Chapter Two: Midgar at Last and SOLDIER Exam
Disclaimer: Ummm…. I hate these things. No, I don't own anything that could make me money.
Author's Note: As per usual, I try to post two chapters at once when I first post a new story. For those of you reading my KOTOR fic, don't worry the next chapter is about halfway done. I'm not neglecting anything!
And on we GO!!
"Zack, behind you!" Cloud shouted as he blocked a strike from the odd wolf-like creature attacking him. Zack easily bent at the waist and the third creature went right over his head and barreled into the one Zack had been occupied with. For the most part these creatures were just annoyances. Zack and Cloud had spent the better part of the year making their way towards Midgar. Zack was now fourteen and Cloud was twelve. The two had gained a good deal of combat experience from the various monsters and creatures they met along the way.
They had stopped to rest at small towns and cities along the way and made sure to practice when they could to keep their skills sharp. Even when they couldn't practice, they made sure they still had times to do the stretches, exercises, and meditation practices. During the past year, they had grown at an exponential rate. At first, fighting large groups of monsters continuously as they traveled had been taxing. Now, all but the strongest of the creatures were little more than irritating pests.
Deciding to mana boost, the name he and Zack had given to Zangan's technique, his speed, Cloud appeared behind the creature he was facing in an instant. Without pause he brought his sword down cleaving the creature he was facing in two. Turning towards Zack, Cloud felt the unmistakable flow of mana that indicated his friend was about to perform a high-powered special technique.
Zack put away his sword before a slight glow appeared around his body. With great swiftness he charged the nearest monster and let loose a barrage of punches and kicks before he rushed to the next target. After repeating his vicious assault on the second monster, Zack took to the air before coming down in a vicious double punch to the first monster he had attacked. Skidding to a halt a few feet behind the creatures, Zack turned to observe his handiwork. Both creatures dropped to the ground, completely lifeless.
Cloud just shook his head before saying, "While I'm glad you managed two at once, you needn't have wasted the energy. What's got you in such a rush?"
Zack gave Cloud a goofy smile and thumbs up before replying, "Once we get to the top of this cliff, we'll be able to see Midgar. Then it's only an hour or two journey down and to the gates! We're almost there Cloud! How can you not be in a rush?"
"Who says I'm not? I just hide it better than you," Cloud said with a smirk. "Come on, we need to hurry up and get there so I can beat all your scores on the SOLDIER exams."
So you can what?" Zack immediately started chasing after Cloud, who had run up the cliff after his announcement. "You think you can beat my scores? Yeah right!"
Zack caught up to Cloud at the crest of the cliff and was about to jump him when he caught sight of what made Cloud stop. "So," Cloud said, "that's Midgar. You ready?" He turned his intense gaze on Zack.
Without pause Zack answered, "Of course, come on. I'm sure they already know we're coming."
Laughing and playfully agreeing with his best friend, Cloud responded, "Yeah, we shouldn't keep them waiting. They probably already have our uniforms waiting for us!"
Laughing at the thought, the two began to make their descent. Any monsters that crossed their paths were quickly dealt with. Anything in their way now was in the way of the first step on the path to their dreams. That simply wasn't allowed. After an hour and a half of walking they stood at the gates. Looking up from his magazine, the guard at the post asked them about their business in Midgar in a disinterested tone. This changed when he heard they were here to join SOLDIER. The man practically fell out of his seat laughing.
"You two are just kids," he gruffly informed them. "SOLDIERs are the elite. The only two people who made it into SOLDIER at a young age were Sephiroth and Genesis. Even they were sixteen at the time! Don't waste my time kids." That said the guard went back to reading his magazine.
Meanwhile, Zack and Cloud were silently fuming at the dismissal. They hadn't worked hard for years and traveled all this way to be turned away by some fat old man! Collecting his thoughts and suppressing his rage, Cloud said coolly, "Well, why don't we let the exam evaluators tell us whether we make the cut or not. Your job is to open the gate, not turn away prospective SOLDIERs."
Looking up at Cloud the guard decided to humor him. "Fine," he said. "I'll let you in to have your dreams crushed, don't say I didn't warn ya." With that the man pushed a blue button on his control panel. "Prospective SOLDIERs are taken straight to the Shinra office by helicopter. Just wait here, they'll be down for ya in a few minutes."
With that, the guard ignored the two again, not that they cared. About ten minutes later a helicopter could be heard. When it landed, four people stepped off. Cloud and Zack instantly recognized Sephiroth. They could also see that the other two wore the uniforms of SOLDIER first class members. The final man wore a suit and had white gloves on his hand. This last man glanced the two over before turning to the guard who shrugged.
Sighing he said, though his tone conveyed his doubts, "I am Lazard. I'm the director of SOLDIER and if you two pass the exams you'll receive missions from me. The three you see with me are Angeal, Genesis, and Sephiroth. They are currently the only members of SOLDIER to hold the rank first class. All other SOLDIERs aspire to reach that height. If you show enough promise, then one of these three may mentor you and show you the ropes. Don't get your hopes up, though. Normally, new recruits are mentored by a third or second class. Do you have any questions before we take you to headquarters and begin your evaluation?"
"Yes," Cloud spoke up. "We used all of the money we saved on the trip here. In the event that we pass, where will we live?"
Lazard wasn't surprised and simply answered, "There is a SOLDIER floor and housing within the Shinra main building. In the event that you pass and become a third class SOLDIER you will be given accommodations within those rooms. In the event that you fail, Shinra is not responsible for your well-being."
The two were undeterred by the last statement, though. They were confident that they would pass; they just wanted to make sure they would have a place to live when they did. Nodding they began walking towards the helicopter. The next fifteen minutes they were treated to a helicopter tour of Midgar before they landed on the roof of the Shinra building. Following their four evaluators into the elevator, they watched Lazard hit the button for floor forty-nine.
Reaching their floor, the six got off the elevator and went into a room labeled training room. "All right," Lazard said. "The first test is a combat effectiveness test. You will each go into the simulation room alone and fight against whatever targets you are presented with. You may decide who will go first." With that declaration, Lazard and the three SOLDIER firsts sat at a provided table that had papers on it. Obviously, for their scoring.
Zack decided to go first and Cloud said nothing, merely nodding good luck to his friend as he went inside. Once inside, the room began to create a replica of what appeared to be a forest. Suddenly several monsters launched out to attack Zack. Cloud, watching from outside, merely raised an eyebrow. That was it?
Apparently, Zack thought the same as he defeated the four spider-like creatures in less than a minute. Standing loosely at the ready, Zack waited for the next stage of the test. The woods changed into barren terrain. It appeared to be some rocky area. Before Zack could continue scouting his new environment, three Wutai soldiers appeared around him. Mana boosting his strength, Zack broke the guard of the first and defeated him before the three had even attacked. Not wasting his advantage, he allowed his momentum to carry him around in a circle where he cut through another one that was too close behind him. The final soldier barely lasted a second on his own.
The rest of the tests continued in this manner. Cloud chanced a glance at the examiners' faces and saw shock on each one of them. He could've sworn he heard Lazard mutter something about SOLDIER level strength. After Zack went five rounds against various numbers of opponents the room faded back to normal. He was then asked to perform various physical tests for flexibility, speed, strength, stamina, and other aspects of his conditioning. All in all, Zack took about an hour before he was out of the room and taken away by a scientist who would perform the mental check up and test his blood.
Seeing his cue, Cloud walked calmly into the room and looked through the glass defiantly at his examiners. The first test began and Cloud decided he wouldn't waste time on these simple combat exercises. A simple mana boost to his legs and the creatures were all dead in a second. Looking outside the glass, Cloud saw Lazard had actually dropped his jaw at the display. Smirking, Cloud said simply, "Aren't there four more combat tests? I'm assuming you're a busy man, being the director of SOLDIER and all. Perhaps we should continue."
It took Cloud just under fifty minutes to perform the rest of the physical evaluation before he was taken by a scientist to be questioned and tested on his mental health and have his blood checked. The scientist asked all sorts of questions about his goals, his family, and his friends. Cloud answered easily and was relaxed throughout the whole ordeal. At last, the man took a vial of blood and said the tests were over and he should rejoin his friend in the briefing room.
Once he got to the briefing room, Zack practically attacked him with questions on his exams. "Relax," Cloud said soothingly. "You should've seen their faces during your performance, and mine. There is no way the two of us are not in. You know as well as I do that monsters that weak couldn't touch me."
"Yeah," Zack said, relaxing. "So how are we going to celebrate our new ranks?"
Cloud just laughed and the two spent some time talking and joking around until the doors opened and Lazard and Angeal walked into the room. Immediately, both of them snapped to attention and waited for their results. "Well," Lazard began slowly, "I think you both know you surprised us all. Never have we seen someone do the initial combat evaluation so flawlessly. Your blood and mental evaluations were equally impressive. Congratulations are in order. From this moment on, the two of you are ranked SOLDIER second class."
The two jumped for joy for several moments before what the Director said rung in their heads. "Wait," Zack spluttered. "Second class? What about third?"
"Well," Lazard said, "your results were so impressive you're being promoted straight to second class. Now all that's left is the assignment of your mentor and to fill out the company paperwork so that we'll have info on you two. Angeal here has offered to mentor you both." Yet again they were stunned. They weren't just skipping a rank. They were going to be taught the basics of SOLDIER by a first class!
"Also," Lazard continued, "your treatments will occur every day for the next week. After that, you will have a week to get used to your enhanced strength and speed while your uniforms are prepared and Angeal teaches you the basics of using materia. The uniforms for SOLDIER members determine how many materia they can use. Two for each ranking, so you will both be able to use four materia. Simply place them against the uniform and they will be absorbed into the fabric. After those two weeks, you will begin taking assignments. So let's get started on this paperwork. If you have any questions feel free to ask Angeal."
So, the next few hours were spent filling out documents with their names and birth place. All sorts of information and signature were required. They were presented with their contracts which stated their annual salary and stated how they were paid. Also, Lazard said the contract would be renegotiated if they became first class. After all was said and done they were alone in the room with Angeal while Lazard left to file their paperwork.
"So," Cloud began uncertainly, "why did you decide to mentor us?"
"It should be obvious. You two show amazing potential. You bypassed the starting rank and can probably become good enough to be first class in a couple of years," Angeal responded in his smooth baritone.
"Ah," Zack replied eloquently. "So, what's this about treatments and such?"
"Well," Angeal said, "most people don't know this, but SOLDIER members are infused with a mixture of mako energy to make them physically stronger and faster. With you two already at your current level, the boost will make you formidable. Your body undergoes changes during the treatment, to accommodate the new power. That's why you won't be measured for your uniforms until the end of the treatments. Follow me, I'll take you to your quarters for now. Tomorrow somebody from the science division will take you to your treatments and you'll need your rest."
Nodding, the two followed him to their room on the next floor up. Apparently, they would be sharing a room. After telling them they should get some rest because the next week would be rough, Angeal left the room. Once they were alone, they talked about what had happened and decided they should follow his advice. After their normal meditation practice, the two fell asleep.
The next morning, they were woken bright and early by a man in a lab coat. Following him to the rooms reserved for these treatments, the man explained that he would be injecting them each with a high concentration of mako energy and that the next few days they would get booster shots to make sure it stayed in their systems. The energy would enhance their bodies and change their structure to be more physically fit. With that the two received a large dose of mako and were taken back to their quarters, moaning in pain as the foreign energies assaulted their bodies.
"Zack," Cloud gasped out, "this energy feels sort of like concentrated mana. Maybe, if we meditate we can take away some of the pain."
The only acknowledgement he got was a grunt, so he assumed that was a yes. With great effort, both of them sat up and assumed their meditative positions. Feeling towards their mana they found the problem. Mako was apparently a highly concentrated form of mana. It seemed that a wild and uncontrolled amount of mana had been added to their normally calm and pliable reserves. It took over four hours, but the two of them exercised this new addition and it eventually calmed down to the same level as their regular mana. Unlike their regular mana, though, this new energy seemed to automatically flow into their muscles and make them stronger.
Coming out of their trances, they saw that they were both a little taller and had more defined muscles. Sighing in relief when he noticed the pain was gone, Cloud said, "We should probably do our stretches and exercises. We won't have much else to do this week since they probably expect us to be bed ridden except for when we're getting our treatments."
"Yeah, I figure the same," Zack said. The next week was spent in the same manner as that first day. They received treatments and were carried back to their room in pain. They would spend a few hours meditating to get the new energy under control, always noting how a part of it seemed to automatically flow into their muscles. Then, they would stretch and exercise until they went to sleep.
The scientists were dumbfounded on how the two could always walk to their treatments. Normally, people had to be carried both ways. They ignored it, though, since the treatments were still working. In fact, they worked better than expected. None of the energy bled off from the body's natural attempts to attack the foreign element and, because of this, Zack and Cloud had a higher concentration of mako in their bodies than any other members of SOLDIER.
After the end of their treatments, they were taller than they had been before and much stronger. Their mana levels had tripled in that one week! That wasn't even counting the portion of mana that automatically enhanced their muscles, either. With treatments like these it was easy to see why SOLDIER members were combat specialists. With this kind of power, skill became unnecessary. Still, the two friends agreed that they would keep practicing their skills so that they never relied on brute force.
On the first day of their second week, Angeal showed up in their rooms around noon. To say he was surprised to see them moving about so easily right after the treatments was an understatement. "What the hell? How are you two not sore after those treatments?"
Cloud and Zack just laughed and said it was a trade secret. Which it was, in a way. Zangan had taught this secret to Cloud and Cloud had entrusted it to Zack. They had no intentions of sharing it any further without them both agreeing to it. Angeal had grumbled, but eventually dropped the subject. He had taken them to get measured for their new uniforms. The black pants and gloves, as well as the armored shoulder pads, were standard to all members. Also, a metal waistband was custom fitted to protect the stomach. The only way to tell the rank of a SOLDIER member, however, was by the color of the turtleneck they wore underneath all of this.
Blue was the color of a third class SOLDIER. SOLDIER second class members wore dark purple shirts and the first class members wore black. These distinctions were the only means of telling a SOLDIER's rank. The uniform had to be completely remade for each rank change, though. Otherwise, the number of materia a SOLDIER could carry wouldn't be changed. SOLDIER firsts got a few other privileges, but they would learn those later if they ever made it that high.
Once they had their measurements done, the two were taken to the training room. Over the next week, Angeal put them through their paces. Stamina, strength, speed, and other exercises made up their routine. He taught them the basics of using materia, which just involved flowing mana into it and then aiming. He helped to polish some of their combat skills with a blade and in hand-to-hand. They went back to their room each night and crawled into bed. All in all, it was hell, but the two had never been happier.
Standing in front of the provided mirror, Cloud examined his new look. The uniform looked good on him, he decided. "Hey, Zack," he called, "what do you think? We ready?"
Turning to face his friend, Cloud noticed Zack's incredulous expression. "Are we ready? Of course we are! We'll be some of the best they've ever seen, you just wait."
Laughing, Cloud turned towards the mirror. In the corner, by the door, Angeal stood silent. He was watching his two new students with pride. They would make first class; he had no doubts of that. They had honor and dreams, and they lived for both. Shaking his head, Angeal walked away. The coming years would be filled with dangerous adventures and exhaustive training.
Still, Cloud was happy. The boy who ran away from Nibelheim was finally becoming as strong as he had wanted to be. Strong enough to make a difference. Strong enough to protect his loved ones. Turning from the mirror, Cloud decided he was finally ready. He could write to his mother, now, and tell her why he had left and what he'd done since. Hopefully, she would forgive him.
Well…. Should I keep going or what? Okay, last minute notices. First, the sword Cloud uses is the main sword in the first tsurugi (his sword in advent children). Second, Cloud will have a relationship with Cissnei, the girl from Crisis Core. I plan to use it to develop the plot later on, you'll see how if you read, but that's awhile from now. Anyway, next chapter will be the start of Crisis Core storyline. How strong will Zack and Cloud be after two years of Angeal's tutelage?
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