Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ Should Have Been Mine ( Chapter 24 )

 

This is a flashback chapter. The entire thing is so I am not going to bother putting up little flashback notes.

 

(This is Galian Beast talking)

THIS IS CHAOS SPEAKING

The other two demons I have deemed temporarily unimportant because I didn't want it to become too confusing for you to read.

 

Events between - - - - are the actual past memories of Vincent.

 

Chapter 24: Should Have Been Mine

 

“That voice?” Vincent questioned, looking with wide eyes at the woman in the room. “It can't be…” His voice was barely above a whisper, as if he couldn't believe his eyes or his ears. “Lucrecia…?”

 

The apparition responded, the voice sounding soft and sensual at the same time managing to reverberate throughout the room.

 

“Vincent…?”

 

“Lucrecia!!” the ex-Turk exclaimed, a bit of hope rising in his heart. He took a step forward, ready to take his love up in his arms.

 

“Stay back!!” the brown-haired female ordered, her voice instantly strong and commanding. She held out her hand as if to ward off his approach. He stopped in his tracks but continued to observe her, an odd expression on his face.

 

Cloud and Cid could do nothing but watch, though the pilot longed to just run in there and demand to know what the hell was going on.

 

“You… you let him take my son from me…” whispered the woman, her voice losing that commanding tone.

”What… what are you talking…” Vincent could only stammer his words. Son?

 

All of a sudden visions unbidden came to his mind and he relived what few memories he had.

 

Of Lucrecia, talking about Hojo's and her decision to perform experiments on her unborn child…

 

Of Vincent trying to convince Lucrecia to run away with him, and her flat refusal…

 

Of one lone Turk going to confront a mad scientist with no weapon as back up, having promised the woman he loved he wouldn't need it…

 

Of Hojo cackling evilly as he shot Vincent twice, once in the chest and once in the arm…

 

Of Vincent feeling as if he were dying and indeed believing it were true… until he woke up in his current body…

 

“This... this body is… the punishment that's been given to me… I was unable… to stop Professors Gast and Hojo… and Lucrecia…” he paused on her name as if repeating it over and over in his mind. “I was unable to stop them… All that I was able to do was watch… That is my punishment….” He lifted up his head from where he had been studying the floor, eyes locking with the brunette who looked as beautiful as the day he had last seen her.

 

“Lucrecia… you're alive…” he said softly, the barest traces of a smile gracing his lips.

 

“I wanted to disappear…” the woman choked, beginning to sob quietly. “I couldn't be with anyone… I wanted to die… but the Jenova inside me wouldn't let me die.” Her tears were flowing more freely, falling down her face in salty trails of agony. Cid and Cloud could feel their own sympathies rising for the female and had to restrain themselves from running to comfort her on their own.

 

“Lately, I dream a lot of Sephiroth,” Lucrecia began again, after regaining her voice. “My dear, dear child. Ever since he was born I never got to hold him, even once… not even once… you can't call me his mother… That is my… sin.” She broke into disjointed sobs again.

Vincent took a step forward, arm reaching out to comfort her.

 

“Back!! Stay back!!” she screamed at him. He froze and looked at her, the pain evident in his own eyes. “And yet… Vincent… Won't you please tell me?”

 

The gunman took a deep breath, “Anything.”

 

“Is Sephiroth still alive? I heard he died five years ago. But I see him in my dreams so often… And I know that physically, like myself, he can't die so easily. Please, Vincent, tell me… does my child still live?”

 

The dark-haired gunman seemed at a loss. He couldn't bear to tell Lucrecia the truth, even if it meant that he would bear the burden alone.

 

“Lucrecia…” the ex-Turk began slowly. He paused and appeared to gather himself before telling possibly the hardest lie in his life. “Sephiroth is dead.”

 

“So I see,” responded the woman in a tone that was more dead than alive. “Then I have failed him after all…”

 

“No,” Vincent denied vehemently. He waved his hand for emphasis. “It is I… I, who failed the both of you… I should have protected you… seen it sooner… were it not for my pride… I would have taken you and ran…”

 

The woman smiled through her tears. “That is why I loved you, dear Valentine. So kind beneath that cold exterior… I loved you once… long ago.”

 

“I love you still,” Vincent declared, his voice the epitome of his anguish.

 

Her eyes saddened as she looked at him. “No, you do not. Your heart belongs to another… one more worthy than I. I only wish… that I had listened before…” she trailed off before continuing. “Did you know that Sephiroth had the most beautiful grey eyes, like granite stone, before Hojo started applying the mako?”

 

Vincent sucked in a deep breath. “What… what are you saying?”

 

She shook her head. “I am not saying anything. I just wanted you to know.”

 

Vincent paled slightly, seeming to waver on his feet. “Is Sephiroth… is he…”

 

“Now that he is dead it no longer matters… and I… I must go to join him,” said Lucrecia, her body began to fade, as if she had never really been there at all.

 

“Wait… Lucrecia… you must tell me!” the gunman yelled with exasperation. He ran towards her, hoping to grasp a hold of the brunette before she disappeared.

 

The scientist shook her head, tresses flying as she blinked her eyes slowly, a quiet stream trailing down her face. Her figure was near transparent now, hardly anything left of her.

 

“Dammit!” Vincent cursed as he stumbled towards the upraised stone where Lucrecia had been standing. “Don't you leave without telling me, dammit!”

 

But she was already gone.

 

With a heaving sob, Vincent sank to his feet, angrily striking the floor. “Why? Why can't I remember!!”

 

DO YOU WANT TO REMEMBER? Chaos' booming voice echoed in his ears. Vincent almost believed that the Death demon was standing right beside him.

 

He looked up suddenly, through tear streaked lashes at the place where Lucrecia once stood.

 

“Please…” he whispered. “I need to remember.”

 

Galian laughed. (It won't be fun, and it won't be pretty.)

 

“I don't care,” Vincent snapped. “I want to know the truth.”

 

“Uh, Vince?” He heard Cid's voice asking him tentatively if he was okay. He ignored it for now.

 

(He says he wants the truth, Chaos? Should we give it to him?)

 

Chaos laughed. HE IS OUR MASTER AFTER ALL. Yet, there was a touch of sarcasm to his voice.

 

And with that, Vincent felt like he was falling down from a far distance but he knew that he was kneeling on the ground. In truth, he had blacked out, going deep within himself as his body slumped to the ground.

 

Immediately he was flanked on either side by Chaos and Galian Beast. The two demons grinned at him, blood-stained teeth looking anything but inviting. They grabbed one of each of his arms, Chaos on the left and Galian on the right.

 

WHERE SHOULD WE START, I WONDER?

 

(As always), hissed Galian. (In the beginning.)

 

“Don't I have a say?” the gunman questioned in protest. The two demons did not answer. Instead, they yanked on his arm, pulling him down into a deep, dark void.

 

Below him he could see the beginnings of his memories, the gates of Nibelheim. Yes, it had all started there. When he had been given the orders to accompany a team of scientists to the mountain town and protect them as they conducted their research. It was when he had truly met HER, and their fate intertwined with that of one Dr. Hojo.

 

Vincent watched in rapt fascination, as if he were attending a movie and not his own memory.

 

- - - - -

 

Everyone, scientists and ShinRa soldiers included, were struggling to unload medical supplies and equipment off of a transport truck. One in particular seemed to be having trouble carrying a rather large and bulky box. She tripped over a rock, or perhaps it was her own feet, and swayed. Destruction and breakage was imminent.

 

Until a tall, well-dressed dark-haired man swooped in to aid the girl. He grabbed up the box and held it for her, while she struggled to gain her balance.

 

The brown-haired scientist smiled up at him as she felt her ankle. It wasn't swelling, but it still hurt.

 

“I'd rather think that you should carry something a bit lighter,” commented the man, his voice deep and smooth as his grey eyes flashed warmly.

 

“Oh, Mr. Valentine, I should think not!” the girl responded with a cheery smile. “I can't let all you men thinking us females are weaker!” She reached for the box but he moved it swiftly out of range.

 

“I will carry it for you, Dr. Lucrecia,” he intoned. “You are hurt.”

 

She waved a hand in dismissal before moving back towards the truck and grabbing another box, albeit a much smaller one. “It's nothing. C'mon I' will show you where to put it.”

 

And so went their first encounter. Vincent was immediately attracted to the constantly smiling young scientist but fought to push his feelings down. He was one of the top Turks… it was completely unprofessional of him.

 

But her cheery demeanor was intoxicating… managing to break through his walls of ice and encouraging him to be more open… to laugh.

 

- - - - -

 

(I think that this is enough of the happiness, Chaos.)

 

I AGREE. WHAT KIND OF SERVANTS WOULD WE BE IF WE DIDN'T SHOW HIM THE GOOD STUFF, NE?

 

With those words spoken, Vincent felt himself grabbed up and pulled away from the scene only to be pulled into another, not that much further into the past.

 

The dark-haired man now found himself in the clutch of the demons inside the ShinRa mansion. He looked down and found his old form, that of a human Turk. How he missed those days…

 

- - - - -

The grey-eyed man was in the living room, sipping on some wine in a glass as he stared into the fire, losing himself in the flames.

 

“Mr. Valentine?” Lucrecia's sweet voice pierced the blackness of his thoughts and Vincent turned from the fire to look at the brunette.

 

“I thought I told you to call me, Vincent,” the Turk responded, though his voice was warm and gentle.

 

“You did, but it is hard to get used to.” Lucrecia smiled. No, she wasn't just smiling… she was grinning like a Cheshire cat, as if she had the biggest secret in the world.

 

“What is the happy mood for?” the man asked.

 

“Oh, Vincent!” exclaimed the scientist. “It is so wonderful!! Hojo has asked me to marry him!!”

 

“What?” questioned the Turk, feeling a bit lost. “But… I had thought that…”

 

“Oh, silly, I thought we talked about that.” She smiled as she enveloped the dark-haired Turk in a hug. He was too stunned to return it. “You knew that I was in love with Hojo…”

 

“Yes, but…” Ever the articulate one, for once Vincent Valentine found himself at a loss for words.

 

Lucrecia pulled away from the embrace and looked up at the Turk. Hurt was evident in the grey eyes, but Vincent quickly shielded that emotion.

 

She shook her head. “I knew I never should have… given in…”

 

“Don't bother,” muttered the Turk. “I'm a big boy, I can handle it. Congratulations.” He pulled away from the scientist, and snapped up his jacket from the back of the couch, intent on going for a walk or something… anything to get away from the pain.

 

“Don't be like that,” Lucrecia murmured. She reached out and grabbed Vincent's arm, trying to stop him from leaving. “Please don't go back to the way you were. You can't stop smiling.”

 

“Spare me your romantic drivel,” the man muttered. “I don't want to hear it.”

 

Lucrecia's eyes filled with tears as she let go of his arm. She looked at him for a moment before running off, leaving the living room.

 

Vincent sighed and sunk down into the couch. Why should it have surprised him?

 

“Very, very amusing,” came a cold and calculating voice from one of the shadowed corners of the room.

 

Vincent felt a chill race up and down his spine. “Hojo…”

 

“Very perceptive of you, Mr. Valentine.” As if summoned, the doctor stepped out of the shadows and into the light, glasses reflecting enough to make him appear evil. “I always knew the little slut was running around on me. I suppose I should have guessed it would have been you. Tell me, Mr. Valentine, do you have a habit of touching things that don't belong to you?”

 

Vincent gritted his teeth and clenched his teeth in anger. “Don't talk about Lucrecia in such a disrespectful matter.”

 

“Oh?” Hojo cocked an eyebrow. “And what are you going to do about it?” The scientist walked right up to Vincent and glared him in the face despite the fact that the Turk was at least a half head taller. “Absolutely nothing because I own her now. She belongs to me. Get used to it, Valentine. I win.”

 

Laughing loudly to himself, Hojo strode from the room, leaving behind a very angry Turk.

 

- - - - -

 

Galian Beast was laughing. (Oh, that diminutive scientist told you didn't he!! For a high and mighty Turk you sure submitted easily!)

 

“Oh, shut up!” Vincent muttered as he stared at the scene before him. But he still didn't remember. It was as if he were watching someone else's life and not his own.

 

LET'S GO, ordered Chaos. WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOT TO THE JUICY STUFF YET. He gave a great tug on the ex-Turk's arm and they all three moved.

 

“You are enjoying this, aren't you?” demanded Vincent.

 

(If it includes seeing that look on your face every place we go?) questioned Galian. (Hell yeah!!)

 

The ex-Turk sighed. “What now?” He asked wearily.

 

(One more…. no wait two more I think…)

 

AND THEN THE REAL JUICY STUFF!! Chaos spoke with glee.

 

With that said, Vincent felt the three of them plummeting until they were standing at yet another Nibelheim scene. This time he was standing in Lucrecia's room and the two of them were having a heated discussion.

 

- - - - -

 

“Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?” demanded Vincent.

 

“I didn't think it was important,” Lucrecia snapped in response. She pulled her arm from Vincent's grip and wrapped her arms protectively around her waist.

 

“Not important,” he snarled, grey eyes flashing. “The child could be mine!!”

 

“Even if it was… it wouldn't matter. We have already made our decision!”

 

“To experiment on your own child?” the Turk exclaimed incredulously. “What kind of monster does that?”

 

“It is for the betterment of society, I think that it is an acceptable risk,” Lucrecia answered stubbornly.

 

“No.” The Turk shook his head deliberately. “I can't… I won't let you do this!! That child may be mine and nothing of my flesh and blood will come anywhere near to Hojo's dirty hands!!”

 

“Don't forget…” Lucrecia hissed. “It is those dirty hands that touch me as well. I love Hojo, and I am going to marry him. We are going to have this baby, and it is going to be the subject of our research.”

 

“What has he done to you!” Vincent demanded, grabbing her by the shoulders and forcing her to look him in the eye. “The Lucrecia I knew would never have allowed this… she was kind and always smiling…”

 

“He has done nothing to me,” the scientist hissed, viciously pulling away yet again. “You are relying on a fraudulent memory. This is what I want.”

 

“Fine. Do whatever you want with your life, but you are not harming my child.”

 

“You don't even know if it is yours.”

 

“It doesn't matter. Please, Lucia, reconsider. You could die as well. This Jenova creature still isn't understood, and Mako is rather unstable. Just come with me… I promise… we can have a life together.” He was desperate. He didn't care if she never loved him in return, but his feelings for her were so strong… so real that he couldn't bear to think of her in Hojo's arms… or his child for that matter, if indeed it was his.

 

“Why can't you get that through your thick military brain? I love Hojo and not you, Mr. Valentine. And you are going to have to realize that before it's too late. Now get out.” Her voice was cold and final, as if she wanted the Turk to know that it was truly over and she would no longer listen to his words.

 

“Fine. I will go. But please, promise me this one thing… think about it… just think long and hard about what you are consenting to do.” The man looked Lucrecia in the eye, grey meeting brown. She appeared to waver under his steady gaze.

 

“I will think about it. But I doubt I will change my mind,” the scientist said, looking away swiftly. “Now leave… please.” The last was more of a pleading, as if it hurt her to see Vincent.

 

The Turk turned on his heels and headed for the door. He paused with one hand on the knob. “I love you, Lucrecia.” He didn't look back as he spoke, but turned the knob and walked out, closing the door gently behind him, only to come face to face with the object of his deepest hatred.

 

“I see you still haven't learned to keep your hands to yourself.” Hojo smirked.

 

“What have you done to her?” growled Vincent, hands balling into his fists at his sides.

 

“Do you honestly think I need drugs to keep her near me or are you really that brainless? I told you I would win.”

 

“That could be my child,” ground out Vincent.

 

Hojo shrugged. “Yours… mine… doesn't make a difference. Either way, I have my test subject.”

 

“You bastard!!” growled Vincent, feeling this intense desire to strike the arrogant scientist down.

 

“Tsk tsk,” warned Hojo. “Wouldn't want to do that, you might upset Lucrecia, and in her condition, it wouldn't be wise.”

 

Vincent narrowed his eyes and stormed off, knowing and hating himself for that fact, but knowing that the bastard was right.

 

- - - - -

 

 

“If Sephiroth is my child…” Vincent shook his head violently. “No, I don't want to think about that. What's next?”

 

GETTING IMPATIENT, ARE WE? HMPH. WELL, COME ON. Chaos grabbed onto Vincent's arm with a tighter grip and took a flying leap into the abysmal dark, Galian snickering on his other side.

 

(Just one more.)

 

Vincent closed his eyes to the uncomfortable sensations and wondered if it would ever be over. After all, he wanted to regain his memory, not view it like some cheap movie in the slums. He still couldn't remember these events… not the feelings or the smells or the colors. Like he was devoid of sensation and it was not encouraging.

 

They traveled through the dark for longer than the times before until finally emerging into a gray-like mist.

 

“Why is it foggy?” questioned Vincent.

 

Chaos shrugged. YOUR EMOTIONS THAT DAY WERE EXTREMELY STRONG. THEY CLOUDED YOUR JUDGEMENT; THEREFORE YOUR MEMORIES ARE STAINED BY THAT FACT.

 

Vincent almost dreaded to see what had happened.

 

(Just watch. You probably already remember most of this but it's gotten skewed in that human brain. So pay close attention!!)

 

The ex-Turk nodded and looked at the scene that was playing out before his eyes. Again it began with Lucrecia and Vincent arguing, only this time the scientist was much farther along in her pregnancy and completely bedridden.

 

- - - - -

Lucrecia was crying as she lay weakly against the bed. Only eight months along and still the child was draining all her energy or strength, more like a parasite than a baby. However, the scientist was certain that it was the fault of the Jenova cells. No other normal pregnancy was supposed to be like that.

 

“Look at yourself, Lucia!! You are wasting away! Whatever Hojo is doing to you and the baby is not healthy! You going to die for him?” Vincent demanded as he paced back and forth across the floor.

 

“I love him, Vincent. Why can't you accept that?”

 

“This has gone too far,” the man whispered. “I never should have left you to think your way. And it's all Hojo's fault, damn him.” He balled up his fists. “I am going to stop him before he kills you!”

 

“No!” she exclaimed, nearly leaping out of the bed to grab onto Vincent's arm before he left. She dangled precariously on the edge, hanging onto the Turk's arm with what left she had of her meager strength.

 

“I don't care what you say anymore. I am making the decisions now,” said Vincent, carefully helping her back into the bed. She would not release her death grip.

 

“I love him, Vincent. Please, dear God, don't hurt him. I love Hojo.” Lucrecia was babbling now as she clung to the Turk's arm, soaking his sleeve with her tears. He looked down at her, pain evident in his features. She loved that damn freak still… even as he suffered in an eternal prison of loving her as well.

 

“Fine,” the Turk declared with exasperation. “I won't kill the bastard but I am going to make him stop these experiments if I have to burn that laboratory to the ground.”

 

“Leave it here… don't take it with you… or you might hurt him,” Lucrecia sniffed suddenly.

 

“What?”

 

“Leave the gun here. Or I won't let go.”

 

Vincent sighed. “I don't need it to handle one lousy scientist anyways.” He unbuckled the holster from around his chest and laid it on the dresser, checking to make sure the safety was on.

 

Once Lucrecia saw that he was listening to her, she released his death grip and allowed him to get up from the bed. He swiped his coat off of a chair and swung it back over his shoulders. He looked back to where she had sunk back into the bed, exhausted and sweating. Damn his foolish heart for still caring… and damn Hojo for stealing his chance!!

 

Without another word, the Turk stormed from the room, heading for the secret entrance to the basement lab. He palmed open the door and climbed the twisting stairwell downwards, his stomach twisting with the realization that he still wasn't sure what he was about to do. Why didn't he just take Lucrecia and run? Yet, in her advanced state and weakness, he couldn't fight off ShinRa and make a clean getaway.

 

He should just kill the bloody bastard… but then he would risk losing Lucrecia's heart to him forever. However, if he couldn't change Hojo's mind, then his Lucia was sure to die anyways.

 

“Hojo!” screamed the furious Turk as he stormed into the lab. “Damn you Hojo! Your wife is dying!”

 

The scientist barely looked up from his paperwork, as he frowned at the raging Turk. “Do you mind, I am quite busy.”

 

“What have you done to her!” Vincent demanded, slamming his hands onto the desk, lining up face to face with the bespectacled man. “Those experiments are killing her!”

 

Hojo shrugged and returned to his paperwork. “I cannot help that her body is not strong enough to withstand the treatments. Perhaps I shall need a stronger carrier next time.”

 

The other man growled and reached across the desk, grabbing up Hojo by his collar and lifting up him slightly, shaking the scientist. “SHE IS DYING!!” He grunted out the words one by one.

 

“Tsk, tsk, temper, temper,” the scientist said, never losing that annoying grin. He placed one hand on Vincent's and easily pried himself loose. Apparently the doctor had been applying the research on himself as well.

 

The Turk looked at him in shocked horror. When had the scientist become so strong?

 

“You really should learn to respect your elders,” the bastard snapped as he flung Vincent back and away from him. The Turk stumbled several steps backwards, surprised by the sheer force of Hojo's blow.

 

The scientist moved from behind the desk, eyeing Vincent coldly with his hands clasped behind his back.

 

“She loved you… she trusted you…” the gunman muttered, staring at Hojo with cold stone eyes.

 

The doctor laughed. “And still does, too. Stupid little whore.” With that said, Hojo pulled out a gun that he had in his lab coat pocket and fired at Vincent, no warning or anything.

 

The Turk jerked as the bullet raced into his left shoulder and left behind fiery pain. It hurt like a bitch and he immediately clutched at his arm to try and staunch the bleeding.

 

“How does it feel, Valentine? To be on the receiving end of the gun?” Hojo asked, eyebrow cocked.

 

“Go to hell,” gasped Vincent, “You fucking monster.”

 

Hojo's eyes blazed angrily. “Monster? I? All the work I do for science, for the advancement of mankind, and you call me monster?” He aimed his gun at the Turk.

 

“By the time I am through with you, there will be a new meaning to the word.” Without further adieu, he pulled the trigger and shot the Turk again, this time to the chest, blowing a gigantic hole in Vincent's upper chest. The man collapsed to the floor in a bloody mess.

 

“Hmph.” Hojo dropped the gun on the desk and instead picked up a syringe that he had been fiddling with when the Turk had come storming in. “Now is as good as time as ever to test this out.” He leaned down and inserted the needle into the Turk's neck, not bothering with sanitation, and depressed the bubbling green and blue liquid into Vincent's neck.

 

- - - - -

 

With that the scene began to fade, as what the gunman remembered began to collide with what the injection made him forget.

 

* * *