"So can anyone explain why my little girl is in the hospital all because she was 'pushed' out of a tree by one of her most trusted friends?!" yelled Barret.

"Barret calm down, we don't know anything at the moment," said Reeve. "I'm sure it was just an accident."

"Accident?!" exclaimed Barret throwing his head back. "What the he--?! That was no ACCIDENT!! He deliberately pushed her off and now my little one's back where she started—in a comma!"

"That's not like Gilmore to do somethin' like that though," said Cid.

"I know it's not," said Yuffie. "He's always been sweet and kind, I'd never think he'd do something like this."

"None of us would," said Cloud as he turned to watch Marlene in the glass room they kept her in—all that be there beside her was Zack who glanced at his father silently with sad eyes before glancing back at Marlene.

"Marlene," said Zack placing his hand gently on top of hers. "I guess my birthday wasn't such a happy birthday after all."

There was a slight pause as Zack shifted a bit in his seat just scanning Marlene's ever-frail condition now. His hand squeezed hers tighter as his body trembled saying—

"But I'd live through a lot of unhappy birthdays if only you'd wake up . . . why did it have to be you who couldn't catch your fall? Why not me? . . . Marlene."

"Have you figured out anything?" asked Shelke to a doctor who examined Gilmore.

"No," shook the doctor. "By all accounts it just doesn't make sense. He's as healthy as ever so it's not his health that caused this unusual attitude."

"Then what do you think it is?" asked Shelke desperate to help her only child from this madness.

"Honestly," sighed the doctor taking a quick glance at Gilmore who was not in a holding cell until they could figure out what to do with him. "I can't tell you."

"Could it be family related?" asked Shelke. "His real father returned only a month ago and I'm wondering if that's why—he's been acting so strange."

"Does he hold grudges against him?" asked the doctor folding his arms.

"Um, no I don't think so," said Shelke casting her head down and slightly fiddling with her fingers. "But sometimes he did get mad at him—could-could that be it?"

"For him to act so strangely?" asked the doctor. "I doubt it, but for a young boy whose lived and acted the same for 18 years to just up and change out of the blue just because his long lost father returned is simply unheard of."

"Then what are you suggesting?" asked Shelke looking at him.

There was a slight pause until the doctor sighed and said—

"I'd say the father had something to do with it."

"Alright—what'd ya do to your boy?" asked Reno as he and Tseng interrogated Vincent in a silent room.

"I told you I don't know," said Vincent getting strangely tired of their shenanigans.

"That's not what everyone else is saying," said Reno. "They said Gilmore Valentine was just fine until a month ago—when you came back in the picture. So fess up—what'd you do to him?"

"Why can't you tell me?" asked Vincent. "I have no memory of my time in captivity and so therefore don't know what they did to me. I think they had done something to me to effect Gilmore—but—I don't know what."

"What?" asked Reno. "So what you're saying is—you think you did something to Gil, but can't remember what?"

"In 18 years . . . you haven't changed Reno," said Vincent.

"That's not the—" started Reno but was stopped by Tseng.

"Wait Reno," said Tseng motioning his hand up. "I think I understand you Mr. Valentine."

Vincent placed his sole attention on Tseng now. Perhaps he had some answers as to what was going on with him—with his son, with everything.

"You're saying you know they did something to you, but you just can't remember," said Tseng.

"Yes," said Vincent. "I just know—something is wrong with—me."

"Then where do you suggest we start looking?" asked Tseng.

"My memories," said Vincent.

"Vincent Valentine—this machine was designed to go into the mind of many minds and memories to find the ones a person cannot remember themselves. The memories will be shown on a monitor for all to see. You do know this process of unveiling the truth may be somewhat painful for you with the more forgotten memories we uncover," said Rufus as Vincent waited for the contraption to start.

"I understand," said Vincent as he lay on the table with the machine above his head ready to scan the lost memories of his labyrinth mind.

"Very well—start it up Ellana," motioned Rufus.

"Yes sir," she said as she started it.

The sound of a low humming started and soon it became high as if it came from Vincent's head. It was almost unbearable as his ears ached from the humming, but he resisted the urge to move and just stayed laying flat on his back with his hands crossed over his chest. Vincent soon felt a sudden force way on his face that forced his eyes shut like they had suddenly not been able to hold their stand in being awake.

"He's crossed into phase two sir," said Ellana turning to Rufus.

"Good—then start up phase three," said Rufus keeping his eyes on Vincent.

All watched Vincent from outside a glass wall. Shelke clung to Reeve fearing what the outcome was to be. Their attention soon fell to the monitor beside Vincent as the screen began to show images—not clear at first, but it soon would be.

"Look!" pointed Mimi seeing the images clear now.

Not only was it images, but also they could hear voices. They heard the voices before seeing the images clearly and only a handful knew of whom they belonged to.

"Ahh, this one will do just fine, though I want a younger one. I'm not sure if he'll be up for a second time. He had gotten rid of it before."

"Hojo," they heard Vincent mumble in his memories.

"HOJO?!" gasped Yuffie. "I though that guy died?!"

"So we thought," said Cloud turning his face back to the screen to see an image clear of Hojo.

They then saw other images of them putting Vincent to sleep and inside a tube where Hojo likes to keep most his 'experiments'. They saw the images they projected in Vincent's mind to keep him in a dream-state and now they understood why Vincent was a sleep for so long. Everything was nothing more to him than a dream.

Shelke felt horrible for being so unkind to him when he finally came back. Telling him off like he had abandoned them was a wrong thing to do on her part. If only she had known what he went through then she could have understood what horrors he's faced so long.

"It's alright Shelke," said Reeve patting her arm. "You didn't know about all this. Don't blame yourself."

"Right," said Shelke softly shaking her head and continued to watch.

"Now Ellana—delve into Vincent's mind more and enter phase four," said Rufus.

She did as she was told and now they saw the memories even he remembered, but this time they heard the voice Vincent had spoke of that he's been hearing. It sounded just like Hojo and he was right—every time he looked at Gilmore he spoke and edged Vincent to just touch him.

"W-what does he mean?" asked Mimi clinging onto her mother's arm.

"I don't know," said Yuffie. "Wait and see."

"Ellana—there's more to this than we can hear. Enter phase five," said Rufus.

"But sir that will—" started Ellana.

"Do as you're told," said Rufus.

"Yes sir," she said entering the last phase.

This phase delved deep into his consciousness to where Hojo kept himself hidden inside Vincent just waiting to be exchanged unknowingly. Once they got there and saw Hojo all gasped seeing the mad man smile and watch through Vincent's eyes like some maniac who controlled a mindless machine.

"Yes—he'd be a perfect host," he giggled looking at the image of Vincent's young son Gilmore. "He's young, healthy, strong, and beautiful. He's the perfect specimen to start off where I last left on my project."

"What project would that be?" asked Tifa.

"Wait," said Cloud listening to more of Hojo.

"I can see the boy had inherited some of his father's abilities. Those transformation genes sure came out in this one," said Hojo seeing those demonic wings. "Only 18 huh? Oh I do love the young ones. Since they haven't fully developed they are the perfect test subjects for this project ha ha ha ha ha ah ha ha!"

"No!" gasped Shelke covering her mouth starting to figure things out as images of Chaos flashed on the screen.

The creature screeched and roared making those who knew him once gasp and those who just saw him jump back in fear.

"AH!" squealed Mimi jumping back. "What is that?!"

"Chaos," said Reeve remembering the day he first saw that being from hell.

As the creature flashed across the screen the monitor began to crash as Vincent soon cried out in pain. Not that loud at first but soon the pain became unbearable. His head tossed back and forth and his arms fell to his sides only to let his hands scrunch into fists.

"Someone has to stop this!" said Cloud looking at Rufus.

Rufus let it go on for a little longer just enough, no matter how the gang angrily starred at him. He let it go on just enough to hear the last words of Hojo say before he was exchanged in another body—

"My little Chaos."

Vincent then had enough though. He gave one last cry before he sat up and used his golden claw to destroy the device and knock it far from him. As all looked at him they say Vincent's heavy breathing and just as he tried to stand he soon fell back down aching from his mind.

"What have you done to Vincent?" demanded Cloud looking at Rufus.

"I found out the truth—just as he wanted," said Rufus as the Turks came in the room and took control of Vincent.

All just looked at each other and once Reeve's eyes turned to Shelke he saw her with her mouth covered just gasping.

"Shelke—what is it?" he asked.

"NO!" she cried as he pushed Reeve away and ran out of the room to try and get to Gilmore.

"Shelke!" cried Reeve watching her run off.

"I'll follow her," said Red XIII as he ran off after her.

Shelke ran back to where Gilmore had been held and arrived just in time to see him knock out his restrainers and look at her with emotionless eyes.

"GILMORE!!" she cried.

Gilmore gave out a mad laugh before he flapped his great wings and took off in Shelke's directions.

"Gilmore no!" she cried.

"Get down!" shouted Red XIII as he knocked Shelke out of the way before Gilmore flew above her and tried to hit her, but failed.

Gilmore didn't stop laughing as he looked at the two.

"You can't stop me!" he laughed just like Hojo. "No one can!!"

At that he took of and it wasn't long before it was clear of his escape.

"Aw fu--!" said Barret looking up at all the lights flashing and alarms going off. "It's Gil!"

"Da--!" said Cloud scanning around. "He must have taken off right after Vincent was through."

"Well then where's Shelke?" asked Reeve looking franticly around for her.

"You go find her," said Cloud. "We'll go see if it's not too late to stop Gilmore."

At that the gang split. Reeve ran to where Gilmore had been kept and there found all the doctors unconscious and Shelke sitting in a chair with her head cradled in her arms. Red XIII was beside her trying to help her through this hard time, but nothing he said seemed to work.

"She won't listen," said Red XIII as he turned to Reeve.

"Shelke," he said coming to her.

"It's all my fault," she cried through her arms. "I should have known it was 'him'."

"Shelke none of us could have known," said Reeve. "Vincent was even left in the dark about this. No one knew this was Hojo's intention."

"But why Gilmore?" she asked lifting her head up to him with red eyes from where her tears seemed to not cease. "Why my son?"

"Well," sighed Reeve. "One can only guess it was because his father was the original bearer of Chaos and that Hojo thinks Gilmore can handle the taking on of Chaos just as much as Vincent did."

"But Hojo experimented on Vincent to make his body indestructible . . . that was why he could take on Chaos, but Gilmore . . . my boy he was just born. He's too young and too weak. He can't!" cried Shelke. "We have to stop him, but I don't know how."

"Don't worry we'll find a way," said Reeve placing his hands on her shoulders. "I'm sure of it."

"I'm so scared Reeve," said Shelke wrapping her arms around him. "I just want my son back."

"We all do," sighed Reeve. "For if Hojo finds a way of reviving Chaos . . . what's to stop him from reviving Omega as well?"

Zack heard the alarms go off and lights flash. He got up from his seat next to Marlene and walked outside her room to see what was going on. Just as he had two guards grunted and flew past him as if someone had attacked him. Zack looked at the two and saw they were unconscious.

Zack then turned to see Gilmore walk around the corner just fiddling with his arm blades. He had a crazy look from his ruby eyes and some kind of evil grin as he looked at the two he knocked away.

"Gilmore," he said turning his whole body to him standing his ground before the perp.

"Are you going to stand in my way as well?" asked Gilmore with a slight smirk as he placed his thumb on his canine tooth that slightly resembled a fang.

"I guess I am," said Zack taking a hold if his sword that rested on his back.

"Then you're a fool!" spat Gilmore as he took a great flap with his wings that lunged him forward at his opponent.

Zack dodged to the side quickly and swung his sword on Gilmore only to have it clash with his arm blades.

"Heh, too slow," said Gilmore with a laugh as he jumped back and tried it again.

Zack held his own against his best friend though. Each was well trained and experienced even though they were but teens. Gilmore was older though and so therefore thought to have better experience, but it wasn't because of his age though it was because of he who controlled him.

"Out of my way boy!" spat Hojo through Gilmore. "I have more important things to do then meddle with you!"

"Can't do that," said Zack shaking his head and implying more force with his blade on Gilmore's arm braces.

"Fine then!" said Hojo as he outstretched his arms with enough strength that it broke Zack's blade and caused him to fall back to the ground.

"You have wasted enough of my time!" spat Hojo as he held up his arm blades to Zack's neck.

"Good," said Zack poking out his chin.

"Insolent boy!" growled Hojo ready to slice Strife's neck.

"There he is!" came a voice from behind them—it was the Turks.

"Well—looks like it's your lucky day," said Hojo with a grin.

At that he took off away from Zack as the Turks came in trying to tranquilize him, but he was getting away.

"Zack, you okay?" asked Tseng helping him up.

"Yeah," said Zack wiping his pants. "That's not Gil is it?"

"No," sighed Tseng shaking his head.

"Well—I guess it's a good thing then," said Zack shaking his head.

"What do you mean?" asked Tseng.

"That I don't have to blame my best friend for Marlene's condition," said Zack with a smile—always being optimistic.

"Sir—the target's escaped," said Ellana informing Rufus who sat in Vincent's room to check on his recovery.

"Very well," sighed Rufus.

"What?" gasped Vincent picking his head up.

"It's nothing to worry about Mr. Valentine," said Rufus always so strangely calm.

"Nothing to worry about?" asked Vincent getting up on his elbows. "That's my son out there! He's going to turn into Chaos if you or anyone doesn't stop him!"

"We understand the situation Vincent," said Rufus. "But at the moment Gilmore is just to quick for us to track. We have a pretty good idea where he is heading though and we'll get on it right away."

"That's not good enough!" said Vincent swinging his legs off the bed and trying to stand.

He stumbled a bit, but caught himself. Rufus just sighed and said—

"I wouldn't go after him in your state Valentine. You're not at your best and if you have to fight him I'm afraid you might lose."

"I just—want him back," Vincent managed to speak through the dizziness in his head.

"We know," said Rufus. "All parents want their children back home safely, but if you go after him now you may not get that chance."

"I'll just have to live with that now won't I?" said Vincent making his way out of the room and down the hall.

He hadn't run into any of the gang for they were all out searching for Gilmore and making sure the building was secure so he didn't have any problem with making his way down the hall. He had a pretty good idea that Hojo was heading back to the Slums and so he was too no matter how hard it was in his state to get there. Just as he made his way down another passage he had to rest just a little against the wall and when he had that was when he heard a voice call to him—

"Vincent!"

Vincent soon felt arms embrace him and wrap around his arms to his chest. When he looked down he saw the tender arms of Shelke.

"Shelke," he said realizing it was her.

"Vincent please don't go," she said with a hint of the sorrow emotion. "The Turks know what they're doing. Let them go after Gilmore."

"He's my son Shelke," said Vincent in a low voice as he cast his eyes down to the floor.

"He's mine as well," she said rubbing her head gently against his back. "You're in no condition to pursue him Vincent Valentine."

There was a slight silence as Vincent raised his head to gaze at the ceiling and then say—

"Then come with me."

"What?" asked Shelke releasing her grip and stepping back from him just as he turned to her.

"You and me," said Vincent looking into her wondering eyes. "Let's go find our son."

"But," started Shelke but couldn't find anything to say.

"I know I shouldn't be going after him in this kind of state, but as parents we shouldn't think about ourselves—only the safety of our child," said Vincent.

Shelke just cast her eyes down and clasp her hands together. Vincent could tell she was conflicted inside and scared. Vincent then took his left index finger to her chin and lifted her face to his as he said—

"I know you're scared of what the outcome of this mission will be but he is our son—our only child. Wouldn't you rather make Deepground pay for what they've done to our family then let them continue to tear us apart?"

Shelke then looked into his ruby eyes and then wrapped her arms around his neck to give him a kiss. After that she placed her hands on his shoulders and said—

"You're right Vincent Valentine. It's time for us to start taking action."

She then gave him another kiss and ran off saying—

"Wait for me here."

Vincent did as she said and when she returned not too long later his eyes widened a bit seeing her back in her Deepground suit. Yes she had modified it seeing how she was only nine-looking last she wore it and since she was in her late 20's she had to enlarge the size to her fit which now fit perfectly on her. On her thighs were the heat daggers she once used against him and was still greatly skilled in.

It seemed Shelke Rui of the Svets had returned.

"Let's go," she said with a hint of a smile as she took out one heated dagger and powered it up making her blue eyes change to gold like her blade.

Vincent couldn't help but smile seeing how his wife was well capable of taking care of herself and . . . getting back her son by herself if she wanted to. Vincent nodded as he turned and they left the building.

Hot Shot's girl: Happy Thanksgiving guys!! Just in case I can't update tomorrow and say it :D