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: "All right, people, the time has come. I'll finish this story if it kills me. I'm totally sorry for not doing it sooner while you guys loved me, but I swear I'll make it up to you guys- my writing has improved in the last few months, and I intend to show how- I'm gonna give you a teaser by re-writing the last chapter that I left for you all… three months ago. Chapter Thirty-Three: Breath! Enjoy and rejoice, for I have returned to you with a great vengeance… nah, I'm kidding. :D"

A_ _ _N

Chapter Thirty-Three: Breath!

Killing the scythe-carrying monster was easier than Sephiroth thought it was going to be- the damn thing was big, mean, and ugly, but it was also slow and stupid. That combination seemed to cancel the danger out.

Sephiroth returned to Genesis' side as quickly as he could. He knew time was running out- surely, Julian and Ben were already out, and since Angeal had already rescued Zack, Sephiroth was absolutely sure that Shelton Anderson wasn't just going to stand back and wait for his empire to come crashing down around him.

The silver-haired man knelt beside his lover only to find that something was seriously wrong- Genesis had paled to a new shade of white, and… he wasn't breathing.

Genesis wasn't breathing.

Sephiroth couldn't even begin to name the feeling that passed through him as he stared down at Genesis. It was beyond shock, beyond pain, beyond any describable feeling.

Time seemed to stop, and everything went as silent as a tomb. Nothing mattered anymore to Sephiroth except for his lover- lying dead before him.

He couldn't be... he couldn't... Genesis...

"Genesis, breathe!" Sephiroth commanded urgently as he pulled the limp body toward him and performed CPR. Despite his frantic efforts, Genesis remained unresponsive. The auburn-haired man's tear-filled eyes were still half-way open, but they saw nothing.

"Genesis... don't go..."

Absolutely nothing happened as Sephiroth continued trying to revive Genesis. This couldn't be real. Genesis could not have... this wasn't supposed to happen! Genesis couldn't be... not after everything they'd been through together. He just couldn't…

A_ _ _N

It was like walking into somebody else's nightmare. When Angel turned the corner, with Zack in his arms, Angeal quickly realized that the only thing that could make the General of SOLDIER look so... defeated... was Genesis.

Specifically, Genesis being hurt... or worse.

His sudden answer came to him suddenly, making him lean against the wall in shock, grasping Zack closer to him, unable to imagine what Sephiroth was going through.

It can't be... Angeal thought. It can't be.

...he can't be dead.

Very slowly, Sephiroth turned away from Angeal to focus on Genesis. The redhead was lying against Sephiroth. His body was completely limp. His eyes were only half-way open, and glassed over with tears that had refused to fall when he lived. For the first time, they were, too, blank, sightless, and dark.

Angeal knelt down by Sephiroth, but couldn't remember what he was going to say as he did so. He looked from Sephiroth to Genesis, then back to Zack.

Time seemed to stop as cruel reality set in.

A_ _ _N

"Are you leaving?"Sephiroth asked, softly.

Genesis gave a small smile, turning his head.

They were standing in the Banora White orchid that Sephiroth remembered seeing on his visit to Banora. Genesis had once told him that he and Angeal had met here years ago. This place had become their "secret base," and that they'd meet here to play during their childhood.

Genesis turned to face him completely, and the smile faded ever so slightly.

"You came." His voice was light, cheerful.

"Of course I did, my StarGazer." Sephiroth instantly replied.

At the nickname, Genesis smiled again. "I have to go."

"Why?"

"Because someone is calling for me." Genesis answered simply, gesturing beyond the orchid. He paused for a long moment, as if he were trying to remember something- his azure eyes brightened.

"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess. We seek it thus, and take to the sky. Ripples form on the water's surface… the wandering soul knows no rest."

"I don't want you to leave." Sephiroth told him, gently. "You don't have to leave."

That made Genesis laugh- an echoing, real laugh. The first laugh that Sephiroth had heard from him since this whole thing began. It resonated in the orchid, like the tolling of church bells.

"You don't understand."

"Then explain it to me, Genesis."

Genesis' smile faded a little, but it was still there. "I don't know how to explain it, Sephiroth. It's…" He paused, as if trying to think of something to compare it to. "It's like being called out on a mission," he finally said. "A mission you've been looking forward to."

"I see… but there's no way you're coming back, is there?"

"No," Genesis responded, softly, "I don't think I'll be coming back."

"Then stay here."

"Seph-"

"My friend, do you fly away now?" Sephiroth interrupted, calmly.

Genesis chuckled a little. "To a world that abhors you and I?"

"All that awaits you…"

"Is a somber morrow…"

"Wherever the winds may blow."

By this time, Genesis had stepped closer to him- and Sephiroth suddenly thought that this was a test. Like he was being tested for his loyalty to Genesis, and the price of either failing this test or passing it depended on Loveless- and the prize was his lover's life.

Genesis gave a sly smile He turned from Sephiroth again, and recited another verse. "My friend, the fates are cruel. There are no dreams, no honor remains. The arrow has left, the bow of the goddess…" He turned his head, as if waiting for a response.

"My soul, corrupted by vengeance, hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey. In my own salvation, and your eternal slumber." Sephiroth said, promptly, knowing this game.

Often, when Sephiroth came back to their apartment, Genesis would be waiting for him. One of Genesis' favorite games was to recite random verses of his favorite poem, and have Sephiroth recite the end of them. For some reason, Genesis never tired of it- and neither did Sephiroth.

"Sephiroth," this time, Genesis' voice was shaking a little. "The Ring will kill us all."

So that was it… not only was Genesis testing Sephiroth himself, but also challenging him with the force of the Ring backing him.

"We will destroy them as we did last time. But this time, they'll be gone forever."

Genesis turned away again as Sephiroth spoke. "I'm leaving so I don't have to watch anyone else suffer," his voice grew angry as he spoke, "I've had enough of suffering."

As if guided by mere instinct, Sephiroth moved forward, past Genesis- blocking his path.

"I won't let you go."

Genesis looked up. "Sephiroth..."

"I won't."

Genesis stepped closer to Sephiroth and wrapped his arm around him. The familiar scent of Banora White apples and cinnamon washed over Sephiroth and he returned the embrace gratefully.

"I don't want to be alone again... so don't go unless there's really no other way."

Genesis caught Sephiroth in a tender kiss, and smiled, lips against his lover's neck, trying to comfort his lover. "I'm so sorry, Sephiroth... but there's no way... it's too late..."

The Silver General only tightened his embrace. "I can't let you go."

Genesis kissed him again. "I know."

"I don't want to live without you."

"I know." This time Genesis looked up at Sephiroth, eyes slowly filling with tears. "I'm so sorry, Songbird... I just... I couldn't wait any longer... everything hurt so much."

"Isn't there anything I could do?"

Genesis' tears spilled over. They burned like fire on Sephiroth's shoulder.

"They hurt me, Sephiroth... in the way I thought... I'd never be hurt again." The tears flowed freely as he admitted this. "I couldn't fight back... I couldn't... they laughed at me... they wouldn't let me go... Zack was begging for me and I couldn't help him... they forced me to watch them hurt him."

Fury boiled up within Sephiroth, but the General didn't let it get the better of him.

"They knew you were coming. When the Lummox came, I knew you'd come too... they specifically wanted to kill me... because they didn't want... they didn't..." Genesis' voice trailed off and Sephiroth felt Genesis' grasp on him tighten again.

"Didn't want what?" Sephiroth asked, softly.

"They didn't want you to find me alive."

Sephiroth pulled Genesis as close to him as he could. The Ring had truly wanted to take Genesis away from him. They had done everything in their power to make sure that they took Genesis away.

"Genesis, I won't let you go."

Genesis looked up, startled. "Sephiroth-"

"I can't."

Sephiroth slowly kissed away the tears. He felt Genesis shiver under him and he smiled. "I won't let you go. I'll drag you back if I must."

"Sephiroth... they'll kill us all."

Sephiroth looked his lover straight in the eyes. "No, they won't."

Genesis stepped away from his embrace, and he smiled a little. "It's going to be okay," he said, slowly, softly. He turned his head, then shook his head. "Promise me."

"It's going to be okay." Sephiroth confirmed.

Genesis was fading away now- and with him, the orchid around them was blending together, spinning faster and faster. In the chaos, Genesis' voice echoed softly, with a clear finality.

"And nothing shall forestall my return."

Those few words were all that was needed to made their dream shatter around them like glass.

A_ _ _N