JACQUELINE'S P.O.V

"Mother has given me a very special gift: the power to fight against a planet that torments humanity." Kadaj proclaimed as the children stood at the edge of the pool. "She didn't give you this gift, you stole it!" I shouted. "Yazoo - Shut her up!" Kadaj shouted.

Yazoo, the guy who I saw step out the truck that brought the kids nod. He had long silver hair and dressed in identical clothes to Loz and Kadaj. I was met with a harsh slap to the face. I stumbled sideways and fell over, cradling my cheek in my hands. Marlene squirmed against Loz's hold, trying to get to me. I refused to cry or show any signs of hurt. I would stand my ground. I'd do whatever it takes to stop their plans.

"She gave this gift to all her children." Kadaj continued. "That's right. You and I are brethren. Brothers and sisters chosen when we inherited Mother's mimetic legacy through the Lifestream." He exclaimed, extending his arms outwards. I roll my eyes. "Like these kids can understand a word you're saying." Kadaj clicked his fingers and Yazoo grabbed my neck and pushed me up against a tree, my legs dangling slightly in the air. I wasn't going to let this stop me.

Kadaj recomposed himself as he turned his attention back to the children. "But – the planet doesn't approve of that at all. It's doing everything it can to hold us back. That's why it's racking our bodies with pain and filling our hearts with doubt!" This statement caught my attention.

A part of me told me to just ignore him and block it all out. But for some reason I tuned in on what he was saying. I actually felt myself… agreeing with him. Why had the planet inflicted such pain and suffering on innocent people?! And because of it, people began to lose hope, they began to lose faith… just like I had Maybe I wasn't so different from them. Are they really bad or is what they are doing in a way good…?

I was torn. I felt like I was being brainwashed into agreeing on something that I should be disagreeing on. It was driving me insane. "Now I shall heal you. And we will go to Mother together!" He shouted. Okay, I like the healing part but I definitely didn't want to be reunited with Jenova, not even if it meant that I could live.

"We will join as a family and strike back at the planet!" He yelled. "Do as I do." He instructed. I rose an eyebrow when he stepped into water. I stare at the water horrified as it starts to turn black. "No, don't listen to him!" I yelled at the children but they didn't seem to hear me. "Silence." Yazoo hissed, kneeing me in the stomach.

A gust of air leaves my mouth. I bite back the tears. I had to be brave for Marlene. Kadaj stops once he reaches the middle of the pool, the water completely turned black. He cups his hands together and instantly I know what he's about to do. Yazoo must've sensed that I was about to scream when his hand covers my mouth, preventing me from doing so. "I said silence!"

Holding water in his cupped hands he brought it to his mouth and drank it, letting his hands splash back into the water. One by one, the children copied his actions. "Denzel!" Marlene screamed. My eyes narrowed and I bit down hard on Yazoo's hand. He recoiled his hand and I used my body to shove his backwards and raced towards Denzel.

"Denzel! Don't drink the water! DENZEL!" I screamed. "Arrg!" I groan as Yazoo tackles me, my body slammed into the ground, hands behind my back. "Denzel!" Marlene and I screamed. He took no notice of us and brought his cupped hands to his mouth. I stare in horror as not only Denzel's eyes but all the children's eyes change into dark vertical slit-like pupils. Kadaj laughs and all I want to do is punch him. "See Mother?" he said up to the sky. "All my new brothers and sisters! They can keep me company, just until I find you." He declared.

"You MONSTER!" I scream. Kadaj bends down in front of me and grips my chin with his thumb and forefinger, forcing me look at him. "You're turn." He smirked. "Never." I spit, my saliva landing between his eyes. He looked down at me with disgust and wiped the spit from his face. "I don't think you quite understand the position you are in Ms. Hewley." He threatened. "There's nothing you can do to make me drink that water!" I growl, thrashing my body around, trying to loosen Yazoo's hold on me albeit unsuccessfully.

Yazoo pulled me off the ground, my arms still pinned behind my back and passed me onto Kadaj as he led me into the black water. I stare at the motionless kids. Their face and eyes holding no emotion. "Join us, Sister." Kadaj said. "Bite me!" I hiss. Kadaj shakes his head with a sad sigh. "I didn't want to have to do this." He said and clicked his fingers.

Yazoo took out his gun and aimed it at Marlene. I look at Kadaj with wide eyes. He's crazy! They all are! "You leave you alone!" I shout, but they paid me no head. "If you harm a single hair on her head, Cloud will come and he will defeat you!" I threaten. Kadaj threw back his head as he let out a loud bark of laughter. "You have a choice Jacqueline Xavier Hewley." He said, using her full name for emphasis.

"Either drink the water, or watch this poor innocent die at your fault." I bit my lip and dropped my gaze. Yazoo continued to point his gun at Marlene's head as she cowered in fear. "F-fine!" I stutter. "I-I'll do it." I say finally. It was either me or Marlene. I'd rather die than Marlene die. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make.

With shaky hands, I cup them and scoop up the water. I heard Marlene plea for me to stop, but I couldn't stop now. It was too late. I hesitate before sipping the cold water, my hand dropping back at my sides.

An indescribable feeling consumed my entire body. It was as if I was being controlled. My eyes began to lose their red colour and my vision was blurred until everything turned into shades of black and grey, my pupils dilating to vertical snake-like slits.

This was it. I had become one of them… Forgive me…