I, Jade the Inujin, do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor do I own Final Fantasy Seven. The story lines were changed to make this story my own. If you are a fan of The Phantom of the Opera or Final Fantasy Seven, bare with me on these changes. Italics mean singing.

The Phantom of Nibelheim: Act IV

Scene One: "Follow the Gut"

"Hey, Lieutenant Grazer." Josh looked up from his papers, "Sir? Was there something you wanted?" The captain sat across from Josh at his mess hall table. Looking the lower officer in the eye, the captain asked, "Are you aware of the attack on the Shinra check point just outside of town last night?" Sighing, Josh replied that it was the talk of the town, "Apparently, the Phantom's demon pet, Chaos, attacked suddenly, and after reeking havoc and slaughtering half the men there, the beast was said to have started crying. They said he cried out in pain before taking off as suddenly as he came."

The older man sighed and shook his head, "The legends say that none can escape the Golden Claw of the Phantom." Grinning lop-sided, the lieutenant countered, "If that's true, how do we know he has a golden claw?" Nodding his head in agreement, the captain asked how the investigation was going. The lower officer looked down at the scattered papers on the table before him, "I think I might have something, sir, but I'm not on hot coals yet." Patting the Soldier on the shoulder, the older man said, "Follow your gut, son. It may save your hide someday."

As he walked away, Josh took the words to heart. "My gut, huh?" He pondered, "Well, it was my gut that let me to this. It seems almost too easy, but I guess most of the questions in life are simple. We're the ones who make them complicated." He flipped through Agent Valentine's profile one last time before starting the other file, Operation: Heart-Throb. "The file said that Valentine was given an assignment from the top to personally participate in the operation." Josh stopped to venture the statement further, "What kind of mission was this? It bears his name, so was he the head of it?"

He finally opened the manila folder containing the file on the operation, and he gaped as he read through it. It turned out that Agent Valentine was the test subject for an experimental procedure devised by the head of Shinra's Science Department, Professor Hojo. "What possessed the man to agree to such a surgery!" Behind the main file, he found notes from Dr. Hojo. The young man was appalled by what he read. "This scientist was a sociopath! Its almost as if this were a diary instead of notes." The records of the "good doctor" revealed that the Turk had been forced into the procedure against his will. "All the branches of Shinra allowed this to happen," Josh shook his head in disbelief. The notes also said that the young man's left arm was severed off and replaced by a robotic limb while fully conscious. The young officer could almost see the young agent going through the hellish operation in his mind.

The arm, the genetic alteration, the radiation treatments, the body transformations, all the horrific details of the procedure finally pulled together as he finished the file. "The operation was abandoned, and the test subject was disposed of personally by Dr. Hojo," he read. Looking at the date, he realized that Shinra's Science Department was headquarter in Nibelheim at that time. The lieutenant continued to sit at the table, taking in the shock. Suddenly, lightning struck the twenty-one year old man's brain. He grabbed all the scattered sheets of printer paper before making a man dash for the captain's office. "Captain," Josh thought, "You were right. I followed my gut, and it solved the mystery of the Phantom of Nibelheim!"

Scene Two: "Nightmares of the Past"

"GAHH!" Vincent screamed, "OH MY GOD! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO ME?" He threw his head back and gave another cry of pain. "Oh this?" asked a crisp, shallow voice, "I'm just cutting your arm off with a scalpel, Mr. Valentine. Now, what was I saying?" The young Turk began to tremble - from pain or shock, he didn't know - as the older man beside his operating table tapped his chin. The twenty year old Turk agent could feel the pain in his shoulder sting as his arm throbbed. The gun shot wound in his stomach seemed numb compared to the pain of his left, upper limb. "Ah! That's right, I was about to tell you about my evening with Miss Lucrecia," the man said, returning to his work.

Vincent cried out again, struggling against his restraints. "Yes, we were discussing the Jenova project that we've been working on together," the other continued, "She agreed with me that we shouldn't waste time trying to find a host, but we should create our own test subject. 'A test tube baby,' she said. I countered the thought, 'Why do all that work? Why not let nature help us out at bit?'" Vincent, grinding his teeth, looked up at the mad man as he shook with pain. "What do I mean by that?" asked the man, almost half way through with the arm, "I told her we should have a child… together, and we'd use the unborn child for our experiments. Why so shocked, Mr. Valentine? Oh that's right, you're very fond of Miss Lucrecia, aren't you?"

Vincent went totally numb, physically and emotionally. Why would Lucrecia even consider sleeping with Old Fart Hojo! He had been afraid that something like this would happening. He'd been against the project from the beginning; it went against forces they knew nothing about, and he didn't want Lucrecia getting hurt. "Would you like to know what happened?" Vincent heard. The old pervert went on and on about how he'd shacked up a drugged Lucrecia. He said she was so helpless and distant; it was like playing with a doll, only it was a woman's body. Vincent tried drowning out the awful words, but it seemed the man was speaking right into his ear.

"AHHH!" The young man made one last cry as his arm left his body. "There now," the older man said, cheerfully, "That's over with, now its time for the replacement." Vincent gaped in terror as his arm was waved in front of his eyes. Blood dripped onto his face as the other man began to laugh maniacally. Closing his eyes tightly, Vincent lifted his head as far forward as he could and began to cry. Slamming his head back down again, he cried out to the cruel gods that had allowed this to happen. "Why? Why! WHY?"

"WHY?" Vincent's eyes shot open wide as he screamed. Gasping for air, he saw that Phellep and the other bats were all around him. It was as if they were trying to help him. Phellep screeched repeatedly, as if in worry. He stroked the creature with his shaking hand. "I'm alright, Phellep," he spoke shakily to calm the bat, "It was… just a nightmare. I haven't had one in months, but I suppose that was because I was with…" He stopped, remembering what he'd seen the past night. He shed new tears while grasping his face. As he rose from his coffin, he fell on his way out as he cried out in pain, "Why! Chelsea, how could you do this to me? How could this happen twice? HOW?"

He sat up beside the dim candles in the back of the room. Phellep alighted on the candlestick next to his despondent friend. He looked at him, twitching his head every once in a while. Screeching, the little creature flapped his wings swiftly. The black clad man couldn't even lift his head to answer. All he said was, "I can't do this… I can't take this a second time. I have to see her. She was the only one who could take this pain away. Still, how can I go back? Knowing she was with another, I don't know if I could look at her, hold her, where some one else has. Also, I've killed again. I can't go see her with blood on my hands." Clasping his hands to his face, he asked the gods why they loved to toy with him so.

Phellep descended to the cold, stone floor and tottled over to the man. He squeaked up at his friend almost trying to speak. Vincent looked down at the bat; the black eyes told him all he needed to know. "Phellep, I can't help but long to see her face, if only for a moment," picking up the animal, he continued, "I've been running, running from myself and my pain. If I really desire Chelsea in my heart, I must fight for her; no Shinra will interfere. Though it pains me so, I must go to her and win her heart back." Standing, Vincent grabbed his cloak. With new determination, he latched the buckles on his collar and walked out of his door, toward the library. Pushing one of the book cases aside, he made his way up to bright world above.

Scene Three: "Music of the Night"

"Chelsea, another round for the Phantom!" The young lady sighed as she ran for the bar, again. The twins were busy, too; filling drinks by the dozen, they both had to man behind the counter. Handing his little sister a tray of rum, Jason remarked, "Sorry, Chels. That Phantom hit last night must have made the whole town go bananas." The waitress just smiled, tiredly, and served up the drinks. "Poor little doll," Joe commented from his reserved bar stool, "She works oh so hard, and all for nothing." Jason gave him a "how so" face to which Nibelheim's only dressmaker had to reply. "She's all alone, Jason. Who does she have to work for, as a wife I mean?" The twins fell over at the thought of their little Chelsea getting married. Joe just shook his head and doodled another dress on his napkin.

Chelsea, draped over a bar stool, panted in exhaustion. Jade gazed over the bar, "Hey, Chelsea, why don't you go take a break. Jason and I can handle things for a while. Go lie down upstairs for a bit." The singer looked up and smiled. "That sounds… nice." Taking her notepad and apron, Jason smacked his little sister on the butt and shooed her up the stairs. He then turned to his boyfriend, "Joe, you'd look so sexy in a waitress apron. Why not put all your energy to work… at the tables?" Joe blinked up at the six foot bouncer and bar tender, "Eh…?"

Rubbing her tired eyes, Chelsea pushed her door in. "Maybe a nap will do me good…" The young woman gasped quietly at the sight right in front of her open window. A tall, dark silhouette of a man, cloaked in red and black, stood, overlooking the town. "… Vincent?" The figure turned at the sound of her voice. Making his way over to her, the girl just stood, gazing up at him. He reached out and took her hand in his. After closing the door, she embraced his waist, tightly. "Why didn't you come for me last night? I was so worried about you." Stroking her dark hair, Vincent swallowed back tears as he replied, "That doesn't matter now, sweet cherub. All we need worry for is what lies before us." As she nestled into his chest, he denied the tears in his eyes as his soul stirred at his swirling emotions.

"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently, the senses abandon their defenses…" He stopped, tears welling up in his eyes, yet he continued to force them back. Touching her soft, warm skin, he felt the lyrics return to his lips.

"Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splender. Grasp it; sense it, tremulous and tender." Lifting her chin, Vincent looked into her hazel eyes, pleadingly. "Turn you face away from the garish light of day! Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light and listen to The Music of the Night."

In the evening light of day, Chelsea thought his pale skin seemed a bit darker. His eyes seemed a little dimmer as well, almost reddish-brown. She thought they seemed sad and lost as if they were looking to her for an answer. His voice was sad as well; why was he acting this way? Was something wrong? As his hand combed through her hair, she felt herself being swept away by his words.

"Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams. Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before. Close your eyes; let your spirit start to soar…" Leaning closer to her, he whispered, "… And you'll live as you've never lived before."

Turning her around, he held her shoulders against him and began to sway somewhat. Inhaling the scent of her hair, Vincent continued in his song, "Softly, deftly, music shall caress you. Hear it; feel it, secretly possess you. Open up your mind! Let your fantasies unwind in the darkness that you know you cannot fight, the darkness of The Music of the Night."

Brushing his hand through her hair, he sang stronger as she fell to his passionate words. It seemed she was coming back to him. He leaned his cheek against her head, trying to keep his voice steady, as the words flowed forth. "Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world; leave all thoughts of the life you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be!" He stopped abruptly and turned her face toward his. "Only then can you belong to me.

"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication," taking her hand to his face, "Touch me; trust me, savor each sensation." She turned around and looked at his longing face as he continued, "Let the dream begin! Let your darker side give in to the power of the music that we share, the power of The Music of the Night!"

Chelsea was imprisoned by the music she was hearing. She ran her hand from his face, slowly, toward his chest and rested her head next to it. The feeling in his spirit overflowed into his body, leaving him breathless. The tingling he felt in the tips of his fingers gave him a strange sensation he didn't understand. The sound of her heavy breathing and the warmth of her breath only made it worse. Gazing at her intoxicated face, he stroked her cheek as he sang a verse he'd wanted to sing for a long time.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Lead me, save me from my solitude." Chelsea looked up at him as he sang the words she envisioned him singing the night before. Tears fell from his eyes as he went on, "Say you want me with you, here beside you…" Chelsea's hand went for the buckles on his collar. The words before had rendered her dumb, but her hands and fingers spoke what was going through her mind. Draping his cloaked left hand on her shoulder and his right on the other, Vincent sang out in desperation and tears, "Anywhere you go, let me go, too! Chelsea! That's all I ask of-"

He stopped; he felt his red cloak fall from his shoulders. Gasping, his eyes shot wide open, locked onto her face. The woman's eyes traveled to his left arm. There was no skin, only pure gold that shimmered in the sunset light. Vincent lifted his hands from her shoulders and took a step back. She gaped at the golden stomp with five bending stems branching off of it. Trembling, he stammered, "Chelsea… Chelsea, I… I…" She looked into his tremulous, red eyes, "That hand…" Vincent gaped in panic as he came to grips with the fact that she was finally figuring everything out. "…It's a claw, a golden claw." He took another step back. "Its the Golden Claw; then, that means that you're the-"

"Chelsea, stop!" Vincent cut her off. He didn't want to hear her say his infamous title. Grasping her shoulders, he said, desperately, "I would never hurt you! I could never cause you harm, ever! I… I…" The door suddenly opened with a flustered Joe panting from exhaustion. Without looking up, the young dressmaker said, "Chelsea, I'm swamped from waiting on these hooligans. I hold a new found respect for waitresses and waiters around the world! Now could you please come back and…?" The town dressmaker trailed off at the sight of Chelsea being held by a strange man. A strange, attractive man he'd never seen before. "Chels…" he couldn't speak. Panicking, Vincent grabbed his cloak and took Chelsea in his arm. That was when the young man saw the golden arm. "The Phantom!" Joe cried as the two disappeared out the window, "The Phantom has Chelsea! The Phantom has Chelsea!"

Panic engulfed the town as the people declared that the Phantom had gone mad. At the Midnight Star, Jason was trying to help his shocked sister. She'd collapsed at Joe's message and was left dumb ever since. Josh had arrived just as the hysterical man had fallen down the stairs. When the officer asked him to repeat his statement, the fashion designer had a sudden cool down and replied, "I don't know what you mean." Jason thought that was one of the things he loved about Joe, his control of the mood swings. Josh promised that he had a way to get Chelsea back. He ran for the phone and called his captain. "Please, I just need fifteen minutes, sir… He has a girl from the town as a hostage… Thank you, sir." After he halled ass for Shinra Mansion, Joe and Jason turned to Jade. "Jason, something doesn't add up to me," she said in her disbelief, "Follow him. I don't trust anything with the Shinra."

Scene Four: "The Clash"

Inside of the Shinra Mansion, Vincent and Chelsea stopped in front of the false brick wall. Pushing it aside, the panicking man didn't look at the young woman once. The singer's spirit said in the back of her mind,"Down once more to the dungeons of a black despair! Down we'll plunge to the prison of his mind! Down that path into darkness... deep as hell!" He grabbed the frightened young woman and leapt down the middle of the staircase. Landing, the bats parted way for him to his room. Once there, he released her wrist and went for a corner. Here, he dropped his cloak and grabbed his head in frustration. Clinging to the open, center coffin, Chelsea dared speak, "Vincent… are you really The Phantom of Nibelheim?"

"Yes! Yes, I am the Phantom!" Jumping at his exclamation, the girl asked why he never told her. "Why? Why you ask? Because of the look in your eyes when you saw it! When you saw this," he turned and lifted the claw, "You looked at me like everyone else did, as a monster! I knew that would happen, so I hid my dark side from you." Walking over to him, the woman reached out to him. "Vincent, I'm not afraid of you. Remember when I first came here with you? I was afraid of bats, but that was only because I didn't see their true natures. When I first saw you on the roof top, I will admit that I was frightened, but now that I've been with you for these past few months, I'm not afraid anymore. In fact, I've grown to…" He grabbed her shoulders and cried, "I'm not as innocent as you believe! I am stained with blood that I was cursed to wallow in many years ago. I am condemned to walk in misery because of my sins. Chelsea… even the gods have forsaken me!" The child took the phantom's head in her hands. "Vincent," she said, "There is nothing, not even the gods, that could ever make me condemn you." "What of betrayal?" asked the phantom, coldly.

As Chelsea stared at him in confusion, he continued, "I believe we have a quest, my dear." The two poked their heads out of the door way to see Josh swatting at bats. Chelsea's mood dropped drastically, "Oh god, Josh." Hearing her voice, the lieutenant called out, "Phantom! Release the girl! She has nothing to do with the Shinra!" Vincent looked down at Chelsea, "Your lover makes a passionate plea." She glared up at him. "Is that what you were so worked up about?" she muttered, "I thought he was you last night till I noticed the height difference!" Josh glanced at his watch, still under bat fire. Beginning to panic, he called out again, "Please, I love her! Show some compassion; I beg of you!" Vincent's soul burned at the comment, and he walked out into the hall. Flashing his arm at the young man, he yelled, "I was denied compassion! Why should I give that which Shinra doesn't deserve!" Chelsea smacked her head and climbed into Vincent's coffin to get the sleep she missed.

"Please, just let me see her," Josh begged. Vincent motioned the bats away, "Be my guest, sir." Josh finally caught sight of the tall figure. He had imagined that Vincent Valentine would have aged over the years, a little, but he looked just like his profile photo - save the red eyes, fangs, and skin color. Walking past the Phantom, Josh looked in to see Chelsea lying in the coffin. He sighed with relief and started in only to have Vincent grab him. "Damn it! You tricked me, bastard!" Josh yelled. The young lady rubbed her eyes as she looked over the coffin's edge to see Josh held high against the wall by Vincent's clawed hand. "Vincent? I don't understand." "Its quite simple, my dear," Vincent replied, "You are this Soldier's last hope. Either, start a new life with me, or you send him to his grave." Josh tried to move the claw around his throat, "Don't lie for my sake, Chelsea! Both scenarios, he'll win! Don't throw your life away!" Looking at her, coldly, Vincent said, flatly, "Make your choice, my little cherub." "Why make her lie to save my life, you spineless bastard!"

"Angel," she cried. "Who deserves this? You said you were stained with blood, yet it appeases you not. Why cause yourself more pain?" Getting out of the coffin, "Chelsea walked over to them. "Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? I pray the gods give me the strength to show you… that you're not alone!" Reaching up, she pulled Vincent's head down and met it with a kiss. Confusion flooding his mind, the lost heart felt tears once again fill his eyes. He'd never been kissed, nor had he ever kissed anyone. He felt light for the first time in many years. After all he'd done, she was still forgiving and open-minded. The tears fell onto her face, and her lips finally released his as she looked up at him. Seeing her smile, he dropped the captive Josh; then, he heard it.

Vincent's ears picked up at the sound of footsteps. There were so many even the bats were disturbed. "Vincent, what's wrong?" Chelsea asked, touching his chest. "They have finally come for me," he thought, "Its all over. Chelsea wouldn't survive." Turning to the uninvited guest, he yelled, "Take her! Forget me! Forget all of this!" Chelsea made a confused face and reached out to him. "Leave me alone," he begged, "Forget all you've seen." Josh saw his watch and realized his fifteen minutes were up. Seeing the two young people just standing there, Vincent cried, pleadingly, "Go now, and don't let them find you! Swear to me never to tell the secret you know of the angel in hell!" Josh nodded out of fear, but Chelsea just shook her head in disbelief. "Use the secret door in the library, please go now." Josh grabbed the shocked woman. "No, no Josh, please. Vincent? Vincent!" Grabbing his face, he yelled, angrily, "Go now! Go now and leave me be!"

Opening his eyes, he could hear Chelsea pleading for the officer to let her go. Falling to his knees, Vincent let it all come together in his mind. The Shinra were coming; he had lost Chelsea forever, so there was only one thing left to do. "Phellep," he called to his friend in a trembling voice, "My friend, you have been true to me, and I thank you. So, you must lead and protect the creatures of the night now. I bid you all farewell." The bats were all silent as he returned his cloak around his neck. Walking over to the doorway, he looked toward the library as he sang, sadly, "Chelsea, I love you." He then walked in the opposite direction up to the mansion.

Scene Five: "Tragic Ends"

Halfway up the stairs, Chelsea stopped Josh, "Wait, I have to go back! Vincent thinks I've betrayed him." Josh grabbed her wrist, "Chelsea, he's a monster! One day you'll thank me for this, but for now, you just have to trust me!" Ripping from his grasp, the waitress screamed, "No! You don't understand, Josh! He's been all alone for so long. I am his only hope. I'm the reason he goes on. I have to go back… because I love him, Josh!" Grabbing her, the officer shook her, "Damn it, Chelsea! I've loved you for all these years. Everything I've done was for you! Hell, I've worked my ass off on this Phantom case, so I could get promoted to have the money to give you an easy life!" Chelsea gaped at him, "Phantom case? You mean Shinra's after Vincent? I have to warn him." "No," Josh shook her again, "I will not lose you to an old, science project reject!" Chelsea slapped him and ran back down the stairs.

Standing before the front door, Vincent could hear the voices outside, but his mind was on other things. "He truly loves her. I can only hope he brings her happiness that I never could." As he thought about it, he could hear their duet in his ears again. Closing his eyes, he cried out loudly in his last song. "You alone can make my song take flight. Its over now, The Music of the Night!" Broken in spirit, he pushed the doors open to see the Soldier Firing Squad of Shinra standing a few yards away. Chelsea ran out to the top of the stairs and screamed, "Vincent! No, it's a trap!" It was too late. "Fire at will, men!" Vincent took one step and met a round of bullets. Gasping, he took another step or two as he was impaled by another round. Coughing up blood to mingle with his tears, he continued to walk into the rain of ammunition, each met with more rounds,until he couldn't walk anymore. He finally collapsed onto his face in a pool of blood, begging for death to embrace him at last.

As the townspeople gaped at the carnage they'd just witnessed, Josh pushed through to the squad leader. "Why did you stop? You're supposed to take him out!" The officer pointed to the gasping man, drowning in his own blood. "He's no threat anymore, Lieutenant," the commander said curtly. Flashing his clearance badge, Josh ordered, with a mad look in his eye, "You, you, you, and you come with me!" The four gun men walked over with Josh to the suffering man. Weak,red eyes looked up at Josh to which a cold,brownglare was returned. As Vincent coughed up more blood, Josh commanded, eyes never leaving Vincent, "Surround him and open fire till he's dead!" The crowd screamed and cried in horror as the four Soldiers closed their eyes and pulled the trigger on their machine guns. Vincent cried out in agony as the bullets ripped through his back, splattering blood everywhere. Josh watched it all, satisfied.

"Oh my god, Vincent!" One of the Soldiers jumped at the scream coming from the mansion. Thinking it was one of the strange creatures, he lifted his gun for the doorway. Josh realized Chelsea was inside, returning to his senses,and ordered to cease firing. When the shooting stopped, the once great phantom silenced, choking on blood and dust in his throat. The young woman came running out of the mansion, calling to her angel. Kneeling beside the blood bath, Chelsea rolled Vincent's limp body up onto her lap and lifted his head. "Vincent. Vincent, just hang on, please. I'm here with you," she said bringing his right hand to her cheek so he could feel her. Thesomewhat consciousman stared up at her, whispering, "Chelsea… you… came back?" Nodding, she replied, "Yeah, I came back to be with you. Now, you just have to stay with me. Please, Vincent? Don't give up."

"You came… back," he whispered, thinking he was in a dream. The once angry mob stared at the scene with remorse. Softly stroking her cheek, Vincent whispered, "You… came… ba-" He was cut off as hisred eyes drained of life. "Vincent?" Chelsea whispered. Eye lids closed, slowly, as his head rolled toward the ground. Lying his head down gingerly, she felt his hand slip down her cheek. "Vincent… come on; open your eyes," she said shakily, "Let me see those beautiful, red…" She stopped at the word, seeing the blood on her hands, "Not again. Its everywhere… just like last time. They did it again. Vincent! Don't leave me all alone! Please!"

Jade, Jason, and Joe finally made it to the center of the action. The woman had gotten very upset at the gunshots, but nothing could have prepared her from the sight before her eyes. "Jason," she gasped, "Its Red, and there's Chelsea." Before the guys could stop her, Jade ran over to her grieving sister. The boys held off the Shinra as Jade knelt beside the hysterical girl. "Chelsea," Jade started. "They killed him, Jade! They murdered my Angel of Music," Chelsea cried turning to look up from the body, "They murdered him just like Mom and Dad!" Throwing her arms around her sister, Jade fought back her tears as she expressed how sorry she was. Clinging back, Chelsea screamed, "I hate them! I hate them all! Murders, that's all the Shinra are! But, none are worse then that traitor, Joshua Grazer!"

Josh gaped at her. Why was he the bad guy? He'd just saved her from The Phantom of Nibelheim! Couldn't she see that he'd done it all for he? Struggling against Jade's grasp, Chelsea bit hateful words at him. "Joshua, you killed him! I heard you give the order! I saw it all, you damn murderer!" Breaking free from Jade, she ran for Josh only to be stopped by Joe. "I swear, on my parents' graves and Vincent's body," she threatened, "If I ever see you or another Shinra, I will kill you with my own, bare hands!" The lieutenant gasped, "Chelsea… Jason, talk some sense into her-" He was cut off as a fist rammed into his jaw. Jason stood up straight again, and Joe scolded him for loosing his temper. "I'm sorry, Joe, but I can't stand to hear a filthy dog of Shinra talk about my sister, let alone call me by my name. You're no friend of ours anymore, Grazer. Get out of my sight before I tell Joe to let go of Chelsea."

As Josh ran off, Jade stared down at the man she'd met all those years ago. "You haven't changed a bit, Red," she thought, "Who would have thought you were the Angel of Music." Her thoughts were interrupted as Jason came around the body and scooped it up, slowly under the weight. "Chelsea," he said calmly, "I know this is hard, but where do you want his body? I don't think the Shinra will handle it with as much care as us." Looking at the tranquil face, Chelsea felt fresh tears flow yet again as she nodded. "Phellep and the others will be heartbroken."

Scene Six: "Wishing"

She led her three companions to the upstairs room with the secret door. With help from Jade and Joe, Chelsea pushed it open. "Phellep!" she called as the creature flew at them, "Its me, Chelsea! Please stop scaring my friends." The bat stopped at the sight of Vincent's bloody, limp body in Jason's arms. Screeching, the creature landed on his friend's chest and poked him, in disbelief. The tiny animal squeaked at his friend, calling to him for an answer desperately. Chelsea had to look away; it was too painful to say anything.Teary-eyed, the waitress showed them the way to Vincent's room. The three new comers gaped at the caskets and candles everywhere. "That coffin," she pointed to the open, center one, "Lay him in there. Here he can sleep for eternity."

The young man set the victim down and the events finally hit him. "Oh god, Chelsea, I'm so sorry." Walking up to the coffin, Chelsea shook her head, "He can't sleep in this blood soaked cloak." Shepulled off the bloody, shreaded cloak and laid it next to the coffin. While she continued to fret over his appearance, the others stood and watched over her, knowing how much pain she was going through. Using her handkerchief, Chelsea wiped the white face. Removing the blood spots and dirt, she didn't notice her own tears streaming down her face. Jade's heart shattered; she had failed to protect the fragile happiness she'd always cherished. Lying a hand on the girl's shoulder, Jade wrapped her sister in an embrace from behind, "I'm so sorry, Chelsea. I'm sorry I can't fix this, like always. I'm sorry." Chelsea felt something inside her move. Words came to her. Words she had wanted to say, but now it was too late.

Stroking his face, Chelsea sang quietly, "You were once my one companion. You were all that mattered. You were once a friend and lover, then my world was shattered… Wishing you were some how here again. Wishing you were some how near. Sometimes it seems if I just dream, some how you could be here." Moving her thumb over his lips, she continued, "Wishing I could hear your voice again, knowing that I never will. Dreaming of you helped me to do all that you'd dreamed I could!"

Slowly, bats flowed in past the guys toward the singing. Joe clung toa shaky Jason, but the creatures went unnoticed by Jade.Chelsea looked up at them for a moment before returning her eyes to her fallen angel. "Passing bells and sculpted angels, cold and monumental, seem for you the wrong companions. You were warm and gentle." Grazing her fingers around his face, she felt tears forming as she sang, "Too many years fighting back tears, why can't the past just die!"

Grabbing his shirt, she buried her face in it and cried out to her deaf lover. "Wishing you were some how here again! Knowing we must say good-bye! Try to forgive. Teach me to live. Give me the strength to try!" Raising slowly from his chest, Chelsea looked at his peaceful face, "No more memories! No more silent tears! No more gazing across the wasted years!" She took his right hand in hers and brought it to her cheek as she wept. "Help me say good-bye. Help me say… good-"

"Chelsea!" Jade screamed as her sister fell backward in her arms, "What's wrong! Chelsea! CHELSEA!" Jason and Joe ran to help; that was when Joe noticed fresh blood on the stained dress. "Oh my god," the dressmaker gasped, "She's been shot! Jason, Chelsea's been shot this whole time!" As Jason tried to calm his boyfriend, Jade held her beloved close to her. "Please, don't take her. Please, Shinigami, don't take her from me, too. Please!" With all the panic around her, Chelsea was numb to it all, even the pain in her stomach. All she could see was the face of her angel, Vincent Valentine, holding out this hand to her. Smiling somewhat, Chelsea called hoarsely, reaching out for his hand, "I'm coming... Vincent. I'm coming."