Title: Steadfast

Pairing: Zack/Cloud (from the Crisis Core timeline. I'll be messing with the storyline quite a bit so please don't be mad! That's what fanfics are for right? LOL Just a warning, this will be a looooong story so please bear with me.)

Rating: M (just to be safe. Things might change in later chapters so I just want to cover my bases :3)

This story is dedicated to Anthem88 a wonderful video editor on YouTube that always keeps me inspired with amazing CLACK videos. This was all because of you! T_T But that might be a good thing. Hope you like it!

Oh and the disclaimer! I don't own any of the characters depicted in this story (though I wish I did!). I just mess with them for your enjoyment! So yeah, purely fan made, no profit. Enjoy!

Oh and:

"xxx" spoken words

'xxx' thoughts

*xxx* mystery voice ;D

*** Part 1

"Something's wrong..." I wondered at that thought as I drifted in and out of consciousness, the real world harder and harder to grasp as the fluid of my prison engulfed my senses. There was something that I was supposed to do. Something that I had to remember... "What..." It seems I spoke the word aloud, though I knew that such a thing was impossible. It had been so long since I last spoke I doubted that I remembered how.

A soul rending scream echoed around me, though it was muted by the walls of my inescapable prison. "Wake up!" I urged my muddled senses to comply knowing that I had to do something. That if I couldn't act I would lose something precious.

A moment of sheer panic enveloped me as my eyes finally opened, the hazy vision before me slowly coming into focus. What was this? I felt myself suspended in a hazy green liquid, a strangely familiar feeling permeating my body almost like the tests I participated in to become a Soldier...

"Monsters..." The memory of that strange scene in the reactor suddenly flashed before my eyes, the words of my friend...now an enemy echoing in my mind.

"Is that what this is?" I wondered as I studied my hand before me, my fingers splayed upon the glass of my prison and finally glimpsing the scene beyond.

A group of scientists ringed a small lab table, their frantic babbling nothing but unintelligible sound to my muddled hearing. Another pained scream and a frantic struggle as the doctors held the source down, strapping it mercilessly down to the table before them. Then they finally had their victim secured and backed away to regroup.

"No!" I breathed, my heart skipping a beat and then racing as the source of that scream finally materialized. "Cloud..." The rest was a blur. My fight was brief, useless. Nothing more than a reflex as my mind and heart urged my limbs to respond, to fight through the haze that enveloped my entire being so that I could fulfill my promise. But as soon as I began my struggle I saw flashes of white beyond my prison, the doctors reacting to my sudden awakening and soon all I could do was float there, my mako prison sucking away my will as the doctor's curious stares filled my vision.

"Cloud." I urged myself to look to the table, to that poor soul mercilessly bound to its surface, and immediately regretted it. The stare that met my own was so–empty, so lost... "What have they done to you?" I wondered as the last of my strength left me and I was once again lost to blissful darkness.

***

Pain, that is what my world was confined to. Everlasting, soul numbing pain. And then the blissful darkness that came when my will finally gave out, when all I wanted was to disappear, to leave this place and this torment behind. And with that darkness came a voice. *It's all right.*

"Who are you?" No way I could have voiced those words aloud, my throat scoured raw from my earlier screams as those monsters once again preformed their 'tests'. I shuddered in remembrance of needles and knives, pain and searing numbness that told of too much lost...too much of my 'self' bled away to leave this hollow shell.

*That does not matter. As long as you are able to remember what is truly important...* Again those strangely comforting words echoed in my mind bringing forth an image. A confident, dark haired man with the kindest smile filled my vision and it was almost possible to remember a name. It was there, just at the edge of my memory as the image changed and that same man held out a hand to me, "So you want to be a Soldier?" Those words filled my entire being, the voice so kind. "Hang in there." And again that smile...

But all too soon reality intruded, invading my safe haven and drowning me in pain and red laced darkness. Only this time, it was different. *Something's not right.* That other voice mused, a thread of worry coloring the normally emotionless words.

I felt it too. A tingling in the air, a caress of sensation as the fluid of my prison vibrated around my lifeless limbs. It was strangely familiar, like the hush before a battle, when your nerves are taut, your every sense sharply focused to react to whatever came your way.

But in my state such a thing was not possible. And so when the attack finally came and the pain engulfed me, it was all I could do to offer a muffled scream before a darkness more sure than anything before filled me, and I knew no more.

***

CRACK! A whoosh of air accompanied the tinkling of broken glass as I was hurled from the confines of my prison, those slightly chiding words still ringing in my head, "Pathetic. And you wanted to be a Soldier?"

"Angeal!" I gasped, trying to get my bearings. It had to be him and yet why break me out if he was only going to leave me behind?

"Urgh." Okay, one step at a time. First, get up. Easier said than done. No doubt I looked like a fish out of water as I flopped around, trying to get my knees under me. *Pfft!* Why the hell are you laughing fool!? Ah well, that's just how I am I guess. It would make more sense to wonder why I was talking to myself like this. But hey, everyone needs their own cheering section right? Come on, Zack. You can do it!

"Huh?" My first glance offered me a familiar view of the lab I'd been trapped in for who knows how long now, but seeing it without the haze of mako was a bit unsettling. I'd have to get used to alot of things quick because if what I was hearing was true...

Another blast, the bombardment shaking dust and other debris from the walls as the building shook again. "Okay, so let me get this straight. I break out of prison only to find myself in a war zone?" Sigh... "Perfect."

I managed to haul myself to my feet, my limbs still a bit numb from disuse and took a good look around. "Okay. First thing's first." My heart hammered in my chest as I took in my surroundings. The last thing I remembered was those monsters strapping Cloud to that table...

My hand ghosted across it's surface, the tell tale spattering of old blood liberally imbedded in its cracks made my hands clench in anger. I felt sorry for the first bastard to stumble upon me now. I was in no mood to be civil.

Okay now focus. He was here. So then... A quick glance told me that the other containers were empty, though the one next to my shattered prison held an unlikely surprise. A single white feather lay on the bottom of the vessel that was labeled with a specimen number I didn't know but a description that was more than familiar. 'Sex: Male, Age: 19, Hair: Blonde, Eyes: Blue' I grasped that feather in my trembling hand wondering what it meant. "Angeal, are you trying to tell me something? Is he still here?" Another scan of the room brought me no closer to an answer. "Or maybe you already got him out?" No that couldn't be it. Why would he free me and risk saving a stranger? So then that meant he had to be here. But where?

The sounds of hurried steps pelted just beyond the lab's door and I quickly dove for the cover of the table at its center. Crap! I can't be found now...

Heart hammering in my chest, I listened as someone mumbled to themselves. They were scared to death and seemed to be gathering up papers. "One of the scientists then..." I felt my hands clench into fists and was on my feet in an instant, my body automatically doing what was necessary without a single thought. Soldier first class all the way...

"Where is he!?" I screamed into the terrified man's face as blood trickled from his temple, his glasses skewed on his face from the impact of my fist.

"I-I don't know..." the man stammered, his eyes frantically taking in the room and the telltale broken container. "How d-did you?"

"I'm asking the questions here!" I hissed, slamming the man's slight form into the wall again. "Now tell me where the hell Cloud is!"

Understanding seemed to dawn then as the man straightened, his hands grasping my wrist as I continued to hold him up by the scruff of his lab coat. "He was taken away! Progressing too fast. Doctor Hojo wanted to study him personally."

"Where was he taken!?" I demanded as another worrying rumble rained debris upon us.

"I don't know." the man struggled to get the words past my choking grasp. "I wasn't told. Only to..." gasp "watch you and make sure..."

Hmph...this was getting me nowhere fast. "Okay fine. Then at least tell me what the hell is happening outside. Why are we being attacked?"

"Avalanche!" the man cried, his eyes growing hopeful for a moment. "If-if you can get us both to safety then maybe I can help you! I'm a colleague of Hojo's. I can find out where your friend is!"

Tch....great. Now I had to save this monster's life in order to find Cloud? Yeah...I didn't like that thought one bit. And what was preventing him from turning on me at the drop of a hat? He was clearly bluffing, I mean, if he was one of this 'Hojo' guy's circle then he wouldn't be cooped up here looking after the rejects. Oh man, that kind of hurt...

My cynical laugh must have unnerved the scrawny doctor. No that wasn't directed at you, fool. I'm the reject. Hell I can't even keep one naive little country boy safe. Soldier indeed... "Who's Avalanche?"

"Man where've you been? Under a rock?" an unfamiliar voice drawled from the doorway, it's source sauntering in like it owned the place. "Ya hear that Barrett? He don't know Avalanche!"

"Hmmph. He's either a fool or...well. A Soldier?" Another man followed the first, his steady gaze locked on me and my dangling prisoner. Holy crap! Was that a Gatling gun on his arm!

"So which are you?" the first man drawled, a cigar smoldering between his lips as he squinted at me.

"Um...both?" I managed, lowering the cowering doctor to his feet as my eyes sought some sort of weapon. These men were dangerous.

"Cut the crap kid." the blonde with the cigar offered, leveling his lance at me. "Just who the hell are you?"

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that?" I managed, still not seeing anything useful. Okay then just keep them talking, stall for time...

"You already know. We're Avalanche. No mystery there. But you, a Soldier buried in a place like this, with no inkling of what Avalanche is? Now THAT'S a story worth hearing..." the blonde reasoned, easing up a bit and leaning against the wall as if his calmness would make me spill my guts. Not likely when yet another blast brought more of the crumbling walls raining down on us.

"Look I don't know if you noticed this but I think we're under attack out there and I've been cooped up in that thing." they both glanced toward my prison and then back to my still bedraggled self. "For who knows how long and all I want to do is find my friend but this asshole isn't telling me anything." I kicked at the doctor who was currently cowering at my feet, for protection? God I hoped not. "And since I've been stuck here and lack any inside information, obviously I'm not going to know who the hell you or Avalanche or any of this crap is. So if you could just work with me here!" Gasp, gasp, huff... Was that me? Jeez I was out of shape. Or about to crack. Either way...

"Whoa kiddo. Relax. I was just messin' with ya." the blonde smiled, apparently enjoying my predicament. "Listen, I'm Cid, this here's Barrett." he offered, his eyes boring holes into my own as if trying to pry what he wanted out of them. "We're part of Avalanche. Call us an anti-Shinra organization." he smiled at that, apparently liking the sound of it. "And what you currently hear out there is our boys giving it to them good. We're about it take down Shinra Manor in fact. Course we gotta get clear first but that's all up to you. So what do ya say? You gonna come peacefully or what?"

"I don't--," This was all so confusing! Why were people attacking Shinra? Okay, well I guess that's a no-brainer. But why were people who weren't 'outsiders' attacking Shinra? Was this civil war? "Why is–," Ugh! How long was I trapped here anyway!? None of this makes any sense. Okay, think about it. I really only have two options. Go with these guys, and that other dude's arm is pretty much convincing me to cooperate...or fight them and see what happens. Sigh...fine. Guess it's option one for now. "Okay fine." I agreed running my hand through my hair in agitation. That's always been a habit of mine. "I'll come with you but first we have to find my friend."

The blonde–no Cid–snickered, "I don't know if you're in a position to make demands there Spiky," and laughed outright when I tried to tame my unruly locks. "Don't give me that look. And no more puppy-dog eyes either. We'll help you but you see, if your buddy's here then that's a shame. We only have about 3 minutes to get out before the bombs we planted go off. Soooo, if you're comin' you'd best follow us now."

"But I can't just..." I felt my heart start to hammer as my helplessness overwhelmed me. I wasn't even sure if he was still here, and this coward of a doctor said he wasn't so then why am I so sure that he is? What should I do?!

The first explosion pretty much made up our minds for us. The shockwave sprawled us all out on the lab floor and we watched in sickening horror as said floor began to crack. "Ah hell. Never was a bomb expert." Cid drawled as the ground gave way and swallowed us all whole.

***

"Why the HELL did I ever listen to you?" a deep, familiar voice accused, a sharp hiss of pain cutting off further words.

"Cause I'm an expert on mechanics and flight and sailing and of course that must mean I know a lil something about bombs." Cid drawled, his telltale cigar bobbing in front of me. "Course I never did know a damn thing about them. You people need to quit ASSUMING stuff." he chided, levering himself to his feet. "Well, the good news is, nothing's broken! How about you?"

"Hmmph." the big man, Barrett managed to sit upright and take stock of his limbs. "Guess I'm whole. How about you Soldier boy?"

Guess he means me. Well, let's see. Well at least I landed on something soft, and cold... I immediately jumped to my feet and stared at the dead doctor that had make a more than adequate cushion and fought not to vomit. I offered a thumbs up as I turned away from my cushion in disgust.

"Heh, you're a funny guy." Cid offered, pounding me on the back before sauntering off to get a look at our predicament. "Well looks like this place is just crawlin' with tunnels. And lucky us we fell into one. So that must mean you're right. Could be they're keepin' your buddy down here after all. Just like they were keeping those things in the reactor."

I shuddered as I remembered our discovery a lifetime ago. I'll never forget the look on Sephiroth's face as we discovered the truth...Monsters... I suddenly felt colder inside. Was that what they did to me too? I didn't feel any different, but still...

"I guess you found out about those monsters too." Cid murmured mere inches from my face. "You've got a haunted look about you kid. This got anything to do with why you were cooped up in that weird pod?"

"Um...I don't know." I offered, distancing myself a bit as I gathered my bearings. "You said before that we were in Shinra Manor right?"

"Yep. Sure could use a map right about now though." Cid offered with a shrug.

"Oh that's no problem. I remember this place. So we're still in Nebelheim, and I'm assuming you already destroyed the reactor... What about Sephiroth? Did we get him?"

They both stared at me like I was insane. "Get him? You don't just 'get' a top class Soldier like him! What the hell are you talking about?" Barrett looked at me as if I had two heads or something.

"Well, I remember just before we were taken by those scientists, Sephiroth learned the truth about what Shinra had done and he was going ballistic. He attacked the people of Nebelhiem and tried to burn it to the ground. My friend Cloud and I were sent on a mission with him to follow up on some rumors here about another Soldier and well, we ended up having to fight him. I wasn't strong enough, but Cloud. I think he managed to stop him somehow but he was hurt bad," the memory of Cloud clutching his bloodied chest and tumbling down the stairs to land at my side flashed though my mind. 'Did you get him?' I'd asked and received the most beautiful smile. That was the last thing I remembered before waking up to those scientists hurting Cloud and then again today...

"No way! That was over 4 years ago!" Barrett cried, backing away almost as if he were afraid of me.

"Couldn't be you." Cid mused.

"What do you mean?" I was really getting sick of this. If someone didn't tell me something useful soon I was going to scream!

"Tifa girl told us about that day. Asked if her friends made it out okay. The one she named Zack. The other...she was too sad to say." Cid offered.

"That's me! I'm Zack!" Finally we were getting somewhere! "And Tifa's okay? You said she was right!? Whew! What a relief! Cloud will be so happy!" They were looking at me funny again. "Wait a second. FOUR YEARS!?"

They filled me in on all the details as we started our search for Cloud and a way out. I still couldn't take it all in. Four whole years? That means that Aerith. There's no way she'd still be waiting for me. Ugh! Why me? But the better question was why the hell was I still here? Unchanged...

"Hey! You hear that?" Barrett hissed as I clutched the feather in my pocket tight. Angeal... Did he know? Was he still here? Why was he helping me now of all times? Four years! You'd think he could have acted sooner...

"What?" I managed to focus again. I had a mission to carry out. Stop getting distracted!

"Listen," the big man hissed. Then I heard it. It sounded like a high pitched scream, or claws rending metal. Were those...wing beats?

"Shit. There's more of those monsters here? I thought we got 'em all in the reactor!" Cid fumed as he grabbed a protruding length of metal in the rubble and tried to wrench it free. I followed his example. I'd need a weapon if we were going to get past whatever was making those noises. "Your arm still work?" he asked as Barrett's strange weapon clicked upon a loaded chamber.

"Only one way to find out." he offered with a feral grin. These Avalanche guys were nuts!

***

The beasts' shrieking grew louder as we approached, their efforts to get into that sealed room almost frantic. "What do they want so badly?" I mused as the monsters swarmed and fought with each other.

"Not sure, but if they want it, we probably do too." Cid murmured as he snuffed out his cigar. "Though getting through that mob isn't gonna be easy. So, Barrett what do ya say? Want to start this party off with a bang?"

The big man whooped a battle cry and jumped into the open his weapon aimed at the throng of monsters whose gazes all locked onto him the moment he appeared. "Aha! Take this ya ugly!" CLICK "Aw hell. Come on you piece of junk!" He cried, banging his weapon on various things to no avail. "Any time Cid!"

"Pfft, fool." Cid laughed as he too jumped into the fray taking the first swing.

"Well, why not." I almost laughed as I too jumped in, the familiar feel of flesh rebounding off of my weapon almost comforting. Though I wished my weapon could have been a sword... And then I heard the strangest thing, a sound like a lit fuse followed by a "Get down kid!" as I was tackled from the side. What the hell are you–," BOOM!!!!!!!! My indignant shout cut off as Barrett's weapon fired, incinerating the remaining monsters before us.

"A little more warning next time!" Cid shouted, my ears still ringing from the closeness of Barrett's shot.

"Sorry, man. You know this thing's been on the fritz." the big guy offered with a smile, offering us both a hand up. "No harm no foul right? And look, the way's all clear." He beamed.

"Yeah, says you." Cid huffed, shoving past the big man and examining the door. Something had managed to break through, the inner sanctum revealed to us through the ragged furrows left behind. "Looks like it's pretty much caved in." he announced.

I squeezed past the two of them to get a look myself. Rubble, glass, a familiar glint of mako... My heart started to hammer as I followed that strange wet trickle, not the normal green I'd been used to but almost black, as if it were mixed with something-else. A broken cylinder, a shock of pale hair, a thin pale arm... "CLOUD!"

***

Breathe... I urged my useless body to do that simple task, the pain almost unbearable. The sounds of the room collapsing replayed over and over in my mind, the screech of something just beyond the door muddling my senses, making my heart race as my blood flowed freely into the mako pooled beneath me. I was afraid to open my eyes, to match an image to those sounds, to make all of this–real.

Don't think about it. Don't wonder why it's suddenly quiet. Don't worry about what happens next. "CLOUD!" A voice cut through my senses making me jump slightly, just that small movement sending waves of pain crashing though my body. A pained moan engulfed me as yet another loud noise echoed through the room, followed by hurried footsteps. 'Go away!' Don't look, don't look.

"Hey buddy. Christ you're a mess." a slightly teasing glint coloring the worried voice at my side. "Don't worry. It's all right." Hands upon my arm which I instinctively jerk away. "NO!" Was that me? That pitiful, frightened voice?

"Sorry, sorry." the other voice soothed as I felt fingers dance over my arms, removing the needles. "There, better?" It babbled on as if to comfort itself. Other voices droned on in the background.

"Christ! What'd those monsters do to him? Damn Shinra. We'll get im kid, don't you worry." There were two of them. But none of them was familiar. None of them was that other voice, the one that had comforted me for so long. 'Where are you!?' I demanded sinking deeper into myself as the activity continued to buzz around me.

***

"Sorry, sorry." I murmur, tears stinging my eyes as I take in that poor broken form. He's hurt, bad. The tubes and needles sticking out of his thin arms just the tip of the iceberg. There's nothing to him! He's lost so much of himself and still he jerks away from my touch, though all I want is to comfort him. Why won't he open his eyes? And the blood...steadily leaking from the gash in his side and coloring the mako around him black as he forces himself to take short trembling breaths. That is what worries me the most. Somehow he'd been impaled on a shard of glass from his prison and just knowing that I would have to pull him free of it was almost too much.

"No you guys stay back." I managed as the others came to our side. "And don't touch any of the mako. It's poison to normal people."

A deep steadying breath helps me regain my focus as I play out what I must do in my mind. Simple really. Grab him around the waist and pull, just a single sharp tug should do it. And yet just knowing the amount of pain it would cause made me sick. But I was the only one that could do it... "Please tell me you have healing materia with you."

"Never leave home without it." Cid assured, pulling a familiar smoky blue orb from his pocket.

He smiled kindly as I released my breath in a relieved whoosh. "All right. Then I guess there's no reason to hesitate. Here goes nothing..."

***

'Help me!' I cried out to that familiar presence, the one that had stayed with me all this time.

*Shhh, it's all right.* It assured me. *This is what you've been waiting for. If you'd only open your eyes you'd see that.*

I shook my head 'no', which caused a stir in the voices around me though I could no longer make out their words. 'Can't.' I didn't want to see...

*Why not? Surely you recognize the person at your side. You know you do. Don't you remember?* Again that slight attempt at denial. *Well, I can't force you. But maybe I can understand why. You and I are surprisingly similar. It's easier to hide from the truth than to face it.*

'You're hiding too?' The voice in my mind warmed with laughter and I almost caught a glimpse of the being behind it. *I'm always hiding. But you don't have to.*

'Maybe I can help! Tell me how and–,' another smile colored the words as my faceless companion revealed. *It's not your place to help me. I've brought this isolation upon myself though if it helps, I can tell you my name...*

I nodded slightly, somehow knowing that the being would feel my response. "This is going to hurt." a soft warning in my ear as strong arms grasped my waist and pulled.

An agonizing scream was torn from me as my side was engulfed in pain, only silencing when my teeth found purchase on solid flesh and I bit down.

***

"Owwwwww!" I hissed, my hand flailing behind me for the materia as I sought to ease the pain to my shoulder as Cloud continued to bite down in retaliation. "Give it!" I cried, hefting a sigh of relief when the familiar object was placed in my palm. "And stop laughing!"

Of course that made the two double over. As if any of this were funny! I ignored them as I touched the materia to Cloud's wound, willing it to heal. I felt the orb begin to warm and then slowly dissolve into his body, working it's magic. And luckily as it did, Cloud relaxed his jaws and I was able to get loose. "Damn good reflexes." I muttered, stanching the bloody bite mark as I laid Cloud's slight form upon the floor. "Not too bad considering."

"You should have seen yer face!" Cid huffed, slapping his knee as he continued to rub it in. "Priceless!"

"You're no help. Why the hell didn't you give me the materia right away? You did that on purpose!" Just how old were these two anyway? "Whatever. Just quit screwing around and help me with these.

***

I was surrounded by warmth, a soothing blue light permeating my mind and setting me at ease. 'What is this?' I wondered, not wanting the comfort to fade.

*A healing materia.* The voice assured. *You are lucky to have such resourceful friends.*

Hmmm...I murmured, feeling my body being moved again. What was happening? *Why don't you open your eyes and see?*

"Well...I suppose you'll grow into it." the face before me offered with a teasing smile though it was averted and clearly focused upon the task at hand. "Yep, definitely too early for a First Class uniform." I heard uncontrollable laughter beside me as the black haired man began to roll up my pant legs. "But I think you'll grow into them." he assured with that same familiar smile. "Hey! You're awake!"

I blinked in confusion as that familiar visage was overlapped by am image from my memory, though who he was I didn't know. "Vincent?" I breathed, though the voice didn't match the one that had offered that final gift to me.

The stranger's face fell as he cried, "What? Who the hell's Vincent?" More laughter as the other two surrounded the black haired man and slapped him playfully on the back. "Aw too bad, Mr. Hero. He doesn't have a clue!" the blonde crowed making the one he was taunting flush in embarrassment.

"Yeah man! Too bad. That really sucks!" the other man, bigger and with a huge gun for a hand chimed in. "Whoo! Haven't laughed like that in ages. You two're all right."

Confusion flooded my thoughts as I tried to sort out my conflicting emotions. *Give it time.* The voice reassured.

'And what about you?' I wondered idly as the kind man again offered a sad smile. "Come on. Let's go home." he said, gently lifting me onto his back. "Not too old for a piggyback ride, right?" he teased, the warmth of his body comforting me as I reflexively wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his shoulder.

*I'll be fine.* that calm, steadfast voice promised. *You needn't worry about me.*

"Hmm." I managed as the calm I felt began to dull my senses. And soon enough, I fell into that peaceful void, relishing the warmth I hadn't felt in ages.


Well that's it for part one! To Be Continued! (if it doesn't suck too much) LOL I've already started part 2 and of course the characters are already getting out of hand and taking me in a whole other direction which might work out better. Guess I'll just have to keep on going and see :D I'd love to hear what you think! Thanks for reading!