ISomewhere in the forest…/IP
"This is crazy. I'm here in a world strait out of a video game, being perused by characters out of another game, and I'm not dreaming."P
The girl shook her head, then continued down the path. She wasn't sure how she had gotten there, but it was a destination.P
"I wonder if I can use this stuff like in the game? That would be cool. Still, it can't get me home…"P
She was paying no attention to where she was going, and nearly walked into the figure that had emerged on the path. It was Sephiroth.P
"I see you have a reason to dislike Cloud too. Perhaps we can help each other…"P
She looks up at him. "Let me guess. You're supposed to be Sephiroth, right?"P
Sephiroth looked amused by that. "Indeed. I can help you to get the power you need to get revenge on Cloud, and his friends. Isn't that what you want?"P
She shook her head. "Not really. What I want is to find a way to get home. And figure out what these rocks are for."P
Sephiroth laughed. "I know one who can help you. All you need to do is come with me."P
"I'm not going anywhere with you. I'm leaving."P
She started to walk off. But Sephiroth held up a green Materia, and began to chant…P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
INot to far away…/IP
"You alright? I know you and your brother heal fast, but he did get his sword into you pretty well."P
Sephiroth looked at Zack. "I am fine. It is strange that you would be so concerned for me after what has happened…"P
Zack shook his head. "That was your brother, not you. I can't hold you responsible for what he did."P
"You are truly strange. I only hope that Cloud can think like you."P
Zack nodded. "Me too. If those two find what they're after…"P
"We shall need all of the help we can get." Sephiroth fell silent for a minute. Then he looked into the forest. "My brother is near. I can feel him. He's over there."P
Sephiroth got up, and started to walk towards the place where he knew his brother was. What he saw, when he arrived there, worried him…P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
The girl fell asleep. Sephiroth moved forwards, and picked her up. But as he stood up, he turned to look into the woods. "I know you are there brother. But you shall not stop us. With this one's help, we shall rule this world, and our own as well. You shall pay for your treachery."P
With that, he leaped up into the air, as the second Sephiroth moved forwards, sword in hand to challenge him. But the injury he had received earlier slowed him. All he could do was watch as his brother flew off with the girl. Zack rushed in moments latter. Sephiroth looked up at him, then spoke two words.P
"We follow…"P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
ISomewhere else in the world…/IP
Sephiroth landed, with the girl still asleep from the spell. He strode forwards into a cave, which hid what was hiding inside.P
"Mother, I am back. And I have the girl. But I do not understand why you would want her."P
Jenova emerged from the darkness, taking on a more natural (for her) form.P
"Because she is from another world. She will not be able to resist the magic. She comes from a world where it dose not exist. With her, and the Master Materia, I shall create a being who's powers shall be unmatched. Yet she will obey you, like a dog. With that power, not even the failures will be able to stop us. Do you have the Master Materia?"P
Sephiroth withdrew them from under his cape, and handed them to Jenova. Jenova took them into one of her tentacles. "Place the girl on that ledge, then watch to make sure I am not interfered with. You know what to do to intruders…"P
Sephiroth nodded, then walked out of the cave. His eyes glowed with anticipation.P
Jenova then turn to the sleeping form, and rolled the girl onto her back. She then made three large gashes on the girl's back, and placed a piece of Materia into each. Then, she removed one of her tentacles, and forced in into the wounds as well. Then she waited, while the arm began to dissipate within the wounds. And she waited while the wounds closed. Then she called Sephiroth…P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
"You sure he's just up ahead? I can't tell."P
Sephiroth looked at Zack. "They both are. And there is a strong feel of magic as well. Jenova is doing something, and I fear it involves that girl. I mean to stop her."P
Sephiroth's eyes were glowing, almost as if he were looking forwards to the fight.P
Zack nodded. "Well, if you're sure, then I'm with you. I still owe you for all of the help you've given me."P
The two crept forwards. As they neared the cave, they saw Sephiroth, as he entered the cave. P
"Jenova must be in there. I must ask you a favor. If it is at all possible, then distracted my brother. I may be the only one who can halt Jenova's spell."P
Zack nodded. "Right. Good luck"P
"I fight with skill, not luck." He paused a moment. "Yet given the situation…Good luck to you too."P
The two rushed into the cave, weapons drawn. Yet nothing they had been though could have prepared them for what happened inside…P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
"Sephiroth, come. The spell is now almost complete. You must touch the beast at the correct time to ensure that it will obey you."P
"Yes mother."P
Sephiroth entered the cave. He hardly spared a glance for the figure laid out on the ledge. P
"Now, I shall cause her to take on the form of a mighty beast. The type that no man dares look at…"P
"And what form would that be, Mother?"P
"A dragon…"P
With that, the form on the table began to change. First she grew longer, and he skin changed, from the pale fleshy color, to the bright red, green, and yellow of the Materia. And she began to grow scales, fangs, and claws. It was mid-way though this metamorphosis that Zack, and the second Sephiroth entered.P
CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P
"Sephiroth! Now I shall avenge all of those you killed in Neblem! For Cloud, for his family, and for justice!"P
Zack rushed forwards, his sword drawn. The second Sephiroth was so busy watching him, he never even noticed his double. Jenova noticed Zack in irritation.P
"Now! Touch the beast now, and all it's power will be yours to command!"P
Sephiroth turned, but he was too late. Both he, and Jenova had missed his brother, who now stood beside the ledge. P
"I will not allow you to complete this spell! I will not let another live though the torment I have suffered at your hands all these years!"P
Jenova began to panic. "No you fool! You must not touch her! Not at this critical point! You shall ruin all of my work!"P
But he just smiled. "Small pay back for what has happened to me." The second Sephiroth rush forwards, in attempt to lay his hand upon the beast first. But he was too far. Sephiroth's hand landed upon the beast's head. And suddenly, the four in the room were crying in pain. Jenova and the Sephiroths were the first to recover. P
"Mother, what happened?"P
"The traitor has ruined the spell. We must flee this place. Soon anyone with our gift will know where we are hidden."P
Jenova, and Sephiroth left. Sephiroth was the only one standing. Zack groaned, and slowly crawled to his knees.P
"What happened?"P
"It seems as if I intureped the spell, but I did not break it. It seems I was similar enough to my brother to cause a partial completion of the spell, but I prevented the mind control. However, it seems I have gained a mind link to her in the process."P
The two turned to face the dragon. Neither one looked very happy.P
"She isn't going to be very happy about this, is she?"P
Sephiroth nodded. "Not likely. Especially when she discovers the mind link. Perhaps it is best to hope she discovers it before awakening…"P
HR
Author's Note: Yea, I know. One damn confusing chapter. Trust me, if I could figure out how to separate the two, I would. You're probably wondering why I called them both Sephiroth. Well, that comes latter. If you want someone to blame, yell at Shinra. Anyway, next chapter I'll get back to Cloud, and company.
