Ramona, perched on her branch, scanned the area. She had reached the Forgotten City, which was an even more magical place than she remembered. It looked like something one would see under the waves of the ocean. Most of the city was covered in white trees that practically glowed in the moon's light. In the clearing ahead was a large building, crafted in a way to look like a giant seashell. It sat before a small lake. It was a scenic location, but to a select few, it was a reminder of the last Ancient's demise.

Ramona subconsciously touched the pink ribbon on her left arm. Aerith's smile flashed through her mind. The woman would normally allow herself a moment to reflect on the past, but currently, her focus was on the event unfolding before her.

Tseng was laying on the ground, almost completely limp and barely conscious. Blood stained his clothes, seeping from the cuts and gashes littering his body. Kadaj was crouched over him, that twisted grin on his face while his buddies stood by in silence. Gripping the Turk by the collar of his shredded shirt, he yanked him up enough so they were eye-to-eye.

"Let's try this again. Tell us where you hid Mother, and your friend in there can go free." He giggled like an excited child, nodding toward the building. "Unless you want her to bleed to death. That won't be very fun to clean up, will it?"

Tseng grimaced, his pained groans audible even from Ramona's distance. "We...won't...comply..."

Kadaj's grin immediately turned down in a frown. "Then lay here and suffer." He roughly slammed Tseng's back against the ground, then stood and looked to his comrades. "We'll just take matters into our own hands. Loz, find out if Brother has anything to do with this little scheme. Yazoo, begin gathering our brothers and sisters in Edge. I'll get some real answers out of our dear president."

Ramona silently gasped. He's going after Rufus? She was about to jump out from her hiding spot, but refrained. No, I can't go back. My mission is to get Tseng and Elena. She watched the Remnants hop on their bikes and drive away. Fishing her phone from her pocket, Ramona was quick to send a message to Rufus. Be prepared. Kadaj is coming for you. She tucked her phone away and climbed down the tree, being as quiet as possible.

She froze in an instant upon hearing a branch snap behind her. Taking control of her daggers, the blades left her belt. She twisted around and flung two of her daggers, suspecting an enemy had snuck up on her. She assumed it was one of the Remnants who caught on to her presence there. Ramona was quick to stop her blades midair, the sharp tips inches away from the familiar and unflinching face. The long, black hair, the blood-red eyes, the crimson cloak --- he hadn't changed a bit in the past two years.

The woman brought her daggers back, all eight of them sheathing themselves. "Well if it isn't Vincent Valentine," she said with a playful smirk. "You know it's not a good idea to sneak up behind me. I almost cut you to shreds."

The tall man let a light chuckle escape his lips. "I doubt you'd be capable of hurting me. Been a long time, Ramona. Haven't seen you since Meteorfall."

Placing her hands on her hips, Ramona gave a teasing smile. "Hey, you're the one who disappeared without a trace." She sighed and shook her head. "We really need to get you a phone so you can stay in touch with your friends."

"What are you doing here?" Vincent asked, dismissing her remark. "Are you digging for information as well?"

Ramona hummed. "Not exactly. I have all the intel I need at the moment. I'm here to retrieve Tseng and Elena."

"The Turks?" The man furrowed his brows. "Why? You were never on good terms with Shinra in the past."

"Things change. What's left of Shinra is no longer a threat, but a valuable ally." Ramona sighed. "I don't expect you to understand my reasons. Rufus and I came to a...mutual agreement. I do what he asks, and in return, I get something of value."

The woman turned away. Two years ago, she and Vincent had become particularly good friends. They often had similar views on things, and after Vincent's past was brought to light, she discovered that he was just like her. He had made mistakes --- his sins caused the loss of precious lives. Just as Ramona's had. They used to talk quite often, but even Vincent didn't know the reasons behind the young woman's views. She'd never told any of her friends about her condition or her life before Avalanche, not even him.

Before she could take a single step, Vincent's hand lightly clutched her shoulder. "Rufus isn't blackmailing you, is he?"

Ramona was quick to turn and face him again. "What? No! Of course not! They tried to turn me into their attack dog before, so why would I submit now?" She could tell by the look in his eyes that he was only looking out for her. "I'm not being forced to do any of this, I promise you that."

With a soft hum, Vincent nodded. "Alright. I won't question your judgement." He cocked his head to the side slightly. "Just don't turn into Yuffie. She's the type to be bribed into working with unsavory people."

Ramona couldn't keep from laughing at his dry humor. "I won't. What Rufus is retrieving for me has no value to anyone else. It's a personal matter."

Vincent wanted to question what she meant, but decided to keep his mouth shut. He trusted her as a friend and ally, so she must've had a good reason for her choices. He followed her into the clearing, hurrying over to where Tseng laid on the ground. Ramona crouched next to the now unconscious man, checking his pulse.

"He's alive. Barely." She stood and looked to the giant shell-shaped building. "According to the Remnants, Elena's in there."

Vincent followed her. "Remnants? You mean those three men?"

The woman glanced over her shoulder at him. "Right. Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo. Rufus calls them Remnants because..." She trailed off briefly, unsure if she was supposed to be giving him that information. She figured it couldn't hurt. "Because of their resemblance to...Sephiroth."

Vincent gasped. "What? But he's..."

"Dead?" the female finished for him. "Yes. But Rufus has a theory that a part of Sephiroth still lives in the Lifestream. Ultimately, he's the reason the Geostigma is plaguing the masses now. Quite frankly, after going over the facts, I believe his theory to be true. I mean, think about it. What's left of Sephiroth and Jenova is infesting the bodies of people. And those Remnants, their desire to find Jenova is proof. If they really wanted to, they might even be able to recreate Sephiroth."

Vincent stopped in his tracks, piecing things together. "That's why...they caught and tortured Tseng and Elena. They tracked down Jenova."

"Just her head, actually," Ramona corrected. "Stupid move, I know. But Rufus wanted to get to it before Kadaj and his gang. Like everyone else, they're trying to find a cure to the stigma. They're trying to rebuild the world."

Vincent huffed. "I'll help where I can, but only for you. I want no part of Shinra's trouble."

Ramona flashed him a sweet smile. "Thanks, Vince."

Inside the building, they found Elena in a dark room, barely conscious and in a similar condition as Tseng. Ramona sprinted to her side, crouching to lift her head a little. Elena was a mess. One of her eyes was bloody and bruised, and there was blood caked to her blond hair. The Turk's lone eye looked up at the woman, her face contorted into a pained grimace.

"Ra...mona..." Elena choked out, coughing up a bit of blood. "How's...Tseng...?"

Ramona smiled sadly. "He's in bad condition, but alive. You're both going to be okay now that I'm here." She started to lift Elena up, but jerked at the sudden ache in her head. With a gasp, Ramona laid the Turk down to clutch her throbbing head. "No... Not now... Not here..."

"Ramona..." Elena managed to utter. "Your...condition..."

Vincent started moving closer, reaching toward the female. "What's wrong? What condition?"

Before his hand reached her shoulder, Ramona flinched back. "No! You have to leave before I...before I..."

Everything in Ramona's vision shifted and changed. She found herself confined in that lab, surrounded by white walls. There were blurred figures standing by, but their white coats made it clear they were scientists. On her knees, Ramona stared down at her bloodied hands, visibly shaking. Blood began pooling in front of her, followed by a baby's cry echoing in her ears. The woman sobbed and tried to cover her ears, but the cries persisted and were joined by the whispers and murmurs of the scientists.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! It was all my fault!"

Vincent had no idea what was happening. Ramona was sobbing uncontrollably and shouting. Other than the occasional headaches she suffered from, he'd never witnessed her in such a state. He again tried reaching for her, kneeling as his hand touched her shoulder. The sudden contact made her jump and look up at him.

"Armin?" she muttered, wiping her eyes. "Armin, it's really you."

Vincent stood, and she rose to her feet with him. The woman began grasping at his shirt, her hands wandering up his chest. Confused and alarmed, the man watched her closely, unsure of what to say or do. Ramona slid her hands up along his neck until they rested on the sides of his face, pushing down the high collar of his cloak.

"I missed you so much," she quietly told him.

Vincent opened his mouth to reply, but before he could get a word out, she'd already leaned forward to seal his lips with hers. The male stiffened and his eyes widened, yet he didn't push her away. He couldn't bear to. Something was wrong and he didn't know what else to do. Admittedly, her kiss was pleasant. Her lips were soft and sweet, and the sheer eagerness of it almost made him want to return the gesture. But he couldn't. That kiss wasn't for him, he knew that. She mistook him for another.

After a moment, Ramona's lips parted from his and she smiled. Tears rolled down her cheeks again, and in an instant, her smile turned down in a frown. She took several steps back, her breathing picking up. Her eyes darted to the ground as a shriek tore from her throat.

"What have I done?! This can't be...!" The woman clutched her head, screaming and crying. "No! Why did I...?! Why?!"

Her eyes glowed pink and the entire building visibly shook. Vincent looked around, seeing rubble and whatever remaining furnishings beginning to move. Ramona's power was going berserk.

"Stop...her..." The male looked down at the blond Turk still clinging to consciousness. "She's...lost...control..."

Objects began flying around the room and the building creaked and trembled. At that rate, the whole structure would be uprooted. Vincent ducked under a desk that zipped past his head, then he sprinted over to grab his friend. Ramona struggled in his hold, but his grip was firm while he snatched his gun. After mumbling an apology, he struck the back of her head with his weapon. The female went limp in his hold, his arm around her abdomen being the only thing keeping her on her feet. Everything that had been moving from Ramona's psychokinesis dropped to the floor.

Vincent heaved a sigh of relief. Elena had passed out at that time, but she wasn't his biggest concern. He had questions for Ramona --- questions concerning everything that just happened. For the moment, he'd have to get her and the Turks out of there. They could all be treated once they were far away from the Forgotten City, and far from the clutches of the Remnants.