A Tale of Two SOLDIERs

By:

Mystwalker

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII.

A/N: Well, here it is, the second and final chapter of A Tale of Two SOLDIERs. I've also included a short epilogue, posted as Chapter 3. Hope you guys enjoy it, and don't forget to review!

XxXxX

The Shinra camp was a flurry of activity. Men ran this way and that, scrambling to grab weapons and supplies as small, controlled explosions continued to go off in the distance. Angeal kept one eye on the fort and another on his troops, quickly overseeing the preparations and arranging them into units. They may have been inactive for a while, but they were still Shinra's finest—they sprang into action immediately and arranged themselves for an assault. The SOLDIER First ran a hand over his face as another explosion echoed, this one louder and more fiery than the others.

That would be Genesis. He knew he would rue the day he gave him access to Fire Materia.

This was quickly turning into a disaster of a night. At least he should have been thankful that headquarters hadn't gotten word of this yet.

"Sir!" called a SOLDIER Third, running up for him. "Director Lazard is on the line. He wants to speak with you, sir."

Damn it.

XxXxX

The Wutaian soldiers came after them, charging them with wave after wave. Between the two of them, Sephiroth and Genesis managed to keep them at bay, shuffling quickly through the halls of the fort. It was harder than it should have been. The Wutaian fort seemed to have the odd property of swaying with each step. The floor wasn't completely even, and the enemy soldiers seemed to be blurring into a series of images as they attacked. Several times, Sephiroth felt his own sword cutting straight through empty air.

"I don't understand this fighting style!" yelled one of the Wutaian soldiers. He spoke in his native language, but Sephiroth understood Wutaian—it had been part of his training. He caught Sephiroth's sword with the tip of his spear, deflecting it and changing its direction as he took a step back. The spear seemed to come out of nowhere. He wondered how long it had been there.

"Fall back!" yelled another, this one an officer. "He's trying to confuse you! Don't let him distract you!"

Sephiroth frowned, slashing out at another of the soldiers that rushed out at him. That one connected. In the distance, he heard Genesis set off another explosion, accompanied by a gleeful laugh. He would have to have a talk with Genesis later. His explosions were getting more and more disorienting.

"Fall back!" yelled the commander as Sephiroth began moving through the troops, swinging Masamune in wide motions. "Release the anti-SOLDIER weapon!"

Sephiroth stumbled back, nearly crashing into Genesis. He raised Masamune in his left hand, the point wavering slightly as a Vajradhara lumbered into the room, chain in hand. Normally, a single Vajradhara wouldn't be a problem for him, but this one appeared to have unique properties. He was feeling lightheaded and weak, like he might collapse at any moment. The fortress continued to spin.

Genesis looked over Sephiroth's shoulder, a crazed grin spreading over his face as he saw the monster. He gripped his Rapier tightly in his right hand, turning around to face it. "That one's mine," he slurred, running over to it. He extended his hand, and a ball of fire erupted at the Vajradhara's feet, just barely missing the creature. Sephiroth snorted, raising his sword as the world continued to lurch. Genesis was so drunk he could barely run straight. How on earth was he supposed to handle a Vajradhara? It looked like he would have to save him, yet again.

Sephiroth took a step forward, attempting to level his sword in front of him and charge after Genesis.

The world lurched precariously as he moved, the floor seeming to fall away from underneath his feet. Sephiroth pitched forward face-first, landing on the ground. That was odd. His mind felt fuzzy and blank, his fingers...lethargic...was he still holding onto his sword?

Oh well...he figured, turning his head to the side and closing his eyes against the faint sound of distant gunfire...now was as good a time as any for that nap...

The world faded, consumed by blackness.

XxXxX

It was midmorning by the time the battle stopped. In the end, Angeal and Shinra's forces had been able to convince the Wutaian troops to retreat, abandoning the fort. The SOLDIER First strode across the remains of the courtyard, kicking away charred pieces of stone as he made his way purposefully towards the keep. The men immediately jumped back to let him through, reading his expression and the look in his mako blue eyes.

Angeal Hewley was the nicest, most approachable of the three SOLDIER Firsts.

But when he got that look on his face, someone was probably about to die.

He yanked open the door to the prisons, not bothering with the niceties. The guards had fled long ago, and most of the cells to either side were empty. He took a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself, striding down the long hallway towards the cell on the far end. Angeal was seething. He had been up most of the night fighting his way through the fort, and that was after talking down a stressed and angry Director Lazard. If the call he'd gotten from Veld at the conclusion of the battle had been any indication, word had made its way to Heidegger, then filtered back into the General Affairs Department.

And he wished that was the least of his worries.

He stopped at the farthest cell, barely taking a moment to glance and see if anyone was inside. He didn't bother looking for the keys or finding a way to open the door. Instead, he took a step back and delivered a solid kick.

The door splintered with a crash, morning sunlight flooding the dimly lit cell. One of the cell's occupants, an auburn-haired First, rolled over onto his side with a groan, raising his arms to cover his face.

"Angeal..." groaned Genesis. "...Turn out the lights...it's early..."

Angeal scowled, striding over to Genesis. He reached down, grabbing hold of the front of Genesis's shirt. Angeal yanked upwards, bringing the other First to his level and looking straight in Genesis's eyes. Genesis blinked blearily at him. Angeal could still smell the alcohol on his friend's breath. Genesis's expression quickly grew pained, and he squeezed his eyes shut, turning away. "Dammit, Angeal, what is your problem?" he asked.

"My problem?" asked Angeal, glaring. "I'll tell you what my problem is. Stand there!"

He shoved Genesis away none too gently. The other First stumbled back, leaning against the wall. He gave Angeal an affronted look, brushing off his shirt with one gloved hand. Angeal ignored him, glancing at the cell's second occupant. This one was lying on his side, with his back to him, but there was no mistaking Sephiroth's head of silver hair.

"Sephiroth, get up!" barked Angeal.

Sephiroth stirred, curling up on his side and tugging a threadbare blanket over his face. "...Not on duty this morning," Angeal heard him mumble. "...Be up in a bit..."

Angeal walked over to Sephiroth, staring down at the other First. He frowned, resting his hands on his waist. He took a deep breath. "Atten-tion!"

The effect was immediate. Sephiroth scrambled up quickly, drawing himself up to his full height and offering Angeal a salute. He immediately winced as the light struck him, covering his eyes with his hand and turning away from the door. Angeal shot Genesis a glare as the other First started to snicker.

Sephiroth opened his eyes, studying the area around him. He looked up at Angeal, blinking in slow surprise. "An...geal..." he began.

Angeal didn't want to hear it. He raised his hand. "We're leaving," he said, looking back at Genesis. "Now."

XxXxX

Sephiroth sighed as Angeal launched into yet another tirade, resisting the urge to sit back on the wooden crate behind him. His head was still pounding, and truth be told, he had tuned out what felt like hours ago. He wanted nothing more at the moment than to crawl back into bed and go to sleep, or failing that, wash up and get some coffee, but there would be no escape until Angeal was satisfied.

And judging from both the length and volume of this lecture, that wouldn't be for a while. He glanced at Genesis, silently willing the other First not to argue and make this last longer than absolutely necessary. Genesis stood sullenly with his hands at his side, giving Angeal the same annoyed look he had on when this lecture started. Angeal rounded onto him again, and Sephiroth instinctively straightened up, clasping his hands behind his back.

He may have been perhaps the best fighter in the Shinra army, but never let it be said that he didn't have an instinct for self-preservation.

"...don't know what you were thinking—you two are supposed to be examples for the men, and you, Sephiroth, you're supposed to be the responsible one here. How could you let this happen..."

...So on and so on, ad nauseum. And speaking of nausea...

Sephiroth fought down a wave. He understood what Angeal was saying, and really, he felt ashamed of himself, but at the moment all he wanted was for Angeal to shut up.

"Alright!" said Genesis finally, cutting Angeal short. Angeal turned towards him, glaring. "Alright, we get it. We're sorry. Please shut up. My head is killing me."

Angeal blinked, staring at Genesis as the other First took a step forward, coming to stand next to Angeal. He offered Angeal an apologetic smile, patting the other First on the back. "It was a stupid idea. We won't do it again. Besides, we did take the fort, didn't we? And with what...minimal losses? No harm done."

Angeal looked uncertain. He stared at Genesis for a moment, as if waiting for the catch. "Well..." he finally said. "...If you're sure..."

"We get it. Right, Sephiroth?" Genesis glanced back at him. Sephiroth, seeing the opportunity for escape, quickly nodded.

"Of course," he said. "I shouldn't have agreed to this. I'm sorry."

"See?" asked Genesis. "Lessons learned all around. Now can I please go before my head explodes?"

"I...suppose..." said Angeal. "This won't happen again?"

"Never again, I promise," said Genesis, with a smile that might have been a smirk. He pulled away from Angeal, removing his hand and heading out the tent flap. Sephiroth quickly turned his head to the side as Genesis left, repressing a snicker.

Angeal glanced back at him, his eyes narrowing. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing," said Sephiroth, shaking his head. "Nothing at all."

Angeal turned away from Sephiroth, muttering something about irresponsible Firsts, before heading out the door as well. Sephiroth watched him go, wondering how long it would take him to find the KICK ME sign taped crudely to his back.