::Chapter 14~ Defiance::

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Vega felt as if the air had gotten colder since Cammy lay in his arms. He couldn't think straight with her near. It was as if her mere presence corrupted him; Inspiring him to drop his everlasting thoughts of himself and for once, to focus on another person. Trying to clear his mind, he reached the boat which lay before him on the flourishing water. A figure, under a large black hood and cape greeted him aboard, not saying even a word, but gesturing him inside. He had never seen this person in Shadowloo before and he couldn't tell whether they were male or female- They stood rather tall, but had long feminine fingertips, painted a dark cranberry color. Vega decided to drop his concern of this person's gender and cause, and came aboard, still holding Cammy tightly.

When he reach inside of the boat, it was even larger than it seemed on the outside and had the many luxuries and exquisite furnishings Vega was accustom to. He took a seat on the beautifully decorated couch and laid Cammy beside him. The cloaked figure cast toward him, as he felt the boat begin to move. The person sat a few feet away from him, on a large chair, slowly removing the hood from their face, relieving that they were not only a woman, but a beautiful one, leaving Vega rather surprised. The woman had ravishing long and wavy burgundy hair that nearly purple in color. Her eyes were a bright violet, which he noticed when she began to stare in his direction.

"Vega, correct?" Said the woman. Her voice was rather low, but feminine.

"Yes. Who might you be?" He responded.

"I am a... Guard... For Lord Bison." She paused in the middle of her sentence, as if unsure of what to say.

"I have trained with all of Bison's dolls and have at least met all of the people he has hired, but you... You, I have never seen in my life. I never forget a beautiful face." Vega stated, "Who are you... Really?"

"You may call me by the name of Rose. And I am what I say I am."

"As you wish, Rose." He said in an even more haughty tone. "Why are you here? Bison has never made dolls or guards watch over me..."

"I am here seeking answers from your-- our, Master. And yes, Bison has tailed dolls on you. Vega, don't deny it. I know about the 'copy' of that girl lying next to you..."

Vega looked shaken and angered. How could she know about Decapre and when Bison had sent her to look over him and Cammy? This woman had more than the knowledge of any mere guard.

"Tell me who you are." Vega said harshly.

Rose stared at him in a piercing manner, as if she wasn't looking into his eyes-- but rather his soul. She then rose from her chair and walked to where Vega was sitting. She bent down and placed her long fingertip under his chin. Vega would've normally destroyed any person that touched his face without his permission, but this woman had a sort of hypnotic way about her, that forced his mind off of everything. She continued her gaze and began to speak.

"I will only tell you, because I know your motives are similar to mine. Listen to me carefully, please...." Rose looked down at Cammy, then back again at Vega. "You want to end Bison's control, for her. And I want to end it, for the world...."

Vega was mesmerized by her words. So many questions appeared in his mind. "But, how are you going to--"

"I plan on using a power, that is even greater than Psycho power..." Rose said, with a smirk on her face. Vega frowned. What could possibly combat Bison's power? This woman was mad.

"I plan on using my Psychic power. He will be destroyed within minutes and I will obtain the Shadowlaw."

Vega looked at her with mystery. She apparently was psychic, or how else would she have knowns about Decapre? But, of course, he was still a skeptic.

"That's why I led you to this boat, instead of the Shadowloo boat..."

"What? You mean this isn't the Shadowloo boat! What the hell do you think you are doing?! I have to leave here with Cammy now, before--"

"No, you don't! This isn't the Shadowloo boat, but it is headed to the same location... Please, just listen to me! You're both very safe here!" Rose spoke in an abnormally loud voice and looked deeply into Vega's eyes, in order to calm him.

And she did. Vega never questioned her again about the boat.

"I want to put a stop to his evil intentions, Vega, and I most profoundly want to set the women he's imprisoned free. Including the one that you care so deeply for..."

Vega stared at her, extremely surprised. She was certainly psychic, but his solitary ego made him start defending himself.

"Who? Cammy? She is only a doll, not--"

"She's not only a doll!" Rose cut him off in a rather harsh, but calm voice. "I can see inside you Vega. I know that despite the facade you put on, you have feelings for people other than yourself, particularly her..."

For once in his life, Vega had no comeback or comment for her. He was speechless. Rose smirked once again and then took a seat beside him, never removing her enigmatic gaze.

"Listen. I led you on this boat to offer you a proposition, once I found out your true motives. Vega, I needed to see them first. And I did..." She smiled at him, though his expressions were blank. "Behind all of the bloody and hurtful memories, I can see the true thing you want, in your mind....

"I know you feel you can destroy anyone, especially for her. But you are wrong Vega. I am the only one who can destroy Bison... Because... I am linked to him...." Said Rose, with a gap of concern in her voice. "Nevertheless, I will destroy him, but I need your help..."

Vega finally spoke. "What is it?"

"When I seek a challenge with Bison, I need you to destroy the Psycho drive-- The source of his power. Please Vega. It is our only chance to free her and the others."

"How can I trust you won't kill her..."

"Because it is not her who is going to die in this battle..." Rose said in a soft voice. "It is me..."

"What do you mean?! You are going to sacrifice yourself?" Said Vega. "Are you that foolish? I thought you wanted to rule Shadowloo?"

"I will, with any hope. But there is a chance Bison will give up his body... and not his soul. There is something you must know, Vega..." Rose hesitated. She looked as though she was going to cry. If not for her inner strength, she likely would have. "Bison and I are connected. Our souls are twins. He was my Master when I was Cammy's age and made me what I am today. But if he had been left to his own devices, I would've been where Cammy is now. A doll who is preserved for the time when Bison's body is destroyed. Kept captive, so his soul can live on in her youthful body, corrupting and destroying the world. When he taught me my ways, he planned on using me as his spare body or doll...."

Vega was speechless again listening closely to Rose's story. Even being one of Bison's highest ranking Lords, he had never heard such things.

"He used me for over a year as his assassin, while he created Shadowloo. That is the year I most regret in my life. I was forced into stealing, murdering, lying and even sleeping with Bison." Rose had a mixed look of regret, hurt and disgust. "But one day, I rebelled against him. I realized he had gone mad and wanted to dominate me and use me as his pawn, until the day he died. But I fought him, leaving him badly injured and telling him, that one day I would kill him forever, even if it took my body's death as well. He was furious and decided to make the doll project. In case I succeeded, he took Cammy, the perfect fighter with a beautiful body and an intelligent, capable mind. But he won't succeed in anything if you destroy his source of Power and I kill him! I need your help, Vega... I beg of you..."

Rose sadly looked at him. But Vega wasn't looking at her. He was looking at Cammy.

"I'll do it." He muttered. "I'll do it, even if I die as well..."

Rose smiled, a single tear rolling down her cheek, while she placed a hand on Vega's shoulder. "I thank you Vega, with all of my heart. You are not at all as you seem."

Vega let a small smile creep on his lips. "Anything for a beautiful lady."

She laughed softly and then room was filled with silence for a moment as they both contemplated the times ahead.

"We have at least four more days at the sea. I suggest you get some rest. There is a room for both of you…" She then glanced at Cammy and pointed at a small door. "I'll be in my quarters. I suggest you explain to Cammy when she wakes, so she isn't scared..."

Rose smiled once more and trailed off to a small room off the center of the boat.

Vega waited until Rose was gone, to look at the room she left him. He opened the door and took a peek inside. It was large, decorated with beautiful cranberry draperies, accenting the dark gray walls. In the center of the room was a four-poster bed. It wasn't the type of thing you would expect on a boat, but Vega left very comfortable on it. He didn't want to leave the room, for it reminded him of his home in Barcelona, Spain. He only left, to retrieve Cammy, whom slept gently like a child, as she was rocked slowly by the sea. He leaned over and carried her to the room, where he laid her softly on the bed, making sure that she didn't wake. He smiled, as he took in her sight. She looked like an angel.

But his smile came to an end when he saw her two pale eyes open slightly. She fluttered her eyes at the light a few times, before opening them completely. He backed away from her before she saw him and shut the door quietly.

But when she realized what had happened before she slept, she alertly sat-up and scanned the room, stopping her gaze at Vega- whom leaned against the door, looking extremely guilty and flustered.

"I can explain..."

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::Author's Notes::

Yep, I've finally posted the next chapter. I wrote it in a rough three hours, with influence of Duncan Sheik. So if it turned out bad, you can blame him. ^_^

If you were confused with this chapter [And I certainly don't blame you if you were =] you likely didn't see Rose's ending in SFA3, I suggest you check it out sometime. I'm sorry, I had to put her in here... She's one of my favs, only third to Cammy and Vega.