Spoiled Yet Selfless
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy characters are owned by Squaresoft and not by me yadda, yadda, yadda. I you are reading this, then I pity you.
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#Song of Memories - Final Fantasy 9 #
The waves of Costa Del Sol lightly brushed against the warm sand. The beach was barren, as it was an early Sunday morning. A breeze caused the grassy plains nearby to wave like liquid. Avian was at the bar talking to some of the waitresses there, and Lodia and Ranez were having breakfast. The same breeze caught Aeris's unbraided hair and caused it flow wildly, coming to a rest when it died. The skies were a deep blue, but the reflection of the sun on the water made it shine gold. As it washed over the Cetra's shins, she took a big breath, the fresh crisp of the air clearing her body. It was a beautifully morning, just the kind she needed to get the recent thoughts out of her head. Lately, she had begun to question herself and her placement. Was she following the right path? She knew that what the disembodied voice told her was true, but was that the planet's fault? She shook her head and held her wrist palm up. Her gaze took in the tattoo placed there, an orb with a dragon wing on the left and an angel wing on the right. She wasn't sure what it meant. In fact, she wasn't sure what anything meant anymore. The young women could scarcely recall being a Cetra, protecting the planet she supposedly once loved. But everything before and after that was a blur. Sure she remembered both of her parents dying, the day she found out Zack was killed on a mission, and the experiments she suffered through while in Hojo's clutches, and she could recite her conversation with the god word for word, but that was about it.
I mean, I know I love Cloud, and that I spent a true moment of happiness with him…. But I can't remember what it even was about…… I can't remember anything at all…
She frowned at this. It was like someone was taking every happy moment of her life and crushing it, letting the pieces fly with the wind. But what if she never had a true moment of happiness?
Why is it like some one is pulling my memories away from me…?
Aeris closed her eyes remorsefully. Maybe by finding Cloud, her answers would be solved.
Yes, a seducing voice said in her head, find him, and all you desire will be yours…As well as the answers…
She nodded, reluctantly at first. Then, a smile crept onto her face. It was the only way.
No, child, you are being fooled. Don't give in.
Hearing this new soft and caring voice, Aeris scowled. It was the Planet. Lately, it would talk to her. It had been trying to get her to return to its side constantly ever since she woke up after her death, but now, it would only speak to her when Aeris questioned her placement in life. She would simply ignore it, but hearing its sickly comforting voice nauseated her, spiking an anger that she could barely control.
# Queen of the Abyss - Final Fantasy 9 #
Aeris shook all thoughts from her head, just in time to hear splashes behind, and a thundering in the distance.
"Aeris," Ranez called, the other two standing behind him. "Lodia informed me that AVALANCHE are on their way here. She could sense them." Aeris slowly nodded, looking at the sky. Across the ocean, there was a dot heading toward them, growing by the moment. However, it wasn't fully heading toward the beach resort. Instead, it was turning more south.
"They're heading for Gongaga," the Cetra informed them. "They seem to know of our plans, or so they think." She then barked a laugh. "Well, as much fun as it is to have them have a step ahead of us, we don't want them to take a full running leap." She turned toward Lodia. "Lodia, since you are more of the psychic type, would you…?"
The lady in red smiled and bowed. "It would be an honor." She closed her eyes, and her mind left her body, floating across the psychic plane toward the Highwind. Concentrating on it, she formed an electric charge to run though the flying machine, just strong enough to cause one of the minor computers to short circuit. Lodia slowly opened her eyes.
"It is done."
Aeris slowly gave a nod, gazing at the Highwind. "Let us go. We'll see them again soon." With that, she turned away from the ocean and walked toward the plains to mount her chocobo as the others followed.
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# Main Theme - Final Fantasy 7 #
Meanwhile, on the Highwind, Cloud leaned against the railing of the deck, the wind sending his spikes amuck. It was too stuffy in the airship to stay inside, and besides, it was a beautiful morning. He took a big breath of the sea air, and almost gagged from the strong kelp scent.
"Heh, heh, not much of a smart idea, eh, Cloud?" a meek and worn voice said, trying to keep a sneering tip to her voice. Cloud turned his head to see Yuffie trying to keep herself up by holding onto the rail. The man shook his head and tossed her a tranquilizer.
"Much appreciated," she thanked, taking the pill. A few moments passed, and she straightened herself. "So, what'cha thinking about, ole fearless leader?"
Cloud smirked at the name. "Just because I'm older than you doesn't make me old. Unlike some people around here, I tend to hold on to my brain cells as I age."
Yuffie dodged the remark, saying, "Oh, you mean Cid? Yeah I thought he was a lot dumber since we last saw him." Cloud groaned, rolling his eyes and muttering about the mental health of this generation. Yuffie, seeing an opening, added, "Or it could be the fact that he's blonde." She didn't have much time to applaud herself however, as Cloud's hand started grasping the hilt of his sword. Yuffie backed up, "Woah there, take it easy! Just kidding around, ya know?" Cloud removed his hand, returning his gaze toward the open sea, still mumbling curses under his breath.
"Back to my first question, what'cha thinking about?"
"Stuff."
Yuffie rolled her eyes. "Well, what kinda stuff?"
"The kind of stuff I think about."
"This isn't getting us anywhere."
"Was it ever in the first place?"
"Argh, you're hopeless. How can Tifa even put up with you?" She faked a grimace, to the point her skin almost looked like it was changing colors.
"Because, she's not simple mind - Um, Yuffie? Why are you turning green?"
She gave him a funny look, raising an eyebrow. "Green? I'm not turning - " But before she finished, she started to gag, and turned and barfed. Cloud turned away almost simultaneously, handing her his bag of tranquilizers.
"Take 'em. You'll need 'em," he offered. Yuffie gave a slight thanks, then ran down the stairs that lead to her usual spot in the Highwind. Cloud stared at the door which she had gone through, then shook his head and returned to ocean, thinking again. Cait Sith had mentioned that one of the four "terrorists" seemed familiar. It spiked a wonder in him, but then he thought it could have been anyone, being as Reeve WAS in ShinRa…
The team was just heading toward Gongaga, as they had gone to Kalm to pick up the Maiden's Kiss for Cloud (:It's the cheapest you can get it for, Cloud!" Yuffie had explained. "Save the rest of your money [for materia]!") Cloud watched the West continent slowly crawling toward them.
He turned toward Vincent who had been sitting against the wall of the ship a few meters off.
"What do you think of all of this? You've been pretty silent…"
Vincent shrugged. For a moment he didn't reply, so Cloud abandoned the conversation, then Vincent said, "To be honest, I do not know. However, whatever this is about, it's pretty serious. What confuses me, to be frank, is who could be behind this… Four suspicious people, arriving at a destroyed reactor, searching for what seems to be materia, but not just any type; a certain materia. Right now, knowing who they are isn't as important as what are they searching for and why…"
"Leave it to you to get to the main point of the problem."
"Only being logical.."
"It's a good disease, my friend," Cloud smiled. Vincent nodded solemnly, causing Cloud to give up with a sigh. Moments of silence passed. Both were deep in thought, and both were snapped out of it when the Highwind gave a quick shudder. Cloud had to brace himself to keep from falling over the edge. Vincent shook his head and stood up.
"What was that?" Vincent questioned calmly.
"No idea," responded Cloud. "Let's go find Cid." The two left, running down the stairs, past a sickened Yuffie, and into the control room. Everyone else was there, including Cid who was shouting at the men. After a while, he turned toward everyone.
"God $#^@^% hell, one of the new out put control modules blew. #$^^%&^ retarded workers must have screwed up. Psh, guess that's what I ^#@%^ get for expecting 'free shipping and set up'." The crew just shrugged and continued working.
"It's not serious…… Is it?" Cait gulped nervously.
"Hell no. If it was, we'd be about a million different pieces floating up to space," Cid laughed merrily, causing Cait's eyes to widen at the thought. "Naw, we'll just have to land and start walking. Can't risk any more &^#* parts to go, or we could be in some serious @^&*&%."
"Costa Del Sol," Red whispered, before taking the time to slowly stand up. "Costa Del Sol. That's close by."
"Yeah," Barret agreed. "We can go through da Corel Mountains and through Corel!"
"And take continue until we make it to Gongaga," Cait added.
"Then it's decided," Cloud nodded. "Cid, can you land us by Costa Del Sol?"
"You heard the leader!" Cid yelled toward the crew. "Now, come on you jokers! This is easy %&^!"
"Yes, sir!" Slowly, but still wobbly, the airship landed, making a thump as it hit the ground.
# Main Theme - Final Fantasy 7 #
As AVALANCHE got of the Highwind, and the crew stayed on to order the new part needed, Cloud talked to the group.
"Okay," he started. "Since we're on the border of Costa Del Sol, we'll go ahead and get some supplies for the trip, rest up for awhile, then follow the path through the Corel Mountains. We'll decide what to do after that. Tifa, Barret and Vincent, I want you to come with me. Cid, I need you to lead the others. Let's get our stuff, then go through the mountains in two groups, and we'll meet in Corel. All clear?" Everyone nodded, while Cid whined, "Why does Yuffie have to be in my group?" and Yuffie kicked him in the shin.
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As Cid's team had most of the supplies on their side (due to the fact Cid owned the airship), they left before Cloud and the rest. About a half-hour later, Cloud, Tifa, Vincent, and Barret left for the path to Corel. The monsters weren't much a problem. Those annoying egg monsters where easy to take care of thanks to a fire2/all pairing, and the little dragon spawn could be downed with a bullet or two. Even as they started the path, the tall bird-like creatures grazed, and the toadstools slept. Night was coming along faster, and the larger moon above them glowed strongly.
"Why are they like this?" Tifa wondered aloud. "Even though we've become stronger since the last time we fought them, it shouldn't be like this…"
"Yeah, I mean, where's all da fun at, man?" Barret joked.
"I don't see what the problem is," commented Vincent. "Better peaceful than violent."
"I know what you mean," said Cloud. "But it's just that: they're being TOO passive. I mean, there's one over there with a nest, and the mother bird is looking right at us, and doesn't even care. That's not right."
"Whatever," Barret scolded. "Just wait 'til you see what's at the top…"
"What do you mean, Barret?" Tifa asked.
"Jus' wait fer it…." As the rounded the crest of the hill, Tifa gasped at the sight. Below, where the reactor used to be, was a brand new train station, with two sleek new trains. The tracks had been redone, looking much better than they had before.
"Wow, Barret, it's amazing!" Cloud exclaimed (AN for those of you who read the song on an earlier chapter, remember the train?). Tifa nodded in absolute agreement, and Barret puffed his chest out proudly. They kept going down the stairs toward the empty platform (AN think o the platform that goes to Gold Saucer. Almost same thing). As they reached the bottom, Barret added, "Jus wait 'til you see Corel. Looks like it did coupla years ago-"
"That's as far as you need to be going," a cold, masculine voice interrupted. However, the source of the voice was no where to be seen, the echoes surrounding them.
Cloud unsheathed his sword. "Who's there?! Show yourself!!"
# The Jaws of Ice - Xenogears #
A figure stepped out from the shadows of the covered train station. He's hair was barely tied back and brown, and the black coat would have hidden him fully from sight if it were for the fact his eyes (not to mention his pants) were dazzling silver like the moon. Pushing some rebellious strands of hair behind his shoulder, he started to slowly walk toward the group, his footsteps echoing throughout the mountains. Tifa got into her fighting stance as Barret raised his gun arm. Only Vincent remained calm and failed to act. The man continued walking toward them, until he was about 15 feet away from them.
"Din't you hear da guy?" Barret shouted, cocking his gunarm. "Who are ya?!" After that, the newcomer stopped, and went into a deep bow.
"Please forgive me for my rudeness. I am Ranez, servant and warrior under my mistress, loyal to the Overlord. I have orders to stop a man with spiky blonde hair," he raised an eyebrow at Cloud, "and I don't think hair comes more spikier than that." Cloud growled at the comment, his back foot sliding backward slightly.
"Who told you to stop us?" Tifa asked, taking a step forward.
Ranez turned to her. "Oh, her name is of no importance to such commoners. Besides, you will probably see her soon enough." Once again, he turned to Cloud, this time smiling slightly, in a very mysterious way. "You will be seeing her for sure, you can count on it…" At that time, that was when Barret stepped in.
"Okay, foo', I dunno who da hell ya think you are, but yer sure as hell messin' with the wrong people! So step outta the way before I blo' your ass outta the way with my gunarm!"
"Such language," a feminine voice mocked behind them, laughing slightly. "And to think this is the mighty AVALANCHE, when in real life they're nothing more than low-life scum, talking like sailors."
Tifa and Barret spun around and saw a woman dressed in black and red, sparkling with bloodstones and rubies. Only Cloud and Vincent were oblivious to the new woman, Cloud thinking about what man in black said and Vincent thinking about Ranez.
"We may not be at the top of the social pyramid, but at least we can fight, and not just taunt like preppy society-freak," Tifa spat (AN coughalfredfromrecvxcough). This girl was making her sick.
"Now, now, Lodia," Ranez scolded jokingly. "We mustn't be rude and stoop to their level."
"Awww, you just took the fun out of this all," she pouted sarcastically. "But I still know one more way to have fun with them." With that, she started pulling out her Dual Haloes. Ranez, getting the clue, reached into his cloak and retrieved his weapon, a gleaming rapier with an elegant handle. The miniature AVALANCHE group began to conform as they saw there was no way out.
"Come on, Spike!" Barret shouted. "We'll take on da bozo in black!" Cloud nodded, and they tore off in Ranez's direction. Vincent and Tifa signaled each other, and they ran up the stairs at Lodia.
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#Hurry Faster - Final Fantasy 7 #
Down at the train station, Ranez had finally stopped running. He needed to lure the two warriors away from Lodia, so that there wouldn't be any unnecessary accidents. He shook his head and turned around. Both Lodia and him had managed to piss off the group, which had been planned, though Lodia seemed to want to annoy the brunette named Tifa. Women.. he thought.
"So, ye stopped runnin' eh? Bout damn time you little pansy!" the tall man called Barret hissed.
Ranez did nothing at first, then he motioned to the two.
"Well, let's see what you can do, hm?" With that, Barret opened fire. Ranez dodged them all at amazing speed, jumping out of harms way one bullet by one. However, he had been foolish when the firing stopped. He straightened, but saw that Barret was only reloading, and had already finished. Ranez eyes grew, and knowing he had no time to jump, attempted to run. However, just missing a barrage of ammo, he tripped, and one struck him in the shoulder before he hit the ground.
Dammit, he hissed. Second time… At least this one isn't fatal…
"Take that, ya damn sucka!"
Annoyed, Ranez stood up. He held his rapier out in front of him, his body sideways toward Cloud and Barret. He concentrated as hard as he could, the gave a shout, "Aero3!!!". The attack knocked Barret over, who gave a cry of pain, only to be hit with, "Comet!".
"Barret!" Cloud yelled. "You okay?"
"Yeah.. Argh dat hurt like a motha-" But Cloud had turned away and charged at Ranez, swing the Ultima Weapon vertically toward his opponent. A rapier won't stand a chance against a two-handed sword, he believed. Yet, he was proven wrong and Ranez came under to block, and Cloud had expected his blade to shatter on impact, but it didn't even quiver. Cloud grunted putting all of his strength into the attack. Ranez grinned, then kicked his legs out from under him. As Cloud went down, he tripped Ranez, and both went on the ground. Barret, sitting weak on the ground, couldn't risk taking a shot. Almost simultaneously, the two fighters jumped up, and a sword fight began. The clanging rang through their ears until Ranez elbowed Cloud in the stomach, then uppercutted him. The blonde hit the ground again, the wind knocked out of him. Ranez, using his good arm, pinned him to the floor, his other hand wielding the rapier. Cloud grimaced, then used his Bolt3 spell to knock Ranez away.
Meanwhile, Tifa and Lodia were in a fist fight. Lodia, being slightly weaker than Tifa, was losing her side. Tifa saw this and advance with a strong offence. Vincent stood back, unable to attack, for fear or hurting Tifa. Finally, the fighter brunette pulled off a challenging move she had been practicing recently, where she was able to pull both of Lodia's arms behind her back.
"Give up!" Tifa hissed. "There's no point fighting. You're defeated…"
"Heh.." Lodia managed to smirk. "That's what you think…." With that, she focused in her powers. Her eyes began to glow bright white, and a orange light erupted around her. "SUICIDE BLOSSOM!!!" From the heavens rained abnormally large blood colored blossoms, and as they it the ground, it erupted in red-hot flames, hitting all three of them. Tifa gave a slight scream, and Vincent stumbled. Lodia was hurt, but she didn't show it, as she had done this more than once. Vincent regained his footing, and casted a cure spell on Tifa, who was breathing hard on the ground. As ifa tried to regain her train of thought, Lodia started at Vincent. He fired of some rounds as she ran toward him, rings in hand. She simply reflected them back, and Vincent had to dodge out of the way. She cam forward slashing, and the dark man grabbed her wrist with his claw. Trying to over power him for awhile, Lodia kicked him in the stomach, then round-housed him to the head, knocking him down. She walked back over to Tifa, who was starting to realize what was going on. Lodia brought down one of her rings, and Tifa at the last minute grabbed it. They struggled for minutes.
Ranez was facing off Barret and Cloud again, Cloud and Barret in pain from the onslaught of attacks.
"Very nice, you may prove to be a problem after all…" Ranez comments. He looked to the sky, and saw that the moon was right over them. The signal. He turned back to them and sent a wave of blue energy at them, knocking them down and almost out.
"LODIA! It's is time!" Lodia turned away from Tifa, then teleported over to Ranez. Tifa got up, and pulling Vincent to his feet, ran down the stairs.
"Get back here and fight, you cowards!" Tifa yelled.
"Why? We're sparing your lives, you should be grateful," Lodia teased.
"We will meet again, Cloud, you can be assure of it," Ranez whispered, then both enemies faded into the darkness or the night.
After a few Cure2 spells and some ethers, the group was back on their feet again.
"Hey, we're almost there to Correl," remarked Barret. "Might as well finish da trip and sleep in decent beds."
"He's right," said Vincent. "There are too many monsters lurking around tonight. Let us finish this trip."
Tifa and Cloud nodded, and the group started off slowly, Barret in front, Tifa next, Vincent third, and Cloud last. As the other three left, Cloud felt like he was being watched. He looked up to where the lone fenced platform was at, and up there, with the moon to her back, was a woman with glowing green eyes. She stared at him for awhile then turned and walked away. Cloud blinked. It almost looked like… No.. Could it be…?
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AN: Joy, got this chapter done. ^_^ Been busy still. Thanks Ronnie for reviewing!
BTW, no Sephiroth isn't going to try to find out what is worst than death so that he can call it upon himself. It was just random coughforeshadowingcough. ^^' Anyways, I know this chapter is short. But be proud of me! I got the whole story planned out, and for you CloTi fans, Tifa's gonna et her big part, but that's not coming up anytime soon. Don't worry, she gets little parts during the time period before that. ^_^ I want to keep it fair. But no more. I don't want to spoil it!