Chapter Twenty One:
The Forgotten City
Before long, another island came into view. The island had mountains around its sides and in the center of the mountains was Bone Village. Bulma had the Airship come in for a landing and luckily she had picked a spot directly next to the village. The group then made their ways to the airship's ramp. Bulma lowered it and allowed the others to descend. After wishing them luck, the group left her behind and entered Bone Village where they were immediately greeted by one of the town's people.
Town's Person: Welcome to Bone Village, a town for nature lovers. May I help you with anything?
Gozenku: Have you seen a girl with long, brown hair wearing a pink dress pass through here recently?
Town's Person: Actually, yes, she passed through to the Sleeping Forest not too long ago. I warned her about the dangers that were beyond it, but she seemed too determined about something to listen to me.
Cloud: I knew she'd be here. Which way to the forest from here?
Town's Person: Just a little ways to the north, but I wouldn't enter the forest without the Lunar Hope. It's the only way to wake the forest.
Sailor Mercury: What do you mean?
Town's Person: Don't you wonder why they call it the Sleeping Forest? With out the use of the Lunar Hope, you will all end up wondering the Forest, hopelessly lost. The same path will repeat itself without end.
Biko: If that's true, Aeris might be lost in the forest.
Town's Person: Actually … no. She used a Lunar Hope as well.
Gozenku: Well … where can we find a Lunar Hope?
Town's Person: Well … by doing what most people do here. Excavate. We use the newest system to find buried treasure. We simulate earthquakes by using bombs and then check the sound waves given off by the tremors. The girl and another man used the same process.
Cloud: Another man?! Would he have been wearing a black cape?
Town's Person: Yes.
Gozenku: Wonderful. We're going to have to dig for that harp and find it fast.
Town's Person: Alright then. I'll sell you five explosives for eight hundred Zenie.
Gozenku: Right.
Mercury Knight: Don't bother paying for them. We don't need explosives when we can make our own. I've already picked up on the location of this harp.
Gozenku: So where do we start digging?
Mercury Knight: Near the entrance to the forest. Will use just enough energy to blast the ground apart so we won't risk destroying the harp in the process.
Gozenku: Gotcha.
The group headed to the entrance of the forest where Gozenku and Curtis sent small balls of energy crashing into the ground. There was a small explosion and a decent sized hole was created in its place. At its bottom was a small golden harp.
Cecile: Well … grab the damn thing and lets go.
With that, Gozenku jumped down into the hole and with the harp in one hand he floated back to the top. With the Lunar Harp in their possession, the group headed into the Sleeping Forest. Once inside, Cloud realized that it was the same exact forest from his dream.
Cloud: Yes … this is the place.
The group headed deeper into the forest and once they reached a clearing, the air itself seemed to glow an awesome shade of green.
Sailor Mercury: How pretty. The forest must be waking up.
Suddenly, the green lights faded as the group progressed even further into the forest. They were treated to beautiful scenery on all sides. Eventually, they reach the end of their path where they found a Forgotten City. The houses, streets and walls were made of shells and coral as if the city was once beneath the ocean. It was completely uninhabited.
Biko: I've never seen a city like this before. It's truly amazing.
Cecile: Big whoop … it's just a bunch of odd looking houses.
Gozenku: I don't like the fact that there aren't any people here. It's kind of creepy.
Cloud: I … feel it …
Gozenku: Cloud?
Cloud: Aeris is here. So is Sephiroth.
Gozenku: Wait … I feel it to. She's in danger. We have to hurry.
Mercury Knight: Let's go.
With that, the group rushed deeper into the lost city. Eventually, they stopped at an intersection until Gozenku, Curtis and Cloud began to run to the north. The group then passed through a long tunnel of sorts until they reach a secluded, calm, mirror like pool. The sunlight shone down from above even though it was midnight. Soon, the group came to a spiral shaped building. Once inside, they took a long glass stairway to head down below. Once they reached the bottom of the staircase, they found a huge, elegant, crystalline city, suspended in space. As they continued onward, in awe, they found a small shrine. Aeris was kneeling inside of it, her back to the others.
Cloud: Aeris!!
There were five columns forming a path to the shrine, no wider than Cloud. Below them was a pool of pure blue water. Cloud leapt onto the first column. The others went to follow, but just as Gozenku went to hop across, an invisible wall stopped him and he bounced back into the group.
Gozenku: What the … ? We have to get across!
Gozenku began to bash into the invisible wall, but to no avail.
Gozenku: I'm not going to just sit here and watch this!! I know she's in danger and I'm not gonna have it happen!
Gozenku went to bash into the wall again but Curtis stopped him.
Mercury Knight: Gozenku, whatever is about to happen is inevitable. We can't stop it.
Gozenku: … But … Aeris …
Gozenku and Curtis turned just as Cloud hopped across the last column, reaching the shrine. There was a small staircase leading up and once he reached the top of them, there was a flash of red light which quickly vanished. Cloud shook his head and suddenly reached for his sword. He shook his head once again as he continued to move forward. Even though Cloud was now standing directly behind her, Aeris didn't move an inch. It was clear now that she had been praying for something. Cloud turned away from her and drew his sword. She still didn't make a move. Sword drawn, Cloud turned to face her once again.
Gozenku: … Cloud … !!
Cloud suddenly lifted his sword above his head and Aeris still didn't move. Just as Cloud was about to bring his sword down …
Gozenku: Cloud!! Stop!! Don't do it!!
Cloud shook his head, stepped back and lowered his sword.
Cloud: Ugh … What are you making me do?!
Just as Cloud said this, Aeris looked up for the first time to see Cloud and smiled. Then, something came falling down from above, bathed in a bright white light. It began to fall faster and faster, with a sword pointed down toward Aeris. It was Sephiroth. Then, the inevitable happened. His sword jabbed right through Aeris' heart as he came in for a landing. Everyone was in complete shock and hatred as they looked on. Cloud, hurting the most of all, his heart seemed to be pounding in his ears. Sephiroth just stared on, with his sword straight through Aeris' body. His eye's glittered, sort of cat-like as a smile crossed his face. With a great noise of sliding metal, he pulled his sword out of Aeris' body. She then fell forward, her eyes widened with shock, but the smile didn't leave her face. Then, her eyes closed.
As she fell, her hair ribbon came undone and a small Materia, which was glowing a pale green, fell from it. It bounced off from the ground once, emitting a small, pure sound against the glass floor. It bounced again and again, until it fell from the platform into the clear water below. Cloud ran forward to catch Aeris before she hit the floor. He cradled her in his arms, as Sephiroth stood, looking skyward with his arms spread.
Cloud: … Aeris!!
Cloud shook her gently as a way to try and bring her to.
Cloud: … This can't be real!
Sephiroth: Do not worry. Soon the girl will become part of the Planet's energy. All that is left is to go north. The Promised Land waits for me over the snowy fields. There I will become a new being by uniting with the Planet. As will this girl.
Cloud: … Shut up!
Cloud bowed his head closer to Aeris, trembling. He abruptly looked up to Sephiroth.
Cloud: The cycle of nature and your stupid plan doesn't mean a thing.
Cloud slowly turned his head back towards Aeris' sleeping face.
Cloud: Aeris is gone. Aeris will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry … or get angry …
Cloud held her body closer to his and bowed his head forward.
Cloud: What about us? What are we supposed to do?
Cloud gently rested Aeris' body upon the glass floor.
Cloud: What about my pain?! (He trembled) …My fingers are tingling. My mouth is dry. My eyes are burning!
Sephiroth moved for the first time after hearing this. He lowered his arms and looked towards Cloud.
Sephiroth: What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me that you have feelings to?
Cloud jumped to his feet to face Sephiroth.
Cloud: Of course! What the Hell do you think I am?!
Sephiroth started to laugh.
Sephiroth: Ha, ha, ha. Stop acting as if you were sad. There's no need to act as though you were angry either.
Sephiroth floated up into the air with his attention still on Cloud.
Sephiroth: Because, Cloud. You are …
Sephiroth sky rocketed, spinning higher into the air. His body became a tiny green sphere, which landed at Cloud's feet. There was a flash of red light, as Cloud covered his eyes. When the light died down the invisible wall had vanished and standing in front of Cloud was none other then Jenova.
Vegeta: What the Hell?! Jenova's dead!
Jenova: The end … is near.
Gozenku: Damn it! Everyone, watch yourselves. Let's defeat this monster once and for all!
Mercury Knight: I'm all for that!
With that, the group rushed forward to duel with Jenova once again.
(Front Side: Curtis and Gozenku)
(Back Side: Cecile and Vegeta)
(Left Side: Ami and Biko)
(Right Side: Cloud and Goku)
An aura exploded around Gozenku as he charged toward Jenova with Curtis close behind him. The two fighters began to slam their legs and arms into the creature, causing large gaps to open up in her body. Blood spewed from them as they continued. Gozenku pulled on one of her arms and managed to rip it off. Curtis created a sword and sliced off her legs. While the assault continued, Jenova started to laugh as her remaining arm suddenly shot forward and grew in length as she grabbed a hold of Gozenku from around his neck. He was then tossed aside and crashed into a nearby wall.
Goku was next to feel the power of Jenova's attacks as a massive beam of golden energy was unleashed from the Ancient's mouth. This attack collided into Goku and sent him crashing to the ground. Cloud then unsheathed his sword and charged at Jenova from the right. With her attention diverted, he was able to slice off her remaining arm. He then jumped aside Cecile fired off her Flaming Twister attack. The attack exploded upon impact and blasted a large hole through her midsection. This was followed by her father's Big Bang Attack which caused a massive mushroom like cloud of smoke and debris to fill the area upon exploding.
When the smoke from the explosion died down, Jenova was found with her entire body regenerated. Before any of the fighters had a chance to react, Jenova sent a second beam of energy flying toward Biko. Seeing this, Ami rushed forward to protect her. She outstretched her arms to take the blast head on. Realizing what his sister was about to do, Curtis teleported in front of her and knocked the attack away.
Curtis turned to Ami with a concerned expression.
Mercury Knight: What were you thinking?! Are you trying to get yourself killed?! Biko might have been able to deflect that attack!
Sailor Mercury: I'm sorry … I didn't think about that.
Mercury Knight: I can tell you this much … I'm tired of this battle!
A black aura exploded with power around Curtis' entire body. Then, with a look of rage in his eyes, he jumped into the air and charged at Jenova. In the blink of an eye, his sword had formed in his right hand and he began to slice away. Before long, there was hardly anything left of her and once he was satisfied with his slicing, he held his sword behind his back and outstretched his left hand towards her. A large golden energy wave was emitted from his hand which formed into a half sphere around Jenova and it grew larger and larger until it exploded. When the light and debris from the explosion died down, small pieces of the Ancient were left which instantly regenerated leaving her entire body intact once more.
Without giving Curtis a chance to react, Jenova stretched both of her arms out to meet with him as she wrapped them around his body. She then slammed him upon the ground twice before tossing him aside. To follow through with this attack, Jenova opened her mouth as a golden ball of energy began to form. Biko's eyes grew wide at the sight of this as she tried to rush to her husband's side in time to help him. Within seconds, Jenova had fired off her attack which raced toward Curtis faster than Biko could move. However, when it looked as if the blast would actually hit Curtis, Biko some how vanished from her spot and reappeared in front of her husband with her hands held out in front of her. An invisible barrier appeared around the two which knocked the energy blast directly back toward Jenova until it connected with her and exploded.
Mercury Knight: … What … Just happened?
Biko: … I … Have no idea. My powers must have increased.
By that time, the debris from the explosion died down Jenova was visible once more. She was angry due to the fact that her attack had been canceled out by Biko and she was ready with another energy attack. She continued to fire off attack after attack toward Biko and Curtis, but they were easily deflected by the barrier which was placed around the two. Then, when there was an opening through the Ancient's attacks, Biko's hands began to glow with a blue light as a massive wave of water was sent sailing into Jenova causing her to crash into the ground.
Since Jenova had been caught of guard by Biko's sudden powers, Goku and Gozenku took this opportunity to power up a Kamehameha wave.
Goku and Gozenku: Ka … Me … Ha … Me … Ha!!
The father and son team threw their palms out in front of them as two massive energy waves connected with Jenova and exploded upon impact. When the smoke cleared, Jenova healed and retailed with a blast of magic that sent the two sailing backward. This was all Cecile could take. An unusual aura of fire appeared around her as her hair began to extend to the length of Super Saiyan 3. Her eyes began to glow red and her eyebrows seemed to vanish. Electric sparks zapped around her as her hair changed from a bright golden shade to an almost blood like red. She screamed as her muscle span doubled in size completing her odd transformation. Her father appeared confused and almost angered at the fact that her daughter's energy reading had increased even more now.
Vegeta: What the Hell just happened?!
Cecile: I've had enough of this!
As Jenova turned her attention to Cecile … she found that the Saiyan had clasped her hands together with her thumbs and pointing fingers touching in the formation of a gun. She screamed out as a golden energy wave the size of a Kamehameha wave blasted toward Jenova in the blink of an eye. This was repeated nine more times, each wave growing bigger and bigger, blasting several holes in various sections of Jenova's body.
Goku: HIT THE DECK!!
The rest of the group dived for cover as Cecile's onslaught continued. When the last wave fired the aura doubled in size as a massive sphere of energy was released from her fingertips. This sphere blasted toward Jenova and encased her entire body. Cecile then outstretched her arms at her sides and slammed her hands together as a massive explosion filled the area. The rest of the group tried desperately to cling on to anything in their paths. Cloud had his sword buried a wall in an attempt to not be pulled into the explosion. As the smoke from the explosion started to fade, Cecile fell to one knee and returned to her normal state, gasping for air.
Cecile: Regenerate that … bitch!
She then passed out and hit the ground. Once the room was clear of smoke, there was not a single trace left of Jenova. Goku cautiously approached Cecile.
Goku: Is she dead?
Vegeta: When the Hell did she learn that?!
Gozenku: She seems to learn many new attacks without bothering to tell anyone. I can't believe you're surprised.
Goku reached into a sack tied at left side and pulled out a Senzu Bean. He knelt down by Cecile and placed the bean in her mouth. She was able to swallow it and her energy returned to normal within seconds.
Cecile: Did I win?
Goku: (Stretched out) … Yeah … I don't think there would have been any way Jenova could have survived that.
Cecile: Good … all part of the plan. Now I need a nap.
Goku smiled as Cloud knelt by Aeris and cradled her in his arms once last time. Just then, Cloud heard a voice in his head that no one else seemed to hear.
Jenova: You … Are a Puppet.
Cloud didn't respond out loud, but he did question the voice in his mind.
Cloud: What?! I'm…a puppet?!
Cloud picked Aeris' body up and rested her upon the far wall of the Shrine.
Gozenku: Well … What are we going to do now?
Mercury Knight: I know one thing, I'd like to know how Biko has these powers. It looks like they've fully awakened now, but we still don't know how it's possible.
Biko: I'd like to know the same.
Sailor Mercury: Maybe Luna or Artemis would know something about it.
Just then, a black cat with a crescent moon shaped tattoo on her forehead appeared from around the columns with a white cat who had the same marking accompanying her.
Mercury Knight: Speaking of Luna and Artemis …
Biko: When did you two get here?
Luna: We were watching your battle with Jenova. It's time that Biko learned the truth about her powers.
Biko: The truth? You mean you two know why I have these abilities?
Artemis: Of course. There's a simple explanation. You're the princess of the Planet Mercury, through marriage of course. You were born with these powers as a way to be able to protect your people.
Biko: You've got to be kidding. I can't be the Princess of Mercury. As far as I know, I am Earthling. I've been on this Planet all of my life.
Luna: That's what Queen Serenity wanted you to think when she sent you, Curtis and the Senshi to Earth. She wanted you to have the chance to live a normal life without having to worry about the NegaVerse.
Biko: So then why haven't I ever been able to use my powers until now?
Artemis: Your sleeping powers were forced to awaken when your husband was in danger.
Mercury Knight: So then … we were married when we were on Mercury as well?
Luna: That's correct. You were both heirs to the thrown. Destined to become the King and Queen.
Mercury Knight: I like the sound of that.
Biko: So, I must have all of the same abilities that Curtis has. Does that mean that I have secret transformations as well?
Luna: That is for you to discover as you continue to learn about your powers.
Gozenku: Well, it looks like our group has one more psychic.
Biko: Thank you for telling me the truth.
Artemis: You're welcome. It was important that you found out since you're final battle is coming.
Luna: That's right. That's why we came here. But now that you know, we should leave. It's too dangerous for us to stick around.
Mercury Knight: That's understandable. We'll see you two when we finish off Sephiroth once and for all.
Artemis: You've got it. Good luck, everyone.
Luna: (Thinking) … They'll need it.
With that, Luna and Artemis left the group behind as they decided on their next move. There was a moment of silence before anyone spoke.
Cloud: Everyone, listen to me. I am Cloud, ex-Soldier, born in Nibelheim. I came to settle up with Sephiroth, just as everyone else had.
Gozenku: Yes, but what are you trying to say?
Cloud: I came here by my own free will or so I thought. However, to tell the truth, I'm afraid of myself. There is a part of me that I don't understand. The part that made me give the Black Materia to Sephiroth. If you hadn't stopped me, I might've … There's something inside of me. A person who's not really me. That's why I should quit this journey before I do something terrible. But I'm going. He destroyed my hometown five years ago. He has killed many, including Aeris and is now trying to destroy the Planet. I'll never forgive Sephiroth. I must go. I have a favor to ask of you all. If I start to act up like that again … will you do what it takes to stop me?
Gozenku: Cloud, we are all your friends. You have us for support. If you start to act up again, then we'll figure out what to do when that time comes.
Cloud: Thank you.
Sailor Mercury: I wonder how Aeris tried to save the Planet.
Mercury Knight: Aeris was praying for a white magic spell known as Holy.
Goku: Did it work?
Mercury Knight: Yes. Her white Materia orb must have played a part in it. It was glowing green when it fell into the ocean. The Holy Magic will more than likely take place if Meteor is ever summoned. It would be a powerful enough magic to counter it and possibly stop it all together.
Cloud: So her death wasn't in vain.
Mercury Knight: Correct.
Gozenku: But, even though we know that Aeris' prayer worked, we should stop Sephiroth from ever getting the chance to use his Black Materia. We have to find him and stop him once and for all.
Cecile: But where should we start looking for him?
Mercury Knight: If I remember right … during his speech he made after killing Aeris … he mentioned something about heading to the north and passing through the snowy fields.
Cloud: Right, he said he'd find the Promised Land there.
Gozenku: Let's teleport back to the ship.
Goku: Right.
With that, the group stood close to Gozenku as he raised two fingers to his forehead. Within seconds, the group vanished from the city of the Ancients and reappeared on the bridge of Bulma's airship.
Bulma: You're alright!
Bulma looked around for a moment.
Bulma: … Wait … where's Aeris? What about Sephiroth?
Gozenku: … Aeris is no longer with us. As for Sephiroth, he's headed to the north to pass through the snowy fields where he claims he'll find the Promised Land.
Bulma: What?! We've better get a move on then. While you guys were gone, I did some research …
Before Bulma could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by loud snoring coming from her daughter. She turned to find that Cecile had passed out in one of the seats.
Bulma: Why is she so worn out?
Goku: Because she went through a new transformation and defeated Jenova with it. But it zapped a lot of her energy and even one Senzu Bean couldn't keep her from being tired.
Vegeta: Tch … she's just being a child. She fits among the strongest three warriors on this planet now. She needs to start acting like it!
Bulma: Oh … well anyway the place to the north is huge. And if Sephiroth gets there before us, he'll have a major lead on us.
With that, Bulma turned her seat towards the controls once again and after punching in a few buttons, the airship lifted up into the skies as it flew to the north past Bone Village.
(To Be Continued)...