Far Beyond the End

by midknightowl

Sephiroth materialized on the outskirts of a small village a few hundred miles south of the ancient city of Midgar. With silver hair shorn to the barest inch and green eyes lacking their usual luminescence, he looked very little like the man who had played a large part in the near-ruin of the world, just as Cloud Strife looked very little like the man who had defeated him.

2. Chapter 2

Far Beyond the End

Author's Note

[12/21/15: fixed some typos.]

Chapter Two

Sephiroth remembered the first time he saw Cloud Strife. It was shortly after Angeal's death, when Zack had been mournful and a bit withdrawn, and when Sephiroth himself was still trying to wrap his mind around the seething betrayal and gut-wrenching loss of dear friends: one to madness and the other to death. And the blame was on the heads of Shinra and the Science Department.

Angeal's death and Genesis' abandonment had tipped the scales of Sephiroth's emotions into dangerous territory, and the passing of time did nothing to appease the budding monster that lived within his body and mind. At that point, his dreams were filled with darkness, tendrils of green, and Jenova's sweet and deadly voice. The seeds of insanity had already been planted, but were only just beginning to bloom.

In those days, Sephiroth had attempted to replace the two gaping holes in his life with a spikey-haired, loud-mouthed Zack Fair. Angeal's Puppy was also mournful, true, but his enthusiasm and optimism were as shining as ever, even if his eyes occasionally gleamed with loss. Their friendship was cautious and half-assed [at least on Sephiroth's end], though the General had cared enough to keep tabs on Angeal's protégé most of the time.

So it was that Sephiroth noticed the young man (with pale hair as ridiculous as Zack's) in nothing more than a passing glance. The General couldn't have told you the name of the infantryman whom Zack had taken a shining to. He could, however, tell you the color of the young man's eyes, the graceful way he seemed to acclimate to his clumsy nature when he thought no one was watching, and the precise manner in which he could wield a Shinra-issued assault rifle in the firing range.

Though, as stated before, the General noticed Cloud only in passing. The blonde was an afterthought that only slipped into Sephiroth's focus when the young man himself was present, and even then Sephiroth refused to acknowledge his lingering attraction for what it was. After all, Cloud had still been quite young, and (to Sephiroth's clouded eyes) could only be seen as the unworthy failure that did not even pass the SOLDIER entrance exam. And perhaps those failings were what had ultimately kept Sephiroth from taking a step in the right direction back then, but he would never ever admit that to the Cloud standing before him today.

Today's Cloud was sleeping soundly on Rhea's battered old couch, looking far more like an angel than even Sephiroth had a right to, and the ex-General was simply staring, awestruck.

Rhea walked into the room, hair tucked into a messy bun on the back of her head, and sighed. "Seth, you have got to stop doing that."

Sephiroth turned his head just enough to let her see his frown.

She rolled her eyes. "Sweetie, staring at someone while they sleep is really creepy."

"Where's Jera?" Sephiroth asked quietly, ignoring her subtle reprimand.

"At a friend's house for a few days." She moved over to sit in the empty chair next to Sephiroth's "You gonna tell me what this is all about?"

Sephiroth considered. He and Cloud had appeared at her doorstep just yesterday with a thousand years' worth of odd keepsakes, weapons, and two hulking combat motorcycles that were currently hidden in her shabby garage. She had taken one look at Sephiroth's pleading look, let them in, and didn't even bother asking about the man's sudden head-full of lengthy silver hair.

"I'm doubtful that you'll believe what I have to say."

She reached over, tugged pointedly on a long strand of his hair, and raised a skeptical brow. Sephiroth was suddenly, painfully reminded of Aerith, and realized with frightening clarity that he trusted this woman.

"Do you know the legend of Midgar?"

Rhea smiled sweetly. "Of course. I often tell the story to Jera when I put him to bed at night."

"Summarize," he ordered militantly.

She hummed, tilted her head back thoughtfully to stare at the ceiling, and recited: "They of Ancient Midgar harvested the blood of the Planet for their own fortune, and so a One-Winged Angel appeared to reap them of their fruits, bringing the city to ruin. The angel, born of hate and destruction, could only conduct the feelings from which he was born and so did not stop with vengeance alone, but sought to destroy all, and so summoned a meteor to crash to earth and kill all that breathed. So stepped forth a Warrior of Light, who fought the angel to its dying breath. Though the angel died, his memory lived on, the meteor still fell, many died, and now we call the lesson Meteorfall."

"Close enough," Sephiroth said, caught her eye, and pointed to the still-sleeping Cloud. "Warrior of Light," he declared and then gestured to himself: "One-Winged Angel."

Rhea's expression was deadpan. "I meant give me a serious answer, Seth."

"Sephiroth," he corrected, and she rolled her eyes and rose from her seat. "Going out for a bit."

Sephiroth sighed. "I knew you wouldn't believe me."

She left without a backwards glance, shaking her head in exasperation, just as Cloud stirred. Sephiroth moved forward, sitting on the floor next to the couch; resting his head on his arms and watching with eyes full of warmth as the blonde snuggled into his pillow. Sephiroth allowed himself a small smile.

This he could get used to.

FarBeyondtheEnd

The arena was empty, the stars were suspended against the dark blue sky above, and Neron was sliding with lighting speed through a training exercise with a gleaming black rapier, facing an invisible enemy with silver hair and a taunting grin. His mind raced as sweat poured down his back, beneath the form-fitting leather of his shirt.

He had accepted the idea that Sky could be Cloud, had quickly adjusted to the concept of his White being a secretive little bastard, had even allowed himself to believe that the slighter man had been swept away (kidnapped, taken, stolen, unwilling) by that asshole Seth, but he could not wrap his muddled mind around the idea of his White as some sort of immortal, ancient warrior.

That picture had done a number on Neron's sanity. Sky, his Sky, was not what he seemed. Not at all. Not even a little bit. That Sky, the one that was practically draped across that monster of a bike in that grainy image, was a confident, powerful man: a Black if Neron had ever seen one. He couldn't put the two together: Cloud and Sky, Black and White. It just didn't fit – didn't make sense. And what in the seven hells did Seth have to do with Sky? Why had they vanished together? Did it have anything to do with the now nonexistent remains of the Ancient City of Midgar? Could that silver-haired asshole really be the Sephiroth? The One-Winged Angel? Had the stories been wrong?

Demolished was the word used for the Midgar ruins now. Not even dust, it was mud in the ocean's grasp. Only the barest foundation remained, and even that was marred with gaping slices of missing metal and concrete that could only be seen in the early hours of the morning when the tide was out.

Neron sliced at his imaginary opponent again, could feel the blood singing in his veins. The power of his swing threw up a whirlwind of pale sand, and he paused in the intricate dance of swordplay to wonder - could a sword do that to Midgar? Determined now, the man drew his rapier up over his head and took a running start, and when he neared the far end of the arena, swung as hard as his arms would allow. An earsplitting CRACK filled the air, and Neron's arms shook as his rapier was rammed deeply into the two-foot thick concrete wall that protected the bleachers from the melee. He grunted as he drew it out, the blade miraculously unmarred, and his mind was filled with all the possibility in world.

Was this the power of Midgar's long lost soldiers? He dropped his sword and slid to the ground in an ungraceful heap, taking a moment to catch his breath.

Did Sky possess such strength? Sky was his White. His! Why, oh why, did the blonde ever leave his side? They were bonded, paired for life, and hadn't Sky said that he loved Neron? Sky had said it - more times than Neron could count, and every time had left Neron feeling more upbeat and happy and in love. So what had gone wrong?

Silver hair. Serious eyes. A disarming smirk.

Seth. Sephiroth.

That man had been the tipping point for Neron's beloved Sky, though he still couldn't comprehend how. Neron picked up his sword and fell into another familiar rhythm. When the time came, he would enjoy slicing that silver-haired bastard apart, no matter who he was!

FarBeyondtheEnd

Cloud stood in Rhea's kitchen, cutting carrots with all the expertise that Tifa's training afforded. A thousand years was a long time, but he never really forgot. Sephiroth was nowhere in sight. He was out picking up Rhea's son from some kind of extended sleepover. Cloud still wasn't very good with kids, and he was a bit nervous about the arrival of another child into his life. Children naturally clung to him. However, to Cloud, they were an easy road to dependency and failure, and the blonde had no idea what to do with either concept. He had offered to help make dinner when he heard Rhea puttering around the kitchen, trying to stave his own worries, and she accepted his assistance with an approving smile.

They hadn't talked much. Sephiroth was the bridge between them, and Cloud was actually marginally resentful of the woman for her easy bond with the silver-haired man.

"So," she uttered, fussing with a pot of boiling vegetables. "Seth claims that you're the Warrior of Light from the fairy tale."

Cloud paused in chopping the carrots and frowned at her. "A...are you joking?"

She turned to smile at him. "He's funny like that."

Cloud tilted his head slightly. "Huh?"

She chuckled. "I knew he wasn't being serious. You know when I first met him, I was walking to the city to pick up a few things, and I came across him bare-ass naked in the woods. I nearly had a heart attack."

Cloud's eyes widened a little. "What?"

There was a commotion from the front of the house and the pounding of quick feet as a blur of a child flew into the kitchen and wrapped itself firmly around Rhea.

"Ma, Seth's home!"

"Jera," Sephiroth chided, taking off the hooded coat that he had been wearing, "I don't live here."

"Pssssssh!" replied the little boy with disdain, as his mother returned her son's enthusiastic embrace. Sephiroth merely chuckled and moved over to Cloud's side, slightly brushing against him.

"Carrots?"

Cloud shrugged and smiled softly. "I learned a long time ago."

Sephiroth's eyes filled with something like pain, and Cloud was utterly perplexed as the taller man retreated out of the room rather suddenly.

"I think you upset him," Rhea observed, trying to pry her clingy child off her person. "Jera," she told the boy, "this is Cloud. He's Seth's friend."

Jera's face scrunched up in confusion as he detached himself from his mother and regarded Cloud with wide, innocent eyes. "But Cloud is not a boy's name! Are you a girl?"

"Jera!" Rhea winced and offered the blonde an apologetic look. "Sorry."

Cloud only shrugged in response and returned to his carrot-chopping duties. He was just relieved that Jera hadn't immediately clung to him. After a few moments, Cloud was dumping the raw veggies into the pot of boiling stew, and Rhea was frowning at the door to the living room.

"Maybe you should go talk to Seth?"

"Why don't you?" Cloud snapped back, and then immediately felt guilty. "Sorry," he apologized quickly. "I just...I'll go talk to him." He washed his hands in the kitchen sink, dried them on a towel, and then speedily left the room.

Rhea gave her son an exasperated look. "Those two boys are hopeless, Jera."

"Hopeless!" Jera repeated jovially.

FarBeyondtheEnd

Sephiroth was sprawled across the bed in Rhea's single guest room when Cloud walked in. The blonde didn't bother knocking or even saying anything. He just gave Sephiroth a quick once over, slipped off his boots, and crawled in the bed next to him, throwing an arm over the other man's chest and pressing his face into his shoulder.

Sephiroth finally conceded: "What are you doing?"

"Snuggling," Cloud said softly. "I'm tired of the distance. What's the point of it? We both know that this is where we're going to end up anyway."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Sephiroth growled, but rolled on his side towards Cloud and wrapped himself around the smaller man. Cloud refrained from making an octopus joke, recalling Jenova's tentacles with disturbing clarity, and simply tucked himself further into the silver-haired man's embrace.

"Why did you get mad?" Cloud asked.

"Because too often I am forced to remember that you once belonged to other people."

Cloud huffed. "Since have I belonged to anyone?"

"Since now," Sephiroth muttered, implying his own manner of possession without actually saying it, but after a long pause, added, "if that is agreeable to you."

Cloud smiled against Sephiroth's chest, relieved. "It is now, but you realize that ownership goes both ways."

"We're not talking about the Black and White thing, are we?"

Cloud snorted. "Wasn't that the epitome of foolishness? The emperor should be extricated."

Sephiroth wasn't amused. "Well, you seemed to enjoy being in white, Cloud."

"What about carrots made you think of the past?" Cloud wanted to know, ignoring the jab at his ego.

"Tell me the other thing first."

The blonde grimaced. "Fine. I wasn't talking about Blacks and Whites, just you and me."

Satisfied, Sephiroth answered Cloud's former question with another question: "Who taught you how to cook?"

"Tifa," Cloud said without thinking, and then he realized. The blonde turned a bit so that he could stare up and directly into Sephiroth's eyes, glow hindered by the contacts that they were both forced to wear. Even so, he was momentarily caught breathless at the sharp contours of the man's pale face and the silver bangs that framed it.

"She was my friend," Cloud explained, "never anything more than that."

"And Aerith...?"

"She was Zack's," Cloud reminded, but his eyes were sad. "The part of me that loved her like that was just leftovers of his conscience, I think. In the end, she was more like a sister to me."

Sephiroth's face twisted into something a little scary. "Neron?"

Cloud winced. "We used to be very close, but...it was temporary. I did the White thing on a whim, and he was far less of an ass when I first met him. To be honest, he reminded me a little bit of you back then."

Instead of looking appeased, Sephiroth looked disgusted. Cloud laughed at the other man's expression.

"I said a little bit, Seph. Calm down!"

Sephiroth contained his annoyance with that declaration and looked away as he said, "you've had lovers."

Cloud shrugged. "A thousand years is a very long time, and as much of an immortal as I might be, I'm still just a man, Sephiroth."

"Are they all dead?"

"Probably not."

"I'll need a list then."

The blonde quirked a brow until Sephiroth leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to Cloud's pale lips. Caught off-guard, Cloud made a desperate sound in the back of his throat, reached up, and got a handful of Sephiroth's gorgeous silver hair. Sephiroth slowly pulled away and licked his lips.

"I'll kill everyone who has so much as shaken your hand."

There was a polite knock on the bedroom door.

"Boys, food's ready."

Sephiroth perked up. "Coming, Rhea."

"Not in my guest bed, you aren't!"

Cloud laughed and Sephiroth joined him, nuzzling against the blonde's arm.

"Hurry up!" Rhea huffed, and her footsteps could be heard retreating down the hall.

"I am so jealous of her," Cloud grumbled. "You like her."

Sephiroth snorted. "Idiot. Come on. It's just Rhea. She's a great cook."

Cloud made a face. "I helped."

"All the better," the ex-General chided, pulling Cloud out of bed and into a slightly awkward embrace, before practically dragging the man to the kitchen.

As they sat down at the dining table to eat dinner, Rhea grinned at them both, and happily proclaimed them idiots, before digging in to her plate, and for the first time in centuries, Cloud felt at home.

FarBeyondtheEnd

Emperor Reginald was as esteemed as he was feared and he was Neron's uncle. The two sat at a long table with numerous associates: heads of different areas of responsibility. It was a fine mirror of a company long lost, except this one called itself an empire.

Emperor Reginald looked like an older version of Neron, save that his hair was absurdly long and arranged in a series of braids around his head and shoulders. His eyes were nearly black, and set under a heavy brow that gave him an air of seriousness that was rarely matched. He also sported a neatly trimmed beard that only seemed to give him an air of wisdom. He usually wore ceremonial robes that were reminiscent of long lost Wutai's ceremonial garbs, but a strong, flexible set of black armor and an assortment of weapons were always at hand if combat became necessary in close quarters. The emperor was no slouch in the ways of fighting, and his body beneath the layers of silk-blue and black robes was all hard muscle. His mind was also as sharp as crystal and quick as a summer storm.

Neron was seated towards the back of the table. He may have been third in line to the throne, but Uncle Reginald's daughter and true heir was the golden girl of the family. Her name was Hangaku. She was small for a woman and only moderately pretty. Where the modern era favored automatic weapons over swords [though at this rate, that was bound to change], Hangaku was professionally trained with the naginata, a weapon which she kept near her person at all times. Currently her naginata was leaning against the wall behind her chair, wrapped in royal blue cloth.

Between Hangaku and Neron were at least five respected individuals under Reginald's trust, that is, five on each side of the table, for a total of ten, and Neron resented every single one of them.

For this meeting, the information regarding Sky and the mysterious Seth had been presented to the Emperor, and the team's suspicions about Midgar's decimation were brought to light.

"So why haven't we capture the two fugitives yet?" asked the emperor. He turned to his daughter and raised a quizzical brow.

"Father, this is the first I've heard of the situation. It seems my Commanders thought the issue so important that they decided that it would be prominent to present to us at the same time."

"Unnecessary," stated Reginald, and then back to his underlings, "I am confident that my General can handle this issue on her own."

Hangaku sat up a little straighter, but her stoic expression never wavered.

Neron felt the familiar sting of jealousy in his gut. He didn't dare accuse the Emperor of favoritism. The man played little part in the actual structure of the Fighting Forces. He simply stepped back and let his General and Commanders take the reins. Hangaku had worked her way up the ranks on her own, and the leaders treated her as any other recruit. But for that, Neron hated her even more. After all, she nineteen now, and had recently acquired the rank of General. Her indoctrination into the army had been when she was twelve, after she had begged her father for permission. He was well-known for giving in to her every whim, especially since his wife had died at her birth. And of course, as clever and determined as she was, the Princess excelled quickly among the ranks.

Hangaku crossed her arms and leveled her dark blue eyes at Neron. "Cousin, is this information legitimate?"

He nodded. "My White Sky and the man Seth showed up in images that we pulled from the Midgar ruins."

She looked thoughtful for a short moment, before turning her gaze to the emperor. "Father, I would like permission to address this issue with Prisoner 231."

"Granted," the emperor said almost immediately, "you are dismissed to do so now."

"Excellent," she replied, and met Neron's eyes again. "Cousin, come." She stood from the table, snatching up her naginata, and made her way out of the council chambers. Neron quickly followed.

As they descended the dimly lit halls that lead to the dungeon, Hangaku dared ask: "do you still resent my superiority over your standing the army, Neron?"

"Of course not," Neron said sarcastically.

"I mean no disrespect."

"As always, you have no understanding of normal social niceties."

"I find them pointless and irritating," she said honestly, her dark ponytail swaying as she walked beside him. She tucked a thumb into her the overlarge belt that was draped over her hips and consequently, the dark gray overcoat with silver decorations that identified her as one of the Emperor's Generals. As she walked, her naginata teetered teasingly from her left hand, though Neron was well aware that she knew precisely where the covered blade swung with every passing second.

"Who are we going to see?" Neron ventured as the hallway grew slightly narrower and they passed through a series of barred doors. Hangaku opened each one with a set of metal keys that she unclipped from her belt.

"This man has been our prisoner since shortly before father's takeover of the city. To this day, we still do not know his real name, but he was pivotal in concocting the formula for the enhanced soldiers."

"Why have I never heard of him?"

"He's more irritating than he is useful," she said with a frown, leading him to a door labeled "231". She tipped a key into the lock, and then they were stepping into a dimly lit room. Neron froze almost immediately upon seeing the prisoner. The man was wrapped in so many chains that one could barely make heads or tails of his clothes or body shape. His hair was messy and auburn and his eyes were a medium shade of blue that glowed faintly in the pale lighting. The man looked positively ill; his skin was drawn tight across his face and what little could be seen of the rest of his body. The man was clearly barely conscious, but his eyes settled on Hangaku and flared with annoyance.

Neron was angry now as he was reminded once again that the Emperor never told him anything of importance. "He's already enhanced?"

"The original. He was like this when father captured him dormant in the Niju Mountains twenty years ago. He may look a bit haggard, but he hasn't aged a day since he was captured, and he rarely says anything new."

The prisoner smirked a bit and whispered: "Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul."

"He's mad," Neron observed, thinking that the words didn't make even a modicum of sense.

"Wings stripped away, the end is nigh," continued the prisoner, eyes falling on Neron.

"We have a question for you," Hangaku said, leaning her naginata on the near wall and pulling two pictures from inside her coat. Neron caught a glimpse of them and grimaced, but when Hangaku held up the first picture to the prisoner, he merely raised a brow.

"Do you recognize this man?"

The auburn-haired man rolled his eyes. "Hero of the Dawn, Healer of Worlds."

The princess nodded, and Neron looked at her questioningly. "That usually means yes," she explained.

He interjected, "but that doesn't tell us who he is."

"Hero of Worlds," repeated the prisoner firmly, voice barely whisper and much more chilling than it had been before. Neron absently palmed the hilt of the sword at his hip.

"It's something to work with," Hangaku said agreeably and held up the second picture.

The prisoner got barely a glimpse of it, before he threw back his head and laughed loudly, shocking Neron and Hangaku both. To Neron, the laugh almost sounded pained and a smidge menacing.

"Who is he?" Hangaku asked, brows raised.

"Wings of light and dark spread afar…my friend."

"This is useless," Neron growled, but admittedly had gotten chills when the prisoner had uttered the word "wings". He badly did not want Seth to be Sephiroth or the One-Winged Angel, if such a thing ever existed.

"Speak plainly," Hangaku snapped at the man.

"Dead," was the reply, short and bitter. "It matters not."

"This man walks the streets of my city merely days ago."

"The picture is old," said the prisoner, voice full of certainty, as if denying the very possibility.

"Tell me anyway."

"Let me go," he purred back.

"Leniencies can be given," she said, but nothing in her tone of voice indicated that her words were true.

The prisoner gave an irritated huff, and retorted: "You know your tales, I'm sure. It actually says his name on the bit of the poster that you've clipped this off of. Why do you need me to tell you again?"

"So he is Sephiroth, then, but who was Sephiroth? What is he capable of?"

"Is he the One-Winged Angel?" Neron added, ready for this strange conversation to be over.

The prisoner let a grin slowly overtake his features. "My, my, aren't you all confident. Poor little brats. Neither of you could go toe-to-toe with him in an arena."

"He is stronger than you?" Hangaku wanted to know.

The man's expression was bitter. "Perhaps."

"And the other one?" she held up the picture of Sky again.

"I don't know much about him."

"What do you know?"

Neron saw impatience pass over the prisoner's face. "I've already told you."

"Tell us his name."

Neron stepped back when he realized that the prisoner had the chains stretched to their limits, as they creaked in unison.

"It's nearly time for your tranquilizer," Hangaku said with a small grin, reaching for her naginata nonetheless. Someone cleared his throat behind them. A scientist stood in the doorway with a loaded syringe.

"Oh joy," said the prisoner as the new man stepped forward and, without ceremony, plunged the needle into the captive's neck.

Hangaku sighed. "He'll be unconscious before long. Let's go."

Neron followed Hangaku back to the upper levels, but his mind never left the prisoner in his cell.

There is no hate, only joy

For you are beloved by the Goddess

Hero of the Dawn, Healer of Worlds

Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul

Pride is lost.

Wings stripped away, the end is nigh.

[Loveless, Act II]

FarBeyondtheEnd

There was a time long ago, when Cloud viewed Sephiroth as the man that he wanted to be. He was obsessed with the General even beyond the moment that he first began to understand that he could never be equal to the object of his dreams. Over the many long centuries, Cloud never developed relationships that ran deeper than the bare surface (at least, not on his part) because love had ripped him into pieces long ago, and there was scarcely anything left of his soul to give, but the re-arrival of Sephiroth had been the glue and tape that was slowly pulling him back together.

My soul is patchwork. My soul is a broken vase that is slowly being glued back together. My soul is irrelevant because Rhea seems to be upset with me about something and I am actually a little bit afraid.

"I need to understand what's going on here," she explained to Cloud as they shared the couch. She was glaring as she spoke, and Cloud was slowly but surely withdrawing, until she held up a hand.

"Please? If your presence here is putting my child at risk, I have a right to know the truth."

Cloud had always been a sucker for the guilt card. He sighed.

"Okay, but let me get Seth? He's going to have to help me explain."

Rhea nodded. "He's in the shower. I'll be waiting." She crossed her arms.

Cloud darted down the hallway to the tiny bathroom and poked his head in the door. Sephiroth was completely hidden by the shower curtain, and Cloud had to speak up over the spray of hot water.

"Seph, Rhea wants an explanation."

"I've tried," Sephiroth called back. "She didn't believe me."

"I know, but we can show her the truth."

Sephiroth's head appeared from behind the curtain, and Cloud's mind wandered into dangerous territory at the sight of that drenched face staring back at him.

"I know a way," he explained, mouth dry, "but I need you."

"Ten minutes."

FarBeyondtheEnd

Sephiroth stood in the living room next to Cloud. The ex-General was in a pair of loose sweats with a towel wrapped around his head. He was shirtless and looking a bit irritated, but Cloud's teeth weren't on edge for that reason. The blonde just really wasn't used to seeing the other man act so blatantly domestic. Apparently, there was still a part of Cloud that viewed Sephiroth as the unreachable, invincible, perfect warrior. And that feeling was hard to smother out.

"Okay, Cloud…what's the plan?" Sephiroth asked, frowning at Rhea's skeptical expression.

"Right," Cloud said quickly. "Your wing. Show her that."

"Pardon?" Rhea piped in.

"Oh," Sephiroth gasped. "Why didn't I think of that?"

Cloud smirked.

"You're kidding!" Rhea said loudly. "I'm not in the mood for jokes, boys!"

Without fanfare, Sephiroth unleashed his single, black wing. It appeared in a flash, black feathers gleaming over his right shoulder. It was all a disaster, however, for the first order of business for Sephiroth's great and mighty feathered appendage was to promptly knock over a lamp. Cloud put a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. Rhea didn't even take the time to gape. She rushed across the room to rescue her lamp, placed it safely out of Sephiroth's wingspan, and then turned on them both. In a screechy, panicked, angry tone, she demanded: "Put that thing away! You're getting feathers everywhere!"

Sephiroth meekly withdrew his wing, wincing as it slid completely back into place, and the skin on his back healed instantly. Cloud stepped behind him when the scent of blood met his nostrils and asked worriedly, "Does it hurt to do that? There's blood all over your back."

Sephiroth shrugged. "It's not that bad."

"You're going to need another shower," Cloud pointed out.

The taller man slumped a little.

They both turned their eyes back to Rhea, who looked a little shell-shocked.

"Shower, Seth…Seph? It's Sephiroth, isn't it?" she shuddered.

"Go," Cloud said, gently shoving Sephiroth back down the hall. "I'll talk to her."

And so he did.

FarBeyondtheEnd

Genesis Rhapsodos was having a rough couple of decades. Upon emerging from a long slumber in the Niju Mountains twenty years ago, he was drugged and dragged into the hands of a man named Reginald, who was in the center of a hostile takeover of a powerful city called Perna. After the takeover, Genesis was slapped into the palace dungeons and there he had remained, visited only by the scientists who drugged him to keep him from escaping, and Reginald himself, on occasion. In more recent years, the Emperor's prodigal daughter had taken a shine to him.

Hangaku was like a slap in the face. She was a female version of General Sephiroth if there ever was one. Genesis had entertained the idea that the man had actually been reborn into the girl for the first few months after meeting her, but had shaken that off as a few more years passed, and she revealed herself to be perhaps even more solitary and secretive than his old friend had ever been.

When she had shown him the pictures of none other than Cloud Strife and Sephiroth, Genesis had actually pitied her. She may be a prodigy, but she's no match for either of them.

He knew it would probably be more accurate to remember Sephiroth as an enemy, but for some reason he was having difficulty with the concept.

Although Genesis was left wondering if Cloud and Sephiroth had really teamed up, the world outside did not sound like it was falling apart, and surely if those two idiots fought each other, the world would tremble as it had so long ago. Like Genesis, Cloud and Sephiroth were forces to be reckoned with, and of course, a small part of Genesis was a tiny bit excited. Sephiroth was alive and kicking, which meant that perhaps the world would stop being so boring. However, Cloud would undoubtedly be a wild card in the grand scheme of things. The blonde always was.

Regardless, escape was imminent, and Genesis couldn't wait to slaughter the fool who'd dare keep him prisoner for two decades.

FarBeyondtheEnd

As Hangaku descended the halls to the prison cells, nervous anxiety swelled in her gut. For reasons unknown, perhaps even to herself, she hadn't brought the naginata that day. She found 231's cell and slid inside, eying the chained up man with worry.

"Hangaku," he said, smirking. "Back so soon? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

It took her a moment to answer. "I'm worried about my father."

"You should be," he said sharply, eyes narrowing. "He has quite a few powerful enemies, as leaders often do."

"That's not what I meant," she retorted. "He's used the enhancement formula on himself and on many of our men."

"I see," said the prisoner. "You worried that it might not work correctly?"

"What are the side effects?"

The man laughed. "It depends on so many different factors. I have no idea how the new formula was concocted, so how am I to know?"

"You know why. We used your cells to make it."

"Along with some seedy documents that you pulled from Ancient Midgar, you mean? Yes, that was a risky move. They only got it right the once, you know."

Hangaku paled. "Once?"

"On the documents you found, whose name was on them? Hojo, Gast, or Hollander?"

"Crescent."

The prisoner's expression went a little sour. "Wild card again," he whispered. "Interesting."

"What do you mean?"

"Lucrecia Crescent was Sephiroth's biological mother."

Hangaku was frozen, her eyes wide. "Lu…Lucrecia?"

The prisoner frowned. "Does that name mean something to you, Princess?"

"It has to be a coincidence," she muttered.

"What?"

Her dark blue eyes met the prisoner's paler ones. "Though she was not well known, my mother's name was Lucrecia."

FarBeyondtheEnd

"So it's Reginald, Hangaku, Bartholomew, and Neron," Sephiroth counted. "They royal line - the ones we have be rid of."

"Hangaku is nineteen," Rhea stated, picking at her dinner with a fork. "I've seen her in Narga before. She was rather withdrawn but not hostile or cruel."

"A General at nineteen. A prodigy," Cloud shared a look with Sephiroth, who shrugged.

"She's an obstacle," he pointed out. "You were quite young when you faced me, and your friends were even younger."

Cloud winced as some of his darker memories surfaced: Aerith speared by Masamune, people burning in the aftermath of Meteorfall, the fire at Nibelheim, people being slaughtered by the monsters summoned by the remnants.

"She's not enhanced," he argued. "She's barely an adult."

"If Jenova was still around, we wouldn't even be talking about this. The royal family would already be rust on our blades and you know it."

"I'd forgotten how merciless you can be," Cloud muttered, looking sad.

Sephiroth glared. "I was a young General as well. I wish I'd been killed before I was exposed to Jenova or even to Wutai. I decimated their army, Cloud, and I had no regrets."

"She's not like that."

"You don't even know her. Stop projecting."

"Shut up!" Rhea snarled, silently pleased that Jera wasn't present to hear the argument. "I understand that you have both been through a lot, but I won't listen to you argue about this. It's like you can't be bothered to consider an alternative that doesn't end in murder. Have you considered talking to the royal family? Explain the dangers of what they're doing. They might listen."

"They've posted wanted posters throughout every city and town in the country. We're fugitives, Rhea. They don't want to listen to what we have to say."

She rolled her eyes. "Fools! Are you or are you not legends? Do you think they could hold you, even if they did capture you?"

Cloud and Sephiroth exchanged glances.

"Maybe," Sephiroth admitted.

"Not if we have materia," Cloud decided, "but that's at the off-chance that they'd let us keep our weapons if we went to talk to them. They could just as easily use them against us."

"They'd die trying. It takes months of training to use even the most basic of materia. Any one of them would die just trying to tap into a weak Summon materia."

Cloud nodded in agreement.

"There's another thing," Rhea interjected. "They've been releasing information about the newly enhanced soldiers." She held up a newspaper that had been sitting next to her on the table and read: "In creating the enhancement serum, the DNA of an ancient test subject was used, along with documents that archeologists discovered in the Midgar Ruins, which were recently mysteriously destroyed."

"Ancient test subject?" Sephiroth said sharply, sharing a look with Cloud. "Like Jenova?"

"What else was in the old Shinra building?"

"In Hojo's labs? Who knows," Sephiroth growled.

"It doesn't say that the subject came from Shinra," Rhea pointed out.

Cloud stiffened. "Vincent…?"

"I doubt it. He was Chaos, right? The new soldier's eyes glow more like mako. Weren't his red?"

"They are," Cloud stated, carefully avoiding the issue of Vincent Valentine's continued existence. "But who else could they possibly have found? Another SOLDIER?"

They both considered the possibilities in silence, before Cloud finally gasped in realization.

"Genesis," he breathed.

Sephiroth frowned as an old anxious feeling assailed him. "But he was degrading. He didn't die?"

"He was cured," Cloud remembered, "though I don't know how, and I haven't seen him in centuries. It could be him."

"They never could have captured him," Sephiroth retorted. "Genesis was an exemplary SOLDIER."

"Hojo managed to get me and Zack back then. It was also well-known that he had a knack for handling you. If Genesis was tired or something, all it would take is a really strong sedative."

Sephiroth swore under his breath. "It means that, if it is indeed him, that they're keeping him prisoner."

"It's possible."

Sephiroth sighed. "He won't be happy to see me."

"Sephiroth, I think we need to go talk to this Emperor. Rhea's right. There's no need to end this in bloodshed. It also puts Genesis at risk, if he really is there."

"Bartholomew is Mayor here," Rhea reminded gently. "You may want to go speak to him first."

"We won't put you at risk," Sephiroth said quickly. "We need to leave from here immediately without drawing attention to ourselves."

Cloud took a deep breath, and watched Sephiroth worriedly as he said, "We should go talk to Neron."

The silver-haired man stiffened, but nodded. "I agree."

FarBeyondtheEnd

Neron was home early one evening, though the sun was already setting in the distant sky. He walked into his mansion and pulled off his coat in a practice gesture. He went straight to shower, then put on some more comfortable clothes, and even grabbed a snack from the kitchen before finally entering the living room to relax.

He took one step into the large room and froze. Sky (Cloud) and Seth (Sephiroth) sat side-by-side on his overlarge sofa. One eyed him with disappointment, the other with disgust.

"Half an hour," Seth hissed. "Pitiful."

"Not helping, Seph," Cloud growled and stood up.

Neron actually took a step back. Seeing a picture was one thing, but seeing Sky dressed in not only black, but in what was clearly combat gear, was utterly shell shocking. The blonde's eyes glowed brightly, not the dark blue that Neron was familiar with, but an overwhelming neon lapis lazuli. There was a collection of belts wrapped around his torso, and Neron somewhat fearfully recognized them for what they were: a very complex sword harness. Sky definitely had not been wearing that in the old photo. Fortunately, the blonde's sword was absent. Neron wondered vaguely what it looked like.

What made the situation even more disconcerting was Sky's very demeanor. The man carried himself completely differently now. He took two steps closer to Neron and the Lieutenant backed nearly out of the room in fright. Sky did not walk, he prowled. Every shift of his form and sway of his hands, and even the sweep of his eyes was predatory.

Seth stood up impatiently behind Sky, and Neron discovered a new level of fear as the silver-haired man swayed neatly forward to stand beside Sky and glowered for all he was worth. There was a static-y quality to the air that Neron had never before experienced in the man's presence, and he had to wonder faintly whether or not this was how it felt to be around the mysterious Seth when he was not acting or hiding the truth.

"We want to talk," Sky said pleadingly, his voice toned at a lower, more confident pitch than the one Neron was used to.

"This will be your only opportunity to convince Cloud that I shouldn't kill you," Seth said threateningly. "Make it count."

Neron drew in a deep breath, stood as straight as he could manage and walked past them to his favorite chair. He turned and sat in it with as much dignity as he could muster, but he was trembling. Sky and Seth moved back over to the couch, where they sat practically in unison and leveled their glowing gazes in Neron's direction.

Uncle Reginald, I haven't seen either of them fight seriously, but I can honestly say this now: something tells me that we have utterly underestimated these two.

"What?" Neron said, seething.

"The formula that your scientists are giving Reginald's soldiers…it's dangerous."

Neron rolled his eyes. "I've been given the formula."

"Clearly," Seth growled. "The glowing eyes are a dead giveaway."

"A long time ago, we called it mako," Sky interjected, shooting Seth a warning look. "Mako is the main ingredient, combined with the cells of…"

"A monster," Seth hissed. "A creature not from this world."

"So?" Neron snapped.

"Back then, the SOLDIERs enhanced with mako either mutated or degraded or just plain went insane. The doses had to be concentrated to regulate that sort of thing, but even then, there were problems." Sky relaxed into the couch, leaning noticeably closer to Seth. "The company that created the SOLDIERs tried keeping that under wraps, until it became impossible."

"But there were successes, clearly, or neither of you would be here," Neron pointed out.

"I told you," Seth said to Sky. "He knows too much already, and he's just like them."

"Even Rufus started to sense in the end, Seph," Sky muttered pointedly, making Neron frown. It sounded like an old argument between them.

Seth met Neron's eyes. "If you dare call either of us a success, knowing who we are, then you are an idiot."

"And just who are you then?" Neron chided.

"Don't pretend that you don't know," Sky said angrily. "Your people have been poking around in Midgar, which was an entirely stupid thing to do. I'm sure you know something by now."

"What we know, we are having a hard time believing," Neron said sharply. "That both of you were alive over a thousand years ago is hard to believe."

"What did you find?" Seth asked, genuinely curious.

"Pictures," Neron spat, "of Sky and of you, General Sephiroth."

"So you do know," Sky uttered, crossing his arms. "I'm surprised you're not freaking out more."

"Freaking out?! You expect me to believe that this man is the legendary One-Winged Angel?" Neron practically shrieked, gesitculating wildly.

"We don't care what you decide to believe," Seth growled. "All we care about is that you cease using the formula."

"Well, even if I gave a shit, there's nothing I can do about that. It's not my call," Neron grumbled. "And you're also both wanted men. Do you honestly think I'm not going to report this?"

Seth stood slowly from his seat. "I think now is ideal, Cloud."

"Sky, what is he talking about?" Neron snarled, shooting to his feet.

"His name is Cloud," Seth snapped. "He's not your fucking submissive anymore."

Sky shot up to his feet, standing between them. "Sephiroth, you promised…not today," he reminded, but he was facing Neron, muscles tense.

After a long pause, Seth seemed to relax a little. "Fine," he said, giving in. Sky nodded and started to turn away, but Neron couldn't help but have the last word:

"You should have let him attack me, Sky. I'd very much like to beat the hell out of that monster."

To Neron's shock, it wasn't Seth, but Sky who reacted to the insult. The blonde was across the room in an instant, slamming Neron up against a wall with one hand around his throat.

"You ignorant bastard," Sky growled.

"S-Sky!" Neron gasped, struggling to breath.

"My name is Cloud!" Cloud snarled. "You and your idiotic fucking family needs to stop assuming that they know anything about what they're getting into. If something doesn't change soon, then the planet itself will rip this city the fuck apart, and Gaia help me, I swear to you that I'll just sit back and watch!"

A gloved hand appeared on Cloud's shoulder and Neron found himself looking desperately into the eyes of Sephiroth.

"If you kill him, you'll forever regret it, Cloud."

Cloud didn't seem to hear him. In fact, the blonde's grip around Neron's throat actually seemed to grow tighter.

Sephiroth actually sighed, before shifting his voice an octave lower, and snapping out crisply: "Strife, let him go."

Cloud stiffened, and something altogether foreign flashed across his face, before he dropped Neron to the floor, taking a step back.

Sephiroth heedlessly put an arm around Cloud's shoulders, but his eyes never left Neron, who was coughing and gasping desperately for breath.

"This was your warning. Share it with your betters, and hope to the Goddess that they listen. If not, we're coming for all of you."

Neron heard the sound of retreating boots, and it was even longer after they had vanished that he caught his breath again. He sought out his cell phone and stared morosely at the screen for nearly ten minutes, before putting it down again. He couldn't even report them to Reginald; he was too terrified. And something was niggling at his brain, something that sort of wondered if Cloud and Sephiroth had had a point.

FarBeyondtheEnd

Cloud and Sephiroth couldn't stay in the city, so they had rented out a small hotel room in a small town to the south. They were stuck sharing a room with single bed, because Cloud couldn't risk accessing his bank account, and Sephiroth hadn't had much money to begin with. There twin bikes were sitting in the darkest corner of the parking lot, clearly visible from the single window in the hotel room.

"You call your bike Fenrir," Seth was saying, checking on the bikes for the tenth time that evening. He was watching the bikes from the window, dressed in a huge baggy t-shirt and some old gray sweats. "What's the other one called?"

"I haven't named it," Cloud admitted, joining Sephiroth next to the window. "You can, if you want. It's yours now."

Sephiroth was surprised at how easily Cloud passed on ownership, but he didn't show it. "Fenrir is a wolf, right?"

"Son of Loki, killer of Odin," Cloud recited. "My mother told me the tales as a child. She called them our Ancestors, even though no one else in Nibelheim believed in them. Fenrir was always my favorite."

"Kali," Sephiroth decided then.

"For the Goddess of Change and Time," Cloud declared, approval in his voice. "Aren't you tired?"

"And still annoyed," Sephiroth said quietly. "I half regret not letting you finish Neron."

"I'm glad you stopped me."

"I feel as if we may regret that move in the future."

Cloud stared at Fenrir and Kali across the parking lot. "He's not horrible. He may just come to his senses. But enough of that," he grabbed Sephiroth's hand and tugged him over to the bed. "We both need sleep."

Sephiroth looked doubtfully at the tiny bed. "I doubt we'll sleep comfortably on that rock, if at all."

Cloud snorted. "We've both had worse."

"I slept on the ground in Wutai," Sephiroth muttered, "but somehow, I still think this bed is worse."

"If you don't want to sleep with me, just say so," Cloud teased, though the tone of his voice left plenty of room for doubt.

Sephiroth frowned. "I did not say that."

He moved to join Cloud on the bed, spooning the blonde from behind and burying his face in the slighter man's wild hair. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Cloud finally admitted: "I think my side is going numb. It really is a rock."

Sephiroth snickered against the back of Cloud's neck, and rolled onto his back, pulling Cloud with him.

"Ugh," Cloud grunted, adjusting himself to lie face-first against Sephiroth's chest. "Much better," he exclaimed finally.

"Well, don't get too comfortable. I expect you to do the same for me in a few hours."

Cloud laughed. "Um, you'll probably smother me in your sleep."

"It's the hair," Sephiroth defended, "both a blessing and a curse."

"It's not just the hair. You're like seven feet tall."

"Am not," Sephiroth argued childishly.

"And Masamune is at least ten feet long," Cloud teased. "I still haven't figured out how you use that thing."

"You're one to talk," Sephiroth retorted. "First Tsurugi has like 37 parts. It's ridiculous."

"I like a bit of variety."

"I like you," Sephiroth pointed out, wrapping his arms around Cloud's waist.

"Cheesy," the blonde accused, but lifted his own arms so he could play with Sephiroth's hair.

"Who's being cheesy?" Sephiroth whispered, closing his eyes. "I can't wait for all of those imbeciles to see what they've really been missing. You're going to terrify them."

"Should we put on a show? Downtown Perna. You can wear your wing."

"Mmmm," Sephiroth purred sleepily. "I just want to kiss you in front of everyone."

"Can't imagine what would have happened if we would have done that back then."

Sephiroth's eyes opened to slits. "I came really close on that rooftop. There was a not-so-subtle part of my batshit insanity that was screaming for me to do it."

"I would have let you," Cloud whispered. "That scares me, actually."

"Me, too."

Cloud pulled his body forward, letting it slide over Sephiroth's, and pushed their mouths together. He felt the other man's tongue meet his own and they spent a great deal of time battling for dominance, as they did in all things. Eventually, the need for air forced them to break apart. After a while, they both had calmed down, and Cloud fell asleep listening to Sephiroth's gentle snoring.

FarBeyondtheEnd

The palace court yard was lined with soldiers, and on the great stone steps leading to the entrance stood the Emperor himself, flocked by two Generals and a few other select high ranking officers. Below them, standing alone, was General Hangaku, the first heir to Reginald's throne. She had a gun strapped to one hip, but her naginata gleamed proudly in her grip, its curved, golden blade shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

Today her hair was twisted into a long, tight braid that fell down her narrow back and swayed gently in the passing breeze. She wore thin, black armor and a tight dark gray suit. Fitting most of all, however, was the silver crown gleaming across her brow.

"I call to order, on this day of the High Year, Princess Hangaku of Perna, Third General of the Fighting Forces, woman unto her own," said First General Hawking. "The Princess is now twenty-years-old, and of her Great Father and Emperor, she may make one request alone. Shall it be plausible, the request shall be granted. Shall it not, she shall be granted a different request."

"Hangaku," Emperor Reginald said loudly, "what do you ask of me this High Year?"

Hangaku had thought long and hard of what her request would be. "Father, Emperor, I ask only one thing of thee. Complete responsibility of Prisoner 231."

A surprised muttering arose from the soldiers and the Emperor's crowd. Reginald himself seemed perplexed by her request.

"Why?"

"I need him to capture the fugitives. You know of whom I speak."

Reginald frowned. "The request is not meant for work, dear Hangaku."

"It is meant to please me," she reminded. "And this will."

"He is dangerous," Reginald warned.

"I know, father."

The Emperor stood tall, decision made.

"To my daughter, Princess Hangaku, I grant this one request. Happy Birthday, my heir."

She bowed.

FarBeyondtheEnd

Hangaku faced the prisoner in 231. A small group of soldiers also filed into the space of the cell.

"Infinite in mystery is the Gift of the Goddess," the prisoner stated, glancing around curiously.

"I have been given full responsibility of you, 231," Hangaku declared.

"I offer thee this silent sacrifice."

"Release him," Hangaku ordered, and the soldiers began unwrapping the chains from the prisoner.

"You were drugged very recently," Hangaku said sharply. "I expect you to do as I say, prisoner."

"I'm listening," the prisoner finally replied.

"You will follow me in every measure."

"As you say," he chided, just as they finished unwinding the final chain. Beneath the metal, the man's clothes were in rags, the imprint of the chains covered his arms and legs, and a bad smell wafted from his thin form. The soldier's unlocked the shackles from around his ankles and wrists, and the man very nearly fell over, before one of Hangaku's men was able to catch him, though the soldier looked positively repulsed.

"Help him to my chambers. One of you fetch him some fresh clothes and boots. Have a maid draw a bath for him in my own suite."

The soldiers rushed to follow her commands, as she turned her back on them. Hangaku's men took the prisoner and followed her up to her rooms, where she ordered them to drop the man on an empty sofa and take their leave. They protested, of course, but the princess would hear none of it. The men took their leave after that.

Hangaku's maid then informed her that a bath had been drawn. She recruited the maid to help her take the prisoner to the bathroom.

"You will bathe," Hangaku told him as they deposited him on the toilet next to the tub. "Leave the old clothes on the floor. Towels are under the sink. Can you manage on your own? I expect you won't try to escape?"

"Of course not," the man said, "I'm in no condition to do so just yet."

"Just get cleaned up," she hissed, leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.

Genesis stripped down to his bare skin and climbed in the lukewarm bath. He groaned as the water stung his sensitive skin, but grew more and more comfortable as his enhancements finally kicked in again and his body started to rapidly heal. He wasn't kidding about not being able to attempt escape. He had lost nearly all of his muscle tone over the past two decades. Fortunately, if he ate right and got a bit of exercise over the next few weeks, it would return quickly. He was rather miffed as to why the princess was allowing him such freedom, however.

Either she's a fool or she wants something that she thinks I can give her. The woman has no idea what she's unleashed.

Nearly half an hour passed while he lingered in the bath, until finally Hangaku knocked loudly on the door.

"Did you drown?" she asked.

"You wish," he said cheerfully back. "Give me just a few more minutes. I'm quite enjoying this."

"You're not meant to be enjoying it," she said hotly.

"Well, no one told me that."

"You're a prisoner, idiot. No one should have to."

He sighed. "Ten minutes, dear Hangaku."

He washed up and drained the tub, found a towel and dried off, then found a pile of clean clothes near the sink that he guessed he was expected to wear. They were extremely loose, but at least they fit. Before heading out, he snagged an extra toothbrush and set about brushing his teeth until his gums bled. It had been far too long.

Genesis eventually emerged from the bath, stretching and grinning.

Hangaku gave him a wide-eyed look, eyes sweeping over his bare arms and neck. "You've healed already?"

He shrugged and fell gracefully onto an empty chair. "Wings of light and dark spread afar, she guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting."

"What is that nonsense constantly spewing forth from your mouth?" Hangaku finally, finally asked. Genesis had waited years for her to ask that question.

"Loveless," he explained, meeting her eyes. "An epic poem long lost to time and a personal favorite of mine."

"Interesting," she admitted, crossing her arms. "Now I think it would be pertinent for me to explain your position."

"Explain away."

"You are still a prisoner of this house, but you will serve your sentence as my personal servant, so long as you are willing to answer some of my questions about Cloud and Sephiroth and the soldier enhancements."

"You say that now," Genesis warned, "but at full strength, I might not be so willing to stay."

"I am aware. I don't intend to keep you prisoner forever anyway. Your purpose here is spent. We have the enhancement formula. My father doesn't need you anymore. That is why it was so simple to get him to give you to me."

"I think-" Genesis was mid-sentence when someone stormed into Hangaku's rooms unannounced.

Hangaku leapt to her feet in anger, but most of her anger diminished when she identified the rude man who had just stormed into her room.

The intruder was General Hawking.

"What is the meaning of this, Hangaku?" he roared. The man was large and very strongly built, and his voice carried. There was also a diagonal scar that marred what was once his handsome face. The Princess had no idea where he'd gotten it.

"Keep it down," Hangaku pleaded.

Hawking pointed an accusing finger at the prisoner. "This man is extremely dangerous, girl! I know you weren't there when we found him, but I was. He cannot be allowed to wander about. He's a monster!"

Genesis laughed lightly and rose from his seat. "Ah, yes, I remember. I tossed you around those caves like a rag doll, didn't I? I gave you that pretty scar. I wonder…whatever did you morons do with my rapier?"

"Sit down!" Hangaku screamed at him.

Genesis ignored her and stepped closer and closer to the angry General. "Imagine if you fools hadn't caught me half out of my sleep and hit me with that tranquilizer, the kind of damage I could have done. You'd all be dead now, even your precious Emperor."

Hangaku had to hold Hawking back, before the man could rush at Genesis.

"Stop it, Hawking! I need him to capture those two fugitives."

She roughly threw the man across the room. "Get out! Now!"

"Your father will hear about this!" the other General growled.

"As he will hear about you barging into my rooms unannounced. I will not tell you again, Hawking!"

He left, slamming the door behind him, and Genesis laughed. Hangaku turned on him.

"Sit down, idiot!"

He ignored her again. Wiping a tear from his eye, he offered: "I once thought of you like a young, female Sephiroth, but I was completely wrong. You're far more like me."

She sat down again, and covered her face with her hands and groaned. "I didn't think you'd be so annoying."

He smirked. "Oh, you have no idea."

FarBeyondtheEnd

Cloud and Sephiroth rode Fenrir and Kali back into the city. The roar of the cycles drowned out the sounds of passing traffic, but they also caught a lot of attention. They just didn't make bikes like these any more. After all, these monsters were suited for combat and complex maneuvering, which Sephiroth was apparently enjoying. He weaved in and out of traffic, practically drove circles around Cloud when space allowed (and sometimes even when it didn't, which never failed to put Cloud's teeth on edge). When traffic got truly ridiculous, they could often be found idling next to each other, keeping their eyes on the pedestrians, and having vague conversations about the weather.

It had been nearly a month since their meeting with Neron, and to their surprise, the man actually managed to contact them at the hotel they had been hiding in, expressing the desire for another get-together. Though Sephiroth and Cloud had realized that it was probably a trap, they went along with it anyway, both bored and not overly worried about the potential ambush they might be walking into.

When finally they arrived at the stadium where Neron had asked them to show, it was already teeming with spectators. They parked the bikes a few blocks away, bought their tickets, and headed into the seating area. Neron had claimed that he would be able to find them, so they took their seats and watched as the tournament began. Cloud and Sephiroth were both equally thrilled to have someone to whine to about the frankly terrible swordsmen in the melee.

"That man is far too stiff with a katana."

"What kind of footwork is that?"

"Is he trying to get stabbed?"

"She's not bad, but she'd be far more consistent with a longer weapon."

"That man shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a sword."

Cloud and Sephiroth ended up laughing at the ridiculousness of some of the fighters, their shoulders pressed together, and their eyes gleaming. It wasn't until someone sitting behind them thought to question their attitudes that they toned it down.

"Some of us are actually trying to enjoy the show here," snapped a familiar, female voice. Cloud jerked around in his seat.

"Elda?"

"Sky?!" the White gasped. "Since when are you a Black?"

"Long story," Cloud said, as Sephiroth turned slightly in his seat.

"Hello, again," Elda greeted cheerfully.

"I remember you," Sephiroth said, ducking his head in acknowledgement.

"And you're the one who stole little Sky away," she cooed. "And converted him?"

Sephiroth rolled his eyes. "Please don't remind me. I still have issues recalling him as a White." The man shuddered and Cloud nudged him in the side.

"Forgive me for this, but aren't you wanted men?" Elda's Black asked. Cloud knew the man fairly well. He wasn't one of Neron's closest friends, nor was the man in the military, but he still might be a threat to them.

"Yes," Cloud said sharply, meeting the man's eyes, just as Elda turned on him. "Problem, dear?"

He glanced over them thoughtfully and shrugged. "Nope."

"Good," Sephiroth said flatly. "Now, Elda, was it? How the hell did Cloud ever manage as a White?"

She giggled. "Quite well actually, though I did sometimes think he was a little too snarky to be one of us."

"You're snarky," Cloud protested weakly.

"He did look pretty hot in those white little numbers though," she told Sephiroth. "You should have seen the things he used to wear back when he first got with Neron."

"Elda!" Cloud said, turning red.

Sephiroth gave the woman a conspiring look. "Do tell."

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," said a new voice from the stairs that ran up between the seats.

"Oh, it's you," Sephiroth growled, meeting the newcomer's eyes. "Neron-moron."

"I believe you two are waiting for me, though I'd be more than happy to leave you behind with Elda, Seth."

Sephiroth smiled sweetly. "Oh, I doubt that. If I leave him alone with you, who's to stop him from ripping your throat out, hm?"

Cloud turned back to Elda. "Neanderthals."

She outright laughed, as Cloud rose to follow Neron from their seats. Sephiroth followed them, leaving Elda and her Black with a friendly farewell. Neron led them to a VIP lounge on one of the upper levels. It was empty, of course.

They took their seats around a table, and Neron cut right to the chase.

"I want to help you. You said the formula's not safe. You said that it could cause bigger problems. I want to know what. I don't want that to happen."

"Damn," Sephiroth cursed.

"I told you," Cloud said smugly. "Alright, Neron. You'll have to answer all of our questions."

"Fine."

Cloud nodded. "Who is the test subject that they're using to make the formula?"

Neron frowned. "I don't understand. What subject? Are you talking about a person?"

"The papers suggested as much."

Neron sighed and crossed his arms. "It must have been him, then. There's a prisoner in the palace dungeons. They don't know his name or anything, but he was captured during Uncle Reginald's takeover. The guy is nuts though."

"You've seen him?" Sephiroth asked.

"Yes, though he was covered in chains, and they have to keep him sedated most of the time."

"Describe him."

"Auburn hair, glowing blue eyes, likes to spout off poetry at random intervals."

Sephiroth groaned, but Cloud actually chuckled.

"I can't believe he's still quoting that awful play."

"How many soldiers have been enhanced?" Cloud wondered.

"Several hundred."

"No side effects?"

"I don't know."

"Neron, you've been enhanced. Any issues?"

He sighed. "I'm tired and far more irritable than I used to be, but that might be because my fucking White left me, converted, and started dating a legendary pariah."

"All things considered, I'm sorry," Cloud said tiredly. "I didn't expect him to come back. Last time I saw this guy, we weren't on friendly terms. And well, he died." The blonde shrugged, as if that were no big deal.

"I'm sorry," Neron said seriously, "he died? Then how is he here?"

"This is my fourth time coming back to life. It's not really that impressive anymore, and Cloud…you've died at least once, right?" Sephiroth gave Cloud a questioning look.

"Yeah, killed by the remnants, but…how did you know?"

"The lifestream. They were my remnants, you know. Their memories counted as mine, whether I wanted them or not."

"I am so utterly confused right now," Neron admitted. "Cloud, who are you?"

"I'm surprised no one has guessed yet, to be honest. How is it that everyone remembers Sephiroth's name, but not mine? Not that I care, but really? Why?"

Cloud shot Sephiroth an accusing glare.

"I can't help that I was practically worshipped as a General. Blame Shinra's advertising head."

Cloud snorted. "Yeah, right." His attention jumped back to Neron. "You know the stories. The Warrior of Light kills the One-Winged Angel?"

Neron nodded, but obviously wasn't cluing in. Sephiroth took pity on him.

"Neron, Warrior of Light. Warrior of Light, Neron."

Needless to say, Neron's jaw dropped. He made a wheezing sound.

"Yeah, yeah. It's no big deal."

"Bullshit," Sephiroth interjected. "The world would be dust by now, if you hadn't stopped me. 'I will sail the Cosmos with this Planet as my vessel.' I probably would have taken out the whole universe."

"I doubt you could have moved the Planet," Cloud said lightly.

"The skies went dark. Meteor fell. I had Jenova. I could have managed it."

Neron had collected his jaw, but his eyes were still bulging as Cloud and Sephiroth casually debated whether or not the silver-haired man was capable of using the Planet as transport.

What have I gotten myself into with these two? Neron wondered, then was saddened. Sky was never really mine, was he? Deep down, he was always this…always Cloud. Always Sephiroth's.

"How do you go from ultimate enemies to…whatever you are now?" Neron asked, interrupting their conversation, and trying not to sound too obviously jealous.

Cloud grimaced. "It's too complicated."

"So what are you going to do now?"

"We have two options," Sephiroth explained. "Talk the Emperor into stopping the enhancements and destroying every bit of information that might compromise the Planet…or kill everyone who dares oppose that idea."

Neron gulped. "But…why is it so dangerous?"

"The enhancements are basically why Meteorfall happened. Someone went batshit because an alien claiming to be his mother told him to go crazy, and that someone summoned the thing, hoping to permanently damage the Planet, so it could no longer heal, which would inevitably lead to the death of all life."

Sephiroth was looking rather put out by this explanation.

Neron threw him a line. "You were the 'someone'?"

"I spent my entire life as a science experiment. My biological mother married a crazy scientist and never told my biological father that I was his. I grew up believing that the scientist was my father. My real mother started having prophetic dreams of what I would become, so she fled and hid herself away from the world. So when the time came, the scientist told me that my mother was Jenova, the alien thing. I was a carrier of her DNA from the womb. Later in life, I actually came across Jenova. Her presence is…extremely influential. I was so angry about everything that I didn't stop to think. I began to destroy anything that got in my way. Cloud stopped me…once or twice."

"Three times."

"I still don't know how you managed it the first time."

"Luck," Cloud admitted. "And you were distracted."

"By Mother," Sephiroth hissed and visibly shuddered.

"Stop it," Neron hissed, and both Cloud and Sephiroth regarded him questioningly.

"What?" Cloud voiced.

"You're both so...in cahoots. Why did you even bother with me, Cloud?" Neron asked, very obviously hurt.

Sephiroth rolled his eyes, but Cloud answered sincerely: "I liked you...and I still do, but you must understand how long I've been around. I don't get attached to people anymore - not deeply enough to scar, if you know what I mean. But Sephiroth was unavoidable. I've been obsessed with him since I was a child."

"You used me," Neron accused.

Sephiroth could practically see the weight of guilt settling on Cloud's shoulders, and he absolutely would not stand for it. He stepped forward and in front of Cloud, who protested weakly.

Sephiroth met Neron's eyes evenly.

"Let's get something straight," he said, all ice. "This man grew up in a world that was being ripped out from under his very feet as he walked it. He was tortured, torn, and broken. His memories were tampered with. He has been used and abused, watched his loved ones die all around him. He has seen horrors that you cannot possibly imagine and somehow managed to rise above them. He has suffered the passing of one thousand years and maintained a healthy level of sanity. He saved the world when the very idea of you wasn't even a possibility."

"Without Cloud Strife, you would not exist. This city would not exist. This world would very likely not exist. So don't you dare blame him for anything...ever. He knew that his choice to be with you would bring you happiness, a happiness that would have lasted had it not been for my very unlikely, very unexpected appearance. By the Goddess, Neron, if you so much as give this man a passing glance of contempt, I will grip your heart as it beats within your chest with my bare hand and squeeze it until it stops."

"Sephiroth," Cloud whispered from behind him, sounding as lost and broken as an abandoned child.

"If there is anyone to blame, I am," Sephiroth finally continued. "I nearly broke this world, broke him, and I enjoyed doing so. Now it pains me to say that I ever did such things, but know this, given the opportunity, I would gladly kill you. Cloud is the entire reason that I am here. Without him, I would not hesitate to burn the world again. I don't need Jenova to guide me. I am quite capable on my own. In short, I am the monster. Cloud is the angel. Do not confuse the two, and never endeavor to break him, for I will have your head on a pike and wield it as I destroy everything that has ever mattered to you."

Neron took a few steps back, frightened by the intensity of Sephiroth's eyes, and even more horrified by the pupils which had narrowed to slits as the man made his speech.

Reassured that Neron knew his place, Sephiroth turned around to face Cloud, who looked far paler than usual.

"It's not your fault," the ex-General said firmly.

"It's not...my fault," Cloud repeated quietly.

"Never yours," Sephiroth affirmed. "Now that that's settled, can we continue?"

Cloud nodded and spoke up to Neron, hoping to drive the conversation into safer territory. "Will you help us?"

"I've already agreed to at this point," Neron said with a barely noticeable shrug. "But how?"

"I hear the princess has the Emperor's ear."

"Total Daddy's girl," Neron agreed, eyes locked worryingly onto Sephiroth.

"I want to meet her."

FarBeyondtheEnd

Emperor Reginald stared at a smirking Genesis across the dining table. Hangaku was at his side, eating peacefully. Hangaku had already spoken to her father about General Hawking's intrusion and Genesis release into her constant custody. He approved of neither, but as usual, he was hard-pressed to deny Hangaku much of anything. Still, the presence of Genesis was unnerving, especially since his daughter seemed to be so at ease in his company.

"231, eat your food," she muttered.

He went back to eating his dinner obediently, though his gaze occasionally swept over the Emperor.

"You don't look well," Reginald said flatly to the prisoner.

"Gee, I wonder why," Genesis retorted, dropping his fork to flex his wrists. "Still getting used to the absence of chains."

"Yet there's not a single scar on you."

Genesis smirked. "Naturally. I'm not like the rest of you, and I have noticed your enhanced men in the palace - mere shadows of real SOLDIERs."

The Emperor's lip twitched and Hangaku glared at Genesis. "What did I just tell you?" she growled. "Eat your damned food and stop baiting my father."

"Ah, but he's such an easy target."

"Hangaku," Reginald started, but she gave her father a look.

"He's under control," she declared confidently.

"Really? How so? He doesn't appear to be."

Genesis merely smiled.

Hangaku stiffened in her seat. "He wants to know the truth about Sephiroth and Cloud. If they're alive, he wants to be sure of it. He's waiting for proof, and he won't attempt an escape until he has it. He knows we're a prime source of information."

Reginald leaned forward in his high-back chair, putting his elbows on the table and perching his head on his hands. His eyes gleamed with genuine curiosity.

"And what would you do with such information, 231, if it proves true?"

Genesis grinned toothily. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"I require an answer," the emperor said, "else you are going back in your cell."

Genesis refused to let his annoyance show. He really wasn't strong enough to make an escape now, so he folded. The information was fruitless anyway. These morons would be pissing themselves in the face of Sephiroth and Cloud and very possibly Genesis. He knew precisely whose side he was on, and it wasn't the colossally stupid emperor's.

"If Sephiroth's alive..." Genesis started and trailed off. What would he do? He couldn't exactly run up to the man and wave a sword in his face, demanding a fight. So he made it simple, and for once his words were completely honest.

"I would walk up to the man and greet him like what he is to me - an old friend. Then, if he's sane, I will happily follow him anywhere. Likely whatever Sephiroth's involved in will involve me as well."

"You were friends?" Hangaku asked.

Genesis nodded. "Best friends, until we became enemies, but not for reasons that anyone could ever guess."

"Tell us anyway," Reginald ordered.

Genesis frowned. "That wonderful formula that you're using to enhance your men is not perfect. Before long, I imagine you'll begin to understand."

"That's entirely off the subject," Hangaku accused.

Genesis shrugged. "You're wrong. It is exactly the answer that you're looking for. You've never seen a rabid SOLDIER or what they're capable of. I have been one, but Sephiroth was the best one."

"When you say rabid...?" The princess wondered.

"I mean insane, and insanity in any enhanced man is dangerous."

"You're actually giving us a warning," Reginald realized.

Genesis chuckled. "Oh no, Your Royalness. I am giving you a threat. I can't wait until my old friend comes knocking at your door. Can't wait to see you on the end of Masamune, or maybe I'll get to watch you sliced in half. Cloud is far more abrupt. Wouldn't wish it on Hangaku though. She's actually tolerable."

The princess snorted, but the Emperor appeared thoughtful.

"You think they stand a chance?"

"You've got it all backwards, Reggie," Genesis cooed. "You're the ones who don't stand a chance."

FarBeyondtheEnd

"I can't believe I'm allowing this," Neron stated as Cloud and Sephiroth entered his mansion. "Cloud is one thing, but to have you here with him." He shook his head.

"Where are we staying?" Cloud asked politely.

"You know where the guest rooms are. Just pick whatever ones you want," Neron muttered. "I'm going to call Hangaku." He disappeared into the kitchen.

"You think Fenrir and Kali will be alright where they are?" Sephiroth asked Cloud as the blonde led him to a stairway.

"Yeah, we don't want them in the garage if we have to make a quick getaway, and I doubt anyone will try to take them as it takes someone enhanced to even drive them properly."

There was a set of adjoining guest rooms upstairs. Cloud showed Sephiroth where they were and then dragged him into one and locked the door behind them.

Sephiroth didn't waste any time. He grabbed Cloud by the forearms and pulled him forward, practically slamming their mouths together. The blonde didn't protest, instead focusing on slipping his tongue between Sephiroth's lips and getting two greedy handfuls of the silver-haired man's behind. Sephiroth groaned and ground their hips together desperately.

They heard the sound of footsteps approaching and tore apart, lips bruised from kissing. Cloud gave Sephiroth a pleading look and slipped through the adjoining door to the other room just as Neron called out the blonde's name. Sephiroth sighed, reached down to adjust himself in his pants, and walked back into the hall where Cloud was already speaking to Neron from the doorway to the other room. Sephiroth couldn't help but notice the appraising look that Neron was giving Cloud. He was so annoyed, in fact, that he barely noticed when Neron said to Cloud, "I'd like a word with you in private, please."

Cloud frowned, let his eyes dart to Sephiroth and back, and finally nodded. Sephiroth worriedly retreated back into his own room, and sulked.

FarBeyondtheEnd

Downstairs, Neron had Cloud in the drawing room, when he turned abruptly and kissed the blonde, dipping his thumbs into the waistband of Cloud's pants and tugging insistently. Cloud made a sound of protest and shoved the other man off of him.

Eyes glowing brightly, he hissed, "what the hell do you think you are doing?!"

Neron smiled. "Sky or not, you're still mine, and the price to keep me quiet and to summon Hangaku is this."

Cloud glowered. "Are you an idiot? I don't want you! I'd sooner let Sephiroth impale you than sleep with you again. If he knew what you just tried to do, you'd be dead already."

"You're under contract. Real name or not, you signed it knowingly. Rejection of such a thing is actually a crime, my darling."

Cloud's expression sunk into a blank slate. "I see. So this is who you really are, is it?"

"It's who I have always been. It's who you claimed to love about a thousand times in the past three years."

"I did love you," Cloud hissed, "perhaps not in the way that you wanted me to, but I did. I don't any longer, and I won't blame myself for your unhappiness. I can't do that again."

"Why?" Neron snapped. "Because he told you not to? That bullshit little speech he gave was cute, but it will never excuse your betrayal of me. I was loyal to you!"

Cloud laughed, hard and sharp. "You slept with every Black and White who gave you a second glance. You made fun of me behind my back, treated me like a pet or a toy rather than a person. I accepted it only because I didn't care enough to correct you. I am not a White or a Black. I am Cloud Strife, something that you have no idea how to deal with, and I don't belong to you."

Neron inhaled sharply and his eyes gleamed angrily. "So you belong to him?"

Cloud cringed. "First and foremost, I belong to myself and second the Planet, but if I were to tether myself to any one person, then yes. It would be Sephiroth."

Neron only glared.

"You know it's funny," Cloud said sadly. "I liked you enough to forget that you didn't know me. You don't understand me. You never have, but you will now. I swear; you will know me."

Neron faltered, his anger still present but overwhelmed mostly by confusion. "I don't understand."

Cloud stepped forward and before Neron knew what was happening, the blonde was actually behind him with one arm wrapped tightly around Neron's throat.

A hot breath against Neron's ear and he heard the words: "I knew I'd never like you again the very moment that you called him a monster. I hate to be reminded, and I think I'm done playing nice."

As Neron struggled for breath, a shadow appeared at the entrance to the room.

"So he's finally lost your sympathies," Sephiroth acknowledged with a note of approval. "I wondered when you'd snap."

"Hangaku's phone number is in his cell phone," Cloud said conversationally as Neron wiggled in his grasp, trying to pry Cloud's arm from off his throat. "We don't need him anymore."

"We may, if she is agreeable," Sephiroth said regretfully. He actually couldn't wait to be rid of Neron. "They won't like us if we butcher one of their own."

Cloud sighed and released the Black, letting him fall to the floor in a messy heap, gasping for air.

"Touch me again," Cloud told him sharply, "and I will let Sephiroth slaughter you."

"C-can't...do it yourself?" Neron coughed through the jibe.

Cloud smirked. "With me it would be too quick. I'd just slice you in half."

"It's almost too bad that Hojo isn't around anymore," Sephiroth said quietly, even as Cloud shivered visibly. "I've never met a person before now who I'd happily pass on to that madman for an experiment or two."

Cloud huffed and walked over to tug Neron's cell phone free of his pants' pocket. He found Hangaku's number, put the phone on speaker, and let it ring.

On the fourth ring, there was an answer.

"Princess Hangaku's personal line," said a playful voice and Sephiroth drew in a sharp breath.

"Genesis?"

Cloud's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Neron watched and listened avidly.

"Well, well, well," said Genesis, "what a surprise."

"Why are you answering?" asked Cloud.

"Is that who I think it is?" Genesis said jovially.

"Yes," Sephiroth said, walking closer to Cloud. "Gen, that's Cloud. He's with me. Why do you have Hangaku's phone?"

"My imprisonment has greatly improved over the past week or so," Genesis admitted. "For some reason, Reggie's daughter trusts me, and she thought her idiot cousin was calling, so she had me answer her phone. You should see the look she's giving me right now. Haha!"

"She trusts you? Is she stupid?" Sephiroth wondered honestly.

Cloud smirked.

"I don't think so," Genesis admitted. "Though coming from you, that's rich. Are you still mad at me for...everything?"

"I...no. I'm not."

"I see your social skills are as impressive as ever. But thank you. I really am sorry about it all."

Sephiroth smiled a little. "It's fine. I wasn't exactly a shining example of honor back then either."

There was short pause.

"Um, just out of curiosity," Genesis finally said, "is Angeal...?"

"No," Sephiroth practically whispered. "He's still in the lifestream, Gen." And now he felt really bad about ignoring the other man when he had been there.

"So I guess the question I really need to be asking here is why aren't you?"

"Look around," Cloud finally interjected. "History is trying to repeat itself."

"Isn't it your job to deal with that?"

"According to the Planet, it is," Sephiroth answered, "but it's now my job to make sure that he does. What's your job, Gen? I know that you finally found her."

"Caught red-handed," Genesis admitted. "I do the Goddess' bidding when she calls upon me, and let me tell you, she's been screaming in my ears for the past decade, so I figured something must be up."

"Essentially, our problems are your problems," Cloud summarized.

"Basically."

"So you can answer some questions then?"

"If I know the answers."

"If we go to Reginald and try to explain why everything that he's doing is wrong, will he listen?"

Genesis sighed. "He won't. Just earlier I had that very conversation with him. He was not convinced."

"And Hangaku?" Cloud wanted to know.

"She's more sensible than he is, but if you go up against her father, she will stand in your way."

Cloud finally gave in. "How big is their army?"

"200 strong enhanced by now, though likely unstable."

"Doesn't make them any less dangerous," Sephiroth added. "Gen? Get out of there as soon as you are able."

"And what will you be doing in the mean time?"

"Building an army of our own."

.End Chapter.