"Stop struggling." They hissed. "Theres no one to save you now. Just give in."
You let out a cry, as you continued to chant. They let out a hiss and covered your mouth, keeping you silent.
Tears ran down your cheeks as they grabbed at you, the first living flesh they've seen in a long time. I was so close, just one more verse, and I could of saved everyone. Maybe it was hopeless after all. Kadaj's face flashed across your mind, and your struggles continued. You were not about to let him die here!
Onto the story!
Masamune
Sephiroth's POV:
You burst through the shrine doors, Masamune. Your heart nearly stopped at the sight of Yuna. The Shades had lifted her off the ground, and had surrounded here, twisting, curling, clawing, biting, and pulling at her. A long strand had covered her mouth, and another had wrapped around her, pulling taunt as she struggled.
This wasn't her fate. Her fate was to rule beside you as your Queen. Her fate was to be your companion, to live by your side until the end of time. Her fate was to begin your race anew with you. Her fate was to live.
You began slashing at them, desperate in your attempt to free her. Unearthly shrieks filled the air as they noticed you for the first time.
Human Flesh! Human Flesh! A gleeful crackle filled your ears.
"I am not a human!" You roared. Almost there...
Something wrapped around your sword arm, pulling it back as you were lifted up and into the air. You began casting every spell you knew, trying to get free.
So much for becoming King. Something wrapped around your head, making you face Yuna. Rather befitting then for you to watch your Queen die. Rage flowed through you at their words. And to think! You were the one who freed us from our slumber, and since only the living can perform the spell to rebind us, once we kill her, we can kill as we please! Oh, don't worry, as a reward, we'll kill you swiftly after.
Not going to happen! You freed your arm, swinging it once again. Meteor could always be summoned again, but death wasn't something you could bring Yuna back from.
Your POV:
You watch helplessly as you constraints were pulled taunt, leaving you unable to move. Joyful whispers on how they were going to kill you filled the air, along with harsh hisses of pain.
Fingers closed around your wrist, causing you to glance down as a double bladed sword sliced past your arm, slowly freeing you. Kadaj gave you a smile, pulling you away from them and down towards him.
Not so fast! The clawed hand around your mouth tightened, threatening to rip off your head. We won't go back to that wretched existence! This is OUR birthright! We were meant to-
A scream filled the air as Masamune struck it. "You will not harm her!" Sephiroth snarled as you fell to safety.
Falling into Kadaj's arms, you cried out the last part. "Oh Holy Light/ Protect Your Children/ From Evil's Wrath!"
Everything went silent as the two of you hit the floor, then as you looked up, high pitched screaming and wailing hit your ears. Then, in a long, steady stream the Shades began flying out through a hole in the roof, Sephiroth caught in with them.
You hated him. You hated him with your entire being. You told yourself this over and over again, but...
He saved you, time and time again, and the Elders had found some good qualities in him. And if it wasn't for him, you would of never met Kadaj.
Reaching out, you took hold of his hand before the last of them flew out. Surprised, his hand grabbed yours back, and you were lifted off the ground before Kadaj wrapped his arms around your waist. Instinctively, you wrapped an arm around his waist.
Then everything faded to white.
Marlene's POV:
The temple shook as the screams disappeared, causing everyone to run out. Light radiated from it, then this burst of glowing, almost pale light shot forth from it, towards the sky where Meteor could be seen. It disappeared for a moment, then Meteor burst apart, the sky lighting up in radiant colours.
"They did it!" Tifa cried happily.
"But what about Kadaj?" Loz asked.
"Or Yuna?" Yazoo added.
"And Sephiroth?" Cloud finished, staring at the sky.
That was when the Temple collapsed.
Your POV:
"Yuna?" You opened your eyes, seeing Kadaj. "Where you alright?"
You nodded, getting up. "Where's..?"
"Sephiroth?" Rina finished, appearing behind you two.
"He's over there." Mona grumbled sadly.
"You seem sad. Didn't know you had that emotion." Kadaj smirked.
"Idiot! Sephiroth is wounded! And we cannot heal him for this!" She snarled. This is all your fault!"
You turned away from then, to where Sephiroth lay. Cautiously, you approached. "Sephiroth?"
"This... wasn't suppose to end like this..." He replied, staring up at you. "It can't end like this..."
You knelt down at his side. "Thank you." You took his hand in yours. "I know now that you only did what you thought was best."
Using his last bit of strength, Sephiroth suddenly sat up, embracing you. "If only... things were different... then we could of..."
You hugged him back. "It's alright. You don't need to say it."
He gave a soft chuckle as you felt him slipping away and into the lifestream. "I told you. Someday you will be in my arms by your own free will. Looks like I was..." Black feathers danced around you. "...right."
You stared up, smiling. "Goodbye Sephiroth. I hope you'll find peace."
Arms embraced you from behind. "Should I be jealous of that little exchange?"
"I don't know." You teased him. "Are you the type who'll get jealous if I hug someone?"
"That would be a yes."
"Well, our part is done." Rina said smiling. "You can go back now."
Wind surrounded you, and your world began spinning. When it had stopped, you were standing back at what once was the temple's entrance, everyone staring at you.

Your POV:
One by one, you cast the flowers you were holding into the pool of water in the church, each one standing for someone whose life was lost. You held the last one, a single, black rose, in your hand for a moment.
Sephiroth was dead, your nightmare had ended, but you still wished that not so many lives were lost, that things didn't get so dire. Wherever he was now, you hoped he had found what he had been looking for, his Promise Land.
With the help for Kadaj and his brothers, Rufus had given you all the files mentioning the Jenova project. It was actually quite a wonder that he had stayed sane for so long, given all that he went through...
You smiled. "I hop your in your Promise Land now." With that you let the rose fall.
Sora, Ivy, Snowy, Rikku, Dad, Mom... they were all all right now, they didn't have to experience any more pain. Youd see then again someday, and you hoped someone would join you there.
A grin made it's way across your face as you turned around, your memorial service now complete. What life had in store for you now...
"Where are you going to go now?" You looked up, seeing Cloud leaning against a church pew.
"I'll be traveling with Kadaj and his brothers for the next little while, or at least until I can convince Kadaj to settle down for a bit." You replied.
"Are you going to come by again?" He asked, hesitantly.
You blinked. "Of course! Why would you ever think differently? And in case you need to contact me..." You reached into your pocket, whipping out a sleek, but coloured a neon, bright shade of hot pink, PHS. "Tah-dah! Marlene helped me pick it out! I've already got all your numbers programmed into it, and Tifa has my number." Cloud stared, wide eyed at the device. "Why does everyone look at it like that?"
He regained his voice. "It's... pink."
You frowned. "That's what the sales guy said too! What's so wrong with pink?"
"Nothing." Cloud quickly covered up.
"Anyway, Marlene also knows the number, so if I get a call saying that you've been ignoring you're little family again, I'll bring the buys over for some male 'bonding'. And ask Tifa out already! You're both crazy for each other, so just get on with it!"
Cloud's jaw dropped. "Wh-What!?"
You gave him a smile. "Bye!" You raced out.
"Five more seconds and I would of gotten the pleasure of shutting him up." Kadaj grinned as you approached.
"Be nice. Do you want me to get out my PHS?"
They shuddered. "It blinds!" Loz yelled.
"That is the absolutely last time we allow a little kid to take you shopping for anything." Kadaj stated, turning away.
"Even if it's your future child helping me pick out what sort of present I should get you for Father's Day?" You asked shyly.
"...Fine, but only if I get a 'Mommy and Daddy only' gift from you too."
Loz let out a laugh as you turned bright red. "Kadaj!"
"What? You know you love me." He smirked at you, sitting down on his bike.
"And don't you forget it!" You smiled, sliding in behind him as it started up, wrapping your arms around him.
End