Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

Premonitions: Uncut	By : Hippo_and_Friends_with_Benefits Category: Final Fantasy VII > General Views: 3901 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, and I am not making any money of of this writing.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Chapter 15: Origins
"Well, what do we do now?" asked Barret as he gazed down the seemingly endless highway. The vehicles were stopped with their emergency blinkers on.
"Sephiroth is alive," Cloud replied. "I have to settle the score."
"And that'll save the planet?" asked Barret.
"Seems like it," Cloud answered. Of course, he wasn't sure, but he needed all the help he could get.
"Awright," Barret agreed. "I'm going."
"I'll go too," said Aerith. "I have things that I want to find out."
"About the Ancients?" asked Cloud.
"Many things," Aerith.
"I guess this is good bye, Midgar," said Tifa, realizing they were leaving the city.
All knew their situation was about to take a sharp left turn.
MEANWHILE...
"Bestla," alerted Nara on the bridge of the Urchin, "look what we've got!"
Nara quickly displayed her findings on the main screen. Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Red XIII, and Aerith could be seen using a rope to climb over Midgar's outer gate.
"Let's take them out!" Nara suggested enthusiastically.
"Not yet," insisted Bestla. "Remember, the Temple."
"Fuck it!" exclaimed the impatient Nara. "We can find the Temple on our own! We don't need them!"
"So you're willing to sacrifice yourself, then?" suggested Bestla.
"Say what?!" exclaimed Nara.
"That's right," Bestla replied. "In order to obtain what we're after, someone needs to solve a puzzle. But once that puzzle is solved, the Temple will contract, crushing that person to death. So, tell me. Would you want to be that person, or would you rather have one of them do it?"
Nara was beaten. "I withdraw my protest," she said quietly.
"Besides," Bestla continued, "Red XIII has just joined them. We need to wait for the other four."
"Understood," said the defeated Nara.
"And," continued Bestla, "see that girl in the pink dress?"
Nara nodded.
"Don't get too attached."
SOMEWHERE ELSE...
Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Red XIII, and Aerith had climbed over the glass barrier encircling the city. They were now officially outside of Midgar. Soldiers were now few and far between, but they now had to worry about all sorts of nasty creatures roaming the uninhabited lands.
"I'm going back to my home town," Red XIII announced. "I'll go with you as far as that."
"I guess this is the start of our journey," said Tifa, looking into the distance.
"You hate traveling?" asked Cloud.
"I don't know," Tifa replied. "But I don't have anywhere else to go. So I guess it doesn't really matter whether I like to travel or not."
"You know what?" asked Aerith. "This is the first time I've ever left Midgar."
"Really?" asked Cloud. "You worried?"
"A little," Aerith replied. "No, maybe a lot. But I have my bodyguard, right?" she added with a smile as she took Cloud's hand.
"We told Aerith's mom to go somewhere safe, so Marlene should be safe, too." Barret said.
"Then…let's go!" Cloud suggested.
"We need a group leader for our journey," reminded Barret as he began pounding his fists. "'Course only me could be the leader."
"You think so?" asked Tifa skeptically.
"It would have to be Cloud," Aerith suggested.
Barret stopped his antics. "Fuck...awright. "I guess we're headin' northeast, to Kalm." He didn't have the heart to argue with a pretty girl.
ELSEWHERE...
The presidential plane landed in Junon. The president and his senior staff exited the plane just as the sun began to rise. It was a long day for them all.
"There's no laboratory here," Hojo said.
"Good," replied Heidegger. "So you can't do any more harm."
"I'll have you know," retorted Hojo in an annoyed tone of voice, "I just create things. How you treat them makes you just as responsible."
"Whatever," muttered Heidegger. "God only knows what kind of experiments of yours created Sephiroth and Jenova."
"For the record, Jenova was found," Hojo replied. "And Sephiroth came by the natural way."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" exclaimed Heidegger.
"Gentlemen!" ordered Rufus. "Do you both want to be placed on corrective action?"
The two were silent.
"That's better."
"Mr. President," began Palmer, "on another topic, we're preparing for your reception."
And then, the executives realized who did not leave the plane.
"Where's Reeve?" asked Scarlet.
"He's on his way back to Midgar," Rufus replied. "I don't trust Bestla. Or the Turks. He's got a special assignment."
MEANWHILE….
"So this is Kalm?" asked Tifa aloud. A beautiful, quiet hamlet beheld her, with painted houses and cobblestone streets. There were several rows of houses, and the entirety of the town was less than a square mile. It was a sharp contrast to Midgar.
"It is," said Cloud. "I've been here on a couple of assignments."
"Let's hurry over to the inn!" suggested Aerith.
"Let's go, Cloud," Tifa agreed.
The five made their way inside the inn. Inside, they found a deserted, quiet lobby to take refuge in. It was the perfect place.
"So let's hear your story," Barret requested, voicing what everyone else was thinking. "You know, the one about Sephiroth and the crisis facing the planet. Let's hear it all."
Cloud looked down. He wanted and not wanted to tell his story at the same time, but he realized he didn't have much of a choice. "I used to want to be like Sephiroth, so I joined SOLDIER. After working with Sephiroth on several missions, we became friends."
"You call that a friend?" exclaimed Barret.
Cloud sighed. He knew that had been coming. "Yeah, well, he was older than me, and he hardly ever talked about himself. So I guess you'd call him a war buddy. We trusted each other. Until one day."
"One day?" asked Aerith.
"After the war it was SOLDIER's duty to put down any resistance against the Shinra. That was five years ago. I was sixteen."
Flashback…
"It sure is raining hard," Cloud observed from inside the truck. Rain was pounding the ceiling. Cloud could swear it was giving him a headache. He then noticed one of the soldiers appeared under the weather. "Hey, how are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm all right," he replied.
"I wouldn't know," Cloud said. "I've never had motion sickness."
"Hey," ordered the man with long, gray hair seated near them. "Settle down."
"They gave me new Materia," Cloud said as he started working out. "I can't wait to use it."
"Just like a kid," observed the man.
"You going to brief us about this mission?" asked Cloud.
"This isn't a typical mission," the gray-haired man replied.
"Good!" Cloud exclaimed.
"Why do you say that?" the man asked.
"I joined SOLDIER so I could be like you," Cloud defended. "But by the time I made First Class, the war was already over. My big hopes of becoming a hero like you ended with the war. That's why I always sign up whenever there's a big mission. Kind of a way to prove myself. Say, how do you feel, Mr. Sephiroth?"
"I thought you wanted a briefing?" Sephiroth replied. "Our mission is to investigate an old Mako reactor. There have been reports of it malfunctioning, and producing brutal creatures. First, we will dispose of those creatures. Then, we'll locate the problem and neutralize it."
"Brutal creatures?" asked Cloud. "Where?"
"The Mako Reactor at Nibelheim."
"Nibelheim. That's where I'm from," Cloud pointed out.
Before Sephiroth could reply, the truck came to a sudden stop. It jolted, causing Cloud to fall over. The poor soldier Cloud had talked to earlier vomited.
"Sir!" exclaimed the driver in a panic. "Something strange just crashed into our truck!"
"Come on!" ordered Cloud as he opened one of the doors. "We have our monster!"
Cloud followed. Outside was a strange dragon-like creature.
…End Flashback
"And?" asked Barret.
"He killed that thing in one blow." Cloud replied. "Sephiroth's strength is unreal. He is far stronger in reality than any story you might have heard about him."
"So where do you come in?" asked Aerith.
"Me? I was mesmerized by the way Sephiroth fought. And then we reached Nibelheim."
Flashback…
"How does it feel?" asked Sephiroth as they set foot in Nibelheim. "It's your first time back to your hometown in a long time, right? So how does it feel? I wouldn't know because I don't have a hometown."
"How about your parents?" asked Cloud.
"My mother is Jenova," Sephiroth replied. "She died right after she gave birth to me. My father...but what does it matter? All right, let's go."
"It's so boring, being on watch," complained one of the guards.
"You want to do what we always do?" suggested Cloud. "Just sit tight, it's your job, right?"
"The Mako smell is pretty bad here," Sephiroth observed.
….End Flashback
"Yo, wait a minute!" Barret interrupted. "Isn't that…the name of Sephiroth's mother...I remember Jenova. That's that damn headless spook living in the Shinra building."
"That's right," Cloud replied.
"Barret, would you please let us hear what Cloud has to say?" Tifa requested. "You can ask questions later."
"Tifa, I was only…" Barret tried to defend, but stopped himself.
"Okay Cloud, continue," said Tifa.
"It's a reunion of childhood pals!" said Aerith enthusiastically.
"I was really surprised with Tifa," Cloud said. "The town was quiet."
Flashback…
"Everyone must be staying in their houses, afraid to come out because of the monsters," Cloud observed. "No, maybe they're afraid of us."
"We leave for the reactor at dawn," Sephiroth informed the three. "Make sure you get to sleep early. All that we need is one lookout, so you others, get some rest. Oh, that's right…you may visit your family and friends." With that, Sephiroth disappeared inside the inn.
Cloud paced the village for a few minutes before entering the inn himself. He found Sephiroth on the second floor, facing the window.
"What are you looking at?" asked Cloud.
"This scenery," Sephiroth replied. "I feel like I know this place. We have an early start tomorrow. You should get some sleep soon. I've hired a guide to the Mako reactor. I've heard she's young. I hope we can rely on her."
THE NEXT DAY...
The next morning, Cloud met Sephiroth and the two guards outside in the town square.
"Once the guide gets here, we're heading out," Sephiroth informed them.
And then, Tifa came along. The fifteen-year-old girl was dressed in a short skirt, midriff top with a vest, and a cowboy hat. The two guards couldn't help but stare. Neither could Cloud; not because of how she was dressed, but because he hadn't seen her in three years. He wondered if she would recognize him.
She was not alone; her father was with him. "Listen to me, Sephiroth," he began. "In case something happens…"
"Trust me," interrupted Sephiroth.
"I'll be all right, Dad!" Tifa assured. "I have two men from SOLDIER with me. I'm Tifa. Nice to meet you!"
"Tifa!" exclaimed Cloud. "You're the guide?"
"That's right," Tifa replied. "I just happen to be the number one guide in this town."
"It's too dangerous!" Cloud objected. "I can't involve you in something like this!"
"Then there's no problem if you respect her," Sephiroth laughed.
MINUTES LATER...
Cloud, Sephiroth, Tifa, and the two guards were making their way along the dangerous, narrow paths of Mount Nibel. Cloud had explained there was a Mako reactor hidden in the mountains. The temperature was frequently dropping, causing the guards, Cloud, and even Sephiroth once to complain about the cold. Ironically Tifa, who was wearing the least, seemed the most comfortable.
Eventually, they made their way to a bridge. This bridge was a rope bridge, with a warning sign that it was unsafe.
"It gets harder from here!" Tifa warned. "Follow me!"
"No way!" exclaimed one of the guards. "Can't you see the sign?"
"The sign is pretty self-explanatory," Sephiroth replied. "It keeps intruders away from the reactor. Employees take this risk every day. Not fun, but that's the nature of the beast. Now move out!"
The five of them began to cross the bridge. Cloud had no heed to the dangerous bridge. His attention was focused on Tifa. When he had left Nibelheim, he was fourteen, and she was thirteen. She had always worn dresses that never flattered. But now, it was different. Her back was turned towards him, and his eyes were focused on the small of her back. He had never seen it (to say nothing of her equally-bare midriff) before. He almost wanted to reach out and touch it, to see how it felt.
And then, it happened. The sound of disintegrating rope filled everyone's ears.
"The bridge!" Tifa exclaimed.
Cloud grabbed Tifa's hand, but it was too late. The bridge collapsed, sending the five of them into the abyss.
When Cloud came to, he found himself at the bottom of the canyon. As he rose to his feet, he could see Tifa, one of the guards, Sephiroth, and countless pieces of rope and wood in all directions. Sephiroth seemed uninjured, with Cloud having a scrape on the wrist. Tifa had a bruise on the leg.
"Everyone seems to be all right," Sephiroth observed. "Can we get back to where we were?"
"These caves are intertwined, just like an ant farm," Tifa replied. "Oh, and Sephiroth, there seems to be one person missing."
Cloud noticed, too. One of the guards was gone.
"It may sound cold," Sephiroth began, "but we've got no time to search for him. We can't go back now, so we must go on. We'll travel together from here."
The four survivors continued on the path until they reached the mouth of a cave. Inside, they could see walls of all colors.
"What's this?" asked Cloud
"A mysteriously colored cave," Tifa replied.
"It must be the Mako energy," Sephiroth observed. "This mountain is especially abundant in it. That's why the Mako Reactor was built here."
Deeper into the cave, they came across a beautiful fountain.
"And what's this?" Cloud asked.
"A Mako fountain," Sephiroth replied. "It's a miracle of nature."
"It's so beautiful," Tifa observed. "If the Mako Reactor continues to suck up the energy, this fountain will dry up too."
"Materia," Sephiroth began. "When you condense Mako energy, materia is produced. It's very rare to be able to see materia in its natural state."
"By the way," said Cloud, "why is it that when you use materia you can also use magic too?"
Sephiroth raised his eyebrows. "You were in SOLDIER and didn't even know that? The knowledge and wisdom of the Ancients is held in the materia. Anyone with this knowledge can freely use the powers of the land and the planet. That knowledge interacts between ourselves and the planet calling up magic, or so they say."
"Magic...a mysterious power." said Cloud. He didn't buy it.
Sephiroth began to chuckle.
"Did I say something funny?"
"A man once told me never to use an unscientific term such as mysterious power!" Sephiroth explained. "It shouldn't even be called magic! I still remember how angry he was."
"Who was that?" asked Cloud.
"Hojo of Shinra, Inc," Sephiroth replied. "An inexperienced man assigned to take over the work of a great scientist. He was a walking mass of complexes."
"A Mako fountain," observed Tifa aloud. "So this is where the knowledge of the Ancients is."
Finally, the four travelers reached the entrance to the reactor.
"We finally made it," announced Tifa. "We sure took the long way though."
"Tifa, you wait here," Cloud ordered.
"I'm going inside too!" she protested. "I wanna see!"
"Only authorized people are allowed in," explained Sephiroth as he placed his hand on Tifa's shoulder. "This place is full of Shinra's industrial secrets." He then turned to the guard. "Take care of the lady."
With that, Cloud and Sephiroth disappeared inside the reactor, leaving the surviving guard and Tifa outside.
"Better take real good care of me then!" ordered the cross Tifa.
Inside the reactor, Cloud and Sephiroth found a room full of tanks, the contents of which remained a suspicious mystery. At the end of the room, there was a door. Above the door, there was a sign that read but one word: Jenova.
"This is Jenova, right?" Cloud observed as he fiddled with the door. "The lock won't open."
Sephiroth, meanwhile, had moved on to one of the pods.
"This is the reason for the malfunction," said Sephiroth. "This part is broken. Cloud, close the valve."
Cloud did as he was ordered.
"Why did it break?" wondered Sephiroth aloud. "Now I see, Hojo. But, even doing this, will never put you on the same level as Gast Faremis." He then turned to Cloud. "This is a system that condenses and freezes the Mako energy...when it's working correctly. Now, what does Mako energy become when it's further condensed?"
"It becomes a materia," Cloud answered. He wasn't up for a quiz.
"Right, normally," Sephiroth replied. "But Hojo put something else in there. Take a look. Look through the window."
It only took one look to make Cloud stagger back. "W-what is this!?" he exclaimed after seeing the repulsive creature inside.
"Normal members of SOLDIER are humans that have been showered with Mako," Sephiroth explained. "You're different from the others, but still human. But what are they? They've been exposed to a high degree of Mako, far more than you."
"Is this some kind of monster?" asked Cloud.
"Exactly," Sephiroth said. "And it's Hojo of Shinra that produced these monsters. Mutated living organisms produced by Mako energy. That's what these monsters really are."
"Normal members of SOLDIER?" replied Cloud. "You mean you're different?"
In response, Sephiroth grabbed his head.
"Hey, Sephiroth!" Cloud exclaimed, realizing that was something he probably shouldn't have asked.
"No," replied Sephiroth in a shaky tone of voice. "Was I?" For a moment, Sephiroth stood still. Then, without warning, he grabbed his sword and began attacking the tanks. "Was I created this way too?" he demanded as he continued his slashing. "Am I the same as all these monsters? You saw it! All of them were humans!"
"Human!?" exclaimed Cloud. "No way!"
Sephiroth finally stopped and turned to Cloud, at least partially regaining his senses. "I've always felt since I was small. That I was different from the others. Special, in some way. But not like this."
"Welcome to the club," Cloud replied, trying to reassure him.
Just then, one of the chambers exploded, exposing one of the foul, perverted creatures to the environment.
"Am I human?" Sephiroth asked rhetorically.
…End Flashback
"I didn't quite understand what Sephiroth was saying at that time," explained Cloud. "I was even more surprised by that fact that Shinra was producing monsters."
"Damn Shinra!" muttered Barret. "The more I hear, the more I hate 'em!"
"Who would have ever thought the Mako Reactor held a secret like that?" asked Tifa.
"That would seem to explain the increase in the number of monsters recently," Red XIII observed. "I think we should listen carefully to Cloud. Don't you think so, Barret?"
"Why you talkin' to me?" he questioned.
"Tifa, you were waiting outside then?" asked Aerith.
Tifa nodded.
"We returned to Nibelheim," Cloud continued, "Sephiroth confined himself at the inn. He didn't even try to talk to me."
"Then all of a sudden he just disappeared, right?" asked Tifa.
"Not exactly," Cloud replied. "We found him inside the biggest building in Nibelheim."
"The villagers used to call it Shinra mansion," Tifa explained.
"Long ago, people from Shinra used to live in that mansion."
Flashback…
Cloud entered the Shinra mansion through a second-floor window. It was the third hour of the search.
"There's no sign of Sephiroth," Cloud said to himself, "but I know I saw him go into this room."
The room seemed plain to him. It had a bed, a dress, and a huge fireplace.
A fireplace.
It gave Cloud an idea. He went to the fireplace and pressed against the wall of it. The wall moved backward, revealing a long spiral staircase.
"He has to be down there," Cloud said.
He made his way down the staircase. At the bottom, he found a dark tunnel that led to what appeared to be a library. Sure enough, Sephiroth was there, with his eyes glued to one of the many books.
"An organism that was apparently dead, was found in a two thousand year old geological stratum," Sephiroth read aloud. "Professor Gast Faremis named that organism Jenova. Jenova was confirmed to be an Ancient. Then the Jenova Project was approved. The use of Reactor Number One was also approved for use." He closed the book and got up from the desk. "My mother's name is Jenova. Then we have the Jenova Project. Is this just a coincidence? Professor Faremis, why didn't you tell me anything? Why did you have to die?" He then returned to his readings.
Cloud spent the night in the mansion. The next morning, he returned to the library.
"Sephiroth seems different," Cloud said aloud as he made his way through the cave.
"Who is it?" Sephiroth responded. He was sitting at a desk, with books piled left and right. "Oh it's you," he growled. "Traitor."
"Traitor?" Cloud couldn't believe his ears.
"You ignorant traitor," Sephiroth augmented. "I'll tell you. This planet originally belonged to the Cetra, an itinerant race. They would migrate in, settle the planet, then move on. At the end of their harsh, hard journey, they would find the Promised Land and supreme happiness. But, those that disliked the journey appeared. Those who stopped their migrations built shelters and elected to lead an easier life. They took that which the Cetra and the planet had made without giving one whit in return! Those are your ancestors."
"Maybe you need some sleep," Cloud suggested. "Or food. You're not you when you're hungry."
"Long ago," Sephiroth continued, "disaster struck this planet. Your ancestors escaped. They survived because they hid. The planet was saved by sacrificing the Cetra. After that, your ancestors continued to increase. Now all that's left of the Cetra is in these reports."
"What does that have to do with you?" asked Cloud.
"Don't you get it?" replied Sephiroth. "An Ancient named Jenova was found in the geological stratum of two thousand years ago. The Jenova Project wanted to produce people with the powers of the Ancients…no, the Cetra. I am the one that was produced."
"Produced!?" exclaimed Cloud.
"Yes," Sephiroth replied as he began to leave the library. "Professor Faremis, leader of the Jenova Project and genius scientist, produced me. Now stay out of my way. I'm going to see my mother."
"Wait!" exclaimed Cloud as he tried to block Sephiroth's path.
In response, Sephiroth punched Cloud in the head.
When he came to, Cloud found himself alone in the tunnel. Realizing Sephiroth had knocked him out, Cloud quickly got up and ran up the stairs. He realized Sephiroth would never be the same again.
Upon leaving the mansion, Cloud felt nothing but heat. And could see nothing but fire. His house. Tifa's house. Everything was burning.
Sephiroth, showing no emotion, disappeared through the flames.
LATER...
Cloud had chased Sephiroth all the way to the reactor in the mountains. His mother was dead. Many of his neighbors were, too. Sephiroth was going to answer for his wrongdoings, even if it meant Cloud losing his life in the process.
His burning eyes were greeted by a tragic sight when he reached the interior of the reactor. Brian Lockheart lay face down, dead, in front of the core, with a giant sword in his back. His heartbroken daughter was on her knees beside him.
"Papa…" Tifa choked. "Sephiroth? Sephiroth did this to you, didn't he? Sephiroth...SOLDIER...Mako Reactors...Shinra...everything!" She sprang to her feet. "I hate them all!" Without thinking twice, she picked up a sword that Cloud presumed to belong to her father's murderer and ran inside. Cloud, knowing full well she was in danger, followed her.
Sephiroth was indeed inside the room where he had "discovered" his "mother." He was right at the door with her name above it.
"Mother, I'm here to see you," he said. "Please, open this door."
Cloud then looked below to see Tifa approaching him, sword in hand. "How could you do that to papa and all the townspeople?" she exclaimed as she advanced up the stairs.
Sephiroth turned as she reached him and grabbed the sword straight out of her hands. "You will not interfere. You are dangerous." With that, he sliced her across the chest.
The helpless Tifa was thrust backwards, landing motionless near the bottom of the stairs.
Cloud instinctively ran over to Tifa. Her eyes were closed, and her chest was bloody. Fearing he had lost the last person he cared about, Cloud cautiously placed two fingers on her neck. He sighed with relief when he felt a pulse, and noticed the bleeding was slowing down. The cut was just a warning, but he needed to get her out of the way. Cautiously, he picked her up.
"You promised," Tifa whispered as she had a weak smile on her face. "You promised that you'd come...when I was in trouble…"
Cloud placed her against one of the pods. He then looked up the stairs at the gaping doorway that almost seemed to be calling him. He knew what he had to do.
Upon his first glimpse of the previously blocked room, Cloud could see a strange-looking armor, presumably encasing Jenova. Below stood Sephiroth, gazing upward.
"Mother, let's take this planet back together," he said to the armor. "I've thought of a great idea. Let's go to the Promised Land."
"Sephiroth!" shouted angrily. "My family! My home town! How could you do this to them?"
"They've come again, mother," Sephiroth cackled. "With her superior power, knowledge, and magic, Mother was destined to become the ruler of this planet. But they...those worthless creatures are stealing the planet from Mother. But now I'm here with you, so don't worry."
With that, Sephiroth promptly ripped off the armor, heedless of the resulting sparks flying, revealing a blue-skinned creature.
"That's your mother?!" exclaimed Cloud.
"Do not insult my family," Sephiroth warned. "That saddens me."
"What about my sadness!?" exclaimed Cloud. " My family and friends! The sadness of having my home town taken away from me!? It's the same as your sadness!"
"My sadness?" Sephiroth taunted. "What do I have to be sad about? I am the chosen one. I have been chosen to be the leader of this planet. I have orders to take this planet back from you stupid people for the Cetra. What am I supposed to be sad about?"
"Sephiroth!" cried Cloud as he drew his sword. "I trusted you!"
"And you can trust me again," Sephiroth assured.
"No! You're not Sephiroth I used to know!"
….End Flashback
"And that's the end of my story," Cloud finished.
"Wait a damn minute!" demanded Barret. "Ain't there more?"
"I don't remember," Cloud replied.
"What happened to Sephiroth?" asked Aerith. "Surely he didn't just disappear into thin air."
"In terms of skill, I couldn't have killed him," Cloud said. "He was older and more experienced."
"Official records state Sephiroth is dead," informed Tifa. "I read it in the newspaper."
"Shinra, Inc. owns the newspaper," Aerith pointed out, "so you can't rely on that information. They called me a truant once for running away from them."
"But I want to know the truth. I want to know what happened then," said Cloud. "I challenged Sephiroth and lived. Why didn't he kill me?"
"I'm alive, too," Tifa added.
"Seems like a lot of this doesn't make sense," Aerith pointed out. "What about Jenova? It was in the Shinra building, right?"
"Shinra shipped it from Nibelheim to Midgar," Cloud replied.
"Did someone else carry it out after that?" asked Aerith. "It was missing from the Shinra building."
"Sephiroth?" Tifa suggested.
"Damn! Don't none of this make sense!" exclaimed Barret. "I'm going, going, going, gone! And I'm leavin' the thinkin' to you! Yo, Cloud! Let's get a move on!"
"Well…"
"Yo, c'mon let's go!""
Just then, Red XIII sat down on Barret's lap.
"Didn't I just say it's time to go? How come you guys always do that?"
"Oh brother," Cloud laughed. "It's late, anyway. We all need to get some rest before we head out. It's been one hell of a day."
"Shit," Barret muttered. He had been anxious to go after Sephiroth.
"Cloud?" asked Tifa as she walked over to him. "How bad was I when Sephiroth cut me?"
"I thought you were a goner," Cloud replied. "I was really sad."
Tifa was silent. She never knew he cared that much about her.
"I, the Ancients, Cetra, Jenova, Sephiroth and myself," Aerith said out loud.
"What a fascinating story," observed Red XIII before hopping off of Barret, laying down on the floor, and falling asleep.
THAT NIGHT...
"adeuiawgubrteaivcartgydetgbvdvjitnvgjidrjslahbfcljakhcbawiehfwbioifcnslkdhbgaerilbnaclibnawlhnatgblarekhcvnarlejkbgfvalkwrhebgalreabglieeipoavncaroepivnraeikbvraeihbvaroeibvhaelhbvrareaeioheneboprupoaruewosmikopomasdcnaihubaoiwuhebfaowieybfatuedislcmwejhrugndbsfko"
THE NEXT MORNING...
Cloud shot up in bed.
"The voices again?" asked Tifa, who was already dressed.
"Yeah," Cloud replied, trying to catch his breath. "What could they mean?"
"I'm not sure," Tifa replied. "Maybe they're a random nightmare?"
"Three times in a row?" asked Cloud.
"I have no clue," Tifa replied. "But we also need to catch Sephiroth. Like you said."
"You're right, said Cloud." He looked around, noticing it was indeed morning.
"Let's go," Tifa said. "Barret's waiting."
"No prob."
"And Cloud," added Tifa. "How come you didn't tell them about the other thing that happened?"
"What other thing?"
"The night we returned from the reactor. Before it got really bad."
Flashback…
Cloud sat alone at the well. It had been a long day.
"Hey, stranger," greeted Tifa as she approached him. She looked him in the eyes for but a moment before running to him and throwing her arms around his neck.
"I missed you!" she exclaimed. "I've been waiting all day for this!"
A few moments later, they were sitting together on the well. They had not seen each other in nearly three years.
"How is it?" asked Tifa.
"How's what?"
"SOLDIER."
"It's…okay."
"Just okay?" asked Tifa.
"What have you been up to?" asked Cloud, trying to change the subject.
"Me?" asked Tifa. "I just finished my freshman year of high school."
"Nice," Cloud replied. "What have you been up to? Cheerleading?"
Tifa folded her arms. "I'll pretend I didn't hear that. For the record, I run track." She paused. "Say, Cloud...how long are you going to be here?"
"Dunno," Cloud replied. "Probably no more than a few days."
"Oh," replied Tifa in a somewhat sad tone of voice. "You just got here…"
"It's part of the job."
"Cloud," began Tifa, "there's something I need to ask."
"Shoot."
"Are you seeing anyone?"
"You mean like a girlfriend?" asked Cloud. "Nope. You?"
Tifa shook her head. "I've had a couple of boyfriends my freshman year, but they went nowhere and ended quite quickly."
"I'm sorry."
"Hey Cloud," Tifa continued. "After you go away again…can I see you sometime?"
"In the city?" asked Cloud. "I don't think that would be possible. I'll have a tight schedule."
"Oh," said Tifa sadly. "I see." She put her head down. There was something else she had wanted to tell him, but couldn't bear to.
….End Flashback
"I didn't see what it had to do with Sephiroth," Cloud said.
LATER...
"So," began Barret once Cloud, Tifa, and Red XIII were outside the inn, "I suppose we pursue Sephiroth and make sure he doesn't get to the Promised Land?"
"That's right," Cloud replied. "He can't be that far ahead."
"So how do we get there?" Barret asked.
"Well," began Cloud, "it's a long and complicated process. But our way should be through Mithril Mine."
Just then, Aerith emerged from the inn. She had changed her clothes; she was now dressed in a black top and yellow jacket, with a pair of dark blue, waist-hugging jeans. "What?" she asked as everyone else looked at her. "Who wears the same clothes all day every day?"
"You look good," Cloud complimented.
"Thanks!" she replied as she hugged him. "Please tell me you're not going to say 'it's too dangerous and you should stay here,' are you?"
"Tempting," Cloud replied.
Aerith sighed. "I do have my bodyguard, don't I?" she insisted. "Besides, I need to get further away from Midgar, too. I know Sephiroth is dangerous, but, unlike the Shinra, he's not looking for me."
Cloud gave Aerith the "you win" look. "Just know there's potentially a nasty creature behind every rock and tree."
She smiled, and put her hand on his shoulder. "You are my bodyguard, aren't you?"
"You got it," he replied as he put his arm around her and pulled her close. "Now, when I say run, you run. And when I say hide, you hide. Got it?"
"No problem," Aerith replied. "We all have too much to live for.
SOMEWHERE ELSE...
It was dark. Pitch black. Whether it was day or night, she couldn't tell. She couldn't even tell when she had regained consciousness. She had no sense of time or direction.
Then it occurred to her. Perhaps she was blind. She quickly dismissed it, as she felt no pain in her eyes. Standing to her feet, she realized she wasn't paralyzed, either.
It was the premonitions that saved her life. She never told anyone she was having them, but she remembered where and when she was supposed to die. She changed positions during what was supposed to be her final moments, and assured her survival. At least for the time being. But now, it seemed possible that she would starve to death.
Her efforts to cheat death were in vain.
OUTSIDE KALM...
Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barret, and Red XIII, meanwhile, had traveled through the swamp to the mouth of the mine. Upon arriving, they were greeted by the repulsive sight of the Midgar Zolom, the feared creature of the swamp, impaled on a large sword.
"Did Sephiroth...do this?" asked Cloud.
"Amazing," said Tifa.
"I guess we caught that Chocobo for nothing," Red XIII observed.
"Our enemy is someone that could do this?" asked Aerith as the five of them entered the mine.
Once inside, they encountered two people they knew. Two people they wished they didn't.
"Just a second!" ordered Rude.
"Who are you?" demanded Tifa.
"Do you know who I am?" demanded Rude.
"From the Turks, right?" Cloud responded..
"Well if you know," Rude continued, "this won't take long. It's difficult to explain what the Turks do."
"Kidnapping, right?"
"I saw firsthand," Aerith added.
"To put it negatively, you could say that," Rude replied. "But, that's not all there is to it, anymore."
"Sir!" exclaimed a female voice. On the high ledge stood a short-haired blonde woman in her early twenties. She was dressed in the same suit Rude and Tseng wore. "It's all right, Rude! I know you don't like speeches, so don't force it!"
"Then, Elena, explain," Rude corded.
"I'm the newest member of the Turks, Elena," Elena explained. "Thanks to what you did to Reno, we're short of people, although, because of that, I got promoted to the Turks. In any case, our job is to find out where Sephiroth is headed, and to try and stop you every step of the way." She paused. "Wait a minute, it's the other way around. You're the ones that are getting in our way."
"Elena, you talk too much," reprimanded Tseng.
"Mr. Tseng?"
"No need to tell them about our orders."
"Sorry, Tseng," Elena apologized.
"I thought I gave you other orders," Tseng continued. "Now go. Don't forget to file your report."
"Oh, right!," replied Elena as she clicked her heels. "Very well, Rude and I will go after Sephiroth, who's heading for Junon Harbor!"
"Elena, you don't seem to understand," Tseng sighed as he slapped his forehead.
"Oh…I'm…I'm sorry," the blonde stammered.
"Go," Tseng ordered. "Don't let Sephiroth get away."
"Yes sir!" replied Elena.
"Reno said he wanted to see you after the injuries you gave him healed," informed Rude. "He wants to show his affection for you all...with a new weapon."
Cloud refused to dignify the threat with response.
"Well, then," continued Tseng as he turned his attention toward the group. "Aerith. Long time no see. Looks like you got away from Shinra for a while, now that Sephiroth reappeared."
"So what are you saying?" asked Aerith. "That I should be grateful to Sephiroth?"
"No," replied Tseng. "Well, I won't be seeing too much of you, so take care."
"Strange hearing that from you," said Aerith. "Considering you've hit me."
"Well then," replied Tseng as he began to leave. "Stay out of Shinra's way."
A moment later, the Turks were gone.
"They're stalking us," Red XIII stated the obvious.
"Probably to recapture me," Aerith said sadly.
"I won't let that happen," Cloud assured. "I haven't strayed from my job."
"Oh, Cloud!" Aerith giggled as she pressed her lips against his.
Cloud felt sparks shoot through his body. It was the second time she had kissed him; the first being at the Shinra Building when he had rescued her. That had been his first kiss. It was Aerith whom he shared it with.
They soon cleared the mine and were once again in an open field. There was no sign of the Turks.
"Where to now?" asked Tifa.
"Junon is an hour's walk from here," Cloud replied. "Beyond that is the ocean. If Sephiroth came through the mine, he's headed there."
The walk to Junon took an hour and a half. The sun was beginning to set, and it felt like it wanted to rain. But that wasn't on anyone's mind when they saw the town.
"What happened to this town?" Cloud asked aloud. "It's so run-down."
"This is Lower Junon," Tifa replied. "It's this way because Shinra built Upper Junon during the war. And Lower Junon paid the price. The ocean got polluted. The fish all died. Just look!"
Tifa drew everyone's attention to a girl standing on the beach. She seemed nine or ten, but was quite malnourished. Despite that, she seemed rather upbeat.
"Hey! Mr. Dolphin!" she called as a dolphin swam to her from the ocean. "My name is Priscilla! Now you say it."
The dolphin make a squeaking noise as Priscilla saw Cloud and Tifa's reflections in the polluted water.
"Who are you guys?" asked Priscilla as she turned around. "Are you members of the Shinra, Inc.?"
"No, you're wrong!" Aerith quickly replied. "We have nothing to do with the Shinra."
"In fact," said Tifa, "We stay as far away from supporting Shinra as humanly possible!"
"That's how it is," Cloud added.
"I don't believe you!" the brat shouted as she stuck her tongue out. "Get out of here!"
Just then, the ground began to rumble.
"Great," muttered Cloud.
"Look at that!" Tifa exclaimed as a giant fish leaped out of the water. "A bottomswell!"
Before anyone could warn her, Priscilla ran towards the bottomswell with her fists in the air!
"Hey!" shouted Tifa, but it was too late. The bottomswell leaped out of the ocean again and struck the poor little girl, knocking her on her face in three inches of water.
Cloud, not missing a chance, drew his sword and drove it into the bottomswell. "You need to be more careful," he warned.
There was no response.
Cloud looked to see Priscilla face-down in the water.
And she was not breathing.
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