Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ The aftermath ❯ The Aftermath: Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

FFVII Fan Fic

Cloud watched as Meteor plummeted to the earth, being held back by a
small string of holy. Horrified he watched Holy falter, gaining back
control at the last possible second.

`This isn't going to keep up for much longer' he thought to himself.
Just then he felt something slip around his waist, and noticed Tifa
resting her head against his chest. He let out a deep breath that he
was holding in, It seemed that small action was enough to soothe his
nerves. He looked back to the meteor, it was ever so slightly inching
forward. Forward. All at once, wisps of the lifestream began breaking
out of the surface of the planet and gathering underneath holy.
RedXIII stepped forward and stood marveling at the splendor, and
natural beauty of the lifestream. Again, Cloud looked down to the
petite figure resting on his chest, her hand gently stroking along the
lines of his armor. The soft glow of the lifestream cast a glow on her
skin, which seemed to be coming and pulsating all around her.

Looking back up to the meteor he saw it had receded several feet, or
maybe miles. The distance was hard to tell, it was so large an object.
After watching for nearly 3 hours, Cid was growing restless. Finally
breaking the silence he said,

"Alright you two lovers, I don't know about you but I'm getting bored
as hell sitting here watching this crap. Nature makes me sick, There's
no burning of fuel, no groan of mechanical parts. I'd be happy to turn
the Highwind over on its side and dump you two out if you want. But
I'm getting out of here."
Standing still for a moment, and clutching Tifa's hand, Cloud turned
around and stared at Cid, Vincent, Yuffie, RedXIII, and Cait Sith. He
studied the room about him, and the people within it, the people he
barley new, but somehow, was connected with for life. Cloud looked
down to Tiffa for some reassurance, she obliged with a nod of her
head, and a smile. Cloud nodded back and said,
"Alright, Lets go then Cid."

"Alright! Lets get the hell outta here!" exclaimed Cid as he jumped to
the controls, Nearly knocking the other pilot out of the chair. Cid
hit the gas and yanked hard to the left on the wheel, they where off.

Cid drove them each to where they wanted to go, Cait Sith first, to
the Golden Saucer. Cid was careful to steer clear of the giant red
tentacles sticking out of the desert sand. After Cait Sith said his
farewells, They took off again, but only after being made to promise
to come visit him. Their next destination was Cosmo Canyon. Softly,
Tifa spoke up,

"I'm tired Cloud, Cant we rest here for the night? Its late
besides..."

Cloud just looked down and nodded. He looked around and addressed the
remaining team,

"Alright, its decided, we'll spend the night here with Red, Then be
off first thing tommorow."

"What!? I'm not spending another minute with you slackers!" said
Yuffie defiantly. She shook her fist at them all in turn, but no one
seemed to notice, it had become such a regular thing. "None of you
could have made it without me, you all should be thankful that I even
decided to come along! I'm going to go out and collect EVERY materia
there is." She finished.

Vincent looked up at her from his corner but said nothing. Uncrossing
his arms he walked to Cloud.

"Lets go..."

Yuffie walked with them as far as the entrance to the canyon, but then
stopped and told them she was going to hike it back up to Wutai. The
remaining team filed into the small town. They all got rooms at the
inn, all but Red, who insisted on sleeping in Bugenhagen*'s house.
Tifa and Cloud were sharing a room, and Vincent and Cid bunked up as
well.

Cloud collapsed on the bed as soon as he walked into the room. Tifa
sat beside him and rubbed his back for a few minutes, but soon got up.

"I'm going to go take a shower Cloud."

"Mmhmph." Was his only sign that he was still alive.

Tifa sighed as she slipped out of her combat clothes and closed the
bathroom door lightly behind her.

Cloud woke up the next morning to the noises of Cid arguing with the
hotel management.

"What the'ell do you mean that it was a 900Gil night stay?! I could
have bought a house with that!"

"Well sir, The young lady ordered several things of the room service,
let me see....Bath, Breakfast, a new hairdryer..." The list droned on
like this for several minutes, with various interjections from Cid
such as, "What!? That little..." Or, "Cloud's paying...His girl, his
fee's".

Cloud got up and straightened his blue kevlite armor. Walking out of
his room to the counter, he pulled out his wallet and handed the due
cash to the young clerk, who Cid was now proceeding to pull over the
countertop. Cloud grabbed Cid by the back of his jacket colar and
pulled him away from the traumatized worker. Turning his head he
thanked the clerk and led Cid, grumbling and muttering back to the
Highwind. Tifa came out shortly after, her hair once again pulled back
into a long ponytail.

They found Vincent already in the cockpit. Apparently Cid talks in his
sleep, or complains rather. It was to much for even the former Turk.

A small chubby mechanic ran up to Cid and saluted.

"Despite the volcanic eruption, everything seems to be working fine"
he reported.

"Alright, we ready to go?" asked Cid.

"Yeah, lets g..." Cloud started, but before he could finish Cid had
already hit the gas. The Highwind lurched into the air and shot
towards Niblehiem.

Cid landed the ship in the grass just outside the town. Cloud was on
the bow, Near the ladder, waiting for his companions. Vincent walked
on deck and leaned against the railing with him, staring at the grass
rolling in the wind.

"Tiffa's getting her things together."

"Are you going to stay with us, or will you go back to the mansion?"
Cloud asked.

"...I think...Niether."

Cloud looked at him with surprise. He studied the turk's face, his
eyes leading to the metallic arm. Vincent opened and closed the claw,
as if to stretch the joint.

"I...I've decided to stay with Cid."

Cloud's gaze dropped to his feet. Just then Tifa walked out with Cid
following. Cid was carrying a trunk, piled high with sheets and
blankets.

"This is a hell'of-a-lotta cloths...$#@%ing heavy to..." Cid mumbled
to no one in particular.

"Y'know, I'm gunna miss you all..." he added softly, trying not to be
heard. Cloud turned from the edge and took the luggage from the
disgruntled pilot.

"Yeah, I guess this is it. I'll see you later?" Cloud turned to
Vincent.

Vincent shrugged and then nodded.. Cid lit a cigarette and took a deep
breath.

"Time to get off kids."

"I'm staying" Vincent said.

"Whatever." Cid replied with a wave of his hand. "I could use some
REAL company. Those mechanics can't tell the difference between a
wrench and a bolt cutter."

Tifa walked to each of them, Vincent and Cid in turn, and gave them a
long hug, then stepped back with Cloud. Cloud opened the gate to the
ladder, allowing her to start down. He turned back to his friends and
gave a nod and started down after her.

"Well, Lets go pick up some women, get drunk and wallow in our
sorrows" Cid suggested with a grin.

Vincent only walked to the cockpit and sat down, giving a nod to
inform Cid that he was ready.

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Yea yea, I cant spell for beans. I know. I haven't had a chance to
send it in to my `editors' yet so I'll post the Corrected form
A.S.A.P. Until then, Deal with the typo's. Also, Its my first fic, So
lets not be too harsh eh? Thanks.