Chapter 9: Hollander and Genesis

The three walked down into the Mako reactor and found some scientific work that Hollander made regarding Genesis. Sephiroth and Haruka looked through some work in silence as Zack paced around in anxiety.

"The wound was superficial," continued Sephiroth as Zack and Haruka walked with him. "But for some reason, Genesis wasn't healing." An uncomfortable weight settled in Sephiroth's stomach as he stood with his head bowed.

"How come he wasn't healing?" asked Haruka, looking at him in concern.

"The man who treated him was Hollander," remarked Sephiroth blankly, crossing his arms over his chest.

(Flashback)

"Professor Hollander," said Angeal, approaching the man, "how is Genesis?"

Hollander thought for a second before replying, "The problem is the Mako energy that seeped in through the wound…"

Sephiroth remained silent as Angeal asked, "Is it treatable?"

Hollander nodded. "First, he'll need a transfusion."

Sephiroth stepped up because he just wanted to make Genesis feel better. He felt like he owed Genesis because of engaging in the fight with him but Angeal stopped him from stepping out. The silver haired gave the dark haired a curious look as to why he stopped him.

"You," said Hollander, gazing at Sephiroth seriously, "are not viable."

Sephiroth lowered his head in shame as Angeal walked away with the professor and only one thought crossed his mind: Why couldn't I be the donor?

(Flashback end)

"Why couldn't I be the donor?" murmured Sephiroth, narrowing his eyes in grief, before turning around to look at the tube that held the Genesis clone. "A soldier type G…"

Haruka picked up one of the clipboards and read the words on it. It was absolutely awful; how could someone get cloned like that? She swallowed back bile as she read the words Hollander wrote down on the documents and revolting feeling of pity rose up for Genesis. It must have been awful to have been a science experiment since birth and that's why she pitied him.

Sephiroth's voice woke her from her thoughts. "It was Hollander's experiment. The result was a normal child. Which meant he failed. However…" He trailed off and read the documents he held.

"Project G gave birth to the man we know as Genesis," continued Sephiroth, setting the clipboard down on the unmade cot.

"Project G…" echoed Haruka, giving Sephiroth a wide-eyed look.

"Project Genesis," elaborated the silver haired, giving the girl an intense stare that made her knees weak. "Contrary to this report, Genesis showed clear signs of change." He stroked her cheek briefly before turning to look at Zack.

"Degrading?" asked the dark haired boy, staring at Sephiroth.

"Not only that," commented Sephiroth, walking over to look in the tube again.

"Copies?" asked Haruka, moving to stand next to him and touching him on the arm.

"Abominations…" breathed Sephiroth, staring at the copy in the tube. The green liquid that glowed in the container shone on his face making him look luminous.

The sound of someone approaching made the three people turn their heads and they saw a middle aged man with dark hair and a small beard walking down the metal stairs. He gazed at Sephiroth with a trace of fear but who could blame him? Sephiroth could intimidate anyone without trying, especially with the look he was giving the man right now.

"S-Sephiroth?" questioned the man, staring at the soldier in slight fear.

"Hollander," noted Sephiroth, giving the man a steely look, "I thought I'd find you here…"

"The degradation process…"said Hollander, "only I can stop it." Sephiroth approached the man with a dangerous look on his face.

Out of nowhere, an auburn haired man dropped with a black single wing and a red long rapier in his hand. He wore a red leather coat and blue Mako eyes. He looked up and gave the three a slight smirk.

"Genesis," breathed Sephiroth, staring at the auburn haired man levelly.

In response, Genesis raised his blade to Sephiroth and the silver haired drew Haruka behind him protectively. Sephiroth just stared at Genesis as the man raised his single wing as if to hide Hollander away.

"You won't take Hollander," he said loathingly as he stared at Sephiroth.

Hollander broke into a run and started up the metal steps that led out of the reactor.

"Zack," ordered Sephiroth to the boy, "go after Hollander!"

"Yeah," replied Zack, nodding, dashing after the scientist who ran off.

That left Sephiroth and Haruka alone with the red coated man but he didn't lower his sword. Then, he looked to Haruka and a smile of understanding graced his lips so he lowered his sword and nodded graciously at her but she hid behind Sephiroth and looked at him warily. Genesis approached the couple and smiled charmingly.

"'There is no hate, only joy,'" quoted Genesis, walking past the two, "'for you are beloved by the goddess, hero of dawns, healer of worlds.'"

"Loveless again?" asked Sephiroth with a slight shake of his head. "You never change."

Genesis ignored him and said, "Three friends go into battle. One is captured, one flies away, the one that is left becomes a hero."

"A common story," murmured Haruka, shaking her head but Genesis ignored her too.

"If we were to enact it," said Genesis, "would I be the one to play the hero, or would you?"

"It's all yours," replied Sephiroth, gesturing to the red head graciously.

"Indeed," agreed Genesis, nodding as he turned to face the couple. "After all, your glory should have been mine."

"How petty," spat Haruka, glaring at Genesis.

"In hindsight, perhaps," noted Genesis, turning to face them dramatically. "Now, what I want most…is the Gift of the Goddess." He raised his hand theatrically and smiled at the couple.

Sephiroth glared at Genesis with hate-filled green eyes but the red haired only smiled at him innocently.

"What a lovely young lady you have there, Sephiroth," he now spoke towards Haruka, giving her a pleasant smile. "Hello, miss, my name is Genesis Rhapsodos. You must Miss Haruka Gainsborough, the one Sephiroth talks about. I can see why you like her, Sephiroth. She's a looker, as they say."

"I'm warning you, Genesis," warned Sephiroth, finally pulling out his Masamune. "Back off." His feline eyes glowed with anger as he looked at the man.

"It's just a compliment, Sephiroth," said Genesis, shrugging, being bold enough to stroke a part of her bangs behind her ear.

Haruka recoiled away from him and hid behind Sephiroth fearfully. "Get away from me," she hissed, giving the man a baleful glare.

"What a sweet young lady," complimented Genesis before flying away.

"I don't like him," muttered Haruka once they were alone.

"Me neither," replied Sephiroth, pulling the girl in a warm embrace and giving her a tender kiss.

…

"How long are you gonna be gone this time?" asked Haruka once Sephiroth returned her home.

"Not too long, I hope," answered Sephiroth. "I'll call you once I'm done at the building, okay?" He gave her another sweet kiss and then ran off to get back to the building.

A/N: Sorry for the delay! My friend I regarded as a brother passed away this Monday. He died in a snowboarding accident which was a total surprise and I lost motivation for writing until now so please be patient with me. Please read and review!