Hello again

Hello again! Thanks for all the reviews. Yes the last chapter was a little depressing and not what everyone had wanted. I've got my reasons. : ) anyways, I hope I didn't lose any readers because of what happened to Zack. I hope you all enjoy this next chapter as well. Thanks for reading and reviewing! –Annubis

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, Squaresoft does.

Chapter 34

Zack felt cold. His body was numb, like he had not moved in ages. His chest had a lot of pressure on it. His eyes opened quickly as the thoughts of the battle with Sephiroth invaded his brain. He sat up quickly.

"Sephiroth!" He shouted as he looked around the area. Everything was pitch-black. There was no light. "Where…am I?" He rubbed his head as he stood up slowly. He felt a pain in his stomach as he leaned forward.

The man wandered the darkness for a while, trying to make sense of everything. He rubbed his arms and hands together, trying to get warmth. The tingling sensation was slowly fading away. Zack stopped abruptly at an invading thought.

'Aeris…where is she? I saw her in that cave. Sephiroth had cut her…' Zack shook his head. He was trying his best to remember what had happened after that.

"Sephiroth!" He called out. 'No. Sephiroth is not here. No one is here…' Zack finally realized what had happened. He looked down at his chest and stomach. He immediately felt sick.

There were two holes in his torso. He watched as they slowly healed, but it was not only his skin that was fixed, the holes in his clothing fixed themselves as well. He looked down at his hands. The red stains faded as well.

"What the hell is going on?" He ran his hands over his body. He felt his heart sink. Tears stung his eyes as he looked upwards at the darkness. "I'm…dead…" He hung his head.

"Aeris!" He called out, falling to his knees. "It wasn't you! I fell for it! I fell for his stupid tricks!" He pounded his fist into the dark ground. His dark bangs hang low over his eyes.

"I will keep you safe." He growled as he stood up. "I allowed myself to die to keep meteor from hitting the planet. I am a sacrifice to keep Aeris and the rest of the planet alive." Zack ran through the blackness.

His footsteps were silent; there was no sound at all. His breathing was normal, his heart was not pounding. His heart was not beating at all. His muscles did not ache; he felt nothing, nothing at all.

"Damn it! Where do I go!?" Zack shouted as he dropped to the floor once again. "Is there nothing I can do? Is there no one else here? Where is everyone?" he brought his eyes up slowly. He felt a small warmth flow through his chest and rest on his forehead. Zack fell backwards, staring at the floating green orb in front of his face.

"Whoa! It's one of those orb thingies!" Zack poked it. The green blob swirled quickly and ran through him once again. "Wait! Don't go!" He got to his feet and chased after the strange phenomenon.

The orb twirled and led him in winding and circling paths, as if playing a game. The man did not know how long he was running, but eventually the orb finally stopped its game. Zack stopped abruptly and watched as the orb slowly descended and rested on his hand. He felt a tug, as if someone was pulling him.

"Where are you taking me?" Zack asked. He watched as a strange path came into view. It was made of stone and marble. "You want me to go down there?" Zack raised an eyebrow. The orb took off, flying down the path.

"W, wait for me!" the man followed. He could now hear his footsteps. They echoed loudly in the deathly silence. The path never seemed to get larger, but it never seemed to get shorter either. He looked behind him, there was nothing but darkness. He was not sure if it was a good idea to follow this orb or not, but he also did not want to stay in the darkness for all eternity. He turned his head forward again and felt something collide with him. He felt the thud against his stomach and legs.

"Omph!" Zack groaned as he looked at the giant pool in front of him. His reflection stared back at him, rippling in the water. "What? What is this?"

The room lit up brightly. He watched as pillars and corridors came into view, all of marble and stone. Green orbs flew everywhere, winding around the giant pool. Zack stared in disbelief.

"Where am I?" He watched the orbs swoop around him and dance around the giant hall. One orb in particular sat on his hand. Its warmth spread through his body. "You're the one that took me here right?"

The orb danced in front of his face and rested back on his hand once again. He heard a faint giggle. It sounded like that of a child. Zack smiled at it and poked it again. The giggle raised in volume.

"Who are you?" Zack asked the small orb. The orb drooped it did not move for a minute. Zack felt his hair stand on end. He wondered if he should have asked that question. The orb made a whimpering noise as it entered the pool of water. Zack leaned over the bowl, watching as the water rippled violently.

"Hey! What are you doing!?" Zack was ready to reach into the water and pull out the orb when an image stopped him.

The water rippled again as the image came into focus. It showed a forest. There was life surrounding the area. The scene played like a movie, showing Zack an ancient world. The view scanned around the forest, Zack could see people hunting animals in the area. They all used a type of magic. He cocked his head to the side. They all looked very similar with their bright green eyes and curly, thick hair. He thought of Aeris when he watched them.

"What is this? Who are these people?" Zack asked the pool of water.

The pool rippled again. It showed the people running out of the vibrant forest and out into the open area. They were all pointing upwards at the sky. Zack watched as a giant meteor fell from the sky, crashing into the planet within seconds. A crater came into view; spiraling green light flooded from the planet's wound. Zack recognized it as the Northern Crater where Sephiroth hid. He felt anger as he watched the magical people explore the giant hole. They were all talking in an ancient language.

"Are these the Cetra?" Zack asked. The pool rippled, showing a new image. A bright light flashed, it invaded Zack's brain.

"What is it?" One of the Ancients asked.

"I think it is a gift from the heavens…" One replied. The group of people held onto their staffs tightly.

"I'm not sure. I mean, it harmed the planet. What kind of gift is that?" One of the women leaned forward staring at the strange being. It had a weird face; its body was a pale almost blue color.

"I think it is dead." One poked the humanoid with his weapon. Just as he poked it, the being's eyes shot open. This sent the people running frantically.

"It's alive! The thing is alive!" They shouted as they ascended the crater.

"Run! It's a monster!" Another shouted as the creature stood up quickly and raced after the people. "It's going to kill us!"

The Cetra made their way out of the crater and began racing away towards their chocobos. It was too late however, the monster had reached them. Tentacles spread from its body, wrapping around every last one of them. The beast held them still, it stared at them.

"What are these beings?" The monster spoke into all of their minds.

"We…we are Cetra. Please, don't kill us. We were only curious." The green eyed people stared in horror.

"…Cetra. I am Jenova. I am a gift from the gods." the being hissed. A manic smile crossed its face. "Let me show you a less intimidating form."

The creature's body shifted, changing immediately. All the tentacles left and formed within its body. The Cetra were freed but were too frightened to run. They watched as the monster turned into a woman. Her eyes glow a vibrant green as well, slit pupils stared at the ancient people. Her long, silver hair flowed in the breeze. Jenova raised her arm in the air.

"I am from up there. I came to this planet with this meteor as my vessel." the womanlike being grinned. "I am in search of a new planet which will support my life style."

"Your life style?" A male asked. He held his staff in front of him. Brightly colored stone covered its surface.

"What are those brightly colored stones you adorn in your weapon?" Jenova purred.

"These?" One Cetra pulled an orb from her staff. "These are called materia. They are created from the life force of the planet. They aid us in battle."

"Aid you in battle? How so?" Jenova reached an elongated hand towards the orb. She snatched it from the woman's hand.

"They cast magic. Some also contain ancient beasts we can call on to help us." One replied.

"Interesting, very interesting indeed…" Jenova's eyes turned upward as she grinned. "This planet will suit me fine. This power, I would like to learn more about."

Jenova handed the orb back to the woman. Her naked body walked away from the group. She stared out over the blue ocean.

"Take me to where you live." Jenova looked back at the people. "I would love to see how you people live."

"Yes." One nodded. All the others looked at the Ancient skeptically.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" His wife whispered to him.

"I told you! I told you all that she was a gift!" He ran to Jenova and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll lead you to where we all reside. You are most welcome." The man led her to his chocobo.

The small group of Ancients stared at each other. They all had a bad feeling about Jenova. The cold northern wind whipped around them. The woman's long hair flowed around her body. This was a beautiful, innocent race. Jenova was about to invade that innocence.

In a flash, years flew by. The Ancients worshipped Jenova. Some still were skeptical about the being. She did harm the planet upon her arrival. She seemed mostly interested in the planets power and its creation of materia. Jenova fed from the Lifestream, making herself stronger. Many of the Ancients frowned upon this. She was opposite of the Cetra, power hungry and violent. Rituals were created to satisfy her hunger. Every year a large portion of their stock was sacrificed to her. After time, Jenova wanted more. She had persuaded the people to give her one Cetra a year. The scene became horrifying and the Ancients were slowly leaving the area, afraid for their lives. Jenova soon ordered the Cetra for more sacrifices, the people grew more fearful. The people began to refuse. Jenova, full of anger and hate had cast a virus into the Cetra's main source of water. Soon the virus spread, infecting the Ancient's home. The people became sick it spread like wildfire. Insanity inflicted hundreds. They began killing each other, sacrificing each other, and eventually they transformed themselves, turning into ugly beasts and monsters. Jenova had reined rule over the Cetra and eventually she would rid the planet of them. She feared the people and their powers.

A rebellion began. The remaining, healthy people had tricked her, locking her away within the Northern Crater. Together the people prayed at the Temple of the Ancients, asking for forgiveness and for a way to rid the planet of the horrible Jenova. Their numbers dwindling, the Cetra tried their best to keep the planet healthy and prevent any more of Jenova's virus from spreading.

Jenova had grown angry. She hated the Ancients, wanted them all dead for what had happened to her. She starved for hundreds of years, alone in the darkness of her cell. Slowly the humans, those who were descendants of the Cetra but had lost their close relationship with the planet, gained forms of the virus when they visited the Northern Crater. Jenova placed her thoughts in their minds, telling them what to do, gaining control once again of another race on the planet. The infected humans gained a hate for the Cetra. Slowly attacks were made on the Cetra, for hindering the advancement of technological development. The humans believed the Cetra were preventing them from advancement. Jenova's plan had worked. The Cetra's numbers dwindled even more. Only a handful could be found across the planet. The humans rushed to areas where the Lifestream flourished. There they extracted the life-force of the planet, able to create more materia to help in their wars. Another thousand years had passed. The humans were advancing quickly, their minds poisoned by thoughts of warfare and power. The last Ancient civilization hid among the forests by Cosmo Canyon.

They went about their everyday lives, though living in fear; they did their best preserving the planet's energy around their homes. One day, however, a small human boy came across the small Ancient village. He noticed the Cetra looked different than other people. In fear he rushed to Cosmo Canyon, reporting to the village that there were spies in the forest, most likely from Wutai. Due to continuous tension between that continent and Wutai, the village warriors rushed towards the forests, attacking the remaining Ancients. A few had escaped, but one small girl was captured. She had frightful green eyes, and matted brown hair. The warriors took her back to their village in hopes of questioning her to find out Wutai's strategy. She was treated like a traitor, abused and beaten. The small girl cried every night, wanting to be with her mother and siblings. One night she received a visit.

"Are, are you alright?" A little boy asked the small girl. The girl jumped at the sight of him. He was the same boy who had found her small village. He was the reason they were attacked.

"Who are you?" He asked her another question. The girl looked at him blankly, not fully understanding him.

"Kiya hem lue?" She replied. Her Ancient language was foreign to the boy. Because she knew so little of the human language, she was accused of being a foreigner from Wutai.

"Do you not know my language?" The boy sat next to her on her wool blanket. She was held in a small room in Cosmo Canyon. She was isolated, no windows or interaction with the people.

"Little…" She mumbled.

"Oh. You're name? What is it?" The boy poked her. "Name?"

"Name…" The girl thought a moment. "Lila." She smiled.

"You're name is Lila? My name is Bugenhagen." The boy grinned. His smile faded quickly though as he stared at the dirty child. "I'm sorry." He shook his head.

"Sorry?" She tilted her head. Her bright green eyes were curious.

"Sorry for you parent's and the other people in your village." The boy tried to explain. The girl seemed clueless as to what he was saying. "Bang bang." He acted like holding a gun and poked at the girl. She leapt backwards. She understood what the bang bang meant.

"Bang! Guns…" Lila covered her face. "Mom…"

"I'm sorry." Bugenhagen placed his small hand on her shoulder. "You aren't from Wutai are you?"

"Wutai?" The girl's eyes widened. She shook her head. "Trees."

"Yeah you live in the forest." The boy stood up slowly. "Ya know. I've heard that there used to be this ancient race on the planet." Bugenhagen spoke. The girl gasped at the word ancient. She knew that one.

"Ancient!" She jumped up. "Cetra!" She waved her arms in the air and patted her chest.

"Yeah! Cetra!" Bugenhagen laughed.

"Lila, Cetra!" She pointed at herself.

"You're a Cetra!?" Bugenhagen stared at her in disbelief. "COOL!" He rushed towards the door.

"Lila Cetra!" She repeated over and over again.

"Lila!" Bugenhagen whispered. He held a finger over his lips, hushing her. "I'm going to get you out of here. You have to run away!" Bugenhagen knew that the adults would not believe that the small girl was an Ancient. They would kill her eventually.

"Run?" She walked next to him.

"Away." He opened the door and shoved her out. "Run! RUN!" He called out and darted towards the edge of town. It was late, the village asleep. Lila rushed after him.

"Bugenhagen!" She called out.

"Hush!" He whispered as he opened a small pen containing a chocobo. "Ride on this. Get out of here, Lila. Go." He helped her onto the golden bird.

"Go." She nodded. "Bye." She smiled. Bugenhagen stared at her brilliant green eyes. He never forgot that face; he never forgot those beautiful eyes. He watched as the small girl rode the bird away. She disappeared into the darkness. He felt his heart sink, hoping that she would find her family soon. She changed his life. Seeing this Native form of human, he wanted to learn more. Bugenhagen spent a large portion of the rest of his life studying the Cetra and the planet he lived on.

The next morning Lila was washing herself in the river. Little did she know, she was being watched. A hunter was watching this strange girl bathe in the water. She looked perfectly normal, but her green eyes struck a feeling of hate within him. He did not know what the feeling was, but ever since he had gotten back from the Northern Crater, he had not felt like himself. He felt a tingling sensation in the back of his mind.

"She's a sick species. You need to kill her. She's a spy from Wutai. Kill her Kill her!" A voice echoed in the man's mind.

The man tried to push the thought out of his head, but curiosity got the best of him. He watched as the girl sang in a different language. He felt his heart pounding. She was a foreigner, a Wutain spy! The man drew his bow, aiming his arrow at the girl. The voice called out in his brain over and over again telling him to kill the child. The man blinked once, the arrow flying through the air, spiraling through the small child's chest.

It was over instantly. Lila was killed before she even knew the man was near.

The hunter carried the child to the deepest location of the river. The water was rapidly moving her body would drift for a mile before being carried out into the ocean. He cried quietly as he shoved her small body through the water. After he released the arrow all sanity returned. He wasn't a murderer. There was no reason to kill the girl. Jenova had gotten the best of him. He however could not explain the thoughts and feelings he had when he had committed the crime.

"That…child…" Zack rubbed his eyes. "Lila…That was you?" Zack watched as the pool rippled again. The green orb flew out of the fluid and rested on his hand. He heard a small whimper.

"Don't cry. It's okay…" Zack ran a finger over the green orb. He heard a small sigh.

"Damn Jenova." Zack growled. "She's the cause of all the pain and hate in this world. She ruined two thousand years of our history. I don't think things can ever be the same. No, they never can. There are no more Ancients. Aeris is only half…" Zack shook his head.

"Shinra. They created that monster. Sephiroth. He is not an Ancient. He is a monster just like that bitch Jenova." Zack squeezed the side of the pool. He heard a squeal from the green orb named Lila.

"Shinra…" The orb squeaked.

"Shinra?" He looked down into the water once again. The orb flew into it, the water rippled. A new story began.

The planet was advancing quickly in technology. Jenova's plans were working. Her power over the humans was increasing more and more. Soon she would have complete control over this planet and she could have unlimited power.

She smiled as she watched the world grow with skyscrapers and architectural marvels. One man had the idea for a new beginning. One man was responsible for the advancement in technology and warfare. His name was Shinra. He created a mega corporation. In only a few years this corporation sprung into a new form of government. This man craved power. He spread throughout the world, like a virus himself. Soon Shinra Corporation had reign over the entire world. Jenova smiled. Shinra was like the human incarnation of herself. He was doing all her dirty work and soon he would set her free.

Shinra had conducted plans to build reactors in the main cities where the most Lifestream activity was found across the world. The reactors were built effortlessly, the civilians forced to move to the slums and poor locations. Technology grew and spread like wildfire. The entire world was united but war and battle was bigger than ever. Shinra gave funding to the science department, wanting stronger soldiers and greater weapons. President Shinra became a tyrant, using all money to support the use of Mako and the advancement in technology instead of helping his people.

The first reactor put up was in Mt. Nibel. Immediately work commenced. Shinra built a mansion Nibelheim. There scientific research would be held. The testing of Mako and the Lifestream would begin. Curiosity sprung within the scientists as their studies progressed. Stories were found about an Ancient race also known as the Cetra. Professor Gast and Professor Hojo worked together in hopes of finding and reviving that race. The scientists began studying the Northern Crater and within days found the locked up Jenova. Her body was taken to Mt. Nibel for research. She was locked up once again, thought to be a dead Ancient from thousands of years ago. Advancements in Mako energy skyrocketed and soon the professors were ready to experiment on the body and try to recreate the Cetra species. Professor Gast furthered his research after finding a final living Ancient. Her name was Ifalna. The two quickly grew together, her innocence and beauty nothing like Jenova's. She told him everything about the calamity from the skies. How evil she was, what she did to the Cetra and how the world is suffering because of her. Gast dropped from the program and quit his job with Shinra, not wanting to have a thing to do with Jenova. Hojo, however, had wanted more. His assistant Lucrecia got placed within an experiment and soon an 'Ancient' was born. Hojo refused to listen to the stories of how Jenova was nothing more than a harvester alien, using all of a planet's resources before moving on. Sephiroth grew up in isolation and tests and once he was an adult, became the strongest soldier known to man.

Shinra grew in power and became what it is today. Sephiroth went crazy, thinking his mother was a true Cetra locked up by man. He got all the facts messed up due to his father's ignorance and now the world was about to be destroyed, given to Jenova, the cause of all man's pain and sorrow, the cause to all of man's wonderful technological advancements.

"She's probably laughing right now, enjoying every last bit of suffering she's caused." Zack sighed. This was a lot of information to absorb and now, he hated Jenova even more, knowing the entire story.

"And I have a piece of that monster inside of me!" Zack stood up quickly. "I don't want it! I don't want her cells to be here, in the Lifestream, where she can gain more power." Zack sat on his knees, resting his head against the pool. He stared at the clear water. His reflection was pale and his eyes no longer glowed with a brilliant hue. He felt warmth spread through his body. The green orbs were flying into him, trying their best to comfort him.

"I tried my best. I was hoping I could fix everything. Am I a suitable sacrifice?" Zack asked the flowing orbs, obviously all Cetra. The orbs whispered and moaned as they entered the water. Zack watched as new images appeared. Expecting another story he was shocked to see Aeris instead.

"Aeris!?" He stood up staring at the water. "Where is she? Is this happening now!?" Zack watched as the orbs danced around the pool, talking in the Ancient language.

Aeris sat on her knees. She prayed quietly to herself. She was going to set things straight, keep Jenova from winning. Her whispers resonated within the giant room. She was kneeling on the platform above the water in the City of the Ancients. The spiral staircase glittered in the fading sunlight. It would be dark soon and she knew the others would be by her side with the darkness.

The woman prayed to the planet, asking for advice and strength to stop Meteor. Her prayers would be answered and meteor would be stopped. Sephiroth was dead, Zack had killed him and now all that was left was to pray that holy would intervene and keep the meteor from hitting the planet once again.

She was almost done, praying for an hour before any interruptions. The planet had replied to her every time, giving her strength and the reassurance that everything would be alright, that things were being taken care of. She smiled to herself. Everyone would be safe. Cloud, Tifa, and the others would be able to live happy lives. Her mother and Marlene would be saved. She would have saved everyone; the thought brought another smile to her face. She needed to hurry she could hear footsteps. Aeris clasped her hands tighter together, hoping Zack was alright in the Lifestream, praying that he will be able to stop the rock from colliding with the planet.

'But…what would I do? What can I do? What will happen to me? What will happen if I live? Who will I go to? Who will I be with?' Aeris frowned. She had no idea what she was doing. So far everything seemed to be going well. The Lifestream was calling out to her, the planet was replying and she could feel happiness. An image of Zack flashed in her mind. He was lifeless, the ring in his hand flying over the edge of the rock. Tears stung her eyes. Zack had given up his life to save everyone. He wasn't supposed to. It was supposed to be her that was sacrificed. Aeris smiled, knowing that somehow everything would be okay, no matter the outcome.

"Aeris!" Cloud's voice called out. She heard him leap onto the platform.

Sephiroth leaned over the balcony. He stared at the praying woman below. He frowned.

"That bitch…is going to die…" Sephiroth mumbled. He could feel Jenova hollering and scratching his brain. He removed a shaking hand from his side and reached for his sword. He had lost a lot of blood. This was not good.

'Mother…give me strength. Heal me, mother. Help me. It's almost over.' Sephiroth's thoughts repeated in his mind.

He looked down once more. Cloud and his gang had showed up. The silver haired man frowned. They always had to get in the way of things. Sephiroth didn't have enough strength to control the puppet. He decided things were better off done his way. Sephiroth pulled out his long blade. He took a gasp of air and leapt over the balcony, his eyes never leaving the praying Aeris.

Aeris finished her prayer. All was done. There was nothing left to do. She could see the bright green glow of her materia. It lit up everything around her. She felt the power surge through her body as Holy was summoned. Aeris looked up at the blonde man in front of her.

"Aeris!" He called out to her.

The woman smiled at him. All was finished. Holy would come and save the planet from the treacherous meteor.

'I did it. I summoned it. I…saved everyone…' Aeris felt a sharp pain in her torso. Her smile faded quickly as she fell forward. She had no control of her body. She could hear Cloud screaming and saw him running toward her. 'What happened?'

Aeris lowered her gaze, watching as a long silver blade was pulled backwards back out of her body. Blood soaked her pink dress. Aeris smiled faintly as her vision blurred. There were screams all around; she could not tell what was going on. She closed her eyes. Everything went silent as she fell into someone's arms. An image of Zack smiling at her flashed in her mind before everything turned into darkness.

Sephiroth floated through the air. He pulled his sword upwards, the point aiming down for the praying woman. He felt his heart pounding. In a flash he felt the blade penetrate her back and slide through her body. The sound was magnificent in the silence of it all. Watching her materia clang to the floor and bounce across the platform was a beautiful sight. Its tings were clean and piercing to the ears. Her pink ribbon falling to the floor was even better. Sephiroth looked up, watching Cloud's face. The look on his face was the best. Sephiroth smiled at Cloud tauntingly as he pulled the long blade from Aeris. The feeling was amazing. He did not know which was better, Zack's death or hers.

"Seph, Sephiroth!" Cloud ran to Aeris, falling to his knees. He cradled her in his arms, staring at her lifeless face.

"Ah! Aeris!" Cloud's voice gasped as tears stung his eyes. He shook her gently. "Aeris!" He pressed his hands against her wounds, trying his best to stop the bleeding. It was too late though, she was already gone.

The rest of the group watched in horror at the spectacle. Yuffie covered her eyes, not wanting to watch. She leaned forward, crying. Vincent gripped the railing to the platform, his mouth wide open, his eyes the same. Cid gripped his spear, his teeth cutting into his cigarette. His face was red and his eyes stung. Red XIII growled, never loosing sight of Sephiroth. His tail's flame was glowing brilliantly the flame enlarging. Cait Sith dropped to the floor, shaking his head. Barret held onto Tifa's shoulders. He glared at Sephiroth; tears stung his eyes as well. Tifa collapsed to the floor. She covered her mouth as she cried.

"A, Aeris!" Tifa cried uncontrollably. Her body shook, her heart had burst. This was too much. Sephiroth had gone too far. There was nothing left inside of her. "Sephiroth, you BASTARD!" Tifa shouted, never looking at the man.

"This, this can't be real!" Cloud sobbed, never tearing his gaze from her face.

"She will reunite with this planet, as will I. Then I shall become a new being…" Sephiroth raised his arms into the air. His body was weak; his clothes covered in blood, his blood, Zack's blood, and now Aeris' blood.

"…Shut up…" Cloud muttered angrily. He glared at the man before him. "Your selfish desires and plan don't mean shit to me!" He looked back at the lifeless woman in his arms.

"What about Aeris? She's gone…She'll no longer talk, laugh, cry…" Cloud took in a ragged breath. "Or get angry!" He held onto her, pulled her closer to him, his head lowered. "What about us!? What are WE supposed to do!?" Cloud shouted.

"What about my pain?" His voice squeaked. "My…fingers are tingling…my mouth is dry…my eyes are burning!" Cloud let the tears drop down his cheeks. He shook as he took a trembling hand to Aeris face, brushing a hair.

"What are you saying?" Sephiroth lowered his arms, staring at Cloud in disbelief. "That you actually have feelings too?"

"Of course!" Cloud laid Aeris down gently. "Who do you think I am!?" Cloud clenched his fists as he leapt up and drew his sword.

"Heh hehe heh. There's no point to act-." Sephiroth was cut off.

"I am not a puppet!" Cloud hollered. He darted for Sephiroth ready to cut him down. In a last effort of strength, Sephiroth made a final summon. He brought Jenova onto the battle field. Jenova crawled out of thin air, clawing at the ground. Her body mutated into its final form. She grew massively in size, her glowing eyes, glaring at Cloud. "You're not getting away this time!" Cloud shouted. In one swipe he brought his sword through Jenova, cutting her head clean off. The screech of pain shattered the glass on the platform and rumbled the area.

"We gotta help!" Red growled. The group leapt into action, all attacking at once on Jenova's body.

Cloud made his way across the platform, chasing the sliver haired man. Sephiroth spun, carrying his sword upward, aiming for Cloud. The blonde leapt into the air, raising his sword as well. He felt energy burst through his body. His adrenaline pumped, Cloud was ending this and he was ending it now.

"There's one human emotion that is helpful in battle, Sephiroth!" Cloud shouted. "It's called anger, bitch!" He brought his sword down on Sephiroth repeatedly, never giving him a chance to retaliate. The black clothed man fell backward more and more with each winding hit. It was a power he had never seen before, and Cloud had wielded it. It was something he had never taught anyone, something he could not fathom. Cloud brought his sword into Sephiroth's flesh once more before leaping and beginning the final blow. Sephiroth tumbled backwards off of the platform.

"H, how…?" He whispered as his body was engulfed in the blue waters.

"Stay down there. And never come out." Cloud growled at the blood red water. There was nothing left of the man. Cloud sighed. It was over. The man was finished; there was nothing else left to do but wait. Cloud turned slowly, watching the dieing Jenova twitch back into her lifeless state. Darkness swallowed her; she was gone, back to her prison in the Northern Crater.

"Aeris…" Cloud stared at the lifeless body on the platform. He walked to her slowly, dropping his sword on the marble stand. He picked her up and moved her to the small railing of the platform. She sat on the floor, sleeping peacefully. Cloud moved out of the way, allowing the others to have a final moment alone with her.

Vincent stared at the woman. Many thoughts wracked his mind but he could not think of anything to say. He watched her a moment and then turned, leaving trying to get away from the death, the death that he can never have. Yuffie watched as well. Aeris was dead and the thought was too painful. Aeris was always nice to her. Yuffie covered her face and ran off the platform as well, not able to say anything or watch any longer. Cid raised his head, deep in thought. He wondered is he shall pray for her. He closed his eyes and thought of a prayer in his mind. It was not a good one, but it was the best he could do. He left when he was through. Barret hung his head. He shook it sadly. He was still shocked, not able to understand what happened. He followed behind Cid. Cait Sith lowered his head. His ears pulled back. He grabbed his cell phone and dialed for Reeve. He left the party to have his conversation to tell him the awful news. Red padded next to the woman.

"She would pet me…" Red whined. He nudged her with his nose, hoping that she was only sleeping. When she did not move, his head drooped. Red howled. His mane and beads fells backwards as he raised his head.

"Aeris…" Tifa whispered. She sat on her knees in front of the woman. She wanted her friend to wake up. Tifa brought a hand to Aeris face, feeling the cold. She brushed away a hair. She stared at Aeris for a minute, as if waiting for her to say something. "Aeris…" Tifa sobbed. She covered her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. Tifa darted upwards and sprinted away from the scene. Red followed slowly after her.

"…" Cloud was alone. He lifted the woman slowly. "I'm so sorry." His expression was pained. He stared at the pink ribbon on the floor and picked it up slowly.

"I…broke a promise…" His heart sank. "I couldn't protect you. I failed." Cloud whispered to her.

"I got him. He will never walk this planet again. He will never hurt anyone ever again…" Cloud talked to the Ancient. He walked slowly up the glass stairs. His head hung as tears flowed freely down his face. "Tell Zack I'm sorry. Tell him I should have been quicker. I could have saved you. I should have known better. I knew he was here. Why couldn't I move? Why did I watch it happen? I couldn't believe it, it happened so fast. I was staring into your green eyes…lost in thought. I was relieved you were alright. I should have tugged you out of the way, should have leapt in the way. It should have been me, not you." Cloud sobbed. It was all too much. He couldn't take it anymore. He fell forward on his knees. They hit hard on the glass stairs.

"Aeris! I am…so sorry!" He held onto her tightly. His tears fell onto her face. "Don't hate me! Please! I…I…" Cloud couldn't speak anymore. He just hugged the woman, blood soaking into his clothing.

'I should have been there for you. I should have…' Cloud took a deep breath.

"Tifa was right. I do make too many promises and I did break one. I broke the most important one…" Cloud shook his head. "I was so stupid, Aeris! All of this happened and I could have prevented it! Now…you're gone. Zack is gone. Mom is gone. EVERYONE!" Cloud trembled.

"Aeris!" Zack stared into the pool of water. He watched her lifeless body fall into Cloud's arms. He had seen the blade penetrate her skin. He watched as Sephiroth smiled as he did so.

"NO!" Zack screamed. "Why didn't he die!? Why couldn't I kill him!?" Zack fell forward, his arms splashed into the pool as he sank onto his knees. His shoulders shook as he cried. He wanted to hold her, he needed to be there. He could've protected her, kept it from happening.

"I'm a failure, a complete failure…" Zack mumbled. There was too much pain. He was dead and still, he felt pain. "If I hadn't of died…ed up!"

"Aeris! I'm sorry…" Zack pulled himself up and watched as Cloud waded through the deep water with Aeris' body. He sniffed silently to himself. The orbs danced around his body.

"…" Cloud stared at Aeris' face as he set her gently onto the water. He cradled her, never wanting to let her go.

"Aeris…forgive me…" Cloud whispered as he let go of her body.

Aeris sank slowly, her hair waved around her in the water. Cloud stepped back slowly, never pulling his gaze away from her sinking body. Aeris soared through the water into the darkness. It landed softly after a minute on the ground, kicking up the dirt and mud. She fell through, the layer swallowing her. Underneath was a bright fluid, the richest of fluids, the Lifestream. Aeris' body sank through the planet, becoming a part of it.

Okay gonna end it there for tonight. Yes another depressing chapter I know. I'm sorry. This is not the final chapter so don't stop reading and reviewing! I hope you all enjoyed it even though Aeris was killed. There more to come next week, please continue reading! And please review! Thanks! -Annubis