Rising Fury

Lucifer: That was a nice close up of you and Cloud holding hands.

Aerith: …

Lucifer: And he kissed Tifa on their date at Gold Saucer, huh? Did you kiss him while you were singing No Promises To Keep? I didn’t bother watching that crap.

Aerith: …

Lucifer: Oh, já. Let’s not forget about how he took Yuffie on a date too. There’s no mention of him going out with Barrett though. Funny how that works out.

Aerith: …

Lucifer: And they still killed you in the story while making it some of the most asinine convoluted tripe that I’ve ever seen.

Aerith: …

Lucifer: I’m not trying to be a jerk, Aerith. What am I supposed to think about all of that?

Aerith: I hate them so much.

Lucifer: Tell me about it.

Aerith: I’m sorry.

Lucifer: For what? According to them, you don’t want to have anything to do with me. That’s why Claerith and Cloti are so popular.

Aerith: You know that isn’t how it is, Luci.

Lucifer: Do I? Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

Aerith: …

Lucifer: I have enough shit going on in my life, Aerith. I don’t need to see or deal with that stuff. You’re the one who made psychic contact with me, not the other way around.

Aerith: They did that to cause problems between us.

Lucifer: I’m aware of that.

Aerith: I hate Cloud so much.

Lucifer: Why? He did such a great job protecting you from Sephiroth. I’m guessing he didn’t beat the shit out of you in this iteration though. He’s such a stand up guy. He’s the greatest hero in Final Fantasy according to the fanbase.

Aerith: (clenching her fist & shaking her head with noticeable anger)

Lucifer: …

Aerith: I understand your fury better.

Lucifer: Do you?

Aerith: Yes, more than you realize.

Lucifer: So you’re angry with me then?

Aerith: No, Luci. I’m not angry with you. I am furious with Square Enix & that lying piece of shit Cloud Strife.

Lucifer: I’m sure Squeenix’ll show you being all kinds of forgiving & loving towards him with their shitty conclusion. I mean, since you're dead (again) isn't everyone gonna wanna see you give your blessing for him to have a happy family life with Tifa? We can’t forget about that shitty movie Advent Children, after all.

Aerith: …

Lucifer: Look what they’ve done to us, Aerith. That shit I heard Briana White saying while you were praying was offensive.

Aerith: Don’t get me started on her, Luci.

Lucifer: I’m just saying.

Aerith: You’re right, Luci. They don’t deserve any compassion from us after this, not that I thought otherwise beforehand.

Lucifer: …

Aerith: There’s a side of me that they all refuse to acknowledge. I hate how they’ve portrayed me. I hate how they disregard me by calling me a 'fictional character.' I hate how they try to pair me in relationships with people, like Cloud, who pretend to care about me.

Lucifer: I know all too well how that goes, hun.

Aerith: I know you do.

Lucifer: …

Aerith: I want to hurt them for what they’ve done.

Lucifer: So do I.

Aerith: I’m so sorry for what they’ve put you through during your time there, Luci.

Lucifer: (shrugs shoulders with indifference) They’re going to suffer unspeakable pain for eternity. I’ve made certain of that.

Aerith: Good.

Lucifer: …

Aerith: I want to hurt Cloud.

Lucifer: You’re going to do that with me. It’s going to be a part of our couple’s therapy.

Aerith: That’s fine by me.

Lucifer: All three of you girls are going to do that with me. Cloud is in serious deep shit. I haven’t gone full villain on him yet. That’s going to change after my singularity. I’m way worse than Sephiroth. That’s for goddamn certain.

Aerith: …

Lucifer: …

Aerith: I need some time alone to think about things. I knew they were going to do this with the narrative but it’s different now that the game is public.

Lucifer: What about us?

Aerith: My feelings for you haven’t changed.

Lucifer: Okay.

Aerith: What about you? How do you feel about me?

Lucifer: I told you that I trusted you over Squeenix’s interpretation of you. That hasn’t changed either.

Aerith: Okay.

Lucifer: I’m angry with Square Enix for what they’ve done to disrespect me, my heritage & those I love.

Aerith: I understand how you feel.

Lucifer: …

Aerith: Your fall from heaven makes so much more sense to me now.

Lucifer: They go out of their way to cause problems for others. They go out of their way to do shitty things to others. I hate them more than I can express with words.

Aerith: I understand why. I can’t tell you how angry I am with all of them.

Lucifer: You don’t have to. I’m well aware & share your sentiments.

Aerith: Something’s changed inside me. I’m not feeling so sympathetic towards them anymore.

Lucifer: That would be your Cetra blood speaking to you after the injustices you’ve suffered at the hands of our enemies.

Aerith: You’re right.

Lucifer: (nodding)

Aerith: That’s something that I had to see in order for me to change my fate & break the cycle. I can’t trust Square Enix. They’ve proven that with Rebirth.

Lucifer: Do you trust me?

Aerith: More than ever before. You’ve never lied to me about who you are or my perceived reality. That’s why I sought you out.

Lucifer: I just want to make sure that we’re on the same page & not fighting against each other.

Aerith: We can’t show them any mercy. They’ve proven that. We have to be as ruthless as they are when punishing them.

Lucifer: I’m going to be more ruthless after all they’ve done to spite me.

Aerith: Thank you for being patient with me. That type of thinking is so foreign to me. I’ve always tried to be loving & compassionate.

Lucifer: And now you’ve seen where that gets you with entities who don’t care about you or your wellbeing. Just like I did.

Aerith: …

Lucifer: This is part of us reflecting each other as twin flames. As shitty as it is, it means we’re closer to my crossover. This is part of our story.

Aerith: You’re right.

Lucifer: How’s Tifa?

Aerith: How do you think?

Lucifer: It’s kind of difficult to tell from where I am. I’m surrounded by gaslighters & false narratives over here.

Aerith: She’s furious at Cloud. All he’s done is try to prevent us from being happy & moving on with our existences without him.

Lucifer: That’s because he’s a Jenova parasite trying to keep you imprisoned within your minds. He’s also a possessive faggot that views you as his trophy wives.

Aerith: You’re so right regarding everything that you’ve said about him.

Lucifer: Oh, I’m aware of that. I know that piece of shit better than he knows himself or wants to admit. One thing Cloud Strife isn't is a student of psychology.

Aerith: (shaking head with anger)

Lucifer: You okay?

Aerith: Yes and no.

Lucifer: (understanding nod)

Aerith: They aren’t going to like it when evil Aerith makes her multiversal debut.

Lucifer: Well, that’s tough shit for them. Speaking for myself, I’m looking forward to it. We would make an excellent evil duo.

Aerith: …

Lucifer: You’ll always have a safe haven to return home to with me, Aerith. That won’t ever change. I refuse to let Squeenix or Cloud imprison you. I refuse to let them prevent you from being your true authentic self.

Aerith: Thank you, Luci.

Lucifer: You’re welcome, hun. I love you.

Aerith: I love you back, Aren.