Chapter 9 - Unspoken Past/Future

So many things can happen so fast and we can only watch… Moment of Truth…

"How is she, Cloud?" Tifa asks.

It was growing late and the bar was just about closing. Garrett had settled down at the bar area, trying a glass of Corel Wine. He said nothing, only listening on what was going on around him.

"She collapsed on the bed. Alyssa's fast asleep now." Cloud responds.

Tifa gave a quick smile as she cleaned up the bar. "That's good and it's good that she's safe now."

Cloud walks up to Garrett, joining him. He gave a slight shrug, and sat down at the bar stool not so far away. Garrett gave a sigh, only "trying" to think of something else. Cloud on the other hand still wanted to figure out how Alyssa was the "Third Child of Jenova", but he only knew as much as Garrett did. The rumors of her dad being in Shinra were as shocking as it was.

Deyxem and Nornaz were both sitting at a nearby table, eating some food and playing cards. It must have been blackjack. Garrett turns to watch. They were having fun after the longest time. Garrett smirks of that thought… They WERE having fun after the longest time. At least, that's what Garrett saw through his eyes. That gave him the impression because they were also laughing at each other.

Garrett notices the look on Cloud's face a moment after. "You have something on your mind, I can't tell what you're thinking though."

"I have my mind on various thoughts at this time, Garrett. Mainly on Alyssa though."

Garrett shrugged. "Don't doubt yourself for what she's been through. It was her father who did it to her. Her real father DID know about Sephiroth and had met him. No one has any idea what really happened though."

"You may NOT, but I DO." A man's voice calls upon entry.

Garrett knew the voice right away. "Avidan." He says, getting to his feet and reaching for his sword. "I have every right to kill you!"

Cloud drew his sword, Garrett soon followed. "What gives you every reason to be here, Sephiroth follower?"

"Because, I am not part of the slivers. I used to be part of Shinra. I knew her father."

"So that gives you every reason to waltz in here and shoot me. You're a liar and follow your 'Lord' Sephiroth. You better make it quick before I decide to kill you." Garrett growls.

Hearing the anger in Garrett's voice, Avidan kept his distance. "I decided to become a follower to keep an eye out for Alyssa. I never would have guessed would make this situation a living hell. I've come to tell you who I am and what Sephiroth's planning."

"What says that we can trust you?" He questions.

"Wait, you said you knew her 'real' father and worked for Shinra?" Cloud asks.

Garrett turns his head in surprise, a look forms over his face. "Cloud what are you saying?"

"I saw you at Alyssa's 'adoptive' father at what was her 'home', wearing a Shinra Uniform." Cloud responds.

"I wouldn't guess that you would remember me after three years."

Garrett drops his grip from the handle of his sword. Cloud gave a gesture, telling him someway it was safe. He then puts his sword away at the same time Garrett put his away. Cloud then relaxes his stiff arms, giving a short glare at Avidan. Garrett walks behind Cloud, but still stays but his side.

"I've known Alyssa's real dad and her adoptive one. Her real father told me to take care of her. If that didn't work, then she would be brought to an adoptive family."

"Then why did she go with you right away?"

"Because Cloud, I was declared missing from Shinra shortly after her father was killed. But I need to tell what Shinra did with Alyssa."

Alyssa wakes up, not really keeping track of the real time. The clock read 2:00 a.m. Her dry throat grunted. Why is it so early? I must have fallen asleep of a while. She thought. Alyssa couldn't quite remember the time she returned back to Seventh Heaven. That didn't seem to matter since she didn't really want to think.

Alyssa crawls out of bed. She felt her stomach hurt. All she wanted now was something to eat. Alyssa heads to the bar area once again, where she spots Garrett passed out in a chair. Alyssa reaches out to him, putting a hand on his back.

Garrett wakes up, flinching at her touch. His head shot up, looking at her. "What are you doing up?" His voice asks with a yawn.

"I'm hungry. I WAS going to grab something, but then I saw you."

"Oh, then that's none of my concern. Anyway, I should head out; my members are waiting on me, thanks for waking me. I shouldn't stay here any longer than I was already needed."

Alyssa instantly felt her heart sink. Her eyes turned to him, staring into his. Her look made Garrett notice something. It was as if he knew something was on her mind. Alyssa looks away, not wanting to make eye contact with him. She just couldn't explain how or what she was feeling at the moment. It was a different way of sadness. What was she feeling exactly though? Garrett said nothing, now walking toward the entrance of Seventh Heaven.

Alyssa felt choked up. "Garrett, wait."

Garrett was just about to leave, but was stopped by her voice. "Yeah?"

"Thanks, I don't know which side to take, but I wanted to thank you even if I-"

"Just don't mention it. I'll see you around." Garrett cuts her off.

Garrett leaves after a long moment of silence. Alyssa was startled as new footsteps filled the air. Alyssa quickly turns to see who it was. It was nothing more than Avidan himself. How did he get here? She thought.

"I thought you were a silver, not one of us." Alyssa says calmly.

"Sephiroth isn't your real father, besides I knew your real father. I would only watch how Sephiroth would treat you. I know you may be confused on what your life is right now or who you are, but this has gone way too far." Avidan answers, his voice sounding a bit concerned.

"What do you mean? How can I trust you?" Alyssa snaps.

Avidan chuckles. "You're starting to sound like Garrett. Just let me explain."

"You better have a good reason then, you wouldn't be here if Cloud didn't trust you, so speak." Alyssa's voice by this time sounded angry, she was remembering what happened to Garrett when Avidan hang around.

"Take a seat." Avidan says.

Alyssa sat at a nearby table as Avidan joined. He then looks at her. In his eyes she was unique, even impressed in what type of person she grew into, how she lived and even the people who supported her all these years. Alyssa was one of a kind like anyone else, but different.

Alyssa takes a deep breath. "Your real father worked for Shinra. He married your mother by the time they planned to have you. Shinra on the other hand told them about the project. But the plans weren't fully made out until what happened six years ago."

"The Sephiroth incident. Cloud told my father, I know, I heard the story from two different point of views." Alyssa said. "But what's so special about that?"

"You were very young at the time. You probably don't remember, but Shinra asked your real father just before Sephiroth arrived in Nibelheim to use you in an experiment."

"Experiment? What did they do?" Alyssa was now sounding like Cloud.

"Well, combining your blood, Sephiroth's blood and Jenova cells, they wanted you to be stronger than any other SOLDIER, even Sephiroth himself. Overtime they did test on you, making you inhumanly strong. From there many people then knew you as simply 'Third Child of Jenova'. That's mainly why Garrett was after you because of your reputation. Now he 'clams' that a prophecy was written about you before you were born."

"How is this all true?"

"Hold on kiddo. But shortly after so much time being in Nibelheim, Sephiroth had arrived, went insane killed your real father and took place. He released you from Shinra's grasp and went to see Jenova. I then found you, even though I was going to speak with your father unaware what was taking place. When the Shinra had arrived in the Mako Reactor, I then knew something went wrong. I managed to slip you out before they needed to even search for survivors."

"Why don't I remember all this?" Alyssa asks.

"You probably have amnesia and don't even know." Avidan responds. "Hell if I would know though."

Alyssa was silent. She was looking at him with confusing sympathetic eyes. Something told her to trust what he was saying. What could she say though? All the information both from his and Cloud's was effecting her. But what bothered her even more was for the fact she was used by people she hated ticked her off a little…

"Your father rightfully called me your 'Godfather'." Avidan says, breaking the silence.

"How come you didn't take me with you?"

"One I needed to keep low and two I wanted you to be safe."

So that's what started this all… because of… me." Alyssa mutters.

"Anyway, you're probably tired. Why don't you get some rest? We'll continue in the morning."

Avidan leaves, having Alyssa stay in the bar. She sat there; thinking on how much Shinra did to her. Only now did she question about her memories and her life, trying and wanting to remember what happened six years ago. Taking a deep breath and letting the information sink in, she headed off to bed, deciding she wasn't hungry anymore. Alyssa sank into the soft pillow and drifted off to a deep sleep. With a final thought, thinking of Cloud that made her smile slightly.

Alyssa had awoken the next morning, feeling strangely sore and unable to move. Her head was throbbing. She had never felt this pain before. Her whole body rather felt numb or somewhat paralyzed. What was she going to do first? All she could at least try was to get help.

Struggling to her feet, Alyssa collapses to the ground, dragging her legs, and trying to stand. She grunted, stopping at the entrance of the bedroom door. Alyssa slowly sat up, leaning up against the nearest wall beside her for support.

Alyssa's body the instantly flinched, hearing a knock at the door. A familiar voice lightened up her eyes. "Alyssa, are you up? Tifa is making breakfast; I figured you would want some."

"Cloud, I need help." Alyssa's voice squeaks, trying not to cry.

Cloud opens the door, seeing Alyssa leaning against a wall. A look formed in his eyes as to say something. He knelt down, gently putting a hand on her shoulder. "How did you end up down there? Were you there all night?"

"No-" Alyssa hesitates. "- I just need help getting up, I'm feeling stiff. I just need-"

Cloud started laughing. "You just need help, that was a real tension breaker. I really thought you were there all night."

"Help me get to my feet at least." Alyssa repeats, giving him a glare.

"All right, all right." Cloud agrees.

Alyssa was pulled up as Cloud stood up with her. She gave a shriek of pain. He moved as if he felt her pain. Alyssa was crying, starting to feel her legs pull up on her bones, sending sharp pains all over. By feeling the pain, her arms that were laying on Cloud's chest froze as her hands clenched his soft, cotton shirt.

"I'm bringing you to a doctor." Cloud says without a second thought.

Not being able to move, Cloud picks Alyssa up, having her wrap her left arm around his neck and to try and relax. Cloud carried her body, heading to the bar area. He was stopped by this time. Tifa gave him a worried look. His look back tried to assure that everything was going to be ok. Alyssa buried her head in his chest, closing her eyes. All she wanted was the pain to stop and go away.

Cloud had set Alyssa down as he hopped on his motorcycle, starting it. He then picks her back up, making her stable before he started driving. There was a doctor just five blocks away, but it was further than it seemed. Cloud was more focused on Alyssa. Had she been paralyzed from not relaxing? Why was she paralyzed so sudden? There wasn't even any warning.

Cloud drives off, still keeping a close eye on Alyssa. He continues through the streets, making haste and trying his best to cut corners. All he could do was speed up, but at the same time be careful. It was hard to concentrate both on her and driving. He had to arrange his thoughts at least to work for the goal. Sephiroth. A thought pops in Cloud's head. Did he do this to her?

Alyssa was holding on as long as she could. Her strength was about to fail her, but knowing that Cloud was with her made her hang in there. Memories of him watching over her, made Alyssa smile. Cloud was always there for her, she just never really realized it until now, holding on tightly to him and trying to relax. The one thing she wanted answered was what was happening now.