A/N: Hello! I had some free time from assignments and decided to bring you this lovely chapter.
This story is going to be a very long one and I thank two wonderful people who have helped me out when it came to ideas and how to do things.
I have nothing else besides THANKING YOU ALL FOR REVIEWING! You all made me so happy! I hope to finish up more chapters since I finally started to reach a piece of the plot. If I missed something or youre concerned please let me know! Contact me on FF or on tumblr! Whichever works for you!
I post drawings and writings on my tumblr Sexysemefish
Thank you guys so much! I hope you enjoy!
"Mama!" Aerith tossed the doors to her house open. Her arms were full of an assortment of flowers; a few petals came apart and fluttered down to the ground.
Elymra appeared from the kitchen, lips turning into a frown. "Oh, Aerith! You're bringing in all that mud. Come on in. Shoes off. I'll grab a vase."
The woman disappeared back beyond the kitchen doors, leaving a giggling Aerith to toe off her shoes at the entrance. She was more dirty than usual. She had spent the last half hour practicing growing flowers while Skye had watched and talked to her mindlessly.
She also might have been taught how to wield a staff (the highlight of her day had been when she spun it, stumbled and accidentally smacked Skye right on the head).
Her eyes were bright with excitement as she kicked the door closed, wandering in and depositing the flowers into the half-filled vase Elymra had dropped on their small coffee table.
"Go draw yourself a bath before dinner. You're a mess! What on earth were you doing?" The woman scolded her and Aerith merely preened under the attention. Elymra's hands worked around the girl's arms and skin, looking for possible nicks and scratches.
"Mom, I'm thinking of inviting Skye to dinner. Do you remember the new body guard I told you about?" Aerith dusted off her dress, heading upstairs to grab a few spare outfits from her bedroom for a shower. Elymra followed after her, a frown set on her face.
"I'm not sure I like this whole bodyguard thing. You only told me she wanted to get you away from ShinRa, oh- Aerith! Are you listening to me?"
The ancient deflated a bit in her excitement, stopping at the top of the stairs. "Yes, mother. But... I really like her. I know she's telling the truth. It's just something I can tell. She will keep me safe."
She believed those words. Those were the feelings she had when she was around Skye. Skye was protective, loving and strong. But Aerith knew if Skye could be strong, she could be weak. Skye was everything she had ever wanted in a person.
"Aerith. I know you're excited but please promise me you won't get involved in something dangerous. Please, please I love you. This house is safe."
Something sparked in her chest at that moment. She pushed it aside and smiled. She took her mother's hand with a sweet look. "I'll be safe, I promise. You know that. I would never jeopardize my life here with you. I love it. And... I love you."
The old woman smiled softly, kissing her cheek before heading back downstairs.
Aerith stayed on the steps, gazing down at her hands in thought. She had been angry. The house may have been safe but... Skye had given her something she had been fighting with.
Herself.
She was an Ancient. A Cetra and according to the blonde the last one. She may have been safe but that was only because the Turks had no real reasons to bring her in. She couldn't go back to the labs. It was too scary.
She didn't want to be-be- be a caged bird forever! She didn't want to be like the pigs before they were lead to the slaughter house. She loved Elymra; she loved her so much it hurt. But she couldn't stay here forever. She was scared to acknowledge the things that made her Cetra. It meant she had so many more reasons to be treated like a lab rat. But Skye had given her something to hold on to. An identity in the face of her older self.
Her thoughts paused when a weird sort of twinkle of information slipped past her mind. It was similar to some months previous that had warned her of evil.
It was a twinkle or a spark that made her suck in a breath. Something was in the slums that made the planet wary. She clasped her hands together, heart hammering in her chest. She was a Cetra, an ancient; but she was still Aerith the flower girl who was 15 years old.
'Shhhh. Breathe. Everything will be alright, you'll see.'
She released a breath, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. A voice, one that stood above all the others in the lifestream. She gave a nod and headed back upstairs for her shower.
"Everything will be alright." She repeated, almost believing. The twinkle made her stomach turn; the feeling of unease stirred uncomfortably.
"Sir! It seems they are retreating further in! Should we pursue?"
Sephiroth flicked his blade, blue blood splattering across the hard pavement. His green eyes flickered over to the Soldier who had spoken. "Down into the slums?"
"Yes, Sir."
He sheathed his blade, brushing his hands together in quick thought. "It's possible their nest rests further down. I will take five others with me to inspect the area before we engage. Bring me three second classes and two third classes."
"Sir!"
The soldier shuffled away, quickly gathering up the men Sephiroth had asked for.
It was common for a few monsters to lurk below plate but when they began to make nests is when it became concerning. Soldiers were to do clean ups often down in the slums in order to protect those that lived below.
He had traveled down below a few times as well. Clean up jobs were his favorite. Surprisingly, there was something satisfactory of eliminating an entire nest. It was a bit... Strange but he learned to enjoy his small pleasures.
The men he requested showed up, giving him perfect salutes.
Sephiroth gave a quick nod before turning and heading down the one train stations nearby that lead below the plate.
It was somewhat of a silent journey. They were ID'd and stayed towards the front of the train.
He heard just a slight grumble from the Soldiers about venturing further down.
"...slums? ...we really need to?"
He felt like addressing the Soldier who had said that but refrained. His attention was directed just outside as the train began to pick up pace. He immediately walked out to the side door, flicking the emergency hatch open and sliding it open. He heard the immediate shouts from civilians but paid more attention in crawling out.
He stopped, eyes locking on the large contraption holding the plate up.
They were passing quickly but his eyes could still make out the slight
"Tricky." He stated simply, watching the different creatures slink in between the poles and pipes, all of them making it impossible to not harm the supports.
Danger of dropping the plate? Damn.
He ducked back in, hair whipping in the wind.
"This will be a quick job. Stay."
The other soldiers snapped to attention, confused before Sephiroth took a breath and jumped off the edge of the train.
He prepared his body for the impact, wincing slightly once his hand grabbed a hold of the railing. He heaved himself upward balancing his weight and gazing back up at the monsters.
He could see the nest now, wedged just between the metallic pieces of the plate support. He had to be careful or he may jeopardize the whole thing.
Luckily, the closer he got the monsters became aggressive before reaching out to attack.
He fell into the quick motion of battle, overly aware of his reach in case he accidentally hit a railing or something worse.
He dragged masamune upwards, cleaving a head off of the scaled creature before quickly moving onto the next one. Behind him the bodies had begun to pile up, dark blue blood drenching the floor.
But the lull of fighting calmed his thoughts and his heart. The nest was quite large but since he had hacked through their numbers twice it was easy to take care of.
There was one left. There had been one scaled beast before an ear splintering scream filled his head.
He flinched, pain erupting just on his side, melting and ripping the staircase railing off the edge of the plate.
His head hurt, the sudden screaming making it impossible to think clearly. He raised Masamune in a block but was too late. Something snagged his ankle, tugging him and dropping him over the edge.
He braced for impact, the black spots in his vision only clearing slightly for him to change his position. It would hurt but he would survive with the proper preparations.
And then he was courted off to the side.
An arm grasped him just around the waist, nearly knocking the air out of him to make him change course. He landed on harsh metal, the arm around him disappearing in an instant.
He jerked, gathering his mind in time although the searing pain in his head made it near impossible.
'Shut up!'
He screeched it mentally and the response was automatic. There was silence, enough for him to regain proper breathing.
There was a click, the sound of a safety being pressed before a gunshot filled the air.
He was on guard immediately, the haze leaving his eyes as he became more aware of his surroundings.
There was a man in front of him. He had been brought back onto the staircase of the plate and just above him the monster responsible for his fall was dead.
The man in front of him had deadly aim.
He was dressed in a red cape, black hair messy and long. The figure turned, red eyes staring at him in silence.
Suspicious. Even if he did save his life.
Sephiroth lowered Masamune into his usual guard stance, the tip dragging across the bottom of the support beam.
The male however, clicked the safety on his handheld and shoved it into the holster on his side hip. The outfit underneath the cape was strange as well. Almost like a soldier.
"Sephiroth... Correct?" A velvet voice, deep with misuse.
The man was strange, one that even Sephiroth was not familiar with. He narrowed his eyes as the male turned over completely.
"You..." The red eyes changed, pain and a flush of guilt passing in them. "Look so much like her."
"Excuse me?" He had no idea how to interact with this type of character. The red eyes snapped to attention, a flare in them.
"You went after a nest with no back up."
"I don't recall asking for input from a civilian."
The figure turned sharply, cape fluttering out about him. "I'm sure you would have made quite a nice broken heap at the bottom of the slums."
He twitched. The man came off quite... Strongly.
"I would have been fine. Your concern is not needed."
His eyes flickered off to the side. The man had a strange outfit with the strangest personality. He was not entirely convinced this person was a regular civilian. Not to mention his aim.
"You are quite arrogant. I was not expecting that."
"I do not remember us being familiar."
The figure turned, eyes guarded once more. But there was a strange feeling surrounding the other now.
"I have decided to be... Forward with you. This chance meeting was quite unexpected. I have news regarding your mother. She has... Presented me with a task."
All rationale was gone and suddenly he was moving masamune at a pace normal people should not have been able to follow.
The figure raised an arm, the blade crashing against something metallic.
"I do not like strangers discussing my mother." His mother was off limits.
His hands clenched over the handle, watching red eyes closely.
There was a slight tremble in the cloaked man's form. Good, he was waning.
"Lucretia Crescent. You do know she was the wife of Hojo? That she was the one to give birth-"
And he raised a leg, slamming the stranger back.
Surprisingly the male moved quickly, catching himself and bouncing off the ground to perch on a beam that was higher up. He still had not pulled out his pistol.
He would make him regret that.
Oh all things Sephiroth disliked it was the discussion of his mother. Lucretia? Did the stranger think he was stupid? His mother's name was Jenova. The poor woman who died during his birth.
He jumped, masamune singing as he was once again blocked by the claw. He did succeed in driving the man down under, shoving him straight down.
The cape stretched out strangely, a strange snarl leaving the males lips as he flipped, moving quicker than a human should.
Enhanced...? But that was impossible.
Sephiroth caught his balance, quickly put on the defensive as the figure slid onto the beam, moving quickly and attacking with his fists.
It was very... Turk-ish.
But he didn't let it distract him, he had never had someone actually push him back this far before. He flicked another swipe, amazed the other was able to keep up. He moved back, flipping and dropping down onto the stairwell underneath him.
With his grip he traded hands, deflecting the figure easily.
He poured energy into the swipe, forgetting the short quarters as the blade sung and tore through the support.
They both froze, a chunk of the platform they had been fighting on quickly falling off, hitting the ledges underneath it.
The red cloak moved quickly, abandoning the battle to race down below.
Sephiroth realized why and quickly moved down as well.
He took the blame for this and pushed his speed to the limit, grasping the innocent bystanders that had been standing underneath the wreckage. He cursed, grasping at least two and unable to grab the last small child.
Moving back he realized he didn't have to.
The red cape swallowed the child up before jerking back in time to avoid the debris.
Sephiroth quickly looked at the two in his arms, making sure no cuts were present.
He hadn't realized the look of absolute terror being directed at him till the child had shoved him, scrambling to get away. The boy was a slum child, tripping and clumsily reaching for someone in the crowd.
It slightly scared him. He never had a child act so... Scared of him before.
The child disappeared quickly, making Sephiroth's eyebrows knot together.
Looking back the red caped man had also escaped.
Annoyance bubbled through him instantly.
He quickly forgot of the strange singing in his veins when the child had been in his arms.
"That was reckless of you." Angeal growled, slamming a pot down onto the windowsill.
Sephiroth had the decency to sulk in his seat, green eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Not only did you abandon your squad but you engaged in a battle with a stranger instead of reporting in. Not to mention damaging a support beam for the sector seven plate. Don't think just because you're a first class this won't have repercussions."
Angeal gave a glare, looking absolutely murderous that Sephiorth stayed silent for once. The man spread soil into the pot, angrily fussing with it before opening up a package of seeds.
He suddenly stopped, giving a deep sigh. "Sephiroth. Is it too hard to ask you to let us help you? Since our talk previous you have only distanced yourself more."
The general perked at the topic, frowning. "I appreciate your concern. But I have not had to time to do what I had planned. Today's mishap was an accident."
"You won't even tell me the details. Was it wrong for me to think we were friends?"
Sephiorth went still as Angeal gave him a heavy stare with blue eyes.
A little part of Sephiorth tore up just a bit.
"I admit. Times were difficult for you having been raised here but understand that you have colleagues. You have friends. If you do not talk to anyone it will only get worse. Gaia. I feel like I'm lecturing Zack, Sephiroth." The man paused. The seriousness of the situation was still felt but Angeal had spurred up an idea.
"Due to Lazard having no idea how to handle this I will."
Angeal was not director of Soldier but he was the main idol outside of Sephiorth and Genesis. He kept the younger classes in check; he watched over the financial reports and made sure small mishaps were carefully smoothed out.
Today's mishap fell under his jurisdiction. He was equal rank to Sephiroth but as official 'punisher' even Sephiroth could not escape.
"You will be helping with this year's Soldier exams. I mean the paperwork and showing up. Zack and Kunsel are current teachers for the class and I need help handling the exam itself. Genesis is heading back over to Wutai soon."
Green eyes widened.
Sephiroth loathed the soldier exams.
"One day that confidence will be your downfall. Act honorably and take this punishment."
"I was never known to be honorable."
Sephiroth's small remarks were silenced by Angeal's dark look. He had mastered it after years of looking after Zack.
They elapsed into silence, Angeal finally finishing prepping his pot and leaving it by the windowsill. Like all the others it had never taken root but he was still trying. Off to the side was a vase of flowers, dried up from the amount of time it had been there. A gift from Zack who claimed he had met a flower girl in the slums. Well, friend of a flower girl.
A gift since Angeal had been beyond pissed when he had learned his student had fallen off the plate.
Apparently his student's newest infatuation had been the young lady Angeal met at least six months prior.
Six months was pushing it. Where was the time going?
"I appreciate you and Genesis being able to call me a friend. But I have an ingrained belief of doing things on my own. I apologize if I had hurt your feelings."
Angeal paused, turning to Sephiroth in bewilderment.
The man was clearly irritated and embarrassed.
The dark haired male gave a reassuring smile. "It's quite alright. Remember we are always here to talk to you, Sephiorth. We will not be going anywhere..." He paused. "This is not getting you out of the Soldier exams."
Sephiroth clicked his tongue. "It was worth a try."
Angeal's laughter was rewarded with the quirk of the general's lips.
"I'm currently torn on how to punish you." Skye hissed, tightening the bandages on Vincent's wrists. Vincent held in a flinch, feeling the momentary sting from the pressure. A small scratch from being too late to deflect Masamune.
"Of all things..." She ground out, turning to throw the supplies back into the first aid kit. He tested out his hand, the creak of the claw making him reconsider what had happened.
His heart was still racing, he could feel all the other demons stirring from the run in and only Chaos' deep laughter kept them from attempting a takeover.
"Sephiroth in the slums." She continued, raising a hand to brush back her blonde bangs. He didn't approve of her current outfit but they had a compromise. Within the house she could wear what she pleased but he would not stop bugging her about it. She currently had bandages wrapped around her chest, a replacement for bras. During their first week in the slums she got into a fight with a more poisonous monster and ended up tearing apart a few bras. He had to admit; that was one perverted monster. Instead of being shirtless of wearing her regular zip up she wore only the bandages. She didn't like being shirtless and often had a vest of some sort as support. Just for around the house and to sleep in.
But she was pissed and he was not about to scold her on her clothing choice.
"Why did you do it?"
He jerked from his thoughts, seeing her gazing at him intently from across the room. His hands clenched up a bit, hiding a tremble.
"He was falling. I recognized him and had not planned to interfere but- seeing him fall was upsetting. I hadn't thought of speaking but-" but he looked so much like Lucretcia. He broke off, raising a hand to brush his own bangs away. "She wanted to protect him. She wanted to keep him safe but he doesn't even know. He does not know she exists, he refuses to hear it. I cannot take that-"
"Vincent."
He paused, the tone of voice catching him off guard. Skye had crossed her arms, crossing the room silently for a moment.
"Didn't I tell you it would be difficult? The next time you approach him come to me first, you hear? You don't have to bear that burden alone."
Vincent stayed silent, turning away at his inner turmoil. She conflicted him in so many ways he was not certain how he was supposed to respond.
He didn't have to.
There was a click, Denzel poking his head in. They both rose, Skye seeming fussier then Vincent. Since arriving Denzel had been terrified, hiding away in the restroom. He resembled a kicked puppy.
"It feels weird." The boy spoke, not looking at either of them as he brought his hands together. "He felt weird and I don't like it. I can feel him. It's weird and I don't-"
Skye had moved forward quickly, bending down before bringing the 12 year old into a hug.
"Hey. It's okay. I know it does, it'll be fine. Just give it some time to fade."
"No! Cloud! It feels just like that! What if it comes back? What happens then? What if I lose myself and I just can't-?"
Sobbing, quiet sobbing. Vincent felt his chest instantly feel heavy. He moved forward, an intention of comfort but he paused. He was not the one who would be able to fix this situation.
But Skye took it in smoothly, only one pained look crossed her face before she pulled back to look into his eyes. She raised Denzel's chin, speaking smoothly.
"Denz, you were healed. The cure made the cells fade away a bit. Being around him activates it just a little bit but don't worry. As long as the cells are deactivated it's fine. Your body has been adapting to it for years. You will be fine. If you aren't then I will make it fine. Do you trust me?"
The moment was special. It was strange to see Denzel torn up. He usual brushed things aside and took it in stride. Skye had commented that Denzel reminded him of a mix of her friend Zack and Tifa. He wasn't sure what that meant but there was always a fond look in her eyes at the mention.
To see Denzel breaking down made him feel worse. He had accidentally caused the fight, trying to help achieve Lucretia's dream.
It was breaking his family-
Deep breaths. If he started thinking like that he was certain he would break first.
Denzel returned the hug, mumbling an affirmative as Skye merely took the comfort and reassurance, her own face twisted into pain.
The ache went through him again as he turned, refusing to look at the family in case his own thoughts showed on his face.
Aerith kept humming to herself, twirling the stem of the flower in her hands. She gently pushed herself back and forth on the swing, sandals creating grooves in the ground under her.
She didn't usually go outside but the church felt stuffy and she felt the need to get out. She dropped the flower into her lap, reflecting on everything so far.
She was scared. Oh she was terrified.
She felt it.
She felt her.
It was warped but she knew what it was. It was black oozing evil in the form of the world's beloved hero.
News had been buzzing around the slums of Sephiroth saving a few slum kids. She dragged her feet into the ground just a bit harder. It felt wrong in her soul. It felt terrible to feel that in someone.
She twirled the flower a bit more, frown decorating her face.
She had noticed it just a bit inside of Skye. But it was different. It was a grey color and Skye's own soul overpowered that thing.
But with the entrance of that black ooze came something else.
A piece of her wanted an adventure, but another part of her trembled in fear.
Above plate meant Shinra and Shinra meant labs, needles, creepy scientists and cages. It meant a sky, large and expansive, almost swallowing her up. It meant no more Elymra; no more tasty treats and a warm and safe bed.
She knew the world wasn't the place she wanted it to be. It was hard to envision a world of love and care when you lived in the slums. When she was eight she had escaped Elymra's care and nearly got taken to Wall Street. It was scary and it was terrifying.
It was easy to forget and easy to dream. But when she looked up at the plate and at the rays of sunshine beaming through it made her stomach twist.
She wanted to be strong; she wanted to fly away and make her own life, not live in fear of it.
She wanted to live like Skye. She wanted to be strong for her family. She wanted to protect what mattered.
But she knew it couldn't happen. Not when she was so terrified of the blackness of Shinra.
She wanted to turn Skye away reject the notion of-of time travel and stay tucked away in her home. But she couldn't do that. Not when she felt the raw intensity of Skye and of her family and struggles.
She wanted to live up to the image of Aerith; not as a flower girl or a Cera but as Aerith Gainsborough. A quirky fighter who held onto her beliefs. A stubborn person who used words and occasionally people to get what she wanted. She wasn't a saint; not when she grew up in something like the slums (The slums where dead bodies were the stepping stones in status).
But she wanted to dream. She wanted to dream for a future. She wanted a future where no one suffered and where the bad guys got what they deserved.
And through Skye she realized the only way to do that would be through force.
She loved her safety and comfort but she wanted to dream and she wanted to live.
She wanted to live as Aerith, Aerith Gainsborough.
'Good job. You're ready now, Aerith.'
She was aware that the voice was in the life stream but it was masked over the fact it had been her own voice speaking to her.