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."

A_ _ _N

Chapter Thirty-Two: Reunited ((Part II)).

Angeal was not in a good mood. At all. He'd been wandering the Warehouse for what felt like hours without finding Zack, and this only worsened the 1st Class' already dark mood. He felt like he was going in circles. His patience was running dry quickly,

As he rounded the corner, Angeal spotted another one of those scythe-carrying giants. Silently, he dived behind the corner again and allowed the giant to go passed him again. He easily went around it as it hung around, back turned toward him.

He saw Marshall Willowstaff leaning against another door, and sighed. The "ghost," had been following him around since the second floor- appearing seemingly out of nowhere. Marshall wouldn't answer any questions and wouldn't lead Angeal to Zack, which only served to aggravate Angeal further.

Marshall looked just a little different than he had in the video he left them. His eyes glowed with a more knowing, less frightened, less sad, way. He was still wearing his sleeveless white turtleneck, but this time, his scars were showing- almost proudly. The scars were stark white against Marshall's pale skin, twisting like snakes across his arms. He wasn't smiling, but looked close to it.

Marshall blinked at him as Angeal reached for the doorknob.

He's not in here. The ghost informed him.

Angeal cursed again.

You're close, Angeal, very close. Marshall assured, softly. But you must be prepared for what you see. Zack is in bad shape. I fear you shall loose yourself if you see him unprepared.

"What do you mean, 'loose myself?'" Angeal muttered back.

I cannot say.

Angeal couldn't help but roll his eyes at the dead SOLDIER. Death had not mellowed Marshall out, that's for sure. He was still more worried about Angeal than he was about himself. He was still (almost) as cryptic as Genesis used to be. "At least tell me why you're even here." Angeal said.

I am not sure. I appeared here shortly after my death. I believe I was sent back to ensure the safety of the future by helping you and Sephiroth reunite with your friends, and destroy the Ring once and for all... then again, that's only my guess.

Angeal cursed once more.

A_ _ _N

Julian sighed as he found yet another room full of bodies- all of them either dead, dying, or so heavily drugged out of their minds it would be impossible to wake them. He had known this was going to happen, and was glad that by his calculations, only about a hundred out of several thousand of all of the Cadets were even here or involved in the Ring. If Sephiroth hadn't told me not to do anything... Julian thought, bitterly.

He ducked under one of the tables when he spotted another giant Scythe-carrier coming in his direction. What the hell are these things? Julian thought, unholstering his shotgun.

He had a distraction to make. Might as well do it with a bang. Julian thought warily. From this distance away, Julian could easily take off it's head with one shot.

Three...two...

A_ _ _N

Marshall looked up so suddenly that Angeal thought they were being attacked. When he turned and saw no one, he glared at Marshall, eyebrows raised. Marshall didn't even look back at him as he spoke.

Come now. You are out of time. The Lummox will be here soon.

"Lummox?"

The Scythe-carrying monsters.

"What are we waiting for then? Lead the way."

Are you prepared to face Sheldon Anderson?

"I am."

Marshall seemed caught off guard, and he turned to face Angeal with an odd look in his eyes. But he didn't try to argue. Go up the next two flights of stairs. You shall find Zack in the first door on the left. Sheldon Anderson will send the Lummox after you. To kill the Lummox, you must remove their heads. You cannot miss or strike another body part. If you do, they will grow two times their size and even more ugly and powerful. And whatever you do, don't let that happen.

With that, Marshall Willowstaff vanished.

A_ _ _N

Angeal had the feeling Marshall Willowstaff had indeed known exactly where Zack was the entire time. The fact didn't really anger him, knowing that Marshall had really cared about Zack and the other Cadets. Marshall had always been too kind for his own good...

Angeal shook the thoughts out of his head and continued along, expertly avoiding the Lummox on his way. The monsters were large and dangerous, but not too intelligent. They were also apparently deaf and blind because Angeal could easily sneak past one without being caught.

As he opened the door to the room where Zack was being held, Angeal found himself holding his breath. A whoosh of fridgid, icy air blew past him as he entered.

Zack was lying on his back. His body was thinner than Angeal remembered it. Though Zack had only been in the claws of the Ring for three or four days, it felt like a lifetime- probably to them both.

The boy had obviously been put through hell these past few days. His body was covered in bruises and lash-markings, especially on his shoulders. The fabric of his shirt had been torn and ripped beyond repair, as if when attacked, his attacker just tore off whatever was in his way. Zack's eyes were tightly closed and he was muttering under his breath.

"Not going to tell... won't tell... have to kill me..." Angeal pulled the boy into his arms. When he did so, he could have sworn Zack gave a weak smile and murmured, "Told you so," under his breath. Zack's eyes opened slowly and when he saw Angeal, the smile grew larger, and much to Angeal's astonishment, Zack didn't even look surprised to see him.

"Hey..."

"Hey." Angeal replied, softly.

"Thought I told you to not come..." Zack murmured, resting his head on Angeal's shoulder as he spoke. As Angeal looked over him, he realized that Zack probably hadn't slept at all during these past few days of captivity. He felt a surge of anger- another reason to find Sheldon Anderson.

"Well, I did. And I'm going to get you out of here." Angeal responded, trying to sound cheerful.

"Promise me you won't let me go." Zack said, suddenly.

"I promise."

"Cross your heart?"

"Cross my heart."

Zack looked satisfied and closed his eyes. Soon his breathing steadied and he seemed to fall asleep right there, with a small smile gracing pale, colorless lips.

Only his wounds, fever, and trembling alerted Angeal to his student's suffering now.

A_ _ _N