Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII.
Summon C03:
To be fair, Cloud should've expected it when the familiar tug on his navel was felt. But, well, he was still so confused by Aerith's cryptic messages that he just didn't pay attention. And that was the first mistake Cloud had learned from when he'd faced Sephiroth in the past (future?).
So when the glint of silver that was Masamune descended towards him, he didn't have time to react; basically, he got hurt, bad. A red line formed from his left shoulder to his hip, with said arm suddenly almost fully disconnected from his body. Blue eyes widened, as did green.
"What-"
Cloud dropped to his knees with a grunt of pain, – it was a miracle that he didn't scream. Then again, it might have to do with being stabbed multiple times by the man in front of him, and surviving - his arm automatically rising to clasp his shoulder as the sound of frantic footsteps quickened in his direction.
"Get out of the way, Sephiroth!" The auburn-haired man, whom Cloud vaguely recognised to be Genesis, shoved the still general to the side. The green material – Full Cure – was already in the palm of the skilled user. Genesis wasted no time chanting the spell and Cloud sighed in relief when he felt skin knit back together.
Rotating his shoulder, Cloud checked to see if he had all his motor functions. Then, he stood up and glanced in Sephiroth's direction, over Genesis's head. A raised silver brow was all he got before the general gripped the summon material and Cloud was gone.
A puzzled look was sent to his red-haired friend.
"Why did he not fight back?"
Eyebrows furrowed, Sephiroth was confused and worried. He had finally found a sparring partner and he didn't want to lose him so early.
Genesis gave a shrug, a curious eye on the place the blond had once stood. "I haven't got a clue. Maybe he came to a great life-changing epiphany or something like that."
Unbeknownst to them, Cloud was doing just that.
-0-
Sephiroth was younger. Surprisingly, that was the thought that was stuck in his head. He could change the past.
-0-
"Really," Aerith huffed from her place in the LifeStream, "must he be so clueless?"
Zack could only snort in amusement
-0-
Another sigh and Genesis couldn't take it anymore.
"Would you stop that? It's getting on my nerves and it's usually the other way around!" He shouted, the annoyance finally building up and exploding in the messy fashion that Angeal would've predicted.
Sephiroth had exhibited more humane behaviour in the past few days than he did the past year. It says a lot about the effect the blond summon had on the silver-haired man.
The door to Sephiroth's apartment – where they had been lounging in to avoid the paperwork which had no doubt piled up from their impromptu spar – opened to reveal their other friend as well as his student nicknamed 'Puppy'.
Boundless enthusiasm, black hair, blue eyes and the metaphorical dog traits that were attached to said person; puppy was the apt description for Zack Fair.
The youth and his mentor stepped through the door as soon as the newly-inducted second class opened his mouth.
"Hey Seph, Genesis! How y'all doing? I finally got to Second class! Am I great or what?"
Sephiroth tuned the boy out as he rambled on about his achievements. Angeal listened with an indulgent smile and Genesis just lounged on the sofa, any pretence of listening was never present.
A normal day in the life of these people, considering the strange start that happened that morning.
-0-
"I can change the past." I can save you.
Zack nodded alongside the blond.
"Don't let me die a second time." I know you will.
"Is this… Is this real?"
The question was so hesitant, so unlike the usual Cloud. Aerith looked on sadly her two favourite boys were comforting each other. The truth of his circumstance hasn't really sunk in yet, but it will, soon.
-0-
Cloud was battling an inner turmoil. Should he change the past (Present? This was going to get confusing soon.)? If he did, then so many people wouldn't have died.
AngealZackAerithMother… Sephiroth…
It was grudgingly given, this forgiveness, but Aerith had sat him down and explained everything to him just now and while he still hated Sephiroth for taking all he'd known away, he couldn't help but sympathise with the already broken man. (Could he still be fixed?)
A chance. This was the gift of a lifetime; he had to make use of it! But if he did change the timeline, what would happen to the people he'd known? He wanted, no needed, to have his friends back, to revel in the safety their presences brought.
Aerith and Zack were wrong. He had been content. He had family, friends, a life he was getting back into fixing; he had so much to live for and his two friends had just ripped him away from everything he'd known.
A small, miniscule part of him couldn't help but resent them a bit.
-0-
"I want to talk with him."
This declaration brought many incredulous looks to be directed at him. A silver eyebrow rose.
"Is there a problem?"
Genesis gave him a smirk. "No, I want to watch you get beaten. The man came very close to defeating you the other day. If it weren't for Angeal and I butting in, I'd say he'd have your ass wiped in five minutes."
Angeal tried to step in as he shushed his puppy's question of "Who are you guys talking about?" with an "I'll explain later."
"I don't think this is a wise idea Sephiroth. This unknown man is a danger to all of us. I feel that he must be properly contained before we attempt to talk to him."
Sephiroth nodded. "Of course, that was exactly what I was thinking."
A contemplative look settled on the general's face.
"Let's split the job. Genesis, get the necessary material, Angeal, get some boards to barricade the doors and viewing room of the VR room. Zack… And I will be there to talk to our lovely prisoner."
The dark smirk that adorned his face was just short od bloodthirsty.
"We will meet at the VR room in half an hour. Don't be late."
They all shuffled out of the room, and even Zack didn't say anything about his not-role. It seemed that they could sense the underlying impatience that threatened to surface as rage if Sephiroth deemed that they were obstructing his goals. After all, he didn't make it o general just by being a good fighter. Sephiroth knew what he wanted and how to get it. No one was going to stand in his way.
-0-
The tugging at his stomach came again. Cloud glanced back at his two friends, a half-smile on his face before he was forcefully transported. He couldn't resist the pull yet, but soon.
A/N: Sorry for the delay. I usually try to update both stories together but Strange was done like ages ago so I updated that first. I only got this done like today so yea. Haha~~ ^^ Have a nice day~