Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Return of the One Winged Angel ❯ Return of the One Winged Angel ( One-Shot )

Return of the One Winged Angel

By: Darren brockes

Walking through the fire that was set upon Nibelheim, a man with silver hair walked out.

"Cloud! No," a female voice cried.

Cloud was too busy drawing his sword out of his sheath to her the cry from Aeris. Th silver haired man could only be one person; Sephiroth. He brought his long curved sword to his side, waiting for cloud to bring his Buster Sword down on him. When Cloud finally did, Sephiroth disappeared right in front of him, leaving three black feathers floating in his stead. Cloud stopped his sword mid-air, wondering what had happened. Just then, a scream came from behind him. Sephiroth had his sword through Aeris, ultimately killing her.

"No! Not Aeris. Of all the people you could take away… Why Aeris," Cloud asked, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

"Why do cry? You're only a puppet-" Sephiroth said, interrupted by Cloud's sword.

Sephiroth blinked away again, leaving behind, once more, three feathers.

"Like I said, " Sephiroth started, now behind Cloud, "You're only a puppet. Not capable of emotion. So why, I ask again, would you cry," Sephiroth asked, almost smiling.

"I don't CARE," Cloud yelled, swinging his sword upward, white feathers coming from it. Suddenly, Cloud woke up.

"What? What is it, dear," Aeris asked lying beside him.

"Huh? Oh, it must have been a nightmare…" Cloud said, sitting up.

"Why have you been having so many? And why would you dream about Sephiroth, you and me?"

"I don't know. I keep dreaming you get stabbed through your stomach by Sephiroth."

"Now that's silly. You would be there to protect me."

"That's just it. I was there. Sephiroth still killed you. You screamed to me, telling me not to do something, but I never understand what it is. The strange thing is, Sephiroth performs a teleporting action, leaving behind three feathers. Always only three…"

"Maybe it means something."

"What would it mean though," Cloud said, laying back down, crossing his arms behind his head.

"Hmmm. We'll just have to figure out. Now, since we're awake…" Aeris said mischievously.

The next morning, Cloud awoke to find Vincent in his home.

"When did you get here," Cloud asked, not trying to be rude.

"Your wife invited me. I'm only staying for this morning. We have to go to Cosmo Canyon. Remember," Vincent asked as calmly as ever.

"Cosmo Canyon? Why do we need to go there?"

"They're hiring us to investigate a haunting. Don't you remember anything?"

"Sorry! It's five O'clock in the morning!"

"Don't you usually wake up at this time?"

"Yeah, but last night… I don't want to get into it."

"Fine. Hey, you still having those dreams," Vincent asked, sitting down with a cup of coffee.

"Yeah. They keep getting worse. I see a little bit more, making me hat it even worse. Now Sephiroth is killing Aeris."

"What," Vincent asked, almost spitting out coffee.

"Yeah. Luckily it's only a dream. Let's get going. We'll get an early start."

"We can ask Nanaki if he knows anything about dreams. Maybe he can help."

"Nanaki? Who's Nanaki?"

Vincent dropped his head into his hand, almost embarrassed, "Nanaki is Red XIII. He's the one that hired us."

"Oh, sorry. Well, to the chocobo stables," Cloud said, arm high in the air, charging to the stable doors.

"Oh, brother," Vincent said, this time completely embarrassed

"Oh, Cloud always leaves without waking me up! Now, I have to run out to the stable in a stupid sheet! Oh, I'm gonna get him when he gets home! Oh Cloud dear," Aeris said, grinning wide with sarcasm.

Cloud and Vincent left, riding gallantly (ha!) on there chocobo's. Aeris was left in front of the stables, waving a paper sack lunch at Cloud.

In the evening, they reached Cosmo canyon. The sunset was a beautiful thing to watch in Cosmo Canyon, usually what the canyon is most noticed for. That, or their astronomy.

"Hey, Vincent, let's watch the sunset real fast. It reminds me of Aeris," Cloud said, grinning in complete bliss.

Vincent started to laugh.

"What? What's so funny?"

"You're a romantic! Hah, hah, hah… HAH, HAH, HAH!!!"

"Stop laughing! It's not funny! You know, it's Aeris' fault! I wasn't always like this!"

"Yeah, uh-huh, sure. I bet you weren't," Vincent said, trying not to laugh.

"Argh! Let's just get going!"

Cloud and Vincent rode their chocobo's through Cosmo Canyon, finally arriving at the town, Cosmo Canyon (think how confusing that would be. `Hey, let's go to Cosmo canyon!' `The town or the place?' `The town… No the place… No the tow- Oh! Now you've got me all confused!').

"Who are you and what's your business," the guard asked.

Geeze, just like the first time we came… Cloud whispered, watching Vincent resist laughing.

"What's so funny? Doesn't matter. What's your business," the man asked more forcefully.

"Let them through, Guile (I don't know his real name, so that will suffice). I have been expecting them," a familiar voice said.

"Red XIII! It's good to see you! What's this I hear about a haunting," Cloud asked, acting like nothing happened that morning.

"There's a terrible sound coming from the caves under Cosmo Canyon. I want you to investigate it. Of course, you mustn't investigate it tonight. It's much to dark," Red XIII said, almost serious.

"Well, we have a few questions that we want to ask you. They're a little more personal than the job," Cloud said in a quite voice.

"Well, what are they," Red XIII asked, being cautious.

"I've been having dreams…"

"Sexual fantasies? If so, that's completely normal, don't worry about a thing-

"No, that's not it. I've been having dreams of Sephiroth…"

"Well, dreaming about a guy, that's a little more serious. Although I would see the attraction, he is quite the bushiden-"

"No! That's DEFINETLY not it! Stop interrupting! All right. I've been having dreams about Sephiroth, Aeris and me. I try to fight Sephiroth, but he would keep getting away from me, finally stabbing Aeris through the stomach. The dream keeps getting more and more as I dream about it. I seem to be having more too…"

"Well, I would say it means something."

"That's what Aeris said," Cloud explained, lowering his head at the explanation.

"Now, I know this sounds crude, but wait for the dream to finish. Refuse to wake. Maybe the dream does hold a meaning."

"All right, I can try that. How about tonight?"

"That will work out perfectly! I arrange for your own room, as not to stir Vincent from whatever sleep he may be getting."

Red XIII left the building they were talking in, heading for the inn.

During the night, Cloud had the dream again.

Walking through the fire that was set to Nibelheim, Sephiroth walked out.

"Cloud! No," Aeris cried.

Cloud was too busy drawing his sword out of his sheath to hear the cry from Aeris. Sephiroth brought his long, curved sword to his side, waiting for Cloud to bring his buster sword down on him. When Cloud finally did, Sephiroth disappeared right in front of him, leaving behind three black feathers floating in his stead. Cloud stopped his word mid-air, wondering what had happened. Just then, a scream came from behind him. Sephiroth had his sword through Aeris, ultimately killing her.

"No! Not Aeris. Of all the people you could take away… Why Aeris," Cloud asked, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

"Why do you cry? You're only a puppet-" Sephiroth said, interrupted by cloud's sword.

Sephiroth blinked away, leaving behind, one more, only three feathers.

"Like I said," Sephiroth started, now behind Cloud, "You're only a puppet. Not capable of emotion. So why, I ask again, would you cry," Sephiroth asked, almost crying.

"I don't CARE," Cloud yelled, swinging his sword upward, white feathers coming from it.

Cloud's attack struck, knocking Sephiroth over but weakening himself.

"Finally, you realize your power. Now you are ready to face me. Come see me, the Angel of Death and receive your judgment. It will be just, I promise," Sephiroth said maliciously.

"What are you talking about," Cloud asked, confused.

Sephiroth raised his hand, making it seem like everything was moving backwards. Aeris stood up from the ground, the fire went away and Nibelheim was restored.

"What did you do?"

"I reversed time. Of course, this is only a dream. All of this will not happen if you defeat me."

"I already defeated you!"

"Then come. See what you defeated," Sephiroth said, disappearing and leaving behind three black feathers.

In the morning, Red XIII waited outside Cloud's room.

"So, how was your dream?"

"Confusing."

"How so?"

"It was like Sephiroth was communicating to me through my dreams. I never finished them, so he never got to say what he wanted."

"Well, what does he want?"

"He wants me to go to the caves below Cosmo Canyon. I suppose I should go, if I want to find out what this is al about… Huh?"

"Hey! Hey! Cloud! Tell this security dude to get out of my face! I came to visit you," Aeris yelled all to loud.

"Let her on," Red XIII said.

The guard stepped aside, giving room to an over eccentric Aeris.

"Hey! WhatCHA doin'? Can I help?"

"Aeris, go back home. This is my job. Would you like it if I came and barged in on your job while you were working?"

"Actually I wouldn't mind. First off, you never come visit me, second, I don't really like my job to well anyways."

"That's because I never have time to come visit you! And your job was completely your choice! I said not to get a job because I can support us both! But no! You HAD to get a job," Cloud said, going off on his wife.

"Great," Vincent said, dropping his head into his head, "Another argument."

Later that night, Cloud and Vincent headed toward the caves under Cosmo Canyon. They took Aeris with them because they new she wouldn't give up until she got what she wanted (sorry guys, wife always wins). She proved useful, though.

"I can't believe I have to hold the light. I mean, it's not really even a light! It's just a controlled Fire Spell! I don't know why you couldn't do it Cloud! You're very capable of using materia! I've seen it!"

"I don't use materia any more! I'm supposed to be the incredibly-rugged-and-tough-hero-that-doesn't-have-to-use-materia!"

Oh, get over yourself! I mean, I love ya to death honey, but that's a little too far."

They continued walking through the twisting caverns, finally arriving at a coffin.

"I don't like the looks of this place, guys," Aeris said, nervous and edgy.

A chilling wind blew, making a strange whistling noise. This made Aeris jump and throw the fire at the coffin.

"Good going, Aeris! Now you just opened the coffin! Who knows what we'll find in there! I mean, look! We found Vincent in a coffin!"

"Hey! I resent that…" Vincent said, turning away.

A hand grabbed the side of the coffin, grasping it, then another on the other side. The hands raised a ghostly body out of the coffin, a man with flowing, silver hair.

"Finally, you decide to grace me with your presence, Cloud," Sephiroth said, turning his head toward him.

"How, how, how are you still alive?!? I killed you," Cloud yelled, stupefied.

"As dead as an Angel. Did you not listen to the dream? That wasn't just coincidence I was there. I was telling you to come to me. Now, witness why I'm the Angel of Death," Sephiroth said, floating out of the coffin.

As Sephiroth came out of the coffin, he crossed his arms across his chest, and then looked upward. A single black wing extended from his back.

"That's why you're the `Angel of Darkness," Aeris said, mimicking Sephiroth's voice.

"Shut up, insolent little girl! I was supposed to kill you at the temple of the ancients, but the writer decided to make you wed to Cloud!"

"Hey, your not supposed to say that," Cloud corrected.

"You'll all fall to my reign. Prepare to die!"

"I don't think so," Vincent said, raising his gun to eye level.

He fired a single shot, watching as a mass of black feathers exploded into the air. When they cleared, there was no sign of Sephiroth. Vincent turned and faced Cloud and Aeris, "That seemed to easy, if you ask me."

"How stupid of you to even imagine that I could have been beaten so easily! As punishment, I'll take your life first!"

Sephiroth appeared behind Vincent, charging at him mid-air. Vincent spun around only to meet the long, curved sword of Sephiroth's as it raked down his chest and abdomen. Vincent stood still, as if nothing had happened, then fell to his knees.

"Vincent," Cloud yelled, running to his friend's side.

Vincent gasped for air, a puddle of blood forming from his wound.

"Cloud," he addressed, barely above a whisper, "Protect… Aeris…" he winced, spitting blood, "Don't let that… that…" Vincent slumped down; his body quivered then lay still.

"H-how could you that," Aeris asked with a terrible look on her face.

She had her back to the wall "You didn't even hesitate!"

"Don't worry, girl. You'll see your friend shortly, in the realm of the dead."

Sephiroth zigzagged towards Aeris, blinking in and out as he charged forward. He stopped directly in front of Aeris, smiling.

"Don't be afraid. I'll make it much less painful than your friend's death. I promise," Sephiroth said, malicious smile forming upon his lips.

Aeris' tearing eyes followed Sephiroth's sword as he raised it, preparing to strike down. Cloud leapt in front of Aeris, raising his sword to block Sephiroth's attack. Sephiroth applied more pressure, and brought his face close to Cloud's.

"You think that can save her," Sephiroth growled.

He pushed himself of Cloud's sword and floated above him.

"I was planning to let her die painlessly, but thanks to your actions, she'll suffer."

Cloud heard Aeris scream and turned. She was clutching at her throat, being lifted off the ground by an invisible force. He turned back to face Sephiroth (he was choking Aeris).

"What are you doing? Stop it," Cloud yelled desperately.

Aeris was now convulsing, clutching her stomach.

Cloud," she yelled, shrieking in pain, "It feels like I'm being torn apart…"

Another convulsion rippled down her body. She arced her back, screaming in pain.

"Cloud! Help!"

Her last word was a mere whimper; as she hung helplessly in the air, back still arced.

Aeris," Cloud said, having trouble keeping his voice calm.

He walked to Aeris, looking up. A single tear from Aeris landed on cloud's upturned face.

"Enough." Cloud said, giving Sephiroth an icy gaze, "Release her right now! I'll kill you if you don't end her pain."

"What a trifle thing to say. I'm the Angel of Death. You have no control over her death," Sephiroth said, laughing maliciously, "You were planning to kill me when you entered this cave, despite the matter at hand! Now, I'll end this girl's suffering," Sephiroth said, clutching his hand into a fist.

Aeris began to scream, her voice being cut off soon after she started. Cloud caught her as she fell to the ground.

"Aeris! No," Cloud screamed, not being able to contain his tears any longer.

The sight of his love lying limply in his arms was too much to bear.

"No, Aeris. No," he screamed over and over as he laid her on the ground, pulling her face up to his, hot tears streaming down Cloud's face onto her face, mixing with the blood dripping out of the corner of her mouth.

There you are again, crying like usual. Your tears will change nothing! It only shows your weakness," Sephiroth said, overly pleased with the situation.

Cloud laid Aeris' head down. Then, with trembling lips, kissed her forehead. His whole body shook with grief and anger as he rose.

"Sephiroth," Cloud said barely above a whisper, "You truly are heartless."

"What was that," Sephiroth asked, cocking his head up at Cloud.

Suddenly, Cloud shot forward, leaping high into the air. Catching Sephiroth by surprise, Cloud stabbed him through his stomach. Sephiroth held the blade as best as he could, laughing. Cloud looked in shock, suspended in the air still holding his sword hilt. Sephiroth laughed hysterically, then stared at Cloud, madness filling the empty void of his Mako green eyes.

"YOU THINK THAT WILL STOP ME," Sephiroth said, still laughing wildly.

An explosion of black energy and feathers threw Cloud against the far wall of the cave. Sephiroth hovered over him like a deity, his silver hair lashing about him. He pulled Cloud's sword out of his stomach and raised it over his head, crossing it with his own sword.

"I AN THE ANGEL OF DEATH! HOW CAN YOU KILL WHAT CONTROLS DEATH ITSELF?!?"

A sent a furry of attacks at Cloud, slashing sideways with his sword and overhead with Cloud's sword. Cloud leapt backwards, dodging most if the attacks, but eventually hit the wall. He ducked as Sephiroth swung the Cloud's sword at his head. Sephiroth struck with such force, the Buster Sword stuck in the wall. Sephiroth tried to pull the sword out with no success. Cloud took the chance and kicked Sephiroth aside, hitting the bleeding hole in his stomach. Sephiroth bent over in pain, grasping the wound wondering how Cloud could hurt him. Cloud reached for the sword, easily pulling it out of the wall. The same energy that threw Cloud away from Sephiroth now enveloped him, only it surrounded him in white energy, opposite Sephiroth. A wave of white energy and feathers shot forward, lifting Sephiroth even further in the air then he already was. Sephiroth winced, trying to straighten, but found he couldn't move.

"Don't you see," Cloud said, looking up at Sephiroth, eyes glowing white, "No matter how many times you come back, I will always defeat you. Angel of Death or not."

Sephiroth wince again, tears beginning to form in his eyes, "No… How? How could did you manage to use my powers against me," Sephiroth questioned pathetically, tears slowly beginning to slide down his cheek.

"Your tears," Cloud said, almost maliciously, "Will change nothing. They only show your weakness…"

With that, he brought his sword down on Sephiroth, a trail of white feathers following the sword's path. White energy enveloped Sephiroth as he was cut, leaving three black feathers in his stead.

Cloud fell to his knees, white energy dissipating from his eyes. Hearing a rustling sound, he turned and saw Vincent slowly getting to his feet.

"Vincent," Cloud yelled happily, running to his friend, "I thought you were dead!"

"Get off," Vincent commanded Cloud, wincing at the wound Cloud had hugged, "Besides," Vincent said, not in as much pain, "What do think Aeris would think, seeing you hugging me? Speaking of Aeris…" Vincent said, looking at the body lying on the ground.

Cloud walked to Aeris' body, kneeling down, taking her hand in his.

"Aeris," Cloud said softly.

He ran his hand down the side of her face; still wet from the tears.

"Aeris… please, you have to come back…" Cloud said, tears welling up inside his deep, blue eyes.

He pulled her body up to his, holding her, almost crying. Vincent lowered his eyes, sorry for his friend's loss. Something caught his attention. Aeris' hand moved, though very slightly. He looked up, not sure if he was imagining it or not.

"Cloud," he asked.

Cloud was going to tell Vincent to leave him be, but he suddenly realizing the life that had returned to Aeris. Aeris' arms came around cloud, embracing him. Cloud pulled away to look at her face.

"Aeris! You're alive," Cloud said, blindly accepting she was alive.

"Yes, although I don't know how…" Aeris said, trying to shake her shock.

"It doesn't matter! All that matters is we're together again."

Aeris moved her arms up, wrapping them around Cloud's neck. Cloud looked into her beautiful, green eyes, sighing, "You don't know how happy I am to have you back."

Aeris started to say something, hushed, though, by a slow, loving, "I'm so glad you're not dead," kiss. After waiting for Cloud and Aeris to finish, Vincent asked if they could leave. Cloud picked Aeris up into his arms, carrying her out of the cave.

"I am capable of walking, you know," Aeris said, tired of Cloud's chivalry.

"I know. I want to carry you forever, wherever you go," Cloud said in complete bliss.

"No honey. You just want a chance to grab my butt and have it socially accepted!"

"That's not true," Cloud argued, blushing.

Aeris jumped out of his arms, moving Vincent between them.

"Ohhh no. I'm NOT getting in the middle of you two," Vincent said, trading places with Cloud.

They soon arrived back in Cosmo Canyon, reporting to Red XIII their success.

"Sephiroth took my sword after… killing Vincent and Aeris. He crossed his sword with mine, I guess making his power transfer to me. So, when I got my sword back, I wasn't only stronger, but I was able to do everything he could do. It also seemed to make him weaker, sharing his power," Cloud explained.

"Yes, I suppose that could happen… But…" Red XIII said, confused.

"What is it, Red XIII," Aeris asked, not sure why he was confused.

"Well, if Sephiroth's power didn't fully leave him, how could you defeat him? Assuming you had the same amount of power Sephiroth had?"

"I guess I was stronger. Always was."

"I think the power is drawn from the person. Sephiroth was evil, giving him black energy or evil energy. Cloud's good, giving him good energy, or white energy," Aeris said, undermining Cloud's explanation.

"I think mine was better…" Cloud said under his breath.

"What was, Cloud," Aeris questioned, not sure what he said,

"Oh, I just said that was a great explanation!"

"Well, to any extent, I don't think you'll need to worry about any more haunting in Cosmo Canyon, at least for awhile. See ya again, Red XIII. I'm going. call me if you ever need anything," Vincent said, leaving down the steps of Cosmo Canyon.

"Bye Vincent," Cloud and Aeris said at the same time.

"Oh! Vincent! Wait," Aeris yelled, finally getting Vincent's attention, "You can come by whenever you want! Just show up!"

"Um, Aeris? I'm not sure that's such a great idea… Because, you know… We might be… Oh, never mind," Cloud said, frustrated.

"Whatever could you mean, honey," Aeris asked, completely confused.

"I think I know. I'll knock before entering," Vincent said, reassuring Cloud.

Vincent started back down the steps.

"Will you two be heading home also," Red XIII asked.

"I think so," Aeris said, looking at Cloud.

"Well, I wish a safe journey and good luck in the future. Goodbye friends."

"Bye Red XIII! We'll miss you," Aeris said, happily.

"Bye Red XIII. See ya later," Cloud said, nodding his head at his wife, who, at the moment, was jumping up and down waving at Red XIII over Cloud as Cloud pushed her down the steps. At the bottom of the stairs leading to Cosmo canyon, they saw a brief glimpse of Vincent as he left on his chocobo. Cloud mounted his chocobo, lifting Aeris up behind him.

"Now you can hold, Cloud. Hold me forever. Let's ride slow. I don't want to get there in a hurry" Aeris said, suddenly full of love.

"All right," Cloud said smiling softly, "We'll ride slow. We can even watch the sunset."

"Cloud," Aeris asked softly.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you too," Cloud said as Aeris leaned her head on Cloud's shoulder.

On their chocobo, they rode into the beautiful Cosmo Canyon sunset.

The End

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