A/N: This story was born from watching Advent Children over and over again and listening to Battle Born by Five Finger Death Punch afterwards. After listening to my friend ramble off about Advent Children and having no sweet clue what she was talking about, I finally sat down and watched the movie. Needless to say, I fell in love and began plotting my own Final Fantasy story, and with my friend's help life was breathed into this story. I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Final Fantasy. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
The flickering light from the TV was the only source of light in the otherwise dark room. Blue eyes that were once so vibrant and full of life stared blankly at the glass of whiskey that sat on the coffee table. Scenes from memories that should have died long ago played through a tortured mind. Crazed laughter as the air rang with an ear-shattering roar of an explosion echoed in his ears. It was his own laughter that haunted him. The look on Yazoo's face when he saw the bombs played on repeat until it finally got stuck and froze.
Reno bowed his head, grasping his hair and squeezing his eyes tightly closed. However, the motion only caused him to see Yazoo's face more clearly. What had he done? They were just kids. And he had blown them to kingdom come. Of course, he had just been doing his job; but still. He had murdered kids. All they had wanted was to be with their Mother. Their crazed, psychotic Mother who wanted to destroy the planet and see it burn. They hadn't been in their right minds. They had been under Jenova's influence. They were victims of Jenova just as much as anyone else.
Reno suddenly grabbed the glass and threw it across the room. The glass shattered against the wall on impact; spraying shards and drink everywhere. Reno bent over and screamed. He was a murderer. A cold blooded murderer. What kind of monster killed kids? Was that what he had become? A monster? One of ShinRa's dogs to be unleashed upon wayward children?
Reno's head snapped up when the phone suddenly started to ring. He reached out a shaky hand and picked the handheld up. He pressed the talk button and put the phone to his ear.
"Yeah?" he answered, his voice quiet and shaky.
"You okay, Reno?" came Elena's voice. "You didn't show up for work today."
Reno squirmed in his seat, clenching his teeth against the wave of emotion that threatened to pull him under.
"Reno?" Elena asked.
"I...I'm..."
"Reno, what's wrong?" Elena wanted to know.
Reno looked up and his eyes widened in horror when he saw Yazoo standing before him. However, when he blinked, the image disappeared. Reno gasped for breath; eyes darting around the apartment.
"Reno, please. Talk to me," Elena pleaded. "This isn't like you. Ever since the Remnants you've become distant, moody. And when you do show up for work you're always hung over. You try to hide it, but everyone can smell the whiskey."
"Seems you do have something to hide," Yazoo's voice echoed through the darkness.
Reno shot up from the couch, heart lurching up into his throat in terror. He could hear Elena call his name, but her voice was distant. Reno shot his gaze around the apartment; eyes wide in fear.
"Reno? Reno?!"
Reno ran a hand over his face. What was wrong with him? Maybe he had had one too many drinks. Either that or his conscience just wouldn't let him forget what he had done.
"Reno, answer me!" Elena yelled.
However, Reno's attention was on something else. His eyes slowly widened in pure, raw terror as Yazoo materialized out of the darkness. His green eyes burned with silent murder. In his left hand was his silver gun. The Remnant's finger twitched against the trigger.
"Hello, Turk. Long time no see," Yazoo said.
Reno started to back away. "It's not possible," he whispered.
Yazoo moved with him. "Why? Is it because I'm part of the Life Stream?" he asked. "You know I survived your little barricade explosion."
The light from the television gleamed menacingly across Velvet Nightmare. Reno was brought up short when his back hit the wall. Yazoo cornered him, blocking his escape route.
"It was a most painful death," the Remnant continued, his soft spoken voice cutting like a knife through Reno's already shredded conscience. "What's the matter? Don't tell me you're not proud of making me and my brother suffer."
Yazoo leaned in close, tucking Velvet Nightmare's barrel under Reno's chin. The kiss of the cold metal sent a wave of fear shooting down Reno's spine. Yazoo smirked darkly.
"Don't think you've seen the last of me, Turk," he said. "There is nowhere you can run where I won't find you. And, no matter how much you wish to drink my memory away, you will never be rid of me."
Reno gasped when Yazoo's image suddenly vanished. His hand went to his throat. He could still feel the metal against his skin.
"Reno!" came Elena's sharp shout.
The red-headed Turk blinked back to reality. He put the phone back to his ear.
"Elena, I have to go," Reno gasped. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"But-"
Reno ended the call before Elena could start to protest. He headed for his room, throwing the phone on to the couch as he went. Reno rubbed his arms, trying to calm the shaking in his body. He couldn't do this anymore. He needed peace. Reno went over to his computer and sat down. He opened up a new letter document and began typing. Come hell or high water he was going to get rid of Yazoo's memory.
No matter how far he had to run.
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