Can't keep hiding (Open)

Greed.

It seemed that no matter what happened, what trials and tribulations mankind were to endure, the basic instinct of self-preservation and the yearning of hoarding for oneself was never going to change. Inherently selfish, there would always be people who refuse to learn the lessons the greater world has accepted in order to further their own ambition. That was what had led to the situation on the one winged angel’s hands, and while he welcomed the chance to prove himself a hero once more it was rather disappointing that it had to be under such trivial circumstances. With the innocents cowering behind him, the auburn-haired ex-SOLDIER standing tall with Rapier casually in his hand. To keep from scaring the locals he had dismissed his wing prior to his arrival, the only sign of it being the hole on the back of his tattered coat. Around them were the fallen bodies of four of the seven bandits that attacked, the leader and two others were snarling at them from the side of their stolen Shinra Army Deuce and a Half that likely hadn’t seen action since the War in Wutai.

”Don’t think this is over!! We were gonna save this for Elfé, but since we have a bonified ex-SOLDIER on our hands it looks like we have no choice,” the leader sneered, reaching into his pocket to pull out a small control with a switch he quickly flipped. The unmistakable sounds of a robot booting up were heard, followed by the screams of the innocents as from underneath the cover on the back of the truck leaped a relic from the War in Wutai: a Guard Spider. This confirmed Genesis’s thoughts on the matter, they’d likely broke into an abandoned Shinra Army Depot to pick this up for whatever reason. To fight an Elfé he said? Was this person who they were expecting to protect the caravan? No matter, such an antique in its prime was no match for a second class member of SOLDIER much less an elite of the first class like himself. Of course by now the signs of rust showed it wasn’t kept up as it should, so it likely wasn’t even as powerful as it’d been during the war. Pitiful really, though against regular infantryman or civilians it might be a threat to him it was but a momentary diversion. Still, he wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity to play hero.

“ex-SOLDIER First Class, Genesis Rhapsodos,” he corrected them with a smirk that unsettled the remaining bandits while he rose Rapier and ran his hand down the length of the blade as it began glowing the brilliant red of Empowered Sword. The initial rapid fire from the guns was met with a flurry of Black Feathers that spun around Genesis like a twister to absorb the shots with a mere wave of his hand. As they scattered in the wind and a grenade was launched from the spider the ex-SOLDIER was already closing in to begin Dancing Sword. The first swing of the sword set off the grenade to burst before him instead of within the crowd, and quickly followed by a second that severed one of the spider’s legs from its mechanical body.

“Behold the true power, of SOLDIER!!” Genesis crowed, stabbing Rapier thrice through the red ‘eye’ of the machine leaving it disabled with arcs of electricity rippling across it from the puncture. After a leap into the air, he drove the blade straight into the center of the machine in a powerful explosion that consumed it and left it as little more than a mesh of broken steel that lay within a pillar of blackened smoke. The stunned bandits watched on as Genesis emerged from the smoke, casually stepping down the spider and walking towards them with a smirk on his face.

“Wh-what are you doing?! Get him!!” the leader cried out desperately, and his two minions ran forward in compliance. A quick cleave dropped one and Genesis stabbed the other through the chest, kicking him off Rapier before stepping over him in his march towards the leader. The bandit collapsed onto his rear end, staring up at Genesis with teary fear-filled eyes. Quickly drawing a gun, it was kicked out of his hand by the ex-SOLDIER who then rose the sword into the air. The man flinched, clenching his eyes shut in preparation for the end that never came. Instead, Genesis stabbed him through the shoulder, a foot of the blade piercing through him and into the ground to hold him in place. Standing tall, Genesis scoffed at him before looking over his shoulder with a smile as the members of the caravan ran towards him.

---

Battle Theme: Controlling The Iron Beast; Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core

Elfé

“Thank you, Genesis, you were a great help! I don’t know what we would’ve done without you,” the caravan’s leader said as he bowed to the crimson SOLDIER. The hero turned around, running a hand through his hair while he smirked at the man.

“It was nothing. They’re just thugs unwilling to put forth the effort of a decent living,” glancing over his shoulder, he narrowed his eyes at the leader. “Make sure to bring the bodies and this dog to the WRO, I’m sure there’ll be a reward for them since they got their hands on sensitive military equipment.” Looking back towards the leader, he continued. “No point hauling the spider back, just tell them where it is. The only ones who might try to erase the evidence are the Turks, and I doubt they’re around since they didn’t bother interfering in my heroics. In case that happens, tell them Genesis sent you. That should secure any reward that can help you all out.”

“Y-yes of course,” the man answered, his gaze turning towards the arrival of Elfé. Genesis was non the wiser, having already turned around with caravan members flanking his sides while he marched towards the leader. Yanking Rapier out from the villain’s shoulder, after stepping back a bit to give them room a quick swipe of it sent the blood splattering onto the ground at his side. While he watched their arrest of the man the sound of bodies hitting the dirt drew his attention once more behind him. Two more bodies had been added to fallen looters, though unlike the others they were still alive. Their deliverer? A woman in a white caped hood that largely hid her identity. Though this would normally be a cause for alarm, the lack of fear from the caravan and the smiles on their faces at the sight of her quickly put that to rest.

“Oh, Fel! I’m so relieved to see you’re alright!” the caravan leader cried out as he ran to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder before looking down at her quarry. “We’re lucky you came back home so quickly, you’re right things might’ve gotten a lot stickier if they got in their shot.”

“Hmph, I doubt it would’ve worked. It takes more than that to take me down,” Genesis crowed, pulling out a handkerchief to finish wiping the blood from Rapier. “Regardless I appreciate your aid, saves me the trouble of hunting them down and gives them more bodies to turn in for bounty.” Returning the cloth to the inside of his coat, he nodded towards the two then elegantly bowed for the caravan. They were in good hands with this friend of theirs, probably a member of them with the man’s mention of home. For a second, he thought that the trap may have been set for her, after all it was no small feat to take down a trained sniper and his wing-man, but surely the bandits would’ve spoke more along the lines of ‘their protector’ or ‘that woman’ thank merely dropping a name. It didn’t matter though, even with a clear view of her face Genesis knew not who this woman was nor did it matter to him. He got to prove himself a hero to someone, and that was a good start for the day.

“Now if you excuse me, I need to figure out why they were expecting an elf to appear. This is hardly the place to search for such fanciful creatures,” Genesis said with a smile as he stood tall once more, starting his trek towards the woods. While in a fanciful place like Gold Saucer the sight of his wing could be touted as a prop for a costume here it would likely only remind people of Sephiroth and the monsters Shinra had created. While it wasn’t an inaccurate thought, he was after all a monster created by Shinra, there was no need to cause alarm by flying away from them. There was plenty of cover in the woods for that, then he could fly off to continue his hero’s journey.

---

Thread Theme: Fuyuki Theme - 炎上汚染都市 冬木 AD.2004; Fate/Grand Order

Elfé

Another grunt from Genesis was all she’d gotten before he spoke and took his leave. There was no point in arguing over the matter; he believed he could’ve survived such a blow, but he wasn’t eager to put it to the test either. Besides the more human they thought he was the better. That’s why he wanted to put distance between him and the others before took off after all, no point spooking them with the wing. Apparently though this ‘Fel’ wasn’t content in leaving with the others and proceeded to reveal she had been their target, which brought the man to a stop giving her the opportunity to ask her question. Perhaps he should’ve been more suspicious after all, she indeed had been the target they’d intended to draw out. Exactly why didn’t matter to him, though for them to go to such lengths only showed how great of a warrior she was. Not able to rival him of course, with her saying the trap could’ve worked on her, but still a fellow hero deserved an answer at least.

“Ex-SOLDIER First Class, I am no Shinra Lapdog,” Genesis corrected her, unable to keep from hissing the name of that damned company. “Though I take pride in the honor and ideals we members of SOLDIER stood for, I have no loved for those bloodthirsty, backstabbing capitalist fools. It’s a pity that they survived the calamity, supposed heroes of our time… Tch, besides funding the WRO there is little to praise them for, and it’s no reason to trust them.” Pausing, Genesis took a deep breath as he realized he’d gotten sidetracked from the point. Turning to face her now, his piercing Mako eyes once more fell into hers as he placed his left hand on his hip with Rapier loosely held at his side.

“As for why I’m here, I was merely passing through when I saw the commotion. I’d be a pretty poor hero if I didn’t step in to protect the innocent, no? Now though I’m merely continuing on my journey, no point in lollygagging here any longer. Who knows where else I might be needed after all, Minerva awakened me for a reason and I intend to carry it out. Besides it isn’t as if they need me anymore, you’re here to protect them once more. Surely one who brought their foes to go to such lengths to beat them isn’t an ordinary fighter, and one who can handle themselves as they continue on as they have.”

Hopefully that was enough to pull her off his case and let him continue on. It did surprise him that she hadn’t asked how was he still alive, though anyone worth their salt knew that Shinra was a den of liars and to always question what was in the headlines. Perhaps she was one of those who understood that, though it also would likely make her more curious as to his plans and keep him from withdrawing so he could summon his wing and fly off. Still the caravan had a schedule to keep, and the longer she was here prattling on with him the further behind they would come. Whether she was actually one of them or a hired gun didn’t matter, she wasn’t going to cause them that sort of trouble was she?

---

Thread Theme: Fuyuki Theme - 炎上汚染都市 冬木 AD.2004; Fate/Grand Order

Elfé

This ‘Elfé’ was becoming something of a curiosity, adding the layer that she too disliked Shinra. It had also become apparent that she had lived here in these woods and was supplied by this caravan as opposed to being a part of it like he initially believed. Now supposedly she wanted to get out and see the world, so apparently, she’d stranded herself here for some time. The reason as to why was brought to the forefront of his mind, with the skill and strength it seemed she possessed it would’ve been easy for her to find work as a guard or mercenary so there was no reason for her to have remained here. It was likely by choice, though he couldn’t understand why that would be. Perhaps she was wanted by Shinra for some reason? Or at least, used to be, given the current state of the world.

Even more surprising than anything else, was Elfé’s ignorance of the state the world was in. What was the WRO? Has AVALANCHE resurfaced? Was she asking about Cloud and the others with that? No that couldn’t be, it wasn’t as if they’d gone missing since the near end of the world. It wasn’t common knowledge that Cloud and a few of the others had left The Planet either, though then again perhaps she meant had they stepped up again to protect their world? Though Minerva had woken him for protection there wasn’t some immediate threat he was aware of, did she know something he didn’t? His own questions wouldn’t be answered unless they spoke, so it was best he answered. She’d been polite enough to acknowledge his wanting to leave despite asking questions, so he’d oblige her.

“WRO is short for the World Regenesis Organization, created after Meteorfall to help people rebuild their lives after the fall of Shinra. As far as AVALANCHE goes I’m not sure as to what you mean, are you referring to Cloud Strife and his friends? Though they started out naming themselves that as they fought against Shinra they haven’t gone by that name since the fall, having accomplished their goals of defeating Shinra and killing the rogue Sephiroth. While they have laid low with a few notable exceptions of certain members leaving this world to protect others the group hasn’t had any reason to ‘resurface’ as you say. They’re just continuing to live their lives unless some threat appears, such as Sephiroth’s return or the emergence of a SOLDIER program known as DEEPGROUND. Both threats were put down however, though I doubt they could currently stand up again. That of course is why Minerva summoned me, as their replacement for protecting this world.”

Now it was his turn for questions, though he didn’t find it necessary to ask too much about her personal life. Why she’d remained here was irrelevant, he didn’t care about Shinra’s affairs and an enemy of them was a friend as far as the crimson ex-SOLDIER was concerned so long as they didn’t threaten The Planet. Perhaps it had something to do with that masked boy and his monsters that had attacked Junon? Genesis had assumed perhaps he was some sort of advanced party before a proper invasion, and if this question had anything to do with that it would be of great use to him. Bowing his head a bit, he resumed his monologue.

“While I find it surprising you didn’t know about the WRO, was there some reason you asked about AVALANCHE? Is there some threat approaching that I should know about?”

---

Thread Theme: Fuyuki Theme - 炎上汚染都市 冬木 AD.2004; Fate/Grand Order

Elfé

It took every ounce of control Genesis had to not just stare with his mouth gaping open. That doesn’t sound good. Had she not seen the giant ball of death in the sky during its slow approach towards Midgar?! Or the wall of light that was Holy trying to oppose it?! The Lifestream coming out of the very ground beneath their feet to aid in repelling the summon?! Of course, the events of its expulsion lasted only minutes and potentially she could’ve slept through it, but did she truly not see or have any guess as to what the giant planetoid in the atmosphere had been?! Perhaps she merely hadn’t comprehended what she’d seen and put two and two together just yet and being isolated for so long had made her ignorant of the events. It still baffled Genesis that the caravan hadn’t mentioned those things, but perhaps they merely wanted to forget and move on. Humans were fickle creatures after all.

Taking a deep breath to relax and suppress his shock, he watched as she revealed herself to him at last. Instead of the shadowy face of a wanted criminal before him was the beautiful features of a young woman, though the sharpness and wariness of her gaze made it evident she’d certainly been put through the ringer. With those possessing tremendous talents save Cloud being even visibly gods among men it was nice to see one so… Ordinary in comparison. Not that there was anything wrong with it, not everyone could expect to be the peek of perfection like himself. Still, her beauty wasn’t what was important here. There were more important matters at hand, after all.

Indeed, she had to be something special if she’d been a former leader of AVALANCHE and wished to rejoin them. Perhaps there was more to this renegade group’s past than he knew outside it being what Cloud’s friends called themselves, it would definitely be something to ask and learn more about later. Still that was more a luxury than a necessity, compared to her lack of knowledge about anything that had happened outside her own experiences until whenever she disappeared. Of course, what he knew wasn’t perfect, he knew only of major events that had occurred and not minute details since though the Lifestream had given him much knowledge on the events that pertained to its survival it wasn’t as if he could name all of the heroes by name or even describe them. Thankfully that didn’t appear to be much of a problem here, it wasn’t as if she would expect such a thing or even care for such minute details in the story. With her original motive of toppling Shinra no longer an option it appeared she wanted to protect The Planet alongside him, and if she was going to do so she was going to know the how and why things were in order to truly be of use to him and his cause. Smiling again, he nodded at her proposal, then prepared to give his lengthy monologue on The Story So Far…


“You really have missed much haven't you? Come, out of sight of the others,” Genesis nodded towards the woods, back to where she’d come. “As you’ve trusted me with such sensitive information, I’ll repay the favor in kind and show you something when we are. Until then, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to truly get you up to speed, so long as you're willing to listen…” His voice trailing off, Genesis turned towards their destination and took his first steps towards the woods. For just a moment, his voice would be tinged with regret. “Unfortunately I have a part to play in this somber tale, but now weave a tale of redemption. To begin we must think back to a much simpler time... During the war with Wutai...”

It was now, as they hastened into a more comfortable pace that he would truly begin.

“As you know, Angeal Sephiroth and I were known as the three greatest members of SOLDIER, though my best friend and I were always in the silver hero’s shadow. Not that he was truly a hero just yet, it was his replacing me in the final battle at Fort Tamblin that truly brought him to fame though his great strength was already well known. The secret to our uncanny ability was secret even from us at the time, that we were mere experiments from the JENOVA project that injected that monster’s cells into us at various stages in our development,” the ex-SOLDIER’s voice grew venomous as he hissed that fact, fist clenching at his side. “All in Shinra’s hopes in recreating the Cetra; Or Ancients as they’re more commonly known, in order to find the Promised Land and its infinite Mako to profit from. Ultimately these efforts failed, our great strength and ability were merely a happy accident that likely saved our lives.”

Relaxing his hand, his voice returned to its more hormonic tone as his mind shifted to happier memories.

“The truth was, Angeal and I had been best friends since we were children and it was the great tales of Sephiroth that led us into joining SOLDIER. Angeal of course was more concerned with honor than I, who sought fame in overcoming this so-called ultimate fighter. It wasn’t long until we met and befriended him, Angeal the father figure that kept Sephiroth and I’s rivalry in check,”. Though Elfé wouldn’t see it if she were behind him, the most genuine smile in a long time crossed Genesis’s lips as he remembered his best friend. If only the fates wouldn’t be cruel and return him. “One day between missions, Angeal Sephiroth and I went into the company training room in order to spar with one another and truly let loose our abilities. It wasn’t as if any of those shinobi were a challenge for us after all. What started as a two on one turned into a no holds barred match between me and Sephiroth, unfortunately ending in a draw with my accidentally hurting myself in my hubris to prevent Angeal’s stopping the battle as it spiraled out of control and prove Sephiroth inferior to I.”

Again the smile faded, and Genesis bowed his head.
“Though minor, Mako energy infiltrated my would and made me unable to heal. Due to JENOVA’s cells inside me, I would begin to degrade as my body decayed while I still lived. While Sephiroth’s blood would likely have reversed the process, unbeknownst me to us of course, Angeal and I’s creator Professor Hollander claimed his cells were incompatible with my own. If only I knew it was a lie due to his wanting to get back at Shinra for choosing Professor Hojo and his Sephiroth as its perfect SOLDIER and his refusing to taint his experiment with Hojo’s instead of focusing on what would truly heal me. As I continued to degrade I found solace in my favorite play, LOVELESS, and seeing our lives as parallel to those in the story began to seek the Gift of the Goddess in order to cure my degradation even if at the time I did not know yet what it was. In the meantime however I joined the Professor in his quest for revenge against Shinra, leading a mass desertion of SOLDIER in order to wage war against them.”

Lifting his chin up, pained Mako eyes met Elfé’s as he looked over his shoulder to her.

“This is where you wanted me to begin, no? I just thought it necessary for you to understand the background of Shinra’s dark dealings before moving forward. It’s integral to understanding the rest of the story, as Hojo and Hollander’s influence is what drove this world into the sorry state it’s in now.”

---

Theme 1: Fuyuki Theme - 炎上汚染都市 冬木 AD.2004; Fate/Grand Order

Theme 2: Under The Apple Tree; Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core

Theme 3: Burden of Truth; Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core

Elfé

A silent nod at her acknowledgement, and a small smile at her mentioning a team up all those years ago. Like her it crossed his mind that perhaps Shinra could’ve been stopped back then, but the funny thing about decisions like that were the butterfly affects that would sprout from such a thing. Who knows how the world would’ve changed, it was quite possible he may not have been able to cure his degradation in that timeline and without Hojo’s experiments on Cloud there would have been no one left in the world to stop Sephiroth from accomplishing his goal? Almost as soon as that name entered his thoughts it emerged from her lips, leading him to return to his solemn look once more. Looking forward, he shook his head at her apology.

“There is no need to be sorry, I did stop for your benefit after all. Now, that we’re out of sight…” If Elfé had noticed the hole on the left of his coat’s back she would now. Brushing his hair from his face with his left hand, he then threw it dramatically to the left as his black feathered wing emerged in all its glory. Stretched out it was obvious how enormous it was, even when he relaxed the outer ‘wrist’ was comfortably above his head. As the loose feathers that had thrust from it scattered while they fell around them, the one winged angel looked up towards the canopy to glimpse the sky beyond them.

“Though by the graces of Minerva I’ve finally become a hero, physically I am just as much the monster Sephiroth is. However…” It was now, for the first time since they left the caravan behind that he turned to face her, being that they had traveled far enough away, “Being so does not dictate my fate. Only I do, alongside the goddess. After all, I do have my dreams...” Skyward his gaze traveled once more, his heart aching for any sign of those white feathers above them. “And must protect my honor as SOLDIER, even if that title is behind me.”

Returning his eyes to her own as he faced forward, he continued without missing a beat.

“As for my recruitment at the time, I doubt Hollander would’ve accepted your help, nor would you have agreed with our methods. My road to redemption is littered with mistakes, and the blood of innocent lives. We knew should SOLDIER send its First Classes against us that our army would not stance a stance, so with the help of Hollander’s machines we used my inherited ability from JENOVA to diffuse my traits upon others to create what were essentially lesser copies of myself.” Bringing his hand to his chest, he then gently tossed it aside. “This is how the deserted SOLDIERs became my personal clone army. Unfortunately, this only hastened my degradation, and I learned of Hollander’s treachery too late. Before then I had shared the truth with Angeal, then returned home to Benora with a vengeance. We killed anyone associated with Shinra…. Including my adoptive parents. Angeal’s mother was spared of course, out of respect to my best friend, but she couldn’t bear the guilt of her role in the JENOVA Project and thus ended her own life. Perhaps it was my vicious actions that prevented him from joining my side against Shinra, opting instead to remain on the sidelines even as the company bombed and burned our home to the ground to erase any evidence of it or its mistakes from history. Sephiroth no doubt felt betrayed by our departure, and I’m sure even Zack Fair had doubts as he witnessed that day.”

Now Genesis started to pace back and forth, the anxiety in his chest from recalling his troubled past making it too difficult to stand in one place without fiddling with something. Slowly of course, there was purpose in each of his steps while he spoke, still even he couldn’t accomplish a calm facade given the circumstances.

“From there my war with Shinra began. It was almost as LOVELESS had predicted, and in my mind, I was still the hero of the story. Angeal, having fled became the wanderer, while Sephiroth was a prisoner of Shinra. What we had in power we lacked in numbers, and despite our numerous incursions we never did more than irritate the superpower that stood before us. When I did bring the battle to their doorstep, personally invading headquarters, to my surprise it was Angeal that stood in my way of killing Hojo with Zack at his side instead of Sephiroth. It was poetic however, as in the fourth act of LOVELESS the two friends challenged each other to a duel. Leaving a summon to handle the puppy, Angeal and I sought to enact the story overhead Midgar in hopes of learning of the fifth act and it key to stopping my degradation,” pausing, Genesis shook his head. “Unfortunately, it was to no avail. We ultimately parted ways, with Zack defeating me in Modeoheim before Angeal passed the Buster Sword onto him and forced the boy to kill him in an attempt to bring an end to the nightmare of our existence.”

It was now that Genesis made his way to one of the trees around then, gently placing Rapier against its side before turning around to lean back against the bark. Closing his eyes, the ex-SOLDIER crossed his arms over his chest as he took a deep breath. To think he’d ever get the chance to explain his side of the story to someone, something that even Cloud had hardly afforded him. It wasn’t as if Shinra’s grip on the past had lessened, many still believed the stories it spewed even their enemies. That’s what made it difficult for them to find acceptance in his alliance, forcing him to reveal the truth through actions instead. This was a nice change of pace, even if it hurt bringing such memories back to the surface.

“With Hollander captured Shinra thought their short-lived war with me was finally won, believing like Angeal before them that I had died in the depths of that Mako Reactor as even the attacks of my army had ceased. In my absence I finally learned of that fool’s betrayal, as well as the inner workings of the JENOVA project throughout the company. I’m surprised you missed what came next, as while my SOLDIERs kidnapped Hollander back from Shinra I had them attack our enemy simultaneously all over the globe. Unfortunately, innocent lives were lost in those battles… Likely had in past ones as well. I considered the collateral damage a necessary evil and had my army continue its assaults while I personally dealt with Hollander, after all we had morality on our side and we were against an evil origination. The ends justified the means, no?” Opening his eyes, he looked back at her again. “At least that’s how I thought at the time. The only way for the professor to survive my torture was to become like me, just as I had planned, making him degrade just as I had been. His desire to stop his own degradation is how I learned that had Sephiroth been allowed to be a donor, my wounds could’ve been healed before any of this began. So, with Shinra successfully repelling my forces, I intercepted with my former friend during a mission of his in Nibelheim to ask for his help.”


“It was there that I nearly doomed the world. I’m not sure as to why he’d never personally repelled my attacks; whether Shinra didn’t trust him to remain with the company should he confront me as Angeal had not, or he merely unable to bring himself to slay one of the only friends he’d ever known. Either way, being self-absorbed with my restoration I had not realized the strain Sephiroth’s mind had taken in the years since Angeal and I’d defection. In hindsight I shouldn’t have been surprised with the outcome, after all we left him completely alone with nothing but the company records to occupy his free time. Still, it was I that revealed the depth of his origins to Sephiroth just as he and Zack were learning the truth within the Nibelheim Mako Reactor. I had hoped the knowledge would lead to his defection and his aid, but his yearning to help had long since passed. Unable to process the information after the downward spiral his mind had took over the years, he locked himself inside Shinra Manor to read the research and confirm what I had revealed. From there… Well, the monster was born.”

With a sigh, Genesis returned his gaze upward, his fingers tapping his upper arms while he continued.

“Sephiroth would go even farther than I when he learned the truth, not only killing anyone in Nibelheim connected to Shinra but instead razed it to the ground in an attempt to kill everyone. Convinced that JENOVA was a Cetra like Shinra before him, he decided that mankind needed to be exterminated for allowing them to sacrifice themselves in protection of The Planet. Zack was no match for him, and it was only with the interjection of an infantryman named Cloud that Sephiroth was defeated. The details I saw while connected with Lifestream were muddled, though ultimately Sephiroth ended up within the Lifestream as Zack and Cloud lay defeated within the reactor. Hojo would then experiment on them in an attempt to recreate Sephiroth, going so far as to inject his cells into them. His attempt failed of course, but when four years later the now ex-SOLDIER escaped with his comatose friend in tow I saw my opportunity at retrieving the cells to end my degradation. My efforts would ultimately fail of course, with Hollander being killed as I returned home to make my final attempt at salvation.”

Smiling a little, he uncrossed his arms and reached into his pocket to pull out a small violet dumbapple. Rubbing it a little against his sweater, he looked at it again with a longing look in his eyes.


“With the last of my forces defeated, it was then I finally figured it out, that at the end of the cavern beneath the ruins of Banora there was the Goddess Materia. I waited for Zack, knowing he would come, and spoke of how thanks to his inheriting Angeal’s legacy and carrying Sephiroth’s cells that the three friends were reunited once again… Thus LOVELESS fulfilled. I used the materia to become somewhat like a WEAPON, but even that wasn’t enough to put down the ex-SOLDIER. Heh, I wouldn’t be surprised if by that point he had become just as strong as Sephiroth. Somehow the transformation had cured my degradation, but still even at the peak of my strength once more I was unable to defeat him. I likely would have died if it had not been for the intervention of Minerva, who saw fit to give me another chance at life. Zack then brought me back with him to Cloud, and shared a dumbapple with me. In a way, it was accomplishing what I’d wanted since I was a child, eating dumbapples in the presence of my best friend and Sephiroth. I’d finally received my gift of the goddess, the reclamation of my honor as SOLDIER thanks to the honorable duel I had with my new friend.”

The smile faded a bit, and he tossed the dumbapple to her as his smile faltered a bit.

“Unfortunately that would be the last I’d see of him, as I was captured by DEEPGROUND at this point and Zack was killed by the Shinra Infantry on a hill overlooking Midgar. He didn’t fall until nearly annihilating it of course, showing them the true might of the strongest members of SOLDIER, but as they left him for dead he passed on the Buster Sword to a now awakened Cloud before passing on… Proving that he had been the hero all along, and that it was I who had been a prisoner of my own ambition. As far as Sephiroth fits, well… I suppose his role merged with Zack’s, being that he carried a part of him to the grace. Still, LOVELESS had been reenacted and my story was nearly over just as Cloud’s begun.”

---

Theme 1: Burden of Truth; Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core

Theme 2: Melody of Agony; Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core

Theme 3: Under The Apple Tree; Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core

Elfé

“Heh, for you I could be.”

A little jest just after she’d commented of course, not that she’d be able to tell. Not with that smolder and wink the suave SOLDIER had. Genesis had a way with words after all, if anyone could make you believe what he was saying it was him. It wasn't that she wasn’t soft on the eyes of course, but this wasn’t the time. He had a monster length of a story to tell, after all.

It was nice that she agreed with his mindset of course, instead of trying to start an argument over whether he was truly a monster or not she was of the mind that so long as he did the right thing it didn’t matter if he had a label like that or not. Zack perhaps would have said nonsense about him being an angel but, well, at best he’d be a fallen one. He wasn’t surprised though, as someone who vehemently fought against Shinra as she must’ve in her day he was probably a monster just for being a member of SOLDIER. At least they were able to find common ground on their distaste of the company and put aside their past differences as they had no place in this world he hoped to rebuild.

It was interesting how she backtracked on their past cooperation all of a sudden. Fuhito, who was that? Turning his plan to an even grander scale? Apparently during his tunnel visioned crusade to stop his regeneration and take the fight to Shinra he too had missed out on quite a bit. His knowledge on AVALANCHE was quite lacking, even more so the incarnation she was part of. More questions to ask when he was finished. At least he wouldn’t be the only one telling stories this day.

“I suppose to answer your thoughts, it would be a matter of opinion. In a world without Mako Energy life is certainly more difficult, and I’m sure our new ways of powering out lives aren’t harmless for The Planet either. Still we aren’t quickly draining it of its life, the greatest threats have passed and we’re still alive. I’d say that’s better than the course we were on, no?”

Pulling out another dumbapple, he rubbed it against his sweater as he had the first before taking a bite of it to silently enjoy the flavor while he gathered his thoughts for the next part of this tale. The crisp, sweet fruit had always been relaxing for him, and to share the experience with someone else once again. It’d always meant a lot to him, after all his youth practically revolved around farming them, but he couldn’t reminisce for very long. The tale needed to continue, though it was likely best to explain how he'd know the information as he wasn’t there for it. Unreal as it would seem it wasn’t any less believable than his explanation so far, and she believed him so there was little to fear on her questioning him on it. With her comment warranting a smile and nod from the hero, he began once more.


“As you’re aware, I’d been kidnapped by DEEPGROUND. After that I was taken to their headquarters in Sector Zero beneath Midgar in their attempt to recruit me for standing up against those Shinra used to keep than captive. I may have obliged, but unfortunately, they were no better than those who imprisoned them. While they had been spliced with my genetics many years before, they were raised and trained to be immoral killing machines… Perfect SOLDIERs, if you would, in the eyes of the company. That is why I declined and left them to their fate, sealing myself in a cavern beneath Midgar where I’d remain connected to the Lifestream until Minerva felt fit to summon me in defense of the world. A miniature WEAPON, if you would. I could even transform to be more like one as I did during my battle with Zack, though without the Goddess Materia I doubt I could do it on my own. With it being three times our height, well… I think that explains that.”

Tossing the apple a bit and catching it a few times, he kept his eyes on the violet fruit as he continued.

“Regardless, that is how I know what I do of Cloud’s story despite not being there. As for him, while I cannot tell you if they are the same AVALANCHE as your own they did continue their battle against Shinra by destroying two Mako Reactors. It would eventually lead to the retaliatory dropping of the Sector Seven plate on the slums below in a futile effort of crushing the group. Their first attempt to take Shinra Headquarters was a bust, though it wasn’t without further revelations.”

Turning his gaze to her, his eyes narrowed a bit.

“Shinra had moved JENOVA from the Nibelheim Reactor to Hojo’s lab, and somehow through the Lifestream Sephiroth was able to control it into taking his form. It freed AVALANCHE, killed President Shinra, and then started wandering the planet in search of the Black Materia. Cloud and the others followed, no doubt to get revenge for what happened to his hometown, battling Shinra along the way. Ultimately however he would gain what he wanted, and after killing the last Cetra used it to summon Meteor which was visible across the entire planet. This proved he was a threat, causing all of the WEAPONS save myself and Omega to be unleashed to stop him. They weren’t able to sense him however, due to Sephiroth’s barrier around the Northern Crater where he held himself up in a cavern beneath it. They went on a rampage, Ultima WEAPON destroying Mideel before it was destroyed by Cloud and the others. Shinra destroyed Sapphire WEAPON with the Junon Canon before moving the device to Midgar, using it to kill Diamond WEAPON as well as break Sephiroth’s shield. Cloud and the others would destroy the Emerald and Ruby WEAPONs before finally killing Sephiroth. Unfortunately though, their efforts were too late.”

Looking back to his dumbapple, he sighed a little.

“Midgar was destroyed by Meteor, but not before many of its residents were evacuated by AVALANCHE. It would have greatly harmed the planet if it hadn’t been for the Cetra summoning Holy before her death and The Planet using the Lifestream as a weapon to repel and destroy Meteor. You’d think that would’ve been the end of it, but Sephiroth refuses to stay dead and DEEPGROUND was protected underneath the city. The former used his connection and memories to Cloud in order to keep from being dissolved in the Lifestream. Taking control on the parts of it tainted by himself and JENOVA he spread a disease known as Geostigma across the populace, as well as created avatars of himself that would ultimately merge with JENOVA’s remains to bring him back from the dead. Cloud defeated him of course, but since then he just… Vanished, not dissolving into the Lifestream almost like he was summoned to another world. It wouldn’t be the first time, it’s happened to them a few times though I don’t know by who or why. I don’t know Sephiroth’s whereabouts now, but unless Cloud killed him on another world he’s likely still out there somewhere.”

Pressing the dumbapple against his forehead, he closed his eyes.

“Besides DEEPGROUND emerging and summoning Omega WEAPON, which was designed to shepherd the Lifestream to another world should this one be doomed, our threats now seem to be otherworldly. Cloud and the others were able to defeat Omega WEAPON because one of its members houses Chaos inside of him. Unfortunately, that has left our world unprotected save for those few fighters and with them continually leaving the world through whatever means they use that left the planet no choice but to summon me back to protect it. I’ve repelled the threats that have arrived so far, from a boy wielding a giant key like a sword to a magical jester on par with his might as the strongest SOLDIERs. Still, it is only a matter of time before my might is truly tested. I can only hope they’ll have returned by then, no doubt Shinra will prove worthless on the battlefield. Not that I’d trust them, at the first sign of them being able to manipulate the enemy to serve their own ends they’d probably try to return to ruling this world.”

Lowering his arm, he turned to face Elfé once again.

“That is what you’ve missed. Undoubtedly there is more that neither of us know, but without questing Cloud and the others I could only guess. Grim as it seems though, there is still hope for us yet.”

---

Theme 1: Under The Apple Tree; Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core

Theme 2: Successor; Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core

Elfé