Disclaimer: All Final Fantasy material is copyright to Square-Enix. I do not own any of the official characters. They were merely BORROWED for the purpose of fan-fiction. All non-FF characters belong to me.
A/N: I will note that I have only played FFVII, Dirge of Cerberus, and watched Advent Children Complete, Case of Denzel, and Last Order. Please take that into consideration if you see that some details may be incorrect. Also, occasionally the story will go into POV (point of view) with Vincent.
Chapter 27: The Worst Turn
Black began to rouse from unconsciousness. Clinking of chains brought his senses to alert, eyes wide. The light was dim, the air was humid, and all he could see was that he, Shamus and Mona were practically bolted to a wall with thick iron cuffs on their wrists and ankles. Nanaki was bolted to the floor by chains and shackles. They even put an iron muzzle on him, and for good measure, a collar with the chain also bolted to the floor. Black struggled briefly. They made sure he couldn't move, nor have the momentum and leverage to break from the wall.
Nanaki began to stir, jumping to his feet in alert. "Damn! Weiss caught us off guard! Vincent?"
"Here."
Nanaki turned to Black's solemn expression. "So, you got caught too. Where's Riley?"
Black's expression turned to that of urgency. "Dammit. They must have taken her elsewhere."
Their conversation was interrupted as the other two began to stir. Shamus groaned, "What happened?"
"Idiot...I think we were jumped. Bastards took advantage of our emergency."
"Stop calling me an idiot. Heeey, Black! Where's Riley?"
"Elsewhere," he replied, gritting his teeth.
Mona looked over. "You think they're trying to interrogate her for the Omni-Materia?"
"Most likely." And torturing her to get it. Hold on, Riley.
They heard the sound of a steel hatch opening, bringing a little more light into the room. Genesis was silhouetted by a blue light and steam, striding into the room casually but gracefully. Black watched as the young man moved closer, revealing his handsome features and cold blue eyes. Genesis circled around Nanaki, observing the growling creature before scrutinizing Mona, greeting her with a mocking smile. Next, he looked over Shamus, scoffing with amusement before stopping directly in front of Black.
"Mr. Black, I presume."
"Genesis Rhapsodos," he replied with obvious malice in his tone. "Where's Riley?"
"To the point, aren't you?" He chuckled. "I fear that she is busy talking with Rosso. After all, my followers, my brothers and sisters, they all wish to please me by finding the Omni-Materia. As well as the other fragments in your possession. Also, I've heard you managed to subdue Chaos. I'm impressed."
"Get to the point," Black demanded.
Genesis smiled pleasantly. "The Omni-Materia, grants the power of a god. No, more accurately, it turns a god into your slave, granting your every desire and wish. I will take that power for myself."
"That kind of power will destroy this world!" Nanaki exclaimed. "It's too much to handle!"
"If that's true...why did the Planet create such a thing? Perhaps this planet is tired, and feels that when the time comes, she needs to die in order to be reborn."
"Fool...that's what Omega was for."
Genesis turned to Black. "You seem to know much, as if you've seen...Omega firsthand." Black's eyes never left Genesis, defiance in his expression. "You remind me of someone from ten years ago. Who was the bigger fool?" He had asked mockingly...knowingly. Black gritted his teeth.
"If you so much as lay a hand on Riley, I will make certain that it is the very last mistake you commit. I'll define Hell in more ways than one," Black claimed darkly.
"Yes, yes," Genesis brushed off. "But if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to, and you have a show to catch."
He left, a large steel door opening, revealing a large open area, steam rising everywhere. Black's eyes instantly landed on Riley, hanging by her wrists with Rosso at her side. From what he could tell, she had received a minor beating, but no cuts or obvious wounds. He sighed with relief. Riley had received enough bruises from training and field experience to withstand a minor beating. She was even conscious, covered in sweat from the heat. She stared ahead, avoiding eye contact with Rosso.
"Oh look, love. It seems we have an audience."
Riley looked over to see the others, relieved to see they were alive. Black growled. "Let her go, Rosso!"
"And why on Gaia would I do that, darlin'?" she taunted, gently stroking the side of Riley's face. "I only wish to ask her a question. I've heard rumours that you've all been looking for not just the fragments, but Vincent Valentine as well."
Black growled. "I said, let her go."
"Which brings me to one conclusion, that Vincent Valentine is alive and well. Where, is what I want to know." She gripped under Riley's face. "You've seen him...haven't you?" Riley didn't answer. She refused to give Rosso anything, even if it meant she'd be broken afterwards. Rosso didn't seem impressed. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Go to hell," Riley quipped.
"Where do you think I came from?" Rosso released her face, then moved behind her. She took a whip from a guard, before instantly lashing out at Riley's back, reveling in her scream.
"Riley!" everyone cried out.
Riley gritted her teeth. Black's eyes were wide, trembling where he was. What was he going to do? He just couldn't sit back and let Riley take this. Rosso asked once more. "Where is Vincent Valentine?"
Riley panted, having held her breath. "Didn't you hear me? I said, go to hell."
"Wrong answer, darlin'." She whipped her again, but tripled the damage, grinning at the deep gashes in the girl's back, clothes torn. "Where is he!"
"I don't know!" Riley cried out, sobbing from the pain.
"Oh Riley," Nanaki said sadly, growling because he was helpless. He looked at Black pleadingly. "Please, say something!"
Black stammered, "I-I..."
Shamus yelled out angrily, even desperately, "Just leave her alone! None of us know anything!"
"Is that so?" Rosso considered before creating more gashes in Riley's back. Black flinched with every scream she emitted. "Had enough yet? Are you willing to tell me what you know?"
Black suddenly yelled out. "Rosso! I know—"
"Stop!" Riley cried out. Black's eyes widened. "Don't say anything! Even if I'm bleeding or dying, don't tell her anything!"
The others were shocked. Black could have her spared right now, but Riley's determination held him back. Rosso frowned, and since she ran out of space on her back to mar, she moved to her front, lashing at the front of her torso, her legs, her arms. Black was starting to lose it the more Riley screamed.
"You bore me," Rosso said decidedly. "Perhaps I shall kill you right here." She began to cut into the girl's face, eliciting a whimper of pain. Riley, with a moment of defiance, bit at Rosso's neck, causing blood to gush out. Rosso screamed in surprise before finally managing to pry her off, gripping her wound. "You little tramp!"
Riley spit out the blood. "Look on the bright side, I probably have HIV now thanks to you, cunt rag."
Rosso growled before she grabbed her double-sabre. "I'll slice you in two! No...I'll just make you suffer till you DIE!"
Riley got more than whippings, she got beatings, bruises quickly riddling her body, slowly bleeding to death. A punch to her jaw made her vision blur and her head spin. She was getting dizzy.
"Where is Vincent Valentine? Answer me!" Rosso screamed, eyes psychotic with rage.
Mona growled. "Torture me instead you bitch! I'll fucking tear you apart and make you beg for mercy!"
Nanaki growled, claws extended, struggling to get free, but the shackles were too tight. He looked at Black one more time. "Fool! Do something! Only you can stop this!"
Black was caught in indecision. He wanted to respect Riley's wishes and keep his identity secret to avoid Riley's hate, but at the same time...he didn't want Riley getting hurt because of him...no, because of Vincent. Riley's agonized scream was the last straw, instantly dropping the facade, eyes glowing crimson, hair more wild and blacker than ever. His red aura swirled around him violently, catching everyone's attention.
"I'm right here! I'm Vincent Valentine!"
Rosso stopped dead in shock. Riley could barely make out through the pain that Black looked different. No...Black never existed. In his place was the man she had been looking forward to most to meeting in person. Shamus and Mona stared disbelievingly at the ex-Turk. Why, they wondered, has he been hiding all this time? And right under their very noses! To say the very least, everyone was furious. Riley was confused.
Vincent Valentine looked past Rosso, directly into Riley's eyes. "I'm so sorry. I meant to tell you sooner."
Rosso half-laughed in disbelief, shocked that the epitome of her rage was right there, alive. Her laughter became more hearty with joy. "Aha ha ha! Vincent Valentine! How good of you to join us! I have waited a decade for you to show up! Now...I thought of the perfect opportunity of revenge! You have defeated me time and time again, but not this time! This time, I will kill you, but let you live at the same time to suffer the worst defeat you will ever face! Not even Professor Hojo could have thought of this!"
Time seemed to slow down as Vincent heard his heart beating in his head, eyes widening. Rosso prepared to finish off Riley, then lunged her arm forward. All he could hear now was the tearing of flesh. All he could smell now was Riley's blood. All he could see now was the colour red. All he could taste now was the dryness of his mouth. Rosso had pierced through Riley's chest, blood splattering along the grated floor. The young woman couldn't scream. Too much blood poured out of her mouth. It hurt...so much. That was all she could comprehend. She didn't even know that her chains had released her due to the lubrication of blood splattered all over her.
Rosso laughed in Vincent's general direction, mocking him, Riley limp on her arm. Vincent couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Riley...no...RIIILEEEY! Open your eyes, dammit! Open them! Hate me, hit me, I don't care,just stay alive! I said open your eyes!"
Rosso only laughed harder before walking over to the ledge of the grates. "Kiss, kiss, darlin'," she said before thrusting her arm forward, throwing Riley over the edge.
Riley seemed somewhat peaceful, even as she fell, basking in the glow of mako, quickly descending to the radioactive pits of the Planet. Everyone watched in horror, including Vincent. He witnessed her fall. He...couldn't handle the grief. No, not grief. Absolute, ungodly rage. He could almost feel Chaos infecting him, corrupting his sane thoughts, even at a distance. Nothing could contain what he felt at this moment. Nothing.
The aura that had briefly appeared began to blacken and even rust the iron shackles that held him, morphing the wall behind him before he snapped off his bindings. He dropped to his knees, just remaining like that, hair floating around him in an eerie way that made even this hot room ice cold in temperature. Eyes were hidden behind his long strands and Rosso watched in fascination. The guards seemed to back away, as if sensing something out of this world that could likely kill them.
Nanaki watched his friend change into a monster before his eyes, while maintaining the image of a man. "Vincent...?"
Shamus shivered, and even Mona trembled in fear. "What's...wrong with him?"
"I have no idea, whatever is happening, we have to get out of here before we're in his line of fire."
He slowly rose to his feet, walking towards Rosso, almost marching. Yes, he was a monster. Today, he would truly embrace that fact. Nothing could keep him sane anymore. At the moment, he wanted insanity to take over. Riley was no longer alive. He had no reason to pretend to be human anymore. All he could think about was a pure, malicious massacre. His poncho got larger like a shadow, swirling around him violently. Rosso took a step back, actually frightened of the man she's hated for years. Vincent rose his head, eyes much more vibrant with their crimson glow.
She grabbed her weapon, ready to cut him down in a panic, but he got the blade, blood seeping through his glove. He grabbed the blade, easily yanking the weapon away before catching the handle, spinning it around and thrusting it into her stomach. She screamed as he twisted the end before throwing her away, sending her flying into large pipes, denting them and causing steam to escape. Vincent looked at the guards and they ran away screaming. He walked over to the others, which cringed away from him in fear, he pulled at their bindings easily, expressionless.
"Find our weapons, the three fragments and get out of here."
Shamus watched him cautiously, rubbing his wrists. "What about you? What are you gonna do?"
"I'm going to settle a score." With that, he walked off.
Nanaki sniffed the air, walking quietly around corners and such. He didn't recognize this part of Midgar, so he had to follow his nose. Shamus and Mona had managed to knock out a couple of guards, grabbing their assault rifles temporarily. Thinking better of it, Mona had killed them, snapping their necks. The less they had to deal with later, the better. Nanaki stopped, hiding behind a corner as he listened for guards to march past them. He had yet to hear any commotion about Vincent. What was the man going to do, he wondered.
Once the soldiers were gone, they continued. Eventually, they found a makeshift armoury surrounded by crates of weapons, mainly firearms. Nobody seemed to be around, so they ventured through, looking through the weaponry. Mona grinned, finding her missile launcher. Shamus sighed with relief when he found his spear, extended it to its full length. Nanaki grabbed the Cerberus lying on a table.
"I can't use this thing," he mumbled.
Mona took it,wrapping the holster around her for now till Vincent could retrieve it. Their eyes landed on Nemesis. The sword seemed dull in its usual mirror sheen. Shamus walked over, grasping the handle, holding it up to his face. He trembled suddenly. Surprisingly, Mona placed her hand on his shoulder in an effort to comfort him.
"Why...why'd he hide it till now?" He hissed through his clenched teeth. "Because of him...Riley's gone!"
Nanaki said nothing. There was nothing he could say. He couldn't deny the fact that what Vincent did was foolish. Now Riley could never know for sure if she could genuinely fall for Vincent. And Vincent...he'd never know that she was perhaps in love with him. The facts were heartbreaking and Nanaki could never speak of this to Vincent. Vincent was truly no longer Vincent, and Nanaki felt partly to blame for Riley's death. He was indecisive whether to betray Riley...or Vincent. He had laid the decision on Vincent. In turn...they both had betrayed the girl.
"It's best we keep moving. We need to escape quickly."
The others barely nodded. Shamus strapped the sword to his back then grabbed the materia. They were about to leave but they were blocked by a group of guards. Shamus stepped in front of Nanaki, causing confusion on the feline's face. Shamus held out his spear.
"All of you...against me." The soldiers laughed. "You think I'm joking. We'll see who's laughing when this is over."
"Shamus, I really don't think you should fight alone," Nanaki protested.
"Just stand back."
Shamus quickly ran forward. The guards held up their guns and fired, blocked by a barrier that Shamus had put up within an instant. He catapulted into the air, jumping towards them, surprising one as he impaled him through the chest. He pulled out his spear, looking at the other soldiers before they went to charge at him. He leaned back as a sword was swung at his neck, avoiding the attack, flipping backwards, kicking the sword out of their hands. Catching it, he used the spear as a pole, stabbing the ground, keeping it firmly in place before swinging around it, kicking one in the chest, sending the guy flying into others. He threw the sword, the blade impacting with another's chest. Pulling the spear out of the ground, he spun it around quickly, knocking back the others. He thrust his weapon forward, piercing through another. Kicking up a dropped gun, he sprayed bullets among them, knocking them down easily. Dropping the firearm, he sensed someone behind him and he spun around, thrusting his weapon forward into another guard's face. Taking out the end, he watched the guard drop.
"Wow...I never thought you had it in you, idiot," Mona regarded, impressed with Shamus' display.
"I'm pissed off," he explained. "Here. This is Riley's materia." He distributed the spheres amongst them.
Nanaki frowned. "Let's get moving."
Vincent left nothing but blood and violence in his wake. Guards never had time to issue an alert and he made sure to rip out every alarm switch whenever he spotted one. He walked into a large room similar to the one Rosso tortured Riley, minus the mako pits. He lifted his gaze to Weiss, who was sitting on the ledge of a high platform.
"So, you've come." Vincent said nothing. "I had a suspicion the old man was actually you for a time. After all, you own Cerberus, you move and fight like you're not even human. Also, because of that, and the fact you were playing an old man...it seemed obvious. Vincent Valentine...it's been years."
"Weiss the Immaculate."
"You seem...not yourself today. Is something the matter? Oh! I bet I know. Rosso had a little too much fun and killed your girlfriend, didn't she?"
Vincent resisted a growl. "I'm killing you once and for all. As far as I'm concerned, you're all responsible."
"What are you going to do to make me pay, I wonder." He tossed the three coloured pearls in his hand. "You'll want these as well, won't you?"
"If you suspected who I was, why was Rosso looking for me?"
"We never told Rosso. She's...irrational in the ways of thinking. If she knew you were alive, she'd disregard all orders and seek you out. We know she could never defeat you, but her pride always clouds her judgement. It seems best that Rosso should die anyway. She's useless, though she did take care of the keeper, didn't she?"
Vincent was visibly shaking. "She was not just the keeper! Stop referring to her like she was some thing!"
"What are you going to do, kill me?"
"I was considering it."
There was absolute silence between them both. Weiss considered the glow in Vincent's eyes. The man was not going to hold back. Suddenly they both disappeared with a flash, then a clang was heard, in the air, Weiss' sword had been blocked by Vincent's mechanical leg. Vincent punched him across the jaw, sending him flying, but Weiss disappeared again before he impacted with the ground. Weiss reappeared behind him and Vincent twisted his body around, swinging his mechanical leg at him. Weiss blocked with his sword before hoofing Vincent in the chest, sending him flying into crates, wooden debris flying everywhere.
Vincent stood up easily, flicking splinters off his shoulders. He launched himself at high speed towards the swordsman, delivering a fist to the man's sternum then grabbed his hair, swinging him around and sending him flying towards the ground. The impact caused the concrete to crack and even dent. Weiss coughed painfully, wiping blood from his mouth. Vincent landed at the edge of the damaged area, walking towards his opponent. Weiss sent his foot flying at his face, causing Vincent to stagger backwards as Weiss jumped to his feet and went to tackle him. Vincent caught his arms, throwing him aside into the next wall, denting it.
Weiss laughed, getting up. "You're much more aggressive, I see."
"It's amazing what happens when I'm infuriated."
With that said, Vincent flashed forward, slamming Weiss against the wall, punching the ever living daylights out of him. Weiss didn't even have time to block his onslaught, too winded to fend him off. Vincent delivered one final punch, dropping him, then searching his clothes, pulling out the stolen fragments. Weiss kicked at the back of Vincent's head, sending him rolling forward. Weiss got up, wiping his lip and brushing himself off. He picked up his dropped swords, going into a stance as Vincent watched him. Weiss was suddenly cut off from attacking as a double-sabre suddenly stabbed the ground at his feet out of nowhere.
Weiss looked up. "Rosso! What's the meaning of this?"
"He's MINE!" she cried out, holding her wound, though she was bleeding profusely.
Weiss growled then regarded Vincent. "We'll have to finish this another time."
He jumped up, catching Rosso before she would fall, picking her up and disappearing into a void. Vincent watched where they disappeared momentarily before leaving the room entirely. He returned to where Riley had fallen, moving to the lower levels to stand near the mako pits. Some part of him hoped that she'd swim up, completely fine and perhaps yell at him. He was tempted to dive in to find her, but it would be pointless.
"I can never apologize for what I put you through...now it's too late to make up for it."
The others had managed to escape the underground of Midgar, standing amongst the ruins. Nanaki had insisted they wait for Vincent. Shamus wasn't keen on the idea and Mona was indifferent either way, but she was angry that Riley got killed, giving her more reason to take her revenge on Rosso. They heard a noise and saw Vincent. His face looked ashen, his crimson eyes dull and dark, and his expression was vacant.
"Vincent..." Nanaki began.
"Not...right now. Please."
Vincent walked ahead of the group, reaching the outskirts of the city. Shamus glared at his back, unable to hold it in anymore, he marched up to him, turned him around and punched Vincent, knocking him to the ground. Nanaki and Mona watched in shock as Shamus practically jumped Vincent, punching him again and again till he felt his knuckles were raw beneath his gloves.
"You asshole! She's dead because of you! She didn't deserve this!"
Nanaki watched as Vincent had willingly taken the beatings. "Shamus, he didn't know this would happen!"
"And you knew, didn't you!" Shamus turned his anger on Nanaki, causing the feline to flatten his ears back in guilt. "You knew! You son of a bitch! Both of you!"
Vincent finally spoke, lip swollen and bleeding. "Do not blame Nanaki. I am at fault, and I alone. Nanaki was only keeping my secret at my request."
"I don't give a flying fuck! Riley's dead! She could have been saved if you guys had only—"
"Shamus!" Mona had enough, dragging Shamus to his feet. "That's enough! Nobody saw this coming! I'm sure the old man and Nanaki had their reasons! In case you didn't notice, Rosso killed Riley, regardless of knowing!"
Shamus was catching his breath before finally nodding, simmering down. Mona released him, walking over to Vincent, handing him his weapon. Vincent sat up, taking it without a word. His eyes then landed on the sword on Shamus' back. He stood up, forcing himself to walk away to avoid looking at Riley's weapon. Some distance away, he collapsed to his knees, face vacant. For the first time in years, he had felt something on his face. He touched the foreign substance, seeing that it was wet with tears.
Looking at Nemesis, the grief had built up all at once. I had lost someone precious to me. Fable had told me that history would inevitably repeat itself. My cowardice killed Riley, and now I'll never be able to see her, smell her...touch her. The only thing I could do now was avenge her and finish what she started.
Vincent looked at the tears on the fingertips of his glove before tightening it into a fist. He inhaled, unable to hold it back anymore, turning towards the sky. "AHHHH!"
A/N: O_O...Poor Riley, and poor Vincent. Don't worry, story's not over, and I have a plan! I'm not telling you what it is though ~.~ Anyway, I already have in mind what the next chapter is gonna be like and all I can say is that you lovely readers have not seen the last of Riley yet. I noticed the last chapter was short and I tried to make it up in this chapter. Now, onto interviews!
Me: I have some questions here that I didn't get a chance to answer last time, so I will possibly finish them off here. Firstly, Rosso, I've got two questions for you!
Rosso: What are they, darlin'?
Me: "What do you think of Genesis?"
Rosso: He's quite handsome, but he keeps interrupting my battles inconveniently. He's a nuisance when it comes to my blood lust.
Me: Okay, next question is, "What do you think of Chaos? You both like to kill."
Rosso: Is that so? **climbs on top of Chaos, grinning seductively** How about it, darlin'?
Chaos: o_o...Amanda...help?
Me: I'll assume, violent sex.
Chaos: Hey! Get this thing off of me!
Me: XD Next question, for Gackt.
Genesis: Why does everybody keep calling me that?
Me: Nevermind. "Do you ever think about taking a vacation from all this 'destroy the world' thing?"
Genesis: Once I destroy—I mean, reshape the world, my life will become one long vacation. I'll be a god.
Me: Okay...this question is for the whole gang...O.o oh my. "What would you guys do if you had a snowball fight with the bad guys?" O_O;;
Good Guys: **glaring at bad guys**
Bad Guys: **glaring back**
Everyone: **a flurry of snowballs goes flying, Leviathan being summoned and sending making the snow turn to ice with its water**
Soldiers: That's CHEATING!
Shamus: Ahahaha! I don't see a rule book, suckers! **gets smacked in the face with a snowball** x_x
Mona: **shoots snowballs out of her missile launcher** AHAHA!
**five hours later**
Vincent+Riley: **on top of the pile as the champions**
Riley: We'd win. **smacks Vincent in the face with a snowball** XD
Vincent: =_=
And that's all the questions I've got. Please feel free to ask more. There's no limit! Make it as ridiculous as you possibly want and don't forget to R&R! Till next chapter, ciao!
