A Return of Faith
Copyrighted to Astian Leslie Hannan 2005.
Disclaimer: The characters contained within this fanfic, Cetra Reunion, are entirely fictitious and in no way resemble people in real life. All resemblences are entirely coincidental. Square-Enix owns all rights to the characters and locations of Final Fantasy VII. All other characters and locations belong to me.
Author's Notes: Okay, I haven't updated in what seems like an eternity. Spank me later. This chapter is the one that initiates the quest to revive Aeris. Yes, this is another revive Aeris fic, but I think it's better than the rest, personally. Maybe because I wrote it. shrugs Constructive criticism is much appreciated, and will cause me to continue writing. I'll get to the end eventually. Enjoy!
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She came down the stairs in a rush of leaps and bounds. It was surprising that she didn't plunge herself off some of the precarious bluffs, or, so she thought. On the way, she knocked over one of the elders of the Canyon, not even stopping to help him up. Oh, she knew she would be reprimanded and possibly put in seclusion, but that was for worrying over later. For now, she had a purpose that superseded that of a simple apology. A goal was firmly set in her mind, and nothing would deter her from it.
Exiting the man-made cavern, she pulled up short at the wreckage of the Tiny Bronco. It still sat smoldering, in millions of pieces, but Cid was in amongst it, salvaging what he could to rebuild it later. Tifa could see that he had gathered some of the scholars of machinery to aid him. With a little time, and careful reconstruction, Tifa knew that the Tiny Bronco would be back in working order. Oh, how she would love to ride on that craft, and soar among the skies, with the wind whipping her hair. It, too, would have to wait.
She jumped up and down, waving her gloved hands in the air, in an attempt to gather the other's attention. They all stopped what they were doing and turned to view her making a complete fool of herself. With a quick blush, she stopped and took a step forward. Cloud was sitting on the edge of one of the cliffs, his legs hanging dangerously over the side. His face was in his hands, and he didn't seem to have responded to her actions. She marched over to him with hands on her hips, and peered down over his shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
Cloud shook his head, as if trying to rid himself of old demons. Inside his mind, she knew he was fighting ghosts of the past. Tifa began to wonder if he'd ever get rid of them.
"Why…" Cloud murmured, standing to face her. His gauntleted fist gripped the hilt of his Buster Sword. "Why bring up the past? I thought it was over. I thought I was rid of it all. Aeris is gone, we must all move on!" he slashed at the air as if to dispatch benevolent spirits. Tifa was forced to take a step back or face losing a vital organ. Cloud's eyes had gone milky again. It was as if he wasn't even entirely there. His eyes narrowed to slits and his gaze settled upon her.
"Why? Why did you bring it back?" He took a threatening step towards her, but she held her ground. "I think I might have to kill that man. He has no right…"
A slap echoed out across the canyon and a reddening mark bloomed upon Cloud's cheek. His weapon fell from a hand gone numb with shock. Tifa recoiled and went to slap him again. It seemed the only way to knock sense into him. But, she stopped short when his eyes returned to their normal blue-green. She kind of felt sorry for him, the mark spreading across his cheek. She could remember how it felt to be slapped. After all, that hussy of a Shinra executive had nearly slapped her right off the Sister Ray of Junon, and into the ocean. She would never forget the day that she nearly died at the hands of Scarlett. Her cheek had ached for weeks after that episode. The only satisfaction she got from it was the fact that she knew that Scarlett would have been feeling the same. Not that it made her feel guilty, or anything.
"Cloud! Pull yourself together!" she practically shouted at him. "Aeris is dead, true. That's in the past. But that man knows how to revive her!"
It was awhile before she could get the rest of what she was to say, out of her mouth. Barret practically stumbled over his own tongue, asking questions, as usual, to which she did not have practical answers for. Cid even stopped the assessment of his aircraft; to stare at her, wide eyed. Vincent stood with his arms crossed, the breeze flailing his cape out behind him, and Yuffie sank to her knees, unable to even contemplate the possibility.
Everyone was shocked, and everyone had questions. Tifa waved them off, and continued.
"The man told me that Bungenhagen has the knowledge to revive a person that has died from the verge of a rage of hated blood. He knows the secrets of the planet, and knows how to call back lost souls. Those of which have not yet accomplished what they were born to do, in life." At this, Nanaki looked at the sky in wonder, speaking his thoughts aloud.
"So that's it. That is what the Gi tribe were after all that time. They wanted the secrets of my grandfather. And father and mother died, defending that secret." He howled in grief.
Cloud stepped forward again, and grabbed Tifa's shoulders, looking deep into her brown eyes. "But Bungenhagen is dead. How can we possibly achieve this, if the man that knows this, is gone?"
"Nanaki carries his grandfather's blood. And besides, Bungenhagen had all the secrets written down in a hidden study, according to the man. There are also a few things that are necessary to bring Aeris back to us. Items that were detrimental to the causes and effects of the death are needed, along with a chocobo's gold feather." She let them think on that a little, and realise what had to be done before stating the obvious. "We need the true masamune, and the Holy Materia." She looked everyone in the eyes as she mentioned the required items. They all nodded grimly. Cloud removed his hands from her shoulders and dropped them to his sides. He looked at the ground for a time, as if to discern the answers from the planet itself. Then he regained himself and put on that cocky stance he used so often, one foot placed before the other and a hand stationed defiantly upon his hip. The other hand went quickly through his hair, brushing the loose strands from his eyes.
"Everyone! I would like to apologise for actions in the past, and actions that may happen in the future. Though we defeated Sephiroth's mother, JENOVA, in the North Crater, her cells still dwell within me, and I have not yet won the battle. I hope you will all be able to bear with me, and help me along the way." Everyone nodded and mentioned that they would, "In regards to the items that were mentioned, I'd like Tifa to go and reclaim the true masamune. I am sure if we contact Reeve, he'll be able to help you. He has access to all of Shinra's databases and should easily be able to locate the last time Sephiroth was seen in action with that blade, minus the fabricated rumours. I believe it will be somewhere around Nibelheim. And Tifa, it will give you a chance to return home again." She nodded at this. To go home again and remember all the good times would be great. It would also be nice to get over all the painful memories.
"I would like to go and retrieve the Holy Materia from the waterbed of Forgotten City. It would give me some time to think, and I'd like Vincent to come with me. I think he'll find some of the answers to his questions there as well." Vincent uncrossed his arms, but gave no indication of agreement. His lips stayed in a thin line that hinted at apathy. "Finally. Barrett and Yuffie can go after the Gold Chocobo feather. It will give you a chance to see Marlene in Kalm, before you go to the Chocobo farm to start an investigation into retrieving a feather. And, maybe you'll find some Materia on the way?" he shrugged his shoulders, as he always did. Yuffie and Barret nodded their ascent. They had no problems with it. "Not forgetting Cid. You can stay here and repair the Tiny Bronco. Nanaki can find the hidden study of Bungenhagen's and prepare for our return. I wish you all luck in your search. You will all get a P.H.S so you can call the Highwind when you have completed your mission. Get some rest for now, and we will all leave on the morrow. We will return Aeris to us!" Everyone let up a cheer, and raised their fists to the sky, or paws in Nanaki's case. Yes, they would get Aeris back, and then they would become Avalanche once more, in the memory of Biggs, Wedge and Jessie. They would scour the world of the Shinra scum and bring in a new era. One free of the use of Mako, and corruption. Tifa frowned inwardly. With the return of Aeris, would it draw Cloud away from her again? She shook her head as she decided.
No, it wouldn't.
She wouldn't let it.