Taming the Fates Amidst Chaos

'Internal thought'

'CHAOS SPEAKING'

~ (Time and/or story focus shift)

Chapter 45

Sephiroth took calm, assured steps toward the trembling Remnant. As those fearful, blue-green eyes slid shut and those lips parted to call out the demon's name, the former General shook his head. It was pathetic really, this creature had been created from his own cells? The demon was even more useless than Valentine at the moment and neither would be saving him. Oh, well, he would put the pretty little puppet out of his misery soon enough. He raised his arm to strike down the rebellious Remnant when a sudden shift in the air made him pause. Jade eyes narrowed as he noticed a golden glow beneath the Remnant's coat, wary of a possible trap, "Puppet, what is that?"

A low growling voice came from behind the swordsman, "Mine!"

Blue-green eyes snapped open, focusing just behind the former General. Sephiroth whirled around to find furious golden eyes locked onto Yazoo, "What are you doing awake demon? Last I saw, you could barely stand."

Chaos seemed not to hear him, calmly walking past him as though he didn't exist. If there was one thing Sephiroth hated most, it was being ignored. He raised Masamune to attack but his prey suddenly vanished from his sight only to appear at the Remnant's side.

Yazoo watched as a steel-gray hand reached down to him, "Shinga-Chi give!"

The Remnant nodded, placing his hand in the demon's. Immediately, they were surrounded in the golden glow, a wide grin appearing on Chaos' face as all the energy stored within the mark transferred to him. As his power returned, so did his mind and the memories of what had happened while he was incapacitated. The murderous intent that began to radiate off of the winged demon made Yazoo shudder, though he did not remove his hand from the tight, clawed grasp.

Chaos rolled his shoulders, enjoying the flood of strength that ran through his body. It wasn't enough to return him to his full and proper power but it was certainly more than he had had in the last thirty five years. Golden eyes dragged over the Remnant’s body, searching for anything that seemed out of place before meeting blue-green eyes, “You were worried I was gone, were you not, young one?”

The demon’s ears twitched when they caught the faint growl that the half-breed General gave off, ”Do not ignore me demon filth. Why are you able to move!”

Chaos snorted before turning to face the abomination with a sneer, hand still hanging onto the young Remnant’s. Fangs were bared in warning as Sephiroth took another step forward, golden claw rising as they locked eyes, ”Stand your place, half-breed! Take no step closer or your head will be mine faster than I had planned.”

"My head, demon? As I seem to remember, it was you laying in a broken, bloody heap at my feet last time."

A strange, amused grin grew wide on the demon's face as he reached up with his metal-covered hand and crushed one side of the collar around his neck. As the pieces clattered on the stone floor, he chuckled, "Last time, you were hiding behind the bastard scientist's technology. Last time, I was starved half to death." He squeezed the pale hand in his reassuringly before he released the Remnant. He disappeared once again, his low voice echoing in the cavern, "Last time, the young one was still your puppet, but now? Now, the Shinga-Chi is mine..."

Sephiroth turned, trying to locate the infuriating demon. Yazoo watched with amazement as Chaos appeared behind the swordsman, rising up from the man's own shadow to whisper mockingly in the man's ear, "...And you will never touch him again."

The demon ducked easily as a flame covered fist shot toward him, turning to vanish into the shadows with a laugh, "You see, half-breed, this is how the game is going to work. I believe in the old saying, an eye for an eye, but in your case I think I will up the stakes a little. For everything you did to my host and me, I am going to do something a little worse. Take what you did to my wings for an example. You sliced the joints, leaving them hanging and useless but repairable." Sephiroth tensed before a clawed hand took firm hold at the base of his feathered wing, "I'll fucking rip yours out!"

The swordsman turned to lash out at Chaos but he fell to one knee as bone and flesh tore from his body, the pain causing a hoarse cry to escape him. A low chuckle came from behind him as the black wing was casually dropped to the ground, slowly vanishing into a black mist, "Hurts doesn't it bastard? Grow another one, I dare you. I'll just make that one hurt worse."

Sephiroth rose fluidly and turned, hatred burning brightly in his green eyes as he looked at the confident demon, "You will pay dearly for this mockery, filth."

Chaos gave him no response, simply watching as the flesh on the man's back easily healed itself, "Well this certainly won't do. You won't appreciate the full extent of your punishment if you continue to heal immediately afterwards."

Dark brows knitted in concentration, the demon ignoring the swordsman's growing fury at being dismissed like he was no threat. Cruel jade eyes caught a shift of movement off to the side, his attention focusing on the nervous Remnant. 'Maybe this will remind him not to underestimate me!'

Yazoo's eyes widened as a ball of green flames suddenly came rushing toward him. He hurried to dodge the inferno but the roaring ball followed his movements, easily tracking it's target and quickly closing the distance. He could feel the heat licking at his back just as Chaos appeared in front of him, throwing him to the side. He slid roughly on the stone floor as the demon's roar of pain shook the cavern. The Remnant lifted his head to find himself in the dark tunnels just outside the cavern. As he rose, a soft laughter grabbed his attention.

::Hey Sis!:: Blue-green eyes blinked in confusion as he turned to find Kadaj standing in the tunnel, hands outstretched with the water canteen in his grasp. ::You forgot something Yazzie! Honestly, what would you do without me?::

The warm smile from his younger brother nearly broke Yazoo's heart as the boy began to fade away, but he moved quickly to catch the container before it fell to the ground. Studying the half-full bottle, his silver brows furrowed in confusion. 'Will this help us?' A groan of pain came from the cavern entrance. 'Oh shit! Chaos!'

As the Remnant rushed back into the Mako-lit cavern, fear filled him at the sight of Sephiroth walking toward the prone demon, Masamune raised high, "You will learn to tremble in my presence, demon."

"Chaos!" Both jade and gold eyes turned to the cavern entrance, focusing on the long-haired Remnant. The demon's eyes went wide as he saw the canteen and Death Penalty in the younger man's hands. 'The Planet's purifying agent!' Nodding his understanding, he readied himself to move. As the canteen was thrown into the air, he quickly rolled to the side, immersing himself in the shadows once again.

A single shot fired and the container exploded, showering the former General with it's contents. Immediately, his body began to flicker, Loz appearing in his stead. Chaos called out from the shadows, "Shinga-Chi hurry! Separate your brother from him! You should be able to see his core. Focus on it and pull!"

'His core?' Yazoo was confused but hurried toward the struggling man, his eyes focused on the flickering form. A flash of light caught his eyes and suddenly he could see the energies flowing in the shifting body. There were three orbs of light, one black, one a murky green, and a weakening stormy blue-green. Somehow he knew the third was his older brother's and he concentrated on that as he took hold of the man's arm.

Chaos rushed from the shadows when Yazoo made contact, his arm crackling with black energy. With a roar, he smashed the clawed hand into the shifting figure. Yazoo felt something trying to pull his brother's energy away and held tight, watching with amazement as Loz and Sephiroth separated. An enraged cry left the former General, "No! You can't do this!"

Yazoo paid no attention to the screaming man as Loz pitched forward, falling hard onto the ground. He quickly knelt on the floor, rolling the larger man onto his back, "Loz! Loz, speak to me!"

The larger man blinked, his eyes milky white, "Yaz? You there? I can't see you."

"Y...yeah Loz. I'm...I'm here." Yazoo stroked a gloved hand through the spiked silver strands, tears streaming down his face as he looked into his brother's unseeing eyes.

"My whole body hurts. Did I get into a fight with Kadaj again?" Loz's confused expression brought a weak smile from the long-haired man. The older Remnant suddenly froze, "Hey! I see Kadaj, Yazoo! He brought a really pretty lady with him. She smells like those flowers in that church in Midgar. Is she nice like Mother?"

Yazoo choked back a sob, "No Loz, she's even nicer. She's been helping Kadaj and me."

"Good." A frown crossed the older man's face, "Kadaj says we have to leave now, aren't you coming with us Yazoo?"

The long haired Remnant couldn't look at his brother's hopeful expression, "No, Loz. I...I have to stay here. There are some things I need to take care of."

"Kadaj said that too. But he says you'll come find us later! Kadaj is acting a lot nicer to me now. He must feel really bad for beating me up like this again huh?" Loz grinned wide but his eyes began to shut, "I feel so tired Yazoo. I guess I'll have to take a nap before I play with little brother. He says to tell you goodbye. I love you Yazzie."

"I love you too, Loz," Yazoo whispered as the man fell limp in his arms. Tears streamed down his face, falling onto the peaceful face in his lap. He was so deep in his grief that he almost didn't hear Chaos' frightened shout. "Shinga-Chi! MOVE!"

Pain erupted in his back and he looked down to find Masamune's long blade protruding from his chest. Darkness crept into his vision and the demon's enraged roar was the last thing Yazoo heard before his world fell to black.

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A/N: Please, please, please don't kill me! I know it may sound weird but I actually ended up crying by the end of this one.

The poll is still open for anyone who wants to vote or change their vote as to Sin's fate.

SapphireDoG
ahhhhh, I still don't have meh answer D: I want Sin to live, but at the same time I thinks its fit to have him just...fade away D: *crys* I don't wanna lose my furball with wings!!! wahhhhhh!

*sniffle* Chaos you better save yazzie or imma sit on you and sing horribly into your ears, letting Sin poke you with a stick! *sniffle*

Fuck. That fight scene was a bitch and a half -.-'

But it turned out awesome. *love* Ohhhh ohh oh the lovey wing appeared. I couldn't resist. The thing is a turn on :D

Now. UPDATE TAINTED MY DRUGGED UP SLAVE DRIVER!!! OR ILL CRACK THE WHIP ACROSS YOUR BUTT :D
Frizz: *does an Igor impersonation* Yess Misstresss! Thank you once again for helping me with that fight scene last chapter. I never would have made it through without you! Tainted 2 should be done soon.

SapphireDoG
...Lovingly of course ;)
Frizz: Is it just me or does that make the threat sound kinky?

hitsuni
Let sin live!!

But then again, Sin should cease to exist if Vincent is no longer despairing and is finally free.
Maybe he'll be going back to sleep or something. =x

Still love your story!
Frizz: Thanks for your vote hun! I am starting to get an idea on what to do with Sin but I will wait till that chapter comes to decide.

Anonymous Sister of the Author
you already know whether i want sin to live or die. OMG!! I LOVE THIS CHAPPIE!!! chaos is waking!! watch out!! UPDATE SOON PLEASE or the fingernails will haunt your nightmares!!!
ASOTA
Frizz: This chapter is going to give me nightmares so thats already covered.

Anonymous Sister of the Author
omg sapphiredog! that's an eviiiiiiiiilll whip!!!
ASOTA
Frizz: Not as evil as the paperclip though LOL

viva_rose
hmmm *ponders* it would be interesting to keep Sin alive, if only to prologue this most unusual relationship. But it could be teh nice 'happy ending' thing to do if he was to die peacefully or something like that >.>
Frizz: Thanks for the vote hun! We'll just wait and see what happens in the end I guess.

nihilatrix
I think that for Vincent to be whole again, Sin has to integrate....maybe he should sacrifice himself to protect Vincent and Yazoo somehow.
Frizz: That's an interesting idea. Well, once the votes are tallied, I'll see what works out

Kuragari
barely soon enough. I think honestly that Sin should die... not because I don't like him... but it just seems more fitting and he would like that end I think, having died to protect his master. Really I also think he just adds too much pressure for Vincent, I love him as a character... i think it would just fit the story more.... but it is all up to you of course! ^^ *looks at nails tentatively* I'll try not to gnaw until you update again. lol, see you soon.
Frizz: Thanks hun. Here's the newest one though I think it will have you gnawing on your fingernails too.

Kerianya
*grabs the screen with both hands and ignores wierd looks from colleagues*

PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE don't kill poor Sin. He's been through too much to die at Sephiroth's hands. Maybe though...if you made Yazoo initially believe he had died...this would be an excellent emotional piece...

Yes, I am looking forward to how you write the next chapter out.

*toddles off to upload own fic, leaving gifts of cake*

Kerianya XxXxX
Frizz: Speaking of emotional *looks up at the current chapter* God I hated doing that but I couldn't stop myself. BTW Loved Lions! That was very amusing. Hope you do a sequel to it hun!

AnimeFanGrrl-4-Life
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KYAAAA!!!! LIVE! LIVE! LIVE!! LET SIN LIVE!!!
Have I made my point? If not I will use the powers of the Force to persuade you to let Sin live :P GODS!!! Your chapters just keep getting better :D -yays. You're my fave fan-fic writer, love the new chapter as always. SOOOO looking forward to the next chapter (as always). UPDATE soon, please.

Fan-of-u-4-life
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Frizz: It is not me you have to persuade hun. It is all up to the powers of the fans!