Chapter Two – Old (fiends) friends?

The silence rang loudly in my ears. The red coated man just stared silently at me again. This seems to be my new normal. Just staring at strangers saying absolutely nothing. The only thing that gave away that the man, Genesis, in front of me was actually not a statue was him shifting slightly. His eyes still searching mine for answers which I just couldn't give him. Heck I didn't even know what was happening at all. Finally I gathered all my courage and decided to break the deafening silence between the both of us.

"Look I – I can't really explain anything right now. Hell, I don't even know what I'm doing here or if that potion was going to help but…" I paused at that breaking eye contact. "But I think it did…somehow." My eyes went to the SOLDIER 3rd lying a few meters away from us. "Is he okay?" Slowly I turned my head again to face the SOLDIER 1st rank and waited for his answer.

This question somehow seemed to snap Genesis out of his torpor and he began moving. But this time not into my direction but to the wounded black haired boy. He rummaged through his red coat until a green ball lingered in his hand. A cure. A materia. The magic in this world.

I couldn't make out what he said first but I was pretty sure that he just used the materia because Zack was being surrounded by a green shimmer which I had to concentrate on to really notice it. The SOLDIER inspected Zacks face again and then stood up dusting off his clothes, eyes still lingering on the teenager. A teen. Zack must still be a teen if I am this early in the game. And he fought this massive creature. How cruel.

"He will be fine. It won't take long for him to wake up from now. Which means we don't have that much time to talk about what just happened." With these words Genesis turned his full attention back onto me. I really didn't like where this was going. "What were these images?"

This caught me off guard. Images? Did he see the same things as I did when I had this massive headache? I laughed nervously at his question. "I don't really know which images you mea-"

Before I could even end my sentence he interrupted me not looking happy on bit. "Cut this crap. You know what I saw. And I know what you saw. Who was that guy fighting Sephiroth. No one can fight him. Even I am not able to defeat him while sparring with him. So answer my question – what was this?"

While saying these lines he again began walking into my direction getting at bit more threatening again. I needed to think of something quickly.

"W-Well I – He-." I was at a loss of word while hastily trying to get onto my feet. Every bone in my body hurt. But there were mor important matters in front of me right now. "This was what would have happened if you didn't heal."

Let's go with the truth – he'd probably see through any lie I would try to tell him by now. The man in front of me was on full alert and suspicion mode. Genesis didn't seem satisfied even on bit. He was still walking into my direction. I tried to take a step back but still one felt the concrete wall of the tunnels behind me. This meant I had absolutely no way to get out of this situation – well, I wouldn't be able to outrun him anyways. The speed he finished the first Behemoth with probably wasn't even him at full power. He only needed one spell and a few slashed and the beast went down like a sack of potatoes.

When the man came to a halt only a few centimeters before me I tried again. "If you didn't get healed from your degradation you would've turned your back on ShinRa and fulfilled Hollanders plans of a clone army. But he would've betrayed you. He lied to you when he said he has a cure for your degradation. He just wanted you to follow his orders like that…" I surprised myself with my calm and collected voice. Did I just say that?

"What year do we have?" The question left my mouth before I could even think about it. I played that game years ago – I don't even know what year things started to go downhill if he would answer my question. So I decided to correct myself.

"Well I mean – what is about to happen…?" I was unsure if he would answer me. Angry and confused eyes stared into mine. Scarred and confused eyes into his. He must've been startled by my answer and question because he needed a second to regain himself. I could literally see the gears grinding in his head. What I said must've really caught him off guard.

After another few seconds of silence he composed himself. "How would you know any of that?" Well this wasn't really the response I hoped for. Just when I was ready to try again something interrupted us. A grunt. Our heads turned to the other man present in the sewer. Zack.

The male began slowly sitting up and rubbed his head. "Man, that hurt." Slowly regaining consciousness Zack began to take in his surroundings. When his eyes locked on the Commanders threatening stance before me he jumped into action. "Whoa there – Commander Rhapsodos Sir – I found her in the sewers and she was being attacked – she didn't do anything if you're thinking anything like that." Zack stumbled to his feet and before he reached us the SOLDIER 1st already spoke up. "As if that woman could hurt anyone."

Genesis' demeanor changed quickly suddenly loosening up and taking a few steps back now shifting his attention back onto Zack. "What were you even doing down here – your mission was to take care of the monsters coming out of the sewers – not going on a solo-mission searching the cause of it." Hard and unyielding eyes now focused on the SOLDIER 3rd. Zack, again rubbing the back of his head, broke out in a nervous laughter. "Ah well yes – but then Lean here needed help – and how could I just ignore that. We're supposed to be heroes, right?"

Way to go Zack. Thank you for throwing my name out in the open.

Huffing Genesis turned back onto me. "I see."

And with that the commander turned around an began walking into the direction he came from before his coat softly swaying. I just stared dumbfounded after him. When I didn't make any moves to indicate to follow him Zack slowly waved his hand in front of my face. "Hey, we should follow him. Are you alright?" Again he grinned. Seems like he really was just a cheerful person.

"If you don't comply, I'll just leave you behind. Maybe another Behemoth is up for a snack. I won't save the both of you a second time."

These words were what got me and Zack moving immediately.

Little did I know of the small smirk that made its way on the face of Genesis Rhapsodos.

The way out of the sewers was pretty uneventful. Any opponent which crossed our path was directly taken out by the red commander himself. Zack complained a few time that he wanted to take on the enemies but Genesis was having none of that saying something along the lines of "I've already done enough babysitting for today. Don't make this any worse."

I stayed pretty much silent the whole way. My mind was razing with what to do after we left the sewers. I was still just comprehending that I somehow ended up in a video game and inwardly panicking. What should I do when we are outside. Would some ShinRa employees be already waiting for us? How would I explain my existence? I have no papers or ID or anything from this world. I was already glad that I was wearing a simple jeans and one colored shirt that didn't really stand out that much. Was I build the same way they were? Would they maybe run test on me and find out that I somehow just don't fit in with the rest of them?

"You seem pretty spooked. Have you never faced any monsters before? Where are you from?" I flinched a bit at Zacks voice directly next to me. "Ah sorry, I didn't mean to make you jump – haha." Again him rubbing the back of his head while nervously laughing. This seems to be a thing of his.

"Uhm- well I've met monsters before of cause. I just never had to battle them myself. Someone else was always taking care of that…" I mumbled under my breath realizing something. Where am I from? I should quickly make up a cover story but – what were all this places again?

Genesis must've noticed my loss for words since he decided to answer his question furthermore.

"She's from Banora, just like me."

At that Zacks eyes widened. "So- you're something like childhood friends or what?" This piece of information got him pretty much exited. His impatient stare was locked onto me waiting for further explanations. "Uhm-"

"That would go a bit far, but one could put it like that."

I looked at the commander in pure horror. Was he just laying out a cover story for me which involved himself? This would only cause more questions in the future. Didn't he and Angeal grow up together in Banora? And I didn't know anything about Banora. Well at least the real Banora. What if someone asked me anything about it.

Zack slammed his fist into his head seemingly having a big revelation. Exited he turned to me eyes big and starry. "So you moved to Midgar to be closer to the commander again?" I stumbled a bit over my feet as Zack popped this question. After catching myself, not to embarrass myself anymore, I gaped wordlessly at the blackhead. The SOLDIER 1st seemed to be pretty much amused by this because he finally stopped walking and turned around to us. "Oh – is that so?" A smug grin on his face.

"I – no. Just as I said – I just wanted to start up my own business. You know, no one telling you how to do this or that and no one getting to close for comfort or things like that- plus it'd be good money-" I tried to maintain my part of the cover story. Damn you Genesis Rhapsodos Where are you going with this?

"Well you were never one to listen to others, weren't you, Lean?"

Oh first name basis. I can work with that.

"Ah well, better than ending up as ShinRas lapdog, Genesis." That one was a low blow considering the circumstances. Especially his circumstances. The auburn haired SOLDIER came to a halt.

Okay, this was not a good idea. He was just trying to give me a cover up and I immediately throw this at him? "Not that it's a bad thing, but just not my way of work. And I'm not really a fan of ShinRa. But please don't take this personal." I looked at Zack, curious how he'd react to this. There was genuine surprise on his face, that I could tell. "What? But – SOLDIERs are heroes." I wasn't sure if this was a question or a statement.

"Hmm – I never said otherwise. It's just the company's management I'm not really convinced off." At least I hope this will calm him down a bit. Then my eyes wandered to the SOLDIER 1st that didn't really say anything to my comment before. "Can the both of you just hurry up. I don't have all the time in the world." His voice sounded even more annoyed than before, but he did not say anything about the lapdog thing. It seemed like I was in the clear. At least for now.

After a few more left an right turns there was a light at the end of the tunnels. Daylight finally. I exhaled a bit, happy about finally getting out of here and breath a bit of air for what felt like forever. When we finally stepped outside of the sewer my happiness immediately disappeared. I looked up at the sky and got reminded of one thing: I was definitely in Midgar. Above me I could clearly make out the Platform of the upper sectors and the giant lightbulbs that I interpreted as "daylight".

I was really here. In a game. With Zack and Genesis. I just couldn't wrap my head around it. It all felt so unreal. Then I could make out some clacking sounds an footsteps which sounded like people in armor running. I looked in the direction and made out the cause of this sound. ShinRa employees coming our way. I absentmindedly took a few steps which was stopped by Genesis. His arm lingered only a few seconds on mine but I understood the warning behind this. I was to stay here and let him handle it. At least that's what I thought.

"Commander." The workers saluted in front of him. Genesis sneered a bit. "I thought I said I don't need any backup, didn't I?" Due to the helmets I wasn't really able to tell the look on their faces but one could see their bodies shifting slightly seemingly nervous.

"Sir. Commander Hewley send us here after Zack Fair disappeared." I could've imagined it but I was sure the SOLDIER saying that was shaking a bit. "Tch- then consider your mission completed and report back to the HQ." with that and a swift motion of his hand he send them on their merry way.

Then again there were only the three of us. Just as Genesis was about to say something, the ground began shaking again. Really? This can't be possible? I turned around facing the tunnel again and for sure, there were now two Behemoths running at us again.

Zack was the one who stepped in front of me immediately his sword ready for a fight. Genesis stepped next to him. "Well you wanted another training session, didn't you. Here you go." And with that both of them engaged into the fight.

When I watches the both of them fight a simple thought came into mind. The were distracted enough for me to maybe slip away unnoticed. I knew one thing – if I wanted to do this, I had to decide on it now because the SOLDIER 1st wouldn't need much time for the Behemoth just like the ones before. If I remember correctly the tunnel ended just before the slums of sector seven. Which means the train station and the train graveyard aren't too far either. From here I could see the small playground before sector seven so I knew which way to go. I've made my decision. Quickly but as quietly as possible I tried to blend into the mass of people coming near to look what was up. Just what I needed right now. As soon as I was sure that I wasn't in plain sight for them anymore I broke out into a sprint into the direction of the slums of sector seven. Next thing on my mind finding a place to hide for a bit.

After I was sure that I should've gotten far away enough for now I came to a halt in a narrow alley. I hid behind some boxes and a lot of trash. The smell wasn't that great but I'd take it for now. First things first I tried to calm down my heart beating in my chest. It felt like it would pop out of my chest any second from now. Resting my head against the brick wall of a house I closed my eyes trying to make sense of everything that happened. Somehow I got into this game. I met Zack on the way and the main antagonist of crisis core: Genesis. With some mysterious substance I seemingly healed his degradation – or at least it looked like it for now. And now I was on the run from him.

This all seems absolutely crazy to me. After a few minutes my breathing calmed down a bit and I was able to open my eyes again. I couldn't change my situation right now- at least I didn't know how to. So I needed to focus on the things I had to do for now.

Get away from ShinRa – check

Find some place to sleep for the night: mission started.

I laughed at that not believing my own confidence right now. That was when I heard footsteps coming my way down the alley – it couldn't be that they already found me, could it?

Bracing myself for the worst I froze. The steps came to a stop. Then the boxes I hid behind were shoved to the side.

"Ah I knew I heard someone down here."

That definitely wasn't Genesis or Zack. This was the voice of an older woman. My head turned to her. There before me stood a girl in her teens with brown hair and a red headband. A younger Jessie.

"Hi there!" The woman smiled at me.

"uh- hi." Was the only thing I could bring out right now.

"You're hiding or something? Did anything happen? You look a bit roughened up." The smile never left her face and it somehow made me feel a little bit more save.

"I just came to Midgar and was already attacked by some monsters near the sewers and well – that's that." I gave her a weak smile hoping she'd be satisfied. Jessie was a nice girl in the games, she would never tell ShinRa anything about me. And maybe she could even help me out getting a place to stay for now.

"That sounds bad." She paused a bit "So you're new here?"

I began standing up when she asked me that question. "Yes, I am." After pausing for a bit I continued. "And I don't have a place to sleep for tonight for now. Or a place to work at. I know you don't really know me but do you maybe know a place that would let me stay there if I worked there in exchange?" My eyes were silently pleading her.

Jessies right hand went onto her chin and she looked concentrated. "Hmmm". Then she snapped her finger in an 'I got it' kind of way and her eyes twinkled. "I may just know the right place for you. Come on."

Before I could even register what happened she grabbed my arm and literally dragged me with her. "Marle seems a bit tough at the beginning but actually she's a really nice person." Jessie began describing someone. "And lucky for you she's also a really nice landlord that might just need some help with the apartments."

We came to a stop before a building with six apartments. At the bottom of it stood a woman maybe in her fifties with light greyish hair.

"Hey Marle" Jessie waved at her and came to a full stop in front of her, nearly making me crash into her. "Well hello Jessie. What are you up to again." The woman, Marle, grumbled making Jessie laugh again.

"You remember how you complained about needing some help with the apartments and the work bound with it? I just found the solution." Jesse gave me a small push and I stumbled two feet forward. "H-Hello. My name's Lean. And I'm searching for work." I introduced myself. This got me a hit in the back from Jessies elbow. "Ah- ouch. And a place to sleep."

I side eyed Jessie and this seemed to have satisfied her.

"Hmmm. You can clean?"

"Yes"

"Are you skilled in craftmanship?"

At that I paused. "I can do basic stuff. And I am willing to do my best with everything else." I pressed my eyes shut hoping that would be enough.

"What's your opinion on ShinRa?"

Now that question didn't really surprise me but I decided to be cautious on that one. "I'm not really that fond of them…"

"Hm. I guess you would do. Alright you can sleep in the apartment up there number six if you do some daily chores like fix broken things, take out the trash and some basic cleaning."

My eyes shot open. I couldn't believe my ears. It was really that simple to gain the peoples trust down here? First Jessie then this woman Marle. "I can do that." I promised her.

With that the woman searched for something in her pocket. Then she gave me a small silver key with the number 6 printed on it. It was nearly washed away. "You can start tomorrow at eight in the morning."

With that she waved us away with one of her hands and focused on some other tasks. I still couldn't believe it that she was okay with this. "I knew she'd cave in. You know- it's somehow a trait of her. Taking in young woman and making sure they are alright." Suddenly Jessies eyes widened a bit. "Oh shit. I really have to go- I totally forgot about my rehearsal. I'll see you around and don't get yourself in trouble Lean." She waved goodbye at me while running somewhere. But she turned around one last time "And by the way- the name is Jessie!"

To say the auburn haired 1st class SOLDIER was furious was the understatement of the century. Huffing in annoyance he scribbled down the report of his last mission, still not believing how he could've let the woman slip away like that. One second he was fighting the Behemoths with Zack and the next second the blonde haired woman was already missing. The fight caused quite the commotion attracting more and more people. When the Turks arrived shortly after, he knew he couldn't go after her without raising any suspicion. Surely, he wanted to but first things first he wanted to know how the woman seemingly cured his degradation and her being on the Turks radar before he had a chance to talk to her in private just wouldn't do. Again huffing the man stood up, pushed his chair back vigorously and ran his hand through his hair – things like that just didn't happen to him. He was a SOLDIER 1st class after all. With an angry sigh Genesis crumbled the paper in his hand and threw it into the trashcan. Well, at least it was supposed to go there. The ball of paper landed right on the edge of the trash can and as if it wanted to taunt him, fell onto the floor in front of him with a slight bounce. This was the last straw. The man readied himself to fire away at it with his materia which probably would've ended in a disaster if the knock on his office door hadn't stopped him.

"Enter!"

Genesis nearly shouted this words but he knew he had to get a grip on himself. In the eyes of everyone else this mission was child's play for a SOLDIER like him. Still a bit on edge but trying to regain himself Genesis focused on the person entering his office and immediately relaxed when he realized who it was.

Angeal.

The dark haired greeted him with a smile and the mention of his name. Genesis plopped back down into his chair shoving away the empty paper in front of him and nearly throwing down the pen in his hand. This didn't go unnoticed by his friend. Angeal crossed his arms and looked down at the restless commander. "Seems like you're a bit upset, Genesis." His stare only intensifying "I haven't seen you like this often.".

Said man turned around in his chair, his back facing Angeal now as if to hide his frustrated face. "Having to work with your protégé was probably the trigger for this. Hero this – honor there. How do you endure him all day long?" With these words he turned back around – it wasn't like he was lying, Zack could be a pain in the ass sometimes and Genesis has no patience for something like that. The raven slightly chuckled at that.

"You get used to it." His friend looked at him doubtfully. "And being a little less serious helps, too." Angeal added. When taking a step further into the office his foot kicked at the paper ball on the floor the rustling getting Angeal's attention. When the man went to pick up the paper Genesis winced inwardly. The trashcan had already been filled with at least the 7th attempt of a report of the mission, the paper in Angeal's hand being the 8th. As if his friend knew, he began to smoothen the paper with his hands and reading the words on it. With the humming sound he made Genesis knew immediately which words caught his attention.

Unknown civilian.

"You know, Zack was quite excited when he returned from the mission. Talking on and on about the four Behemoths in the Midgar sewers…" his eyes left the paper in his hand and went into full contact with Genesis's eyes "and the woman he saved.". Angeal waited for Genesis to give him a response. Something was up. Knowing his friend was going somewhere with this, the red commander instead waited for him to continue. Sighing Angeal gave in. "Well, he tried to correct himself right after telling me about her but I've known him for a few days now and I know when one of my students slips up." The tone in his voice was neutral but for Genesis was clear to see that something was bothering Angeal. With his elbows on the table and his hands crossed, chin resting on them Genesis finally answered his friend. Though it was not the answer Angeal was hoping for.

"So? What do you want to tell me?" he instead questioned him.

Shaking his head slightly Angeal ripped up the paper in his hands and threw it into the trash can. "I can respect you having secrets, Genesis. We're friends and I trust you with the things you do." That was the part that was meant to appease him beforehand. "But –" Angeal continued "I would be delighted if you would keep my students out of them." The words itself could be interpreted as a hard statement but from the look on the ravens face Genesis could see the softness in his eyes. His friend was asking him, not telling him what to do. "Anyways. You can count yourself lucky that he let it slip to me. The Turks would've been another problem."

"Angeal – I…" it wasn't that often that Angeal would see his friend in a state like that. He knew something must've happened during that mission but Genesis wasn't ready to talk right now. He'd just have to wait till he talked by himself. So he held up a hand to stop Genesis from talking. "It's okay, really. I told Zack I would take care of the report with you since you would be pretty upset about this whole ordeal." He crossed his arms again. "He's already scarred enough of you and him slipping up only made him more nervous. But I'm quite sure he won't tell someone else about this 'unknown civilian', okay?" Genesis shoulders relaxed visibly and a "thank you" left his lips. One less problem to take care about.

Letting his arms rest beside him now Angeal relaxed too. "Not for that. But-" now the raven head was a bit unsure himself but seemed to find the words he was searching for. "You know you can trust me too, right? Whatever happened, you come talk to me. Don't ever think that I will betray you." Seemingly finished with his talk Angeal turned around and faced the door, hand hovering above the doorknob. But he paused when Genesis started talking. "The woman." Again Genesis turned around now facing the windows behind his desk. "If anyone asks about her she's from Banora. We met her about half a year before we left for SOLDIER, alright? You still remember that abandoned house in the woods? She lived there while she never really mingled with people there. Most of them not really knowing she was there. We don't know much a about her but saved her a few times from monsters. Alright?" He didn't turn around to face his friend. Angeal was surprised by the sudden change of heart Genesis had. The last few weeks Genesis shut him and Sephiroth out not really talking much. Sometimes he even saw him clenching his shoulder in what was probably pain but when they tried talking to him he just went his way quoting LOVLESS not giving answers. So now him opening up to him and trusting him enough to ask to lie for him was something else. In order not to waste the opportunity of strengthening this friendship again, Angeal knew what to do.

"You know this is a pretty frail cover story you made up there? What if the Turks find out where she's really from?" Before consenting to this he had to make sure Genesis knows what he's doing. With a loud sigh Genesis turned around. "Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess." Angeal should've known, trying to retain from rolling his eyes he crossed his arms again. The auburn haired man now stared at him. No, not directly at him, more like the space he was at but not really focusing. Genesis was in deep thought. After a short break his voice hung in the air again. "I know this might sound strange but, the look on her face when that Behemoth turned up." Now his eyes did focus directly onto Angeal's. "It was like she's never seen a monster before." At that Angeal was surprised a bit himself. "By what Zack said, she didn't even try to defend herself from a Grashtrike. Didn't even try to run." At that Angeal nodded understanding. "And now you want to investigate?" He still felt like something was missing but to hell, after weeks his friend was finally talking to him again and if solving a mystery about some girl in the sewers is what it takes to get his friend back then Angeal wasn't getting in his way. "I'll try looking for her this evening after work. I doubt that she left Midgar already. But first I need to fill out an unsuspecting report. So, are you in?"

"In that case you should probably burn these." With his head Angeal motioned to the trash bin. "One never knows who snoops around in this place." With these words and a soft smile on his face he left Genesis office.

Though with his SOLDIER hearing he was quite sure he heard Genesis casting a "fire" after cursing at him. Well, at least he took his suggestion to heart.