Thinking of You

By Kristen Essery

Cloud sat alone, starting out the window of his villa in Costa de sol. It's really a beautiful day, he noticed. After the scare of meteor had long worn off, many people started returning to the sunny paradise, smiling, happy, enjoying their long and fruitful lives with a loved one. This only made Cloud sadder.

"Aeris . . ."

He muttered the beautiful word to himself, remembering the lovely flower girl he had loved so much. He longed to hold her, stare into her sea green eyes, caress her long, honey-brown hair, and finally let their lips meet as he had ached to do for so long. Why didn't I tell her how I felt? he thought angrily. Why . . .

Only three months had gone by since the destruction of Meteor. Avalanche had broken up, still remaining close friends, yet living in different towns. Cloud lived with Cid in Costa de sol, Tifa went to live with Barret and Marlene in Kalm, Cait sith had gone back to Shinra headquarters to find his real body, a long and daunting task, no doubt, Vincent had returned to Nibelhiem, Nanaki to Cosmo Canyon, and Yuffie to Wutai.

In truth, no one was happy with Aeris gone. But, of course, Cloud had taken her loss the hardest. He refused to eat, had trouble sleeping, and it seemed that he would never return to his old self, happy, caring, and a skilled fighter. He hadn't even fought since the end of Meteor.

Why didn't I push her out of the way? He questioned himself angrily. I am the one who should have taken the blade of Sephiroth, should have been laid in a watery grave, not that sweet, innocent, wonderful..."

A tear streaked down his fatigued face. "Now she will never know." He told himself, "Never, ever know how much I loved her."

There was a sudden bang, as Cid crashed in through the front door. He stomped upstairs and greeted Cloud with a "Hey there, Spikey!" as always, and leaned against the wall. He pulled out a smoke and grinned. Lighting the smoke, he pulled out two tickets from his pocket.

"I bought us some tickets to the Chocobo races tonight! My treat!" Cloud quickly wiped the tears from his eyes and murmured, "I don't feel too good. Why, uh, why don't you invite someone else?"

Cid put out his cigarette one the windowsill, leaving faint burn marks. "C'mon, Cloud..." he chided. "It'll be fun! Hell, you haven't done anything fun since..." He stopped short, knowing he was stepping onto forbidden territory. "Well, you haven%27t had fun in awhile."

Cloud slumped his shoulders lower down and whispered, "No thanks."

What's up with him? Cid thought. Here I am, buy tickets to these real expensive shows, and the kid still won't come?

"Listen." Cid started, angrily. "I spent a lot of money on you, hoping to make you feel yourself again! Would ya stop thinking of Aeris and come with me to the races? Cloud, you have to let her go. She's dead!"

Cloud shuttered, and Cid saw his dreadful mistake. "Uhhh..." he stuttered. "Cloud, I'm sorry. That was rotten of me."

He sat next to Cloud on the windowseat. "I, uh, I know how you feel. We all miss her. But Cloud, you have to stop blaming yourself. It's not your fault!"

Cloud spun around to face Cid. "Not my fault?!" He screeched. "How can you say it's not my fault? I just stood there, watching her pray, watching that evil bastard falling from above, sword in hand, just, just watching..."

Cloud choked, fighting back tears. Cid was shocked, he had never seen his old buddy so choked up, not even when Aeris died. He placed a hand on his back and patted him soundly. "You...you really loved her, didn't you?"

Cloud stopped, spun and faced Cid. His deep blue eyes stared straight into Cid's, penetrating him deep inside, down in his soul. "With all of my heart."

The old man's heart had been touched. He smiled warmly. "Well, if you don't want to come, I'll invite someone else. Maybe I'll call Shera." With that, he left the room.

Cloud stared after him for some time, Thinking about what he had said. It's true, he thought. I do love her. I love everything about her. Her laugh, her smile, her eyes, her hair, her very being..."

Cloud paused. He had never talked in such a manner about anyone, or anything. Aeris had brought out something that had been hidden away in Cloud. It had been forced deep, down inside him, some time ago, for whatever reasons. And when he met his Aeris, his angel, she had smiled at him and set it free.

The vibrant day was turning into a starry night. Couples embraced and took long, moonlit strolls, and the waves of the ocean crashed upon the shore with a watery shhh, shhh. Cloud yawned, it was growing late. He curled up in the windowseat, not caring if the front door was shut, or the window, closed. He listened to the waves as he fell asleep, and whispered to himself, "I hope, wherever you are, Aeris, you know that I love you, and hope you love me, too." * * *

* * * * *

He realises. I guess it is, at last, time to bring them together again. Will they prevail against all odds, and seal their fate? * * *

* * * * *

"Cloud..."

Someone is calling my name, Cloud thought. It sounds strangely familiar...

"Wake up, silly..."

No...

"C'mon, sleepy head!"

"AERIS!"

Cloud opened his eyes and peered around. His eyes met with the one thing he longed for more than anything else in his dreary world. Aeris. She stood above him, smiling her sweet smile, her emerald eyes sparkling at him, her honey hair falling loosely, as always, adorning her petite, glowing face.

Cloud stood up, facing her in awe. They were standing in the church, surrounded by beautiful flowers, Aeris was leaning on her staff, eying him and smiling.

Cloud stuttered, "Is, is it, really...you?"

She laughed. Her laugh was like the waves of the ocean, like bells tinkling. Cloud wanted to melt.

He approached her, wanting to sweep her into his arms and kiss her and never let go. She held out a hand for him to stop. She laughed again. "You haven't even visited me at the church yet!"

Huh? Cloud thought. "But, Aeris..we are at the church. You're here, you alive. Tell me, what happened?"

She giggled in her girlish way.

"I, I love you, Aeris."

She smiled again. Everything went black, and Cloud was spinning downwards in a black void of nothing.

"Visit me at the church. You'll see." * * *

* * * * *

Cloud opened his eyes slowly, and groaned. Where am I now? He thought. the blurriness of the morning cleared, and he saw he was back in his villa, without Aeris.

Cloud sighed. A dream, he thought, just a dream. but so real...

He stood up and stretched. But...what did she say?

He sat down on the windowseat again, thinking hard. She said...to visit her at the...church?

"But this dream had seemed so real," he muttered to himself. "Her clothes, her face, her long hair, her smile..."

This must be a sign. The thought popped into his head so suddenly. I knew Aeris and I were meant to be, so this must be a sign. And for the first time I three months, Cloud smiled, and felt hope.

Cid suddenly burst into the room. "Hey spikey, whatcha got planned for today?"

Cloud jumped from his seat. "Pack your bags, Cid, I'm gonna go see Aeris!"

End of Part one

Cloud stood in front of the church, wanting to go in, yet scared of the disappointment of not seeing his beloved again. Cloud shook his head. He was surprised that Cid offered to drive him in the Highwind to Midgar. Maybe Cid was just happy to see Cloud acting like himself again.

If I never go in, I'll never know. He thought.

Slowly, Cloud climbed the steps to the ancient sanctuary. The rotting boards barely held his weight. Stopping at the foreboding front gates, towering over him, he sucked in a deep breath, and walked inside.

The church was as vivid as in his dream, and as he remembered it. Rows of unused pews lined up against the walls, and a dusty red carpet paved the way through the isle. Right in the heart of the church, lay a small, flourishing patch of red, orange, blue, pink, and white flowers, painted with the only sunlight in Midgar. It was beautiful. But no Aeris.

Cloud sighed deeply, and made to leave.

"Cloud..."

Cloud froze, his heart beat quickened, and he wondered, Could it be? as he spun around.

A faintly visible, sparkling image of the lovely Aeris was standing in the center of her home grown flower bed. She smiled at him, and although she was opaque and pale, Cloud thought she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

He rushed to her, and she halted him just a few feet away. Her beautiful face grew sad, and she asked, "Do you love me, Cloud?"

Oh God, he thought. Fighting back tears, she spoke, "More than you may ever know."

The ghostly Aeris smiled again, and picked a white rose from her garden. She handed it to him. "I love you too." she cooed. Then, Aeris's ghost faded into nothing.

Tears streaking his face, she gazed at the beautiful rose in his hand. His tears dripped onto the satin petals of the rose, and it bloomed. What's this? Cloud thought. Inside the ivory petals of his gift, a small green materia glowed at him like Aeris's mysterious eyes. He carefully extracted the materia, and saw that it was a revive. One he had never seen before. It was called, Revive AS. He didn't know what to do with his gift.

What if, He thought, excitedly, What if I can revive Aeris with this special materia? The AS must stand for Aeris!

But, he counter thought, Revive materia has never been known to resurrect the dead. It just heals you when you are too injured to fight. Then again, this must be a sign! I can win Aeris back! And this is how I'll do it!

He rushed from the church, the churchyard, and out of the city to the waiting Highwind. He clambered aboard excitedly. Cid was there to greet him.

"So, what happened?"

Cloud panted." I...I saw..."

"What?!"

"I saw Aeris! Well, Aeris's ghost. And she told me that she loved me, and she gave me this Materia! It's one of a kind. It's called Revive AS, and I think I can bring Aeris back to life with it!"

Cid stood back and whistled. "Well, this is great, if it works!"

Poor guy, Cid thought. He's so looney over that girl, he's gone delusional. Oh well, might as well humour him, cuz he's acting like his old self!

"Okay Cid, I want all my friends to be there when I bring her back. First stop, Kalm!"

Uh oh... Cid thought. "Is that such a good idea? I mean..."

"Oh course! Let's get going! No ifs, ands or buts!"

"Alright, Cloud. Let's go." * * *

* * * * *

Poor guy, Tifa thinks to herself. He...he loves her so much, and she's...He's gone crazy. I, I don't want to see the look on his face when it doesn't work...

The members of Avalanche, reunited, waited aboard the Highwind for their destination. They even managed to find Cait Sith. Everyone nervously waited, thinking about Aeris, about Meteor, about Cloud.

Cloud sat at the very front. I can't believe it, He thought. I'm going to do it. I'm going to get her back. He clenched his fist in anger. What Sephiroth took from me will be returned. I knew we were meant to be!

He thought about what Cait Sith had said so long ago. That he and Aeris were perfect for each other. They truly were soulmates. And they belonged together, forever. Cloud was happy, and carefree, and hope filled.

Quicker than imagined, the Highwind landed on the icy banks of the frozen river, just past the Sleeping Forest and Bone Village. The pack of friends left their warm airship and entered the Lost City. Down the twisting path towards the forgotten capitol, they all continued on.

As they came to Aeris's burial spot. Cloud looked around at the beauty of the area. The crystal blue lake, the spiralling pillars of white quartz that towered over their heads, and the thought of Cloud's only love and friend, laying at the bottom of the deep, cold waters, alone...

Cloud shuttered, and remembered his mission. "I am going to dive down deep into the waters, and bring up her body. Wait for me here!" Not waiting for any protest, he threw off the heaviest of his armor and dove into the water.

The lake was much deeper than imagined. For what seemed like forever, he swam through the deep, twisting masses of seaweed and schools of various fish. His breath was running short.

Suddenly he saw her, a diamond in the rough. She looked as beautiful as ever, and was glowing strangely bright, amongst her dull surroundings. My angel, he thought.

He swiftly picked her up and began to swim upwards. He was becoming faint from lack of air. He pushed, kicked, with all of his might, trying to make his way upwards, but the surface still seemed miles away. I'm not going to make it, he thought. Yes I will, he counter thought, yet he could feel his limbs growing weak, and he slowed his kicking speed.

Let your love make you strong.

What was that? he thought. A voice? Who could it be? It was so cool, tranquil, like it was out of another world.

Yet, it was right. If he gave up, he would never be with Aeris, and they would both perish. He must make it to the top. He must do it for Aeris. Deep inside himself, he thanked the voice for it's wisdom.

Thinking of Aeris, he kicked his way to the top, as hard as his could, screaming for air, wanting only to reach the surface. His love truly made him strong.

Finally, he reached the top, gasping for air. His loyal friends cheered for him. He sat there, floating on the surface, cradling his angel. Slowly, he made his way to the shore.

He placed the lovely Aeris on dry ground. She hadn't changed a bit. Her lips were a soft pink, her hair was wet and matted, but still a shiny brown. She was beautiful, even in death.

"Hand me the materia." Cait Sith gave Cloud the materia he had been holding for him. This, thought Cloud, is my last chance. Fate separated us, and fate will bring us together again. I just know it. He clutched the softly glowing stone, and whispered, "Revive AS."

The materia started to glow a bright green, and flashed it's light over the entire area. Aeris started to glow. When the revive sequence was over, the glow that shone from Aeris quickly faded, and disappeared. She lay, motionless, on the ground, as before. Cloud's hope was slowly fading.

Tifa shook her head. Cloud...

A single tear fell from his sapphire eyes. He bent over her unmoving body. "Please..." he begged, "please come back to me. I need you. I...I love you." He leaned down over her lifeless form and kissed her soft, rosy lips. She was so cold. So very cold.

Life flowed from his body. Passion, love, so much love. It all came out of his body. His love, their love, was so strong. Everything that she was, and ever had been, lived within him. Because he had loved her so much, with that kiss, he breathed life back into her.

Something has happened, he thought. I can feel it. He released her from his kiss and looked down on her. She moved. He gasped. She opened her brilliant eyes, and they shone on him. She stretched her limbs and sat up. She was there. She was alive.

My...my long wait is over.

"Cloud..."

Cloud let all the tears come, tears that he had fought back for months. "Aeris...oh Aeris, I can't believe...I've waited so long..."

She placed a finger to his lips. "Shhhhh..." She murmured. She drew him close and their lips met, in a passionate kiss. When it was over, She murmured, "I love you, Cloud Strife. I have loved you always."

"Oh Aeris...I love you so much. I've been so unhappy without you, but now, you're finally here..."

The world melted away, and sound everywhere was drowned out. All that mattered was the two lovers, embracing together in a long awaited kiss, lips together, minds as one, souls entwined. * *

* * * * *

Cait Sith climbed the Northern Crater to where Sephiroth lay in wait. "Stupid pushy #$*&head, I should just ignore the bastard. But I can't..."

Cait Sith had dreamed of Sephiroth much like Cloud of Aeris. Sephiroth said that he was to steal the Revive AS and use it on him. Cait would very much like to ignore him, but there was someone still alive back a Shinra headquarters who has been informed of the dream, and was controlling Cait Sith.

"Stupid body, I can't take it!"

No one had noticed him leave with the Revive AS, because now that Aeris was back, no one needed it! Climbing up the rocky cliffs of the Northern Crater, Cait grew sad and remembered that he hadn't even said hello to Aeris.

"She once told me to be strong, and now I'm betraying them all!" Cait angrily said to himself.

Reaching the top of the crater, he quickly dashed downward and reached the black hole which led deep into the quagmire of the earth, the hole where Sephiroth met his doom.

"I ain't goin' no further!" He cried. Holding up the glowing materia, he chanted, "Revive AS!"

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, The crater exploded with green light and a great rumbling shook the earth. "Jeez!" He cried.

A dark figure with a mane of silver hair leap from the abyss and landed inches from the trembling mog.

"Thank you, Cait Sith." He said without emotion. "I'm very grateful to you."

"Ok..okay, I'll just be go...going." Stuttered the cat. He motioned to leave, when Sephiroth called, "Wait."

Sephiroth slashed the mog and cat in half, and said, " I haven't properly thanked you yet." He smiled. "Now, I have some matters to attend to."

End of Part Two

Sweet music sounded, and the crowd of people rose. Little Marlene strode up the isle in her emerald green dress, tossing white rose petals behind her as she swayed. Elmyra cooed to the cute little girl, and made her smile.

Next, a smiling Tifa and Yuffie strode down, wearing equally green dresses. Cloud smiled at the two as they made their way to the front. Tifa stopped behind Cloud, and murmured, " I am so happy for you, Cloud. I just know you will be happy. At first, no one believed you could revive her. Boy, you sure proved us wrong!"

Cloud smiled. He was glad that she could accept his love for Aeris. "That means a lot to me, coming from you." She kissed him and took her seat.

The best men (There had to be two) Vincent and Cid, walked up the isle, looking pretty sharp, as Shera, the maid of honor, came in behind them.

Aeris emerged from behind a curtain of flowers and began to saunter down the isle. Cloud stared at her, open eyed. She wore a halo of while roses on her wispy, honey hair. She wore just enough make up to give her girlish charm a sexy appeal. She wore a feminine, white silk wedding dress, with a sift pink bow, accenting her flawless figure. Cloud never thought his love could look more beautiful than before.

She walked up to him, smiling, and Cloud was under her spell. She said, "Catch your drool." and grinned.

"Dearly Beloved," The priest began, "He are gathered here today in the sight of God to join Aeris Gainsborough and Cloud Strife in holy matrimony. They have chosen to say their own vows. Aeris shall begin."

Aeris turned to Cloud and cleared her throat. She stated, "We have both chosen to write a poem for the occasion, mine is called 'My Beloved."

"As dawn falls, I can feel you,

You love for me is strong,

You place you arms around me,

My one, my love, my all.

You don't know how I love thee,

But when the night is nigh,

I wait to see the morning,

Where I will be your bride." 0

Cloud's eyes blurred up, and he fought the urge to hold her tight and never let go. He cleared his own throat and spoke, " My poem is entitled, 'Angel'"

"She speaks,

And I hear bells chiming,

She laughs,

I hear birds sing,

She cries,

I hear the planet,

She smiles,

I see my destiny."

They smiled at each other in heart felt silence, as the priest joined their hands. "Cloud Strife, Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, In richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

His eyes shining with unshed tears, he said, "I do."

"Aeris Gainsborough, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Beaming, she whispered, "I do."

"May I have the rings?"

The ring bearer, Nanaki, stepped up. Cloud took the silver band with a tiny rose engraved in it, and a gleaming diamond in the centre, and slipped it on her dainty finger. Aeris slipped a silver band with a little buster sword on it, onto Cloud's finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Everyone cheered, and Cloud and Aeris embraced in a long and sweet kiss. This was the day they had awaited for so long. Nothing could ever go wrong again.

"Touching." An icy voice crooned. Holding Aeris, Cloud spun around to see who was interrupting their perfect day. "Who's there?" He cried.

Floating down from above their beautiful outdoor coliseum, Sephiroth landed soundly on the ground and smirked at the couple. "Nice to see you again. Cloud. Aeris."

What...He's alive? Oh, It can't be...

Hiding his fear and surprise, Cloud protectively held Aeris and cried, "Leave here, Sephiroth!"

Sephiroth shrugged, and said, "I don't want to. Nice little revive materia you've got there, Aeris. Works perfectly."

She gasped. "You...you used the Revive AS? I thought that could only be used by me!"

"Au contrare, my dear Aeris. You can use it once, that's what the A is for. But I can also use it once. That is what the S is for. My dear friend Cait Sith brought it to me."

That dirty bastard! Cloud thought. "Where is he now?" Aeris asked.

"Oh, I didn't need him any more, so I got rid of him."

He...he's a monster. He manipulated Cait Sith, then destroyed him. Aeris thought. Poor Cait Sith...

"What do you want, Sephiroth? Another battle? Bring it on!"

He laughed cruelly. "No, no, a simple battle won't teach you any lesson. I'm going to take your most precious possession."

Suddenly, Sephiroth swept over the crowd in a rush of silver and black, and swept the beautiful bride up into his arms. He was even too quick for Cloud to spot.

"Nooooo!" Cloud cried, as he watched, helpless, as Aeris was taken away from him, again. Not again, he thought, not again.

Tifa rushed to his side. "Cloud..." she paused. If Aeris was really gone, wouldn't that leave Cloud all to herself? But, she told herself, he really loves Aeris. They are soulmates. And without her, he would never be happy.

"Cloud, there's still time. We can find her! I know it!"

Cloud sighed. "You're right, Tifa. I'm going to save her. But, I'd like to go alone. No offence, but this is something I have to do."

"I understand." She said. She backed away to give Cloud some room. He faced the audience, still shaken from the events which happened just moments ago. "I'm going after her!" He called, "And I'll bring her back!"

End of part three

"Oohhh..." Aeris moaned.

Slowly, slowly, she opened her eyes. Her blurry eyes showed her she was somewhere she had been before. Where...where am I? Oh no....

She was in the forgotten capitol, a place she never wanted to be near again. Not only that, she was laying on the altar, where she had died. That was a creepy thought. She stood and looked around. Where's Sephiroth? she thought. Not that she wanted him to come. She was just worried that he would pop out of nowhere. She ran towards the exit.

"Hello Aeris." Sephiroth dropped quickly from above, just in front of her, a fleeting image she had seen before. "Sleep well?"

"Why have you brought me here, Sephiroth?" She seethed.

He laughed. "Ah, you're so cute when you're angry." He stepped slowly towards her, and she drew back in fear. "Don't worry! I'm not going to hurt you. Wait, maybe I will..."

Aeris shuttered. "What...what are you talking about?"

Sephiroth paced the altar. "Cloud is coming for you. He's knows you're here, deep inside. And you're going to be kneeling on the altar. I'm going to drop from above, sword in hand, and he will push you out of the way, and take the blade himself. That, or he will leave you and you shall perish, although I highly doubt that. Either way, I get my revenge." He chuckled. "This is fun, isn't it?"

Aeris smirked. "Cloud is going to destroy you. And what makes you think I will just kneel here, at your mercy?"

"Oh, you will. Look, here he comes now."

Aeris glanced up, and saw her love dashing down the crystal stairway. Sephiroth had disappeared. No, she thought. He, he's crazy, and he will take that blade for me if I stay here. I'll just go meet him!

A searing pain cascaded against her brain, and she felt her temples throb. She dropped to her knees in the pain. Oohhh, she thought. Cloud came closer, rushing up to the altar. No, go back. It's...a...trap... no!

Cloud saw Aeris kneeling on the altar, hands at her head, rocking in pain. That bastard, he thought. I'll kill him! He rushed up the steps to the altar.

Glancing upwards, he saw Sephiroth coming down from above, wielding his sword. No, thought Cloud, not again...

You can't save her. The words entered Cloud's mind and shrouded his being with evil. She will die.

Go back...Cloud... no...

No, Cloud thought. She won't be the one to die.

"Aeris!" Cloud called, as her pushed her swiftly out of harm's way. "I love you!"

The sword penetrated Cloud right under his heart. Cloud fell backwards in pain. Sephiroth smiled. "Good boy." He chided, and drew out his sword.

"Oh God no...CLOUD!"

Aeris rushed over to his side. She sobbed as he smiled weakly and touched her face. " I...will alway love you...Aeris..."

"No, Cloud no..." She sobbed, as he grew limp in her arms, and wailed, " You dirty sonofab*tch! You bastard! You killed the only man I ever loved! YOU KILLED HIM!" She collapsed over his lifeless body and helplessly sobbed.

Don't worry, Aeris.

Huh? she thought. She stopped crying. "Who...who's there?"

I am the lifestream.

"The lifestream?!" she repeated. "What..."

Just take this.

The glowing Revive AS materia floated inches from her face. She cautiously took it.

"But...He can't use it...It only works on me... and Sephiroth...doesn't it?"

No, it will work on him. Yes, the A is you, meaning you can be revived. The S is Sephiroth, meaning he, as well, can be revived. But the AS means Aeris Strife, and you can't be Aeris Strife without Cloud.

"Ohh.." She murmured. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

He is your destiny.

Taking the materia into both hands, she whispered, "Revive AS." Once again, the glowing light enveloped Cloud, and he slowly opened his eyes. "Oh, Cloud..."

Aeris hugged her warrior and tugged him to his feet. "You saved me Cloud, for if I had been killed again, you couldn't have brought me back. It only works once."

Cloud smiled. "I would have done it again, for you."

"Touching, very touching."

They both whirled around to face the voice, but saw no one.

"I didn't expect that to happen, but, hey, who knew?"

"Sephiroth!" Cloud called into the darkness. "Come out and fight me like a man, you coward!"

"Why, when it is so much more fun to watch you squirm?"

Cloud suddenly gasped at the pain which entered under his lungs. "No..."

Cloud fell to his knees as Sephiroth forced the sword in farther. "NOOOO!" Aeris screamed, and lunged at his attacker. Using his free hand, Sephiroth easily slapped the girl away.

"Aeris!" Cloud cried, "Aer...ug!" Sephiroth grinned as he pushed it farther. "I...I've come so far..."

Let you love make you strong.

That voice again, Cloud thought. It's telling me to be strong. He glanced at his angel who sat, stunned, at the edge of the altar. He...he hurt her. If I die, he will kill her...and we will never...be...together...

Cloud stood up. Sephiroth pushed the sword downward, in an effort to make him fall, but Cloud punched him in the face. What's this? Sephiroth though, stumbling backwards. He's so strong...

Crying out in agony, Cloud pulled the giant sword from his back. He turned, sword in hand, to face his enemy. I can feel the sheer power... he thought.

Cloud took a giant swing at him, knocking the silver man into the waiting waters below. With a giant splash, Sephiroth hit the waters. Surfacing, he screamed, "Is that the best you got?!"

All evil will perish in the waters of the Ancients.

"What?!" Sephiroth cried, and those above heard him scream in agony as the swirling waters overtook the great Sephiroth and pulled him deep, down into the waters, where no one would ever find him, and he would never hurt them again.

It's over, Cloud thought. It's finally over.

* * *

* * * *

"Good morning, my love."

Aeris's eyes fluttered open, a sight that made Cloud want to kiss her. So he did.

"Uhhhh..Hunny, really, you spoil me!"

Cloud produced a bouquet of fresh, white, satiny roses from behind his back. She let out a laugh that made his heart sing.

He stared deep into her eyes. "You are so beautiful." He stated.

She blushed. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Mr. Strife. I'm going to the flower show, and that's final!"

"Oh, Aeris..." He smiled and gave in. "Alright, but I'm going with you. You know you should take it easy, being pregnant and all!"

"I know, I know," She sighed. "But I feel like a bird in a cage!"

"Well, you can't cage a beautiful bird. Just take it easy for the baby." Cloud rubbed her full belly, and thought to himself, Angel. I will call you Angel Strife. And you will be beautiful."

And with that, he knew that he was truly satisfied.

THE END