Chapter 3

....It wasn't long after that that I got to Treno. I promised myself before I went in I was not gonna try to lie in any way to "Kat" if I could avoid it, which included tryin' to be something I'm not. He'll have to like me for who I am. Some lying'll be unavoidable though--I know that I can't mention Nora to him or hint she exists to him. If it comes to that, I'll try to just not mention her and not lie unless it's absoutely necessary. After I walked into the gates had turned in the monster hides and the...well...as it turned out, the mantagora leaves to the bounty office...I got a good look around. I knew it'd be two weeks before "Kat" would show up (unless he was already there...I didn't know how likely that'd be; he could very well still be on the road somewhere). I'd no idea I was in for a few surprises. There was a couple of things I'd never seen in my life...including one that went "Kupo!". That one turned out to be helpful, however. My first priority, however, was to find a job somewhere (I can't live by bounties alone after all. Also getting those bounties would take too much time; I might miss "Kat") and somewhere to live for the moment (Inns can get too expensive very fast...). Little did I know that going into that inn's bar in the worst part of town for some lunch would end up the way it did. I ended up finding someone that'd not only give me the rest of the background information I needed, but had the connections to get me some wonderful guard jobs from some of the nobles as well as she just happens to have the easiest way to explore this continent, which is called the Mist Continent. However when I met that lady thief in the bar (Lucky she's just a friend; Tifa'd have my hide if she ever found out I was goin' out with anybody else) it wasn't the best of circumstances to start a friendship. Far from it.
~~From Cloud's journal

Cloud smiled as he backed away from the Treno Bounty Office. He'd gotten a decent amount of gil from the monsters he had fought.

Should last me long enough to find a place to live and a job., he thought. Probably won't last more than a few days, but hopefully by then I'll have a steady income. Anyway, I know, I know... soon as I can afford it, I need to get some new clothes too. I'll have to blend in...though I got rid of that SOLDIER uniform years ago and changed to a dark shirt and slacks. I didn't wanna seem to be what I wasn't...well, except for the Mako eyes. That mark of SOLDIER isn't something you can get rid of by changing clothes--I get reminded of that every time I look in the mirror. That's more than enough of a reminder for me.

He put the gil in his wallet. Since the gil from Vida wasn't the same, he switched it for Gaia's gil and buried the gil from his world in a pouch deep in his pack. As he did, he touched something and brought it out for a second.

Damn! he thought. That blasted Carbon Bangle again! I kept Aeris's after she was killed. I keep tellin' Tifa I'm gonna get rid of it, but somehow I haven't been able to bring myself to sell it or throw it out yet! If Barret knew, I know what he'd say: 'Ya dumb, sentimental spikey-head! Waddya still carryin' dat stupid thang around even though yo' over dat girl?' Cloud shook his head and put it back. I know why I kept it in the first place. he thought. We were basically fighting in Aeris's memory back then, even though that wasn't my only reason. At the time, even though I told everybody to put Aeris's death behind them, I was still grievin' deep inside. So I kept the damn thing to remember her by. Now...I don't know why I keep this stupid thing anymore. Should've gotten rid of it as soon as I was over Aeris's death and started going steady with Tifa a year and a half ago. I'll sell it when I get home if I don't find a way to get rid of it here., he promised himself.

He looked around in another pocket in the pack...and brought out an antique pocketwatch that his dad had given him. His dad had died soon after. It had taken half the morning to get to Treno according to the watch. That included the four hours it had taken to get to Mideel from Rocket Town. He knew it would of taken three or four more to have gotten home to New Midgar if he hadn't been brought here, not including stopping somewhere for lunch. Hold on!, he thought, realizing something. I don't know what local time is. I'll have to find a clock and set this. Don't want to miss Kat because I didn't know the correct time. He put it in a pocket in his pack where he could grab it in a hurry, since he rarely wore that watch except on special occasions. The chain was prone to catching on things, which normally was a nuisance.

Cloud put the pack back on and stood up. I'll have a good look around town first., Cloud thought. Need to find the alley that the trouble's gonna start and see where everything is. Also need to find a job and somewhere to stay. He set off away from the fountain, since there was someone near it that he didn't like the look of. He didn't want to start any trouble if it wasn't necessary.

A little while later, Cloud found himself in the spot where Kat would be...fancy buildings all around. There was a lot of noise here--it kind of sounded like music, but it was very badly played. He started over toward the alley. As he walked by, he noticed something odd...there was a Moogle fishing? It had a yapping dog on a leash.

What?, Cloud thought. A Moogle? They...really exist? I thought they were only a children's story! He walked by and looked at the moogle curiously.

The Moogle looked up. "Hm? Who's there?"

"You can talk!?" I didn't think they could!, Cloud thought. That game in the Gold Saucer never showed Moogles talking! Neither did the stories I read mentioned that!

"Of course I can.", the Moogle answered. "Did you hit your head somewhere?"

Cloud thought a minute. Don't wanna explain this mess right now, so I'll play along...he must think I lost my memory... "Kind of. I'm not sure which way is home right now..."

"Hope you recover from that soon." The Moogle blinked. "I've never seen you around before, kupo."

"Just got here."

"Oh? You're newkupo here?" The moogle smiled. "I'm Mogrich, what's your name?"

"It's Cloud. Say, have you seen a boy with a monkey's tail around here lately?" It's worth a try! Cloud thought.

Mogrich shook his head. "No, kupo. Not recently. I saw him a year ago with Tantalus..."

"Who or what is Tantalus?"

Mogrich blinked. "Tantalus is a famous troupe of actors. He seemed to be a little shy that day, though...he'd talk and laugh with the other members, but he didn't say much to me...Moodon told me that he thought something was wrong in a letter he sent me, kupo."

"A letter?" I guess there's more than one Moogle on this world and they send letters to each other somehow., Cloud thought.

Mogrich nodded. "Moodon lives in an inn in Lindbulm, kupo. Tantalus was making a ruckus across the street from there a few months ago and he saw that kid. Here, I'll let you see it." He gave Cloud a letter out of a pouch he was carrying.
Cloud read it. A lot of it was gossip but near the end it said:

Tantalus was doing something across the street--I don't know what, but it sure made a lot of racket, Kupo! I poked my head out to see what the matter was. I saw that monkey-tailed boy again. I'm not sure who he is, though he wandered into town and joined Tantalus four years ago. I hear he doesn't remember why he came to Lindbulm or where he started his journey from, Kupo! Also, I think something's wrong; there's some kind of longing in his eyes. It's really buried but it's there, kupo! I've noticed it the last three times I've seen him, Kupo! That makes me wonder if he's really okay, Kupo!

Cloud guessed Lindbulm was another town somewhere. So, he thought. I'm chasing a actor or something? Cloud wasn't sure what to think of that. Anyway, he thought, Kat can't remember why he went there or probably anythin' before the trip...even where he came from originally, I'm sure. Longing in his eyes? Whatever could he be longing for? Whatever it is, it must've had somethin' to do with what's going on now...and what's botherin' him...but I'm sure Nora knew that. Maybe that's the reason he needs a friend... He gave the letter back to Mogrich.

"Thanks for letting me look at that..."

"Don't mention it. Hey, why are you looking for him anyway, kupo?"

"Got a good reason, but I don't wanna talk about it, all right? It's kinda personal."

"I understand." Mogrich winked at him. "That way"--he pointed to the path that led to "Trouble Alley" as Cloud thought of it--"leads to the poorer part of town. There's a inn with a pretty good bar there I hear, kupo. That way"--he pointed down the main path--"leads to a auction house! Don't go there unless you have a lot of money to waste, kupo!"

"Okay."

"Don't worry about getting lost...if you do, you'll probably find your way back to the gate. Most of the paths lead there eventually, Kupo!"

"Thanks for the information. I'm goin' over to that alley to check it out."

"You're welcome, kupo!" Mogrich went back to paying attention to the rod. Cloud smiled and poked his head into the alley. He noticed a very bad minstrel in the corner, with his hat out. So, that's what's making that terrible racket! he thought. There was the alley the trouble would start--over to the right. Satisfied, he backed away and went into the store, which looked like an old house. He'd seen the sign however.

A few minutes later, Cloud came out. They sure had a lot of weapons., Cloud thought. Not for me though, someone would have to cut my arms off to make me get rid of the Ultima Weapon! That armor was weird, too! I'd rather keep my crystal mail and my armlet though. They did have medicine though...But why would anyone keep a monster under the floor in a cage for people to fight, anyway? I wasn't in the mood.

Cloud decided that he'd walk around some more.


Three hours later, Cloud had gotten a good look at Treno. He'd been around twice and made sure he knew where everything was. He'd even found a card stadium, where people went to play something called "Tetra Master". Cloud didn't know how to play, so he had excused himself and left. He'd had no luck finding work, though. Now...it was getting dark already? That's strange! he thought. Either way, he was starting to get hungry. So he went, past Mogrich catching dinner, and down past Trouble Alley to get to the inn the Moogle had mentioned. It really wasn't in a nice part of town. He'd discovered if he went one way here there was this odd lady who collected weird coins, as well as some other places that he wasn't interested in. He went the other way instead to the inn and went in.

Bars in inns, Cloud knew, weren't just for booze; they usually served food too for guests and travelers. He didn't want any of the alcohol here anyway. He had discovered the hard way on Ramza's world that on other worlds, you never knew how strong that liquor in a bar was. I'll wait for a drink until I get home and am at Tifa's bar., he thought. It won't hurt me to wait. I know I don't want to humiliate myself by gettin' drunk if the drinks turn out to be stronger than I'm used to. Ramza told me that the one time I did drink on his world, I turned out to be a very mean drunk. I believe him; the next day I had a bad hangover, anyway. Getting drunk would ruin my chances of getting a job in this town, since word can spread fast. I need to have a good reputation. I'll need it without any references if I want a job as a guard somewhere.

He asked the innkeeper which way the bar was and went the way he pointed. As he went in, he noticed that there was a lot of people in the bar. At the other end from the entrance, he noticed a strange girl talking with someone he didn't see. I'm glad she didn't notice me. Dunno if she's a flirt, and it'd be hard to get rid of her if she is. he thought. Dunno how the hell I'd be able to mention a flirt to Tifa if I tell her about this adventure. I don't wanna deal with it, anyway. That girl was unusual because she wasn't wearing a dress like the other girls Cloud had seen around Treno. She was wearing...well...what looked to be some kind of blue jeans and a shirt. The girl's flaming red hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, held by a leather cord. She had hazel eyes and looked like she was about eighteen or so. She wasn't really that pretty. First of all, she was fairly flat-chested. Then there was a ugly knife scar across her left cheek. That scar really ruined it.

He looked away from the odd girl and sat down near the entrance. Cloud ordered the special with a root beer to drink; his choice raised a few eyebrows since he was obviously old enough to drink alcohol. They gave him his order. He paid for it. It cost less than he thought it would. Cloud settled down to eat.

Tifa has nothin' to worry about. Cloud thought as he ate. I've told Tifa that she's the prettiest girl of them all in my eyes several times. Meant it every time, too. Damn, I miss her already...wish this was over and I was in the bar, chattin' with her about old times...and maybe what we were gonna do tomorrow night...

Just as Cloud finished his lunch, there was a crash at the far end of the bar. The barkeeper ducked. Cloud turned around, and ducked as a liquor bottle flew his way. Damnit!, he thought. Wouldn't you know that there would be a bar fight--and I don't see a bouncer! Tifa would never run the bar--or have anyone else run the bar for her--without one! She's always prepared like that--yeah, she could handle some fights alone, but she's not always able to pay attention and she knows it. Usually, when someone dares start a fight there, they're either tough or have a lot of people with them. I've helped her a few times when the usual person was sick or needed a day off! He jumped out of the way of a thrown stool, which ended up knocking over the one he had been sitting on. Just then, the red-head stood up and got close to the fighters, who were fighting like if they were possessed. She reached for her belt with her right hand and pulled out something that looked like a crystal dagger with a longer than usual handle. With a click-clack-snickt-snickt, it extended into a--wha? A staff with a sword blade on each end? It looked like it was made out of diamonds, some other kind of gem that Cloud didn't recognize, crystal, and silver. She looked determined, like she wanted to say, "I'm going to teach them a lesson!" Cloud didn't doubt that weapon was dangerous. Pretty didn't always mean useless when it came to weapons.

Shit! Cloud thought. I'd better try to talk that girl out of it! Those people are too drunk to know what they're doin'! He dodged a thrown glass, then ran closer to where the girl was, dodging more flying objects along the way. Guess I've worked in Tifa's bar too much., he thought.

"Miss? Will you please put that erm...blade...away? Those idiots don't know what they're doing!", he yelled over the noise.

She turned and looked at Cloud. "That 'ol dog don't hunt. Somebody's gotta stop 'em now, spook-eyes! Ted told me the bouncer's sick! I don't like doing this neither, but it has ta be done!"

Ouch! Cloud winced; he didn't like that nickname. He didn't want to be reminded by someone that he had Mako eyes. He didn't like the fight either, so he decided she was right. Besides, stopping the fight seemed to be the only way he could get that red-head to put her weapon away. He could feel that he was starting to get a little tired, but he felt he still had enough oomph to handle this. It had been a while since he'd cast as many spells in one day as he had today.

He then called on the master magic and all combination he had equipped to cast the spell he'd just thought of. It sparkled over and through the bar fight. The fight stopped and all of the combatants fell like trees, asleep.

Ha!, Cloud thought. Works every time. Sleepel never fails when you're dealing with people that have had too much to drink. Good thing they'll wake up when they're sober...Wouldn't use it in Tifa's bar if someone had to hit them or somethin' to wake people like that up in a hurry. He turned to look at the girl; her grip had loosened on her weapon. She looked stunned, like she'd seen something that she didn't quite believe. She also looked a little mad.

"Miss? What's wrong?" Cloud asked politely.

"What did ya do that for, spook-eyes?! I could ah handled 'em easy!"

"Didn't want any trouble, okay? They didn't know what they were doin', they were so drunk."

"I knew those idiots were drunk, but I could ah stopped 'em! And are ya some kind ah Red Mage?"

"No, I'm not." Uh oh!, Cloud thought. So, someone has to be a mage  here to cast magic? And what's a Red Mage?

"Oh, my goodness! The only other person I heard ah that can use magic who isn't a mage is Knight ah Alexandria called Beatrix! They say she can only use white magic, tho! How the HELL did ya do that?"

"Well, um..."

"Wait a second...Thought I saw somethin' flash on that bangle of yours when ya cast that...May I see it?" Cloud showed her the side of the Crystal Bangle with the Materia attached to it. "So...ya used those glowin' crystals ta do that?"

"Not all of 'em, no. Just these two..." He tapped the master magic and the all materia. He looked around. The rest of the customers had run away. Cloud hadn't noticed earlier since he'd been too busy dodging things and ducking.

The red-head noticed that. "Looks like they all left when da fur started ta fly." She raised her weapon. It retracted with a snickt-snickt-click-clack back into the long-handled crystal dagger Cloud had thought it was at first. She then sheathed it. She then picked up a stool that had been knocked over during the fight and sat down near Cloud. Cloud mimicked her. "I'm bein' rude; I haven't introduced myself. I'm Alanna Alys Mustokova ah Lindbulm. Just call me Alanna. What's your name, spikey-hair?"

Least she didn't call me 'spook-eyes' again., Cloud thought. "The name's Cloud." He shook his head. "You wouldn't recognize where I'm from..."

"Try me..."

Cloud sighed. "I'm from New Midgar."

Alanna's eyes widened. "Never seen that town before--an' I've been all over the Mist Continent!"

"That's because I'm not from around here." Must be what continent I'm on now., Cloud thought.

"Wha? Then how did ya get here without a airship, spook-eyes?"

Cloud winced, then answered, "It's a long story, Alanna. And..." He shook a finger at her, "...don't call me 'spook-eyes'!"

"Yeesh! Sorry 'bout that! Anyway, ya wanna talk about it?"

"Not right now." Cloud thought a moment, then he asked, "Have you seen a monkey-tailed kid anywhere?"

"Yeah, I've seen him. Don't know his name tho..." Alanna shook her head. "I was always too busy arguing with Baku every time I came ta Tantalus's hideout...he's been begging me ta join for two years now, ever since I managed ta steal something they were after right under their noses. I'm a darn good thief, you know; not the best, but I do okay. I understand that boy's better than me tho, considering his age. They may be actors sometimes, but they're also a thieves' gang."

Oh, that makes Kat a thief then... "I guess Baku's the leader of Tantalus, right?"

Alanna nodded. Cloud continued, "Why won't you join Tantalus?"

"Not that I don't like Baku, but I just don't want anybody ta boss me around. I like being free and independent. Besides, Baku can be pretty rough sometimes; he also has no idea that I'm a girl." She grinned and snorted. "When I stole that treasure right under da gang's noses, I was disguised as a guy because the owner ah the house was a lecher. I always put that disguise back on when I have ta deal with Baku, since guys get more respect around here."

Cloud grinned back. I can guess how., he thought. Probably uses bandages or something and practices walking like a guy. Alanna went on, "Weell, I never spoke ta that boy an' he never spoke ta me. But it's really hard ta talk ta someone while you're having an argument with someone else, an' he was usually doin' his lessons or havin' a practice fight with somebody. Blank--he's one I do know, an' I believe he's da only member ah Tantalus that knows I'm really a girl--said that that boy is kinda cheerful most ah the time, but he's been a liiiitttle quiet lately. Blank didn't know why. Last time I was over there about three weeks ago, that monkey-tailed thief was gone. Blank said he'd gone lookin' for somethin' a month ago an' didn't tell anyone what it was. Well--at least he told me later at da bar, over a game ah Tetra Master."

Cloud thought a minute. Alanna not only seemed to know what she was talking about, she seemed to know that he didn't want another girlfriend. It was like if she'd been in Tifa's bar and caught him kissing Tifa after the bar closed.

She smiled and asked, "Hey, ya got any friends back home? Why are ya alone?"

Cloud smiled. "Yeah, I do. Being alone right now's a long story and I don't wanna talk about it."

"Who?"

"Well, there's Tifa, Reeve, Vincent, Yuffie, and Barret..."

"Hey, are ya...more than friends...with Tifa? When you said her name, I could tell that ya love her or somethin'...I could see it in your eyes..."

"She's my girlfriend. Was this close...", he held his fingers about an inch apart, "to asking her the question before I ended up here."

"Gah! That serious, huh?"

"Yup, that serious." Cloud reached in his pack in the extreme back pocket, which was heavily padded. He pulled out a framed picture and turned it over to show Alanna. It was a black-and-white photograph of Tifa, laying on her front in the grass. Her feet were in the air, her hair was disheveled, and she had definitely been laughing.

Alanna took a good look at it and cried, "She's prettier than me...I wouldn't even try ta compete with her!"

"Yes she is, isn't she?"

"This picture is almost as good as real life, except da color's missin'. Who painted it?"

"Nobody--it wasn't painted." Cloud shook his head with a smile, putting his right hand on the glass. "It's done with a technique that they know how to use back where I came from called 'photography', they use a device called a 'camera' for that. The guy who was using the camera caught her by surprise." He laughed softly. "I remember when that happened; me and Tifa were chasing each other around the back yard in a training fight when a friend of Reeve's happened by with the camera. Tifa fell on purpose, laughing like crazy since I'd said something silly. That's when that guy did it. Reeve gave us the pictures his friend took with the camera. Liked this one the best, so I keep it with me. She was fighting barehanded at the time."

"She's kinda a Monk, then?"

"Nah. But she fights a little like one." Cloud remembered Monks from Ramza's world. Tifa was not a Monk!

"Well, even someone who's close to a Monk is not someone ya want ta fool around with--an' ya don't mess with her boyfriend, either, especially if he can fight. If Jeff wasn't waiting for me back home, I wouldn't even try 'cause I like livin'. I can tell ya love her a lot; I can see it in your eyes when ya even mention her name! Why are ya here instead of there, anyway? I'd love ta know what's up that would blow someone far away from home without a airship when they've got a girlfriend like that..."

Cloud considered that. Alanna could be a big help, if she's willing., he thought. Kat might listen to her if he won't listen to me, since he's at least heard her voice before, even if he doesn't know she's a girl. She knows this area. If she's traveled all over this continent, she must've got a Gold Chocobo or something...there's mountains and rivers on any world, and a lot of them are nearly impossible to cross without a Gold Chocobo or at least a Black Chocobo. But is she one of this world's future saviors? Can't tell her anything if she is...because I'd have to mention Nora sometime in the tale. I promised I wouldn't talk about Nora without asking her first. Nora said that I could call her if I got puzzled about something...well, think now is the time to do it. First things first...have to excuse myself for a second. Well, there's always the oldest excuse that I know of...

Cloud put the picture of Tifa back in his pack, fastened it, and stood up. "Excuse me for a second. I gotta go to the bathroom. We'll talk about it when I get back." Cloud didn't really have to go since he'd taken care of that earlier when he had the chance at the Card Stadium. He just wanted to be alone for a minute.

"Gotcha. The can's over that way..." She pointed to a door on the wall by the far end of the bar. Cloud went in there, shut the door, and latched it. The "can" in here really was a can with a lid on it. Cloud wasn't here to use it though. He reached in his pocket and took out the orange materia.

I hope this isn't gonna be like summoning the Knights Of The Round Table!, he thought. I'll pass out if it is...and I'll be out for a week or two! Can't handle somethin' like that right now...Alanna might break the door down if it's that bad. She'll hear me fall on the floor and she'll know something's wrong--don't know her well enough to figure out what she might do. That'd be embarrassing...oh, stop worrying stupid, you know it has to be done if you're gonna be able to answer Alanna's questions...well here goes nothing...

Very carefully, Cloud reached for the orange materia with his mind. One had to be careful with a materia that you'd never used before, Cloud knew. You never knew exactly what would happen... To Cloud's surprise, it only required his will to activate, not his will plus the strength of his mind, like a regular summon would take. He felt the link snap into place right away, with almost no effort. Phew! That was a relief! He saw Nora's ghostly image appear in front of him.

:You called me, Cloud? What is it?:, he heard Nora say into his mind.

:Just a second. Can you hear me when I do this?: Cloud didn't want anyone to hear him 'talking to himself', they'd think he was crazy. He'd never spoken to anything except summoned creatures mind-to-mind before and wasn't sure he was doing it right this time.

:Yes, I can hear your thoughts just fine. You needed to ask me something?:

:Yeah. Met a thief in this bar. She's called Alanna. She wants to know where I came from and how I got here. Was thinking about asking her for help. She isn't one of this world's future saviors, is she?:

:No, she isn't.:

:Why didn't you ask her to help ? Would've been easier...: Cloud wondered about that.

Nora sighed. :That would of been seen as 'directly helping' and I'd be breaking the rules. Since she was born here, I can't ask her directly to help that child. Oh? You've been thinking of him as 'Kat'?:

Cloud realized what she had done and said angrily, :Don't read my mind like that, okay? Can't I have any privacy in my own head when I use this thing!?:

:I understand. I apologize; I won't do it again. I forgot for a moment that your people don't share thoughts like my people do. That was at the surface of your mind right now, along with a couple other things. I promise I won't tell anyone about what I saw because it would be embarrassing.:

:Already is. Just don't do it ever again, okay!? I've had enough of people poking around inside my head!: Cloud really didn't like that. He wasn't sure what he'd been thinking about at that moment. He didn't want anyone to know his private thoughts.

:I won't do it again, I promise. Anyway, since your roots aren't here, I could ask you for help. If you met her, you could ask her to help you.:

:Oh, a loophole, huh?:

Nora chuckled. :Right. If you ask her to help you, I won't be punished for breaking the law. Just please don't let anyone overhear you telling her about me or anything about 'Kat's' problem. You never know who else might be listening if you told her here. Don't worry--from what I've seen, you can trust her with your life. She always keeps her word, and she's an honorable person, too. For a thief, anyway.:

:You didn't make her cross my path, did you?: Cloud hoped not. He didn't like that idea at all. It reeked too much of what Jenova had done to him.

:No, I can't do that. Another of the laws of the universe that I'm subject to is I can't interfere with people's free agency. That means that I can't force people to do anything. I could get the wind to blow something in her path so that she would trip over it, but I can't force her to go anywhere or do anything.:

:Whew!...How come I can see you? Thought you said you wouldn't appear in a town...:

:I'm hiding on the edge of the shadow world. The Eidolons don't mind as long as I don't make a pest of myself. It's one of the ways I look around this system now, since Chaos doesn't pay attention to the shadow world. No one else but you can see me right now, though.:

:Shiva told me that Bahamut got really upset when he scared his young summoner half to death. Is he over it now?: Cloud hoped so.

Nora's image turned around, then she turned back. :Yes, he's no longer sad. He's as proud as he usually is. I think what you told Shiva helped him a lot. I understand that Shiva told him off for his behavior, too. I understand she wanted to tell him off for some time. She thought Bahamut was being ridiculous.: She smiled.

Cloud smiled back. :Good. I never thought the King of Dragons would ever act the way Shiva described. He's usually too proud, even on Vida. Besides, might need to summon him sometime.:

:That he is, that he is. You might have to call him eventually, even I don't know all that's going to happen. I've got to leave now.:

:You shouldn't be able to do that...:

:I'm not a Eidolon. I'm not bound by the summoned creatures' rules. I could of left at the beginning, but I knew you wanted to ask me something, so I stayed.:

:Will the orange materia still stay active if you go? I don't want that...:

:No, no. You think me and Tara would be that stupid? It'll turn off as soon as I say I'm going to leave and then go away, if you don't object to me leaving, that is...or you can just command it with your mind to turn it off if you like. If you ever use it to summon a Guardian on another world because they rudely yanked you there, make sure you're fresh and haven't used any kind of magic at all that day. You may have to 'scream' at them or hold that Guardian there with your will. Either one would take a lot of effort. They won't be as willing as I am.:

:Thanks. See you later...:

Cloud concentrated on the materia again. It was really easy to turn off the connection; it was just like turning off the light back home. It's like I was born to use this materia!, Cloud thought as he put it back in his pocket. It's almost no effort on my part...that's good. Who knows? I might have to use it sometime when I'm a lot more tired than I am now. I'll remember what Nora said about Guardians on other worlds though. She knows about that materia, she helped create it!

He unlatched the door and went out. There were some big, strong people dragging out the drunks. In one corner, alone, was a very tough looking guy, however. You couldn't see his face for all of the red hair, though he did have blue skin and long arms. Alanna was still sitting at the bar, looking that way. She looked a little worried.

Cloud walked up to Alanna and asked, "What's wrong?"

She pointed toward the tough guy and said, "It's Salamander. We'd better get out ah here before he notices me. He's nothin' but trouble."

"What do you mean?"

Alanna shook her head and sighed. "He likes ta go lookin' around for tough warriors ta fight. He always kills 'em, since he's too much ov a hothead ta hold back. You'd better stay away from him if ya want ta see your girlfriend again!"

Yikes! Cloud thought. I really don't want to fight that guy! "If he's that bad, I don't want to meet him. Let's get outta here."

Alanna nodded. "Really good idea; he's been bugging me ta fight him ever since I showed up in Treno a week ago. I know who not ta mess with an' he's one ah them!" She got up and headed for the door, trying to look calm. Cloud followed her.

Just before they reached the door, the guy Alanna called "Salamander" called out, "Hey you, thief. I want to challenge you..."

"Fugitaboutit, Salamander! Lemme be!" Alanna yelled back. Then they were out of the door to the bar and on their way out of the inn. Salamander didn't follow them.

Alanna looked behind her. "Phew, glad he wasn't in da mood today ta follow. He can be a right pest sometimes, bless his heart. I hope he finally figured out that when I say no, I mean no!"

"Hope so. Say, what's that weapon you're carrying, anyway? It isn't a dagger..."

"You're right, it ain't. It's called a 'thief's swordstaff'. Mine's named a Lunar Shard. Swordstaves take a lotta skill ta use, an' they tend ta be attuned ta the wielder. Not many thieves can use one, an' the girls' swordstaves are harder ta come by than the guys'. The jewels on it are Moonstones...they're really rare."

"How come it seemed to extend on its own when you drew it?"

Alanna laughed. "No, it didn't. A thief's swordstaff is extended an' retracted via the wielder's will when he or she draws it. So I have ta think at it that I want it ta extend or retract when I'm getting ready for a fight. It'd be really hard ta sheath otherwise!"

Cloud grinned, remembering what it had looked like extended. "No kiddin'. I can't think of a sheath that would hold that thing!"

"Hey, Cloud. Ya gonna tell me how you got here or not?"

"I think so, but I'm afraid I gotta go somewhere private to tell you about it."

"Why?"

"It's not something that I really want anyone to overhear." He nodded in the direction of the bar.

Alanna laughed. "I gotcha. I wouldn't want that Salamander ta know what I was about if I were ya. It's none ov his beeswax! C'mon, let's go ta da house I'm rentin'. I'll get us some water from the pump an' we'll chat s'more. Don't feel like makin' any tea right now an' heatin' up da house..."

Cloud nodded. Nora said I could trust Alanna., he thought. She said you can't lie mind-to-mind and she was telling the truth; you can't. Maybe there's more to this girl than Nora could see...even if she doesn't seem to miss much, it doesn't hurt to be careful. "Okay, lead on."

Alanna led Cloud out of the inn and further into the worst part of town. It didn't take long for them to get to where Alanna was staying at the moment; a small, old house that, considering that the poorer people lived in the area, was in extremely good shape. Alanna took the keys out of a pants pocket and opened the door. She grabbed a candlestick that was sitting on a table next to the door and lit it, carrying it with her as they went into the house. They went into the kitchen. First, she reached up, lit an oil lamp with the candle, then she blew out the candle. Then she excused herself for a moment and came back with a pail of water with a dipper in it. She reached for one of the cabinets and brought out a couple of mugs. She put the mugs and the bucket of water on the table and gestured for Cloud to sit down.

"Now will ya please tell me how ya got here an' where New Midgar is? I've been wondering like mad..."

"Before I say anything, will you promise that you won't tell anyone about anything I'm going to tell you or show you right now? It's important..."

"You have my word on my honor as a thief that I'll never tell."

Cloud then told her his story, not leaving anything out. He even showed her the orange materia and the cell phone to prove his story. Alanna was amazed and asked quite a few questions about what had happened and about Vida. Cloud answered them the best he could.

She finished with, "Wow...ya think ya can trust Nora?"

"Yeah, I do now. She may've had to bring me here against my will in the first place, but she was being a lot more respectful than the other one. I know what happened the first time I was torn away from Vida and whose fault it was, but the second time I had no warning. Whoever that Guardian was never explained why he or she did it--to put it bluntly, never saw him or her. As for Nora--I promised her I'd save that kid, and I will."

"You're like me then--it'll be a cold day in hell before ya break a promise like that, right?"

"Right."

"I see." She winked at Cloud, then she thought about what Cloud had told her for a while. When she'd obviously made up her mind, she said, "You got me interested. I want to help ya save that kid 'cause he doesn't deserve to die. From what I've seen and from what Blank told me, he's a great thief an' is a good person at bottom. I admit, I hardly ever agree with that Baku, but I respect 'im. I know he's got good people under 'im. Besides, da Regent of Lindbulm trusts Baku an' his gang according ta what I hear. I don't want one ah his guys killed, really...an' for what? 'Cause they don't like that kid's tail or somethin'?"

Cloud nodded pensively. "Probably. Bullies tend to pick on kids that are different in some way. It gets worse if you let them know that it bothers you when they do something to you."

Alanna growled a little. "Well, I think I can help ya more than just savin' that kid. I suppose you're tryin' ta get settled in, right?" Cloud nodded. "I saved a noblewoman's daughter's life four years back. I just happened ta be in the right place that time an' I hate seeing anyone get killed. I've seen too much ah that an' I never wanna see someone die in front ah me again. She gave me an airship in return, as well as I gained a friend."

"Airship!?"

"Yeah, an airship. Didn't ya see it before ya came into town?"

"There was a weird looking ship on land. I didn't have any idea how it got there! Didn't seem to make sense at the time!"

Alanna chuckled. "That was my airship. I named her da Angel's Wing. That airship would be the way ta get ta Lindbulm, tho. That kid'll have ta go back ta Tantalus sometime."

Cloud chuckled. "Never thought a airship could look like that, though. Cid's Highwind didn't quite look like a ship! The Highwind was a lot bigger than that, too!"

"What? Are you talkin' about the Regent?"

"No...Oh, is the Regent named Cid too? Was thinking about another of my friends back home, Cid Highwind. He's quite a foul-mouth, but he's got a good heart and is an excellent pilot." Cloud smiled.

Alanna grinned back. "Yup, the Regent is Regent Cid. Didn't know there'd be a Cid on a different world. The Regent is quite a skirt-chaser, but he doesn't have a foul mouth that I know about--well, I guess unless he banged his hand with a hammer when he was buildin' airships. He designs all ah 'em an' helps build all da prototypes."

Cloud nodded. Seems like this Cid is associated with airships too!, he thought. Guess the more things are different...

"Anyway, thanks ta that noblewoman's gal, I have contacts that should get'cha as many guard jobs as you need ta keep yourself goin'. I also know my landlord's trying ta rent a little place down the street a piece. He doesn't ask questions an' ya can leave with a couple ah days notice. It looked like a pretty good house even though he offered me this one. It won't be expensive; I only pay three hundred gil a week ta stay here, not including food and stuff like that. I checked around first; that guy's an honest man, he'll never cheat 'cha." Cloud smiled and nodded; that was cheaper than a lot of inns and it sounded like just what he needed. Alanna continued, "After ya take care ah that, I know about an old noble that takes an afternoon nap an' sleeps like da dead until suppertime."

"What for? You aren't gonna steal something from him, are you?"

"Nah; not this time. I was thinking ah 'im since he's got a clock that keeps good time. He always has a back door open, too. Either I could sneak in there an' set your watch or ya can come in with me and set it. It doesn't matter."

Cloud nodded and took out the watch. "You set it, okay? I don't wanna get caught breaking into somebody's house. I'll show you how. You be careful with my watch okay? It's a family heirloom..."

"No prob."

"And don't you dare get caught!"

Alanna winked and chuckled. "That's every thief's watchword. Don't get yourself caught!" Cloud showed her how to set the watch. Then they both went off to find the landlord.


Alanna was as good as her word. That landlord was friendly and easy to deal with. She'd been telling the truth about him and about the rent. Alanna afterward snuck into the noble's house she had mentioned and set Cloud's pocketwatch with ease...and without waking that old snorer up. She gave the watch back afterward. It had been an hour slow. She was also able to line up a job for Cloud for tomorrow evening, doing guard duty at a party. The one who had originally been hired to do that had gotten a bad case of the flu. She had said that she might of been able to get him a job for that night, but she knew Cloud had been traveling without an airship and she had thought he'd rather rest today. Cloud didn't mind. She showed him shops and the market where one could buy food in this town. She said she didn't go to that bar very often since there was a good chance she'd run into Salamander yet again.

Cloud also found out that Alanna was twenty-eight and had been a full thief ever since she was eighteen. Her parents had died when she was seven, and she had been forgotten about in the confusion afterward. She'd wandered around town for a while after that, lost, scared, and alone. She started stealing so that she could eat. One day, a old thief found her, which turned out to be a very lucky break. He turned out to be one of the better thieves in Lindbulm. He took her in as his apprentice, since he was not only sorry for her, he'd thought she was something special. She had turned out to be his only apprentice that was able to learn how to use swordstaves and one of his best students.

He realized he'd been lucky to run into her. She'd originally come to Treno to steal a treasure from a very stupid noble who would not fix a back window for some reason. She didn't think any other thief knew that, so she thought that could wait. She'd gone to the bar that day to meet a friend. She'd poked her head in there, hadn't seen Salamander, and then gone in to have lunch and chat. It was just an amazing coincidence that this had been the day he'd gone into that bar for lunch.


Four days later, Alanna came over and asked Cloud if he'd like a better look at the Angel's Wing. Cloud was curious how that thing flew, so he nodded and got his blade. They wouldn't be gone that long, since the airship was just a little outside Treno.

They'd trained together several times since they'd first met. Alanna knew where to get wooden practice blades in Treno, which helped. Cloud had always managed to wear Alanna out, probably because of the Jenova/Mako infusion he'd unwillingly received at the hands of Hojo as well as the training he'd been through. However, she was a good fighter, if not as strong as Cloud's friends back home. She was also everything that Nora had made her out to be. She was also known to help people sometimes, but only if she was interested in their situation or she felt sorry for them. She had a good head for planning things out and rarely rushed into anything. That was how she'd managed to get that treasure ahead of Tantalus that one time--she'd checked out the place thoroughly first and found a way in that house that the gang had somehow overlooked. She said she thought it had been sheer luck and that Tantalus was usually more through than they had been on that occasion; someone had been very careless. She'd also admitted that when she did go to steal something, she preferred to sneak in and out without either being seen or noticed. She did that by waiting until the owner was asleep or by using disguises. She'd even worn a dress on several occasions--and had carried a fan to hide her scarred face--to get into someone's house to steal something since most people didn't expect a girl to be a thief.

That first job she'd arranged had turned into fairly steady work, guarding parties, homes, and sometimes even somebody who was nervous about thieves. He was well paid, too. He'd been able to get some new clothes that were like what people wore around here after the first job, though he still wore dark colors. Cloud now could pick and choose what job he wanted to take, which was a relief. He didn't want to work anytime near noon since he might miss Kat later.

It didn't take them long to get to the gates of Treno and walk outside. Just as they got outside the gates, a group of Mantagoras pounced on them. Cloud warned Alanna, then he summoned Bahamut since he had not yet done that. After the experience he'd had trying to summon Shiva, it was easy. He heard Bahamut say,

:Friend of Shiva's, what do you need me to do?: in a deep, echoing bass voice.

Cloud answered, :Destroy those monsters!: Bahamut appeared and overwhelmed them.

Even though she had been warned, Alanna still trembled like a leaf as Bahamut flew close and looked directly into Cloud's eyes, testing him afterward. :Shiva was right. You would never abuse a Eidolon. I will always come at your call unless my mistress overcomes her fear, Cloud! Thank you for telling Shiva what you told her!:

:You're welcome. She chewed you out, didn't she?:

:Yes, and she iced my tail a little, too. I deserved it for letting something like that bother me so long. She also said that she thought our mistress would eventually get over her fear. I await that day eagerly so I can finally apologize. I'll do the same thing Shiva said she'd do for you since I assume the Bahamut on your world always appears for you. I believe you know what these are for...: He threw Cloud a handful of garnets with one claw, which Cloud added to the pouch with the opals.

:Thanks, Bahamut! Fly high, King of the Dragons!:

:You're welcome, and I will!: Bahamut roared, and then disappeared into the shadow world. Alanna turned to Cloud and said, "G G G G Goodness, you're just fffffull aaaahhhh sssssurprises, aren't 'cha?" She was still shaking like a leaf.

"You could say that--you sound like one of my friends from back home, though. You've never seen someone use summon magic before, have you?"

Alanna got ahold of herself and said, "Nope. There's stories that some mages can summon if they have da proper gemstones, but it's never been proven. I've never found a record ah it, anyway--well, not in my noble friend's library. Her pappa is a collector ah rare books an' she got 'im ta let me come in and read if I wanted ta. I've always been curious, so I've taken advantage ah that gal's generosity several times. That Bahamut scared me so bad I almost wet my pants, even though ya warned me--is he always like that?"

"He doesn't always act like that, but yeah, he's always that scary. He's a proud creature. Don't worry, the other summon materia I have is Shiva. She doesn't look scary at first, but beware her ice attacks."

"I believe ya, Cloud. I've read the stories about Eidolons. I've never seen a real one before, tho."

While they were talking, they were walking toward the ship that Cloud now knew was an airship. It looked a bit like a flat-bottomed ship with odd rudders and propellers in strange places, though it wasn't very big. They were almost there when another group of monsters pounced on them. There were ten of them.

"Oh, crap!" yelled Alanna as one of the Mantagoras screamed at her. She clapped her hands over her ears. She slashed at it, making its leaves droop. "Aren't 'cha going ta summon somethin' again?"

"Nope. Only summoned Bahamut because I needed the practice! He had to test me anyway. It's not a good idea to use that powerful a spell on weak monsters like this." Cloud clobbered a Mantagora as he said that.

"Why?" Alanna said as she dodged a Chestnut and slashed at the Mantagora she'd hit before, killing it.

"Let's just say that I don't think I need to right now!" Cloud cried as he destroyed another Mantagora.

Cloud got two more Mantagoras; they seemed to be picking on Alanna quite a bit this time, so he threw her some medicine, which she used gratefully. She also killed one too. Suddenly, something odd happened to Alanna. Her eyes went all dreamy; some kind of light appeared around her feet, and then there was a mini-lightning storm--pink and white--that swirled from within her and around her. She was also surrounded by white light--it seemed like an explosion. It ended in a minute, but now Alanna was glowing from the inside out with a fiery white light. He couldn't see the color of her eyes or her hair any more since they were glowing too.

"What the hell!?" Cloud cried. Alanna shook her head. "Don't worry, spikey-hair. I'm fine! Let's get 'em." She moved faster than she had before and destroyed a Mantagora in one hit. Oh my! Cloud thought. What got into her? She couldn't do that before... He killed another Mantagora. It didn't take long to kill the rest of them. Alanna closed her eyes and focused. The light faded from the top of her head first and then faded away in a shower of rainbow sparks.

"What happened to you, Alanna?"

"I'll explain once we get on da ship, okay?"

"Okay." Cloud knew she was only being smart. There were more monsters out there. It wasn't long before they reached the ship and climbed aboard. They both sat down on the deck for a moment.

"Now, what happened to you out there?"

"Okay, I'll explain, then please, tell me why ya didn't use summon magic again. I'm not sure what that's called, but that increases my strength and power. It happens when I get mad enough that I start fightin' with my feelings. I think ah it as "takin' it ta the next level". It's a kind of power that comes from deep inside my soul. It wears out after awhile. I read in Watson's Book ah Legends that it's triggered by a surge ah emotion--mostly da negative ones that rise in a fight. Guess this time it happened partly 'cause we were attacked again so fast, though. I just clean lost my temper."

"Didn't that book tell you what it was called?"

"Unfortunately, it didn't go inta that much detail. I hear there's another rare book with a better explanation in Alexandria Castle's library. I'm not sure that's true an' I don't wanna mess with any ah the Alexandrian Knights, 'specially Steiner and Beatrix. One ah these days I mean ta find Mogster. They say that Moogle knows all ov the legends, as well as all about how the world works, and can answer questions about that kinda thing."

"How'd you find out you could do that!?"

"It's a sad story. One day, after I turned fifteen, I was goin' to buy some cheese for da thief I was apprenticed ta. I met a friend of mine on the way. Her name was Lisa. She was a apprentice Red Mage. On the way back, some thugs jumped us. Lisa tried, but she wasn't that good yet at black magic. She also needed ta work on her fighting a lot. She got killed quick, right in front ah me." Alanna shook her head sadly. "I was so upset, hurt, and mad because I felt she didn't deserve it, I thought I'd explode." Tears flowed down Alanna's cheeks and she sniffled a bit. She took a handkerchief out of her back pocket, got ahold of herself, wiped away her tears, blew her nose, then continued, "Then somethin' snapped inside me while I was tryin' to save myself from poor Lisa's fate--an' next thing I knew, I felt power surgin' through me and I was glowin'. I felt really strong all ah sudden. I gave 'em a few good whacks, an' then they ran like scared chickens. After that, every time I got so mad that I wanted ta tear a monster or anyone I was fighting into little bitty pieces because I hated it or what it was doin' to me or a friend and started fighting with my feelings, the power would return. Had ta learn ta control that power some, though. Otherwise I would've been in big trouble a looong time ago."

"Wow." Cloud was sorry that Alanna had lost her friend. Alanna continued, "So, why didn't you use summon magic again?"

Cloud sighed. "I knew it was overkill. You don't pound a nail into the wall with a sledgehammer, do you?"

"Nah. That would be dumb."

"Only reason I used it the first time was to save trouble later. I had to call the Eidolons whose Materia I bear once each. Then, they'd each test me to see if they'd let me call them again. Also, summoning works a little differently here. The focus isn't the same as I've been used to. That's the other reason, I needed to make sure I could do it in a hurry."

"I gotcha. Hey, I always wondered...how does magic work, anyway?"

"It's a force called via the strength of a person's mind and will. On my world, people use Materia to call magic, like my master magic here." He tapped it. "Without a special materia called an "All" to link with a magic materia, people from my world can't cast magic on multiple targets. Red ones, like these," he tapped the Shiva materia, "are summon materia. That kind calls a summoned creature if you use it. You call them Eidolons. I'm not sure how your people do it..."

"I remember Lisa told me before she got killed that magic is mostly a matter of study an' practice. She said her master had told her that if a person didn't have a affinity for a particular spell or type of spell, he or she couldn't learn it. An' if ya don't have any aptitude for magic, ya can't use it at all. Kinda like if ya don't have any talent for a particular weapon, you'll never learn how ta use it very well. I've heard stories about some mages that can use gemstones as a focus ta summon. Also, it's said that members ah da summoner tribe can summon without gemstones 'cause they have a horn."

That's really interesting. Cloud thought. He continued, "She was right, it takes practice. Most magic materia get stronger with use--so do most other kinds of materia. The master magic materia is one of the exceptions. Also, as one continues to use magic via either method I believe, your mind gets stronger. Then you can cast more and more powerful spells, kind of like doing exercises to strengthen your muscles. But if you overdo it...you end up passing out. You're out of it for a day or two, then when you wake up, you have a blinding headache that keeps you in bed for weeks." He shook his head. "I didn't listen to the Instructors one time and overused a Ice materia once in practice when I was younger. I was in the infirmary for three weeks; always listened to them after that."

Alanna whistled. "That was dumb--ya should ah listened. The thief who I was apprenticed ta would ah backhanded me if I did a bonehead thing like that! That is, if thieves could do anything like magic!"

"Well--I didn't get punished. The Instructors felt the headache I got was punishment enough. They were right--it was."

"I know ya can summon Shiva since you've said ya can. Do you ever summon her...just ta look at her rear? I've seen drawings ah that Eidolon..."

"Are you serious!?" Alanna nodded. Cloud continued, "No, never. They taught us Trainees when we were learning about summons to never ogle Shiva. It makes her upset. They told us if we ever had that summon materia and needed to call her, to think of cleaning the bathroom or digging latrines or something like that to force yourself to keep your mind on the fight that you summoned her for. Oh, Shiva might ignore a guy's ogling once or twice, they said. But eventually, before she leaves for the shadow world, she'll give you a faceful of ice for your trouble and then laugh at you. I'm not gonna try to test that! Summoned creatures as a whole can be a law unto themselves."

Alanna giggled. "By the way--ya hinted that anyone can use materia on your world. Do ya think that anyone here could use your materia if they stole 'em?"

"You're right about my world, though a person would've to learn how to use Materia first before they can cast any spells. It's a matter of concentration, and it's easier if you discipline your mind. However, on other worlds, only someone from my world can use Materia. I found out on Ramza's world."

"What happened?"

"A Black Mage borrowed my Ifrit materia in a emergency. He got me to tell him exactly how to use it first. I'd been hurt in the last battle so I couldn't go. You'd think a Mage would have no trouble with a magic-type materia right? Wrong. He couldn't even touch its power. He kept trying and then he passed out. It was just like if he'd overused his powers. He wasn't out of action as long, though."

"Owch!" Alanna shook her head. "I'm never gonna try...I'd probably end up worse than that Mage! Not that I steal from friends anyway...I don't, ya know that by now. Enough ah this, lemme show ya around."

They both got up and Alanna showed Cloud around the airship. The cockpit looked quite a bit like a sailing ship, except there were extra levers. Some of them Alanna had chained up, to keep anyone from stealing her ship, Cloud guessed. She explained the Mist Engine and about Mist, which surprised Cloud. He asked, "You said that Mist spawns monsters. Is using it for power safe?" To which Alanna answered, "Far as I know. They've been usin' it for years an' nothin' bad's happened that I know ah. They're workin' on inventin' steam powered engines now. I heard a boiler exploded three weeks ago an' killed some people. Until they solve that problem, I wouldn't go near a steam engine! Mist engines are safer than that! I hear they're working on solving the boiler problems tho. If they ever do, airships won't be limited ta the Mist Continent no more. Not many people wanna walk or sail, they wanna fly." Cloud nodded.

They got off the airship and went back to Treno. The monsters seemed to not be there at the moment, for they got back unmolested. We've eleven days left before Kat gets in trouble., Cloud thought. He and Alanna had discussed it endlessly in their spare time, making plans on how to rescue Kat from the creeps. Alanna had a fairly good idea on a way to get the drop on those bullies--literally. Cloud smiled. All they had to do was make sure that Alanna's idea was feasible and then, hopefully, those idiots would run away and leave Kat alone.

The pair split up. Cloud checked his watch. He had to get to work in a couple of hours. Well, he thought. Hopefully, everything will go well. Can't afford to mess up, for I don't want that kid to die. It's not that he's destined to save the world, it's that everybody deserves a chance to live their lives out. He went on his way to take care of the errands he had to run that day before the guard job he had that afternoon.

Go to Chapter 4?