Disclaimer: I don't own the Final Fantasy characters or the story line of the game.
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"Ooff... where did I land this time...? It's so soft...Like pillows." I thought.
"Oh dear, are you alright? Can you hear me?" a voice calls out from the darkness.
Light slowly seeps into my eyes, blinding me at first. My vision was blurred, I couldn't see clearly. Wait... I can see her now; it was Aerith helping me up. She made a fuss over me and checking every inch of my body, looking for any wounds.
"I'm...I'm alright for now... and so glad to see you. I'll explain later... You're going to have another visitor falling from the roof any moment now." I said it so fast my heart could not keep up and before I realized it I was gasping for air.
She looked at me strangely. Just as I predicted, Cloud came crashing through the roof landing on the flowers. Aerith rushed to his aid at once.
I watched as she woke him up and looked at him with her gentle green crystals. It was unusual to see them together in person, usually I'd watch from a TV screen but I'd prefer the real thing.
They were the characters I loved most. Cloud was a little shaken to be woken up by an angel but maintained his ego. Just then the Turks came for Aerith.
As her new bodyguard, Cloud sought to save her and we escaped through the roof. But Aerith fell when shot's were fired at us. She screamed and as she fell I jumped after her.
From below I heard Cloud say "wait" as he climbed to push the barrels from the roof. After all the goons were defeated, Aerith and climbed up after Cloud. She loved him for saving her. I tagged along behind them as we made our way to the Sector 5 slums to Aerith's house.
At her house, Elmyra, Aerith's foster mother welcomed us with open arms as we had rescued Aerith. Only then, I explained whom I was but they didn't believe me. After I showed them my hand phone and a photograph which somehow got into my pocket, only then were they convinced.
In the picture I showed them was myself with bang Alvin, kak (short for kakak, means big sister in Malay) Siti, bang Jern Shern, bang (short for abang, means big brother in Malay) Logi, kak Aishath, kak Jaspreet and bang Jasdeep.
It was the picture we took the year they graduated (which was four years ago) and I was only a junior at the time. We rested a while at her house. Then we were off to the Wall Market which was beside the gate to Sector 7.
Reaching the gate to Sector 7, stopped for a rest at the playground just in front of the gate and told old stories. It seems that, even though they had just met, Aerith and Cloud were beginning to get really attached to each other, not that I was surprised.
I guess like Elmyra said, she had that effect on people. Just then, a chocobo drawn coach came through the gate and ...who was that...Tifa? Cloud stood up from his seat as Aerith and I watched the coach disappear from sight.
Wasting no time at all, the three of us rushed to the Wall Market where we found out that Tifa was brought to Don Corneo's mansion and that he was looking for a bride! We asked the guard outside the mansion and he said Aerith and I could go through but Cloud stopped us as he was concerned about Aerith. As he wouldn't let her go, she told the guard we had another 'cute' friend coming along with us and Cloud was shocked to find out that it was him!
It was fun trying to dress up Cloud. We went all over the Wall Market looking for accessories and beauty products for him, including the Honey Bee Inn where he had to go in himself, sadly. By the time we were done, he looked like a Princess in a blue 'fairy-like' kimono, heh, heh.
Wow, in fact we looked great, too. Aerith looked elegant in a blood red flamenco gown and I looked mature in a yellow ochre straight dress. We even did our hair, Aerith tied hers in a high ponytail, and I tied mine in half a ponytail with a headdress while Cloud's blonde wig was tied in two sweet pigtails.
"Hey Cloud, you look really nice, you should get in this get up more often," I teased him on the way back to the mansion.
"..." his face turned 3 shades of red.
Beside him Aerith couldn't help but giggle
We had to admit, if you looked at him from afar, he qualifies as a beauty queen. Back at the mansion, the guard was convinced that Cloud was a girl and let us through.
He said, "Whoa, your friend is cute, too! Alright ladies, you may pass," Tifa was waiting in the basement.
When we got there, she was surprised we knew her name and what added her surprise was to find Cloud underneath all that makeup and accessories.
"Tifa, I'll explain who I am later but right now, you've got to listen to me. This Don Corneo is not to be messed with. When he means he's looking for a bride, he means it. Besides that, you're considered lucky if you aren't picked." I blasted off.
"Enima, I have a bad feeling that it may not be Tifa or me that is picked but..." she stopped when we heard footsteps approaching.
"Act like we're gossiping," Tifa suggested quickly.
A few moments later we were interrupted; the guard came for us and lined us up before the DON himself who jumped at us from behind the desk. He checked each one of us not an inch unturned.
From the corner of my eyes, I could see that the four of us were trembling underneath our skins. Wait a minute; they're not the only ones, so am I!!! I was terrified to be in the same room as a dumb pervert like Don Corneo!!!
Then he made his decision, "The girl for tonight is..." drums roll... "This, sweet little beauty with exciting green shine, is the one!"
"What... me... Oh... heh, heh... lucky me" I said sarcastically and stunned.
I didn't think I'd be chosen as I wouldn't dream of spending a night with an overgrown pervert like him. He sent the others to his goons, Aerith to the basement, Tifa and Cloud to the main gang's room.
Before they left, I heard Aerith whisper that they'll be back for me. I glanced at them and hoped so as I was shaking like a leaf inside.
"You guys are really asking for it, touch us and you'll be sorry!" Tifa glared at them.
"Honestly, babe, what'cha gonna do, kiss us to death?" he and the other members broke into laughter.
"Let's give it to them, Tifa. They asked for it."
"Yeah, let's show them how to dance," Tifa grinned and bashed a table into a few members.
CRASH!!!! THUMP!!!! BASH!!! Whack!! be heard as the fight wore on.
"Let's get Aerith, she'll need our help," Cloud announced when the last gangster fell defeated.
They arrived only to find Aerith showing the goon a bitter end to his life by kicking him down the stairs.
"We must help Enima, she's only a child and isn't used to this world." Aerith glowed with concern, clear for Tifa and Cloud to see. Cloud understood and led the way to the bed chamber.
Back at Don Corneo's bed chamber...
"Now, now my dear, don't be shy... come over and sit by me..." he called seductively.
"Ah...Um... wait a minute, I'm just a child and ... and ..."stuttered with my words, my head was a blank and wasn't sure of how to get through this sort of situations.
"What's this now, are you saying you already have a lover?!" puzzled, tension building up.
"Yes... no, sort of. I'm not of this world and an alien sent here on a mission. He'll come to my rescue, I know he will." Said it so quickly I don't think he could catch the words.
"Well then, what's his name, girl...?" tried to keep his cool as he repeated the question and it was plain to see he didn't pay attention to what I said.
"His name ... his name is..." stuttered franticly.
"Get on with it ... we haven't got all night." seeing red and let out steam.
"Jacques... his name is Jacques." facing the floor.
"He's not here is he? Now ... COME TO PAPA!" and jumped at me but missed me by a mile.
At that moment Cloud, Aerith and Tifa stormed in still in their disguises. "Well, all you girls want to join us? Good... could use the company..." he grinned seductively.
I jumped to join them. Together, we pulled of our disguises to reveal ourselves. Don Corneo was taken aback and fell backwards.
We asked a few questions and made sure he'd talk, otherwise we'd get messy.
"Ok, ok, I'll tell you everything, just don't hurt me." He pleaded.
He answered our questions, but before we could ask more, he pulled a lever and we fell through a trap door. Again we fell (well me and Cloud anyway) but this time, what waited below wasn't a flower bed.
"Ugh... yuck, dumped in the sewer." I let out grimly.
"At least we're safe," Cloud said while helping Aerith up.
I gave Tifa a boost up the pavement without realizing the ladder beside me. Before we could get away, an Apus came out of nowhere and attacked.
"I was afraid this would happen, stand your ground!" I yelled as it got closer.
Cloud was the first to make a move.
Slash...Ching...Went his sword as he slashed the monster.
But that wasn't enough; it then set a tidal wave of sewer guck on us.
We were all weakened slightly.
"Aerith, catch and use healing wind!" I yelled as I tossed her an antidote.
She nodded her head, took the antidote and cried "Healing Wind!!!"
Everyone's hp was restored in an instant.
"Braver!!!" Cloud yelled as he leaped into the air and slashed the beast. As an accompaniment, I shot a couple of arrows.
Tifa did the honors for the big finale as she cried "Beat Rush".
He wasn't that tough, as we finished him off within a few seconds.
"We need to get back to the 7th Heaven. I'm worried about Barret and Marlene. Something bad is happening I can feel it in my bones." Tifa trembled.
She was really worried. I guess I had the wrong impression about her or did I?
I shook my head and replied "We better hurry, then. Danger's afoot. I could hear them, don't ask me how."
As I've played the game once or twice I knew the procedures and what happens around. We rushed out of the sewer and struggled through the train graveyard. It took us a while to get through the graveyard as it was swarmed with monsters.
At least we got more powerful, as we needed to be for future encounters. We arrived in the midst of a battle between AVALANCHE and The Shinra.
The situation was critical as Wedge, Biggs, Jessie had fallen and Barret was the last man standing. He was growing weaker by the minute, but his anger kept him going.
Tifa and Cloud rushed to his aid and asked Aerith and I to save Marlene from Tifa's bar. We nodded and left the scene. I found Marlene eyeing the flower Cloud had given her.
"Marlene honey, we've come to take you somewhere safe. You're Papa and Tifa asked us to escort you to that place." I said to her gently.
She reluctantly left the bar with us, but that was until Aerith spoke, "My mom will take care of you and there is a magnificent garden of pretty flowers for you to play in."
"I didn't know she knew of that place," I uttered to myself.
"Really... Yay..!" she cheered up instantly and was singing as we made our way to Sector 5.
It was strange, not many monsters stood in our way as we journeyed through the sectors.
At her house, Elmyra was surprised to see Marlene and before she could ask anything I interrupted, "I'll explain later, but for now, please take care of Marlene, by the way, she loves flowers." Then we left in a hurry.
We arrived in the nick of time but before we could ascend the tower, Aerith was snatched from my side by Tseng, the head of the Turks. I jumped to grab her hand but missed. I slumped on the ground about to break down, but then my hand phone rang and it was Paine on the line.
"Don't cry now. If you do, you'll never catch them. Believe in yourself and use the strength within. You'll see what happens. Let your spirit soar above the clouds. Your spirit is strong, use it wisely." She said in a strict and encouraging voice.
"I understand, thank you," She hung up and I felt a fire burn inside me, it gave me strength. Before I knew it, sparkling dust surrounded me. I looked down and I found that myself floating above the ground.
Knowing what's supposed to be done, I took out Paine's dark knight sphere and transformed while floating in the air. I surprised them by casting darkness on the enemies.
They were surprised at first but through my voice Cloud and Tifa recognized me. The armor came in handy indeed, it not only protected me but the darkness destroyed the enemy instantly.
The helicopter I couldn't catch flew towards us and Aerith spoke, "Enima take them to Marlene and don't worry about me."
"No...You can't have her!!!"
I flew up in rage to the helicopter to save her but Tseng shot at me and I lost control. I fell through the air; Aerith screamed while reaching out for me but stopped by Tseng. Tifa clasped her hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming,
Cloud watched with his mouth open wide and Barret estimated where I fell and caught me.
"Ooff..." I watched as the helicopter flew away.
"We'll have to do as she says; I'll lead the way to her house." I tried to get up but tripped back to the floor.
"Better let me carry you, save your strength," said Barret as he picked me up.
I wasn't used to this but it was nice of him to worry, didn't think he'd be able to take my weight after all I was wearing armor.
"I know the way, I'll bring us there." Cloud concluded.
The place was about to blow and we barely managed to grab onto a loose wire and swung out the gate.
KRAKOOOM!!! BOOOM!!!! The Disc Plate fell on the whole of Sector 7 and crushed all who lived there.
Barret moaned as he couldn't believe that his comrades were gone for good. AVALANCHE was no more... or was it, as Barret the leader still lived. Tifa patted him on the back and reminded him that Marlene still lived. It seemed to do the trick... for now.
We arrived at the house sooner than expected. The first request was made by Barret as he wanted to see Marlene.
Before he went up he explained to Elmyra that Marlene was his daughter and apologized to her for being such a bad father. She let him pass and when he had disappeared up the stairs, she told us Aerith's story.
Elmyra had apparently found her and her mother Ifalna one day at the train station while waiting for her husband to return from the war. Ifalna was dying of her wounds and asked Elmyra to care for Aerith and nurture her. As she had no children, Elmyra adopted Aerith. Soon news came informing her that her husband had passed away and only she and Aerith were left.
The Turks came every now and then to see Aerith not long after.
They told her that she was a special child and that they needed her. She was an Ancient, a special race who had a way to communicate with the Planet. So far she had always managed to get away, but this time she was unlucky.
We understood completely, Cloud rushed upstairs and Barret followed him down afterwards. Barret was grateful to Aerith and me, as Marlene was safe. Marlene told Cloud that Aerith asked her many questions about him.
"I bet she likes you smiles" she concluded with a cute smile.
"I sure hope so," Cloud replied while patting her head affectionately.
Back downstairs.
"We'd better get going, if not, I fear the worst will happen to her," I shuddered.
"Yeah, we'd better, she's done so much for me and I never got to thank her," Barrett agreed in a scratchy voice.
"Then let's go, before night falls." Cloud urged us to go.
"Oh wait, rushes to Elmyra will you please take care of Marlene a little longer?" Barret asked desperately.
"Alright, but only if you promise to come back to her when it's all over," she nodded." Good Luck and stay safe!!"
"We will, but please leave this place as it's not safe," Cloud advised her as he somehow knew the fate that may befall Midgar.
As we ran, I saw Elmyra nod when I turned my head. All she could do now is hope for the best and save herself with Marlene temporarily under her wing. But what matters now is to save Aerith.
There, second chapter edited. now 'gulp' 24 pages to go. Hope it is better than the last time.
C ya.
Sea-EnigmaDare
