Final Fantasy VII Fan Fiction

Growing Up

By Kraven Ergeist

Things had changed.

Midgar has never been more prosperous. President Rufus, the Turks, and all of Shinra had built the city into a majestic municipality that rivaled its previous iteration in everything, from exports to air quality. Rather than a city on a pedestal with the slums underneath, it was now a wide and spacious metropolis.

A lot of friends had left. In fact, Denzel couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Cloud, Tifa, Vincent, Beret, Cid, Yuffie, Nanaki or even Cait Sith. They had all left town at some point down the road.

Which left Denzel to fend for himself.

"Haiiiiiiiya!" He let out a shout, cutting robotic cat in half.

As prosperous as Midgar had been, crime was still abundant. Everywhere were looters and raiders, all looking to swipe a trinket or two. After ambushing what looked like a helpless boy, Denzel had fought back with ferocity brought on by years of training under the ex-SOLDIER Cloud himself.

Denzel hoisted his Buster Sword over his shoulder and cracked his neck, his own self-styled victory pose. Cloud had given him Zack's old sword as a going away present when he left Midgar. Denzel hadn't wanted to take it, but Cloud had insisted. He had told Denzel that he could finally let it go.

Denzel didn't spare the sparking wreckage a glance as he stared down the raiders in control of now inoperative piece of hardware. They bared their weapons at him in fright.

"Please!" they pleaded. "Don't hurt us!"

Denzel blew a strand of hair out of his face. "You're the ones who attacked me. If you don't want to get hurt, then think twice before you attack somebody."

That's when Denzel heard something heavy approach from behind. He wheeled around and saw a huge metal golem with a curved sword raised to strike.

In a panic, Denzel raised the Buster sword to block it, but the huge metal creature swatted the sword, and its wielder, into a wall.

Denzel let out a sharp "Oof," as he shook his head to clear his senses. He looked up in time to see the approaching golem raise its sword to strike him down, when a lightning bolt struck the beast right on its raised weapon, electrocuting the whole creature. Its eyes flashed and then went dark and its body began to smoke. With a loud crash, it tumbled to the ground.

Denzel found himself smiling as Marlene strutted into view, Aeris' old staff in hand.

"Honestly, Denzel…" she smiled. "When are you going to start minding your surroundings?"

Denzel's eyes flash, and he rushed to her just in time to block on of the raider's flailing madly at her. He knocked the raider's weapon away and smashed him with the flat of his blade in a matter of moments.

Denzel turned and hoisted his sword over his shoulder.

"Just as soon as you start minding yours…" He winked.

Marlene just giggled.

Denzel turned and fixed an icy stare to the last remaining raider. The raider raised his weapon madly and charged.

Before he got within ten paces of the two, a green aura had arisen around Marlene, and she unleashed an Earth spell, trapping his feet in solid rock.

The next thing the raider saw was the butt of Denzel's Buster sword.

Marlene twirled her staff around, before hitting a switch that telescoped it in on itself, and clipped it to her belt for storage.

"I was wondering what was taking you so long."

Denzel holstered his blade. "Hey, they attacked me first! We've got all day, you know? Besides, I was getting bored."

Marlene crossed her arms. "Denzel, you're not trying to impress me by sounding all macho, are you?"

Denzel winked. "Maybe…"

The two laughed and poked fun at one another before they finally reached the church in what was left of the old slums.

"It's been almost seven years…" Marlene breathed, walking amongst the flowers.

Denzel nodded. "The place hasn't changed one bit."

The two walked down the aisle towards the small pool at the altar.

"I'm surprised the Midgar magistrate hasn't tried to tear this place down," Denzel commented, gravely.

"Silly," Marlene elbowed him. "Everyone knows this is a holy place. You yourself were cured of your Geo Stigma right here. There's not going to tear this place down."

Denzel nodded. "I was just wondering if the place wasn't condemned yet."

Marlene didn't press the issue.

Denzel cleared his throat. "The, uh…the reason I was wondering is…maybe if we can get a minister to come down here, they'd let us get married here."

Marlene elbowed him again. "Oh, come on, Denzel! Stop teasing me!"

Denzel bit his lip, but didn't say anything.

After a pause, Marlene turned to face him.

"Denzel, you…you're serious?"

Denzel nodded, smiling at her. "I just thought you'd like it if we got married here, since we have so many memories of this place."

Marlene stumbled over her words, turning away blushing.

"I…Denzel, this…I mean…this is so sudden…"

Denzel reached out to take her hand. "It's okay if you don't want to, Marlene…"

The girl fidgeted, refusing to meet his eyes. "I don't…I mean…I really like you, Denzel. I…I always figured we'd get married someday…but…"

"Is it too soon?"

Marlene flushed. "You just…caught me off guard…"

Denzel smiled. "What difference would it make if we get married now or ten years from now? I've loved you since the day I met you, Marlene. More time isn't gonna change that."

The dark haired girl looked up at him, face red. "Denzel…"

The young man smiled. "I figure, the sooner we get an excuse to invite all our friends back to Midgar, the better."

Marlene giggled. "You really miss them, don't you?"

Denzel tugged at her hand, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Don't you?"

Marlene didn't respond. Instead, she sank into Denzel's warmth and let out a content sigh.

If she could spend the rest of her life like this…

"You still haven't answered my question."

Marlene blinked. "Oh…well, of course I miss them. You're not the only one who-"

"I meant my other question, Marlene…"

The girl started, blushing. Slowly, she turned her eyes to meet his cool dark ones.

Her face curved into a smile as she leaned forward to kiss him.

"I do."