Immer: Firstly, this is a test of a plot for a real story I really want to write, but I'm terrified of placing it out there and every known publisher rejects me. So, if the real story doesn't work, there is at least a version of it living out there through fanfiction.

Now on that note, the plot is completely mine. But the reason why I chose Final Fantasy VII is because I find the characters in the game the easiest to portray my OCs that I have spent years to create. And not only that, there's grounds for rebellion and conspiracies that I can use in similarity to how my real story would be. It's so that I can keep the characters of FF7 to be their true natures, and not take on details of who they represent.

So please keep in mind this is a fanfiction portraying a story that may never see the light of day. Much support, love and criticism would be highly appreciated. I will also be withholding important details from this fanfic so it's not a complete copy of my story. And as a heads up this chapter isn't really the beginning. I know it might be confusing starting here then in next several chapters start from somewhere else in the timeline, but I wanted to set the mood for the fanfic.

And as a running theme, the title is based off the song Our Solemn Hour by Within Temptation. It's not going to be the actual title of my real story, but this is good enough to portray the mood and setting for this fanfic.

Chapter One Battered And Beat

FFVII

Some things should never have been forgotten.

I learned this as I charged at my worst enemy, former lover, and best friend. Minutes ago I didn't know him for what he was, what he used to be. But then, in the middle of our blades clashing in a heated set of unrelenting force, he made me remember.

I remember everything now.

My name...

(Cloud Strife...)

... Who I was...

(First Class SOLDIER of ShinRa Army. Status: AWOL)

... Who he was...

(General Sephiroth of ShinRa Army. Status: AWOL)

My family and friends, and suddenly the losses I have dealt are a thousand times worse. I'm already broken. But in that moment where he made me remember, the pieces shattered into even smaller shards, almost to the point of dust. I whimpered and sank to my knees, one hand on the handle of my sword as my heart wrenched.

I couldn't stop the cries from my throat as I relived the loss and torment that I had forgotten. How could I forget them?

(Because Hojo made you forget. A clean slate to better serve as my puppet. As if he knew what I needed.)

Hearing his voice echo inside my head snapped me back to reality. The pain temporarily replaced with horror mixed with a burning fury. I slowly gripped the handle of my sword with both hands before managing to stand. My stance was weak, but I was determined. I had more reason to survive. I have a more personal reason to fight. Instead of being concerned, he was pleased.

The slight tug on the corners of his mouth said it all. A shadow of a smirk. The way his eyes dilated with excitement for all the wrong reasons had me shiver. A sick part of me still had a weakness with how his silver green eyes affected me. And he knew it.

"I personally prefer it this way. It makes breaking you all the more satisfying." His voice hit just the right baritone that confused my body, my mind struggling to keep up my resolve to fight instead of giving in.

I snarled, confused on how to react. I know I should swing. I know I needed to. But everything from his voice, eyes and demeanor had my body go against what I had wanted. A part of me did want him, but not while he's like this. I wanted the Sephiroth before he went mad from Jenova. At this moment I wasn't even sure if there was any part of that version of him left.

(I am my true self, Cloud. You know this. On your knees, I want you to beg for forgiveness for denying your true self.)

"Stay out of my head!" I yelled, shaking my head.

"Defying me will get you nowhere, Cloud. Give into me amd the pain and torment will stop." His words coated with honey so thick my throat clenched as I choked back a comment.

I sank to one knee, finding it difficult to breathe. I had given it my all, and it's still not enough against Sephiroth. But I had to keep going long enough for the others to arrive. But how much longer until I can't move anymore? I feel like I haven't even made him sweat at all, yet I'm on the verge of collapsing. How can I keep going? Can I even survive this fight?

"Cloud! Stand up! You can do this!" A girl's voice shouted.

I look over, suddenly remembering the reason why I fought Sephiroth at all. Denzel and Marlene stood a safe distance away, watching as I protected them from the monster in human skin. Or would he be considered a human, now?

"I believe in you, Cloud!" Denzel cheered.

Hearing their words of encouragememt filled me with determination. Yes, they're the reason why I have to keep going. If I die or surrender to him, they would die. A lot of lives stained my hands enough as it is, I won't allow them to be the new additions. I have enough of a burden on my heart.

I stood up once more. My stance was better than the first attempt, and this time I raised my sword with confidence. I caught his eyes, feeling a rush seeing the hesitation in him. Yes, I can do this. I can hold him off long enough for backup. Just a little longer.

Even as I felt the burning in my muscles screaming at me to rest, I can't. I have to keep going. The result of this fight did not only effect me, and I wasn't going to allow innocent children become casualties. Not so long as I breathe.

With a raw battle cry I charged head on at him. Sephiroth met halfway and once more sparks flew as our weapons clashed and scraped. He moved to use his strength to his advantage and push me down by applying pressure on First Tsurugi. I grit my teeth and with a grunt I adjusted my sword to defense instead of offense, easing the pressure just enough for me to push him away. He leaped away, amused.

"Oh? Where did you find this strength?" Sephiroth taunted.

"There's a lot you don't know about me!" I glared, feeling the fire burning within my chest as I resisted him. I could feel his anger in our link, a bond connected through the Jenova cells.

We exchanged a few more blows, neither of us giving the other a chance to take advantage. Sephiroth might be the perfect embodiment of strength and speed, but I had just enough to keep up with him. I'm pretty sure I'm one of very few who could.

"Then tell me what is most precious to you." He taunted with a smirk as he swung. "Give me the pleasure of taking it away."

Images of Denzel, Marlene, Tifa and the others flashed through my mind.

You will not take them away from me!

I swung at him out of anger. He chuckled as he took the opening I mistakenly granted him. With growing horror I attempted to leap away but it was too late. A gasp escaped my mouth, and with it a bit of blood. I grunted as his sword lifted me up in the air. I gripped the blade in an attempt to push myself off, but soon as our eyes met all I could do was hold onto the weapon that pierced through my abdomen and back.

There was a sick pleasure in his eyes at the sight of my suffering. And it tore my heart seeing the dark smirk on his face. This man had been my lover in my darkest hour, if it weren't for him I wouldn't have made it this far. But then he discovered how he was created. Everything went downhill from there.

I felt him invade my head in an attempt to control me. I felt the pain as he attempted to turn me into his puppet. At the same time he was numbing the pain so I would submit to his will. I hung there, resisting as I focused on the feeling of being impaled and held high up in the air. While it wasn't fully working to resist him, it was just enough to hold him back.

Suddenly he grew impatient and I was tossed higher in the air. I could hear the distant screams and cries of Marlene and Denzel. Before I could check to ensure they were safe, Masamune made precise stabs and slices at my body. I was helpless to deflect the attacks. I cringed when he pierced through my boot. I gripped the blade to stop it from slicing my eye.

I glanced down long enough to notice his one black wing holding him up. I wondered how, forgetting about how the Jenova cells could change the body. Then my world spun when he tossed me back down to the ground below. I collapsed to the floor, dizzy and out of breath. And yet I still gripped First Tsurugi as I tried to gather myself. I tried to push myself up, only I found my strength leave me.

Zack... Aerith... I'm sorry.

(Sephiroth...) I pleaded, finding little strength left to use my voice.

He landed to stand over me, cautious. I managed to roll to my side to meet his gaze. His silver green eyes made me feel weaker, even though I longed to see the vibrant green once more his gaze could still do this to me. In the distance I could hear faint engines of helicopters and an airship.

(Don't hurt them.)

Masamune was pressed against my throat, the threat made clear. Sephiroth doesn't do well with orders. I could feel the sting of the sharp edge barley marking my skin.

(And what do you have to offer in return?) He was testing me.

(I will willingly follow you. You won't have to turn me into a mindless puppet. Just spare them. Please, Sephiroth...)

Some things should not have been forgotten.

(How can I trust you not to turn against me?)

But there are things I wish I didn't remember.

(You're my mate. I remember now. Our bond is stronger than any normal couple. Isn't that enough for you?)

He stood above me, contemplating. I could see the wheels turning. The point I made had him pause. In our world, since the human race was nearly wiped out nearly five hundred years ago, the biology of humans drastically changed. Those most compatible to pass on stronger genes are blessed by Gaia to be soul mates. Only for instances like us, we can't pass on our genes. Not together, anyway.

(You will sacrifice yourself over them?)

(We are bound. I won't be able to go against my word.)

(Just like how your words will strip me of my ability to kill them.) Sephiroth narrowed his eyes as he figured out what my plan was.

"I will not be restrained. I must wipe out all of humanity, and take this planet as my vessel to find a new one, and create anew. To make a new Promised Land."

"Sephiroth..."

"But for that, I need you at my side. I gave you the chance, Cloud. And you tried to set me up in a trap. So now," He raised Masamune. "I will have to kill you."

Zack! Aerith! Help me!

Underneath me, a seal burned on the concrete. My body was still bleeding, and some of it touched the seal. I cried out as I felt a familiar burning sensation seconds before Masamune aimed for my chest. Then all I knew was darkness.