Fragile Rose Reborn
Author's Notes: First real fan fiction that I've had the guts to post for other people to read. Don't be too harsh, please. This is set several years after the game and Advent Children.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in Final Fantasy 7, in fact, I don't even own the game. If I own anything, it'll be original characters, and I'll make sure to state that they are mine.
Chapter One
Aeris breathed in a fresh intake of air, her senses tingling with the salty scent of the ocean nearby. A sweet, serene smile perched upon her soft lips, her gentle emerald green eyes gazing off into the distance. All around her, all she could hear was the crashing of the ocean waves, the cries of the seagulls, the shifting of the wind, and of course the Planet's content humming. In a sense, she was alone but at the same time not alone. Yes, her beloved friends or anyone else might not be here, but she still had the Planet and Its creations for company. She didn't mind at all, for she was content to just relax with nature surrounding her being.
Aeris tilted her head a little, shifting her green gaze from the ocean to the sky. Where was she? How long had it been since she had died? Were Cloud and the others still alive? There were just so many questions left unanswered. It didn't help that the Planet remained cryptic and wouldn't even answer some of her questions. Her mind was definitely made up; she would have to hope she could make it to some kind of town. There, she could stock up on supplies, get some new clothes, and even ask questions. Aeris beamed, nearly giggling aloud in pure joy. Aeris then frowned suddenly, lowering her gaze to let her emerald green eyes inspect the condition of her clothing.
She sighed, shaking her head at the condition her favorite pink dress was in. There was a huge rip in the front of the dress and in the back, blood slightly stained around the tear on the material. She pursed her lips together, pouting down at her clothing. The tear in her dress was from when Sephiroth ran his long sword through her body when he killed her at the Forgotten Capital. Luckily, at this she breathed a sigh of relief, there was no scar. When she had been revived, the Planet had healed her wound, leaving no trace of there ever being a large gash there. She silently re thanked the Planet for the tenth time that day for letting her wake up from being dead without having to worry about bleeding or freezing to death. She shook her head, releasing another sigh as she pondered.
She might as well start heading to a nearby town. Heaving a heavy sigh, she turned on her heels and began to the walk. she had no idea where she was heading, after all, she wasn't even sure just exactly where on the Planet she was at the moment. Aeris took a look around as she walked, a small, worried frown perched upon her soft pink lips as she tried to figure out where exactly she was. But, it was no luck. There was no possible way she could figure out where she was.
Oh well, I'll just have to pray that a town is nearby. I don't want to be stranded out in the middle of Planet knows where at night, with no one but myself and the Planet to rely on. Not to mention, I seem to be without a weapon. I'll have to look around for a weapon shop once I get to a town and finish my other shopping, Aeris thought to herself wearily, forcing her feet to continue taking another step farther as she almost hopelessly wandered around in hopes of finding a town.
The Planet, as if sensing Its last child's problem, hummed softly in the girl's mind and directed her to the nearest village. Aeris paused at the outskirts of the town, heaving a sigh of relief.
Oh, thank you so much, Planet. I'd probably still be wandering hopelessly if you hadn't aided me. She let out a small giggle as the Planet murmured in response for the young Cetra's gratitude.
Lifting her head high in the air, and taking in an intake of air, she steeled herself and entered the town. Aeris wandered around the town, her green eyes looking around as she attempted to find a clothes shop. Upon wakening, she had discovered a bag beside her when she had awoken in the field.
When she looked inside, she discovered that there was a fair amount of gil inside along with her phone. How on Planet it had gotten there, along with the gil, she had no idea. Well, she did have an idea, she figured that the Planet must have somehow placed it there for her needs. Currently, as she walked, the clutched the said bag to her chest as she walked, calmly ignoring the curious stares she received from the townspeople she happened to pass along the way.
Her eyes lit up in joy as she spotted the store she was looking for. Quickening her pace, she approached the store and entered it. Aeris looked around in awe as she gazed around the store. It was a pretty nice sized store, but then, the town seemed to be pretty decent as well. She looked down at her torn dress, and bit her bottom lip. She was broken from her thoughts as she heard someone clear their throat.
Blushing lightly, she looked up to see the person who had cleared their throat. It was a kind, yet curious looking old woman.
"Miss, can I assist you? You look a tad bit lost..." The woman trailed off, inspecting Aeris. "My, you sure look like you've been traveling far and had a rough time. I assume you need new clothing and shoes, correct?"
Aeris nodded, blushing in slight embarrassment. "Oh, yes. I'm in desperate need of new clothing. Would you please assist me in picking some stuff out?" The old woman laughed softly, nodding.
The girl was so shy, and she seemed so pure and innocent. Young ladies like that were rare in this time and day. "Of course, dear. Now, come with me." The woman took Aeris gently by the arm, and ushered over to a part in the store.
After a long time of fussing and helping the girl find something right for her, it seemed like all that work came out all right. Aeris was now clothed in a dress quite identical to her old pink dress, but the only difference was that it was a different color; a light green to be exact. For shoes, her big, bulky garden boots were discarded and replaced with black boots that were smaller and more comfortable. The old women insisted on Aeris buying two more sets of clothing, so she wouldn't have to wear her green dress all of the time.
Aeris smiled as she began to exit the shop after paying, her old clothes stuffed into her bag along with her materia.
"Thanks for the help! Goodbye!" Aeris called, and the woman returned her farewell. Aeris finally left the shop and took a few steps foreword before stopping. She then looked around, her green eyes searching for another shop, an item shop to be exact.
Heaving a weary sigh, she began walking as she searched for the store she was looking for. After several minutes of walking, she found herself standing before the item shop. Taking in an fresh intake of air, she boosted her confidence and entered the store. Aeris looked around, before walking down the aisles as she searched for items she needed. Once getting the items she needed, she approached the counter. Her bag was slung over one shoulder, the items she was purchasing held in her arms.
The lady behind the counter looked up from a magazine she had been reading, chewing on some gum, or so Aeris assumed. The woman put the magazine aside and leaned foreword as she studied Aeris. Aeris placed the items on the counter shyly, sliding the required amount of gil towards the woman as well. The woman took the money, and placed the items in a plastic bag before handing it to Aeris.
She then raised an eyebrow at the young girl, a curious look upon her face. "Anything else I can help ya with, miss?" She asked lazily, chewing on her gum still.
Aeris nodded, taking the bag of her purchased items. "Yes, there is. Could you tell me how many years it's been since the event of Meteor? It's been nagging at me, since I happened to have forgotten when it happened."
The woman blinked, then nodded as she tried to remember how many years it had been. "Let's see... It's been twenty years since Meteor. Anything else I can help you with, ma'am?"
Aeris shook her head, a kind smile lighting up upon her lips. "No, that's all. Thank you very much." And with that said, the brunette turned and exited the store. Once out of the store, Aeris mulled over what she had been told back in the item store.
Wow, I had no idea that I had been dead for that long. Twenty years.. Twenty years of missing out on everything. I've got a lot of catching up to do. Now, I know there was an inn somewhere around here. After I check in, granted they have a vacant room, I'll spend the night. Then, in the morning, before I leave town, I'll pay the weapon shop a visit. Nodding to herself, Aeris then began making her way in the direction she assumed was the direction the inn was in.
Aeris hurriedly entered the inn once she reached it and shyly went up to the counter. The old man behind the counter looked up from whatever he had been doing, and blinked at Aeris.
Aeris opened her mouth, speaking politely, "I was wondering if you had any vacant rooms for the night? I'll only be staying one night."
The man nodded, checking to see if he had any vacant rooms available for the night. He then looked up to Aeris, smiling kindly. "Ah, you're in luck! I happen to have a room available. That'll be 200 gil, please."
Aeris nodded, digging out the right amount of gil and handing it to the man. The man took the gil, and in return handed her the key to her room. "Enjoy your stay." He bowed his head in a polite gesture, before returning back to his work.
Aeris nodded, taking the key and turned to find her room. After several minutes of walking, she paused in front of the door to her room, and inserted the key and unlocked the door. Twisting the door knob open, she took the key from the door and entered her room, closing it carefully behind her, and locking it.
She then turned her attention to her room, inspecting it. "Well, it'll do for the night," She said aloud to herself, moving over to place her bag of items and other bag on the only bed in the room, before sitting down in a chair nearby. She then removed her boots, staring at her tired feet. Her gaze then drifted to the door for the bathroom, a thoughtful look spreading unto her face. "Well, I haven't had a decent shower in a long time. I should probably take one, and then go to bed. I've had a long day."
She stood up, and went over to bathroom door and opened it. Upon looking at the room, she had noticed that there was a door leading outside to a balcony. After all, she did have to climb upstairs since the room was on the second floor. Maybe after she had her shower, she would go out on it before going to bed. Aeris was tired, but not that tired. Aeris turned on the light in the bathroom and stepped inside.
The bathroom had a large, nice bathtub in the center and a shower near it. Of course, being a bathroom, the room also contained a toilet and a sink. Aeris then decided on taking a shower for now and began to undress.
When she had died, her hair had come undone, so had no need to untie a ribbon that was not there. Also, her materia had been lost, but it had been returned upon her revival. There was no telling if she would ever need to use it again, but the Planet had returned it to her just in case the need for it did arise.
Once fully unclothed, Aeris stepped into the shower and closed the shower door. Aeris then twisted the knob of the shower, the shower head immediately coming to life to spew water. Aeris let out a yelp of surprise, wincing at the sudden blast of cold water. Hurriedly, she adjusted the water temperature and sighed in bliss as warm water poured over her tired body.
Oh, this feels so good! Aeris sighed again in bliss before running her fingers through her grimy hair. Turning, she grabbed shampoo and began to wash her hair. Once rinsing her hair of her shampoo, she then rubbed conditioner in it to rid her hair of the fierce tangles that had developed in her long hair.
As she worked on cleaning herself, she couldn't help but hum some soothing melody to herself as she did so. Aeris made sure to keep her mind clear of thoughts of her friends, since she was still deciding on whether or not to seek them out. She did not want to disturb them from their happy life, didn't want to mess things up just because she was alive.
I... don't want to bother them. I was such a burden on them... I couldn't even protect myself. My death... it hurt them. I don't want to hurt them again. If I must, I will evade them and be like a ghost. Aeris washed the conditioner from her hair thoroughly and then turned off the water.
Grasping her large mass of wet locks, she twisted them and wrung out all of the water she could for now before stepping out of the shower. Grabbing a towel, she immediately began to towel her hair and body as best as she could. Then, she grabbed another clean towel and wrapped it around her slender form, and exited the bathroom.
Walking to her bag, she fetched a brush, fresh pair of undergarments, and a night gown to sleep in, before walking back to the bathroom. Dropping the towel, she clothed herself and set to brushing her slightly damp hair before tying it back in a loose braid to sleep in for the night. She then exited the bathroom and placed her dirty clothes in a corner in the room and headed to bed.
She had been more tired than she had assumed she would be. Today had been a long day, and there was still tomorrow. No, she corrected herself, she had her whole life ahead of her to live. And that was the last thing she thought about, before she happily drifted off into sweet, sweet slumber. Just before falling asleep, she heard the sound of the Planet humming a soothing melody in her mind, like a mother singing a lullaby to her beloved baby. Aeris had a smile on her face as she fell asleep, thankful for being able to hear the Planet.
Aeris was the last of a very unique, yet ancient race. The young girl was part of a race called the Cetra, or the Ancients as some called them. What made them so special, was that they could hear and commune with the Planet. They shared a bond with the Planet, and were known as the children of the Planet because of their ability. Ironically, thousands of years ago, the Cetra were weakened greatly.
The Crisis from the Sky, now called Jenova, fell from the sky. When it fell from the sky, it created a great wound in the Planet. Jenova made friends with the Cetra, but betrayed them. Jenova tricked the Cetra, and infected them with a terrible illness which made the Cetra grow crazy and eventually die. The few Cetra not yet affected with the illness, banded together and sealed Jenova away.
They were only able to seal her away for awhile, because they were far too weak to be able to destroy her. As the years passed, the Cetra race was affected greatly by the huge loss of their people, and their population began to diminish.
Finally, when it came to around present day, there was only one Cetra left.
This woman was not Aeris, but Ifalana. Ifalana was Aeris's mother. Professor Gast meet her and the two fell in love. Ifalana told him many things about her race and about Jenova. Jenova had been dug up, and mistaken for a Cetra. Ifalana told him of Jenova's crimes, and Gast was upset about that. Enough with that, for all that is of no real importance. Ifalana and Gast got married, and had a little girl.
That little girl was Aeris. Aeris was only half Cetra, since her mother was a pure blooded Cetra and her father a pure blooded human. Ifalana eventually died, leaving Aeris as the sole survivor of the great race. Her father was killed when Aeris was quite young, since he had resisted the taking of his wife and child by a crazy scientist of the name Hojo.
Ifalana eventually died when she and her daughter had finally managed to escape from the labs that they had been taken to. Ifalana, with her dying breath, left young Aeris in the care of a woman named Elmyra. The woman was a widow, since her husband had been killed in a war. Elmyra took good care of Aeris, raising her like she was her own child. Though, because Aeris had Cetra blood running through her veins, she was constantly chased by the Turks. Hojo was insistant on getting his hands on her again. Aeris managed to get caught only a few times, but she either was rescued or escaped on her own.
A/N: I changed a few things in this chapter. I tried to make it look neater. I also changed some wording. The end part of this chapter was just a little background information about Aeris's heritage. I wasn't sure whether to get rid of it or keep it, so I decided to keep it. Anyways, I'm in the process of revising the other chapters.
