Eternal Fall

Final Fantasy and its characters are the property of Square Enix.
Warning: …Ummm… the chapter is… long?

Eternal Fall: part XIX: Nightmare


The wind and the rain pounded the outside of the truck that moved to Nibelheim. The driver moved slowly and cautiously, being especially careful since the Silver General was onboard. The skies were dark, and the clouds swirled viciously, threatening to swallow them up if they made a wrong turn. The driver had one of the soldiers sit with him to keep him alert, and they kept their eyes open for any movement.

In the back of the large truck, the soldiers sat together quietly, listening to the rain. All of the soldiers... except...

"It's sure raining hard!" Zack exclaimed, standing and pacing back and forth. "It would be kinda fun to go outside and run around, right Seph?"

A couple of the soldiers shifted uncomfortably as Zack called Sephiroth by such a casual name. They feared it might anger their superior. But Sephiroth only nodded without a hint of anger and listened to the pounding rain. Zack rzed zed what he said and almost smacked his forehead.

"Sorry," he whispered when the other soldiers weren't looking.

Sephiroth only smiled softly.

"What's up?" Zack asked, sitting next to him. "You seem down."

"There is something about this trip that bothers me. I cannot tell you exactly what, but I sense something." Sephiroth sighed gently. "Or perhaps it is just the rain."

"Trust your instincts, Seph," Zack whispered before standing up and pacing again.

A l grl groan could be heard to his side. Zack grinned and patted Cloud on the shoulder. "Hey, how're you doing, Cloud?"

"Please don't move me," Cloud groaned. "I'm alright."

"You'll be fine, kid. Not that I'd know. I've never had motion sickness." He glanced to another soldier who seemed a bit restless. "Everything okay?"

"Hey," Sephiroth said, smirking at Zack. "Settle down. You're more worked up than they are. You will probably make Cloud worse with all of your pacing."

"They gave me some new materia! I can't wait to use it. Do you know how long I've been waiting for this?"

Sephiroth took a moment to look at the materia equipped on his own wrist bangles. It had been so long since he wore the small round gems of materia. He decided that he'd just focus his power through the materia rather than using his own for this trip. It would allow him to give his body a rest, even if spells hardly affected him. When he looked up he could see Zack practically drooling over the materia he had in his hands.

"Can't wait!" Zack grinned.

"...Just like a kid," Sephiroth smiled with a brotherly appreciation that only Zack caught.

All the while, Cloud sat there, only half listening as his stomach threatened to empty at any moment.

"Are you going to brief us about this mission?" Zack asked.

"...This isn't a typical mission," Sephiroth responded. He looked as if he suddenly had doubts about being there. But the look vanished as quickly as it came.

"Good!" Zack grinned.

"Why do you say that?" Sephiroth asked the hyper young man.

"Because I joined SOLDIER so I could be like you. I never really told you that, did I?"

"Well... after you took a bullet for me..." Sephiroth said, trailing off at the disturbing thought.

"That's right. Maybe I did say it, but I'll say it again. By the time I made First class, the war was already over. My big hopes of becoming a hero like you ended with the war. But man, fighting with you was a dream come true. I'll never forget it. Remember how we used to battle together, just us in the rain against anything that came at us? As weird as it sounds, I miss those days. That's why I always sign up whenever there's a big mission. Kind of a way to prove myself. I want to prove myself to others, to you, and to myself. You already say I've proven myself, but I still feel like I have a lot to do, ya know?" Zack grinned, seeing Sephiroth's discomfort at being regarded so highly. His modesty wouldn't let him think of himself so highly. All his life, before he became general, he was always made to feel like he wasn‘t worth anything. "Say, how do you feel, MISTER Sephiroth? Never could handle compliments."

"...I thought you wanted a briefing?" Sephiroth changed the subject, which only made Zack laugh. "Our mission is to investigate an old Mako reactor. There have been reports of it malfunctioning, and producing brutal creatures. Then, we'll locate the problem and neutralize i



Cloud groaned loudly as the truck hit another bump. "Brutal... creatures...?" he managed to murmur.

"Where?" Zack asked,

Cloud looked up at Sephiroth, worry in his blue eyes.

"The Mako Reactor at Nibelheim" Sephiroth nodded.

"My hometown..." Cloud muttered. "I had a feeling...."

"Hmm... your hometown," Sephiroth blinked. "Ifairfairly positive that everyone you know is alright."

Cloud was going to respond, but the truck stopped quickly. "That's it, I need air!" Cloud said, jumping out of the back of the truck. Zack and Sephiroth tried hard not to laugh.

"I wonder why we st--"

"Sir! S... something strange just crashed into our truck!" yelled the soldier who had been sitting in the passenger seat.

"Yeeeeehaw!" Zack yelled. "That would be our monster, right?!"

"You'd like thaouldouldn't you?" Sephiroth said, following Zack out of the truck.

There were a few other trucks stopped around them as the rain continued to fall hard. They could hardly see anything as the rain hit their faces.

"Wow, you actually have it with you," Zack said, looking at the Masamune. The scabbard was the size of any normal katana sheath. But for whatever reason, it grew to it's six foot length whenever Sephiroth drew it out completely. And it grew so fast that not even the fastest eyes could see it happen. The only way people could tell something odd had happened was because the sheath was much shorter than the sword.

"Yes," Sephiroth said, approaching the front of the truck. "It's been a long time."

Zack caught the glimpse of the monster. "It's just a dragon. It looks great though!" He stepped closer... and closer... and closer still. After a while, he realized that this was bigger and more ferocious than other dragons he had seen. "What's wrong with this big fella?"

"Stay back," Sephiroth said softly. "There is more than one."

Zack froze. "Really?" He looked around. "Shit, it's so dark. I can't see a th--"

The Masamune suddenly flashed in front of Zack's eyes in an upward motion. A loud, ear shattered scream erupted in the air. The dragon had tried to swipe Zack with it's massive tail, but Sephiroth sliced it's tail away with his massive speed before Zack knew what happened. The long tail twitched disgustingly to his side. He turned to see Sephiroth running with perfect balance up the back of the dragon. With one graceful swing, the creature was beheaded.

"Fire! Fire!" called a group of soldiers from another truck. Two groups opened fire on three more dragons that approached. Gunshots filled the air, as did the sounds of blades battling the beast. Swords were as necessary as guns in this military, as bullets couldn't penetrate some shi and and magic spells. Using a sword against an enemy broke the enemies concentration and allowed the attack to get through. Some of these dragons knew magic as a defensive spell.

The three dragons were disposed off, but it took all of the manpower the soldiers could provide. However, Sephiroth could dispose of any dragon on his own without breaking a sweat. He took two of them down with no problem, and was already headed back for the truck.

Zack lifted his giant sword and charged at a dragon he saw through the stinging rain. He leapt into the air effortlessly with the massive buster sword in his hands. His entire body spun in the air, and the glint from the buster sword made it appear as though he were surrounded by a silver disk of light. The force of his swing, combined with a specially equipped Aeroga materia, sent a devastating shock wave forward. A dragon in front of him was hit, and soon it appeared to be raining blood. It wasn't dead yet, however. But Zack powered up his materia, and a comet spell saw that it was the dragon's end.

Soon it was over. Zack and Sephiroth climbed into their truck without a care in the world.

"Where is Cloud?" Zack asked. He poked his head out and saw Cloud stumbling over. "You okay, kid? You look awful."

"You try throwing up from motion sickness... only to see a dragon in front of you. I didn't know I could vomit that much," Cloud groaned. "But I hd wid with the three that attacked the other trucks."

"That's great!" Zack smiled. "You guys really got them! You should've seen Seph with the Masamune. He took those things down with no effort. I was... what's the word... mesmerized!"

Sephiroth smirked. "You can't even spell mesmerized."

Zack stuck his tongue out jokingly. "Oh be quiet! Just go order everyone to hurry up so we can get there, will ya?"

"Why don't you do it?" Cloud said, dragging himself back to his seat.

"Oh yea," Zack winked at them. "I can do that! You two can make out while I'm gone," he said before disappearing into the rain.

"He's crazy," Cloud blinked. "Besides," he glanced to Sephiroth with a smirk on his face. "You might want to wait until I'm not so motion sick."

Sephiroth rose an eyebrow and smiled.

~~~~~~~~~~

The ride didn't seem so long after the battles the soldiers encountered. Zack continued to chat with Sephiroth and Cloud, his cheerful mood never disappearing. It wasn't long before they finally saw Nibelheim. Sephiroth and Zack stayed back after the trucks stopped to make sure that everyone was taken care of. Some of the trucks that were traveling with them moved on to different areas, and the remaining trucks parked where they would hardly be noticed.

"Hey," Zack said, glancing at Cloud. "Why don't you go relax? We can handle everything here."

"N...no," Cloud swallowed. "I'll go in with you."

Sephiroth gently shoved them in the direction of the entrance after he was sure everything was okay.

"How does it feel?" he turned to Cloud as they approached the entrance to Nibelheim. "It's your first time back to your hometown in a long time, right?"

"It's... alright.... I guess," Cloud murmured, running his hand through his spiky blonde hair.

Sephiroth smirked. "No, really. How does it feel? I would think you would be happy, Cloud. Not that I would know your feelings. I don't have a hometown." Sephiroth looked to the small town and inhaled the air, which was much fresher than it was in Midgar. "Right now, I envy you," he said, continuing forward.

Cloud watched Sephiroth from behind, the silver shine of his hair illuminating him.

"Sephiroth," he said, noting the way Sephiroth looked at every insect, bird, and plant that he passed as though it were the first time. "What about your hometown? You weren't always in Midgar. I was always a little confused about that. How about your parents?"

"My mother'me wme was Jenova. Apparently, she died right after she gave birth to me. At least, that's what some people tell me. Hojo tells me otherwise.... He says that she was disgusted with my existence, and left. Part of me grew up believing that, while another part of me told me never to believe a word Hojo said. As for my father..." Sephiroth smirked bitterly. "What does it matter...? I had no one."

"Until you met me!" Zack yelled as he wrestled around with a dog that was wandering the area. "Hurry up!"

Sephiroth laughed when he realized what Zack had been doing all this time. "Alright, let's go."

Cloud nodded, but something turned in his stomach as he approached. Before he realized what he was doing, he had his helmet on, hiding his face from any who might know him.

"This is a quiet little place, isn't it Cloud?" Zack smiled as the other soldiers filed into the hotel. "But I like it. It reminds me of my home. There was nothing better than watching the sunset while breathing in the fresh air."

"That is nice. I forgot what it was like. But you know, it's a little too quiet right now. Maybe everyone is afraid of the monsters or maybe they're playing it safe. Or maybe..." Cloud turned to see Sephiroth walk out of the hotel, his emerald eyes watching the sunset.

Zack followed his gaze and nodded. "I wonder if Sephiroth knows he has this affect on people."

"What affect?" Sephiroth asked, not taking his eyes away from the sky. His sensitive hearing was better than they remembered. "Scaring people away?"

Zack and Cloud frowned, but the young general looked at them and winked. If he bothered him anymore, he wouldn't show it to them.

"That was a sexy wink, Seph," Zack grinned. "Do I get to see it in bed tonight?"

"Right before I impale you," Sephiroth smirked.

Zack suddenly started laughing. He was still laughing as he made his way past Sephiroth and into the hotel.

"I meant with the Masamune!" Sephiroth called after him before covering his face with his hand. Cloud could see that he was trying not to smile. Sephiroth opened the door and spoke to all people within range. "We leave for the reactor at dawn. Make sure you get to sleep early. All we need is one lookout, so you others, get some rest. Oh, that's right... you may visit your family and friends if you're from around here."

Cloud marveled at the way Sephiroth could change his expression so quickly. He was part energetic youth and part stone-cold general. Sephiroth could keep it so that everyone but him and Zack saw the stone-cold general. It must have been from years of training himself so well.

Everyone started to quiet down and take advantage of the relaxing scenery. Cloud kept his distance from Sephiroth. Not odid did he want to hide his desires, he also had some issues weighing on his mind. He almost felt sick to his stomach, and it was all because he was home. He couldn't help but look over at Sephiroth as he stared out of a window.

Zack approached the young general and also set his eyes on the view outside. "Sir, if I may... What are you looking at?" he asked, conscious of the other people around him and therefore speaking as Sephiroth's inferior.

Cloud moved a little closer, curious about his answer.

"This scenery.... I feel like I know this place..." Sephiroth said as if lost in a dream. "It feels so familiar. But perhaps that's because I've wanted a normal life for so long."

"People look up to you, Sephiroth. All of these normal people rely on us to keep things... normal. You have to remind yourself that so many of your actions keep others happy, even if they don't know it. Even if you don't know it."

"...Thank you, Zack," Sephiroth said, his eyes never leaving the quiet scene outside. "We have an early start tomorrow. all all should get some sleep. That includes you, Strife," Sephiroth said, his eyes focusing on the reflection of Cloud on the window. "And be sure to visit home before you leave here."

"Yes sir," Cloud nodded as Zack walked over to him. Cloud groaned as Zack put him in a headlock and started to walk to the room with him behind everyone else.

"Oh, what time wee we leaving, Seph?" Zack turned to ask as Cloud struggled against him in vain.

"I'll wake you. Even if I tell you what time, you won't wake up on time. You’ve been staying up late lately due to your excitement. Besides, we aren't going alone. I hired a guide to take us to the reactor. I hear she's young. I hope we can rely on her for this trip... and to wake up earlier than you do."

Zack laughed and started to drag Cloud away again. " Clo Cloud and I will be busy all night. Don't mind the noise. There will be a whole lotta 'impaling' going on."

"Save me," Cloud groaned.

Sephiroth chuckled and turned back to the window. "You're on your own, Cloud."

**********

His silver hair glistened in the moonlight that night after the other soldiers had gone to bed. He walked along the dirt paths and breathed in the fresh air. Small animals would dash across his path from time to time, and he heard the night birds singing their songs. He found that he loved the smell of wood being burned and the dampness that hit the greenery around him.

His sensitive ears picked up the sounds of footsteps in the distance, and they were getting louder and louder. He finally allowed himself to turn around.

"Can't sleep?" Cloud asked as soon as he turned to see him.

"Cloud... you should be sleeping," Sephiroth said softly.

"I can't sleep either."

"Why? Did you want to go to your own home tonight? I can come get you in the morning."

"It's not that," Cloud said, his face lowered. "I'm actually... not that happy to be here."

"Why is that?"

"...I can't explain now. I'm not even sure myself...."

Sephiroth didn't want to pry. He only nodded. "Talk to me if you need to."

Cloud nodded. "I'm going to take a walk outside of town. Would you like to come?"

"Outside? Yes, I will come. No one should be leaving alone right now."
loudloud led the way and Sephiroth followed. They walked until they were outside of the small village, and Cloud led him to a patch of trees just outside of the entrance. As soon as Sephiroth entered he inhaled the wood scent. Cloud noticed how his body relaxed instantly.

"I like it here," Sephiroth said. "But at the same time, I feel as though something is close by. I feel as though something is going to happen."

"I doubt it," Cloud said. "Nothing ever happens here. It should be a smooth mission."

Sephiroth approached the young blonde slowly. "I'm not sure what this dread is. I'm sure it will be gone in the morning." He put a hand on Cloud's shoulder. "I really want you to get rest, Cloud."

Cloud nodded, but his attention was on Sephiroth's body, or rather, the clothes that covered him. "You're back in the leather jacket," Cloud muttered softly. "Aren't you uncomfortable?"

"No. I'm used to it."

Cloud reached up and ran his fingers over the straps that crossed Sephiroth's chest. "This is what you were wearing when I first saw you in a picture. I learned all I could about you, which was practically nothing. I just wanted to meet you. I never imagined that we would become..." he trailed off.

"Friends?" Sephiroth offered as he leaned down slowly. "Or something more...?" he whispered in Cloud's ear. He wrapped his arms nd tnd the younger man and kissed him deeply.

Cloud looked up at him when the kiss broke. "Why won't you let me try to help you feel more?"

"...I can't."

"I want you to know what it feels like. I want to do that for you."

"...I just... can't," Sephiroth said, closing his eyes. "But I suppose there is no harm in letting you try. Just wait until... sometime later."

Cloud smiled and nodded.

"Go to bed now, Cloud."

"Okay," Cloud said, making his way back. "Are you coming now?"

"Soon," Sephiroth said. And then he watched Cloud go. "And it's not that I don't want to feel you, Cloud," Sephiroth said to himself when Cloud was gone. "It's that I'm afraid of what it will mean for both of us if I let you."

**********

Zack yawned and stood there, waiting for the guide. "As soon as she comes, we're leaving, right?"

"Yes," Sephiroth said.

There were a lot of people up and moving now. Zack could easily pick up on what they were talking about.

"Look, isn't that--"
"Yes, it's him! He's actually here!"
"Sephiroth... is scary...."
"I heard he could fly and cast without materia!"
"He's here to help us."
"But he's Shinra scum. They don't care about anyone."
"I feel bad for Wutai and what he did to them."
"He's so handsome!"
"I've heard he's colder than an iceberg."
"I bet he fucks like an animal."
"I thought the sword was longer than that...."
"Don't get to close to him! He might hurt you."
"He's not human."
"Not human...."
"There's something... not human about him...."

Zack turned to his friend, and he felt horrible. He knew that Sephiroth could hear them, but now, the young general's face was like stone. He surrounded himself with a powerful, cold aura. He was General Sephiroth now, the personification of power and strength. He had to be. He had to stay strong and not give even the slightest hint of weakness. People were supposed to fear and rely on his power.

"Um, excuse me, General Sephiroth?" a feminine voice called to him.

Sephiroth turned to see a teenage girl, probably around Cloud's age, approaching him. She wore hiking boots and a rimmed hat. Her light clothing was far too tight and inappropriate for the journey, but he guessed that she was the guide.

"My name is Tifa. I'll be your guide. I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

"We were early, Miss Tifa. It is no trouble at all," Sephiroth nodded.

"Are you sure we only need two soldiers with us, Seph?" Zack asked.

"Yes. Tell the others to relax. If we run into trouble we can always bring more later. We're ahead of schedule."

"Sounds good!" Zack said, pointing to Cloud and one other soldier who seemed anxious to go. The other soldiers seemed relieved and grateful when he told them to go relax and have fun. "Okay," Zack said, returning to Sephiroth and Tifa. "Hello," he smiled. "I'm Zack," he said as he kissed her hand. "It is very nice to meet MissMiss Tifa."

Tifa giggled as Cloud and Sephiroth both tried not to role their eyes. It was easier for Cloud to get away with it since he wore his helmet.

"Goodbye dad!" Tifa called to a man not far away.

"Listen to me, General, if anything happens, then come right back and we'll find more people to go with you. Or another guide!"

"Dad!" Tifa protested.

"She got hurt a long time ago in the bridge, General. I'm just a little paranoid."

"...Trust me," Sephiroth said. "We will watch over her."

"It's alright dad! I've got men from SOLDIER with me!"

"Maybe we sho't i't involve her in something like this..." Zack said, looking off towards the mountains. "Those look a lot rougher than I thought they were."

"Don't worry! I'm number one guide in this town! It won't be a problem!"

"There will be no problem if we protect her. Now let's go," Sephiroth said, turning to leave.

"Ummm... excuse me. Sir... I... I..." stuttered a young man with a camera. "Excuse me, but... could I take a picture?"

Tifa sighed. "They want to get this over with...."

"It's okay with the General," Zack grinned as he pulled Sephiroth over.

"Please," the young man said to Zack, "Could you and Tifa get in the picture too?"

Tifa sighed and apologized quietly, but Sephiroth only nodded and assured her it was okay. The young man took the picture and smiled brightly. "Thank you so much! This means so much e! Ge! General... I... wow! I'll give you all copies once this is developed!

Cloud walked down the familiar rocky path. He knew it would be a while until the path got truly dangerous. He stayed far behind Sephiroth, Zack, and Tifa. He didn't want to see Tifa. He knew Tifa when he was much younger, and he didn't want her to know it was him. So he kept the helmet on.

He wanted to belong so badly that he promised he'd make it into SOLDIER and protect her. But he didn't make it into SOLDIER. He didn't want her to find out this way. It's not that he wanted to be able to protect her as much as the fact that he was ashamed that he didn't make it. He wanted to be stronger than that. He knew that Tifa and he were never really close friends. But it made him feel good to have promised at least one person that he would be in SOLDIER so that they could look up to him.

"Cloud..." a deep voice called to him.

He turned to see the other soldier who wore a uniform just like his. He hadn't noticed him before because the soldier walked behind him just as he walked behind the others.

"Why are you so far behind, Cloud? I see you didn't make it into SOLDIER."

Suddenly, a chill crawled up the young blonde's spine. A cold ache struck him like lightning. He felt a deep, dark pain stabbing his heart, and a shadow seemed to cloud his mind.

No... Cloud thought. It can't be....

"...Key...?!" Cloud gasped, backing away.

"Very good, Cloud," Ki said, his cold voice piercing the young blonde. "It's been quite a while."

"Hey! You two!" Zack called back to them. "Keep up!"

"Sir, yes sir!" Ki called. "We'd better go, Cloud. They're waiting for us."

Cloud hurried ahead, and Ki kept up.

"Why are you here, Ki?!"

"Oh, dear Cloud. I simply wanted to continue experiencing the joys of being around you. My pride was a bit hurt when I found out that you've been trying to get your pleasure elsewhere, however."

"Ki, there is nothing between us."

"Oh, but there is. You see, Cloud. I'm here to take Zack away. My friend wants him, now. And I want you. And so you are to become my toy."

"Don't be stupid!"

"I'm more powerful than you think. Oh, and one more thing..." Ki pointed to Sephiroth who was stepping onto a long wooden bridge. "He is in the way!"

Cloud had no time to respond as Ki sprinted forward.

"General!" Cloud yelled. "Commander Zack!" But his voice didn't reach their sensitive hearing. Cloud put a hand to his throat and his eyes widened. It was some kind of silence spell.... He fiddled through his things as he ran towards the bridge. But he had nothing to remedy the spell. His pack had been emptied! It must have been Ki's doing.

Zack turned to see Cloud stumbling towards the bridge. Sephiroth and Tifa were just passing the half way mark, and Zack was a third of the way across.

"What's up kid?!" Zack called back.

Suddenly something blurred in front of Zack's vision and he felt the boards in front of him shift. He jumped back, startled when he realized how fast the second soldier had appeared in front of him.

"What the f--"

"Commander Zack. How are you?"

"Who..." Zack began.

"Did you get my letter?"

"What… letter...?" Suddenly Zack's eyes widened. "The letter on my door...." He remembered the letter written in blood that appeared on his door one night. It was like slow motion when he turned around to see Sephiroth, who was looking straight at him. The words of the letter were on Zack's mind now.

You'll be there... to watch...
"Get off the bridge!!!!" Zack yelled to Sephiroth.
To watch....
Sephiroth grabbed Tifa's hand and started to run forward.
To watch... him fall!

A burst of dark energy erupted from Ki's body and whizzed towards the young general. Sephiroth felt the wave of energy and immediately shielded Tifa's body, managing to move her against the ropes of the bridge and just out of harm's way. But instead of hitting either of them, the shot hit the edge of the bridge. Ki was about to fire again when Cloud tackled him onto the boards of the bridge. Zack was about to knock Ki out, but then, the bridge started to shake. "The"The bridge is falling!" Tifa screamed in the distance.

Sephiroth pulled Tifa close. With his strength and speed he could easily make it to the other side. But something stopped him. Suddenly, he felt paralyzed.

"Can't... move..." he muttered to Tifa. "Something's wrong.... Run."

"But...!" Tifa protested.

"Just run!"

Tifa obeyed and started to make her way off the bridge. Cloud and Zack were still busy trying to keep Ki from killing them all.

"Get off the bridge!" Zack yelled. "Now!"

"What about you?!" Cloud yelled.

"Just go!" Zack yelled, finally managing to get his handcuffs on Ki's wrists.

"Planning to fuck me now, Zack?" Ki smirked. "I like it rough. Just like Cloud."

"Shut up, Ki!" Zack said, quickly pulling him up.

Tifa was just a couple feet away from the edge when the ropes snapped. She wasn't able to make it. None of them were. A jolt ran through the entire bridge just before all of them felt gravity take hold. And for what seemed like an eternity, they fell. Rocks and sky and ground tumbled through their vision.

Zack, Cloud, and Tifa felt something surround them right before they hit the ground. Their bodies slowed greatly, but not altogether. Suddenly, they hit the ground, but after having been slowed so much, they hardly suffered. Zack knew immediately that Sephiroth had used a wind spell, which took actual magic skill rather than materia due to the fact that wind materia was so rare.

The only problem was that the spell was weak. Something was wrong with Sephiroth. Zack ran over to help Tifa stand, and she gave him her thanks. Her voice was shaking, just like her hands.

"I'm alright," she whispered.

"Good," Zack nodded. "General?! Clo--"

Cloud stood up suddenly and signaled that he was alright.

"General Sephiroth?!" Zack called out, stumbling over the rocks.

"I can't believe we're okay," Tifa murmured.

Zack caught the glimpse of silver hair flying in the wind. He ran over and found the young general on the ground, covered with dirt and rubble. He was also covered with blood and gashes. He obviously didn't use the wind spell on himself.

"...General..." Zack said, worry in his voice.

Cloud ran over and knelt next to Sephiroth's still body. He gasped as the gashes that covered him slowly startedclosclose before his eyes. In moments, Sephiroth's eyes snapped open. The young general stood up and dusted himself off while the other three stood there in shock.

"Who was that?" Sephiroth demanded.

"It was Ki. He lost his mind," Zack said angrily.

Sephiroth blinked. "There is something else wrong as well. I was paralyzed up there. I couldn't move and I have no idea why."

"Maybe he has mage skills like you?" Zack offered.

“Or maybe there is something else here,” Sephiroth said lowly.

"Let's just continue this mission and get out of here, please," Cloud whispered. "I don't know what I'll do with him around me."

Sephiroth nodded. "You all seem alright. Can we get back on course?" he asked Tifa.

"Yes," Tifa nodded. "These caves are intertwined... just like an ant farm. But... General Sephiroth... there seems to be someone missing...."

Sephiroth winced, not liking the fact that he had no idea where Ki was or whether or not he survived the fall. "It may sound cold, but we've got no time to search for him," Sephiroth said flatly, which obviously surprised Tifa. "We can't go back now, so we'll just have to move on. And we'll travel together from now on. Let's go."

Tifa nodded, obviously bothered at leaving someone behind. But Sephiroth ignored her concern. Ki was too dangerous, and until Sephiroth figured out exactly what power he harnessed, he would have trouble fighting him. They couldn't stay out inin vin view and give him a chance to attack.

"There!" Zack yelled. He ran up and covered Tifa's eyes as Sephiroth and Cloud turned to see the broken body that covered tall, sharp pillars of stone.

"He... he must be dead..." Cloud swallowed.

Sephiroth averted his eyes. "Move out," he commanded.

**********

The group headed into a cave, and light caught their eyes. A faint green glow seemed to drift from many of the crystal rocks. There was a sudden warmth that hit them all. It was soft and gentle as it touched their skin.

"You shouldn't stay here long, Miss Tifa," Sephiroth said to her, not wanting to chance the mako radiation that might be in the area.

"What is this?" Zack blinked. "It's beautiful!"

"Such a mysteriously colored cave..." Tifa smiled. "I knew this path existed, but I never actually took it."

"The glow is from the mako energy," Sephiroth said. "This fountain is especially abundant in it. That's why the reactor was built here."

"And what is this..." Zack pointed to what looked like a flowing spring of sparkling green.

"That's the fountain. A miracle of nature."

"It's so beautiful," Tifa smiled. "But if the mako reactor continues to suck up the energy, then this fountain will dry up...."

"Materia..." Sephiroth said, nearing the fountain and seeing the familiar forms taking shape. "When you condense Mako energy, materia is produced. It's very rare to be able to see materia in its natural state."

"Why is it that when you use materia you can use magic too?" Zack d, ed, exploring the rocks.

Sephiroth smirked at him. "You were in SOLDIER and you didn't even know that?"

"I was asleep for that class," Zack grinned. "The instructor was boring, I was tired... you get the idea."

Sephiroth rolled his eyes jokingly. "The knowledge and wisdom of the Ancients is held in the materia. Anyone with this knowledge can freely use the powers of the land and the Planet. That knowledge interacts between ourselves and the planet calling up magic...... or so they say. I don't think many people actually know the truth."

"Magic... mysterious power... it all sounds so cool," Zack smiled. "Maybe people don't want to know the truth because it would take away from the fun mystery that comes out if it."

A smile crossed Sephiroth's lips and he chuckled to himself.

"What's so funny?" Zack said, his wide grin never leaving his face.

"A man once told me never to use an unscientific term such as ‘mysterious power!’ It shouldn't even be called 'magic'! I still remember how angry he was."

"Who was that?"

"Hojo."

"I hate that guy!" Zack snorted.

"Who doesn't?" Cloud muttered as he stood away from the others.

"He was a bitter man," Sephiroth nodded. "An inexperienced man assigned to take over the work of a great scientist. He was a walking mass of complexes."

"He was a walking mass of something, that's for sure..." Zack smirked.

Sephiroth smiled and shook his head.

**********

"Finally!" Tifa stretched as she approached the reactor. "We made it. We sure took the long way though."

"It was worth it though!" Zack grinned. "We saw a lot of cool stuff! Thanks for leading us here!"

Sephiroth suddenly froze as he approached the reactor. Something didn't feel right. In fact, he felt more uneasy than he ever in hin his l


"What's wrong?" Cloud asked, approaching him. "You don't look so good."

"Something... doesn't feel right. Normally I would trust my instincts and not go inside, but a job has to be done."

"Want me to go check it out?"

Sephiroth turned to look at Cloud. He put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. He started to walk towards the reactor, and Cloud felt something twist within him as well. Sephiroth looked at him as if he didn't expectcomecome back.

"...No really, Miss Tifa. I'm sorry, but we can't let you inside," Zack was saying as Sephiroth approached. hav have no idea what we're dealing with in there. And besides..."

"Only authorized people are allowed in," Sephiroth said. "This place is full of Shinra's industrial secrets."

Honestly, he might not have minded letting Tifa see after she had led them here. But then again, he didn't know exactly what was inside just yet. And the danger he felt, the warning he felt... he didn't want anyone to go through that.

"Zack, you and Cloud stay here and take care of the young lady," he said, approaching slowly.

"Cloud, you stay here and take care of the lady," Zack said, mirroring Sephiroth's tone and running after his friend.

"Zack..." Sephiroth whispered, turning to him.

"No," Zack said, not wanting to stay behind.

"Zack... you should..."

"No...."

"But...!" Tifa said, arguing with Cloud behind them. "Fine! But you better take real good care of me then!"

"Zack, just stay with her. She won't sit still."

"Cloud can handle her, Seph. What are you hiding? Let me go with you! You look worried. I'm not going to let you go alone. I know that look. You look like you don't know if you're coming back. It's just a reactor! Is there a leak or something?"

"Alright, alright," Sephiroth sighed. "Let's go."



The two men stepped through the doors anlkedlked along the many platforms and staircases. They often had to climb up and down chains and ladders.

"This is a pain in the ass," Zack grunted. "Who the hell designed this thing?!"

They finally made it to the reactor area. Zack saw Sephiroth's hesitation.

"What is it?" Zack asked. "Let me check it out for you. I'll come right back."

It's so lonely in here, Sephiroth. I see you came with a friend.

"You aren't going anywhere without me..." Sephiroth said, shaking his head slightly. His eyes never left the reactor.

"Wanna hold hands?"

"I'm serious, Zack. Something isn't right here. Be on your toes."

You've come to me.... My dear Sephiroth....

Sephiroth continued toward the reactor slowly and finally entered the main area.

Can't you hear me? My poor little Sephiroth.... Can't you hear me anymore? Why... why won't you listen...?

"This is Jenova, right?" Zack asked, walking up a set of stairs and looking around. He found a door with a complex lock on it, but it wouldn't budge, even under his strength. "The lock won't open. We can't get inside."

I won't let him near me. Only you, Sephiroth. I knew you'd come to me. I've been calling to you....

"I found the reason for the malfunction. Zack, please close that valve for me."

"Got it!"

I've been trying to contact you for years. Why push me away after so long? Are you still angry with me? Why won't you answer?! Why can't you hear me anymore?! SEPHIROTH!

Sephiroth rubbed his temples. A headache was coming on for some reason. He leaned on a large pod to his side. But... why was this pod there? Materia pods weren't usually so big. He turned around slowly and looked inside. He expected to see materia growing, but instead....

Zack turned to see Sephiroth backing against the bars behind him.

"You look like you just saw a ghost," Zack grinned, walking down the stairs.

"Now I see, Hojo," Sephiroth said frowning deeply. "I would never have guessed that you were up to something like this in such a small town. But, even doing this, will never put you on the same level as Professor Gast." Sephiroth groaned inwardly and turned to Zack. "This is a system that condenses and freezes the Mako energy... that is, when it's working correctly. Now... what does Mako energy became when it's further condensed?"

"Materia. Why... what's in there now? You looked so uneasy a minute ago."

They suffered so much. It was so beautiful to feel their suffering, dear Sephiroth. I want to see your friend suffer too....

"Take a look," Sephiroth said, moving out of the way.

Zack blinked and peered through the glass window on the pods. "Oh shit!!!!" he yelled, falling backwards and hitting the metal platform hard. "What the hell?! There is a person in there! He's all mutated! What t did did someone dump a body or something?!" Zack sat there, trying to calm his heart. "No wonder you felt something weird was going on here!"

Some of them are still alive, Sephy. Still alive, and still in pain. Put Zack inside with them!

"Normal members of SOLDIER are humans that have been showered or injected with Mako. You're different from the others, but still human. But, what are they? They've been exposed to a high degree of Mako, far more than you. It must have been painful. This is... disgusting. Think of how thest hst have suffered."

"These men were turned into monsters!"

Men are already monsters....

"Exactly," Sephiroth said, checking another pod. "And it's Hojo of Shinra that produced these monsters. Mutated living organisms produced by Mako energy. That's what these monsters really are."

"There is no way to help them now, is there?"

"No," Sephiroth said sadly. "There isn't. I'll report this myself. Say nothing about it when you return to Midgar. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"I don't want you to face this alone," Zack said, getting to his feet.

"Zack... take a close look. Look at the dog tags. These men were in SOLDIER. These were the ones who disappeared. If something happened to you..." Sephiroth winced. "...You and Cloud are all I..." he held his head. "All I...."

"Sephiroth?"

Sephiroth...

"What's wrong?" Zack asked, placing ntlentle hand on his friends back.

I know what's wrong, Sephiroth....

"Maybe we should get you out of here, Seph."

You may not leave!

"We'll figure things out outside. We found out what the problem was."

You have a problem with all of this because of what it means for you, dear Sephy.

"Human..." Sephiroth whispered to Zack. "They were human.... Hojo just used them as test subjects. They were just normal humaand and now look at them...."

Think of how long he's been doing this, dear Sephiroth. Think of it. Who in your life has disappeared? Think of why that could be. Hojo was there every time, wasn't he?

"Wait..." Zack said. "Normal members of SOLDIER were put here? Seph... you aren't a normal member of SOLDIER. What did they do to you?! Tell me it was nothing like this...."

You can try to ignore me all you want, but I know you can feel the emotions that come with everything I'm saying to you now.

"N...no..." Sephiroth said, dread filling him. Why were so many realizations coming to him now? Why so fast?

Sephiroth, there is a reason you excelled so much in life....

"My head...!" Sephiroth yelled, doubling over.

It wasn't because you were good at what you did. It wasn't because you were trained well or because you were a good boy. None of your talent is your own.

"No.... NOOOOO! I can hear her.... I can hear her again...!" Sephiroth yelled.

Yes! Now you can hear me! My dear boy! None of your talent is your own. You are a puppet! Can you see that now? You were not placed in Shinra because you were abandoned. You don't remember, because you were too young to remember... but Hojo and the Shinra were always in your life.

"Sephiroth!" Zack yelled, holding his friend in his arms. "Seph, don't listen to her! Don't listen! Look at me!"

Your fate was sealed before your birth! There was never a chance for you to be different! There was never a chance for you to be normal! Your entire reason for being... is here! Your entire reason for being was to be a puppet of the Shinra!

"No! My parents... they wouldn't.... Hojo lied! He lied! Something happened to my parents...! My mother didn't leave me! I wasn't born for this! I WASN'T BORN FOR THIS!"

"Seph," Zack said, turning his friends face to look at him. "Look at me. It's Zack. You're safe here with me. She can't hurt you."

Tell me... Sephiroth.

"Tell me you can hear me, Seph!"

Tell me.... What was your mother's name?

Sephiroth suddenly froze in Zack's arms.

"No... it's... a coincidence.... It can't be possible. It doesn't... make sense...."

You told yourself it was a coincidence? Don't be stupid, my boy.

Sephiroth jumped up and pushed away from Zack, holding his head. "N....noooooo..... Was I...?" He slowly turned his head, and his eyes fell upon the metal plaque. He slowly inhaled when he saw the word... ‘Jenova.’ "NOOOOOO!!!!"

"H... hey," Zack said, approaching slowly. "Seph...."

Suddenly Sephiroth reached to his side and drew the Masamune from it's sheath. Zack quickly jumped out of the way as the young general started slashing away at the pods as though something was after him.

"Was I created this way too?!" Sephiroth yelled. "Am I the same as all these monsters?!"

No. You were different. You were different becathisthis was all that your life was meant to be. You were born for the sole purpose of being Shinra's monster. These men had chances and choices. You never had either. You were only ever meant to be a monster.

Suddenly a pair of strong arms wrapped around the young general from behind. "Sephiroth," Zack murmured softly. "Please stop. Let's get out of here. You'll feel better outside. Just please... come with me."

"You saw it! All of them were humans!"

"Yes, I saw it. They were used, just like you were. It's horrible. But you can keep on living and you'll find happiness, Seph. I don't know what she told you, but you know she can't be trusted. Come with me. Put the Masamune down and come outside."

"I've always felt since I was small... That I was different from the others. Special, in some way. But... not like thiack,ack," Sephiroth said, his body weakening. "I knew they had altered me and performed tests, but... I never thought that my entire existence only came about because they wanted me as... a puppet. If I had been simply a mistake of my parents, I could have reasoned that the heavens or fate or the Planet needed me and wanted me. But the only reason I'm here is to be a monster!"

Zack hugged Sephiroth gently from behind. "I wanted you, Seph. You're my brother. I always wanted you."

Sephiroth stood there, trembling in anger. But finally, he put the Masamune away. Zack slowly le and and started to guide him outside. A sudden explosion rocked the metal platforms and walls. Both men turned to see one of the mutations bursting out of a ruptured pod. But it only moved for a moment before it seemed to spasm, and then remain still.

"Let's go!" Zack said, quickly pulling Sephiroth away.

**********

Cloud sat there with Tifa. They hadn't really said anything to each other since the other two went inside. In fact, Cloud gave her the distinct impression that he didn't want to talk by keeping his distance. There was no way he'd let Tifa know it was him in that uniform.

The sounds of stepsteps made both of them turn around. Zack was helping a very weary looking Sephiroth out of the reactor.

"What happened?!" Tifa shrieked. "Are you two okay?"

"Yea..." Zack nodded. "We'll be fine. We need to get back to the inn quickly."

Cloud nodded and the four of them made a silent return back to the small town. Once there... Sephiroth locked himself inside of his hotel room, and not even Zack could convince him to come out. It took a while before they finally realized that he had disappeared from the room altogether.


~*~*~*To Be Continued*~*~*~

(I’m sorry this took so long! I was away for a long time. Thank you for the comments and emails! I hope I caught them all though the mountains of spam. >_< This chapter was a little harder to write because I needed to constantly reference back to the game script.)