Final Fantasy: Crossover
Chapter 1


     10 years have passed since the Shinra Corporation was destroyed.  The old Shinra is now
just a memory, part of the annals of history.  As is AVALANCHE, the rebel group determined to
stop them at all costs.  It's members had all gone their separate ways, each leading their own
lives.
     Cid, ever the pilot, returned to Rocket Town, and began work on a new prototype rocket,
and a new airship.  His new design was cheap, easy to build, and reliable.  With it, he made
many trips into space, even visiting the moon on occasion.  Now, plans are in the works for a
moon colony, and Cid is leading the development.
     Red XIII, known to his friends as Nanaki, returned to Cosmo Canyon to teach people
about the events that had changed his life, and the lives of so many others, in ways no one would
ever believe.
     Yuffie, ever mischievious, returned to her native Wutai, and together with her father,
Godo, turned their sleepy little town into a major trade center.  Wutai is now one of the largest
commerce centers in the world, and Yuffie is mayor.  She has blossomed into a strikingly
beautiful woman, and has given up her materia-hunting to pursue trade deadlines and stock
reports.  Sometimes, she reminisces on "the old days" where she could go and do as she pleased,
but she doesn't have much time for that.
     Barret returned to Corel, and began the tedious process of reconstruction.  Corel is not
quite what it used to be yet, but they have made stunning progress from the tent cities of old. 
Marlene has also grown up, and she has become quite a fighter, learning most of what she knows
from her dad.  She also cusses like him, too.  Barret couldn't be prouder of his daughter.
     Vincent returned to Lucrecia's cave, and spent most of that time in solitude, venturing out
only to eat.
     After Shinra was destroyed, along with the rest of Midgar, Reeve deactivated Cait Sith. 
He began the Midgar reconstruction, this time fixing all the mistakes that were made when
Midgar was first constructed.  There would be no more plates, and no more Mako.  Instead, solar
power was running this new, clean city. 
     The Turks....disappeared.  No one has seen any of them since the Shinra was destroyed
ten years ago.  It is believed they are in hiding in Kalm, but that, of course, is just a rumor...
     Cloud and Tifa were married, and moved back into Nibelhiem.  They had a daughter,
who they named Aeris, at Cloud's insistence.  The name was more appropriate then they thought,
however.  Aeris's soul had been reborn in this young Aeris, and was sleeping inside of her.  Little
Aeris was becoming very good in combat, which is surprising for a 9-year old.  She also looks
very much like Aeris, except for her blond mane, totally unkempt, like her dad's.  She's got the
same sweet smile, though...
     As Cid was putting the final touches on the Highwind II, a ship larger and grander than
any ship ever built, he heard his wife, Shera, calling him from below.
     "Cid, the tea is ready!"
     "Well, it's about time, you slow $**^%%!"Cid slid down the rope on the gondola he was
on and hit the ground hard.  "Hey, guys!  Take a break!"  Cid and Shera both walked into the
house and had some tea.
     "I wonder how everyone is doing since we all went our separate ways," wondered Shera
as she sipped on her camamile.
     "That's a good question.  We kinda lost touch with all them stupid $%^&s, didn't we?"
     "Yes, we did.."
     "Well, then.  Let's go see 'em!  The Highwind II is ready, so let's go."
     "I just want to make a few more diagnostics--"
     "Goddammit, Shera, the thing's in perfect con--wait a sec..maybe you should check over
things one more time, just to make sure..."
     "OK, Cid."  Shera rushed out the door to complete one more round of checks.

     ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

     "Cloud?"
     Cloud ignored his wife's beckon.
     "Coud?!"
     How could I.... thought Cloud.
     "CLOUD!!!!"
     Cloud awoke from his reverie  "What?  What was that?"
     Tifa stormed up the stairs to their bedroom.  "Get the phone!  Cid's on the line."
     Cloud picked up the phone in the room."Hello?"
     Cloud moved the reciever away from his ear to stem the pain of Cid's loud ranting, which
could be heard clear as a bell across the room.
     "If you're upset that I didn't pick up right away, then get over it, you old buzzard.  What
do you need?.....Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.  What do you think, Tifa?"
     "What do I think about what?"
     "Cid's got the new Highwind up and running.  He wants to get the old gang together at
Cosmo Canyon."
     "Great!  Let's go!" shouted Tifa.  "It'll be a great chance for all of us to catch up.  I haven't
seen Marlene in ages."
     "And they've never seen our daughter.  OK, Cid.  Whenever you're ready, come pick us
up...yeah....see you."  Cloud hung up the phone, then started packing a weekend bag  Tifa called
their daughter and left to pack her own things.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

     In Wutai, however, Yuffie was having a little trouble.
     "I told you to get those reports to me by three.  It's four-thirty.  Where are they?"
     The file clerk trembled in front of Mayor Kisaragi.  "I...I...I'll have them for you first
thing in the morning, ma'am."
     Yuffie glared at him.  "Not good enough.  I want them before you leave today. 
UNDERSTAND?!!"
     "Y-yes ma'am."  The clerk ran off to his office.
     "Ingrateful little dweeb.  How am I supposed to keep Wutai great if clods like that can't
get their work done?!"
     Another trembling office worker carefully walked up to Yuffie."M-mayor Kisaragi? 
Phone for you on 2."
     "I'll take it in my ofice."  She strolled confidently to her large office and sat at her desk. 
She activated the speakerphone.  "Mayor Kisaragi, how can I help you?"
     A startled voice came from the other end of the line.  "Mayor?!  Yuffie is MAYOR?" 
This was followed by raucous laughter from the other end.  After a few minutes, it died
down."I'm sorry.  There must be some kind of mistake.  We're looking for Yuffie Kisaragi."
     "That would be me....Cloud."
     "How did you get to be mayor of Wutai?"
     "It's a long story.  One I would ordinarily be glad to share with you.  But I'm a very busy
woman, and I haven't got all day to yammer on with you."
     "OK, OK.  I'll get to the point.  We're getting the old gang back together for a reunion at
Cosmo Canyon.  Do you want to come?"
     "Really?  Yeah!  Anything to get away from this nuthouse for a while."
     "Great.  Cid'll pick you up in the Highwind, and we'll go from there."  He hung up. 
Yuffie buzzed her secretary.  "Shake?  I'm going on a trip for the weekend.  I'll be back Monday."
     "OK, punk."

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
     Cid maneuvered the new Highwind to a clearing just outside of Nibelhiem, and landed it
gently.  Then he and Shera climbed out and walked the rest of the way into town.
     "It's just the same as last time we were here," said Shera.  "I guess nothing much changes
in this little town."
     Cloud walked outside and saw the two of them.  He waved, and they both went toward
him.  "How have you guys been?  It's been a long time since we saw you two."
     Cid spoke up first.  "I've been pretty good.  The Highwind II is all finished.  She's even
better than the original.  It would've been done sooner if Shera wasn't slower than--"
     "Cid, watch your language.  There are children present," admonished Shera.
     "Uhh...sorry.  Well, we dropped by to pick up you and Tifa, and then we were gonna go
to Wutai to get Yuffie."
     "What about Barret and Reeve?" asked Shera.
     "Barret is busy rebuilding North Corel," said Cloud, "and Reeve pretty heavily involved
with Neo-Midgar."
     Shera looked a little dejected at this piece of news, but perked up when she realized that
she'd get to see the others soon, as well.  
     Tifa came down, with Aeris following her.  "Cid!  Shera!  Hi!  How've you been?"
     "Pretty damn good!  How're you?" asked Cid.
     Shera whacked him on the back of the head.  "Cid!  Watch your mouth!"
     "Sorry 'bout that.  It must've slipped."
     Tifa looked astonished.  "Cid watching his language?  This is impressive."
     "Well, everyone.  Let's go!" exclaimed a thrilled Cid, and they all piled into the airship.  
     Within minutes, they were on the outskirts of Wutai.  Cid landed the Highwind at an
airfeild and they took a cab to the newly built Wutai City Hall.  All five of them walked into the
building to the receptionist's desk.  A pointy-nosed woman with a red beehive and glasses looked
up at them, and said, in a nasally voice, "Can I help you?"
     Cloud decided to be spokesperson for the group.  "We want to see Yuffie..er...Mayor
Kisaragi.  Tell her it's Cloud."
     The secretary looked at Cloud over the top of her glasses, then down at her switchboard. 
She pressed a button for the intercom.  "Ms. Kisaragi.  There is a group of odd people here to see
you."
     A familiar voice crackled over the intercom speaker.  "I'll be right down."
     Cid looked a bit surprised.  "That little punk kid, mayor?  This I gotta see."
     He wasn't kept waiting.  Yuffie bounded down the stairs, wearing her former outfit. 
Short shorts, green sleeveless sweatshirt, and body armor.  She looked exactly the same as they
all remembered her, but a little more mature.  Not much more, though.  She still looked like the
punk kid they all remembered.
     "So when do we leave?" inquired Yuffie.
     "As soon as you get yer scrawny--" Cid stopped in mid-sentence to see Shera glaring at
him.  "As soon as you're ready..." he trailed off, muttering under his breath.  Shera whacked him
upside the head again.  "OW!  What was that for?"
     "I heard what you said."
     "You got super-hearing or something?"
     Cloud chuckled.  "Cid, that's why I don't mutter under my breath around Tifa.  She'd
knock the stuffing out of me if I tried."
     Tifa shot a look at him.  "And don't you forget, either."  She raised a powerful fist and
waved it in front of his nose.
     Yuffie was getting impaitent.  "Come on, let's get going!  How are we getting there
anyway?"
     Cid put his hands into his pockets.  "On the new, improved Highwind, that's how!"
     Yuffie's face began to match her shirt.  "Ugh...I hate flying..."
     "Relax, kid.  This thing flies so smooth, you won't even notice."
     Cloud nodded his head in agreement.  "Yeah, Yuf.  The ride's as smooth as glass.  You
don't feel a thing."
     Yuffie still looked a bit uneasy.  "Well, all right.  I'll still come."
     They all walked outside, and Yuffie waved her arm in the air and whistled.  A limousine
pulled up to the front steps.
     Now it was little Aeris' turn to be amazed.  "Wow.  I never saw a car THAT big before."
     Yuffie knelt down beside her.  "One of the 'perks' of being mayor, kid."  They all got in
and headed for the airport.  After they all were back in the Highwind, Cid started the massive
engines once again, and they were off for Cosmo Canyon.
     Yuffie was walking around the spacious cockpit.  "Wow.  This thing really does ride
smooth.  How come, Cid?"
     Cid was more than happy to answer her query.  "Well, the big problem with the old
Highwind was that it was just too small.  It kept getting knocked around by crosswinds.  This
new ship is too big to be affected by those winds, and just plugs along, straight and steady.  What
the hell-"
     Cid looked at the guages in front of him.  All of them were going nuts.  "Cloud!  Tifa! 
Get up here!  Shera!  We got a problem!"
     Soon the nearly-empty bridge was filled with people. Shera hurried over to Cid and
looked at the instruments.  "I don't understand.  I did a full computer diagnostic.  Everything
checks out perfectly.  There's something out there causing some big-time interference.  But
what's around here that could do such a thing?"
     "I don't have a clue.  What the hell--!"  Cloud stared out the window.  A huge ball of light
was racing toward the Highwind.  "Cid, get us outta here!"
     "Already on it.  Engines in full reverse!"  The mighty craft slowed, then lurched
backwards, throwing all passengers to the cutpile carpeting.
     Yuffie staggered to her feet first.  "Smooth as glass, huh?  Uh, Cid?  This isn't working. 
It's chasing us, whatever it is."
     "Hold on, I'm gonna bring 'er around!"  Cid cranked the wheel hard right, spinning the
craft around.  Then he pushed the throttle to full forward.  The Highwind surged ahead, but the
energy ball was still gaining.
     "It's gonna hit us!  Brace for impact!"  Red alert beacons went on throughout the craft,
just before the ball made contact.  The ship was engulfed in a bright flash....
     And disappeared just over Cosmo Canyon.

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Comments?  Miscellaneous rants and raves?  Email me at jrebholz@usa.net and tell me what you think!