A Mutant's Revenge II: Stigma's End
Chapter 1: Strife and Fair Delivery Service
(Zack's POV)
The Life Stream, I guess you could say that it's the life force of this planet. Plants, animals and even humans are filled with the Life Stream's energy, and when they die their souls return to the Life Stream where they're reborn into other life forms.
However, the balance of the Planet was upset when Shinra Inc the most powerful energy company in the world started to harvest the Life Stream with their reactors and created Mako energy. This Mako energy was used to power people's homes, other buildings and even the vehicles. Sure Mako provided every city on the Planet with energy, but the very essence of the Planet was being damaged.
But Shinra didn't stop there. Not only were they the most successful power company in the world, they also had a very powerful army. Within that army was a special division called SOLDIER, the members of SOLDIER were enhanced by MAKO infusions and JENOVA cells. I'm sorry to say that I was once a member of SOLDIER until I opened my eyes and saw them for what they really were.
But the most powerful SOLDIER of all was Sephiroth, he was once my friend and my hero. That was until we visited the Mako reactor in Nibelheim where he discovered that he was created from the cells of an organism known as JENOVA. Sephiroth went insane and destroyed Nibelheim, however one man whose strength was greatly underestimated defeated Sephiroth and ended his threat.
That was until he showed up five years later with a grudge against Shinra, and eventually he tried to destroy the world by summoning Meteor.
Aerith, a young Cetra and the love of my life knew of his plan and tried to stop him, almost getting herself killed in the process. Myself and Avalanche pursued Sephiroth to the very centre of the world. Despite Sephiroth's power we were able to defeat him, but Meteor was already in the Planet's atmosphere falling towards Midgar. Myself, Vincent and Yuffie evacuated the city while Aerith called upon the power of the Life Stream itself to destroy Meteor and save the world.
However, the damage had already been done. With Midgar in ruins a new city called Edge was built, which the citizens of Midgar now call home. Two years had passed since the Meteor incident and still people are finding their feet, still the Planet hasn't fully recovered.
Also a new threat has been creeping out of the shadows...Geostigma, a mysterious new disease that has been infecting and killing people. Aerith says that it's to do with JENOVA's remains infecting the Life Stream, but is this the price that we have to pay for our ignorance?
(Normal POV)
Zack was sat on his Fenrir, a bike that Reeve had very kindly custom made for him, Reeve also custom made a Fenrir for Cloud. He was wearing black jeans, a black shirt with a gold dragon pattern on it with a short sleeved open navy blue jacket. He wore a black leather belt with a golden dragon buckle, black leather gloves and black boots. Zack also wore goggles over his eyes to hide them and his katana scabbard was strapped to his belt.
Zack looked left and right down the street where he saw a young girl carrying a Moogle doll, several boys walked over to the girl and pushed her to the ground. "Hey watch it freak!" One of the boys yelled as the others laughed.
"Leave me alone..." The girl wailed as she tried to stand up but another boy pushed her down.
They looked down at her arms and saw the black blotches on them, "man you really are a freak!" A second boy yelled as he kicked the girl.
"Ow!" The girl yelled as she clasped her hands tightly round her stomach, Zack growled at this as he bared his teeth showing his fangs and his animal like pupils narrowed with angry focus under his goggles.
Another boy snatched the Moogle doll from the girl's hand, "is this you're only friend..." the boy asked mockingly as he threw it to one of his friends.
The girl staggered to her feet, "give it back! That was my brother's! It's all I have left of him!" The girl shouted as she ran at the boy who had her doll.
"Ok then...here you go," the boy stated as he held the doll out to the girl. The girl reached out for it but the boy quickly pulled it back. "Psyche!" He yelled before throwing it to another one of his friends.
The boys continued to laugh as they played their cruel game causing the girl to cry. Unable to take it any more Zack got off his bike and walked down the street towards the boys. "Hey!" He yelled causing the boys to stop what they were doing and look at Zack. "Leave her alone! She did nothing to you!"
"Stay out of this!" One of the boys yelled, "this is between us and the Stigma freak!" He added as he pointed at the girl.
"A group of boys picking on a young lady..." Zack uttered shaking his head. "Not very gentleman like."
"What's it to you..." another boy scoffed as his friends snickered.
"You know, I really hate bullies," Zack replied as he took a step closer to the group. "They're nothing but cowards, now you give the girl her doll back and we can forget the whole thing."
"And if we refuse..." the lead boy asked stubbornly as he looked up at Zack with a cocky grin and his arms folded.
Zack sighed, "I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this..." Zack uttered in annoyance before he removed his goggles to reveal his golden yellow animal like eyes.
The boys started to back away in fear, "wait a minute I think I know this guy..." one of the boys spoke up. "All the adults talk about him...apparently he's half man half beast..."
"I heard he was one of Shinra's experiments that escaped and is now trying to pass himself off as human..." another boy added.
Zack sighed before rolling his eyes, "wow...you kids have really done your homework..." he muttered sarcastically as he glared at the boys. "Now...are you gonna give this girl her doll back or am I gonna have to beat you up until you do?" Zack asked as he cracked his knuckles.
"You can't do anything to us..." the lead boy stated, however his voice shook as his whole body quivered in fear. "We're minors..."
Zack sighed as he advanced towards the kids, "you really think I give a shit right now..." Zack asked a little irritated. "You really think I care about a bunch of punk ass bullies like you?" Zack added as his eyes flashed menacingly causing the other boys to back away in fear.
"Dude...I think we should get out of here..." One of the boys uttered as they continued to back away.
"Why..." the lead boy asked.
"Didn't you see the glow in his eyes?" Another boy answered as he pointed at Zack's eyes. "That's the mark of SOLDIER..."
"SOLDIER..." the lead boy uttered in response, "but I thought they disbanded after the fall of Shinra..."
"They have..." Zack answered as he smirked evilly at the boy, "but there are still some ex SOLDIERs around...and I haven't had a good fight in a while...and it's making me cranky..." He stated as his evil grin grew wider showing his fangs.
"Let's get out of here!" The lead boy yelled as he backed away from Zack and tripped up over a pebble, he dropped the Moogle doll and picked himself up as he and his cronies ran off.
Zack sighed and shook his head, "they never learn..." he muttered to himself as he picked the doll up and walked over to the girl. "Are you ok?" He asked as he held his hand out to the girl.
"Yeah," the girl answered as she took Zack's hand, Zack then pulled her up. "Thank you, for standing up for me..."
"I just really hate bullies," Zack replied as he looked in the direction the bullies ran off in. "They're cowards..."
"Were you really gonna beat them up?" The girl asked as she looked up at Zack.
"Nah..." Zack replied as he smiled warmly at the girl. "I was bluffing...but all they saw was an ex SOLDIER beggin' for a fight."
The girl laughed at this before she sighed sadly, "I lost my family to Geostigma," she told Zack as she hung her head. "Now I have it...and people...well...you saw for yourself what people think of me..."
Zack sighed, "people are just...ignorant..." he told the girl. "They fear those who are different..."
"You're different..." The girl replied causing Zack to look at her. "But in a good way..." she added quickly.
"Don't worry...I'm used to the dirty looks and people thinking that I'm a monster..." Zack told the girl, "it doesn't really bother me anymore."
The girl nodded before she started coughing up black ooze, "I've been doing that a lot lately," she informed Zack.
"You don't have to explain yourself to me," Zack reassured the girl as he patted her shoulder. "I know someone who's got Geostigma too."
"You do..." The girl asked Zack suddenly intrigued.
"Yeah I do," Zack answered, "he's round about your age. He's really sick but...he tries to remain positive, and that's all you can do." Zack told the girl, "oh, I think this is yours," he added as he gave the Moogle doll back to the girl.
"Thanks," the girl replied gratefully as she hugged the doll.
"It's really important to you huh," Zack commented as he pointed to the doll.
"It once belonged to my brother," the girl stated as she looked down at the doll. "He was the first to die...it's all I have left."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Zack apologised.
"It's ok," the girl replied kindly. "My name's Fiona."
"I'm Zack," Zack told Fiona his name. "Do you have anywhere to go?"
"No," Fiona answered as she shook her head. "I have no where, but I'll be ok."
"Are you sure?" Zack asked as he gave the girl a concerned look.
"Yeah," Fiona answered as she nodded her head.
"Well if you're sure," Zack finally said still concerned about the girl. "Listen, if you need anything, you just come find me, I'm always around."
"Thanks," Fiona replied gratefully as she smiled at Zack. "I will," she added before she ran off.
Zack smiled as he saw this before he walked over to his bike and sat down on it. He sighed before driving off. Zack left Edge and entered the neighbouring town of Kalm and stopped outside a house. He sighed before taking a large package off the back of his bike before walking up to the house and he rang the door bell.
Zack could hear the sound of footsteps before the door opened and a middle aged and gruff looking man answered. "Strife and Fair delivery service," Zack stated in a cheerful manner as he held out the package to the man. "I have a package for you."
"You're an hour late…" the man muttered irritably as he glared at Zack.
"About that…" Zack explained in a polite manner, "you see my partner was supposed to deliver your package, but he seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth. So I had to deliver it, it was supposed to be my day off today…"
"You know I could always take my business elsewhere…" the man snapped as he glared at Zack.
"Don't do that," Zack begged the man. "Look, maybe I can let you have the package for half price. My way of saying sorry for causing you any inconvenience."
The man thought about it, "alright…" the man gave in as he reached into his pocket for his wallet and gave some money to Zack. "I guess I can live with that, but you'd better tell your partner to get his ass in gear."
"Don't worry," Zack replied, "I'll be having some very stern words with my partner." Zack turned round and walked away from the door. "If I can find him…" Zack muttered the last part as he got on to his bike and started to make his way back to Edge.
Meanwhile in the Seventh Heaven Aerith and Tifa were working in the bar, Aerith had picked up some glasses and was walking passed a table full of drunk young men. "Hey baby…" one of the man said to Aerith in a flirty manner. "Wanna have a good time…"
"Sorry, I'm spoken for," Aerith replied as she walked away from the table. The man however stood up and grabbed Aerith by the wrist.
"Maybe I didn't make myself clear…" the man uttered much more aggressively as he brought his face so close to Aerith's that she could smell the booze on his breath.
"You're drunk…" Aerith stated trying to remain calm. "And you're hurting me…"
"I always get what I want babe…" the man stated before Aerith punched him hard in the face causing him to let go of her wrist.
"Why you little…" the man uttered as he charged at Aerith. However Tifa saw what was going on and she ran over, she grabbed the man's hand before he could punch Aerith and she squeezed hard causing the man to wince in pain.
"If you hurt my best friend or any of my customers then I will personally put you in the hospital…" Tifa threatened as she glared at the man.
"I was only flirting with her…" the man defended his actions.
"That's not the way I saw it," Tifa stated. "She said no, now you're drunk I think you and your friends should leave."
"And if we refuse…" the man asked in a cocky manner.
"You either leave now with your dignity intact or I throw you out," Tifa threatened again as she released the man's hand.
"Let's get out of here!" The man yelled as he and his friends staggered out of the bar.
Tifa sighed before she turned round to face Aerith, "are you ok?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Aerith answered as she smiled at Tifa. "Thanks."
"Any time," Tifa replied. She smiled as she saw Aerith admiring a ring on her finger. "I still can't believe that Zack actually proposed to you," Tifa uttered still in disbelieve.
"I know," Aerith responded with a smirk. "I was surprised myself."
"You still haven't told me how he proposed," Tifa reminded Aerith.
"Well…" Aerith started to say as Tifa listened intently
(Flashback)
It was nightfall as Zack and Aerith entered the giant shell house which led to the entrance of the Forgotten City of the Ancients. "I still never fully understand why the entrance is only open at night." Zack stated as he and Aerith descended the crystal staircase which led to the city itself.
"Maybe it was some sort of defence mechanism," Aerith theorised as the two continued to walk down the stairs. "To stop outsiders from getting in."
"Maybe," Zack replied as he thought about it. "The Cetra were very mysterious."
"They weren't the only ones that were mysterious," Aerith responded as she gave Zack a suspicious look. "Why did we come all the way here?"
"I just thought it would be nice if we had some time to ourselves for a while." Zack stated as they finally entered the city.
Zack and Aerith looked around, the city hadn't changed at all since they were there two years ago. "I haven't been here since Sephiroth almost killed me…" Aerith thought to herself as she looked at the altar where she had prayed for Holy.
"If this place brings back too many bad memories we can always go somewhere else," Zack offered.
"It's ok," Aerith replied as she smiled. "This place is beautiful and it holds a special power over me, besides if I were to avoid it because of a memory then Sephiroth has won. Besides, no one's going to want to harm me this time." Aerith added as she smiled at Zack.
"Good point," Zack replied as he picked Aerith up. "The altar seems like a good spot," he added as he leapt from pillar to pillar still holding on to Aerith until they reached the altar. Zack then lowered Aerith to the ground and the two sat down.
"This place is pretty romantic," Aerith stated as she stared admiringly at the lake which glowed a soft green colour since the White Materia had fallen in there.
"Yeah," Zack agreed as he wrapped his arms round Aerith before he changed into his drag human form. "This could be our special place, somewhere we can come to when we want to be alone."
"That's just what I was thinking," Aerith uttered as she smirked at Zack. "Our own little special spot."
"The water looks refreshing," Zack stated as Aerith stared at him but before she could say anything Zack dived into the lake.
"Zack?" Aerith yelled as she leaned over the railing and looked frantically into the lake to try and find Zack. A few seconds later Zack used his elemental powers to control some of the water to form a platform which he was stood on and he smirked at Aerith.
"Don't do that again!" Aerith yelled worried and angry at the same time.
"Relax," Zack stated still smirking as he grabbed Aerith and pulled her on to the water platform and he used his powers to slowly lower it.
"We're going to sink!" Aerith yelled in a panic as the two reached the lake. Zack's smirk grew wider as he held his hand down towards the lake and ice formed round his hand. Zack then thrust his hand into the water instantly freezing it and turning it to ice.
The water platform then lowered them safely on to the ice, "see we're fine," Zack stated reassuringly as he skated on the ice pulling Aerith with him.
"Your powers really have evolved," Aerith uttered in awe at the fact that Zack was able to freeze the entire lake with no trouble at all.
"I've been training them," Zack told Aerith as he smirked at her. "Also Vincent's been my sparring partner...when he's not busy with Yuffie."
"Yeah, last time I spoke to her she said their relationship was going really well," Aerith remarked as Zack pulled her closer to him.
"For now all I care about is you and me," Zack stated as he spun Aerith round on the ice before catching her. "Aerith, there's something I've been meaning to ask you for a while," the drag human stated in a more serious tone.
"What is it?" Aerith questioned as she stared at Zack curiously.
"Well..." Zack started to say before pausing. "I've been waiting for the right time to ask you, and I'd like an answer straight away."
"What's your question?" Aerith asked again unable to contain her curiosity.
Zack sighed before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. "Aerith, I've flirted with my share of women back in my SOLDIER days," Zack explained. "But...you were different from the other women and from the moment I met you I knew that you were the one for me. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you."
"You did..." Aerith uttered.
Zack nodded, "when I was being held captive in Nibelheim and Midgar, all I could think about was you." Zack admitted, "we've been going out for a while now and I wanted to take our relationship to the next level. Aerith..." Zack paused for a minute before he opened the box to reveal a beautiful golden ring adorned with a large diamond. "I will be the happiest man...well...man dragon if you would become my wife, so...will you marry me?"
Aerith gasped in shock unable to speak, "it was too soon wasn't it?" Zack asked slightly disappointed by Aerith's lack of response.
"No it's not that," Aerith explained herself, "it was just unexpected...it's a beautiful ring...but it looks really expensive..."
"You're worth it," Zack told Aerith as he took hold of her hand. "Also I'd been saving up for it for the last two years and business has been goin' well."
Aerith looked at the ring again before looking back up at Zack. "Yes," she said finally, "yes I will marry you."
Zack smiled at this, "really..." he asked.
"Yes," Aerith answered before she hugged Zack. After a moment Zack took hold of Aerith's hand again and put the ring on her finger. "I can't wait to tell everyone," Aerith stated excitedly as her smile grew wider.
"Oh...there's just one more thing," Zack told Aerith before he released Aerith and flew up into the air before diving through the ice and swimming down to the bottom of the lake.
The lake was cold from being frozen but it wasn't much of a bother for Zack as he quickly swam to the bottom and grabbed the glowing green orb that had been down there for nearly two years. He turned round and swam back up. Aerith was at the edge of the hole that Zack had made searching frantically for him before his head surfaced.
"You missed me?" Zack asked mischievously as Aerith scowled at him.
"Don't do that!" Aerith yelled slightly annoyed.
"Sorry..." Zack apologised as he climbed out of the water. "But I just wanted to get you this," he added as he held out the orb.
"My materia!" Aerith exclaimed as Zack gave it back to her. "This was my mother's I was so worried that I'd never get it back."
"And now you have," Zack told her.
"Thank you," Aerith thanked the drag human.
"You're welcome," Zack responded as he moved his face closer to Aerith's and the two kissed passionately.
(End Flashback)
"I never figured Zack to be a romantic," Tifa remarked as Aerith had finished telling her friend how Zack had proposed to her.
"He can be very romantic when he wants to be," Aerith stated as she looked back down at her ring.
"What kind of wedding is it gonna be?" Tifa asked curiously.
"Oh it's just gonna be a simple affair, just close friends and family," Aerith answered. "My mum's coming from Kalm and Zack's making arrangements with Cid to bring his parents from Gongaga."
"So...have you decided who's gonna be your maid of honour?" Tifa asked a hint of hopefulness in her voice.
"That's right," Aerith stated, "I almost forgot, Tifa, do you want to be my maid of honour?"
"Really..." Tifa uttered in both shock and excitement. "You want me to be your maid of honour..."
"Of course," Aerith answered as she hugged her friend. "I wouldn't ask anyone else, you're my best friend Tifa."
"And your my best friend too," Tifa responded.
The two women released each other as they heard the sound of the door opening and Zack entered. "Zack!" Aerith yelled excitedly as she ran over to Zack and wrapped her arms around him.
"Aerith..." Zack greeted back as he embraced her tightly. "How is the soon to be Mrs Fair?"
"I'm fine," Aerith answered.
Zack gave Aerith a sceptical stare, "you sure?" Zack asked a concerned expression on his face. "You look shaken up."
"I had a run in with a drunk customer," Aerith told Zack.
"What?" Zack yelled in both anger and shock. "Where is he? I'll kill the bastard!"
"Zack it's ok," Aerith uttered quickly as she took hold of Zack's hand to calm him down. "Tifa dealt with him, he's gone...he was just drunk...that's all."
"Are you sure you're ok?" Zack asked as he stroked the side of Aerith's face.
"I'm ok," Aerith reassured Zack.
Zack was about to respond but he didn't get much chance as Marlene ran into the room, "Zack!" She yelled excitedly as she ran towards Zack and dived at him hugging his waist.
"Hey kiddo," Zack greeted as he gave Marlene a friendly smile and picked her up. "You ok?"
"Yeah!" Marlene answered as she nodded. "Aerith said I could be the flower girl at your wedding."
"Did she now?" Zack questioned as he smirked at Aerith.
"How could I say no to such a cute little face..." Aerith answered as she smiled at Marlene.
"She is pretty cute," Zack agreed.
"Yep...I sure am," Marlene stated causing Zack, Aerith and Tifa to laugh.
They could hear the sound of footsteps as Denzel walked into the room, "Denzel, how are you feeling?" Aerith asked as she walked over to the boy and placed her hand on his head.
"I'm fine," Denzel answered quietly as he smiled at Aerith. "I feel a lot better than I did this morning."
"Well your temperature has gone down," Aerith stated as she smiled at Denzel.
"Hey Denzel, how are you holding up?" Zack asked concerned for the boy. He still remembered the day he found Denzel. The kid had certainly become a lot more open and cheerful now but he was still as sick as ever.
"I'm ok," Denzel answered as he smiled and nodded at Zack. "I mean all you can do is stay positive right?"
"Yeah, you're doin' great," Zack stated encouragingly.
"Where's Cloud?" Marlene asked as Aerith, Tifa and Zack exchanged awkward glances.
Zack put Marlene down and knelt in front of her before placing his hand on her shoulder. "Cloud..." he started to say thinking of what he could say to Marlene. "He's still away on deliveries..." Zack lied to the young girl.
"Will he be back soon?" Marlene questioned.
"Yeah..." Zack answered quickly as he gave a strained smile. "Of course he will...you know what some of these deliveries are like."
"Yeah...but...I wish he'd be back soon...because aren't you gonna ask him something important?" Marlene asked.
"Yeah...I am..." Zack answered.
Tifa could sense the awkwardness of the situation and she walked over to Marlene, "Marlene...why don't you and Denzel go and play outside for a while?" Tifa suggested as Zack removed his hand from Marlene's shoulder and stood up.
"Ok," Marlene stated happily as she ran over to Denzel. "Come on Denzel, let's go." Marlene added as she grabbed Denzel's hand and dragged him into the back.
"Hey...hold up..." Denzel's voice could be heard before the two kids went outside.
Zack sighed with relief as he smiled at Tifa, "thanks for the save," Zack stated gratefully. "I feel bad for lying to her..."
"So do I," Aerith added.
"I know...I wish Cloud didn't suddenly take off...he's left everything in such a mess..." Tifa stated sadly.
"Tifa...are you ok?" Aerith asked as she hugged her friend.
"I'm fine..." Tifa answered.
"Everything was going so well," Zack stated as he paced round in frustration. "We were all getting our lives back on track...and then Cloud suddenly leaves...without a word..."
Tifa sighed and Aerith looked at Zack, "I think Cloud's being very selfish at the moment," Aerith uttered angrily. "I can't believe he'd just leave like that."
"Look...when I find him...I'll talk to him," Zack told Aerith and Tifa. "Until then, his packages aren't gonna deliver themselves."
"Zack...you can't take on Cloud's workload as well as your own," Tifa responded concerned for her friend.
"It's fine," Zack reassured Tifa before yawning. "Just give me some coffee and I'll set off again."
"Oh no..." Aerith stated before she walked over to Zack and took hold of his arm. "You have been running yourself ragged since Cloud left."
"Aerith I can handle it," Zack told his fiancé.
"Your dragon powers can't protect you from sleep deprivation," Aerith informed Zack. "You have been pulling triple shifts...we need to hire someone else who can pick up some of the slack."
"Aerith...I don't have the time to train someone how to ride a bike for long distances and to fight against bandits and monsters..." Zack responded as he yawned again.
"I'm sure people can wait for their packages," Tifa cut in." In the meantime Aerith is right, Zack you've been pushing yourself too hard, you need sleep."
"Ok...just give me about fifteen minutes and I'll be fine..."Zack muttered sleepily as he shook his head repeatedly to stay awake.
Tifa sighed before walking into the kitchen and coming back out carrying a frying pan. Zack looked at her for a moment, "hey what are you doing with tha..." Zack started to ask but he didn't get the chance to finish the rest of his sentence as Tifa had whacked him on the head with the frying pan.
Zack fell to the floor unconscious, Aerith stared at Tifa in shock. "Tifa..." Aerith started to protest.
"Sorry but he really needs to sleep and if knocking him out is the only way to get him to do that then so be it," Tifa answered as she put the frying pan down on the bar.
"Help me get him into the back," Aerith requested as she grabbed Zack by the arm pits.
Tifa picked up Zack's legs and the two ladies slowly carried Zack's unconscious body into the back of the bar. "Damn...I should've got him in here first and then knocked him out..." Tifa uttered through gritted teeth.
"Let's just take him into the living room..." Aerith added as beads of sweat fell from her forehead.
"Damn...why did he have to be so heavy...?" Tifa grumbled as she and Aerith slowly carried Zack into the living room."
They put Zack down on the sofa and sighed with relief, "I feel bad for doing this," Aerith stated as she stared at the unconscious Zack lying on the sofa.
"It had to be done," Tifa told Aerith. "Zack's too stubborn he feels like he has to do everything since Cloud left and well...he needs sleep."
"I know what you mean," Aerith agreed, she didn't have time to say much else as Marlene and Denzel ran into the room and saw Zack.
"Is he ok?" Denzel asked as he gave Zack a concerned look.
"He's just sleeping," Aerith answered as Zack growled slightly in his sleep.
"Why does he have a bump on his head?" Marlene questioned.
"Errr..." Tifa uttered as she tried to think of how to explain it. "Zack was so exhausted that he hit his head on something," Tifa lied as Marlene and Denzel gave her a sceptical stare.
"Ok...it's getting late you two," Aerith quickly changed the subject. "You two should go upstairs."
"Awww...but we want to stay up..." Marlene sulked as she gave Aerith and Tifa a puppy dog expression.
"Sorry Marlene but we promised your dad that you wouldn't stay up late every night," Tifa told Marlene. "Come on...upstairs..."
"If you go upstairs now I'll join you to read you both a bedtime story," Aerith promised.
"Sounds good to me...I'm feeling pretty tired anyway," Denzel stated as he yawned. "Come on Marlene," Denzel added as he took Marlene by the hand and the two of them walked up the stairs.
Aerith and Tifa smirked at this before they returned to the bar and continued to serve customers as Zack continued to sleep.
A couple of hours later Zack woke up, "uuuuhhh..." he moaned as he slowly sat up and held his head. "What happened..." he asked himself as he slowly staggered to his feet and stumbled into the bar.
"Zack...you're awake..." Aerith uttered as she stared at the drag human.
"Yeah...why does my head hurt?" Zack questioned as he stared at Aerith and Tifa.
"You didn't want to sleep so I hit you on the head with the frying pan," Tifa admitted. "Me and Aerith struggled to carry you into the back...you're really heavy by the way."
"Gee thanks..." Zack muttered as he folded his arms.
"Zack...we just didn't want you to exhaust yourself," Aerith told Zack as she walked over to him and grabbed hold of his arm.
"I know...I guess I have been working too hard," Zack agreed with Aerith. "But that's only because I want to make as much money as possible to give you the perfect wedding."
"I don't care what kind of wedding it is, as long as we get married," Aerith stated. "I don't want you to work yourself to the point of exhaustion...promise me you'll take it easy from now on."
"Ok...I promise," Zack promised Aerith as he hugged her.
"How about I help you two out here," Zack offered.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt for you to help out for a little while," Tifa replied as Zack got behind the bar and helped to serve drinks.
After another hour the bar door opened and Cissnei entered, "Cissnei," Aerith greeted the woman cheerfully as Cissnei walked over to the bar.
"Hi Aerith, Tifa, Zack," Cissnei greeted back. "This place is doing great," she added.
"Thanks," Tifa responded happily. "What can I get you?" She asked.
"Oh, I'll just have a Bacardi and coke," Cissnei ordered as Tifa got the drink.
"The others aren't with you?" Zack asked as Cissnei shook her head.
"No, they're on a mission somewhere," Cissnei answered as Tifa gave Cissnei her drink.
"That'll be 2gil," Tifa told Cissnei the price of the drink and Cissnei paid Tifa.
"Where are they?" Zack asked curiously.
"I can't tell you, it's official WRO business," Cissnei answered as she took a sip from her drink.
"You're not working today?" Aerith asked.
"No I had the day off today," Cissnei answered as she took another sip. "I just decided to come in here for a quiet drink."
"I wish Reno and Rude were off today," Tifa stated. "Surprisingly they're good for business."
"Yeah, given the amount of alcohol they drink," Cissnei agreed. "Plus the drinking contests they have."
"Well at least they're not violent drunks," Zack stated as he had finished serving a customer.
"Oh is that your engagement ring?" Cissnei questioned as she pointed at the ring on Aerith's finger.
"Yeah," Aerith answered happily as she found herself admiring the ring again.
"It's so beautiful," Cissnei stated as she too admired Aerith's ring. "I can't believe Zack actually picked it out for you."
"Hey...I'm right here you know," Zack stated sulkily as he cleaned a glass. "And just so you know I'm not so bad at picking out jewellery or hair accessories for that matter...after all I picked out that cute pink ribbon for Aerith."
"That's true," Aerith stated, "but Cissnei was complimenting you."
"Yeah," Cissnei agreed with Aerith.
"Oh Cissnei, do you want to be one of my brides maids?" Aerith asked.
Cissnei stared at Aerith in shock, "R...really..." Cissnei stammered as Aerith nodded. "I'd love to!"
"Thank you Cissnei," Aerith replied gratefully as the two women hugged.
"Well, I guess that's just Elena and Yuffie to ask," Aerith stated as Zack nodded.
"And you still need to find a best man Zack," Tifa added as she stared at the drag human.
"When I find Cloud I'll ask him," Zack stated frustrated that he was constantly being reminded of finding a best man.
Cissnei finished her drink when her phone rang, she answered it. "Hello?" Cissnei spoke into the phone.
"Cissnei, it's Rude," Rude responded on the phone. "You need to return to base...the mission didn't go as well as we planned."
"What happened?" Cissnei questioned looking concerned.
"We just need you to return, the boss was asking for you," was all Rude said.
Cissnei sighed as she heard this, Rude was never much of a talker but that never really bothered her much. In fact she had gotten used to it during her time in the Turks and she knew that Rude wasn't going to change that now. "Ok, I'm on my way," Cissnei stated before she hung up on the phone.
"Something wrong?" Aerith asked Cissnei.
"I've just been called back to base," Cissnei answered. "Well I better go, thanks for the drink," Aerith, Zack and Tifa said their goodbyes to Cissnei before she moved away from the bar and walked out of the door.
"I wonder why she was called back to base," Zack stated curiously.
"Me too," Tifa added just as curiously.
"You know how it is, top secret stuff...can't really be discussed," Aerith informed the two.
"Oh Zack...before I forget I got some more flower samples," Aerith added quickly changing the subject causing Zack to sigh.
"More flowers..." Zack questioned in an exasperated tone as Aerith nodded.
"Yep," Aerith answered cheerfully as she smiled at Zack. "I thought that since it was quiet we could test out the new samples I was sent."
"I don't know Aerith," Zack stated sceptically. "I've had allergic reactions to the other flowers you've brought home."
"The roses were nice," Aerith stated.
"They caused me to sneeze fire uncontrollably," Zack responded.
"The snow drops..." Aerith named another flower.
"Same again only I sneezed ice..." Zack answered.
"The daffodils..." Aerith uttered.
"Gave me bad gas..." Zack replied as he sighed.
"It was really bad gas...I had to have the whole place fumigated," Tifa added causing Zack to scowl at her and for the bar patrons to look at Zack.
"Thanks Tifa..." Zack stated as he tried to hide the embarrassment he was feeling at that moment.
"The lilies, the shrinking violets...the orchids..." Aerith uttered.
"Let's see..." Zack started to say as he folded his arms, "the lilies put me to sleep, the shrinking violets turned me into an emotional wreck and the orchids gave me double vision."
"Look...just try these flowers," Aerith pleaded with Zack.
Zack sighed again, "I feel really bad..." Zack thought guiltily to himself. "Aerith wants flowers at our wedding...but...all the flowers she's brought home to sample I have strange allergic reactions to...I know it's part of my mutation...and...I don't want to embarrass her on the big day...but do I suggest that she has plastic flowers...no...that won't be good enough..."
"Zack are you ok?" Aerith asked Zack causing the drag human to snap out of his thoughts.
"Yeah...I'm fine..." Zack answered not wanting to tell her about how guilty he was feeling. "Why don't you get those flowers?" Zack suggested.
"Are you sure?" Aerith questioned, "I don't want to force you to sniff flowers if you don't want to."
"No...it's ok," Zack reassured Aerith as he smiled at her. "It's better to find out which flowers I'm allergic to."
"Ok, stay there I'll be right back," Aerith uttered as she giggled with excitement before she ran into the back.
"Hey buddy...if you're gonna have one of your strange reactions then can we at least get out of here?" One of the bar patrons asked as Zack scowled at him.
"It'll be fine," Tifa reassured her customers. "If anything happens we'll keep it contained somehow."
"I just don't want to get set on fire or frozen," the man added.
Zack was about to respond but he didn't get chance as Aerith returned with strange looking flowers that looked like dragon heads. "What are those flowers?" Zack questioned as he stared at them.
"Wutinian Snap Dragons," Aerith answered, "Yuffie sent them to me as an engagement gift, she said that if we both liked them she could get us more for the wedding."
Zack sighed, he didn't like the name of the flowers but he knew he had no choice in the matter. "Guess I better give 'em the old sniff test..." Zack uttered as he leaned forwards to sniff the flowers.
Zack stood straight again and shook his head as the bar patrons hid under the tables. "How do you feel?" Aerith asked as she and Tifa stared at the drag human expectedly.
"I...I feel...fine..." Zack answered as he looked down at his arms. "I don't feel the urge to sneeze fire or ice...I'm not feeling sleepy...nor am I breaking out in hives..."
"That's good..." Tifa stated as the bar patrons got out from under the tables.
"But...I feel like I've gotten a sudden surge of adrenaline," Zack added.
"Adrenaline..." Aerith repeated as she looked worried.
"Yeah..." Zack stated through gritted teeth as he suddenly changed into his drag human form.
Zack's ears pricked up as he could hear the sound of laughing, "I can't believe they allow freaks to live in this city," a man told his friends as they continued to laugh.
"Yeah," one of the man's friends agreed as he nodded. "It's bad enough they let those Stigma freaks into the city but they had to let that freaky dragon dude live here too."
"Dude...he's right there," a third man spoke as he pointed at Zack who had walked slowly up to them and was standing behind the second man.
The other men turned round and they saw Zack who was stood there, his fangs were fully bared and his eyes were narrowed down at the group. "So I'm a freak huh..." Zack uttered seething in anger as he felt the adrenaline surge through him. Zack slammed his fist down on the table causing it to break.
"Look buddy we don't want any trouble..." one of the men spoke up as the three of them started to back away from Zack.
Zack grabbed one of the men and slammed him into a wall before pinning him there. "Why do you hate me being here so much?" Zack demanded as he slammed the man's back repeatedly into the wall.
"Because you're a monster..." the man answered clearly afraid of Zack.
Zack punched the man hard in the face breaking his nose and causing it to bleed profusely. One of the man's friends picked up one of the chairs and crept up behind Zack before slamming the chair on the back of Zack's head.
Zack turned around and glared at the man before he kicked the man hard in the chest causing him to be sent flying across the room breaking two more tables before slamming into the wall. "ANYONE ELSE WANT SOME!" Zack yelled aggressively as he glared at everyone in the bar before he noticed the man with the broken nose creeping away.
"OH NO YOU DON'T! I'M NOT FINISHED WITH YOU YET!" Zack yelled at the man before he grabbed the man's leg and dragged him back before beating the shit out of him.
Tifa quickly ran over to Zack and leapt on to his back before hitting him on the back of the head repeatedly. "Let him go!" Tifa ordered the drag human as she pulled Zack's hair causing him to release the man's leg out of shock.
"Tifa! What are you doing?" Aerith yelled to Tifa as she saw Zack staggering around the bar trying to throw Tifa off his back.
"The effects are short lived right?" Tifa asked Aerith.
"Yes normally..." Aerith answered as she watched Zack slam Tifa into the wall. "But...I'm not sure how long flower induced aggression normally lasts for..."
"Great..." Tifa muttered as Zack opened his wings and took off into the air slamming Tifa into the ceiling but she still managed to hold on.
"GET OFF ME YOU BITCH!" Zack yelled aggressively as he rapidly moved his body around to shake Tifa off him. "I WANT TO BEAT THAT RACIST MOTHER FUCKER TO WITHIN AN INCH OF HIS LIFE!"
"Listen to me," Tifa whispered calmly in Zack's ear as the drag human continued to struggle against her. "This is the effect of the flower you sniffed...it seems to give you an adrenaline rush but it makes you more aggressive and causes you to go berserk with just the slightest provocation...you have to fight it until the effect wear off..."
"Just get off my back..." Zack whispered back a hint of menace in his voice.
"You know I can't do that..." Tifa told him refusing to move. "I can't have you attacking customers..."
"THEY INSULTED ME!" Zack yelled again as he thrashed around again.
"Aerith! I could use your help!" Tifa yelled desperately to her friend. "Use a calming spell or something!"
Aerith sighed nervously as she ran over to Zack and Tifa, "Zack..." Aerith called out nervously to the drag human who was still trying to get Tifa off his back. Zack in his aggressive state ignored Aerith causing her to get annoyed.
"Zack look at me!" Aerith yelled so suddenly that the customers who were hiding under the tables flinched at Aerith suddenly shouting. Zack shocked at hearing Aerith shout looked at her his eyes were narrowed with focus.
"The flowers you sniffed caused you to become aggressive," Aerith whispered as she slowly reached her hand out to Zack. Zack growled at Aerith and bared his fangs at her. Aerith didn't flinch nor did she move her hand away, Aerith slowly opened her hand and her hand glowed as she focused some of her magic into it.
"You need to calm yourself," Aerith continued to whisper to Zack as he stared at the magical aura which floated away from Aerith's hand and began to circle gently around him. "Let the power of my people calm you."
Zack breathed deeply and his movements slowed down as the spell removed all the aggression from him. Zack sighed as he fell to one knee as he reverted to his human form. "You done being aggressive?" Tifa asked as she gave Zack a concerned look.
"Yeah..." Zack answered softly as he looked over at Tifa. "You can get off me now..."
Tifa sighed with relief as she released her hold on Zack and got off his back. Tifa smirked at Aerith. "Thanks, you were great..." Tifa told her friend as she breathed deeply.
"I couldn't let Zack tear the whole building apart," Aerith stated as she looked at Zack. "I had to do something."
Zack staggered slowly to his feet and looked at the flowers that were lying on the bar. "I guess the Snap Dragons are a big no," he stated as he looked at Aerith.
"Yeah last thing I want is for you to beat up the wedding guests for no reason," Aerith responded as she nodded in agreement.
"Is it safe to come out?" One of the customers asked as Tifa nodded. The bar patrons slowly got out from under the tables. "Maybe you should just go with plastic flowers," the same bar patron suggested as he looked at Aerith. "That way you won't have to worry about him having strange reactions."
"Maybe that's not such a bad idea," Aerith uttered as she thought about it.
"No..." Zack cut in as he stared at the bar patron who suggested the idea. "We're gonna have real flowers there has to be something that I'm not allergic to."
"Zack you don't have to make compromises for me," Aerith told the drag human who had taken hold of Aerith's hand.
"Aerith when I proposed to you I promised that I would make our wedding day one that you'll remember forever," Zack reminded Aerith of what he had promised. "And I don't make promises lightly...and no comments about how I was five years late getting back to you but that was due to circumstances that were beyond my control."
"I know" Aerith stated as she nodded to show that she understood. "As long as you're there and all our friends are there that's all that matters."
"You're a remarkable woman Aerith," Zack stated as he kissed Aerith on the lips. "You deserve the best and not another word on the subject ok, you just find yourself something pretty to wear on the big day."
Tifa smiled before looking at the clock on the wall and she realised how late it was getting. "I guess I better close up," Tifa stated as she looked at all the customers. "Sorry guys but we're closing for the night."
"Awww..." the patrons moaned as they gave Tifa disappointed glances.
"Don't worry, we'll be open bright and early tomorrow," Tifa promised her patrons, they gave Tifa satisfied nods before they left the bar and Tifa locked the front door.
"I guess I should start looking for Cloud," Zack informed the two women. He was about to leave the bar through the back when Aerith stopped him.
"Zack it's too dark out now," Aerith warned the drag human. "You won't be able to see anything and you need your rest."
"But...I was hoping I could find him and bring him home," Zack told Aerith as he nodded his head towards Tifa.
"I know you want to help but...Cloud can take care of himself," Aerith reassured Zack. "At least wait until morning."
Zack yawned, "yeah I guess you're right," Zack agreed with Aerith. "I'll have better look finding him in full light and when I'm more awake."
Tifa sighed sadly before she walked past the two. "I'm gonna go to bed," Tifa told the two as she went through the back and up the stairs.
"She really misses Cloud," Aerith stated as she looked sadly at Zack.
"I know," Zack responded as he looked over at the back where Tifa had just walked through. "She's been really depressed since he left...She tries so hard to be cheerful though."
"I wish there was something we could do..." Aerith uttered as she clasped both her hands together.
"I'll do whatever I can to find him and convince him to come home," Zack promised as he wrapped his arms round Aerith's waist. "In the meantime perhaps there's something I could do for you..." Zack added flirtatiously as he purred in Aerith's ear.
"Zack..." Aerith uttered slightly embarrassed causing the drag human to laugh.
"Come on...let's go upstairs," Zack suggested as he took hold of Aerith's hand and dragged her up the stairs and into their room. Even as Zack and Aerith had a romantic moment that night which seemed to be one of the reasons for keeping Tifa awake the three of them were unaware that the peaceful calm of the last two years was about to be disrupted as a sinister plot was about to unfold.
Well it took a while but I finally posted up the first chapter of Stigma's End, sorry I was so long I have a lot of other projects on the go also I have work as well. Don't worry though I will still be typing the Mutant's Revenge series. Thanks so much for waiting your patience will be rewarded.
