Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Complete Opposite ❯ Chapter IV ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Cloud groaned slightly, regaining consciousness. The last thing he remembered was flowing silver and a haunting green that pierced him. He turned over to his side, aware that he was on his back. His body felt like it was in knots and forced himself to relax, his hand falling over the side of the bed.

...Bed?

Opening his eyes, Cloud took in his surroundings. Apparently, he was lying in a bed, still fully clothed, but the room was close to bare. Where was he? The entire room was white, a nightstand by his bed and a mirror on the opposite wall above a small dresser. By his bed was a window the length and width the length of one of his arms. From what he saw, the sky was moving. Or rather... the room was.

Sitting up, a hand to his head as if to keep his head from pounding, he looked out the window. The clouds were oddly close and moving far faster than normal. As he got up from the bed, wobbly at first, but still able to hold himself up, he approached the window. He leaned against it and looked outside, seeing the world pass by underneath him. Did that mean he was in the sky? But... in what? Who’s ship was this?

At the sound of an opening and closing door, followed by the click of a lock, Cloud spun around, facing the intruder. His eyes widened slightly as he saw who it was. He mouthed the name, anger immediately forming within him. Hatred and bitter sadness mixed with his feelings and his hands clenched at his side. The light feeling from his back told him that his sword was gone, and he hoped this was all still his dream.

“So, you’re awake.”

Cloud nodded minutely, eyeing the man warily. “Where am I?”

“Highwind,” was the older man’s answer.

Highwind? Well, that would explain why it felt like he was up in the air and the world seemed to be passing him by. But this was Cid’s Highwind? Highwind, the last time he remembered, was not this nice looking. In fact, the rooms were much smaller and less clean. This, however, looked top of the line and spotless; he wouldn’t be surprised if there were many more rooms to sleep in.

Cloud kept his eyes trained on the silver-haired man as he sat down on the chair by the door, his green eyes never leaving Cloud. Cloud studied the green-eyed man. He didn’t look different from when he last saw him in his human form. The only difference, probably, was that the man probably grew an inch or something barely noticeable in height. As for strength, Cloud did not want to take his chances and find out. He still wore black pants tucked into black knee-high boots, black jacket of his bare chest, reaching to his ankles, suspenders crossing over his chest. His legendary sword Masamune rested against the wall after being transferred from one of his gloved hands. Cloud couldn’t say that he felt more comfortable knowing that the man put his sword down because even without it, Sephiroth was known to easily manipulate him and practically killing him inwardly without much as lifting his finger.

The blonde frowned slightly, regaining his composure. He had to steel himself if he wanted to stay alive with this man. He crossed his arms over his chest, hiding his clenched fists, leaning back against the window rail. He sucked in a breath and slowly let it out, letting silence ride over their supposed conversation and staring at the man.

A knock on the door interrupted their contest after what was probably several long minutes.

“Sephiroth?”

Cloud averted his eyes toward the door, feeling Sephiroth’s eyes still on him.

“Come in.”

The door opened to reveal the vampiric AVANLCHE member. As usual, he was clad in red and black, clawed hand hanging at his side. The man glanced at Cloud before addressing the man in the chair.

“Anything?”

Sephiroth kept his gaze on Cloud. “No.”

Vincent nodded, clanging at Cloud again. “What do you plan?”

“Perhaps taking him to Bugenhagen would be a good idea,” another voice interrupted.

Cloud turned his attention to the open door as a red lion entered. He could’ve been glad for the lion’s appearance, but wasn’t for obvious reasons. Though, he did admit that it disturbed him in how his comrades were siding with the enemy. Why, he didn’t know, but with every moment he found it harder to believe that he was still dreaming.

Sephiroth nodded. “Tell Cid to change our course. Junon can wait.”

Red dipped his head and headed back out the door, glancing at Cloud at the last moment before he left.

Once the lion disappeared, the two men faced the blonde, both pairs of eyes unreadable. Cloud shifted his gaze from one person to another, unsure of who to be more wary with.

Vincent was the first to speak, but in a near whisper and to the silver-haired man. “He seems different than before.”

Sephiroth looked up at his biological father, arching a brow. “You agree with Red?” When the man nodded, he said, “Perhaps.”

Vincent watched the man in slight surprise. “Do you still believe he is JENOVA?”

Sephiroth only frowned, returning his gaze to the blonde who currently looked out the window, avoiding his gaze as he tried to block out their conversation. He had to admit, it was strange that the man before him acted none like he did before. In fact, this Cloud seemed very sane. There was a glow in his eyes that proved further that this man was sane. Eyes narrowing slightly, Sephiroth stood up, about to pick up his sword when the aircraft shook, causing him to stumble.

Cloud was jerked, falling back on the bed as he lost his balance. Alert, he looked around, turning his attention out the window to see something fly past in a blur.

“What was–?”

Vincent regained his balance and turned his attention to the blonde man who stared out the window in surprise. He opened his mouth to comment about it when the door behind him flew open, Yuffie barging in with her weapon gripped tightly in her hand.

“Is it him?” she demanded, eyes fixed on the blonde.

Vincent shook his head as he glanced over his shoulder at the teenager. “No.”

“Attention, all fighters to the bridge! This is an emergency!”

Sephiroth picked up his sword and kept his gaze trained on the man. Before he could react, the lion entered the room calmly, deciding for him.

“Sephiroth, I think it would be far more important to confront our small problem first before dealing with this.”

Sephiroth looked down at the lion and after a moment’s hesitation, he nodded. “Red, stay.” With that order, he left the room, locking it after him, leaving the beast with the blonde as the other two followed him.

Red sat on his rump, tail curled around his legs as he eyed the man who slowly sat up, his eyes trained on the window as something else flew by. The lion tilted his head to the side at this and broke the silence after a moment’s pause.

“You are Cloud Strife.” It was more of a statement than a question. Though... it was would’ve been good to ask as well since this man felt... different.

The blonde jerked, facing the lion. He regained tensed and regained his composure, leaning against the wall against his bed. “Yes.”

Red got up and approached the man slowly, cautiously, stopping a few feet away from the bed. “No, you are not Cloud Strife. ...You are different. You are indeed Cloud Strife, physically at least, but not mentally and subconsciously.”

Cloud frowned at the statement, eyes following the lion as he got up and sat down at a different spot in front of him, as if seeing he would find something different or new with each new position and perspective he say him.

“Where am I?”

Red stopped, his tail wrapping around him. “Where are you?” he repeated, surprised at such a question, said simply and with honesty. “Highwind.”

Cloud shook his head. “I know that. He already told me that. But where am I?”

Red picked himself up and sat directly in front of the man, looking up at him through his one good eye. “Gaea. Wouldn’t you know?”

Something passed in the blonde’s eyes. “Gaea...?”

‘You could say that she’s my sister. After her own time in peril, it seems that her own savior is needed again. But he is in pain, Cloud Strife. As are you. But his pain is far different from yours. I need you to help her and him both.’

“Red. Come to the bridge. And bring that shithead with you.”

Red lifted his head at the order and glanced at the blonde, curious as he witness the man’s eyes widen slightly for a moment. Red shook his mane and got up. “For some reason, I am not wary of you for your strength, but for your mentality. Come, we are needed at the bridge.” He approached the door and sat back, waiting for the man to stand.

Cloud blinked. But then, he shouldn’t have been surprised. Nanaki of Cosmo Canyon was perceptive and knew far more than he let on, wise beyond his years. Standing up, he followed the lion and opened the door for him, walking out as the beast waited for him to go first. He didn’t know where to go, but with short directions from Red from behind, he made his way to the bridge, meeting the seven gazes of AVALANCHE and several more from the co-pilots and technicians of Highwind. Cloud froze as he saw two familiar faces that were supposed to be dead. When Red hit him in the back of the legs with his head, he stumbled forward and stopped in the center of the room, eyes glued to the pair to the left.

Aeris... Zack...

“Thank you, Red.”

Red sat back by the wall near the hallway, eyes on the back of the blonde. “Not at all.”

Sephiroth turned his gaze to the blonde, eyes flaring. He noticed the fear and shock in the blonde’s eyes but ignored it as he addressed the man. “Cloud Strife.”

Cloud jerked to face the silver-haired man, more afraid that he had been in nearly eight years. First off, he was in a dream that was far too real to be real; second, the man he killed is alive; third, his comrades side with him and looked at him like he was a dirtbag; fourth, his friend from the Academy and his first date were alive; and fifth, everything he’d come to known seemed to have turned upside down.

“Where is she?”

She? Who was he talking about?

“JENOVA. Where is she?” Sephiroth repeated when Cloud didn’t answer.

Cloud blinked and frowned deeply. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Rat bastard! It’s no use talkin’ to the bastard! I say we just kill him right here and now!” Barret snarled, cocking his gun and aiming at the blonde’s head.

Cloud instinctively reached behind his back but pause halfway when he remembered that he had no weapon secured there. He dropped his hand and faced the man squarely. Thankfully, Red intervened, getting up and circling the man.

“Barret, I think we should listen to this man first.”

“Are you fing going on about that again?! I say he’s better off dead.”

Aeris suddenly spoke up, her calm and gentle voice putting a stop to their quarrel. “Wait. ... She... I don’t think we should end his life so rashly.”

Barret grinned, understanding but unable to keep the suggestion that spilled from his mouth. “Slowly then? All the better. It’ll show the bastard of how we suffered under his damn wrath.”

Cloud only stared at the man as the pink-clad girl gently placed a hand on his arm, lightly pushing down the gun. “No, Barret. She... She doesn’t want it done.”

“Gaea, Aeris?” Sephiroth questioned, eyes never leaving the blonde, suspicious of his reactions as well as curious.

Cloud snapped to face Sephiroth at the Planet’s given name.

‘G-Gaea?’

‘Yes.’

The two leaders of AVALANCHE locked gazes, green catching the change in the blue-eyed man’s at the name.

Aeris interrupted lightly, replying, “She has something planned for him.”

Barret growled. “What the f could she be planning for him other than well deserved death?”

Aeris glanced up at the man and turned to Zack who put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it slightly. With a sigh, she said, “She won’t say.”

“When what do you we do until we find out what she wants?” came Yuffie’s inquiry. She eyed the blonde cautiously and turned to each other her comrades for answer.

Cid was the one to answer. “Sephiroth, we’re here.”

“Good. Land us, Cid. Bugenhagen will want to interrogate this man himself.”

AN: Finally, Sephiroth makes his true appearance in the story and Cloud’s a bit distraught. I hope you don’t mind what I’ve done to our favorite Ex-SOLDIER and continue to stay with this story. I’m thinking of creating another FFVII story in the future (maybe in the summer when I have time), but that’s still a ‘maybe’ thing. And if I really do create another story, it won’t be for a while. Until then, please continue to review and keep this story going while I finish my other fics and am able to start fresh with things.

After Note: With mini flashbacks that Cloud gets, the ‘’s in italics are it. I’m thinking of putting his mini flashbacks in brackets, []s, but only if people can’t figure out when he’s actually speaking to Gaea and when he’s having a flashback. All my flashbacks will probably be in ‘’s and written in italics. I’ll note if there’s ever a change in that. (Most likely not.)

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