Here we go, it's not even been a month and I updated! I'm actually getting back into this fic…my 1st ever to be put on this website and I should really pay more attention to it…
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Neo Midgar, SHADOW Shin-Ra headquaters
Horton stormed down the corridor to the main lab from what was left of the secondary specimen lab. He was furious as to how easily his staff had betrayed him and had allowed the escape of Chaos. He had always thought of them as trustworthy.
A small snort emerged from his throat, not exactly trustworthy but stupid enough to follow orders without thinking about the humanities or ethics of what they were doing.
Didn't they know the penalty of actually betraying the Shin-Ra nowadays? Death and death to all of their family members. It didn't matter, the public executions would be occurring in a matter of days anyhow. Like the old Shin-Ra seven hundred years ago and the ignorant populace, as long as someone was blamed, it didn't really matter.
He wasn't going to enjoy telling the president that one of the most powerful specimens they had, had just waltzed out of the building and was now in the hands of the rebels.
That was a problem, one he could handle but a problem none the less.
Slowly, he came to a stop, thinking about how he could inform the president of this betrayal. It wasn't his fault, it had been those rebels. That woman and the idiot of a technician.
Luckily, those two had not been aware of the much more sinister plan he had been concocting. Yes, he did want to return Jenova to her former glory but he wasn't willing to have his mind warped and twisted by her again. Even the mighty general Sephiroth had fallen prey to her will, thinking all the while he was the one controlling her. Foolish boy.
He had attempted that many centuries ago and had failed, only to have his own body warped and twisted by her far superior alien cells. His lip curled in a hateful sneer as he recalled that day, being beaten by two of his creations.
The last thought he had was condemning the man who had stood over him and had the balls to say he actually forgave him! That bastard! What angered him more was the look of pure disgust the man had had on his face as he battled him in his mutated self.
The arrogance of that Wutain bastard could not and would not be forgiven. He would see him burn in hell in this body's lifetime, even if it took another 700 years to do it.
Horton ignored the guards running around, trying to regain some form of order in the building, the specimens from the lab running free above him. Perhaps they should unleash them onto the general populace and blame it on the rebels?
Yes, that was a good idea. Then the people would trust the SHADOW Shin-Ra even more, come begging to them for help. The situation was certainly salvageable and if they offered a reward for any one who provided them with the information they needed in regards to the Shinseiuta.
He straightened his lab coat and smoothed his hair. Something had bothered him about the way Chaos had looked at him when the beast was leaving the building. He had been so sure that it was going to rip his throat but something had scared it, something had held it back.
Could it of been Vincent Valentine? Had he finally reclaimed the body that he had warped over the long years?
A sick smile formed on Horton's pale face. It didn't matter, in a few hours, the first of the SHADOW Shin-Ra new and improved soldiers would be ready for programming and along with it, the first controllable Jenova.
Forget Sephiroth as the greatest soldier of all time, he thought, my beautiful creations would of ripped his spine out of him within seconds. It's a pity that he isn't here to see it.
"Horton," the president's cool voice sounded throughout the corridor, "I trust everything is now back under control?"
The scientist raised an eyebrow, one of the new and improved Jenova victims would be that blasted man. Far to long had he stood in the way of science, actually dared to question Horton's work.
"We should have it within the hour," Horton stated, "However, I do have a suggestion sir., about how we could use the bombing to our own personal gain."
The president turned round, a curious look on his aged face. He looked liked an older version of Rufus, slightly more heavier round the waist and face but nothing a good diet couldn't fix.
Horton found himself wondering, what ever did happen to the impudent young youth? After his defeat on the cannon, his memory of that time was extremely hazy. Had he died when the weapon had fired those missiles or when Meteor and Holy, during their impressive death dance, had ripped up the city?
"Explain," the president asked.
"We set the monsters free and blame the attack on the rebels. Say the rebels where fighting for all lives, including the rights of monsters or some crap like that. The people will then demand that we do something and that is when you introduce the new and improved warriors," Horton crossed his arms, "The people won't suspect a thing. In fact, they'll be demanding a quick and easy solution. "
The president seemed to be unsure of that option, his eyes scanning the room, as if looking for another answer. He sighed when none seemed to spring forward.
"I don't like that," the man pulled a face, "I don't want people dying just so you can show off your latest science project."
"Please, the city is over populated, you said it yourself a few backs back in that speech. We'd merely be culling a few sick and weak slums. Who knows, we might even hit the jackpot and kill a few rebels," Horton answered, "So, you would be killing two birds with one stone."
"Are you sure that's wise? Can you really control them?" he asked nervously.
Horton smiled broadly, "I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't think it was possible."
He received a simple nod from the president, allowing him to release the monsters from their confines in the upper levels. He wondered if he should tell those in those levels of his plans or let them figure it out for themselves as they were ripped limb from limb?
Somewhere in Neo Midgar
Vincent stared tiredly out of the window, watching the rain fall down unto the streets and down the glass pane. His head thundered with every rain drop that touched the glass and his stomach was threatening to expel whatever meagre meal he last ate.
Cid and Yuffie were trapped in the cold north, possibly freezing to death and here he was, complaining about having a little headache and feeling queasy.
Whatever chemicals Horton had pumped into his…or rather Chaos's form was having a knock on effect onto his own body. Every movement he dared to make was greeted with nausea, it felt like he was suffering from a really bad hang over.
He closed his eyes and rested his head on his good hand, hoping that he could drown out the rain drops and fall asleep until the sickness past.
A light tap on the door made him slowly open his eyes, a tired sigh rushed out from his lips. Not another starry eyed visitor, he'd had his fill of those years ago. The saving the world thing had grown old within a few days and even the attention loving Cid, Barret and Yuffie had had their fill. All of AVALANCHE had disappeared to the Forgotten City for a few days of peace and quiet.
"I've brought you something to eat," it was the woman he had hit on earlier, "Um…it's not much but we thought you might be kinda hungry."
Vincent turned round partly, wishing he hadn't as the motion only made him feel even more disorientated. He smiled weakly at her before closing his eyes.
"Are you all right?" Louisa asked as she stepped forward, placing the tray on a nearby tabletop.
"Mmm," he lowered his head, trying to keep from being sick..
Louisa ran a hand nervously through her hair, was she finally coming down with a little hero worship? Sitting in front of her was a man who had saved the planet and she was one of the ones responsible for keeping him or rather a form of him, locked in a small glass cell.
"Sorry…" she mumbled under her breath, she was not going to enjoy explaining why she had allowed what Horton had done to him.
She felt paralysed when he locked eyes with her, it felt like those red eyes were searching every part of her soul before even looking at the packaging. Judging who she was now that his mind was operating at full power. Was he making sure that she could be trusted?
"You look…somewhat familiar," he finally said, "Have you threatened AVALANCHE before?"
Louisa's eyebrow quirked up, a few words had been changed but he'd quoted one of the lines from a movie that was popular a few months back. The action it seemed, hadn't gone unnoticed by the man.
"I don't think I've said anything humorous," Vincent pulled his eyes away and looked back onto the bleak city in front of him.
"You didn't, it's just …nothing," Louisa looked for the words but came up blank.
She watched Vincent for a long moment, trying to figure out what was being said within his mind, what he was thinking. The answers were numerous but a question she had asked herself earlier sprang to mind and now she had a chance to satisfy it.
"It's not what you thought it would be, is it?"
She watched as Vincent's shoulders sagged a little and a sigh escape his lips. It didn't take a genius to figure out that he wasn't impressed. What exactly seemed to bother him, she couldn't tell.
"No…it's not," he offered her, "It's exactly the same. It's like everything we fought for, sacrificed for, never happened. Midgar…god, this place…it's the same."
The anger slowly crept into his voice. Every word a little louder than the last but never raising into an actual shout.
"She died for nothing," he whispered, more to himself than to Louisa.
"This rebel group," Louisa stepped closer, "is trying to make it a better place but it's not working. People just don't care anymore, they've given up. It's like the planet has too."
Vincent looked at her, "Explain."
"Earthquakes, floods, famine," Louisa explained, "The planet is tearing itself apart."
Vincent stood up, fighting back the arguing dizziness. The planet wouldn't give up, not without good reason. The planet, had so many years ago, deemed humans worthy of salvation. Had that changed? had humans really managed to screw and piss the planet off so much that it no longer wanted the creatures on her?
"…Is it possible to reach the Forgotten City?" Vincent asked.
"No…the SHADOW Shin-Ra has banned travelling to various places. The north being one, Rocket Town and Wutai being off bounds as well," the young doctor informed, "We can really only travel on this continent."
What are they hiding ? What fresh horrors have they got brewing in the west? Vincent rubbed the back of his neck, thinking of a solution.
"Being a member of AVALANCHE," Vincent said with a smile, "Sticking to the rules was never a strong point. Hell, I committed grand theft auto at least three times, breaking and entering…murder of various Shin-Ra officals."
"Grand theft auto?" Tseng's voice questioned, "What was there to steal of worth back then?"
"The Highwind…a red submarine…and the Tiny Bronco," Vincent recalled, a little concerned about the fact that he actually had fun stealing the things.
"You actually sound pleased with yourself at that," Louisa said worriedly, "Doesn't that concern you?"
Four no's came from the back of Vincent's mind, each one more pleased than the last. Vincent raised an eyebrow and frowned.
"…No," Vincent sealed the final vote and was greeted with a mental round of applause, "It was kinda fun."
Louisa stuttered in surprise, "K..kinda…kinda fun?!"
Tseng looked at the pair of them, amusement lighting his face. He never knew Vincent was so laid back and that the woman was a bit uptight. Part of him wondered what the rest of AVALANCHE was like, were they just as relaxed or more serious?
"I'm not going to apologize for what my friends and I did, we did it for the good of the planet and those who lived on it," Vincent responded matter-of-factly.
"Speaking of your friends," Tseng replied, "We have some news on them."
The seven hundred year old Vincent forgot about the growing argument that was going to happen and turned his full attention on Tseng. Surely the rest of AVALANCHE would be dead, Cid and Yuffie were in the north…had they found them? Were they okay?
"Nanaki reported in with us a few minutes ago," Tseng offered, "He encountered a few people who he didn't expect."
"Cid and Yuffie," Vincent said quickly, "Are they okay?"
"Yuffie is okay," Tseng said slowly, "however, Nanaki says that Cid is a little worse for wear. He's worried about him and would like to get him off the continent as soon as he can."
"What's stopping you?" Vincent demanded.
"The SHADOW Shin-Ra," Tseng answered, "have put out a bounty on our heads. One that is large enough to turn the heads of our allies. If we go to the docks and use the boats to collect them, we're screwed."
"We find another mode of transport," Vincent shot back, "If lands no go, we go by air."
Louisa interrupted, "They don't have a long range airship at their beck and call, you're not in your time anymore."
From where I'm looking, it feels like I am, Vincent smiled at Louisa.
"Let's see…I've been abused and tortured by a mad scientist. Jenova is probably on the loose, a mad power hungry corporation has control of the planet and a bunch of rebels are trying to save it," Vincent counted the similarities on his good hand, "and you say that I'm not in my time?"
Tseng had to agree with Vincent in that regards, "He has a point but so do you. We don't have an airship, the only boat we have is in the north at the moment."
Chaos spoke in Vincent's mind, We don't need a boat. Just give them safe passage in. Take control of the dock.
Yeah, it's nothing to a guy like you. Piece of cake, Hellmasker massaged Vincent's ego.
Vincent nodded slowly, agreeing with the demons. It wouldn't be that hard, if the rebels were as organized as he hoped they were.
"If I was to get you access to the main dock," Vincent said without thinking, "Could you guide Red and the others in?"
"Well yeah," Tseng stated, "We could but getting in is the main problem."
Vincent offered him a small but dangerous smile, "Leave that to me."
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horton's little rant bout how vincent defeated him, it comes from another fic of mine, Not if i forgive but when i forgive.