Bizarre Occurances Chapter 14
Mega-Time - Part I
By Dino Pollard
Now what do we do? Cloud asked. The team had gathered near the
Highwind. It seemed as if all of Shin-Ras forces had retreated. They
had taken the injured Hojo with them as well.
Reds gone
Yuffie said. I cant believe
hes gone
We all know who is to blame for this, Sephiroth said. He walked
over to Baakusa and reached for his sword handle. It was because of
your need to examine the device that Red fell through that portal!! This
is all your fault!! And for taking the life of one of our own, it seems only
fitting that I take yours as well. He was about to draw the blade,
but Knolan stepped between them.
All right, he said. Thats enough of that. Baakusa
only examined the device because he wanted to see if it presented any further
danger to us. If you want to blame anyone, blame me. There was some interference
and I wasnt able to use a spell to anchor Red as I used on myself.
Sephiroth walked off.
Lemme get another look at this machine
Knolan said.
Baakusa, come with me. Maybe we can find a way to bring Red back.
Baakusa nodded and walked over to Knolan.
Damn, Barret said once Knolan and Baakusa were out of earshot.
Whoda thought dat Sephiroth might get dat pissed off over
losin one o Avalanche.
Youve forgotten, havent you? Aeris asked.
Whatcho mean? Barret asked.
Red was one of the few people who was willing to give Sephiroth a
chance, she replied. He regarded Sephiroth as a friend, and it
looks as if Sephiroth thought the same of him.
Sephiroth
Cloud said. The rest of the team looked at him
quizzically. It was the first time in their journey that he didnt use
that name in a hostile tone.
Looks like even youre starting to accept him, Cloud, Tifa
noted.
No, Cloud replied. I can never forgive him for what hes
done. But still. Theres just something unsettling about all this. First
he surprised us all by saving Aeristwice in fact, he risked his own
life to save the inhabitants of Mideel, and now hes getting bent out
of shape over losing Red. The whole thing is just puzzling.
Not when you think about it, Aeris said. Everything hes
done all points to one thing: hes reformed. Hes no longer a soulless
killer. The sooner you realize that, the better off well be.
Cloud sighed. Aeris was right and he knew it. But now what were they going
to do? Meteor was looming over them like a shadow, the barrier around the
North Crater still hadnt diminished, and they had no clue as to what
the Ultimate Summon Spell was. They had no way to stop Meteor.
Hey guys!! Cait shouted, bounding up to the team.
Where the fuck have you been? Cid asked.
Thats not important, Cait replied. But looked what
I found!! He tossed Cloud an Independent Materia orb.
What is it? Cloud asked, looking it over.
Its called Mega-Time, Cait replied. A very rare Materia
orb. Only one exists. And thats this one.
Where did you find it? Cloud asked.
The Shin-Ra had it in their possesion, Cait explained. They
took it off this mercenary team called Strike Force.
What does it do? Aeris asked.
I think it controls time itself, Cait replied. Ya know
how the normal Time Materia can slow down, speed up, or stop our movements?
Well, this can do the same thingbut 100X fold!! And thats not
all. It can also slow down or speed up time around us!! So we could go into
the past or the future!!
The past
Cloud said. Perfect. We can use it to stop
Sephiroth when he first reappeared.
But we dont know what might happen, Cait replied.
Howzabout we use it to see what the future is like?
Hell no!! Barret exclaimed. I don wanna know what
my futures gonna be!! No one should!!
Barrets got a point, Tifa said. What if we become
stuck in the future? Were not even sure how it works.
Let me see it, Aeris said. Cloud handed her the orb. Once it
was placed in her hands, it began to glow. The aura around the orb slowly
extended around the group.
Wh-whats happening? Yuffie asked. With that, the team had
vanished.
What the hell?!? Knolan exclaimed.
This is bad, Baakusa said.
*****
Avalanche materialized in what seemed to be some sort of gathering or rally.
A banner displaying the Shin-Ra logo was plain as day behind a podium on
stage. People were cheering and holding up signs that read, To hell
with the Cetra!! and Its our planet now!!
Whats goin on here? Barret asked.
I dunno, Cait replied. Theres not supposed to be
any public addresses schedueled.
And whats up with those signs? Tifa asked.
Good question, Vincent replied. Perhaps were about
to find out the answers. He pointed at the stage. A man in his 40s
stepped up to the microphone. He wore a white business suit and his
perfectly-groomed orange hair started to turn gray.
Rufus!! Cloud exclaimed. But hes older...
PEOPLE OF MIDGAR!! Rufus began. The time has come. No longer
will we live under the shadow of the Cetra. We are going to rise up. We are
going to stop them! We will be oppressed no longer!! The time has come for
us to destroy Lucrecia and her son!! And as the President of Shin-Ra Inc.,
I give you my word that I will make the world a safe haven once again!
Lucrecia...? Vincent asked. Did he say Lucrecia?
Damn, Barret said. What the hell is that mofo talkin
bout?
Expanding your vocabulary, Barret? Yuffie asked.
You want some o dis?!? Barret exclaimed
HEY!! an MP shouted.
Shit, Cid cursed.
Its those Avalanche guys!! another one said.
But they look younger.
Who cares? the commander said. Theyre our enemies!
Attack!!
Avalanche spread out and began to defend themselves against the onslaught.
Their enemies had larger numbers. As the fight began, they all took out
odd-looking weapons. Whenever a shot was fired, a stream of Mako would jut
forth.
What da hell are those things? Barret asked, reloading his gun-arm.
Mako guns, Cait replied. But only the Turks are supposed
to have Mako guns. Theyre not
issued to MPs.
Looks like they are now, Yuffie said.
More MPs began to arrive. It was as if they was no end to their numbers.
SHIT!! Cid cursed. No chance in hell we can take em
all down!!
Then youll need our help!! a voice said from above them.
Who...? Cloud began. He looked up. Standing on a nearby shop
were older versions of Cloud, Aeris and a man with spikey black hair. His
sword was exactly the same as Clouds.
Zack...? Aeris asked.
SWEET FUCKING CHRIST!!! Cid exclaimed.
Whats going on here? an MP asked. Im seeing
double!!
Just kill them!! the commander ordered. Well worry
about details later!!
SHIT!! Barret exclaimed. He looked up at the three newcomers
to the battle. If yer gonna help us, now would be a damn-good time!!
The three followed Barrets orders and jumped from the shop. With the
added might of the counterparts of Cloud, Aeris and Zack, Avalanche was able
to put up a fight against the Shin-Ras forces.
Why the hell are these guys so tough? Yuffie asked.
Just be thankful were not fighting an onslaught of SOLDIER
officers, the Aeris counterpart said. She took out a staff which was
more hi-tech than Aeris. However, unlike Aeris, she was quite adept
and skillful wielding it in battle.
This is taking too long!! Zack exclaimed, slashing at an MP.
Hey Cloud!! Do you think that nows the time?
Good point, the Cloud counterpart replied. He pressed what appeared
to be a button on his armlet. The sound of an engine was heard overhead.
Avalanche looked up to see a giant airship that looked like the Highwind,
but was different. Instead of the propellors their ship had, this Highwind
had propulsion jets which seemed to be powered by Mako and hanging from the
ship were devices that appeared to be... weapons? A hatch opened beneath
the ship and an object fell from it. It landed with a giant thud. The MPs
stepped back in fear.
Wh-what is it? one of them asked.
The names Cait Sith V, it replied. It was Caits basic
body, however the mog was larger and seemed different. Unlike the stuffed
body Cait possessed, this mog was armored. It looked as if there was some
sort of gun mounted on the mogs left shoulder. Its left arm was
a large blade. The eyes flashed red with a menacing and frightening look.
The chest plates slid open and a small gattling gun emerged.
D-d-damn!! one of the MPs shouted. Forget this shit!! This
job doesnt pay THAT well!! He ran off. The other MPs followed
his example.
H-hey!! the commander exclaimed. Wait up!!
Avalanche looked around. The crowd was long gone by the time battling began.
Now it was just Avalanche and their future counterparts.
This is some fucked up shit, Cid cursed. He searched his pockets
and found a cigarette. Before he put it in his mouth, he noticed Yuffies
little smirk and tossed it away.
What the hell you so happy about? he asked.
Oh come ON!! Yuffie replied with a roll of her eyes.
Its SOOO obvious you need to light up!! So go on!!
And lose the bet? Cid asked. Kiss my ass.
The future Cloud cleared his throat. Yuffie and Cid became silent and looked
at him.
Now, who are you? he asked.
Were Avanche, Barret replied. Who are you?
Were Avalanche too, the future Aeris said. But you
guys are our counterparts from the past.
That means were... Aeris began. Her counterpart nodded.
The future... Cloud said. Okay. I want to know whats
going on.
Hold on, Cait Sith V said. Its not safe. SOLDIER
will be here soon. the future Cloud nodded and took out his PHS.
Bring the Highwind down, he said. And make sure we have
room for some unexpected guests. He shut it off and placed it back
in its pouch.
*****
Shit, Cid muttered, looking over the interior of the Highwind.
Holy shit. What the hell have you fucks done to my ship?
We improved it, a voice said. He slowly stepped into the light.
Now its a fully-functional battleship.
REEVE?!? Cloud exclaimed.
Thats right, Reeve replied. Who do you think breathed
life into Cait Sith V? Who do you think breathed life into the original Cait
Sith?
So youre the Shin-Ra spy, Tifa said. Reeve nodded.
Lets all gather in the Operations Room, Reeve replied.
Ill explain everything there.
*****
Okay, Cloud said. Were all here. Now could you tell
us what happened? Theres a lot of questions I need answers to. Like
for one, why did Rufus say that the Cetra were evil? And why did he mention
Lucrecias name? And if this is the future, how come Avalanche is so
small? And how can he even be here? He pointed to Zack.
Cloud... Reeve began. Have a seat. A lot has changed. Much
of Avalanche was lost to us. After Red was sucked into that vortex, we never
heard from him again. Tifa was... lost to us. An ambush by Shin-Ras
new SOLDIER Squadron. Rufus called them the Shin-Ras Avalanche. Tifa
died protecting Cloud from a blast by the war golem Calibretto.
Tifa... Cloud muttered. He looked over at his childhood friend.
She stood with her head hanging, hugging herself. Her long, dark brown hair
concealed her face from his eyesight. He shook his head and turned his attention
back to Reeve. But he knew that now Tifa would be on his mind all night.
What about me? Barret asked.
Barret, Reeve began. You and Marlene are living a good
life together. You just gave up.
Barret gave up? Aeris repeated. She looked at her large companion.
His expression was one of bewilderment.
Yuffie went back to Wutai, Reeve continued. And Vincent
just... disappeared. Vincent looked up at the mention of his name.
However, his demeanor and expression remained the same.
Lucrecias resurfacing kind of... drove him crazy, Reeve
continued. The future Aeris whispered something in his ear. Perhaps
Ive said too much already...
No, Vincent replied. Continue. What is this about
Lucrecia?
As you wish, Reeve replied with a sigh. Lucrecia resurfaced.
She was a litte... insane. When she surfaced, Sephiroth left the team to
be with his mother. She wanted to take over the Planet. To reclaim it for
the Cetra. We tried to stop her, but she wiped out Tsunami.
My God... Aeris said. Shen, Sara, all our friends.
In order to stop Lucrecia, we knew that we needed more firepower,
Reeve continued. With Knolans help and some parts from the destroyed
Calibretto, we re-created Caits body. It took us three tries. Cait
Sith III and IV were both failures. Cait Sith V was the only successful one.
We then got to work on the Highwind. Somehow, the Shin-Ra had discovered
our hideout, so we needed a new base. We found an underground installation
in Fort Condor. The actual Fort itself was destroyed by Sephiroth and
Lucrecia.
What about Meteor and Bizarro-Sephiroth? Cait asked, fearing
the answer.
Bizarro-Sephiroth merged with Sephiroth, the future Cloud replied.
And Lucrecia destroyed Meteor herself and killed Jenova. We thought
she was doing a good deed. But then this happened.
Talk about out of the fire and into the fryin pan... Yuffie muttered.
Now what about Zack? Cloud asked.
Not much to tell, Zack replied. They thought I was dead.
Turns out I wasnt. I joined up after I heard the story. The end.
How did you guys get here? the future Cloud asked.
Some Materia this genius found, Yuffie replied, pointing at Cait.
Hey! Cait protested.
Its called Mega-Time, Aeris said.
Mega-Time? the future Aeris repeated.
Youve heard of it? Cloud asked.
Mega-Time is the rarest Materia orb of all, the future Aeris
explained. Even more powerful than Knights of the Round. Knights of
the Round can be born once you master it. Mega-Tima can never
be born no matter how many times you master it. Legend says that
Mega-Time was created by the Cetra, but when they realized the possible evil
it could bring about, they sealed it up. The same as the Black Materia. However,
only a Cetra can use Mega-Time.
Where did you find the Mega-Time? Vincent asked Cait.
The Shin-Ra had it, Cait replied. They got it from some
ancient ruins on some deserted island. Heard that some MPs were killed while
trying to reach it. But no one in Shin-Ra could use it. Since it seemed like
such a big deal, I swiped it and brought it to you guys.
Sir! the pilot said over the intercom. Were approaching
Fort Condor now.
Thank you, Reeve replied.
Hey Reeve, Cid said. What happened to me?
The future Avalanche grew silent.
*****
Didnt ya hear me, shithead? Cid asked as Reeve led the
team out of the hangar. I said, what the hell happened to me?
Youll get your answer, Cid, Reeve replied. He stopped at
a door and opened it. Avalanche heard a wheezing sound and the blips of life
support systems. Look inside.
Slowly, they ventured into the room. Sitting in a wheelchair was a man hooked
up to a respirator and life support monitors with all sorts of different
IV cables running out of his body. His eyes made him look as if he were thousands
of miles away from them. His frail hands clutched the arm rests of the chair.
His hair was grey and beginning to fall out.
I think Im gonna be sick... Yuffie said, clutching her
stomach.
Avalanche, meet Cid Highwind, the future Cloud said.
Thats ME?!? Cid asked. Holy shit!! How the hell did
this happen?
Shin-Ra, the future Aeris replied. Remember when we told
you about that battle with SOLDIER? Well, they took Cid with them in hopes
of squeezing some information out of him. He wouldnt talk. This was
the result. I think that after they put him through all this, he told them
where we were.
Cids DNA and genetic structure were completely mucked with,
Zack added. The guy who did this knew exactly what to do and how to
do it. Call it whatever you like. Course of nature, act of God, natural
catastrophe, murder... It all adds up to one thing: Cid Highwind is dying.
And theres not a damn thing we can do about it.
Hojo... Vincent cursed. Zack nodded. Again it was Hojo. It always
seemed to come back to Hojo. Vincent wondered whether or not hed ever
be free from the mans grasp. The two seemed destined to cross each
others path. They were linked together. And it almost made Vincent
want to put his gun to his temple and pull the trigger. But that would satisfy
Hojo. And he wouldnt allow that. Something moved. Vincent noticed it
out of the corner of his eye. Although the room was dim, Vincents night
vision was uncanny. He reached out with his human arm and pulled the figure
toward him.
Wh-what are you doing?!? she asked. She was an older woman. Late
forties, early fifties. Her grayish-brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail
and she wore a pair of glasses.
Lucrecia...? Vincent asked silently.
Vincent, what are you doing?!? Reeve exclaimed. Thats
Shera!!
Shera, Vincent repeated. He released her.
Yes, Shera replied. I came with Avalanche after I heard
what had happened to Cid. I guess you could call me his nurse.
Any progress? the future Aeris asked. Shera shook her head.
Come on, the future Cloud said. Lets leave them.
*****
Avalanche had all gathered in a sitting room where they sat in silence, the
shock of the events almost too much for them to handle.
I cant believe Sephiroth would turn on us like that, Aeris
said. Hes changed. Hes different now.
Thats what I thought too, the future Aeris said. But
I was wrong. It was all just a cover-up. Sephiroth never redeemed himself.
And whats this about me just leaving because Wutai got
independence? Yuffie asked. I mean, if there was another threat,
I wouldve come back.
Somethins not right, Barret said. If the Planet was
still in danger, I wouldnt give up.
Barret, theres something you should know... the future
Cloud began.
Shuup!! Barret snapped. If it happens, it happens.
Ya cant fight the future.
For once the crazy fucks actually making sense, Cid butted
in.
Lucrecia... Vincent muttered. So close, yet so far. Why is it
that she was always just out of his reach?
There was a loud explosion heard.
What the hell?!? Zack asked. He jumped and grabbed his sword.
Whats going on?!?
Reeve ran over and hit a button on a monitor. Shin-Ra attack planes were
flying over them, bombing them. The air force had somehow found them!!
Impossible!! Reeve exclaimed. How could they have known
where we were?!?
{{AVALANCHE!!}} a radio transmission said. {{We have the base surrounded!!
Surrender or be taken!!}}
Damn!! Reeve exclaimed. He fumbled through his pockets until
he pulled out a green orb. Okay everyone, get close. TELEPORT!!
There was a flash of light and Avalanche vanished.
*****
Avalanche materialized near the entrance to the Mythril Mines. There were
several deafening explosions. The planes then flew off.
Come on!! the future Cloud ordered. He ran over to the remains
of Fort Condor. There was nothing left but a gigantic hole in the ground.
My God... Reeve said.
Shera... Cid... the crew the future Aeris said. They killed
them. They killed them all.
This is it, Zack said. Its the end of Avalanche.
_____________________________________________________________________________
AUTHORS NOTE: Hope you guys enjoyed Mega-Time Part 1. The idea was
concieved by LA7JOE, Genx105566, and SuperGophe for a sim during my absence.
Its a 3-part story about Avalanches journey in the future. Ive
changed some things around, such as Fort Condor being Avalanches base
and Cid being alive. There are some other surprises that you will find out
in Part 2. So check back soon and remember that any comments are appreciated.
.