The Ranger
I do not own Final Fantasy 7 or any of the characters. What I do own is the device I typed this out on. Procrastination is a really big B**** to get over and out of, but now that my schedule has opened up this holiday
Also, for those faithful readers who've already read my previous chapters before September, please go back and reread my story as I've updated some concepts and buffered out errors. Plots the same, so if you don't want to then it won't matter that terribly. Enjoy!
Chapter 9
The walk out of the apartment shared between my best friend Zack and myself was one of the most tense moments that we have ever shared with one another. Usually when we are walking out of the apartment to the training room, I feel very confident that I'm only going to last a few minutes against the behemoth brute. I know his style rather well, and he knows mine. However, now Zack's not the only one with superhuman strength. This is going to be our first time that we will be fighting one another as Second and Third Class Soldiers.
I smile as we both reach the end of the hall to the elevator. I think I can smell the fear that Zack is radiating. The fear that now I can put out an offensive instead of take a defensive stance. We both got into the elevator, and as we were going up we stopped on the soldier floor.
"Hey guys, going to see Lazard?" a Second Class named Counsel said.
Zack kept a serious face on as he replied, "We're going for a spar."
The doors closed slowly as counsel stood with his jaw dropped. When they opened, nearly all of the soldiers we saw one floor bellow we're coming through the stairwell in droves.
I smiled at the thought of having an audience. I heard a few scream something about taking bets, but I concentrated on the fight that was about to commence between Zack and I.
As we walked through the crowd of people, whom all parted like the Red Sea had for Moses, I could swear I caught the glimpse of silver hair flash quickly in the darkness. 'Could Sephiroth be coming to see just how much stronger I had become since the injection? Or is there another Soldier who happens to have silver hair?' I thought silently.
Zack pressed a button on a keypad that slid the door quickly out of our way, and had entered silently. I noticed that it looked as though he were walking on egg shells. As he unsheathed his long sword, I unhinged my own gun blade from my back. I felt static electricity run through my body as I twirled the hilt in my hand, which my the blade cut a circle in the air.
I lifted the blade with both hands into a ready position near my right shoulder blade. Knees bent slightly and confidence soaring as I witnessed Zack lift his blade into a cross body defensive position. I wasn't overconfident, because I know that stance can quickly become an offensive threat at a moments notice.
I went from smiling, to stone face as a hush formed outside the large room. Eerie silence stood as neither moved nor broke the stare. I felt my upper lip quiver, then I charged. I sent a quick slash across the midsection of my enemy. He dodged back and sent a counter cross of his own. I parried his blow and jumped back to break combat.
It seemed as though the gears in his head were turning as he analyzed my attack. I pressed the attack again as we sent a volley of attacks at one another, but both of us were missing by fractions of a decimeter. We both knew our dance of death well, but I saw that this was going to end in a stalemate.
We both collided together with our blades locked tightly against one another. I gave a toothy smile and took one hand from my hilt and hit Zack across his face, but as I did so his blade gave and split in half. We landed in a knot on the ground, but we were both "wounded". The broken blade had cut into my gut, and my blade was firmly against his throat. My face contorted into a smile, which turned into a hardy laugh.
A few ran into the room and were quick to cast cures on us, even if we didn't quite need it. I looked at the tinted window, and noticed dim green silted eyes. I smiled at the thought of Seph seeing my score my first draw against my greatest nemesis.
We both got up and shook hands, which caused the greater part of the crowd to erupt into a chorus of cheers. Many of them were giving me a series of congratulations for nearly besting a Second Class. Few men in Third Class ever truly get the better of a Second Class, but the few that do almost always make it all the way to the very top of the business.
I laughed as I started to see people exchanging money. Apparently, Zack and my fight were a must see main event. It was then that I noticed it was so big that Lazard himself had shown up to see us. A thought occurred, I wonder if Lazard had made a bet on us. I know that he would put a lot of money on Zack because of his excellent work that he always seems to do.
I was so lost in thought that I hadn't noticed Lazard walk up to us.
"That was one hell of a fight. It was almost too fast for us mere mortals to follow," Lazard said jokingly.
"Thank you sir," Zack and I said in unison
"Get a bite to eat in the mess hall, then report to my office for a very special assignment," Lazard said. He then gave a look of sympathy to Zack.
Forty minutes later
Zack and I were sitting at Lazards table being briefed on our next mission. The charming First Class who wore the period blood red coat that was a very big prick to me defected. That gave me a very big grin on my face.
"You will also be accompanied by a member of the administrative departmen," Lazard stated.
My face perked up as I thought of my Turk buddy from the train. "Who are you sending?" I asked.
"I will be accompanying you, my friend," a voice said from the side of the room. We all turned to see a thin, tall man that I knew to be Tsung.
Zack and I got up, and it was then that Lazard said, "Abraham, would you please wait outside?"
I nodded, and walked out of the room and went to the end of the hall. Tsung was behind me all the way.
"One of our new members continues to talk about the joint mission. He even asked to have his code name changed. Naturally Veld isn't going to accept the request. Anyways, how are things around here?" Tsung asked.
"I'm actually settling in quite nicely. It seems as though I was destined to become a Soldier," I answered.
"Yes, I heard about the fight that happened about an hour ago," Tsung said.
After what seemed like an age, Zack emerged from the office looking rather bummed out.
"What's wrong?" I asked him.
"Nothing," Zack curtly replied.
"Zack, we live together. I know what is a natural look and mood for you. Obviously, you are upset," I retorted.
"Later..." Zack said, trailing off in thought.
"I'll hold you to that," I said calmly.
The three of us walked to the elevator, then stood in uncomfortable silence as wait to get to the helipad floor. After nearly a few minutes, we saw the metal death contraption. The fireball was sitting in the cockpit. We all piled in and sat quietly.
"Reno, mission begin," Tsung said.
The chopper began to ascend into the sky, then fly into the direction of some village. I fell asleep along the way.
"Abraham, wake up!" Zack said.
I screamed awake and startled all of the occupants of the enclosed space. I apologized, then when we were all out of the chopper, I stretched and relaxed a little.
"What are those?" Zack asked pointing at a tree that had fruit hanging from the branches
"Those are dumb apples, Zack," Tsung answered.
Zack looked as though he were on his own world, which is fine by me so long as he's not thinking about whatever had him upset. After he came out of his thoughts, he nodded in the direction of the village. We began to put some distance between us and the chopper as we entered the orchard. The trees were in full bloom, which is a crazy thought as it's getting close to fall time. At least that's what I've been told.
The village itself isn't much to talk about either. There are about a dozen homes, and the mansion that the traitors parents owned. From the looks of things, the town was abandoned. I'm assuming that Tsungs job is to determine just how long since the villagers disappeared.
We entered the center of town and looked in all directions. Tsung shook his head and said, "Fan out and search for survivors. I'm going to investigate the mansion."
I frowned at the word survivors, but nodded. Zack and I turned, then I made a hand signal for him to go to the six homes nearest to him. I went off to the first home to see the door kicked in. I unsheathed my blade to find it too long to use indoors. I sheathed it and pulled out the revolver.
I took a breadth, then entered like a marine. I checked all corners and hoped like hell nobody was in the home. I wasn't looking forward to finding anybody. The foyer and kitchen were cleared, but the bedrooms held a great surprise. As I entered the room, I saw a decomposing body covered in maggots, worms, roaches and flys. I held my breadth as the stink stung at my eyes and nose. Flesh had been burnt away and bone shrapnel lay in a few places around the body. I couldn't tell the gender, nor did I want to. I couldn't stand the sight and left the house in a full sprint.
Once out in the air, I fell to my hands and knees. I was hunched over puking my guts out. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the body. With every breadth, the sent of death filled my lungs. It wasn't the first time I had seen that type of carnage, but I will do everything in my power to ensure it's the last time I see it.
I waddled over to the next house, but couldn't bring myself to enter. I walked to the center of the village and sat on the ground.
Tsung walked up to me and said, "I found Genesis's parents in a grave near the front of the home."
I frowned and retorted, "So the monster has a heart for his parents. Fuck him and every other bastard who can kill an innocent."
From behind us, a sing song British accent said, "I would hardly call the men of this village innocent."
I got to my feet and had my blade out as fast as possible. In rifle form, I stood pointing the gun at genesis. "Hitler thought he was doing good too, even as he slaughtered millions of innocent men, women, and children," I calmly replied knowing full well that he wouldn't get the reference.
"You're not innocent either, are you Abraham? I know I wasn't after Normandy. I personally crushed a storm troopers skull in after we took over our beach head. He and his friend had killed five of my buddies in my squad. I couldn't stand that smug bastards smirk as he said 'I'm doing the lords work,'" Genesis replied.
"So you were a fucking prick to me, even though we're from the same place!" I screamed in a fit of wrath.
Genesis smiled and said, "My soul may be of old, but I am flesh of this world. Your presence is an abomination. For that, you deserve a slow death."
I saw a black wing spring from Genesis's back, but I wasted no time and began to fire at him. He had his blade out and deflected the billets like a skillful ninja. Before I had time to react, he hit me in the head which knocked me out.
When I came into consciousness once again, the village was alight in fire. I watched it burn from the spot we were dropped off and frowned at the new revelation at Genesis's life...
End of Chapter
I am sorry about not updating for so long, but now that I can write more frequently I shall be doing so. Feels like there should be more punctuation on that last sentence. Anyways, Let's all rejoice at the new chapter.
For those of you who have played CC, you will pick up that I'm not using the exact words that anyone says. I know what the general dialog is, so please bear with me. Also, I've thrown my own flare onto Genesis. For those of you who are confused, his existence in his own time will be gone over about the same time as the Nibelheim incident occurs.
