Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Children ❯ Chapter 12: Labyrinthine ( Chapter 17 )

Shattered Children: Chapter Twelve

Labyrinthine

 

“Get off him, bastard!”

 

Reeve, in the midst of struggling with Kadaj, heard the expletive seconds before a red-haired blur threw himself into the conflict. The railing creaked again, giving a metallic groan of weakness. In flashes, he caught sight of Reno jabbing an elbow into Kadaj's side, the close quarters preventing the use of his EMR. The remnant merely hissed, however, backhanding Reno across the face and sending him spinning from the force of it.

 

Gritting his teeth in anger, Reeve jerked a knee into Kadaj's side, knocking the brat off balance. He underestimated the younger man's strength, however, and those fingers tightened painfully around his wrist. He swore he could hear the bones creaking as they ground together, sending shocks of agony through his arm.

 

“Gah,” he gasped, his body curling towards the balcony flooring as he feared any further movement would break his wrist. “You're insane, Kadaj. She will kill everyone, even Archer. Do you want that?” he gritted out, body breaking into a cold sweat.

 

“Nothing matters so long as she rules,” Kadaj screamed, his face reddening and it was quickly followed by several harsh breaths. He was fighting to breathe and Reeve was startled to see his eyes flex in colors, shifting shades so rapidly it was almost eerie.

 

Was he fighting her?

 

The lithe body slammed against Reeve's, a shoulder driving the breath from his body. The railing gave another warning groan and gave slightly beneath them, prompting a rush of fear to attack Reeve.

 

Kadaj hissed. “Nothing!”

 

And though he hadn't originally wanted to, Reeve's fingers slipped. The box slid from his grasp and he watched with horror as it began to fall, his last bargaining chip. Kadaj, who had been eyeing the compartment avidly, screeched like a mad man, abruptly tossing Reeve to the side as though he were a mere doll.

 

The President tripped inelegantly over his own feet and hit the ground, struggling to breathe. It had felt as if all of Kadaj's strength had been pressing on his rib cage, compressing his lungs until they felt near to bursting.

 

Coughing, Reeve attempted to rise to his feet, struggling all the while as he chased away the stars in his eyes. A red-haired blur streaked past him, colliding instantly with Kadaj and sending the both of them slamming harshly into the railing. There was the buzz of electricity as Reno jabbed the EMR into Kadaj's side, causing the remnant to shriek with pain and slam a fist into Reno's face. They wrestled against the railing, Reno grabbing Kadaj's collar and shoving him against it forcefully.

 

That was the last the metal wished to take.

 

Reeve watched with horror as the barrier suddenly gave way beneath the weight of his lover and their enemy. It released a final, metal screeching groan and then broke free from the balcony, sending both men tumbling over the edge. In that moment, Reeve hated himself more than any man possibly could for not getting the damn thing fixed sooner.

 

“Reno!”

 

Scrambling forward, ever mindful of the new edge, Reeve peered frantically over the boundary. His mind had gone white, absolutely stupid, as he caught sight of the two men still falling, grappling mid-air until Kadaj kicked Reno and they separated. They were a good hundred stories in the air. No way either could survive the attack.

 

His heart climbing into his chest, pounding so hard that he felt it would burst at any moment, Reeve frantically searched his materia store. A Float. A Shield. Fire. Contain. Heal. A few useless Summons. Dammit! Why didn't he ever carry anything of aid? Useless, all of it!

 

Snarling in both pain and fear, Reeve's fist slammed into the concrete of his balcony, splitting two of his knuckles. He felt tears prickling at the edges of his eyes as he lowered his head.

 

And then there was a flash below him, pale green with a hint of sparkles dancing in the air. On the wings of the bright flicker was an immense sense of power, ancient and potent. Familiar.

 

Peeling his eyes back open, they immediately widened in shock. There, having scooped Reno out of the middle of air, was none other than Asclepius, in her Carbuncle form. The mint-colored demi-deity was practically purring as Reno hugged her from where he clung to her back. Reeve imagined that his husband was probably cooing his thanks, giving his animus much praise.

 

Reeve sighed in relief, though it was quickly aborted when he caught sight of Kadaj. Like a true incarnation of Sephiroth and Jenova, the remnant made it safely to the ground. Somehow managing to land without splattering himself and catching the box in mid-air, before it too could break apart and spill its contents. Kadaj was cradling the small hazardous waste container close to his body, holding it almost reverently.

 

And he had landed between two forms, also crowned with silver hair. Reeve could only assume that they belonged to Loz and Yazoo, the two eldest of them. Two other bodies stood near to the three brothers and if Reeve squinted, he thought he could identify one as Archer and the other as Zack. They seemed to be a little worse for wear.

 

As he watched, he could have sworn that Kadaj looked up at him, and smirked, his body language practically proclaiming his victory. He promptly tucked Jenova under one arm and lifted his other hand, pointing it at Archer and Zack. The familiar glow of materia use surrounded his gloved fingers and then the two men were diving for the ground, something like a cross between an Ultima and a Bolt streaking towards them.

 

By the time the glare and the danger faded, the three brothers had vanished, ducking back into the WRO headquarters of all places. Why, Reeve simply didn't know.

 

Rising to his feet, Reeve eyes moved to follow Asclepius, whose powerful leaps had taken her back to the top of the building. She keened musically as she came to a stop on the balcony, eyes glinting mischievously. No sooner had Reno slid down from her back than her entire body gave a light pop, and she returned to her human form.

 

“Ichigo!” the demi-goddess purred, throwing herself at Reno and wrapping her arms around his neck. “I missed you.”

 

Reno staggered from the force of her affection, but returned the embrace nevertheless. “I thought you guys weren't allowed to come down here anymore.”

 

A guilty look crossed the young woman's expression as she slowly detangled herself from Reno, patting him gently on the cheek with the palm of her hand. “Technically, we're not. But I couldn't just sit here and do nothing.”

 

“You're here to stay?” Reno asked, his face flushed and pale. His body was still somewhat shaking from his near brush with death.

 

Asclepius shook her head as Reeve moved to join them, wrapping his arms around Reno and breathing a sigh of relief. “Damn you and your reckless ways,” he muttered, wondering if his heart was ever going to return to its normal rhythm.

 

“I can't,” Asclepius answered, her tone apologetic. “Without the bond between us, the length of time I can spend here is now no longer than an average summon.” No sooner had the words left her lips than her body began to shimmer, taking on a transparent edge. “I'm glad I was able to see you again, though.”

 

Reeve drew back from Reno, the both of them turning to regard the summon thankfully. She seemed heavyhearted, missing the usual glint and sparkle to her eyes. Asclepius really had missed them. And then, with a final waving goodbye of her fingers, she was gone, as abruptly as she had appeared. The two men were left alone on the balcony.

 

The president had only a second to breathe before his husband's hands cupped his face, dragging him near for a relieved kiss. Reno's lips brushed across his, his forehead pressing against Reeve's. He didn't say anything, but he didn't have to. Reeve knew him better than he often thought he knew himself.

 

“Idiot,” Reeve murmured affectionately. “You're the reason I'm going gray.”

 

Reno chuckled lightly, his shoulders sagging in relief. “You're the one imagining the grey. You really should think of it as a distinguished silver, yo.”

 

A sharp roar filled the air, far different from the sound of the still circling and attacking summon. Both men turned in tandem, stealthily creeping towards the edge of the balcony. Peering over the side gave them a brief glimpse of three shapes speeding out of the building, blurring away on the backs of loud and rumbling motorcycles. No doubt the remnants were making their escape.

 

“Dammit. And they have Jenova,” Reeve spat, hating himself for letting Kadaj and the piece of alien flesh escape from him. He might have very well handed the end of the world over on a freaking silver platter.

 

Power trickled over his skin, but not the heady press of an oncoming summon like Asclepius' arrival had heralded. This was more subtle, more earthen. This was materia, and something else, something a bit more human.

 

Reeve sucked in a breath, whipping his gaze around to track the epicenter of that power, which roiled through the air. Above them, the summon roared loudly, its wings snapping back as it began to hover over Junon. Claws clacked noisily, and the beast drew in a heavy rush of air, filling its lungs. Pale blue light sparkled in front of its fanged mouth, and Reeve could practically feel the danger oozing from its hovering body.

 

“It's going to destroy everything,” he stated with horror, face going abruptly pale. Reeve's hand clutched to Reno's tighter, craving a comfort he didn't think was possible.

 

His husband cursed fluently under his breath, worry gripping his heart. His only consolation was that their daughter was not within Junon, but far away in Rocket Town. Safe from harm.

 

But then, the feeling of power, prickling over their skin, grew even stronger. It carried a different sense than the ancient fury that emanated from the summon. It was a fierce, determined strength, seemingly brimming from nowhere. Reno broke free from Reeve's embrace and moved to the edge of the building, looking over it in surprise. Wind whipped at him, threatening to push him over and he dropped to his knees to ward off most of the pressure.

 

Looking down, aquamarine eyes widened at the sight. “Sephiroth,” he breathed, catching sight of the former general leaping from rooftop to rooftop, sometimes running directly along the side of the buildings, climbing ever higher.

 

Hands grasped Reno's shoulders, squeezing tightly as Reeve hunched behind him. “Will he make it in time?”

 

“He had better.”

 

A keen gaze caught sight of their fellows, scattered around the many rooftops. All eyes were locked on Sephiroth who was leaping directly into the air, aiming straight for the summon. Power surged and swelled around him, the sickly-green of an Ultima spell, entwined dangerously with something else. Something black and hungry.

 

The creature and Sephiroth collided in mid-air, the former General cleaving through the summon's gathering of energy as though it were nothing. His own magic, whatever he was calling, combated strongly against the outpouring of power. Blue energies clashed with greenish-black, tendrils of darkness colliding and taking over the summon's attack.

 

And then the Murasame swept through in a wide arc, the blade gleaming with power. A blinding light flashed and Reeve and Reno were forced to look away as a luminescence the same as the sun covered the entire area. There was the sound of an explosion, a massive ripple of force that rocked at every building, making them shake in their foundations. Something screeched in absolute anger, and then there was a sudden fall of silence.

Reeve forced his eyes to open, the blinding light now gone, and stared in shock as the creature tumbled from the sky, raining black blood down on Junon beneath it. The dragon crashed into one of the buildings even as it began to dissolve away, leaving a film of black ash in its wake.

 

As he gaped, something in his pocket began to jingle and vibrate all at the same time. Confused, Reeve dug out his cell phone, surprised to find that it was his sister calling for him. And if he didn't answer, she would get worried, so he had no choice but to.

 

He held the phone up to his ear and was greeted with a buzz of static that made him wince before Reis' voice poured through the receiver. In that same moment, Reno grabbed his arm, pointing out a helicopter that was foolishly circling the sky. Though, it had enough sense to do so after the monster was defeated and not before.

 

“Everything's fine!” Reeve attempted to tell his sister, but the dissonance in their connection was making it difficult to carry on a conversation.

 

“He did it,” Reno shouted above the whistling wind, which whipped at their hair and clothing. “That silver-haired bastard did it!”

 

* * *

 

“Sephiroth!”

 

No sooner had he touched foot to ground then did someone call his name. Sucking in a breath, feeling a little disconnected, the former General turned, the voice accompanying the low rumble of a cycle motor. He found none other than Odin approaching him, a familiar face behind the wheel. No, two familiar faces.

 

Blinking in surprise, he lowered the Murasame, trying to shield the sight of the blade dripping blood as one of the passengers practically leapt off the bike and sprinted across the ground.

 

“Sephy!” A small form barreled into him, child-sized arms wrapping around his waist and squeezing tightly. “You're okay!”

 

Setting his free hand on the brown, tousled hair, Sephiroth breathed a sigh of relief. “One could say the same for you.”

 

The boy just nodded against his stomach, burying his face into the fabric. He didn't appear to want to let go anytime soon. Sephiroth lifted his gaze to his lover, Tseng flipping the kickstand into place and slowly rising from the cycle. His brow furrowed in confusion, something lingering at the back of his mind.

 

“Wait,” Sephiroth began, glancing around him pointedly. “Where's Marlene?”

 

Tseng visibly winced, his face paling significantly as he brushed stray strands of hair out of his face. “I have to go back to look for her. I couldn't do it and protect Denzel at the same time.”

 

Hands clenched tightly into Sephiroth's clothing, as though Denzel were refusing to release him anytime soon. “She's missing?” Sephiroth repeated, horror creeping into his expression. “How can she be missing?”

 

“I'm sorry,” Tseng replied, shame flooding him. “She broke away and I lost sight of her in the crowd.”

 

“Dammit.” Swearing fluently under his breath - likely thanks to the influence of the Captain - Sephiroth thought furiously. “And this isn't over yet. Unless we stop the brothers, this will never be over.”

 

He realized that utter truth, but couldn't deny the mixed feelings that swept through him. These three were in much the same straits as he had been. Sephiroth knew that they were the enemy, but he couldn't deny that he didn't see them as such. They were his brothers, for lack of a better word. And perhaps they were just like him, ensnared by Jenova and unable to break free.

 

If anyone was going to end this, it had to be him. They deserved as much.

 

“You're thinking of going after them,” Tseng suddenly stated quietly. “And you're going to do it alone.”

 

Green eyes glanced askance, feeling a sudden anger with his lover, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly where it had emerged from. “Did you read that from my mind?”

 

“I wouldn't,” Tseng retorted sharply, hurt flickering in his gaze. “You know that. It's not that hard to guess, Sephiroth. You always try to do everything alone.”

 

It was the only way he could be sure no one else would be hurt, but Sephiroth wasn't going to say that aloud. If he could do this himself, then he wouldn't worry about risking anyone else. Not Zack. Not Tseng. Not Denzel. No one. He had to protect them with his own hands. Because he was the one with the worthless existence, not they. And if he fell protecting them, perhaps that would absolve him.

 

“It's better that way,” Sephiroth replied sharply, rubbing his hand gently over Denzel's head, the kid one who believed whole-heartedly in him. Without any reason at all.

 

Kids were always like that. Believing and hoping and wanting. So innocent and pure, thinking that someone will be there to save them. Until no one ever came and they learn that the only one that could depend on, was themselves.

 

Sephiroth swallowed thickly, memories cropping up that he'd rather not. There was something stirring inside of him, he could feel it. The Geostigma was a pulsing, aching presence on his back. It was spreading, down into his lower back, across his arm until it reached his wrist. He didn't want to glance down, because he knew that if he did, the purple-black would be peeking out from the sleeve of his clothing.

 

“You can't do this on your own,” Tseng argued, cutting through Sephiroth's momentary dive inwards. “Let us help you.”

 

Sephiroth shook his head. “This is something I have to do, Tseng.”

 

The other man firmed his lips, looking as if he planned on arguing further, but the sound of a phone ringing cut through the tension. Silver eyes stared at Sephiroth a moment longer before Tseng pulled out his phone and answered it crisply, his look declaring that the conversation wasn't over.

 

Sephiroth, however, considered it done. As Tseng turned away to talk to someone, Sephiroth really didn't care who, he lowered himself until he was eyelevel with Denzel. The boy's eyes were red from crying, and he looked scared. A part of Sephiroth knew that he should stay here with Denzel, that he'd left the boy alone long enough.

 

His rational side, however, reminded him that those remnants, those whatever-they-were, had plans that would likely result in Gaia's destruction. He had to stop them, to save them, to do something. And if it meant leaving Denzel behind again, he would have to do it. Besides, it was probably better for the kid this way anyways. Sephiroth had promised himself that he could cure Denzel, and maybe this was the way to do it. Either way, he had to try. He couldn't let them run free.

 

He looked into red-rimmed brown eyes, and Sephiroth couldn't help but feel guilty. He squeezed Denzel's shoulders. “Denzel,” he began, and halted, unsure of how to word it so that a child could understand. “I have to leave again. The battle isn't over yet.”

 

“I don't want you to,” the boy returned, rubbing furiously at the eyes with the back of his hand. He was trying to be strong, that was obvious. But he was still a child. Still pure. And Sephiroth wanted to keep him that way.

 

“I know,” he replied kindly, and worked his jaw for a moment, wishing he knew the right words to say. “But I have to do this to protect everyone.”

 

“Are you coming back?”

 

Such a simple question, it was. And Sephiroth knew that he couldn't answer it honestly. Because he didn't know. In all likelihood, he would die. If not at their hands, then by the Geostigma. If he fell, he planned on taking them with him. And likely, if he didn't, the Geostigma would consume soon after. He could feel it, eating away at him, taking away the last of his existence. No one else had survived an infection as advanced at his. It was only a matter of time at this point.

 

Sephiroth sighed. “I'm going to try,” he said, unwilling to make a promise he couldn't keep. Especially to a child. “I will do my very best.”

 

Those brown eyes looked at him, lower lip wobbling, before Denzel suddenly threw himself at Sephiroth, wrapping his arms around the former General's neck. He squeezed tightly, and Sephiroth dimly felt his small body shaking. A wave of guilt crashed over him, but Sephiroth dampened it, and returned the embrace.

 

“You'd better,” Denzel sniffled, his hold almost suffocating.

 

Sephiroth swallowed thickly, and allowed the embrace for a few moments longer before he gently extracted himself from Denzel's head. He rose to his feet, clapping the boy strongly on the shoulder before turning away, heading for Odin. He glanced once at Tseng, the former Turk still locked in his conversation and looking quite perturbed.

 

“Stay close to Tseng,” Sephiroth told Denzel as he settled into Odin's seat, situating everything around him. “He'll watch over you.”

 

Denzel nodded, though he looked quite miserable, and obediently moved back towards Tseng. Guilt again attacked the former General, but he just added it to the pile that already squirmed inside of him. He'd made his choice after all. Reaching for the ignition, Sephiroth started Odin up with a loud, trembling roar, certain to grab Tseng's attention.

 

Indeed, Tseng whipped around, surprise etched into his features. “Sephiroth!” he shouted, moving as if to stop him.

 

Sephiroth just looked at him, volumes written in that simple glance, before he pushed back on the throttle and rumbled away. He would have to steer through mounds of debris, and somehow find the brothers, but Sephiroth had a feeling he wouldn't have to look very hard. Jenova was already calling to him, her dark presence like clutching claws in his brain. He wouldn't need to look, she would lead him there.

 

It was time he put an end to this, once and for all.

 

Left behind, Tseng cursed under his breath, squeezing his cell phone tightly in his grip. “That idiot,” he muttered angrily, unsure who he was more furious at. Sephiroth, or himself for being unable to stop the fool. “He's going to get himself killed.”

 

Hands clutched at his side, Denzel looking up at him worriedly. “Sephy's strong,” Denzel assured him, though it sounded more like he were trying to convince himself. “He'll be back. He said he would try.”

 

“Denzel...” Tseng truly didn't know what to say, because he couldn't quite explain the worried feeling inside of him.

 

What he had last sensed from Sephiroth had been nothing but darkness, an unending pit of it. The type that one couldn't pierce with even the brightest of lights. And Tseng wished that he could go after Sephiroth, but at the moment, he couldn't do much of anything.

 

“Tseng!”

 

He started when he realized the sound of his name was coming from his phone, which he had abandoned. Sheepishly, he brought it back to his ear. “What's going on, Tseng?”

 

He sighed. “It's Sephiroth,” the second-in-command answered, rubbing his fingers over his forehead. “He's gone after the brothers.”

 

“Dammit,” Archer cursed. “He's going to get himself killed.” When Tseng could only greet him with silence, Archer abruptly backtracked. “I mean, he's Sephiroth. He'll be fine. In the meantime, we have other things to worry about.”

 

“I know. Have you seen Marlene?”

 

Archer's sigh echoed harshly through the receiver, momentarily blending with static. “Briefly. The last time I saw her, she was with Elena. And then I got thrown into the side of a building and things got a bit hazy. Especially when Yazoo tossed a fireball at me.”

 

“And Zack?”

 

“Again, I don't know. Everything's crazy here. Ah, wait. Hold on.”

 

Tseng stood by patiently as Archer disappeared from the call, likely checking the other line. He shifted his attention elsewhere, glancing around him. He was surrounded by destruction and the smell of ash and flame. The citizens had all wisely vanished, but other than Denzel clinging to him, he was alone.

 

He had thought he'd heard something. Like footsteps over rubble, or something similar. With Archer still gone, he focused on his surroundings.

 

“Tseng?”

 

Blinking, he returned his attentions to the phone. “Yes?”

 

“That was Reeve. He's trying to get everyone back to the WRO headquarters. How far are you?”

 

Silver eyes glanced around, trying to gage his position. He was to the side of the main square, as near as he could tell. If he kept to the perimeter, he could probably be at the headquarters in twenty minutes or less. Provided he didn't encounter anything dangerous on the way, such as a Shadow Beast that might still be lurking.

 

He set his hand on Denzel's head, hoping to comfort the boy. “Not that far. I can be there quickly. Is the President well?”

 

Archer chuckled, though it was really without humor. “He's fine, second-in-command. A certain bubbly demi-deity made an appearance.”

 

A sense of relief swept through Tseng. That was, at least, one less person he had to worry about. “Understood. Denzel and I will meet you there in under a half hour.”

 

With that, Tseng ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket. Denzel recognized the motions and looked up at him, fingers clutched onto Tseng's suit jacket, despite its dirtied appearance. “Did they find Marlene?”

 

“Not yet,” Tseng answered gently, hating himself for having lost sight of the little girl. She had been his responsibility.

 

“Marlene's missing?”

 

The voice, suddenly behind him, startled Tseng and he whirled around, immediately thrusting Denzel protectively behind his back. His other hand was already reaching for his blade, fingers curled around the hilt. Prepared to draw in an instant.

 

He was therefore surprised when two familiar forms dropped down in front of him, having leapt from the remains of a building. They landed with catlike grace, barely making a noise despite the bits and pieces of rubble beneath their feet.

 

“A little jumpy, cousin?” Yuffie commented, a big grin on her face as she rose from her crouch, never minding the streak of dirt that covered one cheek.

 

Tseng sucked in a breath, trying to calm the racing in his heart. “A little,” he admitted, gaze flickering between the couple. “How did you guys find me?”

 

“Pure chance, actually. Heard your phone as we were passing by,” the ninja responded, hefting her shuriken onto one shoulder, a few of the points spattered with drying blood.

 

Beside her, Nanaki inclined his head in agreement, his face much more solemn than Yuffie's. “ You mentioned something about Marlene?”

 

Guilt colored Tseng's impression, making him seem paler. “Yes. She slipped away from me when we landed and went to search for Denzel. I looked for her, but found him first.”

 

“She's still out there?” Yuffie declared, her eyes wide with shock.

 

“Archer said he saw her with Elena, so in likelihood, she's fine. But with all the destruction, it's hard to get a signal on any phone.”

 

As if on cue, Tseng's phone chose that moment to chirrup loudly once more, demanding his attention. He dropped his hand from Yoshiyuki and dug in his pocket for the device, answering it with a clipped tone. Meanwhile, Yuffie tried to encourage Denzel with a candy bar, produced from one of her many and deep pockets. Tseng made a careful note to watch his materia, though he didn't have any that were that valuable.

 

“Tseng, please tell me you've seen Elena.”

 

And that frantic voice was most definitely Zack, diving into conversation before he could so much as actually answer the phone. “Zack--”

 

The former SOLDIER continued without so much as waiting for an answer, breathing heavily into the phone. “Her phone is sending me straight to voicemail, and I haven't seen her since that lummox knocked me over the head.”

 

“I haven't seen her,” Tseng answered carefully, recognizing the concern in Zack's voice. It was his lover, after all, that was missing. “But that doesn't mean something's happened.”

 

Zack cursed into the phone. “Fine. I'll keep trying.” And before Tseng could say anything else, the call was cut off, leaving him listening to static. Whether Zack had ended the call or there was a disruption in the service, Tseng wasn't sure.

 

Sighing, he shoved his phone back into his pocket, meeting Nanaki and Yuffie's concerned gazes. “Elena's missing, too,” he admitted, feeling stretched very thin all the sudden. Too much was happening, and he couldn't seem to pin any of it under control.

 

Sephiroth had vanished after the brothers. Marlene had slipped out of his sight and now she couldn't be found. Elena was missing without a word. Junon was collapsing around them, some buildings finally giving up their bids to remain standing. It seemed utter madness. But it at least it was a lot better than what happened during the Chaos War.

 

“We'll look for them,” Nanaki stated, tail swishing anxiously behind them. “We can find both of them a lot easier than any of you.” He tapped his nose demonstratively as Yuffie rose to her feet, ruffling Denzel's hair affectionately.

 

“Even me,” she added cheerily. “Don't worry. We'll find Marlene and Elena. I'd hate to see Barret blow a gasket. You just get Denzel somewhere safe.”

 

Taking the boy's hand in his, the other occupied with gripping a candy bar that he hadn't bothered biting into, Tseng nodded. “Fine. You two be careful.”

 

“We're the last you need to worry about,” Nanaki assured him, exchanging glances with his lover. “Ready?”

 

She inclined her head, and then, before Tseng's very eyes, he watched the both of them begin to change. It happened quickly, but it was still a strange sight to behold. Their matching amulets flashed visibly. And soon, there were two lion-wolves standing before him - one a brilliant red-orange, the other a softer dark brown.

 

“Don't be so shocked,” the brownish Iyatokan declared in Yuffie's voice. It was accompanied by a saucy wink before she and Nanaki both bounded off into the midst of the city, lighted tails flickering brightly.

 

Tseng watched them for a moment more before he smiled down at Denzel, hoping that it was reassuring and it didn't betray his worry. “Shall we meet with the others then?”

 

Denzel nodded, brown hair falling haphazardly into his face, where tears and dust already

stained his cheeks. “Sephy's going to come back.”

 

“Yes, I know,” Tseng replied, and squeezed Denzel's hand.

 

He wished he could share that child-like belief. He wished that he held the same optimism, and he wished that he could erase the feeling of that dark presence from the back of his mind.

 

If only it were that simple.

 

* * *

 

The headache that had been threatening him earlier wished to return full force. Reeve was holding it back with medicine and constant rubbing of his temples, but he had the feeling it was going to win in the end. He had too much weighing him down at the moment, too much to be concerned about. And he really, really wanted to throw his cell phone under a leaning building, only to watch it smash beneath falling rock. He hated the damn thing.

 

He curled a finger in his collar and tugged his tie loose, before lowering himself down to one of the pieces of rubble that now covered the streets of his town. Was he always going to be forced to watch the things he had built come crashing down? It seemed so unfair. You'd think he would have learned by now.

 

“What're you thinking about?”

 

Reeve startled, looking up at Archer who sat across from him, perched on his own rock and looking into the distance. He sighed, clasping his hands in front of him. “For an architect, I spend most of my time watching my creations fall.”

 

A bitter smile curled at Archer's lips. “I know the feeling,” he replied, his tone nearly unidentifiable. He looked a little worse for wear, covered in soot and bruises, a closing wound on his forehead darkened with dried blood.

 

“I suppose you're thinking about Kadaj?”

 

“You think I'm a fool, don't you?” Archer returned instead, working his jaw visibly before forcing his gaze to Reeve. His amethyst eyes were filled with sadness, but not a hint of regret. “For actually wanting to save him?”

 

He watched Archer, remembered how his friend had been acting, and Reeve had to admit, that though he did think Archer was a fool, he didn't think he was wrong either. “We all do stupid things when the heart is involved,” he finally answered.

 

Archer swallowed thickly and glanced away, balancing his head on his palm and digging fingers through his hair. “I don't know what to do. Sephiroth's going to stop him. They're going to kill him. I don't...” He broke off, tone frustrated. “It's not fair, Reeve. I finally find it again, that spark of happiness, and life rips it away from me.”

 

“Archer--”

 

“Am I still being punished? Is that it?” he demanded, but Reeve didn't think the engineer was talking to him any longer. “I hurt Cid so in turn, I have to suffer?”

 

Reeve wished that his usual eloquence hadn't chose that moment to fail him. All he could do was watch his dear friend suffer, wishing he had the means to fix it. But life had never been kind to any of them, and neither had fate. From the moment ShinRa and its legacy touched poisonous fingers to Gaia, everything had been fucked up. There was no nicer way to describe it.

 

Archer sucked in a huge, shuddering breath, but his face was hidden behind the shield of his arms. And Reeve, who couldn't find anything to say, pretended not to notice. He felt a bit like breaking down himself, and could only thank deities he didn't believe in that he'd gotten his sister and his daughter out of Junon before the danger struck. In his heart, he worried for Reno, but there was nothing to be done.

 

“This is hardly the air of celebration.” Zack's voice suddenly poured into the small clearing in front of the WRO headquarters as rocks skittered and he appeared above a pile of broken debris.

 

“Thanks for joining us,” Reeve replied dryly, and gestured around him. “Take a piece of wall over there. It's the best you'll get.”

 

Crystalline eyes flickered to Archer, but in the interest of privacy, Zack left the engineer alone. It was with heavy steps that he moved into the clearing and plopped down onto a piece of rock, his sword scraping the ground behind him. His clothes were ripped and torn in several places, and he favored one knee. There was a nice bruise developing along his chin, and his hair was caked with dirt. Like Archer, he looked worse for wear, but he still held his life.

 

“I can't find Elena,” Zack admitted, pulling his sword from its sheath and laying it across his knees.

 

Reeve felt a harsh stab behind his eyes but ignored it. “I know. We can't find a lot of things.”

 

Rocks skittering over the ground announced the arrival of the last of their group, Tseng making an appearance behind a piece of twisted metal and glass, scorched by flame. He carried Denzel on his back, sweat dotting his forehead and hair falling free from the loose tie he had held it back with.

 

He paused as he caught sight of them, eyes flickering over what few there were. “This is all?” Tseng asked in his surprise.

 

The President forced himself to rise to his feet, despite the throb it produced in his skull. “Vincent, Reno, and Cid went after the brothers. So yes, this is all.”

 

Tseng crouched, letting Denzel slide down from his back and helped him over to a piece of debris, the boy limping slightly. “No word from Elena?”

 

“None.”

 

“Nanaki and Yuffie are looking for them,” Tseng continued, kneeling to examine Denzel's knee. It was obviously scraped, a small bit of blood peeking through the fabric of his torn jeans. “Anyone have a Cure?”

 

To this, Archer finally stirred, pulling the small, green materia from his armlet and tossing it to Tseng, who caught it easily. “Keep it,” Archer replied, his voice hollow. His face was clear of tears, though his eyes were red-rimmed. He didn't appear altogether.

 

Zack's gaze shifted to Reeve. “Well, Mr. President, what now?”

 

“Isn't Sephiroth our leader?” Reeve replied, but it was only a half-hearted joke.

 

He tugged against at his tie, feeling as if it constricted him. Really, he was too old and too tired for this. When was the Planet going to take his age in consideration when it decided to throw large monsters and Jenova remnants at him?

 

“We need to find Elena and Marlene. And catch up with Sephiroth. To do that, we'll need transportation.” His eyes flickered to Archer - desperate for something to occupy himself - and Zack - overcome with worry. “Will you two get a helicopter ready? With all this destruction, it'll be easy to get one to this square.”

 

The former SOLDIER inclined his head. “Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, Reeve.” He rose to his feet, dusting off his pants though it did nothing for the rest of the filth caking his clothing. “What're you going to do?”

 

“Tseng and I will stay here with Denzel. We'll worry about getting him to safety when you two get back.”

 

Archer looked as if he were going to argue, before shaking his head and keeping silent. He stood and moved down next to Zack without a word, lifting his hands to retie his hair out of his face.

 

“Gotcha,” Zack responded, but it was with feigned assurance. He jerked his head towards Archer, before the two of them headed towards the WRO headquarters. Most likely to use the underground passages to the storage dock.

 

Reeve, in the meantime, was beginning to crave some aspirin. And he worried that he was garnering an addiction to the painkillers. Because at the rate he'd been sucking them down lately, they were hardly working.

 

“Reeve.”

 

He flicked his gaze to Tseng, whose normally stoic expression had been taken over by something more stormy. His hands were on Denzel's shoulders, but they twitched, as though barely keeping from clenching tightly.

 

“Please look after Denzel.”

 

Honestly, one of these days, Reeve truly felt as if he were going to combust. Because his friends were going to be the death of him, what with their incessant need to do everything on their own. Honestly, why did they even bother asking him their opinion? Did they think he didn't worry about his own lover, going off against three Sephiroth-clones? With only an ex-Turk and a nicotine-addicted pilot at his back?

 

“And where do you think you're going?” Reeve demanded, at the end of his patience. He gave a final tug to his tie, and then dropped the formal piece of attire to the ground. Let it join the rest of the debris of yet another mockery of his attempt to rebuild things.

 

Tseng set his jaw stubbornly. “After Sephiroth.”

 

He threw his hands up in the air. “Right, that makes perfect sense,” Reeve declared, resisting the urge to smack his own forehead in exasperation. “And how are you planning to catch up to them? On foot?”

 

“Somehow.”

 

Reeve sucked in several harsh breaths, reminding himself that naturally, he was a calm person. “Tseng, you're not this foolish. So stop thinking you are. You know good and well that there's not anything you can do this very second.”

 

Anger flashed into those perfectly composed features, along with a hefty dose of guilt. “I didn't stop him when he left.”

 

“He's Sephiroth. I doubt you could have.”

 

Tseng didn't answer, just looked away, focusing on something else, likely anything else than the confusing torrent of emotions running through him. Really, between he and Sephiroth, Reeve didn't know how they survived as a couple. They could barely communicate, didn't understand their own emotions much less anyone else's, and were highly dependable on others.

But then, maybe that was why they were so important to each other. Both could understand that much, at least, even if they comprehended nothing else.

 

Reeve sighed, raking a hand over his hair and messing up the carefully ordered strands, if there were any left still in order. “At least wait until they bring the helicopter. Then you'll have a much better chance at going after him.”

 

Silver eyes regarded him with surprise, his curiosity compelling. “You're not going to stop me?”

 

He shook his head. “If anyone can reach him now, it's you. That's the truth.” And despite his irritation, Reeve felt a half-smile flit into his lips. “Sephiroth's one of us now, as strange as that sounds. And we don't abandon family.”

 

* * *