Defiers of Fate
Living in a world controlled by the Shinra fal'cie, Cloud and friends are bestowed the Focus to bring ruin.
Fiction Rated: M Adventure/Drama

Chapter 1: Lost Hope

"I'm home now, Cloud."

Thats all the voice mail said when he checked it after dropping off his Mission report to Lazard at the SOLDIER's Headquarters. Tifa sounded unlike herself in that message, as if she was lost. Was she upset that he couldn't go with her to the Gold Saucer like she asked? He thought to himself. Hopefully telling her the news that he did get the day off tomorrow for his 21st birthday would brighten her day. He never liked taking off days for himself, but Tifa scolding him for not overworking too much made him reconsider. Especially with her ending argument.

"This will be a good time to spend with Aerith. You wanna be there for her, right?"

He sighed, thinking of Aerith. His older cousin was in her last year of college at Edge University in the skycity above, and with her parents passing away he took her in. He at least owed them that after raising him and Tifa since ten years ago. Unfortunately he felt like he failed since the beginning of summer of her living with him, he has been out on mission after mission not realizing she was indeed getting into trouble — with Zack Fair.

Zack is a good guy he can admit, was a good friend, but the biggest hypocrite when it came to SOLDIER in his mind. Ever since the beginning of his SOLDIER days when he met Zack, the guy would talk of "honor" and "dreams of becoming a real hero" and was there to give a pep talk to Cloud whenever it was needed. Cloud thought of quitting once a year ago thinking he would never make it into 1st Class, but Zack was there to remind him of the reason why he joined SOLDIER.

"Embrace your dreams. If you want to be a hero you need to have dreams... and honor."

He scoffed thinking of the line that Zack swore he lived by, and ended up quitting anyway last spring before their promotion. Zack turned in his resignation after his mission with Sephiroth and Angeal, without talking to Cloud why. Not much was known about the mission except Zack's team left early, and during an attack Angeal's team was killed off, all except Sephiroth.

He shook his head, trying to rid the thoughts. He had enough thinking done about Zack's stupidity. He just hope he wouldn't drag Aerith down with him...

Exiting the SOLDIER Headquarters he strolled down the busy street in Midgar towards Seventh Heaven, passing the TV Station. Cloud pushed his way through crowd in front of the giant screen outside the entrance, dismissing it as it being 5 o'clock, the news was starting.

"This is Lebreau Maqs with an urgent Shinra News bulletin. Last night during the Pompa Shinra parade at Gold Saucer terrorists attacked the Carbuncle fal'cie. This prompted the fal'cie to appoint a Shinra L'Cie for protection. Identification of the Shinra L'Cie is classified The Shinra say to respect the wishes of the family. Next is the Edge Festival celebrating its 30th year with Terra Vestige—"

He heard enough. Realizing who the Shinra L'Cie could be, he ran to Tifa's bar. Tifa wasn't herself in the message, and he had a feeling why. If only he could have been there, she would still be there with her smiling face.

Entering the bar, he spotted Tifa behind the counter mixing a drink for a customer. She looked up at him and give him a fake smile to welcome him. Why does she do this?

Ignoring the rules he made his way behind the bar, grabbing her arm he pulled her in the back telling the customer to excuse them.

"Cloud, what are—"

"Where's Marlene?"

He saw the flicker of sadness in her eyes, her gaze now on the floor. Her saying it would be final, and they both knew it.

"Tifa?"

"She's the one. She's a Shinra L'Cie," Tifa replied quietly, under her breath. He heard her sniffle, and that was his que to warp his arms around her, his hand resting on her head.

"Where is she?"

"She's being held by the military."

"PSICOM?"

Shivering, she nodded into his chest. "Yes, their running tests, trying to figure out her Focus."

And that is when Tifa cried for the first time in a long time.

"Thats why you called me out here for? You're kidding, right?," Zack asked. He hoped Aerith was joking, he thought the world of her, even buying rings for them the other day. He was hoping to propose to her tonight, but now he's plans were up in the air. She called him out to Midgar Park to talk, and was now dumping him. Luckilly the fountain area was very absent of the public walking around. Everyone was busy with the Edge Festival it seemed.

Aerith couldn't look at him in the eye after she spoke her words. "I mean it, its over Zack." She got up from the edge of the fountain and walked off, leaving him there. Shaking his head, he decided to go after her.

"You can't drop the break up bomb like that Aerith, not without a reason."

She was still walking, and he was still following.

"We've come too far Aerith," he pressed, hopefully she listen to reason.

Turning around, still not looking at him, she spoke. "I don't want to! I have to... just stay away from me." She tried walking away, but he grabbed her arm, pulling her around to face him again.

"What happened Aerith? You at least owe me that."

She still couldn't look at him.

"If its something I did, just say it."

And that is when Aerith cried. "Its not your fault, Zack.."

Pulling her chin up, making her look at him, he pressed on again, "Then what is it?"

Taking a deep breath, she nodded and stepped back. He crossed his arms, ready to listen.

Moving the bangles on her left wrist aside, was a strange tattoo she revealed. It was very abstract and ridged with its design, with what appeared to be a red eye in the center. His eyes looked more deeply at her wrist, the reason piecing together into his head now why she was acting like this. Realizing, he took in a sharp breath.

"Branded by Terra, I'm a L'Cie," she explained.

"No...," he turned away. He couldn't see her like this.

"You understand now Zack? I'm an enemy to Gaia," she spat out.

This isn't how it was supposed to be... but he wasn't going to let fate get in the way!

"What is your Focus?" Walking towards her, he lifted her wrist looking at her brand again, then into her eyes. He noticed the tears there.

"What do you mean Zack?"

"L'Cie have a Focus, right? As your boyfriend, I can't let you do that alone." He smiled at her to show her no matter what, he won't leave her. Not over a silly thing such as fate.

"But what about the Shinra, and Cloud—," the look of alarm was true on her face. Having Cloud being the one to hunt her down was a devastating thought.

"You're not gonna be alone in this. So tell me, what is your Focus?"

"I don't really know. I only saw images, and they were of Terra Vestige, where it happened." She looked down, thinking. He never seen her so depressed before. Aerith was always happy, sincere, making everyone around her feel good. Now she had the weight of her FoCus on her.

"Then thats where we'll go!," he pulled on her arm to leave. He wasn't gonna let her turn into a Cie'th. He wasn't gonna let her be burdened by this.

"No! I mean, we will. Tomorrow, after Cloud's birthday. If I'm gonna turn to crystal, I want to spend time with my family first."

"Alright, we do this tomorrow. But tonight, your going to the Edge Festival with me. That's my request," he leaned into her face, not wanting to take no for an answer.

She pushed him away, laughing. "Alright, we'll go see the fireworks."

Even though their hope was a lost cause, he wanted her to still smile. Tonight was going to be their night.

AN: Reviews are most welcome of letting me know what you think, especially criticism. I need to grow as a writer since its been a few years since I wrote a story, and that was only a one-shot. So if you have questions, suggestions, anything, don't hesitate!

Also, as for the name of the stories and chapters, I'm going with the theme of the tracklist just so you know.

Special thanks to Valentine'sNinja for offering help when needed!