FF7: Horizon ~ Chapter Three
Title: Horizon ~ Chapter Three
Fandom: FF7, Last Order, Advent Children, Before Crisis / AU for different elements of the last two
Beta: The talented ladylore, who catches all my slips ^.^
Rating: Eh... PG-13 ish because of language
Notes: Hmmm... so, I really wasn't kidding about the whole slow updates thing. And yes, I know this is later than I'd meant it to be since my b-day was five days ago, but I tried!!! XDD Anyways, it's done now, ne?
Previous Chapters: Prologue, Chapter One, Chapter Two
“Every silver lining has a cloud.” ~ Mary Kay Ash
Chapter Three
When Cloud had left the inn, he hadn’t really known where he was going. He had left most of his stuff behind him, so he would probably return sooner or later. His sword, though - that, Cloud had carried with him. Not only was heading out of town alone dangerous, but the blond found he couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone anywhere without its comforting presence by his side. Not that I remember much of anything, anyway…
“Hey Cloud, wait up!”
The shout that echoed behind him didn’t come as a surprise. Tifa had been… worried about him. He knew that, even if he didn’t understand it, but that didn’t change the fact that company was the last thing he needed. He stalked from the town with greater speed, hoping Barrett would take the hint. Of all the morons in the world… Unfortunately, Cloud’s luck continued its six-year dry streak, and the older man followed him.
Kalm lived up to its name, the stillness of dusk settling around a peaceful city. I wonder how close I’ll have to get to Midgar before I find a monster or two to fight. The last rays of the sun’s light shone on the remains of Shinra Tower, visible despite the distance. The onslaught of night would not change Cloud’s hastily made plans to find something to let off a little tension on. His enhanced eyesight combined with the bright crescent moon hanging low overhead to keep the plains illuminated even as the daylight faded. He paused for a moment there, staring at the visible signs of Shinra’s collapse.
“Ow! What the hell, man?” Cloud had felt something bounce off him the moment before Barrett spoke, and the blond found himself almost inclined to snicker at him. Cloud glimpsed a figure circling towards the entrance to Kalm. He would have ignored it, except -
“Cloud.”
The word reached his ears softly on the night breeze, but it froze him as much as an arctic chill could have. Impossible. It couldn’t be him, he’s dead. The blond man turned to face the figure directly. Oh, Planet. It - but he - how…?
“Cloud?” His name was louder then, came from behind him. Zack's dead, isn't he? Isn’t he dead? I saw him die, saw him save me. Cloud blinked a few times, trying to clear the impossible vision from his line of sight. It remained, though, as stubborn as the person it represented. He stared unabashed at the long dark hair and warm blue eyes, exactly as he remembered them.
“Zack.” The word slipped unintended from his lips, scarcely breathed into existence, but the figure staring at him from across the plains heard it nonetheless. Mako improves the senses, kid. You’ll see what I mean. The man in question nodded once, more to himself than to Cloud. The blond had only a moment to wonder what that meant before Zack came charging at him.
No. Not again. Please, Planet, don’t make me kill a friend again…
Cloud had no time to fight with his options when self-preservation kicked in and he drew his sword to parry the blow that would otherwise have cleaved him in two.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Barrett considered himself to be many things. He was a crusader, an environmentalist, and a protector of the planet. He knew how to run a bar, how to drink everything in it, and even how to be a father on occasions. He had never, however, been an expert on swordsmanship.
Shit.
That was the only word for it, really, when the spiky-haired punk he’d grudgingly agreed to follow suddenly wound up in battle with someone who moved like Sephiroth had. Barrett stayed just long enough to watch the first clash of their swords. They were barely a minute out of town, and the best option available to him at the moment was getting the others out there and hoping the kid could hold on that long. He watched as the dark-haired intruder spun around Cloud after the initial clash, aiming his next strike at the kid’s back. The blond swung his own sword over his shoulder, protecting his back in response to the other blade even as he swung around to face his attacker once more.
Some fuckin’ break this turned out to be… Barrett turned and sprinted back to the hotel as quickly as his legs would carry him, hoping it would be enough.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Blood sang in Zack’s body, the pulsing beat of his heart echoing in his ears as he rushed into the conflict. He ran full-tilt towards his one-time friend, wondering for a moment if the other would even draw his sword before Zack’s first blow ended the conflict. The blond’s large buster sword came free of its sheath, though, easily thwarting the initial attack.
Zack spun right, applying pressure to Cloud’s weapon as he did so. Cloud’s neutral stance should have let him shift with the spin and get a blow on Zack during the time it took the dark-haired man to turn, but the force acted as he’d intended it to and prevented that reaction from Cloud. Quickly, Zack let his momentum flow down his arms, bringing the heavy sword around once again to launch the flat of the blade into the other man’s back.
The sharp sound of metal scraping against metal promptly filled his ears. Zack noticed with some astonishment that Cloud had gotten his sword behind himself in time to deflect the blow. Instead of falling to the ground incapacitated, the blond spun towards him, shifting his grip on his sword. Zack quickly raised his own blade over his head, bracing for the coming blow.
Well, someone has been practicing…
The force Cloud exerted in that blow was stronger than Zack had anticipated, and his own blade came dangerously close to scarring his face before Zack managed to recover and push back. They stood there for a moment, less than a meter apart, swords locked in combat, before both men backed off and jumped back.
“Zack…” Cloud repeated, and his voice was stronger now. His eyes shone in the early twilight, bright from both the Mako and some emotion that the former Soldier 1st couldn’t quite name. “Please… don’t.”
“Don’t what?” He asked, forcing his own expression into impassivity as he readjusted his grip on his buster sword.
“Please don’t force me to kill you, too!” The words ripped from the blond’s throat, his fair blue eyes impassioned and pleading. Too, Chocobo Head? Who else? How many? Zack tried to keep his face neutral, but Cloud’s reaction showed that he’d undeniably failed. Cloud’s features covered themselves in ice, then, and the blond drew his sword back before charging the older man. Zack leapt into the air, spinning and twisting out of the way to land behind Cloud, who reversed direction with plenty of time to block Zack’s cross-cutting stroke. They both leaned into the crossed blades, faces coming within inches of each other. Zack could read the motion telegraphed by Cloud’s shoulders and responded, the two of them springing back at precisely the same second.
The fight was on.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“How is he?” Elena looked up sharply at the sound of his voice, turning to stare. It couldn’t be -
But it was. There, in the doorway to the private waiting room Junon Hospital had offered to let her and the boys use, stood Tseng. He remained solidly on his feet, dressed in the elegant three piece suit that comprised their uniform. His hair had once more been tied back in a top knot away from his face, a face which to her sharp eyes revealed only the vaguest hints of pain. Behind him, looking sheepish and apologetic, Brick and Janice waited.
I can’t believe he came… The past three hours had been some of the longest in Elena’s life. Once they had found Rufus, it had quickly become obvious that he desperately needed medical attention. That he had survived long enough for them to locate him had been a miracle. Not even the doctors had an explanation as to how he’d managed it, aside from that damned Shinra luck that seemed to see the family through every challenge that came along. Even now, they weren’t sure Rufus would survive.
He’s really here.
“Well?” Tseng asked, stepping into the room. He moved more slowly than usual, she noticed. His expression was stern as he turned towards his Turks. Elena felt her knees shake as Tseng fixed each of them with a glare. Time in a hospital bed had not diminished his commanding presence in the slightest. When no one answered, Tseng’s voice rang with a more disapproving tone as he continued, “How is President Shinra?”
He’s going to be all right. Relief swept through her. Elena knew from Tseng’s expression that he wanted an answer right that moment, but for the life of her, she couldn’t find the breath to give it to him. The image of Tseng, lying motionless on the ground with blood slowly pooling beneath him, was still too fresh in her mind. Standing before them, healthy and whole, Tseng looked like something straight out of a daydream.
“What makes you think we’d know?” Reno replied. His voice was as brash and arrogant as always, but there was a funny little tremor in it that Elena had never heard before. She tore her fascinated eyes away from Tseng to look at her partner. He shrugged and shook his head. “Docs don’t even know yet. He didn’t look too hot, though, boss. What gives, anyway? I thought you were supposed to be resting.”
Reno gave their leader a distinctly sharp look, in response to which Tseng merely raised an eyebrow. The red headed man walked over and threw an arm around his superior’s shoulder, guiding him forcefully to the nearest seat. Elena tried hard to ignore the wince that crossed Tseng’s face as Reno pushed him onto the chair. He shouldn’t be up yet… Elena turned to glare at her two co-workers, who had defied their orders by letting him come. Brick put a hand behind his head and shrugged. Janice gestured at their leader in a way that screamed You know what he’s like! Elena sighed and shook her head. I do, after all. Men.
“I desired to check on our leader. I trust there is no problem?” Infuriating patience and a raised eyebrow were directed at Reno when Elena turned back towards him and Tseng.
“Actually, sir,” Elena interrupted, coming closer and positioning herself so that Tseng was forced to look up at her, “the acting leader left orders that we should protect you from incurring any further injuries. Too much movement could cause precisely that.”
“Yeah, boss. So you can just sit there and wait until we hear something, got it? Leader’s orders.” Reno grinned at the man and gestured imperiously.
“Irrelevant, Reno. I am ready to resume my duties.” The Wutaiian man’s face remained mostly clear, but a single line of annoyance creased his forehead. Reno’s own face shifted quickly into a carefully neutral expression. This is gonna be good. Elena worked hard to force down a smile.
“Care to make that official, sir?” Reno replied, meeting the older man’s eyes steadily, keeping his gaze from straying to any of the other Turks in the room. “After all, there is protocol to be followed.”
“And since when have you ever cared about protocol, Reno?” Challenge.
“How ‘bout since the rules for your temporary replacement had to be called into effect?” Accepted. Reno, if you pull this off, I may have to kiss you.
“Fine, then.” Tseng rose to his feet over Elena’s squeak of a protest, but a sharp look from Reno silenced her for the moment. You’re going to regret this, Tseng, and I’m glad that you will. “Pursuant to the Turk Manual, Section VI, Subsection 22, Paragraph 3, I hereby reclaim leadership from you, Reno.”
Elena could feel her smile start. She tried to swallow it, but let it go when she noticed that the others were all showing signs of a similar problem. I guess we’re supposed to be happy about this, so long as he isn’t really well yet?
“Well, sir,” Reno replied, a grin lighting up his face as he forced Tseng to be seated once more, “pursuant to the… whatever, it’s my duty to inform you that you have guessed incorrectly, and as such will be on enforced medical leave for the following week. Now, sit down!”
The man seated himself reluctantly, allowing little traces of pain to cross his disgruntled face as his abdomen folded. Sometimes, there are great things about being a Turk. One of which was undeniably the rules about reclaiming leadership after an injury. Apparently, whoever had written the rules had known how stubborn Turk commanders could be about trying to work when they were hurt, and had made provision such as to prevent them from doing so for as long as possible. Really, Tseng should have known better than to pick the obvious choice.
“What do you think, Rude? Is he violating orders sitting here, or will he be all right if we let him stay?” Reno carefully avoided looking at any of them, tossing his head back and to the side as he usually did. The words may have been directed towards the bald man, but the question was clearly for her. Making sure Tseng’s eyes were elsewhere, Elena blinked at Rude once deliberately, who nodded.
“It’s fine.” Rude replied. Reno looked like he was about to continue speaking, when the door suddenly burst open at the far end of the room.
“How is he?” Elena asked, her heart skipping a beat as the doctor walked into the room.
Tense silence descended while they waited for the prognosis.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Just you wait! One day, Wutai will conquer all!” Yuffie shouted at the top of her lungs, laughing loudly after her declaration. She swung her glass from side to side, her Horny Hades getting all over the table as she did so. “A toast! To the future glory of Wutai!”
She took a long swallow her drink, ignoring the fact that no one’s glass had met her own, and grinned at the vaguely floaty feeling that spread across her mind. The sweet drink tasted delicious going down. I thought alcohol was supposed to be bitter…? Not that I mind… Young as she was, Yuffie had never actually gone out drinking before, but if this is what it’s like, I wouldn’t mind doing it again!
The others of their merry band all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Even Little Red Silent Hood had condescended to join them for a drink, with something like a smile dangerously close to appearing on his face. Cloud, of course, was off being Cloud. His absence, however, had yet to stop anyone else (aside from Barrett, of course) from having a good enough time for him, too. Yuffie grinned, looking at the people with whom she had helped defeat the glorious Conqueror of Wutai, and wondered what her father would say when she got home. Especially if I… borrow their materia again, that is. Life did seem to be pretty sweet, all told.
“So, what are we gonna do tomorrow?” The ninja asked, blatantly ignoring the fact that she had interrupted Cid’s speech to Vincent on his own early adventures and piloting prowess.
“Whaddya mean, what’re we gonna do tomorrow?” The pilot asked, turning to her and raising an eyebrow. He took a long drag off his cigarette and stared at her for a moment before continuing, “Tomorrow, we’re gonna worry about what we’re gonna do tomorrow.”
“She’s got a point, though!” Tifa protested, grabbing the drink she’d mixed for herself and coming to sit at the table. The brunette shook her head as she took her first sip, wincing the tiniest bit. Guess she needed something strong after today… “What do you do the day after you save the world?”
“I do not believe there are precise instructions for this sort of thing.” If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was laughing… Vincent fell silent after that remark, though, and aside from Yuffie’s own giggles, an uncomfortable silence settled over the group. No one seemed to actually have an answer to her question, which was annoying, because for once, neither did she.
“Don’t worry, Tifa!” Nanaki said eventually, lifting his head from where it had been resting on his paws. Yuffie watched as the last of a proud race bobbed his head with certainty. “We’ll figure it out!”
“Yeah, somehow…” Tifa replied, nodding back. Her smile might have been more believable then if it hadn’t been so strained at the corners. I wonder what -
Yuffie’s thoughts were cut abruptly short as the door slammed upon and Barrett, panting, charged back into the room. The older girl was beside him in an instant, shaking his arm.
“What happened? Where’s Cloud?” Tifa asked. Hades, she’s really got it bad for spiky-hair. Yuffie giggled, attracting Cid’s attention for a moment, who then just as quickly turned back to the man who had just been tailing their leader.
“Some stupid fuckin’ sonuva bitch attacked us on the Plains.” The old man said, drawing in a huge gulp of air as he gestured for them to follow him. “He’s tough, too. Kid called him Zack, seems like he might be one of Cloud’s old friends, and you know how well we all get along with them.”
Sephiroth. The word echoed in Yuffie’s head, and she found it went pretty well with a beat, and she had just begun wondering if one word could be a song when -
“Esuna!” The healing flow of magic washed through her mind, and suddenly everything seemed much clearer than it had been. Without waiting for Tifa to finish switching her heal material and her fire back so that her all was once again linked to the more useful offensive magic, Yuffie grabbed her throwing star and ran in the direction Barrett had indicated.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Please don’t force me to kill you, too!” Cloud shouted, staring at the man who had once been his mentor and his best friend. Sephiroth… having to kill him was more than enough, and he was just my idol. I can’t kill you, Zack. Not after everything you’ve done for me, I can’t. He gazed across the field at the man, a man he had believed was gone forever but whom fate had to returned to him only to force him to turn his erroneous beliefs into reality. A silent prayer that he was wrong about the man's purpose here chased unworded across his mind.
The dark blue eyes before him remained unyielding, though. A hint of something ominous began to fill them. Cloud focused on that alien emotion in Zack, on the part of Zack that wasn’t Zack, just as the Sephiroth he had killed had not been Sephiroth, and readied his sword. Moments later, he was flying across the field, prepared to strike, bringing his sword down heavily, only -
Damn.
Zack was gone by the time Cloud had reached the spot where the dark haired man once stood. Cloud spun around, blade in front of him to guard against whatever might be coming at him, and was completely unsurprised when a strong force swung down into his raised sword. Cloud leaned into the force, throwing his own weight behind it to challenge Zack’s, before throwing himself back. It was a cheap trick, but maybe Zack would fall…
Then again, maybe not… Zack sprung backwards easily, seeming to have realized what was coming. As Cloud tried to determine the next best move, the glow of Kalm’s streetlights caught the corner of his eyes, and Cloud decided to throw all planning out the window as he started running farther out into the plains. Zack chased after him, drawing close to strike at him. Cloud parried and drew back, running farther. Noticing that Zack was catching up, Cloud took the initiative and went at him, only to be blocked away.
They drew apart once more before being drawn together by the irresistible pull of battle, both striking in the same instant. Their sword crashed off one another with a loud clanging sound. Cloud didn’t pull back this time, instead turning his body around to launch a swinging strike at Zack’s upper torso.
“Why?” The blond asked as Zack ducked, bringing his sword around in a sweeping attack at Cloud’s legs. He jumped over the blade, noticing Zack rolling under his feet as he did so. Cloud flipped in mid-air, twisting to face the opposite direction as Zack got to his feet in a spot that had been behind him moments earlier. Cloud shifted to fall blade first towards the other man, who held out his own broad sword to protect against the momentum of the falling attack. As he balanced and shifted his weight along the blade to flip into the air once more, Cloud continued, “Why are you doing this?”
If the dark-haired man had an answer, he didn’t feel like sharing yet. Cloud landed on ground that should have been behind Zack, turning with his sword raised over his head for protection if the other man went for the attack Cloud would have tried and swung his blade down at him. When Zack did just that, Cloud parried it. The other man spun around, and Cloud found his shoulder aching from the force of Zack’s attack as the man’s blade came across his own.
“I promised you, Cloud.” The Soldier 1st shouted. Cloud, shocked, let his grip relax on his sword for a moment, and Zack used that instant to knock it away from him.
“What?” Cloud asked, springing backwards to stare at the dark-haired man from outside the reach of the other man’s weapon. “You did what?”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Helicopter One reporting. Do you read, over?” Katherine said, brushing a wisp of her short blonde hair behind her ear. She held the controls steady as the craft flew swiftly away from the gaping hole in the ground.
“Loud and clear, Helicopter One. What do you have to report, over?” The voice at the end of the transmission was crisp, clean, and more professional than she’d ever expected to hear from its owner. She’s really grown up, hasn’t she? Katherine nodded to herself in relief. About time, too.
“The Northern Crater appears to have been destroyed, for the most part. However, a path still remains by which the depths of it should be accessible. Your orders, over?” Beside her, Katherine watched as Nikolai grinned. At what, she didn’t even want to venture a guess. The former crime boss bodyguard had wanted to go exploring, of course. I’m so happy he still hasn’t gotten around to qualifying on the helicopters and isn’t stupid enough to try it without training. He stared aimlessly out the window, avoiding her side-long gaze.
“Proceed back to base. We’ll send another team out there to examine more in depth soon. For the moment, though - do you think that Sephiroth and Avalanche survived, over?” The woman on the far end returned. Why is she concerned about those law-breaking terrorists, anyway? And she still can’t control her inflection properly. Katherine sighed.
“It’s impossible to be certain one way or the other, but the Highwind is no longer in the vicinity. This suggests that at least one of the two parties involved managed to escape the destruction, over.” She replied.
“Which one…”
“Base, do you read, over?” Katherine asked when the voice faded away. Nikolai was laughing at her, she could see it from the corner of her eye, and it irked her to no end.
“Oh, yes, never mind, over.” Oh, Planet… The blonde refrained from sighing as she continued on course.
“IS there anything else, over?” She asked, gladly noting that they were almost over the sea now. The rest of the trip back to Junon should be a breeze, now that arctic currents and frost had become less of a danger.
“Yes, actually - just one more thing. He’ll be fine, thanks for asking. Base, over and out.” The final click rang in a way that suggested the radio had been turned off completely, and Katherine could feel her temples throbbing in vexation. Does she truly not realize how dangerous turning that off is? What if something happened, what if -
“Your little sister.” Nikolai said, smiling to himself. After checking that the path ahead was clear, the blonde turned to face him. The dark haired man raised an eyebrow at her before continuing, “She’s cool.”
Only years of training and practice restrained Katherine from screaming in annoyance.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Nanaki shook his head and tapped his tail against the ground as he waited for the others to be ready. Once weapons were hastily assembled, they began a mad dash down the plains to protect their leader from harm. He'll be all right, he's Cloud! Right? The night was beautiful and clear as Nanaki and the others raced from the inn at Kalm town and towards the obvious signs of battle nearby.
“What do we know about the person he’s fighting?” Tifa asked as they approached the two figures, gearing themselves up for the battle. Oh no! The battle before them had begun to move across the plains, the two figures running further away from Kalm. We’re coming, Cloud. Hang on until we get there! Nanaki felt Vincent cast Haste upon them all, and gratefully picked up his pace to catch them. “Any weaknesses, any immunities? Anything at all, Barrett?”
“Teef, you know I’m no good with Materia, especially Sense!” Barrett shouted at her. It was true, too. Cloud had had to teach him everything, even how to equip it - at least, that’s what Cloud had said once when Barrett was yelling at him for being a spiky haired moron again. A chuckle rolled its way through his body at the thought.
Wow… Ahead of them, Nanaki could see Cloud in the air, balancing his weight using only the force of his blade against that of his opponent. The blond man flipped higher into the air, landing on the opposite side of his opponent, with his sword already poised to block the oncoming blow. Cloud’s really amazing. Sure, we all helped to defeat Sephiroth, but Cloud’s the one who really managed it. The dark haired man launched another attack at their leader, an attack that was once again easily deflected. He’s incredible. He -
Nanaki almost froze as he watched Cloud’s large buster sword slip from his grasp. It spun wildly through the air, sending up a spray of dirt as it dug itself into the ground several yards to the right of the battle. Cloud had frozen, his entire body rigidly still as he stared at his attacker.
Cloud…?
“Shit. Stupid goddamn -“ Cid’s swearing became progressively more creative as they continued their dash.
The two were speaking, that much was clear, but the large red feline could not hear their words even with his own particularly good hearing. So none of the others will know… Whatever they were talking about, it had Cloud rattled. The blond dove for his sword in a way that completely lacked his usual grace. The other man read the move easily, flipping casually through the air to land directly between Cloud and his sword. He pointed his own weapon threateningly towards the blond.
Almost there…!
Nanaki dug his paws into the ground more forcefully, pushing himself ahead of his friends and ever closer to their leader’s weapon. The stranger noticed their approach then. He doesn’t seem threatened, though… Does he not realize that we came to protect Cloud, even if that means his destruction?
The sword was almost within reach. A burst of bright light caught the corner of Nanaki’s eyes, and he turned his head just in time to watch Cloud’s opponent stagger under the impact of what must have been a lightning spell, judging by the accompanying crack of sound. Nice one, Cloud! Nanaki wrapped his jaws around the hilt of the sword and yanked it free from the ground. He spun quickly about, releasing the weapon at the opportune moment.
“Cloud!” He shouted as soon as the weapon had passed from his lips. The blond’s head snapped towards him, and a dexterous hand snatched the blade from the air, spinning it once before bringing it to bear.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Zack watched as something flashed briefly in Cloud’s eyes, something other than that vague combination of menace and dread that had been directed at him so far. Sorry, Cloud. He brought his sword swiftly into contact with the younger man’s weapon, watching it skitter away. I can’t trust you right now, can’t be stopped from stopping you. Cloud stumbled back a step.
“What?” The blond asked, his voice tight and strained. “You did what?”
“Promised you, Cloud.” Zack replied, stepping closer to the man who had once been his good friend. He tightened his grip on his sword, waiting for a disarming attempt.
That odd something returned to the blond’s eyes. It was hazy, not sharp or direct in the way that most of Zack’s opponent’s thoughts and actions had been. He looks… it’s almost like he just woke up... Cloud shook his head, tearing his eyes from Zack’s face. He dove uncertainly towards his weapon, but the moment’s hesitation in the move had given Zack more than enough time to beat Cloud to the space separating him from his sword.
“Do you remember, Cloud?” Zack asked, allowing his voice to be kinder than it had been thus far. He smiled, hoping the bitterness of his despair hadn’t slipped onto his face. Zack stood, weapon at the ready, eyeing the blond warily. “Do you remember our promise?”
Cloud stood, silent. If he remembers -
What…?
Zack glanced quickly to his right as a lithe figure crossed the edges of his vision, dashing across the plains. Most monsters would have been driven away by the sounds of battle, but this giant feline didn’t seem to be bothered at all. I’ve never seen anything like it! He watched for a moment as the creature headed straight for Cloud’s sword, trying to decide if he ought to intercept the beast when -
SHIT! Zack staggered backwards as his body forcibly recalled why he preferred to use Lightning materia rather than having it used on him. Stupid of me, should’ve known he’d have materia on him, should’ve remembered he always has some with him -
“Cloud!” The sword that had been stuck in the ground now headed straight towards them, but that didn’t mean a damn thing. It talks! That thing just talked! How in Hades did that -
PLANET FUCKING DAMN! Cloud’s weapon was back in the hands of its capable owner once more. Zack watched as the diminutive blond spun the large sword as though it were weightless. He had a momentary glimpse of the other man shifting behind him before a heavy force impacted with the back of his skull and Zack felt the world going dark. He crumpled bonelessly to the ground.
Planet… fucking… damn…
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vincent released the Haste spell he’d been preparing onto Cloud as the man snatched his sword from the air. The short man got control of the weapon and promptly used his extra speed to spin behind his enemy and knock him unconscious. When the man had remained motionless on the ground, and the threat seemed to be gone, Vincent cautiously followed the path of his comrades toward the diminutive blond.
“Zack…” Cloud said softly, his voice fading away as he knelt beside the body. Risk is minimal, all should be safe, but… Vincent cast a quick glance about the plains to make sure they truly were alone as Tifa moved to stand beside Cloud.
“Zack?” She repeated, her voice filled with surprise. Vincent studied the dark haired man lying before him. So this is the man who befriended Cloud and Sephiroth? Whose memories Cloud took for his own? The brunette leaned down beside the blond, brushing back locks of hair from the unconscious man’s face so that she could get a better look. “It is him! But… why were you fighting, Cloud?”
She’s nervous. Tifa’s hands were slowly clenching and unclenching into fists.
“Zack? Who’s - wait a Planet damn minute, I thought you said he was dead!” Cid said, scowling at the younger man. A valid point.
“Yeah!” Yuffie and Barrett shouted, nodding in agreement. Nanaki tilted his head to the side, glancing back and forth between the stranger and the man he followed. The confusion of his friends echoed in his own expression. Vincent remained impassive, clearing his face to allow Cloud the chance to explain.
“I… thought he was.” The blond said eventually, his face slack and vacant. Now you don’t know what to believe, do you, Cloud? Oh, Lucrecia… The long haired man remembered all too clearly the shock of finding his beloved still alive after all of these years, living a mere half life but still alive and as beautiful as the last time he had seen her. Vincent stepped closer to Cloud, causing his knee to apply gentle pressure to the man’s back.
It will be explained later. Worry later.
Vincent felt Cloud recover himself, felt the muscles in his back tense as he slipped his arms underneath this… Zack’s body and lifted him easily into the air. The red cloaked man moved back, and Cloud rose to his feet. Tifa joined him instantly.
“Cloud…?” She began. Don’t bother him now. Vincent shifted his weight and bumped softly against the girl as Cloud began to walk back toward Kalm. She stopped speaking and looked at him. Vincent met her eyes unflinchingly, determination in his mien. Leave him, for now. Let him overcome the shock first. Tifa’s gaze searched his own carefully. After a few moments, the brunette found whatever she had been looking for and nodded to herself, turning away to follow Cloud.
As the others all fell back in line, Vincent cast one last quick, surveying glance around the area. With a sigh, he grabbed the two large, sharp objects that had been left lying on the ground before joining the rest.
So Soldiers still can’t be bothered pick up after themselves. His lips quirked into something that might have been called a smile. Children.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The phone rang precisely three times before he clicked it on.
“Well?” He snapped. She’s late, it shouldn’t have taken this long, shouldn’t have had any problems, why is she late? He grabbed a pen and prepared to take notes.
“Operations did not proceed as planned.” She replied. “Specimen C defeated Specimen Z without destroying it. Z is likely to survive, and neither C nor Z will likely take action against the other again.”
“It failed?” He slammed his pen down onto the table with more force than was strictly necessary. After all this time, all this planning… He snarled as he rewrapped his fingers around the pen and began scribbling on the page before him. Must finish backup plan, must perfect it, cannot allow it to fail as well…
“And the other?” Her voice was cool, tranquil.
“Proceeding as planned.” He replied sharply. “You’ll be back soon?”
“Yes.”
He hung up the phone.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Next Chapter
Fandom: FF7, Last Order, Advent Children, Before Crisis / AU for different elements of the last two
Beta: The talented ladylore, who catches all my slips ^.^
Rating: Eh... PG-13 ish because of language
Notes: Hmmm... so, I really wasn't kidding about the whole slow updates thing. And yes, I know this is later than I'd meant it to be since my b-day was five days ago, but I tried!!! XDD Anyways, it's done now, ne?
Previous Chapters: Prologue, Chapter One, Chapter Two
“Every silver lining has a cloud.” ~ Mary Kay Ash
Chapter Three
When Cloud had left the inn, he hadn’t really known where he was going. He had left most of his stuff behind him, so he would probably return sooner or later. His sword, though - that, Cloud had carried with him. Not only was heading out of town alone dangerous, but the blond found he couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone anywhere without its comforting presence by his side. Not that I remember much of anything, anyway…
“Hey Cloud, wait up!”
The shout that echoed behind him didn’t come as a surprise. Tifa had been… worried about him. He knew that, even if he didn’t understand it, but that didn’t change the fact that company was the last thing he needed. He stalked from the town with greater speed, hoping Barrett would take the hint. Of all the morons in the world… Unfortunately, Cloud’s luck continued its six-year dry streak, and the older man followed him.
Kalm lived up to its name, the stillness of dusk settling around a peaceful city. I wonder how close I’ll have to get to Midgar before I find a monster or two to fight. The last rays of the sun’s light shone on the remains of Shinra Tower, visible despite the distance. The onslaught of night would not change Cloud’s hastily made plans to find something to let off a little tension on. His enhanced eyesight combined with the bright crescent moon hanging low overhead to keep the plains illuminated even as the daylight faded. He paused for a moment there, staring at the visible signs of Shinra’s collapse.
“Ow! What the hell, man?” Cloud had felt something bounce off him the moment before Barrett spoke, and the blond found himself almost inclined to snicker at him. Cloud glimpsed a figure circling towards the entrance to Kalm. He would have ignored it, except -
“Cloud.”
The word reached his ears softly on the night breeze, but it froze him as much as an arctic chill could have. Impossible. It couldn’t be him, he’s dead. The blond man turned to face the figure directly. Oh, Planet. It - but he - how…?
“Cloud?” His name was louder then, came from behind him. Zack's dead, isn't he? Isn’t he dead? I saw him die, saw him save me. Cloud blinked a few times, trying to clear the impossible vision from his line of sight. It remained, though, as stubborn as the person it represented. He stared unabashed at the long dark hair and warm blue eyes, exactly as he remembered them.
“Zack.” The word slipped unintended from his lips, scarcely breathed into existence, but the figure staring at him from across the plains heard it nonetheless. Mako improves the senses, kid. You’ll see what I mean. The man in question nodded once, more to himself than to Cloud. The blond had only a moment to wonder what that meant before Zack came charging at him.
No. Not again. Please, Planet, don’t make me kill a friend again…
Cloud had no time to fight with his options when self-preservation kicked in and he drew his sword to parry the blow that would otherwise have cleaved him in two.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Barrett considered himself to be many things. He was a crusader, an environmentalist, and a protector of the planet. He knew how to run a bar, how to drink everything in it, and even how to be a father on occasions. He had never, however, been an expert on swordsmanship.
Shit.
That was the only word for it, really, when the spiky-haired punk he’d grudgingly agreed to follow suddenly wound up in battle with someone who moved like Sephiroth had. Barrett stayed just long enough to watch the first clash of their swords. They were barely a minute out of town, and the best option available to him at the moment was getting the others out there and hoping the kid could hold on that long. He watched as the dark-haired intruder spun around Cloud after the initial clash, aiming his next strike at the kid’s back. The blond swung his own sword over his shoulder, protecting his back in response to the other blade even as he swung around to face his attacker once more.
Some fuckin’ break this turned out to be… Barrett turned and sprinted back to the hotel as quickly as his legs would carry him, hoping it would be enough.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Blood sang in Zack’s body, the pulsing beat of his heart echoing in his ears as he rushed into the conflict. He ran full-tilt towards his one-time friend, wondering for a moment if the other would even draw his sword before Zack’s first blow ended the conflict. The blond’s large buster sword came free of its sheath, though, easily thwarting the initial attack.
Zack spun right, applying pressure to Cloud’s weapon as he did so. Cloud’s neutral stance should have let him shift with the spin and get a blow on Zack during the time it took the dark-haired man to turn, but the force acted as he’d intended it to and prevented that reaction from Cloud. Quickly, Zack let his momentum flow down his arms, bringing the heavy sword around once again to launch the flat of the blade into the other man’s back.
The sharp sound of metal scraping against metal promptly filled his ears. Zack noticed with some astonishment that Cloud had gotten his sword behind himself in time to deflect the blow. Instead of falling to the ground incapacitated, the blond spun towards him, shifting his grip on his sword. Zack quickly raised his own blade over his head, bracing for the coming blow.
Well, someone has been practicing…
The force Cloud exerted in that blow was stronger than Zack had anticipated, and his own blade came dangerously close to scarring his face before Zack managed to recover and push back. They stood there for a moment, less than a meter apart, swords locked in combat, before both men backed off and jumped back.
“Zack…” Cloud repeated, and his voice was stronger now. His eyes shone in the early twilight, bright from both the Mako and some emotion that the former Soldier 1st couldn’t quite name. “Please… don’t.”
“Don’t what?” He asked, forcing his own expression into impassivity as he readjusted his grip on his buster sword.
“Please don’t force me to kill you, too!” The words ripped from the blond’s throat, his fair blue eyes impassioned and pleading. Too, Chocobo Head? Who else? How many? Zack tried to keep his face neutral, but Cloud’s reaction showed that he’d undeniably failed. Cloud’s features covered themselves in ice, then, and the blond drew his sword back before charging the older man. Zack leapt into the air, spinning and twisting out of the way to land behind Cloud, who reversed direction with plenty of time to block Zack’s cross-cutting stroke. They both leaned into the crossed blades, faces coming within inches of each other. Zack could read the motion telegraphed by Cloud’s shoulders and responded, the two of them springing back at precisely the same second.
The fight was on.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“How is he?” Elena looked up sharply at the sound of his voice, turning to stare. It couldn’t be -
But it was. There, in the doorway to the private waiting room Junon Hospital had offered to let her and the boys use, stood Tseng. He remained solidly on his feet, dressed in the elegant three piece suit that comprised their uniform. His hair had once more been tied back in a top knot away from his face, a face which to her sharp eyes revealed only the vaguest hints of pain. Behind him, looking sheepish and apologetic, Brick and Janice waited.
I can’t believe he came… The past three hours had been some of the longest in Elena’s life. Once they had found Rufus, it had quickly become obvious that he desperately needed medical attention. That he had survived long enough for them to locate him had been a miracle. Not even the doctors had an explanation as to how he’d managed it, aside from that damned Shinra luck that seemed to see the family through every challenge that came along. Even now, they weren’t sure Rufus would survive.
He’s really here.
“Well?” Tseng asked, stepping into the room. He moved more slowly than usual, she noticed. His expression was stern as he turned towards his Turks. Elena felt her knees shake as Tseng fixed each of them with a glare. Time in a hospital bed had not diminished his commanding presence in the slightest. When no one answered, Tseng’s voice rang with a more disapproving tone as he continued, “How is President Shinra?”
He’s going to be all right. Relief swept through her. Elena knew from Tseng’s expression that he wanted an answer right that moment, but for the life of her, she couldn’t find the breath to give it to him. The image of Tseng, lying motionless on the ground with blood slowly pooling beneath him, was still too fresh in her mind. Standing before them, healthy and whole, Tseng looked like something straight out of a daydream.
“What makes you think we’d know?” Reno replied. His voice was as brash and arrogant as always, but there was a funny little tremor in it that Elena had never heard before. She tore her fascinated eyes away from Tseng to look at her partner. He shrugged and shook his head. “Docs don’t even know yet. He didn’t look too hot, though, boss. What gives, anyway? I thought you were supposed to be resting.”
Reno gave their leader a distinctly sharp look, in response to which Tseng merely raised an eyebrow. The red headed man walked over and threw an arm around his superior’s shoulder, guiding him forcefully to the nearest seat. Elena tried hard to ignore the wince that crossed Tseng’s face as Reno pushed him onto the chair. He shouldn’t be up yet… Elena turned to glare at her two co-workers, who had defied their orders by letting him come. Brick put a hand behind his head and shrugged. Janice gestured at their leader in a way that screamed You know what he’s like! Elena sighed and shook her head. I do, after all. Men.
“I desired to check on our leader. I trust there is no problem?” Infuriating patience and a raised eyebrow were directed at Reno when Elena turned back towards him and Tseng.
“Actually, sir,” Elena interrupted, coming closer and positioning herself so that Tseng was forced to look up at her, “the acting leader left orders that we should protect you from incurring any further injuries. Too much movement could cause precisely that.”
“Yeah, boss. So you can just sit there and wait until we hear something, got it? Leader’s orders.” Reno grinned at the man and gestured imperiously.
“Irrelevant, Reno. I am ready to resume my duties.” The Wutaiian man’s face remained mostly clear, but a single line of annoyance creased his forehead. Reno’s own face shifted quickly into a carefully neutral expression. This is gonna be good. Elena worked hard to force down a smile.
“Care to make that official, sir?” Reno replied, meeting the older man’s eyes steadily, keeping his gaze from straying to any of the other Turks in the room. “After all, there is protocol to be followed.”
“And since when have you ever cared about protocol, Reno?” Challenge.
“How ‘bout since the rules for your temporary replacement had to be called into effect?” Accepted. Reno, if you pull this off, I may have to kiss you.
“Fine, then.” Tseng rose to his feet over Elena’s squeak of a protest, but a sharp look from Reno silenced her for the moment. You’re going to regret this, Tseng, and I’m glad that you will. “Pursuant to the Turk Manual, Section VI, Subsection 22, Paragraph 3, I hereby reclaim leadership from you, Reno.”
Elena could feel her smile start. She tried to swallow it, but let it go when she noticed that the others were all showing signs of a similar problem. I guess we’re supposed to be happy about this, so long as he isn’t really well yet?
“Well, sir,” Reno replied, a grin lighting up his face as he forced Tseng to be seated once more, “pursuant to the… whatever, it’s my duty to inform you that you have guessed incorrectly, and as such will be on enforced medical leave for the following week. Now, sit down!”
The man seated himself reluctantly, allowing little traces of pain to cross his disgruntled face as his abdomen folded. Sometimes, there are great things about being a Turk. One of which was undeniably the rules about reclaiming leadership after an injury. Apparently, whoever had written the rules had known how stubborn Turk commanders could be about trying to work when they were hurt, and had made provision such as to prevent them from doing so for as long as possible. Really, Tseng should have known better than to pick the obvious choice.
“What do you think, Rude? Is he violating orders sitting here, or will he be all right if we let him stay?” Reno carefully avoided looking at any of them, tossing his head back and to the side as he usually did. The words may have been directed towards the bald man, but the question was clearly for her. Making sure Tseng’s eyes were elsewhere, Elena blinked at Rude once deliberately, who nodded.
“It’s fine.” Rude replied. Reno looked like he was about to continue speaking, when the door suddenly burst open at the far end of the room.
“How is he?” Elena asked, her heart skipping a beat as the doctor walked into the room.
Tense silence descended while they waited for the prognosis.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Just you wait! One day, Wutai will conquer all!” Yuffie shouted at the top of her lungs, laughing loudly after her declaration. She swung her glass from side to side, her Horny Hades getting all over the table as she did so. “A toast! To the future glory of Wutai!”
She took a long swallow her drink, ignoring the fact that no one’s glass had met her own, and grinned at the vaguely floaty feeling that spread across her mind. The sweet drink tasted delicious going down. I thought alcohol was supposed to be bitter…? Not that I mind… Young as she was, Yuffie had never actually gone out drinking before, but if this is what it’s like, I wouldn’t mind doing it again!
The others of their merry band all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Even Little Red Silent Hood had condescended to join them for a drink, with something like a smile dangerously close to appearing on his face. Cloud, of course, was off being Cloud. His absence, however, had yet to stop anyone else (aside from Barrett, of course) from having a good enough time for him, too. Yuffie grinned, looking at the people with whom she had helped defeat the glorious Conqueror of Wutai, and wondered what her father would say when she got home. Especially if I… borrow their materia again, that is. Life did seem to be pretty sweet, all told.
“So, what are we gonna do tomorrow?” The ninja asked, blatantly ignoring the fact that she had interrupted Cid’s speech to Vincent on his own early adventures and piloting prowess.
“Whaddya mean, what’re we gonna do tomorrow?” The pilot asked, turning to her and raising an eyebrow. He took a long drag off his cigarette and stared at her for a moment before continuing, “Tomorrow, we’re gonna worry about what we’re gonna do tomorrow.”
“She’s got a point, though!” Tifa protested, grabbing the drink she’d mixed for herself and coming to sit at the table. The brunette shook her head as she took her first sip, wincing the tiniest bit. Guess she needed something strong after today… “What do you do the day after you save the world?”
“I do not believe there are precise instructions for this sort of thing.” If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was laughing… Vincent fell silent after that remark, though, and aside from Yuffie’s own giggles, an uncomfortable silence settled over the group. No one seemed to actually have an answer to her question, which was annoying, because for once, neither did she.
“Don’t worry, Tifa!” Nanaki said eventually, lifting his head from where it had been resting on his paws. Yuffie watched as the last of a proud race bobbed his head with certainty. “We’ll figure it out!”
“Yeah, somehow…” Tifa replied, nodding back. Her smile might have been more believable then if it hadn’t been so strained at the corners. I wonder what -
Yuffie’s thoughts were cut abruptly short as the door slammed upon and Barrett, panting, charged back into the room. The older girl was beside him in an instant, shaking his arm.
“What happened? Where’s Cloud?” Tifa asked. Hades, she’s really got it bad for spiky-hair. Yuffie giggled, attracting Cid’s attention for a moment, who then just as quickly turned back to the man who had just been tailing their leader.
“Some stupid fuckin’ sonuva bitch attacked us on the Plains.” The old man said, drawing in a huge gulp of air as he gestured for them to follow him. “He’s tough, too. Kid called him Zack, seems like he might be one of Cloud’s old friends, and you know how well we all get along with them.”
Sephiroth. The word echoed in Yuffie’s head, and she found it went pretty well with a beat, and she had just begun wondering if one word could be a song when -
“Esuna!” The healing flow of magic washed through her mind, and suddenly everything seemed much clearer than it had been. Without waiting for Tifa to finish switching her heal material and her fire back so that her all was once again linked to the more useful offensive magic, Yuffie grabbed her throwing star and ran in the direction Barrett had indicated.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Please don’t force me to kill you, too!” Cloud shouted, staring at the man who had once been his mentor and his best friend. Sephiroth… having to kill him was more than enough, and he was just my idol. I can’t kill you, Zack. Not after everything you’ve done for me, I can’t. He gazed across the field at the man, a man he had believed was gone forever but whom fate had to returned to him only to force him to turn his erroneous beliefs into reality. A silent prayer that he was wrong about the man's purpose here chased unworded across his mind.
The dark blue eyes before him remained unyielding, though. A hint of something ominous began to fill them. Cloud focused on that alien emotion in Zack, on the part of Zack that wasn’t Zack, just as the Sephiroth he had killed had not been Sephiroth, and readied his sword. Moments later, he was flying across the field, prepared to strike, bringing his sword down heavily, only -
Damn.
Zack was gone by the time Cloud had reached the spot where the dark haired man once stood. Cloud spun around, blade in front of him to guard against whatever might be coming at him, and was completely unsurprised when a strong force swung down into his raised sword. Cloud leaned into the force, throwing his own weight behind it to challenge Zack’s, before throwing himself back. It was a cheap trick, but maybe Zack would fall…
Then again, maybe not… Zack sprung backwards easily, seeming to have realized what was coming. As Cloud tried to determine the next best move, the glow of Kalm’s streetlights caught the corner of his eyes, and Cloud decided to throw all planning out the window as he started running farther out into the plains. Zack chased after him, drawing close to strike at him. Cloud parried and drew back, running farther. Noticing that Zack was catching up, Cloud took the initiative and went at him, only to be blocked away.
They drew apart once more before being drawn together by the irresistible pull of battle, both striking in the same instant. Their sword crashed off one another with a loud clanging sound. Cloud didn’t pull back this time, instead turning his body around to launch a swinging strike at Zack’s upper torso.
“Why?” The blond asked as Zack ducked, bringing his sword around in a sweeping attack at Cloud’s legs. He jumped over the blade, noticing Zack rolling under his feet as he did so. Cloud flipped in mid-air, twisting to face the opposite direction as Zack got to his feet in a spot that had been behind him moments earlier. Cloud shifted to fall blade first towards the other man, who held out his own broad sword to protect against the momentum of the falling attack. As he balanced and shifted his weight along the blade to flip into the air once more, Cloud continued, “Why are you doing this?”
If the dark-haired man had an answer, he didn’t feel like sharing yet. Cloud landed on ground that should have been behind Zack, turning with his sword raised over his head for protection if the other man went for the attack Cloud would have tried and swung his blade down at him. When Zack did just that, Cloud parried it. The other man spun around, and Cloud found his shoulder aching from the force of Zack’s attack as the man’s blade came across his own.
“I promised you, Cloud.” The Soldier 1st shouted. Cloud, shocked, let his grip relax on his sword for a moment, and Zack used that instant to knock it away from him.
“What?” Cloud asked, springing backwards to stare at the dark-haired man from outside the reach of the other man’s weapon. “You did what?”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Helicopter One reporting. Do you read, over?” Katherine said, brushing a wisp of her short blonde hair behind her ear. She held the controls steady as the craft flew swiftly away from the gaping hole in the ground.
“Loud and clear, Helicopter One. What do you have to report, over?” The voice at the end of the transmission was crisp, clean, and more professional than she’d ever expected to hear from its owner. She’s really grown up, hasn’t she? Katherine nodded to herself in relief. About time, too.
“The Northern Crater appears to have been destroyed, for the most part. However, a path still remains by which the depths of it should be accessible. Your orders, over?” Beside her, Katherine watched as Nikolai grinned. At what, she didn’t even want to venture a guess. The former crime boss bodyguard had wanted to go exploring, of course. I’m so happy he still hasn’t gotten around to qualifying on the helicopters and isn’t stupid enough to try it without training. He stared aimlessly out the window, avoiding her side-long gaze.
“Proceed back to base. We’ll send another team out there to examine more in depth soon. For the moment, though - do you think that Sephiroth and Avalanche survived, over?” The woman on the far end returned. Why is she concerned about those law-breaking terrorists, anyway? And she still can’t control her inflection properly. Katherine sighed.
“It’s impossible to be certain one way or the other, but the Highwind is no longer in the vicinity. This suggests that at least one of the two parties involved managed to escape the destruction, over.” She replied.
“Which one…”
“Base, do you read, over?” Katherine asked when the voice faded away. Nikolai was laughing at her, she could see it from the corner of her eye, and it irked her to no end.
“Oh, yes, never mind, over.” Oh, Planet… The blonde refrained from sighing as she continued on course.
“IS there anything else, over?” She asked, gladly noting that they were almost over the sea now. The rest of the trip back to Junon should be a breeze, now that arctic currents and frost had become less of a danger.
“Yes, actually - just one more thing. He’ll be fine, thanks for asking. Base, over and out.” The final click rang in a way that suggested the radio had been turned off completely, and Katherine could feel her temples throbbing in vexation. Does she truly not realize how dangerous turning that off is? What if something happened, what if -
“Your little sister.” Nikolai said, smiling to himself. After checking that the path ahead was clear, the blonde turned to face him. The dark haired man raised an eyebrow at her before continuing, “She’s cool.”
Only years of training and practice restrained Katherine from screaming in annoyance.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Nanaki shook his head and tapped his tail against the ground as he waited for the others to be ready. Once weapons were hastily assembled, they began a mad dash down the plains to protect their leader from harm. He'll be all right, he's Cloud! Right? The night was beautiful and clear as Nanaki and the others raced from the inn at Kalm town and towards the obvious signs of battle nearby.
“What do we know about the person he’s fighting?” Tifa asked as they approached the two figures, gearing themselves up for the battle. Oh no! The battle before them had begun to move across the plains, the two figures running further away from Kalm. We’re coming, Cloud. Hang on until we get there! Nanaki felt Vincent cast Haste upon them all, and gratefully picked up his pace to catch them. “Any weaknesses, any immunities? Anything at all, Barrett?”
“Teef, you know I’m no good with Materia, especially Sense!” Barrett shouted at her. It was true, too. Cloud had had to teach him everything, even how to equip it - at least, that’s what Cloud had said once when Barrett was yelling at him for being a spiky haired moron again. A chuckle rolled its way through his body at the thought.
Wow… Ahead of them, Nanaki could see Cloud in the air, balancing his weight using only the force of his blade against that of his opponent. The blond man flipped higher into the air, landing on the opposite side of his opponent, with his sword already poised to block the oncoming blow. Cloud’s really amazing. Sure, we all helped to defeat Sephiroth, but Cloud’s the one who really managed it. The dark haired man launched another attack at their leader, an attack that was once again easily deflected. He’s incredible. He -
Nanaki almost froze as he watched Cloud’s large buster sword slip from his grasp. It spun wildly through the air, sending up a spray of dirt as it dug itself into the ground several yards to the right of the battle. Cloud had frozen, his entire body rigidly still as he stared at his attacker.
Cloud…?
“Shit. Stupid goddamn -“ Cid’s swearing became progressively more creative as they continued their dash.
The two were speaking, that much was clear, but the large red feline could not hear their words even with his own particularly good hearing. So none of the others will know… Whatever they were talking about, it had Cloud rattled. The blond dove for his sword in a way that completely lacked his usual grace. The other man read the move easily, flipping casually through the air to land directly between Cloud and his sword. He pointed his own weapon threateningly towards the blond.
Almost there…!
Nanaki dug his paws into the ground more forcefully, pushing himself ahead of his friends and ever closer to their leader’s weapon. The stranger noticed their approach then. He doesn’t seem threatened, though… Does he not realize that we came to protect Cloud, even if that means his destruction?
The sword was almost within reach. A burst of bright light caught the corner of Nanaki’s eyes, and he turned his head just in time to watch Cloud’s opponent stagger under the impact of what must have been a lightning spell, judging by the accompanying crack of sound. Nice one, Cloud! Nanaki wrapped his jaws around the hilt of the sword and yanked it free from the ground. He spun quickly about, releasing the weapon at the opportune moment.
“Cloud!” He shouted as soon as the weapon had passed from his lips. The blond’s head snapped towards him, and a dexterous hand snatched the blade from the air, spinning it once before bringing it to bear.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Zack watched as something flashed briefly in Cloud’s eyes, something other than that vague combination of menace and dread that had been directed at him so far. Sorry, Cloud. He brought his sword swiftly into contact with the younger man’s weapon, watching it skitter away. I can’t trust you right now, can’t be stopped from stopping you. Cloud stumbled back a step.
“What?” The blond asked, his voice tight and strained. “You did what?”
“Promised you, Cloud.” Zack replied, stepping closer to the man who had once been his good friend. He tightened his grip on his sword, waiting for a disarming attempt.
That odd something returned to the blond’s eyes. It was hazy, not sharp or direct in the way that most of Zack’s opponent’s thoughts and actions had been. He looks… it’s almost like he just woke up... Cloud shook his head, tearing his eyes from Zack’s face. He dove uncertainly towards his weapon, but the moment’s hesitation in the move had given Zack more than enough time to beat Cloud to the space separating him from his sword.
“Do you remember, Cloud?” Zack asked, allowing his voice to be kinder than it had been thus far. He smiled, hoping the bitterness of his despair hadn’t slipped onto his face. Zack stood, weapon at the ready, eyeing the blond warily. “Do you remember our promise?”
Cloud stood, silent. If he remembers -
What…?
Zack glanced quickly to his right as a lithe figure crossed the edges of his vision, dashing across the plains. Most monsters would have been driven away by the sounds of battle, but this giant feline didn’t seem to be bothered at all. I’ve never seen anything like it! He watched for a moment as the creature headed straight for Cloud’s sword, trying to decide if he ought to intercept the beast when -
SHIT! Zack staggered backwards as his body forcibly recalled why he preferred to use Lightning materia rather than having it used on him. Stupid of me, should’ve known he’d have materia on him, should’ve remembered he always has some with him -
“Cloud!” The sword that had been stuck in the ground now headed straight towards them, but that didn’t mean a damn thing. It talks! That thing just talked! How in Hades did that -
PLANET FUCKING DAMN! Cloud’s weapon was back in the hands of its capable owner once more. Zack watched as the diminutive blond spun the large sword as though it were weightless. He had a momentary glimpse of the other man shifting behind him before a heavy force impacted with the back of his skull and Zack felt the world going dark. He crumpled bonelessly to the ground.
Planet… fucking… damn…
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Vincent released the Haste spell he’d been preparing onto Cloud as the man snatched his sword from the air. The short man got control of the weapon and promptly used his extra speed to spin behind his enemy and knock him unconscious. When the man had remained motionless on the ground, and the threat seemed to be gone, Vincent cautiously followed the path of his comrades toward the diminutive blond.
“Zack…” Cloud said softly, his voice fading away as he knelt beside the body. Risk is minimal, all should be safe, but… Vincent cast a quick glance about the plains to make sure they truly were alone as Tifa moved to stand beside Cloud.
“Zack?” She repeated, her voice filled with surprise. Vincent studied the dark haired man lying before him. So this is the man who befriended Cloud and Sephiroth? Whose memories Cloud took for his own? The brunette leaned down beside the blond, brushing back locks of hair from the unconscious man’s face so that she could get a better look. “It is him! But… why were you fighting, Cloud?”
She’s nervous. Tifa’s hands were slowly clenching and unclenching into fists.
“Zack? Who’s - wait a Planet damn minute, I thought you said he was dead!” Cid said, scowling at the younger man. A valid point.
“Yeah!” Yuffie and Barrett shouted, nodding in agreement. Nanaki tilted his head to the side, glancing back and forth between the stranger and the man he followed. The confusion of his friends echoed in his own expression. Vincent remained impassive, clearing his face to allow Cloud the chance to explain.
“I… thought he was.” The blond said eventually, his face slack and vacant. Now you don’t know what to believe, do you, Cloud? Oh, Lucrecia… The long haired man remembered all too clearly the shock of finding his beloved still alive after all of these years, living a mere half life but still alive and as beautiful as the last time he had seen her. Vincent stepped closer to Cloud, causing his knee to apply gentle pressure to the man’s back.
It will be explained later. Worry later.
Vincent felt Cloud recover himself, felt the muscles in his back tense as he slipped his arms underneath this… Zack’s body and lifted him easily into the air. The red cloaked man moved back, and Cloud rose to his feet. Tifa joined him instantly.
“Cloud…?” She began. Don’t bother him now. Vincent shifted his weight and bumped softly against the girl as Cloud began to walk back toward Kalm. She stopped speaking and looked at him. Vincent met her eyes unflinchingly, determination in his mien. Leave him, for now. Let him overcome the shock first. Tifa’s gaze searched his own carefully. After a few moments, the brunette found whatever she had been looking for and nodded to herself, turning away to follow Cloud.
As the others all fell back in line, Vincent cast one last quick, surveying glance around the area. With a sigh, he grabbed the two large, sharp objects that had been left lying on the ground before joining the rest.
So Soldiers still can’t be bothered pick up after themselves. His lips quirked into something that might have been called a smile. Children.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The phone rang precisely three times before he clicked it on.
“Well?” He snapped. She’s late, it shouldn’t have taken this long, shouldn’t have had any problems, why is she late? He grabbed a pen and prepared to take notes.
“Operations did not proceed as planned.” She replied. “Specimen C defeated Specimen Z without destroying it. Z is likely to survive, and neither C nor Z will likely take action against the other again.”
“It failed?” He slammed his pen down onto the table with more force than was strictly necessary. After all this time, all this planning… He snarled as he rewrapped his fingers around the pen and began scribbling on the page before him. Must finish backup plan, must perfect it, cannot allow it to fail as well…
“And the other?” Her voice was cool, tranquil.
“Proceeding as planned.” He replied sharply. “You’ll be back soon?”
“Yes.”
He hung up the phone.
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