Grimoire wanted to rush to Vincent as soon as possible. He wanted to grab his son and hold him tightly, to ensure that he wouldn't fade away. Grimoire was… Grimoire was so afraid.

But he needed to calm down. He needed to stay calm; keep a mask up. He needed to make a phone call.

Nina stayed behind in the car, outside of Nibelheim. It wouldn't do good to attract unwanted attention.

Ring

Ring

Ri-

"Hello?"

He did not stiffened up nor did he relaxed. The quality of that simple hello was poor, but that could be a good thing.

"Ah yes is Dr. Faremis there? This is Grimoire Valentine, I wish to speak with him." He spoke as clearly as he could.

"Ah! Dr. Valentine! It's been a while since we last heard you! Didn't you say you went on a last minute vacation?"

"Yes, I know. And yes, I was. However my son and I found something extraordinary and I wish to inform Dr. Faremis."

"Yes, yes, of course. One moment please."

Grimoire waited and waited to the sound of crackles. Weeks prior, back when he hurried into the town with his son, he was surprised to find that Nibelheim even had a phone. It was very… rustic. He didn't dare use the phone in that Shinra manor, if there even was a phone installed. (It had been left alone for far too long.) But he was thankful that the inn had one. Very thankful indeed.

And he was prepared to repeat words and whole sentences like last time.

After a few more minutes, someone picked up on the other side.

"Hello, Doctor Gast Faremis speaking."

"Dr. Faremis, it's Doctor Grimoire Valentine." Grimoire smiled.

"Ah! Grimoire! How wonderful to hear you again! Are you done with your last minute vacation?"

"Yes, I am actually."

"Good, good. I was a bit surprised when you told me you were going on vacation. Last minute too, as we established." Even with the shaky connection, Grimoire could hear the humor in his friend's voice.

The man chuckled. "Yes well, I'd figure I'd use this opportunity to rope my son to spend some time with this old man and relax."

"Oh come now Grimoire, you're not old yet. Why, I haven't even seen a single hair of silver in that mane of yours!"

"First of all, my hair is at a nice length that I like thank you very much. Second of all, how do you know I just don't cut off any grey hair I find?"

It was rather nice to hear Gast laugh at the other end.

"So, how's Vincent?"

That brought the nervousness come back. "Back at the car, sleeping. I think I managed to gain some luck for these two phone calls. But anyways, I'm here to talk about work."

"Of course, of course. Now then, what is it?"

Grimoire… slowly swallowed. "I've found… something rather… interesting. I'm not exactly sure if I should say everything I've found over the phone, but I'm determined to look into it. I will say that I'll have to face the wrath of Administrative Research."

"I'm so sorry, but could you please repeat that? You'll face the wrath of who?"

"Administrative Research."

"Ad-" the line crackled.

"Yes well, I'm taking Vincent with me. I'll be in some dangerous situations and he'll be able to help. I'm not as quick as him you know."

"Ahhh. Makes sense. But what about your student? I remember hearing you wished to show something to her. I'd figure you'd do that once you were finished with your vacation."

He winced at that. If truth be told, he was so preoccupied with Vincent he nearly forgotten his promise.

"I'm terribly sorry, but I'd ask for you to apologize to Lucrecia for me. This is very urgent and I'll see if we'll have to do that at a later date."

A garbled hum. "You don't plan on having her come with you to your expedition?"

"No. It's rather remote and it'll be hard to find a rendezvous point. It'll take too much time in the long run. However my son and I will make contact every once in a while to ensure you all know we're still alive." Terrible excuses. Vincent would've come up with better ones.

Another crackled hum.

The line was silent for a moment.

"You do realize that if this was an excuse to spend more time with your son; I would've worked with the Administrative Research Department to give both you and Vincent a longer vacation."

Surprise made him laugh.

"Good to know you'd have my back Gast." He chuckled.

"I'd do this with any of my employees. I hope people would know this so I won't get accused with favoritism."

They both shared a laugh at that.

"Thank you Dr. Faremis. I'll get going now, I have another call to make."

"Yes, of course. It was pleasant to hear from you. Keep up the good work Dr. Valentine."

Grimoire was the first to hang up.

His shoulders slumped. One call down, one call to go.

Bringing himself back together he went and dialed another number.

May whatever higher being help him with that department his son works in.

This time the phone was answered on the first ring.

"Hello? Who's this?" A different voice than last time answered.

"Hello, this is Doctor Grimoire Valentine." He replied.

"Haa? Vincent's pops? The fuck you calling for?"

Well. This person was rather… informal.

On the other side of the line he heard a faint voice talking. He blinked when he heard a scuffle and the phone fumbling around.

"So sorry about that Dr. Valentine." The person from last time answered. What were their name again? Spirit? Phantom?

Grimoire could hear faint swears this time.

"Ah yes, well, I'd like to talk to the director if you wouldn't mind."

"Sorry, but he's out right now. As well as the usual second in command."

Second in command? This wasn't the military. Not for the first time Grimoire was questioning on what in the world was going on within Shinra. Maybe after this Grimoire should quite the company and find work elsewhere.

"Then who may I talk to?" He asked.

"Myself."

"Ah. Well then… I've called to confirm that Vincent and I are done with vacation. And that I'm taking him with me on a very important lead. Of course we will contact you every once in a while to let you know we are alive, but we will be out of contact for most of the time."

"… You do realize if you wanted to spend more time with your son you don't have to go through such lengths."

Once again Grimoire burst out laughing. "Would you believe it if I said you're the second one to tell me this today?"

"I'm sure I would." There was humor in that voice. "Anyways, Vincent's partner still isn't back on his mission, so Veld shouldn't be too upset."

"That's good to hear."

"Where is Vincent, if I may ask."

"Sleeping in the car."

"What you mean is that he doesn't know you're giving the call."

Another bark of laughter. "You know my son so well. When we get back I entrust you'll continue to keep on eye on him right?"

"Of course. We stick together here."

"Glad to hear that, glad to hear. Now I must get going."

"Yes, Dr. Valentine. Have fun with your son and good luck."

A grim smirk appeared on his face. "Thank you. I'll need it."

And that… was that. Leaving the phone, he went and payed for its use. Two phone calls in a row could stack up after all.

Quickly he went to restock and went back to the car.

"You've finished your business I presume?" Nina rose her head up. She had been laying on the back seats when he returned.

"Yes. Now we can head back."

She nodded. He got a feeling that she was anxious to return to her own son as well.

'Don't worry Vincent. I'll be there soon.' He thought to himself.

He had to get back to Vincent. He had to.

"Wh-what is this?" Grimoire's voice trembled with his legs.

As they ran to the town, the two couldn't believe their eyes.

"We've been attacked." Nina growled.

Even a fool could tell she was afraid.

"N-Nina! Mr. Valentine!" One of the human children ran up to them. Tears wobbled in their eyes as they fought back sobs. "Th-the-the Gi! The-they came!"

Nina's fur bristled.

"The Gi?" Grimoire asked.

"A pest that were popping up. One of the reasons we were… cautious with you and your son when you came." She explained, pupils pinpricked with rage.

Just then, more people and guardians of the canyon were coming out.

"Mama!" Nanaki sped over to Nina. "Mama Papa's gone!"

Nina stoped breathing. "What?"

"Papa dis-disssa-went missing! Vincent too!" The tiny, oh so young child, cried.

Grimoire stopped breathing as well.

It was chaotic, trying to figure out what exactly happened from the different voices. While Grimoire and Nina were out, just a week ago the Gi had attacked.

Both human and guardians of the canyon were injured or killed.

And a few hours ago both Seto and Vincent disappeared.

Grimore… Grimoire thought he was going to faint. No. No not his son. He couldn't loose his son.

A shadow went over the crowed, and droplets of red liquid fell. It smelt of iron. Instantly everyone looked up.

There was a creature flying, carrying something. It's large wings were… familiar.

It flew in a circle before rushing downwards. A rush of powerful wind went towards them, a testament to the ferocity of those wings.

One last flap and the creature landed, setting whatever it held down.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as they saw it was Seto, a single paw turned to stone, and injures scattered around.

And the one carrying him, was Vincent. His precious Vincent. With that terrible form that Chaos turned him into.

No. That form that Chaos gave itself in its new body.

Wicked fangs showed themselves as Chaos grinned.

"Faaaa…therrr." It… crooned.

Blood flowed down Chaos.

Whatever it did it was a bloodbath.

Wait. It said 'Father.'

Was it… "Vincent?" Grimoire trembled. Hoping. Wishing.

Footsteps left red imprints on the ground. The wicked smile didn't look so wicked anymore.

That smile… looked relieved.

"Father." That voice called out once more, more sure.

Golden eyes rolled as a red energy of sorts transformed the body back to a human, and Vincent fell to the ground.

"Vincent!" Grimoire cried, rushing to his son.

;3c

Side note, don't mind me bullshitting Grimoire's phone calls.