Yay! Thank you for the reviews! You are all nice people :). I wanted it to be dramatic between Zack and Tseng since the two are friends…well former friends now. Anyways, if I continue getting reviews, I'll be able to reach my goal in no time or I might be able to reach it even before chapter ten! Enjoy the chapter! :)


CHAPTER 08: OLD MEMORIES DIE HARD

Tseng was standing by his office window, staring down at the destruction of Sector 7, still couldn't believe what had happened. HE destroyed Sector 7 when he could've stopped it and saved it from becoming like this, but he was ordered by Heidegger to set up the bomb and that the blame would be pointed towards AVALANCHE. He tried showing remorse, but he was a Turk and a Turk must always fulfill his or her duties by any means necessary, no matter the outcome. No mission is impossible for the Turks...that was the motto they have always used and still use today…but why did he still feel so uneasy?

"You're a monster. How could you," mumbled Aerith softly under her breath as she stood by Tseng's desk, paying a more interest on the ground and avoiding eye contact with him.

"You wouldn't understand Aerith," replied Tseng as he continued staring down his window, his tone calm.

"You're right…I wouldn't understand, but here you are standing by the window and admiring the view! You're not even showing any grief or sadness! You're just standing there emotionless," yelled Aerith as she glared at him, "You don't regret for what you have done? You don't regret for the lives you have taken?" She paused for a moment as Tseng turned his head to face her and letting her rage gain full control of her as she said her last words. "Do you even regret you KILLED Zack?"

Tseng walked up to her and slapped her across the face. Aerith had nearly lost her balance by the surprise slap and placed her hand on the cheek where he had hit her. Tseng then realized what he had just done and pulled his hand back down, avoiding looking at her. All of a sudden, that last moment of Zack appeared in his mind. He remembered Zack's finger pointing towards him, his voice filled with hatred and anger, and appearing in those Mako eyes of his.

Get one last good look of me Tseng because this look is going to haunt you for the rest of your life. I'll make sure of it.

Tseng couldn't help it, but show a weak smile in his thoughts and chuckling softly to himself. Yes, he did get that last good look of Zack and yes, it was haunting him. He didn't mind though as he gladly accepted it as his punishment. He wasn't going to let that last memory of Zack be locked away in the back of his mind with all the others.

"Forgive me Aerith. I did not mean to hurt you like that," mumbled Tseng softly and focused back at her who was still staring at him with those eyes. Her eyes were so innocent, but he could see the shock in them after he had slapped her, the anger and hatred to him for the actions he had caused, and the sadness over Zack's death. He took a deep breath and spoke again. "But I'm a Turk and we do what we are told. No mission is impossible-"

Now it was Tseng's turn to get slapped in the face. Aerith swung her hand at him across his cheek which only made Tseng turn his head slightly. The force of her slap wasn't able to make him lose his balance, but of course it was still painful. He could see her fighting back at her tears and biting her lower lip as she glared at him.

"Don't you dare use your motto as an excuse," said Aerith as she glared at him.

"My apologies once again," mumbled Tseng before giving out a soft weak chuckle to himself.

Just then, two Shinra infantrymen walked into Tseng's office with their rifles hanging on their backs. Tseng didn't like the idea of Shinra soldiers walking into his office and only preferred his fellow Turks, but he knew what they were here for. They stood at attention and gave Tseng a salute before they spoke.

"Sir! We are here to pick up the package," explained one soldier.

"Will be taking her to Professor Hojo," explained the second soldier.

"Go ahead, but be careful with her," said Tseng as he sat down onto his chair.

The two infantrymen nodded and lead Aerith out of Tseng's office. Aerith gave one last glare towards him before she stepped out and the door closing behind her. Tseng gave a sigh and was lost in his thoughts. That look on Zack's face appeared in his mind again and as he thought of Aerith next, all he could was the anger in her eyes. He thought of her like a delicate flower, but to those who were foolish enough to try and pick her up would feel the thorns that protected around her. He was one of those fools that tried to do so, but then he thought of Zack picking her up with no trouble.

'You affected Aerith, Zack. You changed her life and she now has some of your attributes,' thought Tseng as he stared up at the ceiling with past memories pouring down on him.

x*x*x

"By the way, Tseng…I'm annoyed with you too," said Zack as he had his back turned to the Turk with his arms crossed over his chest, "You were spying on Aerith again, weren't you?

Sorry Zack…I was.

"Silent treatment again," asked Zack as he watched the Turk walking away from the entrance of the church.

"If you want to go play with Aerith, you're welcome to do so," said Tseng as he turned his head slightly behind him to face Zack, "I'm just fulfilling my duties as a Turk."

"Hey! I'm not "playing" with Aerith! I'm fulfilling MY duties as SOLIDER to protect," yelled Zack as he raised his fist towards Tseng.

Just then, a small boy ran up towards Zack, jumping excitedly and trying to catch Zack's attention. Both males focused on him as the small boy smiled at Zack, "Oh, Mister SOLIDER! I heard you're making a flower wagon!" Zack took a step back and Tseng just stood while the boy continued. "I'll help you make it really fancy so you can surprise Aerith!"

Tseng turned his back once more and began walking away. Zack looked at the Turk, waving his hands at him, telling him it wasn't like that and that he was protecting her. Of course, Tseng couldn't help but smile and laughing at Zack, of course made sure he wouldn't notice him.

It wasn't what I thought huh, Zack? You were trying to protect Aerith by building her a flower wagon? You were always bad at lying…


Turks and Shinra scientists were all over the Mt. Nibel Mako Reactor, examining the area and the damages Sephiroth had caused. They had transferred Jenova's remains into a container and decided to transfer her to Shinra HQ in the science department. Professor Hojo stood by the stairs that lead up into Jenova's room and walked up to Zack's body that was being carried away.

"This one…yes…take him down to Shinra Mansion's basement," grinned Hojo as he saw the body still alive and intact. As the scientists took Zack's body away, Hojo started chuckling to himself, pushing his glasses upward as he stared into the doorway that lead to Jenova's room, "Sephiroth…you've surely done it this time." He turned his head to see Tseng walking towards him and focused his attention away from him. "Oh, it's you. Is Mr. Veld doing well?"

"Yes," replied Tseng.

"I see. How's the disposal of the village going?"

"We have already begun the operation. But, is there really a need to go that far?"

"Hah! You're still young," laughed Hojo as his back was still facing him, "Your opinion and such doesn't matter at all. Hurry up with the disposal." Tseng lowered his head, but before he could leave, he noticed Hojo walked towards a blonde male with serious stab wounds on him and placed a smile as he was pleased what he saw. "Hmmm…just wait a second…This guy finished him, huh? Interesting…It really is interesting! I can use him as a new sample."

Tseng clenched his fist and walked away, leaving Hojo alone and contacted his fellow Turks to aid him.

Sorry Zack. I wasn't able to save you or your friend from Hojo. There was nothing I could do. I wanted to punch Hojo, but you knew I couldn't do that…


[Five Years Later...]

72 hours ago…

We, the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department, alias Turks, were ordered to pursue the samples that have escape out of Shinra's facility.

The samples that escape were two fully grown males. One of them is an expert in combat, who was once ranked as a SOLIDER 1st Class.

Tseng sighed and stared at his report, rereading on what he wrote before he got up and stood by his office window, staring outside. He couldn't believe it has been five years since Sephiroth had caused the Nibelheim incident and also when Zack was taken away to be experimented on by Hojo. He heard that Zack had managed to break free from the Shinra Mansion and had taken Cloud Strife with him, a former Shinra grunt and also another male that was experimented on by Hojo. He walked back to his desk and pulled out a book from his drawer, opening it and looking through the reports that happened on that fateful day.

If that incident from five years ago never existed, it is more likely that their fate wouldn't have been changed. Only if that man never existed…

The ultimate solider that was once known as a hero…

Sephiroth…

"Target's confirmed! Target's confirmed! Currently at point 137! Repeating: Currently at point 137!"

Tseng turned his attention at his radio that was broadcasting the report on the targets. He heard the Shinra soldiers, yelling at one another, to surround the two males before they could escape. He then heard a shower of bullets firing from the radio next, but it wasn't too long however, until he heard the voice again, this time sounding desperate.

"We're in each other's line of fire! We're shooting each other! Engage the situation with close combat weapons!"

Big mistake…

"He's ripping us apart! Damn! H-He's strong! Is this the strength of a SOLIDER? …Hey! He is getting away! P-Pursue him!"

The strength of a SOLIDER…tell me, does your power come from the Jenova cells? Does it truly come from your honors and dreams you so highly speak of? Or perhaps is it something else…

SOLIDER 1st Class, Zack Fair?

Tseng heard his cell phone ringing and quickly picked it up. He placed it against his ear and could hear Rude's voice on the other end of it. They had found Zack on a bridge and was surrounded by Shinra grunts on motorcycles and had their spotlight focused on him.

"Target sighted. Our order is to seize or terminate the targets, but…"

"Bring them back in a living state as possible as you can," replied Tseng.

"Roger," answered Rude.

Tseng then heard Gun on the line with Rude, trying to negotiate with him, "Surrender quietly! If you do, we will assure you your life."

No response, but Gun and Rude had explained to Tseng that Zack was on the move again, trying to escape. It wasn't too long that he heard from Rude again, saying that Zack had acquired a bike and that he and Gun were pursuing them on air. Zack though had gotten away by escaping into the tunnels and that they had lost them. Rude explained he was going to use the underground tunnels to enter Midgar. Tseng ordered him to set up posts in the outskirts of Midgar and hung up his phone.

Damn you Zack. You should have taken that offer when you had the chance…

He stared at a small black box that was sitting on top of his desk with a white tape around it saying: Sealed. Inside the box were eighty-eight letters all addressed to Zack from Aerith and were still sealed. He wasn't the type of person to snoop through someone's mail, especially if it was between Zack and Aerith. He gave a sigh and got up from his desk, heading out and heading straight to the roof of the building. Cissnei was going to leave and go after Zack herself, but before she left, she also wanted to notify her something important. As he finally was outside on the roof, he saw the woman walking towards a black helicopter ready to take off.

"Cissnei," yelled Tseng as he called out towards her. The woman turned around to see her leader walking towards her and stopping in his tracks, "The army is mobilizing. Find the targets before they do."

"Understood. The army won't be as subtle," said Cissnei as she turned her back and began walking towards the helicopter.

"I want them alive you hear me," yelled Tseng. Cissnei froze in place, her back facing him, and lowered her head as she heard Tseng continuing, "You're going to save Zack's life."

Cissnei turned around, brushing her hair and smiling towards him, "Of course! I haven't even told him my real name…"

Cissnei went back towards her helicopter and boarded herself inside it. The helicopter soon started lifting itself up into the air and flying away into the air towards Zack's coordinates. Tseng watched as the helicopter disappeared out of sight and whispered softly to him.

"Help them Cissnei. I have letters for Zack. Eighty-eight of them…"

They took away your freedom before and tried to do it again…but I was trying to save it, wasn't I? No. I know I was trying my best to save your freedom and your life…


Then it came…that devastated day. Reno, Rude, Cissnei, and all the other Turks had failed on retrieving the two targets. The Shinra Army had gotten to him first and Zack was gunned down. There was no mission that was impossible for the Turks and every mission they carried out was a success. This was the first mission they had ever failed. Reno and Rude had gotten into the battlefield and described the damage Zack had done, but explained that three soldiers overwhelmed him and shot him to death, but they weren't able to find Cloud anywhere. Cissnei had heard the news and had left the Turks, deciding there was no longer a reason to be part of it. Tseng grabbed the small black box that was on top of his desk and threw it into the fire place, watching it burn by the flames that scorched it. He walked towards his window and saw that it was raining hard. A minute ago it was a bright and sunny day…then it just started to rain heavily. He clenched his teeth tightly and gave a loud angry roar, stomping to his desk and sweeping the things off of it to the floor. He sat on his chair, holding his head as he still couldn't believe what just happened…refusing to believe what had just happened.

You died…and left Aerith. You left her unprotected Zack. Why did you enter her life? Why did you leave her life? What was I suppose to do?

x*x*x

'Ever since then, I blocked out all my memories I had of you. I know it was harsh to do, but I couldn't let you affect my life and work anymore. And then all of a sudden, I see you again at the pillar. I couldn't believe it. I thought I was dreaming, but you was standing there. I don't know how you survived and I wish you stayed dead so you wouldn't see me destroy the pillar…so you wouldn't see me taking Aerith away from you,' thought Tseng sadly to himself.

And then Zack's face appeared in his mind again, that haunting look on his face as he glared towards him. Tseng may have blocked all those memories of Zack, but he wasn't going to block off this last memory he had with him. He was going to hold onto it, cherish it, and accept it. That hatred on Zack's face would constantly remind him and represent all the sins he has committed from the past to the present. He stared at the fire place where he had destroyed all of Zack's letters and gave a weak smile. He regretted he ever burnt them, but then he didn't want to return them to Aerith or keep them, thinking it was best to destroy the letters. It was a shame Zack was never going to know what she had wrote to him. He got back up and stared out his window one last time at the destruction of Sector 7. Tseng took a deep breath as he turned around and heading straight out of his office room.

"Goodnight Zack Fair…I promise I'll try to protect Aerith and make sure no harm comes to her," whispered Tseng to himself as he closed the door behind him.

END OF: OLD MEMORIES DIE HARD


Done. A few scenes from Crisis Core, but mostly from Last Order. I know Last Order isn't part of the actual Final Fantasy VII story, but I always believed it should be. I tried to mix it with Crisis Core so hopefully it went well. Chapter eight was mostly about Tseng and his point of view on the events that occurred around him, affecting his feelings as well. I included Gun as well into the story, but I don't know if I should add the other Turks from Before Crisis. I don't really know much about Before Crisis since it was released only to Japan and I only know some of the plot from the final fantasy wiki website. I guess I just have to wait and see how things go later on in the future of the story. Anyways, leave a review folks and I'll update the next chapter as soon as possible!