Chapter Thirty: Perennial
"Even after I saw all those horrible events that were supposed to be my memories, I still didn't remember them. It wasn't until I woke up that it all came crashing down; my memories attacked my senses until I was drowning in them. Chaos took that moment of weakness to try to break free." Vincent shook his head, trying to forget what it was he now remembered.
Cid didn't respond. He laid motionless on the bed next to Vincent, arms crossed behind his head as he tried to absorb all the information that his lover was relaying to him. He never knew that a human being could be so monstrous, so demonic. Truthfully, he wasn't sure if there was anything he could say to take away the pain so evident in the gunman's eyes.
Honestly, what did one say when those types of things were revealed?
Rape… torture… death and resurrection… experimentation…
It was almost too much for him to absorb.
Cid felt like he had stepped into something beyond him; he felt like he would somehow screw up along the way and hurt Vincent even further. Not that he would abandon Vincent at this point. He just wished he knew what to say or even do, for that matter.
The gunman closed his eyes, as if waiting for a response that did not come.
Sighing softly, he continued, "Sometimes, when I close my eyes even now, the images return and the sensations. I can still remember how everything felt. I may not remember color or sound, but I can still taste and feel every bit of that man's handiwork. They are what I can no longer forget, flashing through my mind continuously, reminding me of my faults and failures." His hands clenched at his side, though he didn't appear to notice.
Vincent sighed wearily before turning towards Cid, eyes carefully taking in the man's expression. He wasn't sure how to interpret the flutter of emotions across Cid's face.
"There, I have told you my past. Are you satisfied now?"
"No," the Captain responded stubbornly as he sat up in bed. He shifted towards Vincent, hands itching to do something; he just didn't know what.
Vincent wasn't a broken engine; he couldn't simply take a tool to him and twist a few loose screws. He couldn't simply add a few more quarts of oil and give Vincent a kick. And Cid was certain he didn't want to screw things up.
Crimson eyes blinked. "Excuse me?" Vincent demanded, pushing himself from the bed as he all but sneered.
Cid's words had almost sounded like a slap in the face. What more did the pilot want from him? Step by step descriptions of every painful event in his life?
"I said no," Cid repeated as his eyes softened. "Why in hell would I be satisfied to learn that my best friend was murdered then raped and tortured?"
Vincent winced, his gaze falling away. "Best friend. That's all?" he asked, wondering why it hurt so much to hear it put like that.
All he had done was push Cid away, but a part of him obviously wanted more. The part that still wanted to believe there was such a thing as love and that maybe he was worthy of it, too. Regardless of the fact that he had already failed Lucrecia… and Sephiroth.
Cid rolled his eyes, exasperation filling his tone. "You know better than that," he retorted sharply. "I already told your stubborn Turk ass once."
Vincent shook his head and moved into a more comfortable position, wincing when feeling returned to his elbow. "You are wrong."
The pilot frowned as he moved to pile the pillows up against the headboard. "About what?"
"Even knowing, you still insist that there is enough left of me to be human, despite having died once and being joined with several demons."
Cid furrowed his brow. "You know, I don't too much like all these negative thoughts. You're human, and that's all there is to it, in spite of whatever that creep Hojo told you or did to you."
Vincent appeared to contemplate that statement before responding in turn, his voice peculiar and vague. "There is something indescribably eerie and morbid in the dark. Although you cannot see a thing, oftentimes, the mind makes up figures and sound. Even if the dark is so cloying, so clinging that you cannot hear, taste, see, feel… you still want to imagine that you are alive. That you exist."
"Wha-- what?" Cid asked, even more confused than before.
The ex-Turk leaned his head back and looked up at the ceiling. "The first time I was locked in that cell, I was still able to dream of hope and freedom. I still thought that I could save her. The first time wasn't so bad; neither were the second and the third. However, the fourth… in the fourth, I was forgotten. I cannot say how long I was in there because time does not pass the same there as it does elsewhere, but for a moment, I nearly believed I no longer existed."
"Vince…" the pilot trailed off, uncertain of what to say.
Vincent lowered his gaze. "That is why I say that you can never understand me or anything else around me."
Cid rolled his eyes. "You're such an idiot," he mumbled, sidling closer to the gunman and reaching for him.
Vincent sighed heavily and leaned exhaustively against the bed frame. "Cid, I am not in the mood."
Snorting, Cid ignored him and wrapped his fingers around Vincent's arm, tugging him closer. He pulled Vincent into a warm hug, in spite of the ex-Turk's protests, and held him chest to back.
"I'm not trying to fuck ya, Vince. I'm trying to comfort you."
Vincent exhaled loudly but allowed himself to relax into the embrace. It was indeed comforting, soothing his frazzled nerves and emotions. However, he didn't want to, and that was the problem. He didn't need to depend on anyone else, but Cid made it so easy.
Still, Vincent relented. "Thank you, Cid."
Cid grinned and settled back more comfortably against the bed. He mused silently, recalling some of what the ex-Turk had told him before speaking again.
"You know, Vince, you really--"
"Don't," the gunman interrupted quietly, his voice a simple but firm command.
Cid gazed at him in surprise, but Vincent did not turn to look at him.
"Don't try to tell me that it is not my fault, that I am not to blame, or that there was nothing I could do. I don't want false words of comfort. I spent thirty years alone with my thoughts, and there is no other conclusion."
The blond clamped his mouth shut. Vincent was too damn stubborn!
Not that he was going to give up in the slightest. He was still convinced there was something he could do. It was inconceivable to believe that he would ever give up. It wasn't in his vocabulary.
Yet, for the moment, he would content himself with holding Vincent, if only to prove that he could and would.
"There is still one thing I am confused about," Cid said some time later.
"What?"
Cid chuckled, tracing one finger over the abdomen just below his touch. "Why did my kissing you stop Chaos?"
The body of the ex-Turk froze for a moment as he contemplated the answer.
In truth, when Cid had kissed him, that very touch had called to Vincent locked inside his internal struggle. If it hadn't been for the feelings already in his heart, the kiss wouldn't even have mattered.
However, Vincent wasn't sure if he wanted to reveal all that just yet to Cid. It would be admitting truths he wasn't quite ready to reveal to himself or any one else.
"Chaos is not a fan of affection. You scared him," Vincent answered drolly, knowing humor would be the perfect distraction away from the truth of the matter.
It worked, just as he knew it would.
"No shit?" Cid laughed, shaking his head incredulously. "I knew nothing could resist the ole Highwind charm."
Vincent fought the urge to roll his eyes childishly. "If you say so," he responded and gradually allowed himself to relax in Cid's arms, feeling very drowsy and warm. There was comfort here and a distinct feeling of safety, not that the ex-Turk needed someone to protect him.
Yet, needing and desiring were two entirely different things, and Vincent wasn't sure if he wanted to face that discussion within himself.
He settled into Cid's touch and allowed himself to calm.
'Just this once,' he told himself. 'It won't hurt to let go, just this once.' His body gradually unwound from its tense grip on clarity as he slipped into a sleep that was devoid of his usually haunting nightmares.
However, it was a very confused and troubled pilot that still sat there awake. He had known Vincent was withholding something, contrary to the man's belief that he had steered Cid away. But as with all things concerning the gunman, Cid knew when to push and when to back away. He sensed that it was one of those times, and he simply took a step back and waited for Vincent to work out whatever it was he was mulling over on his own.
Nevertheless, the blond's stomach twisted as he thought about everything that Vincent had told him. A certainty that he loved the man suddenly rose up in him so strongly that he wasn't sure what to do with it. And accompanying it came a surge of anger… no, hatred, a loathing for the ShinRa scientist who had ruined Vincent's life, among others.
And even the brief mention of Sephiroth, a man Cid was sure he was supposed to hate, made him want to rethink his evaluation of the former General. After all, how much of what he had become was a result of Hojo's actions?
Now, Cid was left with a dilemma; how could he help heal what Hojo had broken?
It wasn't an easy or simple task, and he knew that he couldn't screw up anywhere along the way. Otherwise, Vincent would be lost to him forever.
But Cid had no clue where to begin, and he knew that Vincent wouldn't be entirely receptive, if he even explained such a plan.
The question remained then: how was he going to help the man who had stolen his heart?
---
"What about Cid and Vinny?" Yuffie asked as she skipped out of the airship.
She followed behind Cloud, Nanaki, Bugenhagen, and Barret. They had landed just on the outskirts of the City of the Ancients, leaving behind the faintly whirring airship. The sky above them threatened rain, but none of the group seemed to notice or care, more important items on their agenda.
Ahead of her, Cloud rolled his eyes. "They don't need to come. Reeve can call if he needs help," he declared firmly, his jaw set with a rising irritation. He had known it would happen sooner or later but had hoped for later. He didn't really care what the others did on their own time.
"What d'you think this key is going to do?" Barret muttered, looking skeptically at the large object in his hand.
It was heavy and jagged, but certainly didn't look like anything absolutely vital to defeating Meteor or Sephiroth.
Cloud turned and barely glanced at the object before shrugging. "Save the world, if we are lucky." He couldn't help the sardonic tone.
The ancient piece of rock didn't look any more important than the rest of the boulders scattering the landscape around them.
Yuffie snorted. "Right. One stone piece of crap is gonna stop Sephiroth and Meteor." She waved a hand through the air dismissively, idly twirling a small chakram on her other fingers.
"Never know unless you try," Nanaki responded, a surprisingly encouraging expression on his face. He gently nudged the ninja's arm, and she smiled.
They entered the Ancient's city with an almost nervous aura. All wondered what would happen the moment they used the key. There was a disconcerting quiet that had settled around them, not only because of the uncertainty they were about to embark on but also because of the events earlier in the day when Vincent had gone… well, crazy.
"Cloud?" Yuffie began slowly, trying to gather their leader's attention.
The group was currently traveling the shortest path to the mysterious platform, where the music box was located.
He glanced over his shoulder. "Yes?"
"Why do you think… Vincent… is he… do you think that he will be alright?" Yuffie questioned, unsure of what exactly it was she was trying to ask. There were so many questions she had about the incident, and it seemed no one else was going to ask them for her.
Cloud sighed, suddenly feeling the need to rub his head, although the aching hadn't yet begun. "That's not the issue right now. First, we need to figure out what this key does." Tension returned to his entire body.
The girl drooped. For some bizarre reason she had thought that for once their illustrious leader would have something encouraging and explanatory to say. Apparently, that still hadn't changed.
The ninja sighed with a mix of anger and sadness and kicked the ground at her feet, dislodging a random pebble. It skittered across the ground with a few clacks before disappearing into a ditch.
The Wutaiian felt a warm hand settle on her right shoulder. She looked up and found Nanaki smiling softly at her, his amber eyes shining.
"He will be fine. He is with Cid, after all."
Yuffie giggled, despite herself. "I wonder what they are doing. Something naughty, ya think?"
If Cid and Vincent thought they were being discreet, Yuffie felt she ought to reeducate them. A bright, scarlet cloak was pretty distinguishable, especially when it was slipping out of Cid's room in the early morning, Yuffie's usual prowling time.
Nanaki tried his best to look horrified at her suggestion, his hand still on her. "Such things from a child!" he teased, remembering his own brush with the two men and their "secret" relationship.
The ninja appeared to pout. "So you think I'm a child?"
Nanaki smiled and patted her shoulder. "If you are, so am I." His voice seemed to lose the happy tone. "Yet, children do not fight in battles with monsters--"
"Yo, Cloud! What are we gonna do about Cid and Vincent?" Barret blurted out suddenly, interrupting their conversation.
"Do?" Cloud repeated, raising an eyebrow. He stopped suddenly and angled his body so that he could look back at the group.
The others drew to a halt, watching the exchange with interest.
Barret nodded, his eyes darting towards the far away city before flitting back. "Yeah. You saw it; everyone did," he insisted.
It went without saying what exactly Barret meant.
Cloud shrugged, figuring the best way to handle the situation was to pretend it didn't happen. "I didn't see anything." He turned and started walking back towards the City of the ancients.
"What?" Barret fumed.
Cloud might be a little dense and sometimes a bit on the stupid side, but the kid wasn't blind. He knew their leader had seen that kiss!!
"I think that what your leader is attempting to say," Bugenhagen interjected quietly, "is that it is perhaps none of your business… or his, for that matter."
Barret's gaze flickered to the old man. "Like hell it ain't our business! They been sneakin' around behind our backs!"
Nanaki rolled his eyes. "Yes, because having a relationship is the same thing as plotting treason and stealing Gil when you're not looking," he sniped, growing irritated with Barret's obstinacy.
"Unless, Mr. Wallace, you have something against homosexuality?" Bugenhagen questioned, his tone light and cheery but holding an edge of disproval.
Dark eyes narrowed. "I ain't said nothin' like that."
"Then, what are you saying?" Yuffie asked, bouncing on the heels of her feet.
Nanaki shifted to stand beside her, wondering exactly the same thing.
Barret spluttered, suddenly sensing that everyone was not on the same page as him, "I'm just saying that--"
"It's not important," Cloud quickly interjected, slashing his hand through the air as he stepped between the members of his crew. Honestly, he spent so much time mediating arguments that it was a wonder Meteor hadn't fallen already.
Mako eyes shifted to Barret. "If you've got something to say, say it to them," he stated lowly, jerking a finger towards the key that Barret held. "But right now, we've got to figure out what that does and save the world. Got it?"
Barret's jaw worked soundlessly for a moment, anger darkening his expression as Cloud spoke to him like he were a child. He was far too old for that. If it weren't for his respect for the blond, grudgingly given but now earned, he would have punched him in the face for such disregard.
"Got it?" Cloud repeated, searching for an answer.
Barret scowled as he whirled on his heel and stalked ahead of the blond, his boots making heavy thumps in the hard-packed dirt. "Yeah, I got it," he growled, shifting the position of the key until it balanced on his shoulder. "Let's go."
Cloud watched his departure for a moment, something strange glinting in his expression as he turned to follow. One gloved hand came up to idly rub at his head as Bugenhagen moved to float at his side, ready to begin a quiet conversation about the origins of the key and its possible uses.
Behind them, Nanaki and Yuffie exchanged glances. "That went well," the demi-human remarked with just a touch of sarcasm.
Yuffie rolled her eyes. "Barret's just stubborn. What does it matter when Cid and Vinny love each other?" she asked rhetorically.
Nanaki paused mid-step, turning to look back at her. "You think?"
She grinned. "Of course. They just haven't realized it yet." Her hand dipped into her pocket, pulling out another chakram to twirl on her finger.
Her friend stared a moment before chuckling and ruffling a hand over her hair. "You're more romantic than you think," he commented as he shifted his weight and started after the others.
Yuffie scowled, shaking her head to put her hair back in place. "Am not," she retorted, purely on principle alone.
"Are, too."
---
"He's sleeping, I assume?" Reeve asked, stepping into the common room. His eyes immediately fell on Cid, who was sitting at the table and staring blankly into space.
"Eh?" the blond mumbled, looking up from his nearly empty cup of coffee. He blinked in recognition. "Oh, it's just you." The pilot nodded vaguely. "Yeah, bout twenty minutes ago."
Reeve wandered over to the coffee machine and dug into his pocket for some change. He found the desired coins and flipped them easily into the machine, waiting for his mocha to finish. The machine gurgled, and the wonderful smell of coffee filled the air with its rich aroma.
"The others go to the city?" the Captain asked, fiddling with his half-empty cup. He continued staring at the tabletop.
The ex-executive hummed thoughtfully. "Yes, hopefully the key will reveal something… anything."
Cid lifted his head, blue eyes peering at the other man. "Why'd they leave you behind?"
Reeve shrugged. "Does it matter?" He smiled faintly as the coffee finished with a slight gurgle and picked it up. He wandered over to Cid's table and pulled up a seat, sliding into it with a barely restrained sigh. He was getting far too old for gallivanting around in an airship.
The pilot didn't answer, instead taking another drink from his cup.
Reeve took that opportunity to study the younger man a bit closer. Indeed, the pilot was looking more tired than usual. Dark circles were beginning to ring his normally bright eyes, and there was a definite slump to his shoulders. Not to mention that his typical jacket was missing.
"So he is okay now?" Reeve asked, changing the subject.
Cid leaned back in his seat, hand tracing nonsense circles around the rim of his cup. "As well as can be expected." He exhaled slowly. "Everyone knows then?"
"Knows what? According to Cloud, he didn't see anything." Reeve took a sip of his coffee.
Cid's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's that mean?" he asked.
Trust Cloud to make some vague statement that was supposed to solve everything.
"I won't even presume to guess."
The pilot snorted. "Tch. You are getting as bad as Vince with those mysterious answers." He shifted in his seat, frowning at his drink, as if it were to blame for his confusion.
Reeve couldn't help the grin that broke out on his face, though he tried to hide it behind his mug. "How are you doing? Getting enough sleep?"
Cid opened his mouth to answer when a sudden sound disturbed the two. It was someone's PHS ringing to the tune of the chicken dance. The pilot's eyebrow rose in question because he absolutely knew that the ridiculous sound did not belong to him. He had something a bit more modest on his phone.
Reeve appeared somewhat embarrassed as he reached down into his pocket and pulled out the tiny phone.
"Chicken dance?" Cid asked quizzically.
"Don't ask." Reeve shook his head as he glanced at the display, and surprise registered on his face as he rushed to answer. The ex-executive stood up from the table as he pressed the phone to his ear.
"Hello?"
Cid shot him a confused look. Who could possibly be calling who would make Reeve act like this?
Waving his hand in dismissal at the pilot, the other man turned his back to Cid and lowered his voice. "Why are you calling me?" Reeve paused. "What if they catch you?"
Cid strained his ears to try to hear the voice of the caller. If he listened hard enough he could just barely make out some of the conversation.
"Just be careful?" Reeve paused again. "Listen, R-I mean, look about Junon…"
"Yeah, I know… but…"
"No, I am sorry, too. It doesn't have to be this w--"
"Yes… but… know…"
Reeve's shoulders sagged.
Cid moved forward just a bit more, insanely curious. His chair squeaked, and he winced, but Reeve didn't seem to notice as the blond craned his ears to eavesdrop. He couldn't recognize the voice, what snatches of it he heard, but he might be able to pick up clues.
"I do know. Why don't you leave?"
"What… come… there?"
"Yes, that is exactly what I am saying." Reeve was silent for a second. "I don't know! I'll think of something!"
"Like what?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm tired of being without you, worrying about what's going to happen everyday."
"I worry about you, too. You're… so much…"
Reeve sighed, rubbing a tired finger over his forehead. "Look, I'm sorry. I understand." He paused. "Okay. Be careful." He shifted where he stood, one hand wrapping around his abdomen.
"I will… you."
"Love you, too."
The last was murmured almost too quietly for Cid to hear, and before Reeve could turn around, Cid hastily moved back into place, appearing completely indifferent. The last line made it incredibly easy to figure out who was on the other end.
Still, it was Reeve's secret to keep, so Cid left his mouth shut.
Slowly, Reeve brought his hand down and closed his phone before slipping it into his pocket. His shoulders seemed to hitch, but he didn't say anything.
"So… who was that?" the pilot questioned gently and nonchalantly, not that he believed Reeve would actually answer.
"Eh?" Reeve repeated as he slowly turned back around and sat back down at the table. "A friend."
"Seemed like more than that," Cid responded, finishing the last of his coffee as he reached to light up a cigarette. He gave the older man a knowing look.
"You wouldn't have been eavesdropping now, would you?" the ex-executive asked dryly.
Sky blue eyes rolled. "Kinda hard not to when all you did was turn around." He narrowed his gaze on the other man. "I'm your friend, ya know."
Reeve exhaled wearily. "I know," he responded. "But I am tired. I think I'm going to go rest." He rose from the table, grabbing his mostly untouched coffee as he did. "You should consider getting some as well."
Cid snorted and watched as Reeve left the room. Everyone had his or her secrets, after all.
---
Yuffie always liked the Ancient's city. It reminded her of the some of the older sections of Wutai, especially the very old temples to Dao-Chao and other nearly forgotten deities.
And the room with the music box was one of the most interesting. There were stairs that appeared to lead nowhere, platforms with no possible access. That wasn't mentioning the odd podium in the middle, destined to have some unknown purpose, or the light streaming in from above, illuminating the center in a dim glow. She still hadn't figured out where it was coming from either.
Presently, the members of AVALANCHE stood around the center platform as Bugenhagen left them and floated towards the ledge that held the music box. He carried the key with him, holding it as if it weighed no more than a pebble, despite the fact that Barret had trouble lugging it himself. Even more intriguing was the fact that the old man appeared to be floating, near to flying.
Bugenhagen landed with a soft pat to the platform before gliding towards the strange keyhole. "Here goes nothing," he called out as he thrust the key into the music box.
It clicked into place with an audible snap, and a strange treble of power reverberated outwards.
Almost immediately, a light and gentle music began to play through the air as a cascade of water fell down onto the center platform. All those present jumped away to avoid being drenched, and try as they might, nothing could be seen within the waterfall, though it was obvious that something inside was growing a brilliant green.
"What happened?" Yuffie stared with amazement as the cascade of silvery water that seemed never ending. Having been splashed, she knew that it was lukewarm. Further, the liquid seemed to sparkle, catching the light from above and sending rainbows across the cracked walls enclosing the area.
The ex-SOLDIER rolled his eyes. "Something worked, obviously," Cloud commented as he straightened from where he had knelt. "But what?"
Above them, the old sage floated from the music box to the central platform. He didn't even hesitate as he plunged into the waterfall to see what was beyond.
"Oh, my!" came his startled response.
The four members of AVALANCHE scrambled to climb up the stairs and see what had surprised Bugenhagen into exclamation.
Cloud got there first and didn't hesitate either, plunging into the rather tepid waters. Barret was right on his heels but hesitated at the waterfall. He wasn't that fond of water; plus, there was that gun on his arm. Nevertheless, when Cloud let loose a strangled gasp ahead of him, Barret dove forward.
Yuffie was next, darting into the water with glee. She exclaimed happily when the wetness cascaded over her sweating body, and the little ninja tried to peer past the taller men but couldn't see a thing beyond Barret's bulk. She was about to simply dart around the older man when she was distracted.
"Augh!!" Nanaki's pained cry made her jump as she turned around to see her friend writhing in agony just beneath the waterfall.
Acting quickly, Yuffie dashed forward and grabbed him. She dragged his heavier weight out of the water before he drowned, but his body continued to writhe as he was enveloped in a golden light so bright that Yuffie had to shield her eyes. When she was again able to open them, she was shocked to find that Nanaki had returned to his fire-wolf state. He laid there, panting tiredly.
"What? How?" Yuffie asked with confusion, worriedly running her fingers through his reddish fur. She would never cease to be amazed by how soft it was.
"Like I know," Nanaki answered dully. He struggled to push himself to his four feet and managed to do so, though his legs felt shaky. He wasn't used to his lupine form, and it took much concentration to remember how to stand.
"How indeed," Bugenhagen commented as he stroked his chin in interest. He had moved beyond the shocked form of Barret when the pained cry of his grandson had alerted him.
The ninja looked down at her friend, kneeling to trace a finger over one of his ears. "Never mind me," Nanaki growled, a bit irritated at the abrupt and unwanted change. "What's going on up there?"
She gave him a hurt look but removed her hands and stood, peering up at the platform just beyond Barret.
On the ground, Nanaki groaned quietly and tried to stretch his aching muscles. It hurt far more to change back than the initial transformation. Probably because all his matter was compressed, but shouldn't stretching be more painful?
Shaking his head, the lion-wolf decided not to dwell on the matter as he also tried to see what was going on. He pushed past Yuffie and Barret, only to gasp in surprise at what he saw.
Lying on the altar and in a weeping Cloud's arms was Aeris, as lovely as the day she had died. Her wound appeared to be gone, her clothes unmarred. She was the perfect picture of an angel, serene and calm, despite the surprise echoing around her.
Water continued to splash onto the platform, but no one cared to comment.
"W--what's going on?" Nanaki stuttered, speaking for everyone.
Aeris' eyes snapped open at his question, her emerald eyes searching the faces of those gathered around. She gently pushed Cloud away so that she could stand, granting him another one of her soft smiles. The blond wiped away the tears on his face and pulled himself together, also giving her a grin.
"Our request has reached the planet," Aeris explained simply. "Holy has been activated."
Barret blinked. "Then, why hasn't it started working?" he asked, gradually getting over his shock.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he was staring at a ghost, however. This simply wasn't possible. People didn't just come back from the dead. And especially not people that Sephiroth had slain himself. It seemed too good to be true.
"Something's getting in its way," Bugenhagen murmured thoughtfully, aged forehead crinkling.
"Sephiroth," Nanaki growled in instant realization. His hackles rose unconsciously.
That forsaken silver-haired freak was like a parasite in the planet's core, sucking up her energy for his own foul purposes.
Cloud nodded distractedly, gaze shifting to the side. "Yes. He's the only one who could do it," he murmured, still somewhat transfixed by the sight of his love alive and well. He couldn't stop running a hand over her arm, as if trying to prove she was really there and not an apparition of his own mind.
Yuffie tilted her head to the side. It seemed too simple. "So then, all we have to do is kill Sephiroth, and Holy will stop Meteor, right?"
Aeris nodded. "Essentially, yes." She reached back with one hand, entangling her fingers with Cloud, who gripped them tightly.
"Hmm." Bugenhagen hummed before centering his gaze on Aeris. "Then, the music box… restored you to life?" he questioned slowly. "Forgive me, but I am rather confused."
The flower-girl smiled gently. "I don't quite understand it myself," she admitted, shooting Cloud a reassuring look when he squeezed her hand a bit too tightly. "The planet is often vague about everything she does. All I know is that she wanted to restore a life that shouldn't have been taken. She wanted to right a wrong that would possibly have an effect on a future that has yet to come."
Barret's face twisted with bewilderment. "That don't make sense," he grumbled, hand idly running over his gun-arm.
"She often doesn't," Aeris mused good-naturedly. "But I have the feeling that it will all be explained within time. Something is definitely occurring on the planet, and I suspect that Sephiroth is the key to everything." Her voice lowered in thought, jade eyes dimming for just a moment. "I should not have died. My sacrifice wasn't needed."
The sudden and abrupt jarring noise of a phone ringing interrupted the happy atmosphere before her words could be digested. Cloud cursed internally as he dug into his pockets.
"What?" he barked into his PHS.
Reeve's voice echoed through the receiver. "We intercepted another transmission," he responded, the reception crackling a bit.
"And?" Cloud frowned, his mood beginning to darken. Any joy he felt in Aeris' return was beginning to shadow with the truth that the battle was still not won. If he did not defeat Sephiroth, then it wouldn't matter if she had been returned to him or not.
"You remember when the Junon Cannon disappeared? Actually, Rufus moved it."
"Moved it?" Barret repeated aloud, able to hear their conversation perfectly.
Cloud liked to pretend he was deaf and usually had his volume turned up as high as it would go.
Yuffie shifted in her feet, idly reaching down to run a comforting hand over Nanaki's head. "That big thing? How?"
Cloud ignored both of them. "Where? And why?" he growled into the phone.
Reeve sighed. "Rufus thinks he has a plan that will work. He wants to destroy Sephiroth with it. That cannon operates on Huge Materia, but they don't have any more. So essentially, the cannon was useless in Junon. He moved it to a place where Mako is gathered."
"And where is that?" Cloud demanded, head swiveling in the vague direction of the Highwind. An unsettling feeling registered in his gut.
"Where else?" Bugenhagen interjected quietly, not feeling the least bit sorry for intruding. "Once called the golden city of dreams, now a den of malevolence. An invention designed to help man, which harms the planet instead."
"That's right," Reeve agreed quietly, his voice soft and sorrowful through the receiver, and regret was clear in his tone. "Midgar."