Chapter 1 "The Haze of Memories"

Time: Present

    The guards carefully kept their rifles cocked as a steady flood of workers, immigrants, and the occasional tourist flowed by the Sector 2 gates. All kinds of different people form all around the world could be found in the crowd as they took their first glance at the majestic city before them. For some the view of the city that was the pinnacle of human achievement was a sight of a lifetime.  Nearby the tall tower that made up part of the Sector's reactor cast a long gentle shadow upon the crowd shielding them from the sun above. Circled closely around the center of the city were numerous skyscrapers that reached up toward the heavens above. Located in the very center however was the Shinra HQ, a massive huge building that led up farther then all the other. Several hundred feet above the ground the top of Shinra HQ fanned out making a virtually floating city on top of its structure. That the top section of the city was known as Sky Midgar, to who reside up there. To many it was one of the most beautiful places there were on the planet.
    Looking up at the sky a huge shadow passed over the crowd, as a massive plane flew above them all. Stopping in their tracks for a moment, the crowd looked in awe as they watched the plane slowly fly by. The plane slowly made its way over to Sector 1, where it approached the National Midgar Airport station built there.
    "Alright, we are approaching the airport now and preparing to land." the pilot shouted over the COM as the no smoking sign remained off. "Now all we need is for those $#^* guys in the control tower to give us permission to land this thing." he swore over the plane.
    "Flight 001, you are not clear to land yet, would you please circle a moment before preparing to land." the control tower responded over the radio.
    "What do you mean, we can't *&# land yet?" the pilot swore back as he spitted out his smoke. Switching off his radio in disgust, he said, "Passengers, the *^@# bastards in the control tower won't give us permission to land, but we're going to do it just to &%# spite them." "Please put your #@*% tray table back and raise the $#*% seat back to its upright position." he ordered as the plane started a quick dive.
    "Flight 001, what the hell are you doing?" the Control Tower cried as it saw the plane dived toward the runway.
    "I'm landing this $(*% thing whether you like it or not." the pilot snapped as the plane touched down, sparks were flaring from the wheels. A loud skidding came from the tire as a streak of skid marks were left as the plane continued to slide right for the main building. Squeaking to a near stop the pilot stopped the plane moments before slamming into the main building.
    "See that wasn't so bad?" the pilot laughed through the intercom as the passengers on board were all tossed around with their luggage everywhere.
    As the passenger slowly managed to get up and proceed out, one of them, Cloud Strife, was massaging his neck as he walked down the corridor leading to the main building. The service and food are nice, but they have got to get a better pilot, he thought as he exited the corridors. Looking at the overhanging signs Cloud thought, better get my luggage. I wonder what's going to happen to that pilot, with what he just pulled I bet he's probably going to get his license…
    "Revoked?" the pilot screamed as he took a step back in shock.
    Palmer cringed at the shouting as he took out a handkerchief from his suit pocket. Wiping it against his forehead he looked up at the pissed off pilot before him. Why must this happen to me he whined as he thought out his words carefully. Just because I'm the head Director doesn't mean I got to do this.
    "Well Cid," Palmer stuttered as  he stared into Cid's hate filled eyes, "you have been constantly breaking all flight regulation that have been posted up." "And beside it was not my decision to do that, the Shinra Safety department forced me." he whined as Cid looked unimpressed at the excuse.
    "I can't believe this!" Cid growled as he stomped around the room digging his hand into this head. "The only reason I'm stuck here is because the Space Project lift off is not for another month." he grumbled as he took out another cigarette from his pack and started to light it.
    "Ah Cid," Palmer muttered as Cid paid a side glance toward him, "due to the revoked license, I 'm afraid you are now unqualified to pilot the Rocket." Cid mouth gaped opened wide as his smoke fell straight out onto the floor. Edging back into his seat as he knew what was going to happen. Pouncing like a cat, Cid seized Palmer and lifted him up into the air. "Calm down Cid," Palmer pleaded as his foot dangled in the air, "if you don't get into anymore trouble for the next two weeks, I might be able to let you slip by." Cursing, Cid dropped Palmer on the ground promptly and stormed out of the room slamming the door as he left. Wincing at the slam, Palmer muttered, "Well that went pretty well."
    After a few tiresome minutes at Customs, clearing out the form on why he had a sword with him, Cloud heaved the duffel bag onto his shoulder and proceeded to the exit.
    High on the top floor of Shinra HQ, looking down at the Midgar spanning outward below him, President Shinra felt no sense of awe in the sight anymore. Returning back to his seat, he reached into one of his drawers and withdrew a cigar. Lighting it with a match, he gently puffed on it as he sat back in his chair. Midgar has prospered better than he could ever imagine possible. Puffing out a few clouds of smoke, he sighed deeply as he glanced over to little portrait of his family on his desk. Sighing again, he reached over and picked up the phone next to him.
    "Yes President?" Elena voice ringed on the other end cheerfully.
    "Send Evon up to my office right away." President Shinra barked to the receiver as he tapped his cigar over the ashtray.
    "Right away, President." Elena obliged as she hung up.
    "You called Mr. President?" Evon remarked as he stepped into the room. Evon was the current Elite SOLDIER of Shinra after Sephiroth vanished several years ago. He wore an open white trench coat with an equally white suit underneath. Black metallic shoulder pads with sharp edges were put onto his trench coat also. With black gauntlets on, Evon always keep open hand ready to pull out the pair of katanas he had strapped to the right side of his belt. Bearing an infamous smirk on his face, he brushed his hand through his comb back blond hair.
    "Yes General Evon," President Shinra snapped as he smother the cigar into the ashtray by him, "I got an important mission for you to complete." Glancing at Evon disapprovingly, he stated, "None of what I tell you know is to leave this office."
    "Get on with it." Evon muttered as he rolled his eyes in boredom.
    "I'm sending you and some of the Turks to retrieve a book for me." the President said as he turned his chair around to face the window. Raising his hand up just as Evon was about to interject, Shinra added, "These books are believed to contain ancient lore about the Cetra." Holding his hand out as he clench it into a fist, he laughed, "With that power in the hand of Shinra will be unstoppable."
    Smirking at the idea, Evon laughed, "I could easily do the task without the those losers Turks help, but I can't argue with orders now can I." Rubbing his chin as he thought about it, Evon shrugged, "I'll go and find this book for Shinra and show them who the true top SOLDIER is." Striking a pose as his trench coat flourish in the air, he twirled a round and walked out.
    As he watched Evon leave, President Shinra chuckled as he stared out toward the windows and remarked, "Soon the heaven itself will be ours."
    Cloud slowly walked down the streets of Sector 1 as he looked in awe at all the building surrounding him as he strolled down. Cars and bikes drove down the streets, and the sound of helicopters could be heard above as the surveyed the city below. A lot has changed since I was last here he thought as he watched the sun in the sky blaze downward on the pedestrian. Everything is so much cleaner and fresher he thought as he came upon a grove of trees planted nearby. A small little park was establish there, as kids ran to and from as they [played with their parents. Much has changed since I was last here he sighed as he turned form the sight and proceeded down the street.
    "Greeting mister," a girl in a pink dress said as she walked up in front of him, "Would you like to buy a flower?"
    "A flower?" he remarked eyebrow raised up. "I thought they didn't grow in Midgar?" he asked as the girl laughed at his question.
    Holding a flower basket in her arm and holding out now to Cloud, the flower girl said, "They use to not be able to grow, but thank to the beautification project by Shinra all forms of plants now prosper here." "So do you want to but one, they are only a gil apiece?" she asked as she stared at him with her emerald eyes.
    Chuckling a little, he shrugged, "Sure why not." handing here a gil, he took the flower she holding out and took a sniff and replied, "They smell great."
    "Of course they do," she smiled to him as she put the gil away, "I raised them myself." Walking off she waved, "Bye now."
    Waving back to here, Cloud examined the flower that he had bought from the girl. Blue he thought, the same color as my eye. Mako Eye. The eyes of the SOLDIER, the symbol of the SOLDIER the most elite force in Shinra, nothing can match their skills. Only the best can join in the elite few.
    You will never be a SOLDIER!
    "Huh?"
    Only one of us can be a SOLDIER and that person will be me!
    "Now entering the square, Captain Cloud and Evon." the announcer shouted across the stadium as the two stepped up to the mat. "This is a one on one fight, loser is disqualify from enrolling into the SOLDIER program." the announcer stated as the two nodded each holding out their practice swords. "Remember use of Materia in this contest is prohibited." he added as he stepped back out of the ring.
    Taking a fighting position, Cloud held his weapon out and ready as he commented, "May the best win."
    Snorting at Cloud's commented as he leaned his sword against his shoulder, Evon laughed, nice guys always finished… last!
    "Go!" the announcer cried as Cloud charged at Evon.
    Evon easily blocked Cloud thrust as the two leaped back onto opposite sides of the mat. Glaring at each other, Evon dashed toward Cloud swing his sword up in an upward arc move. Cloud tumbled out of the way as he thrust his sword at Evon to counter attack.  Evon easily twisted his sword into blacking the blow as he pushed Cloud back a few steps. Cursing Cloud unleashed a flurry of thrust at Evon causing him to retreat in back.
    "You're good.” Cloud commented as he faced off.
    "I'm way better than you'll ever be!" Evon retorted as he raised his practice sword up above his head. That fool is good, but I got an ace up my sleeve he mused as he charged straight toward Cloud.
    What's he doing Cloud thought as he watched Evon come running at him, he 's leaving himself wide opened to attack? Easily sidestepping the attack, Cloud brought up his sword to strike when, Evon suddenly twisted his sword down into Cloud's locking them.  What?
    "Only one of us can be a SOLDIER and that person will be me!" Evon cried as something in his palm glowed brilliantly. "Flash!" he whispered as the two were suddenly engulf in a huge blast of energy. As the smoke cleared Cloud burned and battered all around fell to his knee. Sword slipping out of his hand as he collapsed onto the floor.
    "Materia…" Cloud choked as he stared up at Evon who towered before him gloating.
    "You will never be a SOLDIER!" Evon laughed as he swung his sword against Cloud right arm an audible snap could be heard.  Smirking Evon placed his foot on Cloud's arm as he grind his foot into it, as Cloud grit his teeth from the pain. Laughing Evon stopped and stepped back as he looked down at the battered Cloud before him..
    Gritting his teeth in pain as he clutched his arm, Cloud muttered, "You broke it."
    "Be thankful that's just all that is broken on you." Evon smirk as he walked out of the ring as the doctors came rushing onto the ring.
    Evon, Cloud thought as his vision slowly grew fuzzy before everything went totally black all around him. His attacks left me too injured to ever be able to get into the SOLDIER again. After that I barely managed to keep my position in the military. Now I'm nothing more than a mercenary for hire not anything of significance.
    Cloud slouched in his stool as he stared into the glass of gin before him. He had spent good several hours here just drinking and musing about his past. In one hand he still held the blue flower the girl he meet sold to him. Staring at the glass he looked at his reflection, he sighed in depression as lifted it up and took a sip. Looking back into the glass he examined its reddish color the gin had. Like blood he thought aimlessly. My blood. The fire, the heat, I could feel it all around me, burning me from all sides. Never stopping just burning and the blood, my blood all around me.
    Cloud slowly raised his head up as his vision slowly focused to take in the burning see of the inferno around him. Slowly lifting himself up to his knee, Cloud ignored the pain of his muscle at the stress as he stared at the blazing town of Nibelhiem. Looking down to the ground Cloud noticed the pool of blood he was sitting in as he quickly stood up. An immense pain from his right arm tortured him as he straightened himself up. Every part of his body was screaming for mercy from all the pain that wracked it. He also noticing blood was slowly dripping down from his wounds; but he paid it no heed as he slowly staggered toward his destination.  The Reactor he thought despite a haze filled his head that's where they are. Slowly dragging his battered body across the trail on the mountainside to the Reactor. Limping up the stairs he made his way to the area overlooking the walkway to the center of the Reactor.
    "Tifa?" he muttered as he noticed her leaning by her dead father body.
    "Shinra, Mako, Reactor, SOLDIER, I hate them all!" Tifa cried as she picked up the sword her father was holding and dashed into the center chamber of the Reactor. Shortly afterward he could hear sign of struggle and the telltale sign of Masamune slicing through flesh. Running out of nowhere from below Cloud watched as he saw Zack dash into the center chamber of the Reactor too.
    Slowly making his way down the ladder as his aching joints cried against it, Cloud managed to dash into the center chamber of the Reactor. Lined in rows across the room were strangely looking pods of some sort.  Lying wounded at the base of the stairs was Tifa and lying on top of one of the pod was the battered form of Zack, his sword hanging from his outstretch arm. Snatching the sword out of Zack's hand with his left hand, Cloud dashed up the steps and entered the room of Jenova.
    "Soon this world will be ours mother." Sephiroth laughed as he held his arm outstretched before the frozen form of Jenova in the containment tube.
    Gripping the Buster Sword with both arms ignoring the sting of pain from his right arm about the weight heaving the heavy bald up he charge up to Sephiroth, who stood transfixed. But just as hie blade was about to make contact, Sephiroth twirled out his sword and parried the blow as he stared at Cloud in glee. Locking his blade with Cloud's, the two stared straight into each other eyes.
    "Fool, do you think one who is meant to inherit the world will put his guard down so easily?" Sephiroth asked as he watched Cloud struggled. "Foolish naïve, now pay the price for your stupidity." Sephiroth growled as he dislodge his blade and blasted Cloud into one of the walls. Laughing as he watched Cloud slowly slide down, he mocked, "With weakling like this the world is ours for the taking mother." Raising his sword up, Sephiroth shattered the glass that was covering the tube letting steam come fizzing out. Ripping Jenova out of the tube, Sephiroth slowly made his way down.
    "I won't let you win." Cloud gasped as he pulled himself up as Sephiroth left the room. he momentarily stopped as he coughed. Looking at his hand which he cover his mouth Cloud gasped as he saw blood spattered all about it. "I can't…" he choked as he coughed up some more blood. Dashing after Sephiroth, Cloud intercepted him over the walkway over the massive Mako pits below his knees were about to give in.
    "So the fool still wants to play." Sephiroth mocked as he held up his Masamune in one hand at Cloud. "Well then die!" he screamed as he impaled Cloud on the blade. Cloud grit his teeth as the other end of the blade burst out of his back. Chuckling at Cloud's pain, Sephiroth grinned, "Don't worry about pain, I'll make sure you don't suffer." Lifting Cloud up with relative easily on the end of his blade, Sephiroth hurled Cloud over the edge of the walkway. Sephiroth laughed as he watched Cloud image slowly shrink as he plunged into the Mako pool and disappearing from sight.
    I couldn't stop him. He was just too strong and I was too weak. I'm sorry Tifa, I couldn't keep my promise with you. I couldn't be your knight in shiny white armor. I've failed in everything I do. Cloud eye closed as he splash into the Lifestream slowly sinking into it. Forgive me he pleaded as he vanished into the depth of the Lifestream.
    Cloud shook his head as the flashback faded and the cobwebs in his head cleared up. That's is the story of my life he thought absently as he brushed some loose strands from his hair. Looking at his drink Cloud absently downed it before slamming the cup back down on the counter. Noticing the racket the Bartender walked up to Cloud as he polished one of his glass with a piece of cloth.
    "So want another?" he asked as he looked toward Cloud.
    Sighing as he grope his hand through his spiky hair, Cloud said, "Yeah, but make it stronger."
    "Sure thing, boy." the Bartender replied as he took out several bottles and shook them up. As he poured them all together into Cloud's glass, he commented, "Were you ever in the SOLDIERs?"
    "No," Cloud sighed as he sat up straight, "why do you say that?"
    "Oh," the Bartender shrugged as he presented the glass to Cloud, "you just have Mako Eyes."
    "Oh yeah," Cloud acknowledge as he sipped the glass, "got them when I accidentally fell into a Mako Pool, long time exposure in one can do that too you." As he set down the cup, he added, "I was barely alive when they pulled me out."
    Nodding at Cloud's story, the Bartender remarked, "Interesting, I had a cousin who fell into a stream once, but he died of mako poisoning soon after." "You were lucky." he muttered as he started to clean another cup.
    "My condolences," Cloud said as he toss a few Gils onto the counter as he picked up his duffel bag, "I got to go now." As he started to walk off he turned his head back and said, "By the way my names Cloud, Cloud Strife."
    "Nicholas," The Bartender responded nodding toward Cloud, "you take care Cloud, hope to see you soon."
    "You too." Cloud replied as he stepped out of the bar into the empty night streets of Midgar.
    It was well light as there were streets light placed all around keeping the shadows back up into the alleys. Despite the light the streets and the sidewalk were primarily empty as Cloud slowly made his way down them. Most of the flashing sign for the Theater showing some show called Loveless. Shaking his head as he pulled out a map of Midgar Cloud looked for where he was. Great he sighed as he look at the map, I got know clue where the heck I am going to at all.
    Unknown to Cloud as he stared at the map, a pair of eyes slowly watched him high a perch in the shadows. A low growl escaped the thing's lip as it scratched it claws on the ground in anticipation. A low flickering fire lingered behind it bobbing up and down as it waited. It could bib it's time for now as it waits for the right moment, it can wait.
    "Here is your tea, Mr. President." Elena said as she placed the President Herbal tea on his desk right before him.
    "Thank you Elena." the President thanked as he took a sip of his tea as he leaned back against his chair. "Any word from Reno?" he asked as Elena nodded and quickly flipped through her notepad.
    "Here it is," Elena said as she stopped and read the pad, "Reno has located the specimen to a particular section of Sector 1." "He is already having all the team converge on the spot tonight." she finished as she set down her pad.
    "Good," the President said nodding his head as he took another sip form his tea, "I do wish Hojo would keep a better watch on what type of things he bring in here to experiment on." "I've wasted a lot of money on the city beautification project and don't want any stupid loose monster to ruin it." Shinra growled as he slammed the cup on the table. Taking a deep breath from his exertion he massaged his temples as he said, "Leave me now."
    "As you wish Mr. President." Elena bowed as she walked out of the room and closed the office door behind her.
    "They have got to make better maps than this." Cloud complained as he strolled down the sidewalk obviously lost to his destination. Looking at the street sign as he passed them by Cloud groan even deeper as he failed to find its place anywhere in the map. This is hopeless he thought as he slouched his shoulders, I sooner find a needle in this city before I can find where I am. Crumpling up the map in anger Cloud carelessly tossed it into a shadow as it hit something.
    "Huh?" Cloud muttered as he saw the crumpled map bounced back and a glowing piece of fire appeared within the shadow illuminating the form of a great beast. It had huge powerful muscle as it red fur and mane shined brilliantly in the light.  It wore a strange feather sort of head adornment on its head as it glared at Cloud with its two eyes carefully. A slight growl escaped it lips as it opened its maw revealing the fang filled mouth it had and took a step toward Cloud. Yet hint of intelligence reflect in its blue eye as it sized up Cloud.
    Slowly raising his had toward his sword hilt behind him, Cloud said, "Easy…" The two silently stared off as each watched the other for a move. Lettings out a bone chilling howl that send a shiver down Cloud's spine, the beat pounced at him. Recovering form the shock, Cloud rolled underneath the beast as he withdrew his sword and held it up between him and the beast.
    As the two stared off again, Cloud smirked as the two circled each other; "You are most impressive."
    Suddenly a flash of light form a helicopter spotlight blinded the two as several vans came roaring down the streets toward them. Skidding to a stop as the van blocked out the exits, several armored troopers carrying rods with a tuning fork like thing on the top rush out and surrounded the beast, pushing Cloud back. Shaking off the initial glare, Cloud gasped as the sky above them was teaming with other helicopter illuminating the entire area with their spotlights.  Looking toward the beat again, he saw the Troopers keeping it at bay with their rods things that sent out a shock when it hit the beast.
    "Well this sure beats everything." Cloud muttered as he scratched his head. "Quite a gathering." he muttered to himself as he watched other people come out of the vans setting up perimeters, other setting up a cage, and some bring out some scientific equipment.
    "Quite a show isn't it?" a Turk remarked as he walked up to Cloud as he stared to the beast. The Turk as Cloud recognized by his blue suit that are accustomed to the sect of Shinra known as the Turks. This one had short spiky sort of red hair with a pair of sunglasses pushed up ion his forehead. Chewing on a toothpick on his mouth, the Turk was quite sloppy with his suit leaving it sagging at part and his tie was loose. Resting his nightstick against his shoulder the figure smirked at Cloud with amusement.
    "So what's so special that you got to bring a Turk here to take care of that?" Cloud asked as he pointed toward the howling beast.
    Chuckling at Cloud's comment, the Turk with drew his toothpick and replied, "That my friend is a rare specimen that was captured sometime ago, in the canyon regions of the Central continent." Flicking the pick away, he added, "That thing escaped while it was being transported here, but now I'm here to bag it and take it to Hojo."
    "I wonder how the public felt knowing this thing was roaming their streets?" Cloud asked as he looked up at the nearby buildings. "I'd say they be pretty upset?" he asked as Reno merely shrugged and handed a bill toward Cloud.
    "Seven thousand, not one word at all about this." Reno replied flatly as Cloud graciously accepted the cash and put it into his pocket.
    "Don't worry, I'm a mercenary, I do what I'm paid to do." Cloud smirked as he walked off down the streets through a narrow section of the vans. As he made considerable distant from the site, he heard a loud howl and some gunfire. Quickly followed by a ring of cursing as he could hear the vans and helicopter flying off. Guess they lost he chuckled as he strode down the street till he reached an Inn.
    Stepping inside as walking up to the counter he asked, "Any rooms open?"
    Raising his head from the book he was reading the Innkeeper replied, "We got three open, the cost will be 12 Gils a night."
    "Sure that sounds reasonable." Cloud said as he handed the Innkeeper the money and got the key.
    "Room 12a." the Innkeeper said as he returned himself to his reading again.
    Shrugging at the Innkeeper obvious coldness Cloud proceeded down the hall till he reached his room and entered it. Switching on the light and taking a short look around Cloud tossed his duffel bag to one side of the room as he walked up to the bed.  Unstrapping his sword, Cloud laid it next to his bed, as he took off his boots and promptly fell onto the bed. Staring up onto the ceiling Cloud sighed as he reached over and turned off the lights. Resting in the darkness Cloud slowly closed his eye as he let oblivion overcome him.