A character named Genesis Rhapsodos, and a character named Angeal Hewley appear in this chapter. This (aside from their physical appearances) is the only connection to the Crisis Core characters. Here they are other First Class SOLDIERs and nothing more.


The full extent of restrictions within the military remained unclear, but Tifa knew full well neither she nor Cloud had authorisation to go anywhere near the canteen set aside for the SOLDIERs. Rumours abounded amongst the lower ranks that there was raw mako in the food there – enough to keep the SOLDIER's dosed up, but more than enough to kill anyone who might wander in. Aeris – her first name was okay in private – laughed and dismissed the rumour out of hand. As far as she knew Hojo instigated the policy of keeping the SOLDIERs separate some years earlier – back when he seemed to give a damn about Sephiroth's development.

That should have been the end of it, but the very next day Tifa found herself and Cloud steered into the canteen by a grinning Aeris. Zack had claimed a table in the corner, but even out of the way as they were, it felt like every eye in the room was on them. At least Sephiroth was elsewhere today. Aeris seemed ignorant of the attention on her companions, but Tifa could not ignore the sneers and pointed looks from the rest of the SOLDIER division. Nor the view; they were near the top of the city, the canteen window offering a breathtaking view to the sister ray as it hung out above the bay.

"What would you like?" Tifa blinked.

"Sorry?"

"To eat. My treat. Better food in here than your area," she said, wrinkling her nose.

"The difference is significant," Zack put in – his pained expression all he needed to say.

"Oh, I…" She glanced at Cloud who was trying to avoid looking around the room. "Anything?" She lowered her voice. "Are you sure we're allowed in here?"

"You're my guests!" Aeris said in a loud voice. "Anyone who says otherwise can answer to me. So relax. Tell you what; you two wait here, we'll get my favourite. Fair, with me."

Zack gave a pretence at a half-hearted grumble but trailed after Aeris as she headed for the counter. Cloud sat at the table, and after a pause Tifa sat opposite him. "Kind of wish I never said anything," Tifa murmured.

"Yeah," Cloud said. "Not sure I wanted all this attention. But…" He glanced around. "It is nicer-" He cut himself off.

"Cloud?"

"Someone's coming," he hissed.

"You're not SOLDIER," a new voice said. Tifa glanced up. The red-haired man's gaze flicked between the two of them, his eyes narrowed. Another SOLDIER with black-hair was some steps behind him and seemed to be trying to get his attention. "You don't belong here."

"We were invited," Tifa replied, keeping her nerves steady.

"'Invited'?" the man asked. "You don't get invited here. This place is for SOLDIERS. Leave." Tifa froze, half wanting to obey the growled instruction and half protesting. "Now," he added.

"They're staying," Aeris broke in. Tifa tried not to heave a sigh of relief as the man span around to find Aeris holding a tray. "I said they could join me for lunch. You have a problem with that, Rhapsodos?"

"Gast." He glowered at her. "Never content to follow the rules are you?"

"I prefer to think of them as guidelines," she said as she put the tray down and set a plate in front of Cloud and Tifa. Tifa could not be sure what the food was, but it smelled good. "They're not hurting anyone just being here, are they?"

Rhapsodos looked less than mollified. "It sets a precedent. First these two. Tomorrow more and more of the grunts. Before you know it this place will be as bad as the other lunch room."

"Don't be so dismissive of them," Aeris replied sitting down as Zack arrived with another two plates. "They'll be in the program soon enough."

"Don't make me laugh," Rhapsodos spat. "If these are seriously the kind of people you think belong in SOLDIER, then you should think about retiring. The White Witch has lost her edge. If she even had it to begin with."

"Genesis," Zack growled.

Aeris laid a hand on his arm. "Are you implying I am not qualified to be part of this unit? That I am not a SOLDIER like the rest of you?"

"I wonder where I would ever get that idea. You get sent on all those investigations while we get sent into battle. Yeah, I don't think you belong in this organisation," Rhapsodos insisted. "Maybe you can go back to the science division. I'm sure Hojo has some uses for you-"

"Genesis, stop," the black-haired SOLDIER interjected.

"Stay out of this," Rhapsodos hissed at him.

Aeris sighed. "Let me guess; you want to settle this in the training room? Winner dictates terms, like... oh, I don't know. You win these two are barred from the canteen, I have to rescind my post and you get the glory of being second only to Sephiroth?"

"A fine idea now you mention it..." he replied.

Aeris leant forward glaring up at him. "So, if I win, they get to eat here every-day and you don't get to lay a finger on them. Or talk to them. And I find you've got anyone else doing your dirty work…"

Rhapsodos smiled. "Deal. Nineteen-hundred hours. Don't be late. We settle this on skill. No materia."

Aeris met his gaze without blinking. "I'll be there."


"Aeris?" Tifa said as she hurried along the corridor in the wake of the SOLDIER. "You don't have to do this for us. We don't have to eat there."

"Rhapsodos has been annoying me for a while," Aeris remarked, her jaw set. "He needs to be taken down a peg or two. Him and those like him."

"But-"

"No. He insulted you and he disrespected me. If this is going to make him see sense, then that's what I have to do." She slowed and halted. "I haven't bothered with him in a while. What does Rhapsodos prefer in terms of weapons?"

"He's been using a rapier lately," Zack replied, hefting the hulking mass of his sword. "He's gotten good with it."

"Rapier," Aeris murmured. She glanced back at Zack. "I'll trade you for the fight," she said.

Zack took a step back. "You want to use my Buster Sword?"

"Why not? We have thousands of the things in the stores," Aeris held her short-sword out.

"But I just got the filigree done and…" Zack trailed off.

"If it gets damaged, I'll pay for it to be fixed. Okay?" Aeris said. Zack made no move to hand her the blade.

"His sword is strong. He'll be able to block it even if you use my sword."

"I know." Aeris was smiling. With a sigh Zack took the sword from her hand and passed her his own. Tifa blinked as Aeris shook her head. "Keep hold of it for now."

A large crowd of SOLDIERs were waiting in the training hall as early as Aeris was. Genesis Rhapsodos was already there, sword drawn and ready. "What's this Gast? Bare-handed? Very brave."

"Not bare-handed," Aeris shot back as she strode towards him.

"The materia is cheating," he replied.

"Materia?" Aeris frowned, her hand darting to her neck a second later. "I… It does nothing."

"Take it off or consider this contest void," Rhapsodos insisted.

Aeris sighed and strode over to Tifa. "Please keep it safe," she murmured and pressed the black choker into her hand. Aeris lingered for a moment before she turned back. "Fair, weapon," she barked and seemed to fumble the blade as Zack passed it to her; the blunt edge crashed to the floor. Rhapsodos seemed to think the sight was hysterical.

"Is this your style? Get one swing and hope it takes me out?" he asked, his rapier swishing through the air like lighting.

"As long as it works," Aeris said as she pulled the sword forward, the heavy blade carving a groove into the floor.

"Your funeral."

"Let's just get this over with." Aeris took a deep breath and stood facing him.

"My sentiments exactly," Rhapsodos said as he darted towards her, blade pointed at her heart. Aeris moved in a blur, the massive sword blade knocking the rapier off target. Rhapsodos stumbled and span around as Aeris settled into a ready stance, sword aloft and ready with both hands. He glared and charged at her again; another sweep of the blade and he stumbled past her, leaving himself wide open to counter-attack. Aeris did nothing but watch as he stumbled. He glared at her.

"All you had to do was leave my friends to have lunch with me," Aeris said in a bland tone. She brought the sword back up as Rhapsodos charged her again. A flick of her wrist and his rapier flew into the air; she hooked her foot around his ankle and sent him tumbling to the floor. Aeris crashed down on top of him, the blade of Zack's sword beside his neck. She caught the tumbling rapier in her other hand and held it above her opponent's face. "Yield."

"It would be for the best Genesis," a familiar voice said. Tifa turned around in shock; Cloud was tense beside her. The cluster of watching SOLDIERs parted to reveal Sephiroth.

"I wasn't aware you were a witness to this," Aeris said, not taking her gaze from her opponent. "Sephy."

A twitch of an eyebrow. "I arrived just before the commencement." Sephiroth stalked forward. "Your skill remains formidable. Genesis?"

"I yield," the man said as if the very words were distasteful. "Now get off me."

"Remember the terms," Aeris said.

"Yeah, yeah," Rhapsodos muttered.

"You got off lightly, you know," Aeris said as she shifted and stood up. She tossed the sword to Zack and smiled down at the still scowling Rhapsodos.

"If I might suggest an additional punishment?" Sephiroth raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Rhapsodos demanded.

"I imagine Gast here neglected to really weight the penance on your side."

"Now you mention it..." Aeris said nodding.

Sephiroth folded his arms. "Well, if I may; I have an idea..."


The tables were set right against the windows, the little group sitting in a line so they could see down to the cannon below. Aeris, Zack, Cloud, Tifa and Sephiroth. Cloud was still having some issues with the fact Sephiroth was so close at hand - and on such familiar terms with Aeris. "My way would have been funnier," Aeris said, her gaze fixed on the two figures below who rushed back and forth on the cannon.

"Angeal was very vocal in his support for his friend," Sephiroth replied.

"Yeah, but a one-man show of Loveless would be far harder than a two-man," Aeris shot back.

"Perhaps. I do at least look forward to your version of the missing act." Sephiroth's lips twitched into almost a smile.

Aeris was grinning as Tifa leant closer to her. "I don't think I get this play?" She frowned. "And why does Rhapsodos look somewhere between happy and furious?"