-RESIDENT EVIL IS IN THE PROPERTY OF CAPCOM-

Hey guys! How are ya? I really missed updating! And I missed you too! :D

So I just woke up and decided to update, which is kinda exciting for me because I haven't updated in ages.

So I hope you continue to support and witness the end of the living nightmare of these tough characters! Hehehe.

Anyways, enjoy reading and have a very Merry Christmas! ;)

PS: I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT FOR TIFFANY WILTON AND HER STORYLINE. EVERYTHING ELSE BELONGS TO CAPCOM. AND ALSO, A DIE HARD FAN OF LEON SCOTT KENNEDY.

The picture on the right is Ada Wong, "The btch in the red dress" as quoted by Jack Krauser.

VIII.

A huge blade that swung back and forth into the way. I couldn't blink for a second.

It's like I'm seeing my life before my eyes.

They are like guillotines. I continued to stare at the blades as it swings back and forth like the tick of a clock. And I noticed that it was not that sharp. If I attempt to pass through the other side and screwed up, there's a chance that I won't die with a single swing but it'll most likely hurt and bleed like hell.

And yet, something automatically popped on my head like a daydream...

"Nobody will find us here."

"I'm scared."

"You're the big sister, that's supposed to be my line."

I swallowed hard and turned my gaze back at Leon who was ready to make a run for it. "Wait!" I called out for him.

He turned to face me, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "What?"

"M-My brain couldn't process the situation yet." I stuttered.

Leon's forehead creased, deeply confused. "What?" He repeated.

I sighed. "I'm scared." I stated.

Leon held me by the shoulders and looked into my eyes. "Tiffa, we have gone this far. And I know there'll be more journey and hell ahead waiting for us. We'd survived everything. And I know that we'd survive on this too."

I looked back at the guillotines then at Leon. After a few moments, I just nodded. "Okay,"

Leon smiled and turned his eyes back at the guillotines. "When I get pass through the other side, I'll tell you when to go."

"Okay," I agreed. "But be careful not getting slashed in half though."

Leon smirked. "Right back at ya."

With that said, Leon made a run to pass on through the guillotines with perfect timing. He'd done those jumps and flips on the platform and passed through the other side without an effort.

Can I even do that?

No, not. Absolutely not.

Even with the blades swinging and the distance between us, I could still see Leon taking in a few deep breaths and exhaled it all out.

"God..." I mumbled to myself as Leon turned his gaze back at me.

"Tiffa," Leon called. "Come on!"

I can't do this.

I turned my gaze slowly at Leon who had a creased forehead. "Leon..." I whispered.

"Tiffa," He called out again.

My breathing changed into pants as I remember my past six years ago. With all the guillotines and my sister...

I don't know what'll anyone do in my position with a past like that but I ran back.

"Tiffany!" I could hear Leon scream my name as I close the metal door behind me.

I just hope that he won't come back to catch up with me.

I'd rather deal with those bugs than pass through those guillotines. It's insane, I know. And I know that Leon hates me by now for running away so he might not try to come back for me. I know it's a huge mistake for leaving him behind but I just couldn't do that.

"Steff," I mumbled my sister's name as a tear roll down my cheek.

I cleared most of the area off with those Novistadors because I was kinda enraged. And I didn't know why.

I climbed back at the ladder of the sewer entrance and sat against the wall, exhausted.

"God, I'm such an idiot," I hugged my knees and closed my eyes and thought of what might Leon think of me right now. He would've thought that I'm worthless; that I'm weak for not even trying on that swinging guillotines. He might not want me back in his group. He would care less about me anyway. I'm just a nobody to him. And that kinda sucked. "Leon, I'm so sorry,"

Then, I'm back to being on my own again. This was like six years ago. I practically survived on my own back then before I met my friends. So I'm sure I'll survive in here... maybe.

Sighing, I stood up and came back to the hall where Ashley was taken away. I walked around the hall and found some altar that was not even there earlier.

The altar had flesh and blood on it and was impaled by some sort of symbol or cross. I'm too disgusted to even look and examine it. The area was clear, which kind of bothered me.

I chose to take on the flight of stairs and saw the merchant on the side of the shutter gate.

"Got a selection of good things on sale, stranger!" He greeted right after he saw me.

I suddenly remember the little bet that we made. I don't think that I'll be able to pay him.

I've retrieved a few gold and some Novistador eyes, so maybe I could upgrade my guns. Besides, I can't rely on Leon any longer.

•••

"What a pleasant surprise... but I'm afraid it's Ashley we need. Not you, Mr. Kennedy." Salazar informed me from the balcony on the second floor.

"If you don't need me then get off my back, old man!" I exclaimed.

Salazar faked gasped but seemingly a little shocked. "Did you say old man, Mr. Kennedy? It might come as a surprise! But I'm only twenty years old." He stated.

"So you're just like all the others, a puppet of the parasites?"

Salazar shook his head in disbelief. "Surely you don't think I'm the same as those diminutive Ganados; the parasites, Las Plagas or slaves to my will! I have... absolute control."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Well, I don't really give a damn. Rain or shine, you're going down."

Just when those words came out of my mouth, shutters opened and revealed a large amount of Zealots armed with those sharp flails, scythes and cross bows.

"Get rid of our American friend." Salazar ordered and exited the balcony.

Tiffa, where are you when I needed you?

I tried to come back for her but at the rate of my desperate condition to catch up with her would be risky so I had no choice but to keep moving on. Besides, there's that confident side of me that believes that I'll see her again.

I'm not mad at her for running away. I saw her face even at that distance. Her face held a dark, painful expression. It's not the fear of those blades that turned her away, it's something else.

And I'm going to find it out.

The army of Zealots made their way to me and I readied my gun to fire at them.

•••

A fancy gallery room with an extended wall and a door.

Once I find him, I'm going to apologize as hell and kneel down if I have to.

I heard soft gun shots behind the metal door and it clicked me.

Leon.

The doorknob turns but the door wouldn't budge. What the actual hell?

After a few minutes of pushing on the door to open, I heard something lift up and the door busted open. Was there some kind of shutter there?

I walked slowly inside, it seemed like a war occured recently. A pile of disintegrated bodies of Zealots lay dead with their flails, cross bows, scythes and even rocket launchers. There was a raised platform with an opened chest in the middle. I think I was too late.

Taking on the flight of stairs on the right corner, I opened a metal door only to see a plain room with a red button on the other end. Don't wanna try what that button does.

I returned and wandered off the circling hallways and finally found a white door. I curiously twisted the doorknob, checking if it was unlocked and it was.

I closed the door behind me and there revealed a dark hall with big windows but there was no view ahead from there. It was all nothingness.

There was a typewriter on the corner but I just ignored it. I am just left with two doors: one on my left and one in front of me.

Now, this is just great.

I chose the metal door in front of me and was surprised that it was locked from the other side. Now, I'm sure that Leon passed by on the door by the left.

Feeling my palms getting sweaty, I opened the door and slowly walked in. Crows flew away as I walk ahead and another door was in front of me.

I pass by a fountain and another door. I took a peek from the opening and there revealed about four treasure chests, three were on the floor and a big one on the middle.

I tried to open the door beside me but it's locked from the other side. There was an opening from above and I think a piggyback would do the trick.

Well, just my luck.

I was starting to regret running away from him.

I kicked the door and groaned. "Stupid door." I mumbled.

I took in the succeeding way and a huge brown double doors was ahead. I opened the door and closed it behind me.

My eyes widened in shock and amazement.

In front of me was a huge maze garden made of bushes. I walked on ahead and descended the stairs, not taking my eyes off the beautiful view.

I came across a locked door. There was an indentation of a piece that fits there and something was written.

"Two Moons Make One," My eyebrows furrowed, what the hell did that meant?

Just as I finished pondering there, I heard a soft blast of Shotgun within the maze garden.

I turned on to the garden and whipped my head at different areas, finding the source of those gun shots.

No luck.

Leon's must be in trouble. I need to help him!

Descending on the stairs that leads to the gate of the entrance of the garden, I opened the gate before I could think twice.

I heard a familiar growl of a dog. God, is this garden infested with infected dogs?

I pulled out my own machine pistol and walked slowly and cautiously, my eyes focused on the garden. I'm kind of worried that I might get lost in this place.

I turned left and there jumped a dog on the bushes and growled at me, showing its sharp teeth and saliva dribbled from its mouth. Now that I look at it in close view, it looked more like a wolf than a dog.

I aimed my red laser at its head as it charges quickly at me. I fired nonstop until it lets out a whine before it decayed away.

I kicked the metal door and it hit the ground. I saw two wolves not far away on their cages. It was struggling to get out of its cage and I shot them before they could break it.

I continued to circle around the maze until I found a white flight of stairs, making me see the full view of the dark garden.

And there he was, shooting three wolves with his Riot Gun. He seemed to be in trouble though.

I pulled out my Mine Thrower and peeked on the scope to aim at the dogs that Leon was shooting. And I fired at it solidly on its body.

Leon ran away as it detonated and the wolves blasted away. He looked at my direction and with that distance, I could feel that we are making eye contact.

I don't know why I helped him, probably because I'm so guilty to the bone.

I was the one who first averted the gaze, seeing a shiny thing resting on the fountain. I walked closer to the fountain and found a piece of a Moonstone. When I looked back to where I'm sure Leon stood, it surprised me that he was no longer there.

There was an opening on sides of the fountain, the two opposite sides led further into the garden while the other in front led to the exit of the garden.

I'd gone to the front, I thought that I've had enough of this place. I realized that I'm too ashamed to face him. I guess apologizing's have to wait.

Just when I was about to jump out, I heard running footsteps ascending the stairs and I point my Mine Thrower on Leon's chest.

"Tiffany," Leon's wide eyes surprised me.

"Leon," I lowered my weapon.

He walked closer to me and I didn't bother to stop him.

"God Tiffa, what's gotten into you?" He asked, mixed emotions lingered in his voice. Worry, anger and relief.

"I'm sorry," I just muttered.

"Why did you run away?" He continued to ask more and I was too ashamed to look up and gauge his reaction. Leon held me by the shoulders and I closed my eyes. "Look at me," He demanded.

I slowly look up to see his eyes which had a dark shade than usual. "Why'd you run away?" He repeated.

"You deserve an explanation but..." I trailed off and looked around the garden. "Let's... get out of here first and then I'll tell you."

Leon shook his head and let go of me. "We can't. Not without the right half of this." He pulled out another piece of the Moonstone.

"We can." I offered him a half smile. "Besides, I already have the other half." I pulled out the other half of the Moonstone and gave it to him. I jumped down and Leon followed. When we got out of the maze garden and ascended the stairs, I turned around to face him. I took a deep breath. "My sister..." I started. "She was killed by a guillotine."

I didn't expect Leon to crease his forehead with my confession. "Guillotine?"

"Six years ago," I mumbled. "We broke into a building for shelter. I never realized that it was one of those branches of Umbrella that had done all of that chaos. Steffany was taking the lead and then the alarm broke off and blade came out of the ceiling and slashed her in half and--"

"Tiffa," Leon cut me off. I looked up at him who had a worried expression. "You're hyperventilating," he commented with a sigh. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you."

I shook my head. "No, I told you that you deserved an explanation." Leon didn't bother to argue and I'm fine with that. "I'm sorry that this have to happen. I swear to God I regret leaving you and I understand that if you don't want me back--"

"No," He shook his head. "I'm not mad at you at all. We're partners, right?"

"Partners don't leave each other." I retorted.

"And partners understand each other." He shot back and smiled. "Besides, you still owe me a prize for winning our little bet, remember?"

"Oh yeah," I nodded. "So, what is that you wanted me to do?"

"I want you to stick with me 'til the end."

My eyes went wide and I couldn't process that statement for a second. "Stick with you...?"

Leon nodded. "Don't ever leave my side from now on."

"Okay," I agreed. "As long as you don't slow me down." I smirked.

Leon chuckled. "Yup."

Leon is such an amazing guy. He would really make a great big brother to me. I've always admired Steffany just like I admired Leon. Because I can see her in him. They are both brave, courageous, smart and... good-looking.

We proceeded to the door with the indentation and Leon already put the two Moonstones back together. It fitted the door perfectly and it automatically shuttered up.

It revealed to be a bedroom and I make my way to the bed and jumped on it, creating a creak and a bounce. The bed is not that soft than I expected. There was another room on the right and a letter on the table. I got off the bed and entered the small room but my eyes only focused at the letter.

"Female Intruder," I read the title slowly. Before I could read the first sentence of the letter, I heard Leon's voice outside.

I hid against the wall, listening to Leon and whoever he was dealing with.

"Sorry but following a lady's lead just isn't my style." Leon said.

Lady?

"Put them up now." A foxy feminine voice warned.

I peeked outside and saw Leon and a woman behind him. It was like a microsecond when Leon turned around and stunned the lady, his hand on her gun. The lady broke free by tumbling away from him, the gun swinging around in the air. Leon pulled out his knife and pursued the woman. She caught her gun when she successfully landed on air and before she could point her gun at him, he stopped her with the knife on her throat.

"Bit of advice: try using knives next time, works better for close encounters." Leon informed as he let go of the woman and unloading her gun and tossing it to the side.

Leon seem to forget that I was even here.

"Leon," The woman pulled out her red glasses. "Long time no see."

And I quickly recognized her. She was the lady back at the village and the cabin. Why was she appearing out of nowhere? And why did she knew Leon?

"Ada," Leon muttered, probably her name, after a while. I just stayed there and scanned the letter with a picture of the woman named Ada. "So it is true."

"True? About what?" Ada replied, completely playing dumb.

"You, workin' with Wesker." Now who the hell is Wesker?

"I see you've been doing your homework." She said, trying to change the subject. I see that.

"Why Ada?"

"What's it to you?"

"Why are you here? Why'd you show up like this?"

I showed up and they both whipped their heads at me. Ada seemed to be shocked and confused but smiled it all away. "I never knew you had a partner, Leon," She narrowed her eyes at me.

Is it just me or she sounded sly and sneaky? I think it'll take a while for me to trust her. Or maybe not at all.

Her glasses detonated and created a flash, making her get away. "See you around." She said with a smile before getting out through the window.

"Ada!"

I gazed at Leon who looked half disappointed, half frustrated. I walked towards him and he looked at me. "Friend of yours?"

He offered me a small smile. "Can't say for sure."

I tilted my head to the side and read the letter on my hands.

"There seems to be a female intruder among us. We believe she's connected with Sera.

We also believe that she was the one who removed the egg injected into Sera before it hatched. She may have had him retrieve the "sample" before the American agents' arrival.

"What's that?" I hear Leon's voice asking me as he circle around the room.

"It's a letter," I informed him, not looking away from the letter.

I could see Leon from the corner rolling his eyes.

It's obvious that her objective is the "sample". We must get to her before she is able to re-establish contact with Sera.

There's also reason to believe that she's working for somebody. We need her alive for interrogation.

The female should be able to answer all our questions. After we have captured her, Sera will no longer be of any concern.

As long as we retrieve the "sample", you may dispose of him as you see fit."

"You haven't answered my question yet." Leon said with a raised eyebrow.

I gave him the letter and smiled at him. "It seems that the cult is now acknowledging your little friend's presence." I informed him and walked away to the door that leads deeper and further into the castle. "And oh, I almost forgot," I turned around and faced him.

"What?"

"There's a locked door a while back. The door is locked from the other side and I think I could unlock it with your help."

Leon nodded slowly. "Yeah, I figured that out too."

"So, is there still time to go back and check the room?"

"Yeah, I'm a little curious myself too."

•••

"Oh, my God." I mumbled with my eyes wide. When I opened the biggest treasure chest in the middle, there was a gun inside.

"What is it?" Leon asked me from outside. I turned around and unlocked the door and got out, grinning at him as I gave him a Broken Butterfly. I saw that gun a while back at the merchant.

"Thanks," He accepted the gun. "Now, let's get moving. We're behind schedule."

"It's about time you say that." I smirked at him and we proceeded to get back to proceed throughout the castle.

•••

There were long tables and candles arranged in a formal dinner. There were those portraits with messages that I don't understand. A room that bars blocked and a message was on a portrait.

"One last drink and the bottle breaks, returning us to the dust from whence we came." I read out loud.

"What a depressing thought." Leon commented and just shrugged it off and went out to ring the counter, revealing a portrait of a meal with a wine bottle from the opposite side of the hall.

One last drink and the bottle breaks...

Just when I finally got what that meant, Leon shot the wine bottle solidly and the red liquid dripped out both on the portrait and on the floor.

The bars opened and it revealed a large empty room with a chest on the middle. I looked above us, there was a cage from above. Leon walked in first and I followed. I heard something activate and the cage fell down but I managed to jump out, locking Leon down inside the cage.

"Leon!" I called out as Zealots came from the doors and ceiling. And another one of the clawed creature back at the prison area.

I pulled out my machine pistol and fired at the group of Zealots charging towards me. I heard something exploded and the cage door flung open, letting Leon out.

The creature walks blindly waiting for stimulus and another Zealot jumped out from the ceiling.

"Cover me," Leon said and I nodded. He pulled out his Rifle while I deal with the Zealots.

After a while of what seemed like war, no more Zealots dared to appear and pursue us. Leon came back inside the cage and opened the chest and it revealed to be an expensive hourglass with gold decorations.

"Let's go," Leon just said and we escaped through the brown door to the corner.

A lower platform and a lever heavily guarded by Zealots. I pulled out my Semi-Auto Rifle and fired at the three Zealot patrollers solidly on their head. There was a door from the opposite side, but it's nearly impossible to go through there considering that there's no bridge. Unless if we could fly.

The door from when we came opened and two Zealots came charging towards us.

Leon shot them with his Blacktail, when chances come that they would kneel down, he'd perform his supplex on them.

We jumped down on the lower platform and I could see the room from the other side, only bars blocked it. There were various ammunations and a rocket launcher encased in a glass box.

Leon operated the lever and a bridge raised, connecting the gallery to the other door.

We climbed up again and gone through the bridge, shielded Zealots came from the door and I shot the lantern when it hovered them, saving a lot of ammo.

We've gone through the left and more Zealots pursued us. Leon jumped out and shot the Zealots with his machine pistol. When I looked through the other side of the bars, I saw Ada looking down at us and she passed by on the bridge.

She was like a mushroom, appearing out of nowhere. I just ignored her and continued to kill as many hostiles as I can.

When all is over, we broke the glass box and took all the firepower and proceeded to the concourse.