Living Legacy

A Cloud and Zack Story

CH 1: The Project

"You are my living legacy..."

The words woke up young Cloud Strife. He was sweating and breathing hard. That dream. Or rather, memory. Zack. How long had it been? 2, maybe 3 years now? Cloud turned over and his eyes caught the blade of the Buster Sword. SOLDIER honor. Dreams. Heroes. Even though Cloud hadn't known Zack for very long, he felt that the bond they shared couldn't be stronger. It took 3 years for Cloud to realize something. Or maybe he had known and just didn't want to accept it. He loved Zack. This thought haunted him. He wished every day that he could just go back and change everything. Guilt took hold of his heart as he continued to stare at Zack's old sword. Tears threatened to leak from his very soul. Then it occurred to him. Shinra was such an advanced place full of advance, intelligent minds. One mind in particular caught the attention of Cloud's thoughts. Hojo. That mad scientist made real would be perfect, if pushed the right way. Cloud got up from his cot and went out into Sector 5, better known as the slums of Midgar. He went out and made his way to the marketplace, where he would catch the train to Sector there, he made it to the Shinra building. Clad in his SOLDIER 1st class uniform, no one even glanced at him as he made his way through the building to the research lab. It was fair going. Shinra had been having major problems lately, so there're hardly any SOLDIERs in the building. It was easy getting to Hojo. Persuading him would prove a little more challenging. Hojo didn't even look up when Cloud entered the research labs. "Good! You're here," the scientist said with a chuckle. "My data needs a new victim." "I'm not here to be your guinea pig. I want something from you." At this, Hojo laughed. Cloud scowled at him. "What could you possibly want with me?" Cloud stepped up to the old scientist and grabbed his collar. "I need you to create something for me." Hojo stopped laughing but a horrid sneer remained on his face. "What's that, boy?"

"You have one of the greatest minds in the Shinra-"

"THE greatest mind."

"- Corp. and I need it."

"And why should I?"

"Because then your genius will be recognized even more than it already is."

Hojo's eyes almost seemed to shine. "What makes you think that fame will pique my interest?" "Why wouldn't it? You should show the world how brilliant you are. All I ask is that the project I want you to do, you keep it a secret until I test it and make sure it works." Hojo thought for all of two seconds before he said, "And what project do you propose I do?" This was it. Cloud finally released the scientist. "I need you to build a machine that will allow me to go back in time." There was silence for a few minutes before Hojo let out a loud cackle. "You want me to make a modern-day time machine? Ahaha!!" Cloud wasn't happy with this reaction. He waited until Hojo's laughter was but echoes in the large empty lab. "Hojo, I am serious. It can only benefit us both." Hojo nodded, his sneer back on his face. "You amuse me boy. You're no SOLDIER either, I can tell. That is why I will do this little 'project' of yours." Cloud stiffened for a moment before slowly nodding. "Alright. I will hold you to your word."

Cloud left after further discussing details with the scientist. He felt somewhat accomplished. "You seem happier today." Cloud looked up to see Aerith smiling down at him, a basket of flowers hanging on her arm. Cloud gave her a small smile. "Some things are just seeming a bit brighter." He got up from the steps in front of the old church and they started walking through the slums. It was a warm day under the plate, where the sun never touched. Even so, the people were not altogether unhappy. The slums were a bleak yet cheerful place. However, there was a constant threat of monsters. Cloud had no trouble with them and was sometimes referred to as the guardian of the slums. He could be seen usually fighting monsters or selling flowers with Aerith. All in all, he was a hero. This thought sparked something within Cloud's heart. He'd always wanted to be a hero. It was his dream. It was why he joined SOLDIER. Or was that why Zack joined SOLDIER? No. He was Zack, or at least living for him. All of Zack's dreams and wishes were now his own. But soon, Zack would be able to live his own life again. Cloud was determined to make that happen, no matter what the cost.

*So? How was it so far? Let me know if you liked it or not! It would make me happy to hear from you. ^_^*