Chapter VIII: The X Clone.
Reno was out on the streets of the sector three slums early that morning. The people of the remaining slums had entered and were taking care of the dead. The mourning was loud and long that day. Because of the massive influx of people in this people and the anger they were bound to come to, Reeves had ordered Reno and the rest of the Turks to keep everything under control. There had been minor fights and brawls but nothing serious. He had heard that Elena had to subdue an entire riot single-handedly. So far, excluding the riot, the morning had been rather quiet.
For the second time Reno looked at the slums with pity. Such a massacre in one night. Reno had only heard of two times that such killing had taken place. Sephiroth and the wutai war. But the enormous scale of this put both out of proportion. Murder had always been a problem in the slums but it was more or less ignored now. This was genocide at its worst.
A sudden tremor rocked Reno down to his knees. He put his hands on the ground so that he wouldn't fall completely. The ground cracked and split as it was put under immense strain. He caught a glimpse at a cloaked figure at the Midgar entrance before a huge piece of black earth shot through the ground and obscured his view. People screamed in fear and panic. But as suddenly as it had started it ended. The ground stopped shaking and the mounds of earth shrank back to normal. Reno jumped to his feet and Looked at the Midgar entrance with anxious interest. The cloaked figure still stood there, backed by twelve armed and ready chocobo riders. He drew his pistol and cell phone. He dialled Elena's number and waited for her to answer.
--Ring----Ring----ring---click
"'ello?"
"Did you feel that?"
"Sure, knocked me down."
"Get Rude here now! This is an emergency."
"What is it?"
"Their here."
"Who?"
"The people who did this. Get here quick."
"Sur-" He hung up. Dropping the phone he raised the gun and pointed it at the cloaked figure.
"Stop there now!" He called out.
The figure turned its head toward Reno.
"You might want to put that down. You might get hurt." It sounded like some security robot with an attitude. It signalled with its hand and the riders lowered their guns.
Reno gulped at the sight. He took aim at what he guessed was the figures chest and shot. He heard a huge ping and the riders looked at their leader for a while. But after a lack of movement they turned their guns toward Reno.
"Wait."
The figure seemed to be plucking out of the fabric of his cloak and emerged with something in his hand. Reno noticed with shock that it was completely metal. The figure regarded it for a minute than laughed. Reno shuddered at the sound of that laugh. It seemed to chill every fibre in him. It shattered his bones with a metallic perfection. The figure walked up to Reno and held up his palm for him to see.
"I believe you lost this."
A small piece of circular, flat lead laid in the steel hand. The morning light shone on the perfect surface of its arm. The black cloak contrasted deeply on the gleaming metal. The claws menaced reflected parts of Reno's face. The figure turned its hand around and dropped the piece of lead. Reno stared into the depths of the cloak but failed to see a face of any kind. The hand came up with a startling speed and slammed into Reno's stomach. He felt the sharp pain as the claws dug deep into him. He gasped in pained surprise. He felt himself thrown to one side and slam into a wall.
The figure addressed the shocked mass of people that watched in horrified fascination as Reno struggled to his feet.
"Where is the president?" He called out.
A few said nothing but the rest simply pointed upwards.
"Thank you." He turned to the riders. "Take care of them. I have to make an appointment with the president."
The figure cast away the cloak to reveal its steel body. It spread a pair of black wings and jumped off the ground, and ascended towards the ShinRa headquarters. Reno watched with dimming eyes at the retreating figure as the light played on its body. Slowly the darkness covered his vision, and he embraced it.
As his head lolled to one side he heard a huge explosion of concrete and the ragged howl of rage.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
The still and cold air could felt deep down in the sewers. The only sounds that could be heard that morning were the sloshing of heavy feet as they ploughed through the filthy sewer water. Rats scurried away in fear as a huge shadow loomed against the walls. The clank as steel hit stone rang out through the sewers. Pillars of light seeped through holes in the roads above. It pierced the stark shadows and revealed the chaos that was the sewers of Midgar. A cloaked man passed through the fetid water without regard to anything. A tremor shot through the concrete walls and block of stone fell into the water. The man stopped dead in his tracks and listened. He heard the sounds of humans screaming and feet pounding against the ground. Then he heard the familiar harsh metal voice.
"You might want to put that down. You might get hurt."
The man turned into an explosion of movement. His legs became a silvery blur as he ran. It ran up the walls until its sheer speed kept it elevated. Then he thrust downward with his legs and shot down into the ground. Just before he hit the ground his arms shot out pushed him upwards again with such a force that he flew through the air and smashed through the sewer ceiling. He landed on all fours and howled in rage. He searched the area for the creature that had plagued him for so many years. No one familiar. He heard the gasps of surprise arise from the people around him. He looked upward and saw a retreating flight of black wings. He howled again and leapt up after him. He stopped hideously short of his target but he grabbed hold of a nearby building and jumped off it. He kept doing that until he grabbed the Mech-Head's foot and tried to pull him down.
Didn't quite work.
Finally he just yanked hard on the foot to catch the figure off guard. They wavered in the air for a moment. The man took his chance and threw that the figure to the ground. Both of them plummeted to the ground. The man prepared himself for the impact. The Mech-Head's clawed hand grabbed at his arm but slid off. The cloak around him fluttered wildly in the air and got in the way of the mans line of vision. He tore it off him.
"You!" The steely figure below him howled.
They hit the ground simultaneously and leapt at each other.
"I will finish where my master failed, Mech-Head!" The man howled.
Mech-head swiped at the man with one hand while reaching for his sword with the other. The man ducked under the claws with a mechanic speed and kicked Mech-head in the stomach, while he grabbed the hilt of the sword. As Mech- Head flew through the air the sword was drawn. Mech-Head went into a crouching position. The one remaining eye glowed with hot fury. Metal gleamed in the morning light as the two combatants locked in battle, while the riders looked in stunned shock. The clangs as steel smashed against steel rang throughout the streets.
Mech-Head swiped at the man's face with his razor sharp claws but missed. The sword came down on the hand and cut through. The crowd looked in shock as it began growing back. Mech-Head held his still-growing claw up to his face and sneered. The man roared and swung the sword again. Mech-Head leapt to one side and slashed at the man's exposed back. Sparks flew as the claws made long tears in the trench coat. The man spun around and sliced through Mech-Heads arms. He howled in rage and backed away. While the arms began the slow process of regeneration, Mech-Head edged away from the battle, seeking escape from the maddened machine.
"I will return for you Seph X! And I will kill you." He screamed.
He turned and spread his wings, jumping into the air.
The riders looked undecidedly at the metal man. One stepped off his chocobo and kneeled before him, presenting a crystal blade before him. The others followed his example and kneeled as well.
"We are yours to command, great Sephiroth." The one that kneeled first said.
"What is your name?"
The reply came boldly back.
"My name is Jared, leader of the Lost order of Sephiroth."
The steel man regarded him with his metallic eyes without emotion. He stood obstinately looking at the man before him.
"My name is not Sephiroth, it is Seph X. Rise Jared, for we have many things to do today. First of all, we must speak with the president. Then, we must also speak with professor Hojo." He said at last.
There was an awkward silence for a moment.
"Hojo is dead." A voice said behind him. Seph X turned around to address the speaker. He saw two people in blue suits helping Reno to his feet. "But if you want to talk peacefully, we can take you to the president."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Reeves sat on his chair awaiting Seph X. He had been sitting there ever since he had gotten a phone call from Rude. It was always worth waiting in his chair when anybody other than Reno called him. He now sat reading a book, totally absorbed in it. He never noticed the hum of his door opening. Elena walked in silently and saluted. Reeves kept reading.
Elena cleared her throat loudly.
Reeves kept reading.
"Sir!" She said.
Reeves dropped the book in alarm. It hit the ground with a resoundingly.
"I swear to god you people are gonna give me a heart attack one day." He said with a grin.
"Maybe we should deny you access to the library." He replied. "You never know when those librarians will attack."
Rude walked through the doorway and stood to attention.
"Ah, Rude. Do you care to scare the living daylights out of me or are you going to report." Reeves said.
"Reno's in the hospital getting treatment." Rude said simply
"What happened?" Concern stood out on Reeves face.
"That's just it. We don't know. All we know is that some guy called "Mech- Head" or something like that came and sliced and diced Reno. Err. not EXACTLY sliced and diced, but err, stabbed at least." Elena said.
"Who is Seph X?" Reeves continued.
"Sir, we know as much as you do. Nothing at all." Rude answered.
"Well, where is this Seph X?"
"Outside, sir." Rude answered again.
"Well, send him in."
"Yes, sir." They said simultaneously.
They both left.
Reeves was left alone again. He picked up the book gingerly and placed it on his desk. He looked up at the ceiling. He heard the footsteps of many people coming through the doorway. Reeves looked down to see twelve men following a metal apparition. His first thoughts at the sight of the metal warrior were to get Cait sith to smash it. In the head of the group was the exact metallic copy of Sephiroth.
"Sephiroth?" Reeves asked suspiciously.
"Seph X. Only my creator called me Sephiroth."
Creator? Reeves was in a state of panic.
"Why do you call yourself Seph X?" Reeves thought aloud
"I am the only successful clone of Sephiroth. I have the memory of Sephiroth up until his last mission and his insanity programmed into me. The only difference is that I have surpassed Sephiroth in power and mind. I am what he should have been if not for Jenova. Hojo called me Sephiroth, but was an understatement. I am the X clone. I was meant to finish what Sephiroth failed in doing. I was meant to rule. My full name is Sephiroth X, but it is easier to say Seph X." He answered unbidden.
"I see. Who was the winged weirdo you fought with?"
"Where is the president?"
"I am the president."
"I see."
"Who is the fiendish freak?"
"Why are you talking like that?"
"I have no idea."
"Mech-Head. His name is Mech-Head. When I would not follow Hojo's wishes he revived someone who would. The near-death demon provided a wonderful specimen. Hojo gave him a mechanic body like mine and put him to the test. He failed. I stopped him before he made it out the door. We were both put in hyphenating tubes to be completely revived. Because of Mech-Head's regeneration ability he was freed before me. Since Hojo was not there to put him under control, he has roamed this world aimlessly. I only know that he seeks vengeance, and the last thing Hojo told him was to get it. I believe that he will not rest until me and the one called Vincent lie at his feet."
Reeves looked quizzically at Seph X for a moment.
"Why?"
"I don't know. He's always been after Vincent ever since Chaos entered him."
Reno was out on the streets of the sector three slums early that morning. The people of the remaining slums had entered and were taking care of the dead. The mourning was loud and long that day. Because of the massive influx of people in this people and the anger they were bound to come to, Reeves had ordered Reno and the rest of the Turks to keep everything under control. There had been minor fights and brawls but nothing serious. He had heard that Elena had to subdue an entire riot single-handedly. So far, excluding the riot, the morning had been rather quiet.
For the second time Reno looked at the slums with pity. Such a massacre in one night. Reno had only heard of two times that such killing had taken place. Sephiroth and the wutai war. But the enormous scale of this put both out of proportion. Murder had always been a problem in the slums but it was more or less ignored now. This was genocide at its worst.
A sudden tremor rocked Reno down to his knees. He put his hands on the ground so that he wouldn't fall completely. The ground cracked and split as it was put under immense strain. He caught a glimpse at a cloaked figure at the Midgar entrance before a huge piece of black earth shot through the ground and obscured his view. People screamed in fear and panic. But as suddenly as it had started it ended. The ground stopped shaking and the mounds of earth shrank back to normal. Reno jumped to his feet and Looked at the Midgar entrance with anxious interest. The cloaked figure still stood there, backed by twelve armed and ready chocobo riders. He drew his pistol and cell phone. He dialled Elena's number and waited for her to answer.
--Ring----Ring----ring---click
"'ello?"
"Did you feel that?"
"Sure, knocked me down."
"Get Rude here now! This is an emergency."
"What is it?"
"Their here."
"Who?"
"The people who did this. Get here quick."
"Sur-" He hung up. Dropping the phone he raised the gun and pointed it at the cloaked figure.
"Stop there now!" He called out.
The figure turned its head toward Reno.
"You might want to put that down. You might get hurt." It sounded like some security robot with an attitude. It signalled with its hand and the riders lowered their guns.
Reno gulped at the sight. He took aim at what he guessed was the figures chest and shot. He heard a huge ping and the riders looked at their leader for a while. But after a lack of movement they turned their guns toward Reno.
"Wait."
The figure seemed to be plucking out of the fabric of his cloak and emerged with something in his hand. Reno noticed with shock that it was completely metal. The figure regarded it for a minute than laughed. Reno shuddered at the sound of that laugh. It seemed to chill every fibre in him. It shattered his bones with a metallic perfection. The figure walked up to Reno and held up his palm for him to see.
"I believe you lost this."
A small piece of circular, flat lead laid in the steel hand. The morning light shone on the perfect surface of its arm. The black cloak contrasted deeply on the gleaming metal. The claws menaced reflected parts of Reno's face. The figure turned its hand around and dropped the piece of lead. Reno stared into the depths of the cloak but failed to see a face of any kind. The hand came up with a startling speed and slammed into Reno's stomach. He felt the sharp pain as the claws dug deep into him. He gasped in pained surprise. He felt himself thrown to one side and slam into a wall.
The figure addressed the shocked mass of people that watched in horrified fascination as Reno struggled to his feet.
"Where is the president?" He called out.
A few said nothing but the rest simply pointed upwards.
"Thank you." He turned to the riders. "Take care of them. I have to make an appointment with the president."
The figure cast away the cloak to reveal its steel body. It spread a pair of black wings and jumped off the ground, and ascended towards the ShinRa headquarters. Reno watched with dimming eyes at the retreating figure as the light played on its body. Slowly the darkness covered his vision, and he embraced it.
As his head lolled to one side he heard a huge explosion of concrete and the ragged howl of rage.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
The still and cold air could felt deep down in the sewers. The only sounds that could be heard that morning were the sloshing of heavy feet as they ploughed through the filthy sewer water. Rats scurried away in fear as a huge shadow loomed against the walls. The clank as steel hit stone rang out through the sewers. Pillars of light seeped through holes in the roads above. It pierced the stark shadows and revealed the chaos that was the sewers of Midgar. A cloaked man passed through the fetid water without regard to anything. A tremor shot through the concrete walls and block of stone fell into the water. The man stopped dead in his tracks and listened. He heard the sounds of humans screaming and feet pounding against the ground. Then he heard the familiar harsh metal voice.
"You might want to put that down. You might get hurt."
The man turned into an explosion of movement. His legs became a silvery blur as he ran. It ran up the walls until its sheer speed kept it elevated. Then he thrust downward with his legs and shot down into the ground. Just before he hit the ground his arms shot out pushed him upwards again with such a force that he flew through the air and smashed through the sewer ceiling. He landed on all fours and howled in rage. He searched the area for the creature that had plagued him for so many years. No one familiar. He heard the gasps of surprise arise from the people around him. He looked upward and saw a retreating flight of black wings. He howled again and leapt up after him. He stopped hideously short of his target but he grabbed hold of a nearby building and jumped off it. He kept doing that until he grabbed the Mech-Head's foot and tried to pull him down.
Didn't quite work.
Finally he just yanked hard on the foot to catch the figure off guard. They wavered in the air for a moment. The man took his chance and threw that the figure to the ground. Both of them plummeted to the ground. The man prepared himself for the impact. The Mech-Head's clawed hand grabbed at his arm but slid off. The cloak around him fluttered wildly in the air and got in the way of the mans line of vision. He tore it off him.
"You!" The steely figure below him howled.
They hit the ground simultaneously and leapt at each other.
"I will finish where my master failed, Mech-Head!" The man howled.
Mech-head swiped at the man with one hand while reaching for his sword with the other. The man ducked under the claws with a mechanic speed and kicked Mech-head in the stomach, while he grabbed the hilt of the sword. As Mech- Head flew through the air the sword was drawn. Mech-Head went into a crouching position. The one remaining eye glowed with hot fury. Metal gleamed in the morning light as the two combatants locked in battle, while the riders looked in stunned shock. The clangs as steel smashed against steel rang throughout the streets.
Mech-Head swiped at the man's face with his razor sharp claws but missed. The sword came down on the hand and cut through. The crowd looked in shock as it began growing back. Mech-Head held his still-growing claw up to his face and sneered. The man roared and swung the sword again. Mech-Head leapt to one side and slashed at the man's exposed back. Sparks flew as the claws made long tears in the trench coat. The man spun around and sliced through Mech-Heads arms. He howled in rage and backed away. While the arms began the slow process of regeneration, Mech-Head edged away from the battle, seeking escape from the maddened machine.
"I will return for you Seph X! And I will kill you." He screamed.
He turned and spread his wings, jumping into the air.
The riders looked undecidedly at the metal man. One stepped off his chocobo and kneeled before him, presenting a crystal blade before him. The others followed his example and kneeled as well.
"We are yours to command, great Sephiroth." The one that kneeled first said.
"What is your name?"
The reply came boldly back.
"My name is Jared, leader of the Lost order of Sephiroth."
The steel man regarded him with his metallic eyes without emotion. He stood obstinately looking at the man before him.
"My name is not Sephiroth, it is Seph X. Rise Jared, for we have many things to do today. First of all, we must speak with the president. Then, we must also speak with professor Hojo." He said at last.
There was an awkward silence for a moment.
"Hojo is dead." A voice said behind him. Seph X turned around to address the speaker. He saw two people in blue suits helping Reno to his feet. "But if you want to talk peacefully, we can take you to the president."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Reeves sat on his chair awaiting Seph X. He had been sitting there ever since he had gotten a phone call from Rude. It was always worth waiting in his chair when anybody other than Reno called him. He now sat reading a book, totally absorbed in it. He never noticed the hum of his door opening. Elena walked in silently and saluted. Reeves kept reading.
Elena cleared her throat loudly.
Reeves kept reading.
"Sir!" She said.
Reeves dropped the book in alarm. It hit the ground with a resoundingly.
"I swear to god you people are gonna give me a heart attack one day." He said with a grin.
"Maybe we should deny you access to the library." He replied. "You never know when those librarians will attack."
Rude walked through the doorway and stood to attention.
"Ah, Rude. Do you care to scare the living daylights out of me or are you going to report." Reeves said.
"Reno's in the hospital getting treatment." Rude said simply
"What happened?" Concern stood out on Reeves face.
"That's just it. We don't know. All we know is that some guy called "Mech- Head" or something like that came and sliced and diced Reno. Err. not EXACTLY sliced and diced, but err, stabbed at least." Elena said.
"Who is Seph X?" Reeves continued.
"Sir, we know as much as you do. Nothing at all." Rude answered.
"Well, where is this Seph X?"
"Outside, sir." Rude answered again.
"Well, send him in."
"Yes, sir." They said simultaneously.
They both left.
Reeves was left alone again. He picked up the book gingerly and placed it on his desk. He looked up at the ceiling. He heard the footsteps of many people coming through the doorway. Reeves looked down to see twelve men following a metal apparition. His first thoughts at the sight of the metal warrior were to get Cait sith to smash it. In the head of the group was the exact metallic copy of Sephiroth.
"Sephiroth?" Reeves asked suspiciously.
"Seph X. Only my creator called me Sephiroth."
Creator? Reeves was in a state of panic.
"Why do you call yourself Seph X?" Reeves thought aloud
"I am the only successful clone of Sephiroth. I have the memory of Sephiroth up until his last mission and his insanity programmed into me. The only difference is that I have surpassed Sephiroth in power and mind. I am what he should have been if not for Jenova. Hojo called me Sephiroth, but was an understatement. I am the X clone. I was meant to finish what Sephiroth failed in doing. I was meant to rule. My full name is Sephiroth X, but it is easier to say Seph X." He answered unbidden.
"I see. Who was the winged weirdo you fought with?"
"Where is the president?"
"I am the president."
"I see."
"Who is the fiendish freak?"
"Why are you talking like that?"
"I have no idea."
"Mech-Head. His name is Mech-Head. When I would not follow Hojo's wishes he revived someone who would. The near-death demon provided a wonderful specimen. Hojo gave him a mechanic body like mine and put him to the test. He failed. I stopped him before he made it out the door. We were both put in hyphenating tubes to be completely revived. Because of Mech-Head's regeneration ability he was freed before me. Since Hojo was not there to put him under control, he has roamed this world aimlessly. I only know that he seeks vengeance, and the last thing Hojo told him was to get it. I believe that he will not rest until me and the one called Vincent lie at his feet."
Reeves looked quizzically at Seph X for a moment.
"Why?"
"I don't know. He's always been after Vincent ever since Chaos entered him."