One Last Story ( part 1)

Chapter 7















Cloud watches the scenery pass below them, as the airship flies towards Gongaga.  Rather easy it is to see the world on the bridge of Sierra.  How life seems to throw him is many surprises.  Zack is alive!  After all these years, his friend is back.  Maybe he didn't die back then?  



No, Zack did die back then.  Its too hard to forget the blood and how cold Zack’s body felt.  The rain that fell upon them, washing the blood from Cloud’s cheek.  The harsh truth....  Zack couldn’t have survived. Here Zack is....  talking to him, Zack seems to act and talk like the friend he always known.  There are times, Zack seems to zone out while trying to recall something.  



Then there was the vision before he got onto the airship.  If they knew he was their sooner, no one said anything.  It took a while for Cloud to get his nerve up to approach the airship.  Not sure how long he stood, in the shadows when Aerith appeared.  She was as beautiful as he an remember with a tender smile on her lips.  



Cloud, “ Aerith....  is it really you? “



Aerith, “ Yes, silly.  You look worried. “  



Cloud nodded to her then, yes he was, “  I am told they found Zack. “



Aerith, “ You always worry too much.  If it is Zack, where do you think he’ll want to go now? “



Cloud turned to look at the parked airship, “ Maybe to his parents home, in Gongaga. “  But when he looked back, Aerith was gone.  



It is a good omen.  He knows that now.  Perhaps he does worry too much.  He has a friend back and some of an old guilt is already lifted from his heart.  Now Zack will finally be reunited with his parents.  



Cloud checks out his friends.  Cid is at the the helm as always.  The man seems to be happiest at the helm.  Zack is wandering about the bridge, as curious as a...  puppy?  Kinda he is like that at times.  Vincent is off to the side of Cid.  Come to think of it, Vincent does seem to always be close to Cid.   Fianna is gazing upon the world outside.  She seems so innocent right now.  



Zack, “ There it is!  ... Looks even smaller up here. “ Last said rather thoughtfully.  “ The reactor what happened? “



Cloud, “ It blew up.  You’re parents are fine but some of the villagers were still killed. “



Zack looks at what is left of the reactor, sadly.   Now the vegetation is slowly but surely taking over the ruins.  The planet doing her best to erase what the humans did.  Cloud  hopes the people forget mako ever existed.  That Jenova fades from memory.



Cid, “ We are now at Gongaga!   You can now disembark! “



Vincent turns to Cid, “ Coming with us?”



Cid, “ ...  Hell no.   I see enough small towns just visiting my wife.   I’m gonna wait here till you’re all done. “



Vincent gives a smirk, “ Very well, Chief. “



Cloud shrugs and follows Zack out.  Those two are sure weird sometimes.  Fianna and Vincent also disembark.  Fianna wishes to see what this Gongaga is like.   Cloud suspects Vincent is more to keep an eye on the two.  His attention turns to Zack.  He seems nervous.  The small village seems a little better these days.  Not that Cloud really knows about the place.  



Cloud, “ Want me to wait outside? “  



Zack, “  What?   NO way!  You’re my brother now!  “  Nods with such certainty, “ means my parents are yours. “



Cloud is rather startled, “ What?!  But what... “



Zack, “ No buts! “



Cloud is then pulled into the house.  Once the shock settled, Zack has deal with hugs.  Zack’s own eyes seem to tear up.  For a while, Cloud feels as if he really doesn’t belong there.   Then Zack seems to turn back to his friend.  



Zack, “ Here is my sword brother!  I decided to adopt him! “



Zack’s Mom, “ Dear, he looks a little too old to adopt. “



Zack’s dad, “  Remember that pet “



Cloud suddenly worried, “  What happened to his pet? “



Zack, “ Please?  He’s an orphan.   Besides, if not for him I wouldn’t be here! “



Zack’s Mom, “ Well, sense you are a friend of our son.  Would you like to stay for dinner? “



Cloud wants to argue that he has very little to do with Zack being here.  Zack may well been home sooner, years sooner, if not for having to take care of a mako sick Cloud.   Yet, he couldn’t quite bring himself to do that.  





---





Fianna and Vincent walk around the village.  The air is sweet and mild.  Fianna can almost see herself living here comfortably.  Someone like Zack, so full of energy, hard to imagine that he was once a child here.  She sense  something else here.  



Vincent, “I am going to check something out. “   



With that, Vincent leaves her alone.  Fianna wonders if she should have spoken up?  Not as if she can really put it into words.   This feeling is still very new as many things are.  The only answer is to follow this feeling.  



The ruin of the reactor, vines and flowers are now making their lovely way over the broken walls and rusting metal.  It awaits her here.  It sits on what's left of a wall’s corner, legs spread with a leg on each side.  Looks of a man with the face of many and few all at the same time.  His hair like tarnished silver as its flat and  straggly.  His clothes look like a local’s though the owner’s blood is still fresh on the collar.   His name is Legion.   Mixed feelings seem to rush through her being.   Her stomach churns and her body feels oddly warm.



Legion darkly teases, “ I see your as happy to see me as I am to see you. “  Brushing the obvious bulge in the front of his stolen pants.



Fianna can feel herself snarling in disgust, “ You are sadly mistaken. “



Legion, “ That's why I can see your nipples from here. “  Laughs when she put her arms over her chest, as her nipples can be seen under the top.  “ They look so hard. “



With that. leaps from the ruined wall trying to pounce her.  Fianna leaps back, away from the vile thing.  Yet, she could not draw her sword.   His scene filling her nostrils.  What is that smell?  



Fianna, “ What do you want from me? “



Legion does not stand fully up, “ You know what I want.  Or is it too soon?  Either way, our fate is for one purpose.  You are mine!  I am yours.  Like husband and wife, no?  Its a good day for a white wedding! “  



Gun shot!  Bullet nicking Legion’s ear.  He stagger back, she can see he seems to move in jerk manner.  As if walking or moving slow is hard for him.  His very being is like water in human form.  Striving so hard to stay stable but not fully achieving this.  Vincent taking aim at his shoulder but Legion is already leaping clear.  She can feel in her heart, Legion’s promise to be with her soon. For the first time she can ever remember, she is scared.





----





Zack’s arrival to Fianna is only a second after Legion left.  Trailing Zack is also a very confused Cloud.  Vincent is relieved to see Fianna is not hurt, but still clearly upset.  Zack puts his arms around her, wanting to protect her.  



Cloud, “ What happened? “



Vincent, “ Some person was here.  He was  trying to assault, Fianna. “ Turns to Zack, “ How did you know she was in trouble? “  By the way Zack is standing, his expression as his eyes seem to look off where Legion once stood...  this man knows something.



Zack only shakes his head, “ I felt she was in trouble.  That's the thing that was stuck with us. “ 



Cloud, “ What is it? “



Zack, “ I ..  don’t know.  I only know, its vile and crazy. “



Fianna softly, “ His name is Legion. “  



Vincent, “ You three stay in the village for now. “  



Heading in the direction the thing went.  Whatever this legion is, it must be the experiment Hojo mentioned.   The tracks are very hard to follow.  Vincent finds himself both annoyed and impressed.  His cellphone began to vibrate.   Vincent, “ What now? “   Glancing at the text message on the screen.



~ So what do you think?  I hope their reunion went smoothly....   It will be amusing to see who wins the girl.  Oh and I have a reunion of my own I wish to hold.  You’re invited.  - Hojo. ~



If only some people can for once stay dead.  Wait, how can Hojo even mange to text him?  Last he knew, Hojo has no body.   The whole deal is headache inducing.  His mind distracted, almost too the point of not seeing the object hurling at his head.  His hand blocks most of the very wet object.  A moist, stinky ball that seems to splatter wildly and some on his face.  A few drops in his eyes, making them water.    

Vincent, rather disgusted, “ What is this?! “   



Having a devil of a time getting it off him.  The smell makes his head reel.  Now he has to go back, without finding his prey.  Coming towards him is Cloud.  Irritation at how this simple request was ignored, Vincent tries not to snap and Cloud.



Vincent, “ Why are you not with them? “



Cloud, “ Was worried...  are you okay? “



Vincent, “ I need to go to the airship.  Stay at the house for now. “



Cloud looks a little hurt but nods and heads back to the house.  Vincent just doesn't have the patience for that right now.  Maybe he is suffering from some poison?  His body felt warm.  The world seems little more hazy , the further he walks.  The airship never felt so far away before.   Vincent calls Cid’s phone.



Vincent, “ Cid, I need you to come help me.  I’m on my way.  Now. “



Cid, “ Yeah , be right there. “ and  Vincent hangs up on him. 



Cid comes off the airship looking both confused and alarmed.  Vincent wonders how bad he looks.  His face feels flushed.  Cid shrugs and  lets Vincent lean on him, as they go toward the clinic.  Cid kinda smells nice.  



Cid, “ Are you sniffing me? “  Sounds irritated at that.



Vincent, “ ...  Yes. “ feeling a little high.  The things he could do to this person right now.  



Cid has a new thing to protest, “ Stop grabbing my ass! You sick or drunk, man?!“  



Vincent then pulls Cid around, laying a kiss on his lips.  The pilot taking so off guard, he loses his balance and pulls Vincent with him.  The only thing that saves him from falling to the ground is the wall.  The ex-turk fails to notice that Cid is not exactly cooperating.   Opens a door and pushes a confused Cid inside...   All reason and self control out the window.   Cid sprawled on the floor trying to wipe his face dry from the passionate kissing he had to endure, “ Fuck, Vincent! “



Vincent, “ Yes, you will. “  Has become a person Cid has never seen before.  And the door closes swiftly behind him.



---



Cloud wonders if he should have let Vincent go off back to the airship.  The gunman looked a little sick.  Then again, Vincent can be quite scary when upset.  Back to Zack’s home it is.   Apparently. Zack is just back.  His parents wondering if this nice young girl is his girlfriend.



Zack a little embarrassed, “ Oh no...  We’re just...  friends. “



Fianna, “ Girlfiends? “



Cloud coughs a bit into his hand.  Rather enjoying seeing Zack squirm.  They would have loved to met Aerith.  That thought sobers him quickly. Cloud whispers to Zack, “ We can’t stay too long.  If someone is after you two, it won’t be safe  for them. “



Zack nods, “ Yeah, I know.  Just a little longer. “ 



Cloud knows if he could have spent a day longer with his mother, he would.  He knows he can’t take this way from Zack.  “ Okay. “  Least he can do.









TBC