Simply the Thing I Am, Shall Make Me Live

Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1.

Author' s Note: Fixed this chapter due to mixed posting between different fics. Sorry about that.

As usual...

Enjoy~!

~ Chapter 4: Time Crisis Chaos ~

On a Boat towards the Eastern Continent, Early September 0007

There's a valid reason why I hate time paradoxes. It's that butterfly effect that really screws up on what was to happen, what shouldn't happen, and what didn't happen because of the changes made. It makes everything so damn confusing it's no wonder it can make people go mad. And speaking of time paradoxes, yup, it's already started.

I felt really, really stupid I didn't realize sooner.

After waking up with my bones creaking that morning thanks to the resident puppy's hug the night before, I managed to have a somewhat causal conversation with Zack on where he's been with Cloud on his back. I know I've been following him around the place, but I wanted to know what it was like from his point of view. He was vague with the details, but I have a clear idea what happened. Something bothered me though.

During one mission, Ryan had commented how weird it was. He mentioned something changed.

Back then, I didn't pay mind to it, too focused in getting rid of some nobody Turks (those who I know aren't apart of the FFVII games like in Before Crisis). My friend mentioned that somehow Zack, without going to Gongaga knew about Genesis' appearance at Banora from Cissnei. So how did that happen when they never met? I got my answers then when Zack took out something...

Goddamn it! He still had his freaking PHS ONLINE!

And here I call myself a tech geek. I feel like I want to bang my head on a wall somewhere over and over. Man, I wouldn't deny it; I would call myself an epic failure for not realizing earlier. No wonder the infantry people got to Zack before the Turks in Crisis Core! He didn't realize he held a homing beacon with him all this time. Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! It was another reason why at this moment we were on a speed boat me and Ryan had rented, but I turned the motor off. For now, we were floating silently in the waters with the sun mocking us from above. Not that I wanted a storm to come by anyways.

Cloud was asleep on the couch of the cabin we were in that housed the small speed boat as well as the navigation quarters. Zack by the way, was giving me a wary look considering it was his personal PHS that was in my hand.

It was a ShinRa issued one for SOLDIERs, and with a company issued one, there was bound to be some sort of GPS system tracker in it. The sole reason why the ShinRa infantry got to him first and not Tseng in Crisis Core. At this moment when Zack is still on the run, there were complications amongst the Turks themselves. Tseng would have come to get Zack, but due to internal problems, he sent Cissnei. But since Cissnei never showed up, I wondered where she was. I had a bad feeling I sped up the timeline somehow.

Good or bad, I'll deal with it later. I need to focus and make sure we don't have a target lock on us.

"You're not going to break it are you?" Zack hopefully asked for what perhaps was the dozenth time that day.

I don't blame him if it was his connection on what was happening in ShinRa, but I inwardly was asking whether he was sane or not; he kept a marker on himself. Using puppy eyes with Mako somehow helps. I had the urge to fall for them, but my logical mind kicked in to be professional.

"No." I replied curtly. Yet I pointed out the cons. "You keep this thing's original settings and inner workings, and you have ShinRa people with a tag on you no matter where you go. Since you don't want to throw it away, we'll be making modifications at sea. That way if your signal is dead to them, ShinRa just might think they lost you at sea, or they could come here searching for you giving us time to head off somewhere else."

"You know how the tracking system works?"

I nod. "I may not look like it, but I do take machinery, compounding, and alchemy specializations for Item Creation. You'll still receive messages, but they won't know where it went." I pointed to Flux who was by the steering wheel of the ship. "I created Flux's internal AI for tracking and internal technical GIS system if that makes you comfortable."

"You're the guy for the job then." He seemed to finally agree on it and gave a thumbs up.

Crossing his arms at the back of his head, he laid down on the floor as I opened the PHS with micro screws to get to the part I needed to replace in terms of hardware. I knew what would happen next. Knowing Cloud was asleep, that left me as the other sole person who was wide and awake. Zack no doubt is the kindest guy you could meet, but that also meant he loved to talk a lot. I might as well get talkative too if I was going to be able to help him out.

"So Issac, where are you from?"

"Costa del Sol for the last three years, before that... it's complicated." I said deliberately wistful on the last subject. Zack eyed at me silently, but shrugged it off thinking that everyone had their own secrets. Something I was glad for.

"Hmm. So, where are you heading off next after you help me and Cloud get to the coast? Any ideas?"

"Yeah, I have a promise to keep." I answered easily as now I reached to the main motherboard of his PHS. "Meeting up with my friends Rika and Ryan, but I haven't heard from them for some time. Ryan's the same guy I mentioned to you who made the Mako de-toxin, fellow item creator and all. The guy has total knack for creating stuff. Impulsive guy, but he's still a great friend to count on." Being vague but telling the truth had its merits. I was feeling talkative myself at that moment as I worked so might as well use it as a bonding time.

Zack seemed to smile on what he heard but it was obvious he wanted to know more. "So who's Rika? Your girlfriend?"

I give him incredulous look. "No, more of a sister I adopted since she's Ryan's twin sister. He'd probably put poison he made himself in my food if I ever thought of dating her."

That earned a laughter from the black spiky hero.

I shrugged. "Rika's an Item creator too, she's good with cooking, writing, and craft. Although she beats me by a hundred years in alchemy, synthesizing, and compounding."

Alteration Symbol and its perks... Rika had it lucky like Ryan did.

I have a good hand for making weapons a.k.a. the Blacksmith specialization, but it just didn't settle with me if they were used by bad people. Heh. I didn't like that my Destruction Symbol made me only a true expert at mostly making stuff that can destroy others. It was better I kept it quiet. I wouldn't mind making some for the AVALANCHE crew later, but in the meantime I avoided making any at all. I did install a few features that only Flux had, but I'll keep the surprises low for now.

"So, if you're quitting SOLDIER that means you're out of a job right? You got anything in mind you want to do for a living?"

At this, Zack smirked and heaved himself up from his lying position to sit with his legs crossed. It's amazing that his knee is bendable now, although still bandaged. Having Mako in your veins works wonders. "Me and Cloud talked it over, we thought of making a mercenary service of sorts."

"Like a detective agency?" I asked jokingly.

I ignored the part where he said about talking it over with Cloud since I think he did it so Cloud would recover more quickly. Ryan had mentioned to me before that when you keep talking to comatose or patients with serious head cases, it was one of the best ways to help their recovery. I was surprised though that Zack mentioned it now (not like in Crisis Core where they were near Midgar)... but then again I have changed the timeline by having Zack in the boat with me.

Zack laughed waving it off. "Naw, not like that! More of like jack of all trades."

"So you'll do a bit of everything depending on whoever hires you?"

He nods with a reply. "As long as it follows a code of honor." Zack's eyes seem to drift into a sad look at that.

But just as I was about to cheer him up, the ex-SOLDIER stood up quickly, and headed over to Cloud. I wasn't sure what was up, but since he had enhanced hearing he must have heard his friend.

A new muffled hoarse voice came to my ears. "...Z-Zack?"

"Cloud! You're finally awake! Thank Gaia you're awake!" Zack exclaimed as he hugged his friend, but this time he was careful controlling his strength.

I smiled at the happy reunion from afar, still with Zack's PHS in bits and pieces in my hand. Since he was busy with Cloud now, I might as well concentrate what needed to be done to his PHS. For a flip phone it wasn't as complex as I expected it to be. It's a model you'd expect in the early 2000s. Hmm... I might as well throw a battery saver enhancer for the fun of it. I had time to kill with Zack now getting some food for the hungry ex-infantryman. Seeing him finally awake was more than enough to get me into a good mood.

At the back of my mind, I wondered how Ryan was doing.

.

.

Quadra Magic Materia Cave, Mideel Continent, Early September 0007

Today of all days, was NOT Ryan's lucky day.

The brunette cursed as he barely avoided a blow from a large behemoth king's paw, swiping at him as he carried (dragged would be more like it) the weight of another man.

Fuck. This thing is a level 41 monster! I'm like what? A level 5 or something? Probably lower.

"You know, item creator. You can just leave me here. I won't be a bother for you any longer and you can run out of this alive."

Glaring at his current 'patient', with a heave he kept on dragging with him Genesis whose body was in a state of paralysis.

Just what I needed at a time like this. A dead weight post trauma patient who is suicidal.

Well, it wasn't like Genesis would let go of his depression after suffering degradation that easily.

Upon taking the other man's request to see the sun for a brief moment, Ryan now grudgingly regretted it - maybe he should have denied Genesis' request because in his current state he was food for monsters. They never should have left the Materia cave.

Eve was shooting some laser bullets through her internal pistol that was sheathed out . However, the behemoth king's focus was on them, plainly knowing what would be the tastier snack. Genesis' wing sticking out of his bare back wasn't helping getting the monster 's attention on Eve. Must have mistaken the ex-Commander as a black chocobo. Thank the Goddess, his Golden Chocobo was out for a meal somewhere and should be back by sunset.

"You're not really helping," Ryan retorted with gasps. "Just shut up, so I can get you to safety!"

Genesis' voice was bitter. "Safe? Why would you want to save a man who's already dead?"

"You're NOT DEAD!" His safe keeper grumbled and muttered under his breath, "How many times I told you that you're alive?"

"Then perhaps I'm better off asleep and left alone to ponder the things I've done, to atone them." The other man replied with a sneer.

The brunette item creator snorted, "Like hell that would bring anything good out of it."

Great, he was intent on being another Vincent Valentine.

Spotting the cave, Ryan gave it his all to reach it. Being out in the open wasn't exactly going to get him any sort of safety. He knew better than going against that sort of monster, as his strength was nowhere near what it needed to be to beat one by himself. The ex-SOLDIER with him was apparently useless for that time being. Fuck. He needed a plan to get out of this! No way he was going to die like this!

Finally reaching to the cave, he pulled the older soldier inside, laid him on the far end wall with Eve guarding him. Then, Ryan took out his weapon and shifted it into trident mode running towards the entrance. Charging up his lightning Materia, he shot out Thundara at the behemoth. No reaction, except he was making the monster angrier. Avoiding more swipes of the frenzied monster, he was starting to get pushed back to where Genesis laid.

Eve hovered worriedly as she was debating with herself, as she was on orders to keep protecting Genesis. She decided to hold her guard and focused on releasing a powerful shield in case of an impending attack.

Laying on the wall his limbs moving without no more than a twitch, Genesis laughed with bitterness as the younger man who was so intent on saving him had no chance to stand against a monster that even SOLDIERs would have problems dealing with.

The auburn man wondered why this item creator by the name of Ryan was so insistent on saving him. Even if the Goddess was merciful enough to stop his degradation, the fact he still had his wing still made him a monster. During his recovery he had summoned it to his will, and managed to retract to his back somehow if his mental power was enough. It was a proof that he could never be like anyone else. Just a result of an another horrific experiment.

Genesis watched in despair as Ryan lost his concentration for a second. The younger man didn't have enhanced abilities like the ex-SOLDIER did... and at that moment of weakness, there was a resounding crack throughout the cave.

The weapon in the item creator's hand twirled in the air, and fell with a clang on the other side of the cave. Ryan's body flew and dropped with a thud just a few feet in front of Genesis covered in blood. He was impressed that Ryan was alive at all. Someone without Mako enhancements being hit by a behemoth king's Gyro Tail would have died. The young man was sure stubborn.

The ground quaked as the gigantic monster walked towards them.

The Materia caster sighed. "Wings stripped away, the end is nigh... "

"You- give up- too easily..." the other struggled to stand, even though the wounds were serious.

Genesis narrowed his eyes. "You would save a life of a monster?"

"No."

"Then why are you saving me?" He hissed.

Ryan stood up staggering in between the fiend and him. "... I'm s-saving a person's life... that c-can save so many o-others..."

The auburn's eyes widened at that. This person thought of him as a hero?

Hmph. Just like the Puppy.

At least the boy didn't say anything about not being a monster. That honesty was refreshing. However just as the auburn headed man was about to say something else, he felt an unknown thumping pulse. It was as if his eyes saw every color inverted through the cave an went back to normal.

'What was that?'

Ryan was determined to stay alive. His heart was thumping too fast. If he couldn't use Materia... then he could at least use Symbology to scare off the behemoth king. Closing his eyes as the monster casually strolled to his as if taunting him, Ryan drew is hand back and focused on the energy of his palm. Energy swirled into a small ball of light. When he opened his eyes, all colors were inverted like looking through photographic film. He knew what was going on, he was dying... that meant his dormant power was going to be unleashed. Just like Cosmos had said. There was no point of trying to stop it, it was as if water just burst the dam of power.

This time he thrust his hand out to the behemoth king.

"DEEP FREEZE!"

As the energy poured out of him, so did the familiar symbols and large round glyphs that looked like star charts and zodiac astronomical calendar circles spun and weaved into a spell majestically around him. The air's temperature dropped heavily and an Icicle glacier roared to the monster. Ryan was even at the point of disbelief he was floating in the air until he noticed he'd grown wings, but he kept his attention at the beast.

The behemoth king knowing it was dangerous to be there, retreated a bit but instead was pushed out by the ice. Now that it was losing the battle of getting to its prey, the beast backed off completely. There were more easier prey out there; the Materia cave, it decided, was not worth its time.

The large beast retreated out of the cave, leaving the remaining occupants behind.

In a heartbeat, the item creator fell to the ground lying to Genesis' right. Wings and feathers dissolved into blue white particles, with no trace it was there on Ryan and his major injuries miraculously healed. The ice in the cave clearing away, with its small blue symbols evaporating into nothingness as the ice disappeared into the wind.

"What are you?" Genesis blurted out in pure shock.

Those wings... those magic glyphs... those symbols... NO WAY Ryan was just a normal person... Even Angeal had two wings and that was on his right shoulder! Not a one for each side! Planet, he didn't even recognize ANY of those magical symbols at all and he was an expert magic user!

"... I don't know."

Tired green eyes met Mako enhanced ones. "I don't have any memories in exception for the last three years – neither do my companions – but I was sent to save you."

Now curiosity was gnawing on the ex-Commander. "By whom?"

This time Ryan chuckled weakly. "Does it matter to a man who wanted to die or run away? You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"..."

Eve was immediately at her friend's side and started to apply an elixir on Ryan and already covering bandages and band aids to his injuries in a breeze. "Thanks, Eve. It's helping." He patted the droid on the head.

:: Ryan, you nearly died! :: The white scout protested. :: Rika would be sad if you died! ::

"I'm alright, am I?" Ryan said in turn a with a bit of laughter to calm the frantic female scout.

The small bot of course scowled at her creator, and chose to give him a silent treatment that Rika was infamous for when she was mad. At times the Creation Symbologist wondered if Issac had done a too much of a good job in making Eve with sentient characteristics, especially how Eve tended to follow Rika's doting habits. He still owed it to his friend his gift for making anything that had to do with tech was amazing.

"... Ryan?"

"Yes?"

"I'm not sure what to call myself." Genesis hesitantly said. "Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess..."

The brunette blinked at the ex-SOLDIER. "You said you were a monster."

Shaking his head, Genesis seemed thoughtful all of a sudden. "After seeing you having wings, I'm don't know whether being a monster a good thing or a bad thing."

Ryan sat up and leaned up on the wall beside Genesis. "Since you seemed to like quoting from books-"

"LOVELESS."

"LOVELESS then." the brunette item creator corrected himself. "How about another quote for your thoughts?"

If there was one way of connecting to this man, he was certain to be more inclined to listen to literature works than meaningless (perhaps according to Genesis) words of a non-artist/writer.

Genesis looked truly surprised by it. Not even Angeal or Sephiroth would reply his questions in such a manner. "Go on."

"There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so." Ryan recited. His quote hit the mark as Genesis appeared to be stunned by hearing it.

"Which book does that come from?"

The item creator shook his head. "I don't remember, you'll have to ask my sister who's the more avid book reader. That is if you want to stop running away and trying to seal yourself for nothing but guilt."

If his situation being an 'alien' didn't live up to the auburn's curiosity, he might as well bait Genesis with literature. He was sure that quote was from Shakespeare, but he forgot which play it came from. An odd thing he remembered Rika mentioning was that it came from one of the tragedies.

"You drive a hard bargain." Genesis snorted. Still the fact that Ryan was a mystery nagged him restlessly. "But I don't think I'll be hiding away or kill myself now you've got my attention." The ex-Commander saw the young man finally smirk with satisfaction on his face. "Who is the one that sent you to save me?"

"The Goddess." Ryan replied seriously although he did not say which. "She gave my friend, my sister, and I visions of the future of some sort. There's a long silver haired man that will threaten Gaia."

Sephiroth? Impossible! He was dead!

"Are you sure? I saw to it that he met his demise at Nibelheim."

The item creator wasn't going to give up. "Then do you know of Zack Fair? Cloud Strife? They were the ones that stopped Sephiroth in the ShinRa Mansion Lab at Nibelheim."

"...!"

"They're visions, yes." Ryan reasoned. "But now they have important roles that they need to do to stay alive. If not the Planet will be in danger. By a summon Materia, Meteor."

METEOR? By the Planet! Genesis had only read about the magic that could call forth an enormous disaster through tomes covering ancient Materia. That sort of information was heavily restricted to high ranking Materia users in Shinra. Even Angeal and Sephiroth were not let in on such information! A magnitude of such power would clearly cripple the Goddess and even the Planet itself. It would probably be so hard to recover making it impossible to have life on the Planet anymore. To think the Puppy of all people and his spiky chocobo friend would play a role in all of that.

Sephiroth... What happened to you in these four years?

Of course he went mad. After knowing about Jenova he never was sane. Yet, he was supposed to be gone! But if the man was alive... that meant he had unfinished business to do. If Angeal were here, he'd probably would try and stop the insane ex-General with the pride and honor of a SOLDIER. If that actually came to pass, he'd do it in Angeal's place to stop Sephiroth. Genesis couldn't deny it that Ryan had come to save him at the right time. Zack with Cloud was on the run from ShinRa. Surely if Ryan wasn't there to take him to the Materia cave, ShinRa would have taken him back. He didn't think the boy would have lied to him, he knew too many things he wasn't supposed to know about.

"So the Planet needs my help?" Genesis asked. He needed more information.

"I think only a few people can really try and go against Sephiroth." Ryan supplied. "But you never know there will be other enemies who are behind it."

The ex-SOLDIER Commander tried to read his partner. "Something tells me you know more."

"I do." The youth shrugged. "I'm looking for my own answers too. If you come with me, I'll share what I know and call the life debt even."

"Where are we going to?"

"Midgar, the heart of it all."

The idea of getting back at ShinRa appealed to Genesis. That quote from an unknown source was also making him curious, although he would never say it out aloud. Ryan and his companions were an entire mystery itself. Perhaps he could also pay the favor back to Zack for fulfilling his dream if he met the Puppy in Midgar. So many things that intrigued him, making him want to go with the item creator.

'Wings of light and dark spread afar, She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting.'

The Goddess had given him a purpose to live.

"Very well, I'm in."

.

.

At Night In Front of Fort Condor, Eastern Continent, Early September 0007

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Better prepared to go into Midgar than not prepared at all."

"Zack, I think Issac's right. I could use the rest and you can buy some supplies."

Both Zack and I turned to Cloud Strife whom was recovering from the effects of Mako poisoning. Unlike in the end of Crisis Core, Cloud's limbs weren't functioning as they're supposed to (he's still straining to move on his own), but he can think clearly thanks to Ryan's cure. Zack for now carried the ex-infantryman bridal style to avoid having to carry his sword in his hand all the time, so he stored it in a holster on his back.

For the last three days, there's been a debate where we want to head to. ShinRa doesn't have a beacon on Zack anymore, so for the time being everything has been quiet. There were occasional monsters around, but Zack made short work of them. He'd do most of the fighting and let me guard Cloud. It was his way collecting some quick gil for later. He did offer me some gil, but I politely said I was good and he needed it for both him and his friend.

Eventually in those three days after we landed on land again, I told the ex-SOLDIER I was heading to Midgar. Zack wasn't at all okay that I insisted to come with him, but I talked him into it by saying that it was a way of paying me back. I wasn't comfortable with it, but it was the only way so he wouldn't get rid of me easily. I wasn't going to let Zack go and kill himself.

As for Cloud, he's just like what you'd see in the flashbacks in FFVII Advent Children Complete. Although I do notice that his spikes are slightly shorter. I'm kinda glad I met up with a more subtle Cloud than the one you saw in the FFVII game where his memories are mixed with Zack's. He doesn't have all his memories back, but at least he's thinking clearly even though he's not in best of physical health.

Zack scratched the back of his neck, "What is your real plan anyway?"

We were a good distance away from the fort. I stopped them there so I could tell them why I was heading to Fort Condor. "Put Cloud down for a moment, I'll get something."

"Let's listen to him first," Cloud gave the his friend a affirming nod as he was set down.

From my pack I took two tiny cases. "Alright, the reason I made you guys change clothes when we landed is because we're going into Fort Condor. There's an Item Creator workshop in there, so we'll be a lot safer inside and you can get your own supplies before we head to Midgar. Also, I wanted to check up some news and rumors before we head to our intended destination."

"I don't mind these fisherman clothes you got for me and Cloud." He said with a stifle of laughter, making me slightly blush as we had to beg a captain at the docks since none of my clothes fit Zack. My clothes fit Cloud mostly, though he's still leaner for the time being. "But do you know that Fort Condor is Anti-ShinRa – Cloud and I aren't really going to blend in with our eyes."

"Here", I handed the tiny cases to Zack. "Wear them."

Cloud looked curiously at the small cases that had two round caps labeled L and R. "What are they?"

I smiled, "Colored Contact lenses! They're both dark brown in color, so it should hide the color of your iris. L for left and R for right. They were popular a year ago or so, but it's practical if you don't want someone recognizing the color of your real eyes."

Zack whistled at them as he opened one cap. "Whoa, you're like a walking item shop, Issac! You sure you don't do any shifty work?" He jested.

"Yeah, I did stay in a town where ShinRa people were everywhere for the last three years. If I did something shifty, the Turks would be on to me in no time." I gave a pat on the back to Zack. "It's a norm for Item Creators to act as mobile shops, but usually we sort of focus on carrying small items instead. Those are for you and Cloud, they're leftovers that didn't sell off."

"Thanks!" He gave a wave of the tiny contact lens cases that it was now his. "By the way, how long are we staying there?"

I gave it some thought. "Three days at most. At least a day to rest up and get supplies." I turned to Cloud. "Don't worry Cloud, if there are Item Creators inside, there's bound to be an alchemy pharmacist that could help you with your condition. If you get better, we might as well look for a weapon for you."

The chocobo head's eyes lit up at that. Being the quiet guy he is he only gave an approval, "Hmm."

Zack this time seemed excited about the idea where he was hesitating before, seeing that going in meant that Cloud had a chance for a faster recovery. I don't get how he changes his emotions so quickly, but then again Zack is a very expressive person. He isn't afraid to let his emotions out for everyone to see them. I see him put the contacts over his eyes, and helped Cloud too.

Afterward, the ex-SOLDIER lifted up his friend again. "Lead the way, Issac."

"I'll do the talking." I said.

Fort Condor was just as I remembered it in the game. There's a Mako reactor here, but that's not what it makes it so special. It's the huge egg that you can see a condor incubating it. In the game, the only sole reason you would come here is that the egg, when it hatches, becomes the Huge Materia. This place acted as a side quest and the only thing you did was defend the fort from ShinRa. Luckily there are no signs the egg is supposed to hatch now.

Here in real life, the place acts as an Anti-Shinra base that most Shinra personnel would stay away from. It's the reason why I had Zack and Cloud with a change of clothes. They still have the clothes in the pack they were carrying, but they threw away the SOLDIER emblem away that was part of the light armor, just to be safe.

Seeing that it was an Anti-Shinra base, Item Creators are welcomed here as long as they had an ID chip. My current friends may not have any ID, but it was frequent that Item Creators had mercenaries with them that helped in getting rare ingredients from dangerous places.

I hid Flux in my bag as I didn't want anyone to see I had a droid with me. Way too conspicuous, and droids were almost identical meaning I'm a ShinRa supporter. He was in recharge mode, after a long trip of helping us navigate the sea and land to get here. In his recharge mode he resembled a black egg. I'd get him some sun later in the morning for solar power.

We went through the guards with no trouble and I was immediately led to the hallway where many Item Creators were walking around. Most of the rooms and public places here were underground. In the game, the place doesn't look so big, but now seeing it with my own eyes the place was virtually a labyrinth. I had to ask a few questions now and then about which way was the Inn for Item Creators. Usually that meant they were nearer to the workshops than those they had for the public.

Soon, we got a room with the catch that there was someone else staying inside. Four per room. Those were the rules, and a fort isn't about luxury. Both Zack and I looked to each other and hope the other occupant wasn't going to stay for long. Not lucky for us, the person filed a permanent residence there of all things. It was said that the person was a mercenary for an item creator just about a week ago. I couldn't negotiate another room no matter how much I tried.

Zack held my shoulder, "It's alright. We'll just have to be cautious. You did what you could." He crossed his arms in making sure that he wasn't going to get an argument from me.

Cloud, I don't know how he does it – he just gives me a stare that he supported Zack and I know I was defeated two votes VS one. Zack gave a triumphant smirk.

I sighed and finally gave in. "Your call."

For that, I was rewarded with an affectionate noogie by the Puppy which I rolled my eyes to and I scratch my head afterward rubbing off the pain. Even if he doesn't use any strength it did still hurt. Damn Mako enhancements.

"Don't think too much, Issac." The black spiky hero advised as he picked Cloud up. "Let me and Cloud carry some load sometime, all right? We're friends and in this together now."

For the first time since we met in Mideel, I couldn't believe how relieved when I heard that. It was a sign he finally let me in into helping him! He called me his friend! I couldn't help but smiled widely at that.

"You got it." I picked up the keys to the room and lead the way in front.

To think Zack and Cloud would enter Fort Condor of all places before the beginning of the game! That was the thrilling part when the timelines have changed. Of course there was also that nagging feeling I got for days that bad things happen too, but you just didn't know because you weren't told or didn't search for information in the right places. And when we got into the room... we got our shock...

"Zack!"

The ex-SOLDIER's eyes were wide as saucers, "Luxiere? What are you doing here?"

He quickly let Cloud down on an empty bed and gave the other man a hug.

While I never saw his face in the games, Luxiere was a 2nd Class SOLDIER that idolized Zack in Crisis Core serving as an email buddy and 2nd gossiper besides Kunsel (Zack's most loyal friend in SOLDIER). He's got the same Mako enhanced eyes like most SOLDIERs do, but I didn't expect him to have pale blond hair in an army cut. He's also one of the smaller SOLDIERs around, just a tad shorter than me.

There's no mention in the games or in the complete guide what happened to him. Luxiere seemed to be cheerful like he sounded in those emails, but he had a tired and sad look in his eyes that something bad had happened. It doesn't take a genius that it was probably the reason he left ShinRa and how he's wearing goggles around his neck proves he uses it to hide his Mako eyes.

Me and Cloud on the other hand sat quietly watching the exchange between the two friends. As more confused remarks from Zack become louder, we both gazed each other and came to the same conclusion.

Whatever Luxiere was going to tell Zack, he wasn't going to like it.

Ditto.

Zack paced back and forth before facing Luxiere.

Why was the younger man being so difficult? Of course things in four years would change, but why was the man being so stubborn in not telling him about what he missed for four years? Not to mention since he was here out of his SOLDIER uniform meant he quit at some point.

"Luxiere, please just tell me what happened." He begged the other ex-SOLDIER. "What happened to you? Do you know how Kunsel is?"

Luxiere visibly winced and shivered. Issac shot him a warning look whether he was sure they wanted to know... So did Cloud, but they seem to trust him he should handle it carefully. Carefully and slowly, Zack sat himself and Luxiere on the bed across where Cloud and Issac were sitting.

He gave a shoulder hug and kept eye contact the 2nd Class ex-SOLDIER. "You can tell me, Luxiere. I'm here."

There was a long tense silence before he could say anything.

"SOLDIER wasn't the same after you and the General were declared dead." Luxiere blurted his words quickly struggling to remain calm. "After, they had started to replace those who deserted with machines..."

The buster sword wielder gave the nod to let him continue on.

"Not only that – the desertion came with questioning from the higher ups about SOLDIER loyalties..." Luxiere's eyes darted as remembering too many things he didn't want to recall. "Me and Kunsel asked about what happen to you, you know?" Zack quickly nodded to it in hopes of calming his friend down but it was no use. "It was when SOLDIERs had started to disappear more frequently things went crazy." He heaved out a long breath he was holding.

"Zack," Luxiere said with a dry voice. "It happened to me and Kunsel as well. We were recently at some point declared dead on a mission because they suspected us of treachery."

Dead silence.

"How?!" Zack exclaimed in shock.

Luxiere violently shook his head. "I don't know! It just happened, okay? And – And – " This time he choked on a sob. "Those who were declared dead aren't dead. They dragged us into lab and we became experiments." He closed his eyes in anguish. "At one point of transporting me and Kunsel we were able to escape our captors. We were too weak at the time – he covered for me – I escaped – I never saw him again."

Even though Zack closed his mouth at the news, a whimper and gasping cry betrayed him and escaped his lips. His hand trembled looking at his PHS. The last emails received from his best friend in SOLDIER.

~ 3rd Last message ~

Subject: Tell me they're lying

From: Kunsel

Got an announcement from General Affairs that you were killed in action. But those announcements are never true, are they? Where are you? What are you doing? What did you have to do for the company to reclassify yourself as a dead man? Let me help you if you're in a jam. Talk to me, I'll be waiting.

~ 2nd Last Message ~

Subject: You can't fool me

From: Kunsel

Zack, where could you possibly be? Let me know if you're reading this. You've gone missing since your mission with Sephiroth. Do you have anything to do with Sephiroth being killed in action? I heard rumors about something going down in Nibelheim. Are you there right now?

~ Last Message ~

Subject: Just as I thought

From: Kunsel

I hear two research samples have escaped from Nibelheim. And might you be one of them, Zack? If you are, watch your back, because now a whole battalion of infantrymen has been called in. They're coming after you in crazy numbers. Man, what in the hell did you do to deserve this? I don't care if you've made an enemy out of ShinRa. I'll always be waiting for you to come back. Just make it back alive, buddy. Promise me.

~ End of messages. ~

Pain flared up in his chest, Zack felt someone ripped his heart out and it was rolling on the floor.

First Angeal... then Nibelheim... Sephiroth... and now Kunsel too?

"I-I – need to go to the bathroom." the 1st Class ex-SOLDIER failed to disguise anguish in his voice.

The door of the bathroom closed quickly and it was locked.

Both Cloud and I had a feeling we weren't going to be able to comfort Zack now he locked himself up. The bathroom wasn't exactly sound proof, as we could hear him crying over the fate of his best friend. There was little hope that Kunsel would escape or be alive again. Being transported meant being hidden deeper within ShinRa. Luxiere only apologized to us and bowed down saying he was sorry that Zack had to hear it. He quickly went to his own bed and wept himself to sleep.

Cloud on the other hand looked at the door and then to me. "How fast can you find an alchemy pharmacist tomorrow morning?" He had a determined stare that told me he wanted to do something.

"As soon as the reception is opened here." I said knowing that Cloud wanted to recover to help out Zack. "I'll do everything I can do. You should rest so you can recover more quickly."

The spiky blond agreed, yet his eyes were at the door again, "Zack usually doesn't lock himself up... Could you-?"

"I'll stay up until he gets out of that door or unlocks it."

"Thanks." He said and I help take his contact lens off before I lay him down into a deep slumber.

I sighed and walked over to the door. I couldn't bear the thought of knocking on it, so I decided to lean on the door as I wait for Zack. The guy lost so much I was pretty certain I'd fall apart like him or worse if I was in his shoes. It was better now he shed his tears. I was already wishing that Aerith was here with him now to comfort him.

I heaved out a breath. Shit. After hearing all of that I was stunned, and man – that was so heart wrenching.

While many fans would have predicted that Kunsel was alive somehow... I never thought his fate ended up like this. Or did his fate change because me, Rika, and Ryan were here? I shook my head. There was no clue whether it was true or not. Kunsel's fate was never explained either in the game or complete guide along with Luxiere.

However, the part where Kunsel and other SOLDIERs were taken for experiments in labs... it was poking my mind restlessly...

Could that mean he ended up in Deepground?

There was hope he could survive in the next three years... that was if he survived at all from all those torturous experiments...

Better not jump to conclusions... I'll just stick to Zack for now. He needs me and Cloud.

As I waited sitting against the door, I went through my own customized PHS. It's a clam shell type like most PHS in Gaia on the exterior just for looks. On the inside it was already touch screen and on Android technology. For now, ShinRa or the other Item Creators needn't know. I was extremely careful to always keep it on my person. Like always, the inbox was empty. No news from Rika or Ryan. Hearing what happened to Kunsel had me worried about them, and I wondered what they were doing right now. I closed my PHS and put it into my internal side jacket pocket.

I think it was about an hour or two when I heard the lock clicking open.

"Issac?" Zack's eyes were red, puffy... he looked like such a kicked puppy that it would've been funny if the circumstances were different.

I stood up and crossed my arms. "How about some sleep for the pain?"

"Why did you wait for me?" He just stared there still surprised.

This time I gave him a scolding look, but kept my voice low. "You made Cloud worry, and he's still recovering – he cares about you. I thought we made an agreement we'll share the load when we got here. I'm not strong as you are and Cloud maybe doesn't have all his memories back... but we're your friends."

"Sorry, Issac" he said solemnly. But he smiled at the thought that both me and Cloud were there for him.

"You needed your space, but... Apology accepted." I gave him a man hug. "You better apologize to Cloud in the morning."

The ex-SOLDIER looked grateful for it. "I will."

I turned to my bed as I wanted to sleep as well, that was when Zack stopped me.

"Issac, are you able to hack and say... block communication signals?" Zack had a very serious gaze that gave me the creeps he was going to do something risky.

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Give me a few minutes with a communication jammer, and I'll be able to. Why?"

He looked unfaltering to his modified PHS, "We're going to give Tseng a visit when we leave."

Oh, crap. Since Zack is alive, now the Turk sent him a message.

I get the feeling we're in for some serious trouble.

See why I hate time paradoxes?

.

.

TBC...

Comments, opinions, questions, advice are welcomed! :)