neck, left no mark almost. Whatever damage, infinitesimal as it was, healed naturally and quickly.
Sephiroth moved to attack Aerith ignoring the others around him, to stop her from reinforcing and aiding Nox in his trouble.
He didn't know exactly HOW it worked, but he immediately understood that he needed to kill Nox as quick as possible before he gets to use his ability to warp back time. Either that or seal him, though Sephiroth failed to see how that would stop Nox from using his ability.
It was now that the ball where Nox was trapped began to emit steam and gathered their attention. Sephiroth immediately understood what he tried to do and cast some Ice spells on it.
Cloud understood what was going on too and moved to attack him. Sephiroth jumped away.
''Cast fire on it,'' he ordered the others, aside from Aerith, and then moved to engage Sephiroth again, Zack following after him.
Soon the ball turned into molted lava and Nox burst through it, clad in his green knight suit to resist the heat. Instead of just letting the lava fall to the ground or float around he turned back to it and stretched his hand out starting to absorb the Mako/Mana from that gravity spell.
Barret lifted Aerith up and they all jumped away as Sephiroth created some distance between himself and Zack and Cloud and began slashing through the air a few times, releasing energy arcs that descended upon them.
Nox moved to intercept them, stretching his Mako Strands out and putting them in the way of these arcs, but Sephiroth flicked his wrist again. This time though, Nox just extended more Mako Strands from him and pushed the buildings away from him.
They all regained their footing, as the attack ended. Zack and Cloud landed near Nox, while the others readied themselves to provide support again.
''You throw another building at me, I'm gonna lose it,'' Nox told him and stored his sword to summon his Mako sword spear.
Sephiroth gave him a mocking smile, but didn't attack immediately.
''How many time have we met now?,'' he asked him. He kept his mocking smile, but inwardly he scowled when his mind game didn't seem to affect Nox. He barely reacted as Sephiroth subtly and not so subtly (to those who already knew or suspected, which was only 'Aerith') hinted at Nox' ability.
''Where is Jenova?,'' Nox asked.
''Mother does not concern herself with someone as lowly as you all,'' Sephiroth told them.
''But you do?,'' Cloud challenged.
(''For the record, I just want to state that there is usually not this much talking involved during a battle,'' Nanaki commented to the others from the back.
''You prefer Sephiroth attacking us over us catching our breath?'' Aerith asked him.
''Nevermind. Point taken,'' Nanaki conceded.)
''Tell me, Nox, why concern yourself with these people? You are not human. No one with your abilities could ever hope to be. Have they lied to you, like they did to me, before I found out the truth? I suppose that is the only way these ants could ever hope to beat stronger opponents,'' Sephiroth asked him, deciding to give a small impression of vulnerability to 'connect' with Nox.
He could admit that with someone like Nox at his side would make him unstoppable.
And if that failed. He could kill him. And if THAT failed, he could always infect him with Jenova's cells. He'd hate to do this to his mother, to insult her like that, by giving these people her strength, but in this case she was sure to be agreeable. Then he would have access to Nox' memories.
''There is no point in arguing a fool out of a position they argued themselves in. You already MADE your choice. Whatever reason I give you will call me a fool for not seeing the 'truth' and then we will clash again.
So, really, there is nothing to be gained from wasting time on that. The truth is that I have my worldview and you have yours.
Now, we only need to find out which once is right and which one is dead,'' Nox smiled knowingly behind his green helm.
Sephiroth released a breath of air through his nose. He knew thanks to the memories that mother always had trouble with the more self assured people. People who had no doubts in their conviction, or had a strong will.
He could admit, seeing all the evidence, that Nox was just such a person. Nothing he said or did seemed to get under his skin. Even if he did infect him, there was probably still little to be gained.
Well, there may be something that could get under his skin.
Sephiroth looked at Aerith.
But that was a pointless action to take if Nox wasn't dead and could just undo anything he does or achieves.
Sephiroth hummed.
Suddenly he raised his sword and slashed downward, the scene turning white and blinding everyone from the light.
---
Cloud gasped and turned to look around. He was on some kind of terrain and... he stumbled back as he looked up. Space, the cosmos could be seen hanging above him.
''What is this place?,'' Cloud muttered to himself. As a matter of fact, where was everyone?
''The Edge of Creation,'' replied a voice behind him making Cloud spin around and pull out his Iron Blade.
Seohiroth looked at him with a knowing smile.
Well, no. It was not EXACTLY the Edge of Creation. It was an Illusion of it. He found out about it thanks to the Planet's memories. Access to it was barred for him. He's first need to get more powerful and he already had a few ideas in mind.
''What do you want, Sephiroth?,'' Cloud asked.
''Cloud, lend me your strength. Together we can defy destiny. I will not end. Nor will I have you,'' Sephiroth stretched out his hand.
Cloud stared at the hand and then clenched his fist. He remembered how Sephiroth destroyed his home and his and Nox' interaction in regards to the Black Materia. Even if he didn't exactly know perfectly what that thing was supposed be. Yet.
''Never,'' he said after jumping back and pulling out his Iron Blade.
Sephiroth made a sound of amusement and then summoned Masamune.
''Very well,'' he replied as he entered his stance, Cloud already in it.
For a brief moment, they stood at a standstill. Then they jumped at each other and exchanged a few blows.
Cloud noticed that that Sephiorht spent most of his time parrying, blocking or evading which gave him a boost in confidence making him attack more ferociously.
He attacked sideways to faint and then spun around to attack from the other side, but Sephiroth blocked in time. He was pushed back and then jumped around a few times until he delivered a down ward slash, only to get pushed back again. He run around in a serpentine manner while approaching Sephiroth and then engaged again.
Sephiroth let him have his fun.
He blocked Cloud's sword and pushed him the blade back against his chest, but not enough to cut him or harm him in any other way.
''You are strong,'' Sephiroth lied,''But you can't kill me as you are. Not yet.''
Sephiroth let the implication linger a little and watched as Cloud narrowed his eyes and gripped the handle of his sword tighter in confusion.
Sephiroth pushed him back and Cloud readied himself to defend himself the moment he landed.
Sephiroth closed the distance in an instant and Cloud's Iron Blade flew out of his arm, spun a few times in the air and then embedded itself into the ground.
Cloud turned and stared with disbelief, confusion and fear. He knew he was already dead without a blade against Sephiroth and at his mercy.
But the blow never came.
Cloud was smaller so Sephiroth leaned a little to whisper in his ear.
''Seven seconds till the end. Time enough for you. Perhaps,'' Sephiroth leaned closer,'' But what will you do with it? Let's see.''
Cloud widened his eyes at the cryptic words and turned around, only for Sephiroth to have already disappeared. He stared up at the vast cosmos, before the scene began to turn white and a sharp pain ringed in his ears and head.
''I'm waiting, Cloud.''
---
Sephiroth stared at them from up in the sky.
He was displeased with how events played out, but he didn't leave completely empty handed. The Arbiters of Fate going back to their defensive positions as the Whispers were called off by him. He stared down at Nox.
That one, he could acknowledge, was the most dangerous of the group, even more so then Chaos. Especially if he finds out the truth about what he is. And he was already dangerous even without it only due to one ability.
He needed to be killed quickly. But if he didn't kill him fast enough, then he may trigger his ability. Sephiroth did NOT like not knowing something, but he supposed he was excused this once to be on the back foot. He would have to rectify that before Nox gets even stronger.
Considering the circumstances he would need to outsmart him and lay traps.
And first he needed to find out, how his ability worked. How far could he turn back time? That was the most important question. Probably a few days, but that was only his assumption.
In the grand scheme of things he would only be a small annoyance, after he was done with him.
Then he looked at Cloud and he felt himself starting to get annoyed a little.
The fact that HE killed HIM was insulting. Even more so, since it was from the back.
That was fine. Sure, Cloud was technically a Black Robe. One of the many that Hojo experimented on to make another 'Sephiroth'. He could easily take over his mind, just like he did with this body.
But that was too easy.
He was a little annoyed too, that Zack didn't die or that the Sector 7 plate didn't fall. He would have liked to build Cloud up and then tear him down. By having him fail, at whatever he tried his hand at. To have him break. His mother was everything to him, so Sephiroth would go even further and take everything including his sense of self from Cloud.
While things have diverged VERY strongly, he could still turn it back around in his favor.
...
Sephiroth smirked slightly. More people to care about meant more heartache.
Yes.
He frowned then.
Although, killing anyone would be pointless since Nox could just learn and predict his moves.
Sephiroth hummed. Yes, he needed to take care of him first before doing anything else.
He flew off.
---
''What the...,'' Barret looked around,'' Did we drive him off?''
As a matter of fact, how were they suddenly outside of Midgar?
''No, I know Sephiroth. If we are alive it is because he chose to spare us, for whatever reason,'' Zack replied.
''Cloud?,'' Tifa asked him. She turned around to look at his back and then stepped forward.
Cloud was holding a black feather in his hand and then balled his hand into a fist, the feather bursting into black particles. He was confused and wanted to ask the others if they were also dragged to that place, but he didn't want to seem out of his depth.
''Like I said earlier. I need to stop Sephiroth again,'' he told them.
''Not alone, you won't,'' Aerith puffed her cheeks at him to express her annoyance. After all this time and what happened and what was said, why did he still make it sound like he wanted to do it all alone.
He should learn to rely on others a bit, instead of trying to do everything by himself.
Oh! Did he want to seem dependable or something? She didn't get the same vibes from him that she got from Nox. So his behavior probably wasn't a defense mechanism our of a fear of abandonment.
''Add Jenova to the list too,'' Nox reminded him.
''That is right,'' Zack nodded. He remembered Nibelheim and how Sephiroth talked while he was in the library, back before he snapped and wen psycho.
Cloud opened his mouth, feeling his chest warm a bit.
''Then what are we waiting for? Let's go,'' he told them.
''Not without us, you won't,'' Barret told them.
''If it is a hunt you want, you could use a nose like mine,'' Nanaki added his own Gil.
''Didn't you say you would only accompany us till Cosmo Canyon?,'' Zack asked him.
''That is true. But you heard Sephiroth. Or I suppose Nox. He wants to destroy the whole planet. I will now aid you in stopping him, until we arrive at Cosmo Canyon. Then... we can decide from there,'' Nanaki told them and walked up to him. His heart was already urging him what to do.
It WAS a matter of the planets survival or destruction. But Nanaki would still like his grandfathers council.
''Thank you, RedXIII,'' Tifa expressed her thanks.
''Guess there is a softie under all that fur,''' Zack pumped his fist up and then slapped Nanaki's shoulder.
''Let's mosey,'' Cloud told them and walked ahead.
''Let's mosey,'' Nox repeated completely serious.
''Let's mosey!,'' Aerith pumped her arms up enthusiastically.
''Hell yeah, let's mosey,'' Zack agreed understanding what they were doing. Any army needed morale, so despite the urgency or gravitas of the matter he quickly joined them.
''I agree, let's mosey,'' Tifa giggled lightly.
''Let's go,'' Nanaki joined them as well, not wanting to be left out.
Everyone except Barret and Cloud groaned.
''You ruined the streak,'' Zack complained.
''Sorry, guys,'' Nanakis ears lowered a little.
''I hate you all so much,'' Cloud called back, him walking ahead all of them hiding his small smile.
Barret lagged behind a little and turned towards Midgar.
''Marlene. Just you wait, daddy's coming home real soon. But first he needs to save the planet for you.''
Barret lingered a little and then put on his sun glasses. He ran after them to catch up to them.
---
''The sun is killing me,'' Zack complained as they were all walking at the edge of the road. Their plan was to get to Kalm first since it was pretty close. And then decide from there.
Nox had to agree. Bugs and heat was the most annoying stuff to deal with when traveling, in his opinion.
Wait, this world was magical!
What the hell was he doing still thinking like a plebeian without magic.
''Oh! I could kiss you!,'' Zack celebrated as he saw Nox cast a combination of an Ice and an Aero spell to cool the area around them down. It wouldn't stop them getting a sunburn probably, because UV-waves were still a think... Maybe. He wasn't entirely sure.
But it was still better then before.
''No,'' Aerith grabbed Nox' arm and hugged it tightly,''Mine.''
A little insensitive of a joke, because of who said it and to whom? Maybe. But she didn't mind making such jokes, so long as it was not all the time and in his face. He DID need to move on from her and she was of the opinion that some jokes like this could help him.
''Wait, no. I didn't mean it that way. I didn't mean it that way!,'' Zack denied and shook his hands and arms.
''I guess him constantly following after me when we were young finally makes sense. Don't worry, none of us here are judging you,'' Nox assured him completely seriously.
''Wait, you guys were childhood friends?,'' Tifa asked them.
''Are. Right?,'' Zack asked Nox who nodded.
''We haven't seen each other in years, but we are still friends,'' Nox easily replied.
''You have friends,'' Barret mocked him.
''You carry these sun glasses tp hide your ugly mug,'' Nox shot back.
''What was that? Say that to my face again,'' Barret challenged him.
Cloud smiled a little from the back at their antics.
''Look, I really hate to interrupt our fun. I do. But you said you wanted to give us answers, so that we are all on the same page,'' Nanaki interrupted them.
''Right,'' Nox got serious and looked at Aerith,''Where should we start.''
''Probably why I was taken by Shinra. That kicked this all off, in a way and we can go from there in the order the events and/or new information happened,'' Aerith reasoned making him nod in agreement.
Aerith took a deep breath to steady herself and closed her eyes. The others noticed her apprehension and decided to give her time.
She opened her eyes and looked a little uncertain at Nox, who gave her a reassuring nod. She looked at Zack too, since he already knew her secret too and wanted to extra assurance. He nodded too.
''I.. am what was most people know as they Ancients,'' Aerith finally told them.
''For real? Are the books true? Could Ancients really commune with the Planet? Do people who die return to the planet. Are we right when we say that the Lifestream is the lifeblood of the planet?,'' Barrer barreled her with questions.
Aerith laughed a little as they didn't give her the reactions she feared.
''Yes, to all of them,'' she told him.
''I'm surprised you were able to read about the Ancients. People know about them, but information for the public is not readily available,'' Cloud pointed out.
''Former AVALNACHE member here. We got our hands on anything that Shinra deemed prohibited or censored,'' Barret told him,''Read my daughter the books as bed time stories.''
''They called themselves Cetra's however. Ancients is more of a newly coined term,'' Aerith told them,''Shinra wanted me because they believed I could lead them to the Promised Land.''
''What is the Promised Land? Does it really exist?,'' Tifa asked her.
Aerith shook her head.
''Not at all. At least not in the way they expect. They believe that the Promised Land has infinite Mako. They are wrong. It is more accurate to say, that...it has something to do with Culture. For the Cetra's communities, togetherness, harmony and empathy was a big thing. When they died, they would return to the planet, in the Lifestream and continue to spend their time with their loved once. Until they are reborn, in a manner of speaking.
If they want,'' Aerith explained to them.
''So heaven, essentially. Also, why would anyone chose to depart from their loved ones?,'' Barret asked.
''Not everyone who is in the Lifestream is a Cetra. Humans can have these qualities too, but they are more ready to chose to move on completely instead of lingering around,'' Aerith explained.
''For some Utopia can be hell,'' Nox added his own Gil. He remembered once reading about a rat experiment, something called Universe 25, he believed. Sure rats and humans were different, but they were still mammals, in that regard it mattered in term of psychological affects and effects.
He was...horrified by the results and implication of that experiment.
''That is a bleak way to look at things,'' Tifa frowned with disapproval.
''Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. This Promised Land is no different. Have your opinions on it, but acknowledge the fact around it for what it is. A sort of heaven,'' Nox replied.
Tifa mulled over his response.
''Is Sephiroth a Cetra? Or Jenova?,'' Zack asked her.
''No. Neither of them are, even if they may say or believe otherwise. And Jenova in particular is knows as the Calamity from the Sky. She was the one responsible for killing off most of the Cetras in a war with them. There is no doubt about it that she seeks the Planets destruction, for one reason or another,'' Aerith replied.
''Shit,'' Barret commented.
''Speaking of Cetra's. Are you one, Nox?,'' Cloud asked them and walked quicker to catch up to them and join the converstaion. He didn't buy Nox's explanation 'that he could always do this' in light of this new information.
''No.''
''No.''
Nox turned to look at Aerith in confusion.
''Sorry, but I thought I was more qualified to answer that considering circumstances,'' Aerith gave him an apologetic shrug.
''I suppose that is true,'' he replied and then turned to the others,''Look. The truth is that the world is vast and unexplored, sometimes things happen that are out of the norm. Shelke is another example, one like me. I won't go into detail since it is her story to tell, but her ability is natural.''
''Alright, that clears that up. In that case, can we talk a bit more about the Arbiter of Fate and the Whispers?,'' Tifa asked them.
''What do you want to know?,'' Aerith asked her.
''I ...guess everything,'' Tifa replied not knowing where to even begin.
There was so much to unpack there.
''I can answer in regards to the Arbiters of Fate, since my grandfather is spiritually inclined,'' Nanaki began,'' Consider them agents of the Planer who are ready to extend or enforce her will. As their name suggests, they are there to correct, guide, or force fate, the course of history or whatever else you want to call it in a certain direction, as the Planet wills it.''
''So, Fate is real?,'' Barret asked them.
''Well,'' Aerith smiled knowingly and looked at Nox slyly,'' Even if it is, I still think we should look it in the face and chose to defy it. We owe it to ourselves to be better and reach for the skies. After all, we were born to inherit the stars.''
Nox blushed a little as they all looked at him incredulously.
''Your emo ass said that?,'' Barret asked him.
''I'm not...,'' Nox began feeling insulted, he shook his head and looked at Aerith.
''Do I really give of that sort of impression?,'' Nox asked her who began looking off into the distance.
''Hey, look at that beautiful flower over there,'' Aerith chose to prank him a little. She decided it was better then confronting him about his fear of abandonment. He could turn defensive then and close off. No. Far better to let him come out of his shell by himself and naturally.
So she played dumb.
''That is a barren patch of land,'' Zack pointed out.
Nox sighed. He suppose... it would make sense why he gave off that impression, even if he wasn't an emo.
''I'm sorry. I'm trying to do better,'' he told them and sighed while stroking a part of his hair.
''That's fine,'' Aerith leaned into him,''I love you all the same.''
Nox blushed and turned his head from the others. He wasn't ... good with public affections. It was either too long since he last had to do that or he never had to, since he didn't marry while he was king.
Nox mumbled something and Aerith took that as a win. She pushed herself on her toes and kissed his cheek.
''That is quiet arrogant to say that you know better then the Planet,'' Nanaki pointed out, interrupting their interaction, making Zack want to kiss him, as he felt very awkward. Tifa on the other hand looked at them enviously and then shyly looked at Cloud, before looking somewhere else.
Wait! NO! Not again...
Well, at least he thought that, so no one could tease him this time.
''That is not what I said at all. I...,'' Nox trailed off and looked thoughtful for a moment,''People should fight and want to be better or do good. If interests align, like say, keeping the planet alive and intact and healthy and sustainable then they should absolutely do that.
What they should not do, is lie down because 'fate' or 'nature' dictated it so, or because they use it as an excuse to wallow in self indulgence or mediocrity. That is sloth and that way lies ruin.
It is more about ... a mindset, then ACTUALLY defying fate. But yes, you should absolutely do that too, if you can and have reason to. Maybe that is arrogant, though luck. Who can REALLY say, what is 'Fate' and what is not.
The divine? Is that a legitimizing factor?
Suppose I can do anything. Anything I ever want. Wouldn't that make me a god? Will you lie quietly down and accept your death if I demand it.
Please. Sephiroth sees himself as a god, because of his strength and he wanted to kill you. I didn't see you quietly bow down then to accept your death.''
''How about... we stop engaging in philosophical debates and go back to the matter at hand?,'' Tifa interfered fearing that a fight would break out.
That was not at all the case. Nanaki was a little disappointed since he wanted to debate more with him, but he supposed she was right.
''You can consider the Whispers agents too. Just not of the Planets will, but of Sephiroths. As you saw, they are blacker in color, while the actualy Arbiters of Fate are more white,'' Aerith added to answer Tifa's question.
''Sephiroth said something about a Black Materia?,'' Cloud asked them.
Aerith nodded and looked at Nox, curious herself.
''Yes. I stumbled upon it in the Temple of Ancients and took it,'' Nox replied, not offering more information.
''That was dangerous. There were traps...there were a lot of traps there. You could have died,'' Aerith told him. The others assumed that she corrected herself because of the Planet.
''That is true,'' Nox agreed. He died once to the final trap, after all.
''Why not leave it there? The Temple kept it safe for so long. Or did you have reason to believe someone was trying to make use of it?,'' Tifa asked him.
That...was the case. He was born NOW, so ergo the danger was now, aka within his lifetime. And while he didn't yet know fully what or who the danger was. A thing like the Black Materia? Absolutely something that could be used as a tool to cause harm.
Nox scratched his cheek.
''I took the Black Materia a few years ago when I was younger and still traveling a lot. I stumbled upon the Temple, explored it, saw the murals and didn't like what I saw. I guess in my young mind I thought, it would be better safe with me, then just lying around to be taken by anybody.
Of course, the final trap nearly killed me. But I have every intention of returning it one day back to it's proper place. Though I suppose considering recent events I'm glad I took it,'' Nox told them. Hey, technically none of it was a lie. It was borderline the truth, just not all of it.
''What do you mean the final trap nearly killed you?,'' Zack asked with worry.
''The Temple IS the Black Materia. A final form of defense by the Cetra. It nearly crushed me to death, when it began shrinking. I barely escaped,'' Nox lied a little this time.
''Wait! You mean that a whole ass temple is just gone and no one noticed it?,'' Barret asked him.
''It was very deep within the jungles,'' Nox shrugged. He shared Barrets disbelief, but he wasn't about to look a gifted horse in the mouth. Or more accurately, he wasn't about to questions Mako's blessing to him.
''And what does it do?,'' Tifa asked.
''Summon a giant Meteor the size of the moon, according to the murals I read. Fun apocalyptic stuff. You know, the usual,'' Nox joked a little to ease the tension that his words caused.
'Should I?,' Aerith asked her variant.
'You can talk to them about everything. Just not the time traveler. Not yet. Or myself. Spare them off that confusion, but feel free to talk about other worlds and anything else. I'm not forcing you to repeat the 'originals' mistakes or my own. In fact you shouldn't,' 'Aerith' replied.
Aerith thought about it for a bit.
''Speaking of special Materia,'' Aerith pulled out Holy from her braid,''This is Holy. The counter the Cetras made, in case the defenses ever failed and Meteor should ever be summoned.''
She began tying up her hair again. Nox moved behind her to aid her. Both struggled a little since they were all still walking.
''My mother handed it to me, before she died,'' she told them.
''Aerith...,'' Tifa said, wanting to convey some sort of emotional support. She knew the sting of that kind of loss all too well, unfortunately.
''I'm fine,'' Aerith assured her.
''Well, it's a good thing that the two Materia are with us in that case. We can defend it better from Sephiroth,'' Cloud pointed out.
''Say, we saw Holy. Could we see the Black Materia?,'' Zack could help himself but ask curiously.
''Sure,'' Nox replied and pulled it out from the Store Materia making the others jump back a little at the sudden oppressive shift in the air.
''I know, it is a nasty piece of work,'' Nox agreed.
Cloud's eyes stared at it a little transfixed. He blinked and shook his head at the questionable behavior he just made.
''Is that temple you talked about?,'' Barret asked and moved to look peer closer inside it.
''Yup,'' Nox replied and decided to store it back again.
''Then we definitely need to stop Sephiroth, if he wants to make use of that,'' Tifa determined with determination. The others nodded.
''Is there anything more that we need or forgot to talk about?,'' Nanaki asked them.
''I don't think we forgot anything or the like,'' Nox concluded after a moment of thinking it over. Anything else was probably more aligned with personal questions, which ... was probably something he had to deal with, since they were all so close now. He couldn't just escape either.
And he didn't want to lie either. And he doubted he could always technically tell the truth.
Nox suppressed a groan. That all sounded dreadful. But he would leave that for future him to deal with. Or his past him. Or his then present him. Or his past future him. Or his future past him.
Great, now he confused himself with that word salad. Just keep it simple, Nox. Future him. There.
''Well, actually,'' Aerith began a little unsure, but then continued with more determination,'' About what Nox said and defying fate. Technically he is not wrong to think that. Yes Fate is real, but by and large the Planet is pretty hands off, aside from trying to ensure her survival. The Lifestream is something that exists in every universe and they are, in a way, linked to each other.
Normally, the worlds do not interfere with each other and they develop independently from each other. In a way, every choice ever made has been made somewhere.
BUT, something went wrong. I myself do not yet fully understand it, however Sephiroth was defeated in one world, but he was killed in the Lifestream and then he... somehow made use of the Lifestream to send memories to other worlds through the Lifestream and then things just spiraled out of control and multiple Planets are working hard to suppress him sending memories back and forth from one world to another,'' Aerith told them.
They stopped and stared at her with disbelief that turned slowly into dread. Some experienced it more then others. Nox was the most calm out of all of them, his mind already starting to plot and scheme and create strategies.
''Are you saying...he essentially time travels?,'' Tifa asked her with a small voice and felling the air get knocked out of her. If that was the case, then how were they ever meant to beat someone so strong?
''In a way, you are right,'' Nox answered instead as he rubbed his chin. Well... that sounded right up his alley and was finally ONE major reason why he may have been sent here.
That fact made Sephiroth a VERY strong candidate for the title of Big Bad, though Nox doubted he would ever sit at ease, because a voice of suspicion would always linger no matter what.
Fine then. He'll kill Jenova and Sephiroth. It was nothing that he didn't already decide to do.
''Hey! Chin up. I know it sounds dreadful, but you are ignoring a few key facts. You saw it yourself. The Arbiters of Fate are working hard here in our world and everywhere else to limit the amount of memories he gets from his variants. We just need to lend a hand to aid the planet.
He is not ACTUALLY time traveling, so if we kill him that's that. At least in our world.
And if all else fails. We still have hope. Like Nox said, It is better to try our best and hope that we succeed somehow till the bitter end, instead of just lying down quietly,'' Aerith nodded with determination at them after giving them a pep talk. Though she decided to add her own two Gils to what Nox said previously.
''She is right. The planet is relying on us. Let's not disappoint her,'' Cloud recovered first and walked ahead again. Though to be fair, Nox looked the most unaffected by what Aerith said.
Barret balled his hand into a fist and then walked quickly after him.
''What the hell do you think, you are doing? Is your scrawny ass implying I'm too weak to keep the planet safe?,'' Barret asked him hotly, needing to distract himself a little to let the news settle in before he even begins to process what Aerith told them.
Tifa walked quietly after them, mostly being able to carry on, because Cloud functioned as a stabilizing factor. His confidence gave her strength.
''Perhaps I was too quick to call you arrogant,'' Nanaki replied as he walked passed Nox after them.
''When did the world stop making sense?,'' Zack muttered with a small whine and followed after Nanaki.
''How are you holding up?,'' No asked her, him and Aerith lagging behind the others now.
''I...feel empowered. You were right. I always feared that me being a Cetra would drive people away, as it did already so often, but it seems that they do not seem to think differently of me now... Too much. You were right. I should just be myself and surround myself with the right people,'' Aerith smiled up at him.
''People transform and change all the time, every day. Life is an entire ongoing process of that. So long as you are a good person, mostly, your friends shouldn't think ill of you. And if they do, move on,'' Nox told her.
''It is easier said then done,'' Aerith argued.
''Of course. Too often victims remain with their abusers, because it is all they have ever known. They grew comfortable with their suffering, in a way. Which is a great tragedy, but an effort should still be made,'' Nox spewed some wisdom.
Aerith nodded. She has seen that happen often, in the slums, and now that she could commune better with the Lifestream she heard all sorts of stories.
''And hey, if they do prove top be false friends I always have you,'' Aerith joked and hugged his arm.
''Oh? Pretty sure, you will grow tired of me soon enough,'' Nox joked back and slid her hand in his, both of them interlocking their fingers.
''Hmm. Maybe. Or maybe I grow comfortable in my boredom. A worse sort of suffering there could never be,'' Aerith shook her head.
''We are about to embark on a quest to save the planet and you call that boredom? I guess, it is true. You can never please some people,'' Nox shook his head in dejection.
''Well, I did say I'm a greedy girl,'' Aerith reminded him.
''Hmm?,'' Nox urged her to continue.
''So, how about ... a kiss,'' Aerith playfully tapped her chin and then proposed.
Nox faltered a little, losing his playful attitude.
''A steep price to pay to keep you entertained,'' he recovered weakly.
''Yup. So?,'' Aerith pressed him.
Nox swallowed ans looked at her lips, before looking at the others. Their backs were turned to them, but some had enhances senses.
Aerith seeing how he began to look uncomfortable decided to call it off. Outside, inside, whatever, she just liked to spend time with him. It didn't matter how. So long as they we both comfortable, which Nox was clearly not.
''I was just jo-,'' Aerith was silenced as Nox bent down and gave her a quick kiss on the side of her lips, with how quickly he moved he failed to align himself properly, but now he was too embarrassed to try again.
Aerith blinked and licked her lips while witnessing Nox turn beet red in the face. It was utterly hilarious to her, since his face was kept mostly neutral, through it did look a little strained. And the blush did him no favors.
The sight melted her heart and she wanted to squeal. She loved his reactions.
No. No. She needed to calm down. Remember, he was uncomfortable. She shouldn't force anything and let him take the plunge in public. It was a shame though. Just a little bit. While she hoped she would illicit more of these cute reactions from him, she doubted she would experience many more. And eventually he would get used to public affection. Or maybe not.
Either way, she would enjoy every moment.
She leaned her head on his shoulder a little and sighed in content, but planned to remove it soon since it was a little awkward to do so while walking.
''Nox?,'' Aerith began and cast a Silence over them. She didn't want to break their spirits after they just regained them.
''Hm?''
''Do you think we will stop Sephiroth?,'' Aerith asked him and squeezed his hand.
Nox was silent for a bit, not immediately answering and instead thinking it over again. Anything else would be a disservice to her.
''He is strong. And nothing worthwhile is ever easy. It will be hard, the hardest thing any of us may ever do, but I do believe we will come out victorious,'' Nox replied confidently.
Aerith felt the tension in her shoulder bleed out and she leaned a little more into him. That was just what she needed to hear, actually.
''Ok.''
---
''No. Like this,'' Tifa demonstrated as she showed Aerith how to ask for a hitchhike. Perhaps walking ALL the way to Kalm was not such a good idea, even if Nox cooled them all down with the spells. Even if they were fit and in good shape, their legs started aching.
And the sun also affected, despite a lack of heat.
Aerith copied her gesture enthusiastically.
Tifa nodded and then up and down the road, her hands resting on her hips, to look for a car. There was little to be gained by asking for a hitchhike when there were no cars around... or people.
''Huh,'' she perked up as she spotted a dot in the distance.
''Aerith!,'' Tifa pointed and made her look. They both high fived each other and began holding out a thumbs up.
''You think this one will stop?,'' Zack asked, lying on a stone in a devastated position.
''Depends. The other two were cars and we wouldn't have fitted all in,'' Cloud stood up from the same stone and looked to inspect the dot.
''This one is a truck,'' Cloud told them and Zack jumped up immediately. He quickly walked to join the girls in asking for a hitch hike.
''Might as well,'' Nox shrugged to Cloud and walked over to join them as well.
Cloud looked at Nanaki and Barret for a moment and then joined them too, but he didn't hold out a thumbs up.
Barret was not about to let this chance slip by and planned to run in front of the car if it didn't seem like it would stop. The sun and all that walking made him that desperate. He did not want to know what he would have done if the heat affected him too. Probably just run straight in front of the truck without giving it a chance at all.
To his relief, it did seem like it was slowing down.
''Nox?! So good to see you!,'' Choco Billy leaned out of the window to inspect the group a little,'' And Aerith and Zack too.''
''I'm surprised you still remember me,'' Aerith greeted him.
''Don't let his age fool you. The guy has a memory as sharp as razor,'' Nox told her.
''You're making me blush. What are you all doing out here?,'' Choco Billy asked them.
''Our car broke down, but we really need to make our way to Kalm,'' Nox leaned a little to look at the back of the truck,'' Although seeing the Chocobos, you're probably making your way directly back to the farm.''
''If you need to, then I can drive the extra hundred meters out of the way to get you all to Kalm. It really is no bother, so you and your friends jump right in. But mind the Chocobos please,'' Choco Billy requested.
''Sure, guys go to the back. You can take the cockpit,'' Nox instructed them.
''Oh! Here, for the trouble,'' Nox held out a bag of Gil for the gasoline.
''Nox, come on. We know each other enough for that to not be needed,'' Billy admonished him.
''You can take the money or I'll just drop it on the ground for someone to pick up. And it definitely won't be us,'' Nox replied and held out the bag again.
Billy rubbed the bridge of his nose as a memory was triggered and the girls entered the truck.
''You and you're stupid sense of correctness. Fine, jump in the back, but I want you to know. I'm not happy with you,'' Billy pointed his finger at him sternly.
''Cry harder,'' Nox smirked and handed him the bag. Billy huffed while he stashed the bag into the dash board.
''Look, Cloud. You have find your flock,'' Nox saw Zacks lips tremble with a suppressed smile as Cloud was groomed by a Chocobo. Even the others seemed to treat him affectionately. Certainly more so then Barret, who was being attacked a little by a Chocobos beak.
Zack and Nanaki sat close together and the Chocobos stayed clear of them, probably because they saw Nanaki as a predetor. Zack reaped the consequence of that.
''I hate you,'' Cloud scowled and tried shooing the Chocobo away. He would have done more, but he didn't want to give anyone trouble since the man was so king as to drive them. And Nox seemed to know him too, so he didn't want to make things difficult for him.
Barret was much the same.
''No, you don't,'' Zack assured him a little sad.
Nox sat down opposite Nanaki and Zack and was left alone too. Shortly afterwards, after they called back that they were all situated, the truck back moving.
...
''Hey, wait,'' Billy called Nox back while the others walked towards Kalm.
''If this is about the money,'' Nox began, releasing a deep breath.
''No, it is not about the money. Those people. Are they ALL your friends?,'' Billy asked him and leaned on the truck door where the window was rolled down.
''Hm? Yes. All of them,'' Nox replied a little confused why he wanted to know that. Although, he supposed Cloud and Red was not quiet there yet, but... he guessed nothing made people grow closer then fighting together to save the world.
So he supposed he could add them to the list. Slowly, but still MUCH faster then he did all the others.
Strangely enough, he wasn't really that opposed to it. And the voice said nothing in a LONG while.
Billy smiled and nodded.
''You did good, kid. You did good. See you, when I see you then. Yes?,'' Billy held out his hand.
While he was confused he took the hand and shook it.
''Take care, Billy, and prosper,'' Nox said his own goodbye.
Billy nodded one additional time and then drove off, Nox watched him for a moment and then walked after the others.
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''Mr. Vice President,'' Heidegger tried to get his attention.
Rufus ignored him and continued to look out the window.
Tseng quickly made his way over to them.
''Mr. President,'' Tseng said.
Rufus turned around and nodded.
''That's right,'' he walked past them and moved to sit on the chair his father sat up till now. The seat needed to be worn in to his shape, was the first thing Rufus thought. That or replaced, since he was much more muscular then his fat father.
''Tseng, status report. What are our damages?,'' Rufus leaned on the desk and interlocked his fingers.
''The short answer would be that Zero caused Billions of Gils worth of damages. The longer answer would be that he targeted anything that did not have to do with medical equipment production, Air travel and space navigation and anything research related to that, our relay transmitters, our SOLDIER troops were reduced by 1/3, the Turks, the department for Urban development and planing and little else besides. And of course, the former President, Hojo and Palmer are dead.
Speak: if we had to mobilize right now militarily it would be not possible,'' Tseng replied.
Rufus blinked. When he quietly funded some ... people and fed them information, he really only hoped that they would kill his father. Then he could discard them as a tool.
Now? He really had to wonder who used who.
It certainly felt like he lost more then he ever gained.
''And how long would it take to repair all the damage?,'' Rufus demanded to know.
Scarlet stepped forward. Rufus was... an unknown factor to all of them. They didn't know how to man-navigate around him yet. So she defaulted to how she would usually handle the former Presidents inquiries.
''I'm happy to report that it will only take a few weeks of reconstruction before the Department for Weapons Research and Development is fully functional again. Kyahahaha,'' Scarlet laughed confidently.
''Indeed Mr.President. Same for my own department. All we need is to send out the flyers and people will flock in the hopes of serving Shinra's interests. Gyahahahah,'' Heidegger quickly added, not wanting to be left behind.
Rufus kept his face carefully from twitching. HOW the hell did his father not kill them yet? They opened their mouths and even before they talked, one would develope the sudden and intense desire to rip their throat out.
''Let's try again. Head of the Urban Planning and Development Department, how long will it take to repair all the damages?,'' Rufus addressed him directly.
Reeve jumped a little and then stepped forward, his eyes dark, clearly not having slept well or at all.
''We already made a few drafts and estimates and my guess would be a few months,'' Reeve replied honestly making Scarlet and Heidegger seethe silently.
''Any resource or money that you need will be granted. Get to work. The rest of you, except Tseng are dismissed,'' Rufus waved them away.
''Thought?,'' Rufus wanted to know, after they all left the office.
''I have many thoughts and the Turks are still researching and investigating many things. Could you please be more specific?,'' Tseng told him.
''Thoughts on the Black Knights being part of AVALANCHE?,'' Rufus asked him.
''Impossible. Their MO is completely different, their goals too. AVALANCHE just wants Shinra to stop extracting Mako and planned for little else besides. The Black Knights didn't state any specific goals, but essentially demanded that we should be better. As in fix everything. And then proceeded to threaten us all with complete annihilation if we fail to meet his demands,'' Tseng reminded him at the end.
''We don't negotiate with terrorist,'' Rufus reminded him.
''Sir...with all due respect, that statement or exercise can only be made from a position of strength,'' Tseng tried to speak sense to him.
Rufus narrowed his eyes at him at what he implied.
''You think their leader is the only one that is that strong?,'' Rufus asked next, choosing to move on from what Tseng said.
''Unfortunately there is still much we don't know. But I would consider this. The public perception is split, some thinking that Zero is an Ancient with how confidently he talked about the Serpent being a construct of Gaia. Others chose to remain true believers. Most are neutral and refuse to pick a side from fear or indecision.
He also notably left Scarlet and Heidegger alive-''
''He killed Palmer and Reeve is still alive,'' Rufus pointed out.
''He also didn't destroy the medical equipment and production facilities. He cares on some level about others, be it because Gaia does it or he himself, it makes no difference. It makes sense that Reeve is alive despite being an asset to us.
And Palmer...Did he do something? If anything he is more useful dead then alive, since now we can replace him. Why he wasn't already, is not my authority to question,'' Tseng continued.
''So you are saying that Zero is not only strong, but is politically inclined and knows how to manipulate several pieces at once. A dangerous combination. You're saying then, that they are all this strong, those of the Black Knights. Yet Zero came himself, to send a message,'' Rufus hummed at the end. Not implausible.
Scarlet and Heidegger were sycophants only in the sense that they were looking for more funds and power. While people like them should be replaced, there was currently no one on hand, so he had to suffer them.
Zero tried to turn them to saboteurs from within? Fair enough, Rufus had to acknowledge that most of their behavior and actions was self destructive or harmed the company. He would need to work extra hard to keep an eye on them.
''Keep an eye on Scarlet and Heidegger. I don't want them to do dumb stuff,'' Rufus ordered,''Report to me, I value truth more then I value lies. I need facts to make good decisions with someone like Zero around. Anything else?''
''Yes. I believe that this attack is a direct response to the former president dropping the plate in Sector 7-''
''Yes. A stupid investment, that one,'' Rufus nodded.
Tseng moved on, ignoring that he should care more about the moral side, but he had no room to take the moral high ground.
''Indeed. People whisper, even if they are with us. Several news agencies are spinning the narrative, but the damage is done and the video are not leaving the people's memory any time soon. They know, who is responsible for the plate dropping.
These are tumultuous times. Right now, Shinra should focus on recovering first before doing anything to demanding in resources. And for a while, if we do things like this, they need to be small and FAR away from the public's eyes. Or else more people will switch in support of the 'ancient' and/or Zero will pay another visit. And if that happens before we have developed new weapons...I do not see it ending well for us. We can not afford to make an enemy out of everyone. So we need to be mindful of our actions,'' Tseng advised him. He talked about it in a roundabout way, leaving things a little ambiguous, but it didn't escaped Rufus' notice.
Tseng was essentially telling him to get his act together and not do stupid shit like his father, thinking he was free of consequences just because he owned the world. Rufus had to give it to him. He did say he appreciated honesty and Tseng immediately ran with it.
He was lucky, it was already much the same as he was thinking or he would have pulled rank a little with him.
''You are dismissed, Tseng. I will give your advise some thought,'' Rufus told him and watched Tseng walk out of his office.
...
Rufus planned on ruling the world by fear, unlike his father ruled the world by buying it out.
But... he supposed he saw where that path lead to, a few days ago.
Huh. So this is what it felt like to live under fear.
Rufus rolled his shoulder a little.
Perhaps he could try out this demand of Zero's.
To rule benevolently.
Although, whatever Zero's demands were, Rufus had no illusion that one could only rule the world with strength. He will do kindness and fix stuff and all that crap where he could and apply force where he couldn't.
...
Hopefully, that should satisfy the guy and stop him from coming again, at least until they develop new weapons. Which...wouldn't be as easy, now that Hojo was dead, so that might take a while.
Until then... he supposed he could fund some sort of new department and start a few projects.
Head of Sustainability Department, perhaps?
(A.N.: 13830 words.
Question: Should I tone down the memes or pop culture references? Or should I only resort them for the Slice of Life bits/ chapters? I'm not getting rid of them completely, because I like them.
But, yeah. Hope you enjoyed reading the chapter. Cheers and stay safe out there.)