Title:

Title: The duties of a Cetra and the duties of a SOLDIER

Author: Malu (malu_45@hotmail.com)

Series: FF7 (Alternate Universe)

Disclaimers- Final Fantasy 7 characters are not mine. They belong to Squaresoft.

Author's notes- This story takes place in an alternate universe where the original game doesn't take place. This fic is centered on Aeris and Sephiroth, if you find that pairing insulting, don't read it. In this alternate universe Aeris is a SOLDIER 1st class and still is a Cetra (no one else knows) and she's 16 years old. Sephiroth is also in SOLDIER, but he's not a general, he's a Lieutenant. Zack is in it too and he's one of Sephiroth's men. Some of other characters will appear too.

(means thought)

Sephiroth and his men were camped near the North Crater in the Northern Continent. They were tired. Sephiroth looked around and sighted. Their assignment was to look for a giant creature that the people of the Glacier saw a few weeks ago. Ten 1st class SOLDIERS, including himself, jus to find one monster. Sephiroth knew that the only reason why they were sent on this wild goose chase was because his enemies in Shinra wanted to discredit him. There were a lot of people in the higher ranks in Shinra that felt threatened by Sephiroth's abilities and didn't want to loose their power. For them what could be better than making Sephiroth the laughing stock in SOLDIER? Sephiroth looked around, there was nothing else to do so he got up and walked to his tent. He sat on his sleeping bag, lighted a lamp and started reading a book. His PHS started ringing. A male voice was heard, "Hello it's Reno. I've got news from HQ. Another SOLDIER is getting transferred to your unit." Sephiroth thought about it. (Why would they send me another SOLDIER?) "Do you have any information on him?" Reno grinned. "Actually it's a her, her name's Aeris Gainsborough, she's a 1st class SOLDIER and she's a babe." Sephiroth sighed in resignation, (Reno, always thinking with his…Anyway, another 1st class SOLDIER should help finish the mission sooner.)" Reno, when is she reporting for duty?" Reno laughed, "Always on track, aren't we? She's coming two days from now. Gotta go, see ya!" Sephiroth turned off the PHS. He looked at his watch and it was late. (I'll tell the rest in the morning. He closed his book and turned off his light.)

In the Shinra Building people where still working, on the 64th floor Aeris was practicing her sword katas. She was very good with a sword since that's the official weapon of SOLDIER, but her weapon of choice is the bo staff. She wore short black pants and a black tank top. Her long brown hair was tied up in a braid, as always, but it was messed up. Her concentration was broken when a male voice called, "Hey Aeris!". Aeris stopped her kata. (That voice can only be HIS.) He was smiling and grinning. "Hey, babe! I've got news for you. You're been transferred." Aeris' eyes widened. Reno kept up the suave smile, "What do you say about dinner at 8'o clock tomorrow, babe?" Aeris gave him a frosty glare, "Babe? I don't think so!" (The nerve of that guy, can he ever call me by my name?) She picked up her stuff. Reno kept smiling, "You're to report tomorrow morning to Heidegger's office for instructions." He gave her one last smile and left. Aeris went to her apartment on the Shinra barracks. She stood by her window and looked outside. (What could be important enough that Heidegger would want to see me? I wonder where I'm gonna be transferred to. I'm tired of staying on Midgar, I feel the Planet calling for me, something's gonna happen and I have to be there.) She took off a silver necklace that had white orb mounted on it and put it on her nightstand. She took a shower and prepared for bed.

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The next morning, when she entered Heidegger's office, she was wearing her SOLDIER uniform which was blue just like the male's uniform, but with a tighter fit and her hair was still done in a braid hold up with a blue string. She still wore the silver necklace under her uniform. She saluted and Heidegger ordered her to be at ease. " I called you here to inform you that you are going to be transferred to Lieutenant Sephiroth's unit. You are to report to him tomorrow at 1800 hours on the Northern Continent. Dismissed." Aeris saluted again and left to put her affairs in order before leaving for the Northern Continent.

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On Sephiroth's camp everyone was already up and ready for another day of monster hunting, as the men called it. Sephiroth was busy inspecting everything was packed before they moved out. (Still nothing, will we ever finish this mission? Oh, I almost forgot about the new SOLDIER.) He looked at his men, they were all assembled. "Everyone, Headquarters has assigned another SOLDIER to this unit. Her name's Gainsborough. She'll be here tomorrow." They continued searching the whole day without finding anything.

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The next morning Aeris was waiting for the helicopter that was going to take her to her new assignment. It was late. (Not only am I going to be transferred to the middle of nowhere, but I'm gonna be late too! But getting a chance to work for Lieutenant Sephiroth is too good to pass up!) Before she could continue her trail of thought, the helicopter arrived. She loaded her baggage, a tent, some clothes and a few more things needed for survival in the wilderness. She carried her weapon and a few recovery items. The helicopter was on its way to the Northern Continent.

Aeris looked through the window and could only see the ocean. (The wind, the ocean, the Planet, it's calling me, I can feel it. Something is going to happen soon…) Aeris didn't talk much to the pilot, who seemed concentrated on his job.

It was already 1600 hours when Aeris saw the Northern Continent on the horizon. The helicopter ride was quiet until they reached the Great Glacier; a loud road made the helicopter shake. Aeris looked out the window. A huge creature was just in front of them. Aeris' eyes widened. (That creature! It's a Weapon! That means that the danger that'll threaten the Planet is here!) The Weapon attacked the helicopter with its left arm. The pilot tried to change the helicopter's course, but couldn't avoid the attack. The helicopter started falling. Aeris looked around to see if there were parachutes, but there was nothing. (Damn it! There's nothing here! If we crash everything will be lost!) Aeris closed her eyes and concentrated. Her body began to glow and the glow spread to the helicopter. The helicopter glowed and it started to slow down, so when it crashed the impact was softened.

After a while Aeris dug herself out from under the debris. She looked around, no Weapon. She suddenly remembers about the pilot. She searched through the rubble and found him seriously injured. She dug him out and looked around. As far as the eye can see there was nothing there, just snow and more snow. (What am I gonna do? If I don't find help quick this man's gonna die! For the love of the Planet, someone help me!) Aeris prayed to the Planet for help.

Aeris heard a distant roar; she looked around, fearing that the Weapon was coming back. She looked desperately around the remains of the helicopter and found her staff and her items. She checked her materia and prepared for battle. But when the roaring got closer, Aeris saw that it wasn't Weapon, but a Blue Dragon hunting down a Black Chocobo. (A black chocobo? Here?) Aeris sprung into action. She ran towards the Blue Dragon and summoned Ifrit. Ifrit hit the Blue Dragon and it roared in pain. It turned toward Aeris and tried to bite her, but Aeris dodged the attack. Aeris cast Fire 3. The Dragon countered with a Blue Dragon Breath. Aeris stumbled because of the pain, but quickly got up and cast Cure 2 on herself, which helped cure almost all of her injuries, and before the Dragon could attack, she cast her Seal Evil limit break. The Dragon was silenced, but not paralyzed. She cast Fire 3 again. The Blue Dragon tried desperately to rip Aeris apart with its claws. Aeris dodged most of them, but still some of them hit her on her left arm and shoulder. Aeris cast Fire 3 and the Blue Dragon fell to the floor, dead. She rushed to the pilot and gave him and elixir. (He can't survive long in this cold, there aren't any towns nearby and the camp is about 3 miles from here.)

Aeris looked around. The chocobo was still there, wounded, but alive. (Maybe…) She took out an elixir and gave it to the chocobo. The chocobo was fully healed, but looked at Aeris wearily. Aeris looked at him with her glowing Mako eyes. The chocobo was frozen, not sure if it could trust her. Aeris closed her eyes and concentrated. Her left hand started to glow, an eerie green glow. The chocobo first looked like it was gonna flee, but he started walking toward Aeris. She held out her glowing hand to it. It stopped one foot away from Aeris. She stroked it softly and the chocobo finally calmed down. "You're cute, I'll call you Luna." The chocobo warked happily.

Aeris walked over to the wounded pilot and Luna walked behind her. Aeris tried to put the pilot on Luna's back, but the chocobo was too tall and the pilot too heavy. Luna seemed to understand her predicament, so she lowered herself so Aeris could lay the pilot down on her back. Aeris looked at the sky; the sun was starting to set. Aeris mounted the chocobo, holding the pilot up front. The ride was slow, so the pilot wouldn't fall off the chocobo. Sometimes Aeris would stop and defeat some monsters because they couldn't outrun them. When they were almost one kilometer from the camp, Aeris got off the chocobo and led the way. She had a long gash on her right arm, but she didn't cure it because she needed to save up her magic to fight monsters and tend to the pilot.

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Sephiroth was beginning to get impatient. He looked at his watch. (It's 2000 hours and still no sign of Gainsborough.) He had been waiting 2 hours. At first he was angry at her, thinking that she was irresponsible and missed her ride, so he called Reno. Reno told him Aeris had left on a helicopter at 1400 hours. He decided to wait one more hour before going to look for her.

His men were seated around the campfire. They were talking about different things. Zack, Sephiroth's second in command, was speaking to another soldier. Zack had spiky black hair and blue mako-infused eyes. The SOLDIER he was talking to had short brown hair and brown mako eyes. Zack looked at Sephiroth, "Hey Mike, take a look at Sephiroth." Mike did as he was told, "Uh, if looks could kill…" Zack almost laughed; Sephiroth doesn't normally show any kind of emotion, so he should really be fuming, "Yeah man, I wonder where is this Gainsborough girl?"

Sephiroth was loosing his patience. He heard someone approaching the camp. He listened closely. (It's actually two sounds, a human and a chocobo. The chocobo just stopped, but the human's getting closer.) Sephiroth drew his Masamune. All of the other SOLDIERS saw this and prepared for battle. Then they saw a lone figure coming closer, it was slender, obviously female.

Aeris was almost there, she already knew they must have heard her coming. She didn't even try to approach them unnoticed; they were trained SOLDIERS. She was tired and injured; she wanted to be done with it. When she was close enough to see them she stopped and looked around until she saw Sephiroth. (Long silver hair and green mako eyes, definitely Sephiroth.)

Sephiroth looked at the young woman that was slowly walking toward camp. (She looks too frail to be a real threat. She has a SOLDIER uniform, maybe she's Gainsborough.) He sheathed his weapon, the rest of the men relaxed.

Aeris walked into camp and went directly to Sephiroth. She was a little self-conscious because she knew everyone was looking at her, studying her. She stopped a few feet from Sephiroth. "1st class SOLDIER Gainsborough, reporting for duty, sir." She tried to salute, but moving her right arm was too painful. Sephiroth looked at Aeris, her uniform was dirty with blood and dirt and she was injured. "At ease. Gainsborough, you were to report at 1800 hours, you're late. Why were you late?" Aeris looked like she wanted to die. (What am I gonna tell him? He'll never believe me and I can't tell him it's a Weapon.) "Sir, the helicopter crashed. The pilot survived, I'll get him." She turned around and called Luna. Luna approached the camp slowly, but at the sight of Sephiroth and his men, she stopped. Sephiroth looked at the chocobo carrying the wounded pilot. (The helicopter crashed? How? How could they survive? Where did this chocobo come from)? Aeris called Luna again and the chocobo went to her warking. Aeris stroked Luna's head, "Luna, down." The chocobo lowered itself and one of the men carried the pilot into one of the tents.

Sephiroth looked at Aeris and the chocobo. "I want a complete recount of what happened, come." He led her to his tent. He let her sit on his sleeping bag, while he sat on a small stool. "You're wounded, do you have Restore Materia?" Aeris was a little uneasy because she was sitting on his sleeping bag, "Oh, yes I do. I just didn't want to use up my magic resources, I needed it for the pilot and in case I ran into a powerful monster." She cast Cure 3 on herself.

Sephiroth studied her, "Why did the helicopter crash?"

Aeris didn't know what to say. (Should I say the truth? Would he believe me?) She took her chances. "The helicopter was flying over the Great Glacier, when we were attacked and the helicopter went down."

Sephiroth knew she wanted to hide something, "By what?"

"Truthfully, I don't think you'd believe me."

"Try me."

"We were attacked by a giant monster."

Sephiroth just looked at her, his face showing no emotion. "A giant monster, sounds like our target."

Aeris was confused, " Our target?"

"Yes, our target. Our mission is to locate a giant creature that has been terrorizing the people of the Northern Continent. Now, back to the subject at hand, what happened next?"

"Well the monster attacked the helicopter with its arm and we crashed. When I came to I dug myself out from the wreck and dug out the pilot; he was badly wounded."

"And the chocobo?"

"When I woke up, she was being attacked by a Blue Dragon, I saved her."

"…" (That chocobo is too well trained to be wild. A wild black chocobo…)

"Anyway Luna took us here. We had to go slowly so the pilot's wounds didn't reopen."

"That should take care of it. I'll introduce you to the rest." They walked outside the tent. The others were preparing dinner. They sat down next to them. Luna was busy eating some wild greens next to the camp. "Let me introduce you. Everyone this is Aeris Gainsborough, SOLDIER 1st class." Aeris cut in, "You can all call me Aeris." They greeted her. Zack, being the resident ladies' man, gave her a dashing smile and kissed her hand "I'm very pleased to meet you, I'm Zack…" Aeris eyes widened with recognition. "Oh I know who you are, you're Zack Almasy." Zack grinned. "I see I have somewhat of a reputation." Aeris smirked. "No, you seem to have a short memory span. It seems that you don't remember me, my grandparents live in Gongaga village." (Really, he never changes.) Sephiroth and the rest were trying not to laugh. Zack tried to salvage the situation, "Oh, I remember, we where such good friends." Aeris got an idea, "We were more than friends." Zack smirked. Aeris raised an eyebrow, "I remember the last time I saw you. You changed my shampoo for something that turned my hair green, but before I could get my hands on you, you had already left for Midgar." Aeris' voice was full of sarcasm, "Oh, how I missed you." Some of the SOLDIERS couldn't keep a strait face and started laughing. One of them spoke up, "Strike three! Out!" Sephiroth smirked, trying very hard not to laugh. Zack gave them a dark look, "Ha, ha. Very funny."

They talked about this and that. It was getting late, so Sephiroth told them to light out. Luna was sleeping next to the fire. Aeris stood in the middle of camp, all of the others where getting into their tents. Aeris looked at them. "Umm, I think we forgot something." (Where am I gonna sleep? With Luna?)

The men looked at each other, then at Aeris. Sephiroth looked at Aeris, "Oh, let's discuss the sleeping arrangement." (Ten male SOLDIERS, a wounded pilot, a female SOLDIER and only 4 tents. Why me?)

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Author's notes- I took Seifer Almasy's (from FF8) last name and gave it to Zack (if anyone knows the real last name please tell me). Many people may think Aeris and Sephiroth are OOC, but they're not. Aeris isn't a saint (she did tell half of the Wall Marked that Cloud was gay), she's a normal teenager. Sephiroth is just like he was before going nuts, quiet, mostly unemotional, but still normal. He's nice to other (except when working) and polite. They are still normal teenagers.

Chapter 2

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Disclaimers- See chapter one

Author's notes- Same as chapter one. Since italics don't work on e-mails what's in italics I had to put thoughts in parenthesis (thoughts), but please if you put it on your page put thoughts in italics and delete the parenthesis.

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The sleeping arrangements were still not resolved. Of course, Zack offered to share his tent with her. Zack and his friends looked smug. Aeris just stared at them, the look she gave them said it all. (I don't think so perverts.) Sephiroth spoke up. "Everyone! I've got a solution to our problem. My tent is the smallest so Aeris you'll take it. The pilot will stay where he is. Everyone stays where they were. I'll stay in Zack's tent." Mumbles could be heard, obviously 4 men sleeping in a tent made for 3 men was not their idea of comfortable sleeping arrangements.

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The next morning everyone got up early. Sephiroth assembled everyone outside. " I already called Headquarters and they are going to send someone to get the pilot. Since our target has been spotted again, I want all of you to stay in parties of 3 people each. One party will stay behind, secure the camp and take care of the pilot. Another party will go north toward the crater and another to the Great Glacier. There are 2 people left. I will take Gainsborough to the crash site. Understood?"

All of the men and Aeris saluted, "Yes sir!"

Sephiroth looked at them, "Well leave in 10 minutes. Dismissed."

Everyone went to their tents to look for their equipment. Aeris looked for her staff, armor, materia and items, then went to the tent where the pilot was. She made sure she was alone with the pilot. He was awake, but barely. He was about 40 years old; he had black hair, dark brown eyes with a black beard and mustache. She approached him, "How are you feeling? Do you remember me?" The pilot looked at Aeris. "I'm alive, I feel too awful to be dead, but I'll get better. You're…you're the girl on the helicopter. " Aeris smiled, "I'm Aeris Gainsborough, I'm a SOLDIER 1st class. I hope you feel better soon." The pilot returned her smile and attempted to nod, but he was still too weak, "My name's Jack."

Aeris nodded, "Jack, do you remember what happened when we crashed?" Jack just looked at her, confused. "I don't really remember much, when I saw the monster attack us, everything turned a light green and I lost consciousness. What was that thing?"

Aeris was a little nervous, "I don't know, it was a giant monster and we were sent here to destroy it. Anyway they're gonna send you home today, so I'm here to say good bye, maybe I'll see you in Midgar when I return."

Jack smiled again, "Okay, I'll see you then, and thanks for saving me."

"My pleasure." She said as she left.

She assembled with the other out side of camp. They separated themselves into 4 parties. One stayed behind and the rest left to their appointed positions.

Zack was the leader of the party that was headed for the Crater. Mike (Zack's friend, see chapter 1) lead the party headed for the Great Glacier. Aeris and Sephiroth left for the crash site. They walked for hours. Aeris walked in front, leading Sephiroth. They had encountered a few monsters on the way, but all of them were easy to destroy. It was taking too long. Sephiroth kept quiet and Aeris was tired of the silence. She looked around; the crash site was still far away. (This is taking too long. With Luna it took more than one hour for me to get to camp, on foot it'll take forever. This silence is driving me crazy.) Sephiroth was busy looking around. He decided to take Aeris alone to test out her fighting skills. (Her physical attacks are average, but far too weak for a SOLDIER 1st class. Now her magic attacks are another matter, I've never seen someone with her mastery of materia, except probably me. Most of her materia is mastered and very rare.)

He heard a noise from behind. Aeris heard it too and turned around. They were mildly surprised to find that Luna had followed them. Sephiroth frowned. "I thought you released the chocobo last night." Aeris looked puzzled. "I thought so too." Luna walked up to Aeris and warked, as if asking to be petted. Aeris complied. "Sir, I've got an idea. What if we ride the chocobo to the crash site, it'll be much faster and we wouldn't have to fight monsters on the way." Sephiroth considered the idea, normally he would have said no, he preferred to travel on foot, but he gave in to Aeris. "It's a good idea."

He walked toward Luna, but she took a step back and looked at Aeris. Aeris calmed her down. "Luna, don't be afraid. Can you please take us to where I found you?" Sephiroth raised and eyebrow. Much to his surprise Luna warked and lowered herself so it would be easier for them to mount her. Since Sephiroth was heavier and larger than Aeris, he rode in front and Aeris on the back. At first Luna went slowly, weary of Sephiroth, but quickened her pace. They arrived at the crash site in half an hour.

The helicopter was still there, or what was left of it anyway. There were pieces of metal everywhere. Sephiroth looked at the wreck. The helicopter was torn into two pieces. (Only something gigantic could have done something like that. How could they survive this, not only was the attack very strong, but a fall from that altitude should have been fatal.)

Aeris was too busy searching for tracks belonging to the WEAPON, but there were only a few footprints, but the tracks seem to appear and disappear out of nowhere. (This can't be, something as big as WEAPON can't just materialize out of nowhere and disappear the same way. And if it's possible, why would it attack me?)

Sephiroth examined the footprints too. There was no trace of WEAPON anywhere, just a few holes in the ground and the helicopter. (There's no question something big attacked the plane, but what? How could a monster of that size leave without leaving any trail?)

They looked around for a few hours, but didn't have any luck. They stopped to eat lunch. Aeris remembered her dinner and her breakfast. (Those rations we had for dinner tasted like cardboard, wait, cardboard had more taste. Since we're gonna be here a while they brought some food other than rations. In the morning they cooked, they made a mess and the food was even worse. None of them know how to cook. At least they should be sure it's edible, or dead for that matter. At least I'll have a decent lunch.) She had packed a couple of lunches. It consisted of sandwiches, some miso soup and tea, not much, but she didn't have time for anything else.

Sephiroth was seated next to her. He took out his ration from his pack and just stared at it for a while. (The most feared and powerful military forces on the planet and their food tastes like crap.) He didn't want to open it. He looked at Aeris. Aeris was taking out both lunches. She gave one to Sephiroth. "Here sir, so you don't have to eat rations again." Sephiroth took it and nodded in gratitude. They started eating. Aeris was busy eating and Sephiroth seemed lost in thought, as always. He was still trying to figure Aeris out. Aeris didn't seem like the typical type of SOLDIER; she had the ability, but not the killer instinct. Aeris was too nice. She even brought him lunch. (I've seen that before, nice and sweet. Always helping and attentive, at first, then they turn into Scarlet. Everyone want something, nothing's free. Appearances deceive. She'll always be looking at me and hanging on my every word.) He looked at Aeris; she had finished her lunch and was petting Luna, paying no attention to Sephiroth whatsoever. (Maybe not.) They put everything away and discussed what to do next.

Suddenly a loud roar could be heard. Sephiroth and Aeris prepared for battle and out of nowhere appeared the Weapon. The Weapon stopped, studying both of them. It looked at Aeris, but quickly turned to look at Sephiroth. It growled and lunged at Sephiroth. He moved out of the way and cast Bolt 3. It didn't do anything to the Weapon. Aeris tried Ifrit, but again it didn't do anything. The Weapon attacked again, this time it blasted a beam of pure energy toward them, but they moved out of the beam's range. Then the ground started to shake violently and the ground seemed to open up beneath their feet; everything turned dark..

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