The FF7 Experience: (Chapter 15: Trip Down Memory Lane)

Author stuff: I’ve been forgetting to do this at the start of each chapter…I do not own Final Fantasy 7 or any or if characters. Also, thank Frankto for his betaing and proofreading skillZ.

It seems FFNet has a new feature that lets an author directly reply to a review. From now on whenever you write a review, if you want a response, please put something like ‘please reply’ or ‘PR’, or something at the end of your review so I’ll know to reply. Otherwise, I won’t be using that feature on any reviews that come in.

------------------------Start chapter----------------------

As the ground below me grows rapidly closer, the urge to close my eyes grows stronger. Zorn and Thrown teeter over to the edge of the hillside, still feeling the venom flowing through their veins, but still they wish to see me splatter all over the ground.

My gaze shifts over to the group not far away. Only now, has Red caught sight of me. Perhaps he smelt my blood through the air or heard the shifting when I rolled off. His eye widens for a moment and he begins to concentrate magic around himself; though whatever it is, it will be too little too late.

While in the process of healing Tifa; Aeris looks up and gasps, placing her hand to her mouth.

Slowly everything melds together as my senses leave me. Aeris shouts something and runs forward, light surrounds Red, and the last words I hear are: “Summon: Ifrit!” before my eyes stray back to the ground and force themselves shut on impulse. A tremendous though momentary impact makes everything go black.

I hit the ground.

Don’t talk like that…”

I shrugged nonchalantly and stood up from the soft red blanketed mattress. Pulling my black protective vest off the seat of a nearby chair, I move for the door. I stop and take one last look back, soaking in the sight of this dark, almost dungeon like room. Outside it appears to be night, though it’s purely the result of special effects. The room is dimly lit with crimson reds and metallic blacks spread around. The whole while, Erika watches me with slightly worried pupil less eyes. She pulls her legs up towards her chest and lets out a small sigh before waving her hand in my direction.

Take care of yourself. Please remember to call.”

I nodded and left her alone to rest. Closing the door behind me, I strolled through the equally bleak hallways, descending down creaking wooden stairs and passing by flickering holographic ghosts until I was outside.

I was met with another, longer set of stairs made of old fashioned stone. Once I was to ground level, I trotted through the leaves and dry twigs which crunched at my feet until I stood before a grave marked “Station”.

There was an odd chill in the air, and it was not a result of the cool rising air the saucer pumped from holes in the ground. Nor was it the simulated mists and occasional monstrous sound effect that howled seemingly far off. It was a whole different chill.

I hesitated for a moment and slowly looked back up, turning my head sideways. Through the haze, I saw a shadowed form. I couldn’t make it out entirely, but the shiver sent down my spine was enough to confirm it. It was that damned devil…and I couldn’t let him go after Erika.

Clenching my teeth in frustration, I list my hand and give him the finger. A low and amused snort indicates I’ve caught his attention. And while I would have liked to have kicked the tombstone before me and enter into a public area where this damnable beast would dare not enter, to do so would leave Erika open. The images of him breaking through her rented bedroom window and slaughtering her in the midst of her surprise horrified me even more than the thought of trying to take him on.

I turned towards the edge of the saucer this section was suspended on and took off. Behind me, a flutter of wings followed by minute shifts in the winds causes my insides to slowly grow hot. How close was he coming to me? I couldn’t turn around, that would be foolish.

As the edge grows closer, I take a great leap off; the grounds below is so far that anything down there, be it people or small structures, are impossible to see at the moment.

I turn in mid air so I am facing the sky and wait for it to come. I feel the wind strong winds rippling around my body as I descend so rapidly towards the ground. With the lighting of the Haunted square gone, I can make out the darker blue of the sky associated with the shift into night time.

Suddenly, a shadow comes into sight, soaring over the edge of the saucer and hastily making its way down towards me. Its leathery black wings expand, the muscles on its bright red chest tighten, and one of its black clawed hands move to its side as it prepares a spell.

I bring my hands together quickly, preparing my technique. Now within seconds of ripping me apart, the redness of its eyes seem to pierce through me as it bares its teeth.

Channeling the needed energy, my body vanished in a veil of grey smoke just as the monster swings its arm down at me. A black pulse of energy falls through the air towards the desert sands below, having completely missed its target.

I reappear further down and out of my pursuer’s direct line of sight, but he picks up on my location within seconds. I cringe when a maddening cackle fills the air. Shifting my weight so I face the sky once more, I ready my next technique, hoping it will delay him, for combating him head on, especially in the air where he is of the greatest threat, would be madness.

But still, even if I am to assume I will make it to the ground, then what? How do I get away? Or perhaps, I could kill him…? End his existence altogether. Now there’s a thought. At any rate, my mind is moving too quickly to plan so far in advance. All the gears are turning, producing short term plans that will ensure minutes of extended survival.

A quick glance back at the ground, and I am still unable to distinctly make anything out, though the form of some desert prison structures are now visible. But at this range, a replacement technique would be impossible, and I need more time before the Body Flicker can be used again.

After muttering a silent curse which is extinguished by the loud flapping of the wind in my ears, I bring my hands together and begin chanting a spell, drawing from the materia in my scythe; Magus. It was a long and truly menacing weapon. The hook at the end was heavy and composed of a metallic black with outlines of red. The weapon was designed by Odine for my use and magically enhanced to increase the destructive power of each swing.

The beast approaches again, flying at far greater speeds than I can fall. Seeing another black swirl of magic forming in his hand, I complete preparation for my own spell.

Demi 3!” I cry out, but my voice is out shouted by the demonic cry from my opponent, mirroring the same spell.

Our two forces of darkness collide in the small space between us, and while he is able to redirect his position, I’m left to feel the resulting shockwave when our spells meet. I groan, practically feeling the bones in my body shake as the blast of gravity sends me flying downwards at even greater speeds. It served as a helpful boost, forcing him to take time to dodge and reestablish his path while it bought me seconds’ time and sent me downwards faster.

I formed the Ox seal once more and peered down. In another minute, I would hit the ground. But, if I use the flicker now, it may not recharge before I hit the ground. I’ll need to conserve it.

And so, I begin firing a volley of standard demi spheres upwards, hoping I can force him to alter position enough that by the time he reaches me, I can flicker on to the ground without splattering all over it. I send spell after spell into the air, and each time he dodges lazily. Even though I can’t see his face, I know he’s enjoying this.

I curse as he begins launching his own gravity spells. I glance over my shoulder and see the ground is an acceptable distance. With the Ox seal ready, I flicker out of the air, leaving a trail of grey smoke, and appear on the ground in another.

Feeling my feet on the ground, I begin running to god knows where. I can feel the shifting sands at my feet. All around are shabby vehicles and houses with ratty looking men glancing at me curiously as I run by with as much speed as I can manage.

I turn as I run and see the black form sailing through the sky, growing a dozen or so yards closer with each passing second. In less than a minute, he would be upon me.

I look ahead once more and see a scrawny spiky haired thug in my path, twirling a pipe deviously. I draw Magus and sidestep his clumsy swing before taking one of my own, hacking his legs off completely. I don’t even turn to listen to the stumps hitting the sand, though it’s hard to ignore his head splitting scream of agony.

My heart starts to beat faster and faster, knowing there will be a confrontation, because regardless of what I do now, he’s going to catch up. I hop a busted up and splintered old fence and make my way further into the desert until a shadow swoops over my head. Looking up, I see it turn in mid air and lower itself gracefully until it’s directly in my path. With a quite audible curse, I stop running and prepare myself.

He flaps his wings one last time before draping them around his slender but built figure. His thin tail sways lightly on the sand below his talons feet. We hold eye contact for a few seconds before his blank expression turns into a cutting grin. Before he even speaks, I have my hands on the Magus.

And he speaks in his eccentric velvety voice.

That was a nice chase back there. Had to end sooner or later though, right?”

Yeah.” I drone.

Hehe. He hates you, you know. Professor Odine, that is.” I remain silent as he goes on, “It’s reversible you know.”

I furrow my eyebrows. What was he talking about? Sensing my confusion, he raises a hand to his lips and laughed breathily.

Don’t you know? The reason you are so vigorously pursues; it’s not because you angered Odine by escaping. No, it’s because that damned woman tainted the two of you. But, if you willingly comply, the damage she has done can be reversed. Plus, I don’t have to rip you both to shreds…hehe.”

I can tell by the glint in his eyes, by the way he spreads his claws, and by the feeling of bloodlust he is giving off: He wants me to turn down the offer. Nothing would please him more. The cursed spirit that was never concealed together with the other summons…the Dark Messenger; Diablos.

Erika would never go back to Odine, even if it meant death…nor would I for that matter. What did that leave? If I can’t kill Diablos, I have to at least injure him enough so that he won’t go after Erika.

As if feeling my growing intent to kill him, Diablos expanded his wings and lowered himself downwards, preparing to spring forward at a moments notice. He gave one last ultimatum.

Well?”

Sighing, I pulled the Magus from my back, with its glittering materia and shining black surface, and stared him strait in the eyes.

Go fuck yourself, Diablos.”

His response was not anger, but rather a pleasurable laugh. He shook his head lightly for a moment before his demeanor shifted and he channeled all his bloodlust onto me. He wouldn’t have to hold back his killing intent any longer.

I ran forward with my weapon in hand as the dark messenger glided through the air. I took a fast swing, but he was already out of my sights. Tracking his movement, I turned to the side and ducked as a claw went overhead.

While I had considered using ‘those’ eyes, they would be more of a hindrance. Diablos can just as quickly switch to fighting at long range with magic and flight; something those eyes are weak to…and what is more, the kind of distortions his gravity spells make in the air are too much for my senses to handle when I use the eyes.

I spun my weapon and lunched the butt towards his chest but he gripped the end of the shaft with his hands.

I raised a single arm while using the other to hold my weapon.

Shadow Snake Hand!” I cried.

As the three serpents broke through the skin on my arm, Diablos tried to tug my weapon free from my grip but I held it firm. Snickering like it were nothing, he relented his hold and flew back to avoid my snakes.

I brought them back within my arms and began channeling my magical energies into a glowing green orb within the Magus.

Ice-“my attack was halted as the demons form suddenly appeared directly in front of me. I canceled my spell and bobbed backwards as his claw flew by.

I made a quick forward swing, then another, until I was executing combo after combo, using a series of maneuvers I learned back at the labs training grounds in Wutai, and almost effortlessly, the demon evaded them. He knew my tactics well. I’d need to think out of the norm if I want to land a hit. I know just the thing, though I’ll need to slow him down a little more.

I backed away, dodging another swipe, before I rolled back and formed a one handed seal. Not far away, past the picket fence I had hopped, a group of local criminals watched our battle.

Wolf Fang Avalanche!”

With a single hand pointed at my target, the air before me chilled into three separate mists, each taking the form of a wolf. Holding my seal in place to guide them, the magical beings charged forward through the sand, evading a spread of gravity blasts.

Diablos snickered and leapt into the air as a wolf passed underneath him. He turned in mid air and dove at the wolf, breaking it apart with the force his claws generated. He swiveled until he was facing the remaining two and with the flick of a wrist, miniature red blades flew from his claws, twirling about in the air with no predictable path. It wasn’t until the wolves had drawn closer that they flew in from the side, dispelling both creatures. Chunks of snow and ice flew through the air.

Again I formed a single hand seal, flickering directly above Diablos. He glanced up and gathered dark energy into both hands as I came downwards.

With another seal, I cried; “Shadow Replication!”

Five clones formed in the air and four dispersed while the fifth threw me out of his Demi’s path just as it flew up. The sphere of darkness began sucking my clone’s body in and out before it popped out of existence.

My remaining copies and I surrounded the beast and charged all at once. With the flexing of his wings, a powerful gale suddenly emitted from his body, sending my copies and I back, though the replicas still held their form. We regained our composure and shifted on the sand, circling the dark summon while he remained motionless, anticipating the next move.

I sent my clones forward while I backed away to prepare my next spell. One my one they were dispersed as the demon masterfully slinked around their swings and slashed into their bodies, escaping with only a few minor cuts on his arms.

Ice 3!” I shouted.

He turned just as an enormous field of ice exploded before him. Shards and spears of ice tore at his hard body as he flew back and deeper into the desert. I ducked and rolled as shards came in my direction; I should have backed away a little more.

Escaping from my own attack unharmed, I continued forward without the aide of clones. Not far off, Diablos lifted himself up and shook fiercely, pulling a few icy spears from his red chest before focusing on me again.

With an aggravated snarl, he pointed his arm in my direction. Suddenly, the appendage exploded into a small platoon of bats. They flew towards me, serving as nothing more than an annoyance and distraction. I had thought to annoy them until one bit into my shoulder and another, the back of my leg. And, in this brief moment of pain, Diablos lifted his remaining arm and chanted.

Seconds later, the call of “Demi 2” came. The bats dispersed, returning to their owner as the dark wave struck me. My whole body felt as though it were contracting and expanding, my bones and organs felt worn, and my body drained. Demi spells may not be lethal but they drain you much more than you would think.

Feeling my enemy approaching, I leapt up into the air, flying above his slash. I brought my scythe down as my body was surrounded in a familiar red energy.

Dragon Fang!”

Looking up and looking quite surprised, Diablos quickly fluttered back as my glowing scythe struck into the sandy desert floor. The explosion spread as fire rose from the ground, enveloping Diablos form and in addition, the glass shards that followed from the heat and sand mixing produced several cuts on his body.

As Diablos slid back across the sand, I prepared to rush him.

Now back on his feet, Diablos snorted condescendingly. “Thank you for the advantage Grant. Hehe…”

Advantage? It didn’t take long to figure it out. My Dragon Fang created a sizable amount of glass shards and in addition to Demi spells and the like, Diablos can also affect gravity.

I suppressed the urge to smirk. I could work this to my advantage since Diablos most likely thinks I’ll do what I can to get away from this glass.

As the demon raised his hands I placed my scythe back on my back. With my left hand, I reached into my item pouch and pulled three small smoke bombs. With my other hand, I formed one handed seal for body flicker.

My smoke bombs hit the ground as the glass around me started to lift. Now covered in a veil of thick smoke, I formed the seal for Shadow replication and made a single copy. The moment is materialized next to me; it used the Body Flicker, creating further smoke.

Knowing’ I would flicker, Diablos spun around and slashed at my clone. It quickly ducked and swung horizontally at his torso. He backed away and brought both hands up, pulling the glass behind him forward. Soon, my clone was surrounded on all sides by sharp pieces of glass. On his command, they flew in at once. My clone lasted 3 seconds before a single shard cut him.

Seeing what was supposed to have been I disappear in a puff of smoke, Diablos growled and turned sharply.

With the distance closed, I thrust my arm forward along with the crackling magical compression that enveloped it. The thrust had been targeted at his heart but he shifted at the last second, causing it instead to go through his shoulder region. He howled as my arm went cleanly through the flesh and bone and came out on the other side. The blue magic ceased and a few seconds of silence followed.

Bearing in mind his pained expression, I started to pull my arm free in favor of following up with a slash to his neck. Before my arm made it out, I felt a sudden grip. With a sinister grin, Diablos tightened his hold on my arm, making my bones feel like they would snap. I gritted my teeth and tried harder to pull. Clearly not working, I lifted my spare arm.

Moments before I could envelop the demon in snakes, he released gravity based magic off his hand and together with his already impressive strength, the entire bone within my right arm shattered. Words could not describe the cry of pain I gave off, but even still I could not finish. Seconds after crushing my arm, Diablos released his grip and slashed at my chest, dealing five deep cuts. The phone in the front of my backed shattered into pieces and the material on my vest shredded apart, sending small pieces of fabric into the air to be carried away by the building winds. Before landing on the ground, I felt a grip on my ankles. With a powerful spin, he hurled me almost a full hundred meters away.

I rolled around on the sand and made it on to my knees, trying to force down this pain and stand back up. But somehow I was…sinking? My eyes widened as it hit me: I had landed in quick sand.

I instinctually released my latent eye abilities. Following the transition from brown to silver black, hoping I’d feel something…anything…that would get me out of this predicament.

I nearly smirked. Actually, this was the best place I could be right now. Erika can no doubt finish Diablos off now. I’ve done what I could.

I looked up as Diablos walked over with one arm clutching his shoulder. Between breaths, he sneered. I brought my good arm up, hoping to make a one hand seal and flicker out of the sand. With another flick of his wrist, thin red blades shredded my arm, rendering it almost equally useless.

He waved one last time before I was completely submerged.

There had been something below the desert. The feeling of falling was the last thing I can recall.

This was not the day I ‘died’.

Although everything is still black, I can hear a gentle wind, light movement, and tired breaths. My chest…it hurts. Specifically, there are two small circles of pain where it’s hot and throbs madly. My bones ache. Probably from the fall which likely did kill me. I guess I was revived.

Someone shakes my body lightly. I can feel thick fur rub against the side of my face and neck.

Grant.”

I almost didn’t want to wake up. I was tired, aching and felt the usual coldness that follows after being revived. But I remembered: I wasn’t the only one suffering. Everyone else had some kind of serious injury or condition…except perhaps Red. So, while slightly reluctant, I cracked a single eye open and saw the clump of red fur at my side.

“…m’ awake.” I murmured. Had it been anyone but Red, they likely wouldn’t have heard anything at all.

Red turned over his shoulder, “He’s awake.”

I open my other eye and try to focus my vision. I can make out the dark sky. Night time? We must have been here for a while after the confrontation ended. My chest is knife-free and the wounds seem to have been treated, even if they still burn.

“…Wait. Zorn and Thorn?”

They retreated with an ‘Escape’ spell after I had summoned Ifrit.”

I hum lightly and force myself into a sitting position. It pained me to move upwards, especially so quickly. I did a quick scan of the area and didn’t like what I saw.

Barret was awake now, leaning against a large rock. His clothes were torn and his head moved from side to side sleepily. While he wasn’t dead, there were a number of bloody areas where wounds had once been, but had been closed by restorative potions and magic.

Yuffie was unconscious, though her physical injuries were not too extreme. She had a few scrapes here and there which were being healed as Cloud doused them in potions. Mostly, she seems to have fainted from the mental stress of forcing her barrier up.

Cloud walked with slow limp. His facial muscles tightened with every step he took. With Yuffie’ treatment done, he hobbled towards Aeris to continue treating Tifa.

The martial artist was still unconscious. Aeris had draped her red jacket over Tifa’s chest to preserve her modesty. The water on her white shirt would have made it almost entirely see through. Because of the jacket, it was hard to see the injuries to her body, but they were tending to other ones such as the long cut on her leg. This led me to believe they had done all they could about the damage to her body.

Aeris’s face was covered in a film of sweat. She rubbed her eyes, feeling a powerful migraine coming on. She was pushing her own limits ion favor of healing her allies.

You were fortunate.” Red states. “Aeris has the greatest control with magic among the group. Had anyone but her tried to use the revive materia on you, it would have failed.”

I didn’t wake up right away because I was still in ‘memory lane’ at the time, I suppose. Everyone is in such bad shape. So vulnerable right now…how would this delay our travels? That was the closest call I can ever remember us having. Aeris has to strain herself and her magic in order to keep us out of the red zone. And what am I doing exactly? I’m being useless, sitting here motionless while I mentally complain about my own injuries.

Red turns to continue treating the others but I extend my arm and yank his tail. He turns back for a moment as I force myself on to my feet and stagger to his side.

Are you sure that is wise?”

No.”

Red moves on ahead, not hindered by such an injury, and in a minute I catch up, taking my place with the others. Cloud glances up from his spot near Tifa and nods to acknowledge my presence while Aeris casts another cure.

Who should I try and heal? Barret seems as patched up as he’ll get. He just needs rest now. Ditto for Yuffie. But I can’t help but notice that Cloud’s leg has gone almost completely untended. Likely, he insisted it was nothing.

I slowly walk behind his kneeling form and get onto my knees. I’m tired, but I can at least do a little.

Healing Hands.”

Cloud glances at me for a moment, remaining silent. With such a faint green energy surrounding my hands, I place them above Cloud’s wound. The energy is lacking, but in time it will fix itself.

Finishing her cure spell, Aeris watches as the healing magic disperses. Sighing and wiping her forehead with her hand, she falls back onto her back, breathing hard and uncontrolled breaths.

I think…that’s the best we…can do.”

While Cloud’s leg injury is mostly fixed, the green energy around my hand seems to fizzle out, lacking the magic power and concentration needed to maintain it. I sigh and stand back up, taking a step back.

I think that’s the best I can do too. Sorry.”

Cloud shrugs his shoulders, “It’s fine, thank you.” Standing back up on his feet, he too surveys the group as I had not long ago. Taking into account everyone injuries and condition, he works on deciding what we do now. A sigh escapes him with the realization that, either way there will be a downside. If we rest too long, Sephiroth will be even further from us. However, if we don’t rest enough, then a strong enough enemy would wipe us all out. At this moment, right now; if we were to be attacked by a few simple monsters we may not even survive.

And we waited, Red, Barret, Aeris, and I. We kept our eyes on our leader and awaited some kind of guidance.

Cloud crossed his arms and systematically thought things over aloud. “First, we need to get to Corel. We need to do it in one trip too. I don’t want to leave anyone here in a small group…not when we’re this weakened.” He looked to Barret. “Can you stand?”

He slowly nodded his head and demonstrated, using the surface behind him as a support to rise up. He stepped forward and held his balance of his own will.

Would you be able to carry Yuffie?” our leader followed up. A nod from the black man, and he went on. “I’ll carry Tifa. Grant, Aeris, you’ll have to walk on your own.”

After adjusting his sword and its carrier so it would be at his side with the blade pointing forward, Cloud knelt down and lifted Tifa up, helping to cover her with Aeris’s jacket. Once on, he hoisted her onto his back and hooked his arms underneath her legs. Barret settled for carrying Yuffie bridal style, resting her head on his forearm so the metal of his gun would not bother her. Carrying her was simple enough since she was so small and light. He placed her shuriken on his own back. The others steadily moved on ahead, climbing the incline that would take them to the bridge between Mt. Corel and the town. I stayed behind for a minute to find my phone.

Before my clone was dispelled, I recall it setting my phone in a large crack in one of these stones. I peered into the hole and felt at least some relief, seeing it was intact. I reached in and pulled the small black device out before setting it into my vest pocket.

I jogged slightly to catch up to the others and within another few minutes, we were before the lone and swaying wooden bridge. It seems I was not the only one weary of crossing. It looked to be in poor shape and with our slow movement, if we were attacked now before we made it to the other side, we’d be screwed. Still, there were no alternatives at this point.

As we carefully made way across, I moved up to the front, hoping conversation would alleviate the tension of being so damn high. I’m not too keen on heights you see, which is funny because my past ‘self’ had no problem leaping off the gold saucer.

But before I made it up to the front, I stopped and turned to Aeris. Her dress is ruined; she’ll need a new one ASAP. She was tired but not complaining in the least. It occurs to me that I should thank her, since were it not for her; I’d be dead right now.

I slip my hands into my pockets and look ahead, having almost been dumb enough to look down. “Aeris?”

She smiled half heartedly and tilts her head in my direction. “Hm?”

Thanks for saving my life.”

Her smile lifts a little more, “I’m just glad it worked. It was close.”

I grunt, still uncomfortable with the knowledge that I had nearly died for good. When I look ahead, Cloud seems to shift slightly, suspiciously almost, in response to my voice. Yes, I think he caught on to the familiarity Zorn, Thorn, and I seemed to have with each other. I can be certain he’ll ask about it once everyone is safely settled too. It figures, since he’s growing attached to Aeris and they were after her. I have to wonder how she’s feeling with all of this…she does well with keeping a smile on her face.

I clear my throat, thinking I may as well explain this while Aeris is present too, since really, she has a right to know too.

Those two jesters, their names are Zorn and Thorn.” I state. I wait, seeing what kind of reaction I’ll get.

Hm. So you did know them.” Cloud responds more to himself than to I. Aeris is silent, waiting for me to explain.

So far only Yuffie knows this, but…before Kalm, I don’t remember anything.” Actually, I remember my life before coming here, but since Walter felt the need to add a history to my character, I can rightfully claim amnesia. “Lately, I’ve been having little flashbacks. The first one I had was on the way to Junon.” I glance at Red for a moment, silently giving him permission to speak up.

Yes, I recall you collapsing for a moment behind the group.”

Cloud slows down slightly until he’s walking next to me, still carrying Tifa on his back. Her breathing is slow, but she looks a little more at peace now.

I nod and go on, “I know them from a flashback. It’s faint and short, but I think we were fighting. I don’t remember how I survived or anything.”

Cloud’s quiet for a moment, calculating this all out. Based on the ever so slow nod of his head, I think he’s decided to trust me. “They seemed to think you had been dead. Do you have any idea who they work for and why they are after Aeris?”

All I really know is they are subordinates of a man named ‘Odine’. No idea what they would plan to do with Aeris.” I responded truthfully.

“’Odine’…never heard the name.” he trails off from there, making no comment on my supposed amnesia. He probably thinks I don’t like talking about it, which is why this is the first he’s heard of it. For that, I’m thankful.

And still, Aeris is quiet, walking with her false smile in place. Not far behind us, Barret lumbers on with Yuffie in his arms. With each step we take, he grows more uncomfortable, knowing we were but minutes away from his old home. Add to that the already lousy condition he was in; this was not something he was looking forward to. I’m kind of curious how the town’s people will react. I’d be quite appalled if they still hit Barret in spite of his condition, and of course, that he was carrying a girl in his arms.

It seemed as though conversation was put on hold as the bridge began moving upwards; we had passed the half way point. But Cloud had something to say, and his voice was did sound at least a little bit uncertain.

We won’t be staying in Corel long.”

I was about to ask him how he possibly thinks we can continue, but I remembered that he would not make such a big decision without explaining himself first…at least, that’s the impression I had of him.

We’ll rest at the Gold Saucer. It’s a far more suitable place to recuperate.”

Makes sense. Corel would only have a few beds assuming they let a bunch of half dead people stay there. The Gold Saucer had separate rooms open in the Haunted Square, and wasn’t all unsanitary and rundown like Corel. But, there are two potential problems with this. The first is that if some of us are still unconscious, we would essentially have to throw them down those slides to get to Haunted square. Something about throwing a sleeping person down a slide doesn’t sit right with me. The second problem is there’s no telling when that whole transition into Corel Prison takes place. If it happened too soon, we’d all be WAY too messed up to take care of ourselves. With any luck, Barret will go to sleep right away…plus, he’s out of ammo anyways so he’d need to restock.

We passed over the bridge and the ground quite suddenly shifted into a heap of unsorted garbage. There was a kind of sand colored hard ground at our feet, and a view of this small little village lay out before us. There were several tents put up and a few structures made of collected pieces of woof and drywall, craftily nailed together. There was, perhaps one home out of the lot that was a solid structure. A broke down truck lay in the center of the town with other pieces of trash and a set of tracks ran from a low road in the town all the way back to the reactor, though there were numerous obstacles in the way such as large stones and broken down vehicles.

As we stepped into the town, Barret picked up his pace until he stood at the very front, as though he had been anticipating a confrontation. He stopped and turned to me, holding Yuffie out for me to carry momentarily. Was he even expecting a punch in the face from the town’s people? With my foreknowledge of what may come, I knew better than to turn him down. Taking the slender and still wet girl in my arms, I watched him pass off the ninja’s shuriken to Aeris and spin back around. He began to march forward as calls of his name rang through out this small village. A group of men made their way over in a hurry.

Carrying Yuffie in the same manner Barret had been proved uncomfortable, so I shifted her so I was piggy backing her in the same manner Cloud was with Tifa.

Five men now blocked our path into the town. Cloud grunts, feeling rather annoyed, and waits for Barret to resolve this in a timely manner. The skinny man in the center dressed in a plain blue shirt and torn jeans steps forward. His face has a single scar running down his cheek and his head is cleanly shaved with no roots of hair in sight. He stood before Barret and took a deep breath, bringing his arm back as though to punch him, when he stopped suddenly. The man looked him from head to toe, summing up his condition, before scoffing and taking a step back. It seems he was above hitting an injured man.

He folds his arms and looks at the rest of us.

Tch. You bring misfortune to everyone you meet, don’t you?”

Barret lowers his head, not speaking a single word.

Don’t you have anything to say? Were you responsible for that big blast up in the mountains? Huh!”

A tense silence before he finally responds, “…sorry.”

The men collectively scoff, muttering a few harsh insults. Still, Barret keeps his gaze low, as though he deserves this treatment. I saw what happened in the game, and I do not at all think Barret should be held accountable. He may have pushed for the reactor to be built but he was not the only one. It’s not like his word alone made the reactor happen. Still, I can’t cut in, both because that would show my knowledge of things I should know, and because it really wasn’t any of my business.

Fucking stupid shit.” The man curses with a clenched fist.

Now ignoring Barret, he looks us over once more, seeming to soften some. He sighs, “You people need anything?”

Cloud steps forward while Barret retreats back into the middle of our group. “A change of clothes until we can buy something new would be appreciated. We will of course, pay you.”

The man grunts and turns to the group behind him. “We’ll see what we can rustle up. Ain’t making any guarantees.”

Before Cloud can even thank them for their generosity, they scatter off, still muttering a few curses at our resident gunner. Barret lifts his shoulders back up, trying to forget that little scene ever happened.

An unexpected shift on Cloud’s back caught our attention. Tifa elicited a soft moan, tightening the arms that had been limp over Cloud’s shoulders a moment ago. The blond turned his head side ways and watched her from the corner of his eye. Not long after her shifting, her head lifted marginally and she let out a small breath.

Ugh…”

Feeling the girl on his back stir more and more, Cloud gently laid her down on the ground, leaning her up against the side of a hunk of drywall near by. He placed his sword on the ground and knelt down near her. He stayed close as the girls eyes wearily opened.

It’s weird that she only now woke up; I mean I died and I woke up almost right away. Maybe it has something to do with being revived from death versus normal healing items and spells just barely pulling you from death. I really don’t know.

Seeing his friend awake, Cloud’s lips tugged upwards on their own accord, forming a much relieved smile. It looked like he would have hugged her for a moment. Instead, he retained his position and spoke, using his voice instead to convey his happiness.

I’m glad you’re awake. How do you feel?”

She takes a moment to look down at the jacket covering her transparent clingy top. The dark haired woman brings her legs closer to her body and wraps her arms around the, hugging herself, though not too tightly, and begins to shiver.

Tifa?” Cloud asks again, placing his hands on her shoulders. She locks eyes with him for a moment, but her eyes soon begin to wander. She hasn’t fully recovered her wits.

I glance back at the town, seeing one of the men from the crowd moving from shelter to shelter collecting assorted articles of clothing. From the corner of my eye, I see Barret step towards me and hold his arms out.

Here, I’ll take er. I know a girl here…she ain’t holdin’ a grudge or nothin’. She’s a good woman. Yuffie can rest there.”

I nod, figuring if this woman he’s talking about is one of the few or only non hostile people here, he’ll probably hang around there until we’re ready to leave. I turn around and feel him pull Yuffie on my back, taking her back in my arms.

As Barret speedily walks towards a home on higher ground, I take a fleeting look at Cloud, who is patiently waiting at Tifa’s side while Red and Aeris stand not far off watching.

Aeris stretches and looks over her stained dress a little more closely, now catching all the small cuts, wrinkles, and spots of dirt. “I’m going to see about those clothes.” She informs us, checking her pouch for any Gil she might offer the people of Corel in return. Cloud nods distractedly.

As Aeris slips past me and heads further into the village, Tifa moans again.

Cloud?”

Yeah, it’s me. Do you remember what happened?”

Her response is a slow nod. She tries to sit herself up more, being carefully guided by Clouds hands.

Is everyone okay?”

More or less.”

I watched them for another few seconds before I decided to head off into town myself. There was a lot I could do here before we head off to the Gold Saucer. I could stock up on some items, have some quiet time to think over my last memory, call Erika, or call Glen. Yes, many things to do.

I walked off without a word, figuring I’d only get another unfocused nod, if that, for informing the others.

I could make out more details of the village as I strolled by. The shops were rather pitiful, consisting of wobbly tables placed in front of a tent or hut. On the table was a piece of cloth with various potions and antidotes on top. Weapons were leaning against a wall in a rather unflattering display and grenades and the like were placed in a single wooden crate. Some of the homes in Corel were on higher ground; parts of the land that propped upwards. In place of stairs were long pieces of what used to be a sign, acting as a ramp. One had to walk through this place carefully as well, for fear of cutting themselves on a sharp and rusty piece of scrap metal that lay around. This place was truly a hellhole. I’d even argue it was worse than the Midgar slums. There was of course, one distinction I could make. While the people here did appear dirty and malnourished, they were surprisingly generous to offer our group, travelers they did not know, support. Because of this, it only seems right that we give them some money. And, I’m going to buy a lot of items too.

A few people stared at me, noticing my still wet clothing and the bloodied fabric near my chest. It still hurts, but when you tend to almost die as much as I do, you have at least some level of tolerance for pain. It still hurts like a mother fucker of course, I just deal with it much better than I did during the first half year of my being here.

I step up to one of the tables in front of a thick grey tent. Inside, I can see an assortment of shelves and boxes with a sleeping bag in the back corner somewhere. The man turns, noting my presence, and anxiously, almost desperately, comes forward.

Something I can get for you, son?” he says in a half hearted tone.

I nod, looking over the bottles in front of him. From what I recall, I ran out of Ether up in the mountains.

Any Ether?”

He claps his hands together happily, knowing single Ether runs for about 1500 Gil. He points to one on his laid out cloth and rummages in the back of his tent until he comes forward with another two.

I checked my pouches, doing inventory for both Gil and items currently held. My own funds equal roughly 9100 Gil. I’d best save some money for the Saucer entrance fee. 3 Ether and a potion or two should do.

I place the appropriate Gil on the table. “Those three plus two potions.”

No problem, son!” the shop keep replies, sounding much more lively now. He passes off the three Ethers, and I study the thin vials in my hand for a moment before sliding them into my item pouch along with the two potions that follow.

Thanks. My friend might be interested in that sword you have back there too.”

The ‘Force Stealer’ it was called. A dark purplish weapon with a number of curves and points spread throughout. Certainly an interesting design and it was enchanted to allow doubled materia growth too. How a man living in a place like this came to possess such a weapon is beyond me. Perhaps he found it? Maybe it was his when he wasn’t poor? Or, it’s just a tiny plot hole no one thought of. It doesn’t matter much, really.

I give him a small nod, preparing to walk off, when the man makes one last comment.

“…Thanks. This helps a lot, you know.”

And I smile. I thought the slums had it bad. If I make it home to my own world in one piece, I’m never going to bitch about being ‘poor’ again.

Now that I have the items I need, I look around for a good place to have some private time. Up a ramp and across a small walkway is a solitary home. There’s a ledge that gets a bit of an outlook of the town, and it appears vacant at the moment. And so, that’s where I go.

After a few minutes, I’m in place and try to spot everyone else. Someone just handed Aeris a pile of clothing, and in return, she handed the person a handful of Gil. Tifa looks like she’s up, but she and Cloud have yet to move from their spot near the edge of the town. Red’s resting near by. As for Barret and Yuffie, they’re in that house. Hopefully she’ll wake up soon, or Aeris will have to dress her (as arousing as that thought is).

I cough aloud, shamed by my own dirty thoughts. Taking one last look at the town, I plop down onto my butt and run my hands up my face and through my brown hair, which has become rather long. I haven’t had a haircut since like three months before leaving Kalm.

So, with those thoughts aside, it’s time to go over my latest flashback. For starters, I was with Erika at the Gold Saucer, in the Haunted Square. Less than ten minutes after I left her alone, Diablos, AKA the Guardian Force from Final Fantasy 8, attacked me. After some crazy stunt of jumping off the saucer, I land in the desert prison of Gold Saucer. I was on my way to Kalm to get the Master Materia since the flashback seems to start like right after the one I had where Erika and I were talking.

I hacked some guy’s legs off in a sick and bloody fashion. I’m not sure whether to consider that the right thing to do or not. I could have just knocked him away or something. So, this leads me to believe my past ‘self’ (which isn’t really me at all), is a lot more open to killing people than I myself am.

During our fight, I used a special weapon ‘Magus’ and had some advanced materia on me. As well, the flashback alluded to three techniques I don’t know yet. The first was ‘Replacement’, the same thing Yuffie knows. I never actually used it, but considered it in the memory. The second was ‘Wolf Fang Avalanche’, which comes from the Naruto anime’s movie. The third, which surprised me the most, was the ‘Chidori’, or, ‘Thousand Birds’. The reason it surprised me is because Walter put a ban on certain techniques that would make me too powerful. The Chidori was one because by compressing chakra (or in this world, magic) into the palm of your hand and then doing a strong thrust with it, you can pierce anything. It’s a technique to be used when you plan on killing someone in a single shot. If my aim hadn’t been thrown, I’m pretty sure Diablos would be dead. It would have gone through his heart and that would be that.

So, the last thing to keep in mind with this flash back, aside from my increased ability to fight, is that I did not die. I remember falling through something, though it was too dark to see. There was something beneath the desert. This begs two questions. First, what could be beneath the prison? And second, if I didn’t die then, when did I ‘die’?

I chuckled sadly. When I refer to the person that was ‘me’ before I actually came here, sometimes I don’t refer to him as a separate person. I’ll have to work on that or I may face a potential identity crisis in the future.

Another thing I have to wonder; is it technically murder that I took the place of this other ‘Grant’? He was someone else entirely and now I have his body…or rather, my body. I think it’s mine, but then, if he had it before I came, does that mean I’m simply the mind of myself in the body of another person? It would make sense even if I was weak in comparison to the other ‘self’. He had those funky eyes I used on Tifa a while back and so do I apparently.

I immediately stood up, cutting off that line of thought. I’m confused enough as it is and tired to boot…thinking of that kind of shit won’t help me. I should move on for now. That’s what I told myself at least.

The phone in my still wet pocket. Damn, I never even thought of how stupid it was to put it there. I reach in and yank it out, flipping it open. By some miracle, the electronic numbers still show. It wasn’t messed up or anything. Curiously, I checked the pocket I put it in, and was surprised to find it dry. It must be important that I have this phone; enough that Walter made a minor interference with this pocket, as if sensing my stupidity before I put the phone in it. I was thankful for that small act.

Since I already had the phone open, I thought I might as well call Erika. Even if she was hesitant with her information thus far, she did provide a little bit of added clarity. I pressed the auto dial for her number and held the phone up against my cheek.

One…two….three….four.

Four rings and no answer.

Five…six…

I pushed the off key. Erika did say she had one last thing to do in Midgar. I guess she’s busy. Should I call Glen? It’s a bit late…perhaps tomorrow morning I’ll call him. Maybe Barret can talk to Marlene too.

Just as I stand up, I hear my name called from below. There in the center of the village, Aeris is standing with a heap of clothing in both hands. I can only barely see her head amongst the clutter of shirts and pants.

I nod to her and make my way over, sliding down the sign ramp, until we’re face to face. She had yet to change, leaving me to believe she’s going to take whatever is left when everyone else has their pick. Smiling, Aeris holds the pile out.

Here ya go. Take what you like.”

Uncaringly, I reach in a pull a white shirt and a pair of sweat pants from the top of the pile.

The man that gave me these said we could change…” she trailed off, tilting her head in the direction of an empty tent. “…there.”

Thanks.”

I changed Yuffie if you want to visit her.” She comments, heading off towards the entrance of Corel.

I grunt to myself. I don’t need to visit Yuffie; she’ll likely be up and about tomorrow morning. So, with my plain clothes in hand, I move for the tent Aeris pointed out.

Do you want some hot chocolate? It’s good.” Erika chirped, taking another sip of the beverage.

The young girl was dressed in a long white coat with a fur neck. It was much thicker than her usual trench coat, offering suitable protection for the cold outside environment.

No, coffee is good for me.”

We were seated together in a comfortably warm lodge; a fire place near by, lanterns scattered around, and a wooden ‘cabin’ look. It made the place feel rather homely. Outside the glass windows, a light falling of snow could be seen, adding to the already white environment out there.

I took a sip from my black cup, setting it down on the hard oak table before us. Erika took another small sip, before pulling back and going in for another.

Works pretty well if you let it cool first.” I quip.

Hush, I like it hot.”

Heh.”

I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers against the table in thought. “No luck finding the White materia yet…”

She nodded, replying in an equally hushed tone. “I had a look at some of the recordings from Professor Gast’s lab. I think the Ancient woman he had a relationship with had it.”

Hm…but that man, Professor Hojo…he kidnapped her, right?”

I lost my balance and fell to the ground with a thud. Still in a bit of a daze, I prop myself up and look around, hoping no one from AVALANCHE caught that. I pick up my pace to the tent and zip it shut as soon as I’m inside.

Another flashback and less warning with this one too. The ‘White Materia’, in other words, the ‘Holy’ that Aeris’s mother held. Sadly, this latest memory told me nothing terribly useful. We were at Icicle Inn from the looks of it. It happened before the Gold Saucer. Other me likes coffee too (in spite of being like 13 or 14 at the time).

I’m seriously hoping Erika and I failed to take ‘Holy’ from Aeris’s mother. If not, there could be some big problems…

--------------------------------END OF CHAPTER----------------------------

Author notes: That’s done! Yay.

I know it took forever! My bad! For those who read my other story, Black Destiny…it’s almost done. Past the 90 mark for CH22.