I had a bit of an⊠ahem- incident in my house last night. So uh, how would AGSZC deal with a loose skunk on the SOLDIER floor?
Angeal: Has been waiting for this exact moment his entire life. The second the breach is confirmed, he immediately unearths a dusty plastic bin labeled âPEST CONTROLâ that he bought at a Sector 7 garage sale three years ago for 400 gil. You all called him a hoarder. Look whoâs laughing now.
He suits up in full tactical gear: night vision goggles, a heavy duty kevlar suit, a butterfly net, four catch-and-release cages, and camo face paint. (Mind you, he wore less armor during the Wutai War). His plan is to âsmoke the target outâ using flares. He also disguises himself as an armchair in the lounge to set an ambush.
Genesis: Not even on the 49th anymore. The second a terrified Third Class politely informed him that a skunk was spotted near the breakroom, Genesis stood up, opened his office window, and proceeded to scale down the exterior wall of Shinra HQ like a spider. He was last seen leaving Sector 0 on foot, moving at a brisk power walk while muttering, âNope. Absolutely not. Not today, satan.â
Zack, Kunsel, & Cloud: Pure chaos. Kunsel is trying to direct operations on walkie talkies like a SWAT raid, Cloud is holding a plastic laundry basket like a shield, and Zack is charging around with a pool net screaming âI GOT âEM, I GOT âEM!â Theyâve already broken two lamps, a door, and an expensive coffee table. Zack has already tripped over the armchair that turned out to be Angeal. Angeal has yelled at him for blowing his cover. Yet the traumatized skunk is easily outmaneuvering them because none of them want to be the one who gets sprayed. Every time they corner it, someone panics, trips over a couch cushion, and sets off one of Angealâs garage sale bear traps.
Sephiroth: While total anarchy unfolds behind him, heâs at the computer, perfectly calm. One glance at his search history would show:
âHow to approach skunk respectfullyâ
âHow to indicate non-hostile intent to small mammalâ
I had a bit of an⊠ahem- incident in my house last night. So uh, how would AGSZC deal with a loose skunk on the SOLDIER floor?
Angeal: Has been waiting for this exact moment his entire life. The second the breach is confirmed, he immediately unearths a dusty plastic bin labeled âPEST CONTROLâ that he bought at a Sector 7 garage sale three years ago for 400 gil. You all called him a hoarder. Look whoâs laughing now.
He suits up in full tactical gear: night vision goggles, a heavy duty kevlar suit, a butterfly net, four catch-and-release cages, and camo face paint. (Mind you, he wore less armor during the Wutai War). His plan is to âsmoke the target outâ using flares. He also disguises himself as an armchair in the lounge to set an ambush.
Genesis: Not even on the 49th anymore. The second a terrified Third Class politely informed him that a skunk was spotted near the breakroom, Genesis stood up, opened his office window, and proceeded to scale down the exterior wall of Shinra HQ like a spider. He was last seen leaving Sector 0 on foot, moving at a brisk power walk while muttering, âNope. Absolutely not. Not today, satan.â
Zack, Kunsel, & Cloud: Pure chaos. Kunsel is trying to direct operations on walkie talkies like a SWAT raid, Cloud is holding a plastic laundry basket like a shield, and Zack is charging around with a pool net screaming âI GOT âEM, I GOT âEM!â Theyâve already broken two lamps, a door, and an expensive coffee table. Zack has already tripped over the armchair that turned out to be Angeal. Angeal has yelled at him for blowing his cover. Yet the traumatized skunk is easily outmaneuvering them because none of them want to be the one who gets sprayed. Every time they corner it, someone panics, trips over a couch cushion, and sets off one of Angealâs garage sale bear traps.
Sephiroth: While total anarchy unfolds behind him, heâs at the computer, perfectly calm. One glance at his search history would show:
âHow to approach skunk respectfullyâ
âHow to indicate non-hostile intent to small mammalâ
Pumpkin, I had this stashed in my drafts from when you posted it earlier. I loved it so much. The image of the mighty, elite First Class SOLDIERs being brought to complete, absolute chaos by a single stray skunkâwith Angeal in full war gear disguised as a lounge armchair and Genesis literally scaling down Shinra HQ to escapeâis peak comedy perfection.
But Sephiroth quietly sitting at his computer, completely unbothered by the surrounding anarchy while Googling how to "respectfully offer asylum" to a pest, is so adorable!
SOLDIER reverts to using balloons for training. Theyâre SUPPOSED to be used for precision and body control (the balloons should all be popped if they do the exercise right). Chaos ensues.
*After Angeal spent the last hour yelling and corralling three SOLDIER classes to stop popping balloons, fighting with them, inhaling helium, and staging elaborate balloon-based reenactments of historical battles*
Angeal: Thatâs it! Iâve had it. Since no one wants to train properly, hand over your balloons NOW.
*Zack shuffles forward, holding out a balloon twisted into the shape of a dog*
Angeal: Very mature, Zack.
Zack: I got bored after the first ten minutes and thought youâd appreciate the craftsmanship!
*Genesis steps forward and presents a balloon shaped like a sword*
Genesis: Here, I bequeath unto you my weapon, forged in the fires of creativity andâ
Angeal: I saw you fake-impale a Third Class with that and then LOSE to him in a balloon duel!
Genesis: HE CHEATED!
Angeal: You canât cheat at balloon fighting because BALLOON FIGHTING ISNâT SUPPOSED TO EXISTâjustâjustâSephiroth! Please. Your balloon.
*Sephiroth approaches silently and hands over his balloon. Itâs perfectly intact, properly inflated, and completely pristine*
Angeal: See?? SEE? Sephiroth can take care of his training equipment like a professional, but the rest of you act like unsupervised children! You should all be ashamed of yourselâ
*Angeal turns the balloon over. Thereâs a simple >:( face drawn on it in permanent marker*
Angeal: ...
Sephiroth: I was told we could personalize our equipment.
Angeal: ....why is it angry??
Sephiroth: It reflects what I feel within. One sharp edge away from exploding.
Idk why but this ask has the same energy as this gif:
Wouldnât he though?? He could totally get away with calling Hojo âa pain in the assâ when heâs just too tired to care. Around Genesis and Angeal, of courseâboth of whom immediately gasp in (mock) horror, and tease him with the respective reactions of:
Angeal: Sephiroth! We do not use that word! Where is this coming from??
Genesis: Minerva above! Who corrupted you!?Dear goddess, the pristine weapon of Shinra has been infected by street vulgarity. I need to sit down.
Angeal: I cannot exist in a space with this level of moral decay!
How would Sephiroth react to someone flirting with him? Would he flirt back?
This man could not flirt back đđđ he might want to, if itâs someone heâs interested in. Could he? As inâthe ability to?? No. So when Kunsel triple dog dares Zack to aggressively flirt with him as a prank, Zackâbeing an idiot who values dares over his own physical safetyâactually goes through with it.
*Zack nervously corners Sephiroth outside the training room*
Zack: Sephiroth, I need you~
Sephiroth: To do what?
Zack: ...
Sephiroth: ...
Zack: No, like... I need you. Right now~
Sephiroth, checking watch: Youâre in luck. I have a thirty minute window before my next briefing with Lazard. What seems to be the emergency?
Zack: No! No emergency! I mean... What if you skip the briefing and let me take you out?~
Sephiroth: Take me out?
Zack: Yeah~
*Sephiroth interprets âtake outâ = kill, so he draws Masamune and assumes combat stance*
Sephiroth: Many try, few succeed.
Zack: WHATâ
Sephiroth: Iâm surprised, Zack. I did not anticipate a treasonous coup from a Second Class, let alone Angealâs pupil. But if you wish to attempt my assassination, I shall respect the initiative. Draw your sword.
Zack: NO! WAIT!
Sephiroth: Draw your sword.
Zack: I MEANT TAKE YOU OUT FOR DINNER! CANDLES! SPAGHETTI!
Sephiroth: A distraction technique. Clever. You intend to make me think of my favorite food before striking.
Zack: I DONâT MEAN TO STRIKE!
*Sephiroth swings his swordâZack yells, ducks, and runs off. Genesis, who has been leaning against the wall reading, slowly walks over after Zack scurries away*
Genesis: You know he was just trying to flirt with you, right?
Sephiroth: I know. Threatening murder is simply faster than letting him down easy.
I had a bit of an⊠ahem- incident in my house last night. So uh, how would AGSZC deal with a loose skunk on the SOLDIER floor?
Angeal: Has been waiting for this exact moment his entire life. The second the breach is confirmed, he immediately unearths a dusty plastic bin labeled âPEST CONTROLâ that he bought at a Sector 7 garage sale three years ago for 400 gil. You all called him a hoarder. Look whoâs laughing now.
He suits up in full tactical gear: night vision goggles, a heavy duty kevlar suit, a butterfly net, four catch-and-release cages, and camo face paint. (Mind you, he wore less armor during the Wutai War). His plan is to âsmoke the target outâ using flares. He also disguises himself as an armchair in the lounge to set an ambush.
Genesis: Not even on the 49th anymore. The second a terrified Third Class politely informed him that a skunk was spotted near the breakroom, Genesis stood up, opened his office window, and proceeded to scale down the exterior wall of Shinra HQ like a spider. He was last seen leaving Sector 0 on foot, moving at a brisk power walk while muttering, âNope. Absolutely not. Not today, satan.â
Zack, Kunsel, & Cloud: Pure chaos. Kunsel is trying to direct operations on walkie talkies like a SWAT raid, Cloud is holding a plastic laundry basket like a shield, and Zack is charging around with a pool net screaming âI GOT âEM, I GOT âEM!â Theyâve already broken two lamps, a door, and an expensive coffee table. Zack has already tripped over the armchair that turned out to be Angeal. Angeal has yelled at him for blowing his cover. Yet the traumatized skunk is easily outmaneuvering them because none of them want to be the one who gets sprayed. Every time they corner it, someone panics, trips over a couch cushion, and sets off one of Angealâs garage sale bear traps.
Sephiroth: While total anarchy unfolds behind him, heâs at the computer, perfectly calm. One glance at his search history would show:
âHow to approach skunk respectfullyâ
âHow to indicate non-hostile intent to small mammalâ
The Turks handling Rufus when he's off the clock and bored maybe? Perhaps Rufus calls a "mandatory emergency meeting" at 2 in the morning, and Reno and Rude show up expecting a crisis, only to find Rufus in a silk robe wanting to play cards and complain about his dad lol
Oh thereâs no need for that, he just goes after them himself
*Reno and Rude are in the Turks lounge late at night, drinking beer, utterly exhausted. Rufus sits between them with a beer of his own*
Rude: Iâm so tired, I donât think Iâve felt my legs since last Friday.
Reno: Tell me about it. Sixteen hours of âasset retrievalâ in the Sector 5 slums, and for what? A two percent bump in hazard pay and an email thanking us? This company is actively trying to kill us.
Rufus, nodding: Truly. Iâve been staring at budget allocation spreadsheets for nine straight hours. My soul is leaving my body.
*Silence as Reno and Rude slowly turn their heads to stare at him*
*Rufus sips his beer nonchalantly*
Reno: ...Sir. With all due respect... what the hell are you doing here? Youâre literally the upper management weâre bitching about.
Rufus: This is a designated staff lounge. Last I checked, Iâm technically an employee of Shinra.
Reno: Yeah, but donât you guys have that exclusive fancy executive staff lounge with the heated marble floors, imported espresso machine and pool?
Rufus: And spend my evening listening to Heidegger breathe loudly through his nose? Watch Palmer accidentally spill gravy on an expensive rug? Or listen to Reeve quietly weep into his whisky at the state of the world? No thank you, Iâll pass. Just treat me like one of the crew. We all share the same grievances anyway. Take Tseng, for example.
Rude, grunting: Donât get me started. Heâs been breathing down my neck about that Costa assignment all week.
Reno: Manâs a total pain in the ass lately.
Rufus: Oh, absolutely. He was a massive pain in the ass last nightâ
*Reno and Rude immediately spray beer across the coffee table in a double spit take*
Reno: !?
Rude: !?
*Rufus calmly finishes the rest of his beer*
Rufus: âwhen we were reviewing security audits until three AM. His formatting standards are very rigid.
Reno: WHY WOULD YOU PAUSE THERE!? WHATâS WRONG WITH YOU!?
Bath tub jail for Sephiroth being Transform materia'ed into a siren is way funnier becauae I can 100% see Soldiers about bringing him gifts like a shrine to their Hero.
*Sephiroth is in the bathtub, reading a wet magazine, while a portable radio Genesis got him as an âofferingâ plays nearby. There are trinkets everywhere. The door bursts open and Zack marches in carrying a massive tray, bowing deeply*
Zack: Oh mighty Lord of the Deep! I bring offerings for the shrine of our fallen hero!
Sephiroth: Iâm asking you, for the fourth time today, to cease this absurd pilgrimage ritual. Iâm not a deity, Iâm merely a victim of Hojoâs gross negligence with materia.
Zack: But look! I brought a feast fit for the apex predator of the sea! Weâve got garlic butter shrimp, crispy fried red snapper, and a twelve-piece deluxe...sushi....platter....
*Sephiroth slowly lowers the magazine. He stares at Zack*
Sephiroth: ...
Zack: ...
Sephiroth: ...
Zack: ...
Sephiroth: In case you havenât noticed, Iâm intentionally providing you a window of time to realize your mistake.
Zack: I realized! But Angeal said if I waste food, heâs going to make me do five hundred squats in full gear.
Sephiroth, sighing, rubbing his eyes: Just leave the shrimp and get out.
Zack: Wait! But if youâre part sea creature now, isnât it technically cannibalism!?
*paparazzi filming Sephiroth from a really far distance, zoomed into what he's holding*
"Here we see First Class SOLDIER Sephiroth sat down for his lunch. But what does a First Class SOLDIER like him eat in his Bento box?"
*Smaller zoom as Sephiroth opens his bento.*
There are rice balls shaped like a cute character from a kids show/manga with vegetables shaped like flowers surrounding the cute character.
*The camera pans up to Sephiroth smiling like a little kid at an ice cream shop.*
Reporter: Now, our team was informed by Shinra to not take everything we see at face value, and that all top-tier operatives have logical methods to their daily habits. So, a legendary hero like Sephiroth surely has a brilliant, calculated reason for... what appears to be a Chocobo Boy childrenâs anime bento box.
*The camera pans to Sephiroth, happily chewing a radish flower*
Reporter: Fascinating. Our analysts in the studio say shaping his carbohydrates into a beloved cartoon mascot, Sephiroth triggers a precise, localized dopamine release, artificially lowering his cortisol levels to maintain a state of hyper focused calm before deployment. This is psychological conditioning at its most elite.
*Someone approaches the table and sets down a silver domed tray in front of him*
Reporter: What lies beneath the vault? A raw, five pound steak harvested from a Behemoth? A dense, high density protein block engineered for extreme endurance? I encourage the audience to take notes!
*Sephiroth lifts the silver cover to reveal a strawberry parfait crowned with a cherry*
Sephiroth is sick and Angeal, Genesis and Lazard manage to convince Tseng to distract Hojo so he'll let the poor guy alone for few days.
Tseng initially pointed out that using elite espionage assets to âdistract a Department Head so a soldier can take a sick dayâ was a gross misuse of corporate resources. But the Turks also owed the SOLDIER department a massive debt of gratitude after their division covered one of their grueling assignments. So, because heâs a man of his word, Tseng conceded and issued a red alert to all active-duty Turks. Unfortunately they quickly discovered that nothing in the physical or metaphysical realm stands between Professor Hojo and his obsession with Sephiroth.
Angeal: Sephiroth! What are you doing out of bed? You have a fever! Youâre supposed to be resting!
Sephiroth: I know, but I left my reading material in my locker, and... thereâs a deeply unsettling feeling gnawing in my chest.
Angeal: Oh, really? Is it the chest congestion?
*In the background, through the glass doors, Angeal sees the elevator doors open and Hojo step out. Reno and Rude sprint up and intercept him, guiding him in the opposite direction*
Sephiroth: No, itâs not physical. Itâs just that I havenât received a single email, page, or call from Professor Hojo in twenty four hours. Somethingâs wrong.
Angeal: Well... you know. Maybe heâs just... busy? With science?
*In the background, Hojo points a gun at Reno and Rude, who immediately throw their hands up and sink to their knees*
Angeal: !
Sephiroth: Too busy to analyze my nasal discharge? No, I doubt it. He would want to dissect my virus. He would want to know if my white blood cells are mutating or something.
*Behind them, Cissnei drops from the ceiling air vent directly onto Hojoâs back, locking him in a chokehold and wrestling the firearm from his hands*
Angeal, staring over Sephirothâs shoulder: ...Right. Right, of course.
Sephiroth: Oh no. What if he was the one who infected me? What if this flu is a controlled trial, and his lack of contact is the observation phase??
*Hojo violently throws Cissnei off his back and scrambles toward the SOLDIER lounge. Reno and Rude dive forward, each grabbing one of Hojoâs ankles. He drags them both forward across the tile like an unstoppable, rabid cockroach*
Angeal: I, uh... no. No, Sephiroth, I really donât think thatâs it. You just have a normal cold, I can tell.
Sephiroth: You think so? So I should just stick to the bedrest and the herbal throat lozenges you recommended?
Angeal: Yes!
*Hojo kicks his legs free, shaking off Reno and Rude, and reaches for the door handle. Suddenly, Tseng sprints into frame and tasers Hojo. Hojo stiffens like a board and drops face-first onto the tile*
Sephiroth: Did you hear that? An electrical discharge?
Angeal: Oh! That? That was just... the ventilation system cycling! Very old building, you know, lots of static.
*Tseng, Reno, Rude, and Cissnei grab Hojo by his ankles, dragging his limp, twitching body backward down the hallway*
Sephiroth, looking around: And that sound? It sounds like a wounded animal being dragged to its doom.
Angeal: Just ignore it! Iâll be by your quarters at six to bring you some fresh chicken soup.
*Reno gives Angeal a shaky, traumatized thumbs-up through the glass as they haul Hojo into the elevator*
Sagging pants on ZACK ?! With the sheer ROTUNDNESS of his ass ??? That's full-on going to make accidents happen from people being distracted lmao
*The sagging jeans epidemic continues into the larger training gym. Mid drill, Zack pauses directly in front of Sephiroth to tie his shoe, bending in half*
Sephiroth: Zack. Zack. FAIR.
Zack, looking back: What??
Sephiroth: I implore you to go to your locker and put on your belt, or at least hoist your pants up before Iâm forced to issue you a conduct notice. I really donât want to have to do that today.
Zack: Ohhh! I get it. Because youâre a man of high fashion, and youâre saying you donât want to write me up because you secretly get behind the movement, right? :)
Sephiroth: No, itâs because the database requires a photo attachment for dress code violations, and I refuse to upload your ass to the Shinra main server.
A new transform materia has entered the SOLDIER floor, one of Hojo's newest excitements. Everyone is super curious as to what it turns people into, but it doesn't work on anyone.
Except Sephiroth, apparently. Because it turns him and only him into a merman/siren.
For the first time in either lifetime, two specimens remained together in defiant obedience under the threat of destroying one forever. The small bench barely provided enough length to allow both to sit beneath the constant observation.
âSo. About this precious promised land of yoursâŠâ Hojo purred his latest question, meeting the Ancientâs gaze.Â
Chapter 29
The low hum of fluorescent lights and central air lulled through the dim laboratory of the Shinra Building. Digital monitors waited at every work station, every specimen considered valuable and unique. The ever present blue glow forced creatures awake and delirious, trapping all who entered under a timeless ceiling with no sun or moon.Â
Just as a test tube held solutions to be assessed, the glass tanks allowed observation from every angle. The clarity refused the lone creature inside any shield from prying eyes and harsh voices.Â
For the first time in either lifetime, two specimens remained together in defiant obedience under the threat of destroying one forever. The small bench barely provided enough length to allow both to sit beneath the constant observation.
Virus. Danger. Death.Â
Aerith felt every warning from the Planet, but the little girl at her side showed vulnerability and the ability to protect her. The child was exactly that: a child. A child that knew her first love.Â
She ignored every call from the Planet with that simple fact.Â
The unarmed scientist pacing in front of their cage never left her sight. She could barely see the childâs locked on expression as the two prepared for the scientistâs attack.Â
âSo. About this precious promised land of yoursâŠâ Hojo purred his latest question, meeting the Ancientâs gaze.Â
Aerith tensed but hardened.Â
âCome now, Aerith. You misunderstand my intentions.â He acted hurt, a hand on his chest. âI wish only to satisfy their material greed so I can be left to pursue my great work.â He held out his obsessive arms like a welcoming friend. âOur great work, my dear.â
Her eye squinted, but her body did not move.Â
âHmm. You're the spitting image of her now.âÂ
Her motherâs face came to mind. She didnât know if the words were true.Â
Hojo turned away, somewhat mournful. âI regret it to this day. If she had only trusted me instead of trying to run, it could have played out quite differently.â
Differently meaning losing her own freedom, not a happy ending.Â
âWhat a terrible tragedy, to lose the last of the pure-blooded AncientsâŠâ the damaged remorse did nothing to soothe the womanâs anger.Â
Something touched her hand. Something cold but soft. She deliberately ignored it.Â
â...though not completely. Would you like to see your mother?â
She couldnât stop the childlike hope from bubbling in her heart.Â
âAlbeit, through the lens of one of my microscopes.â
You monster.Â
âDid you really think we'd leave such a precious specimen to rot in the gutter? We collected and catalogued every last bit of her.â He reached as if plucking each last sample from the air. âHair, skin, organs, every fragment of every bone... As breathtaking in death as in life! As you, my dear!âÂ
She felt contact again, comforting and asking. This time, she grabbed it.Â
It was the virusâs hand, and it returned her grip with a kind, firm one, the cold hand the only warm given in this entire corporate tower..Â
âIfalna was elegance, right down to her cellular structure.â His eyes met hers, and he smirked at her strength. âAnd there it is. That same elegance.â Hojoâs stare and fawning lasted through his final chuckle.Â
Aerith counted ten seconds before the scientistâs gaze snapped to the other prisoner.Â
âSpeaking of âeleganceâ,â He mocked, and Aerith felt the girl attempt to hide her flinching through her palm. âYouâre looking quite well compared to your time in the Midgar Badlands. Tell me, how did you convince the entire army you were dead?â
Aerith saw the girlâs movement out of the corner of her eye, the twitch of brows and the slightest tilt of her head.Â
âEven the recording showed someone different. Did you switch places with a cadaver? And a fresh one at that? Did you use someone as a shield for your own protection? Iâd be so proud of you.â His slimy grin returned, waiting like a venus fly trap for the simplest mistake.Â
The childâs head shook left and right, the answer a hesitant, silent, terrified ânoâ.Â
Hojoâs head tilted curiously. âYou really donât know?â
Her fists tightened and her posture raised, a front, a glass mask revealed in her touch.Â
âLetâs show the Ancient what youâre truly capable of,â The grin returned to his face as a wave of his hand brought a round flying drone to his side. He turned, typing on projected keyboards and swiping through projected screens.Â
For a single second, Aerith broke her death stare of defense from Hojo to truly confirm the virusâs reaction.Â
Sera stared back at her with genuine confusion and a small shake of cosmic hair. Both of their gazes returned to their proper target before it noticed their shift.Â
âAha,â Hojo exclaimed as the hologram grew larger. âThere we are.â
The large play button in the center faded out of view, and the footage showed the barren landscape with the crowing jewel of Midgar. The bottom corners revealed two arms with red armor and a gray uniform. The bottom center showed a rifle.Â
A Shinra security officer.Â
The unsteady movement of the camera despite the controlled stance moved toward someone on the floor in a crimson puzzle, the first trickle of rain drops splashing against the red leak barely visible through the quality of the video. A standard cadet and officer looked over the body in black baggy clothing, a massive wide blade fallen at his side.Â
Aerithâs brows knotted in both confusion and denial at the single recognition. A First Class SOLDIER, killed by the company considering the nod from the other officer and cadet.Â
âTarget neutralized.â The camera turned, revealing hundreds of Shinra troops, possibly the entire army standing against that single SOLDIER. âThe others canât be far. Find them!â
The SOLDIER had black hair and a massive blade both weapon and shield at the bodyâs side.Â
Aerith gasped.Â
Zack.Â
That was her boyfriend, the man she loved, on the ground, not moving.Â
This was the moment he died. It had to be.Â
She couldnât let Hojo break her. She had to calm her breath. Her hand tightened around the childâs. Shaking. The virus was still, but the hand in hers was shaking.
âOver here!âÂ
Aerithâs attention was pulled back to the display.Â
âThis must be them!â
The officer followed the voice, and the cadet gestured behind the large rock formation with a small mumble of âsirâ.
The camera curled around the rock and two new bodies came into view, a blond man and a dirty brunette child. In the visor, a wanted poster appeared on the left of the screen.Â
The lighting, the angle, the forced blank expression. It wasnât a mug shot, technically speaking. The picture was a perfect examination photo. Aerith had been in her own when she was young in this horrible place.
Approaching the two bodies, the officer wedged his foot under the kidâs left torso and flipped her over. The back landed with a soft thunk on the hard ground as the officer stared straight down at the face.Â
It wasnât Sera. It wasnât alive either. The hair was a natural brown down to the very roots. The face was the wrong shape. The nose was longer. The skin was a shade darker than a tan could produce naturally. The dead eyes that stared back were a common brown, not an inhuman slit.Â
The officer looked up, but the cadet shook his head. The blond with shoulder length hair was dead too, not even worth inspection by the officer.Â
âThe traitor picked up new strays,â the man spat in disgust. The camera turned to the army. âReturn to HQ! And find our last visual on the escaped specimen! We need locations and time stamps ASAP!âÂ
âSir, Yes, Sir!â
As the video retreated to the nearest helicopter, the visual went black, and the projector closed its light.Â
Aerith checked on the child for the first time since she saw Zack.Â
The virus sat with terrified bated breath and bewildered brows.Â
âYou didnât know?â Hojoâs voice rang like an execution bell.Â
The girl took a quick inhale and hardened against the scientist, but the shiver of muscles tensing beyond control gave every answer he needed.Â
âFascinatingâŠâ He chuckled excitedly, ecstatically. âAbsolutely fascinating!â
Beep beep beep beep.Â
Aerith couldnât tell where the noise was coming from. All she knew was it came from outside their tank.Â
The girl at her side jumped up and readied a curled palm at her hip, a quiet reminder of the singing blade always at the ready.
âOh. Yes.â He rolled his eyes, utter disappointment in his tar filled posture, âTime for yet another meeting.â He leaned against the glass one final time, staring at both and neither inside. âSit tight. I won't be long.â The demon in white walked away, a casual stroll out of his intricately designed hell.Â
Aerith gasped with a sob the moment the doors closed, turned away in a desperate attempt to keep it together. This place. Her mother. Her love. It was all too much as another cry left her lips.Â
Danger! Virus! Calculating! Killer!Â
The renewed warnings crashed into her like a tidal wave and forced her to survey the child.Â
The girl stared where the hologram once was with arhythmic blinks and stunned pants, gripping her own left side. âI donât understandâŠâ She kept searching as if the room hid her answer. âThatâs not- How did-â
Aerith tried to stay strong and offered a hand. If the only good this virus did was stand by her against Hojo, so be it. She would return it in kind.Â
âI didnât- but that did- I-â The girl hunched forward, intangible agony shimmering in mako eyes as she grabbed her own shimmering hair. âIf that was real, why didnât it save him tooâŠ?â
Liar. Selfish. Murderer. Destroyer.Â
No. Aerith was the selfish one if she let the child suffer alone. The Planet feared something, but it couldnât be this child. âSeraâŠ?â She called softly, a hesitant ask.Â
The child winced then tightened to steel herself before sitting close on the bench. The edge of the childâs arm pressed against hers delicately. The cold soldier returned. âForgive me. I⊠It will pass.â
Aerith gave a small nod to the girl that refused to look at her. âWeâll talk when itâs safe, okay?âÂ
Sera nodded too, an immediate sadness revealed in her eyes. â...Okay.âÂ
* * *Â
Standard Physical Readiness Training tests were required in SOLDIER. Depending on your rank, age, weight, and gender, a specific number of sets or lengths were assigned to complete by your PRT date. Cloud had completed hundreds, maybe even thousands of squats in his enlistment at SOLDIER. The burning sensation in his thighs and calves were an old friend to him.Â
Yet nothing- no mission, no training, no battle- prepared him for the searing soreness of fifty nine flights of stairs. Sitting for an hour sounded wonderful. Barret wanted to lay out like a starfish and stay there for a day. Tifa mocked them a bit for their continued exhaustion, consistently two stories above the rest of their team.Â
The lack of battles was both a gift and a problem. With no adrenaline, they had no choice but to suffer in the consequences of their own avoidance. The presentation exhibit, cubicle separated offices, libraries, none of Shinraâs spectacles distracted from the extreme soreness in their legs.Â
But they were here on a rescue mission. The longer they took and the more attention they drew to themselves led to extended torture of their hostages and tighter security, which wouldnât be an issue if they knew where to find them.Â
Their small group received help from AVALANCHE inside the highest reaches of the tower. Even the Mayor of Midgar wanted to see Shinra suffer for the injustices of the people and the Planet. Given access to the sixty fourth floor and every escalator higher, they searched for a way into- and the location of- the lab.Â
At the sight of the professor in the lab coat, the icy anger that washed through Cloud forced Barret and Tifa to physically hold him back by his arms.Â
He didnât even reached his sword when they reacted.Â
âIf we take him out now, how long will we have to find them? Even if we find the lab, do you know how big it is? What then?â Barret questioned, and Cloud snapped out of the bloodlust.Â
âWe need to follow him.â
With their luck, they watched the scientist enter an intricately designed meeting room with the president of the company at the head. Not a sound traveled through the doors or walls, and even if they did, stalking the meeting from the halls was bound to draw attention.Â
A rumor passed them which mentioned voices overheard in the menâs bathroom. What were the chances they could hear what they needed to know?
Upon quick inspection, the rumors were true, but the only way to identify the executive meeting was to get closer.Â
âYou two go on ahead,â Barret mumbled, gesturing to the ceiling vent then to his own broad body. âIâll keep watch. Fill me in after.âÂ
Tifa exchanged a small shrug with Cloudâs nod. They scaled the stalls and popped the vent to the entrance.Â
Crammed and careful, Tifa took the lead and it took Cloud too much of his power to maintain focus on their mission and not the sight of her in front of him. The gaps between words from the meetings below filled with thoughts he wasnât ready to share.Â
Thankfully, they heard a voice they both recognized: the president of Shinra. Through the slits of the vent, they saw the massive mahogany table with every executive Cloud knew on site.Â
âWith the Ancient and the SOLDIER in our custody, Reeve, you should be focusing on the Neo Midgar project. Not this worthless reconstruction plan,â came the presidentâs absent tone.Â
âBut Mister President,â the man named Reeve apparently tried to care, âthe people of the city need to recover! For man, relocating is not an option!â
âWell, it wonât be an option when we build all our new reactors on site,â A woman in red explained cruelly. Scarlet, if Cloud remembered correctly. âWhy keep the old ones running at a loss when we can enjoy infinite mako energy from the perfect source?â
âHojo,â the president redirected, âHow much longer until the Ancient obeys?â
The scientist adjusted the obscured glasses on his face. âNot much longer. I only need a little more time to plant the seeds of doubt and confusion. Then itâs simple to put them in a training room and sic an experiment on the Ancient.â
A melodious tainted chuckle from the woman turned their attention. âIâve personally never had a problem with torture.â
âWhatever gets the job done right,â came the militant head of security in green. Cloud had seen that man too many times. Heidegger, head of security.
Hojo waved them off. âNothing like that. Giving the girl a target should be more than enough of a distraction to take the Ancient away. Thereâs always the rash method to separate the two, but at the moment, the risk and injury would delay us far longer than necessary.â
âYou better be right,â the president huffed another breath of his cigar. âNo more escapes. We are not repeating any mistakes. Am I understood?â
âThe exit the Cetra used has been sealed for years,â Hojo stated plainly. âAnd the girl never made it far here in Midgar.â He gestured to the man in green. âAs long as your security team prevents any outside help from arriving, we should be set on The Promised Land soon enough.â
Heidegger practically growled, âWhy, how dare you-!â
âEnough,â the president interjected, silencing the conflict in a single word. âYou all have work to do and a future to secure. Meeting adjourned."Â
Every member of the board stood from their seats, but only one attempted to speak to the head.Â
âMr. President, please!âÂ
Cloud and Tifa locked eyes. This was their chance to get into the lab, to follow the lead scientist who waited a moment in quiet thought before walking to the exit with the crowd of executives.Â
He exited the vent first with Tifa following behind. Face to face with Barret, he stated the plan, âWe follow Hojo. Right now. Or we wonât make it.â
âTime to take back his two for one special,â Barret agreed.Â
Two for one because of your bad parenting and the Ancientâs botched rescue.Â
No. Cloud shook his head, his face calming from the flash of⊠whatever that was. He didnât blame Marlene. He didnât blame Aerith or Barret.Â
He was the one to blame for taking her into Midgar in the first place.Â
Tifa hopped down and re-adjusted her clothing. âLetâs go.â
All that mattered was getting into Hojoâs lab and saving them both.Â
There are countless examples of Genesis and Angeal looking out for each other. One mostly through acts of generosity, and the other through constant encouragement, always trying to help the other become the best version of himself. But what about Sephiroth? I'm not talking about how he shows his love for them, but specifically about the ways in which he takes care of them à«ź ˶ᔠᔠá”˶ á
Sephiroth doesnât realize heâs doing it, but his way of caring for his loved ones is entirely based on projection: he does for others what he wishes someone would do for him. And since heâs chronically exhausted, overworked, and hasnât slept a full eight hours since birth, he believes the highest form of caring for you is taking away your workload.
To Sephiroth, saying âI care about youâ translates directly to: âLet me do your work for you.â
Naturally, Genesis and Angeal usually refuse his offers out of sheer pride, but there are rare, horrible weeks where theyâre both completely drowning in tasks. Thatâs when they cave to Sephirothâs unrelenting offers to âalleviate their burdens.â
But Sephiroth multi tasks at a terrifying, superhuman level. Heâll usually ((easily)) wrap up his own mandatory missions in record time, only to immediately take on two completely unrelated tasks at once. So think: Sephiroth editing a manuscript for Genesisâ favorite literature magazine, while simultaneously conducting live-combat performance review for Zack that Angeal was too stressed to finish.
*Sephiroth is sitting on a dry mossy rock in the middle of the Grasslands swamp, editing the manuscript. Behind him, Zack is actively fighting for his life as the Midgardsormr tries to swallow him whole*
Sephiroth, reading: No, this flow is entirely too sluggish. Genesis has the protagonist enter the bedroom, discover his brother with his wife, and deliver a three-page soliloquy. It completely ruins the pacing. We need a sharp, punchy, four-letter exclamation of pure shock...
Zack: HELP!
Sephiroth, writing it down: Perfect, Zack. Thank you. âHelpâ could be a desperate appeal to the Goddess to salvage his heart.
Zack: I CANâT BREATHE!
Sephiroth, writing: Yes, the suffocating nature of domestic betrayal. Now, how should the guilty wife respond? Genesis wrote a tedious monologue about the duality of love and sin, but she needs to express immediate, impending doom.
Zack: ITâS GOING TO KILL ME! ITâS LITERALLY GOING TO KILL ME!
Sephiroth, writing rapidly: âItâs going to kill me.â The sudden, suffocating weight of her sins.
*Zack drives his sword directly into the Midgardsormrâs snout. It lets out a screech and plunges back into the swamp. Zack drags himself back to the shore*
Sephiroth, closing the notebook: I suppose spending all these years listening to Genesis quote Loveless has actually given me an editorial eye.
Zack: DID YOU NOT HEAR ME FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE!? I ALMOST DIED THREE TIMES!
Sephiroth: Of course I heard you. And Angeal will be absolutely thrilled to hear that I allowed you to solve your own problems. Self-reliance is the greatest gift a mentor can give <3
Sephiroth is barely functional in social situations so what would happen if he (affectionately) called someone a Dumb Apple?
*One of the first times Miniroth is hanging out with Genesis and Angeal. Angeal snatches Genesisâ book to tease him*
Genesis: Give that back, you big dumbapple.
Sephiroth: Dumb...apple?
Angeal: Donât mind him, Sephiroth. Itâs just an affectionate little term we used back in Banora for someone whoâs being overly dramatic or irrational. Itâs a term of endearment :)
Sephiroth: Ah, I see.
*Sephirothâs internal processor immediately catalogues the phrase under: Social Interaction -> Affectionate -> Reassurance*
(Years later)
*Zack is sitting at the conference table, head in his hands, sobbing. His mother back in Gongaga has come down with a sudden illness and the medical transport is delayed*
Zack: I just... I donât know what Iâll do if the chopper doesnât make it through the storm. What if she doesnât get the medicine in time?
Angeal: Hey, look at me. Sheâs strong, Zack. Theyâre doing everything they can. Weâre going to get through this.
Genesis: Indeed. The Goddess does not weave a thread of destiny that ends in despair.
*Zack looks up, tears streaming down his face*
Zack: Sephiroth... do you... do you think sheâs gonna make it?
*Sephiroth wants to be casual to not further provoke panic, and show Zack in a deeply personal way that his grief is irrational because everything is under control*
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