WARNING!!! I altered the first chapter due to various complaints and my own dislike of the Cloud/Aerith situation. If you don't want to re-read it, I just switched it to make Aerith Cloud's sister instead of his fiancée. An awkward transition, I know, but it's for the good of us all ^_^

A quick thank you to: The Lone Wanderer, mom calling, vx-Luna-xv, Valentine'sNinja, uber-tastic for reviewing! You inspire me so!

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 7, any of its spin-offs, any other Final Fantasy, or Stargate SG-1. I am not receiving any money for this nor do I ever expect to.

Chapter 2

Into the Gate

Cloud's cherished week with his family had come and gone, and he now sat once more in the briefing room with the other leaders of the FF teams. He'd been utterly depressed when he'd discovered who the other three members of his team were. He managed to get over it for the most part, seeing as to how he didn't have much of a choice. Lazard straightened his papers on the table, "Now then, I'd like all of you to report to Training Room 1 for your preliminary testing. Dismissed!"

Cloud stood up and walked out the door with the other eight commanders, having discovered the leader of FF-9 to be a blond kid who reminded him of the FF-3 commander, as they all moved towards the training grounds. They walked into the designated room and snapped a salute to the silver-haired man waiting within. He pushed himself off the table he'd been leaning against and glanced at the clipboard in his hand. He spoke, "Firion Fynn. Luneth Ur. Cecil Harvey. Bartz Klauser. Terra Branford. Cloud Strife. Squall Leonhart. Zidane Tribal. Tidus Zanarkand. Step forward."

They did as they were asked and Sephiroth nodded to the Second Class SOLDIER's waiting on the side, who brought VR training headgear over. They handed one set to each of the nine leaders. Cloud examined his for a moment, 'This is a new model… Much nicer than the crappy ones I trained with…'

Sephiroth spoke, "Your training sessions have been programmed into the headgear. When I give the order, you will all begin your mock mission, created through the limited information we have gathered through our sole trip through the gate. Your orders are to proceed as you see fit. This will be a test of your leadership, combat, judgment, behavioral, and physical abilities. Begin."

Cloud lowered the helmet over his brow and stepped over the chair that would lock his physical senses into the program. He closed his eyes for a moment and felt the relief of his consciousness leave his body.

***

Cloud opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by sands on all sides. He glanced over his shoulder to find computer-generated personas of his team standing behind him. He rolled his eyes and drew his sword off his back, taking a step towards the pyramid-shaped building in the distance. He spoke to his team, "Let's investigate the unknown structure out there."

The female nodded, "Yessir!"

The scruffy-looking blond guy shrugged, "Sure thing, Chief."

The dark-haired man grinned, "¡Vámonos!"

They trudged through the dunes for an unknown period of time, the realistic heat forcing Cloud to forget the scenario was fake. As they neared the pyramid, a small settlement came into view at its base. The blond leader shouted of the noise of the wind, thankful the program had supplied goggles, "We'll try to make contact with the locals. See if we can forge some kind of friendship."

They walked down the final dune into the miniscule town to find a small gathering of people. At the sight of strangers, the citizens all ran for cover, hiding in makeshift homes of cloth and animal skins supported by rods and staves. Cloud walked into the town and glanced over his shoulder at his team, shrugging. He set his sword on the ground and held his hands up in surrender. The dark-haired girl hissed towards her leader, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

He hissed back, "The hell should I know? They seem innocent enough."

"Okay…" She set her quad-pointed weapon down beside her commander's and raised her hands. The other two followed suit, standing near the other two.

Cloud called out, hoping they understood Gaian, "We don't mean any harm! We're peaceful explorers… We just came to learn more about your customs, and possibly open a trade between our two peoples."

A lone man came out of one of the huts, "Do you speak the truth?"

'Well, that's a stupid question…' He nodded, kicking his sword out of reach, "Yeah."

"Where did you come from? Is there another settlement across the sands?"

"We came through the Stargate." At his confused expression, he continued, "You know, giant ring… Bunch of gibberish etched into it?"

The man gasped, "You speak of the Chappa'ai? If you have come through, you must be servants of the Goa'uld!"

(A/N: Chappa'ai is a name they use on the show as another name for the Stargate. It is pronounced Chah-Pah-eye.)

Cloud raised an eyebrow, "What the hell is Goh-uh-oold?"

"You do not know of the Goa'uld?" After the blond shook his head, the other man explained, "The Goa'uld are the serpentine beasts who inhabit human bodies… They fancy themselves gods, thinking they can take what they please."

"Why do you let them?"

"Their weapons are far beyond us. We have no hope to stand against them."

"I see. We have yet to encounter these… What did you call them? Goa'uld?"

"Yes."

"How do you survive against them so far?"

"We do as they wish. We bow to their demands and they do not harm us."

Cloud released a sigh, "After all, what's god without worshippers?"

"Exactly. They let us live so they may see us grovel. It is… a hard life, but at least we have life."

"That sucks."

"You… truly do not carry Goa'uld?"

"Honest to God. Er… Really."

"Very well. You say you came to discuss trade?"

He nodded, "Yeah. Can I talk to the leader of your people?"

***

Cloud's eyes opened slowly to the light of the training room as the program ended. He removed his helmet to find three of the others already done, another two sitting up as well, and the last three still submerged in the test. Cloud walked over to where Squall, Terra and Cecil waited beside Sephiroth, their expressions showing nothing special. Firion and Bartz joining them moments later. Once Luneth, Zidane, and Tidus were done, the silver-haired First looked up, "Report to the briefing room to receive your results. Dismissed."

The nine Firsts made their way back to the briefing room and took up their now-routine positions, Bartz in the seat that was formally occupied by Zack and Zidane hanging out near Luneth. Director Lazard walked in, took a seat and spoke, "I see all of you have passed the preliminary tests with First Class Sephiroth." He looked up as the door opened and the silver-haired man entered. "Speak of the devil. All of you, I'd like you to meet the commander of FF-1."

'Saw that one coming.' Cloud opened a new folder, consisting of his first away-from-home mission. He flipped through the pages detailing everything he was going to be doing on another planet. From the description in the folder, he was supposed to lead a team to examine the world where his testing had been, which was apparently called Corel.

Lazard cleared his throat, earning the attention of everyone in the room, "FF's 3, 6, 7, and 9 will be deployed for reconnaissance. All four teams will investigate the planet you viewed in your training seminar. FF-1 has gone there once before retrieved the information used to test you. I want all of you to go and see if you can find out more about these Goa'uld. All four teams of four will go. Cloud Strife, you will be in command."

Cloud raised a hand slowly, "If I may, Sir?"

"Yes, Strife?"

"Why place me in command?"

"You have the most experience and you passed the VR test with the best scores."

"Understood."

***

Cloud stood in front of the Stargate in full gear, waiting for the rest of his and the other teams to arrive. Luneth and FF-3 were already there, two other guys and a girl, all but one of the guys chatting away. Terra stood near two blond men, one with a ponytail, the other wearing a bandana to match his Second-Class uniform. Zidane stood near a girl with black hair, a tall man, and a woman with curly brown hair. Cloud stood with his arms crossed, Zack mocking his position right behind him, waiting for his team to gather. A blond man in his thirties walked in wearing the Second-Class uniform, a lance strapped over his shoulder, and saluted Cloud before waiting in silence. A moment later, a young girl walked in with an older man with well-past shoulder length silver hair. Cloud cleared his throat, "Looks like everyone's here… Let's get this show on the road." He looked up at the window, where the technicians for the Stargate sat. He gave the thumbs up and turned to face the gate.

The gigantic ring set into the stone circle began to spin. It stopped after a moment, one of the seven triangle-shaped decorations lighting up with an orange glow. A voice sounded over the intercom, "Chevron one encoded." Cloud's eyebrows rose, this being his first time seeing the gate in action. The ring spun once more, stopped and another triangle lit up, the technician's voice sounding, "Chevron two encoded." The cycle repeated until the seventh one lit and the young man's voice called, "Chevron seven locked."

Within the center of the Stargate, a blue foam-looking substance formed and protruded outward, towards where the waiting FF teams stood. It retreated back into the gate, creating a blue, water-like pool inside the ring. Its ripples reflected the room's fluorescent lights back on the teams, casting cerulean shadows on them. The same voice as earlier called out, "Stable wormhole established."

Lazard's voice came over the intercom next, "FF's 3, 6, 7, and 9; you're clear to go. Good luck and Godspeed."

Cloud turned to salute the window, "Thank you, Sir." He turned back to the rest of the teams, "You heard him; let's go." He walked forward, taking the lead, and stepped up to the gate. He slowly raised a hand to touch the translucent surface. It rippled like water at the touch of his fingertips. He turned back and shrugged, taking a deep breath before stepping through.

A flash of blue light appeared in his vision and seconds later he exited on the other side with enough force to make him stumble. He caught his bearings and glanced around at the wasteland, the same desert he'd seen in his training session, complete with the pyramid structure in the distance. He lurched forward when a small body slammed into his back, knocking him to the ground. He glared over his shoulder at the girl, who smiled apologetically before standing, jumping out of the way of the gate and offering a hand to help him up. She grinned widely, "Sorry, Sir! Didn't know you were there…"

He jumped to his feet, ignoring her gesture, and glared again, "Yuffie…"

"I'm sorry! Really!"

He moved away from the gate as more people started coming through. He pulled a black, SOLDIER-issue bandana out of his pocket and tied it over his nose and mouth to protect against the blowing sands. He slid his goggles on as the last of the teams appeared. He turned to look at the gate, wondering how to shut it down. His questions were answered when the azure passage dissipated into this air, almost as quickly as it had formed. He shrugged and turned to the fifteen people waiting on him, "Alright, let's go check out the settlement, see what we can find out."

Everyone replied with various amounts of enthusiasm, "Yes, Sir!"

They headed through the seemingly endless desert in the direction of the small village. They climbed down the dune to find the people there scatter again. He called out, hoping it would work, "We come from the same planet as the people who came last month! The leader of the small group had long, silver hair."

A man came out of one of the huts, the same man Cloud had spoken to in the program, and spoke, "You come from Gaia?"

Cloud nodded, leaving his sword on his back, "My name is Cloud; I'm in charge of this group."

The man nodded and bowed, "I am Dyne. I am the leader of this settlement."

Cloud returned the bow, albeit a little awkwardly, "Nice to make your acquaintance. " He went through the group, making introductions.

Dyne greeted each member individually, "Have you come to examine the pyramid? Sephiroth said someone would return to do so…"

"Do you mind if we do?"

"Not at all."

"Alright, then." He looked back at the rest of the people waiting behind him, "FF-3, secure the area, FF-6, meet with the locals. Terra, I'll have you discuss trade with their chieftain. FF-7 and 9, come with me to explore the pyramid." He turned back to Dyne, "Is that alright?"

"Of course."

Cloud's attention shifted as a small amount of weight slammed into his left leg. He instinctively reached for his sword before looking down. He released his blade when faced with a small child; a little girl. She looked up at him with big brown eyes, "Hi!"

Dyne reached over, pulling her off Cloud's leg, "I'm sorry… This is my daughter, Marlene."

Cloud bent to her level, thankful for his eight years of experience with children, and held out his hand, "I'm Cloud."

She grinned, confusion swirling in her gaze at his gesture, "Nice to meet you."

He caught her expression and reached out, taking her small hand in his larger one, and shook it, explaining, "This is a common greeting we use on my home planet. It's a way of showing mutual respect for one another."

Her smile widened and she shook his hand much more vigorously, "Will you play with me, Cloud?"

Her father took her shoulders, guiding her away, "Marlene, Cloud is a busy man… Don't take up his time with your games."

Cloud stood again and shot the child a small smile, "Maybe later, okay?"

Her face lit up like Christmas, "Okay!"

Zack came up behind him with a grin, "I didn't know you were so good with kids… Is there something I don't know about?"

He barely looked back over his shoulder, "Shut up, Zack." He turned to everyone else and raised his voice to be heard, "Alright! Move out!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Luneth led his team up the dunes to explore the immediate surroundings, Terra walked over and bent down to Marlene, talking to her sweetly, while the rest of her team dispersed to talk to the locals. Zidane and his team waited near Cloud and the rest of FF-7 while the blond turned to Dyne once more, "Is it at all possible you could spare us a guide?"

"Of course." He gestured over to a young boy, "This is Kidren. He knows the way to the pyramid and back better than any adult. He'll guide you well."

Cloud nodded, "Thank you."

Kidren looked up at him, "Is that sword real?"

'You want to find out…?' He looked down at the kid and nodded, "Yeah."

"Can I hold it?"

'Why is this kid getting on my nerves so much! The little girl was fine…' Cloud struggled to contain his anger, "Maybe later. Can you show us to the pyramid?"

"This way!" He darted off, FF's 7 and 9 struggling to keep up.

After a ten-minute walk, Kidren found the doorway to the pyramid and led them inside. It was just one room in a rectangle shape, five elaborate pillars on either side, forming symmetrical rows down the sides. A small set of stairs moved up to half-level where the fifth pillars stood. On either side of the raised section stood two doors, one of which was blocked off by debris. Cloud looked around, hieroglyphics covering the walls and pillars. He ran a hand along it and turned to Kidren, "Can you read this?"

He bounced on his toes, forcing Cloud to wonder how much sugar his parents were feeding him, "Nope! My ancestors could, but the modern people of Corel can't!"

"Huh…"

The dark-haired girl from FF-9 looked up, "Sir?"

He glanced over his shoulder at her, "Yeah?"

"Don't these patterns look… familiar?"

He looked closer, "I guess… A little…"

She looked over, "Do you know where from?"

"Mm… I got nothing."

"They're sorted into columns of seven; the bottom symbol is always the same…"

"And… What are you getting at, Garnet?"

"I'll make a bet they're Stargate addresses."

"Huh… Alright… FF-9, get started on recording these things. FF-7, come with me to finish exploring. Kidren, you stay here."

The young boy looked up, "But-!"

"No 'buts.' Do as you're told or," he bent down to look him in the eye, "I'll tell Dyne you misbehaved."

"Hmph!" he sat down on the steps, seconds away from a tantrum.

He pulled a radio off his belt and held it to his mouth, "Luneth, do you copy?"

"Loud and clear!"

"See if you can get a guide out to the pyramid. FF-9's working on recording what we think are more gate addresses. I want you to come and take what they have back home. If FF-6 is done, they have clearance to leave with you."

"Gotcha! I'm on it!"

'Too much energy…' Cloud sighed, "Over and out." He tucked the radio back into its place on his belt and looked at the unobstructed door, shrugging. "Let's go," he waved a hand over his shoulder to the rest of his crew, signaling them to follow. Zack, Yuffie and the blond guy came up the steps at different paces, eventually falling in behind Cloud. He gripped the handle of his sword, just in case. He headed into the dark room, only to find an empty room, save the circle-shaped pattern in the middle. The ring of hieroglyphics with a black iris was almost seven feet in diameter. He walked to the center of it and bent down to examine it, running his fingers along the outside edge. The others followed soon after, seeing as to how there wasn't anything else in the room. Cloud's ears picked up a low noise and he turned to the rest of his team, "You hear that?"

The humming got louder and the ring hieroglyphics opened. Five thick bands of metal sprang up, surrounding them in a bright white light. The light faded and Cloud looked around, instinctively grabbing his sword. They were no longer in the pyramid; instead the room they now stood in was all gold except for the black floor. Raised hieroglyphics covered the walls, setting an eerie gleam. Straight in front of them sat a black-haired man decorated in gold jewelry and richly dyed fabrics. Behind him stood an equally bejeweled woman with a bright, rich blue dress beneath her golden ornaments. Multiple men dressed in heavy-looking silver armor stepped forth, holding strange, staff-like weapons towards FF-7.

The woman spoke, her voice sounding freakishly deep as if she was speaking with a voice modulator, "Jaffa! Kree!" The armored men all raised their staves, the ends splitting open in a cross-shape.

'This… can't be good.'

There's chapter two! Leavin' ya with a cliffie this early on. How's that for wicked? Sorry, folks, but I was running low on room and this seemed like a good stopping point.

Leave a review if you think I'm evil!

-Valk