Chapter 6: The Gift
(This section will focus on Cloud as the speaker) I woke up, and moaned "Where am I..?" I felt very physically weakened for some reason, but managed to sit up. I studied the area carefully, my vision gradually becoming clear. I realized I was somewhere inside Mako Reactor, or what seemed like it. But the air felt different than I'd remembered. Had it been transformed into a JENOVA cell reactor instead? I got to my feet, and reached for my sword, but I realized I didnt have it "Huh? What in the world..? I never leave my sword behind. What happened? How did I get here..?" I tried to remember what might have happened before I woke up, but I couldn't think of anything. I grumbled "It's no good... I just don't know... maybe I can learn something if I look around here?" I started walking, and felt a heavy wave of dizziness that stopped me "Ungh... something isn't right. I feel like I got a bad dose of the stigma right now... I have to get out of here. If the area is really flooded with JENOVA cells, I can't last in it. If I get attacked by Kadaj's Brothers before I get my sword back, I'm in big trouble. I can't fight without it." I continued walking for a long while, then fell down. My body felt very weak; it was hard just trying to stand up. There was a small puddle of water a little ways ahead of me, and I managed to slide myself over to it. I tried to see my reflection just to make sure I didn't really have Geostigma again. When I saw myself, I appeared unscathed except for my forehead. I thought I also made out thin streams of silver in my hair "What..? No, that's impossible!" I immediately looked away, hoping what I saw was just my imagination and not real. I managed to stand up again, and reached into my pocket for my phone. Luckily, I still had it, and I called Hojo's lab at JENOVA Foundation. Hojo answered immediately "President Hojo at JENOVA Foundation speaking, what is it?" I quickly began to panic "Hojo, send help! You have to get me out of this place! I'm at the Mako Reactor, someone defeated me somewhere, and whoever it was ran off with my sword too. I can't go outside myself or I will get attacked!" Hojo laughed "You're there, are you? How convenient. Perhaps instead of fighting you should entertain my current subject who is being held there on the top level?" I asked "Subject?" Hojo replied "Oh, don't panic, my failure. You will recognize her better than anyone. I do hope you enjoy." I got back to the point, trying to focus him on my situation "Hojo, focus: I'm stranded here with nobody to back me up. Send staff to get me out of here: that was my reason for calling you." He laughed again "Oh my, isn't that too bad. I am so sorry, but I'm far too busy trying to open Cetra Class Project to improve the future of the race and develop new types." Then he hung up before I could say anything else. I was very frustrated right now. I put my phone back in my pocket. I remembered what he mentioned about his current subject, and for some reason, a mental image of Sephieroth unconscious inside of the cell on the top level came to me. The image went from her angel form, to her larval form, and memories of her suffering followed. Gaining a surprising burst of strength, I began running, heading for the top floor as quickly as I could "No... even if she is one of JENOVA's kids, I can't let Hojo do this to her! If he does any reckless experiments or procedures on her, and even one thing goes wrong... there's no telling what would happen! He's going over the edge again, and even if I can't fight them off, I have to help her!" Suddenly, all I could think about was saving Kadaj before Hojo's employees could make any progress with whatever he was trying to do. All I could feel was my heart pounding, the only sound I could hear were my own footsteps.
Sometime later...
When I finally reached the top, I was gasping for air. My vision was a bit fuzzy, and I was seeing double for a while. Luckily my sight returned to normal, and I saw several startled scientists looking at me. I ignored them, glancing at the cell towards the end of the room, and the vision I'd had was real: Kadaj was inside, and seemed weak. I ran past them, hurrying to check on her. She opened her eyes and gazed at me in surprise, barely able to speak "Cloud..?! Wha... what are you doing here?" I replied "I'm getting you out of here! Hojo is starting bad business here exploiting your power!" I heard one of the employees behind me shout "Catch him! He's trying to halt President Hojo's work!" Kadaj cried "Cloud, get out of here! If they get you too..." I disagreed "No, that doesn't matter! I'm not letting him hurt you too!" I turned around, and the employees had me trapped. I didn't have an opening to escape through, either. Before any of them could attack, I turned back to the cell and punched it as hard as possible. The glass shattered, spilling the black fluids from inside that seemed like JENOVA cells. Kadaj fell out, and I jumped down to catch her. She wouldn't move; didn't even bolt her black wing. It was clear she was weakened enough she couldn't defend herself. I caught her on my way down, holding her in my arms and hoping we don't fall to the very bottom of the place that was a pool of JENOVA cells. I landed hard onto something, and Kadaj slipped out of my arms. Hurrying to help her, I got to my feet, but stopped: she was also safe. She moaned, sitting up and looking at me "Why did you help me? After I nearly killed you on the stratos tower..." I shook my head "You had a reason to want me dead, Kadaj... I had no right killing your Brothers and then trying to kill you too that day. You three did nothing to me... but I stole everything from you that day. I did to you what was done to me long before you three were born... without any right to. Your heart was pure, but I don't know about mine anymore... Saving you when I had the chance is the most I can do. I can't change what I already did wrong." Kadaj moved over, sitting next to me "You came all the way here to save me..?" I shrugged "Well, I didn't plan anything. I didn't even know they caught you until I called Hojo asking him to send help so I can get out of here. After I understood what he was talking about... all I could think about was making sure he doesn't end up sacrificing you for the sake of his research. Your Mother, JENOVA... she would never get over it if you died because of a reckless experiment. I'm not sure how I know, but I just feel it somehow... It hurts losing what means most to you..." Kadaj seemed slightly curious, reaching her hand to my forehead "Cloud... are you... like us now? Or maybe getting like us a little?" I was confused "What do you mean? I can't possibly be able to just transform--" I suddenly remembered what happened before I woke up here: a mental image of JENOVA grabbing me from behind and smiling at me as she pushed her tendrils inside my body came to me. My eyes widened, and I felt my body grow weak again "Oh no... JENOVA... she infected me before I blacked out... This can't be good!" I felt brief but heavy dizziness and moaned, holding my head to keep from blacking out again. Kadaj caught me, keeping me from laying down "Don't get scared or freak out! If Mother gifted you, fear is your worst enemy! Getting scared will only make the process hurt more." I wanted to argue angrily at what she said "This is supposed to be a gift? Are you kidding?" My vision faded in and out, and I dropped to the floor, barely awake "Ungh... stay awake... stay awake..!" Kadaj pulled me up to a sitting position "It's OK, calm down, Brother. You won't die, alright? Mother didn't leave you with something that will leave you dead, but you are going to feel a lot of pain. I can give you a helpful hint to get better so it doesn't hurt so much, as a thank you present for rescuing me when I was too drained to defend myself: you might feel a lot happier and stronger if you stay calm and accept Mother's love and her Great Blessing you received. Getting scared and trying to shut her out will hurt you because you're attempting to block the underdeveloped connection you have to her. By shutting her out, you are also interfering with the JENOVA Lifestream and keeping it from sustaining your strength. That's why you feel weak when you get scared and try to shut Mother out or attempt to mentally reject the legacy." I couldn't believe what she had explained, but it made sense with what I had been experiencing since waking up here. I asked "And how long will all of this last until I feel healthy again..?" Kadaj shook her head "I wish I knew, but I'm afraid I don't. I can help you and be a good teacher though. As one of the three chief remnants of Mother, I spent my whole life growing up in Mother's light and divinity--even after Yazoo and Loz had fallen during our fight at the monument back then. So, having grown up and spent years in her light and beauty, I understand her better than most. Much like Big Brother himself does, but my approach isn't exactly like his. Of course, we both share the common goal of bringing smiles to our beloved Mother. That's why I think I can help you through this so it doesn't hurt so bad. We better get out of here before those scientists can catch us, though... I don't think we wanna play with them, especially since you don't have your sword. Keep your ears open--they can come out of nowhere. Literally, Brother." I decided to listen to her and asked "Can you do anything to back me up?" Kadaj replied "They sedated me during that ambush, so I'm too weak to fight well right now... that's why I had a larval reversion. I only have a forced reversion if my JENOVA cell composition drops significantly within a short time span. And when I do, trying to fight upon awakening can make me black out from exhaustion. If I rest long enough though, I'll be back in top functionality before long." I nodded, then stood up "I'm willing to carry you then, if you are willing to trust me enough. I don't expect you to, though... after everything I did and all..." Kadaj stood up and shook her head "No, don't worry about that fight right now... You saved my life, Brother. If you really were the same monster I saw back then, you would have killed me instead of trying to help me. I will let you carry me, since you can at least run. I can't run until I recover enough." I gently took her, and held her in my arms. Then I began walking, focused on leaving the area. I heard her yawn, but saw she was trying not to fall asleep. Even though she didn't seem it, I felt she was trying to stay awake out of sense of wariness towards me. I wondered if she was too weak and tired to be acting much like herself, and that was why she didn't even sneer at me before. I began wondering what she was talking about when she said something about JENOVA 'gifting' me with whatever I was feeling my entire time here. More than that though, why did JENOVA smile at me so sweetly before I blacked out, when she hated me for so many years? All I had ever done was get in her way. What did she see when she looked at me that she didn't see before?
To be Continued...
(This section will focus on Cloud as the speaker) I woke up, and moaned "Where am I..?" I felt very physically weakened for some reason, but managed to sit up. I studied the area carefully, my vision gradually becoming clear. I realized I was somewhere inside Mako Reactor, or what seemed like it. But the air felt different than I'd remembered. Had it been transformed into a JENOVA cell reactor instead? I got to my feet, and reached for my sword, but I realized I didnt have it "Huh? What in the world..? I never leave my sword behind. What happened? How did I get here..?" I tried to remember what might have happened before I woke up, but I couldn't think of anything. I grumbled "It's no good... I just don't know... maybe I can learn something if I look around here?" I started walking, and felt a heavy wave of dizziness that stopped me "Ungh... something isn't right. I feel like I got a bad dose of the stigma right now... I have to get out of here. If the area is really flooded with JENOVA cells, I can't last in it. If I get attacked by Kadaj's Brothers before I get my sword back, I'm in big trouble. I can't fight without it." I continued walking for a long while, then fell down. My body felt very weak; it was hard just trying to stand up. There was a small puddle of water a little ways ahead of me, and I managed to slide myself over to it. I tried to see my reflection just to make sure I didn't really have Geostigma again. When I saw myself, I appeared unscathed except for my forehead. I thought I also made out thin streams of silver in my hair "What..? No, that's impossible!" I immediately looked away, hoping what I saw was just my imagination and not real. I managed to stand up again, and reached into my pocket for my phone. Luckily, I still had it, and I called Hojo's lab at JENOVA Foundation. Hojo answered immediately "President Hojo at JENOVA Foundation speaking, what is it?" I quickly began to panic "Hojo, send help! You have to get me out of this place! I'm at the Mako Reactor, someone defeated me somewhere, and whoever it was ran off with my sword too. I can't go outside myself or I will get attacked!" Hojo laughed "You're there, are you? How convenient. Perhaps instead of fighting you should entertain my current subject who is being held there on the top level?" I asked "Subject?" Hojo replied "Oh, don't panic, my failure. You will recognize her better than anyone. I do hope you enjoy." I got back to the point, trying to focus him on my situation "Hojo, focus: I'm stranded here with nobody to back me up. Send staff to get me out of here: that was my reason for calling you." He laughed again "Oh my, isn't that too bad. I am so sorry, but I'm far too busy trying to open Cetra Class Project to improve the future of the race and develop new types." Then he hung up before I could say anything else. I was very frustrated right now. I put my phone back in my pocket. I remembered what he mentioned about his current subject, and for some reason, a mental image of Sephieroth unconscious inside of the cell on the top level came to me. The image went from her angel form, to her larval form, and memories of her suffering followed. Gaining a surprising burst of strength, I began running, heading for the top floor as quickly as I could "No... even if she is one of JENOVA's kids, I can't let Hojo do this to her! If he does any reckless experiments or procedures on her, and even one thing goes wrong... there's no telling what would happen! He's going over the edge again, and even if I can't fight them off, I have to help her!" Suddenly, all I could think about was saving Kadaj before Hojo's employees could make any progress with whatever he was trying to do. All I could feel was my heart pounding, the only sound I could hear were my own footsteps.
Sometime later...
When I finally reached the top, I was gasping for air. My vision was a bit fuzzy, and I was seeing double for a while. Luckily my sight returned to normal, and I saw several startled scientists looking at me. I ignored them, glancing at the cell towards the end of the room, and the vision I'd had was real: Kadaj was inside, and seemed weak. I ran past them, hurrying to check on her. She opened her eyes and gazed at me in surprise, barely able to speak "Cloud..?! Wha... what are you doing here?" I replied "I'm getting you out of here! Hojo is starting bad business here exploiting your power!" I heard one of the employees behind me shout "Catch him! He's trying to halt President Hojo's work!" Kadaj cried "Cloud, get out of here! If they get you too..." I disagreed "No, that doesn't matter! I'm not letting him hurt you too!" I turned around, and the employees had me trapped. I didn't have an opening to escape through, either. Before any of them could attack, I turned back to the cell and punched it as hard as possible. The glass shattered, spilling the black fluids from inside that seemed like JENOVA cells. Kadaj fell out, and I jumped down to catch her. She wouldn't move; didn't even bolt her black wing. It was clear she was weakened enough she couldn't defend herself. I caught her on my way down, holding her in my arms and hoping we don't fall to the very bottom of the place that was a pool of JENOVA cells. I landed hard onto something, and Kadaj slipped out of my arms. Hurrying to help her, I got to my feet, but stopped: she was also safe. She moaned, sitting up and looking at me "Why did you help me? After I nearly killed you on the stratos tower..." I shook my head "You had a reason to want me dead, Kadaj... I had no right killing your Brothers and then trying to kill you too that day. You three did nothing to me... but I stole everything from you that day. I did to you what was done to me long before you three were born... without any right to. Your heart was pure, but I don't know about mine anymore... Saving you when I had the chance is the most I can do. I can't change what I already did wrong." Kadaj moved over, sitting next to me "You came all the way here to save me..?" I shrugged "Well, I didn't plan anything. I didn't even know they caught you until I called Hojo asking him to send help so I can get out of here. After I understood what he was talking about... all I could think about was making sure he doesn't end up sacrificing you for the sake of his research. Your Mother, JENOVA... she would never get over it if you died because of a reckless experiment. I'm not sure how I know, but I just feel it somehow... It hurts losing what means most to you..." Kadaj seemed slightly curious, reaching her hand to my forehead "Cloud... are you... like us now? Or maybe getting like us a little?" I was confused "What do you mean? I can't possibly be able to just transform--" I suddenly remembered what happened before I woke up here: a mental image of JENOVA grabbing me from behind and smiling at me as she pushed her tendrils inside my body came to me. My eyes widened, and I felt my body grow weak again "Oh no... JENOVA... she infected me before I blacked out... This can't be good!" I felt brief but heavy dizziness and moaned, holding my head to keep from blacking out again. Kadaj caught me, keeping me from laying down "Don't get scared or freak out! If Mother gifted you, fear is your worst enemy! Getting scared will only make the process hurt more." I wanted to argue angrily at what she said "This is supposed to be a gift? Are you kidding?" My vision faded in and out, and I dropped to the floor, barely awake "Ungh... stay awake... stay awake..!" Kadaj pulled me up to a sitting position "It's OK, calm down, Brother. You won't die, alright? Mother didn't leave you with something that will leave you dead, but you are going to feel a lot of pain. I can give you a helpful hint to get better so it doesn't hurt so much, as a thank you present for rescuing me when I was too drained to defend myself: you might feel a lot happier and stronger if you stay calm and accept Mother's love and her Great Blessing you received. Getting scared and trying to shut her out will hurt you because you're attempting to block the underdeveloped connection you have to her. By shutting her out, you are also interfering with the JENOVA Lifestream and keeping it from sustaining your strength. That's why you feel weak when you get scared and try to shut Mother out or attempt to mentally reject the legacy." I couldn't believe what she had explained, but it made sense with what I had been experiencing since waking up here. I asked "And how long will all of this last until I feel healthy again..?" Kadaj shook her head "I wish I knew, but I'm afraid I don't. I can help you and be a good teacher though. As one of the three chief remnants of Mother, I spent my whole life growing up in Mother's light and divinity--even after Yazoo and Loz had fallen during our fight at the monument back then. So, having grown up and spent years in her light and beauty, I understand her better than most. Much like Big Brother himself does, but my approach isn't exactly like his. Of course, we both share the common goal of bringing smiles to our beloved Mother. That's why I think I can help you through this so it doesn't hurt so bad. We better get out of here before those scientists can catch us, though... I don't think we wanna play with them, especially since you don't have your sword. Keep your ears open--they can come out of nowhere. Literally, Brother." I decided to listen to her and asked "Can you do anything to back me up?" Kadaj replied "They sedated me during that ambush, so I'm too weak to fight well right now... that's why I had a larval reversion. I only have a forced reversion if my JENOVA cell composition drops significantly within a short time span. And when I do, trying to fight upon awakening can make me black out from exhaustion. If I rest long enough though, I'll be back in top functionality before long." I nodded, then stood up "I'm willing to carry you then, if you are willing to trust me enough. I don't expect you to, though... after everything I did and all..." Kadaj stood up and shook her head "No, don't worry about that fight right now... You saved my life, Brother. If you really were the same monster I saw back then, you would have killed me instead of trying to help me. I will let you carry me, since you can at least run. I can't run until I recover enough." I gently took her, and held her in my arms. Then I began walking, focused on leaving the area. I heard her yawn, but saw she was trying not to fall asleep. Even though she didn't seem it, I felt she was trying to stay awake out of sense of wariness towards me. I wondered if she was too weak and tired to be acting much like herself, and that was why she didn't even sneer at me before. I began wondering what she was talking about when she said something about JENOVA 'gifting' me with whatever I was feeling my entire time here. More than that though, why did JENOVA smile at me so sweetly before I blacked out, when she hated me for so many years? All I had ever done was get in her way. What did she see when she looked at me that she didn't see before?
To be Continued...
