Final Fantasy VII: Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Summary: "((An Angeal x Zack, Sephiroth x Genesis story)) As things finally start to heat up in more ways than one, and world-shattering decisions are made, and as the ShinRa's top 1st Class Generals finally open their eyes to the terrifying reality of The Ring, they learn not only of a sacred promise, but of the sacrifice made by the man who they only knew as SOLDIER, a man who gave his freedom and his life for others, and of a beautiful letter, handwritten by a desperate young hero-to-be, who pleads not for his life, but that of the man he treasures above his own life. Will the remaining 1st Classes make the right decision- and is even more suffering in order? Or will they all just 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 Fanfiction 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, so I hope not too see ((as flattering as it would be, actually)) a copied character of mine without my written consent: 1st Class SOLIDER Marshall Willowstaff, Cadet Captain Benjamin ((Ben)) Adler, Captain Daniel Marks, and Head Physician Julian Jake."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: "Many thanks to a reviewer known as Insane Fangirl 4, whose beautiful review has given me the strength to finally continue this story. I have been busy, depressed, and absorbed in my own life that I totally forgot about this thing until she reviewed. This is also to my other friend, Loveless, and all the others who made me a very happy person these few months while working on this."
"I now present to you, ladies and gentleman, the Beginning of the End."
A_ _ _N
Chapter Twenty-eight: All of His Love ((part II)).
Things were different now.
The Ring had made a huge mistake when they took Genesis and Zack. Angeal ((and Sephiroth, surely)) would not rest a single second until every last man involved with that evil, twisted group were either dead or imprisoned. It still hurt Angeal to know that he'd had no idea of the Ring's very existence until it was too late to save either Genesis or Zack.
How had Angeal missed Genesis' behavior years ago? Angeal had known Genesis for years- to Angeal; this was the most inexcusable part of the entire ordeal at the moment. Indeed, Genesis had been incredibly quiet, easily-alarmed at little things, but Angeal had always just blown his best friend's behavior off as the lasting effects of the abuse Genesis endured during his childhood.
But Genesis had become distant, just as he had years ago. Genesis had blown up at Angeal- and later, at Sephiroth- several times, before Sephiroth and Genesis had become involved- in more ways than just romantically and- ahem!- intimately.
Before Sephiroth, Genesis had been lonely in ways that Angeal couldn't help him with. Genesis had been willing years ago, but that wasn't even the point. Angeal just hadn't wanted to potentially ruin their friendship. Genesis had understood, but Angeal knew it was his refusal to do it that drove Genesis partially out of his mind. Genesis had become a haunted shell, especially after Angeal discovered the scar.
Genesis had drunk occasionally. Then more frequently, adding numerous sexual affairs into the mix when the drinking wasn't enough to "help" him. Then it became commonplace, and soon Genesis was known as the exact opposite of the man Angeal knew- he was a playboy, a tease… everything Genesis had been against. Everything he hated beyond almost anything.
As Genesis' full-out masochism phase began, he was put into the same dorm as Sephiroth.
And good Gaia, Genesis had been pissed. He complained endlessly, even though he'd set his sights on meeting the silver-haired hero when they first entered the Cadet Corps. Genesis had continually picked fights, getting himself into trouble- and ultimately getting on Sephiroth's nerves the entire of the six months the two of them lived together.
It didn't help that Sephiroth was fresh from Hojo most of the time, or that he had a huge superiority complex toward Genesis- or treated Genesis like a dog. Genesis had only worsened during that time, and Sephiroth finally snapped. He hurt Genesis pretty badly, and turned him over to Angeal, who'd been angrier than ever with Sephiroth.
So he explained everything.
Sephiroth had softened a little when Angeal explained Genesis' problems. He seemed to honestly understand- anyone under Hojo's "care" would understand. Angeal had to admit it to himself later- Sephiroth really made Genesis feel a whole lot better about himself. The two discovered that they were both nearly equals on the field of battle. Sephiroth even saved Genesis' life during an ambush. The two grew a little closer, until Genesis finally stopped drinking, cut off his other various relationships, and gave himself fully to Sephiroth.
Angeal had never seen Genesis so happy. And he was grateful to Sephiroth for everything that he has done and is doing to keep Genesis safe and out of trouble. Angeal remembered feeling hugely relieved when Genesis ((quietly)) told him that he loved Sephiroth. Angeal had seen the signs- Genesis' normally alert, suspicious, and at times tired eyes would soften and relax greatly when Sephiroth arrived, or when the two of them were meeting… or when Sephiroth was around him in general.
And then there was Zack.
Zack. Sixteen-year-old Zack. Zack the puppy. At least Sephiroth had had some inkling about what Genesis had been going through. Angeal had seen the danger signs, seen some of what they'd done to him… but he'd barely acted in the poor kid's defense. In fact, he'd made everything worse.
The boy was always cheerful, it seemed. But Angeal had seen him staring off into nothing, especially at night. He was an extremely light sleeper- if Angeal passed him while he was sleeping on the couch, Zack's eyes would snap open, alarmed and fully awake.
Once, Zack had fallen asleep next to Angeal in the office, while waiting for his Mentor to finish working so the two of them could go down to the courtyard. Angeal had accidentally brushed against the boy's shoulder, and Zack had actually snapped awake, actually attempting to reach for his sword in his half-awake, sleepy panic.
Angeal should have recognized the warning signs.
Sighing, Angeal sat down in Zack's room. The carpet was littered with crumpled pieces of paper and pens- Zack was a very messy kid, and more often than not, Angeal would find himself sharing his bed with the boy, perhaps making cleaning his room the farthest thing from Zack's mind.
Angeal rarely entered Zack's room since accidentally walking in on the boy changing. He felt that if Zack closed his door, then he had a right to. As his Mentor, Angeal felt it was right to teach his student that it was all right if Zack wanted to be alone, but also to know that Angeal had a right to come in and talk, or maybe even make sure he was okay. Zack had easily accepted Angeal's terms, though they became a bit useless, for Zack started sleeping- and working- exclusively with Angeal in the living room or in their suddenly "shared" bedroom.
As he looked around, Angeal found himself drawn to a folded piece of paper on Zack's desk. It seemed the only thing out of place in the messy room. It was folded just so that the light from the window in the room caught it-
A beacon? Or perhaps Angeal's imagination was…
Handwritten in Zack's rather chicken-scratch handwriting, was Angeal's name. There it was. Half-expecting Zack barreling into the room to demand he give the piece of paper back, Angeal shook his head bitterly at himself. Zack obviously knew something like this would happen, deepening Angeal's guilt…
Angeal:
If you're reading this, I guess it means that I've been caught by The Ring, and am probably awaiting "trial and execution." Hopefully you know what The Ring is already, if not, then I hope to fucking Gaia someone fills you in before you come rushing in here trying to rescue me or something.
Look. I'm sure your brilliant mind is already working at some way to save my ass. But it seriously isn't worth the trouble. I knew this was coming- even Willowstaff kind of knew it. I know that fucking lunatic Anderson got him in that "Wutai ambush," or whatever it was they fed you guys higher up. SOLDIER is too important to deal in The Ring. If ShinRa gets word of them, then its over- they'll destroy the Corps and we'll all be under Turk jurisdiction. And all of us will get killed.
Or, all my friends will be killed. I'm in SOLDIER, so I don't count. But I'm not about to sit around waiting for them to come after me. Kunsel's already been taken, so it's only a matter of time until they get a hit on Captain Ben or another one on Julian.
After Willowstaff got himself killed, the other Runners named me leader. It's not what you think. As cool as it sounds, it really means that I'm the guy Anderson turns to when he needs a good… well, yeah. Fill in the blank. Kunsel and I were the ones protecting the little guys- did you know they let thirteen-year-old kids into the Corps? Fucking ridiculous.
Anyway, Alex was only fourteen when they tortured and killed him. They actually did all of it in front of us on one of the first days after my initiation into the Runners. Alex was a martyr, along with his Captain, Daniel Marks, who they still have breathing somewhere, probably rotting in The Ring's base. After that, it was kind of that time. Willowstaff told me that it was the older Cadet's jobs to take them down. Do what we can, and all that. He even said that even if we got into SOLDIER, it would still be our job. Willowstaff said that if one of us could get The Ring exposed, it would help greatly.
I couldn't bring myself to do it.
I couldn't do it because of the fact that they terrified the living daylights out of me. Their spies are fucking everywhere- in the halls, in SOLDIER, in the Med Labs- in the Executive offices, for Gaia's sake. I didn't want to put anyone else in danger. I already have Julian Jake and Kunsel's blood on my hands, and I can barely live with it. They use a lot of psychological fear and intimidation.
I want you to take them down. If you can get me out, then that's just peachy. But I don't want you putting my life over everyone else. Thirty-eight Cadets, from ages thirteen to sixteen, are being killed this month, on the 31st. Overheard Anderson and the others talking about it. Gonna do it in Warehouse 81.
Angeal, I trust you. I trust Sephiroth and Genesis. If it's anyone who can bring The Ring and Anderson to justice, it's gonna be you three.
I love you, Angeal. I hope you'll understand.
Zack
Enclosed within the letter was a highly detailed, hand-drawn map of Warehouse 81, complete from the stairwells and the people guarding them, to where the killings were taking place, to where the victims-to-be were being held until that time. Zack had even included the whereabouts of Daniel Marks and all of the security cameras stationed around where he was being held.
He had given Angeal everything. Literally.
A_ _ _N