Final Fantasy VII: Destiny's Call
chapter 21 written by Noble....
Throwing my life away
"We did it! The Ghost Rider Blew that sonvabitch back to the shithole he crawled out from!" belowed Cid stating a fact more over than fiction.
"Ya got dat right man but at what cost? The Northern crater don't look the same as before an now all we've got is a %^$* huge hole that's torn up the planet worse than before" frowns Barret looking down at the remains of the battlefield.
"Barret is correct. Whatever has occured here has undoubtably harmed the planet and we don't know if the cause was the Ghost Rider's own actions or if he did indeed end the life of the demon that is Zarathos".
"Well it had to have come from one of them Red! Remember? Both of them are Spirits of Vengeance, one for good and the other evil. How powerful they really are is anyones guess".
"He will be fine that much is certain, however Zarathos is no longer the most immediate threat, look..up ahead"
Collective gasps are heard throughout the deck of the highwind as they look upwards. Vincent appears to be correct; Meteor is still making it's way towards the planet and Holy has yet to be released. They don't have all the time in the world and if there was ever a cue for holy to do it's thing it would be now.
"Aeris?"
"I don't know. Something's wrong! I can't summon Holy!"
"Dammit why not? We got rid of Zarathos jus' like we got rid of Sephiroth. If he's dead then there should be nothing stopping you from summoning Holy!" growls Barret.
"I know that! It just feels like something else is blocking me out. Holy won't respond and the collective souls of the Lifestream combined can't summon it either. They are having the same problem"
"LOOK! At the crater LOOK LOOK!" gasps Yuffie a little too hyper.
From the ashen remains of the crater a figure is slowly making his way out. The flicker of flames and a skull can be quite clearly seen but to whose head that rests on the shoulders of the person is either Zarathos or the Ghost Rider. The smoke is too thick to make out the unknown individual, the reminants of AVALANCHE half hope that it is their ally and not the devourer of souls.
With a huge gust of wind, the smoke clears revealing that it is infact The Ghost Rider but he is not in good shape. You can clearly see that his body is in tatters, gaping wounds that show no blood loss or vital organs shown but rather his very skeleton with huge traces of hellfire flickering off his body in a constant manner that would leave the observer questioning where infact does the hellfire come from? The answer to that is simple: The Ghost Rider may be made up of nothing other than being a skeleton with a bikers outfit with spikes and studs on his shoulders and arms and a mystical chain. But the one thing that keeps him alive is his heart. His very heart is what makes Noble kale be the Ghost Rider. It's where his source of courage and viglance lies but more importantly it's his soul. If the heart were ever to be removed from his demonic like body then the hellfire that flows all over him so freely would dissapear and he would die. But thanks to the strange mystical energies that come from his heart, his soul, it allows him to shape the hellfire over his body, it covers the skeleton in a sort of holographic way making up the muscles and body parts that is the human body. So thanks to that small ability it allows him to wear his bikers outfit without looking like a 'bag of bones' as they say.
But with the gaping wounds, it looks bad. His skull that is his face doesn't look any different however, always looking passive as the very visage of death always is. It only shows dark and cold emotion even though his soul is good and pure. Sometimes I wonder does Noble ever tire being the Ghost Rider? Does the Spirit of Vengeance ever think that it's unfair to serve both realms of light and darkness for all eternity? Yes it's unfair that he has to do this, but he doesn't really have a choice in the matter. If he were just to let things happen then people, innocents would be harmed or killed. If he was gone who would pick up where he left off? Who would be their sword of justice for those that need to be protected? In the end, it's the blood on his hands of those that he fails to avenge that keeps him going because he knows that in this day an age heroes are just as rare to come by but villians, evil always seems to be around. And thusly that is why the Ghost Rider remains as an unrelentless force of vengeance. He must continue to live, face evil and the unknown head on until the day he does eventually die and pass on. Even eternity doesn't last forever.
Within a few minutes the wounds that cover his body, heal and dissappear. He is once again at 100% with not even the smallest cut on his outfit and Zarathos is undoubtably no more. The greatest threat to all forms of life exists no longer, but the threat of Meteor still remains....Hanging in the sky like the sword of damocles, waiting to come crashing down to destroy them all. Facing Zarathos and his minions was a hard task in itself but how do you stop a huge ball of fire and brimstone?
With a mental call his motorcycle appears seemingly out of nowhere in a brilliant flash of light, it's wheels forever flickering of hellfire much like it's owner. He quickly mounts it and revs it up, with a roar and a maniacal laughter he blasts into the sky towards the Highwind. Once inside he is greeted by the members of AVALANCHE, the women giving a brilliant smile and their thanks, the men giving the Rider a firm handshake and their thanks also, excluding Vincent who has yet to notice the Ghost Rider since his mind and eyes are elsewhere, looking upwards at the dreaded black magic Meteor. The dark gunsman knows that Zarathos is dead, that much is certain if the Ghost Rider was standing amongst their number but now Vincents attention was drawn to Meteor. If Holy wasn't released and soon their efforts would mean nothing, especially when your dead.
".....Zarathos is dead I assume?" questions Vincent flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Yes, he exists no longer"
"....Good. Aeris?"
"No, nothing. Something is still blocking my summoning Holy" whispers the flower girl worridly.
"Perhaps it is this?" questions the Ghost Rider holding the Black materia in clear view for everyone to see.
"Gimme that" grunts Cid looking pissed.
The pilot grabs the Black Materia from Noble and then chucks it into the air and with one swipe of his Venus Gospel smashes it into a million pieces, the fragments of the dark stone literally the deck. Cid then sparks up another cigarette smugly and grins looking about.
"That's not enough Cid. Even broken into a thousand pieces a single fragment of this stuff could still summon Meteor. We have to remove it permanently" frowns Cloud.
Sighing their leader steps forward and generates a small dot of energy on the tip of his finger and instinctively starts firing multiple but small blasts at each tiny shard that made that was the Black Materia and vaporizes it all completely out of existance. Not even a molecule of the dark magic remains.
"Aeris how about now?"
"Still nothing. I'm sorry Cloud, everyone"
"Don't go blaming yourself Aeris, it isn't your fault. Whatever is blocking you from summoning Holy is"
"It would appear that Zarathos may get the last laugh"
"What do you mean Rider?"
"It would appear that even in death that Zarathos' evil lives on. Since he was infinitely more powerful than Sephiroth so was his evil. Only now do I understand why....we always thought that if Zarathos was dead, Aeris would be able to summon Holy and prevent Meteor from getting any further, however it would appear even though we did get rid of him in the afterlife he still manages to block Aeris' ability to summon the white magic"
"No!..."
"I'm afraid it's true. With the Black Materia disposed of Meteor can never be summoned again. But this worked to the demon's advantage, he only needs to summon it once and then the Black Materia would no longer be useful. He's probably laughing at us even now in the afterlife"
"So? That's it? We've lost?!" shouts Cid.
The Ghost Rider only nods his head once and looks downward at the floor, words are no longer needed as it looks like everything is indeed over. They tried so hard and even by defeating Zarathos still they failed. There just had to be a way! There has to be!
The only one unaffected about the saddening news is Vincent. He's heard every word and allowed it to register through his mind and inwardly he feels just as devastated as the others. But on the outside his cold exterior remains, a blank expression of a man who has no emotion to share amongst the living.
(Vincent....)
A voice, calling him. But from where? No one else on the Highwind were able to hear it but only him. Was he slowly going insane?
(Vincent....)
Again the calling. Who in the hell is calling him?
".....Did you hear that?"
"Huh? Hear what Vincent?"
"....Nothing. Just the wind"
(Vincent....)
(....Who is calling me?!) he asks inwardly
(Have you already forgotten me my love?)
(....L-Lucrecia? I would never forget you! But it would appear that I will be joining you very shortly after all. We failed and I am so sorry my Lucrecia, forgive me)
A soft chuckle is her response. This small gesture from his departed loved one bewilders the former Turk to no end. What would cause her to act like this of all times?
(Yes Vincent it's true. You will be joining me soon, maybe not. But the others won't be sharing your fate).
(...My....fate?)
(The letter Vincent, the letter...)
With an eyebrow raised he silently questions her answer. Then he suddenly remembers. Just before Lucrecia passed on she left him a single white rose and a note with her final words written on paper. There must be something on the note that he missed out, something crucial that would save the planet from Meteor. Once again he begins to read;
Dear Vincent,
Although my time with you was short I expected this. I'm truly sorry that our lives could never had been different, I wish that even now wherever my troubled soul rests. I finally fell in love with you and accepted it for the first time in 3 decades...I will never forget the kindness and affection that I was too blind to notice and will always keep you close to my heart and to my soul. The weapon that lies before you is my final parting gift to you, please use it well....but remember Vincent you are the key to this planet's safety. Do whatever is in your power to protect mother Earth. Just remember to live Vincent. Don't live your life mouring my passing but remember me as I was, the way that I remember you my love.
Although you may not notice it Vincent, but your charm has caught the heart of another...and she loves you. She is just as scared as you are Vincent, to admit your feelings and to take the risk, but give it time...and accept her as she already has with you.
I'll be waiting for you....waiting for the day that we will be reunited.....I love you Vincent.....
Yours sincerely,
Lucrecia Daily.....XxX
He finally understands. Vincent Valentine finally understands what must be done to preserve all life on this planet and once again he must do this....alone.
(...My Lucrecia, thank you. I know now what must be done. The price is too great to ignore it now).
(I know Vincent. I will do what I can to request that the Lifestream comes to your aid. The rest is up to you).
(I....understand).
With a primal roar that alerts everyone on board the Higwind, Vincent's body begins to change and contort into something less than human. His body grows and changes, wings sprout forth from his back, his hands turn from pale white into a ghastly clawed shaped red and his hair and face contort and change into the face of a demon each and every member of AVALCANCHE is aware of. Vincent no longer remains as he was in his human form, in his place surrounded in a glowing aura of crimson stands the demonic form of Diablos, the reborn version of Chaos once more.
"Vincent?"
"Cloud, Tifa, everyone. It's time....I know what needs to be done in order to save our planet, but I must do this alone"
"We can't do anything without Holy man! Were screwed!" growls Barret.
"....Not neccessarily. Look below, already the Lifestream has come to our aid. It knows that Aeris cannot summon Holy to counteract Meteor because of Zarathos' possessive hold on blocking her magics.....there is another way...but it can only be done by me"
"YOUR CRAZY! Your not going to do what I think your going to do are you?" gasps Cid unable to believe what he might do.
Vincent's answer is anything but a low chuckle. Yes, he is going to do it and the cost for doing such a selfless act? Well I think it's best you see for yourself.
"Vincent please stop. What your risking....it's impossible you won't survive!" cries Tifa trying to hold him back
However Vincent does stop on her request if only for a short while to turn back to Tifa and the others looking on. Whilst looking at each of them momentarily he sighs and chuckles lightly again and removes Tifa's hand from his arm with a quick shrug.
"...Tifa.....I know the risks and already know that I won't survive but if the planet is to live on I must do all that I can that is within me to stop it" mumbles Vincent coldly.
"^£%$ that! Were coming with you!" belows Cid getting his Venus Gospel ready.
"...You will do no such thing!" hisses Vincent tearing up a bit of the floor with the smallest wave of his arm making the pilot step back worridly.
"....I told you! I have to do this by myself! If any of you so much as follow me then I'll kill you, don't force me to!"
"Vincent...."
"Tell Elena....tell Elena after all this is over that I can't be with her and that I'm sorry. But tell her also that one day....I'll be with her again, promise me that you will tell her everything"
A small nod from Cloud is all he needs to see to or know that he will keep his promise and explain everything to her. It's hard sometimes, it really is when your the leader. To take full responsibility for most things including telling others about the passing of others important to them can be quite a handleful when you have to take responisibility and because you can't elect anyone else to spred the bad news.
With a final nod from Vincent he makes his way from the bridge on speedy feet and through the engine room before leaping upwards to the stairs to the outside and once he opens the door he is met by a huge gust of wind that roars against him emotionlessly and uncontrolably. You can't really do anything to stop it when your at such a height with the Highwind speeding past the planet below at such speed. It nearly causes Vincent to loose his balance because of his demonic wings being caught in the gale of the wind.
With one huge leap Vincent as Diablos throws himself into the air, the wind carrying him higher and higher as he flaps his grotesquely formed wings. Below the tendrils of the Lifestream swirl and gather pointing upwards towards Vincent and Meteor. It was a little difficult to tell where the Lifestream was heading but the one thing that was certain is that it was summoned by Lucrecia. Even though his lost love was not a Cetra it was possible to determine that the planet had indeed been watching the adventures of these extraordinary warriors fighting for the planet once again. Holy may not be into affect but the planet itself wasn't going to give up without a fight.
Flying upwards higher and higher still Vincent finds that even in his transformation that the air in his lungs was beginning to leave him quicker than expected. If he continues to go any higher it could be dangerous. But he can't stop now, even though he doesn't know what to do he is certain that his destination lies right where Meteor is. Forcing himself to go higher he grits his teeth as the sweat starts to pour down his features, he doesn't know how much longer he can go on like this and that's when it happens....
The remaining members of AVALANCHE watch on as Vincent flies upwards out of the atmosphere. Whatever he's planning to do against Meteor is anyone's guess as the chosen mission itself is suicidal. The tendrils of Lifestream below them are still continuing to gather in huge enormous amounts, coming together in one huge mass of green souls and energy and just when it looks like Meteor is about to make contact with the planet and obilterate everything, the Lifestream stops gathering and shoots upwards in one huge river and covers the flying figure of Vincent completely, hurling him towards the huge ball of fire at an unknown speed. Never has anyone seen such a magnificant display of power and unbelievability as Vincent's form heads towards Meteor and dissappears...
(....Farewell.....my friends)
The light that follows is blinding, causing everyone on board the Highwind and people the world over to shield their eyes. It hurts too much for anyone living just to open their eyes without losing their line of vision. The only thing that is certain for anyone to hear is this unmistakable rumble of a semi earthquake, they can feel it too as the planet itself starts to shake and quiver from the aftershock of one man's brave efforts but was it all worth it just to selfishly sacrifice the life of one man or was it all in vain?
The answer comes to all of them shortly as their line of vision clears. The first to see anything is Cloud and then Tifa and then respectively one by one everyone on board the Highwind and the people below on the planet glance upwards to see the stars shinning brightly. There isn't a single trace of the dreaded black magic that was Meteor, not even debris. The Lifestream had also vanished, returning to where it once came shortly after it was all over. But what of Vincent? Did he really survive?
The roars of cheers and celebration ring loudly all over the planet so much that AVALANCHE can hear it, if only faintly. Everyone is celebrating, glad to be alive to see another day. But none of them know of the risks it took just to get rid of Meteor. Oe man gave up his life, gave it all up so that they may live and they were all oblivious of it.
Tifa links her arms with Cloud and starts to sob quietly on his chest, Nanaki roars a mourning cry much like the one he gave for his father Seto in Cosmo Canyon, both Aeris and Yuffie hold their hands to their faces and hearts and join Tifa as they shed their tears for their fallen friend. Barret just lowers his head and shakes it not wanting to believe that Vincent was really gone this time and Cid just mumbles that he got something in his eye and excuses himself from the deck of the Highwind.
The only two that don't mourn for Vincent's death are Cloud and the Ghost Rider. Right here and now Cloud has to be strong for each and everyone of them as a leader should. Of course he should mourn with them and inside he does. But he's still needed to be the Leader to take them all home, to show them the way and yes to be strong for them even in the worst of times. That time was now...
(Vincent, you really weren't as cold hearted as you thought yourself to believe. A man with a heart of stone like yours couldn't have possibly done what you did. You saved us all and gave your life so that we may live on. You don't have to have emotions to show that you cared because in reality you did, you just didn't want to show it. But don't worry, I'll keep my promise....I'll tell Elena everything...Wherever you are....may you rest in peace.....my friend).
Author's note: THE END? Or is it? It's over...Zarathos is gone and Meteor is destroyed and all at the cost of Vincent's life. Can our heroes possibly move on now that it's finally over? Find out in the last chapter to come; Epoligue. Don't forget to leave a review dammit!!
Send all other comments to: Noblekaleomnislash1@hotmail.com
Signed Noble....