3rd POV:
They spent the better part of a week to make her disguise. Sure they did other stuff as well, but by and large most of their time was focused on making that new dress.
Aerith observed herself in the mirror while Nox was making the last few adjustments.
She would have loved to go with the color red, but decided to listen to Nox and forego that palette from her dress, to distance her alter ego, Azura, for all the blue in her dress, and herself, Aerith.
She wore a white mask with cloth over the inside of its mask where her eyes where. People couldn't see her eyes, but she could see the outside world just fine. Around her head she wore a shawl, with some gems and golden chains and a nice decorative feather.
She wore black thigh high boots with some blue here and there, and a small shirt that would not hinder her mobility. The style over her hips she had more input over, choosing to display her flat stomach a little (and wasn't Nox annoyed that she revealed to others she had white skin, but she insisted). Some white ceremonial cloth hung from her shoulders till her hips and her sleeves were puffy and loose to allow mobility and the arm to breath. She wore gloves too. From her neck hang a blue cloth, like with her shoulders, but they stopped shy after her breasts, instead of her hips.
All things considered? If she could one day ditch the mask, she would gladly wear the disguise out in the open, for a special event or the like. Sure it had no red, but she really liked it all the same, especially since it had sentimental value to her. Despite it's looks it was very uncomplicated to dress herself in it and out of it. Nox chose comfort and convenience as much as he chose it's function as a disguise.
''You know, if... THIS never works out, you can always become a model designer,'' Aerith complimented.
''It was a team effort,'' Nox commented, Aerith finding him a little hard to understand considering he had needles in between his lips. She could feel herself get pulled a little as Nox was making some adjustments to her back.
''Nox, what did I say about compliments?,'' Aerith chastised him.
''I know, I know. Thank you, but it really was a team effort,'' Nox looked past her arm into the mirror into her eyes. And then got back to work.
''Thank you!,'' Aerith said cheerfully.
''Though I have to say, I'm a little jealous of you being able to just make a sewing machine or the like from your Mako Strands. Can you make more then that?,'' Aerith asked him.
She cut the clothes, she sewed some stuff, she added her own adjustments (even if not with the same quality of drawing) when he presented her with the first dress concept, etc. But most of the sewing was done by him and his sewing machine as well as the measurements.
''No. I can only make them because I am intimately familiar with them. Had to be, considering how often they broke... In any case, don't expect me to pull out any other appliances out of my ass,'' Nox explained to her. In some ways he was pissed. It would have certainly made getting a disguise in his old world easier, if he just had to worry about getting cloth and other material. Sewing machine occupied space and were weighty, even the smaller ones.
Oh, well. He improvised, adapted and overcame the challenges.
But simpler objects he could do. Like swords, or ladders, or wings, or whatever else didn't involve machinery.
''Aaaaand we are done. So? What do you think, Azura?,'' Nox asked her and stepped from behind her back, allowing herself to inspect herself fully in the mirror.
''I really like it, really wished for some red though,'' Aerith told him and removed the mask.
''It is what it is. Be glad I let your stomach open like that,'' Nox crossed his arms and huffed.
''Well it is not completely open. It is adorned by an elaborate design over it,'' Aerith pointed out to him.
''Still leaves your stomach exposed. Sure it won't stop a sword, but wouldn't you want to protect yourself from scratches at least?,'' Nox asked her.
''Silly, that is why I have you. You will keep all the danger away from me while I bombard your enemies with fire and fury,'' Aerith winked. Besides, she was curious why he insisted so much on her stomach being hidden. Surely it wasn't just because she showed her skin and revealed a detail to others. If he really was worried about herself scratching on something, then he needn't bother. Her usual pink dress left herself far more exposed around her legs and arms and part of her chest, oh, and her face as well.
She managed just fine till now.
And if she ever did get some scratches, she'll just clean them and then heal herself. This way they won't leave any scars behind.
''Nevermind,'' Nox sighed and turned his heady, when she looked curiously at him,'' Shall we go then?''
''No time like the present, so yes, let's go,'' Aerith said and then went to his bathroom to change. She turned around before she closed the door.
''Don't peak,'' she told him sternly... and then smiled before closing the door.
Nox threw his hands up. Every time she went to his bathroom, she told him that. He knew she was just teasing him. But come on! Every time?
He sighed and went about his business to double check some things.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero and Azura killed off another Master Tonberry.
''You fine? Do you want to rest?,'' Azura asked him with some worry.
The deeper they got into the sewers, they tougher the enemies, even if they were the same class. Earlier they encountered another Master Tonberry, but he was much weaker. It seems that Mako could charge and enhance the same monster to different extent.
Made sense in a way, humans could grow more powerful by killing monsters and absorbing some of their Mako residue. A process that occurred naturally.
Honestly, Azura always considered SOLDIER to be a cop out. A short cut to power. But if someone really wanted, then they could be like Zero. Wandering the land for years and killing monsters till he himself becomes very powerful.
Of course, she understood that not everyone could or would do that. That path demanded years of dedication, but it was still a valid argument to be made.
Not that she thought badly about SOLDIERs in any other way. There were some genuinely good people among them. And she wasn't just talking about Zack.
''I'm fine. And NO, this is not me putting on a front so calm yourself down. I really am fine and not tired. You? You have been casting a lot of magic and barely touched the Ethers I prepared for you,'' Nox pointed out and the two began walking.
And wasn't he glad for it. If he was already tired after such a lengthy walk with back to back battles, then how could he ever hope to fight the Big Bad? Sure with allies, but individual strength mattered too or else one would drag the whole team down and be more of a liability.
Azura hummed and tilted her head.
''I feel some dip in my mana, but I still haven't gotten the need to drink an Ether,'' Azura replied.
Zero called bullshit on her physiology. He had massive mana reserves, because of years of fighting. Aerith, while she was now much stronger then when he first met her or when they began going down into the sewers, still shouldn't have that much mana in her.
She has been casting a lot of powerful spells from his Mastered Materia that he lent her. Usually the more powerful a spell, the more costly it was in mana.
If she really wasn't tired or in need of an Ether, then it could only be because of her Cetra nature.
...
''A dead end?,'' Azura asked. There were other dead ends, in the sewers, but this one seemed off.
''People should listen more to their gut instincts. It is there to aid you,'' Nox gave her a sort of compliment for being observant enough to notice it.
He gave some knocks on the stone and didn't hear anything articular. Then he punched it and they head a hollow sound.
''So, how will we deal with it?,'' Azura asked him and gripped her staff, ready for battle. Luckily Nox found and bought her another stuff, which... she kind of found pointless. Sure it was more powerful then her previous one, being able to direct her mana easier and cast faster and more precise, but ... it was still a staff. How many people used a staff anyway?
(Could she have used her bare hands to cast magic like Nox? Sure. But she remembered her biological mother using one when they were still with Gast. Barely, but she remembered it. And it wasn't like there were no benefits to using a staff. Like mentioned, it can cast magic faster and more precise. If she ever got advanced enough in her lessons with Tifa, she would be able to fight with the staff as well in melee. But realistically she knew it was never going to happen. The two of them hang out more then exercise, a mix of both. And Tifa was a fist fighter anyway, Aerith doubted she knew how to use a staff.)
''What are you talking about? No one would visit the sewers this deeply. Which means, in a way, that monitoring them is rather easy. Our dear hosts already know we are here, so we shouldn't keep them waiting. We'd make for poor visitors otherwise,'' Zero stepped back and then kicked the wall, it easily gave in and collapsed.
Azura gripped her staff and stepped back in shock. The air... changed and she was hit by a wave of suffering and misery.
They walked forward, stepping over the pile of stones and found themselves in a ...lab?
A hallway, consisting of equipment and containers.
Zero looked around. So this is where some of the human experiments found their way. Some of the canisters or containers didn't have just liquid in them, but... a weird mixture of human and monster tissue, mutated into a grotesque sight.
...Zero hoped they were all dead. It would be kinder.
They were mindful while making their way forward, in case they would be jumped by any enemy.
They weren't. Which would only mean they were being lead into a trap. An enclosed space, where they would be trapped with no way back.
Zero had to suppress a chuckle or else he would weird Azura out or give away the game away.
Oh, those poor sweet summer children.
Eventually they stepped into what he could only assume to be the main control room. It was a massive circular space, with computers at the edges, more canisters and containers and a throne in the middle.
Four people were waiting for them in the middle of the room.
The leader, a white haired man, sat leisurely in the throne. Well, wasn't someone full of themselves? Zero noted his confident smirk. He would love to watch him fall it off his face.
Azura twitched as metal doors snapped shut behind them locking them in with the people. Behind the doors could be heard some more noise, as more metal doors snapped shut.
''Greetings. Before we tear into each other like a pack of maniacs. May we introduce ourselves to each other?,'' Zero began. There was no reason to tell them why they were here, but he did need to know if that woman was Shelke.
Worst case scenario he rips the answer from their corpses and then ends the 'round', so that he may capture her next time.
''And why would I waste my breath on dead meat?,'' the red haired woman mocked.
''Manners maketh man,'' replied Zero.
''But we are no men. We are Tsviets and wholly unconcerned with human customs,'' the red haired woman replied, almost boastfully.
Ah. Has no one told her that pride cometh before fall?
''Now, now. Our dear guest speaks truly. I suppose we can grant them that courtesy before we kill them. Why don't you start?,'' the leader spoke.
''Zero, pleasure to meet you,'' Zero gave a polite bow.
''You may call me Azura,'' she introduced herself and courtesied, like she has seen the noble ladies do in movies. Despite the tension, she found it a little fun and relaxing to play along with what Zero was doing.
''I'm Weiss the Immaculate,'' Weiss introduced himself.
''Nero the Sable,'' the dark haired man followed his brothers command.
The red haired woman crossed her hands and scoffed.
''Rosso the Crimson,'' the woman spat out.
Ah, good. Then Zero didn't need to worry about killing her.
''Azul the Cerulean,'' the man punched his fists against each other and smirked victoriously.
All utterly full of themselves huh? Zero was only getting more giddy. Their arrogance may very well be deserved if they can back it up. Either way he would love seeing it crushed in front of him AND testing himself against strong opponents. If he does well against them, as he did against all the monsters up till now, then he is on the right track to deal with the Big Bad as well.
Though he will never stop wanting to grow more powerful, no reason to rest easy on the 'throne'. That would be foolish as there is always someone stronger out there, figuratively speaking, if not literally.
''Now with that out of the way, why are you here? And for that matter, which faction do you belong to?,'' Weiss asked, lazily leaning into his throne, letting one leg hang over the arm rest.
''We were taking a leisure stroll in the sewers and just happened to stumble upon this facility. As for the faction?,'' Zero looked at Azura for a moment,'' We belong to the Black Knights.''
Yes, he was gonna be that blatant about it. Not like anyone here can call him out on it.
If anything, Lelouch should feel honored, if he is real somewhere. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. And it was fitting, considering he planned on toppling the government again.
And it was also a good name, considering his trump card. His most powerful summon.
The Knights of the Round, which he picked up oh so very long ago.
If he had to choose between all his other Materia and this one, he would choose this one, especially since his Mako Strands supplemented a lot of the areas he lost his magic in, more or less.
''Brother, I don't think they will be forthcoming with information,'' Nero said and turned a little to look at his brother.
''That is fine by me. I will gladly take any answer I can from their corpses,'' Azul smirked.
Zero sighed as if truly despondent.
''It seems negotiations have broken down, my dear leader,'' Azura commented on the matter. He did instruct her, in the event they will encounter human enemies, to focus their attention on him, so that she can hang back and cast her spells.
''So it would seem,'' Zero agreed with a grave tone.
''Very well. They shall be slashed, strangled and slaughtered. Beaten, stabbed and crushed,'' Weiss commented while picking himself up from the throne and unsheathing his swords,''Garroted and impaled. Shot and executed. Without mercy.''
''Now,'' Weiss pointed his sword at them,'' Let the hunt begin.''
''Oh! Don't threaten us with a good time,'' Azura playfully called back, not able to help herself.
She stumbled, barely able to react when Weiss seemed to teleport near her and tried to cut of her head. Zero was faster and intercepted the blade. Before Weiss could twist his blade to attack her again, Zero decided to let loose.
He already used the Mako Strands a lot up till now. But nothing that was truly impressive.
A green arm grabbed Weiss' body and then threw him to the opposite side of the room, the wall cracking when he slammed into it.
Zero then extended several tendrils grabbing the other members who were approaching them and jumped before slamming them into the middle of the room.
''Eyes on the prize,'' he purred.
''You ... are like us. Not human,'' Weiss commented almost impressed after picking himself up.
''Not human this. Tsviets that. You clearly see yourself superior to us. To anyone really. So why follow Shinras orders like mutts?,'' Zero asked him while Azura readied her spells and the other Tsviets picked themselves up.
''Because of the Resctrictors. In our moment of weakness when we were young and weak, these pathetic ants had the foresight to ensure our... loyalty. And we can't quite chance us enduring an explosion in our brain, no matter how though we are,'' Nero explained dusting some dirt from his clothes.
''Oh? If I remove these Resctrictors, then what will you do?,'' Zero asked them. He hoped that Shelke didn't have such a device in her head... if she wasn't already turned into a monster, like some of the other specimens they saw on their way here.
''Still kill you,'' Rosso taunted.
''And take over the world,'' Azul added.
How cliche and droll, Zero thought.
Zero waited to see if the more reasonable one and the leader would disagree with them.
He shrugged. Oh, well. At least he tried. One can miss 100% of the shots he doesn't take.
Azura hit Zero with a Haste spell. A little overkill, considering he could already match Weiss' speed, but he appreciated it. There is no such thing as overkill.
The two locked blades again. Nero and Rosso immediately seized the opportunity to attack him from the back, while Azul lunged at Azura.
As he was in the air, she hit him easily with a Graviga spell causing him to crash down into the next attack. An earth spike. Not that it did much damage considering how tough they were.
At the same time, Rosso and Nero sunk their blades into Zero's torso. Their surprise attack having worked as he was distracted by Weiss. One blade going through his lung, the other his heart.
Or so they thought.
''Heh,'' Zero couldn't help himself.
Weiss reacted by instinct, hearing how that laugh was not desperate or tired at all but instead mirthful, and grabbed Nero to pull him back.
Just in time, for Rosso to get sliced as tens of green tendrils coursing with electricity exploded in an whirlpool from him, slicing everything in it's path like butter.
Rosso stumbled back her blade falling apart and blood spilling everywhere as she sustained heavy damage by that attack.
Azura hit Zero with a Full Cure immediately. He gave her quite the fright, after she saw his state once she turned her attention away from Azul, with his stunt. She would chastise him afterwards.
''How are you not dead?,'' Azul asked picking himself up, missing the chance to attack a distracted Azura.
Mako Strands, son. They harden in response to physical trauma. And stitch together any harm that does come to his body, ON TOP of the healing from the Materia.
He always had to untangle the Mako Strands inside him from his nervous system and organs if he wanted to end a 'round'.
This time he let the blades sink, so that he could turn their 'surprise' attack against them.
Instead of answering he immediately attacked Rosso, who was still heavily bleeding. Nero hurried to cast a healing spell, but Azura cast a wall in front of him. And Weiss and Azul who tried to rush Zero, were forced to dodge out of the way, least they get turned into porcupines by his electric infused green tendrils.
Rosso herself tried to cast a Comet on him and while she did get that attack of in time, he simply shielded himself with the Mako Strands and then delivered his palm infused with electricity into her chest, straight through her heart.
Electricity, was just so versatile. And it burned so much hotter than fire. Hotter then the surface of the sun, at least. Though not so much when compared to the insides of the sun.
He threw her away and turned their attention to the others.
Though they all immediately had to turn their attention back to her as she began cackling hysterically. The laughter not fitting the setting at all and was more attention grabbing then most other actions.
''This is some sick divine joke. Me? Defeated my a lowly human. LIKE HELL I WILL ALLOW THIS!!,'' Rosso howled, feeling humiliated at being the first to fall, even before Azul. And to a cheap attack like that too. If she hadn't been dragged down by the others, she would have handled Zero herself. As it stood the weakling only won, because of said cheap attack and the others interfering.
She picked up her broken blade and stabbed her face with it, then she dropped to the ground, lifeless.
...
...
...
Zero turned to look at Weiss, who was just rubbing his face in annoyance.
''She wasn't the most stable out of all of us,'' Nero explained.
''Pah! She just couldn't handle the fact she was always the weakest out of all of us. To be taken out by a cheap attack like this. Pathetic,'' Azul laughed and threw his head back, making Azura grip her staff tighter.
The hell? Weren't they supposed to be allies? What was it with that callousness?
Zero tilted his head. Cheap attack? The ones who threw the first cheap attack, cried about cheap attacks. It was like a coward crying about cowardly tactics. So very eager to use the tactics themselves, but crying foul when the tactic was turned against them.
How... amusing.
Zero used his own speed to appear near a laughing Azul and grabbed his face, before quickly turning his body to block one of Weiss' attacks. At the same time Nero tried to go for Azura, but was dragged back by a massive green hand who grabbed him and slammed him into the ceiling.
It kept him there, while Azura threw spells at him.
Still, the other three seemed to be much tougher, as they could clearly endure more attacks.
Azul blocked the blade without sustaining any damage and Weiss tried to attack him from a different angle. Only for the blade to be blocked by Azuls body again.
Azul tried punching Zero, but his fists were intercepted by his tendrils. Then he was simply turned around, with his back towards Zero and face towards Weiss. From this angle it was hard to hit him and the elbow attacks did not do much.
''Stop...using... my...body...as...a...SHIELD!!,'' Azul complained.
''I will oblige you,'' Zero told him and grabbed his legs, beginning to use him as a club against Weiss. Weiss dodging each time causing Azul to slam into the ground.
Finally Nero got himself free and lunged furiously at Azura tanking a Ultimate to the face and still advancing.
Zero abandoned using Azul as a club against Weiss and used a tendril to swing him in a wide arc, right into Nero.
Meanwhile Zero summoned a green sword and began once again to engage with Weiss in a clash of blades. As Weiss had two swords, he could attack him more easily.
But that is the thing about two blades. It looked cool. But it was impractical, even in a world filled with fantasy. Because it simply restricted the wielder from some of the more advanced techniques, ones that required both hands.
Zero parried the first one and ducked under the second, before gliding under and pulling Weiss' legs when he ducked under a cross slash. He landed on his front and Zero wasted no time trying to bring down the blade on him.
Weiss pushed himself upwards in a jump and spun. Parrying the attack and forcing Zero back on the defensive as he began attacking him furiously.
Eventually Zero extended his sword into a sword spear. While the previous statement was still true, Weiss was fast enough to mitigate most of the disadvantages issuing from wielding two blades.
Meanwhile Nero was getting pounded by Azul and bombarded by Azura with spells.
''ENOUGH! SCREW THIS. NOW YOU WILL LEARN WHY I'M CALLED AZUL THE CERULEAN AND RUE THIS DAY, WHERE YOU THOUGHT TO HUMILIATE ME. AHHHHHHHHHHH!,'' Azul began screaming as he began transforming, thus untangling himself from the green tendrils.
Nero scowled. Fool! He was just making himself a bigger target. That Behemoth form of his only worked against non-formidable enemies. Or have all the spars with the other Tsviets, taught Azul nothing?
''HAHAHAHAHA,'' a dragon like entity without wings extended his form in triumph after his transformation,''NOW YOU WILL LEANR TO FEAR THE NAME AZUL T-?!''
His sudden monologue turned into a scream as Azura hit one of his eyes with an earth spike. She jerked, finding herself a little in shock at her own action. She was prepared to take a life, if necessary. She had to, if she one day wanted revenge on HIM. But she always imagined it would be done quickly and cleanly. Like with the monsters.
Not this. This mess and all this blood and screaming. Just an attack and then sudden silence.
''YOU BITCH!,'' Azul screamed and lunged at her.
Weiss was suddenly batted away by Zero's tendril. Hard to defend himself, when they suddenly wash over him like a wave of water.
Azul screamed even louder as Zero appeared from above him, batting a Nero away who tried to interfere as well, and then delivered a kick into the earth spike, driving it deeper into the eye and making Azul halt and scream.
Zero dodged a wild swipe and landed on the air, before throwing himself at Azul again. Mako Strands extending themselves to do his will.
Azul attack him again and Zero dodged, before landing on his head.
''Give me you face,'' Zero demanded as the Mako Strands grabbed his horns and pulled. They pulled so strong the ripped his skull open and the Zero his fist into the open skull, into the brain, and cast a massive fireball.
He landed with a backwards jump on the ground, near Azura. Azul fell to the ground, dead. Smoke and burned flesh coming from his body. The air smelled like someone burned pig skin for too long.
''Calm down. Did you see? You merely harmed him, but I'm the on that killed him,'' he tried to calm her down a little.
He misunderstood what actually plagued her.
He knew, from personal experience, it was much easier said then done. Taking someones life.
Everyone froze up, filled with indecision or fears and then struggled a little to do the deed. Some never pulled the trigger, others did. Meanwhile others never had the fears to begin with and delighted in the harm they caused.
''I'm fine. I'm fine,'' Azura forced out, getting her shock under control.
Zero was impressed how she quickly calmed herself down that fast. But to be fair, she didn't really kill Azul.
''It seems the fight is now even more unfair for you then it was before,'' Zero taunted them and flicked his sword spear out of Mako back into existence.
''Funny. I was about to thank you, since those two have always dragged us down,'' Weiss joked, making Azura once again grip her staff at the callousness for his allies.
''Oh, don't worry. You have the chance to prove yourself yet,'' Zero assured him and began walking forward.
Weiss released an amused sigh and nodded at Nero.
?!
Zero and Azura were enveloped by sudden darkness.
Zero got momentarily distracted in the darkness. And 'inspected' his arm.
He felt... strangely insulted by this darkness. This... inferior and pale...fraction... of an imitation.
This...infinitesimally...
He was hit, a blade trying to cut through his throat, courtesy of his distraction.
At least it got him out of his trance.
''What the...?!,'' exclaimed Nero as his victim began to engage him in the darkness.
As if it was his domain and not Nero's. As if this were his home.
Nero tried to throw attacks at him and use his wings to attack as well on top of trying to cut him up. But after that fist attack, he didn't manage to get a second attack in.
Nero needed to hurry. His brother, Weiss, could fight in the darkness too, but he wasn't as good at navigating it as him. No one should be, really, though Zero seemed to be the exception.
Zero started to slowly realize that as well. Azura hasn't cast a spell in a while, probably afraid she would hit someone she shouldn't. But he began... feeling the space in the darkness. Weiss was slowly making his way over to her or at least the location he last remembered her in.
Well, far be it for him to pass by such an opportunity.
''No!,'' Nero called out when he felt Zero lung for his brother. He hastily turned the spell off.
But it was too late.
Zero's sword already found his way into Weiss' torso, his heart. Electricity turning the blade hot, making it cut through Weiss' defenses like butter.
Nero lunged forward and Zero disengaged, ripping out the green sword from hist chest.
''Brother! Brother!,'' Nero called out as he grabbed Weiss before he could fall down.
''Spare me your wailing and cast a Cure on me,'' Weiss instructed.
Azura tried to hit them with Silence, but Nero blocked it with his wing.
Both Azura and Zero scowled.
''Let us fuse, brother. Let us become one,'' Weiss told him.
''Of course, brother,'' Nero easily agreed. He had some misgivings about their fusion. He loved his brother, dearly. But as far as he understood their Proto Materia was till in the initial stages, missing some key component to make it reach it's true power. And stabilize it on top of that.
Still, where his brother went, he went as well. And he would always follow his lead. He suppose it was fine. They could use the power that fusion grant them and squash their enemies and then afterwards untangle themselves to stabilize the Proto Materia again.
''Azura, melt the ceiling above them. Actually melt the entire room,'' Zero instructed as he watched and listened to the two brothers hug. A glow softly emanating from them.
''What? But we could hu-,''Azura began.
''Have you forgotten Mako Reactor 0? Those type of things take space and yet we have only seen a small room of this facility. Melt the room, Azura,'' Zero quickly explained with some bite to it.
Oh, right. She was the one who shared with him what the spirits told them. Well in that case, she would trust his judgement. She gathered her mana and then cast a fire spell at the ceiling.
The molten metal raining down on the brothers, who ignored that. Azura then cast the same spells on the ground, hitting the brothers as well, but by now it seems they were done with the start up of their fusion, as they finally began to transform, the hellscape around them not seeming to bother them.
Zero extended his arm to shield Azura from anything that may sprout from their fusion.
It seems he was right in his assumption that this room was, just a small part of this facility.
Whatever Weiss and Nero transformed themselves into, was huge. Massive. And they did not fit into this small space anymore.
Zero grabbed Azura and carried her, flying with his wings to a safe spot.
Azura was stunned at the new sight, that opened up to her after, the brothers transformed. So much so, she didn't pay much attention to the room they were previously in falling down like molten lava down into the abyss... for a while. Till it hit the ground and lit it up.
''...Omega,'' Azura whispered as she realized what she was looking at. Or at least an imitation of it. A concept. The planet assured her, the real final WEAPON was somewhere else. Safe.
Omega flew around the now massive circular space that opened up. At the edges could be seen walkways that connected the rooms and in the middle, where Omega flew around, was the secretive Mako Reactor 0.
''Now... You will witness true horror,'' came the deep voice of Omega and promised, the fusion of the two brothers.
It extended it's wings and gathered Mako, seemingly readying it's attacks.
...
Zero understood that he had to go all out. With Azura here, he couldn't afford to have such an enemy. Smaller ones were fine, but a titanic, multiple buildings high, entity like that?
No.
He gathered the Mako Strands in his hands, much quicker then his enemies. And electricity coursed through his arm as he began flicking his thumb, the objects flying with a sonic boom into the enemy. He shielded Azura with a wing from the sound so her eardrums wouldn't burst. He didn't have that problem.
Zero targeted his attacks onto his face and eyes, making it stumble just a little. He took that opportunity to fly at it, leaving Azura behind. It may sound cruel, but he doubted she could do much here. He at least trusted her that she would keep herself alive.
Omega tried batting him away, once it it stabilized it's balance. Zero weaved through the gaps, wherever he could find one, as he flew. Through the fingers mostly. He got as close as possible to the face, when he was suddenly batted into the Reactor as Omega spun and hit him with the wing, it having too much surface to evade, so he blocked. He shot through the Rector like a bullet and crashed into the wall, Mako beginning to leak from the Reactor.
With the distance created Omega could now shoot it's spells at him. Zero was forced to block most of them. He didn't know where Shelke was in this entire facility.That is why he tried to contain the fight mostly in the middle.
The abyss slowly started filling with Mako, from the enormous Reactor leakage, drowning out the orange hue down there and replacing it with a green tint.
Omega seeing that it's attacks did nothing and Zero just tanked them. Spun again and hit Zero with it's tail shooting him down into the Mako.
Surely, Mako poisoning would affect him and finish him off, for even they had to be mindful of Mako poisoning.
He leisurely turned around to look at Azura and readied his attacks. She dodged the first volley, but jumping down and creating an ice slope under her feet. Other attacks she met with her own, mostly Graviga, Comet and Ultimate spells as these covered the most range and were most likely to intercept Omegas attacks.
Most attacks she did take care off, but one landed behind her and exploded, throwing her into the railing and knocking the wind out of her briefly, but she forced herself back to her feet quickly, waiting for the next attack.
Omega readied it's attack again but was suddenly distracted as several attacks landed on the Mako Reactor making more Mako spill.
What game was he playing at?
Meanwhile, while Azura managed quite well on her own:
Zero generally avoided Mako. Or the Lifestream. There were some open exposed veins in the world, that were natural. He never got close to them, because he didn't know how his body would react. He heard what Mako Poisoning could do to someone. How it could befog the mind.
He couldn't risk that. The greatest threat to him and his power was something that could affect or mess with his mind. THAT is when he would truly lose, because he wouldn't know who he was, where he was, when he was or what he had to do. He would miss opportunities which would make accomplishing his goals harder.
But... he was fine.
He didn't feel at home like he felt in the darkness, even if it was insulting. And he needed to sit after this and sort out this discovery.
But he felt welcomed. In safe hands. He felt encouraged, in fact, in a weird way. Was it the Planet trying to tell him something. Did all people hear her voice when submerged in Mako like this, only they weren't resistant to Mako poisoning like he was. Weird as that was, even if convenient for him.
But more importantly, he could feel himself growing more powerful.
Fools. In striking him down, they made him more powerful then they could possibly imagine.
Zero held out his hand, it coursed with electricity, as he took shots at the Reactor. An idea formed in his mind, one that he felt ...encouraged to take, as if it were the right course of action.
Eventually the safety mechanism of the Reactor triggered and the Mako flow was halted, stopping the Mako leakage.
Omega and Azura looked down at the bottom of the facility. Anxiously, apprehensively waiting.
Omega suddenly slammed into the ceiling as a tendril extended from the bottom, pinning it down by the torso. It moved so fast it couldn't keep up. It tried freeing itself, only for more tendrils to extend, one for each arm and one for each leg and one for each wing.
Omega couldn't move physically, but it could still cast magic. And it did. It shot all sorts of spells down on the ground, carpet bombing Zero with anything it could.
After a while it was dragged down, Omega being submerged into the Mako and Azura waited and waited and she waited until the Mako movement stilled.
Suddenly, Zero jumped out of the Mako and flew a bit, before landing near her.
''Is it over?,'' she asked him and looked him over for any harm.
''Yup. It was weird, but once I was in there it was like I had the home turf advantage. Ever fought a shark in the water? Yeah, me neither, but it was easy ripping them apart once they were in the Mako. They are dead,'' Zero explained to her.
''...Really?,'' Azura asked a little unsure and put out.
''Yeah. Why do you ask?,'' Zero asked her as the two began walking somewhere.
''I don't know... It just seems anti-climatic,'' Azura tried to explain herself.
''Ah. Well, it wasn't. This isn't some sort of movie or novella where battles need to be dragged out several chapters and everyone needs to have a flashback so that we understand each persons motivation.
In real life, battles are over quite quickly. Actually. Besides, it's not like they weren't powerful. They were. It's more like, we were powerful too and at the end we found ourselves in a situation where we were specially equipped to deal with them. If it weren't for that fact, the battle would have lasted more,'' Zero tried explaining to her as they entered a room.
Unlike wars. Wars, did drag out. But they too could end anti-climatically, if drastic actions were taking. Point was, sometimes things just... ended, abruptly. It was jarring, because people expect there to be a pay off, but that is not always the case.
''So when you dragged the into the Mako, what did you do?,'' Azura asked him.
''Well, you remember what Weiss said he would do to us in the beginning? Once I ripped them out of that... construct, I fist killed Nero quickly and then inflicted Weiss with everything he threatened to do to us,'' Zero confessed easily. Most of it. They were pressed for time.
In any case, it was a testament to their power. His mostly. They were on a good path to deal with the future threat. Even if at the end, he won mostly because of favorable circumstances.
Victory was till victory.
Besides, he may very well found the first hint to his second power. But like he said, he would sit on it later.
Priorities after all were important.
Azura hummed, hiding some small disapproval with how he dealt with Weiss. He should have dealt with him the same way he dealt with Nero. But she wasn't particularly troubled by it, not enough to raise issue.
''So what now?,'' Azura asked him.
''Now? We look,'' Zero told her.
---
The two of them opened a door. This room seemed to be filled with computers.
''I'm surprised we haven't seen that many people. Or that we haven't been attacked by other people then the Tsviets,'' Azura commented.
''They are hiding or have fled. And keep in mind, that despite it's size, it is still meant to be a secretive organization. There probably weren't many people here to begin with and access to this facility is only allowed with high security clearance. I doubt the Turks will just appear her out of the blue,'' Zero explained.
Though they were probably watched, so that is why they minded their language and didn't talk about anything too incriminating or what they were here for.
Azura nodded and began looking through the documents.
They spent some time like this till Zero stilled and took in a deep sniff in exaggeration.
''I just love the smell of fear,'' Zero purred and walked over to a desk. There was some space behind it, but it was very small. Almost impossible for an adult to squeeze in, but desperation had a way of doing away with such barriers.
The scientist closed his eyes and prayed, suppressing his whimper after her heard that comment. Eventually when he stopped hearing the sound of boots clicking he opened his eyes and turned his head ever so slightly, to avoid his clothes rustling and making noise.
His heart stilled as he saw Zero look down at him past the edge of the desk. He quickly grabbed him and pulled him out.
''No! NO! Please, PLEASE, I'm begging you. I will cooperate, I will cooperate,'' the scientist begged.
And did he show such considerations to his victims, before he conducted human experiments on them? Zero wasn't going to voice out that question out loud, he needed to give the illusion that they were only here to take something and leave, not caring for anything else.
''My good man, introduce yourself and your station in this facility,'' Zero demanded amiably.
''Norman,'' the scientist jaw trembled as he replied,'' Norman. And I'm the head of development for the Synaptic Net Drive Project, SND for short.''
Hmm. The name was self explanatory enough. Synapses. Net, short for internet. And drive was also self explanatory. It was a project about trying to have access to the internet through synaptic input.
Heh. If they succeed, assuming they already haven't, then the total surveillance state that Shinra enjoyed would become even more of a surveillance state.
Of course, whoever was doing this could not have their loyalty questioned. Of course the Resctrictors Weiss talked about would nicely solve that.
''Any other particular projects?,'' Zero gave him an open ended question by design. He needed to give him SOMETHING, rather that nothing. That was much easier to do, when not asking specific questions.
Norman trembled not really knowing what they wanted to hear from him.
''If you don't answer, I'll melt your eyes inside your skull,'' Azura threatened and pointed her staff at him.
Zero raised an eyebrow inside his mask.
''Noooo, please. Please. I..I...I'm not the only head of a department. We are doing many things here. This is just my project. Most other heads focus on making weapons or Materia. Hojo experiment more then even me on humans, trying to achieve something. The man is insane. He has no care for the sacrifices our victims make,'' Norman explained.
''Sacrifices?,'' asked Azura incredulously.
''I know what you are thinking! That I'm a monster-''
''No, not at all,'' Azura replied completely sincerely. But Zero who knew her for longer, knew she was being sarcastic.
''-But I have NOTHING on Hojo. He is... he is... The man just has an idea and then immediately throws some things together. Like a child who builds a castle out of blocks with no thought at all. Though I suppose I have to give him some credit, as his tryst always turn out successful more or less. We all gladly push the boundaries of science in order to gather new understanding, but he could be bothered to spend some thought on it, instead of just jumping straight to experimenting.
Unlike him I have taken great care in how I treat my subjects. Thinking and theorizing ahead so I will inflict the least amount of pain possible. But if not me, then someone else would have done it! At least this way, we don't have a second Hojo!,'' Norman continued, trying to explain himself.
''So all those monsters we saw in containers?,'' Zero began.
''Hojo's failed experiments,'' Norman clarified, making Azura clench her hands into a fist.
Zero hummed.
''Then tell me of your experiment. The name is self explanatory. I'm talking about your subjects,'' Zero clarified, before Norman could reply.
''Well... yes, the name is self explanatory, there was no reason why it shouldn't seeing as no one would ever know about it. Except those down here and Shinra and Hojo.
I tried several things. Materia. Mako injections in specific parts of the brain. Nothing worked. Until I picked up something interesting. The child of one of our 'Persons of Interest' exhibited unusual brain activity.
So we took her. Only we found ourselves in a bit of a pickle. Veld the previous Turk leader wanted to take her and make her a Turk, of all things. Wasting her gift to humanity-''
Gift to humanity or gift to Shinra. Azura and Zero, thought the same thing, but let him continue.
''-So I made the request to President Shinra and he green lighted the project. Considering her unique nature, I have been extra careful with her and my experiments, since I wouldn't have a second batch.
You see. She comes from Mideel and Mideel is not far away from where Banora Village use to be. Are you familiar with Banora White's or Dumbapples as some people called them?,'' Norman was getting more talk active as he was allowed to talk more and more about his passions.
''No,'' Azura lied.
''It is theorized that a Mako vein is near the surface of the earth so that is why Banora White's could grow only there. My speculation is that that same Mako vein cause a sort of mutation in my subject. But I couldn't test my theory and I was always skeptical.
If Mako injections wouldn't work, why would proximity to it be any different. The subject receives only a pittance compared to the former procedure. Still I studied everything I could about her and made a machine that could help her ability, but no such luck. So I made the decision to inject her with Mako anyway. She is still alive and is nearly done recovering from the experiments, but she will need to take regular Mako baths for the rest of her life. I suppose that is a good thing for us, in a way,'' Norman started showing his trued colors once his fear settled.
Well, that explains why Shelke was kidnapped. She was just shit out of luck that two factions from Shinra wanted her for something.
Also, Zero tilted his head in disappointment. They REALLY could never help themselves, huh? Their kind, that is.
Radiation in small burst were fine too. That is how X-Rays were done. That didn't mean he wanted to throw himself in enriched uranium and take a bath in it.
He had the impression that these people had a general idea of what Mako was and not much else. Guess, that may be another reason why they want Aerith, aside from wanting to access the Promised Land.
''Show her to us,'' Azura instructed him.
''Huh, uh. No. I don't think that is a good idea. She needs her rest,'' Norma talked back with sudden bravado.
Zero put his hand gently on his shoulder and let it rest for a bit there.
''You will show her to us,'' his voice brokered no room for argument and yet it was deceptively gentle.
Azura huffed and crossed her arms, when Norman suddenly complied. In a way she was a little jealous. She wanted to do that thing with her voice too, where people's hair stood on end.
...
''What is her name?,'' Zero asked, the three of them staring at the Mako tank.
''I don't know,'' Norman replied.
''Then find out. And tell us if she had any Restrictors as well,'' Zero replied not wanting to deal with his nonsense.
Norman jerked and hasted over to a terminal. He pressed some buttons and then there was an ever so small pause before he pressed buttons some more.
Zero rolled his eyes and shot out his tendrils, slicing through some monsters easily. Azura melted the other half.
''...I had a severe and serious lapse in judgement,'' Norman began, seeing how easily they dealt with them.
''We can tell. The name,'' Azura told him flatly.
''She doesn't have Restrictors yet. They are difficult to install and they were useless until she proved some promising results. I didn't want to risk damaging her until then. As for her name, Shelke Rui-,'' Normans head flew off with his usefulness now to an end. The tendril disappearing back into Zero's coat.
''So, do we take her out of it?,'' Azura asked him. Zero crossed his arms and thought for a bit.
Unfortunately. They had to take that risk. In case any complications DO arrive... well, they had Shalua, who now would serve him. If he provided protection and also material for Shelke to get her Mako bath, then things should be fine.
Worst case scenario, he ends this 'round'.
''Hmm. Give me a moment,'' Zero walked over to the machine that Norman said was the SND. IF Shelke was willing, then he would have a much easier time spreading his message to the people in Sector 8 and 4. It would certainly spare him running back and forth.
He ripped it out, chair and helmet and all that and stuffed it in his Store Materia.
''Hey. Don't raise that eyebrow at me. This is a good opportunity,'' Zero defended himself and walked over to try and get the schematics for the device just in case. No such luck.
''Oh? We can read each other telepathically now? Yippie!,'' Azura clapped her hands happily. Normally that was reserved for people who were really close to each other. Like childhood friends or siblings, she imagined.
Or lovers.
''Uhh. Right,'' she knew he must be making a face that showed how confused he really way about her comment, she just didn't see it,''In any case let us take her out and leave. We will deal with any complications afterward.''
...
''Actually,'' Zero stopped and adjusted his grip on a sleeping Shelke. He turned around, just shy of the molten entrance from where they exited from.
''Should we burn this place down?,'' Zero asked. They already confirmed after some more snooping around that she really was the only alive subject.
''What about all those scientist that are still hiding down here?,'' Azura asked him.
''What about them?,'' Zero asked dismissively,''Any human rights and compassion they could have enjoyed they signed away the moment they stepped down here and made it their home.
Though they may bear the appearance of a human, make no mistake, they are unambiguously all monsters. Monsters are a sickness and if it can't be cured and the symptoms not treated then you must amputate the limb. No society can survive by being tolerant of the intolerant and merciful to the murderous.
Trust me, I know it sounds harsh, but it needs to be done.''
''I know. Trust me, I know. But burning them? If we really have to, then shouldn't we at least not try to sink to their level? Not in action, because we haven't done human experiments or the like. But in means, I mean. We should do it quick and clean, otherwise we are no better then them,'' Azura tried to explain her reasoning.
''We are better then them...,'' Zero commented, then sighed. No reason to be cross with her. She herself agreed with him, they were just arguing over the extent that the punishment should be done.
Zero groaned after a while and threw his head back.
''Here take her. I will make this quick,'' Zero handed her Shelke and made his way back into the facility, summoning his green sword.
...
An hour later he was done. He hunted down everyone in the facility as best as he could. And if any survived? Well, ignorance is bliss they say.
''You forgot one,'' Azura told him.
What? How would she know? Wait, of course, the planet.
''Where is that person?,'' Zero asked her and after receiving the answer went out to kill them too.
After being finally done, he ripped out the molten metal that blocked the entrance and after the two walked out, he set the facility ablaze.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shalua was watching the news nearly enraptured. There was a massive explosion just some hundreds of meters away from Midgar with black smoke rising high up into the sky and the earth caved in, as if it were a sink hole.
So far, no one was hurt, but Shinra promised to find the ones responsible who dared terrorize the people like this and that things should soon return back to their usual order.
Or some such nonsense. She knew that it was all about public image.
For one, it was very telling that they only showed pictured from afar and not from above and into the explosion. Almost... Oh who was she kidding? Exactly as if trying to hide something.
She wondered if AVALANCHE would try to make some use of it. Not that they would tell her. She was an investment, but right now she was no use to them, so she wouldn't get anything.
''Ah, I see you are witnessing our handiwork,'' came a male voice making her jump in fright.
She whirled around and saw Zero, making her sigh in relief which was quickly replaced by some hope. There shouldn't be many reasons why he was here otherwise.
''Will you always try to scare the wits out of me, every time we meet?,'' Shalua asked him.
''I know it may seem rude in a way. But it is better if we move without people noticing us. Us waiting and knocking at your door will definitely raise some eyebrows.
In any case. You remember our deal. No?,'' Zero asked and stepped aside allowing Shalua to see two woman. One she had to assume was an ally of the faction Zero was from.
And the other...
Shalua dropped her TV remote in shock.
''Shelke?,'' she whispered and then quickly sprinted to them, watching over her features.
''What? What is wrong with her?,'' she demanded to know.
''First, we should put her somewhere where she can rest, while we talk,'' Azura pointed out.
''Of course! This way, quickly,'' Shalua opened her bedroom, not minding the clothes and messiness of her room at all as she pointed at the bed. Azura put her gently down and Shalua began fussing over her, tears of joy and relief nearly spilling over.
''She is not waking up?,'' she asked them and turned to them.
''There is a bit of a tale to that. Allow us to explain,'' Zero told her.
And while she stroked Shelkes hand she listened as Azura, as she learned, and Zero explained things to her.
It was not even three weeks ago that she last has seen Zero and now he had delivered Shelke to her.
They told her how the Turks wanted Shelke for their organistaion. Only for Deepground to take notice of her as well. She learned who her parents were previously and cursed them in her mind, even if she knew they probably had no hand in Shelkes abduction.
There was a fight. They inspected it throughoutly and found a Shinra ID of a Turk deeply buried under the earth. There was no investigation. For her that didn't mean much, but once they explained it made more sense. Then they investigated some more and here she knew they omitted some information. Probably the means by which they acquired the intel. Trying to protect their information source, maybe? In any case, she didn't mind.
They went to Deepground. They fought. Found Shelke and why she was special enough to gather their attention. And Shalua knew at once that Zero would try to recruit Shelke as well for his organisation, even if he wasn't saying anything for now. She would wait and see what Shelke chooses, once she wakes up.
They fought the Tsviets and then burned down everything to hide their tracks and make Shinra investigating things harder. The explosion was the result.
(And wasn't Zero glad that the explosion was outside of Midgar. He would have hated to do things all over again. Wiping their tracks would have also take MUCH longer otherwise.)
''But... she should wake up. No?,'' Shalua asked them.
''She will. She just needs some rest. You see. There are people out there who have special abilities. If you want we can take Shelke somewhere safe and I can give her that Mako 'bath' with my abilities,'' Azura tried comforting her.
''I... I just got her back. I don't know how I feel about parting with her,'' Shalua told them reluctantly.
''You have too. You are meant to live her alone. How do you think it will look like when there is a woman with unknown origin sleeping here? Shinra won't immediately raise questions or connect the dots, to occupied with public image management, but eventually they will take notice in their investigation. And after some time, surely, connect her to Deepground.
She can not stay here.
If it helps look at it this way. Now that you are part of our faction and your allegiance lies with me, I would not jeopardize it by harming Shelke, especially since she herself may prove useful to our cause,'' Zero told her.
''Zero!,'' Azura gently slapped his arm,'' Don't be so insensitive.''
''I'm not,'' Zero defended himself.
''He is right. He is not. Even if I wish it otherwise, he speaks truly and more importantly logically,'' Shalua tried to gather her resolve to make a difficult decision.
''Look at it this way. You waited years to reunite with her. You can wait two more months till you graduate. Meanwhile she can hide in the slums and then you can join her. Who knows? By that time she may already be awake,'' Zero told her.
Though to be fair, he may need to tone down his activities a bit. He doubted he should update his checkpoint till things have calmed down and then danger of Shelke dying is gone. There is a lot of uncharted territory here, what with her ability and the experiments done to her.
''It would also be easier for me to nurture her in the slums. Less eyes for me to evade,'' Azura added.
Shalua was silent for a few minutes. She stared with longing at her sister and then eventually bent down to stroke her cheek and kiss her forehead.
''Ok,'' she took a deep breath,'' Ok. In any case, you and I made a deal. Bring me my sister and I will serve you with all I have.
And you brought me my sister, so I will serve you with all I have. So, do I need to swear an oath? What do you call your organisation?,'' Shalua asked them.
''The Black Knights. And no oath. Did you have to swear one for AVALANCHE? Or Shinra?,'' Zero told her.
''No, neither of them,'' she told them.
''Well, there you have it. No oaths needed. Just your allegiance, and that you do by deed, not words. I will prepare some things for you, a space for you to work in. Unfortunately once you graduate you will have to settle for doing theoretical work mostly,'' Zero informed her while picking up Shelke.
''I know. I understand,'' Shalua nodded, her heart clenching at having to part with her sister again so soon. Even if she knew it was the only logical course of action.
''Good. We will keep an eye on you, just in case we screwed up somewhere and Shinra does make the connection between what happened and us. We don't abandon our own. And you are Black Knight now. See you around, Shalua,'' Zero said his goodbye and then jumped out of the balcony.
''Goodbye! Glad you joined us and let's make the Planet a better place, together,'' Azura cheerfully waved and then jumped out of the balcony as well. Zero grabbing her and pulling her to the rooftop, as she didn't jump far enough.
Then the three of them disappeared into the night.
''Goodbye,'' Shalua called out softly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tseng entered President Shinra's office with some apprehension.
''Report,'' came the curt order, the President not turning in his chair to look at him, but outside of his window where black smoke was rising. Almost as if taunting him.
''We have tried to follow your order and investigate the matter. But for now, despite our best efforts, the fires still burn hot. The smoke will choke and poison anyone who comes too close. And the explosion seemed to have damaged several pipes, causing Mako to spill everywhere. It is a death trap,'' Tseng reported.
Of course that no Reactor shut down, because it's safety mechanisms were triggered from all that Mako spillage was telling. Tseng carefully kept the implications to himself, knowing that President Shinra's mood was not in the right state for any back talk or sycophantic words. He wanted results and only results, even if they were not what he wanted to hear.
''I suppose there are small mercies in the world,'' Shinra muttered. For the first time he regretted not connecting the cameras down there to the terminal in his office here. He would always have to go down to watch any footage. A safety measure, that was now useless. The only way someone could do this much damage was if someone hit them quick and hard. But one needed to be near Sephiroths level to do that, since the Tsviets would make short work of them otherwise. Or was it a group? AVALANCHE? Someone else?
He wouldn't find out the answer for a while. He knew. He needed to do damage control.
''Continue to investigate and try to remove as many hazardous elements as possible. Ensure that no wandering curious gaze approaches that area too closely. Close if off for the public, if you must. This demands your full attention or at least your priority,'' Shinra instructed.
''And any monster that may form because of all that Mako?,'' Tseng had to ask, despite the circumstances.
The Presidnet was silent for a long while. He wanted to rage so badly. But very few understood the extent of the damage done to the company, he could not afford to throw away good competent people. And Tseng and Reeve out of everyone were good competent and loyal people.
The others had their uses.
And Hojo was fucking insane. For all his genius he had to keep him on a short leash and even then Shinra was sure the bastard slipped past him. It did not escape him how Hojo stopped asking for human subjects after a while.
''That sounds like a matter for the Head of Public Security and his infantry or SOLDIER. You focus on your task and he will do his, if he knows what is good for him.
Dismissed,'' Shinra waved his hand back, Tseng seeing it briefly past the back of the massive chair, before it disappeared again.
''Understood, Sir,'' Tseng bowed and then left quickly.
In his mind, he couldn't help but feel the rope tightening.
As if someone was playing an elaborate game of cat and mouse with them all, at his leisure.
Because things turn out awfully convenient if it is all connected to the same person. Tseng was sure, well... almost certain that who ever was responsible was also the same one that had a choke hold on Sector 8 and 4. His gut instinct told him so.
He already had to slow his investigation down on them, his personal investigation granted, but still. After Shinra found out that they pay their taxes he was done with the matter and whoever ruled over Sector 8 and 4. For him it was just another mafia head and so long as they would cause no trouble he didn't care for them.
Then he also had to find Subject C and Z. And Tseng was almost certain that they were Cloud and Zack who disappeared all those years ago at the same time as Sephiroth. He was personally invested in this since he wanted to help his friend out. He supposed Cloud too.
Then he also had to find out who leaked the information about the Store Materia. Shinra may have been partially pacified with delivering them that one scientist, but Tseng was sure there was more to it.
And now this. An official assignment that demanded the Turks full attention, for a rather lengthy time. Well not all of them. They still needed to watch Aerith every now and then, but still.
There was simply too much going on at the same time. They were being stretched thin and pulled in too many directions.
How? How?!
Tseng clenched his fists and calmed himself down.
He was sure that whoever was responsible for all of this was laughing mirthfully at them somewhere, while their heads where spinning.
That is fine. The Turks have never failed an assignment.
They can keep laughing for now.
Tseng would gladly catch that person and stop him from harming Shinra's interests.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nox stretched out on the bench, sighing as he felt and hear a satisfying pop. The two of them in the Sector 5 church while Aerith tented to her flowers.
He already put Shelke somewhere safe and planned on checking on her quite often. For now he will take things slow. But if he sees an opportunity he will take it.
Nox hummed.
''Are you tired?,'' Aerith asked him.
''No. Why? Are you?,'' he asked her back.
''Nope. It's just... how do you think I did?,'' she asked him.
''Damn good. Sure you didn't defeat any of them, but you've only been fighting for... What? A few months now. Properly fighting that is. The fact that your magic is already so powerful it can make you stand some fighting chance is promising. Your body will just have to catch up with that, but if you keep at it, it will eventually. Aside from that?
I don't have any other criticism,'' Nox complimented her. She certainly did better then his fist real fight. He still felt embarrassed over it. Granted she had him to guide her, but so what?
He meant what he said. They may have been the best of the best, aside from Sephiroth, but he trained for a long time too. And Aerith didn't do too bad herself against them, for only fighting a few months. He gave it... a year maybe two, before she grew so powerful as a mage that she could match him... assuming he was only using his body and his Materia and not his other powers.
''Really?,'' Aerith beamed and walked over to him to look down at his face. He opened his eye and then closed it back again.
''Yes, really...,'' Nox assured her. Then he suddenly remembered a past 'round' and something she said. Sure, that memory will never be something that they can take both joy in, but...they can make a new one. Even if it was a little similar.
''Tell you what? You did so well, I want to reward you. Would you be interested in going to a karaoke bar up top?,'' Nox asked her while he sat up. He could use that distraction too, before he tackled his discoveries down there.
''Oh! Like a date?,'' Aerith gushed enthusiastically and leaned into his face.
Nox widened his eyes a little, his cheeks feeling a little warm. They probably turned red too, he wouldn't know.
''I'm not opposed to that,'' Nox agreed easily and stood up.
''Yay!!!,'' Aerith celebrated and pumped her fist up.
''Then let's hurry. No, time to waste,'' she declared as she grabbed him by the arm and began dragging him after her.
Nox sighed fondly.
(A.N.: 11630 words.
To any Dirge of Cerberus enjoyer. I'm sorry, I probably didn't do the Tsviets any justice. If that is the case then I'm sorry. Like I said, I didn't play it. I just heard about it and watched a summary. I thought it would be good to use it for something. Advance Nox' understanding of his powers, show where Aerith and him stand in terms of power. Get Shalua and Shelke as a deal, who are both very useful for Nox' plans. Etc.
And I hope you enjoyed the fight scene. Clearly, visual entertainment is unmatched in that regard, if in no other regard. But I hope it was somehow entertaining to read the fight scene anyway. And yes, it may have ended anti-climatically but I assure you the Big Bad and some other fights won't be the same.
I feel like I'm not doing a good job with the fight scenes, is what I mean. So feel free to be critical about that, if you want. Or don't.
Anyway. I hope you enjoyed reading that. Cheers and stay safe out there.)