This is a fic I have been working on for about a month now. It is something completely original, off the top of my head though it bores all of our well known characters from Final Fantasy VII. My story ties into my friend CrimsonEyes1984's story just as it ended, mine is beginning. Mari is her main character in her story. She does not belong to me. She is just letting me use her. There are new characters involved which you may not like, but I would appreciate it if you would please not flame me for wanting to write this. It something that came from my head and something that I much enjoy writing so if you have anything bad to say, don't say it and if you don't like it, don't read it 
plain and simple. Each chapter runs anywhere from 7-12 pages long, so I apologize for the lengthy chapters. I hope whoever reads this enjoys it. Also, this story isn't Cloti at all...so if you're Cloti, there's a chance you might not like it. HOWEVER, don't write it off as I do have quite a few Cloti fans who like it. ^^ This story has strong language and some adult content. I have made out a character sheet which you all can look at here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/resonatinglight/PastoftheCetraCharSheet.jpg
And now I will leave you with the prologue and the first chapter
~*FINAL FANTASY VII *~The Past of the Cetra
~Prologue~
3 years ago, the planet was on the verge of destruction. Cloud Strife and his friends were able to defeat Sephiroth, but Meteor was already attacking. Holy had stirred but wasn't strong enough to fight Meteor on it's own. Everybody was certain that the planet was to soon meet it's end when the Lifestream burst out of the earth and helped destroy Meteor. Many lives were lost in vain, many friends were gone. There was a deep, heavy sadness that had settled over their hearts, particularly Cloud's for losing the one whom he loved. 2 years after Meteorfall, the planet found itself on the verge of destruction yet again. The children were being infected with a disease known as the Geostigma, as well as our well known hero. Everybody thought at this point it was the end for Gaia when the planet turned to darkness from the reunion with Sephiroth. Cloud fought and destroyed Sephiroth for good, Sephiroth leaving behind the words "I will never be a memory" in his wake. The planet had been healed by the Geostigma and everybody carried on with their lives. A year later, Omega had awoken, and none other than Vincent Valentine was the one who saved the planet from yet another destruction, awakening Chaos from deep within him. End the end, Omega and Chaos returned to the planet, leaving Gaia safe once more, but something still stirred deep within, though nobody knew. Along the way, Vincent met a beautiful young red mage named Mari Silverwing and quickly fell in love with her. Shortly after Vincent saved the planet, the two wed.
Meanwhile, a young girl, lost when she was a child is taken in by a kind loving couple named Dierdre and Beau Sullivan who live in Kalm. They find her when she's just a baby in a pile of rubble, barely alive, and raise her as their own, naming her Andria. They began to notice a few strange things about young Andria as she grows, but brush it off as just their imagination. Andria begins having dreams of a girl looking much like her and green, swirling light. Desperate to find out about her past and who this girl is, Andria sets out on a dangerous journey throughout Gaia. Cloud, who has started to turn from his friends yet again, becoming antisocial again, still feeling the grief and loss from the woman he loved, Aerith Gainsborough, is on his way to an important meeting when he comes across the young girl. Desperate to keep her alive, he takes her back to Seventh Heaven to nurse her back to health. Everybody is stunned by the girl's shocking indentical look to their dear friend they lost only a few years ago. Rumors have been going around that there is possibly another Sephiroth clone, but nobody knows if it's true or not. Cloud and co. are warned to keep their eye out for anybody who might look suspicious.
Cloud journies with Andria to help her find out more of her past and in hopes to find this "supposed" Sephiroth clone. As Cloud and co. journey together, Mari and Andria's friendship grows as does Cloud and Andria's relationship. Tifa begins to notice the closeness the two share which causes somewhat of a rift in the group. Once Cloud mentions her ucanny resemblance of Aerith, it just leads into more problems. Cloud and co. speak with members of the Turks and Rufus Shinra, finding out that more of Jenova's remaining parts have been found and Sephiroth could be closer to reawakening. Cloud struggles with his feelings towards Aerith and with visions of Sephiroth more powerful than ever. Andria strives to find her way into Cloud's closed heart and settle her past and thus begins the journey of Andria discovering friendship, love, what she is and what she is destined to do.
~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 1- Homecoming
The sun was just setting behind the horizon, casting a soft orange and pink glow over the low hills. People were ushering their children into their homes as night came closer to falling. The air was still and warm, with a slight breeze as a young woman about the age of 25 walked down the low green, sloping hills. She had long brown hair with tints of red, tied up in a ponytail that hung down to the middle of her back and long bangs that hung around the sides of her face. She wore a white, haltered top outlined in a sea green color. Her seagreen skirt hung down to her knees and brown boots that reached just above her ankles and buckled around the top. She had lightly tanned skin and brilliant emerald-colored eyes.
Andria Sullivan pushed back her long bangs that always fell into her face as she made her way towards her home in the small town of Kalm. The only sounds that filled the air was a soft rustling throughout the trees and small sounds of chocobos chirping in the distance. The chocobo farm wasn't too far away and Andria had grown used to hearing them. Andria wandered down the road towards her house, still curious as to what was going on with her. Lately she had been discovering odd things happening and even sometimes heard strange things within her. She had been brushing it off as nothing but she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling inside that something was indeed different about her.
The young woman had been taken in by Dierdre and Beau Sullivan when she was just a baby. She had learned that she was found under a pile of rubble in Icicle Village when she was only a newborn. Andria was rather shocked at first to hear the news, never knowing if she'd know her real parents or not. Yet Dierdre and Beau were still her parents in her eyes. She always had called them Mom and Dad, and even after finding out the truth when she was young that she was not their biological daughter, Andria still loved them both with all of her heart.
The sun disappeared behind the horizon as Andria got closer to her house. The gentle humming of crickets was now filling the air and Andria reached the front door of her home. She opened the door as the smell of dinner came wafting through the house. Sitting at the table was an older gentleman arching back in a chair and reading the newspaper. His brown hair was speckled with gray and he wore a white, button down shirt that was tucked rather untidily into a pair of black pants. He had warm, honey colored eyes and tanned skin which was slightly unshaved. He smiled as Andria approached him. She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.
"Hey there Andi babe, how was your walk?" Beau asked with a smile as she kissed him. He put a hand up on her head and rubbed it slightly. Beau and Dierdre had taken to calling Andria, Andi since she was a little child and was normally always called Andi by them. Everybody always called her Andi and every once in awhile Andria.
"Dad! You know how I feel about you messing with my hair," Andria replied playfully, fixing her hair as she stood up. "My walk was fine. It was rather peaceful this evening. Not much was going on."
"Well I'm just glad you're home in time for dinner," came a warm voice from the stove. Dierdre Sullivan had honey blonde hair that laidd on her shoulders and deep, blue-gray eyes. She wore a light pink dress and with a white apron tied around her waist as she stood at the stove cooking dinner.
Andria walked up beside her mother and kissed her too. "It smells good. What are we having tonight?"
"We're having roast beef and vegetables tonight. It was your father's request," replied Dierdre, pointing her spoon at Beau.
Beau just shrugged as he put his feet on the table, leaning back further in his chair. "Hey, what can I say? I like my meat and potatoes."
"And what did I tell you about putting your feet on the table mister?" Dierdre scolded gently, shaking her spoon at him.
Beau blushed as he removed his feet from the table and sat upright in his chair. "Sorry dear," he stated sheepishly.
Andria just laughed as she sat down at the table beside her father, discussing the days events with her parents and shortly there after, eating dinner and still chatting about the goings on of the day.
~~~~~
The roar of a motorcycle sounded just outside of Seventh Heaven in the town of Edge. Marlene and Denzel sat on the ground just outside of the bar playing jacks as the thundering noise made them jump.
"He's almost home!" exclaimed Denzel, jumping excitedly to his feet, holding onto Marlene's hand as he stood. "I can't wait to see him!"
"Me neither!" exclaimed the little girl, her brown ponytail swaying behind her as she jumped up and down with excitement, her giant brown orbs shining. "One of us should go get Tifa!"
"No way!" Denzel stated. "I've been waiting for him to come home for a whole entire week! You go get her! I'm not missing this!" Denzel turned around clenching his fists excitedly, looking eagerly down the road.
"Oh well fine then!" Marlene stated, sticking her tongue out at Denzel. She ran up the steps that lead into Seventh Heaven and flung open the door anxiously.
There was a young, well endowed woman, with dark, straight hair that reached the middle of her back, standing behind the bar, dusting it off with a cloth. Her long brown hair was tucked behind her ears as she worked. She reached over to turn on the sink and wash the dishes when she heard Marlene come in, calling her name anxiously and breathlessly. Tifa smiled as Marlene came running up to her. She grabbed a hold of Tifa's black apron and tugged on it excitedly.
"Denzel and I can hear him coming! He's almost home Tifa!" Marlene exclaimed excitedly. "Come on let's go!"
"Slow down," Tifa laughed. "Let me put my cloth down." The brunette laid her cloth on the bar and shut off the sink. She followed the anxious little girl who was now tugging firmly at her hand, pulling Tifa with all the strength that she could muster.
"C'MON Tifa! We're gonna miss him!" the little girl squealed, the excitement and anxiousness was imminent in her voice.
Tifa couldn't help but laugh at how adorable Marlene sounded. It had been been a little over a week and not only was she herself excited to see him but so were Denzel and Marlene. She knew Vincent and Mari Valentine would be happy to see him as well. It had been a week since he'd left. A little over a week actually. Tifa stepped outside as an overly elated Marlene tore out the door and stood beside Denzel. Mari and Vincent were sitting just outside of their home next to the bar as the big, black motorcycle came into view. The couple walked arm in arm up to where Tifa and the kids stood anxiously waiting the arrival and greeted them. Dust was billowing on the road as the motorcyle came thundering up to the front of the bar, slowing down and stopping. The slight smell of exhaust drifted across their noses, but they paid no mind. All that mattered is that he was home.
The engine quieted down to a low growl and then was shut off. The young man sitting atop of the bike had blonde, spiked hair and wore a pair of black shades over his eyes. He had black gloves on both hands, a deep, navy blue sleeveless, zip up sweater and a pair of black pants. He wore buckled black boots that clinked gently as he swung his leg over the bike. He wore a small, silver wolf earring in his left ear and over his left shoulder a leather cover with the same silver wolf emblem on the front and a long sleeve down his arm. He had straps across his chest that lead to straps on his back which sheathed a rather large sword. Cloud Strife jumped down from his bike and made his way over to the excited group. Marlene could hardly contain her excitement as she came running towards Cloud, who had just removed his sunglasses and was now kneeling down. Denzel tore after Marlene.
"CLOUD! YOU'RE HOME!" she squealed to the top of her lungs as she lept up into his arms, hugging him tight. Denzel came running over to him and Cloud opened his other arm. Denzel lept into it hard, nearly knocking Cloud backwards. He hugged both of the kids tight, letting them know without words just how much he missed them.
"Woah guys, did you miss me?" Cloud asked with a grin, looking at the kids, his bright, blue irises shining.
"Cloud you were gone for a whole week!" exclaimed Marlene. "You were gone way too long!"
"Yeah, don't leave us for that long again, ok?" Denzel added still hugging Cloud.
"Hey, I can't promise that," Cloud told them. "You know that I sometimes have to deliver things far away," he explained. "But the schedule isn't showing anything that far for quite sometime," he added as he watched their excited, shining faces fall. "So don't worry. No long trips for awhile."
"You promise?" Marlene asked, staring up at the older man with a pouty lip.
The blond just chuckled gently and tugged Marlene's ponytail. "Promise."
"Yay!" exclaimed Marlene and Denzel in unison and they both clung to Cloud with all of the strength they could muster in their little bodies.
Tifa laughed as she walked over to Marlene and Denzel, placing a hand on each of their backs. "Alright you two, let Cloud go so he can breathe."
She ushered the kids off as Mari and Vincent joined them. Mari was a thin, young, red mage with bouncy brown hair, bright green eyes and a warm, pretty face. She and Vincent had just recently wed and the two were literally glowing with happiness. He was a young man with long, silkened hair that was black as coal and eyes as crimson as the red flame in a fire that flickered with life. His left arm was cast in golden gauntlet, barely showing bits of his mutilated, black flesh from past events that Vincent had long put behind him. His fingers were long, golden and clawed which he placed on Mari's shoulder as Cloud stood up in front of the others.
"Welcome home Cloud," Vincent stated, his deep, baritone voice rolling from behind the collar of his coat. "We were wondering when you'd be back."
"I'm sorry, I just needed to get away for awhile," Cloud replied, no longer smiling. His face had turned solemn as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and looked at the grinning face of Tifa, his childhood and dearest friend.
"You didn't want the kids to know, Cloud?" Mari asked as she approached the swordsman. She reached up and gave him a welcome home hug to which Cloud returned. Mari had always looked up to Tifa and Cloud as a brother and sister figure.
"Nah, it's not really for them to know is it?" Cloud replied as the magei let go and he turned and hugged Tifa.
"Cloud, we've all been worried about you," she mumbled into his shoulder. "I just hope you're going to be okay," she added as she hugged him. "We've really missed you too."
"I'm fine," Cloud reassured her and let go. "Like I said, sometimes I just needed to get away for awhile. I had some…things I needed to do."
"Well you know you could at least answer you phone when we called," Tifa stated, punching him playfully on the arm.
"Haha yeah. I didn’t always get the best reception where I'm at. You must have tried to call when I was in a bad area," Cloud remarked as he began walking up towards the bar where the kids sat waiting anxiously on the steps. He wasn’t about to tell them that he’d kept his phone shut off the whole time.
Tifa stood and watched as the spiked blond walked up the steps. Both Denzel and Marlene each took one of his hands and they disappeared behind the door. The only thing that could be heard was their voices chattering loudly to Cloud. Tifa hung her head slightly as they went inside. Mari approached Tifa.
"Excuses, Cloud. It‘s always one excuse right after another, isn‘t it?" the martial artist muttered under her breath. Tifa knew Cloud well enough to know that something definitely wasn't right with him and this time there was no shrugging it off as just her imagination.
Mari turned towards the gunman. "Cloud just…doesn't seem like himself," she pointed out. "He seems...I dunno...like something is wrong with him, do you agree?"
Tifa nodded her head in agreement. "There is something going on with him. I just wish I knew what it was. Cloud isn't himself. Not at all and I don't know what to do about it. He hasn't been himself for a few weeks now. It's like he's in his stupor again, going straight to his room as soon as he gets home from doing deliveries. He never listens to me and he won't talk to me about what‘s bothering him. Though, I have a pretty good idea of what it is. Imagine, it always will, huh?" she sighed, tucking some of her dark hair behind her ear.
"Cloud has been through quite a lot these past few years. We all thought when Sephiroth had returned a second time that Cloud was doing better, but the last few months I've noticed a gradual change in him and not for the better. I don't know what is going on, though I‘m sure we all have an idea what it could be. However, we need to respect him and his feelings. When Cloud is ready, he'll tell us," Vincent stated as he wrapped an arm around Mari's shoulders.
"Right and we'll be there to help him and be there for him, no matter what he needs," Tifa stated firmly, nodding her head. “We’re his family, that’s the right thing to do.”
"You really think he'll be okay Vincent?" the mage asked him, slight apprehension and worry could be heard in her voice.
"Cloud is just Cloud. He'll be alright eventually. I believe that Cloud is still hurting and he just doesn't want anybody to know about it. He never wants to burden us with his problems, you know how he is," Vincent replied. "I think a piece of Cloud will always hurt. However, we should at least give Barret, Cid and Yuffie a call and let them know he‘s back. None of us knew where he‘d gone and I know they were worried, especially Yuffie. I'm sure they'd love to see him since he's home."
Tifa nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah we'll call them tomorrow. It wouldn‘t be right to let them sit and worry."
The martial artist knew what Vincent was referring to. Over three years ago the beautiful young woman who was the last remaining Ancient, Aerith Gainsborough, on the planet was stabbed and killed by Sephiroth right before Cloud's eyes, before he even had the chance to do anything to save her. He still blamed himself for her death to this day, feeling it was a sin that he couldn't save her.
Cloud had walked around a little over a year ago with the heavy burden on his heart, feeling the pain of his loss and blaming himself for her dying. He had closed himself off from his friends, having been infected with the Geostigma and didn't want to risk losing anymore of his friends. Cloud had barricaded himself in the old church where Aerith's flowers still grew everyday, even though it had been destroyed during the battle with the three remnants of Sephiroth; Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz.
Cloud had also been able to heal the children who had been infected with the Geostigma with the rain water that had flooded the church, the water that had been touched by Aerith. That was the day that Cloud had first seen Aerith since she had died. Everyday, the blond would find time to go back into the church that was now in ruins but yet had been somewhat restored, the flowers still growing brightly and hoping against hope he would see her but had not. Not since that day. Cloud had seen her and Zack standing near the door of the church. She had been kneeling down to a couple of children and then stood and walked away, but before she was gone Aerith had turned her head back and smiled at Cloud. She told him everything was going to be alright. At that point, Cloud really believed it. He really believed that he wasn't alone anymore, but as time passed he was feeling more and more alone.
Everyday he had longed to be back with Aerith, everyday missing her more and more. Sure he felt her presence coming from the Lifestream and sure he had Tifa, Denzel and Marlene. He also had Vincent, Mari, Barret, Cid, Yuffie and all the friends he could possibly ask for and they meant more to him than anything, but there was still that small feeling of emptiness inside him, and he didn't know if that void would ever be filled. Sure Cloud knew how Tifa felt about him, but he just didn't feel that way about her. Yes Cloud loved her, but not the way he had and still loved Aerith. He loved her like a best friend, a sister almost who possessed motherly qualities when it came to him, and he knew Tifa would never understand that.
Tifa just sighed and bid good evening to Vincent and Mari as she turned and walked up the steps leading her into Seventh Heaven. Just above the bar was their home and where they all slept. Denzel and Marlene were inside alone, sitting at one of the booths chatting excitedly about Cloud being home to one another. Tifa approached the excited children and she tugged gently on Marlene's ponytail.
"Hey you two, do you know where Cloud went?" she asked the kids.
"He said he was tired from his trip and he went on up to bed," Denzel replied. "It's so great to have him home, isn't it Tifa?"
Tifa looked up the stairs and she knew she should probably just let the swordsman be. Maybe that's all it was. Maybe he was just tired. After all he had been gone for a week. Who knows how long he had been riding Fenrir. Maybe that's what was the matter with Cloud, and she was just assuming things. Who was she kidding though? Tifa knew what the problem was, she just knew better than to lay it on him full force.
"Yeah it is. Thanks kiddos," the martial artist smiled down at them. "You should probably head upstairs and get yourself ready for bed too. It's getting late."
"Awwww Tifa, do we have to?" complained Denzel.
"Yeah I'm afraid so," she grinned. "Now go brush your teeth, get your pajamas on and I'll be up there to tuck you in shortly."
Both kids got up from the table, groaning and grumbling about having to go to bed already. Tifa just put her hand to her mouth and giggled silently at them as she watched them slump across the floor with obvious disappointment and up the stairs towards their room. She turned and walked over to the sink behind the bar and begin finishing the unwashed dishes, looking up at the ceiling and wondering how Cloud was doing and if he was really asleep.
Cloud sat down on the edge of his bed, un-strapping the massive sword that hung sheathed on his back and laid it on the floor. He kicked off his boots, stripped off his gloves and lay them on the nightstand next to his bed. The blond fell back against the pillows, resting his hands behind his head. Cloud had been out to the Forgotten City, standing out at the water where he had laid Aerith to rest, feeling her presence all around him and hoping to see her there but didn't. He just felt her presence. Cloud had later left the Forgotten City and rode out to where his best friend Zack's grave was. He stood out by where the large buster sword was buried in the ground. Cloud had ridden just about everywhere, burying his emotions and trying to forget about everything that had happened within the past three years. He had wanted to distance himself from his friends so they wouldn’t know he had still continued to suffer.
Cloud could remember after Vincent saved the planet from Omega how he had went and searched, hoping to find him, but when he didn't Cloud thought for sure he had lost another friend when Vincent came back. Shortly there after he and Mari had wed and Cloud could remember feeling extreme happiness for them, but yet at the same time the pain in his heart wielded, and he remembered that if only he would have seen Sephiroth, if only he could have made it on time, he could have saved her and that would have been him and Aerith. Only too many times he'd push the thought back down into his stomach and just go on traveling, trying to forget the past. Just recently had he realized it'd been a week he had been gone and it was probably time to return home. Cloud rolled over onto his side facing the window and stared out at the blue-black sky as a few stars began appearing and twinkled down at him. He was interrupted in his thoughts when there was a gentle knock on his door. The swordsman remained quiet as Tifa came in.
"Cloud?" she spoke in low tones. "Are you awake?"
He remained still and quiet, faking the deep breathing that would suggest he was sleeping. The dark-haired woman approached him and rested a hand on his shoulder, but Cloud still didn't move. He didn't want to talk right now. As much as he cared for the girl it was something that she probably would never understand. He heard Tifa's soft sigh come from behind him.
"You must have really been tired," she stated as she removed her hand. "We're just glad to have you back home." The martial artist walked away from Cloud, opened the door and left his room, closing the door gently behind her so as not to wake him.
Cloud just sighed and buried his face against his pillows closing his eyes. "Yeah I'm tired," he mumbled. "I'm tired of feeling like this."
~~~~~
Andria lay on her side, wearing a white tank top and sleep pants, and her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She lay on top of her bed covers, looking out of her window. The girl still couldn't help but wonder what was going on with her. She could feel strange things going on within her body and the things she sometimes heard, well she knew it couldn't just be nothing. What was going on with her? At times she'd feel an odd tingling sensation in the tips of her fingers and sometimes she felt pressure in the palms of her hands. Andria had learned slowly ease away the pressure and it would just eventually go away, but now it was happening more and more frequently.
The honey-haired girl rolled over, looked up at the inky, starlit sky and mulled her thoughts over and over until she fell into a deep sleep. All was quiet and peaceful. She didn't hear nor awaken when Dierdre came tiptoeing into her bedroom to switch off her bedside lamp and put the covers over her sleeping body so she wouldn't get cold. She didn't feel her mother move back strands of her hair and give her a kiss on the cheek. Andria was deep in sleep, floating through a white void, not knowing what was happening. She had no control of her body or movements; she was just floating, drifting off through the white nothing when she heard a voice. It sounded mystical and slightly far away. It also carried a soft echo behind it.
"Who's there?" Andria called out as she tried to find her way through the nothing. "Is someone there!" she cried out, her voice echoing against the void.
"Andria," came the voice. The voice sounded a lot like her own, but slightly different. Andria's eyes widened as a blurry hand reached out to her. Feeling drawn, Andria reached out her hand and grasped the blurred one in front of her. Warmth spread through her body as soon as she touched the hand. She felt a surge like electricity power through her body and she almost felt recharged. Andria strained her eyes as a blurred face begin coming into view. She couldn't tell who it was.
"Who are you?" Andria asked the strange blurred being that floated in front of her.
Bright green swirls of light began gathering around her and mystical being and soon the female's facial features came slightly into view. The girl had long bangs like Andria, only parted in the center instead of at the side, the exact same hair color, facial features and even her green eyes. Andria thought for a moment she was looking at herself and when she tried to catch a better glimpse, the face smiled and blurred again before she could really take it in. The hand she was holding let go of hers and the female faded from sight.
"You'll understand soon," the voice came again and then it too faded.
"Wait! Come back!" Andria cried out. She had felt so connected to this girl, but why? Who was she? "NO, don‘t leave!" cried out Andria as she burst awake.
Her forehead was beaded with sweat and there was a strange, green glow surrounding her. It took Andria a moment to realize that she was back in her bedroom. The young woman looked around her room trying to figure out where the source of light was coming from when she looked down at her hands and gasped. Surrounding her hands was a bright, but soft green light. Andria held them up and studied them in shock. The green glow had been coming from her...the dream? Was it just a dream? What was happening to her? Who was the strange young woman that so resembled herself? The dream felt more than just a dream and Andria knew it. Somehow and some way she'd find some answers.
-----------------
Just to clarify, her name is pronounced Ahn-dree-uh and Ahn-dee
plain and simple. Each chapter runs anywhere from 7-12 pages long, so I apologize for the lengthy chapters. I hope whoever reads this enjoys it. Also, this story isn't Cloti at all...so if you're Cloti, there's a chance you might not like it. HOWEVER, don't write it off as I do have quite a few Cloti fans who like it. ^^ This story has strong language and some adult content. I have made out a character sheet which you all can look at here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/resonatinglight/PastoftheCetraCharSheet.jpgAnd now I will leave you with the prologue and the first chapter
~*FINAL FANTASY VII *~The Past of the Cetra
~Prologue~
3 years ago, the planet was on the verge of destruction. Cloud Strife and his friends were able to defeat Sephiroth, but Meteor was already attacking. Holy had stirred but wasn't strong enough to fight Meteor on it's own. Everybody was certain that the planet was to soon meet it's end when the Lifestream burst out of the earth and helped destroy Meteor. Many lives were lost in vain, many friends were gone. There was a deep, heavy sadness that had settled over their hearts, particularly Cloud's for losing the one whom he loved. 2 years after Meteorfall, the planet found itself on the verge of destruction yet again. The children were being infected with a disease known as the Geostigma, as well as our well known hero. Everybody thought at this point it was the end for Gaia when the planet turned to darkness from the reunion with Sephiroth. Cloud fought and destroyed Sephiroth for good, Sephiroth leaving behind the words "I will never be a memory" in his wake. The planet had been healed by the Geostigma and everybody carried on with their lives. A year later, Omega had awoken, and none other than Vincent Valentine was the one who saved the planet from yet another destruction, awakening Chaos from deep within him. End the end, Omega and Chaos returned to the planet, leaving Gaia safe once more, but something still stirred deep within, though nobody knew. Along the way, Vincent met a beautiful young red mage named Mari Silverwing and quickly fell in love with her. Shortly after Vincent saved the planet, the two wed.
Meanwhile, a young girl, lost when she was a child is taken in by a kind loving couple named Dierdre and Beau Sullivan who live in Kalm. They find her when she's just a baby in a pile of rubble, barely alive, and raise her as their own, naming her Andria. They began to notice a few strange things about young Andria as she grows, but brush it off as just their imagination. Andria begins having dreams of a girl looking much like her and green, swirling light. Desperate to find out about her past and who this girl is, Andria sets out on a dangerous journey throughout Gaia. Cloud, who has started to turn from his friends yet again, becoming antisocial again, still feeling the grief and loss from the woman he loved, Aerith Gainsborough, is on his way to an important meeting when he comes across the young girl. Desperate to keep her alive, he takes her back to Seventh Heaven to nurse her back to health. Everybody is stunned by the girl's shocking indentical look to their dear friend they lost only a few years ago. Rumors have been going around that there is possibly another Sephiroth clone, but nobody knows if it's true or not. Cloud and co. are warned to keep their eye out for anybody who might look suspicious.
Cloud journies with Andria to help her find out more of her past and in hopes to find this "supposed" Sephiroth clone. As Cloud and co. journey together, Mari and Andria's friendship grows as does Cloud and Andria's relationship. Tifa begins to notice the closeness the two share which causes somewhat of a rift in the group. Once Cloud mentions her ucanny resemblance of Aerith, it just leads into more problems. Cloud and co. speak with members of the Turks and Rufus Shinra, finding out that more of Jenova's remaining parts have been found and Sephiroth could be closer to reawakening. Cloud struggles with his feelings towards Aerith and with visions of Sephiroth more powerful than ever. Andria strives to find her way into Cloud's closed heart and settle her past and thus begins the journey of Andria discovering friendship, love, what she is and what she is destined to do.
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Chapter 1- Homecoming
The sun was just setting behind the horizon, casting a soft orange and pink glow over the low hills. People were ushering their children into their homes as night came closer to falling. The air was still and warm, with a slight breeze as a young woman about the age of 25 walked down the low green, sloping hills. She had long brown hair with tints of red, tied up in a ponytail that hung down to the middle of her back and long bangs that hung around the sides of her face. She wore a white, haltered top outlined in a sea green color. Her seagreen skirt hung down to her knees and brown boots that reached just above her ankles and buckled around the top. She had lightly tanned skin and brilliant emerald-colored eyes.
Andria Sullivan pushed back her long bangs that always fell into her face as she made her way towards her home in the small town of Kalm. The only sounds that filled the air was a soft rustling throughout the trees and small sounds of chocobos chirping in the distance. The chocobo farm wasn't too far away and Andria had grown used to hearing them. Andria wandered down the road towards her house, still curious as to what was going on with her. Lately she had been discovering odd things happening and even sometimes heard strange things within her. She had been brushing it off as nothing but she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling inside that something was indeed different about her.
The young woman had been taken in by Dierdre and Beau Sullivan when she was just a baby. She had learned that she was found under a pile of rubble in Icicle Village when she was only a newborn. Andria was rather shocked at first to hear the news, never knowing if she'd know her real parents or not. Yet Dierdre and Beau were still her parents in her eyes. She always had called them Mom and Dad, and even after finding out the truth when she was young that she was not their biological daughter, Andria still loved them both with all of her heart.
The sun disappeared behind the horizon as Andria got closer to her house. The gentle humming of crickets was now filling the air and Andria reached the front door of her home. She opened the door as the smell of dinner came wafting through the house. Sitting at the table was an older gentleman arching back in a chair and reading the newspaper. His brown hair was speckled with gray and he wore a white, button down shirt that was tucked rather untidily into a pair of black pants. He had warm, honey colored eyes and tanned skin which was slightly unshaved. He smiled as Andria approached him. She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.
"Hey there Andi babe, how was your walk?" Beau asked with a smile as she kissed him. He put a hand up on her head and rubbed it slightly. Beau and Dierdre had taken to calling Andria, Andi since she was a little child and was normally always called Andi by them. Everybody always called her Andi and every once in awhile Andria.
"Dad! You know how I feel about you messing with my hair," Andria replied playfully, fixing her hair as she stood up. "My walk was fine. It was rather peaceful this evening. Not much was going on."
"Well I'm just glad you're home in time for dinner," came a warm voice from the stove. Dierdre Sullivan had honey blonde hair that laidd on her shoulders and deep, blue-gray eyes. She wore a light pink dress and with a white apron tied around her waist as she stood at the stove cooking dinner.
Andria walked up beside her mother and kissed her too. "It smells good. What are we having tonight?"
"We're having roast beef and vegetables tonight. It was your father's request," replied Dierdre, pointing her spoon at Beau.
Beau just shrugged as he put his feet on the table, leaning back further in his chair. "Hey, what can I say? I like my meat and potatoes."
"And what did I tell you about putting your feet on the table mister?" Dierdre scolded gently, shaking her spoon at him.
Beau blushed as he removed his feet from the table and sat upright in his chair. "Sorry dear," he stated sheepishly.
Andria just laughed as she sat down at the table beside her father, discussing the days events with her parents and shortly there after, eating dinner and still chatting about the goings on of the day.
~~~~~
The roar of a motorcycle sounded just outside of Seventh Heaven in the town of Edge. Marlene and Denzel sat on the ground just outside of the bar playing jacks as the thundering noise made them jump.
"He's almost home!" exclaimed Denzel, jumping excitedly to his feet, holding onto Marlene's hand as he stood. "I can't wait to see him!"
"Me neither!" exclaimed the little girl, her brown ponytail swaying behind her as she jumped up and down with excitement, her giant brown orbs shining. "One of us should go get Tifa!"
"No way!" Denzel stated. "I've been waiting for him to come home for a whole entire week! You go get her! I'm not missing this!" Denzel turned around clenching his fists excitedly, looking eagerly down the road.
"Oh well fine then!" Marlene stated, sticking her tongue out at Denzel. She ran up the steps that lead into Seventh Heaven and flung open the door anxiously.
There was a young, well endowed woman, with dark, straight hair that reached the middle of her back, standing behind the bar, dusting it off with a cloth. Her long brown hair was tucked behind her ears as she worked. She reached over to turn on the sink and wash the dishes when she heard Marlene come in, calling her name anxiously and breathlessly. Tifa smiled as Marlene came running up to her. She grabbed a hold of Tifa's black apron and tugged on it excitedly.
"Denzel and I can hear him coming! He's almost home Tifa!" Marlene exclaimed excitedly. "Come on let's go!"
"Slow down," Tifa laughed. "Let me put my cloth down." The brunette laid her cloth on the bar and shut off the sink. She followed the anxious little girl who was now tugging firmly at her hand, pulling Tifa with all the strength that she could muster.
"C'MON Tifa! We're gonna miss him!" the little girl squealed, the excitement and anxiousness was imminent in her voice.
Tifa couldn't help but laugh at how adorable Marlene sounded. It had been been a little over a week and not only was she herself excited to see him but so were Denzel and Marlene. She knew Vincent and Mari Valentine would be happy to see him as well. It had been a week since he'd left. A little over a week actually. Tifa stepped outside as an overly elated Marlene tore out the door and stood beside Denzel. Mari and Vincent were sitting just outside of their home next to the bar as the big, black motorcycle came into view. The couple walked arm in arm up to where Tifa and the kids stood anxiously waiting the arrival and greeted them. Dust was billowing on the road as the motorcyle came thundering up to the front of the bar, slowing down and stopping. The slight smell of exhaust drifted across their noses, but they paid no mind. All that mattered is that he was home.
The engine quieted down to a low growl and then was shut off. The young man sitting atop of the bike had blonde, spiked hair and wore a pair of black shades over his eyes. He had black gloves on both hands, a deep, navy blue sleeveless, zip up sweater and a pair of black pants. He wore buckled black boots that clinked gently as he swung his leg over the bike. He wore a small, silver wolf earring in his left ear and over his left shoulder a leather cover with the same silver wolf emblem on the front and a long sleeve down his arm. He had straps across his chest that lead to straps on his back which sheathed a rather large sword. Cloud Strife jumped down from his bike and made his way over to the excited group. Marlene could hardly contain her excitement as she came running towards Cloud, who had just removed his sunglasses and was now kneeling down. Denzel tore after Marlene.
"CLOUD! YOU'RE HOME!" she squealed to the top of her lungs as she lept up into his arms, hugging him tight. Denzel came running over to him and Cloud opened his other arm. Denzel lept into it hard, nearly knocking Cloud backwards. He hugged both of the kids tight, letting them know without words just how much he missed them.
"Woah guys, did you miss me?" Cloud asked with a grin, looking at the kids, his bright, blue irises shining.
"Cloud you were gone for a whole week!" exclaimed Marlene. "You were gone way too long!"
"Yeah, don't leave us for that long again, ok?" Denzel added still hugging Cloud.
"Hey, I can't promise that," Cloud told them. "You know that I sometimes have to deliver things far away," he explained. "But the schedule isn't showing anything that far for quite sometime," he added as he watched their excited, shining faces fall. "So don't worry. No long trips for awhile."
"You promise?" Marlene asked, staring up at the older man with a pouty lip.
The blond just chuckled gently and tugged Marlene's ponytail. "Promise."
"Yay!" exclaimed Marlene and Denzel in unison and they both clung to Cloud with all of the strength they could muster in their little bodies.
Tifa laughed as she walked over to Marlene and Denzel, placing a hand on each of their backs. "Alright you two, let Cloud go so he can breathe."
She ushered the kids off as Mari and Vincent joined them. Mari was a thin, young, red mage with bouncy brown hair, bright green eyes and a warm, pretty face. She and Vincent had just recently wed and the two were literally glowing with happiness. He was a young man with long, silkened hair that was black as coal and eyes as crimson as the red flame in a fire that flickered with life. His left arm was cast in golden gauntlet, barely showing bits of his mutilated, black flesh from past events that Vincent had long put behind him. His fingers were long, golden and clawed which he placed on Mari's shoulder as Cloud stood up in front of the others.
"Welcome home Cloud," Vincent stated, his deep, baritone voice rolling from behind the collar of his coat. "We were wondering when you'd be back."
"I'm sorry, I just needed to get away for awhile," Cloud replied, no longer smiling. His face had turned solemn as he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and looked at the grinning face of Tifa, his childhood and dearest friend.
"You didn't want the kids to know, Cloud?" Mari asked as she approached the swordsman. She reached up and gave him a welcome home hug to which Cloud returned. Mari had always looked up to Tifa and Cloud as a brother and sister figure.
"Nah, it's not really for them to know is it?" Cloud replied as the magei let go and he turned and hugged Tifa.
"Cloud, we've all been worried about you," she mumbled into his shoulder. "I just hope you're going to be okay," she added as she hugged him. "We've really missed you too."
"I'm fine," Cloud reassured her and let go. "Like I said, sometimes I just needed to get away for awhile. I had some…things I needed to do."
"Well you know you could at least answer you phone when we called," Tifa stated, punching him playfully on the arm.
"Haha yeah. I didn’t always get the best reception where I'm at. You must have tried to call when I was in a bad area," Cloud remarked as he began walking up towards the bar where the kids sat waiting anxiously on the steps. He wasn’t about to tell them that he’d kept his phone shut off the whole time.
Tifa stood and watched as the spiked blond walked up the steps. Both Denzel and Marlene each took one of his hands and they disappeared behind the door. The only thing that could be heard was their voices chattering loudly to Cloud. Tifa hung her head slightly as they went inside. Mari approached Tifa.
"Excuses, Cloud. It‘s always one excuse right after another, isn‘t it?" the martial artist muttered under her breath. Tifa knew Cloud well enough to know that something definitely wasn't right with him and this time there was no shrugging it off as just her imagination.
Mari turned towards the gunman. "Cloud just…doesn't seem like himself," she pointed out. "He seems...I dunno...like something is wrong with him, do you agree?"
Tifa nodded her head in agreement. "There is something going on with him. I just wish I knew what it was. Cloud isn't himself. Not at all and I don't know what to do about it. He hasn't been himself for a few weeks now. It's like he's in his stupor again, going straight to his room as soon as he gets home from doing deliveries. He never listens to me and he won't talk to me about what‘s bothering him. Though, I have a pretty good idea of what it is. Imagine, it always will, huh?" she sighed, tucking some of her dark hair behind her ear.
"Cloud has been through quite a lot these past few years. We all thought when Sephiroth had returned a second time that Cloud was doing better, but the last few months I've noticed a gradual change in him and not for the better. I don't know what is going on, though I‘m sure we all have an idea what it could be. However, we need to respect him and his feelings. When Cloud is ready, he'll tell us," Vincent stated as he wrapped an arm around Mari's shoulders.
"Right and we'll be there to help him and be there for him, no matter what he needs," Tifa stated firmly, nodding her head. “We’re his family, that’s the right thing to do.”
"You really think he'll be okay Vincent?" the mage asked him, slight apprehension and worry could be heard in her voice.
"Cloud is just Cloud. He'll be alright eventually. I believe that Cloud is still hurting and he just doesn't want anybody to know about it. He never wants to burden us with his problems, you know how he is," Vincent replied. "I think a piece of Cloud will always hurt. However, we should at least give Barret, Cid and Yuffie a call and let them know he‘s back. None of us knew where he‘d gone and I know they were worried, especially Yuffie. I'm sure they'd love to see him since he's home."
Tifa nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah we'll call them tomorrow. It wouldn‘t be right to let them sit and worry."
The martial artist knew what Vincent was referring to. Over three years ago the beautiful young woman who was the last remaining Ancient, Aerith Gainsborough, on the planet was stabbed and killed by Sephiroth right before Cloud's eyes, before he even had the chance to do anything to save her. He still blamed himself for her death to this day, feeling it was a sin that he couldn't save her.
Cloud had walked around a little over a year ago with the heavy burden on his heart, feeling the pain of his loss and blaming himself for her dying. He had closed himself off from his friends, having been infected with the Geostigma and didn't want to risk losing anymore of his friends. Cloud had barricaded himself in the old church where Aerith's flowers still grew everyday, even though it had been destroyed during the battle with the three remnants of Sephiroth; Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz.
Cloud had also been able to heal the children who had been infected with the Geostigma with the rain water that had flooded the church, the water that had been touched by Aerith. That was the day that Cloud had first seen Aerith since she had died. Everyday, the blond would find time to go back into the church that was now in ruins but yet had been somewhat restored, the flowers still growing brightly and hoping against hope he would see her but had not. Not since that day. Cloud had seen her and Zack standing near the door of the church. She had been kneeling down to a couple of children and then stood and walked away, but before she was gone Aerith had turned her head back and smiled at Cloud. She told him everything was going to be alright. At that point, Cloud really believed it. He really believed that he wasn't alone anymore, but as time passed he was feeling more and more alone.
Everyday he had longed to be back with Aerith, everyday missing her more and more. Sure he felt her presence coming from the Lifestream and sure he had Tifa, Denzel and Marlene. He also had Vincent, Mari, Barret, Cid, Yuffie and all the friends he could possibly ask for and they meant more to him than anything, but there was still that small feeling of emptiness inside him, and he didn't know if that void would ever be filled. Sure Cloud knew how Tifa felt about him, but he just didn't feel that way about her. Yes Cloud loved her, but not the way he had and still loved Aerith. He loved her like a best friend, a sister almost who possessed motherly qualities when it came to him, and he knew Tifa would never understand that.
Tifa just sighed and bid good evening to Vincent and Mari as she turned and walked up the steps leading her into Seventh Heaven. Just above the bar was their home and where they all slept. Denzel and Marlene were inside alone, sitting at one of the booths chatting excitedly about Cloud being home to one another. Tifa approached the excited children and she tugged gently on Marlene's ponytail.
"Hey you two, do you know where Cloud went?" she asked the kids.
"He said he was tired from his trip and he went on up to bed," Denzel replied. "It's so great to have him home, isn't it Tifa?"
Tifa looked up the stairs and she knew she should probably just let the swordsman be. Maybe that's all it was. Maybe he was just tired. After all he had been gone for a week. Who knows how long he had been riding Fenrir. Maybe that's what was the matter with Cloud, and she was just assuming things. Who was she kidding though? Tifa knew what the problem was, she just knew better than to lay it on him full force.
"Yeah it is. Thanks kiddos," the martial artist smiled down at them. "You should probably head upstairs and get yourself ready for bed too. It's getting late."
"Awwww Tifa, do we have to?" complained Denzel.
"Yeah I'm afraid so," she grinned. "Now go brush your teeth, get your pajamas on and I'll be up there to tuck you in shortly."
Both kids got up from the table, groaning and grumbling about having to go to bed already. Tifa just put her hand to her mouth and giggled silently at them as she watched them slump across the floor with obvious disappointment and up the stairs towards their room. She turned and walked over to the sink behind the bar and begin finishing the unwashed dishes, looking up at the ceiling and wondering how Cloud was doing and if he was really asleep.
Cloud sat down on the edge of his bed, un-strapping the massive sword that hung sheathed on his back and laid it on the floor. He kicked off his boots, stripped off his gloves and lay them on the nightstand next to his bed. The blond fell back against the pillows, resting his hands behind his head. Cloud had been out to the Forgotten City, standing out at the water where he had laid Aerith to rest, feeling her presence all around him and hoping to see her there but didn't. He just felt her presence. Cloud had later left the Forgotten City and rode out to where his best friend Zack's grave was. He stood out by where the large buster sword was buried in the ground. Cloud had ridden just about everywhere, burying his emotions and trying to forget about everything that had happened within the past three years. He had wanted to distance himself from his friends so they wouldn’t know he had still continued to suffer.
Cloud could remember after Vincent saved the planet from Omega how he had went and searched, hoping to find him, but when he didn't Cloud thought for sure he had lost another friend when Vincent came back. Shortly there after he and Mari had wed and Cloud could remember feeling extreme happiness for them, but yet at the same time the pain in his heart wielded, and he remembered that if only he would have seen Sephiroth, if only he could have made it on time, he could have saved her and that would have been him and Aerith. Only too many times he'd push the thought back down into his stomach and just go on traveling, trying to forget the past. Just recently had he realized it'd been a week he had been gone and it was probably time to return home. Cloud rolled over onto his side facing the window and stared out at the blue-black sky as a few stars began appearing and twinkled down at him. He was interrupted in his thoughts when there was a gentle knock on his door. The swordsman remained quiet as Tifa came in.
"Cloud?" she spoke in low tones. "Are you awake?"
He remained still and quiet, faking the deep breathing that would suggest he was sleeping. The dark-haired woman approached him and rested a hand on his shoulder, but Cloud still didn't move. He didn't want to talk right now. As much as he cared for the girl it was something that she probably would never understand. He heard Tifa's soft sigh come from behind him.
"You must have really been tired," she stated as she removed her hand. "We're just glad to have you back home." The martial artist walked away from Cloud, opened the door and left his room, closing the door gently behind her so as not to wake him.
Cloud just sighed and buried his face against his pillows closing his eyes. "Yeah I'm tired," he mumbled. "I'm tired of feeling like this."
~~~~~
Andria lay on her side, wearing a white tank top and sleep pants, and her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She lay on top of her bed covers, looking out of her window. The girl still couldn't help but wonder what was going on with her. She could feel strange things going on within her body and the things she sometimes heard, well she knew it couldn't just be nothing. What was going on with her? At times she'd feel an odd tingling sensation in the tips of her fingers and sometimes she felt pressure in the palms of her hands. Andria had learned slowly ease away the pressure and it would just eventually go away, but now it was happening more and more frequently.
The honey-haired girl rolled over, looked up at the inky, starlit sky and mulled her thoughts over and over until she fell into a deep sleep. All was quiet and peaceful. She didn't hear nor awaken when Dierdre came tiptoeing into her bedroom to switch off her bedside lamp and put the covers over her sleeping body so she wouldn't get cold. She didn't feel her mother move back strands of her hair and give her a kiss on the cheek. Andria was deep in sleep, floating through a white void, not knowing what was happening. She had no control of her body or movements; she was just floating, drifting off through the white nothing when she heard a voice. It sounded mystical and slightly far away. It also carried a soft echo behind it.
"Who's there?" Andria called out as she tried to find her way through the nothing. "Is someone there!" she cried out, her voice echoing against the void.
"Andria," came the voice. The voice sounded a lot like her own, but slightly different. Andria's eyes widened as a blurry hand reached out to her. Feeling drawn, Andria reached out her hand and grasped the blurred one in front of her. Warmth spread through her body as soon as she touched the hand. She felt a surge like electricity power through her body and she almost felt recharged. Andria strained her eyes as a blurred face begin coming into view. She couldn't tell who it was.
"Who are you?" Andria asked the strange blurred being that floated in front of her.
Bright green swirls of light began gathering around her and mystical being and soon the female's facial features came slightly into view. The girl had long bangs like Andria, only parted in the center instead of at the side, the exact same hair color, facial features and even her green eyes. Andria thought for a moment she was looking at herself and when she tried to catch a better glimpse, the face smiled and blurred again before she could really take it in. The hand she was holding let go of hers and the female faded from sight.
"You'll understand soon," the voice came again and then it too faded.
"Wait! Come back!" Andria cried out. She had felt so connected to this girl, but why? Who was she? "NO, don‘t leave!" cried out Andria as she burst awake.
Her forehead was beaded with sweat and there was a strange, green glow surrounding her. It took Andria a moment to realize that she was back in her bedroom. The young woman looked around her room trying to figure out where the source of light was coming from when she looked down at her hands and gasped. Surrounding her hands was a bright, but soft green light. Andria held them up and studied them in shock. The green glow had been coming from her...the dream? Was it just a dream? What was happening to her? Who was the strange young woman that so resembled herself? The dream felt more than just a dream and Andria knew it. Somehow and some way she'd find some answers.
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Just to clarify, her name is pronounced Ahn-dree-uh and Ahn-dee
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It blows me away!
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