Aaaand now we have Chapter 8! Took a while to get started, but... it wasn't nearly as difficult to finish as Chapter 7.
Well, this chapter is where things get interesting again. And, if I can help it, things will continue this way. Just a warning, if you haven't noticed, from here on OtR will not conform so strictly to canon. This fic is somewhat AU and here is where it will begin to earn that classification.
I can't think of much to say about the chapter itself. Just a fair warning, Hojo's showing up, so things are gonna get creepy... which is just the way I like it. Hopefully I captured him well enough, though.
Well, onto the chapter stuff!
Warnings: Hojo. Enough said.
Pairings: Allusions to Seph/Zack (mebbe)
Be sure to review, guys! I love hearing what you all think! Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Sephiroth would have liked to say that the attack was unexpected, but he learned long ago that, while things could be impossible, nothing short of such could be unexpected. He was trained to expect anything and have a plan of action for any situation that arose. But this was one time in his life, where he'd honestly had no real plan, where he'd been very nearly caught off guard. It shamed him, and it also made him quite angry.
Perhaps he should have dealt with Genesis when he'd had the chance, when they were, at last, face to face. He'd been unable to go through with it, however, still daring to hold on to a small hope that both the auburn-haired First, and Angeal, would come back in peace.
No such luck as far as Genesis was concerned. The man had fled, and Sephiroth could not bring himself to give chase; he could only return to the Shinra building, only for another assault to break out not long after. This time, Genesis's copies had infiltrated the higher floors in droves, and while they were certainly no match for him, their numbers alone made them a nuisance.
The ring of metal against metal was music to Sephiroth's ears as Masamune cut down yet another Genesis copy, its curved short blade no match for the mighty katana. An odd, strangled sound left the copy's mouth as it fell to metal floor, and he tried his best to ignore the distorted version his friend's voice. Luckily, his attention was easily diverted to movement behind him. If there was one thing that these things shared with the man they were cloned from, it was their brazen attitude, and this was made obvious by the mere sound of another copy charging at him.
A spell took form in his hand only seconds before he was aware of it, his subconscious summoning the magic. In a flash, he spun around, launching the spell at the foe. Briefly, Sephiroth chastised himself for expending more energy than necessary as the copy was sent flying back a few feet, bolts curling along the limp body. He'd clearly used a stronger magic than needed for a simple replica, a drone, and he needed to control himself. This was a battle, and battle was no place for emotions.
With the fall of the last copy, the floor he was on was cleared, though there was no doubt that others from lower floors would make their way up. No matter, he'd exterminate them just the same.
His thoughts were interrupted when a faint, familiar sound reached his ears: the sound of beating wings. At first he thought it was another clone; however, of all the ones he'd seen, none of them had wings big enough to create a noise that powerful. Perhaps, then, it was Genesis? But why would he show his face to him again? Nevertheless, Sephiroth turned towards the sound, expecting to see the auburn-haired man. It was likely that his once-friend would show his face to simply mock him for the foolish decision of letting him go.
He was not met with the sight of Genesis.
His heart gave a brief flutter as Angeal landed quietly on his feet, his young student following closely behind.
"Sorry to keep ya waiting!" Fair was the one to speak first, and Sephiroth faced him immediately.
"You're late," he replied curtly.
Without waiting for Fair to say anything further he turned his attention to Angeal, his friend meeting his gaze evenly. Sephiroth was honestly at a loss for words, having not expected to face the man so soon. Thoughts raced across his mind, most of them questions, and it was only his powerful sense of control that prevented him from all but interrogating the man. He did blink a couple of times, looking over his friend, almost concerned that he was only seeing an illusion, or, worse yet, another sickening copy. When he caught sight of the pure white wings that stretched from Angeal's right side, though, his breath caught in his throat.
Not him, too...
Cold dread settled in his stomach at the sight of them. Perhaps he had been right in his assumption. Had Angeal subjected himself to becoming just another one of Genesis's monsters? The thought almost made him feel sick, and he couldn't help but feel confused. Only the realization that the feathers of the limbs were white, so much so that they seemed to glow, rather than black, was enough to assuage the feeling for the moment. But... why? Why was his so different from Genesis's and... He stopped there. There was no time to dwell on it, not with the assault still in progress.
It must have been obvious that he was staring, and he likely neglected to keep any expression from his face because after a moment, the limbs slowly folded in as if to be less obvious. Sephiroth brought his gaze back to Angeal's face, only to find his eyes averted a vague expression of shame on his face. He stared a moment longer, trying and nearly failing to find words.
"Angeal," he finally acknowledged.
At his name, that First met his gaze again and nodded, emotion schooled from his face.
"It's been a while, Sephiroth," his friend said, seeming to look him over as well. He watched as Angeal raised an eyebrow, a vague smirk on his face. "Have you lost weight?"
Leave it to Angeal to attempt to make light of the situation. Perhaps it was to ease the growing tension, but Sephiroth was unable to find humor in the remark. He huffed indignantly and looked away; he knew he did not have to remind his friend of the dire situation, as doing so would serve little purpose. He didn't see the mirth leave Angeal's face, but he could hear the soft, resigned sigh that followed.
"I feel I should apologize for my... abrupt departure," Angeal said, and Sephiroth locked eyes with him again. "I owe you an explanation. I owe both of you an explanation."
He knew immediately who else he was referring to and glanced to Fair, who had his eyes on his mentor. Sephiroth had to agree that an explanation was owed for why he'd left. What had caused him so much grief was having no idea why his friends left the company... left him, and it always made him uneasy when there was something he couldn't understand.
Angeal was about to speak again when the floor beneath their feet shook and a low rumbling was heard below. Whatever the man had to say would have to wait.
Another sigh left Angeal before he spoke again. "I promise to explain when this is over. But for now..." He left it at that, and Sephiroth nodded in understanding. In reality, while he would have liked an explanation, he wasn't sure if he wanted to know the reasons for his friends' leaving.
There was more pressing matter at hand, however, and Sephiroth had his duties to attend to. The same went for the youngest First. All other thoughts were pushed from the forefront of his mind. Now he only had one question.
"Would you happen to know why Genesis is so adamant in his assault?"
A silent understanding passed between them and Sephiroth could sense Angeal reroute his own focus. A thoughtful look appeared on his face.
"It's safe to assume that Hollander has ordered him to eliminate Hojo."
Of course. He couldn't bring himself to be surprised... nor at all concerned.
"Hojo?" Fair spoke up. Sephiroth found it strange that the boy had said nearly nothing the entire time; in the limited time he'd interacted with him, he tended to talk quite a bit. "The director of the Science Department?"
Sephiroth wanted to envy the young man. Based on his ignorance, he'd likely never had the pleasure of being under the scientist's 'care.'
"Yes," Angeal affirmed. "He believes Hojo robbed him of his rightful position."
He's robbed people of much more than that...
"So then they'll be targeting the Science Department floor upstairs."
Good, Sephiroth thought with unrestrained malice. "Forget about Hojo," was what he did say, though unable to hide the venom in his voice. He turned his back to them, stating without a word that he'd have no part in helping that man. Of course, Sephiroth's duty was to protect Shinra, but the company would fare just fine with one less incompetent... what was the word Fair had used? Nerd. Yes, that was it.
"You're in your usual mood, I see," he heard Angeal say. Despite that, Angeal also knew and understood his feelings towards Hojo, and made no effort to sway him. "Sephiroth, you take the floors below, and I will handle things outside."
Sephiroth nodded wordlessly.
"Zack," Angeal continued. "You go up. Hojo will be your responsibility."
"Understood," was the eager reply.
Sephiroth stayed where he was, listening to the fading bootfalls of the young man. He almost wanted to feel sorry for him. As he began to make his way to the floor below, he silently bid Fair good luck; he was certainly going to need it.
o0o
The main lab was dark and silent, the air still despite the ventilation. Zack wasn't surprised by that. The scientists that worked there had all been evacuated... excluding the head of the department whom he'd been ordered to locate.
His nose was immediately assaulted by the nearly overwhelming smell of antiseptic, the presence of which he didn't find alarming, though... unpleasant. However, where a normal person may not have been able to pick it up, Zack was able to make out additional scents and odors that were meant to be gotten rid of. He noted the scents of various assortments of chemicals and the peculiar odor of mako. However, his felt his stomach turn at the familiar but unsettling stench of death.
Zack made his way through the facilities, taking in the odd tubes and tanks. Some of them were empty, others occupied with what looked like various monsters and... parts of monsters. He couldn't help but wonder what sorts of odd experiments had been conducted on the creatures, noticing a few that looked native to the slums, only grossly mutated and disfigured. All the while he searched for any other signs of life, hoping he hadn't arrived too late. There were no visible signs of struggle, no indication that any copy, mech, or monster had broken in, and the dead silence told him that none were nearby. However, this was also cause for concern. What if the Professor wasn't in the labs? Could he have already evacuated? Or worse, could Genesis have actually gotten to him already?
Venturing to the second floor of the lab, Zack was greeted with the same cocktail of smells and the same dead stillness. It seemed as if the entire lab was deserted, until he glanced off a short distance. A lone figure stood not far away, near an especially large glass enclosure, in front of what he guessed was a control panel. The person was clad in white—no doubt a lab coat.
"Professor...?" he called, though not too loud. He was almost afraid to disrupt the heavy silence.
He received no answer and he ventured closer. The figure was indeed a scientist, clad in a clean lab coat, metaphorically camouflaging him with the sterile environment. He'd only ever seen Professor Hojo a few times, and he certainly stood out from most others in the Science Department. He was gangly and always hunched over notes of some kind, muttering to himself, dark hair falling out of a messy ponytail, glasses perpetually perched to fall off the bridge of his nose. This was the exact same man he was face with, and he sighed with relief.
"Good, you're saf—"
"Shh!" The man immediately cut him off. "Please be more quiet..."
That nasally voice was odd and quite... grating, but strangely, that wasn't what Zack took notice of most. Despite the clean coat, and the pressed clothes he wore beneath it, Zack was able to tell that appearances were not ranked high on this man's list of priorities. His hair was greasy-looking, and he smelled of a man that had not showered in a while mixed with the acrid smell of chemicals. He resisted the urge to wrinkle his nose at the unpleasant reek... but as he drew closer, he was disturbed when he caught the same smell of death on the man, only far stronger.
Zack certainly did not want to think of what he'd had done to get the stench on him, and he quickly drove the thought from his mind. He had an objective.
"Sir," he began, heeding the professor's words to be quieter. "Genesis and his army are attacking the building, and they may be after you."
"And you're my protection...?" the professor commented without even glancing at his way. He picked up on the mocking tone immediately and did his best to ignore it.
"In any case, Professor, we have to evacuate," he said in an even voice, trying to hide the way the man so easily disturbed him. "Will you please come with me?"
The man chuckled to himself, and Zack watched as his spindly body quaked. Honestly, he failed to see the humor in the situation, but he said nothing and merely waited for Hojo's mirth to subside. Even afterwards, he saw the smallest smirk on that gaunt face.
"Degrading monsters are nothing to fear."
Zack just tilted his head, suddenly curious. "Are you talking about Genesis?"
Hojo turned to him, and he had to repress a shudder at the cold, calculating gaze. The way he looked at Zack was unsettling, and there was an odd glint in his eyes as he seemed to look him over from head to toe, staring as if trying to tear away his clothes and skin, to reveal the muscle and bones beneath. It made him feel oddly exposed, naked... defenseless. He felt as if he were being appraised... like some piece of meat, his quality and worth being judged.
"Indeed," Hojo said after moment. "A memento from an unenlightened era, when men could deem any unclassified life form an Ancient." Zack finally did shiver after a moment when a smirk broke out on the man's face; it looked absolutely creepy. The chuckle that followed only made him more uneasy. "It is nothing compare to the masterpiece I have designed."
"Uhm... 'Unclassified life form'...?" Zack would admit that he wasn't the brightest, but none of what the man said made sense... though he had a sneaking suspicion that the Professor was not really speaking to him anyway.
"Humph. Your ignorance is of no consequence," Hojo dismissed him, turning and walking a short distance away. "You SOLDIERS were not designed to think. You were made to protect the men that made you, that think for you... like me."
Made? Designed? He'd heard something quite similar once before, and it made a trace of anger pool in his stomach.
Abruptly, Hojo turned back to him, and those eyes roved over him once more. Now though, Zack understood. He was appraising him like one would an object... a weapon, and memories of that day in Wutai resurfaced in his mind. He allowed the man to stare at him, to judge him, because there was nothing else he could do, but gradually that anger built in his gut.
"Still," Hojo began after a moment. "None of you could compare to my Sephiroth..."
Zack was slightly taken aback at the mention of the First. "Sephiroth?"
That smirk only widened. "Why, yes. Sephiroth is my greatest creation to date, the greatest weapon this world has ever seen." He could hear the words of the vice president in his mind as the professor continued, and with every word, his anger only rose. "I designed him to be the perfect specimen, possessing capacities far exceeding those of a mere foot soldier... still, being a creature of flesh, he will not be so easily dismantled and remade when he becomes obsolete, but—"
"He is a human being," Zack suddenly exploded, rage overriding his sensibilities, "not some object!" The words came out before he could think, and he froze, eyes going wide. He really needed to learn to think before speaking, and erupting like that in front of the Director of the Science Department didn't bode well for him at all.
Without missing a beat, Hojo let out a raucous cackle as if what he'd heard was the most ridiculous thing on the Planet. For some reason, that laugh made his blood boil, and he felt his fists clench. He'd felt angry in Wutai, when he listened to the way Vice President Shinra talked of Sephiroth. But hearing this gangly old man talk in such a way about him, the way he dehumanized the man... it was infuriating on a level so much deeper. It felt... personal, as if the professor were saying those horrible things about him and not someone else entirely.
When his laughter faded, Hojo snorted. "I see no one has conditioned you to mind your tongue, boy." Zack wanted to growl, but he held it back, settling for a noise of agitation when the man's eyes were on him yet again.
This time however, he seemed much more attentive, as if he were searching for something. Zack didn't realize the close attention Hojo paid to his face, his tensed stance, and the way his hands, balled into fists, trembled. After a few moments, Zack heard him make a thoughtful noise and mutter to himself. "Most intriguing..."
Zack's anger faded only the slightest, confusion taking its place. However, he did not allow it to show on his face. Only the slightest tilt of his head was any indication of his perplexity, but it was all Hojo seemed to need. He shuffled closer, a hand at his chin in thought.
"Curious that you would have such an intense reaction," Hojo mused.
Zack snorted. "Well he is human," he said, hoping the professor didn't notice the way he grew uneasy as the space between them narrowed. "He deserves respect."
He flinched when that laugh pierced his ears again, and he took a step back, only to see Hojo come closer still.
"His skills and power are commendable, yes, but he is hardly anything more than an experiment, a creature born from engineering... the same as any weapon."
The whole time Hojo spoke, he did not meet Zack's eyes; rather, he took in the way he physically reacted to his words. He was intrigued by the upset. Zack nearly shook with renewed rage, and he did his best to hold his tongue. Though, in his anger, and his need for space, he did not notice the way the Professor seemed to herd him in the opposite direction, and slowly across the platform toward the large pod.
After a moment, Hojo paused, and without thinking, so did Zack.
"Your anger is quite amusing, boy," the old man said. "You react as if I have offended you personally."
"Well, I—"
"Sephiroth is little more than an object to be used for Shinra's gain, the face of the impossible goals that continue to supply the company with the bodies necessary to further those goals." Hojo continued to speak as if Zack had not said a word. "However, he is the leader of those bodies, and therefore he does require that respect, as a superior." He moved closer, and this time he looked Zack straight in the eyes. "But your reaction indicates something much... more. Why is that?"
Zack took another step back, nearly losing his footing, and sputtered. "Wh-what? I don't—"
"As a SOLDIER, a First Class by the uniform you sport, you have no doubt met Sephiroth," Hojo pressed on, all but physically pressing closer as he did. "But do you know him? On a personal level? Physical?"
"N-no, I just—"
"Perhaps you consider him your friend." Well, I did say that once. "Or... perhaps he is more."
"No!" Zack exclaimed, just desperate to finally get a word in. "He's just—"
"What, boy?" That glint in the man's dark eyes came back, and Zack could not hold back the shudder. "What is he to you? What do you see in him?"
He froze. He honestly had no idea what he saw in his superior. While he would admit that he'd like to call the silver-haired man a friend... somehow, that wasn't enough. Looking into Hojo's eyes, he felt as if his very mind was being silently probed, as if the man saw every questionable thought he'd had about Sephiroth, as if he knew that Zack saw the man in his dreams and in the faces other people.
"Hmm... perhaps you are drawn to his strength, then," Hojo said after a moment. "Perhaps you aspire to emulate him... be like him."
"Well," Zack flailed for words. "I-I mean..."
That was true... Sephiroth had been his reason for joining SOLDIER. As a kid, Zack, like so many other boys, sought to be like him, to be a hero—and he still did. He wouldn't lie and say that he did not desire to have strength like Sephiroth, to have the respect of so many and be renowned as a hero to the majority of the Planet. However, there was more to it... more than he was willing to admit even to himself.
Hojo chuckled, his hand still at his chin. "If it is power that you seek, boy, I believe I can be of assistance to you."
Abruptly, he turned his back and shuffled away, causing Zack to sputter yet again in confusion. "Wait a minute, what?" Everything Hojo said served to bewilder and unsettle him, and this offer only served to baffle him more. Against his better judgment, after having been trying to avoid closer contact with the old man, he took a step forward, intent on following... only to have a glass barrier come down between them.
"What the— Hey! What the hell is this?" he shouted at the man.
Hojo turned back to him once he reached the control panel, but he didn't even bother to look up. "There is no need for concern, boy," he said amidst a chuckle. "It is merely a simple experiment."
Experiment? Oh hell no! "No way," Zack cried. "I'm not gonna be your lab rat!"
"I am sure you will find this to be quite... beneficial."
Zack watched the professor as he set up... whatever it was he needed set up. He became increasingly nervous, having no idea what the gangly man was planning, or whether he would come out of it. What if he wound up like the monsters in those tubes? Would Hojo do that to someone who had come to save him? There wasn't much time for him to dwell on those questions before his vision suddenly went white and strange sensation coursed through his body. It felt as if every nerve, every cell of his being was buzzing in unison, making it feel as if he were trembling all over. Without realizing, he sunk to one knee suddenly unsteady on his feet, but almost as soon as it began, it stopped. The light faded, the buzzing ceased, and he was left crouching in the pod.
What the fuck was that? Was it the power Hojo claimed he could help him get? If so, he felt no different, no stronger. When the door to the pod opened, he shook his head and got to his feet, stepping out of his confines and checking himself over.
"Funny, I feel no different," he muttered to himself, then chanced a glance toward Hojo and spoke up. "I thought I'd feel more of a surge of power or something."
Of course, the Professor was not looking at him, but from what Zack could see, he didn't look at all bothered. "Simply the limit of you cellular structure," he said with a flippant wave of a hand. "Your design is unable to accommodate the sort of power my creation possesses."
Again with the 'design' this and 'creation' that.
"But... perhaps you would like to be altered to the point of degradation," Hojo continued musingly. "Like that second-rate scientist's little subject." Zack could hear the mockery in those words much too clearly as he made his way back across the platform. And the way he so easily objectified both Sephiroth and Genesis was increasingly unnerving.
Enough was enough. The old man had had his fun, and now it was time for Zack to complete his mission. He was more than eager to get the old creep out of the building and away from him. He certainly wasn't gonna miss him, either. Vaguely, he could understand why Sephiroth had said to forget about him. Clearly the two saw a lot of each other, and if this was how the professor always acted... he wondered how his superior was able to stand it.
"Professor, we should be going," he said after a few moments.
"Ah, yes," Hojo replied. "You did say that Hollander's little failure aimed to find me." Zack said nothing, and he continued. "Tell me, boy, are you prepared to defend this brilliant mind with your life?"
Well I was... and then you started talking, Zack thought. "Of course I am," he said aloud, by some miracle able to muster up the enthusiasm. "'Come and get it' is what I say!"
Hojo's chuckle was almost enough to make him wilt. "Most encouraging, boy. I will not abide any losses to some second-rate hack's failure."
Reluctantly, Zack nodded. Had Genesis not been pursuing the scientist for the petty revenge of another man, he may have considered letting the First just have the old guy and pretend he hadn't gotten there in time. However, Zack knew he wouldn't have been able to do it. Angeal was putting trust in him to do this, to keep Hojo safe and out of Genesis's hands; he had every intention of living up to that.
Suddenly, his thoughts fled when he felt a small prickling on the back of his neck. The curious sound that came from Hojo only cemented a growing tension. They weren't alone... not anymore, at least. Quickly, he turned to the professor, just in time to see a flurry of dark feathers falling around him, and a familiar figure in crimson land almost silently before him.
Shit.
The auburn-haired man only spared a passing glance at Zack, fixing him with a cool smirk, before turning his attention back to Hojo. The man only chuckled, a sound that was beginning to grate Zack's nerves.
"Well, well, look who's here."
Zack could see Genesis's eyes narrow, and his smile grew cold and threatening. He tensed when the red blade was lifted and poised at the back of Hojo's neck, ensuring that a single thrust would kill the man. However, the scientist's demeanor didn't change. He didn't flinch, tense, didn't even bother to turn and face the man that aimed to end his life. He kept his back to the former First, a wordless proclamation that he held no fear... nor a real desire to bother with him at all.
"Hollander sent you, correct?" Hojo questioned. "You think that if you obey Hollander, he will stop your body from degrading, yes?" He let out a barking laugh after that and shook his head, as if the very idea was a foolish one. "How very pitiful."
Zack watched Genesis's expression morph into a nasty scowl, and the blade was driven forward, just enough the press against Hojo's skin. "Genesis," Zack growled as he rushed forward, readying his own sword for battle. "Back off." Hojo only continued to laugh, and it made Zack inwardly question whether he understood the gravity of the situation.
"A hack like Hollader couldn't cure a cold! What makes you think he could save your pitiful life?"
Was he... was he really taunting him? That scowl on the former SOLDIER's face deepened, and he pulled back, readying his blade to deliver a killing blow.
"Genesis!" Said man froze on the spot and both he and Zack turned towards the source of the voice. Zack felt relieved when he caught sight of his mentor. Perhaps he could talk sense in Genesis. "That's enough, Genesis."
"Ah, what do we have here?" Hojo drawled with another unsettling chuckle. Finally he turned his head and regarded the white-winged SOLDIER. "Ah yes, now we are graced with the entire cast of Hollander's freak show."
Zack felt his rage flare anew. What the hell was the guy's deal? Angeal was the one to send Zack to save his gangly ass, and he called the man a freak? His fists clenched and he turned towards the man, intent on speaking out. There was no way he was going to let him get away with that. However, one glance at Angeal and he caught his mentor gazing at him sternly, a silent order to keep quiet. He obeyed... though reluctantly.
Genesis fixed his friend with an even stare, but his stance relaxed and his blade fell to his side. He turned towards Angeal, gaze never changing. "My friend, the fates are cruel," Genesis recited."There are no dreams, no honor remains." Zack couldn't help but notice the gravity of his tone, how serious he sounded. It was as if he were not speaking words from a mere book, as if they were sacred somehow. "The arrow has left the bow—"
"Silence with that useless drivel, boy," Hojo spat. The sudden outburst was enough to make Zack flinch and catch the two ex-SOLDIERs off guard. Turning his attention to Genesis, he saw the man's eyes wide with disbelief. Then he glanced to Angeal and noticed a deep grimace on his face, and he got a sinking feeling that Hojo's interruption had not been a wise move.
The anger and disgust on Genesis's face made Zack shiver. An enraged sound issued from the SOLDIER, and his blue eyes flared with mako energy. Before any of them knew it, the rapier was once again raised and poised at Hojo, but Zack noticed the way the blade trembled slightly in his grip.
"How dare you," Genesis snarled.
Angeal looked as if he were about to intervene before his friend did something foolish, but to all of their surprise, Hojo cackled. The sound was grating, and above all disturbing and left Zack just gaping at him. Finally, the scientist turned and regarded Genesis, taking him by surprise, if the way his eyes widened was any indication.
"LOVELESS... What nonsense," Hojo declared. "However, I suppose it is fitting for such foolishness to hold significance in the eyes of something just as useless." Looking to Genesis, Zack saw the man bare his teeth, and unconsciously took a step back. Hojo, however, was undeterred. "A failure of a creature such as you is undeserving of the power you possess," Hojo ranted on, "a waste of the resources used to design you... yet you aspire to save your worthless existence and attain the same esteem as my masterpiece. It is a wonder you are placed within his league, no matter the fallacy it is."
Genesis's blade was immediately thrust forward, pressing dangerously into the skin of Hojo's throat, yet the scientist only laughed haughtily. Zack couldn't believe his eyes. Here the gangly man was mere inches from death, and he laughed in the face of a man that could murder him without a moment's thought. Not only did he laugh, he outwardly mocked the auburn haired man, even with a blade right up against his neck. He didn't know whether to be impressed by the lack of fear or disturbed by the blatant display of insanity.
Just as it seemed that Genesis had had enough and was going to drive his sword into the old man, a hand clamped down his shoulder, effectively stopping him. Zack looked on as Genesis turned and regarded Angeal, who kept his grip where it was. He couldn't see Genesis's face, but he could see his mentor's and the look on his face was stern. The two stayed that was for a moment, as if having a complete conversation with just their eyes, before Genesis looked away and lowered the blade at Hojo's throat with a noise of frustration.
Nothing else was said, even Hojo having nothing more to say, though that didn't erase the triumphant smirk from his face. Genesis simply walked away from Angeal, passing Zack and Hojo without a glance, towards the large glass pod. Zack watched him as he passed, clearly confused, only to be taken aback when he suddenly launched a powerful spell, obliterating the pod and much of the wall behind it.
Slowly, the hand that cast the spell lowered, and Genesis turned back to face them all. He zeroed in on Hojo and fixed him with a nasty smirk. "'Freak show,' you say?" Genesis retorted, his voice smooth though tense with restrained anger. "Perhaps you should take a look at the snake-eyed abomination you call a 'masterpiece.'" With that he turned his back, spread his massive black wing, and took off through the hole left by his attack.
For a moment, Zack was almost floored. Had Genesis really used such words to describe Sephiroth? What on the Planet would spur someone to say such horrible things about their own friend?
Without much consideration, he took off after the SOLDIER. Angeal dived behind him, instantly airborne, and as he felt himself being lifted up and flown out he thought for a moment that his move may have not been the smartest one. Nevertheless, Angeal climbed the air along the side of the Shinra building, disappearing in the smoke from the damaged pod, leaving Hojo cackling madly to himself.
o0o
They pursued Genesis to the very top of the Shinra building, following the wake of black feathers. When they ascended over the helipad, they found him perched above, an impressive light creating a runic symbol before him. Zack stared in awe at the display, remembering the exact same design from several times in the past.
"He's summoning again," he said, a little more maliciously than he intended.
Angeal pitched them forward, skimming over the helipad. "Zack, I'm leaving this to you." With that, he released his hold around Zack's waist, the younger stumbling as he landed. Zack yelped in surprise and gave a futile attempted at chasing after him.
"W-wait a second! Angeal!"
The man looked back at him and gave him a reassuring smile.
"You can do this. Trust me." Wings outstretched, Angeal took off straight for his friend, drawing his blade for an aerial battle.
"Wait! Angeal," Zack cried. "Don't leave me here, come back!"
He watched, unable to stop his mentor from leaving, and the two Firsts clashed in the air, their blades ringing. They rose higher, Genesis on the retreat with Angeal hot on his heels, and Zack stared after them until they disappeared into the mako-green haze that was Midgar's sky. Zack didn't have time to be upset, however, as when he turned around, he was faced with the beast Genesis had summoned. The enormous golden dragon perched on the railings atop the building, opening its maw and sounding an ear-splitting roar. Zack gripped his sword and held it at the ready, the adrenaline already flowing through his veins and a grin of pure excitement breaking on his face.
o0o
When at last the dragon was felled, dissolving into strands of magic as it faded away, the imaginary realm it had been housed in shimmered and flashed out of existence.
As the light faded, Zack was left alone on the helipad with nothing but the sound of the wind in his ears. He stared back into the sky where he last saw Angeal and frowned at the vacant air. His mentor had vanished... again... without so much as a word of parting.
"Dammit, Angeal..."
o0o
In the weeks following, everything went back to the way it had been. Zack was restless and agitated, and had a whole new slough of questions with no answers. Angeal's return had given him hope, and the display between him and Genesis gave him a clearer picture of his mentor's motives. Perhaps Angeal really wasn't a traitor, but stuck between his loyalty to his best friend and his duty to SOLDIER. If that were the case, Zack really couldn't blame the man for his choice... he likely would have done the same.
The encounter with Hojo had also proved to complicate things. The man had managed to pull into light all the things he'd been trying to hide, and now he was once again plagued by thoughts of his superior, only now they were much more vivid. In addition, what Genesis had said about Sephiroth continued to weigh on his mind. After a few days, Zack finally couldn't take it, and attempted to contact the man... several times... only to be met with the automated voicemail.
His attempts did not cease either, and eventually he found himself, a week later, in the SOLDIER floor lobby, trying—and failing—to reach the silver-haired man... to eventually learn that he'd locked himself in the data room. Of course, after hearing that, he went straight there and suddenly it was like he were standing in front of the man's office again. He stood staring at the data room door, almost able to sense the First on the other side, hand poised to knock yet unable to do so.
Frustrated and much too tired of it all, he let his hand fall and he rested his head against the door. He had so much he needed to tell the man, things he didn't want to admit. But after Hojo, Zack finally realized that he couldn't hide it, no matter how hard he tried. Even though he barely knew him, he was falling for Sephiroth... and he'd fallen hard.
It was quite a dilemma. To admit it would likely get him demoted—or worse—and it just wasn't proper. Not only that, but it was Sephiroth. The man was perfect, powerful—hell, the man was a fucking hero, far above the likes of him. What interest would the silver-haired man have in someone like him? He sighed, agitated and confused.
"How the hell do you tell your superior officer that you're crushing on him, anyway?" he muttered to himself.
"Uhm... Mr. Zack?" The voice made him tense, and he turned to be faced with another operative, a Second... whose voice sounded vaguely familiar.
"Uh, hi," Zack said, scratching at his head and worrying that he'd been overheard. "Uh, aren't you...?"
"Yes, sir. Luxiere," the Second confirmed. He was the one who idolized him, if Zack remembered correctly. "I came to see if maybe Sephiroth had left the data room, so I could let you know. You seemed like you needed to tell him something important."
You have no idea...
"Right. Well, it's still occupied, and he hasn't answered my calls, so it's fair to say he still in there."
"You seem concerned," Luxiere commented casually. "Not that I blame you. It can't be healthy."
Zack made an absent noise and leaned against the wall. He was silent for a moment, finding his eyes tracing over the SOLDIER before him. I wonder... Out of all the methods he'd used to get Sephiroth off of his mind... there was still one he hadn't considered. And suddenly, Luxiere, a SOLDIER he barely knew, was the perfect person to go to.
"Hey, uh, Luxiere," he started, getting the Second's attention. "I know this is a little weird, kinda sudden, but would you... y'know, like to come with me to my apartment and... hang out?"
Luxiere sputtered, and Zack recognized it immediately: it was the same sound he made when Angeal asked if he'd like him to train him. How cute. Feeling just a little more like himself again, he fixed him with a friendly smile, laying on just a bit of his natural charm as well.
"C'mon," he coaxed. "I like getting to know all the SOLDIERs, but with all the recent problems, everyone's been kinda scattered. I haven't had the chance to get know you yet."
It took a moment or two before Luxiere answered, just a little nervously, "Well... sure. Why not?"
Zack's smile widened just a bit, and he came closer, putting his arm around the kid's shoulders.
"Awesome."