-1Chapter Two
Aeris was standing next to Zack. They were nowhere, and they were everywhere. They were together again. Aeris was stronger than she had ever been, but Zack knew she longed for Cloud. Zack stood in front of her and stared into those mesmerizing and innocent, emerald eyes. His heart broke when those eyes became flooded with tears. He put his arms around her.
"What's wrong Aeris?" asked Zack.
Aeris sank into his chest, "I miss him Zack. I know nothing ever happened between Cloud and I, but I just can't stop thinking about what could have been. I have done so much, I have learned so much, but I never asked for any of this. Do you think…do you think he will be alright?"
"I think he'll be fine Aeris. What about you though? Are you going to be alright?" Zack asked.
"I thought that I was. I want to be, but now that all of this is over…I don't know. I want to remain strong. I know I have to be strong. It's just so hard though. I hate to think that I will never be with him." Aeris said. I wonder what she will think. Aeris thought.
Ifalna suddenly appeared. "Now Aeris, you always knew it was to be like this. Aeris, sweetheart, you were the only one. You were the only one on earth who could've done it. I knew this even before I had you. More importantly, you have always known this."
"I know mom, but --" she sobbed.
"But nothing Aeris. You will be reunited someday, he will return to you. He will return to the planet. I know it's hard, but Aeris you have to realize that you do not belong to him anymore. You belong to this planet. You are this planet now. You must accept it."
"I'm not ready to go back to the planet yet…I want to stay here, no…I want to go to him. I know there are ways. I know this. That's why I didn't keep him here. I let him go back because…because I thought that I would be right behind him." Aeris said this while crying almost hysterically now. She pushed herself away from Zack and ran away from the two of them.
"Aeris!" shouted Zack.
Ifalna sighed, "Let her go Zack, she needs to be alone."
"Alone, are you kidding me? How can you ever be alone in this place? If this is the Promised Land, than why is she so sad here? How can the savior of you're beloved planet be so miserable in the land of 'supreme happiness'."
Ifalna scorned Zack. "How dare you talk to me like that, you know nothing of this world. Aeris has not yet fully returned Zack! She's not miserable; she just has to realize that this is the way things are."
"I think I know enough, I know that your daughter has been through so much damn pain and so much hell in her life that she is finally for once, once in her life, thinking about herself. She hid her true feelings at first, because she knew that a task had to be done. Now she has done everything you and your planet have asked of her, and there's nothing left anymore. There is nothing left of your daughter. Her spirit and energy are with us, but her heart is with him. If you can't see that, than I pity you, I truly do."
"No wonder she liked you so much. You're right Zack. You think I don't know this? What can I do though? Should I lie to her? No, I choose not to lie to her."
"Ifalna, honey." Said Professor Gast as he appeared at her side. "Would you truly be lying to her? There are ways."
"No, there is only one way…but…she belongs here, with us. This is our Promised Land."
"This isn't her Promised Land. Ever since she was retuned to us, she has been constantly traveling within preparing for Sephiroth's return. Now that he is gone, and she has finally ridden the planet of Jenova, what is she to do here? I…no, we belong here. Aeris doesn't." Gast made a good point.
Ifalna sighed once more, "But, honey, she already had her time in life. I know it was short and she was returned to us unnaturally, but it was meant to be. I t was her destiny."
"Was that really her destiny? To be murdered? I see it differently, I know our daughter's true meaning to this world." Gast replied.
"Oh, do you? And just what might that be?" Asked Ifalna.
"To carry on the Cetra. The day will come when the Planet will need your people again. Aeris is going to make sure the race lives on."
"How do you know though? How will it be done. It has never been done! No Cetra, no matter what the circumstances, has ever been allowed to return!"
Gast wrapped his arms around Ifalna. "Sweetheart, it's already going to happen. I know that you know this too. I know why you don't want her to leave. You must accept it though. We will still be together though, watching over her. Besides, don't you want to see what beautiful grandchildren she will have?"
She hugged her lover back. "I suppose you're right. It's just…I'm going to miss her. I was looking forward to her joining us in the Promised Land. You better tell her. This has to be done now, before it's too late. Do you agree with all of this, Zack?"
"What do you think?" he said cockily. After those words Zack's spirit disappeared. With Aeris now deeper into the lifestream, she could no longer keep him around with just her thoughts. If she wanted to see Zack again, all she had to do was imagine him.
A smile formed across Ifalna's face followed by a deep kiss from her other.
"Do you think she will agree?"
"I know Gaia will agree." Gast replied.
"You don't understand though sweetie, this is…complicated. This is very, very complicated. A tremendous amount of energy must be expelled at Aeris' expense. Even though her body remains in sacred waters, it will take a complete and gallant effort by this planet and by the lifestream to restore her. Even if the planet wants her to return --"
"It isn't a question of if, Ifalna. I have spoken with the planet."
"That's impossible! You are not a Cetra! You can't --"
Gast cut her off, "Honey, I asked her to let my daughter go. I told her to give her another chance. The planet agrees."
"How do you know?" Ifalna asked.
"I know." Gast said as he embraced Ifalna.
Author's Notes: This should answer some questions as to how Cloud will be with Aeris. I have studied and played FF VII many times and I am very familiar with how the world works in the game. This, to me, was the best way to come up with a reason for Aeris' "revival," so to speak. I am not entirely sure where I am going to go with the next chapter but I won't bring her back just yet, I will focus on Cloud and company more before I bring her back. Maybe a little comedy and some melodramatic Cloud here in the future…as if you do not know by now, please r & r because I will get great satisfaction from fellow fans and writers to know what they think. Thanks,
NazMan
