Ch 3

What was that figure Alexis saw in her sudden premonition?

Training forest chaos! Mysterious dragon revealed!

"Ready... GO!" shouted one of the T.I.'s (training instructor) that stood near the gate to the Training Forest.

It was the Forest Test, where recruits (and some rising First Classmen) have two to three days to score as many group points as they can before the time limit's up. First, there are five cabins in the woods, each housing up to twelve SOLDIERs and the recruits have to find one to settle in before sunset.

Next, inside the forest, of course, are the monsters in which they had to slay, ranging from Mt. Nibel wolf, which was 10 points because of their commonness, to 100 points for the mysterious creature if they happen to run into it. Finally, three recruits are paired with a higher ranking officer and are given Lightning, Ice, Fire, and Restore materia.

Alexis, Cloud, the blonde haired boy who she saw with Zack on the first day here at SOLDIER, and Zack were the lucky because they were paired up with General Sephiroth. At the sound of the signal, they, along with ten other groups, rushed into the forest without hesitation. Sephiroth's group broke through first as they dashed across the forest floor.

"We'll head for the cabin near the river. It's closest to our position," Sephiroth told them.

The three nodded and followed the silver haired General. Suddenly, out pop three Mt. Nibel wolves from behind some bushes, all snarling and growling.

"Let's see what you've got," Sephiroth said to the recruits.

"Leave it to us," Alexis said confidently, unsheathing her sword, the other two following suit.

FIGHT SCENE

Zack: 1000 HP/ 50 MP Cloud: 1100 HP/ 10 MP Alexis: 3000 HP/ 265 MP

Mt Nibel wolves: 450 HP/ 0 MP

Alexis: Ice-All (Each wolf takes 70 – 80 damage)

Cloud: Physical attack (Wolf 1 takes 60 damage | Wolf 1: 390 HP)

Zack: Physical attack (Wolf 3 takes 70 damage | Wolf 3: 380 HP)

Wolf 1 attacks Alexis (takes 39 damage | Alexis: 2691 HP)

Wolf 2 attacks Zack (takes 42 damage | Recruit 2: 958 HP)

Wolf 3 attacks Cloud (takes 36 damage | Recruit 1: 964 HP)

Alexis: Physical attack (Wolf 1 takes 358 damage and goes down)

Zack: Ice (Wolf 2 takes 124 damage | Wolf 2: 326 HP)

Wolf 3 critical attacks Recruit 2 (takes 150 damage | 808 HP)

Cloud: Lightning (Wolf 2 takes 79 damage | Wolf 2: 371 HP)

Alexis: Enemy Skill: Flamethrower (Wolf 2 takes 451 HP and goes down)

Wolf 3: Poison Fang (Recruit 1 takes 210 damage| Recruit 1: 754 HP)

Alexis: Bolt2 (Wolf 3 takes 1190 damage and goes down)

BATTLE OVER

The group celebrated their victory, now on the board with 30 points.

"Very good teamwork, you three. However, we're far from being done. We must locate our cabin and get settled in. Let's hurry on," Sephiroth said.

The three nodded and followed their leader towards the river. Upon arriving, they heard a gurgled roar, followed by far away screams.

"A Malboro. Another group must've found it," Sephiroth said, obviously familiar with the sickening beast.

"I heard once those things stink you up, it'll take a month to get the smell off," said Zack, plugging his nose for emphasis.

Alexis shuddered at the thought. A month of Malboro stench is not what she wanted on her third day. They reached the cabins, just as the sun set, and found that Genesis's team of three and Angeal's have already arrived.

"Aww, no fair. We wanted this to ourselves!" Genesis pretended to whine.

"What? So you two can—"In a blink of an eye, the red head clapped a hand over Sephiroth's mouth, shushing him.

Alexis raised a suspicious eyebrow. What did Sephiroth know that she didn't? First, the mysterious dream, now this? Why don't people tell her anything? She only sighed in defeat before she picked the closest top bunk and got settled in. Once everyone got their beds set up, Sephiroth, Genesis and Angeal quickly briefed their groups on the forest grounds and monster hotspots.

"Tonight is when the true hunt begins. More monsters will be out, meaning the points will be higher, so spread out and see what you can do. You have 5 hours to gather points for your team. Teams ready?" Sephiroth said.

"YES SIR!" came the unified reply of the SOLDIERs.

"Then... GO!" Genesis shouted, flinging open the door.

The teams rushed out into the growing night, weapons and Materia armed and ready. Genesis closed the door and both men turned to Sephiroth.

"... Is she the one you're looking for?" Genesis asked.

Sephiroth nodded, his face solemn. "Yes... she's the one," he said before heading off into the night, Masamune tied to his side.

Alexis, Zack and Cloud dashed across the forest floor, eager to take on the big monsters. Slowing down a bit, they surveyed the area, making sure no one was listening before they huddled up.

"I'll take Cloud with me. Zack, can you handle this alone?" she asked.

"Aww, I don't want to be alone" Alexis gave him a look. "But... I could use the exercise," he said, changing his attitude after thinking about it for a few seconds.

"Thank you. One more thing... If you see the mysterious creature that is said to dwell in here... lead out in the open, so I can see what it is. I'm rather curious," she said.

"Gotcha. Well... let's split up and meet back here after we're done. Good luck, Cloud ol' buddy," Zack said, clapping his friend on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Zack. Let's get moving!" Cloud said and the gang went their separate ways.

In the trees, a pair of golden, slited eyes was watching them, his gaze locked onto the female blonde before they vanished into the shadows. With the two blondes, they trekked carefully in the darkness, carrying only a flashlight to guide their way. Then, they saw something move within the bushes. They stopped, hands to their weapons. Suddenly, two huge Wasps flew out, wings buzzing, which drove Alexis nuts.

"I hate these things!" she groaned, whipping out an Ice materia.

"Here! I'll get them! They have poisonous stingers!" Cloud said, stepping in front of her.

FIGHT SCENE

Cloud: 1100 HP/ 10 MP

Wasp 1&2: 600 HP/ 0 MP

Cloud: Physical attack (Wasp 1 takes 190 damage | Wasp 1: 410 HP)

Wasp 1: Poison Sting (Cloud takes 51 damage and is poisoned)

Wasp 2: Physical attack (Cloud takes 53 damage | Cloud: 996 HP)

Cloud (takes 15 damage from poison | Cloud: 984) Ice (Wasp 1 takes 200 damage | 210 HP)

Wasp 1: Physical attack (Cloud dodges)

Wasp 2: Physical attack (Cloud dodges, but takes 20 damage from poison | Cloud: 964 HP)

Cloud: Ice (Wasp 1 takes 211 damage and goes down)

Wasp 2: Physical attack (Cloud takes 52 damage plus 15 damage | Cloud: 897 HP)

Cloud: LIMIT BREAK – Braver (Wasp 2 takes 482 damage | Wasp 2: 118 HP)

Wasp 2: Poison Sting (Cloud takes 60 damage + 15 damage from poison | 822 HP)

Cloud: Ice (Wasp 2 takes 201 HP and goes down)

FIGHT SCENE ENDS

Cloud collapsed to one knee, the effects of poison wearing off, but the group gained 70 points and their total so far is 100.

"You ok?" she asked, rushing to his side.

Suddenly, they heard a half roar not far away. Alexis looked in that direction, hoping it was what she was looking for. Cloud saw her look and nodded.

"You go on ahead. I'll be ok," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Alexis smiled before detaching one of her Materia. "Take Fire2, just in case you get into more trouble," she said, handing the sphere to him.

Cloud took it and attached it to his bronze bangle. With that done, Alexis took off into the woods, determination in her aquamarine eyes. As she ran, she heard the roar again, but this time, a little closer.

"It must be that creature I saw! Ready or not, here I come!" she said to herself, unsheathing her sword.

Getting into the open, she scanned the area around her, sword at the ready. Suddenly, something landed feet in front of her with a loud THUD! The figure stood, the shadows of the night concealing most of its identity, but she could see golden cat-like eyes, two large, demonic, leather wings and a large tail with spikes running down the length of it. Then, Alexis's head was shot with a sudden wave of pain. She clutched it with one hand, the sword in the other. Then...

Alexis...

Her eyes widened. She turned towards the creature and what surprised her... it had worry in its eyes. The eyes then slowly bled back... to MAKO.

"Se... Sephiroth?" she gasped, the pain disappearing.

The creature nodded, stepping out of the shadows and into the moonlight to reveal mostly covered in navy blue and black scales... General Sephiroth. Alexis dropped her sword in shock as the face of Sephiroth appeared. What happened to him to make look like this?

Alexis... I was born as a dragon... and so was you came the General's voice in her mind.