Cloud sat resting himself against the centre support pole of the down stairs lobby in SOLDIER headquarters. His eyes closed, arms on his sides, a peaceful expression covering his slightly bruised face. Behind him lay Zack, clutching his head in pain. His face was as pale as a ghost, wincing at even the slightest noises, shadows hung under his normally alluring eyes.
"Hey Zack." Cloud called.
Wincing in pain, Zack covered his head in both hands.
"Oh, sorry," Cloud replied with a chuckle, with that Cloud clapped both his hands together, creating an echo that pierced through Zacks mind like a dagger.
"Ahhh! For the love of women, will you stop it, you're driving me insane!" Zack reached to arms out, as if to strangle Cloud, as he yelled for him to stop.
"Hahahaha!" Cloud boomed in an exaggerated response, much louder then normal.
Zack meanwhile, re-buried his face further into the palms of his hands.
"You see Zack.." Cloud began with his all-knowing look, whilst leaning over Zack, Zack merely groaned. "..This is what happens when you spend all night drinking."
"You were drinking too!" Zack argued back under his breath.
"Yea... Some…. Mostly water."
The sound of crisp new leather walking along the carpet snapped the two young men out of their squabbling.
"Oh it's just you Sephiroth." Zack said with a dismissive wave of his hand, falling back on the carpet.
"That's a nice thing to say to your commanding officer, who because he likes you two so much bailed you out of a pay cut... Again!" The sarcasm in Sephiroth's voice was unmistakable.
Zack covered his eyes with one of his hands and groaned slightly. Cloud shamefully looked down at the ground, whilst scuffing his shoes into the plush cream carpet.
"Anyways, you're cleared. I carefully explained that you didn't start the fight, and were merely acting in self defence when you hospitalised twenty men." A faint smile spread its way up Sephiroth's face as he finished.
Zack groaned in response to the body count, Cloud merely cast his eyes lower.
Cloud and Zack ran down the alleyway, hands firmly gripping the hilts of their swords.
"Shit!" One of them cried, "One of them's a SOLDIER! Look at his eyes!"
The man who called this was frantically pointing at Zacks glowing 'eyes, backing up slightly on led feet, not thinking twice about what his friends would say later, he dropped his weapon and bolted down the ally, slipping slightly on the wet pavement.
Cloud and Zack continued headlong into the crowd, bowling over any person they saw to the ground with a closed fist, each man stayed close together so they were never more then a foot apart at all times, never enabling themselves to get surrounded.
A gun sounded like a loud explosion through the alley, Cloud reacted first diving out of the way, tripping Zack at the same time, causing him to fall flat on his face.
Three bullets passed over head narrowly missing the two.
"You wanna play!? Huh!?" Zack screamed, jumping to his feet taking a step back for balance. "Then let's go." He finished.
Pulling his Buster sword from its sheath on his back, Zack charged twirling the sword in the air as he did so. Cloud, not wanting to allow his best friend to get injured followed the manoeuvre, covering Zack's flank.
Zack hacked down using the flat side of his blade knocking the person below, who held the gun off his feet and onto the ground. As he landed Cloud sliced forward with his identical Buster sword, slicing one of the mob mans shoulders, causing it to gush open. Cloud quickly re-adjusted his grip then using the flat side of his blade swung into another mans temple causing him to slump to the pavement.
Several minutes into the battle it was down to Cloud, Zack and ten very confident men each wielding a bladed weapon of some sort, as well as one very shaken up Marie, who was looking around at the bodies that were slumped around the ground on all sides of her.
"Playing hard to get are we?" Zack winking at Marie began to smirk but stopped when he saw Cloud shake his head in shame.
Once again Zack swayed slightly on his feet, his face becoming paler then before, his grip loosened slightly on his weapon by just a fraction, noticing this Cloud straightened his back, hung his sword from one hand over his back.
"Leave!" Cloud ordered in his most menacing and confident voice, all the while keeping one eye on his friend.
Zacks grip loosened ever so slightly once again his eyes loosing focus for just a second, none of Marie's thugs however noticed their attention was still on the very confidant looking Cloud.
"What you don't want to leave?" Cloud asked in a smirk, tightening his grip on his weapon.
The thugs looked at each other for a moment as if speaking to each other telepathically,
"Fine, I did try."
With that Cloud spread his legs, raised his sword in both hands, sword held vertically ready to slash down into a basic guard position straight in front of his chest aimed at the attackers. He sprang forward sword raised overhead.
The attackers upon seeing this decided it was in their best interest to retreat, so in a rush they dropped their weapons and sprinted away down the alley, Marie only a few seconds behind stumbling on her high heels as she did so, Cloud sighed, looked over to where Zack was just in time to see him loose his grip on his weapon and collapse unconscious onto the ground.
"Zack." he whispered, nothing but sincerity shining through his ice blue eyes.
"This is what happens when you drink too much, I might not be here every time to bail you out.."
"Here," Sephiroth said, reaching into his pocket he drew out a small plastic container, popping it open he pulled out two pale green small glowing capsules, kneeling down beside Zack he placed both capsules in zacks hand. "Take these… Will help."
Without thinking Zack popped both capsules into his mouth swallowing without water.
A few moments went by, Sephiroth still kneeling down beside Zack, then the capsules broke. A foul substance spread throughout Zacks body, travelling trough his stomach much like poison would.
Zack sprang upright opening his mouth as if to vomit, Sephiroth however lashed out gripping his hand firmly around Zacks mouth and forcing him back down onto the ground.
Zacks eyes widened in fear thinking Sephiroth was poisoning him for getting in so much trouble all the time. Cloud thinking along the same lines, however unlike Zack, he was more realistic and instead thinking this Sephiroth was an impostor, Cloud took one step forward, a materia orb already in his hand. Sephiroth however shook his head, raising one hand to stop Cloud from advancing.
A few moments later he released Zack.
"Feel better." Sephiroth asked a hint of a smile playing across his lips as he rose to his feet brushing a stray hair out of his face and tucking it behind his ear.
"YOU LITTLE.. I thought I was…" He paused "Wait... Hey I'm feeling better now!"
With that Zack sprang to his feet hands on hips laughing manically, Sephiroth and Cloud both shook their heads in embarrassment.
"What?" Zack asked in an almost innocent tone, neither of the two replied only continued to shake their heads.
Zack and Sephiroth sat in a well lit room adjacent from each other across the large well polished iron table. Red statues of sorts adorned the centre, each were seated in steel chairs with fine padding at the base. Posh red carpet covered the floor, the walls painted cream with lamps hanging off each side, a large balcony stood at the far side with glass acting as the railings coming from the edge to the ceiling in a slope effect. A single thick iron door lay on the opposite side of the room closest to where the two SOLDIER members sat. Far along the desk closest to the balcony sat Mr President, dressed in a finely groomed grey suit his stomach bulging out in front of him, his bolding hair combed to one side, his fingers were placed together tip on tips.
"Ahhhhh, thank you for joining me, so good to see you again Sephiroth. And you too Zackary, can I offer any of you a drink, red wine perhaps? I just got a new shipment in from Wutai, pre-tested for poison of course."
"No." Sephiroth replied a hint of a sneer playing on his face.
"No thanks." Zack replied in a more respectful tone.
"Ahhhhh... Sure, of course," Replied the president obviously offended by the lack of respect that Sephiroth showed, "Well down to business then."
With that the president slide two blue folders down the table one for Zack and one for Sephiroth, the words 'CONFIDENCIAL' were stamped in red letters across the top and a small yellow rope bound the two sides of the folder together. The two SOLDIER members unwrapped the yellow string and opened their respective folders and began reading.
When the two subordinates had finished scanning the documents, the president spoke again.
"We are in quite a predicament." The Presidents chest heaved upwards causing his suit to ripple.
"We, that is to say the board of directors and myself, feel it is crucial that you go in and investigate these strange happenings." The President upon finishing this sentence reached to the side and poured himself a glass of imported red wine.
Zack was about to say 'of course' but Sephiroth beat him to it.
"Why us." he snapped not bothering to hide the loathing he felt for the president.
"Why not send another group?" Sephiroth continued "There's no need to waste my time with manorial affairs such as kill one or two monsters and fix a broken down reactor."
"But you're all we have. All the other groups are out on other missions to the south." The president responded simply, either unaware of Sephiroth's tone or choosing to ignore it.
Sephiroth took a moment to consider this.
"Fine, we will do it, however I would like to request..."
"A guard right," the president broke in "By the name of Cloud Strife, I'm betting."
Sephiroth nodded his head once.
"Very well, and take Nesmik with you, he's a new graduate from Shinra's Royal Guard unit and we feel he needs some field experience."
Sephiroth shot a look of exasperation at the president, but eventually nodded.
"You'll be leaving in three days. You shouldn't need much, we're currently preparing a place for you to stay, and a vehicle to travel with. It may also do you well to hire one of the locals to act as a guide."
"We won't need a guide." Sephiroth growled in immediate response, his eyes narrowing even more so then before.
"Think of it as a precaution," the president replied, totally oblivious to the look he was receiving. "The mountains of Nibelheim are notoriously dangerous, you can never be too careful."
Zack during this conversation was sitting nonchalantly reading over the file once more, still having trouble with the technical jargon that was being used within the report.
Sephiroth nodded, and rose to leave, the file safely tucked under his arm in his cloak.
Upon seeing Sephiroth rise, Zack rose to leave as well, as the two SOLDIER members neared the door the president called out.
"Oh Zackary you mind staying behind for a few moments." He asked, his rosy cheeks making his face to appear chubbier then they really were.
"Of course," Zack replied stepping to the side to allow Sephiroth passageway.
"If he starts to get funny with you walk out, I'll be waiting by the door," Sephiroth whispered into Zacks ear as he walked out the door, Zack blinked once and gave a slight nod of confirmation.
Once Sephiroth had left the room, the president stood up, and gestured that Zack should re-seat himself. Zack however remained standing.
The president sighed. "Zackary, Zackary, Zackary, what ever are we to do?" Asked the president with another long sigh.
"Sir?" Zack questioned
"Following your friends out to a bar, getting drunk, then getting General Sephiroth to cover for you and your friend, this is no way for a loyal member of Shinra to act."
Zack didn't bother mentioning his loyalty was to his friends first then the Shinra.
"Sir, private Strife was the one that followed me..."
"There's no need to try and cover for your friend Zackary, this isn't the first time this has happened is it?"
The president opened up a drawer next to his chair and pulled out an orange folder.
Zack said nothing, only remained standing for the president to continue.
"Mr Cloud Strife, ex-graduate of Soldier trainee class A, Mako infusion intolerant."
The president turned the page.
"Expelled from SOLDIER due to public immorality, drunkenness, provoking other graduates."
"He owes you an apology and I'm going to make sure you get one." Zack stated to Cloud's objected in a confident almost boasting voice.
The elder graduate merely sneered in response to this.
Zacks fists trembled, then in a rage fuelled by anger and alcohol he lashed out, dropping the boy instantly. Quickly Zack turned as the boys friends attacked, blocking two of the blows but the third connected, leaving him vulnerable on the ground, the three boys ceasing this opportunity, lashed out kicking Zacks stomach. Zack groaned in agony, all the while keeping his hands over his head, he could feel blood beginning to rise in his throat….
"Sir, he didn't..."
"Zackary, I realise you want to protect your friend, however if this happens again, not even General Sephiroth can keep him in Shinra's armed forces, one more slip up and his out like this" The president snapped his chubby fingers once, "I advise you to keep an eye on your friend to prevent this from happening, it would be a shame to loose someone whom General Sephiroth seems for some reason to hold in such high regard..."
Zack and Cloud stood in front of the Shinra board of directors, Sephiroth was out on a mission in Junon, both Graduates stood in front of the high pedestal where the twelve members of the board sat, each looking at Cloud and Zack, as if the two were a speck of dust.
A voice spoke up.
"Getting drunk, displaying public immorality, hospitalising another graduate.. JUST WHAT IN THE HELL WHERE YOU TWO THINKING?" The speaker yelled the last part causing spit to fly from his reddened face.
"Just which one of you two was the ring leader that instigated all this? Own up now for a swift punishment, delay and I can't promise that you won't be living the rest of your life in a prison!" The leader of the board stood up as he finished.
Zacks hands began to tremble, tears formed in his eyes he knew what was coming. He knew that if he didn't own up they both would be expelled. But how could he face his parents like that? He swayed on his feet, then looked over at his friend standing next to him, He couldn't let his friend suffer for his mistakes, he just couldn't. It was his fault they were both here, if he hadn't dragged Cloud down to the tavern then he wouldn't be here today.
Zack swallowed, then taking a deep breath and in the first truly honest act of his life he stepped forward.
"It was me." Cloud said from beside him causing Zack to stop mid step.
A look of horror dawned over Zacks face as recognition of what Cloud had just done downed on Zack; he stared at Cloud, yet cloud couldn't meet his eyes.
"Very well. Zack your dismissed, Cloud you stay behind!" Said the speaker.
"NO WAIT?!" Zack jumped in," It was me, I did it Clouds just covering up for me I.."
"Zack, it's ok" Cloud whispered, "There's no need for you to cover up for my mistakes, its time I take responsibility for my own actions"
Cloud finished. Not once looking at his friend nor anything thing else but the ground.
Zack however knew his friend to be anything but 'ok' with the situation.
"I'll talk to you later Zack" Cloud whispered his voice trembling with each word.
With that two men clad in crimson came up to Zack, each carrying a well polished rifle on their belts, they escorted Zack to the exit.
The last thing Zack heard before the large triple layered iron door closed behind him was the shouting of the speaker.
"YOUR OUT, THROUGH, YOU'LL NEVER BE A SOLDIER, THIS DISGRACE IS INTOLLERABLE, FROM THIS DAY FORTH YOU'RE DIS-HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM SOLDIER AND ALL SHINRA POSITIONS!"
Before Zack was forced from the room he looked behind himself to see one very still cloud, head low, fists clenched at his sides. Yet he made no remark, he stood his ground. Stood his lie to save his friends hopes and dreams.
"... Are you listening Zackary?" the president sceptically asked raising an eyebrow as he did so.
Snapping out of his memory Zack nodded his head dumbly realising he had no idea what the president was talking about.
The president seemingly aware that Zack had no idea what he was saying merely sighed, and shook his head.
"Very well then dismissed, and remember to warn your friend, this is his last chance."
Zack exited the room, a look of regret covering his face.
Both Zack and Cloud were siting in their bunks at their apartment.
"Zaaaaaaaaack," Cloud asked in an annoyingly drawn out voice, "When's our next mission, it's getting boring around here, and you haven't even been drunk since yesterday, what's up with that anyway…? Thinking of going steady with Aeries at last are we?"
Zack didn't reply for a moment, then, "Cloud, where going to Nibelheim day after tomorrow, Sephiroth requested that you accompany us.."
Upon hearing this Cloud slumped into his bed, mouth open.
"Zack…. I can't…"
Zack remained silent, waiting for Cloud to continue.
"How can I show my face to my family, to… Her…?" Cloud finished by laying his head in the palms of his hands.
However upon hearing this 'her' person, Zack perked up but upon seeing the look of sadness in his friends' posture he calmed back down, withholding any comments.
"Zack, do I have to…" Cloud asked, in a pleading tone.
"Seph already requested you," he paused for a moment. "You're coming. If it helps, I doubt we'll meet anyone you know; it's only a quick demolition job, in and out, won't take more then two or three days tops."
Cloud groaned heavily to this, nervously lying back onto his bed.
Noticing Zack staring at him, he quickly covered his eyes with his hands, until eventually he feel into a slumber.
Cloud and Tifa sat there, legs swinging from the edge of the water mill side by side.
"Come this spring… I'm leaving this town for Midgar" Cloud said all of a sudden
Shocked Tifa replied, "All the boys are leaving our town."
"But I'm different from all them I'm not just going to find a job."
Cloud jumped up, "I want to join SOLDIER!"
"I'm going to be the best there is just like Sephiroth."
"Hey who are you" Cloud asked incredulously staring up into the green eyes of the black haired teen in front of him, who held the large rounded orange ball that had just struck him on the head.
"Oh sorry 'bout that." the teenager said, holding his hand out in an apology,
"My names Zackary, but all my friends call me Zack, your names… Cloud right?"
Cloud nodded rubbing his head gently where a small lump was forming.
"Hey wanna join me?" Zack asked indicating to the ball he held in his hand.
"It's kinda boring playing by yourself against the wall..."
Cloud thought for a second, and then laying down his book on the Wutaian war he stood up, stumbling slightly.
"Sure." he replied…
"Hey buddy who the hell do you think your are" Zack asked in a rage, springing out of the chair he was sitting on and gripping the front of the young boys muscle bound tunic whom had just thrown a bottle of brandy at the back of Cloud head.
"You're lucky he heard it coming and dodged, or you'd be flattened right now."
"Yea, yea whatever." the other boy replied.
"I think you owe him an apology." Zack stated forcefully, rising to his full height which was about a head bigger then any of the other SOLDIER graduates a strong smell of alcohol could be smelt on his breath.
"Yea, and I think you should watch your mouth." Replied the other.
The graduate shoved Zack off him, then flicking his tunic clean as if Zacks mere touch was enough to contaminate him.
"You little shit." Zack growled.
"Zack, just drop it man." Cloud said quietly.
"No way man, he owes you an apology and I'm gonna make sure you get one."
The graduate merely sneered at Zack.
Zacks temper snapped. Lashing out with his right hand in a high uppercut, he caught the young mans chin, causing the graduate to fly into the air before crashing down onto the wooden floor of the tavern.
The boys' friends looked into Zacks newly pale green eyes with their own newly enhanced features from the mako infusion that had occurred only a few hours ago.
They jumped in the air, fists raised Zack's left foot instinctively drew back while his right leg drew forward into a readiness stance. He raised both hands to guard.
The first attacker came in high punching down, but was blocked by Zack's guard stance; the second graduate came a split second later this time to his right mid section. Zack quickly readjusted his stance to block, however as he did so he left his left flank totally exposed, the third attacker capitalising on this and struck down, causing Zack to double over, the three men then proceeded to lash out with vicious kicks into Zacks vulnerable sides, all Zack could do to try and stop this slaughter was raise his hands over his head.
The second Cloud saw Zack go down Cloud sprang out of his chair, jumped on top of the wooden table he was sitting at before, then lunged off, his right fist squarely connecting into the jaw of the closest attacker causing him to fall as the force of the attack plus the weight of his body landing behind it caused the punch to be truly devastating. Cloud landed, then quick as lightening spun on his heel with his left foot rose to catch the next attacker in the cheekbone with a spin kick. The boy spun two times before crashing on the ground snapping his collar bone in the process, he screamed in shock before falling unconscious.
The third attacker upon seeing his two friends go down jumped back into a tiger stance, which involved his hands to be shaped like claws where the right hand was extended slightly to the enemy and the left hand covering his left hip. He stared into Clouds eyes into clouds ice blue eyes.
"Ahhh that's right, you're the wimp who can't handle a lill' mako insertion aren't ya?"
Cloud said nothing to this taunt, instead kept his eyes planted on the target.
"Grrrrr, SAY SOMETHING!" roared the other graduate.
The teenager ran forward grabbing a stool as he did so. He jumped in the air slamming the wooden stool down, Cloud criss-crossed his hands above his head blocking the chair, causing it to shatter in several pieces, wood splintered everywhere. Without pausing cloud took the opportune vulnerability his opponent had put himself into to head-butt the teenager, causing a loud crack as the attackers skull cracked slightly in two, near the base of his cranium.
Cloud looked around as if looking for any more attackers, upon seeing none he quickly walked over to where Zack was hunched, saliva mixed with blood dribbling from his open mouth, as he clutched his stomach in agony…
"It was me," Cloud stated in a shallow whisper as he clenched his eyes shut in mental pain.
"Err. Very well. Zack your dismissed, Cloud you stay behind," the board man snapped.
"NO WAIT!" Zack jumped in, "It was me, I did it Clouds just covering up for me I.."
Clouds eyes tightened under his mattered hair that covered his face.
"Zack, it's ok." Cloud whispered, as he fought back a small sob.
"There's no need for you to cover up for my mistakes, it's time I take responsibility for my own actions." Cloud finished, his eyes closed a tiny tear dropped down his left cheek, neither Zack nor the people of the board saw this however.
"I'll talk to you later Zack." Cloud whispered, voice trembling with each word, his face still not looking up at the speaker or at his friend.
"YOUR OUT, THROUGH, YOU'LL NEVER BE IN SOLDIER, THIS DISGRACE IS UNACCEPTABLE, FROM THIS DAY FORTH YOU'RE DIS-HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM SOLDIER, ILL MAKE SURE YOU NEVER WEAR A SOLDIER UNIFORM EVER!"
Cloud said nothing to this, only tightened his fists as hard as he could, so hard that droplets of blood dribbled down his fist creating a small puddle on the floor below, he continued to squeeze never noticing, all he could think of was... 'What now?'
"Cloud, Cloud wake up." Zack said sheepishly shaking Cloud.
"Where leaving in three hours, but Seph wants us ready waiting at the car park by 6am. That gives us two hours to get ready."
Cloud groaned, opening his eyes to the eerie green glow that was pouring through his apartment in the top level of SOLDIER's HQ.
He steadied himself off his bed causing the silk sheets to slide off his body.
'Strange I don't remember putting them on.'
He thought for a second before nodding realising it must've been Zack. He stood up, then on unsteady legs walked to the bathroom, then after stripping down he entered the shower, turning on the cold tap only. After a few minutes of ice-cold water splashing over his body he exited, wrapped a towel around his waist and walked to the kitchen where Zack had some black coffee heating up.
Opening his mouth wide cloud yawned then scratched his head, running his hands through his hair whilst it was still without gel, moose and hair spray in it.
Zack placed the coffee down in front of Cloud.
"Yo Cloud, I gotta jet man, say good bye to Aeries, ya know."
Cloud nodded dumbly in response.
"Remember man, you got about two hours left, ill meet you there."
Then grabbing some toast, Zack ran out of the room, already fully dressed.
"Yaaaawwn."
Cloud sat their drinking his coffee till nothing was left, feeling slightly refreshed he walked over to his dresser, reached out for his usual clothing but stopped when he remembered something, with that he turned and headed to the closet where all his clothing that he kept from after being kicked from SOLDIER was kept, he opened a chest to reveal a blue and black guard uniform with a helmet, he picked them up.
Sephiroth walked crisply down the alley of Midgar's Agar's Street in sector three, stopping at a run down hotel. He stormed through the doors, not bothering to even look at the desk clerk, he stopped at one of the rooms, number three down the hall, then thrusting his foot forward, kicked the door open, to expose a decrypted looking room with one bed and stains on the badly painted walls. Shadows comprised the room as there was no open windows, and only a small dying ceiling bulb to light the room, in the middle stood a lone man. Sephiroth stormed over to where Cloud stood bleary eyed, unshaven, a bottle of cheap whiskey in his hand. He looked up at a very pissed off Sephiroth. Sephiroth looked in disgust at the man that he had praised during the SOLDIER training course during Cloud's fieldwork experience in the Wutain war. Walking over to Cloud he snatched the bottle out of his hand, tossed it against the back wall causing the glass to shatter instantly, deep yellow alcohol ran in little rivets down the wall.
"What the.. Hey what the fuck did you.."
Before he could finish his sentence Sephiroth backhanded Cloud across the face, leaving a deep imprint from his leather clad hand.
"I didn't believe it, I didn't want to believe it, that Cloud Strife had stumped so low as to become a drunk. I'd expect this from anyone else but NOT from you!"
"What the hell would you know, I have NOTHING, I can't work, I can't show my face to my family, I can't even look at…"
Sephiroth backhanded Clouds face again this time from the opposite direction.
"Snap out of it, Zack's told me what happened!"
Cloud opened his mouth but stopped when he noticed Sephiroth was still glaring malevolently at him, his smile now one of a sneer. No longer the gentle one that usually was worn by Sephiroth.
'I've gotten you a job…"
"I don't need sympathy, the only dream I had was to one day follow you into battle…" Interrupted Cloud, turning his head away in shame.
"As my personal guard." Sephiroth finished intentionally ignoring Cloud's interruption.
Cloud looked up a look of disbelief covering his stubbled face, "What?.. How?"
Sephiroth half smiled. " I have ways, I used a few favours is all."
At this Cloud was speechless he only stood there, covering his face in one hand, slumping slightly.
"It may not be SOLDIER nor first class, but it's a step in that direction, stay close to me, do as I say, and you'll remake your way back into the SOLDIER training course some day, might even make it into first class right up instead of starting at the bottom like you were heading for previously."
Sephiroth took a moment to re-look at Cloud.
"Why?" Cloud asked "Why do this for me, you barley even know me."
"I know enough from what Zack has told me about you, during his time with me in the war effort, and at the moment… I need all the comrades… Or to be more precise friends that I can rely on and trust to watch my back."
Sephiroth allowed this to settle in before continuing.
"Now get dressed, have a shave and a shower, you have thirty minutes before I leave, if you want to come and take the job I got you then do it, if not stay here… In this pit of your own pathetic misery."
Shortly thereafter two men walked their way back up to Shinra's HQ, Sephiroth and Cloud.
Cloud began to change into his uniform that he had only worn once before in all his life and that was on his first mission after that Sephiroth had made it clear he preferred to be able to read Clouds emotions and thus be able to help him more if the helmet wasn't on, and Zack being Zack insisted that he wear the same uniform he had. He pulled on the gloves stretching them till they reached as far back as the leather would allow, clenching them into a fist, feeling the leather between his fingers. Next he placed on a loose fitting black top, followed by the blue chest plate, he reached in and pulled out the next item, kicking off his towel he pulled on again some loose clothing, before placing the armoured leggings over them, adjusting them into place with the armaments belt, he reached into the box and withdrew the second last item, he stared at the boots as if they'd kill him. Quickly he shoved his feet in, almost falling backwards as he did so.
"Stupid shoes." he muttered getting to his feet, feeling the restraints they placed on him.
Finally he withdrew the last item, a solid blue ShinRa grade helmet, he sighed looking into the narrow opaque visor, with a small camera at the front, with three separate red lenses, each which would provide a different view before pulling it over his head. He looked around, realising how much the visor actually restricted his view rather then enhanced, on the plus side however, the helmet did have hearing aids planted in the sides magnifying any sounds three folds. He reached over picking up his buster sword, looked at it for a moment before placing it down and instead picked up a black rifle, he checked the belt to insure it was full of clips, satisfied he closed the chest and walked out of the room headed towards the car park. He walked down the stairs before realising he had forgotten his ID. He trudged up the stairs, re-entered his room, walked over to his bed side table and picked up his ID card, then slowly re-trudged his way out of the room closing it behind him, hearing the mechanical clap of the lock as the door closed.
He checked his watch.
"An hour left," he stated to himself out loud.
He walked down to the gym thinking it was best to just stretch a little to wear out the cloths, else it way hamper his Maneuverability even further then it already was.
Upon entering the gym Cloud looked around and noticed it wasn't as empty as he had hoped for, instead it was packed. He shook his head then exited, deciding instead to just wait in the car park early.
He entered the lobby, and was walking out the front doors when he noticed Zack resting on a chair completely alone, a disappointed look on his face as he held a piece of paper in both hands. Deciding to have some fun before the mission, Cloud walked over to where Zack sat, taking the seat closest to Zack he seated him self and sat arms crossed leaning slightly towards Zack deliberately breathing heavily.
Zack looked over at the guard sitting next to him; sighing gently he scrunched the note from Aeris into his pocket and stood up, walking briskly out of the lobby and down the hall towards the Weapon barracks where he had left his Buster sword before he went off to see Aeris, who as the note had said, would be away with her mother visiting some people on the other side of the slums, and since Zack had a dead line and had to be on time for his mission he didn't have enough time to visit her and make it back in one hour.
As he walked he noticed that the guard was trailing behind him, unsure if the guard was following him or just walking the same way, Zack turned a corner and stopped, turned around to come face to face with the guard, he stepped back slightly, brow creasing.
"Look buddy, regardless of what ever it is that Seph or Mr president told you, I don't need no guard to follow me around or protect me, I'm quite capable!" Zack snapped, obvious annoyance at not only the guard but not being able to see Aeris as well.
The guard remained motionless, unmoving, hands behind his back in perfect military form.
"Yea kid, so you can just go back to the lounge area and take the day off or something cause really…. I don't need help."
With that Zack turned, pushed past the soldier and returned to walk down the hall, however after several minutes Zack noticed that the guard was still following behind, he clenched his fists together in annoyance. Then whipping around, he confronted the guard.
"Listen kid, get lost or ill make you get lost." The agitation in Zacks voice unmistakable.
The guards.' mouth drew into a thin smile bordering on the line of smugness, this only further irritated Zack.
"Fine kid, I did warn you, don't go crying to the Shinra if you wind up in hospital, i'm already pissed cause I cant see my girl before I go!"
The guard said nothing to this, nor did he position himself into any sort of recognisable defence stance.
"Grrrr, SAY SOMETHING YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
Zack sprang forward then when he was in striking distance punched forward with his right fist, aiming towards the guards' visor, his fist however connected much sooner then predicted.
"WHAT THE HELL?" Zack cried out in disbelief.
Zacks arm started to tremble as the guard closed his hand even tighter over the fist that had been intercepted. Zack pulled back only in vain as the guard had a perfect hold, his second arm lashed out only again to be caught in the guards other gloved hand.
Zacks arms began to tremble more so from frustration then the force of power both men were exerting, the guard however showed no sign of strain. Unable to take this any more Zacks right leg kicked upward aiming at the Guards chin as Zack flipped backwards.
Releasing his hold on Zacks hands the guard quickly jumped back, then just as his left foot touched the ground he sprang forth once more landing three blows into the off balanced Zacks chest, then following through, he dropped to the ground and using his arms as a spin wheel he spun both legs out intertwining them with Zacks, causing Zack to tumble down, freeing himself the guard flipped upwards, grabbed his gun off his hip and placed it on the forehead of one very shocked looking Zack.
"Bang." the guard whispered.
Zacks eyes meanwhile were staring down the barrel of the gun, his whole body trembling in frustration, his eyes moved to the trigger just in time to see a gloved finger close down, however unlike most men, Zack didn't turn his head away nor did he close his eyes in fear, instead he just stared into the visor of the guard.
A large 'click' sounded forth from the rifle.
The guard re-holstered the gun, stepped away from Zacks body, and with deliberate caution pulled off his helmet, Zacks face calmed down slightly, slowly contorted from that of pure fury to that of a mix of fury, humour and that of a man who can accept the fact that his best friend and upped him once again.
Cloud offered his hand to Zack, which Zack accepted hoisting himself upwards till he stood on both feet.
Brushing himself off, he looked up and down at his friends chosen attire, raising one eyebrow at the same time.
"Need I even ask?" asked Zack
"Huh," responded cloud in bewilderment.
Zack indicated towards the outfit.
"Oh, it's…" Cloud started.
"It's…?" Zack interrupted, his eyebrow still raised.
"Nothing…." Cloud finished shaking his head as he did so, and began walking away down the hall towards the car park, quickly pulling on his helmet as to not show his eyes that were swelling to his friend.
Zack stood there, thinking for a moment, knowing that his friend was holding back something; he looked down the hall to see Cloud already at the end.
"Oh hey wait up will ya," with that Zack ran after his friend who despite Zacks request didn't slow down yet alone stop.
"By the way..." Cloud asked when Zack was at his side "Feel better, letting off some steam?"
"Huh? Oh.. Actually, yea I do, and by the way, don't think you'll get away with that. I'll get you back yet, I still don't know how you manage to do that.."
"Yea, yea whatever that's what you said the other three times and, well frankly, you haven't done anything so I'm starting to wonder if it's all just empty threats?"
Cloud snickered as he finished that last remark, Zack opened his mouth to rebut that fact but closed it when he realised his friend was more right then wrong.
Zack walked ahead of his friend, turned and stopped Cloud before he could take another step.
"Now tell me what this nothing is about," demanded Zack, with his arms on his hips.
"Zack I…."
However the look he was getting suggested to Cloud that it might be in his best interest to confide in his friend.
"Zack two years ago, I made a promise to this girl I kinda liked named Tifa…"
"Go on?.." Zack said reassuringly.
"This was the night before I left home, I told her I was… And she made me promise that when… that I'd protect her…"
Clouds eyes darted to the side a single tear dropped from his eye, hidden behind his helmet.
"But how can I protect her, I'm not even a.. A…."
Zacks body sagged under the weight of realisation at what his friend was trying to say.
"It wasn't your fault" he finally whispered "That was my blame to take.."
Cloud said nothing to this yet again, much like the other times when they had this conversation.
"Ever since that day, I was too ashamed to go back there, to face her, and to face my mother…"
"Cloud…. Look man if it helps, I'll see to it that this girl… Tifa was it? Doesn't get involved in anyway with the mission we're to carry out. Not that there's any reason she should in the first place, but are you sure you don't even want to see her?"
"I can't…." Cloud stammered
Zack sighed, "Not even your mother?"
"I don't know," stammered Cloud in response.
Zack sighed again.
"But Zack…. Thank you."
Zack nodded to his friends' appreciation.
"No problem" then in a sly voice Zack added "So is she hot?"
Clouds body slumped in sympathy for his poor friend as he shook his head in pity.
"What?" Zack asked in bewilderment.
Cloud shook his head smiling at his friend as he rolled his eyes; Zack started laughing knowing he had broken his friends' depression once more, as they continued down the hall towards the car park.
"So?" Cloud asked as they entered the dark car park, which surprising for its name didn't have any cars in it.
"So?" Zack asked, as he looked around the bleak car park staring at the yellow stained walls and ceiling as well as the black gravelled floor.
"You gonna debrief me fully?" Cloud finished.
"I think I'll let Seph do that later on the way there," replied Zack.
"Knowing him, he won't tell us what we had to do until we've actually done it already"
"Hehe, yea that's true," Zack shook his head to clear the thoughts of what had occurred last time on their last mission in Junon. "Why not just ask him on the way?"
Cloud looked at him with an expression that suggested 'are you an idiot?'
"Oh, that's right you get motion sickness, hahaaaaaa well I'll ask him for you" Zack slapped Clouds back reassuringly. "And speak of the devil."
Zack finished looking in the direction of the general as he swaggered into the car park holding his masamune by the shaft of its sheath at his side, followed closely behind by another guard who Zack assumed to be Nesmik.
"Hey Seph, what's up?" asked Zack.
"Not much, just got this pest following me" Sephiroth jerked his thumb behind him indicating at Nesmik similarly dressed in blue like Cloud, only his head was held low in obvious nervousness with one hand constantly on the hilt of his rifle, he shifted nervously from foot to foot as he stood behind Sephiroth.
At that moment the buggy rolled its way into the car park at the front driving was yet another guard.
"We leave as soon as Cloud gets his spiky ass in here." Sephiroth stated. Looking around, as if expecting Cloud to walk in at any moment, and blame his lateness on running out of hair care products.
"Ummm he's here Sir." Zack responded, glancing at Cloud.
"Where?" Sephiroth asked looking around, eyes finally falling on the guard to the right of Zack.
"You don't mean?" Sephiroth raised one eyebrow in curiosity.
"Touchy subject... Don't ask," Zack replied for Cloud, who just nodded.
"Ahuh.." Sephiroth responded, obviously hoping Cloud would inform him.
The guard clambered his way down from the red buggy, with eight black wheels on each side, and a black front.
"We'd best get going" the new guard said "We have a long drive ahead of us. First we have to make a stop into Junon, where we will be transported by sea to Costa Del Sol. From there where to travel to Nibelheim where I'm to drop you off. Once the job has been successfully completed I will return to pick you up."
The driver finished as he looked between the people gathered in front of him.
Sighing, Sephiroth walked over and climbed into the truck thinking it was best to leave the Cloud issue as it was for the time being.
'There's plenty of time later to ask about it' thought Sephiroth.
When all the occupants had found a comfortable position in the back of the buggy they left, arriving at Junon just a little before two pm in the afternoon.
When they entered the town they immediately proceeded to take the lift to the top level, which was in the process of being expanded to cover more area on the plate. At the end of the elevator the party was met by a group of three other guards and a lieutenant, obviously in charge, made evident by the funny looking red and black hat above his standard royal blue guard uniform that seemed to raise his height by several inches.
The group lead Sephiroth's company down to the loading dock where they were just finishing the boarding of their buggy. The group climbed aboard and using this time decided to catch some sleep, as it would be at least a four-hour boat ride. Cloud however spent most of the time vomiting over the edge.
Upon arriving at Costa del Sol, Sephiroth booked them all into the local inn to stay the night, and suggested an early night as they'd have to leave at dawn, if they were to make it to Nibelheim on schedule.
One by one each member of the group went to bed till at last Zack and Cloud sat alone on their beds.
After some time Cloud spoke up. "Hey Zack, remember, promise?"
"Yea, yea I promise.." Zack murmured before drifting off into sleep.
A sigh escaped Clouds lips before he feel into a deep tormented sleep full of images of his childhood, mostly those to do with Tifa others involving the day he was expelled from The Shinra SOLDIER trainee course.