-RESIDENT EVIL IS IN THE PROPERTY OF CAPCOM-

Hi guys! I just graduated from the Cadet Officer Candidate Course and now I'm officially a CAT officer!

And since this is my rest day, I dedicated most of my time into continuing on with this RE4 fanfic! The end is getting near, so stay tuned even more!

That's all for the author's note. Take care everyone.

PS: A DIE HARD FAN OF LEON SCOTT KENNEDY ❤

XII.

The continuous ticking sound helps me focus, think logically and straight.

Like the sound of our footsteps, for example.

"Where are we going?" I asked as I just follow this mysterious guy from behind him.

"Just shut up and follow me." He said sternly.

"Feisty," I mumbled to myself.

"I can hear you." He informed me. I bit my lower lip as I prevent the urge of shooting him back.

We were walking for what seemed like hours when it was just only a few minutes. His taste of clothes wasn't bad either. It was as if he was preparing me for an impending war too. I was wearing a low chest gray tank top that showed a little bit of my cleavage which I found uncomfortable, a utility harness, tight cargo pants and black combat boots.

We passed by a bright white room with a tight security. I knew because the guy turned off the security alarm. He punched on a switch and after a few moments, the door automatically swung open and I stopped on my feet.

I swallowed, hard as I stare at the man who was sitting at the middle of the dark room, on his throne. The guy knelt down as a show of his respect.

"Thank you, Krauser," Saddler said as he turned his head to look at me with a wide smirk. "I can feel it." He informed me and closed his eyes. "Ah, I can also hear it moving inside of you. It sounds wonderful."

"Leon has stepped a foot in the island." The guy named Krauser informed Saddler with a soft tone.

My eyes snapped back at Krauser at the sound of his name. My face darkened in anger as I switch my hard gaze at Saddler who was smirking. "Yes, I know that," He said nonchalantly.

"What are you going to do to him?" I demanded and took a few steps closer to him. "Don't even dare lay a finger--"

I stopped my sentence midway as I felt an excruciating pain in my stomach. I fell flat to the floor as I curl into a ball, holding my stomach for dear life.

My teary eyes forced to look at Saddler with his extended hand, as if he was reaching onto me. "Who says that I'm going to lay a finger?" He said amusedly, as he snicker at whatever plan he's having in mind. "I'm going to let you handle him, Tiffany,"

The thing inside of me started to lose control, setting my body on fire. It was trying to take control of me; trying to possess my body...

"No..." I whispered, my voice breaking as tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably. "This can't be..." I panted. "Leon..."

•••

I retrieved the Infrared Scope.

Everything could be much easier with this thing.

If Tiffany sees this creature, I'm sure she'll freak out. But right now, she's not with me, yet.

Something outside the room to the freezer moved and the familiar creepy breathing started to ring through my ears.

I quickly slipped the Infrared Scope through my Rifle and got out of the room, not wanting to get cornered.

And there it was, stumbling to my direction. It's bloodshot eyes and sharp canines protruding and it's slimy saliva dribbling through it's mouth, hungry for meal.

I peeked through the scope calmly and found two parasitic organisms on its body. I shot the two and the creature disintegrated, leaving only its lower body part.

I got what I need from this room.

I exited the freezer room and jogged to the succeeding locked door that needed a keycard. Behind the door led an unpleasant smell. It seems that the dump was nearby.

I walked forward, the unpleasant odor becoming stronger each step I took. I opened the metal door and it revealed a control panel of the claw for the dumps. From the window, there were various garbages on the corners but what caught my attention were five Militia patrolling the garbage area.

I smirked as an idea came to mind. I punched on the buttons on the control panel and hurled the Militias to the lower levels like they were stuffed toys from a machine.

On the floor lay a hand grenade and I snatched it with a swing of my hand and walked towards the next door succeeding. I jumped down on the ladder and my nose crinkled with the overwhelming smell of garbage.

I'm starting to picture Tiffany of what'll she say when she's with me. She will most probably whine and complain about the stench. I faintly smiled sadly at the thought of her. Even though we were both victims of Umbrella, she still maintained her innocent and childish attitude. And I didn't want them to change that.

Me? I could never be innocent again. Not since Raccoon.

•••

The Iron Maiden's upper body exploded and disintegrated. A keycard was the only thing left. It could be the keycard that will get Ashley out of that room.

When I killed the huge armored Militias that's been guarding the room, Ashley had told me something that's been bothering me a whole while.

"Leon, where's Tiffany? Have you seen her?" She asked desperately, her eyes red and puffy from crying and dried tears on the sides of her face.

I shook my head disappointingly as I looked back at her. "Sorry,"

She gripped on the metal bars on the door. "They did something to her." She whispered.

"What did they do?"

"They injected her with something," She informed me. "It was a parasite but different from the rest."

I bent down and took the keycard and gone further to the room.

The other room was a little cold when I entered it. There was a glass-like pillars that creatures or organs rested on.

The ones on the other glass are a lot more huge and grotesque.

There was a door on the corner and I hovered it, it quickly swung open and it revealed another metal door.

Behind that door was a long narrow open area, cold wind hitting my skin, sending an involuntary shiver.

A radio tower.

I walked forward, crows started to fly away from their positions as I pass by. The merchant was there, along with his torch with blue flames. I walked ahead to the elevator that ascended.

Another room was ahead just as I turned left. There were various switches and a microphone in the middle.

My face lit up and dashed to the control panel, punching on the switches and adjusting the volume of the radio transmission and signal.

"This is Leon," I started as I hovered my lips on the microphone. I gripped on the microphone tighter. "Request backup, I repeat - request backup," I waited a few more moments and the radio started to produce an eerie sound, making me frown. "Damn," I slammed the control panel table in frustration. The signal was completely jammed to this point.

I exited the area and ran back to the room where Ashley was held captive.

She was no longer seen on the opening of the door. I pulled out the keycard and gave the device a quick swing of it, making the red glow of the device turn green.

I opened the door slowly, creating a creaking sound. I went further into the room and saw Ashley sitting on the corner, hugging on her knees and resting her head there.

When she soon felt a presence, she quickly looked up and her frowned face was replaced into a relieved smile as she quickly stood up and ran to me, contemplating whether to hug me or not. "Leon!" She exclaimed.

I smiled back. "You okay?" I asked softly and she nodded swiftly. "Come on, let's move on."

Just as we were about to take a step out of the room, a paper airplane flew inside the window. A pink kiss mark was on the outside of the folded paper. And I think I have an idea to whom it came from.

"Perhaps you might have figured it out already but you can get out of here by using the waste disposal vent."

I raised an eyebrow at the quick note. Is Ada helping me out?

I heard the crinkle of electricity from outside the room. They must have knew that I successfully extricated Ashley, again.

"Wait here," I whispered to her and put a hand on my lips, gesturing her to keep quiet. She nodded understandingly and gave me a worried look.

I pulled my Blacktail out, peeking on the opening of the door to see a group of Militias outside, probably waiting for me to emerge.

I pulled out a flash grenade, pulled off the safety and quickly kicked the door open to throw it at the horde. I fell back inside, avoiding the blinding effects of the grenade. I pulled out my Mine Thrower because I used the hand grenade a while back. I shot one on the chest and after a some ticking, it detonated.

When I peeked again, some were standing and stumbling over their feet. I kicked the door and fired the remaining hostiles using my Blacktail.

"Follow me," I beckoned Ashley and she followed me without hesitation.

We traced back the rooms I passed to the waste disposal area. It had a tight security than usual. There was a time when I almost got electrocuted by the stun rod from one of those Militias. They were too many and so does the monsters. I just hope Tiffany's still okay even if she had a parasite as Ashley said.

"Looks like this is it," I commented determined as Ashley and I examined the waste disposal lower level pit.

Ashley scrunched her nose in disgust and covered her nose. "Aw, it stinks!"

I shrugged. "Sure does."

I'm pretty sure Ashley will probably hate me after I do this.

I looked at her knowingly, I was sure a playful-- hell, a creepy smile crept onto my lips as Ashley looked back at me with a confused look on her face.

And she got what I mean. Ashley took a step back and shook her head in a disapproving way. "No way, Leon,"

I chuckled and within a split second, I snatched her hand and she yelped whilst I amusedly say, "Way,"

I jumped down, dragging Ashley with me as she screams as if she was falling to her death.

We landed on a solid material, dust flew as we hit it. Ashley groaned either in pain or disgust. I stood up and examined the lower levels of the waste disposal area.

"Are you out of your mind?" Ashley asked, annoyed, as she lay on her bed of garbages.

I smiled again, she might be shooting daggers at me right about now. "I knew you'd be fine if you landed on your butt." I said as nonchalantly.

Ashley scoffed. "You--!"

She stopped her sentence midway when I turned around and offered her my hand. She was about to take my hand when she noticed the slimy thing that was touching her other hand. I looked at it and it was a dead Iron Maiden that I faced a while back. My instincts started to tell me to get out of this place immediately. "What is this?" She asked, disgusted.

I took her hand before she knew it and I yanked her up gently before sparing a single glance at the creature. "Come on, let's go." I said, my voice full of authority and rush.

I pulled the lever down and it raised the bars. Just as we were about to pass through, the dead Iron Maiden quickly stood up from its feet, making me cringe from its peculiar breathing, but not in a good way.

The creature started to stumble slowly towards us, its thorns moving side to side from its limbs.

I pulled the lever again, making the bars close and trapping the creature alone.

"What is that thing?" Ashley exclaimed in horror. I glanced at her, her eyes wide in fear and lips slightly parted as I pull out my Rifle from my back to shoot the parasite that's lingering from its body.

Four parasites shot and it was still alive, the other parasite was on its back. I shot its knee, making it lay flat. I shot the parasite and it disintegrated right away.

I let out a breath as I reload my Rifle. Ashley tugged the hem of my shirt. I looked back at her with a confused face. "What is it?" I ask.

"What was it?" She mumbled, I'm not sure if I heard it right.

"Regenerators," I simply say. I held her both of her shoulders. "There might be more lurking," I trailed off, gauging her reaction. Her pupils dilated in horror and she bit her lower lip, averting my gaze. "So we have to be fast, find Tiffany and get the hell outta here."

She nodded faintly.

I gave her a small smile. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."

Just by those simple words, I just hope that I could encourage her and not lose hope.

"I know that, but..." She trailed off and held her heart. "For how long are you going to protect us?"

•••

"What's the news with our friend, Leon?" Krauser asked me, as he tossed the knife back and forth onto his gloved hand.

My arms were crossed as I looked at him with nonchalant eyes. "He's not taking it easy. The sample?"

"Saddler's got it. It seems he sneaked out into our little game."

I turned on my heels and walked away. "Perfect." I muttered.

"Just so we understand each other clearly, I don't trust you, nor does Wesker. If you try to do anything clever I will kill you."

I chuckled. "Is that so? You know I met Wesker longer before you." I informed him.

"We'll see soon enough if you did." He said, his voice held a dark nonchalant threat. But it didn't scare me at all.

"Yeah, we'll see," I waved my hand off for dismissal and shut the door behind me.

As I walk the open metal narrow way out of the radio tower, I heard a beep from my transmission device.

Wesker.

I pushed the switch and it revealed Wesker on his usual black attire and those sunglasses that he always had a habit to adjust every so often. "Quite a jolly mess he's made, that Leon. But, all for the better. Saddler's people have fallen into a panic. Their destruction is only a matter of time now."

I continued to walk on ahead whilst I answer to his comment. "Once he gets Ashley back his job will be finished. He'll no longer be a factor."

"No, I'm leaving Leon to Krauser."

That made me stop on my tracks.

"Hurry up and retrieve the sample."

Transmission ended.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment before retorting to myself. "Maybe you forgot, Wesker. I don't always play by your rules."

•••

"I can feel them growing ever so strongly inside you."

The mellifluous yet repugnant tone of Saddler automatically made my blood boil.

"Saddler!" I curled my fists into a ball and attempted to pursue him.

But then the thing inside of me started to react that made me fall to the floor in and groan in pain.

From the distance, I can hear Saddler's amused laugh. "Perhaps you can resist. But you cannot disobey."

He turned his attention to Ashley. "Now, come to me, Ashley."

I saw the way Ashley's eyes dilate and her mouth went slightly ajar. Her head fell down, staring at the floor.

After a few moments, her head slowly shot up and stared at Saddler, her eyes bloodshot red.

She started to walk forward and I tried my best to stand up. But the longer I resist, the more pain inflicted.

"Ashley!" I groaned her name whilst an idea came to mind.

I reached out my back and snatched a tracker out of my pockets and tossed it towards Ashley's back, who was facing me.

It sticked directly to her back as a red dot flashed, signaling that it was now functioning.

I groaned again as I held on my stomach for dear life. Sweat started to form on my forehead and my hands started to get cold.

As I felt no more presence in the room, the pain subsided. And I found myself able to stand up. And I found myself alone, again.

"It's already begun." I mumbled to myself.

•••

"Saddler got her back," I heard Krauser mumble whilst tying his shoe lace.

I wanted to respond, but my jaws wouldn't move. It feels like the parasite paralyzed me.

"I know you want to say something," He said, not looking at me as he pulled out his knife. "And I can guess."

I find myself unable to blink as I focus on Krauser's smug face.

"We're going to have a brief reunion," He informed me as he prepared to jump down the platform. "Watch me." He said, his tone held a dark threat.

After a few moments, the elevator lifted up and it revealed a very familiar man that I haven't seen for a while.

I can feel my heart start to beat rapidly as Leon stopped on his tracks and slowly pulled out his knife, sensing a presence behind him, which was
Krauser.

I was there, on the second platform, unable to do anything but watch as Krauser suddenly appeared from above, combat knife in hand and landed on his feet with Leon's blood on the tip of his knife.

I didn't quite catch the scene in front of me.

Leon, who had blood dripping out from a fresh cut on his right cheek, nonchalantly wiped it off with the back of his hand.

Krauser slowly maintained his stance as his piercing eyes glanced at me then back at the man in front of him. "Been a long time, comrade." He muttered but I heard it loud and clear.

"Krauser!" Leon had his back on me so I didn't saw his reaction. But I can sense the shock radiating off his voice.

Krauser began to circle around, which made Leon do the same. "I died in a crash two years ago, is that what they told you?"

"You're the one who kidnapped Ashley." Leon accused, utterly ignoring Krauser's question.

Krauser snorted. "You catch up quick, as expected. After all, you and I both know where we come from."

And with that said, Krauser made a quick lash out of his knife to Leon, which he quickly dodged then came back to do the same, which Krauser also dodged.

Both wanted to unravel each other.

Leon was kind of pissed off now. "What do you want?" He demanded to which Krauser answered a wordless snicker then a swing of his knife to which Leon dodged once a again.

"The sample that Saddler developed, that's all." Another knife exhibition.

Leon exhaled, getting exhausted. I know, just by looking, that would be exhausting as hell. "Leave Ashley out of this!" He exclaimed.

Krauser stood still, enabled his fighting stance. "Oh, I needed her to buy Saddler's trust in me. And your little friend. Because like you, I'm American"

Leon's eyes widened as Krauser referred to me. "Tiffany?" I caught Leon's mouth mumbling my name. "What have you done to her?"

"Does it matter? It's too late now, comrade." And with that said, he kicked a red can to Leon, just to distract him but knowing Leon, he'd dodge that effortlessly.

They dropped from the lower ground and they successfully landed on their feet.

I want to look away, I can't bear to witness another moment of this scene anymore. But I can't bring myself to look away.

"You got them involved just for that?"

As if by instinct, my head suddenly snapped to another direction and automatically narrowed.

Ada.

Ada was on the other side of the platform, gun in hand, watching the two men fight. Too focused to notice me.

My breath hitched, pulse palpitated and heart beat accelerated.

My hand was itching to reach out for the gun that Krauser had given me. Voices whispering in my head.

Kill her.

No.

Kill her.

No...

Kill her.

No!

"All for Umbrella's sake." Krauser stated a very familiar corporation that ruined many lives.

"Umbrella?" Leon was lying down. The reason? I didn't know.

"Almost let it slip... enough talk, die comrade!" Krauser jumped to his body, hovering the knife on his chest as Leon struggled to not get stabbed to death.

I turned my gaze back at Ada who had the red laser of her gun pointed at the knife. Why is she...

Then all of a sudden, a blast echoed the whole room and Leon kicked Krauser off of him.

Krauser looked up, his hand on his stomach. "Well, if it isn't the bitch in the red dress."

"Looks like we have the upper hand here." Ada stated with her signature sly smile.

Krauser chuckled and jumped like a ninja to the platform from where I stood.

Leon looked up at me, his eyes wide with worry and fear. "Tiffany!"

"You may be able to prolong your life." Krauser butted in, but Leon never kept his gaze away from me. "But it's not like you can escape your inevitable death, is it?"

Krauser walked away but I stayed, looking back at Leon in his gray-blue eyes that I was starting to adore. He almost has the same eye color as Steff...

"Tiffany, let's go!" Krauser called from behind.

I averted my gaze from Leon and gave my back at him for the second time, because the first time was when the guillotines back at the castle reminded me of Steffany. But now it made me think that I walked away from him was because of his eyes; his eyes that almost had the same shade as my twin sister. Even though it was the complete and utter fault of the Las Plagas inside me.

•••

"You knew each other?"

"More or less. Maybe it's about time you tell me the reason why you're here?"

"Maybe some other time."

I wanted to snort. Because I know that "some other time" will never come. But aside from that, Saddler had completely brainwashed Tiffany. She looked like a different person now. She was not the Tiffany I know. Her stare a while ago was not the stare she used to give me. No, she was still looking at me the same way she looked at me before. Only a cold facade was blocking it.

As I was deep in thought, my radio buzzed out and I frowned. The last person I wanted to talk to was Saddler. But I had no choice but to entertain him. Besides, entertaining him was becoming my full time job.

"Enjoy the reunion with your old friend?"

"As a matter of fact, I did."

"Wonderful. I wouldn't want my special guests on the island feeling unattended."

I snorted. "I guess I'm supposed to thank you, right?" I said sarcastically.

"Ah... I have an idea." I didn't like where this was going. "Since you're here, why don't I introduce you to "it". It should keep you busy."

"Can't remember the name huh? A senior moment, perhaps."

Saddler burst out laughing, not seemingly offended the slightest bit. He gave me a wicked smile. "Enjoy the fun."