Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ On Our Own ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7: On Our Own

 

The betrayal of Cait Sith was taken rather well considering the circumstances. If anything, it only strengthened the hatred of ShinRa that was already in existence. In truth, the stuffed moogle was correct in saying that it was done and over with. They all really had no choice but to continue on.

 

Each reacted in their own way to the incident. Barret cursed and vowed to destroy the toy for putting his daughter in danger. He was the hardest to calm down. Aeris gave him her most disappointed look, which - coming from her - was enough to make anyone feel guilty. Vincent shrugged his shoulders, unsurprised. Cloud, being the leader, understood the situation and restrained from destroying the toy. Nanaki was surprisingly silent, while Yuffie vowed to tear it limb from limb, planning to sneakily steal its material at the same time.

 

But it was Cid's reaction to the event that startled everyone most of all. He just looked at Cait Sith angrily before turning away, eyes glancing at Vincent once. He muttered something under his breath that most everyone strained to hear.

 

“His was not the only betrayal that night,” he mumbled before stalking off.

 

The rest of the group stared after Cid in shock as he made his way to the tram that would take them down to North Corel.

 

Then, one by one, they followed him until only Vincent and Cait Sith were left standing outside the entrance to Gold Saucer.

 

Vincent moved to stand beside him. He put his hand lightly on the stuffed moogle's shoulder, gaining his attention. He stared off after the retreating figures of the rest of the friends. “There are always reasons,” he said simply, voice low but reassuring.

 

Cait Sith looked at him, confusion etched into his features. Vincent was trying to comfort him in his own way.

 

He stared up into the ivory face as black strands of hair escaped from their confinement to fall in the gunman's face. There was a troubled look in those crimson eyes, a look that made Cait Sith almost feel as if there were a kinship.

 

Then the hand was gone, and the gunman was swiftly moving towards the tram, the link broken. Cait Sith looked thoughtful for a moment before hurrying to catch up to the group.

 

* * *

 

Cid sighed as he looked at the melancholy expressions on the faces of the friends. Aeris' death had hit everyone hard, even Vincent. For the first casualty of their journey to be someone as full of life as Aeris, well, it just showed them their own mortality. It reminded them all that it wasn't a game that they played… they were fighting for their lives.

 

Their journey to the Temple of the Ancients had really and truly not gone as expected. Finding Tseng just inside the entrance, trying to cover up the bleeding slash in his stomach was certainly unexpected. Kind-hearted Aeris had trouble holding in her tears. She had said that Tseng had been kind to her. If anyone else had said that, it might not have been believed.

 

They fought their way through the temple, overcoming a labyrinth, a rolling rock room, various monsters and such. Even some of the lingering ancients were of help though it was rather difficult to understand anything the mumbling old men - or was it women - had said. Aeris was a good translator… the only translator.

 

They were in the murals room when things started to go wrong. First, Sephiroth showed up, doing strange things to Cloud's mind. Next, they read about Meteor and the Black Materia. It was then that Cait Sith offered to give up his body so that he could work the puzzle from within the temple.

 

Afterwards, Sephiroth made Cloud give him the black materia and then forced the ex-SOLDIER to attack Aeris. Vincent had to bodily compel the crazed spiky-headed leader off of the poor girl and, in the end, had been forced to knock him out.

Everyone ended up at Gongaga after the temple, and it was there Aeris disappeared. Yet, Cloud claimed that she came to him in a dream and he knew where she was going, so they all started on a chase that would take them across the world, through Bone Village, to the City of the Ancients. It was there that they received their worst shock.

 

Cid sighed again as his gaze lowered and his thoughts turned inwards, his mind replaying the scene once again.

 

~# Flashback #~

 

Cloud had woken up in the middle of the night, dreaming about Aeris. Cid and Vincent followed him as he made his way to a part of the city they had previously explored. However, instead of seeing the familiar large goldfish, there was now a translucent glass stairway leading downwards. Without hesitating, Cloud followed it, Cid and Vincent close behind.

 

They made their way down the stairs and through the forgotten city. Looking out in the distance, they saw Aeris, sitting in a small alcove, her body framed by a ray of light. She was kneeling, her head bowed and her eyes closed.

 

Cid and Vincent made as if to follow Cloud as he headed to leap onto the stones that would take him to her. But he gestured once simply, indicating that he wanted to go alone. The two men nodded their heads and reluctantly stayed behind.

 

“Aeris…” Cloud murmured softly to himself before he promptly started leaping from stone to stone.

 

Finally, he made it to the base of the structure and started to climb the staircase. Almost immediately it became obvious that he was having some internal struggle. He would stop, shake his head violently, and then continue forward. He pressed himself forward until finally he stood before her.

 

Then things started to become really strange… well, stranger. Cloud started to act as if he were a zombie, drawing his sword and facing the kneeling flower girl. His eyes seemingly vacant, he lifted up his sword as if were going to slay her then and there. His hands trembled on the hilt of the enormous sword as his body twitched. Cloud was trying to fight himself. It was both fascinating and terrifying to watch. The entire time Aeris sat there calmly praying, accepting whatever fate came her way. It was as if she knew something that the rest of them didn't.

 

He moved to strike but Cid's words stopped him, “Dumb #^%@!”

 

Cloud shook his head as he pulled his sword away, backing from Aeris by several steps. “Ugh…” he moaned. “What are you making me do?”

 

Then Aeris opened her green eyes and looked up at Cloud, a small smile on her face. His blue eyes met her beautiful jade gaze. For a moment, all was still as a shining light passed over her features. It seemed as if everything was going to be all right.

 

Until Sephiroth suddenly leapt down from wherever he was hiding, black trench coat flying in the wind. He landed smoothly behind Aeris, Masamune piercing her back. Her eyes widened in surprise, her mouth forming a gentle “o” as she fell forward, speared on the long blade, her hands falling useless to her side.

 

Time stood still for that brief moment, as Sephiroth looked up, an evil smirk on his face as he watched Cloud carefully. He slowly withdrew his sword, gesturing happily towards the heavens.

 

Aeris' body slipped off of the sword and Cloud ran forward to catch her, muttering softly to her, voice choked with pain, “… Aeris.” He shook her gently, as if that would make her eyes open.

 

She didn't respond.

 

“This can't be real!” he denied out loud, overwhelmed by the emotion threatening to overspill his eyes.

 

“Do not worry,” came Sephiroth's cold and calculating voice. A voice they had all learned to hate; one that sent chills down their spines. “Soon the girl will become part of the Planet's energy. All that is left is to go north. The `Promised Land' waits for me over the snowy fields. There, I will become a new man by uniting with the planet. As will this girl…”

 

“… Shut up,” Cloud growled softly, body beginning to shake with remorse. He glared at Sephiroth, words coursing through his lips spitefully, “The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don't mean a thing. Aeris is gone…”

 

He turned his sorrow-filled mako eyes back to the brunette in his arms. “Aeris will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry…. or get angry…” He held her close to him, feeling the last of her body's warmth. “What about us… what are WE supposed to do? What about my pain?” He didn't look up at Sephiroth, eyes gazing downwards at Aeris, as he gently laid her to the ground.

 

His body began to shake again, tears threatening to overcome him, as emotions he did not understand began to overwhelm his strained control. “My fingers are tingling. My mouth is dry. My eyes are burning!”

 

Sephiroth turned his cold gaze down towards Cloud, giving him a reproachful, disbelieving look. His voice rang out, clear and mocking, “What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me you have feelings too?”

 

Cloud stood to his feet angrily, turning around to face his nemesis. He swung his arm out in loud proclamation. “Of course! Who do you think I am!?”

 

Sephiroth laughed, shoulders shaking with his amusement, but still no light pierced his mako green insane eyes. “Ha, ha, ha… stop acting as if you were sad. There's no need to act as though you're angry either.” He rose off the ground, seemingly flying as he still mocked Cloud with his words. “Because, Cloud. You are…”

 

He disappeared in a flash of colors, one of his monsters coming to attack them. It was Jenova-LIFE. It was not a particularly hard battle, thanks to the Water Ring that Vincent had discovered and a few carefully placed Quake spells, but the weight of their loss still settled heavily on their hearts and their concentration was almost completely shot.

 

Especially Cloud. He fought with tears in his eyes, swinging angrily at the monster, hacking off pieces wherever he could. It didn't stand a chance. Soon it lay in a quivering mass of monster on the ground.

 

It was then that Sephiroth's mocking words came back to haunt them once more as Jenova spoke before she died, “Because, you are… a puppet.”

 

“I'm… a puppet?” Cloud questioned. He received no answer.

 

It was quite heart breaking to see Cloud after the battle, repeatedly casting Life and using Phoenix Down on Aeris. But it was far too late. Her soul had already departed… the spells and items were completely useless. Sephiroth had succeeded in distracting them enough to lose that small window of time.

 

Once Cloud was forced to give up, there wasn't much more to be said. Vincent looked at Aeris, and then walked to Cloud before leaving them alone. Cid said goodbye to Aeris, looking up to the heavens as if expecting an answer. None came and he walked away, leaving Cloud alone with Aeris.

 

Cloud looked at the ground, fingers clenching into a fist. He appeared to come to grips with his emotion as he knelt and picked up Aeris in his arms.

 

~# End Flashback #~

 

Now there was none among them who understood anything about the Cetra and the Promised Land. Aeris was the very last of the Ancients, and now she lay at the bottom of a clear and beautiful lake, her burial ground. She seemed so peaceful in her last moments, or so Cid had thought. He wondered why Cloud chose to bring him and Vince along, but didn't once stop to question their leader's choice.

 

It had been Aeris who was slowly leading them, even though Cloud was still in charge. It was her knowledge that had given them any sort of clues. And now, they were on their own.

 

That bastard Sephiroth, killed her as she prayed for the safety of the planet and her friends. He did not even have the decency to be remorseful as he grinned and pulled out his sword. Cid could not wait for the next chance to bring him down.

 

Out of all of them, Cloud probably took her death the hardest. This came as no surprise being as how the two of them had gotten really close in the past couple of weeks. Cid had learned from Yuffie about the night they spent in Gold Saucer, considering it was them who caught Cait Sith in the act of his betrayal. At least Cloud had Tifa to fall back on, that girl would do anything for their spiky-headed leader.

 

Cid could understand how they all felt. He may not have been particularly close to the flower girl, but he knew he would miss her unfailing smile. It seemed she never judged anyone, and even put up with his coarse ways.

 

It was a solemn group that sat huddled in one of the abandoned homes of the decrepit City of the Ancients. Even the fire, that should have burned brightly providing warmth and comfort, seemed to glow dimly, barely warm enough to push away the least of the chills.

 

Tifa still sniffed slightly, vastly upset over the loss of her friend. It was long suspected that the two girls hated each other, the both of them vying for Cloud's attentions. But somewhere along the way, they realized that there were more important things and stopped fighting. After that, they were best friends. It still hit Tifa hard that Sephiroth could kill Aeris in such a cold-hearted way.

 

Finally, Cloud spoke. He had stood with his back to them, staring off at nothing. “Everyone, listen.” At that, he had their attention. Seven pairs of expectant eyes turned towards their leader, both hopeful and wary.

 

“I'm Cloud, ex-SOLDIER, born in Nibelheim,” he said, almost as if to himself. He turned around to face them. “I came to settle up with Sephiroth.”

 

“I heard that before,” commented Cid, scratching his head.

 

“I came here by my own free will… or so I thought,” Cloud continued, shaking his head and ignoring Cid. “However… to tell the truth, I'm afraid of myself.” He turned his back on his comrades once again, as if he feared their reaction to his words.

 

“There is a part of me that I don't understand. That part that made me give the Black Materia to Sephiroth. If you hadn't stopped me, Aeris might have been…” he paused, coming to grips with his words, then switching his flow, “There's something inside of me. A person who is not really me. That's why I should quit this journey before I do something terrible.”

 

He faced them once more, looking them each in the eye as he clenched his fist, “But I am going,” he said solidly, almost convincing himself. “He destroyed my hometown five years ago, killed Aeris, and is now trying to destroy the Planet. I'll never forgive… Sephiroth. I… I must go on.” He calmed himself and spoke quietly, “I have a favor to ask of you. Will you all come with me? To save me… from doing something… terrible.”

 

“…But, Cloud…” said Tifa softly, as if she wasn't sure if she could do as he asked. He shook his head at her and she fell silent, before nodding slowly.

 

“Of course, Cloud, you needn't even ask,” Nanaki stated simply, lion eyes gently gazing at his leader and friend.

 

“…” Vincent didn't answer, merely looking at Cloud with his piercing crimson eyes before he nodded his head once.

 

“Sure man, whatever the hell you say.” Cid shrugged before lighting up a cigarette.

 

“I don't know how Aeris tried to save the planet from the Meteor, and I guess now we'll never know. But! We still have a chance. We must get that Black Materia back before Sephiroth uses it. “

 

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Though their own sorrow was great, they were glad to see that their leader had finally come to grips with his own.

 

He smiled softly. “But don't think I am harsh as all that. We will rest here for the night.”

 

“Thank goodness,” Tifa said, breathing a sigh of relief.

 

“Yeah.” Yuffie nodded.” For a minute there I thought you were going to make us march all night.”

 

“There should be plenty enough room for everyone to sleep in this building,” responded Cloud, shooting Yuffie a look that bordered on irritation.

 

It was then that he noticed Vincent had moved from his position and was stealing silently towards the door. Mako blue eyes watched as the gunman snuck out of the building, heading outside.

 

Cloud waited until the others had moved on, ignoring him before he slipped out after Vincent, wanting to see where the crimson-eyed man had gone.

 

He peeked out from the doorway, not wanting to accidentally run into the quiet man. Cloud could see the shadow of Vincent as it followed the path away from the ancient's house and further into the village. He could not hear his steps however, and knew that he had to be stealthy in order for the man not to see him.

 

He quietly and carefully trailed Vincent for the better part of fifteen minutes. The raven-haired gunman headed deeper into the city until he got to the lake that was the site of Aeris' last home. Cloud hung back in the shadows, hand resting carefully on his sword. He swore to himself that if Vincent defiled her grave…

 

But no. He merely sat on the edge of the water, knees drawn up to his chest. His golden claw rested against the ground as his chin sat on his other arm, draped across his knees. Vincent gazed across the still waters, his lips moving soundlessly. From where he was standing, Cloud could not hear what he was saying. He only knew that he was speaking.

 

He entertained thoughts about walking up to Vincent and demanding to know what he was doing. But as quickly as the thoughts entered his mind, they were cast aside. No, instead he would put this away for future reference. Sooner or later he would come to understand the enigmatic gunman. But for now, Cloud would leave him alone.

 

Glancing back at the crimson-eyed figure once more, Cloud turned around and went back to the home where the others were. Vincent could take care of himself, he was sure of that.

* * *

 

Vincent sighed softly as his gaze traveled over the calm waters that were Aeris' grave. The place seemed so empty and forgotten, like the lost civilization that supposedly once dwelt there. It was fitting for Aeris to lie here, and yet still not. She deserved a place with flowers and warmth, where visits were common.

 

He may not have been friends with the flower girl, but she was always unspeakingly kind to him, offering comforting words or gestures in her quiet voice. For someone else to hear what she said, they may not have understood. But she always seemed to know the exact right words that he needed to hear.

 

There was a quiet wisdom about her, one that belied her age. She reminded him of someone, but it seemed his memories were so scattered now. The time he spent in Hojo's tender care was nothing but a painful blur that he wasn't sure if he even wanted to remember. Those soft and gentle moments with Lucrecia, those he held dear to him, though they were also slipping slowly from his memory. It was like there was something within him, eating away at his thoughts and memories. He could scarce remember anything about his past before the Jenova project. His life as a Turk, or even memories before that… they were fading. Those last few scraps of his humanity, his memories, they were deserting him.

 

He looked again over the still waters, remembering the gentle flower girl that lay beneath their surface. Vincent felt guilt over her death, as if there was something that he could have done to prevent it. Perhaps not right that moment, but then… time long past. If Sephiroth had never been born… if he hadn't been such an arrogant fool… Hojo would never have won. It was his own pride that caused him not to carry his own weapon that day… his pride and Lucrecia's soft pleading.

 

“I am sorry…” he whispered softly, speaking to Aeris. He hoped that she could hear him, wherever she was, and that she would maybe one day forgive him.

 

It seemed he would spend his lifetime atoning for his mistakes… they only led to more.

 

* * *