Here you go then! Chapter 2! Enjoy!
BTW, thanks to all those who reviewed! I appreciate it.
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Storm sat on 'his' bed as he waited for Cloud to get ready. Today's lesson was going to be held in the training room, the place where cadets usually get their butts kicked by holograms. She sighed, flopping onto her back. This was the annoying part of her stay here. She couldn't release her full potential for fear that she might get noticed by superiors.
Mako infused vermillion eyes shut as she let her thoughts take a hold of her. What she wouldn't give to thoroughly beat the crap out of those programs'—
"Ready?" her roommate asked her, eyeing her curiously.
"I hate not being able to do my best." She suddenly muttered, turning on her side to fully face him.
"Then why do you hold yourself back during practice? We- well, I- know that you can easily become one of the best here." He remarked, sitting in one of the chairs while drying his spiky blonde hair.
"We've gone over this before," she reminded him dryly, "If I become one of the best, I'll easily get noticed, and that would be a problem because I'm a girl. Besides, all my hard work will pay off now."
"Pay off how exactly?"
"Well, the 1sts are choosing the student they'll take on right? They would be picking from the best of the best, which doesn't include me. And that my friend is how my hard work pays off."
"I doubt acting like your average at everything is hard work…" he muttered under his breath, narrowly avoiding a flying pillow headed for his direction.
"Whatever, Cloud." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, the point is, I'll have a snowball's chance in hell to ever get picked."
Cloud merely gave her a short look. "That's still a chance."
Tifa laughed, "Don't be a worry wart. Even if there is a chance, I doubt the great and might Sephiroth and Genesis would pick me."
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Genesis strolled along the hallway, heading towards the training room where he knew the 3rd class SOLDIERs were having their class. Three folders were held in his left hand, the candidates for his charge.
He ran his right hand through his hair, the red brown locks refusing to stay out of his eyes for some reason.
"Storm Lockhart…"
A smirk began to pull at his lips. He had to admit, he really was intrigued by that boy. It was pure luck that he came by the teen's folder in the first place. One of the instructors had left it in the training room and out of curiosity, he had opened it.
His eyes were red, bright, vivid scarlet.
His credentials caught his attention as well.
Everything was average.
His written exams, practical exams, his fighting abilities, materia using abilities…
It was too average, like he was doing his complete best to not be noticed.
And he was sure Sephiroth would realize that as well.
It was impossible for a SOLDIER, even a 3rd class one, to not have a single matter that he did not excel in, and yet this boy had none.
He was trying too hard, and that was what would be his downfall.
And then, there was that idea that kept bothering him at the back of his mind…
Why would a SOLDIER do that?
Everyone here did their best. Everyone wanted to be on top.
But that boy didn't, and he had one theory why.
His boot clad feet stopped in front of the door, his hands automatically going up to type in the codes to open the door.
Lockhart was hiding something.
Genesis' mako filled blue eyes brightened at the prospect of a challenge, a mystery.
And he, being Genesis, never backed down from a challenge.
Yes, he would figure out that boy's secret.
A plan had already formed in his head, and Sephiroth would be playing a large role in it, that is, if he would choose Lockhart.
Genesis couldn't pick him, no matter how much he was tempted to.
Fact was that they were supposed to pick from the 3rd class SOLDIERs Lazard had picked out for them.
Storm was not on that list.
Sephiroth had the power to choose whoever he wanted, Lazard wouldn't bat an eyelash.
Genesis didn't know why he was so bent on this. But there was a pull towards the mystery Storm had. A pull he couldn't and didn't want to turn away from. He had a feeling, something that felt strongly like intuition that told him to do this.
One thing was for sure… life was going to be a hell of a lot more interesting.
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Zack approached Cloud and Tifa with a suspiciously bright smile as if hiding something. "Hey guys!" he greeted gleefully.
Storm felt wary, even more so than usual, "Zack." she nodded shortly before turning his attention to the sword in her hand. Really, she would have preferred to use her hands but I doubt they would make much damage on machine type enemies, not to mention it would hurt like hell.
Cloud nodded to him as well, exchanging pleasantries and what not.
Tifa took this time to examine her surroundings. Everyone was quiet, too quiet. There was a certain buzz in the atmosphere as well. Her comrades seemed like they were… nervous?
The dark haired teen looked on, completely baffled. Why would they be nervous? They've done this a hundred times. It's nothing different from usual.
"…Sephiroth and Genesis are coming to watch your class' training session today." Zack informed them, grinning. "Do your best guys! Who knows they might take notice—"
Dread. Sharp and cold filled her. Sephiroth and Genesis were coming here? As in today?!
Nerve wracking anxiety and fear, she thought it had disappeared over the year she spent here, but unfortunately for her it hadn't. Even with Zack hanging around her, she had never come into close contact with the other 1st class SOLDIERs and she didn't want to.
"Calm, deep breaths…" she mentally instructed herself, willing her heart to stop trying to pound itself out of her chest. She had gone through a year with a lot of close calls, this wasn't any different…
A frustrated groan filled the air, one, she realized, came from her.
Who was she kidding? Those 'close calls' had only involved other SOLDIERs, not them!
It was times like these she missed being in Nibelheim, at least there she didn't have to worry about anything—
Vermillion eyes shut tightly, and she berated herself for thinking that now of all times.
What did she have outside of this place?
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Cloud was all she had left…
A warm hand placed itself on her shoulder as she fought down a shuddering breath.
"Storm?" the comforting voice of her best friend floated to her ears.
That was right. She was Storm right now. Not Tifa.
"I'm alright," she found herself saying as she smiled at them, "Just nervous."
"Don't worry, Storm!" the spiky haired 1st class SOLDIER comforted her, slinging an arm around her shoulder. "You'll do great!"
Tifa winced. No, she wasn't going to do great at all. Her nerves were shot. She doubted she could even life the sword on her back with the anxiety she was feeling.
"R-right." She nodded, smiling albeit forcedly.
Cloud was still watching her with concern and she found herself relaxing enough to shoot him a reassuring smile. Today was group practice, that meant more cover for her…
She could get through this.
She had to.
The room fell silent, as still as the grave as foot steps sounded from the entrance.
"Shiva, please give me the strength to get through this day." She prayed, eyes closing tightly for a moment.
"Good morning class." The instructor greeted from the door, behind him, two imposing figures.
Tifa felt her heart drop to her stomach, all thoughts of hope failing her.
How could she ever think to fool those two? They'd probably figure her out with just one look.
"These gentlemen behind me will be watching your training for today." He told them, indicating Sephiroth and Genesis. "Get in line, today's practice will be individual."
"Oh Shiva…" she cried in her head, fear ten times more pronounced.
Her heart was pounding. It was all she could hear, all she could focus on.
"First off…"
"It's in alphabetical order. I still have time to think of a plan…"
"Storm Lockhart." The instructor called out, looking up from the list in his arms.
Panic shot through her system in sharp bursts. Cold sweat formed on her brow and her body seemed unable to move.
"This can't be happening!"
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OOH! Cliffy! Hahaha, please review! Hope you enjoyed!