A/N: Third chapter. And I have, at the last count, seven reviews!!! ^_^ I'm so happy! (I know. It's slightly pathetic…)
Anyway- I originally had two stories that I would have mentioned at the end of this chapter (one is essential to the story- the other is just a recommendation). But now, I have three stories to mention! Yep, everything's coming up Mantichorus…
In this chapter expect psychokinetic abilities, a secret room, and some battling!
Secondary post addition: Disclaimer: Ah dinnae own Final Fantasy Seven! D'ye think Ah'd be doin' this if Ah did? (Translation: I do not own Final Fantasy Seven! Do you think I would be doing this if I did?)
Cloud cursed as the Jersey struck him. "Ah! Bastard."
"Now, Vincent! Use Trine!" Nanaki yelled above the din of battle.
Vincent nodded, and started mouthing the Ancient words of power. The Enemy Skill materia was Mastered, and Vincent had carried it since the group had first reached Rocket Town- his familiarity with the materia, and that spell in particular, meant that it was cast within seconds. "Trine!!!" The electrical pyramid struck all three of the monsters. With a scream, their spirit energy returned to the Lifestream.
Cloud frowned. "Was it just me, or were they more powerful than the last time we fought 'em?"
"Attack wise, yes. HP wise, no." Vincent smirked, checking his gun. "No doubt affected by the residue of Mako energy left when the Lifestream combated Meteor. Increased fighting potential is always in direct opposition to the environment increasing in hostility." The ex-Turk paused. "That's from one of Professor Gast's reports by the way…"
"Hmm. I think I read that report…" Nanaki nodded sagely.
"C'mon." Cloud said. "The sooner we find what we're looking for, the sooner we can leave."
"Indeed. You and I have one MAJOR thing in common Cloud- neither of us have any fond memories of this place…" Vincent sighed.
"Come along, you two." Nanaki smiled fondly. "Like Cloud said, the sooner we find what we're after, the sooner we may leave."
Cloud shook his head. "We don't even know if what we're looking for is here."
* * * * *
"In the words of Cid, 'Fuck! What a creepy looking bastard!'" Nanaki grimaced, as a Ying/Yang rose from the ground in front of them.
"I hate these things…" Cloud muttered. "SLASH ALL!!!" he cried, his blade cutting through both parts of the monster. Part of it yelped at the pain, while the other giggled happily.
Vincent's eyes flashed crimson. "Stand back! I'll summon the Tera Dragon!" Cloud and Nanaki glanced at each other, and then nodded. They fell into step next to Vincent as he finished mouthing the spell. "Bahamut ZERO, I summon thee. Tera Flare!!!" As he said the words, an aura surrounded him, and spheres of magic flew from the ground and fused with him. The Ying/Yang blinked blankly as the three heroes disappeared into a different dimension.
High above, in the depths of Outer Space, Bahamut ZERO heard the call. Flying on the solar breezes, the Grandfather of the Dragons majestically glided into the Planet's orbit. Detecting the spot of his prey, he reared himself to his full height, spreading his insect-like wings to their fullest. Collecting a ball of pure kinetic energy into his mouth, he fired it straight at the ground below in the form of a beam. As it reached the mansion, a portal opened, venting it directly to the basement. The Ying/Yang screamed in pain as it's form was torn apart by the powerful attack. The three members of AVALANCHE phased back in. Cloud glanced at his companions.
"You know… no matter how many times we do that, it still freaks me out. I mean where the hell is it that we go?"
Nanaki shook his head mirthfully, and then froze. "Behind us! Black bats!" he barked out, before charging at one, tearing it down with his fangs and claws. Cloud glared at one of the creatures, mouthing the words to a spell.
"Flare!!!" He commanded, and the bat was engulfed in the intense flame. "Two down!" he smirked at Vincent. The ex-Turk said nothing, but coolly closed one eye, and fired. The Holy bullet lit the cellar for a few seconds before impacting with the remaining Black Bat's chest. The monster cried out, and then fell to the floor.
"All down." Vincent said, satisfied with the end of the battle. "I just hope the others down here get the picture and leave us alone for a while…"
"If I remember correctly, the main library is just down here…" Nanaki said quietly.
"Yeah, let's get going." Cloud agreed with the Cosmo's unspoken suggestion. The trio of friends advanced cautiously towards the library. When they reached the door, Vincent gestured for Cloud and Nanaki to flank either side of the door. They nodded their understanding to him, and quietly took their positions. Raising his foot, Vincent kicked the door open, Death Penalty at the ready.
"…It's clear." Vincent stated, after giving the room a quick once over. Nanaki and Cloud slipped in, with Cloud shutting the door behind them. Vincent glanced at him, and frowned. "If we are taken by surprise by an enemy, do you not think that the door being shut will seriously impede our retreat?"
Cloud shrugged. "Hey, we're AVALANCHE, remember? We should be able to take on anything that crosses us. Besides, last time we were here this place was free of monsters, and I didn't think we wanted some to sneak up behind us."
"Are humans always bickering like this?" Nanaki asked, with a hint of annoyance. The two humans looked at each other and realised that their bestial colleague was right- they were beginning to bicker.
"…Our apologies, Nanaki. Our dislike of this place has made us nervous, and so, more confrontational." Vincent sighed.
Cloud scratched the back of his head. "I'm not sure I understood that, but it sounds right." He then frowned. "Nanaki? I was here back along, and I checked out this area- all of the books are about the Jenova Project- and more specifically, Sephiroth. Vincent and Lucrecia aren't mentioned, and neither are me or Zack…"
"I knew it!" Vincent exclaimed, snapping his flesh and blood fingers in triumph. When he noticed that the others were staring at him, he coughed embarrassedly. "Sorry… but I thought that there was something wrong here. When I was here at the beginning of the Project, when Professor Gast was here… there was an extra room. A study- and the shelves were packed with local records. He always hid the entrance whenever he left, because he didn't trust Hojo… wisely enough, although I am loath to say it…" the brooding man trailed off.
Nanaki's face became one of confusion. "I was under the impression that there was no love lost between Hojo and you."
"…When I was growing up…" Vincent blinked back tears. "…I called him… 'Brother'…"
"WHAT?!" Cloud yelled. "He was your brother, and he still did all that stuff to you?! That… that…" Cloud's face was turning red in anger.
"…Understand. We are not related, as far as I am aware." Vincent started. "My parents were caught in the cross fire of a gang war when I was young. A member of SOLDIER found me sobbing between my parent's bodies, and took pity on me. He adopted me, and his wife and he brought me up alongside their own son…"
"…Who grew up to be Professor Hojo…" Nanaki said slowly, nodding his head as he did so.
"But still! You were his brother!" Cloud snarled, shaking his head in anger. "How…"
"…Cloud… Please… I forgave him long ago… Well… That night…" Vincent said calmly, trying to placate the other man.
"The cannon…" Cloud said with realisation. "That's why you said 'Rest in peace, Hojo.' wasn't it?"
Vincent nodded. "I am… sorry for keeping this secret for so long, but…"
Cloud shook his head, and exhaled. "Nah. I don't blame ya. I mean, I wouldn't exactly go about telling everyone Hojo was my brother, too, if I was in your situation." He paused. "…Any other revelations?"
Vincent thought for a while. "None that I know of… Only an idea, which has since been found false…" Cloud frowned at him, but didn't press him for details. If Vincent wanted to tell them, he would in his own time.
"So- this secret chamber… Was it off here, or the study at the back?" Nanaki asked, obviously wanting to change the subject.
"The back study." Vincent said with certainty. With trepidation, the group moved into the back. "…Cloud? Did you check back here, 'back along'?" Vincent asked.
The younger man shook his head. "No… I didn't thin—Hey, what's that?" He pointed to something on a shelf behind the desk. "Too much to hope for a secret switch, or control?"
The older man rolled his eyes. "I doubt it… While I'll admit Hojo was insane, I do not take him for a fool."
Nanaki nodded. "I agree with Vincent, Cloud. Hojo wouldn't have over-looked something so obvious… In fact…" He peered closer at the item. "…I would say it was an early dictation device. Magnetic tape based. Fascinating. I had thought they had gone out with the Ark…"
"Gast had one. No doubt Hojo either used it himself, or checked it for ideas. About Jenova, the Cetra, or the secret chamber…" Vincent informed them.
"Let's check it out." Cloud said warily.
* * * * *
Tifa hummed the tune she'd heard being played on the Golden Saucer's Chocobo Square, whilst washing the dishes. She had wanted to go to the mansion with the guys, but Cloud told her it wouldn't be a good idea in 'her condition'. Vincent and Nanaki both agreed with him, and she had to admit, he did have a point. One thing had been bothering her, though. She was pretty sure she had heard her mother call the mansion by some, what she thought of at time, really nice name, but she couldn't remember what it was. It was starting to really bug her.
Then she remembered.
The plate in her hands slipped from her grasp, and fell to the floor. Tifa didn't notice as she held her face in her hands, and her eyes defocused.
"Oh, no…" she gasped, her voice barely a whisper…
* * * * *
The recording finished. A common look was shared on the three companions faces- contempt. It was Cloud who broke the silence.
"That… whatever he… Hell, he ain't human…" he shook his head in disgust.
Vincent shook his head. "Hojo… What were you thinking of…?"
"…One more thing Hojo must answer for in his next incarnation." Nanaki said gravely. "However, this has not helped us one bit…"
"…I… believe that it is over… there, somewhere." Vincent stated hesitantly, gesturing at a bookcase. "I am sorry that I cannot be more precise, but…"
"It's been a while." Cloud nodded understandably. "Hmm. Give me a hand moving this, will you Vincent?" The ex-Turk nodded compliantly, and braced his shoulder against the bookcase, while Cloud grabbed hold of the other end. "Push!" Cloud called out, and Vincent applied his weight against the bookcase, at the same time as Cloud pulled it. Slowly but surely, it moved, until… "Yargh! Vincent, stop pushing! My backs against the wall, here!"
"I'll pull you out." Nanaki chuckled, and took Cloud's left hand gently in his mouth, and tugged, until the swordsman had been pulled free. "Vincent, you'll have to push it the rest of the way yourself…" The gunslinger nodded, and his eyes went from their usual cool blue to their enraged crimson. Pulling on all of his daemon-born strength, Vincent pushed the heavy bookcase the rest of the distance.
"Done." He said simply, and rested against the wall, only… "…This is a door. How could Hojo have missed this?"
Cloud shrugged. "Well, he wasn't strong enough to push it outta the way, and he probably didn't see the point in having someone move it…"
"Or he DID find it, and hid it the last time he left here." Nanaki muttered.
"A possibility…" Vincent nodded. He peered at the door. "Normal lock. If Hojo had found it, he almost certainly would have had an electronic lock fitted."
"We should have brought Yuffie." Nanaki smirked. "But then, we weren't planning a 'breaking-and-entering', were we?"
"Easily solved," Cloud smiled. "Either me or Vincent attack it, or one of us blasts it with magic."
"No." Vincent said, shaking his head. "We may need this door to shut and stay shut." He paused. "… Stand back. This could go wrong."
"Huh? What could--?" Cloud started to ask, but it was clear Vincent was not paying attention, at least, not to Cloud. His eyes were wide and pupils dilated, making his whole eyes seem to be blood. The lock started to glow blood red, and then the sound of the door unlocking echoed in the heavy silence. Vincent's eyes returned to normal and he slumped backwards, sweat running down his forehead. This time, Cloud's eyes were wide. "Whoa. How did--?"
"I never knew you were--!" Nanaki excitedly began.
"Psychokinesis." Vincent said slowly and quietly, as if using the psychic ability had left him drained. "One of Hojo's… 'Gifts'… Haven't used it that much since that time you two awoke me…"
"So that's how you pulled the coffin lid back over you…" Nanaki nodded. "And your acrobatic feats! No wonder Yuffie said that even she couldn't match them--!"
"You must have had your suspicions." Vincent said simply to the Red Cosmo.
"Well… yes, but… I'm still surprised that you are." He agreed numbly.
"C'mon guys." Cloud said impatiently. "We gotta find out about this lost Cetra, right?"
"Agreed. And time is of the essence." Nanaki sighed. "…Can we talk about your PK later, Vincent?" The ex-Turk nodded his approval. A long search ensued. Several times, one of them would give a cry of triumph, but then it was revealed it was not what they were looking for…
* * * * *
"C'mon… C'mon…" Tifa had made a mantra out of the words over the last few minutes, while she had been pacing, trying to contact the guys via PHS. She HAD to reach them… she had to…
* * * * *
Cloud pulled at a particularly stubborn book. "Come on, you…" He fell to muttering a few obscenities under his breath at the book, before it gave way, dumping the once leader of AVALANCHE unceremoniously on to the ground. "Oof!" He landed on his tailbone. "Oww…" He whinged, rubbing at the base of his spine.
"…Are you okay?" Nanaki asked, trying not to chuckle out loud at his friend's misfortune.
"Gah. Pratt-fall." Cloud muttered, wincing at the pain. "Give me a hand, will you, guys?" Vincent reached his right hand down, and pulled Cloud up. "Thanks…"
" 'Births, Deaths, Marriages and Adoptions, circa 2150-2199…' Well done, Cloud. I do believe this is it…" Nanaki nodded to himself.
"…Would it be registered, as your grandfather brought the child here himself?" Vincent asked.
"No doubt. That way it would be legalised. Grandfather's diary recorded everything having been done- adoption and having returned- by the fifth of December 2165… All we need to do, is find all dates from about two months prior, and look for adoptions…"
"…Then we should have our lost Cetra." Cloud finished. "Let's have a looksie… 'Sixth October… Death of… Ninth October… Birth of Eli Strife'- my dad… 'Thirteenth October'… Hey, Vincent. You never said you were born in Nibelheim."
"I… never knew I was…" Vincent frowned.
"Yeah, it's right here. Okay, next entry…" Cloud paused, and his eyes widened. "…W-what the… N-Nanaki!"
"What?" The Cosmo asked, and peered in the book. His eyes also widened. "Holy." He whispered. He looked up at Vincent, before reading aloud from the book. " 'Twenty-sixth of October… Death of Vincent Valentine, aged thirteen days…'" Vincent stared silently, eyes wide, jaw slackening, as Nanaki read on. " 'Thirty-first of October… Request for adoption by Thomas and Martha Valentine of one child, unnamed… Twentieth of November… All background checks for adoption passed… Child named--'"
"NO!!!" Vincent screamed, and smashed the book away with his claw, before turning into the Galian Beast, and burnt the book with his Beast Flare. "N-no…" He whispered as he returned to human form, and collapsed upon the floor.
A/N: Why do I feel so bad?
The PK bit- well, Nanaki explained my evidence in the story…
Now- the references. The report found by the three friends is 'Anatomy of a Cetra', by Alan Bates. You may feel cheated by its absence from my fic, but it is under my favourite stories, if you do not wish to search for it (hell, if you don't want to read it, you don't have to… But I do recommend it on its strength as a fanfic, not just by the link between the fics).
The recommendations are for any of you who liked (or more likely, were intrigued) the idea of Vincent and Hojo being bros. The two fics are:
1. 'Why?' by yours truly. ^_^
2. And, 'The Ties That Bind', by GlitterDemon.
If you want the one that makes most linear sense (is a full-bodied story), read GlitterDemon's. If you want something melodramatic and slightly angsty, read mine.
Longest chapter yet. Two more to go- first the aftermath of this chapter, then I'll reveal what I have in the pipeline for Vincent and buddies.
If this has stirred any feelings in your heart, express them in your review. Thanks to all who have, and will, review. Oh, this chapter follows directly on from chapter two. No orientations- but for those of you who may be confused (and I wouldn't blame ya), this is two days before present. Next chapter will be the present- one whole day will not be covered. Apologies in advance. Also, sorry to those who found this a bit hard going- I feel for you. I can be not very coherent at times… Oh, yeah. R&R.
P.S.- Secondary post here. GlitterDemon pointed out I had a 'there' instead of a 'their'. And Alan Bates pointed out that as it was a recording, they could hardly 'read' it! Sorry all! The next chapter may be sometime, as I have several pieces of coursework and Easter Break coming up, and my home computer is temperamental at the best of times…
And I'm not sure about my 'ideas' chapter, as I've noticed a flaw with the next one, which is part of the ongoing series… So THAT may not rear its head at all…
P.P.S- Sorry to say, but Easter hols start tomorrow, and I haven't been able to update this fic for a while… Sorry, but whichever of the Muses it was that was helping me through this seems to have gone on her break early. I promise to try and get the last chapter of the story up by Friday 23rd April. If I haven't, feel free to e-mail me about it, and tell me I've broken my promise… _ I'll feel so bad.