S-CRY-ed Fan Fiction / Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Scryed: Children of the Advent ❯ Seeking Answers, Finding Roadblocks ( Chapter 1 )

Scryed: Children of the Advent

Part 1 - Seeking Answers, Finding Roadblocks

 

By Robster80

 

 

Opening notes: Part of this story's idea was inspired from watching Advent Children. Before that, I never dared to try to mix in anything related to FFVII with my stories; I wasn't really a fan of the game. However, playing through Kingdom Hearts 2 led me to get Advent Children and thus gave birth to this idea. Hope you enjoy it.

 

Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the characters from Scryed, Digimon, Gundam Seed, InuYasha, or Final Fantasy 7! I write fanfics for fun, not profit.

 

Dedication: To Ninja Kasuga, whose superior knowledge of FFVII helped make this series possible.

 

 

 

“Uh, I know it's a little late to ask this, but just where am I taking us?”

 

Kazuma struggled to get beside Cougar, who was driving the now altered HOLY transport they and the rest of their friends had stolen. A few minutes ago, they had rescued their friends TK and Cherise from HOLY's base, battling Kazuma's rival Ryuhou as well as the new commander of HOLY, Kyoji Mujo, before they were able to escape. TK, or perhaps the persona that was his alter-power, wanted to stay and fight Mujo, but Koga had knocked him out before carrying him away. TK was still unconscious, lying on a bed/bench within the transport while held down securely by Cherise and his mother.

 

“We need to go to my place first,” Kazuma said, “and pick up Mimori and Kanami. From there-.”

 

“Head for the Alter Forest!”

 

“Say what?!” Both Cougar and Kazuma said, looking back at Koga, who now joined them up front.

 

“Keep your eyes on where you're driving, Cougar! I said we're going to the Forest; HOLY won't expect us to go there just yet.”

 

“But what about-?”

 

“Hey, don't forget I can outrun anything, even this guy's driving.” This earned Koga a side-glare from Cougar. “I'll head to our place and get the girls, and meet you guys at the Forest's edge.”

 

“Twenty'll get you forty I get us there before you,” Cougar said in a challenging tone.

 

Koga just grinned. “Sorry, I'm broke,” was all he said before he once more rushed out the top hatch and raced off on his own.

 

“Don't even THINK about it, Cougar,” Cherise stated aloud as she continued to hold the unconscious TK down on the bench. “If you risk anything that'll hurt TK, or the rest of us, I'll do to you what I did to Ryuhou back at the base!”

 

Cougar vividly recalled Cherise kicking Ryuhou in the family jewels with an alter-boosted kick. “I don't know what that guy sees in you, Sherri-. OW!”

 

“Her name is CHERISE,” Kazuma said, after punching Cougar in the back of his head. “Jesus, can't you get anybody's name right?”

 

Cammy gave a worried glance at Tachibana as they held each other tightly. “Interesting friends you've made since I saw you last, Asuka.”

 

“Could someone explain to me what exactly is going on here, and what the hell happened to my son?!” cried an exasperated Nancy Takaishi. “I was relaxing at my home before I suddenly got picked up in a whirlwind and found myself here, wherever here is.”

 

“The long and short of it, ma'am,” Dearka spoke up, trying to explain, “is that your son is an alter-user and just made HOLY's most wanted list along with the rest of us. We just rescued him and Cherise from HOLY's base, and Koga knocked him out because TK wanted to fight the new commander for some odd reason.”

 

Keeping her eyes on TK's form, Cherise somehow knew that TK's wanting to fight Kyoji Mujo was anything but without reason. If anything, it had to do with his power and especially that other persona associated with TK's alter. Suddenly, she recalled the “ghost” she had become familiar with; the one who helped her reach out to TK in their dreams to warn him of a trap Ryuhou had set for Kazuma and the others. Cherise concentrated as hard as she could. Aerith?

 

Forgive me, Cherise, but you will learn everything once you reach the heart of the forest. Until then, I cannot help you.

 

No you don't! I want answers and I want them now! Who was that guy, really? …Does Cloud know him?

 

…He's the one who killed me. He killed us all.

 

 

**************

 

 

In a dark chamber somewhere underground a gathering of beings wrapped in Alter-power stand before a pit that boils with a green liquid substance and fire. Wisps of Alter energy flows throughout the cavern, giving the only source of illumination.

 

One of the beings looked like a robotic suit of armor, all white with spike-like structs giving it an angelic-like look. It crosses its arms as it spoke in a hushed, yet majestic tone:"Events have begun to occur faster than we expected. Sephiroth is here,now."

"Damn,” cursed another being. This one resembled a black jackal with robotic armor with four separating wing binders; it stood afloat in the chamber. “He shouldn't have awakened within Kyoji Mujo yet."

Another form floated aside the jackal-like creature, colored in dark blue and orange. While somewhat similar, the armor-like design of this one was more humble: lacking the large binders, tail and jackal face. It faced its brethren. "Cloud wasn't to awaken yet,either. Nanaki/RedXIII, and Reeves/Cait Sith we expected, but those first two shouldn't have awakened for another year."

A dragon-looking figure, mostly obscured by the dark cavern, nodded in agreement. "The Cetra Girl's return was foreseenbut also rather abrupt. Also,the rate of revival Sephiroth has gained over Cloud is not good."

"That's because Sephiroth,despite his insanity,isn't clouded by the guilt that drags down both Cloud Strife and his host." The robotic being, called Xenogears, leaned closer to the glowing pool in the center of the chamber. “They're heading for the Alter-Forest as we speak; no doubt to find ways to strengthentheir powers since their enemies have them by the throat at this time. I believe that to be Nanaki/Red XIII's idea.”

 

"The forest is dangerous,” replied Anubis, the Jackal-like one. “They don't understand what they are getting into, but at the same time what do they have to lose?"

 

Jehuty, who stood next to Anubis, also had his eyes fixated onto the central pool. "While most of them have the strong wills to tap into greater power, like this Kazuma guy, Cloud and Takeru have a large amount of emotional/mental grief that could prevent a steady power-growth. Also,I worry about the Jenova Cells within him."

 

"That is true,” the dragon, Bahamut, added before giving a loud snort of disgustthe cells of the accursed calamity Jenova are hard to cleanse, and in his state they could take advantage ofboththeir emotional problems."

 

A feminine figure jumped next to the dragon and elbowed it in its large belly. Her hair, skin, eyes, and clothes were all a different shade of blue. "She'll help keep him on the right path.I have faith in her."

 

Bahamut gave the female a look of annoyance for ribbing it, but mixed with some sadness. "As much as we allhave faith in Aerith,Shiva,if Takeru and Cloud cannot overcome their problems then not even she can get them to help themselves."

 

"I was referring to Aerith's other, the one called Cherise Adjani."

 

Anubis's green eyes turned to Shiva. Unlike Bahamut, he shared Shiva's belief. "She does have a strong will...she might be the counter-balance Takeru needs."

 

"Let us hope so," said a voice. All looked to see a humanoid of black, gray, white and gold colors with red eyes enter, his hair and the sides of both arms alive in black flame. "Also, we should not allow the boy to rush in increasing his strength. The Jenova Cells could take advantage of that."

 

"Yes, we should keep our eyes wide and aware of their growth, while we cannot totally intervene we should not be totally idle either."

 

Bahamut crosses its arms. "Aye, Xenogears; I'll inform the others to keep in touch with the Ether of the grounds incase we maybe needed…"

 

 

**************

 

 

There was nothing but darkness all around him. TK did not like this change from the usual dreams of the cliff overlooking the ruins of an advanced city. At the least he could see his body. Suddenly, a cold laugh sounded from the pitch-blackness. TK's body temperature dropped from it. “H-hello?”

 

“This is your new form, Cloud? And I thought you were pathetic.”

 

“Where are you?” TK called out, trying to keep up his courage. “Show yourself!”

 

“…This is not your battle, boy. True, you wield his sword well, but that means nothing to me.”

 

“What-?”

 

“Just stop prolonging the inevitable; Die as you should have eons ago.”

 

Fists clenched, TK glared back at the darkness while trying to find the direction of this voice talking to him. “You're that voice that came from Mujo's lips when he told me to look him in the eye. It tells me who you are… but the name escapes me. As if I'm afraid to speak it.”

 

“As you should be…”

 

The sound of a drawn sword made TK turn to see a very long katana glowing a few feet away from him. The glow revealed the sword's wielder: a man with long silver hair, like Mujo's, and one right black wing. What frightened Tk the most about this man was his eyes: cold, venomous like a snake.

 

“I am… your angel of death” was all the man said before he swung his katana at TK.

 

“SEPHIROTH!” TK shouted as he sat upright, fully awake. Then, he noticed he was no longer in the interrogation room at HOLY Headquarters, and looked to see Cherise, his mother, Miriallia, Tachibana, Dearka, Kazuma, and another girl he didn't recognize looking right at him. Feeling something in his right hand, he glanced down and saw he had accidentally summoned his sword/alter. His memory returned just then, recalling Koga knocking him out with the words “You're not ready yet.”

 

“Must've been some nightmare for you, huh, TK?” Kazuma pondered aloud, pointing at TK's sword.

 

Willing his alter to dematerialize, TK sighed heavily and he slumped forward a bit. “You could say that, Kazuma. …Somebody mind filling me in on what's going on?”

 

Nancy quickly pushed her way to kneel beside her son, grabbing him by his arm. “Not so fast, mister! First you tell me how the hell you became an alter-user, and more importantly why HOLY's after you. I want answers.”

 

Cherise knelt beside Nancy. “It's my fault HOLY's after TK, Ms. Takaishi. My team found out that I was seeing TK, and my ex-crush Ryuhou now sees him as an obstacle between him and me.”

 

“Hey,” Dearka spoke up, “don't forget that TK's fought with HOLY two times before-.”

 

But that was exactly what Cherise wanted to avoid. Nancy's face was livid. “You did what?!?! Takeru Takaishi, how could you pick a fight with HOLY like that?”

 

“They drew first blood,” Cherise said, her voice dripping with regret as she recalled both incidents where TK had joined Kazuma and the others against her former teammates. “The first time was when a madman officer, George Tatsunami, gunned down someone in cold blood and threatened to do the same to everyone else if they didn't follow his orders. TK was the original target, but someone threw herself in the way and died for him. That's when he first used his alter, and it shocked us all. He took Tatsunami's alter down in one hit, and then he defeated Tachibana immediately afterwards.

 

“The next time was when my team set a trap for Kazuma and the others. Ryuhou had taken hostages and put them in a decoy transport that he expected would be attacked by the Native Alters. Luckily for the hostages, Kazuma and the others knew about the trap and countered it, setting the hostages free. TK joined Kazuma when he went up against Ryuhou, Kari and Davis, but then Ryuhou unleashed his alter's true form, which turned the tide until Koga showed up-.”

 

“Somebody paged me?”

 

All eyes were on Koga, as well as on Kanami and Mimori, whom Koga ahd brought with him. Koga glanced at Cougar in the driver's seat. “I decided it was better if I hooked back up with you all after I got Mimori and Kanami. Though I had a hard time catching up with your driving.”

 

A light chuckle escaped Cougar's throat. “I knew you weren't on the same level as-.” But his gloat was cut short as several alarms and red lights went off throughout the transport. “Oh damn, looks like I hit the limit on this baby. Hang on!” Cougar's foot slammed on the brakes, causing everyone to almost shoot forward form where they each were. Once the vehicle had come to a complete stop, Cougar shot out of his seat and headed for the exit. “She's gonna blow!”

 

“Oh hell,” Koga cursed before he broke his personal record in running as many people out of a transport that could explode at any moment in numerous trips. Everyone was safely away just as the transport finally buckled from the strain of Cougar's alter-power, and exploded. “Let's just hope that when Ryuhou finds it, he'll think we all got vaporized in the blast.”

 

TK was about to comment that Ryuhou wouldn't be that foolish to make that kind of assumption. However, Kazuma prevented him from doing so by asking a sudden question he'd been meaning to ask: “TK, who's Sephiroth?”

 

The name sent a deep chill throughout Koga. Before anyone could blink, he had rushed over and gotten into Kazuma's face, startling him. “Wheredidyouhearthatname?!”

 

“T-TK shouted it when he woke up from a nightmare. It was back on the transport. But how do you know about-?”

 

“Sephiroth is my killer.”

 

Though his eyes were closed, TK could feel everyone looking at him. “In my nightmare, just before I woke up, he told me he was an angel of death… MY angel of death. And back when I got a good look into Mujo's eyes, I saw Sephiroth and my other… fighting… and in the end they killed each other. But how I know all of this, and how you do, too, Koga, is the million dollar question.”

 

“Kid, once we get to the heart of the Alter Forest, I promise you'll all get the full story. In the meantime, we'd better start walking. We're not that far from the Alter Forest.”

 

Cammy, not surprisingly, was reluctant to continue with the group. “I think I'd like to go home now, if that's okay. Asuka, will you please take me back to the city?”

 

Tachibana was about to tell his girlfriend that it wasn't a good idea, but he never got the words out as Koga casually spoke up. “Fine, you tow can go back if you want. But just so you know, Cammy, Tachibana is now considered a traitor to HOLY. When they catch him, they'll either kill him on sight, or torture you and him into getting what they want and then you both will be killed. That is why you and Ms. Takaishi were brought with us, to prevent such an inhuman act.”

 

“Time out here,” Nancy Takaishi said, trying to make sense out of what was going on. “There's no way that HOLY's commander, Martin Zigmar, would allow such behavior-.”

 

“Zigmar's dead.”

Everyone was shocked at Koga's revelation. “Just before we took off from the base,” he continued, “I heard a loud crash from high above us. When I looked up… the commander was falling through the sky. His body... was halved.”

 

Mujo, TK thought bitterly. Not saying a word, he started to walk in the direction of the Alter Forest. “We'd better go, before HOLY catches up with us.” Whatever's there in that forest, it may help me learn more about my alter… and about Sephiroth.

 

Suddenly, he felt someone's hand clasping his, yet it didn't stop him or try to pull him back. TK turned, and saw Cherise walking beside him. Her face was light pink, and she tried to avoid eye contact with him. Still, he said nothing and returned his gaze forward; though he, too, blushed from the feeling of her hand in his.

 

I want to tell him how I feel, Cherise thought as they walked, but now isn't the time or place. Maybe when we get to the Later Forest, or maybe when he and I can find a moment alone.

 

Seeing the two heading off on their own, Koga silently urged the rest to follow. He then scooped up Kanami and placed her on his shoulders. This earned him an annoyed and concerned look from Kazuma, who followed closely along with Mimori. Cougar dragged along last, muttering how he hated to simply walk “like a stupid turtle.”

 

As they walked, most of the group couldn't help but smile at the backs of TK & Cherise as they continued to hold hands. Nancy smiled the broadest; it was the first visible sign she had seen that TK had at last gotten himself over Kari. Though she had to admit, falling for Kari's cousin was the last thing she ever expected TK to do. Still, she knew Cherise was nothing like Kari.

 

“They sure look cute together, don't they?” Kanami asked quietly while giggling atop Koga's shoulders.

 

It was then that Cammy said aloud, “So when did you and your boyfriend first meet, Miss Adjani?”

 

“He's/I'm NOT my/her boyfriend,” Cherise and TK stated simultaneously as they both turned to face the others. Turning like that, and also because of Cammy's question, caused them to let go of each other.

 

“That's the typical sign of denial,” Cammy simply replied. “I can remember Asuka and I at that point early in our relationship-.”

 

“Oh leave them alone,” Dearka snapped, “this ain't the time.” He wanted to say more, but Dearka sympathized with TK & Cherise. Given what happened earlier in the day, he realized they never had the chance to admit their feelings for each other. There would be another opportunity, he hoped.

 

“Dearka's right, for once,” Kazuma added. “Those two are just friends, and we'll leave it at that.”

 

Kimishima kicked at the dirt as he walked. While he was happy for TK, he was jealous at him, Kazuma, Dearka and Tachibana that they had girlfriends and he didn't. I gotta get a new line of work, one where I can get women instead of lumps. Hmm, I wonder if TK's mom is into younger men? …I did NOT just think that! No way am I ready for fatherhood, let alone step-fatherhood.

 

TK and Cherise no longer held hands, and kept a bit of distance from each other as they walked along. Both didn't like to do so, but they respectively thought it was best to not be so close so that Cammy or anyone else wouldn't ask about them again. They remained like this as the group walked for about an hour before they spotted treetops in the distance. They were nearing the Alter Forest.

 

Koga smiled at the sight. “Good, we're almost there.” He glanced at TK long enough to say, “You'll get the full story soon enough, kid.”

 

“I'm afraid this is as far as you all go, EX-HOLY Officer, Koga.”

 

All eyes fell frontward as a lone, skimpy figure stepped out ahead of them. He was wearing a HOLYU uniform, and had a red scarf around his neck. His mouth was open in a wide smile and his arms were crossed in front of his chest. “It's been a long time since I last saw you, Koga,” he continued to speak in a falsetto voice. “Last time I saw you, it was just after I signed on with HOLY. It seems the rumors that you had defected were true after all.”

 

Cougar rolled his eyes and groaned at the man. “Emergi Maxfell. Terrific. NOT!”

 

“Just ignore him, gang,” Koga said as he continued to move forward, Kanami still on his shoulders. “He's not worth our time.”

 

One look at Maxfell's wimpy figure, and Kazuma knew that Koga was right. He didn't even feel like hitting the HOLY officer on account the guy seemed pathetic. “I'm with Koga. Let's move on.”

 

Maxfell remained where he stood as the group approached him. Despite that they seemed to ignore him, he shook a finger at them. “Tsk, tsk, tsk! You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, you know. None of you have seen what my alter can do. …That is… until today!” Suddenly, Maxfell leapt backwards onto his feet and rolled up his left sleeve to reveal a watch-like communicator. His body began to glow in the familiar light of alter power. “PINCH CRUSHER!”

 

The ground started to shake as up from behind Maxfell appeared a giant robot that seemed like it was taken straight from a mecha anime. It was mainly red and gold with a white mouth plate and green crystallized eyes. On both its forearms were two large drills that extended over the hands. A golden emblem was on its chest, shaped like the chest shield of Superman's costume, but with a cross instead of an S. Its appearance forced everyone to stop where they were and look upon it in shock.

 

“Isn't it beautiful?” Maxfell asked. “My Pinch Crusher is what make me surprisingly a force to be reckoned with, even though it's not quite on par with Zetuei unrestrained. Which reminds me…” He then pointed at Cherise. “I have orders to take you back alive, Cherise Adjani, and to kill the others; though no one mentioned anything about the little girl and the other women. Oh well. Orders are orders.”

 

That was enough for Kazuma to summon his Shell Bullet immediately. “You won't lay one finger upon the girls, you bastard! Koga, Cougar, get them outta here, and Cherise, too! We got your backs.”

 

“No one's going anywhere, Treasoner!”

 

From the sky, with a loud roar, flew down Victory Dragon. It hovered but a moment to allow Ryuhou, Zetsuei, Kari, and Davis to jump off its back before it circled around to help encase the group, cutting off any escape attempts.

 

Carefully, koga put Kanami back onto the ground while mentally analyzing the situation. As far as numbers were concerned, he and the others outnumbered the HOLY members. However, as far as strength and brute force went, they were outdone. “Anybody who can't fight, huddle up in the center! Cherise, Tachibana, and TK are defense!”

 

“What's your honest opinion here?” Dearka whispered to Koga while summoning his Gunblades. “How deep in shit are we?”

 

“…Over our heads.”

 

Dearka then sighed heavily. “I knew you were going to say that.”

 

 

 

To be continued…

 

 

Ending notes: Well, it's been quite a while since I did anything related to this series. You can blame laziness, loss of interest, writer's block, TV, video games, yada yada yada. You could also blame the lack of reviews this series has gotten. Hell, The Enigma Called Love only has 2 reviews while this series has none. Maybe I should just stop here…

 

I'll let you folks decide. Please read & review.