Sinner

Chapter Three: Beginnings

How much did insanity change a mind?

So much could be twisted, so much could be tainted. Everything can be changed, from the inner thoughts to outer reactions. Even moods were susceptible, some more than others.

Cloud knew he was no exception, but then, when did he ever admit to being insane? He couldn't define himself; he couldn't pinpoint his true mood, or even begin to emphasize with others on a deeper level anymore. No, it was more like he couldn't care enough to try and know their real feelings.

It would have bothered him, but his mind was so fragmented that he was anything but interested.

Moodswings aside, Cloud wondered when it would end.

Not ever, Cloud.

Aeris could see one clear thing in Cloud's mind.

Everything; every molecule, every thought, every whimsical fantasy wrapped around what family was to Cloud. She saw numerous people, and felt confused but honoured as her face was featured among them. Zack was a given, but people she had never seen before were present, yet she felt a sort of familiarity around them.

But the most dominant image was a woman with black hair.

She was pretty, Aeris acknowledged, but she also wondered just how much Cloud treasured her. She must be his girlfriend, Aeris smiled at that. However, a sobering thought occurred to her.

They must be all gone, she mused, the sorrow overtook her again, making her heart ache. The disjointed whole that was his mind, the confused thoughts and goals... the only thing that was clearly stable was this centre, where the people that Cloud cherished most dwelled.

"Tifa..."

Aeris looked up, surprised to see a faintly smiling Cloud. It wasn't as twisted as she'd sensed, but more carefree, more genuine.

"Tifa..."

The image of the black-haired woman looked both amused and reprimanding as she turned to look at the apparition of Cloud.

"Didn't you promise me, Cloud...?"

Cloud didn't answer, but that was all Aeris needed to hear.

The only thing, it seemed, that would at least put Cloud's mind at peace was this woman.

Now all she had to do was find out what WEAPON was exactly. Never had the Planet told her of anything relating to WEAPON. The moment the Planet had practically screamed the word into her mind, she had a strong curiosity as to what it was, though she'd been putting it off until now.

As if summoned by her need, she felt a shard pass her, one that immediately caught her interest.

Human WEAPON.

And she followed it.

They were tough, Cloud would give them that.

Once the battle had began, all three of them tested the waters at first, judging each other's strengths and weaknesses – if they had any – and more importantly their level of skill in fighting. Cloud, on his end, could tell right away they wouldn't be a serious threat to his life. Sure, they'd be able to land a few fatal blows on him, but actually killing him and making sure he never regenerated was another thing altogether.

If Angeal was here..., Cloud gave a wistful smile. Now that, he was sure, would be an intriguing challenge.

As Cloud traded blows with his two opponents, he had to admire their teamwork. It was obvious, by the fluidity of how well they complimented each other's attacks that they had trained together many times. They were beating him slowly, making him take a step back every few seconds or so.

But the important factor here was that Cloud wasn't going full out – however, he had the feeling his opponents weren't either.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Zack looking indecisive, but finally he dashed out of the church, yelling over his shoulder. "Don't kill him!"

Genesis merely grunted in return, and Cloud didn't know what to think about that.

As he swerved to avoid the tendrils of flames coming from Genesis, he noted Sephiroth's position as he closed in to deliver a flurry of blows. Cloud immediately went to the defence, fending Masamune off, and had to break away as Rapier flashed in his peripheral vision.

They were good, and with Angeal, they would be even better.

He skidded back, pushed by the conjoined blows of their swords. They leapt back as well, catching their breath with wary eyes on the blonde.

"There aren't many who can still survive while fighting two First Class SOLDIERs at the same time." Sephiroth remarked, whipping his blade to the side as he readied himself for another round.

"You are quite good." Genesis acknowledged grudgingly, "But we will emerge victorious. 'Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul. Pride is lost. Wings stripped away, the end is nigh.'" He recited with a dramatic flourish of his arms. This time, Sephiroth didn't seem to mind too much, but still cast an irritated glance at the red-haired man in response.

Cloud remained unresponsive, merely tightening his grip on his sword. He contemplated escaping and waiting for Angeal to come back to attack again, or to stay and fight – an action which currently held no outright reward for him.

Of course, if he injured one of them, fatally at least, that would guarantee the remaining two coming back for revenge. However, Cloud preferred to fight all three at full health as soon as possible.

Before they clashed again, Sephiroth asked suddenly, a curious gleam in his eyes. "You look... familiar. What is your name? For Zack to not want you to die after hurting his girlfriend, I must admit, I am intrigued."

Cloud's eyes narrowed, but it was expected for Sephiroth to be interested. "... Cloud Strife."

Genesis shifted at that, frowning, but the silver-haired man merely nodded.

"I see, so you are that boy from back then." He lifted Masamune's hilt into both hands, relaxing in a stance Cloud recognised. "Let us see how much you have improved, shall we?"

And with that, Sephiroth struck.

While Zack badly wanted to go back to the church and help - he didn't know who he would help exactly – he had to make sure Aeris was alright first. As soon as he stepped into the infirmary, he hailed a nurse and she immediately gestured for him to put the brunette down on one of the beds. He did so gently, and waited for the nurse to perform her analysis.

As she worked, he began to feel conflicted. No - at the most, his inner turmoil got worse.

The fact that Cloud might've been stuck with Hojo of all people was a major blow. He hadn't even begun to think that he'd have a secret lab, of all things, in Nibelheim.

He had to see for himself, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to take it as seriously as he needed to. He believed Cloud, but there was something completely off about the blonde. Zack hoped that whatever Hojo did, it wasn't permanent. Even if it was, he'd stay and help the blonde through this whole thing. He owed him that much, at the least.

And Zack honestly didn't want to think Cloud as his enemy. Never would he harm the blonde again – especially since his actions back then had resulted in him being kidnapped by Hojo. He could only imagine what the mad scientist had done to his best friend.

He had to know what happened, and, if Hojo was still alive, Zack was damn sure he would not be any longer.

Immediately, he flipped open his PHS, ringing a certain contact.

"Hey, Reno, is your offer still up for that helicopter...?"

The arrival of the blonde was sure to cause some mental waves.

And for one who's high time it was to wake up, he was certainly no exception.

HELP!

The tortured scream reverberated throughout the laboratory - perhaps even the whole mansion.

And red eyes snapped open.

Cloud cursed for the umpteenth time.

They weren't going to let him get away. Genesis was studiously covering all the exits, and Sephiroth was fighting him into a corner. The two SOLDIERs had probably realised he was trying to escape now, and upped the ante.

As Sephiroth's and Cloud's swords clashed in a brief standstill, the blonde snarled at him something that he regretted instantly in a brief lapse of control. "What, are you going to try and kill me again?"

The silver-haired man remained expressionless. "I do believe Zack wanted you taken in alive." He didn't seem to acknowledge the 'again' part of his sentence.

"Tch." Cloud spat; it now wasn't possible for him to flee at the level he was holding himself on. But as fireballs shot at him and he jerked his head back to avoid them, he felt his Limit Break coming.

Forcing Sephiroth away with a strength that the man was surprised at, Cloud began to direct his energies into his sword.

"Blade Beam." Cloud said softly, and swung his sword in Sephiroth's direction. The crescent-shaped energy flew at Sephiroth and he was knocked back, colliding heavily with the opposite stone wall of the church.

Genesis yelled and began to run at Cloud, but the energy was now directed at Genesis, coming from Sephiroth's direction which was directly behind him. Taken by surprise, he was thrown across the flowers, rolling over with a dull thump.

Cloud holstered his sword, satisfied. It wasn't everyday you caught two SOLDIER First Class' by surprise, but the blonde wasn't about to gloat over it. If anything, they were lucky he had used a lower level of his Limit Breaks on them. However, he was sure that they hadn't used their full strengths on him either, and if they had, it would have proved to be dangerous for their lives. Still, Cloud had to admire them.

He began walking to the church doors, eager to get to Nibelheim. No doubt his counterpart was there, and if he turned out to be wrong after all, then maybe he'll at least find something useful there.

"'My friend, do you fly away now? To a world that abhors you and I? All that awaits you is a sombre morrow, no matter where the winds may blow.'"

The voice was soft, but Cloud halted. He looked over his shoulder to watch Genesis sit up casually, brushing off the dirt on his clothes.

"I am not your friend." The blonde told him sharply. The red-haired man only smirked at him.

"The word 'friend' has many meanings, though I still interpret your flight as running away." He said haughtily. "Nevertheless, I must express thanks. I have yet another thing to boast over Sephiroth now."

"You hardly received the most of my attack than he did."

"And yet Sephiroth doesn't know this. Don't worry; the relationship between us is merely a friendly rivalry, after all."

Cloud snorted, and started walking again. "I don't care."

"You don't care to try us again?" Genesis called after him.

"When your other friend is back from his mission, then I'll consider it."

And Cloud closed the church doors after him with a loud, echoing thump.

But what Genesis didn't hear was what the blonde murmured under his breath next, the only line he had ever bothered to really memorise from Loveless.

"'Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return.'"

"We are even, okay?! We're even, Fair!" Reno yelled down to the First Class as the helicopter pulled away.

Zack kept up the smug grin as he waved. "Yeah, sure! I'll remember this, Turk!" He shouted back, but the joy of being in the air was fading, and he turned to face the Shinra mansion.

This was where Sephiroth had learnt everything about his 'parentage', and Zack still wasn't sure he should have been privy to it. It sounded horrible, and Zack had been sure the guy was going to go off the deep end. Yet after a week of seclusion, he seemed to be fine, and stoutly apologised for the wait.

At least Genesis was there to calm him down, Zack through wryly, remembering the red-haired man had visited Sephiroth after the first day, and promptly got kicked out a full five hours afterwards.

The main reason they checked out the building at all was because of arsonist rumours. Apparently, someone had tried to burn down the mansion the night their entourage came to Nibelheim, and the villagers thought Shinra was to blame. Admittedly, they never did catch the arsonist, but then neither did they invest any resources into it since their first priority was checking in on the reactor. Cloud suggested they leave it, and said that a lot of people had tried to burn it down as he grew up.

And for some reason, Zack had felt he was lying, but decided to just nod and go along with it. Whatever his blonde friend had lied for, maybe he had good reason to. Even then, that didn't entirely rule out the theory that maybe Cloud himself had tried to burn it down.

As he approached the entrance now, his apprehension rose. He hadn't set foot in this building yet, and neither did he want to now. But he had to know the truth, and what exactly had happened five years ago besides the things he had seen himself.

And he didn't even get to touch the doorknob before the entrance exploded in his face.

He flew back, his back hitting the ground. "Oomph!" He groaned, struggling to sit up. He blinked rapidly, trying to dislodge the debris floating around his face.

When the dust finally cleared, he could only gape.

In front of him stood a red-cloaked man, with what seemed to be a golden metal claw as his left arm, and a wicked gun clutched in the other.

"Nice fashion statement?" Zack asked, getting to his feet. The black-haired man merely stared at him, and Zack felt slightly unnerved by his red eyes.

"Who are you?" At first, Zack didn't know where the voice was coming from, seeing as the guy's mouth was covered by the collar of his cloak. But seeing as he was the only one around other than Zack, he figured he was the one who had to have spoken.

"Zack Fair, First Class SOLDIER." Zack said smartly, grinning brightly.

The guy nodded in greeting, "Vincent Valentine."

The name sounded familiar, but Zack dismissed it. Knowing what the guy was doing was more favourable to find out. "This used to be ShinRa property... can I know why you're here?" He asked casually.

Vincent shrugged, "I believe I have been slumbering for the past few decades. But that is none of your business; me and my associate must get away from here."

Zack frowned, trying to peer past the gunman. "Associate?"

"Keep going, Vincent! I don't exactly want to be stuck here all day! And I can't believe you ran off without me! You know I'm almost crippled." Came an annoyed voice from behind the red-cloaked figure.

Zack's breath hitched at the familiar voice. No, he tried to convince himself, it can't be possible. He was back there in Midgar and...?

But his eyes once again denied him any kind of fantastical lies.

Vincent moved out of the way, and Cloud Strife stepped out of the doorway. He looked as haggard and tired as the Cloud Zack saw in the church, and, if possible, even more worse for wear. What looked like green liquid dripped off those familiar blonde spikes, and Zack's worst fears became real.

"Hey, Zack! Nice to meet you again." Cloud smiled softly at his friend, though underneath, Zack could tell it was shaky and uncertain.

"Uuuh..." Zack felt overwhelmed. Two Clouds?! Or maybe the one back in Midgar was an illusion? But Genesis and Sephiroth were fighting him and...

Unfortunately, it was too much for his poor brain to process.

"Zack? Hey, are you alright?"

Oh, Planet, Cloud really did get experimented on. But did the other Cloud get captured? Maybe the other one was a clone and that was why he was being so cold toward me?

Inwardly, Zack panicked, and he was sure it was showing on his face. His thoughts were currently a scramble, and he couldn't even begin to form a coherent sentence.

Except one.

"What the fuck is going on?"

And, abruptly, Zack pulled an Aeris and immediately collapsed to the ground in a heap.

A/N: Leave a review if you will.