Bahamut's Temple

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in this. Square Enix owns the characters from ff7. The Oc belongs to a friend. Beyond this point maybe gammer and spelling errors. I don't have the time or help to fix this. Making this story is more for my own health benefit. I do hope others enjoy this terrible fanfic.

Chapter 1

The airship Shera glided through the clouds, fast and graceful. One of the more amazing pieces of tech that few understood fully. Her pieces seem to go back to the time of the Cetra, yet not much now can match her. Just as few can match the man piloting her. Cid is at his happiest being at her helm. His destination was the rebuilt WRO headquarters. His crew has been quite busy and they just finished the last job, giving every a much-needed break. Bringing her to a smooth landing, he can see the grins on his people's faces. Can't blame them, as they've been kept busy for a few months. It was not constant work, as they had days of rest here and there, but no real downtime for them to visit family unless they were in the immediate area. Now things have settled, they all can take a break. Deepground was no longer a threat and no signs of Sephiroth reappearing. Things seem to be calmed down.. and he should be happy.

Yet, Cid really wasn't excited to be going home. There were no real threats at home... Just his wife. She was not cruel or abusive. Shera is also okay to live with. In fact, he feels like an ass for being gone so long. Just... he really loves to be in the air. He has to wonder why he married her or how the ceremony went. There are no pictures of the wedding. All he can recalls was getting very drunk and depressed.

Back then, people were getting sick, including Shera with something called Geostigma. His airship Highwind took on too much damage to be used. That left making a new airship. Even then, they weren't certain what to use for fuel as mako was not a choice. Cid spent his time overseeing the construction of the ship and taking care of Shera. The only problem he couldn't readily fix was what form of fuel he could use for the new airship. Another issue, perhaps only for him, Vincent had no phone and went north. Everyone else had the decency to get a damn phone. day, Perhaps it was a blend of missing Vincent and wondering if Shera would survive her illness that left Cid depressed. So, he drank a bit, well a lot, more than he should have. The next day, he woke up with a wedding ring in his hand and a hell of a hangover. That was also the last time he got that wasted.

He couldn't bring himself to divorce her. Shera was still very sick and but seemed happy to be his wife. Once Cloud dealt with the Sephiroth spawn, Aerith gave the world a healing rain... Cid brought her back with him to the church and carried her into the waters. It was wonderful to watch her get healed.

Then Deepground happened. Cid only got involved near the end of Vincent's investigation. After Shera's rough (crash) landing, Cid went out, by himself, and did his best to take out one of the mako reactors. He got a chance to have a cigarette and cheer Chaos on as he fought Omega. Then Vincent up and disappeared ...again. Cid knew where he is in one of two places, but left the guy alone, till a month later even he agreed it was time to find his vampiric ass. Where else would Vincent go but back to that damn bitch in a crystal. Cid was no fan of Lucrecia. All she does is sit in her crystal and apologize. The couple times he has gone in with Vincent, he swears he could hear her voice, despite the fact her lips never move. The thing that pisses him off the most: Vincent still loves her.

As the crew departs, Cid lingers on the bridge and stares down at the symbol of lady Luck on the floor. Most;y just thinking about his life. Once, he would rather be married to someone he really loved. With the many months of silence, he figured the closest thing he'll get to being loved is from Shera. Sometimes a guy has to take what he can get. The crew is well gone when Cid snaps back to the present. Expecting to be alone, he startled when he finally notices Vincent.

Cid growls, " *&^# I need to bell you! "

Vincent smiles slightly, " Chief. "

Cid sigh, " You so love trying to give me a heart attack. " But can't stay mad at the taller man. Cid just laughs and he walks over for a proper greeting " You're such a dick. So what brings you here? "

Vincent, " Checking on you. I hear the whole crew have been put on break, " Cid knows Vincent is really checking to see if he is well. " You need to take a break, too. " Perhaps he does ." Heading home? "

Cid sighs, " Yeah, where else would I go? I have to catch a flight there cause my plane is still in Rocket Town. God forbid I let them jokers pilot her. "

Vincent, " You trusting someone else to pilot? Are you well? " Place the back of his right hand to Cid's brow.

Cid playfully smacks it away, " Ha ha! Just so you know I'm Meteor proof, Crashproof, and maybe bulletproof! "

Vincent just hums a bit, " It has been a while since I stopped by for a beer. Is the offer is still open? "

Cid smiles big. He can't help but feel warmth in his chest, " Vince, you know they offer is always open for you. I need to get to my shit and catch my ride home. " This makes going home seem a bit more appealing. He wanted to show Vincent how much Rocket Town has grown.

Vincent, " Then I shall see you in a few days. "

Cid goes to catch his ride home. Normally he would have his own plane waiting for him, but he left it at Rocket Town, as he didn't need to use it. Rocket Town was where they fixed The Shera after the Deepground Incident. He was either on her or taking short breaks close by. Reeve was kind enough to find him a quick ride. A new guy he never saw before comes leads him to the plane. It's a craft made for taking well-to-do passengers. Cid heads over and climbs inside. This may have been a private plane for one of the Shinra Executives. The passenger cabin is a comfortable size with very nice seats. The man who came to fetch him is heading for the cockpit. Cid just makes himself at home.

The pilot pauses at the door, " Looking forward to going home, sir? "

Cid, " I guess. Are you one of the new pilots we just got? "

The pilot just grins, " Yeah, but I'll get you where you need to go, sir. It's not often I get to fly a hero!"

Cid jokes, " Well, let me know if ya meet one. " The plane takes off only a little rough. Cid isn't really in a chatty mood, so just settles back. Once in the air, this plane is a smooth ride well, for something small. The air smells a little funny. Then his head starts feeling thick and his eyelids heavy. Not long before he passes out.

Cid finds himself waking up with a headache and in a bad mood. So he starts trying to get his bearings. His wrists are tied behind his back, his ankles tied together and he was left on the floor. He is also no longer on a plane but in a building. The room is a bit smaller, with what looks like shelves, dust, and old cans. Only a small bulb above him to give him light. Maybe a walk-in pantry. Cid does some squirming, managing to pull his hands under his butt and eventually to the front. Then searches his boots for a small knife. With that, he frees his hands and ankles. Reaches up to get a cigarette to notice he no longer has his goggles and thus no cigarettes. Fuck! Hides the knife again. Would be a shame to lose it when he isn't out of trouble yet.

Slowly he peeks out the pantry. Finds a kitchen that has only been recently used. The only surfaces used are the places they needed to use. Looks out a window to find eerily familiar buildings. Nibelheim? It was no longer quite the ghost town with the mercenaries walking around. Why the hell would someone abduct him to this dusty shithole? It's bad enough he has a headache from hell and no smokes to calm his nerves. Cid bets someone said 'grab the blond one ' and they grabbed him instead of Cloud. So he carefully checks to see who is in the next room. There are three men. Two of them look like guards. The third is reading a small novel. A fourth person enters the house. Looks a bit like a nerd to him.

The nerd, " Is the dragoon still asleep? " Dragoon? Well, it's not Cloud they after. Dammit.

Man with a book, " Probably. I have him tied up in the kitchen. "

The nerd, " You left him alone in the kitchen? Whatever. Just take him to the mansion. Kick him awake if you must. "

Cid looks for another door. Spots one and hurries inside. Finds himself in a laundry room with a window. The window though is a little smaller than the others but maybe he can squeeze out. Lovely... Cid doesn't have the time to look for something better. He can already hear the Mr. Bookman yelling for his goons to find him. He climbs outside and is between two buildings It's not long before the whole group of mercenaries is hunting for him. Some spot him, so Cid just summons his spear and easily takes them down. Doesn't care why they brought him here, just getting the fuck away. Cid made use of his ability to jump to on top of the buildings. After leading the search parties for a goose chase, he spots a helicopter. He can work with that!

As he jumps down, trying to discreetly make his way to the copter when he is stopped by people wearing a slightly different uniform. Cid hopes that, if he can defeat them quickly, no one will be drawn to the fight. Their expressions are blank and yet their reflexes are that of someone enhanced. They remind him of something but can't put a finger on it. His blows are blocked. Some of their swings missing. It's been a while since he had to actually for the win. Cid digs deeper into his skills to take two of them down. Facing the last one and knows the others are coming right for him. Then he hears a noise at the entrance of the town. Two large beasts with clubs, staring in his direction. Creatures he has only heard of during the war... Anti-soldier weapons. His assumption these were mercenaries may be wrong. The helicopter door slides open and a voice orders the helmeted man to a halt.

The man, who steps out, " Impressive, Commander Highwind. Not many can take on three Ravens. " Well, that explains that!

Cid, not impressed, " So you know me. Now, who the fuck are you? "

The man is dressed in a very fine suit and coat. " You may call me Myth. " His hair thick black with some curls. His sunglasses make it hard to see his eyes.

Cid doubts that's the guy's real name. Unless his parents were cruel. " I'm going to be taking that helicopter. I suggest you move it. " He can hear others approaching him now.

Myth holds up a finger, " I can see you are a capable man... But I was making a very special call. A friend of mine has made friends with your wife." Holds up the cellphone so Cid can see the screen. Shera in a chair with a gun to her head. " He does have such an itchy trigger finger. Stop fighting us or she dies. "

Cid curses under his breath. Even if he did escape or kill this guy, Shera will be shot. He may not be madly in love with her but he does care. Cid sticks the spear in the ground, " Fine... I'll play along for now. " With guns trained on him, Cid gets his wrists handcuffed behind his back. Mr. Book lover and the nerd also arrive.

Myth just gives a smile that reminds Cid of a snake, " We are going to make such good friends. " Says something into the phone before hanging up. "Let's have to take a stroll to the mansion. "

Cid really wishes he had a cigarette to smoke right now. Or something for his headache. He follows the man to the mansion. One guard also holds the door open for them both. " Why the hell do you want me? As ya pointed out... I'm just a *&^$ normal human! " Cid is also hoping they aren't heading to the creepy-ass basement.

Mythos, " But you are special. A descendant of an ancient family. A dragoon whose bloodline has been blessed by Bahamut himself. You are the only one who can help us with our mission. " They end up in the music room. He can see chairs, a small table with a box, gloves, and another container with materia.

Cid is forced into a chair, "Blessed by Bahamut. Bullshit! " Never felt blessed one damn moment of his life. Takes a look at the materia in the container. Each one is a summon materia.

Mythos, " Do you even know what grand heritage is in your blood? Likely not. Your father was a shameful alcoholic. Apathetic, black sheep. Let's just say you are the key to something far greater. I would have preferred your full cooperation, but that is not likely going to happen. You are a fighter, Highwind, and while I respect that, I can't risk you escaping, again." Nods to the Nerd. " Is the slave crown ready, Jonas? "

The nerd apparently named Jonas, " Yes, sir. I shall apply it. "

Jonas went over to a box and pulled out what looks like more a very lovely circlet with a small materia set in it. Not Cid's idea of a crown. Carefully slipped it on his head. The circle seems to adjust its size so as not to fall off. Then he activated it. Cid's mind starts to get hazy. Its like being drugged. Cid tries to fight it with everything he has and making his head hurt worse Feels as if he was slowly becoming miles away from his body and numb. Despite his efforts, he loses the fight. Both men look fascinated by his struggle. They just wait till he relaxes with a blank look on his face.

Jonas, " That is the longest I seen anyone fight it. "

Myth, " He is a strong-willed man. Now, let's test it. Highwind, stand up, and hop on one foot? " Cid's body does as commanded. . " Excellent. You can stand still now. " Has the handcuffs removed, as they were no longer necessary. " Please remove your coat and shirt. " Cid slides the coat off and then pulls his shirt off, revealing his well-toned body. " First, a small spell. " Casts Libra to keep track of his health. Myth puts some gloves on before removing a strange materia from the second box. He places it over Cid's heart. The matreia seems to glow before sinking into his chest. " It seems we have the right brother this time! "

Even with the gay crown, Cid was able to hear those around him and it confuses him. The only brother he ever had was Merlin and... well, he died years ago.

Myth pulls the containers close to Cid and proceeds to pull out materia. One for the stomach and one for each shoulder. If Cid could think clearly, he would have noted how his body feels hot with each materia being placed inside him. " These summon are all based around Bahamut. I hope you don't mind holding these for a while. " He has never put materia inside himself before. Normally he has gear or weapons that hold them. " Now let's add in the last two. "

~ To be continued