Where am I?

He was obviously sitting on a floor, he realized that much when he placed his hands on the cold, dry surface. The room, whereever it was, was painfully dark, and he wondered where his team was.

Cloud heard a soft moan somewhere close to him, and froze.

"Who... who's there?"

He heard the rustle of movement.

"Cloud...?"

"Tifa!" Cloud called out, instantly recognizing her voice. "Where are you?"

"Right here," Tifa answered back, although it didn't help Cloud find her. "Cloud, I'm scared... come here."

The fear in Tifa's voice put chills down his own spine. "Alright, Tifa. I'm coming."

Cloud stood carefully to his feet and walked in the darkness, hoping Tifa would call out when she sensed him. He suddenly tripped over something.

"Ow!"

"Goddamnit!"

"Barret... Is that you?"

"Duh, it's me, ya spikey headed twerp! Help me up!"

Cloud bent down and felt around for Barret's hand in the dark, helping him stand when he found it.

"Cloud?" Tifa's voice called. "Cloud, I see your eyes."

Cloud blinked. "Then come here."

Cloud heard the sound of Tifa's boots against the floor grow closer, and although he couldn't see her, he knew she was near when he felt her arms fly around his waist.

"Woah!" he said, embracing her. "You scared me!"

"Cloud, where are we?" she asked. He could feel her trembling in his arms.

"I don't know," Cloud answered. "I can't see a thing."

"Hey!" a new voice called. "Where are you guys?"

"Zack?" Cloud yelled. "Where are you?"

"I see 'im!" Barret exclaimed. "Those damn mako eyes."

"Get over here, Zack," Cloud said. "We have to stay close together in this pitch black."

Zack jogged over to them. "Good thing me and Cloud have these Mako eyes, ey?" he said. "They come in handy at times."

"Alright," Cloud said. "Now we just need to find Vincent and Isabelle - "

Cloud jumped as he felt a cold, steel hand clamp down on his shoulder.

"I am here."

"Vincent!" Cloud exclaimed, whirling around. "Geez, don't scare me like that."

"How da hell did you find us?" Barret asked.

"I have vision like a cat," Vincent replied, his red eyes burning in the darkness. "I can see rather well in the dark."

Tifa squeezed Cloud's hands. "Now w just need Isabelle - "

Tifa was interrupted by the creaking sound of a door being pulled open. The group, save Vincent, shielded their eyes as light suddenly poured into the room, which was larger than they thought.

"What's going on?" Cloud asked, his eyes adjusting to the light.

"There's Isabelle," Zack pointed out, where Isabelle lay asleep on the floor a few feet away.

Barret started towards Isabelle to wake her when a figure appeared in the doorway. He flicked on a light switch, illuminating the entire room. Isabelle, sensing the light, groaned and sat up on her elbows.

The figure in the doorway was the same leader they hand encountered earlier, wearing the purple uniform with gold trim and the bright red sash. He had layered purple hair that was cropped right above his shoulders, and bright, turquoise colored eyes. His skin, like the other Tzumarians, was a pale blue, and two purple wings protruded from his back. A sword sat in a hilt on his hip.

He nodded at them. "Ah, awake, finally, my dear humans?"

Cloud blinked. "What? You understood us this whole time?"

The Tzumarian laughed. "Of course. Your simplistic language isn't that difficult to learn."

Cloud frowned. "So why have you brought us here?"

"My name is Prince Txourn," he answered. "Eldest son of the leader of our entire Planet, King Hsien, and General of the Tzumarian Army. You've come seeking Jenova?"

Cloud made a fist. "Are you harboring her? We're here to destroy her! She's recked havoc on our planet and kidnapped our - "

"Slow down," Prince Txourn said, holding his hands up. "We are not harboring that evil creature, but we do know that she has come here. She is... a major threat. We will do anything to destroy her - though she is extremely powerful."

"Hey," Barret spoke. "Are you the dude she tried to...uh... rape?"

Txourn blinked. "What?"

"Jenova told us she was exiled for trying to mate with some Prince," Cloud said. "Is that you?"

Txourn ran a blue finger through his collar. "Yes...well, she did, but that was not the ultimate reason she was exiled."

"Then what was?" Tifa asked.

"Jenova was an extremely dangerous terrorist," Txourn explained. "Trying to bed me was just part of her plan to rule our planet. It's a very complicated story."

"Jenova failed to mention that," Vincent said matter of factly.

"Come," Txourn said. "I will tell you all over a meal."

"Cepas," Vesta answered Striker, rowing her canoe filled of human passengers. "The main city on Tzumron. First, I will get your friend help, and then I will show you to Prince Txourn."

"Prince Txourn?" Red repeated.

"Yes," Vesta answered. "He is King Hsien's son and leader of the Tzumarian army."

Tseng stared at Elena's face, who was laying down in the boat. "How long can she go withouth the antidote?"

"A day, or so," Vesta answered. "Then she will be asleep forever."

"And then her prince will have to kiss her to wake her," Reno joked, elbowing Tseng.

Tseng gave Reno an icy glare.

"Look!" Yuffie exclaimed, leaning over the front end of the boat. "Those huge gates!"

"The gates to Cepas," Vesta explained. "We are almost there."

The river ran right up to the tall, silver gate, where two guards stood on concrete docks that were placed on either side of the gate. The mist over the river began to dissapate the closer they got.

Vesta pulled the boat right up to the gate. One of the guards leaned over and looked at her.

"Vesta? Cajun wun humans?"

"Mosca, eacan domo fe mod." she pointed at Elena.

The guard looked at Elena.

"Nokia ve," he said, waving his hand towards the gate.

The guard on the other side nodded, and walked into a small booth. After pressing a few buttons, the gates parted and opened.

"Arigaken sech," Vesta said, bowing her head at the guard before rowing through the open gates.

"What was that all about?" Striker asked.

"He wanted to know where I found humans, and what I was doing. I told him you had come in peace, and that your friend had eaten the fruit, and needed help."

Striker nodded.

"What exactly is the antidote for this fruit?" Red asked curiously.

"An injection," Vesta answered. "It's only made in Cepas. I must take her to Dr. Zace."

"You said if she doesn't get the injection soon, then she will not wake up," Rude queried. "Does that mean she would die?"

Vesta shook her head. "No, she will live forever... only asleep."

"So there'd be no way to kill her?" Reno asked, a bit shocked. Vesta nodded.

"Her body would heal itself if she were attacked, and she wouldn't feel a thing."

Vesta pulled the boat up to the end of the stream where the dock was. Other boats as well were parked along the dock.

"We're here," Vesta said, climbing out of the boat. She took a pair of boots out of the boat and pulled them on, while Striker, Yuffie, Red, Reno, Rude, and Tseng, carrying Elena, climbed out, following Vesta down a pathway that led into the city. Other Tzumarians were walking and flying around, dressed in strange clothing with brightly colored hair. They were all blue skinned like Vesta.

"What a fascinating looking race of creatures," Red commented.

Many of them stopped in the street, looking at them.

"Vesta!" one called out. "Humans? Quoo nam fe?"

"What did he ask?" Striker asked.

The same question," Vesta sighed. "Come on, Dr. Zace's office is right up there."

She led them further down the street, passing intersections, shops, and incredibly tall buildings.

"Here we are," She said, stopping in front of a building. "Now there's a problem."

"What?" Yuffie asked.

"The doctor is on the 27th floor," Vesta answered.

"So what's the problem?" Reno asked. "We'll just take the stairs or the elevator."

Vesta looked sheepish. "There are no stairs... or elevators."

Striker blinked. "Why?"

Vesta's wings flew open. "Tzumarians fly," she answered. "We don't use those sorts of things."

"Then what are we gonna do?" Tseng asked.

Vesta looked up at the building. "I guess I'll have to fly you up one at a time," she said.

Yuffie hid behind Striker. "I don't want her flying me anywhere!"

"Cut it out, Yuffie," Striker scolded.

"Let me take you first," Vesta said to Red. "About how much do you weigh?"

"500 or so pounds," Red answered. "Just like a lion."

"A what?" Vesta asked, confused.

"A creature on our planet," Red explained. "Looks a bit like me... unfortunately."

Vesta shrugged, bending down to put her arms around Red. "500 pounds, huh? Here goes."

Vesta's wings flapped and and pulled herself and Red into the air. The others looked up in awe, and other Tzumarians, both walking through the street and flying as well stopped to stare.

"Gosh," Vesta gasped, straining to carry Red as she neared the 27th floor. "You're so heavy."

Red grinned sheepishly through his fangs. "Sorry."

Vesta pushed open a large swinging door on the the side of the building with her foot, practically dumbing Red on the floor of the room.

He stood and shook his mane out, looking around the room. It was small, nicely decorated and scented, and two long benches were placed on opposite walls.

"I'll be back," Vesta said, disappearing out the doorway.

Vesta flew back to the ground. "Phew," she exzuberated. "After carrying him, I think I can take two at a time."

A few minutes later, Vesta had successfully carried Striker, Yuffie, Reno, Rude, Tseng and the still sleeping Elena up to the room she had left Red in.

"Dr. Zace's office is in there," she said, pointing to a door. She walked towards it and pushed it open. "Dr Zace?" she called.

"Ha! Vesta!" an older Tzumarian with long, grass green hair and white streaks pulled into a ponytail came into the room, two black markings under each of his eyes. "Goken - ah! Humans!"

"Fogen mast," Vesta said in their native tounge. "No fest, adjen fam goken zu."

"Ah," Dr. Zace mused, looking at the group. "So, she ate the forgotten fruit?" He finally spoke English.

"That's right," Tseng answered, who was sitting on one of the benches, Elena laying across it, her head in his hands.

Dr. Zace walked towards her, pushing a strand of green hair out of his paler green eyes. He was smaller than most of the Tzumarians they'd already seen.

He touched Elena's forehead. "Hmmm," he thought. "I've never practiced on a human before, but it seems as though the fruit's poison is taking it's toll on her much more quickly than it would on one of us. We must get her the injection immediately. Come, follow me into my office."

Tseng obeyed, picking Elena up and carrying her into the office, the others following.

"Lay her down there," Dr. Zace said, pointing to a gurney. "RX-25! Acha!"

A droid came out of a closet and rolled over to Dr. Zace.

"RX-25, kami ame susia."

The droid bleeped and it's abdomen opened, a small tray with a row of syringes on it. Dr. Zace chose one.

"Arigaken sech, RX-25," Dr. Zace said. The droid scurried off.

"That thing is worse than Cait Sith," Striker whispered to Yuffie from where they leaned against Zace's desk.

Dr. Zace checked the syringe, then lifted Elena's wrist.

"I am not very familiar with the human anatomy," he said. "There is a major blood artery located here, if I am not mistaken?"

"That is correct," Red said.

Dr. Zace nodded, and stuck the needle into the vein in her wrist, pushing the crystal clear liquid into her blood stream.

He removed the needle and discarded it. Nothing happened.

Tseng took Elena's hand and squeezed it.

"Well...." Reno prompted.

"Give her a second," Dr. Zace said.

Suddenly Elena's light brown eyes fluttered open and dialated, darting around the room.

She sat up straight in a rush. "Hey!" she exclaimed. "I had the weirdest dream!" she babbled to no one in particular. "You were there, Tseng, and you, and you-"

"Calm down, Elena," Tseng said, touching her shoulder.

"Where am I?" Elena suddenly screeched. She looked back and forth between Dr. Zace and Vesta. "Who...- Jenovas!" Her hands flew to her side, pulling her gun out and aiming it at Vesta in a flash.

"Elena!" Tseng yelled, grabbing her arms and pointing the weapon away from Vesta. "Slow down!"

"It's alright," Dr. Zace said, his voice steady. "Give her a moment to calm down."

"She looks like she's on some weird high," Reno said.

Elena's breathing calmed a bit, and she lowered her arms with Tseng's assistance.

"What-"

"Shh, Elena," Tseng said, pushing her hair out of her face. "I'll explain everything."

Tseng recoundted the events that occured after Elena drank the fruit's poison in the forest. She blinked.

"Really?"

Reno slapped his forehead. "God, Elena, you are so dense."

"Come, Vesta beckoned. "We must go to Prince Txourn now, he will help you fight Jenova."

Tseng helped Elena off the gurney and they thanked Dr. Zace before Vesta flew them to the ground again.

The yellow haired Tzumarian meerly shrugged in response to Cid's obscene question.

Cid looked around nervously. Those damn Tzumarian soldiers had brought him, Reeve, Kat, Cait Sith, Randy, and Rufus to some strange holding cell in some strange building somewhere.

"I demand to know what's going on!" Rufus shouted, holding a nervous Kat close to him by her waist.

Reeve was staring at the floor, afraid for his life to make eye contact with anyone. Cait was even still, and Randy just leaned nonchalantly against a wall.

A blue haired female Tzumarian soldier peeked her head in the door. "Janee suk maistre," she said to the yellow haired one.

He nodded. "Come," he said in a deep, heavy voice to Cid and his group.

Cid looked at the others and shrugged, and shufftled behind the yellow haired soldier.

"My name Sebola," he said. "Prince Txourn want see you."

"Prince Txourn?" Cid repeated. "Who in Sam hill is that?"

Prince Txourn son of King Hsien, Tzumron leader," Sebola answered. "He help."

Reeve shook his head. "I don't like this," he said. "I don't like this one bit - "

"Just shut it, Reeve," Rufus snapped from where he walked, holding Kat's wrist. "No one wants to hear it."

"Hey, Rufus," Randy called from where he walked in the back. "You don't have to hold Kat's hand, I think she's old enough to walk by herself."

Kat blushed, and Rufus whirled around to glare at Randy.

"Keep running off at the mouth, Robinson, and see what - "

"Prince here," Seboled interrupped, stopping front of a set of huge double doors. "You see him now."

Sebola pushed the doors open, leading way to a huge, fancily decorated dinner hall. There was a long dinner table in the center of the room, and a purple haired Tzumarian sat at the head tabel, wearing a lavish suit. Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Zack, Vincent, and Isabelle were also, surprisingly, seated at the table.

"Cloud?!" Cid should at the top of his lungs. "What the hell's going on?"

"Reeve!" Isabelle exclaimmed, leaping out of her seat.

"Please, calm yourselves," The purple haired Tzumarian said, gesturing Isabelle to sit. "Ah, Captain Sebola, ariaken sech." He bowed his head.

Sebola bowed his head as well, and went to a corner near the door to stand guard.

"Please, my friends, have a seat. I am Prince Txourn."

Cid looked skepical, but Cloud gave him a pleading look, and the pilot started slowly towards the table.

"Don't be afraid," Txourn called to the others. "Please, sit."

Rufus scowled as he and Kat sat, Cait bounced into a seat, and Randy leapt into a chair, not bothering to pull it out from under the table first. Reeve nearly ran to sit next to Isabelle.

Cid pulled out a chair next to Barret, purposely making a loud screeching sound as it dragged across the floor.

Txourn nodded. "Now, you told me there is another group?" he said to Cloud.

"That's right," Cloud answered.

"We haven't found them yet," Txourn said, "But we are looking."

"So, what the hell's this all about?" Cid demanded, red faced. "I want answers, goddamnit."

"Cid, you really ought to calm down," Tifa said.

"It's alright," Txourn said, holding his hand up. "Now, before we begin, what would you all like to eat? I am not familiar with human delicacies."

"You don't have any of the meat we eat on your planet," Tifa said. "But what kind of vegetation do you have?"

"Ah! I can have the chefs prepare you all a soup and salad." He clapped his hands, and two droids came into the room.

"Robots?" Reeve questioned to himself.

"Oooh!" Cait gushed. "Hi!"

One of the droids turned to him and bleeped.

"Don't distract them, Cait!" Reeve scolded.

"Prepare a salad and soup for our guests," Txourn said to the droids. "And careful, nothing that may harm the human anatomy."

The droids bleeped in response, then scooted back into the kitchen.

"Now that we have that taken care of, we must now discuss how we will find Jenova and exterminate her."

"Can you tell us more about Jenova?" Vincent asked. "We do not know much of her crimes."

Txourn nodded. "Certainly."

"See that place?" She said. "That's the Royal Palace. King Hsien is our leader, and Prince Txourn is there."

"Well, let's go," Reno said, taking a step foward. "What are we standing around for?"

"Wait," Vesta hissed, grabbing the Turk's shoulder. "We can't just go in there, we'll have to sneak in.

"Why?" Yuffie asked.

"You have to understand something about Tzumron," Vesta began to explain. "Sure, those Tzumarians you have met have been helpful, but we are the working class. We are not as, um, important as the higher classes. We are equal, of course... but there is a noticable difference. We can't just walk into the Royal Palace and beg for help... it's hard to explain."

"I understand," Striker mumbled, trying to come up with a plan.

"If that is the case," Tseng began, then how is that you know Prince Txourn will be willing to help?"

A blush crept up on Vesta's face.

"Because he is... my lover."

"Aww!" Elena exclaimed. "How sweet!"

Reno rolled his eyes. "A sappy alien love. Yeah, that's real sweet."

Rude elbowed him.

"So, they why can't you go in, if you're his girlfriend and all?" Yuffie whined. "This is all so confusing!"

"No one knows about us," Vesta answered. "He is already betrowed to a wealthy girl from the town of Jonas."

"Oh, that's awful!" Elena cried.

"Can it, Elena," Reno said.

"Anyway," Vesta continued, trying to change the subject. "We can sneak in the side. Then I will fly you each up to Txourn's bedroom. That is where I always meet him."

"Wonderful," Red said. "Show us the way."

"Perfect, the sun is setting," Vesta said, pointing at the darkening sky. "Right. Come, follow me."

They followed Vesta towards the left side of the of the huge palace, sneaking past guards and soldiers. They made their way into a large courtyard, and Vesta walked close to the wall and stopped.

"See that window there?" she said, pointing. "That is Txourn's bedroom. I'll have to carry you now. Let me just check his room to see that it is clear."

Vesta flew up to the window and peered in, checking to see if anyone was in there. Seeing it empty, she pushed the window open and flew back down.

"It's safe," she said. "Let's go."

Vesta flew everyone up again, and they waited quietly in Txourn's large, lavish bedroom.

"Now what?" Tseng asked.

Vesta held up a finger. "Txourn is not here, and we can't leave to find him, or we'll be caught. I'm going to send him a telepathic message to let him know that we are here."

"So you can all do that telepathy stuff, not only Jenova?" Yuffie asked.

Vesta nodded. "Yes, but it can be easily abused, like she did.

Vesta sat on the edge of Txourn's bed and closed her eyes, sitting perfectly still. She wrinkled her nose a bit and placed a finger to her forehead.

"What the hell's going on?" Cid asked.

Cloud looked at Txourn strangely. His behavior was odd, yet somehow familiar.

Txourn suddenly opened his turquoise eyes again. "Oh, I just got a message. Please, excuse me, I'll be right back." He rose from the table and left the dinner hall.

Cid looked at Cloud. "What the flying fuck is going on?" he asked. "Have you spoken to the others?"

Cloud shook his head. "No, no. We haven't gotten the chance to call them."

"Well call them goddamned now!" Cid yelled. "Prince so and so left!"

Cloud eyed Sebola, who was still standing guard. "No, no," he said.

"I don't like what's going on," Reeve said.

"Calm your nerves, Reeve," Zack said. "They can't be up to anything bad, they didn't even take our weapons."

"Right," Isabelle agreed. "Maybe they really do want to help us."

"It's in their best interest," Tifa said. "After all, Jenova is as big a threat to them as she is to us."

Rufus folded his arms. "I don't even know why I'm here," he said. "I should be at home, lying in my white sheets-"

"You're here because you're a jerkoff that thinks he can get away with every load of shit he tries to pull," Cid said.

Rufus glared daggers at Cid. "I'm not going to listen to anything you have to say."

"Rufus, the man's right," Randy said. "You're such an anal rententive tight ass."

Rufus turned red with anger and stood, banging his fist on the table. "Take that back, you druken peice of-"

Sebola looked at them sternly from where he stood.

"Look, fighting isn't going to give us any answers," Cloud said. "Rufus, why don't you just sit down? You're in this with the rest of us."

Rufus sat, ignoring Randy's sardonic grin. Kat rubbed his shoulder gently to calm him.

"This is going to start up my ulcers again!" he couldn't help but add.

"I'm worried about the others," Tifa said. "Maybe we should call them."

"Just wait until Txourn returns," Vincent said. "Remember, he did say he was still looking for the others."

"Vesta!" he exclaimed, running to her and embracing her. "I've missed you so much, darling." He kissed her passionately.

"Akon no me gotch we," Vesta answered.

Txourn laughed and kissed her cheek. "Domo garatua?"

Vesta turned to her companions. "Quafe," she answered.

Txourn broke the embrace and turned to Striker, Yuffie, Red, Tseng, Elena, Reno and Rude. "Pleasure to meet you all, I am Prince Txourn of Tzumron."

Striker stuck his hand out. "Nice to meet you too. I'm Striker, this is Yuffie, Red XIII, Tseng, Elena, Reno, and Rude."

Yuffie jumped up. "So you're Prince Txourn?"

Txourn nodded. He looked down at Red. "You're not human," he said.

"That's right," Red said. "I'm a beast from Cosmo Canyon."

"Yeah, what do they call your kind, anyway?" Reno asked.

"I don't think that's of importance right now," Red said.

Txourn nodded. "Wonderful. My troops have been looking for you ever since we heard of your arrival. We have the rest of your friends, waiting for dinner. You're just in time for a wonderful meal and the entire story about Jenova."

"What are we eating?" Rude asked.

"Rude, that's not relevant," Tseng said.

"I know what's relevant," Reno said. "Do you have alcohol on this planet?"

Txourn laughed. "Ah, we have something much better," he said. "Come, let's return to the dining hall."

Cloud lept out of his seat. "What! You guys are here?"

"See," Vincent said. "All you have to do is learn patience."

"Yuffie!" Kat exclaimed, reaching up to hug her friend. "I was so worried!"

"About me?" Yuffie laughed. "Nah, I can take care of myself."

Vesta sat at the opposite head of the table from Txourn, while Striker, Yuffie, Elena, Tseng, Elena, Reno and Rude filled in the remaining seats. Red sat on his haunches on the floor.

"What's going on?" Rufus asked Tseng.

"Hey," Tifa stopped him. "There are no side conversations. We discuss this as a group."

"At least we're all together now," Zack said.

Txourn took a seat. "Everyone, that is Vesta," he said, gesturing to the Tzumarian with long, white, braided hair and pink eyes. "She found your friends at the river near the Forgotten Forest and brought them here."

"Yeah, where Elena almost killed herself," Reno mumbled.

"What?" Isabelle questioned.

"What do you mean?" Cloud asked.

"She drank some poison from a fruit that put her into a deadly sleep," Tseng explained. "But Vesta took us to a doctor that cured her."

"Can we get on with it, goddamnit!" Cid suddenly yelled.

"Yeah!" Barret answered, slamming his gunarm on the table. "And where's our food?"

"I agree with him," Rude said quietly.

"The food will be ready shortly," Txourn said, as a droid came out of the kitchen and began placing bowls in front of everyone. "See? They're already setting the table."

"What about my alcohol?" Reno asked.

"Ah, yes!" Txourn clapped his hands. "RT-19, komo gachit un fasti melloc."

The droid bleeped and scrurried into the kitchen.

"He's going to bring you a bottle of a special drink which is similar to this alcohol you humans drink."

"It better be good," Reno said, rubbing his hands together.

"I want to try some!" Randy exclaimed, leaning back in his chair.

"You guys are a bunch of drunks!" Yuffie exclaimed.

"I agree," Elena said.

"Tell me something I don't know," Reno said.

"Enough," Tseng said. "I swear, sometimes you Turks can act like a bunch of babies."

"And how long did it take you to realize this, Tseng?" Rufus asked snobbily. "Nearly twenty years?"

"Alright, enough," Cloud said. "I want to hear what Txourn has to say about Jenova."

Txourn nodded thank you. "I suppose I should start at the beginning."

"Jenova was the daughter of a wealthy family from the town of Metrovich. She was never a normal child - she often got into trouble when she was young. When she got older, her aspirations for destruction grew - to the point where she thought she was able to take over Tzumron.

"She was very beautiful. She had long, silver hair and hypnotizing red eyes. She could steal any man's heart, and trust me, she did. And after she got what she wanted, she'd kill them."

"So she started as a serial killer?" Vincent said.

Txourn nodded. "Eventually she got bored with that, and got to bigger prospects. She started kidnapping Captains from our army, and other important men... and doing pretty much the same thing."

"What a sicko!" Randy exclaimed, earning several dirty looks.

"Jenova wanted to rule the world, which would mean overthrowing my parents. First, she started committing common terrorist acts - blowing up things, killing important leaders, you know."

"I have experience with that," Rufus muttered, glaring at Tifa and Barret.

"That was for a damn good reason!" Barret yelled. "You was killin' the planet!"

"Besides, you got us back good when Reno crushed Sector Seven," Tifa spat, the corners of her eyes threatening tears.

Striker sat ups straight. "Reno did that?" he asked, turning to glare at the red haired Turk.

"Oh, not this again," Reno said, shaking his head and putting it to his hand. "Where's my drink?"

"Fight, fight!" Cait yelled. "Striker and Reno!"

"Don't instigate, Cait!" Reeve yelled.

"Come on, cut it out," Cloud said. "We can't fight with each other right now. Okay, Teef?" he rubbed her shoulders compassionately.

Before Txourn could continue with his story, several droids came in from the kitchen and began serving the meal. One placed a bottle in front of Reno.

"There it is," Txourn said.

"You'd better share that," Randy insisted as Reno poured himself a glass.

"Arigaken sech," Txourn thanked the droids as they left. "Now where were we?"

"Why was Jenova never persecuted?" Red asked.

"It was very difficult to find her," Vesta answered. "She was very intelligent, she never left a trace."

"That's right," Txourn said. "She was extremely cunning. Anyway, she then tried to take over through me."

"How so?" Zack asked, his mouth full of food.

"Well, the same way she'd done all the others... I got suspcious, because her behavior was matching to the culprit of the other crimes,... and she was caught. Before she could finish her plan, we exiled her from Tzumron, by shooting her into space in a capsule. That was seven years ago, about 2000 years your time."

"Can you explain the difference of time?" Vincent asked. "When we get back, will we be terribly forward in the future?"

"Shit," Cloud said. "I didn't think about that!"

"My baby!" Tifa exclaimed.

"Now, calm down," Vesta said. "Don't worry. When you travel through the vortex, it will be as if hardly any time passed at all. Vortices have that effect on time."

Everyone calmed a bit.

"Moving on," Txourn continued. "We had no idea Jenova was as smart as she is. She's managed to reck havoc on another planet with her insanity. What exactly did she do?"

"Let Vincent explain this one," Barret said.

"Jenova crashed into our planet, as you said, 2000 years ago," Vincent began. "She left an awful wound in the northern area of the Planet. There were two races living on our Planet at the time, humans and the more advanced, migrant Cetra-"

"Cetra?!" Txourn and Vesta both gasped.

"Yes..."

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Txourn said. "But for hundreds of thousands of years, our people and the Cetra have fought across space and time. We have been enemies for as long as history's text can recount."

"Why is that?" Isabelle asked.

Txourn looked at his plate. "I... I really don't know. It's always been that way."

"Txourn told me that there were reports about Jenova bringing Cetra here," Vesta said. "Do you know anything about that?"

"I'll get to that in a second," Vincent said. "When she crashed into the Planet, she made the Cetra think she was one of them."

"What?" Txourn yelled.

"She's crazy," Vesta said. "Sorry, but this is astounishing.

Vincent continued. "The Cetra helped her out, but she infected them with a virus that consumed nearly all of their populace. Those remaining managed to seal her away in a geological stratum that wasn't discovered until about thirty years ago by a energy corporation know as Shin-Ra."

"Run by that bastard's father!" Barret pointed at Rufus.

"Call my father the bastard, not me," Rufus said.

"So is that all she did?" Txourn asked. "Killed a bunch of Cetra?"

"It get's worse," Vincent continued. "I worked as a Turk those thirty some odd years ago. A Turk is what these four people are." "Turks rule!" Elena cheered.

"The Shin-Ra started scientific research on Jenova, foolishly also beileving she was a Cetra. At that time, only two or three Cetra remained alive, and they were in hiding, fearing being tested on like lab rats. One was the secret wife of the Professor in charge of the project."

"Scandelous," Randy said.

"The actual project began when they put Jenova's cells into a pregnant human," Vincent explained. "They wanted to enhance the child with what they thought were the cells of a Cetra."

"What?" Vesta exclaimed. "You can't mix Tzumarian and human cells! That's.... insane!"

"The man who ran the project was insane," Vincent said.

"Stay on topic, Vincent," Cloud said, hoping Vincent would not go off on a tangent about Hojo.

"The child was born, amidst all the insanity going on around the birth," Vincent continued. "He was named Sephiroth. He had silver hair, just like Jenova -"

"This is horrible," Txourn said, putting his head in his hands.

"And he grew up to be outrageously strong. He became the leader of the SOLDIER army, he was the strongest human ever, idolized across the world by the minions."

"And what happened to Jenova?" Vesta asked.

"Her corpse was locked away," Vincent said.

"Oh, I can guarrentee you she wasn't dead," Txourn said.

"No, she wasn't," Vincent agreed.

"We know that now," Striker said.

"About five years ago, Sephiroth, along with Zack and Cloud here, went on a mission together in a small town, the same town where the research had been conducted and Jenova was locked away. Sparing the details, Sephiroth ran into Jenova's chamber, and she entered his mind. She used him, and he burned the town down and killed nearly everyone."

"Including me and Tifa!" Zack exclaimed.

"Cloud killed him... or so we thought," Vincent said. "Not too long ago Sephiroth came back to life and was on a mad rampage, doing Jenova's dirty work. She got him to summon Meteor, and all other atrocities, and we were able to destroy him and Jenova."

"I knew it!" Vesta said. "She used mind control, by manipulating her cells in him."

"She did it to me also," Cloud said.

"How? You have her cells too?"

Cloud nodded. "After Sephiroth went crazy in Nibelheim, the same scientist that ran that project took Zack and I and tried to make us into Sephiroth clones."

"Unbeilevable," Txourn said. "So if you destroyed Jenova, how has she come here?"

"That same scientist, Hojo, revived himself and Jenova. Now mind you at this time, Sephiroth had returned to life as well, by the Planet, set to correct his mistakes. He joined our team, with two Cetra as well." "Cetra?" Vesta questioned.

"Yes," Vincent answered. "One was killed by Sephiroth a few months ago, the other died many years ago. Getting to what is important, Jenova wanted Sephiroth back in her grip, but he refused to listen. She also wanted those Cetra, Aeris and Tayeko. So she kidnapped them, and brought them and Hojo here. That's why we've come, to find them and to destroy her."

"My, what a fascinating story," Txourn mused. "Unbeilevable. So, we must find Jenova, rescue your friends, and destroy her?"

"Right," Cloud answered.

"And what about this Hojo guy?" Vesta asked.

"Oh," Vincent said darkly. "I will kill him myself."

"How are you feeling, dear?"

"Please..." Aeris begged. "Let me out!"

"Oh, but you still haven't told me anything about the Promised Land," he said.

Aeris sighed miserably. "I told you, I don't know anything. I only know that when Cetra die, that's where they go. Its not a physcial place on the Planet, its a supernatural plane somewhere connected to the Lifestream. And you must be full blooded Cetra to go there, because I wasn't even allowed in it."

Hojo rubbed his temples. "Fine. When you hear the Planet speak, what does it tell you?"

Aeris sighed again. "I hear it's cries of pain, it's laughter of happiness."

"What else do you know?"

"The Planet takes the form of a woman when she speaks to humans. She does this rarely, in fact, I only know of one time this has happened, when she came to me, Sephiroth, and Tayeko."

"Really? Describe her to me."

Aeris rolled her eyes. "She's very beautiful. She has pale blue eyes and hair, and she wears a blue dress."

"That's all?"

"Please, Professor, I'm very tired."

"Fine." Hojo let Aeris out of the gurney and grabbed her wrists. "Let's go."

He led her out of the room and a ways down the hallway. He stopped in front of a room.

"You can stay in there," he said, shoving her in the dark room.

Aeris stumbled in the room, hearing Hojo slam the door behind her. She didn't care, as long as she could get some peace away from him.

"Aeris?"

Aeris looked up. "Tayeko!" She ran to her friend and embraced her. "Oh, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Tayeko answered. "I had a little fight with Jenova. Are you okay?"

"Just a little sore and exhausted," Aeris sighed. "Hojo wouldn't leave me alone.

"Where could Sephiroth be?" Tayeko asked.

"Jenova probably took him somewhere," Aeris answered. "We have to get to him! Any way of escaping?"

"We can't fit through that tiny window, and even if we could, we're stories above ground," Tayeko answered. "I think we're doomed, Aeris!"

"Don't say that!" Aeris scolded, grabbing Tayeko's shoulders.

"Think about it!" Tayeko said. "We trapped in here, we don't know where Sephiroth is, we have no way to get home... and soon Jenova and Hojo will come back for us!"

"Don't worry, Tayeko," Aeris said. "We'll think of something."

The door suddenly dragged open, and Jenova stood in the frame.

"Ah, girls, together again, hmm? Come, I have a surprise for you."

"What are you up to now?" Tayeko demanded.

"Don't ask questions!" Jenova snarled. "Now let's go!"

Reluctantly, Tayeko and Aeris followed Jenova further down to the end of the hallway, where another door was. Hojo was waiting there, a roll of twine in his hands.

"Tie them up," Jenova insturcted. "I don't want them getting too excitable."

Despite their efforts, Aeris and Tayeko found themselves being bound by the rope, and a gag placed over their mouths. Jenova opened the door and pushed them in.

"Have a seat!" she said. "And get ready to enjoy the show."

Tayeko and Aeris gasped, seeing Sephiroth chained to a large bed in the center of the room.

"Tayeko!" he exclaimed. "Aeris!"

"Now, now, they're just here to watch you and I mate," Jenova said. "Hojo's also going to stick around.

Hojo laughed, pulling up a stool between here Aeris and Tayeko sat on the floor and sitting on it.

"When the hell did you tie me up?" Sephiroth yelled.

"Why, when you were sleeping, of course," Jenova answered. "You know, Sephiroth, you really shouldn't let your guard down like that. I would think someone in SOLDIER would know that."

"I didn't fall asleep, you wretchid creature!" Sephiroth shouted. "You must have knocked me out!"

Jenova snickered. "Actually, it's the inscents that were buring in here earlier. They make humans drowsy. Good thing I put them out, I wouldn't want our guests falling asleep during the show!"

Tayeko shouted something unintelligent under her gag, tears running out of her eyes.

Jenova sat on the edge of Sephiroth's bed and ran her hands down his stomach.

"Are you ready?"

"Get away from me!"

"Sephiroth, behave yourself," Hojo warned.

Sephiroth glowered at Hojo. "You, monster! I will kill you when I get the chance!"

"Calm down, Sephiroth," Jenova said. "You need to be relaxed.

"I'll relax for nothing!" Sephiroth yelled. "Get your hands off of me!"

Jenova crawled over Sephiroth's body. "Oh, the fun is only beginning..."

"I've got an idea," Zack said. "Since Jenova is a Tzumarian, and you guys are Tzumarians, then can't you use your mental prowess to find her?"

"Right, because whereever Jenova is, everyone else is," Tifa said.

"Hmm," Txourn thought. "Vesta, you've worked on your telepathy much more than I have. You should try."

Vesta nodded, smiling at Txourn. She pushed her chair away from the table and closed her eyes, again pressing a finger against the side of her forehead.

After a few agonizing minutes, she opened her eyes and shuddered.

"Such dark energy coming from her," she said.

"Well, did you find her?" Txourn asked.

"Yes," Vesta answered. "I also felt your friend Sephiroth, and that Hojo guy. Do they have Jenova's cells also?"

"Yes," Vincent answered.

"And Sephiroth is no one's friend," Cloud said.

"Well, they're in very close quarters," Vesta answered. "We don't have much time. I beileve they are in Jonas."

"Ugh, Jonas," Txourn sighed. "That's where Astrid is. If I set foot in that town I will have to deal with her and her wretchid family."

"Noko kaze, fad," Vesta said.

"Damnit!" Randy said. "Whenever they say something to each other, they start with that stuff!"

"Alright," Txourn said, standing up. "Sebola, get the trucks ready, we're going to Jonas, Vesta, take them down to the garage. I'm going to notify my father, and I will meet with you then."

Sebola nodded and left, and Vesta stood.

"Come on, guys. Follow me."

"So many humans, eh?" he said. He looked over at his wife, Queen Ixia. "Do you think is wise?"

Queen Ixia's pale blue eyes stared at her son. "I suppose," she said.

Txourn bowed to his parents. "I will not let you down," he said. "We will defeat Jenova."

"So long as you stop and see Astrid while you are in Jonas," his mother instructed, running a hand over her updone gray hair.

Txourn scowled. "Yes, mother," he mumbled.

"Good," she said. "We love you, son. Be careful."

Txourn bowed. "Arigaken sech," he said.

Txourn came down in time to see everyone crowding into the jeeps. "Are we ready to go?"

Vesta nodded. "Come on."

"Sebola, we're leaving. I want troops riding behind us, just in case."

"Yes, sir," Sebola answered, bowing before going off to gather troops.

"Normally we would fly," Txourn said as he and Vesta climbed into a jeep with Cloud and Tifa. "But we can't with you guys. Good thing we have these vehicles!"

Tifa nodded. "I'm surprised you would have something like this."

Txourn shrugged. He tapped the Tzumarian driving on the shoulder. "Van!" he said.

The soldier nodded and started the jeep, driving off, the others following behind.