SOLDIER's Pride
Chapter 1: Attack on Junon
The sun rose as much as it would on the Shinra city of Junon, seemingly heralding another ordinary day. People rose from their beds, wearily stumbled into their showers, and prepared for their workday.
That is, until the warning sirens blared.
"Attention all citizens! Attention all citizens! This is not a drill! The city is currently being assaulted by an unknown force. Please remain inside your homes until further ac-" Instant static.
As one might expect, widespread panic ensued. The exact effect that ex-SOLDIER 1st Class Genesis Rhapsodos intended to accomplish.
The once proud and skilled warrior perched on the barrel of the Sister Ray Mako Cannon, a mere shade of his former glory. His auburn hair was slowly fading away to white, his trademark Red Leather jacket crumbling. His skin was dry, damaged, disintegrating. All signs of the degradation wrought upon him by his makers, the Shinra Electric Power Company.
They would all pay.
Despite having an army of clones that carried his physical traits, they were all hampered by one thing: they were his clones, thus they suffered from degradation as well. This meant that even the strongest of the clones were nothing against a formidable SOLDIER 1st Class. Genesis knew, that if he were to exact revenge on the Shinra, he would need help from someone. There were only two people on Gaia capable of helping him.
Zack Fair and Sephiroth. The up-and-coming 1st and the famed hero. The only remaining 1sts in the SOLDIER program.
He could only muse to himself, "How can I hope to convince either of them to join my cause? Zack is too devoted to becoming a SOLDIER hero, and Sephiroth is naught but a puppet of the Company. There must be a way..." His thoughts were instantly cut off by the approach of a man in a pinstripe suit.
"Director Lazard. How fares the trip from Midgar?" Genesis asked his former supervisor.
"Quite tiring. The journey on foot is much harder than one expects. Especially with the Zoloms attacking anyone who dares set foot on their swamp. It's fortunate that I was able to make off with an Energy materia from headquarters, otherwise I might not have survived."
Genesis smirked. "You are aware that you could have simply asked for an airlift from my clones?
Lazard returned with an icy glare. "You are aware that the presence of Genesis clones within Midgar is enough to set off major alarms for the President? I can't possibly allow such an act. We would have never made it out of Midgar."
"Sir, you could have gotten it out in the wilderness. No one would have stopped you."
At that precise moment, one of Genesis's clones flew up with a message.
Genesis's face darkened. "We need to evacuate Hollander now!"
"Why?" Lazard queried.
Genesis turned to face his former boss, despair in his eyes.
"Sephiroth has arrived."
