Disclaimer: I do not Own anything final fantasy but I hope everyone enjoys this story

Please Review people. I'll add more chapters if people like it!

Final Fantasy 7: The Advent Children

Chapter 1: Happy Birthday

23 years have passed since Meteorfall and the events that came to be known as the rise of Omega. The planet has entered a new era of life, through the tireless efforts of the World Regenesis Organization (WRO). Edge City has now grown and started to encompass the ruins of Midgar reforming it from a dead metropolis into a thriving city of Co-habitation with the planet. The heroes who had saved the planet, have all settled down to live out their lives in peace, in the very world that they helped to save.

On the outskirts of Edge City a lone motorcyclist dressed in black sped down the paved road atop the legendary Fenrir. Desperately he sped toward the town of Kalm, the helmet he wore masked his face from view. The insignia on his helmet read Strife deliveries, and as of this moment he was on route to one of his most important deliveries ever. The man quickly glanced at his watch he was already 20 minutes late, he revved the throttle increasing his speed further as he spied his short-cut. The young man raced toward the edge of the cliff, and off he jumped into the sky. As he briefly soared through the air, the man flipped a switch on the handle and four small boosters attached to the bike roared to life landing him safely of the ground, shaving 10 minutes off his trip. He'd have to remember to thank Cid for this little improvement later. He checked his watch one last time, if he kept going at the pace he was he'd be at his destination within 10 minutes. The man smirked from inside his helmet as he revved the throttle again, he knew he could be there in 5 as he zipped down the highway.

Meanwhile, just outside of the town of Kalm, stood a beautiful house on next to the vast fields surround the town. A man in his early 30's with brown hair was stepping out the front door of this house. Behind him the music blared, signaling a grand party was going on, within the walls of this humble homestead. The Brown haired man slowly sauntered over to the wooden gates in front of the house and leaned on them as he looked out into the distance.

He's late again thought the brown haired man. In 23 years of his life the man, chuckled at the thought of how little things have changed, well some things at least. This man was known to most as Denzel Strife, moderate Chocobo rancher and senior intelligence officer of the WRO. Denzel had been through a lot in his life, he remembered long ago what it was like to be all alone without any parents or anyone. But nowadays Denzel had more friends and family than he ever could have dreamed of. In fact he was about to start his own family soon, the birth of his first child was nearing and he was happy to share this with his friends and family and especially his wife Marlene. Denzel smiled at that thought, his own family, his own child; he had really come so far since that time long ago when he first looked up at the face of that blonde-haired savior that he would come to call his father, Cloud Strife.

Denzel sighed as he kept a lookout for his perpetually late brother, Alex. In the distance he saw a cloud of dust approach his house. Denzel smiled; he only hoped that Alex's delivery was still intact by the time he reached the house. Denzel opened the gate and made his way over to the drive way to meet up with his brother. Alex pulled up Fenrir right next to Denzel as he turned the key and shut the bike off. He removed his helmet and ran a hand through his hair. He was the spitting image of his father, except for his jet black hair likely inherited from his mother. Denzel and Alex smiled at each other before embracing in a brotherly hug followed by a handshake.

"You could at least be on time for your own sister-in-law's birthday Alex" remarked Denzel.

"I couldn't show up empty handed to this special occasion could I, bro?" replied Alex.

Alex opened the container on the back of the his bike and handed Denzel the precious delivery. A custom made birthday cake from the best bakery in Edge City.

"Marlene's going to love it" remarked Denzel.

The two brothers walked into the house where they were immediately greeted by a furious Tifa Strife.

"Alex Zachary Strife, why in the world are you late for Marlene's birthday!" exclaimed Tifa.

Denzel was like a deer caught in the headlights, he stood speechless in front of his mother who he feared more than anything else in the world. Alex swallowed hard as he began to give his mother his weak excuse.

"Well you see I had to get the cake, but I got a bit….sidetracked." stated Alex weakly.

Tifa stared at her son skeptically as he squirmed in place. Suddenly she softened as she embraced Alex in a hug then ushered him into the house.

"Anyways Alex come in and say hi to everyone. Denzel go put the cake in the Kitchen" ordered Tifa.

Denzel headed off to the kitchen with the cake as Tifa ushered her son into the living room where some of the world's greatest heroes where sitting around having a good time. The great Barrett Wallace sat on the couch next to his pregnant daughter Marlene. Across from them on the other couch was the Great Ninja Yuffie Valentine, with her daughter Lucrecia (Lucy), and her son John standing behind them in the corner of the room. To the side of them sitting on one of the arm chairs was Cid Highwind Sr. and his wife Shera, all around the room stood their 8 children. Alex instantly shook the hand of their oldest Cid Highwind Jr. Alex then gave Marlene a hug as he greeted everyone in the room. As he walked up to Lucy he smiled at her as she smiled back at him.

Lucy defiantly took her fashion advice from her father as she wore an almost identical outfit to the one he used to wear complete with the red cloak. Alex stared into her enticing crimson red eyes as she stood up to greet him.

"Hey Lucy how you doing?" asked Alex.

"Just fine and what about you?" asked Lucy as she smiled coyly at him.

"Why were you late to the party Alex" inquired Lucy.

"I got held up a bit, I had to bring the cake." Replied Alex

"What kept you?"

"Traffic"

"Really"

"No not really but, I doesn't really matter why I was late. I'm here right now aren't I"

Lucy and Alex stared at each other for a while, before an irritated John Valentine stepped in and separated the two.

"Lucy Mom wants you to go help her in the kitchen, ok" stated John

Lucy merely giggled a bit then walked off toward the kitchen with her mother. John turned and glared at Alex. Alex couldn't control himself as he stated to laugh at John.

"This isn't funny Alex stay away from my sister!" stated John

"What ever do you mean?" chuckled Alex.

The John glared at the smiling Alex before he finally smirked and the two shook hands.

"How you doing bro?" asked Alex

"I'm fine what about you and the "Delivery Business", as you supposedly call it" inquired John.

"I told you John I am a delivery boy, what I do for Reeve, is just helping out an old friend of the family. Speaking of him where is he?"

"Reeve couldn't make it, he Red 13 and Shelke had to go check out something for the WRO, they came by earlier to drop off some presents and their best wishes."

"Are they investigating anything serious?"

"No, but he said if there was any trouble that was out of their league, we'd be the first one's he'd call."

"Good to know. Anyways, where our, our dads right now?"

"Mine's just outside in the patio drinking some tea, you know how he doesn't like the crowds. And Cloud is in the stables, tending to the Chocobos."

"Thanks John!"

John patted Alex on the back as, Alex headed out the patio door into the brisk air. It was nearing sunset about now, Alex looked over to see the great Vincent Valentine sitting at the patio table sipping tea and enjoying the serenity. Alex leisurely made his way over to Vincent, who put down his cup and motioned for Alex to sit down, Alex however declined.

"Hey Mr. Valentine, how are things going?" asked Alex

"Good" replied Vincent

"How are things with the Mrs.?" Inquired Alex

Vincent eyed Alex skeptically, before smirking.

"She can be a bit annoying, but other wise things couldn't be better."

"Hey, do you know anything about Reeve's investigation"

"Not really,….I guess he doesn't want to worry us."

"Yeah, I guess so, regardless have you heard anything, anything at all?"

"No, but if it were serious I'm sure Reeve, or Nanaki, or Shelke would have called us." sighed Vincent.

"Thanks, she ya later!" replied Alex.

Vincent nodded toward Alex as he resumed drinking his tea. Alex then made his way over to the Chocobo stables. As he entered the stables he was hit by the familiar stench that comes with the care of Chocobos. Alex headed toward the back of the stables where he saw Cloud, the greatest hero of all, the man who single-handedly defeated Sephiroth, shoveling Chocobo droppings. Cloud stopped his work when he noticed Alex; he hung up his shovel and went over to the nearby sink on order to clean up. Alex had always looked up to his dad, he grew listening to his mother and other people tell him stories about his father's many heroic acts. One of his earliest memories was him trying to lift up his father's massive sword to no avail, then his father walking over to him, helping him hold up the sword then showing him how to use it. For his entire life the three people who had raised Alex and taught him everything he knew, the people who were always there for him were his family his brother, his mother, and his father.

"Hey Alex, how are things?" asked Cloud

"Fine as always Dad, and you?" replied Alex

"Good, you keeping up with your deliveries, your mother's been worried because we haven't spoken to you in a week."

"I know Dad, Mom worries I'll try to call more."

"Any particular reason you've been out of reach?"

"I've been busy making deliveries and cleaning up some of Reeve's messes"

"hehehe, Yeah I know about that. The most important thing is that your safe and that you're here for your sister in law's birthday." Chuckled Cloud

"Yeah, hey do you know anything about Reeve's investigation?"

Cloud eyed his son as he finished up the last of his cleaning. Both of the Strife men let out a sigh.

"Nanaki might have mentioned that there was a rather weird reading coming from a mako spring in Mount Nible. It's nothing serious, but it is worth making sure that it doesn't turn into anything bad."

"What kind of reading was it?"

"Alex relax, if anything were to happen they'd call us. Nowadays the WRO mostly deals with rich land owners or crime bosses who don't want to help with the restoration processes."

"Yeah I know I shouldn't worry, but I just…."

"I know how you feel, Alex but just let it go. You can't live your life just focusing on all the negative aspects of it. If there is a problem, we'll take care of it, because we're family, it took me 23 years to finally learn the full extent of that."

"Thanks Dad, we better be heading back inside they'll be cutting the cake soon, so we better get a piece Marlene eats it all from, because of her pregnant appetite."

Cloud hugged his son, the two Strife's shared a laugh then headed for the house where they were greeted by their friends and family. Inside the Strife household the celebration had started. Friends and family alike had gathered together to celebrate the birthday of one of their own.