A.N: This fanfiction is inspired by the great RegenesisX's amazing Genesis fanfics! This is the first fic I've actually consistently updated on a regular basis, so I really hope everyone who clicks into this story enjoys it! :D This fanfic does contain OCs, and alludes to head canons of mine created while reading other amazing authors' fics (Womble619, ScribeOfRhapsody, ScribeOfRED... and many others!), so be sure to check out their fics too if you like this story! Alright- I better get to it! But first... a disclaimer that shall stand true for this whole fic:

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Final Fantasy VII, or any of them for that matter. I am but a simple fan with an over-active imagination... I can only take credit for Maya and Olivia :P Who are they? You'll find out soon ;)

Prologue-

The artificial city bustled with civilian activity, with the eerie green glow of neon lighting illuminating the otherwise dark streets. Most of the people out on the streets streamed out of Loveless Avenue, where they had just exited the famous theatre after an enthralling showcase of a timeless masterpiece. Amongst these people was a certain auburn- headed SOLDIER. He walked with purpose in the direction of the ShinRa building, a well-read copy of Loveless clasped in his gloved hands. A content smile graced his lips as he took in the cool night air.

"Even if the morrow is barren of promises," the SOLDIER First-Class murmured to himself, casting a glance over his shoulder in the direction of the theatre he had just left, "Nothing shall forestall my return." Impressed with his clever use of the Loveless quote, he smirked and turned the corner which led to his workplace.

The evening was young and many couples milled around, loudly chatting about numerous things. Genesis' selective hearing only allowed him to perceive conversations about Loveless with the most clarity. With a content sigh, he took in the intellectual conversation and mundane praise for the literary masterpiece with equal appreciation. The Commander was definitely in one of his rare good moods.

"… isn't that Commander Rhapsodos?"

"Oh my gosh, it totally is!"

"I need his autograph, like, right now." Genesis chuckled dryly as he heard the high-pitched voices of his fan club grow louder as they began their pursuit of him. He increased his pace, the bottom of his red leather duster bellowing behind his calves. On good days, he appreciated the love and support of adoring fans. However, he wasn't exactly keen on being taken down by a bunch of hormonal young women after an incident-free evening.

If he didn't have an enigmatic, playboy image to keep up, he would have admitted that he was absolutely terrified of his fan club.

Suppressing a shiver, Genesis quickly stepped into the ShinRa building's lobby and subtly speed walked towards the elevator. Pressing the button for Level 50, the auburn haired SOLDIER folded his arms and tapped his foot on the steel flooring of the elevator as he was lifted up to his office. Genesis closed his eyes and sighed as he listened to the classical elevator music that played in the confined space. He leaned on the mirrored interior, relaxing before he inevitably made his way to his office to tackle some paperwork. As SOLDIER's second-in-command, he was given the duty of assessing cadet and SOLDIER progress reports amongst other duties. He had a meeting with Director Lazard in a week's time and he wasn't even close to finishing assessing the new cadet's materia proficiency results. Genesis nearly growled in frustration, his previous good mood slowly dissipating in a matter of seconds. It was at times like these where he just wished people could all be born with talent, much like himself, Angeal and Sephiroth.

Genesis' eyes flashed at the thought of his frenemy. Everyone loved Sephiroth, adored him as their hero. He'd always be around to save the day. His fan club was even full of intelligent, beautiful- and most importantly- rational women who did not succumb to their hormone-fuelled sexual fantasies. Oh yes, General Sephiroth got all the luck.

*Ping!*

Genesis cringed at the obnoxious noise the elevator made as it stopped on Level 49.

'Of course,' Genesis thought to himself, 'With my luck, Sephiroth's going to get on and exude his heroic heroism all over this elevator. Just what I need…'

Opening his eyes as the elevator doors opened, he glared at the revealed figure. When the doors opened fully, he nearly rolled his eyes at the sight that greeted him. It was quite pathetic really.

A young woman wearing a lab coat stood before him, struggling to carry around five thick folders full of what Genesis presumed to be data from the Training Room simulations. Letting out a soft grunt of discomfort, the woman forcefully smashed the button for Level 67, falling against the control panel and resultantly pressing a few other buttons. The auburn-haired SOLDIER fought the urge to tell the young scientist to get the hell out of his elevator, but decided against it simply because it seemed as if she hadn't noticed him.

Genesis studied her, for lack of anything else to do. She was of average height for a woman, the crown of her head most likely reaching up to his shoulders. His gaze flicked down to her shoes and he suppressed the urge to sigh at her plain tastes. She wore standard-issue lace-up leather shoes on her feet. His eyes flickered back up to her head and he noted that her hair resembled the colour of dark chocolate. She wore it pinned up and away from her face, though wisps of dark-chocolate waves framed her pale face. She wore green-rimmed glasses and had long eyelashes, but he couldn't see the colour of her eyes. Her nose was small and… flushed red like her face after her struggles with the control panel and folders in her clutches.

As a man with a healthy appreciation for fashion (and the female body), Genesis couldn't help but be severely disappointed to the point of physical pain as he took in the young scientist's outfit. She wore a plain, loose-fitting sky-blue blouse under her rolled up lab coat and baggy black slacks on her legs. There was nothing remotely appealing about her. The SOLDIER shook his head, turning away from the woman as he finished his silent appraisal of her. She was the typical Science Department lab rat- completely unappealing, awkward and not even remotely alluring.

'What a complete waste of time,' Genesis thought to himself as he closed his eyes once more. 'Thinking of which… it sure is taking a long time to reach Level 50…'

*Ping!*

Genesis nearly jumped, startled by the noise. Rolling his shoulders to soothe his stiff muscles, he looked up at the electronic level display and immediately glared at the back of the scientist's dark-chocolate head. She stumbled out of the elevator ungracefully, and proceeded to clumsily trip her way towards one of the labs no doubt. The elevator doors closed shut as Genesis seethed in the small compartment.

"That clumsy little bitch!" Genesis growled lowly as he jabbed the button for Level 50, glaring up at the display as the numbers descended down to his desired level. When she fell on the control panel, she must have pressed the button for Genesis' floor, cancelling the stop out completely.

Judging by the steam emanating from the pyromaniac's gloved hand, he was not impressed in the least. His good mood was well and truly long gone.

He growled as he remembered the pile of mind-numbing paper work on his desk, just waiting to be completed.

Oh, Genesis Rhapsodos was not a happy man.

Note/Fun Facts: This version of the Prologue is the edited version- only minor changes have been made so don't stress! Please do let me know if there are other things that you feel need to be improved upon- I'm more than happy to take some helpful criticism into stride! :) Hope you enjoyed the beginning of Like a Moth to Flame!