Darkening Abyss Ch 14
Thanks so much for the reviews!! Ya'll rock ~_^
It's a long one haha, I didn't cut it into two chapters cuz it just wouldn't flow smoothly. I mean seriously how much do ya'll hate having a fight cut in half?!?! I know I do -laughs-
Enjoy!
The helicopters whirring engine was not blocked out by the padded headphones the passengers had clasp around their head. Darkness was absolute as they traveled over the wastelands towards their destination near the Northern Crater. Both Zack and Vincent seemed to assume that that was where Cloud was; the lifestream tugged was pointing them in that direction. They had left under the cover of darkness but the treck there seemed to have taken longer than anticipated. Dawn was about an hour away it had taken the group a majority of the night to fly to the Northern Crater. Then again it didn't really help that they left quite late in the night as well. The pulling on Vincent and Zack grew heavy, signaling their closeness to the final objective.
Breaking through the heavy set of clouds, the helicopter gave a jerk and the passengers gripped their armrests waiting for the metal machine to even out.
"Sir, turbulence is picking up." Tseng's voice broke through their headsets as the helicopter gave another violent jiggle. The winds seemed to have picked up as the clouds gathered in an omnious ensamble.
"We're almost there." Vincent spoke with certainty. They couldn't afford to stop now and let the storm pass. Strange how nature seemed to know when evil deeds were near and provided a gloomy atmosphere. How poetic. Crimson eyes narrowed when the sound of pitter pattering started up on the roof.
"Well aint this dandy. We get a free washing." Reno smirked, glancing out the window. It brought back memories of the time when Rufus sent them to the Northern Crater and they ran into the remnants. The red head would never forget the horendous feeling that came about when Tseng and Elena were captured.
"Yeah Tseng, let's push through this storm and go save Cloud." Zack clenched his fists and stared outside as rain began pelting the machine. Rain… just like back then…
Vincent put a hand on Zack's arm, sensing the others worry and fear. He knew that Zack was remembering the time when he and Cloud escaped Hojo's lab, getting gunned down and running for their lives. So close to freedom yet so far away from it. Zack didn't want to leave again... He didn't want it all to end for him, not another time. "I won't let that happen." The dark gunner knew exactly what was on the SOILDER's mind. "We get in, kill Hojo, and get out with Cloud."
Zack smiled and nodded. "Alright. Let's do this."
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"Oh now isn't this interesting... I knew they'd be coming sooner or later." Hojo sneered at the computer monitor. An alarm went off not to long ago, alerting Hojo that something had entered his domain. The lab he had constructed near the Northern Crater proved to be his final stronghold that not even the Shinra President was aware of. Over the years he'd been jumping from body to body, Hojo created his own inner labarynth beneath the Northern Crater. When those confounded remnats appeared, Hojo thought that his citadel would be comprimised but lo en behold, nothing happened. Even the Turks didn't realize just what they were stepping on. Keeping low, Hojo bidded his time, waiting for the right time to start the reconstruction of the world under his control.
With Jenova under his control as well as the tainted lifestream, Hojo's arrogance simply soared to unbelievable heights.
Pulling up a screen featuring a variety of DNA sequeces, Hojo fluidly manipulated them into one original sequence. "The ultimate body will finally be created. I will become invincible!"
Cloud stood in the far back, illuminated by the overhead lighting. Blue eyes void of concious life, Cloud was truly a walking puppet and Hojo pulling the stings. Jenova cooed sweet nothings into Cloud's mind, further pulling the blonde away from himself.
Forever we shall be together my precious child. You are the only one who is worthy of my supreme power; together we will control the planet and rule it from high.
I am the only one worthy of you...
You're the only warrior who is capable of such feats.
I can control everything...
No one can stand against you, not as long as you have my power running through you.
I am the greatest...
I will make you the greatest, the strongest, the god of Gaia!
I will become the god of Gaia...
The calamity continued her whisperings of power and control while Hojo furiously typed away at his computer. "They will be halted before they reach here! Nothing... nothing will stop me from claiming what is rightfully mine! I am the supreme ruler of everything! My mind will destroy them all."
A loud, demoic roar sounded through the corridors making Hojo's already crazed smile all the more prominant as the DNA file completed. The small tube next to Hojo's desk gurgled to life as a rustic liquid filled the syringe. Picking up the item, Hojo caressed the glass side lovingly and injected it into his arm. "Soon... soon...."
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"Tseng, how close till we are at the Crater?" Rufus questioned. It must not be that far off. Zack and Vincent were rubbing their chests more often now.
"About ten kilometers." Tseng's voice crackled through the headphones.
"Pick up the speed." Crossing his arms over his chest, Rufus took a deep breath. They were almost there. Soon this madness would come to a fitting end.
"Roger."
Adrenaline was rushing through their veins with the knowledge of the fight that would surely ensue. They knew that Professor Hojo had Bahamut so it was highly likely that the beast would probably pose as one of the larger obstacles before they met with the man himself. Then there was Cloud. How were they to get the boy back out from under Hojo's influence and control?
"Five kilometers." Once again, Tseng's voice sounded through.
Closer and closer. The Northern Crater's front diameter was now visible in the far off distance from the sky.
"Two kilometers."
As soon as Tseng spoke the distance, a roar that shook the skies boomed in the near distance. Seemed like Hojo expected them and sent out his pet to do the dirty work.
"Incoming!" Reno yelled as Bahamut dived after the helicopter. Everyone inside the metal object clung to it as the machine dodged the vicious first attack.
"Tseng take us down! Take us down!" Reno cried out as he tried to aim the ships weapons onto the flying target. They were sitting ducks, trapped in the helicopter. (Well, flying ducks…)
'I do not have time to waste with this shit! Let me out Valentine!' Chaos roared inside Vincent, making the dark gunner roll his eyes at his inner beast. Damn was Chaos being pushy or what?
"Open the door." Vincent unbuckled himself and checked Cerberus.
"The hell?!" Reno gritted out as Tseng preformed more dodging maneuvers.
"I'll bide you some time."
'Screw biding time I'm tearing the beast apart!'
The door opened and Vincent jumped out when Bahamut flew under the belly of the helicopter. Bahamut didn't feel the lighter male on his back which gave the gunner the element of surprise. Quickly running to the head along Bahamut's back, Vincent unleashed a barrage of bullets making the creature roar in furry, finally realizing the added weight.
Bahamut spun in the air, trying to shake of its unwelcomed passenger. Vincent rose his metal gauntlet in the air and shoved it through the thick hide of the beast, anchoring him down, allowing him to maintain his position on Bahamut. Seeing the mountains near by, Bahamut flew towards the heaps of rock. Vincent, seeing this coming, jumped off in the nick of time onto the rain slicked rock. Shooting off another round of well aimed bullets, Vincent dodged a large claw swipe that came him from the left.
Hojo's summon let out a roar as another fighter joined in the fray, clipping one of the wings and digging the heavy metal into its back. "Don't mind if I join your party Vinny?"
"It's Vincent." He shook his head, feeling the rain race down his face and dripping off at his chin.
Zack pulled the sword out, jumped off the flailing Bahamut and joined Vincent on the high point of the rock mound. It felt really good to get into another battle with his buster sword again. The spiky black haired SOILDER took on a fighting stance, waiting for the monster to make a move.
Bahamut gave another fierce bellow as it was forced to land. It swung its large tail into the rock, completely obliterating it as Zack and Vincent separated and darted around the beasts hind legs. Vincent ran up the tail and shot more rounds into Bahamut's body while Zack weaved in and out of the summons' stomping feet. The wet ground provided no traction whatsoever.
"Zack!" Vincent yelled out over towards the SOILDER still running around on the ground. Bahamut swiped his tail once more, catching the buster wielder and flinging him into another stone wall parallel to where they were fighting.
"Ngh… Fuck that hurt!" Zack felt blood race down the right side of his face.
Bahamut gave a victorious cry.
'RELEASE ME!' Vincent couldn't contain Chaos's rage any further and he let loose the demon. Zack's mouth dropped open as a black, smouldering cloud erupted from where Vincent stood and a blue and red monster emerged. That must be Chaos...
Bahamut saw the transformation and roared again to which its response was another angered cry coming from Chaos who spread his batlike wings far and stretched his arms to the side. Two powerful creatures soon to be clashing in battle.
In the blink of an eye, Chaos tore after Bahamut as the much larger summon charged towards Vincent's alternate form. Leaping up into the air, Chaos drug his claw up Bahamut's left side, ripped through the flesh as if it were made of paper, sending rivulets of blood gushing out of its side as the still attached skin hung limply. Bahamut cried out in pain as the tendons snapped and severed with each powerful clawswipe Chaos delivered to its body. The summon was not expecting such power to emit from a much smaller body.
Blood splattered across Chaos's face and torso as his anger was let loose upon the unsuspecting summon. 'You dare stand in my way? I shall tear you to ribbons! You are not worthy you immitation!'
Hojo's creation of the actual Bahamut was proving to be yet another failure. Oh boy was the Professor not going to be happy about this. Zack dared not interfeer with Chaos's destruction spree; the way Vincent's demon attacked Hojo's summon was terrifying. Chaos didn't seem to want to end the beasts life quickly.
Spinning to the right, avoiding ravage snapping jaws, Chaos dug his hand into Bahamut's right eye, ripping out the beasts sight. In doing so, Bahamut swiftly brought it's clawed hand upwards and flung the red and blue demon off of him and into the nearby rocky structure. Having only one eye for vision, Bahamut failed to see the movement on its right and opened its jaws, allowing an angered roar to escape.
A rocket launcher shot off and zeroed in on the summon and entered through the mouth, obliterating it from the inside out with a shower of blue, red and yellow firework show. "YEAH! Take that you son of a bitch! Compliments of Rude ya asshole!" Reno's goggles finally proved to be of some use as he yelled out, watching the beast disintegrate. His aim and timing were on par, even as the rainy night lingered on. The guardian of Hojo's new fortress had been conquered. They were one step closer to ending this madness once and for all.
But someone was not too happy about that change of events. 'How dare that confounded red headed Turk take my kill?! How dare he, how dare he?!'
'The crisis has been overted Chaos, we can now focus on getting Cloud back. Isn't that what you wanted?' Vincent couldn't help but smirk at Chaos's ranting. Chaos had relinquished hold on Vincent's body and the gunner returened back to his original state.
'I'll fucking turn that Turk inside out! I was finally having fun and he just had to go and ruin it all with a damn machine! There's nothing like the satisfaction of ripping flesh apart and causing pain... Fuck Reno to hell and back so I can kill him again!' Chaos really was acting like an illtempered child.
'Modern times you old demon.' Vincent chuckled as Chaos steemed inside. The demon most definitely did not like Vincent harping on his age... he wasn't that old for crying out loud.
"You alright Zack?" Vincent held out his gloved hand towards the SOILDER sitting under a ledge of rock. The rain had lightened up and now all that remained were puddles.
"Yeah I'm good. A bit dazed but it'll pass." Zack took Vincent's offered hand and stood up, reattaching his sword to his back. Shaking his fist in Reno's direction, Zack shouted out, "That was a lucky shot Reno!"
"There ain't no luck, it's all skill yo." The red head smirked at the victory. Rude's flashy gadgets came in handy.
"We almost had it." Vincent, feeling some of Chaos's emotions, was slightly angered. Bahamut provided to be a fantastic stress relief…
"Oh I think someone's a little jealous." The loudmouthed Turk winked at Vincent, earning a narrowed glare from the elder.
"Reno…" Rufus's commanding voice got the feisty red head to quiet down.
"Yeah yeah yeah. Sorry Vinny."
"It's Vincent."
"Hey guys, well look on the bright side," Zack pointed to the sky. "There's no more rain."
Indeed, the rain decided to let up. The clouds still hung low in the sky but they began lessening from dark, stormy gray to a lighter shade. This would prove to be beneficial to the upcoming fight since they wouldn't have to put too much thought on footing. It was still going to be a little rough since the ground would take a while to dry, but it was definitely better than the slicked mess earlier.
The Northern Crater lay straight ahead. Its gapping maws beckoned the warriors as the lifestream once again pulled at Vincent and Zack. They needed to hurry. The morning sunrise pierced the horizon, illuminating the barren land surrounding the monstous wall of rock. So much for using the night to their advantage.
"Hey before we head off, I'd like ta be all warm n fuzzy on the inside and out." Pulling out a fire materia, Reno used it and dried himself; the steam rising off his body promted the others to do just the same, allowign the red head to dry them off as well.
"Let's go." Vincent was the first to step off into the direction of the world's enemy.
"I hope I get a raise after this Rufus." Reno dropped off the used RPG near the landed helicopter and whipped out his EMR, tapping it on his shoulder as his lanky legs carried him off following Vincent's trail.
"We will see about that… raise." Rufus smirked and brushed off imaginary dirt from his suit.
"It's good to see you in something else besides white Sir." Tseng couldn't help but make a comment at Rufus's new attire: black suit, white dress shirt, just like the Turks.
"Oh come now, it's so I don't dirty my whites." Rufus rolled his blue eyes and walked off.
"Aw aren't we a big ol' bundle of love!" The violet eyed youth sing-songed as he clasped his hands behind his damp black hair, following the others.
The group felt like they were walking on egg shells no matter how Reno or Zack tried lightening the mood with their occasional jokes. Anything could happen and they had to be prepared. About ten minutes passed by as the party drew closer towards the once dwelling of Jenova.
Where were Hojo's demon dogs that he could conjour up? Better yet, where was Cloud? Didn't the Professor state that he was going to make the blonde his new general? Nothing seemed right. Then again, everything that had to do with Hojo was never right to begin with.
"It's quiet." Zack narrowed his eyes, reaching behind him, fingers dancing over the familiar hilt of his trusty heavy metal weapon as they continued walking. The winds stilled and the cloud's seemed to freeze in place.
'I'm getting people bumps...' Chaos stirred within his host at the uneasiness surrounding them.
'I believe they are called goose bumps Chaos.' Vincent halted, sensing that something abnormal in the air currents.
"Vincent?" Tseng felt his heart rate increase as his senses went on high alert, pulling out his gun. If Vincent sensed something and stopped, that meant that it had to be bad.
"Do you feel that?" Zack tightened his grip on his weapon strapped to his back when the hairs tickling the back of his neck stood on end.
"What? Feel what?" Reno's trained green eyes darted around the landscape searching for something, anything, that was making the others uneasy. "What the hell kinda mojo you all pickn' up?"
"The ground…" Rufus knelt down and placed a pale hand against the drying earth as another small rumble danced beneath the earth's surface.
"The pull is gone." Placing his armored hand against his chest, Vincent's gaze raked over the vast expanse of land still stretching before them.
"That means-" The violet eyed SOILDER's sentence was cut short due to the land on the right side of the Northern Crater erupting like a volcano, spewing up rocks and dirt. What birthed from the earth was a monster in all its disgusting glory. The beast's back faced the group of five as they braced themselves for whatever was to come. All they could see was the bulbuls mass of disfigurement on the left side of the monster as its meaty tail with a spear-like end lay unmoving behind it. Two arms and legs on each side of its immense grey and black body that mirrored that of Bahamut flexed as if it were testing itself out.
Earth rubble tumbled off the body of this new beast as it slowly turned around to face the party. What was most shocking was that not only did the beast have a natural body, but its front was merged with machines just like Hojo was back at Shinra. The webbing of tubes containing blue and green viscous liquids raced all along the torso of the monster. Its face bore a mask along its upper part that only allowed slots for the eyes to appear out of as well as the mouth to be revealed. Globs of thick drool seeped out as the angry jaws opened, revealing two rows of sharp teeth.
What in the name of the Ancients had been created?
If that wasn't enough, the smaller form of a human body was seen shilouetted amidst the clearing dust.
"Cloud." Vincent made a move to go after his smaller lover but was stopped by Zack placing a firm hand on the elder males' arm. Burning crimson eyes met infuriated violet as they both wanted to charge in and take back Cloud; but they needed to put a hold on their emotions and think with their head. This wasn't the time to simply rush head first into battle.
'It's time to go Valentine! That bastard will be obliterated!'
The beast sneered and finally spoke in a deep voice. "Welcome inferiorities. I was not expecting you so soon… Do you like my ultimate form? I call it, Jenova Ultimatum. She is part of me now just as the tainted lifestream. Rufus, you pathetic ingrate, you thought you found all of Jenova didn't you? Oh how wrong you were." Raising his bulky arms up to the heavens, Hojo cried out, "on this land I shall construct my kingdom!"
"Hojo!" Reno roared out, green eyes ablaze with anger and hatred for the man, the beast, presented before them. "You fucking bastard!"
"Oh shut your yap!" Snarling out, Hojo clenched his fists angrily.
"Make me ya freak!" The feisty red head pointed his nightstick towards Hojo defiantly.
"How dare you insult me you confounded whelp? You measly beings will be destroyed here. Erased from this world." Hojo motioned to the prone boy at his side. "It's ironic that one of the experiments I thought was a failure turned out to be one of my best works. Enjoy your freedom while you can for you all shall fall here!"
That being said, Cloud darted across the expanse of land towards the five with great speed. His sword, First Tsurugi, was drawn and poised to kill and the first one to intercept the blow was Zack with his buster sword. A screeching clang was heard as the two best friends locked themselves in battle.
"Cloud! Snap out of it little buddy!" Zack gritted his teeth against the fierceness of the blonde's sheer power. It was a horrible feeling, seeing Cloud being controlled like that.
"You are worthless."Cloud's mouth moved and a voice not his own came out. "Simple fool, you were not meant to be a host."
Snarling as Cloud's enhanced power drove him down to one knee, the black haired sword fighter tried pushing back. "Hojo release him!"
"I think not SOILDER Zachary Fair. Jenova, the lifestream, Cloud… they are all under my control. Soon the world will be ruled under my iron fist!" Hojo lifted his right arm and slammed it against the earth, sending a severe shockwave racing out towards the others gathered nearby. Cloud leaped out of the way as Zack got blasted with the force and flew backwards, rolling against the ground and coming to a halt near the others who tried to maintain their upright position.
"Rufus, you and the others go after Hojo. Zack with your blade you can destroy the tubes that lace around his body. Hopefully it will slow him down some. I will bring back Cloud." Vincent ordered the others whom nodded in consent.
"How're ya gonna get blondie back Vincent?" The red headed Turk yelled out as he started of towards the behemoth swaying before them.
Crimson eyes connected with Cloud's slitted green. 'I do not know, Reno.'
"You can do it Vinny!" Zack grabbed his blade and made a mad dash past his best friend who continued staring at Vincent. While the dark haired gunner brought back Cloud, this was Zack's chance to tear apart and defeat the man who stole his life and ruining countless others. His heavy boots made a mixture of wet and drying dirt erupt up from his hastened footsteps from the earth. Zack's violet eyes shone with vehemence and fierce determination.
Tseng, Reno and Rufus were following closely after the SOILDER though not at the other's extremely fast pace. The Turk leader broke off from that group and dashed off to the opposite side to where Zack was. "Sir, be safe."
Rufus nodded and watched Tseng run off.
"Fuck I'm getting too old for this!" Reno cracked out a joke as he and Rufus ran towards Hojo.
"If we manage to come out alive from this, your reward will be great." Rufus smirked.
"Ohhh President, have I been bad?" Reno tightened his hold on the EMR as they neared. Zack finally made contact with Jenova Ultimatum and began his slashing frenzy while Tseng provided backup shots.
"Punishment is necessary." Halting farther back from the frontlines, Rufus began shooting at Hojo, aiming for the inticate weave of tubes trying to weaken them.
The obnoxious Turk laughed haughtily, sending out a zapping wave of electricity from his rod towards Hojo's left flank. "Then I guess I better survive."
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This was just like before, Cloud attacking with lightning fast movements and Vincent having to dodge the swooping sword strikes. Just because Vincent preferred using his gun in battle didn't mean that he hadn't learned hand to hand combat; his time in the Turks helping that. Cloud may be fast when using his sword to strike, but when that sword lost momentum, the boy was vulnerable from the other side, only for a mere moment, before the metal weapon was swinging yet again.
"Cloud!" Vincent dodged another upwards swipe by leaping backwards, creating some distance between him and Cloud. He might, just might, be able to break through Hojo and Jenova's control, by calling out to the younger man.
Sadly there was no response but what was he expecting? For Cloud to just quickly snap out of it? No that'd be too simple. It seemed that Hojo was not able to fully control Jenova when he himself was distracted by something else though since Cloud's eyes held some of his original blue traces. This was Vincent's chance. While the others kept Hojo busy, Vincent had a higher success rate of bringing back the blonde.
Cloud charged after the black haired male, eyes green and focused. Vincent missed the endless light oceanic eyes that were a complete temperature contrast to his own burning crimson. The green was just too foriegn. He had to bring the original Cloud back.
The taken over boy delivered a crushing sidekick to Vincent's right side, making the gunner grunt and tumble across the ground. Cloud's blade was mere inches from Vincent's face as it began to shake a little. Though his body was still prone to attack, Vincent could see Cloud's eyes shift between forest green and sky blue.
"Cloud! You can do it. Break free!" Vincent got up and was about to touch the boy when Cloud's eyes hardened once more and slammed the base of First Tsurugi against Vincent's left cheek causing the elder to stagger then quickly leap away to safety. Whipping the dripping blood off from his now bleeding cheek and nose, the ex-Turk turned to face Cloud.
The boy charged again, swinging his blade madly as the golden clawed man dodged left and right, jumping and back flipping when necessary. "Remember Cloud, you have to remember your past!"
His past… why would he want to remember something like that?
You don't have to… simply forget… move on. Jenova still had a mighty strong mind influence on Cloud. Her words whispering sweet nothings in his head, making him forget.
"Don't listen Cloud!" A small greenish tinge wrapped its way around Vincent's arm. The lifestream. What was it trying to say?
Vincent didn't have time to contemplate what just happened as his young lover attacked once more. The boy didn't seem to let up; never faltering, never ending. The gunner took a deep breath, steeling his emotions, knowing what he had to do… He had to go on the offensive.
As Cloud swung his sword from the right, Vincent did a backwards flip, landed on Cloud's left side and used the boy's momentum against him, kicking him in the side, sending the younger sprawling against the earth. This seemed to daze the blonde since he was used to attacking, not being the one attacked. Cloud rolled and got up once more, charging at Vincent. The gunner read Cloud's movements and sidestepped to the left and punched the boy in his stomach, making him cough and grit his teeth.
Sorry Cloud.
Vincent let the boy stagger backwards. He didn't want to hurt him that badly after all. A glow was seen on his left arm again. His gold claw was highlighted with the floating green swirls. The lifestream was indeed trying to communicate with him, to tell him something…
Cloud flung his blade towards Vincent who was still distracted by the glow on his arm. That moment's hesitation granted Vincent a clean cut on the outer side of his right thigh as he tried to dodge, seeing the oncoming attack a little too late. Leather ripped, giving way to split skin that began bleeding furiously, drenching the material. The wound stung like hell and Vincent let out a small cry as the stinging pain raced up and down his leg with every movement. Cloud was suddenly in his face again, swinging his left fist, clipping the elder man on his already bleeding cheek. Vincent the second swipe he dodged and each on following it until he finally found an opening and grabbed Cloud by his chest, pinning him to the ground, making the other thrash against the body planted atop him.
Vincent's arm began giving off the lifestream tinge as it traveled from his palm over Cloud's chest to the blonde. He was like the conductor; the lifestream needed Vincent in order to reach the taken over boy since Cloud was infused with Gaia's enemy who was preventing the lifestream itself. As soon as the silk-like mist touched Cloud's skin, it was absorbed into the blonde.
Cloud promptly halted his thrashings and simply stared up at the morning sky, eyes still green and wide. What was going on? Vincent released his hold on the boy, running his gloved hand against a pale cheek. "Cloud?"
'What… what's going on?'
'D-don't go!... sta…with me fo..vr!'
'Who… stay with who?'
'Cl…d…'
'What's this… green light?'
'No!'
'It's so… bright…'
'N…O… You ca…leave!'
'Where am I?'
"Cloud?" A smooth dark voice broke through Cloud's inner thoughts.
'Vincent?'
'Hate!'
'I don't hate him…'
'Despise!'
'I can't'
'Kill him!'
'I love him.'
And just like that, Jenova was erased from Cloud with the gift of the lifesream. Green eyes gave way to infinite pools of blue that focused on the warmer ones gazing worriedly back at him. "Vincent?"
"Cloud." Vincent brought his lips down onto the other's, happy to see the familiar eyes and hear the voice that belonged to Cloud. The worry, the fear, all vanished when Cloud called out his name and Vincent could help but caress the side of the younger male's face. "You're back."
The blonde grasped hold Vincent's hand that cradled his face, leaning into the leather warmth. "I'm sorry."
"I failed you." Crimson orbs saddened.
"Never. You brought me back." Cloud kissed Vincent's knuckles and closed his eyes. "I'm really tired…"
"I know… We can rest once we are done here." For a moment, the battle that was still raging on at the other side of the field, was forgotten.
"It was the lifestream. The lifestream somehow erased Jenova and Hojo… I'm… me." Flexing his fists, the blonde warrior gave a small smile at the feeling of himself controlling his body.
"It's good to have you back." Vincent leaned in, putting his forehead against Cloud's. "However, we still have to vanquish Hojo. Or should I say, Jenova Ultimatum."
"Such fancy words." Cloud smiled, sitting up.
Picking himself up from the ground, Vincent held out his hand for the younger male to grasp. "Let's go."
Gripping the offered hand, Cloud nodded and the two set off to defeat the final obstacle for securing Gaia's happiness.
They arrived just as Rufus was thrown against the rock wall outlining that section as Reno ran after his fallen lover and President since he was the closest. The red head had blood racing down the left side of his face and his back was slashed open, revealing angry red streaks along with tattered clothing. Zack was on the beasts back, slashing it, cutting a deep wound within ugly flesh, making Hojo cry out in pain and fury. Tseng dodged another flailing tail strike and shot off four rounds into the beasts chest, effectively disrupting another green tube with his gun; its juices dripped off the enraged mutated Professor.
With a strong shake, Hojo flung the hitch hiker Zack off his back and the black haired sword wielder fell onto the ground near Tseng with a grunt. "Ngh… Fuck."
"Zack!" Cloud yelled out towards his friend.
The violet eyed youth turned, smiling brightly at the two figures approaching them. "Spiky you're back!
Vincent and Cloud both arrived next to Tseng and Zack. Cloud gripped Zack's upper right arm and helped his best friend up. The SOILDER bore a nasty looking bruise to the left side of his face.
Cloud quirked and eyebrow. "What happened to you?"
"Tseng here didn't move out of the way in time." Zack pointed an accusing finger over his shoulder at Tseng who narrowed his eyes.
"I didn't ask for your protection Zack."
The reunion was cut short as Hojo delivered another shockwave to the earth. Hojo laughed and growled grotesquely, drool seeping from the crevices between razor sharp teeth. "Well well well, seems that you were able to escape my control after all. Once a failure, always a failure. I should have expected as much from you."
"A failure I may be, but this failure will take you down!" Cloud wasted no time in dashing into battle. All the pain that he felt, the anger, the hatred towards this man, was now his weapon. How many times had he dreamt of clobbering Hojo into a bloody pulp?
Another round of fierce battling commenced. Cloud and Zack were darting swiftly all over the place, landing critical blow after critical blow, in a maddening dance of sword swipes and stabs. Five more tubes filled with the liquid were severed, making Hojo roar out in furry as more of his creation leaked out. Rufus and Reno were back in action and the red headed Turk's EMR electricity proved to be effective in making sections of the beasts body paralyzed for good potions of time.
It was a good thing that Rufus decided to go with a black outfit. The gash cutting from his left shoulder down across his stomach to his right hip was mighty painful. The bleeding was stopped with a hastily cast cure materia but it sill didn't seal the wound entirely.
'You do best to keep your promise to me Valentine.' Chaos echoed in Vincent's mind as the dark gunner shot another round of bullets into Hojo.
'Hn. Fine. Please do not hurt anyone else Chaos.'
Cloud sensed the power shift where Vincent was standing, instantly knowing that he was releasing Chaos. Well, it wouldn't hurt if Chaos got out and tore shit up (mainly Hojo). It seemed as if even demons disliked this hellish creature masking itself in human flesh. Dode-rolling to avoid a stomping foot, Cloud smirked some, knowing that once Chaos got into the fray, that Hojo wasn't going to stand a chance.
A blur of blue and red soared across the battlefield with bat-like wings. 'Hojo!'
'Oh ho ho, isn't this a wonderful treat! Chaos, how kind of you to show-"
Hojo's speech was cut off when Chaos shot deadly rounds from Cerberus into the monster's chest. Grasping the holed wounds, Hojo snarled out, "Frivalous degenerate! All will return to nothing and then I shall recreate the world!"
Again raising his open palm to the sky, a blue and green sphere of swirling energy accumulated that he shot towards Chaos. The dark demon thought that he had escaped the blast but to his surprise, the vortex of power shifted course and followed him, engulfing Chaos. Cloud cried out to Vincent who hurtled through the sky, colliding with the land. Standing up on shaky legs, the ex-Turk gasped as he felt Chaos's power seethe back into him.
"Not even the mighty Chaos will stand in my way; I am the controller of everything! I am both executioner and God of this world!" Hojo cackled haughtily but it seemed that he was getting tired even with some of Jenova coursing through him. That discharge of force took a heaping amount of might from Hojo.
'Chaos are you alright?' Vincent -dare he say it- was worried about Chaos; it was extremely rare that a monster had power to vanquish him like that.
'That stream of light felt like some of the tainted lifestream and Jenova… You must destroy him my host… He's sealing… our transformation…. I am alright but I can't seem… to…' The demon's voice dissipated, furthering Vincent's worry, as he felt some of his power seep away from him. Fuck just what the hell did Hojo do?!
Cloud arrived by his side seconds later. "Hey you alright? Vincent?"
Nodding, Vincent arose from the ground. "Yes… But Hojo seems to have disrupted our transformation link."
"Guess we better get this over quick huh?"
"Hey! A little help over here guys!" Reno yelled out towards Vincent and Cloud as he dove out of the path of Hojo's sweeping tail.
"Let's finish this." Cloud gripped First Tsurugi's hilt and tore after Hojo; the sound of metal clanging against the earth signaled to Cloud that Vincent wasn't far behind.
Another heated battle commenced, both parties attacking and dodging, beating and being beaten. They'd been fighting for a good two hours and adrenaline was still coursing through their veins, keeping them alive and fighting. The creatures' movements were becoming too sluggish, causing Hojo to fall behind the quick hits and counter attacks the heroes delivered upon his grotesque body. It appeared that even the invincible are not as immortal as they thought.
Letting out a roar, Hojo fell to one knee. His body was cut in ribbons, animalistic blood mixing with toxic green from Jenova as it touched the earth. "You… arrogant… fools… How dare you… How dare you think you can… defeat me?!"
"Because we fight as one; we are not alone in this world like you. You take and you use, but you never give back. The planet doesn't want you here. The planet-the lifestream- denies your existence!" Cloud stood proudly, First Tsurugi aimed right at Hojo's head.
"Mongrel…" Hojo sneered.
"It's the pot calling the kettle black." Reno chuckled, wiping away the blood running from his nose. The first thing he decided to do when he got back to Edge was drink himself silly.
"There's no way you will be able to win." Vincent stood by Cloud, cocking Cerberus towards the wounded malformation.
"Payback's a bitch isn't it?" Zack was wound like a spring, ready to unleash another round of hell. Who could blame him though?
"You all will fall!" Jenova Ultimatum roared and slammed its tail down on the ground, sending another rippling shockwave.
Zack and Cloud dodge rolled out of the swooping claw that was aimed towards them as Vincent preformed a backwards flip. Tseng and Rufus's bullets were heard zipping through the air and sinking into misshapen flesh. The SOILDER stabbed upwards at Hojo's exposed belly, making the deformed Professor cry out in pain as the sword entered the meaty confinements. However, Zack's blade was caught deep within the muscled mass and he couldn't remove it in time for when Hojo slapped the black haired male away. Zack rolled across the ground until he came to a stop near Rufus.
The Shinra President cast a cure which helped ease the pain erupting from Zack's middle. "Thanks Rufus…"
"No thanks needed." Rufus smiled and looked back towards Cloud who took over Zack's job at mincing apart Hojo's torso. His blue eyes widened in fear as he saw what was about to happen. "CLOUD! The tail!"
As Zack was trying to regain some semblance of himself, Cloud jumped up onto Hojo's shoulder and made a large gash across the upper portion. Hojo cried out in pain and shook the boy off. Cloud landed and was about to find a way to decapitate Hojo when he heard Rufus shout out his name.
It was too late... Cloud saw the tail that was flung at his midsection too late… Blood splattered across his face and body, drenching him in a sea of crimson.
Opening his blue eyes, Cloud could only stare in horror as Vincent stood before him, Hojo's spear-like tail running right through the gunslingers upper body. Cerberus clattered to the ground as the dark gunner made a gurgling noise. Cloud's eyes were wide with shock. "Oh… Gods… Vincent!"
"Vincent!" The others all cried out in unison as Hojo retracted his tail, laughing cruelly.
Vincent's body crumbled to the ground, blood erupting out of the open wound like a spring. Cloud immediately began casting cure as Zack and Reno cried out in anguish, lashing out at Hojo once more. They were completely berserk and would only be sedated when Hojo was no longer of this world. Rufus and Tseng followed the others' enraged volley of attacks. Hojo had used Jenova's power to seal away Vincent's demon, Chaos, thus inhibiting him from changing into the beast and healing himself. The bastard really was a monster.
Cloud, dripping with Vincent's blood, began crying as the cure material failed him. "No! No, no, no! Vincent please! You can't die on me now. Not after you've come this far. You can't leave me… you promised!"
Another gurgle was heard that was followed closely with a cough that spewed up more blood. He was covered… Cloud was covered in his lover's blood… It was just like Zack that time when they escaped… It couldn't happen again, it just couldn't. "Vincent come on…"
"Cl…oud… sorry…" Crimson eyes were barely open as Vincent mumbled out those words.
"Stop it. Just stop it. You'll be ok. You'll be ok!" Tears were merging with the still warm blood that painted his pale cheeks.
"I…" Vincent coughed once more before taking in a shuddering breath and exhaling. His chest failed to rise once more after that.
"No! You can't give up! Not now!" Cloud waited for a response, some acknowledgement, anything that would signal Vincent still being alive… nothing. He was immortal right? Right?! He couldn't die! Hojo... just what the hell did he do?!
"V-Vincent?" Crimson eyes were closed to the morning sun and ears were deaf to Cloud's agonized pleas.
"Noooo!" So much hatred, so much anger, so much sadness was caused by Professor Hojo. Cloud yelled out to the heavens. "Bring him back! You bring him back!"
Zack's roars of agony, Reno's yells of rage, Tseng and Rufus's silent fury were all witnessed as they fought against the man who interrupted life itself. Cloud petted Vincent's black hair as tears raced down his cheeks like a river. The blood from his lover pooled around them, soaking into Cloud's black clothing. He knew Vincent was immortal but... why wasn't he healing himself? They needed to kill Hojo now in order to reverse whatever had beed done to their fallen comrade. Chaos needed to regain some conciousness to help his host recover from the dammage that had been inflicted upon him
Suddenly, the green light that appeared around Vincent's arm was now escaping from the earth itself and began wrapping around Cloud. He could feel an insane amount of energy fuel him. This power… The lifestream.
Cloud felt the lifestream whisper its wishes into his ear. Nodding, Cloud placed Vincent's head down on the earth, stood defiantly and yelled out to Hojo. "Hojo!"
This got the attention of everyone. Hojo sneered and grinned evilly with that disgusting mug of his. "Wish to join your companion do you?"
"You have taken enough from this world and now you will pay for your sins." Cloud glared; his eyes resembling glaciers as he summoned the power of the lifestream. Its green tinge worked around Cloud's body like a shield, cocooning him in its ethereal glow. The others moved out of the way. It was Cloud's fight now.
"Ohhh… what new plaything have you brought to share?" Jenova Ultimatum cackled and prepared to launch another attack by bending down on all fours and leaping at the still blonde.
Everyone screamed for Cloud to move out of the way, to dodge, to do… something! But he didn't. Hojo's snapping jaws engulfed the boy.
Silence.
Hojo roared in triumph as everyone gazed at the scene before them. Vincent lay on the ground surrounded by his own blood and Cloud was gone… eaten by that beast.
"Cloud!" Zack cried out.
His only response was Hojo's satisfied psychotic laughter. "You're savior has failed you! The lifestream has failed you! There is n-"
Yellow eyes widened as Hojo's clawed hand touched his chest. A hole appeared right in the center of the beast and Cloud erupted from it unscathed, unblemished by the filth that was once partially human.
"N-no! H-howw are y-you alive?! This can… not be possible! I am the supreme being! How… how is this possible?!" Hojo staggered, the fatal wound Cloud had erupted from bled profusely as webbings of the lifestream scattered across Hojo's body like a web. It's intricate lacings degrading Hojo as the monster crumbled away into nothingness.
"I have the world as my ally. What do you have?" Cloud was still surrounded with the lifestream's essence.
Hojo roared and lunged again, trying to finish what he started. "I'll destroy you!"
Cloud held up his hands to the sky, gathering the lifestreams' powers and shooting it directly at the disturbance before him that continued its animalistic charge. Blue eyes locked with enraged yellow and Hojo was obliterated right before their very eyes. The power of the lifestream was unimaginable. The power to kill, the power to save.
It was over.
TBC
*wipes away sweat* Wowzers that was a long fight.
*fans self*
Thank you thank you thank you to everyone! I could not have gotten here without all your support
REVIEW ^_^
~ChaosGarden