Flashback:

I was standing on a hill overlooking Midgar. The place felt so strange to me. Almost like it was some sort of…holy land. I looked down farther towards the ground. What I saw made surprised seem like an understatement. Angeal's sword, the Buster Sword, was protruding from the ground, dull and rusted. I guess that use did bring about wear, tear, and rust. Huh, who knew? But the obvious unkemptness of the sword got me wondering; where was Angeal?

That's when I felt a cold presence behind me. A firm hand was placed on my shoulder as I turned my head to see who it was. It was a boy, clad in tight, black leather armor. His wispy, shoulder length, silver hair blew in the breeze. He moved to my side, and for some reason I felt safe around him. Some deep connection I couldn't explain.

I turned my head back to look at the Shin-ra building, standing tall and high in the sky. For some reason a bubbling hate surfaced in my mind. My whole life I had been working for Shin-ra, and now…I can't even explain the feelings I was having. They were ones of betrayal, defeat. And even a bit of…self-hatred.

That's when the boy beside me spoke, his voice silky and light.

"Wind…you do realize that he's dead, right?" he paused thinking on how to say the next part.

"He's not going to come back. No matter how long you stand here."

I looked down at the Buster Sword. Tears brimmed at the corners of my eyes as I replied softly.

"I know."

I woke with a start. I was lying on an examination table, with doctor Hojo regarding me curiously.

"So, what did you see? Anything interesting?"

I stared at the palms of my hands, trying to get my eyes to focus and the gears in my mind to start turning. I told him about everything in my dream. The boy, the Buster Sword, and the hate I felt towards Shin-ra. By the time I had finished retelling it all I was shaking greatly.

"What is it all supposed to tell me?" I asked more to myself than Hojo.

He breathed for a moment.

"I guess you'll have to find that out for yourself. I did the dream analysis for you so you could get the answers on why you have been feeling strange. I did my job. What you got from it and what you didn't I can't help." He took a breath. "Now…tell me about this boy…"

End flashback

"Hey, have I ever told you two about dumbapples?"

I was brought back to reality when I heard Angeal's voice. Zack looked at me, his face smug.

"No, but it sure does sound like something the kids in high school used to call Wind!" I gave him a dry look as I heard Angeal snicker. We were on our way to Fort Tamblin for our mission given to us by Lazard. I heard from Genesis that any mission with Angeal comes with a story. A very long story.

"I think I heard Genesis mention them here and there." I answered him. Zack let out a long sigh.

"Well I've never heard of 'em!"

Angeal regarded him for a second before he spoke. "How can you expect to make 1st if you don't even know about dumb apples?" he lamented

Zack held up his hands in defense. "Hey I may be brilliant, but I don't know about every little thing!" I stifled a laugh. He actually thought he was brilliant.

"Why don't you enlighten us, Angeal?" I suggest. Hey, if there was a story coming I wanted to get it over with.

Angeal paused t o take a breath before he began.

"Banora Whites; or dumbapples only grow in Banora…."

"Ha, nice excuse!" Zack teased. Angeal just shook his head submissively.

"Anyway I never stole apples from that tree. For the wealthy man's son was my friend."

I, of course, completely understood where Angeal was coming from. If I stole from my friend it would make me a bad friend, it was a simple concept. However, my self-proclaimed "brilliant" brother was not as quick to catch on.

"If he was your friend, why not ask him for some?" Zack asked, clueless. I let out a small laugh.

"Because that would make him a bad friend, "Zack the puppy"!" I shot at him. Zack scowled at the nickname Angeal had given him. He was about to open his mouth to shoot something back at me when Angeal intercepted, laughing.

"Actually, you're both wrong." My face turned to one of surprise at that. I heard Zack cheer enthusiastically "Hell yeah, she's wrong too! WOO!" I shot a death glare at him, causing him to shut his mouth tightly.

Angeal let out a chortle. "I didn't steal from his tree, not just because we were good friends, but also because I had my honor."

I took in what he said. Besides Zack telling me about Angeal's daily lectures about dreams and honor, I had never really given much thought about either of the concepts.

Before I knew it, we were on the cliff right above Fort Tamblin. Angeal was explaining the concepts of infiltration and waiting for the B unit, but to tell the truth I wasn't really listening. Not that it mattered, it was all basic stuff anyway. All I could think about was the fact that the Director would be watching us execute the mission. If we did up to his standards the road to being a 1st wouldn't be a long one.

As I was thinking, an explosion went off somewhere down in the fort. It was B units signal. Angeal brought up his sword to his forehead, closing his eyes. He stayed like that for a moment before he returned his sword to his back, drawing a much smaller one from his side.

"Hey Angeal, I've never seen you use that sword." Zack said curiously. "Why have it?"

Angeal looked at the both of us and answered. "This sword represents my honor and dreams. Use brings about wear, tear, and rust. As you well know." His smile faded into a look of seriousness.

"Alright, let's get moving! Wind, take the exterior walls! Zack, you take the interior! Let's impress Lazard!"

"Gotcha!" Zack and I said in unison. We did a simultaneous back flip down into the fort. I know, we have some real finesse. When we landed Zack looked over at me. He gave me a broad smile and said, "Good luck little sister. BE SAFE!" he stressed. He turned to leave while pointing a finger to me. "I mean it! I don't want to have to tell mom I failed as a big brother!" I rolled my eyes at him. "Back at 'ya!" I called to him. He turned around and bounded off. I did the same in the opposite direction. It was time to impress the Director!

After a while of running I found my first pair of Wutai troops. I ran towards them, swinging my sword over my head, ready to come down on them. I sliced side to side as quickly as I could, moving my arms in a fluid motion. Only a moment had passed and they were both on the ground, bleeding out quickly. 'Long live the Wutai…' I mused to myself. I kept running, looking for more of the Wutai troops. 'I'll be a 1st in no time!'