DISCLAIMER

Grace Barton does not own Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core and is not associated with it or its creators in any way. This is a novelisation of the game and Grace only lays claim to the written form and original scenes/dialogue that do not appear in the game. Everything else is copyrighted to SquareEnix, the creators of Crisis Core.

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core

Grace Barton

Prologue

[µ]-εγλ2000. Midgar… the City of Dreams… It was the most powerful and influential city on the planet, and was the home of the Shinra Company.

At the heart of the city was the tallest building in Midgar: Shinra Headquarters. It stood seventy storeys high and loomed over the rest of the city like an ever-present eye, keeping a close watch on the city below. Several searchlights probed the skies around it, lighting up the building like a beacon. The clouds over the city were dark and grey, as they always were, and always would be.

At that moment, a train was pulling into the Sector 8 station. It was moving at speed, faster than it should be doing. It ploughed across the sector, gaining in speed as it headed towards the Sector 8 reactor.

In an attempt to bring the train to a halt, the signal bar came down. The lights flashed from green to read. The train, however, did not stop and drove straight through the bar, smashing it into pieces. The train went on regardless, continuing on its way.

In the skies overhead, a helicopter followed the train in hot pursuit. A logo was painted onto its side, marking it as a Shinra-issue pursuit chopper.

"Wutai troops have hijacked Shinra Express MK93II. The train is currently headed to Midgar Sector 8."

The pilot's report came in through the headpiece of a young man waiting in the back of the chopper. He was dressed in the dark purple uniform that assigned him as a SOLDIER of 2nd Class Rank. He was barely visible in the shadows of the chopper, but when they flew past a set of lights he was lit up, revealing a head of spiky black hair.

"A SOLDIER operative will be inserted to neutralise the situation," the pilot's voice continued. "We are to proceed as scheduled."

The helicopter began to descend. It settled into a level flight over the train, increasing its speed to match. Inside the chopper the SOLDIER crouched down, preparing himself.

"Commence mission," said the pilot, "in 3, 2 1, mark. Begin mission."

The chopper door unfolded. The SOLDIER rose to his feet and entered the doorway. A rushing wind blew past, whipping past his face and through his hair, and he had to grab onto the doorframe to keep from being blown out.

"Operative is ready for insertion," the pilot reported.

The SOLDIER looked down at the train moving beneath him. The chopper was now moving at an exact match to that of the train, and they moved together. The SOLDIER flexed his shoulders and adjusted the straps that tied his sword to his back, ensuring that it was loose and ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. Another voice, this one not coming from his headpiece, spoke from behind him.

"The train has been overrun by Wutai troops," the voice reported. "Eliminate them and regain control of the train."

The SOLDIER looked back into the chopper. His glowing blue eyes had a playful look to them as he grinned and waved to the man behind him. "Oh yeah!" he said.

"Get serious!" the other man scolded, but his words were lost as the SOLDIER turned and jumped out of the helicopter.

The wind caught him as he fell towards the train. As he had been taught, he crouched when he landed to minimise the impact on his body. Even with this, the landing was jarring, but the SOLDIER did not show it. He stayed low as the train passed underneath a bridge, covering him in shadow. Once it had passed and the light returned, the SOLDIER raised his head and looked around him. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he rose to his feet.

"Zack!" called a voice from behind him.

The SOLDIER turned just as another man jumped down behind him. This man was taller than he was and much more heavyset, with strong muscles, a firm jaw and handsome features. His black hair was brushed back and slicked across his head. He wore the black uniform that identified him as a SOLDIER of 1st Class Rank, and strapped onto his back there was an enormous sword. His own glowing blue eyes narrowed as he gave the SOLDIER a reproachful glance.

"Zack," the man repeated, "focus!"

Zack frowned, and he grunted. The other man paid no attention and carried on.

"There are no Shinra troops on this train," he said. "Understood?"

Zack nodded. He turned back to the front of the train. The locomotive continued to speed along the tracks towards Sector 8. The SOLDIER slammed his fist into his palm, while behind him the taller man folded his arms across his large chest, watching him with a keen eye.

After readying himself, Zack ran along the car. He left the other man behind as he ran to the edge and jumped, leaping over to the next car. He landed, his boots slamming hard onto the roof. Zack did not stop but kept on running until he reached the edge again. He jumped again, and he laughed in exhilaration as the wind rushed past his face.

When he landed he started to run again, but was stopped when a hail of bullets suddenly fired into the ground at his feet. Zack drew back, his feet dancing as he dodged the bullets that slammed into the ground. When they stopped Zack lost his balance and fell onto his knees. Another bullet struck the roof near his hand, which he pulled back in alarm.

"Hello to you, too!" he remarked.

Fighting against the rushing wind, Zack got up and began to run again. As soon as he started to move the hail of bullets returned. They came from both ahead and above him, but Zack was not worried. The shudder of the locomotive caused the bullets to fly off-course, missing him by miles. The odd bullet did come too close for comfort, but still Zack was not worried about them hitting. After all, he was SOLDIER 2nd Class. It would be a humiliation for him to be gunned-down that easily.

When he reached the end of the third car he leapt over the gap. As he landed the bullets stopped again. Zack stopped and looked ahead.

There were a number of figures running down the locomotive. Zack's jaw dropped in shock, for the people firing at him were Shinra soldiers! All of them had rifles and machineguns in their hands, and Zack could guess their intent without having to ask.

I thought Angeal said there were no Shinra troops on this train, he thought. Reaching behind him, he closed his hand around the hilt of a large broadsword. "Come and get it!" he shouted in challenge. He drew the sword, gripped it with both hands and then charged at the Shinra soldiers.

The soldiers quickly assembled. Some knelt while others stood behind. Together they opened fire on Zack. The SOLDIER did not break his stride as he swung his sword, blocking the raining bullets that tried to stop him in his tracks.

He broke through the gunfire and reached his targets. With just a few swings of his sword, Zack cut and slashed his way through the line. The soldiers never had a chance to fight back as the SOLDIER forced his way through. When he reached the end Zack jumped and slashed his blade in an arc, knocking the soldiers at the back of the line of the train.

Zack did not look back, but he did smirk. That was almost too easy.

His smile then vanished as he looked ahead. Another group of soldiers were running across the train. Like the others these were also Shinra soldiers, and also heavily armed. When the soldiers opened fire, Zack charged. Once again he used his sword to block the bullets. When he hit the line he repeated his method of cutting through the soldiers, but as they swarmed around to swamp him he jumped into the air. He landed on one soldier and then swung his sword to knock others away from him. He stepped off the soldier and then continued to fight his way through the remained. As soon as he broke through the last of them he ran forward, leaving them behind.

On the next car, another group of soldiers were preparing to attack. Unlike the others, these soldiers were armed not with guns but with powerful bazookas. Zack grit his teeth but did not break his pace. He continued to run straight at them, into their line of fire.

His gaze drifted upwards where, overhead, he caught sight of a series of large, metal rafters. The rafters were built in a crisscross pattern, but there was a single line where the bars did not cross over one another, forming a tunnel.

He looked back to the soldiers. The soldiers were ready now and they opened fire on Zack, releasing explosive projectiles. Zack cursed. Whatever their reason was for hijacking the train, they did not care at all about its safety.

Zack ran straight towards the projectiles. When they drew close, Zack bent his legs and then jumped up into the air. The speed of the train helped to propel him upwards. He soared up and into the tunnel formed by the rafters. The Shinra soldiers below dropped their weapons and stared at him in awe as he sailed over them. Zack grinned, amused by their shocked faces.

"SOLDIER 2nd Class Zack, on the job!" he shouted, as he broke through the end of the tunnel. He fell, spinning down towards the train, where he thrust his sword down into the connectors that held the train cars together. The blade sliced right through the metal, severing the connectors.

The rear cars shuddered as they separated from the rest of the train. As the two parts began to pull away from one another, Zack leapt onto the roof of the car in front. The SOLDIER took a moment to look behind him and he smiled in satisfaction as he saw the outraged soldiers glaring back at him.

The rear cars slowed and pulled away from the main locomotive. Zack turned his back on the cars and spun his sword over his head before sheathing it behind him.

"Train MK93 II rerouted to Sector 1 Station near Mako Reactor One. Proceed to mission phase 2 and change surveillance rank…"

The words of the pilot drifted away as the chopper, which had followed along until that point, turned to follow the redirected rear cars of the train. Zack remained on the front part as it continued on its original course until it reached the Sector 8 station. Vents opened and poured hot clouds of billowing steam into the air as the train pulled into the station, coming to a stop.

Zack jumped from the train and landed on the platform. After glancing around to make sure he was alone, he got to his feet. There were no more Shinra soldiers, and no sign of people of any kind. Zack started to head forward when his phone began to ring. Pulling it out of his pocket, he flipped it open.

"Zack speaking," he said.

"Making progress, Zack?" said a familiar voice.

Recognising the voice as the man from the helicopter, Zack put his hand on his hip. "What's going on, Angeal?" he asked. "Why are we fighting Shinra troops?"

"They're Wutai troops in disguise," Angeal explained, in a tone that said it should have been obvious. "Now, head to the open area above."

Zack turned and looked down the platform. At the end of the station was a set of stairs leading towards the upper levels of the sector. "Towards Sector 8?" he asked. He walked forward and gazed up, where the tall reactor tower was just visible.

"Yes," Angeal's voice replied. "But first, you have to clear a path."

Zack turned away from the stairs. "Clear a path?" he asked.

Even as he spoke, a number of men wearing Shinra soldier uniforms ran down the stairs and filled the platform. On seeing Zack, they drew their rifles and ran towards him. Zack, with his back to them, was unaware of their presence.

"You'll see what I mean," said Angeal. "Be careful."

Hearing footsteps behind him, Zack turned to the stairs. He was not surprised when he saw the Shinra soldiers standing there. The soldiers lined up and opened fire on him. Most of the bullets sailed past him; they were really bad shots.

"So, I can cut loose, right?" he asked his unseen guide.

There was a pause. The voice on the other end sighed. "Use some discretion."

That was all Zack needed to hear. He grinned as he flipped the phone shut and slipped it back into his pocket. "It's show time!" he said.

Reaching behind him, Zack drew his sword again. It was a simple large broadsword with a thick and heavy blade, perfect for Zack's preferred method of fighting. SOLDIER operatives had the option of fighting any way that best suited their style, and Zack had always excelled at the sword. It was his excellent swordsmanship that had caught the attention of his mentor in the first place. Gripping the hilt of his sword with both hands, Zack charged at the soldiers.

He ran right through the gunfire and met the soldiers head on. With just a few swings of his sword he knocked aside the first three soldiers, their rifles clattering onto the floor. One soldier drew a grenade and threw it at Zack, but the soldier dived out of the way before it exploded and blew chunks out of the platform.

Zack rolled back onto his feet and swung his sword at the nearest soldier. His opponent cried out and staggered back, clutching at a wound in his chest. Zack smirked and kicked the soldier back onto the floor.

A bullet whizzed past his ear. On instinct Zack turned around and swung his sword in an upward arc. He forced the rifle out of the soldier's hands and kicked him to the floor too. A punch to the head was all that was needed to render him unconscious.

There was only one soldier left now; the one who had thrown the grenade. Seeing that he was alone, the soldier hesitated. He then glanced over his shoulder as a second wave of soldiers stormed onto the platform to join him. His confidence renewed, the soldier raised his gun and charged.

He did not get even three steps before he ran into Zack's sword. The blade pierced his gut and came out on the other side. Zack withdrew it in the same motion and jumped over the soldier as he fell and then ran straight into the second wave. Gunfire rained around him as he charged into the line, ducking and diving and slashing and striking. The air was filled with the sounds of battle; the clash and clang of metal on metal, and the repeated thud of bodies hitting the floor.

By the time Zack was done, not one soldier was left standing on the platform. Zack stood amidst the fallen soldiers, his sword sheathed, and his phone against his ear.

"Not too bad," Angeal remarked.

Zack clenched his fist, proud. "Piece of cake!" he said. "I'll make 1st in no time!"

He heard Angeal chuckle. Then he said: "Go up the stairs at the end of the platform."

Zack began to walk forward. "You got it!" he said, and hung up the phone.

The SOLDIER ran to the end of the platform. When he reached the end he turned and headed up the stairs. There were about three flights, leading away from the station and into the streets of Midgar. As Zack headed up, people from the sector above began to run down towards him. Their faces were filled with fear as they tore past him, not even noticing him. Zack dodged and weaved through them, making his way up the steps.

When he reached the third flight of steps, Zack stopped as a loud roar bellowed from above him. Without any hesitation Zack bolted up the stairs, weaving his way through the fleeing crowds towards Reactor No. 8.

As he drew near to the reactor, Zack felt the air around him change. The tower, always active, cast a pallid green aura over the sector. Even now the reactor was sucking up mako energy from beneath the planet's crust and converting it into usable energy. Every so often the reactor opened its vents, releasing the pent up steam and energy waste into the air, giving it a faint, foul odour. Zack was so used to the scent of mako that he rarely noticed it anymore, as did the other citizens of Midgar. For them, the scent was part of their everyday lives, and they could no more forget it than they could forget everything else to do with their lives.

Zack reached the top of the stairs. He then skidded to a stop as he saw that there was a monster in the middle of the street. It was a Behemoth, one of the many monsters that roamed the barren plains surrounding Midgar. This particular Behemoth was one of the largest Zack had seen, and it was also one of the angriest.

Without even questioning how such a beast had even made it into Midgar, Zack ran towards it. When he drew close he stopped and, as Angeal had taught him, assessed the situation.

The Behemoth had its back to him, but on hearing the SOLDIER's approach it turned to face him. Tiny yellow eyes fixed on him, and the monster's lips curled back to bare its large, yellowed fangs. Raising one of its clawed feet, it slammed it onto the ground. Zack felt the ground tremble, and the Behemoth roared.

Zack reached behind him and drew his sword. He was not afraid of the beast. He gripped his sword in both hands and smiled, psyched up for the fight.

"Oh yeah!" he said, and then charged at the Behemoth.

The monster raised its foot again and brought it slamming onto the ground. Zack dodged and rolled as the monster thrust its head forward, trying to ram him with its sharp horns. Zack leapt back onto his feet and swung his sword, striking the monster's hind leg. The blade scraped across the leathery flesh, cutting a deep graze. The Behemoth roared in pain and staggered back.

Zack rose to his feet, watching the Behemoth. "Not so tough, are you?" he asked.

He then stopped as the Behemoth suddenly rose onto its hind legs. Zack jumped back just as the front legs came crashing back down onto the ground. The impact caused the ground to shake, and Zack tottered, trying to stay on his feet.

A shadow fell over him. Zack jumped back as once again the Behemoth rose and brought its feet down on the ground. When the monster had landed Zack ran forward and jumped onto the Behemoth's head. He ran along its shoulders and back and then leapt off from behind. While he was in mid-air, the SOLDIER twisted his body around and brought his sword down on the monster's hide, cutting another deep gash in its flesh. The Behemoth roared in pain, rearing onto its hind legs again.

Its tail started to thrash. Zack jumped over the tail as it swung past him, and then ducked as it swept past over his head. The third time it came by Zack did not move out of the way in time and was flung across the street. He crashed into a nearby building and slumped onto the floor, dazed.

Zack shook his head and got to his feet. He picked up his sword, which he had dropped when he crashed into the wall. He looked ahead he saw the Behemoth. Its head was down as it charged towards him, its sharp horns pointing straight at him.

"Bring it on!" Zack shouted in challenge, and ran at the Behemoth.

When he drew close, Zack dropped into a roll. He rolled underneath the Behemoth, which had not noticed he was gone and continued to charge. As he passed beneath its belly, he raised his sword and sliced through the soft flesh. Blood spread across the blade and dripped onto the floor, but Zack was already gone. Avoiding the thrashing tail, he rolled out from underneath and scrabbled out of the way.

He turned back to the Behemoth. The monster was flailing wildly. Its four legs stamped on the ground, but its movements only served to increase the amount of blood pouring from its wound. Its head swung left and right, saliva flying from its frothing jaws. Its forelegs crumpled, and the monster's head slammed into the ground. The monster roared. With a great effort, it started to rise again, but its legs crumpled again, and it fell back onto the floor. Its tail still thrashed, striking the floor again and again, but it could not get up.

Zack lowered his sword. He drew back his fist. Flames formed around his hand, circling his fist. With a triumphant cry Zack thrust out his hand and cast the flames towards the Behemoth.

The fireball struck home. Flames swept over the Behemoth's body and engulfed it in a wall of flame. The monster gave a loud roar of pain and stomped across the ground. Its tail lashed and its body thrashed as it tried to shake off the flames.

Too late it saw Zack approaching. The monster tried to draw back, but Zack swung his sword and slashed it across the Behemoth's face. The monster gave one last roar before it slumped, defeated, onto the ground. Without any more resistance, the flames swept over the rest of its body. The Behemoth began to dissolve, burned away by the heat of the flames. When the last traces of its body had disintegrated the flames flickered and died out, leaving only a pile of ash behind.

Zack spun his sword and sheathed it behind him. He turned away from the remains of his opponent. He was just about to walk away when he heard the metallic scrape of a sword being drawn. The tip of a long, slender sword was then thrust over his shoulder. Zack froze and raised his hands, showing that they were empty.

"Showing your back to the enemy…" a voice said. "Overconfidence will destroy you."

Zack sighed. That Angeal… Even when Zack was victorious, he could not resist giving him a lecture. The blade lifted from his shoulder and Zack turned around, keeping his arms raised. He was just trying to decide what face to pull to appease his mentor when he looked up and gasped.

It was not Angeal standing behind him, but Sephiroth. Sephiroth: The legendary hero, SOLDIER 1st Class and the most renowned warrior in the Shinra Company. Zack had only seen him a couple of times, but he had never met the man in person. It was Sephiroth's masamune—his trademark weapon—that was pointing over his shoulder. His green, almost cat-like eyes were staring right at Zack.

"Wh-what is this?" Zack asked, taken aback. Why is Sephiroth here!

Before he could find an answer, Sephiroth twisted his blade and thrust it forward. Zack drew his sword just in time and parried the attack with the flat of his blade. Sephiroth drew back his sword and struck again. Zack blocked it. Sephiroth struck again and then again, delivering a relentless assault. Throughout all the blows Zack was forced to stay on the defensive, blocking every blow.

Sephiroth's next attack almost knocked Zack off his feet. He brought the masamune down with all his strength. Zack raised his sword to catch the masamune before it could cut him in two. He grunted, pushing back against the blade.

"Damn it," he cursed, "you're not the only hero!"

Sephiroth just smiled. "It's over," he said.

He began to push down on Zack's sword. Zack grit his teeth and struggled, trying to push back, but Sephiroth was both taller and stronger. He began to overpower Zack, pushing him down towards the floor.

Then, with a start, Sephiroth withdrew his sword. With Zack caught off-balance by the sudden loss of pressure, he slashed his masamune and knocked the sword out of Zack's hands. Zack hit the floor, striking his head on the ground. As for his sword, it had been cut in two by Sephiroth's masamune. The two halves skidded to a stop some distance away, well out of Zack's reach.

Angeal, who was monitoring Zack's progress in the mission from a safe point nearby, stared at his phone. "Impossible!" he said. He flipped the phone shut. Grasping the hilt of his sword, he ran in the direction of the reactor.

Sephiroth walked towards Zack, who lay dazed on the floor. He stood over the SOLDIER, looking down at him with a cold gaze. Lifting his masamune, he placed the tip over Zack's chest. Zack opened his eyes and saw Sephiroth standing over him. Sephiroth's expression did not even change as he twisted the blade and stabbed it down. Zack squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the killing blow.

The blow never came. After a moment, Zack dared to open his eyes. He looked up.

The masamune was still hovering over him. It was positioned at an odd angle, as though something had knocked it off-course. The source of the obstruction: a second sword. This other sword had been thrust out at the last second, and it was this that had saved his life. Zack stared at this sword, and saw that it had a broken blade. It was his sword; the one Sephiroth had cut in two. But who was holding it?

He looked left. Angeal was kneeling beside him. He had Zack's sword in his hands and it was he who had stopped Sephiroth. Angeal looked over at Zack, relieved to see that he was okay. He withdrew the sword as Sephiroth, in turn, lowered his.

Zack sat up. "Thanks, Angeal," he said, rubbing his head.

Without saying a word, Angeal rose to his feet. He turned to Sephiroth, who was now standing completely still. The swordsman's expression was blank, almost lifeless. He did not even seem to see Zack or Angeal.

Angeal took out his phone. He flipped through a number of options until he reached the one he wanted: 'Abort Mission'. He selected it, and then confirmed the action.

All at once the landscape began to dissolve. The buildings disappeared, as did the roads and the reactor tower. In their place was an empty room. Angeal walked across the floor as it disappeared beneath his feet. He moved behind Sephiroth, who did not react as the room dissolved around him. Then Sephiroth himself began to dissolve, vanishing from the feet up.

Angeal turned to face Zack. "Training's over," he said, as Sephiroth disappeared.

Zack jumped to his feet. He wore a hologram projection helmet over his face and eyes, which had projected the images for the training session.

"Wha? Why?" he demanded.

Angeal responded by raising Zack's sword. Although the whole session was only a projection, the break in the blade was very real. Seeing the blade, Zack stepped back. "You serious?" he asked. He removed the helmet and threw it onto the floor. "I was just getting warmed up!" he protested, walking over to Angeal.

Angeal looked into his trainee's eager face. He then lowered the sword and turned it over in his hand so that the hilt faced Zack. He held it out to him, and he smiled.

Zack took the sword from him and examined the blade. A clean cut from Sephiroth's holographic sword had cleaved the blade in two. Once again, as always, he was amazed by Shinra's technology. Even holograms had the power to do some very real damage; something he had forgotten. If it had not been for Angeal, he could have been killed by that same hologram. Zack sighed.

Angeal walked forward. He went past Zack, who continued to look at the sword.

"Zack…" he began.

Zack looked up.

"Embrace your dreams."

Zack tilted his head. "Huh?"

Angeal walked until he reached the doorway. Here he stopped, though he did not look back. "If you want to be a hero you need to have dreams…" he said. He inclined his head, and Zack saw the serious look in his eyes as he added, with utmost sincerity: "And honour."

Zack scratched his head as Angeal walked out of the training room. The doors shut behind him, leaving Zack alone. He looked down at his broken sword, with Angeal's words still echoing in his mind.

Dreams… and honour…

A Note from the Authoress

Hello and welcome! My name is Grace and I will be your authoress.

To those of you reading my work for the first time, let me tell you a little bit about how this story will run. You will have noticed in the prologue above that I write my stories using the original game scripts. I have done this in all my previous novels and will continue to do so throughout this one. I will occasionally add the odd original scene or piece of dialogue if I feel I need to expand a scene to make it fit more coherently into the story, or to give a little more depth and enjoyment to your reading experience.

To those of you who joining me from my previous works, welcome back! I know I said I would not upload this story until I finished uploading Final Fantasy VIII, but given that I am trying to close the gap I created in my chapters, I decided 'what the heck, let's upload them together'.

I have not yet decided whether this game will be split into two instalments, or whether it will fit into one. I shall decide that when I reach my assigned 'cut-off point'.

So, without further ado, I hope you all enjoy my novelisation of Crisis Core. As always, if anyone spots any grievous information errors, spelling or grammar mistakes, do let me know, and I shall correct them. I don't bite and won't be offended if someone messages me and says 'um, you made a spelling mistake there, you know'. After all, we're only human, and humans make mistakes. So please let me know! :)

~Grace Barton