Disclaimer: I don’t own Final Fantasy 7, just this story. My story. Not your’s.

Author’s Note: Here we go! Chapter 2! Fair warning, I’m sure there’s something in this chapter that’s been done before. I’ve only come across one example of it in my reading, but I’m sure it’s been done a lot. Sorry. Oh well, on with the show!

Cloud knew exactly where he was, although he was a bit confused as to why he was there. He looked at the bright field, waiting for Her to appear. This hadn’t happened for a while.

“There you are,” said a beautiful, familiar voice. She laughed. “I was wondering when you’d get here.” Cloud smiled.

“It’s nice to hear you again, Aerith,” said Cloud. Aerith smiled, putting a hand on his arm.

“So,” she said, “You were talking about me with Tifa today?” Cloud nodded.

“Yes,” he replied. “We were talking about you. It... it really got me thinking.”

“How so?” asked another familiar voice. He walked up, smiling at Cloud. Like Aerith, he hadn’t changed a day since Cloud had last seen him. His other best friend. The one who’d gotten them away from Hojo. Who’d given Cloud his sword, and told him to live.

“Well,” said Cloud, “It’s just... Aerith, are you happy? I mean, are you happier now, or when you were...”

“Alive?” she finished. She smiled at Cloud’s expression. He felt foolish for asking, and his face showed it. “I’m not sure Cloud. It’s not so bad, being here. But, I do miss you and all the others.”

“I’m surprised she misses you that much,” said Zack. “You’re always coming here to visit.” Aerith smiled.

“You know that’s not what I mean,” she said. “I miss them, and I’d rather not have to wait for them to return to the planet so I can see them again.” She looked back at Cloud. “But how exactly did you come up with that question?”

“It’s what Tifa and I were talking about,” said Cloud. “She asked me if I would wish for you to come back if I knew that it would come true.”

“And you answered?” asked Aerith.

“I said... I said I didn’t know,” Aerith lifted an eyebrow. “I told her I’d only do something like that if I thought it would make you happy.” Aerith smiled.

“That’s what was troubling you so much?” asked Aerith. “Wether I would be happy being alive again or staying here?” Cloud nodded. “I’d be happy either way, as long as I got to talk to you.” Cloud’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected her to say anything like that. “Besides, it was just a question. You can’t just wish a person back like that.” Cloud nodded. It was true, as much as it pained him to think about it. He’d, of course, love to have Aerith back amongst the living. If he had the power to make that a reality, he might do it now that he knew her feelings about the issue.

It was then that he realized he was putting a lot of thought into this hypothetical question. More thought than he’d given any question he could remember. It was just a question, but it kept nagging him. He couldn’t explain it. And what about Zack? How would what was between he and Aertih factor in? There it was again. Thinking too deeply into this. Zack seemed to sense this.

“Cloud,” he said, “Walk with me.” He started walking off, motioning for Cloud to follow. Zack smiled at Aerith. She smiled back, understandingly. This was going to be one of those man-to-man talks. Cloud followed Zack, wondering what he wanted to talk with him about.

“Cloud,” said Zack, after they’d walked a fair distance from Aerith, “I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry about this. It’s just a question, like Aerith said. But if it’ll help you forget about it, I’ll let you know something. When Aerith and I were together... well, how do I begin. We cared for each other a lot.” Cloud nodded. “I was her first boyfriend, and she was my first girlfriend. Well, only girlfriend, considering what happened.” Cloud was still silent. He knew, better than anyone, what had happened. “I’ll tell you something. Aerith and I liked each other a lot, Cloud. When I didn’t come home, she eventually moved on. She still cared about me, but hey. I had been gone for quite some time. Then she met you. She came to have strong feelings for you, Cloud. They only got stronger as you traveled together. When she died, she died loving you.” Cloud’s eyes widened once more.

“She...” he began. He said nothing else. He hadn’t known exactly how deep her feelings for him had run. Zack nodded.

“So even if she was somehow able to come back to life,” said Zack, “She’d be happy if you were with her. And as for me, well... I couldn’t imagine her in better hands.” Zack smiled. “But it was only a question, right? So cheer up, you knucklehead. Don’t get so serious about it!” Zack laughed, and so did Cloud. He’d gotten so hung up on a hypothetical question. He felt better now. They walked back to Aerith.

“Well,” she said, “You’re in a better mood Cloud.”

“Yeah,” said Cloud. “I am.”

“You know,” she said, “You should try waking up Cloud. If not, you’ll be late getting started with work and Tifa’s going to be awful cross with you.” Cloud smiled.

His eyes snapped open. Sunlight was filtering in through the blinds on his bedroom window. He looked at the clock. 9 am. He was gonna be late.

He jumped out of bed and got dressed. He headed downstairs. He had a long day of deliveries ahead. Plus, he had to meet Vincent later. He was still mystified as to what Vincent wanted to see him about, but he knew better than to ask. Vincent was never one for answering questions over the phone. Cloud knew that he preferred to answer them in person.

888

Vincent sat by the lake, waiting. Cloud would be there in a few hours. Vincent would then know wether he was right or not. It would react to Cloud. It had to.

How it would react, he didn’t know. In fact, he wasn’t sure how Cloud would react.

888

“Maybe I should come with you,” said Tifa. Cloud was getting ready to leave. He had to go now if he wanted to meet Vincent on time. And to do that, he’d have to meet Cid on time, as Cid was the only person he knew personally that owned an airship.

“Why?” asked Cloud.

“Well,” said Tifa, “I’m curious. I wanna know what Vincent was calling about.”

“Well,” said Cloud, unsure, “He really only told me to come. He may have his reasons.”

“Then call and ask,” said Tifa. She was really, really curious. The enigmatic Vincent Valentine calling, and then just giving Cloud such strange instructions. She had to know what it was all about. Cloud dialed Vincent’s number, heading out the door as he did. Wether Tifa was coming or not, he still needed to leave. He hopped onto Fenrir, and Tifa brought out the chocobo. It was a Golden Chocobo named Belinda. They’d had her for about three years. It was with her that they’d discovered a cave on an unmarked island. It had housed a very powerful Materia. Tifa shook herself from these thoughts, snapping back to the present.

“Hello?” asked Vincent’s voice.

“It’s Cloud. Would it be alright if Tifa came too?” There was a puase.

“I suppose,” said Vincent.

“Alright then,” said Cloud. With that, they were off.

888

Vincent hung up. With Tifa coming, things might be complicated. But, he reasoned, she would have found out soon enough anyway. He didn’t know how she’d react to it anymore than he knew how Cloud would react to it. Although, he knew how Tifa felt about Cloud. He’d been there too. In love with someone who didn’t feel the same way. At least, Cloud didn’t seem to feel the same way. In any case, his feelings for Tifa were not as strong as Tifa’s feelings for Cloud, and certainly not as strong as Cloud’s feelings for Aerith.

‘I wonder then,’ thought Vincent, ‘What exactly will happen tonight. I suppose we’ll all see soon enough.’

Cloud drove up about an hour later, Tifa right behind him on Belinda. “Hello Vincent,” said Tifa, smiling. “Long time no see!”

“Hello Tifa,” said Vincent. “Hello Cloud. You’re here on time. Good.”

“Hello Vincent,” said Cloud. “On time for what? You never said what it was you were going to show me.” Cloud dismounted Fenrir, and Tifa got off of Belinda.

“You’ll see,” said Vincent, looking out at the lake. “It’ll happen any minute.”

“What will happen?” asked Tifa. Vincent said nothing at first, instead pointing out at the lake.

“The same thing that’s happened the last two nights in a row,” he said. “Look out to the spot where I’m pointing. Do you recognize that area?” Cloud looked out. How was he supposed to know a specific place on a body of water? Why did Vincent expect him to... Oh. That was why.

“Yes,” said Cloud. “I remember that spot.” Tifa looked out. “That’s where I ... where I placed Aerith.” Tifa looked back at Cloud. He looked so sad. None of them said anything for a few moments.

“Why are you pointing to it?” asked Tifa, trying to break the silence.

“Because,” said Vincent, “I want you to look out at that spot. It will start any moment now.”

“What will-?” began Tifa. She stopped mid question, her focus now entirely upon the lake. The spot was starting to glow. It glowed brighter and brighter with each passing second, and the area of the glow grew wider. Something broke the surface of the water gently, slowly rising up. Only the top was visible at first. It looked like some sort of crystal.

“What is-?” asked Cloud.

“A crystal,” said Vincent, “Made of solid mako. Like the one Lucrecia is in.”

“Lucrecia?” asked Tifa. “But she’s in Northern Cave. Why would a crystal...” She trailed off. The crystal was rising still, and Tifa was beginning to understand. Though Vincent had been very cryptic, she thought she knew what he was trying to say. The crystal kept rising, and now They could make out a human-shaped figure inside. It was glowing to bright to see who it was, but Tifa knew who it had to be.

Cloud kept staring. What was this feeling he was getting? Who was inside the crystal? Could it be...? The crystal suddenly glowed intensely brighter. There was a flash of light. Tifa, Cloud, and Vincent had to blink several times to clear their visions. Vincent had already seen it, but what they saw left Tifa and Cloud in awe. It was Her.

“It’s...” said Cloud. Vincent nodded.

“Yes,” said Vincent. “Aerith.” They all looked at the crystal in amazement.

“How...?” asked Tifa.

“My guess,” said Vincent, “Is that this happened after her body was placed in the lake. The properties of the lake became a medium through which the planet could entomb the last of the Cetra. In short, the planet did this to preserve Aerith’s body.”

“But how did it just come up out of the water?” asked Tifa.

“I’m not sure,” said Vincent. “But I have a feeling that it’s waiting for something.” He looked at Cloud. Tifa looked at Vincent questioningly.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“I think,” said Vincent, “That the crystal has been waiting for Cloud. In fact, It’s actually glowing brighter tonight than it ever has.” Cloud, however, only caught bits and pieces of what they were saying. His focus was on Aerith. On impulse, he stepped into the lake.

“Cloud!” exclaimed Tifa. “What’re you-?”

“Shh,” said Vincent, putting a finger to her lips. “Just watch.” Cloud continued to make his way forward, getting deeper and deeper into the lake. The water was soon up to his waist.

He reached the crystal. He stared at it for several moments, taking in it’s beauty, as well as the beauty of the one inside. Her eyes were closed, and she had a small, peaceful smile on her face. His right hand slowly rose out of the water, and he reached out. He touched the crystal. Ding A small, melodious bell-like sound rang out. The crystal glowed brighter. Suddenly, it began to get smaller. The crystal was disintegrating away.

Soon, all that was left was Aerith’s body. She floated for a second, then fell forward. Cloud gasped, and quickly threw out his arms. He caught her, and brought her close to his chest. He then saw something he had thought he’d never see again. She was breathing. Her eyes slowly flickered open. Cloud’s widened in surprise.

“C-Cloud?” she asked, her voice faint. Her hand slowly rose up. It started to sink back down, and Cloud gently took hold of her arm. Thanks to the newfound support, Aerith’s hand was able to reach up and touch the side of Cloud’s face. Aerith’s smile grew a tiny bit bigger. “Where’s your spike?” Cloud just smiled. He didn’t care how odd her question was. The important thing was that she was alive.

Suddenly, her eyes closed, and her hand fell back down. Cloud was afraid at first, but soon realized that she was fine. She had fallen asleep, nothing more. He began walking back to the shore, carrying Aerith bridal style.

Tifa and Vincent had been watching the whole thing. They were totally silent as Cloud made his way back. Tifa had several mixed emotions. Aerith was alive again. Their friend had come back to them. Tifa was happy, but at the same time... she knew. She knew what would happen now.

Vincent looked at Tifa. He also knew what would happen, and he knew what he was thinking. Cloud and Aerith had each other again. He felt a bit sorry for Tifa. He knew how she felt, and what this would mean. At the moment though, he chose to concentrate on Aerith just being back.

Cloud stepped out of the lake and on to dry land. He was smiling. “We should get her back home,” he said. Tifa nodded in agreement.

“Are you going to take her on Fenrir?” she asked. Cloud shook his head.

“No,” he said, “I’m going to take her back to the airship on Belinda. She’s asleep, and I’d feel safer if I took her on the Chocobo. I can use one hand to steer a chocobo much easier than Fenrir.”

“Uh,” said Tifa, “I’m not exactly good at driving Fenrir though. Motorcycles aren’t my thing.”

“I can do it,” said Vincent. Cloud and Tifa both looked at him. When had he had time to learn how to drive a motorcycle? “I know how to drive one,” he said, seeing the looks on their faces. “I’ve actually been able to for quite some time.” With that, Cloud mounted the chocobo, while Vincent got on Fenrir. Tifa got on behind him. Cloud kept Aerith in front of him, one arm around her waist. Tifa put her arms around Vincent’s waist, and they started off.

888

They all arrived back at Tifa’s bar, tired. They had been questioned the entire trip back. Cloud took Aerith upstairs to one of the guest rooms. Tifa also gave Vincent pne of the guest rooms. It was far too late for him to get back at this point, so he agreed to stay there for the night.

Even though they were exhausted, they all had one, happy thought in common. Aertih was back in their lives again. How or why, they would figure out tomorrow. For now, they would just be happy.

There you go! So, what did you think?

Anywho, I know I’m not the first person to bring Aerith back to life. I really can’t be. Anyway, the next chapter is going to reveal how it is that she was able to come back to life. I’ll try and update as soon as I can. So, stay tuned!