Title: Hysterical Tinge
Pairings: AngealxZack, CloudxSephiroth, GenesisxReno
Warnings: Descriptions of kidnapping, assault, rape...you get the picture. Remarkably, Zack's actually not too hurt in this one. Physically anyways...
AN: WOO!! I'M BACK!!! Sorry about the wait. I had several things happen all at once and was going a little crazy. So, I took a trip, went to a party, got drunk with my friends. I now feel a lot better. But, enought about me. ONWARDS DEAR READER!!!
The blade pressed into Zack's throat, drawing a whimper from him. Angeal closed his eyes, fear and anger making it difficult for him to focus. One wrong move could cost Zack his life. Steelson grinned maniacally, savouring the power he held over his enemy. He rested his cheek on Zack's soft spikes, inhaling the scent. Angeal's breathing hitched, his eyes blazing green with fury. The SOLDIER fought to keep his temper reigned in. Zack would NOT be witness to this. All though Steelson deserved a long, drawn out death, Angeal resolved to kill him quickly. Right now though, he needed to get his puppy out of harm's way.
"How did you..."
"Survive?" Steelson's voice was suddenly bitter. "Mako can burn. It can blister and peel. But, I learned it can also preserve." The scarred man's voice was getting louder and angrier. "I was burned, make no mistake. But the injections I was given..."
"What?"
"You didn't know? New experimental stuff. Supposed to speed up the healing process." He paused, running a hand over his face. "Along with the help of some less than thrilled donors. It's so difficult to fine the right skin type." Angeal felt disgust rage. Yet some other victims that Steelson needed to atone for. "I started a profitable business, providing services to people. Gained quite a large amount of income too. But, I never forgot about you Angeal." Steelson paused for a moment, adjusting the sword so the pressure on Zack's throat lessened. In response, Angeal's grip tightened on the handle of the buster sword. Just keep him talking, he told himself. Keep him talking until you have a plan.
"Why now?" The SOLDIER's voice was low, shaky. "Why do this now?"
"To ruin your life of course." The answer was stated matter-of-factly. "I just needed to find the right way to do it." He ran his fingers lightly over Zack's hair. Despite the gentle touch, the teen screwed his eyes shut, flinching away. The bonds prevented him from moving far, making Zack panic for a moment. His sapphire eyes opened, focusing on Angeal. The sight caused him to relax, a little. "I was going to break him so badly, not even the great Angeal Hewley would be able to put him back together. Your happiness is tied to him, any fool could see that. But, even the best laid plans go to waste."
"You found Cloud."
"Right. I had to delay my own gratification for an even better plan. The boy was a powerful magic-wielder. I would be able to take over ShinRa. And let's face it, you very public execution would be a much more suitable revenge. Only, I forgot how quickly Sephiroth moves. It was him who found me, wasn't it?" Angeal nodded smugly. "I thought all hope was lost, until I remembered I had the number for someone who was just as interested in natural magic as I was. Hojo was ever so delighted. Seems the good doctor was fed up with Sephiroth and his increasing instability. He needed something more...controllable." Zack's eyes narrowed at hearing his friend referred to as a thing.
Angeal mentally agreed. "My heart bleeds for you." Zack would have laughed at this rare show of sarcasm. He liked to think he had something to do with that. "I don't care what you do. Just let him go." Steelson just laughed and cut the bonds off of Zack. He gripped the hair, yanking Zack to his feet. The teen nearly collapsed at the pain of blood returning to his numb limbs.
"As if, my old friend." The last word was spat out, like it left a disgusting taste in the man's mouth. "You are going to let us leave here, unharmed. And, I let you have him back when I'm done. Doesn't that sound like a fair trade?" Angeal was nearly panicking now. He couldn't let this psychotic man leave with his puppy.
"I would rethink that plan if I were you." Genesis dropped down to the floor gracefully, blocking off one door that led to escape. The auburn haired man showed obvious signs of being in a fight. His usually straight hair was mussed. The leather of his uniform had small rips in it, exposing small, bleeding cuts. He gripped his rapier in one hand, the ruby blade blazing to life. Steelson backed away, dragging Zack with him.
"For once, Genesis, I agree with you." Sephiroth materialized to cut off the only other escape route. He delicately clutched Cloud's small hand in his own. The blond boy was visibly exhausted, but alert, eyes sparkling with fury. When Steelson tightened the blade against Zack's throat, Cloud growled softly. A ball of blazing, scarlet energy bloomed in his hand. With Sephiroth by his side, the blond had a sudden burst of confidence. Steelson stared, while Zack gave his friend a weak smile of encouragement.
"Just give it up, Steelson." Angeal's voice was still low, dangerous. "You're not getting out of here with Zack. If you let him go, I'll let you walk out of here with all your limbs still intact." The SOLDIER's voice didn't change at all, which just made the threat all the more terrifying. The man contemplated this offer, than shoved Zack away. Thinking he had a distraction, the scarred man attacked Angeal with a bellow. The SOLDIER easily sidestepped the attack. "Genesis, Sephiroth, keep out of this. It's my fight."
Genesis smirked. "Wouldn't dream of interrupting," he practically purred. Zack and Cloud huddled together, eyes averted from the incoming bloodshed. Sephiroth, stoic as always, watched impassively.
The swords met in a clanging of steel, causing sparks to fly. With speedy swings, each man tried to slash at chests and arms. Each time, they missed. Angeal goaded Steelson into backing him up, making him feel confident. Then, suddenly he exploded with a flurry of attacks, causing Steelson to teeter backwards. But, the man regained some sort of control by going for Angeal's ribs. Angeal spun to the right to avoid the sword. Zack whimpered in fear for his mentor.
Deciding this wasn't going anywhere, Angeal decided to use is feet. Unfurling his leg, he aimed for Steelson's kneecaps, forcing the man to move. He regretted that little trick when the scarred man did the same thing. But he had been anticipating it and moved a fraction of a second before Steelson kicked.
Angeal's mistake, if it could be called that, was thinking that the former SOLDIER would adhere to some sort of honour while fighting. Sadly, this was not the case. Realizing he was probably going to lose, the crazed ex-warrior resorted to dirty tactics. Steelson pushed a button that caused one of the large metal drums to almost fall on Angeal. Even with his usual grace and speed, the SOLDIER added onto his mistake by dropping his sword. The clattering of the blade to the ground caused Steelson to laugh. The click of a hammer on a gun being drawn echoed around the suddenly silent room. Sephiroth and Genesis both stepped forward in concern. But Angeal gestured at them shortly to stay back.
"Looks like I brought a gun to knife fight. Oh well. I don't care if I get killed for this." Steelson's voice was breathless with elation. "I am going to enjoy it while I can." He raised the gun. At the same time, Angeal moved his foot. His sword swung upwards, and he caught it. With one smooth move, he decapitated the scarred man. The head rolled over, landing by Genesis's foot.
"You know, I just had these cleaned." Sephiroth snorted without humor, drawing Cloud to his chest to shield the blond from the sight. Angeal didn't respond, too busy on focusing on the desperate kiss Zack had initiated. He had his puppy, and he wasn't letting go anytime soon.
Sorry if it seems a bit shorter than my other chapters. I CANNOT for the life of me write really good fight scenes without makiing sound like a movie. But whatever. Next chapter will probably have smut in it. So that will make up for the shortness. Reviewwwwwwwwwwwwwws please?