en Face de L'Obscurité

“en Face de L'Obscurité“

Chapter 4

The next two weeks pass. Zack has stayed with Vincent, content to just be there and help cut down the monster population around the town. Sometimes brought them back as food. Some monsters had very tasty meat, which Zack made into dishes that would melt in their mouth. Plus, Vincent’s was right about one thing. Zack was a very horney man.

Zack never felt more content then to lay next to Vincent, with not even clothes between them. All was fine, except for the odd period where he would stare off into space. Zack was starting to believe maybe they were just seizures.

Most of the two weeks were quiet. Hojo seem to have backed away and disappeared. No more howls. No more creeping through the house. And the few times he was around was when Vincent was alone. Yet, near the end, in the past few days, Zack as felt a bit of uneasy. Not from Vincent. He just couldn't pin it down.

Vincent felt totally relaxed for most of the time, something he was growing to enjoy as time went by. Zack was very alive, he noted, he had alot of ambition and life in him, he wondered if he'd be able to keep up with that or not. Hojo had visited now and again, nothing had really happened, it seemed he was disinterested altogether and had found somewhere else. This pleased Vincent. But towards the end of their couple of weeks of peace, he began to feel great disturbance that he couldn't quite put his finger on. He knew it certainly wasn't Zack, but he felt somehow that some kind of event was going to take place and soon

Zack was in the back praticing with hi sword skills. He felt rather at peace when he did this, sword was like an extension of his arm. Could hear a plane flying overhead as Cid was about to make another surprise visit.

Cid was just getting done with business when Tseng asked if he was going to visit Vincent. Truth be told, Cid doesn’t like the Turks all that much. Did like them more then he liked Palmer so he tolerated them and sometimes was even, respectful to them. Tseng of course had to bribe Cid to take him along. Now Cid was just getting down landing his plane, Tseng with him and a case of saki. he did remember his promise. Plus, he had the time to visit longer and wanted to meet this Zack fellow. Cid makes his way to the mansion and inside.

Tseng was sat in silence in the plane, a little put out that he had to hitch a ride in what he saw as a heap of junk. He wouldn't dare say that to the pilot though, didn't want to be flung out of the window. He chuckles slightly at the idea of the pilot going crazy and crashing the plane. Tseng follows Cid inside, glad to have escaped that rickety plane Cid loved so. He looks around the mansion, surprised at how much it has improved. He wonders about what has been happening. Even the atmosphere seems to have lightened somehow.

Cid then yells, "Hey Vincent! Get ya vampire ass down here! You got some %&*% guests!"

Tseng glances to Cid, sighing slightly and shaking his head at the pilot's manners. He'd never met a man who gave less of a damn about anything than Cid. Though he did have a point. Where was Vincent?

Vincent stood in the kitchen, making sandwiches, smirking slightly as he heard Cid's yell echoing through the house. He placed the knife down at walked out through the door, waving slightly to his two guests and smiling wanly. He had to admit, he felt alot more joy about seeing Cid than seeing Tseng who was stood beside him, mediocre as ever.

Cid walks on over and slaps s shoulder with the saki at he holds up like a trophy, "I got you some of the expensive saki... my gift to you so don't worry about paying me back. How are you and where the hell is this Zack fellow? Oh Tseng came along cause he is an annoying Turk. " Laughs c he he was joking about the Turk part, "Alot better then some of them asswipes in ShinRa any day of the week mind you."

Tseng says not a word, fighting the urge to explode in annoyance about the annoying and asswipe comments, he merely stands there and nods slightly Vincent, hoping he doesn't look too annoyed.

Vincent smiles slightly at Cid, restraining his laughter and nod in in reply to Tseng. “Thank you very much friend.” he state sincerely, accepting the saki and smiling brightly at Cid a moment, something which didn't happen often. “Zack's out back. Want me to call him in?”

Cid, "I can go get his spiky haired ass.... Not like I don't know what he looks like anyway.... " Said that in a light hearted manner as if isn'sn't meant for insult. Lights up a lil thing that was like an artificial cigarette, for people trying to quite smoking, before he heads on to the backyard...

Vincent nods slightly with a small smile and then turns to Tseng. “What brings you here?” he inquires softly, a little confused by the Turk's presence and what his intentions are. He guesses another job offer will be on the cards somewhere, but doubts Tseng came all this way to offer him work when he could have just called.

Zack was doing just done, cleaning his sword was part of this ritual when he arrived. Hojo rarely was seen in the daylight. As if the light was reluctant to touch his form for his face was a bit shadowy.

Zack, "You are so dead!" Wanting to stop this freak from ever coming back. Felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise as Hojo seem to float towards him.

Hojo, "Now is the time for the puppet to become something greater.,.." Zack felt a wave of dizziness as and then blackness. His body falling to the earth.

About then Cid was coming along and he stops to see Hojo. First thing from his lips he goes, "HOLY CRAP!!!!!"

Tseng pauses in mid explanation of his visit, hearing the yell he looks to Vincent a moment.

Vincent shrugs a little. “We should go out. Cid tends to over react, but maybe something bad happened like he almost got his head chopped off.”

Cid being the heroic type pulls his spear free of the lil hook he has to keep his hands free and charges Hojo. He hated Hojo enough to attack him on site. Because Hojo was far from human, this melee is brief as Cid was sent into the wall of the mansion rather hard, enough to knock him out. Blood trickles from a grasp in his cheek. Hojo grabs up Zack and makes his way to the reactor, laughing in that bone chilling manner as he seems to go faster then a normal human could.

Vincent ran outside now, skidding to a halt in time to see Cid laying slumped against the wall,

Tseng stopped just behind him and frowned a little. “What happened?” he inquired calmly. He was a little worried about Cid's state, he hoped nothing was broken, he'd grown to like the pilot a little over time and hoped he was not seriously hurt.

Vincent's simple reply was “Hojo.'

Cid groans a bit as he rubs the back of his head. "That *&%$#@ freak of nature.... gonna get make him into a ^*&^(&* unicorn...!" In a rather still dazed but pissed off manner as he staggers to his feet. The shakes it off, "That bastard was here Vincent! Ummm.."" Notes Zack is missing, "Sh*t that ain't good... Zack was here just a moment ago... Think he took ya friend."

Vincent sighs a little, shaking his head slightly. “This is very bad.” he deadpans, not expressing his panic inside.

Tseng looks a little lost, watching them all, wondering what on earth Hojo would want with Zack. “Could I...Have some kind of explanation please?’ he inquires slowly, looking between Cid and Vincent.

Cid, "Ummm he is an evil asshole.. That is all I know... " Touching his cheek to see lil brood on his fingers and scowling at the fact Hojo got him to bleed. "Why the hell would Hojo take him? I know Zack and Cloud were both experimented on by him once.. maybe he wants to fine tune what he sees as his property.. the sick f*ck.."

Tseng, little surprised, “Experimented?” Turks don't get to hear much in ShinRa, and he'd never been told by Cloud. “When?” he inquires, not noticing Vincent who is stood loading up Death Penalty, a murderous look in his eyes.

Cid sighs " You don't know shit, do ya?" as he grabs his spear, " years ago.. when Sephiroth went nuts in this very town and burned it down, Cloud and Zack were the only survivors he ShinRa assholes could find. Sephiroth did a nasty number on them before he was stopped, Hojo took them and tired to make then into Sephiroth clones. Cloud got away.. according to the story, Zack was killed during th escape. Apparenlty he is alive... Hojo also before your time, experimented on Vinny here.. that why I despise Hojo. he uses science n a perverse fashion and not for the better of mankind.... I bet the sick f*ck took him into them mountains. "

Tseng listens, shocked and mildly put out that he knew nothing of this. He looks to Vincent, who has finished with Death Penalty and is looking with firm resolve at Cid. “We'll go save him, right?”

Vincent looks to Tseng, who is surprised by Vincent's sudden glance. “We have to save him, Hojo will hurt him.” Vincent deadpans calmly.

Cid, " Of course we're gonna save him!" A bit snappish, "Like hell I am going leave that poor man in that perverts hands. God knows what that man finds fun.... " And Cid starts following the trail of footprints that leads towards the pass that one must take to the reactor with his odd strut. Spear on his shoulder....

The three make their way along the pass. It was a bit of a hike to get through the moutanin pass to th bridge that led to the reactor. Aside some monsters that were simple enough to kill, all was quiet. No eyes watching them. Cid, give him credit here, was quiet. Aside from facial expressions that told he was tired of walking. He hated hiking. Maybe because of his legs that cause him to walk weird. But he was eager to fight still.

Tseng held back a little, in all honesty, he felt out of his depth completely. He didn't like it. He couldn't understand why Hojo would experiment on humans. Certainly, Hojo wasn't quite your usual scien, bu, but using untested theories on a human immediately? That was just wrong. He thought of pretty young Aeris, he'd handed her over to Hojo before, he could have turned her into a monster. Hojo always called his work "research". It had all been lies. Tseng clenches his fists tightly, glaring straight ahead in silent rage as he'd been taken for a fool by ShinRa and Hojo.

As they walk, the come to the reactor. Hojo sat in the shadows between the mental structure and the mountain cliff. His glasses seem to almost glow as they were just out enough for the light to hit them. Zack's unmoving form sat against the reactor's outside wall as limp as a doll, sword across his lap. Like some caring child put him there for a while.

Vincent glances back at Tseng a moment, then to Cid. He hoped he wasn't dragging them into something they could have avoided, but they both seemed determined to be involved. He turned his attention to the important thing, Zack. He could see the reactor now, it was very close, and he could sense Hojo nearby. The weight of death penalty was reassuring in his hand, but he still felt alot of fear.

Cid, "Keep alert, Tseng... With Hojo, nothing is ever simple. That %&^$& got more sh*t up his ass then we can see.... " Continues to follow Vincent's lead on this one as he cracks a knuckle in anticipation. He has anything but fear, his chuckle was clear sign of that.

Tseng nods a little, gathering a little more enthusiasm from Cid. He grins a little, a strange expression for him that almost looks a little sad and forced at most times.

Hojo doesn't move from his spot, his chuckles seem to flow towards them like sick river of sound as the sun dances across the sky. Zack's hand grips the sword as his body stands like a marionette. before sit stiffs , gripping the sword before him. Eyes sightless.

Cid, "This don't look good...."

Vincent stares at Zack a moment, sickened by the sight of him looking so lifeless. He hears Cid's comment from behind him but it seems to pass by him. It's almost like he can't hear anymore. He can feel Chaos inside him growing, but he quells the demon, merely waiting for Hojo to make the first move.

Hojo stands to his feet and pushes the glass closes to his face with a longer finger, "I always keep myk, Tk, Turk.... This is going to prove amusing.... " To Zack, "Kill." All he says as the ex-Soldier first class approaches them. with odd unsteady steps at first. Empty eyes seem to glow a bit brighter as he stops for just a second and then leaps at them as swiftly as Sephiroth could ever, sword swinging at all three.

Vincent leaps back immediately, knocking into Tseng who has not moved, merely stood there staring in surprise at the obvious change in Zack. He stumbles back from Vincent's collision, shaking his head deliriously and looking back to Zack, confused he inquires “What are you doing? Why are you doing what he says?”

Cid of course moved his own ass has his spear out, he knew this was Hojo;s work in Zack and that Zack was dangerous. "Bloody assh*le... " more towards Hojo then anyone else but he still went to Zack because he was the immediate threat to Cid's wish for a long life.

Cid jumps behind Zack to try to pierce his shoulder but Zack turns with a smooth grace and kicks Cid on the gut eno enough to wind the man. Cid falls to his knees severely winded to almost black out. Vincent dives forwards whilst Zack is distracted, tackling him and pushing him down onto his back, rolling across the ground with him until he has him pinned down. He looks up towards Cid, concerned but unable to express this as he is busy with Zack, who seems so much stronger than before. Cid coughs and slowly staggers back up, holding his stomach. lack is speaking cause he was still wheezing. Meanwhile Zack was bucking hard. hard to pin this man who was both strong and extremely wiggly, fighting to throw the man off. Animal like growl from his lips.

Vincent glares down at Zack, snapping at him angrily. “Wake up, stop this, this isn't you at all!”

Tseng watches, silenced in shock at Zack's sudden carelessness, his eyes then look to Hojo and narrow slightly in rage. “How could you do this?” he asks, pulling his Turk issued hand gun out of his pocket and gritting his teeth. “Why Hojo? Why do you do this? What's the damn point?!”

Hojo steps forward... from the shadows as his skin seem to grow greener. Body seemed on the merge of shifting, "You could never understand.. mere grunt. Over paid assassin. How often you blinded did the orders of ShinRa and myself? " Chuckles. Cid starts his way towards Hojo, since Vincent had Zack down. Clearly wanted to fight Hojo.

Hojo, "I am will not tolerate this disturbance ."

Tseng clenches his fists at his sides, glancing across at Vincent, who is still struggling with Zack, snapping at him angrily now and again to calm down, all to no avail. He aims his gun up in between Hojo's eyes, scowling deeply. “I am not a mere grunt. I am a Turk, and we do what we have to for the people who hire us.” He notices Cid behind Hojo, shifting his eyes to him for a moment, wondering what he's up to, he holds his fire for a moment.

Cid was trying to sneak to behind Hojo while Hojo was talking to Tseng. Suddenly Hojo is enveloped in a bubble of light that is blinding to all who are staring at it. Even Cid is forced to shield his eyes, briefly blinded and unable to see.
Meanwhile, while under Vincent, Zack suddenly goes limp. His eyes still void of anything but he was no longer fighting or struggling.

Vincent pauses, looking down at Zack, confused by this he shakes his shoulder gently. “You okay?” he asks softly. He ignores the warning from Tseng, spoken calmly over his shoulder, that it could be a trick, letting down his guard in his worry for Zack

Hojo comes out a huge monster, around 10 feet tall, skin a rough purplish green color with claws and black orbs for eyes. Face much resembles an ox. Cid still blinded is grabbed by a huge paw and screams out as the claw squeezes. A couple of shots are fired by Tseng, in hope that maybe it will make the monster Hojo release Cid. Vincent has ded Zed Zack over to the sidelines in hopes he'll be safe there, he runs back to Tseng's side, now concentrating on saving Cid.

Shots seem to hit, blackish blood trickles from the holes as Hojo seems to ignore the shots. Cid's face turning a color . The Hojo throws the pilot into the side of the reactor, making a hole with him before turning towards the other two men.

Warmth seems to come to Vincent as a familiar presence of a friend seems to be there. Whisper of a woman in his ear as she seems to give Vincent some strange energy. Vincent freezes a moment, confused but making the most of the energy he transforms into Chaos, allowing his demon to break free as he transforms to his all powerful form.

Hojo grins as he approaches Vincent. Howls at him before he charges not caring if poor Tseng got in the way of his charge. Nor the fate of the poor pilot he flung just a moment ago. Just the raw strength and desire to maim. Tseng dodges out of the way, sprinting round Hojo to Cid, to see if he's okay. Chaos however clashes with Hojo to battle him, just as filled with blood lust as ever.

As the two battle with clash and teeth, Tseng finds Cid lying out cold in a mess of metal, blood trickles from his nose and corner of his mouth. Still was breathing and had some broken ribs. Hojo is at one point flung into the cliff to clash back and tries to throw Chaos into the reactor. Tseng crouches down beside Cid, pulling out a potion and opening up his mouth, pouring it in. He hopes that Chaos and Hojo can't make their way over to them, since Cid seems to be in a bad enough state as it is, though hopefully the potion will wake him up.

Cid makes a sour face s the potion goes down.. Potions were not exactly pleasant to the taste buds and he wakes up with a groan. "What was the number of that bus?..... "

Tseng laughs slightly. “You alright Highwind?” he inquires a little stiffly, handing the man another potion and then turning to fire a few pot shots at Hojo, knowing he won't hit Chaos and doubting it would harm the demon anyway.

Cid sits up with a grunt and drunks the potion as quickly as he can to keep from tasting it, "I'm fine.... Holy shit... " All he says as he gets a look at this fight, "Glad that ain't me..." Hojo was losing ground to Chaos.

His wounds more numberoius as Vincent had more rage and oddly the strange energy seems to have increases his healing so his wounds were healing as he got them. Forcing Hojo down to his knees.. Ox like creating breathing hard. One of Tseng's bullet took one of it's eyes out. Chaos plunges his claw into the monstrous Hojo's chest, black blood type liquid spurting from it's chest. He lets out a battle roar as he tears the 'lungs' out of the monster's chest, which have mutated and changed into a rancid black mess. The creature that was chaos fell and started to melt into mess of goo, leaving only a huge skeleton behind... and a fowl odor.

Cid out a hand over his nose, "*&*(^&^*%, what a stink!!!!"

Tseng merely remained cold and calm, merely watching with no emotion as Hojo died. “I'm just a grunt.” he remarked dryly underneath his breath, standing slowly to his feet and holding a hand out to Cid to help him up.

Cid, "Hojo was always full of it anyway. Better go check on Vincent and Zack... right?"

Zack still lays where he was placed. Mind lost in darkness. What was he really? Felt so cold and alone in this pit he tumbled into. Hojo was destroyed. His bone lay in the mess of puddle that used to be his body. Cid staggers out of the reactor followed by Tseng to find out if Zack and Vincent are okay.

Chaos fades away, shrinking down slowly to show Vincent, who falls to his knees immediately, exerted from the battle. He coughs up a little blood, spitting it out on the ground, but it seems he dominated the whole match and has few to no injures. He stands up slowly, looking immediately to Zack and walking over to him.

Cid, "Umm... This was one f*cked up battle, Huh Tseng?"

Tseng nods in agreement, saying nothing as he observes solemnly. He feels strangely unnerved, Zack hasn't token up. “This can't be good...” he murmurs outloud, more to himself than anyone else

Cid, "We need to get back to the mansion either way... " See the clouds moving in and possible rain. Plus he was hurting still and wanted to go to bed.

Tseng nods slightly in agreement, walking over to Vincent and placing a careful hand on his shoulder, nervous of being lashed out at. “We need to get inside. Pick him up.” Tseng ordered, deciding now was a point where he took charge. Vincent seemed incapable now, and Cid was...Well, he was Cid. All he wanted to do was drink tea and go to bed.

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