Chapter III: Familiarity

The following morning I arose and followed Hojo to the armory. After I was fully equipped, Hojo turned to me with a package.1

--Here: you'll be needing this, I think-- 2

He smirked a little as I took the package. *Ah... Massamune...* I whispered, as I took the sword by the hilt. I must admit, the temptation to stain the sword once more with Hojo's blood was great. But why sack your Queen for a Pawn? Luke was my highest target as it stood. I would deal with him and him alone.3

--Go ahead, try it out-- Hojo chuckled.4

I swung the blade and tucked it behind me.5

(This is perfect...) I thought with a sly smile.6

--Now is where I say goodbye. If you would please follow the guards--7

:No need: I turned to see where the voice had come from.8

--L- Luke..-- Hojo muttered.9

--Wha- what brings you hea--10

:I will escort him myself:11

*So you are Luke? I suppose I have you to thank for my... Resurrection?*12

He was a spitting image of his father, Rufus. The only difference was his eyes. They were much softer than his father's. He was a stout young man, and given his appearance, he was not as hot-headed as his predecessors.13

(Now is my chance... NO! Not yet... He may still be of some use... Hold your hand) My thoughts raced as I weighed the options. In the end, though, he did seem to hold more use for me alive, then.14

: Please, follow me: He said as he turned to proceed down the hall.15

We proceeded to a Helli-pad that would take us to Neo-Shinra H.Q. at the heart of Neo-Midgar.16

: So tell me, Sephiroth, how does it feel to be living again?: Luke shouted over the engines.17

*It is nice to breath again. But then again, I can't remember what it was to be dead.*18

* Fair enough:19

*So why did you bring me back?*20

: Because I could: he replied with a smirk.21

(You will die a little slower for that comment...) I was enraged at the thought he brought me back just to prove he could.22

:After we land, I will introduce you to SOLDIER II team. Afterwards, I will explain a little better as to why you are here.:23

*Fair enough...* I was fed up. I'm pretty sure it showed on my face.24

We arrived at the complex. Four sets of dual guards covered the entrance. Light Infantry: nothing to spectacular. From the lobby we proceeded to the hundred and seventh floor.25

:This is a restricted access floor. You will need this key to get back here: He handed over a key card.26

* Please don't lose that:27

*When do I meet the rest of this 'team' of yours?*28

:Soon:29

The doors opened. We proceeded past several rooms. As we came to a door I heard a familiar voice from the opposite side announce.30

^Eight-ball: corner to side pocket.^31

I heard laughter as the voice proclaimed for it's opponent to 'pay up'.32

:Here is the rest of the team: Luke said as he opened the door.33

I proceeded into the room.34

^What is he doing here Luke?!?!^ It was Berret, standing in a state of shock at the far end of the pool table.35

:Everyone, meet your newest recruit... This is Sephiro...:36

#We know who he is Luke...# The calm voice came from my right. As I turned to look, a sudden urge raced through my veins. I fought it with all my might.37

(CLOUD!!! ARRRRRAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!) I screamed within my own mind. But I didn't allow my body to react.38

:He is now a member of SOLIDER II: Luke replied with a smirk.39

#He does not belong here, Luke. You know the history you have just placed in this room.#40

^Yea, I'm 'bout to show you a fucking repeat!^ Berret replied as he cocked his gun-arm and set the laser upon my chest.41

:Now, now Berret: Luke spoke, as he stepped in front of me.42

:Is that any way to treat your new partner?:43

^Fuck that! I will not work with him!^ Berret announced44

+Berret! Calm down!+ A young women stepped up to him and pulled his arm down.45

^Tifa let go of me damn it! He is the reason everything is so fucked up now! He is the reason we are here again!^46

#Luke, tell me why you have done this.# Cloud's calmness was not to be faulted. Now whether his thoughts followed his actions or not, I will never know.47

:To be perfectly honest, because I don't think you can handle the job on your own.: Luke replied.48

#Fair enough. But you should not have held us in the dark as you did. That was unfair to us. We are a team now: all of us. You have no right holding secrets.#49

:Sorry. Didn't seem to be a big deal to me. And you would do well to remember that I am your boss. You are lucky I have given you as much information as you have received.:50

^Who's to say we can trust him?!?!^51

*Seems as though you have no choice, Berret.* I replied, with a hint of mockery.52

^Why, you!!! Remember, we took you out once!! WE CAN DO IT AGAIN!!^ Berret's temper hadn't seemed to change.53

:I will leave you to explain the rest to Sephiroth as to the purpose of SOLIDER II.: Luke said as he turned to leave. He reached the door and turned.54

: Oh, and Cloud... Please keep your team under control. Remember, I fund this and if you value this planet or the lives on it you would be wise to obey my orders. I trust you can control Berret, can't you Cloud?: With that, Luke left the room.55

^Fuck this!^ Berret snapped the pool cue in his hand and proceeded to follow Luke out the door.56

^Damn it!! First we're brought back to serve some kid and now we are stuck with that SOB. Why the...^ Berret's voice trailed off as he slammed his dorm door.57

#Tifa, please go check on him and calm him down.#58

+But...+59

#Tifa, I will be fine. Go to him. I will explain what has happened and what we are doing here to Sephiroth.# With that, Tifa left to Berret's room.60

*So, here we are again, clone.* I smirked.61

#Hold your tongue, Sephiroth. Luke brought you here, fine. That cannot be undone. But I can take your life once more if need be.#62

*So confident; quite the leader.*63

#We are all forced to work together now.#64

*All?* I inquired.65

#Yes, Luke brought everyone back, excluding Red and his two kids. Seeing as how they were still alive when we were brought back.#66

(Oh, how pleasant! I will have my chance to kill each of them once again. And this time I have two extra to deal with. This adds more fun to my plans) As thoughts raced through my mind, I followed Cloud to a table. Once we were seated, he proceeded to tell me the details of SOLIDER II, the past, and what is to become of us.67