A.N. Hi! Perhaps some of you guys know me already xD This is my new fanfic. (as you can seeXDDD) Ahem, well...This story is...uhm...about a year after the events of AC. Well I don't want to talk any more so...read it and tell me what you think.^^ ADDED: Well, I was bored and felt like editing this story. I think this story really needs a makeoverxD

Faded Memories

Chapter 1: How to revive a Cetra

On the old church of the old, destroyed Sector 5 of Midgar, three years after the fall of Meteor, was a man dressed in black. He lied on a scarp of cloth, which he used as a bed and although it's about past midnight he didn't sleep. He couldn't. He didn't sleep or eat for days. All he did was thinking about her. How she always smiled and laughed. How she always encouraged him and his friends even in hopeless situations. The way she made him to open up to her.

He always wondered how she was able to do that...Nobody could ever make him to open up to someone. But then he remembered something he'd rather forget...The way how her life ended so cruel. The man, known as Cloud Strife, turned around the hundred time tonight and let out a deep frustrated sigh. He missed her...He missed her more than he ever thought he would and it hurt him more than he cared to admit...

That's why he moved in her church again. When he was in her church, it felt like she was still here with him. It's almost a year now since he'd last seen her spirit. He would do anything to see her again. He wished her spirit would haunt him, but she didn't...This whole mess started all over again...

He broke up any contact to his comrades again. He isolated himself in his own little world and searched for a way to bring her back...to revive her...Cloud sighed again and turned around on his other side. He knew it he shouldn't run away from reality like that. He knew it! It was just...Now that his flower girl was gone, he...he didn't have anything to keep fighting for. He didn't know what to do anymore...He didn't even found anything to revive her.

His eyes burned because of the lack of sleep and his stomach growled every second, but he ignored it. Cloud rather would die if it meant to be with her again, although he knew she wouldn't want him to throw his life away like that. Cloud sighed once again and closed his eyes, but then these horrible memories of her death appeared again.

Cloud came to himself before he could kill her, thanks to his friends. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. Then Cloud looked up and saw him...Sephiroth. He raised his sword and before he could do anything, he landed behind her and stabbed her with his long sword. Clouds eyes widened in horror, while Sephiroth just smirked at him devilishly.

He pulled out his sword and she fell forward. Her pink ribbon loosened itself and fell on the ground and with it a shiny, light green orb. The Materia which is supposedly 'good for nothing'. Cloud caught her before she hit the ground. He looked at her in horror, while his heart pounded painfully in his chest. Her eyes were half closed. She looked up to him and smiled a small, weak smile, which seemed to say:„It's alright now."

Then her smile disappeared and her eyes closed. She took one last breath before her body went limp. Clouds eyes widened even more and his heart felt like it shattered into a million pieces. He didn't care that his hands and his clothes were soaked with her blood, all he cared about is that his beloved flower girl is...„No...", whispered Cloud, still not believing what just happened. His eyes burning from the tears that formed in them, his throat went dry and his hands were trembling. „No!", he shouted and shook her lightly in hope she'll open her eyes and smile at him like always. But she didn't...

„Aerith...", mumbled Cloud, he opened his eyes again, ending the sad memory abruptly. „Aerith...!" He repeated her name over and over again like a mantra, his voice rising every time. Cloud closed his eyes tightly again and clenched his fists in anger. He was mad. Mad at Sephiroth. How could he kill her like that?

Mad at himself. He was supposed to protect her, he was her bodyguard, how could he fail her like that? He should've done something to prevent it, but he did nothing! He just watched!

And he was mad at Aerith. Why did she leave them? Why did she leave him? Why did she go to the Forgotten City all alone? WHY?

Suddenly his anger turned into sadness. All the sadness he kept bottled up in him explode. He opened his eyes again. They're still burning like hell, but not because he haven't slept for days, but of the tears that formed in them. Cloud shook his head, he didn't want to cry. Crying is just a sign of weakness!

„That's not true." Cloud could still hear her beautiful angelic voice in his head. „Cry when you feel like crying. It's not a sign of weakness...It's a sign of strength." That's what she told him a few weeks before she died. Cloud turned around again and laid on his back now. He looked to the ceiling of the church for a few minutes and closed his eyes. The tears fell freely down his cheeks, even though he fought against it.

He just couldn't take it anymore. Cloud clutched his head so hard that he almost faired that he pulled out his hair. He must look really pathetic right now...Oh man, he really wished Aerith wasn't watching him right now. Then, a few hours later, he fell asleep. But in his dreams he went through this sad memory all over again.

Cloud awoke with a start and panted. He took a deep breath and looked up. The sun was already at the zenith. How long did he sleep? He took his cellphone off his pocket and checked it for any mails. He got a message from Tifa. „Hey, Cloud...", she'd said. „I just wondered if you...you know...come visit us. It's Denzel's birthday, in case you forgot. You'd make him really happy when you come. All our friends will be here, too so..."

There's a short pause and then Tifa sighed. „Please don't isolate yourself again. We're all here for you, remember?" A click was heard, a sign that the call's over. Cloud sighed, he totally forgot Denzel's birthday...I should visit them...for Denzel.

Cloud got up and went out of the church to his motorbike Fenrir. He climbed on it and drove off to Midgar Edge. When Cloud finally arrived Tifa's bar, the Seventh Heaven, he hesitated for a moment. But then he shook his head, pushed the door open and entered the bar. Everyone turned to him, with a surprised expression. „Cloud, you really came!", said Tifa, surprised and happily. „Cloud!", cried Marlene and Denzel and ran to him. Cloud knelt down and the kids tackled him in a tight hug.

He patted them on their heads and smiled weakly at them. „Happy birthday, Denzel." Denzel's face lit up. „You remembered?" Cloud glanced to Tifa, who giggled quietly. „Um...Yeah, of course. Sorry, I don't have a present for you..."

„It's okay!", interrupted Denzel. „You came. That's all I wanted." Cloud looked away from him. „But I won't stay long..."

„Wh-why?" Cloud closed his eyes, not wanting to see his sad expression. „It's complicated..."

Yuffie groaned loudly and gained everyone's attention. „Just ignore Chocobo-head! He's just a party killer!"

During the party Cloud stood in the darkest corner of this bar and watched everyone. His thoughts were still with her, that's why he wasn't really in the mood for...anything. „What's wrong, Cloud?", asked Tifa suddenly and interrupted his train of thought. „Nothing...", he replied, while Tifa sighed loudly. „Cloud...I know something's wrong. Tell me." Cloud looked to the ground. „...No...I don't want to talk about it."

„Why not? Is it because of Aerith again?", she asked with a sad tone in her voice. Cloud went silent, not knowing what to say next. Before Tifa could say anything Red XIII came to them. „Cloud." Cloud looked to the wolf-like animal. „Red?"

„Before I forget to tell you this...You once asked me if you could read the books of the Ancients, in Cosmo Canyon."

„Yeah."

„I couldn't contact you, to tell you this earlier, but...Well, if you want you can come with me to Cosmo Canyon tonight." Clouds eyes widen unnoticeable. „Thanks, Red."

„No problem." Red XIII left and joined the others, even if Yuffie awaited him to tease him. „Books of the Ancients? Why, Cloud?" Cloud sighed quietly, that's one of the reasons he cut the contact to anyone. This way they wouldn't ask him so many questions. „There has to be a way to bring her back...", he mumbled. „Cloud, you don't really believe this, do you? There's no way you can revive someone!"

„But Aerith isn't someone, Tifa. She's a Cetra. I know there's a way to bring her back." Tifa sighed again. „But...What if there's really no way to bring her back?" Cloud went silent again. He didn't know what he should do then. But he knew one thing for sure. „I have to at least try it..."

„Cloud...I think Aerith would want you to move on and have a happy life." Cloud closed his eyes. „I don't have a 'happy life', Tifa. Not without her...You know that." Both of them went silent. „Well then...Do you...need any help?"

„I rather want to do it alone." Tifa smiles sadly at him. „Okay then...But don't hesitate to ask me or the others for help." Then Tifa went to the others.


A few hours later Cid brought everyone home again. Cloud joined them, he wanted to go to Cosmo Canyon as fast as possible. He fell asleep in-flight and got another dream this time. Cloud found himself in the middle of a giant flower field. „Cloud...", her voice called him. His eyes widened and he looked around, his heart beating faster every second.

„Aerith...?" Suddenly Cloud felt something on his back and looked over his shoulder. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her light brown her tied in a braid with that all too familiar pink ribbon on it and the pink dress and red jacket that she still wore. They stood back on back like back then when he drove to the Forgotten City a year ago.

„Aerith...", he mumbled. He wanted to turn around and look into her face, but he feared she would disappear when he moved. „Cloud, please don't do this to yourself..." Cloud looked at her confused even if she didn't see it. What was she talking about? „Please, Cloud. It will only hurt you even more."

„But I..." Cloud looked to the ground. „I know you want me back...It makes me really happy that you guys miss me so much, but...Cloud, you have to move on!" Clouds eyes widened. She wanted him to move on? No way in hell! „I want you to have a happy life." Aerith sounded sad, like her own words would hurt her. „I can't...", he murmurs. „I can't, Aerith and you know that!" Aerith went silent and leaned on him a bit. Clouds heart thumped like mad in his chest as he felt her leaning against him. „There has to be a way to bring you back..."

„Even if...Don't do this." Cloud quickly looked over his shoulder. „There's a way?" Aerith fell silent again. „Tell me, Aerith." She just shifted uncomfortably. „Please...", he pleaded, but Aerith still didn't say anything. „Aerith...", he said with such a pleading voice, which almost let Aerith's heart break.

„I'm sorry, Cloud...I can't tell you...It's better that you don't know anything." Cloud couldn't take it anymore and turned around. He has to see her! But just as he assumed she disappeared, once he turned around. „Aerith..." He looks around on last time and noticed the flower field began to fade...


Cloud awoke in Cid's airship and Red XIII nudged him with his paw. „Cloud, we're in Cosmo Canyon.", he said. „Oh...okay.", he mumbled sleepily. He never slept as well as he did right now. They left Cid's airship and arrived Red XIII's home. „You should sleep a bit more.", he suggested, but Cloud just shook his head. „No. I can rest when I found a way to bring Aerith back."

Red XIII looked at his comrade concerned. „Very well...", he sighed and led him to the library, where a lot of books about the ancients were stored. Red XIII explained the system the books were assorted and Cloud thanked him for it before he took out the first book and began to read.

Red XIII left him alone and whenever he passed the library he heard Cloud's annoyed and frustrated groans. It really means a lot to him..., thought Red XIII. I wish I could help him...Cloud spend almost three days in this library and read one book after another constantly, until he fell asleep.

In his dreams Aerith pleaded him to forget his plans, but he always said he can't let go of her. Cloud read every book now, but didn't found anything to revive a Cetra...Suddenly Red XIII ran into the library. „Cloud!" Cloud turned around and looked at him with sleepy eyes. „I think I found something!"

Cloud eyes widen instantly, his sleepiness totally forgotten. „Follow me." They ran upstairs where Buggenhagen used to live. On a table was a big book. „Read this.", said Red XIII and pointed with his paw on the page he should read. Cloud began to read.

The book said that there's really a way to revive a Cetra, but it only worked one time in one hundred years. It said the one who wants to revive a Cetra needs the white Materia Holy and has to pray at the altar of the Forgotten City. And if the planet hears and except the pray the door to the revive Materia will open.

„We have to try it!" Cloud was about to run out, but Red XIII stopped him. „Cloud, you promised to rest when you found a way."

„But...!"

„What will Aerith think when she'll see you like this?" That was right, Cloud looked really horrible! „I guess...You're right..." He gave in and Red XIII brought him to his room to sleep. After half a day full of sleep and nightmares, he went out of his room and was greeted by Red XIII. „Good morning, Cloud. Did you sleep well?"

„Not really...Whatever, let's go now.", said Cloud said and wanted to go. „You have to eat something first.", said the red furred animal. „I'm not hungry.", he replied but just as he said this his stomach growled loudly. „Oh, really?" Red XIII smirked, while Cloud let out a long sigh. „We eat in-flight."

Cloud took his cellphone out of his pocket. „I called Cid already. He'll be here in an hour.", informed Red XIII. „Oh...then I guess I have no other choice...", sighed Cloud in defeat and let Red XIII lead the way to the dining hall. Cloud ate really fast. Like he didn't eat for ages, which was actually true but no one had to know this. And about an hour later Cid finally arrived. „Where do ya wanna, Spike?", asked Cid, when Cloud and Red XIII entered the airship. „Wutai."

„Wutai? Why?"

„'Cause I need the underwater Materia. Yuffie has it."

„Well, whatever!", said Cid and flew off to Wutai. When they arrived Yuffie's hometown about an hour later, Cloud jumped off the airship before it even landed. He ran into the town and searched for the annoying ninja. Luckily he didn't have to search long and finally found her. „Yuffie!" She turned around and looked at Cloud with a confused expression. „Chocobo-head? What are you doing here?" Cloud ignored her question and came straight to the point. „I need the underwater Materia."

„Eh? No way! It's mine!" Cloud glared at her, getting impatient. „Give it to me! Now!"

„No! Why do you need it anyway?", she asked him and pouted childishly. Cloud sighed. „I'm gonna revive Aerith now." Yuffie went silent for a moment, just staring at him like he was crazy. „That's a joke right?", she asked him and raised an eyebrow. Cloud held his forehead. He had no time for this! „Did I ever make a joke before?" Yuffie went silent again. Suddenly her eyes widened. „You mean it?!"

„Of course I mean it! Just give me the damn Materia!", he said while rolling his eyes in annoyance. „I want to come with you!" Yuffie ran past Cloud but she was stopped by Cloud who grasped her collar. „No. Just give me that!"

„I wanna to come with you!"

„No!"

„Come on! Aerith was my friend, too! I miss her just as much as you do!" Cloud growled quietly. He turned around and went away, towards the airship. „Hurry up!", he sighed. „Yay!", exclaimed Yuffie excitedly and ran ahead. Although Cloud was against it they flew off to Edge.

They even called everyone together again, to tell them Clouds plan. That meant they all went home for nothing. When they landed outside the city, they went to Tifa's bar. Then all entered the Seventh Heaven. „Yuffie.", called Cloud before she could enter Tifa's bar. „Hm?" She turned to him. „Give me the Materia." Yuffie raised an eyebrow. „Why? We're not even..."

„Now!", he interrupted her, getting impatient again. „Okay, okay!" Yuffie gave Cloud the Materia. „Come on, everyone's waiting!"

„Go ahead." Yuffie shrugged it off and entered the bar. „Hey, guys! Did you all miss me?", she yelled and suddenly the whole bar went quiet. Yuffie sighed in annoyance and went to her friends.

„Where's Cloud?", asked Tifa curious. „He's right behind me..." Yuffie couldn't finish her sentence, because they heard a motorbike drove past the bar. „Now we know where he is.", said Vincent calmly. „That figures!", grumbled Tifa and stomped her foot.


A few hours later — maybe even days, he didn't really check the time — he finally arrived his destiny. The Forgotten City. „Cloud! Don't!" Her voice tried to hold him back as he ran straight to the altar, where she died. „I have to.", he murmurs in reply. „You don't have to do anything.", she tried again. „I'm always here for you!"

„I know, but...That's not enough. I want you alive. And when there's a way to bring you back I'll do it, no matter what!", he replied stubbornly. Cloud heard her sigh and went quiet again and he finally arrived the altar. He looked into the water, he remembered the Materia fell into this lake when she died.

Where's Holy...?, he wondered and searched for the shiny green orb. I hope it still radiates...And then he spotted it, it shined as brightly as he remembered. Found ya! He activated the underwater Materia and jumped into the lake.

The white Materia fell really deep down but thanks to the bright light he never lost his sight of it. He grasped it and swam back to the water surface again. I have it..., he thought triumphantly and got out of the water. Then he went to the altar. Hm...I've never prayed before...

Cloud knelled down and folded his hands. He closed his eyes and began to pray. Or at least he tried to pray...Gaia...I need your help...to revive my beloved one. I want her to be in my live again...I want her to give me a reason to keep living...I want to finally tell her how I feel for her...! And I want to finally know what she feels for me. I would give up everything else when you help me to revive her...

Very well. Cloud heard a gentle feminine voice talk to him. Your wish shall be granted. Your heart seems to be full of love and faith for the young Cetra.

It is., he agreed.

I hope you know the condition to revive a Cetra. Gaia sounded a bit concerned...But he didn't give a damn about any conditions. I just want her to come back to me. Everything else doesn't matter. I would do everything for her!

Very well. The door to the revive Materia shall open for you. But be warned: a monster guards the Materia.

Nothing I can't handle., he just replied in thought. Suddenly a secret passage opened and Cloud immediately ran through it. He could already sense the monsters presence. He entered a giant room and straight forward was a door. The revive Materia must be in there. Cloud went straight to the door, not once dropping his guard.

Suddenly he heard something from above him. He looked up and in this moment the monster crashed down in front of him. It's a giant snake-like monster about 40 meters long. The monster attacked him with his tail, but Cloud dodged the attack and took his Buster Sword out of its holster. Cloud jumped up and slashed the monster on its head, but the armor of this monster is way too thick. He didn't even got a slight scrape.

The snake pushed him away and hit him with its tail. Cloud crashed against a wall, really hard. This thing is stronger than I thought!, he thought as he stood up and got ready for its next attack. But nothing can hold me back now to revive her! Cloud smirked devilishly. „Come and get it!", he yelled at the monster as he ran towards it, ready to attack.

Cloud tried to slash it everywhere to detect its weak point, but the monsters armor was everywhere and too thick to harm it in any way! That thing's armor's really tough...not even Omnislash could break it...The snake shots to Cloud with its mouth open to devour him and suddenly an idea struck him. Hmpf, I got your weak point! Cloud jumped up, the monsters mouth just a few meters away from him and then Cloud slashed his sword through its mouth. Cloud smirked slightly as he heard the monsters cranium hit the ground.

Suddenly Clouds eyes widened. The snake still alive enough to attack him one last time. Maybe it was just a reflex. It his him with its tail and pushed him against the next wall. Shit! I was careless...! But Cloud got up instantly and went to the door. He opened it and entered the room.

Cloud didn't feel another presence of a monster and but he didn't let his guard down. In front of him was a pedestal and on it was a dark green orb. Cloud raised an eyebrow. That's too obvious. It defiantly was a trap. Without dropping his guard, Cloud went to the Materia. He stopped in front of it and looked around one last time.

Then he took the Materia and waited. But nothing happened. Too easy..., he thought and head back. He left this shell-thing and ran straight to the lake where Aerith laid. Or so he hoped. He activated the underwater Materia again and jumped into the lake. He dives deep down and spotted Aeriths dead figure.

She didn't change a bit and her hair is down, just like he remembered her as he laid her into this lake. It's amazing that this sacred water seemed to protect her, even though she's...Clouds heart thumped painfully in his chest at the sight of her. His feet touched the ground lightly and he picked her up.

He looked at her for a few seconds before he swam with her to the surface. When he finally arrived the water side and laid her gently on the ground, his hand holding her head up a bit. I hope it works...Cloud pulled out the revive Materia of his pocket and held it tight in his hand and against his heart. You have to work...!

He closed his eyes and hoped with all his heart. Suddenly he felt her stir slightly and his eyes shot open instantly. Aerith's eyes begin to flutter and she slowly opened them. Cloud could only stare at her beautiful eyes. How he longed to see those beautiful emeralds again...His heart began to beat faster every second.

She looked up at him, locking eyes with him with a slight confused expression. „Aerith...", he whispered, feeling his eyes begin to water. Before she could do anything Cloud pulled her in a tight hug. He couldn't help it. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and tried to hold back the tears.

„Aerith...you're back...", he managed to say between his sobs. Aerith looked at him in confusion but put a hand on his back and patted it lightly to comfort him. When Cloud finally calmed down and loosened his grip on her slightly, she asked him something that let a cold chill run through his veins. „I'm sorry, but...Do I know you?"

His eyes widen.

A.N. Okaayy~~I don't know if you guys like it, or even think it's interesting...so...please review and tell me what you think. If no one review it I guess it's not worth to continue. Every review's welcome.