CHAPTER 1: A New Journey Begins

It was currently a rather balmy day in New York City, United States of America, as the sun shined brightly onto the metropolis, its light reflecting off glasses and windows of skyscrapers in the city. Multiple vehicles travelled through the main roads of New York for different purposes. While most people driving their vehicles were employed and heading to their workplaces, there were also others who were just focusing on having a joy ride or to meet their friends at certain areas in the city. Overall, the city was doing well both socially and economically. After all, there had been new startup companies in the area that had been garnering new customers. Thus, increasing sales and the overall future development of the companies.

While the city area was booming, the suburbs were not doing too bad either. Currently in an apartment, a 25 year old man named Ethan Toretto was living in his apartment flat on the 8th floor of one of the many buildings in the apartment complex. He was currently in his bedroom, playing a game called Final Fantasy 7 Remake in front of his desktop. In that game, he was playing as Cloud, fighting against a bunch of monsters in the game using his game controller. As he was doing so, a voice from behind him suddenly said, "So I heard you like Final Fantasy 7."

Ethan widened his eyes in shock, and turned himself around along with his gaming chair. The feet of the gaming chair allowed him to simply swivel till he could see the source of the voice. Upon seeing the source of the voice, he was deeply surprised. "W-What the?!"

In front of him, sitting on the bottom edge of his bed, was a man with black spiky hair and red irises. He wore some sort of battle armour that was mostly designed with white and red colour combinations.

What was a man he didn't know suddenly doing in his room? How come Ethan had never noticed him earlier? Could it be that he was so engrossed in the game that he didn't even notice someone had entered his room. As questions began to swarm his brain, the man asked with folded arms, "I take it that you're Ethan Toretto?"

Ethan placed his controller gently on his desktop table before standing up. "Yeah. Who are you?"

The man smirked as he stood up as well and faced Ethan. "My name is Tajima Kichiro. I was sent here by your father to send you to the Final Fantasy 7 world."

There was a moment of silence as confusion was evident on Ethan's face. It was not long before he said, "What?"

The man placed his hand on Ethan's shoulder and explained, "This may sound crazy, but I was asked by your father to send you to the Final Fantasy 7 world, in case your life were to ever go downhill."

"Downhill…?" Ethan was baffled. "What are you talking about?"

"Look at you…" The man began, as he let go of Ethan's shoulder. "You're currently at around 100 Kilograms. You're supposed to be at around 60 KG or 70 KG with toned muscles. Truth be told, you were actually destined for something much greater. But it looks like something happened… Someone intervened with fate, and your success got delayed. So I'll be sending you to the Final Fantasy 7 world."

"I… I don't know what you're talking about… But it's cool to know that you are a fan of Final Fantasy 7!"

The man sighed. "Oh well… It sounds like you're not convinced, naturally. What I've told you may sound unbelievable, but it's the truth. Oh well, guess I'll just have to show you…" he then fished something out of his pocket, before taking out a remote control. He then pointed it at Ethan and said, "Once I press this button, you will be teleported to the final fantasy 7 world. Are you ready?"

"I'm still confused…" Ethan admitted. "Is this a prank or something?"

Tajima scoffed. "No. Better I just press this button and show you…" he then pressed the button on the remote control. At first, nothing happened. But then, a golden beam suddenly emerged from the top end of the remote, before heading straight towards Ethan. Once the beam hit him, it engulfed him in a golden light, shocking him in the process as he now found himself levitating into the air. "W-WHAT THE?!"

Apparently, the golden beam that had somehow shot from the remote control was not only surrounding him, but also making him levitate! What the hell was going on?! Could what the man had been telling been real this whole time? Was he actually going to be sent to the Final Fantasy 7 world?! So many questions washed over his mind, as he even began to wonder how a golden beam emerged and even made him float in the air!

"How are you doing this?!" Ethan was slightly panicking while floating in mid-air with the golden light around him.

Tajima waved at Ethan. "Relax… You should be sent to the Final Fantasy 7 world in 3… 2…. And take care!"

And with that, the light became brighter, before suddenly disappearing along with Ethan.

Tajima stared at the area where Ethan was originally at and sighed. "Well, looks like it worked. Wait a minute… I forgot to inform him about the side effects of being transported to another universe…" he then looked at the display that was on the remote and saw the words: 'Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth'

"Final Fantasy 7… Rebirth?" Tajima said. "Now I see what's happening… Sephiroth… You found the whispers, didn't you… That's how fate was being altered…"

DIMENSIONAL PASSAGEWAY

"AHHHHHH!" Ethan was currently being sent hurtling through a dimensional passage like a ragdoll. Apparently, this passageway was sending him to another universe entirely. As he was screaming for his life while being sent hurtling, a source of light slowly began to become visible in the distance. It was not long before the source of light grew bigger and bigger, before Ethan was sent flying towards it. While this was happening, certain side effects began to take place. His body began to change, as he began to get leaner and muscularly toned. And with that, he was sent to the light.

Final Fantasy 7 World - Plains Biome

A golden portal materialized around twenty feet above the plains. It was not long before Ethan was chucked out of it, and he fell face first onto the grass below him. "AUGH!"

For a few moments, he was on the grass, face first. But then, he slowly got up to his feet and brushed off his clothes and face. "W-What the hell just happened?!" he then glanced around his surroundings. Awe began to kick in, as he took in the view of the breathtaking plains area around him. It was filled with flowers, as well as different animals. In the distance, he could also see a few monsters chilling by a tree. Ethan touched his face for a moment, before staring at his hands and body. He noticed that he was a lot leaner now! On top of that, he felt even stronger! How did this all happen? How did he even end up in a different location?! That's when he began to remember about the events that had transpired moments ago. He remembered how Tajima had sent him to the Final Fantasy 7 world. After experiencing being sent through a dimensional passageway, as well as being covered by a golden light, Ethan knew what he was saying was in fact the truth!

After all, he was even in a different location! Presumable, in the Final Fantasy 7 World! Upon looking around his surroundings further, he noticed that he was in the same plains area that was after Kalm town! Behind him, he could see Kalm town just up ahead! He began to wonder if Cloud and the others were there in the Inn. If so, then it would be better to lend his help to them, and also inform them about Sephiroth and his true endgame!

This could also be a possibility to prevent Arieth's death!

In both FF7 Rebirth and FF7 original, Arieth had died at the hands of Sephiroth. However, in FF7 rebirth, it's a bit more complicated. Yes, Arieth had perished, but it seemed that at the same time, she hadn't. Maybe the timelines had split into two? Lot of questions came swarming in, and Ethan knew now was not the time to think about it. He then decided to run towards Kalm town. As he ran towards the town, he noticed that he was running a lot faster than usual! "Wow! I'm running super fast!" he then decided to try something. He had a feeling that what he was about to try may work. While running, he then jumped around thirty feet into the air, before the momentum from him running earlier pushed him through the air. He then landed on the ground using a front roll before returning to his original standing position. Amazed by his skills, Ethan stared at this hands and body for a moment, before cheering, "AWESOME! I somehow got enhanced strength! Plus, I've lost weight! Now I feel more confident as well!"

He then decided to throw a few practice punches and kicks. Not only were they fast, but also seemingly deadly. He could feel the force he was exerting in his punches and kicks. After delivering a roundhouse kick to the air, Ethan returned to his original position before wondering, "Was I gifted these powers…? Or side effects of being in a new universe as Tajima said? Whatever it is… I'm super excited now!" and with that, he threw a few more practice punches and kicks, before jumping around high into the air around the plains biomes. He ran around the plains to test his speed, and also performed a series of acrobatics like running blacklfips and front flips. Not only had he gained speed and strength, but his agility was also off the charts!

He was already loving his new self! After doing a bit more testing around, he decided it was time to visit Kalm town and potentially meet Cloud, if he was still there, that is. And with that, Ethan headed towards the back entrance of Kalm town.

However, before he could get close to the back entrance, a werewolf appeared from behind a large boulder, almost as if it was waiting for him to arrive. With a shocked look on his face, Ethan shifted into his battle stance. "Oh man…"

The werewolf suddenly charged towards Ethan with a roar. Once it got close to Ethan, it then slashed his claw towards Ethan. However…

Ethan instinctively dodged the attack by jumping above the werewolf and landing behind him. It was almost as if his body moved on his own accord! Apparently, he had the ability to fight instinctively, which meant his body moved on its own!

However, the Werewolf suddenly delivered a spinning right claw slash onto Ethan. However, he simply dodged the attack. With gritted teeth, Ethan delivered a front punch thrust, hitting straight towards the Werewolf's chest. The impact was enough to knock down the beast onto the ground, rendering it unconscious in the process.

Ethan was surprised by punching power, as he returned back to standing position and retreated his arm from his earlier punch. "Wow… I've gotten so much stronger." that's when he noticed the werewolf disappearing in small orbs of green. "D-Did I kill it?"

And with that, the werewolf's body disappeared, its life going towards the lifestream presumably.

Ethan stared at the ground where the werewolf was previously at for a moment before smiling to himself. "This… is going to be the start of a new journey!" and with that, he ran towards the back entrance of Kalm town.

Once he reached the back entrance, he then realised that what if he could jump over the cliff in front of him and then enter Kalm town? Using his enhanced strength, he jumped from rock to rock on the cliff, before soon enough jumping over it and landing on the other side into the town. He ended up landing on the ground with a front roll. Once he dusted off his clothes, he then glanced around his surroundings and saw a bunch of people moving around and having fun. Some were chatting, while others were going on dates. Ethan navigated through the town, and widened his eyes in surprisement when he saw Tifa in the distance. "Tifa!" With that, he ran straight towards her.

Later, he managed to get closer, and saw Tifa standing next to a clocktower of some sort. With a smile on his face, he headed towards Tifa and said, "Excuse me, Tifa."

Tifa turned towards Ethan with curiosity and a smile on her face. "Yes? You were looking for me?"

Ethan nodded with a smile. "Yeah. But I'm also looking for Cloud and the others."

Tifa was surprised. "You're looking for Cloud? You know him?"

Ethan nodded with a serious look on his face. "Yeah. Well, I know him, but he doesn't know me yet. It's complicated. But I better reveal what I wanted to say right now. There's something important I have to tell Cloud. He paused, his expression becoming more serious. "It's about Zack Fair."

Tifa gasped softly. "Zack? You… You know something about him?"

Ethan nodded with a determined glint in his eyes. "Oh, before that, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ethan Toretto. Zack Fair's alive. He's currently heading towards Midgar with an alternate version of cloud as we speak."

"Wait… what?" Tifa was surprised. "What are you talking about?"

Ethan sighed. "It would be easier to explain if I can talk to Barrett, Arieth, and Cloud as well. Are they free right now, because this is really important. I also have information regarding Sephiroth and what his end goal is. Also, Shinra troops are currently heading towards this town. They will be here in five or ten minutes from now."

Tifa's mind raced, a whirlwind of shock, confusion, and a sliver of desperate hope swirling within her. This stranger, Ethan, claimed to know Zack, to know about a different Cloud, about the imminent arrival of Shinra troops, and about Sephiroth's terrifying plans. It was almost too much to process at once.

"How…" Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. "How do you know all of this? And...and Zack? Is it really possible?"

"I know a lot of things. But because I know a lot of things, I want to help you guys and also prevent Sephiroth from causing more damage than he has already done."

A flicker of doubt crossed her face. But there was a desperate hunger in her eyes, too. She looked at Ethan, searching for any sign of deceit and finding only urgency. Her hand instinctively reached for the small charm around her neck, a memento from that fateful day in Nibelheim, years ago.

Part of her longed to believe this stranger, but another part, the more cautious part forged through loss and relentless struggle, urged her to be wary. Yet, the mention of Shinra troops made the situation far too urgent for hesitation.

"Alright," she said, her voice stronger now. "Aerith's somewhere in this town as well as Barrett, and Cloud's likely still asleep at the inn."

Ethan nodded. "Alright… Once we get Cloud and talk to him along with Arieth and Barrett, I can give you more details, but we should also prepare to leave the inn, away from Shinra Troops."

Tifa began to wonder if this was a trap and whether Ethan was part of Shinra. However, the urgency in his expression indicated that he may be telling the truth. If Ethan knew about Sephiroth's plan, as well as Zack Fair, then there may be a chance he is telling the truth.

Tifa nodded with determination. "Alright, I'll take you to Cloud. Let's find Arieth and Barrett."

Ethan nodded. "Right."

Tifa then asked, "By the way, how do you know us? Have we met before?"

"We haven't met before. This is our first time. I'll explain everything once I meet Cloud." Ethan answered.

"Alright." Tifa nodded, and with that, she turned around, before walking towards the Inn. "Follow me."

And with that, Ethan followed Tifa to the Inn. Tifa led Ethan through the town, her pace quickening with each step. The urgency in his voice and the mention of Shinra troops had ignited a sense of alarm within her. Her mind raced with questions, but Zack's name was a beacon of impossible hope too strong to resist.

They weaved through the crowd, bypassing groups of chatting townsfolk. As they rounded a corner, a burst of color and a melodious laugh caught Tifa's attention. She spotted a familiar figure perched on the edge of a stone fountain.

"Aerith!" Tifa called out, her voice cutting through the hum of town. She broke away from Ethan, moving towards the woman.

Aerith turned, her green eyes widening in delight as she saw her friend. "Tifa! Oh, it's good to see you. I was just…" Her sentence trailed off as she noticed Ethan standing a few paces behind Tifa. Curiosity replaced surprise, her head tilting slightly in question.

Tifa reached out and gently took Aerith's hand. "Aerith, this is Ethan. He has some important information for us, some things he needs to explain. It's about Zack and…well, everything, really." Her hand lightly squeezed Aerith's, trying to convey the weight of the moment.

"Wait… Zack?" Arieth was surprised.

Ethan stepped forward, a disarming smile on his face. "Hi, Aerith," he said gently. "I know this is a lot to take in, but it's incredibly urgent. We don't have much time before…before things get complicated." His gaze flickered to the edge of town, hinting at the impending Shinra threat.

"What do you mean?" Arieth was baffled.

"Ethan says Shinra troops are going to be arriving here soon. On top of that, he also claims to know about Zack, and that he is currently alive." Tifa informed.

Arieth was surprised. "W-What?!"

Ethan nodded with a serious look on his face. "Yeah… Do you know where Barrett is? We need to get him too, and then meetup with Cloud. I can then try to explain everything before Shinra's troops arrive."

"How do you know all this? You saw Zack?" Areith was still surprised.

"It's complicated. But I can tell you this… Zack is currently heading towards Midgar with a different version of Cloud." Ethan revealed.

"I… don't think I follow…" Arieth was perplexed.

Suddenly, a voice came boomin' in, "Hey! What's going on here?"

Everyone turned towards the source of the voice and saw Barrett and Red X approaching them. Ethan sighed with relief and introduced, "Hey Barrett and Red. My name is Ethan. I have some important information to share with y'all. But first, we need to get to Cloud."

Barrett stopped in his tracks and raised an eyebrow. "Important information? What are you talking about?"

"According to Ethan, Shinra troops will be here soon-ish. And he also wants to talk to Cloud." Tifa informed.

Barrett scoffed. "Well, we can't just trust you just like that. What if you're part of Shinra? And why do you want to meet Cloud? You got some business with him?"

Ethan nodded. "Yeah… I also know about Sephiroth's plans, at least a portion of them."

Barrett's eyes widened slightly, alarmed. "You know about Sephiroth?! You in with the maniac?!"

Red, who was some sort of animal, narrowed his eyes at Ethan. "You claim that Shinra troops are heading towards us? How do you know all this?"

Barrett flexed his gun arm for a moment while saying, "Yeah! Who are you exactly?"

"I'll explain everything once we meet Cloud. It's super important." Ethan said.

Tifa nodded. "Alright, the Inn's just right up ahead." and with that, Tifa headed towards the Inn, with Areith and Ethan following suit. Barrett reached his hand out towards the group and said, "H-Hey! Are you just going to trust him like that?!"

Red sighed. "Seems like an urgent situation. We should follow them."

Meanwhile, Ethan was jogging ahead towards the Inn along with Tifa. That's when Areith quickened her pace till she was next to Ethan and asked, "Hey, wait… You're saying Zack is alive? You know Zack?"

Ethan nodded with a serious look on his face while slowing his pace down. "Yeah… He's finally back… But he also has an alternate version of Cloud with him. They're from an alternate timeline. It's complicated I know, but Zack is in fact alive. And plus, shinra troops are currently heading towards this place. We need to regroup with Cloud and get out of here."

"Another timeline?" Arieth was baffled. She then closed her eyes for a moment while still walking, before reopening them. "Yeah… I do sense something different about the lifestream… I think you're right…"

"The lifestream?" Ethan looked at Areith with a surprised look on his face. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot that you had the ability to sense life or something like that."

Arieth was curious about how Ethan seemed to know that. However, before she could say anything, they reached the Inn, and Tifa led the way saying, "Over here."

The group then entered the Inn with urgency before heading towards Cloud's room. As soon as they reached Cloud's door, they noticed the door open, revealing Cloud. With his buster sword on his back.

Cloud was surprised to see the group heading towards him. "What's up? Is something wrong?" he then noticed Ethan and wondered, "Who's this?"

Tifa introduced with slight urgency, "This is Ethan. He has some important information to reveal to you."

Ethan nodded with a serious look on his face. "Yeah… I'll explain now…"

"Hey! Wait up!" a voice said from behind. Barrett and Red managed to catch up, and Ethan then said, "Okay… so here's the thing…"

But then, Tifa interrupted by saying, "Wait, let's discuss inside."

"Huh?" Cloud was baffled. However, with some hesitancy, he let everyone inside, including Ethan. As everyone was entering inside, Cloud decided to ask, "What's going on? Did something happen?"

Tifa looked at Cloud with a concerned look on his face. "Well…"

Barrett snorted. "This guy has been claiming that Shinra troops will be arriving soon. For all we know, he could be part of Shinra!"

Cloud stared at Ethan suspiciously. "Alright, who are you?"

Ethan sighed. "My name is Ethan Toretto. Shinra troops are arriving here in around ten minutes or so. On top of that, I have some other important information to give you regarding Sephiroth."

Cloud was alarmed. "You know Sephiroth?"

Ethan nodded. "I know him, Never met him, but I know about him and what his plans are. Let me start at the beginning. First of all, your friend… Zack Fair… he's alive."

Cloud widened his eyes in surprise for a second, before suddenly feeling a pain inside his head, causing his hand to grab the side of his head in pain as he winced in pain.

Tifa looked concerned. "Cloud, are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah…" Cloud groaned, and then returned his attention back to Ethan. "What did you say the guy's name was again?"

"Zack Fair." Ethan revealed.

"Can't say I've heard of that name before."

Ethan widened his eyes, surprised. "Oh yeah… your memory was altered I believe due to Mako poisoning."

"What do you mean?" Cloud asked in a slightly demanding tone.

"Let me see if I can jog up your memory… You were actually never a 1st class soldier. It was Zack Fair who was a first class soldier. Remember how he protected you against Shinra troops?"

Cloud groaned once again, as his head began to ache some more, causing him to hold the side of his head in pain.

"Wait… Cloud and Zack were friends?" Areith was surprised.

Ethan turned towards Areith and nodded. "Yeah. Five years ago or so."

Barret simply put a massive hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Boy, you start makin' sense, or else…'' The threat hung unfinished but clearly understood.

Cloud groaned, still clutching his pounding head. "How do you..." His words were cut short by the unmistakable whir of helicopters echoing outside the Inn.

Ethan's face hardened. "Shinra's here... faster than I thought."

The door to Cloud's room slammed shut behind them as Ethan and Barrett burst out of the Inn. They didn't break stride, charging into the open air just in time to see the ominous shapes of Shinra helicopters dominating the sky above the small town.

"Well I'll be damned," Barrett gritted out. "Kid wasn't lyin' after all."

Ethan's voice was tight. "We gotta move. Now."

Cloud stumbled out too, squinting against the sky. Aerith followed, her eyes wide with alarm. "They're after us," she breathed, "aren't they?"

Cloud gripped his Buster Sword, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. "Looks that way."

"Wait… No more violence please. This town has suffered enough." a voice said.

Everyone turned towards the voice and saw the Inn Keeper ahead. The Inn Keeper insisted, "I'll let you guys through an escape route. Follow me in." and with that, he went back in the Inn with urgency. And with that, Ethan and the others followed him.

Once they were inside the Inn, the Inn Keeper then went over to the counter, before pressing a button below it. With that, a wall opened upwards, revealing a secret passage.

"The tunnel in the basement will take you outside of town. Leave now, and they won't catch you. They're after you, aren't they?" The Inn Keeper said. Inn Keeper's name is Broden. He then added, "Head to the east. Friend of mine runs a farm out there. He'd be happy to help you. Also…" he then grabbed something after opening the drawer of his counter, before handing it over to Cloud. "Take this. It's a transmuter. Converts raw materials into more practical items. A republic antique, but still works. You'll get more use out of it than me." he said while placing his hands on the surface of the counter.

Cloud then took the stuff before heading towards the hidden passage. However, he then stopped halfway and turned towards Borden before asking, "Why are you doing this? Could have just turned us in."

Broden gritted his teeth in anger. "Yeah… I could've… But this town and I have a history with Shinra." he then stood straight and shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe this will turn out to be the worst decision I've ever made." he then looked at Cloud and the group. "So before I change my mind, you better get going."

Ethan nodded with gratitude. "Thank you." and with that, he headed towards the secret passageway, with Cloud and the others following suit.

Once they entered the passageway, they saw a ladder below them. Climbing down the ladder, they then made it underground.

Once everyone regrouped underground, Barrett then decided to question, "Alright… We'll talk about this later. For now, let's focus on getting out of here."

A chorus of nods filled the room. Barrett led the way, and soon they stood before a gleaming set of metal doors. Cloud heaved them open, a blast of sunlight searing their eyes. Squinting, they blinked until shapes began to emerge – a breathtaking expanse of plains carpeted with wildflowers, their colors a vibrant tapestry under the summer sky.

Areith skipped ahead, her steps quickening with excitement. Her gaze swept across the landscape. "Wow... just look! It's all so green. A living, breathing planet..." A tremor laced her voice. "After everything we've done, it still fights on."

Red sidled up beside her. "Appearances can be deceiving, kid. Under the surface, it's barely hanging on."

Areith turned to Red, and smiled. "Guess I still have a lot to learn."

Barrett's focus shifted to Ethan, a note of urgency in his voice. "So... I guess the time for talking is now?"

Ethan sighed, a flicker of resignation on his face. "Yeah..." His gaze fell on Cloud. "Cloud, you remember Zack, right?"

Cloud faltered, his reply hesitant. "Y-Yeah... He was my friend... How could I forget..." A shadow of confusion and pain crossed his features.

Tifa's surprise turned to a pang of worry. She glanced skyward, the distant thrum of helicopters a stark reminder. "I guess a quiet return is out of the question..."

Cloud turned to Ethan and asked, "You said Zack's alive? Where is he?"

Ethan confirmed, "Heading to Midgar. With an alternate version of you."

Cloud reeled. "An alternate...me? What are you talking about?"

Barrett sighed. "One thing's for sure… You were definitely right about Shinra troops coming."

"Remember the 'Whispers' that you guys had fought back in Midgar? Those robed figures? They are basically guardians of destiny, making sure things happened the way they were supposed to. Cloud, when you defeated one of the whispers, it didn't just save your friends that day. It shifted to something big. Splintered the timeline."

Tifa's eyes widened in surprisement. "A… timeline?"

Ethan nodded with a serious look on his face and kenlt on the ground. "Yeah. Zack had originally died protecting Cloud from Shinra Troops, that's what had actually happened to Zack. That was what had originally happened. But Cloud… because you defeated one of the whispers, it changed fate itself. So now, there's a timeline where he survived, and that version of Zack somehow crossover over to this one. He is currently heading to midgar of our timeline. He probably doesn't even realize that he's in a new timeline. That's why he's with an 'alternate cloud'. Remember how I told you that Zack saved you from shinra troops?"

As everyone listened intently, Ethan continued, "Those whispers weren't just about keeping the past locked in. They seemed to be preventing possibilities too. Now that they're weakened, who knows what alternate paths have opened up."

Areith knelt besides Ethan, her gentle touch tracing patterns in the dirt. "But… If Zack is alive… doesn't that mean…" her voice trailer off.

"Doesn't mean it's the Zack you guys remember." Barrett grunted, arms crossed. "And even if it was, how the hell is Shinra gonna react to their poster boy turnin' up alive, kickin', and probably none too happy?"

Red XIII padded forward, his tail swaying thoughtfully. "The world is in flux. Yet, the threads of fate are remarkably resilient. Zack Fair's survival may be an echo of another world, but his presence here casts ripples that reaches us."

Cloud turned back to Ethan, his normally disheveled hair seeming even wilder with worry. "So, there's this other me… another cloud, with Zack? Where are they?"

"As far as I know, he's heading towards Midgar. Still a far way off."

"And… how do you know all this?" Cloud asked.

"See… the thing is, Cloud…" Ethan began, carefully choosing his words. "I don't belong here. Not in this world. I come from another world, a different… reality, I guess."

He saw the confusion swirl in everyone's eyes. Tifa was surprised. Areith gasped softly, and Barrett scowled slightly.

"In my world…" Ethan continued, locking eyes with Cloud. "Your story, all of this… It's known as Final Fantasy 7. It's a story passed down, about heroes, villains, the fight against Shinra, about… fate… And also the battle between Sephiorth and Cloud."

"So… that means… you knew everything? That's how you knew Shinra troops were arriving?"

Ethan nodded. "Yeah. But I didn't know everything. I knew the big stuff, the main story parts. Not the moments in between, the quiet conversations, the choices, the stuff that really makes you all… you. Plus, I did not finish reading the whole story yet. However, I did look into spoilers of the story online and saw the ending of final fantasy 7."

"So, like looking into a mirror and seeing a warped version of yourself?" Barrett barked, the question a mix of suspicion and grudging curiosity.

"More like…" Ethan paused, searching for the right analogy, "More like hearing a song you once knew, but with some notes changed. Familiar, yet not quite the same."

A tremor ran through Cloud, a mix of fear and determination. "Alright, Ethan." he began, his voice surprisingly steady for the storm raging within him. "What happens at the end? Was Sephiorth defeated?"

Ethan nodded. "Yeah, in the end, you did defeat Sephiroth. But…" he hesitated, a flicker of unease crossing his face. "There are losses too. Big ones." he then looked at Arieth. "Aerith... I wish I didn't have to say this... but in my world's version of the story, Sephiroth kills you. Right around the middle of the journey."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence. Areith was slightly surprised. Tifa was shocked as well.

"How… how does Areith die in our story? Tell me…" Cloud asked.

"She goes to the forgotten city… the city of the ancients." Ethan explained. "Alone. She's trying to summon Holy, a powerful magic that would be your guys' best chance against Sephiorth and the Meteor the madman is trying to summon to destroy the planet. Yep… Sephiorth's end goal is to use a meteor to destroy the planet. Crazy guy…"

Tifa was now even more shocked.

"But... Sephiroth finds her." Ethan's voice dropped. "He descends from the sky, and...impales her. With his sword. She dies there, in the temple, while she's praying." he then looked at Cloud and continued, "You were almost about to save her, but failed. That's what had happened."

Cloud's knuckles whitened where he gripped the hilt of his sword. "He just...kills her?" His voice was a dangerous whisper.

Ethan nodded grimly. "Yeah. It... it changes everything. Losing Aerith, it was a turning point."

"That ain't gonna happen here," Barrett declared, his voice thick with defiance. "Not if I've got anything to say about it."

Cloud met Aerith's gaze, a silent vow passing between them. Their world wasn't beholden to some prewritten ending – they'd already forged a different path. Now, knowing his enemy's move, Cloud was determined it would be Sephiroth who tasted defeat, not the gentle healer beside him.

Cloud rubbed his temples, the chaos in his mind a physical ache. "Okay, I'ma be honest... This all sounds insane," he admitted, glancing around at the others. "But when you warned us about the Shinra troops, and they actually showed up..." He trailed off, a mix of wonder and unease settling over him. "Plus, I don't know... there's just something about you, Ethan."

"I believe you," he declared, his voice cutting through the tension. "Things already aren't going by that…storybook of yours. We beat those Whispers, and who knows what else we can change, right?"

A determined glint sparked in Aerith's eyes. "We won't surrender our future to some predetermined fate. We'll write our own path."

Cloud turned back to Ethan. "So, hotshot from another world, where are we headed next?"

Ethan grinned, a spark of relief in his eyes after the heavy revelations. "Well, I didn't see the whole Final Fantasy 7 thing play out, just bits and pieces. But I do know you guys catch a break pretty soon, a place called the Chocobo Farm. We gotta figure out how to get there."

Red XIII rumbled, "We cannot allow delay. Time is precious, and events will not wait for us. The sooner we reach this place, the better prepared we will be for whatever lies ahead."

A brief discussion ensued, plans laid for a route that would hopefully avoid the heaviest Shinra patrols. As they began their trek, Tifa fell in step beside Ethan, concerned furrowing her brow.

"Ethan, what about Zack?" she asked quietly. "Finding him… does that change anything in your story, or whatever you saw of this… Final Fantasy 7?"

Ethan scratched his chin, considering Tifa's question carefully. "Honestly, I don't know," he admitted. "Zack being alive…that's already a huge deviation from the story I know. But one thing's for sure, he was a SOLDIER 1st Class. Having him on our side would be a huge advantage against Sephiroth."

He paused, a slight blush creeping onto his face. "Besides, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to meet the real Zack Fair. Him and Cloud, you guys were like legends back in my world."

Aerith giggled, a sweet bell-like sound that lightened the otherwise tense atmosphere. "I can't imagine Cloud as a legend," she said, giving him a teasing sideways glance.

Cloud merely grunted, the corner of his mouth twitching into a reluctant half-smile.

Tifa, ever observant, noticed the subtle change in Cloud. "You alright there, Cloud?" she asked gently.

He shrugged, his gaze distant. "Just... thinking about another legend. One that's actually here now." His voice held a mix of wonder and the faintest hint of unease. The shadow of Zack Fair, a ghost from a supposed future, suddenly felt very real.

"Well," Aerith chimed in, her voice bright with determination, "then it seems we have two legends to find! Or maybe…" she mused, a twinkle in her eye, "help create."

Ethan then looked at Areith and asked, "Hey, Areith. I remember seeing the final fantasy 7 story in my world... the ending... after sephiorth was defeated, the meteor still headed towards the planet. However, even though you were dead in that story version, you managed to accumulate a lot of lifestream or something like that, and block the meteor from destroying the planet? I don't know the specifics, so could you guess what exactly happened?"

Ethan's question hung in the air, his eyes searching Aerith's face. "It's true," he continued, "Even though Sephiroth... well, did what he did... you still managed to have a major impact. You gathered a powerful force of Lifestream. Enough to shield the planet, even from beyond."

Aerith's expression softened, tinged with a bittersweet understanding. "Yes," she murmured, "The Lifestream… it is the life energy of the planet, the collected memories and spirit of every living thing that has ever existed. When I died in the story, my consciousness probably merged with it, growing stronger."

Her eyes took on a faraway look. "In the end, it was the Lifestream itself that rose to counter Meteor. My prayers, my connection to the planet…it focused that energy, amplified its protection. That's probably what happened."

A shadow crossed Aerith's face, and she glanced at Cloud. "It's why I'm here now, I think. If this fight ends like it did in your world, Ethan… the planet will need its protector once more."

She squared her shoulders, a quiet strength radiating from her. "But with you all at my side, perhaps when the time comes, we can find a different way. One where the sacrifices aren't so great."

"I see…" Ethan said. He then turned to Cloud. "Listen, Cloud, there's something else you need to know. Sephiorth… he's dangerous. More than just physically. He gets in your head, messes with your mind."

He recounted scenes from his world's version of events, of times when Sephiroth manipulated Cloud, played on his memories and weaknesses to break his resolve.

"He'll use illusions, plant doubts…" Ethan said, his voice low. "There might be times when he makes you see things. Makes you want to hurt the people closest to you, especially Tifa."

Tifa gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, but Cloud remained outwardly stoic. Yet, Ethan saw a flicker of something cold and resolute in his eyes.

"Don't believe it, Cloud," Ethan pleaded. "Sephiroth is the enemy. He wants destruction, wants to break you. Don't give him that power."

A tense silence followed his words. It wasn't just the warning itself, but the underlying truth. Sephiroth wasn't some faraway threat anymore – his influence was already trickling in, twisting reality around them.

"Got it," Cloud grunted finally. His grip on the Buster Sword tightened. "Guy sounds like a real pain in the ass. But if he wants a fight, he's gonna get one."

Barrett, always blunt, cut in. "Yo, Ethan," he said, his gruff voice laced with an urgency he usually saved for gunfire. "Straight up – did anyone else kick the bucket in your version of this whole mess?"

Ethan hesitated. The memory of loss was a fresh wound for them all. "Aerith's...her death was the major one, the big turning point." He paused, remembering flashes of the past, "There was Jessie back in Midgar, and the others from Avalanche...they didn't make it when the plate fell. But that stuff already happened here, right?"

"About Biggs..." Ethan rubbed his chin, "Now that's where things get weird. The Whispers somehow brought Biggs back after the plate collapse. Not sure why or how. All I know is, Zack ended up finding him alive in Midgar later on."

Intrigue flickered across Tifa's face. "Brought back to life? By the Whispers?" She glanced at Aerith, a flicker of hope dawning in her eyes.

Red XIII lowered his head, his tail twitching thoughtfully. "The Whispers...their influence is more far-reaching than we first imagined. If they can manipulate life and death... what other threads of fate have they woven?"

Cloud's gaze sharpened with a mix of determination and unease. "So, Zack and Biggs are both alive. Two guys who were supposed to be dead… Glad to know Biggs is fine as well."

Aerith's curiosity piqued, she asked the question that had been simmering on everyone's minds. "Ethan, how did you get here, to our world? Was it the Whispers?"

Ethan shook his head. "No, it was... way weirder, I think. This guy, he just suddenly appeared in my bedroom. Said he had a big proposition for me, but wouldn't explain anything properly."

He held up his hand, fingers tracing the familiar shape of a remote control as he recounted the memory. "He had this gadget, and with a flash of light... well, I woke up here."

Barrett let loose a bark of startled laughter. "Seriously? Some dude teleports you from your home to fight Shinra? Damn, that's either the craziest recruitment strategy or the worst prank ever."

Red XIII tilted his head, his luminous eyes flickering. "Intriguing. This man... did he seem to have any connection to the Whispers, or perhaps another power entirely?"

Cloud frowned, a familiar sense of unease creeping up his spine. "So, some mysterious stranger dumps you here in the middle of all this, and expects you to help us fix it? That ain't shady at all," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Tifa's brow furrowed in concern. "Ethan, did he say why he sent you? What he expects you to do here?"

Aerith placed a comforting hand on Ethan's arm. "There must be a reason," she said gently. "And we'll figure it out, together."

Ethan shrugged. "Yeah… I don't know myself… Why in the world he did that. Although, he did mention that my dad instructed him to do this. Still doesn't make sense. Nonetheless, no amount of guesswork can help me figure out why he sent me. For now, we gotta focus on stopping Sephiorth, and saving Areith, and also finding Zack."

A wave of confused tension swept through the group. The mention of Ethan's father, a figure completely unknown to their world, added a new layer of mystery to an already impossibly complicated situation.

Tifa's brows knitted together in worry. "Your father had a hand in this? But how would he even know about Sephiroth, or... any of this?" There was an unspoken question hanging in the air: what parent would knowingly send their child into a world facing such danger?

Barrett scoffed, then paused, a flicker of something softer than his usual gruffness crossing his face. "You ain't gettin' any answers thinkin' on it, kid. Guess we gotta chalk it up as another one of life's messed up mysteries, at least for now." He clapped Ethan on the shoulder, the gesture both supportive and faintly commiserating.

Aerith's gaze was sympathetic. "Perhaps your father had reasons we can't yet understand," she offered gently. "There are many ways to fight for a better future, and knowledge is a powerful weapon. Maybe this... was his way."

Red XIII rumbled thoughtfully. "The threads that bind us are often tangled. What seems impossible may simply be a pattern we are not yet equipped to discern. For now, we must trust in Ethan's presence here, and the knowledge he carries."

Cloud, despite his outward stoicism, couldn't shake an unsettling feeling. Another player in this grand game, one with motives shrouded in shadows. His grip tightened on the Buster Sword, his gaze sweeping the surroundings warily. Secrets and unknown forces seemed to swarm around them now, as tangible a threat as any Shinra squadron.

Cloud then looked at Ethan and asked, "So I assume you know how to fight?"

Ethan smiled. "Yeah. Let me demonstrate."

Cloud watched Ethan's impromptu demonstration with a mix of curiosity and scepticism. The high jumps and flashy flips were a far cry from his own combat style, but there was an undeniable grace and agility to the movements. "So," he grunted when Ethan finally paused, "You think that's gonna take down a Shinra attack chopper?"

Ethan grinned sheepishly. "Well, I'm working on it. Back in my world, I never exactly trained for combat. This strength... it's different." He paused, the smile fading a bit. "It's...complicated."

Cloud raised an eyebrow. "Everything about this damn situation is complicated. Did you have mako in your world?"

"Mako? No." Ethan shook his head. "Also, guys, we will need to cross a swamp. However, the swamp has some dangerous creatures or something like that, so we need Chocobos to cross over it."

Later

"Kid!" Barrett's shout interrupted, forcing them to look ahead. The group had stopped at the edge of a clearing. A ramshackle farmhouse and a wide paddock came into view. "Unless my eyes are playin' tricks on me, that's a whole mess of chocobos just waitin' for us to ride 'em outta here."

"Let's head there." Cloud said, and with that the group followed him towards the farm. Once they entered the farm, they saw Bill.

Cloud approached him while saying, "Saw the sign. Need some chocobos to cross the swamp."

"I'm sorry pops, but you're out of luck." Bill admitted.

Cloud was confused. "Pops?"

"Got no more birds. Last one went this morning."

Barret shrugged as he looked at a chocobo that was right behind a ranch next to Bill. "Could have fooled me kid."

"These are spoken for. That, or they are not fit for riding." Bill revealed. "But… I can see that you're in a bind… So I'll bump you up the list… for a price of course."

Barret took a few steps ahead and asked, "Which is?"

Bill raised all ten fingers near his face and said, "Ten grand each."

Areith and tifa gasped softly. However, Ethan said, "Yeah… the thing is… We don't have that kind of money… or any kind of money… Hey… How about this? How about we find Piko, the bird that you recently lost, and if we find Piko, then the bird is free for us to use?"

The change in Bill's demeanor was immediate; the jovial facade dropped, replaced by a wary squint. "Hold on a second," he said, suspicion lacing his voice. "How'd you know Piko's name? And how'd you guess what I was thinkin' about, huh?"

Barret stepped up, always the first to jump into a confrontation. "Hold on there. The kid knows stuff about this place, that's all. Saw it in your 'story', huh, Ethan?"

Ethan grinned sheepishly. "Hey, sometimes you gotta get lucky. Besides, we need those birds, and finding Piko is a win-win."

"Sure, sure," Bill mumbled, a bit flustered by the strange conversation. He cleared his throat. "Well, you got that part right. If you can find Piko, I'll give you a couple of birds to cross the swamp. Now, last I saw, she was headed for the marshes..."

Turning back towards the group, Ethan gave a shrug. "See, that's where things get a little fuzzy in my memory. The basics of this quest I got down, but how we find her, what's waiting in those marshes... that's where I run out of intel. The further we get, the less I'll know. Except for the big stuff - stuff like Zack, and how this whole mess with Sephiroth ends."

"I see..." Cloud said, his voice low and thoughtful. He studied Ethan for a moment, the lines of suspicion eased from his face. Ethan's willingness to reveal the limits of his knowledge, along with his genuine desire to help, felt reassuring.

Red XIII, ever the voice of reason, broke the brief silence. "Despite the uncertainties, Ethan's presence is an undeniable advantage. He is a glimpse into the twists of fate, a guide in the coming darkness."

The great beast turned his gaze to Cloud. "With his fragmented knowledge, we gain a precious edge in the struggle against Sephiroth. To defy destiny is no easy task, but with Ethan at our side, the threads of the future begin to unravel, revealing possibilities we never imagined."

Bill then walked towards Cloud, and stared at his hair for a moment before saying, "You're the spittin image of pops here."

Areith and Tifa giggled, as Bill backed away and continued, "You can start by looking for his tracks. Find those, and you're sure to find the feet that made them. Now wild chocobos can be skittish around people. But if we play it cool and creep up real quiet like, you'll wrangle him no problem."

Areith smiled. "I think we can do that. Thanks."

Billy raised his hand into the air. "And one last thing… This info comes free of charge…" he then placed his raised hand on his chest. "...provided you promise to stop by our shop." he then pointed behind his shoulder at a girl behind a counter. "Speak to Chloe over there. She'll sell you whatever you need."

Barrett laughed with amusement. "Kid's a born businessman.

Bill chuckled. "If y'all can catch our runaway and get hs butt back here, ridin' and rearin' lessons are on me."

Ethan smiled. "Thank you."

Bill stared at Ethan suspiciously. "I haven't seen you around before. Strange that you somehow knew his name."

Ethan chuckled nervously while rubbing his back head. He then murmured, "I guess I shouldn't reveal information like that. Only when it's needed."

Cloud watched Ethan's interaction with Bill. Ethan's nervous chuckle and mumbled excuse only made it funnier. "Easy there… We don't need the whole world knowing you've got a cheat sheet for saving the planet."

Tifa joined them, a warm smile on her face. "Just remember, Ethan, even with your knowledge, we still have to figure things out as we go. You can't foresee every obstacle. But we'll face whatever comes our way, together."

Ethan nodded with a smile. "Thank you, everyone."

Cloud and the others then approached Chloe. Chloe apologized, "Sorry about my brother. All he thinks about is money."

"He's just doing his job, we understand." Arieth smiled.

"I suppose… But he's been a real pain about it ever since our parents…left." There was a pause, before Chloe decided to ask, "Say… Are you guys from Midgar?"

Areith nodded and leaned in. "Yeah, the undercity." before returning back to her original standing position.

Chloe then asked, "Then… do you happen to know chocobo sam?"

Areith placed her hand on her chin. "Umm.. not very well… but… yeah, I guess we do."

"Where is he?" She asked.

Cloud took a few steps forward before answering. "Probably the sector 6 slums. He's a big deal in wal—"

However, Areith placed a hand near Cloud, gesturing him to stop talking, before asking Chloe, "Um, why do you ask?"

Chloe answered, "I was… thinking about reaching out. It's his fault mom and dad are gone… so…"

That's when Bill entered the scene. "Chloe, that's none of these good folks' business."

"But they could help." Chloe protested.

Cloud and the others faced Bill, and the latter requested, "Don't tell anyone what she told you. Sam's one of the biggest names in the business. If he gets wind of that story, our ranch is done for."

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with us. I promise." Areith assured.

Chloe smiled. "Oh! Take these greens. You can give them to Piko when you find him. They were always his favourite treats, you see. Maybe he'll come back once he's had a taste."

Barrett chuckled. "Alright, Beako. Where did you run off to."

"You mean, Piko?" Arieth said. The group went ahead to find Piko.

As they ventured into the marshlands, leaving the Chocobo Farm behind, Barrett turned to Ethan with a gruff grin. "So, hotshot, your story sense telling you where this Beako, or whatever it's name is, decided to wander off to?"

Ethan scratched his head sheepishly. "I remember the general idea – find Piko, get some Chocobo lures, and everything works out – but the exact location? That's a blank."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Barrett's face, but it was quickly replaced by a shrug. "Guess we gotta do this the old fashioned way – trackin' and trailblazin'. Just hope the story didn't include some swamp monster lying in wait."

Tifa smiled. "Don't worry, even with limited information, you've already given us a heads-up. Besides, it's good to have some unexpected challenges, right?"

"Indeed," Red XIII mused. "The unknown holds both danger and opportunity. Our path may deviate from Ethan's memories, but that does not mean it is less valid."

Cloud, ever the pragmatist, simply grunted. "Less talkin', more searching."

Ethan then walked near Areith's pace and asked her, "Hey, do you still like Zack?"

Ethan's question hung in the air, a touch more direct than he intended. He watched Aerith with a mix of anticipation and hesitation.

"Wow... you really went there, huh?" she said, her gaze meeting his. "After a thoughtful pause, she continued, "I guess...he hasn't given me a reason not to."

"See, in my world..." he began, his voice low, The story included stuff about Zack as well... about SOLDIERs, and a flower girl named Aerith.. He and Aerith..." He trailed off, searching for the right words. "They became close, their bond strong." He glanced at Cloud for a moment, before looking back at Aerith. "But I'm guessing... things are different now..."

Aerith's expression softened, a hint of understanding replacing the initial surprise. "You've seen glimpses of our story too, haven't you?" she murmured, more of a statement than a question.

She looked towards Cloud, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken connection between them, before returning her gaze to Ethan. "You're right, things are different," she admitted. "The years haven't stood still, for me or for Cloud. We've fought battles together, shared moments that no one else could understand. That bond...it runs deep. But still… it's quite confusing…"

Sensing a shift in the atmosphere, Ethan realised he might have inadvertently stumbled into a slightly awkward territory. Time for a change in course.

"So... about these Chocobo tracks," Ethan blurted out a little too loudly, forcing a laugh. "Bill wasn't kidding about them being skittish creatures, huh? Any expert tips from a flower girl turned swamp tracker?"

He grinned sheepishly at Aerith, hoping his clumsy transition would smooth over any lingering awkwardness. After all, finding Piko was the immediate mission, and a little distraction with a touch of humor couldn't hurt.

Aerith chuckled, relieved by Ethan's quick pivot. "Definitely leave the flower sales pitches at home," she teased. "But as for tracking, let's see… chocobos love greens – those treats Chloe gave us should be helpful. And," she paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully, "they're notoriously clumsy. Look for disturbed ground, broken reeds, that sort of thing."

Her eyes sparkled as she caught the thread of Ethan's distraction. "And hey, sometimes, even the most experienced trackers lose their way. It's good to talk about the stuff that weighs on us, even if it leaves us with more questions than answers."

Her curiosity piqued again, she gently nudged the conversation back towards the intriguing realm of Ethan's knowledge. "So," she began, "You mentioned seeing bits and pieces of... our story. Anything else you remember that we should look out for?"

Ethan hesitated, weighing his words. "I'll be honest, the further we get, the fuzzier things become in my mind. But if there's anything important, any big warning signs, I swear I'll let you know." He paused, a grin spreading across his face. "And you know, besides the danger and all, I'm actually excited to meet Zack Fair. From what I saw…he's a real legend."

Aerith tilted her head, a playful smirk playing on her lips. "A legend, huh? Well, let's just say he's definitely... memorable," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

She paused, her eyes taking on a distant look. "There was a... brightness to him," she murmured, "A kind of infectious energy. But..." Her voice softened, "Life has a way of... tempering even the brightest of spirits."

Tifa, ever perceptive, picked up on the shift in conversation and approached Aerith and Ethan. "What are you two whispering about?" she asked with a gentle smile.

Ethan, sensing the tension, decided on a playful deflection. "Oh, just discussing that whole Final Fantasy VII story," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Remember I said it came from my world? Well, it turns out there's a sequel called Advent Children. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff that happens…"

"Advent Children?" Tifa asked, genuine curiosity in her voice. "What's that?" The others echoed her question, all eyes on Ethan.

He grinned. "Well, apparently, it picks up some time after your whole saving-the-planet ordeal. And get this…" Ethan paused for dramatic effect, then dropped the bombshell, "Cloud and Tifa…you two end up together. Maybe even had a couple of kids, though the details were fuzzy."

Tifa's cheeks flushed immediately, a mixture of surprise and flustered embarrassment. Cloud, beside her, flinched almost imperceptibly. He quickly schooled his expression into his usual stoic mask, but Ethan caught a fleeting glimpse of something unreadable – confusion, a touch of yearning, maybe even a hint of vulnerability.

Aerith watched the exchange, her own feelings a tangled mess. A pang of something like wistfulness struck her.

Red XIII let out a low growl, his gaze fixed on Ethan. "An interesting detail," he rumbled. "This 'Advent Children'… does it offer any insight into the ultimate fate of Sephiroth?"

Barrett, true to form, roared with laughter. "Cloud, havin' kids? Now that's a sight I'd pay to see! Though, knowing you, the little tykes are probably running around with miniature Buster Swords already, huh?"

Ethan scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, that's about all I can remember from Advent Children. It wasn't the full story, just bits and pieces." He paused, noticing the lingering tension. "And… I'm probably already spoiling too much, aren't I?"

Aerith offered him a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Ethan," she said gently. "Knowing something might happen is a lot better than being blindsided. And who knows – maybe your knowledge will help us make different choices, find a path that wasn't there before."

Tifa nodded, her cheeks still slightly flushed. "She's right. Even the smallest clue can be a game-changer."

Cloud, however, remained silent. Ethan caught his gaze for a moment – the flicker of doubt, the wrestling with uncertainty. It spoke of a man used to a set path, now forced to confront a future riddled with too many possibilities.

"Look," Ethan said, addressing the group, "I wish I had all the answers. But even with my jumbled memories, I'm on your side. We'll figure this out, together."

Barrett patted Ethan on the back, his booming voice dispelling some of the lingering unease. "Don't sweat it, kid. One step at a time, just like finding that darn Chocobo."

Red XIII, ever the voice of reason, let out a low rumble. "Ethan's foresight, while incomplete, is a gift we cannot ignore. We must tread carefully, balancing knowledge with our freedom to forge our own destiny."

Ethan sighed. "Hey Cloud, you okay there?'

Ethan's question pulled Cloud from his internal maelstrom of thoughts. He blinked slowly, his usually stoic expression turning into a slight flustered look.

"Yeah," he grunted, the word short and clipped. "Just... thinking." With a curt nod, he turned and walked a few paces ahead, putting distance between himself and the group.

Aerith watched as Cloud retreated, his broad shoulders tense. A pang of sympathy echoed within her, knowing the struggle he faced. She sighed softly. "Sometimes, knowing too much about the future... it can be a burden," she murmured, more to herself than the others.

Turning to Ethan, her voice was gentle but tinged with concern. "You did what you thought was right, Ethan. And your heart was in the right place. But perhaps..." she hesitated, searching for the right words, "...perhaps you revealed more than you intended."

"Yeah… my bad…" Ethan sighed.

Later, Ethan and the others arrived near a place where wild Chocobos were spotted. On top of that, Pico was also spotted with a saddle and leash attached to his body.

Barrett smirked. "Yeah! Come on, y'all! Let's go bag us a chocobo."

"Keep it down. When you're on the hunt, you don't wanna startle your prey." Cloud said.

Areith was surprised. "Prey? You know we're not here to kill him, right?"

"Yeah…"

Ethan smiled. "Yeah, I know what Cloud meant to say." he then stared ahead at Piko who was chilling at the distance. "Alright… let's do this…"

"I'll go and do it." Cloud stated, before crouching down and slowly creeping up to Piko. Areith and Barret went a different direction to watch from a distance and watch the scene unfold without alerting Piko. With a smile, Ethan headed to Areith and Barret.

After a bit of stealthily heading towards Piko, Cloud then used a rock he found nearby and threw it somewhere near Piko. When the rock hit the ground, the sound distracted Piko, causing him to shift his attention towards the rock. The bird stared at the rock in confusion, wondering where did it suddenly come from. That's when Cloud slowly crept up behind the bird, before jumping on its saddle, and holding its leash. The Bird wiggled for a bit, but once it calmed down, Cloud got off the bed and noticed Ethan and the others had already arrived near him.

Tifa then handed Piko's favourite treat over to Cloud. Cloud took it, and with a smile on his face, he then kept it on the ground. That's when Piko bent its head down to eat it. Once it ate it, it then made a 'kweh' bird sound.

Areith smiled. "Aww… isn't he the cutest?" she placed her hands on the bird. Tifa also placed her hands on the bird.

Cloud and Piko then had a staredown. That's when Areith noticed a similarity, and looked at Tifa and smiled. "You know, they are kinda similar."

Cloud folded his arms and sighed. Piko then bent its head towards the ground, as if searching for more food.

Ethan blinked. "I think he's still hungry…"

Tifa bent forward with her hands on her knees and said to the Chocobo, "Sorry… that's all the food we had."

The chocobo looked slightly disappointed and raised its head up. That's when Ethan said, "There's more food at Bill's place, though."

And with that, the Chocobo did another kweh bird sound before running towards Bill's farm.

Red commented, "Back to the ranch it is, then."

Areith looked at Cloud and Ethan and said, "Come on."

And with that, the group followed the Chocobo.

Later, they arrived at Bill's place, and noticed Piko already eating food from a trough, with Bill next to him.

Areith smiled as she walked a few more steps ahead. "Ah! There's our guy." She then chuckled. "Nothing beats a little taste of home, now does it?"

Meanwhile, Bill was checking the feathers and body of Piko. After a moment, he turned around and said, "Not so much as a feather outta place. Got one healthy bird here."

"'Nough to ride?" Cloud asked.

"Sure. Though I wouldn't try until he's done eating. Once he's had his fill though, I'm sure he'll come round to the idea, if we ask him nice. I'll need to prep his gear, so why don't you wait outside?"

"Alright." Ethan said, and with that, he and the others turned around, before heading outside.

Once they headed outside, a voice said, "Cloud?"

Cloud looked to his right, and saw a boy with gray hair approach the group. The boy, who was apparently Chadley, placed his hand on his chest and said, "What a pleasant surprise. You… do remember me… don't you?"

"Yeah." Cloud answered.

Chadley looked excited. "I knew you would! It was an absolute pleasure working with you in midgar. Thank you again. Your valuable intel allowed me to create so much materia."

That's when Chadley's monocle beeped as it began analyzing Cloud. "Detecting internal monoluge… 'The hell's this weirdo doing here'?" he then chuckled. "I was created by professor Hojo, you know. Though, your thoughts could be read by any cyborg. But to answer your question, I took a page out of your book and skipped town. Now, the whole world's my laboratory."

"You can… read minds?" Ethan was surprised.

"Why, yes. Wait a minute…" Chadley's monocle began to analyze Ethan. "Analzying thoughts… Wait… another world?"

"Huh?"

"I just read your thoughts. Your from another world, aren't you?"

Ethan was slightly afraid. "D-Damn… how much do you know about me now?"

"A lot." Chadley admitted. "This is… amazing! The fact that you're from another world changes everything about my research!"

Cloud and the others were surprised, as Chadley continued, "Anyway, sorry, I'll leave you guys to it. Saving the world, right? I'll be leaving then. Nice seeing you again, Cloud!" and with that, Chadley walked past the group, before heading towards a different direction.

The bizarre encounter with Chadley left the group reeling. Barrett stared after him, his brow furrowed in a mix of disgust and bewilderment. "Mind-readin' creep," he muttered. "Kid, you know that freaky little scientist from your...story?"

Ethan blinked, still processing the whirlwind of revelations. "Uh, no. Haven't seen that part yet. And honestly," he shuddered, "I'm not in a rush to meet a guy who can poke around in my head."

Cloud, ever the stoic observer, spoke up. "So much for knowing all the answers," he grunted, a hint of dark amusement in his voice. "Guess we're still figuring this out on the fly.

Ethan chuckled, a hint of nervous energy in the sound. "Yeah, today kinda put a whole new spin on the phrase 'nothing's impossible,'" he admitted.

Aerith's gaze was sympathetic. "It must be overwhelming, Ethan," she spoke gently. "Sharing such a burden - knowing about us, about what might happen..." She trailed off, then added with a wry smile, "And well, after today, I think 'weird' deserves a whole new definition."

Tifa tilted her head, her usual warmth masking a flicker of worry. "So, Ethan," she began, "With all this... chaos and danger... how are you finding our world? Not exactly the kind of place you can just kick back and relax in, huh?"

Ethan grinned, his genuine enthusiasm shining through despite the tension. "Honestly? It's been insane! Wolves, mind-reading scientists, two Clouds…" he paused, a sparkle in his eyes. "But also... exhilarating. This place, your world, feels so much more… alive than anything I could have imagined in stories. And besides…" he added, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper, "I wouldn't miss the chance to be part of something this epic for all the gil in Midgar."

Barrett let out a boisterous laugh that echoed through the clearing. "See, Cloud? That's what I keep sayin' – world's a messed up place, but there's always somethin' to keep you on your toes!" He clapped Ethan on the shoulder, nearly sending the smaller man stumbling. "You got spirit, kid. I like that."

Aerith's brow furrowed. "Wait, Ethan... you said 'wolves' earlier. Was that just a slip of the tongue, or…?" Her voice trailed off, her eyes questioning.

Ethan scratched his head sheepishly. "Actually... That's what those creatures were," he muttered. "When I first got here, today, one of those… werewolves attacked me. I'd never seen anything like it before, some kinda man-beast hybrid…"

Cloud grunted, his voice gruff. "Yeah, all sorts of nasty critters roamin' around out there. Guess your world wasn't so… adventurous."

He wasn't mocking Ethan – rather, there was a hint of reluctant admiration in his tone. It took a special kind of courage to be dropped into their world, a world teeming with monsters and madness, with nary a clue of what awaited.

Tifa placed a comforting hand on Aerith's shoulder. Despite everything, a flicker of excitement burned in her eyes. She turned to Ethan. "So, when do we find Zack again? Do you think...maybe we'll run into them before they reach Midgar?"

Ethan grinned nervously. "Well, about that..." He hesitated, searching for the right words. "Imagine it like, uh, Cloud suddenly having a younger brother. Or a...time-traveling echo from the past."

Aerith's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Two Clouds..." she mused, "I wonder what happens when they meet." A playful grin touched her lips. "Maybe there'll be twice the brooding, or perhaps it'll cancel each other out?"

Ethan chuckled at Aerith's sense of humor.

To be continued…