The Materia Class
Cloud stretched. The students and teachers of Balamb Garden were up since dawn, but Sephiroth had made sure his love would get his late-rise morning. The blond curled himself back into the soft mattress, inhaling the sweet aroma of green tea. A brown haired man appeared into the doorframe. Squall, Cloud recognized him immediately.
- Mister Strife? Are you awake?
The blond threw reluctantly the covers off him, revealing the small bump under his t-shirt. Then he sat down on the floor, properly stretching himself to face the new day. He had to remember it at first, but the more he did the movements, the more it was coming back. The young head of SeeD brought him a cup of tea. When he finished the exercises, his brewage was at the right temperature. His visitor was looking at him strangely.
- Basic stretching. So when the baby will get out, it will leave no marks… When I think the last time it happens it's more than 200 years ago, gosh… If it wasn't for the Mako, I would look like an old geezer!
That made the brunette laugh. After a while, Cloud joined him. Noon came up with is load of visitors, Irvine and Selphie, Squall's friends and members of the party that saved the world. The brunette had heard of his condition from Seifer and she had pulled Irvine through every shop in Balamb, and they had bought a lot of stuff. Baby stuff. Cloud groaned. He would have to go through this again…
*******
Sephiroth made sure he had the attention of all the students. Angel was next to him, and he motioned the ex-General to start. For the first try, Sephiroth chose an elemental fire materia, and executed a 'fire'. The materia glowed a soft green glow and a flame sprouted from his open hand, startling the students.
- This, he said, is a fire materia. Depending on how much experience it has, it can either produce a small magic fire…
He concentrated a little more, and his eyes flared a bright green as he suddenly lifted his arms.
- Or a real firestorm!
A high firewall suddenly rushed up around him, engulfing him and his son. The heat was unbearable and the students reared back, only to bump into Sephiroth. The two silver haired men laughed.
- How did you do that! You aren't even junctioned!
- Materias don't need a junction, because they aren't GF. Materia is condensed Mako, or Lifestream, thus containing the very essence of the Ancients. It allows normal people to use their powers, answered Angel.
- Here are the different kinds of materia: Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple and Red, corresponding to Magic, Support, Action, Independent and Summon.
- Summon? Isn't the same thing that we do when we call a GF?
Sephiroth looked at Angel. Haven't used any GF, he couldn't answer that question.
- Basically, yes. The actual GF form appears in a summon magic. Dad, did you brought one?
- Yes, but it would be safer to activate it outside, since I don't even know of what summon it returns and-
DriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiingAnyway, they would have to wait after the breakfast.
*********
Cloud walked outside the Garden, dressed in a light blue tank top and dark navy pants. Sephiroth had insisted he would at least bring with him a long sleeve shirt, so he had tied the white garment around his shoulders. The class was already there, standing at a good distance from Sephiroth. Behind them was a good amount of SeeDs. The rumour saying that a summon materia would be activated today has spread as fast as the wind. Angel was talking to Squall and Seifer. The blond breathed in some fresh air and stepped next to his love.
- What is it that you wanted? Do you have a problem with this materia?, he asked
- Cloud! Great, you'll help me out with this… See, when I brought you back from the Lifestream, I got out with that. I can make it glow, but it doesn't want to come out… Take it for me, please, and try to activate it.
Cloud did as he was told. He let his spirit fly up and the power of the materia filled his mind. He could feel the incredible force lingering inside that glowing orb… But for the life of him, he could not activate it… The blond's eyes snapped open, and Sephiroth startled when he noticed they had turned a light purple tint.
- Just what I thought, Sephiroth murmured, You cannot activate it either… Maybe if I try it equipped… Angel! Did you bring the Masamune?
The professor nodded, leaving his students an instant to retrieve the legendary blade. One of the SeeD seemed to be very impatient, punching the air constantly… a martial art master, for sure. He had blonde hair and a dark tattoo circling the right side of his face. Seifer, Squall's boyfriend, pushed him.
- Stop it, Chicken wuss, there are no more flies to swat!
- You jerk! I want to see that materia magic-thingy and I bet you that if you would be standing in front of me now, there would be nothing to stop me from admiring the view!
- Awww shut up.
- No, you shut up!
Squall rolled his eyes. There were nothing he could do about it; Seifer could not pass a day with Zell without annoying him at least an hour or two. Angel came back a few minutes later, sighing when he heard the eternal dispute going on between the two blonds. The long double-edged sword was encased in its ceremonial sheath, decorated with golden lining and small pieces of red materia. Sephiroth wrapped his hand around the handle, feeling the leather still perfectly fitting his palm and pulled the mighty sword out. Its characteristic ringing was pure music to the silver haired General. In no time the recalcitrant materia was inserted in one of the slot.
But the professor did not had only that, he unclasped the strap on his back, tending to his other father the large sheath containing the shining blade of Ultima weapon. Through the time he passed in stasis, the sword had turned a dark purple shade, never turning to black, and even if Sky was handling it, it hadn't changed colour. Cloud pulled it out; it was shining, it was so white it was almost transparent. The blond took off his tank top, and Sephiroth did the same for his shirt.
- Be careful, you two.
Sephiroth raised his sword horizontally, in a perfect battle stance, all his muscles ready and full of adrenaline. Cloud lifted the heavy blade up above his head, making it turn in circles before dropping into his own battle stance, eyes shining with anticipation. Silence filled the area. Until the first clash of sword was heard, that is. Cloud had charged Sephiroth, who'd deflected the blow with an horizontal arc. The two fighters smiled at each other and then they charged.
This time, Cloud parried the Masamune and jumped over Sephiroth, bringing the Ultima weapon down. It resonated with a vibrant 'clang' when the silver haired man defended himself. The energy level was quickly going up, metal meeting metal, sparkles flying up everywhere. Students and SeeDs watched, and the noise brought out all of the Garden, creating a huge crowd outside.
Suddenly, a red light surrounded Cloud and Sephiroth; both felt their wings deploy themselves and the ground fight became an aerial one. Both sword master used their specific techniques, the Omnislash, Arc of Fate, Spinning Ring, Cross Slash… when the red light returned over both fighters, calling the space elements to help. Like so many years ago, the deadly Meteorain collided with the mighty Super Nova, exploding in flashes of red and yellow and sparkling silver dust. Cloud began to concentrate, his eyes turning purple and he hovered behind Sephiroth, who had stopped fighting, all his will going toward the red materia. It was glowing intensely, and the second the blond touched the hilt of the sword, their spirit became one.
Suddenly the students reared back as a ring of white fire spread on the grass. The angels above seemed to bow under the enormous amount of energy that materia was consuming. Their knuckles had turned white around the sword's hilt and it was creating a powerful aura preventing everyone from moving any further. The two blades fell off, leaving the red orb floating between Cloud and Sephiroth open palms.
- Veni veni venias
- Ne me mori facias
- Come to me power of the elements!
- Come to me wisdom of the Ancient!
- /Answer to my call, AVALANCHE!/
To answer that call, the ring dissipated, the fire sprouted up, engulfing the angels in their grasp. An explosion rocked the area, the materia shattered and in a rain of green sparkles, four human forms and a dog were brought back to life. Yuffie, Cid, Nanaki, Vincent and Aerith stood on the plain looking around them, each of them holding their ultimate weapon, Conformer, Moon Clip, Venus Gospel, Death Penalty and the Princess Guard. Then, Aerith noticed Cloud and Sephiroth, kneeled over each other, totally exhausted, and Angel, wide eyed and unable to move.
- I was wondering when you would activate that materia, Aerith said, brushing the dust off her pink dress
- Yeah, we were kinda squeezed in that tiny place!, Yuffie added
- I was getting impatient to live again, and to see all of you. Oh, by the way, Sephiroth, your mother and Zack say hello.
Sephiroth smiled, helping Cloud to get on his feet. The blond seemed a little pale, and was holding his stomach as if he was hurt. But it was only an impression. The amount of energy required to activate that materia had only emptied him, with no other consequences. Cloud picked up the Ultima weapon, still a brilliant white colour to give it back to Angel, then he walked to Aerith. Thorough all those years, he had never, never forgave himself when his strength had left him the day the flower girl died. He had never talked to Sephiroth about this, because it would only cause pain to both of them. During his 'sleep' of six months, his spirit was guarded by her, but he couldn't really speak to her.
Cloud looked at Aerith uneasily and kneeled, silently asking forgiveness. The Cetra took a pained expression, then lifted him up; he was crying.
- There is no need to hurt yourself anymore, Cloud. It wasn't your fault, and certainly not Sephiroth's… Leave that incident behind, but if it can ease your feelings, I forgive you.
End
Author's notes
Does the plot ring a bell? Can you guess…? Hahahahahaha!!!!! I'm sure you won't find out… anyway… What will happen next? Let's just say another character will appear soon. Oh, cloud and Seph are there with their newborn! (You will meet him in a few chapters)
Sephiroth: Peekaboo!
?????? : *giggles*
Htress: Where's Cloud? Shouldn't he take him to the clinic for the vaccines?
Sephiroth: Oh, I will take baby to the clinic. Cloud didn't sleep last night, baby kept him awake all night long.
Htress: But he's adorable! How can it be? =^__^= Look at this! He's too cute!
Cloud: ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzz (Next chapter: Mysterious darkness)