A/N. Alright guys here is the second chapter of the week. But do you all know what time it is? Nope because I've only done this once before. Its shoutout time here in ch 24 of stranger from the sky and i feel all giddy thinking about it.
Alright first goes to my beta reader Saria19 who has been doing an awesome job at trying to keep my grammar in check, and i have been unfair with her by uploading my chaps at irregular times so i will improve on that.
I'd like to shout out to Wingsong5555 and little101 who have been here since the day i uploaded this fic, good dedication guys.
next is Unita who made me think about adding more regular social interactions in the story as well as invest in an idea i had thought of earlier but scratched, now i will implement it over time. All cuz you dood.
Botoingness who said I helped inspire to create his own FFVII insert, Chosen
Then there is the person who got me to feel like shouting out. Thank you Aerisu-tan for critiquing the last chapter and for bloating up my ego about how the story impressed you...not really but it still feels awesome to get as detailed an opinion such as her's and or his considering the isu part kind of messes me up. One thing I read from Aerisu-tan was something I go through a lot hear on , a good story is made but at some point the person stopped in the middle and never finished.
So i promise for great justice to see this story till the end audience! but now...
Ch 24
ATE
Rufus could have had better days. After the appearance of AVALANCHE he was extremely annoyed they potentially could find Sephiroth before they could, however thanks to Reeve's confirmation later, the entire group had to use the plane as a boat. What annoyed him was that they had increased in numbers again, now having Shinra's former best pilot and a Turk. He would have to investigate the identity of said Turk later. They also traveled to Wutai and were currently off somewhere around the continent's coast. A recent storm made it hard for Cait Sith to relay the location of the group. Now they hardly knew where either AVALANCHE or Sephiroth were, and it was getting on the president's nerves.
"Mr. President, someone has come to see you." His secretary messaged him.
"Send them in." Perhaps someone brought good news. He waited for the person to walk up the stairs for a good ten minutes, he was about to ask his secretary why it was taking so long until he saw the person in question.
"Rufus...it's been a while hasn't it?" The round glasses, lab coat, and that voice that sent chills down even Sephiroth's spine was a dead giveaway.
"Hojo, I'm surprised you're here." He didn't let his tone show it. "When you gave us your resignation I thought you weren't willing to work for us anymore."
"That is the truth; however I did hear interesting bits of information about Sephiroth." The scientists had a crooked smile.
"And that would be...?
"His next destination." Rufus kept his face neutral but was very cautious about the situation.
"How is it you came by this information?"
"I may have stopped working for Shinra for a time, that doesn't mean that I don't have my own network Rufus." So Hojo had been tracking Sephiroth as well...the question was how. Possibly a few employees were withholding information and relaying it to the doctor.
"Don't try to figure it out, you won't find any of my sources." Hojo said it as if it was a throw away fact.
"Then do tell us where he is going."
"Now young president, you know I can't just give you the information." Rufus cursed. Hojo was right; even if he ordered someone to take it from the scientist, he was still considered an asset to the company even though he wasn't affiliated anymore.
"What do you want?"
"To work as head of Science again." That threw Rufus off.
"If you wish to come back then why did you resign?"
"Recently I have found out some...interesting things about the group, I have one more demand."
"That is?"
"When you catch the group, I want to experiment on their leader, as well as the Turk, and the anomaly." So Hojo came back for tests, not surprising. But he knew who was specifically in the group, another tidbit from his sources then.
"Of course, you want Cloud, Vincent, and the Ancient. I can do that."
"I have no further use for the Ancient." Again Rufus was thrown off. "I have found...a different subject for my tests."
"Then who is the anomaly?"
"The boy, the one with exceptional materia manipulation skills. I want to run experiments on him." Hojo still had interest after all this time in River?
"Why do you call him the anomaly?" Another crooked smile.
"Let's just say that I have... very special experiments prepared for him." The implications made Rufus shiver.
"Then I accept. It is good to have you back professor." The doctor nodded. Rufus may not like it, but now they knew where Sephiroth would go, he would need to send Tseng in to investigate. Rufus felt unnerved though, Hojo seemed...different. He had lost some hair and had small green spots on his head; they were even swollen a little. He shook his head, if he thought about it; it would only make him sick. He always knew Hojo was crazy, but to start experimenting on himself was borderline psychotic. Now all they needed to do was find out where the group was.
"Stay near the shallow waters kid, you're veering off, go left."
"I know what I'm doing Cid." Currently I was driving the Tiny Bronco near the coast, following the vague directions from Cid we had to go south to find Sephiroth; it was kind of my punishment for Wutai. I went inside the mountains so I could get Cid's dragon lance, only to run into a very awake Cloud and group. I took full blame for taking the material, causing me to have to carry everyone's items, but also pilot the Bronco to our destination. Since we didn't have a set fix, that meant that I was to drive until we found something.
"Okay going through the rivers a good idea; just make sure we don't crash. Keep on the left coast side, the water is slower."
"Will do Cid." I was wearing my new gauntlets, considering how cool they looked I dubbed them the Genji Gloves of FF7. On my left I had equipped my lightning, gravity, and MP absorb while on my right I kept my fire, HP absorb, and Shiva. On the way to the Bronco I tested them out, I could only use magic materia to add elements to the gloves, and the magic didn't spread across the rest of my body so I didn't have to worry about burning or shocking myself.
"You're going right, stick to the shallow waters on the left. It's been raining all day, I don't want the Bronco to sink or hit the beaches."
"I'll keep that in mind Cid." Then there was Yuffie...I still don't know what I'm thinking. She's loud, cocky, conniving, hell she needs the team to help her. Yet seeing her be generous...She can be a really nice person when she wanted to. Deep down she really does care for the whole group, she admitted I was her best friend too.
"You're veering off again! I said keep left!" Cid yelled.
"I'm close enough to the shore!" I yelled back.
"No you aren't, we can be taken by the current, go back left!" He was getting red in the face.
"Left, and left, and left, and left, and left again, and I'm right up your ass Cid, I know how to drive this thing!"
"I'm the pilot here; you can't work the Tiny Bronco like I can." Cid tried to grab the...what do they call the steering wheel on a plane...a york? Yoke… yeah that's it, he tried to grab the yoke.
"Yes you're a pilot, you fly shit, we are driving on the water. I drive; I'm more qualified than you!"
"Both of you idiots shut up, it's bad enough we got caught in a storm, we don't need you two arguing!" Barret scolded.
"Let me fly it, I know what 'm doing!"
"We're driving so I know what I'm doing!"
"You want to fight punk ass?"
"Come at me bro!"
"I told you two to be quiet!"
"Enough!" Cid, Barret, and I were hit upside the heads by something metal, rubbing it, I looked at a very damp Tifa taking her gloves off.
"It's bad enough when two of you argue, we don't need all three of you going at it, Cid can drive Nathan. Now no more arguing, am I making myself clear?"
"Yes Tifa/mom" Me being the variant of the three received yet another pound from Tifa's fist. Rubbing my head I turned to check on Cloud who was trying to keep dry under a wing.
"Hey leader, where the hell do we go?" I think I got us close enough to the collector we don't have to worry about directions.
"I don't know, I barely know where we are."
"Should we ask for directions?"
"From where?"
"I don't know, anywhere! We need to get out this rain, I mean Cloud seriously, look at poor Nanaki." He looked over at the other side of the plane seeing a thoroughly soaked Nanaki next to a very annoyed Vincent whose hair was drenched. I'd be laughing hard if I wasn't trying to prove a point.
"Fine, look out for lights in the distance. Everyone's getting cold and wet." I nodded and relayed the order to Cid. God I wish I kept my crap shoes; the metal is giving me frost bite I swear. I look towards the back of the plane and I suddenly don't feel so bad. Yuffie and Tifa were the two with the least amount of clothing out of the entire group. They were both shivering even though we had a few security blankets to give them. I think the only two people on here that are okay with this are Aeris and Cait Sith. Aeris apparently likes the rain and Cait looked water proof so he just sat around.
"I...I hate...ra...rain" Yuffie sputtered out. Tifa didn't voice her opinion but nodded in agreement.
"Hey guys, I see lights up ahead!" Cid yelled. In the distance we all saw a single house on some land.
"Get the plane as close as possible and then everyone get off." Cloud ordered. We landed on a beach and started traversing towards the house. Up close it was two stories and painted blue. Instead of knocking Cloud burst right in along with the rest of the group who were trying to get out the cold. A man looked at the whole group with a smile on his face.
"More customers! You sure picked an odd time and place...oh but if you are looking for the Keystone you're too late, don't have it." Everyone was confused.
"Keystone" Asked Cloud.
"Oh you didn't come here for it?"
"What does it do exactly?" Asked Cait.
"The Keystone is a key that unlocks the gate to a very old temple somewhere. You're not going to believe it, but I heard it was the Temple of the Ancients!" He announced excitedly, everyone in the group was shocked that such a place existed. Aeris couldn't contain her interest.
"The Ancients had a temple? I never knew." But the collector shop owner laughed.
"Don't take it seriously, it's just a legend. Now is there anything else I can interest you all in?"
"Who did you sell it to?" Cloud persisted.
"The guy I sold it to gave off a feeling it would be not be a good idea to sell it to him"
"Who did you sell it to?"
"The manager of the Gold Saucer... think his name was Dio. Said he was going to put it in a museum and he took off out of here." Everyone groaned sans Vincent and Cid when they heard the name.
"So we have to go back to get the key?" Asked Cait.
"Where is the temple?" Asked Aeris.
"Come on... it's only a legend. But if it were true, that sure would be something, huh? Now that you mention it, I have heard of something called Ultimate Destruction Magic...was supposed to be hidden somewhere in the Temple of the Ancients." Everyone paled now.
"We're going now." Cloud ordered.
"But its still raining!" Yuffie whined.
"You want to wait after what you just heard?" Okay Cloud has a good point I can't side with Yuffie on this one.
"As much as the walk will suck guys Clouds right, Sephiroth is after that magic." I rationalized, Vincent looked at me.
"How are you so sure?" He questioned. Nanaki answered instead.
"Sephiroth has been toying with us, he knows he is more powerful even with all of our teamwork. But we have a chance, unless he gets this power."
"Red is right. Everyone try to stay warm, if we hurry we can make it to the Gold Saucer by afternoon." Cloud announced. Everyone had gathered their gear and said by to the weapons collector. I would have to remember to get some Mythril to trade him for Aeris ultimate limit. But right now everyone is basically sprinting towards Gold Saucer to get the key. Cloud is the fastest out of us with his enhancements while me being the most normal out of everyone was the slowest and at the back of the pack, but having been journeying and fighting monsters and such I have been getting more than enough exercise that I had back on earth I kept up. In the end we did make it to the Corel by afternoon but everyone was winded, even Cloud showed signs of fatigue. We were all on the tram ride up to the amusement park.
"So where do you think Dio has the Keystone?" Aeris asked Cloud. "I don't know, but we'll spread out so we have a chance at getting it before Sephiroth." Everyone nodded.
"Ain't this place expensive? How the hell are we all going to get in?" Cid asked. "Don't worry Cid, we'll only have to pay 100 gil for everyone to get in." I chimed.
"How in the hell Nate are we getting in for only 100 gil?" Barret asked. I had and evil smile on my face before reaching into my backpack and pulled out everyone's lifetime passes.
"The 100 gil is because you lost the bet Barret, we have to come back to the park and it was completely relevant. Gimme gimme." I held out my hand. Barret was shocked before he handed over my money and I handed everyone their cards. Even Vincent and Cid.
"How is it you have extras?" Vincent asked.
"Just in case we lost one or two or if we got more people." I explained.
"Do you have anymore?" He inquired. Kind of an odd question though, I know we won't have anymore people in the group.
"No, why do you ask?" He just grunted and looked away. Well I guess it doesn't matter. The tram stopped and we arrived and went right inside while flashing our cards to the attendant. I kind of felt like a VIP just walking in like that.
"Alright, I'll head off to Battle Square, Tifa and Vincent will go to Speed, Nathan and Red will go to Wonder, Yuffie and Barret to Event, Cait and Aeris will check Round Square, finally Cid will check Chocobo Square. Meet back here in twenty minutes if you don't find it, If you do, call everyone else, Go." We all went our separate ways.
"Are we in the right area?" Nanaki asked after we had split from the group.
"No, Cloud will find it in his Square, but he will have to fight eight battles for it. Even though it will be completely useless."
"Why?" We stopped in the middle of the arcade. "It will be taken by Shinra." His reaction was what I expected.
"Why would you let that happen, how!" Surprise...ha ha.
"Cait Sith is the Shinra spy, he's controlled by Reeve, one of their executives. Tonight he'll take it and Shinra will go ahead to the temple." Nanaki bared his teeth a little.
"Why wouldn't you stop that?"
"Even if it didn't alter the game that much, I believe it's necessary so that I can help prevent what happens."
"You mean the death of one of our comrades." He calmed down. I was thinking more along the lines of we need to find out Cait is a spy so we can truly befriend Reeve.
"Why haven't you told me who it is?" I scratched his head.
"If I tell you, then you would interfere. I can only guarantee things if I do, since I have the most likely situations already in my head." I knew where Aeris would be after she leaves, when everyone would find her, and right when Sephiroth attacks. I would have a small window to stop him, but as long as I kept up my magic skills it was possible.
"Is that all you'd prevent?" I shook my head.
"I thought about taking a more active role, so I am going to try to prevent Sephiroth from getting the destructive magic." His eyes widened.
"What does the magic do exactly, and how will you stop him?"
"First, it's called Meteor, it is a spell powerful enough to cause damage to the Planet. Sephiroth's plan is to use it to inflict a wound in it so big he can just fuse right with it becoming god." Nanaki was speechless, but I continued.
"Second, Sephiroth will use his influence over Cloud to make him give him the materia so he can cast it, by that time I want to take it and make sure he can't use it. Possibly destroy the materia if I can think of a way." Nanaki pondered the idea for a few minutes before talking again.
"It's a long shot Nathan, I will say that now...but I have faith in your knowledge. Just be careful. You may have power now but that doesn't mean it will be useful." I agreed. Just because I knew what would happen didn't mean I knew exactly how to stop it. Much like Sector Seven...
Beepbeepbeep...Beepbeepbeep
"Hello?" I picked up my phone.
"It's Aeris, Cloud found the Keystone."
"But?" I knew what she was going to say before she sighed.
"But he has to fight in the arena if he wants it. Dio invited everyone to watch so get here." I closed my phone.
"Well, we have a match to watch my friend. Let's go." Nanaki and me met everyone else in Battle Square and were placed in the front row seats right next to Dio. There were quite a few people who attended the event as well, so Cloud had a huge audience either rooting for him or betting against.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Today's fight is a very special event. Cloud Strife will be fighting eight consecutive battles for your enjoyment! Now who wants to see some muscle, skill, and stamina tested in the arena!" The crowd cheered while everyone in the group seemed uncomfortable, I was excited to see Cloud try his best in the battles.
And even though we got in for free, I can say I defiantly got my money's worth.
The first round went easy enough, just one small monster. But the handicap roulette machine said level down by five. Which translated in this world as having to wear weighted clothes and add extra weight to his weapon. His second match had three monsters against him which he disposed of still looking okay from the fights; his next handicap was his yellow materia broke. The battles went on in the same fashion with Cloud showing more and more difficulty in beating the monsters. The crowd would scream for blood, hell even I was up yelling for Cloud to get his ass in gear so he could win and get out. In the end he was bloodied, but still standing. When Dio called Cloud's win, he just walked out. Everyone followed and saw Dio give him the Keystone. We all congratulated him and went out of the park towards the tram...however...
"What do you mean it's broke?" Barret yelled at the poor girl.
"I'm so sorry, but you can't leave until it's fixed." Barret groaned and Cloud did as well since he went through the whole battle hassle.
"What happened?" Cait came jumping in.
"The tram's out, now we can't get out of this flashy playground." Grumbled Cid. Cait just smiled.
"Too bad, but it happens...I know let's stay at the hotel! They know me here so I can book a few rooms." Before anyone could protest he went off to make reservations.
"Your friend has the right idea; I will notify you when the repairs are done." We all went to the Ghost Hotel with Cait telling us it would be a minute since we came on short notice. Basically everyone was just standing around in the lobby.
"We don't usually get a chance to be together like this. Huh?" Cait asked. Which was really dumb we kind of all are like this at the campfires when we eat, we just don't always talk. Since Vincent and Cid were new editions we recapped our adventure thus far. When everyone made the connection about the numbers, including Nanaki, I gave him a nod telling him I would inform him later. Eventually everyone went to their own respective rooms. I was sitting at the edge of my bed thinking about what to do for the night. I couldn't stop Cait, it would be unnecessary and maybe even costly, we find out he is a spy anyway so tailing him would be out. In actuality I really couldn't do anything about tonight. I know I won't be able to sleep with all of this going on...what the hell am I going to do?
Going around the park would be fun...but it's never cool when you're by yourself...I should bring someone along. Immediately Yuffie popped into my head and I groaned. Now was not the time to think about her, I like her...yeah I'll admit it, I like who she is, the way she acts, especially when she's nice. Maybe I could do something with her? See if she'll like me. I know she's definitely not going on the date with Cloud, so maybe I could take her out for a good time, that sounds fun.
I got off of bed and out of my room, walking towards hers. I stood in front of it for a minute before knocking.
"What do you want?" She mumbled. Maybe this was a bad idea.
"It's Nate." I responded automatically. Now I can't turn back. She opened the door and I kept the worry off my face by keeping my eyes closed and smiling.
"What is it?" I felt a little sweat go down my neck.
"Nothing...I was just wondering...if you...wanted to...go tonight...you know for fun...and stuff." I am not cut out for this. I wish I had more dating experience.
"Like a date?" She raised her eyebrow.
"No, no no no. You know, just two friends having a good time. Keep you company and all." I quickly added. God this is getting awkward. She looked like she was thinking before leaving her weapon in her room and walking out.
"Okay, where to then?"...She's coming? Yes that's awesome, that's a good first step...now what would be good to do?
"I hear there is a play going on in Event Square, wanna see it?"
"Sure, let's go." We walked out the hotel and started towards Event Square. I was a little nervous when the man in the main junction area said it was enchantment night and Yuffie gave me a face saying "not a date, huh?" before laughing at my reaction and pulling me into the slide. When we got to the stadium we sat ourselves up front waiting for the curtains to open.
"What's it about?" Yuffie whispered.
"Classic hero fights villain to save princess story." I whispered back, Yuffie had that grin on her face again.
"Really pulling all the romantic stuff, huh?" I could not look in her direction when she said that, only making her laugh at what she said. This was getting more awkward as the thing progressed; Cloud didn't have to deal with this. The audience hushed at the lights darkened and the stage lit up. The narrator's voice pulling both Yuffie's and my attention.
"Long, long ago, an evil shadow appeared over the peaceful kingdom of Galdia...Princess Rosa was kidnapped by the Evil Dragon King, Valvados. What will become of her? Just then the legendary hero, Alfred appears!" Both Yuffie and I saw a familiar head of Chocobo hair run out onto stage.
"Is that Cloud?" Yuffie almost snorted at the "legendary hero", I covered my mouth seeing Cloud's face look extremely uncomfortable on stage.
And it only got better from there.
The rest of the play was a veritable laughing stock with Yuffie and I laughing the hardest and loudest out of anyone in the audience. One thing Cloud did not get from Zack was the ability to play off even the most awkward of situations. The characters coming in like ballerinas made his eyes twitch, his lines were loud but completely monotonous, and he would mess up by asking the wrong character what to do. It was the ending that had me and Yuffie dying, Cloud had attempted to kiss Aeris who was Princess Rosa only to kiss the dragon. The hilarity ensued when the actors made the dragon switch with a beautiful girl and ending the story about how the power of love prevails, leaving Aeris in the middle of the stage completely clueless at what had happened. I swear, Yuffie and I must have busted out guts at the end. Both of us wiped our tears of mirth before exiting the stage.
Knowing Cloud and Aeris would go to the gondola next I dragged Yuffie to the Chocobo Square. I know that if this was going to be an enjoyable night, I would have to appeal to Yuffie's interests. One of those was stealing materia and gil, so I would make her some to keep.
And was I lucky tonight. One of the first races had Chocobo Joe and I bet everything on him since he was an S class racer, along with another decent looking jockey. Yuffie was jumping for joy when my bet won and when I offered her the cat bell I got as a gift to her. I was overjoyed when she accepted and placed it around her wrist, saying she liked the way it sounded. Next we played games in Wonder Square, not for prizes, but mostly for fun. It was nice to hear Yuffie laugh when I was kicked out by the attendant when "I abused my height and the small space to the basket to win over five hundred GP."
"So what now?" She asked. I pulled her arm without telling her to the Round Square tube and pushed her in before following. When we got through, she saw we were at the Gondola and her eyes lit up.
"Two tickets please." The attendant smiled at us and told us to enjoy the sights. We both got on and were being pulled through a dark tunnel, when we got through the end both of us were excited by the sights. It was the heart of Gold Saucer; you could see people running around having the time of their lives, the Battle Square stadium where we could see combatants taking on monsters. Even the stage we were at not too long ago was now performing another show. A roller-coaster of screaming people even passed by next to us.
"Wow." Yuffie said when we passed by with the lights that came on as we passed.
"You can say that again." I said. We went right next to the Chocobo tracks where multiple jockeys where racing, both of our eyes aglow. But the best part was when Yuffie pulled me over the edge to look at Gold Saucer from below. The fireworks below us lit up the tiny gondola. The sounds of explosions actually relaxed me. I looked over at Yuffie who was staring still. Her dark brown eyes now having tints of every color flash along them...I always thought Yuffie was cute for a character...but...
"You're staring Nate." I was pulled from my thoughts when I realized she was looking at me now while I was just gawking.
"Sorry!" I turned and rubbed the back of my neck. Of all the times to space out!
"Its fine Nate, after all, it's hard not to stare at a beauty like me!" I almost felt relieved at her boosting her own ego until she suddenly hugged me tightly, her head on my shoulder looking away from me and out the window.
"Um...Yuffie?"
"I just felt like doing this okay?" She said quickly. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth I hugged her back. I felt a little dejected she didn't give me a kiss like she would have Cloud, but this was fine, she really held on to me though, like she wanted to stay that way...and I admit I wanted that too.
"Hey, say something why don't you..." I chuckled at her feeling awkward about the situation.
"Thanks for coming out with me Yuffie, it's been a really fun night." I really couldn't find better words but they seemed to comfort her into relaxing more into the hug. I was very disappointed when the ride ended and we started walking back to the hotel. We got inside and I walked her to her room.
"Thanks, it was really fun." I smiled.
"Maybe we could do this again sometime." She was smiling now.
"I'll think about it. Thanks for the date Nate." She closed the door before I could try to convince her it wasn't one. But I gave up, happy she considered it one. I still wish I got that kiss though! Sigh, baby steps I guess. I walked into my room. Now tired from the night, I knew I was going to sleep well. Everything went better than expected actually. Looks like things are going my way.
"Nathan! It's Barret, Cloud wants everyone up now to discuss something important! Get up, no more sleep."
By all that is holy and just, I will kick Cait's ass so hard Reeve with have my foot coming out of his mouth for ruining my mood!