Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII just playing around in the universe

AN: Well this will be my first crack at Final Fantasy VII. This is the best one I think, anyway this idea was rolling around in my head after I went to the Nibelheim reactor in the game so please review and let me know what you think. I will continue if everyone likes it.

Dragonthunder89

Cloud Strife sat on his bike Fenrir, perched at the top of a cliff overlooking Midgar. Cloud was troubled, Rufus was planning something and Cloud didn't like it. He had spent a month tracking the Turks' activities and each time he came close to finding out but then he would be attacked by Shinra soldiers. Each time Cloud escaped but now he sat deep in thought, like before, Cloud would ignore his phone. He knew who it was most of the time. She was always on his mind.

"Tifa," Cloud sighed.

Tifa Lockhart, Cloud had been in love with the beautiful woman for a long time. In her phone messages, which were many, she expressed her worry. Cloud didn't like it when he made Tifa worry, but because he loved her he had to keep going and stop Shinra. Only one other person knew, and he was helping when he could. Vincent Valentine was a loyal friend to Cloud and aided him when he could. But Cloud had to be careful because Vincent had recently gotten romantically involved with Yuffie and Yuffie told Tifa everything and vice versa. Cloud knew Tifa cared about him as a friend but she never knew how much Cloud loved her and didn't know how to tell her. Cloud was scarred badly, not just the wounds that littered his body, but the emotional and psychological ones that just would not heal. Cloud sensed he was not alone and turned his head only to find Vincent standing next to him.

"Vincent," Cloud nodded to him.

"Cloud, Yuffie is starting to suspect me, I don't know how long I will be able to throw her off," Vincent replied.

"I was afraid of that, she is a smart girl," Cloud said.

"Cloud, you are a good friend, but I love Yuffie and I will not lie to her," Vincent warned.

"I understand, she takes priority, if you are telling me you can no longer help me, I already knew it was coming," Cloud replied.

"I want to help Cloud but..." Vincent started.

"No, you must take care of Yuffie, but Vincent would you do me a favor?" Cloud asked.

"Sure," Vincent agreed.

"I want you to look after Tifa and Denzel while I am away," Cloud replied.

"You act like you will never see them again," Vincent said almost accusingly.

"I just have a bad feeling, whatever is going on, I need you to keep an eye on them, that brings me to the main reason why I called you here. Reeve called me and asked me to meet him, he didn't say why but I have a feeling that it isn't good, so keep this to yourself and watch out for them will you?" Cloud asked almost pleading.

"Sure, I will, but Cloud now I must ask you to do something," Vincent replied.

"Yes?" Cloud asked.

"Where ever you go, come back alive, they need you," Vincent replied.

Cloud nodded and started up Fenrir and with one final wave, sped off leaving Vincent watching until he disappeared.


Cloud rode full speed for two days until he reached his destination, a secluded area in a forest outside of his hometown of Nibelheim. Cloud dismounted and headed into the middle of the small clearing and found Reeve waiting for him.

"Cloud, faster than I expected," Reeve said.

"You said it was important," Cloud replied.

"I am afraid it is more than important, if what we have discovered happens to be true, the planet may be in danger," Reeve said.

"What happened?" Cloud asked.

"We have reports of odd activity in the mako reactor on Mount Nibel," Reeve started.

"What do you mean?" Cloud asked.

"The townspeople reported that Shinra journeyed up there, they said that a squad of a dozen soldiers marched up there a week ago, but none of them came back," Reeve replied.

"What?!" Cloud demanded.

"Even more so disturbing was that five of the townspeople went after them to discover what had become of them, but they too didn't come back," Reeve continued.

"Something is wrong, I am going up there," Cloud said as he turned to leave.

"By yourself?" Reeve asked fearfully.

"Yeah, I will get to the bottom of this," Cloud said as he mounted Fenrir, waved to Reeve and sped off towards Nibelheim.

"Good luck Cloud," Reeve said as he disappeared into the forest.


Meanwhile, back in Midgar at Tifa's bar, Tifa was busily serving customers with the help of Yuffie. Tifa sighed as her gaze fell on a photo of Cloud with his new Buster sword over his shoulder. Tifa begged him to pose for it and she was glad now. She had not seen Cloud since they stopped Kadaj. She couldn't understand why he left, but she blamed herself partially. If only she had let him know how she truly felt. The truth was she was in love with him but never got the chance to tell him. Yuffie knew, Tifa never told her but she knew.

"Cloud," Tifa sighed.

"Tifa, why don't you take a break and go get some air?" Yuffie offered with a knowing look.

"I'm okay," Tifa replied.

"It's him isn't it?" Yuffie asked.

Tifa only nodded but was interrupted by the bell that signaled a new customer. Both girls looked up and were stunned at who walked through the door. It was Vincent.

"Vincent!" Yuffie cried as she launched herself into his arms.

"Hey Yuffie," Vincent replied as he caught her.

"What a surprise, how are you can I get you anything?" Tifa asked.

"No, I can't stay long, we need to talk," Vincent replied.

Tifa and Yuffie nodded and led him to the back where Marlene and Denzel were playing.

"Hi Vincent!" Marlene greeted.

"You two go upstairs we need to talk to Vincent for a minute," Tifa replied.

The kids nodded and disappeared as the three sat down.

"What is it?" Tifa asked.

"I saw Cloud today," Vincent replied.

"Really?! Where?!" Tifa cried excitedly.

"On the outskirts of Midgar," Vincent replied.

"Why is he avoiding us?" Tifa asked.

"He isn't doing it because he wants to, I won't betray Cloud's trust but I can tell you one thing. Cloud told me he was summoned by Reeve, I am not sure why but it isn't good from the way Cloud talked," Vincent replied.

"What? Why is he going it alone?" Tifa asked.

"He did not tell me anything about that, but I believe I can answer for him. When he is alone, he can focus better, if any of us were trying to help him he would be too concerned for our well being. Foolish, but that is the way Cloud is. Now Tifa, I must ask you something, well two things," Vincent replied.

"Yes?" Tifa asked.

"First, I want to know your feelings towards Cloud," Vincent replied.

"What do you mean?" Tifa asked.

"You know what I mean, do you love him?" Vincent asked.

"Y-yes," Tifa replied.

"I see, so my suspicions were correct and he doesn't even know," Vincent said.

"Know what?" Tifa asked.

"Cloud doesn't know how you feel does he?" Vincent asked.

"No, I never told him," Tifa replied.

"Why?" Vincent asked.

"I didn't want to burden him, besides he loved Aeris," Tifa replied sadly.

"Heh, it seems I was the only one who knew then," Vincent said.

"Knew what?" Tifa asked.

"Cloud did love Aeris, but not like all of you thought, he loved her like a sister, Zack was Aeris's boyfriend," Vincent replied.

"So you mean...?" Tifa started.

"I cannot be sure, but Tifa you ought to tell Cloud, he may reciprocate, and if so your love will make him powerful. Because then he not only would fight for the common good, but he would fight for you," Vincent replied.

"Now for my second question, do you have a room I can stay in?" Vincent asked.

"What?" Tifa asked surprised.

"I made a promise to a friend that I would keep an eye on things," Vincent said evasively.

"It was Cloud wasn't it?" Tifa asked.

"You can stay in my room Vincent," Yuffie replied wiggling her eyebrows.

"Yuffie!" Tifa scolded.

"What?" Yuffie asked.

"Well, I don't have a problem with it I guess, but remember Marlene and Denzel are here too so I don't have to say anything else do I?" Tifa asked.

"Don't worry Tifa, I understand, even if Yuffie doesn't," Vincent replied smirking at Yuffie who glared back at him.


Cloud rode into Nibelheim and dismounted Fenrir. The town was quiet, Cloud latched his many swords that fit together onto his back and started for the mountain trail. As he got to the outskirts by the mansion, he saw a little girl huddled in a corner crying. Cloud approached her and she looked up in fear. Cloud raised his hands in a friendly gesture.

"It's alright, I won't hurt you what happened?" Cloud asked.

"The men of the town organized a small militia and headed up the mountain less than an hour ago, I'm scared," the girl replied.

"I am going up there, everything is going to be okay," Cloud said.

The girl nodded and then took off for her house. Cloud returned his attention to the mountain trail and started the long hike up. He didn't have to go far when he spotted one of the men staggering towards him. He was bloody and in bad shape. Cloud caught the man as he struggled to stand, Cloud leaned him against a rock and the man coughed up a large amount of blood.

"What happened?" Cloud asked.

"T-they came from nowhere, m-monsters...fierce and s-strong," the man struggled.

"Where are the others?" Cloud asked.

"I-I don't k-know, they c-could b-be dead," the man said as more blood spilled from his mouth.

"Alright save your strength, you are going to be okay," Cloud encouraged.

But as Cloud made to pick him up, the man was dead and Cloud confirmed by checking his pulse. He found none.

"Damn," Cloud said as he stood.

With a new resolve, Cloud continued on, not knowing what horror awaited him.


Reeve decided to call backup for Cloud and his options were slim so he decided to try Cid.

"Hello?" Cid answered the phone.

"Cid, it's Reeve, I must ask you for a favor," Reeve replied.

"What do ya want?" Cid asked.

"Cloud has gone to the mountains in Nibelheim, I am afraid that he is in danger, he went alone. I understand you still have an airship?" Reeve asked.

"You want me to back him up and provide an escape for him don't ya?" Cid asked.

"Yes, if not for me, do it for Cloud?" Reeve asked.

"Well, I owe Cloud a lot, and he is a friend, don't worry I will see to him," Cid replied.

"Thank you Cid, and be careful," Reeve warned as he hung up.


Cloud traveled across the first bridge and found the first signs of battle. It seemed that the militia fought the local breed of mutated animals, courtesy of the reactor and the mako it contained. Two bodies Cloud could see of the militia and three wolves. Cloud continued on but heard a growling noise. He turned quickly drawing his buster sword as a wolf leapt off the top of the cliff straight at him. Cloud sliced downwards and cleaved the beast in half, it was a wonder any of the men had survived, then again the blacksmith was very good at making weapons. Cloud's attention was drawn to gunfire, yells, and a few screams. Cloud sprinted further up the mountain to help the struggling militia, he found them not too far up the winding slope retreating from a huge beast that Cloud could not identify.

"Get back!" Cloud ordered.

The men turned in surprise, but quickly obeyed as they saw Cloud raise his massive sword up preparing to attack. Cloud slammed it into the ground sending a powerful shockwave at the monster. The monster roared in pain as the attack slammed into it. The men decided to aid Cloud and fired their rifles at the beast. Cloud now took the time to examine it, the head was distorted but it looked a lot like a snake's head. The body was of a reptilian nature with scales, instead of arms it had long tentacles. The bottom half resembled a dragon with clawed feet and a massive tail. But the interesting part about this creature was the large brain on top of its head encased in a glass box it seemed. Cloud leapt high and brought his sword down on the glass surrounding the brain but found to his surprise that it didn't even crack. Cloud back flipped away and landed in front of the beast. However he was forced to roll sideways as the monster tried to stomp on him. Cloud recovered and slashed at its leg. The beast stumbled but was far from finished. Cloud separated his weapon into two swords and prepared for the beast to attack again. Cloud was surprised as the beast was being hit again by the militia, Cloud took advantage of its momentary distraction and leapt towards its head. Once he was in range, Cloud brought his swords down in a scissor cut slashing its neck hoping to behead it. When he landed he found that the head was not severed but he had done a great deal of damage.

"This is no ordinary monster, what the hell is going on?" Cloud asked.

The beast began to whip its tail around at Cloud who began hopping around to avoid its lethal spikes. Cloud carefully leapt with precision and landed on its back and sprinted up to the head. While he ran, Cloud sheathed his swords and pulled materia from his pouch and pushed it into his left arm. Cloud reached the head gathering energy and with impressive power unleashed a deadly lightning attack on the encased brain. As Cloud guessed, the electricity did not penetrate the glass shield, however, the lightning coursed through its body and invaded the shield from within its body. Cloud watched as the lightning ripped through the brain, frying it. The beast screamed in pain and writhed for a few minutes before it became limp and collapsed dead. Cloud jumped off and approached the surviving militia men.

"Is everyone alright?" Cloud asked.

They nodded but were still in shock from what happened.

"Good, you should leave now, go back I will take care of this," Cloud ordered.

"The others can do what they want but I am coming with you," one spoke up.

"Well, Zanyan, it is good to see you," Cloud replied.

"You have become an incredible man Cloud Strife, allow me to accompany you," Zanyan requested.

"Fine, but it is going to be very dangerous," Cloud warned.

Zanyan nodded and Cloud shrugged as he turned to continue up the mountain with Zanyan falling into step behind him.

AN: Okay there we go, again let me know if you like it, be gentle though this is my first one in this universe, lol. Also, my stories tend to get very dark and violent so here's fair warning. However there will be light moments and some romance thrown in to so until next time!

Dragonthunder89