Traverse Town
Two years later
Riku was bouncing everywhere downstairs, preparing himself a snack; chocolate chip cookies (his favourite) and a big glass of milk. He quickly set his prized meal on the coffee table in the living and turned the TV on. Then, opening his books, began to do his homeworks. After a while, though, he began to worry that one of his father wasn't coming in to welcome him home… He put down his pencil and carefully made his way upstairs.
- Daddy?, he called
- Come in, Riku!, the soft voice of Cloud answered him
The young child pushed the door of the master's bedroom to see his dad giving Sephiroth a most needed massage. A sweet odour of vanilla was floating around, and the silver haired man, leaning against the pillows, was giving all the signs of someone on the brink of nodding off. Cloud smiled to his son, digging his hands into his lover's back, working in slow circles when suddenly his two feathered appendages sprouted from his back. With a contented sigh, Sephiroth nuzzled the pillow and fell into a blissful sleep. Both Cloud and Riku then left the bedroom silently.
- Why were you giving a massage to daddy Seph?, asked the youngster
- Your father didn't sleep very much last night, so he needed a little afternoon nap. But he will be ready for the take off, don't worry!
In the last two years, Cid and Vincent had worked together, building out of the gummi blocks an enormous space ship, resembling oddly to the original Highwind… The Highwind II. The blond pilot wanted to go out in the space, and saw through those storms the means to finally achieve his goal. He had stored everything he could need for a very long trip out there in the sky in the storage rooms of the ship. Tomorrow they would attend to the official take off, but Cid was planning on beginning his exploration only in a few months. From what he'd heard from Vincent, they would first do a trip around the world, just the two of them. Another good thing about gummi blocks was that they didn't need a full crew to operate them. And Cid was discovering something new about those blocks each day.
Cloud urged Riku to finish his homeworks while he set himself in the kitchen and started to cook the meal. Soon there was a spicy odour floating in the house, and it lured Riku and his half-asleep father into the kitchen, just in time to see him place a bowl full of an appetizing salad in the centre of the table. Seeing his mate sit down drowsily, Cloud immediately served him a small portion of the diner.
- You really should go back to sleep after this, he said softly. You look so tired…
Sephiroth nodded grimly. His nightmares were really getting to him. While he was lost in his thoughts, he felt two smooth hands lift his head. Cloud smiled with compassion, gently stroking his hair and then he bent down to kiss his forehead.
- C'mon, love. Eat first, then go back to bed.
********
So many things to do, so many calls to answer and so many, many specimen to study… Ansem, after consecrating his energies building the enormous mansion, was now continuing his research on the Heartless. Two years ago, he could not even understand their subtle language, but after one of them entered in him, he was able to 'speak' with the Shadows. He had learned so much things from those primary exchanges, but he had discovered more with his experiments.
The Heartless, the name itself had come from the fact that those creatures had no heart at all, were born from darkness. And since he had discovered that fact, he was researching and experimenting on that particular concept. Darkness, far from being only the lack of light, was a deep and critical feeling, according to him. Ansem experiments involved living specimens, including humans being, and the results were always the same; when exposed to the Heartless, they were immediately attacked and became Heartless too. In parallel, living beings, when put through exhausting ordeals and lack of light, or any stimuli that could lead to a feeling of happiness, of a 'light' feeling, would be a prized darkness source. Once, he had witnessed a young man transform itself into a Heartless, even though his heart was pure and innocent. Only one drop of darkness had been sufficient to corrupt him. And that only woke up one word from the former doctor; amazing.
During his last visit to the excavation site, he had been astonished to notice that the Shadows had released a large, solid block of transluscid blue stone in which was encased some sort of creature. But they didn't seem to mind her, and they were still digging around. Lately, he was feeling it, there was an urge to find whatever they were searching for. Many shadows surrounded him and he smiled. An idea had found it's way to him and his laugh resonated through the cavern. Turning on his heels, he softly caressed the crystal, a sly smirk on his lips, and asked some shadows to come with him.
********
Kline sat down at his desk and read the report that Ansem had send him. A wrinkle of worry marked his forehead. Though he was happy the young man had found what he was looking for, he was worried about his mental stability. In almost two years he hadn't had any human contact, and the experiments he was describing seemed… disturbing, at the least. He had talked to a lot of other doctors about this, mostly psychiatrists, and he decided to go to his 'Darkness Nest', as Ansem called his mansion. He left that report on his desk and left for the cafeteria. Adrian was there, taking out his lunch to eat it in his room; he looked rather tired. Well, Zack had put in for a three weeks vacations.
- Adrian, he greeted, I have to talk to you… Could you sit down a minute?
- Yes, yes.
- Thank you. I will go up to Trabia Mountains to see Ansem. He worries me. His last report, well… is quite deranging.
- I know. I've read them, too. Go and try to take him back to reason, I'll take in more students to cover up for your absence.
Again Kline thanked Adrian before leaving the hospital. He hoped he could turn the tide…
*********
Sephiroth woke up at one go, screaming and clutching his head in pain. Cloud soon followed and immediately reached for his mate's shoulders. The silver haired man almost jerked away but Cloud tightened his grip on him, pulling him forcefully toward his chest. They had to attend to the take off of the Highwind II tomorrow, and the blond was worrying about Sephiroth's health.
- It's alright, you're with me, now… calm down, Seph…
- Is Riku alright?, he asked suddenly
- Well, yes, I guess… I put him to bed two hours ago and he's still asleep…
- Can you go check? Please…
The alarm in Sephiroth's voice startled Cloud, so he did not argue and got up to go check on his sons. Apart Zack, who was still watching TV, they were all sleeping. When he came back from his little tour, the blond sat down on the bed and took his mate in his arms and rocked him.
- Tell me what's wrong, he pleaded
- Lately… lately I've been having those dreams… We are all on a ship, then I see JENOVA take Riku and Zack away… I know it cannot happen, but the /feeling/, Cloud… The feeling is so strong I think I am going to die if I ever see that again.
- Maybe your accident is haunting you… Sephiroth? Oh Seph…
Cloud pulled Sephiroth's head toward his chest when he saw tears leaking out of those shining emeralds. Himself had a sinking feeling somehow since a few days, but he ignored that his mate had visions like that… Cloud held his shaking body closer, trying to convince him that nothing would ever happen to their children, but wasn't very successful. They both did not sleep very much, and passed the rest of the night close to each other.
********
- Damn &?&&?$ weather of my &%#*&*%!!!!
- Cid, calm down. You said it yourself; this ship is build to fly in any condition. Why are you so worried?
- *sigh* I wanted the ship in his full glory…
A small laugh answered his pout and Vincent passed his arms around his torso from behind. The pilot sighed again and the vampire nuzzled his neck. Both startled when a eight year old bomb burst into their cabin. Riku jumped into Cid's arms, hugging him tightly as Zack stepped in, frowning at his smaller brother.
- How many times did I tell you to knock before entering?, he scolded.
- Zack, don't be so hard on him, he's still young, argued Vincent.
The dark haired man circled the pilot and snatched the youth, lifting him on his shoulders to make a turn of the ship. Zack came to sit down on the bed, a little spark in his eyes that Cid easily recognized. Ah… So the kid's finally in love…, he though, chuckling. The silver haired doctor heard him and quickly asked what was so funny.
- You, silly. Remind me of Vincent the first time when Shera moved in with Reeve. He was so happy… Something that hadn't happened to him since too damn long. Now, tell me; how are you two goin'?
So while the two were talking, Sephiroth was lead very forcefully into one of the cabin; he was afraid, tired and swaying on his feet. Cloud opened the door and pulled his mate inside, Aerith on his tail. The two of them managed to get him tucked in, and immediately he started to drift off, but he managed to grab Cloud's arm.
- Don't leave me…, he whispered softly.
- I will be back, Cloud assured, But I have to see Vincent first. Aerith will stay with you, okay?
The flower girl was soon to the silver haired man's bedside, helping him to get the calm he needed to finally slip into a dreamless sleep. Cloud gave him a kiss, then left to find Vincent, but fell on Angel and Sky instead, who were making a quick tour of the enormous ship. They told him that the crowd outside the Airstation was growing even if a storm was about to burst. Sky also told his father that Zack and Riku were on the outside deck together. Cid came not long after they met, saying that Vincent was at his post in the command centre.
- Only fifteen minutes b'fore take off! Come see it were the real action takes place!
- I had to see Vincent, anyway. Angel, you look pale, are you alright? And where's Quistis?
- Quis stayed with Zell, Selphie and Irvine to prevent the people to come too close of the ship… Father, Cid, could you just take me into a cabin? I think… I think I'm going to get sick… ugh…
Cid chuckled, and both he and Cloud supported him to a nearby room where they could lie him down. Well, with the motors heating, Cloud should have thought about it sooner. Luckily for him, the spiky haired blond was rarely airsick. In the command centre, Vincent was talking to Laguna and Kyros, while Squall was inspecting the ship's commands. Yuffie and Seifer entered too, when Cid declared it was time. He made a signal to Vincent and they took place to prepare for take off.
********
Kline was wandering through the deserted hallways of the large mansion, a little disoriented. He was seeing things moving near him, like shadows, but he couldn't be sure. Slowly, he turned a corner and entered a room looking like a library. There were books and parchment scattered everywhere, and he caught a glimpse of light upstairs. A small study welcomed him, but again no one was there.
- Ansem? Where are you?
Only the silence answered him. He sat down on the chair, getting his reading frames out to read Ansem's journal. After a while, what he had suspected turned to be true and he sighed in defeat. Leaving the study he tried to find his ancient student, to no avail. Until he leaned on a wall, the said wall turned on itself, revealing a dark tunnel. Carefully, he made his way down the carved stairs, always going down, for what seemed an eternity to him. The walls started to glow a soft green shades, and from what he had heard and read, that meant he was going deeper, toward the Planet's core, toward the Lifestream. He also noticed that the creatures, the small shadows he thought he has seen up in the mansion were hiding in that tunnel, watching him as he approached a large, shattered crystal. Then, he saw him; Ansem was standing in front of an open door. Next to him was also glowing a sort of small hole, looking like a keyhole.
- I was waiting for you…
- Ansem! Stop this nonsense! You're slowly going insane!
- Ha! You're in no position to be ordering me! Look around yourself, you're surrounded.
Kline looked back, and saw with dread thousand of small yellow eyes watching him. Ansem turned toward him and laughed.
- See? JENOVA is destroying the core of this world, sending it into total darkness. That door will let us travel to other worlds, I will see if darkness can spread through the universe…
- Ansem!
- I'll be known as the father of this new dark age, even the SeeDs cannot stop me now!
- Ansem!!! No!
- Mwahahaha!!! This is it! The beginning of the end! And you'll never live to see it! Go ahead, Shadows! Go to the outside world and take it to the dark side!
Suddenly, Kline saw nothing else than a gigantic wave of darkness moving on him, and that's all he would ever see again.
*********
Longs tendrils of swirling energy circled Zack's body, even his limits weren't of any use. Riku was crying in his arms, and both couldn't escape. The doctor began to panic as breath left his lungs all of a sudden, and he felt himself being sucked into a kind of vortex. Cloud screamed, trying to get away from Cid and Sky that were preventing him from going outside. The storm had broken out so quickly, everyone had been taken by surprise, and then, almost immediately, strange pools of darkness had appeared almost everywhere taking away people, and the small shadows had invaded the city of Esthar.
- RIKU!!! ZACK!!! NO! NOOOOOOOO!!!
Both of them disappeared just as Sephiroth barged into the command centre. Green eyes widened in shock, no sound got out of him but a small puff of air as his knees buckled. Vincent rushed to him as Cloud was continuing to trash and scream, but after few minutes, he slid to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Sky embraced him, but he quickly had to be lay down, as for Sephiroth who despite the fact that he was still conscious, he was totally unresponsive. Sky reached for something in his pocket; he, Angel and Zack, since they knew Cloud could not stand the molecular shifting of the JENOVA cells were always carrying nitro-glycerine, just in case. As he was slipping a small tablet into his father's mouth, Aerith came rushing in, looking terrified.
- Cid! Cid!!! The Planet is dying! Take us away, take off, quick, or we'll die too!
- But Riku—
- No time to loose! Take off now!!!
So Cid did as the Cetra told, taking off into outer space, where they would derive for several weeks, guided by the navigation gummi block.
********
- Don't worry, Sephiroth, they aren't dead. Just… taken to another world, as for Laguna, Kyros and everyone that was sucked into the vortexes…, Cloud said softly
Sephiroth closed his eyes and Cloud picked him up, burying himself into his shoulders.
- Please talk to me!, he sobbed, I know you hurt but talk to me!
The silver haired man slipped his arms around his mate's waist, and for the first time in weeks, he cried for the loss of his children.
- ……… We'll… search for them?
- Yes… yes I swear, we'll bring them back.
Vincent closed the door silently. Angel and Sky looked at him, worried, but the vampire nodded. Sephiroth would be okay. That was at least one problem solved. Their main one was the food. Well, at first, Cid had only stored food for two people on a one-year trip… Seifer, Squall, Sky, Angel, Cid, Vincent, Aerith, Yuffie, Red XIII, Cloud and Sephiroth had to ration food and water, and at most they could stand only four or five months… through their exhausting trip into space, Aerith was tending to all of them as the healer, because Seifer and Angel started to feel space sick while the others but Cid, Vincent and her, began to suffer from strange weakness. But, finally…
*******
- Take him out first!, Aerith ordered, Poor Vincent…
Cloud and Sephiroth carried Vincent out of the Highwind into the small house of the third sector. They had just landed at Traverse Town that the citizen were already helping them out, carrying the ones that were too weak to walk. They had derived into space for seven full months before landing in this world. Seifer, Yuffie, Sky and Sephiroth needed help to walk, the others were relatively fine. But Vincent had deprived himself of food, giving his part to Cid whenever he could. So Cid was the less affected by the food shortage. But Vincent…
- C'mon, Vin… In a few days you'll be okay.
- Squall!!! Squall! My baby! Oh thanks Heaven you're alive! Squall!
The brunette turned and soon found himself buried in the arms of his father, and without waiting any longer, he collapsed. Once they were all settled around a good bowl of potage (most of them hadn't eaten since a lot of time), Cloud asked Laguna the question.
- Laguna, do you know if Zack and Riku are here?
- … I'm afraid… No, Cloud I… I didn't see them, and I hoped Kyros would be with you… We lost so much… Let's hope they will find their way to Traverse Town… I heard everyone lands here at sometime… Let's hope…
End
Author's notes
Here it is! Cloud and Co landed at Traverse Town… I hoped to get the next chapter up with him, but I had so much difficulties with this one… So Destiny Island will have to wait a little too… Lauren, my, it's been so long since we last send news, I am so sorry, I have been very busy, gomen nasai… So everyone; SORRY FOR THE TERRIBLE DELAY!!!! *wears helmet and receive the obligatory pile of junk* (muffled) Thank you.