Disclaimer: Final Fantasy 7 and all its associated characters, locations, etc… are property of Square Enix.

Author's Note: I'm beginning to feel insecure; I'm not getting many reviews. It's refreshing to know that at least one person out there likes my story so far, but I wish more people would give me some feedback. I'm hopeful that this chapter will rake in some reviews.

And now for the main event! It's only just begun…

Peace's End

By tfa1

Chapter 13: Betrayal

The guards lined the rebels along the wall of the lobby, as if prepping them for a firing squad. The Emperor had other ideas as to what he would do with his new prisoners, however.

Walking before them, the harbinger of despair paused to examine each member of ROCKSLIDE, eyeing each as if he knew everything there was to know about them. "Bart 'the Wall' Rockslide, I imagine; the witness reports don't do you justice. You're more of a brute than I had ever pictured."

The dark-skinned rebel leader snarled, unsuccessfully trying to intimidate the Emperor. "Brute or not, you're still the foulest thing I ever did see!"

The Emperor let out a slight chuckle. "It's a pleasure to meet you, too." He proceeded on to the next rebel: Captain Sid Highflier, who was struggling to stand on his wounded leg. "I remember you… vaguely. Funny that you'd blow up my rocket rather than steal it."

The captain spat at the Emperor, unfortunately losing his cigar as he did so. He watched it clatter to the ground and turned red in the face. The Emperor stood and stared at the hapless captain, and the latter could have sworn he saw a grin through the armoured man's helmet. Continuing on, the Emperor came face-to-face with Nimbus. "Well, well, well; I know your face, too. I thought we had gotten rid of you, but it would seem as if you really are simply too difficult to kill. Those fools at the lab did their job too well."

"What do you mean?" Nimbus asked.

"I wouldn't expect you to know anything about it. We'll have time to discuss this later, but I have business to attend to. Guards! This one goes to the throne room." He continued walking, coming at last to Smith. He chuckled again. "An outdated Imperial spy; how ironic that you'd join forces with your replacement." He said as he looked once more to Nimbus.

The cat didn't answer.

Last but not least, he faced Taefis, and stopped dead in his tracks. "Your face… I know that face…" He spun around quickly, avoiding Taefis's glare. "The girl goes to my throne, as well. Send the rest to the dungeon."

- - -

He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.

- Friedrich Nietzsche

- - -

Nimbus regained consciousness in the Emperor's throne room. Bound, he was unable to move, but managed to spot Taefis situated beside the Emperor's desk. She was tied up too, but currently unconscious. The entrance to the throne room was on Nimbus's right, and standing in the doorway was the Emperor. He was talking to someone, but Nimbus couldn't see who it was.

"You've done very well. At long last the final rebel group left within the Empire is within my custody, and it's all thanks to you. You're sure these are all the members of ROCKSLIDE?" No answer came; Nimbus assumed that the listener had nodded.

The Emperor continued to speak to his silent companion, "Excellent. I imagine you'll want your reward, then." He paused. The sound of paper rustling reached Nimbus's ears as the Emperor handed the stranger a form. "The preparations have been made. Once they receive this authorization everything will proceed as you have requested. Still I wonder… is this sheet of paper really worth the betrayal of your friends?"

The Emperor chuckled soon afterwards. He seemed to be laughing often, like one who was insane. "Of course, how could I forget? Those robots are more important to you. What are friends compared to family?"

A pair of furry feet scampered away into the darkness, and Nimbus let his head hang as the sounds of footsteps echoed within his mind. The Imperial spy had finally betrayed them to his master…

- - -

The Emperor re-entered the throne room and stood in front of Nimbus. The prisoner weakly looked upwards to meet the figure's eyes.

"So, you heard that, then. It shouldn't come as a surprise; he's the reincarnation of a traitor. You were a fool to have trusted him, but at least now you can find out what you really are. That's what you want, isn't it?"

Nimbus dropped his head again. He nodded with difficulty.

"You are a super-soldier, injected with Jenova cells and infused with mako energy. Anyone familiar with history has heard about the Jenova Project; I've simply rekindled it in modern times, and you are the product of its reinstatement." Nimbus didn't respond. "Those feline spies, of whom your friend, Smith, is one, were excellent at what they did, but they lacked the power and terrifying presence necessary to conquer Wutai. As such, you were created as their replacement.

"However, not all went as planned. You proved too strong to control, and soon the entire science department was calling for your elimination; even while sedated you still proved difficult to handle. Your creator, Professor Ghast, did what he could to destroy you, and for a time I believed he had succeeded. Your presence here today suggests that he failed.

"I cannot blame him, though. The Jenova cells in your body have augmented you with startling regenerative powers, with which I am very familiar. I've been kept alive against my will, tormented by an eternal despair. I just can't keep fighting anymore… it's just too hard…"

"Why are you telling me this?" Nimbus asked, without looking up.

The Emperor sat down on the floor, looking utterly ridiculous. "I do it because she commands me to do it. Jenova guides me, and soon she shall guide you, too. I'm sure you'll resist – we all do – but your power will not save you. Power tends to corrupt… a fact that has been taught to me the hard way."

The bald man looked up at the Emperor's helmet. Within it, he saw the tell-tale gleam of mako emanating from his eyes. "Dr. Bugen thought you might be the reincarnation of Shinra, but I see now that you're really Sephiroth…"

The Emperor stood up, laughing maniacally. "Sephiroth? Sephiroth? Don't kid yourself; I am far more than Sephiroth ever was. I have influenced the Planet in ways that Sephiroth had never even dreamed! I have shattered the web of destiny itself, a fact embodied by my dear female friend who has been so kind as to join us today. I'll give you another guess, just for fun."

Nimbus thought long and hard, trying to think of any other villains Bugen had mentioned. Suddenly it struck him. This Emperor had been kept alive despite his wishes… but he didn't say how long it had been. The threads of destiny had been jostled… was that because a man from the past had fashioned for himself a new destiny?

And then there was the mention of despair. "It can't be… Vincent Valentine?"

The Emperor guffawed even harder, as if his true identity couldn't be more obvious. "Him? You think I'm the human mannequin? That's a nifty guess but I'm insulted at your lack of perception. No, dear Sephiroth clone… I am not he. Nimbus Air Force Base, Stratus Palace – did you ever stop to wonder why I named those facilities after different types of clouds?"

Nimbus's eyes grew wide as the Emperor ripped off his helmet, revealing an effeminate face and a full head of spiky blonde hair. "I am Emperor Strife, the puppet that cannot escape. And as for you…I'd always wondered when I'd see you again, Sephiroth."

(Author's Note: Part of Sephiroth's consciousness still exists within Jenova, as stated in Chapter 12; therefore I have an excuse for why Nimbus doesn't act like his former self – he's not completely whole. As for Cloud, I think I should explain myself before anyone explodes, assuming people still care for him. Think of Cloud's resolve as a rock, and Jenova as the water. Over the course of 700 years, Jenova has eroded Cloud's ability to resist her.

For those of you with a keen eye, you may have also noted that the password to the platform security terminal, cumulus, is actually the name of another type of cloud. I've done my best to foreshadow this to ease the blow, starting with the removal of Nimbus's hair. I told you I'd try to make this different… Please try to keep any reviews spoiler-free.)