Unorthodox Cure

Anorexic Whale
And
Demonize the Enemy

Disclaimer: I don’t own Final Fantasy 7 nor am I making any profit from this.

“Crap, Crap, Crap, CRAP…” were the eloquent words of one Reeve Tuesti as he swerved in his jeep through traffic disrupting lanes, avoiding a near collision and receiving the thoughtful thoughts and hand gestures of the other drivers. But Reeve didn’t take the time to reciprocate the others’ thoughts as tore rubber along the highway in a frantic dead course for Seventh Haven. For the information he came bearing was too urgent to divert any attention from reaching his current objective.

Today marked the one year anniversary of Deepground’s fall and he knew that Tifa and the rest of AVALANCHE were holding a celebration in her bar to commemorate the occasion. In fact he was invited, but had to turn down the invitation as problems and troubles arose demanding his undivided attention. And it was because of these business distractions that he now found himself on the road with Seventh Haven in his sights.

Upon reaching Seventh Haven Reeve quickly parked, hopped out of the jeep and made his way through the door were he was immediately greeted by the sound of the Jukebox and Yuffie Kisaragi’s shrill voice singing along Aretha Franklin’s ‘I Will Survive’.

“Reeve!”

He just had enough time to have his poor ears assaulted by her off key singing until he was suddenly yanked aside by a long haired brunette. Reeve didn’t manage to get a single word out when he was pushed into a seat at a long table next to Cid and occupied by the rest of AVALANCHE. Once seated, he took a quick survey of the others noting that all was present except for a certain red-eyed gunman. But that wasn’t surprising considering the news he came to bare.

“Reeve! … I didn’t think you’d come” he was addressed by the long haired brunet better known as Tifa “I thought you said you had too much work to do. Good to see you could make it.”

“Reeve good to see you.” said Cloud sitting across the table from him.

“Hey man, how you’ve been?” asked Barrett from his place lounging at the couch.

“Hello friends it is good to see you as well, but I’m afraid this isn’t a social call.” replied Reeve in a hurried, dejected manner cutting off all other greetings and interrupting conversation. “I’m afraid I come with bad news.”

Yuffie had ceased her singing and joined them at the table. Barret left the couch and took a seat next to her. Nanaki lifted his head from his place next to Cloud and listened. Cid abandoned his beer and took out his cigarettes instead. Tifa took a chair next to Reeve with a slightly worried look marring her face.

Suddenly Yuffie spoke up. ”Wait shouldn’t we wait for Vincent to come and hear this too?”

“He’s not showing up Yuffie.” Replied Cloud “I’ve been trying to call him on his cell all week but kept getting disconnected.”

Tifa glanced at Reeve. “Is it something we might need him for Reeve?”

“I’m afraid he might be the entire reason I’m here.”

Soon he had everyone’s attention.

With a bowed head, he took a moment to compose himself and decide on how to approach the matter and break it to the rest of his friends.

Glancing up he began.

“A few days ago the residents of Kalm contacted the WRO claiming that monsters have been terrorizing their town. A report was sent to our headquarters. In the report there was claim that the monsters have been destroying property and driving some out of their homes. As procedure demanded I sent a brigade to the area to deal with the situation. The unit arrived as scheduled and yesterday they reported what they’ve found.

“It seems that although there had been a great deal of property destruction none of the civilians have been reported to have been killed, taken or even hurt and when observing them its seemed that the monsters behavior indicated that they only meant to drive the occupants away instead of harming them. And although there were no casualties to the attacks, the residents still demanded to have the monsters eliminated as they have been causing too much property damage. I gave my troops the order to open fire next time they were to be spotted. “

Reeve halted momentarily and glanced at everyone at the table with a nervous look on his face. He reached inside his robes and pulled out an envelope and placed it in front of him not yet ready to reveal its contents.

“A few hours ago I received this information regarding the monsters. In it were an account of the attacks and the retaliation of the troops. It said that the beasts were quite powerful and that they’ve been failing in eliminating them. They requested that AVALANCHE be brought in to handle them. But there was also a detailed description of the beasts.

“The report said that there were only 3 of them and each was described in the reports.

“At first as I was reading I didn’t think much of it except for how powerful the demons could be, but then some things in the report started sounding familiar.”

Reeve paused, opened the envelope in front of him and handed the pictures inside to Cloud.

Cloud took them and glanced at them.

Everyone watched in no little trepidation as their leader gasped and his eyes widened as he flipped through the pictures.

Tifa leaned to the side to see what had upset her friend so much.

She too gasped as she beheld the images of Galian, Death Gigas, and Hellmasker: all three of Vincent’s monsters.

Nanaki tilted his head in question of Tifa’s and Cloud’s reactions.

The other’s, having too peaked in curiosity after Cloud’s response; quickly snatched the remaining pictures only too to have the same reaction.

“What the hell?” was Cid’s articulate response as he browsed through the photographs “Did vampy lose it or something?!”

Each picture was of one of the monsters in the act of destruction or terrorizing the natives of Kalm. One picture showed Galian in the act of tearing through the wooden beams of a house. Another showed said house in ruins as the beast headed to another structure. The next picture showed it as it unleashed a barrage of fire to the nearby buildings sparring nothing but the civilians as it rampaged through the town streets. Others were of Death Gigas as it set ablaze oil tanks when hit with its bolts. Hellmasker revealed in others as it marched in the streets destroying cars and flipping others over. Some showed it as it lifted one high over its head only to hurl it into a nearby building.

“This can’t be Vincent. He can control them. He couldn’t have lost control.”

“I don’t know Yuffie.” replied Tifa “But they do look like Vincent’s monsters.”

“I can’t believe it.”

“I’m not sure of what’s happened, but we’ll get to Vincent and help him.” said Nanaki as he glanced up from the photos.

“There’s also another thing.” Replied Reeve as he reached for more photographs from inside his jacket.

He produced three more photographs and placed them on the table for all to see simultaneously.

The room fell into a shock induced silence.

“That can’t be real?!”…Cid.

“What the hell?!”… Barret.

“Reeve are you sure that these pictures are genuine?” asked Cloud.

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ve checked them for signs of forgery myself: to make sure this wasn’t someone’s idea of a joke. They’re genuine Cloud.” was Reeves response.

In the three photographs that Reeve had placed in front of all to see were Vincent’s monsters, all three together in the same frame each, at the same time, and for all to see.

“But Vincent can’t do that! Can he?!”

“No, I don’t think he can Cid.” Said Cloud “Vincent can’t change, or summon all three monsters at the same time which is why I’m starting to think that this may not have been his doing.”

“Were there any reports of aerial demons?” inquires suddenly Nanaki.

The question seemingly on everyone’s minds as they all glance from Nanaki to Reeve.

“No. Nothing pertaining to Chaos whatsoever.”

“He can still summon that bat out of hell?! Even after all that Omega crap.” exclaims Barret in total confusion.


“Good question.” Agreed Yuffie” I mean he did destroy that thing by plowing into it dead on like a shooting star. Wouldn’t it have destroyed Chaos too?”

“No. Chaos still exists.” answers Cloud” Vincent has confided in me and Nanaki that Chaos is still around. He told us that before the Omega ordeal Chaos was conscious but weak, since when he was put to sleep for 35 years Chaos never got the chance to hunt and feed and was weakened into dormancy by his starvation. And when Deepground came along and Omega he only had a limited amount of energy to spare.”

“And when that was spent trying to fight them and stop Omega” continued Nanaki ”Chaos, being too weak to remain conscious returned to his previous state of dormancy but Vincent still remains his Avatar and may once again return if he can manage to feed and regain his strength.”

“Feed?” asked Tifa “What is it that Chaos feeds on?”

“I’m not sure. I didn’t think it was polite to ask.”

“You think someone got Vincent?” Tifa asked Cloud.

“It may explain why he wasn’t answering his phone each time I tried to get a hold of him.” He replied “At first I thought he might have been out of service or had it turned off but it seems that he may be in trouble.”


************************

Nibelheim Mansion

Vincent’ POV

The first thing I’m aware of as I come to is the absolute lethargy in my body as I lie prone on a soft surface. I crack open my eyes with great difficulty to see the roof of a four poster-bed draped shut to prevent light from entering. Silk sheets cover me and a soft mattress as which I haven’t slept on in 35 years beneath my naked body.

Naked?! Where did my clothes go?

This is very odd as the last thing I remember was going to sleep inside Lucrecia’s cave.

I attempt to move, but all of my muscles were as if made of liquid and refused to cooperate. Still I attempt again as I’m not eager to meet the person responsible for my current state rendering me I’m weak as I am.

I finally manage to come to sitting position and am disturbed to recognize my surroundings.

I’m in Nibelheim Mansion.

I feel my gut clench in horror and skin quiver in disgust. Images of the past project swiftly in my mind’s eye. I do not want to be in the same mansion that was stage to so many travesties and calamities of the past.

This only encourages me double my efforts and leave as quickly as possible.
Suddenly my efforts are brought to an abrupt stop as a hand seizes my shoulder in a tight, but painless grip and I feel it gently, yet forcibly pushing me back onto the mattress.

I glance up at the face above me and wish I never came back to Nibelheim.

“And where do you think you’re going?” inquires Sephiroth his lips quirk up in amusement.

Before me stands the world’s greatest calamity. He looked no different than the last time I saw him in all his unforgettable glory. Knee long silver hair, leather outfit, pale skin, and cat-slit green eyes.

I can’t so much as curse before he brings his other hand to my face cupping it.

“I do believe he is as eager to leave this place as we are.”

The second voice startles me from my shocked daze. I turn my eyes without moving my head from Sephiroth’s hold to see a silhouette behind the drapes on the other side of the bed. A red glove appears and parts the drapes revealing a red haired man with vibrant blue-gray eyes wearing a long, red, leather coat.

All of a sudden darkness starts to seep into my vision as I catch the final words of the sleep spell that Sephiroth places on me and I’m cast into the world of dreams.

Normal POV

Sephiroth lets his hand linger a moment longer on the dark gunman’s face as he finishes the rest of the incantation and pulls back.

Genesis’ sharp gaze catches the hesitant movement smiling at his friend’s actions but saying nothing.

“He has yet not healed enough to be moved. We should wait a while longer before attempting such a thing.”

Sephiroth nods his head and moves away from Vincent’s side to leave.

“We’ll wait until both he and Zack are better before we leave Nibelheim.” replies Sephiroth.

“I’m sure Angeal will agree to that.”

To Be Continued…