Bizarre Occurances Chapter 2
One Man's Dream
By Dino Pollard
After climbing across Mt Nibel for several hours, the team finally reached
the bridge leading to the reactor.
This brings back painful memories, Sephiroth said.
Shut up, Cloud snapped. Aeris put a hand on his shoulder.
Cloud, please. she said, thoughtfully. Cloud shook his head.
It was hard to say no to someone as caring as Aeris. He couldnt believe
that she actually was willing to give Sephiroth a second chance.
Lets just cross this bridge, Red said. I believe
Rocket Town is just past the mountains.
Youre right, Red, Cloud said, instantly stepping back into
the role as leader. Lets get moving.
*****
Vincent and Sephiroth were the last to begin crossing the bridge. Vincent
looked at his companion.
Sephiroth, he began, Sephiroths eyes mearly shifted to
his direction, then back to the bridge. Im not lying when I say
I knew your mother.
Then prove it, Sephiroth replied.
I give you my word that I WILL prove to you that Lucrecia is your
mother. Vincent said. He meant every word he said. He just didnt
know HOW he was going to pull it off.
*****
Once the team arrived inside, the began to study the place.
Right there, Tifa said. Theres the exit.
Den lets get a move-on! Barret replied.
Umm, how DO we get down there? Yuffie asked.
Obviously, through these, Red answered, motioning to the five
chutes.
No way!! Yuffie exclaimed. Theyre probably all rusty
and full of cobwebs!!
Well, you could always jump, Cait said. Yuffie looked down by
the exit, then proceeded to one of the chutes.
So, which one do we take? she asked.
The first one, Vincent replied. Cloud nodded and slid down, followed
by the rest of the team, with Sephiroth taking up the rear.
All right, lets go, Cloud said.
Wait. Sephiroth stated.
Huh? Barret asked. Whatya mean wait?
Theres a creature here, Sephiroth answered. He pointed
to a giant scorpion-like monster on a ledge. It caught notice of Avalanche
and jumped down.
SHIT!!!! Barret yelled. He aimed his gun-arm at the creature
and let off several rounds.
Red concentrated on the creature, as a Command Materia orb began to glow.
Its resistant to Fire and Gravity spells!!
Huh? Yuffie asked. Oops. She quickly put away the
Fire Materia.
The Materia Keeper used a Trine attack on the team. An orb on Clouds
sword flashed yellow. He smiled.
Thanks for the Enemy Skill, he said.
Tifa concentrated and green energy surrounded her as she cast Bolt2 on the
creature.
Sephiroth ran forward and slashed the creature several times with the Masamune.
Then, he pulled his hand back and green energy surrounded him as he cast
Bolt3, Ice3, and Quake3 on the creature.
Cloud took the initiative by leaping forward and slashing down on the creature.
The Materia Keeper slowly began to vanish.
Whew, that was tough, Aeris said. Sephiroth immediatly casted
Cure3 on the whole team.
Hey!! Yuffie exclaimed. Why didnt you do that during
the fight?!?
Yuffie, shut up Cloud said. We need to get moving if
were going to make it to Rocket Town before nightfall.
*****
A few hours later, the team entered Rocket Town.
I see why its called Rocket Town, Tifa said, pointing to
the huge rocket.
Lets just see if we can find the mayor. Cloud said.
Hopefully, he can tell us if Bizarro-Sephiroth came through here.
Barret walked up to a man who was staring at the rocket. Yo, wheres
da mayor?
The mayor? the man asked. Oh, you must mean the Captain.
I think you had better check his house. The man pointed them to the
direction of the Captains house.
Thanks Barret said, as he followed the team.
*****
Cloud knocked on the door a few times.
No ones home, you spikey-headed jerk!! Yuffie exclaimed.
So lets just go in and see what kinda Materia theyve
got. She used a hairpin as a lock-pick and opened the door.
Cmon.
After looking around the house, Cloud noticed a backdoor and walked through
it. The rest of the team followed.
Wouldja lookit dat, Barret said.
Theres a Shin-Ra logo on it, Cloud said. Tiny
Bronco this is cool.
Shin-Ra? Yuffie asked. LETS TAKE IT!!
Umm, can I help you? a female voice asked.
Can we borrow it? Cloud asked, pointing to the Bronco
Youd better ask the Captain about that. I believe hes in
the rocket. she replied. Im Shera, the Captains assitant.
What are all your names?
Im Cloud.
Barret.
Tifa.
Aeris.
Yuffie.
Cait Sith.
Vincent.
Sephiroth.
And thats Red XIII. Aeris said, pointing to Red.
Hes our... pet.
So youre not from the Shin-Ra? Shera asked.
Hell no!! Barret exclaimed. We hate the Shin-Ra!!
I wonder when President Rufus is coming? Shera said. The
Captains been tense all day.
Rufus may be thinking of restarting the Space Program. If you want to know
more, you should talk with the Captain.
*****
The team made their way to the rocket, where they found a man with dusty
blonde hair, an aviators jacket and goggles, with a cigarette dangling
out of his mouth.
What the fuck do you want? he asked.
You the Captain? Cloud asked.
Damn straight!! He replied. The names Cid Highwind,
but everyone calls me Captain. So
what the fuck do ya want?
Is Rufus coming?
Hell yeah!! Cid said. A young president!! Thats what
we needed!! Hes till got his dreams!!
Can we borrow the Tiny Bronco? Aeris asked.
You outta your Goddamn mind!? Cid exclaimed. Thats
my most cherised possesion, I cant let ya take it!!
Whats the deal with this rocket? Barret asked.
Back during the pointless war, Shin-Ra created a lot of weapons to
help them win, Cid began. They were really interested in space
exploration. After lots of prototypes and testing, they finally completed
the Shin-Ra No. 26. Then they picked the best pilot in Shin-Ra--no, in the
world--me. But because of that dumbass Shera, the launch was cancelled!!
Then they just forgot about it when they found out Mako was profitable!!
Money, moola, dinero--my dreams were nothing more than a financial number
to them!!
Hey gang, Cait Sith said. Sorry to interupt, Rufus is here
with Tseng, Palmer and two MPs.
Thats my cue ta get outta here!! Cid said as he ran to
the ladder.
*****
You Cid Highwind? Rufus asked.
Hey-Hey, thats him alright! Palmer said.
Well, well, Cid said. If it aint fat ass Palmer.
Hey-Hey, dont say fat! Palmer replied. He then sees Shera
making tea through a window. Hey-Hey, can I have some? Palmers
walks away, into Cids house.
Lets get down to buisness, Rufus says as Palmer walks away.
What are your plans for restarting the space program? Cid asks.
Nothing. Rufus replied.
NOTHING?!?!?!? Cid exclaimed. Then why the fuck are you
here?!?
We need to borrow the Tiny Bronco. Rufus replied. Were
after Sephiroth, but apparently weve been headed in the wrong direction.
We now have reason to believe hes headed for the Temple of the
Ancients.
WHAT?!? Cid exclaimed. First the airship, then the rocket,
now my plane? Shin-Ra took space away from me, now they wanna take the sky
too?
Oh, Rufus said. Apparently youve forgotten that
its BECAUSE of Shin-Ra that you learned to fly in the first place.
That plane is goin NOWHERE!!! Cid replied. Some kids about
your age were just askin the same thing.
Tseng reached for his gun in his coat, but Rufus put up a hand to stop him.
What kids? he asked.
Dont know. Cid said. There was this other guy with
a black cape and long sword. Looked really freaky.
Thats Sephiroth. Rufus said.
Youve seen him? Tseng asked.
Cid nodded. He was with a group o kids.
This may not sound like the best phrase but which way did they go?
Rufus asked.
Last I saw, they were up in the rocket. Cid answered.
Rufus turned to one of the MPs. Search the rocket. If you find Sephiroth
or Avalanche, report back immediatly.
Yes sir, The MP replied as he ran off, machine gun ready.
*****
Avalanche slowly made their way past the Shin-Ra without being seen and went
back into Cids house.
Excuse me... Cloud was it? Shera said. You wanted to borrow
the Bronco, right? Cloud
nodded. I think Palmers going to take it. You should probably
talk to him.
Thanks, Shera. Cloud replied. Avalanche walked through the back
door leading to the Tiny Bronco.
*****
Palmer looked around the Bronco trying to find the starter. Im
head of the Space Program he said. I shouldnt be doing
this.
Well be taking that Bronco, Palmer. Cloud said. Palmer
turned around.
Hey-Hey, I remember you!! he said. From the Shin-Ra HQ
when the President was killed. And youre with SE-SE-SE...
I believe the word your searching for is Sephiroth
Sephiroth said. Now, youve got two seconds to tell me why I
shouldnt impale you on my sword.
Palmer swallowed hard. Se-security!! SECURITY!! SECURI***
Sephiroth removed the blood-stained sword from Palmers gut and sheathed
it. Perhaps I should have killed you back in Midgar.
Oh geez!! Yuffie exclaimed. I didnt hafta see that
after we at--URK!!!
Shit Yuffie!! Barret cursed. Keep that shit on the
INSIDE!!
Cloud, Aeris said. The planes already started and
I dont know what to do!
SHIT!! Cloud said. Everyone get on, now!!
*****
Sir, the MP said. I searched the rocket. Theres no
one there.
They probably already left. Rufus replied. Now Cid, about
the plane...
Cid heard the sound of propellers. Sorry Rufus, no dice! The
Tiny Bronco swooped low, and Cid grabbed onto the tail.
SHOOT IT DOWN!! Rufus ordered. Tseng and the MPs took out their
guns and began to shoot at the Bronco. They landed a few good hits. The Bronco
glided over the ocean, before crashing.
Perfect. Rufus said. Just perfect. Lets go. The plane
is worthless now, anyway.
Wheres Palmer? Tseng asked.
I dont know. Rufus replied. He turned to the MP who ran
in the back to find Palmer.
The MP ran back. Sir, he began. Palmers dead. He
was impaled on a sword.
Cloud... Rufus said.
Im not so sure, sir.
What do you mean? Rufus asked.
Well, it was a thin sword wound. He replied. From what
we know, Cloud Strife carries a wide sword.
Then who the hell killed him? Rufus asked.
I could have sword I saw... no, nevermind. Tseng said.
Who did you see, Tseng? Rufus asked.
Well, when the Bronco flew past us, I could have sworn I saw
Sephiroth. Tseng replied.
And Cid said that Sephiroth was with a bunch of kids asking about the
Bronco. Rufus said. OK, first things first. Well
get the Keystone and then go to the Temple of the Ancients. Then well
find out what the truth is.
*****
Cloud slowly got up. Everyone all right? he asked.
Yeah, Barret said. GODDAMN SHIN-RA!!!
The rest of the team mumbled terms of agreement.
She wont fly again, Cid said, shaking his head.
Can we use it as a boat? Cloud asked.
Do whatever the fuck you like, Cid replied.
Cid, are you OK? Cloud asked. I know this was your
plane.
Yeah, Ill be fine. he replied.
What are you going to do now? Aeris asked.
Well, Im history with the Shin-Ra, and I couldnt care less
about Rocket Town. Cid replied.
What about your wife? Tifa asked.
Shera? Cid answered. Dont make me laugh. Just thinkin
bout marryin her gives me the chills.
Why dont you join us? Cloud asked. Were after
Sephiroths imposter, the Bizarro-Sephiroth. Were also going to
have to face Rufus of Shin-Ra some day too.
Well, I dont know anything about that, Cid said.
But what the hell, sign me up.
Well, what do you say everyone? Cloud asked. There only came
mumbles of agreement.
Glad to be aboard numbskulls! Cid exclaimed.
Numbskulls? Cloud asked.
Yeah, anyone dumb enough to go up against the Shin-Ra now has GOTTA
be a numbskull! Cid replied. I like it!!
So, does anyone know where we are? Cloud asked.
I DO!! Yuffie exclaimed. I know this area really well!
We gotta go west to Wutai!!
Wutai... Sephiroth said. Vincent looked at him curiously.
It seems like the most logical course of action. Red said. We
could rest and buy supplies.
Good idea, Cloud said.
Well need ta leave the Bronco at a beach, otherwise we cant
get it on land. Cid said.
The nearest beach is quite a hike to Wutai. Sephiroth broke in.
That beach right there should suit us nicely.
Yeah, lets go!! Yuffie exclaimed, jumping up and down.
Time to go to Wutai!!
*****
After leaving the Tiny Bronco at a nearby beach, and covering it up with
bushes, Avalanche began the long hike to Wutai. Barely fifteen minutes after
walking, Yuffie came running up and screaming at the top of her lungs.
WAIT!! WAIT!! WAIT I SAID!!! WAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!
Whats your problem? Cid asked.
I know this area really well, it gets kinda tough from here.
Yuffie replied.
What are you up to? Vincent asked.
N-nothing, She said. Really, Im telling the truth,
just follow me.
HEY!! THERE THEY ARE!!! a voice said.
Shin-Ra MPs! Tifa said.
Its an ambush! Sephiroth exclaimed.
____________________________________________________________________________
AUTHORS NOTE: Thats the end of Chapter 2. This chapter didnt put a lot of emphasis on Sephiroth. But like Ive told people before, its not a fanfiction strictly about Sephiroth. Its to see how ALL of Avalanche reacts to this situation and the changes that occur. The only really big differences were Tsengs appearence (I just felt it was a good idea to have him there) and Palmers death. To me, Palmer was always a pretty useless character who served no purpose besides annoying you. So I felt he just annoyed Sephiroth, and Sephiroth killed him. A perfect example of how unstable Sephiroth really is. Also, its called One Mans Dream because it deals more with Cids dream of flying in space than anything else.
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