Howdy y'all! Well now, last chapter basically filled in all the gaps at what happened so we don't have to have no more flashbacks. Now isn't that nice? Well I MIGHT throw in another one here or there but that will be later on ok? So anyway last chapter I finally got a name for them damn creatures eh? Hadions... Not much of a name but oh well. Hmm... so let's see we have two mysterious characters in the story, One defeated the almighty Chaos. And the second seems to be helping, can the group trust their mysterious alley? Just who are these two people?
I not own Final Fantasy 7 ya? I DO own the Hadions (Whoopee Doo!)
Chapter 5- Cloud Strife vs. Vain Pliskin
Cloud paced around the lab impatiently as he waited for Cid to arrive with the Highwind. Yuffie sat on the table and followed Cloud with her eyes, annoyance building up in her. Yuffie finally snapped, "Would you stop pacing, for crying out loud!" Cloud stopped and looked towards Yuffies direction. Cloud scratched the back of his head as he gave her a goofy grin, "Sorry, I'm just nervous" Yuffie jumped off the table and walked up to him, "Hey no need to be nervous Cloud. You said so yourself, Vincent is one of the strongest people out there."
Cloud shook his head, "I'm not nervous about Vincent" Yuffie just gave him a look that told him to continue. Cloud took out the picture that is in his pocket. The one that was used as a book mark. He fiddled it in his hands a bit, "It's this picture. Where did it come from? Who had it?" Yuffie remained silent not having an answer.
Red XII trotted towards the door, "Perhaps we should wait outside so we know when Cid arrives" Yuffie immediately objected, "In the raaaaiiinnn. I do want to" Cloud made a small amused grin, "Red has a good idea Yuffie. We should be waiting outside." Yuffie groaned and started toward the tunnel. She stopped at the door when she saw how dark the tunnel is. Her nerves already getting the best of her.
Red XII saw Yuffie's expression and walked up in front of her, "I shall lead the way." Red XII advised as he swished his flaming tail to show Yuffie what he meant. Yuffie gave him an appreciative smile and let him lead. Red XII led the two behind him out of the tunnel, the tip of his tail acting as a small candle for the two to follow.
When the group finally managed to get out of the tunnel and into the mansion where there was at least visible to see around the room, they made there way into the main hall. Yuffie stopped at the mansion's door as she heard thunder crack through the sky, "Can't we wait here?" She pleaded. Cloud put a hand on her slumped shoulders apologetically, "It will be easier to wait outside. You'll get wet anyway even if we wait here." Yuffie sighed and nodded her head.
The trio opened up the door and walked out into the storm waiting for the Highwind to arrive, "It's about time you came out" The trio looked down past the gate of the mansion to the road. Lightening flashed showing a figure sitting Indian style facing the mansion. It was a man with dark colored her, he wore shorts and a short sleeved shirt underneath a vest. To his side was a strange looking spear that had blades on both ends.
Cloud stepped in front of his comrades, "Who are you?" He demanded. The man that looked no older then eighteen stood up with his weapon. He gave Cloud a smirk, "So your the leader of AVALANCHE. I must say you don't look very strong." The man taunted. Cloud narrowed his eyes, "What do you want?" The man smiled a bit, "I'm glad you asked Cloud Strife" Cloud stood unaffected by the man's knowledge of his name. A lot of people knew his name nowadays after the whole Sephiroth incident.
The man bowed, "The name is Vain Pliskin, just call me Vain. I've been waiting for you Strife" Cloud crossed his arms still waiting for an answer. The man lifted his head revealing the smirk that played across his face, "I've come to see how skilled you really are. The man who defeated the Great Sephiroth! You should be a better challenge then Mr. Valentine" Yuffie's eyes widened a bit, "What did you do with Vincent?"
Vain laughed a bit, "Well Ms. Kisasagi, after you left here leaving Mr. Valentine to battle my master's little demons. He transformed into Chaos. Vincent Valentine was not match for the Hadions but Chaos, The King of Demons, managed to kill everyone of them." "What did you do with Vincent!" Cloud demanded. Vain laughed wickedly, "I tested Chaos' strength to see if the legends were true. Turns out that the legends of the King of Demons were a bit exaggerated. He couldn't even lay a claw on me. But don't worry he's in a safe place now"
Yuffie's fists shook with anger as she took out her Conformer, "Why you" She growled. She was in the process of throwing her Conformer when her body suddenly froze. "Yuffie?" Cloud shook her. He turned to Vain, "What did you do to her!?" Cloud yelled angrily. "My fight is with you Strife, not with the ninja or your pet" Cloud turned to Red XII, "Stay out of this" Red XII looked up to him, "Are you sure that is wise?" Cloud shook his head as he took out his Buster Sword. He frowned a bit at his weapon, 'I should of brought the Ultimate Weapon with me' Cloud thought.
Vain saw Cloud's weapon and laughed at it, "You expect to defeat me with that!?" He threw his head back laughing while he pointed at the sword. Cloud remained silent, "You can't even handle that weapon correctly!" Cloud glared, "I can handle it just fine" Vain immediately stopped laughing as he got serious, "Very well, let's find out shall we?"
Cloud and Vain both charged at eat other. Cloud jumped in the air and swung his Buster Sword straight down at Vain as they met half way. Vain held up his spear lengthwise and blocked the attack. When Cloud landed he immediately swung for Vain's feet. Vain easily blocked the attack and brought the other end of his spear crashing down with the dull side of the blade into Cloud's shoulder. Cloud grunted in pain as he was smacked down to the ground getting a face full of mud.
Red XII watched the battle progress with his keen eye. He followed each warriors form. "Vain's form seems impenetrable. I don't see a weak spot in it" He said to the still stuck Yuffie.
Cloud swung sideways, Vain blocked and countered with his own attack using Cloud's own forceful swing to move his spear. The spear collide with Cloud's right shoulder, causing Cloud to stumble back. Vain smirked and charged at Cloud swinging his spear at Cloud. He kept alternating the ends of the spear he was attacking with, keeping Cloud on the defensive. Cloud kept blocking each attack just barely. Vain smirked at Cloud as he continued to drive Cloud back, "What's wrong Strife? Too much for you to handle?" Vain wasn't even out of breath with all the fighting, which amazed Cloud because he was breathing heavily already.
Cloud gave his own smirk, "Not at all" Cloud suddenly slashed upward surprising Vain. Cloud's body suddenly glowed a fiery red, "OMISLASH!" Cloud made a battle yell as he charged at Vain. Cloud slashed at Vain from one direction and quickly changed to another with lightening speed. Vain managed to block every strike Cloud would swing at him.
Cloud jumped high in the air, he seemed to hang in the air as energy gathered into his sword. He locked eyes with Vain's each starring each other down. Then something clicked in Cloud's eyes as he swung down with all his might. Vain smirked as he watched Cloud come down.
Vain made a quick jump to the left and spun his spear knocking Cloud's Buster Sword away before Cloud even landed to the ground. When Cloud did catch himself on the ground a second after losing the Buster Sword Vain quickly kicked him in the side sending him sprawling across the mud to his weapon.
Cloud stood up tiredly with the Buster Sword back in his hand. Vain's eyes seemed to glow insanely as he said, "My turn" Cloud's eyes widened a bit as Vain charged straight at him.
Yuffie's body was finally free, "Oh gawd! What happened!?" Red XII turned to the ninja, "Seems you were caught in a Stop spell" Yuffie growled, "That jerk! Where is he!?" Yuffie demanded angrily. Red XII pointed towards the fight with his right paw, "Cloud is doing battle with him" Yuffie smirked, "Good Cloud will kick his ass" Yuffie turned to the battle and her eyes widened a bit. Cloud was kneeled down on the ground barely blocking the blows Vain was throwing at him. "Oh my Gawd Cloud! We have to help him Red" "Cloud said to let him handle it" Red XII repeated the words Cloud had told him. Yuffie scowled him, "If he keeps fighting on his own he'll die"
"You truly are a pathetic opponent Strife" Vain said as he swung at him again. Cloud tried to block it, but his sword was knocked from his hands again. This time he didn't know where the sword went. Vain smirked and swung again. Cloud tried to jump back out of the way but he wasn't quick enough. The sharp blade on Vain's spear tore across Cloud's chest leaving a deep gash. Cloud flew back from the blow a bit and landed on the muddy ground. He remained down too exhausted to get up and continue fighting.
Vain laughed, he put his right hand on his forehead and shook his head, "Here I thought you would be a challenge. But you weren't even a warm up to me" Vain stopped laughing as he got an insane look on his face. "No matter. I'll just kill you now then" Vain started approaching Cloud. Cloud didn't even try to get back up, his body was too tired to move. Vain gave him a sinister smile, "It's a shame really. I guess I'll have fun wi...." "ALL CREATION!" Vain quickly turned around to the yell. His eyes immediately grew wide in surprise as a blast of energy came crashing into him driving him away from Cloud.
Yuffie quickly ran to Cloud's side as she watched her All Creation manage to hit Vain. "Cloud are you alright?" Yuffie asked worriedly. Cloud gave her a goofy grin in spite of himself. "I've been better" He replied weakly. "YOU BRAT!" Yuffie quickly turned to Vain as he emerged from the rubble that he was under. His eyes glowed dangerously as he locked eyes with her, "You'll regret trying to attack me"
Vain got up and charged at Yuffie with a battle scream. Yuffie seemed to see everything happen in slow motion. Vain charging down at her, the Highwind suddenly flew passed them getting ready to land. And Red XII jumping in front of Cloud and Yuffie a red aura surrounding him and his tail's flame blazing stronger then usual. Red XII growled as he yelled, "COSMOS MEMORY!" A fiery sphere of energy formed above him as Vain continued to charge with a battle rage. As Vain swung his weapon the energy Red XII was forming exploded into a beam crashing into Vain and sending him back again.
Red XII turned to Yuffie quickly, "We have to get out of here and get to the Highwind" Yuffie nodded in agreement as she pulled Cloud to his feet. She threw Cloud's right arm over her shoulder and help Cloud move towards the Highwind.
Vain emerged from the rubble of the rocks and trees he was thrown into. He watched as the Highwind took off into the air and flew off. Although they managed to escape him for the time being, Vain cracked a smile, 'You better be prepared next time Strife. I won't go easy on you next time we fight.' With that thought he disappeared into the stormy night.
The Buster Sword lays forgotten in the middle of the road. Rain drops splattering against the massive blade. Foot steps are heard walking through the mud towards the sword. The man's mako eyes flashed with recognition as he stared at the sword. He bent down and picked up the sword and swung it around a couple of times to test it. He smiled a bit as he was still able to use it. He walked away from the battle scene with the Buster Sword in hand, his long black spiky hair platted to his face from the rain.