Haunted Memory

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

“ Haunted Memory “
By Mix Master Mike and Sailor Poison



~Ch 5a: A New Face, A New Beginning

The plane lands with Cid's usual grace and skill when flying an old plane that was being used longer then it should be used at all. It was an old piece of rickety shit that was falling apart literally as they fell, the old Mule. Why he still used it was odd where was the Airship? Apparently everyone wasn’t bothered as long as they moved somewhere and got there. This left Cid a bit uneasy though you could never tell by his manner and how he speaks. The pilot never shows when he gets uneasy about flying for that in his book was unprofessional, unless the situation was dire and then it was acceptable. The pilot was their only hope he was their guiding light in the darkness, it was he and he only they had to depend on to get from place to place. Everyone looked up to the old callous, cursing captain as if he were a father figure. Cid hopes out of the plane first this time to take a good look a where Cloud and Tifa came from.

Nanaki gets out, sniffing the air; he didn't feel he could trust this at all. That same old smell was in the air, the unpleasant smell of death or maybe something else. Maybe it was something dark and ominous looming over them. The beast’s mane blew softly as the wind came down from the mountains, blowing trash and dust down the open field outside that damned town. He stood on the edge as he headed for town without word, or conformation from others, the concern for Tifa and the people of the town on his mind.

Soon Cloud got out of the plane as well, finding himself in a mental conflict about the town. He remembered the people as well as the damned town. The callous swordsman turned to Vincent who put a hand over his face itching under his eye, walking forward as if he missed his h Was Was it home in the mansion? Or was it the atmosphere? Everyone knew what it was even though the gunman didn't express it out loud. Cloud missed the place as well, he felt guilt about it still he looked over at Barret who simply got the chills from being around the place but since Tifa was here he had to go to reason with her so that she would go with them. Barret found himself speaking out loud, "Tifa? goin' too?" The swordsman simply nodded as he gave the command to head towards her house.

Cid yawns a bit, scratching his lower back with his free hand as the other was busy holding a cigarette. To him this was just a town and nothing more. His home town was long since gone during one of the wars Shin-Ra had. Not that he would miss it either or his past. It was probably one of the few in the group no one knew really knew on past. Just his years spent in Rocket Town and maybe his air force records. He follows last in line. Even before they get to the door; Tifa comes out of the house and grabs Barret in a hug. Barret is a father figure in her life, since her family died years ago already. She is never so happy to see them all then she is right now, even Cid. She exclaimed loudly almost happily, “Guys!”

Cid of course has to say something, for him to be quiet for too long is not very becoming so he blurts out his usual comment, “Damn girl your hair got too fucking short!” The captain blows out some smoke while looking around the town with those sky blue eyes, tainted with aght ght amount of grief for the town. He glances once more seeing dead people left and right then he stumbles backwards almost his cigarette falling straight out his mouth as the flabbergasted pilot implied rather quickly to the group, “What the hell happened here?!”

Barret spoke now running his human hand across the back of his neck scratching he couldn’t think of much more to say more than to clam her down, “Damn girl slow down.” He gave out a slight chuckle then spat out once more, “I'm gettin' too old.” He hugged her, she was like a daughter to him. He threw in the rest of his two cents now, “Cloud said he seen somethin' in a dream about Sephiroth, ya'know anythin' about dat?” Cloud shook his head the images were haunting; Vincent nodded to Cloud that some of them were true already, Cloud simply got that look on his face that helpless face as if he was crushed literally by gravity. He stayed strong pulling himself back up reaching deep inside for courage and pride replying, “Yes that's right, I think Sephiroth's alive somewhere; I saw him here.”

Tifa looked over at him her eyes went wide then she spoke out loud interrupting and crushing almost everything he said in two simple words, “Oh Cloud.” She grabbed him into a harder hug now, she embraced him a moment before pulling away with a blush in the cheeks. She thought to herself then spoke up again to the entire group getting back on subject finally, “He was here! Him and someone else they went towards the reactor in the mountains; I think he came out of the old mansion. I knew I couldn't take him alone so I kept low.” Seeing them all was a big relief.

Cid shook his head that gruff appearance back on his face as he so suddenly says, “Shit! God damn it all! Now we got to kill him when I was thinking I could retire myself to some island with a girl who didn't know any better. Hey Tifa, wanna run away with me to the island now and thesthese guys beat up the psychopath?"

Nanaki was still with them and smacks Cid in the ass with the tip of his tail to get a yelp from the pilot and smiles with satisfaction of course. He always loved the way the pilot worded things, but this time he went too far and had to be shown decent justice.

Cloud blushes as she does, but then his face clears up as she raises up, he looks to her replying, "Its alright, we'll take care of Sephiroth. You did the right thing." He was happy to see her and hug her again but he wouldn't admit it. Vincent was still leaned against the wall watching the reactor smoke slowly; the gunman blinked then turned to the group Barret had been listening to Cid chuckling softly, knowing her answer before she even said it.

Tifa quivered almost angry at the pilot, she was always angry at his now good for nothin’ ass. She still was his friend though so she had to get along with him and be nice; she forgave Cid rather quickly and easily her comments still flying out, “In your dreams, old man! If I wanted to shack up with a stiff I would marry a corpse! So what do we do now Cloud?” The former bartender’s brown eyes lit up as she looked at him as the leader of the group regardless still even though her heart flutters with the fact he came to rescue her; which made her perspective of him much harder to realize what he actually was here for. She realized she still loves him a lot despite the years, now wasn't the time to ponder this anyway.

Cid, "Had to try... " A smile cracked from his icy exterior as he laughed in a nice polite way, he did like to flirt once in a while and Tifa would be a hell of a catch, “At least I still got my damn airship that’s just as good as some pretty young girl, and a nice island.”

Nanaki kept on guard, the now legendary beast leaned against Tifa's leg it was his way of handshaking almost which was odd of him to do. He wanted to explore and see how Sephiroth made his way into the town through the mansion, because there were no exits visible or hidden when they told the story about it. He kept quiet and let the leader make the decision.

Cloud looked at them, then put a hand behind him it was shaking he didn't know what to do but the words seemed to flow out as if they were meant, "We explore the mansion then we go to the reactor and we kill Sephiroth and his friend again, again and again if we have to." Cloud smirked slightly as Vincent actually laughed behind him, a smile on his face, Vincent applauded then spoke out loud,

"You plan to do that exactly how? Just barge in and ask him to stop what he is doing so you can kill him?" Cloud shook his head then replied, "Actually we were going to blow it on him, if you think it’s possible."
Cid spoke quickly and surely, "Hell yeah! I can handle any type of explosive on earth if need be. Demolitions used to be a hobby of mine back in the old days of the air force so I can do that, man. Blow his ass to kingdom come!"

Cloud spoke again, "So does anyone else think that would be a good idea; if we indeed can't kill him in a fight. If things go bad we'll have to rely on Cid, or do any of you else have an idea?"

Barret scratched his head, "Try not to get killed and kick his white, wanna be God ass?"

Tifa, "I think blowing him up is a good idea. I hate that reactor anyway and won't miss it. Maybe if we blow it up, no one else will get harmed by him. There was another man with him. He is tall and hairy; he made Sephiroth look like a child in height. He scared me almost as much as Sephiroth does."

Nanaki smirks some, "Might was well keep the plan simple." He would rather let Cloud make the ideas due to Cloud was better at them no matter how crazy they get.

Cid, "Let’s stop picking our asses, and get going before I fall asleep from boredom!" The pilot spoke out shaking his fist.

"Alright, so lets check out the mansion." As soon as the words left Cloud's lips, the sight of Vincent's red cape was seen heading towards the mansion. The Gunman had to see if it was tampered with; he knew what was going to be there as if of sixth sense. He knew he would find something dark and ominous looming around in the shadows. Cloud followed along with Barret by his side; looking back motioning for the group to follow along with his good arm. What they would find in the mansion they did not expect at all.

Cid follows because he was curious about this “Mansion” that seems important to them. To cid it was just an old crumbly building he spoke out, "I hope it don't fall apart when my old ass steps into there. I bet it does with my luck and I get the heaviest fucking piece of roof on me. I see Cloud getting out with maybe a bloody nose worst case scenario." He keeps walking because he wanted to be with them.

Nanaki, "Cid, please shut up for a little bit?"

Tifa giggles at this because she really missed it a lot. She missed them all, even Yuffie and Reeve who are not yet with them. Tifa felt home for the first time in twenty years. This is odd and not really that odd.

Zack is just waking up, his head hurt from all the abuse it recently had endured; but he was used to his head hurting. It has seen it share of being up close and into walls from long periods of boredom. His shoulder ached some and maybe he looked like a mess. Years of hiding in the shadows left dirt and dust all over his shirt and pants. He had worn spots and a couple holes before the fight.

Zack stood up shaky and started toward the exit, he had to find that bastard with white . Th. The dark swordsman wanted to teach the walking gorilla a lesson. Then he shall teach the world not to throw Zack away, yes siree!

Then all of a sudden, Vincent emerges opening the door in front of Zack glancing him over a slight smile creeping across his face. He stepped to the side of the door Cloud looking over at Zack wide eyed, as sweat ran down the swordsman's forehead, he exclaimed to himself, "No you’re imagining it."

Cid was craning to see anything interesting and complains a bit about the lack things to even remark about, "This place is fucking boring!" The pilot lived life to the fullest; he almost had high powered hydrogen-gasoline sulfate pumping in his veins.

Zack takes a step back; his cheek twitches as he stares at these people. Zack’s hand lifts up a buster sword that was cracked severely his mouth snarled as he stepped back spitting at the ground almost. The blond of spiky hair seemed familiar, like the kid? He knew it then, he was that helpless kid who must be dead. His own status not sure though so why ask questions? "Who are you?"

Cid shook his head before speaking and scratching underneath his beard he felt a little odd looking at the kid, "God damn, he looks like shit... seems like a fucking corpse too. Can we kill it?"

Tifa was in shock seeing the man she heard was dead. She would never forget his face even after all these years, "Zack?"

Cloud looked at the buster sword then took a step forward, and around to the side of Zack looking at him; he then uttered his name softly and puzzled almost, "Zack?"

The dark swordsman Looked confused a moment before answering with a smug smile and swinging the sword in a lazy manner though still has much skill for he never hits anyone though most likely his sword would break. His clothes have old and new blood stains, a few pieces of blood leaked off the side of the jacket onto the ground as it started to peel off slowly. It almost looked like crimson tears or snowflakes at times.

"Yes I am Zack, I have always been he. You... you.. You... No the kid should have died. And you are the tour guide chick?! All this time I’ve remembered.” He simply laughed at this. "Or maybe you are demons that come to fool me and stop my mission."

Cid spoke to the furry beast adjusting his goggles shaking his head from side to side sighing possibly, "He has fucking flipped"

Barret, "How bout I shoot his comin' back to life ass Cloud? Dat bitch won’t come back anymore I tell ya!"

Nanaki doesn't speak or nod but inside he has to agree. He thinks this man isn't all the way there. Not by the way his eyes stare at them, nor does he care to be called a thing.

Cloud put his hand against Barret's chest so that he wouldn't do such things. He looked over to Zack speaking in a tone voice much like the one he had grown adapted too. It was most like Sephiroth’s commanding yet that of a natural born leader. Cloud looked at him with all seriousness, "Where is Sephiroth?" He didn’t say a single other word to the man. Those were the only words that he needed to say.

Zack jumps back sword in fighting position. The grace of his leap is like a young deer and his sword held with the grip of a fighter before he answers, "He has left; he has thrashed me and left. The creature with him blindsides me for I almost had him. Got him into a bookshelf.” Zack made his motion as if he knocked him into a bookshelf then it was all but over for me. Leave me for dead not that you would do that, little buddy." His last words drip with sarcasm. His voice lightens, "I plan to go after him kill him and his trained gorilla."

Tifa puts a hand on Cloud's shoulder from behind, "We can't just leave him like this, can we?"

"No Tifa, we can't. We have to take him with us; will you go after Sephiroth with us?" Cloud said, even though it might be shocking the group, the spiky haired ex soldier was true to his words.

Cid has to protest. The pilot shook his head crazily as the red on his face shook, "hell no bad enough I work with five nuts I don't need a fruit loop!"

Vincent muttered slightly then spoke out loud, "He could be burning down the town again right now, when you’re ready to stop arguing, I'll be going through the mountains." With that the gunman walked backwards through Cloud almost to the door.

Zack glares at Cid a moment then thinks about the big pictures; they could be useful so why not go along with them? The world has gone by without Zack. Zack knows he will need help with the gorilla who was stronger then him. "Burning? " Look of horror in his eyes for a second,

"No, destroy my friends home, I…I.." Confusion over whelmed him leaving him flabbergasted trying to grasp the idea of the town burning down again, then he cleared his head thinking of his hatred for his former leader, "Yes lets go now! I want to carve my name into his backside!"

Cid shrugs and follows the gunman to keep watch his back. "Wait up for me Dracula! You need a partner!" The pilot smirked a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

Vincent stopped infuriated almost speaking softly muttering, "I'm x-Tux-Turk Cid I think I can handle myself." The gunman shrugged it off walking on that slight smirk on his face; he loved making the pilot mad who soon followed Barret who was confused by the whole damn thing. Cloud walked side by side with Zack making sure he didn't pull any funny stuff.
Cid hurries up after the damn former Turk. "We don't care how you masturbate pal and not even a Former Turk goes off without backup. You imply that again you'll be an Ex-Turk with my boot up your ass!" The pilot shook his fist implying each word with his motions, and the end with boot up the ass verbal signal.

Tifa walks with the group but can't help but look at the man who is suppose to be dead. Now Zack to her was just a marble to her; even though she still remembered him being sane and strong. He was confident but now is only confused and puzzled by the smallest of details. She couldn’t help but let her mind wander. She thought of Hojo and if the sick professor was alive; which was really something she’d rather not question.

Zack walks with cloud, his walking improved from a slight stumble to steady walk as they leave the mansion. Zack shielded his face from the light pausing as if he was some type of demon who hated the light; it had been a long time indeed. He was deathly pale, he muttered about sweet revenge as he followed the swordsman.

As they left a walkie talkie sounded it was very faint, you could still hear the static over the sounds of the city. The voice was odd almost computer like the only words audible were, “Confirmed." He looks to the mountain watching the black smoke pour out thick from the reactor. A sharp voice shot from behind them laughing and chuckling.

Nanaki takes up the rear his mind pondering how the events can turn and twist. Things just seem to get more and more complicated as this Haunting Memory continued on getting darker and twisted as their trail went on. Nanaki having the most sharp hearing abilities turned first to look behind and listen to the voice. The beast outright snarled at what he seen.

There stood, Toshihro covered in that white polar bear like fur that sick sword of disease sitting in his bloodstained hands. The sword was coined “Damnation” and had an ancient word for it which translated to “The black blade of death”. To his left was a man in black as well was one to his right. They were covered in black furs; one of them pressed a button looking over at Cloud’s reconstructed house watching it explode as flames spread. Apparently they had set charges in random houses along the town waiting for Cloud to leave the mansion.

Zack, "Yes, it’s the damn gorilla! Come to your death gorilla!” Zack held his sword in the oddest poorest fighting manner he had ever used. It looked as if he was fresh off the soldier batch. The former Liteunant almost hit cloud forgetting he was there; his mind was only on the memories of that terrible day when his life went to hell. Zack jumped landing near Toshihro’s left side swinging the sword to collapse the large mans neck, the pilot was crazy enough to land on the other side and try to impale the bastard.

The captain spoke in an outraged tone, "That is fucking stupid, ass wipe! Let me show ya manners." His outburst was odd coming from a man without any manners.

The two men stepped up to take the blows sliding to the ground Toshihro spoke now, "Well now the goons are out of the way. . ." He swung his mighty sword at Zack's hilt trying to bust his sword into pieces and point over at a house to distract them; coming back with an elbow in the once great swordsman’s face.
Vincent spoke now trying to bring all reason back into the moment, "This is senseless. Cloud, Tifa, and I will go to the reactor Barret, Nanaki, Cid, put out the fire and save the villagers." With that the gunman took off he knew a shortcut to the reactor.

Cid spoke now again in that sarcastic voice of his "Okay, Vincent!" As he spoke Tifa runs after the gunman with best of her ability. She does run better and cuter then cid though.

Zack's sword finally shatters, Zack almost looked to where he pointed but brought up his arm in reflex to take the blow the feeling of his bone cracking sent out a wild jolt of pain throughout this whole body. He grunted a bit for the man was stronger than he and Cid combined. Cid growled annoyed from all this hating being left behind by the gunman. He made sure his victim was dead.

Cloud soon took off catching up to them to see what looked to be like a large chain attached to the side of the mountain leading down all the way across the other mountain directly to the reactor. The gunman jumped off the cliff reaching out breaking a limb off the side of the cliff. He grabbed it with his claw hand and regular sticking it over a chain using it and momentum to slide down the chain till he finished his journey and the limb snapped. The gunman reeled hitting the other side of the mountain where the broken bridge was at. He skillfully scaled up it in less than five steps. Cloud waited up on Tifa to do the same.

Tifa catches up breathing a bit hard. She did have some misgivings about leaving Cid and Nanaki with the large furry man and an uncertain ally named Zack; she wanted to back Cloud up just as much.

Tifa spoke quickly and barely got the words out "You two are hard to keep up with." She reached up swatting some of that ravishing brown hair out of her face showing off her true beauty.

Cloud looked down at the large drop off then looked to her deciding to do like Vincent but less gracefully slipping grabbing the chain; barely making his way down the chain clumsily to the bridge and mountain top. He soon grabbed onto the rotten wood and pulled himself up some of it snapping as gunshots rang out above head.

She tries to slide down the chain also not as graceful as the gunman; her hand goes out to grab the top of the bridge and almost misses. Tifa hearing the gunshot does not pause to rest when she pulls herself up. She soon headed off towards the reactor where all the pain began; soon she found herself hoping it would end there as well.