Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea for this story and my Vincent Valentine Action Figure, everything else . . . belongs to –insert names here-
A/N: Well, lookit here, I'm finally rewriting these chapters, please reread everything in order if you would, you may find something new and intriguing.
A/N2: My answer to Yashodoa's Female Cloud Challenge, so no, it's not a typo when I consistently refer to Cloud as female.
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Tempest The Turk
Prologue
Papa
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Kalm, Eastern Continent
08:00 (-2 GST), October 20, 1983
Cloud was a very happy little girl.
She had finally trained with the Lightning Materia she'd received for her seventh birthday enough to Master it, that meant that she could go with her father on Patrol today! The proud smile he'd given her when she revealed her newborn Lightning Materia had been more than enough to brighten her day. Not even her mother's frown about her only child leaving the town could dampen her spirits.
Her mother had good reason to be worried. The last few weeks, the monsters had gotten rather restless, several patrolmen had come back badly injured, no matter how hard she tried, her husband wouldn't rescind his promise to his daughter. His loyalty and honor were two of the things about him she both loved and hated.
"Papa!"
"There's my magelet," the sandy-haired man ruffled her mess of blonde spikes, "All set?"
"Uh-huh," she nodded and held up her wrist, her Silver Armlet set with her mastered Lightning Materia.
"Being armed with materia is all well and good," The two blue-eyed Strifes' turned to see their third family member approaching with a blue and black bundle in her hands, "But I won't let you go out dressed like that."
"Huh?" the younger blonde blinked and looked down at her outfit of dark green shirt, brown trousers and black boots.
"Normal clothing is no defense against a monster's claws," she said pointedly, shaking out the bundle and pulling it over her daughter's head before she could protest. "Mari and I made this special for you, armor doesn't usually come in children's sizes."
And armor it was, thick blue canvas with panels of tough black leather, it was sleeveless and a little long, but it would do the trick. "Thanks Mother!" She grinned up at her in delight. She was going on patrol with her father and now she had special armor to wear for the trip!
"Be sure to thank Mari when you see her, alright?"
"Yes, Mother," Cloud nodded dutifully and then looked up when her father dropped his hand to her shoulder.
"Time to go, magelet," he grinned, "Don't want to keep the others waiting, hmm?"
Her eyes widened and she ran to the door, stopping mid-stride in the doorway to wave at her mother, "Bye, Mother!"
"Bye, honey," she smiled slightly at her first-and only-born's infectious grin.
"We'll be fine, Piper," the former SOLDIER smiled at her.
"I can't help but worry," she replied quietly, "Stay safe, alright?"
"I'll make sure Cloud comes home safe and sound in time for dinner," he saluted mockingly.
"Hurry up, Papa!"
"Duty calls," he stated with a chuckle as he headed for the door.
"So it does," the blonde returned dryly.
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North-East Kalm Plains, Eastern Continent
12:45 (-2 GST) October 20, 1983
"Papa!"
"Just go! Find Leo and get out of here!" the blue-eyed man ordered as his sword left another slash in the surprisingly durable monsters hide.
Her wonderful day had been shattered with a single roar.
Shortly after leaving the town, the group had split up into pairs, or trios in the case of Cloud and her father, Leo, his usual partner, had gotten split up from them only fifteen minutes ago. He'd gone to search out one of the Haven Stones so they could stop to eat. Soon afterwards, they were attacked by a half-dozen of unfamiliar monsters that looked like a cross between a bull and a dragon.
They'd only managed to kill one so far, but with five of the sand-colored creatures remaining, it wasn't an easy fight in the least. The only reason they'd killed the first one was because Cloud had weakened it badly with one of her few Bolt3s, she didn't have any ethers and she'd already used up some magic on earlier creatures. As a result, she only had enough energy left for at most two Bolt3s and a few normal Bolts.
The former SOLDIER had quickly forbidden her from using them, stating quite firmly she should save them for when she really needed them.
"What about you!?" She rolled to the side to avoid a charge attack.
"Just go!" He risked a scolding glare in her direction, "They're too strong! Get moving!"
"No! I won't!"
"This is no time for being stubborn!" he spun as he finally dispatched the second beast and his azure eyes widened as he looked past her, "Look out!"
Cloud turned and couldn't hold back the scream that erupted from her throat, another one of the Iron Horns was charging directly for her, magic concentrated around it's horns as it moved.
Her first thought was to dodge to the side again, but that thought was quickly slowed by the small piece of information that her father, already injured by their fight so far and holding off the other three Iron Horns, was in the 'Line of Fire' if she moved.
"Cloud!"
In one of her more mature if somewhat stupid moments, she stood firm and closed her eyes in fearful anticipation. Over the sounds of the monster's pounding footsteps, she heard another set of running footfalls, but didn't think anything of it until both movements stopped and something wet splashed over her.
She hesitantly opened her eyes to a sight she never should have seen. The Iron Horn, eyes glazed over in death, had her father's sword shoved right through it's skull. Her father, himself, stood in front of her, facing the Iron Horn. As she watched, it dissipated into pyre flies.
. . . and her father's body fell limply to the ground, the horn formerly piercing his heart having been the only thing holding his body upright.
"Pa-pa . . .? Papa!" the fact he wasn't moving sank into her young mind and she turned to glare at the three remaining monsters with an icy anger. "You . . . hurt my Papa."
The trio actually paused their movements to stare at Cloud. Confusion running through their primitive minds: the small one felt different, why did the little threat now feel like big threat?
A glint caught the blonde's eye and she quickly scooped up the small crystal orb from beside her father's body, the information of it's purpose instantly flooding her mind as she slid the supplementary Materia into the slot linked to her Mastered Lightning.
Sky blue had hardened into cool ice as she raised her arms above her head, the two materia starting to glow as she prepared her spell. "Die . . . BOLT3 ALL!!"
And the air was filled with the sounds of violent crackling and pained wails as the small blonde took her vengeance.
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A/N: Sooo . . . . like the new and improved version of Papa? It's much longer, isn't it?
Rewritten: 6/19/08
Replaced: 10/26/08