Final Fantasy VII: Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Summary: "((An Angeal x Zack, Sephiroth x Genesis story)) With several of their greatest allies unable to help them, bodies piling up and being discovered by the dozen, and uncovering secrets that were never meant to be revealed, men who know much more than they let on, and when dead men speak again, time is clearly running out as the Ring comes ever closer to fulfilling their cruel, though still partly unknown, purpose. And as SOLDIERs rush to solve the mystery and save their missing friends, can it be that one they never expected to know anything knows more than what he let on, and more? Will anyone be truly saved, or will they all be included in the final body count?"

Warning: "This will be a Yaoi ((male x male)), first off. It will have rape, reference to rape and childhood abuse, and also implied rape. There is a reason that this Fan-fiction is rated "M," and by continuing to read this story, I am no longer responsible for any offense taken by the manuscript, and will not receive any more complaints and/or hate mail because you have hereby been warned."

Disclaimer: "I do not own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters so don't haul off and think I do. However, the following characters are actually mine, whether or not these characters actually appear in this particular story: 1st Class SOLIDER Marshall Willowstaff, Cadet Captain Benjamin ((Ben)) Adler, Captain Daniel Marks, and Head Physician Julian Jake."

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Chapter Twenty-Seven: Oh, Captain.

Captain Benjamin Adler, known affectionately as "old man Ben," or "the Adler," by his adoring Cadets, was fifty-seven years old and had been involved with the ShinRa Cadet Training Programs (SCTP) for nearly forty years. He was ShinRa's longest-standing Captain, rising to that position at age twenty-two. He was a tall, somewhat muscular man with graying hair and deep, beetle-black eyes, and lightly-tanned skin.

Ben was known for his skill with staffs and shotguns, both of which were his signature weapons. For an old man, he was agile, spirited, and vociferous. He was considered to be the Cadet Corps grandfather of sorts. He was promoted to Captain after Sheldon Anderson was demoted and later fired for incompetence. Ben was old enough to be Captain when Sephiroth, Angeal, and Genesis were all three in the Cadet Program themselves, and had stood beside them ((and Julian Jake, Ben's grandson)) during the beginning stages of the Wutai War.

Sephiroth had always trusted the man. Until now.

To Sephiroth's surprise, Angeal and Julian Jake were already outside Ben's office. Julian was carrying a stack of files, looking extremely worried. Angeal was leaning against the wall, frustration clear in his eyes, but not his body.

"What happened?" Sephiroth asked, cautiously. An angry Angeal, be it as rare as it undoubtedly was, spelled death- or at least a good beating.

Before Angeal could answer, the door to the office opened, and Ben appeared, wrinkles growing deeper as he took in Angeal, Sephiroth, and Julian. "Come in, come in," Ben said, quietly, shifting his gaze to look around the empty hallway.

"What can I do for you three? Has this something to do with the disappearances of Zack Fair and Genesis Rhapsodos, perhaps?" Ben asked, sitting on his desk. He seemed to grow older with every moment, his weariness and age showing in ways Sephiroth had never noticed in him before- had Ben been expecting this confrontation?

"Exactly, Captain," Julian said, formally. Even though Ben was Julian's grandfather, that didn't mean that Ben wasn't Julian's superior ((of sorts)). Ben nodded at the young Physician. "I've told you all that I know." He said, too casually for Sephiroth's liking.

"You haven't," Sephiroth said, coolly, "you haven't told us everything. Before he was kidnapped, Genesis spoke to Zack about a group called The Ring while I was present. Zack admitted that the Ring, which I destroyed four years ago, still existed."

Benjamin Adler paled. Julian's eyes widened in astonishment. Angeal's fists clenched.

"Just what is your role in this, Adler?" Angeal spoke up, his dark eyes dangerous. Ben looked as if he wanted to say something, but stopped. "It's useless to lie. I know you three know of The Ring- it's targeted your group more than once, and of course Zack admitted to its existence… they were going to take him whether or not he confessed."

"My role in this is a shameful one. I have no connection to the rapes of the boys, nor do I take part in the other Captain's torturing of them," Ben began, quietly. "The Ring has terrified Cadets for generations, starting with an old Captain whose name might be familiar to you- Sheldon Anderson, who, as you may be aware of, was Captain for nearly thirty years."

"You see, the ring has existed for generations. It began with a Captain named Sheldon Anderson, who, as you may be aware of, was the man who tormented Genesis years ago. This very same man was also responsible for the rape, torture, and murder of several dozen Cadets." Ben's voice, by this time, was tired and resigned. But what he explained next was as heart-wrenching as it was infuriating.

"Of that number, I was included, alongside my best friend, Captain Daniel Marks."

"The Ring began simply as a way to punish unruly Cadets. One rape would usually take care of whatever problem a Captain had. However, Sheldon Anderson made it more of a cult than anything else. One out of the ten Captains, back in my day, nine of them were part of the Ring. The man who became our saving grace was, at that time, Captain Marshall Willowstaff."

"Marshall, the man you three knew as a 1st Class SOLDIER, transferred to that position after he was viciously attacked and tortured by Sheldon Anderson and the other Captains. Before he left, Marshall Willowstaff was the one man we could depend on for support. He would comfort the raped, soothe the panic-stricken victims, and protect those who needed him."

"Marshall's leaving sparked a whole new game. The Runners, a rebellious group of Cadets supposedly created by Marshall himself, fought a losing battle. They lost many to torture and murder. I was a relatively new Captain when something else happened- you three entered the Cadet Corps, and even I was stunned at their new found viciousness."

"The Ring dared not attack you, Sephiroth. They were far too cowardly, and you were not a huge threat- back then, even with your strength or influence, could have done nothing. Angeal intimidated them because of his stoic, calm attitude- and besides, he was not… up to their standards." Ben's eyes glanced at Angeal. "They preferred Genesis' type back then. Beautiful. Easily manipulated and intimidated. Genesis was weak in their eyes. They easily lured and took him for themselves."

"I knew what was happening for a while, of course. The Ring doesn't move without me knowing about it. But Genesis was different. For some reason, the rape and torture did nothing. I later found out why from a certain man who will not be named," Ben glanced at Julian so quickly that Sephiroth thought he imagined it for a moment, "and it all made sense. But Genesis still would not admit what happened to him. He had too much pride to burden alone, yet he did so and eventually triumphed."

"Now, we face a bigger problem." Ben nodded, "back then, I could control a bit of what happened. But when they took Daniel Marks, my assistant Captain, things went from bad to worse in what seemed like seconds. Then they took out Marshall Willowstaff in an ambush in Wutai- wounded and poisoned him to ensure his death- he was the only man capable of telling anyone anything about the Ring."

"After Marshall's death, Zack Fair became my greatest asset. He led the Runners and raided the Captain's quarters. Zack was a hero in many Cadets' eyes… but to the Ring, his valiance was seen as criminal. Soon, Fair was on the Blacklist- the list of the Cadets to be murdered after being tortured."

As Ben quieted, Angeal leaned against the wall, eyes closed. "Do you think Zack, Genesis, and Daniel Marks are still alive?" He asked, quietly. Ben shook his head. "Knowing Anderson, and because it's been near forty-eight hours since Genesis and Zack's disappearances, I would say there is a small chance. However, Daniel… he is dead. No doubt. I wouldn't be surprised if his body is never found."

"Where are the Cadets the Ring has taken being kept?" Sephiroth questioned. "…The Warehouse 81. Abandoned when Sheldon came in. It's like an apartment complex- but it's filled with traps and all that. No one but those who have actually been there can navigate through it." Ben responded, immediately. Angeal's eyes opened and he looked up.

"We need to do something." Angeal stated, flatly.

Ben sighed. "We can't just barge in there. Believe me, if that were the case, Marshall, Daniel, and I would have done it years ago. Considering how many they've killed, we must proceed with extreme caution. They could easily just kill Zack and Genesis if we catch them prepared. I am damn sure they have Daniel alive somewhere- as a living trophy. They killed the man's entire team- consisting of twenty teenage boys, mind you. The Ring has proved they don't care who they kill."

"Are you saying we can't take them?" Sephiroth said, quietly. It was Julian who finally replied after a while of silence. "Sephiroth, I am positive you can get into that Warehouse and kill every Captain there. But think for a second… they have taken two of your friends captive. It could quickly become a hostage situation. And if they killed Genesis or Zack, I know the two of you would go on a rampage throughout ShinRa. We do not want to draw attention to what the Ring has done."

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