Disclaimer: All Final Fantasy elements belong to Square. I own nothing.

This is my new, modified version of Chapter 1 of Final Fantasy Dimensions. It is written with more thought and detail. Since I learned so much in writing class this year, I thought this dusty fic needed some sunshine.

Note: This crossover fanfic takes place three months after the defeat of Sephiroth (in the FF7 world) and three months after the defeat of Ultimecia (in the FF8 world).

Update: 2/24/05 Well hello there. Just breezing through and letting ya'll know I haven't forgotten about this fic. Just cleaning up the spacing and paragraphs...nothing big...

Final Fantasy Journeys
Chapter 1: In the Beginning
by ArchFaith (formerly known as the ArchPrincess of Saturn)
(modified version of Final Fantasy Dimensions)

It was daylight.

Daylight in the capital city of Esthar.

A beautiful time to be awake, outside, strolling about the immaculately clean grounds. To wear the fancy robes and dresses and hats that the rest of the world regarded as strange.

Daylight.

"More energy! More!" Dr. Odine's voice could be heard outside his lab and beyond, demanding the energy to rise. "Dis Bite Bugs vill attack if zey are not shocked properly! Go!"

Kiros Seagill heard the noise and shook his head. The handsome, dark-skinned man had been taking an early morning walk with Ward when he heard the ruckus outside the lab. It was not very often that the top presidential advisors received enough time away from their duties to be able to talk and laugh, walk freely around. But today was not very often. The whole world was at peace. No wars, no terrorism, so sorceress, and most importantly, no monsters raging through Esthar. The country had been cleaned. No one remained except the people.

"Looks like another of those crazy experiments," Kiros commented as they passed. Ward, tall and solid, simply nodded.

They tried to ignore the noise and walked on, through the bustling marketplace, through the busy Airstation, past the crowds. It was then that they stopped at the center of the city-and indeed the whole country-Loire Square.

The Square, named for the first president of Esthar after the overthrow of Adel, was peaceful and serene. Parents and children rested on benches next to the green patches of grass, and the more adventurous teenagers slowly zipped their t-boards through.

Ward stopped and sighed. This was his favorite place in the universe. It felt so calm...

Calm...wait.

The air suddenly and sharply warmed. From a mild 75 degrees to 100 degrees, alarming for the heavily robed citizens. Many stood up, wondering what was happening. A few remained down, unsure of what to do or think.

Kiros wiped his sweating brow. "What the heck is this!" he demanded, the confusion in his voice evident.

Ward's features were also concerned. What had happened?

The answer came.

Right in the middle of the Square, in front of their eyes, a swirling red mass appeared. It had the appearance of a small lost storm cloud, angry and fierce. It was eight feet tall and just as wide, a bizarre sight indeed.

"What is that?" The people's frightened voices penetrated the silence that followed.

Ward, wasting no time, ran in front of the mass. He held out his arms, signaling the people gathered to go no further.

Kiros whipped out his communicator, which had been concealed in his robes. He snapped it on and pushed a few buttons. "Hello? Sergeant Shambola, this is Advisor Seagill. I'm in Loire Square...some kind of-I don't know, cloud-type kind of thing-just appeared. Right here. Yes...yes, in the Square. Ward's preventing the citizens from getting closer...Yes, I want all the police officers available to be here on the double."

The communicator snapped shut and Kiros hurried to where Ward stood. "No one get close to this thing!" he shouted. "Everyone evacuate the Square immediately!"

-

"Papers, papers...more papers."

The President grumbled sleepily. He had been signing papers all night and had not had an ounce of sleep. Being the President was a hard position. Day in, day out, meaningless rules and regulations, the public always on your back.

Laguna Loire pushed his black hair away from his eyes. He wore his usual blue shirt and brown jeans, retaining a very informal look. He did not usually wear the traditional blue and red garments of an Estharian official, believing them to be too tedious to put on. He only wore them for state occaisons, wanting as much freedom from his role as possible.

He had never asked to be President. He had been hand-picked. The Estharians needed a new leader after the Soreceress was imprisoned, and the hero of the revolution was just right for the job.

Laguna sighed. He had wanted to return to Winhill with Ellone, to be with Raine and their new baby, to be free...

But it hadn't turned out that way. His country needed him. Oh well.

A sudden call from the communicator on his desk snapped Laguna out of his dreamlike state. He slowly picked it up. "This is President Loire," he said wearily.

"Laguna? Kiros. Listen, something's opened up in Loire Square. I need you to come down here right away."

"What's up?"

"I can't explain right now. Just get down here now." A click sounded, meaning Kiros had closed his communicator.

Laguna quickly stood up and walked to the door of his office. He pushed a button on the wall. "Yes Mr. President?" a voice asked.

"Miss Azoca, get my car ready," Laguna replied. "I'm going to Loire Square right away."

He stepped outside, leaving his office covered with documents, treaties, and a few dried tears.

-

The car door swung open. Laguna got up and went out. A plethora of soldiers surrounded him, shielding him from the crowd. He spied Kiros and Ward standing in the middle of the Square, next to a red, swirling mass. What is that? Laguna asked himself, slowly manuvering through the crowd and up to a roped off area of the Square.

He broke free of the soldiers' protection and ran to Kiros and Ward. Dr. Odine was also there, with his many lab assistants. "What is this thing?" Laguna demanded. "Is it dangerous?"

"We don't know," Kiros replied. "It just formed when Ward and I were walking around. Dr. Odine is looking at it right now."

Dr. Odine looked up. The odd little man carried a micro-telescope in his hands. "Mr. Prezident," he began, "I cannot zay for sure vhat zis is, but I do believe zis may be a portal of zome kind."

"A portal? To where?"

"Again, I cannot zay. Possibly to another dimension. But as it is, it vill cause no harm whatsoever."

"That's a relief," Laguna replied, eyeing the portal. "But something needs to be done about it."

"If I many suggest," Dr. Odine added. "I think zis portal will be here for zome time. Why try to get rid of it? It is a zcientific miracle! I'd like to study it. And I'm sure the world would like to hear about it as well."

"Laguna, he's right," Kiros said, putting his hand on Laguna's shoulder. "If it is safe, then it should be studied. And we should call representatives from the other nations. They should come hear and see this."

"I guess," was all Laguna could say as he stared as the shifting mass of energy. His face grew serious and determined. "Kiros, Ward, help me make the arrangements."

-

It was far away, far from the beautiful city...

Far from Esthar...

In a different world.

A different city. Nowhere as clean.

Midgar was a dying metropolis of machines and dead monsters. It was totally devoid of any life. All the surviving citizens had been evacuated to safer places. Or slightly less dangerous places.

It had only been a short time since the defeat of Sephiroth at the hands of AVALANCHE. The heroes had been greatly honored, given various parties and galas to sing their praises. Afterwards, life had settled back into its normal routine. But not for long.

Junon had secretly built its canon under the direction of its new leaders. The canon had been unveiled to the horror of the nations of the world, fearing a new war.

There was a new war. Junon used its new power to seize control of virtually all the cities of the world. Those who resisted had been destroyed. The remaining members of AVALANCHE had gone back to their hometowns, to defend.

Through the piles of steel and trash that littered the streets and alleys, a young man appeared. He seemed strangely out of place in the city, with his spiky blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes. He wore a sleeveless blue jumpsuit with a steel belt around his waist. He wore shabby brown leather boots and carried a large sword on his back. He was walking towards a small building, partially destroyed, that sat in the middle of a clearing of rubble. Looking up, he noted a sign hanging from the building: 7th Heaven Tavern. He swung open the door and stepped inside.

A beautiful woman knelt on the floor of the tavern, trying to salvage some of the glasses that had fallen to the floor. As the man entered, she stood. "Cloud," she greeted.

"Hey Tifa," Cloud Strife answered. Tifa Lockhart, his fiancee, gave him a sad smile. She had long brown hair tied in a low ponytail. She wore a short white top and a short black skirt held up by suspenders. Her hands were covered by steel gloves, a lethal weapon.

"How is it outside?" she asked slowly.

Cloud sighed. "Kalm was destroyed. Thousands of corpses are lying around."

Tifa's fists tightened in anger. "Why are they fighting this war?" she demanded angrily. "When we saved the Planet from Meteor, I thought everything was gonna be fine! But now they're fighting again."

"Everyone wants control of the Planet," Cloud replied, going to her and giving her a small hug. "Just because we killed Sephiroth doesn't mean we eliminated all evil."

A whistle of wind swept through the wrecked tavern, through the overturned tables and chairs, through the cracked counter, past the busted pinball machine, and into Cloud's and Tifa's minds.

Cloud. Tifa.

"Aeris?" they blurted out at the same time.

"You heard that?" Tifa asked, staring into Cloud's eyes.

"Yeah. It was Aeris," Cloud answered, assuring her.

They remained quiet and listened. Nothing more came. "Maybe we were just hearing things," Tifa suggested incredulously.

You aren't hearing things, Tifa. Neither are you, Cloud.

"That was definitely her!" Cloud cried.

Before Tifa could react, the door of the bar swung open. Framed in the doorway was a pretty young woman with emerald green eyes and curly brown hair tied in a long braid. Her pink dress reached almost to her ankles, and a red jacket draped loosely around her shoulders. Tied to her back was a long, thin golden rod. It could only be one person.

"Aeris!" Tifa's voice came through loud and clear. She ran to her best friend and threw her arms around her.

Aeris smiled warmly. "Hi Tifa," she said simply. "I'm back."

Cloud, staring at the incredible sight, finally ran to both women and wrapped his arms around them. "Aeris...we missed you," he whispered slowly.

"But how can this be?" Tifa asked, letting go of Aeris.

"It's a long story," Aeris began. "But I am here because of the Planet. Because the Planet has fallen into danger again, I was called back from the Lifestream to protect it."

"Protect? We have to save the Planet again?" Cloud questioned, placing his hand on Tifa's shoulder.

Aeris nodded. "The Planet is grateful for all our help in saving it," she said. "There's one more thing. I know you're a little shocked, seeing me alive and all, but I've requested that one more person help us."

"One more person? Who?" Tifa wondered, staring at her resurrected friend.

Aeris walked to the door of the tavern and opened it to reveal a man standing there. He was garbed in a long black cloak left open in the front, with knee-length boots and pants with a belt similar to Cloud's. His silvery hair reached down his waist and his pale green eyes flashed when he saw Cloud and Tifa.

"You!" Cloud yelled, unsheathing his Ultima Weapon Sword. "Sephiroth! I thought we destroyed you!" His voice was incredulous and full of hate.

Tifa grabbed Aeris and shoved her behind her. "Why are you here!" she demanded. "Leave all of us alone!"

Sephiroth did nothing. He simply stared at Cloud and Tifa, who were ready for battle. Finally he said, "Long time no see, Cloud, Tifa."

"What?" Cloud yelled, his teeth gritted.

Aeris slipped out from behind Tifa and went towards Sephiroth.

"Aer! What are you doing?" Tifa asked.

"Sephiroth is the one that I requested to help us," Aeris answered simply, placing her hand on Sephiroth's arm.

"Are you kidding?" Cloud questioned, his eyes darting from the Ancient to the Angel.

"I'm serious," Aeris answered. "I forgave him. Sephiroth is going to help us save the Planet."

Cloud's confusion quickly turned to anger. "Of all the people in the Lifestream, Sephiroth? He's a monster! The one who destroyed my hometown and killed hundreds of people? He even tried to annihilate our Planet! Never!" Cloud raised his sword and swung it at Sephiroth, who gracefully sidestepped it.

"He killed you, Aeris," Tifa stated quietly, her confusion having turned to resentment.

Sephiroth looked Cloud in the eye, then switched to Tifa. He sighed sadly. "Of course you'd be angry. Yes, I did all those things. Some of them I did while I was under Jenova's control, and some I did on my own. I'm not going to say I'm sorry for them, because saying sorry doesn't cut it. But...when I entered the Lifestream, I found Aeris waiting for me. She told me the truths of my existence and birth. I finally realized that I had been wrong. I repented. I felt ashamed every day for my sins. Aeris asked me to join her on a quest to save the Planet. And I thought, maybe if I helped to save it, I might make up a small portion of my penance." He lowered his eyes. "Please give me a chance," he pleaded.

Tifa's fists were in the air and heading for Sephiroth's face when Cloud caught her wrists. She looked at him questioningly. "Fine. You can help us. But if you try anything..." Cloud warned.

Sephiroth nodded. "Right. You can send me back to the Lifestream."

There was silence for a while after that. Aeris spoke up. "Well, now that it's settled," she began cheerfully, trying to create team unity, "Let's discuss our battle plan. First of all, Midgar isn't the place for you guys, Cloud and Tifa. Before I left, the Planet hinted to me that we would have to travel to another dimension."

"Another dimension? What would we find there?" Tifa wondered.

"I don't know. But I trust the Planet. Do you?"

Tifa thought. "Yes, I do."

Cloud glanced at Tifa, then at Aeris, then at Sephiroth. "I do too," he agreed.

"The Planet has given Sephiroth and I interdimensional powers," Aeris explained. "We can create portals linking this dimension to another." As proof, Aeris raised her hands. Out of her fingertips red light appeared, increasing in strength as it began to form a swirling red portal which pulsated and grew larger before Tifa and Cloud's amazed eyes.

"I'll go first," Aeris volunteered. "Sephiroth, you come after me." He meekly nodded. He wasn't used to taking orders from people, but Aeris was the only exception. "Tifa, go after him. And Cloud, you come last." She proceeded into the red tunnel, followed by the aforesaid team.
Sephiroth followed closely behind Aeris, while Tifa and Cloud kept a few feet behind them.

"I don't know about this," Tifa doubted.

"What else can we do?" Cloud replied, shrugging. As soon as he stepped inside, the portal snapped shut and disappeared. And not a second too soon; thirty seconds later, Midgar was blown to bits.

"The Planet also said that time goes much faster in the other dimension, didn't it?" Sephiroth asked Aeris.

"Uh huh. I wonder how long it's been there?" Aeris wondered as they walked between the shifting red walls. As it was, they walked for only a few minutes; but the portal had been in Esthar for three days.

-

"Isn't this exciting?" Selphie Tilmitt asked for about the twentieth time that day. The girl, dressed in a yellow jumper with brown boots, short chesnut hair, and forest green eyes, with a pair of giant red nunchaku strapped to her back, was standing next to her leader in Loire Square.
Following the President's orders, the citizens of the world were informed of the mysterious portal. Quickly, leaders had sent representatives, analysts, and reporters to Esthar to witness the strange event. Loire Square had been blocked off from the Estharian public, but was open to the diplomats from other nations, who stood in an area roped off by the police. The portal was in a clearing at the center of the Square, surrounded by soldiers. Dr. Odine and his lab assistants stood next to it, conducting various tests. A few feet away from the portal, a platform had been set up. On the platform, a podium and three chairs had been erected, the podium for the President, and the chairs for the Cabinet.
Selphie's large grin grew. "It's so exciting," she told her leader, squeezing his hand.

Squall Leonhart sighed. He was robed in his usual black pants, white shirt, leather jacket, and double belts around his waist, one of which was connected his Lionheart, in its sheathings. His wild brown hair quivered in the wind and his hazel eyes squinted in the sunlight. "Yeah Selph. Really exciting," he said quietly, just to please her. Selphie was just like a little sister: sickeningly annoying at times, but mostly sweet as sugar.

President Loire had made a special request to Balamb Garden to dispatch the SeeDs to Esthar, in case the creatures that came from the portal weren't friendly. Headmaster Cid Kramer had graciously complied, allowing Squall, the leader of SeeD, to pick whomever he wished to accompany him.

He had picked the reserved Quistis Trepe, the punk Zell Dincht, and his honorary little sister, Selphie Tilmitt. Also with them were Squall's angelic fiancee, Rinoa Heartilly, and the cowboy Irvine Kinneas, Selphie's flirtaceous boyfriend. Rinoa and Irvine were cadets in the Garden, not quite considered members of SeeD yet. But they had been allowed to come because of the role they played in saving the world.

They had flown in the spaceship Ragnarok, landing it in the Airstation. From there they had proceeded directly to Loire Square, managing to procure a front row spot in the front of the portal's clearing.

Rinoa stood next to Squall, noting Selphie's excitement. Her black hair swung around her face, and her dark brown eyes wondered what would come out of the portal. Her black shorts and tank were partially covered by the long blue cape she wore, with white angel wings decorating the back. "I think it's exciting for real," she told Selphie.

"Finally! I was beginning to think Squall was dead!" Selphie exclaimed. She smiled and turned to talk to the other SeeDs.

"So Squall. Handling visitors from another dimension. Can you take it?" she questioned playfully.

Squall stoically nodded. It was true that he was a changed person now that Rinoa had come into his life, but he still retained his frowning expression and neutral behavior. "These visitors might be dangerous. Have your weapons ready," he adressed the members of SeeD, who were standing behind him.

"Right Squall," Quistis answered. She was the eldest of the group, her strawberry blonde hair tucked into a neat bun, her periwinkle blue eyes flashing with anxiousness. Her orange top, revealing her belly button, matched her long skirt, which met her high boots. Her weapon, a whip, hung on her waist.

By now, the delegations were starting to get restless. As if by a signal, some soldiers parted a pathway through the crowd. From off the road, a distinctive blue and red car drove through the path. It pulled into the clearing and stopped. The door opened.

Out of the car stepped Kiros and Ward, stiffly diplomatic, wearing their customary robes. Standing next to the car, they helped out the next passenger: Miss Ellone Loire, the First Daughter of Esthar. She was wearing a different outfit than her usual ensemble. She wore a pink and white form-fitting robe, with the Estharian symbol on its skirt. Her brown hair was covered by a pink and white oval hat, with a jewel in its center.

She gracefully stepped onto the ground. Catching sight of Squall and the others, she grinned and waved at her orphanage gang.

The last passenger to come out was the most important person in Esthar: President Laguna Loire. He was also dressed up, wearing a red and blue robe that reached to his ankles; earlier, he had refused to wear the triangular hat.

Proud and confident, trying his best not to trip, he strode to the platform and climbed up to podium. Ellone, Kiros, and Ward followed him, sitting down on the chairs. Laguna straightened up the microphone, making sure it was on. Before speaking, he scanned the crowd quickly. His eyes finally rested on Squall.

Squall's eyes met Laguna. He scowled at his father.

Only a few weeks earlier, Ellone had informed Squall that his mother had been Raine Leonhart, the same woman he had seen in the Winhill flashbacks. And his father was Laguna Loire, the president of Esthar.

Squall had been shocked. It was the last thing he had expected. Why Laguna, of all people? Why?

They continued to stare at each other, until Laguna dropped his eyes to the ground. Ward handed him a few papers, which he spread in front of him.

"Ahem," he began, in a speech Ward wrote for him, "greetings, my fellow citizens and honored guests and diplomats. As you know, we are here today to adress the importance of this scientific miracle which has formed right here in Loire Square. I have consulted the renowned Dr. Odine, and he has analyzed it to be a portal to another dimension. It is very likely possible, and if true, it is the single most important discovery-"

At that moment, Ellone stood up from where she sat. She went over to Laguna and touched his arm. "Father," she whispered. Lately, she had been calling Laguna "Father", which she had found to be more intimate than "Uncle Laguna".

"Father, there's something coming out of the portal."

Her whisper was amplified by the microphone, making it known to the entire crowd assembled.

The SeeDs murmered to themselves. "Get ready," Squall instructed. They nodded and unsheathed their weapons.

Something could be seen coming out of the portal. It appeared to be a human hand waering a steel bracelet, reaching out. Soon the owner of the hand appeared. It was a woman wearing a pink dress, her hair tied in a braid. After he appeared a man garbed in a stiff black cape and flowing silver hair. Then proceeded a woman with long brown hair and a black skirt, and finally a man with spiky blonde hair and a large sword on his back.

The crowd, amazed, locked their eyes on the creatures that had emerged. Squall noted that they held weapons in their various sheathes.
Aeris, walking out and stopping, looked around. Everywhere she looked, people stared at her. A gigantic crowd seemed to be clustered around the portal where she had just emerged from. "Oh my," she whispered, awed by all the pairs of eyes.

Sephiroth came behind Aeris and put his hands on her shoulders. "So much for keeping a low profile," he whispered, his slitted, cat-like eyes scanning the crowd.

"Whoa," Tifa said, unable to say anything else. She had stopped a few feet from where Aeris and Sephiroth stood, not wanting to be near the cold-blooded murderer. Suddenly feeling scared, she went to Cloud, who had just emerged. Right after Cloud stepped out, the portal seemed to fade into air, vanishing.

All that remained were the people who had come out. The people who had all their eyes on them.

There were a few moments of silence, everyone taking in the sight they just saw. Kiros and Ward were standing, and Laguna was still at the podium, a wrinkled sheet of his speech in one hand, his other hand resting on Ellone's shoulder. The many solidiers surrounding the Square all had their weapons drawn. The SeeDs' eyes never left the four who stood there, waiting for a signal to attack.

Laguna slowly let his paper drop to the floor. He descended the platform to approach the visitors. "Laguna! It's dangerous!" Kiros whispered frantically. Ellone put her hands to her face.

Aeris, Sephiroth, Tifa, and Cloud-the Visitors, as everyone called them-noticed a regal looking man walking towards them, with black hair and a red and blue robe. He approached Aeris, as he thought her to be the leader. He spoke in a language they could understand: "Greetings. I am President Laguna Loire of Esthar. How do you do?" With this, he held out his hand.

Aeris turned her head to meet Sephiroth's eyes. What should I do? she asked.

If they are hostile, there are too many of them, even for me, he answered.

Aeris nodded and extended her own hand to meet Laguna's. "Greetings, President Loire. I am Aeris Gainsborough. I am doing very well, thank you."

This simple exchange of words brought a smile to Laguna's lips. He turned to face the crowd. His large grin sent everyone into tremendous cheering and applause.

The SeeDs, hovering near the edge, lowered their weapons. "Well, it seems that they're friendly," Rinoa observed, stating the obvious.

Kiros, Ward, and Ellone watched as one by one Laguna greeted all the visitors, shaking their hands. Dr. Odine, who had been standing on the sidelines, came up and starting asking a slew of questions.

"Vhere are oo from?" was the first.

"We're from a dimension in danger of destruction." Sephiroth took this question.

"Vhy are oo here?"

"Our Planet sent us here to get help." Cloud, suspicious of the odd little man, answered.

"I zee. Now, are oo hostile or friendly?"

Tifa placed her hand on her hip and smiled. "What do you think?"

Rounds of questions were shot at the visitors, and they answered every one. The questions went on for at least an hour, and the crowd became restless. Some groups were still watching diligently, intently looking at the attractive visitors; others had begun talking and gossiping amongst themselves; some had run out of the Square altogther, to infrom the television networks and newspapers. SeeD stood off to the side, waiting, wondering.

Finally Laguna turned and brought the microphone down from the platform. "On behalf of the citizens of the world, I welcome these visitors to our dimension!"

The crowd erupted into deafening noise. Ellone elegantly stepped to where the SeeDs gathered.

"Hi," she greeted. "Listen you guys, Father wants us to accompany him and the visitors back to the palace. Is it alright?"

"Sure sis," Selphie replied. "Whoo-hoo! This is the most exciting day of my life!"

TBC

Notes: I hoped you liked my modified version of my Final Fantasy Dimensions story. If you didn't like it, then don't worry. I'll still be updating my old story, and this one too.

And don't worry, Squinoa fans. Squall will still be with Rinoa. I just think it's cute that Squall treats Selphie, his complete opposite, like a little sister.

I know Zell and Irvine didn't have any speaking roles here, but they will in the next chapter!
XOXO, Archie