Final Request

Ch. 1 - The Dream

I loved her, even though I didn't know it at first. Didn't even realize that fact 'till it was too late. Now I'll never have a chance to say it. She's gone and I'll never have a chance to live my life with her by my side. If only… If only I had been there to protect her.

These were Cloud's last thoughts before he went into another troubled sleep, six months after Sephiroth was conquered.

The young ex-SOILDER looked around him. This isn't a normal dream, he thought.

Normally, his dreams were terrible nightmares of Nibleheim burning to the ground or of Aeris dying in his arms. But this dream was different. Looking around, he noticed with a shock that he was at the last place he expected to be. He had arrived at Aeris' church. Almost unconsciously he started walking forward towards the fallen Cetra's flowerbed. Bending over he gently took a red rose and placed it in his pocket.

"Cloud." A voice Cloud didn't think he'd ever hear again broke the silence.

Could it be?, Cloud wondered to himself. Turning around, he saw none other than Aeris. She smiled and began to walk forward, although Cloud was still standing there, stunned.

Then, Aeris started to speak again.

"Cloud, first off, this isn't a regular dream." Cloud looked puzzled but she continued anyhow. "It's called a 'Final Request' in which a Cetra gets one chance to be brought back to the land of the living by the person they loved most. However the only way to do it is lost in Buhagen's writings in Cosmo Canyon. I can't tell you anything else, I'm afraid." She paused then added, "Please Cloud, I would like to live a life with you in peace. It's my only wish."

"I'll do every thing in my power to bring you back…because I love you." Cloud said, having finally gotten his voice back.

Thank you. Aeris whispered, then disappeared as suddenly as she had come. Cloud then woke up.

"I have to find the way to revive Aeris," Cloud said the next morning. " I guess its off to Cosmo Canyon."

As he got up, he noticed something in his hand…a red rose. He went to get dressed, as if the fate of the planet was riding on his shoulders…again.