Suggestions needed, FFVII fic in progress

I admit it, I've become something of a terror junkie. I'm not a hardcore horror person, and I don't like gore, I'm much more psychological even though that's the stuff that scares me more than other stuff. In another fandom, I'm working with a Silent Hill (film) based storyline. Well, since the summer I've gotten into the Resident Evil films and am totally addicted. Thus... this idea.

I've got this idea of a zombie-esque apocalyptic storyline. Because, well, if it's not Doomsday it's not FF7, is it? I know I'm heavily influenced on ideas because of rereading Twig's ALHR and Exegesis, two of my favorite fanfics ever, and I want to shy away from copying anything too close to her, or others' works. I'm thinking the story starts roughly 3 years post-game, Cloud vanished shortly after the final bit. Rufus reappeared, ShinRa is a bit reorganized, a little smarter, but still too focused on the idea of power and self-absorption. Anyway, the science program is the main overhaul area and Shera is involved in a special project monitoring the large pools of Lifestream (i.e. Northern Crater and Mideel). The project's funds got sidelined for about two years prior the story, however, to supplement rebuilding. When the project comes online again, findings show something disturbing. Bodies of the dead appear to have been reanimated in the regions exposed to the raw Lifestream.

Like the zombies of the RE films, there's a virus at work (details are... I dunno) and can be spread through bites/etc. For the moment, infection is landlocked within the N. Continent and Mideel. Of course, I don't know why this is happening, per se. If there is a reason, someone responsible, say... So that's one part I need help with.

Another idea I have started work on is incorporation of some Vodun ideology. Minor role, really, but I figure there's other cultures we never see in the game, and I want some isolated island where there's a community voluntarily secluded from most of the rest of the world for whatever reason. In here I want Zack to have been living for the past number of years, having washed up on the shores with Mako poisoning (a la Cloud in the game, sorta), with muddled memory. So getting him somehow in the story is another idea-generating area I need help with.

Sephiroth. Damnit, I love working with his character. So how do I get him in here? I'd love to somehow get some originality with this, but I'm going to have to go with something already used, because really, what else is there? I need help with twisting it enough not to be cringingly cliche, though.

Um. Right. So they're going to have to deal with Zombie!Crisis. What does this mean? ... I don't know. Actually, that doesn't bother me too much. I guess I'm more concerned with what things would be interesting to see. I'd like to work with all of the characters. I'm just not sure if this... does this sound any good? o___0 What do you think will make it interesting? *facepalm* Help, please!

In the aftermath of the Crisis, during the rebuilding period in which ShinRa struggled to put itself back together, Cloud Strife walked away. He left behind more than public scrutiny and the more inquiries from the new ShinRa. Friends frequently looked over their shoulders and checked their messages, hoping, though not expecting, to find some indication, some clue of the missing blond.

Four Years After Meteor

The women studying the latest readings at the tiny desk wore twin expressions of grim triumph. Both had their hair pulled back into a ponytail and wore special glasses to reduce eyestrain from staring at computer screens day-in and day-out.

“Think the assholes are going to shove our next report where the sun don’t shine?” the younger of the two women growled.

“See if you can simplify this into an outline format we can provide at the meeting.” Shera’s narrow eyes flashed with tightly-controlled rage. “I’m setting up a time no less than four hours from now. If you can’t get this wrapped up by then—”

“I’ll hand it off for Vick to finalize as we get started. Yeah. Go on, I’ve got this.”

Shera nodded briskly and turned to leave her fellow project head. On her determined march to the elevator she fought hard to compose herself. Rage attempted to lead the way, but just under it ran a strong current of fear. Neither emotion would help her cause in efficiently getting a head start on all that would need to be done.

“Head start...” she hissed under her breath. The rest of ShinRa may have been fooling themselves, but she knew better. God damn, she’d known better than to stand by! There had been such little protest when the O- Project went on hiatus two years ago due to redirected funding. What had that cost them?

--- ---

“Shakpana is arrived.” The little girl turned her blind gaze away from the fire.

Devon hummed in acknowledgement but didn’t look up from kneading the pastry dough. The man at her side stopped chopping fruit for the tarts. He turned startled eyes to the little girl, staring at her surprisingly blank expression. Worried, he whispered to Devon, “Are you sure she should be doing that unguided?”

A low chuckle escaped the wrinkled woman. “Nana has her spirit guides, _. And she don’t need to look far for evidence of Shakpana.” Devon’s voice hardened. “There’s plenty of tears to come. Anger and pain. We don’t need to rush it. It been comin’ a long time.”

A few moments later the girl started sniffling, tears running over her round cheeks and disappearing under the high collar of her nightshirt. Devon stood up, brushed her hands off on her apron, and went to cradle the child. At the table, the man stood staring dumbly at the food preparations.