Final Fantasy VII: A Brave New World
HEY EVERYBODY! HOW ARE YA!? JACK HERE! I've managed to burn right through another chapter, so here you go.
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII, that belongs to Square Enix.
Summary: What if Tifa was also experimented on by Hojo after the Nibelhiem Incident? How would her presence change the story? One thing is certain: it's a Brave New World.
CHAPTER 3
It took them three days, but they finally arrived at the ruins of Banora. It was pulsing with the energy of the Lifestream... The Planet was trying to heal the injury caused by the destruction of the town. Cloud parked the Bike allowing Zack to climb out of the Sidecar, Kunsel and Luxiere parked the Military Truck they'd been given for their assignment and hopped out, and Lazard landed beside the bike. They looked over the former town, and if not for the gravity of the situation one might have called the sight a beautiful one. Luxiere stepped forward, but Zack held up his hand. "No," ordered the former 1st Class, "I have to do this alone, Lux."
"B-but," he questioned before receiving a harsh glare from the man he idolizes, "Yes Sir."
"Shinra scouts aren't too far behind us," stated Zack, "Prove your Honor to me by keeping them from contacting the Main Army."
Luxiere gave Zack the SOLDIER Salute, "Sir, Yes Sir!"
(AN: Since we already know how the fight between Zack and Genesis turns out, I'd like to focus on the events that occurred on the surface while Zack was fighting Genesis.)
And with that, Zack went down into the Banora Caverns to settle things with Genesis. There was an Awkward Silence between them: Luxiere and Kunsel were still technically with Shinra, and Tifa didn't trust them one bit. "I still don't see why you won't let us turn you in," grumbled Lux, "I'm certain Kunsel and I would be promoted to 1st if you did, and I just know we could use the Authority to protect you!"
"I know I've said Unattainable Dreams are the best kind," Lazard sighed, "But what you're suggesting is not only insane, it's beyond your comprehension."
"And how would you know," snapped Luxiere.
Lazard chuckled bitterly, "You forget that I was once one of the Shinra Executives... I know more about the companies Dark Secrets than I care to admit."
"But Director Lazard-"
"Enough Luxiere," snapped Kunsel, "Your intentions may be good, but the road to perdition is paved with good intentions... You've got to tread carefully; otherwise you'll cause something you never intended."
Luxiere stood there and thought about Kunsel's words, "Alright, I'll do it your way."
The moment he said that, a group of 50 Infantrymen led by three SOLDIER 1st Classes showed up... whoever these 1st were really didn't matter since they weren't veterans of the war in Wutai like Kunsel and Luxiere were. In truth, the two were only 2nd in title... Their skill level had long since passed the required level to make 1st, it's just that President Shinra, Hieddegger, and Scarlet don't trust the two because of their connection to Zack. "So they sent in a group of 1sts," ground out Kunsel as he drew his sword.
"Well we have two 2nds and a couple of SOLDIER Enhanced fighters, so we should be alright," stated Luxiere as he drew his blade.
Cloud brought out his sword too, "I guess we're the ones taking the SOLDIER Operatives." Tifa and Lazard put up their dukes as they prepared to fight the Infantrymen.
The three 1sts charged their given adversaries, and the two Fist fighters charged the Infantrymen. Kunsel and Luxiere found they easily outclassed their opponents... Even Cloud wasn't struggling all that much. "You remember when a single 1st was all it took to clear out an entire fortress Kunsel," Luxiere asked his fellow 2nd.
"Yeah," replied Kunsel, "I guess they don't make 'em like they used to."
This enraged the three 1sts who then charged their opponents with reckless abandon, only to be impaled on their enemies' swords. "All too easy," stated Lux. They then turned their attention to the infantrymen where they saw a winged wolf had joined the battle.
The three leapt into the fray, giving Tifa, Lazard, and the Hound a hand in disposing of the Infantrymen. It was over after another 30 seconds. They looked at the monster which then raised its head in a howling like manner to reveal it to be an Angeal Copy. "I guess that explains why this guy helped us out," stated Kunsel, "He carries Angeal's spirit too."
XxX
Zack came back about an hour later with Genesis over his shoulder. "We were attacked by Shinra," groaned Lazard as he pointed to the Wolf, "we received help from him."
Zack instantly recognized the creature as the one from Aerith's church, and immediately noticed something tied around its neck. "What's this?"
'Are you doing well? Where are you? It's been four years. This will be the 89th letter I've written, but I will not send any more. I hope that you recieve this last letter, Zack. The flowers are selling very well. It makes everyone smile. It's all thanks to you. Aerith.'
"89 letters," mumbled Zack before shouting, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN FINAL!? Aerith, wait for me."
They turned to leave before Genesis spoke, "W-wait." He lifted his arm and pointed to the Banora White Tree and said, "Would you please... try one... Before you go."
Zack smiled, "Sure." He then went to the tree and climbed up it so he could grab a Dumb Apple for everyone. "Let's eat!"
He then bit into it prompting Genesis to ask, "Is it good?"
"Yeah," Zack replied with a nod.
"Angeal," he mumbled, "The dream came true." Lazard went into a coughing fit prompting Genesis to say, "You could absorb the cells from the beast... It should help with... the Degradation."
Lazard sat there before putting his hand on the wolf and started channeling what energy he had left into the creature. "I think... he'll be of more use... than I could hope to be." And with that, Lazard passed away, curing the Hound of its Degradation.
Zack was bewildered by this: most people would choose self-preservation. "I guess he was influenced by Angeal more than we realized."
"So what're we gonna call this thing," asked Cloud.
Zack smiled and said, "We'll call him Angeal."
XxxX
Tseng had ordered for the Turks to mobilize a search effort to find Zack and his group. He was going to great lengths to save the man's life because Aerith, the closest thing he has to a daughter, would be heartbroken if Zack died.
XxX
Zack, Cloud, Tifa, Kunsel, Luxiere, and Angeal stood before the entire Shinra Army. "The Price of Freedom is steep," said Zack he drew the Buster Sword. "Embrace your dreams," he said as he placed his head against the blade, "And whatever happens, protect your Honor... AS SOLDIER!" He then charged forward, everyone else directly behind him, "COME AND GET IT!"
XxX
Cissnei had been monitoring the Shinra Armies communications, just in case they found Zack first. Turns out she had been wise to do so, because they were currently engaged in a fierce battle with what they claimed to be Five SOLDIER Operatives and a winged wolf. "Reno," she said over the radio, "tell Tseng... Tell Tseng that this is where we sever ties."
"What the hell do you mean this is where we sever ties," Reno shouted over the radio.
Rude spoke up, "She's blowing her cover in order to save Zack."
"I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes," Reno sighed.
XxX
Zack and company were taking a real chunk out of the Shinra Army, but the problem is that their enemy has Air Superiority. It was all they could do just to dodge the Rockets being fired at them. Suddenly, three air to air missiles blasted the Helicopters out of the sky. Zack and his friends turned to see another helicopter coming to a hover just three feet off the ground. It opened up to reveal Cissnei who shouted, "COME ON! LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!"
Zack and company had no arguments against this, so they dashed for the Helicopter. Once everyone was safely aboard, the red head went back to the controls and disengaged the Auto-Pilot before taking off.
XxxX
They ditched the Helicopter about a mile and a half outside Midgar where they continued on foot to the Sector 5 Gate. Once inside, they made their way to a motel. It had taken some convincing to keep Zack from visiting Aerith first thing, but Cissnei convinced him to wait since she was under the observation of the Turks. In the meantime, Cloud and Tifa had gotten a separate room. "Why the hell is Blondie getting it on," grumbled Luxiere.
"Cloud and Tifa grew up together and they just survived a major battle," explained Zack as he did squats, "They're Young and Alive."
XxX
Everyone met in the lobby for the Colonial Breakfast following morning. It's almost unheard of for a motel in the Slums to provide a Colonial Breakfast, but this one does. Cissnei was going over their possible moves when Kunsel walked up and said, "You're planning something."
"And you want to know what it is," she pointed out, "I'm just thinking of our next move."
"So what'd you have in mind," he asked.
Cissnei sighed, "So far the only thing I can come up with is joining an Anti-Shinra group who operates out of Sector 7."
"You mean the most recent incarnation of AVALANCHE," he asked.
The former Turk was surprised, "How did you-"
"You're not the only one with an information network," he replied.
Cissnei chuckled, "I guess not."
Zack looked between everyone and motioned them to gather around him. "So... What now," he asked.
"Kunsel and I discussed this and we have both come to the same solution," replied Cissnei, "we join the current incarnation of AVALANCHE."
"Is that really a good idea," asked Luxiere.
Kunsel shrugged his shoulders, "We already have a target on the back of our heads, so we might as well join up with a group that has one too."
"Do either of you know where their base is," asked Zack.
Cissnei nodded, "They're base is a bar in Sector 7."
"Seems like our best option," added Cloud.
Zack nodded, "If it's alright, I'd like to bring Aerith with us."
"You know that's a risk," Cissnei pointed out, "She's under observation by the Turks since she's the last living Ancient."
"All the more reason to get her under their radar," stated Zack.
The red head sighed, "Knowing you, this is going to happen no matter what, so we might as well just go with it."
"Thanks Cis."
XxX
Aerith was tending her flowers when she heard someone enter her Church. She turned around, "May I help y-" She froze when she saw who was standing there, "Zack?"
Zack smiled as he said, "Hey angel."
Aerith was overcome with emotions as she ran up and leapt into his arms, "YOU'RE OKAY!"
"I'm sorry for disappearing like that," he said sincerely, "But I'm here now, and I am never leaving your side again."
"It's a good thing that Elena was the one assigned to watch her," stated Cissnei as she walked in, "She's still on her probation period, so I left a little letter to get her off the hook with Tseng."
Aerith looked at the former Turk before turning back to Zack and asked, "Zack, what's going on?"
"It's kind of a long story," he replied, "But to put it simply, we're getting you off of Shinra's Radar."
"We're headed for Sector 7," explained Cissnei, "There we'll join an Anti-Shinra group called AVALANCHE."
Aerith nodded, "So long as I'm with Zack, I don't care what happens."
XxX
Aerith had insisted on saying goodbye to her adoptive mother, Elmyra Gainsborough. After that, she was introduced to the rest of the group before they headed to Sector 7.
Upon arrival they headed for the Bar called 7th Heaven, where they were greated by the sight of a young red head behind the bar. "May I help you," she asked with a hint of hostility.
"We're not with Shinra if that's what you're worried about," stated Cissnei, "At least not anymore."
The girl narrowed her eyes, "and why should I believe you."
"Because we've turned on the company," answered Zack, "effectively painting a bull's eye on the back of our heads."
"The same Bulls eye you have on the back of your heads," added Kunsel.
She narrowed her eyes, "So you're here to join, is that it?"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," stated Luxiere.
The red head sighed before saying, "Barret really isn't going to like this."
XxX
"FUCK NO," shouted the temperamental black man, "I don't care how bad we need the help, I ain't taken work from people who been with Shinra, Jessie."
"I know Barret, but Shinra's already gunning for them so that essentially makes them an ally," she countered.
Cissnei stood up and said, "Believe me when I say that you stand to gain much from having us join your ranks."
"And what might that be," asked Barret.
"Inside information," stated Kunsel.
Barret crossed his arms, "Awright, I'm listenin."
"Shinra has messed with a lot more than just Mako Energy," stated Zack, "Hell, I'm not entirely sure where to begin."
"How about the beginning," Wedge suggested.
Zack nodded, "I wasn't even born then, but I'll start where things went south from my point of view." And Zack proceeded to tell them about the things he had learned about the Company from their peculiar obsession with his girlfriend, to what he knew about the Jenova Project: the guy spilled the Beans.
"You expect me to believe that Shinra developed a way to imprint other people's genetic traits and make 'copies' or whatever the hell you called it?"
Zack shrugged as he pointed to the winged wolf, "Angeal here is proof."
As if to reinforce this statement, Angeal lifted his head to reveal the face of Zack's Mentor. "THE FUCK IS THAT FACE DOIN' THERE!?"
"Like I said, Mako Energy is just the tip of the Iceberg," replied Zack.
"So you got a bone to pick with the Shinra," stated Barret, "I get that, but why join us? Why not start your own group?"
"That's actually our Plan B," stated Cissnei.
Barret looked over them and chuckled, "Heh, three SOLDIER Operatives, two folks who may as well be SOLDIER, a Genetically Modified Monster, and a Turk. The hell's the world comin' to... Welcome aboard."
There was a brief chorus of celebratory shouts amongst the members of AVALANCHE... One would think this would make their mission to save the planet easier, but the war has only just begun.
DONE!
Now for the usual explanations!
Q: Why didn't you cover Zack's battle with Genesis?
A: we already know how it went thanks to Crisis Core, and I felt it necessary to cover the events of the Surface crew.
Q: Why have Cissnei turn on the Company like that?
A: In my opinion, she was already on the verge of doing so.
Q: Why make those three 1st classes so easy to dispose of?
A: Kunsel and Luxiere were involved in actual wars (the war with Wutai and the Genesis War) that Sephiroth was also involved in… I think every SOLDIER Operative was inadvertently competing with Sephiroth because he was the top dog.
Q: why keep the winged wolf around?
A: I think the thing is awesome and deserves to live.
Well that's all for now folks, remember to write a review!
Jack "The Ripper" Hellscythe
