Unorthodox Cure

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Disclaimer: I don’t own FF7.

Demonize the Enemy: I’m sure a great deal of you have managed to surmise from my work that when it comes to writing fan fiction I am still yet a novice.
It is for this that I humbly request that you show some mercy and understanding in your reviews and to please try to bare with me until someone more experienced or competent can take over.
If any of you should feel like burrowing ideas or adding chapters of your own I greatly encourage you to do so.

Anorexic Whale: You also have probably noticed that we kind of suck when it comes to naming the chapters and would greatly like your opinions on what you think each chapter should have been titled.

Enjoy the story and please review.

Chapter 2: Leads and Reinforcements.

Genesis follows his friend out of Vincent’s rooms closing the door behind him and make their way down the hall side by side.

“We should make a few more sweeps of the mansion before we leave.” Sephiroth murmurs as they descend down the stairs” Make sure we leave nothing behind.”

“You think Hojo may have had secret compartments elsewhere?”


“I’m sure of it. He didn’t completely trust Shin-Ra for all the support it gave him and for all the messes it cleaned up for him. It kept meticulous surveillance of all his experiments and if there was one thing he couldn’t stand besides the human rights that banned human experimentation it was it was to have all his work observed and scrutinized by anyone but him. So, as a precaution, he conducted most of his more delicate projects in secret labs he built from money embezzled off of some corporate fat cats with too much to hide and too great a stakes at risk.“

He stopped walking and looked back up at the floor were Vincent was currently residing.

“Vincent knew that.” He nodded towards the second story ”That’s how I found him in the first place. He was scouting Hojo’s old labs trying to find other labs in hopes of uncovering files about him and others and maybe to check and see if perhaps any thing else was brewing in the labs. He found such a facility north of Icicle Inn and I followed him from there, to here, to the crystal cave in mount Nibel.” At that Sephiroth paused momentarily.

“Beside him I found something else, or rather someone else of interest there.”

Sephiroth recalled his surprise, how upon entering he was greeted by the sight of a woman entombed in crystallized mako (I’m not sure if that’s what it’s called.)whom bore a great resemblance to him. But the true surprise came when she projected herself outside her Mako crystal to communicate with him. And to reveal a great secret.

“Oh?!” Genesis raised an elegant eyebrow “Care to share?”

“Later my friend. That is a subject for later time. For now we must prepare ourselves for what’s to come.”


Midgar

Somewhere in the recesses of a recovering Shin-Ra, a telephone blurs in the offices of the upstanding forces also known as the TURKS.

‘RING RING RING RING’

‘RING RING RING RING’

‘RING RING RING RING’

‘RING RING RING RING’

“GODDAMNIT RENO WILL YOU GET THAT ALREADY?!!” shrilled Elena from her prostate position on the couch as she rolls into a fetal position and attempt to fight off her migraine.

“Hey Yo, don’t bitch at me just because you’re hung over.”

“Do we have to remind you that it was your idea to get us drunk.” replies Rude from his position, draped over his desk clutching a bucket ready to spill the contents of his stomach, yet still somehow managing to remain as gruff and blank faced as ever. To him, maintaining a hard exterior while not trying to emulate the regurgitating feeding technique of mother birds feeding their young is a sign of true control, poise and dignity. But that was shot to hell the moment he made the poor decision to sit up and felt his innards in what he shall forever swear attempt to crawl out of their positions and swap places with the rest of his organs.

“It’s not my fault you’re both such lightweights Yo. Or that you both just can’t say no to my unfailing charms.”

“Charm? The only way that you’ll only ever have charm, or will ever experience charm Reno, is if it came in a box of cereal.” replies Tseng overhearing the conversation as he passes through on his way to his office. ”And do answer that phone Reno it is staring to get annoying.”

“I’ve got charm Yo. Just ask Rufus Yo.” (Anorexic Whale: The Yo’s are stating to piss me off) he retaliates as he lifts the receiver “Yellow.”

“Judging by the lack of verbal skills and the inability to answer the phone correctly, I’m going to assume that I’m talking to Reno.” came Cloud’s retort.

“Yo, Chocobo-head how’re they hanging?”

“How they’re hanging is none of your business Reno.” Says Cloud from his end of the receiver only to be met by Reno’s snickers, “But seriously Reno, we’ve got a problem. A huge problem.”

“Oh?! What up?” he asks with a more serious note.

“Vincent is in trouble and we need the TURK’s help in finding him. He may be being held captive.”

“Vincent? Mr. tall, dark, and spooky is in missing?”

Elena’s death groans halt and she sits up to listen.

Rude, similarly temporarily abandons his deep relationship with The Bucket.

(In Seventh Haven)

Cloud couldn’t help but feel a bit apprehensive. What he was doing will prove to be nothing but an exercise in futility.

The TURKS have been AVALANCHE’s enemies an insurmountable number of times and asking for assistance from the enemy is nothing if not useless if not even more dangerous. So then why was he now on the phone with said enemy trying to gain assistance? Simple. Because the TURKS have the resources and capabilities to not only find Vincent but also shed light on who may be the cause behind all of this. But what if the Shin-Ra tries to take advantage of the situation, find a lever that can compromise him, the others and Vincent?

It just suddenly dawned on Cloud how dangerous a situation he was in and what a risk he was taking in confiding their situation with the enemy.

But were they truly enemies anymore?

True that both AVALANCHE and Shin-Ra had been on opposing lines several times and have exchanged blows countless times, but after all the Sephiroth business, the clones and Omega and not to mention saving the planet a few times along which entailed saving their asses and everyone else’s can they still call each other enemies?

“Cloud?”

Cloud turns around without letting go of the phone to look at Tifa who was looking at him with an uncertain look on her visage.

“Do you think that we can trust them?” she asks worriedly.

Before he could answer someone there is a slight noise on the other side of the receiver and a new voice in his ear.

“Good evening Mr. Strife.”

(Back in The TURK’s offices)

“Vincent? Mr. tall, dark, and spooky is in missing?”

Elena’s death groans halt and she sits up to listen.

Rude, similarly temporarily abandons his deep relationship with The Bucket.

Abruptly the phone is ripped out of Reno’s hand. Reno looks up into Tseng’s obsidian eyes in shock and confusion.

“Good evening Mr. Strife.” Tseng answers on the confiscated receiver.

“Hello?! Whom am I speaking to?”

“This is Tseng Head of the TURKS. You can rest assured Mr. Strife that whatever trouble Mr. Valentine maybe in you have the TURKS resources and full cooperation.”

Tseng doesn’t pause to acknowledge Reno’s questioning look on his face. In fact he turned his so that his subordinates couldn’t see his face clearly.

Although not able to see Tsengs face fully she caught a quick glance. Although indecipherable, Elena thought she saw concern, fury and determination.

“We will assist you in any way we can and I will give you my word as a Wutain descendant that you can put your trust in us and expect no treason or malfeasance.”

(Seventh Haven)

Cloud was truly shocked to hear this. Not only were they being offered help, but he also just received Tseng’s word of honor as a descendant. Receiving a vow like that, from a gentleman such as Tseng, was not only rare and unheard of, but also a sign that they could be trusted. As the word of a descendant was sacred and as failure or violation would mean dishonor and death.
Cloud went over Tseng’s words and tone with meticulous scrutiny and found no sign of deceit, just firm conviction and commitment.

But there was something else in his tone. It didn’t sound malicious, and didn’t sound insidious. But there was an undertone of something that Cloud didn’t recognize and didn’t get the chance to analyze as the other man resumed speaking.

“We should bring this conversation to an end and designate a place to meet and continue. If this new trouble is enough threat to incapacitate Mr. Valentine it would be wise to take every precaution.”

“Your right.” agreed Cloud. Any person capable of bringing Vincent down can’t be small fish and talking on the phone could expose them.” Meet me at the WRO headquarters in 2 hours, we’ll talk there.” and he hung up.

(Back at the TURKs offices)

Tseng hung up and turned to his subordinates.

Reno let out a long, low whistle.

“So gorgeous is in trouble. Man I didn’t anything could take the guy down.”

“Prepare to leave in 2 hours. I made a promise to find Mr. Valentine and find him we shall.” And with that Tseng turned to leave.

“Hey where are you going?” asked Elena.

“To inform Rufus of the situation and an advisable plan.”

“And by advisable” asks Reno with an amused smirk, ”you mean….?”

“His plan.” offers Rude helpfully and with no little amount of mirth.

“Exactly.” Tseng confirms and exits the room for the president’s office at the top floors.

Once Tseng had left Reno and Rude exchange amused looks.

“Hey guys,” Elena questions as she prepares for their departure “did you notice anything odd in Tseng?”

“Tseng? He’s on odd one alright” Reno replies as he starts his own preparations (meaning laying back and letting Rude and Elena do all the work “but no I didn’t. Why are you asking?”

“It’s just that he got this strange look in his eyes and he kept getting this intense look on his face every time Vincent’s name was mentioned.”

She paused to look at her companions.

“I can understand why he’d be eager to help. Vincent did save him and me and treat us when we were in trouble with the clones.” A slight shiver passed her frame as she recalled the torture that they put through. When they had been taken captive and questioned by the clones seeking Jenovas location she didn’t think they would make it. If it hadn’t been for Vincent they may have never have made out alive. She was just as grateful as Tseng for the dark gunman’s help. And maybe that’s all there is to it. Gratitude. But she still couldn’t help but sense that there was still an ulterior motive to Tsengs actions. She couldn’t say what, but she couldn’t deny what her instincts were telling her.

“Quite your worryin’. It’s probably nothing but that all honorcode stuff Tseng always rattles about.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Of course I’m right, aren’t I always?”

Rude gave a snort.

“Okay forget that time I threw a chocobo chick off the 2nd floor because I thought that if you strap wings to it it could fly, give me a break, I was drunk. Besides I’m not sorry, it got to fly for just a while.” He said proudly” It got to experience flight as none other chocobo ever did and it did land safely.”

Rude didn’t think to mention that although its landing was safe the Fenrir-wolf pen, where the scientists had been keeping the rabid Fenrir hybrids and the unfortunate landing site of poor chick, had not been.

Oblivious to Rude’s musings, Elena still couldn’t let go of her thoughts. Although not as experienced as the other TURKS, she was sure of her instincts. If anything being a woman made her perceptive(perceptive not nosy) of the emotions of the others around her and she was sure of what she saw.

Concern, fury and determination had been struggling on his face.

Concern for Vincent maybe?

Fury at the perpetrators responsible for the act?

And maybe determination at locating Vincent and saving him?

Could Tseng…?


Before Elena could get a chance to finish her thoughts Reno and Rude had finally finished…well, Rude had finished…and were on their way out.

She quickly finished up and followed the others out not allowing herself to ponder over the matter anymore. Not allowing herself to think that maybe her crush for her boss and her feelings were unreciprocated.

(In the Upper Offices of Shin-Ra)

Rufus was quite intrigued at the TURK bosses’ demeanor.

The matter at hand was interesting, but not quite as interesting as Tseng’s behavior and request to assist. And to the fullest degree no less.

Rufus wanted to attribute the change to the person in question having had had his life and the life of a comrade saved by this particular individual. But he still couldn’t help but sense an undercurrent.

“Well sir?!” asked Tseng in his polite but sinister tone “Do I have your permission?”

“You know you do Tseng? But I want you to keep me posted on everything that takes place and everything that you and Strife discuss. Is that clear?”

“Yes sir.”


Seventh Haven

“So what’s the plan Cloud?” asked Tifa as she, Cloud and Reeve made their way to the elevator leading of the WRO headquarters. Cloud and Tifa in full battle regalia, whereas Reeve in his customary, elegant, blue suite.

Marching into the elevator, with Tifa and Reeve in tow, Cloud hit the button to the top floor containing the landing strip on the roof. He waited for the doors to close and give them some privacy.

“Kalm is being evacuated while the problem is being handled” said Reeve as they ascended,”Cid has brought in the Sierra to assist.”

“I know that’s why I’m going to go ahead and beat you guys to Kalm on the Sierra.” He said calmly “I’ll take a look around and see if I can find anything.”

“What?! No Cloud you can’t go alone. It’s too dangerous.” (Anorexic Whale: Is anyone else but me getting tired of the clichés)

“Cloud you should really consider taking backup in case something comes up.” suggested Reeve. “And what about the TURKS? What if they don’t show? Or worse what if they do show?”

“When they show up and I’m pretty sure they will

“Don’t worry Tifa; I’m not going to engage in any battles.” He assured her “I’m just going on reconnaissance (Anorexic Whale: I dare you to find a blonde that can say that much less spell it.) to see if I can find anything. I’ll wait for you guys to arrive before we take any other steps.”

Not placated, but not able to protest furthermore as the elevators announced their arrival to the landing pad and they made their way to the Sierra.

Sierra stood poised marvelously in the afternoon sun claiming homage to the man that built it. The ship was the pride and joy of one man that could not be caught dead 20 feet away from his precious plane.

“Hey guys. What do you think isn’t she a beaut’” came the gruff voice of Cid highwind as he rounded about to come and meet them at the helm. “The Sierra, the latest model. After I drop off this punk at Kalm I’ll give you the tour afterwards.”

After a few hellos and some chitchat Cloud and Cid boarded and took off towards Kalm leaving behind a despondent Reeve and worried Tifa to gaze at the Seirra as it disappeared in the distance.

“I hope you know what you’re doing kid.”

“I’ll be careful Cid. After I inspect the place I’ll give you guys a call and you can all come up here and regroup.”

“Whatever you say kid just be careful. Those demons are some of Hojo’s ugliest works and we’re not sure if Vincent is okay, lost control, or if he’s trapped in one of them.”

“That’s why I’m going, to find out.”


Nibelheim Mansion

Sephiroth gazed at the touching sight before him and tried to reassure his friend.

“He’ll be alright Angeal. You worry too much. It won’t be long before your precious puppy is up and bouncing about, driving you nuts.”

Said puppy was laying in bed, still and recuperating, Angeal sitting beside him, his face furrowed in worry, holding his puppy’s hand as if to give strength and reassure the unconscious youth. Said puppy lay still seemingly asleep. Everything about him spoke health; from the slight blush tinting his cheeks, to the poutiness of his lips, to the slow rise and fall of his bare chest.

“I know. I just can’t help it” replies Angeal. “When we were brought back from the Lifestream something came with us and wasn’t something the Lifestream had preordained. You, I and Genesis may have managed to evade it unharmed while it was trying to escape, but it grazed Zack half-way while he was still being reborn and it tainted him.”

Angeal tightened his hold around his puppy as he recalled the horrible energy as it rampaged and tore trying to escape its confinement. It used their rebirth as an opportunity to try and stow away with one of them. But seeing as how all 3 were too observant and powerful to manage a ride undetected it hitched a ride on his puppy’s life force. It came as shock to his system. At the beginning there had been nothing to detect, but as the cloak between life and death began to slowly unveil something stirred and chaos (as in mayhem not Chaos/Vincent)ensued.

“Zack is strong” Sephiroth reconfirmed, “He will recover. And we both know how Aeris favors him. She will not let anything befall your precious puppy. As we speak she is diligently purging him of that creatures taint.”

Angeal couldn’t argue with that. Even now, as they spoke, he could sense a gentle presence breathing energy and life into Zack’s body. While they had still been drifting in the Lifestream, Aeris had claimed time again that, as an Ancient, she held no favors and loved all equally. He didn’t quite believe that.



To Be Continued…
Demonize the Enemy: The plot thickens? Or is it just the aneurysm in my head?

Anorexic Whale: Now listen up people. I want everyone to whip out their keyboards and their own opinions and to express what we each thought of this decrepit piece of trash conjured up by the senile mind of a hell-bound pervert.
And no it’s not an aneurysm.
It’s the cholesterol in your veins.

Demonize the Enemy: Is that what you think of all of my hard wok?
(Grabs a gun and aims it at himself)
(Before pulling the trigger with an anticipating AW watching)
Oh wait, I have a better idea.
(Aims gun at AW)

Anorexic Whale: Opps…(Runs off to hide)

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