12. Inner Demons
"...you know, that's a bad habit you've got there."
"There's no such thing as a bad habit. They keep us human. And we need to be reminded of that, in our line of work."
The silver-haired man smirked. "Whatever justification you need to take."
The brown-haired man nodded. "Something like that." He looked down at the still body, sprawled out in front of him. "The last member of FOXHOUND dead. Never thought I'd see the day."
"How does it feel? To be free of the burden, to have left the past behind?"
"Freedom from the past doesn't exist. There's always going to be demons in our lives."
"Is that why you spared the girl?" The silver-haired man motioned toward a teenage girl, squatting in the fetal position, staring off into the distance.
The brown-haired man said nothing, extinguishing his cigarette and letting the smoke permeate the stillness.
"She's a witness to the crime," the silver-haired man said. "We could kill her and be done with it."
The brown-haired man watched the girl carefully, the setting sun framing her slender figure. Finally, he spoke.
"...we won't do that. We're not cold-blooded killers. We're soldiers."
The silver-haired man laughed, his youthful face breaking into a rare smile. "Not killers? We are all killers... we kill by virtue of our existence, let alone with our actions."
"Not any more. The time for mindless killing is over. With FOXHOUND gone, we can take control... we can create a world for soldiers, where we can live on through endless battle, where we set the rules of engagement... and we will make them as warriors. Not killers."
"This girl could destroy everything we've worked for. Is that the code of the warrior, to stand idly by and let her do so?"
At this, the brown-haired man approached the girl. "Hello, kiddo," he said quietly.
The girl blinked, as if emerging from a trance. She stared at the man like he was an object in a museum, something far away, behind glass.
"What's your name?" the man asked.
"My... name?"
The silver-haired man rolled his eyes.
"I..." the girl continued. "I don't... know..."
"Do you know what's just happened here?"
"No... who are you?"
The brown-haired man turned to face his companion, then returned his attention to the girl. "You don't remember anything?"
"I remember... a name..."
"Yeah?"
"Chozo."
"She's asleep."
The silver-haired man now stood with his back against a tree, a strong hand wiping the hair from over his eyes.
"I never knew you to be the sentimental type, Snake."
"She's innocent in all of this. Mantis was just playing around with her, and who knows what he did -"
"There have been many other victims in many other lands we've ignored. What makes her so special?"
"...do you know who the Chozo are?"
The silver-haired man arched an eyebrow. "I've heard legends. So the girl remembers a bedtime story. What good does that do?"
"That's not all she remembered. She told me where Mantis took something that belonged to her. She showed it to me."
"And?"
"It's a Chozo creation, Sephiroth. A suit. It has their design, their functions, their power... and only she can wear it."
For a second the silver-haired man lost his composure and a slack-jawed look overtook his noble face. Then he regained control of himself and a blank, dispassionate expression replaced the incredulity.
"...I see."
The two men stood in silence as leaves rustled past them. Finally, the brown-haired man spoke.
"I want you to take her."
"Excuse me?"
"She could become one of us. She could become greater than us. But she needs training first, and you're the best man for the job."
The silver-haired man frowned. "I have no interest in being a teacher."
"If we're going to make our dream a reality, we need to expand... and she has incredible potential with that suit. I want to make sure she can function without it as well."
"And why can't you perform this sundry task? Is this beneath the attentions of the mighty Solid Snake?"
"Like I said, you're the best man for the job. Teach her everything you know, then come back to me."
The silver-haired man's eyes narrowed.
"...very well. But I set the terms."
"Of course."
"...who's-a the girl?"
Sephiroth scowled at the fat man. "She is one of us now."
Mario looked her over, taking in her form-fitting jumpsuit, and nodded curtly.
"I have-a matters to-a discuss with you, Sephiroth... in-a private."
"Whatever you must say to me can be said in front of her. As I said -"
"She is one of us," Mario said. "Yes."
For a moment the two men, tall and stout, stared at each other, invisible waves of tension passing between them so thick that the girl could practically reach out and touch them.
"...my-a brother has been asking questions," Mario continued. "He's-a too good for this. He would not approve."
"Then remove him from our path," Sephiroth replied. "We have already come so far, there is no sense in being deterred by fools who would see us ruined."
"That's not our way," came a gruff voice from behind them. "You know this."
"Snake," Mario said, "he cannot be turned to our-a side. We must-a eliminate him."
"You would kill your own brother?" Snake asked.
Mario nodded. "If it-a would do good in the world."
Snake frowned. "...no. I won't put that on your conscience."
The fat man opened his mouth, but the girl interrupted.
"Snake... let me."
Sephiroth smiled. "Fitting. If she is still unworthy in your eyes, Mario, let her prove her worth to you."
Mario stared hard at the girl. "If that's-a your wish... then go ahead. Just be-a prepared."
The girl nodded. "I always am."
"They say the doctor will be finished soon," Sephiroth said, casually flicking his sword at the training dummy.
"I'm skeptical," Samus said. "A thinking robot... what if it turns on us?"
"The same concern could be held for any of us," the swordsman replied. "We are all unique personalities with egos larger than planets. The robot will be a welcome addition... and soon, Snake's 'ultimate vision' will come to fruition."
"Why the bitter tone?" Samus asked.
Sephiroth blinked. "You don't think our great leader is a tad naïve?"
"No, I don't," Samus said. "I think he's brilliant. A world for warriors... I can see it now..."
The silver-haired man snorted, striking the dummy with a flurry of slashes. "Such a world would come with a heavy cost. Do you truly want that upon your shoulders?"
"If the net gain is greater than the loss," the woman said, "then yes."
Sephiroth abruptly stopped his movements, standing statue-like. He sighed. "It seems I've trained you well, then... too well, in fact."
Samus crossed her arms. "And what is that supposed to mean?"
"I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually. You're a bright girl."
A sudden flash and Samus had drawn her energy sword, glowing dully in the dim light of the training room. Sephiroth smiled.
"You don't want this fight. Not now. Not ever."
"On the contrary," Samus said, inching closer. "I want it more badly than you can possibly imagine."
Sephiroth stopped smiling. "They're calling you 'the Hunter,' you know... but then again, I'm certain you do... Snake tells you everything, doesn't he... yes, our fearless, impartial leader..."
"You're going to say something you'll regret soon," Samus said.
"There is an old proverb: regrets are just things we have yet to accomplish. So in that sense, 'Hunter,' your regrets must be infinite."
Samus stopped moving toward Sephiroth.
"...why are you saying these things?" she asked; her voice actually sounded hurt.
"What's going on here?"
The training room door burst open and in came Snake, his eyes rapidly taking in the situation.
"Nothing," Sephiroth said. "I was just leaving."
"Before you go," Snake said, "Dr. Light's robot has arrived. It needs a tour of the island."
Sephiroth gave a quick bow and walked out of the training room. Samus sheathed her energy sword and made to leave as well, but Snake stopped her.
"Mind yourself," he said. "You know what Cloud said."
Samus said nothing.
The silver-haired man stood and watched as six individuals beat the blonde-haired woman to a bloody pulp. The brown-haired man, now with flecks of gray, stood next to him.
"Just like old times, eh?" Sephiroth asked.
Silence.
