Post by Sephiroth X on Sept 24, 2006 17:05:44 GMT -5
(Co-written by Sqiky, Zacloud, and myself)
*Jack was cut off in mid-sentence. The green aura, whatever or whoever it was, was getting larger by the second. Wait. Not larger, but getting nearer. In fact, it was getting closer every second, moving faster, and faster, and faster... A whistling noise grew louder and louder within a few moments.
*TTTTHHHHUUUUDDDDD*
*As the strange green aura nearly collided with Shiki’s apartment complex, Jack and the others were momentarily rocked by a large vibration just outside of the building. The lights momentarily flickered, and various parts of Shiki’s elaborate computer setup fell to the floor, causing some of the monitors to flicker out.
Nix: What the Hell was that?
Shiki: Awwww dammit…
*Shiki exclaimed, looking over her super-computer setup, some parts of which seemed to be frozen.
Shiki: It’s gonna take forever to get this thing back up and running… Jack, why don’t you go see what that is?
Jack: Alright. Come on Claude, let’s check this out.
*If Jack was going to be fighting some strange monster or something, he would definitely want to have the magical acrobatic skills of Zack on his side.
*Zack... Claude... he didn't care at this point as he nodded to Jack and bolted out the door. He had had some kind of flash of familiarity right before impact, and he felt a sense of dread and anticipation at the same time as they neared the point of impact. He almost knew what he would find
*Within a large hole embedded into the ground, the Masamune protruded upwards from the ground. The force of the impact should have been enough to kill a normal man, but for some reason X was still alive as we wavered in and out from consciousness*
*Zack's eyes widened still further, and he screamed
Zack- Seph! SEPHIROTH!!!
*Zack ran straight for the center of impact and landed on his knees next to his fallen friend, feeling panicked at seeing him in such a state.
Zack: Seph! It's me! What happened?! Are you alright?! Jeez, please be alright...
*Zack wasn't sure what to do; he didn't want to move him until he knew what the damage was. Seph wavered in and out of consciousness, his vision slowly came into focus as he started to see Zack and hear him as well.
Sephiroth X: Z-Zack?
*Zack felt immensely relieved and smiled with a small nervous laugh, even though his eyes still held immense worry.
Zack: Yeah, it's me. Jeez, what the hell happened? Can you sit up? Are you alright?
Jack: What…………… the………….. Hell…………. How could any living being possibly do something like this??? Much less a human being???
*Jack wondered as he looked over at the small crater this mysterious stranger had left on Shiki’s front lawn. Slowly but surely, Jack’s very foundation of reality was beginning to crumble beneath his feet. He had never believed in fairy tales, nor had he ever had any reason to. But now, within a matter of only a few hours, not only did one of his best friends from childhood reappear and was apparently gifted with the powers of the Gods, but a mysterious stranger had flew in from the Heavens, crashing into the Earth with enough force to leave a small crater. This mysterious stranger had long silver hair and a sword, which appeared to be too long to effectively be wielded, which lead Jack to only one conclusion.
Jack: I’m dreaming… yeah… I have to be… or I’m going insane!
*Jack reached to pinch his arm, trying as hard as he could, but alas, his efforts were fruitless due to the bulk of his suit. He then yelled out to Zack out of pure instinct.
Jack: GET AWAY FROM HIM! HE’S GOING TO KILL YOU!
*Zack looked back at Jack, startled and puzzled, then he realized how overwhelming things must have appeared to him.
Zack: No, this is Sephiroth X, I mentioned him. He's my friend.... What a way for you to meet him...
*Zack offered a sad chuckle.
Zack: But trust me, he's a good man.
*Zack looked back down at Sephiroth.
Zack: Just take it easy. How bad are you hurt?
*Seph staggered a little bit before trying to stand up. As he stood he stumbled a little bit and dusted off his clothes.
Sephiroth X: I'm.... I'm...
*Seph’s voice sounded uncertain.
Sephiroth X: …Alright....
*Taking another look at the situation, Jack saw that Zack seemed to care deeply for the mysterious stranger, and also that this guy, this Sephiroth, seemed to be fairly beat up.
Jack: If this is a dream, I might as well play along with it. After all it sure would be nice to have someone like him in our group…
*Jack slowly approached the battered Sephiroth, trying not to look too strange.
Jack: Sorry about that…
*Jack said, checking over him for obvious injuries.
Jack: You sure you’re alright? We have some medical supplies downstairs. …Ummmm, what did you say your name was again, sir?
Sephiroth X: Sephiroth X....
*X started to step towards the entrance to his strangers 'home'.
Sephiroth X: And what is your name...?
Jack: ...Jack Gollize. Long lost friend of Claude's here, and full-time thorn in the Senate's spine.
*X smirked as he thought to himself... ’He called him Claude...' Then Seph remembered the time that he delved into Zack's mind to assist him in some of his mental tactics for battle... he remembered finding out that he was called Claude. Seph decided to play it safe and call him Claude too, hopefully Zack would understand.
*Zack walked close to Sephiroth, trying to make sure that he really was fit to be walking. He was shocked to see him so soon, and especially under such explosive circumstances. He still had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach; what could reduce X to such a state? He still felt dread knotting through his innards. As they neared the room, he rushed ahead to hold the door open for his friends.
Zack: Old and new friends, heh, never would have foreseen this meeting. Now if only small talk could be more in order...
Shiki: Freeze.
*The moment they entered the door, Shiki and Nix had already drawn a pair of large firearms. Nix’s weapon resembled a double-barreled shotgun, but was much larger in size, like that of a rifle used to hunt large game. Shiki held a small fully automatic uzi. And both were pointing directly at Sephiroth X.
Jack: Hey, come on guys, relax.
Shiki: I don’t think so. This is the second time in the last hour you’ve dragged someone into our home.
Jack: We can trust him…
Shiki: And we can’t. Don’t you think it’s an awfully strange coincidence that Claude here, who just happens to have been captured long ago by the Senate just randomly shows up one day? And who is this guy? How do you know he isn’t some Senate slime ball spy?
*Seph looked around at the guns pointed at him*
Sephiroth X: .... you don’t want to do that anyway ....
Shiki: You don’t look like you're in any shape to be talking.
*X's eyes momentarily flared a luminous green... he was not in the mood to be threatened. Zack quickly stepped between the at-odds parties, raising his hands.
Zack: Hey! Hey guys, chill out... I understand this must look suspicious to you guys. I don't know how else to convince you, so... I dunno, how hurt are you Sephy? We could just grab some med stuff and treat I'm outside if you guys want, just no shooting and zapping please.
*Shiki and Nix slowly settled down in their aggression. Sensing a lull in tension from his crew, Jack chimed in to end the conflict.
Jack: JUST PUT THE FUCKING GUNS DOWN, for Gods sake. If anything I’ll strangle him myself with this suit.
*Jack turned back to Sephiroth and winked at him to signal he was attempting to help by calming down his normally edgy crew. Slowly, but reluctantly, they lowered the guns.
Jack: Now help us out here, would ya?
*Shiki responded by finding the wounded Sephiroth a place to sit. Seph nodded at Jack in acknowledgement and sat down. Seph slowly observed the place then looked to Zack.
Sephiroth X: So Claude... its... ironic we ended up together again...
*Zack nodded, his face habitually going into a smile although he was obviously still worried and shocked.
Zack: Yeah, sure is somethin'... Haven't even gotten to use your little present just yet. Something'll come along though, I'm sure, the way things go nowadays.
*Zack chuckled a bit, then grew slightly serious again.
Zack: Well, where are you hurt? Invincible as you may always seem, you've still gotta be pretty beat up.
*Seph looked over his body for a moment. He felt sore, but seemingly couldn’t pinpoint were he was feeling pain.
Sephiroth X: I... don’t know where I'm hurt...
*Seph obviously looked like something was on his mind... like he just witnessed something amazing. Shiki was brought over a large medical kit.
Shiki: OK, in return for our services here, you gotta tell us… …just what the Hell is going on here? You aren’t some kinda Senate drone are you?
*X shook his head 'no'
Sephiroth X: No... far from... in fact i was after something the Senate wanted as well...
Jack: What were you after?
*Seph looked to the floor, off into space.
Sephiroth X: ... The Element of Prosperity...
*Seph proceeded to retell the story of Catrina and Dark Crono.. everything the story led up to when he got the mirror fragment from Dark Crono but nothing more.
Sephiroth X: And... and now... i... don’t know what to do.... well..
*Seph’s voice was very monotone.
Sephiroth X: ... I think I do know....
*Zack felt very worried at this point, and overwhelmed with a huge wave of emotions. He felt horribly sorry for what Sephiroth had been through; he did not know all the details of X's past until now. The loss he had suffered... he could not wrap his head around it, but his heart definitely conjured deep sympathy. He felt acrid, intense hatred toward Dark Crono, for his mind games and torment of X, which he had endured so silently all this time. And intensely worried at seeing him appear so lost, so uncertain. Given what Sephiroth had been through, though, he was surprised he had not seen such sooner. It made him all the more admirable, that he had endured so much yet remained so strong. Zack wished he knew what to say, or could provide some sort of sympathy without bothering the others... Still, X's new mood was very worrying indeed...
Zack: ...What do you mean, Seph?
*Seph never broke his gaze down at the ground.
Sephiroth X: I'm... dying...
*Zack froze. Breath, heartbeat, everything. Then his heart returned with swift pounding, and it felt like his chest and head would explode. He collapsed to his knees, staring vacantly at the floor for several moments, before looking up at Sephiroth, beginning to shake.
Zack: ....What do you mean?
*Zack asked, his voice sounding pitiful.
Zack: You... could walk and stuff... I mean you... How could you be dying?!
Sephiroth X: I know ... because I’m supposed to know ... it... it told me...
Zack: ...What told you?
Sephiroth X: ... The Element of Prosperity ...
*Zack took a moment of new shock to acknowledge.
Zack: You... got it...? But... but why would you be DYING?! I thought it was supposed to make the person stronger.
*Zack tried to keep his shaking under control until more things could be answered. There had to be a loophole, or a mistake, or something... there had to be...
Seph explained to Zack and the others the story leading up to what happened not long ago... the meeting with Azriel... the flight to the Valley.. and the splitting of the Element
Sephiroth X: Crono and I... both carry a half of the element within us... It’s a bond we both share now. The Element itself ... is having a poisonous effect since its not united within one person... so Crono and I are both doomed to the same fate it seems...
*Shiki, Nix, and Jack stared there almost blankly listening deeply to this massive tale unfolding before them. Zack clenched his fists, shaking his head slowly, in bitter disbelief, his tone shaking between low and high.
Zack: ...That isn't right... After all you've fought for... After all that's happened... There's got to be something we can do, right?! Isn't there some way to stop this?!
Sephiroth X: If ... I just let the Element finish me off... that means Crono dies with me... I... have no more reason to fight
*Zack's eyes grew wide, and the shaking stopped. He looked at Sephiroth in total disbelief, then his eyes slowly narrowed.
Zack: ...How could you say that?! That's the last thing I ever expected from you! How can you just give up?!
*Zack reached up, grabbing the edges of Sephiroth's coat.
Zack: You've been a hero to me, Seph! Like family! I've always looked up to you! This isn't like you at all! I won't let you just give up, I won't!
*Tears rose to the edges of Zack’s eyes and his lip quivered despite his teeth being tightly clenched. Seph sat there letting Zack's words sink in*
*As Jack and the rest of his crew sat there listening to the story of Sephiroth, his fiancé, this Crono guy, and the Element of Prosperity, they couldn’t help but be slightly stunned by what they heard, especially considering some of these things used to be mere bedtime to them. At first they wondered if this man could be trusted. But as they spoke, there was something about him and Zack that seemed honest and truthful. Perhaps it was their eyes. But it was definitely something that no Senate drone was capable of feeling. Jack stood up from his chair to address the dying superhuman. After hearing his unbelievable tale, he just couldn’t stand to see him die. Let alone anyone who had come as far as he did. Heh, stealing things away from the Senate, eh?… seems we have more in common than I thought…
Jack: So… you want to take the easy way out… some warrior.
Sephiroth X: Then... then… what do you suggest i do?
*Jack was taken almost by surprise.
Jack: Don’t tell me I have to point it out to you...,
*Jack frustratedly argued.
Jack: Listen, you have an incredible power, a power that most men would kill to have. A power you've spent your entire life using for the purpose of good...God knows what I would have done with that kind of gift...
*Jack sunk back into thought again.
Jack: Need I remind you of your friends? Don’t you see the tears in Claude’s eyes here? Don’t you see that you have people who care about you?
*Then, a flash came into his mind. It was Ereki. Then Yuz, then Shem…
Jack: I… couldn’t save my own friends…I never even had the chance to say goodbye…
*Jack looked at the ground, and clenched his fist until his bones nearly broke. A tear ran over his cheek and down the contours of his metal suit.
Jack: Consider it a gift to have friends like those… never stop cherishing them… because you never know if they’re going to die tomorrow!
*Nix chimed in.
Nix: You tell him! I mean, just yesterday I found out I'd be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of my days! Do you think I'm going to give up? HELL NO! They CANT keep me down. Not a chance in Hell they cant...
*At Jack and Nix's words, Zack looked over his shoulder toward him, stunned at the news.
Zack: ...Nix...
Zack said quietly. Then he looked at Jack.
Zack: The other guys…
*Zack was so shocked at all this tragic news bombarding him at once. He would never see the others again. Nix would be stuck down when he was always so active before… Zack stood up, taking a few steps away with his back to everyone, head lowered, fists clenched painfully, shaking from astonishment, from anger. But his mind’s protective adaptation finally kicked in. He would have to deal with that later. Right now, he had to fix what was still fixable. Had to say what needed to be said. He spun to face Sephiroth, his face now a mask of determination.
Zack: Valtiel… You know as well as I do that he can destroy this entire planet. The others and I are strong, but you might be the only one with a real chance of beating him. Would you leave us to our fate like that? The world itself?
*Seph looked around and then back down at the floor unsure of what to say. He wanted Crono dead.. and this would be his option to guarantee Crono's death. But everyone else around him wanted him to live... they said they needed him... they said he had better things to live for. He knew how strong Valtiel was, he had fought the monster and survived Valtiel's own rendition of hell. Seph then thought to himself...
Would she want this...? Catrina...?
*Seph muttered out one name.
Sephiroth X: Catrina....?
*Everyone looked at Seph in a moment of total silence. Seph's facial expressions varied from moment to moment as many thoughts ran through his mind. Then suddenly, Sephiroth X's face snapped into a single facial expression. His familiar determined gaze, it was an expression that Zack was familiar with... but even know it seemed even more intense... deeper then it was before. One last vision ran through X's mind and finally provoked him. Slowly, Sephiroth X stood up. He looked around to everyone in the room and in his own way his eyes acknowledged their statements.
Sephiroth X: You all need to leave this continent for a while... its not safe here...
*Seph walked to the exit of the underground apartment and opened the door about to leave.
Zack: Seph... what are you going to do?
*Seph stopped for a moment, and looked back at Zack from over his shoulder.
Sephiroth X: Exactly what I need to do...
*Seph then walked up the stairs leaving the apartment. Zack knew exactly what he meant by Seph's last statement. There was only one way that his half of the Element of Prosperity wouldn’t kill him, and that was to make the Element whole again. And that was precisely what Seph was going to do...
*Jack was cut off in mid-sentence. The green aura, whatever or whoever it was, was getting larger by the second. Wait. Not larger, but getting nearer. In fact, it was getting closer every second, moving faster, and faster, and faster... A whistling noise grew louder and louder within a few moments.
*TTTTHHHHUUUUDDDDD*
*As the strange green aura nearly collided with Shiki’s apartment complex, Jack and the others were momentarily rocked by a large vibration just outside of the building. The lights momentarily flickered, and various parts of Shiki’s elaborate computer setup fell to the floor, causing some of the monitors to flicker out.
Nix: What the Hell was that?
Shiki: Awwww dammit…
*Shiki exclaimed, looking over her super-computer setup, some parts of which seemed to be frozen.
Shiki: It’s gonna take forever to get this thing back up and running… Jack, why don’t you go see what that is?
Jack: Alright. Come on Claude, let’s check this out.
*If Jack was going to be fighting some strange monster or something, he would definitely want to have the magical acrobatic skills of Zack on his side.
*Zack... Claude... he didn't care at this point as he nodded to Jack and bolted out the door. He had had some kind of flash of familiarity right before impact, and he felt a sense of dread and anticipation at the same time as they neared the point of impact. He almost knew what he would find
*Within a large hole embedded into the ground, the Masamune protruded upwards from the ground. The force of the impact should have been enough to kill a normal man, but for some reason X was still alive as we wavered in and out from consciousness*
*Zack's eyes widened still further, and he screamed
Zack- Seph! SEPHIROTH!!!
*Zack ran straight for the center of impact and landed on his knees next to his fallen friend, feeling panicked at seeing him in such a state.
Zack: Seph! It's me! What happened?! Are you alright?! Jeez, please be alright...
*Zack wasn't sure what to do; he didn't want to move him until he knew what the damage was. Seph wavered in and out of consciousness, his vision slowly came into focus as he started to see Zack and hear him as well.
Sephiroth X: Z-Zack?
*Zack felt immensely relieved and smiled with a small nervous laugh, even though his eyes still held immense worry.
Zack: Yeah, it's me. Jeez, what the hell happened? Can you sit up? Are you alright?
Jack: What…………… the………….. Hell…………. How could any living being possibly do something like this??? Much less a human being???
*Jack wondered as he looked over at the small crater this mysterious stranger had left on Shiki’s front lawn. Slowly but surely, Jack’s very foundation of reality was beginning to crumble beneath his feet. He had never believed in fairy tales, nor had he ever had any reason to. But now, within a matter of only a few hours, not only did one of his best friends from childhood reappear and was apparently gifted with the powers of the Gods, but a mysterious stranger had flew in from the Heavens, crashing into the Earth with enough force to leave a small crater. This mysterious stranger had long silver hair and a sword, which appeared to be too long to effectively be wielded, which lead Jack to only one conclusion.
Jack: I’m dreaming… yeah… I have to be… or I’m going insane!
*Jack reached to pinch his arm, trying as hard as he could, but alas, his efforts were fruitless due to the bulk of his suit. He then yelled out to Zack out of pure instinct.
Jack: GET AWAY FROM HIM! HE’S GOING TO KILL YOU!
*Zack looked back at Jack, startled and puzzled, then he realized how overwhelming things must have appeared to him.
Zack: No, this is Sephiroth X, I mentioned him. He's my friend.... What a way for you to meet him...
*Zack offered a sad chuckle.
Zack: But trust me, he's a good man.
*Zack looked back down at Sephiroth.
Zack: Just take it easy. How bad are you hurt?
*Seph staggered a little bit before trying to stand up. As he stood he stumbled a little bit and dusted off his clothes.
Sephiroth X: I'm.... I'm...
*Seph’s voice sounded uncertain.
Sephiroth X: …Alright....
*Taking another look at the situation, Jack saw that Zack seemed to care deeply for the mysterious stranger, and also that this guy, this Sephiroth, seemed to be fairly beat up.
Jack: If this is a dream, I might as well play along with it. After all it sure would be nice to have someone like him in our group…
*Jack slowly approached the battered Sephiroth, trying not to look too strange.
Jack: Sorry about that…
*Jack said, checking over him for obvious injuries.
Jack: You sure you’re alright? We have some medical supplies downstairs. …Ummmm, what did you say your name was again, sir?
Sephiroth X: Sephiroth X....
*X started to step towards the entrance to his strangers 'home'.
Sephiroth X: And what is your name...?
Jack: ...Jack Gollize. Long lost friend of Claude's here, and full-time thorn in the Senate's spine.
*X smirked as he thought to himself... ’He called him Claude...' Then Seph remembered the time that he delved into Zack's mind to assist him in some of his mental tactics for battle... he remembered finding out that he was called Claude. Seph decided to play it safe and call him Claude too, hopefully Zack would understand.
*Zack walked close to Sephiroth, trying to make sure that he really was fit to be walking. He was shocked to see him so soon, and especially under such explosive circumstances. He still had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach; what could reduce X to such a state? He still felt dread knotting through his innards. As they neared the room, he rushed ahead to hold the door open for his friends.
Zack: Old and new friends, heh, never would have foreseen this meeting. Now if only small talk could be more in order...
Shiki: Freeze.
*The moment they entered the door, Shiki and Nix had already drawn a pair of large firearms. Nix’s weapon resembled a double-barreled shotgun, but was much larger in size, like that of a rifle used to hunt large game. Shiki held a small fully automatic uzi. And both were pointing directly at Sephiroth X.
Jack: Hey, come on guys, relax.
Shiki: I don’t think so. This is the second time in the last hour you’ve dragged someone into our home.
Jack: We can trust him…
Shiki: And we can’t. Don’t you think it’s an awfully strange coincidence that Claude here, who just happens to have been captured long ago by the Senate just randomly shows up one day? And who is this guy? How do you know he isn’t some Senate slime ball spy?
*Seph looked around at the guns pointed at him*
Sephiroth X: .... you don’t want to do that anyway ....
Shiki: You don’t look like you're in any shape to be talking.
*X's eyes momentarily flared a luminous green... he was not in the mood to be threatened. Zack quickly stepped between the at-odds parties, raising his hands.
Zack: Hey! Hey guys, chill out... I understand this must look suspicious to you guys. I don't know how else to convince you, so... I dunno, how hurt are you Sephy? We could just grab some med stuff and treat I'm outside if you guys want, just no shooting and zapping please.
*Shiki and Nix slowly settled down in their aggression. Sensing a lull in tension from his crew, Jack chimed in to end the conflict.
Jack: JUST PUT THE FUCKING GUNS DOWN, for Gods sake. If anything I’ll strangle him myself with this suit.
*Jack turned back to Sephiroth and winked at him to signal he was attempting to help by calming down his normally edgy crew. Slowly, but reluctantly, they lowered the guns.
Jack: Now help us out here, would ya?
*Shiki responded by finding the wounded Sephiroth a place to sit. Seph nodded at Jack in acknowledgement and sat down. Seph slowly observed the place then looked to Zack.
Sephiroth X: So Claude... its... ironic we ended up together again...
*Zack nodded, his face habitually going into a smile although he was obviously still worried and shocked.
Zack: Yeah, sure is somethin'... Haven't even gotten to use your little present just yet. Something'll come along though, I'm sure, the way things go nowadays.
*Zack chuckled a bit, then grew slightly serious again.
Zack: Well, where are you hurt? Invincible as you may always seem, you've still gotta be pretty beat up.
*Seph looked over his body for a moment. He felt sore, but seemingly couldn’t pinpoint were he was feeling pain.
Sephiroth X: I... don’t know where I'm hurt...
*Seph obviously looked like something was on his mind... like he just witnessed something amazing. Shiki was brought over a large medical kit.
Shiki: OK, in return for our services here, you gotta tell us… …just what the Hell is going on here? You aren’t some kinda Senate drone are you?
*X shook his head 'no'
Sephiroth X: No... far from... in fact i was after something the Senate wanted as well...
Jack: What were you after?
*Seph looked to the floor, off into space.
Sephiroth X: ... The Element of Prosperity...
*Seph proceeded to retell the story of Catrina and Dark Crono.. everything the story led up to when he got the mirror fragment from Dark Crono but nothing more.
Sephiroth X: And... and now... i... don’t know what to do.... well..
*Seph’s voice was very monotone.
Sephiroth X: ... I think I do know....
*Zack felt very worried at this point, and overwhelmed with a huge wave of emotions. He felt horribly sorry for what Sephiroth had been through; he did not know all the details of X's past until now. The loss he had suffered... he could not wrap his head around it, but his heart definitely conjured deep sympathy. He felt acrid, intense hatred toward Dark Crono, for his mind games and torment of X, which he had endured so silently all this time. And intensely worried at seeing him appear so lost, so uncertain. Given what Sephiroth had been through, though, he was surprised he had not seen such sooner. It made him all the more admirable, that he had endured so much yet remained so strong. Zack wished he knew what to say, or could provide some sort of sympathy without bothering the others... Still, X's new mood was very worrying indeed...
Zack: ...What do you mean, Seph?
*Seph never broke his gaze down at the ground.
Sephiroth X: I'm... dying...
*Zack froze. Breath, heartbeat, everything. Then his heart returned with swift pounding, and it felt like his chest and head would explode. He collapsed to his knees, staring vacantly at the floor for several moments, before looking up at Sephiroth, beginning to shake.
Zack: ....What do you mean?
*Zack asked, his voice sounding pitiful.
Zack: You... could walk and stuff... I mean you... How could you be dying?!
Sephiroth X: I know ... because I’m supposed to know ... it... it told me...
Zack: ...What told you?
Sephiroth X: ... The Element of Prosperity ...
*Zack took a moment of new shock to acknowledge.
Zack: You... got it...? But... but why would you be DYING?! I thought it was supposed to make the person stronger.
*Zack tried to keep his shaking under control until more things could be answered. There had to be a loophole, or a mistake, or something... there had to be...
Seph explained to Zack and the others the story leading up to what happened not long ago... the meeting with Azriel... the flight to the Valley.. and the splitting of the Element
Sephiroth X: Crono and I... both carry a half of the element within us... It’s a bond we both share now. The Element itself ... is having a poisonous effect since its not united within one person... so Crono and I are both doomed to the same fate it seems...
*Shiki, Nix, and Jack stared there almost blankly listening deeply to this massive tale unfolding before them. Zack clenched his fists, shaking his head slowly, in bitter disbelief, his tone shaking between low and high.
Zack: ...That isn't right... After all you've fought for... After all that's happened... There's got to be something we can do, right?! Isn't there some way to stop this?!
Sephiroth X: If ... I just let the Element finish me off... that means Crono dies with me... I... have no more reason to fight
*Zack's eyes grew wide, and the shaking stopped. He looked at Sephiroth in total disbelief, then his eyes slowly narrowed.
Zack: ...How could you say that?! That's the last thing I ever expected from you! How can you just give up?!
*Zack reached up, grabbing the edges of Sephiroth's coat.
Zack: You've been a hero to me, Seph! Like family! I've always looked up to you! This isn't like you at all! I won't let you just give up, I won't!
*Tears rose to the edges of Zack’s eyes and his lip quivered despite his teeth being tightly clenched. Seph sat there letting Zack's words sink in*
*As Jack and the rest of his crew sat there listening to the story of Sephiroth, his fiancé, this Crono guy, and the Element of Prosperity, they couldn’t help but be slightly stunned by what they heard, especially considering some of these things used to be mere bedtime to them. At first they wondered if this man could be trusted. But as they spoke, there was something about him and Zack that seemed honest and truthful. Perhaps it was their eyes. But it was definitely something that no Senate drone was capable of feeling. Jack stood up from his chair to address the dying superhuman. After hearing his unbelievable tale, he just couldn’t stand to see him die. Let alone anyone who had come as far as he did. Heh, stealing things away from the Senate, eh?… seems we have more in common than I thought…
Jack: So… you want to take the easy way out… some warrior.
Sephiroth X: Then... then… what do you suggest i do?
*Jack was taken almost by surprise.
Jack: Don’t tell me I have to point it out to you...,
*Jack frustratedly argued.
Jack: Listen, you have an incredible power, a power that most men would kill to have. A power you've spent your entire life using for the purpose of good...God knows what I would have done with that kind of gift...
*Jack sunk back into thought again.
Jack: Need I remind you of your friends? Don’t you see the tears in Claude’s eyes here? Don’t you see that you have people who care about you?
*Then, a flash came into his mind. It was Ereki. Then Yuz, then Shem…
Jack: I… couldn’t save my own friends…I never even had the chance to say goodbye…
*Jack looked at the ground, and clenched his fist until his bones nearly broke. A tear ran over his cheek and down the contours of his metal suit.
Jack: Consider it a gift to have friends like those… never stop cherishing them… because you never know if they’re going to die tomorrow!
*Nix chimed in.
Nix: You tell him! I mean, just yesterday I found out I'd be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of my days! Do you think I'm going to give up? HELL NO! They CANT keep me down. Not a chance in Hell they cant...
*At Jack and Nix's words, Zack looked over his shoulder toward him, stunned at the news.
Zack: ...Nix...
Zack said quietly. Then he looked at Jack.
Zack: The other guys…
*Zack was so shocked at all this tragic news bombarding him at once. He would never see the others again. Nix would be stuck down when he was always so active before… Zack stood up, taking a few steps away with his back to everyone, head lowered, fists clenched painfully, shaking from astonishment, from anger. But his mind’s protective adaptation finally kicked in. He would have to deal with that later. Right now, he had to fix what was still fixable. Had to say what needed to be said. He spun to face Sephiroth, his face now a mask of determination.
Zack: Valtiel… You know as well as I do that he can destroy this entire planet. The others and I are strong, but you might be the only one with a real chance of beating him. Would you leave us to our fate like that? The world itself?
*Seph looked around and then back down at the floor unsure of what to say. He wanted Crono dead.. and this would be his option to guarantee Crono's death. But everyone else around him wanted him to live... they said they needed him... they said he had better things to live for. He knew how strong Valtiel was, he had fought the monster and survived Valtiel's own rendition of hell. Seph then thought to himself...
Would she want this...? Catrina...?
*Seph muttered out one name.
Sephiroth X: Catrina....?
*Everyone looked at Seph in a moment of total silence. Seph's facial expressions varied from moment to moment as many thoughts ran through his mind. Then suddenly, Sephiroth X's face snapped into a single facial expression. His familiar determined gaze, it was an expression that Zack was familiar with... but even know it seemed even more intense... deeper then it was before. One last vision ran through X's mind and finally provoked him. Slowly, Sephiroth X stood up. He looked around to everyone in the room and in his own way his eyes acknowledged their statements.
Sephiroth X: You all need to leave this continent for a while... its not safe here...
*Seph walked to the exit of the underground apartment and opened the door about to leave.
Zack: Seph... what are you going to do?
*Seph stopped for a moment, and looked back at Zack from over his shoulder.
Sephiroth X: Exactly what I need to do...
*Seph then walked up the stairs leaving the apartment. Zack knew exactly what he meant by Seph's last statement. There was only one way that his half of the Element of Prosperity wouldn’t kill him, and that was to make the Element whole again. And that was precisely what Seph was going to do...
