Family bonds
Sora was fuming. That little goat thought he could stop him from entering the games? What was he thinking? Destroying those barrels was stupid… He was the Keyblade master, after all. But he had to admit, if he haven't noticed how the blade was making the barrel rebound…
He wiped off the sweat on his brow; the sun was very high, today.
- Seems that you'll be taking part in the preliminaries, kid…
Sora smiled triumphantly, receiving a cheerful exclamation from his friends. They began to prepare themselves for the first round of the games. But while training, they came across a familiar face framed with blond, spiky hair. But even before Sora could go near him, he vanished like a ghost.
- Beware of him, said Phil, Hercule says he's under Hades influence… He lost his mate, too… That guy with silver hair… Seroth or something…
- Sephiroth. But I have to bring them back! It's very important!
- Good luck, then. He's classed first in the preliminaries, if you get there, you may have a chance to talk to him. If he doesn't slice you up first, that is. You definitely will need a whole basket of luck, kid.
Cloud wasn't enchanted. It would have been so much simple if the kid hadn't made it that far. Hades was always stepping on his tail now that the games had started. And he haven't found Sephiroth, yet… The preliminaries were nothing, even for a beginner, such bad luck for him he was the top leader of the first round… But then again he guessed Hades had had his word in the classification of the participants. It was pretty obvious.
- Now's your chance to get your kid back, pretty boy. Don't fail me.
- I know what I have to do, he snarled, get out of the way.
His voice was hoarse from the hard training he had put himself through. So much was running in his mind, now. He couldn't let the boy win, not in front of Hades… but Cloud suddenly had an idea. Maybe he could make it look like he was losing it? He didn't have the chance, though. Absorbed in his thoughts, he missed a movement, and the keyblade found its way to his left shoulder. A swift slice of the Ultima weapon and it was out of the way. He looked at the youth standing before him; he didn't look like he really wanted to fight. A strange glow was shining in his eyes, like a small hesitation, but a second later, it has disappeared. He began rolling under the huge mass of his weapon, trying to find an opening, but Cloud was more experienced in the matter, and easily blocked every blow. How could he loose? The Keyblade Master was still a child, plus he needed more training to even think to beat him… He probably wouldn't be able to even with the proper training. This was an average fight until he heard him talk.
- Mr. Valentine! Your sons need you!
- They are old enough to take care of themselves. I want Riku back and you are in the way!
But the time he turned to face him, Sora had jumped high, bringing his blade down. Square. On. His. Head. The Ultima Weapon fell from his limp hand and just before he hit the ground, he felt the healing spell fading away and the dark spots grew to engulf his vision.
- Mr. Valentine!!!
- Cloud! Sora! Get away! Get away from Cerberus!
Hercules was running toward them, but Sora was panicked, holding Cloud's head as a puddle of blood was forming under him. He couldn't understand why he was bleeding so much when he had only hit him twice, then again his hits never made him bleed. The Hero quickly ripped off the red cloak open and the last remnants of Hades healing spell vanished, letting the wounds reopen. Hercules pushed Sora toward the Gates just in time; the giant three-headed dog was aiming for his head. The youth ran for it, Donald and Goofy on his tail while Hercules scooped up the unconscious blond and retreated at the other end of the coliseum.
Zell did not know where to go anymore. Sky was screaming in the other room, Zack was obviously in pain and Quistis was on the phone, completely hysterical. Angel was apparently having a seizure. He assured the instructor he would do something, then, while he was dialling Aerith's number, Zell helped Zack to walk into Sky's bedroom. By the time they arrived, the blond had fell completely silent and the flower girl was answering his distress call. He asked her to go directly to Angel, then to come here.
- Oh man… Zack, can you sit down here?
- Yeah… I think… oh God, it's finally receding.
- It's good t'hear that, but your bro… Whoaa!!! Man! Stop that, you're freaky!
Sky was shaking, red eyes wide open and unseeing, as if he was far, far away. Zell put a hand on his shoulder and on his forehead. Of the four, he was the most perceptible of his parent's whereabouts. All of a sudden, the blond sat upright and screamed, scaring the hell out of Zell and Zack, then fell off the bed, out cold.
- Zell, go check if he's breathing!, groaned Zack
- He is, the blond answered back, Barely, but he is breathing…
- Good. Bring him to me. He'll need comfort when he'll wake up. Don't take it bad, Zell but…
- You want to be alone with him? I wanted you to sleep a little, anyway. We don't want to overstress our little love, no? Take care of your brother. Do you mind if I go over to Quis's? She sounded desperate…
Zack smiled and they shared a chaste kiss. Zell pushed Sky closer to his brother, so he could have easy access to his vital signs. The blond knew Aerith was coming, so he wasn't worried about them. When he climbed down the stairs, though, it's not the flower girl he met, but rather Cid and Vincent who immediately asked if everything was okay. To what he smiled, but said that Sky would probably need help. Cid decided to go with him check on Angel while Vincent would stay over at Sephiroth's home.
- Hey, old man, d'you catch anything from my fathers in law?
- Nope. And kid, let me tell you, it's everything but a good sign. Vincent stopped sleeping since Quistis told us about your pregnancies…
Both men sighed. Those weren't good news.
Voices. Many voices were around him. That meant he was near some people. Cloud was feeling light headed, and when his eyes opened he could see Hercules and Phil, Sora and two tall people with leaf wreath around their head. One of them was spreading some sort of ointment on his broken wings while Sora and Hercules were wrapping them carefully. A dark blue blanket decorated with little stars was partially covering him. The youth seemed to notice he awoke because he scooted a little closer.
- Mr. Valentine, I'm sorry for that.
Cloud closed his eyes slowly.
- It's… it's… Mr. Strife, he rasped, And I'm better here than in Hell… yawn
Morpheus pulled up the blanket to his neck and Cloud returned to his snoring fest. The God of sleep chuckled, noticing how childish looked that grown man when he was sleeping. Apollo finished to set the brakes in the blond's left wing, then worked on wrapping it after coating it with the balm. Finally, he carefully set it down, letting Morpheus sprinkle a little magic sand over the blond's face. Donald, Goofy and Sora, after explaining that they had to go (but that they would come back), left the Coliseum.
- Thank you, Apollo.
- Don't mention it, Hercules. Zeus ordered us to repay those strangers for Hades's behaviour.
- Seems like these young men are very found of each other, whispered Morpheus, Hercules, do you know where this Sephiroth is?
Sadly, the Hero shook his head while bringing a toga to dress Cloud with. While the Gods where healing the wings, Phil had tightly bandaged his chest and back, so his clothes had been taken away. The blond could not stay uncovered… plus, the toga allowed his wings to be freely moving. Sighing, he grabbed his sword and moved out.
- Hey! Where you goin'? asked Phil
- Fishing.
- Fishin'? What for? This lad will need tending!
- Oh, you can take care of him. Me, I'll go fish for information.
Cid and Vincent listened intently to the story Sora was telling. The thought of Cloud being captured by the Lord of Hell rose the pilot's hair even higher and he shuddered. No wonder they couldn't have contacted them. But the news that stroke fear in Vincent's heart was the disappearance of hid son. He left his tea cup and shut himself in the bedroom. Cid was worried, too, but kept asking Sora questions about the blond. Apparently, he had been tortured, tricked and betrayed… he must be in a pretty bad shape.
- Did he wanted to know about his sons?
- He kept calling for Riku… He really wanted to have him back but… I did not see him in Olympia.
- So it has been a trap from the beginning…
- No! I said I did not see him, but I heard someone talk about him. A tall woman, a sorceress… She took him away and wanted to use him!
Cid fell silent as Vincent came back. He had a letter for Cloud he handed over to the brunette. His hands were shaking.
- Take this to him, he needs to know. Until he finds Sephiroth, don't tell anything to Sky, Zack or Angel… Here, take that, too. It's a full cure materia. I don't know if it'll work, but it's worth a try. Just tell him to hang on, we'll come as soon as possible… when he'll want us to.
- Alright. Now I have to go see Leon. He'll train me. Next time I go near Olympia, I'll drop this off, promise.
Before letting him go, Cid gave him a new communication gummi for Cloud and an old book for the magician in sector 3. Then he turned to Vincent. The dark haired man had a blank look on his face, and his shaking just increased. The pilot came near him, gently grabbing him by the waist and lead him to the living room. He sat down with him on the couch, silently holding him. Those were ill news.
End
Author's notes
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZ… Hm? open one eye Oh, hi everyone. yawns Did you know too much work could kill you? ooff… I think I work too much… I think… I yawns zzzzZZZZZ…
Cloud: ?!? Seph! Riku! We have an emergency!
Zack: Everyone! We have a Blanket emergency! Prepare for the transfer! One, two… three!
Riku: spread the blanket over the sleeping author's Treatment administrated, doctor!
Sephiroth: SHhhh!!! whisper Let's leave her to rest…
Htress: ZZZzzzzZZZZZZzzzz drool mmmm… cookies… ZZZZzzzzzzz…
Next chapter: Painful reunion