Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII, the characters, locations and so on and so forth. So don't sue me, okay?

Summary: They all hailed him as a hero. The youngest ever to make it to the post of General and the most brilliant. But who was the man really? From the eyes of those who knew him before the crisis.

A Word from the Author: I've been thinking about writing a little story about Sephiroth's past, especially after one of my reviewers in a side story said that it was nice to have a glimpse into the General's past. This story will be different from the rather unlikely TIAL fic and will be more serious. It will probably be a bit AU since I have to make some assumptions about his character and who he talked to. Though about him, I've decided to write it from the point of view of those he was closest to. Enjoy.

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Sephiroth: The Chronicles

Zack.

I make really unlikely friends. The downtrodden, the plain weird and the shy, those who just don't care and those who are too anti-social. It's my nature; I'm really friendly and some say I talk too much. Somehow, though I'm usually popular because of what I like to believe is my wit and devastating charm (smirks) I also like to hang out with the dregs of society. Call it compassion or a chance to exercise my big mouth; I don't really know myself.

And the one that wins the big gold star for major strange-o vibes is none other than the General himself, my direct superior.

I call myself his friend; he calls me his comrade. Yeah, yeah, whatever he says. But I do know he talks more to me than any other SOLDIER First-Class in the army. Maybe it's because I made the effort and I suspect he appreciates it in his own weird unappreciative, lofty way. Sometimes even I run out of things to say (because, face it, what can you say to a guy who doesn't speak ten words on average a day?) but the silence that falls is pretty much comfortable. When it boils down to it, we're just two regular army guys.

Of course, he gets irritated with me too. Mostly it's when it's midnight and his nose is practically buried in mountains of requisition forms and whatnot, I perform my self-appointed job by bugging him to loosen up more and go out for a drink. Once he was so angry that he nearly set the office on fire and gave the inglorious duty of digging crap holes to me for a week. But it was worth it to see him lose that 'Oh-I-don't-feel-anything-crap' mask, even for a little while. Besides, on those times I do manage to persuade him to leave his Generalship in the office for a while to have fun, the feeling of satisfaction is pretty much glowing inside me. Sheesh, I sounded so sentimental there for a moment. As though my personal mission was to save people from themselves.

Then there are times when I take matters into my own hands. Once I made the rash decision that Sephiroth needed a woman. After all, after Aeris I definitely changed for the better. So I secretly added his telephone number and profile to a dating agency and after countless calls flooded his office, he finally figured out my so-called wonderful plan. First, he changed his number. Secondly, he handed me a rag and grease and told me to polish all of the medals in the display room. It took me hours and I couldn't hold my sword straight for two days after the incident. Definitely one of my less intelligent schemes in Operation Prove-Sephiroth-is-human-or-make-him-one.

I've always wondered about that, to tell the truth. The rumors are rampant; that Sephiroth had received a higher dose of Mako than any of us, that he had been bred in Hojo's lab like a lab rat. Not to mention that strange, prematurely white hair, his unnatural speed and strength, the Masamune only he could wield, the healing ability. Hs cruelty, ruthlessness, lack of warm and happy emotions. Not strictly true. I've seen him smile once. Just once. And maybe a bit of a laugh. We were at a bar and I was telling him about a battle I had with the Midgar Zolom that day during a training session. I was using my bottle of beer for emphasis on how the giant snake had grabbed one of the trainees and shook him up and down so fast he was a blur. When I cracked open the top, a stream of foam shot up and fell on me and I was covered in the stuff. He cracked one small, very tiny smile and let out a sound that might have been laughter. I couldn't be sure because I was trying to wipe it off myself with a napkin. I may have made a fool of myself, but I had accomplished the unattainable; to make the General smile.

People have asked me, including Aeris herself, about what I feel about him. Sometimes when I'm telling him about my family in Gonganga, I can see something in his eyes. Almost like envy, longing. He hides his emotions so well. Come to think of it, I haven't heard him mention his family once. Who were they? Perhaps they abandoned him. He seems so cold, but I believe that it's just a façade so he won't get hurt again. Or maybe the rumors are true. In that case, who can blame him? Hojo is twisted and sadistic; more than once I have heard Sephiroth express his hatred of him. I pity any living thing under his (Hojo's) power. Again, all I know about what goes on in Hojo's labs comes from rumor. If half of it is true, it's enough to turn Sephiroth bitter and cynical of humanity. Damn that Hojo. The way he looks at Sephiroth makes my skin crawl. I don't know how the President stands him or agrees to his request for funds. Even Rufus hates Hojo.

Yes, Sephiroth is cool and detached, but I still hold hope for him. In a way, yes, I have made him my personal quest. Under my influence, he may yet change. He would probably be affronted and annoyed if he ever knew this. (wry grin) Aeris supports my venture whole-heartedly 'cos, like me, she's a great, good-hearted person. They've met a few times before, and though she's on the run from the Turks ( who sometimes come over and share a toast with her when they're off duty) under orders of Hojo, he never turns her in. It's probably to spite Hojo more than anything, though it's a positive sign that he tries not to let his job interfere with his other life.

Tomorrow Sephiroth, me and a couple of guards are going to inspect the reactor at Nibelheim. Seph ( he keeps insisting that I address him properly) seems really grumpy at being sent on such a simple mission that a couple of Second-Class SOLDIERs could have handled. For some strange reason, this mission gives me a bad feeling. Maybe it was Hojo's creepy smile when the briefing was going on. It's odd; Hojo should have no reason to attend the SOLDIER briefings. Sometimes I wonder if being in my lofty position is worth it. All the intrigue and machinations wear one out terribly.

I've determined, that after the trip to Nibelheim (reminder to bring a flower home to Aeris) I'll propose to her. I've got the ring already too; with an emerald, the color of her eyes. It's hidden under my pillow at the moment, but I'm going to bring it with me. I hope that she will say yes and Seph will agree to being the best man. If not, I will DRAG him to church! Heh heh. I'll ask him after the mission. He'll probably give in. He can face Nibel dragons fearlessly, but he can't stand up to little old me! All the more proves that he regards me as a friend, or at least an acquaintance. Boy, I can't wait to see his expression when I spring the question. (Not THAT question, get your minds out of the gutter.)

"ZACHARY! STOP TYPING THAT BIOGRAPHY OF YOURS AND COME OUT NOW!"

See? He even calls me by my first name, admittedly not the shortened form, but still...

"I'm WARNING YOU, DONOVAN!!!"

Yikes. Signing off now.

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Author's Ending Note: I had to make it a biography, since Zack is now dead. (sniffs sadly) Hope you have enjoyed the first character. Any other suggestions? Obviously the Turks (not Elena, she hadn't joined yet at that time), Aeris, Rufus, a random nameless SOLDIER, Cloud himself, Gast, Ifalna...most of them are deceased, huh? Please review some more names to me. Thank you, and bye until the next post.