Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Starla's Dance ❯ Chapter 19

The moldy mattress flew from the bed and landed on the floor in a cloud of dust. Grabbing the scantly few rotting blankets Cloud tossed them on the mattress. Looking around the cave he searched the crevices for something he had hidden. Another souvenir from the war; from Hojo's lab. Shoving some stones aside unto the floor, he revealed a hidden tiny hole. Reaching in he pulled out a glowing green cylinder.

Angrily it glowed, it called out for him. Power radiated from it though it was confined. His fingers stroked the smooth glass, and glided over the bumpy surface of two medal sealers. Lovingly Cloud cradled it to his chest like a child. Walking over to the mattress he settled down and set it in front of him. Wrapping a torn blanket around him he focused on the green glow.

For a moment his eyes hurt before his world began to twirl, and the only thing in his vision was the green. He could feel the spark, the puppet masters line. Moving towards it he reached for it. Gripping it tight the puppet became the master. After Sephiroth's second death, he became lax in his abilities. Left it unguarded, now Cloud grabbed it with new vigor.

Now the green turned into a glowing representation of Sephiroth's mind. Cloud was in Sephiroth's mind now. Pulling a different cord Cloud roused Sephiroth from his sleep. He know that bitch was beside him sleeping, and it filled him with resentment.

Sephiroth was the evil one, he tried to kill the planet and the inhabitants. If Sephiroth had his way before the planet would be torn asunder. Cloud was the good one, he saved the planet and everything on it. In the end everything was stripped from him. Left with bare minimum that he barely survived by. On the other hand Sephiroth was given a new life, with joy, and abundance.

\Wake up\ Cloud's voice hissed in Sephiroth's mind.

\Get the hell out of my mind.\

Cloud laughed, \Hmf, write a letter to that bitch you are going.\

\I'm not going any place.\

Grasping some other cords, Cloud forced Sephiroth from bed. Grabbing a knife from the kitchen he forced Sephiroth to carve Mt. Nibel on the table. In the far reaches of Sephiroth's mind, Cloud could feel rising concern. Sephiroth recognized were they were headed. Rightfully so, this was were it all began.

For a few hours Sephiroth found himself walking the dead Mt. Nibel. There was only one place around here Cloud would send him, that was the mako reactor. First one ever built, a maze to anyone except Tifa, Zack, Cloud, and himself. Zack and Tifa were both dead. Tifa for a few years, Zack for a lot longer. That's where Sephiroth went insane, and where Cloud first faced off with him. It's also where Tifa got stabbed by Sephiroth.

Feeling sick with the memories Sephiroth closed his eyes. It was not as if he was controlling where he went. Besides, if Cloud truly was in his head, he'd know where to step, Sephiroth still knew this mountain well enough to walk it with his eyes closed. He didn't want to see the stripped dead land.

It seemed like an eternity before he felt himself enter the familiar building. Sephiroth opened his eyes to once again look upon this labyrinth. It was also then Sephiroth still felt the knife in his hand. Maybe Cloud was still bad at this and forgot to drop it. Desperately he tried to fight free of Cloud's control. Laugher rewarded his efforts. Snapping back into the corner of his mind Sephiroth growled, his pride hurt.

\What's the matter, realized how helpless you are.\ Cloud mocked. \And don't worry my dear, precious Sephiroth, I did not forget about that knife in your hand. Would you like a preview what I have planned?\

\No.\

\Good, then I will show you.\

Unwillingly Sephiroth's arms rose at the elbows. Sephiroth cringed as the knife pierced deeply in the flesh over his elbow then proceeded up the tender inside flesh of his arm to his wrist. Stopping there Cloud forced Sephiroth to slit his own wrist. Blood bubbled and rushed forth. Even with extra endurance Sephiroth could bleed to death quickly.

Horrified Sephiroth watched the blood drip from his arm.

\Shit, Cloud, what have you done!\ Sephiroth screamed in his mind.

In reply Cloud slit Sephiroth's wrist three more times. Cursing loudly in his mind Sephiroth felt his arms lower. His blood leaving a wet trail behind him. Sephiroth could feel his body weakening quickly. Just a few more moments then he would be gone. As his vision hazed he saw himself approach the chamber of Jenova.

Finally Sephiroth stumbled Cloud's power unable to sustain him. He felt death beaconing him. One of the mako chambers opened, Sephiroth was uncertain how. But knowing it as his only hope Sephiroth crawled weakly towards it. Blackness surrounded him the same moment as bright green.

Cloud broke the connection with Sephiroth's mind cackling loudly. Shattering the bottle he stood for a few moments and ran towards Mt. Nibel.

Hours later Starla woke, Sephiroth not at her side. Reaching over to his side of the bed she felt that it was cold. Getting out of bed she walked to the bathroom. Looking in she saw no one. Sephiroth's pants were also gone from where they sat on the counter. Scrunching her face she walked into the kitchen. Still no sign of him.

"Sephiroth where are you? Sephiroth! Goddamn it." Starla yelled.

Starla's fingers brushed the table. It was then she noted the message carved into wood. Running her fingers over the destroyed surface her mind went over her first responses. That being he should have used paper, there was no repairing the damage. Grumbling she went to grab breakfast and wait for him. It was then her eyes fell on the gleaming masumune next to the fridge.

"Fuck them all to hell."

Grabbing the masumune she went to look for him. Starting with Mt. Nibel.

It was late in the day when Starla reached Mt. Nibel, by the dying light of the sun she found his tracks in the dead land. She followed them to the opening to the reactor. Entering she feared to be lost, so she glanced once more at the world behind her. Like it might be her last time to see it. Taking a deep breathe she entered.

Studding the ways to go, Starla found the trail of blood. Worry picked up her adrenaline and she begun to run as fast as her legs would carry her. By the time she approached the chamber of Jenova the trail started to get less and less, till finally it was a smear approaching a glowing green chamber. Slowing she slowed to look inside. At first in the haze she saw nothing, then she saw Sephiroth's frail form.

Gasping instead of the intending scream she reached to open it. A hand grasped her arm holding her back. Forcefully it shoved her back. Cold blue eyes looked at her. Humor played in them, along with insanity. Starla sneered and rose to her feet. Unpracticed with the masumune she raised it clumsily. Cloud cackled as he looked at her.

"Yes lady, try. Then I'll enjoy ripping out your guts." Cloud snapped.

"Out of my way... And Sephiroth's jacket does not suit you."

Pointing his sword at her, Cloud made her stop while ignoring her comment. "I can't do that, see you would be exposed to the maco. I still need you, and don't need you going insane-or worse monster."

Starla glanced at the chamber.

Opening the door Cloud let Sephiroth fall free. Kicking him aside Cloud closed the door, enjoying a short moment the familiar feel of maco. Then before Sephiroth could fully rise, he moved behind Starla. Starla jumped, Cloud's firm hand held her from jumping to the side. Sephiroth stood covered in blood eyes gleaming with power.

"Make a move, I kill her. Be a dear bitch, and toss him his masumune."

Starla clumsily tossed Sephiroth his sword. Swiftly Sephiroth caught it, the blade just barely hitting the floor with a ping. Cloud shifted Starla and shifted to look at Sephiroth more innocently.

"I think you know what this is about." Cloud said lastly.

(AN: Thanks to Veve who is an egg head in the ways of FF7 and the real Starla's endurance in the making of this.)