Cloud Strife stepped onto the circular platform standing above the shimmering pools of water at the city's center. His eyes trailed from the altar; he could picture her there now, head bowed. Cloud felt tears stinging at the corners of his eyes and he cleared his throat, shaking his head. The green sphere in his hand throbbed suddenly and he held it out in front of him. White light poured from its surface, illuminating his features and the marble platform beneath him. He heard her footsteps on the path behind him and closed his eyes. He felt a small hand on his shoulder and pressed his cheek to the fingers. They trailed up his face and stroked through his hair, and he finally turned to face her.
Tifa smiled gently at him. He looked away, still feeling as if he were about to cry.
"Aeris–"
"Shh," Tifa pulled his face close to hers. "It wasn't your fault. My dream had to mean something else."
"I don't know, Tifa, I–"
"Listen to me. Aeris wouldn't like to see you like this, would she?"
He shook his head and his eyes fell from hers. "No."
"I don't like to see you like this either," she continued. "Let go of your pain, Cloud. I'm here for you."
Cloud looked back into her face. The stone in his hand suddenly seemed to burn into his palm. He broke hie gaze from hers and lifted the rock into his sight.
"This has something to do with her," he said softly. She clasped both of her hands around his own, prying the stone gently from his fingers and walked to the glass altar. Tifa placed the orb inside a small indentation on the surface. It gleamed, then the entire pulpit shone white. The light spread to the ceiling and gold suddenly ran into the waters below them. Vibrant color spread throughout the City of the Ancients, the cascading waters filling with golden light, the pillars standing white in the green hue which painted the central shrine and gleamed out through the city windows. Tifa backed over to Cloud and they waited, hung in suspense. Just above where she had placed the sphere, a white light glittered. It grew until it took the shape of a person. They both gasped, seeing the figure of Aeris Gainsborough look up from her eternal prayer.
"A-Aeris!" Cloud gaped.
Her figure smiled at them; she extended her hands to them, palms facing upward. Before them all appeared a golden light. It stretched outward, shifting and twisting, greenish-white energy gathering in its midst. With another harsh gleam, all the green and gold energy abruptly disappeared.
"Cloud, look!" Tifa yelped.
He glanced up, then did a double-take and stared in amazement. A sword was hanging in the air above them. Its blade was a deep glowing mako crystal, enveloped in veins of gold. It was broad and long–approximately six feet in length. The handle was wrapped in white ribbon. The sword hummed with power; Cloud could feel this power surging through him. The weapon lowered from the sky and hoovered chest-height beside his figure.
"Cloud, that's the sword from my dream," Tifa whimpered.
He blinked, then reached forward hesitantly and grasped the handle. Great, unimaginable power shot up his arm and flooded his body. Something inside him released a piercing shriek and his body grew hot as he envisioned fire encircling him. The feeling was so intense he fell to his knees and cried out. Tifa gave a little shriek and dropped beside him.
"I'm...okay," he grunted, reaching for the sword handle again–now it was lying on the floor. Another surge of energy slammed into him and he winced, grabbing onto the handle convulsively. Cloud slowly worked his way to his feet and Tifa stood too, looking deeply concerned.
"The Ultimate Sacrifice will do that to you."
"The what?" Cloud panted.
Tifa bowed her head: "That's what it's called; Aeris told me..."
Cloud looked at the large weapon. It was so heavy even he had to wield it with two hands.
"Well, thank you for finding the ultimate weapon for me!"
Cloud and Tifa spun around and looked down at the path leading back toward the outer city. Cloud Strife's duplicate stood blocking their only way out, Tifa Lockheart's double crouched beside him as his fingers clenched tightly in her hair. She whimpered, struggling to free herself.
"Give me the sword," Damien grinned, "or both of them shall die."
"No!" Cloud raced down the altar steps. He swung the new sword around, hearing the power that sung through the air with the attack. The clone ducked his head, the blade passing directly above his head. Cloud stumbled and almost spun around from the force of the swing. They looked at one another and Damien threw Arina to the side. She yelped, hitting the ground and rolling to a stop as she slammed into one of the stone pillars. Tifa gagged, a little red line of blood running from the corner of her mouth. She held onto the railing for support. Cloud screamed and swung the blade again. Damien pulled out his own Ultima Sword and blocked it. They traded blows; Cloud bracing his feet and still skidding back from the incredible strength of his clone's attacks. They both paused and Tifa ran down from the pulpit.
"Cloud, behind you!"

He was grabbed by two small, strong arms. He glanced over his shoulder to see Arina's glowing green eyes. She had her arms hooked around his so he could no longer raise his sword. It fell to the ground with a clatter. He grunted, gripping her arms tightly and trying to yank her off. She laughed in delight, her lips brushing his ear. Then she growled and sunk her fangs into the tender flesh of the lobe. Cloud shrieked in surprise, falling back on top of her. Arina stumbled, her grip on him loosening and Tifa took the opportunity. She tangled her fingers in her clone's hair and yanked her away. All three collapsed to the ground.
Cloud leapt to his feet and rushed over to the golden sword. Damien tripped him and he went rolling. He turned, slammed into his double's feet, and they both hit the floor. Damien landed on top and pinned Cloud, then proceeded to knock him sensless. Cloud's head slammed against the marble floor. However, he saw the spill of blood that began to trickle from his clone's nose.
Tifa threw Arina into the darkness and stood, looking at the fight between the two Cloud's. They were punching, cursing, thrashing...and she couldn't tell which was which.
"Cloud!" she screamed. The one on the floor kicked his double away and stood shakily.
"Tifa!" he gasped and started forward, but the other swung out his leg and tripped him. They fell onto one another, fighting again. Tifa watched, not sure what to do. Arina came from the side and tackled her. The girls hit the ground and Tifa kicked her in the stomach, feeling the blow in the pit of her own. She moaned, sitting up as Arina crashed into the water below. Tifa got up and let out a cry, diving into the water after her clone.
Down in the murky depths, they both took their fighting stances. Tifa's body glowed bright yellow, and then she lunged forward to perform her Limit Breaks:
Beat Rush–Arina's fist met her own.
Somersault–their legs struck painfully together.
Water Kick–the water around them rushed in two identical bursts.
Meteodrive–their arms met one another's quickly.
Dolphin Blow–two grayish-silver dolphins came from the water beneath them, swirled together, and disappeared.
Meteor Strike–they grabbed one another about the throat, glaring heatedly back and forth.
Final Heaven–Tifa's right fist and Arina's left drew back, gathering incredible power on the knuckles and they swung at the same time.
Cloud and Damien both looked up as a typhoon of water spun upward from where the girls had fallen in.
"Tifa!" Cloud yelled.
"Don't look away, you might die."
Cloud glared back up into his clone's face, clenching his teeth in frustration.
Tifa and Arina suddenly burst out of the center of the water twister, landing half-crouched on the ground. They both stayed in that position motionless for a long time. The sounds of struggle between the two Cloud's was at this moment, of no importance.
"Why do you even bother?" Arina hissed and Tifa flinched. "Haven't you two figured it out yet?"
"Yes," she replied, finally standing. "And I told myself I wouldn't run anymore."
"Then you are foolish."
"Maybe I am...but I won't let you harm Cloud again."
She extended her arms, a white light surrounding her. Arina grinned smugly, her eyes pulsating green and a white light engulfed her body as well.
"Don't try it–I even know that move."
Tifa stopped, the power around her fading. She glared at her clone and took a step back. Arina formed a pink energy sphere in her hands, letting the white beams of light swirl around her figure. The sound of battle still continued off to the side and the female clone turned in that direction.
"Damien! Throw him this way!"
"Cloud!" Tifa shrieked. One of them kicked his duplicate away, jumping to his feet. Before he could speak the one on the floor dove at his ankles and they fell again. They rolled around shouting, and Arina grinned, getting ready to throw the sphere. Tifa gasped and darted forward as one of them stood and looked at the attacker. Arina let the pink light surround her and her target, spinning around. The boy standing stared ahead as the attack rushed for him. Tifa lunged.
Cloud Strife let out a yell and threw Damien away. The clone winced and got to his feet, then looked up at Arina. She was throwing a pink energy ball at Damien, probably thinking he was the real one. Cloud suddenly wondered what would happen if it hit his double...but before he could find out he saw Tifa rushing forward.