Chapter Text
Cloud feels comfortable. Warm and cold. He's not aching. His body doesn't hurt from the geostigma. His mind is calm. It's quiet.
He also feels like he's floating. Where? He doesn't know. His eyes are closed and he wants to keep them closed. Feeling peace for the first time in a long time. He wants to stay here.
Finally.
Something bumps into his head hard. He frowns but ignores it. Taking a deep breath. How is he breathing? He doesn't care and doesn't want to think about it. So he doesn't.
The thing smacks harder into his head again. His frown gets deeper, ready to ignore it again. A voice giggles. A hand goes to his forehead a second later. Warm and comforting.
Reminding him of... "mother?" he calls.
"Again. Why is everyone calling me their mother lately?" A soft voice says. Amused.
"I guess they must be fond of you." A deeper voice adds, sounding as amused as the other.
"This one's a little too big to adopt." the soft voice says.
"Tough luck, friend. Sounds like you don't belong here."
Before his mind can register more something, the size of a small tennis ball (at this point he's been hit with it enough times to figure out), smacks him again. He lets out a huff.
He gets the hint.
So finally he opens his eyes as his body straightens. He comes face first with two grinning faces. His heart lurches. Aerith and Zack. Cloud opens his mouth, to apologize, to tell them he tried hard for them, curious if he did it right, but he doesn't get it out as the side of his head is smacked again.
Cloud turns to it. Seeing a small tennis ball sized orb. It glows a green. Almost like a materia.
"Good." Aerith says nodding. Turning his head at her Cloud sees her expression. Serious and upset. "You were going to apologize again." she crosses her arms with a sigh, shaking her head.
Cloud stares at her. Having no clue what's going on but also doesn't want to see her so disappointed in him. He catches sight of a second orb. The same green but larger. One size bigger. It sat close to Aerith ear. Blue eyes catch a third one. Much larger than the other two. It floats around Zack. Moving from one place to the other. Never staying in one place too long as if checking Zack out.
"What am I doing here?" Cloud wonders as his temple gets boinked again.
Aerith giggles, getting closer. Cloud feels his eyes sting. How wonderful it is to hear that sound from her. "Come here trouble maker." Aerith reaches for the orb only for it to move away out of reach. Aerith tries again much quicker grabbing it. In her hand it shakes, trying to escape. She continues to smile. The orb by her ear moves to the other.
"I was right." Zack smiles. But Cloud sees the sadness in his eyes. The blonde looks at Aerith, who also looks sad.
"I have to ask you, for help." she tells him but doesn't look at him.
"What sort of help?" he asks wishing she'd look at him.
"I need you to go with the remnants." Aerith says not meeting his eyes. Cloud looks at the two orbs by Aerith. The one in her hand calm. The other still floating close by. Then the orb doing infinities around Zack.
Then Cloud looks back at Aerith. "Why?"
"They'll need..." she pause, lips moving as she tries to find the right word. "They need a guardian. A protector. A person to care for them." A parent she wants to say but knows that will get him blushing and declining. Making him blush seems worth it though. She holds herself back. This is serious and he needs to agree. "You are perfect for this role." Aerith tells him.
"What?" Cloud wonders confused. He's many things, a fighter, a worker, helper, but protector? He doesn't feel like a good one. Aerith smiles, a bit forced.
"It would be best to send them somewhere else. A different world much like our own." Aerith says like it's normal to travel to different worlds.
"What about the others?" Cloud wonders.
"Will be fine. Everyone is cured of geostigma from the rain. There's no problem." Aerith smiles at him, finally looking.
Cloud moves the sleeve, seeing the spot gone. Skin clear. He brings his finger tips to it as if it's in his head, like he's imagining it. Gaia knows he has. After a while he'd come to terms with the inevitable end. His end.
"And Zack is right. You don't belong here, not anymore." Aerith says looking pained by the fact.
"It's not bad bud." Zack smiles. Cloud looks to him. "You're the last of it all. With Jenova cells."
Cloud looks down. Now noticing the white void they are in. No up, no down, nothing. Why can't he stay here? "What if I say no?" He asks. Aerith heart breaks. Cloud looks up finding her expression distressed. She didn't want that.
She shakes her head. "There was never a real choice to begin with. Gaia thought it best you be send somewhere else with the remnants. She just thought it would help if you agreed to help. If we were able to say goodbye." She tells him looking down at the orb.
Cloud opens his mouth then closes it. Doing that over and over again. He was going to be forced away. He understands why. He can't be upset. It is still shocking to hear.
"If you stayed Sephiroth will come back again. And again. Each time will hurt Gaia." Zack jumps in. "I know it's selfish but... would you do it?" He asks. Face serious but his eyes sad and hopeful.
Cloud looks down. In all honesty, to himself, he never thought he'd be going back to the others anyways. Plus he'd hate to be the reason Sephiroth came back or that Gaia gets worse. These last two years were hard on people. Reeve and the WRO have done as much as they can but they all knew it was too late. Maybe without him they'll have a chance. He will be sad but it will be worse if he stayed.
"If I said yes?" He asks. Aerith gives one of her knowing smile. Her head tilted and her smile soft.
"We knew we can count on you spike." Zack slaps his hand hard on Cloud bare shoulder. Cloud finds the corner of his lips curling up in a faint smile.
Aerith clears her throat. "You and the remnant will be send to another world, the same problem as here. But the remnants, if send alone, would be easy targets. Not just to Jenova." She tells him seriously.
"That's where I come in." Cloud adds, understanding why that would be a problem.
"Yes. You'll be send in a point in time that is early enough for the planet not to feel the effects of Shinra. If you saved this world you can save the other." Aerith nods at him. Having full faith in him.
"What about... me? In that world?" Cloud wonders. Hating if he replaced himself.
Aerith and Zack look down. "In that world... there's a reason we are sending you four there. Gaia, that Gaia predicts their destruction. Shinra will continue their thirst for power. Jenova will try to manipulate Sephiroth. AVALANCHE will try to stop them, get in the middle. All will fail. No one will win or get what they want besides a barren planet." Aerith closes her eyes. A tear escaping. Zack reaches up to wipe it away softly. "Because you never born."
Cloud lips press together.
Aerith must have read his mind because she continues. "Your mother lost you before you took a breath. Miscarriage. So you were never born. One branch of the tree we call fate never grew and changed everything." Aerith takes a breath. She looks straight into his eyes. "With you there, there's a chance." she tells him.
"I'm protecting the remnants and stopping Jenova?" Cloud questions. Wanting his objectives to be clear.
"Give or take, you know they aren't the only ones needed to be stopped. There's no rush. You'll be send during a time where you can breath and adjust." Aerith gives him a smile. Knowing he'd rush to get everything done and try to save everyone. Aerith knows he can't. That won't stop him.
"Right! Spiky this world is very different from ours so you'll need to learn about it." Zack tells him.
"That's true. You'll have enough time to save Gaia, no rushing." Aerith stresses.
Cloud nods.
"Are you ready?" Aerith wonders.
"Will everyone be okay?" Cloud wonders. Aerith and Zack beam at him.
"They will be sad about you being gone but they will find happiness in the safety of the future." Aerith tells him. Not wanting to tell him more than that. About how once he's gone Gaia will send their friends a vision of Cloud, Aerith and Zack saying good bye. Of moving on. Aerith and Zack of course will be watching over them. But they'll think Cloud is too. They will mourn him for a long while. Setting his bike in the church, on the flowers right by the Buster Sword. A memorial. People will be giving that place flowers and cards for generations. Soon enough a statue of Cloud would be built there with a plaque labeling him Gaia's Warrior. Along with it will be a much smaller statue of Aerith, Zack, Tifa, Vincent, Barret, Yuffie, Nanaki, Cid, Cait Sith and Reeve. And an honorable mention of anyone else that had lost their lives helping them. People will use it as a reminder to think of the planet they live on. To not let Cloud's sacrifice be in vain.
For now their friends will mourn. Until they get up and look forward. To live like they had dreamed.
"Ready now?" She asks. Smile patient.
Cloud looks away. Is he ready? Was he ever? He can't think of any other question or what else would he like to know. He looks back up at the both of them. "I'm ready." Cloud says with a nod. Eyes determined. How different can this world be?
Zack grins. Sad about never seeing his friend again but proud of him all the same.
Zack quickly snatches the orb out of the air, handing it over to the brown haired woman. Holding all three orbs together in both her palms. She looks to Zack, giving him a nod before twisting around walking away. Where to? Cloud has no clue.
Before he can ask Zack pulls him roughly into a hug. Holding him tight. "You've made me proud." Zack says into the side of Cloud head. Zack tightens his eyes. Cloud eyes begin to water. Slowly the blonde wraps his arms around Zack middle. Gloved fingers digging into the blue shirt. "I hope... no I know, you'll be my best friend in this world too. Look for me." Zack says bringing a hand up to mess with blonde spikes. Cloud doesn't know if that was supposed to be to be a hint or just Zack being himself. "I hope we have more time together there."
"Don't say that." Cloud tells him trying to keep his voice even. Unsure he did.
"You're strong, never doubt that."
"I won't."
"Promise?"
"Yeah."
"Good. And maybe you'll dress for me this time." Zack teases with a smile. Cloud pulls back and glares. Zack throws his head back to laugh. Cloud watches. Taking it in. Wondering if he wants to meet the Zack of that world. He died in this world because of Cloud, what if he dies again because of Cloud? He can't let that happen. He won't. "Come on let's get you ready." Zack places a hand in between blonde shoulder blades, gently pushing him forward.
They walk to Aerith who stood next to what looks like a pond. Having not noticed it before. It blending in with their surroundings.
On the tip of his tongue is an apology, to Zack. For being useless. Zack gives him a look as if knowing. Having already seen Aerith reaction he keeps his mouth shut. Instead he takes in Zack. Then as they get closer to Aerith he takes her in. Trying to memorize every detail. From the few stray hairs, to the shape and color of them. He's not sure what to expect. Or if he'll see either again.
Thinking about it, no one would know him. He'll have no connection. He wonders what he'll even have. It'll be him and the remnants. Then he questions how the remnants will react.
"Mmm." Aerith hums as they get close. "Looks like we'll have to go younger." Aerith nods as Cloud and Zack stop next to her. "Four should do it." She smiles. The orbs glow a blue green. With a smile she looks at Cloud. "Remember you're their guardian, don't rush, and this world will be different for all of you. Ready?" She asks.
Cloud nods.
She smiles stepping forward to him. Cloud watches as she steps really close to him. With the orbs in her hands she reaches over. Towards his stomach. Pushing the orbs against his stomach. Cloud opens his mouth ready to question her when something unexpected happens. The orbs sink into him. His mouth drops. She smiles as she steps back.
Cloud places his hand there. Eyes wide as he looks at her. Both grinning like a Cheshire Cat. "What was that?" Cloud wonders.
"To help sever their tie to Jenova." Aerith answers.
Clouds mind blanks. Wait by guardian does she mean... parent! Was that why she was hesitant? Is that why she said to not rush? How will they come out? That question has him paling. Enough he doesn't pay mind to Zack taking a step closer. Bending at the waist for his face to get closer to Cloud stomach. Cloud ears ring so he doesn't hear what he says. What he whispers.
He comes too when Zack straightens. Blinking back to awareness.
"Let's go." Zack smiles. Easily picking Cloud up. Princess style. He walks to the pond. "Congrats." He beams and Cloud can do nothing but stare.
"You'll be wonderful." Aerith smiles at him.
"Wait!" Cloud shouts trying to stop them. But Zack keeps going. Stopping at the edge of pond. Cloud holds on but Zack gives him one last smile. Then tosses him gently into the pond. Cloud reaches for them but he falls into the water. Eyes staying open to watch them as they get too far to see them clearly.
When they finally disappear from his sight he closes his eyes. Tears escaping.
Once Cloud disappears Aerith smiles. "Luckily we changed him while he was still unconscious." She points out. Having hoped to see his reaction.
"To bad we won't see his reaction." Zack says leaning into Aerith as he crosses his arms. Eyes on the pond.
Aerith giggles. Nodding at his words. She stares a little longer before she puts her hands together and closes her eyes.
Noticing Zack wonders. "What are you doing?"
"I know he'll need help. I'll pray to myself so she knows. Being a single parent will be hard." She says not opening her eyes.
"Oh! Good idea!" Zack says mirroring Aerith position. They stand there praying.
Not noticing Gaia taking their payers. Giving it to her other world's version.
Then she severs their tie to the other world. Giving her best luck to the other world.