Just Keep Smiling

Verisimilitude

Cloud awoke his abdomen and jaw were sore he was almost sure he had awoken more than once only to be knocked out again. Now that he thought about it his whole body was sore, but he couldn't feel anything. It slowly came to him, but it was hard to believe any of it had happened. He remembered he was at the cliff remembering the fallen SOLDIER. Cloud for a moment felt as if his thoughts took a physical form; his friend was there as if his death was just a dream- a false memory. An exchange of words and what Zack did next was completely out of character. Seeing his friend was a shock, but being attacked by him caught him completely off guard.

It took Cloud a while, but he was finally able to open his eyes. They both stood there staring echos of who they were. Zack had that grin and Aerith her small smile, but their eyes were void of anything... human.

"Mako isn't just a power source Cloud one who truly understands mako and lifestream can be a god among men."

Cloud had never heard the voice before, but he knew whoever it was was behind everything that was happening.

"I just want a world for my daughter to live peacefully, where there are no more puppets to harm her. I just want you and your friends to join my cause. And to think... it all comes down to one child."

The man paused and studied Cloud his hand on the shoulder of this 'doll' that looked like Aerith. The two of them were looking at Cloud, but they didn't see him. It was almost as if they were looking past him and for a split second he saw them. It was as if for a second the two remembered who they were, but Cloud could just be hallucinating.

Cloud tried to move, but it was in that moment he realized he was chained up against the wall. He tried to push his way through it, but all attempts were futile.

"I never introduced myself I am Professor Gast Faremis. You already know my daughter Aerith and of course your dear friend Zack.. or at least their shells. No worries though I'll make sure you at least live to see their full return to life."

The professor turned his back and waved towards the two. And waved as if signalling them to proceed. Cloud didn't even have time to process the fact that this man was Aerith's father. But it struck him as odd. Where had this man been this whole time? Why was he here now? There was no time for Cloud to think something was about to happen and Zack's words only confirmed his suspicions.

"If ya don' struggle and accept it you can at least help us return to this world. Don' worry bro I'll take good care of your family when you're gone. The other side ain' that bad."

Zack's lips curled into it's signature smile, but without the playful glint in his eyes it was hallow and demented. Zacks arms slumped on Aerith as she placed her hand on the materia. There was a brief glow and a slight crack. He watched as she brought the fragment to him. She was close, but Cloud had never felt farther away from the girl he once thought he loved. Maybe he still did, he couldn't be too sure, but whatever abomination stood before him... he had to see past the emerald eyes once they shone bright of mischief and innocence, but now they stared dead and cold. Her hand went to his chest- his flesh burned and his chest seized with pain. He felt the shard sink into his skin, the pain was unimaginable and within seconds Cloud was fading out of consciousness. The last thing he saw was the brief glimpse of humanity and worry that crossed Zack and Aerith's eyes. It was probably just his mind deluding itself into thinking his friend could be back.

When Cloud awoke he was no longer in control of himself.

ShinRa seemed to always leave wreckage behind. No matter what project they were invested in and no matter what it was they did; they made ghosts of life, and turned societies into memories... some memories faded. But she knew... Avalanche had blood on their hands. It was the original team which blew the reactor destroying the village. Memories of sector seven returned and she shook her head. That was different...

Tifa could see how beautiful this place once was she could picture the ruins fully restored, the ashes of trees standing strong and in full bloom with fruit. She could see children playing and their families watching... it was a place she dreamed of raising a family. But ShinRa had done to it what it had done to Nibelheim.

They left Yuffie behind on the ship it was logical to have someone hold down the ship. ShinRa never had a problem with borrowing people's 'toys' and after what felt like hours of childish banter between the two a chilling look from the former Turk had Yuffie quieting down and accepting her position. It wasn't a far walk to the village, but Tifa was already beginning to feel uncomfortable the closer they came

"The last time we were here... Aerith was still alive. I never realized the significance of meeting his parent's, but now that I do I just wish..."

Tifa wasn't sure what she would have done or said differently, but she wished she had all the answers then if only to ease the tension in that moment meeting the Fair's. As Tifa stopped speaking she looked up. Vincent raised a golden clawed finger. He heard something and as all their voices went quiet. She heard it too rubble being kicked over angry groans and a girl tripping over giving up the Turks' position.

"Ya might as well come out hidin' just ain' your thing kid."

Elena's head poked out from behind a house. Her face was bright red as she dusted herself off. Behind her came Tseng his face remained cool never betraying a thought. Of all the Turks Tifa and most of her team had the most respect for him. He was the only one who cared for their lost friend.

"We knew you'd figure it out. ShinRa did train the best."

Vincent didn't acknowledge the compliment he watched Tseng with blood red eyes. His hands now hidden under his red cape, but she knew they were resting on Death Penalty.

"I know you all have many questions, but they're not here. He was hear, with your friend this is more complex than you imagine. I'll assume he's been to Banora too... explains Genesis."

Barrett wasn't having any of it he only had one thing in his mind.

"Lisn ass wipe, I just wanna know what they gonna do with my baby girl!"

Barret had aimed his gun arm towards them his teeth were grinding together. He never cared for endless chatter he just wanted things to be done with soon especially when it came to that little girl.

"We thought they'd be here, but clearly we were wrong. Perhaps it is best we take you to our boss.. You can follow us by your ship Something great is brewing and it's going to take out combined efforts to stop it."

Barrett wasn't satisfied, but he knew killing the Turks wouldn't get them any closer to finding Marlene.

"Rest assured Barret the girls will not be harmed, nor is she the target we believe it might be Denzel."

Tifa's heart sank. She never thought any of them were targets, she only thought they had taken the kids as leverage, a means to get to her team, but with this new piece of information all she could do was blame herself even more... how could she keep smiling now? Her breathing grew sharp and the throb in her chest overwhelmed her. Her fists were balled to her sides she turned around and made her way to the ship ignoring her team. She could feel Red trailing beside her with monsters running loosely on the outskirts it was dangerous to travel alone. Tifa appreciated the silent walk Red never uttering a single word it was why she would always appreciate him in their team he knew when speech was necessary and when it was not, and this was one of the latter.

By the time she made it to the ship she assumed the rest decided to follow them. She didn't care about explaining anything to Yuffie who was dancing around her oblivious to the expression on Tifa's face... maybe the young Ninja's young and vibrant behaviour would be the light of the group. Nanaki tried to control the girl and until he had the chance to explain Tifa couldn't do it anymore.

"Looks like that sonofabitch decided to head to Junon. Heard there's been people missin. Ya think that asshole has anything ta do with it."

Tifa ignored him she wasn't in the mood to speak. All she could do in that moment was pray for the safety of all three kids.

Cloud wanted to stop himself he tried to hold himself back leave the kids at a safe village on his way to the professor, but no matter how many times he tried to stop the truck he couldn't. All three were huddled in the back knocked out cold. Marlene still had streaks of tears on her cheeks the poor child cried herself to sleep. It pained Cloud so much, but he had to fight it he fought it once and he could do it again, but after impaling a second shard of the materia he couldn't fight it.

They had no idea who he was and he was thankful for the cloak. The last thing he needed was to destroy the relationship he tried building. To make matters worse he knew their friend Matt looked up to Cloud... he was one of the few who was never infected by geostigma, but still lived on the streets before the orphanage was established. He was a good kid well behaved Cloud was fond of him, but he never imagined that the innocent child would become an instrument in their enemies plans. The three brown haired children needed him and he couldn't do anything about it.

Cloud still had no idea why the professor was after the children, but he had to gain control of his physical self... for the kids. Cloud could feel them following the truck the ones that survived what was the professor doing with weapons and memories... it made no sense.

"Damn 'im."

Cloud managed to say it as difficult as it was but if he could speak under the materia's control then perhaps he could summon the willpower to break free. He was never the strongest as an infantryman for ShinRa, but he sure as hell wasn't going to stop trying for the kids. His glanced at them through his rear-view mirror. 'Still asleep,' he hoped that his friends would find them before he made it to the destination he had no will of going to... not with the kids. Maybe if he found a way to reach his friends they could get the kids and he could deal with the professor by himself. Cloud refused to let those he loved get hurt.

By the time they made it to Junon the sun had begun to set. Tifa had never moved from where she sat she never spoke and refused to partake in conversation.

"Do you think it's Hojo?"

"Fuck 'im it's probably ShinRa 'imself and we're walkin' inta a trap."

"He wouldn't take a chance and threaten us with the limited resources they have."

"I don' give a fuck who it is. All I know is imma be blastin' someone's head off for takin' my baby girl."

"Perhaps we..."

She could hear them, but she wasn't really listening it was all background noises. Her mind kept returning to Cloud. Maybe it was all a trick, maybe Cloud was cloaked to get in and save the kids. Pretending to work for the enemy. Or maybe... maybe Cloud was dead too and it was a clone.

No

It wasn't possible those clones, or dolls, or robots... whatever they were they weren't living, but Cloud was still Cloud. She saw it in his eyes, there was life, there was compassion, there was pain and she didn't dream the conflicted feelings she saw in his eyes. He was Cloud, but he wasn't doing things Cloud would do. Her head swam with excuses even though she was still somewhat angry at him she knew that he would never deliberately do something that would jeopardize the safety of those kids... of their kids.

As they landed she joined the team and followed the Turks. They didn't enter the conventional way. Instead there was a hidden elevator blended into the wall.

"There's been half a dozen of disappearances recently. The people will most likely blame us so we've decided to use this hidden room we built in case of emergencies."

"Elena... need to know"

The Turk gave him an apologetic smile and mumbled 'sorry boss' she wasn't just clumsy with her footing, but even with her words. The young Turk placed her hand on the door frame and a panel emerged scanning her hand the hidden doorway slid open larger than they first anticipated and revealed a large cargo elevator. The descent took ages. No one spoke even loud mouth Yuffie stayed quiet or maybe she was just tired Tifa wasn't too sure. By the time they reached the bottom the door opened and revealed the blond haired president of ShinRa. He was standing tall completely recovered from his geostigma infection. No longer wheelchair bound and still had the cocky grin on his lips. The person behind him was what startled them all beyond her there was a third person someone Tifa had seen before, but never had she seen this person outside of her crystalline prison.

"Lucrecia..."

Vincent's voice rang through the room. Tifa had never seen the ex-Turk so... shocked. He was completely caught off guard and staring at the woman unsure of what to do next. What happened next happened in a flash. In a flash of red he was by her side his gun pointed at ShinRa's head while his arm protectively in front of her.

"Vincent it's alright. I can help. I would never have wanted to return, but I'm forced to this time."

They all saw how her hand was placed on his arm, how easy it was for her to calm him down. He lowered his weapon and wrapped his arms around her. It brought Tifa out of the state she had taken and for that one second she was able to smile again.

"This reunion is sweet and all, but we got a lot to talk about don't we."

Reno had just come out of another room smirking at Tifa and giving her a playful look. As much as she wanted to break his face she knew they had more important things to deal with. After all of this was over she'd remember to hurt the Turk... and possibly scare him from ever coming back to her bar. Tifa was feeling optimistic again she knew they could do this. They always prevailed in the end and this would be no different.

"We have to stop professor Gast he's not just experimenting he's building an army. He's trying to get Omega Weapon. He want's to build a new world one for his daughter."

They all gave each other questioning looks after Rufus spoke. They were all unsure of who his daughter or the significance of this all was. They had never heard of Omega weapon before, but something in Vincent's posture stiffened.

"When the world is threatened weapons come forth to protect it. Omega weapon is the earths last resort. It will take all of the earths lifestream and leave to space. Gast thinks he can use the lifestream to create a new world."

Everyone stared horrified as Lucrecia spoke. Her voice was so small and angelic, but it did nothing to soften the severity of their situation.

"His return to life was an accident. I had found his body encased in a shell of mako in the ruins of mideel much like Lucrecia's chrysalis. When we brought it back here the mako was beginning to soften faster than we anticipated- hadn't been pressurized long enough. By the time we went to check on him he was gone. It's been months since we started tracking him and when we realized he wanted that child..."

"You sent Reno to my bar to what? To sleep with me and then kidnap my kids when I'm asleep? What did you think you could do Shinra? 'Protect them'? You bastard just don't know when to stop do you."

Silence filled the room. Tifa never explained the mistaken moment she shared with Reno at her bar, but now was not the time to explain herself. They were going to get to the bottom of this and they sure as hell were not going to play games anymore.

"It's aright lass, we'll get 'im back."

The moogle doll had finally broken it's silence since the ship. Nanaki nodded his head and stood by her side looking up reassuringly.

"If we find out what they want with Denzel we can stop them and we wont stop till we find all of them."

"I already know what they want with the child."

Lucrecia seemed deep in thought something she had just figured out perhaps? Even Shinra seemed surprise. They all waited for to put the pieces back together, but as her eyes widened and her hand muffled the gasp everyone knew it wasn't good. Vincent had never left the woman's side he was holding her shoulder as Lucrecia stared with the horrifying look in her eyes.

Tifa felt it again. Her world was crashing and she was powerless to save it.

A/N: Hey everyone. I guarantee most of you forgot about this story it's been what... two years? I apologize profusely let me explain myself. The past two years has been difficult. Malady plagued my family, hardships had to be overcome. Depression had gripped my heart and I no longer had the will to write. It was no longer a hobby it felt more like an obligation and I hated the feeling. I've been feeling much better recently been working on short stories (originals) and decided to check out my fanfiction account. To summarize here I am back and ready to continue this story. It took me a while because my old laptop with all my ideas broke so I sorta had to rewrite my outline reread my story to see if I could remember where I was going with it (I do, but I feel like there might be discrepancies if you spot any please message me and I'll update older chapters). This return is probably a little bit loaded with information I felt extremely guilty and decided to introduce more than originally intended. But trust me... there is SO MUCH MORE that's going to happen. For those returning to read this I wanted to say thank you. And to my new readers I hope you wont witness another Houdini act (although I promise I will not disappear randomly again if I need time off I'll be sure to let everyone know). Once again thanks everyone. Reviews and criticism is welcomed.