Final Fantasy VII: The Children
Raised in the Shadow of Shinra
Chapter 1: Nightmare
The storm outside was bad, rain smacked the windows in sheets, lightning flashed and thunder roared. But inside the two-story house, its occupants were snug and warm, a tall blonde man sitting in front of a desk in the den, filing some long-neglected paperwork, a slender woman with long brown hair tied into a ponytail with a red ribbon stood in front of a sink, washing dishes. Just looking at the pair, one would never guess that they were anything but an ordinary couple after an enjoyable dinner. If one were to look closely, however, they would see that the paperwork was headed with the Shinra Company logo, a trio of swords were hung over the fireplace, and both young adults were muscled, much like statues of Greek gods.
As another roar of thunder shook the house, the man looked up at the four-year-old child who had just walked down the stairs.
"What's wrong? I thought you liked the lightning?" the man asked, scooping the small child onto his lap.
"Not the lightning." The child replied, pointing at the window. "Something bad's out there."
The woman walked around the counter and took the child into her arms, smoothing his spikey blonde hair as she did.
"It's all right, little one." The woman whispered, taking the child back up the stairs and toward the bed that awaited.
As mother and child ascended the steps, the man rose from his desk and retrieved the katana from atop the mantle.
"You don't think he's right, do you, Cloud?"
Cloud turned and looked at his wife, seeing the worry on her face. And the fighting gloves bound to her hands.
"I don't know," he finally admitted, turning his attention back to the katana in his hands. "But I intend to be ready if he is."
Almost as if on cue, the front door crashed open, and multiple armed men stormed inside, waving heavy automatic rifles at Cloud and Tifa. Behind them strode in a bespectacled man in a white lab coat.
"Well, Mister and Misses Strife, isn't this a pleasure." The man cackled as he crossed the threshold, a superior smirk on his face.
"Hojo," Cloud growled out, almost daring to lash out at the scientist. "What are you doing here?"
Hojo merely laughed at the SOLDIER First Class.
"What am I doing here? It's rather simple." He stated, after regaining his composure. "I want the power you stole from me, that you and your traitorous comrades stole from me all those years ago…"
Before Hojo could continue his tirade, Tifa jumped past the guards at the scientist, a scream of rage tearing from her. Neither she or Cloud ever reached Hojo.
--Six Years Later, Icicle Area—
The same blonde-haired blue eyed boy, now 10, sat up in bed with a start. Outside his window, a midnight snowstorm was raging. Inside, he was soaked in sweat, his heart was racing. Feeling around him with his mind, he felt only the familiar minds of Zack and Aerith, both asleep, the subtle and gentle feel of the herbs and flowers in the greenhouse, and the sharp pinpoint of light that made up his sword.
Calmer now, the child was able to think clearly again. It was a dream. He thought to himself. Just a memory, a horrible memory…
The boy once again fell into the warm embrace of sleep.