Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice Redux ❯ Finding Cloud ( Chapter 13 )

A/N: A somewhat shorter chapter, but look close and pay attention. It's important!

 

Chapter Thirteen: Finding Cloud

 

“…guess it's been about a week now since he washed up here on the shore. Poor pokey-headed young thing…”

 

At the mention of pokey-headed, Cid Highwind's head snapped up. It had to be! Yuffie looked up at him from where she knelt on the ground, petting the large brown dog that was happily wagging its tail. There was a look of excitement and disbelief on her face.

 

“Didja hear that?”

 

“Yeah,” Cid breathed. “Who else's got hair like a chocobo but ole Spike himself?”

 

After arriving at the southern island, the members of AVALANCHE had been surprised to learn that an entire community had taken up residence there. And although the mako pool wasn't exactly evident, more or less lying beneath the island, they could feel the vague pulses of power of the Lifestream beneath them. It was enough to give them hope.

 

Barret pushed past the two of them and strode up to the men, who were gossiping in front of someone's home. “That pokey-headed man… where is he?” he growled, a vague attempt to be friendly.

 

“He's in the clinic,” the shorter one commented with a shrug, gesturing up the hill to a lone building.

 

Barret didn't give the man time to say anything else as he rushed up the hill, the other AVALANCHE members following behind him. The two men could only stare at their odd behavior as they stampeded up the hill towards the clinic.

 

- - -

 

“Cloud!” Yuffie exclaimed as she pushed past Barret and shoved her way into the clinic. Her excited shriek pierced the ears of all those present, even as the heavy clomp of Barret's boots sounded behind her. The two crowded into the doorway.

 

The nurse at the front desk grimaced. “There are injured people here. Keep your voices down,” she reprimanded sternly, rising to her feet. Her reproachful look sent tremors of guilt and shame through both.

 

“We are looking for a friend of ours,” Yuffie explained with worried eyes, her anxiousness preceding any politeness she might have had.

 

Barret nodded vigorously. “Yeah,” he added gruffly. “He's a short, scrawny guy with spiky, yellow hair and blue eyes. Name's Cloud.”

 

The nurse appeared thoughtful, rifling through a few papers on the desk where she had just been sitting. “We do have a patient here by that description,” she said slowly before finding a particular document and scanning it. “I believe he was an unknown.”

 

“Can we see him?” the ninja asked excitedly just as the door behind the two opened and more members of their group tried to squeeze in.

 

“Hey, lemme in dammit!”

 

“Can you see him?”

 

“Is it him? Is he there?”

 

“What is this ruckus!!” a grey-haired doctor exclaimed, an angry gleam in his eyes as he emerged from behind one of the curtains that shielded patients from prying eyes. It flew back with a defining screech that rattled the ears of all present. “There are sick people here!”

 

The nurse sighed. “We may know the identity of our unknown,” she gently explained, gesturing towards the crowd of people, who were trying to fit into the tiny space. The look of disproval never left her face.

 

Bushy brows rose in surprise and a bit of irritation. “They cannot all come back here!” the doctor argued with a slash of his hand. “One, maybe two… but not all of you.”

 

The companions looked at each other, as if deciding which of them would stay to identify and recognize Cloud, if in fact the unknown man was their fallen comrade. Finally, Cid cursed aloud and started pushing his friends out the door with violent shoves.

 

“Wait outside!” he ordered, ignoring their cries of protest. “Me `n Barret will see if it's Cloud!”

 

Despite the chorus of groans and protests, the members of AVALANCHE made their way out the door. Yuffie was the last, turning to say one more thing, but Cid promptly shut the door in her face, resisting the urge to laugh. Sighing, the pilot turned back to where Barret and the doctor were waiting. He ran his hands through his hair, a nervous habit he had picked up.

 

“Let's go,” he said simply.

 

The doctor nodded as he turned and headed towards a small curtain, gesturing that they should enter. Once they were beyond, they received their first glimpse of the unknown man. It was most definitely Cloud, but much about him had changed. He sat weakly in a wheelchair, barely able to keep his head up. His eyes seemed vacant and empty, as if his soul and mind had simply departed, leaving a vacant shell behind.

 

It was disturbing.

 

The pilot could feel himself pale at the sight, instantly needing a cigarette. The kid, plainly put, looked dead.

 

“What the hell is wrong with him?” Cid demanded, shooting an appalled look at the doctor.

 

He had never seen Cloud looking so weak and frail. It scared him in ways he couldn't even begin to understand. If Cloud was lost, what hope was there for the rest of them, the normal guys?

 

Well, maybe Vincent and Nanaki would be all right, but the others were only human. And Sephiroth had lost his humanity a long time ago.

 

“Mako poisoning,” the doctor answered from where he stood in the doorway, a melancholic and tired look on his face. There were times his job wasn't the easiest. “Quite an advanced case. He is lucky to be alive.”

 

Cid snorted in response, pointing a wavering finger at the younger blond. “Alive?” he demanded sarcastically. “Fuck it! Look at him! That ain't living. It's just there!”

 

“He can't even see or hear us,” Barret added, his expression pinched with dismay. He shook his head. There was something very wrong with seeing their illustrious leader in such a state. It brought to mind one's own weaknesses and whether or not they were even capable of completing anything on their own.

 

The doctor, who was as of yet unnamed, sighed from the doorway, rifling through some papers attached to a clipboard. “He is somehow locked within his own consciousness,” the elderly man commented, scanning through Cloud's paperwork. “I am not even sure if I have the capacity to help him. It is a touch and go process.”

 

Cid frowned, sticking an unlit cigarette in his mouth just to alleviate some of the tension. “What about… somewhere else?” he questioned tentatively, not believing for one moment that it was going to do them any good.

 

The doctor shook his head as he tucked his clipboard beneath one arm and pulled off his glasses to rub the lenses with a cleaning cloth. The look he gave the Captain clearly said it all, no words required. If he couldn't cure Cloud, then no one could. It was as simple as that.

 

“Tch,” Barret began slowly. He turned towards Cid to look him in the eye. “What do we do?”

 

- - -

 

Outside the small island clinic, the group of AVALANCHE members waited solemnly but not without anxiety. Yuffie paced back and forth, occasionally asking questions that no one would answer. The normally cheerful ninja seemed agitated as she walked a small line in the ground, hands folded behind her back and face pinched into a frown.

 

Nanaki was lying on the ground, tail swishing constantly as his head sat worriedly on his paws. He stared up at the door to the clinic, not sure what answer he was hoping for. If it truly was Cloud, then there was a reason he was in a medical clinic, and after a week, the odds that the prognosis was good were low indeed. Above all else, he was a practical being, despite what his heart wanted to believe. And he could plainly see that of them all, Yuffie was the most worried, her strange behavior a clear sign that they were all closer to each other than an outside party would observe them to be. Sometimes, the most unlikely people could form implausible bonds.

Reeve and Vincent were standing off to the side, talking to each other in low tones, as if keeping their conversation apart from the younger members. Reeve was chewing his lips nervously. The expression on Vincent's face was completely unreadable, his arms crossed over his chest, his claw clacking quietly in contemplative movement.

 

“What if it isn't him?” Yuffie finally asked aloud, searching the face of her older companions for some assurance or some sign that they were at least listening to her. But no one had an answer, so they kept silent.

 

Despite his problems and occasional leader blunders, Cloud was loved by his friends. After all that the group had been through, they were slowly drawing closer together. They did not want to lose another, not like they had lost Aeris. Betrayal and death were around every corner, and the fight for Gaia was beginning to look very grim indeed. They needed Cloud.

 

No one wanted to face what would happen if their leader was indeed dead or beyond help. He was a symbol of their strength and unity. If he was gone, the others would drift away. If he couldn't live to destroy Sephiroth, who could?

 

“What if… he doesn't remember us or something?” the ninja pressed, receiving stony glares for an answer. “What if--“

 

“Yuffie!” Vincent growled, cutting her off before she could ask another question. He opened his mouth but was cut short when the door to the clinic opened, Cid and Barret stepping out. Four pairs of eyes turned towards the two expectantly.

 

“Well…” Cid began, scratching his head with one hand and feeling suddenly as if he was on trial. “It is him.” Yuffie made as if to cheer, a big smile creeping up on her lips. But the expression on the pilot's face told her there was more, and she quickly pushed her celebrations down.

 

“But?” Reeve prompted, encouraging Cid to continue.

 

The pilot shook his head. “He has mako poisoning,” Cid muttered angrily. “Damn kid's like a vegetable.”

 

“Will he get better?” Yuffie asked tentatively, not quite sure how she should be feeling. A little guilty for causing Cloud so much trouble, concerned for his welfare, pissed at Sephiroth, her emotions were swirling, and she couldn't seem to grasp onto one of them, even her youthful, ninja exuberance was missing.

 

Cid shrugged. “I don't know. The doctor is surprised Spike's even fuckin' alive.” An uncomfortable silence fell at the weight of his words, and it settled heavily in their hearts, leaving them even more at a loss for what to do.

 

“What are we going to do then?” Vincent asked quietly, breaking the silence.

 

It was Barret who explained. “Me `n Cid have come to a decision. I'm gonna stay here, just in case Cloud comes out of it. But everyone else, you're gonna continue the fight. Can't let damn ShinRa or fuckin' Sephiroth win!” Though an attempt at encouragement, his words sounded strangely hollow in the wake of what happened. No one really believed they could do it on their own, but they were unwilling to say the truth of their thoughts aloud.

 

Just then, Cid's PHS rang, the sound disturbing the quiet. He sighed and reached into his pockets, pulling out the silver phone and pressing the talk button.

 

“Highwind. What about-- When? Start the engines and get her ready for launch. Give us ten minutes!” He snapped the phone shut angrily and shoved it back into his pocket, lighting up the cigarette he had been chewing on.

 

The others waited patiently for an explanation, but when one didn't come, Yuffie pressed. “Well?”

 

The Captain sighed, shaking his head. “Damn ShinRa's taking matters into their own hands,” he answered, sounding incredibly weary. Being leader was taking a toll on him. “Something about Huge materia and blowing up Meteor. We can find out more when we get to the airship.”

 

“Stupid fuckin' ShinRa,” Barret snarled, dark eyes narrowing. “Get yer ass out of here, Highwind. You got work to do. And you betta come back sometime and check on Spike.”

 

Cid nodded, forming a half-hearted salute as he turned away, pushing the others back towards the waiting airship. “You better make sure that spiky-headed bastard wakes up before we do, Barret,” he countered. “Or I'm fucking doomed,” he added under his breath, hiding his sigh of weariness beneath a well-time snap of “Get yer asses in gear.”

 

However, one didn't obey his orders. Reeve hung back, waiting until the others were a good distance away so that he could walk beside the pilot and hold a relatively secret conversation. Silence passed between the two for a few moments as Cid puffed on a cigarette, thankful for the much-needed nicotine.

 

“You look tired, Cid,” the ex-executive said finally, shooting glances at the blond from the corner of his eye.

 

Cid snorted. “There's an understatement,” he muttered, raising a brow. “You didn't hang back just to tell me that.”

 

Reeve shook his head. “No, but I figured it was a good way to start.” He took a deep breath, searching for the right words. “What do you really think about Cloud's prognosis? Will he pull out of it?”

 

“Do I look like a &*!@#$% doctor?” the pilot bitterly questioned, flicking some ashes down to the ground. “The kids strong, the strongest I've seen in some time. If he can't pull through it, then there ain't no hope for the goddamn rest of us. We might as well throw in the towel now.”

 

The other man grimaced, agreeing with Cid but not liking the truth of that fact. “It's hard to believe that we're all relying on the strength of a twenty-two-year-old kid,” he replied, rubbing a hand over one of his shoulders. “We're getting too old for this, the two of us.”

 

Cid laughed, but it was bitter. “Maybe you are, but I'm fit and fine,” he responded. “I can wield my spear just as good as the next one and probably better.”

 

Reeve didn't believe that for one moment, shooting a look of disbelief at his companion. “What if Cloud doesn't return, Cid? What will you do then?” he asked, noting that they were approaching the airship.

 

Ahead of them, Yuffie was nimbly dancing around Nanaki, obviously teasing him about something. Vincent was leading the pack, probably seeking out some dark corner to hide in, and the lion-wolf was doing a wonderful job of enjoying said ninja.

 

“I try not to think about it,” the pilot responded. “I've never been one for worrying to death over things I can't do nothing about. That's more Vin's department.”

 

“Yes,” mused Reeve thoughtfully. “Valentine is indeed morose. When I was still in ShinRa headquarters, I tried to look up a file on him. Everything was locked up tight, and he's simply listed in the Turk registry as missing in action. Tseng knew nothing of the man but myth and legend.” The ex-executive shook his head, rubbing a few fingers along his goatee in thought. “No one knows what happened to him.”

 

The pilot nodded, twisting the cigarette in his mouth before spitting it out and grinding the last little bit of fire with the heel of his boot. “I don't think he does either,” he commented, eyes following the crimson-clad man as he disappeared within the airship. The two drew to a halt outside the Highwind, carrying on their conversation out of hearing of the others.

 

Reeve glanced at him, noting the strange look on the Captain's face. “Cid, are you sure you are all right?”

 

Cid snorted. “I should be asking you the same. How's your conscience?”

 

The ex-executive winced at what he perceived to be a low blow. “Do you hold the same grudge then? Should I watch my back around you the same as I do around Mr. Wallace?”

 

The pilot was quiet for a moment, watching the play of sunlight across the hull of his airship. ”Sometimes, there are things that we have to do that we don't want to but are left very little choice in the matter.” He exhaled in a huff, raking a hand through his hair, his thoughts instantly turning to one gunman and his enigmatic words and actions. “And we can only hope that in the long run, it will turn out the way we want it to.”

 

A smile tugged at the corner of Reeve's mouth. “That's very poetic of you, Cid. You really are cut out for this leadership thing.”

 

The blond snorted, raising a disbelieving brow. “Now, I know you didn't really pull me aside to question me about Cloud or beg for forgiveness, despite everything. What do you want to tell me?”

 

“Hmm,” responded the ex-executive. He folded his arms over his chest, looking down at the ground. “ShinRa most likely has something else up their sleeve than a simple mission to destroy Meteor. It is more self-preservation than an actual attempt to redeem themselves,” he explained carefully. “I'm just telling you to be wary and on alert. I can't tell the others because I doubt that they would believe me. You, on the other hand, are perhaps the only one that would.”

 

“Did you know that Tifa was a fuckin' traitor?”

 

Reeve nodded. “Yes, but I never said anything. Barret was close to her, and the others seemed to listen to him and Cloud, considering he knew her from his past. Given what I had already done, I didn't think I would be believed.”

 

“Is anyone else?”

 

The ex-executive shook his head. “No. Yuffie is a thief but dependable, heir to Wutai, if you didn't know.” He paused, thinking back on the information that ShinRa had pulled together on the eclectic group. “Nanaki is just as he said: son of Seto and one of the last of his tribe. There may be more, but ShinRa was unable to find their location. As I said before, we don't know anything about Vincent beside the fact that he was once a Turk and his father was a ShinRa scientist. Barret Wallace is indeed the leader of AVALANCHE, despite the fact that most of its members have been killed by ShinRa.”

 

“Did you memorize the shit?” questioned Cid, slightly amused at the amount of information that literally poured from Reeve's mouth.

 

Somewhat embarrassed, the executive shrugged. “I have someone on the inside still. An informer who keeps me up to date on what's going on, the man who replaced me when I was found out.”

 

“Oh, really?” the pilot asked. “Who?”

 

Reeve considered telling him about Archer, but judging from the weariness in his friend's features, he didn't want to push Cid any further. Thoughts of the past and the heartache weren't something he wanted the other man to suffer again. Reeve shook his head silently. No, it was best if he kept that knowledge to himself.

 

“It doesn't matter,” the ex-executive assured. “He is loyal to me and, by proxy, to us. That is all that is important.”

 

Cid eyed his old friend skeptically but didn't press. If Reeve didn't want to tell him, he would trust him.

 

“Alright, Reeve. If you say so.”

 

“Yo old men!” Both looked up to see Yuffie hanging over the edge of the deck, frantically waving her arms to get their attention. “We gonna get going anytime soon?” she hollered.

 

Cid sighed. “Stupid &*!@#$% ninja,” he muttered under his breath. “Ain't no old man,” he continued to grumble before shuffling forward, heading into the Highwind. “She ain't got no respect.”

 

Reeve smiled despite himself and followed after, always amused by Cid's tenacious ability to never stay down for long. He was the perfect match for Valentine, or so Reeve had observed. Now, if only they would look beyond their own reservations and, in Vincent's case, fears.

 

He lagged behind Cid, the pilot speeding well ahead of him. As a result, Reeve was the one who first noticed Vincent lurking in the shadows as the blond sped right by him, heading directly for the bridge before Yuffie could wreak havoc. He didn't quite trust her around his machinery, not that Reeve could blame him. She had sticky fingers for all things shiny and transportable, especially materia. Reeve always kept careful count of all his.

 

Regardless, he noticed Valentine the moment he stepped inside the Highwind, hitting the button to shut the door to the cargo bay. “Were you wanting to speak to me in particular or merely observing for the sake of curiosity?” he questioned, turning away from the descending door to find scarlet eyes burning in the darkness.

 

Vincent didn't respond, not that he had really expected him to. Instead, the ex-Turk melded out of the shadows, becoming an almost frightening visage that separated Reeve from the door to the inner rooms of the Highwind.

 

The ex-executive tilted his head to the side. “There are always reasons,” he said, referring to the last thing the other man had told him when he was still Cait Sith.

 

“What did you tell Highwind about me?” Vincent questioned. “What does ShinRa know?”

 

Reeve inclined his head. “Is there something you don't want him to know? Should I be keeping secrets and giving them all more of a reason to hate me?”

 

Valentine snorted, clearly unamused. “What did you say?” He took a step forward.

 

“I don't know anything,” Reeve clarified, not at all nervous. Despite his presence and his coldness, he knew that Vincent was not someone to be afraid of. Barret feared him for no reason. “Nobody does. Why are you so worried that I tell Cid, anyway?” His lips curved into a grin. “Don't want him to know all the dirty little secrets?” He shook his head, turning away from Vincent. “He's a good guy, Valentine. You shouldn't be so afraid.”

 

“I'm not afraid of anything,” the former Turk snapped.

 

Reeve smiled, despite the situation. Vincent wasn't fooling him in the slightest. He had first noticed on the night of the Gold Saucer. His room had been right on the other side of theirs. Right before he had gone to steal the Keystone from Cloud, he had heard more than he ever needed to know. And perhaps in some ways, he felt that he owed Cid a little bit of happiness. The two were good for each other.

 

“Look, I don't know what happened,” he said, turning back to face Vincent. “I don't know about the past, but I do know that it is no longer relevant. What is important is the here and now. He's a good guy, and you can't deny that he is what you need.”

 

Vincent raised a brow. “And you know what it is that I need?”

 

The ex-executive shrugged. “A good guess.” He paused, considering his words, searching for the right thing to say.

 

Yet, before he could, Vincent ended the conversation, turning on his heels and disappearing into the darkness with a swirl of his crimson cloak.

 

“Just like a ghost,” Reeve muttered under his breath, shaking his head before he also headed into the inner parts of the Highwind.

 

* * *

 

Thanks for reading! Review please! I'd really like to know if these new scenes are good additions.