Chapter 1

Author Notes:

This story is focused on Cloud as the main character and his experiences on Remnant. The story takes place right after FFVII Advent Children so you may find it confusing if you haven't seen the movie. Knowing the movie isn't super important for the rest of the story but it'll help with this opening chapter.

I'll use RWBY's plot as a general guideline but expect things to be AU as I'm going to incorporate elements of Final Fantasy VII into RWBY's world. I do plan for Cloud to meet up with team RWBY but he won't at the start as I want to set the tone of the story and do some world building.

Listening to the soft beep of the heart monitor, Tifa Lockhart was sitting on a chair within a dreary hospital room with the low chatter from the TV in the room. It had already been a day since she had arrived at the hospital and she could feel the exhaustion creeping in from the lack of sleep. Reaching out Tifa held the hand of Cloud Strife who lay bandaged and unresponsive in the bed in front of her. Sighing, Tifa listened to the news story on the TV to help try and stay awake.

"For months the Geostigma sickness spread and ravaged our communities and cities. No one could uncover what was causing it and there was no cure in sight."

During that time Tifa had to stay strong and put on a smile every morning for the two kids living together with her and Cloud at her bar called 7th heaven. Marlene the adopted daughter of one of her closest friends, Barret , and a orphaned boy named Denzel who was Marlene's best friend. Working at her small bar along with Cloud and his delivery service, the both of them were making just enough to make ends meet and trying to take care of both kids who they loved dearly. For a time Tifa had never been more happy in life. Living together with Cloud and the two kids made it feel as if they were one big happy family. Although it was simple, it was the kind of life that she had traveled and fought around the world for. Everyday was enjoyable until poor Denzel began to show the terrible Geostigma symptoms and slowly every day life became a struggle.

"Miraculously, we are getting officially confirmed results that the rain from yesterday has the capability to cure the Geostigma virus."

Gripping Cloud's hand tightly, Tifa remembered the shocking return of Sephiroth who Cloud had to once again defeat. Hopefully Sephiroth was now burning in hell to never return for all the atrocities that he had committed. Sephiroth was like a curse that would not leave her's and Cloud's life. He killed and destroyed her family and the village Nibelheim that she and Cloud grew up in. Murdered one of their closest friends Aerith who had one of the kindest soul of all the people they had met in their travels around the world. Then Sephiroth had tried to destroy the world with his plan to summon a meteor to strike the planet that would quite possibly kill all life. It was unfathomable how one person could actively bring so much destruction and pain into the world. Now as a result of him again her best friend Cloud lay injured in the hospital.

When Cloud had once again stopped Sephiroth the world was granted a miracle. A miraculous rain that cured those cursed by Geostigma as if it were a thank you gift from the planet. Seeing Denzel smiling happily without any of the taint from Geostigma after watching him struggle every day brought tears to Tifa's eyes. This joy came crashing down the moment Cloud fell from his injuries and was rushed to the hospital. Then came the shocking and crushing revelation that Cloud had been struggling with a strain of Geostigma that the miraculous rain didn't cure.

Looking down and running her hand through the blond locks of clouds unruly hair Tifa chuckled to herself bitterly with tears.

"All that fighting, struggle, and pain to save the world. Then you did it again a second time. Salvation for all... But you and me Cloud."

Thinking back on Cloud's life, Tifa couldn't help but feel how bad a hand Cloud had been dealt. Bullied as a child growing up in school, joining the military and the betrayal by Shinra. A betrayal which led Cloud to becoming a lab experiment for years and subsequent amnesia before reuniting with her. Even after that they had to deal with the globe spanning chase and non-stop battle to stop Sephiroth. There were bright spots during the adventures together but conflict was always a constant. The results of defeating Sephiropth to save the world a second time ? No parade or recognition. No one would ever know what he did or see him as a hero.

All of a sudden the sounds from the TV disappeared.

"...Tifa"

Hearing that voice Tifa could feel her heart stop and all thoughts in her mind grind to a halt. Glancing upwards Tifa cast unbelieving eyes upon a girl that she had thought she would never see again. Aerith the beautiful flower girl that she had watched Cloud lay to rest in the lake of the ruins of an ancient city.

Taking light steps Aerith walked towards Tifa to stand beside her and warmly look down on Cloud as he slept.

"I came to let you know that the planet hasn't forgotten about the sacrifices that you, Cloud and the others have made."

Tifa continued to sit there silently listening while shocked at Aerith sudden arrival.

"Sadly, the things that were done to Cloud by Hojo and Shinra have made Cloud too... different. The rain that cured the others of the Geostigma wont work for Cloud."

Turning to look at Tifa in the eyes, " But the planet does have a solution to try and give Cloud another chance to be happy but you might not like it."

Feeling a warm touch on her shoulder as Aerith placed her hand affectionately on Tifa shoulder.

"The lifestream that flows in Gaia connects to other worlds. One of these worlds has something that can help Cloud with Geostigma and also needs the help from someone like Cloud. When Sephiroth went into the lifestream he brought Jenova along with Jenova's corruption. It's starting to take over that other world. Cloud can find both healing and will also be able to help that world."

Hearing from Aerith that there was a potential way to help Cloud brought hope back into Tifa's heart. Hope that they could rebuild the happiness they had had before Denzel had gotten sick. That is until Tifa heard the part where she and Cloud would have to be separated once again.

Processing and letting what was said process quietly through her mind for a few minutes, Tifa gazed at Cloud's sleeping face and smiled sadly.

"Cloud deserves an opportunity to live and be happy. What do you need me to do?"

The buzzing and ringing in my mind was disorienting. Cloud felt as if he were floating in space. Stretching out as far as I can see is an endless white expanse in every direction. Trying to recollect the last memories before being in this place, I faintly remember defeating Sephiroth once again and seeing the rain take away the Denzel's Geostigma.

"...Cloud"

Turning backwards towards the sound of the voice, a smiling Aerith appeared. Seeing her unharmed and looking exactly like how I remembered her from when we first met brought a smile to my face.

"Is Denzel and everyone alright ?"

Aerith laughed lightly, " Not even a hello before asking about how others are doing ? Yes, everyone is safe and Denzel has been cured as a thank you gift from the planet for your hardwork."

Hearing those words, I could feel a heaven burden being released and a sense of peace from the months of stress during the time Tifa and I had to take care of Denzel. "I'm glad everything worked out and that it's all over now. To be honest I'm looking forward to getting back to the everyday normal and boring life I had before.".

"I'm sorry Cloud but you won't be able to go back. You've been struggling with it for a while, but the strain of Geostigma that you have can't be cured on Gaia."

What does Aerith mean by not being able to go back ?

"You defeated Sephiroth but when he brought Jenova into the lifestream it had far reaching implications. The lifestream is connected to more worlds than just the one you know and one of those world called Remnant is in need of your help. Cloud, that world has something that they call dust that can help you with managing your Geostigma and the people there could also use your help. Going there can help you recover and give you a new opportunity to regain some of the time that you had lost before and a chance to live your life a bit more."

While thinking about the implications from what Aerith had said, I looked back at the endless white expanse I found myself in. She had said that everyone was safe. If I had a choice I would have wanted to continue the life before with Tifa and everyone. I've been fighting for what felt like the entirety of my life and this could be an opportunity to stop.

Glancing back at Aerith face I coule reminded of one of my best friend Zack and his last words... " For the both of us... you're gonna... live. You'll be... my living legacy. My honor, my dreams... They're yours now..."

Zack wanted to live his life to the fullest and to be a hero. When Zack sacrificed his life to save mine these were his last words. Feeling resolved, I looked into Aerith's eyes, "Alright, I'll go."

Aerith smiling back at Cloud, "Remember that me and Tifa will always be proud and blessed that you were in our lives".

On Remnant in a Dust Mine at the outskirts of the Kingdoms

"Lawrence I swear if your dragging me down to the bottom of the mine and we find nothing but rocks I'll be putting you on nightwatch for the next several days". Walking down the dark and gravelly road into the pitt of the mines was Lawrence the retired cat-eared faunus hunter who was in charge of village security couldn't help but grumble. He couldn't help but look at Lawrence the dust mine worker skeptically.

"Garth it's a dust coffin at bottom of the mine ! What if its a ancient grim sealed and buried inside there?! I think in this case we are better of safe than sorry".

As they finally reached the bottom of the mind and into the newly created chamber Garth couldn't help but be shocked at what he saw. It was truly a coffin made entirely out of Dust crystals. With several mine workers with pick axes in their hands keeping watch and staring at it wearily for Garth's arrival.

While slowly walking up to the coffin and inspecting it from every angle Garth whispered to Lawrence, "Has anyone tried opening it yet ?".

Chuckling at Garth's question, "Who would want to open a ominous coffin like this? You know all those grim horror stories begins with finding something deep in a mine, Pitt or cave.".

Garth took one last careful inspection of the coffin from every angle. "Everyone step back I'm going to open it." Hearing everyone shuffle back to the entrance quickly Garth took out his old katana and lodged it into a gap in the lid of the coffin. Applying strength to quickly pop the lid off he hurriedly dashed back to prepare for any monster attack. Waiting a few more moments for nothing to happen at all. Slowly inching forward and expecting to see some sort of withered corpse Garth was shocked at what he saw. Lying within the confines of the coffin appeared to be a young man with blonde spiky hair wrapped with a red scarf over a blue shirt and pants. Strapped to his one shoulder was armor along with a giant sword attached to his back. However what was most shocking most of all were the black feathered wings on his back wrapped around him.

Thanks for reading up to here as this is my first fanfiction. I decided to bring Cloud into the world of RWBY. Not going to lie, part of the inspiration came from being a fan of Mounty Oums work and watching the death battle between Yang and Tifa. The more I thought about the two worlds, the more I realized that they aren't so different that you couldn't tie some of lore and abilities together to make something believable. Next chapter will focus on settling Cloud into village life in Remnant.