****Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any characters used in the game Final Fantasy VII, they belong to Squaresoft, nor do I own the rights to the songs I will suggest you listen to in my story. Yes, it is a bit disappointing, but true. I honestly wish I did own the rights to them, but I, sadly, cannot fix that...****

Note to the reader: Howdy. I'd like to tell you that my story is based on Aeris' death, though I'd also like to inform you that it is almost completely untrue to her actual death, even some things about the towns of the FFVII world are made up or different somehow. Sorry if you disapprove of this, but it, I hope, would make the story seem better, smoother, and/or more comprehendible. If you even care to read further on into this note, I'll explain. I was listening to some REAL cool songs, cuz that shit's the mad note. And, at the same time, thinking about how Aeris' death may actually be in the game, for I, honestly, I have only gotten as far as Nibelheim on the first disk but some of my friends spoiled what would be a sad, though magnificent surprise. I then turned my favorite song on and realized that I could write a great story that is based (very loosely) on Aeris' death and revolves around the lyrics of the song! The ideas I was given were so great, I got goose bumps. I decided to write my story without a minutes hesitation! Uh, well, it seems I have actually spared a few minutes of hesitation, so I'll stop boring you and let you read my story.

Final Fantasy VII:

The Last Night Of Sadness

By Mitch Rourke

Chapter I...

Cloud dragged his feet onto the first street he'd seen in days. He was so happy and relieved he'd finally gotten to Junon. He could tell everyone else in his team was just as happy as he was to be here. Cloud leaned against a solid, red brick wall that completed a building that held a small equipment shop within.

"You really are much heavier than you look, Tifa…" Red XIII announced as he lowered to the ground, allowing Tifa, who had been riding on his back, to remove herself from atop him.

"Ugh! You're nice! I think you're just getting weak. I haven't had anything to eat the past two days but…" she stopped, interrupted by Barret.

"You and Aeris haven't had nuttin' to eat the last two days but our last supply of turkey and beef, while we men have had to survive on canned peas and wild berries! Don't try and say you've had nuttin' ta eat, miss!"

"Gyahhh…. Shut uuuup…ugh…" Cloud whined, obviously more fatigued than the others, "Let's just go and find a place to sleep…or maybe eat…yah, let's eat first…and then sleep…please?" At this, Cid Highwind walked up to Cloud and whispered in his ear,

"You're a sissy, Cloud! Don't ya know? Food and sleep are for wimps and little girls! Haha haha!" he laughed, and continued walking straight down the street, chuckling. Cloud took it that Cid felt he could give himself a little bit more pride by walking away from them, making it seem he wasn't going to eat or sleep, as Cloud offered him. Though, he was sure Cid was just going to find another restaurant and inn that the team wouldn't go to. Cloud did catch a peek of Cid trying to steal some of the girls' turkey only last night, while everyone was sleeping.

"Whatever…must eat…food…c'mon guys. Let's find a restaurant…" Cloud struggled to say. Barret came over to Cloud and put one of his arms under Cloud's shoulders to help him balance himself. The group walked for only a few minutes down a couple of streets. When they neared their desired restaurant they all had a good laugh.

The six had seen Cid walk out of a restaurant across the street from their destination. He was holding a brown paper bag in one hand and a chicken leg that he had already taken a big bite out of in the other. Cid then noticed the others, stopped dead in his tracks, and gave a quick puff of air out of shock and surprise. The puff sent several chunks of chicken flying. When he regained control of himself, Cid quickly looked to both of his sides and ran into another shop at the other end of the block.

When they all finished laughing, they hurried into the restaurant. It wasn't one of those fancy sophisticated restaurants, this place was kinda small and homely. It was more like a tavern, to be honest. It had the smell of beer and cigarettes, as well as the distant smells coming from the kitchen.

The bartender was a young girl, in about her early 20's. She wore around her, an apron that looked like it might have been washed in a tub of grease and several different condiments. A wad of bubble gum smacked as her teeth chomped down on it. Cloud wondered how the man sitting at the counter, conversing with her, retained sanity. The two at the counter looked at the group.

"Can I help you?" the girl asked, baring a huge grin and a high, squeaky voice, much more annoying than the chunk of gum she continued to chew and smack between her teeth. Now he really wished he knew what the man sitting at the counter's secret was. Red XIII looked up at Cloud and reminded him,

"Cloud, we have collected a small fortune from the monsters we've fought on our way here. We could go right down the street to an actual restaurant. I would think we'd have enough money. What do you think?"

"Naw…no energy to walk any farther….catch me…" Cloud fell from his standing position, on top of Red XIII and slide off onto the floor. Barret, worrying for the well-being of his good friend, yelled to the bartender,

"Well! Dontcha think ya should get some help for him! Get a move on it!" Barret picked Cloud up off the floor and placed him on the counter.

"Nyah, don't worry. I'll get Bert to make his special brew. It's so strong, it'd even wake the dead if you gave it to 'em! Hehehe! He said if ever it doesn't live up to what it's known for, he'd kill himself! I said to him 'Bert, you better not k…'" Barret interrupted her in another yell,

"I don't care if ya asked him ta marry ya! Just HELP HIM!" This time he leaned over the counter until his reddening face was not even five inches away from hers.

"…Yessir!" she squeaked, eyes wide open, a few beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead. She hurried into the kitchen more out of her fear of Barret than out of her word to help Cloud, and was soon followed by the man she was talking to. It was kinda comical to Barret, even in this situation, because both the bartender and the other man ran into kitchen yelling "Bert!".