"So what now?" Cid asked.
"The statue..." Claire mumbled as she made her way over to white marble statue with gold detailing. "It's Bhunivelze..."
"Look. A keypad." Vanille pointed at the hand of the statue. "I wonder what the password is..."
"Outta the damn way!" Cid barked, brushing everyone out of the side and examining the keypad. "I need a knife."
Claire pulled out the survival knife that her younger sister bought her and handed it over to the short tempered pilot who flicked it open and used it to prize the front cover off of the keypad. She watched in anticipation as Cid fiddled with the mass of wires inside the key pad until they sparked, sliding the statue away from them, revealing a staircase beneath it.
"Looks promising." Fang said as she peered down the stairs.
Claire marched down the staircase until she reached the bottom that led to a narrow corridor. Lights burst into live above the group as they proceeded down the path until a steel reenforced door came into view with the letters 'DGP' written across it in large red font. Yet again a keypad stood in the way of their progression, but Cid; who eyed it immediately got to work in dismantling the panel and began to fiddle with the wires and to open the door.
"Piece of Shit!" The foul mouthed pilot muttered to himself after several minutes of mauling with the panel.
"Whats wrong?" Claire asked, beginning to get impatient.
"It's got built in fail-safe's.. All of the wiring harness that is sunk into the wall is earthed. I can't divert the power to where I want it to go." Cid said in defeat.
"Move out of the way.." Claire said quietly as she heaved the Buster sword from her back. It's getting heavier by the day...
The rose haired woman told everyone to stand behind her to keep out of the way of the blade's razor sharp edge but also so they couldn't see the strain on her face as she hoisted it up into the air. Using all of her might she brought the foot wide blade crashing into the door, gouging it badly but it stood firm. My magic is gone... I couldn't keep Odin from fading... Don't take my strength away from me too.. There was an awkward moment of silence where nobody could bring themselves to say anything and Claire wasn't willing to turn around and face them. A look of pity was the last thing she wanted.
"Let me try." Tifa said as she moved to the front of the door.
Everyone watched the beautiful brunette as she took of her right glove and placed her hand on the doorway. An icy frost began to flow from her fingertips and onto the metallic surface of the door until it was frozen solid under a thick layer of clear ice. The extreme cold caused goosebumps to form on her arm as she coiled it back before unleashing a devastating blow at the door, shattering it like glass.
"Easy.." She said with a smug tone as she walked past Claire, who's ego was now as broken as the door.
"What the..." Fang gasped, being the first to turn from Tifa and actually look what was behind the door. Blood covered almost all of the white walls and floor of the short corridor that lay in front of them. The smell of dried blood was overwhelming but the sight was far worse.
"Looks like someone exploded in here. That's one mess.." Cid said.
"It was an animal..." Vincent's calm voice sent a shiver up Fang's spine as he brushed past her. "Look.." He said, taking his Clawed gauntlet and matching it up with the Claw marks that lined the walls.
"There's no remains.. No bones or anything.." Vanille pointed out, knowing animals rarely ate the entire bodies.
Vincent dropped to his knee and picked up a handful of turquoise coloured crystal shards and held them up to the light."Crystallized mako... Hmmm." He mumbled as he drew his gun and paced down the passageway slowly.
(The Sewers)
"Anyway... Where to?" Yuffie asked.
"If it's directly under the bad guy headquarters we need to go that way." Snow pointed. "Hey, whats with the walkie talkie?"
"Listen." Barret said as he turned the radio volume up.
"The Primarch is secure! 17 confirmed dead! 34 wounded in the blast."
"All personnel! The man with the red Coat and sword has been confirmed as hostile. Use of deadly force is authorized! I repeat! The use of deadly force is authorized!"
"Looks like somebody else don't like the Disciples." Sazh said as he heard the radio. "Wonder who it is.."
"I don't know but all of the spotlight seems to be on him and not us. Let's go." Barret ordered as they all made their way through the maze of sewers In the hope that it would lead them into the underground lab.
Less than a minute passed until the terrifying howl of something unnatural echoed down the sewers, stopping them in their tracks. Everyone froze but Nanaki, who picked up on the scent of something familiar. Without saying a word he dashed off, causing the rest to take chase until he stopped at one of the many winding passageways.
"I smell the lifestream down here.." Nanaki said after waiting for them all to catch up. "Or rather mako.."
"Great, we're going the right way... But what the hell was that noise?!" Yuffie asked.
"I smell that too.. It smell's familiar, but different at the same time.. We need to keep moving."
No sooner had the words left Nanaki's lips had the sound of splashing caught the group's attention. Watery footsteps grew louder and louder until a faint cyan glow lit up a passageway in the distance. Nanaki's ochre eye was fixated on the pale light in the distance until something unexpected reared its head around the corner.
"It can't be! Deneh?!" Nanaki barked as a creature shaped much like himself appeared.
Yuffie was lost for words at the sight before her. The creature was built like Nanaki but was hairless and had deformed features. It bare skinned body was covered in boils and open woulds that seeped cyan liquid resembling mako. Blind rage was the expression cemented onto the beast's face and its glowing body and Soldier like eyes sent a wave of fear over the former Avalanche members especially.
"You know that thing?!" Sazh asked.
"Run! Take this passage. The mako smell is strongest down there. If there is an entrance to the lab its that way." Nanaki said selflessly.
"We're not leaving you!" Yuffie pleaded.
"Go.. This is something I have to do.."
(back in the building)
Vincent followed the crimson trail until it came to a violent end. The corridor had now ended and opened up into a large room that was once a lab. Computer monitors were smashed and dragged across the floor and the liquid contents of hundreds of experiments dripped onto the broken glass covered floor. In the corner of the room was two large glass tanks; one of which was smashed and a thick steel cage that was mangled violently.
"Empty..." Claire whispered to herself as her heart sank. "I was so sure..."
"Find something... Anything..." Fang whispered to the others, realizing Claire was moments from breaking down.
Cid examined the mass of broken computers and began taking parts from each until he had built one that would work. The cracked screen distorted the display but the pilot was still able to access the last documents that were entered. "Over here missy. Look.." Cid said to Claire as he opened up the files.
Entry log 1:
Unknown creature captured in eastern forest. Initial examination shows incredible longevity and intelligence. The beast is even capable of human speech! So far it has been unwilling to share anything but its name (Deneh) and its origins of Cosmo canyon which is an unknown location.
Entry log 2:
Creature has become more and more aggressive as the days go on and is now under heavy sedation until a breeding male can be found. Cosmo Canyon has still not been found.
Entry log 3:
The Primarch grows tired of the delays in the 'Demi God Project' and has ordered me to begin testing on the subject but it is far to rare to risk killing it. DNA has been taken and a clone is growing as I write this.
Entry log 4:
Clone has been exposed to the mako liquid with mixed results. It's strength has increased dramatically but it's mind has been affected by the substance and is becoming uncontrollable. The former 'Shinra' Scientists have proved to be invaluable in supplying us with more accurate dosages and delivery methods.
Entry log 5:
The Primarch has found a man claiming to be a former member of this mythical 'Soldier' group. He refuses to cooperate despite sizable incentive so head scientist, professor April Ishii has been sent to retrieve the man seen with the demon 'Lightning' as she believes him to be the perfect base to start human experiments.
Entry log 6:
Beast is becoming far to powerful and wild to control. April's captured subject has been diverted to rendezvous at the mountain complex for their own safety.
"No! No! No!" Claire shouted, pounding her hands onto the glass covered table, cutting them badly.
"Don't give up!" Vanille shouted. "We just need to find the mountain complex thingy."
"We have company..." Vincent interrupted, drawing his gun and aiming it for the door across the room from them.
"Don't shoot!" Yuffie shouted as she popped her head around the door to find the barrel of Vincent's gun pointing at her. "We need your help! It's Nanaki!"
"What's wrong?" Vanille asked.
"He's fighting some creature! It looks just like him!" Yuffie shouted before she darted back behind the door and ran down the passageway that led to Nanaki.
"I guess that's what broke out of this cage and made all of this mess.." Fang realized. "Let's go!"
Everyone ran out of the door and chased after Yuffie, eventually catching her and finding the others not to far in front. The sounds of clashing beasts shook the stone walls of the sewers and grew louder as they navigated their way back the their four legged friend. The group rounded the final corner, now as one large unit to find Nanaki on the defensive against his savage counterpart.
"I don't want to kill you Deneh!" The flame tailed protector shouted as the mako covered monster swiped at him.
Nanaki tried his best to talk the creature down, believing it to be his oldest friend, Deneh and the only other remaining member of his species but the beast's mind was fixated on killing. It lunged at him, sinking it's teeth into his red fur, causing him to let out an almighty howl. Fang readied her spear but Vincent stretched out his arm, stopping the group from advancing.
"He want's to fight alone..." Vincent spoke as he watched the battle casually.
"He's gonna die!" Fang shouted.
"He is a long way from being beaten.. watch..." His gravelly voice replied.
Claire ignored Vincent's command and ran at her target with her fists clenched tightly. The fear of no longer being worthy of wielding Cloud's sword had grown with every day that her powers faded from her. She tackled the mako oozing monster but it's unbeleivable strength threw her into the wall like a rag doll, cutting her head.
Nanaki fought himself off his foe and howled wildly causing his fiery pelt to stand on end and the flame at the tip of his tail to brighten. Sparkling blue fragments shimmered as they rained down onto the enemy, exploding as they made contact with its mako infested skin. Not waiting for it to recover, Nanaki charged at the mako infused monster and sunk his razor sharp canines into it's neck, drowning it in it's own blood. Snow cheered at their four legged friend's victory but was silenced when Nanaki released his grip from his foe's neck and turned to faced them with a distraught look on his battle scarred face.
"I searched high and low to find her... Now she's gone..." He said in a sombre tone.
"You knew it?" Cid asked.
"Her name was Deneh... I grew up with her in Cosmo canyon.. One day the Turks came to capture one Deneh for experiments.. I was caught when I was fighting them off. That's how I ended up inside the ShinRa headquarters when you found me.." He said, looking at Tifa.
"Well I've got some good news for you Nanaki... That wasn't Deneh.." Tifa smiled.
"What?!"
"It was a clone. And I think I know where the real Deneh is.." Tifa said as she explained to Nanaki the files that where on the computer.
"Right. We need to get out of here and get back home. We can plan our next move there." Fang ordered.
"Go without me.. I'm not leaving this hell hole of a country until I've found him.." Claire said defiantly as she wiped the blood from her forehead.
"Why are you so stubborn!?" Tifa shouted. "You're no good to him dead!"
"If I waste time then HE will be dead!" She fired back as she stormed off down the sewer, only making it twenty meters before the blood loss from her head caused her to lean on the damp stone wall as she walked before finally collapsing due to the injuries and the weight of the sword on her back.
Yuffie ran to her aid, lifting her face out of the shallow stream of putrid water that ran across the floor. With the help of Snow, they carried her back to the destroyed laboratory were Sazh spend half an hour tearing out all of the hard drives from the damaged computers whilst Cid salvaged as many of the chemicals as he could and began to concoct something sinister.
"Teach you for destroyin' me baby.." Cid muttered to himself as he sniffed various powders and liquids before mixing them together.
"Ciiiiiidddd... Whatya doin?" Vanille asked.
"Teaching the Disciples that NOBODY destroys my airship." He shouted angrily.
"We need to go. Claire need's medical help. Old man, you done?" Snow asked
"That's the last of em!" The green coated pilot said as he pocketed the last hard drive.
"Let's get outta here." Barret said as he and Vincent led the way back through the sewers until they made it to an outlet that poured into a river.
Tifa pulled out her phone and dialed Reno as the signal on her cell finally connected in the hope that he could find a way out of the country for them.
"The whole time?! Okay, great. See you in a minute." Tifa said as she put the phone down. "Turns out that they're not always idiots."
"Whats goin on?" Yuffie asked.
"Reno and rude have been in the country waiting for us. They have a boat ready to extract us. Reno says ten minutes max." The brunette barmaid smiled.
"Well waddya know..." Barret laughed.
As promised, less than ten minutes later a large fishing boat pulled up outside the large sewer opening with the red headed turk behind the wheel. He held the boat tight to the sewer whilst Yuffie and Fang carefully got Claire on board before the rest of the now large group joined them. As soon as everyone was ready, Reno set off down the river towards the sea at full speed, not wanting to linger in the country any longer than he had to.
"Once we're a few miles off shore we can call in the chopper for extraction. That will take us to the aircraft carrier we have stationed for intel gathering." Reno explained.
"You have an aircraft carrier?" Fang asked in shock.
"Yep. The Turks- or rather CIA have real deep pockets. After Rufus sorted out HQ we where given a blank cheque." Rude explained in his deep voice.
"Wait until I see that little git! I've been asking for new equipment for weeks!" Fang barked, causing Vincent to crack a rare smile that went unnoticed.
Soon the fishing boat had traveled several miles into the sea which was beginning to turn from placid and calm to choppy and aggressive. Reno turned the engine off when the helicopter came into view; getting closer and closer as the sun fell behind the horizon. The rotor blades kicked up spray from the ocean surrounding the vessel in its own mini hurricane.
"Okay! Everyone up!" Reno shouted.
One by one the group climbed up into the large MH-53 pave low helicopter. Barret threw the still unconscious Claire over his shoulder as he boarded the aircraft and Vincent carried the buster sword, just as effortlessly as its former blonde owner.
"...Cloud..." Claire mumbled as she tried to sit up. "Whe- Where am I?..."
"You're in the medical ward of a CIA aircraft carrier." Fang said softly as she pushed her friend back down onto the bed. "Easy there.. You fractured your skull."
"I'm not strong enough to save him... Am I?..." Claire asked, feeling her own question was rhetorical.
"You might not have your fancy savior powers but that isn't your problem. Your desperation to get him back is stopping you from planning and calculating your next move. You need to sit down and work out a different approach. They won't kill him, he's too important... You have the time and a room full of people willing to help you. Recover and decide what you want to do and I'll be right here waiting." Her bronze skinned friend told her warmly. "Get some rest... We'll be home soon.."
As soon as the ship pulled into the docks, Claire departed, leaving everyone behind and heading straight for headquarters; or more accurately the CIA department. She used her all access card key to enter the secure CIA floor and headed to the director's office. An agent stood outside the door, guarding it and held his hand out to Claire to stop her advances.
"Director Rufus is busy right now. You'll have to-" The man never got to finish his sentence because the pink haired woman gripped the man's held out arm and wrenched it behind his back and pushed him violently through the door.
"Ah, Lightning... Subtle as ever I see.." Rufus smiled. "How can I be of service?"
"I need you to start the Soldier program.." Claire said with her gaze fixated on Rufus.
"I've been greatly assured by your boyfriend that If I do any mako experiments my head shall be removed from my shoulders..." He said softly. "I'm not building you an army..."
"I don't want you to build me an army.. I want you to turn me into one..."
A/N: Another short one but it made sense to me to leave it there and I wanted to get another chapter out quickly as I had some nice reviews. I'll try to get another one out as soon as possible. Let me know what you think and please leave a review.