Final Fantasy Main Story RP ARC VI

The blue eyes that locked on him shook him slightly. For a moment he was reminded of the same blue that locked onto him before the fusion sword was swung down in an attempt to cleave him in two. The virtual Cloud's eyes had been empty, devoid of life, like someone else was controlling him, but it was still him, and he couldn't wipe from his memory the feeling of holding that sword and what it felt to plunge it into his body. A part of him had leapt at the blood, the death, the power of that sword. He wanted it, but then the human part that remained cried for what he lost.

Even if it wasn't real it had felt like it. He couldn't shake it from his mind.

And then there it was, the permission to fight. And the fact that Cloud was going to fight them all. He couldn't do it alone, and Denzel knew he couldn't let Cloud protect him. Not ever again. The pain of losing his parents, Mrs. Ruvie, Mr. Gaskin... it all rolled over him again.

The order that Cloud made, it was what he wanted most. Denzel's mouth opened again and then he shut it again. This was what he wanted, to fight at Cloud's side. To be strong like him. But the need for blood and death suddenly slammed into his mind. It felt like it was scrabbling to escape, brutal against his mind. Whatever Hojo had put in him, he couldn't control it.

And Zack had told him what it was, that he wasn't human any longer. If he wasn't human, what was he? Was he a monster, like the creatures that were put down and murdered. Denzel's hands tightened slightly and he shook his head. "I can't Cloud. I'm not strong enough. I need to join SOLDIER, they'll make me stronger, so I can fight this voice in my head."

Denzel took a deep breath but his chest still felt excruciatingly tight. "Zack said you weren't well enough to take care of me and I don't want you to die. You'll die if you try to protect me at all."

The tears threatened to burn all over again. He had never told Cloud this, his fears that seemed to swallow him. Everyone died for him so he had to make sure Cloud didn't try to protect him, even if he was in danger. He needed to be strong enough to not need any protection ever, and SOLDIER would do that. If they gave him mako they would make him stronger like Cloud and Zack. And then it wouldn't matter, when he was strong enough, then he could fight with Cloud.

"I already made you sick, and if I can't control myself I'll hurt you. I'll hurt everyone," his arms wrapped around his knees as he pulled them up against his chest. "I'm not human. I'm already a monster."

"You might be a monster, but you're not alone." Cloud said it cut and dry. He wasn't good at these situations. He wondered what Zack would have done for him; then, he moved towards the brunet and sat besides him, putting his arms around him, tight, and holding him close. The blond wondered if he was doing the right thing. His somber eyes examining the brunet. "We're all human. We just have some Jenova inside us, that's all. I had Jenova inside me since I was sixteen. You probably didn't infect me, you probably just awoke something inside me, and with how many people are infected now -- if it wasn't you, it would have been someone else."

His arms relaxed a little, but held their position. He was doing good, so far, for the sympathetic talk. He wondered how to word the next part. 

"Right now, you're part human and part Jenova. If you go to SOLDIER, you'll be even less of a human."

Reno knelt down and held his hand in Dark Nation's direction, calmly waiting though his heart was pounding painfully in his chest. He couldn't be the only one left infected - he would never be able to train with Tseng again, play fetch with DN... never be able to leave the WRO again.

His heart almost stopped as Dark Nation padded over and snuffled his hand, up his arm... and then licked his cheek with a wag of his tail. Reno nearly collapsed from the relief, throwing his arms around the hound before jumping to his feet with a whoop of delight, his arms flung around Tseng's neck as, on the spur of the moment, he firmly pressed his lips to those of his Wutain boss, pulling back a little to do the same to Rufus before realising what he'd done... and deciding to take full advantage of 'overcome with relief' and 'not in my right mind' by turning and kissing Tseng again, pulling him a little closer.

He'd deal with the consequences later.

"I figured Rufus might enjoy it less," Reno smirked, automatically on the defensive with a smirk and a quip. He knew he shouldn't have gone back for a second kiss, that was the tell... but that moment that Tseng kissed back and the faint blush that was creeping onto his cheeks was as big a tell.

Maybe it wasn't a lost cause?

"Lighten up, Tseng, it's what people do when they're happy - a spontaneous display of affection," he grinned. "Just be glad I didn't kiss the dog first."

He grabbed his coffee mug and drained what was left inside of it. "Right, someone said something about a meeting right? We're going to be late," he announced, going for the door and heading to the meeting room, mentally kicking himself.

He'd apologise later... just... not in front of Rufus.

Cloud couldn't put thoughts into words. He hated the fact that Denzel was going to fight, either way: it made his gut churn and twist at the thought of sending that boy against the hordes of Jenova, DeepGround and Hojo. He gave a sigh, closing his eyes. His rage seemed to depart, and he felt the tsunamic waves of defeat about to crash on him. But Cloud cherished this boy, he would find a way to say it. But there was a level of determination arising from the brunet that he had never seen before... it reminded him of Zack, in the sense that once he had that look in his eyes... good luck trying to stop him. 

But Cloud had to try. 

"Denzel," the blond spoke slowly, carefully, "The SOLDIER I knew made monsters. It will be different under Rufus, but all it will make out of you is a lifeless war machine. That's all The ShinRa Company ever wanted. I can't stop you. I'm sorry. The choice is yours, but if you want to be a human again – at least mentally – stay the hell away from it."

"Of course." Cloud answered. It was a weird question to be asked; but he knew if he hesitated, Denzel would take it the wrong way. But, the answer was simple: of course he would love Denzel. That boy was a part of his family -- his real family, not the Jenova trash. There was a pause as Cloud moved his arms away from Denzel. 

"We won't always be fighting on the same side, though."

That was what bothered him. "Rufus and I haven't gotten along in the past and I don't think we're about to start now. His methods are direct." He wanted to throw 'and inhuman' there, but didn't. "I'll cross blades with him eventually, and knowing that bastard, he'd send you or Zack against me. Prepare for that." At this point, Cloud wasnt sure what he was doing. Maybe some fear to halt the boy? "If you can't kill your friends, you're not made for ShinRa." He was going too far, and he knew it. This was just a boy with dreams and desires. 

Cloud looked at him, seeing that face. Why did he do that? Why would he scare a child like that? Maybe he did it do when the time came, it would be a fairer fight? Who knows? Cloud only sighed. He grabbed his glad and finished it. "I'm heading to the meeting too. I bet Zack's going to be there, and other people. I need to talk to him." He looked around and finally found his weapon. Grabbing the Fusion Sword, he hoisted it on his back. His hands gripped the weapon as a burning sensation filled his body. Damnit Jenova, he scowled. He was going to kill the bitch. Kill her before she could harm anyone else. But until then, "Come on. Let's go."

Cloud suddenly heard a noise -- a special ringtone he had not heard in a while. He pulled out his phone, it was from Black Suit -- they were once one of his top updaters. Memories flooded back to him as a ShinRa cadet, SOLDIER-hopeful. He was subscribed to Zack's fan page -- even made quite a few posts about the cologne he wore and all that jazz. Shiva, he was embarrased by that point of time. He took a second to realise just how much he had grown. It had been ten years since then. His eyes flicked over to Denzel.

He wondered just how much the brunet had grown. He had grown quickly, maybe he should make a comment? Praise? What did one do? It had been years since he had taken him in and he still wasn't sure what to do as the boy's guardian. He shifted uncomfortably, and turned to the boy.

"You've grown a lot... you're mature for your age. I'm not okay with you going in the battlefield... I guess I'm worried. But, I know you'll manage... you're smart enough to know which orders to disobey."

That was awkward, or at least Cloud thought.

The rush. It was something she loved. She reveled at it. The feeling of falling. It was beautiful, regardless if it made sense or not. She had been in quite for far too long and her restless soul was eager to be engaged in the violence of living once more.

There was a crash. Metal and chunks of cement flew every which way as she landed within the rubble of Midgar. She looked up to see the remains of the very building where she had taken her own life. She grinned and inhaled. Life. A second chance perhaps? No, it was something else. Something more sinister hung about her arrival.

"So, they wish me to play some more? Sounds like a good time," she purred as she stood stretching. She flexed her brazen claws. Power surged through her begging to be used.

"Raw power and grace, Rosso the Crimson."

A voice came from behind her, and who it belonged to was none other then her former teammate. Nero the Sable chuckled. He was without his wings, and was wearing civilian clothes. If anyone did not recognize the voice, there was no way to tell it was him. He was standing on a small rock which came out from the rubble, and soon he leapt down, being on the same level as Rosso. He examined her with a friendly smile. "Well, well, well... I was hoping more of the Tsivets would come back.

"DeepGround needs its finest warriors."

He stepped closer, giving a light bow when his feet halted. "It has been a long time, Rosso."

She chuckled and gave a slight head tilt at the man before her. "It's good to be back...I would say you haven't changed a bit, Nero, but I'd be lying even to myself." Rosso looked around things hadn't really changed. This place was still the piece of shit it was when she left.

"Enlighten me, Nero...why are we here?" She asked her tone low and inquisitive as she began to (try) and walk around a bit. Her legs where still getting use to the feeling of moving again and she fumbled every now and then as she climbed over pieces of rubble.

He watched her walking. Muscles must have been sore from being, well, dead. He pondered the question for a time before answering slowly, "Our purpose here is not defined, but rather what we make it. I believe it may very well be our first freedom." He laughed lightly, holding out a hand. Suddenly, dark green and black swirls erupted from his hands, "It seems I have been given a new power, the power of the Negative Lifestream. It seems that it wants to rid the world of all that is loving and playful. It wants to reign, Rosso. It has chosen me to amplify its cause, and that is what I am doing. DeepGround is under my orders, and I would like you to join me... perhaps I may even gift you new powers." He said with a teasing smile.

"Jenova has risen in power; and from what I have heard, Hojo is also back. Reeve's WRO is still intact and Rufus ShinRa is rebuilding his forces with SOLDIER. Alongside DeepGround, it seems five powers have unfolded. The struggle will be tough, but I have a plan. I believe we should be the cloak and the dagger. We shall move where two forces are in combat and turn the tides to our liking. I already have DeepGround spies in ShinRa and the WRO now.

"Will you join me, and retake your throne as Rosso the Crimson of the Tsivets?"

"I wish I could still be a kid,"

If those words didn't exemplify his failures, then he was hallucinating. He frowned at that. He listened to whatever else Denzel had to say. He eventually shook his head. There was so much he wanted to say, yell, scream, shout, but he didn't. Denzel was too young for any of this. But, he did make one thing clear. "Don't say you'll never hurt me for him. First off, you don't know the future -- you can't predict it. Rufus is manipulative. He'll have you do it before you even know it. And if you don't believe me, you already have when you decided to join SOLDIER."

Why was he doing this? Hurting Denzel... why? He only slid into the hallway, changing the subject quickly. "Where's the meeting taking place?"