Disclaimer: I hate these things.. alright, I don't own FF7, any of the characters, attacks, etc. I don't own FFT, anything that goes with it, FF3/6 or DBZ. If I did I would be a rich little bastard and wouldn't have to write this stuff now would I? Now then, on with the story before I change my mind..
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Chapter 1: "Pisces" and After the Pillar Assault
Deep within the ShinRa building in Midgar, on the 67th and 68th floors, are creatures.. rare beings.. one of a kind.. like the legendary Jenova... the "Ancient" and Nanaki of Cosmo Canyon.. and the being simply known as HO512... the personal play things of Hojo. However.. there is also another... a human... he is the pride of Hojo.. simply known as Pisces. Few ever see him.. and when they do.. they do not think much of him.
"Just a mere boy.. nothing more."
Some would say, while others would just merely scoff and walk away. Why should they be impressed by a boy who is only 6'0, not very buff, who is just normal looking? But he is more than a boy, he is.. a biological weapon.. Hojo's sick attempt at playing God. Now we leave him and the ShinRa building.. and go to a small group of rebels.. just after the fall of the Sector 7 plate.. the remains of AVALANCHE, who are known as Cloud Strife, Barret Wallace and Tifa Lockheart.
Just after the fall of the Sector 7 plate, just after it had all fallen apart.. Barret stands in-front of the gate that once lead to Sector 7.. but now all it leads to is a sector filled with twisted metal. He just stands there.. staring at it.. staring at what had just killed so many innocent people.. his friends Vicks, Wedge and Jesse.. and what's worse.. his daughter Marlene. Cloud and Tifa just stand behind him, taking in what has just happened.
"It's.. almost like a nightmare.."
Tifa mutters in a low voice.
"Such needless death and destruction... it sickens me..."
Cloud says in a low tone. But Barret stays silent while rage, hatred and sadness swell within him. After a few moment he explodes.
"GOODDDAAAMMNNNITTT!!!!!"
Barret screams as he lifts his gun-arm and fires what seems like an endless supply of bullets into the twisted metal.
"Why the Hell did this happen?!?!?!?!? Why...?"
Barret says as he falls to his knees, crying... first time many have seen him openly cry. Tifa and Cloud just stand there... as if.. their legs will not work.. they're too shocked to really move.
I.. can't believe they.. crushed an entire Sector.. to get rid of us..."
Cloud says in a cool voice, finally regaining his control and normal cool shell. Tifa looks at him, a little shocked and speaks;
"So.. you're saying we're to blame for this?!?"
Barret stands up slowly and shakes his head, speaking in a still rage filled voice;
"Hell no.. it ain't our fault.. it's those damn ShinRa.. they're to blame.. they made it so the plate would fall.. they're to blame cuz we were tryin' to stop them from makin' money."
Cloud turns and starts to walk away from them both as he speaks;
"Maybe so.. but we'll be blamed for it.. ShinRa will come in.. offer aid to those who managed to get out and to those families who lost loved ones in Sector 7... ShinRa will become the hero, while we become more hated.. it was a.. rather smart plan."
"DAMN THOSE FUCKING SHINRA BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!"
Barret screams as he gets up.. but then his voice becomes filled with sorrow;
"Because of them I lost my friends.. and my daughter..."
Suddenly Tifa remembers something that was said back at the pillar.
"Wait.. Barret.. I think Marlene.. I think she's alright... remember when Aeris said 'don't worry.. she's safe'? I know she was talking about Marlene.. I just know it.."
Barret turns and looks at Tifa and speaks with a shaky voice;
"D-..do you.. really think so?!?!?!?"
All Tifa does is nod and then looks at Cloud, who seems to be thinking.
"Aeris..."
Is all he mumbles as he starts to walk away.
"C..Cloud? Cloud wait!"
Tifa blurts out as she runs to follow him. Barret looks at what was once Sector 7.
"Good-bye.. my friends..."
Barret says as he turns and walks away, following Tifa.
Chapter 2: To Aeris' house
Cloud falls to his knees just outside the small park and an ominous voice goes through his head;
"'I am an Ancient, the last of the master race of the planet.'"
Cloud lifts his hands to his head, his face full of pain and mumbles a name;
"Sephiroth..."
Tifa reaches him and looks rather worried and kneels next to him and places a hand on his back;
"Are you.. alright Cloud?"
She tries to comfort him from something she has no idea of. Barret walks up to them and stands next to Cloud and looks down at him and speaks slowly;
"Yo Cloud.. what's wrong with your spiky-headed ass? Pull it together man.. we don't need to lose another person."
Cloud slowly stands up, pulling his hands away from his head and shakes his head slightly and then speaks in his normal tone;
"I'm alright.."
Tifa stands up rather quickly.
"Cloud.. what was that all about?"
Tifa asks, sounding rather concerned for Cloud, which makes Barret mentally smirk. Cloud sighs slightly and then speaks in a calm voice;
"I... remembered.. what Sephiroth once said.. that he was 'the last of the master race of the planet' an Ancient... and on the Pillar.. Tseng said that she was an Ancient. There must be a connection... I'm going to see Aeris' mother... I need to know what the Hell is going on..."
Cloud then turns and starts to walk off again. Tifa, not wanting to be left behind, follows him closely.
"Cloud.. what do you plan on doing once you talk to her mother?"
She asks slowly and calmly. Cloud stays silent for moment and then simply replies with;
"I don't know.. but.. I'll figure something out..."
Barret follows behind both of them and shakes his head.
"Known' you, you'd prolly get some crazy assed idea bout' saven her from the ShinRa."
Barret says as they all walk toward Aeris' house.
"Maybe you're right Barret... maybe.."
Cloud says as he walks. Tifa and Barret aren't shocked at all, they expected him to say that.. but Tifa starts to become increasingly jealous of Aeris.
"Why does he want to save her so much.. could he be.. no... he couldn't be.. could he.. love her?... But why not me..."
Tifa says to herself as they walk to Aeris' home, in search of answers.
Chapter 3: Aeris' Past
"Here we are.. Aeris' home..."
Cloud says as they reach a semi-large home. The sight is rare in Midgar.. a waterfall... a garden with flowers... a small piece of life that was seemingly ripped away from an area outside Midgar and placed in the slums.
"It's.. beautiful.. I haven't seen something like this since I came to Midgar..." "
Is all that comes from a stunned Tifa can say. Barret seems unimpressed but remains silent as Cloud walks up to the door and knocks. Aeris' mother opens the door, and seems a little surprised by Cloud.
"Ah.. so you've come back.. well come in.."
She says as she moves out of the way. Cloud walks in, followed by Barret and then Tifa.
"Thank you very much.."
Tifa says as she enters, she always did have more manners then Cloud and Barret. Mrs. Gainsborough closes the door and walks in-front of them all.
"So what brings you here mister.. Cloud was it?"
Mrs. Gainsborough asks in a calm voice. Cloud nods and then speaks;
"Yes.. I've come here to tell you that Aeris was taken by the ShinRa and that she's an Ancient."
"Oh I know Aeris is an Ancient.. and I know she was taken by the ShinRa.. she came here a little while ago with a child.. a little girl, and the Turks caught up with her and took her.. she agreed to go with them only if they left the child alone, which they agreed to.. they have no interest in a child..."
Mrs. Gainsborough says with a nod. Barret pushes Cloud out of the way and speaks in a hopeful tone;
"Did you say a child?? Where is she??"
Suddenly a small voice is heard from above;
"Daddy!!!"
It's Marlene. She runs down the stairs and jumps in Barret's waiting arms.
"My goodness.. you mean to tell me that you left a child all alone.. how could you do such a thing?"
Mrs. Gainsborough says in a calm, but pissed tone. Barret looks at her and speaks in a calm tone;
"Listen.. please don't start with me.. I want to be with her.. but I have to fight.. for her.. an' the life of the planet.. to protect her.. I have to fight.. to make sure she has a world to grow up in.."
Mrs. Gainsborough looks rather touched by his statement.
"I understand completely.."
She says with a nod. Cloud, not being one who likes to wait, breaks in;
"So... then that must mean you're an Ancient as well..."
"No.. no I'm not.."
Mrs. Gainsborough states in a semi-depressed tone.
"But.. how can she be your daughter if you're not an Ancient?"
Tifa says in a somewhat confused voice.
Mrs. Gainsborough pauses and then starts to speak;
"I'm not her real mother.. her real mother died long ago.. although it seems like yesterday...
... it was 15 years go.. during the middle of the war.. my husband was in a small, far off town called Wutai. One day I got a letter saying that he was on leave, and would arrive shortly, so I went to the train station and waited for him.. but he never came.. I told myself;
'One day late.. it's prolly taking longer than they thought to get him here.'
So I went home.. the next day I went to the train station... and saw a woman with a child.. you see a lot of this during wars.. so you get used to it.. I rushed to the woman and she looked up at me and spoke to me in a sad tone;
'Please take care of Aeris.. she's all I have left...'
Before I could answer.. she was gone... I had no children of my own, my husband was gone.. I took her home with me... I suppose because I was lonely.. and she grew on me.. my husband never came home.. I figured his leave was canceled, it was a common thing back then... A few days later.. Aeris said the strangest thing to me;
"'I'm sorry.... somebody you loved was coming to see you.. but his spirit had already returned to the Planet'"
I asked her if she meant a star in the sky, but she said it was this planet.. it was strange.. but I never thought about it until one day..."
Tifa jumps in;
"Until one day?"
Mrs. Gainsborough nods and goes on;
"Yes.. until the day I got a letter saying... my husband.. had died in battle... and then what she said came to me... I knew she was special from then on. She tried to cover her powers so hard.. so I acted like I didn't notice. The child loved to talk.. and she would tell me stories about how she was in some lab with her mother... and seeing some glass tube with a boy in it.. she called him 'Pisces'... Then one day.. a man showed up who called himself Tseng, he said that;
'Aeris is a very special child.. she's an "Ancient"'
I told him I knew, I had heard the stories, but Aeris seemed upset;
'Nuh huh.. I'm just a normal kid!'
Tseng looked right at her and tried to talk to her;
'Aeris.. you're of special blood.. we would like you to help ShinRa to find the "Promised Land" so that the people in the slums can be happy for the rest of their lives..'
Aeris, of course, wasn't happy and she screamed;
'I'm not an Ancient, I'm a normal child!!!!'
As she ran to her room...and with that Tseng left... and that take us up to today."
Cloud, Tifa, Barret and Marlene are shocked from the story.
Chapter 4: To Wall Market
Cloud stands there, silent, in his "thinking" stance.. going over it all in his mind. Meanwhile Barret and Marlene have left the room, so he can talk to her without the others overhearing him being "weak", and Tifa just stands there next to Cloud, letting it all sink in.
"So.. what do we do now Cloud?"
Tifa says as she looks at him, having faith in him to know what to do. Cloud walks toward the door and speaks in a low voice;
"I'm going to go save Aeris..."
"Cloud wait.. how do you plan on getting to the ShinRa building? And how do you plan on saving her all alone? Please.. let me go with you..."
Tifa says as he turns and looks at him, almost begging him to let her go with him.
"Please don't leave me alone again..."
Is what she wants to say, but holds herself back. Cloud turns and looks at her and shakes his head.
"It'll be dangerous when we get there.. I don't want you getting hurt Tifa"
He sounded cocky when he said they'd get there, but concerned when he told her he didn't want her to get hurt. She looks at him.. and shakes her head and speaks;
"I don't care if I get hurt.. I want to help you in anyway I can."
Cloud gets an almost shy smile on his face, but quickly removes it and then looks at the door.
"Alright then.. lets get going."
Cloud says as he starts to open the door.
"Yo wait up, I'm goin' too... can't let you have all the fun now can I?"
Barret says as he comes down the stairs. He reaches the bottom of the stairs and looks at Aeris' mother and speaks in his nicest tone;
"Can you please look after her a little while longer?"
"Of course.. but don't go getting yourself killed.. she needs you."
Mrs. Gainsborough says in a stern voice. Cloud smirks as he knows not many would get that tone of voice around Barret.
"Now I know where Aeris gets her stubborn side..."
Cloud says to himself as he opens the door.
"Alright lets go everybody.."
Cloud mutters as he walks out the door. Tifa follows him along with Barret.
"So where do we go from here?"
Barret asks as they stand outside.
"Hmmm...."
Is all he gets from Cloud. Barret of course uses his normal tone;
"What the Hell do you mean by 'Hmm...'? You don't know where the Hell we're goin'?"
"Well um.... not really..."
Cloud says in a semi-meek voice.
Tifa, who has been silent comes up with an idea and speaks;
"Well, why don't we go to Wall Market and try to figure something out.. does that sound alright with you two?"
"Good idea Tif., lets get going."
Cloud says as he nods slightly and Tifa gives him her puffy, 'I'm ever so mad at you' look, since she's been telling him ever since they've met not to call her "'Tif.'" and Cloud laughs as he looks over his shoulder at her to see her reaction, but she really does like it when he calls her that. And so they all head off to Wall Market.. where they'll find something which will lead them to what they seek, some new friends.. their fate and the start of their true mission to save the planet.
Chapter 5: The Specimen known as "Pisces"
Our brave group of three head toward Wall Market, meanwhile.. above the plate in the ShinRa building, Hojo is on the 67th floor, looking over his specimens, enjoying the ideas of what experiments he'll do next. He taps a small green button that's behind a panel that not many know about, and a large wall panel opens up, slides to the side, and a large tube comes out. The tube is filled with a bluish liquid and within that liquid floats the "boy" known as Pisces... he has wires hooked up to him, heart monitors, feeding tubes, tubes connected to him to remove waste, etc.
He wears a pair of baggy black pants and a loose fitting blue shirt, while his boots are dark red. His jet black hair stands up as it floats in the water, it's broken into "spikes." His eyes are closed and a mask is over his mouth and nose supplying the oxygen he needs to survive. The tube is over 8 feet tall, and 6 feet wide, the only thing is has on it is a small metal plate with the words "Pisces Project" engraved on it. His eyes are closed right now, they're sensitive to light because he normally spends his time in the space behind the wall panel, but when they're open they're pure black. No one has ever heard his voice. He appears to be around 20, some call him a "boy" because he looks like one, his body doesn't seem to reflect his real age.
Hojo looks at him with awe... as if he is impressed with him, and then speaks;
"Hello Kyle.. how are we today?"
The moment he said the name 'Kyle', the boys' eyes opened and he looked right at Hojo, but he is unable to speak, as the feeding tube is down his throat.
"Ahh good.. you're awake.. soon my 'child' you shall be ready.."
As Hojo said that Kyle's hand touched the glass. Hojo goes on;
"You like the idea of being ready don't you?"
Kyle nods slightly and then Hojo nods, and speaks once more;
"You wish to be free from this tube and walk among other people.. speak.. hear your own voice.. live your life... don't you?"
Kyle's eyes show his longing for such things... his desire to be free of that damned tube.. to walk.. to see the sun.. to feel things beyond that which is within the tube. Hojo turns his back and looks over his shoulder at Kyle and then speaks once more;
"Yes.. soon Kyle.. you shall be free.. but of course you will do what we ask of you, will you not? After all.. you were made for battle."
Kyle nods slowly.. he hates the idea that he's thought of as a weapon, but he knows if he goes against them they'll just put him back or keep him in the tube... and he doesn't want to be trapped in there for all his life. Hojo smiles more and he again speaks;
"Good boy... you should be pleased... you'll be following in the steps of the great Sephiroth... only you will not go against us. I remember when we first found you.. you were so young.. and yet had powers beyond that of even the Ancients... you could control magic without needing Materia... and you could control the energy of your body. That's why we chose you.. injected you with Jenova's cells.. to make you more powerful... it's odd that your eyes do not glow even though you've been exposed to a lot of Mako energy..... you'll become the perfect warrior.. maybe even more powerful then Sephiroth himself... now then Kyle.. do you remember that Ancient named Aeris that was here all those years ago?"
Kyle nods slightly... she was the only thing even close to a friend that he's had in his life.
"Well.. we found her.. and she's back.. she's grown up, would you like to see her?"
Kyle nods happily as Hojo spoke, which is rare for him.
"I can see you're happy.. alright then Kyle.."
Hojo says as he taps the metal plate on the tube. Part of the floor of the next floor up opens, and the tube is lifted up into another tube that holds Aeris. This tube is bigger and not filled with a liquid. She doesn't seem all that scared, she's been through this before.. spent most of her life like this... but she looks shocked when a tube is lifted through the floor, until she sees the metal plate.
"Kyle..? Is that really you?"
She says as she gets to her feet and walks up to the tube, placing her small hand on the tube, Kyle places his right where hers is and looks at her.
"They.. still... keep you trapped like this? Even after all these years?"
She asks as she looks up at him, and he nods slightly.
"I.. can't believe they wouldn't free you after so long... it's.. so cruel to keep you trapped like a rat in a cage.."
She says softly as she hugs the glass.. crying slightly, out of sadness for him... and all he can do is watch...
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Chapter 1: "Pisces" and After the Pillar Assault
Deep within the ShinRa building in Midgar, on the 67th and 68th floors, are creatures.. rare beings.. one of a kind.. like the legendary Jenova... the "Ancient" and Nanaki of Cosmo Canyon.. and the being simply known as HO512... the personal play things of Hojo. However.. there is also another... a human... he is the pride of Hojo.. simply known as Pisces. Few ever see him.. and when they do.. they do not think much of him.
"Just a mere boy.. nothing more."
Some would say, while others would just merely scoff and walk away. Why should they be impressed by a boy who is only 6'0, not very buff, who is just normal looking? But he is more than a boy, he is.. a biological weapon.. Hojo's sick attempt at playing God. Now we leave him and the ShinRa building.. and go to a small group of rebels.. just after the fall of the Sector 7 plate.. the remains of AVALANCHE, who are known as Cloud Strife, Barret Wallace and Tifa Lockheart.
Just after the fall of the Sector 7 plate, just after it had all fallen apart.. Barret stands in-front of the gate that once lead to Sector 7.. but now all it leads to is a sector filled with twisted metal. He just stands there.. staring at it.. staring at what had just killed so many innocent people.. his friends Vicks, Wedge and Jesse.. and what's worse.. his daughter Marlene. Cloud and Tifa just stand behind him, taking in what has just happened.
"It's.. almost like a nightmare.."
Tifa mutters in a low voice.
"Such needless death and destruction... it sickens me..."
Cloud says in a low tone. But Barret stays silent while rage, hatred and sadness swell within him. After a few moment he explodes.
"GOODDDAAAMMNNNITTT!!!!!"
Barret screams as he lifts his gun-arm and fires what seems like an endless supply of bullets into the twisted metal.
"Why the Hell did this happen?!?!?!?!? Why...?"
Barret says as he falls to his knees, crying... first time many have seen him openly cry. Tifa and Cloud just stand there... as if.. their legs will not work.. they're too shocked to really move.
I.. can't believe they.. crushed an entire Sector.. to get rid of us..."
Cloud says in a cool voice, finally regaining his control and normal cool shell. Tifa looks at him, a little shocked and speaks;
"So.. you're saying we're to blame for this?!?"
Barret stands up slowly and shakes his head, speaking in a still rage filled voice;
"Hell no.. it ain't our fault.. it's those damn ShinRa.. they're to blame.. they made it so the plate would fall.. they're to blame cuz we were tryin' to stop them from makin' money."
Cloud turns and starts to walk away from them both as he speaks;
"Maybe so.. but we'll be blamed for it.. ShinRa will come in.. offer aid to those who managed to get out and to those families who lost loved ones in Sector 7... ShinRa will become the hero, while we become more hated.. it was a.. rather smart plan."
"DAMN THOSE FUCKING SHINRA BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!"
Barret screams as he gets up.. but then his voice becomes filled with sorrow;
"Because of them I lost my friends.. and my daughter..."
Suddenly Tifa remembers something that was said back at the pillar.
"Wait.. Barret.. I think Marlene.. I think she's alright... remember when Aeris said 'don't worry.. she's safe'? I know she was talking about Marlene.. I just know it.."
Barret turns and looks at Tifa and speaks with a shaky voice;
"D-..do you.. really think so?!?!?!?"
All Tifa does is nod and then looks at Cloud, who seems to be thinking.
"Aeris..."
Is all he mumbles as he starts to walk away.
"C..Cloud? Cloud wait!"
Tifa blurts out as she runs to follow him. Barret looks at what was once Sector 7.
"Good-bye.. my friends..."
Barret says as he turns and walks away, following Tifa.
Chapter 2: To Aeris' house
Cloud falls to his knees just outside the small park and an ominous voice goes through his head;
"'I am an Ancient, the last of the master race of the planet.'"
Cloud lifts his hands to his head, his face full of pain and mumbles a name;
"Sephiroth..."
Tifa reaches him and looks rather worried and kneels next to him and places a hand on his back;
"Are you.. alright Cloud?"
She tries to comfort him from something she has no idea of. Barret walks up to them and stands next to Cloud and looks down at him and speaks slowly;
"Yo Cloud.. what's wrong with your spiky-headed ass? Pull it together man.. we don't need to lose another person."
Cloud slowly stands up, pulling his hands away from his head and shakes his head slightly and then speaks in his normal tone;
"I'm alright.."
Tifa stands up rather quickly.
"Cloud.. what was that all about?"
Tifa asks, sounding rather concerned for Cloud, which makes Barret mentally smirk. Cloud sighs slightly and then speaks in a calm voice;
"I... remembered.. what Sephiroth once said.. that he was 'the last of the master race of the planet' an Ancient... and on the Pillar.. Tseng said that she was an Ancient. There must be a connection... I'm going to see Aeris' mother... I need to know what the Hell is going on..."
Cloud then turns and starts to walk off again. Tifa, not wanting to be left behind, follows him closely.
"Cloud.. what do you plan on doing once you talk to her mother?"
She asks slowly and calmly. Cloud stays silent for moment and then simply replies with;
"I don't know.. but.. I'll figure something out..."
Barret follows behind both of them and shakes his head.
"Known' you, you'd prolly get some crazy assed idea bout' saven her from the ShinRa."
Barret says as they all walk toward Aeris' house.
"Maybe you're right Barret... maybe.."
Cloud says as he walks. Tifa and Barret aren't shocked at all, they expected him to say that.. but Tifa starts to become increasingly jealous of Aeris.
"Why does he want to save her so much.. could he be.. no... he couldn't be.. could he.. love her?... But why not me..."
Tifa says to herself as they walk to Aeris' home, in search of answers.
Chapter 3: Aeris' Past
"Here we are.. Aeris' home..."
Cloud says as they reach a semi-large home. The sight is rare in Midgar.. a waterfall... a garden with flowers... a small piece of life that was seemingly ripped away from an area outside Midgar and placed in the slums.
"It's.. beautiful.. I haven't seen something like this since I came to Midgar..." "
Is all that comes from a stunned Tifa can say. Barret seems unimpressed but remains silent as Cloud walks up to the door and knocks. Aeris' mother opens the door, and seems a little surprised by Cloud.
"Ah.. so you've come back.. well come in.."
She says as she moves out of the way. Cloud walks in, followed by Barret and then Tifa.
"Thank you very much.."
Tifa says as she enters, she always did have more manners then Cloud and Barret. Mrs. Gainsborough closes the door and walks in-front of them all.
"So what brings you here mister.. Cloud was it?"
Mrs. Gainsborough asks in a calm voice. Cloud nods and then speaks;
"Yes.. I've come here to tell you that Aeris was taken by the ShinRa and that she's an Ancient."
"Oh I know Aeris is an Ancient.. and I know she was taken by the ShinRa.. she came here a little while ago with a child.. a little girl, and the Turks caught up with her and took her.. she agreed to go with them only if they left the child alone, which they agreed to.. they have no interest in a child..."
Mrs. Gainsborough says with a nod. Barret pushes Cloud out of the way and speaks in a hopeful tone;
"Did you say a child?? Where is she??"
Suddenly a small voice is heard from above;
"Daddy!!!"
It's Marlene. She runs down the stairs and jumps in Barret's waiting arms.
"My goodness.. you mean to tell me that you left a child all alone.. how could you do such a thing?"
Mrs. Gainsborough says in a calm, but pissed tone. Barret looks at her and speaks in a calm tone;
"Listen.. please don't start with me.. I want to be with her.. but I have to fight.. for her.. an' the life of the planet.. to protect her.. I have to fight.. to make sure she has a world to grow up in.."
Mrs. Gainsborough looks rather touched by his statement.
"I understand completely.."
She says with a nod. Cloud, not being one who likes to wait, breaks in;
"So... then that must mean you're an Ancient as well..."
"No.. no I'm not.."
Mrs. Gainsborough states in a semi-depressed tone.
"But.. how can she be your daughter if you're not an Ancient?"
Tifa says in a somewhat confused voice.
Mrs. Gainsborough pauses and then starts to speak;
"I'm not her real mother.. her real mother died long ago.. although it seems like yesterday...
... it was 15 years go.. during the middle of the war.. my husband was in a small, far off town called Wutai. One day I got a letter saying that he was on leave, and would arrive shortly, so I went to the train station and waited for him.. but he never came.. I told myself;
'One day late.. it's prolly taking longer than they thought to get him here.'
So I went home.. the next day I went to the train station... and saw a woman with a child.. you see a lot of this during wars.. so you get used to it.. I rushed to the woman and she looked up at me and spoke to me in a sad tone;
'Please take care of Aeris.. she's all I have left...'
Before I could answer.. she was gone... I had no children of my own, my husband was gone.. I took her home with me... I suppose because I was lonely.. and she grew on me.. my husband never came home.. I figured his leave was canceled, it was a common thing back then... A few days later.. Aeris said the strangest thing to me;
"'I'm sorry.... somebody you loved was coming to see you.. but his spirit had already returned to the Planet'"
I asked her if she meant a star in the sky, but she said it was this planet.. it was strange.. but I never thought about it until one day..."
Tifa jumps in;
"Until one day?"
Mrs. Gainsborough nods and goes on;
"Yes.. until the day I got a letter saying... my husband.. had died in battle... and then what she said came to me... I knew she was special from then on. She tried to cover her powers so hard.. so I acted like I didn't notice. The child loved to talk.. and she would tell me stories about how she was in some lab with her mother... and seeing some glass tube with a boy in it.. she called him 'Pisces'... Then one day.. a man showed up who called himself Tseng, he said that;
'Aeris is a very special child.. she's an "Ancient"'
I told him I knew, I had heard the stories, but Aeris seemed upset;
'Nuh huh.. I'm just a normal kid!'
Tseng looked right at her and tried to talk to her;
'Aeris.. you're of special blood.. we would like you to help ShinRa to find the "Promised Land" so that the people in the slums can be happy for the rest of their lives..'
Aeris, of course, wasn't happy and she screamed;
'I'm not an Ancient, I'm a normal child!!!!'
As she ran to her room...and with that Tseng left... and that take us up to today."
Cloud, Tifa, Barret and Marlene are shocked from the story.
Chapter 4: To Wall Market
Cloud stands there, silent, in his "thinking" stance.. going over it all in his mind. Meanwhile Barret and Marlene have left the room, so he can talk to her without the others overhearing him being "weak", and Tifa just stands there next to Cloud, letting it all sink in.
"So.. what do we do now Cloud?"
Tifa says as she looks at him, having faith in him to know what to do. Cloud walks toward the door and speaks in a low voice;
"I'm going to go save Aeris..."
"Cloud wait.. how do you plan on getting to the ShinRa building? And how do you plan on saving her all alone? Please.. let me go with you..."
Tifa says as he turns and looks at him, almost begging him to let her go with him.
"Please don't leave me alone again..."
Is what she wants to say, but holds herself back. Cloud turns and looks at her and shakes his head.
"It'll be dangerous when we get there.. I don't want you getting hurt Tifa"
He sounded cocky when he said they'd get there, but concerned when he told her he didn't want her to get hurt. She looks at him.. and shakes her head and speaks;
"I don't care if I get hurt.. I want to help you in anyway I can."
Cloud gets an almost shy smile on his face, but quickly removes it and then looks at the door.
"Alright then.. lets get going."
Cloud says as he starts to open the door.
"Yo wait up, I'm goin' too... can't let you have all the fun now can I?"
Barret says as he comes down the stairs. He reaches the bottom of the stairs and looks at Aeris' mother and speaks in his nicest tone;
"Can you please look after her a little while longer?"
"Of course.. but don't go getting yourself killed.. she needs you."
Mrs. Gainsborough says in a stern voice. Cloud smirks as he knows not many would get that tone of voice around Barret.
"Now I know where Aeris gets her stubborn side..."
Cloud says to himself as he opens the door.
"Alright lets go everybody.."
Cloud mutters as he walks out the door. Tifa follows him along with Barret.
"So where do we go from here?"
Barret asks as they stand outside.
"Hmmm...."
Is all he gets from Cloud. Barret of course uses his normal tone;
"What the Hell do you mean by 'Hmm...'? You don't know where the Hell we're goin'?"
"Well um.... not really..."
Cloud says in a semi-meek voice.
Tifa, who has been silent comes up with an idea and speaks;
"Well, why don't we go to Wall Market and try to figure something out.. does that sound alright with you two?"
"Good idea Tif., lets get going."
Cloud says as he nods slightly and Tifa gives him her puffy, 'I'm ever so mad at you' look, since she's been telling him ever since they've met not to call her "'Tif.'" and Cloud laughs as he looks over his shoulder at her to see her reaction, but she really does like it when he calls her that. And so they all head off to Wall Market.. where they'll find something which will lead them to what they seek, some new friends.. their fate and the start of their true mission to save the planet.
Chapter 5: The Specimen known as "Pisces"
Our brave group of three head toward Wall Market, meanwhile.. above the plate in the ShinRa building, Hojo is on the 67th floor, looking over his specimens, enjoying the ideas of what experiments he'll do next. He taps a small green button that's behind a panel that not many know about, and a large wall panel opens up, slides to the side, and a large tube comes out. The tube is filled with a bluish liquid and within that liquid floats the "boy" known as Pisces... he has wires hooked up to him, heart monitors, feeding tubes, tubes connected to him to remove waste, etc.
He wears a pair of baggy black pants and a loose fitting blue shirt, while his boots are dark red. His jet black hair stands up as it floats in the water, it's broken into "spikes." His eyes are closed and a mask is over his mouth and nose supplying the oxygen he needs to survive. The tube is over 8 feet tall, and 6 feet wide, the only thing is has on it is a small metal plate with the words "Pisces Project" engraved on it. His eyes are closed right now, they're sensitive to light because he normally spends his time in the space behind the wall panel, but when they're open they're pure black. No one has ever heard his voice. He appears to be around 20, some call him a "boy" because he looks like one, his body doesn't seem to reflect his real age.
Hojo looks at him with awe... as if he is impressed with him, and then speaks;
"Hello Kyle.. how are we today?"
The moment he said the name 'Kyle', the boys' eyes opened and he looked right at Hojo, but he is unable to speak, as the feeding tube is down his throat.
"Ahh good.. you're awake.. soon my 'child' you shall be ready.."
As Hojo said that Kyle's hand touched the glass. Hojo goes on;
"You like the idea of being ready don't you?"
Kyle nods slightly and then Hojo nods, and speaks once more;
"You wish to be free from this tube and walk among other people.. speak.. hear your own voice.. live your life... don't you?"
Kyle's eyes show his longing for such things... his desire to be free of that damned tube.. to walk.. to see the sun.. to feel things beyond that which is within the tube. Hojo turns his back and looks over his shoulder at Kyle and then speaks once more;
"Yes.. soon Kyle.. you shall be free.. but of course you will do what we ask of you, will you not? After all.. you were made for battle."
Kyle nods slowly.. he hates the idea that he's thought of as a weapon, but he knows if he goes against them they'll just put him back or keep him in the tube... and he doesn't want to be trapped in there for all his life. Hojo smiles more and he again speaks;
"Good boy... you should be pleased... you'll be following in the steps of the great Sephiroth... only you will not go against us. I remember when we first found you.. you were so young.. and yet had powers beyond that of even the Ancients... you could control magic without needing Materia... and you could control the energy of your body. That's why we chose you.. injected you with Jenova's cells.. to make you more powerful... it's odd that your eyes do not glow even though you've been exposed to a lot of Mako energy..... you'll become the perfect warrior.. maybe even more powerful then Sephiroth himself... now then Kyle.. do you remember that Ancient named Aeris that was here all those years ago?"
Kyle nods slightly... she was the only thing even close to a friend that he's had in his life.
"Well.. we found her.. and she's back.. she's grown up, would you like to see her?"
Kyle nods happily as Hojo spoke, which is rare for him.
"I can see you're happy.. alright then Kyle.."
Hojo says as he taps the metal plate on the tube. Part of the floor of the next floor up opens, and the tube is lifted up into another tube that holds Aeris. This tube is bigger and not filled with a liquid. She doesn't seem all that scared, she's been through this before.. spent most of her life like this... but she looks shocked when a tube is lifted through the floor, until she sees the metal plate.
"Kyle..? Is that really you?"
She says as she gets to her feet and walks up to the tube, placing her small hand on the tube, Kyle places his right where hers is and looks at her.
"They.. still... keep you trapped like this? Even after all these years?"
She asks as she looks up at him, and he nods slightly.
"I.. can't believe they wouldn't free you after so long... it's.. so cruel to keep you trapped like a rat in a cage.."
She says softly as she hugs the glass.. crying slightly, out of sadness for him... and all he can do is watch...