The New Gaia

by Israel

A following saga to the previous fics. The daughter of Cloud and Tifa takes on her very first battle

1. Default Chapter

THE NEW GAIA
Episode I: The Reality of a Planet

So much has happened in nine years to remember... First of all, Cloud travelled to Centra and defeated Griever along with local fighters for peace. Four years after that, Cloud told Aeris, his and Tifa's daughter, that she can use magic, a mystical force that only few can use, or even learn, since then she has been training to release those spells. A year later, Aeris learned the basic level 1 spells: Fire, Blzzard, and Thunder. Four years later, Aeris learned all the Level 1 magic spells, being with the benefit of carrying magic within her, she will learn more and more spells as she keeps training. Even though she is still a magician-in-training, she uses a sword to fight, and she also knows she cannot use her magic in other place that is not Alexandria Castle, because it would endanger her life, that is another reason why she also trains as a sword fighter. Aeris Evelyn Strife will know that being a a magician is a great honor, and a great responsibility, she will live an adventure to try out, and to even master, her skills...
*** Aeris is 15 years old, so she can use her Level 1 magic with no problems, but there are some factors that help a magician to reach Level 2, which she will learn as she grows stronger. "Father, when will I learn the Level 2 magic spells?" Aeris asked Cloud. "I don't know exactly when, but you will as your power grows, probably in about three months." Cloud answered. "You mean that I have to train for three more months?" Aeris asked. "Yes." Cloud answered, "It's a bit tough to learn magic, but don't be so afraid, you'll learn Level 3 spells the day you become 16." "That is not so encouraging..." Aeris said. "I know, I know." Cloud said, "But remember, your power increases by different circumstances, if someone hurts you badly, if you die and are then revived, or in neither of these cases, if your fury reaches unimaginable levels. It's a different story if you can control it." "I understand, Father." Aeris said, then Tifa arrived, "Mother!" "Hello, Aeris." Tifa said, and Cloud went to kiss her. "What did you brought to Aeris this time, Tifa?" Cloud asked her. "Some clothing, and I borrowed a book from the Library." Tifa said, "'The mysterious arts of magic and sword fighting'. I took it thinking about her training." "Thank you, Mother." Aeris said. "Does it bother you to train her?" Tifa asked Cloud. "Not by any means." Cloud answered, "Besides, we've both trained her since she was 10, and I get extra work because of her sword fighting, but it doesn't bother me." "Does it bother you in any ways, Aeris?" Tifa asked Aeris. "Mother, I do not see anything wrong into this, but the only problem I find is that it takes too much time to learn new magic." She answered. "It's natural, if you were 18-years old, you would learn with no problems." Tifa said. "The easier, but the most dangerous way is by fighting, that's how your mother and I learned it." Cloud explained. "Oh, well." Aeris said, "If you say it that way I think I should just keep up so that I learn Level 2 magic soon." A soldier burst into the room. "Cloud, Tifa, Aeris, there are soldiers in blue, but with machine guns!" She saidn. "Machine guns!?" Cloud said. "Why, or rather how did Shinra got here?" Tifa said, "And why are they still alive!?" "What is it?" Aeris asked. "Get ready for your first field test." Cloud said. "Yes." Aeris said. "Remember, be discreet, and don't depend too much on your magic nor your sword skills." Tifa said. "Yes, Mother." Aeris said. The three went down and drew their weapons: Tifa took her laser beam, and Cloud and Aeris their swords, Aeris did not forget to pick up a crystal Cloud gave her on her 15th birthday. "I wonder what this crystal is for...?" she thought, and followed the soldiers, and her family.
*** Cloud and Tifa recognized them as Shinra soldiers, and they explained Aeris briefly about them. "I think I understand what you are trying to tell me, Mother." She said. "Just be careful, they can be pretty annoying." Cloud said. "Yes, Father." Aeris said. Cloud and Tifa know Aeris has no field experience, so she could probably get nervous, so they told her to remember of nine years ago when she was six years old, that she told Tifa how to destroy Galbadia Garden, besides she was witness of the battle Cloud and Griever held, which her father won. "There they are!" a soldier said, "Get them!!" "Let's have fun!" Cloud said. Cloud just slashed a soldier while Aeris casted Fire or Venom on other ones and Tifa used her laser gun or more advanced spells like Freeze (Level 4 Ice) or Flare (Level 4 Fire), they didn't brought too much trouble but they were too many. "Use the Crystal with the summon ritual we taught you!" Cloud said to Aeris. "Yes." She answered, and began to focus on the crystal. "Gray Crystal, shine! King of Dragons, awaken!!" The crystal floated high into the air and a shadow of what seemed like a Dragon covered it, the crystal shattered and Bahamut appeared in its place. "Can you give us a hand?" Aeris asked him. "That is what we Eidolons are summoned for..." Bahamut said, and began launching several Flares toward the soldiers, eventually wiping them all out. Then Bahamut disappeared and the gray crystal Aeris originally had returned to her. "That was a close one!" she said.
*** Cloud and Tifa told Aeris the whole truth: who they are, where do they come from, their past, and what led them to stay on Gaia instead of going back to their homeworld "Cetria", so that Aeris, instead of being Gaian, she would be "Cetrian". "You mean I am not even half Gaian?" Aeris asked. "I am not from the planet that saw me grow...? I do not know my own world...?" "Aeris, you are Gaian." Tifa said, "You're Gaian because you were born here in Gaia, just because of that, the only difference is that your ascendance is not Gaian." "I do not even know where you come from!" Aeris said. "You do, but you don't remember when you went because we took you there when we got married." Cloud explained, "You were just a one-year-old." "But why didn't you took me there later?" Aeris asked angrily. "That was because there is a powerful corporation controlling it since year 2004, when you were two years old." Cloud said. "But why did you never went?" Aeris asked. "Because you're the only thing we care about since we knew you were going to be born." Tifa said, "And if you're thinking about asking why did we took you to Centra is because Gaia was being threatened." "But... but I almost lost both of you there!" Aeris said angrily, "Because of Father I did not lose you, Mother, and because of magic I did not lose Father! Now you are trying to say that it was to keep me safe!?" "And we almost lost you twice before you were even born!" Cloud said. "What?" Aeris said. "Let me explain..." Tifa said, "Your father and I were fighting Zemus, or rather, Zeromus, I'm sure you've read about him." "Yes, and?" Aeris asked. "Well, we fought him twice." Tifa said, "One was here on Gaia, he launched a dark storm and your father protected me, as a consequence, he got really injured, and died, I revived him later, but when we defeated Zeromus, your father saved me from dying in the moon, after that, we gave each other our first kiss..." "And not the last one..." Cloud said, and he went to kiss Tifa. "And... I was born... later...?" Aeris asked. "Exactly." Cloud said, "You don't know how much we suffered when we were children." "We lost our parents when we were six year olds..." Tifa said, "Your father lost his father and I lost my mother." "We weren't even adults when we ended orphans." Cloud said, "I was 16 when I lost my mother and your mother was 15 when she lost her father... they died almost at the same time..." "We weren't happy until the day I knew you were going to be born..." Tifa said, "I was really surprised that something wonderful... like a baby... would come to us so suddendly..." "But you don't know how surprised I was..." Cloud said "How surprised were you, Father?" Aeris asked Cloud. "He was so surprised he didn't knew if either kiss me or yelling..." Tifa said while laughing. "Believe her, it's true." Cloud said. "But please, I want to see your home." Aeris said, "Your old home." "All right, we'll take you there." Tifa said. "You mean it?" Aeris said. "Of course!" Cloud said, "Let's go to the Airship, you're going there again, but this time... you're going to remember you went." They went to the Invincible and pinpointed the coordinates of "Cetria".
*** "I am so nervous!" Aeris said. "Fourteen years ago I saw you pretty calm." Tifa said. "But I was just a one-year-old, Mother." Aeris said. "That's true, but even so, when you look in a baby's face, you can know how he or she feels..." Tifa said. "Really?" Aeris asked. "You'll know when you have your own babies." Tifa answered. Cloud returned from hyperspace to get an outside view of his, and Tifa's homeworld. "Is that really your planet?" Aeris said, "It is wonderful!" "I hope it's still in good shape from the inside.." Tifa thought. Cloud and Tifa looked more worried as they approached Cetria, while Aeris was feeling more excited as they were getting closer.
*** Cloud and Tifa looked relieved that Shinra did not change the planet's towns. "What a beautiful place..." Aeris said. "That's true, but remember why we're here." Cloud said. "Yes, I know." Aeris said. "Try not to get in trouble." Tifa said. "I understand, Mother," Aeris said. "Aeris, where do you want to go first?" Cloud asked. "I want to see your hometown." Aeris answered. "All right." Cloud said, "We're going to Nibelheim." Aeris wanted to see where her family comes from, from where did they headed to Gaia, look at the place, at the hometown, she has never watched.
*** When they were looking at Nibelheim from the airship, Aeris was really surprised that her family came from a place like Nibelheim. "It is a pretty town, but..." Aeris said. "Seems really strange to be descendant of mere townfolk when all your life you were in a castle. That's what you were trying to say, right?" Cloud said. "Yes, Father, forgive me." Aeris said. "We understand how you feel." Tifa said, "We thought of it the same way, 'we're going to live at a place like the Alexandrian Castle when we were just townfolk', it sounded very strange too because we were very used to live like what we are: townfolk." "For nineteen years, we lived here, until sixteen years ago we moved to Gaia." Cloud said. "Now I feel like a fool..." Aeris said, "Because I was thinking you wanted things you could not have, but... Now I realize that, that you did not want me to suffer so much... Thank you, Mother... Father..." "Aeris, if you want we can go down." Cloud said. "Please, Father." Aeris said, "I... want to see... my real family..."
*** Cloud landed the Invincible outside of the town, and the three went down, Aeris seemed surprised of that she could have lived in a town like this one. "Which was your home?" Aeris asked Cloud and Tifa. "Mine was the one northeast of the well." Tifa said. "And because of what you told me I can assume Father's home was the one to its right, is that correct?" Aeris said. "Definitely." Cloud said. "Hey!" a soldier said. "Just what we needed..." Cloud thought. Cloud and Tifa got rid of them in seconds with an astonishing speed, as much, if not more, than nine years ago. "That was amazing, Father!" Aeris said, "How did you learn that?" "We both got this thanks to keeping up with our form, and not let time get us away from training." Cloud answered. "I never thought we'd be able to keep up with our power nine years ago." Tifa said. "Don't get confident, Tifa." Cloud said, "Remember the soldiers aren't too strong unless in large numbers." "Mother, Father..." Aeris said, "Your town is pretty..." "Aeris..." Cloud said, "No one ever said that about Nibelheim before..." "You know, Aeris..." Tifa said, "You've been a good girl since the day you were born... I think we've not..." "No, Mother..." Aeris interrupted, "You have always wanted me to be a good girl... You have never forgotten about me... I know if you haven't told me about something else, I am not prepared to know about it, if you want to tell me about how powerful I could become... I will suggest you to not say it yet... I am not prepared to know that." "Aeris..." Cloud said, "That's what we're saying... you're a good girl and your attitude is just as great as your mother's..." "At first, you were angry that we never told you about your non-Gaian ascendance..." Tifa said, "But you've known how to handle it..." "Because I have been taught to respect my ancestors no matter how humble they were." Aeris said, "Besides, you are my parents and I've learned magic thanks to you..." "It was also because you showed that you wanted to use the power you have within you." Tifa said, "You used it nine years ago to remove the petrification your father had suffered, but you never knew what happened until you became 10." "I understand why you told me that four years later, Mother, Father." Aeris said. "You know, you're a long way before becoming a magician, but if you put all your desires into that, maybe you'll be fully prepared to use greater spells in six months." Cloud said. "Yes, I will be patient, because this can take many years." Aeris said. "How about we look on our old homes?" Tifa suggested. "That's a great idea, Tifa." Cloud said.
*** Inside Cloud's home, there was a black monster with red wings, most likely a demon, unfortunately. "Do not dare step into this place..." he said, "You do not belong here..." "What do you mean by that, the only one who's not from Nibelheim is you!" Tifa said. "Don't even dare to try to get us out of MY home!" Cloud said, and launched a Blade Beam at the demon with amazing strength, enough to knock him out, however, he turned into a man of red cape, long, black hair and dark clothing, also with red eyes. "It can't be!" Tifa said, "Is that really you, Vincent?" "Surprised you?" that same man said, "No way you could have become so powerful in only sixteen years... But if you are this powerful, I am sure Tifa is slightly weaker than you are..." "Aeris is a strong magician and sword fighter, however, she still needs more experience, learn new spells and skills, and grow stronger as she does." Cloud said. "You are talking about the blonde girl next to you?" Vincent said, "I don't understand how can you be with two and one does not get jealous..." "Because I am their daughter!" Aeris said. "What?" Vincent said, "You... have a daughter... I guess so much happened in sixteen years, how old is she?" "She's 15 years old, in few months she'll be 16, considering it's September on Gaia." Tifa said. "I notice you stayed at Alexandria." Vincent said, "Here on Cetra it's November." "Why were you on my old home, Vincent?" Cloud suddendly asked Vincent. "Becuase an older couple asked me to guard the house." He answered, "How old are you?" "I'm 36, Tifa's 35." Cloud said. "Then this young girl who curiously has the same hair and eye color as Cloud was born in the year you were supposed to become 21 and 20 respectively." Vincent said. "Yes." Aeris said, "Um... do you know people who were with Father before he went to Gaia?" "Yes." Vincent said, "I don't know if you have met them, but one is a pilot, the other a rebel, another one is a ninja, another is a red lion and the last one is a cat on top of a huge Moogle." "Yes." Aeris said, "I had met them nine years ago in the planet Centra. They said bad things about Father." "Just tell me what they said." Vincent said, "Let her speak, Cloud." "I'm not interrupting her," Cloud said. "They said Father is a bad person who only worries about himself and that would never tell anyone how he feels and that he has no sense of humor." Aeris said, "They also said that Mother changed the way he is in the seven years they'd been together by then, now they have 16 years together." "I'm not going to tell you they are wrong..." Vincent said, "In fact, I know the same Cloud they know, it is pretty strange, even for me to see him with a family, with such an educated 15-year old daughter and that worries about that family he and Tifa procreated." "As much as I can remember, the only Father that I know is not how they mentioned him." Aeris said, "I'd tell you that he was always the person I have talked to and listened to my whole life but I do not remember the very first years of it. Mother says he always wanted to be with me and with her, and that he was very good with both of us." "That's because he's always been like that to me..." Tifa interrupted, "I was injured when we went to live together to Alexandria, he took care of me the whole time, and he was always kissing me, holding my hands... touching my face and my hair... Cloud never wanted me to leave him, nor did I want to leave him, especially when I knew that I was gonna have Aeris... he was greater since then... and we both decided to choose that name... but when she was born... he looked happier than ever... he told me that he never wanted to leave me ever again, and now that Aeris was there, he always said such cute things to me, and he asked me for marriage... there was never a time when the three of us weren't at the same place at the same time, and Cloud, he truly's been a great father... a wonderful boyfriend... and an even greater husband..." "I love you, Tifa..." Cloud said. "I also love you, Cloud..." Tifa said. "Aeris, just tell me something..." Vincent said, "Has your father ever given you time to be alone?" "Anytime I ask him." Aeris said, "Before we went to Centra he took me to a fair that stands every year one day after he and Mother defeated Zeromus, I have read much about that myself." "Tell me your full name, Aeris, I don't believe it is only Aeris Strife." Vincent said. "No, it is actually Aeris Evelyn Strife." Aeris explained, "I do not know what you may think but I like it myself." "Doesn't sound anything bad." Vincent said, "I believe it suits you perfectly." "Anyway, Vincent, who were the people who told you to stay here?" Cloud asked. "They said they are related to you..." Vincent answered. "No...!" Cloud said, "That's not possible, are you sure?" "Completely." Vincent said. "Vincent, did you saw someone coming out of my home?" Tifa asked. "Yes." Vincent said, "They asked me if I had seen you, Tifa." "Cloud..." Tifa said, "I hope we don't have to see them again..." "Why?" Cloud said, "You got along with your parents greatly, so did I, but... in a manner of speaking, you're right. They'll never approve us once they know we have a daughter and we're married." "Aeris, I think we should go." Tifa said, "Thank you for everything, Vincent." They immediately boarded the Invincible and left the Nibel region, traveling to the western-most continent.
*** "Where are we heading to next, Father?" Aeris asked. "This is a resort town, it's called Wutai, many tourists come around every day of the year, they say Leviathan, the Water Eidolon, is the main symbol of the town, along with the statue of Da-Chao." Cloud answered. "Wow..." Aeris said, "You truly had some places in your planet..." "Anyway, I think Gaia's even prettier..." Tifa said. "You're right." Cloud said. "You are saying that because I was born there, right?" Aeris asked. "Of course not!" Tifa said, "We liked that planet, so we decided never to come back, but you asked us to return here." "Oh... my dearest apologies..." Aeris said. "No problem, Aeris." Cloud said, "Let's go down." Cloud landed outside Wutai, and went in along with Tifa and Aeris.
*** "Wow..." Aeris said, "It's pretty, but I like Nibelheim better..." "Probably we had no rivers or anything like this, but if you prefer our hometown, not so bad." Tifa said. "Let's go to the house past that stairway." Cloud said. "Cloud, isn't that...?" Tifa whispered to him. "I know but Aeris wants to know this world, right?" Cloud whispered back, "Anyway I doubt Yuffie still knows who we are, or who Aeris is..." They entered the house, and saw a girl dressed like a ninja armed with a large shuriken. "What are you doing here?" she said. "You recognized us, Yuffie?" Cloud asked. "Of course I did!" Yuffie answered, "I never forget a face! And you're the little girl I saw with the others nine years ago!" "She truly has memory!" Aeris said. "I don't believe it, Yuffie!" Tifa said, "You didn't saw us in nine years and you still remember who we are." "But of course I do!" Yuffie said, "Your name is Aeris, right? How've you grown..." "I haven't grown so much..." Aeris said, "I am only 15 years old." "True." Yuffie said, "By the way, has Cloud suffered any 'minor' changes?" "Yuffie!" Tifa said, "Like I told you nine years ago: Cloud has always been the same person I've known for my whole life, even when we were all together!" "She knows me more than you do, so believe her." Cloud said, with a smile covering his face. "I see..." Yuffie said, "If you smile then that means you're the same Cloud I saw nine years ago." "Stop saying he changed!" Tifa said, "We're here because Aeris wanted to know our homeworld." "Oh..." Yuffie said, "So you grew curious about this planet?" "Yes, something like that..." Aeris said. "Hmm... I think if you want to keep watching it, you'd best leave, because there'll be a group of soldiers coming to Wutai." Yuffie said. "How did they know we're here?" Cloud asked. "Everything can be seen from the top of the Shinra Building, remember?" Yuffie answered. "No way!" Tifa said, "Let's go, Cloud, Aeris." They immediately left Wutai and boarded the Invincible to head north.
*** "Where will we go next, Father?" Aeris asked. "We won't stop this time, instead, I'll show you from here so keep in mind where the places are." Cloud answered. "All right..." Aeris said, a bit dissapointed. Cloud showed Aeris the Bone Village, located in the middle of a forest, a bit to the north, the City of the Ancients, and going to the northern snow plains, Icicle Inn, the Great Glacier and the Northern Cave, also known as the Crater, home of the Whirlwind Maze. "These places are good, but... strange..." Aeris said. "I know." Tifa said, "But in the end, they're places..." "Right." Cloud said, "I'm going to show you the eastern continent." "Cloud!" Tifa said, "In that continent is Midgar!" "I know." Cloud said, "But I know how to approach it, believe me." "Is there something wrong with that continent?" Aeris asked. "That's the continent Shinra's in." Tifa answered. "Um, maybe we shouldn't be going there, it is very dangerous..." Aeris said. "No problem, Aeris, trust me." Cloud said. "Of course, Father." Aeris said.
*** As Cloud began to approach the continent, he flew away and got the Invincible to reach in from the Junon region. "There's only that town in the continent, the other is the city of Midgar, where Shinra has its HQ." Tifa explained. "But there's a Chocobo farm on the other side..." Cloud said. "Really!?" Aeris said, "Are you sure there is a Chocobo farm in this continent!?" "Definitely." Cloud said, convinced Aeris would want to go there. "Please, Father, please take us there, all right?" Aeris said, "I promise I'll clean up my room every day from now on, but please let us go to the farm...!" "All right, Aeris, no problem." Cloud said, "I was intending to take you there, anyway!" Aeris got even more excited than ever, because she was going to see a place full of Chocobos, she has seen some, rarely, though.
*** Aeris went down running, and she saw four Chocobos in the corral outside, and stayed watching them. "Hey, guys." An adult about 23 years old said, coming out of a stable. "Billy?" Cloud said. "So you remember me?" Billy asked, "Let me tell you something, the Chocobos you raised are still pretty healthy and all, but I doubt they remember you, I mean, you were gone for 17 years..." "I know, I won't demand anything from them." Cloud said. "You raised some?" Aeris asked, "I want to see them. Can I, please?" "Sure, no problem, they're inside." Billy said. "Father?" Aeris asked. "Be my guest." Cloud said, "Tifa and I are going there, anyway." "Then let us go in, Father!" Aeris said, and ran to the stable. "Is she your daughter?" Billy asked. "Yeah." Cloud said. "She seems like an impatient one, but believe me, she's a very good girl." Tifa said, "She gets like that only when she is very excited about something." "I think we'd best go in, just to prevent the Chocobos from pecking her." Billy said. And they all went on the stable.
*** Cloud saw a green, a blue, a black and a gold Chocobo with Aeris, all being praised by the Gaian girl. "It seems they liked her." Cloud said. "I think so..." Tifa said. "They are just so cute..." Aeris said. A machine gun firing was heard outside of the stable. "Oh, no..." Billy said, "Chole..." "Let's check it out." Cloud said, and everyone went outside, but Aeris left the Chocobos some greens for them to eat.
*** "Shinra soldiers!?" Cloud said. "Thought you'd get away?" a soldier said, "There exist tracers..." "It can't be!" Tifa said, "No wonder they knew we went to Wutai!" "The Chocobos..." Aeris said, walking slowly towards one of them the soldiers killed. "Look, you may be ten, but we're even stronger than you may think!" Cloud said. "Against ten of us?" a soldier asked sarcastically, and Cloud responded blowing away four of them with his Finishing Touch. "So?" a soldier kept daring, "That doesn't scare us!" "You..." Aeris said, "You had no reason to kill innocent animals...!" "Uh, what's this?" a soldier said, "The girl's getting sentimental, bring her a towel!" "You do not have the right to destroy everything that you dislike to see!" Aeris said angrily, "The Chocobos, too, are living things! You cannot go around killing every life-form that you see, that's inhuman!!" "And who's gonna stop us? You?" the soldier said. "I won't allow you to keep slaughtering every living thing you first look at!" Aeris said, and unleashed her fury, beggining to use stronger spells than the ones she knows right now, "Fira! Blizzara! Thundara! Poison! Light! Mist! Watera! Aera! Quakera!" All these strong spells wiped out the Shinra soldiers, and with the few strength she had left she used Life on the Chocobos, falling unconscious afterwards. Cloud and Tifa took her to the house next to the stable and put her in a bed.
*** "Is she going to be all right, Cloud?" Tifa asked. "She will, she just overused her strength..." Cloud answered, "I can't believe she learned the Level 2 spells just by unleashing her anger... that means if she goes into a rage again she could become even stronger than she just became..." "Mother... Father... is everyone... all right...?" Aeris asked, still weak. "No problem, Aeris..." Tifa said, "Thanks to you, the Chocobos mainly, and everyone, are safe." "That comforts me..." Aeris said, "Father... is this... what happens... to a Cetrian if... he or she... loses it?" "I was explaining that to you, remember?" Cloud said, "If you recieve fatal injuries and recover, if you die and revive, or if your fury grows incredibly, you'll gain more strength." "I see..." Aeris said. "We've taken a decision, Aeris." Tifa said, "When you recover fully, we're heading to the Shinra Building." "But... isn't it dangerous... to go in the Invincible...?" Aeris said. "I know." Cloud said, "So we're borrowing some Chocobos and head to Midgar from here. The lower gates are locked, but I have a Gate 07 card, which leads to Sector 5, in Sector 6 is the sneaky road in." "Get some rest, Aeris." Tifa said, "We'll do the same, and in the night, we're heading to Shinra Headquarters!" "Yes, Mother... got it..." Aeris said, and fell asleep, Cloud and Tifa went to bed as well.
*** The night fell, Cloud, Tifa and Aeris, fully rested, took three Chocobos and left the farm. Also, so that Aeris does not lose her crystal, Cloud attached it to a small rope and made her a necklace. "I'll warn you something, Aeris: that crystal is very close to your heart, so depending on your heartbeat, it will shine. What I mean is, if you're all right, the crystal won't glow, if you're in love or are about to die, it'll start blinking, and if you die the crystal will stop blinking. It's like one of those vital sign scanners." Cloud explained to his daughter. "Got it, Father!" Aeris said, and followed her parents through the road to the west of the farm, a road that leads to the home of the Mako reactors, and home to the Shinra, Inc. Headquarters: the city of Midgar. "I have a bad feeling about this..." Cloud said. "I, too, have a bad feeling, Father." Aeris said. "I feel the same, too." Tifa said, "Let's head to Gate 07 to get this over with..." "Right." Cloud said, and the three headed close to the city and went around until they reached Gate 07, where Cloud used his card, and went inside a place that brings him some memories.
*** "Let's see what changes has the church suffered." Cloud said, and led Tifa and Aeris into a church he fell into 17 years ago. "At least no one forgot about this place." Tifa said, "I mean they remodeled everything..." "What are those flowers doing there, Father?" Aeris said. "Someone planted them 17 years ago..." Cloud answered, while he remembered that he fell on them, and met the person who died in Cloud's first adventure, the woman who he thought of when naming his daughter. "Good thing they were kept up to now." Tifa said. "I think we should head to get rid of Shinra before anything happens." Aeris said. "You're right." Cloud said, "Don't get too separated from us, we'll show you the way there." "Understood, Father." Aeris said, and followed her parents out of the church, through the still incomplete Sector 6 and Wall Market, until the three climbed up a long tube that led up through some useless machinery maze.
*** Meawhile... "So..." a blond man dressed all in white, "No one knows where those three are..." "No, President." A scientist said, "However something tells me they'll come for her." "You already have the SOLDIER members close to her?" the blond man asked the scientist. "Yes, sir." He answered, "I made sure they were 1st Class to make sure those people don't free her." "Do you think she'll be useful?" the man asked. "She's powerful, but not as much as her mother Ifalna was, though." The scientist answered, "Too bad Jenova isn't here anymore to make her cooperate by force. After all, the Ancients fear her." "That's the bad thing." The man said, "Find a way to make her talk." "By the way..." the scientist said, "I've heard rumors that Ifalna was seen at Icicle Inn, with Professor Gast beside her." "I doubt it." The man said, "As far as we know, everyone who died 17 years ago was revived nine years ago... I doubt they're alive." "You're right." The scientist said, "I don't know why, but I think I've seen two of them before..." "Don't worry about that." The man said, "Go back to your work, I want results for tomorrow." "Got it..." the scientist said, "Mister President..."
*** Cloud, Tifa and Aeris have reached the Sector 0, home to the Shinra Building, the place they were looking for to put an end to the worldwide slaughter the soldiers make. "Where do we go in from, Father?" Aeris asked. "The route to the left is the sneaky one but it's quite long..." Cloud answered. "I think we should go through the front, but cautiously." Tifa suggested. "I agree with you, Mother." Aeris said. "Let's do it!" Cloud said, and he and Aeris drew their swords while Tifa stretched her arms, and ran across the front door. "Intruders!" A soldier armed with a blade said, "Get them!" "Aren't those...?" Tifa said. "They're from SOLDIER!" Cloud said, "Just what we needed..." "You won't get past here!" a soldier said, "We may be from the 3rd Class members but still..." "So they're from 3rd..." Cloud said, "At least they aren't 2nd or 1st so there shouldn't be no problem." "I am ready!" Aeris said. "I am too!" Tifa said. "Well then, let's go!" Cloud said, and they charged at the soldiers.
*** Meanwhile, the Shinra scientist was still working on his "experiment". "So, you still refuse to cooperate?" he said, " Listen to me: being an Ancient isn't going to save you from taking part in my work!" "Even so..." a woman inside a capsule said, "I won't help you no matter... what you do to me..." "You sound so weak..." the scientist said, "I'd suggest you help me because you don't have much time left." "And?" the woman said, "Kill me if you want... you won't change anything... I should be dead, you should too..." "You'd best keep quiet about that." The scientist said, "If you don't cooperate with my experiment you won't leave me any other choice than using a sedative... and let me remind you that doesn't kill..." "I won't... talk..." the woman said, "No matter... what you try..."
*** "Wasn't too much trouble..." Cloud said. "Father, what is this?" Aeris asked, holding a card. "Let me see..." Cloud said, "A key card up to floor 67? Better than nothing, I guess..." "Is it for this building?" Aeris asked. "Yes, Aeris." Tifa answered, "I'll insert it into the slot beside the elevator..." It worked, the card brought an elevator, and Cloud chose Floor 67 and there get the next card. After the family arrived, they headed left looking for the Floor 68 card, but with no luck, they decided to use the elevator close to them, which led to the upper floor. "Better than nothing, I guess..." Cloud said. "They haven't changed anything at all..." Tifa said, "I hope we can get to the top floor and finish this once and for all..." "Mother, Father... what should we do if we get caught?" Aeris asked. "Get furious, Aeris." Cloud said. "What?" Aeris asked. "Get furious, should something happen..." Cloud answered, "If you do, you'll become even stronger than what you are now, and you do stand a chance, because in your crystal lies the power of an Eidolon..." "I understand, Father." Aeris said. "Aeris..." Tifa said, "If you knew how powerful you'd become if you get furious again... I don't even want to imagine..." "Mother..." Aeris said, and the elevator stopped, and the three went out of it and hid close to the computers that were on their side of the room.
*** "More members from SOLDIER?" Cloud said, "They dress purple... they must be the 1st Class ones..." "What can we do then, Cloud?" Tifa asked. "I'm thinking, Tifa..." Cloud answered, "I think I got a smoke bomb from one of the other soldiers... yes, I have it right here..." "What is your plan?" Aeris asked Cloud. "I'm going to launch the bomb so it creates a smokescreen, then we'll attack the soldiers and search them if anyone has a floor 69 card." Cloud answered. "Now that does not sound very simple..." Aeris said. "I know, but it's better than nothing..." Tifa said. Cloud threw the smoke bomb to the center of the room's area, the smokescreen was succesfully created, and he, Tifa and Aeris attacked the soldiers when they were unable to see anything. "Father..." Aeris said, "There is someone inside the container..." "Your mother and I are going to check out the soldiers, Aeris, why don't you get her out?" Cloud said. "Yes." Aeris said. Aeris blew the container door open with her magic and got out the unconscious woman, she was wearing pink and had long hair. "Cloud..." Tifa said, "Isn't she...?" "You're right, but..." Cloud said, "How can this be? So suddendly everyone revived: Vincent, Shinra, and her..." "You don't think...?" Tifa asked. "Maybe even he's alive too!" Cloud said. "What are you talking about?" Aeris asked. "About some things that occurred 17 years ago, Aeris, nothing important." Tifa answered. "You are hiding something from me again, is that it?" Aeris asked. "Aeris." Cloud said, "You should understand that adults talk about personal things too." "I know, but..." Aeris said. "Enough talk then!" Tifa interrupted. "What... happened...?" the woman in pink said. "You are not hurt?" Aeris asked. "No, but... Cloud...? Tifa...?" the woman said. "Why does she know you?" Aeris asked. "We met her 17 years ago, her name's the same as yours." Cloud answered. "Her name is Aeris?" Aeris said, "I do not believe it! I actually have a namesake!" "How strange to see you again..." the other Aeris said. "I know." Tifa said, "But I think you'd best leave, we're going to put an end to this." "I'm going too." The Aeris in pink said, "By the way who is that girl?" "She's a Gaian, 15 years old. Her name is Aeris Evelyn." Cloud said. "Hello." Aeris said. "My full name is Aeris Gains... Gast, I mean." The other Aeris said, "I'm pleased to meet you." "A pleasure for me too." Aeris said, "Um, so that there is no confusion, may I suggest you use my middle name when you talk to me?" "Doesn't sound like a bad idea, but we're used to talk to you using only your first name." Cloud said. "I know, but... sometimes we have to get used to new things..." Aeris Evelyn said. "Shouldn't we get going?" Tifa suggested, and everyone followed her all the way to Floor 70.
*** They reached the top floor, and, unsurprisingly, they found Rufus Shinra, the President of the company. "So..." Cloud said, "Again, you want what you couldn't have 17 years ago..." "And?" Rufus said, "You don't know that I have my trump card this time, it seems..." "What are you talking about?" Tifa said. "Bring him in." Rufus ordered a soldier, who brought a man in a black cape, he had green-blue eyes and long, silver hair. "No...!" Aeris said. "Who is that?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "This... this can't be...!" Tifa said, "I knew it!" Cloud said, "Sephiroth!" "I don't see you so surprised, Cloud." Sephiroth said, "Could be because you had some 'feeling' like you say?" "Look, Sephiroth, I don't want things to turn out wrong." Cloud said, "I came to spend some time with Tifa and comes Shinra and we're right here." "Cloud." Sephiroth said, "You had a personal reason to have come here, and it was not because you wanted to spend time with Tifa, you can't fool me. If you are trying to tell me you just started up something with her, I don't believe you because you're aged enough to have a family already..." "Sephiroth." Cloud said, "I'm telling you that I came to spend some time with her, and you know I've rarely lied." "Hehehehe... I know that." Sephiroth said, "Still..." "Quit babbling and destroy them!!!" Rufus ordered. "Hey, I never joined up again to follow your orders!" Sephiroth said. "What!?" Rufus said. "Exactly..." Sephiroth said, "I just joined because I heard that Cloud came back. I have wanted all these years to fight him again... Especially because of the humilliation that I felt after..." "After our fight 17 years ago?" Cloud said, "Don't be ridiculous, Sephiroth, you know you had that one lost!" "Shut up!" Sephiroth said, "All I wanted all these years was... to get a new battle with you... I didn't fight you after that because I realized that if I let Ark destroy this planet I would never had any chance to battle you again!! And thanks to Zemus, I never fought you on Gaia 16 years ago... but now... now I have a chance... a chance to fight you again... to recover that which belongs to me... I am this planet's most powerful warrior!!!" "Sephiroth." Cloud said, "If that felt humilliating for you on that time, I doubt you'd want to now." "Shut up, Cloud!!!" Sephiroth said and drew his Masamune, "I'm going to defeat you this time!!!" "Sephiroth... this is just a question: how important is that pride for you?" Cloud asked, "In Gaia, thay say I'm the greatest fighter that ever existed, and I'm not happy to be taken that way, I don't like that everyone looks at me as someone distinct when we're all human, when no one has limits..." "Well, I'm not like you!!!" Sephiroth said, "Draw!!!" Cloud drew his sword, knowing he had no choice. The battle of pride is about to start; Sephiroth: the top-ranking SOLDIER officer in Shinra, and Cloud: the most powerful fighter of all Gaia, are the protagonists.
*** Sephiroth got the first strike, but Cloud easily moved out of the way, with little trouble. "What!?" Sephiroth said. "I wouldn't keep up if I were you, Sephiroth." Cloud said, "I don't want to do anything to you, believe me. If I wanted to I would've already defeated you..." "Shut up!!!" Sephiroth said, and attacked Cloud with all his might, but Cloud again moved with no problems. "Sephiroth, I don't want to fight you." Cloud said, "Look, I didn't came here for a rematch with you, nor to fight anyone. I wanted some time with Tifa, do you get it?" "I don't care if you want to fight or not!!!" Sephiroth said, "I am going to defeat you!!!" "...You leave me no choice..." Cloud said, he ran towards Sephiroth at an incredible speed, and slashed him terribly, Sephiroth fell to the ground. "I told you..." Cloud said, "I didn't wanted to do that to you..." "You...!!!" Sephiroth said, "You grew this powerful... in sixteen years...!?" "I never wanted to pick a fight here." Cloud said, "I haven't fought any type of battle in nine years... I'm not the kind of person who goes around, provoking everyone just to fight. I'm not like that." "I'm not allowing you to defeat me again..." Sephiroth said. "Don't insist, Sephiroth!" Cloud said, "Stop it, I don't want to do it!" "Cloud..." Tifa thought, "Don't let him learn your movements... even though I believe he already knows you enough to..." "Do not... let him defeat you, Father..." Aeris Evelyn thought. "I don't believe this..." Aeris said, "He doesn't look that powerful..." "So much has happened, Aeris..." Tifa said, "You don't imagine what..." Sephiroth kept attacking Cloud, who just kept moving around, and blocking Sephiroth's attacks when necessary, and with minimal effort, but never attacking, he never raised his sword to do harm to his rival-in-turn. Clearly he did not wish to fight Sephiroth, who relentlessly attacked, always unsuccesful to land a hit. "You're not going to defeat me!!!" Sephiroth said, then attacked Cloud, who just moved out of the way. "Stop already, Sephiroth!" Cloud said, "You won't gain anything out of this!" "Why don't you just stop talking and fight!?" Sephiroth said. "Because I don' want to hurt you!" Cloud said, "I didn't came here to fight, and even if I did, I wouldn't be fighting you!" "No... I will not quit..." Sephiroth said, "I won't quit until I defeat you...!" Cloud moved yet again to dodge one more of Sephiroth's attacks, but this time, instead of letting him go get him, Cloud attacked Sephiroth yet again, just with that he was knocked unconscious. "I hope you understand someday, Sephiroth..." Cloud thought, "Titles aren't made to be kept forever... they're just... recognizements you recieve for your work, for your effort placed on what you plan for the future... but there'll be always someone who... who'll fight and defeat you in a battle... I haven't told her yet, but I want my daughter to be stronger than me... She'll eventually make it, I'm sure of it... and as for you... just learn that... that's all I ask you..." "Cloud..." Tifa said, and approached him. "He... he's still alive, though..." Cloud said. "Why?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "Cloud, personally I think you should've killed him." Aeris said. "Aeris." Cloud said, "I couldn't do that, no matter how much he hurt me in the past. I know who he is, but that doesn't mean he has to die like this... I never wanted to fight him in the first place, and he wasn't the one I came to fight with either... I only fight if necessary, not for personal reasons... I have more important responsibilities than fighting here and there..." "What do you mean?" Aeris asked. "Sephiroth's a human too." Cloud said, "He went through that same genetic nightmare: Jenova cells, the Mako energy injection... everything... In that sense, I'm just the same as him..." "You're right..." Tifa said, "But you're the opposite of Sephiroth in one way: you have a reason to live..." "You're right, Tifa, but..." Cloud said, "He just lived to fight... he lived to regain his pride... he practically... he's looking for someone to kill him... I couldn't be that one, though... I don't have the right to rip away his right to live..." "That's such an emotional speech..." Rufus said, "But you still won't stop Shinra!" "What'll you do now?" Tifa said, "Send in your dogs?" "Bring the sorcerer." Rufus said, "The 'dark' one, of course..." "Sorcerer!?" Aeris Evelyn said. "No way!" Aeris said, "Sorcerers don't exist since the time the Ancients were the only inhabitants of this planet!" "He's a different type of sorcerer..." Rufus said, "He can release the dark side of specific people..." "What does that mean...?" Tifa said. "You called?" A man dressed with a maroon cloak, his face filled of clownish painting, and brown hair to complete his description appeared. "Show those three what you're made of." Rufus said. "I'm surprised that you made it this far." The sorcerer said, "My name is Kefka, and you're not getting past me!" "Stand back." Cloud said. "Are you sure?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "He seems very powerful." Aeris said. "Be careful, Cloud..." Tifa said. "No problem..." Cloud said. "You look like if you'd be concealing quite some power..." Kefka said, "But... that won't help you." "Say whatever you want." Cloud said, "I'm fighting you, got it?"
*** Cloud began to fight with his magic, mainly Flare and Holy, hurting Kefka. He counterattacked with Shadow Flare, making some harm to Cloud, but the battle kept up intensefully fought by both persons. "I doubt that he can take the fight with all his power at this rhytm." Aeris said, "How old is he?" "He's 36 years old, Aeris." Tifa said. "Then, he will not take that power for too long..." Aeris said. "Why not?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "Because when one person gets past age 32, he or she reaches the limit of strength." Aeris explained. "And in Cloud's case?" Tifa asked. "His power grew even greater than I thought it would." Aeris said, "And since he fought Sephiroth using that power, I can say he has to defeat that sorcerer in at least... 5 minutes... You're slightly weaker than him, Tifa, and if he's 36 I can suppose you're 35." "Exactly." Tifa said. "You'd take at least eight minutes considering those details. But the magician is still stronger than you." Aeris said. "And what about me?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "You're 15. So you've got no limits right now, and your power can raise in an impressive manner in 17 years." Aeris said. "Wow..." Aeris Evelyn said. Cloud was beggining to feel tired, although he attacked with the same strength, he felt unable to control his powers, deciding to reduce his potency to be able to keep up, unfortunately, the effects of his aging were starting to affect him. "Just as I thought!" Aeris said. "It is happening!!!" Aeris Evelyn said. "I'm not giving up...!" Cloud said, greatly exhausted. "Well, you should." Kefka said, "You're doing no good to yourself fighting like that..." "Shut up!" Cloud said, "I'm not going to..." "This will be simple..." Kefka said, "Let me show you something... Shadow Flare!!!" Cloud could not take even half of such power, and he was easily defeated, blown away to where Sephiroth was laying, unconscious as well. "Cloud!!" Aeris and Tifa said. "No!!!" Aeris Evelyn said. "Who's next?" Kefka said. "You...!" Tifa said. "Tifa, wait." Aeris said, "I suggest you don't let your emotions control you. If you do..." Tifa just went to attack Kefka and Aeris was trying to stop her, but the sorcerer had plans for them. "Where should I warp you both to?" Kefka said, "Oh, yes! Nibelheim sounds like a wonderful idea!" He then made a hole appear, which took in Tifa and Aeris, while Aeris Evelyn was being witness of all this. However she had her fists closed, meaning she was furious. "You know, now that I have the dark crystals in my possesion, I only want to meld both this planet, and Gaia." Kefka said. "What for?" Rufus asked. "I'm trying to return Gaia to its original state..." Kefka said. "Hey, that's not why I got you here!" Rufus said. "What do I care?" Kefka said, "I don't need you anymore so I should finish you off before you try anything stupid." "Don't you dare!" Rufus said. "Why not?" Kefka said, "Shadow Flare!!!" This time, it attacked the President of Shinra, who was simply killed by that single attack. "Why are you doing this!?" Aeris Evelyn said, "There is absolutely nothing you can hope to gain out of this!" "On the contrary..." Kekfa said, "I do hope to gain something out of this, you see, both planets used to be one..." "Used to?" Aeris asked. "Yes..." Kefka said, "If I meld both planets again, then they'll be mine!" "That is all!?" Aeris said, "So you think the Gaians will allow you to!?" "I've indeed heard they're die-hard..." Kefka said, "But still even they can resign..." "They are not so easy to manipulate!!!" Aeris said, "I know that because, althought my family is from this planet, I am Gaian, and I have spent all my life with them, as a result, I won't give up until I defeat you!!!" "Why don't you try?" Kefka said.
*** Kefka fired many Shadow Flares one after another, but Aeris avoided them with a more-than-amazing speed. "What the...!?" Kefka said. "You're not going to get away with this!" Aeris said, and attacked with the Meteorain, a skill she always practiced, but never worked. Now it did, due to Aeris' fury, and obviously, her new powers. "How...!?" Kefka said, "It's impossible...! A girl can't have... such power...!" "You would better believe it!" Aeris said, "You are ending now!!!" "Her eyes..." Kefka thought, while glancing at the young girl, "She has Mako energy too... and she's furious so she should be no problem to control, she will be a great asset, hahahahahaha!!!" He then raised his hand towards Aeris, however, he saw something strange: Aeris did not suffer any change. "What!?" Kefka thought, "I can't manipulate her!? But she... but I can control anyone with Mako energy unless... unless they recieved it by genetical means, like the black-caped guy..." "What were you trying to do?" Aeris said, "You didn't have the strength to do anything?" "Maybe the blond one did receive Mako energy artificially..." Kefka thought, "I wonder how would she take it?" "Then I will attack you again!" Aeris said, "Firaga! Blizzaga! Thundaga! Quakega! Waterga! Holy! Ultima!" Kefka was terribly hurt, but not enough to be knocked out for Aeris' misfortune, and he already prepared a counterattack. "You... you stupid girl..." Kefka said, "I'll make you meet my anger... Shadow Flare!!!" He fired an even more powerful flare than the ones he launched to Aeris a while ago, she was unable to dodge it, and she fell unconscious after its explosion. "Soldiers." Kefka said to a group of Shinra soldiers that got to the top floor, "Take the girl to one of the cells, the normal ones, of course, heal your leader and as for him... take him to the research section... we'll have a new member in the army... hahahahahaha!!!" As Kefka finished giving his orders, he used the dark crystals, which after completing a ritual to meld Gaia and Cetria shattered and the planet, along with its moon, was moving towards Gaia at an incredible speed, that the planets were melded in just seconds.
*** Aeris was jailed inside the Shinra Building, had her sword taken away along wiht her crystal, unfortunately it was the guard outside that kept her things under custody, she is thinking of a way to get out without drawing the attention, but in a building it is quite hard to achieve this. "This is just great..." Aeris thought, "I was unconscious for two days... I am sure Mother is worried about me, but... what happened to Father? He isn't in one of the cells... I am worried about him... " "Don't worry." The soldier said, "You won't be alive for long, believe me." "So now that I no longer have my sword..." Aeris thought, while she was searching around her neck, "My crystal! It's gone!! The gift I received from my family when I became 15... I am never going to forgive these persons...!!!" As she was lost in thought, she heard something coming out of her cell, it was the guard, it seemed like if he was attacked by something, then, a figure opened Aeris' cell. "What do yuo want with me!?" She said, "You did not have enough with what Father did to you!?" "I did not come here to fight." The man said, "You'd better come." "Like if I will!" Aeris said, while she raised her hands and was concentrating a spell, "You'd better stay away from me!" "Is this yours?" The man asked, holding a sword and a crystal. "Those are my...!" Aeris said, and lowered her hands, "You... why are you helping me?" "Cloud taught me an important thing:" The man said, "One's titles are mere recognizements, nothing as important as another human to share your life with. I finally understand what he meant." "Your name is Sephiroth, correct?" Aeris asked, while she took her sword and made her necklace again. "Yes." Sephiroth said, "I notice great qualities in you. How old are you?" "I am 15." Aeris said, "I will be 16 in a few months." "How appropriate." Sephiroth said, "You have very little experience as a fighter, so the least I can suggest is that you put all you know to good use." "I am not a bad fighter just because I am young!" Aeris said. "I know that." Sephiroth said, "What's your name?" "Aeris Evelyn." Aeris said, "But everyone calls me Aeris." "When I entered you mentioned the word 'father'..." Sephiroth said, "I see why now... your eyes... they're exactly the same ones he has." "Is there anything wrong with my eyes?" Aeris asked. "No." Sephiroth answered, "By the way, do you know how to get out of here?" "I can only think about the stairs from the floor 59..." Aeris said, "And through the front door..." "Then our only option is the stairs..." Sephiroth said. "What do you have in mind?" Aeris asked. "First, we have to get out of this floor." Sephiroth answered. Aeris and Sephiroth left the cell section of Floor 67, and went all the way down to Floor 60, where they were surprised by a soldier army, with Kefka leading them. "What an amazing surprise!" He said, "That girl, and Sephiroth, the strongest soldier in all the army... a traitor!" "You'd better get out of the way!" Sephiroth said. "Since there's on;y two of you... and twenty of us, you're in quite a disadvantage..." "I've had worse!" Sephiroth said. "Um, Sephiroth, we should head back up, I have a plan." Aeris interrupted. "What do you have in mind?" Sephiroth asked. "First, we have to head all the way up!" Aeris said, and ran back up the stairway, followed by Sephiroth. "After them!" Kefka ordered and he, along with all the soldiers, went up after them.
*** Aeris and Sephiroth were running as fast as they could in normal speed, chased by Kefka and his soldiers from floors 61 to 67, where they headed up through the research elevator after fighting for a while. Once in Floor 68 they ran at full speed to the stairs, and headed up to Floor 69, almost reached by Kefka. Once in Floor 70, they went out to the balcony, where they were surrounded by the soldiers and Kefka. "Now what'll you do?" Sephiroth asked, while he drew his sword. "Trust me." Aeris said, "It'll work." "Then I suggest you hurry up...!" Sephiroth said. "Give up." Kefka said, "Then we won't hurt you..." "You have to destroy me first!" Aeris said and jumped out of the building. "Aeris!!!" Sephiroth said, while she was falling. Aeris did not have her death in mind, however, as she was falling she touched her crystal, ready to summon her Eidolon Bahamut. "It's time for him to appear!" Aeris said, "Gray Crystal, shine! King of Dragons awaken!!" This time the crystal did not shatter, instead Bahamut came diving from the skies and, with unbelievable reflexes due to the dragon's speed, Aeris managed to hang onto one of his horns. "Go to the top floor." Aeris ordered Bahamut, the Eidolon was flying all the way up and stopped when he reached the balcony. "Sephiroth! Hop!" Aeris said. "What are you thinking!?" Sephiroth said. "Just do it!" Aeris said, after using Blind on the soldiers and Kefka to buy a few seconds. Sephiroth hopped on Bahamut and the dragon was flying on the direction to the west ocean. "How do you know I want to go west, Bahamut?" Aeris asked him. "Because your mother is on Nibelheim." Bahamut said, "Gaia has changed much in these two days, so do not be afraid if you see that everything is different." "Sephiroth." Aeris said. "What is it?" Sephiroth said. "What will you do when we get to Nibelheim?" Aeris asked. "I've got to make you a small blood test." Sephiroth answered, "I have a few doubts, that will be cleared only that way. What will you do?" "I'll search for Mother." Aeris said, "She must be very worried about me." "I'm sorry for underestimating you back there." Sephiroth said, "I didn't thought you'd be so intelligent. You truly know how to handle a situation, which is good for being a 15-year-old." "Like I told you, I already had summoning Bahamut as a plan to leave Midgar, so even if we'd gotten out through the stairs, we'd be heading for Nibelheim anyway." "You do not sound so happy, Aeris." Bahamut interrupted, "Even though you escaped." "I am worried about Father." Aeris explained, "I haven't seen him since I fought that sorcerer..." "You fought him!?" Sephiroth asked. "I could not control my anger..." Aeris answered, "And when that happens I grow very strong... that's what my parents have said to me." "That's true." Sephiroth said, "It's in your lineage to suffer those changes. As a Cetrian, you have that gift, along with the fact you can hide your strength." "I've been explained about that as well." Aeris said, "I have not released all my power for now." "We are arriving at Nibelheim." Bahamut interrupted, and began to reduce his flying height as he got closer to the town. "At least for now we won't be bothered..." Aeris said.
*** Bahamut landed outside the town and returned to Aeris' crystal. "How come he can return directly into your crystal?" Sephiroth asked her. "Actually he turns into the crystal's energy, which makes it shine." Aeris answered. "I understand." Sephiroth said. "Is that...?" A female voice said. "Aeris Evelyn?" Another voice said, also female. "Mother?" Aeris said, "Mother! I am here!" Then two women approached from the northeastern side of the well. One of them was none other than Tifa Strife, along with the other Aeris. "Aeris Evelyn...! It's really you...!!!" Tifa said. "I am so happy to see you again, Mother!" Aeris Evelyn said, and ran to Tifa's side. "'Mother'?" Aeris said, "Tifa, what does this mean?" "It's a long story, Aeris, believe me." Tifa said, and turned to her daughter, "What happened to you, I've been searching you around here for two days, where were you?" "I was in one of the Shinra Building's cells, but Sephiroth helped me out..." Aeris Evelyn explained, "Along with Bahamut, of course." "I was so worried about you..." Tifa said. "I, too, was worried about you, Mother..." Aeris Evelyn said. "Aeris Evelyn." Sephiroth said, "We must head to the mansion. There's a laboratory underground there, and I need to check your blood." "Yes." Aeris Evelyn said. "Oh, no, you're not going anywhere without I get an explantation of what is going on!" Aeris said. "Aeris, this is just so hard to explain..." Tifa said. "I don't care, Tifa, I want to know what happened after Cloud defeated Sephiroth!" Aeris said. "All right, Aeris..." Tifa said, "I hope you understand what happened in those 17 years..."
*** Tifa and Aeris Evelyn were explaining to Aeris what happened on Gaia, where Cloud and Tifa stayed to live after defeating Zeromus 16 years ago, started a family and got married, all this in the town of Alexandria, Aeris Evelyn's hometown and Cloud and Tifa's living place for the last sixteen years. "So that's it?" Aeris said, "You think I can be calm with all that!?" Aeris Evelyn's the daughter of you and Cloud... You've been together since your fight with Zeromus and to end it all up, you got married!" "Aeris, relax." Tifa said, "You shouldn't take things too seriously." "But I thought you'd come back here!" Aeris said, "I never thought you'd stay on Alexandria!" "That's a decision Cloud and I took." Tifa said, "We thought about staying there over returning to Nibelheim, to spend our lives together." "Tifa, you're trying to say you started a family with him on Alexandria, right?" Aeris said, "At least you could've come here once in a while, not sixteen years later!" "We made up our mind when we went to live together in Alexandria..." Tifa said, "We'll never come back here, at least to start a life, we'll come here only for vacations and that kind of things, but not to live here." "Then I can understand why you never wanted to come here in the first place..." Aeris said. "Actually, I..." Aeris Evelyn interrupted, "I asked them if they could show me where they came from... and so we are here... but Father..." "What happened to him?" Aeris asked. "I do not know..." Aeris Evelyn answered, "I last saw him when the sorcerer attacked him, I fought that man but they caught me, and I never even heard him while I was imprisoned..." "Then we must head back to find him!" Tifa said. "I suggest you don't even try." Sephiroth said. "Why not!?" Aeris said, "You have something against it!?" "Because you'll only get yourselves killed." Sephiroth said. "If he is willing to leave..." Aeris Evelyn said. "I doubt he is, though." Sephiroth said, "Last time I saw him he was being manipulated by that sorcerer, so I suppose he's their strongest soldier. And the worst thing of all is: there's nothing we can do to stop them, unless somehow Cloud goes back to his senses." "How can we make Father come back?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "I'm not sure." Sephiroth answered, "Unless his feelings are powerfully attached to something or someone, and that, or rather, those persons call out to him, he may become the good old Cloud again..." "Then we have to try." Tifa said. "There's something at the Black Mage Village that Kefka wants, I'm not sure what though..." Sephiroth said, "The best thing that we can do is head there and arrive before they do." "But how will we get to the Invincible?" Aeris asked. "Leave it to me!" Aeris Evelyn said, and touched her crystal, "Gray crystal, shine! King of Dragons awaken!!" Bahamut emerged, and was indeed willing to carry the group to the chocobo farm, where the Invincible was last left. "Is this safe?" Aeris said, after hopping on the dragon. "Not to worry." Bahamut said, "I am not going to hurt you." After that was set the Eidolon headed east, straight to the chocobo farm, where the four persons boarded the Invincible and Bahamut returned to the crystal. Tifa took the airship to the Black Mage Village. Aeris Evelyn was greatly worried, because she could not get off her head that she might have to fight her own father, the one that taught her all of her sword skills and how to use the weapon, she could not imagine destroying Cloud, nor could Tifa, who was also worried for the same detail, after all Cloud is her husband, Aeris Evelyn's father, her dearest friend besides her daughter. "Tifa, what's wrong?" Aeris asked. "Nothing, Aeris..." Tifa said, "I just can't stand the idea that I'll have to... to hurt Cloud..." "Look, don't worry about it." Aeris said, "Maybe you can get him back without having to fight. Who knows, maybe he'll want to feel you kissing him..." "I hope you're right, Aeris..." Tifa said, "I hope you're right..."
*** The group arrived at the Black Mage Village, greeted well by its inhabitants, as they know everyone except Aeris. Fortunately for the group Kefka is not here yet. "I am glad that we got here first..." Aeris Evelyn said. "Do you know what does Kefka want from this village?" Sephiroth asked to a black mage. "A sword that the former Alexandrian General Beatrix left here since she retired..." he answered, "A sacred sword that never rusts, no matter how much years pass: the Save the Queen." "What's so special about this sword?" Tifa asked. "It's a weapon used by holy knights." The black mage answered, "It has a sacred spirit dwelling inside it, that's why its power." "Meaning there's no more than that sword?" Aeris asked. "At least in the old Gaia, there was no better weapon." The black mage answered. "That's impressive." Aeris Evelyn said. "Don't get me wrong, though, we're not giving it away to anyone." The black mage said. "I understand how important this sword is so important to you." Sephiroth said, "But don't you think it would be safer somewhere else? A sorcerer is heading this way to claim the weapon." "He'll have to destroy us first." Another black mage interrupted. "He is no ordinary sorcerer..." Aeris Evelyn said, "He... he... took Father away from me..." "Oh..." the black mage said, "Sorry about that. We never thought..." "I don't believe it!" Sephiroth thought, "Now that we're here I won't be able to see Aeris Evelyn's blood cells...! I should've been quicker!" "There's a sorcerer in the forest!" yet another black mage interrupted. "He's here." Aeris Evelyn said, "Um, Aeris, I think you should stay here." "No!" Aeris said, "I'm fighting too, I know I can do little, but I won't let him nor Cloud do any harm to you." "I won't allow them to, either!" Tifa said. "Like if you'd be able to do anything against him..." Sephiroth interrupted. "What did you just say!?" Aeris said. "Like I said, he'll just get rid of all of you, and then it's all over." Sephiroth said. "He's right." Aeris Evelyn said, "Father is too powerful for us, the only chance we have is to try to get him back." "We should be prepared, they're coming." Sephiroth said, and everyone drew their weapons.
*** The first enemies the group had to face were four Shinra soldier, which were defeated easily. After that, Kefka emerged. "It's good to see you again." He said to the group. "Oh, be quiet!" Aeris Evelyn said. "You're not getting away with this!" Sephiroth said. "You think you stand a chance against me?" Kefka said, "Don't make me laugh, it's ridiculous to even hear that!" "I don't think you should talk like that...!" Aeris Evelyn said, "You're a coward! You had no right to..." "To do what?" Kefka said. "You'd better give up, Kefka!" Tifa said, "You don't know who you're dealing with!" "Hahahahahaha! You think I don't?" Kefka said, "Oh, please, like if you wouldn't have seen how powerful I am!" "Well, we know, but that doesn't mean you're invincible!" Aeris said. "You really want to fight?" Kefka said, "Well, first how about if you try to defeat your former friend?" "What!?" Aeris Evelyn said, "You do not mean...? Then what Sephiroth said was true..." "Hehehehehe! Come on..." Kefka said, and Cloud showed up, but not the Cloud everyone knows, this one is darker, with demon wings coming out of his back, and dark clothing, cold and heartless. "Father...?" Aeris Evelyn said, and turned to Kefka, "What did you do to him!?" "I just released his dark side altering his Mako energy." Kefka said, "That's the advantage you get with artificially altered blood cells. Unfortunately you couldn't have his fate because you got yours through genetical means." "Cloud...?" Tifa said, "This can't be... no... please tell me you're still alive...!" "He won't listen to you..." Kefka said, "He only cares about destroying. How about if we try him out?" Cloud ran at an incredible speed and got in front of Aeris Evelyn, and, just as he was about to slash her, Sephiroth protected the young girl with his sword, and with all his strength, drew Cloud away from Aeris Evelyn. "Sephiroth!" She said. "Run away!" Sephirorth said, "He knows you're not powerful, but if you grow that strength you have, you'll be a threat to them!" "But..." Aeris Evelyn said. "Go!!!" Sephiroth said. "Let's go, Aeris." Tifa said. "But, Mother...!" Aeris Evelyn said. "Listen to her..." Aeris said. "I will not leave Father like this!" Aeris Evelyn said. "We'll get him back soon enough, Aeris Evelyn." Tifa said, "For now we can't fight him, he's too powerful, and I doubt that he'll..." "...All right..." Aeris Evelyn said, and ran along with Tifa in direction to the forest. "We'll hold him off as much as we can, don't worry about us." Aeris said. "You'll have to kill me first!" Sephiroth said to the corrupted Cloud. "Please him." Kefka said, and Cloud attacked Sephiroth, who defended himself by blocking Cloud's sword with his Masamune, and the fight began.
*** Cloud had full control, Sephiroth could only defend himself, he practically protected himself of any harm, unfortunately Cloud noticed that Tifa and Aeris Evelyn were no longer present. "Just a little longer...!" Aeris thought, looking at the forest. "What are you doing?" Sephiroth said, and slashed Cloud, who just fell down, getting up quicky though. "You don't stand a chance." Kefka said, "Remember how he wiped you out in the Shinra Building?" "I don't care!" Sephiroth said, "First comes Aeris Evelyn, then me! You do not know how powerful she can become!" "Her?" Kefka said, "Please, she's not even as powerful as you are!" "You're wrong..." Sephiroth said, "I know she is stronger... I'm not willing to let you destroy her!" "Then I'll make you that favor." Kefka said, "Annihilate him!" Cloud attacked Sephiroth at full power, making him use all his effort to move out of the way, which he did barely, while Kefka was looking for both Tifa and Aeris Evelyn, who were already out of the forest, heading for Fossil Roo. "Where are they!?" Kefka said, "They're supposed to be here!" "Hahahahahaha! You didn't notice them leaving?" Sephiroth said, "They must be heading out of this continent right now...!" "What were you trying to do then!?" Kefka asked Sephiroth. "It's this simple: I was just trying to buy them a little time, and look! It worked!" He said. For Sephiroth's surprise, Cloud lifted high into the skies and launched three Flares towards Fossil Roo just when Tifa and Aeris were about to enter. Fortunately both were not on the Flares' range. "Father...?" Aeris Evelyn said. "This can't be..." Tifa said, "He can even fly... what'll we do now?" Cloud was diving towards Aeris Evelyn, ready to slash her with all his power, Tifa could do nothing, however, because Cloud is too fast that it would be mere luck if she hits him. Just when Cloud was about to slash Aeris Evelyn, she pulled out her sword and slashed Cloud, sending him to crash on the mountain to the west. "Aeris, how did you do that?" Tifa asked. "I do not know..." Aeris Evelyn answered. "I'm surprised you were able to do that!" Tifa said. "I am too." Aeris Evelyn said, "But I doubt Father is gone, he's too strong to be defeated by that single attack... although I used all my strength on it..." "You're right..." Tifa said, "I'm not sure how we can get out now, though..." "We are not getting out, Mother." Aeris said, "We have no choice but to try and get Father back." "What if...?" Tifa said. "I won't let him do that..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I promise..." "...Aeris..." Tifa said. "What is it, Mother?" Aeris asked. "You're beginning to talk just like your father..." Tifa said. Cloud then emerged from the mountain, once again diving towards the blonde girl. This time, however, Aeris did not wait for him, she made a rapid move when her father almost approached her, once Cloud landed, Aeris attacked him at full speed, he intercepted her movement though, making her effort useless, but she still kept her hope high, which is bringing Cloud back, by fighting him beforehand. "I apologize, Father..." Aeris said, "But I have to do this..." She defended from a slash this time, and she backflipped, to plan another attack. "Father..." Aeris thought, "I am not going to be defeated that easily, and I will battle with all my strength, even if... even if I have to hurt you...!"
*** Cloud attacked Aeris, but she defended greatly with her sword, counterattacking rapidly, which Cloud avoided and countered with a slash that meant keeping his sword close to the ground to make the rival fall to the ground, Aeris jumped before Cloud's sword made contact with her feet, and in a quick manner, she made a 180 degree spin while suspended in the air and stopped her fall by putting one hand against the ground, also taking advantage of the move, she kicked Cloud, sending him toward the eastern mountains. "You did learn that move?" Tifa asked quite surprised, due to the skill's difficulty. "I always tried it when you weren't around, Mother." Aeris answered, "Once, by mere coincidence it worked and I have been able to make it since then." "It's just that I'm amazed at that." Tifa said, when Cloud emerged from the mountain and headed to attack Aeris, who, again, avoided his horizontal slash by making the typical "limbo" ducking move. Next part in her plan is to get her father to his old self. "Father, I know you are listening to me..." Aeris said, "It's me, Aeris... your daughter... you still remember who I am, right? You once said to me you'd never forget either Mother or I... Please tell me..." Cloud attacked Aeris again, who once again moved out of the way; she knows him too much as to not know his attacks. "Please listen to her, Cloud..." Tifa said, "You said once that you'd do anything to keep us safe, remember? No matter the cost... we're the only things you have left, you said once, too..." Cloud stopped, and then flashbacks of his memories with Tifa and Aeris appeared in his mind, importantly the ones of nine years ago, and of the time after those moments, when Aeris learned her first spell and of when she accidentally burned him. He could also see Aeris' 15th birthday celebration on Alexandria Castle. "Do you remember everything that happened in the 16 years we've been together, Cloud?" Tifa said. "And... and... do you... remember when... when I cried because I thought I was different?" Aeris said. Yet more flashbacks filled Cloud's mind, of when he married Tifa and when she told him that she was going to have a baby that ended up being Aeris, then he seemed to react. "Father..." Aeris said, "I have always... I have always wanted to ask you this... but I never knew how, but... I think the time's come for me to ask you... because I do not have memory of my first days and even years of life... do you remember... that day I was born...?" The last flashback was longer than the ones he had previously had, but Cloud did remember that day... he remembered that when he first saw Aeris, he was filled of so much joy that he could not resist crying, nor did Tifa, who had her in her arms after waiting for such a long time, and both promised to each other never to forget that same day. "Well...?" Aeris said, "Do you remember, Father?" Cloud opened his eyes, and they were the same color he had them before he fought Kefka. "Tifa...? Aeris...?" he said, "You're still...?" "Cloud...?" Tifa said. Cloud then returned to his normal self, meaning he was completely out of Kefka's control. "Father...?" Aeris said, "Father... are you really back...?" "Aeris..." Cloud said, "You're young, but you're already a wonderful rival... you were formidable..." "You... you really think so?" Aeris asked. "Of course!" Cloud said, "Would I be saying that if I wouldn't have been training you? You've grown greatly." "I'm so glad you haven't changed a bit..." Tifa said, and approached Cloud, who did not resist to receive her with open arms. "Tifa... I'm sorry..." he said. "No..." Tifa said, "You don't have anything to be sorry about... forget it..." Cloud then turned to his daughter. "Aeris?" he said, "Why do you look at me like that? You're not sure that I'm really here, right?" "Um... well... I do... I do not..." Aeris said. "Would I be talking to you if I wouldn't be myself?" Cloud asked Aeris, "Would I have asked you once to go to the fair?" "Father..." Aeris said. "Aeris..." Cloud said, "I wouldn't be here with your mother if I wasn't myself, either... I think I've told you many times in your life, but... but I have to tell you again... I love you, Aeris..." The young girl then began to cry, and headed where Cloud stood. "Father..." she said, "Father I... I apologize for... for having done that..." "No, Aeris..." Cloud said, "You just did what you had to do... not anything that... that you wanted to do..." "Oh, how cute!" Kefka interrupted, "The family's back together! Let's celebrate!" "You...!!!" Aeris said. "Now I can destroy the three of you with just this..." Kefka said, "Shadow Flare!!!" "Mother! Father!" Aeris said, and went in front of her parents. "Aeris, don't!" Tifa said. It was too late. Aeris took the whole impact of the flare, falling unconscious into Cloud's arms. She was terribly injured, and had to be treated immediately. Kefka used Warp to escape, unfortunately, meaning there will be another time to defeat him. For now, Cloud and Tifa will hope their daughter recovers from such a damage.
*** Cloud, Tifa, Sephiroth and the other Aeris were watching closely on Aeris Evelyn, who was slowly recovering from terrible injuries she suffered due to one of Kefka's deadly Shadow flares. The young girl is still in critical condition, but as her parents know her as a strong person, they believe she will recover eventually. "Poor girl..." Sephiroth said, "I can't believe she dared to do that..." "Since when are you acting all good?" Aeris asked. "Since I realized that Aeris Evelyn is the only hope we have left!" Sephiroth answered. "Stop it." Cloud said, "Please... I know you can recover... you can do it, Aeris..." "Her injuries are severe..." Tifa said, "But she's got a strong spirit... I know Aeris Evelyn can recover from this..." "I know that too, Tifa." Cloud said, "She's never been so injured, but... she has nerves, which is good..." "Cloud." Sephiroth said, "Are you sure she can grow even stronger?" "Of course." Cloud said, "She still has a way to go, but she's got potential. I know her, she's not the type that lets herself be beaten so easily... She'll grow stronger... I know..." "Mother... Father..." Aeris Evelyn said softly. "You're alive!" Aeris said. "I am not... going... to let... something like that... get rid of me..." Aeris Evelyn said. "You're persistent..." Sephiroth said, "You remind me of someone I know..." "Father and Mother... have always... told me... to never give up..." Aeris Evelyn said. "And they've told you well..." Aeris said, "You've surprised me ever since I met you, you know? Now I'm amazed at your persistence." "She's always been like that." Tifa said. "Of course I haven't, Mother!" Aeris Evelyn said. "Rest up..." Cloud said, "We're going to find a way to make you stronger..." "Um... Mr. Strife?" a black mage interrupted. "What is it?" Cloud asked. "There's something I wanted to give to your daughter, but I'd rather wait until she recovers." The black mage answered. "No problem..." Aeris Evelyn said. "Let's rest up, everyone." Cloud said, "We're departing tomorrow morning." Then everyone went to their beds to spend the night at the village.
*** The next morning, the same black mage handed over to Aeris Evelyn the Save the Queen, which she already read about. It was not shining, however, and the explantation she received from the mages was that the sword's power vanished in the last 17 years to the grade of losing its glow, but that legendary force the sword once had could be restored: the Crystal had to be reunited. It was turned into eight shards in which were sealed the most powerful magics ever existing: Flare for fire, Freeze for ice, Storm for thunder, Break for earth, Wave for water, Tornado for wind, Holy Light for holy, and Apocalypse for shadow. The Crystal was divided so that it was not destroyed so easily as well, as if it is destroyed, the whole universe goes down with it. Aside from learning new magic, they explained that Aeris Evelyn's powers will increase in great manner when she restores the Save the Queen, meaning that she could have a chance against Kefka, who already gave her two terrible hits. One not too serious, but the other attack was severe. The crystal shards were hidden into eight shrines scattered across the "new" Gaia. The black mages gave them descriptions of where could they find them as well. "In a place where fire burns unstoppably, one is protected by a legendary Firebird." "Where the freezing cold reigns, one is protected by the Queen of Ice." "Where thunder falls and falls, one is protected by the Thunder Falcon." "At the bottom of the ocean, one is protected by the Ruler of the Seas." "At the deepest desert, one is protected by the Earth Wolf." "At the canyon where wind blows powerfully, one is protected by the Wind Dragon." "At the city of Alexander, one is protected by the Holy Beast." "At the cavern that leads to the core, one is protected by the Three-headed Dog of Darkness." "Then head for the center of the ocean, and the Crystal shall emerge before you." "Now that's confusing!" Aeris Evelyn said. "Yes, but I'm sure you'll understand it." A black mage said. "Let us go." Aeris Evelyn said, and the group left the black mage village and boarded the Invincible. Aeris Evelyn decided to get the fire shard first, meaning that she has to find a place "where fire never stops burning"... "Where can we find it, Father?" She asked Cloud. "I don't know." He answered. "Aeris Evelyn, think." Tifa said, "Where do you think there's always fire? Where does fire never disappear?" "Before anything, let's head back to Nibelheim." Sephiroth interrupted. "What for?" Aeris asked. "I have to check Aeris Evelyn's blood cells." Sephiroth answered. "All right..." Aeris said, a bit against it. The group returned to Nibelheim, where they entered the mansion in town, accessing a secret part of it, where a lab was hidden behind a cave.
*** Sephiroth made Aeris Evelyn the analysis he wanted to make her. Indeed, her blood was filled of Mako energy, but he looked like if he could not find what he was looking for in her blood cells. "No..." He said, "None..." "What do you mean?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "Cloud, your daughter doesn't have any Jenova cells of any kind." Sephiroth said, "I thought they could be transferred, but I was wrong. Either that, or Tifa received them without transmitting them to Aeris Evelyn." "Let's check mine too, just to be sure." Tifa said. Sephiroth checked Tifa's blood as well, in which he thought to see something strange, but no. Her blood was fully clean. Neither Mako energy nor Jenova cells were detected by the device, which indeed surprised Sephiroth, but he was also glad for that, as the cells Cloud carries were not spreaded to neither his soulmate nor his offspring. "That's something good..." Sephiroth said. "May I ask what are Jenova cells and what in the world is Mako energy?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "It'd take years to answer you clearly." Cloud said. "No, I'll tell her." Sephiroth said, "Mako energy is a substance which is implanted to every single Shinra soldier when they join the army. Your father joined for a while, but he left after a few years, already with that energy flowing through his veins. He suffered a rather unique intervention, however, after we battled 20 years ago inside a reactor, your father won, but he had a terrible wound and so did your mother. They survived, though, your father was captured by Shinra and used as a guinea pig for three years, during which he was injected with a monster's cells..." "Jenova cells..." Aeris interrupted. "I have those cells as well..." Sephiroth continued, "If you manage to stabilize them, to make them become a symbion with you, they are of no harm, but if you don't make them stable, they'll use your body as a parasite uses its host. It happened to your father, but he was able to handle them." "True." Cloud said. "Wow..." Aeris Evelyn said, "But what does Kefka mean that I acquired Mako energy 'genetically'?" "He meant that the energy was transferred during a procreation." Sephiroth explained, "In Cloud's blood flows Mako energy, meaning he obviously had to transfer it to the child, which was you. It also explains your eye color." "And what's Jenova?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "Jenova is what provoked the extinction of my ancestors the Ancients..." Aeris said. "Oh... my apologies..." Aeris Evelyn said. "No, it's all right." Aeris said. "It's a relief Aeris Evelyn didn't get all my genes..." Cloud said. "Gladly she did not..." Sephiroth said. "For now..." Cloud said, "We should worry about looking for those crystals... not just for us, but for all Gaia..." "Yes, you are right." Aeris Evelyn said, "What are we waiting for then? Let us get going!" The whole group then headed towards the Invincible, ready to take on the eight shrines and reawaken the Save the Queen, which is still powerless...