Lightning was walking through the forest on her way back to Cocoon. She and her team from the Defense Force were sent from Cocoon to the planet to see how bad the damage from Meteor Fall was and if there was a chance of it effecting Cocoon. After careful looking, she confirmed Meteor Fall did have a large effect on the planet, but not enough to reach Cocoon. As she walked back to where her team was posted, Lightning looked around the forest and how beautiful it was. It is one of the few things on the planet that wasn't negatively affected from the fall of Meteor.

Lightning suddenly sensed a presence behind her, and could feel a strong power from it. She slowly brought her hand to the handle of her gunblade, Blaze Edge, and gripped the handle. She slowly drew the weapon as the presence was getting even stronger and closer. Lightning scanned the area as the power was coming from all over.

She quickly drew the weapon and changed it into its sword mode before turning around, and blocking the attack of the mystery guest. His sword had a long red blade and his face was shrouded by the black jacket he wore. "Who are you?" Lightning asked.

The man didn't respond and used force to push Lightning back. She skidded to a stop, only to see the man had suddenly vanished. Her instincts told her he was behind her. Lightning quickly swung her sword around and blocked the surprise attack from the man. "You're good." the man said.

"I have more important things to do, get lost!" Lightning said as she pushed the man back and charged. The man stopped himself to see Lightning charge at him. She brought her sword down, but the man deflected it and swung horizontally only for Lighting to do a backflip over the attack.

She switched Blaze Edge into its gun mode and fired a few shots at him. The man retaliated against Lighting's bullets with fire magic. The fire ball destroyed the bullets and continued flying towards Lightning. She quickly leaped into the air and out of the way of the blast. The fire spell crashed into the ground and caused a large explosion. Lightning covered her eyes from the light and wind of the explosion. She slightly opened them a second later to see the man jump into the air towards her.

He swung downwards, but Lightning deflected the attack and slashed twice only for the man to deflected the attacks. The two continued deflecting each others attacks, and swinging their swords at each other while they were in mid air. Sparks were sent flying like crazy with the many times the edges of their swords made contact.

Lightning needed to hurry up, so she decided to try and end the fight quickly. She snapped her fingers and she rose into the air as her body was surrounded by blue electricity. "Not bad." the man said in response. He brought his sword up and moved his hand across the surface. Magical runes appeared on the blades length before the entire blade was covered by fiery red magic energy.

Lightning quickly flew towards the man as he charged towards her. Both slashed at each other, and when the blades of their swords made contact with each other, a large ripple of energy was the result. The two's sword's were scrapping against each others edges as their wielders stared at each other. "Is that the best you've got?" the man asked.

"Not even close." Lightning replied as the two continued fighting.

Cloud was riding on Fenrir towards the forest beneath Cocoon. He was really hoping to get some answers to what was going on. If it was a trap, he'd just slash his way out of it. However, as he was riding something did feel wrong to Cloud about where he was. He felt as if someone was watching him, tracking him. Unfortunately for Cloud, he was right.

He could hear the sounds of other motorcycles besides his behind him. He was being tailed by two guys wearing black with silver hair. They both quickly rode up next to Cloud. "Where's mother?!" Loz, the one on Cloud's left asked.

"We know you hid her brother!" Yazoo, the one on Cloud's right added in.

"Mother? Hid her? Brother? What the hell are you guys talking about?" Cloud asked. Yazoo pulled out one of his guns and fired close range shots at Cloud which were somewhat difficult for him to avoid. Cloud quickly accelerated ahead of the two strangers to get some distance.

Yazoo continued firing shots at Cloud which he maneuvered through with ease. He opened the six sword slots and chose to use the Hollow Blade. Cloud spun Fenrir around and rode it backwards. He deflected incoming bullets with the sword as they came at him. He was too focused on Yazoo's bullet's to see Loz sneak up from the side.

He swung his Dual Hound gauntlet at Cloud who dodged it before pushing Loz back. Cloud continued accelerating since he didn't have the time for interferences. Yazoo suddenly appeared next to him and fired a shot at Cloud. He moved his head to dodge it and the bullet was literally only a centimeter from Cloud's face.

Cloud swung at Yazoo who dodged the blade and shot at Cloud who dodged it. Cloud drew the Main Blade from Fenrir and used Blade Beam, sending a blue energy blade at the two. When it was close enough, Cloud sent another Blade Beam at the first. When they made contact, a large explosion occurred.

The explosion blinded Yazoo and Loz for eight seconds. When they opened their eyes, Cloud had disappeared. "Find him!" Yazoo said as the two rode off in pursuit of Cloud.

Cloud had looked behind him as he continued riding through the forest. He saw that the two strangers weren't behind him so he stopped Fenrir. He saw he was close to the area he was supposed to meet the person who left him the message, so he got off Fenrir and combined all the Fusion swords into the First Tsurugi sword.

He carried the large buster sword in his hand as he walked to the destination point. As we walked, he could feel what appeared to be ripples of energy being sent throughout the entire area. Cloud saw it was near the destination point and he quickly sprinted off to where the energies were coming from.

Lightning and the mystery man were still at a stalemate, with neither showing a sign of tiredness or giving up. Lightning quickly fired three shots at the man who deflected them with his enhanced sword with no difficulty at all. "You're out of your league." the man said as he somehow appeared in front of Lightning in the blink of an eye.

He swung up which made Lightning block the attack, though the force sent her high into the air. He quickly flew up after her and slashed at her. Lightning was barely able to block the strike, though the force sent her to the ground. Just as she landed on her feet, the electricity barrier around her disappeared.

Lightning quickly snapped her fingers to bring up the electricity barrier again, but all she got was a small blue spark. She looked up to see the man floating above her. He brought his hand up and it was surrounded by a bright orange energy which then formed into a large fireball. He threw the ball which was heading straight for Lightning at fast speeds, and she wouldn't have time to avoid it.

When the ball got really close to her it was suddenly sliced through and destroyed. The man and Lightning gasped at what just happened. They looked to see a man clad in black with spiky blonde hair standing in front of Lightning while holding a large buster sword.

Cloud jumped up and slashed down though the man blocked the strike with ease. "Who are you?" Cloud asked.

"You don't remember me? I guess you just have bad memory." the man responded as he pushed Cloud back and began slashing rapidly forcing Cloud to go on the defensive. He continually blocked attacks while trying to find and opening. When the man slashed down, Cloud parried the strike before spinning the opposite way and swinging horizontally.

The man flew over the strike even high into the air. Cloud quickly flew up after him and was about to slash again, but the pain form his Geostigma stopped him from swinging. The man took advantage of the distraction and swung his sword down on Cloud.

Lightning quickly jumped up and blocked the strike, protecting Cloud. She pushed the man back and grabbed Cloud as they floated down to the ground. When they landed, Lightning looked at Cloud to see he was holding his left arm in pain. She lightly gasped when she saw black liquid secreting from his sleeve.

"You have the Stigma."

The man floated down and landed in front of the pair. Cloud felt the pain stop and stood up, readying his sword along with Lightning. The man simply stood there, not even lifting his sword. "Yeah, you're Cloud alright." the man said as his sword disappeared in a crimson flame, indicating he dismissed it and he was done fighting.

"Who are you?" Cloud asked the man once again.

"Come on Cloud, did you seriously forget me?" the man as he removed his black jacket. Cloud gasped when he saw the identity of the man who attacked him before.

N-No way, Genesis?"

"Figured that'd be your first reaction. Sorry about earlier, had to get your attention" Genesis said.

"Why didn't you let me know you were okay?" Cloud asked.

I couldn't. After Sephiroth disappeared and Zack and Angeal died, I sealed myself away until the planet was in trouble again. So you can probably guess why I'm here." Genesis answered.

"So what's going on here? Cloud asked, curious to the crazy things that were happening today.

"Sorry, we'll have to talk somewhere else. This forest isn't very safe at the moment. Oh and you, you're coming with us too." Genesis said as he turned his attention to Lightning.

"Sorry, but I've got more important things to do. What you guys do is of no concern to me, so stay out of my way if you know what's good for you." Lightning responded as she sheathed Blaze Edge in its sheath and began walking away. Genesis only sighed at her remark.

"I was really hoping it wouldn't come to this." Genesis said in a disappointed voice. Lightning turned around to see Genesis suddenly appeared in front of her. He punched Lightning in the stomach and knocked her unconscious. He caught Lightning's falling body and held her up.

"Did you have to be so rough?" Cloud asked.

"It was only way to get her to come along Cloud. Let's get going before any unwanted guests show up." Genesis said.

Cloud nodded and got back to Fenrir and Genesis got back to his motorcycle. They both quickly rode off with the unconscious Lightning on Cloud's motorcycle.

"So where are we supposed to go?" Cloud asked.

"Just follow me." Genesis answered as the two accelerated off into the distance. As they rode, Cloud looked behind him and stared at the unconscious Lightning.

"She's really beautiful." Cloud thought as he accelerated after Genesis.

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