"We're close now." Vianca looked up at Vincent beside her. "We're approaching reactor 0. That's where Omega's awakening will take place."

The two had fought their way through Deepground, working as a team. They were right outside of the reactor, in an open outdoor area with an artificial, cloud-covered sky hanging over them. Though Vianca was putting on a brave face, Vincent could tell. He knew she was probably still in pain from when Chaos had clawed her chest open. Just as the girl was walking ahead of him, he spotted her shaky legs beginning to buckle. He swiftly wrapped his arms around her waist, keeping her on her feet.

"Careful. You look like you could use a break."

Vianca tilted her head back to look straight up at him. "Someone's attentive." She lightly put her hands over his, easing his hold on her. "Thanks for watching out for me, but you don't have to be paranoid." She smiled kindly, and at that angle, cutely.

Vincent was thankful to have the collar of his cloak concealing the light redness on his cheeks. "Sorry. It's just..." He released his hold on her, watching her turn to face him. "Does it still hurt?" He reached out to lightly trace his fingers over her skin, right above her breasts and next to her pendant.

Vianca's pale violet eyes followed his fingers. "Not anymore really. I guess my body's still recovering though because I'm exhausted." When she looked up, her eyes darted past him. With a gasp, her expression darkened.

"A pleasure to finally meet you, Vincent," an accented voice spoke from behind him.

The male turned to face the adversary. "Nero."

"At first, I thought you nothing more than a nuisance. I was so hoping you'd take care of our Aegis problem, but alas, you didn't finish the job. It seems I can no longer let you run about unchained, neither of you. I must protect my beloved brother."

Vianca stayed close to Vincent, frowning. "Open your eyes, Nero. We're all just pawns in Weiss's game. Every single one of us."

"That is where you're wrong, Vianca," Nero calmly replied. "The Tsviets are expendable, yes. But I was always a part of my brother's plan, right from the very beginning." He exhaled deeply. "Dear Weiss. Powerful Weiss. He's the only person who ever loved me, and the only person I will ever love." The admiration in his tone whenever he talked about his brother always gave Vianca an eerie feeling. "But that is all forgotten. In a matter of moments, everything will change."

"What did you do with Shelke?" Vincent questioned, no longer wasting time on Nero's odd rambles.

"Shelke...?" the Sable repeated. "Ah, yes, what did I do with her? I do recall running into the lass when I journeyed to the airship. A feisty one, she is. The girl is inside me, lost like a little puppy."

Vincent pulled out his gun, aiming it at Nero. He wasn't about to waste another word on him, knowing they'd all fall on deaf ears. Nero was just as crazy as the rest of the Tsviets, aside from Vianca and Shelke. Pulling the trigger, bullets flew at Nero, who skillfully avoided the shots. The Sable retaliated immediately, his wings snatching up his dual pistols, unleashing a flurry of bullets. Vianca shielded herself with crystals while Vincent ran to avoid being hit, using his gauntlet to block a few shots.

Nero manipulated his darkness to attack as well, a void appearing under their feet. "I don't have time for these games."

Vianca gasped, her crystals elevating her from the darkness. But Vincent was forced to run, which was unsuccessful as the darkness followed his every step. He froze, pain shooting through him when his feet became trapped in the shadows under him. The female clutched her chest, which was throbbing in response. She could tell Chaos was reacting to the darkness, and Aegis was in turn. With the darkness enveloping Vincent, Vianca dove after him.

"Vincent!"

Before they knew it, they both were thrown into the void. A cold sensation started creeping under their skin, choking them. Vianca screamed in pain, and like before, Aegis awakened to take over, cocooning herself for safety. But this time, Vianca was still conscious. It was like Aegis was lending her power to Vianca while letting her stay in control. It amazed her. She looked at Vincent upon noticing him thrashing about. Chaos was trying to overwhelm him.

"Vincent." Two voices left her lips --- Vianca's light one, and Aegis's distorted one. "Don't let Chaos control you." In that abysmal plain, Vianca's crystals shone brightly like a star that reached the man. "You cannot be contained by this darkness because a part of you was born in it." Thanks to Aegis, she was able to sense the resemblance between Chaos and Nero's darkness. "Find yourself. Regain control. Please..."

Vincent's flailing had ceased. He listened to every word. When he opened his crimson eyes, he was in complete control of himself. His sheer determination and will, and Vianca's encouragement, gave him strength. His gaze locked onto her shining opal one, and he gasped.

"Aegis?" Her onyx skin, her veil of golden hair, the crystals coating parts of her body --- there was no mistaking her. Vincent moved closer, resting his hand on her cocoon. "But I heard Vianca's voice..."

"It's me, Vincent," she answered, both voices speaking at once. "I don't know why, but Aegis gave me control this time. She's never lent me her power like this before."

"Well because of her, you were able to reach me. Perhaps she knew." The male scanned their surroundings. "Looks like we're in Nero's dark void. This is our chance to find Shelke."

Vianca enclosed her body in crystal like a suit, then shattered her cocoon, giving her the freedom to move around. "She's deeper in." She pointed toward her right. "Aegis can sense her that way."

Sticking close together, the pair walked briskly through the endless darkness. A glimmer of light in the distance let them know they were on the right track. An orb of crystals came into view, and beyond it was a cracked shield with Shelke huddled inside. The redhead picked her head up upon hearing footsteps, gasping in surprise.

Vincent nonchalantly fished her phone from his pocket, holding it out to her. "I think you dropped this. Unless you find something appealing about this place, I suggest we leave."

Shelke looked between the two. "Vincent... Aegis..."

"Vianca, actually," the female corrected, smiling softly and shattering the crystals still on the surface of the bubble. "I'm in control for the time being." She held her hand out, forming a suit of crystals around Shelke's body. "Lower your shield. I'll protect you until we get out."

Shelke quietly took her materia, letting the already cracked barrier dissolve. She stood, the crystals keeping her protected, just as they did for Vianca. Though Shelke could barely walk after using so much magic. Her mako was nearly depleted, and she would surely die if she didn't replenish it. Noticing her stumbling, Vincent scooped her right up. Vianca followed after him, heading back the way they came from. They could see the light still filtering in from the outside, meaning the exit was still present.

"Get ready for a possible conflict," the male warned, glancing back at Vianca.

She nodded in response. "I know. Nero might be waiting for us."

They stepped through the cloudy darkness, finding themselves back where they'd previously been. Nero was there, his back to them. Vincent was quick to set Shelke down, preparing to face the Sable again. Vianca shattered the crystals covering them, and the sound of flecks hitting the ground caused Nero to turn to see them. He stared at them, fascination in his magenta eyes.

"I see. Soul wrought of terra corrupt. My darkness would have no control over you, would it?" He hummed, his gaze landing on Vianca in Aegis's form. "And you. You're accursed crystals are your source of protection. How annoying. So, I must try something different."

Vianca readied herself, and Vincent was already reaching for his gun. Nero slowly spread his arms, darkness growing and surging behind him. Whatever he was preparing to do couldn't be good. A large throwing star suddenly whirled past them, hitting the ground by Nero's feet. The male stopped what he was doing, and everyone turned their gaze up to the dilapidated structure the attack came from. A figure in a moogle cloak stood proudly like some kind of superhero. It wasn't hard to guess who it was, especially when she revealed her face.

"Even in a world where fear and despair reign over the heavens, you must never forget, where there is shadow, there is always light! That's right! Bask in my rays, evildoers. Feel the radiance of Wutai Super Ninja, Yuffie Kisaragi! Back and ready for action!"

Silence fell. One could almost imagine the chirping of crickets in such a comical atmosphere brought on by Yuffie. Needless to say, Nero wasn't impressed. He barely even batted an eye at the ninja.

"My brother calls," he finally said, looking back toward the reactor.

He turned and disappeared into his own darkness, which dissipated after him. Vincent put his gun back in its holster, turning to look at Vianca and Shelke. He crouched beside the redhead laying tiredly on the ground, on the verge of losing consciousness.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Shelke looked at him through half-lidded eyes. "I...I don't know. Maybe...maybe I was dreaming."

Vianca crouched on Shelke's other side, resting a cool, smooth, stone-like hand on her cheek. "Just hang in there for now." She looked at the male. "She used a lot of magic in there. She's nearly depleted her mako supply. We need to get her a mako bath to replenish her."

"Hey!" Yuffie's voice interrupted. The ninja was jumping around and waving her arms to get their attention. "I'm up here, guys!"

Yuffie suddenly tipped forward, losing her balance. With a yelp, she tumbled down from the structure. Vianca turned her head and waved a finger. At her command, crystals formed under the ninja, forming a ramp that she slid down on her stomach. At the end of the ramp, she was thrown onto the hard ground with a thud. Vincent shook his head and sighed with exasperation. Even the most serious moments became ridiculous when Yuffie was around.

Vianca suddenly took a sharp intake of air that caught the man's attention. She closed her eyes as she felt Aegis's power leave her. Her physical form shifted back to normal, and she fell forward on her hands and knees, gasping for breath. Her arms and legs were left trembling.

"Aegis..." She softly spoke. "Thank you..." She met Vincent's gaze and forced a smile. "I feel so drained. My body aches all over."

Vincent stood and went over to her, helping her to her feet. "We'll take a breather inside. Yuffie, get Shelke."

The ninja had picked herself up and was dusting herself off. "Oh, right. You got it!" She hopped over to the redhead, lifting her up and slinging her arm over her shoulder. "Come on, we'll get you that mako bath!"

~~~~~

Shelke stepped inside the strange tube-shaped tank, the door sliding shut behind her. She turned to look out the glass window at Vincent and Yuffie.

"Will you be alright?" the male inquired.

Shelke gave a slight nod. "Yes." Vincent pressed a couple of buttons, turning on the device. The bright green mako began pouring into the tank, swirling around Shelke like rippling water. "Thank you," she uttered, breathing deeply and relaxing at the energy flowing into her.

Vianca sat in a chair nearby, tiredly leaning back to rest her body. "Don't worry about me," she chimed in, closing her eyes with a weary smile. "I just need a little time to recuperate."

Yuffie looked up at her friend. "Okay, now that we've got them settled, let's hop to it! You keep going, find Nero and Weiss, and smack them into next Tuesday. And while you're cleaning house, I sneak around the reactor and shut her down! Sounds like a plan! So, see ya around, Vince!" With a quick wave, the ninja ran off to get started.

"Smack them into next Tuesday?" Vianca repeated in a questioning manner. "Cleaning house?" A weak giggle escaped her lips. "I don't understand, but those phrases sound silly. Yuffie talks in a strange way."

With a soft chuckle, Vincent went over to where she sat. "She does, doesn't she? She can be difficult to keep up with, but she's a dependable friend."

Hearing his voice, Shelke had multiple events and images flash through her mind. She saw Vincent confronting Lucrecia about his father's death. She watched the woman childishly run from it all instead of facing the truth. She ran straight into Hojo's arms, and that reality completely broke Vincent. The poor guy suffered, physically and mentally. The negative feelings toward Lucrecia forced Shelke to open her eyes. She was still in her mako bath.

"Another...dream?" she mumbled, looking out to see Vincent sitting with Vianca. She didn't want to interrupt them, and yet, she had a burning question she needed an answer to. "Vincent Valentine." The male turned his gaze to her, getting up to move a little closer. "Why are you fighting this battle?"

"To destroy Deepground and stop Omega's return," he answered simply. "It's time that an end is put to this madness. Or at least, that's what I tell myself. Though...I'm not completely sure that's the reason." His eyes discreetly flickered toward Vianca briefly.

"Not sure," Shelke echoed, not at all noticing. "Neither am I. But, Vincent... I don't want to see the world end. I just... I just don't want there to be any more pain."

Vianca hummed lightly, sitting herself up a bit. "I'll admit, I used to not know why I was fighting either. I did as told, that was it. But..." She clutched her pendant. "Maybe it was Aegis that awakened this realization in me. I now see that life is a beautiful thing. I want to see what's out there, and experience new things. And for people like you two...that's why I fight." She smiled innocently. "Honestly, I'd do anything to help Vincent. I don't know what I'd do without him."

"Me neither," Shelke mumbled, immediately growing flustered when she saw them both staring at her. "I-I... I said nothing... I just... I don't know anymore." It was Lucrecia's data fragments making her feel that way, but she didn't want to hold Vincent back with that truth. She cleared her throat. "Vincent, you should get going. The two of us will catch up later."

Vincent nodded. "Alright. Rest up. I'll take care of things in the meantime."

He walked out of the room, leaving the girls to their thoughts. They simply let their bodies recover, enjoying the peace and quiet. They didn't speak, but the silence wasn't the least bit uncomfortable. Vianca was on the verge of falling asleep when she felt a cold sensation rising from her feet. When she peeled her eyes open, she gasped, seeing a darkness spreading around her. She was swallowed up before she could even make a sound, vanishing without Shelke noticing a thing.

As much as she tried to summon Aegis or fight against the darkness, she couldn't muster the strength. Her body was too weak and tired to do a thing. She heard voices overwhelming her, and a chilling sensation through her body. It felt like she was going crazy. Luckily, it didn't last long. Vianca was being pulled toward a light --- a way out of the void. She had no idea where Nero was bringing her, but she could only hope it was better than being trapped there in that hellscape.