Here we go we're nearing the end of this epic story. This is a the first of an epic two parter that takes a look into the two main characters. Here's John's story. Please Review!
Chapter 13: Old Scars
Lucy desperately raced through the dark hallways of the abandoned Mako reactor. Many thoughts raced through her head, but most of them centered around the safety of Alex Strife. Lucy stopped for a second on the catwalk to catch her breathe. Suddenly, the entry way to the research room was ripped open by the force of John in his Chaos form tackling Alex through the wall then flying out the hole in the roof. Lucy watched in awe as Alex started to punch away at John's head freeing himself from John's grip and landing on the roof of the building.
"Crap John, I think your overly protective nature of me has finally gotten out of hand." Whispered Lucy sarcastically to herself
Alex prepared himself as John swooped down from the sky. He rolled to the side, then swung his sword at John, only for John to bat it away with his razor sharp claws. John came at Alex with a series of swipes forcing his back toward the edge of the building. Alex stumbled as he desperately tried to keep his balance on the ledge. John roared loudly as he shot into the sky and swooped down at Alex full speed. Alex jumped over the edge at the last minute, jabbing his sword into the side of the building, sparks flying everywhere, as he slowed his decent. Alex jumped from the building onto the ground, Suddenly John landed on the ground inches away from him. John lashed out at Alex viciously as Alex used his sword to guard against his attack. Alex jumped back a little the came at John, who charged up an energy attack in his hand and smacked Alex's sword away from him a few feet away.
Alex's sword flew through the air landing firmly in the ground. Alex countered with a series of punches and kicks catching John off guard. John smacked Alex across the face knocking him to the ground. John increased the pace of his attack, Alex rolled out of the back flipped away from John to gain some distance. John stopped his attack to roar loudly as the fiery aura surrounding him intensified. John charged some orbs of energy and fired them at Alex. Alex ran towards the attacks then slid under them and John, Alex jumped up and reached his sword where he pulled out the hollow blade and serrated blade from his Tsurugi. John launched himself at Alex only to be smacked away by his double sword strike. Alex landed a small distance away from John and hot himself into a fighting stance as he tried to catch his breathe. John glared at Alex bloodlust seething from his eyes.
"All this anger isn't good for your health John. Like I've always told you buddy, you need to relax." Said Alex in a desperate attempt for reach his friend
John merely roared in anger and shot toward Alex. As Alex began to charge up for a limit break, he raised his sword out only for it to be shot out of his hand by a bullet from Lucy's gun. John tackled Alex into the ground with tremendous force. As John raised his claw into the air Lucy shot at him, forcing John to back away from Alex.
"Stop it you two!" cried Lucy
Alex rolled out of the way from another one of John's attacks picking up his sword off the ground.
"Lucy what are you doing he's trying to kill me!" shouted Alex
"He's still my brother, Alex. We have to help him!" exclaimed Lucy as she looked on in horror
"That's a really difficult thing to do right now!" shouted Alex as continued to defend himself from John's relentless assault
John shot toward Alex again for another attack, when a large gust of wind stuck stopping him dead in his tracks. The Shera eased its self into a hovering position above the three as the loading bay doors opened to reveal a stone faced Vincent Valentine. Vincent leaped from the ship transforming into Chaos in mid air, tackling his son into the ground. Alex fell to his knees in pain as he took a moment to catch his breathe. The Shera as John tossed his father nearly a yard away from him. Alex looked on toward the Reactor as he started to make his way back toward Rufus.
"Where are you going!" shouted Lucy concerned
"I need to stop Rufus." Replied Alex as he started to walk away
"But what about John!" shouted Lucy
"He's a big boy, besides he's got his daddy to help him." Smirked Alex
"Stop it Alex. Your acting crazy. You'll need back up."
"Then you wait for it, because I'm going and I don't have anytime to waste on your's brother's hissy fit!"
Lucy stood there stoned faced as she slapped Alex hard. Alex stood there motionless not moving.
"I'm coming with you." Demanded Lucy
"I can't let you do that. I…can't let you get hurt." Said Alex solemnly
"That's not your decision……it's mine. And I say I go with you and we take down Rufus together." Replied Lucy softly
"Fine…but what about John?"
"He's in good hands I trust my father. Right now it's you I'm worried about. I need to know that your in the right state of mind going into this."
"I'm good….now let's go save the world."
"Good."
"Lucy……I…Thanks. Thank you for everything."
"Your welcome now let's go!"
Lucy took one last look at her brother and father fighting as she took a deep breathe and followed Alex back toward the reactor. Meanwhile the battle between father and son raged on. Vincent jumped into the air and brought down his fist upon his son's skull knocking him down to his knees. John slashed at his father who jumped back a bit before coming at John with a powerful kick. John grabbed his father's leg, then slammed him into the ground with tremendous force. John charged up two energy orbs in his hands, but was suddenly caught off guard by a string of lightning fast melee attacks from his father. Vincent moved back a bit before firing an energy attack straight into the chest of John, knocking him to the ground.
Vincent shot into the sky then swooped down toward John. In the blink of an eye John side stepped his father and hit him with a hard right hand punch. Vincent tumbling across the ground as transformed back into his human form. Izumi had finally had enough of watching from the cockpit window. She hurriedly made her way down to the loading bay door past the awaiting WRO troops. Denzel watched from the loading bay as Izumi raced toward John, telling his troops to stay back until further notice.
Vincent managed to jump away at the last second as John came in for yet another attack, suddenly he spied Izumi in the distance. He couldn't let John anywhere near her in this condition. Vincent ran up to Izumi and blocked her from getting any closer to John. Izumi fought with Vincent a bit before she escaped his grasp and ran straight up to John. John stood before Izumi eyes glaring as he licked his fangs with delight. He lifted up his claw about to bring it down upon her when suddenly Izumi leaped into his arms and kissed him passionately. John stopped moving as he began to slowly melt into the kiss. His eyes softened, his rage subsided, as he slowly wrapped his demonic arm around her small frame.
Denzel clenched his fist ash he gave the WRO troops their order. The troops rushed toward John. John sensing the attack tossed Izumi to the side, but before he could so anything the WRO troops fired a volley of tranquiller darts at John. John trashed around for a while before collapsing to the ground unconscious and reverting back to his human form. A couple of EMT's rushed up and carried John away on a stretcher, as Denzel rallied the troops for the assault on the reactor.
"Okay people we're going in full force. We need to take these guys out clean and fast you hear me!" commanded Denzel
"YES SIR!" shouted the troops
As they rushed toward the reactor they were suddenly repelled by a gigantic force field that surrounded the reactor. Denzel slammed his sword against the shield only for it to be flung away few yards away leaving the force field unharmed. Denzel started to curse loudly as he pounded on the force field with his fists. After a minute Denzel stopped pounding and started to wipe away the tears that had formed during his emotional outburst.
"Alex…..Alex, be safe." Denzel whispered
A few minutes later John awoke in fright inside the airship infirmary. Apparently the tranquilizers were just enough to knock him out of demon form for a while. John disconnected himself from the machines and left the infirmary where he was stopped by his father.
"What do you want?" asked John gruffly
"What happened Son?" asked Vincent
"Don't call me that. Only my father can call me that, and you haven't acted like a father for as long as I can remember." Replied John snidely
"I'm sorry John….for everything."
"To little…to late."
John started to walk away from his father when suddenly…….a huge explosion sounded from reactor. John and Vincent raced toward the window in time to see Lucy being thrown out of the reactor battered and bruised, Alex nowhere to be seen. John gasped in horror. He started to run for the exit when he was stopped by his father.
"There's nothing you can do. We've been trying and trying to get through that force field….but no luck." Stated Vincent regretful
"What about Lucy?" asked John masking the hurt
"If Rufus wanted her dead, he probably would have done it. She's a strong girl and being strong runs in our family."
"Our family…..Our family. What do you know about Our Family."
"What's this about?"
"All of this John, what you've been doing to yourself. Pushing people away….drinking…the attitude."
"Oh, I'm surprised you noticed any of it. I don't really see you around that much."
"John I….."
"Cram it! Just stop….Stop. I don't want to hear it. I've been lectured by Lucy, Alex, Mom….and the last thing I need is my non-existent father thinking he can give me advice."
"You really don't think I was a good father?"
"Don't know…..you weren't really around that much to gauge your parenting skills."
"That's not true John, I was always there."
"There a difference between being there dad, and being there with us."
"What dose that mean….your not making much sense."
"You were always around, but you were always in the back somewhere, mind on other matters, staring into the distance. Emotionally you just weren't there for your family….you never were."
"I'm sorry that you feel that way….."
"That I feel that way. It isn't just me. Have you ever thought about how Lucy feels……or even your own wife? DO YOU EVEN REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE A WIFE?"
"I remember."
"Good. Do you know what she dose every time you take one of your little trips to your ex-girlfriend's cave. She cries…..She cries herself to sleep. You care more about the mako incased BITCH than your own family. Hell you even named your own daughter after her, you son of a bitch,"
"Stop it John."
"Stop what? Telling the truth? NO, I've been waiting all my life to get in your face and scream all of this at you."
"Stop fooling yourself son. We both know what this is about."
"Oh, really. Tell me. What is this all about? My sister's about to die out there and all you can do is play mind games with me, pretending like you give a dam!"
Vincent stared his son in the eyes coldly as he slammed him against the wall. John seethed with anger as his crimson eyes turned fierce.
"You're afraid. You're afraid that you'll turn into me. That you'll do something horrible to someone you care about like I did. You already tried to kill Alex, your best friend just a while ago. What's next for you John? Wanna take me on again, wanna kill Lucy, your mother……….Izumi? Don't let your fear get the best of you." Stated Vincent openly
"F#k You." Said John not even looking at his dad
Vincent let go of John and left the room silently. John looked out the window at his unconscious sister in the distance, he pounded his fist against the metal wall, causing him to jerk away his hand in pain. John growled loudly almost like a primeval roar, as he slammed his fist into the wall once more causing a major dent. John backed away in shock as he looked at his hand.
John felt a warm hand on his shoulder and started to tense up. Although he knew who it was, he really didn't feel quite up to facing her right now. John turned to see Izumi's smiling face as she wrapped her arms around John. Tears streamed from her eyes as he placed a hand on her back and held her close to him.
"You bastard, you bastard. How dare you make me worry about you." She cried
"I...I'm sorry." John said as he gently pulled Izumi off of him
John looked away from Izumi, not daring to look her in the eyes. As she stepped closer to him he held out his arm keeping her away from him. Izumi stared at John puzzled.
"John what's wrong with you?" she asked
"What transforming into a giant monster not qualify as something that can be wrong with me?" stated John sarcastically
"Stop this if you want there to be a relationship between us you have to be more honest with me."
"You want honesty…..fine I'm ashamed….ashamed that you had to see me turn into a beast and try to kill everyone I care about. That I was so weak that one little suggestion from Rufus made me go Ape SH#T on Alex. We can't be together not now not ever."
"Why?"
"Because I'm a monster Izumi, I'm no good for you."
"You don't get to decide what's good for me."
"Sorry Izumi, but go away for your own good just GO AWAY!"
Izumi took a deep breathe as she slapped John as hard as she could. John took a big gulp as he turned away from Izumi.
"Goodbye." He whispered
"You think you can just end this conversation, run away every time I comes to the point about what you are. News Flash John I saw what you are. And I'm telling you at this very moment I can see very little differences between you and the demon."
'You understand nothing about me."
"Oh, really John. I understand more than you think. Your afraid of the demon, you hate your father and you're afraid you'll hurt someone you care about. That sum it up? Tell me John what else do think there is to it. You didn't hurt me. Your father can control it, so can your sister and I have faith that you can too."
"I can't, the blood lust is ingrained in my DNA. Since my birth it's been nothing but rage and violence, festering in my very being. I can feel it. It's not just the demon, it's me too. I'm a monster through and through."
"You can't really believe that can you?"
"Can't I…considering the circumstances I think I can!"
"And what are the circumstances John!"
"MY MOTHER WAS RAPED!"
Izumi took a step back horrified as John started to tear.
"By my father…..my real father….the demon that dwells inside Vincent Valentine. So don't you ever…..ever think you can come to me saying that you know me. GET OUT!" shouted John
Izumi broke into tears as she ran out the door John turned his attention to the window. As he looked over the reactor he wondered by in the name of god Rufus was lying low for the moment. As Izumi ran out the door, she ran into Yuffie. Yuffie wrapped her arms around the crying girl as she tried to comfort her.
"What's wrong Izumi?" she asked Sweetly
"John….he told me the truth. About how he was born, I understand now. He's filled with so much pain and resentment. I just don't know how to help him. Is it true….is what he said really true?"
"Yes….afraid it is." Said Yuffie solemnly
"Tell me about it." Asked Izumi as she wiped away her tears
"We were on assignment together….Vincent and I. After the Deepground incident, we began working together a lot. Anyways while on this assignment Vincent had to transform to save us, but an accident occurred and he temporarily lost control of Chaos. After dispatching of our enemies Chaos came after me and well…you know the rest." Replied Yuffie sadly
"What happened afterwards….how did you feel about it? Do you and Vincent even love each other or are just together because of Lucy and John?" asked Izumi desperately
"The truth is that Vincent and I had been growing closer up to that incident, then after that things changed. He felt so much guilt about what happened, that he even attempted to kill himself. But I stopped him."
"How?"
"We talked. And I told him that I love him….I love him with all my heart and what happened didn't change a thing."
"What did he say?"
"He said he was sorry and that he could be there for me. And that even though he cared for me deeply….he couldn't let us get any closer for fear that what happened would happen again."
"And what did you say?"
"I wasn't so much what I said as what I did."
"What did you do?"
"I stayed by him. Everyday I told him I loved him and that I understood his pain, then everyday he gave me a reason why we couldn't be together. It tore him up inside, but he said it anyway."
"But how….?"
"Listen, this went on up until the day John and Lucy were born. On that day I saw Vincent do something I had never seen him do…….he cried. He broke down and cried at the sight of his children."
"He was feeling sad and guilty wasn't he?"
"No…..he was happy. For the first time…in along time. His children gave him hope, hope that he could finally let go of his pain and have a life….with his family….with me."
"How have you dealed with things?"
"It's been hard….and at times I wonder that myself, but in the end for the sake of my family it was all worth it. I love each one of them…so very much."
Izumi and Yuffie stood there for a while as they looked out toward the force field in silence. Izumi mulled over what Yuffie had said in her mind. Now she finally understood how John felt and what he was going through, yet she still did not know how to help him. But she knew someone who could.
John had just finished his check-up with the ship doctor. He was okay for now, but he was still confined to sick bay for the time being. John stood by the window overlooking the force field. It had been some time since it had gone up. John was worried about Lucy, but he was in no shape to help her. Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door. John tried to ignore it, but the door opened anyway and his father stepped into the room.
"What are you doing here?" retorted John
"Izumi asked me to come." Replied Vincent
"What did she want?" sighed John
"She told me that you told her about……you know."
"I know…..but now she knows. And now…..she knows why we can't be together."
"That's just an excuse John."
"Just an excuse…….a while ago I was about ready to rip your head off back there so don't tell me that it's just an excuse."
"Fine let's talk about this John…….you and me."
"First time for everything."
"Stop acting this way."
"What way?"
"Being so abrasive. I'm being honest with you now."
"Wow, this is a day of firsts."
"I….I'm sorry son. Sorry for being a terrible father….sorry for all the wrongs. All the wrongs I have ever committed to you….your sister….and your mother. And for as long as I live, I will never stop being sorry for what I have done to each of you. It's my fault that you feel this way about yourself….I passed the demon on to you. I gave you my curse….and I'm sorry." Stated Vincent solemnly
John stood there speechless. Never in his entire life had his father ever been so honest and forthcoming with him. Never had his father ever acted so caring. John lost his composure and started to break down. He tried and tried to hold back his tears, but still they streamed forth. In a fit of emotion John threw out a punch at his father, who easily dodged it.
"I need to know something day. Is all that I am the demon? I look at you and see al the things I hate, then I look at myself and……see those exact same things. Are we even capable of love?" cried John
"I asked myself that same question…..only once. On the day you and your sister were born…..I walked into that hospital to say goodbye to all three of you. I didn't think I dissevered to be anyone's father. I thought you'd all be better off without me."
"What……changed your mind?"
"As cheesy as it sounds…..you. I saw you and your sister as little babies….so tiny…so helpless…so innocent. John out of all the mistakes I have made it my life, all the things I have done wrong. I believe that my greatest accomplishment is the family that I have created. You….your sister….and your mother……all of you taught me that it is possible for me to feel love. I'm sorry I never really returned the sentiment."
"What about me?" whispered John starting to calm
"What about you? John the demon is only apart of you. It dose not make and it sure as hell doesn't break you. If you let it control you then it will, if you want to live a happy life and protect the things you care about…..you have to take the reigns of your own destiny. Only you can decide where you go from here….a lot of people need your help John."
Vincent turned away from his son and left quietly. John just sat there for a while. Slowly he started to review his entire life in his head, evaluating every moment….every memory. A tear fell from his eyes as he clenched his fist. A violent and angry scream erupted from his throat carrying with it the years of pain anger that had built up inside of him. John could feel the demon clawing it's way to the surface from the back of his head.
"Let me end this pain for you. Give in to our dark desire and be freed." Hissed Chaos
"NO…..no….NO! I'm doing being afraid. I'm done running, I'm done hiding. This is my body now get the F#K OUT!" shouted John
John screamed loudly as he was surrounded by a fiery crimson demonic aura.
"Your wrong…..this is our body. From your birth I have dwelled inside you….lending you my strength….and now I want out."
"You want out…you got it because you and me have a score to settle. This is my story……and I'm writing the pages from now on!" shouted John
An alarm sounded in the cockpit. Jr. checked the computer to see a disturbance coming from the sickbay. Quickly he order for help to be sent. As the doctors and WRO personnel approached the trembling sickbay door, a small explosion coming from inside knocked them all back. The door to the sickbay fell off as the smoke cleared, John stepped through the smoke clothes tattered and exhausted. He fell to the ground as he was surrounded by WRO personnel.
A few minutes later everyone, except for John met in the cockpit room for a briefing.
"Okay people I know things have been difficult so far but we have a plan now. The force field has one weakness. If we can generate a massive amount of force and concentrate it all in one point, we can get someone through the shield. From there the priority is to help Alex and Lucy to get down the force field and stop Rufus." Stated Denzel
"I'll do it. I can transform into Chaos then breech the force field." Stated Vincent
"No….I'll do it. Its time I made something of myself." Shouted John as he entered the room
"You sure your up to it." Asked Denzel as he looked into John's eyes
"Yes." Replied John earnestly
"If I had to trust anyone with my brother's safety….It'd be you John. Do a good Job. Everyone else, GET READY!" said Denzel
"YES SIR!" the troops shouted
Vincent walked up to his son and hugged him, John returned the hug as well.
"I'm proud of you….son." said Vincent
"If you think you're proud now….just wait until after I'm done with my mission." Replied John jokingly
"One more thing…your mother has a special present for you." Said Vincent smiling
After the briefing John left the cockpit and found his mother in one of the living quarters. Yuffie smiled at her son as she gave him a loving hug.
"Dad said you have something for me?" asked John
"I do, Your gonna need some special gear for this important mission and…..well I had these made for you." Smiled Yuffie
Yuffie opened a suitcase on the nearby table to reveal and exact replica of his father's outfit. John held back the laughter as Yuffie opened another case on the table to reveal a remarkable silver gunblade katana.
"Your father got the idea for making this from his fight with Weiss. It's been custom made for you. It's as powerful as his death penalty, but tailors to your unique abilities." Replied Yuffie
"Thanks Mom, I appreciate it. And…..I love you." John said as he hugged his mother
Yuffie smiled at her son and left. John stared at his new gear for awhile before, picking up the crimson cloak and draping it around his shoulders. He looked at himself in the mirror and cocked an eyebrow.
"This makes me look EMO……nice." He joked as he started to put on the clothes
After John had slipped into his new outfit he slid his new weapon into it's sheath and holstered it at his side. He headed down to the loading bay as the massive airship rose into the air. He waited in the cold metal room for the signal when the door opened to reveal Izumi. John healed his breathe as he looked down at the floor. Izumi approached slowly until she stood silent in front of John.
"When your ready to go John!" shouted out Jr. over the intercom as the loading bay doors opened
John started slowly walking over to the exit. Izumi opened her mouth but words wouldn't come out. She mentally cursed herself for being too weak to say anything.
"I'm sorry Izumi…..for the way I treated you. You deserved better…..you always stood by me no matter what." Said John his back facing Izumi
"I don't blame you John, you've had a hard life." Replied Izumi softly
"It's still no excuse I'm sorry." He replied
"Don't mention it…..just…..come back safely will you. That way….I can tear you apart when the world isn't in trouble." She giggled
John turned to face Izumi. She began to tear as they looked into each other's eyes. John tenderly cupped Izumi's cheek in his hand as he smiled at her warmly.
"Pray for me……and if I return….I want to spend the rest of my life making up for the pain I have caused you." John said as he kissed her passionately
Izumi tried to draw John closer to her, but he let go of her and started to back away toward the exit. As Izumi tried to move closer to him, John leaped out the open door into the sky. Izumi looked on as John smiled at her, as he transformed into the demon Chaos. When the transformation was complete he rose high into the air and roared loudly. John then surrounded himself in a bright fiery aura as he shoot down to the force field, he fought hard as he worked his way through. Finally breaking though the shield landing with a thud on the ground. John transformed back into his human form as he raced toward his unconscious sister.
Earlier
After leaving John to fight his father Alex and Lucy proceeded into the reactor. Alex breathed hard all of this fighting was taking a toll on him. The duo made their way through the entrance way and crossed the catwalk walk into the research room. Rufus stood there grinning as he watched the security camera video of John and Vincent fighting.
"Isn't this just hilarious, sad too, but just hilarious. John should feel vindicated all his life he's been afraid that this would happen and…..he was right." Stated Rufus sarcastically
"I'm not laughing Rufus." Stated Alex
"YOU wouldn't……but then again you are a bit of a stick in the mud. Always busy playing hero." Rufus retorted as he charges up a small ball of energy in his hand
Rufus tossed the energy ball into the air as it exploded to form the force field around the reactor.
"My new body isn't quite ready yet. It needs time to settle……Godliness ain't easy." Smirked Rufus
"What was that?" demanded Alex
"A force field…to keep unwanted visitors out." Replied Rufus
"I'm gonna stop you!" shouted Alex
"Oh please……make pretend hero……….Tell me what you cherish most so that I may have the pleasure of taking it from you." Laughed Rufus
Alex growled in anger as he clenched his sword tightly. Lucy surveyed the area as she quickly formulated a strategy in her head.
"Alex we'll stand a better chance if we attack him together." Shouted Lucy
"Ok, I'll go right you go left." Replied Alex
The two heroes started racing toward Rufus. As they neared Rufus raised his arm to shoot out orbs of dark energy. Lucy rolled to the side and shot out all the orbs with her gun, as Alex leaped into the air sword raised. Suddenly Rufus' hand started to glow as Sephiroth's sword Masamune appeared. Rufus blocked Alex's attack then pushed him away. Lucy let out a volley of gunfire as Rufus unbelievably deflected every bullet with his sword. Alex started to run toward Rufus, but Rufus retaliated by releasing a wave of energy which blew off the research lab door, knocking the two heroes into the Mako room.
Rufus started to swing his sword letting out small energy blades. Lucy and Alex tried their best to dodge the blades. Rufus swooped down toward Lucy and gave her a harsh spin kick to the head knocking her down. In a rage Alex rushed toward Rufus and engaged him in a fierce sword fight. Suddenly Rufus side stepped Alex and shot him in the chest with a black energy orb. Alex was knocked into the metal wall hard, he tried to recover as Rufus rushed toward him. Alex jumped into the air where he was caught off guard by a lighting fast sword strike from Rufus. Rufus slashed Alex across the chest causing him to cringe in pain and he landed on the edge of the lifestream tank.
Suddenly Alex lost his balance as Rufus glided up to him and punched him straight in the face with great force. Lucy regaining her senses leaped up to save Alex, but was stopped by Rufus her pushed her back with an energy slash from his sword. Lucy looked on in horror as Alex fell into the tank disappearing into the life stream.
"Such a pathetic creature….May he rot in hell." Stated Rufus
Rufus dipped his sword into the water of the lifestream. The lifestream water started to slowly turn black as night. Alex couldn't breathe as he tried to swim back to the top. He slowly began to lose energy as blood oozed from his chest. Suddenly things started to go dark as Alex lost his breathe. He kept falling deeper and deeper into the darkness.
Lucy looked on in horror then shouted in rage as she began to fire at Rufus. Rufus deflected the bullets easily as he leaped toward Lucy. Lucy transformed into her demon form as she tackled Rufus mid-air. Violently she lashed out at Rufus who could barely defend himself. Rufus pushed back Lucy with a wave of dark energy. Lucy fought back against the attack as Rufus started to glow charging up his energy. Suddenly Rufus swung his sword at Lucy causing a giant ball of dark energy.
"Dark Meteroa!" Shouted Rufus
The attack hit Lucy head on knocking her back into her human form forcing her to crash through the walls of the reactor. Lucy crashed into the ground with great force from the attack. Lucy tried to make into to her feet, but soon lost consciousness. Rufus smiled as he looked around the devastated reactor and admired his handiwork.
"And now I can rest peacefully." Stated Rufus as he headed back for the lab
Alex reached out into the vast nothingness around him. He couldn't see, could hear, couldn't talk, couldn't breathe. All he could do was feel. Feel the could emptiness around him. He could feel himself fall deep and deeper into nothing, surrounded by darkness. Alex's eyes started to flutter close as all strength left him. There he was Alex Zackary Strife, falling, falling down into the abyss. He closed his eyes……..there was nothing.
To be continued…………
Next Chapter: On the Way to a Smile: In the Case of Alex