"So you're from another dimension?"
"Yes,"
"And from the future?"
"Sorta, it's complicated."
"But we don't exist?" Light said, pointing at her and Thalia. It was a question she had asked about a dozen times now but still couldn't get her head around. How does one not exist? It felt as though the two girls have always been here, but Cloud's words rang true. That feeling of disconnect from the village. Her growing wanderlust as the years passed. The strange dreams that had only been growing in frequency. She thought she was growing as insane as her brother but now it made scary sense.
"You did exist in another, other dimension called Cocoon. It's where most of your other memories come from I think. Where Serah from." he explained, like it was no big deal to reveal that she apparently had a sister that didn't exist anymore. But she supposed twelve years was more than enough time to get used to craziness, especially if what he told them about his other life was true. "Thalia I'm less certain, but that doesn't mean anything. I only had contact with maybe a handful of people from a dozen worlds. She could've been a Champion from a later cycle or a native on one of the missing planets.
"Originally our dimension was one universe with multiple planets that would sometimes intersect when there was a crisis. Sometimes you and I would fight in said conflicts. Sometimes we don't. It really depends on the needs of the Warrior of Light, who by the way is the first hero to answer the call. Sort of like our leader but not so formal. And some of the current continents used to be planets. As for why it's like that your guess is as good as mine."
And wasn't that something to make her thoughts spin faster, that she and Cloud apparently fought in interdimensional wars in their spare time. That there were others like them possibly trapped in adolescents and ignorance. And something big had happened to get them all stranded here and away from their loved ones.
"And everyone in Nibelheim is the same? Only we're different?" Thalia asked quietly, having her own internal struggle with these new revelations. Now Lighting felt bad, at least she got concrete answers but her friend was still left with so much uncertainty. Questions answered but now her very existence was in doubt. And no guidance on where she should even start to resolve this.
"As far as I can tell, maybe others but you two are the only ones that mattered to me" he said with a gentle smile. For once since the conversation began, showing some tact as he consoled her. He had been a little too enthusiastic with his verbal vomit once he realized the cat was out of the bag. As if years of holding back his words finally had their pressure valve released.
"So now what? Where do we go from here?" Lightning piped in, trying to will her headache away. Man, she really needed to get some sleep soon. Not that she could after all the excitement from tonight. "What's the plan of action? Who needs killing? You said it's usually these Chaos people who're responsible? Well let's go find them.."
"The plan is to figure out the "Why". Why did this happen, then work on a solution if we can. I don't know who's at fault." Cloud said, going over his multi step plan. "But to do that we need information. First would be to see each member of my old team and learn what they know. If they remember anything. Next would be to go to the other Champions who's homeworld is on the planet. That would be prince Noctis of the Lucis empire in Eos, the wandering summoner Yuna of Spira, and her boyfriend the hero Tidus. In that exact order."
"Kinda seems like it'd be easier to reverse that. Some dude, some girl, and then the prince. I don't fancy getting stabbed by his bodyguards because I gave him a funny look." she replied, wondering if she was a princess too in her world. Her twin didn't know a whole lot of details, having apparently been too antisocial and embarrassed that he was tricked into fighting for the bad guys on their first meeting.
"You'd think so but Yuna's a pilgrim, wandering who knows where. And Tidus was a time traveler, he might not even exist. Noctis' location is the only one I'm certain of." he reasoned. "And more importantly we don't have the money to be globetrotting. We're also just kids, nobody's to most people. So until our bodies start catching up with our brains we stay the course, build the company up and keep an ear out for news."
'Well that sucks,' she thinks, "So what? We just pretend we aren't trapped in another dimension, where some super villain might be plotting our demise?"
"No," Thalia spoke, before an argument could break out, "from what Cloud says nothing strange has happened to change history as far as he remembers it. That is, except for the actions he's already taken at least. Minus all the new places and people off Gaia. So we plan for the worst and consolidate power. And for the love of Shiva, try not tip of these Champions of Chaos what we're up to!"
"What she said," confirmed Cloud, pointing to their neighbor. Well now Lighting was starting to feel a little ganged up on. What's wrong with taking action?, "And everyone needs more training. I wouldn't take you to battle even if I knew where the fight was. I'm nowhere near as strong as I used to be and it's even odds if you two would even win a fight against a cactuar."
She had to scoff at that. No way a plant would get the better of her.
"Well then train us better , O'great warrior." she snapped back at her brother. If he thought they weren't up to snuff ten it was his responsibility to train them harder. "Get us to the point we're not going to be a liability. Let us help you."
"Absolutely, I'll put you two through your paces till your spitting up blood and killing Zooms in your sleep. After we get home."
Before they could protest, he put his hands up to forestall any arguments. He wasn't changing his mind. Lighting was stubborn but Cloud could stare down a rock till it moved. But he better have a good reason.
"Rocket Town is a bust in terms of info," he continues, grinning a little. This boy was definitely up to something she thought. "But it doesn't mean we can't make a deal with them. Now that the three of us are on the same page it makes things easier. After all, Strife Deliveries needs to plan for the future. A little expansion is in order."
000
The next early morning found them having tea at the Highwind's residence, sidetracked on their way to "pick up their shit" as Cid would say. Thankfully whatever deal Cloud and Cid were making seemed about to wrap up, considering the older man had only been yelling. Which worked for her because she was ready to blow this dump and get home to her soft bed. Maybe quietly have her existential crisis in the comfort of her blankets and with a belly full of her ma's stew. She didn't think she could ever consider Claudia Strife to not be her mother, so she decided not to think too deeply about it.
"And I ask again, why should I even bother with this shit?" Cid said holding up the contract that Cloud had given him. It was an agreement for Rocket Town to give them a ship and produce vehicles for their company, for free, in exchange for the profits of successful deliveries. A very one sided deal in her opinion considering they were still on their first delivery. Sure it had been more profitable than estimated but it sure wasn't the time to be looking for investors. "Seems like I'm taking all the goddamn risk here! Shinra would be up my ass if they thought I wasn't a hundred percent committed to the program and trying to squeeze pennies on the side. And whats to stop you from fucking off with the Tiny Bronco if I gave it too you?"
Shera put a hand on the blond man before he could blow a vein or have an aneurysm in front of them.
"Let him explain himself, Cid. We got time." She consoled her partner. What could be said about Shera; she was kind, pretty, smart, and made some great goddamn tea. Truly a woman too good for the idiot. The scientist turned to look at her brother all business. "I have to agree, Cloud. It is a very one-sided agreement, too disproportional for anyone really. No exchange and no collateral to ease it. And you're asking us to do it on a leap of faith, faith of your future success. You do realize we just met you three yesterday right?"
All fine and reasonable points. It told her that at least the woman was taking this seriously. Even Thalia was unconsciously nodding along to the assessment being laid out. Hopefully he had more up his sleeves than hot air and wishes.
"Because you two are too smart to be putting all your eggs in one basket," he began, trying to draw in their attention for all it was worth. And Lighting had to admit, she was curious how he was going to recover from that terrible start. "Shinra is notorious for starting and dropping projects at the drop of a hat. There are dozens of half finished reactors and reactor towns scattered all across the western country alone. They'll give you the world until they find something more profitable or they decide you're just not worth the cost."
At this he unrolled a map of Gaia with his own annotation, all the potential routes that their company would travel through in the future clearly marked out. A bit of cheating from having gone to these places as an adult. But whatever convinced them, she supposed.
"And I'm not just asking for blind trust," he continues, pointing through all his notes,"I've done the work, planned for all the fastest and most profitable delivery chains on the continent. All the towns, cities, and settlements that we would hit to make every trip worth our while. We'd be the only game and we'll make a fortune. But were hamstrung by our inability to get there in the first place. A Chocobo can only get us so far. That's where you two come in. I got the plan, I'm just asking for resources, the kind that only your town can provide."
She could tell they were impressed by the work, even if Cid did it begrudgingly. It was more than the two thought they had, honestly more than Lighting thought they had. She shared a quick glance Thalia's way to confirm that neither knew he had that on him. Was this always the plan?
"Most importantly you can't afford not to," Cloud let that sit in the air for a moment before continuing. Always the dramatic one. But if the smoke show helped to push the envelope then who was she to judge? "because their war with Wutai isn't going well. Trust me it isn't despite what they'll tell you. I'm sure you've noticed less gil being floated your way every month. More requests for supplies being denied. It's because the project is taking too long for their taste. They've committed more time and energy into that war than they were expecting. Now it's all or nothing for them. They need the mako to recoup their losses, and they need Wutai under their heels to salvage their reputation. If that happens then No.26 is going to be very low on their list of priorities."
She could feel the anticipation beating in her heart, the sweat in her palms as he finished. He actually did have a plan and wasn't coming in half-cocked hoping things would work out. Now to see if he can stick the landing.
"To us its money and opportunity," Cloud said, indicating the other kids in the room. The adults seemed to have forgotten they were even there, so lost in their thoughts from what was presented to them, "For you two it's a safety net, a lifeline should the worst happen and Shinra does what it always does. Going after the easy money and trampling over whatever doesn't push that along. In this case your dream of going into space. Or maybe they don't and I'm spouting bullshit. I've heard from the grapevine that you've met the president and his officers so you'd know better than me. What do you think is going to happen with the war?"
A long silence.
Nobody seemed to be moving an inch and the engineer and scientist made eye contact. A lot was being said in that gaze she knew, she just hoped it was all good stuff. And she hoped they'd hurry up cause she was about to pass out from the pressure.
"You're renting the Bronco, we're not giving it away," Cid growled out reluctantly. And like that the tension popped. Air seemed to flow back into the room and the atmosphere became lighter. "And you better not fuck us over!"
"Lets go over the details one more time," Shera supplied, getting up to heat another pot of tea for what was going to be a very long discussion. Cloud shoulders squared to fight tooth and nail to get everything he needed. Thalia, already scribbling on a loose piece of paper the costs and talking to Cid over how supplies would be allocated under Shinra's nose. Lighting herself pulled the map closer to study it in detail.
'So much for going home early, at least we might leave in style.'
000
They did not leave in style.
Negotiation took three whole days for the details to be finalized and for everyone to begrudgingly agree. Thalia had to call her dad to let him know about the delay and so he wouldn't call the calvary to send a search party. Thank goodness Rocket Town actually common to have a use for more than one phone unlike the two used for emergencies in Nibelheim.
The airship wasn't ready to be placed in their possession, as Cid was in the middle of a maintenance repair during their stay. Shera would also need some time to hire some workers to make their other transports. But that proved to be a blessing in disguise since they were bombarded with delivery and pickup requests now that they had Rocket Town's heroes vouching for them. Even some of the Shinra personnel hanging around had employed their services for some local mail delivery.
They left town, wagons practically bursting with miscellaneous items and wallets heavy with gil. They set a brisk pace up the mountain path to Nibelheim, hitting every settlement on the way but not staying too long to sight see. After all, why look at the same old rocky walls, when in a few months they may be traveling around the world.
The result was that they were able to make great time, shortening their travel time by some hours. It was only late noon when they finally crested the final hump of their journey and saw the outline of Nibelheim. The sleepy town was a sight for Lightning's sore eyes. She felt like she had been gone from home for months instead of two days. If she didn't think it would ruin her reputation she would have let a few tears of happiness fall. But if Thalia and Cloud were going to be all bone dry about it then so was she.
"I'm going to crawl back into my bed and snooze the day away," she sighed happily to her companions. "Then tomorrow I'm going down to the bakery and buying as many apple fritters as my arms can carry! No more penny pinching for me, it's nothing but the good life from here on out."
"Penny pinching? You? This from the girl who spent over a month of her allowance getting a fancy pair of dancing shoes from the cobbler?" Thalia asked in fake surprise, always so quick to burst Lightning's bubble. It's like her friend thought she needed some humility or something. "Which I need I remind you, you still haven't worn it because you don't dance! What was the point of buying it again?" She finished, putting a finger to her chin in mock wonder.
"I'll learn eventually, I just haven't got the time, is all."
"Right and it isn't because you stomp on everyone's foot when you do."
"I don't stomp! I gracefully sometimes put my feet on other people's toes."
"My papa was in a splint for six weeks after you 'gracefully' blessed him with the underside of your boots."
"Over exaggeration, he was in a cast for four weeks. And it probably wasn't even my fault. His bones cracked because he's old. It's a common problem for men over thirty."
"And everyone whose feet you smashed, who weren't over thirty? It's just one big coincidence that they all had to go to the doctor after dancing with you?"
"It's a conspiracy! Those louts are just trying to get pity points to cash in on when Strife Deliveries starts raking in the mula. They probably thought I was easy pickings or something."
The back and forth went on till they finally entered the village borders. It caused a bit of a stir when the hanger-ons saw them arrive and enthusiastic greetings assaulted them from all sides as the people gathered around. So this is how the rich and famous feel, thought Lightning who was enjoying the power she had over these small people.
"How was your trip?"
"Did you see a dragon?"
"Any mail for me?"
"Is that my package, can I take it now?"
"Hold up everyone!" Cloud shouted above the noise, hands raised high to get everyone's attention and stop the grabbing hands. "Let's get off the main road first so we aren't blocking traffic. Follow us to our office if you want your delivery now, otherwise well try to get it to you by tonight. Tomorrow at the very latest."
There was some grumbling at that, but they aquicent and followed the trio to their main office. Truthfully it was just a little shed owned by , who gave it to them after his daughters begged him for it. It had mainly been used for storage of useless junk but after a week of hard clearing it was usable. Still terrible to look at but at least it didn't look like they were going to get tetanus from it anymore.
The two siblings started organizing their haul and bringing things up to Thalia as she manned the front. Lightning wasn't the happiest of campers having to work so hard after her long road trip but what could be done? If she went home now she'd have neighbors hounding her the entire way, as if she was carrying their stuff in the pockets of her riding dress.
"Your back!", Tifa shouted, as she bursted into the office followed by her little gang of friends. Thank gods she did, cause the blonde needed a fifteen minute break from all the lifting. And now they had all the extra hands they could want. "How was it? How come you came back so early? Did you guys bring me back a souvenir?"
Thankfully she was saved from having to answer the tirade of questions by Cloud taking point. With the four new helpers taking over, Lighting wandered back up front to see how long the line was and to sneak a snack while she was at it.
000
A sharp knock on her door woke her up.
Groaning, she could see bars of light peeking through the curtains of her window. It was morning, very early morning. She barely remembered the rest of yesterday after the last client picked up their items and left. Lightning vaguely remembered her brother telling them all to go home and get some sleep. That he'd take care of delivering the rest of the packages tonight before he'd follow suit. She must have been more out of it then she thought because she didn't remember much after that, no recollection of even climbing the stairs back into her room.
Another knock.
Reluctantly she rolled out of bed and went to answer the door. It was Cloud. Fully dressed and all geared up with a stupidly bright smile on his face. Only a demon would be this happy those early in the day. She considered slamming the door back in his face before he spoke.
"Rise and shine, princess. Time to start your first day of real training. You're not killing giant snakes in your dreams yet!"
Gods she hated his smile.
Twenty minutes later would find her moodley stomping down the stairs and out the house, barely grabbing a quick breakfast of bread. Sullenly munching on her loaf as she stared dagger at the other blonde, she let the dark thought circulate. Why did it have to be so early? Their mother, the resident early riser, wasn't even up and about yet!
"Why do we need to train in the ass-crack of morning? What's the benefit?" she grumbled, as they waited for Thalia to join them outside. At least she wasn't going to suffer this injustice alone. Only to see both Lockharts sisters coming bounding out of the big house together instead. "Whoa, whoa. What's she doing here? I thought it was supposed to be a secret training session only for those in the know?"
"First, no real reason, I just like the mornings. Two the benefits is to give you as much time as possible to learn, And three," Cloud motioned for the girls to get closer, dropping his voice a bit. "No more secrets between all of us. I realized I'm shit at keeping them and Tifa deserves to know. She's our friend. Like an actual friend, not just someone we smile politely at but think about wanting to punch in the face. Plus it's not like I can hide it from her forever, she spends most of her time with at least one of us. It's just not practical."
The approaching girls heard the last bit and Tifa seemed to glow at this. The little brat was finally getting her way, she mused. Oh well, Lighting and Thalia wouldn't need to keep sneaking around now. Actually she felt kind of relieved at the newest addition, they can all be crazy together. They can all be in the nuthouse together, she supposed.
This new regiment wouldn't be on the usual stomping ground, apparently their training would take them up the path to the old reactor. The possibilities were exciting. Was he going to have us drink the mako? Was she going to be leaping from rock to rock too? Maybe she'd get to fly? Like a bird in the sky, without a care in the world. What did that stuff even taste like? It could be too bad from how much she remembered Cloud chugged down. Maybe she'll grow horns? That'd be cool.
Turns out it was none of those.
It was an hour long explanation of what they already knew, trying to catch Tifa up on the new status quo. The thousand questions that followed as a result. It'd be funny seeing all the faces the younger girl was making if it wasn't for the fact that Lightning had to sit through it all, partially blinded by the bright sun. Seriously, he couldn't have done this on his own time?
"Wait, I owned a bar?" Tifa said in confusion. He told in large strokes what had happened in the other world. But had been light with the specific details. Mainly from not really knowing, it no longer being possible to happen, or as he said "it was a little too personal". It drove her nuts but those were the breaks. And as she felt her eyes closing from boredom, Lighting realized that he didn't need her for this.
So she took a nap.
By the time she felt herself being poked awake, it was finally time for the good stuff. Only it wasn't what she thought it would be. There were no secret word techniques, no hidden schools to read, no mako to drink. Not yet he assured them. First a whole lot of exercising , which wasn't too unusual, even if it was harder than anything they;ve done they were going to meditate. Something or other about feeling the energy inside of you and using it.
"Just breathe everyone and center your mind. Focus on feeling the innate energy in your body. Don't pull on it, just sense it for now." Cloud explained to the group as if any of his words made any coherent sense. Hard to concentrate with all the blood pumping in her brain from the run they just finished. Also feel what? She didn't feel anything. And she was having a hard time keeping herself from fidgeting too much. Didn''t help that she was a sweaty mess at this point.
Today was going to be such a long day.
000
Turns out meditation didn't suck.
Because here Lightning dodged a bagrisk like she had eyes in the back of her head and was putting her saber through its side like it was tofu. A four months of physical conditioning and sense training, had turned all three girls into variable killing machines. The results were amazing! She trusted her brother and his story of course but there was always a bit of doubt in the back of her mind. It was just so fantastical to really wrap one's head around. They could just all coincidentally be going insane at the same time. Maybe there was just something in the air and they were all just hallucinating? They did live in a reactor town after all.
Apparently still not strong enough to fight any big threats.
But here was physical proof that it wasn't just the overactive imagination of a crazy kid. One who somehow suckered the other kids his age into believing the impossible. Cleaning her blade off she took a quick sweep to look around at the carnage. Dead monsters all around them, Tifa punching in the skull of one of the bagrisks on the left and Thalia already skinning the weird looking geckos for their leathers. Truly a very productive afternoon.
Even better, they were finally getting the Tiny Bronco from Rocket Town.
Cloud had set out yesterday back to the village on the other side of the mountain to pick it up from Cid. They had been making smaller delivery trips all over the mountain the past week in between training but nothing as extensive as that first voyage to the Shinra sponsored town. Their reputation in their little backwater corner of the world was through the roof and only getting better. Every successful order made more of a home brand name for the little people of those villages.
Thalia thought that soon they might need to hire actual employees to take care of the smaller routes while they overlooked the bigger ones. They were spoiled for choice on that end, it seemed that every older kid in this Nibelheim was asking if they had a spot open. Even had some of the parents inquiring for opportunities for their kids! Pretty soon one of the adults might start begging them for a job. Lighting even had some extra money to buy herself a second pair of dancing shoes. Life was good.
And their first trip on the ship was to North Corel and the Golden Saucer!
Cloud had business in the mining town beyond the typical fair, apparently one of Cloud's friends was there. The only one who he could realistically get a one on one facetime with. Nanaki was some talking dog that the people of Cosmo Canyon won't even admit exists to a stranger. Reeves Tuesti was so high up the Shinra hierarchy that there was no way they'd let a bunch of strange kids anywhere near the man.
So off they were to see some miner named Barrett who he wanted to do the same memory test he gave Cid and Shera. What kind of test you might wonder about? Something personal that only members of team "Avalanche" would know. And if it was no dice, then a business proposition for the coal town like Rocket Town. Something about alternative fuel. While he did this they girls would go up to the Golden Saucer to advertise the company and have fun.
Only for some reason Tifa was going to be in charge of who got to go to the amusement park city.
When was this decision made? Even worse, Lightning's neighbor was being noncommittal on whether she was going up top too! Seriously, what the hell?! Weren't they friends? Why was the little brunette making her sweat over it? Only two more days before the trip.
She needed to confront Tifa.
"So can I go yet?" Lightning asked her grumply, as the little girl was wiping off her fighter's gloves on a handkerchief. "The joke stop being funny on the first day, now its just torture. Don't drag me over the coals like this! You know you love me, o'neigbor of mine. Use country girls gotta stick together and all that. "
That got her a very unimpressed look from Tifa.
"Oh fine you menace, I guess that's the best I'm gonna get from you," the younger girl relented with an eye roll. Turning to fully face Lightning, she walked up and put a hand on her hip. "But remember this for next time! Payback's a vicious cycle. It could mean mutual destruction for the both of us every time you open your mouth without thinking. And no more leaving me out of stuff!"
"That was an honest mistake! Me and Thalia weren't sure if there was some giant conspiracy going on when we started following Cloud around. You should've seen the stuff we found in that mansion! For a month we thought he was eating people or something. Besides, we thought you liked hanging out with the boys."
"Doesn't matter," She gritted, " Cloud told me everything, so now I'm all in. No more secrets between us, any of us. And quite with the insults. Agreed?"
Lighting gave her an exaggerated sign but didn't bother to hide the small smile.
"Agreed. Country girls unite?" she asked, opening her arms for a hug. FIrst step in mending bridges. Tifa thankfully went into the embrace with no issue.
This was nice.
A slow clapping could be heard behind them.
"You two are adorable," Thalia said with a fond smile.