Lost in the Shadows

Chapter 29 - Beginning of a Nightmare

Disclaimer: I do not own FF7 and its characters, settings or the like. These words, however, are mine.


Aerith watched the scenery fly by before her very eyes, taking every little detail in and reveling in the beauty of it all. Her eyes were brighter then usual and seemed to sparkle in an unusual way, being bathed in only a dim light. She heard soft footsteps coming up behind her, which, she noticed, seemed to happen quite a lot these days, but she didn't look away from the sight. She knew who it was.

"I think I can find him." Aerith said happily in no more then a whisper. Feet shuffled beside her.

"Aerith..." Tifa said and Aerith turned to face her. Her best friend was grinning like a maniac.

Aerith returned the grin. "What?" She asked playfully, hitting Tifa's arm lightly with the side of hers. Nothing good could come of whatever the raven haired woman was thinking -- Aerith couldn't bring herself to be all that worried though.

She was going to find him, how could she not be happy?

"Aw, it's nothing." Tifa replied with the same tone. Aerith wanted to wipe that smirk off her face so badly...

"What?"

"You're glowing." Tifa chirped brightly, looking away. I think someone's falling hard; falling in love!

Aerith frowned for a second, trying to decipher what Tifa's hidden message might be, but could only shake her head when nothing came to her. She only then just noticed how tired Tifa really looked. There were deep and dark shadows under her eyes, the red veins visible and her posture was nothing more then a slouch. Fatigue had won her over this time. Only one word popped into her head and she didn't hesitate to ask.

"Tifa, how're you and Cloud getting along?" She asked simply, inclining her head.

Tifa's expression became shuttered. "I... We haven't really talked much, you know?" She laughed lightly. "But then, none of us have really had time for any of that, have we? Romance, relaxation... It's just been one thing after another."

Aerith sighed internally. I know what you mean.

"I wish things could've been different." Aerith began. "I wish..."

I wish I'd never forced this mess upon you, she thought silently.

Tifa put her arms around Aerith and gave her a squeeze. "You didn't ask for this to happen. You couldn't have stopped us from helping either, so don't worry about it." She gave a sigh of despair when Aerith's look became that of indifference. That only meant Aerith thought she was wrong and was trying to hide it -- as usual. "Aerith, come on--"

Aerith's sigh made her stop mid-sentence and she let her arms fall to her sides to then only bring them up to her chest, crossed.

"Aerith..."

"Tifa. It's as much my fault as anyone else's."

"How?" Tifa asked, throwing her arms into the air in exasperation.

"They wouldn't have come to us in the first place had it not been for me. They wanted the White Materia -- that was in my possession, my body. They shouldn't have taken Elena, they should have taken me. They shouldn't have..." She closed her eyes and breathed in sharply. "They shouldn't have killed Rude..."

They should have killed me.

"Aerith, don't." Tifa said, grasping her friend's arm. "We couldn't stop him... Nobody could. It's not your fault he died."

Aerith simply gave her a look and stayed quiet. Tifa dropped the subject; when Aerith made up her mind, there was no changing it.

"So why do you need to go to Lucrecia's Cave?" Tifa asked, sitting down on the ground.

Aerith laid her hands on her stomach. The White Materia was still there... Wasn't it? How could she be sure any more? The thought had crossed her mind many times -- what if, when Kayana had held her under her spell, Toyori had managed to take it from her when he'd slammed into her? She couldn't explain how that might've happened -- she had no wound. What else could explain the Planet's sudden absence from her mind, though?

She only hoped she could still manage to get to Lucrecia somehow.

I'll always be there...

"I'll always be there... If someone should need me..."

She'd remembered her words the moment Elena had told her of the Mako pool. She couldn't risk going through it though...

Could Lucrecia help her? Could she know a way?

And could she answer some questions?

"I think Lucrecia can help me..." Aerith said, turning her face down towards Tifa who was now staring incredulously at her. "I think she can help me get to Sephiroth."


Reno stood silently in the ship's largest room and watched as Elena bent over to stroke Rude's cold cheek. He saw the tears escape her eyes and yet he couldn't be happier to see them. She was fine, she was alright.

He couldn't look directly at the fallen form laying on the floor because he knew he would lose it. Elena didn't need to see that.

Rude... His best friend. How was he supposed to go on as the same person anymore? His bald headed best friend was always by his side; he didn't need to speak often and he didn't need to act openly because Reno knew how he felt, knew what he wanted to say. He was the only person he had ever confided in, save for Tseng.

Now, they were both gone.

Gone.

He couldn't even bring himself to say it aloud.

Rude's dead. He's gone.

If he said it, it would only make everything real, it would only confirm it.

"Reno." Elena said weakly, walking towards him. He watched in despair as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. He'd only ever seen her cry one other time and that was when Tseng had died. She'd came to him first and he'd pushed her away, hurt her.

He wouldn't do that this time.

He held his arms out and Elena ran into them with renewed fervor. Her tears seeped through his shirt but he didn't care. Sobs began to wrack her body and he held her tighter, not wanting to let go.

Only when a spray of bright light exploded in front of him did his grip loosen. Elena turned in his arms and gasped at the sight, bringing her hand to her mouth in shock. "What is...?"

Bright strings of light blended with shimmering balls of several colours floated into the air, billowing about the open window softly. The sight sent a jolt of panic through Reno as Rude's body disappeared into the aforementioned arrangement of light. Elena cried out in grief and Reno heard footsteps from above racing down. Whoever was on there way had fantastic hearing, he thought absently.

The figure only appeared at the door when the last of the lights had managed to escape through the window. The pink clad figure stopped when she saw them before running over to the window with a smile.

Why would she be smiling, he wondered? Did she know what -- or who -- that was?

She waited only a moment before turning to face them, nodding slowly. "He's alright. The Planet's taken him... He's watching over us as we speak."

Elena gasped and fell to her knee's.

"What do you mean? And how did you know...?" Reno asked.

"I mean that when what you just saw happens... The Planet is taking that person's physical body and restoring it into that of a spiritual one... They have the freedom then, by the Planet's wishes, to stay alive as long as they wish in the Lifestream and they can watch over the people of Gaia. And I know because... I'm a Cetra. I feel things like that." She giggled, quite happy.

"So he's okay?" Elena whispered.

Aerith walked over and knelt in front of her. She took Elena's hand into her own and pulled her into a hug. "He's alright -- very much so."

Elena cried in relief and hugged Aerith back. Reno could only watch the scene with an impassive expression, while inside he was rejoicing.

Things were looking up considerably, at least for the Turks.

He only hoped the rest of their mission could go as smoothly.

Raising his eyes skyward, he grinned.

Enjoy the show.


Aerith, Reno and Elena walked out onto the bridge floor, the inquisitve glances from the others not going unnoticed, but they didn't answer the unspoken questions. They all stayed silent until Yuffie decided to speak up. "You seem awfully happy all of a sudden." She said, jumping up and walking over. "What happened?"

Aerith smiled sorrowfully at the young teenager who was once so energetic. "Rude's alright -- he's with the Planet now and he watching us." He told them exactly what she'd told Elena and Reno only a few minutes earlier and, while they were speechless, she could see that they were happy.

"Well, that's great news." Cloud said, standing and stretching. He walked over to Aerith and stopped just in front of her, a hand on her shoulder and his eyes narrowed. "Now, will you tell me why you're going to Lucrecia's cave?"

"I too would like to know." Vincent said suddenly. Aerith laid her eyes to rest on his face and looked into his eyes. She couldn't refuse him this. She sighed and sat on one of the chair's. They were nearly there -- by the time she'd told them everything, they would be at their destination.

"Well... I think Lucrecia can get me to Sephiroth. To where Toyori and Kayana took him."

They stared at her for a moment and the silence was then broken by both Red and Barret.

"Why do ya want ta' do that?"

"Do you honestly think she will be able to?"

Aerith lowered her eyes. "I... Yes, I do. There's a slight chance she may not be able to but... It's worth checking out. And I'm going after him because I have to, I need to. He helped me so much before now... I have to return the favor right?" She smiled and stood, brushing herself off. She ignored the knowing look from Tifa.

"What if he tries to kill you this time?" Elena asked; she'd been filled in by Reno of everything that had happened in her absence before they'd gone to see Reno. She had been especially shocked to hear that Sephiroth had turned against them.

"He won't." Aerith said. She laughed at herself when she found herself thoroughly convinced.

You saw what he did... He almost sliced Tifa's throat.

He believed what they said. He left me.

She shook her head. "He won't. I can get through to him." She turned towards them hesitantly and winked. "You really need to trust me, you guys. I know I've done wrong by you and now one of us is gone but... I really think we can end this now."

They looked surprised.

"What do you mean... End this?" Tifa asked, apprehensive.

"I mean, wherever Sephiroth is... That's where Toyori, Kayana and whomever else is. We can finish this once and for all, can't we?"

The silence that met her was complete.

"We're here, you fuckers. Hurry up if you're leavin--" Cid began, but Cloud cut him off.

"We're all going in, Cid." Cloud said, hauling his Ultima Weapon up from the ground and strapping it to his back. "You don't need to follow but Aerith is going to need the rest of us."

Cid went utterly quiet and Aerith's heart fell to her stomach.

"Ah, what the hell you buncha idiots. I ain't just leavin' ya here." He said, landing the ship steadily before retrieving his Venus Gospel. "Let's get our asses in there and out of there quickly -- and in one piece." He glared at all of them. "I just need to make a call, first." He continued and stomped away.

Aerith smiled and turned to the others, saying she needed to grab something. The others agreed and followed her though the ship until they found their way to their rooms. They needed supplies. Materia, armor, weapons...

They were coming with her. They were going to end this.

Aerith couldn't help but feel happy. Yet at the same time, a sense of foreboding was dampening her mood. She resolved to not let it get at her though and moved onto the room where her mother and Marlene was. Barret was there, hugging his daughter and speaking in a low voice to Elmyra.

"Barret, could I steal my mother for a second?" Aerith asked him, smiling playfully at the young girl sitting on his shoulder. She was so adorable -- and was he ever a great father regardless of his constant absences and his schedule. He nodded and shrugged his shoulders simultaneously and Aerith pulled her mother out of the room.

"I guess he told you." Aerith stated, seeing the look on her mother's face.

Elmyra grasped the young woman's shoulders and Aerith almost pulled away in shock. The anger in her mother's eyes and the fierceness with which she was holding onto her was alarming to her.

"You're coming back in one piece. Both of you." She said.

Aerith's eyes relayed both sorrow and her mixed feelings. Elmyra saw it.

"You will. You will, you will. You must promise me." Her voice had lowered to a whisper and tears were forming in the corners of her eyes. Despite her anxiety, Aerith reassured her mother that she would.

For a moment, she believed it.


Sephiroth watched with a sullen expression as Toyori and Kayana walked in and regarded him with curiosity. He noticed, unhappily, that they both looked completely rejuvenated -- he could only imagine what that must mean.

"He wishes to meet you." Kayana said, slithering up to him and laying a cold finger on his cheek. He did not flinch, which seemed to please her. Toyori immediately moved to grab her hand and pushed her away roughly.

"Now, now, Kayana. Don't upset our visitor." He grit through his teeth, his expression pained.

Sephiroth knew then that they did not get along at all.

"As if you're going to make him feel welcomed." Kayana spat back.

"Play nice, you two." Another person made their presence known -- a man. Sephiroth looked around with indifference until the figure's shadow appeared in the doorway. "It's nice to meet you, Sephiroth." He said, though he moved no closer. Sephiroth's eyes narrowed in the slightest. Who the hell was this?

"Both of you, I have news." He drawled, motioning to his two companions.

"Hiei, would you just get to it." Toyori said, turning to face him.

The man known as Hiei chuckled slightly and threw something at Toyori, who caught it deftly. He was angered immediately. "You don't just throw this thing arou--"

"I can't deliver it to him -- you will have to. I have something else to take care of." Hiei said, turning smartly on his heel and walking away.

"It would seem we will be having some visitors." He called back.


"Are we ready then?" Cloud asked the group. Standing on the end of the ramp of the Sierra, the group stood strongly, their faces set in stone.

They all nodded and Cloud led them down the ramp and through the gap between the shining waterfall and the mountain.

Aerith looked on in complete interest. It occurred to them that she'd never been here before.

"Aerith, how do you know about this place?" Red asked.

"Yes miss, how?" Cait added. He'd been silent all day, to Aerith's surprise, but she was extremely glad he was now speaking. It made her feel better knowing that they all weren't hating her for what she was pulling them into.

"I spoke with Lucrecia many times when I was... Dead." She said, smiling at the memory. "We always did have great times -- she was so loving and she has such great character. She told me about this place..."

I'll always be there...

"She told me she'd always be there if we needed her." She finished quietly. "I can only hope that is true."

"Ohhh." Cait said in response.

Aerith nodded and looked over at Vincent. He'd been quiet all day, hadn't spoken save for when she'd mentioned Lucrecia. She could only guess that he hadn't seen Yuffie's face when he'd asked. Something inside of her felt sorry for Yuffie, but at the same time she knew that Yuffie accepted it. Lucrecia was a large part of his life and Yuffie was too good of a person to hold that against Vincent. Or Lucrecia.

Upon entering, she gasped at the beauty of the cave. Lucrecia's descriptions didn't compare to her seeing it up close in person. The waves from behind them only served to make the cave more ethereal, silvery-blue rings were rippling on the walls and the mako crystals on the ground and in front of her made it almost majestic. Now wonder Lucrecia had managed to make this her resting place.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Aerith asked Vincent, looping her arm with his. She heard Cid and Yuffie bickering behind them and she guessed Vincent's ghost of a smile was his reaction to them.

"It is. It suits her." He said. He'd always been able to open up with Aerith -- he was truly glad she was back.

"She always did talk about seeing you again, you know. She really loved you." Once. She didn't dare say anymore -- that her real love was for Hojo, who had once been a fine man turned ugly and conniving by science and Jenova's afflictions.

She did love him. She really did.

Just not in the way he wanted; somehow, she knew that he knew that already.

Everyone stopped once they'd reached the crystal. Lucrecia was sleeping eternally inside of it, dressed in a spectacularly white dress, an expression of complete happiness and peace on her face. She saw Vincent smile warmly and knew he was okay. Disentangling her arm from his, Aerith walked up to Lucrecia and placed her hand over the crystal. She could feel everyone's eyes burning into her back, but she firmly ignored them and concentrated on her task.

"Lucrecia...? Please say you can hear me." Aerith whispered, closing her eyes.

Minutes later... And there was nothing.

Not a sound, not a comforting voice.

Her heart fell to her stomach for the second time that day and she berated herself for her foolishness. She'd gone over this with herself, she'd told herself her chances were slim...

She was absolutely devastated.

Letting her hand fall away from the crystal she turned to face the others. "I'm sorry."

'Aerith...'

Aerith turned quickly at the sound of the older woman's voice. The raised her hand quickly. "Lucrecia?"

'I am here, but only for a minute or two. I can't stay much longer.'

"Lucrecia, please, can you take me to Sephiroth?"

'I thought you would never come... And never ask...'

Aerith's eyes lit up but she fell forward slightly in shock as her hand fell right through the crystal.

'Don't be afraid... There is danger ahead, however. Be prepared. Be quick, though. I haven't much time left...'

"Why is the Planet not answering my calls?" She asked quickly. Please, please tell me, please...

'They have stolen it. They have taken it...' Her voice was frustrated and beyond angry. Aerith didn't need to ask what they'd stolen.

'You must hurry before they use it. Hurry, Aerith and save my son.'

"Thank you so much." She whispered finally. She turned to her stunned group members and motioned them towards her. "Hurry." She said, before walking through the crystal, which had now turned into a portal.

The group did not hesitate to follow.

Vincent was the last to leave and only did he hesitate for a split second. The words he heard confused him completely, but he continued on, never once looking back.

'I'm so sorry...'