A happy family is but an earlier heaven.

George Bernard Shaw

He looked exactly like he had in the movie – handsome, powerful, and tinged with sadness. When Cloud Strife walked into the plaza, and drew his sword against me, one thought went through my mind – freedom.

Death had walked into my arms, and I would gladly accept it – if only the others hadn't run up behind him. Crystal, curls streaming behind her, raced into the area, screaming as Cloud rushed me. I smiled at her, fighting Jenova inside so I would stay totally still. Though I was happy to see him, I truly wished Jamie hadn't shown up – I hadn't wanted him to see my death. The sword came down, and I heard screams.

"No!"

Suddenly I blacked out, shock rushing through my system; when I opened my eyes, Jenova was totally gone – still within, but she had lost control. Shaking uncontrollably I fell to my knees – Cloud was unconscious in front of me.

"C – Cloud" Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo joined us, confused and surprised. Racing around the dead bodies and pools of blood, Crystal came to my side. Unable to stop myself, I sobbed and fell into her arms, as she held me tightly.

"Sister!" Loz joined us and the others too. Kadaj leaned down to Cloud, seeing him unharmed.

"What happened?" Jamie looked like he was going to be sick. "W – Wha?" The stench and the sight got to the boy – he fell, eyes rolled back in his head, and Yazoo caught him.

"Did Jenova do this?" Crystal implored, bringing me to my feet. My knees were weak, and so was my voice – I nodded.

"Did you knock Cloud out?" Loz was shocked. So was I; the muscle man picked Cloud up, and he moved in his sleep.

"How'd he fall asleep?" Crystal pulled me up into her arms, bridal style, and I did not complain. Tears streaming down my face, I pulled myself up into Crystal's shoulder. Bad move – her pulse echoed in my ears, and the bloodlust rose.

"C – Crystal – let me go!" I began thrashing again. Being the weirdo she is, Crystal just frowned and head butted me.

"Shut up, Jenova!" She proclaimed – my blood lust was suddenly gone.

"Ow!" I frowned, rubbing my head.

"So what's going on?" Kadaj looked to me.

"We're trying to break Sephiroth out, but he won't do it. The fool wants to die!" Again I tried to stand, but stubborn Crystal wouldn't let me.

"Well we can't let that happen." Yazoo had Jamie in his arms.

"Let's save him and then kick his ass for ever thinking he could leave us." Loz grinned.

So there we were – the back up team; two people unconscious, one unable to stand, and three odd brothers. Kadaj noticed the fact he was the only one not holding someone, and he asked why as we began to move on.

"If you held them their feet would drag on the floor." Yazoo smirked, walking past his shorter brother. Kadaj's jaw dropped as we moved on without him, laughing.

"H – Hey!" Kadaj frowned deeply, racing after us.

I was not laughing, though it was funny. I couldn't laugh – not as long as my hands kept shaking, my nail beds dirtied with blood.

But still, I didn't feel so bad. Something was changing – I looked over at Cloud. And I wondered what the white light had been. Something was changing. And maybe – when the change came and the old left to be replaced by the new Jenova would leave too – forever.

I don't know you


But I want you


All the more for that

We hadn't walked ten feet when we were surrounded by guards. And these were not the Saucer guards – these guys were with Shinra, and the blonde bastard I'd met only too often when with Shinra was there, smirking at me. I suddenly felt like walking again.

"Put me down" I told Crystal, eyes angry. She hesitated, for once genuinely afraid of Jenova. I smiled at her. "Don't worry – I just want to wipe that smirk off his face forever." Sensing my intentions, Crystal smirked and nodded, setting me down.

Even as Kadaj drew his sword and followed me, I sauntered towards the man; his entourage powered up their guns, calling threats – I could still feel the metal imbedded in me from earlier, and didn't even flinch. But I did pause and turn to my friends.

"Go" I told them. Kadaj smirked and came to stand beside me. "We've got this. Get out of here" Crystal and Loz shared a look – then, she took Jamie from him, and Loz grinned running out to join us. Yazoo and Crystal, with their unconscious companion, bid us luck. Of course, the soldiers around us didn't want them leaving, but they didn't have a choice – Yazoo took Crystal's hand and raced off, gone without a trace.

"Let's play" Loz grinned, his arm weapon ready. I turned and flexed my claws – raising one hand I pointed at the blonde – then I elegantly flicked him off. Kadaj and Loz laughed.

"Don't kill them" I whispered, still focused on the blonde. "Please" Kadaj and Loz did not seem surprised by my request. "Enough have died tonight."

Frowning, the blonde walked out. "What's your name?" I asked loudly as he joined us.

"Why ask?" He smirked, removing his gloves. "You won't need it."

"Tell me – or I'll beat it out of you." Loz and Kadaj backed away, turning towards the soldiers.

"Wanna play?" Loz repeated, leaping into the hordes. Kadaj attacked the other side with a yell, and the fight began around us.

The man and I stood at a stand still as he drew a strange sword – made totally out of energy, the weapon vibrated like lightning.

Samantha?

I hesitated. "Sephiroth?"

Words fall through me


And always fool me


And I can't react

No – it's Cloud.

I was surprised to hear from the man and a question immediately came to mind. How did you get knocked out?

I can't really explain it right now – but I've got news from Tifa. Sephiroth's out. Vincent's in place, and we've still got some time before the execution – it's been delayed until the "intruders are silenced".

"Ah" I smiled.

"What are you smiling about?" The blonde sneered.

"Nothing – just thrilled!" As I shouted I raced at him, my fist aimed at his stomach. He was taken by surprised and flung back, blood streaming from his mouth. I grinned at the small victory – I can do this. Jenova's soul vibrated inside me, and I shoved her aside as I charged the man. Joy was rushing through me – Sephiroth would be okay!

How'd that happen? I asked, tears streaming down my face as I dodged the blonde's blade.

Vincent. No one knows what he said to him, but Sephiroth came out almost in tears. I've never seen him cry before. And when he saw me – it was almost like he was himself again. The old him.

"He is" I grinned, reaching to kick the blonde's shin. He jumped back.

Thanks to you. We haven't been introduced, but I've heard a lot about you.

"Me – too!" I flipped backwards, dodging the blade – it cut my shoulder and I winced. "You're – kinda a hero of mine!"

I could sense his sudden embarrassment. T – Thank youI giggled.

Suddenly a blow came from my left – Kadaj flew into me, knocking us both back. "Sorry sister." He grinned, leaping back into the fray. The blonde had paused the battle.

"So –" He smirked. "You are not helpless." Wiping blood from my chin, I stood.

"Who are you?" I demanded, flexing my fingers. Jenova was gaining power – and I wasn't sure I wanted to deny her. Cloud was still connected to me, but I focused for a moment on the stranger.

He spat some blood out of his mouth, a terrible grin spreading over his features. Laughter erupted from his mouth, the totally cheesy, evil kind, which made my spine crawl. He was a worm. Though I hated killing, when it came to the blonde, I wasn't sure I could deny myself the pleasure.

Then looking at me, he whispered quietly. "My name – is Kefka. And I already know your name, Samantha darling."

He creeped the hell out of me.

"Shut up!" Hissing like a cat, I leapt at him, my nails twice their original size. His blade cut through my stomach, but I kept fighting.

"You can't – continue – forever, darling!" He laughed again, walking back. "Your body is riddled with bullet holes and cuts and you've bled too much. You – will – fall!" His blade cut my neck, a vital vein, and I felt total pain rush through me.

As he sauntered up, a small giggle escaped his lips. "You are brute strength – but you don't know anything darling. But don't worry – you'll know everything; soon enough.

Samantha?

I couldn't see Kadaj or Loz in the battle, and my vision was fading. So I leapt at my one chance.

Cloud! Shinra – blonde – Kefka

I fell over into darkness, Kefka approaching me with great laughter.

0-0-0

Kefka the insane clown.

He was a Final Fantasy character too – but he was in the wrong game. Kefka was the villain in an older game; how I knew that I couldn't tell. Perhaps Crystal or Jamie had mentioned him before. Actually it was more like Crystal, since Jamie wasn't likely to talk about someone so ugly.

So at least I had an idea about who it was that had kidnapped me. An insane freak who laughed like a caffeinated squirrel. But I couldn't hear or see, so I had no other information to go on – but I had a clue.

Kefka was the leak – he had to be. If Rufus was really on our side, he wouldn't have had his soldiers come to fight us. Rufus would've had us detained, so he could get us out later. So either the bastard had lied, or Kefka was playing by his own rules. I figured that he was the one messing everything up.

Though I was semi awake, I couldn't hear or see, only feel as I was picked up and moved. It wasn't that long, I don't think, but it felt like hours. Eventually I began to feel less pain – I was being healed for some reason. But then, I really fell asleep – and when I woke up, I was in hell.

It was another room straight out of a science movie – a lab, full of tech stuff, but really old. It looked like someone had just moved in after it had been left alone for decades. New stuff was mixed with old stuff, and I wasn't the only one there.

A strange, big red dog was chained up in the corner, wounded, and asleep. My heart went to him – on his side a number the number 13 was tattooed in Roman numerals.

Wherever I was, we'd either not gone for or gotten their fast, since the clock read about 9:12. Sephiroth's execution would begin in an hour or so. Unless it'd been moved up.

I tried reaching someone, anyone with my mind, but I felt like my head was locked up. It was then I realized I was tied to some sort of machine – which couldn't be a good thing. At the moment all that held me down were chains, but by the look of the tools, that could change. All sorts of hellish experimental science things were hanging nearby, sharp needles and tubes and things I didn't want near me. I was genuinely scared.

A door creaked somewhere, and I remained very still. If it was Kefka, I was going to kill him. It wasn't.

A tall woman, beautiful, with blonde waves of hair falling down her back, walked into the room. Her eyes looked dead, or blind, and she moved stiffly. A ripple of terror and sadness rushed through me, and I began crying.

I was staring into my mother's dead eyes.

And games that never amount


To more than they're meant


Will play themselves out

"Do you like her?" Kefka sauntered into the room, arms behind his back. "She's my favorite" He smirked. "Always loyal and so very beautiful." He came to a stop in front of her, lifting his hand to touch her cheek. Like a statue she remained still.

"D – Don't touch her!" I sobbed, reaching towards him and the thing.

"And why not?" Kefka turned to me with a smirk. "You act as if you know her." He started towards me. "You do – don't you?"

Unsure of what he was getting at, I stayed silent, glaring daggers at him.

He was so close to me – but I was too weak to do anything. I snarled at him.

"Quiet kitten" Kefka giggled again. "Or mommy will punish you."

My eyes grew wide and I leaned back away from him. Was she… was she really?

"Don't you recognize her?" He stepped back again so I could look at her. "Your own mother?"

"N – No!" I sobbed, shaking my head. "N – no! Please, n – no…"

All the while the statue that looked like my beloved mother stood there, doing nothing, eyes blank.

Kefka was taunting me, but I couldn't help it – my chest heaved with sobs, and stung with pain. He stepped up, right next to me.

"She is my treasure – as are you, darling." Lips curled back, he touched my ear. "Once I retrieve from your bosom the monster that lies there, all my dreams will – he, he – come true!" He broke into fits of laughter.

"J – Jenova?" I frowned and yelled. "What does she have to do with it!"

"Do not raise your voice at me!" The sharp sting of his hand came across my cheek, and I fell back. He was enraged, suddenly freaked out, until he broke into laughter again. Sprawled on the ground, I found myself looking at the red creature.

It was awake.

The dog's expressive eyes spoke to me – it could definitely think. It cared for me – and wanted to rip Kefka up as much as I did. But how could we get out of our situation?

The clock read 9:29. I had to get out of there – I had to find Sephiroth.

Suddenly a face was in front of me. "Oh sweet heart!" My mother's voice rang through my ears. "Are you all right? Come here, baby" She lifted her arms to me, her face full of emotion – her eyes dead.

"S – stay away – from me!" I screamed, backing up.

"Don't back talk your mother!" The thing frowned, its eyes haunting me. "I'll have to punish you!"

"Stay away from me!" I sobbed, curling up into a ball. "S – stay away…"

The thing came up beside me – the dog growled. Kefka, noticing it, walked up and kicked it hard. The poor thing cried out, but I couldn't really hear it.

"Didn't you miss me darling?" She whispered, pulling my hair around, tucking it behind me ear. "Don't you love me?"

Nodding I sobbed uncontrollably. "I – I love you, mama" I turned to her.

"Come here, baby" She opened her arms.

Jenova hissed and fought inside me, but the spell my "mother" had wrapped around me was too much. Helpless, I crawled towards her, looking for comfort, and love.

I got a hand impaled through my chest.

"You know what the saddest thing is?" Kefka smirked behind me, not even looking at me. My body shook, in total shock, and I was unable to speak as her hand dug deeper in my chest.

"She really is your mother. Truly" He giggled. "When I first saw her in Edge I knew what she was. And she walked right into my arms, when that fool Shinra brought her to me. I took her to my lab in the Golden Saucer – the one place no one would look. Of course, I had to bribe the fool owner to let me use it again, but it was well worth it."

My mother's hand finally pierced my flesh and went all the way through, and I screamed. The dog creature was violently fighting his chains, even as they electrocuted him, and he roared in rage.

"Eventually she escaped – and I caught her again. And every time she did I would punish her – perhaps hurt her old friends, threaten her family. She gave in – and I planted within her my most powerful device. She is totally under my control!" He interrupted his speech with a fit of laughter.

I began to feel the pain and loss of blood, as suddenly a strange feeling rushed through me.

"You see you and your mother have a power no one has. But you are the lesser model. I want your beautiful, unscathed mother. Oh, Maria… she is my masterpiece"

Weakly, I reached out to her, trembling. "M – mama…" she did not respond.

"Now, controlling Jenova will be easy. Do you know why?" He smirked. "Of course you don't. Only I do. Now, the most powerful being in the world will be under my control!"

Then I realized – Jenova was being siphoned out of me, pulled into my mother's body. I couldn't let that happen to her – I had to free her.

"M – mother!" Blood poured from my mouth and my chest, and I felt pain wrack me. Kefka kept laughing in the background as I succumbed, falling into my mother's arms.

"R – Rebecca…" I closed my eyes.

My mother's eyes gained a little color.

Suddenly a giant eruption came from the doorway, and the metal doors were thrown off their hinges. A white light raced through the area, knocking Kefka into a computer. My mother was thrown back, through a wall into another room, and a sudden warmth and light feeling raced through me.

"No – no! Sam!"

I fell into someone's arms, and felt the pain and the hurt fade away. Death was rather peaceful. I just closed my eyes, and everything was gone.

Take this sinking boat and point it home


We've still got time


Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice


You've made it now…

TO BE CONTINUED!!

song "Falling Slowly", Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova)