Chapter 4


"Cloud...Cloud...wake up. It's time to go up. Cloud....CLOUD!"

Cloud got out of bed, looking up at Reeve. "Now look what you've done, you've ruined my

Tuxedo!"

"It was a rental anyway. Now get up, it's starting!"

Cloud nodded and crawled out of bed. He did his best to straighten his tux, but it was

mounting hefty resistence. (Why did I go to sleep in this? Idiot!). Cloud nodded again that he

was ready to go, and he and Reeve walked into the elevator, going up to the top. They stepped out

quietly, the service had already begun. Reeve and Cloud took seats at the back row.

"Do you see anyone?" Cloud asked.

"They're all up front. They got here nice and early, like you should have!"

"Thanks. Now I feel guilty."

"Shhhhh!!!" A women in front turned around and glared.

"Sorry ma'am," Cloud said apolgitically.

Cloud look out to Cid and Shera, both grinning broadly at each other.

"How far into it are we? I can't hear the pastor that well."

Reeve was about to answer, but then Cid and Shera locked each other in an embrace and

kissed. "Does that answer your question?"

"What?"

"DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION!"

"Oh. Yeah."

Reeve looked at Cloud oddly. "You ok? You don't seem to be hearing things that well."

"Fine. Don't worry about it."

Reeve held his glance a moment longer, but said alright and looked back at Cid and his new

wife. They were walking down the aisle, and Cid was shouting, "C'mon all y'all! Parties this way!"

As he passed by Cloud, Cloud shook his hand and said, "What, no swears?"

Cid laughed, "Lady wants me to tone it down now that we're married. Damnit, this is going

to be hard!"

Cloud laughed again, and said he'd see him at the party. Cloud went wandering off to find

his table, and upon reached his destination, sat down. Moments later, from behind him, Tifa asked,

"Can I sit here?"

Cloud turned. "Sure-" He stopped short. Tifa was wearing a drop dead gorgeous single

shoulder white gown, which fell to her ankles. "Wow, Tifa, you are a vision!" To himself, (damn

she looks hot in that!)

"Thank you, Cloud!" She said, obviously pleased. "Would you mind terribly a dance?"

"Of course not!" Cloud answered, but before he could rise. Cid proposed a toast. "To my

wife! May we have a long and happy marriage!"


"Hear, hear!" The party-goers chorused.

"Now enjoy the party!" Cid shouted, and everyone cheered.

"Now about that dance," Tifa said pulling Cloud out to the dance floor.

Cloud put his hands on Tifa's and waited for the music to begin. It did.

And Cloud collapsed onto the floor.

"Oh my God!"

"Is he all right"

"He's not moving."

Everyone was silenced as hole began to rip it's way down Clouds back. It soon stretched all

the way to his neck and down to his waist, pretty much tearing him half. And then, a ghostly shape

floated out of the gap. It began to form in the shape of a person, and it shouted "At last! I am

free! After living on in that worthless humans form, I am free! And this time I shall not fail!"

The shape grew at least to 4 or 5 times human size and looked down on the terrified

partygoers, who stared back in fright, but unable to turn their eyes away. Except for Tifa. She was

looking down at Cloud in horror at the terrible wound. And then he moved.

"Oh my God, he's still alive!" It seemed impossible. The wound down his back was very

deep, and would have easily killed any other man instantly. Tifa reached into his outstretched

hand, and pulled him into her. He trembled in her arms.


Meanwhile, the shape was beginning to take on more human characteristics, becoming more

and more familiar...

Tifa looked up. "Oh my God." Was all she could say as she realized who it was.


It was Aeris Gainsborough.