Love Conquers All
Summary: Cetra and Jenova; two Kingdoms who have hated each other for as long as anyone can remember. Can the next generation bring peace?
Prologue
It was a crisp February morning, the talk of Spring approaching was in the air when the news of a Princess came to the Cetra Kingdom. It had long been known that King Gast and his wife Ilfana had longed for a child and now, their dream had been fulfilled. They named her Aerith, a name to represent the Earth and as a dedication to the Planet, thanking them for a healthy child.
The next day, February the eighth, the people of the Cetraian Kingdom gathered to celebrate the birth of the young Princess. The palace was glittering in candlelight, the large crib standing proudly beside the two thrones, a young raven-haired man standing next to it, his face hidden by a large red cape and his hands clasped behind his back in a proud stance. The room became silent as the doors opened and the rulers walked down the carpet, the Princess sleeping soundly in the Queen's arms. As they passed them, the people bowed respectively, large smiles upon their faces. Gast and Ilfana took their seats and the raven-haired man stepped from the crib and bowed before them.
"My gift, my Lord and Lady, is one that will act both as protection and comfort for the young Princess," he explained before he nodded and another raven-haired boy, probably just less than five years old, stepped forward with a large moving bundle in his hands. Ilfana tilted her head curiously before the boy lifted the cloth and a mass of red fluff came to view, its yellow eyes glancing around nervously before it was set gently onto the floor.
"His name is Nanaki and he is of the firewolf tribe, well-known for their loyalty," the man added before bowing again and lifting the young cub and placing it beside Ilfana's throne.
"Thank you Vincent," Gast said warmly as he turned to gaze at the young boy beside the man.
"And thank you Zack," he smiled and the boy, now named Zack gave a sloppy salute and walked off proudly, Vincent following him.
"She looks funny Dad," Zack whispered, earning a glare from the man.
As the day went on, the young Aerith was given thousands of gifts and well wishes and as night fell, Ilfana and Gast were completely exhausted. The Princess' crib was placed in their room so they could reach her easily, should she start crying, and the Queen soon drifted into much-needed sleep. However, the King remained awake, staring silently at the bed, which held his daughter. He was happy to have a child, of course, but he was beginning to doubt whether it was the right time since the feud between the neighbouring country, which was ruled by the ancient Jenova tribe, was at an all-time high. He feared what they would do to his daughter if they ever had the chance.
The blonde woman stared angrily towards the horizon, where the palace of the Cetra could be seen even in the darkness. She glanced behind her as she heard footsteps but relaxed when she recognised the green eyes and silver hair and returned her gaze to their enemy's Kingdom.
"Are you still hung up on that Kingdom Scarlet?" the man asked as he stepped next to her.
"You want it as much as I Sephiroth," she replied coldly, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yes," he sighed, leaning against the banister. "I want nothing more than to crush them but I can't think how. We can't afford another battle, not until we have gathered our army again."
"But Gast is not stupid. He won't fall for anything we try to pull," Scarlet argued.
"We'll find a way. I will not rest until I have found a way to defeat them!"