Alrighty
Alrighty! Getting the new chapter up. I have had the hardest time with computers today!! Grrrrr! I just hate them sometimes! It seems they wait for me to get on and then decide they're gonna freeze and delete things and do all that other ridiculous stuff they do! Whew! Anyways…I'm writing this chapter in hopes of calming down…I just hope that the computer doesn't do anything stupid while I type…
NEW CHAPTER!
Disclaimer: I do not own final fantasy VII, Squaresoft does.
Chapter Nine
"Oh, Excuse me, miss." Zack nodded his head at the girl he had run into.
"That's okay…hey! Didn't you accidentally run into me yesterday?" The girl put her hands on her hips, her basket of flowers rocking on her wrist.
"I-I have no idea what you're talking about!" Zack shrugged his shoulders innocently.
"Yes, yes you did! You even bought a flower! You asked me which one was my favorite and bought one!" The girl laughed as Zack turned red in the face.
"Ah…you caught me…" Zack ran a hand through his long, dark hair.
'He's cute… I wonder if he's single.' The girl swayed back and forth, holding the basket in her hands.
"So…you wanna buy another flower?" She looked up at Zack, her green eyes shining, reflecting the neon lights of the dark city.
"Sure! Why not. I might as well buy another to match the one I got yesterday." Zack smiled and pulled out his gil. "So…what would compliment the white one I got yesterday?" Zack looked inside the basket.
"Hmmm…How about this pretty pink one? These ones are really rare. They take extra care." Aeris plucked it from the rest and gave it to Zack.
"Huh…It sure does look special! Pink…that's your favorite color, isn't it?" Zack shifted his weight.
"Uh…yeah…how did you know?" The girl twirled a finger around her hair.
"Just a guess. You always wear that pink bow in your hair. And your best flowers happen to be pink. I bet those actually are you're favorite." Zack sniffed the flower. The girl turned pink in the face. "See! Even your face turns pink!" Zack pointed at her and laughed.
"Oh, stop!" She covered her face and turned away from him. She waited a little while and turned back towards him. "Yes, the pink flowers are my favorite, but I really do like the white ones too! They're my second choice. I just didn't think you would want to carry around a pink flower…" She looked at her feet.
"Well, I will tonight. Here." Zack handed the girl triple the cost of the flower. "Well, I should be going…Got work in the morning!" Zack turned to walk away.
"Wait! You-you gave me too much!" She ran up to the man and grabbed his arm. "There's too much! Here!" She tried handing him his change.
"What do you think you're doing!?" He turned to her. "That's just a tip! I'd give you more…but I gotta pay for dinner." Zack shuffled his feet in embarrassment.
"But…" She began to protest but was interrupted by Zack.
"Nope! I won't have it! Look at you! A young attractive girl like you working up here all alone!" Zack looked around at the city.
"Attractive…?" She looked down at herself.
"I bet you live in the slums…don't you." Zack looked at her with concerned eyes. The girl nodded. "I knew it. Poor thing! I bet you get lots of trouble. There are so many dangerous people, up here and in the slums." Zack shook his head.
"Only every once and a while…but that's another story!" She quickly changed the subject. She looked at Zack; the two stared at each other for a few minutes.
"Say…What's your name?" Zack leaned against a nearby light pole.
"Aeris…" The girl smiled.
"Aeris, what a pretty name! Never heard that one before…" Zack stared at her, admiring her beauty. "My name is Zack. I work up here for Shinra. I'm in SOLDIER." He patted his ID tag on his shirt pocket.
"SOLDIER? Wow…You must be really strong! I've never met someone in SOLDIER before. What class are you?" Aeris got closer, looking Zack up and down.
"Uh…." He turned red in the face. "First-class." He rubbed the back of his neck.
"REALLY!? No kiddin'!? That's amazing!" Aeris jumped up and down. "I can't believe it!"
"Aw…it wasn't that hard…I just got lucky…" Zack's face was as red as the roses in Aeris basket.
"Wait! I…got an idea!" Aeris bit her lower lip and smiled at Zack.
"…what??" Zack looked at her curiously.
"You can be my bodyguard!" Aeris clapped her hands. "I'll make it up to you! I promise!" Aeris smiled innocently at Zack.
"Uh…huh? I…I guess so. But I have work, and I never have a set schedule." Zack pulled on his fingers. He looked at Aeris, seeing her disappointed face.
'Come on, Zack! Look at her! You were the one that started this, you're gonna finish it! Besides, don't let a cute one like this slip away.'
"Ok…Alright. Sure, why not!" Zack stood up straight, sticking out his chest. "From now on, I am Miss Aeris' bodyguard! Beware fiends!" Zack posed and flexed his muscles. Aeris giggled to herself.
"I trust this will be a good thing…" Aeris winked at Zack. "What shall the payment be?" She asked him.
"…have you eaten dinner?" Zack tilted his head.
"Uh…no…not yet. I had a snack before I came up here, though. That was a few hours ago." She gave him a confused look.
"Oh, well that settles it! Come on! I'm taking you to dinner." Zack began walking away from the young woman.
"B-but, I don't have enough money!" Aeris ran after him.
"Who said you're paying for anything?" Zack turned to her quickly.
"But I am supposed to pay you!" Aeris pouted, she didn't like accepting charity.
"You are! Your company with me is enough. You're paying for me by going on a date with me!" Zack smiled at her mischievously.
"A date?" Aeris turned pink. Zack chuckled.
"Yup, then I'll be your bodyguard." Zack smiled and put an arm around her shoulder.
"Was this a good idea…?" Aeris gulped.
"Of course!" Zack looked down at her, his eyes opened wide. "I-I'm not some kinda pervert if that's what you think!" Zack jumped away and waved his hands back and forth.
"…Ok…" Aeris looked at him doubtfully.
"I'm not!" He whined and looked at the ground. "Fine…never mind then. If you don't trust me-"
"No! It's ok. I was just picking on you. I would love to go on a date with you…Zack." The two walked slowly down the streets of the upper plate.
"You have many nightmares…"
Zack slowly opened his eyes. He was lying on a couch in a strange room. An old man was staring at him through thick lenses.
"But…the last one seemed to be happy. I saw you smile." Bugenhagen floated around the couch.
"What happened?" Zack slowly sat up. "Oh…my head hurts!" Zack held on both sides of his head.
"That would be the drugs…" Bugenhagen floated to Zack's side.
"DRUGS!?" Zack looked at him quickly, the movement shooting pain through his spine and brain.
"And the fall. You did hit your head pretty hard." The old man chuckled. "Now…you mind telling me a little about yourself?"
"Why was I drugged?" Zack rubbed his temples.
"Boy, I could sense the evil in you approaching from miles away. I could not let you catch up to my grandson and his friends; they have a very important mission to accomplish. I drugged you because of the strange aura you have." He floated towards the kitchen. "Why do you carry such an evil inside you? What are your intentions? Why do you seek those people?"
"I am their friend! I worked with Cloud, in SOLDIER! We were experimented on and many horrible things happened…" Zack told Bugenhagen about the incidents that occurred at the lab in the Shinra mansion and inside the lab in Shinra Inc. "I am searching for a girl…her name is Aeris. She is very important to me and I only wish to save her from any danger. Shinra is constantly after her and now she's going after Sephiroth…I can't imagine what I'd do…if anything happened to her." Zack lowered his head.
"Hoo hoo! I see! Well…I'm very sorry boy…I did not know. I was only being safe. I am afraid that I sent them out early. I did not know when you would awaken so I told them they had to leave first thing in the morning." Bugenhagen brought Zack a jug of water. "Don't worry…nothing added this time, I promise. They headed for Nibelheim in search of Sephiroth. We took well care of your Chocobo. It ran in last night. It's been fed and has had plenty of rest. I am sure it will ride fast today." Bugenhagen headed for the door. Zack slowly drank the water.
"Do you know of any other places they intend on going?" Zack asked.
"That I do not know. You better hurry if you want to catch up. Good luck boy, and if you do find them, please take good care of them, especially my grandson." Bugenhagen opened the door and floated down the stairs. Zack sighed.
"What a pain…stupid…I'll never catch up. Maybe I should give up! It seems like all odds are against me." Zack slowly walked towards the door. He trudged down the stairs; each leg felt like it weighed a ton. "No…I promised her. I will follow her until the day I die…and then I'll follow her some more." Zack smiled to himself.
"Being here brings back memories…are you going to participate in the reunion?" Sephiroth turned and looked at Cloud.
"I don't even know what a Reunion is!" Cloud yelled.
"Jenova will be at the reunion…Jenova will join the Reunion, becoming a calamity from the skies!" Sephiroth raised his arms in the air.
"Jenova a calamity from the skies?? You mean she wasn't an ancient!?" Cloud took a step back.
"I see. I don't think you have the right to participate. I'll go North Past Mt. Nibel. If you wish to find out…" Sephiroth levitated into the air, his hair falling in front of his face. "…Then, follow!"
"Reunion? Calamity from the skies?" Cloud stared at Sephiroth. He threw a piece of materia at Cloud, hitting him in the stomach. Cloud fell forward, the materia hitting him like a bullet. Sephiroth then flew past him and out of the Shinra mansion. Tifa ran by his side.
"Cloud!? Are you ok?" Tifa held onto him. He slowly stood up and picked up the materia.
"Yeah…We have to go…" He turned and walked out into the dark, dusty hall. They headed for the stairs, walking past the room they had unlocked earlier. A flash of red flew from the darkness and stopped in front of them.
"Wait! If I go with you will I meet Hojo?" A man in a red cape quickly loaded his revolver. His midnight hair was a mess, draping over his shoulders. The group had found him locked inside a room full of coffins. He had been sleeping ever since Sephiroth was created. He told the group about Hojo's betrayal and his lost love, Lucrecia, who supposedly gave birth to Sephiroth.
"Dunno. But we're after him and Sephiroth. So I guess sooner or later…" Cloud shrugged.
"Lucrecia…" The mysterious man lowered his head. He was deep in thought. "All right. I've decided to go with you." He headed for the exit leaving the others behind.
"What!? Vincent…you're coming with us?" Tifa looked at him curiously.
"Being a former Turk, I may be of help to you." The man raised his gun and headed up the stairs.
Zack slowly made his way through the entrance of Nibelheim. He pulled his chocobo behind him.
'This can't be! The whole town was destroyed five years ago! What the hell did Shinra do now?' Zack's steps were heavy and slow. He shuddered as he made his way towards the Shinra mansion.
"Wark! Wark!!" The chocobo jumped and flailed its wings.
"What!? What's wrong!?" Zack calmed the bird down. He tied it to the fence by the Shinra mansion. "Its ok…you don't have to go in there, but I do." Zack gulped and looked at the tall, dark mansion. It reminded him of the scary movies he had watched when he was a young boy.
"Wark!!" The bird hopped up and down with fear.
"Now what!?" Zack saw that the bird was glancing towards the window in the mansion. A figure cloaked in black was walking back and forth. "S-Sephiroth?" Zack darted towards the front door. He smashed through the door, splinters flying through the air. Zack pulled out his sword and swung it at the cloaked figure.
"Wooohhh!! Seph…Iroth…" The figure jiggled and wobbled under the dark cloak. "He's near! He's close!" The figure slowly melted, falling to the floor. The body quickly disappeared.
"What the hell!?" Zack jumped backwards. "Are…these clones? Are these the clones I was told about?" Zack walked away from the cloaked mess and towards the basement. If anything, Sephiroth would be in the basement of the mansion.
"What is that!?" Zack stopped dead in his tracks. A giant monster lay dead on the wood floor, blood pooling from its body. "Looks like I'm late. They probably already headed north." Zack sighed and continued towards the basement. He figured he might as well check, in case there was anyone or anything useful in the basement. He slowly descended the stairs, each board creaking with every step. The escape flashed through his memory with each 'thud' that sounded.
'Cloud! Cloud! We have to hurry!' Zack pulled Cloud out of the tanks and drug him towards the stairs.
'Ah…don't hate me! I'd never leave you!' Zack lifted Cloud up and started up the engine to the motorcycle he had stolen.
'Cloud! Run!' Zack jumped in front of Cloud, pushing him out of the way from the gunfire.
"WHOOOOO…Sephiroth!" the sound burst through Zack's thoughts. "Reunion…Re…union!" The figure wailed its arms in circles.
"Where? Where is he?" Zack grabbed the figure's arm, revealing a numbered tattoo on its shoulder.
"Near…Mt…Nibel…waiting…" The figure hopped up and down.
"Waiting!? For what?" Zack let go of the clone's arm.
"Seph…Wait! WHOOO!!" A group of clones wobbled from the laboratory and towards Zack. More flooded down the stairs and surrounded him.
"Sephiroth…Clones! JENOVA!!" One yelled as loud as it could.
"JENOVA!!"
"JENOVA!! JENOVA!!" They all chimed in, repeating the cursed named.
"REUNION!!" One started a new word.
"REUNION!!REUNION!! REUNION!!" They all repeated like broken records. They all reached towards Zack. One touched him on the arm.
"Sephiroth…??" It lifted its head staring at Zack in disbelief. Its green eyes shown like materia. It's pale face and silver hair glowed in the dark hallway.
"SEPHIROTH!!" They all repeated.
"No…Seph…" The clone got closer, face to face with Zack and uttered its miserable word. "Z…Zzzz….Ack…" It shook and lowered itself to the ground. All the other clones stopped and began touching Zack.
"What!? What are you doing!?" Zack slowly pulled out his sword.
"Zzz…ac..k" They began to bow. "ZACK!! ZACK!!" they all called and waved their arms in the air.
"Jenova…Reunion…Sephiroth…ZACK!" Their words sent chills down Zack's spine.
"No! Stop it! I'm nothing like him!" They all reached for his feet. "NO!! Get off!" Zack swung his sword, hitting their hands. He jumped over them and lunged up the stairs in a panic.
'What? What does it all mean!?' He ran breathlessly through the mansion. The clones were left alone and bloody in the basement, yelling for their master.
"Ha ha! You made it further than I expected, Cloud. Can you make it to the Temple of the Ancients?" Sephiroth stood atop the pipes of the old Mako reactor.
"Sephiroth! What are you planning!?" Cloud ran forward and underneath Sephiroth.
"If I told you…it wouldn't be a secret!" Sephiroth chuckled to himself. "Besides, it seems that plans may have to change…there is another force growing by the minute."
"Force?" Cloud questioned.
"An Ancient force…like me." He walked along the top of the pipe, hopping across to one above Aeris. "Like you…" Aeris gulped when Sephiroth met her gaze. He seemed to stare at her, his look was disgusting.
"L-like me??" Aeris asked quietly.
"Almost…it isn't pure. Mother tells me that he is strong and will get stronger. For now, my plans are a little different." Sephiroth glanced at the group.
"He?" Aeris took a step forward. "Have you seen him?"
"Hmmm…not yet…" Sephiroth leaped off of the pipe and landed next to her, sending her jumping back. He stared at her for a few minutes.
"What? What do you mean not yet?" She turned pink.
"I plan on waiting for him; I want to get a closer look. See if he really is as strong as mother says. Maybe I can use him to my advantage." Sephiroth held out his hand. "I bet you want to see, don't you. I bet you can sense him right now. Where…where is he?" Sephiroth brought his face close to hers.
"Sephiroth!!" Cloud ran forward. Sephiroth lifted a hand and shoved Cloud across the room, his gaze never faltering.
"Cloud!" The group ran to him, Aeris was stuck in Sephiroth's stare.
"Why…why are you doing this?" Aeris whispered.
"Why not? They are the one's who took the planet from us…from mother." Sephiroth swiped a bang out of Aeris' eye. She backed up.
"Don't touch me…" She looked away from his gaze.
"Hmm…I see…you are a traitor like them. You don't deserve the Ancient blood! Such a waste…" Sephiroth glared at her and took a few steps back. "You all will die…I will destroy you with the planet!" Sephiroth rose into the air, his glare penetrating through them all. He flew out of the reactor and out of sight. Aeris was left in the shadows, shivering.
'Yes…I can feel the force.' She thought to herself.
"Let's go. He's probably heading further North. We'll wait for him…" Cloud loaded his sword with materia. His cold stare turned to Aeris. "What's going on?" His words were harsh.
"Uh…I. I don't know…" Tears began to form in Aeris' eyes.
"Cloud! She knows as much as we do! Leave her alone!" Tifa smacked him behind the head. "Really…" Tifa walked to Aeris.
"I betcha think you're real tough now…" Barret folded his arms and headed out of the reactor. Cait Sith shook his head and hopped next to Barret.
"Jerk!" Yuffie followed. Vincent didn't mutter a word, just turned on his heel and headed out of the reactor as well, red padded behind him, looking back at Aeris.
"Come on. We have to move on." Tifa held a hand out to Aeris.
"R-right." Aeris smiled and walked with her friend.
"I didn't mean to…" Cloud hung his head, his blonde spikes hiding his face.
"That's okay…I understand." Aeris laid a hand on his shoulder. The group headed north.
'How can there be a force as strong as Sephiroth? Did one of the clones actually evolve? That can't be…' Cloud shuddered at the thought.
"Man…it felt like I never left the place." Zack pulled off his sunglasses and put them in his pocket. "This is…where Sephiroth…" Zack walked up the stairs into the reactor. His shoes clanged against the metal, grated floor, the sound eerie and dead. He made his way into the incubation chamber. The memory of him lying in his own blood flashed like a photo.
"Urgh!" Zack fell to his knees; the sounds of screaming impaled his mind. "Not again! This can't be happening again! I-I have to fight it!" Zack fought the fit with much effort. He coughed and crawled to the incubation tubes.
"I can sense him…Sephiroth is in the reactor." Zack fought back the urge to vomit. "I have to hide…" Zack knew there was no way he could face Sephiroth, especially when the attack was occurring within his own body.
"I know you're in here…" A low, haunted voice called from the top of the stairway. Zack jumped back and out of view. "I could sense you if you were on the other side of the planet! You're force is so strong." Sephiroth leaped onto a breaker. He looked down at the room below him.
'Shit! He's gonna find me! There is no way I can hide.' Zack leaned his head back, hitting the breaker behind him.
"Mother thinks you are a threat, but I…don't think so. You're nothing but a coward…hiding." Sephiroth lunged off of the breaker and sat on top of the stairs. "I can tell you're not feeling well. Is it because of me!?" Sephiroth laughed. He walked down the stairs.
'He's gonna kill me…' Zack thought.
"So you're like the puppet…only stronger. It seems that Hojo finally accomplished his goal. He's upset isn't he, because of me?" Sephiroth chuckled to himself. "I won't bother with you right now. I guess I will just have to wait for you to come to me. I will be at the Temple of the Ancients. But if you're looking for them…You'll probably have to head for the Gold Saucer. There's a keystone there that you'll need. I have a wonderful offer for you. Just think about it for now…join me and you will live for all eternity. You can have anything you want, everything you want." Sephiroth walked out the door, never once looking back to see Zack.
'Join him?' Zack watched as Sephiroth walked inches by him and out of the reactor. He waited minutes, wondering if it were a trap.
"Why? Why does he want my help?" Zack slowly stood up and headed for the exit. "I have a feeling that things are going to get very weird…" Zack walked along the path towards his chocobo. He was to head north, following the group.
AVALANCHE had made their way to Rocket town. There they met a captain named Cid. He had waited for years for the Shinra to re-open the space program. Cid was going to be the first man in space. The group heard that president Rufus was coming to town and immediately rushed to the rocket that Cid had taken care of for many years. Cloud and his friends planned on using Cid's plane to fly to an island where Sephiroth would be heading, towards the Temple of the Ancients. It was hard getting the man to agree, but he eventually gave in.
"&! Shera! What are you, blind!? We got guests! GET SOME TEA!! #&!" Cid waved his arms in the air.
"I-I'm sorry…" Shera got busy making the tea. Her glasses slipped down her nose.
"Really, don't mind us." Cloud said to Cid.
"Shut up! Sit your ass down in that chair and drink your goddamn TEA!! ARGH! Damn I'm pissed!" Cid paced around the kitchen, glaring at Shera. "Shera! I'll be in the backyard tunin up the Tiny Bronco! An' make sure you serve them some tea! All right!?" Cid yelled and barged out into the backyard.
"Man, this sucks!" Yuffie placed her head in her hands.
"Sorry. It's our fault…" Cloud felt embarrassed.
"No, No…he's always like this." Shera shook her head.
"He always like this!? That's pretty bad!" Barret glanced towards the door.
"No, it's because of my stupid mistake. I was the one who destroyed his dream…" Shera looked as if she were about to cry.
"What happened?" Cloud asked. Shera told them about how the launch was going as planned; everything seemed to be going perfect. She had been checking the oxygen tanks, making sure they were stable, she always was a perfectionist. She had one more tank to check and the engine was about to ignite, she did not care if she died; she just wanted to make sure Cid would have enough oxygen.
"He pushed the Emergency Engine Shut Down switch, aborting the mission to save my life. After that, the Space Program was cut back and the launch was canceled. It's my fault his dream was destroyed. That's why…it's all right, I don't care what the Captain says, I'll live my life for him." Shera wiped away a tear. The door burst open and Captain Cid walked through, his boots thudding against the floor.
"Shera! You still haven't served 'em tea!" Cid turned red in the face.
"I-I'm sorry…" Shera hurried and poured tea in the glasses.
"Hurry up and sit down! Or ain't my hospitality good enough for you!?" Cid yelled at AVALANCHE. "They're late…where is Rufus!?" Cid cracked his knuckles. Suddenly a rather round man barged into the kitchen.
"Hey-Hey! Long time no see! So Cid, how ya been?" The large man patted Cid on the shoulder.
"Well if it ain't fat man Palmer. How long were you figurin' on keepin' me waitin'?" Cid glanced at the man who was eyeing the tea. "SO!? When's the Space Program gonna' start up again!?" Cid slammed his fists against the table.
"Hey hey! I don't know. The president's outside, so why don't you ask him?" Palmer smiled at Shera.
"#! Good for nothin' fat &#!" Cid ran out the door. The last sound Cid heard was from Palmer.
"Don't say fat! Hey hey! Tea! Can I have some tea too? With lotsa sugar and honey and…"
"What the..! You got me all excited for nothing! Then what'd you come here for?" Cid rushed towards the president.
"I want to borrow the Tiny Bronco. We're going after Sephiroth. But seems like we've been going in the wrong direction. But now, we think we know where he is headed. We have to cross the ocean, that's why we want your plane." Rufus slid his hand into his hair.
"&! First the airship, then the rocket, and now, the Tiny Bronco! Shinra took outer space away from me and now you want to take the sky away from me too!?" Cid was burning with rage.
"Oh my…you seem to forget that it was because of Shinra Inc. that you were able to fly in the first place." Rufus tilted his hips.
"WHAT!?" Cid held up his fist. Shera and Cloud were outside watching Cid.
"Uh, excuse me…This way…" Shera pulled Cloud into the backyard. "You wanted to use the Tiny Bronco, right? I believe Palmer's going to take it, why don't you talk to him?" Cloud and the others ran over to the plane, hoping to take it first.
"I don't think so! I…" Cid had been lecturing the president for five minutes, not paying attention to his surroundings.
"What!?" Rufus shoved Cid out of the way and looked towards Cid's house. "NO!" He ran away from the lecture.
"Oh, no you didn't, kid!" Cid chased after him but stopped dead in his tracks. "T-T-Tiny!?" Cid heard the propellers of his plane going at full speed.
"It won't stop!!" Barret tried slowing down the small plane.
"Forget it!" Cloud jumped onto the plane. "Get it!" He waved everyone in.
"See what happens when you let Barret drive!?" Yuffie yelled.
"TINY!! What are you doing with my plane!?" Cid ran and grabbed a hold of the left wing. He slowly pulled himself up, Shinra gunfire hailing upon the group. A loud crack sounded. "Shit! The tails been hit! This is gonna be a big splash! Hold onto your drawars and don't piss in 'em! She won't fly anymore!" Cid squeezed the edge of the wing. The plane quickly lowered above the ocean, crashing into the great liquid. The group sat silently for a minute. Yuffie kicked her feet in the water, splashing Red XIII.
"Can't we use it as a boat?" Cloud looked at the propellers in the water.
"#! Do whatever you want!" Cid sat with his knees drawn to his chest. He wrapped his arms around his legs and rested his head on his knees.
"Cid, what are you going to do now?" Cloud looked at him, his blue eyes matching the waves of the water.
"Dunno. I'm history with the Shinra and I've given up on the town." Cid sighed.
"How bout your wife? How bout Shera?" Cloud looked towards the town.
"WIFE!? Don't make me laugh! Just thinkin' 'bout marryin' her gives me the chills. What're you guys gonna do?" Cid looked around the odd group. Vincent was wringing out his cape that had fallen into the water, Tifa and Aeris were admiring a fish that was near the plane, Barret was shining his gun-arm, Cait Sith was curled up on top of the Mog, in hopes of not getting any part of him wet, and Red XIII was nipping at Yuffie for getting him wet.
"We're going after a man named Sephiroth. We'll hafta get Rufus of the Shinra too." Cloud smiled.
"I don't know about any of that but…what the hell! Sign me up!" Cid punched his fist into the palm of his hand.
"How bout it everyone?" Cloud looked around.
"I don't care…" Barret said absent mindedly.
"Glad to be aboard numskulls!" Cid saluted them all.
"Numskulls?" Cloud raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Anyone stupid enough to stand up against the Shinra nowadays has gotta be a numskull! I like it! So where we headed? Rufus was goin' after Sephiroth towards the Temple of the Ancients." Cid suggested.
"That is exactly where we are going." Cloud smirked.
"But how do we get there?" Tifa asked. "Maybe we should ask for directions."
"Boy, I sure hope we catch up with Cloud and them." Zack rode his chocobo towards a town with a monumental rocket. He went into town, looking for his friends. "Looks like I missed the fun…" Zack frowned. People were in a frenzy, trying to fix the damage that was done. A woman by a small house was trying to pick up her fence, Zack hurried to help.
"Oh…thank you." The brown haired woman looked at him through small frames.
"No prob. What happened here?" Zack asked the woman.
"Shinra. They tried to steal the Captain's plane but another group of people took it instead. As they were flying, they got shot down." The woman pointed towards the coast.
"What!? Shot down! A-are they ok!?" Zack ran towards the coastline.
"WAIT!!" The woman ran after him. "They're fine!" She huffed as she approached Zack.
"Really!?" Zack sighed. "I was worried for a second…"
"Do you know them?" The woman asked.
"They're friends of mine." Zack smiled. "Do you know where they went?"
"I'm not sure…I heard something about the Temple of the Ancients, but Rufus was very upset because that is where he was heading. And now he can't go because of the plane. But he also said that they wouldn't get far that they needed some kind of Keystone." The woman repositioned her glasses. "Then he said that they were going to pay a visit to the Gold Saucer…strange if you ask me."
"Thank you very much! I'm sorry but I have to go immediately!" Zack rushed off.
"Take care of Cid, please!?" She ran a few steps. Zack waved back to her. "DO YOU WANT ANY TEA!?" She called back but was not heard.
AVALANCHE made their way to a small business near Gongaga. The man that worked there had a little information on the Temple of the Ancients but said he just recently sold the Keystone to a man named Dio. The group immediately made their way towards the Gold Saucer.
"It's the keystone…" Cloud marveled at the green rock that sat inside a glass case.
"Hehehe…long time no see…" Dio walked into the room. He smirked at the group. Cloud frowned at the man. "My buy hmm? You like that huh?" Dio pointed at the keystone.
"Can we borrow that?" Cloud asked like a child.
"Sorry, but it's not for rent. Hmmm." Dio thought long and hard about the situation. "Well…maybe I can let you borrow it. But on one condition." He smiled.
"One condition?" Cloud folded his arms. He didn't feel like playing games.
"Entertain me!" Dio laughed.
"What'd you want me to do?" Cloud asked curiously.
"It's not something that's really difficult. This is the Battle Arena. Show me your fighting skills. Just you, my boy. I'm expecting a good fight!" Dio waved and left the room.
Cloud made his way to the Battle Arena. He stepped onto the platform, multiple beasts ran towards him. Cloud swung his sword, hitting one across the side. He leaped into the air and crashed down on top of another. As he landed, one jumped onto his back, clawing and biting at his neck. Cloud dove and rolled over the beast, squishing it against the floor. One after another, enemies ran into the room. It was like an ancient battle, a fight to the death. Cloud swung and threw fire at the monsters. He twirled his sword, summoning the great Shiva. Her dance brought painful ice cycles to her opponents. Cloud seemed to be doing well until a Behemoth entered the Arena. Cloud had never gotten the chance to cure himself.
"Oh shit…" Cloud muttered as the beast ran its horns into his side. Cloud slid across the ground. He struggled to get up, the crowd was cheering, his friends were yelling. One voice called out louder than the rest.
"Cloud! CLOUD! You have to win! DO IT FOR ME!" Aeris screamed out, cheering for the blonde haired warrior.
"Ok…" Cloud smirked. He leaped into the air and hit the Behemoth across the chest. He kicked and spread fire across its stomach. The Behemoth screeched, falling, almost dead. Cloud slashed its neck and leaped into the air, summoning his meteor rain. Just as his meteors came crashing down, Behemoth summoned his own final counter-attack. More boulders came flying down over the arena. Cloud and the beast defeated each other in one final blow.
"Cloud!" His friends jumped over the rail and headed towards their leader.
"That's the best you can do!? Well…a promise is a promise…" Dio handed them the Keystone. The group grabbed it and carried Cloud towards the exit.
"Uh…Ow…" He shook his head.
"Here…" Aeris used her magic to cure Cloud. "I hope this helps…" She smiled at him. They made their way towards the train, preparing to head for the Temple of the Ancients.
"I'm sorry, the train is out of order right now…" The Gold Saucer staff rushed to them.
"So?" Cloud looked around.
"I'm really sorry! I'm afraid you won't be able to leave until it's fully repaired." The staff member frowned.
"What's wrong?" Cait Sith approached Cloud. "The train? Too bad…It happens though. I know! Let's stay at the hotel! They know me here. I'll go talk to them!" Cait Sith hopped inside the building.
"I'll let you know once the repairs are completed." The staff member waved.
"I'm sorry boy, but you have to stay here. You get some rest, ok? I'll be back soon! This nice lady will take good care of you!" Zack patted the side of his chocobo.
"Wark…" The chocobo sounded desperately. Its bright eyes enlarged and quivered.
"Now…Don't…" Zack frowned. "You're gonna make me cry! I'm not abandoning you! I promise."
"You are very close to your bird." The old woman from Corel said. "Don't worry, he'll be fine. Those birds like to put the guilt trip on you." She smiled and pulled the bird towards her home.
"Thanks. I'll be back soon." Zack waved at the woman and the chocobo. He headed towards the Ropeway.
"I'm sorry sir…the ropeway is closed." The curly haired woman informed him.
"What!? NO! I don't care! I don't CARE!" Zack ran towards the train. "I'm goin across! I'll side down the ropes if I have to!" Zack pulled off his jacket and threw it over the rope. He jumped up and began sliding down the line.
"Sir! SIR!! You can't do that!" The woman ran out of her booth. "Ohh…boys…"
"WHOA!!" Zack slid endlessly down the lines that held the train. "I hope it doesn't ruin the jacket! I don't really wanna fall!" Zack flew in the darkness; there was no sound or light. He was afraid that he'd get never make it when he came to an abrupt stop.
"OWWW!" He ran head on against the train that was stuck at the Gold Saucer entrance. A loud metallic thud rang through the air.
"What the hell was that!?" A staff member ran towards the train. "Oh my goodness! What do you think you're doing!?" The staff member helped Zack reach the ground.
"Man, that was one ride!" Zack smiled. "But I gotta work on the landing…" He wobbled and fell down.
"Whoa! Hey…are you alright?" The staff member helped him to his feet.
"Yeah…just got a headache." Zack rubbed his head. It had been a long day. "Say…do you know of a group that showed up here? An interesting looking group." Zack asked the man.
"Yeah. They tried to leave a while ago but they couldn't because of the train. I guess they have to stay the night. I suggest you do to, there's no way you can get up those lines. It'd take all night you might as well wait 'till mornin'." The man walked Zack towards the entrance.
"Good, they're expecting me. They already paid for my ticket." Zack smiled and walked inside the amusement park.
"Wait, sir! I'll have to confirm that!" The manager crossed his arms. "Ah, what the hell…After risking his life like that, he deserves to get some rest. He's lucky…They said that the line would break if there was any weight attached to it." Just then there was a loud snap and the train fell onto the ground, all the lines fell with it.
"He's damn lucky…" The staff member whistled.
"Oh, what a day…" Cloud stretched out his arms. He walked over to his bed and began taking off his armor. He slid off his shoulder guards, then began undoing the harness around his waist. He took off his gloves and the bangles around them.
"Man…this uniform is a pain in the ass…" The sound of knocking interrupted him. He quickly got off the bed and cracked the door open.
"Hee hee!" A soft giggle was heard. Cloud smiled and opened the door.
"What's wrong?" He asked Aeris.
"You wanna go on a date?" She smiled and held her hands behind her back.
"What?" Cloud turned red in the face.
"A DA-ATE! Or haven't you ever gone on one?" Aeris leaned forward, smiling.
"Well…not a real one…" Cloud scratched his head.
"No, just a mixed-up kid…Oh well!" She walked into his room. "Come on, Let's go!" She pushed him out of his room.
The two wandered the area, looking for something to do.
"Tonight's Enchantment Night! All the attractions are free. How bout it you two? There's going to be an entertaining show in Event Square!" A staff member handed them a pamphlet.
"Come on! Let's go!" Aeris jumped up and down. They entered the Event Square.
"Congratulations!! You are our 100th couple today! You two will be the leads in tonight's show!" A staff member threw a switch as confetti flew over the couple.
"Wha-!?" Cloud shook his head.
"Oh no, it's not hard. Just play it however you want to and the rest of the cast will cover up for you. Come this way." The man shoved Cloud and Aeris towards the stage.
"H-Hey!" Cloud protested.
"This sounds like fun! Come on, Cloud, let's do it!" Aeris clapped her hands.
Zack walked up the stairs towards his hotel room. He whistled, happy that he was about to go see Aeris. He turned the corner and stopped dead in his tracks. Aeris was knocking on a door.
'Oh my-! It's her! I can't believe it's her!' Zack took a deep breath and was about to continue towards her when he heard something that hit him like a physical blow.
"A DA-TE!" Aeris voice sounded. A minute later her and Cloud were walking down the hallway.
"Aeris…" Zack watched as she hugged Cloud and he wrapped an arm around her waist. She looked up at Cloud.
'The way she used to look at me…' Zack stumbled and fell to the floor. He leaned against the wall, tears sliding down his face. 'No…no. Don't cry. Everything will be ok. She's just flirting. She'll never forget about you.' Zack hit the back of his head against the wall.
"I…She…Cloud…" Zack shook his head. He slowly got up and walked towards his room. He opened the door and moped in. He dragged his feet as he made his way to the bed. "I made a promise…" He fell onto the soft mattress.
"How…why?" Zack was full of mixed emotions. He did not know if he should be sad, angry, or…happy. "She has more confidence…I can't be hard on her…I mean, I've been gone for so long." Zack frowned, a tear slid down his face. He had never felt so miserable in his entire life.
"Hojo…DAMN HOJO! If it weren't for him, we…we'd be together and happy. Like it was supposed be." Zack covered his face and gave in. He let everything pour out of him. He felt like he had died…he felt like Aeris had died. Zack leaned back and concentrated on sleeping.
"Oh, that was fun!" Aeris clapped her hands together. She had a magic wand with dangling strings. Cloud smiled at her. Surprisingly, he had a lot of fun and went along with the play. He was holding a wooden sword.
"Yeah…It was." He walked behind Aeris and began laughing.
"What are you doing?" She giggled.
"YAH!" Cloud jokingly poked her in the back with his wooden sword.
"Oh no! Help! Help!" Aeris ran, turned around and backed up. "Oh no...Please, I beg you!" She tried to run away but Cloud ran up behind her and grabbed her around the waist.
"Where do you think you're going?" He laughed and pulled her close to him. Aeris sighed. It had been so long since she was last held like that. Her eyes beamed.
"Hey, let's go on the Gondola!" She ran ahead to the theme-park ride.
"Wow…how nice!" She admired the new leather seats. The lift started and pulled them above the amusement park, revealing the rollercoaster. "Oh! Look Cloud! It's so pretty!" Aeris pointed at the chocobo running by the lift on the chocobo track. Fireworks blasted next to the cabin, bright pinks and greens lit up across their faces.
'He reminds me so much of him. Why is that? Oh well…I should enjoy this evening.' She watched Cloud as he gazed at the sights below.
"It's beautiful, isn't it? First off…." Aeris began. Cloud turned and looked at her. "It bothered me how you looked exactly alike. Two completely different people but look exactly the same. The way you walk, gesture…" Aeris tilted her head and stared out the window.
'What is she talking about?' Cloud watched her.
"I think I must have seen him again, in you…But you're different." She leaned forward. "Things are different…Cloud…I'm searching for you. I want to meet you." She got up and sat next to him.
"But I'm right here." Cloud smiled.
'I know, I know, what I mean is…I want to meet…you' Aeris thought how to explain it. 'I can't stand it…I have to get him to come out. Things have been so difficult lately.'
"I want to meet you…the real you. Sometimes it seems like you're putting on a show or that you're not really you." Aeris lowered her head.
"What do you mean? I don't feel that way…" Cloud thought about it. "Ah!" He pulled his head down.
"Oh, no! Not again! Cloud, what's happening?" Aeris held onto him. "Why do you do this? Please, tell me…"Aeris felt her eyes tear up. It scared her when Cloud had his attacks. He gripped his head and took in quick short breaths.
"It's….ok. I…I'm ok." Cloud sat up and looked at her, his blue eyes shown brightly. His attack faded away. "Man…you're beautiful…"
"Cloud?" Aeris touched his face. "Are you okay?" She was scared.
"I…I don't know…" Cloud's eyes saddened. He took in a deep breath. "I'm not sure anymore…Aeris. Lately, ever since we rescued you from the Shinra…I've been getting these attacks and each time it feels like there is a part inside of me that is ripped away." His blue eyes turned a shade of grey.
'That's when I started feeling the strange force. Is it affecting Cloud too?'
"Everything will be okay. We'll find you again…I promise." Aeris pulled Cloud close to her and ran a hand through his hair. The lift stopped moving. Aeris helped Cloud off of the lift and together they walked back to the hotel.
"I had fun tonight. Let's go together again." Aeris smiled. She looked at Cloud who was frowning. "You…don't like being with me?" Aeris asked. She remembered the cold stare she got from him when they were in the reactor.
"That's not it…" Cloud shook his head and smiled at her.
"I'm glad. Next time we come, let's take our time and go on more rides. Oh, look at the time. We'd better get going." Aeris and Cloud walked into the main entrance where all the tunnels met.
"Hey, what's Cait Sith doing?" Aeris stopped Cloud.
"It's the…Keystone!? Hey, Cait Sith!" Cloud sprinted in the cat's direction. Cait Sith darted in and out of the tunnels, evading Cloud. Aeris followed the two, falling behind. Cait Sith made his way to the Chocobo Stadium. A helicopter lowered and a Turk leaned out, reaching for the Keystone.
"Here, I have the Keystone!" Cait handed it over.
"Well done…" Tseng pulled it inside. The helicopter took off, leaving everything silent.
"Hey!" Cloud marched up to the Mog and cat.
"W, wait a sec. I won't run or hide. Yes, I was a spy. I was hired by Shinra." Cait Sith held his tail between his legs.
"I trusted you! I can't believe you!" Aeris picked him up by the scruff of the neck.
"I couldn't help it. How bout if we continue like nothing ever happened…" Cait Sith smiled.
"No way, cat! You gotta lot of guts acting like a friend but being a spy!" Cloud cracked his knuckles.
"Then what are you goin' to do? Kill me? You'd just be wastin' your time if you tried. This body's just a toy anyway. My real body's at Shinra headquarters in Midgar. I'm controllin' this toy cat from there."
"So you're from the Shinra. Who? Who are you! Tell me!" Aeris shook the cat.
"Whoa. I can't tell you my name!" Cait Sith meowed.
"We're not getting anywhere." Cloud shrugged. Cait Sith continued, he had the upper hand. He had Marlene, Barret's daughter hostage. If AVALANCHE made one wrong move, then they would loose the girl. So, by default, Cloud and Aeris had to keep everything a secret and continue as if nothing ever happened.
"I hope Marlene is safe…I wonder what happened to mom?" Aeris pulled her hands up to her face. Cloud and Aeris were back in the hotel, Cait Sith had left them and wandered the Golden Saucer.
"Aeris…" Cloud turned to her. "Try not to think about it, ok." Aeris looked up at him, her eyes were shining.
"But…mom! I…I can't handle this. I dunno what I would do if I lost her too!" Aeris sobbed and covered her face.
"Hey…Aeris…" Cloud looked at her with pity. "Don't cry…There is nothing you could have done. Everything will be fine. We'll get Marlene and find your mother, I promise." Cloud pulled her into him, holding her small frame against his chest. Aeris cried even harder. Cloud pulled her towards his room. He unlocked the door and carried her in.
"I…I…" Aeris tried to mutter something.
"Let's get you in here. Wouldn't want to wake up everyone." Cloud closed the door. He sat her on the bed. "Aeris…Aeris, please calm down." He kneeled down beside her.
"I'm sorry. I'm just so emotional lately…" Aeris sniffed. She tried smiling. "I didn't mean to cry…I'm sorry." She wiped some tears off of her cheek.
"Don't be sorry. Everything will be ok. You have me, alright? Anything you need…I'm your bodyguard ok? I will protect you no matter what. You are safe as long as I am around, alright?" Cloud smiled at her. He held onto her hands. "Anything you need…" He lowered his head.
"Cloud…" Aeris looked down at him. He slowly pulled his head upwards, his amazing blue eyes shown like glass. He smiled at her and slowly raised himself.
"Aeris…" He did not look away. He slowly brought himself up to her and kissed her gently on the lips. It lasted a moment before they parted, staring into each other's eyes. He took a deep breath and came in close again. This time, they didn't part. Aeris wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. He fell on top of her, laying her onto the mattress. He slid his arms up her sides, reaching for her jacket. He slowly removed it and tossed it on the floor.
Zack sat in the hallway, his head pressed against the wall. He almost knocked on Cloud's door numerous times, but decided against it. He had heard Aeris crying and came outside just as they entered the room. He pressed his ear against the door, listening to their conversation. Zack sniffed quietly.
'Body guard huh?' Zack ran his hand down the door as he turned and headed for his room. 'I think…I'll pay a visit to Sephiroth. If he can make his promise come true, then…maybe…' Zack sighed and closed the door to his room. His blue eyes lost their spark. He would sleep tonight, but every dream would be a nightmare.
Oohhh…I feel bad for Zack. I felt bad writing this. Well anyways, knew chapter up. I hope you all liked it. Please review. I'm gonna go to bed! Heheh…once I get going, I can't stop until the chapter is completely done. Thanks for reading!
-Annubis