"I'm taking this place over!" Reno yelled at Reeve. "Take him and put him in one of the cells." Rude and Ellena seized a protesting Reeve and left the room as Reno settled down in his new office. The president's suite had been destroied but it was no matter, he would rebuild it! And make it even better. A SOLDIER walked into the room. "I have news President Reno," he said in his deep voice. A smile spread across his face at the sound of his new title. He held out his hand in a haulty manner, "Okay shoot." "We have reports from Nibelheim that Sephiroth is still alive." "What?!?!" Reno leaped out of his chair. "But I thought that AVALANCHE finnished him off!" "We thought so too sir but he's been sighted in Nibelheim. Our sources say that he was with a woman with really long brown hair who wears all black." "A WOMAN?! Sephiroth?! hmmmm..." Reno thought for a momment. "A woman is a weakness. If we can somehow capture her then we'll have Sephiroth under our control!" The SOLDIER was surprised at Reno's sudden intellegence. Is it possible that he was playing dumb all these years just waiting for a momment like this? "I'll get right on it sir." The SOLDIER left the room and Reno looked looked out the window. "Its time to show this world what I can REALLY do. And that includes AVALANCHE too!"
"RENO is president?! I don't beleive it!" Cloud exclaimed. "Well I beleive it! I seen it with my own eyes," Cait Sith said. "They put me in a holding cell. I guess that they know that I'm on your side." "Do you think that they're looking for Sephiroth?" Red XIII asked. "Its possible if they know that he's still alive," Cait Sith answered. "And knowing Shinra They do know. They know everything that happens," Barrett said angrily. Cloud thought for a second, "Then we'll just have to find him before they do."
"We should split up into groups of two," Cloud decided in the conference room on the Highwind. "We'll spread out and make it easier to find them." He turned to the world map on the wall behind him. "Barret and Yuffie will go to Wutai, Nibelheim and Rocket Town. Cid and Red XIII will go to Cosmo Canyon, the Ancient Forest and Gongaga. Cait Sith and Vincent will go to Gold Saucer, Costa Del Sol and then take the ship to Junon Harbor then you can finnish at Fort Condor. Tifa and I will go to Midgar and Kalm. Later we will regroup and go from there. If you guys get everything done quickly then go to Bone Villiage, Icicle Inn or Mideel. Keep in touch with your PHS's. Did everyone get all of that?" There was a chorus of "yes" throughout the room. Cloud glanced around until his eyes settled on Cid. "Okay Cid, your up!" Cid stood and went to the control room. "This isn't going to be an easy mission!" Cid thought.
"Oof!" I rubbed my shin that had connected with the corner of the cot as they threw me into the room. "Let me out of here! Damn you!" I finally turned to look around the room. I noticed a vent on the ceiling so I climbed up there. When I got up I started pushing on it but it wouldn't budge. I pushed on it again with a mighty shove but instead of moving it I moved myself. I fell to the cement with a thump. "Its no use," I said to myself. "Hey! Who's there?" Someone from the other side of the wall yelled. "Who are YOU?!" I asked back. "My name is Reeve," he replied. "What do you want?" I asked. "When your in a place like this you can use as many allies as you can manage," he answered. "What are you here for?" I persued. "I'm against Reno being the president so they shoved me in here," he said solemnly. "What about you?" I sighed, "They're using me to control Sephiroth." "What?! Hey! Your that girl from the crater aren't you?" he asked. "How did you know that?" I stood up. "I was sort of there," he explained. "I control the bid stuffed cat/mog by remote control." "Your kidding!" I laughed. "Actually know," he replied then he told me the story of how he joined Cloud. "I've got to get out of here!" I said. "They'll use Sephiroth for horrible things. They know that he's unmatched by any one man!" "Theres no way out of here," he replied sadly. "I've tried everything. They even, right before you got here, found my remote control and took it away so I can't talk to Cloud anymore." [uh-oh, that means the Turks are controlling Cait Sith!] "Damn!" I cried. "You don't sound like an evil person," Reeve decided. "Because I'm not!" I snapped. "Okay, okay... its just a little hard to beleive that a friend of Sephiroth is a good guy," he replied. "I tried to tell you guys that hes not like that anymore!" I argued. "I wish I could beleive you but even if I did I could never forgive him for what he did to Aeris," he replied. "That's it!" I cried getting an idea. "Whats it?" Reeve asked. Before I could answer Reno stepped in carrying what looked like a silver bracelet.
And it was, in a way. He snapped it on my wrist and looked at me. "This will insure you don't try to escape," he replied. "How is a bracelet going to do that?" I asked. "This is a device created by Hojo. If set off it releases a flow of lethal toxins into your bloodstream that will kill you instantly," he explained. I gasped. "Don't worry," he went on. "It can only be set off three different ways. One, if we command it to which is handy if you try to run away; two, if you break it in any way, but don't fret about that. Its made to be very strong so the only thing that can really cut through it is a lazor or Sephiroth's masamune.; And lastly, if you try to unlock it with anything but the key designed for it. That key is very well hidden and I am the only person who knows where its at!" "What did you do? Grow a brain overnight?" I was a little nervous. Reno had always seemed kinda stupid to me. "Don't you worry about that none. Go on, your free to roam about as you wish. But keep in mind that there is also a tracking devise inside in case you ever try to pull something stupid," he replied leaving the room. I ran out to look for Sephiroth. I seen Ellena and stopped her. "Wheres Sephiroth?" I asked. "Oh, hes on a mission for Reno... err, I mean President Reno," she answered. "He is to capture Cloud's friends one by one and then when Cloud is the only one left... kill him," she explained. "Oh yeah. Reno told me to give this to you!" She handed me an All-level keycard to get on every level in the building. "Where could I get a ride?" I asked. "On the basement level there are vehicles and then on level 49 there is a helicopter pad but you won't be able to get out of here for days," she answered. "And why are you still wearing that horrible uniform?" She didn't wait for an answer, walked away instead. I shed the uniform to my clothes underneath. Then I left the building to go down to Midgar.
"He was here in Nibelheim for a little bit then disappeared. They say that everyone jes freaked out and run into the homes," Barret told Cloud on the PHS. "Reno was lookin fer him in Rocket town but no one there seen him. Yuffie? Shes in the hotel." Barret pushed the button to turn off the PHS and then headed for the hotel. He knocked on Yuffie's door... no answer. He walked downstairs and asked the clerk if he'd seen her. "No," the clerk replied. Barret began his way back upstairs guessing she was asleep or something when he overheard another guy say, "...man in black..." "What did you say about a man in black?!" Barret exclaimed picking the guy off his feet. "Whoa man! I said I seen a guy wearing all black and carrying a wicked looking sword!" Barret dropped the guy and raced upstairs. He busted down Yuffie's door and looked all over the room. There was no sign of her, only shredded furniture and a shattered window.
"Damnit Cloud! Why didn't you keep your eye on her?!" Barret roared. "Settle down! You know how stubborn she is!" Cloud declared. Barret calmed down a little knowing that he was right. "I'll go tell Cid to get ready," Barret announced. "I'll go with you. Theres safety in numbers," Cloud decided.
Cloud walked towards the alter where Aeris had died. The memories poared over him in a painful waterfall. He climbed up the stairs and blinked several times swearing that he was dreaming. "Aeris?" He whispered. He blinked again, "No... your not Aeris." I looked up at him from my knealing position. "You look so much like her... your eyes, so much like her. I never even noticed it before." "Didn't Aeris tell you that there was more to her family than just her and her mother? I didn't think she did," I muttered. "I was the bad one. The one they got rid of..." I let a tear fall. "...But I swear that I never really wanted her to die." "What are you saying?" Cloud asked. "I am Aeris' half sister." "What?!" he backed up. "All good has to have darkness," I explained. The entire alter was surrounded by flames. "In a way, Cloud, you were Sephiroth's light." Sephiroth appeared through the flames to stand behind me.
~TO BE CONTINUED...~
Cloud lifted his heavy sword to strike the final blow. Sephiroth had transformed back into his normal self, from the huge, terrifying monster he had become, and was at Clouds mercy on his hands and knees. The enormous blade was swinging downward... "Nooo!" Cloud stopped his sword's decent just in time, he looked around to see who would risk they're by throwing themselves in front of Sephiroth. What in the hell is she doing?!?! Cloud thought. "Please don't!" I pleaded, my eyes shining with tears. "Please spare him..." "And why in the hell should I do that? After all that he's done?!" Cloud cried. "Because..." I sank to my knees and pulled Sephiroth to me, laying his head aginst my chest. "Because he's not to blame for all of this. I am!" Cloud gasped drawing back in surprise as did Tifa and Vincent, Barret and Yuffie, Cid and Red XIII and Cait Sith did. "You?! YOU are to blame for everything?!?!" Tifa cried starting towards me angrily. Cloud grabbed her arm and shook his head at her, "Let her explain first." I looked up at them, clutching Sephiroth even tighter, he slipped his arms around me and squeezed me back. Cloud gapped at the sudden show of emotion. It was the first time he had ever seen Sephiroth let anyone touch him without killing them. "He wasn't always like this..." I began. "When he was a child he was so kind and caring much like his real mother Lucricia. He was also very smart like Hojo. He was perfect, just like they wanted him to be! But, no matter what anyone says, he was also human like the rest of us..." "What in the @#$%&! are you getting at?!" Cid cursed.
"When he found out what Shinra had done to him it set him a little off balance. In other words, it made him crazy," I replied. "So how was any of this your fault?" Vincent asked. "When Cloud killed him it was my magick that placed him in the crater. It was I who provided the energy for him to find the black materia. He needed it to come back," I answered. Sephiroth gazed up at me. I looked down at him and slid my hand down his face. I moved a lock of hair out of his eyes. "And what about Aeris? And meteor?" Barret growled. "Are we supposed to forgive him for that?!" "Now that he's been defeated holy has broken through to destory the meteor and Aeris... well... I'm sorry..." I whispered. "We can't let you go with the kind of magic you possess," Red XIII said. "But its gone! I used it all up when I used the black materia to wake him up. I didn't know that his anger would transform him!" I explained. "Why did you do all of this for him?" Tifa asked. "Because... ... I love him," I whispered. Her eyes grew wide. "Ever since we were children. We were never apart, until he went to SOLDIER. He wrote to me every day. I was so proud of him because he was so strong and so many people looked up to him. One night he came to visit me... the love was always there but it was then that I realized that I belonged to him and none other," I replied running my hand through his hair. "My Sephiroth..." "I think shes just as crazy as him," Tifa replied. I shot her a hatefull look, "Don't tell me that if you were in my shoes and Cloud in Sephiroth's that you wouldn't do the same thing?!" "Well... I... er..." she let her head fall. "Still... we can't let you go," Cloud said. "I'm sorry." "I'm not sorry!" Barret exclaimed. "Lets finnish these two @#$%&*!s off!!" Cid shouted. "Wait!" I cried. "Please... just let us have a momment alone! Just one momment!" Cloud motioned for everyone to back off and then jerked his head in a signal to move away for a minuite. "But what if they try to escape?" Red XIII asked.
"Where are they going to go? No one could get out of here without assistance. They don't have an airship," Cloud replied. "Sephiroth," I whispered. "I know that you are weak but you have to listen to me carefully." He nodded. "I lied about my magick being totally gone. I have just enough to teleport us both out of here if you can help me. Can you do it?" I asked quietly. He nodded again. "What are we going to do with them?" Red XIII asked. "I don't think we should kill them when they're begging our mercy." "I say we get rid of the bastards!" Barret put in. "They're just trying to trick us!" "Look at her..." Cloud replied staring at me. "Doesn't she look familiar to you?" "No," everyone except Tifa replied. "Yes," Tifa said. "She does look familiar." "Do you think she's from Nibelheim?" Vincent asked. "No... I would remember that. And she said that her and Sephiroth have been together since they were kids and he's definately not from Nibelheim," Tifa replied. "Then maybe she just resembles someone you know?" Red XIII suggested. "Yeah. That has to be it," Cloud replied. He studied me for a moment... "Zack!" "Yeah! Your right! She does look like Zack!" Tifa exclaimed. "Except for the eyes. They're green like Sephiroth's..." she turned around and cried out. "Where are they?!"
"Its Sephiroth! Everyone run for they're lives!" People scattered everywhere like ants. "Why did you bring us to Nibelheim?" Sephiroth asked glancing around. He had to lean on me, a little, for support because he was still weak. I walked him into the mansion and into the bedroom. "Rest here... I'll be right back," I told him. He grabbed my hand. "I owe you my life," he replied. "No you don't," I smiled. "You saved my life once. Now we're even." "Did you mean what you said earlier in the crater?" he asked. "What?" I asked. "When you said that you... loved me?" he replied. I gave a weak smile, "You know I meant it Sephiroth. I've loved you all of my life!" "Good..." he pulled me into his arms and kissed me.
I walked into the store and looked around. "can I help you miss?" the shop-keeper asked. "I'm looking for a black cloak," I replied. "What size?" he asked. "An extra large with a hood," I answered. Sephiroth was a tall man. He went into the back room and came back with one. "Will this do?" he asked. I nodded and handed him the gil. "Come again," he replied as I walked outside. I went into the weapons shot and bought me a new pair of daggers since I lost mine in the crater. I looked around to make sure that no one was looking and slipped back into the mansion. Sephiroth was asleep so I sat the new cloak on a chair and took my own off. I slipped either one of the double-edged, silver daggers into the knife holsters I had strapped to my legs. I got my materia out of the black leather pouch I had strapped to my belt and put it in the weapons. I looked in the mirror. My hair dark brown. Much like my brother's... "Your thinking of your brother?" I spun around startled that Sephiroth was awake. "Yes I was," I replied. "I'm sorry," he replied solemnly. I sat next to him. "Its alright... I know that you were controlled by Jenova. But it wasn't YOU that killed him. It was those damn Shinra soldiers." "Thats why I killed the President of Shinra... for you and for me." He held me for a momment. "I wish that we could just go back to the way it was before. When Zack was alive and you didn't know about your birth," I replied. "I know," he replied. "I do too." "We should leave now while its dark," I replied pulling back to look at his face. "Yeah your right. Lets go," he stood up and helped me up. I glanced at the mirror and realized how much taller than me he was. He picked up my cloak and put it around my shoulders then put on the one I bought him. We left the mansion and used the cover of darkness to leave town unnoticed. He was still as strong as he used to be and would cut through any monster that got in our way with his masamune. We walked a couple of hours through Mt. Nibel until I finally decided I was too tired to go on. I dropped down in a pile of leaves and sighed, "Sephiroth. I can't go any further." He stopped and walked back to sit down beside me. "Its alright," he said. "We'll go on in the morning
after you get some rest. I sighed again and leaned into him. He put his arm around me. "Where are we going to live? Everyone on this planet knows who you are. They'll probably be hunting us as soon as they find out your still alive. Wow, I sure made a big mess of things..." I muttered unhappily. "Please don't blame yourself. In my opinion everyone contributed to the near demise of the world. Shinra expecially," he replied. "Your right. But the leaders are all dead..."
I ran onto the beach and glanced around until I spotted Sephiroth standing, staring out at the ocean. I watched him for awhile hypnotized by his long hair flowing in the ocean breeze. Then he turned to look at me sensing that I was there. That moment was like it was in slow motion. I didn't move because I didn't want to. I just stood there and stared into his eyes. He slowly walked towards me. "What did you find out?" he asked. "The ship belongs to Shinra. The Turks took over and Reno is now president," I replied. "Reno? I didn't think that the Turks could pull off something like that," he laughed. "Whats important is that Shinra is still active. I can't let it stay that way!" I replied angrily. He pulled me closer. "Right now you have no choice," he replied. "We need to get on that ship somehow." "Its taken care of I said pulling a blue uniform out of the black travel bag. "Your too tall so I couldn't find one for you," I said smiling. "I stole this one from one of the SOLDIERs staying in the hotel with Reno," I smiled at him. "We'll get on the ship tonight. They aren't leaving Rocket town until tomarrow morning." "The sun will be going down soon so go ahead and get ready," he said. I put the uniform on over top of my regular clothes and slung the gun over my shoulder. "How do I look?" I giggled. "Not very feminine, I'd say," he smiled. We took a rowboat to the ship and climbed up a rope. We went downstairs into the cargo hold to find a place to hide. "Be very careful," he replied with a kiss before he slipped into the shadows. "What are you doing standing around? Get to work!" A senior officer bellowed. I saluted and got busy. The next morning Reno boarded the ship and they assigned me to gaurd his door. I stood on the inside while a gaurd stood on the outside. "There was no sign of Sephiroth in Rocket town," Reno told Ellena. "I wonder if Rude found anything in the canyon," Ellena wondered. "I don't know... maybe," he said thinking. "Do you think they are still in the mountains?" she asked. "No, they had plenty of time to go through," he answered.
My nose started to itch. I held my breath to try and keep from sneezing but it didn't work. I sneezed and covered my face with my hands. "Be quiet!" Reno yelled. "I'm trying to..." he did a double take at me and stood up. My eyes grew wide as he moved towards me. "Your awful short for a member of SOLDIER," he replied looking at me. "Uh, yessir," I said deepening my voice. "Hmmmmmm..." he walked around me looking me over. Then he leaned close and whispered, "I can spot a woman a mile away!" He laughed loudly and pulled off my helmet. My hair tumbled down to my waist wildly. Ellena gasped. "Now tell me what you're doing on my ship," he growled. I bit my lip. "I wanted to be a SOLDIER," I lied. He laughed again, "You're not being honest." "I'm a spy for uh... Cloud!" I said finally remembering his name. "He gave me 100,000 gil to find out what you were up to!" "Is that so?" he chuckled. He grabbed my arm and drug me out of the cabin. "Bring me the SOLDIER from Nibelheim!" he bellowed. A man raced up and saluted Reno. "Is this the woman who was with Sephiroth?" Reno asked. "Yessir!" the SOLDIER answered. "You are dismissed." Reno then turned to me. "Tell me where Sephiroth is!" "I don't know where he is! We parted in Nibelheim!" "Something tells me not to beleive you. You haven't said an honest thing since you've been here." "I'm telling the truth!" I cried. He pushed me over the side of the ship and held me there. "Pull me back up!" I screamed. "Not until you tell me where Sephiroth is!" "Never!" "Tell me!" "No!!" "Sephiroth! Come on out! I know you're here!" Reno hollared. "NOO!!" I screamed. I squirmed out of Reno's grip and fell. I grabbed onto a rope hanging off the side and slammed against the side of the ship. I started climbing and flipped up onto the deck. "Get her!" Reno yelled. I fought off anyone who attacked until Ellena hit me on the back of the head. "Sephiroth!" Reno yelled again. "Come on out or she dies!" Something moved out of the shadows. Sephiroth walked towards Reno with his masamune in his hand. Reno smiled. He held me against him with a gun pointed at me.
"Its simple," he told Sephiroth. "Surrender or she dies." "Don't!" I cried. "Let him kill me, please!" "Be quiet!" Reno growled. "Tell them Sephiroth! You don't care about me! Tell them! Everyone knows you don't care about anything! Pleasw Sephiroth, tell them!" I begged wanting anything except for him to surrender. "I said to shut up!" Reno said again. Sephiroth gave Reno an if-looks-could-only-kill look and then looked at me. His features softened and his shoulders slumped. The long sword dropped to the ground with a clatter. Reno smiled wickedly, "Take him into my cabin, we have business to discuss." He pushed me towards a gaurd. "Take her and put her in the storage room. If Sephiroth comes near her kill her."
Reno sat in his chair and faced Sephiroth who stood staring out the window. It was strange seeing him like this again. Calm and cool. Just like he was when he worked for SOLDIER all those years ago. "Never thought that the great Sephiroth would ever fall prey to a woman," Reno stated. "Well you don't know this woman..." Sephiroth muttered. "So tell me what makes her different from anyone else?" Reno asked crossing his arms. "With the magic she was born with she could have taken over the world... she used it all for me," he answered. "Well who gives a @#$%&? Your not given a choice... work for me and she'll live. If not she'll die in spite of everything she's done for you," Reno replied. "Will I be able to see her?" Sephiroth asked. "As soon as we return to Midgar. There I have a nice little device Hojo invented before he died," Reno said. "It will prevent you from trying to take the girl and run."
"What?!" Cloud exclaimed when Barret told him the news. "That bastard took Yuffie!" Barret yelled. Cloud used his PHS to call Vincent and Cait Sith. When there was no answer he called Barret back. "Vincent and Cait aren't answering!" Cloud said worried. "Damnit! What the @#$%&* is going on?!" Barret growled. "We're on our way to Kalm from Midgar right now... call Cid and have him pick you up," Cloud instructed. "Don't you let Tifa outa yer sight!" Barret said then hung up.
I walked into the tiny, run-down church and went to the flower bed by the alter. "Aeris?" I replied quietly. "I know you're here..." I seen a dim light appear in the middle of the garden and a transparent figure of a girl appeared, sitting on her knees. She looked up at me. "I'm sorry for what Sephiroth did to you..." I whispered my eyes glistening with unshed tears. She smiled, "I know you are and I also know what you are planning." "You do? Well... I need your help! Please tell me where I can find the white materia!" "Its in the water under the alter of the ancient city." She smiled again, "I know you'll find it! I'll be waiting..." I left and returned to the Shinra building. "Have you heard?" Ellena asked. "Sephiroth has already captured three of Cloud's party!" My eyes grew wide and I rushed to the elevator. I went to the floor that the holding cells were on and raced to Reeve's cell. "Reeve!" I whispered through the door. "What?" he asked. "Sephiroth is kidnapping your friends!" I replied. "I know. Vincent is in the cell next to me," Reeve replied. "Can you tell me how to get to the City of the Ancients? Quickly!" I requested. He relayed the information and I hurried away. "Why are you trusting her?" Vincent asked through the wall. "I don't know. Something just tells me that its the right thing to do," Reeve answered. "Sure your not still a Shinra spy? Vincent muttered. "Would I be in here if I was?" Reeve asked angrily. "Maybe..." Vincent sat down and stared at the wall. "What were you doing back there?" Reno asked walking out in front of me. "I wanted to see if what Ellena said was true," I replied. He eyed me suspiciously then he grinned a devilish grin and began to come closer. Before he could touch my hair a sword was shoved in between us and stuck into the wall. Reno jumped back and looked up angrily at Sephiroth. "Add one more to your list," he growled then he looked at me. I was glaring at Reno with my arms crossed over my chest. He pulled the sword from the wall and guided me away. I stared at the bracelet on my wrist. "I have to find that stupid key!" I complained. "I can't let you go on like this! I should just cut it off and..." Sephiroth jerked me towards him. "Don't ever suggest such a thing!" he raged. "Don't give up so easily." "I know. I wasn't really that serious, I'm just getting so frustrated!" I bit my bottom lip. "Listen," he replied tilting my chin up. "We'll get through this. Just trust me." He leaned forward and kissed me then pulled me into his arms and held me while I layed my head against his chest. "It took so many years to get you back..." I sighed.
I watched as a group of guards pulled the cursing Cid into the holding area. Reno stood there as happy as could be. He moved over to talk to me and Sephiroth. "Only one more to go. And what should we do with Cloud?" Reno wondered. "Have him meet us at the city of the ancients," I blurted. "Us?" Sephiroth asked. "I'm going with you," I replied. "Well theres no use arguing with you," he muttered. "I'm going down to the gym," I stated and walked away. Curious Sephiroth followed me. Reno just stood there and watched me walk away. I walked into the gym and started to kick the punching bag furiously. The SOLDIERs that were in there stopped what they were doing to watch me but when Sephiroth entered they made a bee-line for the door. He crossed his arms and looked at me. "What are you up to?" he accused. "I have a plan but I have to go to the City of the Ancients to do it," I announced. "What for?" "I need the white materia. Thats where it is... under the alter where Aeris died." "How do you know all of this?" he inquired. I stopped to face him. "You should know me better than that!" I proclaimed. "I find out everything sooner or later." "So then what are you planning?" he demanded. "I'm going to revive Aeris." "What for?" "Lots of reasons! We need to gain an ally more than we need enemies." "And?" I stared into space and he noticed a pained expression on my face. Finally I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. "And because I feel responsible for her death." "If anyone should feel responsible then it should be me," he argued. "Sephiroth... you know there is more to it than that... its just something I have to do." I pulled a dagger out of its holster and sent it flying into the punching bag. Then I walked out of the room. Sephiroth looked at the sand that poured out onto the floor then pulled the dagger out of its sheathe of sand. "If reviveing Aeris is what she needs then damnit I'll make sure she gets that white materia..." he swore. Then he too left the room.
I went up the stairs and through the burnt out rubble that used to be the president's suite. I stepped out onto the balcony and stared out into Midgar. My hair blew in the wind. I crossed my arms and sighed. "I know you're up to something." I spun around. It was Kane, the new captain of SOLDIER. "What are you doing up here?" I asked angrily. "I might ask you the same thing. It actually looked like you were about to end it all," a devious smile spread across his face. "Thats what I could tell everyone. That I tried to stop you but it was too late!" "And risk Sephiroth killing the whole lot of you? Are you crazy?!" I hissed. "As a matter of fact I am," he lunged at me and we fell backwards. My head was hanging over the railless edge of the broken balcony. He was on top of me pinning me down. I looked to the side and could see straight down for hundreds of feet. My eyes widened. "See your fate?" he laughed crazily. I got my leg inbetween us and kicked him backwards. I flipped up and drew my dagger out of its sheathe. I threw it at him, full force, but he dodged it and it wedged itself into the wall. I reached for the other one and didn't feel it. I looked down and it wasn't there. "Damn!" I had thrown it earlier in the gym! I looked back up just in time to see him throw the dagger right back at me. It stuck into my left shoulder. My eyes widened and then drooped, I fell backwards off the balcony. I grasped the ledge with my right hand and saved myself from plummeting to my death. But I was beginning to lose my grip. "No!" I cried tears running down the side of my face. I didn't want to die! I tried to move my left arm to no avail. "Sephiroth!!" I screamed. Kane stood over me laughing madly. I looked up at him as he lifted his foot to step on my hand. Then he jerked. A blade came out of his chest and then was gone. Kane choked out blood down his chin then fell forward. Sephiroth grabbed my hand and pulled me up. I was still crying. I was beginning to feel the pain in my shoulder. "...with my own dagger..." I muttered. He lifted me into his arms. "Just be calm," he whispered gently and carried me downstairs where he layed me in a bed. "Hold very still," he said quietly. He put his hand on my chest to hold me down and started to withdraw the dagger. I screamed a blood curdling scream and tried to jerk away but his hand kept me there. He threw the bloody dagger on the floor and covered the wound with a clean cloth and pressed down to stop the bleeding. It took a little while but he stopped it enough to bandage it. "Sephiroth..." I looked up at him, into his beautiful green eyes. He leaned forward and kissed me. I ran my hand down his face that was so close to mine. "Stay with me... I'm so scared... don't leave me!" I began to cry again, softly. "I won't ever leave you again," he whispered.
Me and Sephiroth walked into Reno's office that morning. "We're going to the City of the Ancients," Sephiroth announced. "I delivered the last one today." "Shes staying here with me," Reno said. I hugged Sephiroth's waist tightly. He put his arm over my shoulders. "I won't leave her here," Sephiroth growled. "I'm not giving you an option," Reno leaned back in his chair. Sephiroth squeezed me tighter, "You want me to leave her here to be slaughtered like one of your men tried to do last night!" "What in the hell are you talking about?" Reno asked unaware of the previous night's events. Sephiroth pulled back the shoulder of my ankle-length cloak to reveal the blood-spotted bandage. "Didn't you wonder where Kane was at this morning?" Sephiroth glared at him. "I'm NOT leaving her!" Reno sighed, "Okay, whatever. Just get out." Sephiroth scowled at him one last time and turned to leave. We went to the helicopter pad where there was a helicopter wainting for us. Sephiroth lifted me in and climbed up behind me. "Take us to the excavation site."
"Just like in Nibelheim..." Cloud thought his eyes widening. "Zack wasn't an ancient, though. He was my father's son. I was given to Zack's mother and our father when I was born. I didn't stay there very long, though. They were nice but it wasn't for me. I left with Sephiroth when I was just a child of thirteen. We ran away together. I stayed at Icicle Inn when he went away to SOLDIER. I don't think that Aeris even knew that I existed. We had different fathers." I looked into Cloud's eyes. "I want to prove everyone wrong! I'm NOT evil!" The flames shot up then died down to nothing. I stood up and held up the black materia. Sephiroth's eyes widened. "Your not strong enough!" "Show me the way to the white materia..." I chanted. The black materia rose then fell bouncing into the water. A pinpoint of light shown through the water. I collapsed onto the floor of the alter. Sephiroth knealt beside me quickly. "Noo..." he muttered. He looked up at Cloud, pain shinning in his eyes. Then he stood and dove into the water. Cloud knelt beside me and turned me over. "I'll bring her..." I whispered weakly. "You have to show me... where..." Cloud scooped me up and carried me off the alter and into the water where he had lain Aeris' body to rest. I told him something quietly and he nodded in understanding. My eyes closed. He layed me in the water and released my body. Sephiroth appeared and seen Cloud standing in the pool. "What have you done!" he cried moving towards Cloud. "Drop the materia!" Cloud replied. "She said it was the only way!" "But what about me?!" Sephiroth roared. "What am I supposed to do without her?" "She couldn't live letting everyone, including herself, think she was evil when she isn't. Just like she had to prove that you had a heart too!" Cloud yelled. Sephiroth bowed his head. The white materia slipped from his fingers and sank below. The materia bagan to glow. The shimmering orb landed between me and Aeris who were laying side by side and the glow began to spread until it became a pillar
that surrounded both our bodies. The pillar grew until it touched the surface. Cloud looked at the large circle of light as if hypnotized. Then it disappeared. "What?" Cloud gasped. "She did it for nothing!" Sephiroth screamed angrily. "Not for nothing..." Cloud whispered. "I forgive her. She proved that she had a good soul." "I'll redeem myself for you. I swear my soul to you!" Sephiroth pulled his sword out and left the pool of water and left the city.
Cloud sat on the edge of the pool staring out at the middle of the water where the light had been. Then he seen it. Tiny bubbles. He rushed into the water in time for Aeris to break the surface and gasp for air. "Aeris!" Cloud pulled her into his arms. "Hurry! Shes still down there!" Aeris cried. Cloud dove under the water and Aeris watched the surface afraid that she would never get to know her sister. For some reason she knew the entire story, as if I told her everything when our fingers touched. Cloud came up with me in his arms. I sucked in the air by the lungfulls. Cloud held me up while I caught my breath. I opened my eyes. "Aeris? Oh Aeris!" We threw our arms around eachother. "I'm so sorry!" I cried. "It was all my fault!" "I forgive you!" she cried too. Then she hugged Cloud in a happy reunion. I looked around. "Where's Sephiroth?!" Cloud told me what happened before I came up. "We have to go," I said. "He has to know that I'm alive before he does something dangerous!"
"Where are you going Sephiroth?" a gaurd asked as he watched Sephiroth walk towards the holding cells carrying his masamune. The gaurd had the impression that he was going to kill the prisoners. Sephiroth lifted the sword up and sliced through a lock then he moved on to the next and then the next until all the doors swung open then he just walked away, leaving the gaurds stunned.... "What in the hell are you doing?!" Reno bellowed when Sephiroth cut through the door. "Shinra ends today," Sephiroth stated. "There will be no more SOLDIER, no Turks, no president, no Mako energy!" "And who is going to stop me?" Reno asked. "Surely not you. Not when I hold your true love's life in my hands!" Reno laughed. "Not anymore," Sephiroth said. Reno's smile faded. "She's dead... and you should know that I do not care much for living right now. I'm sworn to put an end to this!" Something dropped from Reno's hand. Sephiroth seen what it was. The key to my bracelet. Sephiroth grabbed Reno by the collar of his shirt and slammed him against the wall. He pressed the tip of his sword to his throat. Ellena strode into the room and gasped. "Sephiroth!!" I ran into the room when I seen the door open. "You tricked me!" Reno howled. "Get the key!" Sephiroth yelled saving his surprise until later. "What key?" I asked. "To the bracelet, its on the floor by the desk!" he answered. I spotted it and ran for it. Ellena scooped it up first and I tackled her. We fought for it and I tried slamming her wrist against the floor but she wasn't giving it up. She kicked me in the stomach causing me to double over. I recovered quickly and pulled her back by her hair. I flung her, sending her flying into the window. It shattered and she was losing her balance. I grabbed her and held her there. "Give me the key!" I screamed at her. "Don't..." Reno began to say but Sephiroth shoved the blade closer against his throat. "Pull me up or I'll drop it!" she threatened. "Drop it and you'll go with it!" I yelled. She looked down, screamed and handed me the key. I pulled her back in and started to put the key into the lock. Ellena hit me on back of the head knocking me unconcious. She pointed a gun at me and turned to Sephiroth. "Drop him!" she demanded. Sephiroth looked at the gun and then at me and let Reno drop. A gun shot sounded and at first Sephiroth and Reno thought that Ellena had shot me anyways. But when they looked at me I was still laying there breatheing deeply. The gun was laying in the floor and Ellena had a shocked look on her face.
Vincent was standing in the doorway, gun held before him. He had shot the pistol out of Ellena's hand. Aeris ran into the room and knelt beside me. She picked up the key and Reno reached into his pocket. Aeris lifted my wrist and Reno lifted the lid of the little case. Aeris put the key in the lock and Reno put his finger on the button. Aeris pulled the bracelet off just in time to save my life. Reno looked up in time to see
Cait Sith above him and that was all he remebered before blacking out. Cait Sith picked up Reno and took off out the door. "Whats he doing?" Barret exclaimed. "Reeve isn't controlling him remember? Look! Hes standing over there!" Vincent pointed out. "@#$%&! That means that Shinra are controlling him and Reno is getting away!" Cid growled. "Lets get those @#$%&* bastards!" Aeris stood up when Sephiroth picked me up. "Aeris!" Tifa cried out. Durring all the commotion they never even noticed her. "Aeris! How... why....? Oh wow!" Yuffie ran and hugged her. Sephiroth didn't wait for the reunion. He ran out the door after Reno. He practically flew down the stairs. I opened my eyes and gasped. We were going so fast! He reached the bottom landing and put me on my feet. "Are you okay to stand?" he asked. I nodded and followed him through the door. Reno and Rude were standing there apparently having discarded Cait Sith. They were surrounded by a dozen SOLDIERs. They all had heavy artillery to fight against Sephiroth. They charged at him and Sephiroth cut through the first one. I looked at one and accidentally caught his eyes. Several flashes ran through my head like lightning. The sound of a gun firing rang through my ears. I seen Zack in my mind smiling at me then he faded away until all that was left was the SOLDIER. "Zack!" I cried. "You killed him!" I pulled the twin blades from their sheathes and attacked the SOLDIER full force. I cut the barrel right off his gun. He threw it down and attacked me weaponless. Cloud came running down the steps from the elevators. It was time to settle the score with Reno, he knew that he should have finished off the turks in the tunnel before stopping Hojo. The SOLDIER kicked one of my daggers out of my hand and sent it skidding across the floor. I kicked him hard in the chest and he fell backwards. I leaped after him but he put his feet up and launched me against the wall. He withdrew his sword and charged pointing it to my heart. I grabbed a gun from a dead SOLDIER's hand and fired. He stopped as if stunned and the sword fell from his grasp, clattering to the floor. Then he just slumped forward landing facedown on the polished marble. I sighed and closed my eyes for a moment. Someone pulled me to my feet. I opened my eyes and looked up at Sephiroth.
He was staring at me with such intensity. I felt like he was memorizing every feature on my face. I didn't even notice the blood that had slid down my face from a small cut above my right eye. He took my face in his hands ans slowly moved forward until our mouths were almost touching... then he whispered against my lips, "I love you."
"Will you join us?" Aeris asked me. I looked at Sephiroth and then back at Aeris. "I think that its best if we stay here. In the city of the ancients," I told her. "We are the last of our kind and I want to continue the work that our ancestors started. You, Aeris, were meant to do great things for this planet!" "You should go with me and do great things too!" she didn't want to give me up after she had just found me. I was the only family that she had left in the world. I smiled. "I've already done my part," I replied. I looked at Sephiroth again. "My place is here... with Sephiroth." I smiled fondly at him and then turned my attention back to Aeris. "Besides! This isn't goodbye! You can visit me anytime you want! You have the Lunar Harp!" We hugged eachother tightly. "Come on Aeris. We have to go," Cloud replied. Aeris pulled away and started walking. Sephiroth put his arm around me and we watched them leave. Then Aeris turned around one last time, "See you later!" I laughed through the tears, "See you later!"
