Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Genesis didn't particularly mind nature. Of course, he didn't particularly like it either, but he tolerated it, and in some cases, enjoyed it.

This, however, was not one of those cases.

When Genesis woke up, the first thing he saw was usually his pillowcase, or sometimes a pretty girl. So when he opened his eyes at exactly 0500 in the morning, he was exceptionally surprised when he was greeted by an enormous, two-inch-long beetle.

Its luminescent green coloring made its body reflect the fluorescent lighting, causing it to glimmer menacingly. It would have been beautiful in other circumstances, but the fact it was on his pillow mere inches from his head was a whole other story.

Genesis had the normal reaction of someone who just woke up and found that an obscenely large beetle was sharing their pillow; that is to say, he screamed at the top of his lungs and shoved himself away from the insect as fast as his SOLDIER reflexes would allow.

Goddess, what was Angeal's problem? Why couldn't he keep his infernal plants somewhere where they wouldn't attract bugs? Genesis had complained about the insects before, but Angeal had simply spouted something about 'harmony with nature' and slammed the door in Genesis' face.

A hissing noise from the beetle startled Genesis out of his reverie. Edging backwards, attention focused completely on the insect, Genesis didn't even realize when he was at the edge of the bed.

As he fell to the floor with a resounding thud, the SOLDIER only began to comprehend what was happening. He blinked numbly for a long moment before the thought registered completely.

Genesis painfully pulled himself upright, using the edge of the mattress as leverage. How dare the beetle humiliate him so? A mere bug couldn't hope to best a First Class SOLDIER!

Ignoring the fact that he was attributing intelligence to a brainless insect, Genesis gave the beetle a glare that promised agonizing death. The beetle let out a clicking noise, and fluttered its wing-cases.

Grabbing a tissue from a nearby box, Genesis returned to his bed, intent on destroying the gigantic beetle that had embarrassed him so.

The beetle sat on the pillow, looking rather smug, if such a thing was possible for an insect. It shifted around a bit, causing Genesis to tense, but eventually settled down.

Pouncing with inhuman speed, Genesis lunged for the beetle, trying to grab it and crush it with the tissue, but somehow, the bug managed to get out of the way just in time, letting Genesis crash ungracefully onto the mattress.

Stunned by the insect's speed, Genesis scanned the area to see where the insect had disappeared to. He heard a clicking sound and instantly swiveled to face the beetle, which now perched cockily on the wall. If it had had face capable of showing emotion, he was sure it would have been smirking.

Genesis made a wild swing at the insect, but succeeded only in making a sizable dent in the wall and bruising his hand. The infernal bug had returned to its original perch on his pillow, only it now sat where his head had been moments before.

Making a mental note to call maintenance, the SOLDIER lunged yet again at the beetle, which once again evaded an untimely death. He swore loudly in several languages while the beetle fluttered arrogantly to the floor.

Genesis, now maddened beyond belief, stared at the beetle with smoldering rage.

"Stay . . . right . . . there," he forced out through gritted teeth, practically sprinting out of the room.

In a few moments he returned, clutching a mastered Firaga materia. An evil smirk graced his handsome features. The insect took a few steps back.

The beetle began to open its wing-case, but the spell was far faster.

Sephiroth whirled about as the door to his office opened. A timid-looking member of maintenance slipped in, clearly terrified of having to face the Great General.

"Sir," the maintenance worker began, clearly trying to repress a shriek of terror, "I've been sent to, um, sent to tell you that . . ." he trailed off, an expression of pure fear plastered across his face.

Sephiroth gave a nod, signaling for the worker to continue.

The worker slumped. "That apartment complex A9 has been completely . . . leveled."

"Cause?" Sephiroth inquired, face a perfect mask.

"Beetle," squeaked the worker, obviously wishing that he could be somewhere else, anywhere but here.

It was all he had to say. Sephiroth's head began to throb.

Why him?

Outside the smoking rubble of his former apartment building, Genesis surveyed the wreckage with a certain sense of pride. He straightened the collar on his coat smugly. He had vanquished his foe!

The SOLDIER shook his head slightly; he really needed to talk to Angeal about those overgrown weeds Angeal called 'plants'. Why his friend kept the monstrosities completely mystified Genesis, but if they attracted insects like the one he had fought this morning, no reason Angeal could come up with would save the plants now.

A determined expression on his face, Genesis stalked off.

Far under the steaming wreckage, the beetle flicked its wings and began tunneling.

A.N.: Reviews, any one? And if you're wondering, Scarabaeus Inferio means 'Beetle From Hell'.