THE NEW GAIA
Episode II: Aeris Evelyn Strife, the New Gaian Hope
Cloud, Tifa and Aeris Strife are a family that has standed on Alexandria since Cloud and Tifa defeated Zeromus sixteen years ago, time in which the nine months passed and the young Aeris was born. She is now a 15-year-old that is learning how to be a magician and a sword fighter, by the hand of her parents, obviously, who kept their origins hidden from her since she was born, but that had to be revealed sooner or later. Aeris reacted as an usual teenager reacts when they do not know something that bothers them, but she managed to handle it, and asked Cloud and Tifa if they could show her their homeworld, which they accepted, and the adventure began.
The simple travel turned into even more: Shinra, a company that tried to destroy the planet several years ago was back, along with its president Rufus, Vincent, who died fighting Zeromus returned as well, and for Cloud and Tifa's surprise, Aeris Gast, who Sephiroth killed 17 years ago was back too, and not only them, but Sephiroth came back also.
Sephiroth and Cloud held a battle which the father of young Aeris Strife won, but the glory was not for long, as a powerful sorcerer, Kefka, appeared and defeated him with little trouble; Tifa attacked him but was sent to Nibelheim along with Aeris Gast, events which the young Strife saw and could not contain her fury. She attacked Kefka with all her strength, but he defeated her.
Aeris escaped the Shinra Building with Sephiroth's help, who would later protect her from Cloud, who was manipulated by Kefka, whom melded both Gaia and Cetria. Father and daughter engaged in a battle in which Cloud reacted and returned to his former self. It was also there where Aeris learned about the "shards", remains of a crystal that is the origin of all things, now her objective is reuniting these to defeat the mighty sorcerer Kefka.
This is the story of Aeris Evelyn Strife, and the answer to whether or not will she make it have a happy ending will be revealed now...
*** Cloud, Tifa, Sephiroth, Aeris and Aeris Evelyn were looking for a volcano as their first crystal shard location, and when all seemed lost, the young girl thought about the volcano on the Lost Continent, and indeed, one of those snowy mountains was a volcano; the heat was much, but the group entered the shrine, in which there was Ancient writing. "It says here that the key to get through is cold..." Aeris said, "But I wonder what's it talking about, though..."
"Look out!" Cloud said and a flare was headed towards the group. "I'll stop it!" Aeris Evelyn said, "Blizzaga!!!" She made an ice pillar emerge and turn the flare to mere scorches. "That was a close one..." Sephiroth said, "We should be more careful..." "He's right..." Aeris said, "...Did I say that?" "Let us just move on." Aeris Evelyn said, and the group followed her, melting every single flame they found on the way to the main hall, where the crystal shard was found in an altar in the center of the room, surrounded by a pool of lava. "This looks dangerous..." Tifa said, "Are you sure this is the shard we're looking for?" "Of course I am, Tifa." Aeris said, "Aeris Evelyn, you must take the crystal." "Why must it be specifically me?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "Because you have the Save the Queen." Cloud answered. "Th-then why don't you do it, Father? I will give it to you." Aeris Evelyn said. "Aeris, don't tell me you're afraid of such a thing!" Cloud said. "You are saying I am a coward?" Aeris Evelyn said, "I'll show you!" "I knew it'd work." Cloud said. As Aeris Evelyn was approaching the crystal, the pool of lava lifted and created a firewall, she tried to destroy it with Blizzard and Water spells, but it was worthless. To make matters worse, a firebird materialized in front of Aeris Evelyn, which seemed to be the crystal's protector. "I am Phoenix." It said. "You are the legendary bird of fire?" Aeris said, "I knew you were female..." "Indeed." Phoenix said, "You are the wielder of the sacred sword?" "Yes." Aeris said, and drew the Save the Queen. "Then, allow me to try out yor skills, young..." "Aeris." Aeris said, "Aeris Strife." "Very well then. Let us begin." Phoenix said, "You must defeat me to reactivate the fire shard and obtain the magic Flare." "I understand." Aeris said, and prepared to battle.
*** Aeris and Phoenix were matched in strength, but not in speed; the firebird was too fast for the young girl, who tried with slashes and Blizzaga spells, but Phoenix's velocity was very much for Aeris, who was about to lose it, but she managed to control her emotions this time, allowing her to keep focused on the fight. "You are too slow." Phoenix said, "You think you will defeat other foes like that?"
"The key is... concentration..." Aeris thought, "I must know how to read Phoenix's next move..." "I want to see how resistant you are..." Phoenix said. "What?" Aeris said. "I will show you my special attack..." Phoenix explained, "Phoenix Flame!" Aeris could not believe what she saw, Phoenix stood in a position where she raises her wings and creates a wave of fire in the form of her body, which the firebird launched towards her; Aeris casted Shell to defend herself from the attack, but it was useless, as the flame was too much for her barrier, it shattered and the girl ended up with much harm and with burnings all over her body. "You are brave." Phoenix said, "But you are not strong in body and mind." "No..." Aeris said, "You are... wrong... I won't give up... You will not defeat me that easily..." "But your heart... who knows..." Phoenix said. "I am not going to lose...!" Aeris said and lifted her sword. "You do not have enough, is that correct?" Phoenix said, "You will force me to destroy you." "I'll only have enough when..." Aeris said, "Until... until I defeat you!!!" A small tornado began to form around Aeris, for Phoenix's surprise, who thought she was already done for. "What do you think you are doing?" Phoenix said. "I'll show you...!" Aeris said, "Omni... Omnislash...!!!" "What did she say!?" Cloud said. "She'll use the Omnislash!" Tifa said. Aeris attacked Phoenix with all the strength she had, while the firebird could do nothing to avoid the attack, just when the girl performed the first slash, she attacked more times, not allowing the Phoenix to move. As Aeris made a 14th slash, she leaped in the air to charge her remaining power onto the Save the Queen, afterwards, she slashed Phoenix leaving an explosion behind. Aeris could barely stand up, she needed of her sword for support, but Phoenix was already defeated. "You are... stronger than I thought..." she said, "If... you grow stronger... nothing will be able to stop you... I grant you the magic Flare, and the fire shard will be activated... Go for the remaining ones!" The firewall dissipated and before Aeris fell to the ground, Cloud held her in his arms and healed her completely. "That's one." Cloud said, "There's only seven to go." "Let's go, Cloud." Tifa said.
*** The story sort of repeated itself the seven times, with Aeris Strife being the only one who fights against the mighty guardians. When she activated the fourth shard, the Save the Queen grew in size, from 4'1" to 5'2", meaning its power was returning, but not completely, the other shards had yet to be actioned. The next crystals were even harder to be activated, as their guardians controlled the strongest forces of nature, making Aeris Evelyn give even more effort than she could, but she made it greatly, all the shards were activated, and the crystal appeared in the center of the ocean, in the center of Gaia, where the group was heading just now. "I am so tired..." Aeris Evelyn said. "I can imagine..." Cloud said, "You just overworked yourself, that's all. You'll be as good as new in no time." "Aeris." Tifa said. "What's wrong?" Aeris asked. "What's all the writing you could read?" Tifa said. "All that was encrypted in Ancient, that's why you couldn't read it." Aeris said. "No wonder..." Aeris Evelyn said. "You should rest up after we restore your sword's power." Sephiroth said, "It will do no good if you fight Kefka in the stage you are." "Why do you care so much about her, Sephiroth?" Cloud asked. "Because she's the only one that can save this world." Sephiroth answered. "Are you sure that's your only reason?" Cloud asked. "He's right, Sephiroth." Tifa interrupted, "You've been too good with her." "I just think she's too unexperienced to battle alone." Sephiroth said, "She's young, after all. She'll grow to be a formidable fighter also, the battle you had with her made me see that Aeris Evelyn will fight even if her enemy is stronger. But she already knows you, so I still doubt a bit about her abilities." "You're right about that." Cloud said, "But I still believe in her skills, mainly because she's shown great progress each and every single fight she's had to overcome. Meaning that she can win, she has a chance." "We're approaching the crystal." Aeris interrupted, and Aeris Evelyn headed to the Invincible's deck, where she raised the Save the Queen against the crystal, which reacted almost immediately, transmitting its glow to the sword, making it have an amazing splendor, shining with the force of light. Aeris Evelyn put the restored Save the Queen away, just to be prepared to use it when combatting Kefka and his troops at the Shinra Building to put an end to this, once and for all.
*** At the Shinra Building... "They got the sword restored!?" Kefka said. "Yes, sir, it seems so..." A soldier said. "Grr... This is impossible!" Kefka said, "That girl's going to bring me much more trouble than I thought..." "She seems to be weak, sir, what's the threat with a girl?" the soldier asked. "You don't get it!? She's not an ordinary female!" Kefka answered, "She's different, she conceals a strength I never imagined!" "I still doubt she's stronger than you." The soldier said. "Of course she isn't!" Kefka said, "You'll see when we're fighting... I'll wipe her out... I'll destroy her!!!" Kefka seemed slightly frightened to hear about the Save the Queen restored, but he was also not afraid because a girl was going to use it. He is underestimating Aeris Evelyn greatly, so she has an advantage already, but no one knows what secret Kefka may hold...
*** Back at the Invincible... Aeris Evelyn was quite excited but nervous because this is going to be the most important battle she will ever have, the one where the future of Gaia is at stake, and Aeris is not much of a fighter with much experience, but she has strong nerves and a great heart, however no one must get her emotions out of the fight, as they are the strongest weapon for a Cetrian, especially for a female. Of course, Aeris Evelyn is Gaian, but both Cloud and Tifa are from Cetria, giving her feelings a great importance in this showdown. "Father..." she said. "What is it?" Cloud said. "Do you think I will defeat him?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "Of course, Aeris!" Cloud answered, "Why are you so pessimist? You'll show him what you're made of, I'm sure of it!" "It's just that I..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I am quite nervous and... and I fear that I won't know what to do in the moment of truth..." "Aeris..." Tifa said, "You'll know what to do. You just have to feel that, to be relaxed, that's all. You're young, but if you put all you've learned to good use, and all your power, I'm sure that you'll beat him up!" "She's right." The other Aeris said, "All you have to do is relax and only think about how you'll fight, not how will you attack or defend." "You are the only one that'll decide the future of this 'new' Gaia..." Sephiroth said, "Do not let Kefka defeat you by any means." "I'll do what I can." Aeris Evelyn said. "I trust you, Aeris..." Cloud said, "I know... I know you'll do greatly... and even if he's stronger, don't let it get to you... remember when you and I fought on the Outer Continent, you were formidable, and you've always said you're not so powerful..." "I am not stronger than you, Father." Aeris Evelyn said, "I have always said that and I keep thinking that way." "Aeris." Cloud said, "I haven't been training you to be like that. I wanted you to become stronger than both your mother and me, not to just reach that limit." "I've been training you to see that too." Tifa said. "Mother... Father..." Aeris Evelyn said. "Aeris Evelyn..." the other Aeris interrupted, "All your parents wanted was that you grew more powerful than them. I know it was hard, but I'm sure you are already stronger, you just have to find that power deep within you. Let it come out, then you'll see." "But I... but I am scared..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I do not... want to lose anyone... I do not want to see the death of someone I care about..." "What was that!?" Sephiroth interrupted. "Sephiroth?" Cloud said. "Do you think your family worried about making you the powerful girl you are now so that you say 'I am scared'!?" Sephiroth said, "If you think you have to win without losing anyone you're wrong!" "Sephiroth!" Tifa said, "Leave her alone, she has all the right to be afraid! I'm sure you were once too!" "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you say you've been raising her as a fighter since age 10?" Sephiroth asked. "Exactly." Cloud answered. "Then she must've already learned the price of fighting!" Sephiroth said, "It's ridiculous, the daughter of the strongest being in the whole universe is scared of assuming a responsibility?" "It is not that which scares me..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I am scared because... because I do not want to hurt Father again..." "That's all!?" Sephiroth said, "That is why you're afraid? Don't make me laugh! You can't certainly expect that Kefka won't try to manipulate your father again, right?" "That is precisely why I don't want to fight!" Aeris Evelyn said, already shedding tears, "I am not interested in destroying Father even if it is for my world... I do not want it to be that way..." "You must then get in your head that, after a fight, someone must live and someone must die." Sephiroth said. "Leave her alone already!" Tifa said. "You're protecting her now!?" Sephiroth said. "It's not that I like her attitude..." Tifa said, "But are you trying to say that she has to fight with anyone of us even if she doesn't want to? You think every single fighter in the world has to be like you!? You're wrong, Sephiroth, because Aeris has a heart. It's not my problem if you don't!" "You think I don't have a heart!?" Sephiroth said, "Cloud, do you remember when you defeated me 17 years ago?" "Of course I do." Cloud said, "You looked terrified, as if you just woke up from a nightmare." "I thought you wouldn't keep that battle in your head..." Sephiroth said. Aeris Evelyn drew the Save the Queen, and she looked at everyone as if she was at the moment of truth. "I am not going to give up..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I am not going to let that Kefka get away with whatever his plan may be. He'll have to destroy me first...! Because I am not going to surrender without a fight!" "That's the spirit, Aeris!" Tifa said. "Right." Cloud said, "Fight that guy, and win!" "I will." Aeris Evelyn said, "I promise." "That's your father talking." Sephiroth said. "No matter." Aeris said, "It's time that Kefka really gets a beating he'll never forget!" "What are we waiting for then?" Cloud said, "Whenever you want, Aeris." "Let us get going!" Aeris Evelyn said, and Cloud set the Invincible toward Midgar.
*** At the Shinra Building... "Sir, I just received word that those people are heading into this direction!" A soldier said to Kefka. "Set all our defense system running." Kefka ordered. "Sir, yes, sir." The soldier said, "What if they get past it?" "I'll destroy them myself..." Kefka said, "Besides, they've got their hopes set onto a girl... oh , please, how ridiculous! Believing a girl will beat me?" "Understood sir..." the soldier said. "The time has come..." Kefka thought, "It's time to show those guys who they're dealing with... and I'm not going to play nice with them by any means... I'll just make them suffer!" Kefka is pretty confident into his powers, and he does not seem to believe young Aeris Strife is a threat to his plans nor to himself, he clearly underestimates Aeris Evelyn, but she is even more than what Kefka thinks she is, at least after getting the Save the Queen and rising greatly in both skill and power she will surely put up a good fight. Now all that lies beyond Midgar and the Shinra Building is the final battle for Gaia: Kefka versus Aeris Evelyn Strife... the winner wil surely be known soon enough...
*** Back at the Invincible... "This is going to be it..." Cloud said. "Aeris... don't lose..." Tifa said, "I, no, both your father and I are really sure you'll win this fight, but no matter what happens, we'll be alongside you and help you if it's necessary! I don't know what the other Aeris and Sephiroth may think, though." "I trust you, Aeris Evelyn." Sephiroth said. "You're the only seed of hope we have left..." Aeris said, "I truly want that seed to grow..." "Thank you, everyone..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I promise I won't fail... no matter how much I have to fight, and no matter what happens... I will never give up... I am going to show that man that he messed with the wrong family!" "That's the spirit!" Cloud said. "Come on, Aeris, I'm sure you want to say something else." Tifa said. "Of course I do, Mother..." Aeris Evelyn said, "...No one messes with the Strifes... and gets away with it!" "You're definitely right about that!" Tifa said. "He messed with one of us..." Cloud said, "He'll mess with the three of us!" "Should it be necessary, we'll assist you." Sephiroth said. "Precisely." Aeris said, "We'll do whatever we can." "Thank you." Aeris Evelyn said. Suddendly the Invincible rumbled, signing that something was not right. "What was that!?" Tifa said. "Must have been Shinra's defenses." Sephiroth said. "It won't do any good if they are not stopped." Aeris Evelyn said. "What are you thinking?" Aeris asked. "Leave it to me, I will destroy them." Aeris Evelyn said, and jumped out of the Invincible, ready to summon Bahamut. "Gray crystal, shine! King of Dragons awaken!!" "Aeris..." Cloud said. "Sometimes... she makes me feel... happy..." Tifa said. "I know..." Cloud said, "She's brave, that's what helps her." Aeris and Bahamut were flying around Midgar, the girl riding the dragon, looking for the defense mechanisms, to blow them away one by one. "What!?" Kefka said, "What's that!?" "It seems that's the dragon in which the girl and Sephiroth escaped the building previously, sir." A soldier said. "Everything's got to do with her!" Kefka said, "I hope she's done soon, so that I can finally shut her up...!" Aeris Evelyn Strife was destroying every single machine gun or flamethrower she saw, along with her trusted Eidolon Bahamut, while Cloud and Tifa led the Invincible through the barrage of shots coming out of the Shinra defenses. "This is hard enough!" Sephiroth said. "We can cut through! I'm sure of it!" Tifa said. "They are getting to the building..." Aeris Evelyn thought, "We must hurry, or they'll never make it..." She led Bahamut all around Midgar, spotting where was the fire coming from, destroying all of it and allowing the Invincible, quickly she joined her family and landed outside the Shinra Building. Bahamut returned to Aeris Evelyn's crystal. "That was a stupid action of yours!" Sephiroth said to her. "But if I wouldn't have done that, we would not be here!" Aeris Evelyn said. "That's no excuse." Sephiroth said, "If you die, it's all over, and even if you had Bahamut assisting you on it, there was no reason for you to do that." "Sephiroth, I think you've scolded her too much already!" Tifa said, "She had to do it, because she is the only one of us that can summon and handle Bahamut, and besides if there was someone who could open a path for us, it was her!" "And I think you protect her too much." Sephiroth said. "Leave them alone, Sephiroth." Cloud interrupted, "Aeris did just what she thought was best for us, if it wouldn't be for her, maybe we'd be dead by now." "She's right." The other Aeris said, "We owe Aeris Evelyn that we're still here." "We should be going in by now, correct?" Aeris Evelyn interrupted, "What are we waiting for then?" "Let's get going." Cloud said, and everyone entered the Shinra Building.
*** Inside the Sinra Building, they took the outside elevators to go straight to Floor 67, because surely at Floor 69 there was a whole army waiting for them, and when they arrived at Floor 69, precisely, there were 15 soldiers waiting for them, who were defeated easily by the five, as the ones that surprised were Aeris Evelyn Strife and her companions. Once at Floor 70, the first thing they saw was Kefka standing up, seemingly awaiting for them. "I'm surprised you've gotten so far..." he said, "But this is as far as you'll get." "It won't be." Aeris Evelyn said, "It will not, because we are going to defeat you!" "Now... what was next?" Kefka said, "Oh, next, it's time to finish that battle!" "What do you mean by that!? Tell me!" Aeris Evelyn said. "You know what I'm talking about!" Kefka said, and raised his hand against Cloud. "No... not again!" Tifa said, "Don't dare to do it!" Cloud then was feeling attacked on his mind again, but he was resisting as much as he could. "Leave him alone!" Aeris saiid. "You'd better not do it!" Sephiroth said. "Why not?" Kefka said, "It'd be fun watching him destroy all of you." "I... won't..." Cloud said. "What?" Kefka said, "You say you won't? That's nonsense!" "Like I said... I won't..." Cloud said, "I'm not... willing to destroy... Tifa... Aeris... Sephiroth... or my daughter... you'll have to destroy them yourself...!"
"What makes you think you won't?" Kefka said. "Because I'm not controlled by anyone!!!" Cloud said, and released all of his power, which at least helped him to prevent his own destruction; because of that unleashing, he fell unconscious. "His power is too much for his body to handle..." Aeris said, "I hope Cloud recovers from that..." "Father..." Aeris Evelyn said. Suddendly a black cloud appeared, which seemed to materialize into a figure. It, indeed, turned into something: the dark Cloud that engaged Aeris Evelyn at the Outer Continent. "No!" Tifa said, "You took away his power just to split them both up!?" "Of course not." Kefka said, "Since I couldn't control him, I just separated him from his other entity, making this... my greatest soldier... and this time, there's no way to stop him by calling out, because he's a completely different being from that man! He has no feeling other than hate." "No..." Aeris Evelyn said. "There's no way to stop him now..." Sephiroth said. "This time, begin with the one with red eyes and brown hair..." Kefka ordered the dark Cloud. "Mother!" Aeris Evelyn said. Dark Cloud attacked Tifa too quicly, this time Sephiroth could not react, but the young Aeris Evelyn was able to block his slash in the last minute, covering her mother from what would be a gruesome death, and engaged the dark version of her own father. "Aeris!" Tifa said. "I'll fight him, Mother..." Aeris said, "I will not allow him to hurt anyone, without he first destroys me!" "She's too reckless..." Sephiroth said. "No..." The other Aeris said, "Aeris Evelyn's not reckless... she knows what she's doing... she just has nerves... she's brave..." Again, Aeris Strife and the dark version of her father Cloud, are fighting, but this time, it will be to the death...
*** Dark Cloud and Aeris were engaging in a ferocious battle, in which only the strongest one will win and live on. Aeris went to the defensive, blocking every single slash her enemy made, always waiting for the moment to make a counterattack, which rarely came. The young girl soon noticed that she would never win if she kept up like that: she needed to face him head on, with magic, with her sword, with her skills... the dark Cloud hits too many times for a defensive strategy, and Aeris noticed the detail, so she decided to attack more times. "Aeris..." Tifa said, "Don't quit... you can do this..." "I definitely underestimated you..." Sephiroth said, "Aeris Evelyn... you indeed are a formidable fighter..." "You can do this." The other Aeris said, "I know you can. Even if you're not strong enough, your heart is even stronger." Cloud finally woke up, barely standing up, he was amazed when he saw his daughter fighting his dark self even better than he ever thought to see her battling. "Aeris..." Cloud said, "How've you grown... those eight battles were very useful for you... I saw much progress every time you fought a new monster and now I see how much have you learned..." "Are you all right, Cloud?" Tifa asked him. "No problem, Tifa." Cloud answered, "I'm all right, you have nothing to worry about. Once I get back to full I'll stop Aeris." "Why?" Sephiroth asked. "Because she's only wasting her strength." Cloud answered, "Kefka's intention was to have Aeris fight first with the 'other' me so that she loses strength, then he could defeat her easily." "But he attacked me!" Tifa said. "Exactly." Cloud said, "Kefka ordered him to attack you because he knew Aeris was going to protect you and engage his 'friend' with all her strength." "So that's what he wanted...!" Tifa said. "That's a dirty plan." Aeris interrupted. "You're right." Cloud said, "That's why I have to stop her, before she wastes worthlessly more power." "Hurry/" Tifa said. Aeris Strife was still fighting at the same manner: direct attacking, sustaining as much as she could, the dark Cloud used his techniques, but he was never able to vulnerate the young girl, who moved too swiftly for him, because her body is lighter than a male's is, just a slight advantage over her foe. Kefka was watching the battle closely, and he is sure young Aeris will not defeat Cloud's evil self and even if she does, she is still too weak for him. To his surprise, Cloud interput his sword right when Aeris was about to defend from a slash. "Father?" She said. "I'll take it from here." Cloud said. "But you just woke up!" Aeris said. "Don't worry." Cloud said, "Save your strength. You'll need it." "Yes." Aeris said, she immediately backed away, leaving her father to deal with his own dark self, putting her sword away afterwards. "Defeat him..." Sephiroth thought.
*** The next part of the battle was Cloud versus the dark Cloud, the two sides finally fighting each other, with no one to get in their way. One will remain, the other will be destroyed forever... both knew this and started quickly, with both on an offensive basis, worrying very little about how vulnerable they were to a counterattack, both fought intensefully although their power will be reduced sooner or later. "It won't be too long before their power runs out..." Sephiroth said. "Why, if both are separated?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "They are two different people, not two entities." Aeris explained. "Great..." Tifa said, "Then this is going to get horrible..." "Don't worry, Mother..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I am sure Father will do it." Both Clouds kept fighting, although clearly running out of strength, the dark Cloud tried to take Cloud, but he would not allow it by unleashing his power temporarily, to reduce it to a more controllable level. Dark Cloud was not able to do this, because of his own being an entity separated from an original body. Both began using the skills Cloud knows: the good one using the normal versions, while the evil one using dark versions of them. In the end, both ended severely weakened, both by the excessive use of their powers, and because of the injuries. Cloud, who was slightly stronger due to the dark one's previous encounter with Aeris Evelyn, still could not make a good move anymore; the dark Cloud attacked but the good one was able to escape his move and bury his sword into his evil self's body, disintegrating him and then using his sword as a support to prevent his fall to the ground. "Are you all right, Father?" Aeris Evelyn asked him while running towards his side along Tifa. "I'm all right..." Cloud said, "No problem..." "You look terribly hurt, Cloud!" Tifa said. "Maybe..." Cloud said, "But that... that at least will take care of one of our problems..." "You're right..." Aeris Evelyn said, looking at Kefka. "I'll wipe you out..." he said to her. "Then what are you waiting for!?" Aeris Evelyn said, "I am waiting for you, Kefka, if you really think you'll defeat me, then why do you not hurry?" "You..." Kefka said, "This time, I won't be so good with you!"
*** The final battle begun, Aeris Strife, the daughter of Cloud Strife, who had defeated the last terrible threats that attacked the universe, is no longer strong enough to take on this battle, so he left it in the hands of his offspring, a girl that is still new into the fighting matters, but that still does it with much enthusiasm and courage, which are her strongest virtues; things that she learned from her father, but her mother, Tifa Strife, also taught her very important things, like the one she considers most important: the heart is the strongest weapon in a fight. "You can do this..." Cloud thought. "You're everything that stands in his way..." Tifa thought. "If you don't destroy him now..." Aeris thought, "There'll be no 'next time'..." "You are the only one that is capable of destroying Kefka..." Sephiroth thought, "I'm too weak for this... no one but you can overcome his terrifying power..." "You'll be no problem for me..." Kefka said, "How can four people lay their hope on a girl, for heaven's sake?" "Because they believe!" Aeris Evelyn said, "Because they believe in me, they are sure I am the only one that can overcome you... and I trust them!" "Please..." Kefka said, and launched five Shadow Flares toward the young girl, who waited a bit, then, when they were about to come in contact with her, she moved swiftly, no one was able to see her move, but they were sure that she avoided the attack, and that was how it happened: she reappeared behind Kefka and counterattacked with Blade Beam, a skill that made Kefka heavy damage, he seemed very surprised. "What were you saying about me?" Aeris Evelyn said, "If you think a girl can't defeat you, then you are terribly wrong!" "This... this can't be...!" Kefka said, "A girl can't be... this powerful... I... I can't be humilliated like this by a girl... I've got to destroy her..."
"What is he waiting for...?" Tifa said. Kefka immediately focused all of his power in a single Shadow Flare, which he directed to Aeris, his enemy, thinking she would not be able to dodge the attack and would be annihilated by the power he used on it, but it was useless: the young Strife first backed away enough to prepare a counter- magic attack, which she did greatly; she attacked with Holy Light, the magic she obtained from the white shard, with which she destroyed the Shadow Flare and attacked Kefka directly, making him suffer great damage, he just stumbled. "No... this can't be..." he said. "It can, and it is." Aeris Evelyn said, "It is time to end your ambitions... to finish all this once and for all..." "You'll never destroy me with the power you have..." Kefka said, "You just got lucky, but that doesn't mean you're... stronger..." "Let me just finish you off..." Aeris Evelyn said, "...Holy Light!!!" Yet another beam emanated from her hand, which blew away when it came in contact with Kefka, he fell dead... it was over... Aeris Evelyn Strife had won the battle, but she does not believe it so much. "It was too easy to believe..." she said. "What are you talking about?" Cloud said, "You won, aren't you happy about it?" "No, it's not that, Father..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I just think that it's not the real power Kefka has... I mean, that I won so easily..." "Don't worry about that." Tifa said, "Let's go." "Yes, Mother." Aeris Evelyn said, and everyone boarded the Invincible. Kefka's apparent corpse transformed, when no one was around; six wings came out of his back and all the painting he had in his face was removed and he stood up. "I'll annihilate them!!!" he said, "They laughed at me!!!" Kefa immediately left the building through the balcony, now able to fly, and was heading toward the Invincible, where Aeris Strife saw him from. "I knew i was too much to believe!" she said, "Father, land!" "Got it." Cloud said, and immediately landed the airship, ready to face Kefka head on, this time, to defeat him for good. "His power has increased incredibly!" the other Aeris said, "You've got to be careful with him..." "I'm going to annihilate all of you!!!" Kefka said, "You laughed at me...!!! I won't forget this!!!" "You think we'll ask you for pardon?" Aeris Evelyn said, and drew the Save the Queen. "You think you're powerful enough to confront me, all of you?" Kefka said, "Don't make me laugh! You're just going to be a waste of time! Even that girl's going to take me just seconds!" "Let's go get him!" Cloud said, and everyone attacked him at full force, all to no avail, Aeris Strife was the only one who could stand all the attacks of Kefka, but she still could not contain such power; she was faster than everyone else, and so explaining her ease to dodge Kefka's attacks, but she still could not harm him. "Please..." Kefka said, "You still think you're superior to me? Let me tell you something... the end comes... beyond chaos..." "What is that supposed to mean?" Aeris said. "He's going to attack you!" the other Aeris said. "Goner!!!" Kefka said, and a powerful beam of dark energy headed towards the young Aeris emanated from his hands and she was unable to avoid it: it hit her directly and she was blown away, almost past the mountain range, she fell unconscious and terribly hurt once again. "This... this can't be!!!" Tifa said. "Aeris...! No!!!" Cloud said. "You see what you get for trusting a girl!?" Kefka said, "Next it's all of you!"
"We have no other choice..." Cloud said. "We must fight, even if we can't win!" Tifa said, "Sephiroth, Aeris, try to heal our daughter, please!" "We'll do whatever we can..." Sephiroth said. "Let;s go, Tifa." Cloud said. "You'll be next? No problem, I won't have trouble dealing with you!" Kefka said.
*** Cloud and Tifa were fighting Kefka with all the strength they were able to handle; their powers are incredible, but still, they are no longer capable of handling them because of the aging effects. The panorama could not be worse: Aeris is unconscious, Sephiroth and Aeris are too weak and Cloud and Tifa are not able to control all their strength, and even if they would be, Kefka is still too powerul for both of them. "We can't do it!" Cloud said. "We can, just keep fighting!" Tifa said. "Don't be ridiculous, you're too weak!" Kefka said, "If you give up now, I'll spare your lives." "We won't!" Cloud said. "We have no other choice..." Tifa said. "You're right..." Cloud said, "No matter how little can we resist... we have to release all our power and combine it to defeat him!" "Let's do it!" Tifa said, and both were already giving their all: they are going to take the risk of releasing their true power, that one that they could still control, and that grew up nine years ago. "They won't resist too long with that level!" Aeris said. "Their bodies are no longer capable enough, but..." Sephiroth said, "But they still believe... Forget it, Aeris Evelyn must be our priority." "You're right." Aeris said, and they were still trying to heal her, at least to have her conscious. Cloud and Tifa finally managed to release all that power that they hid for several years, a power that very probably they will not be able to control for a long time, but they are willing to take that risk and battle Kefka. "Let's go, Tifa." Cloud said. "Of course!" Tifa said, "Let's turn him into dust!" "Please..." Kefka said.
*** Kefka tried everything to harm Cloud and Tifa, but they moved even faster than a while ago, a possible effect of their unleash, they were able to hit him although with some trouble. After Kefka was already hit several times, he tried his Goner attack once again, he directed it to both his enemies, but they dodged it when it almost hit them and they immediately counterattacked at the same time with powerful Meteorain and Somersault hits. "This is impossible!" Kefka said, "You two can't be stronger than me!" "We can't but we're still able to defeat you!" Tifa said. "I'm with her!" Cloud said. "Mother... Father..." Aeris Evelyn said softly. "You're alive!" Sephiroth said. "I... will not... give up... with that attack..." Aeris Evelyn said. "You're still too weak to face him." Aeris said. "I don't care..." Aeris Evelyn said, "Because I... I believe..." "Don't get yourself killed." Sephiroth said, "You should rest up." "I'll fight..." Aeris Evelyn said. "Don't be ridiculous, what can you possibly achieve in the stage you are?" Aeris said. "The heart... is the strongest... weapon... of all..." Aeris Evelyn said, and she headed to the battlefield, sword in hand. Kefka noticed the girl coming, and he put all his attention to destroying her, having Cloud and Tifa seen her, they also stopped. "What do you want?" Kefka said, "You didn't have enough with that attack?" "I'll never... give up..." Aeris said. "Don't!" Cloud said. "Run away, don't let him destroy you!" Tifa said. "I am... not a... coward..." Aeris said. "Your time has come..." Kefka said, "Goner!!!" "Aeris!!!" Cloud said. The young Strife could barely walk, meaning she had to take the Goner directly. "She didn't have to end like this!" Sephiroth said, "She shouldn't have tried to keep fighting!" "No..." Tifa said, "She's still alive..." "How do you know?" Aeris asked. "Because we can still feel her heart beating..." Cloud said, "And quite normally..." "Then she's...!" Sephiroth said. "She's far from dead!" Tifa said. And that was true: when the dust dissipated, there was young Aeris, like if she never received a hit from Kefka's attacks, and completely sure she could beat him. "Her power...!" Cloud said. "She unleashed every single part of it..." Tifa said. "You really thought I was going to hit you with my all?" Aeris said, "Then you were wrong! This time, I am going to hit you seriously!" "Don't make me laugh! What can you possibly do? Whau can a girl do?" Kefka said. "Even more than you can imagine!!!" Aeris said, and lifted her Save the Queen, ready for her grand battle.
*** This time the battle was greatly even, with Aeris fighting with all her power, trying to end this as quickly as possible, as did Kefka. No matter how many times Kefka stroke, he was never able to hit the young girl, who moved even faster than anyone could have expected, for two reasons: one, her speed grew incredibly when all her power was released and two, her body is light, allowing her to move even more freely than Kefka could imagine, he tried Goner again, but it was no use: Aeris dodged everything and when she could not do it, she deflected her enemy's attack using her weapon. "No! I can't be unable to strike her!" Kefka said. "You are..." Aeris said, "You are unable to because you are not fast enough to see me... after all, hand is faster than the eye..." "What!? You're just trying to intimidate me...! It won't work!" Kefka said. Aeris moved immediately and Kefka lost her; right when he was growing desperate, Aeris appeared behind him and attacked her foe with a greatly powerful slash from her sword, Kefka was greatly hurt. "You... you won't defeat me...!" Kefka said. "You don't want to accept it: I am stronger than you!" Aeris said. "You aren't stronger!" Kefka said, "Goner!!!" Once again, it headed directly to Aeris, but she moved quickl, and just to show Kefka something, she used Holy Light on the spell to destroy it completely. "You still don't want to realize it?" Aeris said. "You... you...!!! I'll... destroy you with my own hands!!!" Kefka said, and began to attack Aeris directly, but the girl was easily dodging his attacks. "I am going to show you and finish this..." she said, after that she moved rapidly again, and she buried the Save the Queen into Kefka's body, but she was not releasing it, instead she was casting a spell. "Just to make sure you do die this time." Aeris said, "Holy Light!" Once she finished charging, she retracted the sword from her enemy and she backed away; with Kefka unable to move, she just gave the final blow to one battle in which she suffered much to win: she was injured three times by her enemy, all of them able to recover, and on the final fight, she won with all her power. Cloud, Tifa, Sephiroth and the other Aeris went to congratulate her for saving the "new" Gaia from the hands of an amazing enemy who almost won the battle, but there came a brave 15-year-old girl named Aeris Evelyn Strife to stop him from taking over this planet, doubting her capabilities sometimes, but in the end, emerging victorious...
*** One year later... So much has changed in Alexandria: first of all, there is an event auditorium and Zidane and Dagger finally have someone to take over when both are gone: her name is Jennifer (identified as Jenny), a five-month-old little girl who is the new princess of the town after 18 years since the last one (Dagger) took over. Cloud, Tifa and Aeris Strife keep up on their regular life of training and their own as a family. Aeris became 16, obviously, and she changed the way she dresses: she wears a sleadless blouse and shorts (long enough, though) and new boots. On winter, she usually wears a longslead blouse, jeans, her boots and a gabardine as cover, but right now it is summer. However, Cloud felt strange all of a sudden. "Cloud?" Tifa said. "I don't know what's happening but it can't be good..." Cloud said. "Why?" Aeris asked. "The Jenova cells somehow left my body... I can no longer feel them..." Cloud answered. "What worries you aout that? Instead, you should be happy." Tifa said. "Tifa, if the Jenova cells left my body it means they found a way to have a new form, meaning that probably Sephiroth's cells left him too." "And?" Aeris asked. "Because of that they've got to be destroyed, or maybe Jenova could get a new form... one that might be indestructible..." "There has to be something we can do!" Aeris said. "There is." Cloud said, "But I'm afraid that only Aeris can fight those cells." "Then I am going to stop them!" Aeris said. "Wait." Tifa said. "What is it, Mother?" Aeris said. "Don't die on us, all right? Be very careful..." Tifa said. "Yes, Mother, I will come back... I promise..." Aeris said, and left on her Eidolon Bahamut. "We have to destroy those monsters..." Aeris said. TO BE CONTINUED
Episode II: Aeris Evelyn Strife, the New Gaian Hope
Cloud, Tifa and Aeris Strife are a family that has standed on Alexandria since Cloud and Tifa defeated Zeromus sixteen years ago, time in which the nine months passed and the young Aeris was born. She is now a 15-year-old that is learning how to be a magician and a sword fighter, by the hand of her parents, obviously, who kept their origins hidden from her since she was born, but that had to be revealed sooner or later. Aeris reacted as an usual teenager reacts when they do not know something that bothers them, but she managed to handle it, and asked Cloud and Tifa if they could show her their homeworld, which they accepted, and the adventure began.
The simple travel turned into even more: Shinra, a company that tried to destroy the planet several years ago was back, along with its president Rufus, Vincent, who died fighting Zeromus returned as well, and for Cloud and Tifa's surprise, Aeris Gast, who Sephiroth killed 17 years ago was back too, and not only them, but Sephiroth came back also.
Sephiroth and Cloud held a battle which the father of young Aeris Strife won, but the glory was not for long, as a powerful sorcerer, Kefka, appeared and defeated him with little trouble; Tifa attacked him but was sent to Nibelheim along with Aeris Gast, events which the young Strife saw and could not contain her fury. She attacked Kefka with all her strength, but he defeated her.
Aeris escaped the Shinra Building with Sephiroth's help, who would later protect her from Cloud, who was manipulated by Kefka, whom melded both Gaia and Cetria. Father and daughter engaged in a battle in which Cloud reacted and returned to his former self. It was also there where Aeris learned about the "shards", remains of a crystal that is the origin of all things, now her objective is reuniting these to defeat the mighty sorcerer Kefka.
This is the story of Aeris Evelyn Strife, and the answer to whether or not will she make it have a happy ending will be revealed now...
*** Cloud, Tifa, Sephiroth, Aeris and Aeris Evelyn were looking for a volcano as their first crystal shard location, and when all seemed lost, the young girl thought about the volcano on the Lost Continent, and indeed, one of those snowy mountains was a volcano; the heat was much, but the group entered the shrine, in which there was Ancient writing. "It says here that the key to get through is cold..." Aeris said, "But I wonder what's it talking about, though..."
"Look out!" Cloud said and a flare was headed towards the group. "I'll stop it!" Aeris Evelyn said, "Blizzaga!!!" She made an ice pillar emerge and turn the flare to mere scorches. "That was a close one..." Sephiroth said, "We should be more careful..." "He's right..." Aeris said, "...Did I say that?" "Let us just move on." Aeris Evelyn said, and the group followed her, melting every single flame they found on the way to the main hall, where the crystal shard was found in an altar in the center of the room, surrounded by a pool of lava. "This looks dangerous..." Tifa said, "Are you sure this is the shard we're looking for?" "Of course I am, Tifa." Aeris said, "Aeris Evelyn, you must take the crystal." "Why must it be specifically me?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "Because you have the Save the Queen." Cloud answered. "Th-then why don't you do it, Father? I will give it to you." Aeris Evelyn said. "Aeris, don't tell me you're afraid of such a thing!" Cloud said. "You are saying I am a coward?" Aeris Evelyn said, "I'll show you!" "I knew it'd work." Cloud said. As Aeris Evelyn was approaching the crystal, the pool of lava lifted and created a firewall, she tried to destroy it with Blizzard and Water spells, but it was worthless. To make matters worse, a firebird materialized in front of Aeris Evelyn, which seemed to be the crystal's protector. "I am Phoenix." It said. "You are the legendary bird of fire?" Aeris said, "I knew you were female..." "Indeed." Phoenix said, "You are the wielder of the sacred sword?" "Yes." Aeris said, and drew the Save the Queen. "Then, allow me to try out yor skills, young..." "Aeris." Aeris said, "Aeris Strife." "Very well then. Let us begin." Phoenix said, "You must defeat me to reactivate the fire shard and obtain the magic Flare." "I understand." Aeris said, and prepared to battle.
*** Aeris and Phoenix were matched in strength, but not in speed; the firebird was too fast for the young girl, who tried with slashes and Blizzaga spells, but Phoenix's velocity was very much for Aeris, who was about to lose it, but she managed to control her emotions this time, allowing her to keep focused on the fight. "You are too slow." Phoenix said, "You think you will defeat other foes like that?"
"The key is... concentration..." Aeris thought, "I must know how to read Phoenix's next move..." "I want to see how resistant you are..." Phoenix said. "What?" Aeris said. "I will show you my special attack..." Phoenix explained, "Phoenix Flame!" Aeris could not believe what she saw, Phoenix stood in a position where she raises her wings and creates a wave of fire in the form of her body, which the firebird launched towards her; Aeris casted Shell to defend herself from the attack, but it was useless, as the flame was too much for her barrier, it shattered and the girl ended up with much harm and with burnings all over her body. "You are brave." Phoenix said, "But you are not strong in body and mind." "No..." Aeris said, "You are... wrong... I won't give up... You will not defeat me that easily..." "But your heart... who knows..." Phoenix said. "I am not going to lose...!" Aeris said and lifted her sword. "You do not have enough, is that correct?" Phoenix said, "You will force me to destroy you." "I'll only have enough when..." Aeris said, "Until... until I defeat you!!!" A small tornado began to form around Aeris, for Phoenix's surprise, who thought she was already done for. "What do you think you are doing?" Phoenix said. "I'll show you...!" Aeris said, "Omni... Omnislash...!!!" "What did she say!?" Cloud said. "She'll use the Omnislash!" Tifa said. Aeris attacked Phoenix with all the strength she had, while the firebird could do nothing to avoid the attack, just when the girl performed the first slash, she attacked more times, not allowing the Phoenix to move. As Aeris made a 14th slash, she leaped in the air to charge her remaining power onto the Save the Queen, afterwards, she slashed Phoenix leaving an explosion behind. Aeris could barely stand up, she needed of her sword for support, but Phoenix was already defeated. "You are... stronger than I thought..." she said, "If... you grow stronger... nothing will be able to stop you... I grant you the magic Flare, and the fire shard will be activated... Go for the remaining ones!" The firewall dissipated and before Aeris fell to the ground, Cloud held her in his arms and healed her completely. "That's one." Cloud said, "There's only seven to go." "Let's go, Cloud." Tifa said.
*** The story sort of repeated itself the seven times, with Aeris Strife being the only one who fights against the mighty guardians. When she activated the fourth shard, the Save the Queen grew in size, from 4'1" to 5'2", meaning its power was returning, but not completely, the other shards had yet to be actioned. The next crystals were even harder to be activated, as their guardians controlled the strongest forces of nature, making Aeris Evelyn give even more effort than she could, but she made it greatly, all the shards were activated, and the crystal appeared in the center of the ocean, in the center of Gaia, where the group was heading just now. "I am so tired..." Aeris Evelyn said. "I can imagine..." Cloud said, "You just overworked yourself, that's all. You'll be as good as new in no time." "Aeris." Tifa said. "What's wrong?" Aeris asked. "What's all the writing you could read?" Tifa said. "All that was encrypted in Ancient, that's why you couldn't read it." Aeris said. "No wonder..." Aeris Evelyn said. "You should rest up after we restore your sword's power." Sephiroth said, "It will do no good if you fight Kefka in the stage you are." "Why do you care so much about her, Sephiroth?" Cloud asked. "Because she's the only one that can save this world." Sephiroth answered. "Are you sure that's your only reason?" Cloud asked. "He's right, Sephiroth." Tifa interrupted, "You've been too good with her." "I just think she's too unexperienced to battle alone." Sephiroth said, "She's young, after all. She'll grow to be a formidable fighter also, the battle you had with her made me see that Aeris Evelyn will fight even if her enemy is stronger. But she already knows you, so I still doubt a bit about her abilities." "You're right about that." Cloud said, "But I still believe in her skills, mainly because she's shown great progress each and every single fight she's had to overcome. Meaning that she can win, she has a chance." "We're approaching the crystal." Aeris interrupted, and Aeris Evelyn headed to the Invincible's deck, where she raised the Save the Queen against the crystal, which reacted almost immediately, transmitting its glow to the sword, making it have an amazing splendor, shining with the force of light. Aeris Evelyn put the restored Save the Queen away, just to be prepared to use it when combatting Kefka and his troops at the Shinra Building to put an end to this, once and for all.
*** At the Shinra Building... "They got the sword restored!?" Kefka said. "Yes, sir, it seems so..." A soldier said. "Grr... This is impossible!" Kefka said, "That girl's going to bring me much more trouble than I thought..." "She seems to be weak, sir, what's the threat with a girl?" the soldier asked. "You don't get it!? She's not an ordinary female!" Kefka answered, "She's different, she conceals a strength I never imagined!" "I still doubt she's stronger than you." The soldier said. "Of course she isn't!" Kefka said, "You'll see when we're fighting... I'll wipe her out... I'll destroy her!!!" Kefka seemed slightly frightened to hear about the Save the Queen restored, but he was also not afraid because a girl was going to use it. He is underestimating Aeris Evelyn greatly, so she has an advantage already, but no one knows what secret Kefka may hold...
*** Back at the Invincible... Aeris Evelyn was quite excited but nervous because this is going to be the most important battle she will ever have, the one where the future of Gaia is at stake, and Aeris is not much of a fighter with much experience, but she has strong nerves and a great heart, however no one must get her emotions out of the fight, as they are the strongest weapon for a Cetrian, especially for a female. Of course, Aeris Evelyn is Gaian, but both Cloud and Tifa are from Cetria, giving her feelings a great importance in this showdown. "Father..." she said. "What is it?" Cloud said. "Do you think I will defeat him?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "Of course, Aeris!" Cloud answered, "Why are you so pessimist? You'll show him what you're made of, I'm sure of it!" "It's just that I..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I am quite nervous and... and I fear that I won't know what to do in the moment of truth..." "Aeris..." Tifa said, "You'll know what to do. You just have to feel that, to be relaxed, that's all. You're young, but if you put all you've learned to good use, and all your power, I'm sure that you'll beat him up!" "She's right." The other Aeris said, "All you have to do is relax and only think about how you'll fight, not how will you attack or defend." "You are the only one that'll decide the future of this 'new' Gaia..." Sephiroth said, "Do not let Kefka defeat you by any means." "I'll do what I can." Aeris Evelyn said. "I trust you, Aeris..." Cloud said, "I know... I know you'll do greatly... and even if he's stronger, don't let it get to you... remember when you and I fought on the Outer Continent, you were formidable, and you've always said you're not so powerful..." "I am not stronger than you, Father." Aeris Evelyn said, "I have always said that and I keep thinking that way." "Aeris." Cloud said, "I haven't been training you to be like that. I wanted you to become stronger than both your mother and me, not to just reach that limit." "I've been training you to see that too." Tifa said. "Mother... Father..." Aeris Evelyn said. "Aeris Evelyn..." the other Aeris interrupted, "All your parents wanted was that you grew more powerful than them. I know it was hard, but I'm sure you are already stronger, you just have to find that power deep within you. Let it come out, then you'll see." "But I... but I am scared..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I do not... want to lose anyone... I do not want to see the death of someone I care about..." "What was that!?" Sephiroth interrupted. "Sephiroth?" Cloud said. "Do you think your family worried about making you the powerful girl you are now so that you say 'I am scared'!?" Sephiroth said, "If you think you have to win without losing anyone you're wrong!" "Sephiroth!" Tifa said, "Leave her alone, she has all the right to be afraid! I'm sure you were once too!" "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you say you've been raising her as a fighter since age 10?" Sephiroth asked. "Exactly." Cloud answered. "Then she must've already learned the price of fighting!" Sephiroth said, "It's ridiculous, the daughter of the strongest being in the whole universe is scared of assuming a responsibility?" "It is not that which scares me..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I am scared because... because I do not want to hurt Father again..." "That's all!?" Sephiroth said, "That is why you're afraid? Don't make me laugh! You can't certainly expect that Kefka won't try to manipulate your father again, right?" "That is precisely why I don't want to fight!" Aeris Evelyn said, already shedding tears, "I am not interested in destroying Father even if it is for my world... I do not want it to be that way..." "You must then get in your head that, after a fight, someone must live and someone must die." Sephiroth said. "Leave her alone already!" Tifa said. "You're protecting her now!?" Sephiroth said. "It's not that I like her attitude..." Tifa said, "But are you trying to say that she has to fight with anyone of us even if she doesn't want to? You think every single fighter in the world has to be like you!? You're wrong, Sephiroth, because Aeris has a heart. It's not my problem if you don't!" "You think I don't have a heart!?" Sephiroth said, "Cloud, do you remember when you defeated me 17 years ago?" "Of course I do." Cloud said, "You looked terrified, as if you just woke up from a nightmare." "I thought you wouldn't keep that battle in your head..." Sephiroth said. Aeris Evelyn drew the Save the Queen, and she looked at everyone as if she was at the moment of truth. "I am not going to give up..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I am not going to let that Kefka get away with whatever his plan may be. He'll have to destroy me first...! Because I am not going to surrender without a fight!" "That's the spirit, Aeris!" Tifa said. "Right." Cloud said, "Fight that guy, and win!" "I will." Aeris Evelyn said, "I promise." "That's your father talking." Sephiroth said. "No matter." Aeris said, "It's time that Kefka really gets a beating he'll never forget!" "What are we waiting for then?" Cloud said, "Whenever you want, Aeris." "Let us get going!" Aeris Evelyn said, and Cloud set the Invincible toward Midgar.
*** At the Shinra Building... "Sir, I just received word that those people are heading into this direction!" A soldier said to Kefka. "Set all our defense system running." Kefka ordered. "Sir, yes, sir." The soldier said, "What if they get past it?" "I'll destroy them myself..." Kefka said, "Besides, they've got their hopes set onto a girl... oh , please, how ridiculous! Believing a girl will beat me?" "Understood sir..." the soldier said. "The time has come..." Kefka thought, "It's time to show those guys who they're dealing with... and I'm not going to play nice with them by any means... I'll just make them suffer!" Kefka is pretty confident into his powers, and he does not seem to believe young Aeris Strife is a threat to his plans nor to himself, he clearly underestimates Aeris Evelyn, but she is even more than what Kefka thinks she is, at least after getting the Save the Queen and rising greatly in both skill and power she will surely put up a good fight. Now all that lies beyond Midgar and the Shinra Building is the final battle for Gaia: Kefka versus Aeris Evelyn Strife... the winner wil surely be known soon enough...
*** Back at the Invincible... "This is going to be it..." Cloud said. "Aeris... don't lose..." Tifa said, "I, no, both your father and I are really sure you'll win this fight, but no matter what happens, we'll be alongside you and help you if it's necessary! I don't know what the other Aeris and Sephiroth may think, though." "I trust you, Aeris Evelyn." Sephiroth said. "You're the only seed of hope we have left..." Aeris said, "I truly want that seed to grow..." "Thank you, everyone..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I promise I won't fail... no matter how much I have to fight, and no matter what happens... I will never give up... I am going to show that man that he messed with the wrong family!" "That's the spirit!" Cloud said. "Come on, Aeris, I'm sure you want to say something else." Tifa said. "Of course I do, Mother..." Aeris Evelyn said, "...No one messes with the Strifes... and gets away with it!" "You're definitely right about that!" Tifa said. "He messed with one of us..." Cloud said, "He'll mess with the three of us!" "Should it be necessary, we'll assist you." Sephiroth said. "Precisely." Aeris said, "We'll do whatever we can." "Thank you." Aeris Evelyn said. Suddendly the Invincible rumbled, signing that something was not right. "What was that!?" Tifa said. "Must have been Shinra's defenses." Sephiroth said. "It won't do any good if they are not stopped." Aeris Evelyn said. "What are you thinking?" Aeris asked. "Leave it to me, I will destroy them." Aeris Evelyn said, and jumped out of the Invincible, ready to summon Bahamut. "Gray crystal, shine! King of Dragons awaken!!" "Aeris..." Cloud said. "Sometimes... she makes me feel... happy..." Tifa said. "I know..." Cloud said, "She's brave, that's what helps her." Aeris and Bahamut were flying around Midgar, the girl riding the dragon, looking for the defense mechanisms, to blow them away one by one. "What!?" Kefka said, "What's that!?" "It seems that's the dragon in which the girl and Sephiroth escaped the building previously, sir." A soldier said. "Everything's got to do with her!" Kefka said, "I hope she's done soon, so that I can finally shut her up...!" Aeris Evelyn Strife was destroying every single machine gun or flamethrower she saw, along with her trusted Eidolon Bahamut, while Cloud and Tifa led the Invincible through the barrage of shots coming out of the Shinra defenses. "This is hard enough!" Sephiroth said. "We can cut through! I'm sure of it!" Tifa said. "They are getting to the building..." Aeris Evelyn thought, "We must hurry, or they'll never make it..." She led Bahamut all around Midgar, spotting where was the fire coming from, destroying all of it and allowing the Invincible, quickly she joined her family and landed outside the Shinra Building. Bahamut returned to Aeris Evelyn's crystal. "That was a stupid action of yours!" Sephiroth said to her. "But if I wouldn't have done that, we would not be here!" Aeris Evelyn said. "That's no excuse." Sephiroth said, "If you die, it's all over, and even if you had Bahamut assisting you on it, there was no reason for you to do that." "Sephiroth, I think you've scolded her too much already!" Tifa said, "She had to do it, because she is the only one of us that can summon and handle Bahamut, and besides if there was someone who could open a path for us, it was her!" "And I think you protect her too much." Sephiroth said. "Leave them alone, Sephiroth." Cloud interrupted, "Aeris did just what she thought was best for us, if it wouldn't be for her, maybe we'd be dead by now." "She's right." The other Aeris said, "We owe Aeris Evelyn that we're still here." "We should be going in by now, correct?" Aeris Evelyn interrupted, "What are we waiting for then?" "Let's get going." Cloud said, and everyone entered the Shinra Building.
*** Inside the Sinra Building, they took the outside elevators to go straight to Floor 67, because surely at Floor 69 there was a whole army waiting for them, and when they arrived at Floor 69, precisely, there were 15 soldiers waiting for them, who were defeated easily by the five, as the ones that surprised were Aeris Evelyn Strife and her companions. Once at Floor 70, the first thing they saw was Kefka standing up, seemingly awaiting for them. "I'm surprised you've gotten so far..." he said, "But this is as far as you'll get." "It won't be." Aeris Evelyn said, "It will not, because we are going to defeat you!" "Now... what was next?" Kefka said, "Oh, next, it's time to finish that battle!" "What do you mean by that!? Tell me!" Aeris Evelyn said. "You know what I'm talking about!" Kefka said, and raised his hand against Cloud. "No... not again!" Tifa said, "Don't dare to do it!" Cloud then was feeling attacked on his mind again, but he was resisting as much as he could. "Leave him alone!" Aeris saiid. "You'd better not do it!" Sephiroth said. "Why not?" Kefka said, "It'd be fun watching him destroy all of you." "I... won't..." Cloud said. "What?" Kefka said, "You say you won't? That's nonsense!" "Like I said... I won't..." Cloud said, "I'm not... willing to destroy... Tifa... Aeris... Sephiroth... or my daughter... you'll have to destroy them yourself...!"
"What makes you think you won't?" Kefka said. "Because I'm not controlled by anyone!!!" Cloud said, and released all of his power, which at least helped him to prevent his own destruction; because of that unleashing, he fell unconscious. "His power is too much for his body to handle..." Aeris said, "I hope Cloud recovers from that..." "Father..." Aeris Evelyn said. Suddendly a black cloud appeared, which seemed to materialize into a figure. It, indeed, turned into something: the dark Cloud that engaged Aeris Evelyn at the Outer Continent. "No!" Tifa said, "You took away his power just to split them both up!?" "Of course not." Kefka said, "Since I couldn't control him, I just separated him from his other entity, making this... my greatest soldier... and this time, there's no way to stop him by calling out, because he's a completely different being from that man! He has no feeling other than hate." "No..." Aeris Evelyn said. "There's no way to stop him now..." Sephiroth said. "This time, begin with the one with red eyes and brown hair..." Kefka ordered the dark Cloud. "Mother!" Aeris Evelyn said. Dark Cloud attacked Tifa too quicly, this time Sephiroth could not react, but the young Aeris Evelyn was able to block his slash in the last minute, covering her mother from what would be a gruesome death, and engaged the dark version of her own father. "Aeris!" Tifa said. "I'll fight him, Mother..." Aeris said, "I will not allow him to hurt anyone, without he first destroys me!" "She's too reckless..." Sephiroth said. "No..." The other Aeris said, "Aeris Evelyn's not reckless... she knows what she's doing... she just has nerves... she's brave..." Again, Aeris Strife and the dark version of her father Cloud, are fighting, but this time, it will be to the death...
*** Dark Cloud and Aeris were engaging in a ferocious battle, in which only the strongest one will win and live on. Aeris went to the defensive, blocking every single slash her enemy made, always waiting for the moment to make a counterattack, which rarely came. The young girl soon noticed that she would never win if she kept up like that: she needed to face him head on, with magic, with her sword, with her skills... the dark Cloud hits too many times for a defensive strategy, and Aeris noticed the detail, so she decided to attack more times. "Aeris..." Tifa said, "Don't quit... you can do this..." "I definitely underestimated you..." Sephiroth said, "Aeris Evelyn... you indeed are a formidable fighter..." "You can do this." The other Aeris said, "I know you can. Even if you're not strong enough, your heart is even stronger." Cloud finally woke up, barely standing up, he was amazed when he saw his daughter fighting his dark self even better than he ever thought to see her battling. "Aeris..." Cloud said, "How've you grown... those eight battles were very useful for you... I saw much progress every time you fought a new monster and now I see how much have you learned..." "Are you all right, Cloud?" Tifa asked him. "No problem, Tifa." Cloud answered, "I'm all right, you have nothing to worry about. Once I get back to full I'll stop Aeris." "Why?" Sephiroth asked. "Because she's only wasting her strength." Cloud answered, "Kefka's intention was to have Aeris fight first with the 'other' me so that she loses strength, then he could defeat her easily." "But he attacked me!" Tifa said. "Exactly." Cloud said, "Kefka ordered him to attack you because he knew Aeris was going to protect you and engage his 'friend' with all her strength." "So that's what he wanted...!" Tifa said. "That's a dirty plan." Aeris interrupted. "You're right." Cloud said, "That's why I have to stop her, before she wastes worthlessly more power." "Hurry/" Tifa said. Aeris Strife was still fighting at the same manner: direct attacking, sustaining as much as she could, the dark Cloud used his techniques, but he was never able to vulnerate the young girl, who moved too swiftly for him, because her body is lighter than a male's is, just a slight advantage over her foe. Kefka was watching the battle closely, and he is sure young Aeris will not defeat Cloud's evil self and even if she does, she is still too weak for him. To his surprise, Cloud interput his sword right when Aeris was about to defend from a slash. "Father?" She said. "I'll take it from here." Cloud said. "But you just woke up!" Aeris said. "Don't worry." Cloud said, "Save your strength. You'll need it." "Yes." Aeris said, she immediately backed away, leaving her father to deal with his own dark self, putting her sword away afterwards. "Defeat him..." Sephiroth thought.
*** The next part of the battle was Cloud versus the dark Cloud, the two sides finally fighting each other, with no one to get in their way. One will remain, the other will be destroyed forever... both knew this and started quickly, with both on an offensive basis, worrying very little about how vulnerable they were to a counterattack, both fought intensefully although their power will be reduced sooner or later. "It won't be too long before their power runs out..." Sephiroth said. "Why, if both are separated?" Aeris Evelyn asked. "They are two different people, not two entities." Aeris explained. "Great..." Tifa said, "Then this is going to get horrible..." "Don't worry, Mother..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I am sure Father will do it." Both Clouds kept fighting, although clearly running out of strength, the dark Cloud tried to take Cloud, but he would not allow it by unleashing his power temporarily, to reduce it to a more controllable level. Dark Cloud was not able to do this, because of his own being an entity separated from an original body. Both began using the skills Cloud knows: the good one using the normal versions, while the evil one using dark versions of them. In the end, both ended severely weakened, both by the excessive use of their powers, and because of the injuries. Cloud, who was slightly stronger due to the dark one's previous encounter with Aeris Evelyn, still could not make a good move anymore; the dark Cloud attacked but the good one was able to escape his move and bury his sword into his evil self's body, disintegrating him and then using his sword as a support to prevent his fall to the ground. "Are you all right, Father?" Aeris Evelyn asked him while running towards his side along Tifa. "I'm all right..." Cloud said, "No problem..." "You look terribly hurt, Cloud!" Tifa said. "Maybe..." Cloud said, "But that... that at least will take care of one of our problems..." "You're right..." Aeris Evelyn said, looking at Kefka. "I'll wipe you out..." he said to her. "Then what are you waiting for!?" Aeris Evelyn said, "I am waiting for you, Kefka, if you really think you'll defeat me, then why do you not hurry?" "You..." Kefka said, "This time, I won't be so good with you!"
*** The final battle begun, Aeris Strife, the daughter of Cloud Strife, who had defeated the last terrible threats that attacked the universe, is no longer strong enough to take on this battle, so he left it in the hands of his offspring, a girl that is still new into the fighting matters, but that still does it with much enthusiasm and courage, which are her strongest virtues; things that she learned from her father, but her mother, Tifa Strife, also taught her very important things, like the one she considers most important: the heart is the strongest weapon in a fight. "You can do this..." Cloud thought. "You're everything that stands in his way..." Tifa thought. "If you don't destroy him now..." Aeris thought, "There'll be no 'next time'..." "You are the only one that is capable of destroying Kefka..." Sephiroth thought, "I'm too weak for this... no one but you can overcome his terrifying power..." "You'll be no problem for me..." Kefka said, "How can four people lay their hope on a girl, for heaven's sake?" "Because they believe!" Aeris Evelyn said, "Because they believe in me, they are sure I am the only one that can overcome you... and I trust them!" "Please..." Kefka said, and launched five Shadow Flares toward the young girl, who waited a bit, then, when they were about to come in contact with her, she moved swiftly, no one was able to see her move, but they were sure that she avoided the attack, and that was how it happened: she reappeared behind Kefka and counterattacked with Blade Beam, a skill that made Kefka heavy damage, he seemed very surprised. "What were you saying about me?" Aeris Evelyn said, "If you think a girl can't defeat you, then you are terribly wrong!" "This... this can't be...!" Kefka said, "A girl can't be... this powerful... I... I can't be humilliated like this by a girl... I've got to destroy her..."
"What is he waiting for...?" Tifa said. Kefka immediately focused all of his power in a single Shadow Flare, which he directed to Aeris, his enemy, thinking she would not be able to dodge the attack and would be annihilated by the power he used on it, but it was useless: the young Strife first backed away enough to prepare a counter- magic attack, which she did greatly; she attacked with Holy Light, the magic she obtained from the white shard, with which she destroyed the Shadow Flare and attacked Kefka directly, making him suffer great damage, he just stumbled. "No... this can't be..." he said. "It can, and it is." Aeris Evelyn said, "It is time to end your ambitions... to finish all this once and for all..." "You'll never destroy me with the power you have..." Kefka said, "You just got lucky, but that doesn't mean you're... stronger..." "Let me just finish you off..." Aeris Evelyn said, "...Holy Light!!!" Yet another beam emanated from her hand, which blew away when it came in contact with Kefka, he fell dead... it was over... Aeris Evelyn Strife had won the battle, but she does not believe it so much. "It was too easy to believe..." she said. "What are you talking about?" Cloud said, "You won, aren't you happy about it?" "No, it's not that, Father..." Aeris Evelyn said, "I just think that it's not the real power Kefka has... I mean, that I won so easily..." "Don't worry about that." Tifa said, "Let's go." "Yes, Mother." Aeris Evelyn said, and everyone boarded the Invincible. Kefka's apparent corpse transformed, when no one was around; six wings came out of his back and all the painting he had in his face was removed and he stood up. "I'll annihilate them!!!" he said, "They laughed at me!!!" Kefa immediately left the building through the balcony, now able to fly, and was heading toward the Invincible, where Aeris Strife saw him from. "I knew i was too much to believe!" she said, "Father, land!" "Got it." Cloud said, and immediately landed the airship, ready to face Kefka head on, this time, to defeat him for good. "His power has increased incredibly!" the other Aeris said, "You've got to be careful with him..." "I'm going to annihilate all of you!!!" Kefka said, "You laughed at me...!!! I won't forget this!!!" "You think we'll ask you for pardon?" Aeris Evelyn said, and drew the Save the Queen. "You think you're powerful enough to confront me, all of you?" Kefka said, "Don't make me laugh! You're just going to be a waste of time! Even that girl's going to take me just seconds!" "Let's go get him!" Cloud said, and everyone attacked him at full force, all to no avail, Aeris Strife was the only one who could stand all the attacks of Kefka, but she still could not contain such power; she was faster than everyone else, and so explaining her ease to dodge Kefka's attacks, but she still could not harm him. "Please..." Kefka said, "You still think you're superior to me? Let me tell you something... the end comes... beyond chaos..." "What is that supposed to mean?" Aeris said. "He's going to attack you!" the other Aeris said. "Goner!!!" Kefka said, and a powerful beam of dark energy headed towards the young Aeris emanated from his hands and she was unable to avoid it: it hit her directly and she was blown away, almost past the mountain range, she fell unconscious and terribly hurt once again. "This... this can't be!!!" Tifa said. "Aeris...! No!!!" Cloud said. "You see what you get for trusting a girl!?" Kefka said, "Next it's all of you!"
"We have no other choice..." Cloud said. "We must fight, even if we can't win!" Tifa said, "Sephiroth, Aeris, try to heal our daughter, please!" "We'll do whatever we can..." Sephiroth said. "Let;s go, Tifa." Cloud said. "You'll be next? No problem, I won't have trouble dealing with you!" Kefka said.
*** Cloud and Tifa were fighting Kefka with all the strength they were able to handle; their powers are incredible, but still, they are no longer capable of handling them because of the aging effects. The panorama could not be worse: Aeris is unconscious, Sephiroth and Aeris are too weak and Cloud and Tifa are not able to control all their strength, and even if they would be, Kefka is still too powerul for both of them. "We can't do it!" Cloud said. "We can, just keep fighting!" Tifa said. "Don't be ridiculous, you're too weak!" Kefka said, "If you give up now, I'll spare your lives." "We won't!" Cloud said. "We have no other choice..." Tifa said. "You're right..." Cloud said, "No matter how little can we resist... we have to release all our power and combine it to defeat him!" "Let's do it!" Tifa said, and both were already giving their all: they are going to take the risk of releasing their true power, that one that they could still control, and that grew up nine years ago. "They won't resist too long with that level!" Aeris said. "Their bodies are no longer capable enough, but..." Sephiroth said, "But they still believe... Forget it, Aeris Evelyn must be our priority." "You're right." Aeris said, and they were still trying to heal her, at least to have her conscious. Cloud and Tifa finally managed to release all that power that they hid for several years, a power that very probably they will not be able to control for a long time, but they are willing to take that risk and battle Kefka. "Let's go, Tifa." Cloud said. "Of course!" Tifa said, "Let's turn him into dust!" "Please..." Kefka said.
*** Kefka tried everything to harm Cloud and Tifa, but they moved even faster than a while ago, a possible effect of their unleash, they were able to hit him although with some trouble. After Kefka was already hit several times, he tried his Goner attack once again, he directed it to both his enemies, but they dodged it when it almost hit them and they immediately counterattacked at the same time with powerful Meteorain and Somersault hits. "This is impossible!" Kefka said, "You two can't be stronger than me!" "We can't but we're still able to defeat you!" Tifa said. "I'm with her!" Cloud said. "Mother... Father..." Aeris Evelyn said softly. "You're alive!" Sephiroth said. "I... will not... give up... with that attack..." Aeris Evelyn said. "You're still too weak to face him." Aeris said. "I don't care..." Aeris Evelyn said, "Because I... I believe..." "Don't get yourself killed." Sephiroth said, "You should rest up." "I'll fight..." Aeris Evelyn said. "Don't be ridiculous, what can you possibly achieve in the stage you are?" Aeris said. "The heart... is the strongest... weapon... of all..." Aeris Evelyn said, and she headed to the battlefield, sword in hand. Kefka noticed the girl coming, and he put all his attention to destroying her, having Cloud and Tifa seen her, they also stopped. "What do you want?" Kefka said, "You didn't have enough with that attack?" "I'll never... give up..." Aeris said. "Don't!" Cloud said. "Run away, don't let him destroy you!" Tifa said. "I am... not a... coward..." Aeris said. "Your time has come..." Kefka said, "Goner!!!" "Aeris!!!" Cloud said. The young Strife could barely walk, meaning she had to take the Goner directly. "She didn't have to end like this!" Sephiroth said, "She shouldn't have tried to keep fighting!" "No..." Tifa said, "She's still alive..." "How do you know?" Aeris asked. "Because we can still feel her heart beating..." Cloud said, "And quite normally..." "Then she's...!" Sephiroth said. "She's far from dead!" Tifa said. And that was true: when the dust dissipated, there was young Aeris, like if she never received a hit from Kefka's attacks, and completely sure she could beat him. "Her power...!" Cloud said. "She unleashed every single part of it..." Tifa said. "You really thought I was going to hit you with my all?" Aeris said, "Then you were wrong! This time, I am going to hit you seriously!" "Don't make me laugh! What can you possibly do? Whau can a girl do?" Kefka said. "Even more than you can imagine!!!" Aeris said, and lifted her Save the Queen, ready for her grand battle.
*** This time the battle was greatly even, with Aeris fighting with all her power, trying to end this as quickly as possible, as did Kefka. No matter how many times Kefka stroke, he was never able to hit the young girl, who moved even faster than anyone could have expected, for two reasons: one, her speed grew incredibly when all her power was released and two, her body is light, allowing her to move even more freely than Kefka could imagine, he tried Goner again, but it was no use: Aeris dodged everything and when she could not do it, she deflected her enemy's attack using her weapon. "No! I can't be unable to strike her!" Kefka said. "You are..." Aeris said, "You are unable to because you are not fast enough to see me... after all, hand is faster than the eye..." "What!? You're just trying to intimidate me...! It won't work!" Kefka said. Aeris moved immediately and Kefka lost her; right when he was growing desperate, Aeris appeared behind him and attacked her foe with a greatly powerful slash from her sword, Kefka was greatly hurt. "You... you won't defeat me...!" Kefka said. "You don't want to accept it: I am stronger than you!" Aeris said. "You aren't stronger!" Kefka said, "Goner!!!" Once again, it headed directly to Aeris, but she moved quickl, and just to show Kefka something, she used Holy Light on the spell to destroy it completely. "You still don't want to realize it?" Aeris said. "You... you...!!! I'll... destroy you with my own hands!!!" Kefka said, and began to attack Aeris directly, but the girl was easily dodging his attacks. "I am going to show you and finish this..." she said, after that she moved rapidly again, and she buried the Save the Queen into Kefka's body, but she was not releasing it, instead she was casting a spell. "Just to make sure you do die this time." Aeris said, "Holy Light!" Once she finished charging, she retracted the sword from her enemy and she backed away; with Kefka unable to move, she just gave the final blow to one battle in which she suffered much to win: she was injured three times by her enemy, all of them able to recover, and on the final fight, she won with all her power. Cloud, Tifa, Sephiroth and the other Aeris went to congratulate her for saving the "new" Gaia from the hands of an amazing enemy who almost won the battle, but there came a brave 15-year-old girl named Aeris Evelyn Strife to stop him from taking over this planet, doubting her capabilities sometimes, but in the end, emerging victorious...
*** One year later... So much has changed in Alexandria: first of all, there is an event auditorium and Zidane and Dagger finally have someone to take over when both are gone: her name is Jennifer (identified as Jenny), a five-month-old little girl who is the new princess of the town after 18 years since the last one (Dagger) took over. Cloud, Tifa and Aeris Strife keep up on their regular life of training and their own as a family. Aeris became 16, obviously, and she changed the way she dresses: she wears a sleadless blouse and shorts (long enough, though) and new boots. On winter, she usually wears a longslead blouse, jeans, her boots and a gabardine as cover, but right now it is summer. However, Cloud felt strange all of a sudden. "Cloud?" Tifa said. "I don't know what's happening but it can't be good..." Cloud said. "Why?" Aeris asked. "The Jenova cells somehow left my body... I can no longer feel them..." Cloud answered. "What worries you aout that? Instead, you should be happy." Tifa said. "Tifa, if the Jenova cells left my body it means they found a way to have a new form, meaning that probably Sephiroth's cells left him too." "And?" Aeris asked. "Because of that they've got to be destroyed, or maybe Jenova could get a new form... one that might be indestructible..." "There has to be something we can do!" Aeris said. "There is." Cloud said, "But I'm afraid that only Aeris can fight those cells." "Then I am going to stop them!" Aeris said. "Wait." Tifa said. "What is it, Mother?" Aeris said. "Don't die on us, all right? Be very careful..." Tifa said. "Yes, Mother, I will come back... I promise..." Aeris said, and left on her Eidolon Bahamut. "We have to destroy those monsters..." Aeris said. TO BE CONTINUED