Note: As many people have said I don't own any characters or anything of Squaresoft except for one new character. If you really like to email me at : noasweet@hotmail.com.
*****
Aeris was sitting tending to her flowers in her garden, in the lifestream, while daydreaming about the good old days, when a soft chime interrupted.
"That must be the Elders of the Cetra. I wonder if they got my request yet" Aeris sighed remembering how many times she had asked the Elders to listen to her request but never got to it.
Aeris opened the mighty doors to the Elder's Chambers.
"Ah. Aeris Gainsborough." The chief Elder's mighty voice belowed.
"You called me Elders."
"Yes it was brought to my attention that you want to go to the living world."
"Yes I am far too lonely as a spirit here." Aeris repiled sadly.
"My child I know you miss your friends deeply, you are just simply not allowed to go to that world without some sort of phyiscal shell."
"I know but I have made a shell for myself."
"With what? You told us yourself you have no family to contribute a shell."
"I know but I made a shell from my white materia."
"Your white materia? How?"
"A very old spell that made the summons my friends use even today."
"Is that so?"
"Yes!" Aeris said very excited.
"Where is this shell? And how will you get to it?"
"She is in the City of the Ancients, and the lake there connects to the Lifestream."
"Very well Aeris you may go but if you die again you may never go back."
"I understand. Thank you so very much." Aeris left the Elder's chamber with so much happiness she thought she might burst.
*****
Tifa had not seen Cloud since they defeated Sephiroth and destroyed meteor, wondering if she would ever see Cloud again she left her old Family home to visit the old Well in the center of town. Everyone but Cloud had gone back to their old homes, Cid in Rocket Town, Red XIII in Cosmo Canyon, Vincent to the Shinra Mansion, Yuffie to Wutai, Cait Sith/Reeve to his old home in Midgar, and Barret to rebuild his home is Corel. They usually communicated and usually asked the same old question: "Have you seen Cloud lately?". Tifa was terribly sadden by the fact he hadn't shown his face in 5 years. Staring out into the distance she noticed a cloaked figure swinging a massive blade in movements that can only be explained as a dance. The figure had Gold Chocobo colored hair, which stood out even at this distance, an wore a dark blue uniform and a dark red cape, much like Vincent's. Tifa couldn't contain her excitment anymore she had to see if it was him. She ran with all her might until she reached him.
"Cloud....?" Tifa asked.
"Yes Tifa it is me."
"Oh...My...God..." Tifa sobbed out as Cloud turned to look in her eyes with his bright, fiery Sapphire blue eyes.
"I Felt her Tifa."
"Who Cloud?" Tifa asked wiping as many tears as she could away.
"Aeris."
*****
Aeris felt herself leaving he safety of the lifestream, once the water started to fell cold she knew she was closer to becoming alive. She looked up and saw a woman her age with snow white hair and colorless eyes, wearing a black leather body suit, a baby Pink coat much like hers was, black finger-less gloves, and knee high brown boots, staring at her coming though the water. Once out of the water her shell, she called Mianna, had her first breath of actual life, and noticed her eyes were two different colors: Sky blue in one eye and a soft pale green in the other.
' Mianna or first goal is to find Cloud.' Aeris spoke to Mianna in her mind
" Yes I feel him near Nibelheim."
' Then's let's go I miss him so very much'
"I know". Soon after Mianna was finished talking she flew off in the direction of Nibelheim.
*****
"Cloud that cannot be possible Aeris died Five years ago!" Tifa yelled at Cloud for the fact the only reason he showed up was because Aeris was coming back somehow.
"I know Tifa but...."
"But nothing Cloud you leave as all behind not knowing where you are and you all the sudden show up because of the one person who died."
"Tifa I missed her a lot and felt I could not be around you and the others because they all reminded me of how much Aeris changed us all."
"Fine... Will at least let them come visit us so they know you're alive?"
"Sure why not I was starting to miss them."
Tifa's little get together was arranged a hour later and soon everyone was over and most had changed in their five years apart. Cid was married to Shera and they were expecting their first child, Red XIII hadn't changed except for the fact he was wiser, Vincent was the same as ever but a bit more sociable, Yuffie had stopped her Materia thieving and decided to become a full time ninja, Reeve had decided to join in the flesh instead of machine, and Barrett well is still the same old Barrett.
"Godammit Cloud its been a long time." Barrett chuckled slapping Cloud lightly on the back. The doorbell rang.
"Cloud could you get that for me I'm a little busy." Tifa asked Cloud as she juggled pots around the kitchen
"Sure Tifa."
Cloud opened the door to see a cloaked figure standing in the door way, he felt strange, but familar, aura coming from this figure.
"Does Tifa Lockheart live here?"
"Yes she does. What is it you need her for?" The person paused in silence.
"I heard she was having a reunion for her old battle buddies." The stranger told Cloud as she looked up at Cloud with a Sky Blue eye and a Pale Green eye.
"Those eyes." Cloud whispered. "Aeris?"
"Yes Cloud it is me Aeris. But first I must warn you I do not look the same."
"I understand Aeris just please let me see your face to let me know I'm not dreaming."
Aeris then slid back the hood of her cloak. Cloud was a little startled by her new look but it was Aeris all the same.
*****
Cloud almost collased in sheer joy of hearing Aeris speak once again. Cloud had let Aeris in and everyone was rubbing their eyes in amazement, Tifa had dropped all of her pots and fainted.
"Aeris is that really you?" Red XIII was the first to speak after that ackward silence ,
"Yes Red it's me."
"Oh my god!!" Yuffie shrieked as she ran over to give Aeris a hug.
The night was full of laughter , joy, and the celebration of many things. Once everyone left for the Inn for the night ,Cloud had stopped Aeris before she left.
"Aeris why don't you stay here tonight?"
"I'd love to but what about Tifa?" Aeris asked as she peeked around the corner to see Tifa give Cloud a dirty look.
"I hoping she won't mind would you Tifa?"
"Huh...Oh..ummmm... If you really want her to."
"Alright! Aeris you can sleep in the guest room and I'll sleep on the couch."
"But Cloud...."
"Don't worry Tifa I'll be fine."
Later that night Tifa was on her way to bed when she heard two voices coming from Aeris' room.
"Mianna this world is new to you, you shouldn't try to explore it the first day you're alive."
"I know Aeris but how I'm I ever supposed to do things in this world if I never get to explore and learn."
"How about this I'll put your needs before mine. I'll give you a couple of years to learn about the world but then we must come back here and see Cloud again, agreed?"
"Agreed." Tifa then walked in only to see the 'New' Aeris talking to herself.
"Aeris Why are you talking to yourself ?"
"I'm not Aeris."
"But you said you were at the door.....If you're not Aeris then who the hell are you?"
"I am but an empty shell carrying the soul of the one you call Aeris."
"Eh?.....So you're saying that Aeris is living inside you?"
"Yes watch......Hello Tifa." 'Aeris' eyes changed from the two colors Tifa saw them at before and were now the original green of Aeris'.
"How did you do that?"
"I just took the place of Mianna."
"Mianna?"
"That is her name."
"The shell?"
"Yes. Tifa you must do an important favor."
"Does it have to do with you leaving?"
"Yes you must keep Cloud here as long as you possibly can."
"I'll try my best. Could at least stay for breakfast, for his sake?"
"Sure this will be the first lesson for Mianna."
******
Tifa has prepared a simple breakfasr for her, Mianna, and Cloud.
"Ok Mianna these are pancakes they are pretty simple to eat. Watch." Tifa told Mianna as she held the fork and knife in her hands and cut a small piece of pancake to eat.
"Alright I'll try." Mianna did the exact same movements as Tifa.
"Very good."
Soon after they were finished Mianna left to venture the world to learn, also soon after Mianna left Cloud woke up and saw Tifa cleaning up the dishes.
"Tifa who were you eating with?"
"Aeris."
"So where is she now?"
"Umm.....she left."
"Left!? But why?"
"I can't tell you but I can tell you this she'll be back."
"Tifa she wasn't supposed leave again."
"Cloud don't worry about it, want some Pancakes?"
"Sure whatever."
******
Two years had passed and Tifa got frequent letters from Mianna and was glad to hear she was learning. It was a stormy night during the summer and Cloud had problems sleeping, not because of the storm, but because he had felt Aeris again.
Mianna had made it back to Nibeliheim to see everyone asleep.
' Mianna you should put your Masamune away.'
"But why?"
' Cloud has painful memories because of the masamune.'
"Alright."
' Now use those ninja skills you learn in Wutai to climb to Cloud's room.'
"Right."
Mianna had climbed up the wall and was crawling across the roof to Cloud's window. He had left the window open and was now resting on the bed. Mianna stealthly got through the window and was now sitting, lightly, on Cloud's waist. Looking at Cloud now Mianna switched with Aeris. Aeris sowly started leaning down then started kissing Cloud.
Cloud suddenly startled by the kiss woke up from his rest and was looking Aeris in the with a grin of joy.
"You're back."
"I always will come back nothing can keep me from you."
"Won't Tifa be suprised?"
"Well the faster we fall asleep the faster we can tell her."
But little did these two know Tifa had felt her come back much like Cloud did and as now softly weeping in her bed.
The next morning Tifa woke early to pack. Busying herself with packing she hadn't realized Cloud had woken up and was watching walk up and down the hall and stairs.
"Tifa what on earth are you doing?"
"Oh me? I'm packing."
"Why?"
"Well it seems that little old Tifa isn't needed around here.'
"Tifa did you hit your head or something last night? Your like a sister to me, your always there when I need comfort."
"I Know Cloud but... I felt her come back last night and that made me realize something: Why do you Need me when you got someone like her?" Tifa's eyes started to water. " I'm not needed her I thought, He has Aeris now no room for Tifa." Tifa started to cry.
"Tifa..." Cloud said soothingly. "Like I said your like the sister I never had. Why would you think I would ever let you leave...Besides you make great pancakes."Cloud said grining.
"Cloud." Tifa giggled as she punched him lightly on the shoulder.
Aeris woke up some time later and Tifa had made some breakfast.
"So Aeris what did she learn?"
"Oh many things she loved her travels especially the ones were the ancients used to live she says she saw people walking all over the city."
Cloud had a puzzled look on his face, "Who are you 2 girls talking about?"
"Um...."
"Tifa I'll tell him." Aeris then explained her story of Mianna, her shell.
"That is...interesting I never knew you of all people had the power to do this."
"Oh anyone can do this as long as they have enough faith in something."
"Oh thats reminds me, Aeris I know you just came back, but the executives at Shinra Co. Called me and wanted to talk to me about some other power sources and such."
"I understand Cloud. So how long will you be gone?"
"A week at least."
"Well that gives me time to spend quality time with the others."
"Didn't you see them on your trip?"
"No."
"Why?" Cloud asked resting his head on his fists.
"Mianna was in a hurry to learn as much as she can in a two year period."
"Oh I see."
Cloud left 2 mornings after Aeris came back.
"Cloud give this letter to my mother and say hi and get me a sovenier! Ok?"
"Alright calm down Aeris. Well bye Tifa." Cloud hugging Tifa." Bye Aeris." Also hugging her but also pecking her on the cheek. Cloud then got on his Chocobo and rode off into the distance. Tifa had invited Vincent over so Aeris/Mianna could chat with him.
"Vincent I'm not sure if I should ask you this but, Did you sense "Him" while I was away?"
"I did..."
"That's good for a second there I thought you said you did."
"I did."
"Oh no...Oh no... My god...Why is he doing this to me?."
"What do you mean?"
"He told me while he was alive that if I ever ressurected myself he would take my happiness from me again."
"That is terrible."
"Cloud would be so sad and knowing him he would...he would...." Aeris put her head down and started crying.
"He would what?"
"He would kill himself to avenge me once again."
"He didn't kill himself last time."
"That's because Sephiroth left Jenova behind so Cloud would kill her and he could continue to go kill him."
"Well Aeris I hate to leave you at such a depressing moment but its late and immortals need sleep."
"I understand Vincent. Thank you."
"For what?"
"Our little chat relieved so much stress."
"Well it was nice seeing you again Aeris."
"Goodbye Vincent."
A couple of days after her chat with Vincent, Aeris had visited everybody and now was just waiting for Cloud to get back.
"Aeris great news!"
"What is it Tifa?"
"Cloud is going to be coming back tomorrow Morning!"
"Oh my god thats great I'm so excited now."
"Well I'm going to go clean then make supper so do whatever till then."
"Alright Tifa."
Soon after dessert Aeris went up to bed. Just shortly after Aeris fell asleep she started dreaming.
Aeris was in the Forest of Ancients, she noticed her clothing was like the robes she wore in the Lifestream. The Forest was the same as ever except for the lone man quite a distance from Aeris.
"How does it feel Aeris?" A voice belowed through the trees.
"How does what feel?"
"Being alive instead of being stuck in the burning depths of Hell."
"Sephiroth..."
"My Aeris it sure did take you a long time to guess who it is." Sephiroth came closer to reveal his black Trench coat, Silver hair, and his Burning with Mako Emerald eyes.
"What do you want from me this time Sephiroth? You already stole my life once."
"I know but the Ruler of hell says I can't leave for my shell if there is already a shell with a soul inside."
"What are you talking about are you going to try and kill my shell so you can be resurrected."
"No Aeris you got it all wrong."
"What?"
"Aeris I hate to be the bearer of bad news but...Your time on earth is up now and forever." Sephiroth's sinister eyes lock on to Aeris as he pulls out his mighty Masamune.
"You know Aeris I heard you shell trained in the art of the Masamune."
"She did." Aeris looked up to Sephiroth, Masamune in hand, with tears running down her cheeks.
"Well when I see Cloud again I'll tell him you said Goodbye." With those words Sephiroth bought his Masmune down hard on Aeris's heart. As Sephiroth begin to leave a small child came out of the bushes to look upon the dying Aeris.
"Aeris you can't leave me." The child lifting Aeris' head onto her lap.
"Who are you?"
"Aeris it's me Mianna."
"Mianna will you promise that you will take care of Cloud for me."
"Don't worry Aeris I'll protect him with my life." Mianna told Aeris as she began to cry.
"Don't worry I won't be far I'll always be in your dreams."
"Goodbye Aeris." cried Mianna.
"Goodbye...." Aeris then died on Mianna's lap.
******
Tifa awoke early to clean for when Cloud got home. A couple of hours after she woke up Cloud was back and eager to see Aeris.
"Hey Tifa where's Aeris?"
"She must still be in bed."
"I'm going to go surprise her."
"You do that Cloud." Tifa told Cloud with a smile on her face.
As Cloud opened the door to Aeris' room felt the strength in his legs give away and all the blood drain from his face. The place where he had slept the night Aeris came back was now drenched with blood and in the middle of all this blood was what appeared to be a hole made by none other then a Masamune.
Tifa was drying a plate when a scream coming from up stairs startled her. She dropped the plate and raced up stairs and saw Cloud clawing at his head, crying.
"Cloud!"
"Tifa." Cloud wimpered. "She's gone...again...without even...saying goodbye." Cloud then collapsed into Tifa's arm's crying.
Later on in the evening Tifa had phoned Barrett while Cloud was resting.
"Barrett I really worried he has lost her twice in one life time and right now we don't even know who could've done such a thing."
"What are you talkin' about Tifa?"
"Barrett, me and Cloud think Aeris was murdered last night."
"What?"
"Cloud hasn't left the room since he got home this morning he won't even let me clean up."
"I'm not good at this but I think he is just trying to absorb the shock."
"I guess your right." Just then Cloud came down the stairs with Buster Sword in hand.
"Barrett hold on ok."
"Yeah sure." Tifa raced to the door before Cloud could leave.
"Cloud where are you going?"
"To find him."
"Who Cloud?"
"Sephiroth." Cloud then pushed Tifa out of his way and left.
"Oh Shit." Tifa raced back to the phone.
"Barrett you gotta help me!"
"Why?"
"I think Cloud has gone mad."
"What!?"
"He just left to go look for....Sephiroth."
"Sephiroth! That guy has been dead for years....Oh ok I understand Cloud has gone mad."
"Call Cid tell him to get the Highwind ready and tell him to call me on the PHs alright."
"Got it." Tifa then got her gloves and boots and booted out the door.
*******
Cloud had to travel for hours to get to the City of Ancients. Why he was going there he did not know he just knew he had to be there for Aeris' sake. A little while after dark Cloud set up a camp.
"You know she didn't mean to die again." The voice came from the shadows
"Who's there?" Cloud yelled pulling out his buster sword."How did you know Aeris died?"
"I was there when it happened."
"Your the one who murdered her didn't you?!" Cloud yelled as he franticly searched for the owner of the voice.
"Cloud..." A young woman stepped out of the shadows. "I would never murder the very person who gave me life."
"What?....You're her Shell aren't you?"
"I am."
"Then how are you still here is Aeris is dead?"
"I don't know. But we have to stop Sephiroth."
"Why should I help you fight someone who has been dead for a long time?"
"Because his time in Hell is now up."
"What do you mean?"
"He is ressurecting himself in a days time."
"He's ressurecting himself like Aeris did."
"Yes." The stranger started walking off. " Oh by the way your friends are looking for you."
"Wait."
"Why?"
"Come back with me help us fight Sephiroth."
"Sure why not Aeris would have wanted me too."
********
Tifa had found Cloud and much to her surprise Mianna as well.
"Mianna how did you get here?"
"I flew."
"Flew in what?"
"I didn't fly in anything I flew here with my wings."
"You have wings?"
"Yes. I'm not an ordinary human you know."Mianna told tifa as she unfolded her wings.
"AHHHH!" Tifa screams.
"Don't worry I'm not a monster either." Mianna then flew off in the direction of Nibeliheim.
"Aeris made her to be like an angel from heaven didn't she Tifa."
"I think so Cloud.....Come on we better start heading home."
"Yeah."
The next morning Cloud was woken up a small thud on the roof. He got up to look out the window to see it was Mianna with a basket in her hands.
"I'm sorry Cloud did I wake you?"
"Yeah, but its no big deal."
"Hey do you want a piece of fruit?"
"Sure." Mianna hands Cloud an apple.
"Cloud I know this may sound uncaring but why don't you move on?"
"I don't know its really hard to when you love a person as much as I did."
"Cloud you'll always have that feeling. But you know Aeris would've wanted you to move on."
"I know but can I move on after I know Sephiroth is gone for good."
"Sure whenever you feel comfortable go right on ahead."
"I'll do it."
"Well I better get these fruits downstairs for Tifa."
"Ok. Mianna..."
"Hmm.." Mianna turned from the doorway.
"Thanks for setting me on the right path."
"No problem Cloud."
Mianna was downstairs with Tifa eating breakfast when Cloud came down.
"Hello Cloud me and Mianna were just chatting about were Sephiroth will be ressurected."
"Where do you think he will be ressurected Mianna?"
"In the crater where he died."
"How do you know where he'll be ressurected?"
"Aeris told me last night." Mianna saying Aeris' name is what really got Cloud into this.
"How did you speak with her?" Cloud asked quietly.
"In my dreams I meet her there."
"How does that happen?"
"Her soul temporaily enters my mind."
"I don't about you guys." Tifa gets up and starts grabbing the dishes. "But this is really getting weird."
Later on in the afternoon Mianna was outside training to prepare herself for the 'fight', the breeze then picked up and Mianna got and sharp pain in her chest.
"Mianna who ever thought you would gain a soul."
"How could I? I was not made for the purpose of my own soul."
"Then how does that explain the fact that your still around?"
"I don't know..." Mianna screams in agony."They never told her why I still am."
"Who?" Mianna screams again as the pain grow more fierce.
"The elders..." Mianna then goes unconscious.
Cloud went out to train soon after Mianna, when he got to the field he saw this usual lump in the distance, Mianna. Cloud ran to her with all his might he was not going to lose another person in his life so soon.
"Mianna..." He gently lifted her head. "Mianna wake up...Please wake up."
"Cloud...." Mianna whispered weakly.
"Your still alive!?"
"Yeah..."
"Cure!" Cloud yelled as Mianna's wound healed slightly.
"Cloud just use the PHs to phone Tifa."
"Alright." Cloud got out his PHs. "Tifa are you there?"
"Yeah what is it Cloud?"
"I need your help Mianna has been wounded and we have to get he back to the house."
"Alright I'll be out there as soon as possible."
Tifa got there a quick she could with a make shift stretcher.
"What happened?"
"I don't know." Mianna told Tifa weakly. "One minute I was training then the next thing I knew a piercing pain went through my chest."
Suddenly Cloud thought of something, the pain that went through Mianna's chest was in the same fashion as when Aeris died, Sephiroth was attacking her.
*********
A few hous later Cloud went to go give Mianna her tea.
"Mianna I brought you some tea."
"Thank you Cloud."
"Are you feeling any better?"
"A bit. I should feel fine in the morning."
"Mianna.....Do you know how Aeris died?"
"Yes..."
"How?"
"Cloud you have nightmares right?"
"Yeah I wouldn't be me without them."
"When Aeris died it was a living nightmare."
"What do you mean?"
"That night Aeris went to sleep right and then seconds after she fell asleep Sephiroth put her in dream state."
"I see, go on."
"Since Aeris' soul enters the dream state it would be easy for Sephiroth to get rid of her because it was his dream not hers."
"Go on."
"She was standing there talking to him for what seemed like seconds and then...." Mianna's eyes started to water. "He brought his Masamune down so hard on her chest I could've swore I heard her breast bone shatter." Cloud hands her a tissue.
"Once he left the bloody heap that was Aeris I crept out of hiding to see what I could do, but as soon as I got close enough to see Aeris gripping at her chest to stop the blood from flowing I knew it was over. I then sat down and gently rested Aeris' head on my lap, it was so hard for her to speak but she made me promise something...."
"What?" Cloud asked his eyes slightly watering.
"To protect you with my life...She then choked out Goodbye." Mianna's strong spirit was greatly weakened whenever she spoke of it. Cloud then suddenly, crying slightly, embraced Mianna with so much understanding in his heart.