In Which We Find Our Immortality
Chapter 13: Becoming Less Human
Crossing the East Boundary proved to be simple enough; Collin simply flew over the top with Tess in his arms. The guards stared, dumbfounded, but non made a move to stop the pair. He did, however, see the captain reaching for his radio. Not that it mattered; by the time any soldiers or police got there, he would be long gone.
They'd been flying for some time; by now they'd passed over the forest surrounding Rocket City, and were traveling over the plains, just before the foothills of the mountains. Though Collin hadn't bothered to flap his wings once he realized that he could go without, they were growing sore. His arms were worse off. He'd said nothing, as Tess looked delighted and he didn't want to stop that. But as he spotted a stand of trees ahead his muscles complained sharply. He began to descend.
"Collin?" Tess gave him a thoughtful look. Her face was so close to his that when she spoke he could almost feel her lips move. "Why are we stopping?"
Collin landed gracefully several feet away from the nearest tree. There he set Tess down; his arms painfully celebrated the release of their burden. Soon afterwards his wings folded and were gone, leaving a dull ache in the muscles all along his back. He sighed, stretching out before they could cramp. "Just a break. I'm a little tired."
"Oh, yeah. Sorry." Tess smiled shyly.
"Why?"
"Well, I should have thought of that."
He shrugged, taking a seat beneath the shade of a large elm tree. His eyes took a moment to adjust after having been staring into the sun all morning. "I'm okay. I've just never done anything like this before."
"Obviously." Tess sat beside him. "It isn't exactly normal, is it?" she joked. "But that's okay. I…liked flying with you."
"Yeah?" Collin grinned, pleased to hear it.
"Yeah."
Neither spoke for a while as they each considered their own silent thoughts. It was a pleasant morning; hot enough to keep them warm, but not to be uncomfortable. There was a gentle breeze that made the leaves rustle above their heads. Collin smiled to himself; the atmosphere was perfect. The only problem was that he was hungry, and they hadn't brought any food. "Did you eat breakfast?" he asked abruptly.
Tess heaved a deep sigh. "No. Did you?"
"No. I should have thought of that."
"Yeah, me too."
Another pause followed, in which Collin was debating whether he should look for something eatable. He was interrupted by Tess's voice, speaking quietly beside him. "Collin?"
"Yeah?"
"Do…you really think the Dragons…."
Collin turned his head to face her, ready to offer some cheerful reassurance. He changed his approach when he saw her look. Her concern was genuine and deep, like her eyes. "Tess," he told her seriously, "I'm going to be okay. I know it doesn't look good, but this is the only way, and I have to keep going." He smiled at her. "You know that. You came because you believe in me, right?"
Tess's cheeks were touched with red, and she nodded hastily. "Of course. I believe in you."
"Good." He leaned against the tree and yawned. A quick glance at his watch showed it was almost nine o'clock. "We'll just wait for a while, and then hard further out."
The girl nodded again, but her focus was already somewhere else. "Collin, how much do you remember of your mother?"
Collin paused, taken aback by her sudden change in subjects. The question raised painful memories from his mind. "A bit. She died…when I was four."
"I don't remember my mother at all," Tess was saying. "She died just after I turn one year old. I've seen pictures, but it's not the same. Seeing her smile…isn't enough to make me remember her laugh."
"I'm sorry." And he meant it. "I'm beginning to know what that's like."
Tess smiled ruefully. "I shouldn't bring this up now; it's old stuff for me. But…will you tell me about your mother?"
Collin wondered briefly if she was really interested, or simply hoping to get information for another piece. The answer was soon clear; she did care. She understood his uncertainty too well to make light of it. He could trust her.
"She was beautiful," he began, pulling the images from his dreams to life, no matter how painful. "She smiled a lot, even when it hurt. She stayed with me a lot." Because of my father. "But…she was…very tired." He shook his head. "Somehow, that's how I have to describe her. She was always very tired."
Tess took his hand and held it tightly. She waited patiently for him to go on. "I remember…being held by her at night, just before…." He broke off, struggling past the knots in his stomach and throat. He licked his lips. "She was so scared. She was running…."
Collin shook his head. "I don't remember much," he finished mournfully. "I…don't remember how she died." He refused to believe the truth his dreams had shown. After all, how could he have killed her when he was four years old? And Cloud….
His train of thought was cut off when something brushed his cheek. It was soft and warm, like a kiss. Tess had kissed him. She settled closer to him beneath the tree, laying her head upon his shoulder. It was a comforting feeling: her soft hair tickling his neck; her smaller, warm body next to his. Even her smell eased his anxiety. He couldn't help but grin, oblivious to his own childishness. He felt now as if they shared something, more than just their pasts. They shared a future--a mission that would save them all.
Collin's hand tightened around hers as they stayed there, together. "Thank you, Tess," he said softly. "For trusting me."
"When this is all over," she replied, "you owe me one date."
He chuckled. "Okay."
The pair stayed beneath the for a long time, though to them it felt like only a moment. Collin was just dozing off when he caught sight of something heading towards them on the horizon. He squinted, trying to make the figure out. The object was too distant to be seen clearly. But he could feel something. Goosebumps pricked his bare arms and neck, as if his body were speaking to him of an approaching foe. His stomach began to twist, and his throat tightened. And suddenly he didn't have to see what the figure was--he just knew. The answer was scarred deep within his brain.
It was Cloud.
"Tess." Collin nudged her gently at first, then harder when she didn't stir. "Hey, wake up. Cloud's coming."
Tess lazily opened her eyes and gazed about dumbly, not recognizing her surroundings. She must have remembered, for she straightened suddenly, casting her focus west. "Did you say Cloud?"
"Yeah." He rose to his feet, pulling her up as well. After sitting for so long his tired muscles were no better off than they had been. When he looked again, he was surprised to see how fast Cloud was approaching; already he could see the man clearly atop his violet chocobo, Nu. The sight of the man nearly caused him to panic. Not only was it Cloud, but he was dressed in the armor and equipment Collin had seen in Tess's photograph. He was coming to fight.
He won't kill me again.
Collin shook his head. "No, that's not right," he told himself firmly. "That's not me."
"Collin?" Tess set a hand on his arm in worry.
"I'm okay." He shook himself; there was no time for hesitation, or fear. He'd always known that he'd have to face his father sooner or later. Better it be now, while he still had the chance.
It took the chocobo only a few short minutes to reach the stand of trees. As soon as it began to slow Marlene leapt off the animal's back and raced forward, pulling Collin into an almost violent embrace. "Thank God you're okay," she said between a few tears. "how dare you run off like that and scare us all to death! Cid's going to rip you apart when he finds you, you know that?"
"Yeah, Marlene, I know." He eased her off, being more concerned with the man behind her. "I'll explain it all later, okay? Right now, I have to talk to my father."
Marlene took a step back, respectful of the seriousness in his tone. She joined Tess beside the elm and watched with anxious eyes. But both women knew better than to interfere; they had no place in this.
Cloud dismounted slowly. His expression was set in stone without emotion or care. His blue orb eyes glowed brilliantly behind stray locks of straggly blond hair. They saw only his son. The sight of the man himself was chilling; if he'd been impressive before, unarmed and calm, now he was nearly paralyzing in his full armor. The soft hum from the Ultima Weapon, and the glow off the blade, seemed to give him a tangible aura as testimony to his power. This was truly the Cloud Strife who had defeated Sephiroth years ago.
Collin gulped. Though he had challenged his father outright that morning to settle their relationship, faced with the man now he suddenly felt dwarfed in every aspect. He trembled a bit as something within him suffered painful recognition. The eyes bore through him, fixing him to the earth. He was at a loss for words or actions.
"Collin…."
It was Tess, somewhere behind him, that had spoken. Her voice returned some of his senses. HE pulled himself to his full height, hoping to look confident yet not threatening. "Hello, Father."
Cloud acknowledged his sons' greeting with a nod of his head. His facial expressions were unreadable. He came forward slowly, without any sign of discomfort or uncertainty. "Collin, I'm here to settle with you."
Collin locked his jaw and stayed still. His mind, however, was spinning crazily. He's come to kill me a voice whispered deep within his brain. He's going to end it, once and for all. This time, I'll be dead. Cloud's left hand came down on his shoulder, and he jumped visibly. The rough fingers were tight but not forceful. Cautiously, the boy lifted his head.
Cloud's gaze was firm; there was in them, however, a gleam of sincerity. His voice was low and serious. "Collin, I did not kill your mother."
Collin stared. As soon as the words had escaped the man's lips he knew they were true, and his spirits soared in relief. Cloud hadn't killed Tifa, the Devoted One, his mother. Instantly he was willing to grant his father redemption for any sin he'd ever committed, if only out of joy at having this one accusation dissolved. Nothing else had disturbed or discouraged him more.
He grinned, relieved beyond words and nearly crying thankfully. Now he could explain his plan, his ideas. They could share their experiences, and their pain at the loss of so beautiful and caring a woman. Maybe even--
"You did."
The hand on his shoulder tightened, forcing him back. The other hand now held the leather grip of the Ultima Weapon; the soft hum had grown into a wail, like an echo from the beast itself, and its light flashed more brightly than his eyes could withstand. And before Collin even realized that the sword had moved he could feel its blade tearing through his shoulder.
Vincent's head snapped up, his senses alerted by a sudden chill. By now he'd begun to associate the feeling with some kind of reaction from Cloud; their Jenova linked them in a way he hadn't been aware of previously. Ever since dropping off the three Highwind sisters with a friend he'd been trying to follow the brief impulses. Something was happening. Cloud? Where are you? he called desperately, turning in circles on the sidewalk. Where did you go? Why are you doing this? It was logical to think that Collin had gone west, to get as far away from the Dragons as possible and that Cloud was following him. It was also logical to consider the boys' reasoning; to meet them head on, to keep them away form the city. He didn't have time for both. But who would know? When he tried to concentrate on the signal he'd received, his senses only became confused and made him dizzy. There had to be some other way.
"Excuse me? You're…Mr. Valentine, aren't you?"
The timid voice belonged to a young woman who appeared to be about Collin's age. She was dark-haired and had a rich complexion. Vincent recognized her as being one of the performers from the day before. "Yes," he answered, moving swiftly in front of her. "You're one of Tess Raven's friends, aren't you?"
She seemed to relax a bit when she realized that he recognized her. "Yes, I am. Actually…." She bit her lip, clearly to held back some kind of information. "I…."
"Tell me," he instructed firmly. "Collin is in danger, and if you know where he--"
"East," Rajiel answered without any further coaxing. She lowered her head as if in shame. "I shouldn't, but I'm afraid. He took Tess and left through the East Boundary almost an hour ago, to find the Dragons."
Thought so. Maybe Collin's more like his father than we thought. How his father used to be, anyway. "Thank you. Now go home, and don't worry about a thing. I will bring them both back." He started to go.
"Uh, wait!" the girl called him back. "There's something else. Just after they left we saw…Cloud Strife." She cringed. "He and his chocobo--they flew over the gate. We didn't know what to do."
Vincent cursed internally. That means Cloud's probably already caught up to him. Damn, this keeps getting worse. "Thank you. Now go home, like I said. They'll be fine." Rajiel nodded, and the two split up. Vincent went east, pushing the limits of his already exhausted limbs to take him.
Fortunately, it didn't take him long to reach East Boundary. But he hadn't anticipated what he found there: Broddick Matthews and nearly two dozen armed officers. They were swarming over a group of flatbed trucks, loading what looked like ammunition crates. The last vehicle was a white van with the Phoenix Lattice insignia printed across the side. It was also being loaded, under the supervision of Dr. Arswick.
Damn! Vincent skidded to a halt and ducked behind the closest item that might provide cover; a picnic table. It was a pathetic barrier--anyone who looked his way would be able to see him. Fortunately everyone appeared to be more interested in their labor to notice. He breathed a bit of a sigh, then focused back on this challenge. I have to get out. But is Broddick following Cloud, Collin, or the Dragons? Surly he's not fool enough to attack four Clan Dragons….
"Get yer f--king hands off me! Leggo, goddamnit!"
Vincent recognized Cid's cursing immediately. He peered through the spaces in his crude hiding place, being careful not to create too much movement. Cid was being led roughly toward one of the trucks. Having grown tired of the soldier's insistence, he punched the young man squarely in the face. The officer was sent reeling, but was replaced by half a dozen of his comrades. They converged on the former captain all at once, clearly intending to beat him down. "C'mon!" Cid could be heard shouting, followed by several more vulgar taunts. "I'll take ya' all on!"
Though Vincent cringed at the man's invitation, it had supplied him with the perfect diversion. As Cid continued to challenge the officers--succeeding in knocking several on their backs--he sprinted away from the picnic table, towards the palisade. The gates had been opened in anticipation of Broddick's departure; his opening was perfect. He stayed far left of the vehicle procession, away from Cid's fight. By now almost everyone was absorbed in the disturbance. He passed by the white Phoenix Lattice van and set his sights ahead, on the open gates and the forest that lay beyond.
A sharp pain stuck his thigh; instantly afterwards his entire right leg went numb, and he pitched forward onto the uneven grown. He landed harshly on his right arm; he winced briefly at the pain. He tried to push himself up, but the numbness prevented him from gaining much progress.
"Mr. Valentine, wasn't it?" came the brisk, polite tone of Dr. Arswick. "I suppose you can't feel your leg now, can you? How splendid to know it works well."
"Arswick…." Vincent managed to roll himself over, and pushed into a sitting position. The white-coated doctor was standing over him; just beside him was Broddick Matthews. "What is going on here?"
Broddick shoved the tranquilizer gun into Dr. Arswick's hands. There was a distinctly contemptuous smile on his face, as if he'd just captured his arch enemy. The comparison might not have been too far off. "Nice to see you too, Valentine. I knew I'd get you yet."
"We don't have time for this!" Vincent shouted. He glanced briefly to see how Cid was faring; he had long since been knocked down, and was now being shoved into one of the trucks with far less resistance than before. "Collin is in danger. Cloud is unstable--he may kill him!"
"One less target for us," the man sneered, patting the handgun at his side. "I'm taking all you alien freaks out, one way or the other."
He stared; though he shouldn't have been surprised by Broddick's typically aggressive behavior, he couldn't believe that Cassandra was allowing this. "What about the Council?"
Broddick shrugged. "What about them? If I can't bring you all in, you're to be killed. They all agreed."
"How could they?" Vincent snorted. "Cid is on the Council."
"We'll worry about that later." He flashed the man a triumphant smirk, then looked to Arswick. "Drug him up. We're heading out as soon as he's loaded."
Dr. Arswick nodded, his face painted with enthusiasm. "Yes, of course." He reloaded the tranquilizer gun with a needle from his belt pouch, and raised the weapon. "I hop you know that I have no personal qualms with you, Mr. Valentine. But this is, after all, for the safety of our city."
"Is that so?" Vincent eyed the gun warily. When the doctor's finger curled his claw struck out, snatching and crushing the dart in one swift motion. "I'm not so easily disposed of."
"Bastard." Broddick reached for his handgun, but then the gold claw snapped around his ankle, dragging him down. Vincent began to push himself up once more, depending entirely on his left leg to keep him upright. He glared at the doctor defiantly.
Arswick reached for another dart, much calmer than he could have been given the circumstances. Vincent easily knocked him down. He was preparing to flee once more when Broddick regained his wits, and the sound of gun shots filled the air. The first hit Vincent directly in his left thigh, felling him once more. The second pulled wide. The third skimmed across his scalp; thunder filled his mind and shattered any conscious thoughts he might have had as he was thrown onto his back. Blood dribbled sluggishly through his hair and down his neck--he wondered vaguely if his ear had been shot off.
"Goddamnsonofabitch," Broddick was muttering. His words were muddled and indistinct. "Iwasright aboutyou allalong."
Vincent moaned. He tried to move, desperate for escape, but his body would not obey him. His eyelids fluttered as they took in the bright red sky.
Bright…red? No…no….
"Thistimeyouremine," came the man's thick voice. He was standing directly overhead, colored only in shades of blood-like crimson. "Andthenthat bastard Cloud andhisdamn kid."
No…No! Vincent's heart beat an irregular rhythm, and he gripped his chest, hoping to repress the change. But he could not stop his raging pulse s it raced through his body, awakening the deepest, most hidden aspects of himself which had for years lain dormant. The pain faded and was gone, and from within his own throat he could hear a low, feral growl.
Cid could no longer protest as he was shoved into the cramped back seat of on of the trucks. He was beaten badly all over; he could taste blood in his mouth, and his left eye was already beginning to swell. One of the young officers--who as mostly likely gloating over his attack on Cid Highwind, Avalanche member--handed him a rag. "Clean up your face, old man."
Cid cursed and promptly decked him in the jaw. No retaliation could follow given the closed quarters of the truck. Satisfied by his revenge he sat back, wiping the stains from his nose and lip.
Damn Matthews. Who the hell does he think he is? He'll get more than an earful for this f--k up. He indulged himself with another round of curses as he tallied his injuries. Nothing broken. At least Shera made it to her mother's. That damn woman would be hysterical. His stumbling on this parade was almost fortunate--at least now he'd be taken to Collin, rather than have to search for himself.
A round of gunshots broke Cid from his momentary ease. He turned quickly to the window and searched for the cause; it was coming from the to her side of Dr. Arswick's van. Damnit, what now? His anger quickly melted into fear when he heard an ear-splitting shriek, followed by the rage-filled bellowing of some beast. He recognized the sound immediately as Chaos; no length of time could dull those memories.
"Vincent!" Cid reached for the door and shouldered his way outside. "Damn you! Don't do this!" he yelled desperately, listening to the creature's thunder. He was surrounded again b y the soldiers, and he struggled ineffectively against their hold. "Valentine!"
The figure of a man was hurled bodily through the air and over the van, landing harshly on his side one the ground before them. It was Arswick, pale and muttering, bleeding from a long gash across his chest. When Cid looked closer he could see that it was really several claw-made wounds. The scientist was quickly attended to by the soldiers.
Finally Chaos came into his line of sight; the creature leapt on top of the white supply van, roaring in anger and holding Broddick Matthews by the throat. He dropped the flailing man in disgust, then turned his glowing red eyes on the soldiers.
"Vincent, snap out of it!" Cid shouted, trying to push the officers away at the same time. "Damnit, if he sees you gong after me, you'll just piss him off! F--k off!"
But Chaos appeared to have something else in mind. The beast stretched its black leather wings, screeching madly at the soldiers as they reached for their guns. Then he turned and leapt form his steel perch. The gunfire followed his escape east, over the Boundary.
"Damn." Cid relaxed, allowing the men to herd him into the truck once more. Outside, the men were in a panic, scrambling over their leader. To Cid's disappointment Broddick stood on his own, in far better condition than he would have preferred. Dr. Arswick, however, didn't look as if he would get up any time soon.
This won't slow them down much, Cid thought to himself. Broddick's f--kin' pissed now. They'll just leave Arswick behind. As expected the soldiers begun to separate into groups and continued their loading. Only the small medical team remained to care for the scientist, who was eventually loaded onto a truck and removed.
Good to see they care so much 'bout their own. At last his truck was occupied by three soldiers in the front seat, and he asked, "Hey, are we going or what?"
The eldest soldier, dressed in a trim gray uniform, shot him a condescending glare. "As soon as Sir Matthews gives the word, Mr. Highwind."
Cid muttered yet another derogatory remark about soldiers under his breath as he sat back. He waited impatiently as the preparations continued at a quicker pace.
Damnit, Vincent.
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