Author's Note: I do not own Final Fantasy or anything affiliated with it. The rights to it belong solely to their respective owners.
Notice: My computer had thankfully been repaired, so now I am able to post again! As such, allow me to reply before showing the next chapter to you all!
G.S. Phoenix: You ideas continue to help.
Gry17: I have been receiving ideas for something along the lines of that, but not in the way that you'd expect.
Guest: Splendid! I might just do that.
And so, here we go!
Ch.3 Memories
After we had finished training Zack and I were in the lobby, me cleaning my guns while Zack was doing squats. A SOLDIER operative named Kunsel, a friend of Zack's, walked towards us. "Hey, Jace," he said, to which I looked up and waved. "Hey!" Zack said, continuing his squats with an impatient expression on his face. "You seem a little on edge," Kunsel noted. "Can you blame me? All this training and no assignments. Like they're hanging me out to dry. You must be pretty busy having everyone off base," Zack said. I looked up, pausing in my cleaning to say "Off base? You didn't hear?" Zack also stopped, intrigued. "Hear about what?" he asked. "There was a mass desertion at SOLDIER. It appears one of the 1st's deserted, and he took a bunch of 2nd's and 3rd's with him," Kunsel explained.
Zack's eye widened. "What?! Why did I hear about this?" he said, looking from Kunsel to me and back. I chuckled at my partner, before saying "Most likely because you've been too wrapped up in 'cutting loose' during training to pay attention." Zack frowned and crossed his arms, saying "Then how did you hear about it? You've been training just as much as me." "Because I listen to people as we walk by them," I said simply, going back to my gun. Zack stared at me, and Kunsel concluded "Nobody knows why the 1st left or what he's up to. The mass desertion's the reason why your training's on hold." Zack thought about that, before he had the chance to do that much Angeal showed up.
"Zack, Jace, you both have a new assignment," he said. "Woo-hoo! Finally!" Zack cheered, while I put away my weapons. "Where do we go for the details?" I asked. "This will be your show. Report the Director Lazard's office when you're ready," he said, and walked off. Zack turned to me and showed that huge grin. "You hear that. We're finally getting out of here!" he said. I almost rolled my eyes- Zack was acting like a dog that had gotten told he was going to the park- and stood. "Well, I'm ready. Are you?" I asked. He nodded and said "Yeah!" and sprinted for the elevator. Kunsel watched him go, and said "How is that someone as energetic as Zack got partnered up with someone as calm as you, Jace?"
I smiled. "We both have a knack for trouble," I said simply, before heading for the elevator as well. Once we were heading I straightened my tie; looking good in front of our boss was paramount. Zack didn't try to do anything, but then again there was no way to tame that crazy raven hair of his. We reached the designated floor and the elevator stopped, dinging as the doors slid open. We walked into Lazard's office, and said Director stood to shake our hands. "Zack, Jace, it's good to see you again. I trust that you're getting along well?" he asked. I shook his hand and said "Well enough," while Zack simply said "Heya." Lazard nodded, turning to the keyboard and hitting a button. "Onto business then," he said.
On the screen appeared an ID of a SOLDIER operative with brown hair that reached his shoulder and blue eyes. "SOLDIER 1st Class Genesis. A month ago, he went missing during a mission in Wutai. Know anything about this?" Lazard asked. "Not a clue!" Zack said, while I was silent as two pieces clicked together. "He wouldn't happen to be the first that was rumored to have deserted, would he?" I asked. Both Angeal and the Director blinked in surprise, before Angeal said "Actually, yes. Very astute observation." While I allowed myself a small smile, Lazard continued "The mission is currently stuck in limbo. That's why we've decided to send you." "Uh… to Wutai?" Zack asked.
Angeal nodded. "Yes; this war has gone on long enough. I've recommended you for 1st," he said. Now it was my turn to blink, while Zack said "Angeal! I love you man! An-" and begun to run towards him. "Don't make me regret this, Zack," he said. Zack quickly stopped and stood straight, saying "Sir!" "Once you're both packed, you'll leave at once. This operation will begin immediately upon your arrival in Wutai. Dismissed," Lazard said. I nodded and said "Yes, sir," and walked out while Zack did the same. Kunsel was outside, and he asked "Well? How did it go?" "I've been recommended for 1st!" Zack said happily. "Awesome! I can imagine it now: Zack Fair, SOLDIER 1st Class!" Kunsel said, looking up at the ceiling.
I smiled. "As much as I would love to join you in your celebration, perhaps we should get ready for the mission so that you can get promoted?" I suggested. Both of them stopped, and Zack said "Yeah, I guess you're right." "Oh, hey! That reminds me! Did you see these capsules?" Kunsel said, moving to the side. Along the wall was indeed a row of capsules, and I said "What are they for?" "Shinra puts supplies in here for operatives before they go on mission. But they only open to each member's individually handprints. Why don't you two see what's in yours?" Kunsel explained. Zack nodded and quickly walked over to the one that read "FAIR" while I opened the one that said "SALUTARE".
Zack's capsule contained a couple of Potions, a Thunder Materia, and an Ether. Mine had two Hi-Potions and a Bronze Armlet, which I knew would let me cast more magic. "My thanks to the Shinra Electric Corporation," I said, placing the armlet on. Zack equipped himself with the Materia and said "Okay, I'm god to go!" I nodded, and we returned to Lazard's office. Inside I said "Ready for departure, sir." "Good. I'll be joining you as well. I'm counting on you," the Director said. "Yes, sir!" Zack said, standing straight. "By the way, what was your dream again? 'To become 1st'... isn't it? And what's yours, Jace?" he asked, looking up at us. I shrugged. "I don't have any dreams, sir," I said.
Zack said "To become a hero!" and Lazard smiled. "Ah, good! Unattainable dreams are the best kind," he said. "Uh... thanks?" Zack said, unsure of how to respond. I frowned, but decided not to start an argument with the person who could decide whether or not to worsen my punishment. We received instructions to head for the helipad on the roof, and once we boarded it took off in the direction of Wutai. While on the ride there I decided to catch some sleep, and when I did I dreamed of one of my memories from back when I lived in Nibelheim.
I laughed as I rode along my pet chocobo Solar through the mountains, enjoying the wind on my face. I had owned Solar since I had saved him from a monster when he and his herd had been passing through here. At first the people of the inn were hesitant about letting me own a chocobo, but after getting help from Tifa and Cloud in my plea they had accepted. "It sure feels great to be out and about, doesn't it, Solar?" I asked my pet, rubbing the back of his head. Solar chirped happily, putting on an extra burst of speed. That was one thing that could be said about him- he loved running around.
We passed by the old mako plant and slowed down, both of us feeling a chill in the air. Ever since I had woken up on the outskirts of the village I had always had some sort of connection to the planet. Whenever we were pretending to be things the other kids would insist that I was an Ancient. And I knew that chocobos and other animals were more in tune with the planet than us humans were, so the fact that Solar also slowed down whenever we came near the plant was a real indication that something wrong was there. "Let's hurry up and get out of here. Maybe we can come across some fields and really run fast!" I said, smiling down at my chocobo.
Solar chirped at the thought of that and sped off, as eager to leave the plant as I was. We did indeed come across some fields, and he spent hours on end running through them while I rode on in the saddle. Eventually we became tired, and lounged in the shade of a tree. I took a few apples out of my pouch and gave one to Solar, while I bit into the other. As the hours passed we continued to relax, and eventually fell asleep. When I awoke it was to someone shaking me, and I heard a voice say "Jace! Wake up; the whole village is wondering where you are!" I groaned and opened my eyes, seeing the face of Tifa right in front of me. Even when we were children she was pretty, and having her face so close to mine caused me to blush.
"Good, you're awake. Hey Cloud! He's finally up!" Tifa called, looking to the side. I heard a grunt, followed by the voice of Cloud saying "Great. Now if I can just get his pet to wake too, then we can ride him back." I blinked and began to sit up, Tifa moving back while I stretched. The sun was setting and Solar and I were still beneath the tree, only now the shade it provided made the cool air just plain cold. I looked over to see Cloud trying it lift Solar's wing, that way he could open of its eyes. I snapped awake at that, and said "Wait, Cloud! Don't do-" Too late. The moment Cloud lifted Solar's wing said bird squawked loudly, jumping to its feet and blindly grabbing Cloud's shirt with its beak. "Cloud!" Tifa called, and Solar tossed him a good ten feet away.
He landed with a shout on the ground, and Tifa ran to him while I tried to calm Solar down from his panic. "Are you alright?" she said, kneeling next to him. Now it was his turn to groan, and he stood up with grass stains all over the seat of his pants. "Why in Gaea did your bird do that, Jace?!" he demanded. "I tried to warn you: If anyone wakes up Solar besides me, he goes into a panic. He'll think your the fiend that attacked him and toss you like he did," I explained, bringing my pet over. Solar hung his head in shame, cooing guiltily after having seen what he had done. At that Cloud's indignation faded, replaced by forgiveness. "Hey, it was okay. I wasn't hurt, after all," he said, petting the bird on its side.
Solar's expression brightened at that, and he cawed before suddenly picking Cloud up and tossing him again, this time onto the saddle. "Whoa! What the-?" he began, before Tifa and I laughed. "I think Solar wants to give you a ride as thanks," Tifa said, and I nodded. Cloud hesitated for a second, before grinning hugely and grabbing the reins. "Okay, let's go!" he said excitedly. Solar nodded and dug his claws into the dirt, ready to shoot forward.
But then stopped short when we heard the cry of a monster.
We all froze and spun around, seeing a very small monster walking up to us. It looked like a green lizard on two legs, wearing a brown leather robe, carrying a lantern in one hand and a kitchen knife in the other. We all knew what it was, but it wasn't until Solar cried out in alarm that we snapped back to awareness. "It's a Tonberry!" Cloud shouted, Solar echoing his fear. "We have to run! Now!" Tifa called, and we all nodded. But when we turned back around we saw another Tonberry there, also approaching. To out left was a third one, and on our right was yet another. We were boxed in. "What's going on? How could all these Tonberries have gotten so close to the village?" Cloud said.
"I don't know, but we need to think of a way to get out of here. We can't take them all!" Tifa said. I was silent, before drawing my pocket knife that I used for slicing food and switched it open. "Tifa, Cloud, I want you to take Solar and run," I said, moving so that my feet were apart. "What? Jace, what are you-" Tifa began, before her eyes widened. "Wait a minute! You can't think about fighting these things! You'll be killed!" she said. "All three of us are too heavy for Solar to carry. But if I stay here and keep them busy, you two can escape," I said, watching as the pack of Tonberries grew closer. "No way! We can't leave you here!" Cloud said, beginning to get off of Solar.
He never even finished, because I raced forward and grabbed Tifa, using strength I didn't know I had to toss her onto the saddle. "Solar, go! Get them out of here!" I yelled. My pet chocobo cried out, worried about what would happen to me. "I'll be fine. Just take them and GO!" I yelled, hitting him on the flank with my free hand. That was enough to convince him, and he sped forward, leaping over a Tonberry and speeding towards Nibelheim. The Tonberry he had jumped over turned to look at him, and that gave me the chance to stab it in the back with my knife. It gave a cry of surprise before falling over, and I took both its and my blade before looking at the others.
"Forget them, it's me that you want! Come and get some!" I said. The other Tonberries paused, before deciding to do just that. The one closest ran up and jabbed at me, but I jumped over it and threw my pocket knife. Sadly my aim was terrible, and the blunt end of it bounced off of its head. The monster glared at me before holding up its lantern, unleashing an attack that I now knew to be Karma. Black mist shot forward and hit me in the chest, feeling like my chest had instead been hit with a hot iron. I shouted and fell back, but the first Tonberry was there, waiting for the chance to stab me in the back of the leg. That time I screamed, and I dropped my other knife before falling over, blood already starting to come from the wound.
The Tonberry yanked the knife out and I screamed again, lying on my back as all trio of Tonberries surrounded me. My eyes were screwed shut from the pain, and I thought about how at least Cloud, Tifa and Solar were safe. Then I opened my eyes and saw one standing over me, while another was on each of my sides. As one they raised their knives, and I held out my hands, screaming "NOOO!" When I did that I felt something within me shift, and energy from somewhere in my being shot from my hands. I waited for the feeling of the knifes piercing my flesh, but when it never arrived I opened my eyes once more. And was rendered speechless.
Around me was a dome of crystalline light that kept me separated from the Tonberries, and they beat against with frustration as they knives wouldn't cut through. In some back corner of my mind I was wondering how such an act could be possible, but the rest was starting to process that I was alive. And ready to strike back. New-found strength filled my limbs, and I jumped onto my feet, the Tonberries crying out and backing away. I grabbed my pocket knife from where it had fallen and looked around, grinning. "Who's the stronger one now, huh? Well, I guess it's time that you got a load of this!" I said, pointing my blade at one Tonberry and calling "Thunder!"
A bolt of lighting shot from my knife and hit the ground in front of the beast, singing its robe and forcing it to take a few more steps back. I did the same to the others, casting Blizzard, Fire and even Gravity. Just as I was beginning to think that I could escape this they rushed forward again, hoping to at least take down my Protect spell before they died. They hammered against the barrier with unnatural strength fueled by anger, and I could see it starting to waver. Deciding that it was now or never, I spread my arms and called "It's over! Ultima!" A dome of energy surrounded me and the Tonberries, and the air turned to pure energy before exploding.
The monster all screamed as they were battered from all sides with light and heat, and I was safe within my shield. When the spell faded all that was left of the Tonberries were smoldering husks, and my Protect spell faded away after having faced so much punishment. I smiled in victory, before suddenly feeling overcome with exhaustion and falling forward, too weak to even reach out with my arms. My vision began to go dark along with my hearing, but I could have sworn that I began to hear the calls of people. "There he is!" one voice called. Was it Tifa? It sounded like her. "The Tonberries! They're all dead! Did Jace kill them?" an adult voice asked.
"He must have. But he looks hurt too!" another voice, possibly Cloud, said. That's right, my wound from the stab had never healed. Should have thought about that... I could feel hands lift me up and place me in the saddle of something, and the smell of chocobos filled my nostrils. "We have to get him back to the inn so he can be treated! Quickly!" another voice said. The chocobo I was on cawed, and ran forward. The familiar motion was just what it took for me to fall under, but before I did I managed to think one thing.
Despite the fact that it was impossible, as I had no Materia on hand, I had just used magic.
Well, there you have it; that was when Jace had begun to use magic. But why was he able to do it? Will he use it again in the fight in Wutai? Will anything else happen there? All of this and more can be found out, so long as you stay tuned!
Please review! If you flame me Liam Neeson will look for you, he will find you, and he will kill you. (I'm just kidding... or am I?)