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Description
FFVII
Evil Uncovered

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Emotive themes
Setting: 3 years after DoC
Rating: M
Status: WIP
OCs: 25%
Disclaimer: All related Final Fantasy VII names and characters are copyrighted © by Square Enix. However, this story and the OCs are mine. Thank you.
NOTE: I'm not entirely sure, but I think I may have broken a genetic rule regarding brown and blue eyes. Sorry to any sciencey 'nerds' hehe. In this world blue eyes are now recessive!!

EVIL UNCOVERED

One month ago...

Vincent watched Tifa walk back to their booth from the bar carrying a tray with drinks. She stopped and eased the tray onto the table. The petite rise of her stomach became visible between her small black shorts and white sleeveless top. She flicked her head, swinging her raven hair behind her waist and brushing her fringe from her face, her eyes glowed at both Cloud and Vincent. Cloud watched her while Vincent eyed the drinks with suspicion. Hands on her waist, she attempted seriousness - "Alright, what were you two talking about?" - but her words were delivered with a smile.

"We were discussing the many traits of yours the infant will possess." Vincent's expression remained blank and fixed on her satisfied face. Cloud and Tifa had told him of their latest news over lunch. It was no great shock to him and he was pleased for the two of them.

Tifa crossed her arm over her belly and a finger patted her cheek, and she looked away in thought. "Hopefully some of my better traits."

"I hope the baby will have your eyes." Cloud's eyes wandered up her torso, settling on her face.

Her lips curved into a shy smile and she reached out to rub his bare shoulder. "Bad luck, Cloud."

"Blue eyes are recessive." Vincent added, "In your case probably doubly so."

Tifa's hand moved to his cheek and she said softly, "I'll get my blue eyes than."

Cloud frowned at the both of them and took her hand and held it. "As long as it has your temperament."

Chuckling, she stepped closer to him and with her free hand, brushed a strand of hair from his temple. "And your hair."

Vincent shifted on the seat, feeling cramped. He flexed his heavy gold fingers under the table, trying not to gouge the wood and suddenly wishing he could move from their silent display of affection. It conveyed an intimacy a normal man would not be concerned with, but for Vincent such underlining feelings were strong and tangible, and disconcerting. He observed Tifa's hair blanketing her arm. "I see that your hair is longer." His statement was abrupt and he wondered why he even spoke it aloud except... there was a reddish hue in her smooth tresses that fell around her bare waist as she bent and it formed an alluring satin curtain.

Tifa gathered her hair together, and her slender fingers combed through the ends. She tilted her chin at him, a touch of pride on her face. "I've been growing it." Eyes gleaming with joy and mouth turning up with mischief, she crooned, "Do you like it, Vincent?"

Indeed, she must purposely tease him with such absurd remarks. Wasn't the answer obvious? Her hair was a natural marvel. Stunning in its simplicity. A striking adornment for a beautiful woman. "It reminds me of when we first met."

"I'm glad it's growing back." Cloud's face was flushed and his eyes scanned the whole length of her hair.

Vincent remembered when she cut it. He never asked why, he only assumed it was her need to cut away the past, including people, especially a certain person, who at the time appeared to have cut her out of his life. Extremely irrational behavior from seemingly intelligent people, when all that was needed was good communication between the two of them. But human beings were never that simple.

Smiling, Tifa leaned into Cloud and he looped his arm around her hips. "Me too."

Vincent shuffled across the cushions, remembering why he was in Edge. Reeve had spoken to him briefly about investigating some people who had gone missing. It didn't seem worth mentioning to Cloud and Tifa. "Perhaps I should be off to WRO now."

"No," Tifa cried, pushing his shoulder down and holding him steady with a tight grip. Her voice switched to a sweeter tone. "Not before you taste one of my drinks." From the forgotten tray, she plonked a drink down on a coaster in front of him.

"A drink?" Sheer crimson liquid in a crystal tumbler had no ice or straw. He picked it up and put it under his nose, absorbing its aroma, discerning its alcoholic content. Over the glass, he spied Tifa smiling and Cloud watching, an amused half grin on his face. Before Vincent would put anything past his lips, he queried, "What is it?"

"Velvet Valentine." Tifa leaned both hands on the table, her excitement bubbling in her eager voice. "Try it."

"I see." Raising his head, he took a sip. It was smooth, running down his throat like fiery syrup, like candy that came with an explosive kick. "Its name is fitting. Velvet."

"It's your drink, Vincent." She trilled, still leaning over the table.

Vincent quizzed Cloud with a frown.

Cloud had a wry smile on his face. "Don't worry, you're not the only one. It's Tifa's latest thing, ever since we went to that cocktail bar in Junon."

"That's right. Cloud's got one too. Very popular." She lifted a martini glass with a tantalizing mix of green and blue alcohol and held it up to Vincent. "Blue Heaven." She laughed. "He wouldn't let me use his name." She placed it in front of Cloud. "You don't need much. It's very potent. I can't drink it --" she glided her hand over her belly. "-- right now."

"Is that a blue cherry?" Vincent studied Cloud's drink and the object floating in the translucent liquid. "On a tiny plastic sword?"

"Uhuh." Tifa's grin expanded with delight.

"Tif- tell him the other drinks." Cloud, not appearing too thirsty, swished the sword around and ate the cherry.

Holding up her hand, she ticked off her fingers as she went through each one. "There's Materia Princess." She gave a single laugh. "It has five different colored layers and needs a steady hand to create and a lot of patience."

"Much like Yuffie." Vincent took another sip of the warming drink.

Tifa nodded. "And there's the Barrett Ballista, Cid Flying High, Cat of Nine Lives, and Amber After-burn," she stopped and smiled at Vincent, daring him to guess who it belonged to.

"Shelke or Nanaki?" he said.

"Shelke. I haven't figured out a name for Nanaki yet..." she scratched her chin in thought.

"I would have thought that was simple." Vincent suggested, "Flaming Tail."

Her eyes lit up at the name. "Thanks Vincent. I could put a real flame on it too. It's perfect."

Cloud smiled at Vincent, although it was more in jest. "I'm sure Nanaki will be thrilled."

Tifa went on, "The kids made a list of new juice names-—"

"Too many names," Cloud added.

"Oh yes, Hack and Slash. Why anyone would want to drink something called that, I don't know. That's Denzel being too focused on training." Tifa chuckled. "Angel fire, Honey Moon," she took a breath, "Monster Crusher--"

Having no real interest in drinks, Vincent interrupted, "And what is yours?"

She blushed and bent slightly to speak near his face. "It wasn't my first choice—"

"It's Sweethart." Cloud chuckled. "Her choice was overruled."

Vincent had to ask. "Your choice?"

"Raging Fist." She stood straight and proud, her fist pumped by her chest.

Cloud shook his head, a smile of mirth curving his mouth. "No. Sweethart."

Tifa frowned his way and admonished, "You won't like it if customers start calling me that."

Cloud pursed his lips together, a scowl forming. "The regulars know better." He paused. "In that case, you could try a new name. Cloud's Sweethart." He grinned at her surprised frown.

"Cloud, it's my drink!"

"I think it's an even better name." He openly laughed at her indignation.

Vincent blinked at the two of them in wonder that they were so relaxed with each other. They really had come a long way over the years. Tifa was confident, secure in the knowledge that the man she loved, loved her in return. Cloud had especially changed from that shy withdrawn kid Vincent remembered, who wouldn't speak more than a few words at a time. It was comforting to think, they had finally overcome their emotional barriers and were free to express their affections.

Tifa turned to observe the restaurant and customers coming in the door. She turned back to Vincent, "Make sure you say goodbye before you go." She laid her hand on Cloud's shoulder and squeezed gently. "And enjoy your drinks."

Her dark locks swung across her back as she stepped lightly across the floor, greeting the midday customers, her face radiating contentment. Vincent couldn't recall a time when he had seen Tifa so joyous, but it was not a surprise considering Cloud and Tifa were now expecting their own child. Although he had the impression the pregnancy was unplanned and surprisingly sudden. The two of them were still not married and though he had no opinion on it either way, it surprised him they had not made plans to wed. But then again, Cloud was a slow mover, never one to conform to the natural order of things, nor did he do things as a normal man would. Cloud also watched Tifa smiling and interacting with the customers and he remarked, "She's happy." Sunlight reflected gold in his high hair, and his eyes were unusually bright as he looked back to Vincent.

"I can see." The observation was obvious to Vincent. It was what the young man didn't say that gave him pause. As far as Vincent was concerned, Cloud loved Tifa; there was no question or doubt about that. He'd known about it for years, seen the connection even before the two admitted it to each other. He couldn't imagine their love would change even with the birth of an unexpected child, but there was unease in the young man's expression. "And you?" His question would seem impolite to the normal man, but he was talking to Cloud and talking to Cloud required that he probe a little harder.

Cloud gazed at Tifa, working the bar, a small smile on his lips. "I am..." When he turned his eyes from Tifa, his brow puckered with a concerned crease. "Maybe I'm nervous."

Becoming a father was a daunting role and even more so for someone like Cloud, but to give him credit, he had been caring for two children for the last few years. He was a step ahead of most of his friends. "It troubles you?"

His eyes darkened and he leaned on the table. "She's so happy..."

Vincent considered him, noticing how he slanted his face away from Tifa's line of sight. It was not unusual for Cloud to be anxious about Tifa. He went over and above what an average man would feel for his mate, but for Cloud to voice his unease was something to note. "You're worried about Tifa?"

Taking a few moments to respond, his eyes shifted over Vincent and dampening his voice, he finally said, "There's been only one other person born... " -- he cast a skimming glance towards the bar and she was busy enough to not look his way -- "with the same thing I've got inside me."

Vincent studied his sky-blue eyes, boring into his, as if willing him to understand without having to use many words as was Cloud's way. Vincent knew exactly what and who he was referring to, although he wasn't entirely correct on that topic. "True."

"And he didn't turn out to have good... qualities..." Cloud's voice trailed off.

Vincent also knew that, all too well. It had been such a long time since he had to recall his failings from that era. Cloud was breaking into Vincent's territory, encroaching on his hallowed memories. Would he make Vincent take that step as well? Keeping his amber eyes fixed on him, he spoke, his voice a deep tone of deliberateness. "He was different and not a true comparison." He paused, giving Cloud moments to absorb his statement. "Even though the cell integration was successful, imparting physical benefits never before seen in a human, the cell remained an alien presence in his body and not an authentic component of his DNA. The S-cell proved to be a powerful gene in his DNA--"

Cloud butted in, "That sent him insane." His eyes flicked a vivid hue as he stared at Vincent in challenge.

There was a time when Vincent might have disagreed and would have said Sephiroth was a product of his unhealthy, neglected upbringing, and still, that couldn't be ruled out, but after discovering the sad fate of the other two SOLDIERS also affected by the Jenova gene in an adverse fashion, he wondered if the cell was intrinsically evil and solely to blame from the beginning. Vincent sat straight, his muscles stiffening against the padded cushion at his back. Cloud was digging for more than he was saying. Perhaps reassurance or did he want answers?

"I don't want Tifa to be disappointed." Cloud lowered his face, and his eyes were shaded with sudden sadness. "...or hurt."

Vincent couldn't be anything but honest with Cloud. As someone who dealt with similar internal demons he understood his trepidation. "Cloud, I won't deny there's a risk." He put weight in his words and he spoke with half an eye on the bar. Now Cloud had him watching Tifa as well. "However, I also believe in the power of a loving environment and parents who will protect and care for their child." He believed this lack was the fatal spark that ignited Sephiroth's madness, with or without the cell's taint. Maybe things would have been different if he had been loved – nurtured by parents who cherished him. Sadly, it would never be known and the guilt of not making it happen would forever remain with Vincent.

Cloud's eyes searched him out, needing more. "Will it be enough in the end?"

"Only time will reveal the answer to that."

Cloud frowned at him and his knuckles white, he gripped the coaster and twisted it in half. "That doesn't help."

"If anyone can keep a person from becoming corrupt, it's Tifa." Vincent studied Cloud's withdrawn gaze and the overarching apprehension in his face remained. "Are you concerned over the infant or yourself?"

The line on Cloud's forehead deepened. "I know what it's like to feel the taint overtake my thinking."

"And make you act?" Vincent controlled the alarm in his voice by the barest intonation. The last thing he wanted was Cloud to come under the influence of Jenova, or cause him any more anxiety by voicing his own fears.

"I ran..." Cloud looked towards the window and his voice became heavy. "...before I could."

Vincent said with force, "There's no way of saying that you would have done anything."

His eyes, glazing over, looked down at his hands that had demolished the cardboard coaster. "I don't want to know."

Cloud had some claim to be fearful. In the past the Jenova gene had caused him to attack Aeris and even come so close as to nearly kill her. However, with all the malevolence surrounding the evil gene, he couldn't see Cloud ever hurting Tifa. "You had the awareness and the will power to acknowledge something was wrong and affecting you. That says a great deal. Although, at the time you should have said something, to me at least."

"Maybe..." Pain crossed his features and his voice was strained, "but, I wasn't sure what was happening except I was dying. I don't know if I could leave again if I had to." His eyes followed Tifa and she turned, smiling at both of them, yet her buoyancy had disappeared. "No, I couldn't leave Tifa. Not again."

From the time that Sephiroth reemerged and the appearance of the Jenova remnants, Vincent had been made aware of how internally strong Cloud was in resisting the alien gene and curtailing its thrall. Initially, he assumed it was a matter of willpower making him stronger. It had gone beyond just mere force of determination and he speculated, no, he hoped, it was something more tangible within Cloud's own DNA. Besides being resistant, there was no more geostigma, no more remnants. Why was Cloud even considering this now? Perhaps it was more than all of those things. Suddenly it occurred to him. "You are sensing the taint again?"

"At times, but not as strong as before." Cloud's jaw clenched and his mouth formed a grim line and he spoke with raw honesty that seemed to surprise him. "It's like a shadow in my mind and a distant rumbling not speaking to me directly. But I feel if I listen I will be… pulled down."

Vincent nodded, his eyes lowering in contemplation, recalling the hypnotic summons that called to him on occasion. The voice of Chaos was grating and discordant. He had learned how to separate his own voice from that of the abyss within. Without the protomateria hidden in the center of his being, he would be overcome by darkness, lost to the supremacy of Chaos, but Cloud had no such visible defense. This absence had puzzled Vincent over the years. If it bewildered him, than he could only imagine how much it troubled Cloud. "If you can distinguish the influence of the taint from your own conscious than you're growing stronger."

"What makes me so much stronger?" Cloud's voice thickened and a genuine longing for answers softened his expression.

It was a fair question and one Vincent didn't have an answer for. The cruel truth was everyone who had been infected with the Jenova cell presented some detrimental psychological affect. Cloud was the only one Vincent knew of who had retained his own personality and had overcome the negative side-affects to live more or less like a regular man. "I can't give you the answer, however, I can say whatever strength is in you will also be in your child."

Cloud crossed his arms and leaned his weight on the table. "My child..." he gazed out the long tinted window at the people passing, "is going to be one of a kind."

It was truer than Cloud could know. His child was going to be a natural phenomenon, but perhaps Cloud did know. He seemed more aware of his own physical uniqueness than ever before. Vincent replied, "And I can't think of better parents for such a one."

Cloud made a gruff noise from his throat in reply. "Tifa, maybe..." After a lengthy pause, he asked more in reflection than a true question, "How special will this baby be?"

"The baby will be special because it's yours and Tifa's regardless of its genes." He paused, "or because of them."

Cloud reclined back on the chair, appearing more subdued. "I know... but..."

In an attempt to allay his fears, Vincent said with steady concentration, "Cloud." His stern voice commanded Cloud's attention and stopped him wavering. "Whatever adversity that may occur in the future with or to you or your child, I will look after Tifa and the child." His deep voice lowered, drilling his point home. "If need be." Cloud and he both knew Vincent was the only one capable of ever standing up to Cloud if it ever reached such a dire and tragic circumstance as that.

Cloud nodded, his mouth formed a grim line and a touch of gratitude reflected in his eyes.

"You have my word on that."

~~ 7 ~~

Since being informed of Tifa and Marlene's abduction, Vincent's search had begun immediately with every intention of using force if he had to, to get the information he needed. Usually it never got to that point and he rarely had to say a great deal to get what he wanted. His power was in his presence more than any weapon he may yield. He was already investigating missing people for Reeve and he had been carrying out this request with detached interest, but now... it was too close... to his heart. Cloud and Tifa were like family to him. His family.

It was simple to assume that Marlene would be among the mounting number of missing people. Tifa on the other hand was special and she was only special as long as her child remained within her. As to how long that would be, he could only speculate. The more he pondered their fate, the more he became pained by their loss and the suffering they would be enduring. The dreadful turn of events continued to harass him with guilt. How could he have not seen such a calculated move by the enemy? He had to be honest with himself. He had been living a hermit lifestyle of late, losing himself in the solitary peace of his roving existence. Not until a month ago, when he was told of the increasing amount of missing people from around the Planet did it occur to him an enemy of the people was at large.

But the baby… and Tifa. She was undeserving of such suffering and trauma. She and Cloud deserved to enjoy this happy time in their lives. He could feel the strain and anguish in Cloud's voice and in his controlled words and the ones he didn't speak. It brought to light, out from the recesses in Vincent's mind, his own past hell. Even if the worse were to happen to Tifa, he would fight for the child. He would do everything in his power to prevent another baby from falling into the wrong hands, of abuse and corruption. He would not let it happen. Not again.

After having come across the name of a particular underground trader outside Costa del Sol, he had kept watch on the miscreant's establishment. Chance, lead him to spy the abnormal looking red-headed woman with the pale crimson skin that glistened in the afternoon sun, and she was also armed sufficiently. It wasn't any of those aspects that caused him to follow, but that she had an uncanny resemblance to the Tsviet, Rosso, The Crimson. A savage, bloodthirsty foe and one he believed he had done away with, although that had never been confirmed. It was a good sign, for Rosso was intrinsically linked to Deepground.

He followed her along the coast and through the deepening night. With the surf pounding over the rise, they went inland and finally she realized she was being tracked. It was too late by then. Vincent confronted her, intent on answers that she was not willing to give and she left him no choice. Once she had been disposed of he was able to search more freely. But before that, he wanted outside information, plus he had to return a message or was that three. The phone had been vibrating against his leg for a good while now and he thought it best to respond or the thing would continue buzzing.

Whilst speaking to Cloud, Vincent discovered a makeshift hut, backing onto boulders at the foot of a cliff at a visible distance from the coast. It was crowded with crates and boxes, yet a secret panel at the back was easy for him to discern. He slid it free and discovered a cave opening. At the end of the short walk was a door in a concrete wall. After finishing his discussion with Cloud, he pocketed his phone and pulled out his gun which he had holstered on his right leg after fighting the Rosso Creature.

A scanner above the door flashed red, yet there was no accompanying verbal alarm. The door was ajar. His gold gauntlet hand spanned the door's edge and dragged it open. The silver trim of his black metal firearm was a dull sheen along the shaft as he raised it in anticipation. His exceptional vision allowed him to see the stair's outline in the dim grey shadows. Hearing nothing below to indicate anyone had been alerted to his presence, he still proceeded with caution down the spiraling stone stair.

Initially he had hopes that Tifa and Marlene would be present. The further he descended without being accosted, the less likely that possibility became. He could not imagine that Tifa would be so easily reached without anything hindering his intrusion. However, the whereabouts of Marlene could possibly be discovered – but no matter what he may find, his bewilderment increased at the mystery of who owned the bunker.

The stairs arrived at a tunnel. Vincent stopped to assess the new environment. Glossy rock walls went ahead about 20 feet with corridors branching off on both sides. Flat green lights were embedded into the concrete pillars along the stretch of rock. There appeared to be power in the man-made bunker, therefore it stood to reason there was life. Why than did he smell death?

He soon noticed the body on the floor. Kicking off the figure's helm with his pointed sabaton, he noted the man's plain features and the firearm still clutched in his hand. He wore a navy colored suit, soldier's attire and not clothing Vincent recognized. The sight of the dead man only made him more wary.

Gliding like a shadow melded with red, Vincent strode to the first intersection, his gun held loose yet ready and he walked down the first corridor. There were other dead bodies. He only needed to look at the second man to be alarmed by the find. His face was identical to the first one. The third body confirmed his fears and he muttered, "Clones." He covered the base quickly and deduced it was more like an outpost than anything that would offer military might. The corridors lead to living quarters and security rooms and as far as his minimal search went there appeared to be no worthy information in any of them. He turned his search towards the decaying scent of death coming from the corridor and another set of stairs leading down. The foul odor weighed heavy in his nostrils. The same green lights lit the way, but he would have preferred moving under the protection of darkness.

The stink grew pungent. He remained vigilant, walking with steady steps down, his boots making no sound on the flat stone. Eventually it opened to a vast circular chamber set up as a laboratory. Levels of tanks, tubing, colored wires and hoses were spaced at intervals across the metal frame tiers. His eyes expanded as he took in the scope of the research layout. Apart from the rhythmic gurgling of hoses and the gentle humming of filter devices, there was no other noise present. In the center of the chamber on the dirt floor was a blackened and almost demolished security machine. It explained the scorch marks and fissures he could see on the tanks and rocks.

He tapped on the keyboard of a monitor. It started and the screen blurred to blue static, giving him no satisfaction. He scratched the screen with his claw finger, there was no dust present. Obviously it had been in use recently. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied red hair protruding through the lattice of the upper metal walkway. He detected the body stretched between the steel pillars. It was similar to the creature he had just previously tracked and killed. He was correct to believe there would be more of these Rosso creatures, and Cloud had confirmed this assumption. But the face of the dead guards was not like her, the face was one he didn't recognize.

Without lowering his weapon, he approached a solid metal tank and peered through the circular aperture. His stomach lurched at the heinous sight within. The human, suspended in a murky green, was shriveled and decomposed so severely he could not determine their age or gender. The next tank was no different and also the following one. He looked over several before even he could no longer bear seeing another. The accumulation of bodies provided an answer to some of Reeve's missing people at least. But these people were in an advanced state of decomposition, making it unlikely that Tifa or Marlene would be found here.

Climbing up the ladder to the second level, Vincent noted the warped railing and gunshot marks on the pillar. Sidling along the walkway, he gazed up at the highest level. With more tubing and wires than all the other tanks was an outsized transparent containment vessel. He studied the being within with fascination. The woman was naked and floating in aqua gel, her long white hair drifted around her shoulders and torso. Ashen skin was raised with purple veins that snaked over her body. Instead of feeling sympathy for the woman, Vincent's flesh beat with a sense of building dread. Whatever the human or creature was, she seemed to be the focal point of the experiment. Tendrils of black swirled in the vibrant green, which he had mistaken for Mako. It was not the heavy solution of refined Life-stream, but was actually pure Life-stream, contained yet still sentient. Curious, he observed the green and the line of black, flow up into a pipe at the top of the tank. The ducts went upwards and as far as he could see, beyond the tanks to an adjoining chamber.

A movement behind a tank reflected off the steel balustrade, causing Vincent to halt and hold his weapon straight and alert. He recognized the man, swaggering out from the covering of a tank. His vermillion hair was bright even in the half light, and his face was especially luminous from the Life-stream glowing in the clear tubing. Shock registered in the red-head's eyes for moments, before he settled into a nonchalant stance. "Yo, Valentine." He lifted a finely shaped brow, looking Vincent up and down. "What are you doing in a place like this?" Dressed scruffily in his mandatory white shirt and black suit, he leaned without a care, his rod resting on his shoulder.

Vincent knew better and he kept his gun visible and his amber eyes narrowed. "A Turk." It really shouldn't be a surprise.

"Aww, come on. Is that any way to greet someone you know?"

"Where's your off-sider?" Vincent looked over his shoulder, listening for any veiled footsteps.

"So you do know who I am." He pushed his shirt, hanging out from his trousers and dug his hand into his pocket.

"Turks work in pairs—"

"Yeah, you would know that." He also glanced over his shoulder, confirming to Vincent he was waiting for someone.

Vincent's voice lowered and his words charged with menacing wrath. "Reno, I hope Shinra has nothing to do with this."

Reno backed up, his shoulders stiffened and he shot his hand out, warding Vincent and his words off. "You're kidding, right? This place is a reekin' cesspool. Look around, it's an open graveyard."

Vincent's eyes bored into his. When it came to Shinra that was no indication of anything. Some of the worse things Vincent had ever seen came from the core of Shinra and quite literally. Everything about Deepground alone was an appalling abuse of life.

"No, man." Reno finally responded to Vincent's potent stare."Nothing."

"Why are you here?"

"What do you think?" Reno put his hand on his hip and shrugged his shoulder forward. "Didn't you see all these poor dead…people."

"When did Shinra start caring about people?"

Reno's eyes flickered with frustration and he knit his brow together. "People can change. Shouldn't I be asking why you're here?"

Vincent felt he did owe him some form of explanation. He could give him that much. "I followed one of those hybrids." He nodded along the walkway to the bloodied body of the humanoid monster.

"Yeah, her..." Reno stepped to the edge of the railing and peered at her body. "sexy looking creature, but she sure had a foul mouth on her."

"Did you know there were monsters like her here?"

"No way. We were sent here to check it out."

"And now there's no one here?" It was typical. If only someone was left alive, Vincent could question them at least. It only made him think that Reno was not interested in information from this place. Or he had no need of it, which was intriguing in itself.

"They didn't co-operate. Besides they're a bunch of monsters." Reno relaxed against the tank, casually glancing inside. Grimacing, he twisted his face away and looked back at Vincent.

"How did Rufus know about this place?" Vincent continued hammering him for answers. Considering he had just run into a place where there were duplicates of Rosso the Crimson, a Tsviet of Deepground, the answers were imperative.

"What's this? Twenty questions?"

"It's in your best interests to know that Deepground are on the move." Vincent drilled him with an intense gaze.

Reno replied, flippantly, "You heard about that too, huh?"

Trying to get worthwhile information from a Turk was an arduous procedure. It was not in their nature to willingly divulge knowledge of their activities to anyone. "That monster is connected to Deepground, who I'm looking for." Tired of talking, Vincent lifted his gun at Reno's chest. "If you or Rufus know their whereabouts it's best you tell me right now or hope I don't found out you knew, later."

Reno stood back with a scowl on his pale face and his blue eyes darkened. "Hold on, I don't know where they are. I doubt the boss knows either."

Vincent, his neck muscles tightening with building consternation, demanded, "How did Rufus have knowledge of this place than?"

"Yo, man, can't a guy have some privacy when he's working?" Reno rested his hand on his waist and tapped his rod on his upper arm.

Vincent, his red eyes on fire, leveled his gun inches from Reno, more than ready to fire it. Dealing with Shinra staff was such an annoying experience.

Reno put his rod against Vincent's weapon, easing it from the direct line to his neck. "You know I-"

"Deepground have taken people close to me—" Despite his boiling rage, Vincent kept his voice steady.

"Really, huh? That's too bad." Reno had the sense to look concerned and he glanced at the levels of tanks, each one more than likely containing a deceased person. "Anyone I know?"

"Tifa and her adopted daughter." He didn't like speaking a good friend's name and be met with apathetic indifference. Nevertheless, even Reno was acquainted with Tifa.

Recognition cast a gloom over his face and he frowned. "That bunch of lunatics have Tifa? And that kid? Fuck that's lousy. Bet Cloud's tearing up the planet." After a pause, he said, "Alright, seeing as it might help… this place has been selling power—"

"Selling power?" Vincent was aghast at the statement, enough to lower his firearm in shock.

"Yeah, surprised? There's been mako deals' going on around the planet for the last couple of years. But this place..." his eyes skimmed the chamber, "Yeah, they've been generating power. The boss wanted us to see it for ourselves."

Vincent observed the tanks anew. His eyes trailed the green energy being pumped from the containers and around the chamber, all seemingly being feed into the main vessel of the woman. From her, the green and black energy was being extracted to the giant cylindrical vat beyond. His face drained of color as he comprehended what might be occurring. "Life-stream power... from people?"

"Hey… it looks that way," Reno said. "Pretty disgusting if you ask me."

Vincent let the unsettling information cogitate in his thoughts. It dawned on him why Shinra wanted the place investigated or was that taken over... He wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer that may confirm his suspicions. "Who are they selling too?"

"Some company called Alpha-Life—"

Alpha-Life. Vincent could vaguely recall the name, only because it had been mentioned in passing at some point, although he knew nothing about them. "Who are they?"

"Don't know." Reno shrugged. "They're the competition. Very secretive though. They don't like suits. More like a cult than a business. Not like the good ol' days when a business was a business, you know."

Vincent frowned and was speechless at his inane remark. When had Shinra ever operated as a business?

"They're just the buyer. You think they know something?" Reno stared past Vincent at the large tank and he stared hard enough to make Vincent follow his gaze. Reno pointed. "What's that green flashing light mean?"

A light on the control panel flickered repeatedly. Vincent stepped back, and he and Reno watched the woman move her arms through the aqua gel. Her eyes shot open, revealing unearthly pools of white light. Right before their eyes, her body sprouted appendages from her back, similar to fleshy wings. The great sheaths of bony flesh spread around the tank, sheltering her body and legs that contorted into one broad mass of bone and flesh beneath her upper body. Her hair formed individual solid tendrils, whipping around her body, moving independently of each other. The glass cracked in several places at the force of her cramped and expanding form.

Vincent switched his gun from Reno to the creature manifesting within the tank that was not going to hold her for much longer.

Using her massive clawed fingers, the woman smashed the plate, exploding the glass into shards.

The taint of Jenova hit Vincent with brutal intensity. This was no ordinary human specimen.

Description
FFVII
Evil Uncovered

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Emotive themes
Setting: 3 years after DoC
Rating: M
Status: WIP
OCs: 25%
Disclaimer: All related Final Fantasy VII names and characters are copyrighted © by Square Enix. However, this story and the OCs are mine. Thank you.
NOTE: I'm not entirely sure, but I think I may have broken a genetic rule regarding brown and blue eyes. Sorry to any sciencey 'nerds' hehe. In this world blue eyes are now recessive!!

EVIL UNCOVERED

One month ago...

Vincent watched Tifa walk back to their booth from the bar carrying a tray with drinks. She stopped and eased the tray onto the table. The petite rise of her stomach became visible between her small black shorts and white sleeveless top. She flicked her head, swinging her raven hair behind her waist and brushing her fringe from her face, her eyes glowed at both Cloud and Vincent. Cloud watched her while Vincent eyed the drinks with suspicion. Hands on her waist, she attempted seriousness - "Alright, what were you two talking about?" - but her words were delivered with a smile.

"We were discussing the many traits of yours the infant will possess." Vincent's expression remained blank and fixed on her satisfied face. Cloud and Tifa had told him of their latest news over lunch. It was no great shock to him and he was pleased for the two of them.

Tifa crossed her arm over her belly and a finger patted her cheek, and she looked away in thought. "Hopefully some of my better traits."

"I hope the baby will have your eyes." Cloud's eyes wandered up her torso, settling on her face.

Her lips curved into a shy smile and she reached out to rub his bare shoulder. "Bad luck, Cloud."

"Blue eyes are recessive." Vincent added, "In your case probably doubly so."

Tifa's hand moved to his cheek and she said softly, "I'll get my blue eyes than."

Cloud frowned at the both of them and took her hand and held it. "As long as it has your temperament."

Chuckling, she stepped closer to him and with her free hand, brushed a strand of hair from his temple. "And your hair."

Vincent shifted on the seat, feeling cramped. He flexed his heavy gold fingers under the table, trying not to gouge the wood and suddenly wishing he could move from their silent display of affection. It conveyed an intimacy a normal man would not be concerned with, but for Vincent such underlining feelings were strong and tangible, and disconcerting. He observed Tifa's hair blanketing her arm. "I see that your hair is longer." His statement was abrupt and he wondered why he even spoke it aloud except... there was a reddish hue in her smooth tresses that fell around her bare waist as she bent and it formed an alluring satin curtain.

Tifa gathered her hair together, and her slender fingers combed through the ends. She tilted her chin at him, a touch of pride on her face. "I've been growing it." Eyes gleaming with joy and mouth turning up with mischief, she crooned, "Do you like it, Vincent?"

Indeed, she must purposely tease him with such absurd remarks. Wasn't the answer obvious? Her hair was a natural marvel. Stunning in its simplicity. A striking adornment for a beautiful woman. "It reminds me of when we first met."

"I'm glad it's growing back." Cloud's face was flushed and his eyes scanned the whole length of her hair.

Vincent remembered when she cut it. He never asked why, he only assumed it was her need to cut away the past, including people, especially a certain person, who at the time appeared to have cut her out of his life. Extremely irrational behavior from seemingly intelligent people, when all that was needed was good communication between the two of them. But human beings were never that simple.

Smiling, Tifa leaned into Cloud and he looped his arm around her hips. "Me too."

Vincent shuffled across the cushions, remembering why he was in Edge. Reeve had spoken to him briefly about investigating some people who had gone missing. It didn't seem worth mentioning to Cloud and Tifa. "Perhaps I should be off to WRO now."

"No," Tifa cried, pushing his shoulder down and holding him steady with a tight grip. Her voice switched to a sweeter tone. "Not before you taste one of my drinks." From the forgotten tray, she plonked a drink down on a coaster in front of him.

"A drink?" Sheer crimson liquid in a crystal tumbler had no ice or straw. He picked it up and put it under his nose, absorbing its aroma, discerning its alcoholic content. Over the glass, he spied Tifa smiling and Cloud watching, an amused half grin on his face. Before Vincent would put anything past his lips, he queried, "What is it?"

"Velvet Valentine." Tifa leaned both hands on the table, her excitement bubbling in her eager voice. "Try it."

"I see." Raising his head, he took a sip. It was smooth, running down his throat like fiery syrup, like candy that came with an explosive kick. "Its name is fitting. Velvet."

"It's your drink, Vincent." She trilled, still leaning over the table.

Vincent quizzed Cloud with a frown.

Cloud had a wry smile on his face. "Don't worry, you're not the only one. It's Tifa's latest thing, ever since we went to that cocktail bar in Junon."

"That's right. Cloud's got one too. Very popular." She lifted a martini glass with a tantalizing mix of green and blue alcohol and held it up to Vincent. "Blue Heaven." She laughed. "He wouldn't let me use his name." She placed it in front of Cloud. "You don't need much. It's very potent. I can't drink it --" she glided her hand over her belly. "-- right now."

"Is that a blue cherry?" Vincent studied Cloud's drink and the object floating in the translucent liquid. "On a tiny plastic sword?"

"Uhuh." Tifa's grin expanded with delight.

"Tif- tell him the other drinks." Cloud, not appearing too thirsty, swished the sword around and ate the cherry.

Holding up her hand, she ticked off her fingers as she went through each one. "There's Materia Princess." She gave a single laugh. "It has five different colored layers and needs a steady hand to create and a lot of patience."

"Much like Yuffie." Vincent took another sip of the warming drink.

Tifa nodded. "And there's the Barrett Ballista, Cid Flying High, Cat of Nine Lives, and Amber After-burn," she stopped and smiled at Vincent, daring him to guess who it belonged to.

"Shelke or Nanaki?" he said.

"Shelke. I haven't figured out a name for Nanaki yet..." she scratched her chin in thought.

"I would have thought that was simple." Vincent suggested, "Flaming Tail."

Her eyes lit up at the name. "Thanks Vincent. I could put a real flame on it too. It's perfect."

Cloud smiled at Vincent, although it was more in jest. "I'm sure Nanaki will be thrilled."

Tifa went on, "The kids made a list of new juice names-—"

"Too many names," Cloud added.

"Oh yes, Hack and Slash. Why anyone would want to drink something called that, I don't know. That's Denzel being too focused on training." Tifa chuckled. "Angel fire, Honey Moon," she took a breath, "Monster Crusher--"

Having no real interest in drinks, Vincent interrupted, "And what is yours?"

She blushed and bent slightly to speak near his face. "It wasn't my first choice—"

"It's Sweethart." Cloud chuckled. "Her choice was overruled."

Vincent had to ask. "Your choice?"

"Raging Fist." She stood straight and proud, her fist pumped by her chest.

Cloud shook his head, a smile of mirth curving his mouth. "No. Sweethart."

Tifa frowned his way and admonished, "You won't like it if customers start calling me that."

Cloud pursed his lips together, a scowl forming. "The regulars know better." He paused. "In that case, you could try a new name. Cloud's Sweethart." He grinned at her surprised frown.

"Cloud, it's my drink!"

"I think it's an even better name." He openly laughed at her indignation.

Vincent blinked at the two of them in wonder that they were so relaxed with each other. They really had come a long way over the years. Tifa was confident, secure in the knowledge that the man she loved, loved her in return. Cloud had especially changed from that shy withdrawn kid Vincent remembered, who wouldn't speak more than a few words at a time. It was comforting to think, they had finally overcome their emotional barriers and were free to express their affections.

Tifa turned to observe the restaurant and customers coming in the door. She turned back to Vincent, "Make sure you say goodbye before you go." She laid her hand on Cloud's shoulder and squeezed gently. "And enjoy your drinks."

Her dark locks swung across her back as she stepped lightly across the floor, greeting the midday customers, her face radiating contentment. Vincent couldn't recall a time when he had seen Tifa so joyous, but it was not a surprise considering Cloud and Tifa were now expecting their own child. Although he had the impression the pregnancy was unplanned and surprisingly sudden. The two of them were still not married and though he had no opinion on it either way, it surprised him they had not made plans to wed. But then again, Cloud was a slow mover, never one to conform to the natural order of things, nor did he do things as a normal man would. Cloud also watched Tifa smiling and interacting with the customers and he remarked, "She's happy." Sunlight reflected gold in his high hair, and his eyes were unusually bright as he looked back to Vincent.

"I can see." The observation was obvious to Vincent. It was what the young man didn't say that gave him pause. As far as Vincent was concerned, Cloud loved Tifa; there was no question or doubt about that. He'd known about it for years, seen the connection even before the two admitted it to each other. He couldn't imagine their love would change even with the birth of an unexpected child, but there was unease in the young man's expression. "And you?" His question would seem impolite to the normal man, but he was talking to Cloud and talking to Cloud required that he probe a little harder.

Cloud gazed at Tifa, working the bar, a small smile on his lips. "I am..." When he turned his eyes from Tifa, his brow puckered with a concerned crease. "Maybe I'm nervous."

Becoming a father was a daunting role and even more so for someone like Cloud, but to give him credit, he had been caring for two children for the last few years. He was a step ahead of most of his friends. "It troubles you?"

His eyes darkened and he leaned on the table. "She's so happy..."

Vincent considered him, noticing how he slanted his face away from Tifa's line of sight. It was not unusual for Cloud to be anxious about Tifa. He went over and above what an average man would feel for his mate, but for Cloud to voice his unease was something to note. "You're worried about Tifa?"

Taking a few moments to respond, his eyes shifted over Vincent and dampening his voice, he finally said, "There's been only one other person born... " -- he cast a skimming glance towards the bar and she was busy enough to not look his way -- "with the same thing I've got inside me."

Vincent studied his sky-blue eyes, boring into his, as if willing him to understand without having to use many words as was Cloud's way. Vincent knew exactly what and who he was referring to, although he wasn't entirely correct on that topic. "True."

"And he didn't turn out to have good... qualities..." Cloud's voice trailed off.

Vincent also knew that, all too well. It had been such a long time since he had to recall his failings from that era. Cloud was breaking into Vincent's territory, encroaching on his hallowed memories. Would he make Vincent take that step as well? Keeping his amber eyes fixed on him, he spoke, his voice a deep tone of deliberateness. "He was different and not a true comparison." He paused, giving Cloud moments to absorb his statement. "Even though the cell integration was successful, imparting physical benefits never before seen in a human, the cell remained an alien presence in his body and not an authentic component of his DNA. The S-cell proved to be a powerful gene in his DNA--"

Cloud butted in, "That sent him insane." His eyes flicked a vivid hue as he stared at Vincent in challenge.

There was a time when Vincent might have disagreed and would have said Sephiroth was a product of his unhealthy, neglected upbringing, and still, that couldn't be ruled out, but after discovering the sad fate of the other two SOLDIERS also affected by the Jenova gene in an adverse fashion, he wondered if the cell was intrinsically evil and solely to blame from the beginning. Vincent sat straight, his muscles stiffening against the padded cushion at his back. Cloud was digging for more than he was saying. Perhaps reassurance or did he want answers?

"I don't want Tifa to be disappointed." Cloud lowered his face, and his eyes were shaded with sudden sadness. "...or hurt."

Vincent couldn't be anything but honest with Cloud. As someone who dealt with similar internal demons he understood his trepidation. "Cloud, I won't deny there's a risk." He put weight in his words and he spoke with half an eye on the bar. Now Cloud had him watching Tifa as well. "However, I also believe in the power of a loving environment and parents who will protect and care for their child." He believed this lack was the fatal spark that ignited Sephiroth's madness, with or without the cell's taint. Maybe things would have been different if he had been loved – nurtured by parents who cherished him. Sadly, it would never be known and the guilt of not making it happen would forever remain with Vincent.

Cloud's eyes searched him out, needing more. "Will it be enough in the end?"

"Only time will reveal the answer to that."

Cloud frowned at him and his knuckles white, he gripped the coaster and twisted it in half. "That doesn't help."

"If anyone can keep a person from becoming corrupt, it's Tifa." Vincent studied Cloud's withdrawn gaze and the overarching apprehension in his face remained. "Are you concerned over the infant or yourself?"

The line on Cloud's forehead deepened. "I know what it's like to feel the taint overtake my thinking."

"And make you act?" Vincent controlled the alarm in his voice by the barest intonation. The last thing he wanted was Cloud to come under the influence of Jenova, or cause him any more anxiety by voicing his own fears.

"I ran..." Cloud looked towards the window and his voice became heavy. "...before I could."

Vincent said with force, "There's no way of saying that you would have done anything."

His eyes, glazing over, looked down at his hands that had demolished the cardboard coaster. "I don't want to know."

Cloud had some claim to be fearful. In the past the Jenova gene had caused him to attack Aeris and even come so close as to nearly kill her. However, with all the malevolence surrounding the evil gene, he couldn't see Cloud ever hurting Tifa. "You had the awareness and the will power to acknowledge something was wrong and affecting you. That says a great deal. Although, at the time you should have said something, to me at least."

"Maybe..." Pain crossed his features and his voice was strained, "but, I wasn't sure what was happening except I was dying. I don't know if I could leave again if I had to." His eyes followed Tifa and she turned, smiling at both of them, yet her buoyancy had disappeared. "No, I couldn't leave Tifa. Not again."

From the time that Sephiroth reemerged and the appearance of the Jenova remnants, Vincent had been made aware of how internally strong Cloud was in resisting the alien gene and curtailing its thrall. Initially, he assumed it was a matter of willpower making him stronger. It had gone beyond just mere force of determination and he speculated, no, he hoped, it was something more tangible within Cloud's own DNA. Besides being resistant, there was no more geostigma, no more remnants. Why was Cloud even considering this now? Perhaps it was more than all of those things. Suddenly it occurred to him. "You are sensing the taint again?"

"At times, but not as strong as before." Cloud's jaw clenched and his mouth formed a grim line and he spoke with raw honesty that seemed to surprise him. "It's like a shadow in my mind and a distant rumbling not speaking to me directly. But I feel if I listen I will be… pulled down."

Vincent nodded, his eyes lowering in contemplation, recalling the hypnotic summons that called to him on occasion. The voice of Chaos was grating and discordant. He had learned how to separate his own voice from that of the abyss within. Without the protomateria hidden in the center of his being, he would be overcome by darkness, lost to the supremacy of Chaos, but Cloud had no such visible defense. This absence had puzzled Vincent over the years. If it bewildered him, than he could only imagine how much it troubled Cloud. "If you can distinguish the influence of the taint from your own conscious than you're growing stronger."

"What makes me so much stronger?" Cloud's voice thickened and a genuine longing for answers softened his expression.

It was a fair question and one Vincent didn't have an answer for. The cruel truth was everyone who had been infected with the Jenova cell presented some detrimental psychological affect. Cloud was the only one Vincent knew of who had retained his own personality and had overcome the negative side-affects to live more or less like a regular man. "I can't give you the answer, however, I can say whatever strength is in you will also be in your child."

Cloud crossed his arms and leaned his weight on the table. "My child..." he gazed out the long tinted window at the people passing, "is going to be one of a kind."

It was truer than Cloud could know. His child was going to be a natural phenomenon, but perhaps Cloud did know. He seemed more aware of his own physical uniqueness than ever before. Vincent replied, "And I can't think of better parents for such a one."

Cloud made a gruff noise from his throat in reply. "Tifa, maybe..." After a lengthy pause, he asked more in reflection than a true question, "How special will this baby be?"

"The baby will be special because it's yours and Tifa's regardless of its genes." He paused, "or because of them."

Cloud reclined back on the chair, appearing more subdued. "I know... but..."

In an attempt to allay his fears, Vincent said with steady concentration, "Cloud." His stern voice commanded Cloud's attention and stopped him wavering. "Whatever adversity that may occur in the future with or to you or your child, I will look after Tifa and the child." His deep voice lowered, drilling his point home. "If need be." Cloud and he both knew Vincent was the only one capable of ever standing up to Cloud if it ever reached such a dire and tragic circumstance as that.

Cloud nodded, his mouth formed a grim line and a touch of gratitude reflected in his eyes.

"You have my word on that."

~~ 7 ~~

Since being informed of Tifa and Marlene's abduction, Vincent's search had begun immediately with every intention of using force if he had to, to get the information he needed. Usually it never got to that point and he rarely had to say a great deal to get what he wanted. His power was in his presence more than any weapon he may yield. He was already investigating missing people for Reeve and he had been carrying out this request with detached interest, but now... it was too close... to his heart. Cloud and Tifa were like family to him. His family.

It was simple to assume that Marlene would be among the mounting number of missing people. Tifa on the other hand was special and she was only special as long as her child remained within her. As to how long that would be, he could only speculate. The more he pondered their fate, the more he became pained by their loss and the suffering they would be enduring. The dreadful turn of events continued to harass him with guilt. How could he have not seen such a calculated move by the enemy? He had to be honest with himself. He had been living a hermit lifestyle of late, losing himself in the solitary peace of his roving existence. Not until a month ago, when he was told of the increasing amount of missing people from around the Planet did it occur to him an enemy of the people was at large.

But the baby… and Tifa. She was undeserving of such suffering and trauma. She and Cloud deserved to enjoy this happy time in their lives. He could feel the strain and anguish in Cloud's voice and in his controlled words and the ones he didn't speak. It brought to light, out from the recesses in Vincent's mind, his own past hell. Even if the worse were to happen to Tifa, he would fight for the child. He would do everything in his power to prevent another baby from falling into the wrong hands, of abuse and corruption. He would not let it happen. Not again.

After having come across the name of a particular underground trader outside Costa del Sol, he had kept watch on the miscreant's establishment. Chance, lead him to spy the abnormal looking red-headed woman with the pale crimson skin that glistened in the afternoon sun, and she was also armed sufficiently. It wasn't any of those aspects that caused him to follow, but that she had an uncanny resemblance to the Tsviet, Rosso, The Crimson. A savage, bloodthirsty foe and one he believed he had done away with, although that had never been confirmed. It was a good sign, for Rosso was intrinsically linked to Deepground.

He followed her along the coast and through the deepening night. With the surf pounding over the rise, they went inland and finally she realized she was being tracked. It was too late by then. Vincent confronted her, intent on answers that she was not willing to give and she left him no choice. Once she had been disposed of he was able to search more freely. But before that, he wanted outside information, plus he had to return a message or was that three. The phone had been vibrating against his leg for a good while now and he thought it best to respond or the thing would continue buzzing.

Whilst speaking to Cloud, Vincent discovered a makeshift hut, backing onto boulders at the foot of a cliff at a visible distance from the coast. It was crowded with crates and boxes, yet a secret panel at the back was easy for him to discern. He slid it free and discovered a cave opening. At the end of the short walk was a door in a concrete wall. After finishing his discussion with Cloud, he pocketed his phone and pulled out his gun which he had holstered on his right leg after fighting the Rosso Creature.

A scanner above the door flashed red, yet there was no accompanying verbal alarm. The door was ajar. His gold gauntlet hand spanned the door's edge and dragged it open. The silver trim of his black metal firearm was a dull sheen along the shaft as he raised it in anticipation. His exceptional vision allowed him to see the stair's outline in the dim grey shadows. Hearing nothing below to indicate anyone had been alerted to his presence, he still proceeded with caution down the spiraling stone stair.

Initially he had hopes that Tifa and Marlene would be present. The further he descended without being accosted, the less likely that possibility became. He could not imagine that Tifa would be so easily reached without anything hindering his intrusion. However, the whereabouts of Marlene could possibly be discovered – but no matter what he may find, his bewilderment increased at the mystery of who owned the bunker.

The stairs arrived at a tunnel. Vincent stopped to assess the new environment. Glossy rock walls went ahead about 20 feet with corridors branching off on both sides. Flat green lights were embedded into the concrete pillars along the stretch of rock. There appeared to be power in the man-made bunker, therefore it stood to reason there was life. Why than did he smell death?

He soon noticed the body on the floor. Kicking off the figure's helm with his pointed sabaton, he noted the man's plain features and the firearm still clutched in his hand. He wore a navy colored suit, soldier's attire and not clothing Vincent recognized. The sight of the dead man only made him more wary.

Gliding like a shadow melded with red, Vincent strode to the first intersection, his gun held loose yet ready and he walked down the first corridor. There were other dead bodies. He only needed to look at the second man to be alarmed by the find. His face was identical to the first one. The third body confirmed his fears and he muttered, "Clones." He covered the base quickly and deduced it was more like an outpost than anything that would offer military might. The corridors lead to living quarters and security rooms and as far as his minimal search went there appeared to be no worthy information in any of them. He turned his search towards the decaying scent of death coming from the corridor and another set of stairs leading down. The foul odor weighed heavy in his nostrils. The same green lights lit the way, but he would have preferred moving under the protection of darkness.

The stink grew pungent. He remained vigilant, walking with steady steps down, his boots making no sound on the flat stone. Eventually it opened to a vast circular chamber set up as a laboratory. Levels of tanks, tubing, colored wires and hoses were spaced at intervals across the metal frame tiers. His eyes expanded as he took in the scope of the research layout. Apart from the rhythmic gurgling of hoses and the gentle humming of filter devices, there was no other noise present. In the center of the chamber on the dirt floor was a blackened and almost demolished security machine. It explained the scorch marks and fissures he could see on the tanks and rocks.

He tapped on the keyboard of a monitor. It started and the screen blurred to blue static, giving him no satisfaction. He scratched the screen with his claw finger, there was no dust present. Obviously it had been in use recently. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied red hair protruding through the lattice of the upper metal walkway. He detected the body stretched between the steel pillars. It was similar to the creature he had just previously tracked and killed. He was correct to believe there would be more of these Rosso creatures, and Cloud had confirmed this assumption. But the face of the dead guards was not like her, the face was one he didn't recognize.

Without lowering his weapon, he approached a solid metal tank and peered through the circular aperture. His stomach lurched at the heinous sight within. The human, suspended in a murky green, was shriveled and decomposed so severely he could not determine their age or gender. The next tank was no different and also the following one. He looked over several before even he could no longer bear seeing another. The accumulation of bodies provided an answer to some of Reeve's missing people at least. But these people were in an advanced state of decomposition, making it unlikely that Tifa or Marlene would be found here.

Climbing up the ladder to the second level, Vincent noted the warped railing and gunshot marks on the pillar. Sidling along the walkway, he gazed up at the highest level. With more tubing and wires than all the other tanks was an outsized transparent containment vessel. He studied the being within with fascination. The woman was naked and floating in aqua gel, her long white hair drifted around her shoulders and torso. Ashen skin was raised with purple veins that snaked over her body. Instead of feeling sympathy for the woman, Vincent's flesh beat with a sense of building dread. Whatever the human or creature was, she seemed to be the focal point of the experiment. Tendrils of black swirled in the vibrant green, which he had mistaken for Mako. It was not the heavy solution of refined Life-stream, but was actually pure Life-stream, contained yet still sentient. Curious, he observed the green and the line of black, flow up into a pipe at the top of the tank. The ducts went upwards and as far as he could see, beyond the tanks to an adjoining chamber.

A movement behind a tank reflected off the steel balustrade, causing Vincent to halt and hold his weapon straight and alert. He recognized the man, swaggering out from the covering of a tank. His vermillion hair was bright even in the half light, and his face was especially luminous from the Life-stream glowing in the clear tubing. Shock registered in the red-head's eyes for moments, before he settled into a nonchalant stance. "Yo, Valentine." He lifted a finely shaped brow, looking Vincent up and down. "What are you doing in a place like this?" Dressed scruffily in his mandatory white shirt and black suit, he leaned without a care, his rod resting on his shoulder.

Vincent knew better and he kept his gun visible and his amber eyes narrowed. "A Turk." It really shouldn't be a surprise.

"Aww, come on. Is that any way to greet someone you know?"

"Where's your off-sider?" Vincent looked over his shoulder, listening for any veiled footsteps.

"So you do know who I am." He pushed his shirt, hanging out from his trousers and dug his hand into his pocket.

"Turks work in pairs—"

"Yeah, you would know that." He also glanced over his shoulder, confirming to Vincent he was waiting for someone.

Vincent's voice lowered and his words charged with menacing wrath. "Reno, I hope Shinra has nothing to do with this."

Reno backed up, his shoulders stiffened and he shot his hand out, warding Vincent and his words off. "You're kidding, right? This place is a reekin' cesspool. Look around, it's an open graveyard."

Vincent's eyes bored into his. When it came to Shinra that was no indication of anything. Some of the worse things Vincent had ever seen came from the core of Shinra and quite literally. Everything about Deepground alone was an appalling abuse of life.

"No, man." Reno finally responded to Vincent's potent stare."Nothing."

"Why are you here?"

"What do you think?" Reno put his hand on his hip and shrugged his shoulder forward. "Didn't you see all these poor dead…people."

"When did Shinra start caring about people?"

Reno's eyes flickered with frustration and he knit his brow together. "People can change. Shouldn't I be asking why you're here?"

Vincent felt he did owe him some form of explanation. He could give him that much. "I followed one of those hybrids." He nodded along the walkway to the bloodied body of the humanoid monster.

"Yeah, her..." Reno stepped to the edge of the railing and peered at her body. "sexy looking creature, but she sure had a foul mouth on her."

"Did you know there were monsters like her here?"

"No way. We were sent here to check it out."

"And now there's no one here?" It was typical. If only someone was left alive, Vincent could question them at least. It only made him think that Reno was not interested in information from this place. Or he had no need of it, which was intriguing in itself.

"They didn't co-operate. Besides they're a bunch of monsters." Reno relaxed against the tank, casually glancing inside. Grimacing, he twisted his face away and looked back at Vincent.

"How did Rufus know about this place?" Vincent continued hammering him for answers. Considering he had just run into a place where there were duplicates of Rosso the Crimson, a Tsviet of Deepground, the answers were imperative.

"What's this? Twenty questions?"

"It's in your best interests to know that Deepground are on the move." Vincent drilled him with an intense gaze.

Reno replied, flippantly, "You heard about that too, huh?"

Trying to get worthwhile information from a Turk was an arduous procedure. It was not in their nature to willingly divulge knowledge of their activities to anyone. "That monster is connected to Deepground, who I'm looking for." Tired of talking, Vincent lifted his gun at Reno's chest. "If you or Rufus know their whereabouts it's best you tell me right now or hope I don't found out you knew, later."

Reno stood back with a scowl on his pale face and his blue eyes darkened. "Hold on, I don't know where they are. I doubt the boss knows either."

Vincent, his neck muscles tightening with building consternation, demanded, "How did Rufus have knowledge of this place than?"

"Yo, man, can't a guy have some privacy when he's working?" Reno rested his hand on his waist and tapped his rod on his upper arm.

Vincent, his red eyes on fire, leveled his gun inches from Reno, more than ready to fire it. Dealing with Shinra staff was such an annoying experience.

Reno put his rod against Vincent's weapon, easing it from the direct line to his neck. "You know I-"

"Deepground have taken people close to me—" Despite his boiling rage, Vincent kept his voice steady.

"Really, huh? That's too bad." Reno had the sense to look concerned and he glanced at the levels of tanks, each one more than likely containing a deceased person. "Anyone I know?"

"Tifa and her adopted daughter." He didn't like speaking a good friend's name and be met with apathetic indifference. Nevertheless, even Reno was acquainted with Tifa.

Recognition cast a gloom over his face and he frowned. "That bunch of lunatics have Tifa? And that kid? Fuck that's lousy. Bet Cloud's tearing up the planet." After a pause, he said, "Alright, seeing as it might help… this place has been selling power—"

"Selling power?" Vincent was aghast at the statement, enough to lower his firearm in shock.

"Yeah, surprised? There's been mako deals' going on around the planet for the last couple of years. But this place..." his eyes skimmed the chamber, "Yeah, they've been generating power. The boss wanted us to see it for ourselves."

Vincent observed the tanks anew. His eyes trailed the green energy being pumped from the containers and around the chamber, all seemingly being feed into the main vessel of the woman. From her, the green and black energy was being extracted to the giant cylindrical vat beyond. His face drained of color as he comprehended what might be occurring. "Life-stream power... from people?"

"Hey… it looks that way," Reno said. "Pretty disgusting if you ask me."

Vincent let the unsettling information cogitate in his thoughts. It dawned on him why Shinra wanted the place investigated or was that taken over... He wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer that may confirm his suspicions. "Who are they selling too?"

"Some company called Alpha-Life—"

Alpha-Life. Vincent could vaguely recall the name, only because it had been mentioned in passing at some point, although he knew nothing about them. "Who are they?"

"Don't know." Reno shrugged. "They're the competition. Very secretive though. They don't like suits. More like a cult than a business. Not like the good ol' days when a business was a business, you know."

Vincent frowned and was speechless at his inane remark. When had Shinra ever operated as a business?

"They're just the buyer. You think they know something?" Reno stared past Vincent at the large tank and he stared hard enough to make Vincent follow his gaze. Reno pointed. "What's that green flashing light mean?"

A light on the control panel flickered repeatedly. Vincent stepped back, and he and Reno watched the woman move her arms through the aqua gel. Her eyes shot open, revealing unearthly pools of white light. Right before their eyes, her body sprouted appendages from her back, similar to fleshy wings. The great sheaths of bony flesh spread around the tank, sheltering her body and legs that contorted into one broad mass of bone and flesh beneath her upper body. Her hair formed individual solid tendrils, whipping around her body, moving independently of each other. The glass cracked in several places at the force of her cramped and expanding form.

Vincent switched his gun from Reno to the creature manifesting within the tank that was not going to hold her for much longer.

Using her massive clawed fingers, the woman smashed the plate, exploding the glass into shards.

The taint of Jenova hit Vincent with brutal intensity. This was no ordinary human specimen.