A/N: Here is the rest of the flashback. I promise we'll get back to Cloud next chapter. (Oh and just a bit of a heads up to avoid potential confusion, there is a character in this chapter that another character refers to as two different names. They are the same person.)

…The real you.

Sephiroth stares down, unseeing, at what must be the PHS still in his hand. Cloud had said he was glad to know him. The real him. That, in and of itself, should have made him feel better. Should have made the ache at being called 'Biggs' easier to bear. But, no, instead he feels like Genesis had cast Blizzaga on him yet again ("For science, of course!"). Because everything – everything – was overshadowed by what Cloud hadn't said. What he wouldn't say. But what Sephiroth had heard all the same.

Goodbye.

Cloud had said goodbye, and Sephiroth would never see him again.

"We have to do something!" Reeve yells. "We can't just leave him there all by himself!"

Yes, Sephiroth agrees. Body and soul. They couldn't leave him there. And they wouldn't. There's no way in hell that he would allow it. If Cloud never wanted to see him again, then that would damn well be on Cloud's own terms.

"Vincent," Sephiroth says, or growls maybe, he doesn't really care at this point. "I presume you understand what Cloud meant by 'Seventh Heaven.'"

Vincent nods. "A bar in the Sector 7 slums."

"Good. Genesis, on me," Sephiroth commands, and for the first time since he had known the man, Genesis doesn't complain about Sephiroth ordering him around. "Vincent, you too. We'll start in Sector 5 and work our way over."

"Wait!" Reeve calls, perhaps to insist that he accompany them.

Sephiroth ignores him.

But he's only taken a single step towards the door, fully expecting Genesis and Vincent to follow, when Rufus stops him. "You don't honestly plan to scour the entirety of the slums dressed like that, do you?"

Sephiroth falters, stopping long enough to inspect his armor (had he missed something this morning?) and verify that all of the straps, buckles, and bolts were fastened appropriately, before turning a questioning look to the President. "This attire has served me time and again, Mr. President. And seeing as I am fully clothed—" Reno snorts; Rude coughs; Reeve fights to keep a straight face – "and have no intention of sauntering half-naked through the slums like young Zackary, I fail to see the problem here."

Rufus groans and cradles his head in one of his hands (a move Sephiroth believes Zack had referred to, unoriginally, as a 'facepalm'). "And my father thought letting Hojo raise you in the labs was a good idea…"

Sephiroth bristles at the insinuation – Angeal had told him he had turned out fine, and not even Genesis's tacked on 'surprisingly' had made him feel quite as inadequate as this. (Especially since he had gathered that that was probably just Genesis's way of paying him a compliment.) But now? Now, he files the grievance away and consoles himself with the thought that he hadn't ended up like Hojo. Not entirely. And that was enough for him for now. Besides, he wasn't about to let anything distract him from his mission at hand, especially not Reno's nigh unintelligible mumblings about 'public relations' this and 'sexy SOLDIER calendars' that.

No. Rescuing Cloud was the only thing that mattered to him right now.

"Allow me to elaborate," Rufus continues, a weary edge to his words as if he couldn't quite believe he had to be the one to enlighten Sephiroth of this. "Cloud refused to call you by name, correct?"

Sephiroth twitches. "I heard."

"Then he obviously doesn't want anybody to know that he contacted you," Rufus clarifies. And while Sephiroth can understand the logic behind fooling your opponent that way, that doesn't mean he can keep the frown from his face. "Face it, we have no idea where Cloud is, how long it'll take to find him, much less whether anybody along the way will notify Cloud's pursuers of your presence. If you go out dressed like that, General, you will only be putting Cloud's life at risk."

And, well, that's enough for Sephiroth. "What did you have in mind?"

"You and Genesis will need to disguise yourselves, of course." Genesis scoffs, and Rufus raises an eyebrow at him. "Imagine it's a play, Commander. A once in a lifetime chance to convince the world that you are somebody you're not. I would have thought that that would intrigue you."

"Enough with the manipulations, Shinra." Genesis sniffs, unimpressed. "I will do this for Cloud, naturally. I will offer him this silent sacrifice—" It's subtle, just a slight twinkle in the man's eyes, but Sephiroth gets the feeling that Tseng derives no small amount of wry amusement from Genesis's words – "but I refuse to go prancing around the slums looking like some kind of pansy, so don't even think about it."

"I was thinking of something a little more military."

"…How do you mean?"

"Normally, I would say that trooper fatigues would be the most inconspicuous, but apparently we can't trust our own infantry." The trooper in question wilts further under the renewed attention, and Sephiroth has to remind himself not to look too hard. He had been warned before that his glare could make a person spontaneously combust, and while he still doubts the veracity of Reno's statement, he'd prefer not to test it out so shortly after having lost his temper. "A 3rd Class uniform should suffice."

"…Fine."

"And take Darkstar with you. He should have no trouble tracking Cloud."

"Woof!"

"Goddess," Genesis grumbles, turning towards the door and the direction from which the barking and hurried footsteps come. "Speak of the mutt and it appears."

They wait, the tension and the Turks rising in the room again, until the footsteps stop right outside of the conference room and the doors slide open with an unnecessary beep. "Woof!" Darkstar greets them before bolting into the room, an out-of-breath scientist Sephiroth only knows as Hojo's replacement on his heels. Director… Verdell, was it?

"Mr… Mr. President!" the man wheezes as the doors to the conference room slide shut behind him. "I'm so… sorry to interrupt… but it's an emer… emergency!"

Clearly there were no exercise facilities in the labs.

Perhaps if there were, Sephiroth wouldn't have to be on call every time a mutated experiment got loose.

For now, though, he keeps the commentary to himself and listens dutifully as Rufus triages the situation, the President scratching a spot above Darkstar's head tentacle at the same time. "What is it now?"

"In… In… Intruder in the labs, sir!"

"Well, well, well," Rufus drawls, his eyes narrowing. "Intruder in the labs. Trooper in the air ducts. What a crew we have here."

"P-Pardon… sir?"

Rufus waves his question away. "Where is this intruder now?"

"Oh… Locked in one of the experiment cages. I left two of my subordinates with him to ensure he doesn't escape."

"Good," Rufus says, and Darkstar's hind leg thumps the ground, happily, as if he was the one actually being spoken to. "Do we know what he was after?"

"Not entirely. I took the liberty of confiscating his PHS, so I know he had orders to release all of the experiments in the labs, but there was no clear indication of what his end goal was or even who the orders came from."

"Very well," Rufus says and pushes himself from his chair. "I think it's about time I have a chat with our guest and see whose hand he's eating out of."

You should be careful or somebody might snatch him right out from underneath you.

Sephiroth's not sure why he thinks of it, but once he does, he knows it couldn't be anybody else. "Scarlet," he says, matter-of-factly. "It has to be her."

"So," Rufus drawls, one hand resting on top of Darkstar's head. "Scarlet's been playing us for a fool this entire time, has she? Banora, the labs, she's even gone so far as to stalk Cloud throughout the building to determine how difficult it would be to get him on his own? Well, I hope she's not foolish enough to believe she'll get away with this." And he turns his attention to Sephiroth, the fire in his eyes matching the fire coursing through every inch of Sephiroth's body. "Go, General. Rescue Cloud and then we'll show Scarlet exactly what happens when she bites the hand that feeds her."

"The cameras, sir," Tseng brings up, the urgency underlying his calm voice the only thing that keeps Sephiroth from storming out of the building already. "Scarlet's probably watching our every move."

Rufus's eyes flash dangerously. "She wants a show, does she? Well then, we'll give her a show," he vows, and then proceeds to dole out his orders. "There are no cameras in this room, the labs, or my own personal office, but everywhere else, we'll have to assume Scarlet has eyes on. So, gentlemen, you are to rush to the labs like there really are experiments on the loose. Take Darkstar with you. Reno and Rude, too."

"What about our duct-bunny, yo?" Reno asks, prodding the trooper none-too-gently in the shoulder blade.

"Oh, I'm sure we'll find some use for him," Reeve promises, his eyes lacking their usual warmth. "Besides, you know Tseng has been dying to test out those new interrogation techniques of his."

The trooper shivers at the threat, especially with the way Tseng smirks, dark and cruel, in response. And Sephiroth is pretty sure it's another intimidation tactic – what interrogation technique doesn't Tseng know of? – but he still makes a mental note never to give Reeve a reason to hold (more of) a grudge against him.

"Don't worry, Reno," Rufus adds, the look on his face almost as sinister as Tseng's own. "If our new friend here doesn't tell us everything he knows, you're welcome to do with him as you please."

"I'll tell you everything, I promise!"

"Quiet," Rufus warns, the trooper's pleas falling on deaf ears. "Now, Sephiroth and Genesis, I will have clothes sent your way. Once you are changed, wait for my command. The cameras outside of my office will need to be rigged so you can pass unseen."

"Yes, sir."

"Reno, Rude, Vincent. You three are to provide aerial support until Cloud has been found. Then, and only then, are you permitted to join the others on the ground. Is that clear? We cannot afford to give ourselves away so soon."

"You got it, Boss!"

"And General." Rufus turns back to Sephiroth, his eyes hard and face carefully blank. "Make sure you bring Cloud back alive," he commands, and Sephiroth's not sure if he's just projecting his own worries onto the man or not, but he swears he can hear the slightest twinge of concern in Rufus's voice. "Don't fail me."

"Kun—"

"Second Class Kunsel," Rufus cuts in before the man can finish his entirely unneeded 'Kunsel speaking'. Rufus knows who he's talking to. (He also knows that Kunsel won't be considered an adult in the eyes of the law for another couple years. But if he's old enough to face Scarlet one-on-one, then he's old enough to be treated like a man.)

"M-Mr. President?"

"You know my voice." Rufus is mildly impressed. "Good, that makes things easier."

"Uh…"

"Tell me, Kunsel – are you in a secure location?" It wouldn't do for anybody to overhear their conversation.

"Uh… sir?"

"Indulge me."

A rustling and a click later, and Kunsel says, "I am now, sir."

"Great. I have a mission for you, Kunsel," he replies, listening for any signs that Kunsel isn't the man he thinks he is. "Monsters are running amok in the labs and I need somebody to clean up the mess before people get hurt."

"Shit!" Kunsel swears, the inflection and level of stress in his voice seemingly genuine – Tseng had said he wasn't good at lying. "Sorry, sir! I mean, I'm on it!"

"Hold a moment, Kunsel."

"But wait…" Kunsel talks right over him. "Wouldn't Seph – I mean, General Sephiroth or Commander Rhapsodos be better suited for this?"

"Kunsel," Rufus chides and waits until he's sure he has Kunsel's full attention again. "That can wait. But first, I would like to verify something. I understand you are good friends with Lieutenant Zack Fair, is that correct?"

"Uh… yes, sir?"

"And you wouldn't do anything to harm Zack, now would you?"

"What? No, of course not!" Kunsel answers, the man sounding a little offended at the thought.

Good.

"I'm glad to hear it," Rufus says – he was getting tired of this charade already, but he knew he could never be too careful. "And you are loyal to me, correct?"

"…What's going on, sir?"

"Answer the question, Kunsel."

"Yes, sir," Kunsel says, tentatively, and then tacks on as an afterthought, "I'm loyal to you."

"Good. I'll cut to the chase then. Scarlet is a traitor." If Kunsel is shocked by the news in any way, it isn't audible through the speaker of his PHS. Another sign he had chosen the right man for the job. "And there's no telling how many people she has pulled over to her side by now."

"And… you thought I was on her side, too?"

"No, actually, I didn't. But the situation is delicate enough that a certain level of care is required."

"And the monsters, sir?"

"Ah. I haven't been entirely straightforward with you, Kunsel," he admits. "There aren't any monsters tearing through the labs, but given that Scarlet expects there to be, we cannot clue her in otherwise. Hence the need for subterfuge. I do hope I haven't offended you." Normally, he wouldn't care if he had offended somebody, and he still doesn't, not really – it wasn't his job to coddle everybody – but he understands the benefit of inspiring loyalty in his men.

The Turks – his Turks – had already proven that.

"…I'm not offended," Kunsel responds and, well, apparently Tseng was right – he really wasn't good at lying. Perhaps Rufus should dial the artifice back a bit. "I just… What do you need me to do?"

"Now, that's the tricky part," Rufus answers truthfully – if Kunsel wants to continue with business as usual, then Rufus is happy to oblige. "We will need to act like there really is an emergency in the labs, otherwise Scarlet will know that her plans have been thwarted. To that end, I will need your assistance making sure that the rest of SOLDIER is positioned to do just that."

"…But what about General Sephiroth and Commander Rhapsodos?"

"They are indisposed at the moment. And seeing as how Commander Hewley and Lieutenant Fair are still in Banora, you are the only one I can trust with this."

"Did… Did something happen to Zack's cadet friend, sir?"

Rufus sits up straighter in his chair, more than just mildly impressed this time. "How did you know?" he asks, waving off Tseng's raised eyebrow and Reeve's questioning stare – he'd tell them later.

"You asked if I would do anything to harm Zack, sir…" Kunsel pauses as if trying to collect his thoughts, the tension almost palpable in his voice. "But you wouldn't have asked that unless it was something really bad. And there are only a few things that could hurt Zack that bad, and even fewer that would require both General Sephiroth's and Commander Rhapsodos's full attention. And Cloud Strife is at the top of that list."

Scratch that. Rufus is very much impressed. He'd have to make a note for later – intelligence like that should be rewarded. "You are correct, Kunsel. Cloud is in grave danger. Scarlet wants something from him, we're not sure what, but she was willing to go so far as to fake the trouble in Banora and try to release all of the experiments in the labs just to get him alone."

"But where is he? If he's still in the Tower, then—"

"Kunsel," Rufus cuts the man off before his frenzy can get too out of control. He knows Kunsel would do anything to protect Zack – Tseng had said as much – but losing his cool wouldn't help them now. "Cloud is not in the Tower. He's currently alone in the slums." Kunsel grunts in alarm, but Rufus continues talking before the man can work himself up again. "He's aware of his pursuers and is doing all he can to evade them. And we're doing all we can to rescue him, but for the time being, we must operate as if he's already been captured. If we do not – if we give Scarlet even the slightest hint that we are onto her – then Cloud may very well not live to see the morrow."

"I…" Kunsel gulps, overwhelmed, and Rufus leans back in his chair again, allowing the man a moment to come to terms with the information that had just been laid out before him – the only concession Rufus is willing to give right now. They don't have much time, but every actor must play their part perfectly for this ruse to work. "What… What do you need of me?"

"You are to send two 3rds to the labs with orders to report directly to General Sephiroth and Commander Rhapsodos. But only select those you are certain are not under Scarlet's thumb."

"None of them are."

Rufus raises an eyebrow, partially out of habit, partially because there was no hesitation on Kunsel's part. "You're sure?"

Kunsel's pause is weighted, but when he answers again, there is no doubt in his voice. "Yes, sir. I'm positive."

"…Very well, then. Send any two 3rds of your choosing up to the labs – the General and Commander Rhapsodos will take matters from there. As for the rest of you, I want patrols throughout the Tower as if monsters really have escaped. I cannot stress this enough, Kunsel," he explains. "Scarlet has access to the camera footage. There might not be any cameras in the labs, but she will be looking elsewhere to make sure that we're acting as the situation would demand. Everything we do must be carefully calculated."

"I… I understand, sir."

"Very good. Now, for your mission, Kunsel. I want you, and whoever you deem fit, to make sure Scarlet does not leave the building. Send a few SOLDIERs Palmer's way for optics' sake." Honestly, he'll probably just have Palmer arrested while he's at it. He doubts the idiot's in league with Scarlet – he couldn't even put butter into his own tea without telling everybody about it – but gross mismanagement of funds should do it. And then they could finally have somebody competent in charge of the Space Program. He's sure Highwind would never turn down the offer, regardless of the man's entirely unfavorable opinion of him. "If, however, you do not believe you're the right SOLDIER for this job, if you do not think you'll be able to keep your wits about you in Scarlet's presence, let me know now."

"No, sir. Send me."

Ah. So he wants blood too, then? "That's what I wanted to hear, Kunsel. I will call ahead and let Scarlet know you are on the way." If it's a clash Scarlet wants, it's a clash she'll get. "Also, I doubt I need to tell you this, but you are not to repeat any of what I've just told you to anybody, not even your fellow SOLDIERs. The truth will reveal itself in time, but for now, our story is monsters have escaped in the labs. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Excellent. Now, once the situation has been resolved, the Turks will be along to arrest Scarlet. I will do my part to keep her nose off of our trail until then, but if for some reason our plans are compromised or if she resists arrest, you have my permission to use whatever force is necessary."

"…Force, sir?"

"Kill her."

"What do you mean they lost him?" Scarlet demands, glaring up at Wyland or Wyborne or whatever the hell his name is (honestly, she doesn't even know why she cares), the plush chair she reclines in the only thing that hasn't failed her today. "How did they lose him already?" She had given them very specific orders not to lose him.

Honestly, how did they expect her to enjoy the show this way?

"Uhh… apparently, the boy realized Corneo's men were after him and took off before they could grab him," the idiot in front of her reports, fidgeting under her souring mood. "They lost sight of him in Wall Market and are still looking for him."

"Fools!" She raises her leg and lets it drop back down on Otto's back, growling when Otto squirms. "Stop moving, Otto," she scolds and only returns her attention to Wyborne (why was he born?) once Otto finally. holds. still. "Don't they know the plan's already in motion? We'll never get another chance like this! An entire week of careful planning, wasted!"

Ring-ring. Ring-a-ding-ding.

Scarlet raises an eyebrow at the interruption, but Wyland only quivers more. "Well," she drawls. "Are you going to answer that?"

"O-Of course, M-Madam Director!"

.

.

.

"And?" Scarlet presses once Wyborne has seen fit to end that unnecessarily long-winded conversation of his. Honestly, she's going to demote the lot of them. First, they insist that Corneo's imbeciles know what they're doing, then they're surprised when those same imbeciles lose track of the boy, and now they leave her to suffer in the dark, without a single scrap of intelligence to tide her over, while the little scamp runs circles around them?

Unacceptable.

"M-Message from Stevens, Madam Director. He and Marshall have a visual on the boy and are in pursuit." Scarlet strokes the pendant over her chest idly as the idiot talks, watching as his eyes trace the movement unintentionally. "Oh!" he jolts out of his trance and snaps his eyes back to her face. Hmm. Interesting. "T-That is to s-say, Corneo's men are traveling through the sewers right now and plan to cut the boy off from behind."

"Sewers?" she sneers. How revolting. But at least she wouldn't have to smell the lot of them once this was all over. "Well, whatever," she rolls her eyes. "As long as they get the job done, I don't care how they do it. But be a dear and let them know that if they fail me again, I will personally carve out their eyeballs and use them to make my materia." Wyland turns green, and Scarlet must say, the color is a good look on him. "And who knows, we might get something useful out of them yet! Kya ha ha!"

"U-Uhh… R-Right away, Madam Director!"

.

.

.

"M-Madam Director," Wyland calls as he returns, and Scarlet nearly rolls her eyes again – this had better be good. "Corneo's men say it's not their fault they lost the boy. They claim that a traitor named Sam misled them and that he will be dealt—"

"Stop." Scarlet throws a hand into the air. "I expect results. Not excuses. Is that understood?"

"U-Uhh… Y-Yes, Madam Director!"

"Good. Though, if you insist on pointing fingers, just know that those fools only have themselves to blame for being so easily misled. And—" she curls a hand around the idiot's scarf and tugs him down to her level – "I have you to blame for including them on this mission in the first place," she says and lets her fingers wrap around Wyland's throat. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-Yes…" he breathes, his Adam's apple bobbing underneath the palm of her hand.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Y-Yes, M-Madam Director!"

She smiles – she loves being in charge. "Good. Now—"

Fireworks to light up your night sky

Oh, she could listen to this song all day long. The soft jazz. That rich, soulful voice. Stilettos and lingerie. Jewels and finesse. Only passion, no regrets. Scarlet sighs. It was like this song was made for her.

"Uhh… Madam Director?"

Scarlet opens her eyes to scowl at Wyborne better – "What did I tell you about interrupting me?" – but that's when she notices that the music is actually her phone ringing and, far less importantly, that her hand is still coiled around Wyborne's neck. Not that Wyborne looks terribly inconvenienced by that fact.

Intrigued by the red rising in his cheeks, Scarlet gives his neck an experimental squeeze and watches as his eyes dilate further in return. Huh. She'd have to keep that in mind for later.

Provided he didn't fail her, of course.

"Return to your post," she commands and uses her hold on his neck to shove him away, savoring in the way he has to stumble to keep upright. Like she said, she loves being in charge.

"Uhh…"

"Now." And she turns away from him, only to arch a brow at the name she finds on her caller ID. She had honestly expected this call earlier, especially since Sephiroth and the rest of them had stormed the labs quite a few minutes ago. (Shame there were no cameras where they would actually be useful.) "President Rufus," she still purrs when she answers her phone, ready as always to dissect his words for any clue that she could find. "What a pleasure to hear from you!"

"Ah, Scarlet. When you didn't pick up right away, I feared the worst."

She frowns – his poker voice is as flawless as ever. But all she needs is one little breadcrumb, one tiny chip in that figurative mask of his to know whether he's onto her. "Feared the worst? Is something wrong, sir?"

Rufus sighs, and the synapses in Scarlet's brain kick into overtime as she tries to determine whether the sound wasn't too protracted for the given situation. Wasn't too forced as compared to usual.

She hates that she can't decide.

"We have a bit of a situation on our hands. All of the experiments have gotten loose and are now rampaging throughout the labs." Rufus pauses, perhaps to allow her to absorb the information or gasp as appropriate. But Scarlet has never gasped in her life, not even when her precious materia explodes on her, and she's not about to start now and give herself away. "But no need to be concerned, Director." She's not. "Sephiroth and Genesis are already working to contain the mess, and I will be sending men down to protect you and Director Palmer."

She adopts the amused disbelief that she's known for. "But surely those men would be better served playing exterminator with the rest of them, rather than looking after me. I'm nowhere even near the labs… Unless…" She trails off, her tone carefully suspicious, but her thoughts are filled with far more gruesome tidings. Was he sending those men here to watch her? Arrest her? …Kill her?

Like she'd ever let that happen.

She'd bring the entire Tower down first.

"Ah, so you've caught on too, Director. Not surprising." Nice try. It would take more than flattery to trick her. "Yes, you're correct. I don't believe this was an accident."

"Then who?"

Rufus sighs again, and Scarlet loathes that she can't poke any holes in his purported frustration. "Wutai."

Scarlet blinks, her defenses falling just a crack. She knew he would never say that he suspected her, but was he not lapping at Godo's hairy feet, then? Color her surprised. "Wutai? I thought that was all just a part of Heidegger's ploy to overthrow you, sir."

"As did I. And Heidegger's attempt on my life only compounded that belief. But imagine my surprise when I found out that that girl was actually Godo's very own daughter."

"Godo's daughter?" Scarlet asks, and she doesn't even have to feign her surprise this time. If she didn't already know who was behind the lab fiasco, Rufus would probably have her hook, line, and sinker. "What was their motive?"

"To test our defenses, no doubt. A child is far less sinister than a full-grown Wutaian spy." She wracks her brain for even the smallest tell that might give his lie away. "And if one tiny child can outwit us so thoroughly, imagine what an entire company of shinobi could do."

"…What's the plan then, sir?"

"Show them what happens when a dog bites the hand that feeds it. I trust you'll be prepared for my declaration of war tomorrow."

He spins a good story, she'll give him that. But does she believe him? Does she not?

"Madam Director, message from Lee."

Scarlet glowers at the returning idiot, thoughts of suitable punishments already forefront in her mind. "Can't you see that I'm in the middle of something?"

"M-My s-sincerest apologies, M-Madam Director, but your o-orders were to inform you i-immediately of any important developments."

"I didn't mean right now, you imbecile!"

"But it's about you-know-who," he whispers and glances down at his PHS – text then. "And something called… Jenova."

…Jenova?

"Am I interrupting something?" Rufus cuts in, and she hates his smooth, unaffected voice right now.

But she doesn't let it show. "Not at all, Mr. President," she purrs again, though she still wants to throttle one of them. She hasn't decided who. "I just seem to have my own little emergency on my hands. You know what it's like when your underlings can't even breathe without you! Kya ha ha!"

He chuckles. "That I do. Shall I call you back?"

"Not at all! Just give me a moment to take care of this and I'll be right with you."

.

.

.

Scarlet's not entirely sure what to think, not entirely sure what she just read, but it's beautiful. Exquisite. They couldn't suspect a thing. Not if whatever-his-name was still sending her wonderful intel such as this. "On second thought, Mr. President, send all the men you can spare! It does get rather lonely down here!" She laughs and settles further into her chair, Otto's squirming not bothering her for the first time ever. Somebody was going to be graced with stilettos and lingerie tonight, she knows. She'd just have to decide who deserved it the most. "And don't worry, I'll gladly stand by your side tomorrow!"

"Excellent."

"Are you sure that was wise, sir?" Tseng asks, and Rufus glances down at the message he had the man send, as if he really were the trooper Lee still in the air ducts.

Boy named Cloud used to be enhanced. Not now? Only one that can stop Sephiroth when he's 'tainted' by smth called Jenovah (?). Jenovah dormat now, but Sephiroth familiar with sensation. Doesn't want to tramatize boy, so leaving trainig to others. When Jenovah awakns, boy needs to be ready, otherwise loss of life will b catestrphic (bad?).

Rufus smirks. "Sometimes you have to offer a dog a bone if you want them to trust you."

"Goddess, this thing reeks."

"Just put the helmet on, Genesis."

"When that scoundrel said he was going to send clothes our way, this is not what I imagined."

"Genesis."

"Alright. Touchy. Touchy."

"Take that!" Zack yells and, with one final slash, the Behemoth they're fighting sways dangerously on its feet, before collapsing with a loud rumble to the floor of the cavern below. "Huh? You dead already?" he asks, prodding the downed monster with his foot.

"Careful, Puppy," Angeal warns, somewhat out of habit, somewhat because the monster was stronger than he had expected, but he still turns towards the mouth of the cave – he trusts Zack not to do anything too terribly foolish – and peers outside. He can just see the village windmill from here and, beyond that, he knows is the orchard where he had first pledged his heart to Genesis (something that must have been quite the dramatic event the way Genesis had been stunned speechless for the only time in his life).

He doesn't smile now, though, not like he had then – nervous and heart aflutter. They were way too close to Banora for that. Instead, he nods to the trooper next to him and asks, "You said there were more monsters further in?"

"U-Uh… y-yes, sir!" the man stammers, and Angeal understands – monsters could be quite frightening, especially for somebody unenhanced.

"Let's get a good look at you then, ya big sucker!" Zack interrupts, his voice echoing throughout the cave. It's an eagerness Angeal knows well. One he thought he was prepared for, but one he realizes he never truly could be when he chances a glance back and finds Zack peering into the maw of the felled beast.

Angeal sighs. "Zack, what did I just tell you?"

"Chill out, old man! I know what I'm doing!" Zack answers… and then proceeds to clamber up the side of the giant monster.

"Sometimes I wonder…" he mumbles to himself, though he chooses to ignore the 'old man' comment for now. "Don't worry," he tells the nervous trooper at his side. "We'll handle everything from here." And he turns to walk back to Zack's side.

Just in case.

"I-I… S-Sounds good, s-sir!"

"Hey 'geal, you need to see this!" Zack cuts in again from his perch on top of the monster's head. "I thought it was just a trick of the light at first," he says and peels back one of the beast's eyelids, gesturing to the glazed-over eye within. "But the veins in its eyes have all turned black."

Angeal hums to show he's listening and takes a closer look at the eye in question. An eye that is definitely streaked with black.

Weird.

"And…" Zack vaults himself off of the monster's head and lands, with a slight spin and flourish, back on the cave floor. "Look here," he says, grappling with the maw of the beast again. "There are black-oozing sores in its mouth. And—" he points an accusing finger at the floor – "even its blood is black!"

Angeal wrinkles his nose at the small pool of black liquid collecting underneath the felled beast. How had he missed that before? Had he really been so distracted by thoughts of Genesis (and his mouth), that he had let himself be effectively blind to the rest of the world around him? What kind of mentor was—

Buzz.

Private Number: Call me sweetie – RS

Angeal frowns at the message he finds on the screen of his PHS. Normally, he would be inclined to think that somebody had gotten the wrong number. But no. Not this time. Not with the clearly tainted Behemoth at his feet. And, more importantly, not when the troopers watching them suddenly feel a lot less innocent, the one he had just spoken to already typing away at his PHS.

"Hold that thought, Puppy," he tells Zack as he pushes himself to his feet and presses the phone to his ear. "I've gotta take this."

He thinks he knows what RS stands for.

He's just not entirely prepared for the exaggeratedly high-pitched and, frankly, nauseatingly joyful voice of Rufus Shinra that meets his ears. "Oh, Angeal, darling! You actually called!"

"Uh…" he falters (and twitches just a little bit) until he recalls the President's message from earlier – Call me sweetie. Gaia preserve him, he can't believe he's actually doing this. "What's the matter, sweetie? Is everything ok?"

"Sweetie!?" Zack whirls around, a flabbergasted and slightly accusatory look on his face.

"Not now, Zack," Angeal says and strolls to the middle of the cave floor, his free hand shoved strategically into the pocket of his pants – whatever requires this level of deception must be something that not even Zack should hear, but he knows he can't be too obvious about it. Neither the troopers nor Zack would stand for it.

"Can anybody hear me?"

"No, dear," Angeal coos, and he's sure he'll be sleeping on the couch for a month if Genesis ever finds out about this. Even if he is just following orders. "Nobody can hear you. But even if they could, I swear they wouldn't make fun of you." And to sell the act, he shakes his head, faking fond exasperation, and sighs loud enough for the troopers across the room to hear him, "Women…"

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing dear. Just asking my colleagues to give me a moment," he says, winking at the same trooper from before. The one who now chuckles at Angeal's 'plight' and slips his phone back into the pocket of his fatigues, the smile on his face far more sinister in Angeal's eyes. "Will you tell me what's wrong, dear?"

If nothing else, he should probably thank Genesis for those (at the time, unwanted) acting lessons.

"I'll be quick," Rufus states, his voice regaining its normally-pitched, seriously-toned authority. "The mission to Banora was a con to begin with. Scarlet's plan was to lure help away from Midgar so that when she gave the order for her men to abduct Cloud, he would be all by his lonesome."

Angeal doesn't gasp or frown or scowl like he wants to. He wills his face to remain lax and throws an edge of soothing concern into his voice. "But honey, I'm not alone. I've got friends with me."

"Cloud is alone. It appears that he was traveling to the slums to visit a mutual friend of ours when he realized he was being followed. Sephiroth and Genesis have left to find him, but until they do, we must act exactly as Scarlet expects us to. Pretend like nothing's wrong, Commander. You are no doubt being monitored. We don't want anything tipping off these men, otherwise Cloud's life very well may be forfeit. Do you understand?"

"Oh, sweetie. It was just a bad dream, but if it'll make you feel better, I promise I won't do anything reckless." He chuckles, as if anything about this situation is funny. "Face it, you're stuck with me for the long haul."

"Good. I'll contact you again once this is all over."

"Oh, I love you too. Bye, dear." Angeal hangs up the phone and runs a hand down his face – he thinks he's going to be sick. But he doesn't get that much of a reprieve. Not when he looks up and finds Zack right there in front of him, a frown on the boy's face.

"Well?" Zack asks, clearly impatient.

"Ah," Angeal says, his embarrassment not feigned this time. He knows it'll be easier to trick these troopers if he leaves Zack in the dark about everything, but that doesn't mean he feels any better about it. "She dreamt that I ran into battle all by myself and ended up getting mauled to death by a horde of Behemoths because of it."

"No! Who is she? What's her name? Do I know her? How long have you been together? And why didn't you tell me about her before, man?" Zack fires off the questions, one after the other, barely pausing for a breath.

And Angeal feels bad about it, he really does. But they can't do this right now. "Later, Zack."

"No! Not later!" Zack crosses his arms in front of his chest, and Angeal's heart aches at the cute little pout he probably doesn't even realize is there. "I'm supposed to be your right-hand man! Your partner in crime! You're not supposed to keep bombshells like this from me! Especially if she is a bombshell!"

Angeal sighs. "You're right, Zack. I shouldn't have kept this from you. I'm sorry. I really am," he says and tries to ruffle Zack's hair like usual, but Zack swats his hand away, the pout more pronounced now ("I'm still mad at you, man!"). "How about this? I promise I'll tell you everything once we finish up here – is that acceptable?"

"But—"

"Weren't you trying to show me something, Puppy?"

Zack opens his mouth to argue more, but then groans, frustrated, probably remembering that the mission comes first. "Alright, fine. But don't think you're off the hook!"

"I would never."

.

.

.

"But see, 'geal. This is what I was talking about. Its blood should be blue, not black."

Angeal hums skeptically, his chest heavy at having to trick his student. "Sorry to break it to you, kiddo, but that's actually something you see a lot here."

"What, really?" Zack asks, his surprise so great, he doesn't seem to mind the use of the word 'kiddo'.

"You've seen what prolonged exposure to mako can do, right?" He waits for Zack to nod before continuing with his lie. "Well, the mako concentration on this island is so high, that's it's not entirely uncommon to see monsters, or even the local wildlife, with different-colored blood."

Zack instantly deflates, and Angeal has to remind himself that what he's doing, he's doing to protect Cloud. Which is totally honorable, even if it doesn't feel like it. The way the troopers sag with relief is proof enough of that. "Aww, man! I really thought I was onto something!"

"Next time, Puppy," he says and offers the boy a fond smile (one he's afraid doesn't quite meet his eyes).

He'd make it up to him later.

Rig the cameras on the top floors. Cut comms between members of the slums, so the goons would have to contact the Tower for information. Feed a fake narrative to the press about monsters knocking out said comms and the 3rd Class SOLDIERs sent to deal with them. Intercept all correspondence between Scarlet, the men with her, and said goons in the slums, leaving the President free to control the flow of information.

And last but not least, arrest Scarlet and Palmer once the situation has been resolved.

The Turks had been given their orders. And Elena had heard the entire thing. True, this isn't what she had in mind when she had tapped all of the phones on the Turk floor this morning. And this certainly isn't what she had in mind when she had decided that today was the day she was finally going to convince the President that she really wasn't too young to be a Turk again. But what better way to prove herself?

Honestly, her first instinct was to go rescue Cloud – which was a little surprising given the fact that they were enemies first and tentative allies second (though, she supposes his help in saving her from Corneo's bridal machinations had softened her opinion of him) – but she has no idea where he is. She'd only be in Sephiroth's way.

Not to mention that she might embarrass herself by attacking Sephiroth as payback for what he had done to Tseng, regardless of whether he was in control of his body or not. And then she'd be right back at square 1. Not old enough to be a Turk. (And possibly too in love with Tseng to be a Turk as well, even if the President was kind enough not to say it out loud.)

No, better to stay here in the Tower where she could keep her 15-year-old emotions in check.

And where she could finally show her 'amazing' sister up.

Absolutely giddy at that last thought, Elena bites back her giggle (can't give herself away now!), returns the progress report to Reno's desk (and here she had thought her day would be spent sneaking around the Turk floor, pilfering items to prove she really was Turk material – she's not returning Katana's sword-shaped pen, though), and smooths out her suit jacket (the one she had had to special order behind her sister's back). If she was going to go up against Scarlet, she'd need a gun, and she knew just where to find one.

Too bad she wouldn't be around to see the look on her sister's face once she realized it was missing.

But no. This was more important. It was time to get down to business. Sure, she doesn't doubt her sister's ability (and that's what frustrates her), but her sister doesn't know Scarlet like she does. Not to mention she couldn't do anything useful about Scarlet yet. Elena has no such restrictions. She's small, currently unaffiliated, and already hyperaware of the lengths Scarlet is willing to go to to get her way. And that's plenty. She wouldn't have any trouble gathering enough evidence to put Scarlet in a body bag for good.

You don't mess with the Turks and live to tell the tale.

Sector 7 Undercity, Train Station

"Hey! When are you guys gonna take care of those monsters?! I wanna be able to use my phone sometime this century!"

"And what about the trains?!"

"My taxes pay for your salary!"

"Shinra is the worst!"

Sephiroth doubts it's the type of fanfare Genesis fancies, the slum dwellers haranguing them the moment they race into the train station. But the man keeps his scorn to himself, aside from a crossly muttered, "What in the Goddess's name do they think we are, the Beast Brigade?"

And Sephiroth… He keeps running. Keeps following Darkstar, across the cobblestone path, up the unequally sized stairs ("Do these heathens not even own a ruler?"), and past another excessively large poster of Loveless ("Well, at least they recognize true art."), all the while hostage to the images his brain won't stop conjuring up – Cloud impaled on Masamune again, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, eyes glassy and lifeless.

Dead.

Cloud might already be dead and it would be all Sephiroth's fault.

He wills his feet to move faster.

"C'mon, Wedge," a feminine voice calls. "Hand it over! That Slug-Ray is mine now and you know it!"

Sephiroth spares a glance to the side – he's not about to stop, not when Cloud is still in trouble, but he knows he can't just overlook people dealing in illicit Shinra weaponry. He could apprehend them later.

What he finds, though, baffles him. Three teenagers reclining against the side of the train platform, a roughly shaped slab of wood and industrial plastic between them.

Was it a game then?

"You cheated!" the rotund one whines, staring dejectedly at the fallen condor on his side of the board, a green piece of plastic clutched to his chest. "You know what food does to me!"

"You're telling me you salivated so hard over the thought of my mother's cooking that you forgot how to play?"

The eldest of the three, who shakes his head at his companions – "He's just being a sore loser, Jessie" – seems familiar to Sephiroth. He just can't figure out why.

Not that it matters. For as Sephiroth returns his attention to the path in front of him, all plans for future arrest gone, that's when he sees them. Two troopers guarding a chain link gate leading away from the station and the residential area of the slums. This was it. They hadn't seen a single trooper since they had landed in Sector 5. They had to be getting close.

Growl.

But before he can formulate an acceptable plan to dispose of these traitors (at least without causing a scene), Darkstar is upon them, muscles taut, canines bared with poorly concealed bloodlust. "Whoa there, doggie…" The one on the right throws his hands up, trying to placate the still growling guard dog. "We're all friends here."

The one on the left, though, doesn't seem overly perturbed by Darkstar's aggression. "You must be the ones they sent to get the comms back up," he posits and smiles in what must be an attempt to appear unassuming. "Hate to break it to you, but you're not gonna find what you're looking for here," he continues, gesturing to the gate behind him. "We've been here for hours and haven't seen a single monster."

"Why don't you let us decide that for ourselves?" Genesis returns, his cordiality far more easily feigned.

"E-Eh… I'm under strict orders not to let anybody pass."

Sephiroth's vaguely aware that the childish squabbling has already come to a muted stop behind him, but he's since forgotten his desire to resolve this quietly. Cloud is here, somewhere beyond those gates. He knows he is. The flash of teeth too wide to be a genuine smile tells him as much.

So, he acts.

And he realizes that perhaps he is more like Hojo than he's comfortable with, for he almost enjoys the sound of bones creaking as he lifts the wretch from his feet and slams him into the gate. "Where is he?!" he growls, not a shred of sympathy left for the man who trembles beneath his fingertips. Not an ounce of shame felt at Genesis's exasperated, "So much for that silent sacrifice…"

"Woof!"

Darkstar shifts his weight to his front paws, eyeing the other trooper's leg like that Coeurl plush the President has for him, but Genesis clamps a hand down over his collar before he can finish readying himself for a similar assault. "Goddess, not you too, mutt."

"Grrrrrr…."

"Excuse you, who exactly do you think you're growling at?" Darkstar turns bared teeth Genesis's way, and Genesis offers a contemptuous roll of his eyes in return. "And they say I'm difficult. Look mutt, there's nothing that would please me more than watching you cull this lowlife like the trash he is, but we don't have time for that. Or am I really the only one who remembers Cloud first, carnage second? I haven't restrained myself for this long just to let the two of you have all of the fun."

Cloud first.

That's right. Sephiroth had promised Rufus he would bring Cloud back alive – a promise he meant to keep. And if these traitors were still here, guarding this gate, then Cloud had to be alive. Sephiroth wasn't too late.

Click.

"D-D-Don't m-move!" the still standing trooper cries, brandishing his weapon at Genesis, Sephiroth, and then Genesis in turn, as if he couldn't quite figure out who was more of a threat. But Sephiroth is unfazed. An entire magazine of bullets wouldn't be enough to slow him down, he knows – endurance training, Hojo had called it. So, he finishes reining his emotions in and lowers the quivering trooper back to his feet, no further thought spared to the one with the rifle, especially when he sees the human-shaped indent in the gate. "I-I s-said, d-don't—!"

"Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Genesis warns, tone mocking. "If I have to save my big oaf of a friend here, whoever will hold the mutt back?"

"I-I—"

"What's the meaning of this?" A stern voice cuts in.

And Genesis wastes no time. The moment the trooper looks away, he strikes, releasing his hold on Darkstar only to disarm the man in front of him with lightning-fast precision. "On your knees! Hands behind your head!" he commands, pointing the rifle at both troopers. "You're under arrest for crimes against the President and Shinra Company!"

It's all an act, Sephiroth can tell. A thoughtfully, albeit hastily, calculated play for the audience they had gained. And while Genesis does still straighten his spine and slant his hips in just the right way to showcase his best side – "At least my ass still kills in these pants." – Sephiroth recognizes the sound judgment behind his actions. They could afford to take a few risks now that they were so close – Rufus had said he had taken care of the comms – and this would be the fastest way to extricate themselves from their current situation and get back to rescuing Cloud.

Garner public support it is, then.

"These men are traitors," Sephiroth announces, trusting Genesis and Darkstar to have his back as he turns to face the crowd. The three teenagers from before, a bearded man in a grey cap, and an elderly woman with sharp eyes are among those who watch him lift the visor of his helmet, though the latter is the only one who does not gasp when he does. "They plotted to overthrow the President and seize control of Shinra Company, and will be punished as such."

"And I take it you have proof?" the woman asks, and Sephiroth gets the feeling she's the de facto leader here.

"Yes, ma'am."

"But wait!" the eldest of the teenagers interrupts, pushing himself from the ground and rushing over. "You guys said 'Cloud first', didn't you? Is he ok? Is he hurt? We can help!"

"Wait up, Biggs!"

"Biggs…?" Sephiroth repeats, studying the distraught boy (man?) in front of him. He had allowed himself to believe that the name was made up, but apparently not. Biggs was real. And he was right here, ready to throw himself into danger at the mere mention of Cloud's name.

"I remember you," Genesis cuts in, which is fine – Sephiroth doesn't have the will to continue the conversation anyway. "You were with Cloud yesterday. Avalanche, I presume?"

"Uh… that's right," the boy agrees, but he's not distracted for long. "But what about Cloud? Where is he? Is he in trouble?"

The hope Sephiroth had let kindle this long burns out now. This was the person Cloud had actually wanted to talk to, wasn't it? His words were meant for him, not Sephiroth. Sephiroth could understand it, even if he doesn't want to. Biggs was objectively good-looking. Soft face. Kind eyes. Probably had his head screwed on correctly too, or whatever the phrase was that Zack was so fond of. And he hadn't hurt Cloud, hadn't burned his hometown to the ground, hadn't taken everything from him.

Biggs was the better man.

"Don't glare at the children, dear."

Sephiroth doesn't make a noise as he drags himself back to the present. Doesn't flinch as he notices the fear mirrored on all three teenagers' faces. He had failed again. "Keep an eye on these two," he orders instead, in place of an apology.

"Wait!"

"What about Cloud?"

"He's our bro, too! We wanna help!"

"You'll only be in the way," Sephiroth chides, a slight thrum of pleasure running through him at the wince on their faces. On Biggs's face. What was wrong with him? "Genesis and I will handle this. If you want to help, then make sure these two don't get away. The President will deal with them later." He doesn't wait for a response. He turns on his heel and flips the visor of his helmet shut with an audible click. "Let's go, Genesis," he commands, pulling the gate open with a little more force than necessary. "Darkstar, you too."

"Woof!"

A/N:

- What Sephiroth doesn't hear, all of the women in the train station (minus Jessie and Marle) gushing over Genesis "Genesis? Genesis Rhapsodos?", "I wish I could see his face!", "Did you see the way he disarmed that trooper? So cool!". And what he doesn't see, Genesis preening under the attention and practically strutting through the gate behind Seph XD

- Marle and Wymer always felt like the unspoken leaders in the Sector 7 Slums to me, so I figured they would have gone to the train station to keep people calm with the trains not running and phones down.

- Wyland/Wyborne is actually Ryland, but Scarlet doesn't care what his real name is. (Wyborne made it in there because I was thinking of Coraline at the time)

- I was a little disappointed that they didn't have Rufus's "What a crew" line in the Remake, so that's how that line made it into this chapter

- It's been a while, so in case people don't remember, "sauntering half-naked through the slums like young Zackary" is a reference back to chapter 17 when Zack was telling comatose Cloud the story about how he had thought he was so badass making some monsters flee, only to realize that they had run off with his clothes, and then he had to return to the Tower in only his boxers XD

- Something that was cut from this chapter because it didn't really fit in: Sephiroth reminiscing over a time where he had walked in on Rufus acting entirely unRufus-like with Darkstar, a Couerl-shaped toy in his hand ("Get the mean kitty, D! ...Ah, Sephiroth. To what do I owe this pleasure?"). That's how mention of the Couerl plush made it into the last scene.