A/N: This was originally posted in my drabble one shots of Final Fantasy called Venustas Immortalis. There are not a lot of foot notes I want to place just some heads up.
One: I have not played the game but I have watched gameplay and yes, I have been educated by really good stories on fanfiction. I swear I have every single adventure one where they travel all over Midgar. Urged by a reviewer this idea came to birth. Well, more like they typed an awesome review of an idea I accidentally gave them and I started to write.
Two: This is what I use to get out of writers block so it will not be updated regularly. I have a total of six chapters written and I am still writing plot out and asking questions to myself for it. So if I stop writing for long periods, give me a review asking what's up and I will write again. Though to be honest this fic is always written at night and at 2 AM cause that is when inspiration sparks.
Three: Thank you CeilingCatfaves. That is all I have to say besides hoping you enjoy this! Leave me a review on your way out, it would really help me continue to write this. If there is something you don't like about the fic go ahead and tell me. I try to make it as realistic as possible.
Question: Do you think Skye is a good name for the future Cloud? I am conflicted, leave me your thoughts.
The first thing to register was the thick pounding in his head. He groaned, trying to find out which parts of his body were what.
He blinked his eyes, cringing at the bright light of the sun. Damn, that hurt. With one more despairing moan he rested his arm across his eyes, taking in calming breaths.
What the hell had happened?
He pieced back his memory slowly, mainly because the headache was making it impossible to think. He became clear of two things. It was hot as shit and the asshole little rocks were biting into his flesh.
Okay, so he was out in the open, he was okay with that.
Then the memories snapped into place and he sat up instantly. Right, he had been traveling with Cloud. Cloud had been uncomfortable for a few days before proposing they make a trip to the city of the ancients. He had jumped at the idea, Cloud was gone way too much for his liking. Tifa could only pacify him with jobs at the bar for so long.
Plus Marlene was so totally jealous Cloud hadn't invited her to go along. He felt childish for all of two seconds before deciding he deserved the chance and yeah, good bye flower girl!
And then the trip fell apart.
To be totally fair Cloud had warned him that he had terrible luck. He just didn't think the bad luck was that bad.
Squinting away the blur in his eyes he looked around for where Cloud could be. They had been ambushed and Cloud had attempted to protect him while being on Fenrir. Then all he could remember was pure white and pain.
That was fine, he felt alright and no danger from-
Oh god no, Cloud was going to be so pissed.
Not too far from him was Fenrir; a beautiful dent in her side with a rather large scratch across her glossy black paint. He felt his stomach drop, god he prayed they never found those monsters. Lord knows how ticked off Cloud would be.
However, his thoughts halted with a blaring stop as he saw the mound of blond spikes.
"Cloud!" He got to his feet, stumbling only just a bit before approaching his father figure. His throat clenched up in fear and worry. Not to mention that small piece of guilt worming its way up his gut.
The older male was shivering and breathing heavily, worry won out over guilt as Denzel quickly reached out to grasp his shoulders and push him onto his back.
Cloud was not conscious but breathing harshly and his skin was burning at the touch. Denzel fussed for a moment, looking at Fenrir in order to grab the first aid kit and the few supplies they always carried.
"Don't worry, I'll be right back." He quickly raced over to the bike, picking it up before messing with the compartment and grabbing the small white box. He remembered when Tifa had forced Cloud to take it with him.
Inside was a number of bandages and band aids along with a few cure and restore materia's. On close inspection it also had an assortment of status effect antidotes. He would have laughed at the rather large amount of maidens kisses if he wasn't insanely panicked.
Kneeling down by Cloud again he fussed with the items, he wasn't even sure what he was supposed to use.
"Oh Gaia. Come on." He hissed to himself, leaning over Cloud's still form to grasp the PHS in his pocket.
And then he froze.
He stared at Cloud intently, the gears in his mind starting to turn.
Okay. Okay. Okay what?
He grabbed he phone and jerked back. He took notice of the slight way Cloud's hair had grown out, it fit just around his shoulders and a few of his normal spikes dropped.
That was fine but... Cloud's uniform never fit like that. The zip up turtle neck was strangely tight around his chest and Denzel flushed, fumbling with the PHS before falling back on his ass.
Cloud...?
He flipped open the phone, breathing carefully before dialing the one number he knew could deal with what was going on. It rang twice and answered.
"Sorry. The number you have reached is no longer available. Please make sure you have dialed the number correctly and try again. If your problem persists please contact Shinra's communications department."
Denzel stared blankly, his mind turning and his heart ramming in his chest.
Shitshitshitshitshitshit.
He looked at the cellphone, dialing another number. "Sorry. The number you have reached is no longer available. Please make sure you have dialed the number correctly and try again. If your problem persists please contact Shinra's communications department."
He pulled back the phone, staring at it like it had suddenly stabbed a knife in his back. Hell, he probably would have preferred the knife.
His mind suddenly stopped, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Did they just say ShinRa? Weren't the telephone lines owned by the WRO? Reeve was the one who passed out the PHS's nowadays. Cloud had gotten a few spares after running through his rather quickly.
ShinRa was barely a part of anything!
He decided to try one more number, utterly confused.
This time it did pick up. But not by someone he knew.
"Hello?" It was a feminine voice and he freaked.
He fumbled a bit, eyes gazing at Cloud in worry. "Er, uh, hi. Is Barret there?"
There was silence. "Sorry, you have the wrong number."
And then the line went dead.
He shut the phone, trying to process and calm himself down. He took another look around, sadly only the dry and dead landscape greeted him. He wasn't sure what had happened for all the numbers to change, it confused him.
He looked behind towards Fenrir and saw something he never expected.
ShinRa headquarters and Midgar.
He felt like he had been sucker punched.
"Oh. Oh no. Ohnononono." He sucked in a breath, feeling the panic start to sink in.
Was this really actually happening?
Though it made sense for all the numbers to have failed. Tifa and Vincent didn't have the numbers until later. Heck, Vincent didn't even have a cellphone until a few years back. Or was it forward?
Shit, he didn't even want to wrap his head around it. Cloud was sick and different and Denzel had no idea what he was supposed to do.
He had some Gil, Cloud had saved up for the trip so Denzel had that to fall back on.
"Okay, okay, calm down." He breathed the words to himself, closing his eyes and rubbing a hand on his forehead. He had to keep a level head in situations like this. Vincent always said it was smart to take things slowly and break them apart with a clear mind. You reacted better to situations that way.
He settled for the things he could do now.
Cloud was out for the count and Denzel knew the route from Edge to Junon well enough. Though he supposed it would be near impossible to do it at the moment. Not to mention the fact that he wasn't sure if the routes stayed the same as before. Wandering into Midgar was another risk he wasn't going to take, he didn't have ID's for the both of them and he was pretty sure his age would do him more harm than good.
He clenched his hand into a tight fist, breathing in deeply before opening his eyes. "First things first, finding a place for you to rest up."
Then...
"Vincent?" He mumbled, thinking back on where the ex-Turk was. Tifa had said they picked up Vincent on their travels, he was asleep in a coffin. Where...?
"Nibelheim?" He muttered, humming as the thoughts sorted themselves and making a makeshift plan.
Vincent was a strong ally, Denzel would do anything to have the older guy help him out.
But according to Cloud, and even Vincent himself, the man was wrapped up in his whole sin drama. He would have to act carefully. He didn't know the whole story and he wasn't sure how Cloud-
Oh right.
He still had the whole Cloud isn't actually Cloud thing going.
He peeked at his father (?) figure, flushing bright red as he reached out to grasp the zipper on the turtle neck and zipping it up.
Content he grabbed a cure from the first aid kit, attached it to the extra bracer and quickly cast it over the other.
He was silently glad for the lessons from Nanaki.
He kept the bracer on, attaching the restore on to it in case something was to happen. He still had to be mindful of their surroundings. He closed the first aid kit leaving Cloud who was breathing a little easier to stash it back into its compartment space.
Denzel could not ride Fenrir. Fenrir was specially made for Cloud, everyone knew that. He was still at a loss at how exactly he was going to work with Fenrir for the trip but decided he would use it to the best of his ability.
Next he grabbed Cloud's sword that had went flying during the attack. That took more time, not to mention all the effort he threw into getting the hollow blade into its proper hoister.
Looking through the blades he found the small one stored away for him. He felt a small smile on his lips at that, Cloud had been planning to teach him some more on the trip. He grabbed one of the harnesses and quickly attached it before sliding the blade into place.
Satisfied he approached his father (mother?), hefting an arm over his shoulder. He nearly toppled over at the weight. The height difference made it difficult but he was able to drag Cloud over to the bike and drape his form over it. Satisfied he kicked off the brake and wrapped one arm across Cloud's waist to steady the unconscious male (female?).
Denzel stared and groaned at the situation.
Not to mention the way Cloud's waist suddenly felt. Oh, Cloud was not going to be happy about this. Though, looking at the way things happened Denzel could understand and accept. After everything that happened he doubted Cloud suddenly being a girl was the worst that could have happened. Cloud was a total mother hen to the group.
He remembered the times when Cloud would actually scold the other members when they wandered into the bar beat up. On more than one occasion Cloud had kicked Reno out and threatened the Turks who dare set foot in the bar.
He also stayed up late for Marlene when they were younger. Denzel remembered waking up with Cloud by his bedside, fast asleep.
Cloud wasn't perfect but he tried and took care of those around him without a second thought.
But he really did have terrible damn luck.
Deciding to not worry about it he led his father turned mother down the rocky trails, heading in the common direction for Junon.
Junon was a town he had been to at least once. Vincent, the saint, had taken them out shortly after his tenth birthday with the permission of Cloud and Tifa.
The trip had been cut short due to Marlene's sudden panic attack but it was enough for Denzel to get the feel of the town.
Junon was the major transportation center and Denzel had just enough to get them two tickets to costa de sol.
From there he would have to travel by foot to Nibelheim. Still confused he had purchased a map, Cloud still fast asleep on top of Fenrir.
From the looks of it ShinRa still had major operations in Junon and by passing the security would be tricky. Thankfully he remembered most of the lessons given to him and put them to work. Before he could wander off he paid for a hotel room. He used his younger looks and completely out of it Cloud to earn pity from the innkeeper. Then, he hid Fenrir in an alley not too far away. If Fenrir got stolen he could kiss his ass goodbye.
He got Cloud laying down in bed before he collapsed himself. Cloud was doing better but was extremely delirious. Denzel wasn't exactly sure what had happened to make the blonde that way but he knew it wasn't normal.
His fever fluctuated and he found himself wishing for Tifa and Marlene again. Even if he was scared with how this had even happened he knew he had to pull himself together for Cloud. Not to mention his own safety.
Thinking on it clearly he could safely assume that a lot of the tragic events had yet to happen.
The precious Aerith was still alive as was the cool general Sephiroth.
That meant so was Jenova. That made him shiver, he was still painfully aware of the Jenova cells in his own body. His eyes still had that light blue glow, he had to be careful not to be noticed by ShinRa and such.
He shook his head from the thoughts, getting up to grab a basin of water and tend to Cloud's fever.
It was later in the night when Cloud woke up for the first time.
He was immediately on his feet, dabbing the blonde's forehead in an attempt to lessen his pain. Cloud's eyes flickered open, seeming to register Denzel's form standing over him.
"Denzel...?" Cloud slurred it, eyes staring around the dimly lit room in obvious confusion.
Denzel grabbed the blonde's shoulder to stop him from trying to rise. "Yeah, it's me. You've been out of it for a few days. Scared me."
The blue green eyes stared fuzzily for a few slow minutes before he attempted to move. He shot up, tilting to one side as he started to hack out his lungs.
Denzel freaked, that was completely new. Deciding there wasn't much to do he rubbed the blonde's back, eyes flickering to the glass of water on the night stand. Cloud fumbled for the zipper on his shirt, he was probably feeling the heat.
Denzel froze up, wondering how exactly this was going to go down. It would end in surprised silence or a hole in the hotel wall.
Denzel had the decency to look away when Cloud ripped the zipper down. There was a tense silence, panicked breaths filling the air.
"Denzel. What's on my chest?"
He let out a breathless laugh, reaching forward and tugging for Cloud to release the zipper. "Go to sleep, Cloud. You're really sick."
Thankfully the blonde didn't fight him and collapsed on the bed in a panicked frenzy. Denzel counted that as a win considering no damage was done to their surroundings.
The next morning the brown haired teen nearly freaked when he realized Cloud had coughed up blood. Deciding not to worry about it for now he tucked his role model in and headed out for the day.
Gil in his pockets, sword on his back he made his way down to the docks.
He had the tickets but needed to find a way to get Fenrir on board. Leaning against the railing he watched a group of Sailors load cargo onto the boat leaving for the day. It was now or never.
Fighting off the nerves he listened in on their conversation, aware of the sun on his back and the glow in his eyes.
"I'm tellin ya! ShinRa hasn't sent us a dime in getting rid of the monsters. I heard the sea critters stole a bunch of supplies last night. Good for nothing rich monkeys." A burly man exclaimed, hoisting a box onto another crate. They were loaded onto a net where it would then be carried onto the boat.
Denzel grimaced just a bit, turning his gaze over to the large ShinRa cannon that loomed over the town. The ShinRa base was a pretty large reminder of how strong it was in this time frame.
"Won't even heal the sick! I tell ya, they're asking to get angry mobs."
They continued their anti ShinRa banter and Denzel was just about certain he could twist things in his own way when a man came tumbling down the dock.
"Brian! Brian! There's a situation down by the beach!" There was a flurry of movement but he caught sight of the look of dread on the sailors face as the raced towards the beach.
There was a crowd and he noticed a few infantry men trying to stem the flow. The sailor crashed onto the scene, screeching for his wife.
He had heard Junon had a lot of trouble with mutated creatures. The reactor was just below the ocean if he remembered right, this meant the beginning of mutated monsters around the world. Cloud and Tifa were seasoned fighters that things like this weren't a threat. Of course in Edge there had never been a lot of people who could fight correctly.
"Call a doctor!"
Denzel hesitated, looked down at his bracer and hummed to himself. Well, if the opportunity presented itself, right? Cloud always said if you have the chance take it.
He darted through the crowd, emerging by the sailor's side. Years of fighting with Vincent and Cloud prepared him for the blood but he still paled.
He checked the materia on his bracer, lifting his hand and calling on a restore. It left him a little winded and shaky but he was glad the woman in the sailors arms was no longer bleeding to death. The sailor paused, looking at him in disbelief before thanking the hell out of him.
"Oh god kid, I don't know how to thank ya. Oh Abby! Abigail!"
He gave a small smile, eyes narrowed on the crowd rushing and bustling around. The woman had stirred, stained in blood but as conscious as she was gonna get.
Denzel took the chance. "It's no problem."
He cast another cure on the woman for just in case situations and had to fight off the headache. The drain on his MP was affecting him more then he expected. "My name is Denzel."
"Anything ya want, Denzel, I'll do it."
Denzel kept up a pleasant smile because hey, that was the exact wording he wanted. He nodded, melting into the crowd as the man led his wife away to get properly checked over.
Denzel went back to the hotel feeling pleased with himself.
Cloud was doing better the next time he woke up. He didn't seem that far gone and made an attempt to listen to Denzel's words.
"I'm gonna get us to Vincent, okay?"
Cloud nodded weakly, confused but willing. Denzel decided now wasn't the time to tell him they were stuck in the past, he didn't want another episode.
While Cloud rested, seemingly too out of it to notice his new body changes, Denzel took the chance to escape and get back to the docks in search of his sailor. He was spotted rather quickly as the man had stopped all of his work to run over to him, slapping him on the back and thanking him. He even got his comrades to join in on the celebration and thanks.
Perfect.
"You new to Junon, right?" The man asked, taking off his hat to wipe the sweat off his forehead. The group was seated alongside the dock, Denzel somewhere in the middle of the group that was arguing and joking.
"Yeah, I'm heading down to Costa de Sol with my mom." He knew Cloud would be pissed at being a mom but Denzel didn't really have any problems with it. "Gonna go meet up with my dad in Rocket Town."
The man hummed in understanding. "That's a ways ta go. Heading out to North Corel?"
Denzel paused, scratching his neck nervously. "Don't really know. My mom's sick, visiting family in Kalm before she collapsed on the way back. I just need to get to my dad."
He was more determined at the end of his sentence but knew what the man would be seeing in his little story. A kid leading his sick mom across the world to visit his father. A kid who managed to take the time and heal another person when his mama was too ill to move.
'Pity works great sometimes.' Reno had grumbled one time. Denzel realized how easy it was to apply that here.
"That's some trip to make. You aren't thinking of headin on foot are ya?"
Thank you Gaia.
"Well I have my mom's bike but they charge extra to transport it on the ferry. We had that which made it easier if she got sick and couldn't walk. But with how much it's gonna cost us I got no choice but to walk." He winced to add to the effect of losing all of his Gil.
To be fair they charged way too much to transport the bike. If Denzel paid the fee he wouldn't have anything for supplies and food.
The man slammed a hand on his back, making him nearly face plant into the water. "Don't ya worry about a thing! We'll take your bike for free! It's the least we can do for ya and your ma!"
Denzel was sure Reno would be proud of him.