Chapter 1…

Once again, it is a beginning of another nightmare. Another one so long, so frightening that trembles those who knew about it…

Two hours ago, the Highwind landed on the rocky mountains outside of Cosmo Canyon. In just a short moment, the Avalanche and a large number of high-rank officers around the planet are already gathered around in the large meeting hall in Cosmo Canyon, waiting for what that will be discussed on the dots on the space telescope that observatory discovered in less than a few hours ago.

In the scene, many generals and soldiers from the Planet’s defence force, which consists of ex-Shinra officers, Fort Condor’s veterans, and Wutai’s warlords can be seen talking to each other, arguing on what is actually going on. Meteor, return of Sephiroth, the attack of Weapons…all sorts of rumors can be heard. Each of them are baseless and are all made up. But it seems that all those rumors had one thing in common. This thing that is approaching will not be anything fun…

The Avalanche gathered by themselves at one corner of the meeting room. They are one bunch that really stood out of from the others, and were already renowned as heros of the planet, not for the first time.

Like always, Cid and Barret are there grumbling about all that is going on, using a foul word in each sentence. Yuffie is looking around, spotting for materia, waiting for the right moment…

Vincent was leaning against the wall, observing the crowd with cold eyes. Red XIII is having some discussing with some folks in Cosmo Canyon, and seemed to be really amazed. Cait Sith with his big mog sat next to Tifa, after all she went through. And now all was left was Cloud, Aeris and the mysterious man that was around in the Avalanche for some time already.

Cloud and Aeris kept a distance from each other, not looking at each other, waiting for time to past. The two had been awfully awkward after messing up their relationship, and don’t seem to be able to talk to each other or keep each other’s company for some time. Sigh… can the two ever make up?

“Attention, everybody, attention!”

A loud and clear voice was heard from the front of the hall and everybody in the hall turned towards the direction of that voice. A young and unconfident looking chap was seen standing in front at the hall, trying to get everyone’s attention. Now that he got it, he seemed to had jitters, and don’t know what else to say.

“The people of Cosmo Canyon are pleased to have everyone here today. We have recently discovered shocking news that threatens our planet.” The young man said nervously.

“Uh…I know this sounds crazy, but we are really facing a huge treat…” The young man continued.

“Quit babbling and tell us what is going on!” A person in the crowd shouted. Sweat started to form on the forehead of the young man.

“A cluster of meteors is coming this way!!!” The young man shouted out after being scared by the crowd. The crowd immediately turned very noisy and people are arguing on how serious things are.

“We detected many rock-like objects speeding towards our planet, much like the previous meteor attack on our planet, but this time there are much more than one meteor.”

The crowd now seemed to turn even more tensed and serious. This turned out to be a very bad situation. They all went through it once. They don’t want to go through it again, after all the peace and harmony they’ve enjoyed.

“I am sorry to break this news to all of you like this but this is what we had concluded after studying those objects.” The young man said and tried to get down from the stage but he was bombarded by many questions from the crowd. He tried to calm them down but it seemed that he is doing a fruitless effort. The crowd just keep getting more and more tense.

“So how can we stop it?”

A manly and stern voice was heard from the main entrance and a large and strong man was seen standing on the front entrance, with bodyguards on each of his side. Everyone looked at that man and immediately recognized that person. It was one of the most powerful person on this planet, Lord Godo.

Yuffie looked at her father at the entrance and many things past by her mind at this time. Her father, being the chief warlord of the Wutai warriors, became the highest rank of commanders after the war with the Ancient army. In the period of peace, he had became older and less strong physically. But this didn’t stop him from training his warriors to be always fit for battle. Even though the entire planet is peaceful and harmony, he still believes that warriors had to constantly be strong, not becoming weak with the environment. The way of the Wutai warrior, that’s his philosophy, after so many years…

“Lord Godo!”

All the members of the Planet’s Defence Force stood up straight, and saluted their almighty leader with firm voices. Even though these soldiers had conflicts from the past, all of them now would fight and die in battle for Godo, for he had led them through the war against the Ancients and united all armies on the planet. To them, he is an idol, a strong warrior figure in their hearts.

“We’ve been through this already, hadn’t we? Can we summon holy again to blast those meteors off again?” Godo gave his suggestion on this issue based on the previous meteor attack the planet had gone through. The young man didn’t seemed to know what to say, as he is merely a messenger, not someone involved in the research of such matters.

“I am afraid things won’t be so simple.”

Godo turned towards the voice and saw a man among the Avalanche making that statement. Godo looked at the man and his head started thinking. He had never seen this person in the Avalanche before. Who is this person, mixing with the Avalanche?

“My friend, what makes you say such a statement?” Godo looked at the man, half doubting his statement.

“Altun ni tak so yu rantakla son…”

Red XIII and the Cosmo Canyon folk that was looking at some manuscripts were shocked to hear that coming out from the mouth of the man. Red XIII translated those words into plain English.

“Came a day where the sky shall rain fire…”

“Ista ran mul gon itsu sta lak…maranostik…”

“All living shall burn…apocalypse…”

“Jen Ho Va no mari gul, ran ga shul…”

“Jenova’s frightful creatures, will roam.”

The entire scene went quiet when these words were heard. Shivers went sent up everyone’s spine every time Red XIII translated those verses. It seemed like a prophecy, but now, it seems more than that…

“How do you know those verses?! Those were ancient text!” Red XIII asked with a roar.

“I have my sources of Ancient knowledge. But now, let’s focus on the current situation.” The man said and Godo looked at him with a curious look.

“Explain.”

Godo just spoke one word and the man seemed to catch the request of Godo. He slowly stood up with his rag like cloths around him and spoke.

“The Jenovians are attacking.” The man added a pause after those words. The crowd remained silent.

“Those Jenovians make use of meteors as first strikes, wiping everything out of the planet. Such attacking tactics is well-used by them, to annihilate all living creatures on a planet. Burning all those that walk, scorching all that dwells.”

“Then the Jenovians will descend to the surface of the planet, to clean up whatever that is left. They are consciousness, merciless creatures, designed and created only for destroying. A very fearful army that leaves nothing living, creating a lifeless planet.”

The man stopped his speech and the crowd gradually became noisier, and people started to panic and tremble. The Avalanche looked at the man and they remained silent. They knew too well that all that this man said is true, based on whatever knowledge he had. Something tells them that this man does not joke about such matters…

“We can fight this. We can win. Right?” Godo interrogated the man and the man just looked back gravely. Godo waited for the answer with a thumping heart.

“I can guide you throughout the battle. But I can’t give you a victory. I can offer you advice, but I can’t fight the war for you. For this task, very much depends on the ability and strength of the natives of this planet.”

Godo listened and a slight light of hope was shone before him. They can win, can’t they?

“Why…why attack us…?”

Aeris was heard asking to herself from the corner of the hall. Cloud looked at her with a pity, seeing that she couldn’t take another war anymore. The man didn’t turned around to look at her, but softly answered her question.

“We had grown strong. Too strong to be a threat, of the Jenovians.”

The man answered and the Avalanche looked astonished for a moment. For indeed, they are strong, to had survived so much throughout these years.

End of Chapter 1…