Cloud awoke with a jolt. He looked around and realized he was in his room? Oh. Right. He called Reno. The Turk must have brought him to Sephiroth's suite. The blond moved his way the living room, stomach snarling.
He came out to everyone waiting for him. Cloud paused as all eyes turned to him. Immediately he was pulled into a tight hug from Zack. Cloud returned the gesture feeling a little confused.
"I'm sorry." His mentor's voice shook.
"It's fine, Zack."
"No. It's really not. We didn't have to report to Lazard when he called us. Zack has his first strike." Angeal's voice was strained.
"A strike? For what?" Cloud frowned.
"Negligence. All SOLDIERs must have a buddy with them at their first mako injections. If there is a reaction, then they must continue to have someone with them until their bodies are well adjusted." Sephiroth explained, crossing his arms.
"If Zack gets another strike then he will be relieved as your mentor. And you will be assigned a new one." Angeal added.
"What? That's not fair! I don't want anyone else as my mentor!" Cloud struggled in the embrace, to which Zack let him go.
"Easy, Spike. It's not gonna happen. Calm down."
"But that was a simple mistake! I'm fine now, aren't I?" Cloud raised his voice.
"Because of your quick thinking." Sephiroth stated matter of fact. "What would have happened if you were out in the city? Or alone out in the field in a mission? If someone else were to find you, who knows if we ever see you again."
Cloud looked away as the severity of the situation hit him. Although he understood the reason behind the strike, he still didn't like it. The blond glanced at Zack, who looked like a kicked and abused puppy. The sight tugged at his chest.
"I don't blame you. It was a mistake. We didn't know I would be sensitive. You're still my mentor. I don't want anyone else."
Zack slowly nods. He was moved by Cloud's words. Even so the guilt ate away at his heart. This was something that will weigh heavy on his brain for a long while. Suddenly Cloud's stomach growled loud enough for all of them to hear.
"Is that normal?" Cloud asked, embarrassed at his stomach. "It feels like I haven't eaten in ages."
"Oh, yeah. Your appetite is going to be insane while your body adjusts to the mako. That's why we made triple the pizzas." Angeal gestured to the three amazing looking pizzas.
"You guys made pizza?" Cloud perked up with sudden interest. Quickly he grabbed himself a slice, and the atmosphere lightened. Whatever the injection did to him the scary part has passed.
Together they ate, feeling more at ease as they watched Cloud eat a whole entire pizza to himself. To their amazement he continued to finish half of a second one before getting full. As they watched a movie it was hardly unnoticed how fidgety Cloud was.
"Anxious? Or endless energy?" Angeal addressed as Cloud bounced a leg.
"I can't stop moving." The blond admitted.
"Oh sweet Goddess, he's just like the Puppy." Genesis remarked, not even looking up from his book.
"Wait until the hormones kick in. He might beat your record, Gen." Sephiroth smirked, enjoying the mixed reactions. Zack choked on his drink. Angeal patted his back. Cloud blushed deep red all over his face. Genesis glanced over the top of his book with a glare at the general.
"Good to know my record still holds."
"Guys! I don't need the mental image!" Cloud shook his head.
"Anyways," Angeal cleared his throat. "Zack, remember what we used to do when you were a ball of energy?"
"Oh, yeah! We would spar! I totally forgot! Hey, Cloud? Wanna head to the VR room? Get some of that energy knocked outta you?" Zack was excited at the idea.
"Can we? Even if it's after hours?" The blond shared his excitement.
"I'm First Class! We get access 24/7! Come on, let's go!" Zack pulled his pupil to his feet. "The rest of you are welcome to watch."
"As if we would miss out on this." Genesis closed his book to place it in his coat.
"I have yet to see him in action." Angeal followed the two spikey haired men out the door.
"You won't be disappointed." Sephiroth comments, taking up the rear with Genesis.
"You really think he will break my record?" Genesis whispered low enough for only the general will hear.
"Perhaps." There was a glint in his eyes as he spoke. Genesis scowled but said nothing more.
When they entered there was a Second Class SOLDIER fiddling with the controls of the VR room. He turned in surprise, only for his face to drop at the sight of them.
"Hey, you were the poor guy who Seph and Genesis had to kick out." Zack knew that face.
He couldn't forget the bushy black hair. Those kind yellow brown eyes with flecks of green from the mako. He stood perhaps about two inches shorter than Cloud. Although he didn't have a lot of muscle mass, his body was built for speed.
"And the one who helped me make the call to calm Sephiroth." Angeal added, recognizing him as well.
"Well, I'll be damned." Zack flashed a grin before presenting his hand. "I'm Zack!"
"Hawke. Levi Hawke. Do I have to leave?" He accepted the handshake, feeling a little nervous seeing all of Shinra's best together.
"Hmm. Actually, did you start yet?"
"Not yet, Sir." Hawke shook his head.
"Cut the 'Sir', the names Zack. Would you perhaps like to show my pupil here the ropes? A few rounds to spar? See, he's adjusting to the mako injections, so he's got endless energy right now. So why not we help each other out?"
Hawke studied the blond for a moment. Cloud wondered if he actually will. The idea of having the three strongest men in Shinra as an audience would be daunting. Then again he could also see an advantage. It would be Hawke's time to shine and perhaps get a little recognition.
"Permission to go all out?" Hawke looked at Zack again.
"After a few warm ups. I wanna see what I'm working with."
"Are there any restrictions?"
"No materia. We haven't gotten that far yet. This means no booster materias, either. Just straight talent."
Hawke removed all of his materia from his gear. Genesis offered to hold them for safe keeping. Reluctantly the Second Class handed them over. Genesis examined them with interest.
"I like your selection. Smart choices." The red commander comments. "And you've mastered them all? Interesting."
"Thanks, Sir." Hawke wasn't sure whether to be excited or nervous. Everyone knew of Genesis reputation.
"Okay, Angeal will you do the honors of the controls? Cloud, Hawke, let's do this!" Zack literally had a bounce with every step as he lead them into the VR room.
Angeal chose a forest setting. Zack worked out with then for the warm ups. The moment he decided were ready Zack backed away a distance while the two drew their swords.
"Start!" Zack exclaimed.
The first to attack was Hawke. He was a blur of speed as he leaped. In a slight panic Cloud rolls out of the attack. He made a swipe at the legs as he did. Hawke launches himself into the air in a roll. Unlike Cloud, who rolled close to the ground, Hawke was airborne.
They stood on their feet in the same instance. Adrenaline kicking Cloud lunged forward with a powerful strike. Hawke blocks, sparks flying from their swords at the impact. Cloud noticed how Hawke's body shook, straining to withstand the blow.
The blond aimed another strike, this time from the side. Hawke twirls his body, torso low to just centimeters below the opposing blade. A strong leg raised high for a kick at Cloud's face. The blond jerked back his head and his face barely missed the sword that reached for him.
Fortunately for Cloud, Hawke's arms couldn't quite reach with his underhanded swipe. And Hawke ended up spinning away to keep balance. Cloud stood where he was as he began to get a better understanding of his opponent.
Hawke was a bit of an acrobat. Having been under martial arts training from a young age, Cloud recognized the familiar stances and attacks. Hawke combined his SOLDIER training with his martial arts background. He understood why. While Hawke was strong, he was still at a disadvantage with his height. So he took what he learned and turned it into his advantage.
"Come on, Spike. Use that brain of yours. I know you see his strengths. Figure out his weakness." Zack encouraged in the background.
Cloud had a grasp on how to gain the upper hand. Corner Hawke, then overpower him. He already seen that he had the potential to be stronger. All he had to do was tap into his inner strength.
He closed his eyes, invisioning the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. His breathing evened out with the sound of the waves. Then he recalled that moment he sprang free of Sephiroth. As he did a surge of power coursed through him. Cloud opened his eyes and lunged.
Hawke backed away, sensing the change within his opponent. He grit his teeth with frustration as he realized what the plan was. He blocked each strike. As he did he changes the angle of the momentum so Cloud's sword is moved to the side. This preserves Hawke's energy while the blond is forced to spend more in order to raise his sword again for a strike.
With growing frustration Cloud increases his speed. After each attack that failed, his movements went faster with the next. Even though he was a speed demon himself, Hawke was beginning to have some difficulty. For the first time in a long while Hawke felt the taste of possible defeat.
And suddenly something awoke in him. The need to survive. Having growing up in the worst part of the Slums, Hawke was forced to thrive in a world where only the strongest survived. But he had an advantage. His cunning. And combined with the will to survive Hawke had climbed his way out of the Slums and signed up for Shinra.
It had been years since he felt like this. He had grown too lazy with the easier life on top of the plate. Too at ease with his own strength and speed that he didn't think of pushing himself harder. Improve himself for the better in order to finally graduate into First Class. The goal was always within reach, and yet far away at the same time.
Hawke saw another advantage as he reverted to dodging. Cloud had a madness in him. The result of trauma, the need to survive and win. However, he had yet to fully control it. Hawke tapped into his own inner strength and suddenly his body was near invisible even to the audience.
Cloud paused, snapping out of his fury. Suddenly Hawke was everywhere, striking from all sides. Cloud clumsily tries his best to block and deflect. He relied heavily on his hearing in order to guess where the next attack came from.
Suddenly the opposing sword struck and with a twist Cloud was disarmed. At the same moment there was a sweeping kick that forced his knees to buckle. With a surprised yell Cloud was on the ground on his back. He opens his eyes to first see the sword inches away from his throat. Hawke stood over him breathing heavily.
There was a wild look in his eyes that sent shivers down Cloud. Something was different with Hawke. Although he might not be at the same level as Sephiroth, there was still a sense of kinship.
"I should thank you. You made me realize what I need to do in order to achieve my goals." Hawke lowered his weapon. "To think, it had to be you to make me feel that rush again."
"That was a little underhanded, don't you think?" Cloud asked as he accepted the offered hand to stand up. He earned a soft laugh.
"I grew up in the Slums. You learn very quickly not all fights are fair. If there's ever an opportunity you take it, no matter the risk. Sometimes that opportunity becomes the only difference between life or death."
"I'll keep that in mind." Cloud hadn't thought of it like that.
"You doing okay, Spike?" Zack approached, still in awe in what just happened.
"Yeah. I think I got all the excess energy out." At his words Angeal deactivated the VR system.
"Okay, good. Say, Hawke, if we ever need someone to train with, and you have time, can we call you?" Zack saw an opportunity with this.
"Sure." Hawke exchanged their numbers, collected his materia, and left.
"I usually have high standards. But he just might be the perfect candidate to mentor." Genesis comments when Hawke was gone, earning stares.
"You said and I quote, I will never mentor anyone I don't have the time." Angeal couldn't help it. He sent his childhood friend a look.
"I haven't come to a decision yet." The red commander shrugs.
"So, Cloud. What have we learned?" Zack turned to his pupil.
"...I still need to work on controlling my anger." Cloud admits.
"There was improvement. I don't expect you to master it immediately. You did good up until you got frustrated you couldn't land any blows. So the next thing we gotta work on is patience. A good fight doesn't have to end quickly."
"Look at you, you sound just like Angeal." Genesis remarked with a scoff.
"Like mentor, like pupil." Sephiroth adds with mirth in his voice. "Let's call it a night."
"If it's all right with you guys, I think it's about time I return to my own suite. Cloud can stay with you if he wants, Seph. I'll swing by first thing in the morning." Zack pats the blond's shoulder affectionately.
"Yeah. I wanna stay with Sephiroth if he'll have me." Cloud looked up at the general with hopeful eyes.
"Of course, Cloud." Sephiroth smirks.
