Chapter II: Stand –Part III–

"Stay true to your…heart?" Tifa muttered as she slowly awoken. Her eyes darted around the church while trying to remember her surroundings. Soon a sigh escaped her lips, once she realized it really was a dream.

She sat up and turned to her right, Denzel and Marlene were still sound asleep beside her, then she turned to her left and Cloud was nowhere in sight. Shock quickly came as she stood up, and within minutes she finally spotted him standing near on the edge of the pool.

Tifa carefully walked over, trying not to wake any of the protestors. Cloud heard the floor creak beneath her weight, and then he slowly turned his head back.

She smiled as she stood next to him as he looked up to stare at the moonlight through the old hole on the roof.

"It's a cold night isn't it?" She noted. He nodded, "Yeah…" He replied. She lifted her head to stare at the glowing moon. Cloud slowly turned to her when she wasn't looking and saw the lunar reflection in her eyes.

A look of complete astonishment took over as he continued to stare at her. Soon the feelings of fondness he had for her quickly resurfaced; this time they were much stronger than before.

His eyes slowly closed as he sat down on floorboards and pulled one leg up. Tifa looked down at him before she sat down with her legs folded under her. He opened his eyes, and she immediately saw the inner conflict within him. Tifa saw the emotions in his eyes; admiration, confusion, and the guilt of betrayal. He closed his eyes again and shook his head before long he opened his eyes for the second time, and all traces of his previous emotions were replaced with emptiness.

"They said, they'd be back in three days. I need to figure out what to do next." He stated. That wasn't what he wanted to say, and she could feel it. But she also knew that he wasn't ready to say whatever was in his heart.

"You mean 'we' don't you?" She added. He quickly turned to her.

"We need to figure out what we need to do next." She corrected. The term 'We' was something that Cloud had to relearn to adjust with.

Then he thought to himself, he'd had a whole year to get back on track…but things were far different now. Everything that he once knew was either starting to disappear or change.

Certain things in his life looked different, felt different then the past. Even he was starting to noticed that he was changing little by little, and so was his heart. He had already learnt to let go of most things, but not everything.

There were certain things that he feared to let go off. He was afraid that once he'd let go, that was it. Whatever was there would be forgotten.

He felt a touch on his hand, and he stared at the one face he wanted to see and avoid. She smiled and he turned away.

Her smile slowly changed to a frown. She didn't have to be a rocket scientist to see that he had a lot in his mind, and he could easily see her wish for him to open up a little more.

There was so much that the two of them wanted to say, and yet they both had trouble putting it into to words.

For Tifa especially, she didn't want to burden him with her thoughts. No, she would rather allow him to be himself.

'But…not everyone stays the same…' She thought to herself. Little did she know, Cloud thought the same thing too.

"It's getting late." She said suddenly before standing up. "We both need to get some sleep." He turned back to water and replied, "You go first, I'll sleep a little later."

She nodded and went back to her spot. Leaving him alone to contemplate his own feelings.

Duk…Duk. Two footsteps stopped right behind Cloud as he continued on thinking about his situation.

"Not much of a talker are you?" That same young teenager who appeared in Tifa's dream couldn't help but chuckle at Cloud's reaction.

The blue-eyed former warrior slowly turned his head back and all of a sudden light surrounded both of them. He slowly stood up to face the spirit standing before him, "Who are you?" He asked.

The teenager just smiled as he stared at him and replied, "Well if I tell you, it'll just spoil the surprise." His shoulders hunched up as he spoke, his smile turned to one of genuine happiest to apologetic in a split second.

Cloud was even more confused, and this emotion remained inevitable in his eyes. The teenager scratched the back of his head as he spoke to a third unseen presence, "Looks like you were right…it might take a while for him to finally get it."

Soon the teenager sighed, "Well…it wasn't my place to get involved, but I couldn't stand to see the sight of her unhappy."

"Her?" Cloud inquired. The teenager smiled, only this time it mimicked the same gentleness that Tifa had whenever she smiled. The realization dawned as he muttered, "You're her child…"

The teenager lifted his index finger as he went, "Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! Looks like you're not as dense as I thought." He closed his eyes and smirked lopsidedly as he pointed out to himself, "Then again, I guess it's not that hard to see the resemblance."

The teenager slowly turned around and commented, "I'm giving you way too much information here…so I guess my time's up. See ya."

He started to walk forward and suddenly stopped after three steps, he turned his head to face Cloud,

"There's something else I haven't told you…and I'm probably going to get into trouble for this. But, you have two choices with two very different outcomes."

Cloud eyes shifted in confusion as he stared at the teenager. He looked into his brown eyes, and all traces of his lightheartedness had disappeared. Whatever the boy wanted to say, it had to be very serious.

"The church is the starting point. You can either choose to defend it, and by doing so you will live happily for a short amount of time before enduring a long period of suffering."

He paused to give Cloud time to absorb the information.

"Or you can get everyone out of the church, and let it be destroyed thereby you live endure a short of amount of guilt but you'll later live happily for the rest of your natural life."

Those were two ultimatums he had to choose.

"Oh, one more thing. Your choice won't only affect your life." He stepped aside there stood Tifa.

The teenager slowly turned to face her, "I know you heard everything, and I want to let you know this is your choice too."

She nodded slowly and then thought to herself, she had two choices both of them would inevitable affect the lives of one another; she couldn't make that type of choice for them. No, this is a choice she'd make for herself. So she turned to Cloud and told him,

"I choose to save the church." It might've been a selfish decision, but it felt right to her. She just hoped one day, she wouldn't live to regret it. The teenager smiled slightly and nodded before he turned to Cloud.

Now it was his turn to answer,

"I choose to save the church, and I'll live by the consequences." Tifa eyes widen as she slowly turned to him.

The teenager solemnly closed his eyes and nodded. He spoke as the stared to fade back towards the Lifestream,

"You've made your decisions. Now, you both will have to live by that. Don't forget, and honor the outcomes of the path you both chose."

Both Cloud and Tifa opened their eyes, and to their amazement they were still in the church. She sat up and turned to Cloud who still sat by the edge of the pool. He was also looking at her; both stared at the each other with bewildered looks on their faces.

Despite the surrealistic moment that took place just minutes earlier, they both knew what happened was real.

Sunrays peeked through the hole on the roof, shedding light of holy splendor within the church. Tifa and Cloud's eyes met and for a moment they both forgot about the world, and instead remembered what the teenager told them. They both will have consequences to face, but it didn't matter what was important that the church would hopefully remain standing.

A yawn broke them from their thoughts. They both turned towards the entrance and saw that he protestors were slowly rising up from their slumber, so were their friend and all the kids in the church. Tifa slowly stood up as Denzel and Marlene slowly woke up. Tifa patted them both on the back, and helped them off the floor.

"Cloud." Vincent called him. The blond man turned around to face his companion. "We need to think of a strategy." He replied. Clouds nodded in agreement, and before he knew it everyone within the church were planning their next move.

The non-fighting protestors agreed to gather supplies that can be used, as weapons while Cloud and the other AVALANCHE members would take turns patrolling outside the church for signs of suspicious movement.

Unbeknownst to everyone in the church, one unseen person sat near the memorial Buster sword. His wise and honor bound blue eyes glanced at the scene before him. He stood up, dressed in First class SOLDIER uniform. His white wing stretched out and disintegrated. Suddenly his whole form changed, and his slick back black hair and eyes turned to brown.

He became that teenager who visited Tifa's dreams.

"Don't worry Angeal Hewley…you'll be born again too." The teenager stated as he closed his eyes. Not only was he going to be born as the son of two heroes, but he was also going to be next vessel for Angeal's chance of redemption. He chuckled—No; Angeal chuckled once he realized that Zack might become a little lonesome without him there.

"Looks like you'll just have to manage with Aerith, Zack the puppy." He stated amusingly.

Two days passed, and everyone had finally chipped in to making a plan to keep the church standing. The protestors and their children (including Denzel and Marlene) were to remain inside the church, where it would be barricaded from the inside.

Cloud and Tifa had left for the bar about an hour earlier to retrieve the First Tsurugi.

He slowly turned his head back to stare at Tifa, who sat right behind him and quickly turned back to the road. He hadn't realized she noticed the gesture till he felt her hand squeeze his shoulder.

"Don't worry, whatever happens we'll pull through." She said. Cloud nodded his head once, and what seemed like seconds later they both saw the bar straight a head.

One hour passed and neither Cloud nor Tifa have returned to the church. Worriment filled Denzel and Marlene's hearts as the two children stood in the opened doorway of the church, looking on to the distance.

A small line of dust suddenly appeared in the horizon. Denzel squinted his eyes as he took another step forward. Marlene grabbed his hand, forcing him to a stop.

"What is that?" He wondered.

Cloud and Tifa raced towards the church as fast as they could on the Fenrir. Cloud's head jolted slightly when he saw the trucks heading towards the church.

"Hang on." He told Tifa, who nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist as he put on a bit more speed.

Denzel pulled Marlene with him and quickly closed the doors before he led all the other children to hide.

Cid, Vincent, Barret and Yuffie brought out their weapons and they raced outside along with the other adults who were brave enough to join them.

Tifa slowly started to stand up on the moving motorcycle, and she proceeded to put on her fighting gloves then waited till she and Cloud were near enough. Tifa was already standing up to her full height as Cloud put on more speed.

Her eyes narrowed as they were already at a suitable distance for her to take action. She leaped off the moving motorcycle and flew to the top of the moving truck. She slammed her fist to the roof of the truck.

A string of bullets suddenly came from in front of her, and her head snapped. She was shock-written for a few seconds and then a small smile came to her lips when she saw Barret take action.

Yuffie's giant shuriken spun by above her and her old companion joined her at the roof of the truck. The two women proceeded to damage one truck, while the others took care of the others.

Cloud pressed the button for his glove compartments, and out came the six swords that would merge into his weapon, The First Tsurugi. He immediately drove in to aid Tifa in her attack by slicing through the driver's door of the truck. Tifa leaped down from the roof of the moving truck to the fenrir.

Cloud drove his motorcycle toward the church as fast as he could; Tifa leaped off the bike the moment it's wheels reached the church ground. Her black leather gloved hand pressed hard against the ground as she skidded toward the front of the door. She immediately got back on her feet and dashed forward for the attack. He was already up and front in the fight as several construction workers came across him, holding their tools in hand. The stood with their knees and arms bent, ready to fight as Cloud approached them with his sword outstretched to his side.

The two construction workers yelled out a battle cry as both sides ran in to fight one another. Cloud used his sword as leverage from him to leap above them; and deliver kicks to the back of their necks. Tifa back flipped right to where Cloud had beaten the two men, grabbed the back of their collars, and sent them flying to crash against three more construction workers.

Vincent leaped from the roof; surprising those who hadn't even realized his presence and proceeded to shoot down at least eight tires with his gun, Death Penalty. He landed in front of the door; with one knee on the ground and turned his head back the moment he heard it open.

Denzel, Marlene and the other watched the fight through the small space of the door, "Stay inside." Vincent ordered. The door slowly came back to a close. He slowly started to stand up.

He spotted a minuscule shape of a vehicle heading this way in the distance. Their aid was about to arrive.

Reeve Tuesti stepped out of the vehicle and headed to the scene. The damages to the trucks were astounding, but to be expected. A hushed silence came over everyone as the fighting ceased. As the founder of the WRO, Reeve Tuesti was in charge of providing security for the people of Edge-City, however that also included keeping monuments of hope, such as this grand-church alive…so to speak.

"What's happened here?"

Yuffie huffed in exasperated as she angrily stepped out the line of church-defenders to march right up at the commissioner. Tifa suddenly grabbed her by the shoulder. She didn't resist and allowed Tifa to slowly pull her back. Cloud would be the one to confront Reeve about this matter.

Finally he took a step forward and approached the group. Tifa let go of Yuffie and put her hands each of Marlene and Denzel's shoulders as Reeve walked over to Cloud and suggested that they take their discussion instead the church building.

"Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of all us, Reeve." Cloud replied. Reeve turned and gazed upon the crowd. With long reluctant sigh, he obliged,

"I was the one who ordered that the church—"

Cloud's eyes immediately narrowed while everyone––with the exception of Vincent––was flabbergasted at the news. Tifa's hold on the two children standing within each side of her tightened as the single question rang nearly on everyone's mind,

'Why?'

Tifa's brown eyes darted in confusion as Reeve gave his explanation.

Change. Everything around them was changing everyday, new buildings were to be constructed and with very limited resources for such grand projects, all of them knew there were some sacrifices that had to be made.

There were those who protested behind her shouted curses and threats to the WRO commissioner himself. Tifa suddenly felt compelled to step in, and she did without an ounce of hesitation.

"Reeve!" She called out so casually as she put herself away from the two children in her care to head toward him, "Is there another way we can save the church––provide to you that this building isn't just some archaic structure that should be towed away for newer ones."

Reeve stared right at her, his face was hard as he took her words into consideration. His eyes closed, keeping all his thoughts a secret for a long, nerve wrecking moment. Finally he opened to stare right back at the crowd. There were two outcomes; he of course wanted to respect the very church that had once been a special sanctuary to the late Aerith Gainsborough. She had done so much for them in life and death.

He turned back toward the construction workers. They were getting impatient; most of them were looking forward to the big pay they would receive on the project. They only represent a minority of the people.

"I've decided. I will let the church remain if this vast building can be used in this society. If not, it will be demolished for new material."

Cloud stepped forward, "Thank you Reeve."

"Cloud, I admire your fight, but I'm afraid I can only give your three months to show me your proof."

Cloud slowly nodded in understanding. Three months should be more than enough for all them to put a list together. Much to the disappointment of the constructors, Reeve sent them away.

The group of church defenders watched on in solace victory as the trucks headed away from the area.

Tifa walked to Cloud's side and stood beside him.

"Now what do we do?" He asked out loud. Tifa turned to him and replied,

"We'll think of something."

[Author's Note]

Sorry for long over due upload! I've been been busy working on other personal projects of mine that unfortunately placed this fanfic on the back burner! I'm still alive and this fanfic is still going to be written and completed! To all my reviewers, again I apologize for disappearing off the face of the internet world, but I'm still around! Though I've been busy with more personal projects + preparations to move to another country!

That's all for today (or tonight depending on where you came from)

Happy New Year! :D

And keep a out for Chapter III: Plans.

~SAga4000