The Forgotten Foest An Angel's Last Redemption
By: Mizu Michiru


CHAPTER 1

The Forgotten Forest: And the Memories It Holds



Sephiroth, to some, the name strikes fear, to some, a soothing breeze. Was he evil? or Was he a misunderstood hero? Weakened by his discoveries, overwhelming to him at the time, he became Jenova's favorite puppet. He was The One, produced from her 'greatness'. It was his beckoning,his destiny to free her from the Planet, and become the calamity in the sky. Accepted by none, he turned to her, she had him wrapped around her finger. She could inflict great amounts of pain on him without strain because he was so weak. If his intentions strayed from hers, she played upon his emotions of years of ridicule, being used, manipulated, created to be a murderous monster. When death was around him, it went unnoticed, blood of the innocent cursed his hands, but Jenova washed away the memories, to ensure her future. As Aeris died in Cloud's arms Sephiroth stared blankly at her writhing body. No emotion was ever meant to be etched upon his sullen face. But was that the way he really was? Was that the way he wanted to be?........




Aeris found her way into the Forgotten Forest. The place was warm and welcoming. The Ancients had ceased their cries here. This was a place of peace, happiness. But, she felt a dark, menacing presence near her. She turned and looked up to see Sephiroth standing on a tree branch, with his back leaning on the trunk.
"Sephiroth....." Aeris breathed.

He opened his eyes and looked up as if coming out of sleep. He turned his head in her direction and stared lifelessly into her eyes.

"I knew I felt your presence here." Sephiroth chuckled evilly.

"How can you be here? This is a Holy Place."

"I'm not doing anything Un-Holy, yet. Therefore I can come and go as I please." he replied blankly.

Aeris had no response. She drew out her Princess Guard and got ready to attack. Sephiroth leapt off the tree branch and landed a few feet away from Aeris.

"Please, there's no need for that. Put it away. I have no intention to harm you." Sephiroth said quietly, obviously hiding what he had said from Jenova.

Aeris thought she saw a hint of serenity flash through his deep, intense, and otherwise lifeless green eyes. She dropped her rod to her side but didn't put it away.

"Why are you here?" Aeris finally asked.

"Jenova wants me to go where's there's power, immense amounts of it. She needs it." Sephiroth said with great intelligence laced into his voice as he circled around Aeris.

"Stop it with the Jenova stuff!! Nevermind what she wants, what do you want?" Aeris asked, turning on her heels to face Sephiroth.

Sephiroth stopped dead in his tracks and stared at her. It looked like he had been slapped in the face, that everything he had learned failed him in his time of need. He had never been asked that question before. He appeared to be lost, bewildered, confused. Aeris put her hand on Sephiroth's upper arm. He snapped back to reality and gazed at her.

"I don't understand." Sephiroth murmured.

Aeris groaned in annoyance and looked up at the tree. There she saw sitting on the branch, where Sephiroth once was, was Jenova, staring down at Sephiroth, controlling him, moving the strings to her favorite puppet. Aeris glared at it in hatred and threw her weapon at Jenova sending her off some ways in the distance. As a result, Sephiroth fell to the ground, with a sickening thud.

"Sephiroth!" Aeris gasped as she fell to her knees beside him.

"Please, I need someone to hold me." he said in a quivering voice.

Aeris wrapped her arms around him and pulled him onto her lap, resting his head just below her chest. Sephiroth's breaths were soft and a little shaky. Aeris felt sorry for him, she almost felt like crying. Her White Materia reacted to her emotions and began to emit a soft light. Aeris reached up and untied her hair bow, letting her hair fall around her face,framing it beautifully, as she grabbed the Materia and brought it out in front of them. The light that grew out from it hurt Sephiroth's eyes, but he dare not look away. Sephiroth reached out for it, but quickly pulled away.

"No, fight Jenova." Aeris demanded.

"I....can't." he said, defeated.

Aeris took hold of his hand and placed her Materia into it. A strange wave of energy ran through Sephiroth, making him shake. Aeris wrapped her arms around him tightly and rested her cheek on the top of his head. Sephiroth began to cry. At last, after so long, he could let all go without caring. There was no one here that would disapprove.

"Aeris, what's that strange feeling I'm getting from you?" Sephiroth asked.

"It's love Sephiroth." she said bringing her face down to his.

She took the Materia from his hand and placed it into the pocket of her jacket. Sephiroth brought his hand up to her face and began to caress her cheek. Aeris placed her hand over his and leaned into his curiously loving touch.

"You're so soft." Sephiroth stated.

A small laugh of acceptance escaped her. He traced his fingers down to her smiling lips and ran them across from corner to corner. Aeris was a little shocked by his advance, but liked it. He placed his hand under her chin pulled her closer to him, until their lips met. A shudder coursed through Aeris as Sephiroth's fingers slowly began to explore lower, down her neck and chest, in-between her breast and eventually over her waist to place his hand on her lower back. Aeris ran her fingers through his long silvery hair. She didn't understand, they were supposed to be enemies, opposites. But she found herself in his loving embrace, kissing him, like she had never kissed anyone before, not even Zach. And Cloud, he was the farthest thing in her mind at this point in time. Aeris pulled herself closer to him until there was basically nothing separating them. Sephiroth moved his hand from her lower back and traced the curves of her body. Aeris snaked her arms around him, begging him to continue. Sephiroth suddenly snapped away. He grabbed the sides of his head and began to curl up in pain. Aeris gasped in horror, and put her hand on his shoulder, trying to help him. Sephiroth winced under her touch.

"Get away." Sephiroth groaned through his teeth.

Aeris retracted, noticing that she was adding to his pain. She looked beyond Sephiroth to see that Jenova had found her way back. Aeris stared at her with intense hatred again. A twisted smile broke across Jenova's face. Sephiroth was still laying on the ground. He was breathing hastily and in rigid gasps.

"Don't you see? Sephiroth is mine. You can never free him from my hold. He is a part of me and always will be. You're foolish Materia can't save him either. He can't be saved." Jenova chuckled.

Sephiroth rose to his feet and retrieved his sword that Aeris didn't even notice was there until now. He stood there, lifelessly. His body was an empty void again. Aeris ran over to him. She grabbed his shoulders violently.

"Come on Sephiroth you can beat her!" Aeris yelled.

She stared into his bleak eyes searching for an answer. A flash of life ran through them, but was quickly snuffed. She could hear what they were trying to say,

"I'm sorry Aeris, but I can't. I'm too weak to fight her. I will always remember your kindness."

Aeris' face crumbled in defeat as she began to cry. Sephiroth freed one arm and threw her to the ground. And with a voice not of his own, he said,

"Remember, you're only alive now because this place is too holy. But you will die."

She could hear Jenova behind him laughing in delight.

"You will meet your demise little Certa. The Ancients can't protect you forever." Jenova hissed.

Sephiroth then disappeared from her sight into the darkness of the forest up ahead.

"What should I do?" she cried out.

"If you pray for Holy, he will be saved at your request." came the voices of the Ancients.

A look of relief came to her as she gained knowledge from the Certa. He will be cleansed of Jenova with Holy and be a part of her people. He will find his way to their Promised Land. Aeris stared off into the distance where Sephiroth had disappeared. A small tear of uselessness escaped her eye. She wished she could help him in some other way. A soft breeze passed through a brought with it a voice. A voice so pure and soft, she knew exactly who it was. It was Sephiroth.

"Thank-you Aeris.....I love you."
He was strong enough to break Jenova's control over him. Though it was only for mere seconds, he did it. Aeris knew then, that Sephiroth really was just a victim, not a villain, and it was her job to save him, and the Planet. She had to play the role of the hero or heroine if you will, even if it would cost her, her life.