Back on Earth By: Fragraham Lincon Part two Hell to Pay People once believed that a crow carries the soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes a terrible sadness is carried with that soul. And sometimes just sometimes the crow can bring the soul back to set the wrong things right. Because sometimes love is stronger than death Aeris looks over Cloud's tombstone. Her eyes are filled with tears. Her fists are clenched. A large Crow lands on the tombstone and Caws at her. Some one puts a coat over her. Biggs: You don't look so good. Come on let's get you inside. (Aeris wasn't sure who he was but he seemed familiar and trust worthy. Biggs Takes Aeris to Sector seven. A bar called seventh heaven. Everyone looks at Aeris with a sort of confused shock. Biggs takes her below.) Tifa: I know I've seen her somewhere before. (Below Biggs helps Aeris clean up. He wipes the dirt from her face noticing that the strange "makeup" will not come off.) Biggs: I remember you. You're Aeris aren't you. The flower lady. Cloud's fiance. (Aeris looks down) Biggs: What happened to you? You look like hell. Oh, still not talking. You're just in shock. (Above. Outside the door a large crow lands.) Marlene: Wow, a birdie. (Marlene goes outside to see the crow.) Tifa: Odd. I didn't think there were any birds left in Midgar. (Jessie limps in) Barret: Jessie what happened to your brace? Jessie: (Throws a mangled device on the floor) that happened. Barret: Damn girl you know how expensive those are. And you can't walk good enough without it to come on a mission. Jessie: It'll be worth it when the nightly news comes on. (Tifa turns on a TV.) TV: A large explosion earlier today destroyed mako reactor number one. Shinra denies that Avalanche members caused the explosion and blames poor workmanship for the accident. Tifa: Way to go Jessie. (Below.) Biggs: Hey Jessie's back. Aeris: Jessie.... Biggs: You know her? Hey maybe she can help you. (Biggs goes and gets Jessie.) Jessie: Aeris? You can't be.... Biggs: What's wrong? Jessie: That's Aeris all right, but....She died a year ago. I saw it for myself. Biggs can you leave us alone for a moment. Biggs: Okay (leaves) Jessie: Aeris is it you? I know you should be dead. But then again so should I. Aeirs: I....remember....Sephiroth. Jessie: Yeah, so do I. The murdering bastard. He killed Wedge right in front of me. He tried to kill me. Somehow his blow was poorly aimed and too soft. But he left me crippled for life. That's why I need a brace to walk. But you, how did you survive? Aeris: I...I didn't. I remember now. I did die. I was buried for a year. Jessie: You're telling that you came back from the dead. I know that's impossible but somehow it's the only thing that makes any sense. Aeris: I'm back....for revenge. Jessie: Hey wait. I hate Sephiroth as much as anyone but you're no match for him. You've been given a second chance. Don't throw it away. Aeris: My life isn't worth living without cloud. This is all that matters to me. I want him dead. And all of Shinra. Isn't that what you want. That's why you joined Avalanche isn't it. (enter Tifa) Tifa: Now I remember you. You're Aeris. The one Cloud dumped me for. Aeris: I didn't mean to hurt you. Tifa: I don't care about that just tell me that Cloud is all right. Aeris: I'm sorry he....he's dead. Sephiroth Killed him. Me too. I came back. I know it sounds impossible but it's the only explanation I have. I came back to take revenge. Tifa: Okay if that's true then why you and not Cloud. He's bigger stronger and owns a sword. Aeris: I'm still learning. I don't have all the answers. I don't even understand why Sephiroth did what he did. He and Cloud were life long friends. It just doesn't make any sense. But I don't care any more. I am here for one purpose and one purpose only. And that is Death. Jessie: Please Aeris, reconsider. Life is such a precious thing. I've had patients who said they died on the table and came back. They always had some positive new outlook. Aeris: That's not real death. Not like I've been through. I died with tears in my eyes. I saw everything I held dear destroyed. I only live for one reason. When that's done maybe I can be with Cloud again. Jessie: Aeris....I'm sorry I couldn't save you. if only.. Aeris: No, I was dead when I saw Cloud die. Tifa: Enough talk about dying. Aeris you're our guest. Please make yourself at home. Some dinner, a good night's sleep maybe? Aeris: I'm not that tired really. Not hungry either. Jessie: You may still be in shock. (Checks Aeris's Pulse) You...Don't have a pulse. (Places her hand under Aeris's nose) You're not breathing either. Aeris: (With a sly look) Does it surprise you? Doesn't surprise me. Not after you give it some thought. Jessie: I see. Then you really are... Tifa: Aeris... Aeirs: No. don't cry for me. I died a long time ago. The time to morn my passing has long since passed. What I'm here to do is of no importance to the world of the living. Later that night. Everyone is asleep. Aeris pretending to sleep opens one eye. When she sees that everything is clear she gets up. She takes the lift up. On the upper floor she looks behind the bar. There is a box marked "Barret's guns. Don't touch." Aeris opens it to find a number of shotguns, revolvers, rifles, and other such things. She looks in a back room, finding Various wardrobes. She first looks through Tifa's, however most of it won't fit. She eventually finds a black outfit of reasonable size in the back. When she looks through Barret's she finds one of his vests that on her makes a good long coat perfect for concealment. After collecting sufficient weaponry Aeris leaves. Several days pass. Tifa: Jessie are you sure about this? Barret: At least wait 'till we can get you a new brace You won't get far on a crutch. Jessie: It may be too late by then. I want to find out what happened to Aeris. Biggs: This is personal I can tell. Just come back safely okay. (Jessie leaves) (Aeris Has been traveling for some time. The crow that watched her resurrection is following.) Aeris: And what's with you? Why are you following me? (The crow squawks) Aeris: Are you trying to tell me something? (Later in a bar on the upper plat, Rude is enjoying a drink with Reno. Aeris enters.) Reno: Hmm. Looks like someone from the slums. Why is she up here? Maybe looking for some business eh. (nudges Rude) (Rude turns around. His smile quickly turns to an expression of terror.) Rude: OH, HOLLY SHIT!! (Aeris approaches the table and offers a flower.) Aeris: Buy a flower? It's only a gill. (Rude reaches into his coat and pulls out his gun. Aeris brings out one of her revolvers and sticks it under Rude's chin. Rude fires into Aeris. She doesn't flinch. The crow flies in and squawks.) Aeris: When you get to Hell. Tell the devil to tidy up because I'm sending him some company. (Aeris fires. Rude's shades fly off his face as he lands in a pool of blood. A number of Shinra soldiers reach for their weapons and fire. When the smoke clears Aeris still stands, holding a pair of uzies. She fires into the group killing some wounding others. When the opposition is thoroughly stopped she turns to Reno who cowers in a corner.) Reno: What the in the hell are you? Aeris: Not in Hell. Just a messenger from. Reno: Don't kill me! Aeris: Don't worry. You haven't done anything wrong....that I know of. But you can do me a favor. Tell them. Tell Sephiroth. I'm coming, and he has Hell to pay. And one other thing. Don't get in my way. (Aeris leaves with the mysterious crow following. Reno looks out the window but can't see her.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of part two. Murder is a messy affair. Revenge can be even messier. Death was never meant to be pretty. Maybe it's so we'll put more value on life. But did it work? See more in part three: "Rain Forever" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Send your respnse to me via Email (address on the front page) or just sign my guestbook. Don't be shy. Fragman's listening.