“C’mon Vinnie! We just need to ask one question, then we’ll leave.”
Said an exasperated Reno. Talking to Vincent Valentine was like talking
to a stone. Vincent eyed the wary party coldly before adding,
“My name is not “Vinnie”, it’s Vincent.” Reno shrugged, what
difference did it make?
“C’mon foo’! We don’ have time tah jus sit here! We jus need
some info’ an’ we be outta ya’ hair forever!” Barret said, he to sounded
exasperated.
“Vincent,” Cloud said stepping forward, “just answer one question.
I have to know what I’m up against before charging into battle.”
“So spiky arse does use the pea brain he was given, sometimes.”
Barret whispered to Reno. They both snickered. Cloud ignored them.
Vincent sighed, just answer their question and you can go back
to sleep, he thought to himself. He nodded. “Do you have a brother?” Vincent’s
eyes widened the only thing that showed he was surprised.
“How did you know I have a brother?” he hissed, giving them dangerous
glares.
“Cause ya’ brother wus the one that took Tifa!” Barret exclaimed.
Vincent closed his eyes and said “My brother used to be a top Turk, like
me, he was experimented by Hojo, but unlike me, he volunteered.” Reno whistled.
“He must be really messed up if he let Hojo near him willingly.” Reno said.
Vincent looked thoughtful. “He is good with weapons, especially the gun,
but he is weak in martial arts and magic. He is a lone wolf who only works
with others if need be. He is very clever, probably using Shinra to get
what he wants.” Barret turned to Cloud and asked, “ What would he want?”
“What do I look like? A mind reader? How should I know?” Cloud
snapped. “He probably wants to take over the world. My brother was always
big on world domination.” Vincent shrugged. Cloud nodded and the others
got up, ready to leave. “Wait.” They turned to eye Vincent warily. “When
you find my brother, tell me, I have a score to settle with him…”
Tifa sat defiantly in front of a raging Rufus, while Barry had
an amused look on his face because of Rufus’s lost composure.
“Tell me how to revive the dead!” he snapped through gritted
teeth. His knuckles were white from gripping the desk so he wouldn’t hit
her. She was a very stubborn person, and she was getting on his last nerve.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said, flipping
her chocolate strands over her shoulder.
“ Tell me or watch your friends die!” he threatened. Tifa rolled
her eyes. “Yeah right! Like you could defeat Avalanche now when you couldn’t
all those years ago.” She said. That was it. Rufus slammed his fist on
his desk hard enough to make her jump. With an evil smirk and a famous
hair flip, Rufus looked at Barry and said simply, “Gather them.” He nodded
and left. He strode over to Tifa and forced her to look at his cold eyes.
Leaning so that his lips were by her ear, he whispered, “Now I will show
you real fear, and the true meaning of feeling helplessness.” With that,
he snapped his fingers and two guards’ came in to drag a confused Tifa
back to her cell.
Cloud, Reno, and Barret had finally reached the outskirts of Cosmo
Canyon. They weren’t surprised to see Nanaki, but they were surprised to
see some one else there. “Yuffie!” they all shouted in disbelief. Hearing
her name, the young ninja looked up. “Guys!” She cried out while hugging
each of them, and after they were done checking if Yuffie had stolen anything,
she asked, “What brings you guys here?” Silence reigned until Reno spoke
up, “We need to know if there really is a way to bring back old Sephy boy
back and how to stop Vincent’s mad brother from taking over the world.
You know, the usual.” He explained while shrugging his shoulders.
“This way,” Nanaki said, gesturing for them to follow.
Tifa sat silently in a ball, leaning against a wall. What I wouldn’t
give for a shower, or a change of clothes, or a brush or a…she thought
as she heard her cell door open. Probably Rufus or his new wacko scientist,
she thought with a shiver. That guy gave her the creeps.
“Tifa,” she turned shocked, usually people around her called her “Specimen
T” or something. She got a good look at the person, at whom she stared
wide-eyed.
“So there is a way to revive Sephiroth,” Reno stated, looking at the
complicated drawings. He wasn’t a scholar, but he could understand half
of the diagrams.
“So that’s why Shinra needs Tifa, they need a Cetra to call for the
soul. They need with the right Cetra chant, a silver materia, and enough
spirit energy.” Nanaki said, his tail swaying around.
“But how can Shinra revive ‘em if da’ don’ go’ the materia?” Barret
asked, looking at the diagrams confused. Yuffie let out a squeal. “Rare
materia! Maybe even the rarest! Oh! I gotta get my hands on that! It sounds
really powerful. For Wutai!” Yuffie said looking very happy. Everyone gave
her a weird look, and she grinned sheepishly while scratching the back
of her head.
“But how do we even know it exists? Where could Shinra find one?” Cloud
asked, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“Well, it says here that only the most powerful Cetra owned one, let
alone use one. Maybe since Tifa is the last Cetra, she has one.” Reno suggested
while looking down again at the chart before him.
“What! And Tifa didn’t tell me! I thought we were friends!” Yuffie
shrieked. Everyone again, looked at her funny.
“Well, since we go that figured out, where could Shinra be hiding?”
Cloud asked, looking around the room.
“I have an idea.” Everyone turned to look at Reno. “That’s a first.”
Yuffie said cheerfully, sticking her tongue out when he glared at her.
“There’s this island of the coast near here, its entrance is hidden
in a cave so I doubt that anyone’s found it. But of course this is a shot
in the dark.” Reno added, looking thoughtful.
“I have also heard of that island, Cave Island, I heard it was a myth.”
Nanaki said.
“I guess Shinra likes goin’ after myths.” Barret said. Reno grinned,
now they might be able to rescue Tifa!