Disclaimer: Guess what, if I owned Final Fantasy VII and it's Compilations, Zack would've lived for real and joined Cloud on his quest. But! I don't own crap! :P
Chapter III: Welcome to AVALANCHE
I followed Tifa downstairs of Seventh Heaven. I wanted to live with Aerith, but what would her mom think? So I agreed to stay at Tifa and Barret's place. She led me to a small room.
"Hopefully this is big enough," She told me, "Make yourself at home."
"Thanks again for letting me stay Tifa," I said realizing that this was way too much.
She made a 'you're welcome' smile, then she went outside the room.
I sat on the bed then brushed the sheets. I can't remember the last time I slept in a bed. I couldn't wait to sleep in it. I stood up and went over to the mirror which was on the other side of the room. I gave a smile when I saw myself. Black spiky hair, sexy face. I was gorgeous.
I started to flex my arm muscles and posed making different facial expressions. I smiled at myself then crossed my arms. I turned around to see Cloud speechless. I stepped back in surprise then scratched the back of my head making an awkward laugh.
"Ummm," I said as I felt my face burning up, "How much of that did you see?"
Cloud just stared at me, so I turned my eyes in a different direction.
"Barret wants to have a meeting," he said ignoring the question I asked, then exited the room closing the door behind him.
I sighed then lied down on the bed. The pillow was comfortable, I almost fell fast asleep, but the door opened again. Now what? I stood up and saw Cloud enter again.
"Ummm..." He began reaching towards the back of his shoulder, then pulled out the buster sword, "I won't be needing this anymore. Besides, it's yours."
He unsheathed the large sword and handed it to me, I took it. He gave a light smile.
"It was too heavy for me anyway," he explained, "I guess I'll stick to guns."
I nodded in understanding. I put the sword down, then I stood up to hug my friend. He hugged back.
"Come up as soon as you're ready," Cloud said when we broke the hug, then he walked out.
I sat back down on the bed and looked at Angeal's sword. I sighed, then walked over to the mirror.
I made a fighting stance then slashed both ways. I smirked. Then I spun the sword up high and sheathed it on my back easily. I smiled, I missed my old pose. I played the victory song in my head, I remembered it would play every time I would complete a mission in SOLDIER. I hummed the simple tune.
I then remembered about the meeting so I took a deep breath and exited the room.
"Okay everybody, gather around, gather around," Barret instructed as I came up for the meeting.
Everyone sat around the bar area, and Barret stood on the other side holding a map.
"So we're gonna ride the Midgar train up to Sector 7's Mako reactor," He said pointing with his gun hand to a place on the map. I guess I got used to his arm by now. I sat down on the far seat of the bar next to Tifa. Then I noticed the map that Barret was holding was a map of Sector 7.
"We will get out of the train here," He explained pointing to and open edge of the reactor's map spot, "We'll take out any of the guards there, and then Cloud and Zack will go in first, we'll stay outside of the reactor for any reinforcements that might come."
I was confused, I had no idea what they were talking about. What are we doing at the reactor?
"You two are gonna get to the reactor, plant the bomb, then get your asses out of there as fast as you can. The alarms are gonna go off, so fight off any guards in your way, don't worry, we'll be there to help you."
I scratched the back of my head in confusion.
"Okay, wait!" I said standing up from my chair, "Can you explain to me what is going on?"
"Oh hey there Zack," Barret said laughing. I guess he didn't notice me, "now that you're here, we wanted to ask you something."
I sighed.
"Okay, what is it?" The three looked at me and then Cloud spoke.
"We want you to join AVALANCHE," He said, "I just joined, but we're basically a group that is planning to shut down Shinra, and their Mako reactors."
My mouth hit the floor when I heard that. What has gotten into Cloud? Since when did he start hating Shinra?
"Zack, I know you consider yourself a SOLDIER," Barret spoke, "But they are the enemy, they're your enemy, they almost killed you."
I nodded my head in understanding.
"And if you're wondering why we're planning to blow up the reactor," Tifa began, "Is that the reactors are draining the planet's Mako energy. If we don't stop them, then the planet is gonna die. Shinra is killing the planet..."
"And we want your help," Cloud finished.
I thought for a bit. Would he have to kill any one of his friends in SOLDIER? Is the planet really worth saving? What happens if we get caught?
"Think about your future children," Barret said interrupting my thoughts, "I have a daughter named Marlene, and I want her to see a future. I don't want her to live in a world full of dirt and mud... More like happiness... Do you get what I'm saying?"
I nodded. What if I had children with Aerith?... Those children would be beautiful, and I would love for them to live a good life. I sighed, then looked at the others, and smiled.
"Okay," I said, "I'll join AVALANCHE."
I looked out the window of the Midgar train and saw the huge tower of the Shinra Co. building.
"I'll make 1st in no time!"
I smiled at that memory.
"Embrace your dreams... If you want to be a hero, you gotta have dreams..."
Angeal... He always old me to have dreams... If I wanted to be a hero...
"Angeal..." I said quietly closing my eyes tightly, "Am I doing the right thing?"
"Embrace your dreams... And whatever happens... Protect your honor... As SOLDIER!"
I opened my eyes to look at the Shinra building, but all I saw was brick. I guess we entered through a tunnel.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned around to see Cloud.
"You doing okay?" He asked.
I looked down at the floor and nodded my head.
"We're approaching the reactor soon, so Barret said to get ready," He explained and I nodded, "...Angeal would be proud of you."
"Psh! For what?" I said angrily, "I almost died that day! I was just like any other SOLDIER! Nobody saw me as 1st class anyway..."
"Zack," Cloud said calmly, "Without you... I wouldn't have survived back there..."
My anger soon faded, then I looked at Cloud understandingly.
"I would've been another one of Hojo's experiments if you hadn't saved me... So... Thanks."
I smiled at him.
"And thank YOU," I said with an emphasis, "...for not leaving me there. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have another chance to see Aerith again."
Cloud chuckled a little, then sighed.
"Hey man, can you keep a secret?" He said in a low volume.
"Of course, you can trust me," I said excited, I love secrets.
"Okay," Cloud said looking around, then got closer to me so I leaned in to listen, "Well... You know Tifa right?"
I smiled, then laughed.
"Let me guess," I said laughing, "You're in love with her."
I put a nice emphasis on the word 'love'.
"Shhhhh!" Cloud shushed looking around, "I don't want her to hear!"
I laughed.
"Well I ain't surprised," I said looking over at Tifa who was talking with Barret, "She's a real cutie. Remember her cowgirl outfit in Nibelheim?"
Cloud sighed then made his hand as a fan for his face.
"Yeah, I remember," He said with his eyes wide open looking at Tifa, "DAMN was she hot!"
I laughed as Cloud was getting aroused. The boy was growing up. I remembered when he was just a simple teenager wanting to become a SOLDIER. Now... Well, lets just say he's growing.
"Well if you need any help with her..." I said punching his arm to get his attention, "You know who to call."
Cloud chuckled.
"Thanks," he said as he turned his attention back to Tifa.
I started to think about Aerith. I wondered how she was doing. So I took out my cellphone and dialed her number. It rung a few times over the phone then she picked up.
"Hello?" I heard Aerith say over the phone.
"Hey Aerith," I greeted smiling, "Heaven's lost one of their angels, but I think I just found her."
Aerith giggled.
"If you're looking for Aerith, then you could have said so," I realized that it was Aerith's mom, "I'm sorry sir, but she's out selling flowers."
"O-okay," I said hanging up in embarrassment. Her voice sounds almost exactly like Aerith's...
I sighed. Then laughed at myself shaking my head. I learned my lesson. Always ask for the person I want to talk to first.
"Okay guys, we're at the reactor," I heard Barret say, "Get ready to rock n' roll!"
I went up to the door of the train with Cloud. I unsheathed my sword, and I heard Cloud's rifle click as he loaded it.
"Okay guys," Barret said quietly so the other passengers won't hear, "As soon as the doors open, we're attacking, and don't worry, the passengers got out the other way, so we'll be alright."
I nodded. Then waited for the doors to open.
"I hope you're watching me Angeal," I said quietly, then the doors slid open.
I ran outside and attacked the nearest guard. I heard the rifle shots from Cloud. Then I saw Tifa and Barret beating up the guards at the entrance. I saw Barret shoot his arm gun at one of the SOLDIERS after he knocked him down down.
I saw blood everywhere.
I finished off the guy by stabbing him. Blood came out of his mouth as he desperately tried to escape. Soon his body went limp. I took the bloody sword out and looked at it horrified... Is this what AVALANCHE does? Kill innocent lives?
