Note from the author: (This chapter is for the greatest Final Fantasy game of all time, Final Fantasy 7. HELL YEAH. Oh yeah, also most of the things in this story are not mine. Only J. M. Darkly and things relating to him are mine.)
(Chapter 2: Return of the One-winged Angel.)
Many planets in the universe have seen the horror of great battles. The planet of Gaia is no exception. Many years ago there was a small weapons development company named Shinra. They studied and experimented with many things, trying to find a way to hit it big. Then, they found a strange energy that flowed inside the planet, it was called Mako. This energy came from the planet's 'Life Stream', where all life comes from. Shinra found a way to turn this energy into power that could be used as fuel for cars, or to power weapons and to heat homes. After such a discovery in was natural that Shinra became the strongest power company on the planet. However, the energy was being taken from the planet's life, which meant that Shinra was slowly killing the planet, thus a few people tried to stop Shinra by any means. In defense, Shinra made super warriors known as SOLDIERs to fight the rebels. One group of rebels, lead by a man named Cloud Strife, proved to be the only ones who had a chance of stopping Shinra. But then, a dark enemy appeared. He was more dangerous than even Shinra and was ready to kill the planet and everyone on it as soon as he could. Cloud and his friends battled hard to kill this enemy and lost a good friend doing so. In the end, Cloud killed the enemy and saved the planet. But, this great enemy had left a heavy mark on the planet and in Cloud's heart. Can such a terrifying enemy ever truly be killed?
Tifa Lockhart stood behind the counter of her bar, 7th Heaven, looking at the new customers with distaste. Her usual customers were nice, friendly, and over all joy to be around. The three new guys were loud, rude, messy, and selfish. It was bad enough that the weird guy in the black cape and hood had come in and scared a few people out of the bar. However, he was nothing compared to the other three men.
Tifa disliked the three men for another reason, they were once Shinra SOLDIERS. They were super human, but not enough to think they were better than everyone else. However, that was exactly how they were treating everyone. Pushing people around, yelling and laughing at them. Tifa's anger at them was growing fast, but she didn't want to fight if she didn't have to. That was about to change.
"Hey you, waiter girl. Get over here and pore us some more drink." one of the men called at Tifa's bar helper. The young girl came up to the three with as much bravery as she could; it wasn't enough to hide her fear. "I'm sorry sirs, but you still haven't paid for the first round. If you want more you have to pay first." One of the men stood up with an angry look on his face, "What did you just say? Girl, you know who we are? We're ex-Shinra SOLDIERs, we can eat and drink as much as we want with having to pay a gill." The girl backed away slowly with her drink tray shielding her face. It was clear to all that these guys were completely drunk. Tifa sighed and walked out from behind the counter and made her way over the three men and the scared waitress.
"Pardon me gentlemen, I'm the owner of this bar. Did you say you won't pay?" Tifa asked with a fake smile. A few people smiled to themselves when they saw Tifa walk up. They knew that the SOLDIER better watch his words from now on. The man looked Tifa in the eyes and yelled, "I will not pay if I don't get more drinks! "All the regulars in the bar watched with wide smiles, all knowing what was about to happen. Tifa's smile was brighter than ever but was still fake, too bad the Shinra SOLDIERs where too drunk to see it coming.
CRASH! The man went flying into the street outside the bar window. His two friends soon followed. They were suddenly wide-awake and alert. The three men stood up as Tifa walked through the door to meet them. They now knew what everyone else in the bar had known, don't mess with Tifa Lockhart. Tifa walked up to face them as she put on a pair of black gloves and was wearing her black sleeveless shirt with short black shorts, her favorite fighting cloths. As pushed her black hair out of her brown eyes, she spoke to the three men in a horrible sweet voice, "So, are you ready to pay now?" The leader of the three, a big guy with red hair wearing a blue uniform like his followers, glared at Tifa with pure anger.
The leader of the three yelled at Tifa, "You damned witch! How dare you strike my trooper." The black haired man Tifa had pouched rubbed his jaw in pain as he pulled his silver knife from its holder. The red headed leader pulled out a gun blade and took aim. The third man pushed his white hair from his face as he pulled out his sword. As Tifa stared at the white haired man, she saw something familiar about the man that she couldn't put her finger on, something that made her very uneasy.
Tifa stood ready with her fists up in her best fighting stance. Her face showed no sign of fear as the three charged at her. The black haired man thrust forward with his knife aiming at Tifa's heart, but she side stepped him and kicked him in the back sending him to the ground. The red haired man shot at her but Tifa jumped out of the way as the bullets pasted her left ear. She ran at the gunner with amazing speed, he couldn't even fire a shot as Tifa stopped just inches from his face. The man was so shocked by Tifa's speed and skill; he could do nothing to stop her from slamming her fist into his stomach. The man dropped his gun blade and fell to the ground passed out. Tifa stood up straight and glared at the last of the three SOLDIERs. Even though his two friends had been beaten so fast, the white haired swordsman showed no sign of worry. A smile grew on his face as he watched Tifa.
The second Tifa saw that wicked smile her heart nearly froze, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end, her blood raced, and her whole body shook with a fear she could not explain. Tifa's eyes grew wide and she began to sweat. What was it about that smile that scared her so much? She couldn't put her finger on it, she just wished the Cloud was with her at that moment. It was clear to everyone watching Tifa that something was clearly scaring her. They stood ready to help if Tifa needed them.
A little black haired girl watched Tifa with worry. Her name was Marlene and she had been living with Tifa for so long that she almost thought of Tifa as a mother. Marlene watched with fear as she gripped the doorframe she stood in. As she looked on shaking she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. Marlene looked behind her to see a man dressed in a black cape and a hood covering his face. It was the same guy Tifa had complained about for scaring the customers. He leaned down and Marlene could see one green eye staring at her. It was full of a strange and yet comforting energy and Marlene felt she could trust this man with her life.
The white haired man rested his sword on his left shoulder as her smiled at Tifa, who put up her guard, ready to attack at any moment. He then spoke for the first time, "My name is Yuki, and it's a pleasure to finally meet you Ms. Lockhart." He bent forward in mocked respect to Tifa, but his eyes never looked away from her. Yuki stood straight and continued, "To tell you the truth, I've been looking forward to fighting you," Yuki's smile suddenly became colder than ice, "I'm sure killing you would bring Cloud much sorrow. Don't you agree?" Tifa readied herself for an attack as Yuki lowered his sword to his side.
Anyone and everyone who saw Yuki's expression at that moment felt a horrible chill run down their backs, Yuki saw clearly more than he appeared. Without warning Yuki charged forward at Tifa with alarming speed and his sword pointing at his enemies heart. Tifa jumped away as fast as she could, which wasn't fast enough. As she landed she felt a sharp pain shoot through her arm. Tifa looked at her arm to see a bloody slash across her upper arm. She looked up in horror at Yuki who was smiling evilly at her, "I hope you know next time it'll be your head I strike, so I'll give you five minutes to take me out before then, "Yuki dropped his sword and stood ready for Tifa's attack. Tifa realized quick that this guy was a true master and while being an amazing fighter herself, she didn't stand a chance against him with his sword. So, she charged forward at Yuki with the full intention of at least knocking him out.
Tifa shot at Yuki like a bullet out of a gun. When, she was just inches away from his face she swung with a left hook to the face, it would connect for sure. However, just before she hit, Yuki leaned to the side causing Tifa's attack to miss. Recovering as quick as she could, Tifa planted her left foot into the ground and kicked at Yuki's face with her right, but Yuki stopped her kick by grabbing Tifa's foot. He smiled mockingly and threw her foot away. Tifa jumped away to prepare for another attack.
Marlene watched her adoptive mother ready herself for an attack with a feeling of dread. She looked over to the caped man, "Mister, may I ask you something?" The man looked down at her and replied with kindness, "Yes, how may I help?" "Do you think Tifa will...live through this?" The man looked into the Marlene's eyes for a few seconds, then pulled off his hood and lifted his head returning his gaze to the battle, "If she gets in trouble, I'll save her. Ok?" He looked back down at Marlene with a wide smile. Marlene smiled back to the face of this strange hero.
Tifa ran at Yuki again and swung her fist at his face. Yuki readied himself for the hit. Before Tifa hit her fist stopped dead before it touched Yuki's face. Yuki was surprised for just a moment but it was long enough for Tifa to deliver a good kick to his nose. The kick sent Yuki flying ten feet away. Everyone Cheered at Tifa's victory.
It was short lived however as Yuki stood up and brushed off his blue uniform, laughing as he did so. "Well, I have to hand it to you Tifa. I didn't think you'd be able to hit me. However, your 5 minute are up." Yuki raised his left hand and his sword flew into it. Tifa stared shocked at this act.
Yuki's evil smile returned to his lips as he readied for what would be his last attack. That's when Tifa felt it. The horrifying cold feeling, the hairs on her neck standing on end, her hands started to shake, and the feeling on something pushing on her from all sides. Tifa was paralyzed with a fear she could not explain. She stood there helpless as Yuki jumped at her, sword raised. Tifa watched Yuki approach in slow motion as he came to kill her. So many thing came to Tifa's mind as she stood there, like "Why did I let Cloud leave?" or "IS this really the end?" but the last thing they came to her mind was the image of a burning town, bodies lay dead everywhere, and a tall silver haired green cat eyed man holding a 9 foot blade and showing off an insane smile as he walked through the fire.
Tifa was brought back to reality as that memory hit her. She looked into the eyes of her attacker. She saw it, the evil insane smile, and worst of all the green cat like eyes. Tifa remembered his name as he brought his sword down on her head. She was about to be killed by the man she hated more than anything on the planet.
The sword came down and hit metal. Everyone, including Tifa, stared in shock at what had happened. The man in the cape had somehow jumped between Tifa and Yuki, drawn his own sword and blocked Yuki's sword. Yuki stood over the man sword pushing sword. The man glared into Yuki's face through his emerald eyes. Yuki backed off a few feet and studied the man before him. "Who are you? Why do you intrude upon our battle?" Yuki asked the man.
The man stood up straight and pulled his hood off as well as the rest of the cape and dropped it to the ground. He turned to Yuki with a serious face and said, "My name is J. M. Darkly. I've interrupted because I believe if you're going to battle to the death it should be against and enemy of equal strength to yourself." Darkly lifted his sword in front of his body and readied himself for an attack, "Now. Prepare yourself!"
Yuki studied his new enemy with little interest. He looked to be about 16 years. Darkly had on a blue jacket over a skin-tight black shirt and a pair of blue pants. The metal plate on his headband reflected the afternoon sunlight off its white feather simple. His black-gloved hands held the red clothed handle of his sword ready for attack. Darkly's brown hair flowed in the wind as his green eyes shot razors at Yuki. Yuki noticed something strange about Darkly's eyes. They were almost as powerful and freighting as his older brother's.
Darkly charged at Yuki, sword aimed at Yuki's heart. Yuki moved to the side easily dodging the attack. He smiled. If he could keep dodging he could easily kill this fool. Yuki lifted his sword into the air, ready to strike Darkly. Before he could, however, a black shoed foot came up and kicked Yuki square in the face sending him flying back 10 feet. Yuki hit the ground and rolled a few inches. As he jumped back to his feet he saw Darkly lower his right foot back to the ground.
Darkly's face was truly freighting to look at with his glaring green eyes and emotionless face as he stared at Yuki. He spoke in a chilling voice, "If you plan on killing me you better use stronger attacks. Those cheap trick won't win this battle!" Darkly charge at Yuki again with inhuman speed. Yuki realized quickly that he was in over his head with this guy.
Darkly jumped into the air over Yuki's head. As he came down he swung his sword down at Yuki who barely moved out of the way in time. Yuki recovered and shot at Darkly, sword raised. Darkly simply moved to the side, causing the blade to miss completely. With Yuki unbalanced, Darkly kicked into Yuki's ribs then punched Yuki in the mouth sending him flying back once again. Yuki stood up and saw Darkly coming at him. When Darkly was close enough Yuki swung sideways at Darkly. Darkly flipped forward completely avoiding the blade and brought his right heel down on Yuki, hitting him between the neck and shoulder. Yuki buckled under the hit and was then slammed into the ground by Darkly pushing his foot down further. Yuki's face smacked the hard ground from. Darkly stepped back a few feet.
Tifa stared wide-eyed. Who was this boy, this Darkly person? Who was he that he could easily beat a clone of THAT man? Tifa just watched with worry. Was Yuki really who she thought he was?
Yuki got up slowly. He was dazed, bleeding from the mouth and nose. His left eye was black and swelling. He could barely stand after the attack. Yuki glared at Darkly with pure anger. Even with all his power he couldn't fight this fool without help. As much as he hated to say so, Yuki realized that if he was going to beat Darkly or even Cloud he would need his older brother.
Yuki smiled an evil smile at Darkly and said, "We'll continue this later. See you next time Darkly." Yuki turned and ran to his motorcycle. He started it up and fled. Darkly ran to his own bike jumped on and went after Yuki. Tifa stood there watching the two fighters leave. Her head was whirling with questions, Was that who she thought he was?, Who was that Darkly kid?. Tifa walked over to Marlene as everyone else came up to her.
Marlene looked into Tifa's worried face. She knew what was wrong almost before Tifa could talk. "Tifa, that was a clone of HIM wasn't it?" Tifa looked at Marlene with an empty face, and then replied, "Yes. That was a clone. It was Sephiroth." After the name left Tifa's lips everyone within earshot froze. Months of going to Tifa's bar had given these people tons of info about the Sephiroth Incident 4 years ago and thus they knew that a Sephiroth clone would mean big trouble. One man spoke up, "Hey Tifa, if that was a Sephiroth clone shouldn't someone help that Darkly kid?" "Yes and know just the group." Tifa and Marlene walked back into the bar, picked up the phone and called a few old friends...