Chapter Text
The propeller’s swatting of air trapped the SOLDIER’s enhanced hearing to the range of the helipad. Soon he would be in the air and dropped at the coordinates sent by the P0s. Soon he’d exterminate every citizen on the island to make way for Shinra’s construction team and begin development of a new reactor. Soon… he'd enter his first mission, unbeknownst to the public that believed him to already be a hero with hundreds of easily won battles under his belt.
This was real. He was not permitted a single mistake.
A lone cadet entered the cabin as the co-pilot followed closely behind with panicked breath. Clearly this small departure delay worried the co-pilot with future reprimands, rushing into the front and yelling a small command to close the door and strap in now.
The cadet seemed less worried, but worried nonetheless, following the command swiftly and taking his seat against the far side of the craft.
The SOLDIER couldn't help the small crease of his brow in confusion. His orders were to arrive on Rhadore alone.
As if the cadet knew what he was thinking, the cadet shrugged, pointing up and shaking his head.
Ah. A decision from the higher ups then. It was possible. Somewhat. The soldier turned to the window, his snake-like eyes containing the cadet in his periphery, his left hand itching at the ready for his blade.
His first mission hadn't begun and already he sensed a threat. An uneasiness. Why wasn’t he informed? Was this how normal missions were? Sudden changes at the last second before lift off? Maybe he was just overthinking the small inconvenience, but he was desperate to do this right.
Considering the coordinates were barely in the airwaves for a second. The team that sent the signal was most likely in danger. Not a single other reason justified the sudden cut off. His arrival was necessary both for protection and for experience in true combat.
The soldier stayed hidden in his thoughts, occasionally sparing a glance at the cadet next to him. Mainly his gaze scanned the landscape, the real one before him. The real world. No simulations. No projections. It was nearly the same, but the imperfection and limitless sky could never be copied by a few camera tricks.
Soon the lands shifted from mountainous and dry plains to the deep blue ocean reflecting the sky.
The cadet at his side unstrapped while they were still in the air, the clicks instantly drawing his reptilian gaze. But once the cadet stood, the helmet turned to him before shaking side to side, a hand raised ever so slightly as a silent request to remain in his seat.
Something was off, but he could not act unless he was certain.
The cadet walked into the cockpit, asking general updates about their arrival time, their distance from Midgar, how the helicopter is operating, if autopilot was active or even possible in such a craft. Then both pilots were swiftly knocked unconscious by the cadet’s quick elbows. The soldier shot to his feet and launched at the traitorous cadet.
But the cadet expected that, he must have.
A wide blade suddenly appeared in the traitor’s hand and met the Shinra branded katana. The silver haired hero chose to lock their blades in a cross, allowing neither to move in such a confined vehicle. He foolishly believed he could release one hand and take the attacker down with materia, but the strength he required when the faux cadet leaned into their blades forced his entire grip. Both of them struggled as the attacker released one hand and allowed the remaining grip to shake. In a swift movement, the thick blade became two and the soldier was sent stumbling back.
While the boy regained his balance, the traitor disconnected any communication with HeadQuarters and grabbed hold of the controls, turning the craft away from the sea. But once he was back on his feet, the traitor turned back to him, and for a moment all they attempted was reading each other.
It finally hit the golden child, realization hidden under a stone facade. This wasn’t a traitor before him; it was a spy. A spy he failed to identify before hijacking the craft. His first mission hadn’t begun and he already failed. Shinra needed him. The P0s at Rhadore needed him. But here, in a vehicle he did not know how to operate, two men were going to die for his failure, and though he could jump and risk damage from the water below, he didn’t know if he would make it to shore before he drowned.
This spy was going to kill him either way.
“Whatever you’re thinking, you’re not right,” came the first words this fake cadet spoke since they entered.
The soldier only hardened under the assumption.
“I’m trying to help you, Sephiroth.”
Confusion shattered Sephiroth’s expression.
The spy moved one of the unconscious bodies and took control of the craft completely, throwing the basic troop helmet to the side. “It’s impossible to see in that thing…” An annoyed mutter hit the air. Now with the full countenance visible, the sorrow this traitor felt for the pilots was obvious. The spy was probably only a couple years older than he was.
“How?”
There was a pause before mako blue eyes turned to meet the boy. “By getting you out of Shinra. And if all goes well, keeping them away from you.”
Sephiroth steeled once more and held his blade to the side of the spiky blond’s throat. Unlike before, the spy did not retaliate. “Why me?”
Another deep pause, eyes trained on the sky in front of them. “...Do you really want what Shinra has planned for you?”
“It is my duty.” The blade pierced a single drop of blood, crimson slowly trailing the pale neck, but the blond didn’t move.
“Do you want to be a hero?”
The teen’s breath caught in his throat, the page in his pocket suddenly burning and an ache in his heart begging for his answer to this stranger to be true. “I…”
The pilot waited, forcing silence over the rapid strumming of propellers.
Sephiroth removed his blade as his eyes fell. “...Who are you?”
“I’m Cloud.” There was no hesitation. “And if you trust me, here’s the plan.”
The soldier stood at attention.
“I’m gonna get us back to the mainland.”
“The P0s-”
“Are not likely to survive without your aid, I know. But trust me when I say saving your life will save so many more. And if those P0s play their cards right, they’ll be fine. In trouble at HQ but fine.”
Sephiroth didn’t understand what Cloud meant.
“Once the beach is in sight, I’m going to get us as low as I can. Then I’m going to activate autopilot and we’re going to jump.”
If they were high enough, the autopilot should prevent the two unconscious pilots from dying in a crash. They might even have enough fuel for them to wake up and at least crash without casualties. All they needed to do was land on the sand, and they’d… The golden child stepped back. Shinra… He’d be running away from Shinra, from his duty, from everything he knew.
From his training. From his president. From the people that believed him to be a hero through Shinra’s lies.
From his life.
From Hojo.
For now, he’d take his chances. If he decided to change his mind, he’d claim he was captured by the enemy, and that the security department failed. Not him. Would that work? How would he even-?
He didn’t know how much time had passed when Cloud grabbed his arm softly.
“We’re here. We have to jump. Are you ready?”
The golden child didn’t answer, swiftly opening the side door and jumping without another thought.
Cloud was stunned for only a moment before running back to the cockpit, activating autopilot, and retrieving his helmet before he followed. As they fell, white doves flew through the air, and the purity of those feathers landed at Sephiroth’s perfectly safe target in the sand, small rings formed from the miniscule manipulation of energy to land without a scratch.
They both waited until the helicopter disappeared over the land before speaking.
“What now?” The teen demanded.
Cloud looked him over and then himself. “First, we need to trade uniforms.”
Sephiroth was too recognizable. Dressing as a cadet would certainly deter any onlookers, and they were roughly the same height. If anything, they were roughly the same age as well. However, Sephiroth grimaced as he scanned over the uniform he was never forced to try.
“What’s wrong?”
“...do I have to wear the helmet?”
“Yes, Sephiroth.”
The small pout in response surprised Cloud, but he tried- and failed- not to show it.
“We don’t need to trade everything but we should at least change shirts and armor.”
Sephiroth sighed. It made sense. Too much sense. He just…wasn’t expecting it. “...Very well. Agreed.”
He hoped he made the right choice. For now, he had the option to go back, to turn in this cadet as an enemy of Shinra. But to have even the chance to live a life other than Shinra’s control would be a waste to throw away without attempting, even if it was with this blond stranger.