Okay, so here is the crux of my story. Where the plot is getting ready to peak, so enjoy peoples, I know I sure will enjoy writing it. If I get a little too far out there with vocab or imagery, just let me know.
Cool blue water of the ocean. That is what Sephiroth was emerged in, as far as the eye could see. The endless horizon seemed to chase the water's edge in a perpetual game of tag. A blissful feeling of weightlessness warmed his entire body. The crystalline waters sudden began to drop drastically in temperature. Sephiroth looked down. A murkiness was infiltrating the pristine water, undoubtedly causing the dramatic decline of warmth. The sky began to turn the deepest color of pitch to match the ominous shadow climbing through the water. Sephiroth felt a tugging sensation upon his legs, and began to be dragged into the murky depth. To his absolute and utter horror, Sephiroth discovered that he could not move any of his extremities or make an audible noise come forth from his lips. He was dragged into the frigged darkness and suspended there. Sephiroth did not drown, but neither did he enjoy his former freedoms. He merely existed with the darkness, coinciding within its frozen clutches.
Suddenly the waters seemed to be turned upside-down as if someone was pouring in out of a vase. Sephiroth still had no control over his body, he was a prisoner within the confines of his own mind. A slight sound began to grace his ears. A deep and rich laugh. It seemed to be so quiet and far off, and yet it brought warmth back to the tips of his fingers. As the warmth began to spread, the laughter became more and more clear. In the flash of an instant Sephiroth regained sensation and control, and command his eyes to flies open. To release himself from his prison.
Sephiroth was met with the blinding light of day. His eyes blinked furiously attempting to grow accustomed to suns rays. He looked around himself rather dazed and confused. His mattress was flipped off of his bed, and he was crumpled in a pile on the floor hopelessly entangled in his sheets.
His gaze rose to meet the maker of the sniggering laughter. Zack stood above his friend with his trademark boyish grin.
"You really are a son of a . . ." Sephiroth was unable to finish his sentence to due Zack's exuberant defense.
"You were out like a light. I tried to wake you up, but you were completely dead to the world. I had to do something, and this was the only way."
"You HAD to do something," Sephiroth inquired flatly to his friend.
"Well perhaps not HAD to, but it sure as hell amused me!" retorted Zack, a broad grin flashing across his features. Sephiroth merely shook his head.
"You must have had a wild sort of night last night to be out like that. What were you up to anyway? I got home from the hospital and you. . ." Sephiroth's eyes snapped wide with shock. How could he have forgotten about Zack's health.
"You are all right aren't you?" Sephiroth nearly yelled.
"Yeah I am perfectly fine now. A clean bill of health. Thanks for your concern Mother," Zack replied.
"I was just concerned alright. I have never seen you like that before," Sephiroth stated eyes cast downward into the rumpled sea of sheets.
"Ah well I am fine, and lets not talk about it anymore. It is in the past, right? And anyways you never answered my question."
"Oh well . . .I suppose I. . .," Sephiroth stopped mid-sentence as if the gears in his mind had shut down entirely. "Honestly, Zack, I don't remember a thing."
"Did you drink that much?" joked Zack.
"Yeah, sure, that must have been it," Sephiroth replied back, running a hand through his long silver tresses. In truth, Sephiroth did not remember drinking anything. He could remember Zack being taken to the medical wing, but after that, his mind was a blank slate. This unnerved Sephiroth ever so slightly. He did not want his comrade to panic or read too much into this lapse of memory. So he let it slide as nothing but an incredibly large hang over.
"This is all rather unnerving." President Shinra stated flatly. Chair spun around, gazing out the gigantic bay window behind his desk. "And I don't like it," he yelled. Suddenly spinning around staring Professor Hojo directly in the face.
Professor Hojo simply met the President's gaze with a matte expression.
"If you are implying that any of this is in any way my fault. Then you are sorely mistaken," Hojo stated back in a level tone of voice. Eyes never wavering from those of the fuming president.
"Well it certainly wasn't my fault and. . ." The screaming fit of the president was met by the calm thoughtful response from Professor Hojo.
"It doesn't HAVE to be anybody's fault now does it?"
"I suppose not. But do not think that for one second I am at peace with this development. These two developments, as a matter of fact," President Shinra uncomfortably shifted his wait from one side of his body to the other, and fidgeted with the buttons of his suit with twitchy fat fingers.
"As far as the break in and death goes, that is really no big deal. The girl's death was somewhat regrettable I suppose. I shall have to train a new secretary, but this doesn't prevent the plan from progressing. Now as for the murderer, it doesn't much matter who it was. Everything has nearly reached its completion," Hojo mused almost to himself as much as to the president.
"Yes but what about the loss of sanity? He is such a prominent figure. We have not yet had one of our officers threaten insanity!" a small amount of perspiration began to prickle upon the brow of President Shinra. "If a man with that much power went stark raving mad it would spell disaster for all of Shinra, no the entire world!"
"Well then, we shall simply have to dispose of him then won't we?" Hojo chuckled under his breath and a wicked smile flashed upon his aging features.
"You say that like it is a matter of small consequence!" President Shinra's voice began to raise slightly with frustration and agitation.
"It isn't really," Hojo calmly stated.
"What do you mean for Gods sake?" President Shinra was becoming utterly flustered.
"We shall simply send him on a mission like the others," replied Hojo.
"Do you understand just how powerful our officers are? I do not believe that they even realize their true powers. What mission could possibly dispose of one of our finest?" the president questioned fervently.
Hojo slowly walked over to the expansive window. He slowly raised his finger to point across the expanse of Midgar and into the outer worlds. One word escaped his pursed lips.
"Nibelheim…"
President Shira's dull grey eyes widened and a hint of a smile tugged at his mouth.
"Yes, that might just do the trick. I will let you stage the details of this mission, and let the appropriate one know," ordered the squat man.
Hojo just nodded, "It will be all too easy."
"It will certainly be a shame to see Zack go. He had been showing so much promise." Said President Shinra shaking his head in a mocking manner.
The ominous and echoing words prickled devilishly upon the ear that was pressed up against the giant doors. Sephiroth took several staggering steps away from the office. Did he just hear that conversation? Was this actually taking place? What was actually taking place? Sephiroth turned and fled the hallway. Only one thought flashing through his thoughts…..
"Zack can't die. . ."
Author's Note: So there you are people. The next installment. We are getting dangerously close to the end of this thing. Toss me a bone and I might just finish more quickly (pssst….by bone I mean reviews) I love me them reviews. Also I would like to thank my readers and especially those who took the time to review. You guys truly make my days.
Musical whisper: I started again for you so you had better like it. Tee hee. Yeah, well the guy is in fact crazy, so he doesn't have to make perfect sense. That is the beauty of such a beautifully insane character. (this is my wee little sister for those of you who don't know)
Finalfantasyswordsman77: You are too kind. I didn't think anybody even remembered this sad little fic. I am glad you are enjoying it and I will definitely finish it this time. Keep on reviewing!