Final Fantasy VII:

Return of Sephiroth PART 1
By: Dave (Cloud)
     The earth has changed a lot since Sephiroth was defeated seven years earlier. The crew has gone their separate ways. Cid now spends all his time developing a new rocket engine for the Highwind. Vincent has moved into his new residence in Lucrecia’s cave, thinking of what would have happened if he had saved her. Red XIII now spends his time ruling Cosmo Canyon. Barret has gone back to Corel to help his pals dig for their precious coal. Yuffie is finally out of jail when she ransacked a passing tourist and stole their money and some materia they had. And finally, Cloud and Tifa got married four years earlier and have two chidren, Cloud Jr. and Zack.

     One a brisk, cool morning in the newly built city of New Midgar, Cloud sits in the 70th floor of the newly designed AVALANCHE building. “Crime rate is down. Murder is also down. We’re making progress, Cloud.”, said one of his secretaries. “Excellent,” Cloud said, “ but robbery and assault are up a ways. Any ideas?” “Well, passing laws has helped SOME but not good enough.” his secretary said. Cloud looked at his watch. “Oh shit. I’m gonna be late with my date with Tifa. I’ll see you tomorrow.” he said as he waved by.

     Cid just walked in after working on the engine for almost four hours. “Tea, Shera.” he said. “How’s the engine going for the Highwind?”, she asked with a warm smile. “Not good,” Cid explained, “I can’t seem to get it running correctly.” “Too bad,” said Shera as she handed him some nice, warm tea. “Thanks.” he said. Just then he heard a loud scream outside. “What the hell was that?” Shera said in a panicked voice. “I don’t know,” Cid replied, “Shera, wait here.” Cid walks outside with his trusty Venus Gospel. He looked around and saw nothing. He searched inside the Item Shop and found nothing. Suddenly, he heard another scream. It was Shera. “Shera, I’m coming!” he shouted. Then the screaming stopped. “Shera,” he said in a panicked voice, “Shera?” There was no answer from her. He walked in his room and found Shera dead on the floor. She had been stabbed through the heart. “OH MY GOD! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!” he shouted as he broke out in tears. He heard another noise. This time it came from the kitchen. He looked inside and there he saw him. It was Sephiroth. He had a smile on his face like he’d won a victory. Cid saw blood stains on his powerful Masamune sword. “You BASTARD!” he shouted as he threw his Venus Gospel at Sephiroth. He dodged it and disappeared into thin air. Cid collapsed onto the floor and broke out in tears, cursing everything he could think of.

     While Vincent was meditating in Lucrecia’s cave, he had a startling vision. He saw Sephiroth in the past, attacking a major city with his devastating Heartless Angel move, throwing almost half of the city in a deep, deathlike coma. He woke up, startled and panicked. He got up and walked around a bit to calm himself down. He then decided to cross the Nibel Mountains toward North Corel, since that was the nearest city with one of his former allies living in it. As he crossed the mountains he saw something in which he had wished to God he never saw. Yes, it was Sephiroth, raiding a campsite, slaughtering innocent campers with one slash of his Masamune sword. The worst was starting. Vincent must warn Barret and the rest of the gang before Sephiroth can go on a rampage.

     In Cosmo Canyon, Red XIII was showing some visitors the telescope his grandfather used to adore and look threw every night of his life, even in the end. After the tour, Red began to think about his Grandpa. How he used to show him all the beautiful stars at night. How he used to give him advice in the time of need and also showing his father’s true fate. At these thoughts, Red’s eyes got watery. “Hey, Nanaki. Next tour is in fifteen minutes,” his helper said. “Yes, I’ll be right there.” Red responded. He went outside and the wind started to blow. He looked around the canyon and saw nothing. All of a sudden a huge purple, portal -like light flashed in the air. Everyone in the canyon started to scream. Something was terribly wrong, Red thought to himself.

     In North Corel, Barret and the miners were digging up some coal. “Hey, I found a bundle here!” a miner shouted. “Hey great job. See if you can dig some more up like that!” Barret said as he patted the guy on the back. Suddenly they heard the cries of the citizens. “What the #@$% is everyone screaming about?” Barret asked. “Barret look!” a townsman said as he pointed to the sky. “What in the hell!” Barret said in shock. “What IS that?” a miner asked. “How in the hell am I supposed to know! I’m no damn rocket scientist!” Barret shouted. “Barret!” a friend of his shouted,” I have a Cid Highwind on the phone for you!” “I’ll take in my tent.” Barret said. Barret walked in his tent and picked up the phone. "Yes Cid what is it?” “Barret,” Cid said as he broke into tears, “ Shera…. Shera…. Shera was killed today. “WHAT?” Barret shouted in surprise, “ HOW?” “ You’re never gonna believe who did it but….. it was…. Sephiroth.” Cid replied. “It can’t be! Sephiroth was killed seven years ago. We were both there!” Barret said. “ GODDAMMIT Barret I KNOW it was him,” Cid shouted, “ I saw him with my own eyes. He had his Masamune sword with him and it was stained with Shera’s blood!” “All right, Cid,” Barret said, “Now stay calm. I’m gonna call Cloud and Tifa.” Barret hangs up the phone.

     At the restaurant in the new Sector 7,Cloud and Tifa were getting themselves settled in. “Sorry I’m late,” Cloud said,” My secretary was telling me on how New Midgar was doing.” “It’s okay,” Tifa said,” After all you are the most powerful man on this planet.” Cloud gave her a warm smile. “May I take your order?” the waiter asked. “Yes, I’ll have a Korean BBQ Plate with extra BBQ sauce,” Cloud said. “Yes sir. And what about you ma’am?” the waiter asked Tifa. “I’ll have Today’s Special with a baked potato and some Asian soup,” she said. “So how are our kids doing?” Cloud asked. “Just fine,” Tifa replied, “ they talk about you a lot and wish you were home more often.” “Yeah, I wish I were home more often too, but running a corporation is a tough business,” Cloud said. The waiter came up and said to Cloud. “Sir, there is a Mr. Wallace that wants to speak to you.” “Barret? Why is he calling?” Cloud asked. “He said it was urgent,” the waiter answered. “All right I’ll take it,” Cloud said as he got up. “Excuse dear,” he said

     “Hey Barret how’s it going?” Cloud asked. “I know I should say hi, but we have a huge problem on our hands,” Barret said. “Listen Barret,” Cloud said, “I don’t want to be rude, but I am having dinner with Tifa so why don’t you just get to the point.” “Fine,” Barret said, “Cid called about thirty minutes ago and said Shera had been murdered.” “Oh my God!” Cloud said, “How did it happen?” “That’s why I called you,” Barret said, “He claims it was Sephiroth that did.” “That’s impossible! Sephiroth was killed seven years ago.” Cloud said. “I know that and I tried to tell Cid that but….” Barret gets interrupted by a familiar voice. “Cid speaks the truth,” Vincent said. “Hold on, Cloud. Vincent just showed up,” Barret said. He turns toward Vincent. “How do you know?” Barret asked him. “I had a disturbing vision while I was meditating and decided to come here and tell you. On my way up here, I saw Sephiroth slaughter a whole campsite.” He replied. “Did you hear that Cloud?” Barret said. “Yeah, I heard it. I’m gonna warn Tifa. Barret, call the rest of the team together and tell them to meet up at the AVALANCHE building,” he said. “Okay.” Barret said as he hung up the phone. “Tifa, we have a crisis!” Cloud said. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “I’ll explain in the car. Waiter, can we have this to go?” “Sure,” said the waiter. Cloud and Tifa got in the car and drove off to the new AVALANCHE building.

     That night in the AVALANCHE building on the 70th floor everyone had gathered. Barret, Vincent and Cid told the rest of the team what had happened. “So,” Reeve said,” What on earth do we do?” “Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do unless we know how he came backed to life and what that strange purple light in the sky is.” Cloud said. “I have a theory,” Red said, “ When my grandpa was still alive, he told me that it might be possible travel threw time. He said that he created a time portal that looked identical to the one up in the sky.” “So this is a time portal thing,” Yuffie said. “It’s possible that the Sephiroth of the past found out about it and transported to the future.” Red said. “How do we close it?” Reeve asked. “We have to go back on time to when Sephiroth opened the portal and destroy the time machine there. After the machine has been destroyed we would have about two minutes to get back to this time period or we could be lost in time forever.” Red said. “Okay people,” Cloud said,” we’ll go through and close it. Reeve, stay here and take over for a while. You can send Cait Sith and his annoying friend with us.” Reeve nodded. “Okay, I’ll get him ready.” “I’ll call the Highwind!” said Cid. The Highwind appeared on the rooftop of the building a few minutes later. Everyone, including Cait Sith’s friend, climbed aboard. “Did you fill the pilots on this plan?” Vincent asked Cid. “Sure did,” he responded. “Let’s MOVE OUT!” Cloud shouted.

     The Highwind flew toward the portal. “Captain! We’re experiencing a lot of force as we approach the portal,” the pilot said. “Slow down a little,” Cid said, “Let’s see if that helps.” “Yes sir! Slowing down to 750m.p.h!” the pilot responded. There was no change in the shaking. It grew more and more severe as they approach the portal. “Speed Up! Goddammit! Speed Up!” Cloud shouted. The pilot sped the ship up. “No effect sir,” he answered, “the shaking keeps getting worse and worse!” “Structural support is collapsing!” the monitor guy said. The Highwind entered the portal and the shaking stopped. “Damn that’s almost as pretty as Tequila!” Cait’s friend said. “It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!” Yuffie said. “Grandpa’s theory was right,” Red said. Suddenly the shaking started again. “Oh no not again!” Barret said.

     The Highwind emerged in the late 20th century over the city of Manhattan. “SHIT! Watch out for the building!” Cid shouted. The pilot swerved just enough where he missed the Chrysler Building by a few feet. People on the streets looked up. Some screamed and ran. Others took pictures and others just stood there amazed. “Captain! I just lost control of the ship! We’re going down!” the pilot said. “Brace for impact!” Cid shouted. The Highwind slammed in the ocean near where the Statue of Liberty stood. “Any survivors?” Cait Sith asked. “We all seem to be okay,” Tifa said,” lets find out where we are. The team climbs out of the Highwind, only to see the skyline of Manhattan and a busted up Highwind. “I may be wrong, but I think this isn’t Cosmo Canyon.” Yuffie said.