The Dark Legacy
Chapter one
Ignition of Dark Fire
In a recluse area under the old capital of Midgar, a small reactor suddenly came back to life, roaring gently, basking the complex in an eerie greenish light. The twisted metal around the building provided a good camouflage for the stairway a man carrying a heavy burden was currently descending. He stopped at ground level, flipping open a small panel and punching a code to open the door. He silently slipped in, maintaining his iron grip on the prize he carried. It took him several hours to retrieve it, many efforts, and so close to the goal he would not let him escape. Monitors showed him the activities inside had stopped and that his assistants were waiting for his arrival. He passed through the hall, reaching a console where he entered a serial of co-ordinates, and two hidden doors opened. One lead to a holding cell room; it as small, cramped even, and the other one served as a link to the testing area. The Mako pumped by the reactor ran through numerous tubes, creating the strange lighting, the monitors flashing blue just added to the already creepy ambience.
The half dead body was dragged in the room unceremoniously by the man wearing a white lab coat and dark green pants. His full-face goggles prevented the other assistants from seeing his eyes and smirk, though they could easily tell he was in a good mood. The room around him fell silent, apart from the sounds of the machines, then soft murmurs filled the void and the man suddenly dumped his heavy bundle. Blood quickly pooled on the floor, coming from the multiple lacerations and severe injuries the man had suffered.
«Professor Dover, do you-»
«I need him alive. Make sure he doesn't escape and prepare samples of XTP-3 for both of our targets. We must gather all the specimens before phase one.»
«Yes Professor.»
Three other men moved from their previous positions to reach the wounded man laying on the cold floor. The metallic sound of their boots hitting the iron floor resonated through the lab as they walked, busying themselves with the task at hand. Professor Dover observed his subordinates as he went back to his previous experiment. He was currently observing the effects of XTP-3 on different rats. The first three seemed to behave as usual. As he was recording the results, he heard the first signs that his captive had begun to wake, realising where he was. By the sound, he was struggling and he heard Janii, his main assistant, shout that he needed a massive dose of tranquilliser. A sadistic smirk curved his lips as he swiftly took his scalpel and killed the first of the monitor rat. Even though he was working on the rodent, his attention was peaked by the fight going on in the other room.
«Interesting…»
After finishing the dissection and after he made sure he had all the samples from every organ he needed, he moved on to the other cage. The three other rats were twitching, hardly moving. Those were Mako-irradiated rats, to which a pure dose of the XTP-3 had been administrated.
«Mako-induced rats are indeed rendered powerless. Excellent.»
He picked one out of his cage, then, in one quick move, broke his neck. And as he started the dissection, he could hear his next test subject scream as he as finally was restrained and put into a cell. And Professor Dover laughed in delight; he couldn't have dreamed at having this prized specimen at hand.
**********
Since a few days now there seemed to be a drastic augmentation of deliveries for the service Cloud offered. He was on the road most of the time, and when he was back home, it was only to plan the trip for the next day. So it was no wonder that Tifa finally found him fast asleep on his desk at the end of the week. She was about to wake him when the PHS suddenly rang, and the fighter/barmaid hurriedly picked it up before skipping outside of the room.
«Strife Delivery Service, how can I help you? Oh… um… yes, where are you already? Mkay, yes, that can be done tomorrow! Thank you!»
She shut down the phone after that call, turning on her heels to escape downstairs when she heard a tired voice calling her. Passing her head in the doorway, she saw Cloud looking at her with half-closed eyes. He was still slouched over his desk, head slightly turned, a green stick-on paper caught in his dishevelled hair.
«Where do I have to go?»
«Oh, to the post office, and then to M. Winsk house. He wants you to retrieve his package. Since it is the only call you got today, why not take a day off tomorrow after that delivery? You could use it…»
The blond nodded, returning to his previous task; nuzzling the paper on his desk. The fighter chuckled.
«By the way, I think I heard your bed calling…»
*******
As Cloud was about to leave house, the old man called him back.
«Young man, surely you have time to enjoy this package with me? Wutaian tea is so rare and much more appreciated with company…»
The blond, caught off guard, nodded, a little uneasy, and followed the old Winsk. He listened to him chit-chat about everything, making his best to finish his tea as fast as he could, nodding and acquiescing from time to time. When finally his cup was empty, he excused himself and left the old man, thanking him for the tea. As soon as the blond was gone, the 'old' man retired his disguise and grabbed a PHS.
«Professor, the first specimen had been successfully approached. XTP-3 has been administrated along with the retard agent.»
«Excellent. This specimen is noted to react unusually fast to it, keep an eye on it.»
«Yes, Professor.»
********
Cloud came back almost an hour and a half after leaving for 's house. He looked tired, and went straight for the garage. Tifa followed, as he got out wax and old washcloths, proceeding to give Fenrir a much needed tune-up. He began to dust the bike, unlatching the wheels and mounting in onto a special rack, intent to dust everything off, wash it clean, lubricate to perfection and shine it until it looked like new. The barmaid sighed; she couldn't understand how exerting himself on a task like that would make him relax!
After two hours, Cloud returned into the bar, looking like he had met a truck head-on. Without even turning back or saying anything, he trudged to the staircase and disappeared in his bedroom. It would not have been that bad if Tifa didn't heard a crashing noise seconds after he had closed the door. She hurriedly climbed the stairs, not even bothering to knock and barged in. The blond was trying to get back up, gripping the sheets of his bed, as if he had difficulties to stand up.
«Cloud! Are you ok?»
She ran up to him, grabbing his free arm to help him. He seemed in pain, somehow, because he simply went with her without resisting. Tifa sat him on the bed, when she finally heard him whisper to close the lights. As soon as she stood up, Cloud dropped on the bed, holding his head with both hands.
«What's the matter?» she repeated, this time softer, «you look like you suddenly got a nasty headache…»
Cloud nodded, immediately hissing in protest as his head throbbed painfully. Slowly, carefully, he rolled onto his side, wondering when was the last time he had such a migraine… which he was sure it went back to his time in the Shinra army. He felt Tifa's hand close around his shaking one in which she slipped two tablets. Grateful for some kind of relief, he swallowed them, wishing for it to take effect rapidly.
*******
There was an enormous flash, then the screaming began anew. Suspended between two round platforms, hands and ankles cuffed to the sides, the man could only try to arch his way out. But the cuffs would just not give away. There were countless of wires being tied to him, wires that carried energy. Energy that was currently coursing through him, sending jolts of tremendous pain through his limbs, labouring his head with throbbing pulsations which threatened to split his skull in two. He felt his body being rotated, arms and legs slowly being lowered on the cold metal table, still forcing the energy to move freely through him. Four more metal contraptions locked him in place. Platforms now moving to both ends of the table, he was able to see above him; what seemed like a half-cylinder glass cover was descending on him… He suddenly felt painful pricks under the contraptions, then the world went completely green, then black. But it remained painful.
********
Since Cloud had come back from the garage, Tifa checked on him a few times already, and the blond seemed just to worsen every time she did. Now she just couldn't leave him, seeing how bad it was. At first she thought of a migraine, then it turned sour after an hour. The blond started to /complain/, of all things. He was sweating and trembling at first, feeling unusually cold, demanding to be warmed up by all means. She had brought him blankets, prepared tea and even tried to shove him into a scalding hot shower, but nothing seemed to work. Trembling turned into all-out muscular cramps, painfully pinning the blond to his bed.
And there she was, trying to help Cloud by massaging his sore body when he suddenly tensed, gritting his teeth to prevent himself form screaming. Immediately the fighter stopped what she was doing and grabbed his hand.
«Cloud! What's going on?!?»
Blue eyes glassed over by pain just looked at her while the wave subsided a little, then said something that would scare Tifa for the first time in years.
«… everything… hurts… ugh!»
His body thrashed upward all of a sudden, and this time he could not prevent the blood-chilling scream that followed, heart racing like crazy, breathing coming out in painful pants while his mind was slowly beginning to fog up. Convulsions threatening to shut him off completely, Cloud managed to get a weak hold onto reality.
«… help… me…»
********
The medics came in, rushing upstairs to where Tifa was calling from. Cloud was still on his bed, howling in pain, unable to move more than his trembling would allow… One of the medics grabbed his arm, making him scream even louder. They didn't seem surprised by his behaviour, nor by the evident discomfort in which Cloud was obviously in. Both of them pinned him to the bed, even though he couldn't move and began to examine him, then forcefully they pried his eyes open.
«He's really reacting to it faster than anyone…»
«Even with the retarding agent… Look, his muscles already stiffened from the...»
«Hey! What're you doing? He's hurt! Stop it!»
One of the man reached for a pouch he carried, and picked up a syringe and a vial filled with a light blue liquid. Quickly he injected the medication, which worked pretty fast. Cloud's eyes immediately closed.
«Let's take him back. And take care of her.»
The man to her left moved so fast she didn't have time to react. Next thing she knew, is that everything suddenly turned black.
*******
High above the continent, a very greased up Vincent Valentine got out of the engine room of the Sierra. A minor repair in mid-flight was now nothing to the new mechanic that Cid had personally trained. Vincent liked to work with the gruff man, who gave him a new purpose, and a way to be useful, as he had put it. They were supposed to land near Edge two hours ago, but due to the mechanical problem, it has been delayed. Vincent sighed and walked up to the main floor.
Cid was currently on the deck, organising the landing and the cargo shipping. Cloud would come to help them for that, but he couldn't get a hold either of him or of Tifa. Which was strange. Scratching his neck, he chewed nervously on his cigarette butt. He had a nagging feeling about this.
«Something on your mind, chief?»
Said chief sighed, reaching up to readjust his ever-present flight goggles, a gesture that told Vincent he was right. Whenever Cid worried about something, he would fidget mindlessly with it, and if he was beyond worried, he'd pull them off to scratch the sides of his head. So far, so good, Vincent told himself.
«Fucking knuckle-head won't answer the damn phone!»
«You tried Tifa's phone?»
«Yeah… still n'thing. I don't like this shit for a second… You called'em yesterday?»
Vincent nodded. He talked to Tifa yesterday, and she had told him Cloud was currently resting. Apparently he was suffering from a nasty migraine.
«Tifa told me he had a bad migraine yesterday. Maybe it is still a problem today…»
The pilot seemed to ponder on this, leaving his goggles be, but still chewed the cigarette butt like a madman. Vincent rolled his eyes and reached with his good hand for his shoulder. Over the previous months, he had developed the skills to calm Cid down, skills that came from the numerous observations he did. It was strange, really, that the blond pilot would relax whenever he would touch his right shoulder. And again, it worked. Cid spat out the butt and visibly relaxed.
«Ma… y'surely right. If the kid's not feelin' well, might as well start without him.»
With that, he replaced the goggles and prepared the ship for the landing. Leaving Vincent with the nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right. But for now, they must land, empty the cargo bay and secure the ship. He would have time to worry later.
*******
By the time they were to move the last crate, members of the WRO came in, escorting Reeve and a WRO officer. Cid and Vincent looked at each other with a hint of confusion before calling off everything. Reeve seemed agitated, at the least, and the presence of an officer announced nothing good.
«Could we go somewhere more private? I need to talk to you two…»
Cid lead them to the conference room on board. That's where the officer began to talk.
«Earlier today the emergency line of Edge received a call from Tifa Lockheart asking for immediate medical attention. From what the 9-1-1 operator told us, her friend was in tremendous pain. By the time the medics arrived, they found miss Lockheart unconscious on the floor of the bedroom, with two children, unarmed.»
«She is still recovering from a drug that was used to subdue her. According to the children, a man named Cloud was abducted by two strange people, dressed as medics.»
Cid and Vincent could only listen with mouths agape.
*******
When he came back around, the world seemed to have changed. The bed felt like… felt more like the floor, really… as his senses were returning, he realised that the pain had faded to a dull ache. He had a bad taste in his mouth. Then he tried to move his arms; they felt like molten lead. But the metallic clicking made his eyes open in an instant. Looking down at his wrist Cloud found them restrained by large, heavy wrist cuffs, chained to a metal pike driven into the ground. No matter how hard he tried to lift his arms, he couldn't. He was lying on his side, on the bare floor, and all he now could see in front of him was the outlines of what seemed like a holding cell basking in an eerie greenish-blue light. Suddenly he heard a little buzzing sound, and his right shoulder suddenly felt like it was on fire. His body jerked forward, his teeth clenching painfully, hissing as the pain became more acute.
«Breathe… it's the only way… to endure…»
After what seemed an eternity, the burning sensation lessened, his vision cleared a little and the stiffness in his muscles wore off enough for him to painfully push himself up. He had a better view of his surroundings, now, and deep down he wished it was a dream… The man with the lab coat adjusted his glasses and smiled at him. Cloud's eyes widened in irrational fear and he suddenly reared backward into the man that had spoken to him before. The black eyes narrowed behind the goggles, lips curving upward in a cruel smile.
«Perfect. Only one specimen to go…»
*******
Vincent and Cid just didn't know what to do. Now that Tifa was awake and able to go back home, Reeve and the WRO were trying to find a lead from which they could start looking for Cloud. So far, they did not receive any ransom demand, and there was nothing that could tell them where to go… The fighter was still a little uneasy on her legs, so Vincent had helped her into the armchair and was currently in the kitchen making some tea. He came back with a full pot and numerous cups for everyone.
«Well, they came in, asking where was Cloud… When they saw him, it was odd, really, they began talking about him reacting faster than anyone, and something else… I didn't understand very well, and then they jumped on me…»
Reeve tended her a tea cup full of steaming liquid.
«Well, we did find traces of the component they used on you… The analyses aren't done yet, but once they finish, maybe we will have a lead, then… Just take it easy for now.»
She nodded, and Cid excused himself, going outside for a minute. The pilot smoked a lot less since a few weeks, now, but in moments like this, he /needed/ a smoke. There were plenty of WRO soldiers outside, patrolling around the military vehicles, and Cid shook his head. The cargo they had taken in was really important to Reeve. Mechanical parts, dehydrated food and such. His ship was a few miles away resting after a long trip… Tomorrow he would have to go look for the part they needed to fully repair the auxiliary motor… He exhaled one last puff of smoke and turned to get back in. Something moved behind him, and everything suddenly turned black.
******
After an hour or so, Reeve helped Tifa climb the stairs so she could rest a little more and Vincent was cleaning the cups when he noticed Cid's absence. Something with the ship maybe? He grabbed his PHS and dialled his number. No answer. Odd. Maybe he was busy in the motor compartment… He called the pilot and asked if the Captain was currently working in the engine room, but he wasn't even onboard. Now Vincent was worried, and rushed outside, thinking that maybe he suddenly had a fainting spell like the other day. It didn't take long for him to spot the older blond, slouched over the railing of the balcony. The ex-Turk ran up to him, immediately looking for any sign of sickness, but he found out with an odd relief that Cid was conscious. But before he could help him, his senses went on red alert and a salve of shots came from the left, aimed directly at Cid. There was little time to take a decision and instead of dodging and retaliating, Vincent took upon himself to protect Cid by shielding him with his body. He expected a searing pain and a lot of blood, but certainly not a sudden numbness spreading awfully fast form the tiny pricks that made their way through his cloak. He had an awfully familiar feeling stirring in his gut just as he saw the man coming out of the darkness…
«Mister Valentine, finally…», he whispered, «We found you.»
With a relative relief, he thought that at least, he would know where Cloud was…
********
He didn't know how long he had been out, or why his throat was so raw. He felt drained and overall weak. All he remembered was a cold metal table… There was an odd sensation in his back, pain even, from the confused state he was in, the blond couldn't quite recognize anything yet. He knew he was moving, well shaking like crazy, something close to convulsing, even. His left shoulder felt heavy and as the fog started to clear, his nerves began to shower him in alert signals; his left arm was unresponsive, the shoulder was like a massive ball of fire and his back just screamed from an open wound he was now sure he had. Blue eyes closed in a vain attempt to dampen everything, but he groaned loudly through gritted teeth. When he attempted to roll over, a firm grip on his torso prevented him to do so.
«Don't», the voice commanded, «You're going to squash it if you're not careful. I'll help you sit up; leaning on something will help you…»
The hand then moved to his lower back while another circled his right shoulder (so blissfully intact, he would notice) and the man behind him began to pull him up. Suddenly, whatever was making his back so painful /moved/ and this time, realising it was /coming out/ of his shoulder, Cloud couldn't hold the agonizing scream that came out, or neither the content of his stomach to slip past his lips. When his head stopped spinning, he was at least grateful that his helper kept him from falling face first into the mess.
«I take this is the first time your wing comes out, am I right? »
That question triggered something in Cloud's mind. This man seemed to know too much for someone who were locked in this… whatever place that was. He didn't have wings, and he didn't know where that sort of question came from. His eyesight finally focused on this man, well part of it since he was leaning on his arm, but the silver strand coming from his head was a deadly give-away. There was a sudden knot in his stomach, but not from fear, and only one word slipped through his lips, anger evident and easy to interpreter.
« Why…? »
The man seemed to ponder a few moments, and the sigh that followed confirmed to Cloud one thing; Sephiroth was nervous at the least. He could feel his shoulders sagging a little. There was an odd silence between them, interrupted only by the sound of a far off generator sputtering to life, making the blue-green glow quiver.
« Why am I here?», he started, «Why am I not dead? Why are /you/ here? Why… *sigh* there is too many why's and much more because that we don't have time or the luxury to discuss right now, Cloud. All I know is this; I remember going on a mission to Nibelheim with you and Zack, the Mansion and the mountain trek, but the rest… is a total blur to me, as if…»
There was a hint of pain through the confusion, Cloud noted, and for the first time since the Meteor chase, the blond was starting to believe that the General had been completely taken over and manipulated by Jenova.
«I woke up here, surrounded by scientists. I overheard them talking about you. Something went wrong at Nibelheim and Hojo captured you, am I right? »
Cloud shuddered at the mention of the madman, which confirmed to Sephiroth he was indeed on the right path.
«I will tell you what I was able to understand from them, but I need you to answer a few of questions of my own…»
*******
Saying that Cid had difficulties to crawl back to the door was an understatement. From the moment he had been struck, he haven't been able to move an inch, so he was currently laying half way between the porch and the door, trying desperately to get some attention when the goddamn thing finally opened and Reeve stepped out.
« Vincent? Is everything al- CID! Officier Dewley! Call the medics NOW!! »
He rushed to the pilot's prone form, sighing in relief when he realised his eyes were open. Immediately, he began to shower him with questions, to which the poor Cid could only answer by frustrated puffs of air. Even his vocal cords were out of commission. The rest happened very quickly, and a few hours later, after recovering from the attack, he was finally able to answer.
«Would ya just shaddup for a sec! I dunno what fuckin' happened to me, 'k? Vince came to get me, I heard a shot, then someone talking to him and a thud. I saw fuckin' nothing!»
«You mean they got Vincent now?!? »
«Either that or he changed into a fuckin' bat and /flew away/, Reeve! », he grumbled back.
Just then another WRO officer knocked at the door and asked to talk to Reeve in private. The administrator came back a few minutes later, looking worried, and excused himself.
«There seems to be trouble in the Energy section. I need to check this out as soon as possible.»
If possible, Cid's ears perked up.
«Hey, I could lend you a hand, not like we can do much 'bout Spike or Vince for now… so wassup?»
Reeve sighed. Misery loves company, he told himself. As if he needed that now.
« It is not our energy core, Cid. But the team registered a pulse of energy near Midgar. The old generator there… the Mako generator, if it leaks, we could have more problems then we have now.»
«Then why d'you keep it up and runnin' ?»
«I didn't. That's what I want to know. You could be of precious help, if you can be out of here in two hours. Rufus has already sent a mission orders to the Turks. If you can make it on time, you'll be part of the expedition, too.»
«You'll keep me updated if you find anythin' 'bout them?»
The stern man nodded. He made a mental note to ask help from Barret, Nanaki and Yuffie, too. They would want to take part in the investigation when he would tell them about Cloud and Vincent. If Tifa didn't tell them already…
Ignition of Dark Fire
Author's note
Hehehehe…. I'm back. SO how did you like it so far? Dark enough? Twisted enough? Believe it, you ain't see nothing yet. See ya!!!!
Htress