Prologue

Disclaimer: The Maiden of Autumn owns nothing

Vincent hung onto the railing as the Shera flew upwards, out of the Northern Crater. Idly, he contemplated why exactly, he was holding on. There was no point to his existence now. He had helped kill Sephiroth, yes, like he had planned, but he was still alive. It was not how he had planned everything out at all.

He closed his eyes, preventing a tear from slipping out. Curse Hojo, and Lucretia. He realized now, that it was she who had convinced to Hojo to do this to him. Sephiroth was his son, yes, and killing him had been one of the hardest things he had ever done. He could only imagine the type of life he could have led if they had been able to escape the labs, Hojo's brutal torture…

He opened his eyes and they hardened. That bastard Hojo had never let him meet his son, never told the silver- haired ex- General of Vincent; he could tell. There had been slight recognition in his eyes when he saw Cloud, but not when he turned those cold, cold eyes on him.

It made him want to kill Hojo all over again, hear his delightful screams and shudders as Hojo realized that Cloud and the rest were leaving the greasy- haired scientist alone with the sadistically smiling Vincent. It would never make up for the mess he had made of his and Sephiroth's lives, though. But it was a small comfort, leaving the scientist hanging by his own entrails.

Now, though, there was nothing to live for, nothing to do now that his quest was over. They were all expecting him to go back to sleep in his coffin, Vincent knew. 'Most likely so they can wake me up again in case of another emergency,' he thought bitterly.

But, they wouldn't have a chance to do this. He was ending this as soon as they all got out of here. Three bullets through his brain would surely be enough? If the power and size of the bullets Cerberus contained failed him, there was always the other option of simply letting a monster rip his immortal body to shreds.

So morbid, Vincent.

He was startled at the familiar light, musical voice sounding in his head and started in shock, almost losing his grip on the railing of the struggling, shaking airship. 'Aerith?'

A form materialized in the left side of his vision, a woman with a long braid and dressed in a pink dress. She smiled radiantly; death had unleashed her full Cetra powers and she was even more beautiful in death than in life. The jerking motions of the airship trying to escape the pull of the Lifestream did nothing to faze her as she approached him, graceful and ethereal. It's been awhile Vincent, she said, shaking her head sadly, and I know what you're planning to do.

Vincent ignored her, intent on just holding onto the railing. The swirling green of the Lifestream churned around them, and Vincent wondered if this was why Aerith was able to appear.

Yes, it is why I'm able to be here, her voice sounded. However, the reason as to why I'm here is a bit more serious, however. She frowned at him. I don't like the thought of any of my friends committing suicide, no matter how short a time I knew them.

Vincent shook his head. He didn't want her worry; he wanted his rest. He was tired, tired of being lonely, rejected, feared. They would all die in another 60 or so years; he would be left all alone again.

I see your way of thinking, and I cannot blame you. Your situation would depress even the most cheerful optimist.

Vincent resisted the urge to scoff. Thank you, he told her sarcastically. A giggle was directed at him as a result.

As gloomy as ever, Vincent. Hee. She turned serious then. Vincent, what if I told you that there was a chance for happiness, that there were others like you who do not age?

He didn't hesitate in his response. I would say that that is ridiculous. I alone share this burden.

She smiled, then, and came closer, resting her hands over Vincent's that were gripping onto the railing. They were warm, which did not surprise Vincent. Very few things did nowadays. You are not alone, Vincent. You never are. At his skeptical look, she sighed, tightening her hands and looking down at the slowly receding Lifestream below. Vincent, if I could offer you a new life, would you take it?

A new life? What did she mean?

She must have heard is unspoken thought, because she clarified it for him. A new start, where nobody would judge you- a new world, as it were. You would be the one in control of your fate, you and yourself alone. I could change you to fit in better, and you could have a life where your future would not be decided by any powers other than your own.

Vincent's eyes opened wide. A new start? No Hojo, no Avalanche, or ShinRa, mako… It was what he had longed for, ever since being released from his imprisonment. Freedom. I would take it.

Aerith smiled. I thought you would take it. However, things like this… I cannot offer them without compensation. It is Gaia's will. I cannot let one of her children leave without some compensation.

The thought of freedom, of getting away from this mess of a world he had become ensconced in was too heady to resist. He had nothing more to give; what would Gaia demand in return for the release from this nightmare? Name the price.

Your memories… every single past thought, experience, feeling… she wants your past on her in exchange for a new life on a different place, far away from here.

He felt relief. His memories were not pleasant, plain torturous to put it plainly, and so the loss of them was not important. In fact, it seemed almost as if Gaia were the one being cheated.

I'm not done, Vincent. She wants the ProtoMateria back as well.

ProtoMateria? What was that? I don't know what you mean. The airship gave a lurch and he gripped on tighter as he was almost flung over the rail. The green of the Lifestream below was starting to become slowly more distant and as he looked over to Aerith, her features were worried.

There's not much time left for you to take this offer, Vincent, so listen carefully. The ProtoMateria was created by Gaia to help keep Chaos under control, and was implanted into you. Chaos himself is expendable; due to the presence of humans, there is more than enough tainted Lifestream to create another WEAPON. But, the ProtoMateria was made from pure, undiluted Lifestream, of which Gaia has a limited amount at this time. If you take this offer, you would keep Chaos within your body; Gaia sees this as no great loss. However, the ProtoMateria would remain behind, making it harder for you to control Chaos. Think carefully, Vincent. Is the start of a new life worth putting others in danger if you cannot control the demon? You will have no memories of how to control him.

Vincent mulled it over for a moment, although there was really no argument. I can control him, Aerith. We have reached an… understanding of sorts, over the years. Take this ProtoMateria, and my memories; I simply want my freedom from this hell Hojo created for me.

Aerith studied her living friend's features carefully, peering deep into his eyes to see if he was serious. He gazed back unflinchingly, and she could see that he truly was not happy with who or where he was. Hojo had twisted his life into a hell, and the sadness and anguish she had always been able to sense within him as an Ancient was too much for one man to bear.

It was why she had asked Gaia to grant him release in the first place. The Planet had agreed readily, as long as she gained some compensation for letting one of her children go. And Aerith had no doubt Vincent would agree to the terms that Gaia set.

Aerith, however, was not without her own powers, and stranding Vincent in a strange world with no memories did not sit well with her.

Seeing that Vincent was serious, she became so as well, and sent Vincent's acceptance to the Planet through her connection to the Lifestream. In return, she felt sadness coming from the Planet at the thought of one of her children disappearing completely from her knowledge, but granted Aerith the power she needed to carry out the deal. Aerith could feel the rift in the Lifestream that the Planet created to let Vincent leave, and knew she needed to hurry.

Gripping Vincent's hands tightly, she concentrated, calling up the energy needed to carry out the deal Vincent had made. She let the power flow from her body into his, surging through him, changing him and gathering up all his memories. Then, she spoke the words to seal and solidify what had been arranged. Vincent Valentine, in exchange for passage to a new world, I take your memories and the gift of the ProtoMateria which Gaia had created for the keeper of Chaos. I also choose to use my own power to transform your image to better suit you in your new life, and with that, I claim that both parties have paid their dues and that the man known as Vincent Valentine is free from any more ties to this world, and is free to leave.

Vincent gazed up at her with wide eyes, the feeling of the pure Lifestream invading his body and focusing around his chest while also surging through the rest of his body making him speechless. It was pleasure and pain rolled into one; excitement and fear at the transformation. He shuddered as he felt the ties that he did not know existed to this world, to Gaia, be cut and the feeling that had been unnoticeable in the back of his brain until this time, the feeling of the Planet, was gone.

Aerith leaned forward, her warm grip loosening. Vincent, all you need to do is let go, and you will be free. However, you will not be alone in your new home- I give you the memory of myself, and if ever you are scared or confused, simply call my name; I, being who I am, can traverse between planets, and will hear your call. She sighed, and gave him a sad smile. Goodbye, Vincent, and enjoy your new life.

She pried his already loosened fingers off of the guardrail and gave his weakened body a gentle push, toppling him over the guardrail. The gauntlet, no longer part of his hand, as it had been reformed from her gift to him, slid off and she grasped it to her chest as she saw him falling, his eyes sliding shut.

She reached out with her mind, and called the pure Lifestream back to her from Vincent's falling body, it surging up towards her in a pure, glowing emerald stream, sparkles flickering in it. Holding out her empty hand, the green Lifestream flowed back into her own body through the palm of her hand, depositing the glowing, bluish- white sparkles into her hand. They swirled, and formed to become a bright orb with two rings rotating inside. The Protomateria.

She tore her gaze away from it, and leaned down to see the cloaked form of Vincent disappearing into the Lifestream. Goodbye, Vincent… Aerith said, somewhat sad, although happy that her friend would be getting a better life. Oh, I almost forgot! Remember your name… I can't have you wandering around nameless now, can I? She giggled, and then, knowing that her time was done here, slowly faded away as the Highwind climbed out of the Northern Crater, the golden gauntlet falling to the ground as she disappeared, the only thing out of place with it was the note stuck inside.

The Highwind cleared the Crater, slowly leveling out. Four figures rushed onto the deck, looking around for their friend they knew had been out here.

Yuffie was the first to see the golden gauntlet lying alone on the deck. She stood, shocked, at the implications, before her grey eyes started welling up with tears. Tifa spotted it next and came to the same conclusions the ninja had as she walked slowly forward, bending over to pick the clawed weapon up.

Her brows furrowed as something fell out of it. "Hm?" She leaned forward, snatching it up, and unfolded it. She scanned through it, her expression becoming more incredulous as her eyebrows raised. A small smile flickered on her face as she handed it to Cloud, whose face, she saw, was heavy with regret at losing a valued member of the team.

She turned to go inside, her heart feeling somehow lighter, and she said over her shoulder, "It'll be alright, guys. He'll be fine."

With those mysterious words, she left, humming as she did so. She would miss the quiet, peaceful gunman, but her friend was not lost forever.

Cloud raised an eyebrow as the note was gently placed in his hand, and glancing over to the tearful ninja and the sad- looking Nanaki, the red fire- lion, he unfolded it hesitantly, reading it out loud.

Hello, all of my friends-

It is quite surprising to be reading this, isn't it? Especially under these circumstances, no less. I know that the finding of Vincent's gauntlet has shocked you all, but don't worry. Everything will be alright.

You all know that Vincent wasn't happy here; it wasn't hard to imagine, after all that was done to him at the hands of Hojo. He had to endure much, and for one person to have such suffering… I couldn't stand it. Especially when it was a friend, a trusted teammate that was in pain.

Vincent is not dead; he is simply gone. I imagine the surprised looks on your faces, for are they not the same thing?

No, they're not. I offered, with Gaia's permission, a second chance for Vincent. He took it, and Gaia let him leave the Planet to a different place. It is hard to explain, so I won't attempt to. I will simply say again; Vincent is not dead, and not permanently gone, so please, don't worry.

Besides, Gaia might still have use of him, so he might be coming back. In fact, I can almost guarantee you all that you will be seeing Vincent again, so lay your hearts at ease.

That is all I wanted to do in this note- assure you of Vincent's safety, and his future happiness. It's time to bring this to an end, though, so goodbye, my friends. I'll always be watching over you all, so don't worry. We'll all see each other someday, in the Promised Land, which I know for a fact exists.

So please, don't worry, and know that I love you all. Until next time, everyone.

Aerith Gainsborough

Cloud looked up, relief in his eyes. "He's not gone…" His shoulders relaxed and he tucked the note into his pocket, turning as he did so. "C'mon. We have a Planet to help rebuild."

"Wait!" Yuffie exclaimed. "What did the note mean, until next time? Are we going to be seeing her?"

Cloud froze and hastily pulled the note out, scanning it quickly, until he found the part he wanted. He reread it a few times, until he looked up, glowing blue eyes wide. "It would seem so."