Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Ice ❯ Perennial ( Chapter 26 )

 

once again ~ ~ ~ ~ meanwhile

 

Chapter 26: Perennial

 

“Even after I saw all those horrible events that were supposed to be my memories, I still didn't remember them. It wasn't until I woke up that it all came crashing down and all those events attacked my senses until I was drowning in them. Chaos took that moment of weakness to try to break free.” Vincent shook his head as if trying to forget what it was he remembered.

 

Cid didn't respond. He lay motionless on the bed next to Vincent, arms crossed behind his head as he tried to absorb all the information that his lover was relaying to him. He never knew that a human being could be so monstrous… so demonic. And truthfully, he wasn't sure if there was anything he could say to take away the pain that was so evident in the gunman's eyes.

 

The ex-Turk closed his eyes as if waiting for a response that did not come. Sighing softly, he continued, “Even now, sometimes when I close my eyes… the images return… and the sensations, I can still remember how everything feels now. I may not remember color or sound but I can still taste and feel every bit of that man's handiwork. They are… what I can no longer forget… flashing through my mind continuously as if to remind me of my faults and failures.” His hands clenched at his side, though he didn't appear to notice.

 

“There, I have told you my past. Are you satisfied now?” the gunman questioned, sighing wearily.

 

“No,” the Captain responded stubbornly as he sat up in the bed. He turned to look at the dark-haired man next to him.

 

“Excuse me?” Vincent demanded, pushing himself up from the bed. He leaned on his elbow and turned a heated glare towards the pilot.

 

“I said `no',” Cid repeated. His eyes softened. “Why in hell would I be satisfied to learn that my best friend was murdered then raped and tortured?”

 

Vincent winced at the words. “Best friend, huh? That's all?”

 

“You know better than that. I already told your stubborn Turk ass once.”

 

The dark-headed gunman shook his head and pulled his body upwards so that he could sit a little more fully and regain the feeling in his elbow. “You are wrong.”

 

The pilot frowned as he moved to pile the pillows up against the headboard so he could lean against it comfortably. “About what?”

 

The gunman sighed. “Even knowing… you still insist that there is enough left of me to be human… despite having died once and being joined with a Death demon.”

 

The pilot frowned again. “You know, I don't too much like all this negative thoughts. You are human and that's all there is to it, despite whatever that creep Hojo told you or did to you.”

 

Vincent appeared to contemplate what the pilot was saying before responding in turn, “There is something indescribably eerie and morbid in the dark. Although you cannot see a thing… oftentimes the mind makes up figures and sound. Even if the dark is so cloying, so clinging that you cannot hear, taste, see, feel you still want to imagine that you are alive… that you exist.”

 

“Wha… what?” Cid asked, even more confused than before.

 

The ex-Turk leaned his head back and looked up at the ceiling. “The first time I was locked in that cell, I was still able to dream of hope and freedom. I still thought that I could save her. The first time wasn't so bad… neither the second nor the third… but the fourth… in the fourth, I was forgotten. I cannot say how long I was in there because time does not pass the same in the dark as it does in the light… but for a moment, I nearly believed I no longer existed.”

 

“Vince…” trailed off the pilot, uncertain of what to say.

 

The crimson-eyed man lowered his gaze to rest on that of the pilot leaning next to him. “That is why I say that you can never understand… me or anything else around me.”

 

The blond shook his head. “You are such an idiot,” he mumbled, sidling up closer to the gunman and reaching out with his arms.

 

The gunman rolled his eyes and leaned up exhaustively against the bed frame. “Cid, I am not in the mood.”

 

The pilot sighed and pulled the other man into his arms, despite the ex-Turk's protests. He held Vincent chest to back and wrapped his arms around the dark-haired man. “I'm not trying to fuck ya, Vince. I'm trying to comfort you.”

 

The ex-Turk sighed, but relaxed into the touch. It was indeed comforting, soothing his frazzled nerves and emotions. However, he didn't want to and that was the problem. He didn't need to depend on anyone else.

 

However, the gunman relented. “Thank you, Cid,” he said simply.

 

The pilot grinned despite himself and settled back more comfortably against the bed. He mused silently for a moment, recalling some of what the ex-Turk had told him before speaking again. “You know, Vince, you really-“

 

“Don't,” the gunman interrupted quietly, his voice a simple yet firm command. Cid looked at him in surprise but the ex-Turk did not turn to look at him. “Don't try to tell me that it is not my fault or that I am not to blame or that there was nothing I can do. I don't want false words for comfort. I spent thirty years alone with my thoughts and there is no other conclusion.”

 

The Captain sighed but shut his mouth. Later… when Vincent was more receptive he would try to talk to him, but for now, the pilot was content with just holding his lover. “If you want, Vin, but there is still one thing I am confused about.”

 

“What?” questioned Vincent.

 

“Why did my kissing you stop Chaos?”

 

The body of the ex-Turk seemingly froze for a moment in the pilot's arms as he contemplated the answer to that question. In truth, when Cid had kissed him, that very touch had called to the gunman locked inside his own internal struggle. If it hadn't been for the feelings already in his heart… the kiss wouldn't even had mattered. Yet, Vincent wasn't sure if he wanted to reveal all that just yet to the blond.

 

“Chaos is not a fan of affection. You scared him,” the ex-Turk answered drolly.

 

“No shit?” Cid laughed. “I knew nothing could resist the ole Highwind charm.”

 

“If you say so.”

 

The gunman sighed and relaxed into the blond's arms, feeling suddenly very drowsy and warm. There was comfort there… and a distinct feeling of safety… not that the ex-Turk needed someone to protect him. Yet, needing and wanting were two entirely different stories and Vincent wasn't sure if he wanted to face that discussion within himself yet or not. He settled into Cid's touch and allowed himself to calm. It wasn't long before he had fallen asleep.

 

However, it was a very confused and troubled pilot that still sat there awake, holding on to the man that he had realized he cared very much for. After finding out the gunman's past, Cid now found he had a reason to hate Hojo… and care for the ex-Turk even more. Feelings of protecting the dark-haired man had risen up within him as he heard the tale even as anger at the mad scientist bubbled up easily.

 

Then, all he wanted to do was pull Vincent into his arms as the gunman told his story in a flat, matter-of-fact voice. How was he going to help the man that had stolen his heart…?

 

* * *

 

“What about Cid and Vinny?” the dark-haired ninja questioned as she skipped out of the airship to follow behind Cloud, Nanaki, Bugenhagen, and Barret.

 

“They don't need to come. Reeve can call them if he needs help,” Cloud said firmly, his jaw set. He walked in front of the group, guiding the way as most leaders were wont to do.

 

“What do you think this key is going to do?” Barret asked, looking skeptically at the large stone object in his hand.

 

The blond turned and barely glanced at the object before shrugging. “Save the world if we are lucky.”

 

Yuffie snorted. “Right. One little stone piece of crap is gonna stop Sephiroth and Meteor.”

 

“Never know unless you try,” Nanaki responded, a surprisingly encouraging expression on his face. He gently brushed a hand across the ninja's arm, and she glanced at him before smiling.

 

They entered the Ancient's city with an almost nervous aura. All wondered what would happen the moment they used the key. There was an unsettled quiet that had settled around them, not only because of the uncertainty they were about to embark on, but also because of the events earlier that day…. when Vincent had gone… well, crazy.

 

“Cloud?” the girl began slowly, trying to gather their leader's attention. The group was currently traveling the shortest path to get the area with the mysterious markings and platform, where the music box was located.

 

“Yes?” their leader responded, casting a glance back at the thoughtful ninja.

 

“Why do you think… Vincent… is he… do you think that he will be alright?” Yuffie questioned, unsure of what exactly sure it was she was trying to ask. There were so many questions she had about the incident and it seemed no one else was going to ask them.

 

The blond sighed as tension returned to his shoulders. “That is not the important issue right now. First, we need to figure out what this key does.”

 

The girl's shoulders drooped. For some reason she thought that for once their illustrious leader would have something encouraging and explanatory to say. Apparently, that still hadn't changed. The ninja sighed with a mix of anger and sadness and kicked the ground at her feet, dislodging a random pebble. It skittered across the ground with a few clacks before disappearing into a ditch.

 

The Wutaian felt a warm hand settle on her right shoulder. She looked up and saw that Nanaki was smiling softly at her, his amber eyes shining.

 

“He will be fine. He is after all with Cid, ne?”

 

Yuffie giggled despite herself. “I wonder what they are doing? Something naughty, you think?”

 

Nanaki tried his best to look horrified at her suggestion, his hand still on her shoulder. “Such things from a child!”

 

The ninja appeared to pout. “So you think I am a child then?”

 

Nanaki smiled and patted her shoulder. “If you are, so am I…” His voice seemed to lose the happy timber then. “Yet, children do not fight in battles with monsters.”

 

The girl nodded her head in agreement and unconsciously leaned closer to her friend.

 

“Yo, Cloud! What are we going to do about Cid and Vincent?” Barret blurted out suddenly.

 

“Do?” the man questioned, raising an eyebrow. He stopped suddenly and angled his body so he could look back at the group. The others watched the exchange between the two with interest.

 

“Yeah… you saw it… everyone did,” the gun-armed man insisted. It went without saying what exactly Barret was referring to.

 

The spiky-headed blond shrugged. “I saw nothing.” He turned and started walking back towards the city of the ancients.

 

“What?” Barret spluttered. Yeah, Cloud might be a little dense and sometimes a bit on the stupid side, but the kid wasn't blind. The dark-skinned man knew their leader had seen that kiss!!

 

“I said, that I saw nothing,” the spiky-haired man growled. He turned his head slightly to glare at the taller man. “And neither did you! What anyone chooses to do in their private time is none of my business. “

 

Barret stared, disbelief etched into his face.

 

“Come!” Cloud ordered, picking up the pace. “Meteor isn't going to wait for you to pick your jaw up off the ground!”

 

Yuffie and Nanaki hurried to catch up to their leader as Bugenhagen floated on ahead. Shaking his head, Barret followed as well.

 

~ ~ ~

 

“He is sleeping, I assume?” Reeve questioned, stepping into the common room.

 

“Eh?” Cid asked, looking up from his nearly empty cup of coffee. “Oh, it's just you.” The pilot nodded. “Yeah, bout twenty minutes ago.”

 

The dark-haired man wandered over to the coffee machine and dug into his pocket for some change. He found the desired coins and flipped them easily into the machine, waiting for his mocha to finish.

 

“The others go to the city?” the Captain queried.

 

The ex-executive nodded. “Yes, hopefully the key will reveal something… anything.”

 

“Why'd they leave you behind?”

 

Reeve shrugged. “Does it matter?” He smiled slightly as the coffee finished and picked it up, wandering over to Cid's table and pulling up a seat.

 

The pilot didn't answer, instead taking another drink from his coffee. Reeve took that opportunity to study the older man a bit closer. Indeed, the pilot was looking more tired than usual.

 

“So, he is okay now?” the ex-executive asked, starting up another conversation.

 

“As well as can be expected,” Cid sighed. He looked up and blue met amber. “Everyone knows then?”

 

Reeve shrugged. “Knows what? According to what Cloud told me before he left, he didn't see anything.”

 

“What's that mean?” the blond asked, frowning in confusion.

 

“I won't even presume to guess.”

 

“Tch. You are getting as bad as Vince with those mysterious answers.”

 

Reeve couldn't help the smile that broke out on his face. He tried to hide it behind his coffee as he changed the subject. “How are YOU doing? Getting enough sleep?”

 

Cid opened his mouth to answer when a sudden sound disturbed the two. It was someone's PHS ringing to the tune of the chicken dance. The pilot's eyebrow raised in question because he absolutely knew that the ridiculous sound did not belong to him.

 

Reeve appeared a bit embarrassed as he reached down into his pocket and pulled out the tiny phone.

 

“Chicken dance?” Cid asked quizzically.

 

“Don't ask.” Reeve sighed as he looked at the display to discover who was calling him. Surprise registered on his face as he rushed to answer it. The ex-executive stood up from the table even as he pressed the phone to his ear.

 

“Hello?”

 

The Captain looked at him, confused. Who would be calling that would make Reeve act like that. Waving his hand in dismissal at the pilot, the dark-haired man turned his back onto Cid and lowered his voice.

 

“Why are you calling me?” (pause) “What if they catch you?”

 

Cid strained his ears to try and pick up the voice of the other caller. If he listened hard enough he could just barely make out some of the conversation.

 

“Just be careful, okay?” Reeve sighed and paused again. “Listen, R-, I mean, look about Junon…”

 

(… yeah, I know… but…)

 

“No, I am sorry, too. It doesn't have to be this w-“

 

(Yes… but… know…)

 

Reeve's shoulder's sagged.

 

Cid moved forward just a bit more, insanely curious to figure out who was on the other end of the phone line. He couldn't recognize the voice, what snatches of it he heard but he might be able to pick up clues.

 

“I do know. Why don't you leave?”

 

(What… come… there?)

 

“Yes, that is exactly what I am saying.” (pause) “I don't know! I'll think of something!”

 

(Like what?)

 

“It doesn't matter. I'm tired of being without you, worrying about what's going to happen everyday.”

 

(I worry about you as well… your… so much…)

 

Reeve sighed. “Look, I'm sorry. I understand.” (pause) “Okay. Be careful.”

 

(I will… you).

 

“Love you, too.” The last murmured almost too quietly for Cid to hear.

 

Slowly, Reeve brought his hand down and closed the phone, slipping it quickly into his pocket. His shoulders seemed to hitch but he didn't say anything.

 

“So… who was that?” the pilot asked, nonchalantly.

 

“Eh?” Reeve questioned as he slowly turned back around and sat back down at the table. One hand wrapped around the coffee cup, still steaming lightly. “A friend.”

 

“Seemed like more than that,” Cid responded, taking a drink of his coffee even as he reached to light up a cigarette. He gave the other man a knowing look, indicating that he knew there was more to it.

 

“You wouldn't have been eavesdropping now, would you?” the ex-executive asked dryly.

 

“Kinda hard not to when all you did was turn around.”

 

“Hm,” Reeve muttered. “Excuse me, but I am rather tired. I think I am going to go rest.” He stood back up from the table and grabbed his coffee. “You should consider getting some as well.”

 

“Tch.” But that was all that the Captain said as Reeve left the room. What an interesting day it had been.

 

~ ~ ~

 

The friends all stood around the center platform as Bugenhagen floated up towards the ledge that held the music box. He carried the key with him as Nanaki, Cloud, Barret, and Yuffie looked on with apprehension. They wondered what was going to happen.

 

The girl watched with wide eyes, interested in the fact that the old sage was floating, near to flying, more than anything else.

 

“Here goes nothing,” they heard Bugenhagen call out before he thrust the key into the music box. Almost immediately a light and gentle music began to play through the air as a cascade of water fell down onto the center platform. All those present jumped off to avoid being drenched. Nothing could be seen within the waterfall though it was obvious that something was growing a brilliant green.

 

“What happened?” Yuffie questioned aloud, staring with amazement as the cascade of water that seemed never ending.

 

“Something worked, obviously,” Cloud commented. “But what?”

They looked upwards to find the old sage floating over from the music box to the central platform. The elderly man didn't hesitate for a moment as he plunged into the waterfall to see what was beyond it.

 

“Oh, my…” came his startled response.

 

The four members of AVALANCHE scrambled to climb up the stairs and see what had surprised the wiser man into exclamation.

 

Cloud got there first and didn't hesitate either, plunging into the rather cold waters and soaking his clothes as well. Barret was right on his heels however he hesitated. The dark-skinned man wasn't that fond of water plus there was that gun on his arm. Yet, Cloud's startled gasp urged him forward.

 

Yuffie was next, darting into the water with glee. Yelling happily when the cool wetness cascaded over her sweating body. She tried to peer past Cloud, Barret, and Bugenhagen but could hardly see a thing.

 

“Augh!!” Nanaki's pained cry made her jump as she turned around to see her friend writhing in agony just beneath the water fall. Acting quickly, whatever going on behind her forgotten Yuffie dashed forward and grabbed onto him, pulling him out of the water before he drowned.

 

His body continued to writhe even as he was enveloped in a golden light so bright that Yuffie had to shield her eyes. When she was again able to open them, she was shocked to find that the demi-human had returned to his lion wolf state. He lay there, panting tiredly.

 

“What? How?” Yuffie asked with confusion, worriedly running her fingers through his fur.

 

“Like I know,” Nanaki answered. He struggled to push himself to his four feet, and managed to do so, though his legs felt shaky.

 

“How indeed,” Bugenhagen commented as he stroked his chin interested. He had moved past the shocked immobile form of Barret because the pained cry of his grandson had alerted him.

 

The ninja looked down at her friend in worry again, kneeling to run her fingers through his fur. “Never mind me,” Nanaki growled. “What is going on up there?”

 

She gave him a hurt look but removed her hands and stood, peering up at the platform just beyond Barret to see what was going on.

 

On the ground, Nanaki groaned quietly and tried to stretch his aching muscles. It hurt far more to change into this form than it did the demi-human form. Probably because all his matter was compressed… but shouldn't stretching be more painful? Shaking his head, the lion wolf decided not to dwell on the matter and also tried to see what was going on. He pushed past Yuffie and Barret only to gasp in surprise at what he saw.

 

There lying on the altar and in a weeping Cloud's arms was one Aeris Gainsborough, as lovely as the day she had died. She was holding him closely as well, a peaceful look on her serene face.

 

“What… what's going on?” he asked, speaking for everyone.

 

Aeris' eyes snapped open at his question, her emerald eyes searching the faces of those gathered around. Gently she pushed Cloud away so that she could stand, granting upon him another one of her soft smiles. The blond wiped away the tears on his face and pulled himself together, also giving her a smile. It was a tender moment.

 

“Your request has reached the planet,” Aeris said simply. “Holy has been activated.”

 

“Then why hasn't it started working, yet?” the gun-armed man questioned, finally overcoming its initial shock.

 

“Something's getting in its way,” the old sage answered.

 

“Sephiroth…” Nanaki growled, instantly realizing. That forsaken silver-haired freak was like a parasite in the planet's core.

 

“Yes… him… he's the only one that could do it…” Cloud murmured.

 

“So then all we have to do is kill Sephiroth, and Holy will stop Meteor, right?” questioned Yuffie.

 

Aeris nodded. “Essentially, yes.”

 

“What I'm confused about,” Barret began slowly. “Is -now don't get me wrong- but how the hell are you still alive?”

 

Aeris giggled for a moment but quickly regained her composure. “Another sacrifice has been made…. the choice is no longer mine to make… the winds of fate-“

 

“-have shifted,” Cloud finished for her.

 

The flower girl turned her eyes onto him. “Yes, that is right.”

 

“What does that mean then?” Nanaki asked with a hint of confusion.

 

“The planet has given me back to the living world,” Aeris explained. “I am here to stay.”

 

With those words, there was a general round of happy yelling and cheering, mostly on the part of the rather exuberant ninja. Aeris smiled as she was pulled up into a few rather forceful hugs, on the part of Barret and Yuffie. Nanaki managed to nuzzle her hand and received a scratch behind the ear in return.

 

The sudden and abrupt jarring sound of a phone ringing interrupted the happy atmosphere. Cloud cursed internally as he dug into his pockets to pull out the PHS.

 

“What?” he barked, albeit a bit too rudely, as he answered the phone.

 

“We intercepted another transmission,” came Reeve's voice in response. Everyone crowded around Cloud to hear the conversation better.

 

“And?”

 

“You remember when the Junon Cannon disappeared? Actually, Rufus moved it.”

 

“Moved it?” questioned Barret aloud, stunned at what he had heard.

 

“That big thing… how?” Yuffie asked with surprise.

 

Cloud ignored them. “Where? Why?”

 

“Rufus thinks he has another plan that will work. He wants to destroy Sephiroth with it. That cannon operates on Huge Materia, but they don't have any more. So essentially, the cannon was useless in Junon. He moved it to a place where Materia… no, where Mako is gathered…”

 

“And, where is that?” demanded Cloud. Damn ShinRa and their obstinate ideas!!

 

* * *