Compilation of Final Fantasy VII: Zenith Fable
By: DeathSeekr
Special thanks to lo5ing1t
Basically this story takes place half a year after DoC, so Advent Children material may come up.
Disclaimer: I don't own Square-Enix, wish I did though.
Note: This chapter has references to Advent Children, though it won't give away the plot. And another thing is that brackets represents thoughts.
Chapter 1: The Sin Returned
The greatest tragedy fell on the flower girl,
To avenge her death would be Cloud's final atonement.
The exact time when Aeris left this world,
Would forever be the saddest moment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------DeathSeekr
The dim light that was able to reach the Forgotten Capital reflected Cloud's image on the clear water. The City of Ancients had been undisturbed since the last fight. The memories that were still engraved in his memory somehow seemed trivial to his own despair. The cool air wisped passed his face gently swaying his hair; the slight breeze almost softened his figure. It was as if he was falling into a spiral of darkness again. However, there was one sin that dragged onto him; it was worn from the years of being attached to him, but yet he was not ready to let go.
"It has been nearly three and a half years," a person said in a monotone voice. The man walked up to Cloud from behind.
"Vincent, why are you here?" Cloud asked, his eyes gazing at the water's surface.
Vincent responded in calm voice, "I returned here after Kadaj had left. You've been coming here every week for the past couple of months--why?"
Cloud's mako eyes continued to stare intently at the water. "Remember when I said I will try to have a sin forgiven, I am starting to believe it cannot be done."
"She already forgave you Cloud, and if a sin cannot be forgiven her death is not your sin.
As Cloud turned around to leave, "She died because of me."
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After spending the night in Kalm, Cloud woke up early to the cool morning air. The sun had barely risen to the sky, the morning dew still dangling from last night's chilly weather. He left the inn he was staying at and proceeded to Fenrir, thinking intently as he got on his motorcycle Aeris…I will be back… He turned on his cell phone and listened to the new messages he had. "You have two new messages," beeped the automated voice.
Tifa voice: "Cloud where are you? You are not answering your phone again…like last time. Cloud are you alright? … Denzel and I are worryied about you. So are Marlene and Barret… Cloud, please come back to Midgar…"
Beep!
Reno: Cloud, Shinra Company needs your help. Meet us in Shinra, yo.
"You have no new messages beeped the automated voice," beeped the automated voice again.
As Cloud returned his phone in his pocket, he put on his sunglasses to his eyes and set out for Shinra.
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"Hold it right there, this is Shinra property. Do you have authority to be here?" chanted two guards of Shinra.
"Move," a deep voice commanded; just as two hooded figures behind the man slid their masamune inside the guards' body. The guards immediately fell to the floor; blood stained the reactor ground's surface.
"Where is the body?" the deep voiced questioned.
"Boss it is here, don't worry about it," replied another voice.
"They said Nibelheim boss, probably inside the mako-reactor," boomed a third voice.
"We must have it, the Last Reunion will not come if we do not have this, you two stay with me and you six go inside and look around the reactor," commanded the boss.
As the group of nine separated, their black hoods almost gave away their identity. They all resembled a memory of the past.
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Despite the cool morning air, the sun had already taken its throne in the heaven. The sun shined its mighty light upon the damaged Planet. As Cloud approached the Shinra's building, Rufus, Tseng, Reno, Rude, and Elena all came out to meet Cloud. What is it that they want? Cloud got off of Fenrir and took out a sword from his compartment. The atmosphere in the other group seemed tense as if the cooperation of Cloud was necessary.
"Hey, yo," said the unmistakable-red headed Reno.
The others simply gave a nod to show they acknowledged Cloud. Rufus rolled his wheelchair up to Cloud.
"Cloud Strife, the same appearance as I last saw you," Rufus stated to the ex-SOLDIER.
"What is it that you want?" Cloud inquired, impatient with the fact he was dealing with the Turks and Shinra again. Reno meanwhile was playing with Electro Rod after noticing the huge sword in Cloud's hand.
"Eight years ago in Nibelheim, when Sephiroth came and burned down--," Rufus stated.
"What is it that you want?" interrupted Cloud.
"When he took Jenova's head--"
Cloud interrupted by saying, "I am leaving if you don't tell me what you want."
"C'mon, hear us out for once damnit!" yelled Reno, raising his rod to Cloud's eye level. The other Turks neither commented nor left.
Cloud stated in slight annoyance, "I'm leaving."
Rufus called out to Cloud as the ex-SOLDIER approached Fenrir, "Though he may be a memory, he may come back to haunt this planet." Cloud slowly turned around to face Rufus, though his face was still practically emotionless. "I see I have your attention now."