Chapter Seven
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"Oh, you know each other?"—Tseng
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Reeve Owens II looked at the red land that stood around him in silence. The sun was barely rising, giving the land an even more fiery look than before. Ahead of him lay his destination: a town perched on a cliff. It was a majestic sight, topped with a small observatory that Reeve could see from where he was.
Reeve continued on hi sway, the chocobo he rode on running over the land with seemingly endless stamina. Red sand was kicked up by the beast’s large feet, forming a trail of dust behind it as it raced over the ground.
By the time he reached the town, the sun was shooting its rays over the land, no longer hiding behind the horizon line. He dismounted the chocobo, walking up the path that led to the entrance with obvious familiarity. A man stood ahead of him, frowning in disapproval.
"What is it you want? We are currently full," the man said strongly.
"I’ve come to see Elder Nanaki," Reeve replied casually.
"He is currently absent from Cosmo Canyon," The man replied indifferently.
Reeve frowned. "I must speak to him about something important. Please tell him I’m here. Reeve Owens II. I’m sure he’ll allow me to pass."
"I told you, he isn’t here," the man replied.
When Reeve’s temper reached its bursting point, he heard someone talk behind the guard. "He knows how this place works, and he knows very well I am not gone. Let him through."
"Y-yes, sir, Elder Nanaki!" the man said with embarrassment, quickly moving aside to allow Reeve to pass.
Reeve stepped forward a few steps, bowing his head in respect to the…person who stood before him.
Nanaki laughed. It sounded more like a contented growl, but it was a laugh for him. He was a strange beast, looking like a mix between lion and wolf. His fur was a bright red color with a tinge of orange, fitting in with the red land he was native to. His long tail, strangely enough, ended in a flickering flame. His whole body was covered in scars, along with a few tattoos, one of which was "XIII". He had a mane of red fur behind his head. His expression was mostly unreadable due to the fact his mouth was full of sharp teeth, but his red eyes danced with merriment.
"It is good to see you, Elder Nanaki," Reeve said respectfully.
"Oh, Professor Reeve Owens II, don’t you know by now you can drop the title?" Nanaki growled cheerfully.
Reeve smiled. "I’ll consider when you stop calling me by my title and full name."
Nanaki simply nodded. "It’s a deal, then." He stopped. "Come and you can tell me this important information that you seem so excited to give."
Reeve was led through a path up to the highest point in Cosmo Canyon. The observatory, which was also used as Nanaki’s home. The two headed inside, sitting down at a small table.
"It’s about Shin-ra, El—Nanaki," Reeve said softly once he was comfortable.
Nanaki nodded sadly. "Yes, it has all started again, sadly enough. I haven’t been able to acquire much information. Maybe you can help clue me in some."
Reeve suppressed a smile. It was very unusual for Nanaki to not be fully informed about something. "Shin-ra is back with a new president, as you most likely know. He doesn’t bare the name of ‘Shin-ra’, so I am unsure of the relation. I’m actually surprised that there would be anyone with relation to the Shin-ra line. I thought you had witnessed the death of the two remaining."
Nanaki looked deep in thought. "I didn’t actually see Rufus get killed…but it’s a well-known fact that he was killed when Diamond WEAPON attacked Midgar. Otherwise Heidegger and Scarlet would never have taken over."
"What are we going to do about this, Nanaki?" Reeve asked softly. "I came as soon as my sister brought the news to me. This could cause another war or they might just conquer the Planet by sweet-talking us all."
"That is what I was thinking… It has been only a short while longer than two hundred years since all of that happened. Plenty of time for a few generations to plot a return…" Nanaki trailed off, twitching his tail in irritation.
"You think they have been planning this for that long of a time?"
Nanaki shrugged. "There is no way to know. I wouldn’t be surprised, though, if they have. They’re a ruthless bunch."
"I have felt…changes at the City of the Ancients. The spirits of the past seem to be…angry and distrustful," Reeve muttered. He put a hand up to his forehead as if he had a headache.
Nanaki’s ears perked up suddenly. "Wait a minute, Reeve. You can understand the feelings of the Ancients?" he demanded.
Reeve looked at him. "Yes… What is so strange about that? I’ve lived there for years."
"This is amazing!" Nanaki replied. "The only people who have actually understood emotions of the ghost of the Ancients, were the Ancients themselves! How long has this been going on?"
"About a year, probably…" Reeve replied, confused by Nanaki’s sudden excitement. "But what does this have to do with Shin-ra?"
"It might just have everything to do with the Shin-ra! It has probably been about a year since they first started their actual activities. Perhaps about a year ago they did something to the Planet to alert the Ancients about them, causing the spirits to become distressed," Nanaki replied, eyes wide with excitement.
Reeve nodded slightly. "That could be the cause…but what could they possibly have done?"
"A Mako reactor," Nanaki said softly. He hung his head a little. "That’s most likely what they’ve done, disrupting the Lifestream."
"A reactor?" Reeve asked out of shock.
"It has really started again…" Nanaki said softly. "But this time we have no AVALANCHE to protect the Planet. We only have a worn-out Elder and a young scientist…"
Reeve remained silent for a while, looking down at his feet. "Well, there’s always the Watchers Brotherhood…"
Nanaki chuckled. "You’re the only one in there with a brain, all the others run around screaming ‘doom’ at the top of their lungs. No, they won’t help."
Reeve shrugged a little, not saying anything about the Brotherhood. "Do you mean you actually want to go up against them, though?"
"Do we have a choice? Most of the people will just let things happen. They’ve forgotten their past and what Shin-ra did to them…" he said softly.
"Not many remember. Only those who were there know the truth," Reeve said.
Nanaki nodded. "Those who ask for the information here in Cosmo Canyon know the truth, along with those who read into their history with the correct sources."
Reeve stood up, a frown creasing his forehead. "Elder, what should we do?"
"Professor, we have to stop them," Nanaki replied.
Reeve sighed. "But how?"
Nanaki shrugged. "This isn’t getting us anywhere. We are merely walking ourselves in circles…"
Reeve nodded in agreement. "Another opinion would probably help. Too bad the Brotherhood is so far away, and that none of the others from AVALANCHE could be here…"
Nanaki suddenly jumped to his feet. "Absolutely right, Reeve! Sometimes your mind just surprises me in the way that it works!"
"What do you mean?" Reeve asked, confused.
"I cannot be completely sure whether or not it is true…but I have a feeling I am not the last of AVALANCHE."
"Is that possible? None were of your species, and they were all mortal." Reeve stared at him, beginning to wonder if what Hojo did to him really was driving him insane.
"Don’t look at me like that," Nanaki growled. "I haven’t gone insane. Actually, it’s perfectly logical. I told you about Vincent Valentine’s past, didn’t I?"
Reeve nodded a little. "Yeah. He was a Turk. Professor Hojo fiddled with his genes then he punished Vincent by making him sleep. You guys found Vincent sleeping, looking exactly the same age as…" Reeve trailed off, realization dawning on him.
Nanaki smiled. "Exactly. I knew logic was there someone in that head of yours."
"But… Do you know where he is? The Planet is large and many years have passed. How long has it been since you talked to him?"
"He disappeared only a year after Meteor was gone…" Nanaki said sadly.
"He could be anywhere, then," Reeve said helplessly.
Nanaki shook his head. "I think I have an idea… Are you prepared for a trek through the mountains?"
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Reeve and Nanaki stood before a huge waterfall, staring up at it. Reeve held the reigns of his chocobo, glancing back the way they had come. He had protested greatly at the sight of the mountains, but Nanaki persuaded him easily enough. It hadn’t been nearly as bad as he had expected, and the view of the huge waterfall was reward enough.
"It’s the same as it was so many years ago…" Nanaki muttered. He turned to Reeve. "Leave the chocobo here. We don’t want it to cause any problems. Let’s get going."
Reeve shrugged, not wanting to know what type of problems the chocobo could cause. He attached the chocobo’s reigns to the roots of a nearby tree, following Nanaki behind the waterfall. He had expected not only to get soaked, but to be greeted by a murky cave. Both thoughts were incredibly inaccurate.
Only a few drops of water hit him as they walked behind the raging water. He was greeted with a beautiful sight, much more majestic than any cave he could imagine. A round crystalline cave that seemed to be lit up by an inner light, which reflected from the walls, cascading about the cave. The floor was smooth and seemed to be polished, but Reeve knew that was impossible. There was a crystal throne, or at least it looked like a throne to Reeve. He wasn’t sure. Draped over the throne was a fearsome form.
He wore all red and black, almost his whole body covered by cloth. A fed cape lay draped over his shoulders. His face was hard to see due to how the cape was attached under his chin, and he wore a red headband over his forehead. His long black hair lay about his head mostly neatly, although it appeared mussed in some areas. His right hand lay near a gun while what seemed to be his left hand lay on his stomach. It looked like a metallic clawed foot of a beast, light reflecting off the bronze metal brightly. Both of his long legs ended with the same metal of his left hand, pointed at the toes. He looked calm and peaceful, but at the same time full of inner conflict.
"He looks exactly the same as he did two hundred years ago," Nanaki whispered in shock.
At the sound of the voice, Vincent Valentine awoke. He sat up from his position, red eyes gleaming with mistrust. His clawed hand went into a fist, his right hand of flesh grabbing the gun. He blinked a few times, the anger in his eyes melting into calm calculation. He looked at Reeve, slight recognition forming. Then his eyes went to Nanaki, widening a little.
"Red… You look a lot older," he said, his voice without warmth.
Nanaki let out a contented sound, stepping forward. "You look just about the same, Vincent."
Vincent looked at him strangely. "Why wouldn’t I? It’s not like I succeeded…" He trailed off, looking down at the gun he held in his hand. He let it fall to the ground with a clatter, folding his arms over his chest.
"I won’t ask…" Nanaki murmured. "In some ways I didn’t expect to see you. Do you realize how long it’s been?"
"Judging from your appearance…a while," Vincent replied smoothly, bright red eyes moving to Reeve. "But… I don’t understand him. What’s his story?"
Nanaki laughed. "Do not be deceived by him. It has been more than two hundred years, my friend. He is Reeve’s ancestor. Reeve Owens II."
Vincent didn’t look shocked at this news. "I see. So it’s true then." He turned away, expression dark and brooding.
Reeve cleared his throat nervously, feeling out of place. He glanced over at Nanaki, who merely shrugged in reply.
"Why did you come here?" Vincent asked suddenly.
Nanaki nodded to Reeve, who stepped forward. "It’s about Shin-ra. They’re back," he said simply.
Vincent’s head went down. "Always Shin-ra…" He turned back to Nanaki. "How long have you known, Red?"
"Well, a few days now. Reeve brought more information when he came to me a few hours ago," Nanaki replied.
"How touching, you thought of me first," Vincent replied. Reeve couldn’t tell whether he meant it as a joke or if he was serious. "What is going to be done about them. We are short of many good fighters... Unless the others survived the ravages of time?"
Nanaki hung his head. "No. We are the only ones, but Reeve has offered his assistance."
Vincent scrutinized Reeve, arching an eyebrow. Reeve found it unnerving when the red eyes met his own. He coughed nervously, diverting his gaze. Vincent looked soberly over at the gun that lay at his feet. "Now I really wish I had succeeded… A red furball, a genetic freak, and a wimpy little punk," he grumbled.
"H-hey!" Reeve protested.
Nanaki walked closer to Vincent. "I think I have more to complain about. I’m stuck with the cocky scientist and the morbid Turk," he replied tartly.
Reeve stared at him. "Hey! Not fair, Elder Nanaki!"
Vincent’s gaze turned onto Reeve again. "Scientist?" he said softly.
"Ah, yes. Professor, actually," Nanaki replied.
"Professor…" Vincent turned to look at the throne. He walked over slowly, kneeling down to place a hand down on it. He stood back up and turned back to the two. "I tend to really dislike professors," he growled.
Once again Reeve felt uncomfortable. He turned back around with a start, walking out of the cave. The sun was high in the sky at the mid-day hour. He took a deep breath, letting out a heavy sigh.
He walked over to his chocobo, scratching its chin.
"Wark!" it shouted, surprising Reeve. It bucked away from him, spreading its wings wide.
Reeve was hit on the chest by its wing, falling backward. He let out a shout of surprise before he hit the nearby water. He struggled to the surface, only to be pushed down by the raging waterfall. He swam frantically when he felt his feet touch the bottom of the lake, slipping on loose sand.
When the panic lessened some, he was able to swim forward. When he was able to get out from under the falling water, he swam upwards. His head broke through to the air and he gasped to get some into his starved lungs.
Reeve headed towards the shore, pulling himself up onto the narrow stretch of land. He looked a few feet away to see the chocobo innocently eating some grass. "Stupid chicken. I should cook you and make a meal out of you!" he growled at it, raising himself to his feet. "You stupid bird. That’s the last time you’ll do something like that! Ever since I bought you you’ve been like this. I should have just—"
"Wark?" the chocobo cooed playfully.
"I give up!" Reeve muttered. He wrung at his clothes in irritation, hearing laughter to his right. He spun towards it.
"Good show, Professor," Nanaki chuckled. "But surely you’d like to wait until we get back to Cosmo Canyon before you ate him."
Reeve didn’t say anything to Nanaki, instead he glared. He turned back to the chocobo, suppressing an urge to kick the bird. He mounted up onto the bird, who protested to the wetness of his clothes.
"Your fault, bird. If you hadn’t done that neither of us would be wet," Reeve retorted.
Vincent showed no emotion as he watched Reeve get tossed off by the chocobo. His red eyes dance a little, though, when Reeve kicked the bird, only to get tossed back into the water with a huge splash.
Nanaki laughed at the whole situation, rolling around on his back with happiness. The other Elders at Cosmo Canyon would have been ashamed of the disgraceful act, but the red beast had no cares.