Thank you for reading, please review and I'll update as soon as I can!
Chapter 6: Demon Seed: Chaos' Sire
4 hours earlier
"A ninja is silent, a ninja is deadly, a ninja is swift, a ninja is efficient and above all else a ninja is calm in the face of adversity. For thousands years Wutai has trained its people in the art of the ninja a skill that has been passed down from generation to generation." Announced John Valentine to his students
Wutai had been a peaceful place for years after Meteorfall and Deepground, people felt less and less like taking a vacation, that plus the destruction of Shinra Corp. led to a new rebirth for Wutai. The small province returned to its old ways allowing it to return to its old traditions. After the death of Godo Kisaragi, his daughter took over as leader of Wutai. Her love for her people and for her land brought Wutai into a new age. John Valentine son of Yuffie, now instructed new students of Wutai in the ancient art of the ninja same as his mother had taught him.
"Okay that's enough for today, remember to clean up before you ok." Chided John
"YES SENSEI!" shouted the class in unison.
The class picked up all of their equipment and packed things away as they filled out of the ancient Wutai training ground. John took a seat next to a balcony over looking the Wutai treetops. It was a bright and shiny Afternoon, the birds were singing and all was well. John took a sip of his tea and started to relax. He reflected on Alex's visit the other day the current situation was a bit unnerving to think of, John was almost tempted to join in on Alex's crusade…..almost. Everyone knew and respected that John wanted no part in any of the WRO's business. It wasn't because he was afraid of fighting, but he was afraid….not of anything on the outside…more likely afraid of what was inside. John looked at his hand, he was son of Yuffie, prince of Wutai, but he was also more.
His father was Vincent Valentine, the demon, bearer of Chaos. John and his sister were offspring of Vincent, inheriting the demon that lay within. John had been told that the day he and his twin sister were born, Vincent was happier than he had ever been in his life, but when he learned of the curse he had placed on his children, he never stopped apologizing…..to his wife…to his children…never. As if Vincent didn't already blame himself for a lot of things, this one took the cake. John took another sip of tea, he had always figured Lucy was the lucky one, she always an inner self confidence that allowed her to know exactly who she was. John however was less sure, he didn't know what he was. John looked at a mirror on the other side of the room, he stared at his reflection, his eyes…..John stared at his eyes, they were the same crimson red as his fathers. John closed his eyes as he tried to push these thoughts out of his head he didn't need this right now.
"What are you thinking about so hard?" asked the sweet voice of his mother
"Nothing, I'm just relaxing a bit after class." Replied John happily
"I see….you know I'm so proud of you for teaching these classes." Smiled Yuffie as she took a seat in front of he son and poured herself a cup of tea
"It's nothing mom I love doing this, its calming, plus slightly fulfilling, I mean I'm carrying on the Wutai legacy aren't I?" stated John
"You sure are." Answered Yuffie sweetly
"Mom?" sighed John
"Yes?" asked a puzzled Yuffie
"Why….why did…..how did you and dad get together." John struggled to ask
"You ask this question all the time, you'd think you'd be satisfied by now?" replied Yuffie
"I know I keep asking, but I want to know what drew you and father together, what drew dad to taking the risk to be with you."
"Love is difficult to explain, some times it doesn't have to have a basis…..sometimes all there needs to be is just the emotion, the feeling….the presence of love."
"That doesn't really answer my question mom, I wanna know…you and dad how'd it happen?"
"We were on an assignment for the WRO, a mafia boss had bought up some land that the WRO needed then stocked it with some pretty nasty monsters. We managed to infiltrate the area, after fighting the monsters off for two hours we were tired and got caught up in a cave in. We were there for hours, all we did was talk and talk. Then it happened we felt that we were growing closer together.. After that mission we started to spend more time with each other until one day, it just happened…..we fell in love."
"Yeah, but how did you decide to be with him despite all the difficultly that would be associated with your relationship."
"I love your father, so to me it doesn't matter about all the obstacles. And I love you and your sister, It doesn't matter what you think you are you're my children, your father and I raised you into the people you are to day, and despite what you evil you think you are, the truth is your Jonathan Valentine."
Yuffie sat up an hugged her son, slowly John warmed up to his mother and returned it. For his entire life he may never be able to understand the circumstances that led to his parents falling in love, but he'd always be grateful to them despite what lurked inside himself.
"You were born special John, don't deny who you are. You can shut yourself away from it forever sooner or later you'll have to deal with it." Stated Yuffie
"Thank you mom." Said John
Yuffie gave her son a big hug then headed for her room, John sat there for a while then headed for the Wutai forest, toward his favorite clearing. It was at this clearing that John loved to meditate, the silent peacefulness filled his heart with tranquility. John sat down and slipped into a meditative state. As john meditated he was confronted by an all to familiar voice.
"You can't run away from me!" stated Chaos
"I can't hear you!" John stated coarsely
"You can't ignore me forever….you can ignore what lies inside you." Laughed Chaos
"Your not real, your just a figment of my subconscious trying to taunt me, well it's not going to work!" exclaimed John
"Maybe I am, but as long as you deny yourself, you'll knew know…ha ha ha ha ha!" laughed Chaos
"SHUT UP!" screamed John
As John screamed out into the distance he was snapped out of his meditative state by the sound of midsize plane flying over head. John breathed heavily as his eyes scanned the plane overhead, it was the Soaring Toro, part of the Highwind fleet. John shook his head trying to regain his senses as he headed for the landing plane. When he reached the landing area just out side of Wutai's main village, he saw three familiar faces step out of the plane, Izumi, Martin, and Joshua Highwind. Izumi was the second oldest Highwind child and an ace pilot, frequently she did piloting work for the WRO, and was one of John's best friends. About 10 years ago Shera Highwind got into the habit of baking lots of pies for the friends of the family. Once a month Izumi went around delivering the pies, to people and frequently some of her younger brothers and/or sisters would tag along for the ride.
"Hey, how you guys doing today!" shouted John
"Where great man, how's the ninja biz?" asked Martin
"Great, great, couldn't be better….how you doing Izumi?" laughed John
"I'm fine John." Giggled Izumi
"What's today's special?" questioned John
"One delicious strawberry pie!" replied Joshua
"Awesome, my favorite!" exclaimed John
John helped Izumi carry the pie into the Wutai Pagoda, where they ran into Yuffie tending the garden.
"Hey mom, it's strawberry!" said John
"Oh, how wonderful! How are you doing guys!" exclaimed a happy Yuffie
"Fine Mrs. Valentine." The siblings said in unison
"That's good to hear." Yuffie said as she hugged them all
"Oh, Mrs. Valentine, here my dad was given this as a gift he didn't want it so he thought you'd like it, its some cure materia." Stated Izumi
"why thank you, It's been a while, but I still can't turn down any chance to get my hands on some materia." Giggled Yuffie
"Mom go easy." Joked John
'He would you guys like a piece of the pie?" asked Yuffie
"Do you even have to ask, Mrs. Valentine." Said Joshua
Joshua and Martin followed Yuffie into the kitchen to have some pie while John and Izumi hung around the balcony. Silently the looked over the Wutai forest skyline, neither said a word for a while, both slightly hesitant.
"So…..how you doing?' asked John hesitantly
"Fine." Replied Izumi
"How long are you staying in Wutai?" asked John sheepishly
"This is our last delivery for the day, but we were going to go pick up some specialty supplies for my brother Jr., but that's not for another hour." Stated a smiling Izumi
"So you have time?" asked John as he moved closer to her
"Yeah I do." Replied Izumi as their faces inched closer together
Soon John and Izumi were caught in a flurry of passion, as they shared an intense kiss. John wrapped his arms around Izumi's waist as he brought her closer to him. Izumi intensified their kiss practically melting into her long missed lover. After a couple of minutes they stopped to catch their breathe sharing intensely into each other's eyes.
"I missed you" smiled John
"I know the feeling." Replied Izumi as she kissed John once more
"I wanted to know if you wanted together next week?" whispered John
"I'll have to check my schedule, but I think I'm free." Giggled Izumi
Izumi wrapped her arms around John's neck as he pulled her into a hug, they stood there for a while enjoying each other's company, cherishing the moment.
"You know we should really, tell our parents." Said Izumi holding John close to her
"I know my parents, would be happy, but your dad would probably kill me." Joked John
"He likes you John." Smiled Izumi
"Not when he finds out what I've been doing with his daughter." Laughed John as he kissed Izumi passionately once more.
Izumi playfully smacked John trying to reprimanded him for his comment. John fend hurt, the both of them broke out into a little chuckle. Izumi then let go of John as she moved to stand in front of the balcony with her hands on the rail. John came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, as she rested her head on his chest.
"I'm serious John, I want to be with you." Said Izumi with a tinge of hurt
"I know…and I want to be with you too…..but I……can't" John struggled to say
'Why John?' asked Izumi solemnly
"Because I….love you." Replied John
"That's not a good reason John, if you love me then you'd tell me the real reason why you don't want our relationship to progress!" demanded Izumi as she pushed him away.
"I'm not good enough for you…….I'm not good for you….period." replied John sadly
"That's not true and you know." Exclaimed a hurt Izumi
"Izumi do you have any idea what I am, what kind of life do you expect to have with me? I love you……that's why I don't want to hurt you." Replied John
"It doesn't matter John we're in love, we can get through this together, I just need you to be with me on this." Izumi desperately tried to reason with John
"We can't Izumi, I don't want to hurt you, love you too much let, you get hurt. I don't want to hurt you." Replied John desperately
"You're hurting me right NOW, by acting this way John! Can't you please open up to me! If your parents managed to have a relationship then so can we! Your father managed to get through this and so can you!" shouted Izumi desperately
"SHUT UP! I AM NOT MY FATHER! AND DON'T YOU EVER….EVER COMPARE ME TO HIM!" roared John as he grabbed Izumi by the arm and violently pulled her toward him in anger
"LOOK AT ME! LOOK IN TO MY EYES, SEE INTO THEM, SEE THE DEMON THAT DEWELLS INSIDE ME, SEE THE MONSTER THAT I AM!" screamed John as he forcibly held a crying Izumi in front of him
John started to calm as he let go of Izumi who fell to the floor crying, John fell to his knees in shock at his behavior. He stared at his hands which trembled in front of his eyes. He then looked over at Izumi withering, crying on the floor. Slowly he crawled over to her and held her close to his chest as she cried.
"I'm sorry" whispered John
"All I can ever say is I'm sorry…I'm capable of saying nothing but I'm sorry to those I love……those I hurt." Wept John
"Izumi, I want you to leave me, I never want to hurt you again, but…..if I continue to be with you….I can't control it….All I'll ever do is hurt you….I'm sorry" whispered John as he slowly let go of Izumi then ran for the plane.
Izumi stayed on the floor trying to recover as John readied the plane. As he flew off into the distance Izumi silently whispered to herself……
"No matter what you do, or where you go John. I'll always love you, and I hope to god that you find what you so desperately need so that we can be together.
"Where did the plane go?" asked Izumi's brother Joshua who walked up behind her still eating a slice of pie.
1 hour later
It was a quiet day at the Seventh Heaven Bar, Cloud was whipping down the counter, when his wife Tifa and their daughter-in-law Marlene walked in with some groceries. Quickly Cloud rushed over to help Marlene and grabbed the bags from the two women and brought them into the kitchen.
"Thank you Cloud, your such a dear." Stated Tifa sweetly
"No problem honey, I can't just let me pregnant daughter-in-law go around doing chores for us." Stated Cloud as he started to pack away groceries
"I'm not that helpless Cloud." Shouted Marlene
"I know, but Denzel would kill me If I didn't take care of you." Joked Cloud
"We care about you Marlene and while Denzel is out of this mission with Alex, we'll be here to take care of you, because we're family." Stated Tifa warmly
Suddenly the bar door slammed open and a tall figure hastily walked up to the bar and sat on a stool. Cloud sighed as he exited the kitchen to confront the patron.
"I'm sorry we're closed, so please….." Cloud stopped as he noticed who the patron was
A very disheveled looking John Valentine slumped over the bar as he slammed some money down on to the counter.
"I'll take a bottle of the hardest thing you got." Stated John
"Sure thing." Cloud replied skeptically as he handed John a bottle of whiskey
John eagerly guzzled down the bottle as if his life depended as Cloud, Tifa and Marlene could only look on in bewilderment. When he finished he slammed the bottle on the counter nearly shattering it in the process.
"Is anything wrong, John?" asked Tifa concerned
"I there was an award for world's biggest dick, I'd win it! I'm such a dick, a huge jerk of a dumbass." Replied a slightly unstable John
"Maybe then you should lay off the alcohol." Said Marlene concerned
"Just leave me alone and get me some more." Whispered John
Cloud handed him another glass of whiskey, as he sat down on the stool to John's left.
"What's going on?" asked Cloud
"Nothing…..It's just have you ever felt like you just wanted something so bad….and it seemed like it was within your reach. But for some reason……you just can't have it…not exactly because you can't have, but more something won't let you have it." Stated a very frustrated John
"I know that feeling all to well, John what you think is holding you back, is just an illusion. I've been there before, cutting myself off from those who cared about me, because I thought I was worthless, because I couldn't protect them, because…..I was a failure. But then I realized something John, the more I ran away the deeper I fell into that pit of despair. You have to let go John, it's the only way you can move on." Stated Cloud
"But I'm afraid that if I let go, I'll hurt someone I care about." Stated John
"If they really cared about you they'd stick with you no matter what." Cloud said throwing a knowing look over to Tifa who smiled at his statement
John sat there silently reflecting on the whole thing when suddenly the phone rang. Cloud answered the phone then soon recoiled in shock as he heard the news on the other side of the line. After a while Cloud hung up the phone.
"Denzel, Alex, Lucy and Vincent are going to borrow an airship from Cid and go looking for something in the south sea." Stated Cloud confused
"Why, what's in the south sea?" asked Tifa
"They were attacked in Nibelheim, apparently some of the clues they found led them there." Answered Cloud
"Is the mission dangerous?" asked Marlene concerned
"I don't know…..but there is a possibility that, it might become more dangerous." Stated Cloud
"Denzel…..I can't let anything happen to Denzel." Marlene said as she tried to get to her feet
"Please, Marlene you can't. Denzel will be fine…he's a strong guy." Tifa explained as she helped Marlene sit down again
"I know he is…but I care about him so much, I don't want him to get hurt." Said Marlene
"You can't control that Marlene, you have to trust him." Stated Tifa
"I know, but it's so hard to just sit back and let him go into danger." Said Marlene
"Sometimes there are just things that you have to deal with, no matter how painful they are." Said Cloud secretly looking over at John
"I have to go and at least see if he's okay." Stated Marlene
"Okay, we'll travel down there to meet up with Denzel after their mission ok." Said Cloud
"Fine." Replied Marlene
The entire time John sat there absorbing in the entire conversation. He sighed as he grabbed a nearby bottle of alcohol and poured himself another drink. He knew that the Strife family had intentionally threw some of those comments his way. He didn't want to deal with any of this right now, John had nearly viciously attacked the love of his life because she was just trying to help him, on top of that he left her a crying mess and told her that they should never be together, plus he stole her plane. Cloud helped Marlene to the Strife family van. Tifa started to close up the bar as John continued to drink.
"You coming?" asked Tifa sweetly
"Why?" retorted John
"Maybe we could use your help if things get sticky?" stated Tifa
"I can't help nobody." Retorted John
"You can't hide forever John, there's any extra key in the right had drawer next to the register, lock up when you leave ok." Stated Tifa
"Sure thing." Replied John
Tifa closed the door and left with Cloud and Marlene to go meet up with Reeve and Shelke who were on their way to join up with Denzel and Alex's group. John sat there in the cold dark bar, silently drinking. Slowly his eyes trailed around the bar until his gaze fell upon a picture of the wall nearest to him, It was a photo of the Original Meteorfall heroes and their families. John looked at his parents in the picture Vincent stood there with his usual blank expression with his mother happily smiling in front of him, the one thing John noticed is that even though his father seemed to look uncaring his arms were lovingly wrapped around his wife and children. John looked away in disgust from the picture as he grabbed the bottle and started to drink directly from it. In anger John quickly jumped up from his seat and threw the bottle clear across the room where it collided with the wall and shattered into pieces. He was done, John was done with it all, he closed up the bar then headed for the plane, John had a feeling that what ever he was heading to was something bad, but it was also something he needed to do. As he left the bar John found a piece of paper tapped to the outside of the door, when he opened it he found directions to where Alex's team was from Tifa. John chuckled a bit, as he pocketed the directions and headed out. He thought himself a fool for going, his mind told him that this whole thing was crazy, but he still had to go, he had a few more questions and his father was the only one who could answer them.
1 hour later……10 minutes before the Rise of NECRO WEAPON
John had safely landed the plane and proceeded toward the cost, suddenly he was surrounded by a group of WRO vehicles, which circled around him forcing him to stop. Suddenly Reeve hopped out of one of the vans and confronted John.
"What do you want Reeve." Asked John suspicious
"We lost communication with Cid's submarine a while ago, we managed to communicate with your father from the airship he mentioned that the others went into the ocean to look around and found a facility of some type." Stated Reeve
"What do you want me to do?" retorted John
"We'd like your help." Asked Reeve respectfully
"Sure." Chuckled John
"I thought you could use some gear, your mother said I should deliver these to you." Reeve stated as he reached into the van to hand John a ceremonial Wutai ninja out fit complete with a ninja Katana.
John chuckled a bit as he looked through the ninja gear, suddenly Reeve's radio crackled to life as Vincent's voice came through
"Reeve crackle the kids have found some sort of creature it's rising to the surface bzzzzzzzzzt" shouted Vincent as the Radio cut off
The earth started to shake a loud roar could be heard across the distance. The WRO troops looked toward the ocean in time to see the mighty NECRO WEAPON, rise from the ocean, then fire off its attack into the heavens in an amazing display of power. The troops stood Awe struck as John suited up into his ninja outfit as he put on t the last of his gear and gathered his weapons, he turned toward the shocked Reeve and smirked.
"Show time!" smirked John
Next Chapter: Ballad of Lost Souls; Fight against NECRO WEAPON