Enigma

Enigma

Author: CloudyFire

Rated: M Language


Losing half


Midgar was the, ‘City of Dreams’ some would say. The shining beacon throughout the Wutai war. Where thousands of people would go to make a new life, an new gamble.

Some wanted to just visit the city itself and see all the sector’s above the plate. And too see the slum’s market below the plate. While others had wanted to start a new life and make a living in the large city, to get a good education and currency. While still yet others wanted to go for the soul purpose of joining Midgar’s extensive military ShinRa.

The training facility was actually right in the heart of Midgar itself. Wherein the President of the Electrical Company resided. People could look upon the arcane buildings and be proud of their very own military.

ShinRa of course had other responsibilities to the people, to provide energy that the planet itself gave to them, and to protect it’s citizens. In the compound military there were over twenty buildings all stacked in a line, in some semblance of order around one huge building, the HQ of ShinRa. Where the most important politicians, scientists, and working personal were working around the clock to make peoples lives even easier. Around the huge steel HQ building of about seventy floors, were smaller building.

Mostly training facilities and the school of Midgar education. Further to the right and a little ways was the barracks, were young men and women would live for a period of time while they went through the training and education to become apart of the military. On the other side of the barracks was yet another building, this one seemed to stand alone all by itself. It even had it’s own buildings all surrounding it because of the different branches of the military, the elite training Soldier facility.

Any person could get into the military but they would have to take rigorous tests in this building to even be attempted to qualify into the Soldier training. Then surrounding all the military facilities were apartments for the higher up’s and the rich to live there.

A small beat up truck was slowly making it’s way across the barren landscape. It’s tarnished yellow color could be seen for over a mile through the landscape of nothing but some trees scattered here and there. Bushes could be seen along with outcropped rocks in all shape and form, creating disfigured shadows.

The sun up high was beating ruthlessly down on the small truck as it kept going forward on a dusty dirt road. It’s puttering engine echoing around the area. Just up ahead a person could witness shining lights start to focus into view and they could be able to see tall grey and white buildings up ahead of the road. The road itself was also starting to get less bumpy, before long it was a paved road leading up to prominent iron gate, welcoming weary travels into the city Midgar. People could be seen walking around and small stands that had started to show up beside the road, they could also see smoke billowing out towards the blue sky in some areas. Blocking out the sun and turning the sky a reddish pink color.

A large man that was driving the truck smiled at the sight before his eyes in the rear view mirror. A kid with short spiked blonde hair was lounging over the side of the pick up truck looking at the scenery with exited blue eyes, talking every three seconds. But the kid might as well have been talking to air for his companion in back had not said a word the whole trip. But every so often he would tilt his head or nod slightly indicating that he was listening. The man shook his head and looked back on the road.

That guy in red was indeed something to stare at with his long red cape that covered most of his face and dark sunglasses covering his eyes. If the man had not seen this being out in the sunlight he would have mistaken this mysterious figure as a vampire. Sighing softly he reached out a big hand and shook awake his smaller companion that had sat in the passengers seat, on account of being motion sick.

Electric blue eyes opened before a loud yawn pushed them closed again. Sitting up straight the blonde youth scratched at his head before looking straight out through the window shield. There before his eyes was his soul destination. Midgar.

“We’re here.” He said gratefully.

In back of him there came a loud whoop. “We’re here Cloudy so no more up chucking.” Naruto said with a laugh towards the end. Cloud narrowed his eyes and felt a small tick near his left eyebrow. It wasn’t his fault he got motion sickness easily.

Smiling and feeling well rested the youth turned to the truck driver.

“Hey thanks for dropping us off here.” he said. The man turned his head a little, brown hair swaying a little from side to side, with bright green eyes he commented.

“Don’t worry you said you needed a ride to Midgar anyway Strife.” He finished.

Cloud just nodded his head too exited to talk. He was finally here, finally he was going to become a Soldier and prove to the villagers in Nibelhiem that he could do it and was not a pussy. As long as he could remember he was always being ridiculed for his stature or for being an outcast. His mom and Tifa were the only one’s to see them off as he remembered correctly. The other villagers were most likely inside their homes celebrating the fact that Cloud was leaving. No doubt they would start to gossip about his life style in Midgar. For they had gossiped about Naruto when he first came to the village. Most of them thinking the other blonde was either a distant relative or brother, and how he too would be a disappointment. Ignorant people oh how he loved them.

Everything was going as planned except for the man in red. He supposed he should thank Vincent for grabbing the two of them when they were stuck inside the mansion. And for dragging them all the way to the village. But where did he come from to begin with, he had mentioned to Naruto about freeing him. But either boy wasn’t to sure what he was talking about. In fact the guy had said very little and the things he had said were beyond crazy.

Sometimes talking about the Planet and it’s life stream, while other times he would randomly talk about this mad scientist and how he needed to repent for his sins. The only coherent sentence the guy made really was that he wanted to come to Midgar with them, something about spying and Turks. The Turks were an elite all to there own. They were the background workers, spies for the Shinra President. No one wanted to mess with them for they could dig up every little dirty secret your heart tried to hid.

Shrugging his shoulders lightly, Cloud looked out the window to see homes and small businesses all clustered together. He could also see people walking all around the streets, some talking on phones while others just going to their destinations. Feeling a light bump on his left shoulder Cloud turned towards the man only to see troops marching to the left and giant billboards of the great General Sephiroth in a backdrop of the ShinRa building.


“Hey Naruto that’s our stop.” He said pointing.


Yes he had finally made it to Midgar and was now heading towards the check in station at the military complex. They probably would have gotten there sooner but the trolleys had been stopped for some reason. Causing panic and frustration for some people who needed to get to work or home. Stopping the truck drive gave Cloud a few pointers, like where to go and not to and to watch out for himself and his brother. Cloud just sat through it all not feeling he needed to correct the man about Naruto being his brother, they did look a lot alike after all. He got out and grabbed his stuff eyeing the long line for trainees wanting to get in.

Naruto followed suit grabbing his meager belongings and wishing his fox was here with him. They couldn’t have the wild animal come with them it would probably cause a chaotic disturbance on these crowded streets. They were here and that meant only one thing to the blonde. Looking back at Vincent Naruto nodded before looking forward towards his friend. After all this was done he really hopped Cloud would understand.

There was only a three day period where recruits could sign up and it was the last day so the line had to be at least two blocks long. Some people had even opted to sit down on the concert floor playing cards with their neighbors in line. While others had on headphones and listened to music or just tried to wait it out by standing stalk still.

Clutching the paperwork his mom had given him a little over a year ago, Cloud swung his bag on his shoulder and headed towards the line. Only to stop when he heard no sounds of perusing foot prints. He turned around and stared at Naruto puzzled before it hit him. Shiva was he an idiot, why did he not think this through. How was his friend going to get in when he had no paperwork of his birth, parents, or last name.

They had left in such a hurry he didn’t even think... Walking right up to the blonde Cloud dropped his bag on the hard filthy street and embraced his friend.


“I didn’t think...” He said chocked.


He did not want to leave his only friend, not now.


“Hey Cloudy I’ll still be in Midgar. There’s really no where else for me to go. Besides I can write to you” Naruto replied, hugging his only friend right back.

That’s right Cloud thought suddenly he didn’t have to go back to that disgusting village. But what about money and a place to live maybe Vincent could help. Leaning back Cloud gripped Naruto’s narrow shoulders and looked him straight in the eye.


“You can join ShinRa and become a Soldier, you can become a hero that way...” Cloud trailed off looking into his friends sad eyes.


In that one moment Cloud knew and it baffled and hurt him beyond anything he had ever experienced. Naruto didn’t want to go, he didn’t want to join and had never even considered it. Naruto smiled slowly for his benefit and shook his head, making his short spikes fly in the wind and cover his blue eyes.

“I can’t Cloud, I don’t even have a birth certificate.”

Cloud looked at his friend and wanted to shout at the poor excuse both he and Naruto knew it to be. Raising his tanned hands up towards his neck Naruto unclasped his crystal necklace and outstretched his hand towards his friend.

“Take it Cloud...” He said before Cloud interrupted him.

“No you can’t it’s the only thing you...” Have, He thought sadly as Naruto insisted Cloud take it.

Shaking hands tightly grasped the crystal like it was a delicate flower. Looking at the only treasure the youth had only ever cared about. Then Cloud did the only thing he was capable of doing, he embraced his friend hard and patted his back before letting go. Watching as his only friend waved as he turned and went down the crowded street, his blonde hair disappearing in a sea of black and white.

“Please look after him.” Cloud muttered to the silent man in red over to the right. Cloud did not know why he asked this of Vincent for he really didn’t know the man.

But something about him had calmed Cloud down and he knew Vincent would take his words seriously. For when Cloud turned to look the man was gone. Leaving him alone on this crowed street.

It had taken over an hour for the line to dwindle before it was finally his turn. The trolleys had started to run over thirty minutes ago. Carrying with it angry passengers and disgruntled grunts out for training in the lower fields. He had stayed quiet most of the wait opting to look around his surroundings and the other people.

“Step up.” A lady ordered in a monotone voice.

Already reaching for the paperwork, which Cloud gladly gave. She looked over it while Cloud actually started to notice something about her. She was a Third Class, with the blue uniform and a white stripe on the sleeve, which meant she was about mid way through the ranking system. She had short brownish red hair and hazel cat like eyes that glowed ever so softly. Indicating she must have had mako treatment for mako would always brighten up eyes and make them glow. Cloud was snapped out of his thoughts when the woman handed him back his paperwork.

Sighing the woman gestured with her slight hand, “You go to the left and follow everyone else, then go to the right into building 4H to take your physical.” She said curtly, wanting to get to the next person who was in line up next.

Cloud gratefully nodded his head and walked towards the building, following some other soon to be cadets for their own physical. When he entered the small white building he saw that it was a standard hospital room. It had three rooms along side the small corridors and about eight white beds as far as he could see.

Cloud could also see some pictures of mountains or of the sea along the white walls. Perhaps trying to clam the clients inside the waiting room. He stopped behind a young man and waited until it was his turn to be examined. They had been given a little privacy from the outside with a white screen that stood in the middle of the room. When it was his turn, he got to see the other side of the screen just like everyone else. There were two chairs a small white bed and

a table filled with notes and papers. Two people were there waiting, a nurse and the Dr. Cloud stepped in and sat down on the bed while, the nurse was getting him ready. Cloud chanced a look at the Dr. Noting that he was practically bold and had large glasses on. He was wearing the

standard white coat of a Dr. And had a needle in his left hand.

“Ok Mr. Strife,” The man said in a soft voice as he flicked through Cloud’s records.

“Why don’t you roll up your sleeve and let me get some of your blood.” He said professionally.

Cloud obeyed trying not to think about the needle intruding his body. He had never particularly liked needles in the first place, and he never knew if the thing was actually sterilized.

Smiling when it was done the Dr. ‘Nacota,’ as the name tag said put the needle through a computer sample by the corner. It only took a few moments and before long, Cloud could see at least two pages of paper printing out. Looking over the pages Cloud could do nothing but wait. If he passed and was deemed physically fit with no disease or anything, then he could get into the military. Which was a given since Cloud had one of the fittest bodies in his small village. From there he would have a little tougher time getting into Soldier but he could do it. If he passed he was going to head right over there and request to be signed up for it. Lucky he had the money too or he wouldn’t have even made it past here.

“It looks like you’re a healthy fit young man.” Dr. Nacota commented giving him the green card to move forward. Standing up and grabbing his things Cloud headed out the building already in high spirits.

When the blonde had gotten to the Solider training building. He noticed that it was huge, over three buildings all surrounded by training fields and gyms. He was also surprised he could see a lengthy line that started from the entrance. He had thought not many people would request Soldier training, since it was one of the toughest courses.

Sighing and grumbling at the stupid lines, he walked over to it and prepared to wait yet again. Wishing Naruto were with him to keep company.

“Hey so you want to try Solider training to.” Someone said, to Cloud’s left. Lifting his head a little Cloud was met with brown eyes and dark spiky brown hair. He just nodded not really up to talking right now since he was a little agitated from all this waiting.

“Oh that’s cool, I’m going to try it to, as you can see a lot of other people want to be in it. I had also heard that Zack Fair would be one of the commanding officers this time around and that the great Sehpiroth would come once in a while over looking the cadets.” The brown haired youth kept talking, believing that Cloud was listening. Even though the youth had his head turned and one hand at his chest, fingering a crystal necklace underneath the shirt.

“I heard there tests are hard and that the regular military would be a better choice in the percentage department, but I want to see if I can hack with this program.” He kept talking, while Cloud would ever so often nod his head.

Then came their turn and signed up for the program, that was the last time Cloud had seen the brown haired youth. It had turned out that Lann, his name was, couldn’t even hack with the regime of the Soldier program.

Cloud couldn’t have blamed him, he to thought the first week was hard, with all the running. They were always running it seemed, and the early waking hours with the sleepless nights in the barracks. Cloud personally hated the barracks since there was no privacy to be had, they all slept with four to five other cadets and there was only one bathroom per room, not including the outdoor bathing rooms.

Their cots were stained and bumpy, their blankets were tattered and frayed, and their pillows were hard as rocks. The floors were concrete slabs and only two heaters were allowed per room. He hated the grays and whites of the buildings, there was no personal touch to them, it just looked like a big blob after looking at it for so long.

Another thing that he hated was the tests, the written parts were a breeze to him and he would be the first out after he had finished said tests.

No what he hated was the physical tests where the Stg. would make them run up hills or swim in lakes until all their body parts had become numb hours ago. Cloud had also found that he missed home a little, he didn’t miss the villagers but he did miss his room and his mother especially her cooking, maybe even Tifa a little. But most of all he missed Naruto, he had yet to receive any word on his friend. Late at night when everybody was asleep Cloud would look at his bare ceiling and remember the times he had spent with his friend. They had done everything together. Working on a farm to skinny dipping in the lake at night. He just didn’t get it, why would Naruto turn done joining Shinra. He had said he wanted to be recognized as a hero, to have people see him. This would have been the best course of action, so why. But every time Cloud would try to come up with theories he would discard them afterward coming up with knew ones. For him it was easy, he wanted to join because he wanted to be somebody.


He also wanted to meet his idol...er...The General.


Now the actual classes for Cloud were fun because he could learn about other weapons and how to use them. He still liked his sword but he didn’t mind experimenting at all. The only down side of this was that the cadets couldn’t use materia until they had graduated from the program. Something about blowing up buildings in the past or something. The teachers themselves weren’t that bad, sure they were hard asses and would push and shove but they were generous teachers and they shaped you up in no time.

The program was only six month’s so the Sgt’s and staff had to really push a cadet into being considered becoming a Solider. Cloud had found out that there was actually two parts to the program. The first was the six months where they started the cadets off with basic training and getting them into shape, basically weeding out the, ‘weak links’ as some had called it.

The second part was where the cadets would really start to learn, they would also be moved from their current barracks into a nicer building with only two to three people sleeping in each room, and have two bathrooms. The cots would still be the same but the rooms would be upgraded to hard carpet. The second part of the program the cadets could use materia right after they had been subjected to mako, the life energy source, by the local scientists. But they could not use anything above cure, they would have to learn the basics of materia and the theory that went with it. It was after all a form of magic. They could also start learning hard core battle simulations from the computer and fight higher up’s. The second part took another twelve months, so Cloud was looking at staying in Midgar for awhile, maybe even more if he didn’t pass the program.

Right now Cloud had been there for about five months, nothing had happened either in those months. Except for his friend had indeed wrote to him. And Naruto had taken his sweet ass time to finally contact Cloud.

It had been a cold crisp morning that was layered with frost. Cloud had woken up earlier than was normal and did not want to be stuck in his bed, listening to the soft and sometimes loud snores from his bed mates. The reason why he woke up was due to a strange dream the youth had. He was a little puzzled by it because it felt so real and life like.

He had been near a ledge outcrop over looking a large city. But he knew this city, with it’s jumbled vines and streaking building of metal. It was Midgar smothered by the ever present desert. It was raining hard pelting him with big fat water droplets that had stung and blurred his vision Mist springing up from the ground itself overpowering him and distorting his vision further. In the background he could hear screams and gunshots cascading in such great volumes his head felt like it was being split open. But he couldn’t move nor turn his head, he was paralyzed. But when all the racket stopped he dropped to his knees and screamed. That’s when he woke up covered with perspiration.

So he had silently slipped out through the door and had headed

towards one of the many lounges. Unsurprising no one was there and Cloud had the pick of the furniture. He of course took the window seat and gazed out over the grassy fields that was their training grounds. He was so focused on looking out that he had not heard anyone come into the small white room, with over six plush tan chairs.

“Cadet Strife?” A male voice spoke out, shattering the peace and quiet of the morning.

Jumping a little Cloud silently berated himself even as he spoke, “that’s me.” As he straightened up and walked over to the young man at the entrance.

“Here you are, some mail that had arrived late last night.” He said fishing out a white plain envelop before departing.

Cloud at this just stared at the mail, puzzled. On top of the smooth white surface, it had stated, ‘PRIORITY’. Fearing for the worse Cloud took three strides before sitting down at his seat besides the window all the while opening the white envelop. Sitting Cloud took no notice to his environment as he had taken out the note and began to read it.


Hey Cloudy how are you doing in ShinRa. Hope your not making enemies now, can’t have that if you want to make any worth while friends.


At this Cloud had snorted before he continued all the while smiling.


If you must know I’m doing pretty good working at a bar called, “Goblin’s Bar” And guess what I have an actual place of my own. It’s not all that shabby if I do say so myself. And it was all thanks to Vincent, I know the guy can be a little silent.


Again Cloud snorted and rolled his eyes.


But he helped a lot and even comes around to crash on the couch. But enough of that I want to tell you about this one place that’s awesome. It’s in one of the slums at the edge of sector six. There’s this great church building filled with flowers. It’s abandoned and has a giant hole in the roof though. Oh and there’s this one woman, a very lovely girl named Aerith Gainsborough, who tends to the church. Man Cloudy if you saw her you know what I would be talking about when she was special. But she claims to have a boyfriend already. Anyway if you have some free time come on down to either the church or the bar. I miss you and so does Vincent even though he doesn’t say anything out loud.

Until then, your friend Naruto


Smiling Cloud rolled up the letter and tucked it safely away in the white envelop. Vowing at the first possible chance to see Naruto.

TBC

Stay tuned for more