(I do not own any property of FFVII — All the courtesy in the world to the lovely folks at Square Enix!)

This story was written with a tremendous amount of heart and soul, and I really hope it shows! It is derived from the fan-debated theory that speculates if everyone's favorite black and white cookie is truly responsible for his actions. It had always been a concept incredibly intriguing to me, and the sparks of imagination have been bubbling inside ever since!

As always, the relationships are only intended to be platonic! I was heavily inspired by the wonderful LuckyLadybug's interpretations of these characters! I absolutely fell in love with their dynamic, and decided to play with some ideas of my own!

Anyways, enough of me! Thank you all to the stars and back! *hugs*

Blazes & Bullets

Final Fantasy VII

The famished flames ravaged through the streets. They climbed walls, devoured homes and brought nightmare to reality. Wood blazed as the ashes rained, buildings collapsed and crimson rivered along dirt roads. Once a cloudless blue now bore palettes of sickening grey. It was forever hungry; no amount of destruction could satisfy.

And in the shadows of it all, slipped away a figure of black and silver.

xxxxxxx

Gloved hands grasped the curtains, jerking them shut to seal the mayhem's aftermath from view.

He needed to calm down.

The brunet urged his trembling body to quell, inhaling deeply.

Zack Fair had been resting in his room — the very inn that they sheltered in now. The Soldier First was preparing to shower when a flicker of grey had caught his eye. He bolted to the window, horrified to see an ember beginning to spread along the shop's pillar.

There was no time to waste. In seconds he was outside, slamming on doors and carrying children to safety.

Everyone had soon gathered in the inn, one of the only buildings unburdened by the fire. Injuries were immediately tended to as others were treated for smoke inhalation. They were safe.

"Is everyone alright?" Zack inspected, aqua eyes scanning the lobby of traumatized villagers.

Through the torrent of bawls and whimpers, an older woman stepped forward.

"Yes," she assured, "the town has all been evacuated."

The Soldier nodded in approval. To his relief, all of the residents had escaped the inferno's ravenous talons. Yes, the buildings would have to be repaired, but it was insignificant when compared to fragile lives.

"Why is this happening?!" a child wailed. The tears bled to the carpet as she clutched her mother's thigh.

Zack's heart twisted taut. "I... I don't know," he admitted. "It could have just been a freak accident down at the shop."

"'Freak accident?'" an older man growled. "This is arson!"

The cries only worsened. Zack wanted to say that all would be well, that there was no need to be afraid. And although he firmly believed so, he couldn't tell lies. Not when he didn't know for certain.

"Zack!" A blonde-haired adolescent pushed through the crowd. He rushed to the other, orbs shrouded in concern.

"Cloud? What's wrong?"

"Where's the General?" he panted, clearly distressed. "I can't find him..."

An arrow sliced into Zack's heart. Through all this chaos, and he had forgotten about his dear friend. Was he still at the mansion, trapped amidst the fire? He had to be okay... The brunet suddenly felt weak.

"Seph... Seph's not here?" His eyes widened, praying that his friend had been mistaken.

Cloud shook his head. "No..."

"Sephiroth?" A new voice had joined them. Zack immediately shifted at the name, eyes falling onto an elder being treated in the far corner. He looked as if he was just regaining consciousness.

"Where is he?!" Zack demanded, struggling to keep his anxiety suppressed.

The older man mustered a frail cough. "I saw him... he's the one who burned the village."

The room fell silent. Only the whimpers of infants fed the stillness.

"General Sephiroth... the war hero?" a teenager, no older than seventeen, repeated in disbelief. "But... he was here on a mission..."

Zack and Cloud exchanged a look of cold-blooded incredulity. The Soldier felt as if he was in a daze. No... it couldn't be. There had to be an explanation.

"Why would... Sephiroth... do this?" a mother voiced their thoughts, bringing her baby close.

"Because he's a bloodthirsty monster..." the older man needled, his voice low and rasp. "I saw... right as the beam struck me. The evil in his eyes... nothing but darkness, and the lion's instinct..."

"NO!" Zack clenched his fists, unable to withstand it any longer. "Sephiroth would never do something like this! NEVER!"

The villagers were taken aback by the sudden rise in temper. Children returned dampened faces into the safety of their parents.

Zack shoulders slumped in remorse. He had not meant to frighten anyone more than what was already scarred.

But that was a mere shadow in his mind.

He tried again, placating his tone. "Did you see where he was going?"

The elder wheezed. "The Mako... Reactor."

The... Reactor? They only went there once, as it called for their investigation. Reports stated that a lethal weapon of the science department was currently under development, being stored in the village's Reactor. The town was ideal, after all: isolated from modern society. But... they had already covered it.

Zack had no choice.

He turned to the door, laying a firm hand on the knob.

"You can't go out there!" a villager exclaimed.

"It's suicide!" another cried.

"He'll try and kill you..." the elder warned. "He's a monster..."

Zack's grip only tightened. "Sephiroth would never hurt me." His response left no room for protest.

"Cloud," he spoke then to the entrance, "watch over the inn... okay, buddy? Keep everyone in-check. I'm going to find the General."

The blonde was reluctant to respond, running his tongue over chattering teeth. Until, he spared a glance to the wound along his arm — freshly wrapped in cloth.

The General had put that there.

Cloud returned to the present, bestowing a weak salute. "I'll do my best..."

Nodding, Zack pushed open the door. Yep He was greeted fiercely by smothering air. The worst of the flames had died, extinguished by the current downpour. The town would be alright. He was sure of that.

Holding his breath, Zack disappeared into the night.

He had already lost Angeal to betrayal. He was not going to relive the same fate.

xxxxxxx

He stood, staring blankly ahead at the creature mounted before him. A slow, eerie smile crept onto the warrior's features.

Mother...

He was here, finally. He would be with the single being that cared for him... understood him. He belonged with her. Together they would take back the planet from the wretched monsters that seized it from its righteous ruler centuries back. He would give it back to her. He would handle all who tried to harm her, and anyone who dared to get in their way... her way.

My son, you came. Yes, my loyal, beautiful son, you came.

In reality, the man stood in silence.

"Yes, Mother..." he parroted. "I'm here..."

Come, my son. Free me from this prison in which those monsters sealed me in.

In movements not quite his own, the warrior began to ascend the nest of metallic trails. Each step rigid and mechanical; it was a magnetic pull.

Good... my true, worthy son, the voice praised, breathing false solace into the veins of her prey.

Her whispers were so warm... They enveloped him, veiling the man in a seductive and unyielding embrace. With every utter, he slumped further into her alluring grasp. He was safe with her. He would forever be protected.

The warrior stopped before the containment, all but waiting for approval. She inwardly smiled. It would be provided. It was all he craved, after all. Such an easy target to manipulate... a mind already so shattered.

Yes... she had chosen well. She had been lying in wait, prowling in the recesses of her puppet. She grew with him... observing, learning. Consuming his desires until she was able to twist them into her own.

Yet she could feel something... something so faint in the darkness of her throne, fighting to sever the reins that tethered it:

So, her puppet had enough sentience to try and resist? No matter. Her cells formed it. She was in-control.

So loyal you are, my son. Let us be together.

Without hesitation, Sephiroth reached out his arms, fixing them upon the unfounded prison. It was pried from its latches as the electrical cords broke free, one by one. He clutched the helmet, wishing for it to meet its demise in a fiendish incineration.

However, the armor was merely tossed aside. There were more important matters.

Slowly, the man lifted his gaze. There she was.

Jenova laid before him; a feminine figure with strands of silver hair spilling down to the immobilized shoulders. A singular, red orb glistened through the now unburdened capsule.

"We finally meet... Mother." He pressed his hands to the imprisonment. The content sneer returned, as did Jenova's nefarious gleam. Of course, only motionless features were displayed.

Yes, my dear son. You and me, we shall take back this planet. You will never have to be alone.

"Sephiroth!"

We shall finish what already has been started... together. Those inferior beasts will fall.

"I will see that they all do, Mother." Indignation began to hone his speech. "After what they have done to you..."

"Sephiroth!"

I know you will, my son. You are the Chosen One. This is why you are here. This is why you were born.

Chosen One...

The twisted sneer broadened. His purpose, he had found it. His very existence had been to restore this tainted and corrupt world to righteous hands. And he would see that it was fulfilled.

"Why? Why aren't you responding? Sephiroth!"

Aqua eyes misted with unexplainable confusion and horror, staring helplessly at the warrior above.

Now he knew the horrible truth.

Why? Why was Seph doing this? He would never hurt anyone... not unless they truly deserved it. And what could he possibly want with such a wretched thing?

And why did it look... familiar?

xxxxxxx

Earlier that night...

"So! These Ancient people, you're saying they all got wiped out?" Zack inquired, lolling into the library's abandoned chair.

Sephiroth nodded. "It appears so. According to these records, it was an instance of societal collapse."

The other blinked. "What's that?"

"It means that their civilization imploded due to a rise of violence." Sephiroth turned the page. "They were eradicated during a massacre, supposedly started by themselves."

Zack listened attentively. "That's crazy!" he exclaimed. "I thought the Cetra were all sunshine and rainbows!"

"As did I," Sephiroth concurred. "Although, there seems to be a direct link between this 'calamity,' and the Cetra's sudden savagery."

"How so?" he pressed, leaning back against the dated leather.

"There isn't a documented explanation," the warrior admitted. "Which I find a bit coincidental."

Zack digested this for a moment. "You think someone out there is trying to cover it up? Like, maybe they know what that thing's capable of and they don't want anyone else to know."

"It's possible," Sephiroth acknowledged. "Or... perhaps they want that information for themselves."

Zack playfully smirked. "You always gotta think the worst of people, huh?"

Sephiroth grunted. "It's my job to be vigilant."

"I know, I know," the brunet grinned. "And that's why ya got me!"

Sephiroth shelved the book, guarding a smirk of his own. "Maybe so."

Zack laughed. "Yep, you handle all the smart stuff, and I'll just come along for the ride!"

The warrior returned to his friend, now deadpan. "You can do more than that."

Continuing to laugh, Zack sprang to his feet. The duo continued to shuffle through the various files.

"The calamity that fell from the sky," Sephiroth read aloud. "Truly an atrocious thing."

"This stuff's straight from a horror movie!" Zack joked, shuffling his hands through the jungle of raven hair. It was all too eerie for comfort.

Sephiroth smirked, faintly amused. "Yes, I suppose it is like one." Not that he ever had time for something so trivial as a film. He eyed the other with concern. "Does this information bother you? We can take a break if you are unnerved-"

"Nope! It's just some old papers!" Zack forced a smile, bringing another book into his hands. Big mistake...

His shoulders began to quiver. He wanted to prove that he could handle this investigation with swiftness and ease, but these images...

Images of the Ancients brutally slaughtering one another. Blood lustered their snarling jaws, crimson dribbling upon the dispersed corpses and archaic weaponry. Their eyes were wild and bestial; twisted with the need to kill.

Zack slammed the book shut. It didn't make any sense! Such a society was only founded on peace, and no wars had even been recorded during the era!

The brunet blinked then, realizing the leather touch brought to his shoulder. He turned, met with Seph's consoling visage.

"It is only history," Sephiroth reminded. "There is nothing to be afraid of."

The emeralds were kind, trying to soothe his friend's uneasiness. It was not his greatest asset, but he would do all he could. Zack allowed a genuine smile.

"Thanks, pal," he sighed, ordering his muscles to comply. They were in a distressing fantasy, alone in the world. But for now, this was all he needed.

Sephiroth shifted, now regarding the other with authority. "You should be heading back to the inn. It's nearly midnight."

Zack stretched, thankful for the excuse. "Yeah! All this Cetra stuff can really tire a guy out. Let's go."

Sephiroth shook his head. "You get some rest. I have to finish this field of our research before we return to Midgar tomorrow."

The brunet mockingly frowned. "C'mon, Seph. You need some sleep too!"

Setting down his current book, Sephiroth retrieved another. "I'll be fine."

Zack opened his mouth to protest, although he was quick to reconsider. Seph was as obstinate as they come.

"Alright!" he submitted, proceeding to the door. "Just don't overwork yourself, okay?"

"I won't."

Zack yawned, amused at his friend's mulishness. Seph would never change. "Night, pal!" he waved, closing the rusted wood behind him.

"Goodnight."

Sephiroth lingered then, yielding to a faint smile. How did such an exuberant person manage to slither into his life? He had no idea. Maybe it was just meant to be.

Heh, what was he saying? Now he sounded like Zack.

Sephiroth returned to the desk, laying his book atop. Hopefully he would be able to decipher some information.

This record presented a much more detailed depiction of the massacre. The following page told of resurrected bones. And the next... aha!

Gloved fingers were traced along the text. "Jenova..." he muttered. "We have deduced that this being is capable of emitting-"

My son...

Sephiroth's head shot up. He was certain that this library had been long deserted. Could it simply be the product of working too long? Yes, it had to be. Why did Zack always have to be right?

My son...

There it was again. Emeralds narrowed in suspicion. The whisper sounded far too real to be a hallucination... He scanned the vacant room. Nothing.

My son, do not be alarmed. I am here to help you...

Son? Who dare refer to him as such? His mother had died upon giving birth to him. And he wasn't one to believe in specters.

You must listen to me... Humanity, your precious friend... they are all lying to you.

Sephiroth snarled, his hand falling to his hilt. "Reveal yourself. Now!" The warrior's voice was ice; the very tone that dwindled arrogant enemies into ghosts.

You are my son...

"Who are you?!"

Sephiroth slashed thin air, striking several books in the process. They avalanched off the shelf and landed untidily at his feet.

You know me... You always have...

Now he knew that he truly was alone: the voice was in his mind.

My son... my son... my son...

Sephiroth clutched his forehead, suddenly aware of its merciless pulsin sensation. It felt... as if a spear was tearing into his consciousness.

The people who claimed to care... they have been using you... manipulating you. You were taken away from me... and now we shall be reunited...

The voice... It echoed, over and over.

Over and over.

It grew louder and louder.

Louder and louder.

Free me...

He now cowered over the desk, eyes straining taut. He searched feverishly for solace in the wooden surface.

But the voice carried on.

No matter how buried in his hands, no matter how much he strained... it followed.

My son... You mustn't fight...

He could feel it in his veins. The blood, his essence — it was being drawn to this voice. It pounded against his flesh, etching to break free. His body was being torn asunder from the inside

They have concealed me away... Come to me. Save me... Make these monsters suffer for what they have done...

The warrior screamed as a blood-curdling screech barraged into his hearing. His legs buckled so under his weight, sending him collapsing to the carpet.

What was... happening?

Sephiroth contorted into a mere coil. His knees drew into his chest, desperately trying to escape the incomprehensible agony that was clawing through his being

My cells... my voice-

"Ge... get..." He couldn't muster the words. His jaws locked against his will, rendering himself silent.

-my will... it flows through you...

Sephiroth seized the table's leg, his heart threatening to burst from his chest. The shriek continued to carve into panicked ears — enhanced by the satanic, feminine calls. The world was nothing more than a fiendish ring.

Z... Za... He strained for the memory of his...

His...

It cares nothing about you, my dear son. No one does... they never have.

The screaming stopped.

Gloved hands fell limp at their owner's side. His muscles relaxed, breathing steadied.

Besides me...

Emeralds reawakened. The dimming light illuminated from above, casting gentle shadows upon a pair of thinning, feline daggers. It was such a warm embrace... Almost like that of a-

"You... do care."

Of course I do, my dear son. More than anything on this planet. That is why I shall protect you from this foul world... free you from the lies that bonded you. Listen to me... and all will be well.You will never be hurt again...

It was true. The world was such a cruel, desolate place... all because of those who tainted it with their own, corrupt ideals. She really did know...

Stand.

Sephiroth did as instructed, carefully rising from the ground as he climbed. Once standing, his head wilted. Silver tresses veiled the soulless emeralds.

Good... Very good. Now come to me. Come to me, my son. Free me...

A distorted grimace invaded his features at the approval. No one has ever appreciated him as such... His expression then faded, a new question arising.

"Where... are you?" He spoke to shallow air. "I... want to meet you..."

I know. I know you do, my son. I am where you had previously visited with that young monster. They sealed me away, beyond their filthy technology. They took you away from me. Now we shall be reunited...

How long had he been blinded to this information? The only being who ever cared about him, and they were separated. The only being who ever cared for him, and she was being tortured? Who was responsible for this atrocity?

The humans are, my dear son. Those mindless demons. Please... they have hurt me... wounded me so deep. I can not let them do the same to you. Please... stop them before they can cause further harm...

His eyes narrowed, venom fueling the befouled veins. "What would you like me to do, Mother...?"

Kill them... kill them all. Make them suffer for all they have done...

Sephiroth fixed the carpet with an entranced glower. He bent down, retrieving his blade. And within the bloodless luster, glistened a visage of sweltering, newfound hatred.

You... belong to me now.