Ahem ... let me take the time to advertise my other fic ... tee hee. It's called "In Dreams We Meet", it's a FF7 FF8 crossover. This chapter has quite alot of script, because it's Cosmo Canyon up next, so there'll be lots of mumbo-jumbo about the Planet and all. Sorry.

Lost and Found : Chapter 15

Ellie woke up with a yawn, stretching and stroking Fluffy's head. She took a look at the clock on her bedside table and jumped out of bed in alarm. Eleven already! Why didn't Vinnie wake me up! thought Ellie, getting dressed and running all the way to Vincent's room, banging on the door.

"Vinnie! Why didn't you wake me up?" moaned Ellie. She heard a groan from inside, and awhile later Vincent opened the door, looking extremely tired and groggy, his hair and clothes messy.

"My apologies, Ellie," he mumbled, then trudged back to the bed, flinging himself onto it. I hope this works ... thought Vincent hopefully. Valentine, you'd better pray to ME it works. Planet help you if you take one step out of the house, said Chaos in his head. Planet help THEM if I take one step of the house. If I can't control myself ... I get some fun! Vincent rolled his eyes into his pillow.

"Vinnie, what's wrong ...? Are you okay?" asked Ellie, peering down at him.

"I think I'm sick," Vincent mumbled softly, trying very hard to ignore Chaos's snorts in his head.

"Sick?"

"It must have been the cold yesterday, when I went out..."

This was too much for Chaos, he burst into howls of laughter, and Vincent clutched his head; the laughter was giving him a headache. A cold? A COLD! Vinnie, you are practically INCAPABLE of falling sick. A COLD, I tell you, said Chaos and continued laughing at him again. How are you gonna fake sneezing, Vinnie? snickered Chaos.

"I'm afraid I can't follow you shopping today Ellie," said Vincent, grimacing at the 'sneezing' comment made by Chaos. Also the fact that Chaos has started calling him Vinnie.

"It's just a cold! Don't be silly," said Ellie, touching his forehead. "You don't even have a fever!"

"Just call the deliveryman or something, and order all the supplies you'd like..." said Vincent, fervently wishing he had a fever. He will NOT step out of this house, no way, not unless he wanted to be maimed by thousands of fangirls (and boys) everywhere. The horrors he had seen last night through a computer screen ... Vincent gripped the sheets of the bed and moaned.

"Okay, okay, I'll do it ... but you have to get out of bed," said Ellie firmly. "Or I'll sic Fluffy on you."

"Fluffy's cute," said Vincent matter-of-factly, as he had become fond of the cat.

"Right, whatever, get out of bed! Man, I'm the housekeeper now ..." said Ellie, mumbling to herself. At once, Vincent felt guilty.

"I'll prepare breakfast ..." said the man, making his bed and following Ellie to the hall.

After some toast and a phone call to some deliveryman in town, Vincent rested on the couch and pretended to look sick while Ellie turned on her PlayStation. Vincent still felt bad for lying to her, but frankly he did not wish to resort to killing innocent fangirls hopelessly in love with him. He shuddered, letting his imagination get the better of him.

"Hmm... where did we stop yesterday?" said Ellie thoughtfully, as she waited for her game to load.

"You were going to go to Cosmo Canyon," replied Vincent lazily as he shifted around in his position on the couch. He always sat upright, so he felt a little weird. The game loaded and Ellie finally arrived at Cosmo Canyon, and the guard at the entrance greeted them. Red XIII, or Nanaki as the guard was now addressing him, bounded out happily and exclaimed "I am home!" Nanaki never told me he was from Cosmo Canyon ... then again, no one really talks to me much. The guard then explained a little about the place, about how people from all over the world came here to seek the study of planet life. However, he did not let Cloud's party enter as it was full, but Nanaki insisted that the guard let them in, as gratitude for having saved his life from the hands of Hojo.

Cloud: Who is Nanaki?
Guard: Nanaki is Nanaki. That's his name.
Red XIII: Here is where I was... I mean, ...this is my hometown. My tribe were protectors of those who appreciate this beautiful canyon and the Planet. My brave mother fought and died here, but my cowardly father left her... I am the last of my race.
Cloud: Cowardly father?
Red XIII: Yes. My father was a wastrel. And so the mission I inherited from my ancestors, is to protect this place. My journey ends here.
Bugenhagen: Hey! Nanaki--! You're home!
Red XIII: Coming, Grandpa!
Barret: Good timin'. Let's take a breather. I got stuff I want to find out, too.

Ellie directed Cloud to follow Red XIII, or Nanaki, and Vincent noted yet again that it was depicted with astounding accuracy. It was exactly how he remembered it ... and he still couldn't help but wonder if they were really just made up from a game. Along the way, they stopped by several shops and Ellie splurged alot of money on weapons and materia. Finally they reached the top of the cliff, which Vincent recognised as Bugenhagen's house. Bugenhagen appeared, floating on the air abnormally as usual, although Vincent never questioned that. And how he came to be Nanaki's grandfather is still a mystery, but he concluded that it was just sort of like an adoption.

Red XIII: Cloud, this is my grandfather, Bugen. He is incredible. He knows everything.
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. I hear that you looked after Nanaki a bit. Nanaki is still a child you see.
Red XIII: Please stop, grandfather. I'm 48.
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. Nanaki's tribe has incredible longevity. So you see his 48 years would only be equivalent to say that of a 15 or 16 years old in human reckoning.

"15 or 16!" exclaimed Ellie and Vincent, together, although Vincent's "exclamation" wasn't exactly an exclamation. Nanaki is 51 years old now, so that's technically almost the same age as me ... or almost the same age as Yuffie.

Cloud: 15 or 16?
Bugenhagen: He's quiet and very deep. You thought he was an adult?
Red XIII: ...Grandfather. I want to be an adult. I want to grow up to be able to protect you and the village.
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. No Nanaki. You can't stand on your own yet. To do that now would destroy you in the long run. Reaching up into the heavens, threatening to snatch the very stars from the great city of Midgar. You seen it, haven't you? Well, that's a bad example. Looking up too much makes you lose perspective. When it's time for this planet to die, you'll understand that you know absolutely nothing.
Cloud: ...When the planet dies?
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. It may be tomorrow, or 100 years from now... But it's not long off.
Cloud: How do you know this?
Bugenhagen: I hear the cries of the Planet. Cloud: What's that?
Bugenhagen: The sound of the stars in the heavens. While this goes on, planets are born, and die.
Cloud: What was that?
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. That was a scream from this planet. Didn't you hear it? As if to say... I hurt, I suffer...
Red XIII: They have come here on a journey to save the planet. Why don't you show them your apparatus?
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. To save the planet? Ho Ho Hoooo! But, then again, I guess it wouldn't hurt to show him.

Vincent watched as Nanaki informed Cloud that only three people were allowed in the machine at a time. Barret and Tifa joined Cloud, of course chosen by Ellie and they headed up towards Bugenhagen's house again.

Bugenhagen: Hmm, yes pretty good. This is my laboratory. All the workings of space are entered into this 3D Holographic System.
Tifa: Look, look! A shooting star!

Vincent watched in fascination at the shooting stars and planets revolving in the Solar System. No matter if the graphics were not very good, he could still picture the realty of it in Bugenhagen's house. He made a mental note to ask Nanaki to bring him there again next time, to see it through his own eyes.

Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. Yes, it is something, isn't it? Well, let's get to the subject. Eventually... all humans die. What happens to them after they die? The body decomposes, and returns to the Planet. That much everyone knows. What about their consciousness, their hearts and their souls? The soul too returns to the Planet. And not only those of humans, but everything on this Planet. In fact, all living things in the universe, are the same. The spirits that return to the Planet, merge with one another and roam the Planet. They roam, converge, and divide, becoming a swell, called the 'Lifestream'. Lifestream... In other words, a path of energy of the souls roaming the Planet. 'Spirit Energy' is a word that you should never forget. A new life... children are blessed with Spirit energy and are brought into the world. Then, the time comes when they die and once again return to the Planet... Of course there are exceptions, but this is the way of the world. I've digressed, but you'll understand better if you watch this. Bugenhagen: ...These are the basics of the Study of Planet Life.
Cloud: If the Spirit energy is lost, our Planet is destroyed...
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. Spirit energy is efficient BECAUSE it exists within' nature. When Spirit energy is forcefully extracted, and manufactured, it can't accomplish its true purpose.
Cloud: You're talking about Mako energy, right?
Bugenhagen: Everyday Mako reactors suck up Spirit energy, diminishing it. Spirit energy gets compressed in the reactors and processed into Mako energy. All living things are being used up and thrown away. In other words, Mako energy will only destroy the Planet...

The scene ended and the room grew bright again, and they trudged out of the room. They go down, leaving Bugenhagen and Nanaki alone, as he parted them with words of advice. Soon they reach the Cosmo Candle, the bright bonfire that burns for eternity, and for once Vincent wishes he could have been there with them. He watches the screen closely as they all sat down around the campfire. Ellie directed Cloud to talk to Aeris first. Seems like she's more of an Aeris fan.

Aerith: I learned a lot. The elders taught me many things. About the Cetra... And the Promised Land... I'm... alone... I'm all alone now...
Cloud: But I'm... we're here for you, right?
Aerith: I know. I know, but... I am the only... Cetra.
Cloud: Does that mean we can't help?

It wasn't your fault, Cloud, Vincent mused.Aeris would not let anyone help her at that time. She did what she could ... Cloud has already gotten over Aeris's death. When will be my turn...? Lucrecia ...

Tifa: Cloud... Bonfires are funny, aren't they? They make you remember all sorts of things. You know, Cloud. 5 Years ago... ...It's nothing. No, forget it. I'm afraid to ask...
Cloud: What is it?
Tifa: It feels like... it feels like you're going far away... You really, really are... you... right?

Finally, Cloud talks to Red XIII. Or Nanaki. Vincent was quite confused by now. However he had the particular suspicion that Nanaki secretly enjoyed being called Red, as a nickname, as though it had some sort of affection behind it. And what had Tifa meant by five years ago ...? Or currently, eight years ago...?

Red XIII: ...Long ago. ...When I was still very small. We were all around this flame... No, never mind...
Cloud: What happened?
Red XIII: It's about my parents. When I talk about my mother, I am full of pride and joy... And that's fine. ...But when I remember my father, my heart is full of anger...
Bugenhagen: ...You really can't forgive your father...?
Red XIII: Of course. He... left mother for dead. When the Gi tribe attacked, he ran off by himself, leaving mother and the people of the Canyon!
Bugenhagen: ...Come, Nanaki. There's something you should see.
Red XIII: ...?
Bugenhagen: The place may be dangerous. Cloud. Will you and one other person come with us?

"Who should I take, Vinnie?"

"Perhaps Aeris. It is up to you."

"Man, I hope it's not a boss I'm fighting ... I'm so not prepared ..."

Cloud and his party followed Bugenhagen up to the place where there was a metal door fitted. Earlier on, Ellie had tried to open it but a little boy said Bugenhagen had sealed this place and forbidden anyone to go near it. Vincent was beyond curious. What was it that Bugenhagen wanted to show Nanaki? Bugenhagen opened the door, and they went inside.

Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. Everyone's here's a Ghost of the Gi Tribe. Killed in a certain battle.
Red XIII: A certain battle...?
Bugenhagen: The vengeful spirits of the Gi didn't disappear, and couldn't return to the Lifestream... We still have far to go. Ho Ho Hoooo.
Bugenhagen: As you can see, this cave leads to the back of Cosmo Canyon. It was unfortunate that the Gi were larger then us. If they attacked through here, we wouldn't have stood a chance.
Bugenhagen: This warrior went through the cave all alone. Fighting attackers one after another...
Red XIII: Grandpa... That warrior...
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo... We're almost there.

Along the way, and after a lot of battles, Vincent was glad Ellie had stocked up on essentials because the battles were quite difficult. They had managed to grab some stuff like Added Effect Materia, which Vincent explained its uses to Ellie, and a Black M-Phone presumably for Cait Sith, and a Turbo Ether. Finally they reached the last screen after navigating their way through the maze ...

Bugenhagen: After death... The ghosts of the Gi... Like stagnant air... This can't be!

The boss battle theme sounded, and Ellie groaned.

"Help ..." squeaked Ellie. "I don't wanna die, I forgot to save!"

"Are you sure?" said Vincent sceptically. He pondered the words Bugenhagen had said, and if he wasn't mistaken, this boss was an undead one.

"Of course! I'm going to die!" said Ellie, trying desperately to heal Nanaki as he got hit by some sort of spear attack.

"Do you have an X-Potion? Use it on him. It's an undead monster," said Vincent quickly.

"Are you nuts? It'll only heal him!"

"Trust me. I am sure about it."

Grumbling, Ellie searched for an X-Potion and directed Aeris to use it on the monster. Ellie watched in amazement as the monster roared, shrivelled up and died. Vincent spotted a materia and asked Ellie to get it. It was a gravity materia.

Bugenhagen: ...Thank you, Cloud. Because of you, we survived. Nanaki, you have grown strong, too.
Red XIII: ...Oh yeah?
Bugenhagen: Now I know that it wasn't a mistake bringing you here... Come, I have something I want to show you. Right over here.

Ellie directed them to head up, and standing there in a frozen position was a beast in a battle position. He looked oddly like Nanaki. It was stone, but ...

Red XIII: This is...
Bugenhagen: ...The warrior who fought against the Gi. He kept them from taking even one step into Cosmo Canyon. But he was never able to return to town... Look, Nanaki. Look at your father, at the warrior, Seto.
Red XIII: ...That's... That's... Seto...?
Bugenhagen: Seto continued to fight the Gi tribe here. ...To protect this Canyon. Even after the Gi's poisonous arrows turned his body to stone... Even after they all ran away... Seto, continues to protect us. And he continues to protect us, even now.
Red XIII: Even now...
Bugenhagen: You thought that he was a coward and ran away. But he, alone risked his life to protect Cosmo Canyon. That is your father, Seto.
Red XIII: That... that is Seto? ...? Did mother know?
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo... She knew. The two of them made me promise to keep this cave shut. They asked me to seal it myself and not to tell a soul. They said we should forget about this case. Red XIII: ...
Bugenhagen: Cloud... Would you mind leaving the two of us alone?

Vincent watched, and as he felt a sort of heaviness on his chest, and his eyes began to sting. I will not cry, said Vincent firmly to himself. Even Chaos was oddly quiet.

Bugenhagen: Nanaki. I want you to continue your journey with Cloud and the others.
Red XIII: Grandpa?
Bugenhagen: Listen, Nanaki. Cloud says they are trying to save the planet. Honestly, I don't think it can be done. For even if they stop every reactor on the planet, it's only going to postpone the inevitable. Even if they stop Sephiroth, everything will perish. But, Nanaki. I've been thinking lately. I've been thinking if there was anything WE could do, as a part of the planet, something to help a planet already in misery... No matter what happens, isn't it important to try? Am I just wishing against fate? I am too old to do something about it... This year, you must go with them! For my sake.
Red XIII: Grandpa...
Bugenhagen: I wanted to show you your real father before you left... I'm so glad that you came back while I was still alive to show you.
Red XIII: Grandpa... don't talk like that. I don't want to think of life... without you...
Bugenhagen: Ho Ho Hoooo. Well, I've had a long life.
Red XIII: Grandpa! You must live! I'll see to it. I'll see to what's happening to the planet. And I'll come back to tell you.
Bugenhagen: Nanaki...
Red XIII: I am Nanaki of Cosmo Canyon! The son of the warrior, Seto! I'll come back a warrior true to that noble name! So please, Grandpa...

Sad music starts playing as the scene shifts slowly upwards to the statue of Seto, and of the two tears that dropped from his petrified eyes. Red XIII howls to the moon, to his father, the warrior who he had thought wrongly about him. Vincent felt a lump in his throat, and he consciously cleared his throat.

"Lunch," said Vincent abruptly, and he swept off to the kitchen to avoid looking at Ellie, to avoid her seeing the single tear glisten down his cheek. He would not cry, no, but a single tear will do for now.

000

Hope you guys liked it! There was a lot of script here... hopefully it wasn't boring ...