The Adventful
Disclaimer: DXP does not own FF7, FF7:AC, FF9, or anything within this story unless otherwise noted. DXP will be taking quotes from many other animes, games, and even from books, stories, and other people, so please be aware those are not my direct ownage, either.
"The time has come to escape!" Steiner shouted, jumping.
"How?" Marcus asked calmly. "…I do not know! But we must do something!" Steiner shouted back.
"Wait, I have an idea." Marcus said. "But it's going to take all of us."
Vincent stood up. He was going to have to listen to whatever Marcus said if he wanted to protect Tifa.
"We'll swing to the right, then to the left, and then back to the right. We'll keep going until we crash into that wall." Marcus explained, taking hold of the bars.
Steiner followed his example, and Vincent hesitantly took to placing his hands on the bars. The sound of his metal claw sparked a gasp in the other captives, and he stood firm to ignore them. "Right!" Marcus said, and they all leaned to the right. "Left!" Marcus shouted again, they all leaned left. Vincent felt rather foolish at what he was doing, but he knew he had no other choice.
After a few minutes, they finally managed to break into the wall. Vincent hopped out first, his Death Penalty in his hand and he began to shoot at the Alexandrian Soldiers who came his way. He wondered why there were no male soldiers, but didn't let that distract him as he ran faster.
However, as he ran, he suddenly ran into a white field. He stopped, looking around, placing his Death Penalty by his side but never letting his guard down.
"Vincent…" a voice said, and suddenly the ex-Turk found himself face to face with Aeris.
"Aeris." Vincent replied, tipping his head in respect. Chaos, despite the fact he was a burden, knew much about things to come, thus leaving Vincent mentally and emotionally prepared for what he was to face.
"Lucrecia told me to give you information about this world. She…begged. She doesn't want you to be hurt." Aeris explained.
Vincent was surprised at the mention of Lucrecia, but he didn't show it. "In this world, many terrible things are going to happen. As you know, Sephiroth is already here, and he is going to join forces with another evil. We are all marionettes."
"Just like Kadaj." Vincent replied.
"Yes. Cloud's Geostigma is back, and the reason for this is something that Chaos has already explained. The effects of the Geostigma are back as well, and Cloud will be at more of a loss then he was before."
"Sephiroth…will make him go insane again." it was more of a statement of disbelieve then a question.
"Not only that, Vincent. Remember…he became just a marionette…a puppet on strings."
"I understand." Vincent said, then there was silence. "Aeris…" Vincent said after awhile. "Thank you".
He sensed Aeris's smile, and then he was back.
He looked around with his eyes, not moving his body, and saw that Steiner and Marcus were having some difficulty. He aimed his Death Penalty and shot, instantly knocking the two Alexandrian Soldiers unconscious.
They three of them began to run again, and Vincent hopped up the bars of the ladder, while Steiner and Marcus followed after, one bar at a time.
When they finally reached the top, they ran out of the dungeon. "Princess!" Steiner shouted.
Marcus rolled his eye. "I'm outta here. I'm goin' to the Evil Forest to save my bro." Steiner glared at him, then hopped. "You heartless cur!" he shouted. Vincent was about to walk forward when he saw something.
Steiner saw it too and looked at the orbs. "Huh? What is that?" he asked.
Suddenly the orbs turned into Zidane, Vivi, Freya, and Cloud. "Y-you! What are you doing here!" Steiner barked at the group.
"Steiner! Is this Alexandria?" Zidane shouted back.
"Yes." Vincent spoke bluntly. Cloud finally noticed him and walked over to him quickly. "Vincent, where is she?" he asked, almost in a panic.
"With the Princess." Vincent replied. Steiner watched the two. "You know each other."
"No time for introductions." Vincent replied calmly. Cloud nodded. "Where are they, then?"
"Brahne's chambers." Vincent said, flipping his cape with his claw as he began to run forward, Cloud following. "Enough said, let's go! We got thirty minutes!" Zidane shouted, rushing after them.
Steiner barely could contain himself before he ran after.
They reached the Queen's chamber quickly, and Vincent seemed to know exactly where they were suppose to have gone. It made Zidane curious of Vincent, and the looks of him didn't seem too inviting, either.
Vincent stood in the room for a second or two, his eyes darting around. "Candelabra…" the voice of Chaos drifted through his head.
Vincent walked over to it, pulling on it. The passage opened and Zidane immediately headed down there, Cloud following after. Everyone followed suit.
Cloud and Vincent didn't even wait for the moving platform to move to their direction before jumping onto it. Zidane got the idea and did the same, Freya following, but Vivi and Steiner both waited patiently. They knew they wouldn't make it if they tried.
The group headed down the stairs, and Cloud remembered when he had climbed down the wood in the Shinra Mansion. Vincent seemed to remember it too, as he was extremely stiff as he ran. The group reached the bottom and they broke through the door.
Immediately they saw Dagger on a circular platform, and Tifa on the floor, leaning against the wall.
Zorn and Thorn noticed immediately. "What are you doing here?" Zorn shouted. "So meddlesome, you are! Mercy no more!" Thorn continued.
Vincent grabbed his Death Penalty and shot at the clowns with precise aim. Cloud got his sword and went into attack position. Zidane got his dagger and made the first attempt at close-range fighting. "Blizzara!" Vivi shouted, freezing them. Zorn and Thorn cringed in pain, but then they went forward and struck Cloud. The blonde just smirked, having only a small scratch on them. He came forward at amazing speed and slashed the red clown, Thorn, and watched as he fell, dizzy.
Zidane then attacked next, striking Zorn. The blue clown staggered, and then he too fell.
"Too easy." Cloud said, narrowing his eyes. The clowns ran off and Cloud rushed to Tifa's side.
"Tifa." he said, picking her up, feeling like he had with what had happened at the church. She made a small gasp noise, and Cloud called out her name again.
Her eyes opened softly. "You're late…again." she said. Cloud resisted the urge to smile.
Tifa blinked. "What happened…to that girl?" she asked, trying to sit up. Cloud felt his Geostigma acting up again.
Vincent's eyes widened as he sprang to catch Tifa as Cloud held his arm in pain. "Cloud!" Tifa shouted, catching everyone's attention.
"No…" Cloud said, flinching when Tifa tried to grab him. He felt the liquid come from his arm again and his eyes widened. His arm shook violently.
The liquid poured onto the ground, burning small holes in it. His eyes widened even more as the images flew before him.
Sephiroth.
Sephiroth.
Sephiroth…
He felt himself fall, the ground becoming his mother's arms. Vincent released Tifa so she could hover over her childhood friend. "Cloud! Cloud!" she shouted.
She looked at Vincent. "His…he has his geostigma again!" she shouted, as if he hadn't known. Tears were forming in her eyes.
"The water…" Vincent said.
"Drifting…" Tifa said, her eyes widening, then closing slowly as she took a deep breath.
Vincent gently picked up Cloud, placing him on his back. "We must get out of this castle." he said. He looked at Zidane, who was holding Dagger bridal style. "We are not too late." he continued bluntly before he began walking off. The group ran carefully up the stairs, Tifa directly behind Cloud, who was still unconscious on Vincent's back. Zidane followed them, and his group following him.
When they reached the top, Zidane carefully placed Dagger on the chamber's couch. Cloud was placed lightly on the floor, his back leaning against the couch.
Tifa squatted by the warrior's side, trying to be strong.
"I don't think anyone followed us." Freya said. She closed the secret passage. Steiner looked depressed as he watched his Princess. "My queen... Why have you done this...? I have devoted my whole life to serving you and the princess...! Why did you harm the princess? Why...?"
"Steiner…" Zidane said lightly, depressed. "Zidane…" Vivi asked meekly. "Do you think she'll ever wake up?" Before Zidane could answer, Tifa smiled. "Of course she'll wake up. She's under an enchanted sleep. With the right supplies, she'll be up and as good as new."
Zidane sighed. "If only I had gotten here sooner…" he knelt in front of Dagger, placing her hand in his. "What happened to you? You are not your usual self. Go on… Blame my incompetence! Tell me it is my fault!" Steiner shouted, but he was solemn in his own way too.
Zidane shook his head. "No! I can't… I…I don't know what I feel right now… I can't even shed a tear…" he looked down.
Tifa was about to reply, when Zorn and Thorn came through the door, hopping. "There they are! There is no escape!" they shouted. Tifa stood up abruptly, narrowing her eyes.
Beatrix walked in, flipping her hair. "Welcome back, Steiner. Where have you been all this time? Don't tell me you have been enjoying the company of these scoundrels." she said in a smug voice.
Zidane growled. "What the hell? The only scoundrels around here are you and your fat queen!"
"You fools will never learn." Beatrix stated. She rushed at them, and Vincent quickly ran in front of Zidane and placed his claw out, covering. Tifa took this chance and pulled her gloves on quickly. She went straight for Beatrix and tried to do a roundhouse kick, but Beatrix jumped back. Thus, Tifa and her were doing a one on one battle, Tifa attacking and Beatrix barely able to keep up. Beatrix suddenly saw an opening and lunged her sword at Tifa, but the fighter just back-flipped and dodged it completely. The two landed on opposite sides of the room. Beatrix flipped her hair again.
"Your pathetic powers are useless to me." Beatrix said, placing her sword away. In some ways, she knew she was no match for the other, but she obviously didn't want to prove that she was weaker.
"…Hey, wait a minute… You're the general of this kingdom. As the general of Alexandria, what is your sworn duty? Isn't it to protect Dagger--your Princess Garnet? I'm sure you know who's sitting over there." Zidane said, pointing to the couch were Dagger lay.
"It can't be…the Princess…So, it was true. The queen really did mean to kill her…" Beatrix slowly approached the group. Tifa was stiff, but allowed her to pass.
Steiner gasped, "WHAT? No! The queen would never do such a thing!"
"Steiner, it is time for you to accept the truth." Beatrix said firmly, closing her eyes. "…My heart is set. All this time, I have been mistaken"
Zidane nodded. "I hate to say this, but the lady's right, Rusty. You'd better learn to accept it."
Beatrix sighed, looking up. "…Citizens of Burmecia, please forgive me"
Freya narrowed her eyes. "It's too late to seek forgiveness!" but then she calmed down and watch the warrior. "…But you can still save Dagger."
" Freya…" Zidane said with compassion.
"I tell you this because I acknowledge your powers. Help your princess." Freya explained, looking away.
"I don't know if I can…but I will give it a try. I hope this will work." Beatrix shut her eyes and her hand to her head, then cast a spell on Dagger.
"Irrevocable is the spell we have cast!" Thorn shouted.
The General cast the second spell.
"It is useless!" Zorn shouted.
Beatrix casted once more. Suddenly, Dagger's eyes began to come open somewhat. She groaned, and everyone watched the Princess.
"Princess, are you alright?" Beatrix asked. "Yes…but, where is that girl who was with me?"
"Hey, Dagger." Tifa said, smiling. "I'm glad you're better."
Everyone voiced their happiness, except for Vincent and Cloud, and suddenly a loud growl was heard. "What is all this ruckus!" Brahne waltzed into the room, glaring at everyone. "The princess has awakened, Your Majesty!" Zorn shouted.
Thorn continued, "Kidnapping the princess, they are, Your Majesty!"
"……Have you extracted all the eidolons from her?"
The two clowns nodded, "We have, Your Majesty!"
"Then, what are you waiting for? Take Garnet and throw her in prison!" Brahne shouted.
The two clowns nodded again, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Beatrix stood tall. "I won't allow that."
Brahne raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you defying me as well?"
"Your Majesty, it is my duty to protect the princess. I beg you, reconsider. Please do not harm the princess anymore." Beatrix turned to Zidane and his group. "All of you, leave here at once"
Vincent picked up Cloud again. He wanted to say something, but Aeris's warning made him keep his mouth shut.
"I'm staying, too." Freya said. "Go, Zidane."
"I as well…Protect the Princess!" Steiner shouted.
Zidane nodded, pulling the Candelabra and letting the passage open. He ran out, holding Dagger's hand. Vincent and Tifa followed, Tifa waiting for Vivi patiently. Working with the children helped her patience a lot.
They ran down the spiral staircase again, and Tifa got the chills suddenly. They were able to avoid all the areas where Black Mages or Bandersnatches appeared, thanks to Vincent's quick aim.
They made it to where the Gargant had been before, and suddenly a fence came up in front of them. They stared up at it, and then as Vincent made his way back, the other fence went up.
"Heehee…" Zorn's voice came. "You have been trapped!"
"Trapped you have been!" Thorn said from the other side.
Zidane growled. "Damn clowns!" he shouted, just making them laugh harder.
Suddenly, Zorn was kicked unconscious. Everyone gasped, except Cloud and Vincent, and Marcus appeared. "Hey?" he said with a smile. "What's up?"
Thorn was then knocked unconscious, too. "Zidane, you all right?"
"Blank!" Zidane shouted, smiling.
"We came straight here from the Evil Forest." Blank explained.
"Man, I love you guys!" Zidane shouted to them. Tifa grinned.
Marcus released the fence that blocked them. "Zidane! You can ride the Gargant downstairs!" he shouted. He then recognized Vincent.
"Hey! It's the Vampire!" he shouted.
Vincent remained emotionless and Tifa giggled, thinking of Yuffie.
"Get out of here! We'll take care of everything!" Blank shouted. Zidane nodded, "I owe you guys big-time!"
Can you tell that most of this stuff is redundant from the movie? Yeah...sorry about that. Also, looking for some reviews, so please help!