Mako's Fury

Having a Plan B is a must when you hinge the world's survival on one person. When Cloud isn't born, the Planet needed a Plan B, but what if the expectations of one youth are too great? AGSZ [Mature for language and eventual sexual themes]

Author's note: Thank you for reading this first chapter in what, I hope, will be a long story. This is my first FanFiction and I was really nervous to share but am glad I did. As I said, this is going to be a LONG story and will take a little while to get rolling but I hope you will hang in there with me. I will be posting one chapter a week each Saturday and then maybe two a week from time to time depending on if my muse will work with me or not.

Also wanted to give a HUGE thank you to my three beta readers. Pixie, for helping me with all the grammar and story progression. Kiza, for helping me get FF7 facts correct and double-checking my character development. Discord, who is helping me with the more... adult themes in a yaoi story. You all are amazing and I can't thank you enough for all the love and support while I develop my characters and their intertwining story with the much loved FF7 boys.

I do not own FF7 or any of its characters. Talin, Unit 28, and other side characters are mine.

Chapter 1

The tapping of rain against the window woke Talin from a light doze, and he shifted on the uncomfortable bench seat. The trip into Midgar by train was long, and made worse by the inability to even get up and stretch your legs. With so many people packed in, he was lucky to have a seat at all. Even now that they were out of the corkscrew tunnel, it was still dark from the heavy storm clouds and the early sunset of winter, but all the boy had eyes for was the gleaming tower they were approaching.

Shin-Ra.

He had finally made it after almost a week of travel and couldn't wait to crash in whatever bed they gave him. After he worked off some pent-up energy, at least.

The train was full of employees heading to work, but even they were outnumbered by the number of new cadets. In groups or by themselves (as Talin was), they covered the range from excited to nervous and the chatter from the more outspoken dominated quieter conversations.

Talin wanted to be excited, he wanted to feel something for this new adventure, but all he could conjure was a dull sense of boredom. He wanted to be out of this claustrophobic seat and loosen his cramped muscles. Only a little longer, he thought to himself and rubbed at his wrists pulse point. It had always calmed him down, and it worked this time as well. Just a little longer and I can have a challenge again...

The stutter and slowing of the train along with a loud whistle brought him from his thoughts about twenty minutes later as they entered the main terminal. Sitting so near the front of the train meant he got to get out first, and he bolted at first chance into the open air. One deep breath and he almost coughed. Mako fumes were a known factor of Midgar, but even knowing couldn't prepare him for the almost heavy feel of it in your lungs and the light burn on that first breath. He had been reassured that the burn would pass in a day or so and he would acclimate but it still made him uneasy. Trusting his body to sort out the issue, he continued out of the train terminal and towards the imposing structure of Shin-Ra tower.

Signs here and there welcomed him to Sector Zero, the sector that surrounded the tower, and some gave directions to each of the train lines to other locations. He followed the ones marked for Shin-Ra tower and eventually made it out of the train depo. The rain had lessened slightly and people were moving at a good pace out of the station. Talin paused by a wall and just watched for a moment, forgetting about his burning lungs or the need to get to the tower for check-in.

There were so many people here, so many, many more than even in Costa Del Sol. For a boy from a small town in the middle of nowhere it was a bit overwhelming, but this is what he signed up for. He wanted to be a part of the wider world, know more than the ignorant folk who had never even crossed the mountains. That thought cleared away his reservations and he stepped out into the flow of traffic again.

The area around the train station was open and inviting. Shops lined the road along with small cafes and bigger restaurants. Under the cover of an awning, a small food vendor was selling simple grilled chicken kababs that smelled amazing. His stomach growled at the appetizing smell and he bought two before continuing on his way, eating as he walked on. Every so often he paused and looked in the windows of a shop. There were clothing shops, places with knickknacks for tourists, a small weapon shop with selections of low grade, but expensive, Materia, and one was even selling nothing but Shin-Ra memorabilia.

All this was wasted on Talin. He knew very little of the people shown in the pictures and he doubted that he would ever meet any of them. They were all handsome and he did remember seeing their photos at the recruitment office in Costa Del Sol but couldn't remember the names. By the time he finished his chicken, he was almost to the tower and it was even more crowded.

He drew glances from the locals as he passed. It was uncomfortable, but he could understand. Red hair the color of summoning Materia slid across and over his shoulders as he moved. It was long, almost to mid-back, and Talin regretted that they would cut it when he entered the Cadet program. The boy was tall for his age, 5' 11" and just starting to fill out a frame that showed the promise of strength. Wide shoulders tapered down to a trim waist but his legs already showed muscle developed from years of hiking up and down mountain slopes. His arms were obscured by long sleeves and gloves that had seen consistent use but were well cared for. Rounding off all were a pair of almost boring grey-blue eyes, like the sea during a storm, set in a face just losing the softness of youth.

Talin didn't care for the attention, and kept from meeting any of the eyes that followed him down the street. Attention always led to trouble either for him or them. He worked his way up the streets towards the great building, and soon found himself at the first checkpoint. Two guards were posted at the bottom of the stairs and asked him his business.

"Cadet Graft, Sir, reporting for placement in the Cadet Program," he said, snapping to attention and then producing a referral form signed by the recruitment officer of Costa Del Sol. They reviewed the form before handing it back to him and waving him on.

"Up the stairs to the second floor, and make a left. There will be a table there where you will sign in and they will get you settled. Good luck, Cadet Graft." The infantryman said with a kind smile. The kid looked like a good candidate, but he had seen tougher leave after only a week. Only the best became SOLDIER and the rest either joined the infantry or went home.

Taking back his referral, Talin nodded his thanks and then headed across the large plaza and into the building. The inside was as impressive as out with wide open spaces that flowed with polished floors and graceful staircases. Upper floors were visible by the central hollow ringed by balconies and Talin had a moment of vertigo when he looked up. It just kept going... Shaking his head, he moved to the stairs and went to the second floor, finding the check-in desk immediately on his left.

There he met with two SOLDIERS for the first time, and was...unimpressed, but he didn't let that show. Both were 3rds, and looked new to the rank if the lack of Mako glow was anything to go by. They welcomed him and introduced themselves as Marco and Vale. They were intake officers today, and were there to welcome all new recruits and help answer any questions. Taking his referral, they assigned him to Unit 28 and his personal number in the group was 19 giving him the cadet number U28-19. So creative, but it worked. They gave him a slip to take up to the 4th floor where he would check in with Administration for his ID and gear. As the kid left, they both looked at each other.

"Taking bets today, Vale?" Marco grinned at his friend and Vale turned to look after the boy as he waited at the elevator.

"That depends. You for, or against?" He asked with a sly smile.

"Against. He doesn't stand a chance with that attitude, all sorts of sulky and arrogant. Fifty Gil says he won't make it the month." Marco smiled down at the shorter SOLDIER and grinned wider as Vale stuck out his hand.

"Deal, I'll bet he makes it at least two." They shook and turned back towards the stairs as more cadets started showing up. Nothing wrong with a little bet on the young bloods, especially ones that are so easy to pick out of a crowd.

Administration was a slog. As he walked in the door, a lady asked for his paperwork and handed him a dumb "I'm Cadet Talin Graft U28-19" sticker. She told him not to remove it till he was done with intake. It took forever to get his ID made and then it was off to scheduling for his class lineup, to the storeroom for sets of uniforms and boots, a quick intake eye exam and reflex check, a stop for a haircut, then finally a printout was handed to him with directions to his Unit's barracks.

The directions took him up to the 18th floor and down one of the long halls to a door marked only with U28. He tore off the stupid sticker as he walked up to the door. It slid open at the proximity of his keycard and he was met with a wide room housing ten bunk beds, five each side, and a door at the far end. There were only two people in the room so far, off in the back corner. They were stowing their things on the last bunk and chatting excitedly. At the sound of his arrival, they both looked up and waved.

"Yo! How's it goin'?" Asked the blond and then continued as he saw Talin hesitate at the door. "Just find the bunk with your number on it. My names Cody." He walked over as he said the last and held out his hand. Talin took it, "I'm Talin, good to meet you." he said as he watched the other boy come up. Where Cody had gold blond hair, trimmed short on the sides and longer on top, with light blue eyes, the other had messy black hair and watered-down green eyes. Both were young and probably just squeaked in over the age limit of 16 years for the Cadet Program.

"Like talons?" asked the black-haired kid, making clawing motions with his hands. Talin laughed, "Kinda, T-A-L-I-N not L-O-N," he said as he shook the hand held out to him.

"I'm Kyle, we're both from near Rocket Town, how about you?" They followed him as he found his bunk and started stashing away his few belongings and new gear.

"Corel Area, shipped out of Costa Del Sol." They nodded and then Cody asked, "We were about to go get somthin' to eat, wanna join us?" Talin had finished settling his things in the locker and considered the offer before shaking his head. He needed to go get rid of the energy he could feel burning him from the inside.

"Thanks, but I think I'm going to blow off some steam. Know where the training rooms are?" The two gave him directions to the 22nd floor, any of the rooms there were free use to cadets. Waving as they parted at the elevators, Talin breathed a sigh of relief that they didn't decide to come with him. His arms were burning up and he needed to use some of that energy or suffer the consequences.

He took the last training room off the hall hoping that no one would venture that far back and was happy to find it empty. It was and not just that but it was a simulated terrain room full of cliffs, and even a fake rock floor. It felt like home, and he couldn't help his laugh as he tore off to the first wall and vaulted high to catch a handhold to start climbing. Ripple after ripple of subtle power flowed through him as he pulled himself higher and a slight glow started in the veins of his arms under the sleeves. It felt so good to do anything after such a long trip, and he almost felt high on the endorphins.

Rolling up onto the top ledge, he laid on his back for a moment, enjoying the slight tingle from the exercise, before he jumped up and threw himself down the same cliff that he had just climbed. Instincts took over and a flood of power ran down his legs and burned in his arms as he caught himself on a slim ledge. He kicked off again and allowed himself to freefall the rest of the way, landing in a fluid crouch that dissipated the shock of a hard landing. Breaking into a full sprint, he ran at another wall and jumped almost twice his own height, catching another handhold, he flowed up the wall like a natural. Talin was enjoying the physical outlet so much he hadn't noticed that someone else had entered the room shortly after himself.

Another boy from Talin's unit tucked himself against one wall and watched open mouthed. The movements looked impossible for someone who just joined Shin-Ra. Maybe an enhanced SOLDIER sure, but a new Cadet? He was sure that this guy was new, the fresh haircut, civilian clothes, all that and training in the Cadet gyms, but he moved like nothing he had ever seen.

The wild redhead had summited another cliff and kicked off the ledge with a series of flips and twists before landing with cat like grace. The watching Cadet couldn't help the quiet, "Whoa," he let slip and suddenly his gaze was captured by sharp blue eyes from across the room.

Talin froze as he caught sight of the newcomer. Shit. How could he play this off? The other cadet walked towards him with an odd expression on his face and Talin couldn't help but break eye contact. Instead, he looked down at the name sticker the other was still wearing. It read, "Callian Ford U28-20". Talin memorized the name before turning back towards the cliff face. He really didn't need this today.

Callian stopped just a bit away and Talin studied him from the corner of his eye. He looked to be about the same height with pale blond hair cut in a loose fashion, if he had been a girl it would be a pixie cut, and strange pale gold eyes.

"Damn, that was impressive. Sorry to interrupt but seriously, could you teach me to do that flip?" Callian says as Talin slowly turns back to him. Dull grey-blue eyes meet his and Callian was confused. Weren't they brighter just a second ago? For a second, all each can do is just look at the other and then Talin gives a slight chuckle, "I could try but a lot of it's not exactly planned, it's just how I move."

"I'll take anything you can teach. I've never seen someone move like you do, at least not in person. Sorry, my names Callian, but just call me Cal." They shook hands and Talin introduced himself.

"C'mon, let me see what I'm working with and then we can try the flip." The redhead was amazed that the guy hadn't backed out slowly when he saw what he did. Talin wasn't doing anything too crazy, but, where he was from, it would have spooked people away. Maybe just the difference between the city and the backwater he was from. It was nice not to be looked at with fear for once. Cal was no pushover he found out quickly. The guy had his own moves for sure but could only get part of the flip mastered before calling it quits.

"Hell, how are you still not tired?" Callian said laughingly from his position sitting on the floor. He was drenched in sweat from the hard practice and Talin looked like he had taken a light jog at most. Talin found himself laughing as he said,

"Ah, well, that's a bit complicated. Probably wouldn't believe me if I told ya," His grin faded a bit as he said the last. A booted foot lashed out to knock him lightly in his own.

"Dude, try me. We're in a city powered by weird glowing planet goo. Who would've believed that shit way back when?" Talin crouched down in front of his unit mate and smirked.

"What if I said I was trained by wild monsters?" Neither could keep a straight face and Talin fell over laughing when Callian shoved him in the shoulder. "Try again, smart ass," The blond said still grinning. Talin's smile faded again but he tried to keep a light tone as he spoke.

"I…uh. I fell as a kid…into a Mako well. Life's a bit different after that," he said averting his eyes and rubbing the back of his neck. He wasn't sure if he wanted the guy to believe him or not but it was out there now.

"You're… you're not kidding, are you," Callian paled a bit at the thought. "How did you survive that? Anyone I ever heard of died…" his words tapered off and as Talin fidgeted with his gloves, Callian's mind jumped to a conclusion. "Oh Goddess, your arms…are they, scarred? Is that why you have them covered?" He was relieved when Talin shook his head.

"Not scarred, but…" He stopped himself. How much did he want to say? He just met this guy, but he needed allies, needed people he could trust. For cadets, that was supposed to be their unit. He swallowed hard, and peeled back his glove a bit. "They aren't scarred but I came out…different." He kept his eyes on Callian's face as he pulled off the glove and rolled up the sleeve.

Mako as it comes up from the earth is a bright, glowing green. In the human body, it is almost invisible other than the glowing blue-green in a SOLDIER's eyes. Talin's arms, on the other hand, were stained as if with teal dye all the way up to mid forearm. Shock, awe, and raw curiosity ran across Cal's face as he looked at the colored skin. He reached out before snapping his hand back.

"Sorry, it probably hurts, doesn't it?" Talin shook his head, mind reeling. Shock was a common reaction to his strange markings, fear even more so. The last thing he ever expected was for someone to want to touch them.

"No, they don't hurt. It feels just like regular skin, but…" he trailed off and just held out his hand. He almost jolted when Cal touched his palm. Touch was beyond rare for Talin, it had been…a long time since anyone had touched his hands.

Callian was full of curiosity now and scooted forward to take the hand into both of his, turning it over and looking closely at it. The look of concentration made him smile at his new friend and he laughingly asked if he could have his hand back.

"Sorry, its just so odd. Who would have thought that would happen? Its still a miracle you didn't die from the fall. Why do you keep them covered if they aren't sensitive though?"

Talin scoffed, "You know what happens to anything that has to do with Mako, right? Shin-Ra gets ahold if it or them, and they disappear. I was told to work hard and show my worth to Shin-Ra. Make myself visible for all the right reasons, so I can't be just quietly disappeared." Callian laughed at that but then looked thoughtful and stood.

"Well, you know you can trust me to keep your secret till you're ready but, honestly, I think you should leave off the sleeves. People will look at you funny for a second but if you show them what you can do, they won't give a damn," He said as he held out a hand to help up the redhead. Talin took the hand and thought over the advice. It was tempting, but he needed to think on it for a bit and said so.

"While you think about it, show me some more of what you can do. Don't hold back on me this time, let's see what you got, dude." A quick grin was all Callian got before Talin was sprinting off into a series of flips and other ground acrobatics. A lightning quick jump had him half way up a wall before he caught a hand-hold and pulled himself the rest of the way with a fluid grace of long practice. It was mesmerizing to the blond who watched with an excited smile. This guy's amazing... Was all he could think as he walked forward towards a low ledge to keep the other boy in his view. As he watched, his eyes were caught by a green glow coming from Talin's arms. It had to be some kind of Mako reaction to glow like that.

Talin pulled harder on the Mako in his system and let fly a range of kicks and combination assaults against an invisible foe. He pulled more and more as he went trying to exhaust himself. He had been so pent up for days and the ability to let loose was everything he needed right then. Having an unafraid observer was another thing pushing him on. He would never admit it, but he had always wanted to show off but people were either afraid or only interested in what he could do for them. Never just in him.

This last thought spurred him to throw himself down from the high ledge into the hard landing he loved. He landed, feeling the sting up his legs and arms, and looked straight down into Callian's eyes with a smug smirk on his face at having surprised the boy. The look on his face was shocked but not at the close landing.

"Your eyes! Dude, holy hell man!"

Talin cocked his head to the side in confusion, "My eyes?"

"Whoa, they are changing...Hang on, do that again," Callian pulled his phone out as Talin continued to try to figure out what had happened. His eyes? What about them... "Go on, do it again. I can video so you will see what I mean."

Not sure what to expect, he took off again and launched up and back down in the same flip and using Mako to make the landing like he just had. Again he was almost eye level with the blond as he looked up but a phone camera was aimed at his face this time.

"Got it!" Callian said as he stopped recording and turned around to lean against the wall, holding his phone up as he replayed the video. Talin watched himself launch off the ledge and come plummeting down but when his past-self looked up into the camera, he couldn't hold back a gasp of surprise. The eyes looking into the camera were crystal green but quickly melted back into the normal stormy grey-blue. Shock was all he could feel as he took the phone and watched it again.

"I...I never knew they did that..."

"Really? How could you not? It's so obvious even from a distance. I was sure your eyes were different earlier, but thought that maybe I was just mistaken."

Talin handed the phone back and just shook his head before coming down off the ledge.

"No one was ever nearby when I used Mako before. I only used it against monsters and the people of my town never came near me when I was training. Hell, they never came near me at all, but especially when I had a sword in my hands." The last was a frustrated grumble as he pulled his sleeves and gloves back on.

"You are going to draw a lot of attention if your eyes shift like that every time. You sure you won't leave the sleeves off and just get the shock over with?"

"I'll think about it, but for now I think we better head back to the barracks." Turns out he was right, it was about fifteen minutes till curfew and they needed to get back to meet the other guys.

The barracks were noisy with eighteen other cadets as they entered, and all cried a raucous welcome at the two before a few came up to introduce themselves.

Talin hauled himself up onto his top bunk and just smiled. It was so different here. These guys didn't know him from any other cadet and all were happy to meet and get to know him. Callian turned out to be his bunkmate as well and had climbed up to sit with him.

Cody and Kyle were both up on Cody's bunk and called out for the others asking for attention.

"Hey, so we all want to get to know each other so let's do rounds. Everyone up on the bunks and let's go round with name, age, hometown, and so on. Anything you want to share."

"I'll start," Kyle bounced on the bunk before standing on it in an overabundance of excitement. "My name's Kyle. I'm 15 but will be 16 in a few months and am from Melcala near Rocket Town. I was sent here to keep out of trouble but they goofed and sent this idiot with me." He pointed at Cody and laughed as his leg was pulled from under him making him crash down onto the bunk again.

"This idiot has a name, jackass," He said laughing at his partner in crime. "I'm Cody and I'm 16 and also from Melcala. We were supposed to be split up but the recruiting officer took pity on a couple of country boys and let us come here together." The blond said and pointed at the next bunk, "Your turn guys."

The introductions went down the bunks and Talin hoped that he would remember half the names the next morning. When it was his turn, he told them he was from a tiny little nowhere town in Corel and that he had been his town's hunter. This brought a few questions and excited comments about having someone with experience in the unit. Callian helped him out by cutting in to introduce himself and get the ball moving again.

Only two were from Midgar, Brooks and Hank, the rest were from all over. Juno, Mideel, even one from Wutai named Lox. He was a quiet guy but Talin could tell that nothing passed in the room that he didn't take notice. When asked why he was here from Wutai, he told them that he had been an orphan in Wutai and was evacuated with the others by SOLDIERs when the fighting got to his town. They had kept them safe and offered to transfer any that wanted back to Midgar. Lox had been given the choice and chose Midgar. He came to respect the SOLDIERs that had protected the kids and wanted to pay forward that kindness.

It also came out that Talin was the oldest in the group since he would be 19 in about six weeks. Kyle was obviously the baby of the group as normally you had to be 16 to become a Cadet.

It was getting late as the introductions wound down and Callian poked Talin in the ribs.

"We better get to bed. Classes are early and breakfast is even earlier."

"Ya, your right. OK guys, we can all talk more tomorrow, best get ready for lights out." Talin called out to the group and hopped down to go brush his teeth. It felt odd calling them to order, but something about being here made him feel bold enough to take charge. He was relieved when the unit listened and started getting ready for bed, hopping off bunks and heading to the bathroom or changing into nightclothes. Callian laughed at his surprise at being listened to.

"Keep that up, and you'll be in charge before you know it."

That night Talin lay in his bunk listening to the quiet breathing of the guys around him and wondered at Callian's words. He didn't really want to be in charge of anyone, but being listened to was definitely nice for once. The other thing on his mind was his markings. He didn't know if it was the right plan or not to reveal them but he wanted to. His unit had accepted him with open arms but they didn't know even a smidge about who he really was so it was going to be a shot in the dark. At least he had Callian. The other boy had been by his side since they got back to the unit, and had even pulled up his sleeve a bit when It slipped, hiding the action in a playful headlock as they were walking back to the bunk.

However tomorrow went, Talin knew he couldn't hide forever. Better face it now and deal with any consequences on his terms, instead of letting it come out by accident. Rolling over to his side and pulling the sleeves up again, he settled his thoughts. Tomorrow was the beginning of more than just a new quarter for Cadets at Shin-Ra. It was the first day Talin would stop hiding, whether the world was ready for him or not.