Disclaimer:Who ever made up the rule that we even have to do this? Whatever...I don't own any of the characters here, obviously.
Notes: Be warned, this will be long: It's great to be back. SORRY for the eight month hiatus, but Junior year was really tough. But now it's summer and I don't have a job so I can finally finish this. I've actually written three chapters since Monday, so I'm obviously back in the habit. Hopefully, the people that managed to read this fic will get the chance to finish it (I know I will). Sorry, guys. Anyways, I've done some requests, includingproofreading(although I'm sure it's still very grammatically flawed in the areas when I was on a run) and the inclusion of the rest of the FF7 crew (check out chap 8, and Vincent fans should get a kick out of thesoon-to-be postedchap 9). I just hate taking charge of large groups of characters, but they're here. There's really no Tifa x Cloud, because I'm not really sure where I want that to go (as you may have noticed, this fic is setting possible foundations for other stories.) Lastly, now that I have finished with Chemistry and AP Bio, I've learned that much of the scientific crap I was spouting out in the Revelations Chapter were totally inaccurate. You see, I didn't actually read the Chem book until the second semester and Bio isn't really clear on the molecular level (stupid ATP, but apparently, breaking bonds do not release energy, ever) But whatever, the only important stuff is the etheonic force, and that part's imaginary, so it's accurate. ; )
Onwards to the story:
Final Fantasy 7/8: Lord of Weapon
Chap 7: Preparations
"This place is fucking awesome!" said Cid
"Quiet down, Cid, this place is a military academy," said Tifa.
Squall, Rinoa, Cid, Tifa, Cloud, and a whole team of Estharian scientists had traveled to Balamb Garden. Since Cid wanted to see the mechanics of the fabricon-detector, he decided to travel along with the scientists. The scientists, in turn, decided to travel on the Gravitor as well because Cid was coming anyway. Squall and Rinoa tried to get Cloud and Tifa to check out the rest of the world while the detector was being built, but Cloud and Tifa simply declined, asking to see the Balamb Garden. Zell was actually sent to Esthar with eleven other SeeDs on a mission that he had nearly forgot about until Laguna reminded him after leaving the Esthar labs, so obviously he remained there.
"Squall, Rinoa, you guys are finally back!" said Selphie, dressed in a full SeeD uniform, who ran up to meet them. She gave them both a big hug, and turned to Cloud, Tifa, and Cid to do the same.
"C'mon Selphie. The group is going to leave without us," said Irvine walking up to the group. He was also dressed in the SeeD uniform.
"Irvine, you've been a SeeD for two years now, and I have never seen you wear the uniform until today. What's the deal?"
"Stricter policy. A few hours ago, Seifer was sent to fight the Trabian terrorists, the same ones you fought, Squall. Apparently, Seifer looked like an evil guy, so the Trabians he was trying to protect started attacking him. It was," Irvine looked to his watch, "only one and a half hours ago when Cid called a strict enforcement of the dress code. So now Squall, you can't wear your leather outfit and Rinoa, you can't wear your blue dress anymore."
"Alright, it was nice seeing all of you," said Selphie. She and Irvine walked off to the bridge."
"Here Estharian scientists, over here. The reactor is in the basement."
The whole group turned over to the elevator. Xu was the speaker, motioning for them to come over. "Here is the Headmaster, he will be overlooking your work on the reactor," said Xu turning her hand to Cid, who stood next to her."
Headmaster Cid brought his hand in a greeting. Cid walked up first to shake the man's hand. The headmaster smiled and said, "Cid."
"That's right. Don't you forget it," said Cid.
The headmaster looked confused for a second.
Then Cloud called out, "You must've forgotten, Cid."
"What?" said the two Cids in unison.
"What do you mean, 'What'," said the two Cids in unison toward each other.
Cloud tried again, "No, his name is Cid."
Both Cids said with rising anger, "I know my name is Cid. What are you talking about?"
Xu stuck in the conversation, "No, he didn't mean that. Cid—"
"WHAT!"
Tifa shouted, "Slow down. Now listen, Cid—"
"WHAT!"
Ten Minutes Later
"WHAT!"
Fifteen Minutes Later
"I can't believe that took so long," said Squall.
"Well if this guy didn't take my name," said Cid.
"What are you talking about? I'm older than you. You stole my name," said Headmaster Cid.
"All because you look like an old geezer doesn't mean you're that old. Anyways, so where the hell's the reactor, or is this whole place one giant reactor."
Balamb Garden
While the Estharian scientists were wiring the tracer systems to the Garden's core, Squall and Rinoa were giving Cloud and Tifa a tour.
"That corridor leads to the cafeteria, but there's never any hot dogs. Rumor has it that much of our supplies were stolen when we were attacked by the Galbadia Garden," explained Rinoa, "right, Squall?"
Squall was still trying to adapt to his uniform; he had not worn it in ages, and especially, not for this length of time. The belt used to hold his gunblade simply didn't fit the regulation size uniform.
"Squall, get used to it. You're stressing out more than the other girls."
"Whatever…"
Both Tifa and Cloud were oblivious to the conversation, as well as most of Rinoa's speech, since both were enamored with the sheer brilliance of the facility, which proved to be even superior than the buildings in Esthar. They were still staring at the ceiling that seemed to stretch for miles when Cid and half of the original scientists came running towards them from the elevator.
"Guys, they've all been hooked up. Some of the others are staying behind to work the system while we come back to our world to take care of the rest of the Weapons there."
Cloud and Tifa faced each other, both carrying an uneasy expression. They hadn't really wanted to leave yet. Damn, but I shouldn't be selfish, thought Cloud. It was not clear if it was his original plan to do so, or if it he recognized his friends faces, but whatever the reason, Cid quickly added, "Since we only have two Weapons left alive on our planet, I figured you two should stay here to back them up."
The two of them tried to dissuade Cid but he stood his ground. After a half-hour of final preparations, Cid and the other scientists entered the Gravitor, then drifted into space. Tifa and Cloud had waved them goodbye, hoping that their friends back home could fend off the looming crisis.
"Ahem, are both of you ready," asked Squall.
Behind the two citizens of earth was a group of Seeds, surprisingly out of uniform. Squall was surrounded by Rinoa, Quistis, Seifer, Selphie, and Irvine. A few inches away from the group stood Raijin and Fuijin.
"What happened to the dress code?" asked Tifa and Cloud at once.
"Cid figured that since we're not really on SeeD duty, we can be out of uniform. We mostly working for the sake of the planet right now," answered Seifer.
Cloud smiled, remembering his battle for the planet. "Let's move out."
Midgar: Former Sector 2
"I'm sorry, sir. The stemming process simply won't work in this particular case. The lifestream strands are too prevalent in this section, well actually, in the all of the wiring. It just won't work. This is the highest quality excavation technology we've been able to develop, but I guess it's not good enough."
"Thank you for all your hard work," said Reeve as he looked at Zane and his companions who had traveled from the Bone Village, "this is excellent work, but the lifestream is too advanced. It's not your fault. Thank you for coming though."
As the workers began packing up their equipment, Reeve heard a dull roar from above. He walked from the base of the reactor and stared upward, or attempted to stare upward through the upper level that covered the slums. It was a bluish, triangular ship…
Kalm
Barret was playing a solitaire card game in a close friend's house, when suddenly, Cid burst through the door.
"Hey man, something's urgent, you have to come with us right away."
His entrance was followed by Marlene running through his legs.
"Hey daddy, there's a big blue spaceship outside."
"Oh Marlene, that's Mr. Cid's spaceship, remember? Now run along while we talk, okay honey?"
"Okay." She ran back through Cid's legs.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? You've only been gone for, like, three days."
"Something's come up, I'll explain everything once we get to Cosmo Canyon."
"WHAT! I can't just leave Marlene."
"Look, I now you care about her, but the planet is at stake. Not just ours, so is the alien planet."
"Well, I guess, if it's for the planet…but hey, is this their fault, cause if it is, I'm gonna—"
"Just hurry and say goodbye to Marlene. I'm sure Eric will keep track of her."
Nibelheim: Shinra Mansion
Vincent was still reading. He had been reading for four days now. Four days before, he had finally, after all these years, gathered the courage to read Hojo's journals. He had to know what the psychopath had actually done to his body, to Sephiroth, and most of all, his beloved Lucretia, wherever she may be. An abrupt knock on the door forced him to drop the notebook he had been analyzing.
"What?" said Vincent as he looked up.
"Trouble."
Without waiting for an explanation or giving any sort of comment other than his movements, Vincent silently walked towards the door.
Casa Del Sol
"Come, everyone, come and buy your cheap materia here. We have all you could every want: Fire, Meteor, Apocalypse, Steel of Sephiroth…it's all here."
"Yuffie, what the hell are you doing?"
"Cid?" asked Yuffie, dressed in beachwear and a tie as though the latter would add a business-like flair to her casual outfit.
"Why are you selling people fake stuff, and here of all places?"
"THESE ARE REAL!" yelled Yuffie who quickly turned red and turned to the passersby who stared back. She could have sworn one of them say, "Who is that blonde idiot? How could they be fake, she's as flat as a washboard."
Cid saw Yuffie reaching silently towards the shuriken behind the counter of her stand, and he quickly held her arm steady.
"Anyways, the planet is in danger. You're coming with me to Cosmo Canyon."
"I don't care. I'm running a good business. I had this one guy pay 35000 gil for an ice materia that I said was rare."
"So in other words, you're running a scam. Now look, it's not just that, the alien planet is in danger too."
"It's that big? Then of course I'm not coming. I NEARLY DIED AGAINST SEPHIROTH LAST TIME AND I DIDN'T GET ANY MATERIA!"
Cid then picked up Yuffie into the air as she attempted to kick and scream her way to freedom.
"Hey, did anyone lose anything recently?" as he looked around the area while shaking Yuffie. As he did, watches, coins, and other valuable jewelry fell out the towel that was draped around her waist.
"Hey that's my wristwatch!"
"And my necklace, some little hoodlum ripped it off my neck earlier."
In a single instant, an angry mob began to approach the materia stand.
"I knew this business couldn't be that profitable. Anyways, would like to leave now?" asked Cid in a mock-polite voice.
"Yeah, I think I'll take you up on that."
Cosmo Canyon: Bugenhagen's observatory
The entire group was awestruck at Cid's story, which took a quite bit of time, causing the smoking recluse shuffle nervously. He hadn't made a speech for a long while, and the extended silence of his audience was driving him crazy.
In addition to the former comrades Cid had just retrieved, Nanaki and Bugenhagen were also part of Cid's silent audience. He could understand the silences of Vincent, Nanaki, and Bugenhagen, but the other three who had continually bombarded him with questions of the abrupt pickup failed to ask any now. He was about to brandish his spear when Vincent spoke up.
"So where are these firearms of yours?" asked Vincent, looking over to the scientists who were all mesmerized by the architecture derived directly from the canyon.
"Here," replied Cid, handing him the pistol and two magazines.
"Where's the rest?"
"Well, we thought that since the other world has five Weapons, we could fight the last two that we have with just one pistol and a spare mag."
Yuffie fell over the stool she had been sitting on.
"So what are we supposed to do?"
"First we have to reopen the mako reactors in Midgar, only for now." Cid added the last comment seeing Reeve sport an incredulous look.
"Once we track down the last two weapons, we can turn them off, then go back to get the other two."
"Was there a reason why Tifa and Cloud stayed?" asked Nanaki.
"Uh, well, like I said, they've only killed two Weapons. What are you aiming at?"
"Cloud did speak of some very strange dreams. I wonder if he ever found answers."
"Oh yeah, he's actually recognized some of them. They're from the other world. And this one dude in leather's been having dreams too. Dreams about Sephiroth."
Bugenhagen spoke next. "And who was the one dressed in a white cape?"
"Oh, it was the leather guy's rival. Hey, why are you two so worried, we kinda have an urgent situation here."
Neither answered. Bugenhagen simply stood up and walked towards one of the openings in the rock that served as window. Continuing to stare out into the sunset, he replied, "I've been studying the writings of the Cetra for some time. They spoke of several prophecies, some of which I have witnessed—we've all witnessed. There was also one that addressed a black and yellow demon, a red and silver lion, and a dragon with scales devoid of any color, or the amalgamation of all colors, if you prefer, white. Then there was a man. A hideous being, far more brutal than any of the others. I once believed that Sephiroth was the dragon, but he doesn't fit that particular prophecy."
"So what the hell does that mean?" said Barret with a confused look.
"Wait a sec, I saw these cave paintings of those things in the other world. The demon, the lion, and all the rest of it," said Cid.
"Hmmm. How coincidental. And that will probably be the only mural that our worlds share. I feel very certain of this. I once felt something the first time Cloud came here. But I can't be sure." Bugenhagen finally turned back at the group, then to Cid. "I need to speak with both Cloud and the other who has had dreams as soon as possible."
"Well, alright, but I think we should sort out these Weapons first."
"True. But there may be a worse threat."
With that last statement, Bugenhagen left the room, leaving the others lost in their own thoughts.
"Anyways," started Reeve, "I'll contact the mechanics immediately. We've been trying to disconnect the remaining reactors that happened to survive Meteor, but we've haven't any luck. It seems that they've become part of the lifestream. We can't remove them without influencing the tectonic plates. But I'm sure they can be set in working order. I guess we should bring these scientists over there now."
"Are we all going?" asked Yuffie. "I mean what do I get?"
"We are all going to stop the Weapons," said Vincent with a reproachful look. "We should all probably head on the ship along with them."
"I should be getting back to Marlene, but if it's for the planet…" began Barret.
"Then it's settled, we're all going on the Gravitor," declared Nanaki.
"I'll be going too, but I can't really come along for the fight…" said Reeve while motioning towards his suit. "I don't have the Cait Sith thing going anymore, but I'll help in anyway we can."
"Fine," said Yuffie sadly, "I'll go."
On a distant planet
The surface is littered with ancient ruins, reflecting centuries of decay. Within a temple located at the center of the largest city lies a tomb. Engraved upon the tomb are the murals of numerous legends forgotten to anyone in the entire galaxy, except for one, the inhabitant of the tomb, who is not dead, but simply slumbering, waiting for the exact moment when the messengers have ravaged their respective planets, finished with their job of transferring energy across the stars. Or until they perish, thus rendered unable to complete their duty. The largest image upon the coffin's lid is a white dragon.