*flops over* Well gooooood grief. I had this chapter finished before 2020, but I was too busy to edit it. Whew. O-o

Super special amazing thanks to guest reviewer Sak, who like reviewed EVERY FLIPPING CHAPTER? Thank you so much for all of your kind words! I'm really glad you're enjoying Shattered! You're actually the reason I jumped back into action and wrote this chapter!


Date: January 24

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Anger. Apathy. Pain. Exhaustion.

Genesis stood in front of the bathroom counter, the flats of his fingers pressed into the chilled surface. It was frigid in his room. Probably because he had worked out some last night to settle his nerves and mind, then turned off the heater before going to bed.

Useless. He wasn't sure how that had ever helped Angeal.

Not that the cold was bothering him. Mako was ever so helpful.

Anger. Apathy. Pain. Exhaustion.

His mind was a circle of only those four feelings.

It was too quiet in his room.

Zack should have already been there – beating down the door with a grin on that stupid face of his.

Aerith should have been there – not in person, but as that constant, comforting presence in the back of his head.

He felt… wrong. He couldn't place what exactly it was, but he still felt off. Like when one was just coming down with a sickness and they could feel it beneath their skin.

Anger. Apathy. Pain. Exhaustion.

Around and around they looped. Right now he was settled somewhere between apathy and exhaustion. He needed to go out and face the others. Get everyone up and ready. Start the day. The longer they waited, the less likely they were to succeed.

But he just couldn't make himself move yet.

He didn't like this. The last time he'd felt this circle was during his run with degradation.

The pain was a constant. The exhaustion as well. The anger and apathy had traded off with each other quite frequently. Genesis hadn't thought too hard about all the signs Angeal had shown. Not until he'd gotten Zack to take his life. Then that anger had hit in full force, causing him to light up half of his hideout and tear up the rest.

That anger wasn't present right now, though. Just the apathy.

He needed to care. Why wasn't he? Was his mind shutting down on him with all it had suffered lately? He been so determined last night, even if he was exhausted then as well.

Genesis sucked in a breath, bringing his head up to look at himself in the mirror.

He looked terrible. He wouldn't follow himself right now. Not when he looked ready to collapse any moment.

Shock.

Angeal's voice was a welcome and warm feeling. Genesis clung to the feeling of company it gave him.

You died not long ago. Your body needs time. You need to rest.

"I don't have time to rest." He pushed away from the counter, tearing his gaze from the gaunt version of himself that was there.

No. You don't. But I figured if I told you to do that, you'd do the opposite.

"Manipulative bastard," Genesis muttered, but he was already grabbing his things.

Angeal chuckled. I guess I am a little. But it's also true. Dying isn't something you can just shake off.

"I'll manage," Genesis muttered. "I always do."

Maybe he should try coffee.


Genesis stared into his cup with distain.

Did not having Mako in one's veins make this horrid excuse for a beverage taste less like asphalt?

There was a chuckle from behind him. "Have you tried adding sugar?"

Genesis placed his cup on the breakfast counter, gesturing to it. "If you carry the knowledge of how to make that palatable, please be my guest."

Kunsel grinned, stepping over to the counter and reaching for various things by the coffeemaker. "You know this won't do jack crap for us, right?"

Genesis shrugged. "Worth a try."

"You could try drinking as much of it as you did alcohol that one time."

Genesis groaned, maneuvering out of Kunsel's way to lean against the nearby wall. He was glad it was just them thus far. Silence was just… pleasant sometimes. "I'm never living that night down, am I?"

Kunsel snorted. "Not a chance." He dumped some creamer into the cup. "By the way, how would you feel about me shooting you?"

Genesis raised an eyebrow. "…I'd rather prefer that you didn't."

"What if it meant saving Zack?" Kunsel didn't stop what he was doing. He was adding whipped cream now.

Genesis crossed his arms, leaning his head back against the wall. "And those correlate in what regard, exactly?"

And now he was adding chocolate drizzle. "Zack isn't thinking."

"Obviously."

"But he's still Zack," Kunsel continued. "He wouldn't want to see any of us hurt, but if we confront him, he's probably gonna try and fight us off."

Genesis nodded. Sounded like Zack. "And you shooting me will do… what exactly?"

"Chocobos, so tayn syka–" Kunsel held the mug at eye level "–reign them in."

Genesis sighed, waiting.

"I propose this – we find Zack, I engage, and my gunblade accidentally goes off during the tussle."

"Hitting me," Genesis said flatly.

"Yep." Kunsel held out the drink to Genesis. "Come on, you know Zack. He'll be horrified and, with any luck, snap out of his dumbass revenge plot."

Genesis accepted the cup. "Well, I have to admit this is the first time I've been asked if I minded before someone tried shooting at me."

Kunsel grinned. "Is that a yes?"

Genesis sighed again. "So long as you have a Cure ready." Normally he'd think this would be ample opportunity for Jenova to take them out, but she was going to be goal set right now, and she didn't have Strife to be her extra lackey.

"Great!" Kunsel said, a terrifying grin on his face.

Genesis sipped his coffee.

Well, if the man could make asphalt taste good, surely he could pull off that shot and not get Genesis actually killed for the second time in a few days.

"We still need to find him, though..." Genesis muttered.

Kunsel's grin dropped. "I'm on it."

A mechanical thrump thrump thrump reached their ears, and they both looked at the ceiling. Helicopter.

It appeared the Turks had arrived.

Time to say hellos and goodbyes.


Genesis and Kunsel weren't the only ones to hear the helicopter. They'd barely made it to the lobby by the time a flurry of various footsteps could be heard. Genesis did a mental headcount as everyone arrived from different points.

Tifa, Vincent, Strife, Cissnei, Barret, and lastly Yuffie, who still appeared to be dragging from the day before. They were a fairly large group of people by most standards. But they were still two short of what they should have been. And now that number would be declining by another two.

It should have been three, but at least Barret wasn't as vulnerable to the cold since he was insisting on staying. For once, his cumbersome size and bulging – overcompensating – muscles would be an advantage.

Genesis stood in front of the door, facing them all.

Yuffie gave him a strained smile. "It's been fun, Red."

"Not exactly the word I would have used," Cissnei said with a dry smile.

Genesis briefly returned that smile with a similar one. "We've all lost much on this journey, but there would be less of us standing here without you two's efforts. Albeit one of those saves was incidental."

A light chuckle passed over the group, and Yuffie ducked her head, punching Kunsel's shoulder.

"Lucky me," Kunsel said.

The air outside quieted. The helicopter had turned off.

The Turks were waiting.

Genesis drew himself up to his full height, swiveling around. Goals aligned for the moment or not, he wasn't about to parade weakness in front of them.

He pushed opened the door, swiftly strolling out into the cold.

Although the helicopter had landed a fair distance away, Genesis could still clearly see the blonde standing by it. He wasn't sure how to feel about that. Elena had less history with them, and that made her both more and less convenient to deal with. They'd never spoken with her alone, so he wasn't entirely certain of what to expect.

Right. Crucial moment to build relations.

And he knew exactly how to sway her to empathizing with them.

None of his usual attitude towards the Turks, then.

"Elena," he called over the wind that was whistling in his ears. "Is Tseng all right? Were you able to get to him in time?"

Surprise flitted over her face. Clearly she hadn't expected him to voice concern.

She nodded. "He's recovering pretty well thanks to your magic."

He let relief pass over his expression. "That's good to hear. I take you all have been briefed on the situation at current?"

Her brow pulled down, and she rubbed her ungloved hands together. "Yeah." She narrowed her eyes at Cissnei, who was hovering back just a ways with the others. "Ex-Turk or not, Tseng trusts her briefings on Sephiroth."

"As well he should." Genesis shook his head. "None of our past conflicts mean anything in the wake of this." No matter how much he still wanted to set fire to the entirety of Shinra and dramatically walk off as it exploded behind him. "There's not much point in us fighting over the world if it's going to end."

"Yeah…" she muttered.

Now this was very much where her lack of experience came in handy. No real bad blood with them. No years of dedication tying her solidly to Shinra's cause.

"I'd give you a lift if I could, but…" She gestured to the sky. "The chopper wouldn't make it in this."

"A generous offer all the same. My thanks for the thought." He bowed his head briefly.

All right, perhaps he was laying this on a bit thick, but hopefully she'd chalk that up to this being their first real discussion. He'd always been addressing other Turks for the most part when she'd been around before, and those Turks did have history and bad blood with him.

"But you can truly aid us by getting these two to safety."

She nodded back at him. "Right. Good luck with Sephiroth. There's a lot of rough terrain, but I doubt you'll have trouble with that."

He wouldn't.

Why did Barret always have to be difficult and cause issues even when he wasn't meaning to? Was that his talent in life?

"Thank you for the tip." Genesis extended his hand, which she accepted and shook.

He squeezed tightly when she tried to pull back, narrowing his eyes as hers widened.

"Tell Rufus that if anything happens to those two that Sephiroth will be the least of his worries," he said lowly. "Particularly the Princess." He released her hand, and she yanked it back skittishly.

"Right…"

Cissnei reached them then, facing Genesis a final time as she stepped into the helicopter. "I'll keep in touch and try to get you whatever information you need. Just make sure that you get him back safe."

"I will," Genesis swore, not faking his sincerity this time. "Kunsel and I have a plan." A very terrible plan that was potentially going to get him killed and might not work anyway even if it didn't. But they would get Zack back somehow, no matter what–

Genesis was tackle hugged from behind, and he only just stopped himself from retaliating before he realized it was just Yuffie clinging to him.

"Kick that alien bitch's ass for me, okay?" she mumbled into his coat.

He chuckled. "I'll do my best."

She pulled back, squaring her shoulders and presumably attempting to look tough even though the wind was about to knock her over. "You better! 'Cause that was a royal order! And you!" She whirled, jabbing a finger at Kunsel. "You better come back alive too!"

Kunsel gave a very forced smile. "I'll try my best to, Highness. But I won't make you promises I have little chances of keeping."

Kunsel really didn't hold much hope that he'd be returning, Genesis realized. Pragmatic as always. As Genesis had said last night, the probabilities of any of them returning once they crossed this point were slim to none.

Yuffie smirked. "I bet you that you can make it back."

That got a grin from Kunsel. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah!" Yuffie brought her hands back to her chest to rub them together. "If I win, you get me a fully mastered summon materia!"

"Oh? And what do I get if I happen to… win?"

Die, Kunsel. The word was die.

"Uhh… I promise to never drink?"

Kunsel shook his head, laughing. "Fair enough."

Yuffie scampered back over to him and tackle hugged him as well, exchanging a few last parting words before Yuffie ran for the wind cover of the helicopter.

And with that, their group was down to six.

One SOLDIER, one spy, one Turk, one terrorist, one infantryman, and one tour guide – how far they all had come. But was if far enough to save the world?


Genesis may have felt bad about sending the others off, but the longer they walked, the more he was assured he'd made the right call. It was getting painfully cold even for him. His bones hadn't felt this brittle since degradation.

And Barret had to be feeling it even worse, despite the giant marshmallow of a coat he was wearing.

The wind was even too harsh at the moment for him to fly ahead and scout. They just had to keep pushing on.

"I miss the damn forest!" Barret yelled suddenly.

Genesis shared a look with Kunsel before the two of them dissolved into strained laughter. It hurt to breathe, but at least there was a little bit of what had become their normal still clinging on. Tifa even covered her mouth in a stifled snicker.

Strife gave the three of them a look like they'd lost their minds. They didn't talk any further until they'd – thankfully – found refuge from the cutting wind in some caverns.

Sighs of relief rippled through their group as they all took a moment to brush the clots of snow from their coats.

"How about now, Barret?" Kunsel asked, removing his helmet and looking it over and dusting it off. "You miss the damn snow fields yet?"

"Hell no!"

Tifa snorted. "Well, there's a first."

Cloud walked ahead of Genesis, a frown slightly pulling at his brow.

"Strife?" Genesis' hand instantly fell to his sword hilt. "What is it?"

Strife kept walking. "I smell ash."

Genesis sniffed deeply.

"I smell it too," Kunsel said sharply, returning his helmet to his head.

Genesis grunted, striding quickly to catch up with Strife. The source couldn't be far.

And it wasn't. The remains of the campfire they found was only around the first corner of the cavern.

Kunsel knelt down, running a gloved finger through the ashes. "Doubt Sephiroth would stop to camp. This looks like Zack's work."

"Then we know we're on the right track. Best hurry." Genesis moved on. That fire had been dead for some time. If they were going to catch up, they had a lot of ground to cover.


From the snow fields, to caverns, and then back into snow fields… And Elena hadn't been lying about the terrain either. Now that the ground was sloping, their progress had significantly declined.

Bad news. That was very, very bad news. Sephiroth and Zack were traveling solo. They were going to be moving much faster than a group. The distance between them was probably widening, if anything.

Kunsel slid in beside him as they walked. "How much weight can you carry while flying?"

Genesis raised an eyebrow. "Not five people's worth."

"What if you took multiple trips?"

Genesis thought about it. "Well, if I swallow my pride, I can admit that I could probably manage, although I expect Barret might take some work." Oh, that very thought made him die inside a little more. Him flying along, dragging Barret like a fat pigeon with a package that was too heavy…

A ridiculous mental image of Sephiroth watching while eating popcorn flashed into his head.

"Think it would be faster?" Kunsel pressed.

"…Probably," Genesis admitted.

"Great. As soon as the weather calms a little?"

Genesis sighed. "Indeed."

Gaia help him.

This plan was, of course, assuming the weather actually would calm. Which it was not showing signs of, particularly now that the sun was going down. They'd need to find a place of refuge for the night soon, but the prospects appeared… lacking, to say the least.

"This is not great…" Kunsel muttered a few minutes later as the glow of the oncoming sunset managed to temporarily illuminate the clouds.

"Stop."

Genesis complied immediately, looking back at Vincent. "What?"

Vincent smoothly turned to his right, eyes narrowed as he stood completely unbothered by the wind. "A voice."

"–eeeeyyyy!"

There was a voice. Difficult to hear over the wind, but it was definitely there. Not Zack, though. Genesis didn't recognize it.

"Kunsel, with me." He signaled for the others to stay put as he grasped the hilt of his rapier and headed in that direction.

There was just one figure from what Genesis could make out, but that didn't mean for certain that there weren't more nearby. The closer they got, though, the less wary Genesis became. Jenova and Sephiroth weren't known for disguises, and the bundled-up old man in front of them seemed to be the farthest thing from threatening.

"Mercy me! More travelers!" The old man smiled warmly at them. "Been years since I saw people up here, and now this is the second day in a row!"

Genesis and Kunsel shared a look.

Jackpot.

Gaia, Genesis loved the country folk. They were always so willing to share what they didn't even know was valuable information.

"Yesterday?" Kunsel asked, holding a hand above his helmet. "Black hair spiked about this high?"

"That's the one!" The old man took a hand out of his pocket to point at them. "And I'll tell you what I told him! No matter how invincible you young'ins think you are, you can't be running around here at night! I got plenty of room at the house for you and your friends, if you'd like."

Again – praise the Planet for country folk. Though how they weren't all dead from accidentally inviting serial killers into their homes, Genesis would never know.