Burning Castle

Rated: Language, violence, others


Last time
When he saw Cloud’s eyes looking down he also followed suit slowly only to realize his muddy boots and the clean floor up ahead. Cloud then turned his head so the guy followed only to see his foot prints behind him. Laughing and putting a hand behind his head the guy walked up to Cloud. “Man I’m sorry, hey let me make it up to you. Come one, oh and by the way the names Zack.” He said already leading the poor blonde outside before he even knew what was happening. “The names Cloud Strife.” He said distracted, looking up at Zack who was a First Class Solider an elite, then Cloud realized that he had just blown up in front of said First Class Solider. ‘Well shit’ was the only thing Cloud could come up with.


Now

So they went out into glorious downtown Midgar and walked around, talking about random things that popped up. Zack showed Cloud some of the local bars, and some the blonde didn’t know even existed. He had also been shown part of the lower plate, the slums of Midgar people would call them. Where the streets weren’t as crowded with shoppers and it was more filthy with trash and empty beer bottles scattered at random side streets. The buildings themselves seemed to crumble and houses didn’t look to grand nor the local bars but once he had gotten over the atmosphere they were even better then the bars in the higher plate. Cloud had even at one point spotted a beautiful church that was still intact, with roses and trees growing all around the building.

From there Zack showed Cloud his favorite bar, “The Heaven” and told Cloud a little secrete. It also turned out that the instructor Mclane was a Second Class Solider, know wonder they all got the shit kicked out of them. From that day on Cloud and Zack became friends and would usually meet up in, “The Heaven”. Zack had even gone as far as to give Cloud pointers with his sword and fighting techniques. He even said that once the blonde made it through the program that Zack could help him train. Zack himself was an interesting guy, he loved to joke and laugh out loud, he was not afraid of anything, except paperwork.

He even gave Cloud some tips on how to pester Sephiroth. Things were defiantly looking up for the blonde, he was passing all his classes and now he actually had a friend. He honestly believed nothing could go wrong in his life at that time.

The second part of the training was a lot harder, Cloud had decided some months ago. He couldn’t even remember when he had started the second part of the program or when this hell would be over. The first part of the program had ended some time ago, with Cloud passing all the classes both training and studying. Their end of term had to deal with all the things they had learned throughout the months. It was a five day testing period for all the cadets in all studies. Cloud at first thought he was going to bomb it and be sent away starting the program all over again. The only thing that helped him really was his mom’s continuing letters from home and Zack. Zack had inspired Cloud and had even helped him a little even though it was considered cheating. So Cloud had passed and Zack had dragged him off the grounds for some extreme partying along with all the other cadets who had passed. Then came the second part of the program. Sure they had moved into nicer barracks with actual windows, which only showed more bricks and a side view of the grounds, and nice soft beds with actual clean pillows but they also had to wake up earlier and have more classes. They also had to get another physical, this one involving a little mako.

All the cadets that had passed were to wait outside of a room filled with magazines, and books. There was even a T.V. playing news on it, the chairs in the waiting room were hard though and the food they served was not very good. Cloud had waited there for at least two hours before it was finally his turn and there was still about ten people left behind him. When the blonde had entered the room he caught sight of the green walls and large pictures on the wall itself.

In the middle of the room was a medium sized white bed with withe sheets and white pillows. ‘Talk about sterile’ Cloud thought a little disgusted. Behind the bed was a wooden desk with paperwork and pens neatly stacked, indicating to the blonde that this guy was a neat freak. Lastly Cloud noticed a chair right in front of the white bed where a person was waiting. That and the clean smell of chemicals that was starting to bother Cloud. Wrinkling his nose a little he turned to see a metal table filled with different bottles and a small computer screen. Walking all the way in Cloud sat down on the bed stiffly taking in the Dr. He had figured it would have been the same guy Carter, but it wasn’t.

He had thin brown hair that looked like it was scarcely covering his head with glasses on, half covering brown eyes. He wore the standard white coat with his back bowed. He looked like he had a serious hunch problem. Looking closer Cloud frowned a little, he could swear that he saw this man before. Breaking out of his thoughts Cloud saw the door open again showing the green walls a split second before closing, this time a female nurse had stepped in.

The same one that had helped him with the first physical. “Ok Mr. Strife lets get this over with.” The Dr. Said oily, smirking at the blonde like he was finding something extremely funny. The nurse had just finished with his blood pressure when the Dr. “Hojo”, as the name tag read, pulled up his black sleeve. Taking a needle after he had swathed Cloud’s arm he stuck it into the skin. Cloud grimaced looking at the brightly colored green liquid shooting up into his arm.

He knew he had to get this mako treatment, but it still didn’t settle well with him. They as in the ShinRa company had shortly debriefed everyone on mako and what it did. It was the life force from the planet and a energy giver. Making a person stronger, more agile, and supposedly smarter. But there were side effects to it and that’s why Cloud was here right now, to see if it would be compatible to his system. If not then he could not join Solider. If not compatible a person could get violently ill and die and or be crippled for the rest of their lives. Hojo muttered, bringing Cloud back to the present, and keyed something into the computer that Cloud couldn’t see.

Nodding his head in thought Hojo turned towards the blonde. “Yes your all set, just don’t do anything straining for a couple of days, you also might get sick but that should be normal. It was nice to see you again Cloud Strife.” Hojo said before the nurse ushered the blonde out of the room.

Cloud had frowned and narrowed his eyes in thought he realizing something, Hojo said his name even before the blonde could, what was with that. Maybe Hojo had memorize all the cadets names for future treatment? For the mako treatment that he had gotten was only a little to test it out. After the little mako treating Cloud had indeed been violently sick for over two days but it passed and Zack had said he was probably a little more sensitive to it. That was where the fun had ended and the nightmare had begun. The second part of the program dealt with even more History, Science, and English.

They could start using a little materia but that was the only plus side. They had more weapon training where they actually got to pick their own choice in weapons, Cloud of course chose the sword. They also started to interacted with the regular military, they needed to do some of their classes and they needed to get signed up in the military branch. Meaning they were now official military personal, so if they didn’t pass the second part they still would be in the military.

They had also found out that the cadets needed to work for the military itself, so on top of training they were also guarding and doing random scouting. Cloud hated it, he hadn’t singed up for the military and had to wear there blue uniforms, he had singed up to be a Solider. He had made a promise and he was going to stick by it.

Zack had also commented that he had hated it when they made him do sentry duty, that only made Cloud feel a little better. But then Zack went on saying that Sephiroth hadn’t done any sentry duty, which in turn put Cloud right back into his bad mood. He wanted to be as good as the Great General Sephiroth, to prove to everyone that he could make it. He had promised to his friend that they would make it to the top, that was their dream, and now that Cloud was alone he had vowed that he would become a First Class Solider for the both of them.

Right now the blonde was walking down a white hallway to get to his room. He had just got back from guarding and wanted nothing more but to crash in his bed and fall asleep. Distantly hearing an echoing of foot steps beside his own sluggish ones Cloud opted to ignore it. “Hey Cloudy.” He heard, Cloud grounded his teeth, he hated that nickname. “Hey wait up Spikes.” Said the voice again. No Cloud corrected he hated that nickname even more.

Sighing in resignation Cloud stopped and waited for Zack to catch up. “What do you want now Zack.” Cloud said irritated. “Why do you think I want anything.” Zack said casually, until he saw the look that Cloud was giving him.

Laughing a little Zack went on, “Right you know me to well. We are one short a guard and I just so happen to know a guard in the military that was pretty good. So your coming with me Spikes.” Zack said already turning around to leave.

Nearly crying Cloud also turned and followed like Zack knew he was going to. If you were in the military and a superior said you were going you were going no questions asked. Unfortunately Cloud had to find that out the hard way, by scrubbing the floors and the training grounds clean. Cloud turned his head a little looking at his room, he was so close too. “So where are we going.” Cloud said once he was in step with Zack. “We are to go to Nibelhiem and take care of a reactor that’s been acting up, and you are to be apart of the guard unit for Sephiroth.” Zack said happily. Cloud choked and stopped dead, his heart beating so fast it hurt along with his shallow breathing. All he had heard was going to Nibelhiem, his home. He couldn’t go now, he hadn’t become a Solider yet. It was still too early to go back home, he had to prove to everyone back there that he could become something that he did have the will power. But now he was going back and dressed like this, a military grunt. He couldn’t do that even if he tried to explain to them that his training was not complete yet they probably wouldn’t believe it. He also didn’t want to face his past, didn’t want to think about his deceased and only friend.

He couldn’t drag down his friends name along with him. “Hey Cloud what’s wrong.” He heard Zack say. Looking up Cloud saw that Zack was already far ahead waiting for Cloud to catch up. All that was going through his mind was ‘I’m not ready’. It just seemed to go over and over in his head like a monotonous marathon. Pushing everything aside Cloud started to walk again dreading each and every step. When he had caught up Zack gave the blonde a one side stare saying nothing before leading them out of the complex and heading right. Clouds mind was so full of fright and chaotic thinking that he had almost moved past the trucks. Stopping automatically, he took in the sight. There were three army green trucks with people already aboard, some talking and others laughing, enjoying there little freedom from the compound. One of the trucks was filled with nothing but equipment, like tents, guns, water, and food. The other was filled with army personal, wearing blue uniforms and their masks on. Cloud sighed about to also lift his mask in place and head over to the army truck, but Zack grabbed his arm and dragged him into the last truck. A little confused about his friends demand Cloud followed blinking away his worry for a moment. Lifting a green and grey flap Zack and Cloud jumped on right before the truck started to move. Sitting by Zack Cloud finally looked around his surrounding, only to discover that there was only about eight people on this truck. “So your from Nibelhiem.” Cloud heard a familiar voice. The blonde looked up with his crystal blue eyes and to the left of Zack only to stop and gape aloud. Sephiroth was sitting right there just looking at him in a calm cool way.

The rest of the ride was in silence because Cloud was too embarrassed to say much of anything, that and their destination was his home village. He would often though shoot Zack a death glare for not telling him about Sephiroth. But if he had remembered correctly Zack had told him. Zack of course was like the go in between guy talking left and right. Surprising Sephiroth nodded every so often and had even commented.

Cloud supposed now that he actually thought about it that Sephiroth was just any other normal strong person. Sure Cloud had seen glimpses of Sephiroth when he was at the Solider compound but never up this close and actually having a well somewhat of a conversation with the man himself.

“Five more minutes.” A loud speaker wrapped throughout the metal truck. Cloud looked up through his bangs, dreading this. It was already time, but he wasn’t ready to go back. He probably never would be ready to face his fears. “Come on Cloudy smile a little this is your home.” Zack said, grabbing the blondes helmet to give to him. Still looking at the blonde from the corner of his eye. With sure fingers Cloud grabbed the mask straining a smile at his friend. He didn’t want Zack to ask him what was wrong and baby him. Zack looking at the smile misinterpreted it and said that he too had hated to wear the helmet.

They arrived there in no time and before Cloud knew it everyone was exiting the trucks and walking the rest of the way to Nibelhiem. Up ahead he briefly saw Zack and Sephiroth talking while Zack elbowed the man laughing at some hidden joke. Cloud sighed deeply smiling, he was really starting to see, Seph as Zack had nicknamed him, like any other human being, it was both exiting and frightening considering that Sephiroth was and still is Cloud’s idol. He was one of the reason’s why the blonde had wanted to go into the Solider program. Cloud looked around there surroundings and noted the mountain area where the hills just seemed to extend long and wide on either side of them. He could see along the sides of the path there were tall old oak trees and some pine trees scattered now and again making the dirt road shadowed.

He could also distinctly hear armor and thudded boots scraping across the road as the men continued on. The all had out their guns but it was meanly for show then anything. The monsters would not attack until they reached past the village up into the mountains so it was a calm and peaceful walk. Frowning Cloud noticed that there were about fifteen guards not including him, this puzzled him a bit. Why were there so many when Zack and Sephiroth could easily take care of themselves. Was the reactor that big of a deal, was it really that hard to fix. He thought a little mad, his father had lost his life working on that same reactor. To him reactors were a hindrance to the human race, they were not needed.

They polluted the air making people sick, blocking out the sun with their billowing black smoke. Heck the expected rate of a person working at a reactor was about a year then they either quit or died form some illness. Cloud heard the booted feet stop so he looked up, clearing his head he came to attention and waited with all the other Soliders as Zack and Sephiroth walked into the village to talk with someone. Sighing he put the helmet on, if he was going back here before he could finish his training he was going to become unnoticed.

He did not feel up to the villagers scorn or the accusing glares. “Lets move out.” Someone said and just like that Cloud was home.


The village hadn’t changed much Cloud thought, looking around the houses and the fields beyond. The garden’s were up but not much was planted, the homes had smoke raising from their chimneys. Some people were out like always and talking or walking with friends and neighbors. The local kids now a little older were hanging around the well, or probably working in the fields. It was like nothing had changed, it was like everything was perfect and it sickened him to no extent. Cloud turned his head slightly annoyed that the helmet was stifling hot and that it was somewhat of a hindrance when he tried to see out of his side.

That’s when Cloud heard the voice it was warm and familiar ‘Cloud’, Cloud’s head shot up looking through the crowd frantically that had now gathered, it was his voice, his friends that he hadn’t heard in so long. Looking left and right he tried to spot that heavenly voice.

‘Spiky let’s go’, hearing the voice so close to him, he turned his head abruptly and looked at their old well they had claimed. Right there standing by some person was his friend waving his hands around like a lunatic, with his spiked blonde hair blowing in the gently breeze. Breathing labored Cloud took a step forward not losing eye contact with deep blue eyes smiling back at him. It couldn’t be he was dead, god was he really seeing his friend or losing his mind.

‘Cloud’,

“Cloud”

Cloud jumped and looked around coming back to reality. “Hey Cloud let’s go, there already starting to set up camp.” Zack said dragging the poor blonde away. Cloud looked back at the well hoping against hope but he didn’t see his friend. Chuckling a little at his own stupidity he followed Zack through the small village. ‘I’m going insane’. Cloud thought, letting Zack pull him towards there destination with a heavy stomach.

Right in front of him was the old metal gate that led towards the mansion, where his friend had died. Closing his eyes tightly shut and dispelling the unwanted memories Cloud silently trekked onward with Zack beside him.

“Are you alright Spikes, your not going to blow chunks are you.” Zack said, and Cloud forced out a laugh. Leave it up to Zack to make everything a joke. “Hey I’m ok now thanks.” Cloud returned, squaring his shoulders. He was going to become a Solider so he had better buck up as the saying goes.

Cloud briefly looked at the mansion and was again slightly puzzled. The windows looked cleaner and some of them were not bordered up like he had remembered. Shrugging at the oddity Cloud stepped into the old house and was yet again amazed, it looked clean up. Sure the cream colored walls and the ceiling were peeling a little but the floor and the pictures were neatly cleaned.

Cloud also noticed that the furniture had been used and was almost dust free. The whole place looked dust free and not a single spider web nor monster was coming down and challenging them. Was someone living here or had the villagers cleaned it up for the great Sephiroth. Cloud didn’t know but he was a little curious to say the least. He turned his head interested in what the other guards were doing. He didn’t know any of them because they were apart of a different division. The guards were all setting up their tents and unpacking the equipment, which Cloud helped them. Even though he wasn’t part of this group he figured he could make some acquaintances. They also had gotten their own schedule for guarding the house and scouting the areas. Cloud had not opted to bring a tent, well he really didn’t have a chance to, so he was going home to see his mom.

He had already informed his current Sgt. And was going to say bye to Zack but he couldn’t see him or Sephiroth so Cloud walked briskly out of the mansion not wanting to be any where near it. Slowing down he stood in front of his home, he could distantly hear his mother’s banging of pots and pans and sizzle from the stove top. Breathing deeply Cloud knocked on the door before stepping in. He saw long brown hair along with a head peek out from the kitchen door. Quickly taking the blue helmet off Cloud looked up into his mothers eyes. “I’m home.” He stated simply, and before he knew it he was engulfed in a large hug and hearing his mom’s short subbing. Cloud could do nothing but stand there and hug his mom back, smiling a little when he had caught the familiar smelling and sounds all around the house. He really was home after all.

After Cloud had settled in and was now at the kitchen table talking to her about all his training and friends, he got up. He needed to move around after the long truck drive after all, his legs were killing him. He half listened to his mom as she was telling him about her day and how the village was doing. She had also hinted that Tifa was saddened to learn that Cloud had left for Midgar, after hearing the comment from his own mother Cloud had to look away fearing that he might have blushed. Loosening his shoulders Cloud slowly walked into the living room.

There was a large couch in the middle of the forest green carpet, along with a coffee table and a small T.V. set. “Then the Noxes have yet another baby did you know what is their...” Cloud half listened to his mom until he caught sight of glass reflecting off his slightly glowing blue eyes because of the small mako treatment.


Picking up the picture from the mantel by the fire Cloud looked at the happy people all standing around behind the house. There was his mother to the left, the had put on a yellow sun dress and had braided her hair that day. Next to her was another lady but she was smaller than his mom. She had flowing black hair that was let down making the wind carry the strands at the time, she was wearing her traditional workout uniform. Behind her was an older man with grey hair, her instructor.

To the right were two smiling boys, both with blonde spiky hair and different colored blue eyes. The boy to the right was wearing an orange shirt with some cargo black pants on, he currently had his arm wrapped around the shoulders of the other blonde boy grinning stupidly. The other boy to the left had worn a blue shirt and some jeans, he too was smiling away for the
camera. Cloud quickly put the photo down and browsed some more. There were more pictures of Tifa and him, his mother and the other blonde boy.

“Cloud honey I’m sure he’s in a better place now.” Cloud jumped and whipped around almost getting into a fighting stance until he realized it was only his mom.

Smiling She walked up and stood by the boy’s side staring into nothingness. “I can see your training has paid of Cloud.” She remarked, looking down at her son, she was so proud of him. She didn’t care if he ever passed the program as long as he was doing something it was alright with her. “He would have been proud of you to, both of them would have.” She finished before leaving her son some quiet time.

The next day the sun rose over the small village, casting away the darkness for another warm spring day. People were already out, walking their animals or getting ready for another hard days work. While still other people were sleeping in because the reactor was currently shut down for repairs.

Walking out the front door, blonde spiky hair swaying in the light morning breeze, the figure breathed in the fresh morning dew before heading towards his destination. Cloud decided after he had walked through the village to get to the mansion that he still loved his home town even if some memories were better left forgotten. Once he reached the gate he signed the roster and moved on, occasionally looking at the trees inside the gate and the dead grass. He was trying to stall for as long as he could because today was his turn to guard the inside of the mansion. Both objectives he would rather not due because it was going to be extremely boring. He vaguely wondered why they would need guards inside the mansion. No one was going to come in and steel anything, he didn’t even know why they were taking such a long time with the reactor for that matter.

Usually they would go into the reactor right after coming to a village or part of a city, fix it that day stay the night then move on. But no they had already stayed the night and still had yet to go to the reactor. Something else was happening here but the question was, ‘what’. He snapped out of his thoughts when he went into the old house, hearing the small creaking floorboards. Like he had thought it would be, it was boring walking around the house with nothing to do. His only distraction was his feet hitting the floor making it creak. Speaking about distractions where was Zack or for that matter where was Sephiroth. He hadn’t seen them all morning and the guards were already in disarray because of that.

Shaking his head he continued walking all over the first floor trying to waste time and not wanting to go up to the second floor. Taking a shaky breath the blonde stopped in front of the stair case before slowly walking up them. All the while his mind was reeling with horrid memories. A prone body on the dirt covered floor. Blood all over the floor surrounding it. A massive black wolf monster that could have been in fairy tails lying face down, leaking blood out of it’s giant maw. Blood everywhere, the screaming. Cloud had to stop or else he thought he would pass out. Grabbing his helmet he threw it down, breathing deeply.

Running a hand through his hair Cloud pushed away the memories, he had a job to do. Grabbing his helmet once again he continued with a blank mind. Walking the rest of the way he automatically went into the last door to the left where he came across an old safe. Smiling grimly Cloud walked over to it and turned the combination; right 36, left ten, right 59, right 97. It was pretty easy to remember the combination for the blonde, since the numbers were his favorite. He heard the small click and knew instantly that it had worked. Of course there was nothing in the safe since he had along ago took out the possessions but it was reassuring that he still remembered. Turning back Cloud walked out and was going to head back down the stairs seeing that it was about noon now and the next guard was supposed to come in. He was almost half way through the wooden hallway when something flashed to his right. Thinking quickly Cloud grabbed his sword and crouched down ready for anything, but nothing was there.

Frowning and a little embarrassed that he had reacted that way Cloud walked into the room that had flashed. The room was bare compared to all the others in the mansion. There were some pictures and a lot of foot prints apparently leading no where. Puzzled Cloud lowered his sword and sheathed it. Something about this place was oddly familiar, but he just couldn’t figure out why. Looking around and noting the faded cream colored wall had no pictures on it Cloud shrugged turning around until he caught the flashing light again. Annoyed and wanting to know what the hell the thing was Cloud stood right in the middle of the room and looked at all the corners, until he came across the cream colored wall. It was small, so small he doubted that someone not looking for it could of caught it. Right by the corner was a small beam of light shining through a indent.

Narrowing his blue eyes Cloud assessed the situation, it seemed that there was another room hidden behind the wall. Moving his hands slowly across the wall itself Cloud tried to see if it could open. This could be important, anything could be down there, and it might just have to do with the strong mako monsters coming into the village. Shifting his weight a little Cloud heard and had felt the wall budge a little, smiling in victory he pushed and the wall gave way to darkness. Stepping aside Cloud readied his weapon and slowly trekked down the stairs. He pushed the annoying thought that he had done something familiar before. He had never seen the trap door nor had he known a secret passage down here in the old ShinRa mansion.

Cloud noted along the way that he could see new and old foot prints on the stairs. When the blonde had finally made it down the last step Cloud looked left and right making sure no one or anything was going to come and charge at him. He rounded a brick wall to see a small door off a little to his right. Turning Cloud touched the handle and watched as the door did nothing, it was either stuck or it was locked. Cloud stepped back and was about to knock the door forcibly open when he caught sight of a metal door. Sighing he was trying to decide which door he really wanted.

Cloud was about to just try both when he heard voices, they were coming form the metal door. Cloud moved closer wanting to hear, “Come on Seph we have to go.” Cloud gave a start when he recognized it was Zack’s voice.

They were down here too, and they also knew about the trap door apparently. “LEAVE ME BE.” Cloud heard Sephiroth shout.

The next thing he knew was the metal door opening and Zack exiting. He looked a little flustered and worried before he shook his head, making his black hair sway. He then looked up, Cloud was sure Zack had seen him and was getting prepared for a lecture from the First Class Solider when the unthinkable happened, Zack passed right by the blonde. Dumbfounded Cloud just stood there and watched his friend leave, it was like he didn’t even notice the blonde was there in the first place. Clearing his disturbed thoughts Cloud turned and looked back at the metal door making sure that Sephiroth wasn’t coming out of it.

He was sorely tempted to just leave now and forget everything had happened but he was a little curious about the room and since Zack didn’t say anything, more like didn’t see him, he was safe. Nodding his head at his logic Cloud ventured up to the metal door still a little cautious about Sephiroth he opened it. The door swished open like it had recently been oiled making no sound, which was good in Cloud’s opinion. He really didn’t want to be stuck with a mad Sephiroth.

Looking around the room to see if anyone was there Cloud relaxed his shoulders a little deeming it semi safe since no one was there. Walking in a little more, he absently noted this was a lab, with all the chemicals and glass bottles still on the shelves the rest were all over the floor. He also noticed a large computer that looked like a fist had rammed into the screen along with notes scattered all over the table. In other words the place looked trashed. Cloud caught a few books lying on the ground and some smashed glass along with it. Well it looked like Sephiroth didn’t like something he saw in here, that or someone else had done this, Cloud thought a little befuddled. He would have never guessed the great Sephiroth would lose his cool, ever. Walking over the broken bottles carefully Cloud picked up some notes that had fallen to the ground.

Some of them were illegible due to the liquids covering the floor. Glancing up briefly he noticed a white door halfway open into the next room, which looked like a hallway but he wanted to stay where he was. Because he was pretty sure Sephiroth was still in there somewhere, mad or agitated. Cloud turned his head to the right and saw three long glass tube’s at least six feet tall. One of them looked like it was broken due to a hole in the middle of the glass, cracks extending all over like a spiders web. Narrowing his eyes down at the white sheets of paper he absently skimmed over them to see what was on them.

If he was correct those tubes were for test subjects, Cloud bent down to look at the bottom of the test tube and noted they were all numbered in letters. One said “C”, and the other said “S”, and the last one was an actual word, “Seal.” He started to walk around the broken glass not paying attention to where he was going. Those tubes looked frightening familiar to him and he didn’t know why but he wanted to have some distance between them. The notes he had didn’t help either, he wasn’t a scientist after all.

Cloud quickly walked over to the computer and grabbed all the white notes he could and skimmed over them to. He saw a lot of data for Project “C”, “S”, and “Seal” but nothing important, he vaguely wondered who those poor saps were. Scanning through the notes he saw different symbols on the paper like a leaf inside a circle or words that were un readable. Huffing Cloud through the worthless notes onto the table. For some reason he was getting agitated with all these secrets that he just didn’t get. He turned around ready to march off but stopped he wanted to know more on what was going on here. He just had a gut feeling that this was where he would find his answers. That’s when he saw the opposite wall. Frowning and a little confused Cloud walked up and traced his finger on one. It appeared to be some sort of spiral, a spiral that was familiar to him.

The naked figure huddled around the now dark blue blanket due to the greenish blue water. Right in the middle of the boys stomach was an spiral shaped tattoo. Stepping back in shock Cloud tripped over some books and fell on his ass hard. But the spiky blonde didn’t seem to notice that or the wetness that was seeping into his uniform from some of the spilled bottles. No his mind was only focused on the simple wall that contained different spirals.

His dead friend had the same spiral on his navel... Cloud looked all over the wall starting to see different things like the leaf thing and other words. But what really got him was a picture of a crystal neckless. Shakily getting up from the cold floor Cloud stepped in front of the wall and snatched the picture right off it. This was his friends crystal, the only possession the boy had, Naruto’s. Clenching his fists Cloud nearly screamed. What the hell was going on here, why was his dead friend’s things on the wall. He had to get answers now, even if they did come from Sephiroth, who was evidently pissed at the moment. No Cloud didn’t care he needed to know now. Glaring spitefully Cloud squared his shoulders and purposely marched through the white door and into the hallway trying to find Sephiroth.

No doors could be seen other then one at the end of the hall, which was Clouds destination. Breathing hard Cloud walked through the brown door ready for anything including a fight. What he got was no one. Puzzled Cloud walked around the big library room only to come up short handed. Sephiroth wasn’t even here. Where the hell did the guy go, Cloud certainly didn’t see him leave the room he would of known. Maybe there was another secret passage around here. Shrugging he walked around the book cases also noting that Sephiroth had taken his anger out on them too. He could see books thrown on the cold marble floor and if Cloud was not mistaken some of the books were either missing or had been put back wrongly. But he wasn’t here for spring cleaning no he was here to see if he could gather any more information about his dead friend. So the blonde started to gather all the books that had leaf symbols on them or spirals. Most of the books were completely un readable unfortunately and others were just data about who know’s what.

Cloud was at the end of the line, and with nothing to show so far, it was rather frustrating. All he had gotten were things like the ‘Promised Land’ and the ‘Ancients’ and ‘Jenova’ and Sephiroth classed “S” project. The books hadn’t even gone into details about them either so Cloud barley knew what those words meant. Throwing the book on the ground Cloud glared at nothing in particular, the only sound throughout the library was his harsh breathing and confused thoughts. His friends was dead right? He had seen the body covered in blood and the monster he had killed too late to save Naruto. He saw it all so what did this mean. Pressing his hands on his face Cloud calmed his thoughts and decided to go home and look for any answers there.

Walking through the hallway Cloud again moved into the lab, heading straight for the metal door when he passed the test tubes again. Pausing Cloud inspected the broken tube one last time. This time he noticed mako residue on the stained glass, thinking hard Cloud ran out of the room and up the stairs. He had to find Zack and talk to him, maybe he knew something, he was a First Class Solider after all. By the time Cloud had made it outside he knew something had happened. No guards were around and he could smell smoke along with a putrid acid smell. Cloud made a mad dash towards the village when he had seem the actual smoke. Before he knew it he was at the outskirts of town listening to people screaming and crying. Fearing for his mother and Tifa Cloud ran looking at all the dead slashed bodies of some of the villagers. The houses were on fire and people were running either trying to get water
or were trying to find their friends and family. Breathing as little smoke as possible Cloud almost reached him home when a dark figure caught his sight lying on the ground, calling for help. Cloud ran to the figure only to see that it was Tifa’s teacher.

“Hey are you alright.” Cloud said lifting the man’s head up. Lee coughed and choked pointing towards the mountain. “There... m Tifa there went... there.” Lee said, before he passed out. Cloud grounded his teeth and cursed he had to find out if his friend was alright. Getting up Cloud looked at his house in the distance and noticed it had burned only a little, praying his mother was alright Cloud sprinted towards the hill to find Tifa. He was only half listening to people scream and yell at Sephiroth who apparently did this.

Half way there after the blonde had crossed the bridge he met a low class Grimlin monster. The thing only reached to Clouds hip with large yellow eyes and green looking scaly skin. Bringing out his sword Cloud charged and hacked the thing in half before moving upward again. He didn’t have time to fight with worthless monsters right now. Reaching the old reactor in record time Cloud looked up at the luminous building in front of him. The building itself was black and grey with long grey pipes at the sides digging underground where the energy mako was. It looked more like a factory then anything else. The metal door was at least seven feet tall and was currently lying in ruins on the dirt path. It seemed that Sephiroth was already here.

Cloud gripped his
sword in his white knocked grasp as he silently moved inside the actual building. He had never gone in this one before but it looked no different than any other reactor with the cat walk and the mako all the way at the bottom, glowing a green color. It had always looked like soup to Cloud, with it’s glowing blue and green liquid. Once past the cat walk and into another room Cloud had to stop yet again. The first thing he noticed was a prone body lying on the cold unforgiving metal floor.

The next thing he saw that registered in his mind was monsters. There was at least fifty of them in holding glasses all hooked up to machines. Their hideous heads could be seen, misshaped and disfigured with overgrown sharp teeth and hairless heads. Cloud snapped out of his fears and came back to the present when he heard metal clash with metal. Cloud ran the rest of the way to the prone body of Tifa to see if she was ok and breathing.

Cloud sighed in relief when she was indeed breathing and was about to lift her up when he felt another body crash into him knocking him of balance crashing into the floor right next to Tifa. Struggling to breath Cloud rolled over hacking up, he got to his hands and knees shakily before looking at the thing that had dropped on him. It was Zack, Cloud inhaled sharply
and narrowed his eyes at his friends condition. Zack had been stabbed and was now slowly losing blood. Looking around frantically the blonde tried to locate his sword when he stopped his frantic movement.

Sephiroth was walking casually down the metal steps, grinning insanely. He apparently had a severed head in his grasp with his sword out in his other hand. Cloud was so scared he stood right where he was and watched as Sephiroth passed by them throwing something on the ground right beside Cloud before moving into the next room. Shaking Cloud didn’t know what to do, his idol had just gone nuts and apparently torched his home village and hurt his friends.

Grinding his teeth Cloud looked down numbly to see what the monster had thrown at him. Breathing harshly Cloud snatched the small neckless into his hand, it was three small blue crystals, it was his friends. Grabbing Zack’s sword the nearest one and got up ready to strike the bastard down for what he did. Breathing hard Cloud ran with all his might carrying the massive long sword of Zack’s and clenching the neckless in the other hand, thinking about all the rage and hurt he had experienced in his life. Cloud saw up ahead that Sephiroth was now walking on the catwalk along with the severed head.

Screaming Cloud charged and just as Sephiroth turned the long sword slid right into his stomach. Sephiroth grunted and gasped yanking the sword out of Clouds frozen hands. He then turned a little to the right faster then the blonde had anticipated and rammed his massamuru right through Cloud coming out of his back.

Cloud staggered a little beyond pain, all he could think about was hate and anger of what this man did, all he could think about was his friends mangled body on the wooden floor. All Cloud could see was red as he gripped the sword that was now sticking out of his body and started to lift it up surprising Sephiroth and twisting throwing the man off balance.

Sephiroth let go of the sword a little to late and before he knew it his body was plummeting down into the mako itself. As Cloud watched his enemy drop he suddenly felt light headed he had to sit down, groaning he felt his body fall and hit the metal surface. As the darkness encased his mind he pictured Naruto’s sunny smile and sparking crystal blue eyes. His friend was alive.

(Happy Fourth Of July. Hoped you liked the chapter, if someone has suggestions R&R or just review anyway)