Darkening Abyss Ch 7

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Zack awoke from his sleep, blearily blinking away the haze, trying to focus on the light in his room that was emitting from the window. Yawing widely, he stretched in the hospital bed, feeling all his muscles tense and release. It felt good to be alive again. He couldn't help but wonder what all had happened after his untimely death- especially what had happened to Cloud. Sure he saw his younger friend briefly during their small reunion during the remnant fiasco but it wasn't nearly enough to sedate Zack's curiosity. From what he had heard from Reno and Cloud, everyone seemed to be doing alright; Midgar...er... Edge, was growing and changing and Zack would just have to get used to the new world. It felt... odd to say the least that he was back in the land of the living. For some reason, a small feeling of not belonging welled up within him. He was dead so was there really a point for him to be alive once more?

However, that dreary thought was immediately put to a halt when he remembered the smiles on the others' faces when they saw him alive and well in the hospital room the other night. They were happy to have the bouncy first back so he guessed that made everything ok: he was still accepted and wanted. Truth be told, he wanted Cloud to be by his side once more but... Zack sighed. It was a bummer that he couldn't call Cloud his anymore. No, now the boy belonged to Vincent. Well, it wasn't official yet but with Zack's melding, it was sure to become official.

He looked around the room, hoping to see Cloud somewhere near by. Not seeing his blonde haired companion, Zack sighed once again. "So, is this how Aerith felt?"

Damn it really sucked but hey? He died remember? Cloud moved on and found someone else, even if that someone else that was asleep in a coffin for years. Zack knew that Cloud's heart had moved on since the day of his death; Cloud moved on… now it was his turn. It's not like he would intervene with the blonde's new life and adoration of Vincent Valentine. Oh no, Zack was defiantly not the man who'd mess up someone elses life just to make his own perfect. As long as Cloud was happy, he was happy.

"Gyah… stupid lifestream." Just what the heck was that damn lifestream doing, spitting him out like that? Did he smell that badly? Zack turned his head towards his armpit and sniffed, quickly grimacing. If he were the lifestream, he'd totally spit himself out if he smelled like that. He needed a shower. The thought of the warm water racing down his back made the SOILDER's violet eyes glimmer with anticipation.

He swung his legs off the bed and stood up, thinking that his legs were still working properly but was wrong. As soon as Zack took a step towards the bathroom adjacent to his bed, his legs wobbled and he quickly found the floor his new resting place. "Shit!"

Zack hadn't expected that little event. Gritting his teeth together, he grabbed at the hospital bed and pulled himself up. At least his upper body seemed to be obeying his demands. Pulling himself into a seated position on the white linen, he wiggled his toes and moved his legs up and down, trying to get the muscles to cooperate. A few minutes passed by and Zack finally deemed himself able to walk without acting like a toddler and falling on his ass. He stood, found his legs finally following his brains orders, and strode to the bathroom. Zack opened the door and turned the shower nozzle, allowing the steam to fill up the small chamber as he disrobed and stepped in. As soon as he let the warm waters wash down his body, there was instant relief and satisfaction. It felt marvelous.

Half an hour passed by before the dark haired first got out of the shower and dried himself off. He grabbed a second white towel and rubbed it through his hair then looked up at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. So this is what he looked like after spending time in the lifestream?

"I'm the exact same. Everyone else has changed… except me." Shrugging, he turned and walked out of the bathroom and changed into his clothes before exiting his hospital room. A few nurses were huddled around the main desk doing their work as Zack walked up to them.

"Morning ladies, you wouldn't have seen a spiky blonde guy walk by here?" Emphasizing his point, Zack pulled his own drying spiky locks upwards towards the ceiling, making the girls laugh.

A woman with red hair smiled and answered. "Yes Mr. Fair, he walked down the hallway and took the elevator to the main lobby. You just missed him. It seemed that he had spent all night in your room; you two must be good friends."

Zack nodded and headed off to find Cloud. "He's my best friend."

When he exited the elevator to the main lobby, Zack couldn't help but stand in awe of the new Shinra building. It still amazed him that Shinra was still standing, after all old Shinra did to Midgar and the Planet that is. Last night, Reno and Cloud had both brought Zack up to speed on what else had changed. They mainly discussed the Shinra corporation and how Rufus is completely dedicated to giving back to the people as well as the planet.

He saw Cloud standing by the large bay windows staring at his black cell phone then moving his gaze outside, looking as though he was searching for something, or someone. Zack walked closer and he heard the boy mumbling to himself.

"Vincent… Where are you?" When Cloud woke up that morning, he hadn't seen Vincent standing in his usual spot by the doorway to Zack's room... then again, the last time the blonde saw Vincent was when they carried Zack down to the infirmary. A minuscule sensation of regret for not acknowledging Vincent bubbled up within the blonde warrior. He hadn't meant to ignore Vincent but it wasn't everyday that your best friend came back to the land of the living. What really got Cloud worked up was the fact that Vincent hadn't even bothered to leave the boy a notice of his departure to wherever he went. Sure Vincent used to disappear for goodness knows how long and appear randomly when needed but ever since Cloud had moved in, they made it a custom to tell on another where they went and when they should be expected to return. It sort of irked the blonde that Vincent went on one of his disappearing acts again.

Again, Cloud was worrying for Vincent. Zack couldn't help the smile that graced his face as he watched Cloud fret, gripping his black cell phone in his hand, glaring at it. Vincent obviously meant a lot to the blonde; and from listening to Cloud's tale, they both had gone through so much when they fought to save Gaia from Meteor. It was time to let his little chocobo go and embrace the new Cloud.

"Morning Spike."

Head snapping up towards the voice, Cloud's blue eyes reflected the bright light from the outside sun, a complete parallel to his former annoyed look. "Morning Zack! How are you feeling?"

Giving himself a once over, the elder grinned and rubbed his hands together. "Pretty damn good if I do say so myself. So, what do they have to eat around here? Is it better than what we had before?"

"Definitely."

The two guys headed towards the cafeteria to get some breakfast. When they sat down at the table after getting their food, it took Zack like five minutes to completely inhale his full tray of the scrumptious looking edibles . "Damn Cloud you weren't kidding. This food kicks ass! I'll be right back, gonna get some more."

Cloud was about to give Zack a snarky reply when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, signaling a text message. Quickly dropping his fork and dug through his black pants pocket for his cell, Cloud located it and flipped it open. He smiled as a wave of relief washed over him when he saw that it was from Vincent:

Just reached Nibelheim.

Sorry for leaving you like that.

I'll be back soon.

They just reached Nibelheim. I still don't know why they went… Vincent… be careful.

"Was that lover boy Cloud?" Zack snickered at Cloud's expression, sat back down with his new food covered tray and once again, began eating all the steaming cafeteria selection before him.

"Shut up Zack..." Cloud blushed and bit into his apple with great force, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Ah, thought I would find you two here after searching your room."

Zack, mouth stuffed with scrambled eggs, looked up and spoke with the food in his mouth. "Prefadnt Rufuf!"

Rufus raised a blonde eyebrow at Zack's manners. "I see your mannerisms haven't improved from the time you spent in the lifestream, Zack."

Zack swallowed his mouthful of food as Rufus continued. "Cloud, when you two are free, I need you to come to my office. We need to discuss the matter at hand since your being attacked in the Wasteland."

Nodding his head, Cloud looked at Zack who was giving him an inquiring stare. "What?"

Squinting his eyes, Zack saw right through Cloud's defenses, making the boy shift uneasily in his seat. "You need to tell me everything Cloud."

"I see you haven't told him. Cloud, inform Zack then meet me up in my office, the both of you, in an hour." That being said, Rufus turned and left.

He didn't want to look back at Zack… Cloud just knew- he just knew- that Zack's violet gaze was burrowing holes in his skull. "Cloud. Remember last night when you were about to tell me something but you didn't?"

Cloud sat there speechless. He remembered alright.

"Well I think now is when you need to tell me."

Cloud's blue eyes connected with Zack's own twin pools of violet. "Not here ok?"

Nodding his head, Zack collected their trays and delivered them to the conveyor belt which led the dirty dishes into a mass dishwasher. The two walked out towards the back hallways where there was very little people milling around and Cloud, leaning up against the wall, proceeded to enlighten Zack on everything. He figured that Zack was going to find out sooner or later... Cloud just had hoped that later meant much later than now...

Strangely enough, Zack just stood there and let the blonde ramble on. Not once did he interrupt. Cloud began from way back when he joined Avalanche to the here and now. He talked about Sephiroth's battle, the remnants, Vincent saving Cloud's ass in the Lost City when he fought against Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz… Saving the planet again. Moving in with Vincent… Cloud actually found himself talking more about what his life was like living with the dark gunner than his time prior to the move.

Though Cloud didn't notice it, Zack smiled when he heard the younger male's voice change from sad and depressing to one of happiness and light heartiness. Yet, according to Cloud, Vincent was not one to be open with his emotions. Thus, Zack now made it his personal duty to make sure the stoic vampire and his chocobo get together.

Cloud's face scrunched up during one of his tales when he noticed Zack's infamous grin plaster itself across his face. "I know that look… what are you planning Zachary Fair?"

Turning and heading towards the elevators, Zack sang out playfully. "Oh nothing to worry your pretty little chocobo head over. Now, tell me the rest of the story as we head up to Rufus's."

Great… this was the part of the story Cloud was absolutely dreading. As the elevator door dinged and the two entered, the blonde took a deep breath and enlightened Zack on the current events: him being attacked and controlled by Hojo, him hearing voices in his head, Jenova, him while under Hojo's control and attacking Vincent, him nearly dying, and finally, Vincent and Tseng going off to Nibelheim for gods know what. Cloud couldn't bring himself to look up into Zack's violet eyes since he knew his best friend was probably ready to tear down the city in search for Hojo.

"And you decided not to tell me this why exactly?" Zack looked mad. Not looked, he was absolutely raging as he slammed his fist against the metal elevator doors. He was mad that Cloud didn't trust him with the given information sooner, mad that Rufus had to prompt Cloud to finally spill the beans and he was mad that fucking Hojo was still alive. What, did the young warrior think that Zack was going to hate him for hearing voices? That he was going to turn into another Sephiroth? Hell, Jenova is one crazy bitch and Zack was going to make sure she would never harm any of his friends again.

"I'm sorry…"

"Damn right you're sorry!" Zack roared, wheeling around and glaring right at the shorter male.

"Zack…" This was becoming too much. Cloud just wanted to go back home and simply… do nothing. Just sit there with Vincent and revel in silence. He was tired of all this shit happening to him. Why him anyways? He'd lost Zack once, moved on, and now his ex lover was back, Hojo was back, Jenova was fucking with his mind again... Just how the hell was he to deal with all this?!

Cloud didn't realize it but tears were rolling down his cheeks as he stared down at the elevator floor. Zack instantly felt terrible; completely regretting his small outburst at the blonde. "Aw Cloud. I'm sorry buddy…"

Steeling his emotions, Cloud wiped away his tears as the elevator doors opened to the top floor. "It's fine. Now you know everything. Let's go see what Rufus has to tell us."

Zack nodded and followed the younger out.

Reaching Rufus's room and entering it, Cloud and Zack were summoned to the center of the office as Rufus pulled up a screen. "Well, as the President of Shira, I welcome you back Zachary Fair. Thank you for your services in SOILDER. When this mess is over, I will personally see to it that you receive your just reward."

"So does this mean I can finally get my own penthouse at Costa de Sol?" Zack grinned as Rufus arched an eyebrow.

"We'll see about that Mr. Fair. Anyways, since you graced us with your appearance, there have been reports coming in that other dead civilians have suddenly began re appearing... There is not a ghastly number but it is quickly rising. My Turks have been quick in finding and detaining those who have returned to us so that there is not a public uproar."

"So it wasn't just me huh?" Zack's violet gaze shifted outside. Just what the hell is Hojo doing to it?

"That is correct. We suspect that with Hojo's tampering with the lifestream, he has effectively reversed its effects and purpose." The blonde Shinra President pursed his lips and tapped his desk.

"So... if we defeat him... does that mean that..." Cloud's voice chimed in, pulling their attention towards him.

"My guess is a yes. The lifestream won't just allow the dead to walk freely amongst the living. Which means that I'll... probably fade away." Zack clapped his hand on the shorter male's shoulder as he watched the boy's head drop down. Just hours ago, they were all laughing and enjoying Zack's return and now with the latest news, Zack was probably going to fade away...

"I don't want you to go Zack." Cloud finally got his best friend back and now, with this revealing, the likelihood of him loosing Zack again was in the ninety nine percent tile. It just completely sucked in Cloud's opinion.

Before Zack could respond, the room door opened, allowing another to enter. Reno walked towards Rufus, handing him a small computer USB. "Rufus I got the file you asked for."

"Thank you." Hooking the USB into the main computer, the large computer screen in the middle of the room began showing documents Hojo had personally crafted himself. Rufus clicked through a couple of them and pulled up the ones regarding projects 127 and 128 X.

"As you can see here, Hojo had begun using another one of his theories on these two experiments. He had found a way to utilize the lifestream and Jenova together. Yet the lifestream sample he collected was minute; probably only good for a couple runs. Experiment 127-X failed, 128-X was a success. Cloud, when you were attacked out in the outskirts of Edge, Vincent said that you were being controlled by the device shot into your neck."

Cloud subconsciously rubbed the back of his nape, remembering the slight sting.

"That device contained small remnants of Jenova cells. I am assuming that Hojo is still alive, somehow, using Jenova to keep him going and further his plans… You two might be wondering why Tseng and Vincent are in Nibelheim, well, originally it was just Tseng but Vincent tagged along for some reason. Anyways, they are to travel to another lab nearly one hundred feet away from the destroyed reactor. Hojo had another secret lab in Nibelheim parallel to his main. This is where he conducted experiments 127 and 128. Here, Tseng is to recover any information we happened to miss. There has to be something located at the lab we didn't find earlier."

Again, unpleasant memories erupted in Cloud's head as he remembered being stabbed with Sephiroth's Masamune. The beautiful sword running through him swiftly, its metal blade protruding from his back as he grasped it, looking into his General's, wondering why everything had to turn out like that. It was all because of Jenova...

Cloud… Cloud gave a small start as he felt a quick surge race through his body.

"Cloud you ok?" Zack placed his hand on Cloud's shoulder.

"Y-yeah. Sorry, just memories." Her voice…

Rufus continued. "Experiment 128-X is still alive according to Hojo's report; this thing had been stuffed full of different human and animal cells, it might be able to morph since the Jenova cells have been proven to be unpredictable sometimes. If Tseng and Vincent can come up with information on this experiment, we might be able to track it down and gather more information on Hojo. This was the only experiment that has successfully escaped form Hojo's grasp. Hojo is still alive, and he's been planning something for all these years. He has finally decided to put his plans into action. The events that have played out over the past week are proof enough. That is why you were attacked Cloud. You are part of his plan. You were the only one to defeat Sephiroth, Hojo's prized experiment, and stop Jenova from controlling you. His target is you, Cloud Strife."

TBC

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