That whole week Angeal never slept. He was so worried for his little one that it drove him mad. He tried not to picture what Hollander and Hojo were doing to him, but he couldn't help him. He felt so useless and helpless that he couldn't protect his own flesh and blood.
"Da-- you Hojo—Da-- you Hollander," cursed Angeal as he banged his head against the wall of his room.
Every day Angeal tried to go to Lazard to see if he found any way of getting the child back, but Lazard only shook his head replying 'no'. This broke Angeal's heart. That was one of the reasons he didn't want to get so attached to this child—so he wouldn't get his heartbroken.
"It's a little too late for that," said Angeal to himself seeing how broken he was over this.
Genesis and Sephiroth didn't like seeing their friend so down and so tried to cheer him up. Nothing seemed to work. Angeal would not respond to them at all. It was then they knew they could do nothing to brighten his mood, but get his son back. If Zack wouldn't have given him up then maybe they could, but she had and there was technically nothing they could do about it unless they went against Shin-Ra and there was no way they could do such a thing.
"I'm sorry old friend, but there is nothing any of us can do to get him back," said Genesis as he bent down and placed his hand on Angeal's shoulder who sat down against the wall in the training room.
"I can't give up Genesis," said Angeal shaking his head. "I should have known something like this was going to happen."
"There was no way you could have known Zack's mentality was slipping that far," said Genesis.
"Yes I did!" spat Angeal shooting daggers at his best friend. "I saw him slipping Genesis—and I didn't do anything to stop him!"
"Then blame us all," said Sephiroth taking a step towards Angeal. "We were his closest friends and still we could not see through him."
"Perhaps we were not meant to," said Genesis straightening. "Every man has a right to keep his own mind."
"But Zack lost his—the day Hojo changed him into a woman," said Angeal standing up and looking at them so emotionless.
Sephiroth was about to say something when they all noticed Zack walk past them. She hugged herself and still had her head cast down in darkness. Her mood hadn't changed much. They all watched as she quickly sped past them to do who-knows-what.
"Here's your chance Angeal," said Sephiroth glancing at him and then Zack. "Go talk to her."
"Right," said Angeal with a nod of the head as he took off after her. "Zack—Zack!"
"Leave me alone!" she said cutting a corner trying to lose her pursuer.
"Zack wait!" said Angeal not about to let her go this time.
Angeal lunged out just far enough to grab her by the wrist and turn her to him.
"Zack," he said turning her to him to only see the distraught on her face.
Her eyes were a watery red and her cheeks stained with countless tears that had fallen from her own dismay. Angeal just scanned her features without saying a word. His heart erupted in pity towards the woman no matter what she had done to him and his hope of having a family.
"Please," she wept. "Let me go—I can't, I just can't be near you anymore."
"Why?" asked Angeal. "It's me Zack. You know you are always welcome around me."
"Even after that I did?" she asked stopping the tears slightly to hear Angeal's answer.
"Yes," he said softly as he placed his forehead gently on hers.
"I'm sorry for what I did, I am," she said inhaling sharply and gulping down a sob. "But I can't go on like this. You understand."
"Zack what are you talking about?" asked Angeal not knowing what she was planning.
Zack didn't say anything though. She just cupped Angeal's face and kissed him one last time. The kiss lasted for about four seconds before she retreated her lips from his and glanced one last time into his eyes saying—
"Goodbye Angeal. I've had the time of my life . . . With you."
At that she turned and left in the direction she was originally heading. Her head still cast down she left Angeal. Angeal just remained there starring and wondering what Zack was planning. He took a step forward trying to go after her, but cursed himself for not being strong enough to do so.
He didn't know what he was thinking, but he didn't go after her. He knew he'd regret it later if she was going to do what he thought she was. She wasn't suicidal now was she? Sure she was depressed and distraught and everything, but that didn't give her any reason to . . .
"ZACK!" cried Angeal running off after where he last saw her go.
He searched frantically for her and grew afraid once he found himself at the entrance of Hojo's lab. He saw inside the door something was happening and so knew something was wrong.
"No!" he gasped as he rammed inside hoping he wasn't too late before Zack did something drastic.
His abrupt entrance caused Hojo to jump a little startled. He turned and just gazed at the SOLDIER who wore fear all over his face, no doubt fearing for his companion at the moment.
"Hojo what'd you do with her?!" asked Angeal seeing she was nowhere to be found.
"Be quiet you fool!" sneered Hojo at him.
Suddenly one of Hojo's contraptions shut down. Both turned to see it open. Angeal's breathing heavied seeing what the contraption had wrought as it opened to reveal something. He saw a being inside and instantly knew it was Zack. He ran up closer and saw she was numb looking and so therefore must be out cold.
"Zack!" gasped Angeal praying she was okay.
Zack made a slight groan and turned of the head. Once the eyes slowly opened like from out of a sleep everything was clearer and Angeal saw everything. He took a half step back seeing Zack like this.
"Angeal," Zack said looking at him.
"Zack," Angeal let out in a gasp/whisper seeing the old man Zack Fair before him.
Zack scanned his eyes everywhere until he took his hands and placed them on his chest. He looked down and saw he had no female parts. His arms were bigger and more muscular. He traced his jaw line seeing it was squarer now and less chiseled away.
Zack looked down and smiled seeing he had his manhood back. He laid his head back and let out a sigh of relief and let all his stress vanish. He slowly blinked before he looked at Angeal and just smiled softly. Angeal still looked at him as if he hadn't taken in everything yet. Oh well, he would sooner or later.
Zack tried to get up, but found he was strangely dizzy. He seemed to have much more push getting up than normal. He seemed more quicker now.
Zack placed his hand on his head and stammered a bit. Angeal caught this and so took his hand and helped him out of the machine. Once Zack was on his own two feet he inhaled now getting his memories back of what it felt like to be a man—though being a woman was still fresh in his mind.
"There you are Zack Fair," said Hojo poking his chin out slightly. "You are returned to your previous state."
"Huh," sighed Zack shaking off everything and getting used to his old body again. "Thank-you Hojo."
"Heh, don't mention it," said Hojo waving his arm and turning from him. "If I had my way I'd keep you the way you were—though I must say you were slipping a little too far for my likings."
"Then it's a good thing I changed back," said Zack glancing back at him.
A few seconds past till Zack looked at Angeal and dropped his shoulders slightly as he asked—
"Are you okay with this Angeal?"
"What do you mean?" asked Angeal looking at the man he thought he'd never see again.
"I mean you don't mind that I changed back into a man do you—no matter our previous relations?" asked Zack looking at him with such young eyes.
"No," said Angeal shaking his head. "I knew it'd have to come either way. We missed you Zack."
"I missed you guys too," said Zack with a half a smile. "But will you guys miss—her?"
Angeal just looked at Zack wishing he didn't have to answer. Zack could tell the answer on Angeal's face, but he wanted to hear it as he placed his hands on his hips and waited. Angeal shuffled around a little before he looked at Zack plainly, but a little soft as he said—
"I'd be lying if I said no—but yes . . . we will Zack."
"That's expected I guess," said Zack with a shrug. "But . . ."
"But what?" asked Angeal seeing Zack's right hand fall on his heart.
"I feel . . ." said Zack as he sat down still with his hand placed over his heart. "Heartbroken."
Angeal's features seemed to change once he said that. Angeal bent down to Zack and looked at him with sadness in his eyes as he spoke again saying—
"That would probably be because of 'him'."
"The baby right?" asked Zack recalling him.
"Yes," said Angeal nodding his head. "Your son."
"As I recall . . . he was yours too," said Zack with a slight smile.
Angeal couldn't help but smile. It was like she still existed. She never liked him always calling him just hers. She liked sharing the child with him and only saw it fit that way.
"Why . . . why did I give him up?" asked Zack looking at Angeal for answers.
"That I cannot answer," said Angeal bowing his head for a second. "You went mad Zack, probably one of the reasons you decided to change back into a man—to sustain the last of your sanity."
"Then it was a good thing," said Zack nodding his head strangely feeling awkward around Angeal. "Where is he now?"
At that Angeal straightened and inhaled deeply. His eyes met angrily at Hojo who had his back turned from the two and tried to make his way out of the room.
"Why don't you ask HIM!" growled Angeal.
"Hojo!" growled Zack standing up and taking his place by Angeal's side. "Where is he? Where is my son?!"
"Oh," said Hojo a smile creaking to his lips. "He's not here at the moment."
"Where is he Hojo?!" said Zack as he took his sword out and placed it near the doctor's neck.
"Hollander must have him," said Hojo showing no fear of Zack or the blade he wielded. "You know we agreed to take turns testing the child."
"Then lead the way doctor," said Zack stern just wanting to see the baby again.
"Very well," said Hojo going off towards Hollander's lab.
Angeal and Zack followed Hojo back to Hollander's lab where they found him—alone. This didn't please the parents at all.
"Where's the child Hollander?!" demanded Angeal.
"He's gone," said Hollander waving his hand. "And I say good riddance."
"What?!" gasped Angeal.
"You heard me," said Hollander. "The child is gone. Hojo disposed of him earlier this day."
Both then looked at Hojo who had a smug grin on his face as he placed his hand over his mouth and said—
"Oops, must have slipped my mind."
"Hojo you son of a bi---!" spat Zack holding his sword at the mad doctor. "What did you do?"
"Just like Hollander said," said Hojo clasping his hands together behind his back. "I got rid of the failed experiment."
"What do you mean failed?" asked Zack.
"The tests we put him up to it seemed didn't work so well with his body," said Hojo. "For instance the pale skin returned, but that wasn't the only thing depleted from him because of the tests. His hair molecules lost their color and turned pure white. His eyes color was the only thing that seemed to not change color. Don't worry his hair color should retain its color later in life—though it may be a little lighter than what it used to be."
"How dare you do that to a child!" spat Angeal in rage. "An innocent child!"
"Think what you may," said Hojo knocking the comment off. "He was an experiment and so was to be treated like one."
"Yeah, the little brat used to resist the tests, but soon he just gave up and quit," said Hollander. "He even stopped crying once he realized no one was coming to his rescue."
"Oh no," gasped Zack shaking his head. "This is all my fault."
Oh the horror he had wrought on his poor little boy. He just shook his head and wished he had never given to poor little one up to this kind of fate.
"Where is he now though?" asked Angeal all of the sudden.
"Gone," said Hojo. "Like I said before—I disposed of him."
"Then where can we find him?" asked Zack looking at Hojo.
"Some small town," said Hojo shrugging. "It took all my effort to find a family who would take the brat."
Zack just narrowed his eyes at the doctor calling his child that. Oh he'd like to give him a piece of his mind he would, but for now he just needed to know where the child was. It wasn't long before Hojo told where he had left the child with the family though. Once done he and Angeal decided to take their leave.
"Thanks for the information sirs," said Zack. "We'll be taking our leave now . . . but not before one last thing."
"Oh?" asked Hojo turning to them. "What do you want now?"
Zack didn't say anything though. All he did was come up to Hojo and push his fist into his face—hard. It knocked Hojo back and down. He doctor just cried out in pain fearing his nose was broke.
"Serves you right!" spat Zack as he turned and then looked at Hollander.
Zack smiled and then twitched quickly. Hollander thought he was going to try to hit him too and so ran off. Zack just laughed seeing the fat lard run off like a little child. He shook his head and came back to Angeal who looked at Zack with proud—he couldn't have been more proud.
Zack and Angeal took off towards the small town Hojo gave to them. It may have taken them another day to get to, but once there they searched for their poor child, but once they found him they could only stare as the couple held their child close with love and care. Their eyes scanned the infant to see his poor complexion and light hair. He wasn't crying which also went with what Hojo and Hollander said about him.
They watched him with sunken hearts seeing him like that—so frail. His hair color had been getting darker as Hojo said. Instead of pure white it looked more like a platinum blonde now. Zack wondered if it'd get any darker like it was before. He'd never know.
"Zack—are you okay?" asked Angeal seeing he looked downtrodden.
"Yeah," said Zack shaking his head. "I just realized how many mistakes I've made . . . I'm gonna miss him."
"You're letting him go Zack?" asked Angeal.
"Wouldn't you?" asked Zack. "Look at them Angeal—they were more fit to raise him then we are. We aren't exactly the ideal parents for a child you know."
"I see," said Angeal casting his eyes down and then back at the couple. "They should make fine parents for him."
"He's lucky," said Zack watching the couple laugh and giggle with their friends speaking about life and how it was good to them.
"We'll probably never see him again you know Zack," said Angeal looking back at him.
"I know," Zack said as a smile unknowingly crept up to his lips as his eyes were transfixed on the youngling. "But I wouldn't sell myself short just yet."
Angeal just smiled as he straightened and prepared to leave, but before he had both halted seeing the couple place the baby down as if he was going to walk. He couldn't, he was born not too long ago—how could he walk? Zack and Angeal both gasped seeing the child start to walk with his new mother holding onto him securely.
"It can't be," gasped Angeal. "Look at him!"
Zack scanned his thoughts trying to figure out why this was happening and soon he figured it out. He turned to Angeal and said—
"Come on, I'm sure Hojo didn't tell us the whole story."
Once they got back to the Shin-Ra facility they made sure Hojo told them the WHOLE story about the child.
"So his growth began to quicken after a few mistaken tests," said Hojo chuckling nervously as the two SOLDIER pinned him against his lab wall with blades before him.
"Why did you leave that out Hojo?" asked Angeal wanting to know.
"I don't know," he said. "I didn't think you'd try to go see him any time soon."
"Well we did and what we saw was impossible," said Angeal. "He's just a newborn and he's walking!!"
"That was to be expected," said Hojo.
"Will he always grow faster than normal?" asked Zack cutting in.
"Maybe—it's hard to tell," said Hojo.
"Give me an answer Hojo!" growled Zack pricking the doctor's neck with his sword.
"Maybe in a years or so," said Hojo. "Like I said—it's hard to tell. That's one of the reasons why I got rid of him."
"Is everything garbage to you Hojo?" asked Angeal.
"Do you really want me to answer that Mr. Hewly?" asked Hojo with a smile.
"That's it!" growled Angeal as he placed his sword down and readied to punch the living daylights out of the madman.
"Zack—Angeal, STOP!" came a familiar voice.
The two turned to see Lazard looking surprised at the both of them.
"What is going on here?" asked Lazard.
Zack slowly blinked and let out a heavy sigh as he put away his sword and turned to the man. It was time to tell him everything that had happened . . . and about their child. Once all was said and told Lazard gave out a heavy sigh. They were in his office now where no one could get hurt, but still he was troubled.
"So you just left him?" asked Lazard. "With that couple in that small town?"
"Yes," said Zack. "We thought it better that way—it's better if he never knew."
"If what Hojo said was true and he will continue to grow quicker than everyone then he will suspect something," said Lazard.
"Perhaps, but perhaps not," said Angeal.
"What do you mean Angeal?" asked Lazard looking at him.
"Hojo said he'd eventually stop," said Angeal. "I believe he will soon."
"Well until then I want people to watch him," said Lazard ready to call in and tell them about it.
"No don't!" said Zack motioning his hand for him to stop. "Please—just let the sleeping dogs lie. We've all been through enough hell as it is."
Lazard gave out another heavy sigh as he put away his phone and shook his head.
"Alright," he said. "But now what is there to do?'
"I guess straighten things out again," said Angeal.
"It's easier said than done," said Lazard. "I've already made Hollander wipe everyone's mind that even saw Zack as a woman. Believe me that wasn't easier. I want this to go on like it never happened."
"Then . . ." started Zack with his eyes still in thought. "You have one more mind to swipe."
"Zack?" said Lazard looking at him strangely. "You want to why?"
"I don't want to remember this year Lazard," said Zack shaking his head. "I've had more bad times then good and I—I just want to forget."
:I see," said Lazard. "Angeal how do you feel about this?"
"Hhh, it's his decision like I have said before," sighed Angeal. "If you want to forget Zack then forget, but I don't know if you should."
"I want to Angeal," said Zack. "Or else I'll always have this broken heart inside me because I can't hold my little boy anymore . . . and can't have you."
Angeal just starred at him in silence. Soon he found himself shaking his head in agreement. It was the best for Zack to forget, but those hard memories would always be with Angeal every time he saw Zack or even called his name.
After Angeal had left he spoke about this with Sephiroth and Genesis. Soon afterwards they spoke about it with Lazard.
"Ah yes, it would be good to forget this year ever happened," said Genesis as he sat with Angeal, Sephiroth, and Lazard. "Too much drama this year I do believe."
"Agreed," said Sephiroth. "And too much sadness—on Zack's department. I can understand why she—he wants to forget. I too would probably be better off missing this year."
"If you want to you are welcome to forget with Zack," said Lazard. "Especially you Angeal. You've been though the most—with Zack. I think it would be best for you as well."
Angeal didn't say anything though. He just dwelled on his thoughts wondering if they were that bad to forget or that great to remember forever. Those thoughts carried him through the next day when the last of the mind swiping was taking place in Hollander's lab.
Angeal stood beside Zack as he placed the headgear on him and just looked at him. He smiled at Angeal before closing his eyes and letting the machine do its job. Angeal just watched in silence as he watched Zack get everything from that year erased.
Hollander soon turned to Angeal and asked him—
"Are you ready Angeal?"
Angeal glanced at Hollander and then back at Zack who seemed to ease everything as he forgets—everything.
Hot Shot's girl: So much was said and done in this chp and the next one will be the last (Sigh) Well I had fun and I wonder if you guys can figure out what I did with the baby and 'who' I made him. Hm, some might already guess, but if not feel free and ask and I'll peice it together for ya ;D Till next chp bye :)