A Spectroscope-

Chapter 16: Bring Her Down

"We have the damage estimates for Sector 7. Considering those factories we already set up and all the investments, the damage is estimated cost to rebuild Sector 7 is..." Reeve meekly looked up and stopped as he saw the President's face. "Sir?"

"We're not rebuilding."

Shocked washed over executive's face and he paled to the point that the faded bruises upon his neck was visible. "What?"

"We're leaving Sector 7 as it is. And restarting the Neo-Midgar plan." The President gave Sephiroth a proud smile.

"...Then the Ancients?"

"We prefer the term 'Cetra'," interjected Sephiroth coldly. The bliss from his morning and past few days fading as he found that merely dropping off a report became so much more.

Shinra gave a hearty chuckle and said, "The Promised Land will soon be ours. I want you to raise the Mako rates fiftieth percent in every area."

"Rate hike! Rate hike! Tra, la, la! And please include our Space Program in the budget!" Sang Palmer as he twirled his chair with a loud speak.

Everyone, minus Sephiroth, in the room flinched at the sound.

The President's flinty eyes narrowed at irritation at Palmer. "Reeve and Scarlet will divide the extra income from the rate increase."

"Oh man!" Palmer, the obese, stopped his happy dance in his chair.

"Sir. If you raise the rates, the people will lose confidence..." Stammered Reeve.

"It'll be all right. The ignorant citizens won't lose confidence; they'll trust Shinra, Incorporated even more. They are human, after all." Absently stated the Company's top General. He wanted out of this damnable city and get Aerith away from Hojo.

Heidegger gave his trademark horse laugh and declared, "Ha ha ha! After all, we're the ones who saved Sector 7 from AVALANCHE!"

"Sephiroth, how's Aerith?" Thoughtfully inquired Shinra.

"Aerith is fine, sir, she's at Hojo's lab for her check up and he wanted to run another test upon her." Sephiroth's expression darkened before it blanked. The Neo-Midgar plan would allow him to leave the city and travel north. Originally it was suppose to have been Genesis to head this mission, but since the incident it turned into a bless opportunity for Sephiroth.

"Has she ever mentioned the Promised Land?" Demanded Scarlet.

"Scarlet that is not for you to know. General Sephiroth has been keeping very well informed what has been discovered and talked about between himself and Aerith." The President generously interjected. What he said, to Sephiroth, was mostly a command of a better reporting of what was being discussed. "And since we have nothing else to further to discuss, that concludes our meeting."

"Sir," A SOLDIER jogged into the conference room as everyone was leaving. "There is a situation..."

-

Aerith and 'Red', the creature, was separated from Cloud and the others. Zack seemed so gleeful to jerk her away from her from them and gently turn her over to the firm grip of one of his men. Several others collared Red and that was the last AVALANCHE saw of their friends before they were given a highly armed escort into an elevator and ascended upwards.

They exited the elevator and walked up a set of stairs to a very large office, where a large blonde man sat waiting for them. Coldly, the two parties surveyed one another.

"President Shinra, I have caught AVALANCHE attempting to steal the Cetra female and another one of Hojo's experiments." Stated Zack before stepping out of his view of the group. "I believe they sought to take Aerith for their own gain."

"So this is the truly infamous AVALANCHE?" Sneered President Shinra. He stood, his bulk not hindering his speed as he moved to the front of his massive desk.

"Where did you take Aerith?" Demanded Cloud.

"To a safe place. She's the last surviving Ancient... Didn't you know? They called themselves the Cetra, and lived thousands of years ago. Now they are just a forgotten page in history." Airily stated the leader of their most hated enemy.

"Cetra... That girl really was a survivor of the Cetra." Tifa murmured softly.

President Shinra bowed his head, "The Cetra, or the Ancients will show us the way to the 'Promised Land.' I'm expecting a lot out of her and she seemed to have been doing so well until this moment. But I think I'm willing to over look it once you've been taken care of."

"The Promised Land? Isn't that just a legend?" Demanded Barret sharply, the man's dark eyes glaring bullts while his hand could not.

"Even so, it's just too appealing to not to pursue. It's been said the Promised Land is very fertile. If the land is fertile..."

Barret's finished in a sharp raised tone, "Then there's gotta be Mako!"

President Shinra clapped at Barret's reply as if he was a simple animal who did a complex trick, "Exactly. That is why our money sucking Mako Reactor is necessary here. But there, the abundant Mako will just come out on its own. That is where Neo-Midgar will be built. My new glory..."

"BASTARD! Quit dreamin'!" Roared the black man as he lunged at the older blonde man.

"Oh really, don't you know? These days all it takes for your dreams to come true is money and power. Well, that is all for our meeting." President Shinra's expression went cold and he gestured to Zack.

"Come on! Outta his way!" Snapped Zack, shoving Barret back.

Barret tried to dodge Zack as he thundered on, "Hold it! I got a lot I wanna say to you!"

Zack's expression was one of pure fury and his fist slammed into Barret's jaw with a loud crack. As Barret gave a small cry of pain as his lower lip was ripped upon from meeting one of his canines. Zack's lips curled into a somber smile and he licked the blood off of his fist. The voice seemed pleased by his rough action and he slammed his fist into Barret's gut then and uttered into his ear, "Get moving."

President Shinra didn't even look up as they were abused down the stairs and added, "If you need something else- talk to my secretary."

-

Aerith really didn't want to be in cell, but she admitted it was much better then being forced into something that Hojo controlled. She lay upon the cot, a thin blanket wrapped around her form to keep her from catching a chill from the damp air. Near her upon the floor was Nanaki, who everyone called 'Red'. The feline wolf ignored the other cot upon the wall, but offered to retrieve the blanket from it for her. She politely declined since she wasn't truly cold, but suffering something akin to shock.

Never in her wildest dreams did she even consider that AVALANCHE would infiltrate Shinra in order to free her. It was very surreal to see them, those near strangers who owed her no favor or debt of gratitude, in their crusade for her freedom. It was extremely touching and had it been only two weeks earlier, she might even weep for joy at the prospect of escaping with them. Now she felt confused, burdened, guilty, worried, and even a little angry. Did they expect her to so easily to fly into their arms and betray those who had looked out for her here? Zack with his visits and shopping trips, Reeve with his cards and letters of encouragement, and Sephiroth with being her friend and focus?

And where would they go once they if they did manage to take her from this place? Shinra would be right on their heels, ready to take her back and punish her for escaping. At least being here and under Sephiroth's care she was treated well, not abused like her mother was and later left to die in a gutter in the slums. Honestly, she would give anything to be absolutely free from this place, but being with Sephiroth she came face to face with the harsh cold reality. As long as Shinra remained in control, with the nations so heavily dependent upon them, she- or any body else- would never be free.

"Nanaki," Whispered Aerith softly, "Is it so awful of me to wish that they never came for me? I am truly touched for their concern for me, but I know the truth to their motivation to free me."

His tail flickered, the flame stirring the shadows against the cell's walls, as Nanaki considered her words. With a heavy sigh, he offered, "All living creatures have motivations, Aerith and intentions. For better or for worse, all what others can do is to make the best of that." Nanaki's tuft ears swept forward. "It seems our allies are here."

Both of them listened as the others were forced into neighboring cells and the uncharacteristically cruel laugh from Zack. Neither one of them felt obligated to break the silence that echoed after the door to the prison area slammed shut. Instead, they merely sat more alert and listened to what the others would speak of.

"Are you okay, Barret?" They heard Cloud ask loudly. Apparently the older man was in another cell.

"Yeah, I'm fine." There was a pause as she heard people slum into their captivity. "So what do you make of the situation?"

"That Shinra is searching for that 'Promised Land' and think Aerith can lead them to it." Aerith sat up completely at that tad-bit of information and scooted towards the end of the cell to hear better what Barret was speaking of. "I only heard stories 'bout the Promised Land. I don't know if it really exists."

"Is that right?" Replied Cloud, his voice speaking volumes that he was more attentive to what his comrade was saying.

"The Shinra believe that the Promised Land is full of Mako energy. Which means, if the Shinra get there, they'll suck up all the Mako energy dere, too. And the land'll wither away. The Planet's gonna get weaker or maybe even die." Ranted on Barret and Aerith's eyes went wide as the Planet hummed in agreement with his words. "I can't just leave'em be. Heh, I'm recruitin' new members!! Me and Tifa. Hey wanna join as a real member?"

There was a silence and Barret must have muttered something because Nanaki shook his head as a loud 'thud' was heard several seconds after it.

Barret grumbled, but his tone was friendly as he went on, "Maybe ask Aerith and that Red now... Think they'd join?"

"I wonder how Aerith is doing... Where do you think they took them?"

"We're here as well since the lab was a mess." Loudly spoke Aerith, masking her irritation with a slight laugh.

"Aerith!? You safe?" Cloud was shocked that she was even put in the same area as them.

"Yeah, I'm all right with 'Red' being with me..." She felt awkward then. "I'd didn't think you all would come for me."

"Hey, I'm your bodyguard now. Your mom hired me for you."

Something twisted in Aerith and she felt ill. She had forgotten about how her mother must worry for her.

"Does the Promised Land really exist?" Suddenly as Tifa, her voice light and strong.

" ...I don't know. All I know is the Cetra were born for the Planet, speak with the Planet, and unlock the Planet's secrets. Then the Cetra will return to the Promised Land. A land that promises supreme happiness, a heaven for us alone."

"...What does that mean?" Inquired Tifa, she reminded Aerith of a big sister with the tone in her voice.

"More than words, something that a human can't really understand... I don't know how to explain it."

"Speak with the Planet?" Cloud offered, but it seemed more for himself.

"Just what does the Planet say?" Barret chimed in. None of them had better to do while imprisoned.

Aerith groaned softly to herself and her cellmate. She had tried to explain this to Sephiroth, which he grasped the concept easily enough, but when she tried to do it for Zack... "It's full of people and it's very noisy and nosey. That's why I can't make out what It's are saying most of the time, but I understand It's moods very well. But inside of this building, everything is very muted and only at times can I feel strong emotions from It.."

Cloud asked, "You hear it now?"

"I only heard It at the Church in the Slums when It spoke or outside of the city in a concert, but I feel it everywhere else instead. My mother said that Midgar was never longer safe and was very decayed... That is, my real mother said this to me." Rubbing her temples, Aerith didn't notice when Nanaki placing his head on her knee. Grateful for the comfort he offered, she rubbed his ears. "Someday I'll be free from Shinra. Then really speak with the Planet without fear and find my Promised Land. That's what my mother said."

"Perhaps its best if we just rest," interjected Nanaki.

"Sounds like a sound plan, we'll think of what to do later with much more sound minds." Cloud said.

So they slept.

-

When Sephiroth was informed what had happened outside of the conference room, his line between insanity and sanity blurred. Slamming the man into a wall, the General stormed back to their, his!, apartment. His feverish eyes looked around the darken living quarters, so very lifeless suddenly, and marched into the bedroom as if it would contain the answer and cure he so desperately wanted. Blankly he gazed at the bed, replaying the last week, days, and even hours they had to together within it. Nothing seemed to correspond with the SOLDIER's report that Aerith had tried to escape with those terrorists, that she wanted to leave him.

Did his father really abandon him or was it his mother who abandoned them to Shinra? Did Hojo lie to him, like countless times before, and it was truly his father who was the victim?, He thought distantly chaotic, feeling betrayed at the sight of the empty bed. Truly men seemed to be the more romantic and women the emotional butchers.

Tilting his head to the side, ignoring the small voices that argued for his attention, the General drew the Masamune. With snarl, he swung the graceful blade downward and cleaved the bed in two. Sheathing the blade abruptly, he turned away and stormed to his apartment door. Nearly ripping the door from its hinges, Sephiroth could have plowed Zack who was about to knock on his door. His subordinate leapt to the side to prevent that and danced several steps away from him.

"Heard that Aerith tried to escape then?" Spoke Zack, breaking the haze that was choking out Sephiroth's better senses. His hand, nonetheless, still strayed to his sword's hilt. Zack held up his hands. "Easy there, General, I'm just here to clarify the report."

"Clarify?" As Zack spoke to him, there was building pressure at the back of his skull. Those annoying little voices seemed more real for a moment. "What is there to clarify, Lieutenant Zachary Fair?"

Smoothly Zack shrugged and took a step boldly towards his commander. His brown eyes met the mint ones as he replied, "I understand why you're upset, I felt that way too. But you're different Sephiroth, I can see that, and… I know about you two." He sounded greatly pained and looked Sephiroth squarely in the eyes, "I want to make this clear, I still love her and care for her, Sephiroth. But I want what will make her happy. Hojo slanted the report on purpose."

Sephiroth's fury died down a moment. "Explain?"

"Perhaps AVALANCHE wanted to steal her from you? She was not aware of them nor did she resist being captured."

"Steal her?" Sephiroth's eyebrows rose. The old chatty voices, which had been silent with Aerith's presence was near by, fell silent again. "What do you mean?"

"Think about it. These people think they're on a mission from the Planet and you're the enemy with Shinra... And Aerith could be apart of their plans against us, against you and Shinra!, and they've made a stupid attempt to steal her." Zack was close to Sephiroth's side and he peered up into his eyes again. "I don't think Aerith would want to leave you."

His mind froze at Zack's words and hope surged through his system. That's right, it was those miserable humans' fault. They were the ones who were attempting Aerith, trying to lure her away so they could corrupt her and abuse her powers. Sephiroth bristled and his eyes flashed. "Those lowly dogs, I will–!"

Zack grasped his face, his eyes glowing a sickening blue, and pressed his lips against Sephiroth's. The tall man was unprepared for such an assault and tried to jerk away, but Zack was shockingly stronger then him. Something ignited through his blood and it was not passion, though it was just as fiery.

All his thoughts that his mother would have abandoned him melted away, replaced by the serene knowledge that his mother loved him and understood him. It was humanity, just as it was trying to tear him and Aerith apart, that tore them apart at the moment he drew his first breath. That his father was a casualty of humanity, that Shinra butchered him for their own enjoyment... After his mother was butchered into pieces before she could hold him after his birth and she was no longer needed. To be sealed away for further research. And that Shinra had been using those cheap clones, which he heard rumors about, to achieve their own hidden agenda. AVALANCHE would be plotting the same with Aerith.

Once more, humans were victimizing the Planet's Chosen, the Cetra.

All this came from the Judas kiss.

Gripping Zack's shoulders, Sephiroth slammed him into the way from him with a disgusted snarl and fled his room. Prowling towards the elevator intently with an eerie intensity, he entered it and pressed for the floor where the holding cells were. Everything seemed to move slowly while he moved in such speed and purpose he never felt until that kiss. The voices, which never made sense before, whispered softly to him on what he could and should do. Yes, just as everything was coming apart in this fragile human world, he saw the opportunity he could take with it. The doors opened on the floor, Sephiroth drew his blade and danced from it. Fortunately for those nearest to the doors, they never knew what, or who, severed their spinal cords nor knew the terror that consumed the others did see him coming.

Zack's dark hair lightened in a deep warm brown and his blue eyes looking upward. The uniform distorted around him and bright red coat appeared upon his figure. Pulling a book entitled 'LOVELESS' from his pocket, he read aloud to the empty room, "'When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end. The goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar. She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting.'"

Closing the book, the stranger mused to himself. "Shall we try this again, Jenova?"

-

They all slept soundly, all being emotionally drained while most of them were also physically drained as well. Cloud was the first to awaken, his Mako bright eyes snapping wide open. Being military trained he could feel the general presence of the building was very wrong, despite being unfamiliar with it, soon as last fingers of deep slumber released his consciousness.

Sitting up slowly, he shook his long blonde hair from his eyes and peered sharply at the door. Tense as the ominous feeling thick around he and his comrade, he exhaled sharply and uttered, "The door's open. When did it open?"

Swinging up off of the cot, he moved carefully towards the door. The blue eyes darkened at the sight of several dead guards across the concrete floor. It was clear they've been dead for a while, the blood was dark and dull around them.

"By the Planets... What's happened?" He backed away from the door and went over to his cellmate and shook her awake. "Tifa... Get up!"

Tifa's ruby eyes opened slowly and she glared at him. She wasn't a morning person, despite her schedule and martial artist training in the early hours. Pushing him away, she hissed, "What's wrong?"

"Something IS wrong. Look outside." Spat back Cloud, not wanting to deal with her attitude.

Her sour expression faded at the intensity of Cloud's expression and Tifa brushed back her dark brown hair as she rose from her own cot. Walking over towards the door, her face contorted as scent of copper, other bodily fluids, and raw meat met her nose. "I wonder what happened..."

She sounded ill.

"He should have the key on him..." Cloud pushed past her and opened the door completely. Kneeling near the corpse, purposely ignoring Tifa's horrified expression, he plucked the set of keys from the butchered guard's side. "Come on, Tifa, get Aerith. I'll go help Barret."

Cloud hurried over to unlock the cell door with Barret inside. He poked his spiky head in. "Hey, get up! We need to get out of here! NOW!"

"How'd you get in?" Roared Barret as he sat up wildly and rubbed his eyes with his one good hand. "Wha the hell's goin' on?"

Red, who was only known as Nanaki to Aerith, trotted by his cell door. Flame tail stirring, he studied the wounds of the guards. He growled and said, "No human could've done this. I'll go on ahead and scout for what just it could be or for survivors."

Barret shoved past Cloud and yanked his gun attachment from Tifa. The barmaid found the weapons in a small locked armory at the end of their cell row. He squinted back at the others as they armed themselves, "I'll clean up back here, so you guys go ahead. And don't get caught by Shinra!"

Tifa bowed her head and helped a clearly shaken Aerith around several of the bodies, "Come on, and let's follow Red."

Cloud, Aerith, and Tifa gave one last look back at Barret before following the feline wolf through the halls that would give them nightmares. Smears, splatters, and pools of blood was everywhere, the stink of it almost a taste upon their tongues. It was a shimmering red under the lights, but a dark velvety red in the more shadowy and dark parts. There was old blood and new blood, layered around that suggested that someone slaughtered the first round of poor fools on the way to the dungeon and then took out a second batch on the way back.

As for the bodies they saw... Most of the wounds, Cloud murmured to Tifa, was defensive wounds and wounds from their attempts to flee. Only the SOLDIERs and guards had offensive wounds to suggested they tried to engage their enemy in combat. It was hard, even for Cloud, to see a pregnant woman sliced nearly in half, her unborn child spilling forth from her womb onto the floor. It was not an easy journey and suffered in sickened silence all the way into the first floor of the lab. There Red was waiting for them.

"Jenova Specimen and G-Project Experiment. Looks like it went to the upper floor using that elevator for the specimens." Red gestured towards the labeled tanks and moved over to the platform. "I'll meet you at the top of it."

"Please, Nanaki, be careful." Whispered Aerith, her features pale and drawn. Tifa slipped an arm around her waist as she nearly stumbled as she reached for her friend.

Red bowed his head. "I will."

"Let's go." Cloud said, his own features tight for control, and he lead them out of the lab towards the stairs. Barret ran into them there and Cloud looked relieved to see their comrade befell no harm. "Red's ahead of us, Barret... Apparently two of Hojo's experiments got out."

"Serves dat bastard right," Spat Barret, but his words still sounded hallow as he followed the blonde up the stairs. Moving behind Tifa and Aerith to bring up the rear, he nearly collided into them as they suddenly stopped. "Wha?..."

"It looks like it leads up..." Came Red's voice as he stepped from shadows, his ears pinned flat against his skull.

Their eyes were completely wide as their gazed followed for just where it went. Aerith truly swooning from the smell of the carnage, gravity of the situation, and something more. Fearfully she took Tifa's hand and uttered softly, "Oh please, just let it be a dream... Please, Planet, just let it just be a bad dream."

Tifa's vermillion eyes softened, her voice gentle, "Aerith?"

"Come on!" Sharply commanded Cloud as he climbed the stairs slowly into the President of Shinra Inc's office. As a unit, they walked upon the blood soaked carpets and slick floors. All fought to keep their composure and as they passed a headless secretary on their way up the wide stair case, their paced slow to a halt once they once more stood before the massive desk.

"He's dead... The leader of Shinra, Inc. is dead..." Gasped Barret wildly, seeing the large sword protruding from the fat blonde's chest.

Tifa announced desperately, "Then this sword must be...!?"

Cloud answered her, "Sephiroth's!"

Author's notes:

I am done editing all the chapters. Be WARNED that this has references to Crisis Core and may contain (semi)spoilers. That being said, most said spoilers are the easily googled ones as well and WILL be clearly marked. X.x Thank you again for your patience! Now, if you don't mind, need to read like over 900 stories I've been wanting to catch up on. 3 Ardwynna Morrigu and thanks Chibi Taryn Demon, it's great to be back )