Chapter 3: Exile
(this section will focus on Loz as the speaker) Fortunately, we had managed to beat Rufus to the materia labs and made off with his mass produced black materia; all thanks to Sister's help. If she hadn't awakened when she did, I could only imagine what would've happened next. Here I was, Sister flying while holding me at the same time, wondering what Rufus's true goal really was. Why was he going berserk? Was it all because of me, or is there another distortion in the JENOVA Lifestream behind the glass again? I asked "Sister... what is Brother's goal? What's he trying to do?" She paused, then answered "I'm still not sure, but I have a feeling its big... and definitely not good. As the Foundation President, he knows everything about the JENOVA Lifestream and its ties to Mother's family in the kingdom. I have a hunch he plans to overthrow the family bosses and make the kingdom his own." I felt tears well up in my eyes, and said "But... why..? Why ever would he do such a thing..? He's helped the family for so many years..." Sister answered "I don't know, but if my theory is correct he's taken this way too far, and definitely kicking down the door. Something is definitely off though, you're right about that. He wasn't acting like this at all when Mother was ruling the Planet. He was the smartest family member Mother had besides Big Brother Sephiroth and the rest of JENOVA SOLDIER, and a master scientist. I wouldn't be surprised if he attempts to use the knowledge he has about the cycle of life in JENOVA Kingdom against JENOVA SOLDIER." I cried "But if he tampers with that, everyone could die! What has gotten into him?!" SEPHIROVA sighed "I agree that he's lost his mind, and what you say is true. Using the knowledge about the cycle of life, he could even erase the whole kingdom from existence... we can't let that happen, at all costs." I said "If everything you say is true, then we have to stop him no matter what! Sister, locate him and let me take care of him!" Her eyes widened a bit, and she asked "Are you sure you can take him on your own, Brother? He's stronger than he looks." I replied "I have to distract him, at least. If I keep him busy, then you and the rest of JENOVA SOLDIER can focus on hiding the stashes of black materia. Even if I can't beat him Sister, I can still buy the gang some time." She giggled and said "You have an excellent point, Loz. I'll give my approval this time, but don't get careless. Stay alert and don't let him get you off guard!" I agreed "That won't be a problem. I'll do my best, Sister!" She gently let go of me and said "Alright, Loz. I'm sending you in to the Forgotten City. I have a feeling our friend is expecting us there. The rest is up to you, Brother." After that, she released her powers' grip and I found myself enveloped in a green pillar of light for a short time, then realized I was in the Forgotten City when it faded. I laughed and said "Wow, Sister's amazing! That fusty scientist doesn't stand a chance!" I began racing through the area and wondered "I wonder what else she can do? She's on a whole new level of strength." I began to wonder if this whole situation really was my fault, or if Brother Rufus had been planning something all along after what Sister explained to me. I knew he was mad at me for wrecking JENOVA Foundation, but he hasn't been himself since Mother's death. Was he waiting for this day to come, for Mother to sacrifice herself with the goal of taking over her kingdom? Is that what he was really planning all this time? By the time I reached the deepest parts of the area, I slowed down and armed my dual hound, waiting for Rufus to ambush me. I kept my eyes peeled so he wouldn't surprise me so easily. I angrily cried "Gah, give it up already! I know you're there, Rufus!" I heard a man's voice say "Heh, yeah he's there alright... and not by himself, either." I cried "Wha..?! Vincent?!" Vincent took physical shape right in front of me. I started "Don't tell me you are too!" Rufus came out of hiding and walked to Vincent's side. Rufus laughed and said "Oh he is, alright. He's with me, Loz. Like it or not, it's true." I got into my fighting stance and asked "Why are you doing this, Brother? What are trying to achieve by fighting your own family?!" Vincent scoffed, then said "As stupid as always, I see. You think we're dumb enough to tell you? If we tell you what we want, you're going to tell half JENOVA SOLDIER before we can get anywhere." I angrily replied "This isn't a joke! What would Mother say about you guys?! How do you think fighting each other makes Mother feel? Don't you care?" Rufus answered "Tch, she's not even here. What difference does it make? She's not here to give us her judgement, and she won't be until Reunion Day arrives." I grew steely and said "You're wrong, Rufus! Mother lives on in the JENOVA Lifestream! Her legacy is eternal on this Planet because of the Infinite Reunion! As part of the family and head of JENOVA Foundation, you should know this better than anyone! Shame on you, you fiend!" Suddenly, they both looked very grim; like something had paralyzed them with fear. Had my words gotten through to them? Something began pulling their JENOVA cells from them, and they regained their appearances prior to the Infinite Reunion activation. They both collapsed on the ground, and I lowered my weapon and wondered "What just happened..? Did i do something..?" I heard Mother speak to me "My son, they have been exiled. They attempted to rebel against the family bosses, and ultimately against me altogether. By recognizing this and calling them fiends, you stripped them of my cells I once shared with them. This is why they no longer share my family genes, and lost their silver hair and green eyes. Only my children who are most pure towards me have the power to exile." I said "Wait, so I just gave them family expulsion...?" I couldn't believe what I just heard. They slowly sat up, moaning from pain and stood up. Rufus said "Curses... he got us." Vincent sneered at me but kept silent. I knew they were mad at me for kicking them out of the family. I got back into a fighting stance, arming my dual hound a second time. Vincent sighed and said "I can't believe a world-class dunce like Loz had the power to do that..." Rufus added "It doesn't matter, Vincent. What matters now is we defeat this kid before the rest of JENOVA SOLDIER can corner us." Vincent snickered and said "All too easy. Beating a dumb kid like him can't be that hard." Rufus warned "Don't be fooled! He might seem dumb, but Loz can fight." Then the skirmish started. Both of them had guns, but fortunately my strength even rivaled bullets. I deflected all of them with my dual hound. I closed in on them, and warped directly behind them both, jabbing the ground and making a fissure from behind. Vincent flew right out of the way, and Rufus also dodged it. I groaned, saying "It's no good! I can't beat them!" The only way I could get a good hit on my enemy was by closing in enough to do it. I had my gunblade as backup, but my true strength was in close physical combat. Rufus asked "Are you gonna give up?" He seemed to delight in seeing me like this, but Vincent was neutral as always. He never cared about anything. Remembering why I was here, I said "Of course I won't! What kind of fool do you take me for?" Then we continued our skirmish: Rufus and Vincent against me. I cried "If I let you two roam free, I'm putting the whole kingdom in danger! You think I'll actually allow that?" I warped behind Vincent, and struck him in the back with my dual hound. He groaned in pain and fell down. I pulled my gunblade and fired several shots at Rufus. He dodged the first two, but the one after that got him, and he winced from it. I wanted to reach Sister, but if they caught me contacting her they would know I was here only to buy JENOVA SOLDIER time. I had no choice but to wait for the ok from her. Vincent tried to get up, but his back was too badly damaged from the hit he took. He yelled "Dang it, Loz! Why do you care so much about your mindless Mother?!" I cried "What?!" Without another word, I dashed towards him and gave him another hard hit in the back. Blood spewed from his mouth, and he passed out. Rufus was still trying to recover. I said "That should shut you up. You better watch it!" When Rufus recovered, he said "Fine, you win this time, Loz. But this fight is far from over. I will find a way to reverse the Infinite Reunion, and JENOVA's legacy will be as if it never were." Frightened, I said "What are you talking about..? It can't be reversed..." Rufus added "Oh, it can. And I will rebuild Shinra Company and find out how to erase it completely--and your precious family with it. Vincent, get us out of here, if you can." Vincent gagged on more blood, and said "Right..." Then both of them were clouded in shadows and started to disappear. Trying to stop them, I cried "Hey!" I tried to attack them, but they disappeared before I had the chance. I groaned and said "Ugh! They got away!" I stood in silence, wondering what to do next. I said "This is bad. If they really can erase Mother's divine legacy, the Planet will be erased with it! Reversing the Infinite Reunion would blow the Planet to smithereens, and everyone would die with it! I have to warn Sister about this. We can't let them do it!" I contacted SEPHIROVA, and said "Sister, we have a big problem!" She asked "Did you learn anything, Brother?" I replied "I sure did, and its a disaster for all of JENOVA Kingdom. Rufus and Vincent plan to reverse Mother's Infinite Reunion and erase her legacy completely!" SEPHIROVA said "So it's worse than I anticipated... and he plans to revive Shinra Company to get started, no doubt. He can't do it without his filthy organization." I added "Right, that's exactly it. But with him and Vincent being the only exiles, how is it even possible? They'd get Geostigma before they could rebuild an enemy organization!" SEPHIROVA answered "I don't know, but we have to stop him at all costs. We can't allow a Shinra revival, even if it seems far-fetched. If anyone has the knowledge to do that, you'd better know Rufus himself does. He puts his sick and depraved company before everything else." I sighed, and said "Here we go again... another Shinra-JENOVA War. I can't believe this..." Sister said "I know, but this time we have the throne instead of the enemy which is to our advantage. Even if Mother isn't in physical form, the Planet affairs are controlled by her family bosses such as myself and Sephiroth. During the first two Shinra-JENOVA Wars, Shinra ruled this world. This time, we have the rulership through Mother's legacy which puts more power in our hands to stop them. But we have to act as one, or that power is meaningless. I will initiate the order to what's left of JENOVA Foundation's staff to mount a heavy resistance for now. I can't guarantee they can outrank Rufus and Vincent, but it will certainly slow them down." I asked "What about the black materia we secured? Is it safely hidden?" Sister giggled and said "Fortunately, yes. We hid it where he'll never reach it. But next we must focus our mission on stopping the enemy before the situation escalates too much. I'll do my best to keep eyes on those two and see what's up their sleeve to revive Shinra. I want you to meet up with the rest of JENOVA SOLDIER and organize a plan to stop them." I agreed "Got it, I'll find the others!" I began racing through the area, on my way out after sheathing my gunblade. This was really bad. I can't believe Rufus was waiting all this time for Mother to die so he could revive Shinra! Mother trusted him to use his scientific skills to protect her kingdom! And now he had betrayed her, or worse, had planned to from the start? I didn't know what to say anymore; I didn't even know what to think. This was all so beyond belief I had no words to describe how I felt. I thought if that was his plan from the start, Mother would've had him persecuted immediately. So that couldn't be right; you can't lie to Mother like that and win, she would see right through your lies because she can read thoughts. Whether you were one of us or not didn't change that. I sighed and said "First the Crimstigma crisis, now another Shinra revolution? This is getting out of control!"
To be Continued...
(this section will focus on Loz as the speaker) Fortunately, we had managed to beat Rufus to the materia labs and made off with his mass produced black materia; all thanks to Sister's help. If she hadn't awakened when she did, I could only imagine what would've happened next. Here I was, Sister flying while holding me at the same time, wondering what Rufus's true goal really was. Why was he going berserk? Was it all because of me, or is there another distortion in the JENOVA Lifestream behind the glass again? I asked "Sister... what is Brother's goal? What's he trying to do?" She paused, then answered "I'm still not sure, but I have a feeling its big... and definitely not good. As the Foundation President, he knows everything about the JENOVA Lifestream and its ties to Mother's family in the kingdom. I have a hunch he plans to overthrow the family bosses and make the kingdom his own." I felt tears well up in my eyes, and said "But... why..? Why ever would he do such a thing..? He's helped the family for so many years..." Sister answered "I don't know, but if my theory is correct he's taken this way too far, and definitely kicking down the door. Something is definitely off though, you're right about that. He wasn't acting like this at all when Mother was ruling the Planet. He was the smartest family member Mother had besides Big Brother Sephiroth and the rest of JENOVA SOLDIER, and a master scientist. I wouldn't be surprised if he attempts to use the knowledge he has about the cycle of life in JENOVA Kingdom against JENOVA SOLDIER." I cried "But if he tampers with that, everyone could die! What has gotten into him?!" SEPHIROVA sighed "I agree that he's lost his mind, and what you say is true. Using the knowledge about the cycle of life, he could even erase the whole kingdom from existence... we can't let that happen, at all costs." I said "If everything you say is true, then we have to stop him no matter what! Sister, locate him and let me take care of him!" Her eyes widened a bit, and she asked "Are you sure you can take him on your own, Brother? He's stronger than he looks." I replied "I have to distract him, at least. If I keep him busy, then you and the rest of JENOVA SOLDIER can focus on hiding the stashes of black materia. Even if I can't beat him Sister, I can still buy the gang some time." She giggled and said "You have an excellent point, Loz. I'll give my approval this time, but don't get careless. Stay alert and don't let him get you off guard!" I agreed "That won't be a problem. I'll do my best, Sister!" She gently let go of me and said "Alright, Loz. I'm sending you in to the Forgotten City. I have a feeling our friend is expecting us there. The rest is up to you, Brother." After that, she released her powers' grip and I found myself enveloped in a green pillar of light for a short time, then realized I was in the Forgotten City when it faded. I laughed and said "Wow, Sister's amazing! That fusty scientist doesn't stand a chance!" I began racing through the area and wondered "I wonder what else she can do? She's on a whole new level of strength." I began to wonder if this whole situation really was my fault, or if Brother Rufus had been planning something all along after what Sister explained to me. I knew he was mad at me for wrecking JENOVA Foundation, but he hasn't been himself since Mother's death. Was he waiting for this day to come, for Mother to sacrifice herself with the goal of taking over her kingdom? Is that what he was really planning all this time? By the time I reached the deepest parts of the area, I slowed down and armed my dual hound, waiting for Rufus to ambush me. I kept my eyes peeled so he wouldn't surprise me so easily. I angrily cried "Gah, give it up already! I know you're there, Rufus!" I heard a man's voice say "Heh, yeah he's there alright... and not by himself, either." I cried "Wha..?! Vincent?!" Vincent took physical shape right in front of me. I started "Don't tell me you are too!" Rufus came out of hiding and walked to Vincent's side. Rufus laughed and said "Oh he is, alright. He's with me, Loz. Like it or not, it's true." I got into my fighting stance and asked "Why are you doing this, Brother? What are trying to achieve by fighting your own family?!" Vincent scoffed, then said "As stupid as always, I see. You think we're dumb enough to tell you? If we tell you what we want, you're going to tell half JENOVA SOLDIER before we can get anywhere." I angrily replied "This isn't a joke! What would Mother say about you guys?! How do you think fighting each other makes Mother feel? Don't you care?" Rufus answered "Tch, she's not even here. What difference does it make? She's not here to give us her judgement, and she won't be until Reunion Day arrives." I grew steely and said "You're wrong, Rufus! Mother lives on in the JENOVA Lifestream! Her legacy is eternal on this Planet because of the Infinite Reunion! As part of the family and head of JENOVA Foundation, you should know this better than anyone! Shame on you, you fiend!" Suddenly, they both looked very grim; like something had paralyzed them with fear. Had my words gotten through to them? Something began pulling their JENOVA cells from them, and they regained their appearances prior to the Infinite Reunion activation. They both collapsed on the ground, and I lowered my weapon and wondered "What just happened..? Did i do something..?" I heard Mother speak to me "My son, they have been exiled. They attempted to rebel against the family bosses, and ultimately against me altogether. By recognizing this and calling them fiends, you stripped them of my cells I once shared with them. This is why they no longer share my family genes, and lost their silver hair and green eyes. Only my children who are most pure towards me have the power to exile." I said "Wait, so I just gave them family expulsion...?" I couldn't believe what I just heard. They slowly sat up, moaning from pain and stood up. Rufus said "Curses... he got us." Vincent sneered at me but kept silent. I knew they were mad at me for kicking them out of the family. I got back into a fighting stance, arming my dual hound a second time. Vincent sighed and said "I can't believe a world-class dunce like Loz had the power to do that..." Rufus added "It doesn't matter, Vincent. What matters now is we defeat this kid before the rest of JENOVA SOLDIER can corner us." Vincent snickered and said "All too easy. Beating a dumb kid like him can't be that hard." Rufus warned "Don't be fooled! He might seem dumb, but Loz can fight." Then the skirmish started. Both of them had guns, but fortunately my strength even rivaled bullets. I deflected all of them with my dual hound. I closed in on them, and warped directly behind them both, jabbing the ground and making a fissure from behind. Vincent flew right out of the way, and Rufus also dodged it. I groaned, saying "It's no good! I can't beat them!" The only way I could get a good hit on my enemy was by closing in enough to do it. I had my gunblade as backup, but my true strength was in close physical combat. Rufus asked "Are you gonna give up?" He seemed to delight in seeing me like this, but Vincent was neutral as always. He never cared about anything. Remembering why I was here, I said "Of course I won't! What kind of fool do you take me for?" Then we continued our skirmish: Rufus and Vincent against me. I cried "If I let you two roam free, I'm putting the whole kingdom in danger! You think I'll actually allow that?" I warped behind Vincent, and struck him in the back with my dual hound. He groaned in pain and fell down. I pulled my gunblade and fired several shots at Rufus. He dodged the first two, but the one after that got him, and he winced from it. I wanted to reach Sister, but if they caught me contacting her they would know I was here only to buy JENOVA SOLDIER time. I had no choice but to wait for the ok from her. Vincent tried to get up, but his back was too badly damaged from the hit he took. He yelled "Dang it, Loz! Why do you care so much about your mindless Mother?!" I cried "What?!" Without another word, I dashed towards him and gave him another hard hit in the back. Blood spewed from his mouth, and he passed out. Rufus was still trying to recover. I said "That should shut you up. You better watch it!" When Rufus recovered, he said "Fine, you win this time, Loz. But this fight is far from over. I will find a way to reverse the Infinite Reunion, and JENOVA's legacy will be as if it never were." Frightened, I said "What are you talking about..? It can't be reversed..." Rufus added "Oh, it can. And I will rebuild Shinra Company and find out how to erase it completely--and your precious family with it. Vincent, get us out of here, if you can." Vincent gagged on more blood, and said "Right..." Then both of them were clouded in shadows and started to disappear. Trying to stop them, I cried "Hey!" I tried to attack them, but they disappeared before I had the chance. I groaned and said "Ugh! They got away!" I stood in silence, wondering what to do next. I said "This is bad. If they really can erase Mother's divine legacy, the Planet will be erased with it! Reversing the Infinite Reunion would blow the Planet to smithereens, and everyone would die with it! I have to warn Sister about this. We can't let them do it!" I contacted SEPHIROVA, and said "Sister, we have a big problem!" She asked "Did you learn anything, Brother?" I replied "I sure did, and its a disaster for all of JENOVA Kingdom. Rufus and Vincent plan to reverse Mother's Infinite Reunion and erase her legacy completely!" SEPHIROVA said "So it's worse than I anticipated... and he plans to revive Shinra Company to get started, no doubt. He can't do it without his filthy organization." I added "Right, that's exactly it. But with him and Vincent being the only exiles, how is it even possible? They'd get Geostigma before they could rebuild an enemy organization!" SEPHIROVA answered "I don't know, but we have to stop him at all costs. We can't allow a Shinra revival, even if it seems far-fetched. If anyone has the knowledge to do that, you'd better know Rufus himself does. He puts his sick and depraved company before everything else." I sighed, and said "Here we go again... another Shinra-JENOVA War. I can't believe this..." Sister said "I know, but this time we have the throne instead of the enemy which is to our advantage. Even if Mother isn't in physical form, the Planet affairs are controlled by her family bosses such as myself and Sephiroth. During the first two Shinra-JENOVA Wars, Shinra ruled this world. This time, we have the rulership through Mother's legacy which puts more power in our hands to stop them. But we have to act as one, or that power is meaningless. I will initiate the order to what's left of JENOVA Foundation's staff to mount a heavy resistance for now. I can't guarantee they can outrank Rufus and Vincent, but it will certainly slow them down." I asked "What about the black materia we secured? Is it safely hidden?" Sister giggled and said "Fortunately, yes. We hid it where he'll never reach it. But next we must focus our mission on stopping the enemy before the situation escalates too much. I'll do my best to keep eyes on those two and see what's up their sleeve to revive Shinra. I want you to meet up with the rest of JENOVA SOLDIER and organize a plan to stop them." I agreed "Got it, I'll find the others!" I began racing through the area, on my way out after sheathing my gunblade. This was really bad. I can't believe Rufus was waiting all this time for Mother to die so he could revive Shinra! Mother trusted him to use his scientific skills to protect her kingdom! And now he had betrayed her, or worse, had planned to from the start? I didn't know what to say anymore; I didn't even know what to think. This was all so beyond belief I had no words to describe how I felt. I thought if that was his plan from the start, Mother would've had him persecuted immediately. So that couldn't be right; you can't lie to Mother like that and win, she would see right through your lies because she can read thoughts. Whether you were one of us or not didn't change that. I sighed and said "First the Crimstigma crisis, now another Shinra revolution? This is getting out of control!"
To be Continued...
