Return of the Sinned


It was finally over. After the hard work, the sacrifices, the sorrows, he had risen. That boy, now a man, was the savior of the Planet. Had it only been three months since Meteor was threatening the Planet?

Three months since Holy and Aerith's prayer had saved us?

Three months since the villain of the living world was defeated?

After the battle was waged, what could be considered normal life was returning to the people. Midgar was slowly being abandoned. Shin-ra had been dissolved. New towns were popping up all over the world and life began a new. What's left of the Highwind was quick to take everyone to their destinations.

Yuffie Kisaragi returned to her home in Wutai to restore the nation to it's proper birthright, not without taking some materia first.

Vincent Valentine had opted to return to his coffin. *To return to his sin. To return to his sleep.* The man always had the creepiest ways to explain things.

Reeve, also known as Cait Sith, had decided to dismantle anything left of the Shin-ra. He, assisted by the former Turks, had now based themselves in Junon, and had created an organization called 'The Shell'. It's purpose was to now protect all those in need of protection. The people welcomed this with open arms.

Red XIII, whose real name s Nanaki Seto, returned to Cosmo Canyon, to live on in the footsteps of his noble father and guard the canyon and its knowledge.

Barret Wallace had returned to Kalm to be with his daughter and to console Aeris' 'mother' after what happened.

Cid Highwind returned to Rocket Town, now devoid of a rocket, yet not just called 'town'. He said something about making it up to that damned Shera, whatever that could imply.

Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockheart had no place to go. Their real hometown, burned down seven years ago by the insane Sephiroth, was nothing but an illusion to them now. Since the destruction of Meteor, Cloud had his mind dwelling on the flower girl. The greatest fighter on the planet now traveled from Cosmo Canyon, to the place once known as Mideel and finally to the Capital of the Ancients. His exhausting research often reminded himself of when Sephiroth was searching for much the same answers as he was searching for. What am I? Who am I? Do I deserve to be who I think I am? What am I trying to find? But all the time there was Tifa. Tifa was his emotional anchor. She really did love him, even in his search for the one that he loved. Whenever he cried, she was there to hold him. Whenever he got angry, she was there to remind him. Whenever he got frustrated, she encouraged him. Day by day, the answer started to come to him. One day, he knew what he had to do. He knew where to meet her. Of course, the place wasn't really a place. It was a inner temple, as it were. The place to find her was the same place that he had lost her. The place he needed to be was in his heart, and in Tifa's heart, and in every other person's heart that Aeris touched. Only then could the Lifestream choose to give her life again. So that is how it was. Cloud and Tifa made the arrangements for the Highwind. Cid, leaving his new bride, would join them to win back Aerith' soul. Nanaki would pray from the Canyon, fearful to leave it unprotected. Barret said he would not leave Marlene alone anymore, and sent his prayers with them. Reeve said he would send them an escort, but knew Cloud would refuse. Yuffie did not even respond, only a letter returned with the official seal of Wutai on it. Oddly, the darkly man, Vincent, did choose to come out of his sleep to witness it.

So on the bridge of the Highwind, now only the escape pod of the original Highwind, but still carrying the same name, they all stood. The craft had just made a soft landing on front of the old Capital and Cloud turned to the crew and his friends. He had come almost unprepared. Only his Buster sword, a few materia and a light armor clad his trim body. He wanted Aeris to see him as he was. Tifa, had come even less prepared. No weapon lined her gloves, nor her feet and she only carried some curing materia in her light armor. Cid saw no need to retrieve any of his weapons from the store room next to his bedroom. Vincent had at his side the Quicksilver, his loyal partner and only friend. The crew announced their landing and Cloud nodded, then looked out the front window to the capital.

"This is it. We may meet her again today."

Tifa's face visibly dimmed, but she kept smiling. She nodded also and looked at the old man with the attitude, "Yeah."

"Damn, I can hardly contain myself! Let's just go do it. *%^#$^@&^#." Cid growled and started towards the exit hatch. They exited the craft and stepped onto the hard pathway. They all blinked to see Vincent standing on a small rock at the entrance and looking out over the city, his cape slowly flapping behind him.

"Are you coming in?" Could inquires but Vincent does not look at him, yet answers in a quiet voice.

"The damned are not allowing in such places. I shall wait out here and give you my best wishes." Smiling a bit at a typical Vincent response, Cloud nodded and started towards the Capital. Tifa lingered a bit, looking at the dark man in red, then followed Cloud also. Cid shook his head and walked behind them, lighting up a cigarette.

Images and thoughts raced through Cloud's head. He had a bemused smile on his face and a little skip to his step. Seeing this made Tifa happy and sad at the same time. She walked behind him, hands clasped behind her and looking at her feet as she walked.

"There it is." All of them stopped and looked at the Capital. It was still a far ways off and the small pond surrounding it glimmered in the light. As they walked, all the events that happened here echoed in Cloud's mind. How he knew she was here. How he saw her there on the alter, praying. How he almost......damn you, Sephiroth. He could almost spit acid, every time he saw that long, terrible blade stabbed through her frail body. He had released so much anger against Sephiroth when he defeated him in that last, emotion-charged Omni-Slash, yet he was still so angry.

"C...Cloud, what's that?" Cloud was snapped out his daze at Tifa's voice and blinked. He saw a small figure laying halfway in that pond and his heart skipped a beat. He stopped walking, then burst into a dead run towards it. Tifa took a deep breath, then followed. Cid kept walking at a normal pace and watched the whole thing.

"Is it....is it?" Cloud stuttered as he turned over the soaked figure. He almost felt like he was in a dream when he saw Aeris' face looking back up at him. The corners of his eyes filled with hot tears and he wiped some of her long hair from her face. Tifa dropped down next to him and blinked, not believing it's really her. Then, an even more amazing thing happened. Cloud almost jumped as air filled the lungs of her damp body. Her small mouth opened just a bit to let in some air and she was actually breathing.

"Aerith? Aerith!" Cloud half yelled and shook her shoulders slightly. Her emerald eyes slowly opened and he couldn't help but smile widely. Tifa watched the two with tears in her eyes, from a number of things. Then that voice once lost spoke again.

"C-C....Cloud?" Her voice was hoarse and groggy, but he nodded happily and tried as hard as he could not to erupt into tears, "Tifa?"

"Aerith, it's so good to hear your voice again."

"Oh, even....Cid is here." Aerith said quietly and looked over Cloud's shoulder, seeing Cid leaning on a tree.

"Uh huh, nice to see ya again, girl."

"Where...is everyone else?"

"They all tried to come, but they couldn't. But now we can go see them all." Cloud said and propped her up a bit more. Aerith nodded, and coughed a bit more, clearing her lungs. Then Cloud looked a bit befuddled, "I don't get it, Aerith. I knew how to get you back, but I hadn't even gotten to the alter yet to offer a prayer for you. How did....."

Suddenly, Aerith's eyes froze as a memory came into her head. She looked at Cloud and grabbed his arm tightly. "Cloud! I know who brought me back. It was....it was....." Before she could finish, a horrible scream was heard from above. Their heads snapped up to see a dark silhouette float down to them above the pond. It was a monstrous creature. Four long tentacles were swaying from it's deformed body and a mist from it hurt Cloud's eyes. It oddly resembled a human figure, but far more disfigured and shaking with an awesome power.

"Cloud!" Tifa fell back onto her butt and looked up at the terrible thing.

Cid almost choked on his cigarette and spit it out, "Damn! I thought these days were over! Shera's gonna have a fit!"

Cloud just jumped up, stood in front of Aerith and Tifa with his Buster sword held out in a fighting stance. The creature eyed him closely and then rose its tentacles out. It cast a powerful fire spell that knocked Cloud to the ground and also surrounded them by flames. Cid jumped back and swore some as he closed his fists around a forgotten spear. Cloud quickly scrambled to his feet, glaring at the creature with wincing eyes and ready to fight again. Then it hit him. He knew what this thing was. He lowers his sword a bit and stares at it, the word escaping from his mouth.

"Jenova." Tifa and Aerith had just clung together, one to protect and the other because she was weakened. Cloud narrowed his eyes and lunged at the creature, slashing down it's horrific body with his Buster sword. The damage was almost nonexistent. Perhaps if he had the Ultima Weapon. A nice 'perhaps' wasn't going to save them though. He thought to his Materia and found the strongest spell he had was only a strong earth spell, no use against this floating creature.

"But I thought...Jenova is dead." Tifa sputtered and held onto Aerith protectively.

"There are so many parts of Jenova. This part is different though. It's really strong." Cloud said, raised his free hand up because of the strong flames around them.

Cid stood behind him and quickly patted out a little flame that caught his shirt, "I wanted a light but seriously!" Jenova let out another shriek when a loud shot was heard. Again, next to no damage was done as Vincent floated to ground next to Cloud, holding the Quicksilver out.

"It seems we have a small problem. When did this brood of a creature appear?"

"Just after we found Aerith. Do you have any materia?"

"Some. Nothing that will save us though." Vincent replied and flicked the barrel towards the creature again. Jenova began to shriek louder and its tentacles started to flail around suspiciously. Cloud reared his sword back to defend and Vincent took aim.

In a flash of motion, one of the tentacles was flung out at them both, the sharp end due to end their lives. Their only hope was that the one who received the leathal blow from the tentacle would give the others time to escape. Just as the long arm was about to find a target, an equally instant event happened. A loud swish of a blade was heard and then a high shriek. That tentacle fell to the ground writhing wildly and Jenova reared back from the blow. All of their eyes darted over to a figure set in the dancing flames. His long, silver hair waved in the heat and his stance was frighteningly familiar to them all while his black clothing contrasted the red hot flames. A long, terrible blade was placed backwards along his arm, sticking a long ways from his body and two glowing eyes stared at the creature from the flames.

"It....can't....be." Cloud stuttered and took a step back in shock. The same feeling also swept over Tifa as she stared as well.

"It's......"

"Sephiroth." Aerith finished Tifa's sentence and they all stared at him. Sephiroth looked at all of them, then to Jenova and seemed to frown. His boots made dull thuds as he walked through the flames, standing now adjacent to the others and the creature. He held his sword so casually that it made Cloud axious and Sephrioth slowly looked up at Genova. Then, in a quiet voice, he spoke.

"Really, Mother, where are your manners? To attack such unprepared creatures."

Cloud felt a surge of anger and now turned to Sephiroth, ready to attack. Jenova sat for a moment, then let out a shriek and used the most terrible magic spell known. The Ultima energy hit Sephiroth's barrier and also his body, and yet caused no damage. Cloud winced physically and now hesitated a moment. Then, Sephiroth calmly raises his free hand up to it and a large comet from above flew down, striking Jenova. The damage caused made Jenova shriek and shudder in pain. Then, before he could react, Jenova flew right over Sephiroth's head and disappeared into the sky, sending a gust of wind that ripples his coat and hair. Sephiroth closed his eyes and let it go, then turned his head and looked in the direction it went. Cloud, still shaking from anger and fear, started over to him with his sword held out. Suddenly, Aerith stood up weakly and held her hand out.

"Cloud, no!" Cloud stopped in his tracks and blinked, then looked back to her while she finished, "Stop, please. He's the one who brought me back. It was....Sephiroth." Cloud was cast into darkness. He slowly looked to the man with long, silver hair and seethed in anger. The man he hated and admired so much. He was the one who brought back the person he loved. He took her and now returned her. It was a bit much to believe.

"Wh....why did he do that!?" Tifa yelled out and glared at Sephiroth with much the same loathing.

"My name was used without me. I will stop my mother for good and let her rest."

"Your mother. Your mother is Lucrecia." Vincent said just as coldly and looked at the son of his lost love with those blood red eyes.

"My mother........I never knew my mother. I only know Jenova."

"What about Meteor!? What about when you tried to destroy the Planet just so you could escape the Lifestream!? What about when you killed Aerith!?" Cloud roared and held his sword up again.

"Cloud...." Aerith said, touched by his emotion. Sephiroth peered at him a bit, then looked back out where Jenova went.

"It was Jenova, not I. After my body was killed seven years ago in Nibelheim, Jenova revived it. It was kept locked in the Lifestream by Jenova while my image was perverted into the events that happened. I had no involvement in any of it, aside from she was using my life force and my appearance. That is why she must rest." Sephiroth said quietly and peers out into the sky.

"What about my hometown!? What about Nibelheim? You killed Tifa's father!" Cloud yelled again, not ready to forgive him of his sins. Sephiroth slowly looked back at him, then to Tifa.

"Yes.....I did."

Sephiroth slowly turned from them and started walking away, in the direction where Jenova went. Obviously, that wasn't good enough for Cloud. Still fueled by his anger, he steppd after the man in black and tightened his grip around the sword, "That's not good enough! My mother died in that fire!" Sephiroth stopped once more and turned his head, his eyes full of apathy. Cloud, for some reason, stopped and stared back at him.

"It will have to be. Realize one thing, puppet, I still despise you humans. You're presence here on this Planet is a blight. However, I will stop Jenova first. After that......our paths may cross again." Sephiroth cooed and started walking again, tucking the long blade of Masasume back. His black figure contrasted with the shell path greatly as he got farther away from them all. Cloud watched with tears of hate and Tifa stepped next to him, looking at him with concern. Then another person walked by them and followed Sephiroth.

"Aerith?"

Cloud's face suddenly became overwhelmed with shock as he watched her figure stop. She just turned back around and smiled weakly at him, "Cloud, I need you to do something for me. I need you to wait. Just for a little while. I need some answers."

"From Sephiroth!? But...Aerith...."

Aerith laughed bitterly and clasped her hands in front of her, "I know, Cloud. I'm not saying good-bye. Sephiroth may not be an Ancient, but he has some knowledge that I lack. I've seen his life-force in the Lifestream. I...can't even begin to describe it. I just know, he has some answers. Don't worry, I'll be safe. When I come back, we'll go on another date, okay?" She smiled brightly at him, the waved and walked after Sephiroth. Cloud held out a gloved hand after her, then slowly dropped it to his side in disbelief again.

"I'm...so confused."

Tifa turned to him, then wrapped her arms around his head. He absently leaned into her and just sighed with a blank expression. She closed her eyes and held his head to hers. Cid blinked, watching the whole thing and not knowing what to think about it all. The man in red had already disappeared from the scene in his usual fashion. Only three of them and the Highwind remained, bounded by answers and tethered by the unknown.