The void was dark, but it was warm and welcoming. It offered sanctuary and rest, a promise to end sorrows and soothe fears. And unlike the last time, Sherry could see it for what it was. It helped that she wasn't curled around herself, but around the warmth of her husband. She almost thought it might be an illusion, but when she looked up, his smirk was too familiar to be anything but real.
She reached up and brushed her thumb across his bottom lip. His lips parted slightly, and his eyes narrowed. She felt his arms tighten around her, and she grinned. They were really together. She wasn't alone this time. She grabbed him and kissed him hard enough to take both their breath away.
When she pulled back, he didn't allow her to go far. His voice was low when he spoke. "Do not start something you do not plan to finish love. Void or not, I feel perfectly capable of handling this."
Sherry laughed at his teasing. She felt lighter than she had in ages. Despite his protests, she unfurled and let her feet drop, so it was more like they were standing. He followed suit and looked around. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "What is this place?"
She looked back and shrugged. "I was never given a straight answer. I was told it would be whatever I wanted it to be."
At her response, he pulled her closer again with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If that is the case, there are a few things I have in mind."
Sherry chuckled again and shook her head. "Well, someone is in a mood, huh?"
Genesis dipped his head and brushed his lips against her ear as he whispered. "You should see the way you are glowing. It makes me want to see if the rest of you looks the same."
Her eyes widened, and she stepped back to get a better look at him before she looked down at herself. He was right, they both had a slight light emanating from their skin. "Huh." That was all she said before she looked back with a sad smile. "That is something we can explore at our leisure. Later. We have eternity, after all."
Genesis sighed at the look she was giving him before he pulled her into another embrace. "You are worried about them?"
She nodded against his chest. "Would you mind if we checked on them?"
Genesis froze. "We can?"
Sherry looked up and chuckled. "I told you what happened last time. I think I can do it myself now. If you feel like it."
Something flashed through Genesis' eyes that was painful and fearful, but he finally gave her a nod. "Show me."
She stepped back but kept his hand. "It's not hard, just concentrate. Remember, all time and space are open to us here."
It was only a matter of moments before the two of them were once again standing in the central room of the reactor. It was a disorienting experience since they were both staring up at themselves. Genesis pulled her close and smirked as he kissed the top of her head. "At least we make a stunning memorial."
Sherry smacked his arm as she pointed to the two men that had just stepped into the room. "Don't forget they are why we're here. Also, this is still just an image. We aren't technically here."
Genesis took a deep breath and nodded as he watched his two best friends look up in silence. It was several minutes later that Sephiroth took something from inside his duster and placed it at the base of the statue. When Sherry saw what it was, she started crying.
Genesis spoke up quietly beside her. "That is all of us." It was a charcoal sketch of their team lounging in the orchards in Banora.
She smiled up at him through her tears. "Yes, even Zack and Cloud. And look, he added Aerith and Tifa too. He isn't nearly as oblivious as people think he is."
Genesis brushed her tears off and nodded. "No, he is not."
It was several moments later that Sherry sighed and spoke again. "I know that they miss us, and I miss them too. There is so much that we could still help with, so it wouldn't surprise me if we get called back before too long."
Genesis looked down sharply. "You believe we will awaken within their lifetimes?"
She looked up and shrugged. "Maybe? Like I said, there is still a lot to do. Even so, they are enough to handle it without us, so I can't say for sure. It's just…"
When she trailed off, Genesis lifted her chin and raised a brow. She gave him a half-smile at the look. "I know this may sound selfish, but there is just one thing I want first, well I guess maybe two."
Genesis smirked. "If I know you, the things you wish for are things the average person would take for granted."
Sherry felt tears prickling once again and shrugged. "Maybe, but neither one of us has ever been normal."
He took a sharp breath before he kissed her forehead. "What are your two wishes?"
She looked back to her friends before she squeezed Genesis' hand. "If we do get sent back, I would like a little time first. You know, like at least enough for a proper honeymoon."
Genesis chuckled and pulled her close enough for a kiss. He let her go far enough so he could speak. "That is reasonable, and I already have an idea of where I could imagine us next. What else?"
Sherry's eyes got a far-away look. "If Minerva does send us back, whether it is this lifetime or another, I would like more than a few months with our friends. And before you say anything about making friends, you and I both know it would happen. You may be anti-social, but you aren't a complete loner. We would have people we care about. Even if it was just the fact that we would be curious enough to look up the children or grandchildren of those we loved."
Genesis swallowed thickly as his imagination took off down the same path hers was on. Both their eyes were on the silent men as they imagined them moving past the current troubles and finding joy in the aftermath. It would happen, and even if they weren't there to participate, they would see it. It was bittersweet, but they would be blessed to see all the ever afters. That was a different and unexpected kind of joy.
Finally, Genesis pulled on her hand. "They will make it. With or without us. Have faith, love. Besides, I know of a lovely little mountain valley that is both secluded and uninhabited. It makes no difference that we cannot interact with it, I can already see you laid out in the grass. Eternity or not, my patience is still a work in progress."
Sherry laughed as the scene in front of them faded. "At least you are willing to admit it."
Both Angeal and Sephiroth looked up and each other at the echo of an unexpected sound. Angeal was the first to speak. "Did you hear that?"
Sephiroth looked up before he looked back and nodded slowly. The pain in his eyes faded slightly as he smiled down at the portrait he was leaving behind. "It is time we left. Veld has already handled the mansion, and Cloud is ready to leave in the morning. Vincent has decided to return with us as well. We will be meeting Rufus on the way back. There is much to plan."
Angeal shook his head, and he watched his remaining friend retreat into his shell of work. He also looked back with sad eyes. The laughter they had both heard helped to ease his heart a little, but it was still hard to walk away. He sighed and managed a grin as he gestured back. "Let's get this over with already. Once we have Midgar in shape, I want to come back here and bring these two back to the city. Maybe we can have Aerith help to create a park or something. I think they would like that. Maybe in Loveless square, surrounded by flowers. Do you think I could get a dumbapple tree to grow there?"
Sephiroth chuckled and shook his head. He clapped Angeal's shoulder. "If anyone can, it would be you and Aerith."
They continued in silence until they were out of the reactor. Once they were back into the cold air, Sephiroth paused and pulled something out before he handed it to Angeal. The other Soldier took it with a curious look. "What's this?"
Sephiroth sighed. "Before we came to the reactor, Sherry gave me an envelope and told me it was from both of them. I didn't realize what it was at the time, but it was a letter from her that listed many things that we need to investigate when we get back and where we can find some of them." His lips lifted in a ghost of a smile as he continued. "Even though they knew they would be unable to be here, they wanted to continue to help."
Angeal swallowed thickly and held up the still sealed, much smaller envelope. "Then, what is this?"
Sephiroth shook his head. "I did not open it. It is addressed to you. It is in Genesis' handwriting."
Angeal looked down and then back up with wide eyes. Sephiroth gave him an understanding look. "You can open it when you are ready. I was only asked to read through the rest before I returned to Midgar. I am sure it was because it contained the details on the investigation."
Angeal shook off his stupor and slid his finger under the seal. "I didn't mean to make you feel like you were interfering." Once he had the letter open, he pulled it out and focused on the few lines that his best friend had left to help him understand.
Angeal,
I need you to understand that this was not an easy decision for me. It was not about leaving you behind, so much as it was about making sure Sherry was not alone. In the end, what I realized was the fact that you were not alone, and never would be. You have Sephiroth, and you have the Puppy. You also now have a Chocobo. Don't forget they are a matched set.
If we are lucky enough to see each other again during your lifetime, then I will consider myself doubly blessed by the Goddess. If not, then know that I will never be far from your side. Sherry has told me stories, and although you may not see me, know that I will be watching over you. We both will.
Until next we meet, whether in this life or the next, your friend in arms,
Genesis
Angeal sighed as he folded the letter back up and smiled over at Sephiroth. The General raised a brow in question, and Angeal shook his head. "It was a reminder that I should not have needed from the last person I expected. Let's go. I believe we have a Puppy and a Chocobo that are both being babysat. We need to make sure neither of them has made Veld angry enough to want to shoot them."
Sephiroth gave him a confused look. "A Chocobo?"
Angeal chuckled. "You really can't see it?"
The General's eyes widened in shock as he realized what Angeal was talking about. He then sighed and put his hand over his eyes. "Please tell me you are not going to try to make up for Genesis' nicknames?"
Angeal felt a stab at the mention of their missing friend but managed to clap the General on the shoulder. "That one came straight from him. I'm just passing it on. It's not my fault that it's just as appropriate as the other."
Sephiroth tried not to smile, but the corner of his lips tilted anyway. He gestured toward the trail. "Fine. Let us not endanger the bird or the dog."
Angeal laughed so loudly it boomed off the side of the mountain. "Bird… ah, I'll remember that one."
Sephiroth had the distinct impression he was being teased, but it didn't bother him as much as he thought it should. He let it pass as the two of them headed back to finish their preparations to leave the next day.
Cloud hadn't been sure if Tifa would meet him, so he was glad when he climbed the last rung of the water tower and saw her sitting with her chin on her knees. She looked over with a smile when he sat next to her. Neither were sure what to say, so they sat there in silence for a long time.
Finally, it was Tifa that spoke. "You know, I know we aren't close, especially not with the way my father treated you after my accident. I kinda regret that now. I saw you always wanted to join us, and now it all seems kinda pointless. The games my friends and I played, they were all so useless."
Cloud sighed as he looked over at her. "Yeah, I used to think the same thing, but I still wanted to play."
She grinned over at him and knocked her shoulder against his. "But it doesn't matter now. You're going off to be a big-shot Soldier. Isn't that what you always wanted?"
He looked up at the stars for several moments before he answered. "I thought it was. After everything I've seen over the last few days, I'm beginning to wonder if it will be worth it. They are all so full of so much pain."
Tifa hesitated, but she finally put her hand on top of his. His head jerked around, and his face lit up as his wide eyes caught hers. "Yeah, but it might be worth it. I mean, if you could protect the ones you loved? If you could make sure the rest of the village never has to know what happened, would you, could you do that? I know there is a lot more to you than anyone else sees."
Cloud was still blushing as he shook his head, but Tifa squeezed his fingers as she continued. "Tell you what, can you promise me something?"
He finally stilled and managed to nod. She gave him a smile and joined him in blushing. "Would you promise that when you become strong, strong enough to defend everyone, would you promise that if I need you, would you come back and help me?"
Cloud froze, but he finally managed to nod. Before he could follow that up with a verbal promise, they were interrupted by an exuberant voice. "Oh, man! I should have known you would be up here. This is probably the best view of the stars in town. Leave it to you to mack on your girl here before you leave."
Cloud and Tifa jerked apart so hard that they both nearly fell. Cloud glared at Zack as he practically yelled. "It isn't like that!"
Aerith could be heard behind the towering Soldier. "Zack, leave them alone." Her head popped around his side and she grinned at them with a little wave. "Sorry if we interrupted. We'll leave you alone."
Tifa practically shot to her feet. "No! It's alright. We were just saying goodbye. You weren't interrupting anything. Please, join us."
Aerith gave her a skeptical look, but Zack had already settled next to Cloud. The Cetra sighed as she looked at him before she made her way around so she could sit next to Tifa. The girls hooked their arms and looked up as Zack frowned at them.
He finally shrugged before he got up and followed her around so that they were both between the two boys. Aerith giggled at his actions but smiled when he sat down. They all watched the stars for several minutes before Tifa sighed. "I wish I could go with you guys."
Aerith looked over at her. "You know, you could come to Midgar too. I know you may be young still, but in a few years, why not?"
Tifa cringed and shrugged. "What would I do? It's not like I can join Soldier too."
Aerith grinned. "You never know. I think a lot of changes are coming. I bet there will be a lot of opportunities." She then turned and grabbed both of Tifa's hands. "Tell you what, when you do finally come, look me up. I live in the Sector 5 slums. Just ask for Aerith Gainsborough. I'm sure my mother would love to let you stay with us."
Tifa looked at her skeptically. Before she could argue, Aerith shook her head. "Trust me. It will keep things lively."
Tifa finally laughed and nodded. "Okay, okay. I promise. When I come to Midgar, I'll look you up." She paused and frowned. "And everyone will just point the way? That sounds strange. Not even the people in this village are that open with strangers."
Aerith giggled and shook her head ruefully. "You have a point." She tapped her chin as she thought for a moment. She then turned back with a grin, but it faded almost instantly. She still held onto a soft smile as she continued. "If you talk to the children, you can tell them you are my friend and that you are a friend of the lady that made it snow. They'll know who you are talking about and bring you to my mother or me."
Tifa didn't need to ask who the girl was talking about. She swallowed. "She made it snow in Midgar?"
Zack had sat forward curiously as well. "Why have I never heard of this?"
Aerith laughed lightly. "It was as we were leaving Midgar. I think she did it as a distraction, but it was the most magical thing I had ever seen. The dirty slums were covered in a layer of glittering white. It was beautiful. The children were all playing and laughing, and Sherry even smashed Commander Rhapsodos in the face with a snowball. It was the first time I realized how much they meant to each other."
Zack looked so shocked that Aerith wondered if he was about to fall. He managed to shake it off. "He didn't flame her?"
Aerith laughed and shook her head. "Nope. He shook it off and told her to quit playing around after she kissed his cheek."
Zack was struck speechless, but Tifa grabbed the girl's attention. "Do you think they will come back? I know that they said she was a statue once already, so it's possible, right?"
Aerith seemed to deflate as she shrugged. "I suppose it's possible, but I've been thinking. Is that what's best?"
Zack leaned forward with a frown. "Of course! I mean, I don't miss being fried by Genesis, but I know Angeal misses him."
Aerith gave her boyfriend a lopsided smile and shook her head. "I know he does. I miss Sherry too, but you know, if they come back, it will be because they have been given a new task. That will be their lives forever. Awaken, fulfill their Goddess-given responsibilities, then sleep again. Over and over. Would it not be better for them both to be allowed to just rest?"
Tifa gasped beside her, and Zack looked like she had struck him. He sat back and shook his head. "I hadn't thought about it like that." He only paused for a moment before he frowned and continued. "But don't you think they miss us too?"
Aerith shrugged again. "I'm sure they do. That's why I said I don't know. Sherry said the Goddess has a plan, so I have to believe that whatever it is, she will do whatever is best for them in the end."
Zack nodded and put his arm around her shoulders before he leaned back and looked up again. "It's a big world out there, and we have a lot of work to do. I'm sure we have a lot of time still, so let's just look forward to the good times to come."
There were several mumbled agreements to his sentiments as the other teens settled in to look at the stars and enjoy the peace of their last night together in Nibelheim before they had to face the upheavals coming. They all knew it would not be the last time they saw each other. Life had many changes on the horizon, but somehow, they knew deep down that theirs was just the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
A/N: And so it is ended. I know this story has been such a rollercoaster from the beginning. It was always like that in my mind too. I said from the beginning it would be different from anything else I had written, and only part of that was the fact that it was a semi-crossover. Still, I like to think this ending is beautiful and full of hope. I will not be writing a continuation of this one. I am leaving it open on purpose. Feel free to imagine it as you choose. I just know they will all find satisfaction in the end and happiness, even if it has an edge. That's the thing about happiness, it can be found even after sorrow if you are willing to work for it. Ah, well. I have enjoyed sharing yet another story with you all and I hope you have enjoyed it with me. Thank you for reading!