Hey everyone :) I just want to thank all of you for sticking with the story this far! And to those of you that reviewed, favorited, and alerted... -Hugs- Thank you so much! :D Constructive criticism is always appreciated by the way
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Mekina, my OC.
It took you about ten minutes to get to the shopping district and when you arrived it was filled with crowds of people. This is an easy place for people to steal from... I have to be careful, you casually slipped your hands in your pockets, looking for any clothing store that caught your eye. After a minute or two of walking around, you finally saw a store that peaked your interest and headed to it.
It was rather easy to get there, since the people around you took notice of your uniform and let you by, all the while whispering amongst themselves. You opened the door, instantly hearing the ringing noise that signaled a customer came in, and looked around.
Several groups of girls around your age looked at you. Whispers filled the store making you feel uneasy as you grabbed a basket near the entrance then walked calmly over to an area with clothing that interested you. As you went over, you walked by a couple of girls which made you able to hear a conversation about you. In times like this, you wished you didn't have enhanced hearing.
"A girl in SOLDIER? Why would a girl even want to join them?" A girl whispered to her friend.
"Yeah, that's just... wow... but in a way I do kind of envy her," her friend whispered, looking at you over a rack of clothes, but you pretended not to notice.
"You're jealous? why?"
Her friend shushed her since she got a little to loud before shyly whispering back. "Because there are a lot of cute guys in SOLDIER."
"Oh, I get it, like Sephiroth!" The other giggled as her friend nodded her head, smiling. "And his two friends are cute too... wait, no! The three of them aren't cute! They're hot!"
Both of the girls continued their conversation and after a minute you got bored listening. So far you only found a few things you liked, and made sure they were your right size before you went to another section. As you shifted locations, found yourself able to listen in on another conversation. Seeing you seemed to spark more discussion about how cute SOLDIER boys were.
Are boys really all they can think about? You shook your head and lifted some shorts off the rack. Quietly examining them for a moment, you decided to get them and placed it in your basket. "I bet the only reason she's in SOLDIER is to get the guys... as if she could. What a slut!" Another girl whispered as she saw you get the shorts.
This had you look at them from the corner of your narrowed eyes.
"Whoa! Did she hear us?"
"Of course she can! She's enhanced like the rest of them, after all..." One of them said as you glanced at each of them, scoffing. They're one to talk. Don't they even know what their wearing?
They were either wearing shorts shorter than the one you picked out or mini skirts and tops with cleavage. Wanting to be done with shopping already, you picked out some more clothes to put in the basket. The next time you went out, you would have to remember to wear normal close. People just wouldn't stop staring at you because of your uniform, and you couldn't help but to feel awkward.
. . .
You paid the girl at the register the gil and quickly left the store, glad that was over with. When you got outside, you shifted the bags around in your arms while looking at your PHS for the time. 9:38 am. As you continued walking back to shinra HQ, another store managed to catch your attention. Eyes lighting up, you slowed your pace down to look at it. Oh, a music store... Without a second thought you went in and looked around. When the mp3 section caught your attention, you walked over to it.
When you picked which one you wanted you went to the register and handed the gil to the cashier. The mp3 was originally 500 gil, but so you could download songs onto it you had to pay an extra 100 to use one of the stores computers.
"Here you go," he handed you the wires to plug it in. Taking it, you thanked him before going over to one of the stores computes to proceed downloading music.
...
After spending about an hour in there, you happily left the store listening to one of your favorite songs while walking back to HQ. When you got inside of Shinra you quickly made way back to your room, and slipped your keycard through the door before nudging it with a shoulder, getting inside. Upon entering, you placed the bags on your bed, took out your clothes and went to put them in the closet. Once finished, you finally closed the door and locked it as a thought occurred to you.
I haven't seen Zack in a long time... I wonder how he's doin-
The thought was never finished as your gaze landed on the mirror along your open closet door. Slowly stepping closer to it, you blankly stared at your bare neck. After a few seconds had passed, you began to panic.
"Where did my necklace go? Oh man, this can't be happening!" You exclaimed, hastily looking around your room for it. After what seemed like twenty minutes of searching for it, you sat on the foot of your bed, deep in thought of where you last had it. "Damn it, how can I be so careless? I never even realized how much it made me feel safe just by having it around..."
Falling back against the bed, you stared at the ceiling for a moment before closing your eyes, trying to recall some kind of memory of where you had it last.
I know I had it this morning on the mission... what if I lost it there? The image of the town exploding ran through your mind. Please don't let it be there... After some time, you eventually remembered what happened and opened your eyes with a gasp. When we were fighting the monster, its weapon caught onto my necklace... You reached a hand up to where the necklace would have been. Where it should have been, and softtly sighed.
"I'm sorry, mother..."
Tears had threatened to escape from the corners of your eyes, but you quickly blinked them away. You sat up and looked around the messy room before somberly rising to your feet, starting to clean it. When you finished, you turned your head to the clock by your bed, 10:09.
"Guess i'll just hang around the lounge..."
Putting your mp3 in your pocket, you grabbed your sword, placing it on your back before walking out the room and down the hall to the 3rd class lounge. Two 3rd class were playing video games while several people sat around watching. Some were watching TV while some guys were showing off to their friends with sword tricks or materia that they just got. Someone was sitting on the ground playing his guitar while a few were just laying around relaxing. Liking the atmosphere, a little smile tried to reveal itself as you decided to watch TV.
"What are you watching?" You sat next to a boy with dark brown hair that covered his right eye. He had his SOLDIER uniform on still.
"I don't know, but it's funny. Keep watching then you'll see," he smiled at you before turning his gaze back to the screen, and you followed his gaze to it as well.
After another minute, all of you who were watching bursted out laughing, then the credits appeared and a chorus of awws filled the corner of the room. Then South Park began to show, causing all of you to cheer.
...
"Oh my god! Kenny didn't die this time!" Just as Cartman said that, a lightning bolt came from the sky and shocked Kenny, killing him.
This made everyone laugh once again before the show ended, quickly being replaced by some other show. Stomach beginning to growl slightly, you got off the couch and went over to the mini snack machine near the back of the lounge, and got a bag of chips for 5 gil. Hanging out with the 3rds had helped you calm your mind from losing your necklace, which you were very grateful for.
When you finished, you walked out the lounge, throwing the bag into the trash can by the door. You decided to walk around for a bit. If i'm lucky enough I might even be able to find Takamo, Zack, Sephiroth, Angeal, or Genesis.
As you entered the hall, you decided to go a way you never went before, and eventually came across an elevator. You passed it and went up some stairs, assuming the 1st class rooms would be higher up since you were already on the SOLDIER floor. You decided to go up a few more stairs out of curiousity and soon saw two SOLDER's with a 2nd class uniform when you made it to the top. They were talking about Sephiroth, Angeal, and Genesis and what happened earlier that day.
"I heard from some 3rd's that they saved them," they both chuckled, then the other one spoke.
"I just saw them a few minutes ago, and they were actually talking about that. I heard they were going to the training room again since last time they got interrupted and had to help the 3rds..."
Once you heard that, you couldn't hold back a smile and turned back around to go down the stairs, heading to the training room. After several minutes, you stood in front of the door and placed your keycard in, then went inside. The moment you entered, everything seemed to flicker for a split second, but it was very unnoticeable.
At least to you it was.
You were in the same place like before and saw the three SOLDIER's in the distance by the big pipe. A gleam appeared in your eye as a thought came to you, and you began to walk silently behind them, wanting to sneak up on them.
"Hey, Mekina," Angeal greeted, making you groan.
"How did you know?"
"I could hear your faint footsteps," he replied with a little smirk as he turned his head to the side, looking at you. This had you slightly sigh before walking over to them, and leaning against the pipe next to Angeal.
"We also saw a flicker that only happens when someone comes in," Genesis added with his head turned down to LOVELESS. You gave him a somewhat confused look.
"Eventually you'll be able to notice it as well if you keep coming here," Sephiroth said, and you could only nod your head at his words.
The four of you sat in silence for a moment until Genesis broke it. "Hm, I almost forgot..."
Genesis closed his book and got off the pipe, reaching into his pocket. As he pulled his hand out, he walked over to you and grabbed your hand, placing something in it. Curiously, you glanced up at him for a moment before looking back down, opening your hand. Surprise filled your eyes, and after a few seconds, a big smile appeared on your face.
"Thank you so much, Genesis!" Jumping off the pipe, you wrapped your arms around him tightly, feeling him tense up a little before hesitantly giving your shoulder an awkward pat. After a moment, you pulled away, put the necklace on.
"I owe you one," you beamed at him. A smirk formed on his lips.
"Fight us." Angeal gave him a look and Sephiroth watched from the corner of his eyes.
Taking a step back to distance yourself from him, you let your smile change into a bit of a smirk, matching his. "Whatever you say."
Genesis took out his rapier as you took your sword off your back. Angeal and Sephiroth exchanged glances. Sephiroth then pulled out his masamune making Angeal sighed as he took out his sword, though some amusement showed on his expression.
Sephiroth attacked Angeal and Angeal held his sword up, blocking it. Genesis swung his sword to your side and you turned your body towards the blade and held your sword in front of you, locking swords with his. From the corner of your eye, you watched Angeal and Sephiroth fighting for a few seconds before raising your leg, getting ready to do a side kick on Genesis, but he moved back instantly.
You ran towards him, swinging your blade at his shoulder, but he brought his sword upwards into yours, pushing the blade away. Genesis circled his sword above his head, gaining speed, before slashing at you. Quickly, you dropped to a knee, missing his attack by one or two inches, before spinning around so your back was now facing to him.
Placing your hands on the ground, you lifted a leg up, kicking him away from you before he could attack again. Narrowing his eyes, he rushed you, and because of how fast he went, you only had enough time to spin back around and hold your sword in front of you, taking a defensive stance. Once you turned to him, his blade instantly made contact with yours, and he began to add pressure on his rapier, making you fall on your back since you were still in a kneeling position to begin with.
This is almost the same position the Wutai soldier had me in... I don't see any way for me to get out of this, you examined him closely, searching for an opening, but found none. He was too close for you to have enough room to kick him away, and even if you could, it wouldn't have much effect. As the blade came closer to you, your eyes slightly widen in remembrance and an uneasy smirk played on your lips. Well, they did say not to hold back on them...
Hesitantly, you removed one of your hands from the handle of your sword, resulting in both of your weapons to go lower on you. You faced your hand towards Genesis' chest, and lifted your gaze to look into his questioning eyes. Suddenly feeling how cold your hand was, his eyes widened. And in a flash, he was off of you.
In a rush, you rolled to the side as the blizzard dropped where you both use to be, and shattered, making Angeal and Sephiroth spare you but a mere glance before continuing their battle. You rose to your feet, looking around for Genesis. After a while, you heard chuckling behind you before the sound was followed by the sound of swords clashing. Quickly, you turned around and saw Sephiroth blocking Genesis' rapier with masamune.
"Are you trying to kill her, Genesis?" Sephiroth questioned as you peered from behind him to Genesis. Genesis was about to say something, but Angeal beat him to it.
"You just get too into these things, don't you?" Angeal crossed his arms.
"I'm sure she would have been able to defend herself!" That was the only thing Genesis said in his defense. He knew Angeal was right, but there was no way he would admit it.
"One of these days, one of us could end up hurt. Or worse," Angeal scolded as Sephiroth and Genesis lowered their blades.
You took a few unneasy steps forward, standing next to Sephiroth as Angeal began to lecture Genesis. You felt bad for him getting in trouble, even if he did almost harm you. It only happened because you used magic. Next time no materia, you quietly noted to yourself.
. . .
After the lecture Genesis endured, the four of you relaxed on the pipe. Angeal leaned against the pipe while Genesis sat on it. Sephiroth was several feet away watching the scenery. You sat in between Angeal and Genesis and after a while you decided to tease Genesis when he cooled down a bit.
"Thanks for almost killing me twice, Genesis." You teased, smiling at Sephiroth. You had a feeling Sephiroth's lips curved into a smirk even though you couldn't see it.
Genesis rolled his eyes.
"I was not going to kill you, I just wanted to see if you could escape the positions you were in." His eyes continued to scan a page in LOVELESS.
"You don't think i'm strong enough to get out of those situations?" Was that why you tested me...? A half smile threatened to show a little since he didn't know you already were in a life or death situation in one of those moves he did.
"Perhaps," Genesis then changed the subject, keeping his eyes on LOVELESS as he spoke. "Where did you get that materia from?"
"From a Wutai soldier... he had me in the same position where you were over me. But the way he did it was more deadly."
Genesis raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "How so?"
"He had the sword slanted pointing towards me, and he kept making it move forward," you paused wondering if you should say what else happened but after a few seconds decided to say it in a quiet tone. "If I didn't move so it could go in my shoulder, then I probably wouldn't be here right now."
"Interesting... do you know how to take the materia out?" Sephiroth inquired, eyeing your shoulders. You shook your head. "It's bad to keep it in too long, so it would be best to take it out now."
Worry flashed through your eyes and you held the arm that it was in out.
"Don't scare her, Sephiroth," said man ignored Genesis' words and just walked over to you. Grabbing your arm, he placed his hand over where he could see the faint glow. After a few seconds the materia came out and he placed it in your hand.
"Thanks," once again, you smiled at him. "So, all I have to do is hold my hand over it to get it out?"
Sephiroth nodded his head.
"Also remember not to over do the materia," seeing the curious look you had, he continued. "When you become higher in rank, you'll be able to use more materia. It's not good to equip too much, unless primarily fighting with magic is what you desire... over encumbering yourself can weaken your physical strength."
Taking in the information, you slowly nodded your head to him. Sephiroth turned back around walking back to where he was standing and watched the scenery. Through the whole conversation, Angeal was leaning against the pipe with his eyes closed appearing to be in deep thought. All of you stayed in silence for a quite a while, just ejoying the gentle breeze that blew against you, along with the view. And closing your eyes as the breeze picked up slightly, and leaned back a little.
"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess. We seek it thus and take to the sky. Ripples form on the waters surface, the wandering soul knows no rest..."
"LOVELESS act I," Sephiroth turned around, looking at Genesis before taking several steps forward. He was still holding masamune from the fight earlier.
"Hmph... you remembered," Genesis closed his book and placed it on the pipe he was sitting on before getting off of it, looking at Sephiroth. By now, Angeal had opened his eyes and was watching them both.
"How can I not, when you've beaten it into my head?" Sephiroth tapped his head with a finger before raising masamune up and slashing it through the air downward, as if saying 'fight me'. Angeal grabbed his sword, and you jumped off of the pipe, grabbing your sword as well, while Genesis held his rapier in front of him, pointing it upwards with his eyes closed.
"Don't take Sephiroth lightly," Angeal told you both as he brought his sword down. You nodded your head.
"Hmph, noted," Genesis said before the three of you rushed toward Sephiroth.
Angeal attacked Sephiroth first, and Sephiroth moved his blade to the side when their blades touched, forcing dark haired SOLDIER the other way before blocking Genesis' attack. Genesis quickly went in for another attack, but the silver haired man countered him, and pushed him away to block your attack, which sent you backwards.
You recover by doing a back flip, and tried landing in a standing position, but stumbled a bit, falling back instead. Genesis almost chuckled at you as you moved into a kneeling position, rubbing your shoulder a bit. Angeal came at Sephiroth again and was blocked once more before they went into a flurry of clashes.
Sephiroth then swung masamune upwards, and Angeal ducked down before repeating the same attack on him, causing Sephiroth to move back, avoiding his sword. Genesis came in again and Sephiroth instantly blocked him, making him go the other way so he could quickly deal with Angeal's next attack.
You were still on a knee, watching the fight in awe since you had never seen them fight this fast before. You couldn't find any openings to attack, so you just watched and waited patiently. Sephiroth spun back around as Genesis attacked him, and when they made contact, Genesis moved back a little while placing a hand on his rapier's blade so he wouldn't go back to much.
Then Sephiroth swiftly turned back around and blocked Angeal, bringing him go back as well. Every time their blades made contact, there would be sparks, and in all honestly, this fight was starting to make you feel very intimidated. They paused for a few seconds before Angeal and Genesis both attacked Sephiroth at the same time.
Sephiroth blocked with his sword downward making their swords into an X along his, and pushed them away when they began to add their weight onto their swords. Sephiroth continued to stay on the defense as Genesis attacked him, but after swinging their swords together a couple of times, they both moved away from each other at the same time.
Angeal jumped in the air towards Sephiroth with his sword above him ready to hit Sephiroth, but he jumped back so the man's attack went into the pipe, and some sparks appeared upon impact. Genesis jumped over Angeal, whirling around with his sword sticking out in an aerial attack, but Sephiroth swung at him, sending him away easily.
You ran to Sephiroth, sword at your side about to strike him, but Sephiroth turned around and met the blade with masamune, sending you away just as he did to Genesis. Angeal rushed towards Sephiroth and began to clash swords with him, both eventually stopping with their swords locked together, making even more sparks.
"Heh, is that the best you can do?" Sephiroth questioned with a light smirk before pushing Angeal back once more, but near where Genesis was standing. Sephiroth once again brought his sword down through the air. You walked over to them and stood next to Angeal.
"All hail Sephiroth, eh?" Angeal said. Genesis looked back at him before raising his left arm in front of Angeal.
"Angeal, Mekina, stay back. I'll take Sephiroth alone." Genesis said.
"Genesis!" Angeal took a step forward. And Genesis stepped forward as well, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
"The world needs a new hero," as he said that, he had his sword in front of him, and was running a hand along the blade, bringing it to a glow.
"Hmph. Come and try," Sephiroth told him.
"So smug. But for how long?"
Genesis rushed towards Sephiroth, which he blocked before taking a swing at Genesis. The auburn haired man quickly ducked then slashed at other, but the SOLDIER evaded the assault by jumping away. Genesis stayed still for a moment before turning around, blade seeming to glow brighter as he did so, and brought it down on Sephiroth with a grunt. The moment their blades made touched, the area beneath Sephiroth's feet became a huge dent. He smirked and let out a deep chuckle and Genesis smirked back.
Sephiroth slowly raised his blade then quickly striked at Genesis', forcing him backwards into a flip before landing on a knee. The moment he touched the ground, he ran towards Sephiroth again, continuing his assault on the silver SOLDIER. The more they hit metal upon metal, the more it seemed as if even more sparks were produced because of the glow of his sword.
And seeming to grow annoyed with these attacks Sephiroth blocked them swiftly, and pushed him back creating sparks everywhere. Sephiroth was now on the offensive. He ran towards Genesis and once their swords collided with each other, once again, Genesis was moved back several feet.
Sephiroth ran to him again with his sword downward and attacked upward making Genesis go high in the air. He then went after him by jumping into the air and they continued to clash swords above. Your eyes widened in complete shock, for it seemed like they were flying. Genesis now began to use his fire attacks and made fire shoot out towards Sephiroth.
He blocked several that came to his body but didn't care for the ones that were no where near him, leaving them be. When the fire had all gotten past Sephiroth, Genesis rose his hand in the air making them come back to Sephiroth. The man began to block them, but they all started to form together around him becoming a giant fire ball.
"Will he be okay?" You asked Angeal, unable to take your eyes off of what was happening.
"I'm sure he'll be alright. But this has gone far enough."
Angeal then jumped off the pipe, heading straight for Genesis. Genesis made his hand on fire as he pulled it back, ready to send one final flare at the huge flaming ball encasing Sephiroth, but before he could do so, Angeal stopped him.
"Stop! You'll destroy us all!" Genesis then brought his hand to Angeal.
"That's no way to talk to a hero!" He made the fire go off making an explosion in Angeal's face and watched him fall from the sky, smoking.
"Angeal!" You exclaimed as you watched him fall away from the pipe. There was nothing you could do to help him, you were too far out of reach of him. Eyebrows furrowing, you tried to think of something- anything you could do, but your thoughts were soon interrupted when you saw Sephiroth escape from the fire ball, making you sigh in relief.
Then he began to send long ranged attacks at Genesis with masamune, but he blocked every one of them. Since the attacks were so large in length, one of them hit the pipe, cutting it in half, making the whole thing shake and you lost your balance, falling on your butt. You narrowed your eyes in annoyance.
Genesis landed a few feet in front of you and you stood back up, both of you watching Sephiroth on the other part of the pipe slowly going down. You had originally planned to attack or yell at Genesis, most likely attack, but a strange feeling in your stomach stopped you, telling you that you should get as far away from them as you could.
And you listened to it.
Jumping back as far as you could, you landed a safe distance away from them. Watching as Sephiroth cut through the end of the pipe, a hole was made and he flew to Genesis, and the red SOLDIER wasted no time in blocking. To your astonishment, everytime Sephiroth attacked him, part of the pipe would fall off. And eventually, all Genesis could do was evade his attacks as Sephiroth destroyed the pipe.
Glancing behind you, the place began to explode, and a sudden cold chill ran through you. Looking back ahead, you watched with anxious eyes as Sephiroth forced Genesis back quite a distance. When he went flying back, he hit the pipe once along the way, hitting it with his back while emitting a loud grunt, then bounced and did a back flip to recover, almost falling forward when he landed on his feet. He kept his balance using a hand while slightly sliding back before regaining his posture.
Sephiroth had jumped towards him, about to bring his sword down on him, and since Genesis' sword's glow had already disappeared, he guided his hand along the blade, making it glow once again. The moment he finished, both of their swords made contact, creating a large amount of sparks along with a strong breeze that whipped their hair back. They both jumped back, getting ready to attack once more, then jumped towards each other at the same time.
"Enough!" Angeal swiftly rushed towards them and got in the middle, intervening by using his buster sword hilt to block Sephiroth's masamune, and his other sword to block Genesis.
"Angeal," Sephiroth said in slight surprise. Probably because Angeal finally used his buster sword.
"Out of my way!" Genesis growled, glaring at Angeal.
And bringing his hand to a blue glow as he readied his next attack, everything seemed to go in slow motion from then on. You knew what Genesis was going to do to Angeal, so you ran towards them, but you were too slow. He cut Angeal's sword in half, making it spin in the air towards Genesis and instantly cut into his shoulder, ceasing his attack. Genesis cried out in pain.
"Genesis!" Angeal exclaimed as Genesis let go of his rapier and dropped down, holding his shoulder.
Since Genesis was a few feet in front of you, the blade almost hit you as well, but you dodged to the left with a small gasp. The room changed back with an explosion that made a gust of air hit the four of you. Smoke filled the room along with more sparks from broken wires. Not to mention the alarm was going off. The room looked completely fucked up.
"Just a scrape," Genesis rose to his feet. "I'll be fine, don't worry." He kneeled down and grabbed his sword before standing up once again, walking in a relaxed pace as if nothing happened. "Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return."
Then he walked out of the room with the three of you watching him. You looked at Angeal.
"...Is your face okay, Angeal?" You asked softly.
"I'm okay," he gave a reassuring smile. "It's not as bad as it could have been." You tried mirroring the expression, then turned to Sephiroth.
"How about you?" You were still worried about him from when he was engulfed in fire. He responded with a nod his head but remained silent.
"Come on. Let's go check on him..." Angeal began to walk out of the room with you and Sephiroth.