A/N: I remember when I first started this story, I compared it to a Disney sequel. You know, one of those lame movies that come out straight to dvd? Ha ha! But over time, it grew on me, and got better, and got more fun to write in. I'm so glad you all like it, because seriously, it would not have existed without you. XD

Please enjoy the last chapter. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kadaj forced open the doors to the detention area beneath Healin, not surprised to find himself facing the two Turks Elena and Rude. He remembered their faces well, from their many encounters. Those faces were now surprised and confused. They knew what was happening outside, but not why the remnant was there. For whatever reason they thought it was, they did not attack him, which was their undoing.

In an instant, Kadaj slammed his fist into Rude's stomach, causing him to convulse. He grabbed hold of the man's head before he had time to react, and threw him to the side, slamming his head into the wall. He rammed his elbow into the side of Elena's directly after, before she could attack him. She fell to the floor beside her comrade, both of them unconscious.

Silence.

Kadaj shuddered as he closed his eyes to bask in the quiet. He gripped the hilt of his sword more firmly, the blood from his back quickening its flow from the clenching of his muscles.

He slowly stepped forward, down the corridor and passed all the empty cells. He stopped before the one at the end, facing Genesis.

The ex-SOLDIER stood against the bars, his arms rested through them, his posture as casual as ever. A sly smile was on his face. The bruises from his battle with Vincent had yet to heal, but he looked no less confident or powerful because of them. Kadaj stood shaking from his pain, his teeth clenched in anger. Genesis looked directly into his eyes, his confidence mellowing out, being replaced by pity.

"How?" Kadaj demanded, his voice unsteady, "How do I destroy Jenova and Sephiroth along with her?"

Genesis' smile returned, in a more somber form. "You were born again with the power to do so. You only have to harness it."

"Tell me how," he said.

"It isn't something I can teach you in this moment. It would take time."

"I don't have time!" he snapped.

Genesis pulled his arms from the bars, drawing away from them slightly. "Fighting here is pointless, Kadaj. Jenova is angry. She is threatened, that is why she is sending the Shadow Creepers. No matter how many you kill, more will keep coming. She will not stop until the threat to her is destroyed."

Kadaj didn't reply. He only swallowed, hearing his blood drip to the floor at his feet.

"If you kill me, the creatures will stop, but the threat to this planet will never be gone. Sephiroth will come again, and he will continue to prey on you, and your brothers." He paused for a moment, watching Kadaj struggle with his pain. "I could have taken you away, Kadaj. I could have fled with you after your brothers attacked, it was within my power. But I didn't. I left you for the others to find you, I let myself be dragged here to be near you."

"Why?"

"Because I needed you to come to me of your own free will. Jenova can never be destroyed by me forcing you. The choice is yours...and only yours."

Kadaj was reminded of his mother's words, of what she had told him only hours ago. If only he knew what she wanted for him.

"I once I thought I knew what life had in store for me. But I was wrong, and I discovered the Goddess had a plan much bigger than I. All I had to do was follow it, and she guided me the rest of the way," he explained, his voice soft and convincing, full of sympathy and understanding. Kadaj didn't know if he was being honest, but most of his life he lived without knowing what the outcome would be.

At some point he just had to trust something. Aeris...Vincent...his brothers...and now, Genesis.

The remnant blinked away his tears, gathering his strength and crossing the length of the corridor once more. He went to Rude's side, opening his jacket and searching around inside, eventually finding the card key. He went back to Genesis' cell, taking the key to the control pad beside it. He used the wall to support himself, as he struggled to keep standing. He swiped the card through, the cage unlocking with a snap.

He gave into his weakness, letting himself slide down against the wall, resting his forehead against it. The world around him felt distant, his lack of blood pulling him unconscious. He lazily opened his eyes, looking up at Genesis as the ex-SOLDIER crouched at his side. He smiled softly, taking hold of him.

"'There is no hate, only joy...for you are beloved by the Goddess.'"

"Vincent!" Rufus' voice called over the battle. Vincent spun around, looking for the president, his vision blurry and his head light. He spotted him at the top of the stairs, a gun in his hand, his white clothes tattered from the fight. "We have to evacuate! We can't hold them off!"

Vincent swiped at the next creature who came at him, striking it across the face with his claws. That held it back long enough for Cloud to come to his side, running the creature through. Together, they made their way toward Rufus, Cloud before him, cutting a path. Vincent followed after him, simultaneously trying to spot the others while cradling his wounded arm. Shelke was inside with Yuffie last he had seen her, tending to her injuries. He found Yazoo among the hoard of creatures, fighting deadly, Reno at his back. Loz wasn't too far away, clearing through the mass with his fists alone. Whatever was left of the Turks were gathered by the president, most running inside to commence with the evacuation.

He couldn't find Kadaj, and it frightened him.

"Vincent!" Loz suddenly yelled, grabbing his attention. He turned just as the remnant came charging toward him, panic in his eyes. He stopped before his guardian. "Kadaj is gone!"

"What?" he asked, looking around the battlefield again. He saw the same unending scene, but no sign of the youngest brother, "What do you mean? Where is he?"

"I don't know. We can't sense him."

Panic gripped his chest, sent his mind reeling with dozens of questions. He couldn't be dead...

"Vincent!" Cloud yelled, grabbing his arm. "We need to leave!"

Rufus was calling for Reno, the last Turk left among the swarm. Yazoo, beside him, seemed to understand what was happening, but continued to fight, tearing through the creatures mercilessly.

"Yazoo!" Vincent called, "We need to evacuate!"

As much as he didn't want to leave. As much as he wanted to stay and search for Kadaj's body among the chaos, he knew they couldn't.

"Yazoo!"

Reno grabbed the remnant by the arm, yanking him out of his fury, forcing him follow him to the company of the others. Cloud and Loz continued to drive off the creatures around Vincent, while he desperately searched for any sign of Kadaj. He couldn't be dead...he simple couldn't. Not after everything.

A loud buffeting noise caught his attention, pulling him from his wandering thoughts, as a sudden gust of wind send his hair and cloak flying. He covered his face with his injured arm, looking up at the large helicopter descending on them. It startled the attacking creatures, made them falter for a moment as they tried to determine what was happening. It gave the fighters a small moment of reprieve, before the Shadow Creepers attacked again.

Bullets were suddenly fired from the turret on the helicopter, striking creature after creature in a single swipe. They disappeared from around them, giving the chopper enough room to lower. It hovered only a couple meters from the ground, just enough for the fighters to get on board.

Cloud was the first one up, jumping the distance and landing safely inside. Vincent gestured for Loz to follow, although the young man looked reluctant. After a few seconds, he complied, and was soon followed by Yazoo and Reno. Vincent stood beneath the buffeting torrent, looking over the chaotic scene, hoping desperately that this wouldn't be the last place he'd ever see Kadaj.

He was the last of them to climb in, and the moment he was securely inside, the chopper rose in the air, far out of reach of the Shadow Creepers. The chopper angled just above the lodge, above the spot where Rufus stood his ground. Reno quickly lowered the ladder from the side, sending it down to the president just as they flew over him. He grabbed on and began his climb, as the chopper ascended higher in the sky, leaving the lodge far below.

"Shelke and Yuffie are with the rest on the other chopper," Tseng yelled back at them from his place in the cockpit. Vincent looked out the side of the helicopter, to the similar chopper that was flying ahead of them, full of the others.

Reno helped pull the president inside, and the Rufus crashed down on the floor, breathing heavily as he held onto the wall for support. He looked over the group gathered inside, before locking eyes with Vincent. "Where's Kadaj?" he wondered.

"He's gone," Yazoo answered for him. The remnant looked out at the landscape below, his expression hard but not necessarily grieved. By the way he spoke, Vincent was beginning to understand.

"I thought as much," Rufus commented.

"What do you mean?" Vincent demanded.

The president sighed softly, "Genesis is also missing. We found Rude and Elena unconscious outside his cell, and when they awoke, they told us what happened. It was Kadaj."

Vincent felt his stomach sink, as he figured out what was happening. He turned away from the others, trying to comprehend it all, trying to figure out why Kadaj would do such a thing. He might have been controlled by Sephiroth, or Genesis could have threatened him. The ex-SOLDIER could have orchestrated this entire attack just to get Kadaj could go with him. They had no idea what the man was really after, and if his goals were really what he said they were.

Cloud's hand was on his shoulder, oddly comforting. It pulled Vincent from his fearful thoughts, and made him look over at his friend. Cloud's expression was serious, but his eyes were hopeful. "If Genesis wanted Kadaj dead, he would have already killed him."

"He doesn't need him dead to summon Sephiroth," he replied factually.

"Sephiroth can't control him anymore. You assured me of that."

He wasn't so sure anymore, not after everything Kadaj had told him about his influence over him. He wanted to believe the remnant was strong enough to resist, and wise enough to make the right choices, but he couldn't help but be doubtful and afraid.

"Whatever is happening...whatever Genesis is after...I fear this is only the beginning," Vincent said, as he watched Healin grow more and more distance, and watched the Shadow Creepers continue to emerge. The sky was growing darker, and he could feel a change in the air.

"Aeris...be with him," he uttered.

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N: Thank you all so much for all the reviews and favorites. And even those who read the story, but didn't review or favorite or anything, thanks to you too! XD

Please be patient for the sequel. I'm gonna take a small break before starting it, as I need to chill for a bit. lol But don't worry, it will be up! :)

Please review this last chapter, and let me know what you think. Until next time...

~Endellion :)