Previously....
Sephieroth and Yazoo went to meet JENOVA at the top level of the Mako Reactor to discuss everything that had happened at JENOVA Church. After a long a thorough discussion, Sephieroth decided to head back to JENOVA Foundation HQ to talk to Sephiroth about what was going on while Yazoo remained at their hideout with Kaibu to take care of him.
Chapter 5: Bonds& the New WEAPON
(This section will focus on Sephieroth as the speaker) After a long drive, i arrived at JENOVA Foundation HQ to help Big Brother. The drive there seemed like forever; i couldn't get the image of Mother's tears out of my head the entire time. I was never happy seeing Mother hurt like that. I even had to force my own tears aside to focus on driving several times. It was not fun, not even as easy as it normally is. When i had arrived, i went inside and made way for the computer labs where Rufus always was playing with that huge system of his. Luckily i didn't have to worry about the old him that was before the Infinite Reunion activation; the one who was once the sickest man i had known my entire life. He was disgusting beyond description during all those years. I never understood why Cloud Strife kept chasing us instead of going after the real enemy: Rufus and his disgusting Shinra Company. They were the cause of the trouble since day one! Thankfully though they were gone now. I had stepped out of the elevator and walked towards Rufus, who quickly took notice to me and turned around in his chair smiling at me. He got up and laughed, then said "If it isnt Princess Sephieroth! What can i do for you, Young Sister?" I smiled, trying not to blush from embarrassment and replied "Im here to see Big Brother. Is he awake yet?" Rufus nodded, and replied "He's awake alright.... but he's terribly miserable. What happened out there?" I sighed and said "Its a long story, Brother Rufus.... but he needs my help." Rufus nodded and replied "Alright, im not sure what you have in mind, but an order's an order! He's in the room over that way." Rufus pointed towards the side of the area and i turned to gaze at a closed door. I said "Thanks!" Rufus laughed and replied "Ah, its nothing, Little Sister." Boy, Rufus really never changed, but he sure showed more respect towards me which was good. I went through the door he pointed to, and saw Sephiroth laying on a bed with his face in the pillow; his long silver hair on his back and some of it draped on the floor. His katana was rested on a wall on the other side of the room; it had appeared he'd been crying a lot as though deeply sad or depressed. No wonder Rufus said he was miserable. I could hardly stand here with a straight face with the sight before me; i also felt terrible seeing this. He was also shaking a bit as though he was still silently crying. I slowly approached him and said "Big Brother.... are you ok..?" He slowly sat up and said "I... I'm fine, im just tired..." I saw tears falling from his eyes even though he wasnt looking at me. I sat beside him on his bed, resting a hand on the left side of his face and gently turning him to face me. He looked me in the eye, and i could see deep sadness in his eyes. He didn't speak, but i said "Big Brother.... i know youre jealous and think Mother likes me more than you. But Mother would never do something like that! Yes, i was a hero of the war and all, but you're her firstborn son! She would never forget or ignore you!" His tears slowed down and he replied "You knew..? You knew i felt that way..?" I shook my head and replied "Mother is the one who knew. I talked to her because i knew something was going on, Big Brother; i knew you weren't acting like yourself. But killing me or Yazoo wont solve anything. It might even make you feel worse!" Sephiroth seemed to stop and replied "You came back for me? After all the trouble i caused in Mother's Church? After i tried to kill Yazoo..?" I nodded and said "Of course i did! Youre still our Big Brother. Yes, i know you lost control out there, but if i was a real hero would leaving my own Brother in pain mean im really Family Hero?" Sephiroth suddenly smiled at me sweetly. I smiled back and said "Its ok, Big Brother. Mother would never choose favorites like that. She loves us both; me because of my SOLDIER Way, and especially you since you were hers since the beginning of her time!" Sephiroth gazed at me in strange silence, staring in a strange sweet silence. He kept his gaze locked on me, slowly reaching one hand towards my face and said "Young Sister..." He rested his hand on the side of my face, then suddenly pulled me towards his body, holding me against himself with both hands over my back. I suddenly realized how happy Big Brother really was now; this had gone just right and i could see that with how Big Brother was acting. This was the real Sephiroth: the Brother who cared for his family and his own kind above all else. Out of nowhere, i heard Mother's voice echo in my mind: Well done, Young Sephie. I could feel and sense her smiling at me even here. I smiled, knowing i had done the right thing once again. After several minutes, Sephiroth had gently let go of me and i watched as he smiled at me in a friendly way. After a moment of silence, he said "I was wrong, my Sister... you can handle this mission. I now see why Mother promoted you Family Hero.... you have what i lacked--a big heart and a spirit that can overcome anything. I was very strong like you, Young Sister. But the only thing that seemed to drive me during my years helping Mother was hatred... i hated Shinra, hated many humans who had been former friends--who turned against me... i lashed out furiously so many times, only ending up feeling worse with each passing failure. It could very well be my boundless and violent anger that didn't help us, but instead had hurt Mother more and more.... it would be no surprise if my fury only worsened those terrible wounds of our beloved Mother." I stood in silence and continued listening. Sephiroth turned to face the other direction and continued "The connection i share with her--its powerful beyond what human words can describe. That connection isnt negative, but if i am hurt like that, Mother suffers even more. I had a burning flame within myself--the flame of hatred and rage. It did keep my alive, but it hurt both me and my Mother as time went by. But you... you went through so much trouble, there good times and bad ones--some were simply awful. Cloud had killed Loz and Yazoo when you were in larval form--leaving you to fend for yourself after your narrow escape. You, just like me, grew hateful with time. But you kept going, training to be as strong as possible--you continued moving forward with not just hatred; you pushed on with the fighting spirit to keep trying. You forced your sorrow and hate aside and replaced it with fiery confidence. When you found your brothers revived, you rejoiced with them.... and you all made countless sacrifices; you were the light of your gang, Young Sister. You were the reason Yazoo and Loz were always so happy; even Mother was always happy guiding you guys." I paused briefly, then replied "Wasnt Mother happy guiding you since you were her first child?" Sephiroth turned back to me and said "She loved me very dearly, Young Sister. But my immeasurable pain also manifested in her due to our connection... As you know, when one of us loves another, our JENOVA cells tie to that person as a reaction. When our cells merge with the other person enough, the emotions are often shared on either side. This is why Mother was so sad after our long journey trying to take this planet for her--too many losses happened, and as a result i was deeply hurt. Likewise, the same thing for our dear Mother: sadness and sorrow. We both shared the same lament for many years because of this. But since you were always cheery and positive, along with utter defiance towards the enemy--Mother was happy as a result of your connection with her. This is the skill you had that i lacked, Young Sister. You were so skilled establishing that type of connection, you even got Sulbio--who was once Cloud Strife--to join sides with Mother. I was too focused on defeating the enemy, and the end result was a ruinous connection that harmed both me and Mother.... it was too deep rooted for me to fix in the end. But thanks to you, Mother is no longer suffering like that. She is happy... and free. Thanks to you and your SOLDIER Way Sephieroth, i was fully revived and Mother's Infinite Reunion was successfully activated. Even through the thick carnage at the war's end, you remained positive.... i can only imagine how much Yazoo and Loz must love you. You were a good Family Boss to them..." Sephiroth turned back to me and said "Give me my katana." I then asked "Why?" Sephiroth smiled back in a very familiar way and said "We're getting out there and finding a way to defeat SAKUI and get back Father. With someone like you, I know we have a fair shot at this." I smiled back and said "Brother!" Not waiting another minute, i reached for his katana and he took it from me, sheathing in on his back where he always kept it. After a short moment, he said "Alright, time to target Omega and Ultima weapon. Once you capture them both, i'll have Rufus use the research data he gathered to fuse them both. Both of these beasts fused as one is known as Perfect WEAPON. Perfect WEAPON wont be an easy fight, my Sister; if you cannot capture it, youre no match for SAKUI. It may even be the most difficult fight you'll have yet...." After a long pause, i asked "How strong exactly is this newly discovered beast?" Sephiroth replied quickly "According to Rufus's calculations, its powerful enough to destroy virtually anything with minimal effort; even more so than Omega. Mother told me if a mission were scheduled to capture it, she would want it to be sealed inside of you. However.... its energy is so great, the only way to prevent you from dying of it is with the Perfect Reunion--a special move that requires very precise and hasty timing." I then asked "Uh oh... and how do we perform the Perfect Reunion?" Sephiroth replied "We need Mother present for the move to work. From there, each of us--me, your gang, and Mother--exert our JENOVA cells directly on you to force a reunion that is powerful enough to prevent you from dying. However, if we each dont act quickly enough, you'll die and have to wait several minutes to be revived by the Infinite Reunion--and if that happens you have to fight Perfect WEAPON all over again." I then asked "And whats about the timing?" Sephiroth replied "It has to be perfect to work: we each have to act within exactly a 3-second time frame. If we dont each complete the move within that 3 seconds, its no good." I then said "Ouch.... thats not a lot of time. What if my Brothers die while doing it?" Sephiroth shrugged and said "Then they die... It shouldn't happen with me helping, so hopefully we wont have to worry about that. The reason Mother didn't teach you and your gang this move is because she knew you three wouldn't be enough to pull it off without sacrificing each other; especially with you in larval form. In fact, it may be safer for only Mother and myself to attempt this.... even with the permanently activated Infinite Reunion, who knows where Yazoo and Loz will wind up after it recreates them... the same applies with Young Sulbio. Id rather not put them through that pain if it can be avoided." Then i paused and asked "But isnt it stronger if more of us are working as one?" Sephiroth nodded and replied "Naturally. However, i may want Rufus to arrange some tests on the issue just to be safe. I dont like ordering him to do something this dirty, especially remembering how Shinra abused Mother, but im afraid its the only possible precaution..." I nodded in understanding, then said "I understand. Should i prepare for this series of WEAPON fights with my gang?" Sephiroth replied "Not yet. We have to make arrangements first. I cant let you guys jump into this without some kind of backup; you know this is dangerous." I then said "Got it. I'll have us hold out for a while and patrol the kingdom until preparations are complete." After that, we both split up to focus on preparing for the WEAPON quests. Upon leaving JENOVA Foundation HQ, i got on my motorbike and focused on driving back to the Mako Reactor to report to Mother and see how Yazoo and our young son Kaibu were doing. Remembering Mother smiling at me from a distance, i knew she would be pleased when i got back and told her everything. Things were beginning to smooth out once again. Little had i known, things would be sure to heat up before long.
To be continued...
Sephieroth and Yazoo went to meet JENOVA at the top level of the Mako Reactor to discuss everything that had happened at JENOVA Church. After a long a thorough discussion, Sephieroth decided to head back to JENOVA Foundation HQ to talk to Sephiroth about what was going on while Yazoo remained at their hideout with Kaibu to take care of him.
Chapter 5: Bonds& the New WEAPON
(This section will focus on Sephieroth as the speaker) After a long drive, i arrived at JENOVA Foundation HQ to help Big Brother. The drive there seemed like forever; i couldn't get the image of Mother's tears out of my head the entire time. I was never happy seeing Mother hurt like that. I even had to force my own tears aside to focus on driving several times. It was not fun, not even as easy as it normally is. When i had arrived, i went inside and made way for the computer labs where Rufus always was playing with that huge system of his. Luckily i didn't have to worry about the old him that was before the Infinite Reunion activation; the one who was once the sickest man i had known my entire life. He was disgusting beyond description during all those years. I never understood why Cloud Strife kept chasing us instead of going after the real enemy: Rufus and his disgusting Shinra Company. They were the cause of the trouble since day one! Thankfully though they were gone now. I had stepped out of the elevator and walked towards Rufus, who quickly took notice to me and turned around in his chair smiling at me. He got up and laughed, then said "If it isnt Princess Sephieroth! What can i do for you, Young Sister?" I smiled, trying not to blush from embarrassment and replied "Im here to see Big Brother. Is he awake yet?" Rufus nodded, and replied "He's awake alright.... but he's terribly miserable. What happened out there?" I sighed and said "Its a long story, Brother Rufus.... but he needs my help." Rufus nodded and replied "Alright, im not sure what you have in mind, but an order's an order! He's in the room over that way." Rufus pointed towards the side of the area and i turned to gaze at a closed door. I said "Thanks!" Rufus laughed and replied "Ah, its nothing, Little Sister." Boy, Rufus really never changed, but he sure showed more respect towards me which was good. I went through the door he pointed to, and saw Sephiroth laying on a bed with his face in the pillow; his long silver hair on his back and some of it draped on the floor. His katana was rested on a wall on the other side of the room; it had appeared he'd been crying a lot as though deeply sad or depressed. No wonder Rufus said he was miserable. I could hardly stand here with a straight face with the sight before me; i also felt terrible seeing this. He was also shaking a bit as though he was still silently crying. I slowly approached him and said "Big Brother.... are you ok..?" He slowly sat up and said "I... I'm fine, im just tired..." I saw tears falling from his eyes even though he wasnt looking at me. I sat beside him on his bed, resting a hand on the left side of his face and gently turning him to face me. He looked me in the eye, and i could see deep sadness in his eyes. He didn't speak, but i said "Big Brother.... i know youre jealous and think Mother likes me more than you. But Mother would never do something like that! Yes, i was a hero of the war and all, but you're her firstborn son! She would never forget or ignore you!" His tears slowed down and he replied "You knew..? You knew i felt that way..?" I shook my head and replied "Mother is the one who knew. I talked to her because i knew something was going on, Big Brother; i knew you weren't acting like yourself. But killing me or Yazoo wont solve anything. It might even make you feel worse!" Sephiroth seemed to stop and replied "You came back for me? After all the trouble i caused in Mother's Church? After i tried to kill Yazoo..?" I nodded and said "Of course i did! Youre still our Big Brother. Yes, i know you lost control out there, but if i was a real hero would leaving my own Brother in pain mean im really Family Hero?" Sephiroth suddenly smiled at me sweetly. I smiled back and said "Its ok, Big Brother. Mother would never choose favorites like that. She loves us both; me because of my SOLDIER Way, and especially you since you were hers since the beginning of her time!" Sephiroth gazed at me in strange silence, staring in a strange sweet silence. He kept his gaze locked on me, slowly reaching one hand towards my face and said "Young Sister..." He rested his hand on the side of my face, then suddenly pulled me towards his body, holding me against himself with both hands over my back. I suddenly realized how happy Big Brother really was now; this had gone just right and i could see that with how Big Brother was acting. This was the real Sephiroth: the Brother who cared for his family and his own kind above all else. Out of nowhere, i heard Mother's voice echo in my mind: Well done, Young Sephie. I could feel and sense her smiling at me even here. I smiled, knowing i had done the right thing once again. After several minutes, Sephiroth had gently let go of me and i watched as he smiled at me in a friendly way. After a moment of silence, he said "I was wrong, my Sister... you can handle this mission. I now see why Mother promoted you Family Hero.... you have what i lacked--a big heart and a spirit that can overcome anything. I was very strong like you, Young Sister. But the only thing that seemed to drive me during my years helping Mother was hatred... i hated Shinra, hated many humans who had been former friends--who turned against me... i lashed out furiously so many times, only ending up feeling worse with each passing failure. It could very well be my boundless and violent anger that didn't help us, but instead had hurt Mother more and more.... it would be no surprise if my fury only worsened those terrible wounds of our beloved Mother." I stood in silence and continued listening. Sephiroth turned to face the other direction and continued "The connection i share with her--its powerful beyond what human words can describe. That connection isnt negative, but if i am hurt like that, Mother suffers even more. I had a burning flame within myself--the flame of hatred and rage. It did keep my alive, but it hurt both me and my Mother as time went by. But you... you went through so much trouble, there good times and bad ones--some were simply awful. Cloud had killed Loz and Yazoo when you were in larval form--leaving you to fend for yourself after your narrow escape. You, just like me, grew hateful with time. But you kept going, training to be as strong as possible--you continued moving forward with not just hatred; you pushed on with the fighting spirit to keep trying. You forced your sorrow and hate aside and replaced it with fiery confidence. When you found your brothers revived, you rejoiced with them.... and you all made countless sacrifices; you were the light of your gang, Young Sister. You were the reason Yazoo and Loz were always so happy; even Mother was always happy guiding you guys." I paused briefly, then replied "Wasnt Mother happy guiding you since you were her first child?" Sephiroth turned back to me and said "She loved me very dearly, Young Sister. But my immeasurable pain also manifested in her due to our connection... As you know, when one of us loves another, our JENOVA cells tie to that person as a reaction. When our cells merge with the other person enough, the emotions are often shared on either side. This is why Mother was so sad after our long journey trying to take this planet for her--too many losses happened, and as a result i was deeply hurt. Likewise, the same thing for our dear Mother: sadness and sorrow. We both shared the same lament for many years because of this. But since you were always cheery and positive, along with utter defiance towards the enemy--Mother was happy as a result of your connection with her. This is the skill you had that i lacked, Young Sister. You were so skilled establishing that type of connection, you even got Sulbio--who was once Cloud Strife--to join sides with Mother. I was too focused on defeating the enemy, and the end result was a ruinous connection that harmed both me and Mother.... it was too deep rooted for me to fix in the end. But thanks to you, Mother is no longer suffering like that. She is happy... and free. Thanks to you and your SOLDIER Way Sephieroth, i was fully revived and Mother's Infinite Reunion was successfully activated. Even through the thick carnage at the war's end, you remained positive.... i can only imagine how much Yazoo and Loz must love you. You were a good Family Boss to them..." Sephiroth turned back to me and said "Give me my katana." I then asked "Why?" Sephiroth smiled back in a very familiar way and said "We're getting out there and finding a way to defeat SAKUI and get back Father. With someone like you, I know we have a fair shot at this." I smiled back and said "Brother!" Not waiting another minute, i reached for his katana and he took it from me, sheathing in on his back where he always kept it. After a short moment, he said "Alright, time to target Omega and Ultima weapon. Once you capture them both, i'll have Rufus use the research data he gathered to fuse them both. Both of these beasts fused as one is known as Perfect WEAPON. Perfect WEAPON wont be an easy fight, my Sister; if you cannot capture it, youre no match for SAKUI. It may even be the most difficult fight you'll have yet...." After a long pause, i asked "How strong exactly is this newly discovered beast?" Sephiroth replied quickly "According to Rufus's calculations, its powerful enough to destroy virtually anything with minimal effort; even more so than Omega. Mother told me if a mission were scheduled to capture it, she would want it to be sealed inside of you. However.... its energy is so great, the only way to prevent you from dying of it is with the Perfect Reunion--a special move that requires very precise and hasty timing." I then asked "Uh oh... and how do we perform the Perfect Reunion?" Sephiroth replied "We need Mother present for the move to work. From there, each of us--me, your gang, and Mother--exert our JENOVA cells directly on you to force a reunion that is powerful enough to prevent you from dying. However, if we each dont act quickly enough, you'll die and have to wait several minutes to be revived by the Infinite Reunion--and if that happens you have to fight Perfect WEAPON all over again." I then asked "And whats about the timing?" Sephiroth replied "It has to be perfect to work: we each have to act within exactly a 3-second time frame. If we dont each complete the move within that 3 seconds, its no good." I then said "Ouch.... thats not a lot of time. What if my Brothers die while doing it?" Sephiroth shrugged and said "Then they die... It shouldn't happen with me helping, so hopefully we wont have to worry about that. The reason Mother didn't teach you and your gang this move is because she knew you three wouldn't be enough to pull it off without sacrificing each other; especially with you in larval form. In fact, it may be safer for only Mother and myself to attempt this.... even with the permanently activated Infinite Reunion, who knows where Yazoo and Loz will wind up after it recreates them... the same applies with Young Sulbio. Id rather not put them through that pain if it can be avoided." Then i paused and asked "But isnt it stronger if more of us are working as one?" Sephiroth nodded and replied "Naturally. However, i may want Rufus to arrange some tests on the issue just to be safe. I dont like ordering him to do something this dirty, especially remembering how Shinra abused Mother, but im afraid its the only possible precaution..." I nodded in understanding, then said "I understand. Should i prepare for this series of WEAPON fights with my gang?" Sephiroth replied "Not yet. We have to make arrangements first. I cant let you guys jump into this without some kind of backup; you know this is dangerous." I then said "Got it. I'll have us hold out for a while and patrol the kingdom until preparations are complete." After that, we both split up to focus on preparing for the WEAPON quests. Upon leaving JENOVA Foundation HQ, i got on my motorbike and focused on driving back to the Mako Reactor to report to Mother and see how Yazoo and our young son Kaibu were doing. Remembering Mother smiling at me from a distance, i knew she would be pleased when i got back and told her everything. Things were beginning to smooth out once again. Little had i known, things would be sure to heat up before long.
To be continued...
