Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII (Square-Enix says I can't have it)… If I did, Aerith outfit would be more functional (one does not save the world in a dress; it's just not practical). As for Sephiroth… He'd have a pony tail (that hair must obscure his vision on a windy day).

Notes: Special request from Selunchen123.

Stupid allergies…


Don't

Cloud, can you hear me? This is the first time I've ever tried something like this. Bending the Lifestream, so that I can be inside your dreams. So I can say goodbye…

"Yeah, I hear you. Sorry for what happened."

Don't you understand, Cloud? You're human. You're supposed to mess up. Just… Don't worry about it.

"… I can't help it…"

Oh… Are you upset because of the black material? Or, is it because you think you have to live up to high standards? Then, why don't you REALLY worry about it? We both know you aren't as serious as you claim to be. And let me handle Sephiroth.

I can feel a laugh escape my lips. How many times have I told you? I'm a Cetra… It's my job to protect this Planet. And Cloud, you take care of yourself. So you don't have a breakdown, okay? Because I won't be there to put you back together…

I've never been here before, yet this forest feels so familiar.

"What is this place?"

I can feel the knowledge flowing into me. Is it from the Planet? This forest leads to the City of the Ancients… and is called the Sleeping Forest. It's only a matter of time before Sephiroth uses Meteor. Does he know what he's doing? Doubtful… He is like a child; unaware of the consequences to the Planet. That's why I'm going to protect it. Only a survivor of the Cetra, like me, can do it.

I can't look at you… I feel my heart breaking… I don't know what is going to happen, but The secret is just up there. At least it should be… I feel it. It feels like I'm being led by something. But is it the Planet or Sephiroth?

Goodbye, Cloud. I wave at you, and it feels like the last time I'll ever see you. Then, I'll be going now. I draw up a smile to comfort you. I'll come back when it's all over.

"Aerith?"

I run out of the forest… Please don't come after me, Cloud. I don't know if I could leave you again…


I kneel upon the alter. My hands clasp in prayer. It feels like someone else is using my body. I feel a warmth surrounding me… Like a mother's embrace…

Sephiroth doesn't understand… He's never been held… Never felt love…

He is a child… A broken, frail child.

… That's why Jenova could corrupt him so easily… She became the mother he never had.

Would I destroy a planet for the sake of feeling loved? I don't know… But, that isn't why I'm here. I'm here to save this Planet just as my mother would have.

And I thought the materia I inherited was 'good for absolutely nothing.' Eons of knowledge has entered my mind… I won't be me for much longer… My mouth opens of its own accord. Lyrical words, the Cetra language flows forth...

I can feel Sephiroth's eyes upon my back. So much like a child… It's like a game to him.

"Aerith?" Cloud… You didn't…?

This is what he was waiting for? Why? What did Cloud ever do to him? Why must Cloud be this child's toy?

I can hear my friends… They're shouting. Yet, I can barely hear them. They should have stayed away… I don't want them to see…

Cloud's mumbling to himself again… I want to see him. Just once more.

I raise my face and can see his beautiful blue eyes… Illuminated with mako.

I can feel something pierce my skin. The blade goes through my body so easily…

But, Sephiroth is a child. He doesn't realize that I've already won this game.

… I'm sorry, Cloud. I didn't want you to see this.

… I would rather everyone had happy memories…


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