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Walking Out on Destiny	By : HarliqueenNight Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2575 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all things associated are owned by Square Enix and Testuya Nomura respectively. I own nothing save for the characters and places created for the sake of this fan fiction and recieve no profit in the creation of this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Walking Out on Destiny: Season Two
Episode 2: Blow This Scene
l
Sephiroth lifted his head to see the vastness of space surrounding him. Comets passed him by on their journey through the cosmos. He turned his head this way and that, unsure of how he had gotten there and why he was here. Familiarity teased at his brain as Gaia itself came into view and was so small it could fit into his hand. He watched green tendrils encircle it, teeming with the life force of various plants, animals, and people. He could hear them, feel them, and smell them. He reached out and touched it, watching the glow pass over his fingers. It almost made him smile.
"This is your world, your empire, my young prince."
Sephiroth jerked back and looked around for the source of the voice. He found a woman standing there, her long mercury colored bangs obscuring her face. Her body was completely albino, the lack of color making her glow amongst the stars. She was very thin and frail, as if a single breath could carry her away, but it wasn't sickly sort nor unattractive. No, it gave her a whimsical type of air, like a sprite of some sort. No clothing covered her and her long curtain of hair managed to obscure her bare breasts. The junction between her legs had no discerning gender. She walked forward, her bare feet tapping against an invisible floor and her hips swaying to an enigmatic rhythm that captivated Sephiroth's attention. When she reached him she stopped. She was so small, truly fairy like in stature and he almost had the urge to touch her. She gestured to Gaia continuing to speak without using her mouth.
"This tiny place you see before you is merely bauble compared to the things I've seen, the places I've been, the worlds I've destroyed."
Sephiroth frowned. "Your voice…"
"I whispered words in your ear when your beloved guard dog vanished from your life. Don't you know who I am Sephiroth?"
"Yes," he said distantly. "You are Mother."
"Yes, I am Mother. The true mother and I will see you rise to power. You have exceeded my expectations. You endeared yourself to your enemies and have dropped their guard for you. You have pleased me. In exchange, I will tell show you how to claim your companion."
"Companion?"
"Strong, brave, and true, but oh so naïve." She laughed, dark and thick like honey. "He will fight you, struggle, but in the end he will submit to you." She waved her hand making the planet disappear in swirl of green light. The light expanded and twisted until it formed the image of a young man. The one from his dream years ago with golden hair and crystalline blue eyes appeared before him. Sephiroth stared deep into those eyes. Visions of nights caressing light sun kissed skin and hearing soft murmurs in morning light surged across Sephiroth's vision. "Yes, he will submit because the pathetic being will love you. But you cannot love him. Love does not exist to us. He will be weak in his love for you and you will take him from all that he knows. He will traverse the stars with you, his eyes only able to see you. He will be the companion…no…the puppet that you need to rule this universe as I did."
"Why a puppet," Sephiroth wondered out loud as he touched the cheek of the illusion. "Why not my equal?"
"Because," the illusion disappeared. "A god has no equal, my prince. You must only believe in the love of you or the fear of you. This creature will love you and fear you should you have the will to rule over him. He will forsake his hopes, his dreams, and his life itself in order to be at your call. But you must show him that there is no other life other than at your feet. That there is nothing for him other than you."
Sephiroth felt a ting of pain, an ache he had no name for. "A puppet…"
"Yes, a puppet. However, one will stand in your way. One you must subdue into your service as well though it will be difficult."
"Who…no…" He whispered when the image of Tseng appeared before him.
"By blood you are not bound. He is not your brother, not your family. I am the only family you need seek. This horrid creature worshiped the Cetra along with his entire filthy race! He will not hesitate to murder you and bathe in your blood should you allow him to. Bring him under your rule. Should you succeed in conquering his will, he will have no choice but to kneel before you. I've seen the man he will truly become and he will fight you. Oh yes, he will fight you in the name of his blood and your surrogate father. Should you fail to destroy his will, you will kill him."
Sephiroth shook his head and looked at the one he called Mother. "Why?"
"Why?"
"Why? Why all this?"
"Because this…is who you are." A wide grin came to her lips. "Can you honestly say you still have human feelings for them?"
Sephiroth couldn't answer. Thinking of all the people in this life, he could not say that he wanted them to die, but at the same time he couldn't find the emotions he once had for them.
"You see? A god need not waste time with emotion. Leave it to the weak."
Sephiroth gasped, his vision blurred by green. Lucrecia clicked a few buttons on the Mako tank he was in and let the liquid drain from it.
"You finished up faster than I originally thought," she said scribbling on her clip board. "Clean yourself up and move along now. I promised I'd leave you alone for the time being."
Sephiroth eyed her as he stepped out of the capsule, his hair clinging to his face and torso. His eyes slit as he imagined the things he could do to her and without realizing it, he took a threatening step in her direction but was suddenly slammed against the wall hard enough for him to see stars. Lucrecia looked at him slowly, squeezing him with her tentacle arm.
"I said you are finished Sephiroth. Need we go through this today?"
Sephiroth growled but averted his eyes from her. She dropped him carelessly and returned to her desk. Sephiroth left to wash away the excess Mako, leaving the woman to her work. Lucrecia signed on to her computer and input the data she'd collect today. She paused when she noticed something strange and typed rapidly on the keyboard. One of her very old research files had been tampered with. She rested her chin on hand with an amused smile.
"What are you up to dear husband?"
l
"And that's why we carry the big swords," Genesis said taking a sip of wine as he waited for the results of Cloud's test. "Honestly, everyone thinks it's a penis thing, but come on, do I look like the type of guy who suffers from an abnormally small dick?"
"I wouldn't know what that looked like," Cloud replied drinking a soda. His mother had specifically requested that he didn't come home drunk.
"I wouldn't be as confident as I am, kitten. In reality we go through the normal SOLDIER issue swords entirely too quickly. You try being as powerful as us and not snapping those damn tooth picks on every person you cut. It's a pain in the ass and not stylish at all."
"So you guys can't control your strength?"
"In battle there are constant slips of control. You are so focused on defeating the enemy that you can't focus on the amount of force you use. You watch us all the time, so you must know about the wake of carnage we leave every time we come through."
"Yeah, I catch bits and pieces on the news, though we don't have a network out here to stream the good stuff."
"You guys are practically in the boonies. Do you guys even have CDs?"
"What's a CD?" Genesis's eye twitched and Cloud laughed. "I'm kidding! Of course I know what a CD is and yes, we have them."
"I almost believed you."
Cloud shrugged and looked at his watch. "I gotta check on my mother soon."
"Ah, I see. It shouldn't be much longer," he said checking his phone. Sure enough it beeped and he checked the report. He held his phone over the test and scanned the barcode over it and matched it to the scoring scale. He tapped his fingers on the table impatiently as it began to line up. Cloud leaned over anxiously, wondering how a test could be graded through something as simple as a phone. Another beep sounded off, and Genesis checked his phone. "Hmm…"
Cloud was on the edge of seat, his heart beating a million miles a minute. The expression on Genesis face hadn't changed as his color change eyes scanned the information on his phone screen. "…sir?"
"Well," he looked at Cloud with a grave expression. "You tried really hard and I can tell you put a lot into this…but…"
Cloud's heart sink, and he thought he was going to cry.
"But if you're going to be a part of my training unit we're going to have to do something about those clothes and I think you should let me pierce your ears."
"What?" Cloud blinked back tears and looked at Genesis in confusion.
Genesis laughed, his eyes turning bright blue. "Welcome to SOLDIER, Cloud Strife!"
Cloud was stuck in a stupor.
Genesis tilted his head and waved his hand in front of Cloud's face. "Cloud? Cloud, you didn't have a stroke did you."
Suddenly he was nearly knocked out of his seat by an excited blond. "Thank you so much!"
Genesis laughed and pet the boy his head. "Well I didn't do it! You passed with a near perfect score all by yourself. I'm surprised!"
Cloud smiled. "So now what? Now what?"
"I'd like to meet your mother."
"Oh yeah! She'll want to know what how things went! Come on!" Cloud said getting up.
"Hold on let me get the check."
"Nah, I got it!"
"No please I-" Genesis's jaw dropped at the wad of cash the boy whipped out and put down on the table. He eyed the boy suspiciously. "Cloud, are you the town whore?"
"What? No!"
"Its nothing to be ashamed of! I mean you have to live like everyone else!" Genesis said trying to be kind. "I mean I'm sure there are lots of men who would see you that way. Why with a pretty face like yours, I bet you earn that honestly but is it really necessary. I mean you're not even fifteen!"
"I'm not a whore, dammit," Cloud shouted angrily. "I have a job!"
"Oh! What do you do?"
"I do odd jobs for the town recluse."
"Odd jobs? Oh no, is an old dirty man making you do horrible things against your will for money?"
Cloud slapped his forehead. "Let's go!"
"It's okay Cloud. SOLDIER covers full psychological treatment for any trauma you have coming or going, you know!"
"LET'S GO!"
Cloud paid and tried to ignore all the probing question Genesis had about his lifestyle. They got to his house after only a short walk and Genesis commented on how tiny the town was. Cloud took out his key and opened the door.
"We needed to get home anyway, storm's rolling in."
"It's not gonna snow is it?" Genesis asked.
"It's the middle of summer," Cloud said shaking his head. "Mom?"
Genesis watched as Cloud searched the dark house. "Is she home?"
"She doesn't leave when it's damp. Mom? Why aren't the lights on?" Cloud asked going into the kitchen turning them on. His gasp drew Genesis to the kitchen to Cloud picking up a woman off the floor. A cup of tea lay shattered by her limp hand and Cloud lifted her with a bit of struggle, sitting her straight up in the chair. Genesis readied a cure as he joined Cloud's side.
"What's wrong with her? What happened?" Genesis asked as Cloud tilted her head back.
"She's very sick. Her lungs collapse sometimes and she stops breathing," Cloud muttered opening the woman's mouth so that her airway was unobstructed. He put his head to her chest listening for her heartbeat.
"Well shouldn't we take her to the doctor?" Genesis pressed.
"He wouldn't be able to do anything anyway, and I can't afford it. Her heart's still beating!" Cloud got up and went to one of the kitchen cabinets and pulled out a white first aid kit.
"I don't think basic material is going to help her, hun. She needs a doctor," Genesis repeated, trying to reason with him. If the woman wasn't breathing like this then she needed help badly. What did the kid think he was doing.
Cloud put the case on the table and opened it up, surprising Genesis with an array for material and needles that glowed lightly in the dim kitchen. Genesis's eyes widened when he recognized the green specs in the needles and looked at Cloud in disbelief as took one from the case. Cloud checked it for bubbles before putting holding it by the chamber with his teeth and digging for a cotton swab and alcohol. Genesis stepped back as he went to his mother and grabbed her arm. He sanitized an area and stuck the needle in flawlessly as if he'd done it several times before. As the liquid went in, the woman twitched and breathed again after a moment. Cloud tossed the needle aside and aided her in sitting straight.
"Mom? Mom, you okay?"
Alina coughed and gasped as if she'd been submerged in water. She panted and looked at Cloud with unfocused vision before coughing up a bit of blood. "Dammit!" she cursed only to cough more.
Genesis released the breath he didn't realize he was holding. Cloud wiped her mouth of the red liquid and cleaned up her hands.
"See mom, this is why we need to move! This is why I'm goin' to SOLDIER."
"Nag, nag, nag," she said breathlessly. "I just missed my medicine while you were out, that's all."
"And what if I hadn't come home to check on you?"
"I would've been right there on the floor waiting for you! Calm down, Cloudy. Mommy's fine."
"Tch!" he went and put away the first aid kit.
Alina regained her composure and looked at Genesis. Her eyes scanned him up and down, her eyes lingering on the soldier belt around his waist. "Ah, you must be the recruiter taking my son away from me."
"Mom!"
"I assure you ma'am, after that stunt I'm reluctant to do so!" Genesis said with a small smile. "Do you need a doctor?"
"I don't need to see that old coot! Senile bastard'll just put me on bed rest."
"Where you need to be!" Cloud snapped.
"Oh go to…you cut your hair!"
Cloud blinked and touched the back of his head where his ponytail used to be. "Well yeah, I thought it would be a bit too redneck to keep it."
Alina smiled brightly. "Oh I'm so glad you cut that thing! I hated it, don't even know why you went through that damn rocker phase! Come give mama a kiss."
"Ugh! No way! There's blood in your mouth, woman!"
Alina blinked and licked her lips. "Oh yeah, I'm gonna go brush my teeth. Excuse me, sir. Cloud, show some manners and give him a tour of the house."
Cloud rolled his eyes. "This is the kitchen."
"CLOUD!"
"Okay mom!" Cloud looked up at Genesis. "Sorry about that."
Genesis shook his head. "So what exactly is wrong with her? I saw the mako in those shots."
Cloud frowned and looked at the linoleum. "I guess you would notice. Mom has a rare disease that causes her lungs to deteriorate. They are rotting away and it gets really bad when its damp. The person I work for…he created that medicine. They regenerate the tissue in her lungs enough to keep her alive. It's a temporary fix for a big problem but until he can fix the problem they are all we got.."
Genesis felt a pang of guilt for prying. "My apologies, Cloud. I didn't mean to intrude."
Cloud smiled a bit. "No worries. I'm going to be in SOLDIER."
"That you are."
"Come on, my mom will kill me if I don't show you around."
"Actually, I think your friend should have dinner with us to celebrate. You passed didn't you?" Alina asked, leaning against the doorway.
"Mom! I'm sure he has a hotel room."
"Actually, ma'am," Genesis bowed with a flourish. "I would be delighted to stay here with home cooking rather than those stale hotel meals and cardboard beds."
Alina nodded. "Good, but you pull your weight. The dishes are you and Cloud's job. I'm taking a smoke break after cooking."
"Mom!"
"Jeez, can't even joke around you. Worry too much Cloudy."
"Whatever you need dear lady, this SOLDIER will provide," Genesis said with a wink. "Anything."
"Oh don't flatter me!"
"None sense," Genesis smirked. "Even a blind man could see gold in these old mountains."
Alina blushed and giggled as she went to the stove. "Oh stop it. Go on and show him where he's sleepin at, Cloudy."
Cloud eyed Genesis and motioned for him to follow him. Once Alina was out of earshot, he looked over his shoulder at Genesis. "You can't make me uncomfortable by hitting on my mother, you know."
"Why do you say that? Your mother is quite a dish."
"That would be offensive to me if you weren't gayer than Chocobo jockey."
Genesis laughed. "Am I really that obvious?"
"I just can tell the difference between eccentric and fabulous, city slicker."
"Oh you are just wonderful!"
l
Tseng's eyes snapped open and he sat up and looked out the hotel window. The sound that had echoed in the air was enough to wake the dead and had thrown him from his sleep. Getting his bearings, he got out of bed and slipped on his shoes and blazers. He made his way out of his room and down the inn stairs, adjusting his gloves and checking his material as he went. The town was still moving about, even at this late hour. The local material miners and woodsmen were hooting loudly in the local bar and a few people were making their way home. No one seemed to acknowledge that sound. Tseng paused when it came again, blasting in his ear like an air raid alarm. How could no one flinch at that howling?
He looked this way and that before deciding that it was coming from outside of town. He let the chilling sound lead him to the edge of town. He walked slowly to the mansion and actually saw light in the windows. This was where he was supposed to be investigating tomorrow morning. Perhaps it would be best if he went in tonight, simply to solve the mystery of that sound. Taking the safety off of Peacemaker, Tseng pushed open the screeching gate and walked up to the door. He flinched when that howl, much clearer now, sounded off from inside the house. Building up his resolve he checked the door to find it unlocked. He supposed that was natural since this house was supposed to have been abandoned by the company years go. He went inside, chocking a bit on the dust. The sound was loud enough to make him jump and he pointed his gun almost certain the monster was in the room with him. He found nothing. Taking a calming breath he continued inside.
Tseng followed the sound as it resounded several more times and as he got closer to the source, he could hear a human voice yelling. He picked up the pace believing it to be a cry for help and found only an empty bed room. He looked this way and that but found no one in the room, until that howl came again. He looked toward the stone wall that seemed very out of place. He leaned against it, listening for the sound only slide through the hidden door and nearly plummeted to his death. He held on to the rickety stairs struggling to pull himself up. Thanks to training, he was able to pull himself up and scramble back onto the stairs. He looked down at the dark depths with relieved eyes. He got up and began the decent down the stairs. The howling came loud and fierce, rocking the very foundation of the stairway; Tseng had to latch on to the wall every now and then to keep from losing balance.
"An hour worth of stairs? This had better be good…" Tseng said tiredly as he found the bottom of the stairs.
The sound of the howling, loud and clear, forced him to alertness and he held the gun at the ready. He snuck around the natural cavern, getting closer and closer to the source of the sound. However, the entire cave-like basement was completely barren save for a few locked doors. He paused when he came across an open door that was littered with coffins. What caught his eye was the brand new plush black coffin lined with red fabric. He crouched near it examining it, seeing a strange locking device and a compartment for storing materia. Staring at it gave him a strange foreboding feeling and he reached out to touch the shimmering lining. It was soft and smooth, very much like the fabric that made up Vincent's sheets. He closed his eyes feeling strangely nostalgic about this material and lowered his gun for a moment. A freakish laugh broke him from his thoughts and he whipped around with Peacemaker at the ready. What he saw made him nearly drop the gun.
A sickly set of conjoined twins stood before him, one pale pink and one pale gray. They looked at him with vacant beady eyes and twin grins on their faces. They continuously flopped forward and back at disturbing angles, laughing the whole while as they approached them with their abnormally long arms and legs. One of the arms reached for him and Tseng immediately shot it off out of fear. It stared at its injured appendage and continued its disturbing laugh. Tseng searched for an opening and dodge rolled out of the room so that he would not be cornered. Amazingly, the freakish monster began to chase him, laughing in that bone chilling way. Tseng shot back at it as he ran but he was no match for the speed of it. It snagged Tseng by the leg making him fall; he could feel his cold clammy hand through his suit. Tseng grunted and clawed at the dirt, the gun having fallen from his hand. He tried to reach for it but was pulled back and brought face to face with the creature who grinned at him. Its grins widened to frightening lengths and it leaned over the fallen Turk. Tseng was certain he was to die in the most horrible way imaginable at this thing's hands. The idea of it made him renew his struggles even though he couldn't break the hold of the creature. The creature suddenly froze, both heads looking over him.
Tseng looked above him hearing a low animalistic growl. His eyes were captured by brightly glowing amber that reminded Tseng of the full moon over the jungles of Wutai. A long furry muzzle nudged his neck and he could hear it taking a few curious sniffs. It suddenly pulled back and turned on the monster that held Tseng captive, teeth bared and claws digging into the dirt on either side of Tseng. It howled. In a split second Tseng was swept to the side and out of the creature's grasp by the beast's claw. He hit his head on a rock formation making the world turn fuzzy and his ears ring. He tried to get his bearings and ignore the sounds of flesh tearing and disturbing laughter. In his mind, he hoped the beast was winning because he rather die at the hands of the beast than to risk the disturbing death the creature would give him. Though, he had no intention of getting ripped to pieces by the beast either. Disoriented, he dragged himself over to where he'd last seen the gun. When he reached out for it, bloody meat splattered on his hand and sleeve. He stopped and slowly looked up at the beast that stood with one of the monster's arms in its claws. It slung it against the wall and leaned down to take a good sniff of Tseng. It licked his face where his head wound was and Tseng squeezed his eyes shut against the sting. The pain shot to through his brain and made grasp at his temple. Then suddenly one of the clawed hands rested on his head with an almost gentle weight. Tseng could smell a scent that was achingly familiar.
Tseng…
Tseng cracked his eyes open against the pain in response to the voice he wasn't sure he'd heard physically. His vision was beyond blurred and he could no longer see the creature, only a large dark outline. He tried to focus but the only thing that he could see clearly were two light, brightly glowing red lights…like eyes staring down at him through the darkness.
"…Vin…cent…?"
"Ts…Tseng…"
"Dammit Valentine!" Hojo panted, his leg aching from his recent struggle with the Galian Beast. He came up to find Vincent sitting there with a vacant expression, next to an unmoving body. "Shit, what have you done?"
Vincent didn't answer. His listless eyes stayed on the body and he attentively brushed black silk bangs away from the bloody gash on the pale man's forehead. He traced his pale fingertips along the soft cheeks and defined jaw line with fascination. Tseng's eyes opened and closed as he tried to focus. The ringing in his ears had not ceased. His lips moved to speak, though his voice came out scratchy and dry from lack of use.
"…I know...this man…?"
Hojo sighed and hobbled over to check over what he assumed was the first victim of the uncontrollable transformations. He managed to kneel down and checked on the disoriented man. The first thing he noticed was the Turk uniform; the second, the Wutain features of the man. Hojo did an immediate mental count of the years that had passed since he'd whisked Vincent away from the world. He shook his head.
"Can't be…" Hojo whispered adjusting his glasses so that he could get a good look. "Tseng?"
Tseng was only able to focus for a moment and caught the glare of glasses before his consciousness failed him. He went limp and his head fell back down. Vincent caught his head before it hit the ground, but cringed at the weight added to his decaying hand. Hojo pulled Tseng away from him and slung him over his shoulder. Vincent only sat there watching, not a single thought in his head.
"You're a useless thing, aren't you," Hojo murmured. "I will never open that skylight ever again if this is how you're going to behave."
Vincent stared at him vacantly.
Hojo rolled his eyes. "Stand up."
Vincent did so and waited for instruction.
"Now, stay in front of me and walk back to the lab," Hojo ordered, adjusting Tseng over his shoulder.
When they got back to the lab, he laid Tseng on his cot and brushed the hair off the wound. Vincent stood over his shoulder, watching with curiosity. He reached out and touched a bit of the blood with his finger while Hojo cleaned the wound. He sniffed it and then poked his tongue out lick it. Hojo grabbed his wrist and wiped the blood off his finger.
"Oh no you don't! Galian Beast gets a taste of human blood and there will be no living with you!" Hojo smacked his hand.
Vincent pulled back like a chastised child and went back to his place on the lab table. He sat there and watched Hojo take care of Tseng, tilting his head this way and that. Hojo spoke to him while he stitched up the gash.
"You know, I find you more agreeable as the dog than as the Neanderthal or the horror movie reject. The fact that you are up and about is a good sign, but at the same time I know you will pay for being so active later. These transformations speed up the decay." He sighed. "You knew Tseng when you saw him. Does that mean you're truly here right now?" He looked back at Vincent as he sat on the table watching. "Or are you just someone else with Vincent's memories?" Hojo adjusted his glasses and turned back to his work.
He heard Vincent slip off the table, but assumed he was just running off to meddle something else. He flinched when he felt those cold arms slip over his shoulders and Vincent's frame against his back. Vincent nuzzled his face into the man's neck like the pup the doctor proclaimed him to be and rested his chin on his shoulder. Hojo couldn't help the smile that came to his face when Vincent huffed like the beast under the surface.
"What do I do with you, Vincent?"
l
Cloud face-palmed when Genesis found his room and squealed at the shrine that had been made for him. "God dammit."
"Oh my goddess, you are just the cutest little stalker!" Genesis said going from wall to wall. "And you got all the best angles of us too. Oh I remember that photo shoot, it was amazing! I was feeling totally fabulous that day. Oh look at Seph! Standin' there like he's too good for the camera. Hehe! I didn't think we had anyone outside of Midgar who loved us that much."
Cloud shrugged sheepishly. "I've always love you guys. You're my heroes. I have every single photo from every shoot you've ever done though it took forever to track them down. I kind thought you would find that creepy though."
"No," Genesis said smiling looking at a picture of the three of them. "It's flattering. To have someone who knows the kind things we have to do, knows the awful things we're famous for, and still loves us despite that." He frowned a bit sadly. "It's just nice to know that someone holds that kind of appreciation for us even though most people consider us cold blooded killers."
"Genesis, sir?"
"Ha!" Genesis turned around with a big smile on his face. "Cloud, you're a wonderful fan to have. So tell me, how did you first fall under our little spell?"
Cloud plopped down on his bed. "Actually, it was the day I met Sephiroth for the first time."
"Seph? You've met Seph? When?"
"A year ago right outside of Nibelhiem." A fond smile came to Cloud's face. "I had gotten beat up by Tifa and her gang; was hurt really bad. Then, he and Angeal came along. Sephiroth helped me, healed me, and took me home. He told me, and I've never forgot this, he told me that there is no such thing as too weak to fight. No such thing."
Genesis felt his heart ache. "Yeah…that sounds like Seph."
"Are you and General Sephiroth really close?"
"You could say that. We're best friends; always have been, always will be."
Cloud heard the slight embitterment in that last line. "And you and Angeal?"
"Oh we've been best friends since we were kids," Genesis's demeanor change. "We grew up together in Banora!"
"Banora? That's like really way out there ain't it?"
"Heh, yes, but trust me. We aren't as backwoods as this place."
"I would be offended if it weren't true." Cloud yawned.
Genesis hummed and sat down at Cloud's desk. "Cloud, are you trying to meet Sephiroth?"
"Well, yeah, that was kinda the plan. I wanted to join SOLDIER and maybe one day, you know, fight alongside him. Be his equal."
"No such thing."
"Sir?"
"There's no such thing…as Sephiroth's equal, Cloud," Genesis's eyes dulled to a deep slate and the wry smile on his face made Cloud's confidence waiver. "I'm not going to discourage you, Cloud. I for one thing you will show us some promise in the years to come but even I'm not Sephiroth's equal. I've fought hard to be so, learned and excelled, but he will always be the better hero. Sephiroth has no equal and unfortunately, he never will."
"I don't believe that," Cloud said suddenly.
Genesis gave him a surprised look.
Cloud sat up and looked at his posters on the wall. "I mean, you're probably right. There's no one who could equal Sephiroth in strength or ability. But, to be considered his comrade; to have him trust you and Angeal at his back…doesn't that make you more equal to him than any of that training could make you?"
Genesis looked at Cloud for a long time, studying the clear blue eyes. "Cloud Strife, I believe we will get along fine. In fact, I think we should blow this place at the end of the week."
"Wait what?"
"You heard me! How would you like to be escorted to Midgar by yours truly!"
"But…I mean you don't even know if I'll pass the physical? Won't that be a waste of time?"
Genesis smirked. "No more a waste of time than six months of me roaming the planet!"
Cloud smiled wide. "Okay!"
l
Tseng dreamed. He hadn't done so in a long time and the vividness of it he dare say was scary. He dreamed he was back in the elevator at the ShinRa Tower, the day that Vincent had walked out of his life. However, was not a child but his current self. He stood in the darkness of the elevator staring out over the emerald glow of Midgar with his hand pressed against the glass. He felt a presence behind him, but his body would not obey his desire to turn and defend himself. Instead, he stood and allowed the warm towering presence to corner him. Hands pressed against the glass on either side of him, long delicate fingers tapping against the glass. one was gloved, one was not. He breathed in deep, the scent of Wutain Snap Dragons and high grade tobacco underlined with a scent that belonged solely to the man he'd fallen in love with as a mere child. A hard body pressed against his back as those hands slid from the glass to wrap around him and hold him closely. Tseng released a soft breath and strangely enough a tear rolled down his cheek as he felt a head lay heavy against his shoulder. He pressed himself willing against that warmth, that firm hold that had encased him so desperately when he was barely able to reach the buttons on the elevator.
"Vincent..." he dared to speak.
"Tseng...where am I?" Vincent breathed against his ear, his voice sounding as lost as Tseng felt.
"You're dead...flowing in the lifestream. I believe," Tseng licked his lips. "I believe I've drawn you here with my yearnings."
"Mm...I don't mind. But," his voice suddenly became strained. "If this is just a vision...then why does it hurt..."
"Tseng?"
"Vincent?" Tseng whipped around only to find the elevator empty once again. "Vincent?"
"Wake up boy!"
The demanding voice sent a shock of pain into his temple and he found himself opening his eyes. A dream...?
"The headache should ease in a moment. You took quite a hit to the head."
Tseng managed to focus and realized who was standing over him. "Professor…Hojo?"
"I had hoped it would take longer for you to find me, but I should've known not to underestimate Turk."
Tseng sat up achingly and looked at the doctor. "So this is where you've been hiding from us. I've been trying to track you down for almost two years now. Lady ShinRa tasked me with finding you."
"Oh? What does my dear friend need?"
"We need you to come back to ShinRa, Hojo."
"My lady's request?"
"Yes, Lady ShinRa's request…and mine. Sephiroth needs you and…and…" Tseng's eyes widened.
Hojo realized he was looking at the ceiling. "Oh god dammit! Get down from there!"
Tseng searched for his gun, realizing he was unarmed. "What the hell is that thing?"
Hell Masker landed silently on the floor in front of the bed making Tseng jump back. Hojo moved to the side, waiting for it to attack. "Just a little something I've been working on that doesn't know how to do what it's told."
HellMasker approached the bed cautiously and held out the Peacemaker to Tseng. Tseng took a gulp and hesitantly took it from the strange creature. He checked it to find it had been reloaded and cleaned. He eyed the monster strangely as it climbed up the wall and onto the ceiling as if roosting there. Hojo's brows were raised high. That had been the first time he'd seen the Hellmasker strain act even remotely civilized. He looked at Tseng who was examining the gun in confusion.
"Something amiss, Tseng?"
"I'm the only living person who knows how to take apart and clean this gun…" Tseng murmured. He looked up at Hellmasker. "Peacemaker was Vincent's gun. He and I are the only ones who know how to take it apart."
Hojo put one of his custom made cigarettes to his lips and lit it. "Tseng, how well can I keep confidence with you?"
"I'm a Turk now, Hojo. Secrets are my business."
"But this can never leave your tongue no matter who asks it of you. Not even Lady ShinRa."
"I understand."
Hojo sighed, hesitant to follow through with this but with Cloud leaving, he would need help. He licked his lips. "Vincent..."
Tseng's heart skipped and he looked horrified when the creature hopped down from the ceiling and posted up on the table as it was told. The mask shifted away and black silky hair fell around a pale face. The black leather like material melted into almost colorless skin. The metal chainsaw morphed back into a regular arm, though it appeared dark and gnarled as if it had been frost bitten. Almost garnet eyes opened slowly and looked directly at Tseng. There was some recognition there but mostly no one home. Tseng got up from the cot and walked slowly over to Vincent, his composure visibly shaken. Hojo watched him like a hawk as the young Turk circled the ex-Turk. Tseng saw scars upon scars all over the pale body save for his back. The intricate Turk tattoo that Veld boasted of was no longer present. There was only smooth, untouched skin. Tseng reached out impulsively and touched the soft skin there. Hojo was about advise him against that, not knowing how Vincent would react, but held his tongue when he saw that Vincent didn't move other than to curiously look at Tseng. Tseng looked him in the eye searching for the man who had saved him, for the man who had sacrificed so much for him, the man who had loved him. He searched those glowing garnet eyes for the man he'd lost.
"Tseng, he's not very stable. I'm unsure if he is truly there," Hojo said.
Tseng reached out to touch the gunman's cheek. Hojo expected Vincent to growl, hiss, or bite since that was his normal reaction to human contact. Instead, Vincent leaned his head into the touch, his eyes drooping but never leaving Tseng.
"What do I need to do?" Tseng asked suddenly.
"You say that as if there is something to be done," Hojo said blowing out smoke.
"Tell me," Tseng demanded.
"I need help with him. You are of a materia using people. You know much of the old world that I've never dabbled into. Those fantastical things were more of my wife's area, but you know of it. I know you do and if you wish for this to succeed, you will need to do foot work where I cannot. In exchange, I will return to ShinRa and work towards pushing Lucrecia out. Though I'm not sure what good that will do."
Tseng looked back at him, his eyes dark. "You cut her off. After that, leave her to me."
l
A/N: I know not much went on in this chapter. But fun stuff coming in the next one. We will skip on to midgar and that's where we begin Cloud's cadet years in SOLDIER! Fun fun! Thank you everyone for all the wonderful reviews and hope you continue to love this story as much I do! Also, inspiration for Crimson Sins has come back and I will have the next chapter finished in a few days. Let's do it! ^ ^
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Walking Out on Destiny