Chapter 2. Read it, review it, and tell me what you people think. This is just here for people to enjoy. Enjoy! :)
NOTE: I don't own ANY of the characters! All characters go to their respective company creators.
Chapter 2: Reunions
The battle was over. The town that was bastardized into an imperial fortress by the empire had fallen. Allied forces had search and found civilians who were prisoners and slaves to the empire and tended to the wounded with rations and medical supplies. Those who died were gathered for barrels and graves. They also tended to their wounded and dead. As for the enemies there were those who wanted to burn them and leave them to rot, while those with noble intent suggested on sending them back to their families.
In the end both sides agreed to sending the dead back. Meanwhile the civilians were overjoyed that they and their town were free from the grip of the empire.
"Oh thank you! Thank you so much!" Said an elderly woman to a soldier.
"We thought we would never come out alive!" Said a young man too.
"It's alright. You're safe." Said an Ally Soldier.
Cloud was inline along with Squall, Zell, and Selphie where the mercenaries were being paid for their services. Quistis was at the table observing the lines.
"Next!" She called.
Cloud heard and walked up to the table. Bags of Gil were given to him as his reward.
"Here's your two months pay and of course there's the reward for Thrym." Said the payer.
Cloud took the bags and checked the contents of the payment.
"Now, will you reconsider serving me on a regular basis? I'll give you 3 times the pay and you might even become a commander in the military one day. Wouldn't that be nice? For common mercenaries and rebels like us becoming commanding officers, why, it's like dream come true." The Payer offered with a smirk.
"I use to be in the military. It was my dream." Cloud said.
"Really?" The payer said in shock.
"It was also when I learned the hard way that it was just a dream. And that they can never be achieved. Because that's all they are dreams. Mirages that can never be reached." Cloud said.
And with that he took his pay and turned and left.
"W-Wait! I-I can guarantee you money and rank!" The payer pleaded. "What could be the problem with that?"
"Because you don't own me. I'm no one's puppet." Cloud said.
What Cloud said put everyone in shock and confusion. However as Cloud was leaving the battlefield, he was approached from behind by Seifer.
"Hey! HEY YOU!" Seifer shouted.
"AND here we go." Squall, Zell, and Selphie though in unison.
"You think you're so tough! Like to steal others' thunder! Well guess what? You stole thunder from the wrong guy!" Seifer threatened.
"You done talking?" Cloud said, still ignoring Seifer.
"WHAT!? OH NOW YOU'RE GONNA GET IT!" Seifer shouted.
He threw a punch at Cloud, but Cloud anticipated this and dodged with ease. This caught Seifer off guard and put him in shock. Cloud then kicked Seifer in the gut with his knee. Seifer gawked in pain and fell to the ground.
"ARGH…! You… Son of a Bitch…" Seifer groaned.
"In case, you're wondering, I used to be a 1st class soldier. Let that fact sick in your brain." Cloud said.
"Mr. Strife!" Called out Quistis, as she ran up to him. "Are you heading back to the academy?"
"To submit my report to Mr. Kramer." Cloud answered. "I'll meet you guys back on Vermillion for my next contract."
And with that the mercenary left the town. However Quistis glared down at Seifer.
"Don't think you're off the hook! We'll be dealing with you as soon as we get back to Vermillion!" Quistis scolded.
"Screw you…!" Seifer groaned.
Cloud walked along the side of the open road since he likes to travel on foot anyway. However in the distance he notices a woman pushing a cart. This cart was full of flowers and she was also humming to herself.
She looked so radiant. Wearing a shin-length pink dress that buttons up the front and a red bolero jacket. Brown boots and metal bracers on her wrists and around the edges of her jacket sleeves. In all her appearances her long light brown hair is plaited with a large pink ribbon; within the ribbon she keeps Segmented bangs frame her face and has emerald green eyes.
Cloud was going to think nothing of it, until the Flower Girl spoke to him.
"Excuse me, sir." She spoke up. Even her voice was radiant.
"Hmm?" Cloud turned to her.
"Would you care for some flowers? They're only one Gil." She offered.
"You seem very chipper about selling flowers during war time." Cloud said in curiosity.
"Of course. I mean I have to be. Even in dark times we all must try and stay positive. That's why I sell flowers, to give people hope and to help them be happy." She said with a warm smile.
"I see. You have a strong heart. Don't lose it." Cloud said.
"Thank you. You too."
Cloud then noticed a flower he knew all too well. This flower brought back memories both good and bad. These flowers were pure white
"These flowers… these are Skadi flowers." Cloud said.
"Yes. These flowers come from Niflheim. You from there?" She asked.
"Yeah. I grew up there. Or at least… I used to." Cloud said with a glooming face.
"I see. I did hear when an incident broke out almost all the Skadi Flowers were burnt to near extinction." Flower Girl said. "Luckily I managed to acquire the seeds to plant more."
"I think I'll take some." Cloud said.
"Oh thank you!" Flower Girl said with joy.
She gave cloud a tiny bouquet full of Skadi Flowers, and Cloud payed a few Gil.
"Have a wonder day Mr…" She said trying to guess his name.
"Cloud. Cloud Strife."
"Thank you, Mr. Cloud Strife." She said walking off with her cart. "Oh and my name is Aerith Gainsborough."
Cloud resumed his walk down the road. It must have been half an hour since his meeting with Aerith. However this thoughts were focusing on the past. In his mind flashed with gritty imagery of a town on fire, villagers crying and gawking in dying breaths, and a silhouetted shadowy figure with long silver hair. His eyes glowing with pure evil and a voice chuckling sinisterly within the flames.
Cloud's dark nostalgia was interrupted by a honking sound. A sound from a truck. Cloud turned to see a crimson red derby truck slowly coming up along side him. At the wheel was Snow.
"Hey, there!" Snow greeted.
Cloud just stared and remained silent.
"Need a ride?" Snow offered.
"No thanks." Cloud as he kept walking.
"Hey wait a minute! You're heading to Vermillion aren't you? Well me a my friends are heading there too. So I figured since we're going to the same place, we'd help each other out." Snow explained.
"Thanks for the offer. But I'll be alright."
"Are you sure, Cloud?" Said a different voice.
Cloud silently gasped. He knew that voice. He slowly turned to see a girl jump out of the truck.
"Tifa…" Cloud said, staring in awe.
"Hello Cloud." Tifa said sweetly.
Cloud didn't even know how he agreed to come along on the truck ride. But if he had to guess he suppose it was the friendly site of his childhood friend. Cloud looked around at his surroundings and saw more people. Though he had to guess these were rebels known as BIRD.
"So howling has it been Cloud? Since we last saw each other?"
"It's been 6 years by my count."
"Really!? That long, huh?" Tifa hummed.
"I heard you knew him and that he is here." Said a different female voice.
Cloud turned to see another familiar face. A young woman with wavy rose pink hair, and pale aqua eyes. Wearing a variation of the standard Guardian Corps uniform. The green metallic pauldron over her left shoulder bearing yellow stripes denotes her previous rank as a sergeant. She carries her gunblade in a black case which hangs off her belt, and wears a necklace with a lightning bolt pendant.
She is Eclair "Lightning" Farron. Lightning to her friends.
"Commander Lightning…" Cloud said.
"Long time no see, Cloud." Lightning smiled. "AND I'm not a commander anymore, remember?"
"You two know each other?" Tifa asked.
"Yeah. She was one of my commanding officers. Along with-…"
But Cloud stopped himself out of regret and guilt. He didn't and couldn't bring up his past.
"It's okay Cloud. You don't need to feel ashamed." Tifa assured him.
She too was a witness of the past.
"She's right. We were all there. What happened back then wasn't your fault." Lightning added.
"If you say so. But… I can't shake off these feelings of guilt and shame." Cloud said.
"Hmph! A Soldier of Asgard feeling guilt and shame? Now that's a laugh if I ever heard one." Barret said from the passengers seat.
"Hey! Lay off him Barret!" Snow scolded. "He's like sis here. He's a former soldier of Asgard. Why else would he be a mercenary? I mean you are right?"
"Yes, Snow you're right." Lightning nodded. "And please stop calling me sis."
"You two related? Or is he adopted?" Cloud asked.
"Hey!" Snow scoffed.
"Watch the road!" Barret said.
Lightning smirked at Snow's reaction.
"Neither. He's… or rather WAS my little sister Sarah's fiancé. I did at first was against this, since I was still trying to accept Snow a a responsible type. But with time, he proved it and I accepted. That is until Sarah was abducted by Asgard forces of the Cocytus Empire. The same people you and me defected from." Lightning explained.
"I see." Cloud said.
"It really is great to see you again Cloud." Tifa said.
"Yeah. It really is." Cloud said.
There was a moment of pause before, Cloud spoke again.
"So… what are you guys heading to Vermillion for?" Cloud asked.
"We're going to submit a request. We need help from the Vermillion Mercery faction to help us with a rescue mission we're planning." Snow answered.
"You mean FOX?"
"Yep. The very same." Snow nodded.
FOX was an abbreviation for Fierce Operating eXperts. A mercenary faction of the Vermillion Academy.
"You one?" Snow asked.
"No. I work alone."
"Seriously? Man that must get lonesome at times."
"Well… since we'll be their soon, why not team up with us? I bet it'll be the same kind of work." TIfa offered.
"I'll… think on that." Cloud considered.
Tifa and Lightning both smiled.
Chapter 2 Complete! We now introduced Aerith and Cloud had reunited with some old friends. Stay tuned for more! Read it, review it, and tell me what you people think. This is just here for people to enjoy. :)
