The First Step (Zack)

[Genesis Rhapsodos]

Genesis Rhapsodos glanced at the barren land before him. It was the desolate waste that lay all around Midgar and now all around Edge. Edge, Genesis had discovered, was the name of the new city that replaced Midgar when it fell into ruins. With the events concerning Omega, Midgar was now even in more of a disarray. Midgar, that had been the headquarters of Shinra. Shinra...how Genesis hated that company! If he had never been left in the dark, he might've been more likely to accept what he was. Instead, he got the shock of his life to discover he was nothing more than a failed experiment and because of the failure, he had been degrading. The degradation had threatened to end his life much sooner than he would have liked. Yet, somehow, Genesis had prevailed. His will to find a cure and recover his pride as a SOLDIER were all that had driven him and it proved fruitful. It was all really thanks to Angeal's pupil, Zack that Genesis managed it. Without his friends and without Zack, Genesis would've never discovered the true gift of the goddess and would've never been allowed to walk the Planet once again.

Pale blue eyes scanning the terrain, Genesis wondered where Zack was right now. No doubt, the hyperactive puppy would be surprised to see Genesis still around. After all, it had been unclear whether or not Shinra would have allowed Genesis to live after having gone rogue. He did hear rumor of what may have happened to Zack though. Apparently, some time after their battle, Zack got killed for resisting capture.

"Ripples form on the water's surface."

Genesis always had a habit of quoting LOVELESS, even now. As he stood there, Genesis wondered how the world would greet him. It had been a very long time since last he walked the Planet in the open. All this time, he had been sealed away below Midgar by his own accord. Now, now was the time for him to be awake. Here, in this present time, Angeal and Sephiroth were no longer able to protect the Planet. Angeal, Genesis still had yet to discover his whereabouts. He knew that Sephiroth had managed to find means to come back to life. If that was the case, then most likely Angeal would be able to as well. How his friends would greet him, Genesis could only wonder.

"I will not be surprised if Sephiroth would wish to kill me when next he sees me." Oh, that much Genesis knew to be true. If it weren't for Genesis, Sephiroth might have never fallen into madness and become the monster that he was now. He would not be a terrible shadow that overwhelmed what his former self had been. In a way, Genesis blamed himself for what had happened to Sephiroth. His envy, anger and desperation had caused him to break the mind of a once great friend. It was true that Genesis was jealous of Sephiroth's fame and skills but Genesis never intended to actually do something to that extent to Sephiroth. Unfortunately, during his state of instability because of what had been happening to him during his degradation, he had harmed a friend. The only way that he could redeem himself was to put an end to anything that threatened this very world. Right now, that seemed to be the PSICOM and whatever else these strange beings were that weren't of this world.

Maybe someone who has been here for some time would know what their dealings were? From afar, he had been simply observing the situation at hand. It was best to study and then formulate a plan to stop whatever it was that was causing what seemed to be the world's instability. Yet, the Planet did not seem to cry out as if it were in great pain or peril. If it did, the whole land and those on it would know. The Planet was alive, after all. Everyone was a piece of it that were a part of an endless cycle to this very world. If this world were to perish, so would those that lived here. Everything and everyone would cease to exist, including himself. Even the spirits that were now a part of the Lifestream would forever go away and so would the goddess, Minerva. Genesis's redemption would be to protect life on this Planet and the very Planet itself. By doing so, it would prevent such a thing from happening.

How to do it though? That was something that eluded Genesis. Movement caught his attention and Genesis turned towards it, his expression neutral and unreadable as he looked to find what or who it was that had arrived. He made no move for his rapier for the time being. There was no need to use it unless he had to. Right now, Genesis was located on the cliff where Zack had died. Genesis, of course, did not know this fact. However, he did know that where he was standing, it would not have been all that difficult for someone to have spotted him.

[Zack Fair]

So much had happened in the relatively short time he had been brought back to life. So much...like being turned into a l'cie, his newfound relationship with Tifa, turning into a monster, and coming back to 'life' once more. More then that though, finding his parents alive and well, a shop and house he had fixed up, and...a dog. Still, even with all that, Zack was still out here doing a mission for ShinRa. When he had been l'cie, he had agreed to Rufus Shinra's proposal to join 'SOLDIER reborn'. After he had failed...or refused rather, to complete his focus and destroy ShinRa and had been brought back to life, Rufus had insisted that he was still under contract for the two years he had signed up for. One more year to go. And so here he was, scrounging around the ruins of Midgar for some project Hojo had been working on before the destruction of Midgar. Zack would rather be just about anywhere else beside here right now. Hojo wasn't exactly his favorite person in the world, and besides, he had better things to do then run all over the planet for this piece. Not that the ruins of Midgar were all the way across the planets...but the principle was still there.

Muttering out to himself, Zack wiped his forehead to clear the sweat away and tugged once more at the rubble pile he was rooting around in. This was the ruins of the old Midgar building alright. He would know this place anywhere. Currently he was in what had to be Hojo's old lab. Creepy as all hell, that was how he knew. Shuddering, Zack finally got the meta piece to move, before his hand slipped. Having taken off gloves to feel better, Zack sucked in a breath at the cut he got across his hand. Clasping his second hand around his first, Zack cursed and gave up for the moment, before going to sit on the edge of the building, sitting with his legs dangling out, looking across the city. Zack had brought a pair of binoculars for curiosity reasons and put them up by his eyes to check out the ruins from his bird’s eye view. Skimming across the city ruins, Zack noticed a shadowy figure standing on the ledge where he had died that first time.

"What the..."

It sparked his curiosity, so much so that he found himself tucking away his binoculars and hopping out the window of the building he was on. Feeling the air rushing by him, he grinned and saw the ground looming. Landing quickly on one arm, one leg extended behind him, Zack picked himself up and swaggered off like he hadn't just jumped from a building. Turning himself around until he found his bike, Zack hopped on and revved the engine a few times, liking the feeling of power beneath him. A second later he was off, expertly maneuvering through the rubble of the city around him. No wonder Cloud had him a bike. And this was a heck of a lot nicer then Cissy's bike, that was for sure.

Heading out of town, Zack went the quickest route toward where he had seen the shadowy figure. Riding up the terrain, Zack skidded to a stop a bit before the place he had died. Shutting off the bike and leaning it on the kickstand, he started off the remaining bit on foot, weary of what he might find up here. Creepy figure up on 'his' ledge...odd. Lengthening out his stride until he was at a run, Zack rounded a bend and stared at the red clad figure in front of him, skidding to a stop in surprise. “Genesis?!” Zack hadn’t thought he would ever see the other fellow Ex-SOLDIER after he’d left him on that chair all those years ago…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Words:; 809
Muse:; Great!
Tagged:; Genesis
Location:; Place of death
Outfit:; Click here!
Notes:; None!
Listening to:; Second to None - Styles of Beyond

[Genesis Rhapsodos]

Genesis could hear the distinct sound of what appeared to be the engine of a motorcycle. Quirking an eyebrow, Genesis turned his gaze towards the source. It wasn't easy to see who the figure had been astride it since the bike had gone around the bend just now. He could tell that it was coming closer to where he was. Patiently, Genesis stayed put. If it proved to be an enemy, he would apprehend them accordingly. Genesis was not afraid of conflict and would not hesitate should he feel the need. Something stayed his hand however, as he had placed it upon the handle of his Rapier.

Sure enough, as the engine became so loud that it had to be nearby, Genesis kept his head turned towards where he was sure the noise was coming from. Neither Zack nor Genesis could see one another considering there had been a rock formation in the way. It wasn't until the sound of the engine dying out that Genesis knew whomever was on the bike was now on their way here.

Calm and collected, Genesis kept his hand on the hilt of his sword. If he should have to unsheathe it, he would be able to within half a second's notice. Pale blue eyes narrowing a little, Genesis listened for the sound of footfalls. It was faint but he was sure someone was coming. As the sound gradually got louder, Genesis saw a shadow and then, he saw the owner of it. Standing there, looking shocked, was none other than Zack. Hearing the hyperactive pup speak his name, Genesis finally turned slowly to face him. He kept his hand on his hilt considering the fact that Genesis was not yet sure how Zack would react to him. They had fought a number of times before although their last parting had not been unpleasant, things remained yet to be seen.

"Well, if it isn't Zack, First Class SOLDIER." He made no move, staying put. It was evident by the subtle hints upon Genesis's face that he was surprised to see Zack here as well. According to information he had picked up on, reports had said that Zack had been MIA. Yet, here he was, alive and well.

"I see you're still around. It has been years, has it not?" He gave a bit of a smirk then right after he had said this. The narrow of his eyes now gone. At least, for the moment, Genesis was a little delighted to be seeing a familiar face. However, it was unclear as to whether or not the two of them could be friendly. He was generally curious how long he had put himself into crystal stasis and how much things had changed. He had picked up on pieces of information but not all of it was all that informal. He did, however, know that he had finally been awakened to take up the pedestal that Angeal and Sephiroth now left empty for him.

As he stood there, he did look Zack up and down. He was taking in Zack's over all appearance and generally sizing him up. It looked as though he hadn't changed much since he had last seen him. Still, that did not mean time hadn't passed. Genesis was well aware that it had considering the ruins that Midgar had been in and a new city lay on the very edge of it all. There was a lot to learn of the events that had taken place since his self stasis. Maybe Zack would be willing to fill him in? That is, if Zack wasn't about to get into a fight with him although Genesis wouldn't mind the idea of testing Zack's strength just to see how much stronger either of them had become.

[Zack Fair]

Zack couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Standing there staring, he felt some odd feelings at seeing the auburn haired male that was standing there beside his gravesite. It also might be a bit eerie feeling because he was standing right beside his own grave place. Yeeeeeaah, pretty creepy! But there, of course, was the fact that Genesis was perfectly healthy, standing here watching the ruins of Midgar. Though he had been expecting someone to be up here, it sure hadn’t been Genesis Rhapsodos that he had expected. He was so shocked that he had skidded to a stop and was just standing there staring at the man. And the first thing he could think of was that Genesis still had an obsession with the color red and capes. Yeah…he really had too much of an obsession in this area. Poor guy. Zack was going to have to give him some fashion tips one of these days. He was sure that would go over really well. Especially with the earrings the other man had going on. Real manly.

He noticed the hand on the hilt of his sword, and instantly Zack bristled a little bit, his own hand itching to reach back and grab his own sword. Still, he did no such thing, simply allowing it to hang on there where it was on his back. If he needed it, then he could always get it away from his back. He was confident that even if Genesis attacked him, he would have no real problem with taking the slightly older man down. Sure, a few of the times they had fought had been when Genesis had been weaker and degrading, but he had also fought him when he had been infused with the goddess material. Zack didn’t figure that Genesis could get any stronger than that, so he was safe as for right now. That could be arrogant thinking, but hey, one had to have confidence in their own fighting abilities.

He was still as formal as ever. Instead of allowing his arms to reach back and grab his sword, he crossed them over his chest and watched the man that had been so much trouble for him when he had been a SOLDIER. The Genesis copies and the man itself had caused him much heartache. Hojo was the main cause behind the events that had happened, but if Genesis hadn’t been so arrogant that he thought he could take on Sephiroth on his own and obtained that wound, he wouldn’t have started to degrade, nor would he have figured out the truth, which meant that Sephiroth would never have become obsessed with this idea of being a monster over what Genesis had told him. While thinking of that entire chain of events, Zack realized he might never have had to die and Cloud never would have had to go through the events that had led to him having so many internal demons.

He managed to get a hold of himself then, if just a little. Zack found it hard to hate this man, he really did find it hard. Despite what this man had caused, Zack realized that there was still good in him. After all, hadn’t Zack himself helped the other man to regain his SOLDIER honor there at the end? And besides that, Genesis had been a hero to the younger man when he had just joined ShinRa. He, Sephiroth, and Angeal had been those three figures that all the men wished they could be like. And look at what had happened to the heroes. Still, he had to admit, it was good…seeing a face from the ‘old days.’ Back before this era of people that had seemed to forget the good that the now crazy or deceased men had accomplished. That included he himself. “Yeah, it’s been awhile Genesis. What? Four years? Five? Haven’t really been around until just recently. Kinda hard to be around when you’re dead,” he said with a bit of a grin. As much as they had been at odds, Zack wished that they could at least be civil to each other. Their histories had been intertwined so much….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Words:; 852
Muse:; Great!
Tagged:; Genesis
Location:; Grave place!
Outfit:; That one I linked?
Notes:; --
Listening to:; Give It To Me - 3 Doors Down

[Genesis Rhapsodos]

Genesis had heard rumor that it had been where he was standing where Zack had supposedly fought the Shinra troops. It was said around here that he may not have survived. Even still, Genesis didn't believe it until he had some form of evidence. Apparently, that evidence was now standing there before him looking just as surprised as he felt when Zack arrived. Neither of them moved. Genesis could see that Zack had recognized where his hand had been. If anything, it was a bit of a test to see if Zack held any grudge towards him and would draw his weapon. It was also a way for Genesis to also keep himself protected should Zack decided to lash out at him. After all, he couldn't tell for sure if the brunette would hate him despite their final parting.

When Zack made no move,although he could see a hint of caution on Zack ever so subtly, Genesis knew he could relax. This wouldn't be that bad of an encounter. So, when Zack spoke, Genesis allowed his arm to rest at his side away from the blade. He had been a different man in the past. Now was different. Genesis, although still arrogant, was more mindful of the pain he had caused. It was time for him to set things right and redeem himself for what he had done. This, in a way, was the first step to mending things. Of course, probably not completely but that was to be expected. At least he couldn't say he never tried.

Listening to what Zack was saying, apparently it had been a good four to five years already. It wasn't easy for Zack to know for sure since he had apparently been dead. Genesis's eyebrows rose slightly before returning to normal at that. "So you have died..." he trailed off. "Yet, nothing forestalled your return either, I see. As neither had Sephiroth's."

"I'm not with the times myself. Since last you saw me, I have obtained the gift of the goddess. Due to her chivalry, I was given a second chance at life." Zack might not understand what the hell he was talking about but Genesis felt a bit relieved to at least see someone he once knew. Granted, it had been Zack, one of the ones he didn't get along with all that well considering what happened when Genesis discovered the truth about himself and the other two but it was still a face that seemed civil for the time being.

"There is much to catch up on and so little time to do much of anything with so much to do. One wonders where to begin at times like this. One thing that has me curious is to how it is you have returned if you had once been dead?" he inquired, looking over at Zack carefully for an answer. Of course, that didn't mean that Zack might give it but for now, they were on civil terms. Chances are, things could be mended between them if only a little bit. Genesis did owe Zack for having restored his pride as a SOLDIER and helped him not just stop degrading by causing the events with Minerva but also for having fulfilled his childhood dream.

[Zack Fair]

Zack kept forgetting that Genesis hadn’t been around to realize what had all been happening. As evident when he seemed to be mulling over the information that he had died. Come to think of it, Zack hadn’t known at all where Genesis had been this whole time. That was probably a good idea to figure out, because he was just about as curious as he could possibly be. Hell, Genesis might have been a pain in his backside, but he was a part of his history. “Yeah, ShinRa finally tracked me down. I realized I couldn’t keep dragging Cloud around and hope to ever solve anything, so I hid him away and went to face the army. Come to find out, they sent every soldier they could come up with to kill me.” Zack simply left it at that. If Genesis wanted to know more, he could ask about it.

And Sephiroth too… Zack had seen him a few times, but every time they had been able to stave him off and send him back to the lifestream where he belonged. Yet each time Zack realized that they would probably be seeing the menace again. “Let’s hope Sephiroth will one day stop returning,” he mentioned firmly. Hell, the man had been his hero and comrade at one time, but nothing remained of the man he had known as a friend beyond the outer physical shell of the man. No, his brain was warped and bent, a demon in a human body. Every time he thought of the man and how he had been a friend, Zack was saddened. It was hard when you watched those you cared about slowly twist and let the darkness overtake them.

Still, he was a forgiving man. Even though Genesis had caused more trouble than Zack could keep track of, involving Sephiroth’s decent to the darkness and perhaps even Zack’s death, he held no real grudge against the man. After all, he had simply been reacting to knowledge he had learned, attacking others in an attempt to remain himself. What’s to say Zack wouldn’t have done the same had he been in Genesis’ shoes.

He didn’t quite understand how Genesis had gotten a second chance at life, but the mention of the goddess was all too familiar to him. Zack had heard LOVELESS quoted so many times he had wanted to burn every copy of the book when he had been chasing Genesis down. Now, he held a bit more appreciation for the book and the poem that Genesis lived his life according to. And Zack was genuinely happy to see a face that he knew. He had been somewhat lost himself when he had been brought back to life, so he could understand how Genesis might feel. “Where were you all these years?”, he asked calmly.

Of course, Genesis asked the question Zack knew he wanted to know. Why had he been brought back to life. “You know Genesis, I haven’t quite figured that out myself yet,” he said slowly, deep in thought. “Sometimes I have different ideas. The one was that I had been brought back to help defeat Sephiroth again. Or perhaps it was just Minerva’s way of saying thanks for, you know, saving the world a few times. I don’t really know.” Zack hadn’t really put much stock in Minerva and the whole ‘gift of the goddess’ stuff Genesis seemed to live by, but there while in the lifestream, he had thought he’d seen her face right before he had been brought back to earth. “Maybe she’s just playing a trick on me, or maybe she isn’t involved at all, ya know? She’s more of a Genesis Rhapsodos thing, not a Zack Fair thing to believe in.”

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Words:; 798
Muse:; Great!
Tagged:; Genesis
Location:; Old Grave
Outfit:; The one I linked!
Notes:; --
Listening to:; Seize the Day - Avenged Sevenfold

[Genesis Rhapsodos]

It was a very curious thing to hear Shinra had been after Zack, one of their SOLDIER. Then again, as he thought back to the past, Genesis recalled that he and Cloud Strife had been experiments that had been injected with S cells. Due to their uncooperative state, Genesis didn't doubt that the company would've gone after them. They probably thought they had another rogue SOLDIER on their hands that they had to eliminate. It was of no surprise though that Zack had stated the company had brought every single soldier of their's to bring him down. However, he did smile at that.

"Like any true SOLDIER..." he trailed off.

It was then that Zack stated that he hoped Sephiroth would one day stop returning, that they should all hope this but Genesis merely shook his head. "...Nothing can forestall his return. He is like that of a cockroach. No matter how many times you think you've defeated him, he will come back again and again..." Genesis closed his eyes briefly, silently regretting what he had done in the past to have caused Sephiroth's downfall. He had caused one of his closest friends great pain and sent him off the deep end. Truly, Genesis had a lot to make up for it. This was but the first step to his redemption. Whether Zack were an ally in this or not, Genesis would still do what he had returned to do. He would protect this world.

The silence was broken when Zack asked him where he had been all this time. Genesis opened his eyes again and looked to him then,his expression unreadable. "As I've stated before,nothing shall forestall my return." Genesis was still full of LOVELESS quotes, no doubt but he kept them to a minimum at present. "A viable question...I was taken by Weiss and Nero. The two had taken me to Deepground. It was there that they extracted cells from me and had spliced my genes with those SOLDIER. The colored Tsviets are fellow experiments created by Shinra as well as failed experiments since neither had the power of Sephiroth or I. When I had woken to find where they had taken me, they had tried to get me to join them but I refused. I hid away deep under Midgar's ruins, sealing myself in crystal stasis of my own doing. I made it so that I would only wake when I would be needed." Clearly, Zack would know the rest from that point on.

As Genesis listened to Zack's idea as to why he had been brought back, he gave a bit of a nod. He could understand if Zack didn't believe in Minerva like he had. Yet, it was clear by what Zack had said that most likely the Goddess had something in mind for Zack. Whether or not there was any real purpose to it remained yet to be seen. Maybe he was also chosen to help protect the Planet?

"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess." Looking back at Zack more fully, he wondered of the fellow SOLDIER's purpose. Well, ex-SOLDIER, at least that's what Genesis had figured. "Either way, there must be some kind of a purpose for you. If not, then you are simply blessed to have a second chance as well. Her generosity knows no bounds."

[Zack Fair]

Zack grinned somewhat wryly at Genesis when he mentioned that it had been what any true SOLDIER had done, before shifting the weight between his two feet and nodding slightly. “Yeah…I guess you could say that.” Hell, he had clung to his belief of SOLDIER honor that Angeal had instilled in him for so long, that he almost hadn’t been able to come up with any other reason to fight. The problem with that…was that SOLDIER’s had all practically given up on their pride and honor over the course of the years, until it was almost nonexistent, which made Zack sad. After all, he had based practically his entire life off a dream that hadn’t meant anything once he had finally obtained it. What good was being a first class SOLDIER if you had to track down your mentor to kill him? What good was it when you had to go against fellow comrades, and die for the position you had been given? Life sure didn’t seem fair at times.

The subject of Sephiroth was closely tied into that, causing him to sigh and shift his weight again, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. He had to say, Genesis sure hadn’t changed much over the course of the years and…whatever the hell he had been doing during that time. He was still messing with Zack’s head by quoting LOVELESS every third line, but he also had some others thrown in there too, so it wasn’t just mumbo jumbo poetry that Zack couldn’t honestly give one care for. He never had liked that poem…and the dislike had intensified over the course of their history together, to the point where hearing it almost made Zack cringe. It hadn’t meant to him what it had meant to Genesis. To Genesis, it meant freedom, while to Zack, it had meant lack of that freedom. That poem, in relation to Genesis, had been a major reason why his death had taken place. “We’ll just have to be there, stomping down the monster that was created,” he agreed heavily. Sephiroth had been his hero growing up, and had been his comrade later on, a man that Zack thought he could trust with his life! But…that hadn’t turned out to be the case in the end.

Genesis’ tale was quite the tale. Zack listened thoughtfully. He had heard the terms and names that Genesis was talking about, but he had never had the…pleasure of meeting any of the members of Underground. Actually, it had just been something that Tifa had mentioned in passing, not really too much of something he had spent a lot of time dealing with, so though he knew the basics, he wasn’t sure exactly what they were after. “Well that all sounds real exciting, ya know Genesis? They must have wanted your pretty black wing,” he said with a grin. Sometimes, he just couldn’t help himself, and around Genesis those usually showed through.

How fitting, that Genesis would quote LOVELESS yet again to answer his own question. Sometimes Zack felt like facepalming over Genesis being unable to talk without inserting parts of that poem, but instead he just shook his head slightly. He had no real way of knowing if he had any sort of purpose or not, but it would be a nice thing to know if he did have one, that was for sure. “Hell, maybe it involves the same thing it does you,” he pointed out with a shrug. “I dunno, but I guess my stock in this whole thing is just that I’m alive and I’m happy to be alive. I don’t need a purpose as long as I get to be happy for a little while, you know? We've dealt with enough crap to deserve a little happiness.” Happiness…one of the hardest things to obtain, at least for an Ex-SOLDIER.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Words:; 836
Muse:; Good!
Tagged:; Genesis
Location:; Death place
Outfit:; That one I linked!
Notes:; --
Listening to:; If You're not in it for love (I'm outta here) - Shania Twain <-- don't ask

[Genesis Rhapsodos]

It was common knowledge that none of the SOLDIER had been easy to take down. Any true SOLDIER would've taken all of Shinra to actually kill them. Zack had proved it well enough and had died a SOLDIER. His pride and honor as a SOLDIER had definitely been great. However, it's not like Zack had wanted to die. Neither of them had wanted what fate had handed each of them, after all. It all boiled down to that damned company for creating the super SOLDIER like himself, Sephiroth and Angeal. If they hadn't experimented with life like they did, this whole mess could have been avoided. The three would not have felt betrayed or come to believe they had been nothing more than mere monsters created by science.

As the subject had turned to Sephiroth, Genesis had given a nod at what Zack had said. They hadn't a choice but to keep stomping down the monster. If they didn't, no one else could and then the world would be doomed. On top of that problem, there were numbers more. Hopefully, they would prevail or the world would be destroyed. It would die and then nothing would be left. All life here would be gone. If the world died, they all died. It didn't matter where they went to.

After Genesis had given an explanation as to where he had been during the time when Zack and he had parted ways, he could see that glint of amusement in Zack's eyes. The hyperactive puppy certainly hadn't changed when next Genesis heard his comment. "Oh, I'm sure this wing of mine is all the rage!" he stated sarcastically. For the moment, there was a mutual amusement between them. Honestly, Genesis knew they had wanted more power for themselves but he wasn't willing to get tied more into whatever drama there was between Shinra and anything else. He was sick and tired of the company and could frankly do without it. If he ever did bump into Shinra during his travels, the encounters may not be pleasant depending on who it was he ran into.

Now that the subject had turned onto Zack's return to the living, Genesis gave a nod at what Zack was saying. "It could very well be a possibility." The goddess certainly worked in mysterious ways. Genesis figured her purpose for them would all eventually come together in time. Only then would they know what their real purposes were. As Genesis listened to Zack state that he was just happy to be alive again, Genesis could agree with him on that one. It had been a great relief to survive his degradation and have it stopped. It had greatly frightened him to think that he was going to die all because of the way he had been created. Genesis didn't even know he had been an experiment and to find that out on top of his degradation had really been the tip of the iceberg. Their lives had been nothing but a lie. It made him feel betrayed and that was what had ultimately caused him to leave Shinra and go rogue.

Unlike Zack, Genesis wouldn't be able to find much happiness in his life. He had a lot to make up for. A lot of things to mend. Even now, where it had been delightful to see a familiar face, Genesis wasn't feeling all that happy. He knew he had done great wrong when he had been degrading. If he hadn't lost it, Sephiroth wouldn't have found out about himself and gone insane. All of it was because of a scientist Hojo and a jealous scientist that envied him.

"Enjoy your happiness while it lasts, Zack. There is no telling what the future might bring for us. However, since my awakening, I know that something is on the rise for me to have awakened. If it's not stopped in time, life as we know it will cease to exist. The world is unstable."

[Zack Fair]

WOOOOAH

Genesis…showing amusement over something that wasn’t LOVELESS? Zack felt like he should be recording this moment down in the history of mankind or something. Yeah…he definitely should. The idea of Genesis actually having a sense of humor was so foreign to Zack that he wasn’t even sure how to react. Finally a slow grin slid across his features. If Genesis wanted to finally seem like a human being, then Zack wasn’t going to discourage it. “Oh yeah, wings are all the rage…though totally not as much of a rage as say, you know, umbrella swords.” Oh heck yes! He knew how to get things in style, and how could they not go into style if he did them? As far as he was concerned, Zack was just about the best thing since sliced bread.

He found that he was really enjoying Genesis’ being alive. It wasn’t that Zack had really ever been close to him. No, out of the other three 1st class SOLDIERS, Zack had been close to Angeal, as a mentor and second father figure, and Sephiroth, who had been his hero growing up. Genesis had always been…well, around, but until he had bailed from ShinRa, Zack hadn’t really had any close, personal one on one time with the auburn haired male. From what he had done after that, Genesis hadn’t been a very friendly person, but they had gotten some sort of mutual respect for each other, or so Zack thought. He couldn’t say that Genesis had been completely wrong in what he had set out to do, though Zack did think that he had gone about it the wrong way.

But he was enjoying his being alive for another reason, one different from just having had a relationship with him. Genesis really knew. He had been there to witness what had all happened, he was a comrade, even if he could annoy the hell out of Zack at times. Genesis could remember Sephiroth as what he had been, rather than what he now was. He knew Angeal. Zack just felt a connection to the man, from deep within himself. Deep down, Zack knew that he would attempt to help Genesis if he could, and thought that perhaps the other man would try to do the same for him if he could. Friends would be stretching it, but Zack had to admit that he still had a respect for the other Ex-SOLDIER. Then again, he still had a form of respect for Angeal and Sephiroth as well, as odd as that sounded. If Sephiroth decided the next day that he was going to go down the straight and narrow path, then Zack would be there to support and forgive him, it was just in his nature to do so.

The next moment they were talking about his own resurrection. Zack still didn’t really have any idea why he had been brought back from the grave. All he knew was that it had been a pretty crappy second chance at life at first, what with being turned into a l’cie and becoming a monster instead of fulfilling his focus. The Goddess was obviously a whole heck of a lot better to Genesis than she was to him-…well…maybe not, at least from what Genesis said about rejoicing over his own happiness. Nodding his head, Zack slapped his fist into his open palm a few times and then glanced over at the other man, his brow furrowed. What he had said caught his interest quickly. “The world has been unstable for some time. What’s this threat that you’re talking about? Does it have anything to do with the Fal’cie and portals?”

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Words:; 773
Muse:; Good!
Tagged:; Genesis
Location:; Place of death
Outfit:; That one!
Notes:; --
Listening to:; Rush - Tom Sawyer

[Genesis Rhapsodos]

Genesis knew that he would probably mind blow Zack with that sudden air of humor. It amused Genesis to think that he had actually surprised Zack in doing that. Really, there was more to Genesis than what there appeared to be. The only ones that had really seen that side to him though had been Angeal and Sephiroth. Angeal, most of all, knew that side to him especially since they had been childhood friends. Zack seemed to recover a bit from the surprise before a slow smile appeared on his face. It was Genesis's turn to be surprised though. Umbrella swords? Just what on Gaia were umbrella swords?

"Umbrella...swords?" Genesis inquired, looking puzzled. Yes, for once, Zack had actually puzzled Genesis. As he looked back at Zack for some kind of answer, he wondered just how bizarre of an answer he was going to get. Knowing Zack, it was probably something crazy and out of nowhere. Still, it was nice to be able to talk with someone and not worry about having to fight them. He and Zack might not get as far as being friends but Genesis did hold respect for him. If it weren't for Zack, and you can bet Genesis wouldn't ever forget it, he wouldn't have regained his pride and honor as a SOLDIER. It had taken Zack a while to realize the reason behind Genesis's actions but had finally given Genesis what he wanted, a fight to help him regain that part of him again. It had mentally restored Genesis's mind and then Minerva did the rest, fully curing him of his degradation and mental state.

Zack was no Sephiroth and he was no Angeal but Genesis had known Zack. Maybe only a little but he knew him. It wasn't often that he came upon someone that knew him back in the day. It seemed with Meteor and Sephiroth going crazy, things before then had seemed to have been forgotten. It was sad to think that the only one who seemed to be remembered was Sephiroth. Sephiroth, the once great hero was now the great evil. Yet, now, there appeared to be something far more worrisome than Sephiroth and that was the stability of the Planet. If Sephiroth were to return, he had the perfect opportunity to take over the world while it was at its weakest.

At first, Zack appeared to be satisfied about enjoying his life while he had been given it back but gave pause at the last part of Genesis's words. His brows had furrowed, his expression now serious. It was almost laughable how quickly Zack's expressions seemed to change. No wonder Angeal found him amusing but Genesis couldn't see him in the same light. When Zack had spoken, Genesis allowed him a moment to come to a possibility as to why the world was unstable himself. Genesis knew Zack wasn't stupid, it just took him a little time to catch on. Genesis didn't exactly help either though since he usually left others to ponder what he was saying.

Allowing Zack to respond, Genesis had nodded his head at what was said. Turning to look out at Midgar and now, Edge, he spoke as he surveyed the scene. "Yes, Zack...it has been unstable but this time, far more than it has ever been. If Sephiroth were to return, he wouldn't have much trouble overtaking it. The world is at its weakest." He gave a nod at the mention of the Fal'cie and the portals. Interferences from those not of this world didn't help it any either.

"Yes, the Planet is having a difficult enough time as it already is after the events it has gone through. Between Sephiroth and mako reactors and Jenova, the Planet has a lot of recovering to do. It especially needs the Lifestream to mend its gaping wound. Tell me, Zack, what comes to mind as to why the portals could be a problem in this area?" he inquired, looking over at Zack then as he patiently waited for an answer. That was one of Genesis's redeeming qualities. He had the patience to allow someone to find an answer to what he was asking them or saying to them. Even if they didn't get it right the first time around, he only gave further clues as to what his intentions were the next time he met them. It was something he did with Zack a lot.

[Zack Fair]

Zack felt victorious when a puzzled expression crossed Genesis’ face. OH HO~! Had Zack Fair actually stumped the great and wise Genesis Rhapsodos?! It would seem like it! This day should be recorded somewhere, just for his own personal enjoyment! Or…something like that anyway. Instantly beamed when Genesis questioned just what he had meant with umbrella swords. Giving a shrug, he had to turn his grin over toward Genesis. “Come on Genesis, you’re falling away from the new aged style!”, he joshed him, before finally explaining. “In Costa, I didn’t have my sword along, and a bunch of your copies attacked the Turks and I. So I grabbed the nearest umbrella and went to TOWN on those suckers!” Even as he was talking, Zack was getting really into it, to the point where he even gesturing slightly like he still had that giant umbrella in his hand and was attacking copies with it. “It’s not mainstream yet, but you just wait! It will be soon!” How could anyone resist something that had been done by Zack the Puppy Fair?

That seemed to get them both thinking about the past. Zack scuffed his foot against the ground while he thought about the same past that Genesis did. He knew himself that most didn’t realize what either of them had done those years ago. They didn’t know what a great SOLDIER Genesis or himself had been. Didn’t know that he had been the real one that had brought an end to the war between Wutai. Didn’t know how much both of the two men standing there at his gravesite had suffered. Did they care? No…probably not. All they seemed to remember was Sephiroth. Okay, so perhaps he was the most memorable, what with trying to destroy the world, but…SOLDIER had been so much better than that. ShinRa had been wrong, that was true. Would the outcome have been different had Zack and Sephiroth chosen to side with Angeal and Genesis? Would things be the way they were now? “Genesis…how do you think things would have been, had we both deserted ShinRa with you two?” He had to ask the question…for some reason, he had to.

He was surprised that they could be at this point. Zack had never really been friends with Genesis, as he had been with Angeal and later Sephiroth, but he did have a respect for the auburn haired male, a hard fought respect. Genesis had been trying the only way he had known how to bring justice. Unfortunately, he had gone about it the wrong way, but that couldn’t be helped, and looking back did no good either. They had to look to the future rather than the past. It was a sobering thought though, that Sephiroth would have an easy time overtaking the planet if he were to try again. They couldn’t allow that to happen. This wasn’t just some “I want to be a hero” situation…no, there was more at stake than that. This was an entire planet, millions of lives were at stake. And who could stop the menace? Zack couldn’t himself, even Cloud couldn’t if Sephiroth decided to stop toying with him and just finished him off. Genesis couldn’t…but together…there was something.

Instead, they continued with their conversation. Zack’s eyebrows furrowed when Genesis asked him the question. “I…dunno.”, he finally mumbled out. “The Fal’cie…they don’t really make any sense. It seems like they simply want to destroy worlds. I heard a whisper that doing so will bring back what they call the Maker. Like…a sacrifice would be enough to jolt this whatever his face is to life, something even more powerful than Sephiroth. If the portals and fal’cie have come here, they want to destroy Gaia to do that. With the worlds weakened state…it wouldn’t be hard.”, he commented softly there at the end, staring down at the ground.

Crap…that couldn't be good.

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Words:; 834
Muse:; Great!
Tagged:; Genesis
Location:; Grave site
Outfit:; That one!
Notes:; *dramatic music*
Listening to:; Narcissistic Cannibal - Korn