Vianca moved at a brisk pace, entering the sick bay with Vincent trailing right behind her. With the meeting over, there were only small bits of information remaining. It was just the personal things Vianca wanted to know concerning herself. The pair saw Shelke laying back in her chair, on the verge of dozing off. They quietly approached her.

"So...tired." The redhead looked at the two. "Vincent Valentine? This feeling...is this what you meant...by doing something for someone...you care about?"

Vincent hummed. "It seems so."

Shelke tried to keep her eyes open in her drowsy state. "Dr. Crescent's data has begun defragmenting within my mind. I can see many different images. Images she experienced with you...and also things she did to you. She caused you much pain. I wish I could stop seeing it all."

Vincent didn't respond. He knew exactly what she meant. He'd had good times with Lucrecia, but also bad times. Unfortunately, the bad greatly outweighed the good. Those friendly talks and pleasant picnics couldn't make up for all she caused him. She might've saved his life, but it was because of her that he'd been killed in the first place. His love for her was fading and he was seeing her as more of just a friend. After all, that's what she treated him as. Only a friend. She chose Hojo over him.

Vianca lightly clasped her hands together. "Umm, Shelke? About the files on me..."

"Right. I already have them prepared on the computer for you to view." She weakly pointed to the spot she'd been vigilantly working at earlier. "Just press the 'Enter' key to begin. They'll autoplay in sequential order." She sighed tiredly. "Interference... Recovery... So... So tired..." She closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

The two glanced at one another before quietly going over to the computer. Vianca sat in the chair, her eyes skimming the keyboard for the right key. Vincent stood at her side, leaning forward with his hand resting on the back of the seat. He pointed her to the key she was looking for, finding it cute how inexperienced she was with devices like that. Vianca pressed 'Enter', and just as Shelke had said, the files opened to show a list of recordings. The first was automatically pulled up to begin playing.

On the screen was a blond woman seated in a chair in front of what they assumed was a computer. She smiled as she checked everything, being sure she was recording. She was a rather attractive woman, and she gave a friendly wave to the camera.

"I believe everything is running smoothly. Alright. Hi, I'm Dr. Larissa Hauke. This is hopefully the first of many recorded documentations on my scientific studies. You see, I've always been fascinated by the planet, and I dedicated my work to learning more about the beautiful world we live in. I've been partnering with Dr. Valentine to learn more about the sentient beings the planet creates to fulfill her needs." She sighed and shook her head, getting carried away. "To put it simply, there is one I'm particularly interested in. Aegis. Of all the Weapons the planet creates, this is the only one said to be born as a human. Aegis is meant to be a failsafe to protect life should a Weapon manifest before its predetermined time. Perhaps to be born human is a way of giving Aegis empathy for mankind."

A man suddenly barged into the room, interrupting the report. "Dr. Hauke, your son is throwing a fit in the playroom."

Larissa sighed yet smiled. "I'll finish the report later." The recording ended there and the screen went dark.

"Dr. Valentine..." Vianca mumbled. She looked up at the man beside her. "Was that your...?"

"My father," Vincent told her. "Yes, he worked with Lucrecia, and apparently with Larissa as well. They all researched similar subjects, it seems. Though while my father and Lucrecia focused on Omega and Chaos, apparently Larissa directed her studies on Aegis."

He fell silent when the next recording began. It was Larissa once again. This time, the woman wore a bright grin. She looked ecstatic. "So, to continue where I left off... Well, there's not much more to say about history and theories. The biggest news is that..." She leaned forward with a sparkle in her eyes. "I think I've found Aegis, born of human flesh!" She turned her head as someone approached, and a little baby was passed to her. "This is Vianca Callidora." The baby reached up to play with the woman's hair, cooing happily. "This sweet little girl was born here in Midgar with a unique ability. She's able to create a crystalline substance on her skin, seemingly at will. Oh, she's doing it now!" Sure enough, the infant was forming a thin layer of crystal on her tiny arms. "I've been studying the composition of these crystals, and they seem to be completely natural and pure." She wiggled her finger playfully at the baby to entertain her. "There's still much I have yet to learn, but apparently, she frightened her parents with this power. They handed her over to us without a fuss. I'll update you when I find out more."

Vianca stared wide-eyed as the screen went black again. "So...my parents... They didn't want me? They were scared...of me?" She sadly shook her head.

Vincent lightly rubbed her shoulder. "Do you need a moment?"

She took a deep breath to calm herself. "No. We can keep watching. I don't know what I was expecting... I never knew them. Larissa was the only mother I ever knew."

The next video played to show Larissa holding baby Vianca, though one of her hands were bandaged. "I think I understand why Vianca's parents were frightened. She's quite peculiar. It seems, somehow, she doesn't require food to nourish herself. I've also found out about her tantrums the hard way." She held out her bandaged hand. "When she gets upset, her entire body crystallizes. It's like a bubble that shields her. It cut up my hand pretty bad, but this is all good progress." Her smile faded. "There's just one thing that bothers me. If this girl is truly Aegis, then what is happening to the world to cause her birth?"

The next recording started immediately. "Quick update. Vianca still has yet to eat or drink a thing, and I've finally found out why. Upon running various tests, I've discovered that the mineral composition of her crystals is what feeds her. Like a precious gem, the minerals her body produces not only forms the crystals, but also provides sustenance. She is truly fascinating!"

Vianca noticed the date on the next video before it began. "She didn't document anything else for several years."

"Maybe nothing of consequence to report," Vincent guessed. "You were still very young then."

Larissa was on screen again. "It's been awhile. I haven't recorded anything in years now, mostly because there was so little progress. Anyway, there's been a new development. We've noticed an anomaly in Vianca. Her cells...they aren't aging at the same pace as a normal person's would. They appear to be slightly slower than normal. I don't know how this is relevant yet, but it could be a sign. This could affect her age dramatically later on. For example, once she's thirty, she might still appear only twenty. It makes me wonder if perhaps this is the work of Aegis. If she really lives inside Vianca, then perhaps this is her way of biding her time until the desired moment." The woman smiled. "Fortunately, Vianca and my son, Nestor, are getting along great. I hardly ever see the boy anywhere without Vianca trailing behind him. She's gotten so dependant on him that it's adorable. Anyway, I'll record again once I have new data."

The next video jumped ahead by many years. Larissa sat in her chair, her expression showing unease and concern. "Vianca's power has been growing little by little over the years, but still...we're afraid it isn't enough. She recently turned twelve, and yet she still can't do more than form a barrier around herself. We've also found that with enough pressure, her crystals can be shattered. We... I believe that Aegis lies dormant in her, but if this is the extent of her power, then how will she ever protect this entire world? The others have proposed that we...experiment...on her. With the right procedures, we should be able to unlock her true potential." She hung her head and leaned forward, her fingers laced on the desk in front of her. "I know it could be very beneficial, but I have to ask myself, is it right? Am I doing the right thing as a scientist and a mother?"

"They experimented on you?" Vincent inquired.

"Yes, but I was fine with it," the girl replied with complete honesty. "Nestor and Larissa told me it was for the best. I didn't mind. I did anything they told me to." She remembered what came next, and it made her clutch her pendant with apprehension.

The following recording was just as she predicted. Nestor, as a teenager, was standing before them with tears cascading down his face. "It was a success... The experiments performed on Vianca awakened the power within her. As soon as she was conscious, her power spiked...and Mom... Mom..." He slammed his fist on the desk. "She gave her life for her research. She had complete confidence that Aegis dwells within Vianca. So, I'll complete her work. I've learned everything from her. I'll see this to the end...for her --- for the world." The sound of a door caused Nestor to turn his head, swiftly wiping away his tears. "Vianca, I told you to wait for me." He forced a smile. "Everything will be okay. I won't leave you anytime soon."

Vincent looked to the girl upon hearing soft sobs. His eyes widened when he saw her crying. "Vianca..."

"Back then, I didn't know the full extent of the situation. I didn't even realize that I...I killed Larissa." She started softly sobbing into her hands.

Vincent gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders, rubbing her arm in a soothing way. "It wasn't your fault. You couldn't control it."

"I know...but..." The female sniffled and looked up at him. "That doesn't change the fact that Larissa died because of me." She looked at her hands. "There are times when I lose control. What if I hurt people like you next?"

"You won't," Vincent assured. "I'll make sure you don't."

Vianca took a moment to calm down before letting the next report play. It was Nestor again. "Vianca is showing great improvement with her power. She can now create a far greater amount of crystals, and she can form them farther from her body now too. Their durability is on par with that of a diamond now, perhaps even harder than diamond. She can now move them at her command, creating things like spears and shards that can be flung like weapons. Her cells are still aging slower as well, even slower than before. I theorize that by the time she reaches full maturity, they may cease to age any further."

"Maybe that's why I still look to be twenty-one," Vianca spoke up.

"Perhaps," the male added. "Which means you may be stuck walking this planet for ages to come...just like me."

"At least we won't be alone, right?" The girl peered up at him with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.

Vincent gave a firm nod, smiling ever so slightly. "Right."

There were several more reports that barely explained anything new. They were just about the progress on Vianca's increasing power. But then they finally got to one that had Nestor seated at the computer, looking distraught. It was reminiscent to the video Larissa made right before they'd experimented on Vianca.

"Upon recent events, it has been decided to put Vianca into an induced coma." The young man adjusted his glasses and sighed. "Her power is still plagued by uncontrollable surges. Not only that, but things within Deepground are becoming dangerous. When everything settles down and we find a solution to better contain her power, we'll awaken Vianca. I just..." He slumped forward with his head in his hands. "She's all I have left. How will I get through the days without her? I'll just...have to try..."

That was the final report. Vianca was on the verge of tears again, but was desperately holding them back. She had never felt such waves of emotions before. It seemed all those memories and insight about herself and the people around her was making her feel things she'd never felt before.

Vincent pointed to the screen, directing her attention to a video at the very end of the list. "There's one more. It's not labeled as a report though."

Vianca held back her tears and clicked on it. The recording played, showing Nestor with a sad smile on his face. "Vianca, if you're viewing this, then congratulations on learning how to use a computer. Or making friends that can use a computer. Either way, you've accomplished something to be able to see this." He gave a thumbs up. "Unfortunately, I'm no longer with you. I'm sorry for never fulfilling my promises to you. I told you I'd show you all these places in the world, and teach you everything about emotions and feelings. Turns out I was unable to do any of that."

Tears started pouring from the girl's eyes, and she lightly touched the screen with her fingertips. "Nestor...I don't blame you. Not at all."

The young man on the screen started crying softly. "Vianca...I love you so much. I know you probably still don't know what that means, but I care about you more than anything. You mean the world to me. It hurts not having you here by my side... I know that when the time comes, the power inside you will awaken. So...for me...please, protect this world. And I hope that...you have a happy life. Goodbye, Vianca, my beautiful diamond in the rough." The screen went black.

The female placed a hand over her mouth, trying to quiet the sobs that racked her body. "I do understand...at least...I'm starting to..." Tears flooded from her eyes, no longer able to be contained. "Nestor...I'll try really hard to be the person you expected me to be...I'll save this world."

"You don't have to do it alone," Vincent chimed in, kneeling beside her seat. "Everyone here is going to fight for the planet. Let that burden fall on all of us, because there's no way you should carry it by yourself."

Vianca turned her chair to face the man, looking at him through watery eyes. "Vincent..." She suddenly slid out of the seat, collapsing on him and winding her arms around his neck. "Thank you...to you and everybody on this ship." She rested her head on his shoulder, sniffling as her tears kept falling.

Vincent was taken aback by the hug, but he didn't push her away. His expression softened, and he hesitantly brought his arms up to wrap around her. She felt so warm against him, it had been so long that he'd almost forgotten what it felt like to be so close to another person. His hold on her became firm yet gentle in hopes of comforting her. He had the urge to just stay there, holding her and letting her cry out all her tears. For the first time in ages, a smile graced his lips. A genuine smile of joy.

Shelke had remained silent, conscious enough to overhear their last bits of conversation. She cracked one eye open to see the two in each other's arms. She couldn't help the slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She suppressed the memories that belonged to Lucrecia, refusing to ruin the moment. To her, Vincent and Vianca deserved this instead of being tied down by the past. Hopefully, she could rid herself of the remnants of Lucrecia. The last thing she wanted was for that woman to resurface and overwhelm her mind. She was determined to not let that scientist win, not with all the cruel memories of her actions swirling around in her head. Vincent and Vianca both needed to move forward, and so did Shelke.