Oh my darling sister. You've reviewed my story. I'm so happy The only problem is... you used some stupid font that makes it practically impossible for me to read! (Sigh) Dumbass.... Well anyways, I see y'all are happy with that little bit of fluff for y'all. Got lots of feedback for that, surprisingly. LOL If I knew that having them kiss would get me a lot of reviews I would of done it a bunch of times.... actually I probably wouldn't lol. Heeheehee, it looks like Cloud and Yuffie are going to have a happy ending huh? Heeheehee, yea we'll just have to wait and see, won't we? Ah.. I just love messing with everyone's minds.
Disclaimer- (Walks in with a big grin on his face.)
Malice- (Looks at Z.A.G. weirdly) What are you so happy about?
Die stole my plans. And I don't remember them, so I can't take over squaresoft yet.
Malice- (Raises an eyebrow) And you're happy why?
Well side from the way she was able to get them heh heh... I happen to have a trick up my sleeve, one she didn't even notice. (Walks over to a mechanical screen looking thing and turns it on) This is a map of the planet.
Malice- (Walks over and looks at the screen) So?"
(Grins and holds up a small remote) I hid a very small tracking device on Die so when I click this button here (Points to red button) A red dot will appear on the screen showing us where she is.
Malice- Where did you hide the tracking device?
(Scratches his head and laughs as his face turns bright red.)
Malice- (Shakes head) Never mind I probably don't want to know.
(Laughs) Now we will find out where she's hiding! (Clicks the button.. nothing shows up on the screen. Clicks the button again with the same results) Grr... piece of SH! (Throws the remote into a wall breaking it and walks out)
Malice- He's got issues.
Chapter 54- Let My Heart Go
"This must be the place." Zack says as he gazes into the strange abandoned city. The City of the Ancients, a place where the Cetra had once settled. The whole place seems abandon, not a living soul anywhere in the area. Not even the spirits of the Ancients are in the city. Zack looks at the fork in the road, he can go left, right, or straight ahead. Zack gazes down the path in front of him, it leads deep into a dead forest. As unappealing as the path looks, Zack chooses to take that path first. With the Buster Sword sheathed at his back, he walks down the path. He walks into the dead forest and looks around as he walks into it, the path is dark since the sunlight can't pass through the tops of all the trees. His gaze returns out in front of him, he can see an light at the end of the path, telling him that there's a clearing up ahead.
His steady pace increases as he gets closer to the end of the path. He steps out of the forest and stares at the small pond in the clearing. The water is crystal clear, and looks as if it's shinning with the little bit of sunlight reflecting off the surface of the water. Zack walks closer and stops near the edge of the pond, 'This must be it.' He thinks to himself. Reaching over his shoulder, he unsheathes the Buster Sword, he jams the tip of the blade into the ground, making it stand on its own. He collapses down to his knees, his hands gripping the hilt of the sword. He hangs his head a bit as he stares at the center of the pond.
"Aerith..." Zack calls out her name. "I'm...sorry. I sorry I haven't visited sooner. I'm sorry for leaving for that mission, leaving you in Midgar. I'm sorry I couldn't return in time. I wasn't there for you like I said I was. I promised I'd protect you when we first met, do you remember?"
A teenager walks through the slums, his eyes scanning the area in fascination. The slums of Midgar reminds him so much of Gongaga on the central continent. 'Wow... this place is a dump.' Zack thinks to himself, 'I hope the Shin-Ra Headquarters isn't like this.' Zack is fifteen, and on his way to train to become a SOLDIER, he wants to make something of himself and get out of his rundown hometown. With his father's Buster Sword as his only item he brought with him form home. He is certain that he'll be able to become a SOLDIER one day, all he has to do is work hard.
Zack grins towards a couple of women as he passes by them. One of them asks if he'd like them to show him a good time. Although this is Zack's first time in a city, he was warned about the temptations in a city by adults back home. Zack turns his head away and walks away, ignoring the women. He has better things to do then pay to have sex with women who obviously have been touched by more men then he'd like to know. He glances to the side as he passes an old church, it's a bit surprising to see a church in a place like this. He figured there isn't anyone religious in a city like Midgar. Zack walks pass the church as he continues to find his way to the upper plates. He won't admit it to anyone but he's completely lost. There's so many twists and turns in the slums that he can't find his way out of them.
A scream alerts Zack that something's wrong. He quickly runs over to where the scream came from. He runs around a large pile of junk a stops as he sees what's going on. A group of three muggers have a girl around his age cornered. They're advancing on her, daggers in their hands. The girl screams for help again. "HEY!" Zack yells out, gaining the attention of the muggers. "Leave her alone." Zack warns.
"Who the hell are you!?" One of the muggers asks.
Zack narrows his eyes, "I'm the one that's going to kick your asses if you don't leave." Zack threatens. The muggers each exchange looks before they start laughing. Zack smirks as he slowly unsheathes his massive sword. The muggers stop laughing as they watch Zack pull out the massive blade. Zack holds it out in front of him, showing them that he's ready to fight them if they try anything. Sweet drips down his forehead as he holds up the heavy sword. The muggers stand where they are, starring at Zack as they debate on what to do. Unable to handle the weight of the Buster Sword any longer, he lowers it so the blade is resting on the ground, making it easier to hold.
The muggers laugh at Zack again as they notice him struggling to hold up the massive blade. Obviously the boy isn't used to handling such a weapon. "You think you can beat us? You can't even handle that weapon properly, let alone lift it." One mugger says as he continues to laugh at Zack.
Zack laughs embarrassed as he glances over to the girl he's suppose to be saving. His blue eyes lock onto her emerald ones. She's looking at him pleadingly but still has a small amused grin across her lips as she watches Zack attempt to lift the sword back up. Zack turns his gaze back to the muggers and narrows his eyes. He lifts the Buster Sword back up and rests it on his shoulder for support, "So are you guys going to leave or am I going to have to beat you?" Zack asks.
The muggers smirk as they split up and surround Zack, their daggers drawn. "We'll just have to teach this boy not to get into other people's business." The mugger in front of him says. Zack gives a quick glance to his right then to his left, trying to keep all his opponents in his sight. The mugger on his right suddenly runs towards him. With all his strength, Zack swings his massive sword. The swing is slow and sluggish, giving the mugger enough time to jump back, out of the sword's way. The weight of the sword causes Zack to spin on his feet until the sword hits the ground. The muggers laugh at him again.
Zack grits his teeth as he lifts the sword up again and resting it on his shoulder again. The mugger in the center nods his head towards the one on the right. The girl watching the fight sighs in disappointment, "You should just leave before you end up getting hurt." The girls calls out.
Zack blinks in surprise as he glances over to the girl. Although what she said made him feel less of himself he gives her a big grin. "And leave you here? No way. I'll protect you. I promise." Zack says as the mugger on the right advances on him. Seeing the mugger out of the corner of his eye, he quickly turns into the mugger's direction as swings down at the mugger. His opponent jumps back as the sword hits the ground. The mugger in the center smirks as he sees the blade hit the ground. The mugger advances on Zack before he gets the chance to lift the sword back up.
Zack smirks as he sees the mugger charge at him, dagger held up preparing to stab him. 'They think I can only fight with a sword eh?' Zack thinks to himself. Before the mugger gets close enough to stab him, he drops the sword and charges at the Mugger. He jumps into the air and performs a roundhouse kick. His boot crashes into the surprised mugger's face, making the mugger fall to the ground.
"Boss!? You alright?" One of the muggers calls out to the their boss.
Their boss sits up and spits blood onto the ground, "The little bastard has steel toe boots on." Boss says.
Zack grins and scratches the back of his head, "So are you going to leave now?" He asks friendly, much to the boss's annoyance.
The boss picks up his dagger and stands back up. He glares at Zack, "Attack!" He yells. The other two muggers charge at Zack as their boss tries to stab Zack with his dagger. Zack ducks and kicks the boss's feet out from under him. As the boss falls, Zack rolls off to the side, evading the two daggers that would of been stabbed into his back. Zack runs back over to his discharged weapon and props it back up on his shoulder. The muggers exchange a look before advancing on him again. Zack begins to swing the massive sword, making it look like he's going to try and attack the mugger in the middle. The boss jumps back before the attack hits him as the other two muggers dash at Zack.
As he swings his sword downwards, Zack turns to the left at the last instant and slashes the mugger down his chest and stomach. The mugger immediately drops to the ground, blood rushing out of his body and painting the dirt with his blood. "You bastard!" The other mugger yells as he dashes at Zack. Zack looks over his shoulder as the mugger runs dashes towards him. Zack glances to the Buster Sword in his hand, in a desperate move he throws the sword over his shoulder. The mugger's eyes widen in surprise as the sword is hurled towards him. He let's out a choked scream as the Buster Sword impales him through the chest. Blood trails out of the mugger's mouth and around the Buster Sword as he falls dead on his side.
Zack turns his gaze back towards the boss. The boss glances to the two dead lackeys and at the huge sword impaled through the other mugger's chest. The last mugger returns his gaze to Zack and smirks as he pulls out another dagger. 'Guess he's not going to retreat.' Zack thinks to himself as he drops down to a defensive stance. The boss runs at him and swings his daggers at Zack, forcing him to jump back to evade the boss's daggers.
The mugger's eyes narrow in frustration as all his strikes are evaded. He surprises Zack when he suddenly throws one of the daggers at him. Zack gives a short cry of pain as the dagger imbeds itself into his right side. The mugger smirks as he slashes at Zack again, cutting Zack's arm. Blood runs down Zack's arm and drips to the ground. The surviving mugger attempts to stab Zack in the chest, Zack ignores the pain in his arm and side as he grabs hold of the mugger's wrist, stopping the dagger from stabbing him in the chest. Zack quickly spins around and throws the mugger over his shoulder. The mugger lands on his back, the force knocking the wind out of him. Zack quickly grabs hold of the dagger in his side and pulls it out, wincing a bit in pain. He raises the dagger up and stabs down.
The mugger's eyes widen in shock as the dagger is jammed through his throat. The muggers body twitches as blood mouthfuls of blood run out of his mouth. Zack pulls the dagger out of the muggers neck, letting the blood run gush out of the opening. He tosses the dagger to the side and stands straight up. He place his left hand on his right side as he walks over to his sword. After pulling the sword out of the dead mugger's chest he sheathes it on his back and walks over to the girl that he just risked his life in saving.
The girls keeps her face covered with her hands, she doesn't want to see the outcome of the battle. She's been like that after the boy killed the first mugger. "Um... It's over." She hears the boy say in front of her.
The girl slowly moves her hands off her face and locks eyes with the boy who saved her. The boy gives her a goofy little grin as she stares at the boy. Her bright emerald eyes gaze down to the blood soaking the side of his dark blue shirt. "You're hurt!" She exclaims before jumping to her feet.
Zack grins a bit, "Yea well, it's not half as bad to what I did to the muggers." He says laughing.
The girl remains silent as she plays with her dress, keeping her gaze to the ground, "Thank you.. for saving me." She says shyly.
"Hey anytime. Like I promised, I'll protect you." Zack says a bit embarrassingly as he realizes how corny that sounds.
A faint blush colors the girls cheeks as she gives a small smile, "My name is Aerith." The girls says.
"Aerith? That's a pretty name." Zack says, making Aerith blush again. Zack gives a grin, "My names Zack. I'm on my way to join SOLDIER."
Aerith nods her head, "That explains why you're carrying a weapon like that around."
Zack nods wincing a bit from his wounds. "I'd love to talk with you more but I'm afraid I'm only a few seconds from passing out from blood loss." He says. Aerith blinks a bit in confusion before Zack collapses on the ground.
Aerith quickly kneels at Zack's side, "Are you alright?" She asks worriedly.
"I don't.. feel so good." Zack responds with a groan.
Aerith frowns before she grabs one of Zack's hands and begins dragging him towards her house. "Mom's going to kill me for bring a boy home." She says jokingly.
Zack laughs a bit at the memory as tears threaten to spill from his eyes. After that day he had started teaching Aerith about self defense so she could protect herself when he's not around. He remembers how quickly their relationship grew. When he wasn't training for SOLDIER he was with her. When he finally became a SOLDIER he had to do a few small missions until he worked his way up and became a SOLDIER First-Class. That's when he got his first big mission, he was going to Nibelheim with Sephiroth.
Zack hangs his head, "I never should of excepted that mission. I was going to ask you something before I left but decided to wait until I got back. That decision took away the chance that I had with you."
"Do you have to go Zack?" Aerith asks again for what seems like the twentieth time.
Zack had told Aerith about the mission to Nibelheim he was assigned. It would cause him to leave Midgar for a few months. As much as he wants to stay here with Aerith he still needed to go. It's his first big mission since he became a First-Class SOLDIER. He'll get paid a lot of money if he went on this mission. Zack sighs as he stars at the swing set across the old playground from his spot on top of the moogle slide. "I need to go on this mission. Sephiroth and another friend of mine are assigned to this mission too."
Aerith frowns as she lays her head on Zack's shoulder. Zack gives a sad smile. His shoves his hands into his pockets, his fingers plays around with the small gold band in his pocket. "How long have we've know each other Aerith?" Zack asks suddenly.
"Two years, three months, and seventeen days." Aerith replies with a giggle.
Zack blinks in surprise and raises an eyebrow, "You've been keeping count?" He asks a bit amused and a bit weird out.
Aerith smiles nodding her head. Zack laughs a bit, "Ok then how long have we been going out?" He asks amused.
Aerith smiles a bit, "Fifteen months tomorrow." She responds a bit quietly. "Do you have to go Zack?" She asks again.
Zack groans in disbelief and lays down onto his back, "Why must you keep asking that? I'll be back." Zack reassures her.
"But what if something happens?" Aerith asks.
"Oh come on, nothing's going to happen to you. And if something did, you can take care of yourself." Zack says.
"No... what if something happens to you?"
Zack blinks a bit, not expecting that question. He grins as he scratches the back of his head, "I highly doubt something will happen to me. Sephiroth is going to be there and he's practically invincible."
Aerith frowns a bit, "I'm going to miss you." She says sadly.
Zack leans over and gives her a quick kiss, "I'll miss you too." Aerith gives him a small smile. "I have a surprise for you when I get back." Zack says as he stands up. Aerith gives him a confused look before standing up. "I have to leave now." Zack informs her.
Aerith throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly, never wanting to let go because once she does, Zack will be gone. Zack smiles sadly and returns her embrace. He rests his cheek against the top of Aerith's head, "I love you Aerith." Zack says softly.
Aerith tightens her hold on him, "I love you too.... tell Sephiroth I said goodbye."
Zack nods his head and breaks away from the embrace. "I'll be back before you know it." Zack says before jumping down to the ground.
"I'll be waiting." Aerith replies.
Zack nods his head, after staring at her for a moment longer he takes off as fast as he can.
Zack sighs, "I didn't return in time." He says before standing back up. He unhooks the necklace off around his neck. He slides the gold ring hanging from the necklace into his hands. He looks into the pond, "I didn't get a chance to give you the surprise I promised." He looks at the ring that rests on the palm of his hand. "I was going to ask you to marry me when I got back. I was so excited when I finally made it to your house. Then I found your mother crying across the table, she told me that you were killed."
Zack closes his hand around the ring, "I still feel the same when I found that out. I.... thought that Tifa could perhaps heal my torn heart. As close as we are... I can't bring myself to love her. I can't forget about you." Zack let's the tears fall freely from his eyes, "My heart won't let go of you." Zack pauses as he wipes his eyes with his sleeves. He gives a small smile as he open his hand and looks down at his hand, "I want you to have this. It was going to be yours anyway." He said before tossing the ring into the pond. He stands there for a minute longer before pulling the Buster Sword out of the ground. He smiles a bit as he looks out into the pond, "I visit again some time. I promise, and this promise I'll keep." He says as he sheathes his sword at his back.
Taking a deep breath, Zack turns around ready to walk away. He jumps back a bit, unsheathing his Buster Sword. His eyes narrow, "What the hell are you doing here?" Zack demands.
Vain walks out from the shadows and gives a smile, "Why I'm just enjoying the scenery." He answers.
"Tell me the truth!" Zack shouts.
The smile on Vain's face drops as he walks closer to Zack. "What if I said I came here to offer you a deal?"
"I'm not interested in any kind of deal you have." Zack replies.
Vain crosses his arms and smirks, "Really? I'm sure you'll find this one quite tempting." Zack doesn't say anything. Vain turns around, "If you follow me you can see the deal itself." Zack stands in his spot as he watches Vain walk into the strange looking house next to the pond. After a moment of thought, Zack sheathes his sword and follows. After all, there's no harm in finding out what kind of deal Vain wants to make.
Zack follows Vain as they walks up the spiral staircase in the house. Vain stops and turns to face a statue of a large fish. Zack raises an eyebrow but doesn't say anything. Vain mummers a few words and the statue disappears, in its place is a crystal staircase. Vain glances over to the surprised swordsman and smirks, "It's this way." Vain says before walking down the crystal staircase.
Zack follows Vain cautiously. His eyes widen in fascination as he around at all the buildings and large crystals around the area, "What is this place?" Zack asks in awe.
"It's the Forgotten City. This is actually the real City Of The Ancients. What you saw on the surface is just a cover up the Ancients created to throw off their enemies." Vain says, proud of the knowledge he possesses.
Zack brows lower in thought, "How did you know I was here anyway?"
Vain smirks as they reach the bottom of the stairs, "My base is on this continent. I saw the ship pull into the shore of Bone Village." He explains as he leads them out of the small building at the bottom of the stairs and down a few more stairs. He turns around to Zack, "The proposition I'm offering is with her." Vain points behind his back with a thumb.
Zack's gaze follows in the direction Vain is pointing. His eyes fall on an alter that's lit by some unseen source of light. But the alter is not what Zack is focusing on. It's the person laying on the floor of the alter. Zack's eyes widen, "AERITH!" Zack jumps off the rest of the steps and quickly climbs to the alter. He runs up the steps of the alter towards Aerith. He crashes face first into an invisible barrier. Zack quickly jumps to his feet and pulls the Buster Sword out, he begins slashing at the barrier trying to break through it.
"That won't work." Vain calls out.
Zack quickly turns around, just remembering Vain is there, "What are you doing with her body!" Zack shouts angrily.
Vain smirks, "This is my proposition, I have the power to bring back the dead, do as I ask and I'll consider bringing the girl back to the land of the living."
Zack glances over to Aerith, 'She looks the same as I remember her.' Zack thinks to himself. Her body doesn't look like it was decomposing since she died, her body was somehow preserved the way it was. Zack's brows lower in anger, as much as the offer was tempting, he won't help the enemy. Zack jumps off the alter back down to where Vain is, "Forget it. As much as I want it to happen I won't help an enemy for something that I want." Zack replies before brushing passed Vain.
Vain smirks, "All you have to do is bring your friends here." Zack stops walking but doesn't turn around, "Think of it like this. The girl's life ended short. Doesn't she deserve a chance to live her whole life? This proposition is more for her then it is you. There's no shame in that is there?"
Zack's eyes narrow, "I won't betray my friends." Zack says.
Vain gives a short laugh, "Betray? All I said was to bring them here. They'll eventually be coming here anyway. I'm just having you make their progress faster. It's not betrayal if it was something that was going to happen anyway."
"Well I don't even know where they are right now so you're out of luck." Zack says before heading back up the stairs.
"They're heading back to Comos Canyon." Vain calls out. Zack doesn't stop, he just keeps walking away. Vain smirks as he looks at Aerith's body on the alter, "I'll be waiting." Vain yells to Zack.
Heeheeheee... bet y'all saw this coming. Heh heh. Sorry that I didn't go back to AVALANCHE but I wanted to write this. Will Zack except Vain's offer? Or will he decline? Only time will tell. Ah... I love doing stuff like this. Heh heh heh. OH! Before I forget. Is there any artists out there who are willing to make pictures based off this story? I don't care what you draw as long as it's something from the story. I want to make a website and post them up and stuff. Once I figure out how to make a website that is lol. I'm kind of dumb when it comes to that kind of stuff. Well anyways, review y'all! TTNC!