The key or Cloud
Sephiroth woke up with a headache the size of the house, slouched half-over the couch, and half-over Cloud. It was, to say the least, very uncomfortable. But he could not get himself to move, he was still dizzy from their drinking of last night. He felt Cloud move, then someone dragged him to his armchair. Soft whispers and padding was all he could discern before he nodded off.
Zell looked at Cloud with disbelieving; the small blond was one hell of a wreck. And from the look of it, he would probably pass the day right there and in the same position. Sephiroth didn't look better, so he took the time to cover them before going up to Zack. The doctor had woken up with a very upset stomach, it seemed. He heard a crash upstairs, and a door open. When he reached the bedroom, Zell saw Sky getting out of the bathroom in a hurry. He looked at him with worry.
- Zack's looking awful today, do you know what he has?
- He said he was feeling very queasy, and I think he hurts… How is he now?
- If I'd tell you the truth, I don't think he'll agree, because he sure feels like he's going to die, even though it's not the case. Maybe something in the supper didn't pass…
Zell scratched the back of his neck nervously.
- So, should I go in?
- Don't know. He shunned me out, ask him…
Shaking his head and heaving a sight, the young fighter knocked at the door and disappeared in few seconds later. Sky yawned and made his way to the kitchen, grabbing a carton of orange juice to wake himself up. After his eyes cleared from the sleepiness that still lingered in his system, he saw his father sleeping fully clothed on his favourite armchair. Then, following the logic of the thought, some very recognizable blond spikes were visible from the armrest of the couch.
- They went to the bar again…, he murmured, Gotta talk to Laguna 'bout that.
He promptly got dressed, and after making sure his brother was okay (at least Zell assured him he would be…) and left the house to go to Squall's little home. But when he closed the door, his eyes caught a sight of a note, planted there with the help of a dagger. After reading it, his face took a worried look and he continued his trek. This was announcing nothing good. A shiver went down his spine Definitely, there was something fishy about all of this, but he would have to wait for his father to awake before having more info. And Laguna would surely help him to clear his head right now.
At the same time, on another world.
In the dark circle of the castle, many of the most powerful masters of darkness were reunited. Most of them delighted by the advancement of the master plan. Seated at the end of the table, a tall sorceress was watching in a magic mirror the strings of events going on in different worlds at the same time. Her skin was pale and greenish, her long nailed finger lightly scraped the hilt of the large weapon she was wielding. When she had enough, she turned to face her equals.
- I am proud of our advancement, she said, but we still need the other Princesses of Heart to achieve our domination. Ursula, Jafar…
The two questioned quickly updated on their search, a little nervously for sure, but it seemed to please the sorceress. She then turned toward Hades, who was nonchalantly playing with a dagger /and/ a shadow.
- And now… the Key bearer. Seeing how you idly take your task, Hades, I guess the trap is set?
Although her tone seemed light, her voice was like dripping poison. Hades quickly turned his gaze toward her, hurling the shadow behind with the small weapon. A shriek was heard, but he didn't care, he passed a hand into his flamed hair.
- Ouch!, he said, feigning the hurt, My, my… dear Maleficent, you're hurting me. I told you; those two warriors are desperate to find their missing brat, they will do anything, and I insist on the word, there, any-thing, to have him back. And even if they don't want to, I am sure a little trip in hell and a ride with Cerberus will change their mind, so don't worry about that. Sheesh… I am doing all the hard work here, risks my life for you and that's all the support I get?
- And Hercules?
- Hehe… That's the best part. He and his goat are preparing the games! And I can't believe they fell for that, too… for once that Key bearer will enter the games, and even if he defeat our secret weapons, Cerberus will take care of them both.
A small smile tugged on the lips of Maleficent, before she let out a demented laugh to which the darkness seemed to respond.
- And until then, she said maliciously, we will have our own key bearer.
Cloud snuggled closer into the warmth source that was no other than Sephiroth. Or so he thought at first. He heard a chuckle, definitely not Sephiroth's, and he opened an eye lazily. He saw dark brow hair and a soft smile. But the light somehow blinded him and brought back the hangover double quick.
- I swear if Laguna saw you, he could be jealous! I'm just carrying you up to your bed. Zell and Sky are trying to do the same with your mate. I'm the lucky one, you're not so heavy. Once you two are sober again, we will have to talk.
Cloud just flailed his arm weakly before returning to sleep. Sephiroth was harder to handle, because he was too tall and far too heavy to take upstairs while sleeping, so Kyros went back to help them to wake him up first, then the two other men grabbed him by the shoulders to make him climb up the stairs. Or rather they hauled him upstairs, then into his bed. Laguna and Kyros then sat down on the floor of the bedroom and started a game of Triple Triad. Zell, Sky and Zack (still a little green and shaky) decided to go for a walk, hoping that the fresh air would do good to the silver haired man. The morning passed lazily. The two sleeping men woke up a little before noon to witness Kyros finally win over Laguna.
- Huh? What are you two doing here?, Sephiroth asked softly
- Awake at last, answered Kyros
- Your sons are worrying. That's why we're here.
Cloud seemed to understand that they were talking about their little trips to the bar. It was true they were going there pretty often lately. The blond's face took a very sad wrinkle for a moment and he bowed his head.
- We… needed to forget, said Cloud with a sigh, everything seems so desperate. Seph and I are thinking about borrowing the Highwind again to search for Riku.
Sephiroth reached for his lover, embracing him tightly. The blond buried his face into his shoulder. There was nothing that could describe the look of pain that had passed through his eyes.
- Do you feel he his nearby? asked Laguna
He saw the silver haired man close his eyes before nodding, rubbing Cloud's back. Laguna soon noticed he was crying, which was confirmed when they heard a painful sob escaping him.
- I want my baby back…
Kyros and Laguna looked at themselves, and, nodding, they decided they should show them the note. Hope was what they needed, and they were strong warriors that wouldn't go down without a fight. Even if it was a trap, they had to give them hope. Laguna had suddenly the need to hold his own son; losing a child was the most horrible feeling a parent could ever feel.
In the depths of space, there was nobody happier than Cid Highwind. And surely not when Vincent was accompanying him. There was also Sky and Angel, since Zack was feeling way too bad to come along. Zell and Quistis had decided to stay home with him. The doctor was victim of a harsh virus, he was practically unable to eat solid food. Sephiroth and Cloud were up under the crystal dome deck, watching the stars, or sleeping in each other's arms, so far, Vincent couldn't tell. When he had gone for his check-up, they were sitting back to him and Sephiroth had his head on the blond's shoulder. Awake or asleep… The vampire had resisted to the urge of going to them with a blanket to make sure they were all right but even in their vulnerability, they needed to be alone. Only when they were in view of the Coliseum did Sky and Angel go to inform them. Slowly, both warriors nodded before dressing themselves with outfits they had specially tailored; oddly resembling to the ones they had at the time of the Meteor Crisis.
The world surrounding the Coliseum was a vast desert, but father on the Planet were a few green patches, forests and rivers. Even though the sons wanted to come with their parents, Cloud and Sephiroth refused and took their weapons from them. The Masamune felt good to the silver haired man; like a good friend, it was always there when he needed it. Cloud smiled to him, as he saw him daydreaming. Cid and Vincent were the last to say goodbye, and the pilot gave them a gummi block on a bracelet.
- It's a communication gummi, he said. You can join us by pressing the blue button. The yellow one allows you to communicate between each other. Small and useful.
- Be careful, added Vincent, and don't hesitate to call us if anything happens.
Sephiroth nodded and hugged his father before following Cloud. They had a lot of search work to do.
- Why is everyone running away whenever we ask about the Styx River?
Exasperated, Sephiroth sighed, but Cloud was quickly by his side, patting his back.
- Come on, he said, we'll surely find someone who'll tell us. For now, what about resting a little? There must be an Inn somewhere… Ah! 'Les bras de Morphée' Inn! You've got enough munny ?
- Yeah…
When they left the Inn next morning, they finally reached the Coliseum itself. Last evening, they had decided to change plan; Riku had a lot of battle skills, so maybe he would be drawn by the games that were to be presented soon. There was a preliminary entry for now, so Cloud and Sephiroth were going to enlist. They could also find someone who'll tell them about the Styx river.
- The Styx River!?! You have an appointment with Hades!?! You don't look dead, though…
Cloud and Sephiroth looked at themselves, puzzled. The silver haired man asked Hercules why he was so surprised and who was this Hades.
- He's the Lord of the Underworld, Sovereign of the Deaths and Ruler of the Hells. But… he's also my uncle.
- So, where can we find him?
- Cloud, you're not serious about this!, the Hero replied, He is surely plotting something against you! It's a trap!
- Even so, we have to go there. I don't care if I have to pull him from the deepest pit of Hell, I must bring Riku back.
- Our son is what matter most.
Hercules asked them to wait a few minutes. He left them alone a moment to talk to Phil about all this. And indeed, his advice was practically the same than what the Mighty Hero had told the desperate couple. They both returned and pleaded them not to go, at least not until Hercules would talk to Zeus… But Sephiroth shook his head. And slowly, after hearing the indications, they were gone, hands laced together in vows of undying hope, to the only place where it was bound to die. Phil shook his head.
- They're toasted, kid, I tell ya.
Cloud opened his eyes. Everything was red, fire licking the rock pillars in search of a new victim to torture. Hell. Of all the places… The bubbling lava lakes were vomiting daemons ready to enslave the souls sent there. He looked around him; Sephiroth was nowhere to be found. He was suspended, his wrists and ankles tied up to the nearby walls by the means of heavy chains. An heavy iron collar circled his neck. He could feel his wings in his back, but they were unresponsive. Something moved behind him, and suddenly his body was violently shoved into the wall, the chains clinking loudly under the shock. A very familiar figure stepped before him, draped in a long black robe.
- You!, Cloud seethed, Who are you and what do you want from me!
- Tsk, tsk, tsk…, retorted the man, It's not nice to be so rude… Let me introduce myself: I am the Lord of Hells, Hades in person, the Great Ruler of the Death! No, applause, please… and I do think you want something from me, and not the other way around.
With wide eyes, the lithe blond saw few daemons transporting a body, Riku's body. It took nothing else for him; he began struggling against his bonds, so much he almost broke the cuffs. Hades was impressed. Despite his little frame, the blond warrior was strong, maybe stronger than Hercules… The Lord of the Underworld moved closer to him, and in a flash grabbed his throat, squeezing it until he had Cloud submitting (or choking, but honestly who cares?). He guided his gaze to the side, and the wall that was there disappeared; and what he saw froze his heart. Sephiroth was over chained to a wall, badly beaten, three dagger firmly planted in his left arm and shoulder. His wings were broken, his hair matted by blood.
- Now listen well, Cloudy-boy. Unless you want your boyfriend and your son to become residents here, you'll have to work for me.
- What have you done to him!, he screamed
- The same thing we'll do to you, sweetie.
Hades snapped his fingers, and a small horde of horned daemons appeared. Cold sweat began running down Cloud's neck as history was about to repeat itself.
- I'll brake you, blondie. You will beg for mercy. And don't worry for your brat; he's still useful for us.
Sephiroth's head feebly lifted at the sound of bone snapping, and the scream that followed tore at his heart. He knew that Cloud was suffering a lot from the breaking of his wing; in fact, those appendages were very sensitive. He witnessed Hades brake the other one, forcing the blond to stay conscious while his thugs were beating him… Screams resumed, and a demoniac laughter filled the Seven Levels of Hell; the Lord of the Underworld was enjoying his time, using the same dark energy to hurt Cloud… And from the way the blond's body was reacting, Sephiroth guessed his lover wouldn't stand it much longer. One more lightning strike, and the warrior went totally limp in his binds.
- Enough, he whispered painfully, Do what you want of me, but stop torturing him!
- So finally mister scary eyes had enough?
- Let's make it clear: /you/ have nothing to do with it!
- Personally, I don't give a damn. But I do believe you know of my dear friend here…
A shadowy female figure stepped out of the lava pit, walking toward the silver haired man with a set of strings. Sephiroth had already recognized her, and, bowing his head, submitted to his fate. The chains weighting on him were lifted, and JENOVA tied him to her once again with a large, black collar.
- Sephiroth!!! NO! You filthy son of a bitch! Let him go! Arrrgh!!!!! Let him go!
- Take him to the second level, Hades ordered, And take the brat there, too. Prepare him for my special treatment, Maleficent wants him yesterday. Sooner or later, I'll brake them both.
End
Oo Poor Cloud, and poor Seph… It will get slightly better in the next chapter. Sora will free Cloud, meet Riku, and the rest of the Valentine-Strife family. I hope you will like it! And thank you for the reviews! And I would like to ask everybody something: do you know of a good grammar/vocabulary program that could help me out with my English? I would appreciate some help. Thanks a lot! Now, I'm going to take care of that mess that became my room in the last weeks. I'm really working too hard --. See ya all in: What did you say!?!