Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ It Begins ( Chapter 1 )

 

Prologue: It Begins

 

Cloud stared at the tiny village that stood before them and huffed quietly. After fighting so much in the Nibelheim Mountains and destroying the ridiculous Materia Keeper the friends had found themselves in front of this tiny ramshackle town. Nibelheim had been hell on the emotions and their strength, and then there was this. The rusty rocket only made him feel that much worse.

 

“At least we can bulk back up on supplies,” Tifa soothed slowly, choosing her words carefully, “that last battle nearly wiped us out.” Her chocolate eyes captured his own cerulean mako-enhanced ones.

 

Cloud shook his head, pushing some of his spiky yellow hair out of his face as his hand tightened on his larger-than-one-would-think-possible sword. “Just expected more out of a place called Rocket town, ya know?” He heard the distinct sound of a derisive snort behind him and turned to face the culprit. “What, Vincent?” he demanded.

 

Behind him, a dark-haired man dressed in a scarlet cloak that covered most - if not all - of his body, folded his arms. The left sparkled in the clear sunlight; it was made of golden metal. He glared back at Cloud with piercing crimson eyes, a perfect contrast to his startling ivory skin.

 

“Nothing,” he responded simply, his voice low but sensual. He leveled his gaze at his two companions, as if daring them to say more, refuting his statement.

 

They had found the crimson-eyed man not but a week or so before, tucked away in a coffin that doubled as a stasis chamber in the basement of ShinRa mansion. They had fought a particularly nasty monster to get to the key and materia inside a safe. What a surprise it had been for the group to find a quite alive man in a coffin rather than the hordes of gil or treasure they had been imagining. He had joined their group, after asking if he would be able to meet Hojo.

 

“Come on,” Tifa encouraged, swinging her long and full brown locks at him, ignoring their sullen friend. “The others will catch up soon and I for one want to make sure that there are enough rooms in the inn. Last time I had to share a room with Aeris and Yuffie.” She stuck out her tongue in disgust.

 

Cloud nodded in agreement and began heading for the front gates of the town, the other two members of his team following behind him. “I still do not understand why ShinRa or Sephiroth would head this way. Isn't it a dead end?”

 

Tifa shrugged, while Vincent did not respond. “Does it really matter? Maybe someone here can tell us something,” she finally stated.

 

It was Cloud's turn to snort at this as they entered the small town. It consisted of around five or six buildings, homes and businesses, and a greatly leaning rusty, old rocket with the words ShinRa No 26 along the sides.

 

“In this ramshackle old place… highly unlikely,” he mumbled with a sneer.

 

The three member team stood in the center of the town, observing the minor amounts of traffic passing by them. There were very few people present, a minute amount even in such a small town. Tifa recognized the signs for an item and weapon shop, while Vincent pointed out the inn in his silent and reclusive way. However, it was Cloud who discovered the story behind the rocket.

 

Speaking to an older man standing in front of one of the more decrepit looking buildings, the spiky-headed blond learned about the failed mission attempt and received a sword in return for his troubles. It was powerful but not much on materia slots. Shrugging his shoulders in a care-free attitude, Cloud attached the Yoshiyuki to one of his spare sheaths.

 

`Who knows,' the blonde thought, `it might come in handy.'

 

Turning to his companions, he ordered, “Tifa, you go to the item shop and replenish the supplies. Vincent, see what you can find out about ShinRa; there is something about this place that irks me. I will see about our rooms,” Cloud calmly commanded, his role as leader finally taking effect.

 

Vincent shook his head. “No, not today,” he said softly. His voice was muffled behind the top of his cloak, but his meaning was obvious. He backed away from the group and turned, heading further into the village on his own, red cape fluttering in the mildly warm breeze.

 

Cloud growled and made as if to go after him, but Tifa grabbed his arm holding him back. “No, just let him go. We do not understand him just yet… maybe he knows something about this place,” she appeased the blonde.

Cloud growled. “He joined our group, knowing who was leader. He should listen to me dammit!” he cursed, clenching his fist. He almost stomped his feet like a child, but thought better of it. He was twenty-one years old for all's sake!

 

“There is more to him than we know, Cloud. He will come around in time.” She shrugged then, releasing his arm. “And if not, he can just stay here and we will be less one quiet, cold-hearted man.”

 

Cloud tossed his head. “No, if it comes to that, I will drag him with us if necessary. He has power, perhaps too much power,” he allowed briefly. “I want to keep an eye on him.”

 

“That is most wise of you, Cloud,” came the distinct low growling voice of the fire cat, Nanaki, from behind them. Both turned around to greet their friend, a big smile on Tifa's face. She instantly dropped to her knees to embrace him, wrapping her arms around his torso tightly. She smoothed her hands over his soft orangish-red fur, delighting in the feel of it on her calloused, war-torn hands.

 

“Nanaki, glad you made it safely. How did you get here so fast?” she asked with confusion. “And the others are here too, I assume?” she questioned him.

 

Nanaki nuzzled the side of her face, sniffing her long hair. He had always felt a connection to the brown-haired beauty. “Yes, Yuffie disappeared the moment we arrived. She was mumbling something about Earth and Time. Cait Sith immediately set up shop in the inn, hoping to pick up some free merchandise and a gil or two. And-”

 

“We are right here, Cloud, no more need to worry,” finished Aeris for him, Barret by her side. The petite reddish-brown haired female clad in pink flashed a warm smile on the three gathered friends. Nanaki almost yelped when he felt Tifa's arms momentarily wrap tighter around his neck, her fingers twining through his fur.

 

“Where's the vampire?” asked Barrett, looking around at the small group.

 

Aeris playfully punched his arm before frowning slightly. “Don't call him that. It hurts his feelings.”

Barret snorted. “Yeah, right. That bastard ain't hardly said a word since we dug his ass outta that damn coffin! Fuckin ShinRa, know they had something to do with it. They always do,” the dark skinned man all but spit out.

 

Cloud sighed. “I tried to tell him what to do and he took off somewhere. He's probably still around though,” he stated, mako eyes glancing around. “I am sure he will come to the inn when he is good and ready.”

 

- - - - - -