Phoenix Hearts
(Part 5- Good Vs. Evil)
By Alria
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the FF 7 characters or settings
Author's Note: I know it's kinda been awhile, but I was on vacation. I'm trying to get this story done because it's been up awhile, and its time has come. There'll probably only be about two more chapters (including this one). I hope you've enjoyed the story thus far, and now, on with the show!!!
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"I'll never let you hurt Cloud! Never!" Aeris cried. Kalla only smirked.
"Really? And what are you going to do, kill me? You'll never win; I have Sephiroth on my side. Besides, even if you do win, Cloud's soul will still perish, and my lord can inhabit his body. It's really quite useless to battle...you might as well give up now and walk back out that door," she sneered. Aeris's eyes were blazing with blue fire.
"Even so, at least I will have avenged him. And somehow...somehow I will stop your wicked plan and save my Cloud," she growled. Kalla chuckled.
"You can never stop it. Sephiroth's plan is flawless," she cackled. Aeris shook her head.
"You're wrong, Kalla. It does have a flaw...you brought me back." With that, Aeris held up her dainty hand. Whispy white flames incased it, dancing around her fingers. The flames grew and grew, until finally they began to form into a small ball. Once it was as big as an orange, Aeris whipped her arm up and hurled it straight at Kalla. The evil Cetra ducked just in time, and the white flames crashed into a wall and slowly flickered out. And thus began the fateful battle.
Time was if little importance as the two exchanged fire. Kalla would hurl a black beam at Aeris, and the brown-haired Cetra would retaliate with a white spell of her own. Every once in awhile a spell would get a tad too close, and hair would be singed or a dress scorched. But each managed to avoid a direct hit, and so the battle raged on.
After nearly an hour, Aeris was almost completely exaughsted. Her limps felt as if they had been loaded with lead from moving so much, and with each spell she felt her strength diminish. As sweat poured down the sides of her face, she couldn't help but wonder how long it would be until one of Kalla's spells hit home. Still...she couldn't give up, not now. She was Cloud's only hope...she couldn't let him down.
As Aeris thought of Cloud, she felt her strength slowly returning. She thought of the time they had first met...on the streets of Midgar. Sure, they hadn't said much...but he had been so handome; the idle 'knight in shining armor.' The small church...the date in Gold Saucer...and their reunion on the banks of the life stream. All these times had been so special and wonderful...she couldn't lose all that to an evil Cetra. She couldn't let her take him away from her again!
When Aeris awoke from her daydream, she was nearly blinded by a burst of white light. Aeris squinted her blue eyes, shielding them. Was it one of Kalla's spells? No, it couldn't be; Kalla only used black magic. But...that could only mean...
Aeris looked down at her hands, and sure enough resting in them was a huge bright ball of magic. She gasped in shock. Only seconds ago she had been so tired she could barely make a spell the size of a baseball, and yet the one in her hands was as big as her head! How was this possible?
Aeris glanced down at Cloud, lying helpless on the floor. His soft, blond hair was matted and tangled with sweat, and he was laboring to breathe. His blue eyes were squeezed tight, and his forehead was contorted in pain. Aeris felt her eyes begin to water. She knew he was having one of his awful headaches...but this one was much worse then the rest. The term "splitting headache" had taken on a whole new meaning, for that's exactly what this one was. Cloud was literally being spilt in half, his soul pulling one way, his body the other. Aeris wiped a tear from her eye. Seeing him in such agony was more than she could bear. He was practically dying before her eyes, and she couldn't do a thing to stop it.
Suddenly, Aeris thought of the white spell in her hands. And slowly, she began to piece things together. The magic had grown while she was thinking of Cloud...that must be where it came from. This spell had been fueled by not her bodily strength, but her soul and feelings. She knew this was going to be the last spell she could pull from her fading strength...but she also knew that the ball she held in her hand was the most powerful spell she had formed. This was her last, and best, chance at saving Cloud.
"You look tired. What a bore...I thought surely a fellow Cetra would put up more of a fight then that! Well, are you going to throw that little spell of yours, or just wait for me to come back with a spell of my own?" Kalla's leering voice taunted, breaking the silence. Aeris, still holding the spell, scowled at Kalla.
"Obviously, you know I can't go on much longer. That I'm all spent out, and this spell in my hands will be only a last, futile effort. Well, you've underestimated me. I have the power of true love on my side...and Cloud will always stand by me. That's why you can never beat me," and with that, Aeris hurled the white, flaming ball straight at Kalla.
The spell moved faster than the two Cetra's had thought. It flew through the air like a lightning bolt, speeding right towards a surprised Kalla. The dark Cetra let out a quick gasp as the white magic hit her square in the chest. Almost instantly Kalla's entire body was encased in white flames. Lifting her head, Kalla let out an ear-piercing scream as the light increased. Aeris stood and stared, dumbfounded. Never in her entire life had she made a spell like this. Was this the true power of her love for Cloud?
As Aeris watched on, the light began to spin in a brilliant swirl around the screaming Kalla. Faster and faster the flames spun, until finally Aeris couldn't even see the Cetra amidst them. All at once the flames lifting off the dusty ground, rising higher and higher. There was a blinding flash of light, a final scream from Kalla, and the spell disappeared.
Aeris stood on the wooden floor, staring at the spot where Kalla had disappeared. And then, a small smile curled on her ruby lips. She had won! She had given it her all, and it had just been enough to protect her precious Cloud. Now, all she had to do was think of a way to reverse the curse...and they could be together, forever! Aeris felt a warm comforting sensation shoot up her spin. She had beaten the wicked Kalla, and saved Cloud. Everything was finally going right...
Without warning, a tremendous boom sounded from directly behind Aeris. The force of the shock radiated throughout the walls and floor of the old house, and it sent Aeris tumbling to the ground. The young Cetra let out a cry of fright. What was going on!? On her knees, Aeris turned to see what had caused the gigantic boom. And what she saw made her blood run cold. Cloud was no longer prone on the ground, but standing above her. And he had his large sword drawn...
Aeris gasped. This wasn't Cloud...Cloud would never even think of hurting her. It had to be as Kalla said...but was it possible that Sephiroth was back?
"Ha ha. Yes, Aeris, I'm back. You really are a clever girl. But isn't it ironic? The one person who I tried so hard to defeat actually turned out to be the key to my resurrection. Poor, ignorant boy," chuckled the imposter Cloud. Aeris's eyes widened. It couldn't be true...she couldn't lose her Cloud that monster. There had to be something she could do! Cloud/Sephiroth sneered down at her. Aeris felt her eyes begin to water. She couldn't stand to see Cloud...even if it wasn't really him...looking at her that way. The eyes she knew used to be so filled with love were now empty and cold with hate. This was too much...she couldn't bear seeing Cloud being used like this. Cloud/ Sephiroth grinned and flexed his arm muscle.
"Well! This body is much more muscular then my previous one. It will do nicely; a perfect disquise to return in. No one will suspect a thing until it's too late. Oh, of course you won't tell anyone, will you? Ha ha...I'll make sure of that," Cloud's face sneered as he rose the giant sword above his head. Aeris felt her body shaking with fear. Was this it? Had she failed? Was there no way to bring Cloud back?
Aeris closed her tearful blue eyes. As she kneeled on the dusty floor, memories began to flow back to her. But one, specific memory stuck in her head. She saw herself, flowing threw the green waters of the life stream, ghostly and pale. Suddenly, Cloud's voice rang in her transparent ears.
"If I could just get the chance to tell her...that's all I want. Just a moment to tell her..."
Cloud had called her to him with his thoughts of love...was it possible she could do the same for him? It was dangerous...Sephiroth might even kill her before she got the chance to try...but she had to do it. Cloud had risked his life to save her, and forfieted his very soul. What kind person would she be if she wasn't willing to do the same?
Aeris opened her shimmering blue eyes, filled with new hope. Cloud was still holding the pointed metal above Aeris head, the point glistening in as the sun hit it. And then, a confident smile on her face, Aeris slowly stood up.
Moving as quickly as she could, Aeris placed her pale hands on the back of Cloud's strong neck. With a quick jerk, she pulled his head towards and their lips met. Cloud/ Spehitroth was so surprised at this sudden action, his eyes popped open with shock. What was this crazy woman doing!? He squirmed and struggled against her tight grip, but she held on fast, forcing their lips to stay together.
Aeris closed her eyes tight, keeping her fingers on his neck.
"Please come back. I love you more then life itself, and I would give anything to see you again. Come back to me...I can't live in this world alone. Don't leave me here...not now. I love you...I love you...please come back."
Aeris repeated this phrase over and over in her mind, trying her best to call Cloud's spirit back. But as he struggled under her grasp, Aeris knew it would only be a matter of time before he broke free. And when that happened...it was all over.
All at once, the struggling stopped. Aeris relaxed her grip on his neck. Suddenly, she felt a strong hand snake around her waist and pull her closer against him. Cloud's warm lips welcomed her kiss now, and Aeris wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn't need him to say anything; her Cloud was back
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Lots of stuff happened in this chapter; I know. I'm trying to finish this, 'cause it's about time it came to a close. I hoped you enjoyed this...and the next chapter will be the last one. Ta-ta!