Ten years after Meteor was destoryed. Everything is perfect, except for the fact
that one person, no matter how hard they try, will never return from their watery grave.
* * * * *
"Cloud." a voice calls from a far. "Yes?" he answers. "Where are you?" the voice asks.
"Here! Here I am." he tells the familiar voice. "I can't see you!" Cloud yells looking
around. "I'm scared." the voice said, "Why aren't you here protecting me anymore?"
the voice began to fade. "But," Cloud starts, "I can't find you." "I'm beyond the
Lifestream, come and find me. I'm scared alone." the voice faded away. "Wait !,"
Cloud yelled, "Aeris!!" "Cloud." another voice calls. "Cloud, wake up!" Cloud slowly
opens his eyes. The glare of the sun forces him to close his eyes again. As his eyes
adjust he looks around.He finds himself in his bed. The covers were falling of his
shirtless chest. "Cloud." Tifa calls again. "Will you get up. It' s almost noon." Cloud eyes
Tifa. Tifa was wearing her short black skirt and white tee, with her favorite black
suspenders. She stood in the doorway, tilted her head and said, "Cloud get up. Zack' s
waiting for you upstairs."
Tifa and Cloud married after Meteor was stopped, and had a son. They live in
Nibelheim, downstairs of Tifa' s new bar, the 7th Hevan. It was built in front of the
entrance of Mount Nibel beside the Shinra Mansion; where Vincent, Reno, Rude, Elena,
and Tseng live. Cloud's son was born nine months after their marrige. Genki Strife is
nine years old , with his father' s reputation for being powerful and his mother' s kind
nature. Genki has gained the nickname of 'Toad', for his natural agility in and out of
water. He uses a sword, that like his father, and can just as efficently fight without a
weapon, like his mother.
Cloud dresses himself in his Soldier pants, but instead of his blue shirt he wore
a white tee with a short brown and green vest on top. He pulls his large sword over his
shoulder from the corner of the roomm where it laid. He walked upstairs to the top floor
where the bar was set up. Reno and Rude were already in the front counter quietly
drinking. "Yo Cloud." Zack greeted his freind by patting him on his back. " Hey Zack."
Cloud smiled.
Zack was found half-dead by the city of Kalm. He was filled in on what happen
when he woke from his coma and discovered by Cloud. Cloud had gone Kalm with Barret
to pick up Marlene and Elmyra. Zack claimedthat after him and Cloud had reached Midgar, he found himself crawling into the city wounded. Next thing he knew he was walking chanting ‘Reunion’, but only made it to the field. The constant monster attacks drained him, and without a weapon he laid there helpless. He thought he was going to die. After slipping into a coma, some men heading into Kalm found him, and were amazed that he wasn’t finished off by Kalm Fangs, so they took care of him while he laid in the coma.
“Hey Cloud.†Tifa called to him from behind the counter. He walked to her. “You don’t look well. Are you feeling okay?†She walked from behind the counter and touched his forehead. Cloud began to rub his chin, “Now that you mention it, I did have this weird dream.†Tifa looks at Cloud with concern. “Well,†He began, “Aeris…†“Aeris?†she repeated. “Yeah,†Cloud said with a serious look, “Aeris called out to me. She said she was scared ,and aked why I wasn’t there – protecting her.†Cloud finishes and isn’t even sure of what he said. “Well, I don’t know Cloud…†Tifa goes back to the counter to refill Rude and Reno’s drinks. “Why don’t you stop thinking about it for now, Zack said he found a job you can do.†Cloud turns to Zack. And poor Zack hadn’t the slightest clue as to what Tifa and Cloud were talking about. “Anyway…†he shrugs as he shook his head side to side, “That’s right. Miss Elmyra needs help with something and…†“Miss Elmyra?†Cloud interrupts. “What’s with the formalities all of a sudden?†Cloud teased. “Shut up Cloud!†Zack stomps his foot in anger, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Look do you want the job or not?†“So-rrry, continue please.†“Okay,†Zack continues. “She’s willing to pay us 3000 GIL each.†“Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait, for what?†Cloud interrupts again. “She wouldn’t say.†Zack said raising a brow. “Well,†Cloud said reluctantly, “I don’t really…fine I’m in.†Cloud and Zack shake hands.
