GW and FF7 don't belong to me. I'm poor. This story is for entertainment only. Comments always welcome.

Making a Difference by Phoenix





Prologue





Duo awoke with a massive headache. The last thing he remembered was Heero trying to warn him. Duo closed his eyes. What had happened? All the guys infiltrated a secret OZ lab to stop some sort of experiment. The mission specs hadn't been clear on what. Something about using black holes as a source of energy. Still, the lab hadn’t been well guarded. They'd gotten in just fine. Found the lab just fine. Then everything went to hell.

Some part of the experiment got out of control and all Duo could remember were green flames consuming him from the inside out and Heero's desperate cry for him to run. Heero sounding worried about anything was unusual. Where was the Perfect Soldier anyway? For that matter, where was Duo?

"Well, well, what have we here," a soft, husky voice cut through Duo's thoughts. He looked up to see three men. The closest had glowing green eyes and silver hair. And he was leaning over Duo, way too close for comfort.

The young pilot immediately tried to get up only to find the silver-haired guy wouldn't let him. The man placed a firm hand in the middle of Duo's chest and pushed him back down. The stranger then proceeded to drape himself over Duo’s legs and waist. Duo tried pushing against the other’s shoulders and chest, but he was twice the young man’s size and much heavier.

"Now you shouldn't be moving around. You look like you've been hurt."

The concern in his voice was belayed by the hunger in his eyes. Suddenly strong hands grasped Duo's arms and pinned them above his head. The second man, tall, with spiky black hair, was responsible. Duo could see hunger in his eyes as well. The pilot of Shinigami struggled to rise, but it was no use. The two men had him very well trapped. A lump of ice began to form in his stomach. This was not good.

A quick look told him the third man, youngest of the three, with spiky blonde hair, wasn't going to be any help. The blonde's eyes were apologetic, but also hungry. Duo whimpered. He couldn't help it.

"Shhh little one," the silver-haired man whispered into his ear. "We won't hurt you. I promise." With that, his tongue began to explore Duo's neck.

"I am Sephiroth," he said. "That is Zack." His head motioned to the dark-haired man. "And the one sticking his hands under your shirt is Cloud." That would be the blonde, Duo's oh so helpful mind supplied.

Duo opened his mouth to say something, anything, and found Sephiroth's tongue shoved down his throat.

‘Heero,' he thought frantically, 'where are you?'

Duo’s thoughts shattered when Cloud’s callused hands found his nipples and began to play. Sephiroth, meanwhile, was slowly grinding his hips into Duo’s. The young pilot’s back arched involuntarily; his body caught in a tidal wave of sensations.

One thought filled Duo’s mind. He couldn’t escape; he was trapped. The thought raced around his mind. Panic consumed Duo. They were bigger, stronger, and heavier. It was just like last time. They would hold him down and hurt him, laughing all the while.

Duo closed his eyes. For a moment, he was once more in a dark OZ cell. He could feel the hands on him, the man inside him, tearing him, hurting him, and he could hear Wufei’s cries of rage and helplessness. Duo had always been grateful they hadn’t hurt Wufei like that. The only one they’d wanted was him. Said he was pretty.

A sob burst from Duo and a single tear rolled down his cheek.

‘I won’t cry,’ he yelled to himself. ‘Not this time. I won’t give them the satisfaction.’ That promise firmly held, his mind fled from the sensations his body couldn’t avoid.

Sephiroth heard the sob, but misinterpreted it to be one of passion. It was only when he felt the wetness on his cheek that the man began to suspect something was wrong. Drawing back, the SOLDIER looked down at the beautiful stranger.

The young man’s eyes were closed and there was indeed a single tear on his cheek. Sephiroth tried to understand the reason behind the crying. How had they met this beauty?
Vaguely, he remembered something. A monster. A monster attacking their truck. Yes, that was right. But then what?

Well, obviously they had killed it. And then? There was an explosion. No, not an explosion. Green fire, just over a hill and almost out of sight. Sephiroth had wanted to investigate. On the other side of the hill, they discovered this wondrous being under him. But...there was something before that. Before the fire, but after the monster. What was it?

Sephiroth forced his mind to focus, more than a little startled at how hard a task it proved. Something had happened. Just before the monster died, it had cast a spell. It shouldn’t have been able to do that. A special skill maybe? He’d have to check his enemy skill materia later. So what did that have to do with this? Why did he have this nagging feeling something was wrong?

A deep moan drew his attention back to the other three people. Cloud had pushed the young stranger’s shirt up and was gently licking one of his nipples. Zack, not wanting to be left out, was nibbling on Cloud’s neck and ears. The stranger’s eyes were open, staring at the sky.

Sephiroth felt his stomach clench. He knew that look. Haunted, empty, dead. So familiar. Oh, no.

"Zack," Sephiroth managed to say. "Could you please cast an Ensuna spell?"

The dark-haired man looked up, eyes slightly unfocused. "Sure."

Zack dragged a small gem-like stone out of his pocket. After a few whispers, the green stone flared into life. The aura transferred from the stone to the men. For a second, they froze as the spell took effect.

Once the glow faded, three individuals all but threw themselves away from Duo. When Duo felt their weight leave him, he curled himself into the tightest ball he could, shivering. The pilot’s body reflected the status of his mind.

Zack looked at Sephiroth, a stunned expression reflecting his dismay and confusion.

"What did we almost do?"

"The unforgivable," Sephiroth grated. How could he have...have...the tall man shuddered. Off to the side, poor Cloud dealt with dry-heaves and tears. Sephiroth nodded quietly in his direction and Zack left to do what he could for the blonde. One problem taken care of, the longhaired SOLDIER now faced a bigger one. The small, shivering bundle.

The tremors running through the slender form grew worse as Sephiroth watched. Soft whimpers and sobs escaped the bruised lips. Lips that seemed to be forming words. Sephiroth knelt next to the frightened figure.

"Please stop," Duo desperately whispered, his eyes tightly closed. "Please stop hurting me. Please."

Sephiroth stiffened. So he was right. Someone had hurt the young man before. Fury flooded his veins. This poor child was trapped in a hideous memory because of him. He refused to blame either Zack or Cloud. Neither had the strength to resist such magic. Sephiroth, however, considered himself a different story. He would personally hunt down and kill every one of those mako twisted creatures. No one else would fall under their spell.

He gently touched the huddled figure’s shoulder. All he’d meant to do was bring the shaking child out of his nightmare, what he got was very different.

Duo felt the touch and his mind snapped back to the present. Not again. He wouldn’t let it happen again; he’d rather die. Now there was an idea. A gun was hidden in his boot. It only had two bullets, but one would be enough. Plan in mind, Duo’s eyes snapped open.

Sephiroth felt, more than saw, the impact of a small fist into his stomach. The blow forced the air from his lungs and put his chin within reach of the next blow. Cloud and Zack heard the fight and turned to find an amazing sight. Sephiroth lay on the ground while the stranger pulled a gun from his shoe.

Fear gave the pair speed as they imagined the worst. However, Duo wasn’t interested in killing them. With only two bullets, he knew a choice had to be made. Not bothering to look at the other two attackers, Duo raised the gun to his temple.

Zack knew the look on the longhaired boy’s face. Cloud wore it once. Hell, they all had. He couldn’t let the kid do it. Not just because he helped create this mess, but also because he understood and knew things would get better. Zack frantically searched his pockets. It had to be here somewhere.

Finally, just as the gun touched the other’s head, Zack found the right materia. Frantically whispering the activation phrase, the dark-haired SOLDIER sent the spell and watched it envelop its target.

Duo felt the cold metal against his skin. So soothing, maybe it could bring him peace. He had only one regret: Wufei and Heero.

‘I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise guys,’ he though sadly, ‘but I can’t go through this again. I love you.’

However, just as his finger tightened on the trigger a strange lethargy melted his muscles and the gun fell from limp fingers. As he fell, Duo dimly saw a flash of black and silver. Strong arms surrounded him and with a sob, the pilot surrendered to darkness. It had to better than what waited for him when he awoke.

Sephiroth looked at the person gently cradled in his arms. So small to be so old. He really would have taken his own life. This was no child. With a sigh, Sephiroth headed back toward his partners. They would straighten this out when they got to Nibelhiem. He hoped.



 



OK, I have to apologize for not finishing the other two fics, but I almost have them done. Hope you like this fic. I know the title is corny, but that's what my Muse wanted. Lots of plot development and a little lemon just for the heck of it. This is a real rough draft so sorry if I missed any errors.



Disclaimer: I don't own GW or Final Fantasy. I'm poor. This story is for entertainment only. It has yaoi, lemon, angst, etc. If you can't deal, don't read.



Making a Difference By Phoenix





Part 1






Cloud carefully watched the slender form on the bed. He should be waking up soon. The spell Zack hit him with was very low level and wore off after about three hours. A groan confirmed Cloud’s guess. Trying to look non-threatening, the little blond waited.

Duo jumped out of bed and into a corner so fast, Cloud barely had time to react. The stranger moved like a cat. Raising his hands to show he had no weapons, the blond stayed seated. After the events at their meeting, it would be best to appear passive.

"I’m not going to hurt you. My friends went to get us something to eat. What happened earlier was a mistake. You see there was this monster and..." Cloud’s voice died away as he realized he was babbling. What could he say?

Duo pushed himself as far into the corner as he could. The young man carefully catalogued everything he was feeling. Surprise rushed across his features as he found no out of place aches. Fear quickly erased the surprise as a thought came to him. Maybe it wasn’t just the body they were after, but the reaction. Maybe they wanted him to fight, scream, and struggle. He had to get out of here. There was only the small guy in his way. No problem.

The young man launched himself at Cloud and the blond reacted as trained. Duo found himself flung over the other’s shoulder and onto the bed. Panic flared through him. Cloud took one look at the fear filled eyes and backed off, hands held high.

"I don’t want to hurt you," Cloud said clearly. "Just listen to what I have to say." One look told him the longhaired stranger was not going to cooperate. The short blond fished a yellow stone out of his pocket. Looking at the stranger he said, "I’m sorry about this, but you aren’t giving me much choice." With that he whispered the activation phrase.

A yellow haze enveloped Duo and he felt a strong stirring throughout his body. Duo suddenly found himself wondering why he wanted to run from this beautiful creature before him. Running away was not what he needed to do right now. Oh not at all. What he needed was to have the blond man under him, writhing, calling his name.

Cloud watched the spell take affect. Features went from fearful to lustful in a matter of seconds. Very lustful.

"Uh oh," the soldier said, backing away. The spell worked better than they’d thought. Cloud found himself pressed to the floor almost before he could begin searching for the Ensuna materia. He’d put in his right pocket, but with the guy on top of him, it was really hard to dig out. A distant part of his mind pointed out that the stranger was a great kisser.

Finally, Cloud was able to get the green rock out, but since his mouth was occupied he couldn’t use the activation phrase. The stranger’s hands began to caress him and Cloud shuddered, remembering another time, in another place. They hadn’t been gentle like this man.

Duo felt the shudder and pulled back. Something was wrong. "I-I can’t seem to...something’s wrong."

Cloud’s eyes widened in shock. Only Sephiroth had been able to fight this spell. Who or what was this guy? Seeing the confusion in those violet eyes, the blond decided to worry about it later. Whispering the right phrase, Cloud activated the Ensuna spell. A green haze filled both men’s vision for a moment then faded.

Duo regained his senses to find himself sitting on top of Cloud. What the hell? The other man stayed very still and let the pilot run through his memories. After a little while, Deathscythe’s pilot carefully stood and moved away from Cloud. He remembered everything he’d done, just not why. All of a sudden, the only thought in Duo’s mind had been to claim the other man. How had that happened?

"I know you’re really confused right now, but I think I can explain everything. If you want to listen, that is." Cloud slowly got up and took a chair, gesturing for the stranger to do the same.

Duo chose to sit on the edge to the bed near the window. He felt better being close to a possible exit.

"My name’s Cloud," the blond man started. "I work for a company called Shinra. My boss is called Sephiroth."

"I remember your names from before," Duo cut him off. Cloud wasn’t surprised by the level of hostility in his tone. They had a lot to answer for.

"What should I call you?"

"Duo. Duo Maxwell."

"OK." Cloud took a deep breath. This could take a long while. "We were sent here because the Mako Reactor isn’t working properly. It’s twisting normal animals into Mako monsters. On the way here one of those monsters attacked our transport. Seph and Zack managed to kill it, but it cast a spell before dying. Seph’s Enemy Skill Materia picked it up. It’s the same spell I used on you earlier. I didn’t want to, but it seemed like the only way to make you understand what happened. We are not normally like that. Really." From the blank expression on Duo’s face, Cloud guessed he wasn’t explaining very well.

Duo listened to Cloud and felt growing horror. The things the blond was talking about were not possible in his world. As if the silver hair or the spiky way Cloud’s hair stood weren’t clues enough. If he remembered his physics right, black holes were thought to be gateways to other dimensions. OZ had been trying to form an artificial black hole when something had gone wrong. Did this mean Duo was in an alternate reality? If he was, were the others here as well? How much should he tell these people? Seeing Cloud’s concerned look, Duo put his thoughts away for later. The first order of business was to gather as much intelligence as possible.

"Sorry," the pilot apologized. "Got lost in my thoughts. Please go on."

Looking doubtful, but hopeful, Cloud continued. "We got hit with the spell and then saw what looked like green fire just over the horizon. Seph wanted to investigate and we found you. By that time, the spell had taken full effect and the only thing any of us could think of was how beautiful you were. The second we knew what we were doing, we stopped, but by then it was too late."

Duo flinched at the memory. The hands roaming over his body. How it had reminded him of the prison. Surprisingly, Cloud didn’t look like he pitied Duo; he looked like he understood.

"You shouldn’t have tried to kill yourself," a new voice broke into the conversation.

Duo launched himself off the bed and next to the window. The newcomer was the man who’d called himself Zack earlier. He appeared a bit stunned at how fast Duo moved. Each man carefully sized up the other. Duo knew Zack was a trained soldier. It was in his every move and the way he watched the pilot.

Zack saw the same things in Duo. Whoever their young guest was, he was far more dangerous than they’d first thought. A rebel maybe? The time for that was later; right now, he had to talk to Cloud about Seph.

"What do you know about it," the young man spat at him.

"Been there, done that," Zack and Cloud echoed each other. Shocked flitted across Duo’s face. Something not quite suspicion replaced it.

Sensing the tension between the two fighters, Cloud slowly walked up to Zack and put an arm around his waist. "Zack, let me introduce you to Duo Maxwell. I’ve been explaining what happened. I had to use the materia to make him understand, but he does. Don’t you, Duo?"

Duo nodded.

"We’re sorry about what happened, but trying to kill yourself is never the answer. You do that and the bastards who hurt you win."

Zack’s voice was fierce. Duo had the feeling that either he had tried to kill himself or maybe Cloud had. It was definitely someone close to the man. "Listen I hate to run out on you, however, I need to talk to Cloud."

"I’m sure we can talk in front of Duo. He’s not from around here."

Duo and Zack stared at Cloud. "Hey, I may be blond, but I am not stupid. Duo, you looked completely lost when I was explaining things. I’m guessing you don’t know what materia or a Mako Reactor is, right?"

"I’m not sure where in relation to this place I am from. We don’t have materia or those reactor things, much less monsters." Unless you count the doctors, he added silently.

Zack was all ears now. "What was that green fire we saw?"

Deciding he would need their help, Duo told them everything. For over an hour the young pilot poured out his tale. Zack and Cloud asked questions every once in while. What surprised the longhaired man the most was that neither man thought he was some sort of escaped lunatic. No, these men took it all in stride. Finally, as the sun began to set, Duo finished.

"So you think you may have fallen through some sort of wormhole?" Zack asked.

"Yes," Duo confirmed. "However, I’m worried about my friends. We were all there when the experiment went bad. They should be here. Shouldn’t they?" Duo’s greatest fear was that his friends had ended up in some other dimension or dead. The idea of being alone again was terrifying.

"I would think so," a deep voice assured him from the doorway. A tall man with silver hair entered the room. Sephiroth, if Duo remembered correctly. "I am happy to see you are not holding a grudge over what happened."

Duo shrugged. "Cloud explained everything to me."

"Ah," was Sephiroth’s only comment. A sudden growl brought everyone’s attention to Cloud.

The small man was blushing terribly. "I forgot about lunch."

A beautiful smile graced the silver-haired man’s face and Duo couldn’t help but think how gorgeous it made him.

"Cloud, you always forget the important things." Sephiroth laughed. "Fortunately, I remembered and picked something up from your mother. She’s quite a cook I hear." With that, the man pulled a large picnic basket out from behind his back. Cloud’s face lit up and he grabbed the basket. In less than five minutes, the young blond had everything neatly arranged on the bed.

"Dig in," he called.

During the meal, Duo carefully watched his new companions. The way they interacted told him many things. First, Sephiroth, or Seph, and Zack were Cloud’s lovers. The men seemed very protective of him. In much the same way Heero and Wufei were with him. Second, Seph and Zack were the true fighters of the group. Seph more so than Zack. Duo suspected that Heero might have a tough time with Sephiroth. Lastly, as the sun went down and the lights were turned on, he noticed Seph and Zack’s eyes glowed. A lot. Duo came to the conclusion the glowing was not sinister and didn’t comment on it. There were some things he was sure he never wanted to know.

A couple of things bothered him. Zack was watching Seph’s every move. He waited for the taller man to eat a bite of each dish before trying it himself. For his part, Seph watched Zack out of the corner of his eyes. Always sure where the other man was and what he was doing. He even made sure he sat between Cloud and Zack. Duo didn’t know if there was a jealous issue at fault, but he decided to follow Zack’s example and be very careful.

Cleaning up dinner turned out to be very easy and took only five minutes. Conversation turned toward explaining the world Duo found himself on. Materia, Mako, Shinra, Soldier. The pilot in turn talked about his friends. Sephiroth promised to notify Shinra and have them begin searching for the missing men.

As there was only one bed and the other soldiers took up the rest of the rooms, the men agreed that Duo would sleep with them for a night. From all that the young stranger had told them, it would not be anything new. Several of the safehouses he and his friends stayed at had too few beds. Sephiroth also believed that Duo had shared more than a bed with men before. A dark part of his mind saw how the chestnut haired man’s eyes glowed faintly and plotted.

Sleep claimed Duo quickly. The dream, when it started, was so realistic. He was on a huge bed and he wasn’t alone. His first thought was that Heero and Wufei had found him somehow, but when the figure entered the light, Duo recognized Sephiroth. The pilot opened his mouth to ask a question and experienced deja vu as the older man shoved his tongue down Duo’s throat.

Skillful hands roamed over his body. One caressing his nipples, each in turn, while the other reached between his legs stroking the flesh there. It was then Duo realized he was completely naked and so was Sephiroth. A slight haze filled Duo’s mind and try as he might, the Gundam pilot couldn’t think of one reason why he shouldn’t allow Seph to do whatever he wanted.

Duo spread his legs and moaned into Sephiroth’s mouth. The tall man pulled away and began to lick and nip his way down Duo’s neck. His hands never stopped their delicious exploration, but when Duo tried to explore Seph’s body, he discovered his wrists bound to the headboard. At first, fear ran through Duo, but a pervasive feeling of calm and well-being soon replaced it. Why shouldn’t he allow Sephiroth to take him anyway he wanted? Do whatever he wanted? A tiny part of the pilot’s consciousness howled its disagreement, but something drown it out and shut it away.

Sephiroth pushed one long finger into Duo and the pilot arched forcing it in deeper.

"Oh you do want it don’t you little cetra," the silverhaired man chuckled.

"Yes," Duo agreed. He didn’t know what a cetra was and didn’t care. His whole body was screaming with need for some reason. "Please. Anything you want."

Sephiroth pushed a second finger into Duo. The young man’s hiss of pain turned into a gasp of pleasure as the other found that sensitive place within him and began to massage it with those fingers. His other hand left Duo’s chest and started pumping Duo’s erection. Not enough to bring completion; just enough to frustrate the younger man as his hips thrust up trying to hurry the rhythm.

Glowing green eyes surveyed the writhing body under him. "Tell me you want it," that deep voice demanded. "Beg me."

Duo was trapped in the desires of his body. He was so close and the other man was the key to completion.

"Please," the pilot moaned. "Anything. I want you. Inside me. Please." A third finger impaled Duo and his mind shut down. He needed more. He had to have Sephiroth inside him. Had to.

Sephiroth licked one of Duo’s hard nipples. The pilot’s tortured moan was music to his ears. Determined to push the younger man even further, Sephiroth began to thrust with all three fingers. The reaction was more than he’d hoped for. Duo arched his back and pushed down on the fingers with all of his weight. The look on his face appeared to be a cross of extreme pleasure and pain.

"Sensitive little cetra," Sephiroth mused. "Beg me boy and I may give you what you need."

"Please," Duo began, "take me. Everything...all yours...belong to you...please...want you...need you inside me."

"Good," Sephiroth said, removing his fingers and positioning himself just outside Duo. A look of confusion crossed his face suddenly. The older man stared at the panting, writhing, sweat covered form under him as if trying to understand how he’d gotten there. Duo, not taking the pause kindly, arched his back, forcing Sephiroth just a little ways inside him. Confusion vanished from the Soldier’s face, replaced by possessiveness. "Call me Master, boy," he hissed at Duo.

A sudden strength flowed through Duo making him rebel. He was not a boy; he was a man and called no one Master. Just who did this guy think he was? The haze in Duo’s mind grew stronger, overpowering the rebellious part of the pilot’s personality; burying it deep within where the pilot would never find it.

Slightly glazed violet eyes looked up at Sephiroth. "Master. Anything for you. Please, Master, take me."

With a cruel laugh, Sephiroth entered Duo in one thrust. The answering scream only made him want to hear more.

Duo forced his hips up in order to take more of his master in. It hurt worse than anything he’d ever felt, but it also felt so good he thought he would die from the sheer ecstasy.

"Please, more, Master," Duo begged.

Sephiroth complied and increased his pace. Both men became lost in pain and pleasure for a long time, neither noticing the tears falling from the Soldier.

Eventually, Sephiroth became tired of his new toy. He had claimed it fully as his mother wanted. Now they could use the cetra anytime. Leaving the almost unconscious form behind, the man faded into the shadows.

Duo lay on the bed, still bound, feeling totally bereft. Life was so empty without his Master.

"Oh, please," a gentle, female voice broke through his thoughts. "I knew Jenova was a manipulative creature, but this is ridiculous."

Duo turned his head to find a young woman with a braid watching him.

"Hello," she smiled at him. "My name is Aeris."

He supposed he should say something to her, but she wasn’t the Master so why bother?

With a long-suffering sigh, the woman reached out and touched Duo’s forehead. The longhaired pilot shrank away from the touch, but was unable to avoid it. A warmth spread through him, starting at the place she placed her hand. The parts of him buried by the haze surged forward.

Aeris watched emotions run across the other’s face. Confusion, fear, anger, and finally, horror. Once she’d dealt with what Jenova had done to him, the real personality broke through. It was not a passive personality, she saw.

"Get me the hell loose," he yelled. Apparently, he didn’t like being tied up.

Quickly untying his wrists, Aeris began explaining. "You really can’t blame Sephiroth for this, Duo." Seeing the look the young man gave her, Aeris almost chuckled. "Yes, I know your name. Anything you say, the planet hears, and what the planet knows, the Cetra know. You’ll understand soon enough. Now about what happened.

It’s a long story, but we have time. This is a dream, Duo. Nothing that happened here is real. With the exception of Jenova’s attack on your mind. Jenova is an ancient evil. Long ago my people, the Cetra, managed to destroy the creature, or so we thought. The barest remnant of it was found and two scientist were able to bring it back to life.

The creature has manipulated one of the scientists into believing that it is female. He then injected cells from the creature into his unborn son." Seeing Duo’s look of shock, she knew his attention was fixed on her words. Good. "That son grew up to be Sephiroth. He also carries Mako cells and Cetra cells in his body. It makes him sort of a long lost cousin of ours. Yes. I said ours and will explain that later.

Sephiroth was isolated by his father, the scientist Hojo. He felt that Seph was better than everyone and should not associate with lesser beings. This made him a very lonely child. He put up walls around his heart to keep the pain out. To this day, the walls remain, but make him weaker not stronger. Zack and Cloud are the only two people close to him and Jenova is using that fact.

It whispers lies into his mind. Works on his fears and weaknesses, just as it did with you. Sephiroth is this world’s greatest warrior and Jenova intends to use him. Hojo has placed the main body of the creature inside the Mako reactor above this town. That’s what is causing all the monsters. He sent his son here so that Jenova could claim him, mind, body, and soul. Then you showed up.

When you entered this world, the planet felt it. They way you and your friends were, you could not have survived in this universe, so the planet sent the life stream to change you. You may have felt or seen it. A kind of green fire." Duo nodded. "Ah, so you remember. All of you were changed on a level so basic as to make you different things. You, Duo, are a Cetra. Jenova can sense this and is afraid.

It thinks you were sent here to stop it. That’s why tonight happened. Sephiroth is attracted to you and this is a dream, because of those two factors, you both let your guard down and it got into your minds. The parts of your personality that are strong and independent were buried deeply in your mind. Jenova is doing the same thing to Sephiroth, but burying the gentle, kind, and loving parts of him as well. By this time tomorrow, there will nothing of the real Sephiroth left.

Jenova has moved its schedule ahead because of you. Before, I think Sephiroth was going to be changed over several days or weeks. Right now, Jenova is afraid you mean to kill it. The Cetra are after all, its most deadly enemy. Actually, Jenova is more of a he than an it, but it is more descriptive of his soul. Do you have any questions?" She was tired of talking and he looked ready to burst with the need to speak.

"Do I ever," the young man complained. "You said my friends are here. Fine. Where are they? What do you mean I’m a Cetra? What’s this Jenova going to do with Seph and his friends? How could I hurt Jenova? And do you mean to say nothing that happened tonight was real?" He paused for a moment, searching his thoughts. "That’s enough for now."

Aeris gave a soft laugh. "Well, why don’t we take them in order? Your friends are currently being held in Shinra Tower in the medical facility. They are fine. I know this because I am here as well. As for being a Cetra. You and your friends had strengths and tolerances that humans in this universe can never have. This put you into direct conflict with the natural laws and would have resulted in you deaths if the planet hadn’t helped you. The planet wishes to protect all life and didn’t sense any evil from your group. It can be undone if that’s what you are worried about.

What the planet did was take each of your individual abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and personalities into account and made you things that already exist on this world. For example, you became a Cetra. The others are all different as well. Do not ask me what they are, it would take far too long to explain."

"I thought you said we had plenty of time," Duo cut her off. "Why the sudden hurry?"

Aeris looked torn for a moment. "Let me answer your other questions and then get to that. Jenova plans to kill Cloud and Zack. It has been unable to enter their minds. Somehow the creature can reach the minds of Cetra, but not normal humans. This makes the pair an obstacle. Sephiroth loves them and they could reawaken all the good he has inside.

Right now, Sephiroth has gone to the Shinra Mansion and is waiting for them. When they come to find him, Jenova is going to force him to kill them. Anything good in Sephiroth will die with those two. As for hurting Jenova, you have to touch it. That was the original plan. I am going to change it.

The planet can use Cetra to channel power. If you were to touch Jenova, you could burn it to dust with the power the planet would give you. However, I want you to touch Sephiroth. Tonight is a dream Duo. An illusion used by Jenova to trap you both. Outside, it is already noon and everyone has left the room. I will help you wake up and I want you to help Sephiroth.

He’s a good man, Duo. Please help me save him. The planet can burn out all the Jenova cells if you can just touch him for a moment. As for the Cetra cells, well the planet will help both of you learn how to use your powers to keep the monster out.

If you are going to save your friends, you will need Sephiroth’s help. Please, Duo. Help me?"

Duo considered the problem. If his friends were indeed prisoners on this strange world, he would need local help to save them. Zack and Cloud were good men and if they trusted Sephiroth, well that meant somewhere he had to have good in him. As for this whole night being a dream, it certainly explained why there was absolutely nothing beyond the bed; a fact Duo had just noticed.

It was possible Aeris was actually Jenova. The whole story could be a trick to get Duo to act as a conduit for the monster, but that just didn’t feel right. Every instinct he had screamed that Aeris was exactly what she appeared to be. Finally, Duo agreed to help.

"Now for why we have to hurry. Cloud went to the Mansion to search for Sephiroth. Jenova is planning on killed Cloud now and then wiping out the entire town. Such an act would destroy Seph’s mind. We’ve run out of time. You must go immediately to the Mansion. I’ll give you the instructions on how to get to the secret basement. Please hurry, Duo."

With that, the young woman reached out a finger and touched the middle of Duo’s forehead and he awoke in bed. He wasn’t sore, the other three were nowhere in sight, and everything seemed quiet. The young terrorist recognized it as the calm before the storm and dressed hurriedly.

He left the hotel at a run, quickly scanning through the instructions the other Cetra had placed in his mind. Reach the house, find the secret passage, and touch Sephiroth. Sounded easy. Duo snorted. Things were never as easy as they sounded.

Reaching the Mansion, Duo felt a sudden overwhelming cold strike his body.

‘That is Jenova,’ a female voice whispered in his mind.

‘Aeris?’ he thought.

‘You didn’t think I would abandon you, did you?’ Laughter punctuated the statement. He could get to like this girl.

The Mansion was a creepy two-story building. Everything was covered with dust, giving the impression no one had been there in a long time. The only place the dust was disturbed was on the stairs. Duo raced up them sending up a small mist of particles. Once he found the secret passage and opened it, the cold got worse.

‘Don’t let it stop you, Duo. Jenova knows your coming and is frightened. I’m keeping him from telling Sephiroth about your arrival. I can’t do this for long. Please hurry.’

The stairs down took forever, but as he reached the bottom, he could hear Cloud’s voice begging someone to stop. There was only one person he could be begging.

Duo entered the lab to find a scene out of nightmare. Sephiroth stood ver a cowering Cloud, his eyes glowing an unholy shade of green; his face was twisted in a mask of rage and hate.

"You never loved me." the tall man hissed. "You and Zack were just using me. Like all the others. No one loves me but my mother. Well, you are going to pay for your deceit, little insect. With your life."

Duo watched in mute horror as Sephiroth lifted his sword over his head. He was going to skewer Cloud!

"Sephiroth," Duo yelled and tackled the older man. A terrible pain in his back and stomach drew the pilot’s attention down. Sephiroth had turned the blade on them. It passed through Duo’s body and into Sephiroth’s stomach. Stunned, Duo looked up at the Soldier. Instead of green eyes, the young man looked into black pits.

"He is mine, Cetra. Did you really think I would let you have him?" The mouth was Sephiroth’s, but the voice, the voice sounded like something from hell. It rasped over Duo’s ears, echoing in his mind, making him want to scream; it felt like slime moving over his skin and soul.

"Now, Aeris," the pilot yelled. "Do it now!"

As the power began to flow through him, Duo tightened his grip on Sephiroth’s waist and hung on for dear life. There was no way he was going to let the owner of that sickening voice have this man. Or anyone else for that matter. In a desperate attempt to stop Duo, Jenova twisted the sword viciously. The young man’s scream echoed through the room, but he didn’t let go.

Cloud watched both men become surrounded in a green glow. Sephiroth’s face twisted like he was in agony and he kept moving the sword around. The young fighter knew some sort of battle was going on; he suspected it was for his lover’s soul. Knowing how dangerous the wounds were, and would be, Cloud fished through his pockets for FullCure Materia. A strange sight distracted him temporarily from his search. The green mist began to pulse around the pair and Sephiroth’s screams joined Duo’s. Whatever it was doing to Cloud’s lover, it was very painful.

Just as Cloud began to consider trying to stop whatever was going on, a Black vapor started to pour off the silverhaired Soldier. Cloud Couldn’t help but think it oozed more than floated.

"You’re killing me," Sephiroth shrieked.

"More, Aeris, more!" came Duo’s answering cry.

The green mist became a soup and then a liquid. Wherever it touched the entwined pair dark steam arose. Soon there was a dark globe surrounded by liquid green hovering over Duo and Sephiroth. Less and less darkness left Sephiroth, convincing Cloud that the evil controlling him was almost gone.

"This is not over, little insects." A voice boomed through the chamber. "Sephiroth will be mine and you little Duo will live just long enough to regret this, then I will destroy your mind and give your body to my son. I am not so easily defeated. Remember that!" The globe of darkness disappeared leaving nothing but a foul stench behind. The green haze faded just as suddenly.

"He thinks this was easy?" Duo quipped quietly and slumped against Sephiroth, unconscious. Cloud watched his lover sink to his knees and only then noticed the large amount of blood coating the floor. The blond soldier rushed forward, drawing the needed Materia from his pocket as he went.

"Use it on Duo first," Sephiroth commanded pulling his sword from their bodies. Cloud nodded. Duo looked worse than Seph. Much worse.

Activating the spell, Cloud couldn’t help but wonder what exactly was going on. He’d known it wasn’t Seph who threatened him, but could they stop it from happening again? There was one thing he was sure of, no matter the circumstances, he would not abandon Sephiroth. Zack would stick with them as well. As for Duo, all three men owed him a debt they probably couldn’t repay. If Cloud couldn’t save their new friend, he would personally find his missing friends and help them in any way possible.


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