Chapter 1
Crisis Core
Soft rain pattered the ground, the sky covered by dark grey clouds that stretched for miles. Accompanied by low rumbles of thunder that were audible in the distance, Zack had been facing those clouds. On the edge of the cliff he laid, staring up into the gloomy sky. Like an empty void, his face a mixture of calm and surprise. Blood had been trickling down from head, bullet holes battered his chest. The Buster Sword still grasped in his hand, which laid in a pool of his own blood
Cloud struggled to crawl over to him, his face bruised and body broken. Muttered grunts escaped his lips with each slow movement, until he finally reached Zack's side. Who slowly made eye contact with him. "Z-Zack." He breathed, his voice shaky and small.
Zack opened his mouth to speak, struggling to find air. He winced as he inhaled, he knew he didnt have much time left. "For the...both of us." He exhaled. Cloud wasnt sure what he ment by this, "For the both of us?" He asked. Zack gave a small nod.
"Thats...right...your gonna..." He struggled to speak. "Your gonna..." He repeated as he reach for the back of Clouds neck, bringing it down to his bloody chest. "Live." He finished. Cloud sat there surpised, hearing the fading heartbeat of Zack Fair. "Youll be...my living legacy." He choked out, letting his hand fall back to the ground.
Cloud Strife lifted his head, the side of his face covered in his friends blood. He looked back at Zack, who gave a soft smile. He glanced over to his sword, "My honor, my dreams." He began as he dragged it closer to Cloud's reach, "There yours now." He finished, holding the hilt to Clouds face.
He reached out and slowly grabbed it, Zack gave a slight push on the blade forcing it to his friends possesion. "Im, your living legacy." Cloud repeated. Zack gave one last smile before closing his eyes, and with that his life had slipped away.
Cloud couldnt quite accept it, holding back tears he tried to find air to speak. Only to choke on his own breath, he reeled back his head. He gave out a scream, one that split throught the roaring sky and heavens. Cloud opened his watery eyes, remembering all the moments his shared with his fallen friend. His battles, his accomplishments, now he was gone. The clouds seemed to split in half, allowing the brightening rays of the sun to pass through.
Cloud glanced back down at Zack, his face at peace. The soft breeze flowing in his hair. "Embrace your dreams." His voice echoed in the back of his mind. "If you want to be a hero, you need to have dreams." Cloud found the strengh to stand up, the heavy sword slumped in his hands. "Thank you," He muttered. "I wont forget." Cloud looked over on his friend.
Cloud shut his eyes, holding back tears. He opened them to see over the horizon, then back down on Zack. "Goodnight," He spoke turning around. "Zack." With those final words, he began to drag the Buster Sword away from his friend. For his long journey across the baren wasteland to Midgar.
"That girl," Zack thought. "Said the sky...frightened her. That looks so...liberating." Zack opened his eyes to see the beautiful blue sky, thats when Angeal was seen, flying down from the heavens. "Those wings." He thought reaching out, "I want them too." He smiled as his old mentor grabbed his hand, and pulled Zack up in the air with him. "It feels...good." Zack smiled as he closed his eyes. "If you see Aerith, say hi for me." Zacks voice echoed as Cloud contined to drag his sword across the desert.
"Hey, would you say I became a hero?" Zack turned to Angeal as they both flew towards the lifestream, his mentor turned to him and gave a smile. "I told you to not let go of your dreams, pride, and honor. And you never did." He answered. "I just hope Cloud can make it on his own." Zack spoke with a hint of sorrow. "He will, and will go on to accomplish many things, "But Im afraid you yourself are not done with your journey." Angeal spoke.
Zack turned to him with a surprised look, "What do you mean?" He asked. "A new world needs you." His mentor smiled. "Angeal, I dont think I can do this." Zack answered unsured. "I have faith in you Zack," Angeal smiled. He nodded, "On your new journey, you will make new friends and allies, but keep in mind that you will also make new enemies as well." The mentor warned.
"I will do my best Angeal." Zack spoke. "You are going to a place called Death City, a world far different from your own." Angeal explained. "Go to a place called DWMA, once there you must see Lord Death. He expects your arrival." Angeal finished. "Understood," Zack nodded. "And try not to get into too much trouble puppy." Angeal smirked.
Zack gave a frown, "I thought we were past that." Angeal gave a playful smile, "Still the same as always." With that being said there was an intense blinding light, Zack shielded his eyes as it kept getting brighter and brighter.
BREAK
The sun was beating down over Death City, the massive populated civilazation surrounded by blazing deserts. Making it almost inaccessable, this was the home of the DWMA. A school designed by the Grim Reaper himself, training young meisters to hunt down souls of the damned. This, is the Death Weapon Meister Academy.
Upon the gates leading into the city flashed a bright light, as the intensity died down. It revealed to be Zack, who lowered his arms that shielded his eyes. He sported his traditional SOLDIER outfit, which was repaired into top shape. Somehow, the Buster Sword was still bolted to his back.
"Thats odd," Zack thought drawing his blade, "Didnt I give this to Cloud when I died?" He asked himself inspecting the sword. "I guess a part of the Buster Sword died with me." He concluded bolting the massive weapon back on, he glance up at the massive city. "Death City huh?" He rested his hands on his hips, "Lets hope your right old friend." Zack thought as he made his way past the gates.
ELSEWHERE
"Soul! Pass me the ball!" Maka smiled as her and the gang enjoyed their time off. From school, and from work. "Alright Maka, this ones coming right at ya'." Soul warned as he passed her the ball. "YOULL NEVER DEFEAT THE MIGHT OF BLACKSTAR!" BlackStar called as he jumped up at Maka, who suprisingly dribbled around him with the ball. Then went up to shoot, and scored.
"And thats game." Soul grinned. "Good job Maka." Tsubaki smiled. "Ah just you wait and see!" BlackStar exclaimed. Liz and Patty gave small claps from the side-lines, while Kidd sat on the bench enjoyed the beautiful Symmytry the sky had to offer.
"Do you guys have any plans tonight?" Maka asked the group, they all turned to each other and shook their heads. "Well, then how about you join Soul and I for dinner? Since I'm the one cooking tonight." She offered. "Why sure Maka, BlackStar and I would love too." Tsubaki smiled warmly. "Kidd, are you guys coming along too?" Maka called. "Im sure we can, if my father doesnt require our services." He answered.
Thats when he received a tap on the shoulder, Kidd looked up to see Zack. Maka froze, her face wide in terror. "What in the world," she spun around to see Zack standing over Kidd, "His soul wavelength is so powerful, its making my body tremble." Maka whispered to herself, glancing down at her trembling legs.
"Excuse me but, Im looking for a place called DWMA?" Zack asked, he glanced up and his eyes met with Makas. He wasnt sure why the girl looked scared, so he gave a small wave to show he was friendly. But it didnt make Maka feel any better, Kidd eyed him a bit suspiciously before pointing in a direction. "Go straight till you reach the fountain, then turn left. You cant miss it." He replied.
Zack gave a nod, he then began his trip to the DWMA. Kidd watched him till he was out of sight, "Maka, whats wrong?" Tsubaki asked. "T-that mans Soul, it was one of the most powerful Ive ever seen." She stuttered. "I felt it too, I couldnt see his soul. But I felt his power, and to be honest it scared me a little too." Soul replied. "As did I, Ive never seen that man before." Kidd Spoke.
"Could he be a spy for Medusa?" Soul asked Maka. "No, luckily I didnt sense any hostile aura from him." The shinigami replied. "A transfer student maybe?" Tsubaki inquired. "He looks a little to old to be a transfer student Tsubaki." Liz interjected. "I am still incertain. But the worst part is..." Kidd began, without warning he dropped to his hands and knees. "His sword was unsymmytrical! Oh why! Why? Why does such garbage exist? I hate it so much!"
Everyone sweat-dropped, Liz sighed at Kidds antics. Patty however laughed and clapped at them, "Bahahaha! He couldnt possibly be a match for I! BlackStar! Ahahahaha!" BlackStar boasted. "Anyway, are you guys ok with 7:30?" Maka asked everyone. They all nodded in agreement, "Well, I better go shopping then." She smiled.
BREAK
Zack stood at the top of the staircase, eyeing the gothic structure. "This is a school?" Zack raised a brow. "Such a strange city indeed." He replied to himself. He then grew silent, thinking about how Cloud was doing. More importantly Aerith, he sighed. He didnt even get to say goodbye, "Stay safe my friends." He muttered.
Upon opening the massive doors, he was greeted by Spirit and Professor Stein in the lobbey. "Can we help you?" Spirit asked, Zack eyed them carefully. He had to restrain himself from staring at the big screw sticking out of Steins head, "Im here to see a Lord Death?" Zack questioned his answer.
"And you are?" Stein spoke in his usual monotone, turning the screw in his head. Zack tried his best to avoid eye contact with the strange man, "Zack, Zack Fair." He answered. Spirit and Stein glanced at each other and nodded, "Please follow us." Spirit spoke as he led the ex-SOLDIER through the halls of the school, and was a little creeped out at the eerie guillotine hallway.
As they entered Lord Deaths santuary, Shinigami had his back turned to the group. "Lord Death, Zack Fair is here to see you." Stein spoke turning the screw in his head, there was a brief silence as he stood around. Zack felt his hand going for the hilt of his weapon, "Heya! Heya! Wazzup? Wazzzuuuup?" Death bobbed up and down in a cheerful manor.
Zack stood there puzzled, this Lord Death was not at all what he imagined to be. "Um, Lord Death?" Zack asked questionably. "Yup! Thats Me! And you must be Zack!" Death chirped. "Er, correct." The ex-SOLDIER replied. "Oh goodie! Goodie! Im glad that youve made it." Shinigami spoke cheerfully.
"Then you know why Im here?" Zack asked. Death nodded, "You see, we are in dark times. The kishin Asura has finally revived." He spoke seriously. "Kishin?" Zack asked confused. "A demon with unspeakable power, much like your Sephiroth." Death answered. He clenched his fists, Sephiroth. That name left a bad taste in his mouth, he was much of the reason why he was in this mess in the first place, the traitor.
"Now, now lets not get too upset." Death warned, "Anyway, a sense a great war soon. Between the Kishin and DWMA, and we're asking for your help." He added. "I dont see how I can be much help." He sighed. "Right now we need all the help we can get, and you would make a great alley for the DWMA." Death replied.
Zack glanced away, deep in thought. He thought of Cloud, Aerith, and Angeal. And what they wouldve done. All came back with the same answer, fight for the right cause. Zack turned his head back, his eyes narrowed. Time to be a true hero, "I will join you Death, I'll fight along side with all of you." Zack replied turning to Spirit and Stein, "Im not going to let this place end up like Nibelheim." Zack muttered.
"Excellent! Now I have another request for you." Death raised a giant finger, "Yes?" Zack asked. "There is a group of meisters, they are strong and kind hearted. I wish for you to join them, train them to become stronger. And be a source of guidance." The Death God requested. "I shall do the best I can." Zack gave a nod. "Now as for your living arrangements, I have taking care of them." He added.
"Lord Death?" Maka asked as she stepped into the room, "You wished to see me?" She added. "Maka! Hows daddys little girl doing?" Spirit exclaimed. "Not on your life." She turned her head, causing the Death Scythe to sulk away.
"Oh its you, from the park." Maka took notice to Zack, "Hey there." He smiled. "Maka, this is Zack Fair. He just joined our fight against the Kishin, and Ive decided to place him with you as a roommate." Death spoke. "Well sure, I dont mind." She gave a slight shrug.
"Excellent! Then you are free to roam around as you please." Shinigami chirped. Zack turned to Maka, "Sooooo, do you like fish?" She smiled sheepishly, he blinked a few times. But he gave a soft smile in return.
Okay! I think I hit this one right of the bat.
Please leave a review, contructive criticizm is appreciated.
Later Gaters,
ShadowSlayer220