Final Fantasy: Fated

Part the Fourteenth

Into the Valley of the Fallen Star


Begun by Samantha Rodgers
Continued by Kate Malloy

*****

The group stood on the grassy hillside, looking back at the Gold Saucer.  As 
they watched, more pieces of its exterior structure broke off, and smoke began 
to rise from it.

"We have to go back!" Inno cried with concern.  She turned to race back towards 
the amusement park, but was stopped by Gabriel's hand on her shoulder.

"No," he stated simply.  "I have a suspicion about what is behind the attack, 
and I can assure you that heading back would only place us in more danger.  
*All* of us."

"So what do you believe is attacking the Gold Saucer?" Nanaki inquired.

"Jenova," Gabriel answered, staring off into the distance.

*****

"Cloud!" Tifa screamed, as she and Barret (cradling Marlene in his good arm) 
raced towards the Chocobo Square.  Biggs and Jessie stumbled behind as best they 
could, after Tifa had helped them with a Cure 2.  They still needed greater 
medical attention, but they would be able to hang on for a while longer.

"Damn..." Barret said in amazement.  "They're really determined to mess this 
place up, huh?"

"Tifa!  Barret!" a voice called to their left.  "Over here!"

Tifa and company turned to see a man with black hair and a goatee beckoning them 
into a side corridor.  He looked vaguely familiar.  Figuring that at the moment, 
it probably wouldn't be any worse trusting a stranger than trying to get out of 
this on their own, the group followed him.

"Don't believe I had the pleasure of fully introducing myself to you all 
earlier," the man said once the group had reached a safe spot.  "I'm Reeve, Cait 
Sith's "Boss," and I..."

"That's all fine and good!" Barret interrupted.  "But what the hell's going on
here?"

"We have to find Cloud!" Tifa insisted.

"Okay, okay," Reeve answered, holding up his hands to forestall further 
argument.  "Your friend's supposed to be at the Chocobo Races, right?  I know a 
shortcut to get there, and a way for all of us to get out of here.  So let's get 
moving!"

As the group followed Reeve down some narrow passages and through several 
unmarked doors, Barret insisted that he explain what was happening.

"I'm not entirely sure," Reeve began, "but I've seen some of those guys around 
Shinra, and Midgar.  They're some sort of experiment gone bad.  Hojo would be 
the one you'd want to talk to about that."

"Experiment?" Tifa inquired.

Reeve shrugged.  "Far as I could tell.  I didn't have much to do with the 
Science Department.  I'm certainly not Shinra's favorite person right now.  The 
Shinra MP's probably have orders to shoot first and ask questions later.  Ah, 
here we go," he stated, pulling open a door marked "Chocobo Square - Track 
Entrance."

"Seems pretty quiet in here," Biggs remarked.  Jessie was supporting him with 
one arm, and trying to staunch the bleeding of her wound with the other.  The 
group entered the track, to find absolutely no one there.

"Where'd everybody go?" Barret asked.  "The racers, the cultists...where are 
they?"

"Cloud!" Tifa cried happily, seeing him come around a corner and run towards 
them.  He was holding the reins of a chocobo, and it trotted behind him happily.

Once Cloud had reached their group, he explained what had happened.  "The race 
was about to start, when we saw something was going on up in the stands.  
Everybody just got the heck out of here as fast as they could.  But I stayed 
behind hoping that you'd find me."

"Yeah, but that doesn't explain where those black-robed wackos went," Barret 
remarked.  "If their purpose is to destroy the Gold Saucer, why would they leave 
here so suddenly?"

Just then the entire track shook.  Reeve groaned.

"Should have guessed," he said.  "The central pillar.  The thing that supports 
the various 'saucers.'  If the pillar collapses, it all goes down."

"Sounds familiar," Tifa muttered sadly.

Reeve looked at her.  "Yes, I designed this place too.  There seems to be the 
same weakness in all my designs.  Oh well.  Let's go," he continued, motioning 
to the door they had just come out of.  "The all-terrain vehicle bay isn't too 
far from here.  We'll be able to make our escape that way."

*****

Inno was still quite unhappy that the group had elected to proceed rather than 
go back to help their friends, but even she didn't want to tangle with Jenova at 
that moment.  Cait Sith was worried about his boss, but he admitted that he 
wasn't much of a fighter.  As for the others, Aeris said that she trusted 
Gabriel's judgment, Nanaki was eager to return home now that he was so close, 
and Yuffie, after a quick explanation of what Jenova actually was, was all for 
getting the heck out of there.

Their journey had gone on in silence for the most part.  Cait Sith and Yuffie 
chatted a bit, but the rest of the group seemed in no mood to talk.  Inno 
certainly didn't want to have anything to do with Gabriel at the moment.  The 
few times she'd glanced in his direction, she noticed him looking at her with 
concern, but she'd quickly turned away.  It was a bit childish, she knew, but 
until she could bring some semblance of order to her thoughts, she was better 
off avoiding him altogether.

(Sephiroth,) she thought.  (How can he be Gabriel and Sephiroth?  And then that 
Yuffie girl said that he looked like someone she once knew who was dead.  
Somehow I doubt that's just a coincidence.)

Finally the group reached the banks of a river.  They stopped to consider their 
options.

"Current's going too fast for us to swim across," Gabriel stated.

"I wasn't exactly made for swimming either," Cait Sith replied.

"And I can't swim," Aeris admitted.  "Maybe we could build a raft?"

Gabriel shook his head.  "It would take too much time.  Besides, what have we 
got to cut trees with?  Inno's sword, maybe, and that's about it."

Inno hadn't been listening to the conversation, and was startled when Gabriel 
said her name.

He looked at her.  "Kid, got any ideas?" he asked.

Inno started to shake her head, then paused.  The visions flooded her head 
again, of people with no wings, one wing, two wings, many wings, angel wings, 
demon wings...

protectaerisstopjenovastopmeteorstoptheonewinged...

"Angel," she finished quietly.  The rest of the group turned to stare at her.  
"We will fly," she stated.  "Float!"

The spell took effect, temporarily giving the illusion of angel wings to each 
member of the group, then causing them to hover several feet above the ground.

"Aaaaah!" Yuffie screamed.  Then she realized that she wasn't going to fall, and 
jumped up and down several times to test this new ability.  "Hey, this is kinda 
fun!"

Inno said nothing in reply.  She'd been looking straight at Gabriel when she 
cast the spell.  When the illusion was in effect, he had the image of only one 
wing.

"Let's go!" Cait Sith exclaimed, sending his Mog bounding over the river.

*****

Reeve led Cloud and the others down several corridors, back flights of stairs, 
and even a few air ducts before reaching the vehicle bay.  The Gold Saucer had 
continued to shake the entire time, reminding them of the urgency of the 
situation.

Cloud kicked open the air duct and jumped out.  "All clear," he informed the 
others.  They cautiously followed him out.

Inside the bay was a cluster of brightly colored all-terrain vehicles, or 
"buggies," as they were more commonly known.  Cloud raced towards a red one, 
while Reeve headed for a blue.  Tifa, Jessie, and Biggs followed Cloud, while 
Barret, carrying Marlene, went with Reeve.

"Do you know how to drive one of these things?" Tifa asked.

Cloud shrugged.  "Not exactly."  He opened the hatch and climbed in, the others 
right behind him.

Once they were settled in, Reeve radioed them from the other buggy.  "I'm 
activating the exit ramp now.  Get ready!"

A section of the wall slid outward and downward, just as a very loud pounding 
came from the main entrance to the vehicle bay and the black-robes forced their 
way in.

"Damn, knew that was too easy," Barret muttered while Reeve got his buggy into 
position.

Cloud revved his buggy's engine.  "Let's go!"  He started to move forward, just 
as the cultists reached the buggy.  Some of them clung to the sides, while 
others ran in front of them.  He swerved from side to side in an attempt to 
throw some of them off, and avoid the others.  Reeve followed, also trying to 
miss as many of the cultists as possible.

Finally, they reached the exit ramp and drove into the desert surrounding the 
Saucer.  The remaining black-robes let go of their vehicles and ran back in.

"You know, I think we might have squished a few back there," Cloud remarked, 
matter-of-factly.  Tifa turned green.

Reeve radioed over.  "Everybody all right over there?"

"Yeah, we're all fine," Cloud replied, "though the others seem a little 
nauseous.  Must be carsickness."

Reeve groaned.  "All right, let's head out."

*****

Behind them, the Gold Saucer finally collapsed.  Most of the black-robes were 
crushed, though a few managed to get out before it was too late.

A single figure emerged from the wreckage a short while later.  It clutched a 
small box in its teeth.  Immediately, the remaining cultists surrounded it.

Reverently, Ioviano set the box down.  "We have done well," he addressed the 
others.  "We have retrieved what the Mother sent us here to find.  Buried at the 
roots of the Great Tree...its Seeds."

*****

The sun was setting as Inno and the others reached Cosmo Canyon.  It was a 
fascinating place, as the various dwellings were actually built directly into 
the bluffs of the canyon.

Nanaki gave a howl of joy and raced up the steps leading to the main city.  "I'm 
home!"

The others exchanged glances.

"Never seen Nanaki so excited before," Cait Sith remarked.  "I guess there's 
something special about having a nice place to come home to."

Gabriel didn't answer.  He was rather disturbed by the fact that his Sephiroth-
side had withdrawn for a while, after being so active.  It was almost as if 
something else had pulled it away.  But if Sephiroth wasn't around, then maybe 
he wouldn't have any problems passing the wards against malevolent spirits.  And 
at least now he could look at Inno without seeing the Other.

Inno...and Aeris.  His Sephiroth-side wanted to protect Aeris, and he (His Abel-
side?  Gabriel?  Who was he when he wasn't Sephiroth?) felt some affection 
towards Inno.  He couldn't help it; he'd saved her life several times now.  He'd 
promised himself, if no one else, to watch over her.  Just as Sephiroth had 
promised to Aeris.  What would happen if someday, he was forced into a situation 
where saving one meant letting harm come to the other?  He wasn't entirely sure, 
but he had the terrible suspicion that Sephiroth would overcome his will, and 
take control.

"Roomie?" Cait Sith asked in a friendly but concerned manner.  "You okay?"

Gabriel shook his head and looked at the others.  "Yeah, I'm fine."  He smiled 
at Cait Sith.  The only one who wasn't treating him any differently was the 
little AI, and he was grateful for that.  "I'm ready."

The group went, single-file, under the archway leading to the Canyon.  First 
Yuffie passed under, showing no reaction.  She was followed by Cait Sith and 
Aeris, the latter with a look of amazement, then a small smile on her face as 
she entered.  Inno went next, a puzzled frown on her face as she went through.

Gabriel took a deep breath and closed his eyes, fully expecting some form of 
resistance.  He stepped forward.

?

A tiny presence brushed his mind.

!

There it was again.  He continued to walk forward.  Any second now a barrier 
would spring up to prevent him from going any further...

"Gabriel?" Aerith said.  "You can open your eyes now.  It's okay.  We're all 
in."

(I made it,) he thought.  Then a realization hit him: what if that was why 
Sephiroth went dormant, so he could get in?

Nanaki came running back down the steps.  "I've spoken to Grandfather," he 
exclaimed, "and he wishes to see you all!"  Coming close to Inno, he murmured in 
her ear, "And I've told him to warn the materia shop merchants about Yuffie."

"Hey!" Yuffie exclaimed.  "I heard that!"

Nanaki only chuckled.  "Come along."  He motioned with his head.

The group followed Nanaki up several stairways, through shops, and finally to 
the top of the canyon itself.  Perched up there was a tall building - an 
observatory.  A massive telescope protruded from the top, pointed straight at 
the stars, which were just becoming visible in the sky.

"Grandfather's observatory," Nanaki informed them.  "He loves to study the stars 
and planets.  He knows so much about them.  It's amazing, really."

They entered the observatory, where an odd old man awaited them.  He was rather 
short, and the way his robes were folded about him made him appear as if he had 
no arms, or legs.  He was actually floating on a small, round, green platform.

"Welcome all!  So you have finally returned our Nanaki.  I am Elder Bugenhagen, 
and I'm very pleased to meet you."

The group introduced themselves, and explained that there were several more of 
their number on their way.  Bugenhagen nodded.

"It is very fortuitous that you have come here now," Bugenhagen stated.  
"Nanaki, the seal on the Gi Tribe's cave has been weakening."

"What?!" Nanaki cried.  "But that should be impossible!  You sealed it with your 
strongest ward against evil spirits."

Bugenhagen shook his head.  "It is happening, though."

(Is the ward over the Canyon weak as well?) Gabriel thought.  (Is that how I got 
in?  Or is Sephiroth...not malevolent?)

"We must enter the cave as soon as possible," Bugenhagen continued.  "I ask all 
of you for your help.  With a team of strong warriors we should be able to 
destroy the spirits once and for all."

Nanaki raised his head.  "Grandfather, I will lead this group.  I will make up 
for the mistake my coward of a father made so many years ago!"  he exclaimed 
proudly, then turned and left the room.

"Cowardly father?" Inno asked.  "What did he mean by that?"

Bugenhagen sighed.  "Nanaki, though he has lived for forty-two human years, is 
still rather young for his people.  The equivalent of a fifteen or sixteen-year-
old human, I suppose."

"Really?" Aeris asked.  "But he seems so mature!"

"He has had to grow up very quickly," Bugenhagen explained.  "Years ago, many of 
his race lived here.  They were the Canyon's protectors, defending the humans 
who lived here against a group of evil spirits, the Gi Tribe.  They were led by 
Seto, Nanaki's father.

"One day, the Gi Tribe mounted a massive attack against us.  Nanaki's people 
were caught by surprise.  Many of them died instantly.  Seto rallied many of the 
remaining warriors, then went off on his own to divert the most powerful spirits 
away.  His diversion allowed us to seal off the Gi Tribe in an abandoned cavern.  
He never came back, however.  But all Nanaki remembers is his father running 
off, leaving him and his mother behind...and his mother dying in the fighting, 
calling out Seto's name."

"Amazing..." was all Inno could say.

"Forgive me for having to burden you so," Bugenhagen apologized.  "It is growing 
late.  I have a place prepared for you to rest and await the remainder of your 
group.  We can discuss plans in the morning."

Bugenhagen led them out of the room, and back down to one of the dwellings.  
There, four mats and piles of blankets had been set out in the middle of the 
room.

"Our ways are simple," Bugenhagen stated, "but I hope you shall be comfortable 
and sleep well.  Do not expect Nanaki back tonight.  I have a feeling that he 
will want to be alone with his own thoughts for a while.  Pleasant dreams."  He 
left.

"Well, I'm pooped," Yuffie stated, immediately flopping down on the nearest 
pile.  "Don't wake me up short of anything but a huge materia discovery.  
'Night."  She pulled the blankets over her head.

"Wonder how they knew I didn't need a bed," Cait Sith remarked.  "Guess I'll 
just power down for the night.  Sleep tight, roomies."

"I'm about ready to turn in," Gabriel admitted.  He and Aeris settled in to 
their sleeping blankets.  Inno blew out the torches in the room before laying 
down.

*****

Cloud, Reeve, and company had decided to stop early for the night.  They 
probably could have reached Cosmo Canyon that night, but they were too tired and 
emotionally drained from their earlier experience.

They were camping in the woods near the river that the others had Floated across 
earlier.  The buggies were made to handle crossings, so it wouldn't be a problem 
when they continued in the morning.  Right now, the group was relaxing.  Barret 
was telling Marlene about how wonderful it was going to be, living in Cosmo 
Canyon.  Biggs and Jessie finally had time to receive proper treatment for their 
wounds, and were chatting about some sort of computer setup.  (Biggs, in rather 
morbid curiosity, had checked the buggies to see if there was any evidence of 
running over the black-robes.  There wasn't.)  Reeve was using a small hand-held 
computer to check over the latest data Cait Sith had collected.

"They reached Cosmo Canyon just fine," he announced to the group.

"That's great," replied Tifa from where she was sitting with Cloud.  She had 
been talking with him about their escape earlier.  Turning away from Reeve, and 
back to Cloud, she continued her questions.  "Cloud, how come there weren't any 
of those black-robed creeps at the Chocobo track where you were?  If they'd 
already started to invade the stands, why wouldn't they have continued?"

"Like I said, they probably didn't find what they were looking for," Cloud 
replied impatiently.

"But they were systematically destroying the place," Tifa insisted.  "Why would 
they just stop and turn away?"

"Tifa, I don't know," Cloud answered angrily.  "Maybe I just got lucky.  Let's 
just drop the subject, okay?  Get some sleep."

Tifa turned away, unsatisfied with his answer.  She was sure there was something 
more to this.

*****

(The girl suspects something, Mother,) Sephiroth-half stated.  (You took quite a 
risk back there, calling off your servants.)

(My puppet still has a great deal of usefulness,) Jenova-half answered.  (It was 
not yet time for his life to end.)

(I cannot say that I agree with you,) Sephiroth-half insisted.

(There is no need for you to question my plans, my angel,) Jenova-half soothed.  
(Rest now.  The time of the Reunion draws near.)

*****

Inno dreamed.  In her dream, she walked through a city of shell and crystal, 
above the ocean yet somehow below it as well.  Somehow she knew this city, 
strange and beautiful.  And she knew that if she did not hurry, Aeris would die.

She raced through shell building after shell building, seeking the stairway to 
the lower levels, but finding only the artifacts of a people long-dead.  
Finally, she pushed through an illusion of fish, swimming in an aquarium, and 
raced down the stairway...

Fragile glass steps.  Hurry now, don't slip, don't fall.  Race through the 
towers of crystal.  Don't lose your way.  See her waiting at the altar, praying.

*flash*

Sephiroth descends from above, Masamune piercing Aeris' torso.  She slumps to 
the ground, her face peaceful.  Sephiroth smirks triumphantly and...

*flash*

You rush to the altar and push Aeris aside.  Sephiroth descends, the sword 
piercing you instead.  You fall and...

*flash*

Another man enters, a man with a large sword.  Cloud.  He stands above Aeris, 
like a protector, until his raises his sword and...

*flash*

You kneel at the altar, praying.  You look up, to see Gabriel descending from 
above, sword outstretched.  You cannot move, only look and...

*****

Inno gasped.  Never had her dreams been quite so vivid.  She put a hand to her 
torso, almost expecting to find herself bleeding from Sephiroth's, or Gabriel's 
sword.  She looked at the others.  Cait Sith and the Mog stood in a corner of 
the room, waiting until morning.  Yuffie muttered something about materia in her 
sleep.  Both Aeris and Gabriel appeared to be sleeping peacefully.  Aeris had 
her hand outstretched towards him.

Inno shuddered.  What was going on here?  Did she just see several possible 
fates in her dreams?  Which ones resulted from which of her actions?  If she 
saved Aeris, was she doomed as well?  Frightened, she pushed the blankets aside.  
Maybe she would take a walk outside.  Perhaps the night air would calm her.

She left the building and climbed down to the bonfire on the lowest level.  
Nanaki had mentioned in passing that it was called the "Cosmo Candle," and it 
was kept perpetually burning in memory.  He didn't say what it was in memory of, 
though.

He was there right now, staring into the flames.  The fire crystal on his tail 
pulsed in rhythm.  Not wishing to disturb him, she started to turn and walk 
away, but he called out to her.

"I could hear you coming," he explained.  "Please, sit down."

"Would you rather be alone?" Inno asked.

Nanaki shook his head.  "No, I think I have had enough time alone.  My thoughts 
are not any clearer than they were before, and no amount of staring into a fire 
is going to straighten them out.  What brings you here now?"

"I couldn't sleep," Inno stated simply.  "Bad dreams."

"Odd things, dreams.  I rarely ever have them.  I am not sure if it is simply a 
trait of my species, or if it is something about me.  I wonder if I am missing 
anything by not having dreams."

"There are some dreams you don't want to have.  Trust me."  Inno let out a deep 
breath.

"I won't ask you about them.  I believe you," He paused for a moment.  "What do 
you think Cloud and the others are doing?"

"Hopefully, they escaped."

"Somehow, I am sure they have.  I'm not certain, mind you, but from time to time 
I get these feelings about things."

"I hope you're right."  Inno looked uncomfortable for a second, then continued.  
"Nanaki, do you believe in fate?  That certain people have an unavoidable 
destiny?"

Nanaki paused to consider it.  "Well, from what Gabriel and Aeris were saying, 
it seems like certain people might have a fate.  They're trying their best to 
change it."

"But doesn't it also seem like it might all be useless?  If it's really 
unavoidable."

"Even if you knew your destiny, even if you knew that there was practically no 
chance of changing it, wouldn't you fight it anyway?" Nanaki countered.  "For 
that one small chance..."  

Inno looked up at the sky.  "Tell me the answer...is fate unchangeable?"

"I should think that even when one is most powerless, one's existence is never 
without meaning," Nanaki stated.

"I hope you're right," Inno replied.  "I'm going to try and get some sleep.  
Good night."

"Rest well, Inno," Nanaki answered.  As she walked away, he stared into the 
flames again.  "I hope I'm right as well.  For if fate is really unavoidable, 
what are we fighting for?"

*****

Author's Notes:

Okay, I know it's an FF7 fanfic, not a Suikoden one, but the quotes seemed 
appropriate. ^_^  It was very fun writing this, sort of like visiting old 
friends you haven't seen in a while.

Thanks go to Lady Chaos for prereading.  Apologies go to everyone for the 
lateness of this.  Remind me to make sure I never have two Impros due in the 
same week again.  Back in my college days, I probably would have had time to 
write them both.  I keep forgetting I'm not in college anymore.  Work pays well, 
but it eats up all your free time. :/

Oddly enough, I was listening to my FF7 soundtrack when I was writing my 
Furniture Warriors part.  So what was I listening to when I wrote this?  My new 
FF8 soundtrack!  You know, if there were such a thing as a FW soundtrack, I 
probably would have listened to that. ^_^

Since there isn't a next author at the moment, I'm not sure where we go from 
here, but I'd like to write for this story again in the future, if I can.

See you in Do-Gooders!

Kate