The Final Defeat

As Gohan darted out of the apparatus by means of the gaping hole he'd created, Aeris forced back a sob. This wasn't the end for Cloud; it couldn't be! He'd survived being skewered by the Masamune; he could live through this! The thoughts were hollow, though, as Aeris crawled on hands and knees through the gathering crimson puddle to touch that tortured body.

"Cloud, you'll be okay," she cried. It was useless to try holding back the wracking sobs that came. The sight of Cloud's body twisted and bloodied lying there so lifelessly was more than she could bear.

Why do you wait child?

Aeris pulled her eyes from the broken face she had loved so dearly to stare at the clear sky through the demolished side of the apparatus.

What are you waiting for child?

The familiar voices of the Ancients were comforting, but not nearly enough so. I don't know what to do, she thought, bringing yet more tears to her eyes. How could she be so helpless when her friend needed her the most? If only she had a Revive materia, but Cloud had given all of their good materia to Gohan before the fight with Ruby, and the rest was down below with the others. What could she do now?

You saw the boy, how he manipulated spirit energy.

Aeris nodded, closing her eyes tightly to slow the flood that poured from them. She needed to regain some composure if she was going to be of any help at all.

So why don't you do as he did?

What?

He wove the flows of energy so that they would be more useful to him. Why do you not do the same? We alone have the ability to see the lifestream, so why do you hold back?

I... I didn't realize...

Then wake up!

Aeris jerked back and put a hand to her face, oblivious to the red streak her gentle fingers left behind. This was no time to be crying; Cloud needed help. If only she could force the spirit energy around them to help. But, where could she start?

Feel it.

What?

You are a Cetra, a part of this energy. Be one with it, and you will understand.

Suddenly, she did understand. Although uncertainty still marred Aeris's normal confidence, she reached out with her mind to the energy around her. She had no choice. If she didn't do something now, Cloud might... He might die.

Almost instantly she was flooded with life, the feeling of life, the feeling of pure energy, warmth, and radiance.

How many times had she done this back in the slums without realizing what she was doing? How many times had the flowers then mysteriously bloomed in a land where nothing could grow? She had passed it off as being because they were in a holy place then, but now she understood. The Cetra had nurtured the Planet for ages in this very way. This was her destiny, to help the Planet to better use it's energy. Caught up in the glorious revelation of the moment, Aeris pushed her mind back to where it belonged, on Cloud.

Pulling long strands of energy to herself, Aeris pondered how she would do what she needed to do. How did you give a dying person their life back!?!

Weave the energy child. Tie it up into a shape, a form that will do what you need it to do.

What? What would help here?

A mother often gives her sick child a blanket to trap in his heat and give him a sense of comfort.

What?

Make him a blanket of energy.

How would that help? Aeris began to do as she was told; she had always known that you didn't argue with your ancestors. They usually knew what they were talking about.

Don't tie the strands together in a knot, weave them into a sheet, child.

Aeris silently obeyed, sweat beading on her brow with the effort. She had no idea of how to make a blanket with yarn, much less energy, but she had to try anyways.

That's it child; don't force it. Now, wrap him up in your blanket.

Aeris could barely call it a blanket, so crude was the craftsmanship, but she didn't doubt her elders one bit. Unconsciously gesturing with her hand as she thought, Aeris willed the energy to do as she wanted. Moving it over Cloud, Aeris carefully began wrapping his tattered body in the energy. This had better work.

A rough cough brought a salty taste to his lips, but the fact that Cloud could taste the blood was a good sign. At least he wasn't too far-gone, though it had sure seemed like it.

"Cloud!" Aeris shouted, almost pouncing on him. "You're alive!"

"I've seen better days," Cloud murmured, not even mustering the strength to spit out the blood that he nearly choked on.

"Shh," Aeris cooed, propping him up in her arms like a loving mother. "Save your strength."

Cloud closed his eyes and tried to relax. Aeris was right; he needed to conserve his energy. Thoughts flitted in and out of Cloud's head without recognition, as his breathing slowly became more regular, deeper. That soft finger tracing an imaginary line across his forehead was comforting. Aeris was a master of healing; she would never let him die here. Slowly, the strong leader's mind drifted off into the peaceful bliss of slumber.

Aeris sighed gratefully. He needed this sleep, and she was glad that she didn't have to worry about him not waking up again. Cloud's body had absorbed the blanket almost immediately after she had covered him in it, as though readily drinking up the energy. He was recovering swiftly; already Aeris could see the gory wounds closing themselves.

Thank the Planet he would be okay.

Still clutching Cloud's body to her breast as she rocked gently back and forth, Aeris idly pondered why she could not stop crying. She needed to, needed to go after someone else who needed her more right now. Gohan.

*~*~*~*

What are you doing?

What? Gohan froze, stopping his speedy flight almost instantly to hover in place.

What have you done?

I... I don't know, Gohan admitted, shaking his head. Did he really know anything anymore?

We can not allow you to continue like this.

What? Who? More voices... How many voices were there? That sickeningly sweet one, that gentle motherly one, and these, thousands in unison. ...thousands in unison, like the materia. That was one thing Gohan did understand right now. He'd only heard the thousand voices in one place, the materia. There was no way this was Jenova...

You know us.

Who are you? ...The Ancients?

Some call us that.

What do you want from me?

To come home.

What? Home! What do you think I've been trying to do?!

The Great Betrayer will not bring you home.

The Great Betrayer?

The Crisis from the Sky, Jenova.

So what then? How do I go home?

The way will make itself clear to you. But first, you must return to those who can help you. Return to your sister, the only one who can understand what you are going through.

Sister? I have no sister!

You do.

What? Who?

All of the Cetra are you brothers and sisters. Because your people left us ages ago means nothing. You belong with us. Go to your sister.

Cetra? Aeris? Why should I...?

Answer me!!

....Why don't you answer?

Because they are lying.

Wha....? Gohan violently shook his head from side to side as though to rid it of a clinging beast, but the voice he recognized as Jenova wouldn't be dislodged so easily. No, they're not lying. I believe them.

What, that you are a Cetra? Fool!! You are a Saijin!! You are my puppet!

No... you're the liar!! ...Cloud had said that those were the Ancients, that Jenova was evil.

And you'll believe that traitor over me? Don't you remember all the things he did to you?

Pain streaked through Gohan's head and circled it like a band, tightening until he thought his head must surely cave in.

Don't you remember all the pain he put you through? The plots he's been devising? Don't you remember all of the times he had his knife ready behind your back when I warned you just in time? Were in not for me, he would have killed you!

No... liar! Sensible thought started to drift from Gohan's grasp, but he fought as hard as he could. He wouldn't let Jenova get him, not this time!

You know the truth deep in your mind.

What did Gohan know? The answer to that question seemed more and more muddled as of late.

Yes, you do know the truth.

What?! Again that one voice, like sweet honey, flowed into Gohan's mind. What? Who?

Do you not recognize me, friend? I, your love, your companion?

Nothing made sense anymore! Gohan clutched his head, but the voices did not cease.

I recognize you, friend. You came to my world when your own was no longer available, and now I still give you a place to rest, but you have forgotten me.

What? Gohan did not understand, but an idea began trying to form in his fogged mind. ...the Planet?

Some call me that.

No! Don't listen!! She lies!

What?? Who to listen to? The voices battled for a hold in Gohan's mind, and all he could do was listen in agony.

She is no different than Cetra! She is a traitor! She uses her children like worthless pawns!! Don't listen to her!!! I will offer you freedom, a freedom that can never be attained from the likes of her!

Cetra, my love. I am no different than you my love. Saijin, Cetra, we are all the same.

What? ...Saijin and Cetra the same? What to believe? Gohan screamed, but no one was there to hear it.

"Yes, Gohan."

A voice. A real voice. Gohan brought his eyes up to see a soft pink blur. Whipping his eyes, Gohan could not have seen a sight more comforting. "Aeris!"

"It's me Gohan. Things will be okay now."

Arms. Real, solid arms folded themselves around Gohan's shoulders. It was all he could do to not completely break down; as it was, he let his frustrated sobs pour out uncontrollably.

"You don't have to worry anymore, Gohan," Aeris gently stroked his blond hair as though soothing a child from a nightmare. "If you let me answer your questions, you won't have to worry about Jenova anymore. She only has control through confusion. Get rid of your confusion and you'll clear you mind of her control."

Gohan nodded, slowly regaining some control over himself. No more Jenova, the thought was worth asking questions for. "How are we related Aeris? The Cetra and the Saijins?"

"I don't know how we got separated in the first place," Aeris's calm voice began, "but I know we are the same. We both are of the same blood, separated across the universe."

What? So some Saijins survived the destruction of Vegeta besides those few he already knew of? The thought was only somewhat comforting as Gohan recalled the other Saijins he'd met besides his father, but if it was possible that Aeris was a Saijin, then he wasn't too worried.

"Come on, let's go back. Everyone's waiting for us."

Only after Aeris began helping Gohan back towards the red canyon, did Gohan realize that she had been flying.