Circumstances
Disclaimer: Not mine. Really. I'm not lying here.
A/N: Think about it. Thats all I ask.
Scientists and psychologists have long debated what shapes human nature more: genetics or environment. It's an argument which will probably never end, for even if it is agreed that both ingredients take part in shaping the human mind, the debate shifts to "How much of a role does either ingredient play?"
But the human mind is adaptable, whatever its origins. It shows not only an amazing capacity to not only grow used to almost anything but an uncanny way of seeing how to use a situation to its own advantage.
At least, the successful show such adaptability.
For those like Scarlet and Heidegger, such flexibility allowed them to become inured to the cutthroat atmosphere of ShinRa. They could shed the less useful emotions of remorse and empathy in order to survive and succeed within the company. To lead within ShinRa one had to excel at company intrigue. Both had.
But they are not the only ones to show this adaptability. Tifa Lockheart and Barret Wallace had also adapted in similar ways. They too had shrugged off remorse and empathy so AVALANCHE could become a successful terrorist force. Only once they could be able to wreak enough destruction, destroy enough lives would ShinRa, renown for its callousness, be forced to take notice.
AVALANCHE's leaders had to be as ruthless, bloodthirsty, and underhanded as any ShinRa executive.
Only circumstances set them apart.
Oh both sides managed to spew ideology. AVALANCHE were the "Saviors of the Planet," there to save the world from its own misuse, save the people from ShinRa's tyrrany. ShinRa was the old order, "Work hard and you too will succeed," a job for everyone, an easy power source, an easy life.
The only difference was AVALANCHE had not been around long enough for the shiny veneer of their ideology to tarnish, for human nature – greed, cruelty, and revenge – to overtake the shiny ideals.
Their leaders both excelled at the same things. Had Tifa Lockheart been employed by the company, had Scarlet been the vengeful barmaid….had Heidegger been the angry coalminer, had Barret been the blustering company man…
Who is to say either would have behaved differently?
The ones man hates the most are the ones too close to his own heart. His own faults.
The End
Scary thought there...
Looks warily at muse
My muse is so messed up... She likes reviews though...I think she's actually got one stuck in her teeth right now...
So please review before she decides to start chewing on the characters instead!