Premonitions IV: Dirge of Cerberus

Disclaimer: I do not own Dirge of Cerberus, nor any characters therein.

The following narrative is a sequel to Premonitions III: Advent Children. In an unprecedented turn of events, Premonitions III and Premonitions IV are being released simultaneously. That said, no spoilers for Premonitions III will be seen here until posted in that story. That being said, anyone who does not appear in this story probably dies in III, so...

Chapter 1: Interrupted by Fireworks

October 13, 0010

The night was peaceful in Rocket Town that evening. It was seven, and the sun had completely set, leaving a blanket of stars across the night sky. Halloween decorations were beginning to show up on buildings, along with flyers for haunted houses and hayrides. Crickets were chirping, creating a calm, peaceful atmosphere.

Inside one of the houses, Lucrecia Crescent stood before the mirror as she adjusted her earrings. They were gold, and they, along with her necklace, were the only thing about her that were not red. Her spaghetti-strap dress was red, along with her heels. She topped it off by applying her red lipstick.

She wanted to look beautiful for her love. She loved him more than anything, and she wanted it to show. He life would be incomplete without him, and tonight was a night she had been looking forward to all year; it was her chance to spoil him rotten.

Once she was ready, she left the bathroom, went downstairs, and into the lounge. The sound of her heels treading across the floor made her presence known to the man she loved.

Vincent was there, sitting on the sofa, and also dressed nicely.

"Ready, birthday boy?" she asked with a smile.

"Absolutely," Vincent replied.

Smiling, Lucrecia took both of his hands, lifted him off the sofa to his feet, and kissed him. She then led him out the door and down the street to Lola's, the only upscale restaurant in Rocket Town.

Vincent felt lucky.

Mostly.

The woman he had be craving for decades was finally his. It had been almost three years since Lucrecia had returned to the real, physical world. It had been that same amount of time since he had returned to a living human being, having been dipped into the Lifestream.

They had been together ever since. They had bought and renovated her mother's old house in Rocket Town. It had hit him the night that the renovations were finished, as Vincent climbed into the queen-sized bed next to Lucrecia, who was dressed in a beautiful satin nightgown.

"We're finally home," she said as she rested her hand on his, tears of joy threatening her eyes. "I love you."

"I love you," he replied.

The two lovers kissed and put out the light, mutually deciding to sleep in each other's arms. It could never seem more perfect.

And that very night was when Lucrecia had the nightmare.

She found herself standing alone in an otherwise deserted church. She immediately recognized it as the church she had married Hojo in all those long years ago. Scanning her own body, she could see that she was standing in her wedding gown; the exact one she had worn at her wedding. She was holding a bouquet of flowers, which she immediately tossed into a corner. She then grabbed her wedding dress, preparing to rip it.

And then, she began to hear footsteps approaching her.

She slowly turned around.

It was Sephiroth, facing her, and seeming crestfallen.

"Mom," he said.

She began to breathe heavily.

That was where the nightmare ended. Lucrecia then sprang up in bed, sweaty and gasping for breath.

"You okay?" Vincent asked as he sprang up himself.

"I'm fine," Lucrecia softly replied.

And then, she began to cry.

"No, you're not," he dismissed as he gently wrapped his arms around his love.

"Just hold me," she sobbed.

There were no further incidents like that, and the nightmare did not occur. She got a job as a professor of biology at Rocket Town University. Her students treated her well; it was unknown whether they knew her background.

Although she was a professional, off of work, she began to let loose, after years in a dismal existence. As time went on, Lucrecia became more of a free spirit, often dressing as a girl ten years her junior, and begging Vincent for dates at Gold Saucer, to which he obliged with mixed emotions. Often, at home, she went about in half-naked, wearing just her pants ("Sun's out, boobs out!" as she would say to Vincent once he noticed the twin peaks), or, on much rarer occasions, just her shirt ("Meh, pants are off today," she would tell him once he spotted her lower glory).

Tonight, her goal was to spoil her boyfriend rotten, as well as have a little champagne on the side.

Vincent and Lucrecia entered the restaurant and sat down. They ordered their food, with her reminding him to splurge.

After an hour, Vincent seemed to grow quiet. There was something on his mind, and he wanted to voice it.

"Don't tell me it's because you're thirty!" she teased.

He shook his head.

Well, not just because I'm thirty.

"I turned thirty myself not too long ago," Lucrecia reminded him. "I don't feel any different."

Vincent made an effort to avoid being quiet from then on. He did not want to spoil the evening.

Of course something was wrong.

Her makeup was perfect. Her dress showed a reasonable amount of cleavage and really flattered her figure. She had whispered during dinner that she was not wearing panties, which obviously signaled there would be lovemaking once they arrived home.

Still, she was missing something. Something that had been bothering Vincent.

There was no wedding band on her finger.

There was no engagement ring either.

Vincent had tried to talk to Lucrecia about getting married once or twice; it did not go the way he had hoped.

Of course, they lived together. They shared a bed together. They spent every evening together. But, to him, it was not enough.

He wanted to marry her.

He had wanted to marry her for decades.

It was one of two disagreements he had with her; the other being the fact that he wanted children.

Still, he could not spoil the evening.

Suddenly, the front door opened, and two recognizable guests walked in and took their seats.

"Holy shit!" Lucrecia whispered.

"What is it?" Vincent asked.

"It's Dirk and Dana Downing," she replied.

He briefly turned his head to spot them.

"Who's babysitting their kids?" she continued. "All eighteen of them?"

Vincent and Lucrecia continued to eat. Gradually, they both began to feel somewhat of a negative vibe. Eventually, they both, out of the corners of their eyes, could see the Downings glaring at them.

"Why are they giving us dirty looks?" she whispered.

He shrugged.

"I think they're pissed because their oldest son got picked up," she suggested.

"Someone from that good wholesome family got arrested?" Vincent asked sarcastically.

"He was plotting to kill Reeve," she replied.

"Why?" he asked. "What did Reeve do to him?"

"Nothing," Lucrecia replied. "It's because Reeve's gay, and the whole Downing family believes that's a capital crime."

Vincent turned to see the Downings still glaring at them.

"I feel my I.Q. going up already," he sighed sarcastically.

Of course, Vincent knew the real reason why they were glaring at him.

He and Lucrecia were living together, and they were not married. It was another big Downing frown.

Vincent and Lucrecia were able to shrug it off. They remained there for another hour before she paid the bill and walked him home. Both of them had champagne, and were somewhat tipsy; they did struggle a bit to make their way home.

Once they were inside, Lucrecia practically slammed the front door and locked it. She then turned to Vincent and smiled at him.

"Happy birthday to my best friend and boyfriend," she announced as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

Vincent kissed her back, pressing his tongue firmly against hers. He wrapped his arms around her waist. Then, he slowly lowered them, resting both of his hands on her butt through her dress.

Both of them knew what that meant.

Vincent gently squeezed Lucrecia's butt, causing her to let out a soft moan of pleasure.

"Do that again," she pleaded.

He did it again.

Lucrecia could not take it anymore; she yanked off his shirt and tossed it aside.

He kissed her again before moving his hands to the straps of her dress.

Lucrecia nodded, granting him permission.

Vincent pushed the straps of her dress aside, causing it to drop to the ground in an instant.

Lucrecia smiled at her boyfriend as she stood before him in full nudity. She then wrapped her arms around his neck once more and kissed him again.

She laughed inside, realizing she was still wearing her heels.

THE NEXT DAY...

October 14, 0010

The sun hit high noon as Vincent and Lucrecia strolled hand in hand down a deserted beach not far from Rocket Town. It was a day off for both of them, and Lucrecia wanted to spend it together. They were barefoot in jeans. Both were topless.

That was Lucrecia's idea; she wanted him to have an extra treat after the previous day. She was smiling the whole time; despite being a woman of science, she was deeply romantic. Although they had been back together for three years, she wanted to live every moment with him to the fullest. She had her hair down, running like a blanket down her bare back.

Vincent was in a different state of mind. What was on his mind the previous night was still lingering.

"What's wrong?" Lucrecia asked as she gently squeezed his hand.

"Nothing," he replied as he shook his head, though it was obvious that he was lying.

She gave him a skeptical look.

"You may have been born yesterday, but I sure wasn't!" Lucrecia insisted.

I can't hide it forever, he realized. I may as well say it.

"If it's okay with you," Vincent began, "I'd like to talk about getting married."

Lucrecia frowned. She had a feeling it was on his mind the previous night; he had turned thirty, and he was thinking about where his life was going. It was reasonable, she realized. But it was not the first time they had that discussion. She was still firm on where she stood on it.

"Vincent," she sighed, "we've been over this. I've been married before."

"I haven't forgotten," he replied. "But I'm not...him."

Lucrecia turned to her boyfriend. She gently placed her hand on his cheek and gave him a look of empathy.

"You're anything but him," she said gently.

She then leaned in and kissed him.

"But?" he asked.

She lowered her head.

"But if I had a wedding a second time...it would be cheapened by the first."

"Cheapened?" he inquired.

That's really sad if she thinks a wedding could be cheapened.

"My mom's dead," she explained. "All my friends have gone their separate ways. And...it wouldn't feel new."

"It would to me," Vincent insisted. "Look at all the wonderful friends we have now."

Attempting to smile, Lucrecia wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, gently stroking his bare back as she did so. She then looked him in the eyes again.

"I love you more than anything," she assured him. "Do we really have to have a ceremony to prove that? After all we've been through?"

She does have a point. But...

"But...there's the other thing," he reminded her.

"Other thing?"

"I would like kids," Vincent mentioned.

"That didn't turn out well, either, did it?" she dismissed as she closed her eyes. "You were there when it happened. Don't you remember how much pain I was in?"

"Would it be worth it?" he asked.

She closed her eyes.

"I don't know, Vincent. I just don't know."

Vincent stood in a long silence. He wanted to remain with her, but if they had different goals in life...

Lucrecia's mouth began to dry. She was feeling the vibe. She knew he was starting to have second thoughts.

It's obvious these are important to him. But that nightmare...

It was holding her back. She only had it once, but it would stick in her mind. It would be difficult for her to get past it.

But the thought of them breaking up upset her to the point she began to visibly tremble.

"Lucrecia," he began. "I..."

He could not finished. He could see that she was clearly distressed. He knew he needed to tell her they were hitting a wall in their relationship, but...

"You'll always be my Vincent, right?" she asked in a shaky voice.

Tears were now escaping her eyes; she seemed to be suspecting that he was planning to break up with her right then and there.

I can't tell her now, he thought. She's already starting to break down.

"Of course I will," he replied.

Lucrecia threw her arms around him and kissed him. She was mostly relieved, but not completely.

We can't go on like this forever, Lucrecia thought to herself. One of these days, one of us will have make a decision. One of three possible choices, and none of them would be ideal for both of us.

Just then, three figures dressed in camouflage emerged from the bushes at the edge of the beach. All three were armed with rifles.

Both Vincent and Lucrecia were able to quickly identify the oldest as Dirk Downing. The other two were his oldest sons, David and Daniel.

The three intruders were able to immediately identify Vincent and Lucrecia as well. They were immediately frozen in horror at the fact that Lucrecia was topless.

"That's right," Lucrecia finally declared. "They're breasts. It's not like you didn't know I had 'em!"

Vincent, admiring his girlfriend's pride and defiance, place a hand on her bare shoulder for support.

"Even you have to know a woman has to have a shirt on in public," Dirk grunted.

Lucrecia shrugged, making no effort to hide her breasts.

"Sun's out, boobs out," she announced, echoing what she would say to Vincent whenever she walked around the house topless. "You're lucky I'm wearing anything at all."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't call the police on you!" Dirk hissed. "This is what happens when women wear pants and abandon their homes for careers!"

"That's right," Lucrecia replied. "You don't like women wearing pants. Oky-doke." She began to unbutton her jeans.

"Stop!" pleaded Dirk. "Just put a shirt on before I call the cops!"

Lucrecia rebuttoned her jeans and folded her arms.

"Go ahead," she taunted. "There's more shit they can book you for."

"Like what?" snapped Dirk defiantly.

"I'm assuming you're hunting," she suggested.

"Just maybe," Daniel replied.

"Hunting is off limits here," Vincent informed them. "That's a misdemeanor for each of you."

The Downings stood in silence, realizing their guilt.

"And I assume you have permits for those rifles?" Lucrecia added.

There was no response, implying that they did not.

"That's a felony," she continued.

"Distributing firearms to a minor," added Vincent, remembering that Daniel was seventeen. "That's a felony punishable by ten years."

"Unwillingly seeing a grown woman's breasts," Lucrecia said. "That's a damn shame."

Dirk Downing grunted. He was beaten, and he knew it.

"Alright," he sighed. "You win this time."

"And isn't David on probation for threatening our friend?" Vincent reminded them.

The three turned around and headed back toward the foliage. A moment later, the Downings were gone.

Lucrecia began to laugh to the point she nearly cried.

"Well," she said, "at least they listened to a woman!"

"You think they'll be back?" Vincent asked.

"I hope so," she replied. "I would like to humiliate them again." She paused. "Hey Vincent?"

"What's up?" he asked.

She smiled at him. She then ran several yards ahead, quickly unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, and pulled them down enough to expose her butt, which she began to shake.

"Woo-hoo!" she called in a flirty tone of voice with an equally flirty smile. "I love you!"

She then pulled her jeans up and redid them. She ran to Vincent, threw her arms around him, and pressed her lips against his.

They had practically forgotten their earlier discussion.

SOME TIME LATER...

June 12, 0011

They had ended the date happily, and nothing was said about marriage or children again for many months. They spent many happy happy evenings together. They celebrated Christmas and New Year's together was well.

One day, the following summer, Lucrecia surprisingly announced a vacation to the Eastern Continent. Vincent was somewhat reluctant, as most of his friends were fugitives on said continent, to say nothing of the fact that their government was a dictatorship.

Still, he could not disappoint Lucrecia. Soon, he found himself on the Eastern Continent. Vincent sat on the sofa in his hotel room. They were in Kalm, on what Lucrecia had insisted was a much-needed vacation. Lights were visible from the streets, some sort of festival was going on.

He was somewhat perplexed as he peered out of the window.

This looks familiar, he thought to himself. I feel live I've seen this before. But where?

Lucrecia then emerged from the bathroom. She was wearing a pair of tight blue jeans and a shirt that revealed the midriff that Vincent immediately began to stare at.

"It's called a crop top," she informed him. "Lots of women wear them."

"You're thirty," Vincent pointed out.

"Does anyone else here know that?" asked Lucrecia with a smile. She then pulled him to his feet and kissed him. "Come on. I didn't come here to sit on my butt all day."

She took his hand and led him out their hotel room door, through the hall, down the stairs, and out into the streets of Kalm.

There were booths and kiosk lining up the cobblestone streets.

Fireworks exploded in the sky.

Several young women, in costume, were dancing in parade formation.

"You know what's funny?" Lucrecia began. "I was the only girl in my age group who never learned to dance."

"I've known others," Vincent replied.

Lucrecia put her hand on her hip and playfully glared at him.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"That you're better than all of them?" he replied on a whim.

"Good answer, babe," she complimented as she pecked him on the cheek.

Vincent then eyed the dancers when something popped into his mind.

This scene, Vincent thought. I've seen it before.

But where?

"What's wrong?" Lucrecia asked.

"Something about tonight," Vincent replied.

"Will you stop that?!" Lucrecia snapped. "We're here to have fun!"

Defeated, Vincent nodded.

But it remained in his mind nonetheless.

What is it about tonight? Is something supposed to happen?

Not wanted to frustrate Lucrecia, he duly explored the booths and kiosk shops with her. Many of the booths offered wine sampling, and the good doctor took quick advantage of it. At first, she was tipsy. Then, she reached the point where she was losing touch with reality.

"You're drunk," Vincent observed.

"I am not!" Lucrecia poorly defended.

She then pressed her lips against his, causing several passers-by to gawk.

"Look at that," someone said.

Vincent turned to expect a gawker, until he saw that they were actually staring at the fireworks.

"It looks like the whole town's here," someone else said.

I've heard people say this things before?

"I want this one!" a young girl shouted as she pointed to a toy at one of the kiosks.

But why do I remember so well?

"That Sephiroth was such a menace!" an old lady muttered. "I'd love to know where the hell he came from."

"My vagina!" shouted the intoxicated Lucrecia at the top of her lungs.

Everyone turned in their direction. Most bystanders began to laugh.

"She said a bathroom word!" cried the young girl at the toy kiosk.

Vincent was beyond humiliated; he lowered his head in shame.

Suddenly, there was a flash of light. Vincent quickly looked up to see an explosion coming from one of the rooftops. He felt Lucrecia grabbing onto his arm in fear. He could see smoke emanating from the site of impact, disappearing into space.

Oh shit!

Vincent immediately grabbed his cell phone. And then, he saw the text message from Reeve that he had been dreading.

"Meet me in Kalm," it read. "We need to talk."

"The attack on Kalm!" Vincent exclaimed. "Shit! Tonight's the night!"

"Attack?!" replied Lucrecia. "What attack?!"

As he watched, several helicopters appeared over the skyline. Ropes dropped, and armored troops quickly slid down. As soon as their feet touched the ground, they drew their firearms, charged the crowd, and opened fire.

Civilians began to fall, never to rise again.

More helicopters arrived, this time with large crates tethered to them. Once the crates reached the cobblestone pavement, armored quadrupeds emerged, quickly overpowering and gorging on innocent bystanders.

Vincent quickly drew the Death Penalty. He aimed it at one of the helicopters and fired, causing it to burst into flames and fall to the ground.

Meanwhile, civilians were being led, at gunpoint, into the crates the quadrupeds had emerged from.

"Get in there!" ordered a soldier as prodded a young girl with his firearm.

Vincent, at this point, had darted to a catwalk in hopes of a vantage point. He then heard footsteps approaching him, and he quickly turned.

Lucrecia stood there beside him, armed with her own firearm, the Hanging Judge.

"You think I was going to let you have all the fun?" she inquired with a smirk.