Disclaimer- I do not own FF7 or anything or anyone that has to do with it, Squaresoft does.

Ch5: Deception

"This all has to happen with extreme precision," Sephiroth yelled back towards Aeris as they ran through the frozen underground. "Are you going to explain it to me yet," Aeris yelled back, struggling to keep up. "What I want you to do," Sephiroth started, " Is to hold the vial of mako between your hands, with your hands to your face, as in prayer." "What vial," Aeris asked, and Sephiroth picked up speed a little. "It will be there, mother is waiting for us with it."

Aeris winced. Something didn't feel right in the way he said that. "Then what," she yelled, still struggling to keep up with him. "Then," Sephiroth started, "When I give the signal, tilt your head back and drink it. We will have mere seconds, as soon as it hits your lips, for me to come down and make my mark before the sleeping agents kick in."

Aeris fell back a bit. Her breath was coming rapid, and she felt like she was going to pass out. "I don't think I can do this," Aeris strained to yell, her words echoing around them. "You can do this," Sephiroth said.

After a countless time of running, Sephiroth stopped dead in his tracks. Aeris, who never saw him stop, ran straight into his back and fell backwards. "What's the," Aeris started so say, but Sephiroth weilded Masamune and shushed the complaining Ancient.

"Look," Sephiroth said, pointing Masamune out in front of them. "It is all in place, waiting for us." Aeris rose to her feet and looked in the direction he was pointing. Sephiroth placed his hand coldly on her shoulder, and she looked up. "Mother awaits," Sephiroth said confidently, almost overly eager.

Sephiroth led Aeris to her place on a high pedestal of what must have once been a church. "Stay here," he commanded. Aeris watched as Sephiroth disappeared into the shell of a long abandoned building, then reamerged a few minutes later with a small vial of green liquid. Sephiroth grinned as he jumped back up the pillars to where Aeris sat waiting.

"I told you so," Sephiroth's eyes seemed to flash as he held out the small glass to Aeris. "For our world," Sephiroth confidently stated as Aeris took it. He smirked evily as he watched her face relax, but he froze as he realized they were too late. The blonde and his friends had arrived early.

With unanticipated rage, Jenova urged, nay, shreaked for Sephiroth to kill them all, but he froze in place, unknowing what to do. The blonde didn't have the Black Materia. "You lied," Sephiroth murmered. "How could you lie to me," he yelled at Aeris, and she innocently giggled. "I guess I'm not as perfect as you," she said matter-of-factly.

Sephiroth, though cool on the outside, started to panic. This was not good. He raised Masamune high, ready for an attack, but was surprised when nobody moved. Everyone was staring at Aeris.

"Come to me, sweet child," Jenova cooed to Aeris. "That fool is no good to me now, now I need you, my child..." Sephiroth dropped to his knees as Jenova forced her way out of him, and plunged herself into Aeris. Aeris writhed on the ground, pain wracking her body as the alien took her over. "CLOUD!"

Though weak, Sephiroth jumped back away from Aeris, away from Jenova with a sudden relief but at the same time, ultimately knowing that the ultimate sacrifice was about to be made.