Part Five
Rude was at a loss of words as were the others. Cloud looked stricken as he stared at the Turk trapped behind the glass and couldn't help but remember the time he had been in the exact situation Reno was in now.
"With the use of the reserved Mako and a bit of the left over Jenova cells, this will bring forth a new form of SOLDIER!"
Dr. Hojo cackled maniacally at the thoughts of once more creating the perfect SOLDIER.
"You've gone CRAZY!" Rude shouted. "Let Reno go! NOW!"
"Now, what in the world would I do that?" Dr. Hojo replied. "True, he was not my first choice of my experiments.. But he has proven himself to be USEFUL to the cause."
Cloud glared darkly at the doctor. True, he had a strong dislike of Reno, but he would not wish this upon anyone.. Not even his worst enemies. Rude continued to stare at the doctor in shock and disbelief. As Cloud turned to look at the Mako tank once more, images of his past flashed through his mind as he could see himself trapped behind the glass. He winced as he felt a sharp pain rush though him like a bolt of lightning.
"Soon, he will be worthy enough to surpass even Sephiroth himself." Hojo proclaimed.
Cloud's sapphire eyes flashed an eerie green and before anyone could blink, Cloud had sped forward and pinned the doctor to the tank, causing a deafening clang as he held the blade of his Buster Sword to the doctor's throat.
"What business do YOU have to bring back SEPHIROTH!?" he snarled.
Doctor Hojo let out a chuckle, his gaze locked onto Cloud's.
"My my.. How nice to see my old subject has returned." he said. "How is ZACK these days?"
The question caused Cloud to snarl and press the blade hard into the doctor's neck. The doctor only let out a maniacal laugh in response. Cloud's eyes gleamed as he pressed the blade harder into Dr. Hojo's throat, causing blood to cascade down in small rivulets. Acting on instinct, Rude pulled Cloud off of him.
"Let GO!" Cloud snarled. "That ***tard needs to pay for what he's DONE!"
Though Rude wanted to protest, he himself could feel his own hatred for Hojo growing stronger. Cloud throw his arm back, knocking the air from Rude's lungs and causing him to let Cloud go. Hojo slumped again the tank, pressing his hand vainly against the gaping wound in his neck.
"You are no match for my newest creation," Hojo wheezed, trying in vain to stop the blood. "You will all see the true strength of a Soldier."
With what strength he had left, Hojo slammed his hand against the button at the side of the tank before collapsing to the floor in a heap.
The Mako slowly began to drain from the tank, causing Reno to collapse to his knees. Rude's first instinct was to see if his partner was alright only to be stopped by Cloud. As the red-head's eyes slowly opened, his once turquoise eyes glowed a bright green and had slit dragon-like pupils. Reno stood from the ground as an eerie smile crept across his face.
"Reno!" Rude shouted in surprise.
Reno remained silent as he began to make his way toward them. Cloud's eyes grew wide as Reno suddenly reached out, grabbing Cloud by the throat and hoisting him into the air! He stared at Cloud with a feral grin, showcasing his teeth.
"How nice to see you again." he said, his voice now very much unlike his own.
Cloud's eyes grew wide as he instantly recognized the voice.
"No.."
Reno, or whatever was controlling Reno tightened his grip around Cloud's throat, causing black dots swarmed the edges of his vision.
"Reno! STOP IT!" Aerith cried.
She ran over to him to try and pry his hand free. Not-Reno turned toward her and struck her hard across the face, knocking her to the floor. Tifa hurried over to Aerith's side and turned to look up at the Turk in horror.
Cloud choked as the grip around his throat. tightened even harder. He continued to struggle against his assailant's grip. Not-Reno grinned darkly as Cloud's struggling began to weaken. Cloud's eyes grew wide as he saw flashes of the all too familiar silver-haired man of his past taking the place of the Turk in quick secession. His struggling soon began a new as he managed to take hold of Not-Reno's hand and with all the strength he had, gripped his hand with enough force to break bone. Not-Reno, however refused to let go as he continued to hold Cloud in a death-grip. Gritting his teeth, Cloud clenched his eyes shut as he swiveled his body to slam his feet into Not-Reno's gut, causing the Turk to release his grip as he was knocked backward, the air knocked from his lungs. Cloud hit the floor with a thud and he gasped for air, reaching up to painfully rub his neck.
"Cloud!"
Tifa and Aerith hurried to his side. The three turned to see the Turk slowly rising to his feet again.
"How pathetic.." the possessed Turk grinned darkly. "You assume that you can easily defeat me?"
Rude run forward and stood between them, shielding Cloud and the others from their attacker.
"Reno! Snap OUT of it!" he shouted. "This isn't YOU!"
"You're right.. The Reno you know.. Is no more." the Turk smirked.
As the words left the Turk's mouth, he viciously grabbed Rude's arm and forced it behind his back with such force, he felt his shoulder crack painfully. Rude gritted his teeth as he refused to make a noise, regardless of the white-hot agony shooting through his arm and shoulder.
"I will be sure to personally end your pain on this planet." the Not-Reno sneered, an evil grin spreading across his face.
Fighting through his pain, Rude took a breath.
"Reno.. I know you are still there.." he stated. "You are not Sephiroth.. You are not a monster.. You are my partner.. But most of all.. You are my friend."
The possessed Turk continued to tighten his grip, seeming to ignore Rude's words. Rude inwardly winced as a metallic taste filled his mouth. It was then he had realized he had been biting the inside of his cheek until it bled. He felt the air get knocked out of him as he was thrown to the floor. Rude struggled to get to his feet when he felt something hard stomp down on his back as Not-Reno loomed over him.
"Say goodbye to this world.." he growled.
However, as he was about to give the finishing blow, Not-Reno let out a pained choking sound as something sharp pierced through his midsection. He opened his mouth to speak, only to let out a pained choking type of sound and before he coughed. Cloud pulled the Buster Sword out from the Not-Reno's back, causing him to collapse to the floor. The Turk's eyes went wide as his eyes slowly faded back to their bright turquoise color. He coughed and winced in pain as he tried to move. He clutched at his stomach in agony, trying his best to stem the flow of blood the best he could with his hand. His breath came out in ragged gasps as he tried to breathe.
"RENO!"
Ignoring his pain, Rude scrambled to his feet and rushed to his partner's side. Reno coughed and turned to stare up at him, his vision blurring in and out of focus.
"Rude..?"
Rude nodded gently.
"Yes, I am here," Rude responded.
Though he tried to sound professional, it was easy to see he was shaking.
"You are hurt."
"No, really? I had no d*mn idea.." Reno snipped sarcastically.
Rude would have smiled if it had not been for the blood that soaked his partner's clothing. Reno's agonized cough, snapped him back to attention.
"Hold on.. It will be alright.."
Rude searched through the pockets of his suit, freezing as he found the potion he had been carrying with him had become smashed during the conflict. He slowly turned to look at Reno, his expression rather grim. Reno looked at him in understanding.
"I see.."
The words were followed by an agonized cough as blood trickled from Reno's lips.
"Well, this is the end I guess.." he allowed his head to rest on the floor. "I guess I know where I'm goin' then.."
"Don't TALK like that!"
Everyone turned to see Aerith was the one had spoken. She hurried over to him and began to try and put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.
"Look, I appreciate your attempts to help me.." said Reno listlessly. "But.. It's pretty much pointless."
Aerith however, refused to stop as she continued trying to stop the bleeding. She turned to look at Cloud, who stood rather still, his signature Buster Sword stained with a thin layer of crimson blood. Aerith stared at him as tears filled her eyes. Cloud however couldn't meet her gaze.
"Cloud..? P-please.. Please, you need to HELP him!"
Cloud kept his gaze at the floor as he remained silent.
"CLOUD!" Aerith cried, tears streaming down her face.
Cloud remained unresponsive before turning to look at the Turk bleeding out on the floor. As his gaze met Reno's, an image of his past flashed through his mind. The sight of a very familiar man with raven hair lying unresponsive in a pool of blood that mixed with the pouring rain. Cloud clenched his eyes shut as he felt tears forming and he gritted his teeth. He refused to let them see his face, waiting until the tears went away before Cloud opened his eyes and turned to look at them. Slowly, he made his way over to where Reno was lying on the floor. Wordlessly, he pulled out a Hi-potion. As he did so, he could still see the flashes going through his mind. He ignored them as he poured the Hi-potion over the Turk's wounds. Reno sucked in a pained breath of air.
Cloud began to stand up, he was surprised as Reno grabbed him by the arm.
"T-thanks.." Reno choked out.
Cloud stared at him for a moment before letting out a grunt in acknowledgement and slowly stood up as Reno's grip loosened, allowing his hand to fall to the floor. However, it didn't meet the floor as Aerith took hold of it and held it tight. Reno gave her an odd look.
"Why are you so worried about me all of the sudden?"
Aerith looked at him.
"I.. Don't know I just.." she tightened her grip a bit. "You don't deserve the pain."
"That's a weird thing to say.. Especially since we're the ones that took you in the first place.."
"Not to mention he tried to kill us at one point.." Cloud intoned. "Not even sure why I could ever-."
He stopped talking as he remembered flashes of his friend Zack once again and he shook his head before turning away.
"Well, you DID help him!" Aerith replied.
Cloud wanted to say something but remained silent.
"Looks like the bleeding is slowing." Aerith said, relief evident in her voice.
Reno could feel his strength was slowly returning and he took in a deep breath, thankful he was once again able to breathe and he closed his eyes.
Author's Note: So sorry for the lack of activity on this site, I've been extremely busy since the holidays are coming up soon.. I know you've noticed the trend going in the recent stories, to which I apologize.. It's just kinda been something that happens.. Anyway, I hope to get more up soon..