Chapter 7: Confront the Odds
"I have a bad feeling about this." Kakyuu stated grimly, following the other two as they trudged up the dreary and freezing mountain range of Nibelhiem. Vincent was absolutely sure this is the place that his 'enemy' had been talking about, this time for sure, and the determined gleam in his eyes emphasized that point, so Kakyuu was reduced to grumbling and complaining.
"I feel it too, though I'm not sure Valentine feels anything right now, other than regret and anger." Kojin stated, while Kakyuu just shrugged, turning to eye the back of his comrade, whose cape was whipping in the harsh unforgiving wind, far ahead of the two. He was in a hurry, no doubt, and was probably wallowing in regret and anger, like Kojin said.
"Is he really sure about this? If this turns out to be some wild goose chase, then when I get my hands on this 'enemy' Vinnie keeps grumbling about, he'll regret ever knowing the Turks." Kakyuu stated, cracking his knuckles to accent his point, and Kojin sighed, silently agreeing. He wasn't one for violence, even if he had been a Turk, but back then, back when he had joined, being a Turk was what everyone wanted to be, rich and in power. How naïve he was, to really think that Shinra was a good honest company, but then again, he had never lived in the Slums, only visited occasionally, when he had a job to do. Only when he had joined Shinra, had he really saw into their corrupted depths, and it had sickened him to no end.
"I regret even knowing the Turks." Kojin added softly, though it was lost to the howling winds of Mount. Nibelhiem.
"Well, I wonder when Vinnie got so popular, with the enemies and ladies all of a sudden." Kakyuu commented, to keep conversation going, so he'd have something to concentrate other than his numb limbs and the unbearable wind.
"Huh, you'd think someone would try and assassinate us too, but I suppose being savior of the planet has its disadvantages." Kojin replied, telling himself it would be good to socialize with his comrades every once in a while. Kakyuu shot him a wolfish grin, and turned to Vincent, yelling in a voice that surprisingly went over the wind.
"Yo Vinnie! When are we getting there? Is it anytime soon?" Kakyuu said in a whiny voice, about to complain about the wind or something to that extent, when Vincent stopped, tensing up, gun drawn. Kakyuu, taking the hint, looped his fingers through his pants, and Kojin sighed, drawing his gun.
"Kakyuu." Kojin stated softly, and Kakyuu nodded, inching forward, eyes alert, face drawn in concentration. Suddenly, there was a cry, heard even over the wind, and a sudden crash, making all three cover their faces with their arms, shielding themselves from the blast.
"Vincent Valentine." All three looked up, Vincent's eyes narrowed in unyielding fury, his eyes flashing.
"Isn't that?" Kakyuu asked, not finishing his sentence, for Kojin nodded, shaking his head slightly with disgust.
"Tseng, Valentine's apprentice. Seems as if he's one of those clones Valentine informed us of. Look at his eyes." Kojin whispered, gesturing toward Tseng's form. Indeed, his once brilliant brown eyes were now dull, as if he was only a soulless shell of a human body. Vincent said nothing, though his face was twitching, as if Chaos too, was angered at the sight of his former apprentice. It was a Turk custom to seek out an apprentice, someone you would train and who would act as your back up if or when you died during a mission. If you had left anything unfulfilled, your apprentice would take on your legacy, and your position as a new Turk. Kojin recalled Tseng to be one of the more mature recruits, though still was young in a way, he hadn't been touched by Shinra's crimes.
"Get out of the way, Tseng or clone. Either way, I have no wish to fight you." Vincent hissed, finally having his emotions under control, though his eyes were still blazing. Tseng said nothing, just drew his gun in one hand, and a grenade in the other.
"I have my orders. Eliminate Valentine, and anyone else with him. You do not deserve love, you monster." Tseng hissed, in a voice that was not his own, and devoid of any emotions. It seemed as if he had hit a nerve, with the monster and not deserving love comment, for Vincent slumped, unable to say anything. He's right. Vincent realized, eyes wide with agony. I don't deserve a second chance, I am a monster, incapable of feeling anything.
"Valentine." Kojin said, almost reassuringly, as if sensing his thoughts.
"Three on one? Hah! Think you can take on three seasoned Turks, as you are now?" Kakyuu gloated, thought Tseng said nothing, just standing, staring at Vincent, whose shoulders were still slumped as his thoughts inflicted more pain than any weapon or words. That's how Valentine was, Kakyuu figured.
"Three on one? Who said the odds were like that?" Tseng said, still in monotone, though a flicker of emotion flashed through his almond eyes, and he lifted his pale finger, snapping only once until Kojin's head snapped up. Two more people appeared through the whirling winds of the mountain. Vincent looked up, eyes widening again.
"Elena? Rude?" He wondered. Even if he hadn't known them both personally, the pain in Reno's eyes flashed briefly in his mind. He knew how it was, to lose what seemed like the only people in the world who cared for you, only too well.
"They're clones too, are they not?" Kojin stated, seeing the blank look in their eyes. If the clones were here, where were the originals.
"Turks against Turks huh?" Kakyuu stated, cracking his knuckles, grinning. "Well then, I can't complain against those odds." Both teams of Turks assumed an offensive formation, eyeing each other warily.
"Kakyuu, Elena, Valentine-" Kojin stated, but Vincent shook his head before he could be assigned to take care of Rude.
"I choose Tseng, and I shall do it once again." Vincent stated in a deadly voice, and Kojin nodded slightly, turning to Kakyuu who looked amused. All this, for the one you love, eh, Valentine? Kojin thought slightly, baring a grin himself, before getting into a stance.
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"There's no way you're keeping me in here forever!" Tifa snapped, still fuming. She had a bad feeling, like someone was in danger, and it was making her feel uneasy, and Masson's glances at her weren't helping either. "Well? Are you going to say anything, or just stand there and stare?" Tifa said angrily, while Masson just grinned slightly.
"What will you do, when Valentine is defeated?" Masson asked, shades covering his eyes, so Tifa wasn't sure if the question was a sick joke, or if he was serious.
"He'll win, you'll see. Don't say I didn't warn you, because when Vincent sets his mind to something, he won't give up till he gets it." Tifa stated, hands on her hips, while Masson let out a small chuckle.
"You truly believe in him, that Valentine of yours. Makes me wish." Masson stood up abruptly, catching Tifa's attention. Ever since she was here, she hadn't learned anything about Masson, other than his name and his need for revenge against Vincent. It seemed that this unfeeling man had some feelings, though she supposed she had almost thought Vincent the same until she had heard about what happened to Lucercia.
"Makes you wish what?" Tifa asked, curious now, though the knot in her stomach was growing. Someone was in a very dangerous situation, and she couldn't do anything about it. She sighed, settling herself down on the bed, cradling her head with her arms. "Why do you hate him so much? Can't you see he's suffered enough? Doesn't it matter to you that all he wants now is peace?" Tifa asked, feeling so tired now, so tired and worried. How was Vincent? Masson looked at her, over his shades, raising an eyebrow.
"I suppose I owe you a bedtime story, now don't I? Huh, well then. To tell you the truth, I want Valentine dead because he killed my love twice. He had every chance to protect her, but he didn't! I was so close, so close to having her once again, but he destroyed that! He killed Hojo before he had a chance to finish his latest project. The lab you've seen is only a small portion of it, only a bit of what we were able to salvage no thanks to Valentine's Turk friends. Do you know how much it hurts, to be so close, and have it torn from you, twice by the same man?" Masson hissed, and Tifa's eyes widened, seeing at how passionate he was becoming about his words, about his love. Much like, Vincent was. It was a shame they couldn't have meet in a different light.
"A portion of Hojo's work? So what was the original intent?" Tifa asked, and Masson looked at her, amused. He had no personal grudges against her, and since his only goal was to get revenge on Valentine, he might as well tell her what Valentine could not. Besides, she wouldn't come after him, he was sure. After this was all done and gone, he'd make sure she was living comfortably somewhere where she'd be happy, and he'd melt back into the shadows. She wouldn't be able to find him, even if she tried and searched forever, so there was no harm in telling her.
"His original plan was somewhat twisted, but I'm sure there is someone everyone wishes will come back to life, and Hojo found out a way to clone someone, but he needed some DNA, a strand of hair, a piece of skin, or even some blood. With these, he could clone a perfect human, down to every last detail. Though there was a problem. He wanted to give them souls, souls he would have implanted in them, souls in which would obey him. Of course, he implanted this defect into his work, though it faded after a while, so it was needed to implant it again and again. But, since his work was funded by a rich fool who wanted a perfect woman, he was ordered to piece together personality traits, and even copy one. However, he didn't get very far in that aspect, since it wasn't his main priority, so now all the clones we make are just that, soulless clones." Masson sighed, leaning back against the door, as if to remember all of his chances, all of his regrets, or some found memory that was tinged with a bittersweet flavor. Tifa's eyes were wide, surprised that he had told her so much, so willingly. She closed her eyes, sighing softly.
"You remind me so much of Vincent." Tifa whispered, and Masson's eyes shot open, rage flashing in their depths to be compared to *him*, though he watched, as a single tear fell down her cheek. Vincent. she whispered to herself, in the deep corners of her soul, please, be okay, wherever you are.
~*Author's Notes*~ *yawn* I think that's long enough, don't you think? Evened out chapters really good too. Well, anyway, I'm not big on science, so the cloning thing might not be so believable, but anyone who has a better theory just tell me. *yawns* Anyway, it's late, so forgive me if it's a little weird. Sorry I cut it short too, cause I really didn't feel like writing a battle scene, since I'm not so good at it. Oh right. Ragnorock500, Ah-Choo, LordCirenmas, Fire Fly? Thanks so much for reviewing all the time! Hehe, I swear, I should write a fic for you four for being so patient with me, and reviewing all the time. *tears* Ah, I'm so touched! *wags finger* I wish the rest of you out there would review, because then I'd know how many of you actually read this crap. *sighs* Oh well, can't be helped. Like I said before, 35 is my goal, though if I get to 55, I would be really, really happy. Hehe, well read and review!
"I have a bad feeling about this." Kakyuu stated grimly, following the other two as they trudged up the dreary and freezing mountain range of Nibelhiem. Vincent was absolutely sure this is the place that his 'enemy' had been talking about, this time for sure, and the determined gleam in his eyes emphasized that point, so Kakyuu was reduced to grumbling and complaining.
"I feel it too, though I'm not sure Valentine feels anything right now, other than regret and anger." Kojin stated, while Kakyuu just shrugged, turning to eye the back of his comrade, whose cape was whipping in the harsh unforgiving wind, far ahead of the two. He was in a hurry, no doubt, and was probably wallowing in regret and anger, like Kojin said.
"Is he really sure about this? If this turns out to be some wild goose chase, then when I get my hands on this 'enemy' Vinnie keeps grumbling about, he'll regret ever knowing the Turks." Kakyuu stated, cracking his knuckles to accent his point, and Kojin sighed, silently agreeing. He wasn't one for violence, even if he had been a Turk, but back then, back when he had joined, being a Turk was what everyone wanted to be, rich and in power. How naïve he was, to really think that Shinra was a good honest company, but then again, he had never lived in the Slums, only visited occasionally, when he had a job to do. Only when he had joined Shinra, had he really saw into their corrupted depths, and it had sickened him to no end.
"I regret even knowing the Turks." Kojin added softly, though it was lost to the howling winds of Mount. Nibelhiem.
"Well, I wonder when Vinnie got so popular, with the enemies and ladies all of a sudden." Kakyuu commented, to keep conversation going, so he'd have something to concentrate other than his numb limbs and the unbearable wind.
"Huh, you'd think someone would try and assassinate us too, but I suppose being savior of the planet has its disadvantages." Kojin replied, telling himself it would be good to socialize with his comrades every once in a while. Kakyuu shot him a wolfish grin, and turned to Vincent, yelling in a voice that surprisingly went over the wind.
"Yo Vinnie! When are we getting there? Is it anytime soon?" Kakyuu said in a whiny voice, about to complain about the wind or something to that extent, when Vincent stopped, tensing up, gun drawn. Kakyuu, taking the hint, looped his fingers through his pants, and Kojin sighed, drawing his gun.
"Kakyuu." Kojin stated softly, and Kakyuu nodded, inching forward, eyes alert, face drawn in concentration. Suddenly, there was a cry, heard even over the wind, and a sudden crash, making all three cover their faces with their arms, shielding themselves from the blast.
"Vincent Valentine." All three looked up, Vincent's eyes narrowed in unyielding fury, his eyes flashing.
"Isn't that?" Kakyuu asked, not finishing his sentence, for Kojin nodded, shaking his head slightly with disgust.
"Tseng, Valentine's apprentice. Seems as if he's one of those clones Valentine informed us of. Look at his eyes." Kojin whispered, gesturing toward Tseng's form. Indeed, his once brilliant brown eyes were now dull, as if he was only a soulless shell of a human body. Vincent said nothing, though his face was twitching, as if Chaos too, was angered at the sight of his former apprentice. It was a Turk custom to seek out an apprentice, someone you would train and who would act as your back up if or when you died during a mission. If you had left anything unfulfilled, your apprentice would take on your legacy, and your position as a new Turk. Kojin recalled Tseng to be one of the more mature recruits, though still was young in a way, he hadn't been touched by Shinra's crimes.
"Get out of the way, Tseng or clone. Either way, I have no wish to fight you." Vincent hissed, finally having his emotions under control, though his eyes were still blazing. Tseng said nothing, just drew his gun in one hand, and a grenade in the other.
"I have my orders. Eliminate Valentine, and anyone else with him. You do not deserve love, you monster." Tseng hissed, in a voice that was not his own, and devoid of any emotions. It seemed as if he had hit a nerve, with the monster and not deserving love comment, for Vincent slumped, unable to say anything. He's right. Vincent realized, eyes wide with agony. I don't deserve a second chance, I am a monster, incapable of feeling anything.
"Valentine." Kojin said, almost reassuringly, as if sensing his thoughts.
"Three on one? Hah! Think you can take on three seasoned Turks, as you are now?" Kakyuu gloated, thought Tseng said nothing, just standing, staring at Vincent, whose shoulders were still slumped as his thoughts inflicted more pain than any weapon or words. That's how Valentine was, Kakyuu figured.
"Three on one? Who said the odds were like that?" Tseng said, still in monotone, though a flicker of emotion flashed through his almond eyes, and he lifted his pale finger, snapping only once until Kojin's head snapped up. Two more people appeared through the whirling winds of the mountain. Vincent looked up, eyes widening again.
"Elena? Rude?" He wondered. Even if he hadn't known them both personally, the pain in Reno's eyes flashed briefly in his mind. He knew how it was, to lose what seemed like the only people in the world who cared for you, only too well.
"They're clones too, are they not?" Kojin stated, seeing the blank look in their eyes. If the clones were here, where were the originals.
"Turks against Turks huh?" Kakyuu stated, cracking his knuckles, grinning. "Well then, I can't complain against those odds." Both teams of Turks assumed an offensive formation, eyeing each other warily.
"Kakyuu, Elena, Valentine-" Kojin stated, but Vincent shook his head before he could be assigned to take care of Rude.
"I choose Tseng, and I shall do it once again." Vincent stated in a deadly voice, and Kojin nodded slightly, turning to Kakyuu who looked amused. All this, for the one you love, eh, Valentine? Kojin thought slightly, baring a grin himself, before getting into a stance.
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"There's no way you're keeping me in here forever!" Tifa snapped, still fuming. She had a bad feeling, like someone was in danger, and it was making her feel uneasy, and Masson's glances at her weren't helping either. "Well? Are you going to say anything, or just stand there and stare?" Tifa said angrily, while Masson just grinned slightly.
"What will you do, when Valentine is defeated?" Masson asked, shades covering his eyes, so Tifa wasn't sure if the question was a sick joke, or if he was serious.
"He'll win, you'll see. Don't say I didn't warn you, because when Vincent sets his mind to something, he won't give up till he gets it." Tifa stated, hands on her hips, while Masson let out a small chuckle.
"You truly believe in him, that Valentine of yours. Makes me wish." Masson stood up abruptly, catching Tifa's attention. Ever since she was here, she hadn't learned anything about Masson, other than his name and his need for revenge against Vincent. It seemed that this unfeeling man had some feelings, though she supposed she had almost thought Vincent the same until she had heard about what happened to Lucercia.
"Makes you wish what?" Tifa asked, curious now, though the knot in her stomach was growing. Someone was in a very dangerous situation, and she couldn't do anything about it. She sighed, settling herself down on the bed, cradling her head with her arms. "Why do you hate him so much? Can't you see he's suffered enough? Doesn't it matter to you that all he wants now is peace?" Tifa asked, feeling so tired now, so tired and worried. How was Vincent? Masson looked at her, over his shades, raising an eyebrow.
"I suppose I owe you a bedtime story, now don't I? Huh, well then. To tell you the truth, I want Valentine dead because he killed my love twice. He had every chance to protect her, but he didn't! I was so close, so close to having her once again, but he destroyed that! He killed Hojo before he had a chance to finish his latest project. The lab you've seen is only a small portion of it, only a bit of what we were able to salvage no thanks to Valentine's Turk friends. Do you know how much it hurts, to be so close, and have it torn from you, twice by the same man?" Masson hissed, and Tifa's eyes widened, seeing at how passionate he was becoming about his words, about his love. Much like, Vincent was. It was a shame they couldn't have meet in a different light.
"A portion of Hojo's work? So what was the original intent?" Tifa asked, and Masson looked at her, amused. He had no personal grudges against her, and since his only goal was to get revenge on Valentine, he might as well tell her what Valentine could not. Besides, she wouldn't come after him, he was sure. After this was all done and gone, he'd make sure she was living comfortably somewhere where she'd be happy, and he'd melt back into the shadows. She wouldn't be able to find him, even if she tried and searched forever, so there was no harm in telling her.
"His original plan was somewhat twisted, but I'm sure there is someone everyone wishes will come back to life, and Hojo found out a way to clone someone, but he needed some DNA, a strand of hair, a piece of skin, or even some blood. With these, he could clone a perfect human, down to every last detail. Though there was a problem. He wanted to give them souls, souls he would have implanted in them, souls in which would obey him. Of course, he implanted this defect into his work, though it faded after a while, so it was needed to implant it again and again. But, since his work was funded by a rich fool who wanted a perfect woman, he was ordered to piece together personality traits, and even copy one. However, he didn't get very far in that aspect, since it wasn't his main priority, so now all the clones we make are just that, soulless clones." Masson sighed, leaning back against the door, as if to remember all of his chances, all of his regrets, or some found memory that was tinged with a bittersweet flavor. Tifa's eyes were wide, surprised that he had told her so much, so willingly. She closed her eyes, sighing softly.
"You remind me so much of Vincent." Tifa whispered, and Masson's eyes shot open, rage flashing in their depths to be compared to *him*, though he watched, as a single tear fell down her cheek. Vincent. she whispered to herself, in the deep corners of her soul, please, be okay, wherever you are.
~*Author's Notes*~ *yawn* I think that's long enough, don't you think? Evened out chapters really good too. Well, anyway, I'm not big on science, so the cloning thing might not be so believable, but anyone who has a better theory just tell me. *yawns* Anyway, it's late, so forgive me if it's a little weird. Sorry I cut it short too, cause I really didn't feel like writing a battle scene, since I'm not so good at it. Oh right. Ragnorock500, Ah-Choo, LordCirenmas, Fire Fly? Thanks so much for reviewing all the time! Hehe, I swear, I should write a fic for you four for being so patient with me, and reviewing all the time. *tears* Ah, I'm so touched! *wags finger* I wish the rest of you out there would review, because then I'd know how many of you actually read this crap. *sighs* Oh well, can't be helped. Like I said before, 35 is my goal, though if I get to 55, I would be really, really happy. Hehe, well read and review!