Selection of short stories interelated and follow the timeline of my bigger fanfiction, The Promised Land

Not sure if I'll split the subtitles. Probably.

PRE ACC

FENRIR

THE DEAL

The roller door of the garage of Seventh Heaven was up, letting in the cool breeze, and what was left of the afternoon light. The garage was Cloud's unofficial 'room' and over the past couple of years he had accumulated parts, tools, bike magazines and anything else he deemed important. There was probably a lot of unnecessary junk in there as well, if he listened to Tifa, but- they were his.

There was even room for an old couch that he and Tifa picked up at an open saleyard. If he had to spend time in there than he would at least have somewhere comfy to sit, but that was Tifa's idea, not his. And he expected it was for her comfort and not especially for his as he was only ever working when in the garage, while she would flop on the soft cushions, supplied by her, and talk to him about her day, or anything she wanted and needed to share with him. Since its presence in the garage, everyone felt comfortable visiting him. Denzel sprawled out, reading motor magazines and going over mechanic manuals. Even Marlene sneaked in at times, under the guise of checking her plant that she had left under the one narrow window to 'decorate' and to rid the garage of that oily stink, so she said. Oil didn't have to be a bad smell, he told her, and she had to water the plant, if she wanted it to live. After reassuring herself the plant was healthy, she would stand above him, watching and asking questions about why he did that with that tool, and why did he use that particular wrench and not this bigger one and so on. They all wanted to be a part of Cloud's room, which he didn't mind as long as they didn't expect him to talk that much when they visited and gave him some space. At the end of the day it made him feel wanted and he couldn't complain about that.

Cloud was under Fenrir on a wheel tray, attempting to screw in a new and difficult part he had recently picked up. He wanted to make the most of the natural light before he had to put on the fluros. Denzel had been sitting, chatting by his feet, while Cloud was cursing the clamp that would not go on, only half listening to the boy's enthusiastic motorbike talk.

"So when can I ride it?"

Cloud reached for a smaller tool, and frowned as he examined the head, before tossing it away and grabbing the next size. "When can you ride it?" he repeated, not really paying attention to his earnest request.

"Yeah. When?"

"When you're older."

"Like how old?"

Cloud lifted a concerned brow, considering his question. Denzel was only fourteen. Maybe old enough for a small bike, but Fenrir too young. "When you're strong enough to hold its weight. A few years, but " he twisted the clamp on the bronzed engine segment that would not attach no matter how much he forced it.

"But?" Denzel's voice went low, doubtful.

Dropping the tool back in the metal tray, clattering them aside, Cloud stopped working, and crooked his neck to see Denzel's feet. "Fenrir isn't a normal bike. No-one else has ever ridden it. Safely."

"Huh?"

"Maybe he's not like that anymore but still I'd be worried." Cloud wheeled himself from under Fenrir and sat up to look at Denzel with a steady gaze.

Denzel scrutinized him under his lanky fringe with a pout. "How come you can ride him than?"

"That's a good question and I'm still not sure. I'll tell you what happened..."

~~7~~

At the Main Station of The Gold Saucer, Cloud waited at the workers entry for the service elevators. He kept his distance from personal, maintenance workers, and other couriers, all waiting to get their business over and done with, much like him. On this particular day he was ready to give up his idea of travelling around the Planet gathering provisions for Seventh Heaven. The thought of telling Tifa that and seeing her disappointment kept him from any grumbling, but still, he was feeling the drain of the extended travel and having to rely on strangers. He could try to endure just one more journey couldn't he? He decided he just needed his own transport. That would solve a lot of problems and... rage.

From Costa del Sol to the Gold Saucer, he had spent the last couple of hours trapped in a cramped truck that smelt like wet chocobo and with a man that wanted to talk about every journey he had ever been on, and expected Cloud to do the same. It wasn't going to happen. The thought of travelling back home with the same man caused Cloud to wince. There had to be another way.

Sal Dumaris, a supplier at Costa del Sol, who on occasion gave him the unusual fruits, or what Tifa called exotic, persuaded him to deliver an important package to an associate of his at the Gold Saucer. Cloud had been reluctant, mainly because of the transport issue, and on top of that, he wasn't sure he wanted to be known as a delivery boy. But, Sal was adamant it be him. He trusted Cloud. Cloud wasn't sure why he looked so trustworthy, what with a massive sword at his back. The sword he still carried around. Perhaps it was because of the sword that Sal asked him.

Ignoring Cloud's hesitation, Sal had pushed gil into his hand and a permit letter he would need to get a Workers Pass to the Gold Saucer. He added a parting comment about the job, "Besides, my friend will help you get hooked up with an answer to your problems."

More out of curiosity than anything, Cloud wanted to meet this man who could help him with his 'problems'.

With the oddly shaped brown wrapped parcel, he entered the open lift. It was a long boring ride up to Chocobo Square. The level had changed since he'd been there. For a start he could barely move for the crushing crowds. He didn't remember it being this busy. The near end of the Planet sure hadn't deterred people flocking to the amusement park. Maybe it had even increased business. Adding to the noise of the overabundant crowds was an incessant drone of engines and vociferous cheers. He could hardly hear anything else above it all.

Away from the shoving throng, he spied the Workers door. After sliding in his pass card the door opened. He walked into a buzzing hub of workers, maintenance vehicles and some working, and some not, machinery. He walked past workshops and the noise beyond dulled to a muted roar. A sign reading, 'Speed Machines' was nailed to a wall. Cloud walked through the open workshop, past boxes and crates. The inside was larger than he first realized. It was not just a mechanics shop but what seemed to be a storage area for motorcycles. So that explained the noise he had been hearing.

"You want something?"

It took Cloud a moment to register that the voice came from a man lying under a motorbike. "Axel?" He laid the package on a table, strewn with tools and other metal paraphernalia. "I've got a delivery from Sal."

Axel rose to his feet slowly, wiping his dirty hands on his red, greased smeared overalls.

Cloud walked around the shop while Axel ripped the paper off the parcel like an excited child. Running his hand over a silver fender, Cloud admired the gleaming metal chassis, polished to perfection. Good looking bikes were scattered around the shop, some in the midst of being dismantled, or perhaps refitted. At the back of the shop, a thick studded wheel caught his attention. His eyes travelled along the elongated black frame to the complicated fuselage and on, to the front girth that seemed to go on and on. The size of the bike was bigger than any he had ever seen. He felt breathless at the find.

Behind him, Axel cried, "What the jiminy is this supposed to be?" He held up and examined a rusty bronze curved Leviathan horn, and grumbled under his breath, "...that man, sending me his junk." He took a note tied on the mouthpiece and threw the horn down on the table, clattering objects to the floor. Reading the note, he chuckled under his breath, and than threw it down without a care. He sauntered over to Cloud, sweeping his hand over a crimson flame on a cruiser as he went. "You like bikes?"

Cloud glided his hand over the leather seat and collected a layer of dust. The black metal was grubby in the same manner, as if it had never been cleaned. "Who doesn't?"

Axel nodded while staring the bike over. "It's a fine machine." He smoothed his hand over the front lip, and appeared embarrassed by the state of the bike. "It doesn't get much attention is all."

"There are bike races here now?"

"Yeah. They've been a big hit since opening. It's where the gill is. The boss had been working for years on the track." Axel gave him a confused stare, as if asking where had Cloud been for the last year. "Seems everyone comes here now."

The last time Cloud was at the Gold Saucer he couldn't remember any mention about race tracks, only the chocobos, but at the time he had too many other things to worry about.

Axel scratched his black stringy hair, about to walk away.

"How much for this bike?"

Axel turned with a squint in his eye, and mouth curving into an enigmatic smirk. "Ah, you see, this one's special."

Cloud's curiosity was piqued. If something was so special why was it in such bad condition? He studied the paired front wheels under the black metal and the neglected brushed gold engine. "It's not looking to special right now."

Axel rubbed the dusty front cover. "Maybe, but there aren't many models like this. It belonged to a hot shot in Wutai. Some master of sword fighting, probably some ninja. I don't touch the engine." He pushed past Cloud and roughly shifted him from the side of the bike. "Get a load of this." Pressing some unseen button, compartments on either side of the bike sprang open. "Apparently, he had it made so he could ship weapons, illegally. Cool, huh?"

Cloud put his hand in the dust free opening, thinking it was very cool. An amazing design feat.

Axel watched him. "I'm not sure it would fit that big sword though."

He might be right... but something in his gut nudged him to take it further. He wanted it, no, he needed that bike. "How much is it?" Not that he could probably afford it, but wasn't it worth knowing?

"It's not really for sale."

Cloud frowned darkly, not liking that answer at all. "What do you mean, 'not really'?"

"It's... it does need some repairs." Axel closed an eye and squinted at Cloud, assessing how serious he was. "The dual throttle doesn't work, and it needs a tune up. I've got others you can look at."

Shifting his sword to a more comfortable position, Cloud sat on the bike. He leaned into the arch, and adjusted his girth to the bike's angle, and swiveling the front wheel, he admired the hip-based turning. There was a bulk to the vehicle, a solid weight under his body that felt secure and significant. He held the handles, neatly hidden under the overarching fuel tank. It couldn't hurt to ask, he might never get another chance. "How about a ride?"

Axel eyed him for moments. "You reckon you could ride it?"

"Oh, yeah." Cloud held his grin at the thought of it.

Stroking his chin, Axel glanced between the bike and Cloud. "Alright, I'll tell you what I'll do. If you win the Champion Race today you can take the bike, I'll take the winnings."

Cloud sat up straight, considering the offer with a thoughtful furrow on his pale brow. "But you say the bike needs repairs? Will it run?"

"Yeah, it goes. It's fast. It's just… the engine is temperamental. It needs a special touch." Axel raised his finger and waved it in the air. "But, there's a catch."

"Okay, let's hear it." There had to be something.

"You have to pay me to ride in the race."

Now Cloud was stroking his chin. The man was a shrewd business man after all. Too shrewd. He could pay and get nothing but a ride, on a bike that might not even go. "So, I'm paying for a ride?"

"Yeah, well, at worst. At best you get a bike." Axel watched Cloud's deepening incredulous stare, and spread his hands out wide. "Hey, I'm trying to run a business here, and it could cost me if you smash it up."

Cloud didn't have any significant gil on him. He wondered if he could promise him the materia he had at home, but that wasn't all of his to dispose of. Not that anyone else would notice its absence, except Yuffie, who always counted each one and sorted them into types, every time she visited. He let out a slow involuntary sigh.

"You don't have any gil, do you?" He shook his head. "What do you do than? What's your trade?"

"I part own a bar and restaurant."

"You do?" His dark eyes lit up. "A good one?"

"It's the best in Edge." Cloud, feeling proud, stretched back and rummaged in his pocket for one of the cards they had printed up. The card was still good after being in his pocket, probably for days. He handed it to him.

"Edge..." Axel stared at the Seventh Heaven logo that had Tifa and Clouds' name printed on it. Barrett had sternly forbidden them from putting his name on the card, exclaiming, It's not my thing, it's you guys.

Axel asked, "That's the new Midgar, right?"

"Just outside Midgar."

Axel flicked the card between his fingers, getting excited. "I like to get out of this place once in a while, and I like whiskey. How about you give me some discounts, something like that?"

That didn't seem too much. Just discounts... just food and drink right?

"I know!" Axel yelped. "A life-time free pass to your restaurant. The bikes worth it, eh?"

Just for letting him ride the bike? Just a ride? Could the deal get any shoddier?

Cloud looked down at the powerful looking machine between his legs. How much did he want to ride it? - but with a chance of winning the bike what would Tifa say? He decided he wouldn't mention the bike at all, not yet. If he managed to win the bike, than it would be more than worth it. He would even serve the man himself. Cloud pulled out his phone. "Okay." There was no way he was going to guarantee it without asking Tifa first. He wouldn't dare.

After speaking with Tifa, he got permission, easily. Why wasn't she asking him what he was up to? It irked him in a warped kinda way. Didn't she want to know? But than again, Tifa was smart, she probably thought it was best not knowing.

"Your girlfriend is your boss?" Axel continued smirking at him.

Cloud tinged at the blunt remark. "Kinda..." There was no way he would deny he didn't wish that were so, and he knew there wasn't any other girl for him. If and when Axel met Tifa than it was best to make sure he was relaying the truth. Making it official was something else entirely.

"We all good than?"

"Yeah, I'll just write you a receipt."

"Good, the race'll be starting soon." Axel looked him over as Cloud climbed off the bike. "You want gear?"

"Gear?" Cloud looked down at his customary black pants and sleeveless sweater. Only one pauldron, a habitual accessory, and maybe due to superstition. He admitted he must have looked bare.

Axel nodded his head towards a rack. Helmets, bulky armour and other body protectors were in a disgusting blend of bright colors, and all looking haggard.

"I'll pass." Cloud thought he really should be asking why he needed body protection, but for some reason he felt he didn't want to know right than.

"Suit yourself. At least you got that nice big weapon."

"What?"

"You'll see. Just you keep it on you. Anywho, it's all about the race, don't get too hung up on the other stuff."

"The other stuf-"

"And this, bas- baby, goes fast. It's a regular speed demon." He cackled loud and long.

~7~

Axel loaded up the enormous motorbike onto his trailer with Cloud helping alongside, and he drove it to the pre-race deck elevator. They unloaded the bike and Cloud rolled it onto the platform. Axel left him instructions and said he had to register Cloud's name and fill out a bunch of annoying forms, and he promptly ran off. Cloud was left with the bike, plus a dozen other race entrants and their machines, all headed up to the staging area. He sat, gripping the bike's handles, hoping the machine did not need as many repairs as Axel said.

He glanced at the other bikes, trying not to appear too interested. They were a range of various types, half of them appeared to be so padded with booster accessories he couldn't tell what sort of bikes they were. The riders resembled their vehicles. Covered in hardened leather, spikes, shiny pieces of plate, and every type of fortification a die-hard racer could probably get. On top of that there was a prolific splattering of weapons amongst the riders. What sort of race was this?

"Cloud?" a female voice squeaked right near his ear.

He resisted turning, already inhaling the sickingly sweet smell of flowered perfume, to see the person he expected, or was that dreaded. In her pink girly dress and coiffured honey blond hair, she stared intensely, her eyes like saucers. She hadn't changed at all. "Hey. Ester."

"Cloud! It's really you." She clapped her pink nailed hands with excitement and rocked on the balls of her feet, her voice was trill and painful. "You didn't get thrown in prison again, did you?"

"Nah." Cloud gave her a brief glance. It was better to not look directly at her; she had a way of drilling you with her needy eyes. "I'm working."

Her eyes glazed over with pity, and she nodded. "This is where the gil is."

"No more chocobos?"

"Chocobos, out of date, out of season." Her cheeks bulged with delight and her fists pumped near her face. "Motorbikes are the future. And it's never been so much fun." She stiffened abruptly. "Hold on, working? You should be working for me." She finally noticed what he was sitting on. "Oh, my dear Odin!" Gasping, she clutched at her chest with one hand, the other pointed at his bike. "You're riding the Hell Hound!" She started to step away, and her voice suddenly turned breezy. "Oh, well, it was nice knowing you."

He stared down at the bike and cleared dust from the fuel tank, revealing a section of an etched pattern underneath. "What are you talking about?"

She stepped further from the bike, as if it might attack her, and with a dramatic gush in her voice, said, "It's cursed. Everyone who rides it, is either maimed or killed. That evil Money Pot of a man has found another sucker."

"That's crazy." So that's why Axel never bothered putting money into fixing it.

Ester shook her blond curls, sadly. "It's true. It's the speed. Too fast. Axel doesn't care, because he just wants something out of it."

Had he just sold his life away for a lifetime free pass at Seventh Heaven? Tifa would not be happy. "Too fast, eh?"

Ester stared at him with wide-eyed fear. "No one tames the Hell Hound."

So that's what Axel was betting on. Either way it was win win for Axel. He hadn't even test driven it yet. "We'll see than." He exhaled a nervous breath.

Ester nodded towards his sword. "You can ride one handed?"

"Ah… kinda." Not only was he racing to win, was he going to have to defend his life at the same time?

They arrived at the Staging Area, and Ester sang with cheer, "Good luck, Cloud. Hope you live! And if you do, come work for me."

Cloud rolled the monstrous machine off the platform. The Hell Hound. For some reason he couldn't bring himself to think such a beautiful machine was cursed. Maybe it was cursed, like him.

(continued in Part 2, The Race)