Friday, January 21, 2005

Fan Fic (Part 2)
Elsewhere in the city...

Some times I wish... I had never done that. I wanted to stay there forever, but it was something I had to do. I want to go back, this loneliness is killing me. Some times I wish... I could stay with you. Some times I wish... I could back. Some times I want... just to be free... please, oh please, set me free.
Stay with me.... all I want, all I wish, all I need...
I want to meet you.
She opened her eyes and looked up at the stars.
“Come back to me.” She said.
Her mind flashed,
“No!” A voice said. “Aerith!!!” It screamed in despair.
“Cloud!!!” Aerith screamed back. she held on to his hand. “Cloud, please! Please don’t let me die! I don’t want to, not again! Cloud don’t let me fall!!” Aeris screamed holding on to Cloud’s hand tears running down her face. She handing off a ledge and he was the only thing between her and death.
The earth was crumbling beneath them Cloud, tears running down his face let go of Aerith’s hand and she fell but he jumped down after her. He grabbed he and held her close to his body. She opened her eyes and said to Cloud,
“There’s something I never told you...”
“Don’t do this now! No goodbyes! This isn’t the end!” Cloud said as they fell fast.
”Cloud...” Aerith said as she placed her hand on his chest. They stopped seeming to be frozen. She leaned up to his ear, her hand still on his chest, and she whispered, “I love you.” Light came from her hand...
And one giant wing sprouted from his back and Aerith fell.

Aerith opened her eyes.
“But I didn’t die...” She said, “I should have but I didn’t. I woke up here...”
She looked down at her hand, “I’m still alive.”

On top of Gizmo’s shop...

Leon stood looking out over the second district.
“So what they say is true.” He said with a smirk. “Every one here has a painful past. But I, I never show my feelings... not even to her.”
Yet in the city of sorrow another dream occurred. A dream of a man, eyes wide open.

“Come on! We’ve got to get out!” Leon screamed.
“Are you sure we’ll have any time?” She said.
“All that matters is that we stay alive.” Leon said grabbing her by the arm.
“Wait a minute!!” She screamed.
“R-rinoa?” He said.
“Squall... what do we even have to live for? Their all dead. Irvine, Selphie, Quistis, Zell and Angelo. We’re most likely next.” Rinoa said holding on to her rings.
She stepped closer to Leon.
“Squall, I want to spend my last moments with you!” Rinoa ran and hugged Leon, crying.
He took her by the hand and they ran, no where to run, but they tried any how.
“Where are we going?” Rinoa cried.
“We’ve just got to run! We’ll find some way out!” Leon said.
“Why are we running? There’s no reason! I know that you’ll never re...” Rinoa was cut off by many heartless surrounding them.
Rinoa turned around and stared at the monsters. “Oh my God...” she said. She turned around and looked at Squall with tears in her eyes.
One of the heartless jumped towards Rinoa and went straight through her.
“Rinoa!!!” He screamed catching her limp body. “NO!”
He place her on the ground and he took out his gunblade and attacked the heartless. He fought them until they were all gone. His clothes were torn and he was bleeding. He ran over to where Rinoa lay and he picked her up in his arms and cried. “Rinoa! Rinoa! RINOA!!!” He screamed. The earth cracked beneath them and Rinoa’s body started to fall. Leon grabbed onto her rings and she fell from her grasp leaving Griever in his palm.

Leon looked up at the stars to see one blinking out and he whispered, “I always wanted to tell you... my reason was you.”

In empty house, third district...

“There’s got to be something in here!” Yuffie said looking in boxes. “Gawd! This place has nothing! Not even an item!” She picked up a small box inside one of the large cardboard ones and opened it. It was a picture frame. You couldn’t see the picture because it was covered in dust. Yuffie took her scarf and dusted off the picture. The image she saw shocked her. “It’s...!” Yuffie exclaimed dropping the picture. “Oh my gawd! It’s the picture we all had taken a few new years back!” She sat down on the bed and looked at the picture. There was Cloud, Aerith, Cid, Shera, Barret, Marlene, Tifa, Red XIII, Cait Sith, Vincent and herself.
She looked at Aerith and Cloud who were hugging one another.
“I feel sorry for Aerith. She was torn apart from Cloud. When I found her laying on the ground covered in blood I really thought she was dead. She came here to, as Squall calls it, the city of sorrows just a few days after I did. When we found Squall the next week he was on top of Gizmo’s shop bleeding and crying. He was shaking and his eyes were wide open, he was saying Rinoa’s name over and over. He was taken in by one of the locals and it took him about a month to get fully recovered. That’s when he changed his name. He vowed to never to use his name again until our world was reborn... and Rinoa revived.” Yuffie paused. “Who am I even talking to?” Yuffie began to laugh.
“Maybe Sora will bring you back.” Yuffie said smiling. “Vincent...”

“They just keep coming!” Cloud said, “There’s got to be some way to kill them all!” Cloud was surrounded by many heartless. No mater how many he kill they just kept coming.
“Hey! Need a hand?” A voice called from behind Cloud.
He turned around and saw a young boy dressed in green. The boy took out a dagger and easily destroyed all of the heartless.
“You just needed to be a bit stronger!” The boy said putting away his dagger.
Cloud put away his sword and walked past the boy saying, “Don’t talk to me about being strong when you’re the one wearing tights.”
“H-hey!” The boy called, “My name is Peter, Peter Pan! I’m here to help you find Aerith!”
Cloud stopped, “What did you say...?”
“Aerith, I’m gonna help you find her.” Peter said.
Cloud turned around and grabbed Peter by the collar, “Who sent you? Tell me!”
“Hey! Ease up! Some guy named Phil sent me!” Peter said pushing away from Cloud.
“Phil?” Cloud said letting go of Peter.
“Yeah, and I can say whatever I want to about being strong, at least I didn’t wear a dress!” Peter said poking fun of Cloud.
“Heh, I guess you’re right. I have no room to talk.” Cloud said with a sort of half smile.
“So this Aerith... is she an item, a villain, a friend or...” Peter smirked, “A woman.”
“The last...” Cloud said.
“Oh so she is a woman!” Peter said laughing.
“Be quiet.” Cloud said, “Well where do we start to look?”
“There are many places in Neverland! She’s bound to be some where!” Peter said, “Why don’t we check the lagoon first!?”
“Fine by me.” Cloud said.

When the two got to the lagoon three beautiful women emerged from the lagoon.
“Peter! Peter!” They cried.
“Hello ladies!” Peter said.
“Have you come to play us a song peter?” The one with blonde hair said.
“Oh yes! Play us a song Peter! Play us a song!” The one with black hair added.
“Peter...” The red head said with a sly smile, “Would you play me a song?”
“Like he’d ever do that!” The raven hair replied.
“That’s right! He’ll play one for me!” The one with golden locks added.
“You’d think so wouldn’t you??” The fiery red head said.
The girls started to bicker with each other, pulling hair, and scratching and yelling.
“Lana, Lauren, Lortis!” Peter said, “Be nice, we have a guest.”
The girls stopped their fight and looked over at Cloud who was staring blankly at them.
“Oh Peter! You’ve brought us a friend!” Lana said.
“Yeah, and he’s so cute!” Lortis added.
“I wonder if he’s seeing any one!” Lauren exclaimed.
“He is. And that is the reason we’re here!” Peter said crossing his arms.
“Hmph! We’ll tell you nothing!” Lortis said, “Isn’t that right girls?”
“Right!” Lauren added.
“Nothing! Never!” shouted Lana.
“She wasn’t here.” Cloud said turing around, “If she were here she would have stayed.”
“Is that so? And why is that?” Lana said rolling her eyes.
“This place is un tampered. You all of you untampered. Just like the planet wanted.” Cloud said looking down into the pool.
The three mermaids looked down at their fins and gills. They were different than humans.
“Cloud...” Peter said.
“Let’s go.” Cloud cut in.

Later that day Cloud and Peter sat in a grassy field.
“So Cloud... what was this Aerith like?” Peter asked.
Cloud closed his eyes remembering her beautiful, tear stained face the last time he saw her.
“She has Brown hair, bright green eyes and a smile that makes your heart break. Her voice is sweet and sincere. She’s passionate about everything she does. Her body is beautiful and her spirit strong.” He paused and opened his eyes. “And she was the most wonderful person I ever knew...”
Peter smiled and laughed, “Oh, the love struck version! Cloud you devil.” Peter paused. “But you know... she kind of reminds me of Wendy.”
“Oh, so you’re as guilty as me.” Cloud said with a sly tone in his voice.
“Oh be quiet!” Peter said with a huff.
Cloud laughed and Peter kind of chuckled too.
And just then a small ball of light appeared and started flying around Peter’s head.
“Oh yeah, and there’s this one too!” He said as the small light rested on his finger and formed into a beautiful girl.
“What is that?” Cloud said looking down at the small creature.
“Oh this is Tinkerbell, she’s a pixie.” Peter said as Tinkerbell jumped off his finger and flew over to Cloud.
“A pixie?” Cloud said raising one eye brow.
“Yes, a pixie! Aren't ya Tink?” Peter said with a chuckle. “Well why don’t we get some sleep and go looking in the morning.”
“Sure, whatever.” Cloud said sitting down in the green grass.
Peter flew up in a tree and pulled out his reed pipe, “See you in the morning!” And Peter started to play his pipe and create a lovely tune.
Cloud lay back and closed his eyes. He slowly drifted off to sleep but was woken off several times when Peter hit a sour note. “Be quiet!” Cloud would shout. Peter finally fell asleep on his peaceful perch and Cloud finally got his rest.
The next morning Cloud awoke to the sound of Peter playing his reed pipe... again.
“Do you ever stop?” Cloud asked rubbing his head.
“Stop what?” Peter replied.
“Playing that stupid thing.” Cloud said.
“You mean my pipe?” Peter asked, “Yes, I do stop.”
“Good. Why don’t you take this as one of those times you do.” Cloud said coldly.
“Fine!” Peter said, “Be that way!”
“Don’t act so immature.” Cloud said putting on his cloak, which was hanging on a tree limb.
Peter crossed his arms and huffed. Tink flew over to him and sat on his shoulder.
“That reminds me!” Peter exclaimed.
“What?” Cloud asked.
“Wanna learn how to fly? All you need is Faith, Trust and a little bit of pixie dust!” Peter paused, “And happy thoughts too.”
“Happy... thoughts...?” Cloud said.
“Yeah! Happy Thoughts!” Peter said as Tink flew over to Cloud.
“You’re an idiot.” Cloud scoffed.
“Oh am I?” said Peter with a sly chuckle in his voice. “I guess you’re just chicken!”
“Yes, frightened out of my skin.” Cloud said blankly.
“Oh you’re no fun, Cloud!” Peter huffed.
Cloud smirked and said, “There’s also this...” One black wing burst from Cloud’s back and feathers flew everywhere. “I can fly on my own.”
Cloud leaped high into the air and started to fly. Truth be told he wasn’t doing very well. He was flying around in a circle swooping and shaking like a bird that doesn’t know how to fly.
“Eh...” Peter said as he and Tink looked at Cloud’s interesting display.
When Cloud landed, trying to make an excuse, he said, “I’m just a bit rusty.”
Peter and Tink fell silent.
“Dust him!” Peter screamed. Tinkerbell flew over to Cloud and dropped dust all over him when she was done Cloud stood there with his right eye twitching.
“Peter Pan you fool! You’ve contaminated me!!” Cloud screamed.
“Okay, now just think happy thoughts.” Peter said with a big smile, for he was happy he got the best of Cloud.
“I have no happy thoughts, my world, it is filled with pain...” Cloud paused. “There I go again! I’m turning into Vincent! Maybe it’s this cloak? Maybe it’s getting to me?”
“Aerith.” Peter said tying to bring in a happy thought.
“You fool! That’s not happy! What’s wrong with you?” Cloud said hitting Peter on the back on the head.
“What? Did Aerith leave you and now your stalking her?” Peter asked.
“No! She died!” Cloud said at this point getting very angry.
“Died?” Peter repeated. “If she’s dead then why are we even looking for her?”
“Because she died once but she came back. But then...” Cloud paused, “Our world was destroyed.”
“Well I would give up now but I’m being paid.” Peter said remembering the prize Phil promised him.
“What’s he paying you anyway?” Cloud asked.
Peter closed his eyes and smiled, “Ahhhh.....” He chuckled a bit, “Sweet pork buns, Onigiri, Ramen, Miso Soup, everything all I can eat!”
“He’s paying you... in food?” Cloud said.
“Yeah! I never get that kind of good food! And he also said that he might, like in one thousand years, let me compete in the games!” Peter said hanging on to Cloud’s cloak, “I love Miso Soup!!!”
“Calm down.” Cloud said pushing Peter away.
“Well let’s just go, we’re wasting daylight.” Peter said.

For three months Cloud and peter searched all over Neverland, they searched the Caves, Forests, Rivers, Seas, Lakes, Fields, Ships, and they even checked the Lagoon again.
“We’ve been searching for so long and still getting nowhere!” Peter said one night. Cloud looked up to the tree that Peter was sitting in.
Cloud sat silent poking at the fire he was sitting in front of. “Maybe she’s not in this world.” Cloud said.
“Not in this world?” Peter asked, “You mean you think she’s still dead?”
Cloud shook his head, “No. She’s alive... some how I just know.”
“Really...?” Peter said thinking Cloud had lost it these past few months, “Well what do you mean, Maybe she’s not in this world?”
“Didn’t you know, Pan? I’m not from this world either.” Cloud smirked.
“W-what?” Peter exclaimed, “You mean you’re dead!?”
“No fool! This world is connected!” Cloud yelled.
“Connected to what? The after life??” Peter scoffed.
“No fool! The other worlds!” Cloud cleared his throat, “There are many worlds, all under one sky, one destiny...”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever ghost boy.” Peter cut in.
“I’m not dead!!” Cloud said hitting Peter on the back head.
“Okay, okay!” Peter said rubbing his head.
“I’ll be needing to heading on today.” Cloud said, “I’ll tell Phil to send you your payment.”
“But we didn’t find her.” Peter said, “Aw, I don’t need it any way.”
“You’ll get your food, don’t worry.” Cloud said spreading his large black wing.
“Well bye!” Peter said.
“Bye.” Cloud jumped into the air and flew off. He didn’t swoop and dip about, he just flew like another wing was there.
“Yeah, he’s a ghost.”
When Cloud was out of sight Peter started to fly home. Half way there Tinkerbell stopped him, flying about and screaming.
“What is it Tink?” Peter said sticking out his hand for her to land on, “Hook’s got a girl hostage?” Peter said. Tinkerbell nodded, yes.
Peter started to fly towards Hook’s ship but he stopped him self saying, “Aerith... oh my gosh! We might have found her Tink!” Tinkerbell clapped her hans and the two flew off.
When they reached the ship Peter landed on one of the masts and looked down at the crew below. a young girl with pink hair walked behind captain Hook who was walking beside a boy with silver hair.
“That can’t be her!” Peter said pointing to the pink haired maiden. “Look, she’s so young! Unless...” Peter paused, “Cloud’s a cradle robber!”
Tinkerbell jingled and crossed her arms disappointed at Peter.
Down below the silver haired boy looked up and spotted Peter and Tink.
“We better get outta here!” Peter said.
“We’ve got company...” The boy said to Captain Hook.
“Let go of me!!” Another voice screamed.
Two thugs pushed a girl dressed in blue out onto the deck.
Peter looked down at the girl and recognized her, “Wendy!” He screamed.
There were so many that I wanted to tell you. Things unspoken, feelings I always felt. Sometimes I wonder if it were me, if you would have searched as I have. I wonder if the planet would have been saved, if Sephiroth would have been stopped, if you... if you ever loved me. Why do I even wonder, there’s no way to know. But I’m sorry, I let you die. So I want to tell you...
I love you more than life it’s self.

“You okay, mister?” a voice said.
Cloud opened his eyes to see a three young duck boys standing over him.
“You just came falling out of the sky!” The one dressed in blue said.
“Yeah! We thought you were dead!” The one in red added.
“Are you hurt?” The one in green asked.
Cloud sat up and replied, “I’m fine.”
“Boys!! What are ya’ll doin’?? Ya’ve got costumers, you better get back to that shop now, or I’m gonna have to call yer #$@^ uncle!!!” a voice called from the stairs.
The boys cleared away from Cloud and when the person saw him he... exclaimed.
“What the #$@^?? Cloud you spiky headed #$@^!! I outta kick your spiky #$@^!!! #$@^ #$@^ #$@^ #$@^ #$@^ #$@^ #$@^ #$@^ #$@^!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“C-cid?” Cloud said.
“Cloud you....!” Cid paused, “It’s good to see you again.”
“Cid, where’s Aerith? Did you ever find her?” Cloud asked worried of the answer.
“I’m sorry kid your too late.” Cid said with a sigh of sorrow in his voice.
“Too late...?” Cloud muttered, his fist shaking.
“Yeah, she Yuffie and Leon went to Hallow Bastion. They wanted to see what it looked like now. I wanted to come along but I got these Gummi’s to work with.” Cid said scratching the back of his head.
Cloud stood up. “Take me to her!” He cried.
“Whoa, whoa! You just settle yer #$@^ down, ya here!?” Cid scolded.
“Take me now!” Cloud insisted.
“I will, as soon as I’m finished delivering all of these gummis, then I will take you to Aerith.” Cid said waving his hand.
“Well what do I do for now?” Cloud asked.
“Ya can stay with them #$@^ Dalmatian dogs fer now. I should be done in a week or two.” Cid replied, “There in the 2 district ya can take a short cut through the inn and down the back ally and then take a right. Ya might come across some heartless but nothin’ you can’t handle. #$@^, I hate them #$@^ things.”
“Why don’t I just stay at the inn?” Cloud asked.
“Because it’s infested with #$@^ heartless, idiot!!” Cid said laughing. “By the way, have you seen Shera?”
“I’m sorry Cid, no sight of her.” Cloud said feeling sorry.
Cid turned around and said, “Well uh... it’s not that I miss her, it’s just her #$@^ tea, that's all. I love her tea... and that's ALL!”
That night when Cloud reached the Dalmatian's home they welcomed him with open... paws? 404 paws to be correct.
Pango pulled out some blankets and Purdita shooed the puppies off of the couch.
“I do think this will be a fitting bed for him don’t you love?” Pango said to Purdita although Cloud could not understand.
“Yes dear fitting indeed.” Pudita replied.
Pango barked and pointed his nose at the couch and the blankets.
“You want me to sleep here?” Cloud asked sure he wouldn’t get an answer.
Pango barked and Cloud nodded and sat down.
Pango and Purdita walked into the other room.
Cloud took of his cloak and shoulder guards, he laid them on the floor beside the couch. He laid down on the couch and closed his eyes. He lay there peacefully for about 60 seconds then a fleet of little feet swarmed into the room. He opened one eye to see 99 little puppies sitting there looking up at him. He closed his eye again thinking that they would either go away or fall asleep there. But he was wrong. All 99 puppies jumped, or either tried to, on him. He just sighed and tried to fall asleep. But he couldn’t. His mind kept racing with thoughts of Aerith. After his long search he was finally about to see her.
What will she look like now? What will she do? What will she say? What’ll I do, what’ll I say? He thought, Cid said she was going to our world... I’m sure it hurts her to see the land she grew up in destroyed, in ruin. It would probably bring me to tears if I saw it alone. Aerith... I hope the library is okay. Aerith and I always stayed there during the days when we had nothing to do, she would read to me. Sometimes if I fell asleep she’d get mad and lecture me about how interesting the book she was reading was. She was so beautiful when she was angry. She was beautiful when she laughed, cried, got angry, even when she just sat there she was beautiful. The image of perfection.
Cloud lay there with 99 warm little bodies snuggling next to him.
After a while he finally fell asleep. He dreamt of Aerith and of the meeting they would soon have. He dreamt of things that were, the things that will be, things that are now. But even though he knew that he would see her again, there was a longing in his heart. He longed to see her, his love and hope was over welling him.
So he awoke.
He opened his eyes and saw Pango and Purdita looking at him and the puppies running and jumping around.
“Morning...” Cloud said sitting up and little puppies falling off of his lap.
Pango barked and licked Cloud’s face.
“Cloud!” Called Cid barging into the room, “Get yer spiky #$@^ into my shop and work! If ya wanna se yer little Aerith, ya better pull yer own weight!”
“Sure Cid.” Cloud said standing up and putting on his cloak and shoulder guards.
“Good. Now in the center of the first district there’s a big shop, ya can’t miss it and if ya do, ya’ve gone blind.” said Cid putting his hands on his hips, laughing. “Now we don’t get many costumers besides some of the locals and that #$@^ Sora kid!”
“Sora... the first person who ever beat me.” Cloud said with a slight chuckle in his voice.

So for the next few days Cloud worked in Cid’s shop. Some times he’d deliver gummis to the locals who were holed up in the second district.
And one day he was even ordered to deliver one all the way to the the third district where, of his knowledge, no one lived.
When he reached the third district he saw a small house on the left of the entrance.
He knocked on the door and a small voice said, “Come in!”
When Cloud opened the door he saw a young girl with pink hair standing in the room in front of the table.
“Oh!” She said, “I thought you were some one else...”
“No, I’m not Sora.” Cloud said with a smile.
The girl’s face lit up and she exclaimed, “You know no Sora? My name is Kairi, what’s yours?”
“Cloud. Cid sent me to give you these gummis.” Cloud said handing Kairi the box with her gummis in it.
“Oh, thank you!” Kairi said taking the box and setting it on the table. “So Cloud, how well do you know Sora?”
Cloud smirked, “The only person who ever beat me.”
“Is Sora... is he making trouble? If he is picking fights and stuff tell me so I can teach him a lesson!” Kairi said throwing punches at the air.
“Don’t you worry, your lover was in a tournament. I was being paid to fight.” Cloud said laughing.
Kairi blushed. “He is NOT my lover!” Kairi trying to hide her true feelings.
“Don’t worry miss, your secret’s safe with me?” Cloud replied.
Kairi smiled and said, “What about you? Do you have some on special?”
Cloud looked out the window. “Yeah... Her name is Aerith, she used to live here.”
“Miss Aeris?” Kairi asked looking at Cloud, eyes widened, “So your him??”
“What do you mean?” Cloud said starting to blush a bit.
“So you are the guy who dressed up like a girl?” Kairi said laughing.
“Why does every one bring that up? That only happened once! ONCE!!!” Said Cloud steaming.
“Aeris told me all about you, gee you’re weird!” Kairi said laughing harder.
Cloud had a displeased look on his face.
“I think Aerith really likes you.” Kairi said with a sly smile, “You should go see her.”
“Why do you think I’m delivering gummis?” Cloud asked rolling his eyes.
“Stress therapy?” Kairi replied.
“No.” Cloud said crossing his arms.
“Cloud! Get yer spiky #$@^ in gear, and lets get a move on!” Cid yelled.
“Right!” Cloud said grabbing his bag that he had set beside the door.
“Bye!” Kairi called as Cloud ran out the door.
“Later!” He called back.
Kairi looked down at the gummis she had received. “Better get to work.”

For the next two days Cloud worked at Cid’s shop and delivered gummis to the locals and occasionally chatted with Kairi. Every day his anticipation grew with the thought of finally seeing his beloved Aerith again after all these years.
“Cloud!” Cid called one day, “Get yer spiky #$@^ in that ship and let’s head down to Hallow Bastion!”
Cloud’s eyes opened wide, “You, you mean it!?”
“Yeah.” Cid said laughing, “Ya better get ready don’t want to disappoint yer little lady do ya?”
Cloud grabbed Cid by the arm and ran towards the world exit.
When they reached it Cloud saw a huge chocobo shaped ship sitting in the third dock.
“What...” Cloud said pointing up at the metal bird, “is that?”
“That is my gummi ship! My pride and joy, she’s a beauty ain’t she? Almost as good as my ol’ bikini goddess!” Cid said with pride.
“We’re gonna ride that? How?” Cloud asked.
“Get inside.” Cid said pointing to the lift that was coming down to take them to the ship.
Cloud and Cid stepped onto the lift and it went back to the ship. The two stepped inside and sat down.
“Every thing looks ready to go.” Cid said picking up the intercom, “We’re ready to take off.”
Cloud and Cid buckled their seat belts. (No, I am not trying to be politically correct! lol)
“Ya ready?” Cid asked smirking.
“Yeah.” Cloud said at this point getting butterflies in his stomach.
Cid looked at Cloud who was beaming with excitement. “Ya know that’s not healthy right?”
“What?” Cloud asked.
“Eating butterflies.” Cid said with a concerned tone in his voice, “Ya’ll get too #$@^ existed.”
“You idiot.” Cloud said.
“Well Cloud, anything you wanna say before we take off?” Cid asked.
Cloud looked down at his claw and then out the window, “Let’s mosey.”
Cid laughed and the gummi ship took off.
After all this time he was almost there. Cloud was just one step away from her beautiful face. His mind raced, he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.
He was happy, the happiest he’d ever been in his life.
This emptiness is killing me, I want to see your face, hear your voice. I just want to see something, anything. Just to know that this darkness can end. I just lay here, the lifestream shimmering around me. I whisper your name, and pray to God that your safe... And I know he hears me because your not here. Even though I’m stuck, I still feel alive. Like I’m somewhere but my mind is here.
But once... you came. You told me that you gave him the materia. We talked and talked, but I never saw your face. So I often wonder if it was a dream in a sleepless world. But you disappeared. Close enough to touch but if when I did, you disappeared. And even though you can’t hear, I want to tell you...
I love you more that life it’s self.

She opened her eyes.
“How long was I asleep?” Aerith said rubbing her eyes. She stretched her arms and yawned. “I wonder what the others are doing.”
“He’s going to fight Ansem.” Aerith overheard Leon say to Yuffie as she walked into the room.
“What are you guy’s talking about?” Aerith asked.
“Oh!” Yuffie exclaimed, “You’re awake!”
Aerith nodded.
“We were just talking about that kid.” Leon informed.
“Sora?” Aerith asked not sure what kid they were talking about.
“Yeah!” Yuffie said, “He’s going to fight Ansem. I wonder if he’ll make it.”
“I hope so!” Aerith said putting her hands together and smiling.
“You think Cloud’ll come back?” Leon asked.
Aerith shrugged, “I don’t know. I really don’t want him to come here. I don’t want him to see this place the way it is now.” Aerith paused, “What about Rinoa?”
Leon looked down at her rings that he was holding. “I’d give anything just to see her again.”
“I feel the same about Vincent.” Yuffie said.
Leon clenched the rings in his fist. “I’d even give up my life just to see her face.”
Aerith smiled, “Let’s all just pray for Sora’s safe return!”
“Right!” Yuffie said.
“That kid better not go off and get killed.” Leon said, “Then we’re all out...”
“Ta-da!” Called a voice.
Aerith turned around to see Cid standing in the door way of the library they were in. Behind him was none other than Cloud!

Though frozen in time, a memory still stands strong...

He walked up to her. She bent over and looked up at him smiling.
“Aerith...” He whispered.
“Clou--” Before Aerith could finish saying his name Cloud took Aerith into his arms and kissed her.
“I can’t believe this! I can’t! You’re here!” Cloud said holding Aerith and crying.
Aerith started to laugh and cry at the same time.
“I love you... I love you so much!” Cloud said laughing in tears.
It was a reunion full of joy and laughed. Cloud and Aerith were finally reunited.

Aerith stood on the balcony looking out over the sunseting sky.
“What are you doing?” Cloud asked walking up and putting his arms around her.
“Just watching the sun go down.” Aerith said looking up at Cloud.
He turned her around and held her tight. “I love you more that life it’s self.”
Aerith’s eyes widened. She gasped and fell limp in Cloud’s arms.
“Aerith!” He screamed, “Aerith, what’s wrong!?”
Aerith clenched onto Cloud’s shirt, hanging onto life. And with one last breath she whispered, “It isn’t over yet...” And with that she died.
Everything went black around Cloud and Aerith faded in his arms. And when she was gone all he had left was the ribbon from her hair.
He held onto it tight. He cried screaming her name.
“No, no, no, no, no!” He screamed banging on the ground. “I did it again! I let you die! Why, why why!? Aerith...”
A voice started to call his name.
“AERITH!!!!!!” He screamed.

Frozen... Memory...

“Mr. Strife?” Called a voice, “Mr. Strife?”
Cloud opened his eyes.
“Mr. Strife!” Cloud looked up to see a doctor and a nurse standing over him peering down.
“He’s alive!” The nurse cried.
“You better count yourself lucky! You know you shouldn’t go to sleep with Geostigma!” The doctor scolded.
“What...?” Cloud said.
“Don’t worry you’ll be okay. Just get your rest and don't fall asleep!” The doctor said as he and the nurse walked out of the room.
When they were both gone Cloud whispered, “Aerith...”

She opened her eyes for some one called her name.

“I’ll come back when it’s all over.”
-Aeris (Final Fantasy VII)

THE END
To Mandy Deason,
And to the girl who prayed for freedom.
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