Chapter 12
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
Cetra….Cetra…Can you hear me ?
Aeris feels her head is tingling with sudden voice in the middle of battle. It is voice of The Planet. She does not know why Planet contacted her at time like this, but she feels there is something important to tell to her.
Yes, Planet ?, Aeris sends her response back. She stops her action for a moment. Planet's voice then is heard again,
Time is running out, Cetra…quick…
Aeris watches her surrounding. The green tendrils are now moving faster than first time they came here. She knows what it means. Lifestream is preparing for something, and it may be harmful to them. However, she still needs to know what happened, exactly.
Planet, please tell me what happened, we are at battle, we need to know…Aeris asks an explanation from Planet. Shortly after that, Planet's voice is heard again,
Lifestream has learned from the past…It will try once again to destroy everything inside it, including you ….
Hearing Planet's reply makes Aeris surprised. She once again watches the green tendrils which fly around them faster and faster. Suddenly, she catches the idea behind this. They don't have to kill Sephiroth, they only need to hold for him to stay within while Lifestream gathers its strength. For some reason she does not understand yet, Sephiroth must be inside Lifestream while it prepares for his elimination. After that, they have to leave this place and lets Lifestream do its way to banish Sephiroth. If they are still here, Lifestream will eliminate them as well. Now, the time will be coming shortly. As she is going to tell the others, she is startled by a loud scream, and it makes her shocked. She sees Cloud is bleeding on his head. Aeris cries out a shock. Looked like Sephiroth has wounded Cloud on head. Now Sephiroth jumps and is going to send another chop to Cloud's neck. Aeris cannot stand anymore. She then runs to Cloud to protect him from harm. She has to save Cloud, no matter how, and whatever price. Before she reaches him, Tifa has grabbed Cloud and pushes him to move away from danger. Now Tifa stands at Cloud's place and Sephiroth has already swung his masamune, now to Tifa. Obviously, Tifa is exhausted because of this lengthy battle. However, she must avoid Sephiroth's attack. She tells herself that she has to, but her body cannot react quickly. Cloud and the others stare with horror at Tifa. They cannot imagine what if Tifa's neck is being slashed by Sephiroth. Before Sephiroth's sword reaches its target, a light flies with high speed at Sephiroth. Surprised that he will be disturbed by another attack he has not anticipated yet, Sephiroth swings his free arm to block the attack. As he blocks the attack, his face looks surprised, then changes into painful one. Sephiroth then lands on the ground and finds his arm is bleeding a lot. He then looks at the weapon he blocked before. It is part of Cid's broken spear. It has successfully wounded Sephiroth on arm. Seeing this clearly makes Sephiroth's anger increases. He then poses a stance for another attack.
"Everyone !! Defend yourself !!". It is Cid's voice. He knows Sephiroth's stance. "He is going to use his unseen energy to @#&^% cut us !!!", he shouts to the others, telling the danger that lies ahead. Even in the heat of battle, Cid does not forget to insert some curse on his *$^#@ words. However, Cid's warning is effective. Everyone recalls how Sephiroth has done before to Cid. Now they prepare their tightest guard, but Sephiroth is already performing his attack. Cid is right. Although Sephiroth is only swinging his sword around himself, The Avalanche can feel a circle-shaped dangerous energy comes to them. Cid even feels that this time is more powerful than he faced before. This time, there is no place to avoid the attack. The Avalanche tries their best to block the energy that comes from Sephiroth, but it is too powerful for them. Finally, they are thrown away and that unseen energy hits its target on each member. Painful cries are heard after that. Although Cloud is wounded badly, he is the first who stands up, followed by Aeris, then Tifa and the others. They look in pain.
"Cloud…", Aeris calls him, "We don't have to defeat him here. Our task is to hold him here so Lifestream can prepare itself. After its preparation is ready, we have to leave this place at once…and it's going to be short time after this. Those are what Planet said". The others listened to Aeris, and they realize that things really go worse.
Cloud only nods to Aeris while not letting his eyes away from Sephiroth. That's good point, we have been exhausted and wounded here, and he is still almost untouched, Cloud thinks. As he makes one step ahead, suddenly the green tendrils around them glow, emitting bright green light. Cloud stops his step. Sephiroth notices this then lifts up his head and his mouth is opened.
"Ancient !! What more did you do !!!", Sephiroth shouts at Aeris. He does not have idea what happened. However, he senses that his enemies are up to something.
"Aeris, can you guide the others to the way out of here ?", Cloud asks Aeris. Aeris replies hesitantly , "I..actually don't know where the exit way is…Planet doesn't tell me…yet, but I'll try". Suddenly she realizes something on Cloud's words. Aeris' eyes go wide and she looks at him intently. "But…how about you, Cloud ? You must leave with us too !", she asks Cloud with concerned tone. Deep inside her heart, she already knows what his answer will be, but she is afraid if she was right.
"If we go now, that menace will follow us, and once he goes outside from this place, I cannot assure that we will succeed !", Cloud replies as he steps forward, approaching Sephiroth.
"Cloud ! What are you doing ? Come back with us !!", Aeris tries to hold him, but she knows it is useless.
"Hey, spikey !! Don't be stupid !! Ya could be killed !!", Barret also shouts at Cloud, but he receives no response.
"Cloud ! What are you doing ? What about me… ??", Tifa cries out a loud to Cloud. She knows that it will be a fight-to-the-death if he really wants to fight Sephiroth on his own. After hearing Tifa's voice, Cloud stops his step, turns his head to Tifa. He gives her a faint smile, and then walks toward Sephiroth again. Tifa cannot understand what kind of smile he gave her. She is afraid if his smile was a good-bye smile. She really wants to be by his side badly, fights Sephiroth together, but she dares to do that. Cloud really meant his action. Aeris is not in different state than Tifa is. She looks at his back, her eyes are brimming with tears.
Yuffie stares at Cloud, she feels her eyes are watering, but then she pumps her brave to her heart and jumps to Cloud.
"Yuffie !! Step back !! Don't interfere me !!", Cloud shouts at her harshly. Yuffie is shocked to hear Cloud's response. Surprisingly enough to the others, Yuffie shouts back to him, "You are idiot, Cloud Strife !!! You want to fight Sephiroth on your own ? You will surely be killed !! Remember, Cloud !! We are team !! We cannot let you do this !!!". Yuffie is really desperate. She pours down her emotion. Cloud stops again. He then replies with cold voice, "Yuffie, you are right. One Cloud's death means nothing, but The Avalanche's death…that is something I will never imagine. Step back,…now !". For the second time, Yuffie is shocked. She never saw Cloud very cold like this. Cloud ignores her and walks closer to Sephiroth.
Cloud, while in awful condition because of his wounds, bravely walks toward Sephiroth who has regained his composure. He looks sharply at Cloud, but does nothing. After they are only several feet away, Sephiroth says,
"I know it, puppet. Your Ancient friend is preparing something with Lifestream. That'll be no use for sure". His tone is different. Sephiroth is really serious now and wants to finish this fight. Cloud looks at him and says, "Thank you for letting me saying my final words to my friends", he then prepares a stance, "let's finish this fight !!". Sephiroth is no longer laughing or smiling. He draws his masamune and prepares his attack. At the same time, they jump to each other, continuing their suspended fight.
"Guys ! We have to move from here, dat spikey, I mean…Cloud, really wanted us to get out from here ! Let's do it !!", Barret advises his friends. Honestly, he cannot let his cocky pal fights alone, but he gets Cloud's point. Besides, he still has faith, even in small portion that Cloud will be survive. The others look at Barret as if they ask whether they are doing the right thing, leaving Cloud like this. Barret, with his eyes, tells that this is the right thing to do. Finally Aeris speaks up, "All right, let's get out from here ! I will try to contact Planet to find way out".
The green tendrils now move wildly. Green light that comes from them is glowing brighter. Even Aeris has not ever seen Lifestream like this. With her mind and closed eyes, she contacts Planet.
Planet…are you ready ? We are ready to leave here….
A voice rings inside her mind, Find your way out…look for gate to the mortal world…use your White Materia, Cetra…that's your only hope…
Aeris opens her eyes and finds her White Materia is glowing again. Its glow is getting bigger and bigger until it reaches size of a portal door. After that, The Avalanche can see familiar surrounding and items on other side of that glowing door.
"I think this is our way out…let's get out of here !", Aeris exclaims. Suddenly, they feel the ground they are standing on is shaking. Green tendrils that surround them are twirling and moving madly. The green light is now getting brighter and darker randomly.
"Lifestream is getting unstable ! Quick ! Everyone ! Pass this door and we will be back to our place before !!", Aeris orders her friends to move on. Losing her patience, she pulls Yuffie and pushes her to pass the glowing door.
"Whoaaa…calm down, Aeris !", Yuffie is surprised. However, she is getting more surprised and amazed as she steps out of glowing door. Her eyes catch familiar environment to her. She is on the altar where Aeris prayed before. After her are Vincent, Red XIII, Cait Sith, Cid, and Barret. Now there are only Aeris, Tifa, and Cloud, not to mention Sephiroth, inside Lifestream.
"Tifa ! What are you waiting for ? Quick !", Aeris rushes Tifa. She can see Tifa is in doubt, and she knows why, because she feels the same as Tifa. It is Cloud's matter. Tifa and Aeris look once again at fight happened behind them. There, they see Cloud and Sephiroth are fighting fiercely. Cloud, with his might, tries to overcome Sephiroth, but Sephiroth seems on winning side. Although Cloud attacks Sephiroth continuously, Sephiroth always blocks his attacks. Tifa cannot stand no longer. She is going to help Cloud, but she finds her hand is held by Aeris. Tifa gives Aeris vicious look, but Aeris only shakes her head. She says, "Tifa, he wants our safety, please don't make him disappointed….We must believe him…he can do that…". Aeris, even in rush condition, still tries to ease Tifa. Tifa hangs her head down, she cannot hold her tears, but still she steps her foot to the portal. After Tifa is completely outside Lifestream, Aeris takes a breath and looks at Cloud who is still fighting once again.
Cloud…please keep your promise…to keep alive after this battle…I'm waiting for you outside…Aeris then steps out from Lifestream and meets the others. They look at each other with sad look. Their cocky leader is still inside, and nothing they can do about that. The worse is, the portal is shrinking now, it is getting smaller and smaller. Looks like the door is going to be "closed".
Cetra…after you're outside Lifestream, I need your help once more…The Planet's voice comes inside Aeris' mind again.
What is that, Planet ? Aeris asks. She does not know that her task is not over yet.
Although the portal will be closed, you still have to seal Lifestream with this menace inside…Planet replies. Aeris thinks for a moment after hearing Planet's reply. An idea suddenly snaps her mind.
Planet, if I have power to seal Lifestream, then I guess…I also have power to keep this portal open…even for some moments ? Please…I want to wait for him…Aeris talks to Planet. Silentce raises after that. Aeris is waiting for response with uneasy feeling.
This is the only way to save Cloud…otherwise, we all will miss him…she thinks.
Yes…Cetra…you can do that also…Planet finally responses her. It then continues …but it will drain your energy while keeping the portal open….
"Yes !!", Aeris cries out happily. The others are startled with her sudden reaction. Without letting questions arise, Aeris speaks to her friends,
"Everybody, I find a way to save Cloud !!". She can tell that her friends are surprised to know the news. Hope is coloring everyone's expression. Aeris adds, "I will keep this portal open with my energy, with that, we hope that Cloud can reach this portal and get out from Lifestream !".
Tifa is the first who is relieved to know that there is a way to save his Cloud. Aeris glances at her, then she closes her eyes and takes position as if she will cast magic. Shortly after that, a green aura wraps around Aeris. With that, slowly, the portal now is getting larger. The others wait impatiently, yet uneasily. They hope that only Cloud will step out from inside Lifestream. If it happens to be other, they will surely be in trouble again.
Cloud…quick…I cannot hold too long…Aeris prays inside her mind while keeping the portal open with her energy. She does not know before that she bears some kind of Ancient energy. This energy is like energy she used to cast magic, but different in some ways. If it is not because of this situation, she will never know that.
"Hi guys, waiting too long, huh ?", a familiar voice is heard. Aeris and the others look at voice source. It's him. Cloud. He is stepping out from portal that connects Lifestream with ordinary world. Cloud is really in awful condition. His cloth is stained with blood, and he has a lot of wounds over his body. However, he is still breathing and alive. That is enough for them.
"Cloud !! You're back !!", Tifa cries out happily now. The others also seem relieved. Although they say nothing, their face show happiness to see him back. Aeris feels her heart is overabundant with happiness to see Cloud is safe. She wants to embrace him badly, but then she hesitates again. There is Tifa. She thinks that Tifa deserves it.
"Yes…I am…wow, that was a really nasty fight !", Cloud responses. He then takes a breath.
"What happened to Sephiroth, Cloud ?", Vincent asks him. Without turning his face to Vincent, Cloud replies, "I knocked him down, but he may still alive. Our task is not finished yet, someone has to seal the portal". Aeris steps forward to him and responses, "Let me do that". She then closes her eyes and begins to communicate with Planet.
Planet…I am ready to shut this portal…Please guide me…Aeris prays to Planet. Again, a glowing green light surrounds her body, and slowy, the portal is shrinking. Aeris is still concentrating when suddenly,
Wait, Cetra ! Much to her surprise, Planet calls her in a sudden. This makes Aeris confused.
Huh…? Aeris cannot understand what Planet said.
Suddenly, a loud scream comes from other side of portal. The Avalanche members are looking to each other with startled expression. After that, a blue shadow is dashing out from the portal. That shadow now stops in front of the others. Tifa, Yuffie, and Aeris gasp in unison to recognize the person. The others are just the same, including Cloud.
"CLOUD
!!!!", Barret, Cait Sith, Red XIII yell together. The person who was just
getting out from Lifestream is no other than Cloud, complete with his wounds.
Cid looks at Cloud who has just dashed outside and then looks at the other
Cloud who has already been with them.
"My #$@^&…what the $%#& happened !! How could there be two Cloud ??",
he shouts madly, confused. Quickly, before anyone reacts, Aeris shouts to
everyone, "Everyone ! Beware ! One of these Cloud is Sephiroth !! Prepare for
fight !!". Everyone now quickly moves away from twin Cloud. These Cloud are now
facing each other with hatred and anger look in their eyes. Looks like they are
going to send final blow to each other. Tifa stares at those two persons
confusedly. If they are going to fight Sephiroth, they must be assured that
they are fighting the real Sephiroth, but since they cannot tell the difference
among the twin Cloud, they just practically do nothing. Meanwhile, the portal
is still shrinking.
"Oh my God ! The portal is closing, I cannot hold it any longer !", Aeris speaks nervously. With remains of her strength, she concentrates again to hold the portal from shutting.
"What are we going to do now ?", Yuffie asks her friends. Red XIII quickly replies her, "We must be able to find out which Cloud is real Sephiroth ! Otherwise, we will let real Cloud fight on his own again !".
Good idea, but how ?, Tifa asks herself. While she and the others hesitate, those two Cloud are opening their attack.
"Cloud ! No matter which one, if you are real Cloud, just be quick ! Send Sephiroth back to the portal !". Again, Aeris shouts to them. It seems she cannot hold it longer. Sweats are forming on her face.
Suddenly, one of Cloud jumps back to make distance with enemy. His breath is pacing. He closes his eyes to concentrate on something. Seeing this, the other Cloud approaches him with sword pointed to his chest.
"Ultimate End !!!"
Suddenly, the concentrating Cloud lets out these words with remains of his last strength. "That's him !! That's real Cloud !!", Red XIII is surprised. He is getting excited to be able to recognize his friend. Only Cloud who bears enough strength to use Knights of The Round Materia.
"What…you…you can't do that !!", the other Cloud now stares at his other body with shocked look. After that, their surrounding goes dark. From darkness, knights come from everywhere, stabbing the other Cloud, who is really Sephiroth, without mercy. Sephiroth screams in agony as each knight slashes and stabs his body. The last knight, Arthur, finally appears in front of Sephiroth and ready to give final attack.
"Nooooo….!!!!", Sephiroth cries out a loud once more. With a powerful slash, Arthur gives Sephiroth a real nasty blow. He then slowly kneels to the ground, his body is shaking, and finally he falls to the ground. Sephiroth is defeated. Some seconds after that, Arthur disappears, the surrounding goes back again, and real Cloud appears.
"Victory…at last…", Cloud, now the real one, whispers. He then kneels down to arrange his breath. He stabs his Ultima sword to ground. Surely this fight exhausted him. He has wounds everywhere on his body, as well as bruises. Slowly, with support of his sword, he stands up again and turns his head to his friends who cheer him.
"We won !! Yeaaa !!!", Cid yells. He clenches his fist and punches the air. The other's faces grow brighter to know that Sephiroth is defeated. They won again.
"It's not over yet ! We have to send him back to Lifestream !", Aeris' voice hits their mind. She is right. The fight is not over yet. They have to do something before the portal is completely shut.
"No way….you are not winning yet…puppet..", Sephiroth, still in Cloud's form is now trying to stand up from his fall. He feels pain crawls to every inches of his body. Real Cloud and his friends look with disbelief and horror look. They cannot believe it. Sephiroth is still alive ! If Knights of The Round cannot kill Sephiroth, then what else ? This question haunts everyone's mind. The real Cloud, although being exhausted still tries to approach Sephiroth. Now he and Sephiroth are just the same, not only physically, but also on their wounds. They both have been worn out because of such fight. Now they both realize that sudden-death fight will take place.
Those two Cloud are now clashing their swords again. Suddenly, one Cloud dashes another and pushes him toward the portal. Although the portal is shrinking, its size is still big enough for them. Cloud jumps to front and rams the other, and because of that action, they both fall into other side of portal. They are back to Lifestream again.
"Cloud !!", Aeris can only call him desperately. Without thinking too much, she jumps inside portal, following two Cloud.
"Aeris !! What are you doing ? Come back !!!", Tifa shouts to her. She is really surprised to see Aeris goes back to Lifestream through portal. She is going to follow her, but Red XIII stops her. The beast says, "Tifa ! No !! Aeris is not doing a reckless thing ! She knows what to do ! If we go inside, we will be her burden !!". Tifa looks at Red XIII with a sign on her eyes that she does not understand. Red XIII responses as he knows what Tifa will say, "Tifa ! It's only Aeris who can save this world ! We must believe her !".
Inside Lifestream, Aeris watches the fighting of two Cloud. She looks back at the portal. It is still shrinking slowly. When it completely shut, they will surely be trapped inside. Her spine feels cold to imagine such circumstance.
With a loud cry, one Cloud tries to attack the other one. The other blocks his attack with his sword and forced to step back. Instead of doing counter attack, the stepped back Cloud now jumps back farther. His body is shaking heavily. Looks like he has been really bruised and wounded. Without letting anymore seconds pass, the other leaps to him to give final blow. The shaking Cloud, from desperate expression that is depicted on his face, now turns to a raging one. He gathers his inner strength once more. He knows this is the last chance. To win or to lose. To live or to die. When the other Cloud is close enough to him, suddenly he yells,
"Omni Slash !!!"
Aeris' eyes are widened to hear this. That's him !, she thinks. She is finally able to recognize which one is real Cloud. Sephiroth will not be able to perform this highest limit break, so he must be real Cloud.
With quick moves, Cloud slashes the other him, that is Sephiroth, with powerful slashes. Sephiroth, still in Cloud's form, cannot block or avoid his enemy's limit break. Cloud really means his attack. He slashes and slashes Sephiroth fiercely. Sephiroth screams in agony as his body is slashed many times by Cloud. After final deadly slash, Sephiroth falls down on his knees and stares at Cloud with disbelief look. His eyes go wide, his mouth is opened as he wants to say 'How ?'. Slowly, he falls to the ground. After some seconds, his body changes to his normal form again. Real Sephiroth form. The real Cloud watches him for a while, making sure that his enemy is really defeated. Noticing no movement or anything suspicious from Sephiroth, Cloud is now sure that he did it. He has won the fight. He then lets himself fall down on his knees. He feels dizzy, but he knows he must get out of here quickly, with Aeris, of course.
"Cloud…", Cloud feels a soft hand caress his cheek. It is Aeris' hand. He lifts up his head, and with struggle, he stands up from his kneeling position. He feels his head is getting heavier. He has to make his escape with Aeris quick before he falls out of cold.
"Aeris, let's get out of this place !", Cloud says to her. Aeris shakes her head for reply. Cloud, even in his terrible condition, can still see Aeris' response. Before he asks anything, Aeris has cut him off,
"Cloud…look at Sephiroth now". Cloud turns his head to see Sephiroth. He is still laying on the ground, but now some glowing green tendrils wrap around his dead body. This time, Sephiroth is not dissipated into Lifestream. Cloud actually does not know what is going on.
"Lifestream has gathered its special ability learned from the past, and now it will use that ability to banish Sephiroth. ", Aeris explains. She then adds. "Those green tendrils around him are eliminating his Jenova cells, and final dissipation will be happened after that. Bad thing for us was, that Planet needed to have Sephiroth inside Lifestream and that's our task, to keep him inside, and we did it, Cloud. After that, Lifestream will take over with its final dissipation, but it means destruction for mortals inside Lifestream, …so you must get out of here, Cloud". Aeris' tone grows sad as she finishes her words. Cloud notices this change. He glances a while at portal. It's getting smaller, but Cloud sure that its size is still enough for him and Aeris.
"Aeris, what are you talking about ? What about you ? You must go with me !", Cloud asks Aeris. Aeris shakes her head again, and replies, "Cloud, your task is over, you succeeded on saving Planet and this world again, but…my task is not ended yet…I am Cetra, I am last protector of Planet…I…I have to stay here, do you understand Cloud ?". Aeris' eyes are watering with tears. Cloud feels like being slammed by hammer.
Time is running out, and she is acting like this ??!! Cloud tries to press his losing patience.
"Cloud…", Aeris says to him, "I was dead, and I was supposed to be like that if Sephiroth didn't come to the surface. Now since he is no longer alive, I…must go back to Lifestream as well…".
"But…but it means…you will be gone…", Cloud responses. He feels rough on his throat. Fear is crawling his heart. He does not know why he feels like this, what is he afraid of ? Losing Aeris ? If yes, then why ? Cloud cannot answer those questions right now.
Aeris nods her head and says, "I may be gone physically, but I still exist on this world even though in spirit form, Cloud…and as long as I exist, it means I live".
Cloud closes his face with his both hands. He cannot believe this. His patience is completely gone.
"Noooooo !!! This is not fair !!! ", he screams. He lifts up his head and shouts in anger, "Planet ! Why are you so selfish ? We saved you, but you still ask for her soul !! That's not fair !! She deserves happiness in our world, mortal world ! She will be back to you, but that will be later, not this time, not in this place !!!!".
"Cloud…", Aeris calls him with trembling voice. She never predicts that Cloud will go mad like this. This touches her heart. Cloud now gazes at Aeris. His face looks depressed and desperate.
"I'll take you whether you, or even Planet, like it or not..", he speaks out. Cloud then grabs Aeris' hand tightly and runs to portal who is getting smaller and smaller. Aeris is shocked. She never thinks Cloud will do such thing. However, she cannot release her hand from Cloud, so she just follows him with mixed feeling. The green tendrils around them are glowing and moving wildly. They have to make their way out quickly.
"Where are they ? Where are they ? Why does it take so long ?", Yuffie nervously mumbling her words. She is worried about the situation : two of them are still inside Lifestream, and the portal is too small to pass on. She only prays that good things will happen. However, she just grows worried as time ticks on.
"They will make it here, Yuffie", Vincent pats Yuffie's shoulder. Yuffie looks at him for a moment, wondering how he could still be cold in such this situation. "I worry about them too", Vincent says as if he knows what Yuffie thinks about him. Yuffie then spreads her look to the others. They are just quiet, but their faces show worried expression.
Suddenly, a bright light appears from other side of portal. It makes Cait Sith grow curious. As he approaches the portal to take a look inside, suddenly two person jumps out from portal. Those two persons are no other than Cloud and Aeris. After that, the portal is completely closed and glowing with green light. Everybody watch it without a sound. They hope that this portal will not be opened again, forever. The green light suddenly emits an outburst of strong light that everyone has to cover his or her eyes. After the light is fading out, the portal is completely disappeared from sight. The surrounding goes back to quiet again as if nothing has been happened. Looks like everything is over.
"Cloud ! Aeris ! You're back !!", Yuffie cries out happily. She jumps a little and runs to them, but Tifa has already approaches Cloud and hugs him tightly.
"Cloud ! Thanks God, you're alive !! Oh, my God, you are wounded too much !", Tifa cries out happily too. Tears are brimming on her eyes. Tears of happiness. Tears of comforted feeling. Cloud hugs her back, but with his eye tip, he glances at Aeris who is standing near him. Aeris witnesses the man she loves and she cares very much is being hugged by woman other than her. This makes her sad, but as she sees that Yuffie hugs her after that, she decides not to screw up this event. Aeris hugs Yuffie back and manages to smile. However, she still has her friends, The Avalanche who still cares about her. This realization makes her relieved a little.
"Yo Cloud !! Ya kicked his ass, right !!?", Barret's gruff voice is painted with happiness tone. Cid only takes a deep inhale on his cigar and shows his thumb to Cloud. Smile is formed on his rugged visage. Cait Sith and Red XIII cheer up the moment. Vincent only looks at his friends, says nothing, but anyone who ever sees his eyes at that time will surely tell that he is happy to see his friends back.
Cetra…thank you…the menace has gone…Planet's voice is again heard inside Aeris' mind. Smiling, Aeris closes her eyes and sends her response back, You're welcome, Planet…nice to help you…
Aeris feels that spirits of her ancestors are smiling to her from their world, and it makes her feel on top of the world.
AUTHOR'S POST-CHAPTER NOTE :
Phew…finally, I made this fanfic so far. Actually, there were some mistakes I did, like mentioning Ancient Temple but with image of a place when Aeris died in the game. The place when Aeris died an buried is supposed to be Ancient's Forgotten Capital, right ? Honestly, I forgot a lot about those Ancient things, since I played FFVII at 1998 in PC version. Nah, forget it. I hope you, readers, could enjoy my fanfic and…review…pleeeasee ??? ^_^
Is this the end ? Absolutely NOT. This chapter is not the end of my fanfic. There is one more ending chapter ! The last chapter !
