Chapter 2 Training and Memories

Thanks a lot for the reviews! I appreciate the critics! Sorry for the extremely long paragraphs, I'll try to separate them into smaller segments so it can be read easily! :D BTW: Should I try making a story with Fairy Tail characters? I'm following it actively and gambled with the idea for a while now. Prompts and wishes are welcome!

Zack grinned as he deflected a solid hit from Reno's electric rod with a standard SOLDIER sword, since Zack had given Cloud the Buster sword, he had no other weapon on his person. Fortunately, Tseng had managed to get him a sword, how he didn't know and he wasn't sure he wanted to.

Reno came at Zack frontally while Rude sneaked in from his blind spot, his back. Or so he thought.

Zack jumped high in the air and slammed the hilt of the sword against Reno's rod, sending it flying. He simultaneously round house kicked Rude against his side, who tried protecting it with his arms crossed. Rude grunted from the powerful blow, this wasn't normal 1st Class strength.

He looked at the fierce, glowing mako orbs. A typical SOLDIER trademark, but his gut was telling him something was different with this one.

Cissnei interrupted the fight with a simple greeting:" Everyone.", the men stopped their sparring. Zack attached his sword to his back and crossed his arms.

Cissnei cleared her throat and said:" I have some news to tell you. Tseng and I heard from trustworthy sources that a eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE is causing chaos in Midgar. Shinra tried intercepting them but they are exceptionally strong.".

Reno said with a cocky smirk:" Tch, AVALANCHE? What sorta lame name is that for a terrorist group anyway? Maybe SOLDIER lost their touch.", with a taunting look at Zack.

Zack glared at him playfully before saying:" Why don't we investigate? I'm feeling fit again and I'm curious about AVALANCHE. And it's Midgar! We have to go there anyway!". The dark haired man grinned cheerfully. While he did mature over time he still retained that optimistic and energetic personality of his.

Tseng explained while joining the little group:" AVALANCHE, the second group that is, opposes Shinra because of their misuse of Mako energy. They believe Shinra is draining the Planet's life energy and use it for their own selfish purposes, causing destruction, creating mako enhanced super soldiers who love to fight and kill.".

Zack's voice broke the silence:" The Planet's life force? You mean the Lifestream?", with an affirmative nod from Tseng, Zack quietened down.

How could Shinra do this? What about honour? Weren't they ashamed for doing that?

Suddenly, Zack felt utterly disgusted with himself. He was once part of SOLDIER, the military servicing the Shinra Electric Power Company…he shook his head and stared at his gloved hands. Angeal and Genesis were right…Sephiroth too…they all turned their backs to SOLDIER because they saw what was really going on.

No….they didn't turn their backs on SOLDIER…but on Shinra. Angeal always carried the SOLDIER name with pride and honour, Sephiroth had enjoyed the fame he attained from being the best of the best in SOLDIER and Genesis also made a name for himself.

The military was using the resources that were there to use for their own advantage, while Shinra was the one executing all those atrocious actions against the people and the Planet.

Cissnei suggested after seeing the look on Zack's face:" Perhaps we should head to Midgar? We need to buy supplies, new weapons and some more materia. I have a feeling we shouldn't underestimate AVALANCHE.".

With a chorus of agreement, everyone scattered to prepare for the long journey. Shinra and SOLDIER still weighing heavily on Zack's mind. His fist clenched in anger, he knew his parents and Angeal would disapprove of the thought of vengeance. But Zack swore himself he would try to fix everything Shinra and SOLDIER did, starting with Midgar.

Greetings everyone! I hope I have some faithful followers (be they guests or not) who read my stories (*cough* beginner stories *cough*). Right! The former Turks and Zack finally head to Midgar to investigate AVALANCHE. What are the odds that it's finally the moment where he and his best friend meet again? After a year of being apart? We will see!