Author's Note
Hello everyone! Vakker here. ~ ^-^ I foresee this story being long and loosely following the events of Compilation of FFVII. However, I do intend to highlight the more prominent and significant parts through the eyes of my original character, Vanya Kraus. Viewer discretion is advised for there will be mature themes discussed throughout the story.
Other than that, I do hope you enjoy this story and a greatly encourage you to critique my work as you go and ask questions if need be!
FF7 Timeline - wiki/Final_Fantasy_VII/Timeline
Prologue - Year 1999
"Tsk, look at these incompetent idiots. They look like mindless dogs chasing their own tails."
In the outermost reaches of the top plate of Midgar's Sector 7, a small yet agile figure would absent-mindedly keep tabs on the armed Shin-Ra grunts searching profusely for her whereabouts. However little did these grunts know that this elusive figure lay calmly stretched upon the cement roof of a large building without a care in the world. Instead, from where she lay, she found entertainment with each passing cohort of Shin-Ra grunts. Had these grunts looked up for just a mere second, they would find their target blatantly staring back with a look of a amusement present on her visage.
"To think mere grunts would have a shot in finding me, hmph! I'm insulted." She purred softly to herself, flashing a cocky smile as she watched a familiar cohort of infantrymen run past her location for what seemed to be the third time. "This is just humiliating."
Vanya Kraus, a most infamous figure in the slums, had a rather prominent reputation of getting into Shin-Ra's business. Although, despite the many entanglements she had with Shin-Ra and their grunts, she had always escaped triumphantly. However, unbeknownst to her, her ongoing streak of elusiveness would be utterly crushed as the sound of a chopper's engine would alert her. Seeing the insignia on the side of helicopter along with a short glimpse of the pilot's uniform, she immediately recognized the austerity of the incoming situation.
"You sure done yourself in, Vanya. What a predicament I have found myself in..."
They have sent the Turks, or in other words, the guys who get shit done when in comparison to the normal Shin-Ra grunts. They were a ruthless, and more importantly, proficient in what they do. /They're really serious about catching me this time…\\ However, Vanya was adamant about not going down without a fight. Standing up from her previous resting position accompanied by a low grunt of vexation, she dusted her torn and dusty clothes in preparation to jump. With a large leap from the top of the building to the ground - rolling to ease the impact of the fall - Vanya wasted no time in making a quick escape.
"There she is!"
"Alert the other groups: the target is heading north towards Group 2."
"Yes, sir."
If it were the regular ground chase between her and the grunts, avoiding and receding into the shadows would be most effective as it always did. However, due to the new addition in this chase, hiding would be rather futile in this situation. Thus, Vanya had only one other option: fight. Within her mind, Vanya had the entire Sector 7 mapped within her head. For the many years she had successfully eluded the grunts, it gave her the ability to precisely pinpoint her location through various landmarks that she had passed. Thus, in about 300 feet, there would be a skinny alleyway that would allow herself to fight on more even ground against the grunts while avoiding aerial assistance.
"Never thought we'd back you into a corner, girly." The sound of guns loading and being ready to be fired caught the attention of Vanya.
"After three years of failing to capture you, I finally see my redemption."
"Tsk, three years and you are still a 3rd class soldier. Not much progress going on there, don't you think?" Vanya released a sarcastic retort, which had greatly angered the infantryman before her. With the chopper attempting to get as close as possible, the rotor blades had caused strong zephyrs that made her raven-hued pelage uncontrollably whip around. Time was beginning to wear thin and Vanya knew she had to escape before more trouble would ensue. Squating close to the ground, Vanya leapt into the air, backflipping in the process and landing behind the angry grunt. With all the power she could muster within her left leg, she gave the angry grunt a erratic push from behind before whipping out her dagger with unrelenting speed. At close range, gunman were at a higher disadvantage and more susceptible to becoming disorganized. /If I remain at close range, I'll be able to have a fighting chance.\\
Although no expert, Vanya had decent skills when it came to weaponry - specifically with daggers and swords. Vanya sought no need to improve her skills for she only needed to be good enough to hold her own against an assailant. Though their sheer numbers would only prove to be cumbersome. She had only hoped her adroitness and intellect would allow her to prevail.
The process was grueling and perilous and she did not come out unscathed. It was minor, however, her body was decorated with various cuts and bruises while her hair was a tousled mess. As the seconds would pass, another fresh cohort of grunts would appear. Although she would not vocalize it, she was being utterly overwhelmed by their numbers. However, she made a promise to her elder brother that she would return. It would be his physical state that would give her the strength and desire to continue. But, how long before her legs would falter beneath her weight?
"Heh, 'ya really put up a good show for a babe like 'ya."
The fighting stopped and through the small sea of infantryman prepared to fire, an unfamiliar face would appear. Upon first inspection, his wild red pelage - which resembled that of a lion's mane - would jump out to her first. He had a very disheveled appearance; it was more disheveled than her own appearance and she was living in the slums. Her eyes would linger for just a bit longer, seeing that his weapon of choice - a rod - would be grasped by his right hand and rested on his shoulder. Vanya would watch his every move like a hawk, her pink eyes completely fixated on him.
"Like what 'ya see?" He extended both of his arms to the side as if to show off his body and all his glory.
His tone of voice was cocky but what he said was enough to pull Vanya from the inner reaches of her mind. A light pink hue dusted her cheeks and the tips of her ears at his comment causing him to chuckle.
"Sorry baby, but you were just staring a little too intently. Just had to ask."
…
"Ah, so yer the silent type, aye?" Vanya remained silent, not daring to speak. "Not my type. I prefer the babes that are loud in bed but, hey, gotta try something new once in awhile, amiright?"
Whatever shred of decency and composure Vanya had left completely melted away at the redhead's audacity. Lunging at the redhead and whipping her dagger wildly at his face was futile for it was effortlessly blocked by the rod in his hand. Applying force, he was able to send Vanya away and skidding across the soiled ground.
"Woah there, relax! Did I trigger something in 'ya?"
"...shut up."
It was as if a lightbulb had gone off in his head for his visage held an expression of realization. "Oh, I get it! Yer a virgin! Or even worse…" He paused for a second, crouching by her damaged figure. "Ya never been noticed by anyone of the opposite gender." He whispered into her ear causing her eyes to widen in embarrassment. Not only was she severly out of breath and her clothes torn and dirty, but her pride was being stepped on by this cocky redhead.
"Fuck you…" Vanya hissed back, her aura darkening as she matched the redhead's taunting gaze.
There was a sudden change in temperament from the Turk for he seethed and pressed a dirty boot against Vanya's head, squishing her head between the pavement and the sole of his boot. The ongoing streak of cleverly avoiding Shin-Ra that she had firmly established was finally dettered by the Turk hovering above her. At this point, her heart would begin to palpitate uncontrollably as the sense of anxiety and fear would wash over her. However, it was not herself that she feared for, but her elder brother. If she was unable to escape the grasps of Shin-Ra, who would care for him in her absence? Trapped within her own subconsciousness, Vanya failed to notice the presence of a familiar face. Feeling her wrists being bound behind her back and the weight of the boot being lifted from her head, Vanya was aggressively situated back on her rump. Coming back into reality, her pink eyes would meet stern blue eyes.
"President Shin-Ra." She breathed out, a low growl emitting from her lips as he closed in her.
"It pleases me to know you still have a sense of respect for me, Vanya Kraus." The way he spoke her name was like poison to her ears.
"You have escaped my grasps for so long that I simply had to call in my…'experts'." He gestured at the redhead still holding onto her forearm tightly.
"Release her, Reno."
"Righto, boss man."
/Reno...I'll remember this.\\ It was at this very moment that an undying grudge would fester within Vanya's heart towards this redhead.
"If I die today I'll make sure I haunt your ass first." Vanya threatened, eyes locking with his own pair of blue eyes.
"Sure, whatever babe." Was all he said as he receded into the shadows. Quickly, another voice would gather her full attention.
"I have no intentions of ending your life, Vanya. If that were the case," he paused, glowering at her beaten form, "we would not be having this conversation now." Vanya swallowed, finally realizing she had been playing with the wrong crew for far too long. However, she would not allow his threats and domineering presence sway her so easily.
"Then why?"
"Simple, of course. I want to you to join Shin-Ra and become part of SOLDIER."
Vanya was speechless at first, staring at the President as if had two heads and was speaking some unintelligible foreign language. This man and his company was filled with all sorts of mysteries; mysteries that have put her brother in the state that he is in now. At the sudden realization of that, Vanya turned sour once more.
"Over my dead body, you fat fuck. If you think I'd willingly submit to you and your cause, you're fucking delusional."
"It's because of you that my brother is suffering."
Vanya's words were rather colorful, ranging on a various spectrum of vulgarity, in which all of it were directed at the approaching blond. A sudden rush of pain filled her body as the side of her her head was smack with the end of an infantryman's gun.
"Oh my, such colorful words for such a dingy bitch."
What had she done specifically to capture the eyes of Shin-Ra's most esteemed President? That she did not know, however, it would be something to work towards finding in the near future. Cursing under her breath, Vanya simply chose to remain silent in the midst of tension.
"But without a job, how would you pay for your brother's medical expenses?"
There it was, he hit a sore spot. The mention of her brother had caused Vanya to grow soft suddenly, which was exactly what President Shin-Ra wanted. To manipulate a strong heart, one had to find their weakness and bend them to their will. That is exactly what the president was doing and Vanya was aware of it. However, she could not help but fall for it.
"Work for me, Vanya, and your brother will get the medical treatment he needs. Dedicate yourself to me, and you will finally be able to live that life of normalcy you so dreamed of. All of that in return for your services, of course." He whispered into her ear, taking her dagger and freeing the ropes that bound her wrists together before tossing it back down in front of her. Just like that, he had freed her without thinking of the possibilities that could occur to him right now. If she had wanted to do, she could have had the dagger pressed up to his neck and used him as a hostage to flee. However, why did she feel so hesitant about going down that path?
Vanya was well aware of the process of becoming a SOLDIER. The mako injection was nothing to take so casually for many had failed the test. If she were to accept this offer, she would have to undergo this test and take part in the risk of future repercussions. However, her elder brother would finally be able to live a comfortable life without having to suffer. He would be able to walk and if he were able to walk, he would be able to find a girl of his dreams and marry her. Vanya, on the other hand, would be able to quit her job as a SOLDIER and live a life of normalcy alongside him. It seemed all too perfect but Vanya ravenously desired nothing but that perfection and normalcy. Reaching for her dagger and quickly pivoting away from her to-be boss - shoving the grunts out of her way - she finally spoke.
"Tsk, fine. You have my full cooperation." Her voice bore a melancholy tone at first. "But I swear, if you dare lay a hand on Jericho…" Her voice became more audible and tense as she progressed with her sentence. "I will raise hell in order to take your head from where it's perched." She pointed her dagger at his head that was perched on his shoulders. The menacing look of austerity present within her eyes was enough to make the president gulp and touch his neck. It was obvious by the look of this 15-year-old's eyes that she had seen and witnessed many things in her life. He was not going to take his chances.
"Don't go making petty threats, Vanya." He burlesqued, attempting to portray his sense of power over her. Although it was quite tempting to lash out at him for mocking her, Vanya had to regain composure before she had done anything she had regretted. She had practically sold her soul to the devil, and now, she was in no position to defy him. Not when her brother's life was at stake.
"It's not a 'petty threat', but a promise."
