Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII or its characters.
Prologue: The Mysterious Dream
Present Day: Location: ?
Cloud was lost. No matter where he looked, he only saw white. His vision was clouded so he could only see a glimpse of the things around him. The place felt surreal as if he was dreaming. Dazed and unsteady, he felt that his body was not his own. He tried to move his arms and legs, but they felt too sluggish and uncoordinated as if refusing to obey what he wanted them to do.
When he had thought that he was alone, he felt a presence behind him. He quickly turned around and saw a large blurry object. After concentrating for a few seconds, he was able to make out that the object was in fact a figure of a person shrouded in silver light. The person had on black leather boots, steel belts, gauntlets and shoulder pads. A familiar large broadsword ran down his back and his spiky black hair was reminiscent of somebody he knew.
"Ah, Zack," Cloud said after finally figuring out who the person standing in front of him was. Cloud was surprised that he had almost forgotten his old friend that he was eternally indebted to for saving his life.
"Took you long enough to realize it's me," Zack laughed as he slapped Cloud on the back. "You looked like you've just seen a ghost."
"I think I am looking at a ghost…," Cloud said with a look of confusion. "I mean, you're dead. So am I dead too?" Once again, Zack laugh at the confused Cloud.
"Oh yeah, I am a ghost." Zack said with a slight grin. "I keep forgetting about that. Maybe it's because I still feel so alive." Zack then began a set of squats. Seeing Zack filled with abundant energy, Cloud was glad that Zack remained the same even in death. He was about to ask Zack about some other questions until he remembered where he was.
"So where am I?" He looked around him to find anything to indicate where he was.
"This isn't the afterlife if that's what you're thinking. You're currently dreaming so it's like a dream world that connects your world with the afterlife."
"This feels too real to be a dream." Cloud touched his hair, arm and clothes to see if he could properly feel them.
"Well this isn't a normal dream and the specifics are too technical for me to understand," said Zack as he scratched the back of his neck. Not wanting to get too deep in something he wouldn't understand, Cloud decided to get straight to the point.
"So why am I here?"
"Ah, I think it's better if you hear about it from her."
"Her?" As if on cue, another figure appeared by Zack's side. She wore a pink dress and a red jacket. She had long brown hair tied by a pink ribbon. Yet another ghost appeared in front of Cloud.
"Aerith."
"What, that's it?" Aerith exclaimed. "Where's that terrified and confused look I was expecting?" Aerith shook her head back and forth as if she was really disappointed by Cloud's lack of a reaction.
"I did told you that you should have appeared with me at the same time," Zack said as he lightly touched her arm. "We could have gotten Cloud to faint inside the dream after seeing two ghosts. It'd be a very memorable reunion wouldn't you think?" After contemplating Zack's statement, Aertih broke out in laughter along with Zack. Cloud watched as his dearly departed friends share a joke between them at his own expense. He wondered if the two of them were always happy-go-lucky people. He had always thought that if he saw them again, it would be a touching yet serious reunion. Cloud then wondered if he was really dreaming.
After gotten the last remaining laughs out of her system and wiping away nonexistent tears of laughter, Aerith's expression quickly turned grim.
"Jokes aside, we do have something important to tell you." Looking at Aerith's face, Cloud could tell it wasn't going to be anything good. "I feel that something dangerous is going to appear endangering the lives on Gaia."
"What do you mean that you feel?" Cloud asked feeling worried about what he had just learned.
"Well, it's more like that is what the planet felt a while ago so I don't really know what it is."
"Yeah, so keep your guard up and be on the lookout," Zack interjected. "Although, I'm sure you can handle whatever it is." Zack gave Cloud a comforting smile to help relieve him of his worries.
"Is that all you know?" Cloud asked, hoping to get more information to understand the situation.
"Unfortunately yes," Aerith said shaking her head. Cloud reflected on what he had just heard until he realized something else.
"How is it that you can contact me?" Aerith closed her eyes and placed the index finger of her right hand on her forehead.
"Hmmmummm." Aerith fidgeted back and forth as if she was really bothered by the question. There was a ten-second gap when Aerith struggled to find the right words and the moment she opened her eyes. "I used Cetra Power!" Complete silence then enveloped the area while Aerith continued to smile.
"R-Right," Cloud stammered. Whatever answered he was expecting, it was definitely not the one Aerith just gave. He thought it was best to just accept Aerith's response because there really was no need to go into that particular detail.
"You should know that it takes a lot of energy to bridge our world and your world so I can't do it every time. We actually only have a few minutes left before you have to go back." A few moments then lapsed with nobody saying anything as they all became lost for words.
"So, how are you Cloud?" Zack asked, in an attempt to change the subject. The question took Cloud by surprised.
"Huh, oh I'm…doing good," Cloud said after thinking about his life.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure," Cloud said with a smile of content on his face.
"That's good to hear," Zack said after a brief pause. Even though he was smiling, there was a hint of sadness in his tone. As Aerith silently watched the two friends talk, she felt a warm feeling accumulating in her heart. Even though she was not sad that she had died, she was saddened by the thought that her friends would be hurt because of her death. Zack had felt the same way about Cloud. However, it seemed like Cloud had moved on peacefully and was living a good life. She hoped that her other friends had moved on peacefully as well.
"What about you Zack?" Cloud asked. "How are you doing?"
"Me?" Zack grabbed Aerith to him and held her. "I'm great because I have Aerith by my side." Zack stood proudly as he held Aerith from behind. "Not a bad place to stay for all eternity." Cloud then looked at Aerith who held onto Zack's arms.
"I'm great too, Cloud," Aerith said while giving Cloud a smile of peaceful content. "It's pretty fun having him around. Plus, I get to watch over all of you."
"I see," Cloud said while giving a light nod. Aerith then let out a soft sigh.
"Looks like our time's about up," Aerith said. "When you wake up, you won't remember what transpired here, but we felt we should still warn you." Just then, Aerith and Zack began glowing brightly as if they were going to dissipate into nothing. "Cloud, it was really nice to see you again."
"The same goes for me too," Zack said. "Remember, we're always with you in spirit. And Cloud..." Zack looked at Cloud for five seconds before finishing his sentence. "Our legacy, you're doing great; so keep up the good work." The two of them smiled at Cloud. Unbeknownst to Cloud, tears streamed down his face as he had finally heard the words he wanted to hear and he has now found peace within himself. Seeing the two begin to disappear, Cloud reached his right hand towards them.
"Wait, there are still things I want to talk to you about." Aerith and Zack said nothing, but smiled at Cloud. Zack gave a slight wave and the two then completely disappeared.
