Haunted Memory

Disclaimer: I have no rights over The final Fantasy Characters. This story is based off joint effort ox max mastah Mike and Sailor Poison. Any reviews is very much appreciated.

“ Haunted Memory “
By Mix Master Mike and Sailor Poison

Prologue part 2


Barret is a tall, broad shouldered and powerfubuilbuilt man of his late thirties. He has dark skin, short hair and a small, well trimmed beard. His lower right arm used to bare a powerful machine gun crafted in gatling gun style, but now either had prosthetic arm or mining tools; he had no need for such things now that the fight with Sephiroth had been over for quite some time. He usually wears a single, sleeveless jacket, heavy slacks and thick miner boots. He lived in the community of North Corel. The wood on some of the homes was still fresh, apparently the town seemed to dig their selves literally out of the depression after meteor, the town started to mine again and sell their coal to other towns. He worked hard to help his old town rebuild, when not building homes; he was mining coal to help the town. The town was once again thriving all around him just like the *good* old days. His mind would turn to his friends, Barret tried to keep tabs on them because he cared that much. Heard word of Vincent but could never reach the former Turk. Tifa would sometimes tell about her thriving class. He had a feeling that deep down she was unhappy with life with the way she groaned at things, or the look of her eyes; those sad eyes. Barret couldn't understand why things fell out between Tifa and Cloud. They seemed to be a good couple at first. The again, deep thought was never Barret's skill. Nanaki sometimes wrote about how things were in Cosmo Canyon. Would send invites whenever the miner wanted a vacation with hiopteopted daughter. Barret took this up a couple times because he wanted to enrich her life. Barret never heard from Cid. The pilot seemed to ignore everyone after Shera left him. Barret only heard some Shera occasionally, just updates. Cid has yet to do something like kill himself and Barret doubted he would. The pilot was too conceited to do that, too much in his own mind; apparently he was set so high he would never think such an act would value anything to others. Still, he worried the old man who seems to withdraw from the world. He never bothered to check up on Reeve. Never liked the corporate scum bag, he was only a white collared piece of human trash to him. He was also clueless about Yuffie. Never wrote and she returned the favor. His mind sometimes goes back to Aeris, the Cetran died with a smile on her lips. That smile was now frozen forever in his mind; in his dreams. One of many whom died before his eyes, sometimes he'd stare at those deep emerald green eyes in his mind and wished they'd stare back; he missed the kid so much. The faces that he seen seemed to haunt him. Biggs, Wedge, Jessie also died in front of him. gave their last breath to protect the planet and innocent lives. Then there was the death of Dyne. He could still see the man step off the ledge and fall to his death. Last words commanding him to never make Marlene cry. He lived his life trying to fulfill Dyne's wish. Barret was a who who had regrets in his life, regrets of unable to save people; such a haunted mind was his. He knew how Vincent felt now, or at least he thought he did; even though he knew he wouldn't admit it. Regret that he couldn't help his friends whom seem unhappy in their lives. So he strove to protect and raise Marlene, he would give her the best he could; the most opportunities. In his mind that was all he could do now to make the planet was safe again. Still, he would ask himself what more can he do for the people he cares for. His thoughts were haunted by his friends, someday he would get rid of them; but one stuck the the most which was Dyne's memory. That was his Haunting Memory. . .


One man who held what was left of Shin-Ra together was rather busy these days. He did his best to help relocate the families whose homes were destroyed by the meteor, he felt slightly sorry for what his company had done; and that he was almost powerless to stop it. He tried to keep a crumbling company together despite the fact most of it fell apart anyway, even the building was falling apart in spots still st sst signaling something, but he didn't bother with such trivial things; to him now people's lives were more important. The time after meteor he seemed to age faster from all the stress. Even now the company was barely there, the only thing that held it together was his ego and his ideas which kept people striving to help and provide for others, the mighty company known as Shin-Ra helping? That was odd indeed, but thanks to Reeve Shin-Ra was getting a good name. Only thing that helped was his alter ego, his toy Cait Sith which was a small, black and white toy cat that wears a toy crown and a small red cape. He rides atop a huge stuffed Moogle, which resembles nothing so much as fuzzy white marshmallow with small eyes, pointed ears, a broad mouth with two upwards-protruding teeth, short legs, t arm arms and tiny bat wings. This was his errand boy when he needed things done; he used Cait Sith more than usual now because he was always in the office now days. Was also his outlet for stress as he had the robot travel and vacation in places he could never physically go, which was like living a lie to him; but others seen it as being a hero. Yet, it was all he had to fall back on. His comrades had their own lives and troubles. He also kept tabs on his friends; he made sure none hem hem were aware of this. Using the most sophisticated technology out now to do so. He bought coal from North Corel and helped Cid get supplies for his town. Reeve never asked for thanks he thought it was best he did this and help his former friends than do nothing and let his friendship crumble, even though they knew it wasn't him; he figured it was best. Reeve was alone in a building full of people, each day; he swears he works himself closer to a heart attack. Yet, he keeps working to help people. Trapped in a slow death of corporate world, slowly crumbling. Not knowing if he could get his coconscious to forgive him, and get rid of this Haunting Memory. . .

The Sun rose as two le sle struggle to city in the distance. One a struggling soldier. The other a poor grunt who was sick and hurt. They could almost look like brothers. Both had spiky hair but the brunette's hair was more slicked back and had some control. His blue eyes had a touch of purple and the typical glow of a soldier. Zack was one who refused to give up, he wouldn't die because of the dogs of Shin-Ra, he had to live he just had to. Zack, Spent his childhood as the son of a farmer in Gongaga, he worked hard to stay in good shape, and Zack's goal was to join the military. So he could support his family, since Shin-Ra had such a high paying SOLDIER program to those who made it, he figured it would be the best chance he had. His hard work paid off one day, for not only was he accepted in Shin-Ra but he was placed on the special SOLDIER program. They worked him hard, making sure he was both sound in mind and body. Zack was top of his class. His natural charisma gave him excellent leadership skills. Plus, he knew when to take an order and when not to. They placed him with a promising general named Sephiroth. Both formed an interesting relationship. Sephiroth was a person who rarely shared his inner thoughts and feelings to anyone. Kept them as secret as his past. Zack's ability to keep secrets and truly listen won him his permanent place by Sephiroth. In turn, Zack aided the general in leading the troops, outstandingly. Zack was able to get a feel of the men and help keep the troop moral up since he was so highly valued by his troops and not that feared. He was almost like a shadow to Sephiroth. Though, truth Zack made his own standing in the troops. He was the one the men approached with personal problems, and whatever they needed. He also took great interest in the development of their skills. Sephiroth trained him in tactical arts of warfare, espionage, guerilla tactics, open air and closed air tactics, and much more. Really Zack was never as good as the great general. Both fought many battles together. One day, Zack met the grunt named Cloud. Zack always kept an eye on the new fighters; wanting to pick the best for his leader he saw this one grunt differently than all the others. The kid had promise, but also had a chip on his soldier. Seemed to go out of his way to get involved in petty fights, Zack had his training get harder. Watched the boy get molded and changed into a proper soldier. He also became close to the grunt. He had Cloud transferred to his unit as soon as the training was done. By the time Cloud join them, their unit was reduced to checking out disturbances. Zack knew this got in the general's nerves but tried his best to placate his friend. Cloud's first mission with them took him home. The second in command was a bit fidgety of course. Sephiroth always found Zack's inability to sit still before a mission amusing. Their truck was attacked by a few dragons mutated by the Mako in the reactor. Zack took a grunt to kill one while Sephiroth had Cloud help him. For the experienced Soldier, the dragons were easy. The poor grunts needed to be patched up afterward. He was thrilled to see Cloud needed less medical aid the expected. Upon reached the town, Cloud was given leave to visit family. Zack made arrangements to have a guide take them next morning to the reactor. That is when things went bad. They went across mountains, searching, as Cloud wrote in his journal, the things they seen and what he felt, he kept this journal with him as a keepsake, they came across a bridge one day and lost a grunt to the rickety old bridge. He told of the Materia they found growing in the journal and of Sephiroth's drive, to get to the reactor and finish things, and then he watched Sephiroth's fit upon seeing the pods held mutated humans. He watched helplessly as his friend became obsessed with Jenova. Zack found himself spending more time with Cloud. Sephiroth then finally flipped. Accused Zack of being a traitor, his former leader raved about the planet being his birthright. On his way out of town, he set fire to the buildings and slaughtered people in one quick killing blow. Very few survivors were left. Cloud was unconscious by the remains of his home. Zack saw that the woman who raised Cloud would also be on the list of causalities. He ran after his former ally and leader, he wouldn't let Sephiroth destroy Cloud's life in one night, he couldn't; he shouldn't since he was his best friend now. He passed the body of the town leader, who was also Tifa's father making his way back to the reactor, Zack witnessed Tifa get struck down by the now cold hearted Sephiroth. Zack confronted the leader in the chamber where they had the body of Jenova. He was determined to stop him once and for all. They fought, Zack putting up all his skills and abilities. In the end the fight didn't last too long. Sephiroth easily throw him from the chamber. His body slammed into the ceiling and then landed on a tank. Hardly aware that he begged Cloud to stop Sephiroth as he lost consciousness. Cloud grabbed up his sword and rushed to Sephiroth slashing across his back watching blood drip out as the general screamed out in pain , he then stabbed it through his back running out of the chamber , moving Tifa to the side hearing Zack mumble words out loud, to cloud, they were kill Sephiroth. He looked and seen sparks flying as he ran towards the corridor. Sephiroth laughed madly turning around sweat dripping profusely from his brow, those aquamarine eyes looking at Cloud so coldly, as he pierced Cloud's chest easily with his cold steel sword Masmune, holding his *mother's* head in his other hand, the head of Jenova, Cloud's words were scrambled as a new strength flowed through his veins he pushed down on the sword lifting Sephiroth up in the air watching him stammer then turned to the right hurling him down into the rushing Mako river below. Soon after Cloud passed out on the ground, and scientists of Shin-Ra tried to see why Sephiroth had failed, poking and prodding Cloud and Zack for the next few years, in which their time was spent in blur of pain or sleep. Their bodies were healed and experimented on. Much of the time, spent sleeping in Mako tank. Both men formed a mental bond; they shared memories to pass the time. The grunt was having a harder time, so Zack lent him as much strength as he could to endure. Then one day, Zack knew they had to escape or Cloud might die in this room. Zack saved his energy, waiting for the right time. Feeding time he jumped out and attacked his captor. Then got the kid into some clothes before making their get away. Zack had a high task ahead of him, he had to carry Cloud all the way out of town, they stole an old broke down truck making their way outside the town almost before it got a flat, so he picked Cloud up fleeing on foot. Seeing the Town restored in order to hide the tragedy only increased Zack's anger for Shin-Ra; the people in the town were just actors following script. The Mako was too much for the poor grunt. Zack decided that he was going to keep him by his side. They traveled from Nibelhiem, across the ocean, and towards Midgar. His love lived in Midgar and the city was so large they could easily hide among the populace. Zack bummed a truck ride for them and was trying to thing of what they could do. Cloud was car sick on top that he was also Mako sick. Zack just chatted away to his friend. Decided that maybe mercenary work would suit them, even had some fun annoying the truck driver. This got them kicked off before they could reach Midgar. By then the troops searching for them final were closing in. Miles outside town, they finally found the two fugitives. Zack slashes two of them down but, before he could grab Cloud, he was shot from behind. The grunts came up and fired into his body causing it to shake and twitch from impact of their bullets. There is where brave hero died trying to save his dear friends las last thoughts and feelings full of angry and frustration. To die so close to his goal and the hands of people he helped train. His soul unable to rest and join the lifestream. He never did know what happened after that, Cloud woke up, in the mud, looking at Zack's body, shutting his eyes, shaking his fist, as he began to talk again and grab up the sword, he thought of himself as Zack now, the memories being mixed into a false truth. Zack on the other hand was very much alive in spirit, and almost physically once more, he couldn't die just yet, he had to come back and confront his killers, and his Haunting Memory. . .

The battlefield seemed to rage, blood dripping down, the mud crumbling as the soldiers ran to their deaths, fighting through all this evil blight, that two large corporations are fighting, the screaming raged on as those impaled, died slowly withering away in front of the rookie's very eyes, Sephiroth raged on running those aquamarine eyes, looking over his lines, as he motioned for his second in command to give the battle cry, he closed his eyes then opened them pulling Masmune from his side charging the masses, slashing, and stabbing, with anger and fury, he tore a chunk through two with one slash and kicked one away, slicing across his throat. He watched as the blood spill out onto the mud, as the rain poured down almost washing people away, corpses littered the place; it was almost as if Hell and Earth had merged. His black trench coat was almost crimson red as he made his way up the stairs slaying Maester after Maester, till he ran into Godo, Godo struck him across the chest sending him flying out of the wooden wall, he hit the ground briskly rolling over getting up to find himself getting knocked unconscious by the large creature, he quickly did a leg sweep putting his weight on his hands, being able to shift himself in a pushup position and get up quickly to search for his sword. Sephiroth gritted his teeth as the two sides battled, neither one giving in, until, the Ninjas came. They flew across the wind almost, as they sliced down Sephiroth's men as if they were trees. Sephiroth yelled at Toshihro for some help as he sliced through a few of them, getting back to Godo again, before Godo twisted, and kicked him in the back of the head, sending him flying into the mud, face down, Godo picked up his sword ready to deliver the deathblow to the leader, to Sephiroth, as Toshihro ran Godo through with his sword, sickly, pulling it out and dropping it checking to see if Sephiroth was alright, soon the battle was won, but the war was not over… Godo had risen up with the last of his strength and plunged that sick silver blade into Toshihro's chest pulling down and ripping at his insides with the sword, the rain started to stop as Sephiroth pushing him off the blade punching Godo twice across the face then backhanding him, to throw him off guard, as he kicked up the sword with one foot to Godo's neck and shoved it through with his hands, all the way to the hilt, then he literally ripped down with all his force, to cut the mighty leader in half, he grabbed his bloody sword running over to Toshihro to see if he was alright. Toshihro gave him that look as if it was nothing just a minor scuff before he looked down at his wound and fell sideways that blank stare on his face. Time went on as Sephiroth became a General, met Zack, and the rest of the story progressed, till now… where he is found in Hell?!?! In the darkness, a sick twisted, silver blade was seen being pulled out of an onyx black looking sheath, he had acquired a generic bone sword, but it would serve its purpose soon. Two quick slices was all he needed, the lower demon dropped in pieces, he walked on trudged through the darkness, his mind on what he wanted, as he fought his way directly straight up out of hell, demon after demon, killing the four horsemen, with his bare hands, claiming the mighty axe, fighting his way out of every damned, level till he reached the surface almost, bits and pieces of his sanity slowly falling away to the horrid and demented images he saw. Laceration of flesh was only a happy dream now, as his mind fizzled, everything was pixilated, as he fell down flat on his face, everything fading to black, not knowing what had happened. He was no longer Sephiroth, he was warped by his own demons, and what he saw, he was nothing more than a monster living in a Haunting Memory. . .