AN: Hey okay first thing, just to ressure you all I have not discontinued this story! I know it has been a long time, but come on you think I would drop it this far into the story? I'm not that cruel! Besides I hate it when people do that and I am too close to finishing to let that thought even cross my mind. Unfortuntly things have been a little crazy at work, it getting close to the end of the school year and all. Hopfully my next chapter will not take this long! Enjoy the chapter!
Rain opened her eyes and immediately knew she was dreaming. This was nightmare she had often. Unfortunately, knowing you were dreaming did little to help you stop the pain.
She especially hated this dream. This was the day her world had shattered. It was back in the reactor all those years ago, right after Jenova had disappeared from within her head.
Just like she had found herself in a grey void when Jenova first called to her, she suddenly felt herself being pulled, as through a wall, and then she was standing in an endless expanse of white. It had felt like being in mist. It had been so quiet, so peaceful. She wanted to stay in the tranquility, but places like this never lasted for long.
Rain felt a presence behind her and she closed her eyes. She hated this part, but her body moved on its own accord, as it always did in dreams
The Centra that stood before her did not say anything. He just looked at her for a long time; his expression both disturbed and thoughtful. Finally he spoke those words that had cut her eight year old self to the core.
"You are not supposed to exist."
As Rain watched the event with her present mind, she thought it would not have mattered when it would have happened. Words like that cut to the core no matter who you are or at what age.
"Your life is solely the will of the planet. It has brought you into existence. Though it was through a human woman, your existence remains the same."
Rain felt her young self draw in a sharp breath and the Centra looked very grave, "You are not simply just a child. You have the memories and experiences of a life you have not lived, so you should know what I speak off. You come from the planet itself! Now I ask you, how is that possible? For what purpose are those whom the planet brings into existence? What name are they given?"
Rain even now felt herself shake her head.
The Centra continued, "You know what your purpose is. You felt it as soon as you drew in your first breath. To save and to protect them."
Rain remembered feeling confused. Them? She knew she had to save Cloud, to protect him from reliving old terrors. But how many other people was she responsible for?
"In order to save one, you must also save the other." The Centra waved a hand and an image appeared in the white expanse. A man with long flowing silver hair, eyes ablaze with green mako, fire burning behind him. Sephiroth!
"Things though are never that simple." The Centra continued, "The Calamity became aware of the planet's intentions and sought to intercede. Jenova infected the planet's chosen, hiding in the dark recesses of their minds until it was too late for an uncomplicated solution. The planet's only option is now one it hoped never to have to use."
The Centra looked pointedly at Rain, "Your part is all this was supposed to have been simple, but now the planet will force you down a path it only just glimpsed upon your creation, when time itself was in confusion and the past and possible futures collided. The path of the final destruction of the Calamity! The path of the Citadel!"
In her dream, Rain could feel herself shake and her body change at the planet's strong calling. Yet she fought it, couldn't accept it, and didn't accept it then.
Suddenly another presence crept into her mind. This was not part of the original experience. The white expanse darkened into a thick and gray fog. A voice that made her skin crawl began calling from beyond the mist.
"What is troubling you my dear?"
"Get back Jenova! What are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here?" Jenova's voice feigned offense, "I came because I sensed my daughter is in pain and I have come to comfort her."
Long slender arms wrapped around her from behind holding her in an embrace. Rain pulled away, but the arms tightened just enough to stop her from escaping.
Rain cursed. She felt so weak right now, and Jenova took this opportunity to try and take control.
"I have come to do no such thing my darling." Jenova responded almost as if she knew her innermost thoughts. Rain would have to be careful, it was extremely dangerous having Jenova so deep into her mind. She must not learn what was planned.
Jenova was now stroking her arms in what Rain supposed was a comforting gesture. However, it only made the hairs on her forearms stand on end.
"My poor little girl," She crooned, "They ask so much of you don't they? They expect you to give so much, to go through so much pain without anyone to help you or comfort you."
The creature made a clicking noise with her tongue, "Even the hero of the planet was not expected to go through so much alone. He was given a dear sister, but what was given to you? They look at you as a tool, someone they can use at will."
"And what could you offer?" Rain growled angrily.
"Me? Why Rain I am your mother. You are a part of me; I have always loved you, and would protect you if you let me. I could give you what you always wanted, freedom! You would never have to be alone again."
Rain closed her eyes in momentary bliss at the picture Jenova created not just with her words, but in her mind as well. Images of what she always wanted, Cloud smiling and happy with all their friends alive and well, and Rain free to do whatever she wanted. It was so tempting, so reassuring. She could understand why Sephiroth had given into it. The love of a mother, a sense of belonging, of freedom and protection. Now that she thought about it, it was not so different from what Jenova was offering now, but she knew the truth.
Rain opened her eyes and smiled. She felt her strength returning to her and the fog was starting to clear. "Nice try Jenova, but I know what you are trying to do and it won't work."
Rain felt her presence depart from her as if physically forced.
"Just wait." Jenova hissed, "There will come a time when you need my strength and call on me. You cannot survive without me my daughter. Our time will come!"
The earth seemed to shake and Rain closed her eyes as a bright light suddenly exploded above her. This time when Rain opened her eyes she knew she was awake, but the bright light above her had not vanished as it should in a dream and remained above her.
Confused, she tried moving lifting a hand then drew in a panicked gasp. She felt cold metal restraints around her wrists and ankles!
What? Where was she? Her eyes were now adjusting to the light, and the realization made her panic.
She screamed. The nightmare had not ended! It had simple exchanged forms to a lab.
She screamed again and the noise made her voice ache, but she was far past caring. Her breathe was coming out in quick short gasps. She knew she was hyperventilating, but she wanted out at any costs. Her panic was fully in control, and she gave herself over to it. She was aware of her body thrashing and struggling against the restraints but was now helpless to stop it.
Images started to flow through her head and soon drowned out all awareness she previously had. Blood! So much blood and screams, screams that would leave a normal man hoarse in minutes, but they were not mere men. The mako in the systems enabled them to continue that bloodcurdling noise for hours on end, or until one of the scientists would cut their vocal cords. The butchers didn't like to hear the screams of their subjects; even so the muscles would grow back within hours only to be repeated again and again. Rain own screams were now added to the memoires of those dark years, years, when Zack and Cloud lay helpless beneath a madman's knife and sick ambitions.
Suddenly Rain was pulled back out of the nightmare by a painful feeling down in her ankle right before there was the sound of metal creaking and her foot snapped up so high suddenly free of its restraint that she nearly kicked herself in the face.
From out of the darkness surrounding the light above her a figure suddenly appeared walking toward her. He was dressed in white and held something in his hand. Rain growled an almost predatory sound, her vision turning red. Her foot lashing out as soon as he got close enough snapping him in the chest. She felt the satisfying crunch of bones breaking in his chest before he flew back into what she assumed was a wall in the darkness. A metal wall by the sound of it, which meant she had probably killed him. Her lips curled up in a malevolent grin.
Turning her attention to her arms she strained with all her might, her muscles screamed in pain, but Rain hardly felt it. All she felt was the liberating feeling of her limbs slowly winning against the pull of the metal, until with a loud snap they suddenly released their hold.
Sitting up, she was not prepared for the bright lights that suddenly lit up the room and she threw her arms around her eyes. Then she was slowly able to lower her arms, she felt the red again cover her eyes at the sight of the metal benches covered with folders and various instruments on trays placed around the room, making her visible shake with rage.
This place and all places like it should not exist! Getting onto her feet she walked over to the nearest table and with a cry threw it across the room. Not satisfied she moved to another one tossing trays as she went. It was only when she picked up a stool and threw it around the room into what appeared to be a metal wall only to have it shatter into a thousand pieces. She realized there was second room with a two-way mirror between. Lying strapped to a table was Zack, with a very familiar figure leaning over him. Her lips curled back into a snarl and she lunged across the room.
Hojo!
Zack had jerked awake with a speed and alertness fitting his profession. He was lying on his back on a cold, hard surface. He tried to get up, to move his arms, but they would not response to his will.
Lifting his head he looked down to see large metal restraints around his wrist, forearms, ankles and chest. There was a large bright light hanging high above him, making the rest of the room look black outside of the circle of light. The only thing he would see clearly was what was through what appeared to be a mirror into another room. The room was dark but had a light shinning over a table and restrained in the same way was a still, blond spiked figure.
"Cloud!" Zack cried jerking against his restraints.
"Well, well it appears subject Z is finally awake." An eerily familiar voice spoke from the shadows.
Zack's lips pulled back teeth in a snarl, "Hojo!"
Again he jerked fiercely at the restraints, but they held strong. He turned back to face the professor who had now stepped into the light.
"What have you done to Cloud?"
Hojo slowly moved to stand next the mirror tracing his finger over the image of the unconscious blond on the other side.
"Cloud? Oh, you mean subject C. Why I haven't done anything... yet."
Zack gritted his teeth.
"Don't you dare touch him!" He shouted.
The Professor snorted, "Him? Don't you mean her?"
Zack remained silent as he was once again reminded of the shock.
Hojo continued, "I have to admit I was quite shocked for such a strong specimen to be of the female gender, but it has made her all the more invaluable to me. Imagine what I could to with such a specimen."
"You have really crossed the line this time, Hojo!" Zack growled, "Do you think Sephiroth will get you off on this one?"
"And how will he know subject Z."
"That's Officer Fair to you."
"Not anymore, down here you are simple subject Z. There are no names for the likes of you down here and I wouldn't hold any hope of a rescue. Even if they did know where you were, it could take them years to find you in this facility."
Zack felt a growing dread in the fit of his stomach. He knew how extensive some of Shinra's labs could be. Hojo was right; it could take Sephiroth years to track them down.
He watched as Hojo slowly started to move away from the window, making a clucking noise with his tongue, "I have to say I am quite amazed. The girl's healing abilities are far beyond that of even a First Class SOLIDIER. Her wounds are almost completely healed and it hasn't even been twelve hours. How fascinating!
The Professor looked down at the chart he had placed on a steel table.
"And her mako levels..."
Hojo paused and simply stared at the girl through the window and Zack hated the way he starred at Clou... Rain; like a butcher looking at a choice cut of meat.
Hojo continued thoughtfully, "I have only seen such levels in one other subject. Well, one other subject who was still able to be a worthy specimen afterwards."
The restraints were now biting painfully into Zack's skin as his muscles tightened in anger. Though he did not say any names, Zack knew who Hojo was talking about. To hear Hojo refer to Sephiroth in that manner... no wonder Sephiroth was such an emotionless, cold piece of stone most of the time. He had to be. It was the only way he would have stayed sane growing up with such a psycho. It had taken Zack and Angeal years to convince him he was still human.
Yet the essence of what Hojo had said was not lost on Zack.
Rain was like Sephiroth? But Sephiroth had grown up in the labs and had been subject to countless experiments since the time he was born. It was the result of those experiments that made him what he was now. The most powerful man on earth! What had caused Rain to become this way? From Hojo's expression he obviously was wondering the same thing. Zack prayed to Minerva that Rain would not wake up any time soon.
Hojo turned his attention back to Zack and had moved back to stand beside the table. "In the meantime, while we are waiting for subject C to wake up, I have another subject to play with."
Zack saw him reach for something past his head. He just caught the glimpse of silver and green before the sharp sting of a needle being inserted into his arm brought his head down with a snap. What he saw made his eyes widen.
A large needle was sticking out of his arm between the restrains of his wrist and elbow, making it impossible to move that area of his arm, leaving it utterly defenceless. The needle though was not what worried Zack. It was the thick, fluorescent green liquid inside that had him concerned. It looked to be around 4 to 5 times normally given to a SOLDIER.
Hojo seemed to notice Zack's reaction and took delight in it, further delaying inserting the injection. "You and specimen C have been chosen to undergo specialized treatment. You have no idea how much trouble I went to obtain such fine specimens."
"Specialized treatment!" Zack yelled trying to be able to move his arm, even just a little, "That amount of mako is gonna kill me!"
Hojo sneered, "Don't be so sure. Subject C had already undergone such a treatment and survived, though that was not my intention at the time. Besides if you can't even survive this, you have no hope of surviving down here."
Hojo abruptly applied pressure inserting the mako in one sudden and quick steam. Zack had had his fair share of mako treatments, but it was nothing like this.
When injected, Mako entered into the bloodstream immediately infusing itself into the individual cells. It often felt like tiny insects stinging simultaneously, which that in itself was bad enough, but this...this was far worse and Zack had to grit his teeth to stop the scream from escaping his lips.
Fire! Pure molten fire was poring through every vein into every part of his body. Zack didn't know how long it lasted, but it felt like forever. Going on and on until Zack begged for the merciful relief of unconsciousness, but it didn't come or rather right when it was on the brink the fire eased up into a simmering boil. The agony was still there, but not the blinding pain. The sudden release left him gasping for breath.
Hojo watched him looking fascinated at his obvious pain. After a couple of deep shaky breaths he finally managed to gasp, "You're a psycho, Hojo!"
Hojo only smiled, "You seemed to have survived the first stage, which is promising. We'll have to see how you do with the rest."
Zack visibly paled at the realization that the pain from the initial injection was only just the beginning of what was to come.
Before he could respond though with another insult, they were interrupted by a panicked scream that came from the direction of the other room.
Rain's eyes were wide open, the obvious terror making the mako in them come to life, her eyes were practically glowing. Her body then began to wither on the table contorting in ways Zack didn't even think possible. Her screams echoing of the wall causing Zack to winch in pain, as his enhanced ears only amplified the sound.
"Rain?" Zack called, hoping maybe the sound of his voice could be heard in the other room, but if so it seemed to have no effect. More proof of Hojo's cruelty, Rain was locking in a room where she was alone and couldn't see them, and Zack had witnessed briefly how she reacted to these types of places.
Hojo was yelling at someone to get a sedative, when there was suddenly the sharp distinct sound of metal snapping, and a foot shot free from its restraint and hit a technician who had suddenly appeared alongside the table.
The kick set him flying back into the dark room. There was a loud crash and even the room they were in seemed to shake a little from the impact.
The satisfaction was short lived when Hojo moved around the table, while yelling at someone Zack could not see for another sedative and security.
It was too late though, another scream and jerk of her body and an arm was now free too. Zack struggled furiously against his restraints, but they held fast. Whatever the girl was, all that mako running in her veins along with this sudden adrenaline spike seemed to give her the added boost to break free from her retrains.
With one hand now free Rain clawed at the metal bands holding her down and Zack saw them bend under the pressure of her fingers. Within a few seconds she was free and sitting up.
There was a faint click and then the abrupt harsh light above them made him cry out, shutting his eyes tightly. The restraints preventing him throwing his arms over his eyes, which is what he desperately wanted to do. A little ways away Zack heard Rain give the same cry.
After what seemed like hours Zack was slowly able to open his eyes. Blinking rapidly he saw the rows of rights overheard that were now all turned on, allowing him to see the rest of the room.
Looking around Zack saw where they were, though he kind of already knew. A steel encased, sterile lab. It was typical enough; the only solid color was white. The steel in the worktables and stools clean enough you could see your reflection in them. Vials, instruments, along with clipboards were arranged on the worktables and portable trays.
Though it seemed close enough to the labs in Shinra the differences were enough to make Zack's blood run cold. The tables for one were a dead giveaway. They reminded Zack of the steel tables found in the morgues. The metal restraints weren't just made from steel either or Zack would have easily been able to break them. They were obviously an enhanced metal meant to hold a SOLDIER. It might have once even been able to hold Sephiroth. Zack noticed something that made the hairs on his neck rise. Large grated drains that were situated right beneath their tables. What the heck did Hojo do his subjects?
His attention then returned to Rain who now sat staring at her surroundings, her eyes glowing dangerously. He hardly saw her move before she was up and threw a table into a far wall, shattering whatever vials and instruments had been on it. It seemed to unleash something in her for suddenly tables and trays were crashing everywhere.
Though Zack had little qualms about Rain trashing the lab, he was a little concerned about how violent she was. Rain's eyes had a wild look as she continued her rampage. Suddenly, a stool flew through the window, catching Zack in the side of the head making him grunt in pain.
Hojo had seemed to realize whatever plans for getting Rain back under control were useless and he himself was in danger and retreated to a door on the far side of the room. The man could move fast when he wanted to, but even so he just barely made it shutting the door behind him.
"Rain!" He shouted lifting his head as best he could, he was really not feeling feel. His head was buzzing and things that he should know, that should make sense were now starting to confuse him. It would be best to try and get Rain to calm down before he succumbed to the mako.
The room went eerily still and slowly the blond head turned to fix Zack with green, glowing eyes and suddenly Zack felt that he wasn't looking at his friend anymore. She was different somehow. There was no emotion in her eyes.
Zack swallowed, wondering if maybe he should have let Chocobo take out whatever was going on in her on the trays and table instead of drawing attention to himself, but the look only lasted a moment. She then seemed to take in the broken window and the stool lying where it had come crashing through the window, then the blood on his face before her face cleared and she practically ran to Zack's side.
"Rain?" Zack's voice was now hoarse and scared, the next stage of the mako was taking effect and Zack had never felt it this strong before.
"Hey Zack," Rain brushed her hand across his face gently wiping the blood that started to trickle into his eyes, "I'm sorry about that Zack, I lost myself."
Zack smiled weakly, "Probably would have done the same thing if I was able."
"Let's get you out of these." Rain gripped the restraints around one wrist and ripped it from the bed. She moved around the bed until Zack was completely free. He quickly sat up, eager to get off the table, but gasped as pain, making him sway. Rain grabbed hold of his shoulders.
"I got you." She reassured.
No, she didn't, she could see it in Zack's eyes. They were growing greener by the second, and she could see that half of what she was saying was lost on him. She had seen it happen enough in that other life time, Hojo must have given him a signifgant amount.
"Hey easy, it okay." Rain kept her tone soft like one would use to calm a frightened animal, but it did not good and Zack lunged.
She found herself flying back, an incredible pressure around her throat.
She hissed in pain when her head hit the wall hard enough for spots to dance across her vision. When she was able to focus again, Zack was looming over her, his hand tight around her throat.
"Aerith," He hissed, "Where is Aerith?"
Aerith? Then it made sense! He must have overheard Yuffie mention Arieth! Of course it would be the path his emotions would take him when the mako took over.
There was no use fighting him, it would just make him more violent and with fresh mako in his system Rain didn't want to put herself up against him. Besides Zack was her friend she didn't want to try and hurt him. That left really only one option.
"Aerith is all right. She's safe."
Zack's hand momentarily tighten when Aerith's name was mentioned and Rain tried hard not to choke, but then slowly it loosened and Rain dared to speak again. "She sent me to check up on you. Make sure you were all right. She misses you too, Zack."
The hand fell from around her throat as Zack's entire body started to tremble uncontrollable. She caught him right before he collapsed lowing both of them slowly to the floor.
"Rain," His voice was a little stronger now, more in control, but he still sounded scared, "are you all right? Did I hurt you?"
"Don't worry Zack, I'm fine." Rain lied; she could already feel the bruises around her neck from his hands. She knew what it was like to be out of control, not aware of what you were doing. She remembered the times she had waken up, controlled by the nightmares hands wrapped around Cloud's throat.
He seemed to realize though the moment he was free, for suddenly his eyes fixed on her and she just had time to glimpse the swirling green before she found herself flying back, an incredible pressure around her throat.
Zack stared at her before putting his head in his hands, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"Oh, Zack," Rain whispered, "but you are not fine. What has he done to you?"
The next few hours were absolute agony for both of them. Zack lay with his upper body prompted up against Rain's chest. His head now poring sweat resting on Rain's shoulder. His breathing was horse, coming out in long painful gasps as his body relaxed from their most recent battle.
The abnormal amount of mako in bloodstream was making his body fight against it, trying to eliminate it. It would be a long and painful battle, but the mako always won or killed the body in the process. Zack's body would stiffen, his muscles clenching so tight he would cry in agony.
The only thing Rain could do to ease his pain was talk, try and distract him and of course she had the perfect topic for his undivided attention, Aerith. Rain would tell him stories about her, describing what she was like in the years she had been missing, concentrating on even the tiniest detail involving the Ancient. Zack soaked it up like water in the desert, but talking only worked for the first few hours.
When Zack would start thrashing and convulsing no amount of talking would help. She'd wrap her wrap her arms around his chest from behind, pinning his arms to his sides and wrap her legs around his to prevent them from getting leverage and shaking her off. Still she could not restrain him fully, only barley enough to keep him still from hurting himself.
His fingers though would dig into her thighs making gaping holes, but she could not risk releasing her hold around his arms to dig his fingers out of her legs. So that had left them both in the position they were in now, spent and both in pain.
Rain drew in a few shaky breaths and then looked down at Zack who appeared to be either asleep or unconscious.
She smiled sadly, "You were able hold and comfort him a lot better than I am able to do for you I'm afraid. One of the disavtanges of being small I guess. Not enough bone mass and leverage in situations like this."
"You make it sound like I've done this before." Zack's soft voice made her jump.
He had not opened his eyes, but it was obvious he was coherent.
She sighed, "I suppose in a way you have, though you don't remember."
There was a moment of silence.
Zack's eyes were now opened and he was starring at the ceiling absently. "I used to have dreams, dreams about a place like this."
Rain drew in a sharp breath, but Zack continued, "In those dreams I felt so helpless. There was always someone in there I wanted desperately to protect, but I couldn't."
Rain gaze too now lifted to the ceiling, as she thought and remembered. Finally she answered, "You did try and protect him. In the end you saved his life."
Zack's head turned on her shoulder and she felt his eyes drill into her face.
"Who are you?"
Before she could answer their attention suddenly turned to the far side of the room where the door had opened and Hojo appeared, escorted with at least ten guards guns all trained on them.
Rain slowly and gently moved Zack to lean on his own against the wall and stood to stand in front of him.
"Wait Rain what are you going to do?" Zack protested trying to rise off the floor, but his shaky legs would not support him.
"I'm going to protect you for a change, Zack."
"Hello, my dear," Hojo's manner was confident and assured as if with all those guns behind him, he thought he was safe and in a way he was. Rain despite her desire to rip the man from limb to limb could not afford to start a battle with bullets flying everywhere, not with Zack barley able to move no less defend himself. She would have to be patient and wait for Zack to regain his strength, but that wouldn't happen if Hojo continued to subject him further to his experiments. Zack would only get worse and then they both wouldn't have the strength to escape.
Someone needed to stay strong for both of them. Last time it had been Zack "I see you are awake and now a little calmer." The sneer behind the statement almost had her lose control, almost.
"Yes, it helped once your ugly face left the room." Rain smirked seeing Hojo's eye twitch in irritation. Her eyes then narrowed when Hojo turned his attention to Zack who was struggling on the floor.
"I see subject Z has survived his first treatment. I have to admit I am surprised I did not except him to make it."
Rain made a noise in her throat that sounded almost like a growl, "Don't you dare touch him!"
Hojo sneered, "I'm afraid there is nothing you can do to stop me. As I have already explained to subject Z. You are specimens that belong to me. I will do what I want with what is mine."
"We shall see about that." Rain's voice was soft, but the guard's reaction was if she had screamed it. The guns lifted even higher and their fingers were just a centimetre off the trigger.
"Oh, let's not jump to conclusion if I meant to attack you I would have done so already." The contempt was obvious in her voice.
"Then what did you mean by that?" One of the guards asked. Rain turned her eyes to him momentary and the guard despite himself took a step back.
Rain smiled a smile that suddenly made everyone in the room uneasy, "Merely to make a deal, that is all."
"A deal?" Hojo sneered, "You are hardly in the position to be making a deal my girl."
The smile widened and her eyes seemed to light up with something else besides the mako, a swirl of simmering white was now enlaced with the green mako, something Hojo had never seen before.
"Oh, I think I do."
Zack blinked in confusion. What could Rain possibility have that Hojo would want? Was it just him or was there a deeper undertone that seemed to echo behind Rain's voice? From the expressions on the guard's faces and the look of intrigue on Hojo's he didn't think so.
Rain smirked, "What do you know of Omega?"
AN: So there you are, hope you enjoyed it and remember please, please review!