ONE – A stranger in Midgar

The roof had never been repaired, not even after all these years. It was as if the spirit that held this beautiful church together had died the day she had. The only thing that stayed the same were the flowers, no one had been allowed near them since the flower girl had disappeared and then once he had come home, he had taken to looking after them. He made sure they were watered, made sure they bloomed, made sure they retained every little memory of her. They were beautiful little flowers, just as she had been beautiful. And when the sun shone through the hole in the vaulted roof, they seemed to shine with energy.

It had been five years since that fateful incident, five years since he had led Aeris Gainsborough to her death. Oh, he knew it hadn't been his fault, that she had died trying to save the planet from Sephiroth and Meteor. But he still felt guilty. Cloud Strife felt responsible for her death, for letting her give her life so that they could live. Five years to the day, he had lain her to rest in the Lifestream at the City of Ancients. Five years to the day, he had lost a part of himself.

He had not known the flower girl for long, a matter of days at most. But in those few days they had learnt so much about each other, learnt each others strengths and weaknesses. And most of all, learnt that they were both involved in saving the planet. Now, as he stood beneath the hole in Sector Five's roof, feeling drizzle spatter on his upturned face and slowly soaking his blonde hair, he remembered Aeris with a smile. He remembered their date at the Gold Saucer, when they had sat on the cable car watching the fireworks. He remembered how happy she had looked, how the beautiful myriad of colours had shone in her dark brown eyes. He remembered how she had shyly brushed her hair back behind her ears as she had told him those words that would haunt him forever.

I want to know you…

What had that meant? He had been a little shocked at the time, the way she had looked into his eyes as she had said it. She had spoken with such passion, her own eyes burning with what seemed like desire. And he had wanted her then. Had wanted to take her somewhere secret and make love to her. But it was not to be, their passion interrupted by that ShinRa spy, that stuffed toy controlled by the cat. Cait Sith had ruined everything. And in that moment, Cloud had hated him for it.

Nowadays, he often came to the little church to think of Aeris, to spend time with her in some form or another. It was always so quiet here, and the little pansies reminded Cloud of her. So much so, a small tear often sprang to his eye. He had barely been able to look at another woman since Aeris, preferring to spend his time alone and brooding. Brooding over his own past, his own future, brooding over what his life was to become. He had spent so long lying to his friends about who he was, spent so long convincing them that he had been a part of SOLDIER, and a first class one at that, that he had forgotten who he really was. He had tried finding out on his journey to find Sephiroth, a man who was for all intents and purposes his own brother, even ending that monsters life had done nothing to lessen the pain. But of course, nothing could end Sephiroth's life. He was still about somewhere, biding his time.

Cloud Strife sighed and looked at the grey sky above Midgar. It was always dark here, thanks to the mako energy the city was built on, thanks to the pollution that saturated the air. But it was home, and it was where he wanted to be. ShinRa were no longer in business, he himself had seen to that. They had taken to the underground, and a new government was in power, one who harnessed natural power rather than using something which should never have been used in the first place. A small smile crept onto Cloud's face then, their efforts five years ago had seen to the new government taking power. And for all intents and purposes, the so called terrorist group AVALANCHE ran the city. Barrett Wallace was now mayor of Midgar, and the people were happy. He looked after them, made sure the city prospered. And Midgar was doing well for it. Unfortunately the planet would take a long time to heal from its wounds inflicted by Sephiroth, and it would be many years before Midgar saw blue skies again.

In truth, Cloud was proud of all they had done for the planet. They had saved it from certain destruction, and they had all found out some form of truth along the way. Unfortunately, they were not all here to see the outcome and the one woman that Cloud had wanted to spend these years with, was gone.

He bent down then, the leather of his heavy duty boots creaking slightly and he gently plucked a beautiful red pansy from its resting place. It's petals glowed bright red, almost reminiscent of a Summon material, and its little black face smiled at him. He smiled softly to himself and inhaled its scent. And then, that smile still on his face, he tucked the little flower into his pocket before standing up and turning around. His faithful Buster Sword was leant against one of the ancient pews, though he had no idea why he had brought it with him. It was always attatched to his back now, and his excuse had been that he wanted to always be ready incase something happened.

Just incase Sephiroth comes back

He had been laughed at when he told the others that. He won't come back. He can't come back. We beat two shades of crap outta him there's no way he'll be back. He's dead. All excuses he had been fed upon telling his friends his worries. But Cloud remembered the glow of hatred that had been in the man's eyes when he had apparently been dying, and the words that had echoed in cloud's own mind.

I'll come back for you brother

A promise that had nearly come true so many times before. He had come back once, and would certainly do it again. The man just wouldn't die.

With a sigh, Cloud grabbed his sword and strapped it to his back. No matter how much he liked spending time in here, he had things to do and people to see. The first of which was a meeting with his old friend Barrett, the reason for which was being kept somewhat secret from him. Sparing one last look at the beautiful flowers, he bowed his head and stalked from the church.

***

"Oi, where you been you spiky haired git?"

Cloud Strife barely kept his balance as the large overly muscled man with the gun for a hand barrelled his way into him, punching him roughly on the shoulder. He grimaced at the pain, but offered a friendly grin anyway, "All right Barrett…what's all this about…you know how long a walk it is from Sector 7…"

Mayor Wallace grinned at the young man, "Yeh, I know. But there's someone I want yer to meet. You been walkin' round like a zombie for far too long!"

Cloud raised an eyebrow and gazed about the large grand office with his bright blue eyes, "There's no on here Barrett…"

The big man roured with laughter, "Course there ent you stupid mutt! She's sat down in the lounge area, waiting to meet ya!"

"She?"

Cloud could not help feel as if this were all some kind of cruel joke being played at his expense. He half expected to see Tifa sat in the next room, or Yuffie and for them to all start laughing maniacly at him.

Barrett nodded, "Yer, an old friend of mine had come a'visitin from Coral. She left a long while ago, went travelling to seek her fortune or some other rubbish like that. Same age as you though, very nice lass. She's come ter stay in Midgar for a bit, I'd like you to show her round!"

Cloud raised an eyebrow at the big man, clenching his fists, "Come on Barrett, this probably isn't the best idea…I'm not the best company really…"

"Don't be an idiot Cloud, you spent far too long actin like a zombie. Take the girl out, show her the sights. It can't hurt to have a friend!"

"I have friends Barrett…"

The look shot at him from across the room was enough to shut Cloud up. It was a look he had been given a million times before, and one he knew never to argue with. Barrett was a big man, and arguing with him could go so very wrong. Sighing to himself and switching himself off from all emotion, Cloud just nodded. It couldn't be too bad could it? Maybe the girl would just be that, a normal girl who he could show the sights to and then forget about. But hadn't she just been a normal girl too? And hadn't that all started off as just a silly little thing?

He barely noticed as Mayor Wallace pushed open the ornate double doors into the more comfy lounge area. He barely noticed the small figure of a young woman stood by the huge window, barely took in the large comfortable sofa with the table laid out with plates of gorgeous food.

The girl was dressed almost entirely in black, with a long sword held at her waist. It looked oriental, almost as if it had come from Wutai. She had long dark hair that fell down her back in shimmers, but Cloud could not see her face.

"Lizzy! I got someone ter see ya!"

The girl turned then, revealing an incredibly pretty face and bright blue eyes that sparkled mischeviously. Yet, Cloud still did not smile. He hadn't smiled in so long. Even after they'd stopped the Geo-Stigma three years previously, and he had seen the smiles on those children's faces he still hadn't been able to smile. Even when he heard Aeris' voice, and Zack, telling him it was all ok and they'd see each other again soon, he still could not smile.

"Barrett! How long you gunna keep me locked up in here? I got shoppin' ta do, weapons to buy!"

The big man grinned and crossed his arms, resting his gun arm below his normal one, "Brought someone ter show you round. Midgar's a big place and there's lots of unsavourary types about…"

She grinned, "I can take care of myself Barrett."

He grinned, "For me?"

Cloud barely heard her, he was too busy looking out of the huge window across the Midgar skyline. For the past five years the landscape had been changing, buildings had been crumbling and nature was starting to make its way in. Even the people were being affected. Geo-Stigma had only been the beginning, now people were dying in the street of something else, something much more horrible. Barrett had been trying so hard to stop these things from happening, but there was only so much he could do.

With a sigh he turned around and sat down on the huge sofa, his gaze locked on the pretty girl. And pretty she was, with her bright eyes and hair that fell about her shoulders in waves. She certainly looked like she could take care of herself, looked tough with her long sword.

"Mazamune?" it was more a statement than a question

She turned to him then, surprised by his deep voice and nodded, "Yeah, from Wutai…"

He shrugged, "Not many people could use such a sword. The last person I saw use one of those…" he fell silent for a moment, "…last time I saw one of those being used, its master tried to destroy the planet…"

She nodded, "Sephiroth, I know…I met him once you know…travelling around the world as I do…"

Cloud raised an eyebrow, "You met him?"

She nodded once more, "Yeah…in Nibelheim. I was pretty shocked y'know…seeing as how everyone thought he was dead and all…he ignored me to start with, til I called out to him. He stopped, and looked at me with those cold grey eyes of his…and spoke just four words 'you will all die'…next thing I know that Meteor is in the sky summoned by him. I took refuge in Cosmo Canyon whilst all that was happening…"

Cloud nodded, "He was a psycho…what's your name kid?"

She raised an eyebrow, "Kid? Hardly. Name's Lizzy, no second name. You're Cloud Strife…"

"My reputation preceeds me…"

She grinned, "I've heard great things about you. After all, the man who stops Sephiroth twice has to be someone worth knowing."

He said nothing at that, just stood up and made his way out of the room. After a moment he stopped and turned back to her, "You coming or what?"

***

"Boss! Hey Boss!"

Barrett looked up from his stack of papers detailing the rebuilding of his city. Stood in the door was the red headed figure of Reno, the ex Turk. He still looked as messy as ever, with his white shirt untucked and the dark glasses. Yet there was something about the man that always made Barrett smile, he was always so upbeat and cheeky.

"Reno, my main man. Come on in. Hows Rufus doin'?"

The young man wrinkled his nose, "Not too great boss. Keeps coughing up blood. Rude thinks he's not gunna last much longer…"

"Shame…" Barrett sighed, "Despite all his failings, he was a great man. Listen Reno, I have a friend in town for a coupla days, I've sent her off with Cloud for a few hours but well…you know what Cloud's like…he'll probably disappear back to the church at the first opportunity. Do me a favour and take her out this evening?"

He raised an eyebrow at that, "You want me to take her out? You sure that's a good idea boss?"

"Mind your manners and keep it in your trousers or you'll have me to answer to" the growl that escaped Barrett's lips made the ex Turk back away quickly, "Go to 7th Heaven…they're probably there…"

The red headed young man nodded, "Sure thing boss. I'll er...take her to a bar or a show or something…"

"Good…get gone…"

Reno nodded and backed away quickly. Shutting the doors quietly behind him, he breathed a sigh of relief. It was never ever a good idea to piss Barrett off as he had found out many a time before, and it seemed especially when his friends were involved. He'd already gotten a rollocking for trying it on with Tifa a few months ago. But she was a pretty girl, how could he not try something? Not that he was slimy or anything, he just wanted to find a nice girl to settle down with before the whole planet gave up on itself.

They all thought he was stupid, but he wasn't. He knew the planet was dying. It had been since ShinRa had started all of this five years ago, since Sephiroth had summoned Meteor. The Weapons had come to try and stop the human's from harming the planet anymore, and then Geo-Stigma had come. Now it seemed as if the planet had finally made up its mind and wanted the human race gone. A new disease was working its way through them, a disease much worse than Geo-Stigma had ever been. People who caught it quickly found themselves covered in seeping boils, their breathing would become laboured, they would vomit and cough up blood. Death took hold quickly for the lucky ones. The ex turk sighed, thinking of the old president. Rufus Shinra was currently bed ridden with the terrible disease that had no name. He was dying, pale and emaciated, covered in horrific boils and coughing up blood every so often. For the past few days, everytime he breathed in, a horrific rattling resounding from his chest. Rude and Reno took it in turns to look after Rufus each day, and Rude was currently sat at his bedside offering help when it was needed. Not that much help could be offered anymore. Rufus barely knew who he was, barely knew who any of his old employees were anymore.

Grimacing, Reno pulled his jacket off and slung it over his shoulder. His long red hair provided a stark contrast against the crumpled white shirt. He was never one to adhere to the dress code, preferring to feel comfortable whilst at work.

"Guess if I'm takin' a lady out tonight I'd better get myself ready" he muttered as he slowly ambled away, jacket slung over his shoulder like the confidant man he was.

***

This strange young man hadn't said a word since they'd gotten to the bar, preferring to sit there in silence sipping his beer. Lizzy frowned, cupping her own glass of alcoholic liquid in her hands, feeling the coolness seep through the see through material. This place was a dingy little bar in the Midgar slums, a place where she guessed Cloud and his friends stayed often. She knew that at least one of them lived her permanently, looking after a bunch of orphans. But how could anyone be happy here? The booze may be good, but surely that's all there was to the place.

With a sigh, she raised the glass to her lips and took a large gulp of the whiskey like substance, feeling it burn as it inched its way down her throat. It provided a welcome relief to her, made her feel somewhat more relaxed. Although somewhere like this she could never truly relax. She was someone who walked the wilds, someone who felt comfortable in nature and only ventured into towns and villages when she needed to. It had been many years since she had felt comfortable in any sort of house or building.

"So, you're a friend of Barretts?"

"Hmmm?" She looked up at the young man to be confronted by a hard, unsmiling face and nodded, "Yeah…he used to look out for me when I was a kid in Coral. I was gutted when the reactor blew and he left…"

"Coral…" cloud muttered, "Whan an uforgiving place."

She nodded, "After the reactor blew, it was awful. We all had to live in tents and scrape a living selling what we could. Barrett was gone, people blamed him for the reactor blowing up…and I couldn't stay there anymore. One day, I packed what little stuff I had and I left. The only protection I had was a short sword than I'd found lying around…no magic, no materia. I wanted to come to Midgar, I'd heard that I could find my fortune there…but I spent so long in the wilds like it became like home to me. On my travels I called into various villages, spent a few nights here and there and brought what provisions I could…I had to learn how to look after myself, I had to learn how to fight, how to learn to use the material I brought or found. And every day I became stronger…"

He sipped on his beer and looked at her with his own bright blue eyes. She noticed how they sparkled slightly in the dim light of the bar, "So where'd you pick up the Mazumune then? I thought only Sephiroth could wield that blade?"

She grinned, "My travels eventually took me to Wutai, I was dropped there by a merchant sailor that I bumped into in Junon Harbour. When I found my way to the village, I decided to stay there for a while. I felt strangely at home with these people, and fell in love with their workmanship with the weapons they produced. One day, they told me about the Wutai wars, when Sephiroth came to the village and took from them the legendary Mazamune sword and twisted it so that no one could use it but him…but they had made a replica, an exact double of the sword. Godo Kirasagi showed me the sword, passed it into my hands just so I could see it, but immediately I felt an affinity with it…as if the blade melded itself to me. Godo told me that when in my hands, the weapon glowed a bright blue…something he had not seen since Sephiroth had taken the other sword…" she sighed, "Godo took me in then, taught me how to use the blade. And soon I found myself becoming stronger, I found myself able to use material that previously…I just could not. My magics were becoming more and more powerful…I was able to summon…my attacks would wipe out a standard enemy in just one hit…they compared me to Sephiroth…."

Cloud raised an eyebrow, "To Sephiroth?"

She nodded, "Yup…you mean you haven't noticed my eyes? I never noticed myself, but apparently the weird blue colouring is the sign of someone who has been injected with Jenova cells. Godo told me that Sephiroth's eyes were strikingly similar to mine and I began to look into why I was the way I was…my travels took me around the world…I guess in some places I must have just missed you…" she laughed

"Another one of Hojo's failed experiements…" Cloud muttered.

She nodded, "You got me. I was the only female he experimented on…hoping I would be another Jenova. But when it didn't work, he gave me up to my parents in Coral and forgot about me. I learnt all this from the psycho himself when I cornered him in the Shin-Ra building literally just before you guys showed up. He told me everything, told me that I was related to both yourself and to Sephiroth, and that I had powers beyond my imagining. He wanted me to help him, and I refused…telling him I didn't want to use what power I had for anything evil. And I left him to die. After that I went into hiding…I watched as Meteor was heading towards earth and I cursed the day I found out Sephiroth was for all intends and purposes my brother. I hid for years, living in various caves and forests. And then I heard he was trying to come back. I was in Midgar when he came back…I saw you two fight it out. I stood back as you killed him once more, I watched as you removed the Geo-Stigma from those children…and I left again. I couldn't bear to show myself to you, or to go and see Barrett. Again, I lived in the wilds becoming more and more wild myself, more and more like the Sephiroth I loathed. But one day something clicked. I was in Nibelheim and I saw so many infected with this new disease, this Geno-Stigma and I knew I had to come back for you before it was too late. So I sought out Barrett…"

He nodded, "And here you are. You know, I totally get why you hid…If I could have, I would have. But I had to fight Sephiroth, I had to get my revenge for what he took away from me…" he sighed, "He's taken so much from me…from us…"

She nodded, "The flower lady?"

"Aeris. Her name was Aeris."

"You saw her in the church…and your friend Zack…"

He raised an eyebrow, "How do you know that?"

She smiled, "I saw them too. You were in love with her weren't you?"

He nodded, "There are no words to describe the way I felt about her…"

She nodded again, "You're lucky you've felt that. I've never been in love, and in some ways I never want to be. It'd make things too difficult…"

From somewhere behind them, the front door to the bar squeaked open. Neither of them turned round, they were both lost in their own thoughts, both staring at their empty glasses, both contemplating loosing themselves in more.

"Wow, its like a graveyard in here!"

Lizzy jumped and turned round, the glass flying from her hand shattering into tiny pieces on the floor. Stood in the doorway was a young man with spiky red hair that fell down his back in a long rat tail. He wore a black suit with a white shirt that was crumbled and untucked, no tie around his neck. A pair of dark glasses were perched atop his head and he wore a silver ring in one of his ears. His eyes were a deep green that glinted micheviously.

Cloud barely even turned as he spoke, "What's up Reno?"

"Barrett sent me over, said there was a damsel in distress needed rescuing from your unhappy face!"

Cloud said nothing, gave no sign that he had even heard but Lizzy giggled and stood up, extended her hand, "Hi, I guess I'm the damsel you were told about. Name's Lizzy, and you are?"

The young man grinned, making his eyes twinkle even more, "I'm Reno, ex enemy of your buddy Cloud here and now work for your friend Barrett. Pleased ta meetcha!" He took her hand with a smile and brought it to his lips whereupon he kissed it gently.

She laughed, and felt herself blush, "The pleasure is mine…Reno. Did Barrett really send you to rescue me?"

He laughed and clapped cloud on the back, "Yup. My buddy Cloud here is a bit of a loner at times, and Barrett was kinda scared he'd leave you alone in a strange city. Don't want you getting lost down in the slums really, it's not a nice place. So I'm here to take you out, there's a few shows goin' on up in sector 3 if you fancy it? Or maybe I could take you to dinner?"

She blushed again. This was something she'd never experienced before. How should she react? No man had ever offered to take her out for dinner, or offered to take her to a show. She had nothing to wear, no way to make herself look nice. She had always dreamed of being taken out for an evening, dreamed of being able to look and smell nice for a young man. But she wasn't prepared for this.

"Erm…" she muttered, scuffing her boots on the floor, "I er…I don't have anything to wear…"

Lizzy, swords woman extraordinare, was embarrassed.

Reno grinned, "No problem at all, we can buy you something first!"

She raised an eyebrow, "You can't buy me stuff…"

"Don't be silly!" The red headed young man laughed out loud, not noticing how Cloud grimaced at the bar, "I've been asked to take you out, and if you don't mind my saying so, you are an incredibly beautiful young woman so I have no problem buying you a new dress and then taking you out to dinner in a nice resteraunt. I won't take no for an answer, come on!"

She was lost for words but nodded anyway, "Erm…yeah…yeah I guess so…" she looked at Cloud, "I guess I'll see you later Cloud…I think there's a lot of stuff we still need to talk about?"

He only nodded and gave her a grunted reply. She gave him a small smile and a gentle touch on the shoulder before following the red headed young man from the bar.

The door swang shit behind them and Cloud looked up. His face was a portrait of concern, his eyes full of curiosity. This girl was his sister, another one of Hojo's failed experiments. And she seemed ok, but why had she turned up now? Frowning he reached across the bar and grabbed the almost full bottle of whiskey, and poured himself a large glass of the stuff neat. He had a lot of thinking to do.