Ansem's demise

A good description of his current whereabouts would be impossible. Sephiroth was kind of wrapped in his own wings, nested into the quilts and snoring away his morning, like usual. He shifted in his sleep, bringing his legs up, hands loosely clinging to a few feathers. For everyone in the house that came to check on him, he really looked like if he was already in Promised Land. Until one of his fluffy appendage decided to tickle his nose, that is. His relaxed features wrinkled a little and he tried to swat it with his hand, but he failed miserably. It's in a powerful sneeze that he woke up, stumbling out of his warm nest with sleep still lingering in the corner of his emerald eyes.

- ………sigh………

He reluctantly rubbed it off, pushing the blankets aside. It wasn't very cold today, so he just kept his sweatpants and let his wings free from any restriction. A little shakily, he walked downstairs, hair and feathers in disarray, eyes half open and he almost knocked Sky over. The spiky blond jumped, then laughed at the very unique expression Sephiroth had.

- Dad… Finally. Are you feeling better?

A nod and a yawn was his only answer, so Sky lead him to the kitchen and gave him a mug full of steaming coffee, pulling off the two or three feathers stuck in his hair. Leaning his head on his hand, Sephiroth let the powerful aroma come to him, a silly smile plastered on his face. Absorbed in his thoughts, he didn't hear the door open. Zell and Zack were coming back from their little walk, and he didn't even see them, because, groggy as he was, his eyes had decided to close back…

Hey! Look at that! Cloud's gonna be happy, your father woke up, or at least he tried…

Oh, answered Zack, he's awake, for sure. It's just that his mind didn't follow him downstairs.

Hahahaha! You're right, bro! I think I will prepare him breakfast. Gone like he is, I wouldn't let him near a knife…

The three burst out laughing, disturbing the silver haired man who jumped a little on his chair. Sky patted his bare back, pushing the mug a little closer, then grabbing his free hand and closing it around the warm porcelain. He urged his father to drink, then turned back to the fridge. A few minutes later Sephiroth was digging into a very delicious meal, and it helped him to wake up (maybe because Sky liked his food very spicy…) anyway, it was very good to finally eat something else than soup or rice for a time. But he did ask some water to help…

Sora had finally finished to climb all the stairs and was just resting at the top of the waterfall when he hear a familiar laugh. Lifting his head, he saw the tallest figure of Riku jumping down to him. The brunette smiled, and was truly happy to see him, because he had been worried that something bad had happened to him. Seeing him unharmed and in good shape was reassuring. But the smile quickly faded when he saw the frown his friend was giving him. He looked angry.

Riku? Where is Kairi? You said you would take her here…

Mph, you still don't understand, do you?

Understand what?

As answer he received a chilling laugh, and Sora began to boil, standing up and ready to fight against Riku again. But the young silver haired boy crossed his arms.

You are not worthy of that blade! I am the chosen one!

No, Sora's eyes flared with anger, The Keyblade is mine! I have been trained to wield it!

The young brunette 's heart flared with anger and shame, because he knew that Riku was a better swordsman than him. And in a flash, the silver haired youth's faith won over his, and the Keyblade disappeared from Sora's hands. It was replaced by his old wooden sword. Disbelieving, he looked up to meet Riku's emerald eyes widened by surprise; he laughed, and flew off. Reeling backward, he staggered in utter shock into someone.

Who are you? I am known as the Beast. Would you appear to know where I could find Belle?

Sephiroth thought he had stood up a little too fast, because his head started spinning. He wanted to sit back, but suddenly he lost all his balance and collapsed on the floor. His vision blurred, and even if he tried, his body wouldn't respond. Through the veil of his actual vision, he could see Zack over him. His lips moved, but all he was hearing was a strident sizzling sound, like a powerful wind. He felt his body being lifted, then nothing but a long and luminous tunnel in which he was guided by a very familiar voice. That voice was crying out for him, not directly, but he just /knew/ it was him, he was the key... Spreading wide his wings newly healed, the silver haired man flew faster. He reached a blue light and he could not go any further. His eyes became wide as saucers.

- Riku!

A small figure with silver hair was floating in the void, turning around when he heard that cry. His name was the last barrier that shattered the dark spell cast upon him. Memories came back to him, feelings, names, places and most importantly, identity. The child looked up at his father and Sephiroth realised he was crying. Opening his arms, he welcomed his son to comfort him the best he could.

- Dad… I thought… I-I thought you were gone forever!

The youth clung to him and sobbed a little harder but it subsided very soon. Sephiroth calmed him down and they just stayed there, drowning in the feeling of being reunited once again. Riku was clutching his shirt tightly, very afraid. His father sensed it.

- Something is reaching for you, he said, I can sense it. Someone has the control over your physical body!

As an answer, Riku only cried harder once again. Sephiroth felt tears gathering in his eyes, but for his son's sake, he refused to let them fall. His worst nightmare had come true; his son was facing the very same hell than he had…

- Fight it, Riku. I know you can do it. Whoever is having this control over you, I know that your heart can push it away. Fight it with all your will… Don't let the darkness swallow you. Whenever you need our help, just remember we are with you. Sora will help you, then we will be able to take you back home.

He would have liked to hold his son a little longer, but the realm they were in suddenly shifted and a wave of purple and blue tore Riku from him, and he was taken back form where he had come from. Sephiroth now floated alone in the sea which returned to a quiet orange.

- VIN! VIN! Come here! HURRY UP!

The said ex-Turk ran down the stairs immediately. Cid didn't yell at him usually, and by the tone he had, something must have happened. Cloud and him were working in the small workshop and when he pushed the door…

Cloud! Cid! Is he breathing? And you're bleeding!

Just help me out! The kid's not that light, you know? Damn f&?king cast…

Both men transported the inert body of Cloud into the house, laying him on the couch. Cid took off his heavy boots while Vincent was untying and unzipping everything he could to make the blond feel unrestrained when he would wake up. Apparently the pilot had caught him just before he could fall on the floor and had received a rather hard hit on his left temple. Vincent knew Cloud would feel a great pain from that shock. Cid explained what happened.

- I was just talking to him, I turned to install that gummi and then I hear him cry out. The next thing I know is that he's totally out of it, y'know, just like the Meteor Chase… Man, I've never been so freaked out, I tell ya. Staggered a little and he fell backward. Received that f?king piece of sh&t right in the face…

He was pointing Cloud's cast. Vincent sighed, but insisted on checking the blond's vital signs.

His pulse is normal, stated Vincent, What could have triggered this?

Riku was back in the castle. He looked around him; it was an empty room, with no windows. A sort of bedroom, because he was laid on a pile of cushions. A little creature was looking at him, a Shadow. The silver haired youth had difficulties to sit up, and he realised he was hurt; badly injured, even. One of his leg had a deep gash and his right shoulder was on fire, as if… as if he had been fighting while he was in the realm with Sephiroth. The Shadow came closer.

- No… Go away, I won't let you take my heart, he said with challenge

But the small creature, didn't stop, it literally jumped on him, keeping him from completely sitting up. It lifted a paw slowly, and in that gesture, Riku didn't detect any malice, but rather it was like it was trying to tell him something. He looked into the yellow eyes… wait. Unlike any Shadow he had encountered, Riku realised this one had blue eyes…

- Sora?

As an answer, the little creature pinched his cheeks like the last time they had met in Traverse Town.

- Sora… I'm so sorry… I don't remember anything. Is Kairi okay?

Sora nodded.

- I… I was forced into fighting with you, right? And I guess you beat me… I never thought I would say this one day, but thank you. As soon as I can get up I'll help you find a way to turn yourself back… OW! Don't touch my leg! Owww… I wish Zack was here…

Sora's antenna dropped when he realised he had hurt his friend. He closed his eyes, and something deep within him ringed. Spreading his little arms, a green glow surrounded Riku. The silver haired child felt the warmth heal his wounds. It took him a few minutes to clear the dizzy spell that followed. Sora had jumped on his chest, well more like crawled, because the spell had exhausted him.

- Yeah, I know. We better rest up a little… I'm dizzy… feelin' weird, too…

Sora nodded before collapsing on his friend.

Sephiroth closed his eyes lifting a hand to massage his temple. For an unknown reason, after coming back from the realm he had shared with Riku, he was plagued by a monstrous migraine. He groaned, bringing his other hand up to shield his face momentary from the light. The pounding just kept in increasing. He knew from experience that he had to lie down now, but he wasn't sure if he was able to do just that… And just as he thought it could not be worse, Zell and Zack entered the house.

- So, what will it be? I'm feeling for fish… And a pasta salad. Dad, you think you can fix that?

Sephiroth winced; his head was about to explode. Griping the sides of his sofa, he took a few seconds to prepare himself to speak, even if his answer wasn't above a whisper.

- Zackary, lower your voice…

Zell started saying something, but Zack hushed him quickly. Sephiroth heard something moving in the kitchen, and footsteps coming toward the living room. He didn't dare to open his eyes, and then he felt his son's hand on his own. He pried it off his temple and put a liquid ice pack in it, gently applying it to his painful head afterward. Sephiroth sighed in relief; but even if it wasn't enough to soothe him completely, it could reduce the throbbing significantly. After a few minutes, two sets of hands picked him under the shoulders; he submitted and followed, eyes closed, weak in the knees and fighting against the dizzy spell. They didn't climbed the stairs, for what Sephiroth was grateful, and entered Angel's room which became the guest room when he left with Quistis.

- Here…, Zack whispered with a chuckle, You don't look like Cloud by now, so you should be okay. Lie down, keep the pack there and try to sleep. The blinds are closed. We'll be as quiet as possible, okay?

Sephiroth didn't answer and put all his will (well, what was left of it) into falling asleep.

Sora wished good luck to Riku. The youth jumped into the mirror, following King Mickey. He found himself in a labyrinth, a little like Wonderland's forest. Clutching his sword, knowing that Maleficent had been defeated by Sora, he ran toward the dark shadow ahead. He knew Ansem was there, he knew he had to face him. He had to prove himself, erase the guilt he felt, because even if Sora proposed to bring him back to Traverse Town, he felt like he had deceived his parents. He wanted his pride back.

Vincent put a hand on Cloud's shoulder. The small blond smiled and thanked him for the ride back. He was quick to nod and leave the house, returning home to take care of Cid. Cloud was very tired. But somehow, after waking up, he had the urge to see Sephiroth. He was deceived when Zell told him he was sleeping in Angel's bedroom. Nonetheless he went in, careful not to make any noise, sat down on the mattress and admired his love curled under the covers.

Sephiroth had a little wrinkle of pain on his brow, but was very relaxed. His silver hair was spilled across the pillows in a veil of silky softness, which Cloud was stroking with love. His hands moved to caress his face, and at the same time the blond lay next to him. A finger traced the delicate line of his lips, jaw and throat and immediately, as if Sephiroth knew who was there, he turned on his side to bury himself in Cloud's arms. The blond warrior smiled, taking a deep breath, impregnating himself of his scent, filling himself with the warmth of his body. The feeling of him being there reassured Cloud. Closing his eyes, letting his instinct guide his movements, he kissed him gently, and his arms went around his torso, holding him securely against him. It was glad that as they were lying close to each other, they ignored what was going on in Ansem's hideout.

Sora was doing his best to distract Ansem's attention from the fact that Riku and King Mickey were trying to make their way to the heart of this Dark Realm. Wielding the Dark Keyblade, Riku was taking care of the small heartless that were popping out of nowhere from time to time. Giving a little more power to his rod, the King succeeded in opening it. Both then jumped into the passage and disappeared. Sora didn't waste a second and lashed at the self proclaimed Master of Darkness. And he thought Maleficent was nuts…

- Now! I swear, I am going to end this once and for all! I am the Keyblade Master! I have faith in my sword! Let the light be my guide!

…end of chapter

Author's notes

Ha! Finally! I have find my muse back. So here it is! The next chapter should be "Silver Hope" and I think the end draw near, but if Kingdom heart 2 shows me something interesting, I may decide to change the end afterward. I hope you liked this chapter, and that you will like the rest of the story! Lauren? This chapter was for you! And I'll e-mail you so we can finally meet! Bye and see ya!