Howl at the Midgar Moon
Chapter 7
AN- Crap…I forgot to introduce Cait Sith…I know a lot of you won't complain (he is a pointless character) but I will introduce him later in the story I promise! And holy crap people! I got so many good reviews! That made me so happy! I was really excited about this chapter! I hope you guys like it! Thank you for reading and reviewing guys! And to dashawesome…I did cry at the end of crisis core. I think most people did. Hell I've played the game almost 15 times through, and I cry every time! I totally rock! I pumped this chapter out sooo fast! I thought it was going to take a lot longer, but I wrote a lot of it during work. So another chapter should be up by Sunday….but I'll make sure one is if I get lots of reviews!As always Rave and Oddball, you guys rock!
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"Well that was fuckin fun…if I would have know we came to fight some god damn poltergeist I would have stayed in the goddamn car!" Barret yelled having a fit.
"For once I agree with Barret…it was really annoying. Every time I swung my sword all I hit was dirt. And yet every time he swung at me he hit me." Cloud said as he rubbed his bruises and winced at his burns.
"Thank god for Aerith huh? She killed it one hit!" Tifa said in joy.
Aerith looked down at the ground kicking the dirt below her feet. Her face was turning red with embarrassment. "It was an accident…I tripped over a rock and missed with my healing spell…It was meant for Cloud."
Everyone in the group burst into laughter. Aerith turned four shades of red as she looked into the fire. 'Tomorrow we go to Nibleheim…I hope Zack finds us soon. I could use a warm hug…A Zack hug.' She smiled to herself. Her attention was taken as Cloud sat next to her. She looked at him and smiled as he gazed at her.
"You look…pretty tonight Aerith…you fought bravely today, if you keep it up you'll be able to beat Sephiroth all by yourself." Cloud said trying his best to hide his smile and look as serious as possible.
Aerith looked at the spiky haired man as she smiled. She shoved him on his unarmored shoulder and giggled. "Oh yeah? I know I could beat your butt!" Aerith smiled.
Cloud grinned. "I can't wait till everything is over, maybe then I could take you…on a date or something." Cloud said not making eye contact. He was too shy to tell her to her face.
Aerith looked at him as her eyes wobbled. "…Cloud….I…I can't. I'm not ready yet. But when I am…I'll come to you." Aerith said as she starred deeper into the fire.
Cloud did not look at Aerith he just looked at his feet. He let out a sigh as he stood up. He did not say anything to Aerith; he just walked away and sat next to Barret and Red. Aerith watched as the man walked away. Her heart ached; it felt the same as when Zack walked away. She looked back into the fire and zoned out once more. 'Am I missing out on another chance at love?...maybe it is time to let Zack go…' thought as she lay down near the fire to get some rest.
A few hours later she felt a nudge. Cloud leaned on one knee and shook her awake. "It's time to go. Get your stuff together, we're leaving in an hour." Cloud said as he stood and began to walk towards the others.
"Come on guys! Let's get moving!" A fiery Nanaki yelled as he sprinted down the stairs towards the group.
"Why on earth does he have so much energy this early?" Tifa asked grumpily.
"Come on guys lets go. The buggies ready let's get a move on! We will be in Nibleheim in two hours!" Cloud yelled as he began walking towards the car.
Everyone quickly followed groaning and rubbing their eyes. Everyone jumped into the car and headed north towards Nibleheim.
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Zack looked down at his hand, and felt his eyes fill up with tears. He crushed the picture as his fist got tighter and tighter. He threw the photo on the ground and looked up to the silver haired man.
"Now, now Zack. Don't take it so hard. How could you expect her to wait for you…you have been gone for such a long time." Sephiroth said with a grin.
Zack's eyes dried up, his tears replaced with rage. His eyes flickered from blue to green. His hand shot up and grabbed the tall man by his jacket. He pulled his face close to his. "You…you did this...if you and your mommy problems…if you would have kept your damn head on straight…I wouldn't be here…I wouldn't have to run…I could have been living somewhere, happy…living with…" Zack said as he was interrupted.
"Living with that woman who loves you oh so much? Right? She loves you so much, that she left you after a few short years…she must have felt that you were different." Sephiroth said.
"Different?"Zack asked looking at the man confused.
"Yes different. You are my brother, and mother is calling. You and I shall ride the planet of all these worthless scum. Join me, join me Zack. Together we will go to the promise land." Sephiroth said with his hand stretched out.
Zack looked at the man and raised his eye brow. "You really believe that bullshit huh? Do you realize that you bleed red, like the rest of us?"
Sephiroth looked at the man and a rare emotion on his face. Anger filled his eyes as he grinded his teeth. "I am not part of that inferior race…nor are you." The man said with anger in his voice. He turned and walked away from Zack and motioned his hand for him to follow. "Come Zackary, I have things to show you."
Zack looked down at the crinkled photo, then looking at the silver haired man walking in front of him. His heart ached, it felt like he was making a choice that would change his life. He could either have faith in Aerith and wait for her, or he could follow the silver haired man. Zack sighed. 'Maybe she really did move on….why else would she toss the picture aside…maybe she lost it…but if she cared wouldn't she hold it close to her? Maybe Sephiroth is right…maybe she is in love with someone else. She did kiss Cloud…' Zack thought as he walked after Sephiroth. He felt pain and anger in his heart. He gripped his sword tight and slashed at the leg of the water tower. The wood moaned in protest from the blades force as it slashed through the leg. The tower began to rock back in forth slowly. Zack continued to walk on after Sephiroth. He put his sword on his back as the tower fell to the ground, sending a sea of water flowing at Zack's and Sephiroth's feet.
Sephiroth smiled to himself as the water rushed passed his feet. 'Gotcha!' He said to himself with triumph. He knew he had just broken down one of Zack's walls. It was only a matter of time until the man was his clay to mold. He grinned once more and called out, "Come Zack, let us go back and take a trip down memory lane." He said as he put his hand on a steel gate.
Zack felt his heart pound, memories flashing back to him faster than his mind could handle. He felt his legs shake, each step felt as though he weighed a billion pounds. He fell to one knee and began to breathe heavy, each breath felt like he was swallowing a glass of nails. Zack collapsed on all fours and closed his eyes as he began to shake.
Sephiroth stopped in his tracks as he felt the great power in coming from behind him. He turned with his hand on his sword, ready to fight at any second. His eyes widened as he watched Zack tremble in pain. He watched as the man's eyes turned bright green, just like his. He took a step back as Zack roared, screaming louder than any noise Sephiroth had ever heard. He watched as Zack began pouring out blood from every inch of his body. All of his scars had torn open, gushing blood out faster than an erupting volcano. Zack continued to yell as he shook and blood pooled below him. Sephiroth looked in awe as two wings ripped out of Zack's back. A large black feathered wing on his right. It was darker than the night, pure darkness. The other wing on Zack's left was white like an angel, like Angeal's. Zack let out a final yell as his arms gave way from the weight of his body. Zack lay unconscious in his own blood, with a look of pain on his face.
Sephiroth felt a human chill, he felt his heart ache. He walked over to Zack and watched as the two wings quickly vanished. He turned him over and his yes began to shake. All of Zack's wounds had healed in seconds. Sephiroth grabbed the man and threw him over his shoulder and walked into Shinra mansion.
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Sephiroth placed Zack on the bed outside the entrance of the hidden lab. He walked over and sat in a chair on the opposite side of the room. He leaned his sword against the wall next to Zack's and got lost in his thoughts. He felt incredibly uncomfortable, he felt emotions. He looked over at Zack his eyes began to swell.
'Did he…no…he is just a tool…nothing more than a puppet
No! He is your friend. One of few people who you could trust.
KILL HIM NOW! Jenova's voice roared in his head.
Stop it! He had that wing… like Angeal. Sephiroth said as a tear fell down his cheek. He put his leather glove to his face and looked down at it, and felt pain.
WE DON'T NEED HIM! FINISH HIM NOW! HE'S WEAK! DO IT NOW!
No…no I can't…he's my friend…Angeal…Genesis…Sephiroth said as he fell from the chair. He began to shake as he grabbed his head. He felt as though his head was about to open like a banana.
Remember they took them from you…they created you my son. You are nothing more than a baby from a test tube. You are MY son, we shall have our vengeance, and we shall use this planet as our vessel.
Yes…that is true mother…I just lost my focus. Forgive me. 'Sephiroth argued inside his head. He grabbed his sword and angrily kicked the bed in which Zack was laying.
"Get up. I have things to show you." Sephiroth said as he turned and pressed a brick on the wall. The wall began to shift moving slowly out of his way. He did not look back at the raven haired man he simply walked forward.
Zack sat up and rubbed his head. He looked around and realized where he was, he began to shake as he felt nauseous. "What am I doing here…why am I in this bed….and why are my clothes covered in blood?" Zack said as his face went blank. "What did I do?" Zack said as he grabbed his sword and sprinted after Sephiroth.
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"Cloud…I thought you said Nibleheim burnt down to the ground." Red said as he looked around the town.
Cloud looked around scratching his head. Everything looked the same, everything but the parked motorcycle and the fact the water tower was broken. He looked at Tifa who looked away, she did not want to make eye contact with Cloud.
"Shinra must have rebuilt the town to cover their tracks." Cloud said to the group.
"Even for Shinra that shit seems unreal." Barret said shaking his hand.
"I think what Barret is trying to say is that even for Shinra, it seems very unlikely that they would go through that much trouble to hide something." Red said.
"What ya trying to say cat! I'm stupid! I will shave yo ass if you don't shut up!" Barret cursed.
Red snarled at him. "Chill out everyone, we have more important things to do. " Tifa yelled at the two of them.
"She's right. We got to find Sephiroth, or at least get some information." Aerith said as everyone looked at her. "And…I wana know what that scary scream came from…"Aerith said
"Yeah. That was really freaky. We could hear it miles away. It makes me shiver just thinking about it." Tifa said.
Aerith watched as the group walked into the center of town, asking the locals questions. 'That scream…if I knew any better I would say it was Zack. I know his voice…I could feel him…I hope he wasn't screaming in pain…' Aerith shivered at the thought of seeing Zack in pain. She looked down at the ground, her eyes began to shake. She bent down on one knee and picked up the wrinkled piece of paper. She unwrinkled it and smiled, it was her photo. She hugged it as though it was a person she had not see in ages. Then it hit her, 'why is it wrinkled? What happened to it?' She felt her gut twist, 'Zack… no it's not possible.' She folded her photo and tucked it in her bra. She always wanted Zack close to her heart no matter what. Weather it was holding her in her arms, or if he was only a memory on a piece of paper. Aerith zoned back in and ran towards her friends.
"So what happened to the water tower?"Tifa asked/
"We don't know, all we know is that it fell a few hours ago. It always has been sturdy…" The women said looking at the shattered tower.
Cloud knelt down on one knee. He looked down at one of the broken legs. "Red come take a look at this." Cloud called out. "Does this look like a blade cut this? It's far to clean to have just broken on its own."
Red looked at the wood. He sniffed it and looked at Cloud. "It smells like a blade, it looks like a blade…"
"That's what I thought. It must be Sephiroth. "Cloud said as he stood. "We should find out what we can, maybe someone in town saw him." Cloud said.
"Yes, we are already ahead of you. That is what we did once we got into town." Red said with a smirk.
"Okay sweet." Cloud said looking for the others.
Not too long later the group reassembled. "You guys find anything?" Barret asked.
"Well, this old lady said she saw two men that aren't normally from around here pass through. But she didn't have her glasses in so she couldn't tell me anything more." Tifa said.
Everyone in the group nodded. Tifa was the only one who had a lead. The group made their way through the town. "We should head to the Shinra mansion. If Sephiroth is anywhere, he'd be there. Let's go." Cloud said breaking into a jog. Everyone followed his pace, they wanted nothing more than to finish Sephiroth and return to a normal life.
Cloud came to a halt at the large black gates. Everyone stopped behind him. Cloud felt emotions overwhelm him, he had no explanation. He fell to his knees and began to cry uncontrollably. "Cloud! What's wrong?" Tifa came to her secret loves side. Her eyes widened as she put her hand in a puddle of blood. She pulled it away quickly and starred at Cloud. "Are you hurt! Why are you bleeding?" Tifa asked in a panic.
"It's…not…mine." Cloud uttered in between his sobs. "Why…am I crying? I feel sad…I feel pain…but why?" He asked an invisible being.
"Cloud…"Aerith said as she put her hand on his back. "It's okay, we are all here for you." Aerith said with a very warm smile.
Aerith and Tifa both grabbed one of Cloud's arms helping him up slowly. He stood upright, but began to wobble. His tears had stopped, they were replaced with confidence. "Let's go, we should find something of use here." Cloud said as he opened the black gate.
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Zack sprinted down the winding stairs trying desperately to catch up with the former great general. Every now and then Zack would come to a screeching halt as parts of the stairs broke underneath his feet. After what felt like hours to the impatient Zack, he finally caught up with Sephiroth. "So what the hell are we doing here man?" Zack asked as he felt his heart whimper.
"To show you what you truly are…an abomination, just like me." Sephiroth said with a smile. He knew he had just planted a seed in Zack's mind, now it was only a matter of time until the seed spread.
'Like you what the hell are you talking about? I'm nothing like you…your just a human. And you blame the fact you lost your marbles on mommy issues.' Zack said as Sephiroth turned to look at him with a displeasing look, almost as though he had heard his thoughts. Zack gave an uneasy smile filled with teeth.
Sephiroth looked away holding back a smile. The man had a way of getting under his skin, he didn't know why, and he didn't like it. He stepped of the stairs and began walking through the cave leading to the lab.
Zack felt his feet get heavy each inch he got closer to the lab. Zack looked down at his feet; he had no desire to take in his surroundings. He continued to walk until he crashed right into the back of Sephiroth. The silver haired man turned with a look of disgust on his face. "We are here." Sephiroth said as he placed his hand on the large door before him. He shoved it with great force, sending the door flying off of its hinges. Sephiroth stepped into the lab and looked over his shoulder. "Are you coming in?" Sephiroth said with a grin. He could feel the tension within Zack, he just wanted to see him cringe.
"No…I never want to step in that room again. " Zack said with a look of pain on his face. Sephiroth just smiled and walked into the room. Zack walked over to the nearby wall and took a seat waiting for the silver haired man. 'What are you doing? You know he's up to something… so why are you here…maybe it's cuz I want to figure out what he's up to…or maybe you're just lonely…he was your friend once. 'Zack thought as he sighed and put his hands into his hair. Zack looked up as he heard a voice coming from the lab.
"My, my look at what they did to you."Sephiroth said coming into the hallway with a clipboard.
"What they do?" Zack said panicking.
"I thought you didn't want to know anything? You were too…afraid to go into the lab…so why should I share anything with you?" Sephiroth said as he took a backward step into the lab. He was taunting Zack, trying to lure him into the room.
"Just tell me please." Zack said with a weary voice.
"You're no fun…very well then. It looks as though you are an ancient, much like myself." Sephiroth said with a gleam in his eye. "We are more alike than you think Zack. You have the blood of an Ancient flowing within you!" Sephiroth said as he put his arms in the air, honoring an imaginary god.
"I'm not an Ancient Sephiroth…Hojo…made me that way. It's not like it gives me any benefit." Zack said looking at the ground.
'On the contrary Zack…it gives you that amazing power to heal so quickly. Why do I not possess this power?' Sephiroth asked himself. "Zack, you have been given a gift. You and I shall return to mother and make them pay for what they did to us!" Sephiroth said throwing the clipboard behind him.
Zack looked at the man with a puzzled look. 'How the hell can he believe that…that alien is his mother… he really did go nuts huh…goddamnit Shinra! You broke his spirit…now he wants to break everything.' Zack thought as his eyes met Sephiroth's. "I can't Sephiroth…I'll never join you!" Zack yelled gaining sudden confidence.
"I grow tired of this act… this is my last offer… join me or I will take everything from you…I'll begin with that little whore from the slums." Sephiroth said putting his hand on his sword.
Zack felt anger boiling in his blood. "My answer is no! I will not let you do those horrible things again! This is your resting place Sephiroth…be sure to tell mother I say…fuck off." Zack said as he swung his sword as hard as he could.
Sephiroth easily blocked the blow. He pushed back with all his strength as Zack pushed. He looked into the raven haired man's eyes. He grinned. 'I found a weakness…' He thought to himself, storing the information for later. "What do you think that whore is doing now? Oh that's right…she's fucking your best friend HAHAHAHA!" Sephiroth laughed as he watched Zack's emotions get the better of him.
"NO SHE'S NOT!" Zack said as he forced Sephiroth back.
"Didn't you tell me once…that the two of you were saving each other for one another…isn't that cute?" Sephiroth said as he swung his blade faster than the eye could see.
"Shut up!" Zack yelled as he drove his sword into the ground. A beam of blue light flowed from Zack's blade. It broke into three different paths. Sephiroth did not move, he stood his ground. He swung his sword in front of the beams halting them in their path.
"Now, did you think that was going to…" Sephiroth said was he was interrupted by a mouthful of fist.
Zack had used the beam knowing Sephiroth was far too cocky. He knew he would stand his ground and cut a piece of the planet for his defense. Zack grinned. 'He should have known better…a large pile of dirt only makes a smokescreen. Zack looked down at the man who was in shock. "Yep!" Zack said as he jumped away from Sephiroth.
Sephiroth gathered himself and wiped the blood from his lip. 'That was your lucky break…now you will die like the rest of the planet. 'He thought as he walked forward slowly. "Doesn't it make you mad, that your girlfriend lost her virginity to your friend…the very man you died to protect? Oh, she is a dirty little slut isn't she? "Sephiroth taunted.
The silver haired general had begun to sprint towards Zack with his sword next to his head, with the blade pointing at Zack. Zack put his blade back on his back and charged at Sephiroth. The two men charged at one another like a game of chicken, only Zack was unarmed. Sephiroth lunged forward at Zack as fast as he could.
Zack quickly jumped and landed on Sephiroth's sword. He sprinted up the blade, and round house kicked the man in the face. Zack quickly spun, drawling his sword at the same time. In a flash he cut Sephiroth's stomach. The raven haired man grinned as he watched Sephiroth sail through the air and crashing into the wall with amazing force.
Zack held his sword tightly, waiting for the dust to clear. His eyes widened as he saw Sephiroth dash through the dirt smoke. Zack felt Sephiroth's blade clash against his with enough force to cut a building in two. Zack sailed through the air, as he was met with a boot to his chest sending him down to the ground. Zack winced in pain as a little blood poured out of his mouth. He looked up at the Sephiroth who was standing on his chest looking down at him. "I remember the day you got that scar…" Sephiroth said as he put the blunt side of his blade against his cheek. "You wore it with honor…a memorial to Angeal…now you will remember it from his day on as the day you caused everything, everyone in your life…to meet an early end." Sephiroth said as he quickly turned his blade and cut his cheek.
Zack felt his heart break, he loved his scar. He always thought of it as his way to carry Angeal with him everywhere he went. Rage filled his heart as he thought of his friends, his family, Aerith and even Cloud. He could not let them down. Zack shot up from under Sephiroth and slashed at him with all his might. Sephiroth blocked the blow with great ease. He smiled at Zack as he did two back flips to avoid Zack's next blow. Zack sprinted at Sephiroth as he felt his blood pump. He felt strong, real strong. He jumped high in the air nearly hitting the caverns roof. He dove down in a nose dive with his sword behind him. Sephiroth stood and looked up at the man as he gained speed by the second. He put his sword in the air and braced it for the blow with his other hand. Zack's sword met his with great force, creating a small crater below Sephiroth's feet. Zack grinned; Sephiroth had done what he was hoping he would. In a flash Zack used Sephiroth's sword like a swing and kicked the man in the chest with both feet.
Sephiroth flew through the air; he desperately tried to gather himself. His eyes widened as he saw Zack above him, doing the same exact move Sephiroth had just done to him. Zack pounded the man in the stomach, sending the man into the ground. He had hit Sephiroth with greater force than Sephiroth had hit him. Sephiroth opened his eyes and looked at Zack. His eyes were glowing green. They had lost their mako blue completely. He felt Zack's blade cut across his cheek. "This is the day…that the great General Sephiroth…feels human. Now get up." Zack said jumping off of the man.
Sephiroth slowly pulled himself out of the hole Zack had put him in. He stood and felt uncomfortable. "How is he…how is he so fast? What is this…?" Sephiroth said looking down at his hands. They were shaking violently. He shook his head and regained his focus. He gripped his sword tightly…he was mad, the first time in his life. He ran forward, charging at Zack. Je jumped in the air, and flipped over the raven haired man. Zack quickly threw his sword over his head, blocking Sephiroth's blow from behind. Zack dropped to the ground and spun, swinging his foot at Sephiroth's feet.
Sephiroth quickly jumped avoiding the trip with ease, his eyes widened as he looked forward. His vision was blocked by a dark brown glove. He watched as sparks of lightning formed before him. With a great flash Sephiroth felt a painful jolt run through his body. He flew back from the force of the bolts, he felt his heart pound as he felt a hand grab his leg. In one motion Zack flung the stunned man into a large rock pillar. Zack jumped towards the man, it was time to end it.
Sephiroth opened his eyes and saw Zack above him. Zack was going to use his favorite limit…braver. Sephiroth knew this would be a fatal blow if he landed it. He quickly grabbed his sword and drove it upwards. Zack screamed out in pain as the steel tore through his chest. Sephiroth smiled as he watched blood slowly drip down his blade. He watched as Zack slowly sunk lower and lowers on his blade. Sephiroth grinned as he swings his sword sending Zack flying. He pursed Zack with great speed as he drove his blade through Zack's shoulder driving him down to the ground. Zack's body made a loud thud. Zack grunted as he coughed up blood.
Sephiroth looked down at Zack, his eyes began to tremble. Zack's eyes were glowing bright green, greener than his own. He watched as Zack grabbed his blade and slowly pulled it out of his shoulder. He watched as blood oozed from Zack's hand. It was being cut by Sephiroth's sharp Masamune. Sephiroth tried to pull the blade out of Zack's grasp. He needed to end this fight before Zack regained his composure. He knew Zack would defeat him, after all he was just a shell of the real Sephiroth. He pulled his sword with all his might, but it did not budge. Zack's grip was far too tight.
Zack pulled the sword out from his body. He continued to hold it with all his might. He rolled backwards gaining momentum as he shot his legs into Sephiroth's chest. He quickly dove at the man grabbing him by his hair. He spun the man around in a circle and threw him against the cavern wall.
Sephiroth fell to one knee, air could not fill his lungs no matter how hard he tried. 'I'm losing…how…he couldn't have learned to harness his power… how?
YOU TAUNTED HIM! YOU AWOKE A SLEEPING GIANT! NOW YOU WILL FEEL HIS WRATH!
Mother…please don't give up on me…I am not whole…soon I shall be. We just need the black materia, and then I shall truly awaken! Forgive me for underestimating him.
Emotions unlock his power…emotions is his weakness…use them.' Sephiroth's mind argued with Jenova.
Zack raised an eye brow as he looked at the man before him. He stood on one knee, he looked beaten…he looked human. He knew this was his chance to strike. Zack held his sword in his right hand. He held it like a spear as he wound his arm. Zack threw his sword with all his might towards the man. He grinned as he sprinted towards Sephiroth. He smiled as he ran passed his sword which was on arrival to the silver haired man. Zack quickly jumped over the man in black. In a flash he grabbed the man's hair and placed his feet on his shoulders. Zack pulled with all his strength.
Sephiroth's eyes widened as he felt the tug on his hair forcing him to stand up. He looked in awe as he watched a black blade sailing towards him. He felt great pain in his stomach as the steel tore up his insides. Warm red liquid began to pour from the mans abdomen. He fell to all fours in great pain.
Zack stood behind his beaten foe. He gave one last powerful kick to the tip of his sword which was sticking out of Sephiroth's back. The blade flew out from the man's body, causing him great pain. Zack walked around the former general bending over to pick up his sword.
"How…did you get so fast?" Sephiroth asked as blood poured from his mouth.
"Dunno, but it's pretty cool. How does it feel?" Zack asked.
"How does what feel?" Sephiroth asked.
"Being moral? Even the great general can fall, you are no god." Zack said as he turned to leave.
Sephiroth did not reply, he just looked at his pool of blood.
Zack stopped in his tracks as he heard a familiar voice coming from the entrance to the cavern.
"I think the vibrations are coming from here!" Aerith yelled.
Zack froze, this was it. He was going to see Aerith! He looked down at himself and frowned. He was a bloody mess.
"Not yet…not yet Zackary." Sephiroth's voice rang in his left ear. He turned quickly blocking Sephiroth's final blow. The force of the blade sent Zack sailing through the cavern wall. Stones and bricks quickly covered his body.
Sephiroth watched as the rubble began to stir. He stuck out his left arm; it had a glowing yellow orb. "Sleep tight Zack." Sephiroth said as he cast sleep on the man below the rubble.
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"I think the vibrations are coming from in here!" Aerith jumped.
"Relax Aerith. We don't know what could have caused those tremors."Cloud said as he opened the door to the cavern.
"Yeah Aerith, we could use a rest. We were on those freaky stairs for a half hour. I would like some time on solid ground." Tifa said as she looked up at the spiral of stairs.
After a short rest the group gathered themselves and headed into the cavern. Cloud looked around, he could barely see in front of him. "Everyone stay close…why is there so much dirt in the air?" Cloud asked.
"I don't know it's kind of weird." Tifa said.
"There's a light coming from that room ahead, use that as our guide. The air will clear in a few moments, just move together." Red said.
Tifa looked down as she felt her boot get wet. "What the hell is that?" Tifa said as she stepped out of the liquid. The group quickly entered the lab, happy to be able to see clearly. Tifa looked down at her foot. "EW! It was blood! Who the hell is bleeding down here!" Tifa yelp as she grabbed on to Cloud's arm.
"Relax Tifa; it was probably just a wounded monster or something. Everyone spread out and see if you can find something useful." Cloud said as he walked up to a broken tube. He knelt down and starred at the pile of glass.
"Yo, you alright man?" Barret asked as he looked over to the Chocobo haired man.
"Yeah I'm fine, just…something feels familiar. I have no clue…fuck it. Did you find anything?" Cloud asked.
"Nah, I'm getting a head ache from all of these words." Barret said as he rubbed his forehead.
"Keep looking, we'll get out of here soon don't worry." Cloud said as he stood up.
Tifa stood at a book shelf behind a desk. She paged though book after book. "Ugh! This is so annoying! I have paper cuts, a head ache and I'll never be able to get rid of the smell of old moldy books!" Tifa complained.
"Imagine having a sense of smell a hundred times stronger than humans." Red said as he wrinkled his snout.
"Wow… that must really suck. I'm sorry for complaining, I guess I don't have it that bad." Tifa said apologetically.
"There is nothing to apologize for. Let's just search and get out of here." Red said with his regal tone.
Tifa plopped the book in her hands down on the desk. She let out a sigh as she looked at the pile. Her eyes focused on a book opened underneath the pile. She quickly grabbed it and starred at the page which was left open. "Guys…I think I got something! What's a keystone?" She asked the group.
Cloud walked to the front of the group and grabbed the book. He quickly read through a few pages and looked up at the group. 'Guys…it says it is the key to the temple of the Ancients…well in theory. I bet Sephiroth is looking to get in there…there has to be something he wants there…" Cloud said as he looked through the book. "Well shit…it says here that the black materia is held there…that just sounds terrific doesn't it?" Cloud said looking frustrated.
"Well that does sound…bad to say the least. We got to hurry and get there and find the key." Tifa said.
"Where would we go for something like that?" Red asked.
Barret stuck his head up with a smile. He grinned, he could be useful for a change. "There's a man outside of Corel, he had something there, and he called it a key. We should check there!"
"That sounds like a good idea. But we need to get there fast…before Sephiroth….how…" Cloud asked.
Everyone looked at each other. Tifa spoke up with glee. "Rocket town!"
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Aerith looked down at the floor and noticed a clipboard lying in the middle of the laboratory. She heard everyone talking, but she was a little to curious about her surroundings. She read over the information on the clipboard and her eyes widened.
Subject: Zack Fair, SOLDIER first class.
After four years of testing, I have concluded that this specimen is a complete failure. His body continually rejected the Jenova cells along with the blood of the Ancients. Although, the subject did grow a large amount of bulk, which makes me believe that something in my research was correct. After countless hours of experimentation, the subject did little to prove my theory. I would love to continue my research, but I must return to Midgar. My request to transfer the two specimens has been denied, so I will have to monitor them from afar.
Aerith felt her eyes water. 'Four years' and 'Experimentation' hit her like daggers in her heart. She continued to read on, there was a newer note, one written in the past months.
Subject: Zack Fair, SOLDIER first class
I am pleased to have finally reached a breakthrough in my research. After obtaining Fair outside of Midgar, I have moved him to the Shinra headquarters for further testing. I am pleased to see that his strength and reaction time have greatly improved. Could my test have worked? Maybe all it needed was to be kept dry of mako and let things sink in. I have begun a new set of trials, with the Ancient blood cells. Hopefully using my research from this condemned lab will be of use.
Aerith felt joy and pain at the same time. 'He didn't leave me! Shinra got him! I'm so glad you're alive, I was so scared. We will get you out of there, just you wait.' Aerith said as she folded up the papers and threw them into her pocket. She held back her urge to cry/ Just thinking about Zack being Hojo's lab rat made her tear up. She ran over to join the group. She couldn't wait to tell Tifa.
"Okay everyone, we know the plan. We head north to rocket town and steal an airship. That way we can move around quickly, and beat Sephiroth to the key!" Cloud said.
The group hurried out of the lab and sprinted up the spiraling stairs.
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"Ugh….what happened?" Zack said as he climbed out of the rubble. Panic filled him quickly. "Sephiroth!" Zack yelled as he frantically crawled over the heap. Zack looked around left and right, nothing. Nobody was around. Zack searched for Sephiroth everywhere, yet still no signs of life. "Huh…I guess there's no one here." Zack said as he entered the last room. He looked in and all to be seen were four coffins.
Zack grinded his teeth, he never did like Halloween. Ghosts and vampires always freaked him out. Zack walked into the room and took a quick look around. "Nope! They aren't here!" Zack said running out the door. He stopped in his tracks as he remembered a memory. "There was a guy in one of those coffins all those years ago…I wonder if he is still there? I can't let him be Hojo's prisoner." Zack said to himself as he opened the coffin door.
Zack's eyes widened as he looked at a man in red lying still as if he were dead. He studied the man until he was startled as the man opened his red eyes. "Ahh! What the hell man!" Zack cursed.
"Leave me alone." He said with a raspy voice. Clearly from years of disuse.
Zack poked the man. "Wake up! I wana talk to you!"
The man gave him a glare. "No." He said as he closed the coffin door.
Zack stood and starred at the coffin. He didn't like being rejected. Zack opened the coffin door again. "Hello…don't be Rude! I want to talk to you!" Zack said. He felt rather cheery after fighting, he felt like he got something out of his system.
The man in red looked at him. "I don't care…get a dog…talk to it." Vincent said shutting the coffin door.
At this point Zack began to feel annoyed. He opened the coffin once more. "Why are you in here?" Zack asked.
"To repent for my sins." The man said as he closed the coffin door.
Zack stood and thought. "Repent for your sins huh…I can relate. Now I need to get you out of there." Zack said as his stomach rumbled.
Zack had an idea. He opened the coffin door for the final time. 'What is it now?" The man yelled. His eyes widened as his gaze was covered with Zack's butt.
"Hehehe!" Zack said as he let out a fart. Zack quickly closed the lid to the coffin and sat on top of it.
Vincent lay back down in his coffin, he couldn't believe what had just unfolded. Then he inhaled, his nose shriveled up at the stench. "Oh! That's nasty!" He yelled as he banged at the door of the coffin. "Let me out!" He yelled.
"Are you going to talk to me?" Zack asked with a childish grin on his face. He wished Aerith was there to see it, he knew she would be laughing hysterically.
"Fine!" The man yelled with a demonic roar hidden in his voice.
Zack opened the coffin door, the man quickly jumped out of the coffin and starred at Zack. "See what happens when you're not nice?"
"What do you want?" He asked annoyed.
"Why were you in there?" Zack asked.
"To repent for my sins." He said not making eye contact.
"Oh, well I can understand that…but don't you think it's kind of stupid to repent for your sins by staying in a coffin? Your sins just kind of stay sins…you're not doing anything to really rectify them, your just napping." Zack said with a smile.
"I am not napping…I deserve to live an eternity alone, so that is what I am going to do." The man said.
"Well I'm trying my very best to fix things that I screwed up. Heck I just fought a battle over one of my mistakes." Zack pointed to the carnage in the cavern.
"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?" The man in red asked looking curious.
"Well this dude named Sephiroth…he kind of went nuts…and he wants to destroy the planet or something…you know what…I'm really not sure what he wants…he really talks very cryptically. But he's bad." Zack said looking down at his shirt.
"Are those wounds from him?" He asked.
"Yeah." Zack replied.
"But they are healed…how?" He asked as his red eyes focused.
"I have no idea, but I'll take it. I need all the help I can get, if I'm going to fight Sephiroth." Zack said.
"Alone?"
"Yeah, I'm the only one who can. Hell he was a dead man if…" He trailed off.
"You got distracted by a loved one didn't you?" The man asked.
"Yep. How'd ya know?" Zack asked.
"I have experience with something…like that. If you are going after Sephiroth, then I am coming with you. He is one of many sins I need to repent for." He said coldly.
"Sure what ever floats your boat. I'm Zack by the way." Zack said extending his hand.
"I'm Vincent…Vincent Valentine."
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Okay guys I am going to end it there! I had more for this chapter, but I'm moving it to the next chapter. The next chapter is kind of weak so I needed something to make the next chapter less….fluffy. Also I hope you guys really liked this chapie (see what I did there rave?) Sorry about the fart scene. That was how I originally planned it, but I changed it. But then I told my sister about the joke, and she loved it and I think we needed some comic relief after this chapter don't ya think? Reviews please!