AUTHOR'S NOTE: Shock horror! Chapter 13 has finally shown up! ^.^
As you'll notice - Aer was reborn with more than just her body and a special pair of wings (but do the wings even exist? hmm.. ^.~), I just hope she sounds okay this chappy!
WAI ROMANCE NEXT CHAPPY! Oh man - I love writing romance so much! ^_________^ *luffluff* The next chapters will bring alot of surprises - including finding out who Tifa and Yuffie are paired up with! You'll also notice I've began to portray Tifa ina kinder light then I did before. I don't really have anything against HER - only her attempts to get with Cloud! ^.^
Please please read and review this - I'm planning on updating it once or twice a week from now on, but doing that would be alot easier if I had your reviews for support! ^.^
Quick thanks to the following:
chandavatika - hope you decide to review again, sorry I took so long to update!
spooky - yeh, i liked how Aer acted last chappy too! I hope she sounds good this time!
Shadow Reaver - Your review was so lovely, it made me feel so special! Thank you so much! I know the chapters are shorter than most, but it's just the way I write I guess - shorter chapters usually increase the suspense somewhat (try reading my other ficcy 'the Power of Change' - you'll see what i mean). As for the Yuffie and Vincent pairing, I adore it too - but wether that's planned will have to wait until the chapter after next!
Uchu Subarashii - Did time deminish that love? ^.^ I hope not!
yaya-meets-nana - I miss you girl! We haven't talked for so long! *sniffles* How's things going?
Mindy - Yes, the chapters are definately going to go higher than 70 - I have so much planned! I can't wait to see what you guys think of it all!! ^.^ Cloud and Aer are my fave pairing too - they're so perfect together! *luffluff*
Ramza - *blush* is phoenix guts beautiful too? *grins* ^.^
Tabitha - well, it took a while but I DID continue! ^.^
Nasoon - I personally can't see what people see in pairing Cloud and Tifa up - it's so boring and uneventful! - Aerith though, she's got the mystery that just clicks with Cloud so well! *loving sigh* ^.^ Stay Cleris 4ever! *glomps*
WanderingSamurai - Thanks for adding me to your faves list! I hope you'll read and enjoy this chapter aswell! ^.^ *hugs*
Aerith Gainsborough - woot! Looks like Hikari will be getting another AR fix, ne m'dear? You're so busy these days, hopefully you'll take the time to enjoy this! (and all the chappies to follow!) ^.^
chibi neko - So much praise! Ahh! I love you guys! *group glomp* I think this chappy Tifa isn't too bouncy (dah - considering what's happening! ^.^), and I portrayed Aer in partially serious light, although still with the hint of her usual delicate sweetness - what do you think?
bek - lol, well i think her not remembering them makes it sorta interesting - it'll make all the stuff coming up kind of funny, seeing as she knows so little about everything currently. Glad you like my fic! ^.^
i won't tell - Nice name ^.^ lol, anyways - don't worry - I won't ever give up on this ficcy! I've planned too much and enjoy writing it so much! ^.^
So *mwah* to you all till next chappy! Join my Aerith fanlisting too! http://strawberry.dakishimete.net/aerith/
Bai! ^.^
************************
Angel Reborn
************************
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
AERITH and TIFA and CLOUD
in
"Yet another Encounter"
~Aboard the Highwind~
*******************************************************************************
*******************************************************************************
Join my Aerith fanlisting 'Where the Wild Roses Grow"!: http://strawberry.dakishimete.net/aerith/
*******************************************************************************
*******************************************************************************
The bird - or phoenix to be more precise - was massive.
With a coloration mixture between crimson and gold - radiating a strange green aura around its form - the creature was a visual spectacle. Its wing span alone nearly matched the Highwind in length, and no doubt the power wielded behind the two flapping appendages could easily have broken the ships deck in two. The head of the creature swayed mesmerizing back and forth with each drawn out shriek that burst forth from its elongated throat - highlighting its two large ruby eyes with a glower of pure malice as it regarded the small group of humans assembling on the Highwind's deck.
...And there, grasped between its two giant crimson-gold talons - was Cloud.
He'd obviously been slashing furiously at the phoenix's shingled legs with Ultima Weapon in the time it had taken his friends to reach him, although it had little effect on the winged beast, besides enraging it even more and significantly raising the odds of the mercenary dropping to his untimely death. What was even more horrendous was that from the gaping wounds Cloud had inflicted - seeped not blood, but a thick neon-green liquid that each individual soon identified as...
"Mako!" Tifa's hand flew to her mouth in horror, her dark irises widening in shock. "That monster is filled with Mako!! Just like the one a few days back!"
Aerith was leaning over the railing, fear marring her beautiful features "Cloud... are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine - although a little help wouldn't go astray!!" His shouts barely made it to the group on deck, ripped away by the fierce wind as the bird slowly began to retreat in the hopes of cleanly making off with its prey.
But that wasn't going to happen.
Cid began to bark orders to his pilot and crew via the two-way intercom, ordering them to follow the phoenix as cautiously as they could - the last thing they needed was for the whole ship to be ripped in two - that wouldn't be doing anyone any favors.
Yuffie, who had been surprisingly silent for the duration of the time they'd already, spent deciding on what to do, finally address her friends in a serious tone of voice. "Do all of you have some offensive magic you can use against the phoenix? Or..." she added with a grin, "Does Yuffie have to save the day again?"
Tifa gaped in shock as she noticed the multitude of materia the lithe ninja held out for all to view. "Where did you get all that?! Didn't you lose all of your materia to that chocobo? I don't recall the materia Aerith gave you as being THAT much!"
Tifa and Cid checked their weapon slots. Surprisingly, it was all still there.
"I can't believe you two! Imagining I'd steal materia from my own friends! What were you thinking?!"
Cid rolled his eyes and adjusted the cigarette between his lips "Seriously kid, where did you get it all?"
Presently the group heard some commotion coming from the control room of the Highwind, to which the retired pilot inquired.
"Sorry captain, we were planning on sending a few of our boys up to help you all out, but for some reason they can't find their materia", came the crackly reply.
Yuffie looked sheepish while all Tifa could do was laugh.
"Well, THEY aren't exactly my fr--"
"Okay okay!"
"We can't use a lot of these materias." Cid simply stated, his brow furrowing as his annoyance began to show. "The majority of them, though seemingly rare, are only in their beginning stage - they wouldn't do any damage to THAT thing," he gestured towards the huge bird vaguely before continuing. 'Then you've got some decent earth and water materia here, but that's hardly going to help seeing as where we are!"
"...And any magics that are at the highest level and useful in some way ...we can't use them or the bird will drop Cloud!" Tifa felt her heart sink as the words left her lips. "Cloud..."
The little group was distracted from the meeting as their attention was caught by a bright white light at the corner of the Highwind's deck.
Aerith's silhouette was glowing brightly - soft wafting aura tendrils forming around her figure and causing her long plait to be lifted and gently whipped around her as she stood, quietly watching Cloud.
"What's she doing?" Tifa gaped, advancing a few steps towards her friend in surprise.
This slight movement seemed to catch the Cetra's attention from her current focal point, and she turned with a simple smile crossing her features. "Cast wind-based magic, okay? I know a way we can safely get Cloud away from the phoenix so it'll be an easy target for further attacks."
Cid looked doubtful. "Wind? Are ya sure... I mean... up here?! You seem to be forgetting that that's a FLYING monster... not ta mention that even advanced wind magic would doubtfully cause it any harm..."
"Please, you have to trust me in this." She began, giving the retired pilot a reassuring look. "All you have to do is let your crew know not to be alarmed over any... sudden movements. Just tell them to each find themselves a secure hand-hold and continue on with their jobs."
Cid scratched his stubbled chin for a moment, finally giving in with a sigh and turning to the intercom. "I hope ya know what yer doing..."
Aerith nodded before turning to Tifa and Yuffie. "Cast your strongest wind magic - please don't hold back. When I give the word, switch to fire magic. Also, be ready for that 'sudden movement' I was talking about." A bright smile followed. "Good luck!"
The two girls more readily agreed then their male counterpart, slotting materia into their weapons and slipping into their respective fighting stances.
The Highwind slowly began to pick up speed, its turbine engines propelling the ship hastily towards the retreating beast.
Meanwhile Aerith's white 'aura' began to take on an even brighter quality, shining in a way that had her three friends shielding their eyes from the onslaught.
'The hell is she doing anyway?" Cid worded, more to himself than anyone around him. "I've never seen her glow like that any other time..."
Just as they reached the enormous bird and the group started conjuring up their wind magics, Aerith's voice rang out in a breathy chant - words in a language none of them had ever heard before, her staff being raised up between clenched hands.
Despite her friends shock at what she was doing, their concentration remained focused enough to release the readied shots of windaga - watching with half-hearted hope as the columns of magic sped towards their target.
Having reached no more then three meters away from the phoenix, Aerith finally let go of the pent up energy she'd held in all that time, causing the already dissolving drafts to re-gather and slam into the beast with ten times the force.
The phoenix shrieked in shock as it was knocked about in the flurry of magic, dropping its hold on Cloud's left arm in the process.
"SHIT!!" He shouted, thrashing wildly about as his balance was momentarily lost. "What the hell are you all doing?!"
Tifa screamed, running to the railing and feeling her heart lurch at the mercenary's vulnerability. Cloud's only attachment to the great beast was by the back of his blue turtle-neck sweater, and that bond was sure to break any second.
"Once more," Aerith whispered to her friends, placing a hand Tifa's shoulder and trying to calm her a little - despite the fact that her own heart was pounding wildly. "Please, don't worry, I won't let anything happen to Cloud - I promise! I just need you to cast your wind magic again."
"AGAIN?!" Tifa felt rage boiling to the surface and shrugged the Cetra's hand off, "NO! I won't do it!! Cloud will fall and die!"
"If you don't, then he'll die no matter what!!!" Aerith's own voice which had remained calm for so long now rose as panic afflicted her. If Tifa didn't cast soon then Cloud would be beyond saving!
"Dammit girl! Do what Aerith says!!" Cid shouted, fixing Tifa with an angry look. "She don't want to see Cloud die any more than you do!"
Finally relenting, the martial artist began to conjure up her magic alongside her counterparts, fighting the tears that welled in her eyes as she tried to focus. Then the second shot was sent out, and again Aerith did the same.
..So Cloud was released from the phoenix's talons - beginning his free fall towards earth.
'HOLD ON EVERYONE!' Aerith cried, shutting her eyes and chanting more forcefully.
The aura surrounding Aerith than dispersed to surround the airship - catching it in what seemed to be a downward spiral. Each of the group's members gripped on for dear life, and just as swiftly as it had plunged - the Highwind was pulled level again.
Cloud fell towards Yuffie at quite a speed, causing her attempt at catching him in her arms to fail miserably. They landed together in a tangled heap, luckily emerging a few short moments later with only a few small scratches to tell of it.
Aerith, with all the remaining strength she could muster, gave the final word to begin the firaga assault.
As the balls of spewing magic made contact with the disorientated phoenix, the mako that had seeped from its wounds caught alight in a fantastic show of glowing brilliance - reducing the beast to nothingness in mere seconds and causing its flaming remains to fall slowly earthward.
Cloud gaped at the sight - amazed by all of what Aerith had executed - his heart burning with admiration and love for her.
Turning, he caught sight of a delicate smile the Cetra flashed his way - before she relented to the complete exhaustion that overtook her and passed out cold in Cloud's arms.
•°•
©Erica Runge - 25th of July, 2003. All main characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFVII.
As you'll notice - Aer was reborn with more than just her body and a special pair of wings (but do the wings even exist? hmm.. ^.~), I just hope she sounds okay this chappy!
WAI ROMANCE NEXT CHAPPY! Oh man - I love writing romance so much! ^_________^ *luffluff* The next chapters will bring alot of surprises - including finding out who Tifa and Yuffie are paired up with! You'll also notice I've began to portray Tifa ina kinder light then I did before. I don't really have anything against HER - only her attempts to get with Cloud! ^.^
Please please read and review this - I'm planning on updating it once or twice a week from now on, but doing that would be alot easier if I had your reviews for support! ^.^
Quick thanks to the following:
chandavatika - hope you decide to review again, sorry I took so long to update!
spooky - yeh, i liked how Aer acted last chappy too! I hope she sounds good this time!
Shadow Reaver - Your review was so lovely, it made me feel so special! Thank you so much! I know the chapters are shorter than most, but it's just the way I write I guess - shorter chapters usually increase the suspense somewhat (try reading my other ficcy 'the Power of Change' - you'll see what i mean). As for the Yuffie and Vincent pairing, I adore it too - but wether that's planned will have to wait until the chapter after next!
Uchu Subarashii - Did time deminish that love? ^.^ I hope not!
yaya-meets-nana - I miss you girl! We haven't talked for so long! *sniffles* How's things going?
Mindy - Yes, the chapters are definately going to go higher than 70 - I have so much planned! I can't wait to see what you guys think of it all!! ^.^ Cloud and Aer are my fave pairing too - they're so perfect together! *luffluff*
Ramza - *blush* is phoenix guts beautiful too? *grins* ^.^
Tabitha - well, it took a while but I DID continue! ^.^
Nasoon - I personally can't see what people see in pairing Cloud and Tifa up - it's so boring and uneventful! - Aerith though, she's got the mystery that just clicks with Cloud so well! *loving sigh* ^.^ Stay Cleris 4ever! *glomps*
WanderingSamurai - Thanks for adding me to your faves list! I hope you'll read and enjoy this chapter aswell! ^.^ *hugs*
Aerith Gainsborough - woot! Looks like Hikari will be getting another AR fix, ne m'dear? You're so busy these days, hopefully you'll take the time to enjoy this! (and all the chappies to follow!) ^.^
chibi neko - So much praise! Ahh! I love you guys! *group glomp* I think this chappy Tifa isn't too bouncy (dah - considering what's happening! ^.^), and I portrayed Aer in partially serious light, although still with the hint of her usual delicate sweetness - what do you think?
bek - lol, well i think her not remembering them makes it sorta interesting - it'll make all the stuff coming up kind of funny, seeing as she knows so little about everything currently. Glad you like my fic! ^.^
i won't tell - Nice name ^.^ lol, anyways - don't worry - I won't ever give up on this ficcy! I've planned too much and enjoy writing it so much! ^.^
So *mwah* to you all till next chappy! Join my Aerith fanlisting too! http://strawberry.dakishimete.net/aerith/
Bai! ^.^
************************
Angel Reborn
************************
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
AERITH and TIFA and CLOUD
in
"Yet another Encounter"
~Aboard the Highwind~
*******************************************************************************
*******************************************************************************
Join my Aerith fanlisting 'Where the Wild Roses Grow"!: http://strawberry.dakishimete.net/aerith/
*******************************************************************************
*******************************************************************************
The bird - or phoenix to be more precise - was massive.
With a coloration mixture between crimson and gold - radiating a strange green aura around its form - the creature was a visual spectacle. Its wing span alone nearly matched the Highwind in length, and no doubt the power wielded behind the two flapping appendages could easily have broken the ships deck in two. The head of the creature swayed mesmerizing back and forth with each drawn out shriek that burst forth from its elongated throat - highlighting its two large ruby eyes with a glower of pure malice as it regarded the small group of humans assembling on the Highwind's deck.
...And there, grasped between its two giant crimson-gold talons - was Cloud.
He'd obviously been slashing furiously at the phoenix's shingled legs with Ultima Weapon in the time it had taken his friends to reach him, although it had little effect on the winged beast, besides enraging it even more and significantly raising the odds of the mercenary dropping to his untimely death. What was even more horrendous was that from the gaping wounds Cloud had inflicted - seeped not blood, but a thick neon-green liquid that each individual soon identified as...
"Mako!" Tifa's hand flew to her mouth in horror, her dark irises widening in shock. "That monster is filled with Mako!! Just like the one a few days back!"
Aerith was leaning over the railing, fear marring her beautiful features "Cloud... are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine - although a little help wouldn't go astray!!" His shouts barely made it to the group on deck, ripped away by the fierce wind as the bird slowly began to retreat in the hopes of cleanly making off with its prey.
But that wasn't going to happen.
Cid began to bark orders to his pilot and crew via the two-way intercom, ordering them to follow the phoenix as cautiously as they could - the last thing they needed was for the whole ship to be ripped in two - that wouldn't be doing anyone any favors.
Yuffie, who had been surprisingly silent for the duration of the time they'd already, spent deciding on what to do, finally address her friends in a serious tone of voice. "Do all of you have some offensive magic you can use against the phoenix? Or..." she added with a grin, "Does Yuffie have to save the day again?"
Tifa gaped in shock as she noticed the multitude of materia the lithe ninja held out for all to view. "Where did you get all that?! Didn't you lose all of your materia to that chocobo? I don't recall the materia Aerith gave you as being THAT much!"
Tifa and Cid checked their weapon slots. Surprisingly, it was all still there.
"I can't believe you two! Imagining I'd steal materia from my own friends! What were you thinking?!"
Cid rolled his eyes and adjusted the cigarette between his lips "Seriously kid, where did you get it all?"
Presently the group heard some commotion coming from the control room of the Highwind, to which the retired pilot inquired.
"Sorry captain, we were planning on sending a few of our boys up to help you all out, but for some reason they can't find their materia", came the crackly reply.
Yuffie looked sheepish while all Tifa could do was laugh.
"Well, THEY aren't exactly my fr--"
"Okay okay!"
"We can't use a lot of these materias." Cid simply stated, his brow furrowing as his annoyance began to show. "The majority of them, though seemingly rare, are only in their beginning stage - they wouldn't do any damage to THAT thing," he gestured towards the huge bird vaguely before continuing. 'Then you've got some decent earth and water materia here, but that's hardly going to help seeing as where we are!"
"...And any magics that are at the highest level and useful in some way ...we can't use them or the bird will drop Cloud!" Tifa felt her heart sink as the words left her lips. "Cloud..."
The little group was distracted from the meeting as their attention was caught by a bright white light at the corner of the Highwind's deck.
Aerith's silhouette was glowing brightly - soft wafting aura tendrils forming around her figure and causing her long plait to be lifted and gently whipped around her as she stood, quietly watching Cloud.
"What's she doing?" Tifa gaped, advancing a few steps towards her friend in surprise.
This slight movement seemed to catch the Cetra's attention from her current focal point, and she turned with a simple smile crossing her features. "Cast wind-based magic, okay? I know a way we can safely get Cloud away from the phoenix so it'll be an easy target for further attacks."
Cid looked doubtful. "Wind? Are ya sure... I mean... up here?! You seem to be forgetting that that's a FLYING monster... not ta mention that even advanced wind magic would doubtfully cause it any harm..."
"Please, you have to trust me in this." She began, giving the retired pilot a reassuring look. "All you have to do is let your crew know not to be alarmed over any... sudden movements. Just tell them to each find themselves a secure hand-hold and continue on with their jobs."
Cid scratched his stubbled chin for a moment, finally giving in with a sigh and turning to the intercom. "I hope ya know what yer doing..."
Aerith nodded before turning to Tifa and Yuffie. "Cast your strongest wind magic - please don't hold back. When I give the word, switch to fire magic. Also, be ready for that 'sudden movement' I was talking about." A bright smile followed. "Good luck!"
The two girls more readily agreed then their male counterpart, slotting materia into their weapons and slipping into their respective fighting stances.
The Highwind slowly began to pick up speed, its turbine engines propelling the ship hastily towards the retreating beast.
Meanwhile Aerith's white 'aura' began to take on an even brighter quality, shining in a way that had her three friends shielding their eyes from the onslaught.
'The hell is she doing anyway?" Cid worded, more to himself than anyone around him. "I've never seen her glow like that any other time..."
Just as they reached the enormous bird and the group started conjuring up their wind magics, Aerith's voice rang out in a breathy chant - words in a language none of them had ever heard before, her staff being raised up between clenched hands.
Despite her friends shock at what she was doing, their concentration remained focused enough to release the readied shots of windaga - watching with half-hearted hope as the columns of magic sped towards their target.
Having reached no more then three meters away from the phoenix, Aerith finally let go of the pent up energy she'd held in all that time, causing the already dissolving drafts to re-gather and slam into the beast with ten times the force.
The phoenix shrieked in shock as it was knocked about in the flurry of magic, dropping its hold on Cloud's left arm in the process.
"SHIT!!" He shouted, thrashing wildly about as his balance was momentarily lost. "What the hell are you all doing?!"
Tifa screamed, running to the railing and feeling her heart lurch at the mercenary's vulnerability. Cloud's only attachment to the great beast was by the back of his blue turtle-neck sweater, and that bond was sure to break any second.
"Once more," Aerith whispered to her friends, placing a hand Tifa's shoulder and trying to calm her a little - despite the fact that her own heart was pounding wildly. "Please, don't worry, I won't let anything happen to Cloud - I promise! I just need you to cast your wind magic again."
"AGAIN?!" Tifa felt rage boiling to the surface and shrugged the Cetra's hand off, "NO! I won't do it!! Cloud will fall and die!"
"If you don't, then he'll die no matter what!!!" Aerith's own voice which had remained calm for so long now rose as panic afflicted her. If Tifa didn't cast soon then Cloud would be beyond saving!
"Dammit girl! Do what Aerith says!!" Cid shouted, fixing Tifa with an angry look. "She don't want to see Cloud die any more than you do!"
Finally relenting, the martial artist began to conjure up her magic alongside her counterparts, fighting the tears that welled in her eyes as she tried to focus. Then the second shot was sent out, and again Aerith did the same.
..So Cloud was released from the phoenix's talons - beginning his free fall towards earth.
'HOLD ON EVERYONE!' Aerith cried, shutting her eyes and chanting more forcefully.
The aura surrounding Aerith than dispersed to surround the airship - catching it in what seemed to be a downward spiral. Each of the group's members gripped on for dear life, and just as swiftly as it had plunged - the Highwind was pulled level again.
Cloud fell towards Yuffie at quite a speed, causing her attempt at catching him in her arms to fail miserably. They landed together in a tangled heap, luckily emerging a few short moments later with only a few small scratches to tell of it.
Aerith, with all the remaining strength she could muster, gave the final word to begin the firaga assault.
As the balls of spewing magic made contact with the disorientated phoenix, the mako that had seeped from its wounds caught alight in a fantastic show of glowing brilliance - reducing the beast to nothingness in mere seconds and causing its flaming remains to fall slowly earthward.
Cloud gaped at the sight - amazed by all of what Aerith had executed - his heart burning with admiration and love for her.
Turning, he caught sight of a delicate smile the Cetra flashed his way - before she relented to the complete exhaustion that overtook her and passed out cold in Cloud's arms.
•°•
©Erica Runge - 25th of July, 2003. All main characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFVII.
