People, an Aries is a person of motivation. I have little of it for an Aries of the zodiac sign...so leave me suggestions, critique, encouragements...I'm running low on fuel. I would like to update every week or even a couple of days...not every three months. Anyways, many of you can tell that this story has turned out to be a CxA & a TxS fic...yep. I'm a devoted fan to those pairings and you want to know the reason why? Because I look like Tifa and I'm a Sephiroth fan. Yeah...gay, I know but I don't care! Ok...on with the show.

There is a song by 30 Seconds to Mars called Fallen. If you want, go to www.projectplaylist and look it up. You can then play it while you read the section where it begins. Gives the story some sort of feel when the part comes into play. -shrugs-

Chapter 17

A Tale of Tifa

The Mt. Nibel Reactor lay dormant in it's own decay, silently sitting between the mountains jagged cracks. The cold high mountain air ripped through the dead, barren foliage, but with every step the wind parted ways. The child shivered slightly in his arms and frowned as he held her closer, protecting her from the chill. The sky was an overcast dark grey-green swirling with blackened outcast clouds from the sun's last ray's yet the reactor still stood out among the shadows of the mountains.

'I have done as you ordered, what now?'

'If necassary, fight them, otherwise leave without being followed.' he answered mentally.

'Yes General.'

He continued to walk across the barely there viaduct and up the steps into the reactor. Broken pods of metal and of glass met his eyes and he growled, his dissapointmet shown as he continued his way up the ramp. A hint of glowing green caught the corner of Sephiroth's eye to the left of him and he turned to find one of the pods still intact, mako swirling gently within it's confinements. Placing Ashes down gently, he lifted the barricade off the top of the pod and picked her up once more only to place her inside the chamber. The mako flared lightly as it engulfed her lungs through her mouth and nostrils. He watched her wine colored eyes flare wide with suprised panic and she brought her hands up to pound against the glass.

'Why is this burning?! Father!' her mind screamed in agony, her body writhing in pain, her mouth parted in a silent scream. Sephiroth winced at the mental note,

'Calm down. Let the mako heal your body, just release your mind. Now sleep.' he demanded. Ashes pressed her palm against the glass with what strength she had left and frowned, pain racking electrally throughout her body, but the feeling of her mother's presence soothing her in the corners of her mind lulled her into sleep.

Sephiroth watched his child close her eyes and sighed. He, himself had not slept since his arrival back on this wretched planet and yet he sat down, his body relaxed, his back against the pod, Masamune in his lap. Sleep. It's been a while...

Daemon hesitated as he looked back watching his father kneeling in pain, Cid laying on the pavement nearby barely breathing. The townspeople peeped out of thier homes frightened by the battle that had just been waged outside. The fight itself had lasted for several minutes, but it was enough to delay them from going after Sephiroth. Cloud was breathing heavily, his eyes downcast, his body weak from the blood loss, the magic he used depriving him of healing Cid back into the world of the living. His now green eyes scattered back and forth at what he had done...He did all this, he turned his back on his family, and all for one reason: For her. His heart knew he did the right thing yet his mind was so confused. Ever since Sephiroth came into that room and granted him the power to survive, the power to be like a God...His hopes flared. Yet why did it hurt so much to see his father on his knees before him, barely holding onto his own sword. Shaking his head he turned around, heading south out of the city gates.

"DAEMON!" Cloud's voice echoed into the night, "Why?"

Daemon stopped and sighed as he looked up at the over cast sky,

"I did it for her...I ldid it for her...she's not my sister anymore. I'll follow her anywhere, even into the pits of hell itself: That's the meaning of love...no matter what side they are on." he explained and continued onward. Cloud breathed heavily, his keen hearing picking up on his sons words and he winced mentally. This wasn't happening...why?

30 Seconds to Mars: Fallen.

Daemon created a trail going south a few miles before deftly making his way up North into the dark dead mountains. His thoughts were bombarded with images of her. The way she smiled when she thought no one was watching but he had noticed making his heart skip everytime. Was he really so twisted in the head to have fallen for a woman he had grown up to know as a sister? All the years he had grown into a young adult, he had watched her blossom into someone so spectacular... her eyes, her face, her lips... The winds picked up speed, tossing his hair madly to the side in an array of tangles as he arrived at the reactor. The building looked ominous at first glance but he didn't let the feeling bother him. It was what was inside that counted.

Yeah, I've been to Jupitar, and I've fallen through the air...

Once inside his body made its way to where she was being held on instinct, Sephiroth sleeping soundlessly to the side, his weapon in his lap ready to be drawn in case of danger. Daemons' now emerald-blue eyes gazed up at the woman held captive inside the mako chamber.

I used to live out on the Moon, but now I'm here back on Earth, Why are you here?

He noticed that her body was changing, her clothes deteriorating and revealing the beauty hidden behind. I love you...

Are you listening? Can you hear what I am saying?

He laid his sword down on the floor his eyes still staring up at her. All those years that he grew up with her...

I am not here, I am not listening. I'm in my head, and I am spinning.

Is this who you are? Some sweet violent urge...

Why did he cast away the feelings? Why did he hide it? Why? He could have done so much...

A weak fallen man, with the Promise of an End?

He knew why...he was scared. Frightened by the fact that he was perverse in mind to love his own so called sister, when in truth she was the angel he wanted all along.

All the pretty people died, Innocense is out of style. All the whores have gone away, now there's nothing left for me.

He pressed his hands against the glass craving to touch her once more...he placed his face against the glass nuzzling it in a gentle way. His eyes closed, his hearing picking up the silent current of the liquid within. The way it moved in and out of her body with such unnatural flow was mezmorizing.

Why are you here, are you listening? Can you hear what I am saying?

A sudden pull tingled at his mind's center and he smiled knowing she was aware of him. Aware of his love for her. Aware that she was safe in his presense. Aware of what he chose for her...

I am not here, I am not listening. I'm in my head and I'm spinning. Is this who you are? Sweet violent urge...

Daemon knew he had lost his heart to her and he didn't care. Had he really fallen so far? He would give the world to her if she asked him, anything for her.

A Weak Fallen Man, with a Promise of an End? Is this who you are? Sweet violent urge... A weak Fallen Man with a Promise of an End?

He closed his eyes before walking back over to the middle of the stairs and struck his blade into the floor. He then sat himself down leaning against his enormous sword, his gloved hands crossed, waiting for her to wake up or waiting for the enemy to show up at their doorstep. Sephiroth opened one eyes and caught sight of him, a smile forming on his face before falling back into light slumber.

After Daemon left, Zangan made his way over to the injured men and stood staring at them, "It had to be done, Cloud. She's not yours anymore. Forfeit. Give up."

Cloud growled with much vehemence as he glared up at the old man with hatred, "You set this up!" he snarled, his blue eyes narrowed dangerously, "You are to blame for this...if it wasn't for that damn fire she wouldn't have been kidnapped!"

Zangan placed his hands behind his back and looked at the ex-soldier, "No, Cloud the blame is yours. She wasn't kidnapped, she was taken home to a place where she belongs. She was a dying breed and humanity ostracized her on her differences! You do not understand."

"No!" Cloud shouted as he stood up and cast a small healing spell on Cid, "You don't know Sephiroth like I do! He will bring another Meteor, another crisis and millions of people's lives will be at stake!"

"That may be so, but perhaps humanity's time is up." Zangan said calmly as he looked up at the dark nights canvas, lingering ash still falling. The chill breeze wafted through the town and the old man sighed. 'Spare me Planet for my Sins.'

"I lost my son to Sephiroth..." Cloud mumbled in disbelief as he helped Cid up into a sitting position. His shoulder length blonde hair stuck damply to his armor but Zangan heard him and replied,

"No, you lost him to Ashes. He made a choice and he chose her, if you want to place blame it will be on Ashes. She is in control now."

Cloud glared at the old man who retreated back into Tifa's old house.

"What happened? That boy of yours sure packs a menacing punch..." Cid mumbled. Cloud grunted and helped Cid up,

"Let's get on board the Sierra. We can't do anything right now. We need to regroup, gather everyone...and...we have to find them before it's too late." Cloud said and Cid grunted his approval. Together, both comrades made thier way to the airship based on the outskirts of Nibelheim.

The return home was silent with a heavy dampness above thier heads. Cid had stopped by Rocket City to gather his family, some of his sons were currently in flight but he ordered them to meet in Mikotex when they found temporary replacements. When Cloud had arrived home, he was greeted by his wife and two daughters but his news didn't bring the happiness that his family expected. They noticed that two of the expected occupants weren't there.

Aerith took it hard as she burst into tears as he held her close, while Desiree and Sam stood silently watching until Aerith told them to help Cid and his family get situated in the extra guest bedrooms. The brothers would have to sleep in the living room on blow out futons when they finally arrived. Cloud began to call on Barrett who said he would arrive the next day the latest, then Yuffie who said she would arrive at the end of the week seeing as she was ruler of Wutai. She said she would stay with her husband, Reno at their mansion, which was located near the academy.

Cloud had even called Vincent and nanaki who were still at the Midgar Ruins searching for clues in regards to thier latest discovery. Afterwards, he gave Reeve a call and explained the situation of what was going on. Reeve took immediate action in re-organizing the armies and sent orders to other Governments across the world to organize thier own as well against a possible full out war. This time, people would not be caught unaware.

Within a few days, news stations were declaring of what might come and where ever anyone went, soldier filtered in and out of buildings. Militia were posted, weapons at hand, alert as ever and even civilians began to look up at the sky looking for signs of a new meteor...a new crisis that thier leaders were predicting.

Cloud stood in his home, determined looking out the window of his living room, his arms crossed in such tension and dread that when Aerith walked up to him and embraced him he snapped. He fell to the carpeted floor and cried for the first time in years. Aerith could only hold him and try to sooth away as much of the pain as she possibly could.

"Why?" he croaked after a while.

"I don't know..." Aeris whispered. Cloud suddenly looked up at her, his eyes bloodshot with exhaustion of the sleepless nights,

"She came to me when I dreamt...when I was in the hospital. She said that she would come back and make her dream a reality...is this what she meant? Is this my punishment for failing her as a knight? Failing to protect her?" Cloud sobbed. Aerith narrowed her eyes in sympathy, anger growing at the woman she had once called a friend,

"No...there was nothing you could have done back then...nothing any of us could do. The seed of all evil was already planted in her before our journey ever began..." Aerith explained, "She was already lost to us to begin with."

"But we were childhood friends...we grew up together...she never had a bad bone in her body. She was sweet and kind until her mother died...then she became sad..." Cloud continued, his mind still searching, seeking the ultimate reason why.

"But why did she have to take Ashes away? She was our daughter. I.." Cloud began, his eyes looking left and right before he looked up at his wife, "We raised her to be good, to be strong, to be kind, to be fair and to love above all else...and Daemon..."

Aerith sighed, "We can only pray to the planet that these good qualities bring her back around and back to us."

Within a week, Cloud stood in the confrence room in Reeve's presedential quarters staring at everyone. To his right: Yuffie, Reno, thier son Yuriel, & Barrett, to his left, the rest of the Turks, Reeve, and Nanaki who managed to bring Vincent along on his way to meet up with everyone. The group was chattering about old times, and talking about what was new till Cloud cleared his throat gatherining thier attention.

Barrett spoke up, "We heard bits and pieces of the news Cloud...what's going on?"

Cloud took a breath and scratched his blonde head before he began, "Sephiroth is alive." The people around him tensed up, "He took...Ashes," he choked, "His daughter with him and Daemon as well."

"His daughter?" someone asked, Cloud looked to the source to find Yuriel perplexed.

"What is really going on here Cloud? What is it you're not telling us?" Vincent said, his deep voice stirring everyone into silence. Cloud closed his eyes,

"When I was a boy I met a girl that some of you had the privelage of knowing: Tifa Lockheart." Cloud began, Aeris looked down and a few others nodded, "She didn't die like many of you were told. When Sephiroth came for Aerith, Tifa knocked me out of my trance and threw Aerith out of the way only to be impaled by his blade. Tifa...she knew that Aerith was pregnant with my child at the time..."

"Yeah and she died that way right?" Yuffie spoke up, her voice no longer the high pitched voice but a melodic steady tune.

"No. She survived. She became Jenova by overcoming the Calamity's essence, in turn the Black Materia she carried for Sephiroth morphed into her as well. She was the Meteor, the one who controlled that summon as herself. Throughout the year that we fought on and again against Sephiroth, the real threat was Tifa and from Sephiroth and Tifa's union, Ashes was born.

" When I found Ashes, I brought it upon myself to take care of the child and have her grow up as my own. It was the only way I could forgive myself for being a failure in Tifa's eyes."

Everyone sat in silence at the truth that was bestowed upon them until Yuffie spoke up,

"So all along we were battling against our friend?" her naturally gray eyes teared up at the realization and Reno squeezed her hand gently in comfort. Yuriel spoke up next,

"What does this have to do with Ashes?"

"A lot." Aerith spoke up. All eyes turned to the brunette expecting her to continue,

"Reeve's expedition found remnants of a cavern deep below old Midgar. From what we have found out, the walls depict the past, present and future and it shows what's to come: a Second Meteor, the true Winged Angel: Ashes."

"From what Reeve and I have discussed, we have come to the conclusion that Sephiroth and Tifa want thier weapon, thier child back. Like the weapons of the planet, Ashes is a weapon formed from the Calamity, wherever that may originate. Or should we say, a weapon from a different planet."

"How can we stop her?" Elena spoke up, her hand flipping her waist length blonde hair out of her face.

"We don't know." Nanaki spoke up, "Whoever began that cavern never finished. The last image depicts the angel sitting on top of the Meteor."

"Well let's figure out where they might be first, then we can decide what to do from there. Perhaps then we can take Ashes away from them enough to contain her?" Reno suggested. Rude nodded in agreement, his eyes still hiding behind his trademark sunglasses.

"Somethin' I remember that scumbag martial artist sayin' was that Ashes was weak. Needed the same type of treatment that Sephiroth used." Cid spoke up, his teeth chewing on his nail in thought.

"Mako." Vincent replied.

"Exactly and there was only one place near Nibelheim that could still hold mako."

"Mt. Nibel." Nanaki answered. From there on the group began to discuss further into the details of thier missions. Cloud smiled slightly as he realized that there still might be a chance to bring Ashes back to them.

During her slumber, she had spoken with her mother on more then one occasion regarding her plans for the world and during times when her mother was not accessible, she watched the world fly by. Watched the minutes turn into hours, and hours into days, and by the time she lost count, she felt a sudden pull at her body. As her mind traveled back, she became aware of such a great power forming within her mind, along with strong essences of the planet coursing through her body.

Rebirth.

Was this the meaning of the word? Is this what it felt like to be reborn again? From Scratch? Her mind chuckled at the idea as she mentally settled down within her body. She became aware of the liquid flowing within her body and it seemed to cancel out her body's blood flow level. A few minutes more and she snapped her eyes open, her mental abilities stilled to a silent whisper as to not wake anyone up near her.

She brought her hands up in front of her hands, the action slowed beautfully by the thick liquid she resided in. They looked the same. She looked up to find the surface and she pushed her body upward, hesitating slightly at the thought of the cold air on the other side. Bracing herself, she broke through to be slapped by the chill of the air and she shivered, her lungs gasping silently for air. She spit heaved herself out and onto the edge of the mako container and bent her head above the green surface. She hacked up the excess fluid out of her system and took her first haggard breaths.

The very action took a harsh effect on her lungs like when she was first submerged within the contents: a painful electrifying burn. She flipped her head back and gasped some more, her eyes gazing at the broken ruins of the reactor, a smile gracing her lips.

"How do you feel?" a deep voice asked form below. She glanced down to find her father standing with something in his hands looking up at her.

"Alive." she answered only to be shocked at her change in voice. The look on her voice brought a chuckle out of Sephiroth and he threw up the material he held in his hands. Her reflex suprised her as well as her hand shot forward to snatch it. It was a rubber material type of suit...

"Place that on. It has a resistance to the elements and I think you need it seeing as the mako ate away the clothes you wore before." he said as he walked away. Ashes suddenly looked down at her nude body, the green fluid still dripping off in thin rivulets and she blushed. After she dried herself off, she began placing the body suit on, the colors were black and silver, a firm chest plate and leggings snugging firmly to her own like second skin.

She dropped to the barren floor with cat-like reflexes and grabbed the black boots that sat neatly together next to her. She stood, her silver cascade of hair flowing lavishingly about her when she heard a slight noise behind her. Ashes looked back to find Daemon standing a few feet from her, a smile on his features.

"Ashes..." he said softly with his hand out stretched and suddenly a vision of Cloud entered her mind. That's right...he is the spitting image of our..no..his father and I am the very image of my own.

"Daemon..." she began only to find his lips placed upon hers, his hands holding her closely to him at the small of her back. Suprise, shock, and what was this? Happiness? She closed her eyes as the kiss deepened and sighed.

"Time to go love birds." Sephiroth spoke up causing the two to break away and blush a mortified red. Sephiroth's laugh echoed throughout the reactor as he began to walk back down, the couple following behind him. They followed him outside to find that the weather up in the mountains hadn't changed a bit within the two weeks that they had stayed there, but the winds were more calm. They stopped to find the General gazing at them from across the wide vast Plateau they had entered.

"What are we here for?" Daemon asked.

The general smirked, his green eyes narrowed, "Training. Let's begin."

Ok...so this chapter was a bit longer. I'm slowly getting back into the habit of slowing down into full detail and not rushing the story. I also went over this chapter and corrected all the spelling errors. If you find one, let me know.