Author notes: I would like to make a few announcements now. This is indeed a "Crisis Core" fic, but really it's just the same story told without the existence of the rest of the series besides VII. This means that Genesis doesn't exist, there is no deep ground, Lazard was never imagined, etc, etc. This fictional piece is written to tell the story as I envisioned it should be, and still believe to be a far more truthful story, despite it's variance from what has been created. Also, I'm considering writting the dialogue in a screen play format because of the way this editor works. Also, comments are welcome, anything to help improve future chapters.

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Prologue

Dear Mom and Dad,

I made it into the ShinRa military today. The test was a breeze, I guess it's because these city folk aren't used to the kind of labor we do at home all the time. Still, I haven't quite gotten used to these MAKO showers yet. They say their supposed to enhance your natural ability… I don't think I need it though, I was way ahead of everybody else who tried out. Oh! That reminds me, I met the legend himself today!

Well… I didn't really meet him, I saw him and got to shake his hand. Captain Zeal told me Sephiroth likes to meet all of the new recruits, though I'm not sure why... Still, it was amazing to see the general himself so soon! Just you wait, I'll be a hero just like him someday! I'd write more, but I've gotta wake up bright and early tomorrow, so I'll write again soon!

Your son,

Zack

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Dear Mom and Dad,

I've got some down time this time around, so the letters going to be longer this time. Last time I told you about me getting accepted into ShinRa, and I have to say, I'm tearing it up out here. I've only been treated with the MAKO shower twice and my performance has already doubled. The rest of the new recruits don't even stand a chance. I've got all the top scores in all of the courses. No one has been able to match me at any of the courses. At this rate I'll be a hero just like Sephiroth in no time.

Speaking of him though, he got shipped back out to Wutai, which means I'm not going to get to show him my stuff like I'd hoped. Maybe if I can somehow get sent over there under his command I can catch his eye. I know if I get the chance to show him my abilities he'll put me in SOLDIER in no time. About SOLDIER and the military... they treat us well out here.

The barracks isn't bad. The beds are soft and the pillows are pretty big, it makes sleeping a breeze. The only thing I can complain about is the smell, really. I expected that though, being bunked with the guys I am. The food is great too, I never would've expected them to treat us so well, but I think it's a luxury only available to those of us still in the capital. I have a feeling everyone fighting in Wutai get by on rations and what they can pick up off the ground.

Don't worry about me though, every things going fine, just like I thought it would. I did meet someone I kinda liked though. He's a space pilot, or something like that. He came running down the stairs about as happy as I'd ever seen a man. He was yelling something about finally getting the funds to get to go to outer space. Kinda weird that a guy calls himself a space pilot and he's never been to space. Well either way, he said his name was Cid. I only got to talk to him for a bit, but about halfway through the conversation he said something I agreed with. He said, "You and me kid, we're both gunna do something great fer this world, and ain't nobody who's gunna stop us!" I never did get around to telling him my name though...

I won't let anyone stop me, that's for sure.

Your son,

Zack

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Dear Mom and Dad,

It's been a few days since I've written, and I'm sorry about that. Sephiroth has ordered a new batch of troops to the front line and Captain Zeal said if I worked hard enough I could ship out under his command. So far things are looking pretty good though, and in the next week I'll be heading off to Wutai for some real action. Don't have time to write anymore, sorry, but I'll write again before I leave, I promise.

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Dear Mom and Dad,

I ship off tomorrow for Wutai, and just in case you're worried, they say that we've finally started making progress through the mountains and are heading towards the flat lands. I'm sure everything will go smoothly, don't worry. But there's plenty more I want to say, since it'll be a while before I get to write again.

First things first, since you guys have never been to Midgar I thought I'd let you know that it's a real grimy place. Not much room for flowers and greenery out here, and the smog kinda gets to you after a while. Wutai will actually be kinda nice in that aspect. There are shops everywhere, and they sell everything. I mean, they sell things I've never even heard of for things I've never heard of.

Not everything about Midgar is bad though, a lot of the people under the plate are pretty nice. They all work together to get by… it just hurts me to see how ShinRa turns a blind eye to them. It's so obvious that their in trouble, but no one is willing to help them… I think that'll be my first objective once I become a hero. I'll bring prosperity to everyone living under the plate.

I met a girl when I was in the wall market the other day, she lived under the plate too. I didn't get to talk to her long, but she said her name was Aeris. She's a real sweet girl, I just wish I'd get to talk to her again before I left, but I guess that won't happen. It was weird though, I saw a man in a black suit nearby, and he seemed to be following Aeris too… I guess I caught his eye when I talked to Aeris because he looked at me for a while before leaving when Aeris did.

Anyway, there's a real nice place outside of Midgar that I like to go to on my free time. It's a cliff a few miles away where the monsters don't seem to roam around a lot. It's a great view of Midgar, and at night the city is beautiful. I guess the beauty is only skin deep though… but I'll change that! Just you wait and see!

Your son,

Zack

P.S. I love you guys… I'll write as soon as the war is over.