Wow, it's been awhile. I am so sorry this took so long you guys. There has been so much crap to deal with lately I'm amazed that I got this written. Well, can't whine forever. At least it got done, right? So, the usual applys. Read and review and I will throw lots of candy into the air. I like feedback. Oh, and one last thing. Vincent is way out of character here and I apologize profusely. I did not mean to discrace him so.

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII

Reminder: Advent Children and Dirge of Cerberus will not affect this story in any way. Thank you and enjoy.

11

The next few months in Nibelheim were complete bliss for Vincent. Every day he helped with Ariah's training, giving Sephiroth a change to actually relax. The great General always seemed tired lately. But that didn't stop him in the least. And the White Devil continued to improve under their tutelage. It couldn't have been better.

But, in Eden, things couldn't have been more different for Ariaus. He was forced to watch as the one person he had trusted his whole life deteriorated from a strange disease that no one could identify. Eve was slowly getting sicker as time went on. It was not the same virus that had killed Ariaus' mother, but it was just as deadly.

Day after day, the boy would sit by her side, waiting for some kind of change in her condition. But it did not come. Adam watched the boy carefully, not knowing how this would truly affect him. What he saw frightened him more than Sephiroth's attempt to destroy mankind.

Ariaus became more and more violent towards others and less inclined to speak or come out of Eve's room. His true nature was making itself known and the planet would suffer for it.

The clothing that he wore also changed. Shirts were discarded and replaced by arm warmers. Heavy military issue boots rested on his feet and no one wanted to be near the steel-tipped toes. Every strand of thread and every piece of fabric was black. It was clear he expected a funeral.

Three months after Sephiroth and Ariah had gone to stay with Vincent, the expected came true. Eve quietly slipped into silent death while Ariaus held her cold hand in his. At that moment, something deep inside his mind snapped. His eyes were filled with icy cruelty and his body surged with determination.

The Black Angel stood from the seat he had not left for months and walked outside into the warm light of Eden. But the beauty and wonder of nature no longer affected him. There was nothing left but hatred for the world that had killed his mother. There was another hatred welling inside of him, driving him forward towards the exit. A dark hatred for his twin, the only creature strong enough to destroy him.

Adam met Ariaus near the mess tent with a worried expression. "Ariaus, why are you not with Eve?"

"She no longer needs me." The Black Angel's voice was even and uncaring. "The Lifestream took her to rest. So now I am leaving."

Adam stood in shocked silence as Ariaus continued walking. He couldn't understand what was going on. What had happed to the Ariaus he had known and loved? "Wait!" He finally called after the boy as he caught up with him. "Where are you going?"

The Black Angel stopped, thought for a moment, and then looked up at the rock ceiling above his head. "I am going to kill my sister for her foolishness. If she had been here, she could have healed Eve. Plus, I hate her. I always have. Then, I think I will…destroy the world. Sephiroth didn't do a good enough job."

"But, what for? What would that accomplish?"

"I will finally be at peace. And no one will be around to bother me." Ariaus suddenly smiled a deadly, crushing smile as he turned to face Adam. "But first," His skin began to blacken and the immense feathered wings slowly slid from his back. Adam involuntarily backed away in fear, tripping over his own feet. "I need some practice. I'm just a little rusty you know."

The Black Angel advanced on his prey as the frightened man picked himself up and ran for the safety of the lab. But a mere building was no match for the boy's power. Soon, there would be nothing left of Eden. And the scientists could not defend themselves. After all, what can science do when it is cornered by brute force?

In Nibelheim, everyone was blissfully unaware of what was happening in Eden. Ariah practiced her defense with Vincent while Sephiroth watched to make sure she performed correctly. Suddenly, in the midst of a perfect battle, the White Demon stopped dead in her tracks, an empty look in her eyes. It was so sudden that Vincent could not stop himself in time and hit her. Not to hard, but just enough to send her flying.

He rushed to her side in a panic, afraid that he might have hurt her. But she was sitting up and rubbing the sore spot where the vampire's fist had connected. "Ariah! Are you all right?" Vincent asked as he knelt. "I didn't mean to actually hit you. I'm so sorry!"

But she wasn't listening. Ariah mumbled something under her breath so no one could hear. Her eyes slid in and out of focus as if she were trying to find reality. Sephiroth managed to move himself over to her and knelt as well. But it was hard for him to do so. He moved as if every part of his body was sore nowadays.

"Ariah? Wake up, my angel." The general said as he passed a hand in front of her eyes.

She suddenly jerked back into the real world and looked at her father with tears in her eyes. "Eve is dead!" The White Demon flung her arms around Sephiroth's neck and cried. "She's dead and Ariaus is blaming me!"

Both men sat in shock. What did this mean? The sat there listening to the girl's quiet sobs for several long minutes trying to internalize what she had said when Vincent's PHS went off. He pulled it from his pocket and answered the ring.

"Yes?"

"Vin…cent…." It was Adam's voice. But it was weak. "Something…terrible i—" He was interrupted by a fit of coughing and Vincent could hear the blood spurting from the man's mouth.

"Adam, are you all right? What happened?"

"Ariaus…he destroyed…Eden. Eve…she is…gone. Please…don't let…." Another fit stopped him.

"What? Don't let what?" Vincent couldn't figure out why he was so anxious. But, there wasn't time to worry about that.

Adam finally caught himself and tried again. "Don't let him…get to…Ariah. Help her…stop him."

Suddenly, there was a second voice in the background. The vampire recognized his son immediately. "What are you doing old man? I thought I took care of you."

"No…please…."

"Adam! What's going on!" But Vincent never received an answer. He heard the man begin to choke and gasp and then a sickening snap that could only mean Adam's neck had been broken. Then, the phone was picked up and Ariaus' voice came through.

"Hello father." It sounded like the boy was laughing!

"Ariaus, what have you done?" Vincent felt a rage building within him at the thought of his own flesh and blood committing such acts.

"I took care of the obstacles in my way. Now why don't you relay a message for me? Tell Ariah that I'm going to come and kill her father. Then I'm coming back for her."

Vincent was about to answer when there was a click and a buzz that meant the line had been cut. The vampire looked at Sephiroth and the two men exchanged serious looks. The time had come. And Ariah was still not ready.