Chapter 9: An Empire in Ruins (Dirge of Cerberus)

Vincent makes his way through the familiar (though largely destroyed) lobby of the Shinra Tower, eventually finding the President's entrance to Deepground. He ventures further, eventually encountering... another Black Widow! Boss fight vs. Black Widow TW. Easily dispatched.

Vincent continues on, eventually realizing he's a bit lost. He phones someone, but a "beep beep beep" implies the user is unavailable (as a result of Shelke's confrontation with Nero). He then receives a phone call.

Tifa

Hey, I got through!"

Vincent

Tifa?"

Barret

Wha? You got through!? Yo! Vincent! You still alive!?"

Tifa

Of course he is, we're talking to him, aren't we? And do you really have to shout right next to my ear?"

Barret

[laughs] Sorry 'bout that, Tifa!"

Tifa

I apologize, Vincent. Here's Cloud."

Cloud

Vincent?"

Vincent

Cloud. It's been a while."

Camera does the fade-out/fade-in thing.

Vincent

Cid's airship?"

Cloud

We lost contact about 15 minutes ago."

Cloud

I don't think we have to worry, though. Those two should be fine."

Vincent

Yeah. And what about you?"

Cloud

What do you think?"

Tifa

Right! You can count on us!"

Barret

When I'm through, there won't be a single sucka standing!"

Vincent

Right."

Cloud

And as for you..."

Vincent interjects.

Vincent

Don't worry. Leave Deepground to me."

Cloud

Can you hold on a second?"

Cloud

Tifa."

Tifa

Got it!"

Tifa

Vincent, I'm sending you a map of the Shinra Building."

Vincent receives the map.

Tifa

Deepground is below the complex. Take an elevator as far down as you can."

Tifa

Good lu--"

Barret

Give 'em hell, Vincent!"

Tifa

Barret, I thought I told you to--"

Cloud

Don't go getting yourself killed, now."

They hang up; Vincent does the same, and moves on.

So Vincent keeps going through the sprawling underground complex - this chapter is pretty thin on story. Eventually though, Vincent arrives at a large elevator that will lead him to the Deepground complex. And standing on this elevator is... Azul!

Azul

So Rosso didn't survive."

Azul looks up and goes "Ohhh". Energy is emanating from Vincent's body.

Azul

Something inside you wants out."

Azul

Its stench is so very familiar."

Azul has a hearty laugh.

Azul

Come, Vincent! Show me your rage!"

Azul

Now, let the killing begin!"

He picks up his huge gun; the elevator begins to descend, as the Boss Battle vs. Neo Azul commences. After the battle, the gun is on the ground; Azul laughs.

Azul

This is how a battle should be. Don't you think so?"

Azul

Now feel my true strength. Feel the wrath of Azul the Cerulean!"

Azul transforms into the beast from WRO HQ. Boss fight vs. Arch Azul, He gets defeated... but he's still in beast form after the battle! He charges forward and slaps Vincent, who hits the elevator's side railing hard.

Azul

Stand! This isn't over yet."

Vincent stands.

Azul

Good. Now come and fight."

Vincent zips in and punches Azul hard in his chest area. Bright light emanates from it.

Azul

Why you!"

A huge explosion blinds the screen. When the smoke clears, Chaos is standing there, and Azul is back in human mode.

Azul

Chaos?"

Chaos is holding Azul's gun. He launches it forward , and it pierces through Azul's stomach.

Azul

It looks like you were more a beast than I."

Azul

Very well. I'll see you again, Vincent... in hell!"

Chaos powers up, and shoots forward an energy blast that send Azul crashing through the railing, and off the elevator.

Azul

Hail Weiss!"

He tumbles down the endless abyss while laughing maniacally. Chaos roars; we see Nero has been watching this saga from above.

Nero

So that is Chaos. Intriguing."

Nero

"Soul wrought of terra corrupt.""

Nero

Perhaps I should simply let him live out his destiny of destruction."

Nero vanishes, but as he does he drops a cellphone. Chaos turns and looks at it.

Lucrecia

I'm so sorry."

Flashback; Vincent is inside the regenerative tube in Shinra Manor while Lucrecia looks over him.

Lucrecia

Vincent. Just a little longer. Then I can let you out."

She turns around, then collapses on her knees.

Lucrecia

What's wrong with me lately? Maybe I've been working too hard."

we see Hojo, and he gives off a "Hah!"

Hojo

I thought I heard a rat down here."

Hojo

And just what do you think you're doing with my failed experiment?"

Lucrecia

Get out of my lab!"

Hojo

Silence! I'm the one giving orders here!"

He approaches Lucrecia, and notices the computer screen behind her... then he goes "Ha ha ha"

Hojo

Omega? And Chaos?"

He turns to Vincent and laughs again.

Hojo

I see. Another experiment? You're using this fine specimen to finish your thesis, aren't you, Doctor?"

Lucrecia

No. You're wrong!"

Hojo

Am I? Once a scientist, always a scientist, I must say."

Hojo

How happy this fellow must be. Helping his beloved even after he's begun rotting away."

Hojo laughs maniacally again as he walks away; Lucrecia buries her face in her hands and begins to cry.

Lucrecia

no. This is no experiment. It's..."

Scene changes back to the president. Vincent is sprawled on his back.

Vincent

Chaos. Lucrecia used me to... Lucrecia..."

Vincent

So this pain is..."

He slowly stands up, walks over to the dropped cell phone, and looks at it.

Vincent

Shelke?"

The elevator begins to rumble; it's reached the bottom.

Vincent

Deepground. Shinra's dark secret."

Vincent

Three years of hell below and now a world of hell above."

Vincent

The path to darkness opens once more."

A large door opens, and we get a glimpse of the inside; a Mako Reactor with a "00" emblazoned on it; and a massive, sprawling underground city.