Book 1; Chapter 6: Genesis Becomes the Puppet

In the laboratory Genesis sits, staring numbly at the screen. Gone, everything that had sustained him was gone! DeepGround had been annihilated, most of these people had never had the chance to live a normal life. All of the scientists including Hojo, who had been responsible for the creation for projects Like 'G' 'S' and 'Deep Ground' were now dead. The man, whos' company had funded these projects was dead. Even though it appeared that his son has taken over running the company but...? And the one who had turned his back on him when he had been so desperate; so in need of help! Was DEAD!

There was nothing left. Nothing for him to fight for! Genesis was just about to go back into his Mako tube when new thoughts began to penetrate the fog of despair in his mind.

The Entity having panicked when it had realized what this man was about to do, quickly flooded his mind with; 'But what of the one you call sister? THEY still live and should know of their failure!... It may be a new President! But he IS HIS son! Surely he isn't innocent in all of this!... And what of the one who claims to be SOLDIER? He is responsible for his death and he should be made to pay for that crime!'

So deft was the Entity at inserting these thoughts into Genesis' mind; the man had no clue that they weren't his own. So as these thoughts settled into Genesis' mind; new malice grew once again. The Entity drank in the intoxication that these feelings provided. Feeding back the negativity into this man; making him burn with the need for vengeance.

Genesis smiled cruelly. Yes! There where still those who were left that bore the stigma of guilt and they would be made to realize their mistakes! The memories of the pain and anguish he and his companions had suffered from for so long momentarily blinded him; tried to send him into an uncontrollable rage. No! He would not be that person! He would not allow himself to be manipulated by others. Genesis was able to reign in these emotions, containing them for the moment.

Getting up from the terminal; He goes over to the pod the held Weiss. Looking at him, Genesis allows the memory to surface in his mind. He had woken up from his initial state of sleep by an extreme surge of energy in the Lifestream; seeing this man, whom he had called brother, lying on the cold stone of the cavern; clinging to the last threads of life. Genesis was taking him to a doctor to see if there was anything that could be done to save him. But before he was able to do this, the strange events of the last few months and Weiss and Nero's involvement where all that was being talked about. And people where angry! Not knowing the full details Genesis felt that it would be best for all of them if they stayed hidden and safe from the world.

Genesis could sense the 'Shade' that resided inside of Weiss but for some unknown reason was unconcerned.

He then goes over to the pod that held Cissnei and smiles tenderly. The two personalities, his own and the Entity's, were momentarily at peace as he remembers the day he had found her. After realizing what Deep Ground was; what they had wanted of him and wanting no part of it. Genesis had decided to sleep until a time came when he would be needed. But before going into that state of slumber, he had returned to his hometown of Banora. His intentions? Now that he had been purged and healed by the Goddess and was in a saner state of mind. He had wanted to go back to say goodbye and close the book on his own life.

When he had gotten there; he had heard the quiet moaning of a wounded person. Upon further investigation; he had found this woman lying on the ground, almost in the same spot by the chair that Zack had left him, she was bleeding so bad it was a wonder she was still alive. He noticed she was dressed in the uniform of The Turks. As he got closer he could hear her crying pitilessly. Kneeling by her side he asks. "Who has done this to you?" He did not expect her to answer but she manages to reply. "I do not know but they were strong! Far stronger than even those of SOLDIER." The last came out in a whisper as her strength slowly left her. Genesis concluded that there were others, probably from Deep Ground, who had orders to eliminate any who came to this place. But it mattered not as she would in all likelihood die in this place.

She opened her eyes and looked into Genesis's. Her own eyes widening in shock and recognition, she gasps. "Genesis? You're not dead! Good, there already have been to many who have died because of this madness!" Pausing she had struggled to catch her breath. "Please, will you stay with me until the end? I don't... I don't want to be alone!" She then did the most unexpected thing. She took hold of his hand as the tears fell from her eyes. "They never came for me. Tseng, the others, they didn't come."

The old anger for Shin-Ra surged through Genesis. "What is your name?"

"Cissnei"

"Then Cissnei hold on just a little longer. I will take you with me and you will heal. Then, my sister, the day will come when you will be able to seek your vengeance!" He imbued her with healing magic. Just enough to help her make it till they reached their destination. He then very gently picked her up and unfurling his 'One' black wing he took to the sky and then to Deep Ground. Here he oversaw that she was treated and healed but when talk turned to use her in their experiments; Genesis took her with him; deep into the caverns. And together went into a status sleep.

Genesis sought out the mental link that had been established between them while they had slept. "Cissnei, can you hear me?"

"Yes, Genesis" Sending a surge of warmth through the bond, Cissnei replies.

"I must go for now. There are some matters I need to look into."

"What would you have me do?"

"Wait until you are awoken. I don't believe it will be too long. Go with them for now and observe. Learn all you can about Rufus. He is now president and I don't want any surprises. When I get a safe place established. I will come and get you!"

"I will do as you ask"

"Stay strong my sister!"

"And you too my Brother"

With that done. Genesis gets up and leaves the underground laboratories. Stepping out into the night and seeing the tall structure that still bore the Shin-Ra emblem. Genesis heads in that direction.

The Entity wonders at this bond these two shares for each other. For it seemed they should have been rivals, not friends. But the Entity was unconcerned as these two where firmly his puppets. Their strings may have been invisible but they were his to manipulate whenever he chose. And now Its desires would become a reality.

It was not yet full night as Genesis walked into the main lobby of what was, for him, the new Shin-Ra building. Smirking as he looked around seeing the plain simplicity of this new design; Welcoming, not intimidating as it had been in the old Presidents' time. Genesis got the impression that Rufus had become soft and weak if this is how he chooses to present his company. Well, he had come home but it wasn't yet time to make his presence known. He quickly flicked his hand, magically disabling the security cameras. He then, quick as lightning, sends out tendrils of energy. Striking three employees, the two security guards, and their dogs. They all went ridged as their life force was pulled from them, slumping forward, dead.

Stepping into the lobby proper, with a mocking bow proclaims. "I have returned!"

He looks at his audience, sneering, he states! "What no hero's welcome? No adorations from the fans? No parade of welcome?" Sighing in exaggerated theatrical disappointment he admonishes. "Ah well. There will be time enough for that later." He then proceeds to walk over to each of them; placing a finger upon their forehead, he utters words spoken in an Unholy Tongue. The bodies begin to emit a sickly, pulsing light. As one by one, they open their eyes and look towards Genesis. "Should any seek to follow me; Stop them at any cost!"

"Yes," they chorused, in an eerie echo. Their voices sounding flat and monotoned. Taking a perverse pleasure in their undivided attention. He bows mockingly and makes his way to the elevator.

The Entity inside of Genesis draws the life force of these beings into the void he had created. Preventing them from 'moving on'. The silver cord that joins the spirit to the body still linked them to the mortal realm but they where no longer able to influence their actions. Success made the Entity gloat. He would create pawns to dance to his will. Soon he would be able to call forth fiends of greater power than the ones he had already had.

Once inside the elevator, Genesis again disables the security camera while reenabling the ones out in the Lobby. Pushing the button for the 12th floor; the panel flashes with a request for security clearance. This was new, to reach the floor that had housed all SOLDIER personnel, while in Midgar, had never needed security access before. This was certainly interesting. Taking a chance Genesis uses his code adding a wisp of magic to the panel as he does this. The thought in his mind is that he was still an active and recognized member of SOLDIER. The panel lights up and the elevator shudders as it begins its ascent. Pleased with this success Genesis leans back against the wall and waits for his next destination.

The Entity crowed at the vain pride of this young Peacock. "Mayhap I will have further use of him; once I have accomplished what I have set out to do here. His personality is intriguing. His memories, such delightful torment!" It pulls on the memories of 'Project G'.

Anger and rage surge violently through Genesis. His beautiful face contorting into a mask of rage, making appear feral. He snarls viciously as the memories of what had been done to him replay in his mind; of everything they had taken from him. He would make them pay!

They Entity momentarily flairs. His spectral 'self' superimposed over the mortal body and It revealed in this man's agony. The emotional outburst provided a pleasant source of substance and it drank deeply of it.

By the time the elevator stopped on the 12th floor; Genesis was able to get himself under control. Stepping off the elevator he was faced with a code locked Blast door. Quickly he keys in his code and with deft use of magic, the door slides open before him. Sneering at how easy it was to manipulate this technology; he steps into the common room of the SOLDIER dormitory.

Couches and chairs for lounging. Work stations and dining area. Genesis stood there staring. Aside from a layer of dust nothing had changed. And then the memories assaulted him. Standing with Angeal preening at the attention he got from the others until HE came in. One of the few 2nd. Class SOLDIERS who refused to defect with him, Emily. How he had hated her but he could never speak of this; Could never admit to the reasons why he had begun to despise her. Of the pain the ripped through his heart every time he saw them together. Irrational he had become and often threw himself into a child-like fit of temper and even now, years later the despair he felt; the hopelessness that invaded his mind took hold once again. And in response, the magic, that was inherent within him, came forth in an uncontrolled burst of energy; smashing into one of the lounge chairs. Seeing the destruction he has created he quickly pulls himself together, while the beast that was inside of him roared to be released. "Humph, what a fool I was!"

Walking to the door on the right, he keys in the code, as this was the entrance to the 1st. Class suites. 3rd and 2nd could not gain entrance without permission. The only other person who knew the code for this door had been Director Lazard and the senior cleaning staff. As he steps through the doors into the hallway; an unwelcome feeling of nostalgia overwhelms him; how many times had he done this! A feeling of true homecoming did engulf him but as he strode forward his boots echoing eerily of the walls he tries to distance himself from this painful past.

Coming to the last door at the end of the hall, the nameplate still in the holder. He keys in his private access code. Hearing the click, as it unlocks, he turns the handle and steps in. The room had been left completely untouched. His bed was still made. The weapon stand that held his sword when he was here. The wall-mounted bookshelf still held all of his books. The desk underneath it, strewn with the paperwork he had been working on. The double wardrobe that stood on the opposite wall. It was all still here; like time had frozen the moment when he had learned the truth about himself and Angeal. The moment when he had fled Shin-Ra and SOLDIER!

He walked calmly over to where his bookshelf and desk were he runs his finger over his beloved books. The picture of the three of them posing for a young lady who had asked for a picture for her son. Moving the papers on his desk; he comes across an almost forgotten picture.

The Entity wondered at the emotions this room provoked in this man. Strength, pride, and success on one hand. Anger, jealousy, and betrayal on the other. So tantalizing where these twisting, tormented emotions this man continued to put himself through. The Entity could not have picked a better host! As Genesis had no realization that he was making it all the easier for the Entity to take over fully. So with grim pleasure, he let this man continue to pursue the memories of his past.

As Genesis picked up the picture off his desk he stared at the beloved image before him. As the suppressed feelings welled up inside of him; his eyes begun to blur as tears filled them. A longing so powerful it could no longer be contained. And in the quiet solitude of this room he had let the damn break and the floodgates open. All of the pain, hurt and quilt came forth and bending on one knee he let the sobs rack his body as he tried to purge this memory.