Taming the Fates Amidst Chaos

'Internal thought'

'CHAOS SPEAKING'

~ (Time and/or story focus shift)

* * * * * (Dream sequence start/end)

Chapter 38

'Surrender. Why fight the inevitable?'

'Leave me alone.' Vincent groaned, caught somewhere between conciousness and sleep. He wasn't quite sure where he was at the moment but it was cold and painful.

'You are getting weaker, we can feel it. There is no escaping us. We are a part of you and soon you will be a part of us. The longer you fight, the more pain there will be.'

'Just shut up and leave me alone!' The gunman thought perhaps he had spoken aloud as well. He wanted to wake up, to get away from this empty place filled with Sin's words. His body hurt too much though, it was still trying to recuperate. A subtle warmth suddenly spread through him and murmurs of comforting words echoed vaguely in his mind. The voice was familiar but he couldn't remember where he knew it from. The words had an effect though and he soon drifted from that painful void to a more healing sleep.

* * * * *

Blood. The coppery red liquid pooled at his feet, intoxicating in it's sweet scent. He could feel the slick fluid on his hand, taste it's richness on his tongue. He wanted more.

"Vincent! Stop! What are you doing?" Glowing blue eyes, pleading for him to understand, turned glassy as the blond's throat was torn open. Cloud fell to the ground, never to rise again.

'Cloud! No, I'm not the one doing this!'

"Please Vinny, don't do this! We love you!" A youthful, tear-streaked face appeared momentarily, only to vanish in a sea of red as her head rolled away, soon followed by the ninja's body.

'Yuffie! Oh Gaia, please no more! I don't want to be a monster anymore.'

Various body pieces littered the ground, a twisted metal gun arm laying several feet from it's unmoving owner, the jaw missing from an older blond pilot. Other pieces of those who claimed to be his friends, his family, lay unrecognizable on the muddy earth.

'Barret, Cid, Tifa...' He saw through eyes that were his own and yet not. His horror grew as he saw Nanaki torn in half, Marlene and Denzel with gaping holes in their chests. All of their eyes stared at him accusingly. 'Please, someone stop this, stop me!'

"That's a good pet. Destroy them all, turn the soil red with their blood." The smooth rich voice of his Master poured through him, making a part of him purr with pleasure. His Master approved. He would do anything for that.

"Vincent." Another voice, one so calm and soothing, drifted into him, breaking through his mindless blood lust. A pale slender figure stood several feet away, hand outstretched and beckoning, silken silver hair swaying in the soft breeze. The man seemed to float over the blood-stained ground, untouched by the red sea of death. "This isn't you Vincent. Come with me, leave this monster behind."

"Y...Yazoo?" His voice cracked, "No! Get away from here before..."

Vincent felt his eyes widen as suddenly a larger figure appeared behind the man, holding the young Remnant captive, "Before what, pet? Before you kill him like you killed everyone else that you cared about? Go ahead, he won't run."

'No, no, no, no.' His body refused to obey his mind as he moved closer to the slender man. There was a strange calm acceptance in the blue-green gaze, even as a metal-clawed hand rose. "It's alright, Vincent." That soothing voice whispered into the still air, a hint of a smile on that beautiful face as the claws fell, "I forgive you."

* * * * *

"NO!" Vincent roared as he sat upright, his body screaming at the sudden movement. Wild scarlet eyes met with terrified blue-green.

"V...Vincent, you need to calm down, ok? I...it's alright, Vincent."

Those words caught his attention, echoing so closely to his dream. Noticing the tremor in the younger man's voice, the gunman looked down to find his clawed hand pressed over Yazoo's heart, the sharpened tips drawing blood. His eyes grew impossibly wide as he paled and quickly moved away, pressing himself against the back wall.

Yazoo was shocked to say the least. One moment he had been trying to keep an unconscious Vincent warm, the next the man had appeared ready to murder him. As he collected his thoughts, he studied the trembling, muttering figure and a wave of recognition flowed through him. 'Night terrors. With all he's been through, it's no surprise Vincent has them. Kadaj had them too.' More often than not Yazoo and Loz had to avoid their younger brother at night. He was plagued with terrible dreams that left him with no concept of reality for several minutes after waking and there was no telling what Kadaj would do in that time. Yazoo knew he would have to approach this very carefully.

The Remnant stood slowly and took careful steps, his hands opened to show he hid nothing, "It's alright Vincent. You didn't really hurt me, see? Just a few scratches that's all."

There was no response but the whispers escaping the man fell silent. When a wary scarlet gaze focused on him, he gave an encouraging smile and knelt only a few inches from the gunman. "See, I'm fine." When those eyes seemed to study him, as though making sure of the truth of his statement, he chuckled, "I hope you don't mind but I borrowed your shirt. It's a little cold in here and I didn't think it wise to take the time to gather my clothes before getting you out of there."

There was a soft shrug from the gunman, he didn't mind, it was obvious that he himself was not going to wear them for a while. Yazoo felt relieved at the reaction, this meant Vincent truly was focused on the present, "Do you want to talk about it? Your nightmare I mean."

"Not really."

Yazoo nodded his understanding but he wanted to talk about something, anything to get his mind away from the depressing hopelessness of their current situation, "Well then tell me about your group, AVALANCHE right? I heard you mutter their names in your sleep."

Vincent paused, unsure if he was stable enough to talk about them without breaking down. He glanced at the pale Remnant, wondering why the normally quiet man was suddenly so inquisitive. It was then that he saw the lines beneath the man's eyes, the shadows tracing along his eyes. The gunman understood then and spoke, "Which one do you want to know about first?"

Yazoo pondered the question for a moment, going through the names he had heard, "Tell me about Yuffie."

Forcing himself to push aside the image of the young woman's decapitated head, Vincent instead focused on the last time he had actually seen Yuffie. An image of her tearful eyes staring in awe at his Hades summon in her hands caused the dark haired man to smirk, "Of course you would ask about the most annoying one first. In short, the best way to describe her is hyperactive ninja with an unhealthy attraction to materia."

"And the long?"

Vincent gave a sigh, one that spoke of fond remembrance and homesickness, "I guess you would call her the little sister of the group. The one that you're not sure whether to laugh or yell at for all the trouble she causes. It's strange really, when traveling with her at first, I couldn't avoid her enough and especially couldn't understand why Cloud allowed her to be a part of the group. I still get annoyed when she tackles me but, when it comes down to it, I would really miss the little brat if she ever truly left."

Yazoo gave a soft smile and nodded. Though he and his brothers had never truly had a conventional sibling relationship, they had still bickered and fought, had times where one would wish the others would jump off a cliff. But they never lasted, usually ending up with Loz in tears and Kadaj muttering about the stupidity of it all. Realizing that the gunman had fallen silent once more, he spoke, "Ok, tell me about Cid."

Their conversation took many turns, some ending with Yazoo having to fight back laughter. When Vincent told him about Yuffie dunking every cigarette Cid owned in motor oil for a month straight, he could almost see the older pilot exploding from anger and lack of nicotine. "You truly are lucky to have such good friends."

"Family."

Yazoo's smile faded at the barely caught word, "What?"

"They are not just friends, they are my family. Or, at least, the closest thing I have to one anymore."

Silence reined in the dark cavern for several moment before the Remnant spoke, "You'll see them again."

"I know." There was a strange tone to Vincent's voice, causing the silver-haired man to look at him questioningly, "I know I will see them again, it is just a matter of how. Will it be Sin covering our body in their blood? Or will I be able to ask them for their forgiveness?"

Yazoo gave the gunman a confident look, "Don't worry, we'll get out of here in one piece."

Vincent shook his head, the Remnant's faith and confidence reminded him of Cloud, "How can you be so certain? You heard what Sephiroth plans to do with you. Can you honestly believe that we will be able to get free and escape so easily?"

The small smirk fell quickly and soft, blue-green eyes became shadowed, "No, Vincent, I don't. I don't know if I will live to see the outside of these caverns again. I don't know if tomorrow I might see you, or Sin, or Chaos, forced to pull my heart from my chest. But I know that I will do what I can to stay alive as long as possible. If I don't, then you will lose yourself and all that will be left is Sin. That thought alone hurts me."

'SLAVE NOT HARM...SHINGA-CHI.'

Vincent paused as the demon's voice. 'Good to know you're awake. But you and I both know that if Sephiroth orders it, Sin will obey.'

'SLAVE NOT HARM SHINGA-CHI!' Chaos repeated angrily. 'SHINGA-CHI...SLAVE MASTER.'

There was a stunned silence before both Sin and Vincent spoke at the same time, 'What?!'

Chaos fell into a fit of wild laughter and the gunman growled at the demon's growing insanity. Yazoo looked at him questioningly, "Something wrong?"

"I think Chaos has finally lost it," Vincent muttered before turning his attention inward as the demon spoke once more.

'SLAVE...FORGET TRAINING? NEVER ASSUME...MASTER'S ORDERS. REMEMBER FINAL ORDER...FROM SCIENTIST?'

They all did and Vincent shuddered as Sin repeated the words spoken thirty years ago. 'You will remain here, my pet, fast asleep until your true Master comes to claim you. I do not know what he will look like then but you will know him because he will be the one to place your collar back on your neck.'

Despite the emotionless tones of Sin's voice, Vincent could see Hojo's smug satisfaction as he closed the coffin lid. Why did Chaos want them to remember that order? Realization struck him and he gave an appraising look to the young Remnant kneeling in front of him. 'Sephiroth was not the one that collared us, Sin.'

'HALF-BREED FAILED SCIENTIST...DIED. SCIENTIST WAS BASTARD...BUT SMART. WOULD HAVE BACKUP PLAN...NOT WANT WORK WASTED. MADE NEW EXPERIMENTS...CLONES. STRONGEST NOT SUCCUMB TO HALF-BREED'S WEAKNESS. STRONGEST IS SHINGA-CHI. SHINGA-CHI MASTER.'

Vincent felt the beginning of a smile creep onto his face. Maybe sharing his mind with a half-mad demon wasn't such a bad thing in the end.

____________________________________________________________________________________

A/N: Special prize to the 200th reviewer! Any who multi-post will not be counted, I will deem any multiple posts as one post and count from there.

SapphireDog
NO, I AM KEEPING THIS ONE TO MYSELF!!!!! XD *insert---Insane evil laughter the could beat ASOTA's in a contest*

Lovely chapter like aways. Have I told you lately that I love...gore? Mhm. Yup. Loveeeeeeeee IT. Yup. Yup. YUP.

AND ASOTA....
Frizz: I believe you have told me that once or twice LOL

SapphireDog
fucking bastard did it AGAIN!

AND ASOTA....
Frizz: Looks like it did it again

SapphireDog
3 you. you too frizzyyyy. and maybe a friendly pat on the head for miss brie

o: im random today *giggle giggle*
Frizz: Very random LOL

TheBrieness
Oi... with the bloody sharpening of the paperclip again... WHY WON'T THAT THING JUST KEEP AN EDGE TO IT?!?! DOES IT DULL THE SECOND YOU STOP SHARPENING IT??!!

Frizz, dearest, I know you don't pick favorites... But if I didn't give you at least a LITTLE grief, I wouldn't be me and that would be bad because I could wind up being you then you would have to be The Mad Hatter and HE would wind up being Martha Stuart and it would just keep going until THE WORLD EXPLODED!!!! O_O

Er.. or something equally not so great like that. Heh.

Uhhh... anyway... Amazing chapter, despite the fact that I know it's just a filler until your muse gets off his lazy though quiet cute bum and smacks you in the face with inspiration. You still managed to make me giggle at Chaos and his lovely broken speach, therefore it was much worth my time.

Update soon, or I shall send the You Know What's to your house and they shall lurk under your desk and poke you rather rudely on the nose for every minute you don't type out your amazingness! That's right... I'm evil... But you love me for it, so it's okay!
Frizz: Don't send the You Know What's! They are evil and make my muses hyper from sugar. Hope you enjoy this one as well Brieness!

TheBrieness
*purrs as she's patted on the head..er, maybe*

O_O;

WHAT!?! I wasn't purring... I HAVE A THROAT CONDITION, OKAY?!?!

*rushes off in an amazingly discrete way to hide in shame*
Frizz: OMG I love you hun. LMAO

AnimeFanGrrl-4-Life
OMG OMG OMG!!! This story just keeps getting better and better. Sephiroth is very cruel. Poor Vincent, will you let him rest after this? I agree with ASOTA, Yazoo must be saved. Keep up the most excellent work.

Fan-of-u-4-life
* * * * * * *
Frizz: Yes Seph is cruel but in that pretty evil mastermind sort of way. Vinny will get some rest...eventually.

Kuragari
*huge gasp* I didn't review last chapter?! I'm sorry! I thought I had... huh, musta been a different fic. man I don't focus well sometimes. anyway, loved BOTH chapters! poor vinny, those transformations sound unbelievably painful! *shudder* nice trick with the eye thing, I like Chaos' stutter speech when he doesn't have energy. it's... cute. hope I can say that without him killing me. lol, be back for the next chapter! and I saw the watch on deviant art... thanks! I'm still attempting that pic... I started three times but so far I can't get the too hunkies to look right. well, let you know how that goes!
Frizz: Its alright, I figured that maybe you were busy or something. Glad to see you back. Chaos' stutter speech was too much fun. Don't know why I decided to do it but I just had to and now I love it.

viva_rose
Epic win chapter as always my dear! Love the hidden camera eye carving!
Frizz: Well Chaos always had a few tricks up his sleeve!

Anonymous Sister of the Author
sheesh sapphiredog! what do you want to tell me?!?! was that a digusted, frustrated, or angered silence???

thebrieness: i'm not going to even talk to such a lowly mortal! silence is my answer to your taunts.

i can't believe seph did that to vincent...

i'm sorry that you laughed your ass off, frizz...i hope it grows back! :)

this has been random!
ASOTA
Frizz: Believe it! Seph is pure evil and insanity. It would be a good thing if I could laugh at least some of my ass off, its too big as it is LOL. All hail the wonders of Randomness!

Anonymous Sister of the Author
(it cut my review short last time, sadly...)

YAY!! SOMEONE AGREES WITH ME!!!
Frizz: In a world full of people, there will always be someone to agree with you even on the strangest of moments.

Anonymous Sister of the Author
(it did it again...) so i'll finish it here:

...
ASOTA

...that was anti-climactic, wasn't it?
Frizz: Totally

Anonymous Sister of the Author
i love you too, frizz!!!!!!!!
ASOTA
Frizz: Hehehe...thanks ASOTA