The Other Ancient

Chapter 25-Dreams and Nightmares

Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII

Keep Calm: Wow, we're already at 25 chapters?!

Autumn: It does seem a little surreal.

Zack: Yup!

Keep Calm: Hmmm...well, here's Chapter 25 Dreams and Nightmares~

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." -John Lennon

"Nightmares exist outside of logic, and there's little fun to be had in explanations; they're antithetical to the poetry of fear."-Stephen King

Autumn's POV

We prepared to leave the church after Zack and Aerith talked some more, but the ravenette was finding it increasingly more difficult to part with her, much to my loathing.

"I guess you have to get going, right?"

She smiled at him, crouching back down to the flowers.

Zack crouched down next to her. "I'll give you a hand with the flowers."

I stiffened. He couldn't help, and I wondered how Aerith would put it into words.

"No, that's okay. Besides, I'm the only one the flowers want to be tended by." She replied, yanking out weeds.

"Really..." Zack trailed off, a frown on his face.

Well, that was unexpected. Apparently honesty and bluntness were the perfect combination.

"Zack, we really have to leave." I finally spoke, briefly locking eyes with my sister.

"Ah, right. Hey, Aerith, do you know where the exit is?" He asked, eyes solely on my beautiful sister.

I wanted to facepalm myself. The exit was pretty obvious, if not for the towering wooden doors that still functioned perfectly well. How else would my sister be capable of entering and exiting the church?

"The exit? ...That door over there." Aerith answered, a tiny sad smile on her face.

"Going already?"

The ravenette nodded. "Yeah, I really should get going."

He paused, appearing as if he truly didn't want to leave. Too bad.

"All right. Thanks again, Aerith."

She locked eyes with him, emerald eyes glittering.

"Yeah..."

I dragged him away from my sister, shooting her a warning gaze over my shoulder. Unfortunately, he wriggled out of my grasp, turning to face her again.

"So, are you always here?"

"Yeah." Aerith mumbled, still crouched to the flowers.

Then she hastily stood up, hands behind her back. "So, where are you going?"

Zack frowned, crossing his arms. "Hmm, I'm not really sure..."

"Zack, we should just-" I started, but my sister walked up to us with a wide smile on her face.

"I'll take you there, okay?"

The ravenette's frown deepened as he shrugged. "...Where?"

Aerith grew a frown herself, glancing away to stare at the floorboards.

"Hmm, I'm not really sure..."

Zack grinned, leaning in with his hands on his hips. "You just want to spend more time with me, right?"

"Oh dear Minerva..." I mentally groaned, suppressing the urge to smack him upside the head.

What shocked me the most was Aerith's gentle smile. "Yeah."

I was beyond stunned, and she glanced at me with an apologetic expression.

"Whoa! Are you... Did you...?" Zack stuttered, equally perplexed.

"Okay, I need to talk with you. Now." I announced, grabbing Aerith by the arm and taking her outside, slamming open the large church doors.

"H-hey, Autumn! What-" My partner called out, but I was too focused on my one goal: Protecting my sister from Shinra.

"Zack, stay out of this. If you interrupt us, I will punch you." I stated firmly.

He reluctantly obliged.

I released Aerith's arm once we were out of Zack's hearing range. She shot me a glare.

"What? I can't get to know someone now?"

"Not if they work for Shinra. You can't even get to know me, Aerith. If they trace me back to you, we're both screwed. I'm worried Tseng will have an even closer eye on you if you hang out with Zack." I reasoned, but she refused to see it that way.

"I'm tired of running and hiding, Sis. Why can't you just tell him the truth? I never even knew your partner's name until now. I want to get to know the person my sister works with!"

I steadily gripped her thin shoulders, staring her dead in the eyes.

"Aerith, the way I see it, you were flirting. You like him, and he seems to be taken with you, too," I started as her eyes flitted to my ears.

It was then I realized my dangling heart-shaped earrings were still on, but for the moment I ignored them.

Now was the hardest part I had yet to tell my dear sister, because I did not ever want to crush any hopes or dreams of hers.

"But this," I gestured subtly to Zack. "Will not work."

The brunette averted her eyes. "Yes, it can. Besides, it's not like I want to date him. I just want to get to know him."

I could tell she was lying, but as I retracted my hands from her shoulders, I decided to let it slide. My sister deserved better.

"Fine. I'll let you lead us around, and pretend I have no clue where we are. Play along. Don't mention we're sisters, ever. Okay?"

She bobbed her head excitedly. "Okay."

We hugged briefly, and I relished being with my sister again. I then motioned for Zack to join us, who looked very concerned and angry at me.

"What was that about?"

"Ah, well, uh you see..." I began, trying to come up with a good lie or a half-truth.

"Growing up, we were really close. I'm kinda overprotective of her because she's the closest thing I have to a sister. I just wanted to make sure everything was...okay. And we haven't seen each other in a while."

I nudged Aerith in the side. "Right, Aerith?"

She nodded, smoothly going along with the half-truth.

"Right! There's a lot we haven't said yet, so it just got bottled up I guess. And, well, old habits die hard."

My sister was a genius at making the truth possible to admit without giving anything away.

Zack's focus had already diverted to his surroundings, though.

"This must be under the plate. Sector 5...this is the slums."

"Yeah. If you walk a little, you'll be in the central slums. There's lots of people, and you can go above the plate from there, too. So I'll walk you two over there."

Aerith turned, gazing into Zack's glowing sky blue eyes.

"If we can get out onto the streets, I guess we can figure things out from there. Okay, lead the way." He smiled, and that seemed to spark an intimate stare down between them.

I abruptly cleared my throat. "Okay, let's get going then. There are some things I need to find out."

"She's right. I'll start guiding you now." Aerith smiled, which seemed to completely capture Zack's heart.

"Yeah..." He trailed off.

I was beginning to feel a little...redundant. After we were about halfway through the slums, Aerith screamed.

"Aaah! Monsters!" She exclaimed, backing away behind us.

"Ah, here we go." Zack grinned.

I cracked my knuckles.

"Zack, Autumn, let's run!" My sister declared.

"Don't sweat it! I'll protect you. I'll handle it." The ravenette reassured her.

She turned to him in disbelief. "You can?"

"Just stand back, so you don't get hurt." Zack told her, drawing his sword.

I was already punching the gut of one of the Hedgehog Pies, though. It tried to use its back of incredibly sharp spikes to its advantage, but I wouldn't let it.

A drop kick sent it smashing to the ground, followed by a hefty reverse punch. My work was finished, and so was Zack's after a few slices.

"I feel so safe with you, Zack." Aerith beamed.

I faltered, whipping around to face her with bulging eyes.

"And you too, Autumn." She swiftly added.

"Nice save, Aerith." I thought dryly.

"Is that right?" Zack grinned.

"Yeah. You can both beat up monsters. You're so strong." Aerith complimented.

My partner's face fell. "Strong, huh..."

Instantly I was reminded of Angeal, Sephiroth, and our whole messed up situation that questioned our strength mentally, emotionally and physically.

"What are we even supposed to do anymore?" I mused to myself, never having been so...lost, before.

My goal was almost complete: I nearly had enough information on the Ancients, I just needed a little more. If I could somehow reverse-engineer the abilities they possessed, my sister and I would finally become normal.

No longer would we be hunted down by Shinra. But what did that mean for my job? What did it mean for Zack? I had never thought ahead of sifting through the information. Was I supposed to desert? Hand in my resignation after everything it took to get to where I was?

And what about finding him? I had yet to find him, but I was confident I could. I needed to see him again, to confirm my mixed feelings and sort them out. Everyone seemed to have a dream except me.

Angeal, Zack, Sephiroth, even Genesis and Lazard. They all dreamt of something worth attaining, whereas I had nothing. Was my dream normalcy? To finally be together with my sister and mother Elmyra in peace? Or...did I actually want this crazy, violent life?

And then there was that psychotic teenage guy that said he was my 'Brother' and 'Mother' wants to see if I'm worthy, whatever that meant. He was out to see me wrenching in pain, but I was going to find him and see how he liked it.

I had received more threatening notes, but I knew he was watching me, too. I never felt safe, my dreams became twisted and horrific with the thought of another Ancient killing my sister to see if I could take it. I felt like I was becoming paranoid.

"Is something wrong?" The brunette queried, concern sparkling in her emerald green eyes.

Zack stiffened, his jaw clenched. "No."

Her eyes traveled to me. I found it impossible to look at her directly.

"Nothing's wrong, Aerith." I reassured her, but I doubted she believed me.

Turning away from my beautiful sister, he paced a little.

"It's nothing. Anyways, those things weren't tough at all!"

His energetic, puppy attitude returned shortly after that, spinning back to us with his fists on his hips in a cliche heroic pose.

"So, did I look cool? A little?"

"Hmm..." Aerith hummed, sounding unsure.

Zack's face mockingly fell, as did his fists. "Hmm...?"

My sister walked up to him, with my following due to my immense protective instincts. She clasped her hands behind her back, a clueless expression on her face.

"Beats me."

The ravenette pouted. "Aerith, in these types of situations, you should be more..."

My sister cut him off. "Hey, Zack. Let's go, okay?"

I was snickering as I strolled alongside her. Zack was flabbergasted as to why she was suddenly ignoring him.

"Uh, hell-lloo?"

Normal POV

They headed away from the church, entering the wider area with the metal gate to the marketplace and a hole in the wall ahead leading to other sectors.

"So the central slums are this way?" Zack spoke, scanning the area with his bright mako sky-blue eyes.

"Yeah." Aerith replied.

"Hmm..." He frowned, looking as if he just realized something.

His partner swiveled to him. "What is it?"

The ravenette folded his muscular arms. "I guess the slums are built just like any other city."

Aerith laughed. "Of course. Many people have lived here for a long time."

She then sobered, eyes locking onto the gate.

"Inside the gate there, there's a marketplace. It's fun because there are so many stores. You can go above the plate from there, too."

Zack's eyes bulged. "Are you serious?"

Autumn's face twisted in bemusement. "Yeah. Why?"

"I mean, one time I've been to the marketplace, but I never knew you could get to the plate from there! I took the long way..." He grumbled.

Aerith and her sister chuckled, the former taking lead over to the marketplace. Once they reached the gate, they stopped.

"It's kinda stuffy down here." Zack commented.

"Really? It's always like this, though." Aerith frowned.

"I didn't really notice." Autumn shrugged.

Just then, the ravenette gasped, pounding his fist into his other hand in realization.

"I know what it is."

The sisters stared at him in anticipation.

"You can't see the sky."

Aerith glanced away, but Autumn had to agree. She missed seeing the sky. Granted, it took her a while to overcome her fear of it, but it was worth it. If only she could convince her sister of the same...

"Who wants to see the sky? I don't, that's for sure." The said female scowled.

Zack turned to her. "Wouldn't you normally miss seeing the sky if you lived under a plate all year round?"

"I guess I'm not normal." Aerith replied grimly.

Autumn averted her eyes, reminded of the fact that she, too, was just as abnormal.

Her partner crossed his arms again. "You want to talk about it?"

"The sky frightens me. I feel like it's sucking me in..." Aerith confessed.

When Zack didn't say anything, she trained her eyes on the ground.

"Weird, huh..."

The 1st appeared fed up. "Normal is overrated."

"Think...so?" Aerith murmured, a slight twinge of hurt in her eyes.

"I have an idea!" The ravenette suddenly exclaimed.

"One day, I'll take you to see a beautiful sky, the real sky."

Aerith glanced at him in disbelief.

"It's not frightening at all. I know you're gonna love it." Zack reassured her.

The flower girl took a moment, staring at the ground, then smiled at him with a nod. Perhaps it was time she made a change, too.

Zack was so confident he could show her the sky someday. It was a new dream-to show the awe-inspiring, bright blue sky to a beautiful woman.

Autumn stared at them apprehensively. She didn't like Zack hanging out with her sister, especially because of how easily the Turks could use him to get to her. But being reminded of how she and Aerith weren't normal and how much they wanted to become normal, sparked her small flame of determination once more.

"Well, we were heading to the marketplace, right?" She said, nearly taking the lead if she hadn't remembered she wasn't supposed to know the way.

Stealthily, she scooped up a rock and switched it out with her wallet, stuffing it into her pauldron. No pickpocket was getting her hard-earned money.

"Hmm...even though I've been here once, it looks like an interesting place." Zack commented.

"Maybe I should take a look around?" Aerith offered.

Just then, a boy ran past, bumping into Zack in the process.

"Whoaaa! Watch out!" He snapped, though there was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Hm? Oh, sorry..." The ravenette muttered, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"Be more careful!" The boy chastised before running off.

Aerith and Autumn stared at the situation.

"Hey, Zack? You didn't just..." The brunette 1st began, the sisters turning to him.

"...lose something, did you? Like any of your belongings?" The chestnut-haired girl asked.

"Did I lose something?" Zack repeated, patting himself down.

"I don't think so... Huh!? Aaaaaagh! My wallet!" He exclaimed, slapping a hand to his face.

"It's gone?" Aerith guessed.

"Was it that kid? I'm gonna hunt him down!" The ravenette declared, however the twins had other plans.

"Zack, wait. I'm sorry, but we know that boy." The flower girl told him.

"You know him? Both of you?" Said 1st queried, his eyes flitting to Autumn.

She nodded. "There has to be some reason. He would usually never do something like this."

"Whatever the reason, stealing is wrong. I'm gonna find him, and..." Zack was once again cut off by Aerith.

"Let's ask him why he did it. Autumn and I will bring him here."

She grabbed Autumn by the arm, taking her away with her to solve the little mystery.

"Hey, Aerith!" Zack called to no avail.

"She's gone...and so is Autumn. I'll have to look for him, too!" He decided, eyes scanning the marketplace.

With Aerith and Autumn

Their running pace slowed until they were simply strolling along with the shoppers.

"Okay Aerith, what's this about?" The lovely 1st questioned, her glowing sapphire eyes planted on her sister.

Aerith found it difficult to look at them. Whenever she saw her sister's face, she imagined her rich, warm coffee-brown eyes, not...such strange ones. She had diverted from normalcy quite fast, which was ironic considering she'd done it so they could be normal.

"I wanted to talk about Zack." She stated, piquing Autumn's interest.

"Alright. What about him?" The brunette queried, playing with one of her earrings.

"He's been trying to ask you out for three years, and you never once agreed?" The flower girl questioned.

Autumn frowned, bemused as to why it was important.

"Uh, yeah. Why does that matter?"

Aerith paced, a look of wonder and confusion on her face.

"How did you do it? He's so...amazing. I don't understand why you haven't ever dated him."

Her twin's face became dusted with pink. "I-I just see us as friends, that's how. And, you know...other reasons."

"Right, the crush from Nibelheim. The one you romantically promised with under a sky full of stars." Aerith giggled, causing her sister to blush even brighter.

"Aerith, where are you getting at?"

Aerith mustered up her courage and bluntness, spinning on her heels to face her brave, strong sister. She hadn't realized she was so muscular and fit before.

It was...a little frightening.

To know her sister was probably capable of killing her with just her bare hands multiple ways...

"Do you...really think Zack and I wouldn't work? I mean, I know I just met him, but...he took you on a date and gave you those earrings, didn't he?"

Drawing her hand away from her ears, Autumn replied, "They were a congrats gift for making 1st, that's all Aerith. But yes, he did. However, the way he looks at you..."

Aerith frowned. "The way he looks at me?"

Her sister nodded. "It's different from any other woman he's ever flirted with. He looks like he genuinely cares about you. I think...he'd be willing to go at any pace you would want if you were to have a relationship. Remember what you said, about questioning his feelings for me if he were to be with someone else?"

"Yes, why? Are you suggesting that I be that person?" The chestnut-haired girl inquired, pointing to herself with surprise.

Autumn nodded. "You like him, and he likes you. Maybe...he can realize we wouldn't work that way. Maybe there's a possibility you and him can work. But you don't have to agree with it. I don't want you to get in the middle of something..."

The flower girl shook her head. "No, it's fine. I want to."

A smile crept onto her face. "Maybe someday I'll be willing to take up his offer about seeing the sky."

Her twin laughed. "It's very beautiful, Aerith. I was really scared the first few days being under it, but it's worth seeing. Is that going to be your new goal?"

Aerith pondered on it. "Hmm...I think it'll be a new dream."

Autumn smiled. "That's nice. Well, how about we find the kid? I wonder what he's thinking, stealing again. Didn't we solve this problem two years ago?"

The chestnut-haired girl began jogging around for the child, her sister easily matching her pace. "Yeah. Something must have happened."

"Then let's find out what it is." The brunette told her, eyes hard and focused.

Aerith secretly marveled at how soldier-like she'd become in both mind and body. She was made for SOLDIER, and was much stronger than herself in several ways.

The flower girl felt a sense of pride for her sister, that she'd protect her at all costs. But nevertheless, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear.

Her sister was becoming more like Shinra, and she dreaded the day, if it ever came, when she would turn on her own blood. Because it would definitely, for her, be the worst nightmare imaginable.

A/N: Sooo...what do you think? I love getting feedback, so please leave a review! It doesn't have to be long, and you could even give me some constructive criticism if you'd like. I will take it wholeheartedly. Review, favorite and follow! It makes me write faster :)