Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Final Fantasy 7 franchise. All I own are my Orginal characters, their powers, origin story, and the magical land they come from.
A/N: This story follows the story of Advent Children the video game as well as Dirge of Cerberus. With my own storyline intertwined. Whenever you see text in [...] and Italisided then these are when people are having a telepathic conversation. I'm a little new to Fanfic .net so bear with me. I'm learning how to write and post stories here.
Esmee's P.O.V
As I sleep the night away, I suddenly feel a presence slowly entering my room. I wait until the person is close enough before I speak. "What do you want?" I asked in a calm voice, causing whoever had come in to let out a small squeal. I opened my eyes and I see Marlene standing there. She had a scared look on her face. Poor thing I ended up scaring her half to death. "Oh sorry sweetie, I didn't mean to scare you. I just wasn't sure who was coming in here. Are you okay?" I asked as I sit up in my bed. She didn't say anything she just stood there looking at the floor; I could tell she was being shy. "Come and sit down on the bed with me." I said patting the spot in front of me for her to sit down. She smiled and ran over to sit in front of me. She must have been afraid that I was going to tell her to leave. "What's wrong Marlene? You seem like something is bothering you." I said after a few moments of silence. "I-I had a bad dream and I was wondering i-if I could stay in here with you?" Marlene said shyly. "Of course." I said with a smile, which brought one to her face. I moved over so she could have some room to lie down beside me and she crawled under the blanket. "Night Esmee." Marlene said with a yawn as she snuggled closer to me. I couldn't help but smile at how sweet she is. "Hail fair moon, Ruler of the night; Guard me and mine, Until the light." I whispered softly into her ear as I chant a dream spell on her. "Sweet dreams, Marlene." I said laying down and gently pull her close to me. Then I slowly fall into the world of dreams as well.
Dream
"Mr. Valentine?? Mr. Valentine??" An unknown voice cries out into the darkness. 'That voice, why does it sound so familiar?' I thought. 'Is this a dream?' I thought as I look around in the darkness, searching for the faces that belong to those voices. "Mr. Valentine, please say something!!" This unknown voice kept yelling. The voice was a kind and gentle voice being captured by the concern that overpowered it. You could tell that the voice was a girl. No. A woman. "Please tell my son, (cough) that...that I...am...sorry..." The second voice was a scratchy manly voice. It sounded as though he were choking. He paused in between words to catch his breath. "No...no Mr. Valentine. You must tell him yourself!!" The women kept yelling. Then as fast the voices came, they fade into the darkness. 'What is happening?? Could they talking about Vincent's father?? And if this is a dream, then why am I having a dream like this?' I thought as I freak out.
End of dream
I slowly opened my eyes to the light of the sun shining through my window. I look around me as I sit up slowly as everything that had happen in my dream comes flooding back into my mind. "So it was all a dream." I said in a small whisper. "Huh?" I heard Marlene say as she slowly sits up rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Oh nothing. You hungry? Why don't we go get something to eat?" I said and she nodded her head. We both got up and she left to go change out of her pj's. I shut the door behind her and put my shoes on and then did my normal morning route. The whole time all I could think about was the dream I had had. 'What was with that dream? It felt like I was reliving an event in time or something, and that voice. I feel like I've heard it before.' I thought as I finish brushing my hair and now I'm sitting on my bed just thinking about what the dream meant. "Esmee, are you coming?" Marlene said, causing me to snap out of my thoughts. "Yes, I'm coming." I said as I got up off my bed and grab my pouch and shove it into my pocket. Then I quickly put my hoodie on and walked out of my room. "Are Denzel and Lazul still asleep?" I ask her as we walk down the hall. "Lazul just woke up but Denzel is still asleep. He said he'll join us when Denzel wakes up." She explained. "Okay then, let's go make breakfast." I said as we neared the stairs. "Breakfast time." Marlene said happily as she grabbed my hand and pretty much pulled me to the kitchen. "Whoa take it easy. You're going to end up pulling my arm off." I said with a laugh. "Oh sorry." Marlene said. "It's alright. You didn't hurt me, I was just joking." I said giving her a smile. "I see someone woke up in a good mode." Tifa said as she walked in the kitchen. "Well when you're greeted by a face like this every morning, why wouldn't you." I said making Marlene look at Tifa. "You're right, she is a cutie." Tifa said with a laugh. "Hey Tifa, when's Cloud coming back?" Marlene asked as she sat down in one of the chairs by the table. "I don't know, he's been really busy lately." Tifa said. Marlene let out a sad sigh as she looks down at the table. "But, we might see him at the church when we go for a visit." Tifa said as she lifts her head up with her finder. "Really" Marlene said happily. "Yes, but not before we have breakfast." Tifa said, walking over to the stove to begin making some food. "Oh no you don't Tifa; today I'm making breakfast." I said as I walk towards her and take the pan from her hands. "It's alright, you don't have to. I've got it covered." Tifa protested. "Oh hush, it's the least I can do. Besides, I still need the practise." I said, ignoring her protests. Tifa finally gave up and let out a sigh. I had to hold a smile in when I knew that I had won. "So what would you like to eat, Marlene?" I asked as I stood in front of the ice box. "Bacon, eggs, and waffles!" Marlene said in an excited tone. "Okay, I'll try not to burn the bacon this time." I said, remembering the time Tifa taught me how to cook bacon. "What smells so good?" said a familiar voice. I looked over my shoulder, as I begin cooking, and see Lazul walking into the kitchen. "Lazul, morning. Where's Denzel?" I ask him as he jumps on the counter. "He's coming." He said as he walks closer to the food and sticks his nose in the air to smell the food. "Mmm, smell good; just don't burn the bacon this time Esmee." He said teasingly. "I won't, and you better not let any of your drool get into the food." I said as I shoo him away, causing Tifa and Marlene to laugh. As I prepare to flip the bacon, we hear tiered footsteps come down the stairs. We look and see Denzel walk into the kitchen with tired eye as he rubs his forehead. [Did his stigma act up last night?] I said worriedly into Lazul's thoughts. [No it didn't, but when he woke up he said that his head hurted a little. I guess when I left him to change; the pain must have doubled slightly.] Lazul said just as worried into my thoughts. "You okay Denzel?" Tifa asks worried as she walks towards his side. He shakes his tired head and weakly says, "No." "Why don't you go back to bed? I'll bring you breakfast when I finish." I said as I walk towards him. He looks at me and tiredly nodes his head. "And I promise not to burn the bacon again." I said with a chuckle, making him chuckle as well. Tifa and Lazul slowly lead him back up stairs and into his room. "I guess his stigma is getting worse." Marlene said sadly. "I guess." I said as I look at her sad expression. "But don't worry," I said as I walk towards her and gently pet her back. "There has to be a cure, so don't give up hope. Okay" I said smiling to her. "Right, I won't give up." She said encouraged by my words. "Good." I said as I gently pull her into a hug, which she returns fully. "So you want bacon, eggs, and waffles right?" I asked changing the subject. While I made the food Marlene and I talked for awhile, I even showed off my magical powers by making thing levitate at my command. Even though I been here for only a month, she is become the little sister I had always wanted. I finished making breakfast for Marlene, Tifa, and Lazul and for myself. As Marlene and I sent the table, Tifa comes into the kitchen with a sad expression on her face. "How is he?" I ask as she sits down next to Marlene. "His stigma is acting up again." She explains as I set a serving tray with his food. "Is Lazul with Denzel?" I ask her. "Yes, he wanted to stay with him." she said as she takes a bite of the food. "Wow, the bacon came out pretty good this time." Tifa said as she takes a bite of the bacon. "Hey I promised didn't I?" I said proudly as I also place Lazul's plate on the tray. "Back in a few." I said as I carry the tray up the stairs to Denzel's room.
At the kid's room
I knock twice before I speak, "Hey guys, can I come in?" I said as I wait for an answer. "Come in." Said Lazul's voice from the other side. I use my Tourmaline with my Souls Gem to open the door wide enough for me to walk through. "Hey little man, I bought got your food." I said as I close the door with my food and walk towards his bed. I place the tray down on the nightstand that separates the two beds. "How much does it hurt?" I ask as I sit down on his bed. "It hurts mainly in the center of my forehead." He said as he runs his hand through his caramel brown hair. I gently place one hand on his stigma and my other hand on my soul's gem, to create a link to his body to get a sense of his pain. When I found the link, I closed my eyes to concentrate. Suddenly, a sudden wave of negative energy surged from him to me. 'It's getting worse then I thought.' I thought as I disconnected the link and open my eyes to look at him. "Is it that bad?" he asks weakly. "No sweetie. But I will use Shea {Her Aquamarine} to take care of the pain." I said as I pull out my stone and place it on his stigma. "Jiva" {Heal} I said as my stone and eyes begin to glow the same color. After a few minutes, my stone and my eyes begin to dim as my spell has ended. "How is that, any better?" I ask as I gently run my hand through his hair. "A little, but I still feel weak." He said looking up at me with tired eyes. "Do you think you're well enough to eat?" I ask him. "I don't know." He said as he tries to sit up, but struggles. I put my hands behind his back and gently sit him up, having his back lean against the bedpost. "Maybe this will help." I said as I place my hand on his head. "Sana que sana, Colita de rana, Si no sanas hoy, Sanarás mañana." I wanted as I rub my hand in small circles on his head. When I finished the chant, I remove my hand and look at him. "Any better?" I ask as I take Lazul's plate off the tray and place it on the floor next to the bed. "A little. What was that, a magic spell?" he asks as I place his plate on his lap. "It's a healing lullaby." I said as I put my stone back in my pouch. "Esmee's mother would always sing it after she finished casting a healing spell." Lazul explains in between bites of his food. "What does it mean?" he asks as he takes a bite of the waffles. "In your language it means; Heal, heal, little tail of the frog, If you don't heal today, you'll heal tomorrow." I translated. {For those of you who know what the song really translate too, I'm sorry if I'm wrong} Suddenly Denzel begins to giggle. "That's funny." He said as he starts to laugh a little harder. "I always thought so too. I guess that's the power of the lullaby. I make you laugh the pain away." I said as I begin to laugh with him. "You're right, I almost forgot about the pain." Denzel said as he a bite of the bacon. "Hey, the bacon came out good." He said and then he takes another bite. "Good, I'm glad it's not burnt this time. Now I don't have to worry about losing my sense of taste." Lazul said as he takes a bite of his bacon. "Hey" I said offended by his comment, causing another laugh from Denzel. "Anyway, after breakfast we're going to Aerith's church. Are you up for a little trip?" I ask. "No, I want to stay here." He said as he shakes his head. "Are you sure?" I ask. "He can stay; I'll stay here and watch over him until you guys come back." Lazul said as he takes another bite of his food. "Okay, I'll let Tifa know." I said as I stand up. "When you finish, just give them to Lazul when you finish." I explained as I take the tray. "What why?" Lazul said surprised. "Consider this punishment for being a critic for my cooking." I said teasingly as I walk out the door back to the kitchen.
Back in the kitchen
"How is he?" Tifa asks worriedly. "He's a little better. I gave him his food so he can have some energy, but he wants to stay here. Lazul said he would watch over him while we're away." I explain as I sit down and eat my food. "Okay, I'm glad that Lazul is going to watch over him." Tifa said as she takes on last bite of her food. As I look back at my food, I notice that Marlene is shoving her food down her throat. "Slow down Marlene, or you'll upset your stomach." I said with a chuckle as I take another bite of my food. After a few minutes we finished our food. "Can we go see Cloud now?" Marlene asked as she jumps out of her seat and runs to the sink. "Yeah we can go see him now. You ready to go Esmee?" Tifa asked as she got up from the table. "Yeah." I said with a smile. I picked the plates up and placed them in the sink to let them soak while we're gone. Once we get back it'll be easier to clean them. "Come on Esmee! We're going to see Cloud!" Marlene said in a really excited voice, while she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the kitchen and down the stairs. I could hear Tifa behind me laughing at how Marlene was acting. We walked out through the bar. I had to hold Marlene back for a few minutes while we waited for Tifa to catch up with us. Marlene had pretty much run and I had to run too or she would have been dragging me. Which I found really funny how strong she is for a small child. "Tifa come on! I wanna go see Cloud." Marlene said, jumping up and down. "Alright, alright I'm coming." Tifa said walking out of the bar. "Hey Tifa, how are we going to get there?" I asked. "Well we could walk?" Tifa said. "Okay or we can go by magic." I said in a soft whisper. "Are you sure what if someone spot you?" Tifa said worried. I look around us for a moment and I spot an alleyway. "Follow me." I said as I gently lead them to the ally. When we got there, I look back and forth and I didn't see anyone. "So how are you going to take us there?" Tifa asks as I take out Líoch {Her Blue Zircon}. "I'm not, Marlene is." I said surprising her and Tifa. "But how, I don't have magical powers like you." She said. "True, but don't forget. I can lend you my powers." I said as I flip Zircon on his back and the bite my thumb, drawing blood. I write the symbol for transportation on the bottom. "Okay! Let's go!" Marlene said excited. "Now, Marlene." I said as I kneel down to her level. "I want you to hold this stone in your hand." I said as I gently take her hand in mine and place the stone in the palm of her hand, and then gently close it. "Now, I want you to close your eyes and picture the church in your mind." I instructed. When she closes her eyes, the summoning circle appeared scaring Tifa slightly, but she recovered and smiled at how Marlene is using my magic. "Alright, now I want you to picture us there." I said guiding her. She nodes her head as a smile appears on her face as she imagines her favorite place. Then I a flash of shy blue, we disappeared and in no time at all, we appeared outside of the church. "Wow." Tifa said surprised that we made it to the church. "Did I do it?" Marlene asks. "See for yourself." I said as I gently open her hand to take my stone back. When she opened her eyes, a big smile spread across her sweet face. "I did it." She said proudly as she jumps up and down with joy.
Aerith's church
As we step inside Marlene runs past me and Tifa and into the church. I stayed back at the door to get a better look around. The place was pretty; it had a huge flower garden at the back, filling the whole place with the smell of flowers. "Esmee, come and look at the flowers" Marlene said as she runs to me and drag me towards the flower bed. As she shows me the flowers our eyes spot a sleeping bag, a lantern, and other supplies. I catch a glimpse of sadness in Tifa's eyes as she looks at where we're looking. "Does Cloud live here?" Marlene asked as walks towards the stuff. "I guess he does." Tifa said as she joins Marlene, I walk behind her as we reach Marlene looking at all of the stuff. She spots a big silver box and runs towards it and runs her hands on the smooth surface. She looks up at Tifa and Tifa shakes her head, I guess she told Marlene not to open it. 'I wonder what's inside the box.' I thought as I walk towards it. As a place my hand on the box, I feel a spark of painful energy pinch my hand. "Materia." I said softly as I pull my hand back. Materia has a strange effect on my, it always feels like its repelling me. "Is Cloud sick?" I heard Marlene asked, I looked over at her and saw her holding a white piece of cloth. She was looking up at Tifa. "Why didn't he say anything?" Tifa said as I walk towards them. "Did he leave because he's sick?" Marlene asks looking up at Tifa. "It seems like he wants to fight alone." I said as I stand in between Tifa and Marlene. "Fight?" Marlene said as she looks between me and then at Tifa. "No, I don't think he will." Tifa mumbled, but I could barely hear it. "Tifa" I said as I gently place my hand on her shoulder. She looks at me with a gentle smile as she places her hand over mine. 'I guess, because she's so strong, we forget that she isn't affected by Cloud's absents.' I thought as I return her smile with mine. "Hey let's go home, Marlene." Tifa said. "No! Cloud's not here yet." Marlene said, stepping away from Tifa. "I know sweetie, I miss him too. So; say he comes back." She said with a gentle smile as she kneels down in front of her. "We'll all go home." Marlene said smiling up at Tifa. "Yeah, but not before he gets a lecture." Tifa said with a smile. "Yeah." Marlene said. A small laugh escape my lips as I watched Marlene run around playing with the flowers. I walked over to Marlene and sat down next to her. "Hey, what are you doing?" I asked looking at her. "Just making sure that all the flowers are doing well." Marlene said. "They're so pretty." I said as I gently touch one of the white flowers petals. "Yeah, they are." Marlene said sweetly. I was about to say something when the door to the church burst opened. I looked over at the door and I see a guy with short silver hair come walking in. Marlene stood up and went to run to the guy, but I grabbed her before she could get very far. "Where's mother?" The man said. He stood there for a moment just looking at Tifa; he hadn't realized just yet that Marlene and I are here as well. Then he looked around at the flowers and put his hand over his nose. "Gross." He said in a disgusted tone. "Hey, where's mother?" he asks one more time. "There's nobody here!" Tifa said in a rushed voice. "Fine, play with me?" The man said holding his hand out. "Esmee make sure you keep Marlene safe, okay?" Tifa whispered to me. "Okay." I said in a whisper also. I grabbed Marlene's hand and I took her to hide. That's when he sees us. The moment our eyes meet, I suddenly feel Amethyst pulse within my chest again, but slightly more painful than before. 'No, why is this happening again?' I thought as the same chill from before runs throughout my body again. My legs buckle again making me fall to my knees, causing me to accidentally pull Marlene down with me. "What's wrong, Esmee?" she asks worried as she clutches my shaking hand. "Well, aren't you a quiet jewel. I haven't seen you around these parts." Said the silver haired man. 'No, does he know who I am?' I thought as my heart skipped a beat. "Why are you here?" I said with as I clutch my chest as it pounds harder. "I'm her for Mother, but since I'm here I might as well go treasure hunting." He said with a sinister smirk as he walks towards us. "Esmee!" Tifa said jumping in between him and us. She punches him in the face sending him flying towards the door, but he recovers. I nodded my head and push my pain down and turn my attention to Marlene. I picked her up and ran as fast as I could to find a hiding spot. When we found a spot, I put Marlene down and pulled out my pouch. I take out Dia {Her Diamond}, and use my blood to draw the symbol of protection. "Kaara" {Protect} I whispered. Diamond glowed along with my eyes, connecting me to my stone and telling it what I need it to do. "Marlene, no matter what. I want you to hold onto this stone." I said as I take one of her shaking hands. "Why?" she asks through her tearful voice. "It will protect you. As long as you have this stone, nothing will hurt you." I said with a gentle smile to comfort her. She nodes her head and takes the stone. Just then a large crash is heard throughout the church. I quickly take Marlene in my arms, covering her from the falling ruble. Suddenly Tifa tells us it's safe to come out. "Nice work T, that didn't take-" I started to say when we came from our hiding place, but stopped mid-sentence when we heard a cell phone ringing. We all looked around for where that sound is coming from. We all looked over at where that man fell and he threw everything that was holding him down off of him. He then stood up and pulled a cell phone out of his pocket. "She's not here. I'm not crying! No I got it, I'll bring the girl. Also I believe I found our precious stone; yeah I know what to do." The man said then hung up his phone. "Now where were we?" He said adjusting his weapon on his arm. Tifa got in a fighting stance and then suddenly, the man kicked something at her. She flung her arm up right when it was about to hit her, causing whatever it was that he had thrown at her to burst into a million pieces. But then everything seemed to happen really fast. The man suddenly disappearing and reappearing right behind Tifa and in front of Marlene and me. I gasped when he used his wrist thing and shot Tifa with electricity, sending her flying forward. He did that a few times until she just couldn't stand anymore. I watched as he walked over to Tifa. 'Alright, that's it!' I thought as my anger begins to rise. I pull out my rod and expand it to its full length. Just as I'm about to attack, Marlene threw something at him. It was quite funny really, because it ended up smacking him right in the head. "Good work Marlene. Now it's my turn." I said as I take my stance in front of her. Just as he begins turning around I jump and prepare to smack his head with my staff, but unfortunately he dodged it. "Where do you think you're going?!" I said harshly as swing my staff left and right at him. But every time he dodges them. "You're good; I see why he wants your power." The man said from behind me. Somehow he had managed to get behind me and used his weapon on me. I let out a shout as I felt a shock go through me. I fall down onto my knees and watched as he came closer and closer to me. "Even though I don't want to damage our jewel, I gotta do this just in case you decided to attack me again." Just after he said that he sent another shock through me, but this one was a lot stronger than the first one he did. 'No, not again.' I thought as I see Marlene running towards me "Just run." I said weakly as I feel myself fall into darkness.
thanks for making it this far in my story. i really appreciate it everyone.
