Chapter 2 "Introducing the Bugenhagen wannabe"

"Firs', I'm gonna go get Marlene," Barret said, "Wonder how she's been holdin' up."

Tifa went up to him and put one hand on his shoulder, "I'm sure she's fine." He looked at her and gave a nod.

The crew arrived on Kalm to pick up Marlene.

"I saw Aeris in the sky. She was an angel," she told them.

"Did she say anything to you?" Cloud asked.

Marlene looked at him. "Yes. She said that Holy saved the world. Annnd..."

She paused. "Something about the Lifestream and the Promised Land."

Cloud looked up at the green, swirly sky. Maybe I can find her there, he thought to himself.

"Awright. Let's go ter Cosmo Canyon. I wanna know what's goin' on right now!" Barret said.

The Highwind landed just outside of Nanaki's home. They all went right up to Bugenhagen's house.

"Ho ho hoooo," a peculiar old man said, which startled the group. Out popped out someone who resembled like Bugenhagen. He greeted them, a glint of delight in his eyes, "The heroes who took part in stopping it from being the end of the world... I'm in the middle of observing the results. I'm sure that's what you people came here for."

"Uhh...." Red XIII begun, "...Who are you?"

This question made the Bugenhagen impersonator jump. "Why, Nanaki. I'm your grandfather, that's who I am!"

The red lion looked at Cloud, who simply shrugged and said, "Just play with the old geezer." (note: Bugenhagen died so I decided to bring in a Bugenhagen wannabe into the picture haha!)

"Ahem! Anyways.. Proceeding on. You people want to know the news I came across?"

They all nodded, obeying him and playing along with this imposter who, surprisingly, made a good Bugenhagen. "Well then. Let's go up into my contraption. Ho ho hoooo. Up we go!" the old man said.

When they went into the contraption, there were nine spherical glows, representing the nine planets. But Earth did not seem to look like it normally did. It looked twice its size.

"Yes. That is where our planet is. But it's not quite entirely earth itself."

Everyone was puzzled.

"Here, let me show you..."

A light shone from inside the model planet, revealing another spherical object inside.

"THAT is Earth. It seems that we have become the core of the planet that's layered over us."

Red XIII shook his head in disbelief, "How so...? Impossible."

"Ho ho hoooo, well, my grandson. Even the impossible can happen," Bugenhagen replied, "I haven't been doing a thorough research into this situation, but I do know that the sky is a portal to the world covering ours."

"I do believe," Bugenhagen continued, "that there are lifeforms living up above us. Those lifestream energy bubbles are souls. It might be possible that when Holy and Meteor collided together, it formed a cycle of life, seeing as how Holy represents birth and life and Meteor, an epitome of destruction and death. When they meet, it forms a new kind of energy that attracts and magnetizes the lifestream thus the feasibility of reincarnation becomes true. Ho ho hoooo."

This new piece of insight took awhile for everyone to digest.

"I guess the only option for us is to explore the place then," Nanaki stated.

"Ho ho hoooo. Always thriving for new adventure!" Bugenhagen said. "I warn you though. About the sky portal... There may be a way in, but there's a possibility that there might not be a way out. And what's up ahead does not guarantee your safety. It could be really dangerous."

Red XIII lowered his head in disappointment, "Then I'm afraid that I cannot go. I will not leave my tribe and you, grandfather. I put my homeland first."

"Ho ho hoooo. Nanaki, you are too faithful," Bugenhagen told him, "But if it is that you so desire, then that will be."

Cloud stepped up, "Then I will go."

Tifa looked at him and saw determination in his eyes. "Me too."

Cloud turned to look at her and nodded, then faced Bugenhagen who begun to say, "Ho ho hoooo. Is there anyone else?"

Barret seemed unsure. "I can't leave Marlene here and I definitely can't bring her to a place we don't even know what's there..."

Vincent silently agreed to go. So did Yuffie, who thought that she could learn more ninja skills and see a new world at the same time. Cait Sith agreed, too. Cid decided to go as well since he planned that maybe he could build a Rocket Town #2 up there.

"Ho ho hoooo, so the only ones staying would be me, Nanaki and Barret."

Barret was silent, his hands on Marlene's shoulders, whom was fiddling with his necklace in her hands.

"Well," Bugenhagen proceeded, "I'm not entirely sure what's in store for you all... Just bring with you as much provisions as possible for the long, awaited trip."

He took a moment to look at the six people who were going. "I know you all should rest first and then go to the places and people you hold dear... It may be the last time you'll see them."

This kept everyone thinking. But no one changed their decision to continue and begin a new quest and challenge. They all rested at the Cosmo Canyon inn, then set off in different directions.