A/N: Italicized words in the Lifestream are normal speech. Regular format is thought.
Regular format on the surface of the planet is normal speech. Italicized words are thought.
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Flashback: Lifestream Black
"Chaos- God of Destruction I have a request... please lend me your power so that I may complete my mission in the world above." the One-Winged Angel asked humbly of the god before him; down on one knee.
"And what have I to gain from your silly interactions with the humans of Gaia?" the demon like god questioned smugly. "I am a god. You are a measly human being who cannot even escape this godforsaken prison that has so easily withheld you along with your hatred."
Sephiroth held back the urge to throttle the demonic god then. Control yourself, Sephiroth, he's only testing you.
"True, but you hate the world above as much as I do so if you are so great a god, why don't you end this world yourself? Or does the mighty god of destruction hold back due to a pact he has made with the other gods?"
The god, taken aback by Sephiroth's statement, flinched slightly then.
"If I am able to return to the surface, I can assure I will bring that pathetic world to a spectacular end..."
The destructive god contemplated the Angel's statement for a moment. Hmm... he has a point. So long as I am bound by that pact I cannot destroy the world. But if I let this man return to his body... the 'finale' I have long awaited could very well be something special. Still... The god glanced over at the man whose jade eyes bore into his crimson ones. He is a very dangerous man. If I give him back his life there is no telling what could happen. Never mind those humans; they are so pathetic that it wouldn't matter if they were dead or alive. Yet I'm not quite convinced that he can be trusted unless...
"I've made my decision." the god said coolly.
"Fine, let's hear it."
"I have decided to release you from this sorry part of the Lifestream which you have infected. You will be returned to your fully replenished and slightly modified body, which I will craft, in the Northern Crater. There you will be, shall I say, resurrected."
"Well those are some hefty blessings from a god of your nature so what's the catch?" Sephiroth questioned, his voice laced with sarcasm.
"Shut up you fool! You are fortunate enough to have me hand you such spoils, don't toy with me now!" the god spat ruffled by the fact this human was mocking him.
"Well don't mind me, go on."
"... Nevermind me. Make this world's ending 'spectacular' as you say and I will be satisfied. I swear, those humans are nothing but a thorn in my side to begin with. End their world and that will be enough as payment."
"...That's all? No special mission? No particular person to kill?" Sephiroth asked amazed.
"That is all."
With that said the god of destruction raised his left hand, and shot out a beam of scarlet from his palm. The beam formed a seal of sorts underneath Sephiroth's kneeling form. Then the god chanted,
"Hearts of rage, hearts of sorrow.
Tormented souls come and follow.
This man has made a contract with me
See to it that he carries it out faithfully..."
Colors of black and scarlet swirled around Sephiroth forcing him to shut his eyes.
"Seek out your destiny too the end
Return to this place only then.
After all is said and done,
You shall gain favor with me, a god
It is then that you too
shall go on living as one."
At this Sephiroth couldn't help but flash one of his sadistic smiles. Heh, so if I gain favor with old two horns here I'll be able to exist forever as a supreme god. At last!! But wait...
Just then the seal underneath Sephiroth opened up into a portal. The darkness and scarlet swirling around him became more violent as he felt his knees starting to melt through the floor. He began to descend through the portal when at the last moment we called out to Chaos, "You haven't told me how to gain favor with you!!!"
Chaos merely glared at him and said, "You can figure that much out on your own; can't you?"
With those last words left for him to consider, the One-Winged Angel's soul disappeared from the abyss of his Lifestream's darkness.
End Flashback
Present: Lifestream- White
Hikaru didn't know what it was, but something definitely bad had happened. She could tell when she felt the tremor that rattled her entire being. I don't know what caused it or why it felt so dark, but the goddess will know. She has all the answers, that's why I... she continued through another portal that opened up before her.
*Sigh* I just have to find out.
When Hikaru stepped out on the other side of the portal she found herself standing on a royal blue carpet with silver lines making intricate patterns in the fabric. She wasted no time staring at the floor though and bolted down the hall of what was apparently part of some kind of grand palace. She navigated the familiar corridors until she reached the room she had been looking for. Not even bothering to knock, she pushed open the giant oak doors to a large throne room. Though instead of finding one golden throne up the steps at the opposite end of the room there was instead a long table with cushions lined behind it. Sitting in front of the table on a cushion at that very moment was a woman, with flowing blond locks topped with a golden crown, amber eyes, and clad in a long white dress complete with gold designs.
"Goddess Cosmos- the Goddess of Harmony- you called me?" Hikaru asked nervously when she reached the bottom steps, bowing low.
The goddess, in turn, was gazing out one of the room's large windows; a calm look in place on her face. "I hear the flowers in Aerith's garden are blooming nicely. At least that's what I've heard from the voices whispering to me here in the Lifestream." came her nonchalant voice.
Confused, Hikaru chanced a glance up at the goddess. Cosmos was now staring at her with a troubled look in her eyes though the rest of her face remained expressionless.
"Excuse me for asking goddess but I felt a dark presence and then you called me so I thought…" Hikaru started but trailed off unable to say anymore. Her gaze fell to the floor. "Goddess what...?"
"I'm afraid it's not going well Hikaru." Cosmos voice cut in softly. "A certain dark being has risen from hellfire's ashes; fully intent on destroying this planet."
"But who...?"
"It is a dark being that has terrorized the world above ground before. Although he has been defeated each time before I fear that this time he will succeed thanks to my brother's meddling..." the goddess continued.
Brother? What is Cosmos talking about? And the person who has terrorized the world up there before, who...? Wait. She couldn't mean... No, not him.
As if she could read Hikaru's thoughts Cosmos answered, "The brother that I speak of is indeed Chaos, the God of Destruction. As for the man that has risen to wreak havoc upon the world above once more, I'm sad to say that you are correct. The One-Winged Angel Sephiroth has been resurrected."
If Hikaru had blood, she swore it would have run cold then.
"Back?! But how?! Why?! I thought that Aerith's friends finished him off last time! How could he come back? He should have been defeated for good!" Hikaru went off ranting.
Trouble look still fixed within the goddess' gaze she waited for her young messenger to calm down. Messenger as in 'Messenger of the Lifestream'; after Aerith had saved Hikaru, she became the main means of communication between the goddess- Cosmos - and all the spirits within the Lifestream. If for some reason the goddess could not reveal herself to certain spirits, Hikaru would go in her place to do her bidding. It may have seemed like the goddess was using her to avoid unwanted confrontations, yet in reality the girl had helped on a few occasions in quelling the pains of some tormented souls. For that the goddess was grateful and thus would wait until the girl let out all of her pent up emotion. She owed the child that much at least.
When Hikaru finally calmed down, Cosmos began to explain again.
"I understand you are fear the safety of those above and I know that you would dislike the loss of anyone's life to his hatred having experienced such pain first hand when you lost your own younger brother to the geostigma."
Hikaru flinched at that but did not interrupt.
"Which is why I have arranged for a special party to travel to the surface of Gaia to ensure the safety of the people there as well as to purge this world of that One-Winged Angel of hatred once and for all." she finished, eyes changing from a troubled gaze to a hopeful gleam.
Hikaru pondered Cosmos' mini speech for a moment before finally speaking. "Alright, then let's have it!" she started, a more optimistic ring in her speech. "So, who did you have in mind for sending back to the surface?"
To Hikaru's surprise, the goddess in woman form merely stared at her- eyes wide and mouth slightly agape.
"What?"
Recovering from her own shock Cosmos simply replied, "I'm shocked to think that you haven't already guessed who I had in mind..."
Just as she was about to reveal who the persons of interest were, a portal opened right in the center of the room. And who should step out of that portal none other than the very persons the young girl had been spending her free time with just moments ago?
The first one through the portal was ex-SOLDIER Zack looking serious interestingly enough. Following along just seconds behind him was flower girl Aerith carrying a frown on her face. A characteristic highly unusual and thus, disturbing in goddess' messenger's case.
Now it was Hikaru's turn to stare with her mouth hanging open wide like a flan. Zack stared back with a slightly surprised expression replacing his serious one. Aerith on the other hand seemed unruffled by this turn of events though she exchanged her unusual frown for one of her usual gentle smiles, even if it looked somewhat forced.
"Wh-wha-what are you doing here?!?!" Hikaru questioned pointing an accusing finger at the two unexpected guests.
Snapping himself from his slightly surprised daze Zack responded lifting his own finger, "What's with the stupid expression on your face?"
At that Hikaru bristled and countered, "Yea? Well what's with your hair looking like the rear end of a chocobo?"
Offended, Zack managed a 'Them's fighting words you little...!' before Aerith swiftly smacked a hand over his mouth while planting herself in between Hikaru and him.
"So sorry that we're late Goddess Cosmos!" Aerith greeted bowing her head, her eyes pleading when she straightened saying 'Please help me change the subject!' "This idiot behind me was rambling about all sorts of nonsense while we made our way here!" she continued digging her nails into Zack's cheeks while forcing her palm strongly against his mouth at the same time. He had to resist the urge to gag from the action so he held his breath.
"It's quite alright," Cosmos returned brightly, her eyes gleaming with unheard laughter. "More importantly, you received my message?"
Releasing her vice-like grip from Zack's cheeks Aerith became serious as she nodded her head in response, "Yes, you sent for us. Now what is the important matter that you would like to discuss with us?"
Zack stumbled backwards a ways until he managed a squatting position. Sucking in deep gulps of breath he regained his composure and stood tall before joining in the conversation, "Yes Cosmos," *Smack* from Aerith whispering 'Show some respect! Use the title before her name!' Clearing his throat he corrected, "Goddess Cosmos, what did you need to discuss with us that we were summoned here to the God's Grand Holy Palace, for a meeting?"
Troubled look once again plaguing the beautiful amber eyes of the goddess she wasted no time in explaining the situation, "As you two may have sensed earlier the ominous wind that swept through your flower field, Aerith, was caused none other than by the calamity known as Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel, Harbinger of Death, etc., etc."
"Let me put it this way," the goddess pushed on, "he's back, he's bad, and he's out to wipe the face of this planet from the universe."
A frustrated expression made its way to Zack's usually handsome face. Aerith in turn dropped her gentle smile and returned to the unnerving frown from before. An eerie silence fell over the large throne room making it feel even larger.
The silence was piercing and seemed to draw on for an eternity, like a curse plaguing the land, until it was lifted by Zack's hard, serious voice. "So what are we going to do to stop him?"
All three pairs of eyes fell on the goddess when they widened with a look of amazement.
Slowly but surely, Cosmos' lips twitched up into a knowing smile.
Thinking she was stating the obvious she answered, "What other way is there to beat the darkness other than with the power of light?"
When the three stooges finished glancing at one another confused, Cosmos caught them off guard again by rolling her eyes and saying, "Do I have to spell it out for you? If we want to defeat Sephiroth who's armed with the darkness of his hatred, we just need to send up a team that's armed with the light of redemption." She paused and turned her back to them then continued quietly, "If his sins are forgiven then we can finally put him to rest. After all he is just another child of the planet, just as you were once. Just a more complex version of a tormented soul like the ones Hikaru assisted in quelling their pains. Think about it."
The trio stood quietly thinking over Cosmos words and they had to admit she had a point. As foul and heartless as he appeared to be, Sephiroth really was just another child of the planet; victim to the twisted secrets and lies of the old Shin-Ra company. Just as everyone else on the planet had been.
Releasing a sigh of defeat Aerith yielded to the goddess' words. "Alright. So who do we send back to Gaia's surface to handle this situation?" she questioned tiredly, scratching her head.
Spinning around to face the three again the goddess' face, at first glance, appeared to hold no expression but it was her eyes that gave her away. Cosmos eyes were... laughing? At a time like this?
Lips pursed the goddess nonchalantly answered, "Why, who else to send other than a truly pure child of the planet..."
Uh oh, I don't like where this is going. Hikaru thought sourly.
"Who is none other than the gentle,"
I've got a funny feeling about this. Zack thought idly.
"Compassionate, kind, and caring,"
This person that she's describing... do I know her? Wait that's... Aerith thought; realization sinking in.
"One and only, lovely-"
You can't be serious. The three thought grimly.
"Aerith."
BINGO.
7th Heaven Bar
The 7th Heaven Bar was in its usual chaos. After a gathering with the old AVALANCHE members things were always in an uproar. For one thing, everyone would stay so late that they would have to spend the night at the bar. The morning that followed would be chaotic with the old men (Barrett and Cid) throwing fits over their hangovers thus upsetting the kids and with the ninja girl not helping the situation by throwing a ruckus over not being able to find items that had "mysteriously disappeared" overnight (in reality of course she would have just misplaced them in her half-asleep state before going to bed). Naturally she would confront the already agitated old men, serving only to agitate them further.
As for the two younger men, Vincent's room was avoided at all costs for they were all too familiar with his demonic aura he had in the morning if he was disturbed from his sleep. They avoided bothering Cloud for similar reasons, but mostly out of fear of him taking off without warning again.
This left Tifa as the only one downstairs fully functioning with a clear mind. She dreaded these mornings for all that they were. Still, she couldn't help but feel a little relief and happiness wash over her at the same time. She was glad that life seemed to finally be settling into a normal, comfortable pattern. I could get used to this. She thought to herself as she sent Denzel and Marlene outside to avoid having them get "caught in the crossfire" already heating up between Yuffie, Barrett, and Cid. Closing the door behind her Tifa leaned back against it and sighed thinking dreamily. Just another day in paradise... *CRASH* "WHAT THE DERN' HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOIN'?!" "HEY, STOP THAT! OW! YOU ACTUALLY HIT ME THAT TIME!" "WHAT? THAT ACTUALLY HURT? I GUESS I SHOULDN'T EXPECT MUCH FROM A PAIR OF OLD FARTS, HUH?!" "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! YOU'RE ASKIN' FER' IT NOW LITTLE NINJA!!" "SHIIIIT… IT'S ON NOW!!!" "BRING IT ON, POTBELLIES!!!!!!" *CRASH*SLAM*POP* "Damn…" Tifa murmured to herself before losing her composure, "DAMN IT! CID, BARRETT, YUFFIE!!!! THOSE BETTER NOT BE MY GOOD PLATES!!!!!!!" And with that Tifa dashed from the entry way to the kitchen to salvage her plates from the ensuing carnage within.
*************
Cloud woke in a foul mood that morning. He woke up to the familiar sound of glass shattering and immediately thought the bar was under attack until he heard the familiar voices shouting vivid curses back and forth. Flopping his head back down to his pillow, Cloud felt somewhat grateful for the disturbance that had shaken him awake from his nightmare.
He was walking down the aisle of Aerith's church, the dark lighting in the church giving off the nighttime appeal. When he reached the pit where the flowers drowned in the Lifestream infused water should have been he found it dry and empty. A few dead flowers lingered in its place. When he picked one up it withered to dust. Before he knew it the entire church was withering away; turning to dust before his very eyes. When he stood up to face the doorway he found himself standing at the cliffside overlooking the ruins of Midgar. The place where Zack met his end and where he had started down the path to becoming a hero. Noticing the yellow flowers blossoming at his feet he knelt down to stroke the petals of one, only for it to shrivel and die at his touch. At that Cloud lunged backwards landing on his knees. Wondering why the flowers seemed to shudder at his touch, he peered down to look at his hands only to be met with the most horrible site of all.
This had to be a nightmare. His hands were drenched in blood. In his arms lay the flower girl. His flower girl, whose pink rose lips were twitched up into that final knowing smile and whose kind eyes, the most beautiful shade of emerald he had ever seen, were sealed closed—never to open again. Having to see her lifeless form in his arms again paralyzed and haunted him to the core. He felt his heart lurch as he recalled this dreadful scene feeling its effects once more; throat tight, mouth dry, hands shaking, and eyes burning. It was all too real to be a nightmare. Suspecting what would come next, he dared to glance up at the figure he knew would be standing over him. Sure enough there he was as predicted—like this was all part of some sick play. Sephiroth stood over Cloud—who in his kneeling state—appeared to be towering above.
He appeared before Cloud looking much the same as the last time he had seen him in this scene. Jade eyes staring wildly at him, signature sadistic smile in place. One look at the One-Winged Angel and he felt the anger surge from deep inside him. Taking care to set even the vision of the flower girl down gently, he stood up and in a flash was level face-to-face with the man he resented so fiercely.
"What do you want?"
"Edgey, aren't we?"
Firmly securing a grip on the silver haired man's throat he repeated his question, "Don't play innocent, of all things, with me Sephiroth. What-do-you-want-with-me?"
Easily freeing himself from Cloud's would-be firm hold he replied, "I came to give you a little greeting…"
Disappearing before finishing his sentence, Cloud whirled around only to be faced with nothing but darkness. Making sure not to let his guard down in his unarmed state, Cloud continuously glanced around—watching for any trace of the silver haired man.
"I have the most spectacular news for you…"
"Well? Let's hear it!!"
"I have been patient and I have been humble; and now my hard work is finally going to pay off…"
Confused Cloud could only frantically ask, "What's happening?! What are you planning?! What are you going to do?!?"
Then suddenly he heard the voice of the One-Winged Angel whisper directly into his ear.
"I'm coming back, and this time I won't fall so easily."
Next he found the darkness opening up beneath his feet, swallowing him whole. He thrashed violently throwing his arms up grasping at the nothingness and then—
…Found himself safely back in his room.
Now sitting up wide awake Cloud pondered what could have possibly caused him to have such a nightmare. The withering flowers, the fading church, visions of the dead Aerith, and Sephiroth; why were all these things showing up in a dream now?
Cloud wasn't sure. But if he knew on thing it was this: The planet would probably require his strength once again. The reason he thought was this: If that nightmare is as accurate as I may think, then that means that he really is coming back; to end it once and for all.
Lifestream- White
There was one word to describe the current status of the trio: speechless. Silence fell over the party as they tried to digest the goddess 'words. But they just couldn't do that.
Hikaru was first to find her voice which rang out in strong opposition.
"Lady Cosmos I must object. No offense to Aerith or anything, but she isn't exactly hero material. How is she supposed to take down a big, and let's be realistic, god enhanced denizen of darkness when she herself is of frail build?"
"I must agree with the messenger, my lady. Aerith may be strong at heart but she doesn't exactly have the physical capabilities to take that guy down. Surely there is someone else around here that is of that caliber that can be sent up in her place?" Zack interjected.
"Goddess I myself know that I cannot be the one to defeat him. We all know that his fighting ability far exceeds my own; plus I have fallen to his sword once before." Aerith added monotonously.
Cosmos stared on piercingly as she listened to the three voices state their objection. She knew they thought that her plan was insane with there only being a seventy-five percent chance of it being successful. Still, she'd rather gamble on that uncertain chance than have this planet lost to the hatred and deceit of one man. There was just absolutely no way she was going to let that go down without a fight.
They're being so stubborn that they won't look at the big picture here… Well I guess there is only one thing that I can do. Cosmos decided inwardly. Yes, if that's what it will take to get them to agree with me then I guess I have no choice.
"Fine," Cosmos' drawled in an irksome tone, "If you want Sephiroth to destroy the planet while giving the people above as much pain and sorrow as he possibly can in the process then please—go on hiding down here, awaiting the imminent erasure of your own existence within the Lifestream as it dies with this planet; knowing that you could have done something to stop the insanity raging on its surface yet in the end, deciding to fade without doing anything at all."
The goddess' words stung at the decisive trio's ears. They could only stand dumbstruck after hearing the golden haired woman's counter to their recalcitrant objections.
She's played the guilt card on us… Zack thought solemnly.
Man, she got us. What are we supposed to think now? Hikaru mulled over bitterly.
Regardless of how I think and feel about all of this, her ladyship has a point. Aerith mused pensively.
"The choice is yours." came Cosmos now nonchalant voice, "In their hour of need, will you be the one protect their happiness? Or will you allow the dream that you and many others had fought and died for come to an end?"
The words cut like daggers through Aerith's soul. She understood what the goddess meant; she remembered. Hearing those words, the memories suddenly flooded back to Aerith's mind. Images of the places she'd traveled to, the people she'd met—the friends that she'd made. Friends that she had treasured and loved that shared her dream of restoring the world to one of peace and justice, the fun that they had had journeying together, and how it all had to end so soon. Too soon for her tastes and apparently they agreed that it had ended too soon as well.
"So… What do you say?" Cosmos asked uncertain of the Aerith's decision.
The goddess and the two witnesses seemed to hold their breath as they waited in anticipation for the flower girl's response.
"… All right, I'll go after Sephiroth."
Having already predicted that Aerith wouldn't refuse, a smile spread wide across Cosmos' face. The response, however, caused Zack's legs to waver and he had press his left hand to the nearby wall for support. Hikaru rushed over to his side to aid him while rolling her eyes thinking, Cosmos set up the perfect trap. Why should he start swaying over an obvious response like that?
"Sissy man…" she muttered as she grasped Zack's right arm to stabilize him.
"What was that, twerp?" he inquired shifting his weight and lifting an eyebrow.
"Nothing, nothing…" Hikaru answered impassively, taking care not to dig her nails into his arm in reaction to being called a 'twerp.'
Vying for a change of subject she turned to the she-god and asked, "So when do we leave?"
Smile shrinking, though not fully fading, Cosmos replied, "I'm sorry Hikaru, but you won't be returning to the surface." Seeing the distressed look in the child's eyes as she faced the flower girl the female deity quickly added, "But don't worry about Aerith, I'm not sending her off alone. I'm sending her up with someone who can watch over her."
Now it was Zack's turn to face the goddess with a distressed expression in his eyes. To this the goddess explained, "There is no need to worry about who I'm going to send with her. Zack, you will be the one to keep an eye out for those who would do harm to Aerith. She already knows and trusts you so this should work out for you, yes?"
Relieved, Zack nodded his head in approval before repeating Hikaru's question, "So when do we leave?"
To that Cosmos acknowledged, "Immediately."
"WHAT?!" Zack and Aerith exclaimed at the same time.
Aerith continued, "Goddess Cosmos, how are we supposed to return to the surface now? I mean just look at our current state! We're just spirits. Sephiroth will have a god-enhanced body. Just how are we going to match that and without even a day to prepare for our departure?"
"That doesn't matter." Cosmos calmly remarked; smile still in place, "I have been expecting Sephiroth's revival for some time now. In that time I have been preparing for when I would need to send up you the heroes to the surface to chase after him. You too will have bodies of flesh and bone, with some of my own goddess enhancements." she concluded with a devilish smile spreading across her face.
"Well I guess that takes care of that problem, but what are they gonna do when they get up there?" Hikaru cut in, pointing a finger upwards.
"Simple. Shatter his soul. When that happens, Aerith, you must take your extraordinary healing powers and with your Cetra magic infuse the broken pieces of his heart and soul with pure holy. But most important of all, after healing him, you must put his soul to its final rest and forgive him—for everything he has done."
To that last part Zack retorted, "Forgive him?! After everything he put Aerith and the whole of the planet through?!? Why don't you just hand him another JENOVA head while you're at it and call it a day?!?!"
He was about to vent more when Aerith lifted a hand to silence him. "Zack it's okay," she commented quietly, "Remember what Lady Cosmos said before; he was once a child of the planet like us. Who are we to keep him from finally finding peace? Even a One-Winged Angel should get the chance to have his sins forgiven like everyone else."
Taking Aerith's words into account, Zack thought for a while before hesitantly agreeing with her.
With that final understanding Cosmos stood up from her cushion as Hikaru flew swiftly to her side while the other two stopped short of the bottom steps. Cosmos descended a few steps until she was halfway between the upper platform where she had been seated and the throne room floor where Zack and Aerith stood waiting just before the first step.
"You will land in an isolated place that is familiar to the both of you so you need not worry about being seen just yet. Act naturally once you have arrived on the surface. If you must, you can contact me directly through thought and if the need arises I will send Hikaru out in spirit form or I will reach you myself in dreams. Your bodies will be your original ones with some slight modifications. Other than that while there you will be like normal living, breathing human beings so make sure you take good care of yourselves so that I won't have to reach in and fix you up personally. That being said, you're all set so here we go!"
The goddess inhaled deeply then and murmured,
"Heroes of light in this realm now,
Your presence required on the surface I will endow.
In order to stop the malefactor above,
Allow me to send you with all my faith and love."
As the goddess chanted her spell, the floor at Aerith and Zack's feet began to fade into white. Emerald threads of the Lifestream appeared from below and began to circle the two as the incantation went on.
"Legendary ex-SOLDIER return once more
And Child of Cetra whom we adore—
Take care of yourselves.
But do not forget;
It is your duty to take care of this planet—
For the sake of the ones you love,
As well as your own happiness."
Finishing her chant, a great wind picked up and soon the threads of Lifestream became great bulging streams that circled faster and faster around them. The rest of the throne room around them seemed to fade farther and farther away. Hikaru called out to them from what seemed like a great distance away a, "Take care!" and a, "Go for it!" before her voice could no longer be heard. Soon the bright whiteness became too much for them and they shut their eyes. Finally they felt their feet lift off the ground as they began their long ascent to the surface. Their destination: unknown.
Just before they entered the portal, Aerith heard Cosmos' voice ring in her ear, "Be warned. On the surface you may run into to people you know—people you miss. However, once Sephiroth has been finished off, you must return to the Lifestream as well. I know you must have been looking forward to this and really I don't mind you spending time with them once more but you must not forget your objective. Should you meet up with them, try not to get too attached. For the closer you get to them this time around, the harder it will be when the time comes to say goodbye. That's all I wanted to tell you. From here on out have fun and good luck!"
As she felt the goddess' presence leave her ear Aerith sharply inhaled a breath laced with vexation. 'Have fun…' she says. Aerith thought distressfully, I'm going to the surface to chase after Sephiroth back and she tells me not to get too close to my friends. How in JENOVA'S name am I supposed to do that if they will be probably be chasing him too?! *sigh* The last thing I want to do is be the source of sadness when this is all over—especially for him.
Mulling over the thought for a little while longer Aerith made a decision. There's only one thing I can do to prevent that sadness. I'll just have to avoid them.
A/N: Hello, I'm back! And this chapter was waaaaaaaaaay longer then the last one. I think. O.O So yeah, both Chaos and Cosmos sent up their minions each with their own special intentions—sinister and saintly. I think the chants were pretty corny/cheesy myself but I just needed them to rhyme (sort of) and kinda go along with the intentions of each party. I also have to thank Princess of the Knight for giving me the inspiration to write this fic, and whose stories I love by the way. I have no idea when the next chapter's going up so please bear with me. Thanks for reading!