Disclaimer: Final Fantasy 7 and all is associated characters, location, etc… are property of Square Enix.

Author's Note: Another chapter featuring Vincent and Yuffie as prominent characters. I'd better be careful not to forget about my OCs; those poor neglected scallywags.

Peace's End

By tfa1

Chapter 29: How to Kill a Narcissist

"Blow up the Sun!?" Taefis exclaimed loudly. "That's insane! That's impossible!"

"That's Cloud's plan," Smith stated.

"He'll burn up," observed Rockslide, "Problem solved. There ain't any way Cloud's gonna get close 'nuff to blow it up."

Vincent's pale face, though it looked slightly less horrified than a minute ago, was still visibly troubled, and rightly so. "Cloud's not that big a fool," said he. "If he thinks he'll be able to pull this off, then I'm willing to bet that he can. The planetary alignment will occur in mere days; that obviously factors into his plan somehow."

Zephyr was not satisfied by Vincent's answer. "It doesn't make sense! Cloud couldn't possibly survive the heat. Even when the planets align, the sun doesn't simply go out."

"You have forgotten one crucial fact," continued the bishop. "Unless the fundamental basis of my faith is wrong, then every celestial body has its own Lifestream; its own Gaia. I believe that if Cloud were somehow able to reach the Sun's Gaia, it would protect him."

"I still don't understand how that foo' thinks he's gonna blow up the Sun! That thing is huge!" Bart said.

Again Vincent was required to explain. "700 years ago, the Shinra Electric Company threatened the very life of the Planet by sucking out the Lifestream. Without the Lifestream, its Gaia, our Planet would have faded away. Cloud isn't going to attack the Sun, he's going to attack its soul. Once the Sun's Gaia is destroyed, it will only be a matter of time before the Sun itself dies."

"An' how d'you think he's gonna kill its Gaia?"

"That I'm not so sure about. Gaias grow when they absorb knowledge. That is how our Planet has flourished: through the collected experiences of all that have dwelt upon it. No life has ever grown on the Sun, and so I think it safe to assume that the Sun's Gaia is small… barely a speck compared to the Planet's. Perhaps Cloud can use that to his advantage."

Zephyr cocked an eyebrow, suddenly remembering what seemed now like ancient history. "Do you think Strife would be able to kill the Sun with an explosion," he asked, "one the size of the Northern Crater?"

"It's possible. Why?"

Before Zephyr could answer, Rockslide cringed at the memory, spouting off his thoughts. "Man; that scared the crap outta me! Hell, it's the reason I don't carry dynamite with me anymore!"

"Your dynamite only set off the explosion," Zephyr recalled, paling in the face with each passing moment. "The reason the whole Space Program Facility was consumed was because you blew something else up in the process; something much more volatile. They screamed at you. They tried to warn you."

"Who did?"

"The scientists at the facility did; don't you remember? 'The system is highly unstable!' one had said. The rocket engines… He's going to detonate the rocket engines! The explosion caused by them was what destroyed the Space Program Facility!"

Smith stifled a slight laugh. "When we defend Rocket Town, our primary objective will be to protect one of Cloud's rockets. Heh; the only way to stop Cloud will be to deliver his weapon directly to him. Emperor Strife has everything he needs, and we don't even know how to get where he's going."

- - -

A chunk of the rusted roadway crumbled away beneath their feet, almost taking Sister Elle with it. Midgar was ancient; falling apart at the seams and yet strong enough to withstand the test of time. Even as Chief Nanaki of the Fire Lions picked his way carefully through the ruins, he found that paths he had recently trodden across would fall away, nearly consuming his Godaian troupe. He wondered if bringing them along had really been worth the hassle.

They were slow, tired easily and obviously did not have the firearm experience that Nanaki had expected from the reincarnations of the Turks. He shook his head wearily, telling himself that he should have known better. Apparently 700 years of living did not necessarily make someone a good judge of character. He consoled himself based on the fact they weren't quitters, but whether that would prove to be a blessing or a liability had yet to be discovered.

The former hero of the Jenova War was rather amazed by the whole affair. He had brought along the priests so that they could help an old Fire Lion pass through Midgar; instead he found their roles reversed, with Nanaki having to work extra hard to keep the amateurs alive. Indeed, it seemed as if Nanaki could have gone in and out all on his own, an observation that had taken the old feline by surprise. It was as if all his youth, all his strength, had abandoned him years ago only to return for this final act of heroism. He felt more powerful than he had in hundreds of years; more graceful than ever before. In short, his tired life had turned around, all in the pursuit of the white glow he had seen coming from the Black City.

But all was not well. As the Chief of the Fire Lions carried on, deep in thought, a wall section to their right had crumbled to pieces and toppled down upon Brother Tson. Although he remained alive, he was pinned down and unable to continue on. A torn expression entered the faces of Nanaki's aides. They knew not whether to stay and help Brother Tson, or whether to continue the journey with the Chief. It seemed to them that, if they were forced to abandon their mission there, then all they had been through would have all been for nothing.

It was then that Nanaki made the choice to continue alone. Although he had known the quest through Midgar would be fraught with danger, he had no idea that his Godaian friends would have been so unprepared… so inexperienced. It seemed strange that Vincent wouldn't have at least lectured them in basic survival skills, all things considered. Nanaki was determined, but he was no callous fool. To force them on would have proved hazardous, both to them and to him. The Godaians were grateful.

And so, after helping them find a safer location, he left them, intent on finishing what he had come to do. Their lives were too important to him to endanger them any more than was necessary, and as it was the journey back would be equally as dangerous as the journey in, if not more so.

And yet, even though Nanaki knew it was the right thing to do, he felt odd doing it. Suddenly feeling very alone, the old hero could almost feel the darkness closing in around him. Without his friends he felt terribly vulnerable. Still, there were more important matters at hand, and Nanaki, 700 year old hero of the Jenova War and Chief of the Fire Lions, was not one to give up.

- - -

Vincent was not particularly fond of Lady Yuffie VII. In fact, she was downright annoying. Although he could see the merit in her plans, each one simply seemed like the right tactics for the wrong situation. Every word she spoke advanced the war effort, yet set ROCKSLIDE back. Now she had stuck Lucy directly in harm's way, and having sworn to protect her, Vincent knew he was obligated to mediate the problem.

Bishop Valentine could handle difficult situations. What he couldn't handle, however, was the Royal Narcissist.

"She isn't battle-ready," argued he, "She's just going to get in the way."

"If the Imperial army does not find the leader they're looking for, then they'll suspect something's up! I'm sorry Squishy-Knees but I just can't take that chance. If I go in her place, who will lead my people should I die? General Goh is smart but he's no tactician–"

"Thank you, My Lady," the general interrupted.

"You're welcome, General," Yuffie answered, continuing where she left off. "I've heard your plans, Blubber-Boy, and I have to say that many of them are quite good, but the odds are stacked high and there's no guarantee you'll live. I need to ensure that Wutai is not left leaderless. A power struggle is the last thing we need in the middle of an all-out war."

"Then send someone else! By sending Lucy you'll be doing nothing other than endangering the lives of your people. Send someone more learned in battle lore; one who can protect herself… like, oh I don't know… Taefis!"

"Her!?" the ruler of Wutai scoffed. "She isn't nearly as beautiful as I am! The Imperials won't buy it for a second." She tossed her hair around like those celebrities in hair product commercials, attempting to highlight her good looks.

Valentine noted the resemblance to hair commercials, and he was not impressed. He was furious, in fact. "You narcissistic piece of filth; how can you throw away innocent lives so easily!?"

General Goh turned red in the face. "How dare you speak to Lady Yuffie VII in that manner!? Guards! Guards! Arrest him for treason against the crown at once!"

"Look at this pathetic whelp you drag along with you," the bishop yelled, gesturing towards the general. "If you're the almighty powerful being you make yourself out to be then why in Gaia's name do you keep this fool around!? Anyone with real power knows their power; they don't need some insect beneath them reminding them of it! I'll bet you keep this grovelling creature around only because you don't trust in your own strength! Or perhaps you're just trying to fool yourself?"

"GUARDS!" the general screamed, but Lady Yuffie raised a single hand, and not a single soul moved an inch. "My Lady," Goh pleaded, "this man has offended you. Wutaian law clearly states what is to be done with him."

"I know my laws, General Goh…"

"Then what shall we do with him?"

"Nothing," she said, glaring around the room with a blazing fury. "Vincent Valentine! Do not think that I will forget what you have said this day, but you are still my decoy's only bodyguard. You may take your leave, for now… Go!"

The old bishop turned around slowly. It seemed as if he failed to get through to her, until… "You are most certainly not powerless, My Lady."

"That's enough, Goh. Now go; go away."

"My Lady, you must not let his insults blind you to–"

"I said GO AWAY!!!" the Lady screamed, collapsing feebly into a royal seat, crying. Vincent walked over and patted her on the shoulder, not knowing what else to do. "Grand Champion Yuffie I is the greatest hero of our nation," she sobbed. "How… how could I possibly live up to such a namesake? You're right, Bishop Valentine… you're right… Tell the girl she can stay here; another will be sent in her place…"

Vincent nodded, finding himself much more compassionate towards this humbled Yuffie. "I will notify Taefis at once."

"No, no… There is no need… I will make the announcement myself. I will also need to find a sparring partner; this throwing arm is rusty."

"Excuse me?"

Obviously, Bishop Valentine of the Godaians had not (completely) destroyed the narcissist in Yuffie. "I'm going to watch from the front seat when the Imperial army melts beneath my countenance, Blubber-Boy. I'll show you what power is."

Valentine half-smiled, and took his leave of Lady Yuffie VII. All seemed well, and then General Goh squeaked. "My Lady?"

"General Goh," Yuffie said, "I am retiring you from your current position. I finally realize how blinded I was by your flattery."

"I… understand… My Lady…"

"Oh, and Goh; as my new Minster of Propaganda you'll have to avoid calling me the – what was it again? – Goddess of All Creation. I wouldn't want to make the locals unhappy."

"My Lady?"

"You heard me! I know how amazing I am, but there are still plenty out there who have yet to see the light. Now go, Goh! Go make me proud! Fly, my pretty; fly!"

Minster Goh saluted. "It will be done!"