Introductions
"Claire…?"
Serah is watching her sister moving her head around on the pillow. Lightning slowly opens her eyes and spots Serah sitting next to her on a chair.
"Serah…?"
Lightning sits up and wobbles her cranium. She notices that she's on a bed with white sheets. The walls are white and there are cover curtains. She's in a medical room. Lightning winces a little and begins to touch her forehead. She didn't feel the bandage there anymore nor the wound.
"The nurse said that you're going to be okay…" Serah relieves herself.
"Wh-what happened?" Lightning looks to her.
"You forgot? I was grabbed by that huge guy and-"
As Serah begins to explain, Lightning is already replaying the occasion when she encountered the big man. She saw a crowd gathering around in the middle of the hallway and she went to investigate. She saw the man holding Serah's arm and Snow and Sazh lying on the floor. She attacked, but she was overpowered. Then something happened. The blonde Guardian Corps General…
"Cloud beat him and saved all of us…" Serah said.
"Cloud…?" Lightning repeats questionably.
"Yeah. That guy you talked about last night…I believed that was him since he introduced himself."
Lightning remembered. Cloud was there. His voice echoes in her mind and his face keeps popping up. He did something to her that had her blacked out.
"That Cloud guy was amazing though…" Serah smiles a little, "He took out that guy and 9 men all by himself. Except Snow came in and beat the last one of them…"
"…"
"Then PSICOM soldiers came and arrested those men and a Medic helped by taking you here, the medical room. You've been asleep for 4 hours…I was worried."
"4 hours?" Lightning exclaims.
Serah nods.
Lightning sighs heavily, "Is Sazh's kid…?"
"Don't worry, they're fine…"
"I see that my sister's awake." A voice comes into the room. That cocky and annoying voice is unmistakable…
It was Snow. Lightning also sees Hope entering the door and standing by Serah.
"Hey Lightning…" Hope greets, "How you're doing…?"
"I'm fine…" Lightning replies.
"Really? Knocked out for almost 4 hours, that's quite hard to take…" Snow smirks
"Don't be clowning about that…" Sazh is seen at the door, "After being beaten by a big man like that, I wouldn't be too good myself."
Sazh closes the door and locks it so that no one else can come in. He walks up to the group and Serah notices something missing.
"What happened to Dajh?"
"Oh, he's safe. He's just with other children and playing around. Found him our old babysitter. Don't want him to be all scared after what happened…"
"I see…" Serah smiles.
"So…" Sazh shrugs, "How's Miss Ex-soldier doing?"
"What's going on out there now?" Lightning asks.
"Just PSICOM soldiers securing the area…After the big commotion, everyone is panicking about more criminals starting more trouble." Snow answers.
"Well, some people aren't that shaken up. They feel safe after seeing…" Sazh pauses.
"…Cloud." Lightning finishes.
"Yeah. After they saw that guy puling off a few tricks, they don't seem to be the least concerned about any more dilemmas." Sazh crosses his arms.
"Where is he now…?" Lightning asks.
"…Don't know. Probably headed off somewhere else on this ship…"
Lightning now knows that Cloud's on this ship somewhere. So there's no need to look for him. She just needs to ask a soldier and his location can be identified instantly. On a side note, Cloud sure made quite an entrance. Lightning expected to meet him face to face peacefully, but Cloud saved her once again. However, Lightning, mysteriously, doesn't feel frustrated about being rescued again…
"Where were you, Hope?" Snow asks, "Didn't see you until after it was over…"
"I'm sorry. I was looking somewhere else at the time. It was then I saw that man Lightning talked about…"
"You saw that Cloud guy before the fight?" Snow queries.
"Yeah, I remembered how Lightning described him back at the tent last night. Blonde hair and a black Guardian Corps uniform…I followed him and saw him going through a crowd. So I went through and noticed that you guys were there." Hope answers.
"Heh. You missed the good part. You should've seen the guy pummel the bastard."
"…I guess." Hope titters, "So this Cloud guy is really amazing, huh?"
"I still don't trust him…" Sazh spits out
Everyone looks at him with surprise.
"Why? He saved Lightning, Snow and Serah, didn't he? Even you..." Hope wonders.
"Think about it. Why would a General be out in the open and just attack someone, criminal or not? He just had to take all the action for himself rather than let the PSICOM soldiers do their job. That's why."
"But he still…" Snow starts
"Look. No General puts himself in front of any risks. They are not allowed to harm any citizens. But that Cloud guy, he just couldn't handle it but break some bones of those young fellows."
"He did it to save me! And you and Snow!" Serah disagrees.
"Save? He was about to kill the man with that toy of his! The only reason why he didn't do it is because we're on a ship full of people."
"…" Everyone becomes silent. Ambivalent to wonder if that Cloud man is someone they can trust or not.
"That's why we should stay away from possible. So no one gets hurt…"
"I beg to differ, old man." A deep voice jerks the group.
They turn and see a man standing with his arms crossed, leaning on the wall next to the door.
His blonde hair is distinctive…It was him.
Cloud is standing there.
"How did he get in?" Sazh exclaims, remembering that he locked the door
"You see, if I didn't interfere, you probably wouldn't see the light of day again." Cloud said as he walks to Lightning's bed; maintaining a distance from the group. "You should be grateful that I WAS there." Cloud stares at Sazh with his intense red-and-blue eyes.
"…"
The whole group stares at him; the one who is known to be a Guardian Corps General. Finally, they see the man Lightning met yesterday and the hero who routed 10 men by himself, that is including the giant. If what Lightning said was true, then he's a l'Cie. His young appearance and muscular physiques creates a tight atmosphere in the room. Just as Lightning described him, his eyes have two definite opposite details. One was blue as the sky and the other red as blood.
"Well, I'm grateful. Thank you…" Serah politely admits
"Uh…I said thanks already." Snow rubs his head
Sazh, on the other hand, just crosses his arms and stares off, out of the window.
"You're welcome." Cloud nods to the engaged couple.
Cloud then turns his eyes to Lightning. She seems the least surprised to see him. Cloud told her yesterday that they will see each other again. So this reunion was expected to happen. However, this kind of situation was not the one that Lightning intended to be.
"We meet again, Lightning…" Cloud said with that same tone when Lightning first saw him.
"Yeah…" Lightning starts rubbing her palms with her fingers.
"How're you holding up?" he asks.
"I'll be fine…"
"Good. So, you guys are her friends, I presume?" Cloud observes Snow, Hope, and Sazh, "Then I should pointlessly introduce myself properly. My name is Cloud. Nice to meet you…"
Everyone, except Lightning, reluctantly decides to introduce themselves to the General.
"I'm Serah, Serah Farron."
"So, you're Lightning's sister." Cloud remarks.
Serah smiles and bows her head a little.
"Snow Villiers…"
"You're that guy who knocked out that last criminal. Nice job." Cloud smirks
"Thanks…" Snow chuckles.
"…Sazh Katzroy." Sazh mumbles while not looking at Cloud
Just before Hope could introduce himself, Cloud interrupts.
"You must be Hope Estheim." Cloud said
Hope's eyes widens with shock. "How-?"
"I know your father, Bartholomew Estheim."
"You know my dad?" Hope is shocked, "Do you know where he is?"
"I met him yesterday back at the camps site. Unfortunately, he is not on this ship." Cloud apologized, "He's been looking for you for a while…"
"Dad…Thanks for telling me."
"You should meet him when we arrive to Midgar."
"Midgar…?" Lightning questions at the unfamiliar name
"It's the city the citizens are evacuating to. I was discussing about that at the meeting yesterday."
"What's it like there?" Serah asks curiously
"…It's not exactly…" Cloud tries to describe, "…colorful."
"Not colorful…?" Sazh finally turns back around and shows some interest
"The city is very different from Bodhum, or Palumpolum, or this side of Pulse. The skies are always gray and the field is nothing but a wasteland."
"Oh…I…" Serah looks disappointed
"I know, it's nothing what you would expect to hear…but nevertheless, it's the safest place for the citizens of Cocoon to go." Cloud assures
"…"
Cloud looks at Sazh and sees the sense of prudence in him. After hearing what Sazh said, it's time to clear up some facts.
"I bet you have some questions to ask me, Mr. Katzroy."
Sazh ponders for a while. To see the man himself right in front of him, it's quite difficult to bring up the words. It's like seeing someone you always wanted to see in your whole life and after you finally meet that person, you just don't know what to say, even though you planned it. But seeing Cloud is the last thing to do in Sazh's mind. However, Sazh brings up the questions and decides to find out the truth for himself.
"All right, all right…" Sazh exhales, "All of us know that you met Lightning…"
"…Yes I have..." Cloud nods
"She…told us…that you are a l'Cie."
"…"
"Is this true…?"
"…Indeed." Cloud's answer caught everyone's attention. "I am a l'Cie; cursed by a Fal'Cie and a cancer to the human society."
"Oh man…" Sazh rubs his temples, hearing that this General is really a l'Cie, is something that Sazh didn't expect to hear for an answer.
"Usually if people hear that a l'Cie is around, they panic. Judging from your reactions, you don't seem at least scared. I suppose that…everyone one of you, was once a l'Cie…like Lightning" Cloud deduces
"…Yeah…" Snow nods and places a hand on Serah's shoulder, "All of us…were l'Cie's."
"Hmm. Then all of you have completed your Focus, and was released from crystal stasis."
"…"
"Where's your mark then?" Hope asks, "If you're a l'Cie, then you should have the mark."
"…" Cloud hesitates, "I'd rather not show it…"
"…"
"But…Did you see what I did to Lightning back then?"
"…!"
"Yeah…I remember some kind of white light…" Lightning recollects
"I used magic." Cloud utters, "I'm sure you're aware of what it was."
"Curaga?" Hope disputes
"Right." Cloud accedes
"Okay…next question." Sazh said
Cloud turns his attention back to the black man with the afro.
"Lightning also told us that she found you released from crystal stasis. When we were out of crystal, we lost our marks. You, on the other hand, still have your mark…somewhere. If you've completed your Focus, then why you still a l'Cie?"
"…" Cloud realizes that Lightning didn't tell them an important detail.
"Well…?"
"…I DIDN'T complete my Focus." Cloud answers lowly
"Didn't complete it? But…don't you turn into Cie'th if you don't?"
"It doesn't apply to me. The curse stays with me for the rest of my life."
"Whoa…" Snow said
"It's not something to be understood immediately. I trust that none of you will reveal this to anyone else."
"We won't tell anyone." Hope nods
"Thank you…"
"Fine. Then tell us who you really are." Sazh demands
"Who I really am…?"
"Yeah! Rumor has it that you've killed many of Guardian Corps soldiers, even PSICOM. You are someone that no soldier likes. A threat, just like any l'Cie…!"
"Sazh!" Serah calls
"What? He is a murderer! A ruthless soldier who knows no honor…!" Sazh points
"Shut up!" Lightning furiously yells.
Sazh abruptly quiets down. Everyone is astonished to see Lightning yell like that.
"You don't know anything about him yet! So stop pointing fingers acting like you do!" Lightning loudly said
"…"
Cloud is truly taken aback to see Lightning's maturity. She seems to be the leader of this group.
"Mr. Katzroy…"
"It's true…I did kill some soldiers." Cloud admits as he leans against the white wall
"…"
"But let me ask you this…" Cloud said to Sazh, "Have you ever held your best friend's hand when he knows he's about to die?"
This question has Lightning and the others feel tight in their chests.
"Have you ever told a friend, that everything is going to be all right, when you both know that he's going to spend his last seconds in your arms?"
"…"
"I noticed that you have a son, Mr. Katzroy." Cloud said, "Do you know what it's like to watch your child close their eyes and never open them again?"
Sazh takes his words hard.
"Do you know what it's like to kill someone and spend the rest of your life with blood of guilt all over you? And bear that memory forever?
"…"
"Do you think that just because you heard rumors about me defines who I am? All of you were once l'Cie's. How did you feel when people assume you to be threats, or rather, monsters? I bet that's the last thing you want to carry over your shoulders."
"…"
"I can tell all of you right now. Killing someone is not exactly the kind of thing I want to do. I don't kill someone in cold blood or for entertainment. I know exactly what death feels like and you know what? It's not exactly humorous. I treat people the way I want to be treated. If they really are a threat to anyone, then I change my motives." Cloud ominously states, "And…watching someone close to you to just stop breathing…makes you go crazy and you won't even understand what you're doing for the next 10 minutes. I don't kill because I feel the same kind of pain the victims feels."
Everyone feels Cloud's statement puncturing them deeply. Especially Lightning, this kind of statement reminds her of the time when she and Cloud were captured. Cloud said that when people lose someone they care about, they could become deadly. Cloud has indeed lost someone, and he went for revenge. After that, the impact of guilt slams him hard and marks him for life.
On the other hand, Hope was able to connect with Cloud the most. He also almost came close to taking revenge for his mother. Hope was so infuriated that he couldn't understand why he's so desperate to kill Snow. He just wanted Snow dead just because Snow killed Hope's mother. But then, it wasn't until Hope realized that Snow is a good person, he didn't intend to kill her. Hope just couldn't see it until Snow saved him from falling that other day. Hope would've lived with blood of guilt on him if he did succeed to kill Snow.
"I guess…I…" Sazh chokes, "I was wrong about you. I'm sorry."
Cloud gives a small beam.
"No hard feelings?" Sazh gives out his open hand.
"None" Cloud takes the hand and shakes.
The group then starts to relax from Cloud's intensity. It seems that he really is a nice person. The final thing they want to do is to assume that he is their enemy. If he's really a l'Cie, then he would understand what the group is went through. The rumors about him aren't true at all then. Cloud then takes a glance at his watch on his wrist guard.
"Oh…we will be landing soon." Cloud notes.
"What? Already?" Sazh walks to the window and looks outside, "I see no city…"
"No, we're not there yet. The ships have to land to take some time to cool down the engines and the engineers need make sure that everything is working properly." Cloud said
"Damn…this city is that far?" Snow asks.
"Considering that it's on the other side of Pulse, yes."
"Wow, the other side of Pulse…I've never been there." Hope said.
"You will. We should get going. It is also lunch time, and I'm sure you guys are hungry." Cloud said in a friendly and welcoming tone.
"About time! I'm in!" Snow's the first one to join.
"Me too." Serah agrees while standing up.
"I like to go." Hope nods.
"Might as well…" Sazh adheres.
"What about you, Lightning?" Cloud speaks to her, who has been quiet for a while. "The nurse said you can get up once you're awake."
"I…" Lightning starts, "I'm not hungry…"
Then a strident grumble comes out of Lightning's stomach. Cloud raises an eyebrow and Snow tries to suppress his snickers. Lightning looks away while covering her belly with her arm.
"Uh…" Lightning is turning red
"Your body seems to disagree…" Cloud scoffs.
Serah then whispers in his ear, "She skipped breakfast this morning…"
"Oh. No wonder…" Cloud rolls his eyes, "Come on and get up, before you embarrass yourself again."
Lightning is being really hesitant, "I…"
Cloud sighs with a little frustration and walks up to her. He grabs her hand and pulls her off the bed. Lightning didn't find herself resisting and is back on her feet again. Cloud speaks…
"You're not going to get through life with no food. Come on, you can ask me more things once you get something to eat."
In the ship's cafeteria-like court, Hope brings his bowl to the table where Cloud, Lightning, and the group are sitting at.
"Bread and soup…AGAIN?" Snow complains nosily.
"It's not exactly the best tasty meal…but it's good protein." Cloud smells his bowl of soup
"But it's…it's…"
"Quit whining…" Lightning interrupts as she is hastily chewing her food quickly and mannerly.
"So…I don't think anyone is listening to us." Serah studies her surroundings, "Would you tell us more about yourself, Cloud?"
"Oh, uh…well…" Cloud swirls his soup, "What would you like to know…?"
"Tell us the time when you first became a soldier. That's a good start." Sazh suggests.
"Nothing much to tell then…I joined when I was 15."
"15?" Sazh almost spits out his soup.
Lightning is dumbfounded to hear this. She joined when she was 20, that's the Guardian Corps policy. How can Cloud enter the military at the age of 15? If he was 18, then there could be an exception…
"You see, when I joined, it was during in a time of…critical battles. The percentages of Pulsian creatures invading Eden scaled through the roof. I didn't have a choice. They were making lots of teenage boys serving the military. I only agreed to go, because I heard that they will provide me lots of money once I served my time." Cloud explains
"Wow…how long ago was this?" Hope asks
"About…" Cloud checks his watch, which has the date, "…18 years ago."
"18?" Serah widens her eyes, "I was just born then…"
"I wasn't born YET…" Hope adds
"Hey! I was young at that time!" Sazh heartily states, "22 years!"
Lightning and Snow were only 3 at the time. The whole group stares at, and studies, Cloud, who was taking a bite out of his bread. They notice his youthful appearance and they are in deep confusion.
"You said when you were 15, you entered the military…" Lightning quotes.
"Right…" Cloud confirms
"And that was 18 years ago from now…"
"Yeah…"
"…" Lightning quickly calculates, "Then you must be at least 33!"
"Holy shoot!" Snow drops his spoon, "You're 33…!"
"But…you look so…" Serah tries to append.
"Ahh…but you forgot the time when I was crystallized." Cloud points out.
"And…How long exactly were you a crystal?" Sazh inquires.
"8 years, I guess…" Cloud answers; remembering that Amodar said that Cloud was missing for 8 years.
"8 years…then…" Lightning is about to recalculate.
"That's right. I am, physically, 25 years old." Cloud surprises even himself with that fact.
"Now that makes more sense." Hope exhales to relax after such a riddle.
"Huh…25 years old, but actually 33…I was beginning to wonder why a General like you, look like a kid." Sazh quirks
"I told Lightning this already. I was promoted a lot back then." Cloud sips his soup.
"Interesting…" Sazh rubs his chin.
"It's not really that surprising though." Hope said, "Vanille and Fang were in crystal stasis for almost 100 years."
"Yeah, I remember that." Snow chuckles
"Vanille and Fang?" Cloud questions
"Just two people we know that…"
"No…I know those two also." Cloud takes another bite out of his bread.
The group once again pauses. This was getting weirder and odder. Now Cloud knows Vanille and Fang? What else does he know about?
"You know Vanille and Fang?" Lightning asks.
"Yeah…but that's something I shouldn't talk about…" Cloud sounds regretful as he sees PSICOM soldiers and other Guardian Corps members entering the court
"Oh…" Hope mumbles.
"Well then…um…" Serah tries to bring up a different topic, "Then tell us about…I don't know…your personal life."
"Like…what?" Cloud queries
"You know…um…Do you have a…girlfriend?"
Lightning gazes at her sister. "Why is she asking such a question?"
"Girlfriend…?" Cloud raises
"Yeah…Someone you like?"
"Well…there is one girl…I dated her a long time ago on Cocoon." Cloud scratches his cheek.
"Ooh, tell us." Serah sounds excited.
"It was during the time when I was about to become First Lieutenant." Cloud gives the timeline, "I was 19 and she was 15…"
"A 15 year old? You dated a 15 year old?" Lightning hoists her eyes.
Cloud shrugs his shoulders, "Pretty much…"
Lightning uncomfortably takes a sip of soup. Hope had a brief imagination that he was dating Vanille, since he is also 15 and she is, physically, 19. Another surprising thing, to the group, about Cloud…
"Come on, it's only a 4 year difference. That's not weird…" Serah defends Cloud, given that she is marrying someone who is 3 years older than she is. Not to mention, much taller.
Sazh chuckles at how a typical young adult would be so interested in these kinds of teenage topics…he just takes a gulp of the remaining soup.
"What was her name?" Serah asks.
"Jihl Nabaat" Cloud answers.
It was this moment, when Sazh successfully spews his gulp of soup out from his mouth and onto the floor. Snow coughs and starts chocking on his bread. Hope snaps out of his fantasy. Lightning just freezes at her seat with eyes fully expanded. Cloud wonders why these people are showing odd behaviors. Sure, he's looks 25 when he's actually 33 and he's a l'Cie, but one name just makes them all…flabbergasted. Then a PSICOM soldier marches up to Cloud…everyone tries to forget what Cloud just said and watches what's happening.
"Sir!" the soldier salutes to Cloud.
"At ease, soldier." Cloud responds, "Any good news?"
The PSICOM soldier then bends down and puts his mouth next to Cloud's ear, whispering words for about 10 seconds. Cloud scrunches his eyes a few times during the whispers. Can't be good news…
"I see. Thank you." Cloud nods and stands up.
"Sir!" the soldier salutes one final time and marches away.
"What's wrong, Cloud?" Serah wonders.
"It seems that the engines have been defused and needs repairing. That will prolong the evacuation to Midgar for about the rest of this day." Cloud replies, "I have to go to the top and speak to the pilots for a moment."
"Oh…"
"We can all talk some other time again." Cloud guarantees, "Excuse me…"
Cloud leaves and heads for the nearest elevator.
Sazh, Lightning, Hope and Snow watched his every move. They are bewildered by the fact that Cloud dated-
"What's wrong, guys…?" Serah stares at her sister and her fiancée
"That guy…" Sazh points, "…dated Nabaat. Jihl Nabaat!"
A/N: Hope you enjoyed it! If you did, please review!
