Last chapter! I thank all of you for finding this as amusing as I did and hope it's enjoyable to the end. Your reviews are greatly appreciated!
Thank you!!!!!
Sephiroth and Riku stood calmly facing off a fuming Kadaj, a crying (again) Loz, and a mildly curious Yazoo. At least they seemed calm. Their postures were relaxed and while Sora and Cloud couldn't see their faces due to their backs being to them, both could picture the matching expressions of indifference.
"What did you do with Mother?" Kadaj hissed. In his hand he held the waxy head. He lifted it up. "This is not her!"
"You have a terrible memory, Kadaj." Sephiroth's tone was casual. "You're the one who destroyed what was left of her body."
Both Loz and Yazoo turned to stare at their brother. "What?"
Kadaj frowned for a moment before his eyes narrowed. "You told me I had to take in her cells to be whole again."
"He didn't say eat her head." Riku spat out without thinking. Man, Kadaj could be stupid.
"I didn't do that!" The insane triplet launched himself at Riku, yanking his twin bladed sword out.
Sephiroth smoothly stepped to the side, out of the way. Riku summoned Way to the Dawn and blocked the downward blow Kadaj threw at him. While those two went at it, Sephiroth looked to the other remnants. "Well?"
They glanced at one another. Loz sniffled. "So, Mother's… gone?"
"Forever." Sephiroth waved a hand and turned away. "There is only us."
"So you lied." Yazoo concluded quietly. He took a small step forward. "That wasn't nice, Brother."
"At what point was it said I was a nice person?"
"But-" Loz hiccupped. "We're a family."
"No, we are not. I made you in an effort to return. The three of you are simply aspects of my own personality."
Sora leaned over to Cloud. "So does that make them, like, his Nobodies?"
Cloud was watching Riku and Kadaj. "I suppose. They're something like that."
While Riku was holding his own against Kadaj, it was pretty clear he was struggling. It was difficult to effectively fight against an insane person and Kadaj was about as crazy as they came. Crazy with little intelligence.
Sora followed along. He knew every one of Riku's moves and when he saw bring forth a Dark Aura, he knew Riku was getting annoyed. Kadaj was laughing at Riku's attempt and that just angered Riku further. Then Kadaj's face went totally blank and Sora knew Riku was in trouble.
Just as Kadaj suddenly slipped into what could only be called berserker mode, Sora jumped in with Oblivion drawn. He and Riku stood side by side, facing off Kadaj's rain of blows.
Riku spared a second to glance over. "Didn't need your help."
"Well you got it anyway."
Knowing those two would be fine, Cloud returned his attention to Sephiroth, Loz and Yazoo. The two/thirds of a whole where stalking their creator clearly unhappy with his words. They said nothing, merely glaring at him. Sephiroth didn't seem to be paying them any mind.
Loz attacked first, dropping low and attempting to stun charge Seph at the hip. Sephiroth only kicked him in the face sending him sprawling. Yazoo raised his gunblade to the wanna be god's face. With a light push, Sephiroth shoved him away.
By now, Loz was coming back.
Cloud felt a little left out. He could have gone back in and let these crazy people wear themselves out but it was likely his entire backyard would be destroyed in the process. He was tired of being the unwilling playmate. He wasn't related to them, despite their belief. He wasn't even friends with them.
Loz ran at Sephiroth, leaping at him. He threw his arm back to strike… and was slammed to the ground. Flames encircled him and he yelled out. Sephiroth simply tsked him. The Fire spell dissipated and Loz was unconscious.
Calmly, Cloud removed First Tsurugi from his back. While Yazoo was again aiming for Sephiroth's head, Cloud swung up from the hip and sliced off the blade just as the trigger was pulled. The angle of the strike was just so and the energy backfired in Yazoo's face.
He crumpled down beside Loz.
Sephiroth looked at Cloud with a raised eye. Cloud returned the sword to his back and shrugged a bit. "Living with Squall teaches you a few things about Gunblades."
Both turned to other half of the yard. Riku and Sora seemed to be having the time of their lives tag teaming Kadaj. Each took a turn at him and he cursed them both. None of them looked tired.
"We should stop them." Cloud commented in his quiet voice.
"Why?" Sephiroth folded his arms. "They seem to be enjoying themselves."
"Because my yard can't take anymore."
Sephiroth toyed for a moment with the idea of simply torching the yard since Cloud seemed so… suburban about it. Their truce had made the blonde soft. Deciding it wasn't worth the effort, he called out. "End it, Riku."
The shaggy haired teen nodded and nudged Sora. Sora grinned in unspoken agreement. The pair raised their Keyblades and went into Session. A rather spectacular light show later and Kadaj was out.
"Bit of an overkill." Sephiroth said dryly as the boys approached.
Riku and Sora shrugged. "It was fun."
"So, uh, how are we getting them home?" Sora glanced around.
"Riku." The ex-general turned to drag Yazoo by the arm. He then collected Kadaj.
"Come on, Sora. We got Loz and he's heavy."
As Sephiroth waited, he idly spoke. "I'll send them back after their nap to fix the yard."
Cloud shook his head. "I'll call first. I don't want them back until Leon returns. He can help me keep an eye on them."
Riku and Sora lugged Loz over and Riku opened up a dark corridor. "You following us or teleporting?"
"I'll follow." He turned. "Thank you, Cloud for providing yet another delightful family gathering."
Cloud glared but it was more tired than angry. "Yeah, well don't make the next one any time soon."
As the Jenova boys and Sora left through the portal, Cloud surveyed the ruins of his yard. He was already dreading Father's Day.
