Fort Condor, Mythrill Mines area. 4:20
Craig moved through the marshes silently, rifle in hand.
So far they had not seen the Zolom, though they had heard it enough times. he beckoned silently for Anthony to come down from his lookout point from the trees. Nicholas appeared beside him.
“Any sign of the Zolom?” he asked.
“None.” replied Craig.
“It will come. Where is Dean?”
Dean was young, only 21. His sister, Dixon, was missing in the mines. He had flown from Kalm to seek their help.
“I do not know.” said Anthony.
A voice came from behid them. It was Dean.
“The Zolom is not here. Not for a few miles around, anyway. And we are not far from the mines. Maybe the Zolom will not come?”
Craig shook his head. “It will come.”
“It is a matter of time.” agreed Nicholas.
“Then let us walk.” said Dean.
They moved slowly, the wet ground keeping them from travelling fast. Suddenly, Craig stopped.
“It is here.” he whispered.
Dean cursed and hung on to his gun.
“Can you see it?” he called up to Anthony.
“Yes.” called back the man from the trees. “It is a big one. About thirty meters long. And it is confident. It makes no effort to hide itself.” He glanced down to Craig. “This will be a hard battle.”
Craig nodded and called out to Nicholas. “Are the traps ready?”
“Yes, but he seems to be travelling through the safety passage I set us. This one is smart.”
It was then they could here it. A loud swishing sound, followed by a hiss.
“Wait a minute...”yelled Anthony from the trees. “There are more of them. It must be a nest.”
Craig swore. “Get down from the trees, Anthony! Run!”
Suddenly it burst through the undergrowth behind them: A 30 metre long cobra. Dean screamed and started to run. Two more of them appeared behind the larger one.
Nicholas fired a shot at the lead Zolom and then broke into a sprint. The shots imploded on the Zolom’s hide, gouging out chunks of flesh. Craig drew out his pistols and emptied his magazine into the monster’s face, it hissed and thrashed around violently. Dean stopped running and swung round his high-powered shotgun; prepared to shoot...
The serpent lunged for Dean with it’s tail. He screamed again and jumped to the floor just in time. He steadied his shotgun and fired.
The buck-shot hit the giant snake on it’s soft underbelly. Blood spurted out of the wound, turning the marsh water red. With an almighty crash it fell to the ground, writhing in agony. It stopped moving, dead.
Anthony jumped from the tree and shouldered his assault rifle. He let loose a magazine into the two remaining monsters before turning around and running, slapping another magazine in the weapon before setting off again.
The Zolom’s set off after them, moving quickly through the dense undergrowth. Craig re-armed his pistols and shouted to the others.
“On three, turn and fire! Make every shot count!”
The monsters were twenty meters away, and gaining fast.
“One!”
Fifteen meters away. Craig could hear them screeching loudly.
“Two!”
Five meters away. One of them lunged at Nicholas, who had fallen behind.
“THREE!”
They turned round and fired into the Zolom’s. Craig discharged a bullet clip into the Serpent’s eyes. It flayed around for a moment, blind, before three buck-shot landed on it’s head. It landed on the floor, spasming weakly.
Nicholas and Anthony were wreaking havoc on their respective target. It’s body was peppered with holes, but it refused to die. Suddenly, it drew itself up to it’s full height and swayed to and fro.
Realisation dawned on Craig’s face.
“RUN!” he roared. “IT’S USING Z-BETA!”
Z-Beta was the magic everyone in the region feared. A devastating fire blow, no one ever survived it’s fiery typhoon of destruction. People caught in it’s blast were incinerated instantly in temperatures of over ten thousand degrees.
Dean stood dumbstuck, hypnotised by the sway of the monster. Anthony grabbed him and pulled him along.
“Jump!” screamed Nicholas. “Jump!”
Craig jumped.
-

He awoke coughing violently. His skin hurt.
Craig looked up quickly and searched for his comrades. They were nowhere to be seen.
“Nicholas! Anthony! Dean!” he called.
No answer.
Suddenly, he heard voices, and Nicholas and Anthony emerged from the undergrowth.
“Craig!” they both shouted together. “You’re hurt!”
But they were alive. And they were out of the marsh.
But Dean was gone.
-

They mourned for Dean and set off quickly towards the mines. Nicholas was shaking his head and murmuring to himself.
Suddenly he looked up, said: “I’ve never seen a Zolom that big before.”
“There are reports of them.” answered Anthony.
“Yes, but still...” he trailed off. “And there were three of them.”
“It happens.” said Craig.
“But it is rare. They looked different as well.”
Craig laughed. “Different? In what way?”
But Nicholas was adamant. “Surely you must have noticed! The colour and shape of their hides was a deeper shade of red than usual. They were stronger, quicker.”
“You, my friend,” said Criag nervously, “are getting old.”
“I’m twenty-three in October.” said Nicholas. “My eyes are good.”
Anthony broke the silence. “We have reached the mines. They are extensive, so let us use our normal-”
A scream suddenly echoed from the entrance of the mines.
“Kim?” shouted Craig.
Another scream.
“Kim!” he shouted. “Kim! Hold on! We’re here to help you.”
They started to run towards the mines.
But someone came out first.
-
“Who are you?” called Anthony. He pulled his Assault Rifle from his back. “What have you done with Kim?”
“Ahhh.” he said. “Kim is her name, is it?”
“Who are you?” repeated Anthony.
“Why must you say that always?”
“I know who he is.” said Craig, quietly. “Hello, Sephiroth. It’s been a long time.”
Sephiroth recovered from his momentary surprise and laughed.
“Who are you? Forgive me, I can not be expected to remember everyone’s name.”
“I am Craig. Ex-soldier. We fought in training, once. Years ago. Needless to say, you beat me.” Craig smiled and drew his sword. “I will fight you, now. But you must let the girl go.”
“No.”
“Come on, Sephiroth.” bantered Craig. “Let me show you my killing art’s.”
Sephiroth mused over the prospect for a few seconds. “An intriguing offer, Craig. Very well. You may have the girl.” He pushed a sobbing child out onto the floor. “Then I will show you how to fight.”
Nicholas opened his mouth to protest, but Craig silenced him. “I will not die, Nicholas. I know when to quit.”
Anthony nodded to Craig and took the girl. They ran off into the marshes.
Craig smiled. “Do you think you can defeat me, Sephiroth?”
“I have only lost once in my life.”
Craig lunged with his sword.
Sephiroth drew his Musarme with impossible speed and sliced at Craig’s legs. His reach was so long that Craig had to jump over the blade. As he did so he hacked at Sephiroth’s arm. Deftly, Sephiroth moved left in a full turn and clashed his blade with Craigs.
Sephiroth’s strength was astonishing. Craig cried out and fell back. Sephiroth laughed and followed with a stroke aimed at Craig’s head. Desperatly, Craig brought up his sword and blocked the swipe.
Sephiroth looked surprised for a moment and lost the initiative. Craig used the oppurtunity to hook away Sephiroth’s legs and send him crashing to the floor. He let out a roar as he fell and swiped his sword at Craig. It connected with Craig’s shoulder and sliced through to the bone. Craig shouted out in pain as Sephiroth landed on top of him, driving the blade in deeper.
“I thought you knew when to give up?” smiled Sephiroth cruelly.
Craig head-butted him in the nose, turning the murky bog water a darker shade of red.
“I do.”
Craig muttered “Gaslatus Expeluus Escape” and a materia globe pulsated for a second. Then he vanished, leaving Sephiroth alone.
With his nose streaming blood and his clothes soaking, Sephiroth roared with frustration. After several minutes he walked back towards the mines.
It had begun to rain.
-

Junon. 6:18
“Cloud!” called Barrett. “Get in here! Tifas in labour!”
Cloud shook his head and went outside.
Barretts echoing calls faded as he walked furthur down the corridor. Cloud stood fully armed by the door.
He carried his sword on his back and wore his best armour. Powerful summon materia was attached to his belt, and potions and elixir’s hung from his side. There was going to be trouble.
And when it happened he would be there to stop it.
-

Junon. 7.20
“Come on, push!” cried the doctor. “It’s coming out!”
“I can’t!” cried Lori. “It’s too hard!”
“Don’t quit!” said the doctor calmly. “You’re all most there! Now, push!”
Lori pushed.
“Excellant!” smiled the Doctor. “Well done! It’s coming, I can almost see it...”
Lori let out a yell and pushed harder. Suddenly there was a wrench and Lori relaxed. It was over.
“Can you see it Doctor?” she gasped. “Doctor?”
But the Doctor didn’t answer. He let out a strangled cry and fell over. There was a hiss and a dark brown creature leapt into the air.
“Doctor!” screamed Lori. She pulled herself up and looked over.
She let out a cry. “Is it you, Jenova?” she asked.
Then the light’s went out.
-

Cloud jumped up as soon as the light’s went out. Several people started screaming.
“Gastal Illuminate” he shouted. All at once the corridor lit up brilliantly. He saw one woman screaming over in the corner, and he jumped over to her.
“It’s all right!” he shouted. “I’m here to-”
He stopped when he saw the creature clawing at her neck.
It was about thirty five centimeters high and dark brown. It was humanoid in shape, but it looked wildly different.
It’s lips were parted to show a cruel set of fangs stained with blood. The skin were stretched over the body grotesquely, and the eyes were a deep set of purple. Black veins on top of it’s head pulsated rhythmically.
“My... my baby,” the woman moaned. “Why? Why are you doing this?”
“Dear God.” whispered Cloud.
The baby turned round it’s head and lunged.
Cloud jumped back with surprise and drew his sword.
“Gallian Bolt” he cried. The lethal magic burned through the air and crawled through the creatures body, killing it instantly.
Immeadiatly, Cloud stooped down to pick up the woman.
“Are you hurt?” he asked.
“My baby...” she murmured. “My baby Jenova...”
“What?”
“Jenova... my baby Jenova...”
“Who are you?”
“My name... my name is Lori.” she gasped.
“Lori. Lori, it’s going to be all right. Everything will be fine. Lori? Lori, speak to me!”
But she was dead.
There were more screams now. A man with another creature on his face fell through a door screaming. The thing got up quickly and scampered off.
Then, suddenly, there was another scream, one that sounded familiar.
Suddenly, Cloud shot up and sprinted towards  the room.
“Tifa!” he yelled. “Tifa! I’m coming!”
-

Tifa screamed as her new-born leapt from the Doctor’s hands and on to his face.
“Jesus!” yelled Barrett. He fell backwards in surprise.
“Get off me, you idiot!” called Yuffie from under him.
Vincent pulled out his gun and fired a shot at the creature. It screeched deafingly and went limp.
Cid went over to the Doctor, who lay motionless on the floor.
“He’s dead.” he said.
Cloud burst in suddenly, sword drawn.
“Tifa!” he cried. “Are you all right?”
Tifa stood looking down at her baby. She choked and started to sob despairingly.
“Oh, Cloud! I’m so sorry! I should have believed you, I should have trusted you...” she stopped speaking and wept in his arms.
“It’s all right, Tifa.” soothed Cloud. “You gave it a chance.”
He turned to the others. “Are you armed?” he said.
“I ain’t got shit!” said Cid morbidly.
“Me, Red XIII an’ Vincent are armed, an’ that’s all.” said Barrett.
Cloud turned to Reeve. “Get Tifa out of here.” he said.
Reeve nodded. “Vincent, come with me. I’ll need a bit of fire-power.”
“I’m coming too!” chirped Yuffie.
“But, Cloud... what do we do about the people here? Do we take them?” spoke Red XIII.
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Finally, Cloud spoke. “No. No, we’re not taking them.”
Red XIII barked angrily. “Are we to leave them to die? Are we cowards?”
“They are too many, and we are too few!” shouted Cloud. “Save who you can, but it is vital we escape and warn the world!”
Red XIII growled. “You are a coward.”
The words stung. “And you are a fool.”
Red XIII shook his mane violently. “I respected you, Cloud. Once, when you were fighting for the people, I respected you. I loved you like a brother. But you have distanced yourself from the world you are sworn to protect. I shall go now, Cloud. And I shall save.”
Red was gone.
Cloud recovered himself quickly and glanced at Reeve.
“Get going.” he managed.
With a nod, he gathered Tifa up and ran down the corridor.
“The rest of you, with me.” said Cloud.
“What’re we gonna do?” asked Cid.
“What else?” said Cloud glumly. “We’re evacuating Junon.”
-

Junon Hospital. 7:25
The corridor was eerily silent as Reeve ran through the hospital wing with Tifa on his back. Several dead bodies were slumped at the side of the wall, some were moving.
Yuffie was crying, murmuring an ancient Wutai prayer to herself;

You are  my shield, my sword, my steed,
My age, my colour, my creed,
My friend, my lover, my teacher,
My guide, my saviour, my preacher.
You know the sun, the moon, the sky,
When I tell truth and lie.
You are freezing, yet you are infernal,
You are nothing yet you are eternal,
You are my body, my soul, my breath,
You are life, yet you are not death.
 

Vincent drew his gun from his holster. “When the time comes, you must run when I tell you.” he said softly.
Reeve was shocked but nodded. He looked over to Yuffie. She was whispering the prayer again.
-

The hospital seemed deserted. Cloud knew, however, that it was not.
Distant screams echoed around the wing as they moved swiftly down the corridor. Now and then, a loud crash would sound suddenly in a room next to them.
Barrett shuddered. “Where are these things?”
Suddenly, something pale and glistening jumped from the ceiling and on to the floor beside them. Barrett shot at it and it dissappeared, screeching loudly.
“Did you see it?” he said hollowly.
“I saw it.” Cid said. “But I keep thinking I see things move-”
“We’re being watched.” said Barrett.
The tension was unbearable.
“Barrett’s right. We’re being looked at.”
He glanced up at the ceiling and saw several large globes the size of football’s.
“Oh God.” he cried. “They’re laying eggs.”
-

You must... feed.
The Jenova inside it was hungry. It had to eat.
Faintly, the creature resented this. Why did it have to feed on it’s mother?
The Jenova replied. You must  feed. Become strong, and grow.
The creature did not argue, only picked itself up and began to move. It sensed that it’s kin were doing the same.
-

“FUCK!” Reeve screamed. “They’re comin’ out in full force!”
Yuffie threw herself to one side as a creature lunged for her face.
“We’re near the exit, now.” she said desparingly.
Vincent let loose a magazine in to the creature’s. Several fell dead.
But for every monster dead, tens more took it’s place. One jumped on to Vincent’s arm and tore away some flesh. He roared and tore it off with his metal claw.
“Run!” he hissed through clenched teeth.
Reeve threw himself out of the exit with Yuffie by his side and Tifa by his shoulder.
There were hundreds of creatures swarming the hallway now. They hissed and snarled at him.
“Now, the nightmare truly begins.” he said.
He let forth a howl and slowly began to change. His bones cracked, his flesh shifted, wings grew. Vincent had gone.
Only Chaos remained.
They swarmed over him, as the skulls rained down on them all.
-

Cloud did not see Vincent die, but he heard his screams.
“Vincent...” He shook his head.
But he couldn’t cry. Not here. Not now.
“Come on.” he managed to say to the group. He hated how he had to be so cold: how he had to keep them moving for the good of the Planet.
They were close to the roof top. They had phoned the Turks, who would lift them out with the Highwind.
There was a blast of cold air behind them, then a low, cruel laugh.
Cloud froze. He had not heard that laugh for a long, long time.
“Sephiroth.”
He turned round slowly, and there he was. The long, black cape. The thick, silver hair. And those eyes.
“You will die for this, Sephiroth.” said Cloud bravely. “I will kill you slowly for what you’ve done to these people.”
Sephiroth laughed. “I am like you, in a way, Cloud-”
“You were never like me.”
“But I am.”
Silence.
“You know it is true.” said Sephiroth menacingly. “For I am doing just what you have done. Sacrificing Junon for the good of the Planet.”
“You know nothing about the Planet.”
“I controlled the Planet! Before you came and took it from me!” Sephiroth spat. “I have been the Planet. I was trapped in the Lifestream for years before I freed myself. Don’t even presume you know anything about the Planet.”
“These things. What are they?”
“They are Jenova. What else?”
Cloud tore himself away from Sephiroth. The creatures were appearing from behind him.
He looked round at Barrett and Cid. “Come on!” he cried. “Get to the top!”
Sephiroth laughed shrilly as they sprinted down the corridor.
“Attack!” he screamed. “Kill them! Rip them apart!”
-

“Where are they?” asked Elena anxiously. “They said they’d be ten minutes. It’s easily been fifteen.”
“Relax.” said Rude. “Reno, take us down a bit closer. They might be in a scrape.”
They swooped down from the clouds to take a closer look.
Elena suddenly let out a yelp. “There! On the rooftop!”
Rude rushed over to look out of the viewport.
“Yuck. What the hell are those?”
-

They ran on to roof, the creatures just behind them.
“It’s the Highwind!” shouted Cid jubilantly. “Get on board!”
Barrett jumped on to the deck and fired in to the seething mass of the Jenova’s. Cid hoisted himself on to the deck, Cloud followed.
“We’re aboard, dammit!” he shouted. “Now get us out of here!”
They shot up in to the air at full speed. Within seconds they left Junon behind.
-

Junon Plains. 3:10
Tifa could more or less walk now. She had to, because Reeve was now totally exhausted.
They dragged on for empty mile after mile after mile. Reeve was so hungry, but they had nothing to eat. They spent the night under a tree.
In the morning they got up and moved another few miles before Yuffie fell to the ground.
“I can’t go on...” she moaned.
“Get up!” cried Tifa. She slapped her hard across the face. “Get up, for God’s sake!”
Yuffie looked shocked but rose to her feet shakily.
“There has to be something to eat-” she began.
“There’s nothing, apart from a chocolate bar in my pocket.” inturrupted Reeve. “And we are not eating that until tomorrow.”
“Let’s just hope we find a town soon.” said Tifa.
But they did not find a town that day. Or the next. They rationed the chocolate bar carefully, but it was soon gone. After three days of journeying, they were close to depsair.
“We’re gonna die, aren’t we?” said Yuffie.
“No.” answered Tifa primly.
“Unless we find a town today we’re gonners, really.”
“Then we’ll find one today.”
“But it’s all most dusk!”
“We’ve got a few hours left, now keep walking.”
They spoke less to conserve their energy. At about eleven, Tifa stopped suddenly.
“Do you see that?” she whispered.
A few thin tendrils of smoke could be seen against the dark horizon.
“It’s a village!” cried Yuffie jubilantly. She hobbled towards it, invested with fresh speed.
They arrived at the tiny hamlet after an hour of frantic walking. She collapsed on the cobbled street, shouting “Help! Help!” hysterically. Yuffie had fainted some way back.
“Who are you?” demanded one man. “What are you doing here?”
Tifa muttered a feeble “Please help...” before sinking in to unconciousness.
-

Condor Vllage, Fort Condor region. 12:07
“What’s all the noise?” asked Anthony. He opened the door and looked outside.
“What’s going on?” called Nicholas from inside the house.
“I have no idea.”
Craig spoke up from the bed.
“Who... is it?”
“He is awake!” cried Nicholas joyously.
Anthony glanced back suddenly. “Rest, Craig. The fever has you in it’s grip.”
He went outside and shut the door behind him.
“Where... am I?”
“Quiet.” hushed Nicholas.
“What is happening to me? I feel... different.”
Nicholas stopped. “In what way?” he said sharply.
“I feel... I do not know. But I am different.”
After pausing for a while, Nicholas said: “You’re wound has become infected, if that is what you mean.”
“Is it serious?”
“I am not sure. The infestation is unlike any I have seen before. And it... moves.” Nicholas shivered. “I have tried to stop the spread, but it resists any spell I use against it.”
Slowly, and with a hint of reluctance, Nicholas withdrew the covers.
The wound had worsened since he had last treated it. Large, fluid filled blisters surrounded the pierce of Sephiroth’s Musarme. Purple veins filled with a pulsating liquid spread down Craig’s arm.
“So, Craig-”
Craig cut him off suddenly. “I want to change my name.”
Nicholas was puzzled. “... to what?”
“Jenova.”
“The fever has you, Craig. You are delerious.”
“I am not Craig. I am Jenova.”
“As you wish, Jenova.” said Nicholas slowly. “Do you-”
“Leave me.” said Craig suddenly.
Shocked, Nicholas left the house and went out to see what was happening outside.

-
Craig’s Residence
Jenova smiled. Craig was gone.
It wanted to feed. It wanted to kill.
A faint voice echoed inside him. No.... You are Craig, you are Craig!
NO! You must kill, feed.
Jenova blocked away the voice. I am Jenova. I am Jenova.
He looked down to the purple swelling on his shoulder. Soon it would grow, and he would become strong. Soon he would feed.
Soon. Soon...

"How does he fare?" asked Anthony.
"Not good." muttered Nicholas. "I cannot contain the infection. It spreads like wildefire. I fear... I fear we may lose him. Unless I find an antidote."
Anthony looked ahead grimly. "You will find a cure, Nicholas. You always have before."
"What has happened here?"
"Some travellers fainted on the road. They looked like they had been travelling for days."
"We shall see them in the morning?"
"Yes. I have to question them on who they are."
Nicholas chuckled. "The Mayor turns to you for advice?"
"Again."
"Shall we go inside? Craig will need more care. And I need to find out the growth of this... this tumor."
-

Craig's Residence
It was dark inside.
"Craig?" called Anthony with a hint of worry. "Craig, where are you?"
Silence. Then he leapt from a corner and on to Nicholas's back, snarling and screeching.
Nicholas yelled with fright and fell to the floor as Craig bit and slashed at his neck. "Get him off me! Get him off!" he screamed.
Anthony grabbed a chair and brought it down on Craig's head. It made a cracking sound as it connected with his neck.
Craig howled, looking up with wild eyes and jumping for Anthony, arms stretched.
But Anthony was prepared. He ducked right and sent a punch that sent Craig flying in to a wall. He lay there for a moment, paralysed.
Anthony seized the oppurtunity. He grabbed Nicholas, who was sobbing on the floor. He had nasty wounds on his neck and head.
"Get my tranquilizer gun!" he shouted. "Upstairs in my room. Hurry."
Nicholas ran up the stairs, shaking violently.
Craig was already up. He ran towards Anthony again. Once more, Anthony sent him flying against the wall.
Craig crawled up sluggishly, then roared. He picked up the remains of the table and threw it full force at Anthony.
Anthony saw it coming and twisted out of the way. It dealt him a glancing blow, and he fell to his knees, winded.
"Hurry... Nicholas." he wheezed. "Hurry."
Craig lunged.
Then the tranqulizer darts landed on his chest.
He fell on to Anthony writhing weakly, then he was asleep. Anthony looked up at Nicholas, the wounds on his neck bleeding badly. Pus and liquid were leaking from them.
"We should get that cleared up-"
"It's too late." whispred Nicholas hoarsely. "They're already infected."
Anthony glanced at Craig. "You mean..."
"Yes. I'm going to be just like him."
-
Nibelheim Mountains. 2:12
"You feel different?" asked Duane.
"Yes."
"I as well. The materia has changed us."
Grissom shook his head. "No."
Duane smiled. "It has changed me."
He walked from the Mako Reactor and picked up another piece of materia, slotted it in to his staff.
"I am more powerful. More aware. More alive. I feel..." he searched for the word. "Invincible. You?"
Grissom kicked a stone. "I? I am the same. Only..." He paused.
"Go on."
"I am sad."
Duane was puzzled. "May I ask why?"
"It has naught to do with you, dear brother. Or our fallen comrade's. Maybe sad is not the correct feeling. I am more angry."
"At what?"
"At Jenova. It is corruption of the flesh. It is ruination of the soul. Though you say we have not succumbed to it's powers, I can't help but feel that it has won."
Duane was silent for a moment. "You are right, in a way, brother." he said at last. "Jenova has won. It has won me."
Grissom was startled. "What is this blasphemy?"
Slowly, and with great pleasure, Duane withdrew his hand. It was swollen with purple veins, and darkened as if it was bruised.
"Brother?" Grissom asked. "What have you done?"
Duane laughed hysterically. "I gave myself to Jenova! You found anger in the Materia, brother. But I found knowledge. And knowledge is power."
"What is this madness?" cried Grissom.
"It is not madness. It is perfection."
Silence.
Duane raised his hand up and looked at it. "Materia, I have learned, is the perfection of the mind. Jenova is the perfection of the flesh. With the new power in my body and soul, I will control the world. Think of the power, Grissom. Think!"
Grissom snorted. "Aye, brother. You will have power. A great power. But Jenova will be the one who control's you. You are already no more than a puppet, bending to the tyranny of Jenova."
Duane looked frightened, but quickly recovered. "I am sorry it was like this brother. But you must... you must die."
"And who is telling you this?" called Grissom mockingly. "Is Jenova whispering in your ear?"
Suddenly, Duane screamed and fell to the floor, tearing at his face. He screamed, screamed again and then lay silent.
"Brother..." said Grissom warily.
Duane looked up and smiled.
He was not Duane any more. He was a Jenova. Fangs pertruded from his mouth, and a bizarre third eye pulsated strangely on his cheek. Several purple veins glistened at his temple, and his eyes shone a deep shade of burgandy.
"Brother..." he whispered. "Am I not still Duane?"
"No." cried Grissom. "You are a monster."
Duane made a strange coughing noise that may have been a laugh.
"But dear brother." he laughed, drawing his staff. "I am so much more than that."
-

Condor Village, Fort Condor Area. 10:00
Sunlight streamed through the open window and fresh smell of the country drifted in to the room.
Tifa woke.
She opened her eyes slowly, to see a young man standing in front of her. Slim, and with a drawn, sad look on his face. He had a thick lock of blond hair, and striking grey eyes. Tifa had never seen such a startling combination.
"I am Anthony." he said softly. "Who, may I ask, are you?"
She brushed the long strands of hair from her face, and quickly looked down the bed suspiciouly.
"Do not worry." he said. "You are clothed decently. I ask again. Who are you?"
"My name is Tifa. Tifa Lockheart."
His face never lost it's composure, which surprised her.
"And what are you doing in Condor Village?"
Then she remembered.
"We were attacked." she said quietly. "We were attacked in Junon. They... they killed everyone. They killed them."
Anthony retained his calm face.
"Who killed them?"
"... our children."
He looked at her dubiously. "This is what the others say, too."
"Oh, god. Yuffie, Reeve!" she cried out breathlessly. "Where are they? Are they alright?"
"They are fine." He dismissed her questions with a wave of her hand. "But you MUST tell me. Who has taken Junon?"
Tifa was silent for a long time. "Sephiroth. Sephiroth is back."
He nodded. "I know."
She looked startled. "How?"
"We met him in the Mythrill Mines. One of my comrades challenged him, but was forced to escape. He was wounded though, and since then a growth has spread through his body like a plague. None can concoct an antidote."
Tifa shot him a look. "What does this... 'growth' look like?"
"It consists ofa purple bruising that pulsates strangely."
Tifa shook her head. "Jenova."
"Pardon?"
"Jenova. Jenova was a... was a... well, I don't know. But it was something that came to the Planet a long time ago. A creature. But it was broken up in to pieces for a long time. I thought we killed it five years ago. But the Jenova cells stil remain. They destroy everything they touch. As far as I know, their is no vaccine."
Anthony looked at her coldly. "You lie."
"I speak the truth-"
"You lie!" he shouted. "My two friends are both infected! We must find a cure soon. We must."
Tifa shook her head. "I need to meet with Cloud Strife. Where are we?"
Anthony looked down. "Condor village. Eight hours journey from Fort Condor."
"Will you take us there?"
Anthony paused. "Yes. Nicholas and Craig- the two who are infected. They will come too. We will sit and we will study and we will find a vaccine."
"May I see Yuffie and Reeve? I need to speak to them."
"You have two hours. Then we leave."
Tifa waited for him to leave before dressing. She went downstairs where she found Reeve and Yuffie by the fire.
"Morning, Reeve. Morning, Yuffie." she said brightly. She froze when she saw them kissing.
Yuffie jerked away from Reeve and stood up awkwardly.
"Gosh... she murmured. "I guess it's kinda out now..."
Tifa stood with a bemused smile on her face, and looked accusingly at Reeve.
"Reeve?"
"Okay, okay. Guilty as charged. Just don't go blabbin' it around, alright?"
"Fine." Tifa laughed for the first time in what seemed days. "You learn a new thing each day. Look after her, Reeve."
"Gawd!" cried Yuffie.
"And make sure she doesn't steal your materia."
"Gawd!" cried Yuffie again. "You won't let go, will you?"
"Never."
Reeve grinned. "Tifa, what's going on? What's the plan?"
"Pack your bags. We're getting ready for a hike."
Silence. Tifa glanced at Yuffie.
"Oh! You want me to say it? Alright then... Gawd!"
-

En route to Fort Condor. 13:00
They travelled in silence, each looking intently at Craig.
He was a shell of his former self. Several eyes had grown on different parts of his body, and on his back had sprouted another pair of arms. Every limb was now chained up to the other's, and several armed guards travelled with them.
Even more disturbing was the colour of his skin. It had now turned completely purple, a lighter shade than his eyes, which were a blood red. He now had a violent, unpredictable temperament. Several times he went to attack the guards, and each time they repulsed him with stun rods.
Tifa talked to Nicholas as they walked.
"Where is the other infected man?" she asked him.
He smiled mournfully. "Me. I am the other Jenova hybrid."
She was shocked. "But why are-"
"Why am I not like this..." he pointed to Craig in frustration. "...this monstrosity? My infection is small, and I have been able to keep the plague confined, or at least slowed. It will be many weeks until I succumb."
Tifa looked at him sadly. He was very young, about nineteen.
"What have you learned of the virus?"
"First, I have found it is not a virus. It is a cancer of the mind and body. The Jenova Cancer. That is why it is so hard to treat."
"So the afflicted victim will eventually die?"
"Yes. Eventually. There will come a point when the whole person is literally saturated with Jenova cells and mako energy. At this point, the mind crumbles."
"But the body will live."
Nicholas stared at her. "The body cannot live without the mind."
"What else have you learned?"
"The Cancer exponetially grows: it starts as a slow spread but gradually builds up as more cells are mutated."
"Mutated?"
"Yes. The infected cells mutate the biological structures of the cells to those of Jenova. Unfortunatly, this causes many adverse mutations on the victim. Hence the extra arms on Craig, here."
"Do the victims age rapidly?"
"Yes. Craig here has already aged many months in mere weeks."
"And you?"
"The Cancer has not consumed me. I have not aged." He looked at her. "I am sixteen, by the way."
"You are very mature for a sixteen year old. Hell, you're mature for a thirty year old."
He smiled briefly.
Tifa put a hand on his shoulder. "You will find a vaccine, and we will rescue Craig, you, and my child."
He looked surprised. "Your child?"
"Yes. My child was born and Jenova took him over while he was inside my womb." she said softly. "Never once. Never once did I get to hold him."
"Who was his father?" ventured Nicholas.
"I was one of the woman who fell under the spell of Junon a month ago. Sephiroth is probably the father. Though he didn't consult me or the other thousand woman he impregnated before-hand."
He was silent for a moment.
"Ah. Curious."
"What is?"
"Nothing." he dimisssed "You should forget it."
"Wait. I want to know."
He stopped walking. "It's just... why did Sephiroth create all these children, if they were to die in a few weeks."
"What?" said Tifa suddenly.
"The Cancer would consume the young very quickly. In a matter of weeks, maybe."
And suddenly she knew. It was all so simple.
"They were carriers." she whispered.
Nicholas turned to face her. "What did you say?"
"They were carriers." she said again. "Junon has a large population. These babies were meant to infect it, and then die. That's all they were to him. That's why he let us escape. He wanted us to leave Junon alone so he could contaminate the population."
"So-"
"Yes." interrupted Tifa. "We played right in to his hands."
-

Fort Condor. 9:00
They arrived at the gates of Fort Condor without mishap. Tifa glanced up to the cold, stone mountain and shuddered. An icy wind whistled down from the North.
"You live here?" she asked Nicholas.
"No. I used to, however. Our elders evacuated all children from Fort Condor to Condor Village five years ago. I was eleven then. The people liked Condor Village so much that some decided to stay."
She nodded and looked up at the primitive fort. She shuddered again. " I can see why."
As they walked inside, Nicholas looked up to Anthony.
"You keep Craig here. I will go and explain the situation."
"Be on your guard." answered Anthony.
Nicholas laughed. "You never have trusted them, have you?"
Anthony was silent.
They entered Fort Condor.
"Pardon Anthony, Tifa. His mis-trust is wrongly placed. He bears grudges for a long time."
There was shouting from above and several armed men slid down the rope.
"Stop there." commanded one of the soldiers.
"Oh, please!" cried Yuffie sarcastically. "Do you even know who we are?"
Nicholas shot Yuffie a look, and spoke to the Commander.
"Please, sir. I am Nicholas from Condor Village. We must have your assistance. One of our men is seriously ill, and the wind outside is bitter. May we have shelter?"
The Commander shook his head. "I'm sorry. I have specific orders from Cloud Strife not to let anyone in-"
Tifa jerked up. "Cloud? Cloud is here?"
The Commander looked puzzled. "Yes, maam, but-"
"We have to see him." interrupted Tifa. "Now."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. But you cannot enter without a pass."
Nicholas smiled at him calmly. "A pass? You need a pass?"
"Yes sir."
Nicholas called back to Anthony. "Bring him in." he ordered.
Anthony and the guards came in with Craig.
The Commander made a startled cry, and then a weird, choking sound. He fell silent and stared at Craig.
"W-W-What is that?" he stammered.
Nicholas glanced at the spitting, snarling Craig. "Our pass. Now let us through."
Sullenly, the man called up to the men above. A rope was let down for them.
"Welcome to Fort Condor."
-

Fort Condor. 9.10
Tifa climbed slowly up the rope and clambered in to the Fort. She picked herself up and brushed off the dust on her clothes.
Glancing up, she let out a cry of delight and rushed forward to the figures standing in the hall.
"Tifa!" cried Cloud and rushed towards her. "We thought you were dead!"
"No thanks to you!" she pouted playfully and punched him in the chest.
Cloud winced and looked away. "I tried to save you, Tifa..."
She looked surprised. "I was joking, Cloud."
But still he avoided her gaze.
"Gawd!" cried a voice from behind them. "Won't anyone take notice that we're alive, too?"
Barrett cheered. "You all made it!"
Reeve cut in. "Sorry to ruin the party guys. But Vincent isn't here. And neither is Nanaki-"
Cid interrupted him. "We know."
Cloud gazed up at the ceiling for a moment.
Tifa cut throught the gloom. "Cloud, Barrett, Cid. There's someone I want you to meet." She gestured to Nicholas and Anthony. "This is Nicholas, and this is Anthony. They have information that might have be of some use to us."
Barrett grunted a quiet "Hi." and Cloud nodded at both of the men.
"Come. We have no time to talk. Follow me upstairs: everyonne's waiting."
-

Cosmo Canyon. 9:53
"Nanaki! Nanaki is home!" ran the cheer from house to house throughout Cosmo Canyon.
Red glanced at the battered valley and growled softly. "I wish to see my father."
Elder Hargo looked shocked, but nodded. "If you wish..." he began.
Red XIII moved past him and walked slowly up the steps.
"I wish it."
Hargo shook his head sadly and ran up the steps after him.
-

"Father!" called Red in to the long silence. "Father, it is I, Nanaki!"
The statue of Seto stood silent on the hill.
"Father!" cried Red again. "It is your son. It is I, Nanaki."
Nothing.
Sadly, Red XIII turned to leave.
"Father, Grandpa... please."
The winds of the valley answered his pleas.
Nanaki shook his main angrily. "You said you'd all ways be there!" he shouted.
And then, suddenly, a faint Ho ho ho...
"Grandpa?" Red ventured furthur in to the valley. "Is it you?"
The Planet is dying, Nanaki. Slowly, it is dying.
"...I know."
Not today. Not tomorrow. But soon. The Planet that we know will cease to exist.
"But, why Grandpa? Why?"
The answer, Nanaki, lies within you.
The voice started to fade.
"No! Grandpa, don't go! Don't go! I don't understand."
The answer lies within you.
-
 
 

Fort Condor. 11:00
It was late, and they were all tired.
Cid yawned and drained his coffee mug, grimacing as the foul liquid slid down his throat.
"Shera?" he called. "Why don't you make me a nice cup of coffee, for god's sake!"
"Coming." she answered weakly.
Cloud stood up and cleared his throat.
"Okay, people listen up. The Council is now officially in session."
Reno sniggered.
Cloud shot him a look. "Something funny, Reno?"
Grinning, Reno returned his stare. "Nah."
"Good. Nicholas, Anthony, please." He sat down.
Nicholas stood but Anthony remained on his chair. He stared up at the ceiling, as if deep in thought.
"Approximatly seven weeks ago two young girls from Kalm, Dixon Lane and Kim Felon went missing in the Mythrill Mines. After one week, Dixon's brother Dean came to Anthony, myself, and our other comrade Craig for guidance and help. We set off towards the Mythrill Mines at once. However, Dean was killed in a battle with a Midgar Zolom Hive before we reached the Mines. And the Zolom, it was..." he struggled for the word. "Unnatural."
"In what way?" asked Elena.
Anthony finally spoke from his deep thought. "They were strong. Very strong. Almost invincible." He resumed staring at the ceiling. Faintly in some other part of the fort Craig's screams were heard.
Nicholas resumed his briefing. "Yes. The Midgar Zolom was transformed in to a walking nightmare. Me and my colleagues barely escaped alive.
We then proceeded to the mines. But before we could enter, Sephiroth came out with Kim Felon. We later found out that Dixon Lane was murdered by Sephiroth."
Someone gasped. "Just like Priscilla." muttered Barrett in a disgusted voice. "He's a goddamn maniac."
Nicholas nodded. "My friend, Craig," Another scream from upstairs. "whom you hear now, challenged Sephiroth to a duel in exchange for Kim's life. What happened then, we do not know, as both of us left then. But Craig lived."
He waited for the murmuring to die down.
"He was wounded, however. And the wound became infected with Jenova cells. He then infected myself."
Cid cut in. "Shit! How the hell is it that you ain't like those little kids at Junon, or like that Craig person upstairs?"
Nicholas smiled morbidly. "My medicine skills are profound and advanced, but the Cancer is so advanced that I have only been able to stem the rate of tissue corruption." He breathed heavily.
"It is my judgement that the two of us should be confined here until a vaccine is found. We are both too dangerous."
Tifa stood in outrage. "I disagree! We need your help in finding a antidote, Nicholas." She turned to Cloud. "Cloud, I will personally vouch for Nicholas. He is not dangerous. Not yet."
Cloud nodded. "Nicholas, from what I can tell, you are an experienced herbalist. We need your help. You will stay here under supervision until the cancer takes hols of you."
There was a call of agreement from most.
Cloud stood. "Thank you, Nicholas and Anthony. If you would please follow me, now."
They got up and followed him upstairs. The screams of Craig were becoming louder and more discernable.
"Where are we going?" asked Rude.
There were several loud screams from inside one room.
"Gawd, are you stupid or something?" called Yuffie. "We're seeing that Criag feller."
Elena raised her eyebrows. "Is this true?"
Cloud rested a hand on the handle. "Brace yourself."
The door opened.
-

"Oh my." breathed Shera as they saw Craig for the first time.
Rude made a 'Yuck' sound and shook his head. Reno sniggered nervously.
"What the hell is this?" cried Barrett angrily. "You tellin' me that this is some sort of person?"
"No." replied Nicholas calmly. "not a person. Not any more. This is a Jenova-Human hybrid. A crisscross of Homo Sapiens and Jenova genes.
They stood in a wide room with no discernable door apart from the one they had just entered. Tens of heavily armed guards stood at fortified positions around the room. Many scientist stood huddled around a large perspex cage in the middle of the floor. And inside was Craig.
He had grown considerably, now at least seven foot. His many arms were bound to the floor with heavy metal chains. He now had a multitude of eyes: at least fifteen or sixteen clumped together at different parts of his body. A pair of vicious pincers and a mass of writhing snake-like talons protruded from a circular mouth rimmed with sharp teeth. Several suction-tipped tentacles flailed around wildly in an effort to break free. And on his whole body seethed a mass of purple veins, while his ruddy skin glowed and his blood-red eyes flashed.
"Soon," announced Cloud, "The whole of Junon will be infected and changed in to this." He geastured up at Craig. "And we will fight them."
Elena laughed. "How can we fight thousands of them?"
Cloud was silent. It was clear that he didn't have an answer.
"We will fight." he continued. "And these will be our enemy. The Scientists have found that they are highly resistant to magic attack. These are not any old mosters."
"We can tell."called Reno from the back.
Cloud ignored the comment. "They are incredibly powerful. A single swipe of a claw could kill you. And if you are wounded... you become exactly like them in a month. Maybe less. They may use a more potent Jenova Cancer."
There was silence as all of them considered the options available.
"They are slow, right?" asked Elena.
"Wrong." answered Cloud. "They can travel faster than most humans. That means that when we fight, there is no retreat and there is no surrender."
"But they don't have guns... right?" said Cid uneasily.
"No. And they aren't smart either. Craig's IQ has dropped 27 points in the past few hours alone. We will battle these things with every man we have. Listen, Sephiroth's plan is simple: These things live for a yeat at most, and it takes a while for the Cancer to take over the brain. So he must have fresh bodies for the virus to bind with. That means infecting areas and towns from within. Only then can he gather enough strength to make an assault." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"We can beat him. We will beat him."
Tifa smiled. "So, what's the plan, Cloud."
Cloud laughed. "For once in my life I've actually thought of one."
Cid eyed him suspiciously. "Is it crazy and stupid, or is it just plain suicidal?"
"Both."
"How did I know? Will it work?"
"Hey, it's me, Cloud. My plans always work."
 

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