I know, what you're thinking. 'why is she writing another new story when she has so many that aren't finished?' Truth is, this idea has been floating around in my head for the past week now. I've tried to ignore it, but it won't leave me alone. So I finally gave in. It shouldn't get in the way of my other projects. just offer something to write until I get unstuck with the others.

I've read several FF7 fanfics over the past few months and while they've been unique and awesome in their own way I've never come across one like this. So, here goes an AU that I've never tried before. Hope you enjoy! ^^

Prologue

Strong gusty winds whipped through the frozen landscape. It whistled and howled through the snow-covered trees. The sun's light was blocked out by the towering cliffs of the mountains, though it would have little effect through the thick clouds that continued to dump heavy snow. Nothing could survive these hostile conditions for very long. Not even the local monsters would chance venturing out into this frozen hellstorm.

One lonely soul trekked onward, pushing through snow that measured up to his ankles, but he knew it was only a matter of time before it rose up to his knees. He had been called a fool many times, but even he knew when to seek shelter. That was what First Class SOLDIER Zack Fair was doing at the very moment, or, at least trying to do. He blew hot air into his hands in an attempt to keep himself warm. It only lasted seconds before he was engulfed by the cold once again.

"Shiva this sucks!"

He kept cursing his horrible luck, but wouldn't dare insult the dead. He had been on a mission to a small village where the monster population had grown to large numbers. Naturally these second-hand missions had fallen to him since the great General Sephiroth couldn't be bothered to take on the 'grunt missions' as he dubbed them. So it fell to Zack who selected a handful of Second and Third class SOLDIERs to accompany him, seven in all along with a few infantrymen who served at the pilots of the helicopter. They were almost to their destination when this massive blizzard struck without warning and blew them off course. The pilots tried to maneuver the aircraft out of the thick of the storm but were caught in the whiteout. They didn't see the cliff in time and the chopper's blades clipped the rocky cliff face, shredding the metal and causing the chopper to plummet to the mountain-side below.

Zack was the only survivor. When he realized the chopper had stopped tumbling he had to climb out of the pile of parachute sacks that he had fallen into as they crashed. It was those that had saved him, the others weren't as lucky. Now he was stuck out here with no radio, no food, no protection against the cold and not another living soul around to give him directions. It would be a long and lonely trek back to Midgar, or at least through the mountains. He just hoped he was going the right way.

The weather made the going horrible slow and as the minutes ticked by Zack found it harder and harder to see anything more than ten feet in front of him. He had a higher tolerance against the cold than most, but mako could only do so much. His hands and feet were numb and his eyes stung. He had to force them not to water, fearing that his tears would freeze, causing more pain. He prayed for something, anything to happen to get him out of the cold.

Zack thought he saw a flicker of light to the side of the mountain and headed for it. Hoping that it was a campfire. Even if it was home to a group of bandits it was better than freezing to death out in a blizzard. Zack was willing to take the chance. The snow was deeper now, almost past his knees, making snail forward inch by inch, but he was alright with it. Soon he'd be in the warmth of the fire. when he looked back up the light was gone and he saw nothing. His eyes widened with panic.

"No! Where'd the light go? It was there! Hello!"

He called out, hoping that whoever had the fire going would hear him and come back.

"Please!"

He struggled against the snow, forcing himself to go faster. He pushed himself past his limits.

"Please," he panted as his breath escaped him in puffs of steam, "help..."

He fell face first into the snow, unable to move, unable to go any farther.

His last thoughts were on his parents, Midgar, SOLDIER, his mentor and finally the flower girl he had befriended before the darkness finally took him.