Author's Note: Hello my fellow readers! I'm feeling better than ever and the chest pain is gone (if you've read my note from my profile). I am officially done with college finals with a 3.4 GPA! A freakin 3.4 GPA! In addition, I have Final Fantasy 7 Dirge of Cerberus. I started playing the game yesterday and it was AWESOME! Anyways, I was reading this ... interesting manga called "Deadman Wonderland", and I came across this crazy scientist named Hagire Ranichiro. Then, it hit me, just my opinion, Hojo resembles like Hagire. One, because they do some crazy experiments! Two, they're just insane! *ahem* so anyways, enjoy chapter 4 of "Live". Reviews pretty please.
September 25th 0002
Time 9:00 am
Year 00XX
I can't sleep. There's no way I can get some sleep after the incident. I couldn't get it out of my head. Hearing his cries and begging us to stop will forever haunt me. To make things worse, Cloud started to act strange. And … those eyes. His eyes weren't the same color from the SOLDIERS infused with mako, but solid red. What did Hojo inject Cloud with? What was in that syringe that caused Cloud to change? As if, Cloud has started to become … a monster. This feeling of inside of me will not go away ... Fear.
~Timothy
SOLDIER Dormitory
Time 10:00 am
It had been a week since Cloud was sent to the hospital and Zack felt sick inside. His best friend Kunsel came over to visit, but Zack was not in the mood. Kunsel left Zack alone in his room and helped finish the assignments that Zack was supposed to do a week ago. Zack couldn't sleep. He has never seen Cloud in such terrible conditions after the mission last week.
*Flashback*
"Excellent work you two," Lazard said. "The Turks are investigating Hollander at the moment. The monsters you two found at Sector 8 are exterminated and no casualties. Cloud Strife, it is my honor to promote you to Second Class SOLDIER. Congratulations Cloud! You deserve it."
Zack starts to rejoice after hearing Cloud's promotion. "Way to go Cloud! You did it! You're in SOLDIER!"
Cloud couldn't believe it. He's now in SOLDIER. After all the training and missions as the infantryman, he finally became a SOLDIER. No words can ever describe how happy Cloud is.
Cloud quickly saluted. "Thank you so much sir!"
Lazard waved him off. "No need to be formal. You've earned it. Welcome to SOLDIER Cloud Strife."
Lazard extended his hand in front of Cloud as if congratulating him of his promotion. However, Zack watched in horror as Cloud started to sway. Then, Cloud's eyes rolled up and he started to collapse. Zack quickly caught Cloud in his arms before he came in contact with the floor.
"Cloud? Cloud! Wake up!" Zack exclaimed, trying to wake the unconscious SOLDIER.
"What's wrong with Cloud?" Lazard asked, the feeling of worry build up inside of him.
Zack placed his hand on Cloud's forehead, but quickly flinched from the heat sensation. "He's burning up! Call the hospital!"
Lazard pulled out his cellphone and dialed the Shinra Hospital. Cloud's breathing sounded raspy and uneven due to the effects of the fever. Zack removed his constricting uniform shirt so Cloud can get enough air as possible. However, the fever was getting worse and Cloud's skin turn pale.
"Hang in there Cloud," Zack said. "The hospital is on its way."
30 minutes has passed and the emergency crew including, Timothy, have arrived with the stretcher.
"What happened?" Timothy asked.
"It's Cloud," Zack replied placing Cloud gently on the stretcher. "Lazard just gave Cloud a promotion to Second Class SOLDIER then Cloud suddenly passed out. He's burning up and his condition is getting worse."
Timothy placed an oxygen mask on Cloud's face to help him breath easier. However, he noticed that the stain on Cloud's right arm was getting darker. Suddenly, his phone vibrated inside of his lab coat pocket. Timothy quickly pulled his cell phone from his pocket, reading a text that was sent from Hojo.
"Is he going to be okay?" Zack asked.
Timothy closed his cellphone. "We'll do whatever we can to help Cloud. "
Zack watched as Timothy and the emergency crew wheeled Cloud out of the SOLDIER Briefing Room. He wanted to follow them, but a hand touched his right shoulder. Turning around, he saw Lazard shaking his head.
"Don't worry Zack," Lazard said. "Like Timothy said, they'll do whatever they can to help Cloud. In the meantime, head back to your dorm and rest. I'll contact you later for any assignments I have left for you."
After Lazard left the Briefing Room, Zack's knee gave up and his found himself sitting on the hard floor. He have never seen Cloud so terribly sick. Never. With this feeling of worry boiling up inside of him, Zack's started feeling sick as well.
*End of Flashback*
"It's my fault that I let Cloud do the mission," Zack whispered to himself. "Some SOLDIER I am." He should've call Lazard before and canceled the mission after seeing Cloud's expression of pain. However, he was stupid enough to let Cloud handle it. Stupid to let Cloud push himself to the limit. Stupid. That's what he is. But, what can he do now? The only thing to do when feeling sick with worry was sleep.
Shinra Science Department (Hospital)
Time 10:45 am
Cloud had never been so tired. He reached up to his face to rub his sleepy eyes and felt something blocking his way. An oxygen mask. He doesn't remember having an oxygen mask placed on his face before. Suddenly, realization hit him. He was still in Shinra Hospital. The last thing Cloud remembered was being unconscious after receiving promotion as Second Class SOLDIER. In addition, he remembered laying on the hospital bed, surrounded by multiple doctors. And ... Hojo!
Hojo carried a syringe and injected the strange substance in his infected arm. In addition, the pain from his arm increased so much that he couldn't cope with it and fell unconscious again.
Suddenly, Cloud heard the open and found Timothy walking in.
"Ah, you're awake," Timothy said, placing a set of clothes by Cloud's bed. "How are you feeling today?"
"Still tired," Cloud responded, still weary from the effects of sleep. "How long was I asleep?"
Timothy gently removed Cloud's oxygen mask and the needle where the IV was connected. "You've been asleep for almost a week. The fever and geostigma you had before took quite a beating. I was able to inject some antibiotics to help boost your immune system. Before we release you Cloud Strife, I need to check your pulse and breathing."
After wrapping Cloud's arm from the IV with a bandage, Timothy grabbed a stethoscope from one of the medical drawers and places the diaphragm on Cloud's chest. After a few seconds, he then moved the diaphragm on Cloud's back.
"Well, it looks like your heart and lungs are in good condition once again," Timothy said putting the stethoscope away. "Let's see the condition on your arm."
However, when Timothy took one glance of Cloud's right arm, he noticed that the geostigma that was there last week was gone.
"The geostigma on your arm is gone," Timothy said, grabbing a clipboard from Cloud's bed and writing the status. "Guess I don't need to give you painkillers."
Cloud sighed in relief. "That's good. I guess the injection Hojo gave me last week worked."
Timothy barely heard his pencil snap. The injection Hojo gave him caused excruciating pain for Cloud ... plus a double-personality. How could Cloud not remember about the creation of his other self?
Timothy silently cleared his throat."All right then. Your new uniform is on your left. After you are done changing, come to The Training Room in 1 hour. Hojo will give you further instructions." And with that, Timothy left Cloud's room.
Cloud leapt out of the hospital bed and rushed to his new set of clothes. His new uniform. SOLDIER Second Class uniform. He hurriedly slipped his new SOLDIER uniform on and adjusted the shoulder pads on both of his shoulders. I'm a SOLDIER. Second Class. My mother will be so proud of me.
SOLDIER Training Room
Time 11:00 am
It was easy for Cloud to find the Training Room because most of the time he always see Zack spent a lot of time there. However, before Cloud was promoted SOLDIER, he wasn't permitted to enter inside. Only 1st-3rd Class SOLDIER were allowed. But now, Cloud has access to the Training Room like every other SOLDIER.
Taking a deep breath, Cloud entered inside of the Training Room. To his astonishment, researchers from the Shinra Science Department were already setting up preparations for Cloud's training session.
"Good morning Cloud!" Hojo shouted. "How are you today?"
"I feel better sir," Cloud replied. "I'm ready for today's training."
"Splendid. Just splendid. Preparations are complete. Cloud Strife, please proceed to the Training Room while I activate the holographic image."
Just before Cloud headed towards the entrance of the Training Room, Timothy quickly stopped him.
Timothy smiled at Cloud, giving him the SOLDIER sword. "You can't start your training without your new weapon."
Looking flabbergasted, Cloud grabbed the handle and held up the SOLDIER sword. It was identical to the sword Zack had when he was in 2nd class SOLDIER.
"Thank you," Cloud said.
"Cloud Strife, please proceed to the Training Room for the second time," Hojo demanded, feeling rather annoyed from the slight delay.
Cloud quickly rushed to the training room. Where, he found another SOLDIER with the same red uniform like Cloud. A 2nd class SOLDIER.
"You must be Cloud Strife right?" the SOLDIER asked extending his hand in front of Cloud. "I've heard of you. You're the guy that just got promoted as 2nd Class SOLDIER last week. Congratulations on your promotion. My name is Luxiere. Good luck with your training."
Cloud shook Luxiere's hand. "Thanks, you too."
"Let's begin. Activating the holographic image." Hojo said, typing the last set of codes.
Suddenly, the Training Room transformed into the green forest of Wutai. Cloud watched in awe at the beauty of the holographic image. So, that's how they create images for SOLDIERS in training. Amazing.
However, little did Cloud know that Luxiere slashed forward. In the nick of time, Cloud blocked his attack. Then, Luxiere changed his strategy, crouched down, and gave Cloud a low kick, causing Cloud to land on his back.
"Focus Cloud," Luxiere warned. "You can't be distracted especially when you're on missions."
"Sorry about that," Cloud replied, slowly getting back on his feet. "No more distractions."
Cloud leaped into the air and brought his sword crashing down on top of Luxiere. However, Luxiere's block was not sturdy enough and he stumbled.
Luxiere was impressed by Cloud's moves. "Not bad Cloud. Now it's my turn."
Just before Luxiere charged right towards Cloud, he notice that Cloud has stopped moving and even lowered his weapon.
"Cloud, are you okay?" Luxiere asked, poking the motionless Cloud.
"Luxiere, what is going on?" Timothy asked.
Just before Luxiere replied, Cloud evilly grinned.
"Heh."
SOLDIER Dormitory
Time 12:30 pm
Zack groaned in frustration after hearing his ringing cellphone for the fifth time. How can he get some sleep now? After the sixth ring, Zack lost his patience.
"YES!" Zack yelled. "Kunsel this better not be one of your phone pranks!"
"Zack, I just saw Cloud an hour ago," Kunsel replied.
Suddenly, Zack's eyes sprang open and he sat bolt upright. "Cloud? Is he all right?"
"He looked perfectly fine. I just saw him going to the SOLDIER Training-."
However, Kunsel was not able to finish his sentence after, Zack hung up the phone. Zack sighed with relief. Thank goodness Cloud's all right, I have to go and see him! Zack grabbed a change of clothes and rushed out of his dorm.
SOLDIER Training Room
Time 12:50 pm
Timothy watched in horror as Cloud started to beat Luxiere senseless. "Stop the training! Stop it now! Get the Paramedics!"
The holographic image of the Wutai forest vanished and dozens of infantrymen barged in and separated Cloud and Luxiere.
"Cloud, what is wrong with you? You're not supposed to brutally attack Luxiere!" Timothy demanded.
However, Cloud just laughed. "He's weak. I got bored when you gave me something this worthless."
Luxiere weakly looked up at Cloud, fear growing inside of him. That's not Cloud. Who is he?
Cloud looked down at his weak opponent and smirked. "You're boring."
Yep that's it for chapter 4. Here are some fact. Luxiere is based off the minor characters from Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core who is also a SOLDIER 2nd Class. Always looking up to Zack like a role-model. Perfect character choice for chapter 4. Buuuut, I guess it was kind of mean to have Cloud *or the double-personality of Cloud* beat the living daylights out of him. :P
Anyways, once again review :)