Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Children ❯ Chapter 10: Complaints of Violence ( Chapter 14 )

Shattered Children: Chapter Ten

Complaints of Violence

 

“Let them go!”

 

“What're you freaks doing?”

 

“You heard him. Let those kids go!”

 

“Danue! Rita!”

 

Their words washed over and through Yazoo, but he paid them no mind. Instead, he continued to walk around and around the fountain, mindlessly adjusting the children. Mother was already inside of him, crooning in dulcet tones. Anything beyond her voice, he couldn't hear. And, according to Mother, he didn't need to hear.

 

Something crashed to the ground at his feet, and a cold splatter was felt through the thickness of his leather. Yazoo paused and frowned, looked down at the shattered bottle oozing a reddish liquid. The smell of tomato and garlic filtered to his nose - ketchup. It was so bright and sharp, like a crimson stain. Yazoo felt his pupils expand and contract, nostrils flaring.

 

Nearby, Loz also drew to a halt, staring angrily into the crowd. His hands clenched into large, threatening fists.

 

Another something crashed to the ground at Yazoo's feet, spilling a larger splash against his leg. The harsh scent of some type of alcohol - what a waste - filtered to his nose. It was accompanied by more heckling and jeers, the crowd swelling in its fury. Parents were unhappy.

 

Mother was not pleased.

 

Show them, my son, she hissed in his ear, startling him with her volume. Show these pitiful humans just who they should respect.

 

And what could Yazoo do but obey?

 

Loz's muscles tensed as though he had plans to dive into the crowd and create chaos. Yazoo shot him a look. “Wait,” he commanded simply. Wait, because Mother had a plan.

 

He turned towards the crowd, seeing without seeing, a sneer that was pure Mother twisting his fine lips. One hand lifted towards the sky, as if calling for attention. He felt a small measure of the crowd quiet as they watched him, gloved fingers reaching. Yazoo could feel the surging of power, of Mother's will, coalescing in his fingertips.

 

Call them, Mother urged, and for the first time, Yazoo felt her claws prick into his brain. He felt the weight of her intentions, and it nearly smothered him. Call the shadow beasts.

 

He didn't know what they were, didn't know how. Not that it ever mattered to Mother. He felt her power leap to his call, felt the answer in the darkness. Yazoo's fingers twitched, and he grabbed hold of that trace of strength, and tugged. There was an answering howl in the dim beyond his sight, a growl of merciless hunger.

 

And then he saw them, rushing out of nothing, forming from a swirl of black mist and fog. They leapt into the crowd by the dozens, fangs bared and claws outstretched. There was screaming and a terrified stampede away as the mob dissolved in their fear. Yazoo's hand dropped to the side in a daze as he watched the Shadow Creepers at work.

 

Their scent floated to his nostrils. A mixture of rotted wood, brimstone, and death. Death upon death, as if they were carved by his odorous hands alone. It was a smell he was far too accustomed with, and Yazoo's stomach didn't churn at the first whiff of it like it used to.

 

The children didn't move, not even when the creepers came, buried beneath Mother's hypnotism. They didn't even register fear. Beside him, Loz stood unmoving, and they watched the adults scatter, heard their screams of fear. Mother cackled in the back of Yazoo's mind, a shrill noise that made him wince, though it didn't show outwardly.

 

He watched impassively, limbs no longer his own, as the beasts tore into their unsuspecting victims. The mass of humans didn't stand a chance, and they fell, one by one. Oh, many were already escaping into the surrounding alleys and byways. Those the creepers didn't bother to chase. But there were enough falling to the beasts to stain the concrete beneath their feet.

 

Mother reveled in her victory for several long moments and Yazoo felt himself growing sicker and sicker. He wanted to close his eyes against the sight. She wouldn't allow it—he had to watch.

 

Can you feel him? She said, voice dangerously approaching a shrill sort of ecstasy. He comes!

 

And then, just as suddenly as she had appeared, Mother gave the impression of drawing up straight within his mind. Her presence shifted before abruptly disappearing, leaving him feeling bereft and weak. Yazoo actually stumbled, drawing in his first free breath, feeling returning to his limbs. Brother really must have been near. That, or Kadaj was attempting something else. Mother only ever left them alone for her more favorite children.

 

A sick sneer spread across Yazoo's lips and he exchanged glances with Loz, the older male blinking in his own surprise. Mother had loosed her clutches on him as well.

 

Slyly, and ever so carefully so as not to draw her notice, Yazoo surreptitiously called back half of the attacking Shadow Creepers. He didn't dare stop them all, lest Mother return in full force of fury and pain, but if he could stop them from killing just one person...

 

A female voice rose above the din of the crowd, their screams of terror and the roars of the monsters as they pounced on a chosen victim. “Denzel!”

 

In tandem, Loz and Yazoo turned towards the voice, an amused little grin on the elder's face. He first set sight on a familiar blond, pushing her way through the crowd, punctuating her demands with shots of her powerful handgun. Shadow Creepers dissolved under the force of the bullets, never standing a chance. And it was clear, by the name she shouted, just where she was heading.

 

Their bait was still just that: bait.

 

Feet crunched over the ground, and even though it was impossibly loud right now, the sound traveled to Yazoo's spine and crept to his ears. He shivered, shifting his gaze to find that they were being approached by two men. One he recognized, the other he did not.

 

“And just what do you think you're doing?” Zack demanded, his normally jovial face twisted with a mixture of fury and disgust. His fingers were already wrapped around the hilt of his massive sword, just waiting for the right moment to draw.

 

One hand settled on his hip as the other flipped hair over his shoulder. “You won't give us Mother,” Yazoo practically purred, feeling her influence seep in despite every effort, “so we do what we must.”

 

The one beside him, also dark-haired with the most stunning violet eyes, narrowed his gaze. “Where's Kadaj?” he asked, and there was a touch of pain in his voice.

 

Understanding washed through Yazoo in that moment. This... this was the man who Kadaj had sacrificed himself for, whom Kadaj suffered Mother's anger for. This was the Archer that his little brother murmured about in his sleep. Che.

 

“That's none of your business,” Loz answered sharply, thumbing his nose and cracking the knuckles of his other hand. “Leave him alone.”

 

Archer shook his head, face grown grim with his determination. “I can't do that. And I can't let you do this. Let the children go.”

 

“No can do,” Loz replied, and his stance took on a hint of violence, a hint of threat. Mother was working her wiles on him as well.

 

Yazoo took the hint and dropped his hand to Velvet Nightmare, thumbing the trigger thoughtfully. He knew Zack's attacks well, and planned on leaving the heavy hitter to Loz. But this Archer... he was an unknown. He looked quick, and he held a Labrys loosely in one hand. He might prove to be a challenge. He had better be, to be worthy of their little brother.

 

Somewhere beyond them, that woman was still straining to reach Denzel through the crowds of people, taking out Shadow Creepers with every step. But the brothers paid her no mind. What was one child when they had many more?

 

He tilted his head to the side. “You get one chance,” he intoned, watching as both men slipped into their own battle stances. “Where is Mother?”

 

Zack smiled ever-so-sweetly at them, but it was a grin tainted by a lust for revenge. “Now, telling you would take all the fun out of it.” In one smooth motion, he had drawn his sword, the massive blade leveled at the two brothers.

 

Loz laughed, a half-mocking sound. “Let's dance.”

 

* * *

 

“If you think you're going to frighten me with your presence, you are wrong,” Reeve stated solidly, watching the younger man from the corner of his eyes.

 

Despite the stunning view afforded by his window, he didn't let his gaze linger on it. Not when there was something so dangerous so near to him.

 

Kadaj chuckled, though it was without humor, and pinned his eerie, jade regard on the President. “My intimidation doesn't work, you say?” One head gestured faintly towards Reno, hovering in the background. “Your guard dog says differently.”

 

A wave of fury practically emanated from Reno, but Reeve cautioned his husband with his eyes. Getting into a fight would do neither of them any good. He had to know what Kadaj was planning, what exactly it was that Jenova wanted.

 

Squaring his shoulders, Reeve silently palmed his daggers. A flick of his wrist and they would be in his hand, but he knew better than to think he could throw one before Kadaj could dodge. He couldn't hit Sephiroth, and Kadaj was faster. Reeve was no fool—his daggers provided only a superficial comfort.

 

He resolved to keep the remnant talking. “Why do you want Jenova?” he asked, wondering if Kadaj would actually give him an explanation this time.

 

The younger man hummed thoughtfully, pressing a finger to his chin. He watched Reeve from the corner of his eye, a sly gaze. “Have you any idea how it feels to be incomplete, Mr. President?” he countered, and behind his tone, there was the shadow of a woman. Something shrill and certifiably insane.

 

“I haven't had the pleasure.”

 

That response earned him a glare, something shimmering poison behind the sharp green eyes. “Consider yourself lucky,” was Kadaj's dry response. “I need Mother to be whole again. We all do.”

 

“Whole?” Reeve repeated curiously, his confidence bolstered. If he could keep Kadaj talking and not attacking, then he could form a plan much easier.

 

He had been surprised by Kadaj's sudden appearance in his office. Having taken down the soldiers usually standing guard in the building, Kadaj had immediately demanded his mother, hand lingering near the hilt of his sword. But, he hadn't directly attacked, and Reeve considered that a good thing.

 

He had Jenova with him, fearing that the remnant would be able to sense her presence and track down Sion, possibly harming the lab technician. Since Sion was unskilled in any form of combat, Reeve had taken the last sample of Jenova and kept it nearby. Even now, his gaze flickered to its hiding spot, one of the drawers of his desk. Reno stood near to it, muscles tensed and angry.

 

Kadaj shook his head, eyes narrowing as his own stare was drawn towards the window and the view of Junon it afforded. “It doesn't matter anymore. It's not us she wants anyway.” A hint of the true Kadaj was in those words and to his astonishment, a shock of sympathy crested through Reeve at the sound of... defeat, for lack of a better word.

 

“Sephiroth,” Reno stated knowingly, inserting himself into the conversation.

 

“Yes,” Kadaj hissed. “Sephiroth. Our dearest brother who thinks he can escape her control.” Gloved hands pulled into angry, trembling fists. “Foolish, foolish Sephiroth.”

 

The boy was rambling now, even Reeve could see it. He wondered if there was any sanity left inside of him to save. He thought of Archer, who yearned for Kadaj without even accepting that he had fallen in love with him. It was madness, all of it, and he thought it might not even be worth saving him.

 

He shifted position, trying to appear less threatening. “What does Jenova want with us?”

 

“With you?” Kadaj snorted derisively. “Nothing. Mother came to this planet after a long journey through the cosmos to be rid of parasites, of pests, like you. Nothing's changed since her arrival, and I'm the one to carry the mantle until brother--” he sneered, ever so hatefully, “--realizes how foolish it is to defy fate.”

 

A trill of fear wriggled its icy way into Reeve's heart. “And so the nightmare returns,” he stated softly, remembering all too well the first battle against Sephiroth, and the plague of Weapons the planet had released in a vain attempt to stop him. The average person hadn't stood a chance.

 

Kadaj turned to face him, sharp with pupils that flexed between slitted and round. “As long as you exist, the nightmares will come again and again.”

Reeve knew enough that Kadaj meant humanity as a whole, that they were supposedly a pestilence on the planet—according to Jenova, at least—and perhaps it was true. It was only by the planet's good graces that they were allowed to survive the cleansing provided by the Lifestream after it had dissolved Meteor. That was how Aeris had explained it, anyway. Reeve never did understand that fully.

 

He stood his ground in the face of that hatred, which wasn't entirely Kadaj's own and wondered where Jenova began and Kadaj ended. “And we will continue to stop you,” he assured, catching eyes with his husband for support before continuing. “As many times as it takes.”

 

A moment passed where the words hung heavy in the tense atmosphere between them. It was both promise and threat. Then Kadaj's lips pulled into an eerie smile, his eyes flashing with a distinct Jenova gleam.

 

He raised one hand, pointing the black-gloved palm towards the wide window. “I ask you one last time,” he began, and the sense of great power swelled in the room. “Are you going to give me Mother?”

 

Reeve thumbed his daggers, dropping one with a flick into his grip. “I will never hand her over to you,” he stated, brows drawing together in determination.

 

Something flashed over Kadaj's face before he pinched his lips together. “Very well,” he declared icily, sending a chill through the room. “Then let's put an end to all this, shall we?”

 

He turned away from the two men and stared out the window, following the line of his sight with his outstretched palm. Before their eyes, Reeve and Reno watched as his hand began to glow, a blue luminescence curling in bright tendrils around his fingers. It was very similar to the shine of a materia. And accompanying the glow was the rising sensation of power, tainted by Jenova's touch.

 

Kadaj smirked, glancing at them just once. “Let's see you stop this. Fafnir, descend.”

 

No sooner had the words left his mouth than did the clouds beyond the window suddenly take on a bright, nearly pure glow. Lightning crashed, filling the sky with luminescent flashing and setting the air to rumbling ominously. Grey clouds swirled together, forming a dipping bowl before abruptly bursting. And, exploding from their mists, a large creature emerged, a roar already pouring from its mouth. The sound was loud, rattling the windows.

 

Reeve's mouth dropped at what had to be a summon, but not one he had ever seen before. Bahamut class likely, but beyond that, he did not recognize it. Great wings spread from its back in a powerful wave, and the beast easily outweighed Seiryu in dragon form. Of that, he was certain.

 

As he and Reno watched, staring in horror, the great creature swooped down on the unsuspecting Junon, claws and talons outstretched. Buildings collapsed to the left and right of it, and Reeve could just imagine the screams of the frightened citizens. More roars rocked the once-peaceful city and a great rage worked its way through the President.

 

Everything he had worked to save, to rebuild, was effectively being crushed before his eyes again. And what did they face but something akin to another demi-deity? This time, though, they didn't have the help of their anima.

 

They were on their own.

 

* * *

 

An ear-splitting screech split the air as heavy blade met Loz's Dual Hound before skivvying off course and nearly sinking into the ground. Zack was too quick to be put off balance, however, and quickly shifted his stance, lashing out with a high kick. Loz darted backwards to avoid the heavy boot, and the smile on his face grew even larger.

 

Zack couldn't help but feel as if he were being taunted, his mind choosing to remind him of all the bruises and injuries this remnant had inflicted on him. A surge of anger granted him adrenaline and strength, and he swung the Zanken back in front of him and rushed at Loz once more. He ignored the sounds of other battles going on around him, knowing that if he and Archer managed to take down the brothers, then the shadow creatures would cease as well. Of course, it was also hard to resist the chance for revenge.

 

The opponent before him was pure strength, each arm-rattling blow a surprising counter against the weight and sharpness of his sword. Zack growled and executed a dangerous slash against Loz, who absorbed the blow with his steel-covered arm and instantly counter-attacked with the other fist. Zack spun out of the way, summoning up a fire spell to his other hand. He shoved it in Loz's direction, cursing when the remnant easily danced out of his way.

 

Angrily, he shook off the flame and concentrated his hold on his sword, charging towards Loz again. He swore that the other man was smirking at him, taunting him with those eyes that were too much like Sephiroth's for Zack's comfort. He remembered the pain of those fists, the taste of blood in his mouth, and Elena's agonized cries next to him.

 

It was all the fuel he needed. A roar of fury pouring from his lips, he attacked, again and again. He would take down this man.

 

Nearby, Archer ducked behind a piece of fallen debris and deftly avoided the spray of bullets that Yazoo had aimed at him. His breath was coming in quick pants, unused to the agile motions necessary to avoid Yazoo's impeccable aim. He tightened his grip on the Labrys, wishing he had something better to attack the other man with than a short-range axe. He would have put more focus on his materia if he'd been willing to risk harming the crowd that still remained, but he wasn't.

 

Another splatter of bullets sprayed the rock he was hiding behind and Archer cringed, the smell of gunpowder fresh in the air. From the corner of his eye, he saw a few of the children standing idly, and cursed. He wasn't doing any good cowering behind the stone like this. He dove out from his cover and sprinted their direction.

 

He deftly avoided the dangerously accurate gunshots heading his way, and stumbled when one clipped the back of his leg. It was enough to make him limp, it bled like a bitch, but it didn't keep him from moving. It couldn't take him down. Still spouting obscenities as though they were the only words he knew - thank you, Cid - he pushed a few of the lingering children out of the way. His touch seemed to wake them from their funk, and the minute they hit the ground, they were scrambling to their feet again and running for cover. Smart kids.

 

Pleased by his heroic maneuver, Archer had no opportunity to bask in the moment before he was diving behind something else for cover. His fingers were still tightened like death around his Labrys - his useless Labrys. If only he could come around Yazoo, attack him from behind. He had to get out of range of the man's bullets... somehow.

 

“It's your fault.”

 

Archer stilled, the words carrying to him despite the screams of the frightened populace. They were even louder when the resonating sound of bullets faded, leaving nothing but the crunch of boots over grovel, but that didn't make them any less confusing.

 

He tightened his grip on the Labrys. “I don't think you can blame your insanity on me,” he called out, peering around his stone shelter.

 

Yazoo was steadily approaching, his face a grotesque mix of Sephiroth's beauty and Jenova's raving lunacy. Each step was deliberate and his mouth was thinned into lines of displeasure. His weapon dangled at his side, in a seemingly loose hold. But Archer knew that the moment he moved, it would be up in an instant, firing a barrage of deadly projectiles.

 

'Let him come,' Archer thought to himself.

 

Close quarters were far better and he had a few spells he'd love to shove up the kid's ass. Oh, they wouldn't kill him. Archer really didn't want to destroy the brat who, just like Kadaj, was only being manipulated. But they would certainly hurt like a bitch and that was what he was aiming for.

 

“If not for you...” There was a pause and then the next came snarled, half-coherent. “If not for you, Kadaj would not have suffered so much.”

 

A small ounce of understanding washed through Archer. He felt a tightening in his chest at the mere thought of causing his Toki's pain, unintentional though it was. He rose to a crouch, muscles tensed for action.

 

“He made that choice,” Archer called back. He felt that if he could just keep Yazoo talking and distracted, then he wouldn't have to worry so much about those bullets. The rest he could handle.

 

Of course, Yazoo just had to be contradictory. He didn't much like the sound of Archer's answer and responded with a spray of projectiles that shot off the top of Archer's hide-out. Dust and debris rained down on him, making him cough at the sudden influx of particulate into his lungs.

 

“Shut up,” Yazoo snarled, and that was pure Jenova, her shrill screech somehow infiltrating his masculine tone. “You humans, you--”

 

He abruptly cut off and Archer's brow furrowed in confusion. He heard a sharp intake of breath and then a pained moan, one of helplessness and fear. Was Yazoo fighting her?

 

Archer decided to take his chances. He wasn't going to cower behind his rock forever. He still had to find Kadaj and save the rest of those kids.

 

He leapt to his feet and darted out from behind his cover, Labrys in front of him to deflect some of the bullets. He caught a glimpse of Yazoo, one gloved hand buried in long silver strands as he clutched his head. He was biting his lip so hard that blood was beginning to bead. But at the sound of Archer's footsteps, he jerked up his gaze.

 

Archer got a glimpse of wide, slitted emerald eyes and then the weapon was being aimed at him again. Yazoo squeezed off several shots, face twisted into something ugly and hateful. Archer twisted and avoided one. Another glanced off the flat of his blade. But he was too slow to avoid the next two. He watched with growing horror, anticipating the burn and pain of their strike. Yet, he never stopped pushing forward.

 

Seconds later, he watched the smirk slide from Yazoo's face as the bullets collided harmlessly against an invisible shield and disintegrated into dust. Normal defensive materia didn't do that since they could only deflect. Archer used the other man's gaping surprise to his advantage and attacked with a hard and heavy swing. Their weapons met with a jarring clang and inwardly, Archer smiled.

 

'Thank you, my dear,' he murmured within, wondering if his lovely anima even heard him. He was certain that it had been her aid, since he hadn't a single defensive materia on him.

 

And somewhere deep inside, he could have sworn he felt that long dead connection warm just a little. Tiamat was still with him, even if she couldn't be outright. It was a realization that made him feel just a bit less lonely.

 

“How...?” the question rolled off Yazoo's tongue with a growl as he applied his strength against the greater force of Archer's swing.

 

The engineer smiled cheekily. “Ancient Wutaiian secret,” he responded brashly, unable to help wanting to taunt this opponent. “Handed down in the family for generations, at least, according to an ex-Turk friend of mine.”

 

Those Jenova-tainted eyes narrowed in perfect irritation. “Your humor will not ease your death,” he hissed. “Mother will make you bleed.”

 

Despite the situation, Archer couldn't help his chuckle, though it was more mocking than humorous. “Let's see her try, shall we?” he countered, cocking his head to the side.

 

As anger blazed onto the other's face, Archer pressed the Labrys forward with all his strength, knocking Yazoo off balance. He quickly executed a violent upper-cut, forcing the younger man back several more steps. In a flash, the barrel of Yazoo's weapon was raised again. But before he could squeeze off a single round, the sky above them flashed, brightly enough to make the both of them wince. Beneath them, the ground gave a great rumble of disapproval.

 

Their eyes were drawn upwards, catching sight of the enormous beast pouring from the sky. A wave of nearly crippling power accompanied its appearance as its roar reverberated through their bones. Massive wings spread out to each side, easily longer than the Valenwind in length, and each limb ended in wicked claws. Around them, the citizens began screaming in terror and ran even faster than before, if that were at all possible.

 

Even Zack and Archer felt the momentary urge to flee, but it was quickly abandoned when their opponents rushed them once more. Their surprise melted away as they returned to their battle stances.

 

“Denzel!”

 

With a fierce growl, Elena shoved her way through the crowd, never losing sight of that head of tousled brown hair. He didn't even look up to acknowledge her presence, and a fierce, burning anger stirred in her gut. Kadaj and his brothers, they had done this to him.

 

A Shadow Creeper keened as it drew near to her and she fired without thinking, watching with satisfaction as a Flare exploded in its face. It instantly dissolved back into black ash, leaving nothing but the faint stench of sulfur in its wake. She wrinkled her nose and pressed on, trying her best to ignore the danger circling above them.

 

Darkness fell over her and Elena looked up to see the summon preparing to land. Mouth dropping into a gape, she ducked to the side and narrowly avoided getting flattened by a large, taloned foot. Rolling to her feet, she forced herself to keep looking, but wasn't prepared for the huge appendage to swing her way. She had forgotten about the tail.

 

It slammed into her upper body, knocking her breath from her lungs and sweeping her off the ground. She felt and heard something crack ominously - her ribs, it must have been her ribs. And then she was propelled backwards, only the protection of a hastily cast shield protecting her form the worst of the damage as she struck the side of a building.

 

Lights and colors danced in front of her eyes as she slid to the ground, struggling to stay on at least her knees. Elena's entire body shook and her head spun, the feeling of something warm and wet trickling down her neck. A careful touch brought back bright crimson fingers. Head wounds always did bleed more.

 

Her hearing was a dull roar, the strike enough to limit her senses. But she couldn't afford to stand around and recover. Denzel was somewhere out there, and Sephiroth would be upset if something happened to him, as would her commander.

 

Forcing jelly-like legs to recover, and keeping one eye on the constantly swinging tail, Elena jumped back into the fray.

 

“Denzel!” she screamed above the racket, idly pushing frantic civilians out of the way and towards safety.

 

A glance was spared to Archer and Zack, locked in combat against the two brothers. She had only a brief moment to wonder about Kadaj's location before concentrating on her own task. Logic told her he was probably at the source, the WRO headquarters, and Reeve and Reno could take care of themselves. Denzel, however, could not.

 

She saw the children through gaps in the crowd, still somehow maintaining their perfect circle of madness. They remained blank-eyed and oblivious to the chaos around them, though there were fewer than before. Some had regained their senses.

 

Elena strained for a glimpse of Denzel as above her the summon roared and flared out its wings, the far reaches of them striking against buildings and causing a shower of glass and debris to rain down. She threw up her hands to shield her head and neck, but wasn't prepared for the sudden explosion to rocket through the area. Whatever the creature had destroyed had ignited a fierce blaze, which was quickly licking through one of the buildings.

 

The boom rattled the ground and nearby structures, causing more glass to shatter and sprinkle the ground. Elena could feel it falling over her and hoped she wasn't amassing a series of small cuts. They would hurt like a bitch later. A wash of hot and smoky air flitted her direction for all of an instant before a single wave of the summon's wing forced the ashy particulate to dissipate.

 

The explosion had nearly deafened Elena, but somehow, she managed to pick out a few noises. And above the din of monster's roaring and people screaming, she caught the sound of propellers whirring.

 

Reinforcements had arrived.

 

* * *

 

“Watch your asses down there!” Cid called out, over the loud whirring of the airship's blades and motors. “Me'n Vince'll join you in a minute.”

 

With the wind buffeting them from all sides, causing the landing platform to sway in mid-air—and Tseng's belly to lurch uncomfortably—those gathered could only nod in understanding.

 

Sephiroth inclined his head. “Hurry, Cid,” was all he said, standing stiffly by his bike as the platform slowly lowered towards the ground.

 

It was the closest thing to free space in the crowded streets of Junon, and the nearest they could get to the commotion several blocks over. The taste of danger was strong in the air, and Tseng felt the familiar coiling of his senses. One hand dropped to Yoshiyuki, taking comfort from the strong hilt, while the other remained clasped tightly in Marlene's grip.

 

As much as he didn't like it, having her there was unavoidable. They hadn't time to take the little girl back to Rocket Town where it was safer, and Tseng knew he couldn't leave her on the airship. Without supervision, she was likely to get herself in trouble. He had resolved to take her to WRO headquarters, serving the dual purposes of speaking to Reeve and finding somewhere safe to leave her. There were few places safer.

 

She looked up at him, and offered a thin smile, eyes still bright with fear. The roar of the attacking creature - bearing suspicious resemblance to the anima - had frightened her the first time she heard it. Yet, there was a determination in her young features, as well as worry for Denzel. She had already expressed interest in wanting to come with them to find her friend, and Tseng had expressly forbidden it.

 

Above them, Cid gave a mock salute and disappeared from their sight, reaching for the lever to continue lowering the platform. Tseng turned his attention to Junon, and the madness he could see just beyond them. If he concentrated, the screams of fear floated easily to his ears, and the sense of danger and terror hovered on the edge of his consciousness, fighting to get beyond his barriers. Those screams were far louder.

 

Beside him, Sephiroth was grim, one hand locked around the handle of the Odin to keep it steady, and the other twitching over the hilt of his sword. A swirl of emotions danced behind his eyes, and Tseng was once again glad for the shielding he had crafted over his senses. He had the feeling that whatever Sephiroth was experiencing was strong enough to cripple him. They hadn't had the time for any sort of discussion—wouldn't until the enemy was defeated—and Tseng was painfully aware of how much needed to be said.

 

A fierce and bestial roar grabbed Tseng's attention and he watched as the Bahamut-similar dragon shot into the sky, spreading its wings out broadly. It threw its neck back, and a prickle of power raced across Tseng's skin. The same feeling of right before materia was used. Its mouth opened, revealing jagged, sharp fangs and even from a distance, Tseng could hear its harsh inhalation.

 

His eyes widened in shock. “It's going to attack,” he breathed in horror, unable to tear his gaze away.

 

No sooner had the words left his lips than did a glowing ball of light and energy coalesce in front of the creature's mouth. After another quick flap of its wings, it released the sphere of pure power and sent it straight down on unsuspecting Junon. Explosions and fire shot up in its wake as nearby buildings exploded. The beast roared its victory and swooped over the burning remnants of its handiwork.

 

Marlene's hand clenched tighter around Tseng's. “Denzel...” she murmured and looked up at him. “Denzel is okay, isn't he, Mr. Tseng?” Brown eyes were filled with a mixture of terror and worry, making her seem far older than her young years.

 

Tseng nodded jerkily, wishing he could be more sure of himself. “Denzel is fine,” he assured. “He is strong.”

 

She wasn't quite convinced, but chose to believe him nonetheless. In her eyes, Mr. Tseng and Sephy could do no wrong, and he was grateful for that innocent trust and understanding. It was something he cherished in her.

 

On the edge of his senses, there was an anguished and dark buzz and it churned his belly. Startled, Tseng turned to see Sephiroth's face paler than usual, his hands shaking fists at his sides. He was staring in the direction of the destruction, brows drawn low and face pinched. It didn't appear he was focusing however, and he was chewing on his bottom lip, a very un-Sephiroth-like action.

 

“Seph--” Calling his lover's name died as the platform came to an abrupt and rather painful halt, jarring all of them uncomfortably.

 

Tseng quickly shifted his weight to adjust his balance, grabbing Marlene so that she didn't tumble over. She clutched at him and somehow managed not to waver.

 

As the platform jerked to a stop, they disembarked, Sephiroth rolling Odin off with stiff movements. Tseng caught his arm before his lover could escape however, forcing Sephiroth to look at him. Silver eyes searched green-grey, and he didn't like the look he caught there. Sephiroth was on the edge, and he wondered if even now, Jenova was taunting and tempting him. That broiling darkness on the edge of his lover's mind grew stronger.

 

“Is she speaking to you?” he asked, hoping to kami that he wasn't overstepping the undesignated boundaries that Sephiroth created for them.

 

The fact that his lover couldn't meet his gaze was all the proof that Tseng needed. He tried to ignore the screams of the citizens and the roars of the beasts, both airborne and grounded. He felt on the verge of pleading with Sephiroth, just to listen to him and to ignore her, but did he mean enough to the other man to make a difference?

 

Instead, he opted for something that meant just a little bit more. “Denzel is waiting,” he stated quietly, paying little attention to the hands tugging at his arm or Marlene's insistent pulls towards the commotion.

 

“I know.” Finally a response, though it was jerky and stilted. “I'm not--” He broke off with a grimace, lifting a gloved hand briefly to his head before sucking in a deep breath. “I'm not listening.” But it was clear by the tightening of his mouth that the simple act of pretending to not hear was painful.

 

“Mr. Tseng!” Another sharp tug. “I see him! I see Denzel!”

 

He wanted to grab Sephiroth, to kiss him or hold him, to do something to assure him that he was there, that he wasn't leaving anytime soon—no matter what Jenova tried to tell him—but he had the feeling his affection would be rebuffed. He cursed the ever-widening distance that bitch was so effective at creating. The darkness pulsed even stronger, filling him with a wash of nausea.

 

With a rough yank, Marlene tore free from his grasp and sprinted away from the two adults, running at full tilt towards the mass of commotion. Despite his distraction, Tseng immediately noticed, calling her name. But she ignored him, her sight set on something far ahead of her. Denzel most likely.

 

In a flash, Sephiroth was gone, hopping on Odin and screeching into the crowd. A quick swipe of his sword and two Shadow creepers were destroyed before they could kill anymore innocent civilians. Tseng was left cursing under his breath, reassuring words lost to the commotion. He didn't waste any more time chasing after Marlene, obscenities pouring from his lips in a manner that would have made Highwind proud.

 

If only Marlene weren't so stubborn and determined, if she were only a bit less brave. He wished he had left her on the airship in that moment, flying monster in the air or not. Cid was more than adept at taking care of himself and his belongings. He could have protected her much better, he was sure. If anything happened to her...

 

Yoshiyuki flew to his hand as he put on a burst of speed, hastily scanning the crowd, which still remained large despite the proliferation of dangerous creatures. Tseng suspected that they really had nowhere to run, and were left milling about in the midst of peril.

 

How in the hell could she move so fast? Kami be damned, he could have sworn Marlene was wearing pink, yet he couldn't see her! A trickle of fear joined the bevy of emotions and Tseng pushed onwards.

 

A Shadow Creeper fell into his path, jaws gaping wide to snap up his head. It was treated to the sharpness of the Yoshiyuki and quickly dissolved into black mist, further obscuring his vision. A gust of wind from the creature's wings overhead cleared it away, but it didn't lend him a glimpse of Marlene.

 

It took every effort for Tseng not to panic, with both children now lost to the pandemonium. Along with the worry came the terror, a fear that had the arm of a machine gun and bullets to match.

 

Barret was going to kill him.

 

* * *