Comments & Criticism welcomed and appreciated.
Power of the Turks: Part one
PART ONE: The fall of Meteor
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Disclaimer:
All rights and privileges to Final Fantasy VII and its characters
belong to Square Co., Ltd. The characters of this series are used
without permission for the purpose of entertainment only. This work of
fiction is not meant for sale or profit.
All original characters are the creation of the author. All
copyright privileges to these characters are reserved for the author.
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Author's notes:
WARNING: Violence, Adult language and subject matter.
This is a CONTINUATION - ALTERNATE REALITY Final Fantasy VII fanfic.
It contains major SPOILERS for the game.
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Text Conventions
( ) are character thoughts
/ and // are mental dialogue
are miscellaneous effects
Introduction
"Run!" People were shouting as they attempted to escape Meteor. Running towards the exit in sector 5 was, as it seamed, the only way to get to safety. Trying to prevent panic Reeve, as calmly as possible, ordered the people to stay calm and move toward the exit. Though he kept in mind the secret hatch at the Honey Bee Inn just in case it was needed.
Above, Cloud and the others watched as Meteor slowly came down on Midgar. Suddenly green streams of light began to swirl out of the ground. Moving like a policticus tree the swirls emerged from around the world and head toward Midgar.
Tifa, staring in awe, turned to Cloud and asked, "What's, that?"
A few seconds later Cloud answered, "Lifestream."
Slowly the Lifestream swirled and curled its way to Midgar. Cloud and the others realized that there might be hope. Holy had already failed to stop Meteor and was actually helping Meteor destroy Midgar.
Soon the Lifestream had surrounded Midgar and began to push back meteor. Suddenly there was a big flash, and to everyone's astonishment, Holy had begun to push back the Lifestream. By now, Meteor was mere feet from the ground.
Suddenly Meteor stopped dropping. Barret asked, if the Lifestream had something to do with it. Cid, looking closely at Meteor, answered, "No. I don't see Holy or the Lifestream near Meteor. I think something in the ground stopped it."
Just that, Vincent stepped up from his usual post. He looking over at Cait Sith, and a slight grin came across his face. The cat grinned back at Vincent and moved back a few steps.
A strange thud came from the back of the Highwind. But for its decibels only Vincent paid attention. For he know what it was from.
On the way
The ex-Turk smiled as he watched Meteor struggle to impale the ground. The next thing he said, astonished everyone except for Cait Sith.
"It looks like all four of the pre-disaster equipment have all been placed, and are working."
Yuffie ran up to Vincent, grabbed him by the collar, and shouted, "What do you mean!"
His grin only grew deeper.
"Look!" Red XIII shouted.
The Lifestream escaped from holy and shot towards Meteor. The Lifestream than picked up meteor and carried it up high into the atmosphere. The Lifestream than destroyed Meteor and its spirit energy was taken to the North Creator to assist in the healing.
Red shrugged his shoulders. "Now holy will try to wipe out humanity."
"Not likely," five voices unanimously start. "Holy can't do what it wants unless it fulfills its primary mission. Which in this case destroying Meteor and Jenova. And since it didn't destroy Meteor and Jenova is still standing, Holy can't do anything but disappear."
One of the Voices is Vincent's. Barret recognized another as Reeve's voice. He looked over at Cait Sith and saw that he was shutting down.
Tifa recognized another as Tsang's.
"I... I thought you were dead," Tifa stated.
"Barely," he chuckled, "I'm not really the easy to kill. Especially when death is supposed to have come from 'that' masamune."
"Jenova may be pretty smart at times. But when it comes to choosing a masamune, she needs to understand that the replica's are indeed weaker than the original," came a mysterious voice.
"Ra, Ru, Rufus," Cloud said in a surprised manner.
"Yes Cloud, its me," Rufus answered.
Yuffie, deciding that Vincent has something to do with all the new passengers, tightened her grip on Vincent's collar and shouts, "What the hell is going on here Vincent?"
His grin grows even deeper.
"Its a good thing she didn't think to jump into the mako pool at the Nibel Reactor and get the original. Than again, maybe she did but just couldn't for some unknown reason."
This voice was of a feminine structure.
"God Damn Shera. Is that you?" Cid responded.
"Yes sweaty it's me," she said. Shera than looked over at Vincent and Yuffie and gave Yuffie a commanding look. Yuffie, seeing that holding Vincent isn't helping, drops him.
"Well Vince', it looks like everything played out just fine," Shera said.
"Just fine," Barret exclaimed, "Look at midgar, Its all torn up!"
"Low casualties, a preferable amount of damage, and the Sister Ray, Presidential escape hatch, and Shelter are all intact, perfect," Vincent finished.
"The whats?" Tifa asked.
"Your heard him Tifa," replied Rufus.
"Hmph, speaking of such subjects, good idea about the escape hatch Vincent."
"Thank you Rufus," Vincent answered.
"Oh and was the trip down spacious?" asked Reeve with a slight giggle.
Rufus laughed, "Yes you'd have to admit that lard vacuum does need a lot of space."
"Rufus that's your father you're talking about," Cid shouted.
"No, Palmer's the lard vacuum not Shinra. Keep in mind palmer always likes lots of lard in his tea. Shinra was born obese if I'm correct," Shera stated.
"Enough chit-chat," Tsang ordered, "We need to get to Junon now. Cid crank this thing to full speed."
"Hell no," Cid shouted, "And its Highwind not 'thing'."
"Cid you do work for us so get to it," Tsang returned.
"Hay I quit that contract 30 years ago if that's what your referin' to,' Cid answered.
"So did thousands of other major employees," Reeve said, "Besides I don't remember any word of you quitting other than your not showing up."
Red XII began to ponder the statements.
(30 years ago. Cid's barely 30 right now. How could he have been an employee 30 years ago? Unless...)
Cid begins to get angry. He started to answer in an intense fury. "I sent in the paper..."
"Cid," Vincent cuts him off, "We have to get to Junon for a meeting. If you take us there we'll give you a little treat. And I know you'd like it."
"Treat. Well this better be good," Cid said.
Cid finally did as he was asked and started towards to Junon.
After they started up they passed a strange outcrop in the mountains. Rufus was by the widow watching the scenery when he noticed something on the outcrop.
(What is that? Is it a skeleton? Hmm it appears so. But why does it look familiar? The clothes do resemble Cloud's. Could it be the missing SOLDIER 1st class? But why is the skeleton full of holes? Are those bullet holes? And what's with the slash? Bullets didn't cause that. But the rest are. And what type? The ones in the chest resemble that of Shinra 453-julin class. The standard troopers equip. The ones in the head look like that of 16-bio-degrei. But those are meant to make a body degrade faster. Apparently the killers wanted the body to be gone before no one would notice. Judging by the type of ammo I'd say he was killed about 3 months ago. But that's when Cloud showed up. Yes, that must be him. If it is Zack than maybe Cloud could tell me about what happened.)
Cloud looked out the window and saw the skeleton on the outcrop. He soon remembered who it was and a tear began to run down his face. Rufus looked over at him a noticed the tear. He guessed Cloud know about the skeleton. He walked over to Cloud hoping to get some questions answered.
"Cloud," Rufus began, "Do you know who is on that out crop?"
"Yes," Cloud answered, "That is Zack. Well what's left of him."
"Do you know what happened to him," Rufus asked.
"Yes. When we were near Midgar after our escape from Nibelhem we ran into some troops on that outcrop. Zack decided that I couldn't do anything and fought to defend us. He got about 9 troops, which was easy for him, before getting shot in the chest a few times. Zack also tried me to give me as much shielding as possible. Some of the remaining troops knocked him off his feet and a trooper shot some strange bullets into his head. They left me probably because they didn't know that I had gained control of myself. Well I should say lost control."
"You mean your other persona," Rufus asked.
"Yes. The other me had fully developed during the trauma of the event. After the takeover he slashed Zack with the Buster Sword. Probably so he knew there was no other Zack. Though he kept the name Cloud just in case someone who knew me met him.
"Who did this to you Cloud," Rufus asked.
"Hojo and his team of scientists," Cloud answered.
Vincent was in his usual corner eaves-dropping in on the conversation. At the mentioning of Hojo he walked up the Cloud and Rufus to ask some questions of his own.
"Cloud," Vincent started, "Do you think you can remember those 5 years? Do you want to remember them or talk about them?"
"I don't really want to remember," Cloud answered.
"Well there's no need to pry," Vincent said.
As these final words were said they passed over the swamp. There were two Midgar Zoloms in the swamp.
As the Highwind passed over the Mythril Mines Rufus walked up to Barret to talk.
"Say what do you know about the Mythril Mines," Rufus asked.
"Well other than there was a lot of coal and mythril in there not much. But I do know that the coal mining rivaled that of Coral once. And the mythril in the mines helped them make strong tools and machines. Why," Barret finished.
"Well because I just wanted to know if you had any knowledge of the main coal mine from another continent. That's all," Rufus said.
After going over the mountains Ft. Condor came into view.
Cloud walked over to Vincent and Rufus to talk. He was wondering if he could get some info out of them.
"Quite the sunrise. Don't you two think," Cloud started.
"Yes," Rufus started, "Yes in…"
A large shadow passed over the Highwind.
"Damn," Tsang shouted, "I didn't think he'd heal that fast."
"W-what about the other four," Rufus asked. "Do you think they can heal that fast as well?"
Cloud turned around and became awestruck as Ultima Weapon stared the Highwind down.
"Cid turn the Highwind to the hard left," Shera shouted.
"We need not worry about him attacking us… yet," This was said calmly by a strange voice.
Cid turned the Highwind out of the path of Ultima Weapon and they continued their journey in complete safety. Though no one know where the mysterious voice came from.
(Who could speak so calmly at a time like that, Reeve wondered. And such a sweet voice, could it be Aeris?)
After dodging Weapon Cid placed the Highwind down by Ft. Condor. "Think I need some rest," Cid began. "Don't like the idea of flying tired, especially when Weapon is flying around too."
"Sounds like a good idea Cid. We all could use some," Yuffie said.
Everyone agreed and started to unload as soon as the Highwind was anchored. The last person off was Vincent. Who decided to search the ship for whoever might have said those mysterious words from earlier. Though he found no one.
When Vincent went inside he was asked if he found anyone. He gave the truthful answer.
Shortly after talking to the manager Cloud announced that the party could stay the night at the Ft.
Soon after they got settled in. Though not many slept.
"Hay Cloud," Reeve began, "What was your life as a trooper like?"
"What about you guys," Cloud responded, "You sound like you all had quite a military involvement yourselves."
"Well might as well." Vincent chose to go first. "Back when I was a Turk I had some pretty rough missions. When your in 'C' class you usually got low pay, the food stunk, the camping gear was atrocious, and you would be awakened with out warning just to go into a village and put down a mob of 15 people."
"I'm really glad I got out of 'C' class fast," Tsang said. "I don't think I could have handled those conditions longer than I did."
"How long were you in 'C' class again," Vincent asked.
"'Bout four months," Tsang answered. "You?"
"Five months, five grueling months. Of coarse 'B' class wasn't any better."
"Aw yes, pencil pushing class," Tsang stated.
"Hmph, 'B' class in a nutshell," Vincent concurred.
"So that's what it was like to be a Turk," Cloud said.
"Yes, well the lower classes at least," Vincent answered. "'A' class is were the fun really began. The pay was good, the jobs were fun, you got big assignments and you got to work with the scientist a lot. And it didn't matter what you thought before hand you just loved the jobs that they gave you. And if you got to the top 3 positions you got to work with 'S' class a little more."
"'S' class? There were 4 ranks," Cloud asked.
"Well sort of," Tsang answered.
Yuffie was up by the materia shop looking at the new shipment that the shop brought in. Some of the materia she knew and some she didn't.
"What are these materia? They don't look like any I've seen," Yuffie asked the clerk.
"Why that's a 'wind' materia," the clerk started. "And that there is a 'water materia. Just shipped in from Midgar. And they are very powerful too. The infamous Dr. Lucrecia is said to have developed them. But it took 30 years to manufacture them."
"I'll take 1 of each," Yuffie stated.
"Good, that will be 160,000 gil," the clerk commanded.
"Uh oh," Yuffie started, "just a second."
As she was searching here purse Barret walked in.
"Hay Barret. Can I borrow 160 grand," Yuffie asked.
"160 grand!" Barret shouted. "What do you need that much gil for?"
"A couple materia," she answered.
"Ok. Here's the money. But I'll do the buying."
"Well hello sir. And what might you be looking for?"
"I'm want to see what materia this brat wants to buy. lemmy see 'em."
"A bit rude you know. Well here are the 2 materia she wishes the purchase. One 'wind' and one 'water' materia exclusively from Midgar," the clerk gave them the materia.
"Not much of Midgar any more, it got trashed by Meteor," Barret said. "Say are these any good?"
"Well yes. Developed by Dr. Lucrecia herself," the clerk answered.
"Lucrecia. Wasn't that the girl that Vincent loved," Barret asked.
"Aw yes Vincent Valentine. Quite the scientist if I do say my self. He was also a good thinker and fighter. Did you know that when he disappeared some 30 years ago half the company became depressed? Yes they loved him that much. He was destined to be one of the top executives most would say. Maybe even better than Rufus."
"Wow, he was some guy," Barret said.
"Well see ya," Yuffie said.
"So now your buying materia," Barret asked.
"Oh shut up. At least I didn't steal any," Yuffie answered.
"Well keep in mind ya still owe me 160 large
"Ya ya I'll get it to you when I can."
As the two returned to the group Barret's thoughts raced. (Was Vincent really that important back then? What's going on?)
Rufus was up on the top of the fort admiring the stars. Tifa, who wanted to speak with him, joined him.
"Hello Rufus. What are you doing up here?"
"Oh just admiring the stars," Rufus replied.
"You know I once wanted to go up and see them. Go up and touch them. Of coarse I was a child then. But when I realized I could go up into space I just wanted to do that. It was either that or become a Turk. Of coarse my father just wouldn't dream of letting me go up there so I guess I went with my other dream."
"You became a Turk?"
"Yes and a very good one too," Rufus answered.
"So Red XIII how are you tonight," Reeve asked.
"Not too good. I'm just worried about what's going to happen," Red answered.
"Yeah I know what you mean. Say what's your original name? I mean your father couldn't have just called you red and given you a number. And I don't think there are 13 generations called 'Red' in your family since this planet didn't exist that long. What is your real name?"
"My original name is Nanaki. It was a name given to me by my father and mother. I'm called Red XIII because that's what Hojo called me. Though I would like to be called Nanaki by everyone again."
"Sure. I'll tell everyone. Well it's going to be a big day tomorrow. I guess we might be parting from here. Are you going back to Cosmo Canyon?"
"Probably not. I'll go with Cloud. And knowing him he's going to want to know what you guys are up to," Red answered.
"Good. Maybe you might have a gift coming."
Cid and Shera were the only ones able to sleep. And did they sleep, almost as if they'd been like that for many times.
Once the late afternoon came all the people had rested. But they came upon an awkward event. Odd demon-like monsters emerged from one of the mountaintops near Ft. Condor. When one got close to the ft. Cloud began to study it and it's movements. It had 5 tentacles on its head. Two razor sharp, two blunt, and one looked like it had a stabbing form from the looks of there use. It resembled Nanaki very greatly but was blue not red. It also had a watery end on its tail. Nanaki on the other hand had a fiery end. The creatures moved swiftly and were very strong. It took a wile to bring down a few. It even took longer to take down the rest of the ferocious pack. Tsang and Rufus were assisting Vincent who was on the top of the Ft.
"Vincent. Got some special ammo on you that we could use," Rufus asked.
"I'm afraid to say I don't have any. We'll have to use regular ammo," Vincent finished.
"Well we might not get any rounds off if we don't hurry. The young fighters are doing pretty well, all but Nanaki. Why isn't he fighting? Is something stopping him," Tsang stated.
"Try the fact that these beast resemble him greatly. And when you the last of your kind and find something like this you tend to wonder and nothing else," Rufus answered.
"Well I will probably want to keep one to look at. Dead of coarse," Vincent stated.
As this was being said the Death Penalty started to let loose powerful ammo. Down on the field Cait Sith was operating again and shouting best it could to cause damage. Cloud was slashing with full force with the Ultima Weapon. Cid and Tifa weren't doing so well and were being pushed back.
One leaped 20ft and was came down on Cid. Before it could get too close Barret fired a materia round from his Missing Score.
"Shit Barret. Could you have waited a little longer," Cid ended his sarcastic remark.
"Sorry. New ammo not working to well," Barret answered.
"New ammo. Where'd you get that," Tifa asked.
" I'll tell ya later. Lets just kill these vermin," Barret answered.
Yuffie was working with her new materia. She was casting a few aero spells but found they didn't have much effect. When she tried her Conformer she found that the damage was staggering.
Reeve was half way up the mountain controlling Cait Sith with his remote. He wasn't seen by the enemy, and had a ready supply of robots if the one on the field went down. He was tempted to get out his special sickles and join but didn't for he was safer up on the mountain and was doing well enough with Cait Sith.
Shera was inside caring for the wounded. Staff members and troops flooded in. She gave full cure materia to the doctors caring for the most valuable of patients and normal cure materia to those caring for the miner people. She gave Heal to all the doctors. It turned out heal was quite needed. The beast knew poison and other effects. Some even know Ultima witch was a hassle to heal the damage caused.
After 4 hours all of the beast were dead but one. Vincent crated it up and placed it in a safe location. He also had a dead one preserved for testing. He wanted to know what they were where they came from.
Those who had fought were exhausted and weak. Reeve, Nanaki, Tsang, Rufus, and Vincent were the only ones who weren't physically affected. Though their thoughts rushed faster than the Great Joe's black chocobo.
"Huff…wheeze what were those things? Last time I had a battle like that it was with my wife about weather we should have a child," Barret said.
"Cough Nice one Barret. I thought you were going to say the weapons," Cid responded.
"Speaking of kids, Barret, Marlene is at Kelm. Just to let you know," Reeve said,
"Thanks for telling me. Well at least she's safe," Barret answered.
"So you guys ready to go to Junon," Tsang asked.
"Yes. In a few hours," Cloud started. "I'll need some rest first."
"What were those things," Nanaki asked.
"I can't really say what they were. But I do know that they had Jenova Cells in them. They were probably mutants of some sort. There was an interesting thing about the corpse that I examined. It didn't show any signs of decay. Probably can't decay. Thus the creature can't return to the planet," Vincent finished.
"Just like the Gi. But how," Tifa asked.
"Probably some curse or virus that suspends the bodies, preventing them from decomposing or dieing. Most likely caused by Jenova or the cells she planted in them," Vincent finished.
"You actually believe Jenova can do that," Cid asked.
"It sounds plausible. Though I doubt it is true," Reeve started. "Well now that we are soon to be ready lets get going.
