So hey guys I decided to update this one. I know not updating anything just doesn't suit me though it is easier. But I also find writing fun So I hope you enjoy ;)
"The Japanese say you have three faces: The first face; you show to the world. The second face; you show to your close friends and family. The third face; you never show to anyone; the truest reflection of who you are." -Lessons learned in life
Genesis Rhapsodos internally frowned. He felt the degradation eating him from within. It was a throbbing and painful sensation, Genesis believed that he could endure it at least until they were able to find and retrieve Kuro. "You know" a familiar voice spoke from behind him. "I did wonder why I couldn't be the donor" Sephiroth stated as he walked up to his friend. The White haired SOLDIER first class regarded Genesis for a minute before continuing. "It seemed as though Hollander was not willing to let one of Hojo's experiments have anything to do with his." Shephiroth's normally neutral tone had an edge of disgust creep into it.
Genesis sighed "That is we are all to them, I guess" he answered. "Tickets to their success their greatest achievements or greatest failures." He was tired and needed rest though he did not believe that relaxing or even sleeping would help.
"We are not just their lab rats" Sephiroth replied. "We are so much more than that" the general of SOLDIER stated.
"Both you and Kuro were told that you were not like the others" Genesis stated. "That yours was a special existence." Genesis now looked Sephiroth in the eye and asked. "What if what Kuro found proved that but it was not what either of you meant?" The auburn haired SOLDIER had been told of the Jenova project by Hollander though he still did not know exactly what Jenova was. "Remember Jenova was excavated from a two thousand year old rock layer."
"I know" Sephiroth replied. "what does that make me?" he asked rhetorically. "Am I a human being, more importantly are any of us?"
Genesis chuckled "if Angeal were here he would tell us it is our actions that define who we are not the circumstances of our birth." the second in command of SOLDIER replied.
"That is true but" Sephiroth agreed. "But Angeal isn't here" he stated. Angeal had left in the early hours of the morning to go to Nibelheim to investigate the SHINRA mansion with his puppy Zack Fair.
"I do wonder how the patient is doing" Genesis confessed. He had not been with Angeal and Sephiroth when they had questioned the boy though they had told him of what was they had learned later.
"His condition is Cloudy with a chance of Strife" Sephiroth replied. It was a poor joke though it did manage to make Genesis laugh.
"Is the world ending Sephiroth or did you just crack a legitimate joke?" the auburn haired SOLDIER asked rhetorically. Making it the second rhetorical question asked in this conversation. "Man the poor kid how much did he have to put up with at home I wonder?" Genesis asked genuinely feeling sympathy for the youth. IT was rare that he showed concern for strangers, but this stranger was the last person who had contact with Kuro so Genesis guessed he could have some leeway.
"I could answer that" Veld the Director of the TURKS answered stepping out from the bend in the corridor. As always he was dressed in his black business suit.
"And what would the director of the TURKS want in return? Mr Veld" Genesis asked with sarcastic respect. It was known that little love was lost between TURKS and SOLDIER.
"Merely your cooperation" Veld answered in upfront and professional manner. Though all members of SOLDIER knew better than to take a TURKS word at face value. After all for every TURK you saw there were at least four that you didn't see.
"Trust and TURK don't go well together do they?" Genesis challenged. "More importantly what are you trying to get us to cooperate in?" he asked.
"That matter is a little too delicate to discuss in a hallway of a SHINRA building" Veld answered though it was more like he was confessing that it was extremely important.
"You are not suggesting that Kuro has gone rogue?" Sephiroth asked in a dangerous tone his gaze at Veld sizing the man up.
"No" Veld answered. "Though I am offering us to cover for you while you engage in your unapproved activities." he explained.
"What do you want in the return?" Sephiroth asked wearily. They had moved to the science division just before where Hojo was working. There were no camera's here
Feeling that it was secure enough Veld answered the general of SOLDIER. "there is a recent terrorist group that I have discovered information on" he began. "It calls itself AVALANCHE. And they are planning a strike on Junon in the near future."
"Man Angeal this top secret mission is awesome" the puppy more commonly know as Zack Fair stated as they got off from the helicopter. Zack was enthusiastic as ever which also meant that his zero attention span was currently active.
Angeal blinked because for a minute he perceived a tail wagging happily between Zack's legs. "The first thing I am doing after I get what is in here to Sephiroth and Genesis is getting a good nights sleep" Angeal noted. He hadn't gotten any recently. Angeal sighed at Zack's antics "Zack do you remember what the phrase 'top secret' means?" he asked his pupil come little brother.
Zack looked embarrassed at this no doubt remembering what the 'top secret' meant. "Sorry Angeal" he apologised. "I guess I kind of got worked up to be one a mission like this" he explained.
"Focus on the tassk at hand" Angeal stated. "We are to gather any and all notes that are related to the Jenova project for Doctor Hojo" he instructed.
"Yes sir" Zack replied at attention before he leaped over the mansion gate and kicked open the doors to the mansion before he rushed inside. That was before he ran back out. "You know Angeal I just wanted to ask something" he explained.
"Permission to ask granted" Angeal replied folding his arms together before giving an internal sigh. "Well at least Zack did come back out" he noted. It did show some improvement to the black spiky haired SOLDIER second class's discipline.
"This is well you know" Zack began unsure how to begin. "This job has TURKS written all over it" he explained. "So I was kind of wondering why they sent us SOLDIER to retrieve it?" Zack asked scratching his head.
Angeal had to admit Zack was learning though this was not really one of the occasions where he wanted Zack asking questions. "Doctor Hojo specifically requested for two operatives of SOLDIER to perform this mission" Angeal partially lied. Hojo had made a formal request to president Shinra so that Angeal could go to the SHINRA mansion. But Zack did not know that Angeal had taken him along so that it would look less suspicious.
"Uh Okay" Zack answered satisfied though not enirely. "So we are looking for any notes on this Jenova project right?" he asked.
Angeal nodded. "Correct Also we are not to show it to anyone else but the General, Genesis and Doctor Hojo himself" Angeal explained.
Zack nodded then suddenly it looked as if a light bulb was lit up inside of his head as if he suddenly understood something. "Wait Hojo doesn't want anyone else looking at those notes" he stated. "So if the TURKS were here they would fins something that they believed is suspicious and report most likely putting Hojo in a difficult position or worse."
Angeal did neither to confirm or deny that it was better if Zack came to conclusions by himself rather than having Angeal lie to him. "Either way we need this to be done as quickly and efficently as possible" Angeal stated. "Also this mansion has been abandoned for at least several year" he added. "So be on your guard. Who knows what we might find that in there."
"All right" Zack said leaping straight into the air and punching his fist high above his head. "Lets do this" he yelled before he dashing back inside the mansion.
Angeal sighed. "I have the keys right here" he stated after Zack had left. Opening the gate he walked in through the kicked down door before he began fixing it. "Zack if you rush headlong without thinking everywhere you are going to land yourself into some extremely difficult and dangerous situations one of these days." Angeal muttered. And he finished fixing the door. "Alright now I need to find those things for Hojo" he stated before he walked deeper into the mansion. "I just hope there isn't anything alive hidden in the basement that would be extremely cliche" he commented. Poor Angeal had no idea that he had just caused a certain former TURK who had been the product of project Chaos to sneeze. Nor did Angeal know that the said product of Project Chaos was now wide awake because of the sneeze and had Zack fiddling with the combination dial on his lock. So for Angeal Hewely things were about to become a whole lot more awkward and complicated when he found Zack and his pupil's 'new friend''. But fortunately or unfortunately for Angeal he decided to not look into the basement first as he believed that is where Zack would have gone to look first to look. Walking up the stair Angeal sighed "I honestly hope that Zack isn't doing something foolish or what I think he's doing." Ageal's PHS vibrated. Picking it up Angeal saw that he had received a message from Sephiroth. The contents disturbed him "great as if we didn't have enough problems to deal with as it is" Angeal complained in a rare show of uncharacteristic irritation.
"My friend the fates are cruel, there are no dreams no honour remains the arrow has left the bow of the goddess" Kuro quoted for the girls.
"Well that is pretty deep" Mi-Ryung Baek noted. "Your friend Genesis whoever he was did seem to like poetry and literature." the light brown haired Pandora noted.
"Add agricultural and you'd be right on target" Kuro stated smirking. Though unlike the other ones this seemed connected ore with positive emotions than his previous ones.
"What kind of person who is like yourself would waste his time on agriculture" Saeko Kotou asked incredulously. "Why would anyone-"
"Why a person like Genesis" Kuro answered deciding not letting the prideful and arrogant Pandora continue, as he had no wish to listen to her ramble. "I always did find that he had an appreciation of superficial things" the SOLDIER first class stated. "Though I must say he knows how hard it is to build something which does give him an insight into how disruptive it is when we break things." Kuro admitted. Genesis always knew but he never told anyone. Only Angeal and Kuro himself knew of it though Kuro had found out from Angeal who was present when Genesis was a child. "Though I must say if you were to ask him about LOVELESS he would keep talking to you even after your interest had died had its funeral held and then scattered to the winds" Kuro informed them. He only felt it was necessary in case they ever came into contact with Genesis.
"LOVELESS" Yu-Mi Kim asked. "Is that the name of the poem or exert you quoted?" she asked.
"Yes" Kuro answered. "The poem is called LOVELESS" he stated. "There is a play of it two though the last act has been lost and no one remembers what it was." he explained.
"The last act is missing" Saeko stated. "Then how the hell did they make a play for it?" she asked.
"Language" Kuro chided her and shot her a cold look with his reptilian like eyes that quelled any retaliation from her. "They improvised" he explained "In short they wrote it themselves and made the final act though Genesis dislikes the perfect ending preferring his tragic interpretation of it." Kuro inwardly smirked the feeling reaching his eyes then it was gone before any could realise it had been there. For Kuro he was concerned at how Genesis, Angeal and Sephiroth were. He knew they could take care of themselves but he was concerned on how they took his disappearance or whether they thought he was dead. While these thoughts flew in and out of his skull causing him some concern Kuro did not let any of it show. Instead he opted to maintain his calm and professional demeanour with those who it was required for.
"What ending do you want" Kazuha asked him. She had yet to participate in the conversation on the plane but now she spoke up fixing Kuro with an intense look of concentration as if she was going to gauge his answer.
Kuro then gave his trademark smirk. "I am not one of the three" he replied much to the girls confusion. Seeing that they didn't understand he decided to elaborate. LOVELESS is about three friends, the first is the prisoner the second is the wanderer and the last is the hero." he explained. "Angeal fits the criteria for the second friend while Genesis continuously tries for the third" Kuro then sighed. "Though I believe his role is that of the protagonist" he admitted.
"So he's the Hero then?" Elize Schmitz asked still finding it not quite understanding what Kuro was saying.
Kuro chuckled of course they wouldn't know in fact Sephiroth Angeal and himself would not have known except for the fact that Genesis had beaten it into their head. "No" Kuro replied. "The protagonist is the prisoner." Seeing that they were still confused and not quite understanding he said. "In the second act the three friends are in a vicious battle." he explained. "One is captured, he becomes prisoner. Another is forced to flee, he becomes that wanderer, final the one that is left dies, he is the one who becomes thee hero." The Pandora's seemed to understand this and accepted his explanation satisfied.
"So what you are saying is the reason you do not have an ending of your own is because you are not one of the three?" Kazuha asked to confirm it.
Kuro nodded. "Yep that's pretty much it" he agreed. "Now s there anything else you would like to ask?"Kuro said surveying the Pandora's from what he was told they still had three hours till their plane reached West Genetics.
"Yeah" the girl named Mi-Ryung Baek answered. "I'm sure we have quite a few, if its not a problem?" she asked. In her usual soft spoken manner.
"Not really" Kuro replied. In truth he didn't mind given that this was different world anything that SHINRA considered top secret or classified held no power to sway anything here so he was quite happy to talk to these girls. But before he had them give him their word that they would not tell anyone else if questioned. Though he hadn't told them what would happen if they broke their word, Kuro knew that they had a vague idea.
"Well" Saeko began. "How old where you when you first took the field" she asked bluntly. Earning disapproving looks and shakes of the head from her fellow Pandora's "What?" She said to her fellows. "He did just say he didn't mind."
"No I said 'not really' is what I said" Kuro corrected her. "that means that is is a problem but only a minor one" he explained. "Anyway to your question I was first fielded in the Wutai war five years ago as a field test." Kuro informed them.
"You where only five when they first forced you to fight?" Yu-Mi Kim asked horrified at the thought.
"Uh no" Kuro replied not understanding of the Pandora's reactions of horror and sadness. "I began training with my brother earlier two and a half years prior" he informed them. "Wutai was thee first time I killed another human being." he explained to them. "It was so that Dr. Hojo could analyse how strong I had become and so that he could adjust his schedule accordingly."
"Why is the Poem your friend likes called Loveless?" Elize asked trying to change subject.
"Its LOVELESS not Loveless" Kuro corrected her. "all capitals" he explained. Kuro was not angry at them like Genesis would have been. Kuro has never been angry only confused and irritated. But right now he was somewhat displeased, though he did tell himself that he is in another world and they wouldn't know about it. "Truth is I can't really tell you without spoiling it" Kuro answered answered.
The Pandoras did seem a little disappointed at that. "Well I guess you don't like spoilers then" Shion Nayfield a girl with black hair and glasses stated.
"Spoilers?" Kuro asked confused. "Is that some sort of detergent or corroding agent that you employ?" Kuro then said "If so then could you get me a sample I would like to test its effectiveness some time in the near future"
The Pandora's giggled at this much to Kuro's confinement. To them for all his intelligence and skill in the end he still was a ten year old though he was much more mature he did not know what some luxuries were. "Well a Spoiler is information that you don't know on the story that is shown to you before you get to that part or even start on that story" Mi-Ryung explained being the one to get over her giggling first, She also blushed a little embarrassed about her reaction.
Kuro on the other hand did not know what the term blushing was and assumed that she was overheating though he had no idea why. "Are you too warm?" he asked politely putting his forehead to hers to check her temperature. "Your face is flushed I think you might have a fever or be sick" he stated. This caused Mi-Ryung to blush even further turning her face red. Kuro's eyes widened in shock. "Your temperature has gone even higher we might need to get you some medical attention quick" he stated in a his serious tone. Truly the youngest SOLDIER had no idea why the other Pandoras started giggling again. "Is this situation for one of their own amusing for them?" Kuuro asked thinking that he had to re-evaluate his opinion on them. "What is it about your comrades predicament that you all find amusing" he asked coldly in his Sephiroth like intimidating voice.
That was the trick it snapped all the Pandoras out of whatever they were in. "Well" Elize began "Mi-Ryung is embarrassed and what you were doing was making it more so for her?" the Green haired Pandora explained.
"What has that got to do with her temperature?" Kuro asked sceptically he was not convinced.
"You mean to say when your embarrassed that you don't blush?" Kazuha asked interested.
"My face has never reddened" Kuro answered. "Nor has any SOLDIER for that matter" he remember. They just looked away ashamed or held their head low either those two or they expressed it in some other manner.
"Well this is going to take a long time to explain" Kazuha stated while the other Pandoras nodded their heads and gave sounds of agreement.
Sister Margaret one of the oldest Pandora alive was concerned. Aoi Gengo had the Pandora's from West Genetics flying back there on his private get with a Special guest. If were not for the fact that Aoi Gengo had requested it himself she would have been tempted to deny this. Who ever they were providing shelter for anything on this person was kept silent either that or they were an unknown. This troubled Sister Margaret as she did not like potential threats to be in West Genetics. The plane was scheduled to arrive soon so she decided to go and greet the returning Pandoras and congratulate them for their heroics during the 8th Noval clash. Whoever this person Geno was bringing here was he did not Chevalier getting their hands on them any time soon. Though she had heard of rumours that an unknown took down all the Nova present including the unknown type. "Perhaps this person is the one responsible" Magaret thought to herself as she arrived at the airstrip.
After about half an hour the private jet arrived so to say Margaret greeted the Pandoras and the staff you left the jet. She was not surprised to see Aoi Gengo himself come out. "Where is this person you talked to me about?" she asked whispering silently so that no one could hear them while they made it look as if they were just passing one another.
"He is coming out with the next set of Pandora's" Gengo replied as he passed her. "His appearance you may find disturbing, and be aware he is extremely dangerous."
Sister Margaret blinked in surprise. "Did Gengo just say 'he'?" So this person she was to meet was meet was male. That in itself concerned her. There had never been any male Pandoras. Also what she didn't understand was what Gengo had said about his appearance. Why would it be disturbing. Sister Margaret did not have to wait long to discover the answer. Gengo was right this person's appearance was indeed disturbing. If not for a few differences he would look exactly like a young Gengo Aoi. Though what drew the aged Pandora's attention more was the fact that his eyes where slitted and were a blueish green while they also glowed. Needless to say he cut an intimidating figure though he had a uniform that she had never seen before though it was covered by what appeared to be a ragged cloak. Sister Margaret noticed that it only appeared worn and ragged, it seemed to be made up of what appeared to be a the feathers of a wing just with the quill taken out The cloak itself seemed to be ever shifting giving a bizarre sensation. In his right hand he held a helmet with a skull themes visor. In his left she saw what appeared to be a scythe that he rested casually on his shoulder. While it appeared as if he was relaxed some as experienced as Margaret could tell that he was alert and penetrating able to react to any form of threat at a moments notice. Her trained eye also picked up the hilts of two swords strapped to his side though they were masterfully concealed by his cloak. But like everything else his reptilian eyes stood out Sister Margaret felt as though she had just been evaluated and judged the moment he glanced at her. It was as if he was sizing her up finding weaknesses that he could exploit to his advantage if they came to blows. In short the sensation was not pleasant for Sister Margaret. But it quickly passed as one of the Pandoras talked casually to him attracting his atttention. The aged Pandora silently tanked the younger one as she made her way towards them. "Yu-Mi Kim" she greeted on of the Pandoras talking to this person. "It is good to see you back safely"
"Thankyou Sister Margaret" Yu-Mi Kim replied. "Though we wouldn't have if it were not for this guy" she said pointing a her thumb at the cloaked figure.
"So I take you have met him?" Sister Margaret asked carefully she didn't want it to appear as if she was trying to pry.
"Yeah seriously though the guy is extremely hard core" Yu-Mi stated. "He just steam rolled over the nova like a runaway train, cutting through them like a hot knife through butter."
"While I'm sure that praise is warranted are you sure you are not over exaggerating?" Sister Margaret asked.
"Exaggerating" Yu-Mi said almost hysterically. "You should have seen him take down four R-Type Nova in less than an instant and then when the unknown type fired it attack at us he just raised his and, and blocked." she almost shouted out.
"It was in one point four seconds that I took out the beings you call R-Type Nova" The cloaked man corrected her.
Before she left to join the others Yu-Mi whispered into Sister Margaret's ear. "I know he can here this but I need to tell you he is way younger than he looks, in fact he is just ten." Then Yu-mi turned around to the cloaked figure and waved while smiling at him. "See you later kid" she said to him as she joined the other Pandora's "Make sure to come see us after you finish up."
The figure repleied though his reaction seemed somewhat forced or pantomimed. "I will attempt to if it is possible." Now turning to Sister Margaret he extended his hand. "I believe you needed to see me?" he asked.
Taking his hand Sister Margaret answered. "Yes, I believe so" she said shaking his hand. "I am Sister Margaret" she introduced herself.
"My name is Kuro" the cloaked figure replied professional with a polite smile.
"Now I know he will bring trouble" Sister Margaret internally sighed as she recognised the smile that was reminiscent of Gengo's own. "Well Kuro I have some things that I need to tell you" She stated. "I hope you are going to listen."
"I can promise nothing" Kuro replied. "But I will listen to you, I am rather good at listening."
So How did you like it I know I took a long time to update but when writing some stories it sometimes is difficult to not mix up the plotlines. It's is a good thing that I keep notes on what I was planning. Also if you have any feedback please review and PM me all feedback is appreciated. Also how did you luike Angeal's interpretation of Zack. I mean suuure it is a little unfair but according to what his mother said about Zack in Crisis core it is a fitting description of his view on Zack. Besides I couldn't resist having the SHINRA mansion and not including Vincent Valentine. I really am looking forward to writing Angeal's reacttion to it and though Vincents is going to be easy to write. So until next time See ya!