Summary: Cloud decides to talk to his friends in person. But he needs to find them first. Then, he finds out that his own dream is the key to unlocking what exactly the "evil force" is.
Disclaimer: FF7 still doesn't belong to meeeee!
Silent Wind
Chapter 3
Reuniting of Friends Part 2
The scarlet colored skies gave out an innocent scenery as the crickets chirped in unison. As the sun retreated behind the tall mountains off in the distance, the moon mysteriously appeared in the dark sky filled with thousands of bright stars. A gentle breeze blew across, causing the top of the trees to sway in one direction.
Through the tall trees that continued dancing in the wind, a dark figure suddenly appeared, creating soft crunching noises as it made it's way through the dirt path of the forest. The same gentle breeze appeared once again, causing the figure to stop in its tracks. As it lifted its head towards the sky, the bright moon shone over, revealing Cloud dressed in red robes. After a few seconds, he continued walking deep inside the forest, unsure of what lies ahead of him.
The moon remained at its highest point in the sky, showing off its amazing luster to the earth. Clouds' robe twirled around as he leaned against a tree, sighing loudly to himself. Just when he thought he knew exactly where he was going, he ended up getting lost. He went through this forest a long time ago, but he didn't think he'd get lost so easily. Why, he didn't get lost when he passed through for the first time. Cloud grunted to himself as he folded his arms across his chest. As deep thoughts soon consumed his head, he didn't realize that he fell asleep.
"…"
A burst of light suddenly appeared as the brightness practically blinded Cloud, causing him to turn away. Darkness soon took over, consuming all but Cloud, leaving him with such an evil sensation flowing throughout his body. He quickly grasped onto his arms as his body started to feel numb. Images of Aeris praying in the darkness suddenly appeared. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled sweetly at Cloud. Cloud gasped, resisting the powerful sensation flowing throughout his body.
"A… Aeris!" Cloud moaned in agony.
Aeris' image quickly dissolved away just before Sephiroth was about to engage his infamous assault to her. Soon, Tifa's image took over. Cloud looked up, with only one eye open.
"Tifa?"
Tifa smiled. "Cloud!" she cried out as she began running towards her friend.
Cloud slowly stood up, awaiting Tifa's arrival. Just when she was about to make contact with Cloud, she dissolved away, soon forming into Sephiroth. Cloud widened his eyes and jumped back, taking in the powerful sensation once again. Sephiroth grinned and pointed his all famous Masamune to the ex-SOLDIER.
"It's not over yet," he said with a deep tone in his voice. "I'm not through with you and your little cronies."
"Liar!" Cloud growled, getting ready for any surprise attacks. "You're the past!"
Sephiroth laughed and replied, "My death shall never remain in vain. It is you who shall become my memory."
Cloud suddenly lunged forward, bringing out his oversized sword for his all time famous Omnislash, while Sephiroth remained in one spot. When he got close enough, Cloud brought his sword around and sliced right through his opponent. He quickly turned around, only to find Sephiroth's face right in front of his.
"You and this filthy planet will fall."
"…!"
Cloud quickly opened his eyes and took a good look at his surroundings. Trees… the ground… chirping of crickets… the cool evening breeze. He sighed in relief, glad that he was back to reality. Cloud, who was now lying on his back, sat up and grasped onto his arms.
"… that dream again…"
With that thought stuck in front of his mind, he finally stood up and continued his journey through the dark forest.
No sooner that he left, a gunshot sounded off in the distance. Cloud quickly turned his head, reaching inside his robe. Silence filled the air for a long time. After one final look around, he shrugged it off and continued on. Another gunshot sounded off, only this time, it was aimed right at Cloud. Luckily, the bullet bounced off something hard inside his robe. As he quickly revealed the Buster Sword out in the open, he blocked three more gunshots from above.
Suddenly, a dark figure appeared no less than twenty feet away from the swordsman. Cloud narrowed his eyes, trying to get a better view of his opponent. The mysterious figure stepped forward into the moon's bright beam, revealing a tall man holding his rifle in one hand. Cloud slowly called back his Buster Sword and stared at the figure before him.
"Vincent..."
He bowed his head. "… Cloud."
The swordsman rubbed his head as he leaned against his sword. "You gave me quite a shock. I never expected you to be here."
"…"
"… uh… okay, I had a feeling you would."
"How long has it been?"
Cloud was quite surprised that Vincent sounded so curious about something. He shook that thought off and replied, "I believe it was… six months ago?"
"… truly."
"Yeah, well… one, two, or even three months can feel like a century."
An awkward pause took over as a light breeze brushed passed Cloud's red robe. He looked around before he finally remembered why he came here in the first place.
"I have a feeling that some kind evil force has surfaced this world once again. I know this sounds silly, but… I keep having these weird dreams about Sephiroth… and that his death was never left in vain. I know it's just a dream but…"
"And do you propose that 'evil force' is somewhat connected to Sephiroth?"
"… not sure."
Vincent stepped closer to Cloud at that. "… This world has been at peace for those six months, and I had time to observe this planet much more closely. And never have I heard of such things."
Cloud rubbed his head more. "It's complicated! But… it must be some sort of message..."
"… then it is your problem, am I correct?" Vincent responded flatly.
"No," Cloud said, shaking his head. "Even though I'm the main target, whoever is out there is also targeting us and the world."
"… none makes sense."
Cloud bowed his head. "I know…" he whispered, lifting his head up. "Listen, I have to search for Red also, so… I'll explain everything later. If you can... can meet me at the Gold Saucer with the others?"
"Others?"
"Yeah, the whole gang."
Vincent whirled his cape around, his back now facing Cloud. "Maybe," he said, disappearing in the darkness.
Cloud remained still for a while and sighed to himself.
"See you later."
"An evil force?"
"I know it doesn't make sense… but I feel something's going to happen."
Now that Cloud found Vincent, he had to track down Red XIII. The only place that came to mind was Cosmo Canyon. Where else would he find a red lion-like beast in this world? As Cloud finally made his way past the tough terrain and into Cosmo Canyon, he was greeted by the villagers. With all the commotion going on, Red and his grandfather, Bugenhagen, came down and was surprised by their visitor.
Bugenhagen invited his old friend over to his lab as Cloud explained his little "evil force" problem. And, like Vincent, they both gave the same response.
"I have never heard of such things. You must be tired! Hoo Hoo hohohoo!" Bugen snickered, reaching over to drink his tea.
"You positive about this, Cloud?" Red asked, trying to cover up his grandfather's annoying laughter.
"Nothing has happened yet," he responded. "But I'm sure something's going to happen."
"Well, I would have detected something in my laboratory if something were to happen!" Red's grandfather responded, finally calming down.
Cloud tilted his head to the right, letting his eyes droop to that side. "That's true…"
"Dreams were made to visualize future events. Perhaps you could be right. I might as well use you in my lab! Hohohooo!"
Red sighed. "Please, grandpa…"
"…"
"No, but I'm serious!" Bugen insisted. "Tell me, Cloud, where did your dream take place?"
"Uh… well… it was just… dark."
"… then… you'll just have to keep dreaming of that same exact dream until you can get a full picture of it."
Cloud nodded slowly. "… if that'll work."
"We're still unknown about this… 'evil force,' so you'll have to be our little information book."
"Very well," Cloud responded as he stood up from the chair. "So, you basically want me to… sleep and dream about it?"
"Won't that take a very long time?" Red wondered. "You can't exactly make yourself dream what you want to dream about."
"But! Premonition dreams were made to make the subject dream until he finds out the whole story… basically."
Cloud lifted an eyebrow. "So I'll be haunted by these dreams for a very long time."
"Now now, don't say that. Please, stay for the night, and tell us if you learned something new."
With that said, Bugenhagen exited out of the room and into his laboratory. Red XIII walked up to Cloud, wagging his brightly lit tail around.
"If you wish to, you may rest up in my grandfather's room."
"Thanks."
Red bowed his head and exited out of the house. Cloud stretched and made his way up to the bedroom, all set for his haunting dream to begin once again.
A/N: End of Chapter 3! Arghy! My mind has wandered into this new realm of… realmneeness. :gasp: Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for Chapter 4… where… I was supposed to be doing "action-nee" stuff so… look forward to that. :victory pose: Please leave ze review!