I really hate to do this, mostly cuz it sickens me to write NEthing where Hojo's a main character, but I had this in a dream and it freaked me the fuck out. So I have to get it out of my head, or else it'll continue to haunt my dreams. It's not complete, and probably never will be. Like I said… it was a dream, and that constitutes the fact that some parts may be a tad out of character… I'll try to fix that up a bit, but I can't verify NEthing.

Fyi: yes…. This is me… so there is Valenwind

--

The avalanche group awoke in a small room, which smelled of burning flesh. It was dark. The air thick and heavy.

"Where are we?" Came Yuffie's voice, shaking from the darkness.

"I dunno." Barret responded. "But I want to know why the fuck we all fell asleep?"

"Is everyone ok?" Asked Tifa.

"I believe so." Responded Nanaki.

"I'd sure as hell like some kind of answer." Exclaimed Cid. "Like, who the hell brought us here?"

Added with the extra aid of the Mako, Cloud had almost no problem seeing in the dark depths. "I don't think you want to know. What I want to know, is where's Vincent?"

Cid jumped. "Vincent!?... Vince where are ya?"

"He's not here, Cid."

"The hell he ain't! We gotta find him!"

"Calm down, Cid." Interjected Tifa's calm voice. "We'll find him."

"Don't tell me to calm down. We wake up in this weird place, then find out Vincent's gone! What do I have to calm down about!?"

"Hey! Don't yell at her!" Argued Barret.

Cloud made his way over to where he believed he could make out a light switch.

"Indeed." Said Nanaki. "We're all concerned for Vincent. There's no need for us to turn against each other."

Everyone shouted, covering their eyes, as Cloud flicked on the lights. "Sorry."

Through their star-burst vision, they began to make out a steel room, complete with all kinds of tables and other sorts of stuff one would find in a lab. (not feeling too up to describing here)

"GUYS LOOK!" Yuffie screamed, crouched in a corner.

They ran over to see where she was pointing, to see a blood-splattered red cloak, crumpled on the floor.

"VINCENT!" Cid cried, scooping up the frail fabric. His eyes started to sting. "Where are you?"

Cloud felt a chill run through his spine, rubbing his arm. "We have to get out of here."

Barret revved up his gun-arm, aiming it at the lock on the door. "No prob, Spikey." Cloud jumped out of the way, for the big man to blast a hole right through the door, knocking it off its hinges.

They exited to a long room (Or maybe a short hallway), with doors at either end. Directly in front of them was a much unexpected arrangement. All of their weapons were lined up directly in front of them. Each took their own, examining them for maybe some kind of traps.

"You'll need those." Came an all too familiar voice that screeched across Cloud's nerves. He spun, turning his sword on the deranged scientist. "Why've you brought us here, Hojo?"

"Just a little experiment. I wanted to test out some of my new toys."

In a blind fury, Cid charged him, slamming the smaller man into the wall. "Where's Vincent?"

Hojo just smiled. "You can have him back, if you'd like. I'm done with him anyway." He seemed to fade into the wall, under Cid's grip. The pilot punched the wall. "WHERE IS HE YOU SICK FUCK!!?"

Tifa placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Cid. We'll find him."

Yuffie glanced down at both doorways. "Yea, but which way do we go?"

Cloud sheathed his sword. "Looks like we're going to have to split up."

"In this place?" Yuffie shrieked.

"No choice." Cid tightened his grip around his spear. "We have ta keep moving." He started down to the door on the left, bursting through it. The pilot toppled, almost too late realizing that the next room didn't have a floor. He swirled his arms, trying to regain his balance. Cloud ran over, grabbing one of the flailing arms to pull him back up. Unfortunately even the floor around the door now seemed to give way, dropping them down into the chasm.

"CLOUD! CID!" Tifa and Yuffie ran towards the doorway, only to be stopped by it slamming closed.

Tifa banged on the door, but it wouldn't budge, soon vanishing to only leave a barren wall behind.

Yuffie shook. "What's going on? What's with this place?" Nanaki rubbed up against her leg. "Everything will be alright. I'm sure they'll be ok."

Out of nowhere, the floor beneath them vanished, and they fell through. Nanaki tried to grasp hold of something, only to have his claws slide easily against the hard tile floor. Yuffie grasped onto his tail, pulling him on down through the floor, before it closed back up.

Tifa threw herself to the floor, digging into it. "No. Open up!"

Barret scratched his head. "Ok, now I'm starting to get freaked. Let's get out of here before the ceiling falls or something." He pulled Tifa to her feet, both of them proceeding through the other door. First testing to make sure there was in fact a solid floor on the outside.

xXx

Cid's fingers gently tightened around the handle of his spear, as he began to regain his consciousness. He sat up, rubbing the side of his head. "What happened?"

"I dunno." Cloud was already on his feet, examining the room. "This place just keeps getting weirder and weirder."

Cid stood. "Even more reason to keep searching. I don't think I want to know what he meant by saying he was 'done with him.'"

"Well, let's not wait around here for anything else to go wrong."

"Yea, sure. Let's go."

xXx

Nanaki hit the ground first, landing expertly on his feet. Then, falling into the cliché cartoon antics, Yuffie landed right on top of him, knocking the young lion-wolf flat on his stomach.

"Ooh, sorry, Nani."

"S'okey, Yuffie."

It took him a moment to fully get back to his feet. He shook himself together, glancing around the darkened room. "Where did we land?"

"I dunno. It almost feels different."

"Well, we'd better proceed, if we want to locate the others."

"Ok."

xXx

After a short trip, Barret and Tifa came across a spiraled stairway, descending further down into their maze-like prison. Completely lit with torches.

"So….uh… any clue where the hell we could be?"

Tifa shook her head. "No clue. I've never been here before."

Barret groaned, in frustration. "Gah this shit is never gonna end. I mean, we could use some kind of clue. And where're these supposed new 'toys' he mentioned? Shouldn't we have seen something by now?"

They hit the bottom of the stairs, and Tifa froze, shushing Barret from his rant.

"What's up?"

"Do you hear that?"

Barret listened, soon able to hear an odd screeching, that kind of sounded like a broken tape player, with the tape caught in it. "What the hell is that?"

Small shadows began to appear off in the distance. Tifa readied herself. "I think we're about to find out."

The shadows came closer, appearing to be scrambly little creatures. Biting and clawing all around the two fighters, they attacked in a bizarre, uncoordinated manner. (OK, I'll admit it… they were heartless, alright.)

"Are these the 'toys'?"

"Who knows?"

Soon a loud roar, echoed through the hall, scaring away the last of the creatures.

They gazed in the direction it came from, to see a large four legged shadow, slowly coming towards them.

Barret squinted at the new-comer. "Is that Red?"

Tifa backed away. "Nanaki isn't that big."

"Oh shi-" The creature lunged at Barret in a violet blur, sinking it's sharp teeth into his arm. He screamed shooting off in the distance.

"It's Galion!!" Tifa screamed, directing the beast's attention towards her. Those golden eyes flashed at his new target, blood dripping from the long, sharp fangs. She gulped, readying herself again, as the beast lunged at her.

Before it was able to fully grasp onto her, a barrage of bullets slammed into its side, knocking it away. Galion screeched, trying to escape the flurry of bullets.

Tifa gasped, running towards Barret. "BARRET STOP!!!!"

The gun-armed man, grasped onto his shoulder, no longer able to hold up his gun. "Why? That thing is attacking us. It would've killed you."

"I know that, but it's Vincent. We can't kill him."

Galion rose to his feet, shaking its head, and snarled at its attackers.

"Then what do you propose we do?"

It began to limp over, slowly gaining speed.

"We have to knock him out somehow."

The bullet wounds healed, allowing Galion to break into a full out run, as Barret raised his gun-arm again.

xXx

Yuffie and Nanaki trudged on, in the darkness, using the lion-wolf's tail for a sort of beacon. Yuffie clamped onto it for fear of losing him as well. "Shouldn't we have seen something by now?"

Nanaki glanced around nervously. A futile effort, considering he wasn't able to make out much of anything. "You want to be attacked, in this place?"

"Well, no. But we're obviously going to be anyways." She groaned, pulling his tail to stop him. "I just can't stand the waiting. The suspense is killing me." The young ninja cupped her hands around her mouth, calling out loudly. "YOU HEAR ME MONSTERS!? ANYTHING YOU CAN DISH OUT I CAN TAKE! I'M JUST SICK OF WAITING, SO JUST COME AND GET ME ALREADY!!!"

"Yuffie!... It isn't wise to be yelling so loud in this place."

"Oh, I know. I don't care. I want to get this over with."

"Shh."

"Don't shush me!"

"Yuffie, please… listen."

"Huh?" She listened, and froze with the sound of heavy footprints falling, soon shaking the very core of the room. Yuffie looked around, desperately, the hairs on her neck, standing on end. "Wh-What's that?"

"I don't know about you, but I don't intend to find out. Come on." He took off, the fire on his tail, urging the ninja to follow.

"Ahh! Wh-wait for me!" Yuffie ran after him, trying to put as much distance between them and whatever was making that noise.

"Is it following us?"

"Most likely. Just keep running!"

The footsteps ceased, only to be replaced by odd scurrying, and a loud thud in front of them. Yuffie screeched, throwing her star to where she believed it had landed. It clanged off of it, giving Nanaki a point of attack, but he was easily swatted away.

Yuffie ran over to where Nanaki was, straining her eyes to see what they were up against. She could barely make out a thin, lanky shadow, holding something in its hands. The hands seemed to move, pulling at the object, and revving what seemed to sound like a chainsaw.

The menacing blade, shone like a flickering fire against the darkness.

Yuffie's eyes widened. "It can't be. Nani?" She shook the young lion-wolf, glancing back up to see the chainsaw rear back and charge. "NANAKI, WAKE UP!!!!!"

xXx

Meanwhile Cid and Cloud seemed to be having their own problems with a very special demon.

The one and only Chaos.

It was all they could do to avoid the demon's merciless assaults. He seemed to be having far more fun than he should be. Excited about finally being free, for the first time in a long time.

Cid slid behind a nearby wall, into a new hallway, nursing a deep wound in his thigh. He was somewhat thankful Chaos hadn't been using his Death Penalty. Seeing as how the demon seemed more focused on the pilot than his other target.

Chaos flexed the menacing claws, creeping silently to his prey. Cloud raised his sword, slashing downward onto the thick armor, only to have his attack re-coil back at him. Chaos grinned, spinning to kick him square in the side. The swordsman was able to raise his buster-blade in time to block the attack, but couldn't resist flying back into the opposite end of the hall. Cloud slid to the ground, his hand flying to the thick red mass running through his hair. He glanced up to see Chaos slash into the hallway, where Cid had taken refuge. The pilot flew from the hallway, into the adjacent wall, spear falling from his hand.

Before he could hit the ground, Chaos had his hand clamped around his neck, the sharp claws, digging and twisting into his stomach. The demon grinned. "You don't know how long I've been waiting to do this."

Cloud's sword began to glow red. He stood, trying yet another assault. Hoping to at least free the pilot from the venomous grip.

xXx

A sickeningly familiar feeling of the cold steel beneath him. Head surprisingly cloudy. What had happened? More importantly… why wasn't he strapped down?

Vincent remembered hearing that screeching voice, which still haunted his dreams.

He gently began to sit up, his mind nauseated with the movement. A hand fell on his head. He tried to look around, only to see spinning glimpses of nothing. It was bright enough, surprisingly, but none of it could come into clear focus.

What had he done to him, this time?

The gunman slid his feet off the side of the table, toes searching for the floor. He slid off, before even finding it, only to have his knees give out, dropping him straight onto the cold ground.

"Awake, I see." Vincent jumped, searching his holster. It hadn't yet accrued to him that it wouldn't be there.

Still unable to stand, Vincent began to make out the black shoes walking toward him. His blood running ever colder as they did. "I didn't expect you to be awake this soon. Though I suppose I shouldn't be. After all, your strength was one of the reasons I chose you in the first place."

Vincent scanned the room, until he could make out the black silver gun resting on one of the counters, just behind Hojo.

"Hmm?" The doctor noticed his gaze and laughed, chilling Vincent's blood to a boil. He turned, walking over to Cerberus, lifting it in his twisted little hands. "Do you want this?"

The ex-Turk eyed him skeptically. What was he planning?

"You can have it back, if you'd like." He tossed the gun, making it come to a sliding halt in front of Vincent. Vincent glanced down at it, in shock, his gaze shifting back and forth between the 2. Gingerly, he took the gun, checking the chamber… it was fully loaded. He clamped it closed, glancing back up at Hojo, who shrugged. "It's not a trick. There'd be no need for that. In your current condition, you're not much of a threat. I doubt you could even lift that gun, let alone fire it."

Vincent considered his words for a moment, before clamping onto the side of the table, attempting to push himself up to his feet. He leaned heavily, lifting the gun to try and aim. Finding it rather difficult. His eyes were far too hazy, but it didn't matter… a clean hit with Hojo wasn't what he had in mind anyway. "You won't mind if I try… will you?"

xXx

Bang… what else?

xXx

Cid jumped, a hand clamped onto his neck, still gasping for air. "I know that gun."

xXx

"It's not possible." Exclaimed Nanaki, carrying the unconscious ninja on his back, blood seeping from the side of her neck.

xXx

Tifa's head shot in the direction of the gunfire. "If that's Vincent… then who's this?"

Barret backed away, nudging Tifa on behind him. "Does that mean I can kill it?"

"I don't know."

xXx

Vincent slinked over to the wall, using it for support. He didn't understand why he felt so drained. One thing was for sure… he had to get out of here and find the others. No telling what was happening to them.

A heavy weight slammed into him, pinning him against the wall. "Did I say you could leave?" That chilling voice flowed hot and heavy into his ear.

Vincent glanced back at Hojo, in shock. It was enough of a miracle that he could focus enough to make such a solid hit directly between his brows… how was he standing?

"I know I said they could have you back, but I'm starting to reconsider." His thin fingers slid around, grasping Vincent through his pants. Vincent gasped, his eyes burning. He didn't even have the strength to shove him off.

"It's been so long since I've felt you Vincent. I've nearly forgotten how you taste." A slimy tongue laved out along Vincent's ear. He closed his eyes trying to think of some way to get out of this nightmare.

The sharp tip of a spear ripped Hojo away, tearing his body in two. Vincent glanced back at Cid, feeling he'd cry from relief. He dashed over, literally falling into his lover's arms, dragging the pilot down to his knees. Vincent gasped from a gnarled hand grasping onto his ankle. Hojo looked up at them, a crazed look in his eyes. "Did I say you could touch my toy?"

Vincent drew his pistol, shooting the hand off at the wrist. He shook his foot violently to get it to let go, and curled up into Cid. The pilot held his angel close, just happy to see he was alive.

Looking up, Cid backed away, pulling Vincent along with him. Using his still intact arm, Hojo pulled his upper half towards them, his eyes now seeming to glow with a fierceness even Mako couldn't provide. "I told you to let go. He's miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine." Cloud raised his sword, but was interrupted by an onslaught of bullets, firing at Hojo, sending the deranged scientist flying into the assorted pile on the opposite wall.

Cid heaved a sigh. "That was creepy as all hell." He looked down at Vincent, who was still curled up in his arms, keeping his head down. "You ok?"

Vincent glanced up at him, throwing his arms around Cid's neck. "I am now. Thank Gaia you came."

Cid held him closer. "Of course I came."

"We don't have time for you to fucking coddle him, Cid." Barret closed the door, locking it. A hand fell to his shoulder. "Maybe Vincent has some idea of what's goin on."

Vincent looked around to see Yuffie leaning against Nanaki, Tifa trying to wake her. In fact, everyone was injured… even Cid. His hand fell on the claw marks across his stomach.

He knew these marks… but it couldn't be. "What happened?"

Nanaki stopped from where he was cleaning his wounds. "You mean you don't know?"

Cloud had torn off a part of his shirt, and wrapped up his head. "We ran into a few of your alter-egos along the way."

Vincent's eyes sprang wide. He hadn't thought of it before, but… he couldn't hear them. Usually the demon's voices would relentlessly echo in his head… but not now.

Were they really gone?

But how?

"That would explain why I feel so drained." His head fell onto Cid's chest, half wanting to sleep some more. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what happened."

Yuffie began to stir, her eyes gently opening. She started, jumping with the thought of maybe still being in the middle of the fight… soon realizing her wounds. "owowowowowowowowowow"

"Calm down, Yuffie. We're alright, for now."

She looked around, to see everyone else was there. "Oh… hey everyone."

Tifa smiled. "It's good to see you're alright. Can you walk?"

"Pssht, oh sure." She started to stand. "You really think something like this is gonna bring me dow-woh" She started to stumble, when Nanaki nudged the little ninja back onto her feet. Yuffie patted him on the head. "Thanks, Nani. See… good as new."

Cloud stepped towards her. "Well, that's good to hear. Cause we're gonna need all the strength we have to find our way out of here."

"We sure as hell can't go back that way." Barret jabbed a thumb back at the now closed door. "Those damn demons are waitin for us."

Cid slid Vincent's arm around his shoulder, pulling him to his feet. "Maybe there's another way out."

Tifa looked around. "I sure hope so."

A heavy weight slammed into the door, causing everyone to jump. A still, hush washed over the room… soon broken by a soft knock on the other side.

All backed away from the door, some searching around for an alternate route. The sickening sound of metal grinding against each other, sent chills through their bodies. Yuffie ran towards the back of the room, digging around. "GUYS LOOK!" The others rushed over, as the small ninja un-blocked a hidden door. The bad news was that it was locked. The good news was that the lock was old, and very easy to break.

They slipped through, fortunately before the demons could make it past the other door, and ran.

Cid soon realized it was far easier to run with the frail gunman on his back. The realization of how much this was taking out of him was a bit frightening. Vincent began to drift off when something lunged forward, knocking the pilot out from under him.

Now standing on his hind legs, Galion's arm easily wrapped around Vincent's slender waist. Cid readied his spear, charging at the beast, only to be swatted away. "We need to have a word with our vessel." Galion headed back towards the other end of the hallway, Vincent trying to worm his way out.

Cid ran after them. The door slammed in his face. He banged on the hard steel, finding he couldn't open it, no matter how hard he tried.

A short while later, Vincent's screams echoed through the halls.

--

AN: And that happens to be where I woke up. Damn dreams always leaving cliff-hangers, and plot-holes for me to attempt to fill in. in case NEone's curious… the whole part with Hojo was the really creepy part that I didn't want to write, cuz it almost made me sick to do so… especially for letting that bastard touch my dear Vincent *sniffles*