Chapter three SOLDIER
A tall man stood at ease, his head held high, his arms almost loose by his side, green eyes watched the commanding officer with something akin to resentment although he would never allow anyone else to know of his hatred of all above him. The officer was shouting out orders to various others drilling them and most importantly of all assessing them. Those he picked would be the ones who got to go into SOLDIER those who weren't would simply continue with exercises and practice drills. Suddenly the officer was looking at him his voice rising slightly. "Have you lost your hearing number thirty-four? I told you to go in line!" Number thirty-four looked at the officer scornfully; did he not know who he was? He was not a number he was a great fighter and the sooner the people here realised this the better as far as he was concerned. In a low voice he replied the standard reply
"Yes Sir!"
And marched into a line. The officer however was far from satisfied, the way that man had talked was just as if he was the lower person instead of the miserable worm he saw before him. Without warning he strode up to the silver haired man who surely could not have been more than sixteen and bellowed making everyone but his intended target jump.
"Do you presume me to be stupid Sir rah? While under my commandment you will follow orders willingly or not at all do I make myself clear? I will NOT have that sort of insubordination in my army!"
Number thirty-four rolled his eyes slightly in contempt but swallowed the urge to slice this pathetic individual into tiny pieces.
"Sir no Sir, crystal clear Sir!"
His voice was still full of disdain but the officer seeing a glint in the other's eyes decided not to push the matter any further for now. Next to him another man hissed slightly attempting to gain the others attention.
"Pssst thirty-four you've gotta show more respect at least openly."
Number thirty-four glared at the man next to him his face pale with the strain of showing even this much respect to a man he considered far below him in both skill and intelligence. Bitterly he rounded on the man who had addressed him.
"That is Sir to you number twenty I will not be belittled by someone such as you do you understand?"
These last three words he emphasised by taking a step nearer to the man with every syllable until the man could see straight into those piercing green eyes which made him want to shiver or run. He could not decide which but decided as moving was not allowed and could get him kicked out to just shiver and mumble quickly
"Yes Sir".
Time passed while they were in the queue and numbers were called to let everyone know who had been picked this time. The first choice was obvious.
"Number thirty-four, Sephiroth take your weapon and join the queue for briefing."
Calmly as though he had expected nothing less Sephiroth strode casually over to where Masamune had been waiting for five long days sheathed it and waited near the door for the others to join him. Person by person the worthy were picked and the not so worthy left behind to continue training. By the end of the session there were six maybe seven people if you counted the nervous one at the end of the queue, which, Sephiroth who felt that this particular person would be killed by the end of the day, did not. In an orderly line all seven individuals marched into the hall the only sound that of boots hitting concrete. Six pairs of boots stamped, one pair of boots made no noise. Sephiroth had trained himself not to be noticed for a reason and inwardly wondered how the others planned on staying alive for their second mission if they announced their arrival so swiftly to everyone who cared to listen.
Inside the room Sephiroth allowed himself the liberty of looking around. A huge pair of doors at the end of the hall were firmly closed. Around the walls various pictures had been vandalised with graffiti of SOLDIERS long past all except the one of President Shin-ra. This alone stood proud and untouched as if not even teen-age boys would do something as terrible as defile his portrait. On the right hand side a single man hung chained groaning softly. Obviously one of the fools who decided that partying was better than to live. His face covered with whip marks and scars where needles had been inserted to subdue him when he became too loud was contorted into a grimace of pain. Yes this was a fine example and others would do well to learn from it. Of course Sephiroth did not include himself within the category of "others" after all he was above such things and such petty punishments. His attention was then caught by the doors at the other end of the hall opening with a loud squeak. Evidently they were much in need of oiling. A short fat man with barely any hair entered the room followed closely by Hojo who was walking in his usual way of staring at the floor his arms folded neatly over his back. Sephiroth glared at Hojo whom he had not seen since that day when he had made his first ever killing and had sworn to kill Hojo in return. Briefly his hand now covered by black leather gloves itched and he longed to take them off and scratch the mark, but decided he would not give Hojo the satisfaction of being able to stand there and smirk or perhaps give off that high-pitched laughter of his. Instead he satisfied himself by glaring at Hojo his eyes narrowed giving him the impression of being able to kill simply by thinking about it. Inwardly he smirked as he saw Hojo swallow slightly and clench his fingers tighter together.
The short man was speaking to them though talking about safety and respect for one another. One of the SOLDIERS laughed when the short man spoke about safety making a comment about how now they were in SOLDIER surely they could protect themselves. Sephiroth nodded slightly agreeing but kept his mouth shut and was secretly relieved he had done when the person who had laughed was grabbed by two Shin-ra guards and strung up on the wall to join the previous person there. So it was not just those who broke the rules who were put up there then. interesting. Sephiroth made a private note of this and kept an expression of interest on his face as the short man gabbed on and on and on. Finally the man was finished speaking and all the SOLDIERS were to leave for now but to be back for their first mission and initiation at fifteen hundred hours.
Once more six pairs of boots scraped along the wooden flooring and concrete once outside. One pair of boots soundlessly crept up to the man who had just been strung up. Sephiroth stared at the man for a few moments before unsheathing Masamune and cutting the ropes that tied him. The man fell to the ground on his knees.
"Hey thanks, dunno what I'd've done if I'd been left up there with that moron. Know what I mean?"
Sephiroth shrugged silently then spoke in a low voice
"Just keep your mouth shut and your eyes open. I need you to spy for me now. of course if you would rather not."
Sephiroth let his eyes trail meaningfully over the ropes still attached to the ropes and the rather vicious whip lying beside it.
"."
The man began but Sephiroth smiled and shook his head one finger on his lips
"Silence. Remember?"
Slowly afraid to speak now and eyeing the over large sword Sephiroth was still carrying unsheathed the man nodded and scampered out. Sephiroth let him go for now. he would find him when he had use for him.
At ten to three Sephiroth was waiting inside the massive hallway no one else was there yet but Sephiroth despised being late for anything let alone something he had trained towards for the entirety of his childhood. Masamune was sheathed lightly. very lightly on his left-hand side making it easy for him to draw at a moments notice. As of yet no Materia adorned it's handle or the blade but eventually he hoped to become a general and for that he would need at least twenty or so pieces to even attempt to qualify. Longingly he thought of all the pieces he had had at home to practice on but he knew this was not allowed. yet.
Personally he intended to retrieve all his lost Materia as soon as possible but that would require skill and cunning and. a spy. Five to five and a few others turned up all joking and laughing with each other making up stupid stories about what the initiation would involve. One person suggested wallowing in freezing cold water for four hours while another stated it would hopefully be staying in bed with the prettiest girl there for four hours, whilst yet another said he thought it would be fighting with weapons.
Sephiroth stayed out of this feeling that he was above all of them, he would not say so of course, but they were in his opinion too childish. Five came and the last few stragglers walked casually up and stood with the others jumping in when they had an idea. At five past five the short man who had addressed them before turned up, Sephiroth fumed, this was the man who would be training them? A man who had no idea whatsoever of following his own orders? Still they all walked in some lazily some smartly trying to make an impression and Sephiroth. whom walked in head high but not trying to look like anything in particular.
Inside the first man had been taken down from the wall and no mention was made of the man who had been tied up during that days meeting. The initiation was soon made clear; all they had to do was attack the man they saw in front of them without actually injuring them. A practice they were told which would be vital if they were to capture any prisoners of war. As the short man spoke each SOLDIER was faced with a blue uniformed guard who hopped from one foot to the other supposedly looking for escape.
Although, Sephiroth felt it looked more like they were looking for the nearest lavatory system, he was hugely tempted to tell his "partner" that the toilets were in a door behind him. Still he fought that and walked calmly towards the guard unsheathing Masamune as he walked, the guard froze as any sane person might do if a five-foot person with long silver hair and piercing green eyes had walked towards them with an eight-foot sword. Sephiroth smirked, this was going to be way too easy, slowly he held out his right hand then faster than the eye he had hold of the guards arms and was placing them behind his back marching him towards the officer who had told them what to do.
"And now what do I do with the prisoner Sir?"
Came the question in a mocking tone. The officer looked perplexed. So far only high-ranking officers could take down even the blue uniformed guards in so quick a time.
Nervously he looked round in case the guards were simply sluggish today. No all the others were struggling trying to get the guards to stand still for just a second. One of the SOLDIERS had actually let his "prisoner" escape and was trying to chat up the only female guard, who, was actually responding! Quietly he looked back at Sephiroth who was desperately trying not to smirk.
"Go to the other end of the wall and wait there for further orders."
"Sir, yes Sir"
Sephiroth strode off with the grace of a leopard about to make it's kill and stood at ease against the wall watching the other SOLDIERS still trying to capture their guard. Eventually all other SOLDIERS had caught their respective person, and one of them had arranged a date with the female guard to give him credit. Each SOLDIER brought the guard to the officer then joined Sephiroth standing against the wall. Amusingly enough it was Sephiroth's "spy" that was second although still pretty average timing so did not give Sephiroth enough time to tell him what he wanted. No matter he would find him later at the celebrations. Each SOLDIER was given a badge that they were informed they would have to wear every day from now on as this identified them as SOLDIERS. Sephiroth glowered as he put his on looking ahead to the day when he would wear only what he chose and would be in control of all of these time-wasters.
He would soon knock them into shape, all of them. In the great hall preparations were being made, streamers were put up against the high ceiling. Which left not a few casualties as the ladders they were using were not only a little too short to reach the ceiling but also missing various rungs and wobbled slightly if anyone at all touched them. Tables were being laid out with food on them, in the centre of the middle table was a massive cake with CONGRATULATONS written in the middle causing the others to snigger slightly and wonder who had the spelling problem. Chairs were not put around the tables as officers felt they were not a necessity much to the other SOLDIERS disagreement who's feet hurt and who were leaning against the wall in an attempt to give their legs a rest. Sephiroth alone stood by himself in a corner upright his left hand resting on the hilt of Masamune a habit he had taught himself for when he was training in the field in case anyone else had interrupted him. The music played loudly even before the celebrations had begun causing Sephiroth to wince slightly. His hearing had always been slightly better than the others due mainly to the fact that he had Mako within his blood rather than just as a light injection when they had been chosen as SOLDIERS. Closing his eyes, he stood warily, opening them again a second later when a rather timid man approached him shuffling his feet annoyingly against the floor.
"P.p.please Sir the general officer wants to see you."
Sephiroth sighed but nodded not dignifying the man with an answer but simply walking off in the direction of the general officer.
The general officer was a tall man with black hair cut in the regimental style; his moustache was short and just went down and to the edges of his lips, which were rather big. His brown eyes twinkled slightly but not with merriment rather with a sort of rage.
"Sephiroth reporting as ordered Sir."
Sephiroth stated as he came close enough to be heard. The officer snorted slightly then harrumphed a little making Sephiroth wish he had the power to tell him to shut up.
"Sephiroth hmm ahh yes. I wish to inform you that despite your being new your initiation showed that you are fitter to be, well, higher up as it were. You are to report to the secretary at seven hundred hours tomorrow."
"Sir yes Sir!"
Sephiroth half smirked as soon as he had turned away from the officer and pondered on what would be chosen for his post. Meanwhile the celebrations continued up until the early hours of the morning. White-faced SOLDIERS finally made their way out covering their mouths with their hands trying to smother their yawning.
At seven in the morning Sephiroth was at the door impatiently awaiting for the secretary to arrive his lips thinned with irritation and his eyes blazing like strange green fire burning from within. Two hours later the secretary arrived, smothering her yawns and tiredly walking up the path. She stopped as she saw Sephiroth waiting there and chewed on her lip nervously attempting to hide her fear at the fury she saw in the mans eyes and expression. Also, especially trying not to imagine the damage he could cause with that big sword his left hand rested on the hilt of.
"Sorry I'm late Sir, I had a lot of work to catch up on I hope you understand. Anyway please follow me and we'll get you sorted."
Sephiroth's lips thinned even further in displeasure as he followed mumbling only one word,
"No."
The secretary looked at him but refrained from making a comment as she walked swiftly into the big office where she worked, Sephiroth following slowly behind. In the office she sat down at her computer and tapped in a few details before Sephiroth had caught up with her.
"Yes, Sephiroth, SOLDIER, first class, lets see. Ahh I see you've been made an officer, congratulations, you start training your first squad in the morning at five am sharp. Your commanding officer and general is. lets see. oh yes, Steve. obviously if anything happens to him you take over his post until a new commanding officer can be arranged."
She looked up at Sephiroth as though expecting him to shout with joy or something foolish like that, but he simply nodded curtly and strode out of the office without a sound. She frowned slightly at his back wondering how he expected to make friends with an attitude like that.
Outside Sephiroth smiled his first real smile for four months and walked back to his base deciding that he would take the day off training after all really was above all the others now in everything and he had no wish to waste his time off on them.
At five am Sephiroth was pleased that all the people under him who he would be training were on time. It did after all make a pleasant change from the unorganised method which most of the leaders seemed to use. He stared at all his recruits allowing himself to wonder which would one day become SOLDIERS and which were doomed to stay in the lower ranks all their life.
"Attention!"
Sephiroth said in a calm voice preferring not to shout unless he had to, at once twenty or so young men scrambled to a line up position and stood there shoulders back, heads high, however they still jostled each other laughing and joking amongst themselves. Sephiroth watched and stayed silent, his lips curving into a snake-like smile as the men started to grow uneasy at not being told again to be quiet or anything. Eventually they fell silent and started staring at Sephiroth instead, their eyes holding a hint of wariness.
"Good. Now I have your attention perhaps we can begin?"
Sephiroth's voice continued in its soft manner, which somehow still managed to convey the fact that messing with him would not be a good idea.
"Our first mission is set in a small town called Midgar. there are some resistance factors up there which need. taking care of. In order to see who should go in which group I need to test your skills, each man will choose a partner and draw his weapon. You will battle until one or both of you are exhausted or until one of you shouts mercy, I want the winner to move to the left and wait there and the loser to move to the right and wait there. Am I clear?"
"Sir, Yes, Sir!"
Twenty voices echoed all at different times till there was a chorus going round making all the men laugh uneasily until they saw Sephiroth's gaze and quickly bit the laughter off going silent once more.
"Good then commence."
All around him battles were now taking place until every man was standing either at the right or the left. Sephiroth nodded in satisfaction.
"Very well I want those on the left to choose a partner each and those on the right to choose a partner each. This will be your security buddy, on no account are you to leave each other's sight if you need back up you will have a radio to signal that fact the only excuse for leaving your partner is death of one or the other. After you have chosen your partner I will split you up into three groups based on your abilities."
Solemnly taking in every one of Sephiroth's words each man picked a partner they thought they could rely on staying close to them as near as they dared. Somehow the word death had sobered them all and they felt very close to the on coming mission even as they moved. Sephiroth nodded at the choices approving them. Then carefully studied each man assessing him for size height and colouring. Everything had to be taken into account for reasons of camouflage if there was one tall man amongst many short men or vice versa this could be seen as suspicious and they could be killed on sight before ever accomplishing their first mission. Everything in Sephiroth's career depended on this mission. Eventually there were four groups with five men in each group.
All the men followed Sephiroth through the open fields and into Midgar all staying as quiet as possible and all looking about them nervously. Inside Midgar were many buildings all looking the same as far as Sephiroth was concerned. Tall grey buildings and short grey buildings some with signs above the doors, which read the names of the shops such as "Wea ons" with the "p" long taken down. Or "items" this was in fact the only sign still firmly intact and Sephiroth strongly suspected that was due to the vicious barking going on inside. Once in the town centre Sephiroth indicated all men were to stop so he could brief them further.
"The group is called SDA, so keep an ear out for any mention of those initials but be careful we do not want to cause a riot this is after all still an underground resistance. If you find someone you suspect to be part of the group then by all means take them prisoner by do not by any means harm them. yet. remember though if they suspect who you are they will open fire without warning so discretion is vital. All understood? Good then commence. We will meet here again in six hours."
Each group set off, boots sometimes scuffling along the floor sometimes making barely a sound as each man walked nervously. Sephiroth waited where he stood simply watching everyone around him. His hand moved once more to rest on the hilt of Masamune, which by now it was rumoured he alone could use. Had any other man trained with it as he had they may have been able to fight with it but almost certainly he was sure not with the same skill and deftness that he used it with. Hojo had done him a favour in that respect with all his needles and experimentation but still he had this undying urge to kill him to rid himself of that high-pitched laughter and twitching fingers as soon as possible.
Six hours went by and out of the four groups, one had three men left in it, one had all five, one had four men, and the last group had all five men but two of the men were limping indicating serious battle injury. None of them had a prisoner with them. Sephiroth scowled in his displeasure at the men but said nothing merely indicating that they were to follow him back to Shin-ra head quarters. It was then he realised that the general Steve had not even shown up let alone helped in anyway. He made a mental note of this to let the commanding officers know.
Back at the base Sephiroth was stood in front of seven men all fat and balding, although he was disgusted with the lot of them he decided not to let it show for now. Rather to wait till he was a general himself then perhaps head of the whole corporation. They were all chatting amongst themselves about what to do with Steve who apparently had not shown up for any of his duties now for about five weeks. Eventually it was decided to remove him from his post maybe start him up in the beginners classes again as a reminder of how important showing up was. Meanwhile, they informed Sephiroth, Sephiroth himself could take over as general and they would see how he would do. Sephiroth nearly grinned but managed to stop the expression before it surfaced realising that it would not be a good idea to show friendliness to these rather unsavoury characters. Instead he nodded at the information and as he had earlier with the secretary walked out calmly and dignified. Many months passed and the war began, general Sephiroth was ready.
Chapter four General Sephiroth
Years had passed and a tall man with silver hair now sat at a desk waiting to interview the two latest recruits. Two young men stood before him one with black hair one with blonde hair both wore their hair in the same strange fashion as if they were trying to emulate a hedgehog. Silently the older man shook his head trying to think of how to put this but to no avail in the end he just spoke his voice soft and low
"So you both wish to join? It is a long and sometimes tiring task I promise you both. do you really think you are up to it?"
The black haired man was the first to speak
"Sir, I am determined and so is my friend here surely you understand that?"
The tall man sighed audibly and shrugged
"Very well I will require some answers from both of you."
He emphasised the word both to prove that he had noticed that the blonde man was looking somewhat pale already.
"Name?"
"Zack, and this is."
The black haired man, Zack was cut off as he shook his head
"I wish you both to speak can you not understand that. or is he mute as well?"
He did not say what the as well was merely left it to them to think then looked pointedly at the blonde man.
"Well?"
"Cloud Sir. and it is fantastic to meet you finally and."
The man shook his head again lifting a hand to cut the rather eager young man's voice off in mid sentence, "I see it is either no talking or too talkative."
He sighed softly and continued.
"Yes as you have guessed I am Sephiroth. but,"
and he held his hand in the air to stop Cloud speaking before he had a chance to start
"but, that does not mean I need you to fawn all over me. save that for the girls here if you must fawn over someone."
Green eyes assessed them both and he supposed at least this accounted for the blonde man's nervousness although in the end that would be taken out of him he would learn to be as strong as the others in his squadron.
"You will both be under me if and only if I decide you are good enough will you become anything more than merely helping hands I hope I am clear here. no. Do not speak. please. just. go get changed and ready your first mission starts at eight hundred hours sharp do not be late."
He waved his right hand lightly giving them permission to go. Sephiroth let out a breath sharply, why was it always him who ended up doing everything. He smirked slyly then, yes, he knew why, it was because the rest of SOLDIER were useless at anything except lazing around and there were some who he was not positive were any good at that either.
He stood up calmly and walked out of the interviewers room towards his own room which as a General he was allowed as opposed to the dormitories the others had to share together. On the way he stopped off at the shop taking out his pouch and buying some items to let him shine Masamune also he brought another four new recover Materia, they would be good for the new ones to practice with not so complicated.
He grinned his face looking almost compassionate as he thought of his own Materia and the training he had gone through to master it all so thoroughly. Upon reaching his room he went straight to his chair and desk sitting upright looking down at the plans for the next day. As there were to be the two new men it was vital he did everything absolutely correctly, there would be no mistakes and if there were he would know whom to blame. The task was simple all the men had to do was go into the main part of Midgar and find out if there were any truth in the rumours of an anti-shin- ra faction starting up.
At eight on the dot the members of Sephiroth's team were nearly all there. all except the two people who he had expected to be late, Cloud and Zack. He sighed in annoyance perhaps an example should be made of the two new students to discourage this sort of thing from happening again. He waited impatiently till finally at half past the hour the two boys, for they could hardly be described as men, swaggered in looking very proud of themselves.
"What time do you call this Children?"
Sephiroth asked them a sarcastic tone in his voice. Cloud had the grace to look ashamed of himself and stare down on at the floor his face turning red. Zack however had the audacity to look him square in the eyes his voice mocking Sephiroth's
"I would call it half past eight. Why, do you need a new watch?"
Sephiroth glared at Zack which seemed to make him rather nervous and his voice dropped a tone getting quieter
"I would suggest you appear at the correct time. both of you. for now though you will follow me. understood?"
Zack looked dumbfounded, he had not expected this, maybe a slight telling off, but nothing that sounded as dangerous as Sephiroth's voice did at this moment. Sephiroth turned on his heel and walked towards an abandoned building and waited inside for Zack and Cloud who he knew would not dare disobey this soon after getting into trouble.
Sure enough five minutes later two pairs of boots scuffed into the hall, Cloud still looking downwards nervously but Zack seemed to have regained his composure and was smirking at both of them. Sephiroth smiled his eyes glowing a cold emerald colour as he looked at first Cloud then Zack.
"Well it would appear that the two of you need some.discipline. Cloud. come here."
Cloud shivered and slowly ever so slowly walked up to Sephiroth till he was at the proper distance. Zack shook his head
"Hang on a min, It was my fault we were late leave him out of this huh?"
Sephiroth smirked he had known where Zack's weakness lay, in the blonde man that was so eager to please all people he constantly got into trouble, and this was before he had been sent into Sephiroth's regiment.
"I am aware of the facts. this one is too cowardly to take the initiative. nonetheless he too must be punished. You can sit there and watch while you are doing so consider what your own punishment will be, while your doing that remember that it will be far harder as you not only wronged yourself but led another into doing the same."
After that long for him sentence he led Cloud to a room where by he bade him to strip down to his underclothes and then follow him into the main room once more. Cloud miserably obeyed then stood hugging himself for warmth; the building was not the warmest of places after all. Quietly but swiftly he tied Cloud up to the wall using the shackles that were still there as they were in every Shin-ra building. He silently unsheathed Masamune and still looking at Cloud he shook his head
"Do you know why you are being punished?"
"For disobeying orders.Sir."
Came the miserable reply.
"Yes. that is correct, these cuts will heal. but if you do the same thing again I promise you I will see to it that they do not."
He stood there for about five minutes although to Cloud it felt like an hour before he raised the shining blade high and brought down across Cloud's legs and arms.
"You were thirty minutes late therefore you will get thirty cuts."
He continued with the punishment aware of Zack's look of horror as he proceeded.
Having finished the punishment he untied a now sobbing Cloud letting him run into the other room his cuts bleeding lightly from every wound. Sephiroth had little doubt that the young man would not try this again.
He then turned to a now visibly shaken Zack; his voice was no kinder for all that he could see the man had already learnt his lesson.
"Zack. come here now."
Zack swallowed and trying to look nonchalant he walked up to Sephiroth although Sephiroth did notice that Zack no longer met his eyes.
"Zack. your punishment as I already said will be far more severe than that of your friend. you must not only learn your lesson you must be made aware that it must not happen again do you understand all I am saying?"
Zack nodded a few times before he found his voice
"Yes. I understand."
He tried to look proud although the look of fear in his eyes did not help him to do this. Sephiroth nodded his expression grim.
"Very well I want you dressed as Cloud was. now."
Zack swiftly hurried to obey not wishing to make his punishment worse than it already was. Sephiroth stood there looking at Zack for a few moments then he spoke still softly still deadly.
"Zack. you will stand by the wall I will not tie you but for every time you try to move out of the way or duck you will have one extra added there will be no exceptions and no mercy. You will not speak but I will allow you to make a noise when the sword hits its target for I am not completely unreasonable."
Zack opened his mouth then remembering the last instruction nodded instead and walked to the wall. He stood there facing Sephiroth as he chewed his lower lip nervously.
Sephiroth smiled, not a friendly smile, rather the smile of a snake before it makes its strike. A gleam of silver and Zack cried out in sudden shock and pain. The cut although not deep stung like a paper cut and a thin line of blood trickled out from his chest. Sephiroth spoke while he considered where to strike next fully aware that no mark must hit in the same place twice,
"You know in torture gardens and prisoner camps you would often be struck thus. It is a fine target in that the skin is not too soft or too hard also it strikes fear that the next blow might be in a more fatal spot."
Another swish noise was heard and Zack was aware of a dull stinging sensation along his left arm, he gritted his teeth trying not to think on the pain. He now realised that Sephiroth was being kind by talking as it helped him keep his mind off the blood and the stinging that was now hurting with every minute that passed.
"This also is a useful target for prisoners and wrongdoers. it prevents them making a strike back. also if cut along the soft under part of your elbow will make moving your hands impossible as would the soft part behind your knee."
A sound was heard and as Sephiroth spoke those last words a thin line was created just on top of where he had mentioned. Zack shook his head unsure of how long he could last before trying to get away from the terrible pain which seemed to be spreading along his entire body. A single tear fell from his right eye and he resisted the urge to wipe it away before it was seen. Sephiroth continued like this for the next twenty-six strokes making twenty- eight in total. The next one he did without speaking and Zack who had just about born the rest moved swiftly his reflexes forcing the blade to miss altogether. Sephiroth smirked he had been waiting for that move.
"That makes one more after your initial punishment Zack. I know just where it is going to go."
The thirtieth stroke landed just below the mark the very first stroke had made.
"This last stroke will mark you as a trouble maker for the next few days, all will see it and know you have been punished by General Sephiroth."
The sword now red and silver flashed swiftly and a thin mark cut across Zack's left cheek. Although the scar would last only a few days that would be enough he knew. Sephiroth looked at Zack who was now curled up in a small ball.
"You are excused from this exercise today. but I expect you at the field tomorrow at eight sharp. I would suggest you see the nurse to put something on your cuts."
He turned on his heel without waiting for a reply from Zack and walked out as silently as he had walked in. When he arrived at the field a very miserable Cloud and the other SOLDIER's were waiting for him in an orderly line. He looked at Cloud quietly
"As with Zack I would suggest you go to the nurse and have your cuts seen to. you are excused from today's exercise."
Cloud practically ran towards the large hospital building and Sephiroth looked at the others
"As for all of you. come with me. we have work to do." Lots of people in uniform walked towards the exit of Shin-ra and towards Midgar.
Many months passed and both Zack and Cloud were now fully obedient to Sephiroth. Their scars had gone but they still held them inside and knew it was not a good idea to be disobedient. Sephiroth had gathered them all in a circle around him.
"As you know every now and then one of you is moved up into first class and made part of SOLDIER itself. Today one of you has been picked. The man I speak of is strong and intuitive knowing when to rely on his instincts and when to rely on his training he has learned much since he started out as a school boy and can now be said to have graduated. Zack I am speaking to you here. remember this is only a trial basis and if you do not work out or if it does not work out for you your place here is always free."
This last sentence brought a laugh from the others for who would want to return to a lower salary and less chance of the action? Zack stood for a moment stunned then he jumped in delight
"Me? First class?"
He shook his head in utter amazement
"YESSSS I knew I could do it if I kept trying!"
He turned and ran without even thinking of the plans he and Cloud had made to start with that they would graduate together and not accept if the other was not moved up also.
Sephiroth smiled. He would take both Cloud and Zack together on this next mission he had been given. Them, and who? Christopher. yes perfect Christopher was always reliable in an emergency and seemed to be able to handle both the energetic Zack and the rather shy Cloud. The next mission would be to Nibelheim.
A tall man stood at ease, his head held high, his arms almost loose by his side, green eyes watched the commanding officer with something akin to resentment although he would never allow anyone else to know of his hatred of all above him. The officer was shouting out orders to various others drilling them and most importantly of all assessing them. Those he picked would be the ones who got to go into SOLDIER those who weren't would simply continue with exercises and practice drills. Suddenly the officer was looking at him his voice rising slightly. "Have you lost your hearing number thirty-four? I told you to go in line!" Number thirty-four looked at the officer scornfully; did he not know who he was? He was not a number he was a great fighter and the sooner the people here realised this the better as far as he was concerned. In a low voice he replied the standard reply
"Yes Sir!"
And marched into a line. The officer however was far from satisfied, the way that man had talked was just as if he was the lower person instead of the miserable worm he saw before him. Without warning he strode up to the silver haired man who surely could not have been more than sixteen and bellowed making everyone but his intended target jump.
"Do you presume me to be stupid Sir rah? While under my commandment you will follow orders willingly or not at all do I make myself clear? I will NOT have that sort of insubordination in my army!"
Number thirty-four rolled his eyes slightly in contempt but swallowed the urge to slice this pathetic individual into tiny pieces.
"Sir no Sir, crystal clear Sir!"
His voice was still full of disdain but the officer seeing a glint in the other's eyes decided not to push the matter any further for now. Next to him another man hissed slightly attempting to gain the others attention.
"Pssst thirty-four you've gotta show more respect at least openly."
Number thirty-four glared at the man next to him his face pale with the strain of showing even this much respect to a man he considered far below him in both skill and intelligence. Bitterly he rounded on the man who had addressed him.
"That is Sir to you number twenty I will not be belittled by someone such as you do you understand?"
These last three words he emphasised by taking a step nearer to the man with every syllable until the man could see straight into those piercing green eyes which made him want to shiver or run. He could not decide which but decided as moving was not allowed and could get him kicked out to just shiver and mumble quickly
"Yes Sir".
Time passed while they were in the queue and numbers were called to let everyone know who had been picked this time. The first choice was obvious.
"Number thirty-four, Sephiroth take your weapon and join the queue for briefing."
Calmly as though he had expected nothing less Sephiroth strode casually over to where Masamune had been waiting for five long days sheathed it and waited near the door for the others to join him. Person by person the worthy were picked and the not so worthy left behind to continue training. By the end of the session there were six maybe seven people if you counted the nervous one at the end of the queue, which, Sephiroth who felt that this particular person would be killed by the end of the day, did not. In an orderly line all seven individuals marched into the hall the only sound that of boots hitting concrete. Six pairs of boots stamped, one pair of boots made no noise. Sephiroth had trained himself not to be noticed for a reason and inwardly wondered how the others planned on staying alive for their second mission if they announced their arrival so swiftly to everyone who cared to listen.
Inside the room Sephiroth allowed himself the liberty of looking around. A huge pair of doors at the end of the hall were firmly closed. Around the walls various pictures had been vandalised with graffiti of SOLDIERS long past all except the one of President Shin-ra. This alone stood proud and untouched as if not even teen-age boys would do something as terrible as defile his portrait. On the right hand side a single man hung chained groaning softly. Obviously one of the fools who decided that partying was better than to live. His face covered with whip marks and scars where needles had been inserted to subdue him when he became too loud was contorted into a grimace of pain. Yes this was a fine example and others would do well to learn from it. Of course Sephiroth did not include himself within the category of "others" after all he was above such things and such petty punishments. His attention was then caught by the doors at the other end of the hall opening with a loud squeak. Evidently they were much in need of oiling. A short fat man with barely any hair entered the room followed closely by Hojo who was walking in his usual way of staring at the floor his arms folded neatly over his back. Sephiroth glared at Hojo whom he had not seen since that day when he had made his first ever killing and had sworn to kill Hojo in return. Briefly his hand now covered by black leather gloves itched and he longed to take them off and scratch the mark, but decided he would not give Hojo the satisfaction of being able to stand there and smirk or perhaps give off that high-pitched laughter of his. Instead he satisfied himself by glaring at Hojo his eyes narrowed giving him the impression of being able to kill simply by thinking about it. Inwardly he smirked as he saw Hojo swallow slightly and clench his fingers tighter together.
The short man was speaking to them though talking about safety and respect for one another. One of the SOLDIERS laughed when the short man spoke about safety making a comment about how now they were in SOLDIER surely they could protect themselves. Sephiroth nodded slightly agreeing but kept his mouth shut and was secretly relieved he had done when the person who had laughed was grabbed by two Shin-ra guards and strung up on the wall to join the previous person there. So it was not just those who broke the rules who were put up there then. interesting. Sephiroth made a private note of this and kept an expression of interest on his face as the short man gabbed on and on and on. Finally the man was finished speaking and all the SOLDIERS were to leave for now but to be back for their first mission and initiation at fifteen hundred hours.
Once more six pairs of boots scraped along the wooden flooring and concrete once outside. One pair of boots soundlessly crept up to the man who had just been strung up. Sephiroth stared at the man for a few moments before unsheathing Masamune and cutting the ropes that tied him. The man fell to the ground on his knees.
"Hey thanks, dunno what I'd've done if I'd been left up there with that moron. Know what I mean?"
Sephiroth shrugged silently then spoke in a low voice
"Just keep your mouth shut and your eyes open. I need you to spy for me now. of course if you would rather not."
Sephiroth let his eyes trail meaningfully over the ropes still attached to the ropes and the rather vicious whip lying beside it.
"."
The man began but Sephiroth smiled and shook his head one finger on his lips
"Silence. Remember?"
Slowly afraid to speak now and eyeing the over large sword Sephiroth was still carrying unsheathed the man nodded and scampered out. Sephiroth let him go for now. he would find him when he had use for him.
At ten to three Sephiroth was waiting inside the massive hallway no one else was there yet but Sephiroth despised being late for anything let alone something he had trained towards for the entirety of his childhood. Masamune was sheathed lightly. very lightly on his left-hand side making it easy for him to draw at a moments notice. As of yet no Materia adorned it's handle or the blade but eventually he hoped to become a general and for that he would need at least twenty or so pieces to even attempt to qualify. Longingly he thought of all the pieces he had had at home to practice on but he knew this was not allowed. yet.
Personally he intended to retrieve all his lost Materia as soon as possible but that would require skill and cunning and. a spy. Five to five and a few others turned up all joking and laughing with each other making up stupid stories about what the initiation would involve. One person suggested wallowing in freezing cold water for four hours while another stated it would hopefully be staying in bed with the prettiest girl there for four hours, whilst yet another said he thought it would be fighting with weapons.
Sephiroth stayed out of this feeling that he was above all of them, he would not say so of course, but they were in his opinion too childish. Five came and the last few stragglers walked casually up and stood with the others jumping in when they had an idea. At five past five the short man who had addressed them before turned up, Sephiroth fumed, this was the man who would be training them? A man who had no idea whatsoever of following his own orders? Still they all walked in some lazily some smartly trying to make an impression and Sephiroth. whom walked in head high but not trying to look like anything in particular.
Inside the first man had been taken down from the wall and no mention was made of the man who had been tied up during that days meeting. The initiation was soon made clear; all they had to do was attack the man they saw in front of them without actually injuring them. A practice they were told which would be vital if they were to capture any prisoners of war. As the short man spoke each SOLDIER was faced with a blue uniformed guard who hopped from one foot to the other supposedly looking for escape.
Although, Sephiroth felt it looked more like they were looking for the nearest lavatory system, he was hugely tempted to tell his "partner" that the toilets were in a door behind him. Still he fought that and walked calmly towards the guard unsheathing Masamune as he walked, the guard froze as any sane person might do if a five-foot person with long silver hair and piercing green eyes had walked towards them with an eight-foot sword. Sephiroth smirked, this was going to be way too easy, slowly he held out his right hand then faster than the eye he had hold of the guards arms and was placing them behind his back marching him towards the officer who had told them what to do.
"And now what do I do with the prisoner Sir?"
Came the question in a mocking tone. The officer looked perplexed. So far only high-ranking officers could take down even the blue uniformed guards in so quick a time.
Nervously he looked round in case the guards were simply sluggish today. No all the others were struggling trying to get the guards to stand still for just a second. One of the SOLDIERS had actually let his "prisoner" escape and was trying to chat up the only female guard, who, was actually responding! Quietly he looked back at Sephiroth who was desperately trying not to smirk.
"Go to the other end of the wall and wait there for further orders."
"Sir, yes Sir"
Sephiroth strode off with the grace of a leopard about to make it's kill and stood at ease against the wall watching the other SOLDIERS still trying to capture their guard. Eventually all other SOLDIERS had caught their respective person, and one of them had arranged a date with the female guard to give him credit. Each SOLDIER brought the guard to the officer then joined Sephiroth standing against the wall. Amusingly enough it was Sephiroth's "spy" that was second although still pretty average timing so did not give Sephiroth enough time to tell him what he wanted. No matter he would find him later at the celebrations. Each SOLDIER was given a badge that they were informed they would have to wear every day from now on as this identified them as SOLDIERS. Sephiroth glowered as he put his on looking ahead to the day when he would wear only what he chose and would be in control of all of these time-wasters.
He would soon knock them into shape, all of them. In the great hall preparations were being made, streamers were put up against the high ceiling. Which left not a few casualties as the ladders they were using were not only a little too short to reach the ceiling but also missing various rungs and wobbled slightly if anyone at all touched them. Tables were being laid out with food on them, in the centre of the middle table was a massive cake with CONGRATULATONS written in the middle causing the others to snigger slightly and wonder who had the spelling problem. Chairs were not put around the tables as officers felt they were not a necessity much to the other SOLDIERS disagreement who's feet hurt and who were leaning against the wall in an attempt to give their legs a rest. Sephiroth alone stood by himself in a corner upright his left hand resting on the hilt of Masamune a habit he had taught himself for when he was training in the field in case anyone else had interrupted him. The music played loudly even before the celebrations had begun causing Sephiroth to wince slightly. His hearing had always been slightly better than the others due mainly to the fact that he had Mako within his blood rather than just as a light injection when they had been chosen as SOLDIERS. Closing his eyes, he stood warily, opening them again a second later when a rather timid man approached him shuffling his feet annoyingly against the floor.
"P.p.please Sir the general officer wants to see you."
Sephiroth sighed but nodded not dignifying the man with an answer but simply walking off in the direction of the general officer.
The general officer was a tall man with black hair cut in the regimental style; his moustache was short and just went down and to the edges of his lips, which were rather big. His brown eyes twinkled slightly but not with merriment rather with a sort of rage.
"Sephiroth reporting as ordered Sir."
Sephiroth stated as he came close enough to be heard. The officer snorted slightly then harrumphed a little making Sephiroth wish he had the power to tell him to shut up.
"Sephiroth hmm ahh yes. I wish to inform you that despite your being new your initiation showed that you are fitter to be, well, higher up as it were. You are to report to the secretary at seven hundred hours tomorrow."
"Sir yes Sir!"
Sephiroth half smirked as soon as he had turned away from the officer and pondered on what would be chosen for his post. Meanwhile the celebrations continued up until the early hours of the morning. White-faced SOLDIERS finally made their way out covering their mouths with their hands trying to smother their yawning.
At seven in the morning Sephiroth was at the door impatiently awaiting for the secretary to arrive his lips thinned with irritation and his eyes blazing like strange green fire burning from within. Two hours later the secretary arrived, smothering her yawns and tiredly walking up the path. She stopped as she saw Sephiroth waiting there and chewed on her lip nervously attempting to hide her fear at the fury she saw in the mans eyes and expression. Also, especially trying not to imagine the damage he could cause with that big sword his left hand rested on the hilt of.
"Sorry I'm late Sir, I had a lot of work to catch up on I hope you understand. Anyway please follow me and we'll get you sorted."
Sephiroth's lips thinned even further in displeasure as he followed mumbling only one word,
"No."
The secretary looked at him but refrained from making a comment as she walked swiftly into the big office where she worked, Sephiroth following slowly behind. In the office she sat down at her computer and tapped in a few details before Sephiroth had caught up with her.
"Yes, Sephiroth, SOLDIER, first class, lets see. Ahh I see you've been made an officer, congratulations, you start training your first squad in the morning at five am sharp. Your commanding officer and general is. lets see. oh yes, Steve. obviously if anything happens to him you take over his post until a new commanding officer can be arranged."
She looked up at Sephiroth as though expecting him to shout with joy or something foolish like that, but he simply nodded curtly and strode out of the office without a sound. She frowned slightly at his back wondering how he expected to make friends with an attitude like that.
Outside Sephiroth smiled his first real smile for four months and walked back to his base deciding that he would take the day off training after all really was above all the others now in everything and he had no wish to waste his time off on them.
At five am Sephiroth was pleased that all the people under him who he would be training were on time. It did after all make a pleasant change from the unorganised method which most of the leaders seemed to use. He stared at all his recruits allowing himself to wonder which would one day become SOLDIERS and which were doomed to stay in the lower ranks all their life.
"Attention!"
Sephiroth said in a calm voice preferring not to shout unless he had to, at once twenty or so young men scrambled to a line up position and stood there shoulders back, heads high, however they still jostled each other laughing and joking amongst themselves. Sephiroth watched and stayed silent, his lips curving into a snake-like smile as the men started to grow uneasy at not being told again to be quiet or anything. Eventually they fell silent and started staring at Sephiroth instead, their eyes holding a hint of wariness.
"Good. Now I have your attention perhaps we can begin?"
Sephiroth's voice continued in its soft manner, which somehow still managed to convey the fact that messing with him would not be a good idea.
"Our first mission is set in a small town called Midgar. there are some resistance factors up there which need. taking care of. In order to see who should go in which group I need to test your skills, each man will choose a partner and draw his weapon. You will battle until one or both of you are exhausted or until one of you shouts mercy, I want the winner to move to the left and wait there and the loser to move to the right and wait there. Am I clear?"
"Sir, Yes, Sir!"
Twenty voices echoed all at different times till there was a chorus going round making all the men laugh uneasily until they saw Sephiroth's gaze and quickly bit the laughter off going silent once more.
"Good then commence."
All around him battles were now taking place until every man was standing either at the right or the left. Sephiroth nodded in satisfaction.
"Very well I want those on the left to choose a partner each and those on the right to choose a partner each. This will be your security buddy, on no account are you to leave each other's sight if you need back up you will have a radio to signal that fact the only excuse for leaving your partner is death of one or the other. After you have chosen your partner I will split you up into three groups based on your abilities."
Solemnly taking in every one of Sephiroth's words each man picked a partner they thought they could rely on staying close to them as near as they dared. Somehow the word death had sobered them all and they felt very close to the on coming mission even as they moved. Sephiroth nodded at the choices approving them. Then carefully studied each man assessing him for size height and colouring. Everything had to be taken into account for reasons of camouflage if there was one tall man amongst many short men or vice versa this could be seen as suspicious and they could be killed on sight before ever accomplishing their first mission. Everything in Sephiroth's career depended on this mission. Eventually there were four groups with five men in each group.
All the men followed Sephiroth through the open fields and into Midgar all staying as quiet as possible and all looking about them nervously. Inside Midgar were many buildings all looking the same as far as Sephiroth was concerned. Tall grey buildings and short grey buildings some with signs above the doors, which read the names of the shops such as "Wea ons" with the "p" long taken down. Or "items" this was in fact the only sign still firmly intact and Sephiroth strongly suspected that was due to the vicious barking going on inside. Once in the town centre Sephiroth indicated all men were to stop so he could brief them further.
"The group is called SDA, so keep an ear out for any mention of those initials but be careful we do not want to cause a riot this is after all still an underground resistance. If you find someone you suspect to be part of the group then by all means take them prisoner by do not by any means harm them. yet. remember though if they suspect who you are they will open fire without warning so discretion is vital. All understood? Good then commence. We will meet here again in six hours."
Each group set off, boots sometimes scuffling along the floor sometimes making barely a sound as each man walked nervously. Sephiroth waited where he stood simply watching everyone around him. His hand moved once more to rest on the hilt of Masamune, which by now it was rumoured he alone could use. Had any other man trained with it as he had they may have been able to fight with it but almost certainly he was sure not with the same skill and deftness that he used it with. Hojo had done him a favour in that respect with all his needles and experimentation but still he had this undying urge to kill him to rid himself of that high-pitched laughter and twitching fingers as soon as possible.
Six hours went by and out of the four groups, one had three men left in it, one had all five, one had four men, and the last group had all five men but two of the men were limping indicating serious battle injury. None of them had a prisoner with them. Sephiroth scowled in his displeasure at the men but said nothing merely indicating that they were to follow him back to Shin-ra head quarters. It was then he realised that the general Steve had not even shown up let alone helped in anyway. He made a mental note of this to let the commanding officers know.
Back at the base Sephiroth was stood in front of seven men all fat and balding, although he was disgusted with the lot of them he decided not to let it show for now. Rather to wait till he was a general himself then perhaps head of the whole corporation. They were all chatting amongst themselves about what to do with Steve who apparently had not shown up for any of his duties now for about five weeks. Eventually it was decided to remove him from his post maybe start him up in the beginners classes again as a reminder of how important showing up was. Meanwhile, they informed Sephiroth, Sephiroth himself could take over as general and they would see how he would do. Sephiroth nearly grinned but managed to stop the expression before it surfaced realising that it would not be a good idea to show friendliness to these rather unsavoury characters. Instead he nodded at the information and as he had earlier with the secretary walked out calmly and dignified. Many months passed and the war began, general Sephiroth was ready.
Chapter four General Sephiroth
Years had passed and a tall man with silver hair now sat at a desk waiting to interview the two latest recruits. Two young men stood before him one with black hair one with blonde hair both wore their hair in the same strange fashion as if they were trying to emulate a hedgehog. Silently the older man shook his head trying to think of how to put this but to no avail in the end he just spoke his voice soft and low
"So you both wish to join? It is a long and sometimes tiring task I promise you both. do you really think you are up to it?"
The black haired man was the first to speak
"Sir, I am determined and so is my friend here surely you understand that?"
The tall man sighed audibly and shrugged
"Very well I will require some answers from both of you."
He emphasised the word both to prove that he had noticed that the blonde man was looking somewhat pale already.
"Name?"
"Zack, and this is."
The black haired man, Zack was cut off as he shook his head
"I wish you both to speak can you not understand that. or is he mute as well?"
He did not say what the as well was merely left it to them to think then looked pointedly at the blonde man.
"Well?"
"Cloud Sir. and it is fantastic to meet you finally and."
The man shook his head again lifting a hand to cut the rather eager young man's voice off in mid sentence, "I see it is either no talking or too talkative."
He sighed softly and continued.
"Yes as you have guessed I am Sephiroth. but,"
and he held his hand in the air to stop Cloud speaking before he had a chance to start
"but, that does not mean I need you to fawn all over me. save that for the girls here if you must fawn over someone."
Green eyes assessed them both and he supposed at least this accounted for the blonde man's nervousness although in the end that would be taken out of him he would learn to be as strong as the others in his squadron.
"You will both be under me if and only if I decide you are good enough will you become anything more than merely helping hands I hope I am clear here. no. Do not speak. please. just. go get changed and ready your first mission starts at eight hundred hours sharp do not be late."
He waved his right hand lightly giving them permission to go. Sephiroth let out a breath sharply, why was it always him who ended up doing everything. He smirked slyly then, yes, he knew why, it was because the rest of SOLDIER were useless at anything except lazing around and there were some who he was not positive were any good at that either.
He stood up calmly and walked out of the interviewers room towards his own room which as a General he was allowed as opposed to the dormitories the others had to share together. On the way he stopped off at the shop taking out his pouch and buying some items to let him shine Masamune also he brought another four new recover Materia, they would be good for the new ones to practice with not so complicated.
He grinned his face looking almost compassionate as he thought of his own Materia and the training he had gone through to master it all so thoroughly. Upon reaching his room he went straight to his chair and desk sitting upright looking down at the plans for the next day. As there were to be the two new men it was vital he did everything absolutely correctly, there would be no mistakes and if there were he would know whom to blame. The task was simple all the men had to do was go into the main part of Midgar and find out if there were any truth in the rumours of an anti-shin- ra faction starting up.
At eight on the dot the members of Sephiroth's team were nearly all there. all except the two people who he had expected to be late, Cloud and Zack. He sighed in annoyance perhaps an example should be made of the two new students to discourage this sort of thing from happening again. He waited impatiently till finally at half past the hour the two boys, for they could hardly be described as men, swaggered in looking very proud of themselves.
"What time do you call this Children?"
Sephiroth asked them a sarcastic tone in his voice. Cloud had the grace to look ashamed of himself and stare down on at the floor his face turning red. Zack however had the audacity to look him square in the eyes his voice mocking Sephiroth's
"I would call it half past eight. Why, do you need a new watch?"
Sephiroth glared at Zack which seemed to make him rather nervous and his voice dropped a tone getting quieter
"I would suggest you appear at the correct time. both of you. for now though you will follow me. understood?"
Zack looked dumbfounded, he had not expected this, maybe a slight telling off, but nothing that sounded as dangerous as Sephiroth's voice did at this moment. Sephiroth turned on his heel and walked towards an abandoned building and waited inside for Zack and Cloud who he knew would not dare disobey this soon after getting into trouble.
Sure enough five minutes later two pairs of boots scuffed into the hall, Cloud still looking downwards nervously but Zack seemed to have regained his composure and was smirking at both of them. Sephiroth smiled his eyes glowing a cold emerald colour as he looked at first Cloud then Zack.
"Well it would appear that the two of you need some.discipline. Cloud. come here."
Cloud shivered and slowly ever so slowly walked up to Sephiroth till he was at the proper distance. Zack shook his head
"Hang on a min, It was my fault we were late leave him out of this huh?"
Sephiroth smirked he had known where Zack's weakness lay, in the blonde man that was so eager to please all people he constantly got into trouble, and this was before he had been sent into Sephiroth's regiment.
"I am aware of the facts. this one is too cowardly to take the initiative. nonetheless he too must be punished. You can sit there and watch while you are doing so consider what your own punishment will be, while your doing that remember that it will be far harder as you not only wronged yourself but led another into doing the same."
After that long for him sentence he led Cloud to a room where by he bade him to strip down to his underclothes and then follow him into the main room once more. Cloud miserably obeyed then stood hugging himself for warmth; the building was not the warmest of places after all. Quietly but swiftly he tied Cloud up to the wall using the shackles that were still there as they were in every Shin-ra building. He silently unsheathed Masamune and still looking at Cloud he shook his head
"Do you know why you are being punished?"
"For disobeying orders.Sir."
Came the miserable reply.
"Yes. that is correct, these cuts will heal. but if you do the same thing again I promise you I will see to it that they do not."
He stood there for about five minutes although to Cloud it felt like an hour before he raised the shining blade high and brought down across Cloud's legs and arms.
"You were thirty minutes late therefore you will get thirty cuts."
He continued with the punishment aware of Zack's look of horror as he proceeded.
Having finished the punishment he untied a now sobbing Cloud letting him run into the other room his cuts bleeding lightly from every wound. Sephiroth had little doubt that the young man would not try this again.
He then turned to a now visibly shaken Zack; his voice was no kinder for all that he could see the man had already learnt his lesson.
"Zack. come here now."
Zack swallowed and trying to look nonchalant he walked up to Sephiroth although Sephiroth did notice that Zack no longer met his eyes.
"Zack. your punishment as I already said will be far more severe than that of your friend. you must not only learn your lesson you must be made aware that it must not happen again do you understand all I am saying?"
Zack nodded a few times before he found his voice
"Yes. I understand."
He tried to look proud although the look of fear in his eyes did not help him to do this. Sephiroth nodded his expression grim.
"Very well I want you dressed as Cloud was. now."
Zack swiftly hurried to obey not wishing to make his punishment worse than it already was. Sephiroth stood there looking at Zack for a few moments then he spoke still softly still deadly.
"Zack. you will stand by the wall I will not tie you but for every time you try to move out of the way or duck you will have one extra added there will be no exceptions and no mercy. You will not speak but I will allow you to make a noise when the sword hits its target for I am not completely unreasonable."
Zack opened his mouth then remembering the last instruction nodded instead and walked to the wall. He stood there facing Sephiroth as he chewed his lower lip nervously.
Sephiroth smiled, not a friendly smile, rather the smile of a snake before it makes its strike. A gleam of silver and Zack cried out in sudden shock and pain. The cut although not deep stung like a paper cut and a thin line of blood trickled out from his chest. Sephiroth spoke while he considered where to strike next fully aware that no mark must hit in the same place twice,
"You know in torture gardens and prisoner camps you would often be struck thus. It is a fine target in that the skin is not too soft or too hard also it strikes fear that the next blow might be in a more fatal spot."
Another swish noise was heard and Zack was aware of a dull stinging sensation along his left arm, he gritted his teeth trying not to think on the pain. He now realised that Sephiroth was being kind by talking as it helped him keep his mind off the blood and the stinging that was now hurting with every minute that passed.
"This also is a useful target for prisoners and wrongdoers. it prevents them making a strike back. also if cut along the soft under part of your elbow will make moving your hands impossible as would the soft part behind your knee."
A sound was heard and as Sephiroth spoke those last words a thin line was created just on top of where he had mentioned. Zack shook his head unsure of how long he could last before trying to get away from the terrible pain which seemed to be spreading along his entire body. A single tear fell from his right eye and he resisted the urge to wipe it away before it was seen. Sephiroth continued like this for the next twenty-six strokes making twenty- eight in total. The next one he did without speaking and Zack who had just about born the rest moved swiftly his reflexes forcing the blade to miss altogether. Sephiroth smirked he had been waiting for that move.
"That makes one more after your initial punishment Zack. I know just where it is going to go."
The thirtieth stroke landed just below the mark the very first stroke had made.
"This last stroke will mark you as a trouble maker for the next few days, all will see it and know you have been punished by General Sephiroth."
The sword now red and silver flashed swiftly and a thin mark cut across Zack's left cheek. Although the scar would last only a few days that would be enough he knew. Sephiroth looked at Zack who was now curled up in a small ball.
"You are excused from this exercise today. but I expect you at the field tomorrow at eight sharp. I would suggest you see the nurse to put something on your cuts."
He turned on his heel without waiting for a reply from Zack and walked out as silently as he had walked in. When he arrived at the field a very miserable Cloud and the other SOLDIER's were waiting for him in an orderly line. He looked at Cloud quietly
"As with Zack I would suggest you go to the nurse and have your cuts seen to. you are excused from today's exercise."
Cloud practically ran towards the large hospital building and Sephiroth looked at the others
"As for all of you. come with me. we have work to do." Lots of people in uniform walked towards the exit of Shin-ra and towards Midgar.
Many months passed and both Zack and Cloud were now fully obedient to Sephiroth. Their scars had gone but they still held them inside and knew it was not a good idea to be disobedient. Sephiroth had gathered them all in a circle around him.
"As you know every now and then one of you is moved up into first class and made part of SOLDIER itself. Today one of you has been picked. The man I speak of is strong and intuitive knowing when to rely on his instincts and when to rely on his training he has learned much since he started out as a school boy and can now be said to have graduated. Zack I am speaking to you here. remember this is only a trial basis and if you do not work out or if it does not work out for you your place here is always free."
This last sentence brought a laugh from the others for who would want to return to a lower salary and less chance of the action? Zack stood for a moment stunned then he jumped in delight
"Me? First class?"
He shook his head in utter amazement
"YESSSS I knew I could do it if I kept trying!"
He turned and ran without even thinking of the plans he and Cloud had made to start with that they would graduate together and not accept if the other was not moved up also.
Sephiroth smiled. He would take both Cloud and Zack together on this next mission he had been given. Them, and who? Christopher. yes perfect Christopher was always reliable in an emergency and seemed to be able to handle both the energetic Zack and the rather shy Cloud. The next mission would be to Nibelheim.