Disclaimer: None of the Characters in FFVII belong to me. They all belong to Square. So all hail Square!

Fragile Minds, Shattered Dreams

Chapter 1

The lone character stumbled drunkenly through the woods. His spiky blonde hair was dirty, with mud and leaves stuck in it. The clothing he wore was torn in several places, and it was also covered in dirt. The figure leaned against a tree, taking another swig of hard liquor in his hand. As he watched the moonlight play on the forest bed, a shadow moved from the corner of his eye.

The person also had blonde, spiky hair. His physique was similar to his companion's. Both had a strong build. Both stood about six feet tall.

"I thought you didn't drink, Cloud," the shadow said.

"Well, I'm drinking today. Why, what are you, my mother?" Cloud Strife slurred.

The figure smiled and moved into the moonlight. He could pass for Cloud's twin, but Cloud didn't register any shock on his face. "I might as well be. I'm always looking out for you, eh shrimp?" Cloud didn't respond. The man stepped closer. "You didn't actually think she was in love with you, did you shrimp? Did you seriously think that she would love a failure like you?"

"Shut up," he responded, his words no longer slurred. "You have no business getting into my personal life."

The man stepped up, his face inches from Clouds. "That is where you are wrong, Cloud. YOU stole MY life. Everything that is yours I'm taking back."

Cloud laughed. "You can have it. My life is over anyhow, Simon." He continued to chuckle, then drank more. Suddenly, he started to sing. "Simon, Simon, simple Simon. How is YOUR life, eh?"

"SHUT UP!" Simon roared, pushing Cloud to the ground. He leapt on Cloud, his fist flying through the air and connecting squarely with Cloud's jaw. The two scuffled, but a drunken Cloud was no match for Simon. He grabbed Cloud's left hand as he lay moaning on the ground. Taking hold of the ring finger, Simon neatly removed the wedding band wrapped around it. "Now, you will pay for your crimes against me," he seethed, as he place the ring on a chain around his neck.

* * *

Daman stood outside the Bone Village, leaning against the tavern wall and watching the moon slowly pass. He had warned the man with spiky hair not to enter the woods there, but the man hadn't listened. Oh well he thought. At least he had that huge sword strapped to his back. From the way he looked, he was built to use that sword.

He was continuing to enjoy the clear night sky when an explosion tore through the forest. The blast knocked Daman off his feet and he fell against large rock, knocking himself in the head. He swore and slowly lifted himself up. By the time he was on his feet, several other men were beside him.

"What happened?" a voice rose behind him.

"I don't know," Damon said.

After several moments, the blast died down and the group made their way to the forest. They walked through the thick forest, past several fleeing animals. Then the trees suddenly broke and they found the clearing made by the blast.

"Weird," one man said. "An explosion that big and no fire?"

It was true. The damage from the blast just stopped suddenly, and the forest past it was virtually untouched. Daman continued cautiously, making his way past the debris. He saw the man he had warned, holding his sword. He was in the middle of where the explosion would have come from.

"Hey!" he called out. "What happened? Are you okay?"

The man turned, his spiked hair still in form. He grinned, a smile that made Daman uneasy, and said, "Yes, I'm am just fine. Better then fine, I'm great."

"What happened?" one of the men called out.

"I happened," the man said. He laughed and turned around. He left them in the clearing, still laughing as he left their sight.