A Matter of Spirit
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7, neither the story nor anything else (exept my OCs) and I don't make any profit by writing this.
Autor's note: And yeah, here comes Genesis! *runs and hides in a cave* And you will meet SOLDIER 2nd Class Lt. Declan Hunter, one of Amarissia's OCs. An absolutely nice guy who shares with Zack some really traumatic experiences during their imprisonment in Wutai. After their return to Midgar he discovered a bullied lonely little cadet who was a natural with sword-play and, well, he "adopted" Cloud as a kind of little brother. Declan and Zack, as well as Angeal, Genesis and (secretely) Sephiroth are incredible proud about the progress their little chocobo-head had made since then. And, oh, I should mention that Angeal and Zack are a couple and Genesis, Sephiroth and Director Lazard are in a threesome relationship ( which doesn't prevent Genesis from enjoying his own adventures)
Chapter 2: Decisions To say that Commander Rhapsodos was in a bad mood would have been the understatement of the century. He was annoyed, frustrated and ready to smash the first person who bothered him against the next available wall. Auburn strands streamed out behind him and his aquamarine eyes flashed when the famous member of the Trinity was striding through the floor in long paces.
Every year until now he'd somehow managed to avoid it. Nearly every high-ranking First Class had done it. Angeal had done it two times, even Sephiroth had done it once. But this time it was his turn although he fought tooth and nail to get out of it. But no, Lazard had been adamant and neither Genesis's best seducing stragegies nor the infamous threat of a sex-strike had made him change his mind. To make the whole disgusting thing even worser, Sephiroth was watching their heated discussion with a slight smile of amusement.
Oh, both of his lovers would pay for this, Genesis promised himself silently, there was still this mean trick with the ginger root he learned during his last visit in Wutai. But in spite of all his efforts, he couldn't change it: This year it was Genesis's turn to supervise the assessment center for the cadet program.
Basically, today it was his job to sign more than two hundred forms which confirmed that the applicant was either accepted into the academy, recommended for joining the regulars or rejected completely. There were rarely any cases where the examiners and medics were at issue about an applicant, which would mean that the supervising officer's opinion was asked for. The evaluations were effective, fast and meant for delivering the precisest possible results , so that after every round at least a handful of applicants were sorted out. Genesis was going to have the perfect example of a day filled with boredom and paperwork.
xxxxxxx
Some hours earlier: Punctually at eighthundred Cloud had entered the lab, where a nurse was already waiting for him.
She smiled: "Hello, candidate Strife! My name is Rhonda and I'll be your nurse on this important day." She led him through the big lab-hall where already ten anxiously looking boys laid on guerneys, into the small medical observation room where Cloud's treatment would take place.
" You didn't eat anything for the last twelve hours before and took the laxative at the evening last night?" When Cloud nodded, still feeling a slight tension in his belly from the time he spent in the bathroom some hours before, she told him: "Don't worry, Professor Hollander will focus his care on you as you're one of the special cases. He'll arrive as soon as he's finished with the other candidates.
"You should undress now, your underwear too please," she said and she handed him over a hospital gown, "When you're finished, then please take the medication on the nightstand. It's a sedative to prepare you for the anesthesia. You won't feel anything when the Professor is going to implant the J-cells into your spine."
"I'll get an anesthesia?"
"Sure," the nurse smiled, "As I said, you're a special case." After she left,he put of his uniform and dressed in the hospital gown, then swallowed the small cup of fluid and in a few minutes time he felt himself flowing in a kind of happy daze. He lost his feeling for time and hardly noticed the cries and sobbing coming out of the lab-hall. When the nurse came in again, he was he was practically half asleep.
At first he felt a pinch in the crook of his left ellbow. "Just an IV to keep you hydrated..." Then, from far away he heard her saying something about 'slight discomfort' and 'catheter...necessairy cause you should'nt move, if avoidable'.
But he was still aware enough to wince, when something was inserted into his penis. Minutes later, it seemed to him, he was ordered to lay down on his side and drew his knees close to his chest. Then someone pressed a mask on his face and told him to take deep breathes.
He didn't feel the syringes pushed into three places of his spine. When he was awake again, Rhonda was at his side and asked him if he felt any burning pain in his back. When Cloud shook his head, the nurse looked puzzled.
Then, for the first time, he realized the presence of a bearded man wearing a labcoat. "We'll begin with the Mako injections now, " he said, "I know, it won't be comfortable, but I'll inject only small doses at once. Then he inserted an IV into Cloud's right arm and began.
The first ones Cloud hardly noticed, but after a time, he began to groan with pain - which wasn't unusual at all, thinking of what the other candidates had to go trough.
"Sooo, I think that's enough for this time. You did very well, young man!," Hollander said and ruffled Cloud's hair.
Rhonda, who had watched silently all the time , would have preferred to stop the injections at a much earlier time. She cast a shocked look at the urine bag hanging down from the bed's side.
Cloud's urine had the toxic green colour of the fluid used in glow sticks.
XXXXXXXXXX
While signing another pile of forms with recommodations for the regular army, Genesis thought with a frown on their little chocobo-head who was lying right now somewhere in the lab section to get his first Mako and J-cells injections. He glanced at the clock on the wall. 10:30. The Mako treatments had begun at 8:00, but because Cloud came from an area with lots of natural Mako deposits, the scientist expected him to have a higher tolerance than average - just like it had been the case with Zack, who had one of the highest tolerance rates in the history of the SOLDIER program - exept the members of the Trinity of course.
So, instead of lying in the large lab-hall where all the other new SOLDIERS where injected with normal doses, Cloud would be kept in a small medical observation room, where Hollander would gradually inject him with Mako until Cloud's level of tolerance would have reached it's natural limit.
He knew that the first time was going be very very painful and Genesis didn't liked at all the thought of Cloud's petit body writhing in this devastating pain. Luckily Angeal took care that not Hojo, but Hollander would do the treatment and after it was finished, there were Hunter and Zack waiting for him with a comfortable bed in Hunter's apartment, a barfing pan, enough bottles of water and electrolyte drinks, CDs with Clouds favorite music and, just in case, a Moogle-plushie.
But still...it would be a hard day for the young Third Class. Hopefully he would remember the meditation exercises they taught him as they would ease the pain at least a bit.
xxxxxxxx
With some relieve Kris noticed that he wasn't the only applicant without any luggage. Hell, there were boys who seemed to be even worser off than he was. Two or three looked half starved and their clothes were ragged.
"Homeless kids from under the plate," murmured the brown-haired boy beside him. "They don't have a chance to make it into SOLDIER. Too weakened by hunger. If they're lucky and don't keel over in the endurance test, maybe the regulars will take them. By the way, my name is Tommy. And your's?"
"I'm Kris. I didn't know that in Midgar such poverty exists." replied Kris.
"From where are you? Backwater-town? Of course they don't show in the news what's under the plate, but everybody knows about it. I'm from under the plate too, but I grew up in an orphanage. Not nice. You've got to work in the sweatshops or other little factories from morning to night. That's the way the owners of the orphanages make their money. But at least you get food and a bit of education. Are you a runaway or kicked out?"
When Kris looked at the other boy questioningly, he said grinning: "No luggage." Losing his patience with the curious boy, Kris sighed: " I'm not from a backwater-town, but from a backwater farm, down in the Grasslands. And yes, they kicked me out. You happy now?"
"Ok, ok, I won't bother you further. Ah, they're calling up group C. My turn. Good luck, country-boy!" and Tommy got on his feet, grabbing his backpack.
"Good luck, Tommy!" Kris said. The other boy nodded and went to the group which was to be tested for strength and flexibility.
Kris had already absolved the entrance exam (with mixed feelings), the psychological evaluation, and the strength and flexibility test (which was ok). The next item on the list for Group D - his group - was the medical exam.
After his group was called up and ushered by Third Class Soldiers into the infirmary, they were swarmed by lab-assistants who took bloodsamples from every applicant.
Forty minutes later he stood nude, exept of his shorts in an examination room. After the medic was done with the his usual routine, namely taking temperature, bloodpressure, heartbeat and so far he said: "Turn around. I've got to examine lung function and see if your spine is allright."
When Kris did as demanded, there was a moment of silence. The medic said earnestly to his assistant, a young woman with friendly eyes: "Go and get Commissioner Drake. We've got a case of abuse." The assistant nodded wide-eyed and left.
Some minutes later she returned with a middle-aged man with a bald patch and a friendly smile on his face who adressed Kris while looking at his file: " Hello ! So, you are Kris Snyder?"
When Kris mutely nodded, he continued: " I'm sorry but we have to document every case of abuse. Don't worry, this won't have any influence on your assessment results," he said (against his own better knowledge), "But ShinRa Inc. wants to have prove that you were already in this state when you arrived here. So, you are from the Grasslands?"
Kris nodded again and harrumphed :" Yes, Sir!" "Was this done by one of your parents?" "My foster father, Sir!"
Commissioner Drake sighed ," It's a shame son. But in the Grasslands, as well as in some other continental regions, parents have practically free reign when it comes to punishing their children. So, I'm afraid that you won't have a chance to press any charges against your foster father. "
"I wouldn't do this, Sir. Without him, my mother and my sister wouldn'd be able to keep the farm. Too much work for a woman and a girl. And besides, I was his only target. He never hurt them."
While he opened his briefcase and took out a camera, Drake continued : " Considering the scars on your back and on the backside of your tighs, I assume that there are as well some on your buttocks. Would you, please, take off your shorts?"
After the assistant left tactfully the room, Kris did as was demanded from him and stood straight like a candle, trying to keep the clicking sounds of the camera out of his mind.
"When did this happen, son, for the last time, I mean?"
The day before yesterday. But the Lady who picked me up and drove me to Midgar saw that I was...hurt. And she was so kind to give me a potion."
"A potion? That was a really nice Lady. What was her name?" "Mrs. Ramada, Sir."
After Comissioner Drake wrote down some notes, he said:" Would you please turn around, son?"
When Kris hesitated, well aware that there were still some red welts on his genitals, Drake said: "Please, Kris. I can't allow you to continue the assessment center without a full documentation of your physical state."
Slowly the boy turned around with closed eyes, trying to bite back his tears of shame. Again the clicking noise of the camera.
"Kris...Kris, listen to me!" the Commisioner said, " This could be defined as sexual abuse which is forbidden everywhere. We have to make sure that there weren't ...other things done to you, because then it would be no longer your choice to press a charge and I'd have to hand over the report to the Legal departement."
Kris shook his head and said shakingly: " No, there weren't other things, Sir!" Drake looked meaningful at the medic: " I know it's been two days, but there might still be a chance to find some traces. Please, get an rape-kit, Dr. Laverne." Shaking compassionately his head, he faced the boy again. "I'm sorry, Kris."
xxxxxxxxx
Genesis glanced with growing impatience at the annoying clock again. 11:45. He sighed with some relief. Fifteen minutes until lunch-break. The rest of the day he would manage to survive somehow. After calling in at the evening at Hunter's apartment to check how Cloud was doing, he planned to head under the plate to Wall Market to visit the Wutaian spice shop he usually preferred. And he'd ask the shop-owner explicitly for the hottest sort of ginger roots he had in store.
And then, oh sweet revenge! The thought of both of his lovers tied up and endowed with the properly placed ginger roots in their behinds eased his mood considerably and he signed another batch of forms, only that this time some of the applicants were rejected completely.
Right in the moment when the Commander was about to leave the office for his break, someone knocked at the door.
Shit! Whoever this guy was, he was going to regret delaying his break if this wasn't something really important! "Come in!", Genesis snarled.
"I'm sorry, Commander Rhapsodos ! I know it's about time for your lunch-break," the middle-aged man said, when he entered the office. "I'm Commissioner Drake. Sir, as you know it's common procedure that every case of abuse among the applicants has to be reported to the supervising officer."
"An applicant has been abused here?", asked the SOLDIER disbelivingly. "No, Sir, he arrived already in this state. His injuries are mostly healed because the woman who picked the boy up at the Chocobo Farm gave him a potion. Your task is to have a look at the evidence and confirm that he was already in this state when he arrived."
Drake handed Genesis over the thin file he'd carried. "His name is Kris Snyder. His foster-father kicked him out, but before this, well,...you'll see. The boy walked alone the twenty-tree miles to the Chocobo Farm, where Chocobo Bill took care that one of his visitors, a Mrs. Ramada, drove the boy to Midgard."
When Genesis opened the file, Drake said: " Not a pretty sight, I'm afraid." Genesis grew pale when he looked at the pictures. He had seen such scars before, but never on the fragile body of a fourteen years old boy. He gritted his teeth when he saw the last picture which showed the frontside.
Oh Minerva, this poor boy! He didn't want to imagine how the injuries had looked like before the boy took the potion.
After a second he managed to regain his composure and asked: "Any signs of rape?" "No, Sir. The rape test didn't show any signs of penetration." Drake glanced at the SOLDIER: " Sir, if I might add...I looked into the results of the psychological evaluation. Snyder showed during the medical exam clearly that he was affected by what was happening to him. Which is no wonder, as he had to stand stark naked in a room , forced to suffer that a complete stranger took pictures of his most intimate parts, not to mention the examination with the rape-kit. But, much to my astonishment, the psychological evaluation didn't show any signs of post-traumatic stress or any other signs of mental damage. This boy must have an incredible high resilience."
Or his is simply incredible brave, thought Genesis.
"The only evaluation still left for Snyder is the endurance and stress test at 16:00.", said Drake before he took again the file and put it in his briefcase.
"Acknowledged!", snapped Genesesis, "If you'd exuse me now..." "Of course, Sir!", replied the Commisioner dutifully and left the office.
A minute later Genesis grabbed his sword and stormed through the building. When he passed the secretary's desk at the end of the floor, he came to a screaching halt and growled: " Should Commander Hewley ask for me, tell him that he'll find me in the gym!"
xxxxxx
Genesis entered the giant gym, but passed the area he usually preferred - the area reserved for sword-training. Right know he needed something more primal, an activity what would help him to vent the storm of rage inside him, before he was really going to hurt someone innocent. Hand-to-hand was usually not his first choice when it came to fighting, but right now it was exactly what he needed and he headed for the big punching bag.
This beast was especially designed for SOLDIERs and weighed more than 200 lbs.
Punch- dodging - kick -dodging- strike...it wasn't of any help. The rage was still there.
Then Genesis imagined a fourty-something old hick with mean eyes, beating mercyless this innocent boy with a cane.
"You fucking son of a bitch!", the SOLDIER shouted, attacking the punching bag with a side-kick aimed right to the place where a grown man's crotch would have been - and the punching bag bursted with a crashing noise like an overripe watermelon. Sand spilled everywhere on the floor of the gym.
"Are you feeling better now?" a well known , sonorous voice asked him calmly. Genesis was still gasping and nodded wordlessly before turning around to take a look at the comforting sight of his old friend.
"Oh, come on, supervising the assessment center is no fun, but it can't be that bad," Angeal said mockingly. Finally Genesis had caught his breath again and sat down on one of the benches, closely followed by Angeal.
"It isn't that, Angeal. We had a case of an abused applicant."
"Oh," Angeal frowned, "Do you want to tell me what happened to the boy?"
"You remember the prisoner-of-war-camps of the Wutaians? "
When Angeal nodded, Genesis continued:" Usually the Wutaian guards used canes for disciplining unruly prisoners. Some of the regulars returned to Midgard with pretty nasty scars on their backs or on their buttocks."
The darkhaired SOLDIER frowned when Genesis continued: "This boy is covered from his shoulders to his tighs with these scars. And that's not all of it. This piece of shit of a foster father had beaten him ...on his genitals too. Even after he got a potion, the bruises are still visible"
Normally Genesis wouldn't have any difficulties to name the bodyparts involved - but this was different. This wasn't about having fun.
"Oh Gaia," Angeal sighed, after Genesis had told him about the results of the other tests. "You should know that ShinRa tends to sort out the kids which are considered as damaged. Do you remember what trouble Cloud had to get into the program, only because he was shy and introverted for he was bullied in his hometown - and this despite of the fact that his awesome talent with sword-work was already proven, although no-one expected that from an applicant? What kind of tests are still left to do for the boy?"
"Only the endurance and stress-resistance test at 16:00."
" Well, if you want to help this boy, I'd suggest that you make use of your right to supervise the exam. But you should keep in mind that the boy really needs to have the right prerequisites to become a SOLDIER. In case of Cloud, it was simple. He just needed some friends, a kind of family who took care of him and made him feel beloved. And only a few months later he was recovered from his traumatic experiences in his hometown and became everything what's to expected of a future SOLDIER."
"I think, I'll do exactly that. Besides," Genesis grinned, "It'll keep me out of that damn office. And by the way, are there any news about our little chocobo-head?"
"Oh, yes! Zack gave me a call right before I entered the gym. Cloud did very well, or so Hollander told Zack. He even managed to get on his own feet to Hunter's apartment. Before Zack called, they'd tucked him into his bed. I'm afraid that he won't be spared from the vomiting, but at least he hasn't to suffer this in the barracks of the Third Class. I planned to look after him in the evening. If you want, you can accompany me."
"Of course I want. I'm definitely eager to watch Hunter's little pet cuddling a plushie," Genesis smirked.
"Cloud. Isn't. A. Pet. How often do I have to repeat that!", Angeal sighed.
"Oh, please, he's much too cute for his own good!", Genesis snickered.
"And it's still going to be some months until his sixteenth birthday, when he'll reach the age of consent after the Nibelheim law!"
"At least he doesn't have to wait until his seventeenth birthday!", Genesis grinned.
"Oh well...we won't talk about this right now. I'm going to pick you up at your office around 19:00 then?"
"Yeah, yeah...until then this whole mess should be cleared up."
"Genesis?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad that you're feeling better now. And I truly hope that the boy will make it."
"Yes... Thanks for your advice...brother!"
After this unusual and rare display of affection towards his eldest friend the fierce auburn fighter turned around on his heels, heading for the cafeteria, in the hope that he might get at least some of the lukewarm left-over food.
xxxxxxx
Genesis groaned inwardly when he saw who was the examiner of the endurance test. Oh no, not drill sergeant Rogers! He remembered the man all too well from his own basic training. Although Genesis had been already enhanced at that time, Rogers had managed to exhaust him during every drill exercise in a way that he returned to the barracks on shaking knees and with his muscles hurting like hell.
His look went over to the small crowd of boys who were waiting nervously at the edge of the ash racing track.
Group D, the last group of applicants.
Memorizing the picture in the file, Genesis discovered the boy with the ash blond hair in the crowd.
Shit. Snyder looked as he was about to keel over every moment.
"The rules are simple!", Rogers thundered, " You run. When I call the number one, this means you stop immediatly and do ten push-ups. Two means fifteen squats and if I call three you'll jump five times. Then you'll continue with running again. You'll run exactly three rounds."
The boys started in groups of ten and Genesis noticed that there were again some more candidates for the regulars. Of course Rogers called the numbers in a random order and some boys reacted too late or they did the wrong exercises, showing clearly that they weren't able to handle the stress which was put upon them.
Then Snyder's group went to the start line. The boy cast nervous glances around him, he even tripped nearly over his own feet once.
Oh fuck, this was it for you, boy!, Genesis thought.
"On your marks...get set..."
Genesis blinked with surprise. In a split second Snyder's stance had changed completely. Uneasiness and fear were gone, replaced by concentration and determination. This wasn't the same boy who stood there a second ago.
"Go!"
Snyder run like a clockwork. The drill sergeant called his random numbers and the boy reacted incredible fast, as he'd anticipate when the next command would come and which number would be called then. And at the same time he steadily kept his place between the two or three leading runners. It was an absolutely perfect run. But strange enough, as soon as the race was over, Snyder changed again into his unsecure, nervous self.
It was the same at the obstacle course. As soon as he got the starting signal, Snyder was focused and determined again and took the obstacles without any hesitation in the most effective way, just like a SOLDIER. Genesis shook his head disbelievingly and he saw that Rogers obviously felt the same when he wrote down his notes in Snyder's file. The SOLDIER gazed again at the group of applicants and Snyder looked like he was ready to hide under a stone.
xxxxxxx
The board-meeting was announced for 18:00. Thankfully it was going be a short one as there was only one applicant to discuss. And just like Angeal had expected, it was about Snyder. Although the examiners, the psychologist, as well as Dr. Laverne and Commisioner Drake spoke on Snyders behalf, some of the paper-pushers of the administration department insisted that they wouldn't accept the risk to allow the enlistment of a boy who simply had to be severely damaged.
Lazard, as the director of the SOLDIER department took part in the meeting too, but he was obviously indecisive. The discussion went for about forty minutes, when Genesis finally banged down his fist on the table. "As the supervisor of the assessment center I wish to make use of my power of veto! After my opinion Snyder will make a good SOLDIER and is to be accepted into the Cadet Academy!"
While saying this he glared at the second of his lovers .
Don't you dare, Lazzie, to bar my way concerning this matter. I had already a shitty day because of you and if you piss me off any further then there will be consequences...very nasty consequences.
Lazard seemed to understand and stated in his usual calm voice: " I fully trust in Commander Rhapsodos judgement and vote for Snyder." The paper-pushers shrugged and a couple of minutes later, Genesis sent down a Second Class to a lonely boy who was waiting in the hall.
xxxxxx
When Kunsel approached the boy he smiled: "Hey! Congrats, cadet Snyder!"
"Am I...am I really?"
"Yes, you are." Kunsel smiled," Sorry, but you look like shit. Lemme help you?"
Somehow the attitude of the SOLDIER reminded Kris of Joey. He nodded mutely and Kunsel grabbed the boy's arm to help him getting on his feet again.
"I'm Kunsel. So at first we have to go to supply to get your cadet uniform and all the other items. Then I'll show you to your dorm. Are you hungry?" When the boy nodded shyly again, Kunsel continued: "Ok. I'll tell you something: While you're in the dorm, taking a shower and changing in the pajamas you'll get from supply, I'll fetch some sandwiches from the cafeteria for you. Ok?" "Thank you, Sir!", was all Kris managed to say.
xxxxxx
Finally the meeting room was completely abandonded - nearly. Only Genesis was still sitting on his chair, trying to digest all the dramatic events of this day.
Finally he smiled. Whatever they future might bring, he was sure that there was at least one very happy boy right now entering one of the cadet's dorms.
"Ahem, Commander Rhapsodos ? ", the secretary harrumphed, "Commander Hewley is waiting for you in the hall."
Genesis smiled: "Thank you!" He raised himself of his seat, left the room and then he met Angeal in the floor. He frowned when he saw that his friend was carrying a big cooking pot. "What's this? Do you want to drown Cloud in that pot?"
"Oh Genesis! That's good old homemade chicken stew. Best medicine for all kinds of discomfort. Now, let's go and see how Cloud is doing."
Ten minutes later they arrived at Hunter's apartment and Zack answered the door. He smiled, greeted Angeal with a passionate kiss and let them in. "Cloud had a fucking hard time today, but he'd been really brave."
When they entered the living room they saw Hunter as he was just leaving the small guest room where Cloud would live from now on.
"And?", asked Genesis and Angeal unisono. "Cloud's just awakened," replied the newly made First Class, "When he came back from the labs, things were looking good at first. But then he vomited and suffered spasms for nearly two hours. Then his fits stopped suddenly and he slept though the rest of the day," Hunter said tiredly, smoothing his blond curls, " But he's feeling quite well now. Is that he chicken stew you mentioned?"
Angeal nodded and said: " By the way, all the best to you too, " In fact, this was a really momentous day, not only for Cloud, but for Declan Hunter as well as it marked the beginning of Hunter's mentorship. From now on, Cloud wouldn't be only his adopted little brother, but his apprentice, his responsibility.
Hunter smiled, thanked him and accepted the pot, "I'm sure he's going to be hungry very soon. So I think I should warm up the good stuff as soon as possible. " While he watched Angeal and Zack alighting themselves on the couch, Genesis adressed Hunter. "Would you mind if I talk to Cloud?" "No, as I said he's awake."
Genesis went into the small room and contemplated for a short moment about this amazingly beautiful boy lying in that small bed. And indeed, just as he'd imagined, the boy was clutching his Moogle plushie. Not that this would matter right know. It just remembered him of another boy who should be just as innocent as Cloud was.
"Cloud ?"
"Hmmm?", Cloud smacked his lips,
" Genesis? M'hungry."
"Your dinner is warmed up right now. But until then, would you mind if I tell you a story?" "Hmmm." "Ok. This day was very special to me. I've been the supervisor of the assessment center and I met a very special person today..."
