By Sephiroth Zero (sephzero@hotmail.com)
Disclaimer: All FF7 characters are the rightful property of Squaresoft. This story is nonprofit and only exists to keep the writer's sanity in check. The Author copyrights other characters in this story so ask permission first if you are planning on using them.
Author Note: This story takes place two years after the game has ended. Many characters you know will be acting slightly different from how they were in the game. Also during some flashbacks the dialogues will be different from that of the game itself. Also this story is also fill with Spoilers so if you hadn't beaten the game then do. Also there will be a story to explain an incident between this story and the end of FF7 called The Advent of Hojo, which will come later. The prologue is a summary to the end and gives in to this story. Also it's a real mouth full.
Prologue
Battle raged across the continent, the battle between annihilation or total domination. Where a band of stalwart heroes challenged the omnipotent force of a God as they race against time. Their journey led them to the battlefield of another epic con quest where the Cetra and the planet fought against the Terror from the Heavens. But their battle had it price and as they were given the light of hope to push on, one of their fell by the God's hand in payment.
Despite all the webs of illusion he created they pushed on and even their enemy Shinra opened the gates to his realm. As they return to the city of Midgar to stop its destruction, Sephiroth's Father the Mad scientist Hojo confronted them. The bad was short, but vicious. In the end Hojo and the rest of Shinra were seemingly wiped out. The Heroes took a moment to sat their farewell and make their peace before they used their wings, the Highwind to enter his domain.
And as they journey to him, the Monster of Legend stood in the way, the Weapons. Not even that stops them as the reach the altar of power and waiting there was the massive form of Jenova preparing to end their quest. Not even the power of Jenova could stop them and in last desperate act she hurled them to him to die in atonement. Floating before the trapped HOLY, was the figure of the avatar of their enemy ready to prove their result of their futile action. Without hesitation the battle it and with the help of the Dragon King Bahamut Zero they triumph. Then he showed himself in the fearsome image of a one-winged angel he confront them ready to end this annoying game. With the help of the legendary Knights of the Round Table they clash against the power of this God. They emerge from the battle triumphed, even after he had destroyed an entire universe to prove his power they still fought on and he fell. As they started to leave the sight of the battle, their leader was assaulted by the God final strike. In the dark subconscious of his mind he confronted he confronted the God in all his horrifying glory and summon the power of his own he shattered the God's soul into oblivion. Returning to the world of reality he and his friend fled the crater on the Highwind as HOLY rip free of its prison.
Rising from the Crater from the crater it dart across the heaven to its sole destination, Midgar and the METEOR. As the heroes watch from a safe distance they watched as the whirlwinds from the METEOR rip through the once grand city of Midgar. Then the HOLY appeared and brought itself before the onslaught of the METEOR. But something was wrong HOLY was too weak to stop METEOR powers and when all hope seemed to have vanish a glint appeared from the distance. From out of the planet came tentacles made up of the lifestream and they all converge on the two battling behemoths. As the three forces meet a flash of light filled the heavens and in it they could see the image of their fallen comrade and they knew everything was going to be fine. As the light dim no trace of METEOR, HOLY, or bits of the lifestream could be found all having vanish in that flash of light.
A year later terror struck the planet as the recently revived Hojo attempted to absorb the Lifestream into himself. The heroes regroup to fight this new threat, but now was without two of their members. Cloud had disappeared within months of the final battle seeking his love Aeris. Vincent died about a half a year ago during the Second Nibelhiem massacre. Despite the Heroes had lost two of their friends new and old people came to their ranks. Zack the Soldier 1st class appeared and took leadership in his friend absence after leaving the Numbers. After banishing his darker aspect, Sephiroth joined with his mother to battle with his father. The last was the only survivor of the Second Nibelhiem massacre, Lina a friend of Vincent and current bearer of Masamune.
With the new brave group of Heroes, they search the world for clues of Hojo's where about. In their journey the went into battle with a elite group of individuals calling themselves the NeoTurks lead by the presumed dead leader of the original Turks Tseng. They eventually assaulted the evil Fortress of Hojo's. In the core they encounter the monstrosity Demigod Hojo. Despite all his power not even Hojo could stand up to the power of the heroes and he like the Tyrants before him fell. But their battle did not come without a price, despite their victory Hojo still manage to heavily wound the planet. Unaware of this the heroes all parted their different ways.
But is it truly over? Is Hojo really dead or was that really him they fought having come back once can he does it again? Or could this all be part of a plan of his that is yet to unfold? And what of the Numbers were they all destroyed in the final battle or did some escape? What of Jenova the being that nearly destroyed the planet could it had fallen so easily? Is Shinra really dead or did some of them escape to a secret hideout? Plus where are the Turks, the long enemies to the heroes? And where is Cloud Strife, who vanished several months after the final battle? Who was responsible for the Second Nibelhiem massacre? Who are the Neo Turks that did battle with the Heroes? Is Sephiroth dark side truly gone?
Unknown to the Heroes with HOLY's failure the being of evil remained on the planet. With the planet now extremely weaken by the recent events, they gather their forces for battle. Unknown to the Heroes was that their quest had only begun now with his death. Quietly in the lake of the City of the Ancients, the white materia slowly shed its light as darkness consumed it.
And in the emptiness of darkness a lone voice spoke, "And for you the nightmare has only begun…"
Chapter1 "Remembrance of the Turks"
Cloud, Yuffie, and Cait Sith crawled out of the airshaft into the dark underground Shinra Train tracks. It took them a few minutes to pull Cait Sith oversized moogle friend through the exit of the chute. Standing stills a moment to catch their breath the sounds of footsteps were heard from the shadowy tunnels to the south.
"They're here." Elena replied stepping out of the shadows.
"We've been expecting you." Rude continued behind her.
"It's time to finish this." Reno finished as he stood beside the other two.
"The Turks?" Cait Sith said in shock almost falling of his Moogle. "Why are you stopping us, don't you know were trying to save everyone in Midgar?" Cait Sith asked.
"It doesn't matter, we have our orders." Reno replied shaking his head.
"And they are…" Rude trailed off.
"To find and eliminate the Avalanche." Elena continued for Rude.
Pulling out the Crystal Sword he bought in Mideel, Cloud commented, "I that what it takes then lets finish this." Yuffie took out her Conformer from its back harnesses and Cait Sith raised his Battle Trumpet up prepared to let out some battle cries. In turn the Turks also took out their weapons for combat and stood ready. Raising an eyebrow Cloud noticed some peculiar about the Turks with the darkness as background he could see a thin aura of mako radiating around them. Shoving the thought to the back of his head he ordered, "Yuffie use the summon Kjata, we are pressed for time."
"Sounds like a plan. Okay." Yuffie said in response. Holding out a red materia she cried, "Elemental Attack!" The materia pulse with power as the team was teleported a safe distant away as Kjata used fire, ice, lightning, and earth attacks to pummeled the three Turks. As the smoke cleared the three Turks stepped out completely unscathed.
"Shit, are they kind of monsters." Yuffie gasped at the Turks. Cait Sith however looked at them thoughtfully before his moogle started to shake back and forth. A thin piece of paper came out its hand and Cait Sith looked at it.
"Not exactly," Cait Sith said reading the paper, "according to these analysis they have biologically enhanced from previous fights and each carry certain immunities to some elements explain their survival against Kjata."
"You never told us you could do that." Cloud snapped at Cait Sith. However their conversation was cut off as the Turk reached fighting distance.
"You haven't even taste our full power." Reno chuckled as his nightstick started to glow with energy. "Electropod!" he yelled as he swung the stick at Cloud. Cloud rose his Crystal sword to parry, but as the two contacted the force of the attack send Cloud skidding back several feet onto his knee.
"Such power." Cloud gasped as he tried to get up.
"Grand Spark!" Rude bellowed slamming his fist into the ground. A crescent wave of energy erupted from the ground and slammed into Cait Sith send him and his moogle flying into the nearby wall creating a small crater upon impact.
"System Error, hull integrity down 30%." Cait Sith chimed before sliding off the wall to the ground next the out cold Moogle.
"Your next ninja girl." Elena cried run to Yuffie. "Flame Light!" she said as she hurled a metallic ball at Yuffie. Upon contact it exploded a ball of fire sending Yuffie crashing into the rising Cloud.
"Your pretty good." Cloud coughed as he got after Yuffie had landed on him. His body was covered with burn marks and bruises from Reno attacked. Gripping his sword tightly he growled, "But you made one mistake."
"What?" Reno asked as the Turks stop their advance.
Smiling, Cloud said, "You didn't finish us off." Suddenly Yuffie came leaping up from behind Cloud straight at the Turks weapon ready.
"Limit Break Doom of the Living!" She roared as she landed in front of them. A wave of reddish energy surrounded her as she started to madly slash at the Turks with her Conformer. The Turks were completely defenseless against the attacks. After several hit Yuffie leaped back and said, "Now Cloud."
Cloud nodded in response as a cyclone of wind surrounded him and he said, "Limit Break Final Touch." He hurled the cyclone at the Turks with his sword. The Turks were ripped into the air by the force and were sent slamming into the ground when the winds dissipated. Reno sat on his knee to hurt from the recent blows to get up; he just stared at the ground in dismay.
"We lost again," he muttered, "us the Turks even after we gave up our lives to the cause, we lost." Looks of failure and dismay were present on Rude and Elena faced as well. Turning to look at the Avalanche, Reno replied, "Remember the ways of the Turks." Then Rude helped him up as he left the Avalanche and left the tunnel with Elena behind them.
Two Years Later
Reno, Rude, and Elena sat in a café in the port town of Junon, now they were dressed into civilian clothing to remain inconspicuous. They were celebrating the anniversary of their survival after the fall of Shinra. Reno took leadership after they had left and manage to get them descent jobs with a great apartment.
"Long live the Turks." Elena laughed raising her class in a toast.
"And to our leader Reno." Rude added raising his glass also. Reno said nothing and they eagerly gulp down the contents of the glasses.
"So it's been two years?" Elena replied looking dreamily at the ceiling fan.
"Time sure does fly," Rude said pouring himself another glass of beer, "It seems so distant since we were off on missions for Shinra." Suddenly a waiter walked up to the table and handed an envelope to Reno before making a hasty retreat. Reno opened up the envelope and pulled out a small index card from it and frowned on what he saw.
"What's the matter?" Elena asked Reno trying to see the card. Reno tossed it to the center of the circle and Elena stared at it. "A black Diamond with a red dot in the center?" she asked confused by the image.
Rude took a deep breath before answering, "That was an old Turk symbol used during the time of the 1st Turks, it means the Turks will be killing the receiver and his close companions too." Elena face filled with fear at Rude answer and nervously took a drink.
"It looks like were going to have to may a call to the Trader." He mumbled as he inspects the card. The other two nodded in responses as Reno called for the bill.
Later that day the three Turks walk into a darkly lit bar, the air reeked of alcohol and smoking. Most of the residents include the barkeeper were out cold either due to a fight or too much drinking. The three Turks were dressed in their old outfits; they cling tightly to their weapons as they made their way to a distant stall in the corner. Sitting there was a man in a black trenchcoat wearing a tilted fedora to hide his face. He had a small business suitcase on the table in front of him. The Turks cautiously sat down scanning the room for any type of bugs.
"There is no need for that, I've made sure no one can listen in on our conversation." the Trader said to reassure the Turks. "So what do I have the honor of this meeting?" he hissed to Reno.
"Catch." Reno replied as he flicks the death card to Trader. Trader caught it between to figure and looked at it curiously before putting it down. "So what do you make out of it?" Reno inquired as he reached forward to take the card.
"It's bug." Trader replied as he snatch the card out of Reno's grasp and incinerated it with a spell. The three Turks face filled with shock.
"But you said no one can listen in on our conversation from here?" Elena inquired the Trader.
"I meant for everything in the bar, I have no power over it if you are bug." he snapped. Then opening up the suitcase before him, he said, "They know that we are here and that we are on to them. All that I can tell you is that there has been news in the underworld that a group calling themselves the NeoTurks are starting to track all official responsible for scientific research or test subjects. They know what Heidegger had Hojo do to you so you’re a target now. You will need these to help you survive." he continued as he turns the open suit cast to the Turks. It was lined from top the bottom with weapons, materia, and armor for the Turks. They each took their preferred weapon and put on the armor with materia hooked up. Suddenly a somewhat tall and fat figure walked into the door and stood there. He had a black beard and wore an army uniform decorated with medals.
"Heidegger!" the Turks gasps at their former leader.
"Why if it the ex-Turks?" he laughed. "I'm much to busy to deal with you so I'll let the amateurs take care of this." he mused as he step out of the doorway letting in six Shinra soldiers with gun ready. The Turk entered combat stance as they prepared to do combat.
"This isn't needed," Trader grumbled as he raised his hand forward pointing at the approaching soldiers, "Stigma!" A huge funnel of intense plasma blew out of his hand and slammed into the unsuspecting soldiers. They were fried crisps in an instant and a big burn streak were the only reminder of their previous position. Turning to face the shock Turks, the Trader said, "Seek out Reeve he will help you." He then took his empty suitcase and left out the now greatly widen door.
Later at the Junon governmental office, Reeve was busily sorting out paper across his large desk. Shortly after they had stop the Meteor the people of Junon all unanimously voted him into Mayer office. Thanks to him now Junon's economy was skyrocketed and the people were happy, despite the Hojo incident a year ago. He took a side-glance at the other occupant on his office. Sitting in an oversized chair across from the desk was Cait Sith and the Moogle; he chuckled as he remembered all the great adventures he had with that thing.
"Mister Reeve?" the intercom next to him rang at him.
"Yes, what is it?" he asked.
"Sorry to bother you, but a group of people calling themselves the Turks wish to see you." the intercom ranged. This news caused Reeve to spit out the coffee that he was drinking at the time. After catching his breath and putting down the cup of coffee.
"Reeve said, "Okay let them in." He waited in his chair as the front door open and Reno, Rude, and Elena were escorted into his office. He noticed not much have change since that last time he saw them except he noticed they had new armor and weapons.
"Reno, Rude, and Elena, it's good to see you again ion better circumstances. When was the last time we met? About one year ago wasn't it?" he asked.
"Yep, we ran into you during Hojo's attempted ascension. But we are here for a different reason other than idle chat, we need your help against the NeoTurks." Reno answered.
A frown appeared on Reeve's face and asked "Explain?" Reno went on to tell Reeve about what happen to them in the bar and about Trader's advice. Reeve sat back in his chair contemplating what the situation was while fiddling with a pen in his hand. "Okay, I'll help you, since I don't trust the NeoTurks. I had a run in with a year ago during the Hojo incident," he said finally, "Before we get started I believe you should see this video received from one of our helicopter that flew by Midgar recently." The Turks nodded in agreement to Reeve's idea. The screen lowered down and the curtains closed pitching the room into darkness. Soon a picture a Midgar appeared that sent a waved of gasp throughout the room except for Reeve's. Midgar instead of being an empty ruin as a result of Meteor was now totally rebuilt better than ever. All of the main upper plates were now connect to the outer part of the upper rim allowing sunlight to reach the lower areas. Plus the lower gates now stretch out toward to encircle the nearby town of Kalm.
When the picture was over and the light came on, Reno turn to Reeve and barked, "How in the world did Midgar get rebuilt?"
Reeve replied, "Shinra is on the move again and since Shinra has restarted, we can only guess that the NeoTurks are a part of them."
"So what are we going to do?" Reno asked slamming his fist into the desk.
"I've notify all of the other Avalanche for a meeting here tomorrow, until then we can only wait and see what their next move will be." Reeve replied. "I'll have the secretary find a place for you to stay until the meeting. Reeve continued. Reno nodded and left the room with the other two behind him. Turning to Cait Sith Reeve asked, "How much did you hear?"
The Cait Sith robot lifted its head and reply, "As much as I need to here. Scarlet will probably have something to do with this she the toughest over the two people who could run Shinra."
"Could those two have actually survived the Proud Clod explosion?" Reeve question back to the robot cat.
"Knowing Scarlet, she probably had an escape pod in it." Cait Sith growled in anger squeezing his paws into fist. "So I guess this is my first actual run." Cait Sith said scratching the back of his head.
"Yep," Reeve commented, "you better go make some last minute checks before tomorrow meeting." Cait Sith nodded and waved goodbye as he hops out the door
Chapter2 "Neo Shinra"
The council members all sat in their seat hesitantly since this was their first actual meeting together since the fall of Shinra. There were seven members present at the meeting each representing their own division and work. The highest was Terra the vice president who posed as her mother, Scarlet for sometime in the past, since the real Scarlet died a few years back. The head of the Peace Preservation Force was still Heidegger, except that now the Turks have became their own division. The head of the Turks was Tseng having survived massive surgeries to save his life from the wound he received from Sephiroth. The new head of Science and Research was Professor Morea, a teenage prodigy who had some studying under Hojo. Fortification Advancement for Midgar2 was heads by Niles a slippery man of a many secrets. The Air & Sea division is head by Zephyr an ex-tactical fighter pilot for Shinra. The seventh member was the new President of Shinra, Seriyu Shinra the nephew of President Shinra and cousin to Rufus.
"I'm glad to see we are all here." Seriyu said fixing his glasses and brushing back of a few strand of his aluminum color hair. He was dressed in a black suit that looked like he was going to a funeral all the time. His icy gaze scans the room at each Heads. "So let's get straight to today's agendas, please Miss Terra!" he continued.
Scowl appeared on Terra face as she stood up to list the order, she started, "First on the list is Peace Preservation Forces follow by Turks, Science & Research, Fortification Advancement, and last Air & Sea." She sat down promptly and turns her head away from looking at the President.
Heideggar stood and replied, "We have manage to increase recruitment for the army up to 15% and have at least 55000 soldiers ready for action at a given notice." The President nodded in approval and Heideggar sat down quickly wiping away the sweats.
"The Turks have manage to eliminate all rogue scientist and loose test subjects except for the three ex-Turks. Our last known location of their whereabouts was at a bar in Junon, unfortunately the Task Force sent to eliminate them by Heideggar were instantly killed in magical attack from an unknown source. The energy readout rates it as at the least a Sephiroth clone." Tseng reported to Seriyu.
"Interesting," Seriyu mused absorbing what he had just heard, "I like all patrols to be at triple strength from now on and think we'll be getting some guest coming here soon." Heideggar nodded in acknowledgement to the President's orders. "Morea how is your research doing in the Mako Infusion Process?" he asked to the scientist.
Barely evenly looking at the president Morea replied, "Despite the lack of information, we have successfully been able to create a Mako enhanced being without the use of Jenova cells in the process. We have made a full analyze of the test subject and have detected no adverse side effect from the Mako exposure." Holding up a folder with confidential on the side he tossed it to the president.
"Intriguing," Seriyu comment looking over the reports, "How did you manage to substitute the Jenova cells in the process?"
"We derived this process from those originally used on the Turks before the fall of Midgar. All except one test came about successful and that subject escaped, it suffer from some unexpected mutation. But we are sure that the subject could probably only live for a day at the most." Morea said pushing his glasses up his nose. "I advise to send a Turk after it just in case it could actually come into contact with any of the Avalanche."
"Impossible!" cried Niles slamming his fist on the table shaking it. "Even if your Guinea Pig escaped this fortress, I have you know we are over Five hundred miles off the nearest shorelines." He squeezes his hand into a fist.
Unfazed by Niles' allegations, Morea remarked, "Don't discount the power of those who have survived Mako Exposure even the mutated ones are extremely strong. May I remind you of the power even the failed Sephiroth Clone presented, it ended up being stronger than the successful ones." Niles' face turn into a sneer before sitting down defeated.
"Well since that discussion is over what is your report Niles?" Seriyu asked resting his head in his hand and staring at the division head.
Niles stood up and confidently said, "The armor plating of around this station have been upgraded to three time their normal effectiveness and we have finished installing the underwater Mako Pumping Silo." Fixing his tie a little he continued, "Also latest status report is that the Materia Generator is capable of providing efficient power to this entire base indefinitely."
"Intriguing," Seriyu replied looking at the reports in front of him, "How is the Midgar Restoration Project going?"
"We have successfully restore and improve the original Midgar. We'll be able to move back into the original HQ in two days as final checks are made. On a lighter matter I'm please to reply that Midgar population has now tripled over the last month and we have the people full support." Niles said confidently to the President. As Niles sat down after his report, Zephyr stood up in anticipation his report.
"President sir," He said saluting to the President, "I'm please to say that the Neo Shinra Air Force is totally functional at maximum capacity and we now have access to Shinra's orbiting laser satellites."
"Good this gives Shinra full control of both Land, Sea, and Air in our sphere of power." Seriyu chuckled. Let a smile appear on his face, he said, "Now we can reclaim what is rightful ours. Zephyr prepare the troops, we are moving back into Midgar and preparing to take back Junon." Zephyr nodded and quickly departs the meeting room. "This meeting is demised." Seriyu replied getting up and taking his private elevator to his office.
Chapter1 and 2 are done for now so tell me what you think of it? There will probably be more to come pretty soon now. The next two chapters will talk about the Avalanche and Sephiroth.