Disclaimer: I don't own any of the FFVII Characters.

Warning! This story may contain spoilers.

Cloud's Choice

An FF-7 Story

Chapter 2: Clouds Speech

Cloud awoke the next morning to the smell of bacon, eggs, and pancakes. He quickly got dressed and went downstairs to find Tifa cooking breakfast. The table was set and ready for breakfast. "How long have you been up?" inquired Cloud. "About an hour," replied Tifa with a smile. "Now sit down and eat so you will be ready for the big ceremony," said Tifa.

After enjoying his delicious breakfast Cloud told Tifa to call Cid and tell him to pick him up in about an hour. "I will be on the beach thinking for a while," said Cloud to his wife as he gave her a quick kiss and quietly headed towards the beach. While there he thought about what he should say. As he was thinking memories of Aeris came to his mind and as if by magic he knew exactly what to say.

Cloud returned to the villa to find Cid and Tifa waiting for him on the front porch. "Where were you Cloud?" asked Tifa, "You need to get going to the ceremony." "Yeah, we need to get to the Highwind now," added Cid with an urgent tone in his voice. "If you want to Tifa, you and the kids can come with us," said Cid. "We sure will!" replied an excited Tifa. A few minutes later they were all on the Highwind heading towards a rebuilt Midgar where the ceremony was to be held.

Upon arrival Cid hurried Cloud to the stage that had been set up in the center of town for the ceremony. Once Cloud was on his way he returned to the Highwind where Tifa was waiting. "We have seats for you in the front by the stage if you want to go to the ceremony," Cid told Tifa. "I'd love to but the kids will need to be watched because they won't sit still through this," explained Tifa. "That won't be a problem because I prepared for such an event," replied Cid with a smile. He led Tifa and kids to a huge room with padded walls and floors with toys of every kind all over the place. "Thanks, Cid I can't thank you enough," said an overjoyed Tifa. "It's nothing really. You should get to the

ceremony, it is about to start," said Cid. Tifa hurried off to watch the ceremony.

The ceremony had already started as Tifa quietly sat in her seat in the front row. Barret had already said his bit and Cloud was approaching the stand.

He began his speech. "It is truly an honor to be chosen for this prestigious position but I would not be standing here nor would any of you if it weren't for a person whom I knew very well. She was a flower girl from the slums of old Midgar and she was very kind and gentle. She was the last of a race called the Cetra. The Cetra were an ancient race who were very in tune with the planet and cared for it. Then something terrible happened that caused their numbers to thin out over the years and they began to disappear. This girl was the last of their race. She helped us save the planet but sadly she died before seeing the results of her efforts. This girls name was Aeris."

He continued "However she was still able to help us even from within the lifestream. After holy failed to stop meteor she called up the lifestream and destroyed meteor. We all owe our lives to her and I hope you all will remember what I have told you today. Remember all those who gave their lives to give you what you have now. Always remember them and their sacrifices. Lastly I would like to thank Barret for selecting me for this position. It is an honor and I will do my best. Thank you."

After Cloud was finished Barret said a few more things then wrapped up and ended the ceremony. Afterwards he met up with Cloud and Tifa on the Highwind.

"Good job Cloud!" said Tifa and Barret together. "That was an excellent speech," said Barret. "Yes, great job dear!" said Tifa with a smile. They talk for a while then Barret leaves and Cid takes Cloud and Tifa home. Once they were home they put the kids to bed and then went to bed themselves.