Second chapter...I need some sugar.

Chapter 2: Startling Revelations

Dad gave us QUITE a lecture. I got grounded for five weeks, luckily it wasn't five months, or years. Firo, whenever he's in wolf form, got put on the leash, and got tied to my bed.

Well, this is pleasant. He said in a harsh tone.

I sat up from my bed. "Don't blame this on me! I didn't go-"

YOU started up his Medabot! That's probably what ticked him off the most!

"You didn't stop me!"

Oh, so now I'm supposed to control your every movement?

"Do you guys ALWAYS fight like this?"

We turned and saw Metabee at the door of our room. He walked over to us. I got a little uncomfortable, considering Firo was in wolf form.

"Don't worry, your Dad explained everything about the whole wolf thing. It's cool."

'How did he know what I was worried about?' I thought. Could Metabee read minds?

I figured Dad would've taken out your medal like he did before.

"Naw, to tell you the truth, he's actually happy that I'm still working. Figured I would've been COMPLETELY out of order."

"What? Really?" I asked shocked. "Then, why'd he-"

"He's just not happy you went into his room."'

I guess, I'm mainly to blame for that.

'Sure, now you take responsibility.' I thought sourly.

The next day, I told Cloud and Shadow what had happened.

"Wow! That's so cool! Your Dad's a medafighter!" Shadow exclaimed.

"Yeah, FORMER medafighter. Metabee's been offline for quite a while." I said. "But, the best part of this is, Dad's willing to keep Metabee online."

"I guess, after all this time, your Dad's missed Metabee." Cloud suggested.

I nodded. "That's what I'm thinking too. Although..."

Cloud looked worried. "What's wrong?"

I looked around, making sure no one was listening in, and leaned in close. They did the same.

"Yesterday, I saw newspaper article all over Dad's wall."

Shadow shrugged. "So?"

"ALL OVER HIS WALL, Shadow. Not just in one place."

"What were they about?" Cloud asked.

"Some kind of strange phenomenon that's been going on."

Shadow got a little excited. "You mean, like, ghostly phenomenon?"

I shrugged. "How should I know?"

Cloud couldn't resist. "And, Shadow, the term is paranormal phenomenon."

Shadow scowled. "Oh like I care."

Yes, this is some of the things I deal with at school. I turned back to the matter at hand. "Guys, that's not important, what is important is that we find out what this phenomenon is."

Cloud's worried look came back. "Kilia, you're not thinking of...snooping on your father, are you?"

"It may be the only way."

Shadow raised her hand. "I call stalking duty!"

I gave her a look. "Just a little louder Cassie, I don't think they could hear you all the way in AFRICA!"

I only call her by her real name when I'm REALLY annoyed with her. What she yelled hit the mark.

Cloud put her hand down. "Nobody's stalking anybody, Shadow." He turned to me, "Why don't you just ask you father about them?"

"Do you really think he'd be willing to talk about that? Truthfully, that the first time I've EVER been in his room."

"And now we know why." Shadow said. "He's keeping something from you Kilia."

"How do you know that?" Cloud asked her.

"Isn't it obvious? They're not allowed in their Dad's room unless he's in there, right? But, with work conditions, that never happens, correct?"

Cloud shook his head. "So?"

"'So?' Are you that stupid? Things like that pull up a million red flags!"

He put his index finger up as if giving a lecture. "Not exactly, Shadow."

Shadow just waved him off and turned back to me. "So, when're you gonna stalk him?"

I didn't really know what to say to that. "Sure, let's do it," just to satisfy her, or, "No, no stalking," because I know Cloud's right? I was stuck! I rubbed my head in frustration. I had to think, think, think. Stalk or no stalk.

'Isn't there a way to stalk without stalking?' I wondered.

I looked at the both of them. "Let me think about it."

Shadow got frustrated. "THINK? There's no time to think! We need to act, now!"

Cloud got mad at her. "Shadow, for once, shut up! You can't force her to do what you feel is a good idea!"

I got up out of my seat and left them to their argument. Never get involved, that's my policy.

I was lying under that sakura trees just out behind our school. This is one place where students are allowed, especially when the flowers have bloomed. I was contemplating the situation. I had the same feeling that Dad was keeping something hidden from Firo and me, but what? That was the real question.

I sighed. "This is getting me nowhere fast. Maybe Shadow's right, then again, maybe Cloud's right."

"The question is, which one?"

The voice startled me. I sat up quickly and looked around for the source of the voice.

The voice chuckled a little. "Look up."

I did just that. On one of the branches was a boy, seventeen, with long flowing white hair. That hair was an instant flare of who this boy was, Sephiroth.

I stood up. "What do you mean?"

He jumped down in front of me. "It's a question of loyalty to each friend. Which one should you please?"

"What? Please? I'm no servant!"

"Aren't you?"

I knew Sephiroth was a little weird, but THIS! This was beyond weird.

"What do you mean?"

He stared at me as if he knew something I didn't. "Don't you know what you and your brother are destined for?"

"What me and Firo are destined for?"

"Yes. Do you not know what power you both contain?"

"Power?"

He chuckled again, then reached out his right hand, as if telling me to take it. "A power, that could change the entire world, for both humans and Medabots."

I took four steps away from him. "You're psychotic! I don't know what you're talking about, but we're just normal kids!"

He smiled a grim smile. "A kid with the ability to become a wolf when the sun sets?"

I gasped. How did he know? Nobody but me and Dad are supposed to know about Firo's wolf form. How did he find out? That was the last straw. I turned around and ran back to the school. I could hear him from behind, "You cannot escape your future, Kilia! Neither you nor your brother!"

I didn't stop. I kept running until I made it back to class.

When I opened the door, I was panting harder than when Firo called me back to the house. I slammed the door shut, and when I looked up, I didn't see anyone. The room was empty. I stepped forward about four or five steps. I looked around the room, looking for anything that told me that the class was elsewhere, nothing. I started to get a little worried. School hadn't ended yet, but everyone was gone.

I turned around and saw Sephiroth at the door, which was weird, cause I didn't even hear it open...or close.

"You can't escape it Kilia. It's in your blood." He said in a demented tone.

He began to move in on me, like predator and prey, guess who the prey is. He drew a very long muramasa from its sheath. Now I was really scared.

I ran towards the window. I had to get away, otherwise I'd be dead. I tried to open it, but, it wouldn't budge. I turned. Sephiroth was almost upon me! I couldn't get away! I screamed.

"Kilia? Kilia! Snap out of it!" Shadow's voice yelled.

I opened my eyes in a start. Cloud and Shadow were kneeling over me, worried looks on their faces. I was confused. Was it all just a dream? And, why was I on my butt?

"Are you okay?" Cloud asked worriedly.

I nodded. "Yeah...I guess."

Shadow and Cloud helped me to my feet. I looked around, everyone in class was staring at me, some worried, some freaked. I saw Sephiroth sitting in his usual seat, three rows behind me. His face was the most worried, even though he was the one who was trying to kill me in my dream. Maybe he was worried he wouldn't get his chance to kill me, or maybe he was sincerely worried. I didn't know.

"Maybe you should go home and get some rest." Shadow suggested.

"That would be best. I feel like I'm losing my mind anyway." I replied.

It was a pretty long walk back home, probably because of what happened. I got through the door, shut it, and yelled, "I'm home!"

Metabee peaked around the corner on the stairs. "So soon? I thought you weren't supposed to get back till later."

"Yeah ,well, certain circumstances have cause me to take an early leave." I looked around. "Are you the only one here?"

Metabee nodded. "Firo went out with some pals of his, and-"

"Dad's at work, I know. He almost never has a day off."

There was a sudden knock at the door. It kind of spooked me, but I got it anyway. At the door was a familiar figure, Sephiroth.

"Why the hell are you here? Haven't you done enough already?"

He looked confused. "Um...what did I do...exactly?"

"Huh? You don't know?"

When he shook his head, I decided to let him in and tell him, don't ask why.

"I tried to kill you? How horrible."

I couldn't tell if this man was Sephiroth or not. After what I had heard about from Cloud, I figured killing was a hobby of his, but here he was saying it was horrible...

I leaned in close to him until we were face to face. "Who are you and what have you done with Sephiroth?"

He looked at me with an even more confused look on his face, but he figured it out soon after. "I see you've heard about me from Cloud, haven't you?"

I nodded. "He told me that you're a heartless, murderous, hateful, person."

"I see." He closed his eyes in thought, "That wasn't me. Well, not fully."

"I'm afraid I don't follow."

He opened his eyes again. "That...was my hatred. My hatred of everything, this world, its inhabitants," He shrugged, "you know...everything."

"What happened to that hatred? I'm not seeing it anywhere."

He looked down sadly. "It...hasn't come out."

"Well, it certainly came out in my dream, just with a whole bunch of babbling about my blood, and powers that could affect both humans and Medabots. It was pretty freaky. I don't think any horror film could compare to it."

"Trust me, no horror story could compare to coming so close to death, ever." He smiled. "But, I wouldn't know, I've never been that close."

"Yeah, Cloud also told me you wicked strong."

"I guess."

I sighed. "Well, frankly, if you could destroy an entire village without so much as a scratch, then yeah, you're strong."

I looked at him. He looked a little sad when I sad that, I think I made him upset. I backed up, and started doing small apologetic bows. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have mentioned that! I'm very sorry!"

He looked at me and smiled. "Don't worry about it. I know, I still have to atone for my sins, but..."

"Your hatred won't let you."

He nodded. "It keeps adding to my sins. I just...I just wish it would go away."

I looked at him. I felt sorry for him, which would probably drive Cloud straight up the wall. He hated Sephiroth with every fiber of his being, but, somehow, if Cloud could just...

"What if you apologized to Cloud?"

He looked at me as if I were crazy. "He'd never forgive me for what I've done!" He looked at the floor, "Besides, it wouldn't..."

I got a little mad. "You don't know unless you try!"

That surprised him. "I have tried! It won't let me!"

"Oh yeah? I bet you wouldn't even be talking to me if you weren't able to!"

That surprised him even more.

I calmed down. "Besides, don't you realize what we've been talking about?"

"Talking is different that doing! Even YOU know that!"

He was right about that. Maybe his hatred could torture him by allowing him to talk about it, but when it came to doing it, that's when it'd kick in. It would never let him be. Even I knew that.

The day of my seventeenth birthday, I discovered what was meant in the dream.

I walked up to Sephitroth during lunch. His smile was a twisted smile.

I tried to hide the fear in my voice. "H-hey Sephiroth. How're you today?"

Apparently he could sense the fear. "Get away from me before I make that dream of yours a reality!"

I backed away, no problem, and went back to Cloud and Shadow. They were looking at me as if they were saying, "Told you so".

"Um...he must've had a bad night?"

Cloud shook his head. "Face it, Kilia, the Sephiroth you spoke to must've been another dream. That man has been hateful forever."

I got frustrated. "It's gotta be his hatred that's causing him to be this way!"

"As it's always been. No change. Watch, he'll try and kill you next."

I sat down and crossed my arms. Sephiroth came over to us. I looked at him in hopes that his hatred had gone to lunch like the rest of us.

No such hopes. "Don't forget, Cloud, we have a score to settle."

Cloud smiled grimly. "Oh, I won't forget."

Sephiroth walked away. I could've sworn his face had said something completely different. And what was up with the shaking? I asked Shadow and Cloud if they saw his bidy shaking. They nodded.

"Maybe he's THAT scared of Cloud." Shaodw said.

I shook my head. "I doubt it. NO ONE is scared of Cloud. Why do you think so many people wanna fight him?"

Cloud sighed. "Makes me wish I had a Medabot."

"Yeah, but, haven't you heard? They re-created the robattles. Now, the medafighter gets to fight alongside their Medabot."

Shadow thought for a few. "Maybe THAT'S why your Dad wouldn't let you get a Medabot."

"Probably. I don't know."

"Does this mean-"

"I'M NOT STALKING MY FATHER, CASSIE!"

"Okay, okay, geez. No need to bite my head off."

On the way home, Cloud was on alert. I don't blame him, when Sephiroth says that you have a score to settle with him, then you had better be prepared, cause you NEVER know where or when he'll attack. Strange part about it is, no one thinks to call the cops on him, I guess everyone's afraid of him.

I turned to Cloud. "So...does he usually attack when he says the whole 'score to settle' thing?"

"Always. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he attacked right..." He turned and drew his sword, "NOW!"

And right when he did, there was Sephiroth, blade out, a murderous look on his face. It scared me and Shadow half to death.

Sephiroth jumped back, ready to continue. "Not bad, Cloud. You haven't lost your touch."

Cloud had a response for that. "Yeah, but you're getting a little soft."

"Hmm, then I'll work on it, with you!"

Sephiroth charged in for the attack.

'No, this isn't him...it's not.' I thought, and, without thinking, I got between Sephiroth and Cloud, screaming, "DON'T!"

Surprisingly, Sephiroth stopped, his eyes showing fear, not of me, but of hurting me.

"Kilia..."

I stood my ground, anger flaring inside. "Don't do this, Sephiroth. It's not what you want to do. Don't let your hatred take over your life!"

He started panting, gasping for air. "Kilia...please...I don-don't want...to hurt you."

"I know you don't, but, I can't let you hurt my friends. If you let hatred win, I won't."

Suddenly, He started screaming, holding his head with one hand, then released his blade to put that hand on his head as well. I didn't know what was going on. I was just as confused as Cloud and Shadow, if they were, I don't know. I couldn't take my eyes off of what was happening, whatever it was. Suddenly, a black light began to shine from Sephiroth until it completely consumed him.

It looked like, it was forming something...but what. The black light took four steps forward, letting Sephiroth fall.

"Sephiroth!" I yelled, and ran to him, or at least tried.

I was bounced back by what felt like a force field, making me land on my butt.

"Ow..," was all I could really say. I looked at the black light, just to say, "What was THAT for," but...I saw what it was becoming.

The shape was all too familiar, the long flowing hair...Sephiroth...

"I'm afraid he's unavailable." The voice was too different voices, one deep, one Sephiroth's, at the same time. And then, when the light faded, it looked exactly like Sephiroth, there were just one difference, the color were reversed. Instead of white hair, it was black, and the clothes were white instead of black. The shoulder pads didn't change color one bit, not that it mattered.

"Who...are you?" I asked bewildered by what I saw.

The reversed Sephiroth looked at me, his blood-red eyes piercing into my soul. "You should know, Kilia, you brought me here."

"What?" I didn't understand, "I brought you here? How?"

"With the power of your bloodline."

"What do you mean?"

He turned to me. "You wanted me out of Sephiroth, so you got what you wished."

"You're...his hatred...aren't you?"

He nodded. "There, now you understand," He summoned his own sword, black as night, "but, now, I'm afraid you must die."

I was scared, too scared to move. I screamed.

"KILIA!"

The voice startled me, but there was a boy, my age, long blond hair, not as long as Sephiroth's, in a purple t-shirt, blue jeans, and normal running shoes. But, the voice...it sounded familiar.

"M-Metabee?"

"You alright, Kilia?" He asked.

I WAS Metabee! But, he's human, how? What the heck was going on?