Chapter Seven

Vincent moved into the outer complex of the Headquarters through a sliding door. There, he assisted more WRO members that were struggling to hold out against the massive amounts of Deepground soldiers.

Walking through the dark underpass that led to the plaza in front of the main entrance, he listened grimly as a broken, static announcement, no, plea, came through over the speakers.

"This is Headquarters! We need backup!………….Get away! What is that thing???"

The frantic transmission was ended in horrified screams and a deafening bestial roar that made the very walls surrounding Vincent vibrate. He tensed, and quickened his pace.

Making his way into the entrance plaza, he paused momentarily. It was quiet. Completely silent. Too silent. Taking a few more steps, he found out why. Suddenly, a lone Deepground soldier ran out from behind a pillar. Vincent shot him without much thought, and moved another couple steps forward.

"The Keeper has been sighted! Move out!"

In record time, about twenty Deepground soldiers began shooting at him from various hiding places throughout the plaza. Vincent sighed deeply. Just what he needed. An ambush. He had no time for this…….

Dodging the shots, he took care of the soldiers that posed the greatest threat, and made his way up the stairs towards the main entrance. He wouldn't put Reeve and Shalua's lives on the line because of a few stray soldiers.

Stalking towards the massive, newly restored door, he halted suddenly when someone opened it from the inside. To his utter dismay, the door slid away to reveal a large machine spider, similar, no, the same as the one he had fought at the Shinra Manor. Perhaps with a few improvements. More Deepground soldiers surrounded it, and as soon as they sighted him, began to move up the ramp, robotic arachnid at their heels.

Vincent sighed, and prepared himself for another battle. It never failed. They were always after him, even though he had already provided them with the so-called Protomateria, the actual reason they had been hunting him. This whole thing was completely insane.

He looked behind him, onto the rafters that arched over the entrance hallway of the plaza. Left and right to where he was standing, Vincent could make out the contours of machine guns calling his name.

"Well, let me respond to those calls then…"

Without hesitating, Vincent back flipped and landed in the midst of the rafters. Before mounting the machine gun seat, he took out the lone Deepground soldiers that were shooting at him, and then concentrated on the massive machine that had now begun shooting large missiles at him. He aimed and fired the machine gun, destroying the missiles as they flew towards him, and afterwards, focused on eliminating the arachnid.

It was a game to him. A battle such as this could not even be viewed as worthy. The stupid machines were no match for him. Shelke, never. Rosso, maybe. Azul, perhaps. But not any of these pitiful excuses for enemies. It was over in a matter of minutes. The piece of scrap metal couldn't hold out long against him. With an air of annoyance, Vincent resolutely marched past the now smoldering heap that had cost him precious time he needed to get to his friends.

Deepground filth like this shouldn't even bother.

"Dear Planet………"

Vincent's first thought was one of dread when he entered the ground floor of the Headquarters' main building. When he had last seen this place, it had been cleaned and polished to perfection, and then only a little roughed up from the first Deepground siege that had followed. But this……..

The glass ceiling had been shattered, and one could see when one walked in, were piles of rubble and ashes, littered with flames, metal, electronics, and……..bodies. The remaining WRO members that had still survived after Vincent had come to their aid, where standing and staring at their ruined home in a daze, as if not yet able to grasp that it was now all a mountain of ruins.

Vincent's first thought was to get down to the basement. That was where Reeve had told him Azul was being kept. Dread began to build. But Azul had been dead…….hadn't he?

Eyeing the destroyed floors of the headquarters, Vincent realized that it was, at the moment, near to impossible to get up to the command center. He would need time to think of a way to, and with Azul potentially being on the loose, he frankly didn't have any to spare. Turning to the last few terrified soldiers, Vincent decided to give them a job. It would be good for to try and keep their minds off anything that might happen next.

"Soldiers. I need passage to the command center. Is there any way the group of you could arrange one for me?"

All six remaining men snapped to attention immediately, and saluted.

"Yes, sir. We'll do our best, sir!"

"Good……thank you……go on."

And with that, Vincent left the soldiers to their work, and took off in direction of the basement.

"W-We're not gonna survive this, are we, Chip."

The faint voice of a WRO soldier broke through the silence. The two of them waited, guns raised, intent on shooting anything that stepped out of the rubble at the end of the hallway.

"H-Heh. Nah. I t-think I lied, James. Sorry, mate. Was nice working with ye though. Good times an' all."

James turned to his partner, teary eyed.

"N-No……don't s-say that, Chip. W-We m-might……we-----"

Suddenly, a strangled cry caught the attention of both soldiers, they turned to look, only to see a hideous, cerulean, beast step out of the ruins at the end of the hallway. It roared with a volume that shook the entire surroundings and advanced on them quickly.

The two friends loaded their guns simultaneously, and glanced at one another fleetingly.

"Well, this is it then, James. Was nice knowin' ye…."

"I-I…..I guess…it w-was nice knowing you too…..Chip….."

And with that, the soldiers opened fire, shooting at the creation, giving it all they had left. This was short lived, however, for a third soldier was flung towards them by the beast, at a dizzying speed.

Chip slowly turned to James, and gave his partner a weak grin.

"Adios, mate."

And the third soldier collided with the two, hitting so harshly that it knocked the three of them to the floor, and left them to skid to a stop.

The impact broke the necks of James, Chip and the third soldier instantly.

"What the hell?"

Vincent watched the sad display in horror, eyes moving back to the beast when he realized there was nothing he could do for the three young soldiers. He had been too late. But……was that…..thing….who he thought it was?

"Azul".

Vincent spun to face the owner of the all too familiar vacant voice. He came face to face with Shelke, and thankfully, Shalua as well. She had seemingly discarded her lab coat, now wearing only the clothing she had had underneath. Her mechanical arm was displayed for all to see, and looked, to Vincent's relief, as if she were unharmed. He walked over to her, and tentatively placed a hand on her human arm.

"Oh Vincent……..", he barely registered Shalua's whispered cry of relief as she flung her arms around him, and wrapped his form in a tight hug. He didn't hesitate in wrapping his arms around her as well. He had thought she was…….at least injured, if not worse. He held her tightly, wondering if Yuffie would ever let him live this down if she were to see them now. Reeve would probably be beyond jealous. Speaking of Reeve……

"Shalua. I'm glad…..you're alright. But…..where is Reeve?"

At this, Shalua marginally lifted her head from his chest so she could look up at him. A gaze of sadness crossed her features, and another emotion, that Vincent couldn't pinpoint. She hugged him tighter, and answered.

"I…..I think he's in the command center. Well, at least that's were he was when I last contacted him. He told me……he told me to get some rest. And I fell asleep. When I woke up, Shelke was up too, and Deepground attacked soon after. I….I didn't have time to see him, I have no idea if he's……he could be……"

Vincent was momentarily at a loss for words. This wasn't the Shalua Rui he knew. She was usually, so strong. Unbreakable. She never doubted, never lost hope. But now…….she was scared to death that the love of her life was dead. And it was a possibility that couldn't be ignored. He would reassure her, but comfort would have to wait. They had a situation to deal with here.

"Shalua. Calm down. I cannot tell you that Reeve……is still alive, but I promise you…..I will find him once I've…..taken care of Azul. Now take Shelke and get------"

Before Vincent could finish the sentence, an immense roar sounded behind them, causing Vincent and Shalua to turn, startled. They saw, to their horror, that the monster was now heading towards the three of them at a frighteningly fast pace, obviously intent on ripping them to shreds. Speeches forgotten, Vincent quickly pushed Shalua and Shelke aside, and took on the beast, shooting at it's head, a usual weak spot.

But this Azul was no "usual" enemy. As many rounds as Vincent shot at the creature's head, they all uselessly bounced off it's obviously impenetrable armour, rendering Vincent near to defenceless. While he attempted to damage the beast at all, Shalua leaped into action.

Drawing a deep breath, she took a running start, and flew at the monstrosity, intent on injuring it with her mechanical arm. The attempt proved futile, however, for Azul noticed, and promptly lifted a giant paw and slammed it into Shalua's chest, flinging her to the floor. She curled up in a ball, grabbing her abdomen. Planet, the pain. Her artificial organs were definitely not made for close combat.

Vincent's eyes widened as he saw Shalua go down. He didn't think he'd be able to live with the guilt if anything happened to her. Reeve would never forgive him. Vincent would never forgive himself.

"Shalua!", he yelled attempting to get her attention. Get her to say something. Anything so that he would know she was still alive.

Unfortunately, this action did not result in Shalua's attention, but rather in Azuls. The beast turned, and smashed Vincent to the floor in a similar fashion as he had done with Shalua. Vincent skidded to a stop on his back halfway down the hallway, clutching his chest in agony. As if the horrible bout of pneumonia hadn't been enough for his chest, Azul had now hit him in the same spot where Rosso had torn the Protomateria from his body. His vision swam, and he noted he was in the beginning stages of passing out, but he couldn't have that. Shalua needed him.

Turning over with effort, he began to crawl towards the spot where he had seen Shalua fall.

He had to make sure she wasn't dead.

Shelke stood, facing the massive creation, pausing only to glance at her fallen sister. Shalua writhed on the floor, moaning and holding her chest.

"Pitiful", Shelke thought icily. "But yet……"

But before Shelke could complete her thought, Azul raised his paw a third time, and sent it crashing down on her. The blow knocked her to the ground, but she stood again, dazed by what her fellow Tsviet had just done. They were a team, weren't they?

However Shelke began to think differently, as Azul pulled back, and attempted to hit her again. Well, that was that. He was asking for it. Shelke assumed that the crazed Cerulean was far too gone in his transformation to think rationally.

Luckily, that's what he had her for.

As he swatted at her a second time, she moved flawlessly, dodging his giant paw by a hair. She spun around, and pulled out her shield materia. She knew that, from past experiences with Azul, when equally strong shield materia was used to combat his barrier, it reduced him to his original form in a matter of seconds. So far, however, it had only worked with her shield materia. Perhaps she just had that effect on him.

"The extreme potency of this shield materia is comparable to that of your barrier field, Azul".

Just as she had foreseen, Azul began to transform again, but this time back into the form he normally took. Azul the Cerulean.

"Shelke? Why do you stand in my way?"

Sighing softly, with a hint of annoyance, she stowed her materia away safely before answering. She had been expecting this.

"I had to protect myself. You were trying to kill me".

That was the truth, even if he didn't want to believe it. But nothing could have prepared her for what came next.

To her surprise, Azul flashed her a disgusted look, and let loose a small, dry laugh.

"Then now is the time".

Vincent crawled painfully towards Shalua. Azul was busy with Shelke at the moment, so he had used the time to make his way towards the shaking body of the engineer.

Eventually, after having to pause multiple times to catch his breath, he reached Shalua's shuddering from, and awkwardly laid himself down beside her, so he had a full view of her features. Her eyes were shut tightly in obvious agony, and she held her arm and her chest. She looked to be in near to unbearable pain. He reached out and touched her face with his claw, hoping that the cool metal would coax her to look at him.

"Shalua…..", he wheezed softly, gently stroking her face as she had done to him when he had been ill. "Shalua, please…….wake up……."

Ever so slowly, Shalua's eyes cracked open, hazy with pain, to survey Vincent. The latter let out a large sigh of relief. At least she was conscious.

"Oh.…ow, that hurt……shit…..", came her weak voice, as she blinked a few times to clear her vision. "The stupid, giant dog can hit pretty hard".

Vincent let a small smile escape. Typical Shalua.

"Are you alright…….?"

"No…….not really…..you?"

"I am……fine".

"You're a bad liar, Valentine".

Vincent blinked in surprise. Shalua just smiled smugly. Of course it had been a lie, but he would have never imagined she could pick it out in the state she was in. But that was unimportant…….

"Vincent……here….hang on….."

He watched curiously as she slowly removed her human hand, and reached straight down her shirt. Vincent felt a tinge of red creep up onto his cheeks, and abruptly turned away, removing his metal claw from her face in the process.

"Tsk. Pervert. Get those thoughts out of your head. Here".

He turned, and saw that she was holding a glowing green orb of Cure 3 materia in her hand, and it was stretched out towards him. No. She couldn't possibly want him to……

"Take it, Vincent. I……after the first siege, I decided it might not be a bad idea to keep it with me at all times. You need it. You can fight. You have to fight. Take it!"

She all but pushed it into his hands, and he had no choice but to take it. But he couldn't use it. Vincent had already convinced himself of that the second she had offered it to him. She was in worse shape. She needed it. He could handle the pain. She didn't even look like she could get up.

Pausing, he made it look as if he were about to use the materia on himself, but at the last minute, he speedily pushed the orb up against Shalua's chest and spoke the spell in record time. He registered the look of surprise in her eyes as he healed her, instead of himself, and the strained look of pain and suffering vanished from her features. He pumped all the power of the materia into her, until he was sure the globe had no energy left to give, and that she was cured. It had zapped his strength as well, but it was nothing he couldn't handle. Really…….

"Ungrateful bastard…..", came the faint mutter, accompanied by an amused smile.

Vincent just smirked, and began working on a plan of escape.

"You are no longer required!"

Shelke couldn't believe he had actually just said that.

"No longer...?"

"You are no different from the others. Your weak body is nothing without mako", Azul continued on, backing Shelke towards the end of the hallway. He smirked triumphantly. She deserved this. Idiotic, weak little girl. How he hated her, and how he was enjoying this.

"Your only skill is collecting data from inside a virtual reality. It makes me sick to even think of you as a member of the Tsviets."

Azul paused, relishing the words he was about to utter next.

"Weiss has ordered your termination".

A sneer spread across his face as he watched the small girl's usually impassive expression turn to one of horror and shock. Her eye's widened as she faced her former partner.

"Weiss!?"

This was all a dream. This couldn't be real. It just couldn't. There was no way she had slaved and endured endless torture over the past ten years, only to now be discarded like a piece of rubbish.

"Your mission was to identify and locate the keeper of the Protomateria", Azul continued on. "That is why we uploaded the doctor's data into your neural network. But now we no longer need it. And we cannot let it fall into the hands of the WRO".

Shelke was speechless. What was she supposed to say to all this?

The crazed Tsviet's features contorted into an insane gaze as he spoke the next words.

"Your fate has been decided, Shelke. It is time for you to return to the Planet".

Shelke's mouth dropped in horror. What?!? As Azul raised his fist, Shelke unconsciously pulled out her materia once more, and froze Azul in place, though she herself was in a trance. Weiss had ordered her termination!?!?

She was ripped out of her train of thought when a gentle hand grabbed her wrist, and began to pull her away from Azul.

"Vincent! Shelke! Let's get out of here!"

Her sister. Shelke moved her head slightly to see the Keeper, Vincent Valentine, rush out the door that Shalua had now forced open, and turn around, holding out a hand to take Shelke from Shalua's grasp.

Shelke suddenly became quite brutally aware of her surroundings. She began to struggle in Shalua's grip, trying her hardest to get away. She didn't know why. Azul would most likely kill her. No. He would kill her. But still…….

"Let go of me!"

"I don't think so!"

The words stopped Shelke dead in her tracks, and she ceased struggling. She stopped, and stared at her sister wide-eyed.

"We have ten years to catch up on", Shalua continued in a feisty manner, looking at her, gaze filled with love and compassion.

"Why does she have to look at me like that? I've only ever treated her with contempt……"

"I'm not going to let this end here----"

Shalua broke off her next sentence, as the door she had fought to open, began to close.

From there on, everything happened in slow motion for Shelke.

"Shalua!"

Vincent yelled her name frantically, running towards the quickly shutting door and attempting to hold it open. He pulled with all his might, despite the horrible pain in chest. No. It couldn't end. Not like this.

Shalua's eyes widened, and she ran towards the door, sticking into the small left over space the only thing she could use to stop it from closing completely.

Her mechanical arm.

Shelke gaped. No way……

"Why….why are you doing this?"

But all she got from her sister was a kind smile, accompanied by the words,

"You can still get through. Go on."

And before Shelke could think to struggle again, Shalua pushed her through the small opening that was sadly only large enough to fit a small person such as herself. Shelke stumbled into the hallway, beside Vincent.

"Shelke!"

She spun around to face her sister once more. Looking into her sibling's eyes, something startled her.

She had known. Shalua had known that this was coming. Perhaps not down to the last detail, but she had certainly known that she would not…..make it. Yes. It had been acceptance she had seen in her sister's eyes back in that blocked corridor. Shalua had accepted her fate before she knew what awaited her.

"I'm sorry I wasn't a better sister".

Shelke just stared at her, unable to find words to express the many emotions that were coursing through her at the moment. Her arm was now completely crushed by the pressure of the heavy doors that were slowly sliding closed.

Behind Shalua, Vincent and Shelke could she the looming shadow of Azul draw near. The Tsviet had obviously found a way to free himself from the spell.

"I'm sorry I let you suffer so long".

She really was sorry. And all this time, Shelke had thought……

"Vincent. Take care of her, will you?"

Sweat began to pour down Vincent's face as he attempted to pull the door back open. But it continued to close as if some supernatural force was pushing it. She was going to be trapped in there with Azul and it was going to be his fault. He couldn't…..no…..

"Wait!", he groaned softly, tears beginning to form in his eyes. He wouldn't shed them, but they remained there all the same.

"Shelke".

Shalua's calm, trusting voice echoed through the hallway once more. A peaceful smile had crossed her features, and she was looking at Shelke with such love that it was difficult for the younger sibling to comprehend.

"I'm glad I was able to find you. And remember…….."

Shelke hung on to her sister's every word, desperately trying to convince herself that this was all a bad dream.

"…..I'll always love you……"

Shelke's eyes grew large, and her sister spared one last look at Vincent.

"Vincent. Come here".

Shalua's voice was now full of emotion she had obviously been trying to hide during her conversation with Shelke.

Vincent started, and then tried to move closer to the small opening, and kept trying to pull back the door at same time.

"Let it go, Vincent. There's nothing you can do. It was…..supposed to turn out like this".

In his utter surprise at her words, Vincent actually did let go of the door. Shalua took that moment to stick her human hand through the tiny opening, and grasp Vincent's with it. She pulled Vincent's face close to hers with surprising speed, and looking him straight in the eyes. Tears had begun to cascade down her cheek, but she smiled at him all the same.

"Vincent…….I'm so glad I know you. You one of the most amazing people I have ever met, and one of the dearest friends I've ever had. And remember. There's a reason for your existence. You'll find it, I'm sure".

"Shalua……", Vincent choked on his words. He could hear Azul's footsteps coming closer.

"Vincent", she caught his attention once more, forcing him to look at her. Speaking faster, she continued, more tears falling.

"Tell Reeve……that I love him more than words can describe. More than life itself. Tell him to move on. That I'll always be with him. And that……I'm sorry that it had to turn out like this. It's not your fault. It's not his fault. It's not anyone's fault. And……."

There was a short pause, but suddenly, Vincent felt his face being yanked through the tight opening, and having a passionate kiss being placed on his lips. His eyes widened, but before he thought to pull away, Shalua had already released him. He looked at her in shock, but she just looked back at him with all the love in the world written completely across her features.

"And tell Reeve…..that that was for him…….from me……you don't have to kiss him, silly….", she giggled sadly at Vincent's abashed expression, "But you can tell him. You can do that, Vincent. I know you can."

Shortly after these words, her arm snapped completely, and the door reached its final stages of closure. Vincent and Shelke watched in shock and horror as the door mangled Shalua's arm, and closed in front of her smiling face.

"I love him, Vincent. I love him so much……"

Shalua waited calmly for the door to close completely, and then ripped her arm out of it. Ok, what was left of her arm. Stupid shit metal. If she hadn't been such a money saver a couple years ago, she could have at least bought some sturdier material.

But then again, she hadn't at all dreamed it would come to this. But now that it had…….

She stood up straight, stiffening as she heard Azul come up behind her. Well, hell. She might as well go down fighting.

Spinning around, she stared up into the cruel, mako eyes of the Tsviet. He smirked down at her.

"Oh. Pretty lady. Gives her life for that of her sister. And of the Keeper. How touching……"

Shalua raised her good hand, and assumed a fighting stance. Well, she'd do it for old time's sake then. She didn't have anything to lose in her current position. Before all her bodily reconstruction, she had been a much better fighter than she was now. Ask Reeve. He'd know.

Oh Reeve……..

A loud, amused laugh echoed throughout the ruined corridor.

"You wish to fight? I assure you, Doctor, without an arm and an eye, you are no match for me."

Oh. He'd pay for that one.

As Azul leaned down to finish her off, Shalua socked him smack in the middle of his ugly face with her good hand. He let out a short cry, and moved a hand to his nose, momentarily distracted.

"That was for Shelke", Shalua murmured, preparing herself for the next blow.

Before Azul could recover, Shalua leapt up, and punched him again, this time in the jaw.

He howled, and she smirked.

That one had been for Vincent.

"Why you…….."

Shalua then readied herself for the big bang. The last attack she could muster with her waning strength. While Azul was busy righting himself, Shalua's eyes moved down to her knee. She gently caressed it with her hand, feeling the hard metal underneath. It had been a biking accident. She had busted her knee, and had then decided she would fix the limb so that it could bust anything hard, but never be busted again. And oh was she proud. Pity about the bike, though…….

Her gaze travelled to Azuls groin. Ever since she had seen the bastard the first time, she had asked herself why the hell he was wearing a metal protector over his, erhm, "privates". If he even had any privates. She hoped he did. Cause what she was going to do now required them………All good things did come in three's after all...

Azul winched and righted himself with an air, turning to stare at the woman that had dared to humiliate him in such a fashion. When he was finished with her………But that was as far as his thought got when the unthinkable happened.

Shalua lifted her knee, and in one fluid motion, smashed her hidden metal limb into his groin. The protective metal around it shattered, and Azul's eyes bulged as Shalua's knee came in contact with what she had been hoping for.

His "privates".

So he did have those after all.

She stepped back a few paces, and watched in satisfaction as the Tsviet collapsed to his knees, both hands moving to cover the tender spot. He yelped unbecomingly, and began to moan. Shalua grinned, and started to laugh before she could stop herself. And to think she though her arm was made out of shitty metal……..Well, maybe these freaks were more human than she had thought to begin with. Planet, it was times like these that she wished she carried a camera around with her……..

"Arrogant bitch………."

Azul spat the words at her, and stood painfully, with what seemed like a massive amount of effort. Yes. She would pay.

Before Shalua could react, Azul grabbed her by the throat at a dizzying speed, and slammed her head against the closed door. Shalua's vision swam furiously, and she attempted to stay conscious. She felt liquid flow from an injury on her chest, and seep down her body.

"Great. I'm losing reconstructive fluid………what a wonderful way to go………"

This was swell. Now she'd just keep leaking icky, silver liquid until she slipped into a coma and died. Excellent, as Reeve would say. Though mostly, it wasn't sarcastic.

But she wasn't finished harassing this guy yet.

"I will show you what happens when you humiliate Azul the Cerulean, Doctor. And trust me……it will not be pretty."

Shalua managed to focus her one eye on him, and smirk.

"I hope that hurt, you bastard", she managed, and seeing the surprised look on his face, continued on. "I'll have you know that you're the first guy over six foot three that I've managed to take down. So feel special, dipshit. And guess what?"

Azul's mouth opened and closed automatically. It seemed he had never had anyone mock him so openly before.

"That last hit? That was for the Commissioner. I'm sure he would have loved to do that too. Oh……and another thing."

Azul just stared.

"Yeah, I almost forgot."

The grip around her neck began to tighten.

"Go to hell".

And with all his strength, Azul smashed Shalua's head onto the door once more.

Author's note at the end, this time. Greetings everyone……

Wow. So yes, well I have my reasons for killing Shalua, even though she's one of my favorite characters and I almost cried while doing this. I just kept imagining what it would be like to lose my sister like that. It's a heartbreaking thought.

Well, first of all, if I let Shalua live, it would drastically change the storyline. I would, frankly, be adding and deleting important scenes almost all the time, and it would cause some major……..well, to tell you all the truth, I have something else planned, so stay tuned. And that's all I'm going to say to that subject. This chapter was really interesting to write, though. I hope you guys liked the "Shalua going out with a bang", part of it. Please tell me what you think…….I could really use some feedback, especially on this particular chapter.

My life has been one large ball of stress and hectic happenings over the last month and a half, but I have written some more chapters for this story, so the waiting time for the next two or three chapters should be immensely shortened.

Hope you all enjoyed this, and if you did, then drop a note.

Cheers!

Kyyrin