Judgement

Shiva arrived in a grassy field, still in the human contemporary form she had been given in the Junction. Before her a murky river meandered along the field in its muddy banks. On one of these banks sat a blond man in a blue robe with his back to her.

'Why are you here?' the figure asked.

'Sephiroth was sent against Squall my Lord.' Shiva replied, crouching down on one knee.

'I see. And how is he now?' Fate asked.

'Weakened, Sephiroth had the better of him until Paine took control of his body.' Shiva told him.

Fate sat in silence still not facing her. 'So Sephiroth was defeated?' he said his faint grin hidden from her.

'Yes my Lord. Why would the Other send him though?' she inquired.

'That is none of your concern Shiva. I know of your love for the human Squall, that is why I have allowed you to continue your current role. Other Espers have faded away, some have come back but you and some others are my constant guardians. Don't push your luck.' Fate warned her.

'Yes my Lord.' Shiva replied demurely, bowing.

'I commend you on your devotion but if the Other mobilised Sephiroth then he may send more, you should return to Squall and inform me of any such developments as they arise.' Fate told her.

'As you wish.' Shiva replied and stood up.

'And another thing, try not to antagonise Cle too much.' Fate said wryly as she left his realm and returned to the Junction.

'You can come out now.' Fate said to a hidden figure once Shiva had left.

A woman dressed in a black tight fitting dress over which she wore a blood red short-sleeved jacket appeared from the shadows.

'Injustice is not behaving as you expected.' She muttered as she approached.

'On the contrary, I was expecting him to try and assassinate Squall rather than tempt him otherwise I wouldn't have summoned you.' Fate grinned.

'I have no role here, the Ice Queen already told you Sephiroth was defeated.' The woman replied her green eyes flashing.

'Defeated but not destroyed, the One Winged Angel is the Immortal of Darkness. He can arise again.' Fate replied standing up.

'So I have to baby sit this human now?' the woman groaned sarcastically.

'My, my, so testy. This is unbecoming of the Pure Immortal.' Fate said condescendingly.

'So would you be if you had a sword run through you. And enough of the Pure Immortal crap, my name is Aeris.' She snapped.

'Fine, Aeris.' Fate sighed.

Aeris shook her long brown hair, slightly pacified. 'So do I have to do this alone? What do I tell your hero?' she said witheringly.

'Tell him the truth. I assume he will treat you with more respect than he did me.' Fate said softly.

'Oh so he didn't quiver in fear at your voice? I like him already.' Aeris said grinning.

'How did you ever become an Immortal?' Fate said wearily.

'How should I know?' I was a mere Cetra until you or one of your siblings brought me here.' Aeris retorted.

'We may regret that decision soon.' Fate warned her.

'Sounds good to me. Do you think it's fun to be at your beck and call?' Aeris replied.

'Just go!' Fate snapped.

'Jeez! Fine I'll go look for this Squall.' Aeris replied and disappeared.

'Just what are you up to Injustice?' Fate thought to himself, sitting once more on the banks and watched the water flow by.

Aeris materialised in the Training Centre of Balamb Garden and noted the bloodstains left by Sephiroth but there was no sign of Squall.

'Dammit! Where is he?' she muttered and headed out the door into the central hub of Garden.

'Hey what is this place?' she wondered as people milled around her, numerous youths some in uniform others in casual clothes gave her brief smiles as they ambled by.

'Some kind of school?' she mused as she headed towards the central pillar in hopes of finding some clues as to where this Squall could be.

'Hey there sweetie.' A voice drawled behind her and she turned round into deep brown eyes shaded by the brim of a cowboy hat.

'Are you talking to me?' Aeris said taken aback making the guy step back slightly.

'Sure honey.' He replied smiling.

'I'd prefer if you'd call me Aeris.' She replied giving him a steely gaze.

'Sure, I'm Irvine.' He said gulping slightly and extended his hand to her.

Aeris tentatively shook it.

'So are you new here?' Irvine asked as she released his hand.

'Yeah, I'm a bit lost.' Aeris admitted.

'No problem I could show you around.' Irvine said politely.

'Thanks but I'm looking for Squall Leonhart.' Aeris said, declining subtly, aware of what else Irvine had in mind.

'The Commander? I can show you, he's a buddy of mine.' Irvine told her trying another of his dazzling smiles to impress her.

'Okay then lead the way.' Aeris told him.

Aeris followed Irvine as he led her to the dormitories, listening to his tales of heroism and the life of a SeeD, whatever that was, with only half an ear.

'Well here we are.' Irvine said finally and knocked on Squall's door. He was dismayed that Aeris wasn't responding to his flirting the right way but maybe she had something on her mind.

Squall opened his door, his face bruised and his t-shirt still torn and bloody. 'What's up Irvine?' he asked wearily.

'Hey man, are you okay?' Irvine asked concerned.

'I'm fine.' He replied and then noticed Aeris. 'Who's this?' he asked Irvine.

'This is Aeris, new girl. She was looking for you so I brought her here.' Irvine explained quickly.

'Why are you looking for me?' Squall asked warily.

'I think it'd be best if we spoke privately.' Aeris said softly, imperceptibly nodding her head at Irvine.

Irvine took the hint. 'Right I'll leave you to it, I have to go find Selph anyway.' He told them and walked off.

'So why are you here?' Squall asked as he let her into his room.

'Let's just say it's something to do with Paine.' Aeris said turning to face him.

The door slammed shut as the handle slipped from his grasp and his face paled.