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.


Arthur's P.O.V
"What did you find?" Lazul asks as he jumps on Vincent's shoulder. "This" Vincent said as he shows him. "It's tainted materia." Vincent said to Lazul. "I knew it," Lazul said sternly as he jumps off Vincent's shoulder and grabs Shea and Tenar to redo the healing and restoring spell. "Huh?" said Vincent. "We've discovered that Esmee and her powers are very sensitive around your materia," Lazul said. "What do you mean sensitive?" Vincent asks. "We've learned that Esmee's powers are similar to your world's materia in many ways. And since they're so alike, they repel each other. Like connecting the same sides of a magnet." Lazul explains as he redoes the healing and restoring spell to revive Esmee. "So why did she suddenly have this sudden outburst of pain?" Vincent asks. "It happened because of the Tenar. You see, Tenar not only restores her powers, but it also represents the pure and innocents of Esmee's heart." Lazul said as he begins to explain. "Since you said this is a tainted material, it reacted to the purity of the Tenar." Lazul finished explaining as he continues with the spells. "I see," Vincent said in his usual monotone voice as he understands what Lazul said. "There, the spell is finished," Lazul said as the two stones light begin to fade as the light from Esmee's body and stone begin to fade. "Now she'll be able to rest peacefully," Lazul said as he places the two stones on her nightstand and jumps off the bed. "Good," Vincent said with a sigh of relief in his voice. "Let's leave her to sleep," Lazul said as he walks towards the door and uses his powers to open the door, leaving Vincent alone with a sleeping Esmee. 'I'm glad you're okay Esmee.' Vincent thought as he gently brushes a strand of stray hair away from her face. As he slowly pulls his hand away, he looks at her sleeping face one more time before leaving her side, so she can rest.
Esmee's POV
Dream
"You see Esmee the pain you cause to the ones around you." Said the voice I heard before. 'I never wanted to cause pain to anyone.' I said sadly as I place my hand over my heart and I clutch my hoodie. "Do you really want to bring such pain to your friends?" Said the other voice I heard before. 'I tried to protect them. I tried but-' I said back as I remembered the fight with Kadaj and his brothers. "But you didn't, you field." The two voices said together in almost in perfect harmony. "Just like that day" the other voice said in a cruel and cold tone. 'That day' I said in a very faint whisper. "Don't tell me you forgot about that day?" Said the familiar voice. 'How could I ever forget?' I said as the darkness that surrounded me changed and I'm standing outside their house. "You left them." Said first voice in the darkness. 'I meant to leave for a moment; I was going to come back.' I said as images of their death flash before my eyes. "You abandoned them." Said the second voice. 'But I-' I started but I'm cut off as the images change to Richard's death scene. As I watch my memories replay before my eyes, I hear his final words and I feel as if my heart shattered into millions of pieces. "That day, you brought such horrible pain to that innocent family." The second voice said. 'I didn't mean too.' I said as I feel a tears fall down my face. "Your hands are just as tainted as ours, little blood stone." Said the two voices together in perfect harmony. 'Stop' I whispered as I feel tears beginning to fall from my eyes. "Blood stone" The second voice said coldly. 'Stop it' I said a little louder as I feel myself beginning to tremble. "Blood stone" the first voice said in an arrogant and mocking voice. 'Just stop it!' I cried out as I clutch my hands over my ears and fall to me knees as a bright light forms in my chest and then extinguishes the darkness around me. Then everything around me turns white.
End of dream
I slowly opened my eyes to the light of the sun shining through the window hitting my eyes. 'Where am I..?' I thought as I touch my chest where I feel the pain, but then I remembered. 'Kadaj took Amethyst from my chest.' I thought as I look around, suddenly something sweet fill my nose. I look to my right and see the same flowers I saw at Aretha's church. "These flowers." I said in a small whisper as I reach out to touch them. "Glad to see you're awake?" Said a familiar deep voice. I look my left and see Vincent sitting in a chair next to my bed. "Vincent, where am I?" I ask him as I look around. "We're in your room at the bar." He said as he sits up on his chair. "Denzel!?" I said remembering what happened. As I try to sit up a wave of pain impulses from my chest and spread throughout my body. "Well it's good to see your energy has returned." Vincent said as he stands up and stands next to me by my bed. "You shouldn't be moving around so much. Lazul said that you will feel some pain after the spells he performed." Vincent said as he places his hands on my shoulders and gently lays me back down on my bed. "I see; where is everybody?" I ask him. "Tifa, Marlene and Lazul are out looking." He said as he sits next to me on my bed. "And Cloud?" I ask looking up at him. He doesn't say anything but looks away from me. "I see" I said with a disappointed sigh. "So Esmee; why are crying?" Vincent asks as he looks back at me. 'What?' I thought surprised by his words. Suddenly, he reaches his gloved hand and gently whips something away from my eyes. When he pulls his hand back, I look and see a teardrop on his finger. "When did I-" I said as I raise my hand to my face and feel a small stream of tears fall from my eyes. "You've been crying in your sleep. Bad dream?" he asks as he looks down at me. "I guess" I said as I wipe my tears away. "What happened?" he asks. "I-I don't know, all I remember is hearing voices. One of them spoke in an argent and mocking voice and the other. Its voice was cold and heartless, like it had no soul." I explained as I remembered my dream. Suddenly something catches my eyes, I look and see what I'm guessing is his keychain. "The guardian of the underworld, Cerberus." I said as I reach out for the keychain and gently hold it in my hand. "Yeah, that's the name of my gun." Vincent said explains. 'Gun' I thought as I remembered our battle. When we fought, I had a flashback of what happened four years ago. "It looks really cool." I said with a smile as I look up at him. I notice a small blush paint his cheeks, even though his cloak covers most of his face. Just before Vincent could answer, the sound of the bar door opens and we hear movement as well. "I guess their back." Vincent said as we look at my door. "Sounds like it." I said. As I try to get up, I feel a wave of pain rush throughout my body again but this time it's not as painful as before. "You shouldn't try to get up." Vincent said as I feel his hands on my shoulders again. "It's alright-" I said as I place my left hand on his gold claws. "It's not as painful as before." I explain as I look at him reassuringly. He looks at me for a moment and then he let's go of my shoulder. "Besides, I want to help with the search. I have to get Amethyst back and under my control." I said as I pull back the covers and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. "Alright" Vincent said as he steps back a little to give me some room. As I prepare to stand up, a black gloved hand reaches out to me. I look up and see its Vincent's hand; I gladly accept and he gently helps me to my feet but as I stand all the way up, I feel my knees buckle. Just before I come crumbling to the floor, he catches me and I fall into his warm and soft chest. "I'm sorry; I guess my legs aren't as awake as I am." I said as I look up at him embarrassed. "Don't be, I'm glad I was able to catch you before you fell." He said as he looks down at me with his beautiful red eyes. I didn't look into his eyes, fearing that I could get lost in them. "Thanks" I said with a smile as I summon the courage look up at him, which he returns with a nod. "Alright, let's go" he said, suddenly I feel myself being lifted off my feet, by Vincent holding me bridal style. "What are you-" I said surprised and embarrassed at the same time. "This way; you won't push yourself too hard." He said as he carries me out of my room and into the hall ways. "I'm sure I can walk on my own." I said still embarrassed as I hold onto the front of his cloak. "I don't want you to hurt yourself even more." He said as we reached the stairs. 'It's strange; until now...I never knew how warm he is.' I thought as I feel my face warm up a little as he carries me down the stairs and into the bar.
At the bar
"Look who's awake." Vincent said as he walks in with me in his arms. "Esmee!" Everyone said as they walk towards us. "How are you feeling?" Tifa asks worriedly. "I'm alright, just a little sour." I said with a smile to reassure her. "Good; we were afraid you wouldn't wake up." Tifa said as she lets out a sigh of relief. "Really, how long have I been out?" I ask as Vincent sets me down on one of the chairs and then walks towards the wall and leans against it. "Five days." Lazul said as he changes to his true form and sits on the table while Marlene sits in the chair next to me. "What; I've been out for five days!?" I said surprised. "Esmee; I made breakfast earlier. Would you like some?" Tifa asks over the counter. "Yes please." I said over my chair. "Coming up" She said with her hostess smile and walks into the kitchen. "Any news about Denzel and his where abouts or where Kadaj and his gang?" I ask as I wait for my food. "Nothing. I've tried everything from my tracking skills to search spells, but still no sign of Denzel or Kadaj and his gang." Lazul explains. "Here you go Esmee." Tifa said as she places my plate in front of me. "Thanks Tifa; this smells great." I said as I take in the smell of her food. "I bet they're using Amethyst to hide themselves and if that's the case then I can use a detecting spell to pinpoint their location." I explained in between bits. "No; you just woken up after five days and your magic is still out of balance. If you try to use your magic now, you'll pass out again or wears." Lazul said sternly. "Five days." I said as I take in their words. "Was it really that long?" I said as I look down at my food. "Yeah, we thought that you'd sleep forever." Tifa said as she joins us at the table. "For a moment; I thought you were turning into Sleeping Beauty." Marlene said as I take a sip of my water. "I was going to ask Vincent to kiss you." She said suddenly, making me choke on my water. "Wait what?" I ask in between coughs as I'm caught off guard by her answers. "Yeah in the story; the only way to wake up Sleeping Beauty is that she was kissed." Marlene explains. "Yes well, she was kissed by her true love. I haven't found my true love yet." I said as I look back down at my food. I'm too nervous to look at Vincent now. "Why Vincent, Marlene?" Lazul asks. "Well, since he never left Esmee's side since she's been sleeping." Marlene said innocently. "Really, you've stayed by my side since then?" I ask shyly as I feel my face heat up again as I look at him. "Yes" he said as he looks at me for a moment and then looks back down at the ground. As he turns away, my eyes spot a small hint of blush paint his flawless face. I couldn't help but blush too. "Thank you Vincent and I'm sorry if I inconvenienced you." I said as I turn my head away as I feel my face heat up even more. "You didn't Esmee, I didn't mind." He said still looking down at the floor. "Still, thank you." I said as I smile at him. "Don't mention it." He said as he stands up and walks towards the door. "Tifa, where can I buy a phone?" he asks. {I know he says this later, but for it to fit with my story I need him to say this line now.} "There is a shop a few blocks away." She said as she takes my plate away. "Thanks" he said and then left. "Oh my god, I can't believe that happened." I said as I rest my head on the table. "What?" Marlene asks. "I can't believe what you said about Vincent kissing me. Why did you say that?" I said as I look up at her as while my face heats up again. "I thought it would make since, since you love Vincent because he's saved your life like the prince in the fairytale." She explains innocently, not understanding what she did wrong. "That's true but; the prince was in love with Sleeping Beauty, I'm not sure how Vincent feels about me." I explain to her. "I see" She said as she looks down at the table sadly. "It was a good idea, thank you Marlene." I said as I get up and rub her head playfully. "You're welcome" she said as she smiles at me. "Oh and thank you for the flowers Marlene, I love them." I said as I hug her. "Flowers; I only picked one." she said surprised. "What?" I said surprised. "Yeah, I picked a yellow." She explains. "Then who gave me the white one?" I said wondering who. "Lazul, did you?" I ask him. "No" he said. "Maybe Tifa gave it to you." Marlene said. "Maybe" I said still thinking. "Maybe what?" Tifa asks as she walks back into the bar with use. "I woke up this morning and I found flowers by my bed. I found out that Marlene gave them to me, but she only gave me one and we're trying to figure out who gave me the second one. Did you?" I said as I look at her. "No" she said. "That's really strange." I said surprised. "Well it could have been one of our other friends." Tifa said as she picks up some of the used cups. "You may be right." I said as I help her carry some of the cups to the kitchen and help her wash the dishes. "Can I help?" Marlene asks sweetly. "Sure. I'll pass you the dishes and you dry them." I explain as I hand her a drying cloth. "Alright." She said energetically. After about five minutes we had the dishes clean and put away. "Are you going to have another search?" I ask Tifa as I dry my hands. "Yes" she said as she dries her hands. "Good, cause I want to help." I said as I walk out the kitchen to the stairs. "No Esmee, you need to stay here and rest some more." She said as she and Marlene follow me. "I'll be fine. I don't feel any more pain. Besides having another pair of eyes will make the search more successful." I said as we all walk to my room. "Good point." She said with a deep sigh as she admits defeat. "Besides, I'll be with you three this time." Lazul said as he enters my. "See" I said as I get dress and strap my rod and pack my jewels. "Let's go" I said. Then we leave my room and head out into the city.
Outside the bar
We searched down many alley ways and abandoned buildings for anything that could be a clue to find Denzel or Kadaj. After about fifteen minutes we haven't found anything. "Again, we find nothing that will help us find them." Lazul said disappointedly as we head back to the bar. "The day isn't over yet. We still have some time." Tifa said as she and Marlene lead us back to the bar. "We'll find him. I know we will." Marlene said encouragingly. "Marlene's right. We can't give up. We just need to-" I said suddenly I feel a sudden wave of energy flow past me and it pulses through my body. 'This feeling...It's him.' I thought. Suddenly I fall to my knees clutching where chest where Kadaj stole Amethyst. "Esmee?!?" Everyone said as they circle around me. "Something's happening in the square. It's them." I said as I stand up shakily. "Are you sure?" Tifa said surprised by my words. "Yes, Kadaj is using Amethyst and I can feel its power." I explain as I regain control of my body. "Alright then; Tifa and I will check it out. Esmee you and Marlene will go back to the bar until we get there with Denzel." Lazul said. "No way; I want to help." I said refusing. "No, you can't get involved with your powers acting the way they are now. You'll hurt your body even more." Lazul said sternly. "Fine" I said giving up. "Alright. Tifa let's go" Lazul said as he transform into his tiger form. Tifa climbs on and they run into the direction of the city square. 'What can I do?' I thought as I gently take Marlene's hand in mine. "Let's go Marlene." I said looking down at her. "Esmee!" Cried a voice from behind us. We back and see Cloud driving up to us. "What are you two doing out here?" he asks. "I can't explain right now, something strange is going on at the square. Lazul and Tifa left to check it out. "I see. Both of you hop on, I'm taking you both to the bar. You'll be safe there." Cloud said as he turns of his engine. "No you take Marlene to the bar, I'm going to help you guys find Denzel. Powers or not" I said as I pick up Marlene and place her behind Cloud and turn to follow Tifa and Lazul. "No Esmee, you're in no conditions to fight with your magic acting up. It's not safe for you." He said as he grabbed my wrist stopping me halfway. "But I-" I said but he cuts me off. "I understand but please listen. I want you make sure you watch Marlene okay?" Cloud said as he lets go of my wrist. "Alright." I said giving up again. I mount his bike and we ride off. When we arrived, I help Marlene off and then Cloud takes off to the square. "I'm not sitting this out." I said as I clutch my fists. I run to my room and strap my rod to my leg and grab my pouch. Just as I'm about to leave my room, I remembered I brought something from my world that could help. I dig into my bag and found them; heads {I made up the name; there arrowheads.} "Esmee" Said a voice from behind me. I look and see Marlene. "Marlene I want you to stay here. This is all my fault, I have to help Cloud." I said; she gives me a worried look. "Don't worry about me, I promise we'll bring Denzel back and we'll set things right." I said with a smile. She nodded her head okay. "Alright, let's do this." I said. I give her a big hug and then head towards the square.


alright! things are starting to pick up. soon he will return.
thanks for making it this far.