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The warehouse is just as frigid as the climate outside. I have to do a couple of squats just to warm my blood. "We better keep moving."

Cloud rubs his hands together for friction. "Which way should we go?"

Felicity gestures to the stairs in front of us. "Considering I only see one possibility, I guess we're going down."

Our steps echo on the metal as we descend and are joined by several other pairs ascending. Cloud and I draw our swords as three guards rush at us. "One for each of us," I say, grinning at the easy set-up.

"Think you boys can handle it?" Felicity smirks.

I throw her a fake scowl. "Very funny."

The guards are nearly upon us. Cloud notices Felicity's combat stance. "You're not using your sword?"

"Nope. I'm more for hand-to-hand. Somebody had to break up Angeal and Genesis' petty squabbles growing up. Though I also dabble in magic," she showed us her fingers which had ignited. "as I'm sure you already know since I saved your butts."

"And the gun you picked up?" I ask, quirking an eyebrow.

"In case I run out of energy." She replies nonchalantly as the guards start firing at us. "Here we go!"

With a couple swings of our swords, Cloud and I quickly dispatch our designated guards in time to see Felicity hurl a ball of fire at hers. He's engulfed by the flames and collapses to the floor, his clothes and flesh still burning. A frown sets over Felicity's features and she outstretches her hand. She forms a hovering ball of water and drops it on the guard, extinguishing the blaze. He's still.

Cloud and I send her inquisitive stares. "What?" she asks, like what she did was natural. "We're mercenaries, not monsters. Just because we have to kill doesn't mean we have to slaughter. All humans deserve some kind of respect even if they make the wrong life choices." She folds her arms to her chest as she shivers. "Now let's keep going. My ears are going numb."

Her words strike a chord with me. I repeat them in my head as we continue down the stairs. Felicity may only be an infantryman, but she had the soul of a 1st Class SOLDIER. Her sense of honour could rival Angeal's. It was no surprise they grew up together. They were so similar; their military prowess, humour, spirit and dignity. Had I not cared for Felicity I would have been put off with jealousy.

How much do you care for her?

I push the thought away as we reach the bottom floor.

Felicity is standing with her hands on her hips, staring at the elevator before her. "'Cause that makes a lot of sense. We go downstairs only to find an elevator that takes us up."

"Structural problem maybe?" Cloud guesses.

She shrugs. "I guess it doesn't really matter so long as it works." She pushes the button. "All aboard!"

I pass them both and stand in front of the doors. "I'm going first. Once the elevator returns for you, you can come up."

Felicity crosses her arms. "Oh not this again."

"I know you're both capable of combat. This is just something I have to do. As leader of this party, it's my responsibility to stabilize the situation before letting my team enter. This is an order. You will wait until the elevator returns." There's a clatter as the gate opens. I step inside and offer them a smile. "It's just a precaution. I'll see you soon."

The gate closes and the lift ascends. I can hear Felicity complain to Cloud about me, using numerous colorful terms to describe my behavior but my grin simply widens. I know she's not serious. Her teasing is a form of affection. It's another characteristic she and Angeal share.

I start to hear voices as I near the top of the lift. I can't make out words, just muffled dialogue between two distinct voices. The elevator shutters to a stop and I can see Genesis and Hollander at a standoff through the gates.

Genesis has his sword pointed at Hollander. "The Jenova cells."

The gate slides open and I rush out, unsheathing my sword as I dash toward the two. With a slash, I knock Genesis' blade away with my own. Hollander scrambles behind me but I'm too busy keeping Genesis at bay to prevent him from escaping.

"Stop!"

From the corner of my eye I see Cloud nab Hollander. Felicity is standing close by. "I had a feeling something would be happening up here. And since I would never dream of going against your orders, I found a nice loophole." She displays her glowing fingers. "Haste."

I send her an incredulous smirk before turning to Cloud- who continues to struggle against Hollander. "Cloud! Good work!"

But just as the words leave my mouth, Hollander breaks out of Cloud's grip at the same time Genesis counters my sword. Cloud falls to the floor and I'm forced back. Hollander comes up behind me. I counter his movements as he replies to Genesis. "But… nobody knows where the Jenova cells are being kept! Not even Hojo knows. You'll never find it!"

"Then I shall willingly accept my fate." Genesis says, running a hand over his sword. "But, I'll take the world with me!" He brings his blade down to clash with mine and we begin sparring.

I notice Hollander trying to squirm away. "Cloud, go!" He nods before running after the scientist and Genesis and I resume fighting.

"Genesis." From my periphery I see Felicity edging towards us, her voice the smallest I've ever heard it. "What happened to you?"

His gaze finds her and he breaks away from me with a swift stroke of his sword. He looks surprised yet awed as he just notices her now. His eyes are glazed but bright and an unsettling smile settles on his lips. "My goddess. You're here."

Felicity and I are stunned with confusion. She frowns. "No, it's me: Felicity."

"After all these years, we meet." He advances toward her. "I've waited so long…"

She retreats from him in small, unsure steps. "You already know me, Genesis. I'm Felicity. We grew up together in Banora with Angeal. We used to go adventuring in the woods behind my place. Don't you remember? You two looked after me. We were like siblings."

"You're here. No longer a figment. No longer a dream. You are here. Oh, my goddess." He reaches to her. I scowl. Something's very off.

He's too close to Felicity for either of our likings. I swing my sword down his path. "Not another step," I glower.

He slowly turns to regard me. His eyes are blank and he looks at me with disinterest. "Remove yourself from my goddess' presence, dog."

I stand firm. "Make me."

Quicker than lightning I'm cast aside with nothing but a red flash from Genesis' palm. I go sliding across the floor. I groan as the momentum ceases and I stop. My body aches. I struggle to stand, but collapse.

Through blurred eyes and ringing ears I watch Genesis approach Felicity. He reaches out to touch her face. "So beautiful. Indeed you truly are a goddess."

"But I'm not." Her voice's so quiet it breaks.

"And yet, my goddess, where is your gift? You hold radiance and spirit, yet where is your power? I sense meager magic stirring inside you, but nothing close to your magnificent gift. Have you yet to acquire it?"

"I don't-"

Genesis runs a hand up Felicity's back and grabs a fistful of brown curls just above the back of the neck. She tenses, a small wince escaping her mouth, but she keeps the majority of her composure. Rage starts bubbling in my stomach and I attempt to stand again.

I have to stop this.

"When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end, the goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar. She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting" He pulls and forces her to look into his eyes as he towers over her. "I have waited years for you, goddess." He brings his face dangerous close to hers. "I need your gift."

"What gift?" Felicity grunts, Genesis still tugging on her hair.

I manage to get to my feet but I wobble into a rail.

"Are you hiding it from me? With your powers you could easily mask the radiance of you gift. Make yourself a diamond in the rough." His free hand runs across her check and he trails a finger down her neck. "Tell me, goddess, how can I find your gift? What must I do to lower your guard?"

His hand is freely wandering and Felicity struggles in his grasp. "Stop it!"

He yanks her head back again and she yelps. He presses her to him as he peers down at her. "Such melodious sounds from such luscious lips. Perhaps they are the key to unlocking your gift."

"What?"

I watch in horror as Genesis leans down to capture Felicity's lips with his own. Her eyes bulge as he uses the hand he has in her hair for leverage. She starts punching him the best she can, but he's got her hands pinned between them. My stomach turns as he forces his tongue into her mouth. I feel sick.

Suddenly Genesis recoils, his hand flying to his mouth as he curses. Felicity furiously wipes her lips. His once dreamy eyes turn violent as he scowls at her. "You dare bite me!" he raises a hand as it charges with red energy. Felicity is left with no time to react as her childhood friend launches a ball of crimson aura toward her. She's hit square in the chest and is sent soaring across the room into the cement walls. Her body falls to the floor where she remains motionless.

Something in me snaps. Regardless of my wobbly legs, pounding head and screaming muscles, I pull myself to my full height and draw my sword. Genesis is tending to his tongue as he notices me. He smirks. I've had it.

"You bastard!" I yell as I charge at him. Our swords clash and we enter into a fray we both know only one will leave.

... The epicness level is over 9000!

XD just kidding.

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