Life long forgotten - Daddy Valentine
Genesis sat in his living room, staring at the coffee table without truly seeing it. They had brought both boys back up to his and Angeal's apartment, not wanting to take either to the hospital in case word got out about Cloud and filtered its way up to Hojo.
Zack was what had them all worried, well, Angeal and Sephiroth, that is. They had been carrying the two back up to their room when Zack had come to for a very brief moment. His eyes had opened briefly, enough for Genesis to see the green ring around his pupil. His words had been quiet, thankfully only loud enough for him and Angeal to hear. "'Geal...you're alive..." That combined with the First Class ring had sent shivers of dread down Genesis spine.
Everything was happening too fast! There was no way they were going to be able to hide this from Sephiroth now! Angeal would know instantly that something was wrong with his puppy, and with Sephiroth seeing the exact same thing he had he was going to piece together that something was seriously wrong.
As much as he hoped and prayed, Sephiroth was far from dumb, he might act slightly air-headed around those he knew well, but the man was a genius. He would easily start picking up on everything, especially when the others started to show up. Kunsel would be a prime example, Sephiroth knew him through Zack, and that would instantly set off the alarm bells when the man showed up different, Kunsel was one of those that if anything was wrong you knew it instantly. What the hell was he thinking, those alarm bells had to have turned into alarm sirens by now.
Glancing up he caught the look his lover was shooting him, oh yeah, those bells had turned into four alarm sirens. Ducking his head again he tried desperately to figure out an excuse for why he couldn't tell his lover. He should have known that Seph would take to Cloud easily, he had been around Hojo his whole life after all, but this might be a stretch too far.
'Yeah Seph, the reason I look so different is because I'm actually over two hundred years old and somehow got flung back in time and I merged with my past self! Cloud too... oh and Reno.. and Tseng... and..."
Oh yeah, that would go over so well.
Sighing softly, he glanced up hearing Angeal move back into the room. "Still asleep?" His friend nodded, worry etching every line in his face. "He's muttering in his sleep, I can't understand most of it, but something he said came through loud and clear." The worry etching his features only deepened, obviously whatever Zack had said disturbed the honorbound man.
"What did he say?" Sephiroth asked, voice curious but slightly wary. While not unusual for Angeal to get disturbed by something someone said, it was strange when it came from his puppy.
Angeal sat down on the couch heavily, eyes dark as he regarded his two friends. "It was broken, almost like he was trying to talk through extreme pain, but none of that was reflected on his face or in his breathing." Lead felt like it had dropped into the pit of Genesis stomach, dread creeping back up his spine.
He had asked exactly how Zack had died, even though there was no body ever found having already returned to the life stream. Reno and Rude had found the area due to radio reports. The rain had washed most of the blood away, but there had been massive amounts on the bluff overlooking Midgar still, that could only happen to a SOLDIER first if they had been riddled so full of bullet holes the mako could not heal them fast enough.
If Zack really had regained his past... well, future... well... ah fuck it he had no idea. If he regained his old self, and was speaking through extreme pain... He had been alive for a while after the army had left.
Even at his most insane, Genesis never would have wished that fate on anyone... let alone Zack.
Angeal shook his head trying to remember all the words. "For the both of us... That's right, you're gonna live. You'll be my living legacy. My honor, my dreams, they're yours now."
Sephiroth's eyes widened hearing that, a shiver running down his spine. Those were the words of a man on death's door. As far as he knew the worst injury Zack had ever sustained so far was a few broken ribs and second degree burns when Genesis hit him with a fire ball.
Genesis' mind was a whirlwind of activity, Angeal's words running circles around what he knew of Cloud and what he had seen. The theory that Cloud had become Zack after his death was starting to make all the more sense. If Cloud had been touching Zack when he died - like it sounded - it was very possible through the Jenova cells the two possessed Zack imprinted himself, his skills... his memories onto Cloud. Just as Genesis and Angeal could do to monsters and clones.
Cloud was a Sephiroth clone, there was no telling what mutations and powers the boy had.
"All we can do is wait for Zack to wake up 'Geal." Angeal nodded, his face softening at the affectionate nickname Sephiroth used.
Still trying to figure out what exactly was going on, Sephiroth found his eyes being drawn to the massive Buster-style sword that was leaning up against the wall. Glancing at Genesis' room where they had left Cloud, he stood and picked up the sword.
While Genesis had carried Cloud back, and Angeal - Zack, he had gotten to carry Cloud's sword back. In the elevator he had spent most of the ride up ignoring Genesis fidgeting, instead looking over the sword. He had noticed the weight almost instantly, he had been allowed to handle the Buster sword a few times when he and Angeal had first become friends. This sword was easily as heavy as the buster. Being able to really look at the sword since they weren't in the cramped confines of the elevator, he twisted it in his hands.
"Sephiroth, what are you doing?" Genesis sounded slightly exasperated, he should have known that the minute he could his lover would be investigating the sword. Sephiroth was a blade lover, he had a very extensive collection himself, and something this rare and unique was sure to catch his eye.
"I have never seen a blade like this before." Holding the blade up much as Angeal did, he allowed his eyes to travel over the blade. Seeing the patterns in the metal he knew it was damascus steel, but there was something else mixed into it, something powerful.
"It's a beautiful blade, though a little extensive on the decoration," Angeal said, his own dark blue eyes looking over the blade.
Chuckling softly, Genesis stood and pulled the sword from Sephiroth's hands. "First Tsurugi," He said holding up the sword. Cloud had allowed him to play with it a few times in the village, and he must say, aside from weight, he had fallen in love with the blade.
Twisting the blade around slightly, he only had to search for a minute to find the latch that unlatched the two side blades. Reaching down, he pulled them both off, extending the handles easily and set them down on the coffee table. "Ascalon and Sidewinder." He hit another release, releasing the two top blades and laid them down beside the first two. " Merciless and Avenger." He was already pulling the hollow bottom sword from the main blade as he spoke and leaned that up against the table. "Vendetta... and this" Now free from the other blades, the main blade still in his hand sprung open to its 'attack' position as Cloud had called it. "Vigilant."
Sephiroth was practically vibrating next to him, fingers itching to reach out and play with this beautiful design. Angeal had even stood up, eyes wide as he looked over the intricate design of the blade.
"I have never seen a design like this..."
"Mmm, I believe that Cloud designed it himself." The two SOLDIERs looked over to Genesis, Sephiroth stopping halfway towards picking up one of the side blades.
"That little cadet designed this?" Picking up one of the side blades he examined it looking at the locking mechanism. "Wonder how much he would want to design me one..."
Angeal resisted the urge to facepalm, Genesis, though, didn't have the ability to help himself and did, his hand connecting audibly with his forehead. "Sephiroth, you have enough swords already."
The look that crossed Sephiroth's face was priceless, it was as if what Genesis had said was pure sacrilege. How dare he say that Sephiroth had enough blades, the look was if he had told him Christmas and his birthday had both been canceled.
Seeing that look, and knowing what it meant seemed to warm a section of his heart that Genesis thought had long since died. This... really was happening, if he were honest with himself this past day had felt like a walking dream and he was waiting for the nightmare to begin. But it was real, they had all been given a second chance at life, and there was no way in hell he was going to screw this one up.
First step, get rid of the bitch. Than he would go after Hojo and make sure to torture that slimeball till he was begging for death, torture him some more, and then.. maybe kill him. He would need to ask Tseng to give him some lessons on how to really torture someone. As much as the rest of the world was ignorant to what the Turks did on a daily bases, it was no secret to the higher SOLDIER officials that the Turks were the Shinra assassins.
Speaking of the Turks... Sephiroth's PHS went off with a ringtone he could not mistake for anything other than Veld's.
Setting the blade back on the coffee table, Sephiroth pulled his PHS out. Like always he didn't have to say a word, the Turk seeming to know when he had picked up. "Alright, I'll inform him and we'll be down shortly."
Flipping the phone shut he looked to his two friends. "That was Veld, he asked for Genesis and myself down to the Turk office." Cocking his head to the side slightly Genesis pushed his power out feeling down to the Turk office. It was unusual for Veld to call Sephiroth down, generally he did only for top secret missions and that was only him by himself.
Feeling familiar energy, he smiled softly, Vincent was down there... Sephiroth was about to gain the father he had always wanted. It was obvious from the feeling he was getting from the Vampire, like the rest of them he was back as well.
"Keep us informed if anything changes."
Angeal nodded looking over the sword allowing the two to walk off.
Genesis secretly hoped that being presented with his biological father would be enough to pull Sephiroth away from the mystery of what was going on... at least for a little while.
The walk down to the Turk office was for the most part quiet, that was... until they rounded a corner and instantly heard a voice that had both Sephiroth and Genesis running back around the corner as fast as they possibly could.
"Newbie, the only way you could be less productive right now is if you were, in fact, the wall on which you're leaning against. Of course, then you'd be providing some jackass with a wall on which to lean against and reflect on what a jackass he truly is. I know! Here, it's a conundrum. But don't you worry about it - I'll tackle the mission briefing upstairs. In the meantime, you could at least pretend to be doing some work. And right about now, even though you don't have your basket, aw, it's just a terrific time for you to skip away, Shirley. Skip away. Skip away. Go on. Skip away."
The two first class SOLDIER watched with pity in their eyes as a newer 3rd class skipped past them and bolted past them only throwing a meager salute at the two.
Swallowing the two looked around the corner, seeing the purple uniform with their back to them.
SOLDIER Second Class Cox... The only man that could make Sephiroth turn tail and run by simply walking into the same general vicinity. He was a senior member of SOLDIER, one of the first recruited from the infantry when the program began. He had a temper on him to rival Genesis' own, and a tongue that could slash open the thickest hide.
The only people that were unaffected by his sharp tongue were the Turks, hell they took lessons from the man.
Sending each other uneasy glances, the two SOLDIER officers slowly moved out and down the hall hoping to Genesis' Goddess the man would not notice them. He was currently rubbing his forehead, leaning against the wall.
Sephiroth had just drawn level with the man when they heard him speak, instantly both men freezing where they stood.
"I was just now wondering if there's anything that could actually push my headache into a full-blown migraine, and... there you are."
Bright blue mako eyes opened and leveled on both men, then shifted and locked with Genesis'.
"And you, my little precious, should give some thought to purchasing some non-bunching panties. They give you the extra support you love so much, while protecting against those offensive lines underneath your uniform."
Blinking Genesis turned back looking back at his ass before remembering he didn't wear underwear in his uniform.
"Oh for the love of... Come on, Shirley." Cox rolled his eyes in exaggeration and turned marching off muttering to himself.
Both Sephiroth and Genesis waited until he was well out of sight before breathing again. "Goddess..." He had forgotten exactly how vicious the man was. They wouldn't get rid of him because he was actually a damn good SOLDIER and was one of the primary teachers of the 3rd and 2nd class, but damn he was a bastard!
"Come on, before he comes back."
Hearing a familiar whistle from the direction Cox had just gone, Sephiroth and Genesis turned and ran, knowing the man was coming back for a second round.
Not stopping until they reached the Turk offices, the two SOLDIER burst into the room and slammed the door shut sliding down it.
Shotgun who was still on secretary duty started to giggle like hell. "Cox, huh?"
"How did you guess." Sephiroth pushed himself up, dusting himself off acting as if he hadn't just bolted in here. Shotgun giggled all the more flipping her hair back behind her shoulder. "Because he is the only reason you ever bolt into the office like a bat outta hell, though the lack of diving behind the couch is new."
Clearing his throat, Sephiroth moved over ignoring the couch comment. That had been once! Now he was branded for life...
"Veld called us."
"Oh yeah, Genesis, Tseng is the one that wanted you, he's in his office. Sephiroth, Veld is in his." Nodding the two men headed back through the locked door both instinctually ducking as several nerf darts came flying towards them.
When they had gone up looking for Cloud had been the Turks lunchtime, so naturally the office was deserted. Now though, it was getting close to the end of the day and this is when the Turks got playful.
It had shocked him the first real time he had seen this. Shinra's top assassins acting like children...That was until Veld had explained it to him.
People that spent most of their life torturing and killing people on a daily bases, tended to lose their humanity after a while.
When the Turks were first implemented, it was not that uncommon after a few years for the members to start showing sociopathic tendencies. They would lose all sense of their humanity, and many would end up going on mass murdering sprees or turning on loved ones.
The Director that Veld took over for had a PHD in Psychology, and recognized the signs in many of the Turks present. He had done a mass purge of the department and re-hired and trained from the ground up all new members, Veld included in those ranks. To help keep this from happening again, all the Turks were carefully screened and certain aspects were searched for. He also implemented the ability to goof off in the office, which they had discovered those Turks had kept their humanity and retained the childish side of themselves.
It was a system Veld had kept in place, having learned from his predecessor.
Ducking a water balloon aimed for his head, Sephiroth bolted into Veld's office slamming the door and leaning against it. He heard several balloons hit the door and snickered moving to the window and pulling the blinds back and stuck his tongue out at Katana.
"They will get you one of these days, Sephiroth."
Chuckling Sephiroth turned back to where he knew Veld to be behind his desk. "It will be a cold day in hell when...they..." His words faded off, his eyes locking with brilliant crimson, his brain stuttering to a standstill.
It was like looking into a mirror, a slightly distorted mirror as the coloring was off, but …
Veld carefully stood, his eyes moving between Sephiroth and his dear friend. "Sephiroth, allow me to introduce you to my old partner and SIC Vincent Valentine..."
Blinking slightly, Sephiroth looked the man over, the name clicking into place. "He's the man you swore Hojo killed." Veld had told him several stories about his old partner. He swore up and down that Hojo had been the one to kill Vincent and that was the reason nobody was ever found... because he was using it.
"He did kill me..."
Jerking his head over, Sephiroth once more regarded the Turk across from him. That voice...it... sounded just like his own, the same deep bass. Closing his eyes an image flashed across his eyes, a Mako tank filled with liquid, a man with black hair suspended inside, still dressed in a suit.
Shaking his head, he felt a headache starting, he always got one when memories that old surfaced. He tried to repress most of those from his infancy and childhood just for that reason, but some still managed to slip through.
"Sephiroth... He's also your biological father."
The blood froze in his veins, eyes widening. "My...father...?"
Vincent nodded watching his son, he hoped, this younger version of his son would be just as accepting as the future one had been. "When I awoke from the coma I had been in, Hojo had been there and told me you and your mother had both died shortly after your birth, and imprisoned me."
Sephiroth slowly sank down into one of the many chairs in front of Veld's massive desk. Hojo... wasn't his father. His father was alive, and a Turk, and had been told he was dead alongside his mother. Hojo wasn't his father...
Hojo wasn't his father...
Hojo wasn't his father...
HOJO WASN'T HIS FATHER!
"YES!"
Throwing himself back in the chair, he threw his hands up into the air laughing loudly. Forgetting about his SOLDIER strength, the chair tipped back, sending the silver-haired teen toppling backwards with a squeak.
Laughing, Vincent moved over and looked over the chair smiling down, seeing Sephiroth smiling back up at him. "Well, that was elegant..."
"Shut up, dad..."
AN: AWWW don't you just love Seph, he is so damn cute! And yes.. i stole Dr. Cox from Scrubs, i have been watching it a lot lately and well.. he just.. fits SOOO well. He's kind of comedic relief.
there you go people another chapter i am on a roll.. lets see how long i can keep this up! so review people! or Sephiroth will come through and start stabbing.