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Sephiroth never woke up and expected his days to be good; holding out hope for good days was a useless feat, as being a SOLDIER and in his position, things were never predictable. That being said, he never woke up and prepared himself to be gazing upon Don Corneo's face on a giant screen either.
Yet, here he was.
The briefing room on the 49th floor, with all its holographic displays and static-laced air, found Sephiroth, Genesis, and Angeal awaiting Director Lazard to explain why they had been summoned on short notice. The air in the room was thick, with a palpable buzz of dread that seemed to emanate from the blue screens in front of them.
Don Corneo's giant, grinning face loomed above them. Genesis, ever eager to showcase his displeasure, took to mock-retching sounds and gagging.
“Blech!”
Lazard wore a stressed and slightly soggy look, with darkened bags adorning his eyes. "Genesis," he said sternly.
Genesis continued his mock retching, each sound punctuating the disdain he held for the mission at hand. "I can't help it," he quipped between retches, "that man provokes my gag reflex in a way I'm sure he would find appealing."
Sephiroth shook his head, looking from the screen in front of him to Genesis by his right side. "Director, may you please explain the mission before Genesis upchucks all over the table?"
“Blech!”
As Genesis continued his theatrics, Angeal, with a wide-eyed and repulsed expression, stared at the giant screen as if gazing at something truly repugnant. "Yeah, I'm afraid if you don't get on with it, his face will be burned into my corneas."
“Blech!”
“ Permanently,” Angeal added.
With a roll of his eyes, Lazard pressed a button. The giant, grinning face of Don Corneo on the screen flickered away, replaced by a large, green jewel that resembled an emerald—a deceptive likeness to a shaped materia. The image panned out, situating the jewel beside Corneo's leering visage.
“The reason I've summoned you all pertains to this jewel right here. Do any of you know what it's called?”
Angeal's silence spoke volumes, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the enigmatic gem. Sephiroth observed it with an air of calculated interest. It was cut in a rounded shape, being easily confused for materia had it not been for the curious, dark tone in its middle.
Genesis couldn't resist his penchant for dramatics. "Whatever it is, I hope it's worth more than enduring Corneo's face."
Sephiroth hummed. “Yes, how is he related to it?”
“I’ll get to that,” Lazard assured. Swiveling on his chair and rubbing his temples, he let out a sigh. "It's the Beryl Shard, a famed artifact excavated twenty years ago in the Cosmo Canyon area."
Genesis perked up mid-retch with wide eyes. "Oh! I know what that is! It's also known as the Emerald Code. There are enough legends about it that it has appeared in numerous texts."
Angeal and Sephiroth turned their gaze toward Genesis, curious about his sudden burst of knowledge.
"They say the jewel has an embedded code in it that's really a map to a valley where tons of materia treasure is located," Genesis continued with great enthusiasm. "Some legends say that the jewel itself is a powerful summon that invokes the wrath of an old god."
Lazard cleared his throat, reclaiming the attention of the room. "Of course, none of that, other than the code, can be proven true."
Genesis sat up straight, visibly intrigued "So there really is a map?"
Angeal pulled a face. "This thing exists? How come we've never heard about it?"
Lazard pressed a few keys, and more images of the Beryl Shard appeared on the screens.
"Because its existence has been kept under wraps throughout the two decades it's been found," Lazard explained. "It was excavated by a group of miners, who then sold it off to another group, who were then killed by another to attain the jewel, which was then sold again for a hefty price. It went through several hands, involving battles and deals, until it ended up in the possession of Don Corneo."
Sephiroth traced a finger over his own screen, zooming in on the jewel. "I assume Shinra knows this because they've been keeping watch on it all these years?"
Lazard nodded. "Correct, although it's only been rumored to be in Don Corneo's possession. We finally got confirmation recently because..."
Lazard pressed a button again, and the screen flickered to reveal a luxurious villa in the Midgar area and the image of another man, this one less slimy in appearance than Don Corneo.
"Lorenzo Vasallo, a prominent figure of the Midgar elite and former candidate of last year’s mayoral election, is buying it off of Don Corneo tomorrow night. The purchase and exchange will be made at an upcoming party at Vasallo’s villa in uptown Sector 5.”
Angeal nodded. "And Shinra hopes to acquire the jewel there."
Lazard smiled. "Excellent, so we're all on board."
But Sephiroth was less inclined to believe that’s all there was to it. "The three of us are to attend and steal it?"
Lazard hesitated briefly before admitting, "Uhh, well, yes. But there will be a problem. The jewel is kept on Don Corneo's person at all times, and he is not the most lenient to…men.”
Angeal contemplated. "That won't be a problem. One of the female Turks could lure him in, and we ambush him."
Genesis wrinkled his nose. "Ew, I'm not touching him."
Sephiroth was the only one to notice how pale Lazard had gotten, avoiding their eyes as he drummed his fingers on the table, a clear testament to the undisclosed catch he did not make clear.
"It appears that all of the female operatives of the investigation sector—who are not away on a mission—have contracted food poisoning.”
Genesis raised an eyebrow, leaning forward and flashing his ear. “All of them? Did I hear that right?”
Lazard ran a hand through his hair before sliding his glasses off his nose. “That’s right. I’m sure you’re all familiar with Cissnei, the Turk. She hosted a birthday party two nights ago and everyone in attendance fell victim to the questionable catering.”
Angeal jerked his neck back. “That doesn’t make sense. Zack went to that party and he was fine this morning.”
Genesis braced his head on his hand, blowing away a stray lock of hair. “Angeal, your puppy can consume ten pounds of fried bacon, wash it down with a gallon of orange soda, and walk away unscathed—are you really surprised?”
Angeal shook his head, defeated.
Sephiroth was perplexed. He ignored the off-topic discourse in favor of pondering over Lazard’s previous words. "Director, I’m afraid I don't follow. If Don Corneo is lured in by women , how are three men supposed to get this job done?"
Lazard paused, letting the realization settle—
—and then Genesis gasped. The shock of the realization was evident on his face. He let his mouth fall agape. “NO.”
Lazard rubbed his eyes. “I’m afraid so.”
Angeal was next to catch on, looking from Genesis to Lazard as the unspoken revelation dawned on him. "Wait, wait, wait, wait! You cannot be serious!"
Lazard maintained his composure. "I'm quite serious, Angeal."
Sephiroth was still in the dark. "I don't follow."
Angeal and Genesis exchanged disbelieving glances.
"WE'RE going to be women luring him in!" Genesis said, punctuating the absurdity with a flail of his arm.
Sephiroth’s eyes widened momentarily. He nodded, looking down as a grim “oh” was all he could muster as a response.
"Oh no," Angeal added.
"Oh no indeed.” Sephiroth leaned back, crossing his arms. “Director, having the three of us—for lack of a better term—cross-dress—does not seem like a viable means to go about this mission."
“I know, I know,” Lazard responded with a hint of sympathy. "It needs to be someone Corneo wouldn't immediately associate with Shinra or the Turks. We're counting on the element of surprise and avoiding any suspicion. You three, unfortunately, fit the bill."
“And the dress,” Angeal added. His sarcasm was not taken kindly by Genesis, who swatted his chest.
"This is ridiculous!” Genesis scoffed. “So you expect us to do drag? You mean Sephiroth in a dress and high heels is a better option than sending actual women on this mission."
Lazard did not hesitate. "Yes."
“IN WHAT WORLD?” Genesis rose out of his seat.
While Angeal grappled with trying to get his friend to sit down calmly, Sephiroth had a loophole come to mind. Determined, he raised his hand tentatively.
Unfortunately, Lazard was ten steps ahead of him.
"No, Sephiroth, you cannot refuse this mission."
With a slow, annoyed movement, Sephiroth lowered his hand.
"More information will be sent to you shortly,” Lazard added. “In the meantime, stand by until the particular whys and hows of the... disguises come to light.” He rose out of his seat, beginning to gather his files. “I know this is out of your areas of expertise, but as it stands, we have little choice. You’re the three most competent people to send on such short notice.”
Genesis slapped Angeal’s hand away. "Director, how is this ever going to work? I can pass for a girl, sure, and Sephiroth is androgynous enough to work with, but Angeal ?"
Angeal let his mouth fall open. "Fuck you too."
Genesis turned to him with a sly smile. "Rubbish, darling, I'm just complimenting your hyper-masculinity."
Sephiroth huffed. “Isn't sending Genesis as bait enough? Why do Angeal and I have to commit to the disguise too?"
Angeal turned to him, unimpressed. "Oh, so you don't think I can pass for a honey trap?"
Sephiroth paused, considering. "I can't imagine you wearing makeup, no."
"Oh, because what makes a woman is certainly makeup and nothing else, " Angeal retorted sarcastically.
Lazard, sensing the conversation veering off track, swiftly turned to leave. "Meeting adjourned."
The night of the mission, the designated room of the investigation department for disguises was in disarray. Clothes were strewn everywhere, makeup palettes were open, and jewelry sparkled on makeshift dressing tables. Stations were set up for hair and makeup, and teams of people moved with urgency, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the backstage chaos of a beauty pageant.
The lengths Shinra was willing to go to for the acquisition of the Emerald Code was palpable to anyone who walked past the open doors. As Zack walked in, fully intent on offering his friends moral support, confusion was evident on his face as he watched people run around.
He spotted Lazard standing around with a cup of coffee by one of the makeup tables. Eagerly, Zack ran up to him.
“Good evening, Director,” Zack greeted brightly, flashing him a warm smile.
Lazard deadpanned, looking up from his coffee mug. “I just had to lace Angeal in a corset and squeeze Genesis' breasts to test their validity. Do I look like I'm having a good evening?”
Zack hesitated, holding his breath before tentatively trying: “That's a trick question, right?”
Lazard walked away without offering a reply.
Reno sauntered in next through the doorway. With a cigarette perched between his lips, he eyed the chaos, watching a woman pass by holding a glittery, red dress as if it were on fire.
He came to stand beside Zack, gazing with interest at a tall girl a few steps away. Though she had her back turned, her long, silvery hair, cinched waist, and navy blue dress caught his attention.
"Woah,” Reno nudged Zack. “Who's the tall hot blonde?"
The girl turned around, revealing Sephiroth in a full face of makeup.
Immediately, without missing a beat, Reno jumped into a nearby clothing rack.
As Reno vanished into the array of dresses and costumes, the unexpected sight of Sephiroth looking like anything but himself left Zack flummoxed. He eyed him up, letting his jaw fall slack.
Sephiroth wore a navy blue dress styled like a ball gown that got cut off at the knees. The dress accentuated a figure Zack did not know the General even had, not to mention how his corset pushed all the fat in his chest up, creating the illusion of cleavage.
His makeup was soft yet heavy enough to render him nearly unrecognizable. Sephiroth's long silver hair was pulled back into a ponytail adorned with glitter.
“Sephiroth!? You look so…Good!”
Sephiroth was unfazed. He kept his arms crossed, looking rather bored. "Thank you, Zack," he replied with unexpected composure.
Zack still processed the sight. "Huh? You don't feel ridiculous at all?"
Sephiroth considered, looking down and smoothing invisible wrinkles from his skirt. "I did, at first. But then I saw Genesis and Angeal.” A pause. “I feel very normal now."
Elsewhere, Angeal looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his outfit.
A black corset and a matching mini skirt.
Mini skirt.
Hand-picked by Genesis Rhapsodos himself.
Angeal was going to kill him.
The stylist had advised him to minimize clothing to avoid looking like he was hiding his muscular figure. Surprisingly, it worked. Waist-length black hair covered his broad shoulders, completing the ensemble. However, it was the makeup that made him feel truly out of place. His facial hair had been shaved, and the unfamiliar feminine face stared back at him.
"I'm very unsure about this," Angeal admitted, pulling a black shawl over his shoulders, seeking some comfort.
Reno stood beside the mirror. "Dude, think of it like this—you're walking down the street and you see that coming your way. Would you tap it?"
Angeal was unamused. "I look like my mother."
"Damn," Reno responded, arching a single eyebrow. There was a pause, before: “Is she single?”
Angeal, without missing a beat, slipped off his shawl. He started beating Reno with it.
Elsewhere, Tseng and Lazard sat side-by-side on a couch overlooking the chaotic dressing room. While Lazard cradled his head in one hand, Tseng fished a flask out of his pocket and poured a little bit into the director’s outstretched coffee cup.
"Cheer up, Director,” Tseng mused. “Your SOLDIERs are the finest, most competent men around.”
As if on cue, Sephiroth and Genesis walked by with Zack trailing after them. Genesis wore a tasteful maroon dress with a slit at his left leg. His red hair had been elegantly elongated with curled extensions that had been swept over one shoulder, creating a romantic look.
"Genesis, have you stolen my eyelash curler?" Sephiroth asked, accusingly.
Genesis fixed his convincingly crafted cleavage and rolled his eyes at his friend. "I'll give you back your eyelash curler once you give me back my bra.”
Sephiroth looked flummoxed. "I did not steal your bra. In case you haven’t noticed, my faux breasts are bigger than yours."
“They are not, ” Genesis retorted.
Sephiroth looked down at his own chest. “I’m pretty sure they are.”
“Ha! So you think you’re better than me because you can fit into a B cup?”
Zack looked nervously between the two men, his eyes flickering back and forth. “Uhh…guys? Can we please not fight over breasts you don’t have?”
Sephiroth crossed his arms, ignoring Zack. “I’m not saying I’m better than you. I’m saying my chest is bigger than yours. If your self-worth is hindered by that, then that is entirely your problem.”
Genesis reached his breaking point. "That's it!” He flailed his arms. “Zack, hold my earrings.”
Tseng and Lazard watched on as Zack tried in vain to pull the two men apart. Without a word, Tseng poured the rest of the flask’s contents into Lazard's mug.
As if on cue, Angeal ran past, thwacking an escaping Reno with the length of his shawl. Reno, who failed to free himself from Angeal’s grasp, kept voicing his struggle. “I was joking—OW!—dude, you look hot! Ow, quit it! I was joking! Ow!”
Tseng looked down at the empty flask grimly. “I’ll go get the entire bottle from my office.”
Lazard nodded his head in acknowledgment. “Thank you.”
In the ensuing hour, the team diligently coordinated every detail of the mission—from finalizing the intricate plan to ensuring that the inner ear comm devices were functioning flawlessly. As the designated groups prepared to depart, the three Firsts were conspicuously late.
Lazard's firm voice cut through the room, "Sephiroth, Angeal, Genesis, let's go!"
"It's best not to call them that from now on," Tseng advised.
Lazard nodded. "Good point.” He turned toward the door again. “Sophia, Angela, Genevieve, let's go!"
When the team arrived at the opulent villa, a grand estate surrounded by well-kept gardens and softly lit pathways, the trio parted off on their own. They passed through the grand entrance where security guards surveyed the incoming guests and checked for any out-of-place faces—which, thankfully, the trio did not suffer from.
The array of colorful gowns, sparkling jewelry, and exquisite accessories created an atmosphere of grandeur, making the assembled crowd appear even more extravagant. And the trio fit right in, blending in with the crowd.
Inside, waiters adorned in formal attire circulated with trays of delicacies neither Sephiroth nor Angeal could discern. Crystal glasses clinked with the finest beverages, of which Genesis casually slipped one off an offering waiter’s tray. Live music and over-the-top conversations mingled with laughter.
Genesis, Angeal, and Sephiroth stuck together, the latter two following Genesis around as they waited for instructions.
"This isn't going to work,” Angeal grumbled.
Genesis fluffed his hair. "Sure it is. Just follow my lead, be a lady. "
Angeal looked focused. “Be a lady,” he repeated. “Got it.”
Then, suddenly, he whipped around, looking at an idle party-goer they had just passed. “Hey, were you looking at my ass?"
Genesis paled, and Sephiroth attempted to diffuse the situation before they drew attention to themselves. "Angeal—"
But Angeal was undeterred. "No, this guy was checking me out!"
The man in question looked embarrassed, his face reddening as he sputtered a string of objections. Before the situation could escalate, Sephiroth and Genesis swiftly grabbed Angeal's arms and hauled him away.
“Hey!” Angeal struggled.
As they walked further into the lavish party, Zack's voice came through the inner earpiece.
“You guys are gonna have to sit tight for a bit. We lost the Don.”
As Angeal and Genesis groaned, Sephiroth looked around. "We better get out of the way. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves before we need to."
Angeal agreed. "Good thinking. Let's head to the bar.”
“Actually, you guys go do that. I'm going to try to talk to some people and gather intel.”
Sephiroth arched a single eyebrow. “Is that wise to do?”
Genesis scoffed, placing a hand on his hip. "Please, you two are so out of your comfort zone it's laughable. Do you have any idea how powerful you can become if you embrace your assets and let the information come to you?” He winked at a passing guy who, in response, nodded and checked Genesis out as he passed.
Sephiroth squinted. “Have you... have you done this before?”
“You have no proof,” Genesis replied coolly.
Angeal crossed his arms. “You've done drag before, haven't you?”
“Show me your proof,” Genesis said matter-of-factly.
“You're far too comfortable in that dress,” Sephiroth pointed out.
“Oh, so just because I’m secure and confident in my sexuality and look good in a dress, it means that I cross-dress regularly? Please, give me a break.” With a roll of his eyes, Genesis walked off, leaving Angeal and Sephiroth to exchange knowing glances.
“He did his own makeup,” Angeal said.
Sephiroth nodded. “I saw him purchase that dress two months ago.”
As Genesis melted into the crowd, Angeal and Sephiroth made their way to the bar, adorned with patrons leisurely drinking, engaged in lively conversations. Within the five minutes they sat down, the bartender slipped them two cocktails.
“Uh...we didn't order anything,” Angeal said.
“No worries,” the bartender replied with a grin. “It's from those two gentlemen over there." He pointed to two older men on the other side of the bar, who looked at them in a way that made Sephiroth wish he had the Masamune on him.
Sephiroth and Angeal awkwardly waved in acknowledgment.
“I knew I should've worn a longer skirt,” Angeal muttered.
Meanwhile, Genesis seamlessly inserted himself into a group of partygoers, leaning casually on the arm of a chair where an interested man was seated. Laughter filled the air as they engaged in conversation.
“All this pomp and splendor, and we don't even know the reason,” one woman remarked.
"You don't know why the party's being thrown?" Genesis inquired, playing along.
Another man chimed in. “I've heard it's Vasallo's birthday."
"No, no,” an older woman said “I heard it's a business proposition Don Corneo's making to him."
The first woman scoffed. "Don Corneo? The gangster? Ugh, tell me a more believable story."
"It's true!” The older woman replied. “I went looking around earlier and tried to get into one of the rooms. There were two men standing guard. When I prodded them about it, they said that the room is being guarded on Don Corneo's orders.”
“Interesting. What room?” Genesis asked, feigning interest.
“The one with the large, blue door on the third floor,” the old woman explained. “Past the drawing room to your left.”
Genesis nodded, swirling his drink in thought. “Interesting.”
The man Genesis had interested spoke up, touching Genesis’s arm. "More whiskey, Genevieve?"
Genesis continued his ruse, flashing the man a teasing smile. “None for me, thank you." He raised his arm, pretending to wave to someone in the distance. “Look at that, I believe I see a friend of mine. Will you all excuse me for a moment?"
Genesis slipped from the arm, making sure to graze the man’s arm flirtatiously before walking off. With a one-track mind, he was certain that Don Corneo was hiding something of value in that room. Perhaps the man was even in there himself.
He walked up the staircase, seamlessly passing through clusters of people on the second floor, and finally reached the third floor.
Spotting the drawing room, he moved past it, following the directions. As he approached the room with the large, blue door, his eyes confirmed the information—two lackeys, standing guard, confirmed that this was indeed the room under Don Corneo's watchful eye.
Genesis slipped behind a corner, formulating his next move. Thanking the goddess above that he had his bangles on him, he cast a sleep spell, causing the two lackeys to collapse on impact.
After checking that the coast was clear, he slipped into the room. However, the room appeared to be a standard bedroom—nothing out of the ordinary.
Genesis looked around. "What in Minerva’s name could that oaf be keeping in here?"
Just as he was about to investigate further, a noise behind him caught his attention.
Meanwhile, Sephiroth found himself swirling his drink in its cup, growing increasingly impatient as twenty minutes passed with no communication from the team nor Genesis, who had mysteriously disappeared. And to top it all off, he had chipped one of his manicured nails.
Sephiroth stared at the nail, displeased. He understood why people found this unpleasant. That entire hour he spent getting his nails done went down the drain, the aesthetic of the nail art ruined. And he wasn’t warned that this would happen either, not even equipped with a nail file to even out the nails.
"Sophia?" Angeal called out, feigning sweetness.
No response. Sephiroth kept picking at his nails.
Angeal tried again. "Sophia?"
Still no response.
“SOPHIA!”
Sephiroth snapped his head up, looking at Angeal and one of the men who had bought them drinks with an expression that conveyed both annoyance and confusion.
Angeal smiled, clearly forced. “This nice man is interested in you and wants to know if you’re single,” he said through partially clenched teeth.
Sephiroth nodded, then deadpanned. "I'm a lesbian."
Before anyone had the chance to respond to his sudden revelation, Zack's urgent voice came through both Sephiroth and Angeal's earpieces.
"Guys! Good news and bad news!"
Angeal shooed the man away, huddling close to Sephiroth as the two listened in.
“We found Don Corneo! He's by the aquarium on the second floor talking to Andrea Rhodea and Lorenzo Vasallo.
"Is that the bad news?" Sephiroth asked with a hint of sarcasm.
Zack delivered the concerning update. "We lost Genesis. The last time the tracker pinged him, he was on the third floor. We lost contact with him, and we think the Don’s men might be onto him."
Sephiroth and Angeal shared apprehensive glances, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They had been friends long enough to recognize that Genesis' unyielding pride, though a source of strength, also tended to be a double-edged sword that led him into precarious situations.
Tseng's voice came through on the communication device. "General, you secure the target. Angeal, you go after Genesis."
Angeal nodded "Copy." He turned to Sephiroth. "Good luck."
Sephiroth frowned. "I do not need luck. I need to be knocked out cold."
Angeal smirked, patting his shoulder. “Can't help you with that. See you, buddy!" He swiftly ran off in pursuit of Genesis, leaving Sephiroth to face the challenge of ensnaring Don Corneo on his own.
Zack's voice came through the comm device again. "Okay, don't worry! I'll tell you what to do."
Sephiroth started toward the location where Don Corneo was, nearly tripping on his high-heeled boots that he forgot he was wearing. "If securing the target relies on my flirting with him, it's better to wait for Genesis, who is more skilled.”
“This assuming that Genesis is unharmed?” Tseng’s voice replied faintly in the background.
Sephiroth exhaled sharply through his nose.
Zack quickly responded. "Don't worry. I’m sure Genesis is fine. Besides, you won't need to flirt with the Don."
The assurance left room for curiosity. Sephiroth approached the designated location, walking through a grand archway where the spacious room unfolded before him. It was indeed dominated by a massive aquarium that encircled a significant portion of the space.
The ambient lighting reflected off the glass, creating a mesmerizing underwater display. Amidst the aquatic spectacle, billiards tables were strategically placed, adding an element of sophistication to the surroundings. Amidst the guests, Sephiroth spotted Don Corneo, as slimy as ever, sitting at one of the tables surrounded by an armful of women and business partners.
"I see him," Sephiroth reported.
"Okay, good. Don't do anything!” Zack said quickly. “Don't look at him! Just walk over to the aquarium and pretend to look at the fish."
Sephiroth did as told. “How is this effective?”
“The Don's used to women sucking up to him and wanting his attention, so they don't get targeted by him. Ignoring him completely is a surefire way to get his attention."
“Alright. I see your point.” Sephiroth walked over to the aquarium, inspecting the fish with apparent interest.
"Fascinating," he commented. "He has a rare Wutaian Red Fin in this aquarium. They are incredibly hard to find due to their rapid swimming and shy nature."
Meanwhile, Don Corneo noticed Sephiroth ignoring him and started heading in his direction.
“Seph, focus! He's coming towards you.”
Sephiroth balled his fists, mentally preparing himself to maintain control as Don Corneo approached him. He smelled vile, like rancid cologne, alcohol, and sweat. He slid in from Sephiroth’s left, flashing Sophia what he surely thought was a seductive smile—it was actually quite creepy, as Sephiroth noted.
“Say, what's a cute thing like you doing all alone?" His repulsive voice accompanied a gesture as he snaked his hand around Sephiroth's waist.
Sephiroth stiffened, immediately thinking of murder.
Zack's urgent voice came through the comm. “Don't kill him!”
Sephiroth struggled to maintain composure, but managed. "I'm... admiring the fish." He didn’t even bother masking his voice. The scream and profanities caught in his throat were enough to make him sound constrained.
As he fought to stay still while Don Corneo's grip tightened around his waist, Don Corneo continued his inappropriate advances. Sephiroth knew he had it in him to endure this.
"And I'm admiring you! Say, you're tall! I love that. Do you model?"
Zack's urgent voice cut in. "Say yes!"
“Yes, I do.”
Corneo leered further. "Good, good... anything I've seen you in?" His eyes raked Sephiroth's body. "Or seen you out of, perhaps.”
Sephiroth did not have it in him to endure this. “If you do not remove your hands from my body, you will not have eyes to see with.”
“SEPHIROTH!” Zach screeched in his ear.
Don Corneo seemed to enjoy the challenge. “Oooh, feisty! I like that! What's your name?”
Sephiroth forced himself to adapt to the situation—a trying feat, considering how he wanted nothing more than to smash the man’s head through the aquarium and feed him to the fish.
“Sophia,” he answered reluctantly.
“Sophia,” Don Corneo mused, saying the name as if he were sizing it up. “That's a pretty name for a pretty girl. Say, why won't we go somewhere private, the two of us? Get to know each other better?"
The thought of retiring from SOLDIER completely came to Spehiroth’s mind.
He decided to entertain the thought later, sighing as he turned to face Don Corneo. "If we must."
He followed Don Corneo while suppressing his disdain for the repugnant man.
Meanwhile, Angeal sprinted through the hallways of the third floor. His footsteps echoed in the lavish surroundings. With every corner turned and room searched, the tension within him heightened. He needed to find Genesis fast. For all he knew, they could’ve slipped something into his drink or worse. They could have him chained up and—
The thought suddenly died in his mind. He came face to face with an unexpected figure nonchalantly leaning against the ornate balustrade of a balcony. Angeal's rapid steps came to an abrupt halt as he locked eyes with the person outside—Rufus Shinra.
Slowly, Rufus unglued himself from the balcony, looking Angeal up with great interest. “Hi,” he said slowly, walking back into the room.
"Hello...?” Angeal cautiously replied, unsure if Rufus recognized him because he was in on the mission.
“I don't believe we've met. Are you a friend of Vasallo’s?"
“You have got to be kidding me,” Angeal said before he could stop himself.
Rufus arched a curious brow, forcing Angeal to play into the pressure. "Uhh....are you?" he stammered.
Rufus smirked, leaning against the doorway. “You mean to tell me you crashed a party you were not invited to? My, my, well, with legs like those, it's no wonder they didn't question you.”
Angeal cringed internally and made a mental note to make Genesis eat the damned mini skirt when he found him.
“I'm looking for my friend…” Angeal tried. “Have you happened to see her? She's about my height, long red hair, red dress…probably quoting Loveless unprompted?"
Rufus shook his head, looking like ever the tease as he smiled at Angeal. “If she's as gorgeous as you, I would've remembered her.”
Angeal knew he had to get out of there immediately. Suddenly his entire career was on the line, being potentially jeopardized by the whims of his boss’s son.
“Right... well, if you'll excuse me, I'll just—"
Suddenly, a muffled commotion and a scream echoed down the hallway. Angeal recognized Genesis' voice immediately. He sprinted off.
To his surprise, Rufus followed him.
They reached the room with a large, blue door and threw it open.
As they entered, they witnessed Genesis unleashing a fury of blows on a lackey, using a lamp as an improvised weapon. With every blow, Genesis passionately declared:
"HOW— thunk! —DARE— thunk! —YOU— thunk! —PUT— thunk! —YOUR— thunk! —FILTHY— thunk! —HANDS— thunk !—ON— thunk! —ME!?"
Two other men were already knocked out and bruised in the corner.
“Gen!" Angeal exclaimed, alarmed, and quickly moved to intervene. He grabbed the lamp before Genesis could inflict further harm, while Rufus efficiently knocked the lackey out.
Angeal, still processing the chaotic scene, grabbed his friend by the shoulders. “What happened?”
Genesis, breathing heavily, let the lamp clatter to the ground. “Madam M set me up! She’s after the jewel too and knows it’s me! That’s why she tried to have me taken care of!”
Angeal was flummoxed. “How did she know it was you?”
Genesis didn’t reply, his glossy lip becoming a thin line.
Angeal sighed. “Gen.”
“Fine!” Genesis flailed his arms. “I bought this dress off of her two months ago and it’s one of a kind! Happy!?”
In truth, Angeal was ecstatic. Genesis admitting that he did indeed cross-dress regularly meant that Sephiroth owed him fifty gil.
“Are you talking about Emerald Code?” Rufus cut in, and Angeal almost forgot he had been there the entire time.
Angeal and Genesis exchanged uncertain glances. Genesis, wanting to test the waters, tried: “Have we met before?”
“I would've remembered a gorgeous woman such as yourself,” Rufus replied smoothly.
Genesis' jaw went slack in response as a flush of admiration painted his cheeks with a rosy hue.
Angeal looked from Genesis to Rufus and groaned, frustrated. "Oh, for Minerva's sake, HE'S GENESIS.”
Rufus nodded in understanding. “Ah, forgive me. I would've remembered a gorgeous man such as yourself.”
Genesis’ blush persisted.
“NO,” Angeal smacked his own face. “AS IN, RHAPSODOS ."
Rufus’s eyes widened as he looked from Angeal to Genesis, the realization crashing over him like a bottle broken over his head. "What? Wait, Hewley!?” he sputtered. “What are you two doing?"
Genesis scoffed. “What does it look like we're doing? We got tasked with luring the Don in to get the jewel back.”
“In... in disguise?”
Angeal laughed, clear sarcasm painting his humor. "No, no, I'm just wearing a miniskirt for the fun of it—YES, IN DISGUISE!"
Rufus stepped back. "Hm. I was told of SOLDIER's involvement in the mission, but I assumed you would be behind the scenes.” There was a pause. “Is…Sephiroth with you, perchance.”
“Sophia,” the two SOLDIERs corrected in unison, making Rufus’s mouth fall open. He nodded in acknowledgment.
“Speaking of which,” Angeal turned to Genesis. “Seph got tasked with securing the Don and luring him in. My earpiece stopped working, so I don’t know where they are.”
Genesis groaned. “Mine too—wait, Sephiroth wooed Don Corneo? Since when does he have game!?”
Rufus exhaled sharply through his nose. “It's not hard to grab that man’s attention. He's an imbecile and will cave to anything in a tight enough dress and cleavage.” Rufus looked to the side. “Which means I’m even more curious to see what garb they fit Sephiroth into now.” He looked up pensively. “I know where Don Corneo and Sephiroth are."
Angeal was growing impatient. “Great. So are you going to help us or not?”
“I was getting there,” Rufus chimed in. “Lorenzo always has a room he reserves if his more high-profile guests want to take people to…er…become intimate.?
“Great!” Genesis shrugged. “And where is that?”
Rufus turned on his feet, motioning for the two to follow him. “Come on, we can save Sephiroth before the Don has time to do anything to him.”
Angeal shuddered as they began to follow. "Are you kidding me? It's the Don I'm worried about.”
Meanwhile, Sephiroth found himself in a stuffy, hot room, sitting at the edge of a bed. He maintained a composed demeanor while holding a drink that Don Corneo had given him, yet remained untouched. The room's atmosphere was heavy with tension as Sephiroth contemplated his next move, aware of the need to discover where the emerald was.
Glancing at Don Corneo, Sephiroth observed the absence of the jewel on the man's body—at least not visibly.
The Don's gaze, however, spoke volumes, undressing Sephiroth with an unsettling hunger.
Sephiroth sighed audibly. Might as well get this over with. “It’s hot in here.”
Don Corneo, seizing the opportunity, responded eagerly. "Oh, yes, and it appears that the only way to solve that is to undress a bit.”
Sephiroth looked back at him, hesitating.
“...You first."
The Don, eager to comply, hastily took off his suit jacket and tossed it across the room. Sephiroth, feeling a twinge of reluctance, hesitated for a moment before reaching for his necklace and removing it.
“Heh! Just that?” Don Corneo reached forward. “Come on, sweetie, don't be shy!”
He reached for the zipper on Sephiroth's dress.
In one swift move, Sephiroth grabbed the Don's wrist and effortlessly hurled him over his shoulder. With a yelp, the man landed face-first on the ground near Sephiroth’s feet.
Sephiroth flew at him, promptly pinning him down. “Touching someone without their consent is highly rude.”
Don Corneo, despite his predicament, chuckled. “A girl who can kick my ass! I like that!”
Before Sephiroth could entertain the thought of disemboweling him, a sudden commotion by the door interrupted his action. The entrance burst open with a force that cracked the door on its hinges, revealing Angeal and Genesis running through.
Genesis, with a smirk, couldn't resist making light of the situation.
"Oh, is that how you handle people in the bedroom~?"
Sephiroth was unimpressed. “It took you long enough.”
Don Corneo was undeterred—and concerningly eager as he set his eyes on Angeal and Genesis. "Ladies, please! There's enough of me to go around. Why don't we make this a party instead, huh?”
Rufus sauntered in next, catching Sephiroth’s attention and whipping the smirk from Don Corneo’s face.
“What is he doing here?” Sephiroth asked, tightening his grip on Corneo’s arms.
Rufus smirked, leaning against the door as he surveyed Sephiroth’s disguise. “Serving as a bodyguard to three gorgeous women, clearly. But, currently, I’m saving a damsel in distress.”
“Oh, I'm not in distress,” Sephiroth said coolly, accentuating his statement by tightening his grip so much that Don Corneo squealed—like a pig.
Though, he seemed to be more concerned about Rufus’ presence. Don Corneo glared at him. “Back off, Shinra. Don't go sticking your upturned nose where it doesn't belong!”
Fueled by exhaustion and the corset starting to cut off his breathing, Genesis took matters into his own hands—literally. He walked up to Don Corneo, grabbed him by the collar, and lifted him from Sephiroth’s grasp.
"Listen here, you perverted piece of Chocobo excrement," Genesis snarled, his voice deep and dripping with venom. "If you don't cough up the Emerald in the next two minutes, I'm going to rip out whatever pitiful excuse you have between your fat legs and shove them down your throat so hard they'll come out the other end.”
Don Corneo couldn't help but purr, seemingly enjoying Genesis’ hands-on approach. "Ooh, what else are you going to do to me?"
In response, Genesis slammed him to the ground with enough force to disorient him, but keep him alive.
Groaning as he came to, Don Corneo became a disheveled heap on the ground. His disoriented gaze flickered between the imposing figures of Genesis, Angeal, and Sephiroth. "Damn it! Who sent you whores?” he sputtered. “Was it Madam M? Andrea? Who was it?”
“Shinra,” Rufus replied in the background.
"Oh, are they hiring their operatives from the brothels now, are they?"
Wordlessly, Genesis picked him up again, taking pleasure in the way the don started to plead and squirm. “Search him,” he said simply.
With a nod from Sephiroth, he and Angeal wasted no time searching Don Corneo's disheveled attire.
Sephiroth's deft hands moved swiftly, methodically patting down the pockets and ripping away fabric. Somehow, there were no lecherous remarks from the man.
Angeal, equally determined, focused on the waist area. Meanwhile, Rufus maintained vigilant watch at the door.
The thick silence of the room finally broke as Angeal's fingers brushed against a concealed bulge on his back.
He tore the mysterious item away from under his dress shirt, coming to find a glimmering, green jewel in his hands.
Angeal smirked triumphantly, and a collective sigh of relief resonated through the room.
Genesis tightened his grip on Don Corneo's collar. “There, now you can insult us all you want, you pathetic vermin. We got what we came for.”
Don Corneo, now defeated and humiliated, could only seethe in anger.
Angeal gave the emerald to Sephiroth, who held it up for inspection. He hummed. "Director Lazard will be pleased to know we've secured the target.”
With a sigh, Genesis reached for the fastening of his wig, pulling it off with a relieved sound as he scratched his hair. Angeal did the same, letting the wig fall to the ground and immediately reaching to free himself from the corset. “I swear, if I never wear one of these things again, it’ll be too soon.”
Sephiroth eagerly pulled at his fake eyelashes, rubbing the lip gloss away and moving to free his hair from the constraining ponytail—after all, there was a reason he always wore his hair down: ponytails gave him a migraine.
Don Corneo was caught off guard by the sudden revelation. "Huh!?" he sputtered in disbelief. "Wait a minute, you're Sephiroth!?"
“Shocking, I know,” Sephiroth responded with deadpan delivery.
Don Corneo's disbelief reached a fever pitch. "I can't believe this! You mean... You mean I could've fucked Sephiroth!?” Drool dripped down his chin, fury blazing in his beady eyes. “AND I WAS DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY HAD YOU THREE NOT COME IN!?"
Genesis, still fixing his real hair in the mirror, veered a critical eye towards the man. "Ugh, how gross. Sephiroth, darling, should I do the honors, or will you?"
Sephiroth’s lips curled into a sinister smile.
In the next ten minutes, anyone who happened to walk past the room was met with blood-curdling screams and the desperate pleas of Don Corneo, echoing through the corridor.