Immer: I think it's a habit of mine now to get a few chapters into a story and then hit a road block. Then an idea for a completely different story comes to mind. Well, here goes nothing.

Warning: elements of an anime, Owari No Seraph is in here. I'm not taking all of that anime then dumping into FF7, no. Just certain elements will be brought in and then I'll be twisting things.

As a side note most of this chapter is mostly a long summary in between events. And at some points later down the road there will be flashbacks of going into more detail about certain things. I'm trying a weird style for this story I don't know why.

Title translation: "The Good thing that Hurts"

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII.

Chapter One Rise And Fall

FFVII

First, it started with a disease that spread rapidly across the planet during the peak of prosperity, when mako became the main energy source. The disease spread fast, and it was unstoppable. No modern medicine would slow it down or prevent it, and by the time it became a world crisis it was too late for action to be taken.

The victim would experience waves of pain. Then black spots appeared on various parts of the body and began to spread. The more it spread, the worse the condition. They would experience vomiting, fever, delirium, and on the last day their skin oozed black liquid before death.

Small towns and villages were hit the hardest, with little medical resources. Eventually it spread to bigger cities and towns, and that was when doctors realized this wasn't an isolated incident. It was a global phenomena that was spreading fast with little chance of slowing down.

It was at this time, organizations like ShinRa Power Company, a faction in Wutai, as well as a few eco-terrorists like AVALANCHE, put aside their differences and began to work on solving this problem. When it became evident none of them were responsible for the disease, the conflicts were put on pause as they all put their heads together. However, it was still too late.

Another group set forth into the world after thousands of years in hiding. They were considered nothing more than a myth, a fantasy of the romantics and pure imagination. And yet there was no denying their existence once they appeared, as if summoned from the very lore of their kind.

Vampires began to herd humans like sheep. They started with villages and small towns, in the pretense they would find a cure of the disease and protect them as long as they cooperated. By the time they breached major cities, everything went downhill for everyone worldwide.

Wars began. Vampires surprised the humans with weapons of their own that matched the humans in power. Soon, both sides were nearing critical in casualties. And so, the war stopped as vampires retreated to the territories they managed to keep, while humans were left in ruins of their once glorious cities.

Before either side could recover, monsters ran rampant. The after effects of the war had changed animals and humans into estranged creatures all meant for one purpose: to kill. It didn't matter if it were human, vampire, or of their own species. With these on the rampage, and the planet crying, it was the last straw.

Ancient beings known as WEAPONS awoke from their slumber. The combination of the Lifestream being used as an energy source, the disease known as Geostigma, the wars, and then the monsters was enough to awaken them. They appeared at random with the intent to destroy every living being.

And even with the impending demise of the planet, humans and vampires continued their skirmishes as they struggled to regain lost territory. During this, a prophecy came to light, spreading like wildfire among both humans and vampires alike.

In the wake of the world's demise,

one shall rise.

Not a child of light or dark;

yet originates from the light,

before being tempted into darkness,

and still has a heart of gold.

This child will unite both sides

together with one of ancient roots.

And with the Sins cleansed,

only then there shall be peace.

This lead to a search for the child mentioned in the prophecy. While a prince of one side searched with hope, a different prince searched for the intentions of killing the child. However, even a decade after the prophecy surfaced, neither one were ever closer to the one they sought.

Neither prince knew the prophecy was under their noses at one point in time.

FFVII

The beginning of the war when vampires were rounding up humans like cattle and sheep, Cloud had been a young boy of four. All he remembered was the fear. He barely recalled when his mother had succumbed to the disease, Geostigma. And shortly after Nibelheim was taken over by vampires.

Nibelheim was a town in the middle of nowhere. They couldn't send word out for help. And so the town was quick to surrender to the vampires. It was one of few incidents neither side suffered a single casualty. Aside from victims of Geostigma, anyway.

Being an orphan, he was placed in an orphanage. Apparently, the vampires had a colony inside Mt. Nibel, as well as the mountain rage surrounding the ancient and dormant volcano. This was where the vampires placed a lot of humans within the area. Cloud wasn't the only orphan, so he wasn't alone.

And yet he remembered he didn't have any friends.

This dampened his spirit until one day, he met a familiar face. She was the same age as him, and they came from the same town. She wasn't an orphan, both of her parents escaped the disease, which was why it took a full two years before they met again.

They met on the first day of school. The school wasn't for the benefits of humans, more as a means to control them better. They were all to learn the history of the vampires and how to tell noble families apart from regular class vampires. All of which Cloud wasn't fascinated by. But it was how he met his friend.

The moment they made eye contact, they were hit with recognition for the other. Since then, the pair were inseparable. After so long it was a nice touch of comfort to see a familiar face in a crowd of strangers, like a lonely oasis in a vast desert.

Tifa was stubborn and spirited. Even with being stuck inside a mountain with the intent of being on the menu for vampires when she was older (children twelve and under weren't allowed to have their blood drawn manufacturally or normally), she never lost her flame. It was her flame that ignited Cloud's own flame, even if his wasn't as passion driven as hers. And that was what drew him to her, like a moth enchanted by a flame.

And just like the moth that came too close, he was burned.

When he was ten, just around the time the prophecy surfaced, humans attempted to invade the colony in the mountain. It was a battle the humans didn't win, however they succeeded at rescuing a handful of humans in their retreat. They also succeeded with gaining enough knowledge about the colony for later invasions. Among the rescued were Tifa and Cloud.

The tragedy struck as the group made it to safety in the ruins of Nibelheim, awaiting for back up. A vampire lord appeared, hunting them down with the intent of reclaiming the "stolen goods", and he wasn't alone. There were four of them, most definitely related, as all four had silver hair of varying lengths and vivid green eyes.

One of them had a taste for children's blood.

He was the smallest of the brothers, and his hair barely touched his shoulders, and bangs almost covered one side of his face. He caught sight of Tifa while he was heavily wounded. As soon as his eyes met hers, he lunged for a feed.

She couldn't even move.

Cloud watched from afar. He tried to run to tackle her out of the way, but his short legs weren't fast enough. Instead he watched in horror as Tifa's mother took action into her own hands. She flung herself between them, her motherly instincts kicked in to protect her daughter at all costs.

The vampire latched onto her and in an instant she was dead. He had twisted her neck in an odd angle, but he didn't bite down. His focus was still on the poor girl, frozen on the spot. She couldn't even scream after watching her mother die in front of her.

Cloud grabbed a sword from the ground. It was heavy, and awkward for him to wield. But he had the intention of protecting his only friend. In a wild fury he charged in and swung.

"Run, Tifa! Run!" He yelled as the sword cut off a hand.

He felt his blood freeze as feline green eyes glared at him. Despite his fear, Cloud managed to stay on the move. He rolled out of the way of the vampire as he switched his attention on him.

"You will pay for that, you little bitch! Come here and I'll make your death agonizingly slow!" The vampire hissed, letting his emotions get the better of him.

Cloud managed to stay on his toes, letting his natural instincts kick in. He knew he wouldn't last long, and he hoped a soldier would come to their aid. However, glancing around he realized the soldiers were dying left and right.

And then there were three soldiers left standing.

And yet, the other vampires weren't focused on him. They were drawn to the boy who kept toe to toe with their youngest brother. The brother stopped short as he realized his brothers surrounded them, his body tense and wary.

"Well, well, our dear brother can't even handle a small child." The one with hair down to the small of his back snickered.

"I bet he's gonna cry to mother when he gets home!" The one with the shortest hair spiked up laughed.

"Shut the hell up! This child isn't fully human, so it's not my fault!" The youngest brother spat.

Gasps from the other humans. All of them stared fearfully at Cloud, as if he were a monster. He stood still as a statue, breath hitched as he trembled. His main concern was the four vampire lords surrounding him. The fact there were four brothers meant they were a strong noble family. The more offspring, the more powerful their blood was.

I'm dead. I'm so dead. But it was worth it for Tifa. If I could stall just a little longer...

He flinched as the tallest of the brothers drew closer. Cloud gulped as he bravely raised his head to look into the man's eyes. Out of all of the brothers, this one was the most terrifying.

His long hair went past his knees. Bangs framed his long and narrow handsome face. Cold and calculative green eyes were the very eyes of death. If Cloud were to imagine Death having eyes, this vampire's eyes would be what he would imagine.

"What is your name, child?" He spoke in a deep voice that was somehow alluring yet frightening at the same time.

Immediately, Cloud felt the overwhelming urge to do as he said. It was a spell he heard that all vampires could use to render their victim into a willing participant as their blood was sucked out of them. But a stubborn part of him resisted, the very flame Tifa had kindled was raging inside of him. And much to everyone's surprise, he shook his head.

"Oh? To resist my spell, even at your age, is considered admirable. I am intrigued. And yet I am growing impatient." At the last word he was a blur of motion as he pinned the child to the ground, hand at a tiny throat.

Cloud whimpered, forcing back a scream. His fear intensified as he had a close and personal look at fangs. They were pointed and short, but then they elongated as a means to feed.

"Tell me your name. Simple and easy. If you don't, I'll bite. I can see all of your memories, your whole life span in one bite as I drain you. I haven't fed in a while, so I won't be generous and stop until you're dead." At his words, Cloud knew he was serious.

He gulped as tears streaked down his cheeks. His voice cracked as he spoke, and he stuttered, yet he tried to keep it under control despite the circumstances. He was only doing this for Tifa, so she was safe. As long as they were distracted, she would survive.

"Cl-Cloud. My n-name is Cloud St-Strife."

"Intriguing. What were your parents?" His cold breath ghosted over the boy's face, making him shiver.

Why does he want to know?

"My mom...she was human. She died from the...the disease when I was four. My dad...I don't know." He faltered.

"You're not lying to me, are you Cloud?" The vampire lord eyed the humans around them. It was a clear sign to the boy that these people would be hurt if he wasn't honest.

"I'm not! Ma never talked about my pa! She used to say it's better off I didn't know! Please don't hurt them, they've got nothing to do with this! Just go ahead and feed me then, you monster!"

The hand tightened on his throat. Cloud scrambled as he stuggled for air. His body went still as searing pain ripped through him. Fangs pierced his tiny shoulder, and at first all he felt was pain. Pain he had never felt before as it made him scream.

And then strangely the pain transformed into pleasure. His eyes were glazed over in a daze of euphoria. His shaking hands held onto the arms of his captor for a different reason entirely. He found it harder to breathe at all, it was for another reason than just a hand clamped around his throat. His lungs burned but he felt nothing other than immense pleasure coursing through him.

Above him, the vampire was addicted just as well. He had never tasted any blood as pure and sweet as this. It was more than just the innocence in the veins of a child, it was far sweeter and intoxicating than normal for a child. He was so caught up with his drunken stupor he almost forgot to search the boy's memories.

The moment he found the boy spoke truth, he heard the barest of whispers against his ear. It sent shivers down to the very core.

"Sephiroth..."

It was enough of a shock to pull away from the enticing nectar of life. The vampire stared at the boy, who was still in a daze, in amazement and confusion. How did the boy know of his name?

Suddenly trucks pulled up. They were the back up for the humans. Soldiers with higher grade weapons stepped out. With a hiss, the vampires retreated. Sephiroth attempted to take the boy with him, but a bullet to his shoulder put a stop to that plan.

Until we meet again, Cloud.

The small band of humans were safe. For now.

FFVII

Cloud was taken in by soldiers of ShinRa. He had been put under a lot of speculation due to what happened in the rescue attempt. For days as he recovered, he was still in a daze and nonresponsive. And for the longest he wasn't cleared to have any visitors until it was confirmed he wasn't turning.

This led to a lot of inhuman tests done to him. In the midst of all this, Cloud became feral. He fought back every chance he could, kicking and punching. While it was clear he wasn't a vampire, this left a lot of unanswered questions about what he was.

This went on for years. It was clear with the results he wasn't fully human. He was approximately seventy percent human, while the remaining thirty percent unknown. This brought immediate suspicion and concern of the higher ups.

Many debated whether or not to kill him.

Until one day, the prince stepped forward to request seeing him. Many immediately denied him, but the young teen wasn't to be deterred. He brought in Tifa Lockhart, and had her explain everything she knew of Cloud. She painted a picture of a shy, quiet boy who only wanted to help other people.

Eventually, the nobles relented.

Prince Rufus ShinRa was granted to see the feral teen boy. He had a few rules to follow, however. One, he must have the Turks by his side. Two, if the boy shows any sign of hosility, then he must run and let the Turks handle him.

The prince agreed, with the condition he brought along Tifa and her friend, a promising soldier she befriended in the cadet program. This was how Cloud met his future best friend, Zack Fair, half brother to Angeal Hewley, current general of ShinRa forces.

He must have impressed them because a few years later with lots of strings pulled, Cloud was released thanks to his new friends. From here he was tested on his strength, and quite easily he joined the same platoon as Tifa in her training while Zack continued up the ladder, having four more years on them.

At the age of eighteen, Cloud and Tifa graduated with honors. A short time later their team was decided. Cloud, a strong warrior, was second in command, with a gunman named Barret Wallace as their leader. With them was Tifa Lockhart, she was the tank. Yuffie Kurugi, transferred over from Wutai as they recently joined forces with ShinRa. Yuffie was the thief. And then lastly a robotic cat that went by Cait Sith.

Within a short time, Team Wolf Moon became the most famous teams against vampires and monsters alike. They were otherwise known as the Wolves of ShinRa (Yuffie disputes to add Wutai in, but is mostly ignored). And much like the prophecy faded away, Cloud's questionable heritage and loyalties disappeared.

In the following years, he kept eyes and ears out for a certain vampire. It wasn't until he was twenty five that he finally met the one vampire he had been searching for. It was only a rumor, but it was enough for him to hope.

Finally, I can slice him to pieces.

"Think its him? The one that fed from you?" Tifa inquired as they neared their destination.

Everyone knew his story. They all anxiously waited to hear his response. Cloud took a moment to answer.

"If not, then at least killing one of his brothers would certainly catch his attention." Cloud wouldn't put it past him that he wouldn't show, and instead sent his brothers to the front lines in Junon. Vampires only thought of themselves.

Either would suffice.

"I heard we're going to meet up with Zack and his brother. Means shit is gettin' serious. Remember, we do what they tell us. No strayin' off and doin' your own shit. Ya got that, Blondie?" Barret eyed him. They've come to bad terms and many arguments before due to Cloud's recklessness.

"I'll be on my best behavior." Cloud assured.

"Ya better not be pullin' my chain. Cuz if ya wonder off, I'm stringin' ya up by your balls the next time I see your ass."

"You better look out! He's serious this time!" Cait Sith commented.

"He says that before every mission. And I have yet to see him deliver his threats." Yuffie waved off.

"Usually not. But he's serious this time around." Tifa countered.

Sephiroth. If you're there...

"I promise over Tifa's life I'm not going to do anything rash." Cloud knew these words would put them at ease, as when the few times he said them, he meant every word.

"...Good." Barret nodded.

I'm not the same helpless boy as before.

The truck entered Junon. And suddenly they were under attack. The truck flipped and rolled several times when they went over a mine field of explosives. This had been a trap.

"Everyone all righ'?" Barret made a roll call when the vehicle stopped rolling. They landed sideways and a tumble of entangled bodies. He could smell vomit and copper, hopefully not from the same source.

"I'm alive." Tifa sat up. She had accidentally used Cloud as a cushion, so she was left with scrapes and bruises.

"I think I puked..." Yuffie grumbled, still green in the face.

"Yeah, ya did, lassie! Ya puked all over me!" Cait Sith shook in an attempt to get the putrid stuff off. He settled to using her shirt to wipe it off. She was too out of it to openly complain.

"Cloud, you okay, man?" Barret called out.

"I hit my head. I think I'm bleeding." Cloud hissed, feeling liquid rush down the side of his face and into his eye. He put a hand up to ease the bleeding.

"Then we better get a move on. Once we're safe, we can treat yer wound. No sense fightin' now when blood will make 'em go crazy and shit." Barret was not liking their odds.

With the plan set, they peeked outside.

"Coast is clear. There's a building within a short distance. Cait Sith, you guide Cloud. Yuffie, keep a look out. Tifa, you take front, I'll cover all yer asses."

In three seconds they were in motion. Tifa ran at the front. Behind her, Cloud stumbled after her with Cait Sith on his shoulder. Not far behind Yuffie glanced every which way while Barret took the rear, gun arm at the ready.

"Vampire twelve o'clock!" Yuffie gave the warning.

It was the only warning they had before Cloud was tackled. They rolled a good ten feet. He was pinned down in a familiar fashion as an old memory. Breath knocked out of him, Cloud was a few seconds too slow to draw his weapon. He opened his eyes to stare into eyes that haunted him since his childhood.

"Good to see you, Cloud." A smirk revealed elongated fangs. "It's been so long, I almost didn't recognize you. You've grown into a handsome thing. And yet your blood smells just the same deliciousness I have craved since I had a small taste."

"Sephrioth..." Cloud managed to gasp out.

"So glad you remembered my name." Behind them, shouts were heard. But they were lost in their own world.

"Let him go before I shoot!"

"Cloud! Are you okay? Cloud!"

"That's him, isn't it? You didn't say he was a royal bloodline!"

"Wha' the fuck you sayin'?"

"Just wound him! As long as we can grab Cloud and run, we can't fight him for long! He's a royal! They devastated Wutai!"

"How da fuck ya know he's royalty!?"

"They're known as Silver Demons in Wutai! They have silver hair and emerald green eyes with the power to destroy anything in sight!"

Long before bullets rained down upon them, fangs pierced a pale neck. Cloud was overcome with the pain, and then followed by pleasure seconds later. Cait Sith watched helplessly as Cloud moaned as his eyes glazed over, arching his neck to surrender to the silver prince.

"Snap out of it, laddie!"

In an instant Cloud mustered the strength to catch Sephiroth off guard, pushing him away. The moment he sprung to his feet, Cloud pulled out his broadsword. In unison the Wolf Moon team charged at the silver prince.