Sephiroth shook his head, then looked around. There wasn't another person in sight, other than he and Dragon Shadow. "What happened?"P
Dragon Shadow slowly shook her head, as she tried to remember. "I have no idea. But I think you're brother's involved. The last thing I remember is you chasing him through that pillar of light."P
Sephiroth nodded. "Me too. I bet Jenova's behind this. Somehow."P
Dragon Shadow laughed. "Isn't she always?"P
"True. Very true…" Sephiroth suddenly realized something. "My brother is here!"P
Dragon Shadow looked at him. "I think I may be able to break the link, but it may destroy our only escape from this world…"P
"Are you sure?"P
"I'd need to get closer to your brother to be sure, but I believe something about this world is changing the mind link between the two. If there is, I may be able to use it to break the link once and for all."P
Sephiroth nodded. "Then, let us find my brother."P
The two entered into the forest, seeking his brother.P

CENTER* * * * */CENTER
P

Meanwhile, in another regain of the world…P
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you, monster!"P
Sephiroth looked up at Cloud. "I cannot think of one. Go ahead, if you think it shall sooth your grief. I shall return anyway. This cursed world!"P
"What do you mean?"P
Sephiroth laughed. "What do I mean? Nothing in this world can die! If it is killed, it is revived! I wish I could die! Do you think I wished to destroy your town, kill those men, destroy your world?"P
Cloud looked at him, like he was mad. "Of course I do. I saw what you did! You laughed at it!"P
Sephiroth drove his sword into the grass, and sat down, leaning against a tree. "Then kill me. I don't care. You see, I know what you've gone through. I've been living that kind of life for years! Always under her control. She doesn't care what we do here, because we can't die! Don't you understand! She can leave us here for centuries, and we will never age, never grow ill, never die! We shall remain prisoners for the rest of our lives. Prisoners, or slaves."P
Cloud watched the man he'd once admired. The man who had destroyed his world. The man who had threatened his friends, and now, controlled his mind. "I don't believe you…"P
Sephiroth looked up. "Is it proof you want? Is it!" He said it, almost like a challenge. "Then I shall prove it to you! Watch."P
Sephiroth leaped up effortlessly, and drew his sword. Then, with one effortless swing, he sliced a nearby tree in half. Cloud watched, unsurprised. "You say you're not the one who wanted to destroy me, yet you turn around, and kill that tree for no reason whatsoever."P
"Watch…"P
Even as the two stood there and watched, the tree began to grow back. Faster, and faster, till suddenly, it was a full tree once again. Cloud was amazed. "But…how?"P
"As I said. It is the curse of this world. My brother approaches. She shall move soon."P
Sephiroth and Dragon Shadow emerged from the forest. However, only Sephiroth appeared to be aware of the other two. "So, brother, we meet again."P
The younger Sephiroth looked up. "So we do, elder brother. I wish you had killed me then…"P
Cloud shook his head as, for the first time, he saw the two brothers standing side by side. They were identical. "Oh boy. What was Hojo thinking when he named you two?"P
The elder shook his head. "I have no idea. But I have often wished I could changed my name."P
Cloud shruged. "So, why don't you?"P
The elder looked at his brother. "Because, my name is the only link I have to my younger."P
"I can do it!" The three looked at Dragon Shadow, who laid curled up on the elder Sephiroth's sholder. The elder looked at him. "You're sure?"P
Dragon Shadow nodded. "I can alter the link so that Jenova belives she still has control, and so you can still hear her, but you can refuse to follow her orders. Then, when we've left this world, I can break the link for once, and for all!"P
The younger looked at Dragon Shadow, hope on his face. "You can?"P
Dragon Shadow nodded. "I can. Are you willing to co-operate?"P
The yonger nodded. "I am."P
Dragon Shadow nodded again. "Very well. Let us begin." Dragon Shadow closed her eyes. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then, the younger Sephiroth drooped to his knees screaming. Suddenly, Cloud did too. Dragon Shadow's eyes opened. "There. That should do it… What?"P
Cloud shook his head. I"Who's here? I can feel someone in my head!"P
/IDragon Shadow was shocked. "IYou had a mind link to the younger! Oh no! You're link has been altered by the breaking of the first! You two are now part of our link!"P
"What! You mean my younger brother, and Cloud have been dragged into this mess?"P
"I…I guess so. I didn't know about the second link. It messed everything up. Cloud, Sephiroth, and, err, Sephiroth, I'm sorry. I never though about a second link…"P
/ICloud threw his hands up in defeat. I"Just what I needed! To be mind linked to a lizard, a killer, and his elder brother. Not to mention trapped in this damn world. Great!"P
/IThere was a smile on the elder Sephiroth's face. I"Perhaps, one of us should change our name brother. It seems we shall be together for a while…"P
"Perhaps you should. I have stained the name Sephiroth with much blood. It is my fait to carry this burden to my grave…"P
"Brother, I do not count it as your fault. What burden you carry shall not be carried alone."P
"Brother, I thank you."P
/IDragon Shadow looked around the clearing. Cloud had dug his sword into the ground, very annoyed over the current turn of events. I"Perhaps, you should chose a name soon. We don't know when Jenova shall return, and personally, I don't feel like having her come across this little situation…"P
"Very well. I shall be known as Sefiroth."P
"Brother, that name is the same as mine…"P
/IBut Sefiroth shook his head. I"Their is a slight difference. One that is enough for me. For deep inside, we are still very much the same."/I Sefiroth turned to face Cloud.I" But let us hope we can return in time to save your friends…"P
/ICloud looked up. "As if you really care. And don't mind speak to me! Bad enough I can hear you. I refuse to speak to you in that manner. I don't want to be stuck with a pair of murders!"P
The other three said nothing. Cloud turned away from them. And they waited for Jenova to return…P
HR
Author's Note: I know Sephiroth and Sefiroth don't sound any different when spoke. But, at least now I don't need to call them the younger and the elder anymore. In case you've forgotten, the elder one is the one who was bonded with Dragon Shadow. P/FONT/BODY