The journey back towards the Facility was as Cloud expected, far from pleasing and overall exhausting. They barely were able to rest, hardly able to get a proper night's sleep.

If they wanted to make it back to the Facility within a week, they couldn't have a lot of time to stop. Their time was slowly ticking down, and sooner or later they were going to arrive back at the Facility. Their only fear was how Zack was being treated during those days of travel.

Cloud felt anxious the entire time, his thoughts racing off horrible things Hojo could be doing.

"What are we going to do when we get to the Facility?" Cloud asked one of the days as they walked through the woods.

Sephiroth looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"Do we just knock on the door? Are they waiting outside for us? I don't really want to be taken by surprise."

Sephiroth hummed. "I'm not sure. But be on your guard."

Stepping closer to Sephiroth, Cloud took hold of hand. Maybe it was a habit at this point, but after so many years of living in the Facility he had gotten so used to clinging to Sephiroth. It helped even more when Sephiroth held back.

Seven years ago it was hard to imagine that Sephiroth would have become such a good brother to him. When he first met Sephiroth, he knew that he was a bit distant, but to a child like him that made him want to try even more to get close.

Cloud sighed, staring up at the sky. It was clear with the bright, blue sky stretching on for miles.

"I'll miss this…"

"The sky was nice to see once more," Sephiroth agreed.

"Too bad we didn't really get to fly up there…"

Sephiroth stood suddenly, still staring at the sky. "If we are doomed to return to the Facility, then why don't we take our last opportunity to fly?"

Cloud stared, eyes widening with wonder. "Can we?"

"They're waiting for us, might as well get there faster by flying."

Cloud revealed his wing, stretching it out before letting himself take off to the skies. Sephiroth followed seconds after, his black feathers shining against the sun.

Up in the skies, Cloud really took in how beautiful it was. He could finally see for miles now that he was far above the treetops. His heart was soaring with wonder, finally feeling the full freedom he had always dreamt of as a child.

Laughter bubbled from Cloud's chest. This was what it was like to be free. This was what it felt like to properly be able to fly whenever he wanted.

But that taste of freedom was all he'd ever get. After a few moments of flying, the emptiness and dread set in.

The flight back towards the Facility only ended up feeling worse. Their fate was slowly being closed upon, soon to be sealed away underground once more.

"We should land a bit away before we approach," Sephiroth instructed.

"Right," Cloud sighed.

The both descended, just several feet outside the Facility's perimeter. They began walking again, now with their steps heavy and tired.

When the Facility came into sight, they could see the guards standing outside of the doors.

"Be ready for them to take us by force," Sephiroth whispered. "They won't be gentle."

"I know…"

As soon as they came into sight, the guards shouted, running towards Cloud and Sephiroth. Neither of them moved as they quickly became surrounded by the guards. Cloud winced as he was grabbed aggressively by one of them, trying not to show his fear as they began to drag him and Sephiroth towards the Facility.

As they descended down deeper into the basement levels of the Facility, Cloud started thinking about Zack. He was just a young teen like him, and he was someone who had a big heart. That big heart, however, got him tied up in all of this.

Hojo was still holding Zack however, waiting until they fully returned. Cloud only hoped that Zack was okay, wishing that Hojo hadn't done anything more to hurt him.

Sephiroth and Cloud were brought back down into the all familiar commons area. Om the far wall, Hojo stood up on a platform, giving one of his most slimmest smirks Cloud had ever seen.

"Ah, so my two little escapees do have a soft spot for a human," he laughed.

"We aren't letting someone die for our decisions," Sephiroth stated.

"And yet, you've caused him quite a lot of pain. Stubborn boy… No matter how hard we tried, he refused to reveal where you headed."

"And where is he?" Cloud asked. "You said if we came back you'd free him."

Hojo laughed. "Free him? I think you're mistaken. I said no such thing."

"But I thought-"

"All I implied was he would be tortured further had you not returned. I never said I would free him for his crimes against humankind."

Sephiroth glared. "So you intend to keep him here?"

Hojo grinned. "Of course. It's not like society will want him back after this."

He snapped his fingers and two guards walked in from a side entrance, dragging a limp body between them.

Cloud's eyes began to widen as he saw just who the guards were holding. It was clearly Zack, unconscious and still bruised, but something was different. Not only had he been dressed in the outfits that all Winged Ones wore, but on the right side of his back, a large bluish black wing was there.

"Hojo, what exactly did you do?" Sephiroth hissed.

"This boy was so loyal to your kind. He at several points stared how he wished he was like your kind, having a wing and all. So… I gave him exactly what he wished for."

Cloud's mouth dropped open. "You gave him a wing?! But how?"

"Nothing more than a little experiment. And you should be grateful. His wing was created with DNA samples from both you and Sephiroth."

Looking back at the wing, Cloud could see it. It was mostly feathery like Sephiroth's, but it had a sleekness like Cloud's. The top area of the wing, however, wasn't lined with feathers, but instead was much more reminiscent of Cloud's wing texture.

"And what do you think the public will think upon hearing you didn't free him?" Sephiroth asked.

Hojo crossed his arms, still looking sly. "Oh, I think they'll understand once I explain how you two put this curse on him."

"But we didn't-"

"Cloud. Enough."

Cloud tried to hold back his feelings, ready to jump at Hojo and scream at him.

Zack had said he wished he had a wing like them and he has gotten that wish, but in the worst possible way. Cloud couldn't even begins to imagine what kind of torture Zack must have gone through.

"Now, since you both so nicely returned without issue, I will allow you both to watch over the newest member to your clan."

Hojo laughed as the guards tossed Zack's limp in front of Cloud and Sephiroth.

Cloud ran to his side. "Zack? Zack, are you okay?"

Zack grunted. He grimaced, his entire body twitching for a moment. Slowly, he cracked an eye open. "Nngh… C-Cloud?"

"Zack, are you okay?"

"Get back to me in… like, 10 minutes," he groaned.

Hojo clapped his hands loudly together. "Now! As soon as you surrender the belongings you gathered on your trip and change back into your designated uniforms, you may return to your regular activities with your new friend."

Hojo was laughing as he walked out of the room, leaving Sephiroth, Cloud and now Zack alone with the guards.

"Zack…" Cloud replied, his voice on the verge of breaking.

Sephiroth was already handing over their belongings to the guards before walking to Cloud's side. "We should change. The sooner they let us return to everyone else, the sooner we can get Zack somewhere to rest."

"S-Seph… roth?" Zack asked weakly. He winced as his right shoulder twitched rather harshly. "You're… here too?"

Sephiroth closed his eyes. "We're going to help you, Zack. Now, come on, Cloud."

Nodding, Cloud obeyed and the two of them went to change back into their uniforms. Once that was done, the guards allowed them to head back into the main area of the facility.

Sephiroth made sure to pick up Zack though, holding him carefully so as to not crush the wing.

It was still haunting to look at, knowing Hojo had somehow mutated Zack's DNA to create a wing. Whether or not it was actually functional for Zack was another story, but the fact it was there said enough.

If Hojo had come to that kind of power, Sephiroth could only imagine what the insane man would do next.

As they headed back into the heart of the Facility, the other Winged Ones started to show up. Sephiroth figured Hojo had them all stay away while confronting the two of them, but now they were free to start.

Sooner or later Sephiroth knew there would come a time when everyone started asking questions. For now, they only stared, giving him space as he carried Zack's unconscious body with Cloud trailing quietly behind him.

He made it all the way back to where the bedrooms were, feeling his heartbeat increase. He had never wanted to return to these halls. The sterile white walls were just a reminder of all those years he spent locked away, kept from his freedom.

He was back where he started and now he wasn't sure there would ever be another chance to escape again.

It wouldn't stop him from trying however, as he had managed to do it once before. It may all have been luck that the first time, but Sephiroth wasn't going to give up so easily. He and Cloud had their taste of freedom, and he was determined to get it back.

If anyone out there is still reading this, I hope you are enjoying. See you next time.