Chapter 18: Shattered.

The stars shined brightly, reflecting in the silver of Vincent's gun. He stood, solemnly contemplating his own death. 'Is it truly cowardice to rid the world of a monster?' Vincent returned his gaze to the stars. They shimmered back uncaring. 'One less monster.' Vincent slowly opened the window, letting the night air break against him. 'Even Lucrecia knew what I was before the Hojo's experiments. She chose an insane human over an evil monster.' Vincent noticed an ache within him, one that should have died with the rest of his emotions, regret. Vincent stood motionless at the window, until something caught his ear. Something that was so familiar, something beautiful.

Yuffie sat on the windowsill, feet dangling in the air, still troubled by the enigma of Vincent Valentine. 'That man is SOO annoying!' Yuffie scowled. 'First he's Mr. Brick Wall then he becomes the perfect gentleman! Oh Leviathan what should I think about him?' Yuffie looked up at the stars recognizing familiar shapes. She smiled to herself, 'Everywhere I've been the stars follow.' Yuffie began softly singing a lullaby from Wutai. It was the only clear memory of her mother, every night she would listen to her mother softly singing her the lullaby.

Yuffie would only sing it occasionally now; it hurt so much to be reminded of her mother. The villagers always spoke of how strong and free-spirited her mother had been. How she had defended Wutai with her life. Yuffie hated her father for not continuing her mother's dream. However, even Yuffie's anger was smothered by the lullaby. Yuffie slowly finished the song, 'Ok, now I'm tired.' Yuffie laughed softly as she felt herself calmed by the simple song.

Unbeknownst to Yuffie her song was heard by very sensitive ears. 'Yuffie sings such a song?' Vincent was curious how one so loud could create something that soothed even his twisted soul. He quietly holstered his gun, 'Maybe even a monster deserves the chance to atone.' Vincent crossed his arms and waited for the sun to warm the horizon.

MORNING.

Cloud felt cold, as if someone left the window open. Cloud groggily sat up and stretched, yawning broadly. He looked toward the window, "Vincent?" Cloud shivered when the gunslinger turned his head and stared at him. Cloud stood and stretched his arms and legs to work the kinks out, "How long have you been standing there?"

Vincent looked back outside as he replied, "Some time."

"Oh." Cloud began fitting his boots and armor back into place. "Did you have trouble sleeping?" Vincent shook his head slightly. "Then why stand there all night?" Cloud asked confused. Vincent remained silent and still. Cloud shrugged and let the matter drop before kicking Barret's bed.

Barret sat up quickly, "What's happenin!" Barret still dazed from sleep aimed his gun haphazardly around the room.

"Nothing Barret." Cloud said carefully, "Time to get up." Barret mumbled a few choice words before getting dressed. "I'm going to get the girls." Cloud said as he walked out of the room.

At the word Cat Sith reactivated, "Girls? What girls!" He jumped up and tripped over the sleeping Nanaki. Vincent ignored the fight forming between the others in the room as he watched the sun creep over the mountains.

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

"Time to get up ladies!" Cloud called after beating on the door. He quickly headed down the stairs as Yuffie began threatening parts of his anatomy.

"Calm down Yuffie." Tifa tried to calm the angry girl.

"Why should I?" Yuffie retorted, "GAWD! It's barely even sunrise! NO one gets up before sunrise!" Yuffie was definitely not a morning person.

"We have to get an early start." Aerith explained calmly, "But think of this way, we'll get all the freshest breakfast if we are down there first." Yuffie stared at her for a moment before she began franticly dressing in her gear. "Hit a soft spot." Aerith smiled to Tifa as a disheveled Yuffie ran from the room in search of breakfast.

When the rest descended from their rooms they all laughed at the site that greeted them. Yuffie and Cloud were shoving food into their mouths, locked in an eating war. The others sat around the table as morning meals were brought out.

Tifa looked around the table as they began to eat. "Where's Vincent?"

"He is still in the room." Nanaki answered, "I highly doubt he will be joining us until we leave."

"More for me!" Cloud and Yuffie said as they both tried to grab Vincent's plate of food. Both were disappointed as Barret snatched it from them and began devouring it. After they had finished and the plates were cleared away, Cloud set out the day's plan.

"First thing is to find this captain person." Cloud began. "The villagers said he had a plane, we'll need to borrow that if we intend on going any farther north."

"Shouldn't we wait for Vinnie?" Yuffie protested.

"I am here." They all turned their heads to see the dark man leaning in a shadowed corner.

"Don't do that!" Tifa said. Vincent remained, seemingly unconcerned by her reaction. "Sorry you missed breakfast, do you want us to order something?" Tifa asked nervously.

Vincent shook his head, "I am not hungry." Tifa shrugged her shoulders as everyone turned their attention back to Cloud.

"That's all I've got." Cloud said, "We either borrow that plane or we have to take a boat."

"No boats." Yuffie said steely.

"Then I guess it's the captain." Cloud said as he stood. They left the proper gil and filed out.

They walked through the slumbering town, reaching the house the villager pointed out to them the previous day. Cloud knocked on the door of the captain's house. A small woman in a white lab coat, spectacles, and a ponytail answered the door, "How may I help you?"

"Sorry to intrude," Cloud began, "but we were told that a captain lived here. Is he here?"

The small woman looked the odd group over, "May I ask who you are?"

Cloud scratched the back of his head, "Oh, sorry. I'm Cloud and these are my friends." Cloud introduced each member of AVALANCHE. "I think that's it."

"I'm Shera." The woman introduced herself, "I'm sorry but the captain is already at the rocket." Cloud looked questioningly at the rocket. "He goes there almost everyday. Hoping that Shinra will restart the space program, but he should be the one telling you."

"Okay, thanks." The group began moving toward the rocket.

"Wait." Shera beckoned them back. "If you all go you'll have nowhere to move, only two or three of you should go. The rest can wait here."

"Thank you." Cloud turned to the group, "Who wants to go?" Both Tifa's and Aerith's eyes lit up. No one else made a move. "Okay, Tifa and Aerith with me."

Shera smiled happily, "And the rest can have some tea!"

"You're a poet and didn't know it." Yuffie teased. Shera laughed and opened the door for them to enter. "Have fun Cloud." Yuffie disappeared within the house with the others as Cloud's group walked toward the rocket.

"So what kind of tea do ya have?" Yuffie sat ungraciously at the table.

AFTER CID'S STORY IN THE ROCKET TO CLOUD.

"Are they ever coming back!" Yuffie was bored out of her mind. The others had settled to different parts of the room. Barret and Nanaki were talking with Shera. Cat Sith was doing an annoying dance in the corner. Vincent had taken his gun apart, cleaned it, and was now melding with the shadows of the room. 'How does he DO that!' Yuffie asked herself. She would swear Vincent could vanish in the shadow of a pole.

"We're back." Cloud said as he opened the door.

Shera looked up, "How was he?"

Aerith giggled, "He's quite the character huh?"

Shera smiled back, "Yes he is."

"He also said something about his dream being destroyed." Cloud scratched the back of his head, "Somehow you were involved."

Shera's eyes misted over, "Yes, I stopped his dream." She proceeded to explain how it was her fault that Cid stopped the launch. "He should have just gone." A single tear trickled down her cheek. "He saved me, so I stay here to help him however I can."

"!$&$ Shera! Did you serve them some !#$ tea yet?" A voice boomed from behind Cloud. The owner of the voice roughly pushed past the blonde swordsman. He was very scruffy, unshaven, blonde, goggle headed, and had quite a manner about him. He glared at Shera, "Well?" Shera immediately stood up and went to the stove.

"It's alright Cid, we don't need any tea." Tifa tried to calm the situation.

Cid turned his glare to Tifa, "I said have some !$$&$ tea!" he sat in a chair and put one foot on the table. He sat only momentarily before he started again, "Wish that Rufus would get here soon."

Cloud's eyes snapped to the pilot, "Rufus is coming?"

Cid stared back at him, "!#$ right, maybe to restart the space program." Cloud visibly tensed. Suddenly the door flew open, revealing a fat, brown-suited man. "Palmer! You fat son of a !#$! Is Rufus here?"

Palmer wiggled excitedly, "Yep." Palmer sniffed the air, "Can I have some tea too! Make mine with lots of honey and.. ooof!" He was cut off when Cid rushed past him. Palmer looked around the room, "Hello. Do I know you?" Cloud shook his head vigorously. "Ok." He took his cup of tea from Shera and walked out the backdoor.

"Rufus is here!" Barret growled.

Cloud cautiously opened the door and peeked out. "Yep. And from the looks of Cid, it isn't to restart the space program."

Shera looked around the room at the group's grim visage. "I gather you don't want to be found by Shinra?" Tifa nodded her head. "Quickly, take the Tiny Bronco, it will get you away." Shera motioned toward the same door Palmer disappeared through. "Cid won't mind." Cloud nodded his thanks and led the group out. To the group's surprise, Palmer had started the plane.

"What are you doing?" Cloud yelled at the obese man.

Palmer turned, recognition crossed his face, "You're the people who killed the President!" Palmer pulled a gun from within his suit jacket. AVALANCHE readied their weapons, "This isn't good." Palmer took a step back and turned to run, "Aaahh!" He was barely able to duck the whirling propeller of the Tiny Bronco. Palmer stood and made a mocking face at the group before running. As he exited the yard a Shinra supply truck emerged from the woods, "Ugh!" The truck collided with the fat man. Palmer was sent flying into the tree line. The driver of the truck looked around before driving quickly in the direction of the ball of blubber.

AVALANCHE stared bewildered at the events that unfolded. "That was easy!" Yuffie did her victory dance.

"The plane!" Cloud sheathed his sword and jumped onboard the plane, "Hurry! Everyone get on!" He yelled as the plane began slowly lifting off the ground. Nanaki, Barret, and Cat Sith quickly jumped onto the aircraft, the plane lifted higher off the ground. Barret and Cloud reached down, Tifa and Aerith latched onto their arms and were pulled onto the plane, it paused under the new weight. It hovered fifteen feet above the ground. "Come on!" Cloud called to Yuffie and Vincent.

Yuffie jumped for Cloud's outstretched hand, missing by several feet. "I can't reach!" Yuffie suddenly felt herself being lifted as Vincent slung her over his shoulder. "Vincent?" Yuffie looked to him in surprise. Vincent crouched momentarily; Yuffie could feel his muscles tightening through his clothes. Vincent suddenly sprang into the air his claw reaching toward the plane. Yuffie heard a loud clank when his claw latched firmly to the Bronco's railing. Under the unbalanced weight, the plane began flying.

"Climb up." Vincent said as he pushed Yuffie toward the railing. Yuffie struggled up onto the plane. When she was safely aboard, she turned back to Vincent. To her surprise, he was easily pulling himself onto the plane.

"HOLD ON!" Cloud called as the plane careened out of control. It flew toward the rocket, somehow avoiding all of the metal struts; it dived toward the town. Cloud's eyes narrowed as Rufus's form came into view. The Shinra soldiers began firing at the plane as it passed over their heads. Cid came charging after the plane just narrowly able to grab on. A bullet collided with the tail causing the plane to rock violently.

"This is going to be !#$ rough!" Cid called as they passed from land to ocean. The plane sputtered and dipped dangerously close to the water, luckily it caught wind and was thrown back into the air. It soared for only a few moments more before its engine gave out, the plane crashed into the ocean water throwing several occupants to the waves.

"!#$ it!" Barret sputtered as he spit salty water from his mouth. Cait Sith sat atop his floating moogle, a very unhappy look upon his face. Tifa climbed carefully back onboard the plane.

"Everyone ok?" Cloud looked around the group; then looked to Cid, who was examining the tail. "How bad is it?"

Cid punched the tail, "Royally !#$ up, won't fly without an entirely new tail."

Cloud looked down sheepishly, "Sorry about that. Could we use it as a boat?"

Cid gave him an angry stare, "You #$ up my plane and you still want me to !#$& help you!" Cloud nodded his head. Cid was visibly surprised by the swordsman candor. Cid looked off into the distance toward Rocket Town. "Well since that !#$ Rufus only wanted this plane to chase Sephiroth." Cid pondered the situation, "I'm through with Shinra!" He announced suddenly. "If they'll never help my dream I'm done waiting. Who are you morons anyway?"

Cloud proceeded to explain the situation and introduce the members. "And she's Yuffie." Cloud finished.

"But just call er brat." Barret grinned. Yuffie gave him a deadly glare.

"Don't start." Cloud warned the two.

Cid suddenly stood and grinned happily, "Well guess I'll join you, got nothing else to do. Where the #$ you guys going anyways?"

Yuffie spoke excitedly, "Let's go east of here!" When the group gave her a questioning look she covered quickly, "Or not." She shrugged.

Cloud looked around the group again, "East?" Everyone nodded, "Okay east it is!" Cid seated himself in the pilot seat and steered the plane toward the rising sun.

Slowly land appeared on the horizon. "Land ho!" Cid called.

"Great!" Yuffie shifted excitedly. When they landed, she bounded off the plane and knelt down on the ground, "Finally." She sighed happily. Yuffie looked between the members of the group, 'Guess it's time for their donations to Wutai's renewal.' For a moment she felt a pang of guilt, 'I have too! Its for Wutai!' She argued with herself. 'They'll find new materia, anyways.'

"She must really hate boats." Cid remarked as he pulled a spear from within the plane.

Cloud laughed, "Come on Yuffie, let's go." Cloud led the group north.

Yuffie smiled evilly, 'Time to get to work.' She ran to catch up with Cloud.

Vincent watched from his normal rear guard position. He noticed Yuffie moving quickly between the group members but ignored it as her hyperactive spirit. Until she stood next to him, he looked down at the tiny girl.

She returned his gaze, "Hi Vinnie! Nice day huh?" She continued to chatter about empty things, when she suddenly broke off and darted to the front of the group. "Hold on!" She turned and stopped the group.

Vincent eyed her curiously, something in his mind nagged at him, 'What is she up to?'

"What?" Cloud halted the group.

"We can't go this way!" Yuffie yelled intensely.

Cloud was about to ask why when, "Halt!" Twenty soldiers appeared from the below the rise. "Your AVALANCHE! Get them!" The soldiers charged the group as Yuffie ran off into the distance.

"Watch your backs!" Cloud yelled as he drew his massive sword. The soldiers ceased their charge at the sight of the small blonde man waving a massive sword. Cloud used their hesitation and charged, followed closely by Tifa, Cid, and Cat Sith. Cloud swung his blade, the soldiers held their guns up defensively, but the buster sword sheared through metal and flesh alike. Three soldiers fell to the ground in pieces.

Tifa smashed one soldiers face in with a swift punch; she then grabbed another soldier and crushed his face against her knee. Cid stabbed one soldier with his spear and slammed the other end into another's throat. Cat Sith's powerful blows leveled two soldiers, finally the remaining soldiers pulled back and began firing their machine guns. AVALANCHE took cover behind a few boulders, the bullets ricocheting off the hard surface.

Cloud breathed heavily, "Eleven left." Bullets continued whizzing overhead.

Barret cautiously returned fire, "Think o somethin'!" He hollered. "Can't hold 'em forever!"

Cloud looked to Aerith, "Try sleep." He ordered.

Aerith drew her staff close, when she touched where the orb was she cried in shock, "It's gone!" Everyone began checking his or her own armor and weapons.

"Where's our materia!" Cait Sith asked furiously.

"Yuffie." Vincent's tone was even. They all looked at him, then anger rose in their eyes.

"Okay, first the soldiers, then Yuffie." Cloud glanced over their barricade. The soldiers had taken refuge behind boulders as well although two more had been dropped under Barret's hail of bullets; now both groups were pinned down. "Great." Cloud ducked back down. "Any ideas?" Cloud asked the group.

"Give me a little time." Vincent said as he faded into the shadows of the few trees surrounding the area.

Cloud stared after him then looked to the group. "You heard him, distractions!" Cloud stood up for a second, "Stupid soldiers!" He yelled and ducked back down.

Cat Sith gave him a critical look, "That's all you could come up with? Watch and learn from the master!" Cat Sith jumped up on the rocks, "You all look like blueberries in those outfits!" The cat nimbly jumped back down.

Now it was Cid's turn to look disappointed, "Master huh?" Cid stood up, "All your mothers are !#&! monsters to have spawned !# like you!" Cid ducked as every soldier began firing at the spot he had just been. Cid had a huge grin on his face, "That's how you !#&# get the job done!"

The soldiers continued firing, only pausing to reload. Suddenly one of them fell limply against the rocks, "What!" The leader looked into the trees behind them, "Fire into the-" he never finished his sentence as blood poured from the bullet wound in his throat. The other soldiers began firing wildly into the woods; another fell back as his brain matter covered the rocks.

The remaining soldiers continued their spray of bullets; suddenly one flew forward, his back riddled with bullet holes. Two of the soldiers returned to firing at Cloud's group, one of the three shooting into the forest suddenly spun and fell nothing remained of his face. The four remaining soldiers looked at each other before yet another one collapsed from a headshot. The now frantic soldiers all turned their fire into the forest, they continued firing until their guns emptied.

One was slammed to the ground by a fiery ball; it tore his out his throat before running for the forest. The last two soldiers stared after Nanaki, their guns clicking as they pulled the triggers. A shadow appeared behind them, they turned, and tried to scream, neither scream reached the air. One soldier clutched at where his throat had been before slumping to the ground. Vincent tightened his grip on the other and used his inhuman strength to lift him in the air. The soldier's eyes filled with terror as he gazed into twin pools of blood. Vincent squeezed his hand until he felt the soldier's neck snapped.

Vincent dropped the limp body to the ground and rejoined AVALANCHE in the center of the battlefield. Vincent noticed idly that all their eyes were filled with fear, of him.

"Thanks." Cloud said shakily. Vincent nodded and began walking in the direction Yuffie had taken. Cloud turned to the others, "Did you see his eyes? They were..empty."

Tifa nodded, "Its as if killing those men had no effect on him." The others nodded their agreement before staring after the gunslinger.

"!#$ scary." Cid commented as he lit a fresh cigarette.

Cloud shook off the eerie feeling, "Lets find Yuffie." AVALANCHE fell into line as they began their pursuit of Yuffie.

Vincent walked onward, not to take the lead, but to hide the agony inside him. The demons fed off his killing desire. The entire battle replayed through his mind, the demons forced him to relive each of the deaths he caused, especially the eyes of the last soldier. 'He was more terrified of me than of death.' The three demons laughed, as they grew stronger from Vincent's guilt and self-loathing. They were happy the girl had run off, she was having strange effects on their newest plaything.