Just Keep Smiling

Denouement

The sharp edge of Clouds sword swung up aiming right between her chest. Tifa used her left arm to smash the flat edge of the blade sideways following up with a right jab. Using the momentum of her hit against his sword Cloud spun away using his sword to parry the bullet from Vincent. Tifa used a nearby tree to propel herself to Cloud who this time made a horizontal swing to her abdomen; rather than hit it away she jumped onto the flat edge of the sword aiming another punch; Cloud managed to duck out of it. However, in her mind she believed to be all over for in the distance it was Vincent who had a clear shot of Cloud's back. Tifa looked into Clouds eyes the anguish in her own reflected in his and she was almost pleading with him to stop his madness. Vincent was about to fire and it took everything in her power to not scream out for him to stop, but despite her lack of protest the bullet still never came. Vincent was tackled by the figure of Zack and Tifa mentally cursed she couldn't take Cloud on by herself she needed Vincent.

Gast had found a perfect opportunity ignoring the clash of a gun and the vibrating ring of a deflected sword rang through the city, nor did he care when he heard the sound of a woman grunting and gasping out in pain. He continued his work laying the body of his daughter before the kneeling clone. Gast grabbed another chunk of the materia making sure the main source was still larger than all the pieces he broke off and handed it over to the non-Aerith. The clone immediately took it and shoved it into the dead body in front of her. A small sliver of lifestream rose from the clone and transferred into Aerith's real body, but it did nothing her body remained cold and lifeless while the clone disintegrated into ash. Gast looked around wildly cursing something was supposed to happen, but it never did. Gast glared at the materia in his hand, but as he looked up lifestream was emerging from the pool where his daughter once laid. His eyes grew wildly lips turned into a demented smile and he knew it worked. The lifestream drifted slowly towards the body of his daughter wrapping itself around her like ribbon before slowly entering through her mouth and nose. Her body convulsed violently eyes open and bright green and in a a bare moment all movement and light had ceased. He watched as her chest rose and fell and small traced of colour returned to her skin as blood began pumping through her veins- Gast had his little girl back.

Cid could see the team was worn out; despite Elena's efforts to cure the team she was too weak to do much and the only ones left standing were Reno, Barret, Nanaki and himself. Yuffie had forced herself up, but she wouldn't be able to do much.

"How many ya think are left?"

"I'd say another 60?"

"Fifteen each shit man time to tear these bitches apart."

Cid puffed at his cigarette eyeing the Turk; if he was right about there being 60 he hoped they'd be able to hang on. Flicking the cigarette on one of the dead clones Cid stretched his arms out swinging his spear from side to side getting a better feel for his weapon.

"Well shit I gotta get ta my baby girl; ain't no way we gonna be done in time ta help Teef and Vincent."

"Well how about your anti-Shin-Ra team do what you do best pull through and I'mma be right behind ya."

"Shaddap ya Turk piece of shit; I got a fucking idea."

"What do you have in mind?"

Nanaki eyed Cid warily as the captain turned around and urged them to follow him with the movement of his finger. He slowly inched to the right the remaining clones mirroring the small steps they took wary that Cid and his team would slip through their ranks. Cid positioned himself directly across from the barrier erected earlier by Vincent and Tifa; the clones stood directly in their way. Cid lifted a finger to his ear pressing on a small gadget they had all failed to notice earlier.

"Alright kid remember what I taught ya? Yea... let it rip son."

There was a heavy sound coming from behind them a large shadow engulfed them and for a second everyone wondered if they were too late if Omega WEAPON had been summoned. Relief washed over all of them as it dawned on them it was Cid's beloved ship Shera; in the heat of battle they had almost forgotten it was nearby the whole time.

"When I say three you idiots better jump away unless the only hair you want left on your body is ya stanky ass pubes."

"The fuck is wrong with you guys..."

Reno was ignored as the team prepared to avoid whatever it was Cid had planned; despite how crude he could be the man only meant to enforce his goodwill. As he started counting down everyone was gritting their teeth not sure what it was they were supposed to expect, but whatever it was judging by Cid's facial expression it was going to big. As he counted down there was the unmistakable sound of metal moving, but for such a big ship it was surprisingly hushed.

"...1!"

They all split as fast as they possible could into two and almost as terrible as the sound of meteor a large blast shot above where they were last standing. Their sudden movement caught the clones off guard and before most could react it had been too late. The heat of the blue beam could be felt even as they dashed as far away from possible. Yuffie was panting on the ground it took everything inside her to make that last leap behind a large boulder head between her knees and hand pulling her head closer to her chest.

"You punk ass motherfucker this whole fucking time you could have done that but NOOOO you decide to pull that shit now?"

"Shut up ya fucking Turk. Next time you wanna get yourself and the whole team incinerated by that be sure to let me know. Dumb punk."

"We could have scattered you dumbass!"

"Men please please..."

Yuffie turned to the side realizing she had jumped beside the rest of their incapacitated team. Tseng had willed himself on his knee's checking the rest of his team. Yuffie peaked over her boulder only to see Nanaki trying to keep Cid and Reno from tearing their heads apart. Barret was beside her leaning again the wall and head downcast. Had it not been for his breathing she would have thought him dead. All of a sudden the large man broke out into a booming laugh. Stunned, everyone turned to stare at him and the rest started joining in Elena, Cissnei, Rude, Nanaki, Cid, Reno, even the serious Turk leader Tseng. Their laughs echoed through the scorched field even Yuffie couldn't help but join in albeit timidly... what the hell just happened. Looking over the blast had turned most of the clones to ash and had even destroyed the wall created earlier.

As Yuffie stood up her laughter was cut off by the shape of a clone quickly approaching her. It was weakened and half of it's body black flesh melted off the side of it's skin. A blue tail extended towards her ready to stab her right through the heart. Yuffie shut her eyes tightly her weapon on the ground by her legs and body too worn out to react, but nothing happened. Willing her eyes open the clone lay on the ground twitching a spear jutting through the back of it's head and out it's eye. The spear shoved deeply into the ground beside her holding the clones head up it's good eye staring back at her menacingly. A shiver went down her spine and she moved away scratching the back of her head sheepishly.

"Kid ya got a lot to learn."

Cid walked up to her planting his heel into it's back and shoving it down into the ground while pulling his spear out. He surveyed the area most clones had turned to ash, but the few on the outskirts of the blast were either writhing and twitched on the ground or missing... vital body parts. A scene straight out of a horror flick- Yuffie was going to be sick.

"Alright everyone... who's gotta stay and whose gonna go?

"I may not be a fighter, but my knowledge on Gast will prove beneficial."

The sound of her voice made everyone pause and turn towards the beautiful Lucrecia Crescent.

"Shit.. Vincent ain't gonna like this."

Looking at Barret Cid couldn't agree more, but did they have a choice?

Tifa was growing tired sometimes she would trade fighting partners with Vincent when Cloud grew too much for her, but as if the two fighters knew what was best for them they would force herself and Vincent back to their first battle partners. Tifa could tell that this Zack was treating them like food; perhaps his subconscious that recognized her grew soft and refused to push himself; or perhaps this was just a weak clone. No... this was the true Zack the cocky twist of his mouth, the playful glint in his eyes... it was Zack, but the glow from his chest had completely suppressed any form of physical and emotional control.

Tifa's body was cut in multiple areas her arms completely covered in blood the white of her top had been doused and turned pink and red; her breathing was heavy and she wasn't sure how much longer she could hold on.

"You can do it Tifa!"

It was the screams from the kids that allowed her to fight strong; they were her sole purpose on this planet and without them- she had nothing.

"Bring me the child."

"Father... do not make me."

Tifa's eyes went wide she heard the unmistakable sound of Aerith, but this time her voice was not hollow it was the same as in her memories, maternal, tender, loving and strong. Tifa's eyes turned to see a struggling Aerith on her knee's fist clenched as if fighting with herself. Tifa turned back to her battle, but the blunt edge of his sword caught her in the abdomen and swung her to the ground. Tifa tried to get up, but he was on top of her. The tip of his blade resting on the ground while the sharpened end at her neck; all he had to do was push down on the handle and she was done. Tifa tried to lift her legs and kick, but his knee came crashing down on her chest while his leg pinned down her abdomen; she was done.

Tifa heard a grunt from Vincent and the Turk jumped away from Zack landing softly behind her. She could feel him edge towards her, but judging by the way Clouds arm tensed up Vincent decided against any more movement.

"Cloud you don't want to do this."

There was no answer to Vincent just anguished eyes pleading that Vincent could stop him.

"Cloud!"

"Cloud no!"

The screams from the kids echoed through and Tifa could feel tears. The burning sting in her eyes made her grit her teeth and for once she did not fight them as they rolled down her cheeks. Tifa wasn't afraid of dying, no, but Denzel and Marlene had been through so much already they didn't deserve to see what little of their family fall apart. Tifa's red eyes met with Clouds and she took comfort in how horrified they looked, at least she would die by his hand knowing he never meant to betray them. His muscles were twitching fighting what the one thing he didn't want to do at that time.

"Cloud this isn't you."

The flower girl voice tore through the room Cloud's eyes widening clearly he hadn't heard her earlier and the force of his leg and knee's had lessened on Tifa's body. Tifa wanted to push up and attack him, but she knew it would only prolong her inevitable end. Making up her mind quickly while he was distracted by Aerith Tifa's hands planted firmly on the ground and pushed her self up flinching as the metal cut into the skin of her neck; thankfully his lessened grip kept it from causing further harm than the break of her skin.

Tifa's lips pressed firmly on Clouds; if she were to die this would be the sensation she wanted to die remembering. Tifa didn't want to look into his eyes fearing rejection, but her lips pressed on and for a second she could have sworn he kissed her back. Her eyes flew wide, but in that instant Cloud had pulled away his free hand reaching forward onto her face.

"Silly girl; I only loved Aerith."

Her body went numb the words cut deeper than his blade ever could and she didn't fight anymore; it would be all over soon. In a fluid movement he slammed her head into the ground and everything for Tifa faded to black.

Cid, Barret, Elena, Reno and Tseng were running as fast as they could. Nanaki had stayed behind healing the team so they could meet up later. Lucrecia had ran through a plan with them before setting off only she withheld the most important part... only she could do it. While Cid and Barret weren't too happy with the three Turks Tseng and Elena were insistent despite their wounds and Reno was the least bruised up not counting Barret and Cid themselves. Lucrecia piggybacked on the large Barret's back; she could have ran herself, but there was no way she could be half as fast as these guys. Still, the lack of sound but the quick shuffle of their feet made her realize how scared they all were. Anticipation of the worst was on everyone's mind and as they got there their fears had been confirmed.

Tifa was on the ground motionless hair obscuring her face while Vincent stood far back bewildered by an exchange they had all missed. Cloud was rising up from Tifa even from where they stood they could see the anger on his face, but the reason was unclear. Vincent heard them slowly approaching all of them backing him up Lucrecia slid down from Barret's back and took Vincent's non-clawed hand in her own. He was about to protest, but she shook her head.

"I have to be here."

"Ah if it isn't the beautiful Lucrecia Crescent; heard you married Hojo and had and birthed an abomination. Tell me, did Jenova do any good for it?"

Lucrecia didn't say anything, but she could tell by the way Vincent's hand twitched it bothered him... if only he knew how much it hurt hear to hear Gast's words.

"Professor Gast end this right now give us the children they are nothing to you."

"Perhaps, but you're a scientist you understand the significance of trial and error. Here you can have the little girl and one of the boys."

Gast nodded towards the children and as Denzel, Marlene and Matt started to run towards Avalanche a young woman grabbed Matt by the shoulders and pulled him towards her. They hadn't noticed her before obscured by the pale white tree towering over the city of the Ancients, but as she stepped closer towards them everyone gasped in horror.

"You guys have to stop my father, you have to stop me."

"Aerith whadya wan us ta do? Whadya talkin bout?"

His voice was grateful for her being alive, but Barret wasn't sure what was going on, why was she holding the child back. Vincent turned to look at them and shook his head.

"She is conscious, but cannot control herself just like Cloud and Zack."

Marlene ran into Barret's arms her face stained with tears.

"He hurt Tifa... he... he's not Cloud. Daddy I..."

Marlene buried her face in his chest sobbing, but as she turned to look for Denzel she screamed out his name. The young body hadn't gone far before running over and holding onto Tifa. There was pure anger on his face as he stared at the man that had been his role model just a few paces away. How could his saviour do this to them; the betrayal was hard to stomach and even the Turks had to look away clearly disturb by the complexity of the scene before them.

"She's alive."

Vincent's words were reassuring, but even his tone hinted that if they didn't get to her fast...

"Vincent inched closer pushing Lucrecia behind him, but this time Zack pointed his sword towards the young Matt threateningly.

"Aw come on; ya wouldn't want ta be the reason why this kid dies."

"Zack please stop."

Aerith's voice and eyes pleaded with the dark haired soldier, but she was only met with a cocky smirk.

"What do you want with the child Gast? I know all your research I have heard nothing about children outside of those born with Jenova cells."

"Silly girl you'd think myself, Grimoire or even Hojo would tell you everything. This child is the product of our earliest failed experiment. You see... his biological mother and father were given dormant Jenova cells, but nothing came from it. No signs or symptoms... oh we were foolish and wrong. They birthed a child, healthy and normal, but Hojo was, I hate to admit, brilliant! He managed to have a Shin-Ra employee claim the infant died and handed them the still-born of a woman who died in childbirth... no father. This child has been in foster systems watched by those who worked on the side for that bastard of a scientist. He thought he killed me, but I lay there for days and before I took my last breath miles away my wife took her's and I was allowed to live by her sheer will- powerful beings Ancients they are. My consciousness roamed lifestream learning things I never thought I would learn. And Hojo, he thought I would never know these things... ah the fool lifestream never lies."

He tapped his chin as he walked toward a large materia stone the size of a small boulder. He kneeled down and the sheer touch of his hand allowed it to glow.

"Ya gonna keep talking shit old man or should I come an shishkabob you with my spear?"

"Do that and this child dies."

"Father please... leave the child alone stop this madness what are you going to do?"

Aerith was forcing the child towards Gast; Matt protesting the whole way swearing as if born from Cid himself.

"Leave me alone you stupid bitch!"

"I am so sorry."

Gast grabbed onto the child as he tried to attack Aerith. The team wanted to move so badly, but with Denzel and Tifa so close to danger none of them dared to make the mistake of attacking Cloud and Zack who were watching intently. Cloud's eyes stared emotionless it was as if he had shut down his mind was no longer with them and they all realized he would be of no help; did he just give up?

"To think... this child filled with dormant Jenova cells passed on from his parents. Lifestream couldn't even register the child as being infested with Jenova no geostigma. With all those clones kills once his life merges with the materia Omega will sense the threat once more..."

Gast was observing the child's arm intently moving it from side to side observing his forehead while Matt stared bewildered. Gast broke off a piece of the materia.

"Aerith my child be a dear please. Only an ancient can make this work."

Aerith stepped forward shaking her head angrily.

"Father please... this world you want... it will do me nothing."

"Child you will have your father and both your lovers. Is that not enough?"

"Sharing the flower girl, shit Cloud I said legacy not takeover."

Zack rubbed at his nose teasingly and walked over to Cloud punching him playfully on the shoulder.

"Meh I'm bored... let's have some fun with these friends of yours."

Vincent pushed Lucrecia back away from the team who herself had pulled the crying Marlene into her arms and once again it was Vincent joined by the Turks and his friends against a former Soldier and the only man to stand up to Sephiroth.

Aerith took the piece of materia it dawned on her what they were about to do.

"Father killing this child with this wont help."

"He'll only die after WEAPON has returned."

Aerith thrust the chunk of materia into the boy, but unlike Cloud and Zack the child sunk slowly towards the ground. His body lay suspended in the air hovering and slowly he was consumed by a bright white light. Shooting from his body it pierced into the sky Aerith's body under the control of the largest piece of the materia with her father... Aerith wanted to get her hands on it knowing full well that it would allow her to regain control of herself and stop this madness.

The teams fought Vincent noting that Cloud and Zack had been holding back when it was just himself and Tifa, but unknown to him as the professor hacked off pieced of the materia he also weakened his control.

"Shit..."

It sounded like the real Cloud and with every blow with his sword it almost felt like his will was slowly taking over. Cid let his guard slip, but the blow from the pommel of Clouds sword knocked him to the ground and he realized that no matter what... it was either kill or be killed.

Vincent shot from a distance and as he turned to Lucrecia he noticed the woman he love run towards Gast leaving a frightened Marlene huddled behind a tree. His eyes went wide wondering what the woman was planning on doing.

"Lucrecia STOP!"

She wouldn't listen. His voice made Zack turn towards Lucrecia and he immediately pulled away from a fatal blow that could have ended Elena. Vincent sprung after the SOLDIER grabbing onto Zack pinning him to the ground. The two fought violently on the ground Zack about to overpower Vincent, but Tseng came hurtling towards them helping Vincent subdue the soldier followed by Reno. Elena and Barret continued holding off Cloud and by sheer luck they were joined by a slightly healed Yuffie and Nanaki the somewhat functional moogle doll and cat controlled by Reeve and Cissnei jogging weakly towards them.

Lucrecia hurtled herself towards Gast the materia rolling from his grasp, but everyone was still under his influence. She clambered over his body Aerith realizing what the woman was about to do.

"Lucrecia don't do it... let me!"

But it was too late. The woman had grabbed the materia and stuffed it inside her own chest. In a flash of light the child fell to the ground eyes shut and breathing heavy. Cloud, Aerith and Zack had collapsed motionless and barely breathing. Gast's body wasn't still. He shook and squirmed on the ground as if being burned by unseen flames. His screams cried for forgiveness, throwing out the names of Aerith and Ifalna over and over again until it stopped. He breathed no more but stared blankly to the sky. His body was stiff from rigor arms and legs thrown about awkwardly, but one could tell that his demise brought peace to his soul for no one would belive this maniac could look so peaceful and content in death.

Vincent pushed himself off of Zack a scream of rage filling the now quiet room. As Cissnei was continually casting heal on Tifa the sound of Vincent's voice made her eyes flutter open. Tifa's scalp was drenched in sticky blood clinging to the roots of her hair, but when she felt for a cut there was but a tender bump and was grateful for Cissnei's help. Tifa's eyes fell on everyone's form hugging the sobbing Denzel and Marlene who had rushed to her side when the saw her move. As Tifa's eyes fell on Cloud she pushed herself up and made her way to his still body thankful for his breathing; lifting his head carefully onto her lap, but her eyes were fixed on Vincent cradling the body of Lucrecia Crescent and she too found herself holding Cloud close it dawning on her how fortunate she was. The exchange that happened with Vincent tore at her heart, but everyone knew they had to give the two their space.

"Why... why Lucrecia?"

"It's not time for us to be together. When I was in a crystal... I foresaw you had a great battle yet to come and I would only serve as a distraction."

"There were other ways we could have done something else. I just got you back."

Everyone watched silently even with his monotone voice they could feel the pain in his tone.

"If I'm going to make up for what I put you through... then I should subject myself to a few more years without you."

"You didn't have to go; I'm not ready to let you go."

"When your final battle is over with and I know you will succeed return to me and I will be ready to be extracted from my crystal then. Besides... this way you guys can have your resurrected friends back. I'm not gone yet Vincent."

"I'll come back for you."

"Only when it is time. I have one request till it's time for me to return... our cave."

"I will."

Vincent leaned down and pressed his lips to her's there were no tears, there was no anger because now he knew he would have her back when it was time and when he was ready. There was closure in their parting because this was not goodbye. Her lips and body slowly began to be consumed by the materia in her chest growing larger till Vincent had to pull back. Her body was completely consumed by a crystal and yet still no one said anything until the bodies of Cloud, Aerith and Zack slowly started pushing themselves up. Tifa froze as her eye's met Cloud; never had she seen him look so torn down- not since all those years ago when Aerith was taken from them. Tifa froze; what if he attacked again and she turned to head to where the flower girl last was.

The team were prepared to fight once more, but the smile on Aerith's face reassured them... it was all over.

A/N: First off I would like to apologize for my disappearance. My mother had gone through her last radioactive treatment and the CT scan had said her cancer spread... so it was tough playing mom for my younger siblings. Thankfully however it turns out it was just lingering radiation the scans picked up and so she is officially in complete remission! Now... I admit not the perfect happy ending for Vincent, but I was hinting at the whole DoC story happening after because this story occurs between AC and DoC. I'd like to think when all of it is dealt with and done Lucrecia will be ready to take his side. Hell... I might write a one-shot if anyone is interested. Anyways... everything will come to light on the next chapter which will be tomorrow. I'm thinking the next chapter will be what the hell just happened and why, after that there will be a kind of how everyone's dealing and then an epilogue... three chapters to go (depending on how much there is to write I MIGHT do four). Anyways I hope you all enjoyed this and I can't believe I'm actually about to finish this story. I'm thinking I'll just publish the next chapters every other day. Anyways I'd like to thank EVERYONE for the reviews and once again I'm sorry about the disappearance and I hope you guys can understand. Anyways Reviews would be wonderful and thanks in advance!