Final Fantasy 7 1/2: Magic Planet A Final Fantasy 7/Beast Wars crossover fanfic written by Stella Quetzacotl First created: Oct 3, 2002 Last modified: Oct 3, 2002 ~~~~~Legal Stuff~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a work of fiction written for entertainment purposes only. All FFVII characters are the sole property of Squaresoft. All Beast Wars characters are the sole property of Hasbro. All other characters are the sole property of the author. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~Setting~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a TOTAL rehash of the Beast Wars saga, in which the group lands on the FF7 planet (what would you call it, anyway?) instead of Earth. They'll take different beast modes, but I'll keep the same names for convenience. The time is twelve years after the FF7 saga; Marlene is sixteen years old. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~Text Conventions~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [This is a character thought] *This is emphasized text* Chapter 9 Cloud was waiting by the door when Barret emerged from the meeting hall, his body language proclaiming his weariness for all to see. Drooping brown eyes met glowing green ones, and Cloud read in the extra lines on his friend's face that the council had made its decision. "Evacuation," the younger man said quietly. "Yeah." Barret started down the street and Cloud walked abreast with him. "Abandonment, more like. If the Predacons come back, it may be we won't be able to hold 'em off. It woulda been a lot worse if we hadn't sent half the townsfolk to Gold Saucer already. *Damn* it all!" Barret shouted, whacking a lightpost with his gun-arm. "We worked *hard* to rebuild this place, Cloud, and in one *day* we lose everything!" "You haven't lost everything," Cloud said softly. "Once the Predacons are gone, you can come back and rebuild again. I'll help this time, and we can get Reeve to provide some funding - " "You're gettin' ahead of yerself, Cloud," Barret countered, in a little bit better humor. "How're we gonna kick the Predacons offa our planet? You saw what they can do." He waved a hand, taking in the multiple injuries of the town. "They're nothing compared to Sephiroth," Cloud said mildly. "We survived that well enough." "Yeah," Barret grunted. "But this time ain't no prophesies or White Materia can help us. We got nothin' but ourselves and our Materia." "Which is the way you like it," Cloud shot back. "Damn right." Barret puffed out his chest, and then deflated abruptly. "Aw, Cloud, what'm I gonna do? People gotta know about those - those damn *robots*. Everybody else in North Corel's too scared to go travelin' anymore, so I gotta go 'round and warn 'em. Gotta go places our radio transmissions won't. But I can't be draggin' Marli around all over the place. Not with th' Preds flyin' around doin' who-knows-what. She thinks she's tough, but - damn, Cloud, she's still just a little thing." He turned his face away, but not before Cloud could see the glimmer of tears in his eyes. Cloud let Barret have his moment. Then he said quietly, "Let me take her to Cape Njord, Barret. It’s just over the Corel Mountains, to the northeast. I‘ll ask Tifa to come too, and you’ve trusted her with Marli before. Between the both of us, she will be as safe as if she was with you." "*No*, Cloud!" Barret shouted, turning angrily at his friend. "That stage of my life is *over*. I ain't never leavin' Marli again, Cloud, y'hear? I promised her I wouldn't do that no more." The anger internalized, and Barret turned away again with a seething expression. "I promised her, an' I promised myself." "Barret, come on. It's not like when you were with Avalanche." Cloud said the words as gently as he could, but Barret's face nonetheless washed in pain. Quickly the younger man pressed on, before Barret could begin to dwell on his past. "Marli will be in the best hands - besides yours, of course." He added that last to make Barret smile. It didn't work. "And it's only temporary. After you're done traveling around, you'll come back to Cape Njord and Marli will be there, safe and sound. How long will it take, anyway? A month, maybe two?" Barret made an exasperated noise in the back of his sinus cavity. "Damn you, Cloud, how come you gotta be so damn *logical*?" He stopped, glared at Cloud. "She better be safe when I come for her, Cloud. Y'hear? If she got so much as a *scratch*, I'll - " Cloud lifted his hands in a surrender gesture. "I swear, Barret, I'll protect her with my life." "Ya damn well better..." Barret kept walking, face set in a scowl that was half theatrics. Laughing, Cloud followed. Later, he wondered whether he should have told Barret that he intended to teach Marli more advanced use of Materia. Naaaah. Optimus felt as if he'd been run over by a truck. Several times, in fact, with definite malicious intent on the part of the driver. Actually, he suspected the truck in question - namely, Megatron - was worse off than he was, but it was small consolation. After all, as the ranking Predacon, Megatron wouldn't have had to wait in line to use the CR chamber. Being honest, Cheetor and Rattrap were both worse off than Optimus was; Cheetor had been caught by one of the Preds' firebombs, and Rattrap was suffering from shrapnel wounds sustained by standing too close to Waspinator when one of the humans used their Materia to blow the bug-Pred to smithereens. A torn chestplate and unresponsive left forearm paled in comparison to those wounds. All the same, Optimus didn't bother to hide the pain and weariness in his voice and body language when Rhinox came onto the bridge. "How much longer?" Rhinox regarded his leader kindly. "Just a few more megacycles. They weren't as bad off as they looked, y’know." "Then I must not be as bad off as I think I am. We're all inexperienced at this sort of thing." Optimus slumped forward in his chair, letting his injured arm dangle. Rhinox gently lifted it and placed it on the chair's armrest. "I don't know, Rhinox. We barely got out of there, even with the humans' help. And we weren't able to protect that stasis pod, or the humans." He sighed. "We aren't doing our job as Maximals." "We can't expect to win them all," Rhinox said reasonably. "By all accounts Megatron is extremely intelligent and a master tactician, even if he does let his emotions get the better of him. And for all you were at the top of your class, this *is* your first command. Give yourself time." "It was never supposed to be like this," Optimus said helplessly. "We're an exploration crew - I was never given more than basic war training. Megatron is a class-A criminal - Primus, he stole the Golden Disk! He ought to be dealt with by one of the High Generals, or at least someone who knows what they're doing. How can *I* - " "Cut it out, Optimus," Rhinox said, his voice coming dangerously close to a growl. Optimus looked up, startled, and Rhinox continued in a softer voice. "You know what's at stake. It would be prime if a High General *was* here to clean up Megatron's mess, but absent that, *you're* the best we've got." The Behemoth-Maximal bent, fixing Optimus's downcast eyes with his own. "And you have what it takes. I know you can protect the humans, *and* our people, and soon you'll have enough experience to send Megatron back to confinement where he belongs. I have faith in you." He smiled. "Now all you need is faith in yourself." Optimus held his eyes a moment, then sighed. "You're right, of course, old friend. Forgive me my moment of weakness." "You're allowed," Rhinox answered unperturbedly, "but only around me. Bad for team morale if the leader isn't confident." Optimus laughed. "I know. First lesson of leadership: Look brave, even if you're not." As inexperienced as Marli was with machinery, it took a few false starts before she and Traveller were able to have any sort of meaningful conversation via Barret's communicator. It didn't help matters that Mako interference was garbling their transmissions beyond recognition - that is, until Marli figured out what the problem was. "Uncle Cloud," she said, "would you go stand over there, please?" Cloud, after a moment's confusion, nodded acquiescence and moved his Mako-infused self out of the room. Thereafter, Marli and Traveller could talk without interference. "So all the humans are relocating?" Traveller asked. "The ones from North Corel are, anyway," Marli answered. "I'm not sure about the other area towns - we sent delegations a few hours ago, to tell 'em what's up. I'm pretty sure most of them will be leaving too. Especially after they hear what happened to North Corel. We're one of the most well-defended towns in the area, you know." "I believe it," the Chocobo-Maximal said ferverently. "What about you? Where will you and your father be going?" "My dad's going to travel around some," Marli said, a little dejected. "Tell people about the Predacons, and meet with his old friends. Uncle Cloud's taking me to stay at his house in Cape Njord." She couldn't keep the excitement from her voice as she said, "He says he's going to teach me to use my Materia better. And Clay is coming along because his home dojo's nearby, and he's bringing Laz too, and he says he'll train both of us." "Good," Traveller answered. "I met Clay after the battle at North Corel. I like him." "He's definitely one of the smartest grownups I’ve ever met,” Marli agreed. “Where’s Cape Njord?” Traveller asked. “We might need to know, just in case.” “It’s on the other side of the Corel mountains, near the coast northeast of where you guys are,” Marli answered. “Maybe a day’s walk from North Corel, Uncle Cloud says. Half to get through the mountains, then a straight shot to the Cape. We set out in the morning.” There was a slight pause. “Your route goes straight past our base, right? Toward that three-pronged land formation?” “That’s right,” Marli confirmed. “The middle one is Cape Njord. The one to the west is Cape Ran and the other is Cape Thor.” She hesitated. “Uncle Cloud says he’d like to stop by, if it’s not too much trouble. To rest up and get some info on the Predacons.” “Oh, no trouble at all!” Traveller enthused. “At least - I’ll ask Optimus, but I’m sure he won’t mind.” Her voice dropped a few decibels. “Just between us - he’s been awfully mopey lately. Some company might do him good.” Marli giggled. “All right. Call me later when you get his confirmation, all right? There’ll probably be Mako interference, but just keep trying.” “Sure thing. Traveller out.” The transmission was cut. Marli slumped back in her chair with a sigh. If nothing else, it had been a loooong day. Cloud stuck his head into the room. “Marli? You done?” “Yeah.” Marli stuffed the communicator in her shirt’s kangaroo pocket. “’Cause your dad wants to see you.” Cloud jerked a thumb in the direction of the stairs. “You know, he’s not too happy about this arrangement.” “I know.” Marli got up, with difficulty. “But that’s normal. You should have seen him when I went on that weekend trip to Gold Saucer with Uncle Cid and Aunt Shera.” Cloud smiled slowly. “Go on. And try to get some sleep once he’s done with you. We’ve got a long walk ahead of us.” “All right.” Barret was sitting on his bed when Marli came in, dressed in his flannel pajamas. His gun was unstrapped from his arm, and he was rubbing the clean stump that remained absentmindedly, as if he expected it to bring him luck. “Dad?” Marli hazarded. Barret looked up, and the stony expression on his face softened. “Marlene. C’mere an’ sit, girl.” Marli came and sat, and Barret wrapped his foreshortened arm around her waist. “Marlene, you know I wanna take you with me more ‘n anything,” he began quietly. “I know,” Marli said, but Barret held up a hand to forestall any further comment. “Just lissen. With those robots on the loose, ain’t nothin’ safe anymore. We humans gotta prepare - th’ Pred-a-whatevers could try sumpin’ again.” His voice was hard again. “That’s why I gotta go. I gotta spread the word, t’ make sure there ain’t any more North Corels.” “I understand, Dad, really.” Marli leaned against her father, resting her head on his shoulder. “I don’t mind. I have faith in you.” Barret was quiet for a while. “Means a lot t' me, Marlene.” He shifted, turning to look into Marli’s face. “You’re gonna be close to th’ Maximal base. No doubt you’ll be learnin’ all kinds o’ stuff from ‘em. An’ no doubt Cloud ‘n that monk’re gonna be teachin’ you to fight - “ Marli opened her mouth to deny it, then closed it. “I don’t mind. You’re my daughter, ain’tcha? Jest - you gotta promise me sumpin'. You gotta promise me you won't go lookin' for trouble. Promise you won't get yerself killed." Marli's first instinct was to laugh off her father's concerns, but the expression of love and pain on Barret's face killed the impulse. "I promise, Dad," Marli said, with feeling. "You be careful too, okay?" "You kiddin', girl? Ain't nothin' gonna keep us apart for long. Not Predacons, not monsters, not Sephiroth hisself." He reached over to fuzz her head. "Now go on t' bed. You got a lotta walkin' t' do in the mornin'." "Cloud said the same thing," Marli said amusedly, standing. "Which is why I'm lettin' him do this in th' first place. Go t' bed, Marlene." Terrorsaur stood at attention, hating himself for the display of submission. By rights *he* should be the leader, by virtue of intelligence and power - “Give your report, Terrorsaur,” Megatron commanded, interrupting that line of thought. Terrorsaur sighed inwardly. “The human settlement has been abandoned. This morning the human children went northeast, into the mountains, accompanied by the yellow-headed human with the bladed weapon and an old bald human with dark skin. They are headed, I believe, for the area where we suspect the Maximal base to be.” “And the human with the weapon mounted on his arm?” “He went south, riding on one of the flightless bird creatures that one of the Maximals uses for her beast form.” “Very good.” Megatron flicked a hand, dismissing his subordinate. Terrorsaur bristled and left. Megatron, catching the mannerism, watched the blue-and-magenta Predacon as he disappeared into the dark underbelly of the base. Then he keyed his comm. “Megatron to Waspinator.” “Wazzzpinator read.” “I want you to follow the humans making their way from the human settlement to the Maximal base. Do not be detected.” “Azzz ordered.” Waspinator sounded happy with the assignment - not that it mattered to Megatron. “What of the Maxzzimal base? They will detect Wazzzpinator if Wazzzpinator get too close.” “You will have new orders before then. Megatron out.” The Predacon leader severed the link and sat back to think. “The Maximals pursue a policy of nonintervention with sentient species,” he said softly to himself. “Why then do they cooperate with these humans?” It was the magic. It had to be. It had been the magic, a power he hadn’t been expecting, that had routed him at the human settlement. Magic allowed the humans to battle on equal footing with the Predacons. It was thanks to the infernal shield magic that the Maximals had escaped him at the stone bridge, with the traitor Dinobot in tow. "Magic," he murmured, "coming from the very energy fields that force us into using beast modes. Yesss. What does it signify?" He paused. "More importantly - how can I use this to my advantage? No - the question is useless until I know more about the origin of those energies. Yesss. I need to know more," he said hungrily. Cloud stopped, waiting for his traveling partners to catch up. "You guys need to take a break?" "Not - at - all," Marli huffed. Her face was red, her clothes damp with sweat. "Uncle Cloud - anyone ever tell you - you got long legs?" Cloud laughed, then turned his attention to Clay and Laz. The former might as well have been made of stone for all the expression he was showing - Cloud was willing to bet that the old man was in as good condition as he himself was. Laz, by contrast, was stumbling every third step, breathing too hard to be able to answer Cloud. The boy settled for a pleading look. "All right," Cloud sighed. "Let's rest here awhile." Gratefully the two kids plopped to the ground. Clay sat more gracefully, arranging himself into a lotus position, and Cloud walked a few feet away, pensively. "Marli," he said once he was a sufficient distance from the others, "try to contact Traveller again, all right?" "Wha - oh." Marli shook off her fatigue-induced stupor. "Sure." Out came the Maximals' communicator. "Hey, Maximal base - it's Marli. Anybody home?" The answer came back almost immediately. "Marli? It's Traveller. Optimus says you guys can come over anytime. Ah, 'within reason', he said." Marli grinned. "Sure thing. How have you guys been?" "Us?" Traveller sounded surprised by the question. "Nothing too interesting's happened. We're all healed up, and Rhinox managed to get our defense grid back online. We can even track the Predacons once they get in range." A slight hesitation. "Speaking of which, what's your location? It looks like there's some Predacon activity in the mountains." "Predacons?" Instinctively Marli looked around. "Yeah - two. Give me a minute so I can plot the signal from your communicator." Marli waited in silence for a moment, then Traveller's voice came back tersely. "Yeah - looks like one of them may be following you. I plotted the signal data from the past ten cycles. Waspinator was traveling in the same direction as you and stopped same time as you did." "Waspinator... which one is that?" "The Bizarre Bug, I think Laz called it." A pause. "Let me tell Optimus about this, all right?" "Sure. I'll tell Uncle Cloud." Marli looked up. "Uncle Cloud!" she called at the blonde man's distant form. "Traveller says that there's a Predacon following us." Cloud looked startled. "For how long?" "At least ten... um... I don't know. I don't know how they measure time." A crackle on the comm pulled Marli's attention away. "Marli? This is Optimus. Listen. I need you to travel at a right angle to your current course. I'll meet up with you and guide you through an alternate route to our base. Can you do that?" "Hang on." Marli relayed Optimus's request to Cloud. At Cloud's answering nod, Marli transmitted, "Uncle Cloud says it's okay. But if you don't mind my asking, why are you worried about one Predacon? Between the four of us, I think we could handle him if he tried anything." "Never underestimate a Predacon's cunning, Marli," the Maximal leader chided. "Megatron doesn't know the precise location of our base, and I'd prefer to keep it that way." Marli felt properly chastized. "Oh." A low laugh. "I'll see you in a few cycles. Optimus out." The transmission was cut. Marli waved Cloud over. The blonde man pulled her to her feet, glowing eyes scanning the treeline. "Let's get a move on," he ordered. "If we are being followed, I prefer not to stay in one place too long." At Laz's groan, Cloud relented, "We won't go so fast this time. Just - keep your eyes open. I don't want to be caught off guard if that Predacon tries something before Optimus meets up with us." "Ah, Optimus, you offer yourself up like a sacrificial lamb," Megatron sang, watching as the little radar blip that was Optimus Primal appeared on the screen and headed toward the blip that was Waspinator. "Yess. And like the benevolent god I am, I shall accept your offering." He opened a comm channel, one used by all the Predacons. "Attention, my troops," he broadcasted, "this is Megatron. Assemble at the following coordinates and prepare for battle. Optimus Primal comes to aid his human friends - but he shall find more than he bargained for. Yess..." Next chapter... When Predacons attack! Not appearing on Fox anytime soon, unfortunately.