Just Two Friends

by Sailor Poison

Disclaimer: These characters are taken from the Final Fantasy 7 game. Sony Playstation has the rights to these characters. I am doing this not for money but for the fun of it. I have no rights over the characters. The Characters are presented as my interpretation of their personalities and may not be accurate. I hope to who ever reads this that they enjoy it.

Two figures rode large birds along a well worn the path that went through a mountain pass . One figure rode tall in the saddle. His long black hair is occasionally blown by the wind but mostly held out of his face by the red clothed that served as a crude bandanna. His face is passive, though one would note his eyes have a red glow. His skin is fine and pale. His features handsome and delicate. He wears a red tattered cape, under the cape is a black shirt that buttoned up the center and black slacks. A couple straps on the side and a golden buckle on his black belt. Left hand is a claw appendage, put there some time ago by a sick minded doctor. On his feet are golden battle boots. By his side is his gun named Death Penalty. Lucrecia's gift to him. His build is slender and appeared almost fragile. This is quite deceptive.

His companion, Cid, is almost his complete opposite. He is somewhat shorter than Vincent. His hair is short, wavy, platinum blond with some grays scattered throughout. While VincentÕs face is smooth, Cid had beard stumble. His skin holds a tan that tells people he spends a lot of time outside. His voice has a rough quality to him. His face also holds more of his emotions. He is not one to hide how he feels. His own sky blue eyes hold a distant look as if he is in a rare moment of deep thought. Atop his head are some goggles; under the goggle's strap is one of his many packs of cigarettes. He has an old blue pilot style jacket that he loves. One shoulder of the jacket is a patch that says "Air master" and the other side has a patch that says, "Highwind". Under his coat is a red shirt. Around his neck a long white scarf. His dark, green, baggy pants are held up by an old belt. The boots on his feet went to mid shin and are an old brown quality leather. On both hands a pair of brown gloves. On his back is a spear he called Venus Gospel. His body has a solid, medium build. He also smokes quite a bit.

Even the names of their chocobo's show their contrasting personalities. Cid named his "Midrats" while Vincent named his "Joe". Vincent glances at his companion who was, for once, quiet.

They met in Costa Del Sol days ago. Cid claimed he arrived after some engine trouble. A new plane he was still working on still and it had some bugs in it. He needed parts only in Rocket Town. Vincent mentioned he was going to Nibelheim and Cid invited himself along. Cid also joined the resistance against Sephiroth and Shinra by inviting himself along 3 years back. The memory almost brought a smile on the passive face. Cid never did ask why he was going to Nibelheim and he never volunteered it. By now they have traveled for a bit. Passing through North Corel they met Barret. Their friend Barret was the town leader. One had to see Barret to understand why few try to upset the man. Barret is a big man who towers a bit over Vincent and much so over Cid. His body is a heavy build and none of it fat. It is quite obvious that Barret wasn't Marlene's true father, though he is raising her as if she was. Their visit is very short because Vincent wanted to resume traveling. Vincent reflects upon this as the silence went undisturbed and their mounts walks along the old path. He soon does note that the sun is hanging low in the sky. He glances at his friend who is slightly slumped in his saddle. Vincent then realizes his companion has fallen asleep.

Vincent and Cid set up camp on the side of the path. The fire burns pleasantly as the sky gets darker and darker. Cid sets up the tents while their mounts munch on some greens nearby. Vincent decides to take this time to go off by himself. He is anything but normal. Thinks of himself as a monster. Could never understand why Cid likes to hang out with him. Urges of his more darker side stir in his mind. Vincent enters a nearby forest. His body, as he travels in the dark woods, morphs into something large and muscular. It's feral cry rings though the air. Chaos spots an animal nearby. It didn't matter what it was for, in a blur of speed, the creature is soon being torn into and devoured by this chaotic demon. Blood runs down it's throat as it crushs the animal's bones in it's teeth. This meal quenching his hunger and satisfing his darker nature. He comes back to himself standing next to the remains of Chaos's meal. A single thought in his mind.

I am a monster.

He despises himself. Yet, he makes his way back to the camp as if nothing is wrong. His steps light and silent on the rough ground. Soon the light of the fire comes into view. Next to the fire is Cid's figure. By the smell, Cid is trying to heat up some of the rations and burning it. He has to chuckle over the fact Cid can excel at anything he sets his sights on except cooking. Cid looks over at the approaching man.

Cid, "Yo, Vincent. Get your vampire a$$ by the fire and warm up!"

He nods to his friend and sits down near the fire. It gives a pleasant source of heat in the cool mountain air.

Cid, "Have a nice run?"

Vincent again nods.

Cid, "Aye... I tell ya this mountain air is good for ya or what? I feel five... maybe ten years younger just sitting here. Hehehehehehe."

Vincent, "That's good, old man."

Vincent smiles a bit at the younger man. Technically, Vincent was older than Cid. Cid was maybe a year old when Hojo put Vincent into that coffin. Hojo was a twisted scientist, who at the time was under a professor Gast. He ruined the lives of two people that fateful day.

Yet I didn't stop him.

Lucrecia volunteered to let Hojo impregnant her and inject Jenova cells into her womb. No one knew the cells would effect her. No one knew her son would years later almost destroy the planet. All he knew at the time was Lucrecia had her child ripped from her. He confronted Hojo in the lab. Lost his normally cool composure and started yelling at the man. Hojo surprised Vincent by pulling out a gun and shooting the Turk. The feel of sharp pain as the bullets ripped through him. That was where Vincent's memory got fuzzy. Hojo used the Turk as a guinea pig. Hojo gave him a prosthetic arm, Jenova cells, and the ability to morph into demonic creatures. He spent many years afterward trying to atone for what he saw as his sin. Now he understands he wasn't the only one guilty that day. Hojo was guilty for playing god. Lucrecia for allowing an unborn child to be submitted to such. He loves her still but is no longer as blinded by it. She understood her guilt and was now free from this world. At times he wished to die and join her. Cid, of course, disrupts his thoughts

Cid, "Tomorrow you cook."

Cid has on his face a look of disgust.

Vincent, "Sure....."

Cid, "I tell ya...only you can make this crap edible. How in the world I don't know and don't care."

Vincent, "All it takes is a little cooking skill."

Cid, "Bullshit."

Cid prattles on a bit. Vincent, of course, patiently listens to his companion talk. He knows Cid loved to have a good audience, while he prefers not saying much. This was why they make good friends. They balance each other out.

The town is still deserted. He can see the very old mansion in the back of the town, sticking out. as silently as ever. This is the only original structure for the real town of Nibelheim was burnt down years ago by Sephiroth. Shinra rebuilt the town in order to hide what happened. This is the very place Vincent's life was changed forever. The same can be said for a young fighter named Cloud. While Vincent slumbered in the depths of the old mansion, Cloud grew up a lonely child of this small town. Later to return a Shinra grunt. His leader went crazy and almost killed him and a fellow fighter named Zack. Zack and Cloud were also used as guinea pigs not too far from where Vincent slept. Vincent came back to try to put his past behind him for good. He needed to see the mansion one last time. Cid, of course, looks around while smoking. He wasnÕt with Cloud when the team came to this place and found Vincent.

Cid, "So... what now?"

Vincent, "I plan to stay here a bit. You don't have to stay."

Cid, a bit gruff, "Like I am in a #$**%$ hurry to get back home? Someone has to keep an eye on you."

Vincent sighs and walks over to the mansion. He know Cid is a stubborn man. No use in arguing over this.

The mansion is a two story building with a basement level that can only be accessed by a secret door on the second floor. Walking into the old Shin-Ra mansion, the floors creak from age. Dust settled on everything it could, in some places began to cake. Aside the floor board's occasional creak and a sneeze or cuss from Cid, it is quiet. They make their way to the top floor. The mansion is cold and there is a hole in the roof. The place is colder than Vincent remembered.

Cid, "How the hell can it be colder in here than outside?"

Vincent shrugs but stays alert. Walks to a back room, opening a panel to reveal the spiral staircase. Cid looks at the old steps and winces. Even Vincent has to wonder if they will hold up the weight of two grown men. Yet, these two grown men make their way down the steps. Each step is taken slowly. Half way down, Cid puts his weight on one of the steps and it breaks. For a briefly moment he starts to fall. Vincent grabs Cid's right arm with both hands and braces himself. Cid grabs one of Vincent's arms with his own hand. Vincent is a very strong man and got Cid back on his feet. Vincent notices the red streaks on the part of Cid's arm that isn't covered with the coat or gloves. His claw must have cut into his friend's skin.

Vincent, "I hurt you."

Cid looks at it, "Pshhhh..... Little cut. I had worse shaving."

Vincent blinks, "You shave?"

Cid, "Har har.... Very funny, smart a$$."

With more care, they make it to the floor of the basement level. It is darker down here than the rest of the mansion. Cid uses a lamp for light as they walk down the cold passage. Vincent looks into a side room where his coffin still lays. Cid keeps his comments to himself. Though Vincent can read Cid's thoughts by facial expression alone. Cid is wondering how anyone could live in a dark dank room, sleeping in a coffin. Vincent then goes further along the hall to where the study is. The study has it's own source of power. Vincent flips a switch and allowing Cid to turn off the lamp for now. The room has many books, with some lab equipment here and there. Cid leans against the doorway to have a smoke. He has no desire to go further into the room. Vincent, on the other hand, goes in to inspect the cylinders in the corner. One of Hojo's diaries sits nearby. He gives it a quick glance over. The writings give him a glimpse of a man who's pursuit of science was both dark and frightening. Vincent goes futher into the lab, pondering how this one man went wrong in life to end up the way he did. The sound of scuffing breaks him out this. He hurries over to see Cid is no longer against the doorway. A spear lays half way out of the doorway. He draws his gun then hurries out to see Hojo in his more monstrous form. He still resembles a human in some aspects. His skin is a grayish blue color. His teeth sharp and dripped with saliva. He still has arms, but off his shoulders were tentacles and two thick ones off his waist. Hojo no longer has legs but a long tail that holds a spiked ball at the end. Cid is being gripped by some of the tentacles. They wrap around his body, pinning his arms around to his waist while one holds him by his throat. He gasps for air.

Hojo, "Hello, Vinssssent. Long time no ssssee. I was just having a little chat with Sssssid."

Vincent tries to take aim at Hojo yet is unable fire. Cid is being used as a shield. Hojo gives his captives a brief tight squeeze. Cid mouth opens in a wordless scream as he has no air to scream with. Only a faint pop is heard.

Vincent, coldly, "Let him go!"

Hojo, "Sssuure, Vinssssent."

And Hojo throws Cid at the former Turk. He catches the still pilot and sets him aside. Then, once again he is Chaos. It roars and charges Hojo. Hojo is more than happy to attack the demon. They fight tooth and nail. Vincent is not even aware where his friend is or what condition he is in. Chaos bites and slashes. Hojo also bites, slashes and slams with his spiked tail. Their battle causes them to fling each other into the walls of the dark hallway. Spit and blood fly into the air as they heedlessly fight. They don't hear the cracking of the hall roof. The hall is too old to endure their savage battle. Just then Cid rushes between them. Hojo is in the middle trying to slash at Chaos when Cid comes between them. Chaos is caught up in the heat of battle and accidentally clamps down on Cid shoulder with it's teeth. By some chance, the smaller man manages to push the huge demon backward. There is a rush of noise followed by dirt and dust in the air. A thick wall of rubble where Hojo stood. Chaos recedes back into the form of Vincent, who is on his rear end, with Cid out cold on his lap. He realizes Cid is bleeding from a wound in his shoulder and some slash marks in his back. His spear falls from his now limp hand. The pilot apparently took the time to get it while the two men fighting. Vincent understands happened. Cid saw the roof was going to collapse and, heedless of the danger, pushed Vincent aside even though he was in his most dangerous demonic form. He picks Cid and his spear up and hurries down the halls of the mansion. With grace and light foot work, he hurries up the staircase to the upper floor. He doesn't stop till they are both outside the mansion, and by then, Cid is wake.

Cid, with a groan, "Damn man, your chaos form is one fat demon."

Vincent, "You took a risk like that. Chaos could have ripped you to shreds."

Cid, "Psshhh, no way. He just a ugly pussy cat."

Vincent, "You have no fear of my Chaos form?"

Cid, "Vincent, I know deep down you're in Chaos. No matter what, I trust you even if you go butt a$$ ugly."

Vincent, "Thank you, my friend."

Cid, "Now pull out something and heal me, ya dumb ass!"

After healing Cid and himself with a cure materia, they both proceed out of the town on their chocobos. Vincent isn't certain of Hojo died under all that rubble. He figures Hojo is probably just trapped for now. He didn't have Lucrecia but he has some good friend who accepte him and that was enough for him. Next time Hojo meets him, he will be facing down a man who is no longer tied down by guilt or a past. He glances at the pilot who is talking about the improvements of his home Rocket Town. It is hard to guess Cid got a bit torn up and nearly squeezed to death a short while ago. This alone almost makes Vincent want to chuckle. They both set out for Cid's home. Neither man planning anything beyond that point.

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