God of Paperwork
by the infamous and notorious tocasia
Chapter 10
Today is New Year's Eve.
The cold air of the mountains of Nibel... it was perfect for stargazing. Elena has just secured the funding to build an observatory there.
She loves her new job.
Zack surprises Sephiroth with a gift in his office.
Sephiroth opens the colorfully wrapped, oddly shaped box only to find another colorfully wrapped box inside. He wonders if there will be boxes all the way down. Nope. The present is a photo album. Golden glitter goes everywhere as he lifts it out. It's already full of photos of their previous pranks.
"You took pictures of all that? This is dangerous. You could do a lot of damage with this."
"I wouldn't betray you, Seph. You're my friend. You have the only copy. The Turks don't even have this stuff."
"Thank you, Zack. I will keep it safe."
Upon further inspection, Sephiroth notices some empty spaces in the middle.
"What are these for?"
Zack grins wickedly. "Just a second, where did I put it? Ah, yes." He reaches into his bag.
Zack tosses the little dragon paperweight to Sephiroth and snaps a quick photo of his surprised look as he catches it.
Zack hands him the new photograph. "For the tourist dragon pictures."
Sephiroth agrees to put up with the awful music for this. It's been a good year and he's looking forward to the next. He and Zack ride the tram up to the Gold Saucer. Zack has convinced Aeris, Elena, Reno, Rude, and even Tseng to accompany them, because Zack is everybody's friend. They don't talk much yet, because the tram is too loud.
When they step off onto the landing, the person selling tickets recognizes Sephiroth and motions for their group to go on in, free of charge.
The person in a chocobo suit bouncing around outside seems to be having some difficulty and trips.
Elena stares for a moment. "Hey isn't that...?"
"Palmer." Tseng confirms.
"Should we do something?"
Tseng shakes his head slowly. "Look at him. His new job is the very definition of hell. He's already suffered enough."
Elena is surprised at Tseng's mercy. "Oh, I don't know. I think he deserves more for what he did to my department."
"Later. We're off duty."
Reno and Rude nod in agreement.
Multicolored lights sparkle everywhere as the ...music... blares loudly over the speakers, nearly drowning out the cheers of the crowd. Chocobo Square is excessively decorated, even more so than usual. The place is completely packed. People move out of the way for Sephiroth, but they don't pay much attention to the rest of his party.
The next race is about to start. This is Zack's debut. Who's the new guy? Nobody knows. The bookies give Zack and his wonderful chocobo medium-to-low odds of winning. Most people bet on Joe and his black chocobo Teioh, the current favorites.
Elena says, "Where are Reno and Rude? They're going to miss this."
"I think I saw them going on the gondola together. They have a lot to catch up on," Aeris replies.
Sephiroth bets heavily on Zack. Zack will be riding chocobo number four, which seems to be in good condition. Of course, Sephiroth's actions don't go unnoticed. People swarm around him excitedly. Who did the General bet on? Nobody knows. The betting gets intense. Sephiroth ignores them as he pockets his ticket.
It's time. Aeris, Elena, Sephiroth, and Tseng head to the stands to watch. The whistle sounds, and the race begins. A red chocobo is first out of the gate, followed by a hot-headed white. They struggle for dominance as the racetrack curves upwards in a spiral. Joe on Teioh is in third, and Zack is right behind him.
Aeris cheers wildly for Zack. He solidifies his place in fourth, his bird blocking the others as they try to pass him. The crowd ooohs and ahhhs at the special effects overlaid on the track. A giant clam opens to reveal a huge pearl when the chocobos run by a sunken ship. Teioh takes the lead. The red chocobo lags behind, exhausted.
Elena shouts her encouragement to Zack. She's standing very close to Tseng, who is watching intently.
Teioh is in first, the white chocobo is in second, and Zack is in third as the scenery shifts to resemble a bridge over a waterfall. The white chocobo's jockey pushes it hard, moving into first and jostling Teioh out of the way just long enough for Zack to catch up. But the white can't keep the pace for long before it has to fall back.
Sephiroth has no doubts. He's confident in Zack's ability to win.
They round the last corner, neck and neck, the finish line in sight. This last section of the track looks like it's floating in outer space, winding around planets and satellites. Most of the chocobos are confused by the virtual effect and slow down. Even Teioh slows slightly. Zack's bird is smarter than that. It puts on a burst of speed.
Zack's chocobo comes in first place, Teioh in second. Joe congratulates Zack on a victory well earned.
After the winners are crowned and the jockeys return to the stables to see to their birds, the bets are resolved and money changes hands accordingly. Sephiroth makes an obscene profit. When Zack comes back to the main desk, practically glowing, Aeris gives him a big hug. Elena gives him a high-five. Tseng starts clapping dramatically. Sephiroth hands Zack a large fistful of GP.
"Did you see that? I won my first big race! I was awesome!"
Sephiroth agrees with him. "You're the best chocobo jockey on the Planet."
"Thanks, Seph!"
Zack and Sephiroth go to Battle Square to set some new records.
Elena, Aeris, and Tseng head to Wonder Square to try out the new arcade games.
Aeris is excited. "There's this bike game with swords. Two people can play on a team. I'm gonna check it out!"
Elena says, "Sounds cool, I'll be on your team."
Tseng is quiet for a moment.
Elena asks him, "Sir, which one will you try?"
"The snowboarding one."
Luck is on their side. They don't have to wait in line to play the games they want.
Reno and Rude sit across from each other on the gondola. They watch the chocobos race by on the tracks below, but the Gold Saucer seems to be saving the fireworks for later.
Reno says, "It's been a long time."
"Yes, it has," says Rude.
"What have you been up to?"
Rude's expression is unreadable, as always. "I've been training the initiates. We have several good candidates for promotion to the Turks."
"Wait, don't they all use different weapons?"
"Yes, they do."
"And you know all those well enough to teach them?"
"Yes, I do."
Reno is impressed. "Awesome! So which is your best weapon?"
Rude adjusts his shades.
"Seriously? That is so cool!"
It's been a wonderful evening. Everyone has had a good time.
Aeris, Elena, Tseng, Reno, Rude, Zack, and Sephiroth all watch the fireworks together and raise a toast as the New Year's countdown begins.
"To adventures that turn out well!"
They drink to that and it becomes midnight.