[ Closed ]

[velvet_zealot]

Who: Yazoo (velvet_zealot) and Cloud Strife (mirageof_deceit)
When: After this conversation
Where: The Flooded Ruins
Format: Action-prose...ish?
What: Cloud has questions that he wants answered. One thing leads to another, and...
Warnings: ...impending violence and hero torture lie ahead. :O

Comments

[velvet_zealot]

[The only old times that Yazoo could recall were fights that Cloud could not; their first meeting outside of Midgar, their second meeting in the Forgotten Capital, and their third meeting in Midgar Edge, at the base of the Meteorfall monument. The ex-SOLDIER had already confirmed that none of those three events were known to him, however, that he didn't even know who Yazoo was, except that he had connections to Sephiroth, and through him, to Jenova.

It was those connections that Cloud must have been referring to, though. His connections to Sephiroth... and perhaps they were even the cause of the thrill that Yazoo felt...

The Remnant sneered, half disgusted by the idea of sharing anything with Sephiroth or with Cloud, half amused by it all, too. And when Cloud charged, Yazoo sent more bullets hailing toward him before darting backward, intent on staying out of range. His foot hit the end of the walkway, legs bending, pushing him up into the air and toward the top of a tall stone pillar. From there he kicked off and cleared a gap over the water, landing on a stone archway, always on the move, never relenting in his fire toward his opponent.]

[mirageof_deceit]

[He suspected that Yazoo would put distance between them now that he had closed it, but he had other tricks up his sleeve to keep the other still. There was no point employing them just yet, since he wasn't all that concerned about a few stray and well-placed bullets. Ultima Weapon was more than large enough to block and parry aside those.

Cloud followed legging it across the stone walkway and then looking to where the silver-haired man leapt out of his sword range. He was forced to remain on the walkway as he parried aside bullets and even side-stepped a few so that he could give himself time to charge up a spell.

As soon as Yazoo made it clear the pillar was the intended target, he lifted his hand and quick-cast Demi2, casting the area and the surrounding air in a dome of black energy. He leapt right after it, aware of how long the spell would be in effect for, which would leave the pillar open for him to land on and redirect as necessary.]

[velvet_zealot]

[The soles of Yazoo's boots had barely connected with the pillar when Demi2 had struck, and even though he had pushed off and cleared the gap between that post and the stone archway afterward, it was not without incurring serious damage. He teetered for a moment on the edge of the arch, Velvet Nightmare clenched in an unrelenting grip, but the crackling energy at his back was enough to cause his balance to falter.

Bullets fled his gun in Cloud's direction as he fell... fell, and with a splash, plunged into the murky water below and disappeared from sight.

Ripples spread outward on the surface, the water rocking against the stone path and the columns, but there was no sign of the Remnant...]

[mirageof_deceit]

[It appeared that his spell had been more effective than he had meant for it to be, but that was fine. He followed the blast of energy as it ebbed away and the need to parry bullets aside seemed to drop off. He figured that his quarry was falling, and there were few places to go.

He would see if Yazoo had the ability to fly like Sephiroth. The splash indicated that the silver-haired man did not have that ability to display, and he knew once again that there were vast differences. He would have to be careful.

Settling on the pillar for a moment, he made a soft t'ch noise as he leapt back to the stone bridge crossing and moved to the edge. He had been told that there were creatures in the water, and they tended to be the big kind. The water was so murky that it was difficult to tell if and where Yazoo would rise again from the depths. Still, he waited, his eyes moving over the surface of the water as he stood ready....]

[velvet_zealot]

[It wasn't that Yazoo didn't possess acrobatic skills enough to land upon another column, so much as it was the cloudy water below exhibiting a preferred likelihood for a surprise attack. Beneath its murky surface he was able to freely plan his next attack... and calculate Cloud's probable response.

First he needed to get back to the stone walkway and get out of the water. This he could do without being seen, but caution was required... especially with Cloud standing at the edge now, his silhouette stretching out over the top of the flood. Velvet Nightmare would be useless all wet... so the gun was holstered before he caught the underside of the path and gave himself a quick shove upward.

Breaking the surface, his hand wrapped tight around the ex-SOLDIER's ankle and tugged, wrenching the other man down toward the water and giving himself enough time to get out and get settled.

Already there was black mist on the move.]

[mirageof_deceit]

[His eyes traveled over the surface in search of a flash of silver, which he knew was the only distinguishing feature of his quarry. The murky water was difficult, but his eyes shifted suddenly a moment before Yazoo emerged from the water. He had enough time to bring his sword up before his ankle was grabbed and jerked.

Grunting, he lost his balance and slipped from the rocky surface, almost landing himself in the water. He managed to catch himself on his arms and quickly haul himself back up, thankful for the weight of the Ultima Weapon. He kept one eye on Yazoo as he rolled up onto the stone and began to rise to his feet.

His attention was caught by the black mist nearby, tilting his head to the side. He had never seen the Mist come in a black colouration. What in Gaea was coming?] Give up, Yazoo. You can't defeat me as we are now.

[velvet_zealot]

Give up?

[The Remnant could only sneer in response as he was getting to his feet and keeping his eyes locked on Cloud. He would never give up, not so long as there was an ounce of life left in him, not so long as he had his strength, his powers... and another means to fight.

Water dripped from his hand as it was raised, and with it the crawling shadows moved faster, ripped across the stone walkway toward the ex-SOLDIER.

From them emerged the Shadow Creepers... three large beasts with enormous fangs and equally large claws. They spread out as they charged toward Cloud, one coming at him straight on, the other two from the sides.]

Brother... I've only just begun...!

[mirageof_deceit]

[His eyes narrowed as the black shadows began to take on shapes, and they headed towards him quickly. He raised the Ultima Weapon in preparation to fend off whatever sort of strange attacks might come his way. He hadn't seen power like this before, and he wondered about the source of it as claws and bestial forms came into being.]

You mock me with such a title...

[That was about all that he could say before the creatures were closing the distance rapidly. He immediately charged at the one coming at him head on, daring an attack as he struck hard. However, the moment his blade came into a certain range, the feel of his skin churning increased to the point of almost being painful. He grunted and pushed through the attack to drive his blade through the creature while jumping towards Yazoo to attack the remnant as well.]

...I really like that Cloud icon. A lot. *_*

[velvet_zealot]

[The Remnant was privy to Cloud's flinch... It was just as he remembered it being during their first encounter outside Midgar. And, belying his thoughts, a wicked smile turned the corners of Yazoo's mouth upward, even as the first Shadow Creeper was cut neatly in half and destroyed.

Avoiding Cloud's next attack was an option, but not one Yazoo was keen on this time around. While he preferred keeping his distance from Ultima Weapon, if he could instead parry the attack again with his gun, then he might buy enough time for the other two Creepers to come upon the ex-SOLDIER from behind... providing Velvet Nightmare could withstand the hit...]

Let's not waste anymore time, hm?

[He beckoned with his free hand for the other man to come at him full force--as his other hand reached behind him to his holster. Velvet Nightmare was wrenched free and drawn forward, the steel gun at the ready, as the other two Shadow Creepers closed in from the rear.]

:D That's his "Boo, I'm coming for you" icon.

[mirageof_deceit]

[The creature in front of him dissolved into black mist, which was an odd sight to see. It was worse to pass through, and, for the first time in months, he felt a brief loss of control over his JENOVA cells. It was a horrid sensation even as he continued his charge at Yazoo.

Regardless of his attempt to move quickly, he knew that the two creatures were gaining fast on him, forcing him to slide the Ultima Weapon to his right hand to bash the nearest aside. He was forced to grunt under the weight and worse still, he felt the change to his eyes based solely on the increased sharpness to his vision. Damn it, not now!

He leapt over the remaining shadow creeper, turning his green cat-like eyes on Yazoo with an upturned lip.] You're mine. [He closed the distance with a single bound against the stone walkway, lifting the Ultima Weapon over his head as he leapt up to cleave downwards with the massive blade.]

[velvet_zealot]

[The second Shadow Creeper had fallen victim to Cloud's Ultima Weapon, dissolving into black tendrils of mist before finally disappearing like the other before it. Two down, one to go... and Yazoo himself still remained.

It's more than enough, the Remnant thought, and, with a burst of speed launched himself head on toward the other man.

That was when the ground gave a violent tremble beneath his feet, paving stones cracking, and were it not for the sudden geysers of water rising up on either side of the stone walkway he might not have stopped to see what was happening.

It rose from the murky spray, a crepuscular and serpentine shape that was all glittering black scales, protruding alabaster fangs, and glaring amber eyes peering out from a long, arrowlike head. Coiling around the stone walkway, it separated Remnant from ex-SOLDIER, and from its outstretched neck rose a vociferous scream.

Its spiny tail hammered the walkway once, then lashed out toward Cloud and the last remaining Shadow Creeper behind him.]

[mirageof_deceit]

[Cloud was off the ground when the snake-like creature interrupted their battle session, and his attention was momentarily stolen by the geysers. He dropped Ultima Weapon down in front of him as he forced himself to leap backwards as the creature coiled in his path to Yazoo.

His eyes narrowed as he took in the serpent, reminded all too much of the Midgar Zolom. He was also keenly aware of the Shadow Creeper behind him, but he was more concerned with the serpent beast stopping his fight. Annoyed, he leapt over the lashing tail, willing to sacrifice the Shadow Creeper as a target as he moved to slash the water-snake across it's broad head.]

[velvet_zealot]

[Steel trap jaws snapped at Cloud as he leapt over the barbed tail, barely missing the man's lower half. In return, the snake received a wide gash across its snout from Cloud's sword, tar-like blood oozing out of the wound, splattering onto the stones below, and splashing into the dark water.

An ill-tempered hiss rolled off the snake's tongue; the tongue lapped at the air, tasting the various scents of its prey mingled with the scent of its own blood poisoning the air. Torn between three morsels, it made a snap decision and caught the last Shadow Creeper by a hind leg as it attempted to dodge the still hammering tail. The beast of tainted Lifestream was tossed upward into the air with a growl, claws extended, but the large snake readily gulped it down upon its descent, black mist flowing from in between its clamped jaws, accompanied by a sickening crunch.

It caused Yazoo's eyes to narrow as he watched, his fingers to clench around Velvet Nightmare all the more tightly, index flexing against the arch of the trigger. His fall in the water had no doubt roused the leviathan from its slumber... and now he and Cloud had it to contend with, as well as each other. Just perfect.]

[mirageof_deceit]

[While he attack was successful, the way that the serpent ate the Shadow Creeper was interesting. It was all too much like the Midgar Zolom with a mouth and an eager appetite like that, and he was not planning on being on any menu at this point. He was pretty certain Zack would nag him, and he was avoiding that as much as possible.

Changing direction after his slash, he landed with a skidding halt on the same side of the creature as Yazoo. Two targets might confuse it and not allow it to focus on one of them. That would give him time.

He set the Ultima Weapon in a defensive position and the other materia on his bangle shimmered to life as he summoned up a magical spell. Far above him, a rock formed from the energy and began to streak towards the snake in the form of Comet. He didn't know why he didn't summon up two - one other for Yazoo - but that was the decision for the moment. They had to work together, he supposed.]

[velvet_zealot]

[From the moment Cloud had cleared the enormous snake, Yazoo had trained his gun upon him, the barrel following his every movement, finger testing the trigger, debating silently whether or not to pull it... and yet, Cloud didn't attack him. Instead the ex-SOLDIER, for reasons Yazoo couldn't even begin to understand, focused his attention solely on the serpent.

There was a part of the Remnant that wanted to yell, "I'm your opponent, don't turn away from me!" but the instant he saw that familiar green glow surround Cloud, he knew better.

Realization dawned. Terminate the interruption, and then deal with the traitor. It was that simple.

Turning his attention, along with Velvet Nightmare, back toward the water serpent, Yazoo was able to see Comet as it struck the creature, causing its body to flinch, its head to rear back, and its spiny tail to crash down into the water. The force sent a large wave toward Cloud and Yazoo, but the Remnant was first to act.

As the water rushed over the fractured paving stones toward them, Yazoo pitched himself toward Cloud, catching him by the back of his collar and swinging him out of the way. Not a moment later he was darting back out of the path of the falling wall of water, finger clenching on Velvet Nightmare's trigger, and bullets flying free toward the open mouth of the beast.]

[mirageof_deceit]

[His comet spell hit accurately enough, but the giant snake was also rather tough. He suspected that it had taken heavy damage with the way that it flailed around, but the scales also did a good job hiding it from view. If little else, his materia spell had served to make it angry instead of just hungry.

He shifted his weight as the water pitched over the stone, and he watched the wave rise higher and higher, realizing that it was going to be interesting to get out of. He apparently didn't need to worry as his collar was suddenly seized, and he was thrown backwards out of the direct reach of the wave. His skin beneath where Yazoo had nearly come into direct contact shivered as if suddenly cold.

The water splashed over his boots and hitting up against his knees, but he launched up and over Yazoo's flying bullets. His sword flashed as he returned to combat close-range with the snake, using quick less forceful slashes to the head and neck region this time.]