Chapter I: Dark Clouds on the Horizon

"Every cloud has a silver lining."

***~~~***

They had known each other all their lives. The four were inseparable, almost from birth. They had been friends ever since they could walk and talk, and were always seen around the library. Squall, Yuffie, Sephiroth, and Aerith. They weren't really a gang, and didn't really have a name, but everyone knew of them- they were children with renowned parents, loved by all... or not.

Aerith Gast, was taking the many lifts, down to the Rising Falls, where Sephiroth said he'd meet her. Aerith liked Sephiroth a lot, and wanted to maybe start a relationship, but, he never really shared the same feelings...

Aerith gracefully walked to the Rising Falls courtyard, which was empty, except for Sephiroth, who had his back turned to her. He was wearing his usual black pants, and white shirt, but the thing that perhaps attracted Aerith most to Sephiroth, was his mysterious wing. It was a black, yet angelic wing that was on the right side of his back. He had his unusually long sword, what he called the Masamune, sheathed at his left side, which kind of made Aerith nervous, and still made her feel secure around him. At the sound of Aerith's footsteps, Sephiroth turned.

"Hey," he greeted, in his- what Aerith thought- melodious voice. "I'm glad you came."

"You didn't think I would?" asked Aerith, cocking her head to one side. Sephiroth shrugged.

"I dunno. . . I. . . I have something important to talk to you about." He said, turning his back once more. Aerith's heart leapt.

"What is it?" she asked, not able to hide the anticipation in her voice.

"I-I want to date Yuffie." Said Sephiroth, turning to face Aerith, yet again. At those words, Aerith's world crushed around her. She was no longer at the Rising Falls, but sinking into the eternal abyss below... "I wanted your consent. Y'know, she is your best friend and all. . ." There was a very long pause. "Well?"

"What?" asked Aerith, trying to keep her tears from tearing their way out.

"Have your consent?" asked Sephiroth, his voice full of hope. Aerith couldn't do it. She couldn't say no, and pour out her feelings. . . She eked out a great deal of self-loathing at two words.

"Of course!" she said, pumping false happiness into her voice. Of course she didn't mean it. She didn't hate Yuffie now, and didn't want to distance herself from her, to make her suspicious, but. . . there was no time to think about it.

Something happened. . . three or four small creatures, all jet black, with glowing yellow eyes, and wriggling antennae jumped up into the courtyard from the water!

"Seph!" yelled Aerith, panicked.

"Stay back Aerith!" Sephiroth drew the Masamune, and quickly disposed of the small creatures. But that wasn't all. A boy, around Aerith's age came up from the dark depths below. He held a large sword, and was clothed in all black. He had a demonic wing, almost like Sephiroth's, only it was bat- like, and had spiky blond hair. He looked to Aerith, then to Sephiroth, and raised his sword.

Sephiroth tried to block the oncoming attack, and tried as hard as he could.

"Who ARE you!?" demanded Sephiroth, struggling to fight off the boy.

"Get out of here! You! You are the source of the Heartless!" yelled the boy.

"What?!" asked Aerith, confused. "Heartless" was what King Ansem had called the monsters that were now nesting at the base of the Hollow Bastion, the ones that had tried to attack them. The two continued to fight, swords clashing together, until the boy had knocked Sephiroth onto his back. When he was about to impale the fallen Sephiroth, Aerith dove into his way. The boy stopped.

He looked into her eyes, and slowly put his sword down, then dropped it completely. Aerith was far from enchanted by him, though. She feared him. He had tried to kill Sephiroth! Though she had mixed feelings about Sephiroth right now, she couldn't let him die.

"Who are you?" demanded Aerith.

"My name. . . My name is Cloud. . . Cloud Strife." He replied. His name. . . It seemed familiar. . . like she should fear him, yet somehow feel comfort in him. . . But right now, she was leaning towards the former.

"What do you want?" she demanded again. Sephiroth slowly came to his feet, using the Masamune for support.

"The Heartless are everywhere. . . They must be stopped. This world is in danger!" Cloud said. "And he is the cause of it!" Cloud was pointing at Sephiroth.

"What? Me? What did I do?!" he asked, shocked. Cloud scoffed.

"It's written! 'In the Hollow Bastion, the One With Silver Hair shall start it all. He is the source of the Heartless. He will plunge the world into darkness.' It's taken from the Tomes of Mava. Look for yourself," suggested Cloud.

"Tomes of Mava? Where did you come from? What does this mean?!" Sephiroth asked, confused.

"The Tomes of Mava should be in that castle's library." Said Cloud, pointing to the Hollow Bastion. "As for me. . . Where I came from is not important. I'm here now, and I plan on staying. If you're not the Seeker of Darkness, then there must be someone else, with silver hair that will bring destruction to this realm." It hit Aerith. Could it be. . .?

"King Ansem. . .?" said Aerith to herself.

"What?! The king?! No way!" replied Sephiroth incredulously.

"Tell me about this king." Ordered Cloud, picking up his sword. Aerith didn't like this person. He seemed. . . she shuddered.

"Ansem is the king of the Hollow Bastion. He's a brilliant leader, and extremely smart. Though, he couldn't bring chaos to this world! He loves the Hollow Bastion, and everyone here!" explained Aerith. Cloud laughed, mirthlessly.

"See that's the thing about darkness. . . Once you seek it, it takes you. . . and you'll never escape. It grows, consumes. Such is its nature. There is darkness in all hearts. Even yours." Cloud explained. Aerith thought she saw Sephiroth shiver, but shrugged it off.

"Why are you here?" Aerith asked.

"I must stop it. And I will, one way, or another. I'll do it if I have to kill everyone in this castle." Said Cloud, coldly. "Take me to see this Ansem."

"Well, nobody can see him now. He's busy a lot lately. He's doing research on hearts and Heartless lately, and is rarely seen." replied Sephiroth. Cloud shot him a glare that told him not to talk.

"Fine. I'll wait. . . But if I wait too long, then this world will be consumed! It already has been connected. . ." said Cloud, thoughtfully. "SHE could arrive at any time..."

"Why. . . Why don't we go back to the castle, and um, talk about all of this. . .?" asked Sephiroth cautiously. Cloud squinted his eyes at Sephiroth, then nodded in reluctant agreement.

"Let's go." ordered Cloud. The three took the many platforms back to the castle. Aerith was confused about everything that happened recently, but couldn't shake the feeling of her heart slowly began to break.