I don't own ff7
I'm sorry I haven't updated (if anyone cares that is) well here is chapter 4
Chapter 4: Training and Arrival
The night passed as Stephen Marlene and Shadow passed through Kalm or what was left of it after Stephen's little escapade.
The snow had stopped falling and a cool breeze was all that was left.
Stephen was the last to leave Kalm as the others waited packing their weapons and materia.
"Ok so where to now"
"Well the man at the bar said that Vincent had last been seen at Junon so I guess we go there."
Shadow stared at the surrounding area once more
"It will take at least 4 days to get there thanks to the snow."
"What makes you say that?" Marlene asked.
"What will monsters and al-"
"The monsters don't come out anymore. Even they fear Sephiroth"
"And there is barely any rough terrain around here thanks to meteor we should get there in about 2 days because of the snow"
"Alright lets start off I want to get some distance between us and Kalm before Sephiroth's men get there."
The three started off their feet sinking into the snow. For a while nothing was said but a question popped into Shadow's mind.
"Stephen what is Junon like now? I haven't been there since I was revived by Shera."
"Junon I don't really know how to say what its like I guess it would be like old midgar, sort of"
"What do you mean?"
"Well maybe not in the same complex but it's a long story."
"Please I would like to know."
"Ok this happened after Sephiroth's conquest and all that was left to take was Junon. Junon using a desperate attempt of survival made a deal with Sephiroth. In return for their safety and independence they would spend all finances and materials to make weapons for Sephiroth's men and the bounty hunters he hired."
"Talk about selling your soul to the devil."
"Yeah I guess you could put it that way."
"So Junon is probably twice as big as it was during the times of Shinra. Half of the city is on the land like it had been originally and the extended parts were built over the water. And in the center is a huge factory where all the materials and weapons are stored."
The sun was starting to set. A blaze of blue red and orange swirled into view as the sun continued to fall until the stars were put into view and night fell.
"It's getting dark, I suggest we camp out for the night."
"Good idea I'll set up a fire"
Marlene cast quake to make a small area of rocks where she put a few twigs in the area then cast fire. She then cast fire on the surrounding area to melt the snow and a combination of fire and aero to dry the land where she then set a sleeping bag in each area.
Marlene got into her sleeping bag. Shadow jumped up onto a rocky cliff with his sleeping bag.
He would be the look out.
Marlene looked at Stephen to see him lay against a rock his sleeping bag still by hers.
"Don't you want your sleeping bag?"
"Do I ever Marlene?"
Marlene frowned slightly "No, I guess not."
"Get some sleep you'll need it more then ever now that Sephiroth knows I'm alive."
"Yeah, I guess"
Marlene diverted her eyes from Stephen and faced the ground.
"Stephen, do you regret last night?"
Stephen stared at her for a moment their eyes only met for a second but Marlene got a chill just from looking directly at them.
I've never felt so uneasy looking at his eyes. What's happening to him? He seems so. . . empty.
"Marlene?"
Marlene looked up to see Stephen he wasn't looking directly at her instead he stared at the ground as if it was the most amazing thing in the world.
"I don't regret last night I never will."
He smiled.
"Now get to sleep before the sun rises will ya."
Marlene smiled and laid down to fall asleep. Her insecurities silenced by Stephen's calm voice.
For the night at least.
Marlene's thoughts raced that night. It was a miracle she managed to sleep.
Vincent how long has it been since I saw you last? Are you still as cold to everyone? Did you atone to your so-called sins? What will we do when we find you? What will Stephen do?
She sound of metal clanging could be herd in the back of Marlene's mind.
That noise! What is that? Is someone fighting?
Marlene finally woke up to still hear the noise.
"What is that?"
"I don't know"
Marlene looked up to see Shadow jump down from his spot up on the cliff
"Do you suppose someone is fighting?"
The sound was heard again only more intensely
"I think it's coming from over there, lets see what it is."
Marlene and Shadow followed the sound to a rocky area that resided near the camp.
The area had thick black rocks covering all sides except for a small opening that led into the circle where a single tree stood tall in the direct center. As Marlene looked around to see where the sound was being emitted, she finally came to realize exactly what the noise was coming from.
Stephen was training.
The sound had been of him slashing his sword at one of the nearby rock.
Marlene's eyes widened in awe. She never actually saw Stephen train before but to her it was a thing of beauty.
Every slash Stephen made held perfect precision the elegance of his spinning and thrusting was amazing it was as if gravity itself held no boundaries toward this man.
Stephen continues his training as if there was no world around him. He seemed oblivious to all surroundings as he kicked against the rock flipping backwards onto his feet just as Tifa would have done.
Then what Marlene saw scared her beyond compare.
Stephen then started to glow as if on fire the flames surrounding him were the darkest of black. They almost consumed him into complete darkness then as quickly as they came they diminished and vanished without a trace of burn marks or anything. Then Stephen used his limit break a limit break which neither Marlene nor Shadow had ever seen before.
"BLITZ"
Marlene just looked at Stephen who hadn't even moved from his spot sword still at hand.
For a while nothing happened until she heard a cracking noise and looked toward the rock Stephen had been slashing at before.
The rock first cracked very little not to severe then it started to crack more until it shattered.
Marlene just stared at the small pieces of rock in amazement.
Neither one spoke for a while then finally, Shadow broke the silence.
"A limit break that transcends time truly amazing"
"Shadow?"
"Oh sorry, allow me to explain. You see Stephen found some way to combine a limit break with his own speed so-"
"I understand he moved so fast it was a if he hadn't left his spot. Then why all the secrecy to hide from Sephiroth's men if he can do that?"
"Look at him Marlene"
" Marlene looked at Stephen to see him collapse to one knee. His breathing very heavy."
"To do such a thing takes a lot of energy I'm guessing he can only do it a few times in one battle before his body crumbles from the strain leaving him open to attack."
"Oh your right"
"Well lets go back to sleep"
"Wait I don't think he is done yet."
Marlene was right Stephen wasn't done after another moment to catch his breath Stephen started to breath normally again and stood up he then gently placed his sword on the ground and tightened his gloves.
He then went into his fighting stance and started to fight.
He started with a combination of elbows and punches then started to get more advanced with kicks and hand striking techniques.
His arms and hands moving so fast that even Marlene's eyes could not catch up as she saw images of where the arms had been in their last placements.
About an hour passed but Stephen didn't change his pace for a second. He continued not even drawing an abnormal breath.
Finally after who knows how long Stephen stood still.
He closed his eyes not moving for a long time then the same black flame surrounded Stephen only this time more intense it seemed to burn the entire area.
So dark. . .yet so bright.
Marlene backed away in fear tripping over her own feet. She fell backward and was caught by Shadow still petrified with fear her breath heavy.
"Marlene! What's wrong?"
"The darkness.it's everywhere"
"What are you talking about"
Marlene opened her eyes to see the same area with Stephen picking up his sword and walked towards them.
"Well since you two are up we might as well head out. Grab your gear we'll be at Junon by daybreak if we leave now."
"Alright"
Shadow jumped up back to his spot on the cliff to grab his sleeping bag and soon met the others who had already packed their things and headed out.
This trip held complete silence and if there was any conversation Marlene didn't hear it she was too concerned with her own thoughts.
That darkness. It seemed so real. But was it? Shadow didn't seem to see it was it just my imagination?
Marlene was snapped out of her thoughts by Stephen.
She quickly refocused herself on the matter at hand they had a job t do.
And she could see Junon standing in front of her in its soulless glory.
So what did ya think? I plan on updating all of my stories soon and I plan on starting a new one I think it will be my best one yet (I hope).
I'm sorry I haven't updated (if anyone cares that is) well here is chapter 4
Chapter 4: Training and Arrival
The night passed as Stephen Marlene and Shadow passed through Kalm or what was left of it after Stephen's little escapade.
The snow had stopped falling and a cool breeze was all that was left.
Stephen was the last to leave Kalm as the others waited packing their weapons and materia.
"Ok so where to now"
"Well the man at the bar said that Vincent had last been seen at Junon so I guess we go there."
Shadow stared at the surrounding area once more
"It will take at least 4 days to get there thanks to the snow."
"What makes you say that?" Marlene asked.
"What will monsters and al-"
"The monsters don't come out anymore. Even they fear Sephiroth"
"And there is barely any rough terrain around here thanks to meteor we should get there in about 2 days because of the snow"
"Alright lets start off I want to get some distance between us and Kalm before Sephiroth's men get there."
The three started off their feet sinking into the snow. For a while nothing was said but a question popped into Shadow's mind.
"Stephen what is Junon like now? I haven't been there since I was revived by Shera."
"Junon I don't really know how to say what its like I guess it would be like old midgar, sort of"
"What do you mean?"
"Well maybe not in the same complex but it's a long story."
"Please I would like to know."
"Ok this happened after Sephiroth's conquest and all that was left to take was Junon. Junon using a desperate attempt of survival made a deal with Sephiroth. In return for their safety and independence they would spend all finances and materials to make weapons for Sephiroth's men and the bounty hunters he hired."
"Talk about selling your soul to the devil."
"Yeah I guess you could put it that way."
"So Junon is probably twice as big as it was during the times of Shinra. Half of the city is on the land like it had been originally and the extended parts were built over the water. And in the center is a huge factory where all the materials and weapons are stored."
The sun was starting to set. A blaze of blue red and orange swirled into view as the sun continued to fall until the stars were put into view and night fell.
"It's getting dark, I suggest we camp out for the night."
"Good idea I'll set up a fire"
Marlene cast quake to make a small area of rocks where she put a few twigs in the area then cast fire. She then cast fire on the surrounding area to melt the snow and a combination of fire and aero to dry the land where she then set a sleeping bag in each area.
Marlene got into her sleeping bag. Shadow jumped up onto a rocky cliff with his sleeping bag.
He would be the look out.
Marlene looked at Stephen to see him lay against a rock his sleeping bag still by hers.
"Don't you want your sleeping bag?"
"Do I ever Marlene?"
Marlene frowned slightly "No, I guess not."
"Get some sleep you'll need it more then ever now that Sephiroth knows I'm alive."
"Yeah, I guess"
Marlene diverted her eyes from Stephen and faced the ground.
"Stephen, do you regret last night?"
Stephen stared at her for a moment their eyes only met for a second but Marlene got a chill just from looking directly at them.
I've never felt so uneasy looking at his eyes. What's happening to him? He seems so. . . empty.
"Marlene?"
Marlene looked up to see Stephen he wasn't looking directly at her instead he stared at the ground as if it was the most amazing thing in the world.
"I don't regret last night I never will."
He smiled.
"Now get to sleep before the sun rises will ya."
Marlene smiled and laid down to fall asleep. Her insecurities silenced by Stephen's calm voice.
For the night at least.
Marlene's thoughts raced that night. It was a miracle she managed to sleep.
Vincent how long has it been since I saw you last? Are you still as cold to everyone? Did you atone to your so-called sins? What will we do when we find you? What will Stephen do?
She sound of metal clanging could be herd in the back of Marlene's mind.
That noise! What is that? Is someone fighting?
Marlene finally woke up to still hear the noise.
"What is that?"
"I don't know"
Marlene looked up to see Shadow jump down from his spot up on the cliff
"Do you suppose someone is fighting?"
The sound was heard again only more intensely
"I think it's coming from over there, lets see what it is."
Marlene and Shadow followed the sound to a rocky area that resided near the camp.
The area had thick black rocks covering all sides except for a small opening that led into the circle where a single tree stood tall in the direct center. As Marlene looked around to see where the sound was being emitted, she finally came to realize exactly what the noise was coming from.
Stephen was training.
The sound had been of him slashing his sword at one of the nearby rock.
Marlene's eyes widened in awe. She never actually saw Stephen train before but to her it was a thing of beauty.
Every slash Stephen made held perfect precision the elegance of his spinning and thrusting was amazing it was as if gravity itself held no boundaries toward this man.
Stephen continues his training as if there was no world around him. He seemed oblivious to all surroundings as he kicked against the rock flipping backwards onto his feet just as Tifa would have done.
Then what Marlene saw scared her beyond compare.
Stephen then started to glow as if on fire the flames surrounding him were the darkest of black. They almost consumed him into complete darkness then as quickly as they came they diminished and vanished without a trace of burn marks or anything. Then Stephen used his limit break a limit break which neither Marlene nor Shadow had ever seen before.
"BLITZ"
Marlene just looked at Stephen who hadn't even moved from his spot sword still at hand.
For a while nothing happened until she heard a cracking noise and looked toward the rock Stephen had been slashing at before.
The rock first cracked very little not to severe then it started to crack more until it shattered.
Marlene just stared at the small pieces of rock in amazement.
Neither one spoke for a while then finally, Shadow broke the silence.
"A limit break that transcends time truly amazing"
"Shadow?"
"Oh sorry, allow me to explain. You see Stephen found some way to combine a limit break with his own speed so-"
"I understand he moved so fast it was a if he hadn't left his spot. Then why all the secrecy to hide from Sephiroth's men if he can do that?"
"Look at him Marlene"
" Marlene looked at Stephen to see him collapse to one knee. His breathing very heavy."
"To do such a thing takes a lot of energy I'm guessing he can only do it a few times in one battle before his body crumbles from the strain leaving him open to attack."
"Oh your right"
"Well lets go back to sleep"
"Wait I don't think he is done yet."
Marlene was right Stephen wasn't done after another moment to catch his breath Stephen started to breath normally again and stood up he then gently placed his sword on the ground and tightened his gloves.
He then went into his fighting stance and started to fight.
He started with a combination of elbows and punches then started to get more advanced with kicks and hand striking techniques.
His arms and hands moving so fast that even Marlene's eyes could not catch up as she saw images of where the arms had been in their last placements.
About an hour passed but Stephen didn't change his pace for a second. He continued not even drawing an abnormal breath.
Finally after who knows how long Stephen stood still.
He closed his eyes not moving for a long time then the same black flame surrounded Stephen only this time more intense it seemed to burn the entire area.
So dark. . .yet so bright.
Marlene backed away in fear tripping over her own feet. She fell backward and was caught by Shadow still petrified with fear her breath heavy.
"Marlene! What's wrong?"
"The darkness.it's everywhere"
"What are you talking about"
Marlene opened her eyes to see the same area with Stephen picking up his sword and walked towards them.
"Well since you two are up we might as well head out. Grab your gear we'll be at Junon by daybreak if we leave now."
"Alright"
Shadow jumped up back to his spot on the cliff to grab his sleeping bag and soon met the others who had already packed their things and headed out.
This trip held complete silence and if there was any conversation Marlene didn't hear it she was too concerned with her own thoughts.
That darkness. It seemed so real. But was it? Shadow didn't seem to see it was it just my imagination?
Marlene was snapped out of her thoughts by Stephen.
She quickly refocused herself on the matter at hand they had a job t do.
And she could see Junon standing in front of her in its soulless glory.
So what did ya think? I plan on updating all of my stories soon and I plan on starting a new one I think it will be my best one yet (I hope).