Author's note: Here's the first chapter of the story. This story will mainly be based in the present day rather than...Zack's dreams which will only have snippets after this chapter, though some will be more detailed than others.
CHAPTER 1: Training and Advice.
World: Olympus Coliseum.
(~Olympus Coliseum-KH2~)
Four hours later finds Zack doing his daily excercise, doing his favorite squats had came to do out of habit until he came to realise a few years back that doing this keeps helps him think and try to be calm. Not to mention helps him to get his muscles into perfect shape. When he first came to the Coliseum, he was only fourteen years old.
Now twentytwo, Zack shaped up a little bit. But that didn't mean he became a hero instantly. Zack knew he still had a lot of work to do but...come on, Phil! Give him some tormaments to compete for crying out loud! Now that Hercules was a true hero, Phil started training Zack to become a hero as well despite the latter's heroic deeds a year back in helping Herc' to stop Hades and saving the world.
"Hey, Zack." Speaking of Herc. The demi-God, who had decided to stay in this world as a mortal, entered the coliseum doors and leaned on the frame of the doorway, watching his friend squating while having noticed the stressed and somewhat frustrated look on the spiky-black-haired man's face. "You seem a little on edge." Hercules thought.
"Can you blame me?" Zack grunted, breaking a sweat but not stopping. "All this, training, and no, tornaments. It's like Phil's, hanging me out to dry!"
When Herc' didn't reply Zack changed the subject, and said, "You must be pretty busy with saving everybody in town." even though there hasn't been any incidents lately aside from odd monsters that came from the Underworld by Hades once and a while. Plus for the past month things have been quiet.
"Uh, saving the town?" Herc' repeated, caught off-guard. He then realised something and asked, "Wait, haven't you heard? Everybody's been going crazy over a black shooting star that appeared last night."
This caught Zack off-guard and he stopped his squats all together, standing up and stared at his friend in surprise. A black shooting star? That's a new one. It couldn't be the darkness in the sky could it? Zack had experience with darkness before due to Hades and he nearly lost himself. If it wasn't for Terra or Grovyle, two travellers who were also well known as heroes(at least Terra was), then Zack was certain he would've been lost forever. That kind of black magic scared him for life.
"Nobody knows what the black shooting star is, but it appeared out of nowhere. On top of that a few stars have been mysteriously blinking out during night time." Hercules explained.
Zack crossed his arms against his chest in thought, while Hercules continued, "I doubt there's an immediate answer to all of this, but rumors say that Hades made have something to do with it."
While Zack wanted to agree that Hades would do something as stupid as making a black shooting star to take over Olympus, for some reason he actually doubted that was the case. Something was up, and Zack had no idea why.
The conversation was interrupted and quickly ended when Phil the Stytr and Herc's trainer walked in from the doorway leading to the stadium, as Hercules and Zack greeted him.
"Hey Zack," Phil began, "new tornaments up!"
"Whoo! Finally!" Zack cheered, in relief. "Some real action!" as he approached the goat-man.
Mentally grumbling at Zack overly excitement, Phil continued outloud, "This is your show, kid." before adding firmly holding out tow fingers to count, "And remember, two simple words of advice: A, nice, clean, game!" which instead wasn't two words at all.
Which Zack noticed and countered his fingers to count the words Phil said, "One, two, three, um...?" puzzled and slightly dumbfounded realising it was four words. This happened the first time they met eight years ago when Zack confronted Phil and tried to convince him to train him but he was too late as Hercules approached him first. Heck, even Ven, another traveller, noticed the wrong number of words when they met the blonde-haired teen too.
Deciding to forget about it Zack followed Phil into the stadium to get ready for the competition. After all, it was all part of Zack's training to become a hero and he somewhat worshipped four heroes;
Terra, Aqua the female traveller, Sephiroth and Hercules.
(End Olympus Coliseum)
After an hour to warm up and prepare himself, Zack stepped into the fighting arena. He competed in other cups before through out eight years, training hard to fufil his dream in becoming a hero. He met up with Phil near it.
"This match's the Phil Cup! Better watch yourself." Phil cautioned.
Zack grinned, confident that he'll win. "You got it!" he replied, racing into the fighting arena, as the crowd cheered on already.
(~Go For It-KH1.5 HD ReMIX~)
Round 1:
First up was another fighter, but to Zack, this bulky guy, who was known as a troublemaker, but had fought his way to get here by cheating, was far slower than Zack himself was. Dodging out of the way of the man's powerful punch, Zack quickly responded by giving him a good slash with his sword, successfully making cuts on the larger man's arm, before the opponent blocked Zack's sword with his own.
But Zack jumped out of the way before leaping into the air and slashed at the larger opponent one more time and as the man collasped to the ground, he tried to sit up but Zack responsed in punching him on the head and leaving a lovey pointy bump, in a similiar position as the four-legged horse-man at the river where Hercules, Phil, Pegasas, Zack himself and Mickey first met Meg a year ago. The man comically passed out, injured and humilatingly defeated, much to everyone's relief and excitement
Zack wins the 1st round!
And the crowd goes wild!
Round 2:
The next opponent relayed in speed, but because Zack taught himself to handle both fast and strong opponents, this guy stood no chance, and because Zack kept on dodging his fast moves, Zack eventually tricked him into cornering him at a piller. Once the speedy fighter approached, Zack simply moved out of the way, and bursted out laughing as the opponent crashed head-first into the piller with a crash, actually forming a crack on the piller itself.
The crowd, Phil and Hercules also bursted into laughter the sight of the speedy opponent's humilating defeat, and this time Zack didn't even break a sweat.
2nd round down, four to go!
The other three rounds went smoothly, for Zack defeated an axe-man who tried to outwit him but was outwitted himself, then he defeated a whipping-weapon man who's whip was sliced into several pieces by Zack's sword and had surrendered.
As the fifth round came, Zack simply just punched another sword-wielding man's face and knocked him out-cold for the other guy simply just held his sword high and unwittingly left himself open.
It was somewhat easy for Zack today, but he enjoyed the match, for these opponents were tough on everyone else.
(End Go For It)
During a half an hour break, allowing Zack some time to rest and warm up for the last round which would be difficult, he was itching to get on it. If there's one thing you should know about Zack Fair, is that when it comes in doing something exciting, paitence is never his fortee. He hated waiting, but he knew he should.
(~Innocent Times-KH: BBS~)
While Zack was waiting for his final match as he wondered who would be his final opponent, Phil came up to him as Hercules waited by the exit and the goat-man praised Zack, saying, "You're getting better and better. Keep that up, and your dream on becoming a hero may be closer than you think."
When he heard these words Zack was overcome by joy and he was laughing happily, squealling, "Phil! Aw, I love you, man!" picking up the startled Phil and gave him a great big hug, catching the goat-man off-guard as he tried to squirm free from the overly-excited Zack's arms while Hercules chuckled at the cute scene.
Eventually, Phil freed himself with difficulty and landed on the ground before grumbling to the young man thankful that Zack's strength wasn't as crazily strong as Herc's godly strength but it was still too strong and uncomfortable enought for him, "You might wanna work on that, Zack." referring to Zack's childish excitement.
"Sorry." Zack replied, a bit sheepisly but he was still grinning.
Phil mentally sighed, then told the trainee, "The last challenger of this match is pretty tough. Better be prepared."
(End Innocent Times)
Zack was preparing himself. He didn't know what to expect, but he didn't want to get caught off-guard. He figured that the final opponent would be pretty tough but not as tough as Herc'. Still, Zack couldn't shake off this weird feeling that something is about to happen and he couldn't figure out why.
When his break was over, Zack returned to the fighting arena to face off in his final challenge of the Phil Cup and hopefully win the tornament. He came pretty far so far and he was thankful for it. Zack hoped that today was the day he would finally become a hero. But then again it was up to the people to decide, not the fighter.
But as he waited the gates on the other side opened, and Zack's eyes widened in complete shock as he recongised who his final opponent is. The silver long hair, the very long sword...
"No way!" Zack exclaimed, both shocked and excited. "S-Sephiroth!?"
Sephiroth, seeing the young opponent react this way, smirked and readied his sword getting into a fighting position as he said in a smooth tone, "This should be interesting."
(~Terra's Theme-KH BBS~)
Snapping back to reality, Zack drew out his sword now more determined and excited than ever as he replied, "I've been waiting for this day to meet the hero I worshipped!"
"Begin the final match!" Phil announced.
The battle was on. Sephiroth swiftly dashed forward and clashed with Zack who being caught off-guard all of the sudden could only try to block Sephiroth's fast moves before Zack rolled out of the way to avoid in being sliced into pieces. He counterparted by swinging his sword at Sephiroth who expertly blocked it as if it was nothing. As Zack stood, he backed away just in time by one second for the tip of Sephiroth's sword was on inch too close to his throat, before Zack leaped away.
However, Zack was quickly forced to block Sephiroth's next attack and at this while the younger man tried to push the opponent back Zack suddenly felt the flash of deja vu and it was a powerful one as well. But he didn't have time to ponder as Sephiroth gave a powerful blasting push that threw Zack across the arena, where the latter landed roughly on the ground and his sword scattered on the other side.
(End Terra's Theme)
Everyone in the crowd, Hercules, Phil, even Meg who arrived on time to see this all gasped, while Pegasas repeatedly bit his hooves scaredly praying that Zack would be alright and half expecting this to end badly.
While Zack was breathly slowly Sephiroth walked over and the former's eyes widened suddenly remembering his dream. Zack shut his eyes as he felt Sephiroth move in for the killing blow. But the killing blow never happened. Zack hesitatedly opened his eyes to see the sword over him close to his chest but only barely touching it.
After a moment or two, Sephiroth drew his sword away from the younger man allowing Zack to sit up, before standing up and, seeing how he lost but was spared, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I didn't win, but that sure was exciting." Zack admitted. All in all, it was an awesome battle and despite the loss he was glad to have had the chance and lived through it.
Sephiroth smiled, and replied, "It's been a while since I've faced a worthy opponent." admitting, "You're very skilled, young man."
Zack was a bit nervous until Sephiroth held out his hand for a hand shake which stunned him. Zack slowly shook the man's hand before letting go and replied, "Thanks. Now I know why you're a hero."
"Let's battle again sometime soon."
"Cool, I'll be waiting." Zack grinned. "By the way, I'm Zack."
Sastified, Sephiroth nodded, "It's been a pleasure, Zack." before turning and walked away as the winner but he was more proud to have found a worthy opponent like Zack.
Once Sephiroth was out of sight Zack stood there frozen, despite the crowd going wild for the amazing match praising both Sephiroth and Zack. But Zack wasn't listening to anything at the moment. Instead, he thought back when Sephiroth...
"Holy..." he muttered to himself, stunned and shocked, almost lost for words. "He almost killed me, just like...in my dream last night." he remembered how the dream turned out and to think it nearly came true but in a different place. It felt strongly familiar, but this was more real. Zack wondered what it could mean.
It was Phil who snapped Zack back to reality, as the latter turned to look at him. "Kid, that sure was close! You okay?" Phil asked worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Guess I gotta do more training." Zack replied, quietly adding to himself, "...and a little thinking."
(~Sky Blue Eyes-Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII~)
Later that afternoon, Zack had been thinking about his experience at the tornament as well as his dream for the rest of the day and it's been driving him crazy. He knew something was up but he couldn't figure out how or why. He came to a conclusion that he had to talk to Herc' about this since the latter had the similiar feeling before he learned that he was God and that was shortly before they met.
Thankfully, Zack found his friend on the top of a grassy hill outside of town watching the sunset which was beautiful. Hearing someone approach him, Hercules turned around and saw a rather semi-gloomy Zack approach him and the two stood next to each other.
"Hey, Zack." Hercules greeted, before shrugging apologectically, "Heard that you lost today. Talk about a bummer."
"Ah, it's cool. Besides, nobody can beat Sephiroth or you. You two guys are pretty much unbeatable, but you'd both never really kill anybody unless it's nesserary." Zack pointed out with a weak smile, before looking at the ground with a frown, and mentally sighed.
Noticing his friend's grim look, Herc' couldn't help but ask, "You okay?"
"Yeah." Zack began, before admitting with a shrug, "Just being borthered by weird dreams lately."
"Dreams? What kind?"
Zack told Hercules about another version of himself being a SOLDIER 2nd Class, High-Tech city that he named Midgar from description, another version of Angeal being SOLDIER 1st Class, another version of Sephiroth, Wutai Troops, and how the dream always ends with Sephiroth killing him, and how the real Sephiroth nearly did today, except that Zack was spared.
"Maybe that's what is preventing me from getting anywhere in becoming a true hero like you." Zack concluded with another helpless shrug.
"Zack," Hercules began to his friend, "A true hero isn't messured by the size of their strength, but by the strength of their hearts. You remember that, right?"
The black-haired man nodded, "Yeah, and you found that out in saving Meg and bringing her back to life from the underworld, and boy, did you whip Hades into shape." and the two lightly laughed at the memory of how Hercules punched Hades in the face so hard that it was practically smooshed and the face briefly disappeared in the head, and Zack remembered how he and Mickey laughed at the sight after Herc' rescued Meg's soul from the River of Death.
After a moment of silence, Hercules went into thinking of a way to help out his friend. Then an idea formed in his mind. "I have idea, Zack." Herc' began to Zack, suggesting, "Why don't you go and visit the Temple of Zeus and get information there. That's where I found out about my origins eight years ago, just before I met you, Phil, Ven, Terra, Jason, Grovyle, Serenity, Mickey and Aqua."
"Uh, you mean where the giant statue of Zeus is?" Zack asked, wanting to make sure if he heard right. Rumor has it that that's where many who are lost in life go to in order to find answers.
"Yeah. I'm sure you'll get answers there." Hercules answered.
Zack thought about, then he realised that, considering how that's where his friend found out his own answers, and then came to a decision that maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask Zeus about his weird dreams.
Nodding, he replied, "Okay. I'll do that tomorrow, first thing in the morning." shrugging as he knew that he would have to leave behind his home for a little while, "Too bad I'll have to put my training on hold, but I need to figure this out."
Zack also thought about his own mentor before they departed sometime eight years ago before he met his friends, "...and I'm also worried about Angeal. It's been eight years since I've last seen him."
"I'll tell Phil that you're gonna be gone for a while." Hercules stated, before placing a comforting hand on Zack's shoulder, adding, "Be careful out there."
Smiling at his friend's suppoort, Zack promised, "Will do. Thanks, Herc."(End Sky-Blue Eyes)
(In Zack's Dream)
At first, Zack thought he was dead. But when he realised he felt no pain from Sephiroth's sword he hesitatedly opened his eyes, breathing scaredly a little as the sword was over him. When he shifted his eyes to look forward he saw another sword blocking Sephiroth's.
It was Angeal who was holding Zack's broken sword, and the older man sighed in slight disappointment as well as relief that he made it in time to save his pupil. Sephiroth and Angeal retreated the swords allowing Zack to push himself up and the younger man sighed in relief.
"Thanks, Angeal." The teen smiled a little.
Angeal said nothing. Instead, he stood up and stared at Sephiroth who stared at nothing, almost completely lifeless. Digging out his PHS Angeal selected through the optains, choosing to "Abort Mission" and choosing yes before snapping his phone shut and putting it away. Then the entire scenery around him and Zack melted away into data. Even Sephiroth was melted into data.
As it turns out, it was a simulation training mission within the simulation room of the ShinRa HQ on floor 15.
"Training's over." Angeal announced.
Zack, who was wearing a simulation helmet during the training session jolted up to his feet in shock, demanding, "Wha? Why?"
Not saying anything Angeal only pointed Zack's broken sword at the shocked younger man. Zack couldn't believe that the sword breaking was real. Once again he was stunned and amazed by the technology of the ShinRa Company.
"You serious?" he asked, before taking off his helmet and throwing it to the floor, protesting, "Aw c'mon! I was warming up!"
Still not saying, Angeal instead turned Zack's sword backwards to allow the latter to take the broken weapon by the hilt. Zack took it and sighed, while Angeal walked passed him to leave the room for the day.
"Zack." Angeal spoke, causing Zack to turn to gaze at his retreating figure. "Embrace your dreams."
"Huh?" was all Zack could say, confused.
Angeal paused in his steps, continuing, "If you want to be a hero, you need to have dreams." looking slightly back at his pupil, adding, "...and honor." before opening the automactic door and leaving Zack to ponder at his mentor's words.
"Uh...huh." Zack muttered, rubbing the back of his head. He had no idea, but he had heard of these words over and over again but today it just seemed a little...different.
Early the next morning...back in the real world.
Blinking his eyes open, Zack groaned as he awoke from his sleep in his room. It was same dream...except this time, it somehow now jumped ahead, and somehow completed the one he kept on having up until last night. It seemed that ever since meeting Sephiroth at the match Zack's dream was made a bit more clear and yet it only provided more questions.
"That was weird." Zack thought to himself, as he sat up, pondering at his dream. So his dream-self survived the other Sephiroth too. What were those...devices the other Zack and other Angeal were in? And that Sephiroth wasn't real?...cool gadgets, though. Wait...What the other Angeal said...Zack's eyes widened slightly as he realised those were the same words the real Angeal left him before they departed eight years ago.
Flash-Back: Eight years ago...
As Angeal was leaving for an adventure, and Zack was about to leave in the opposite road leading to Thebes, Angeal paused in his steps, saying, "Zack, embraces your dreams...if you want to be a hero, you need to have dreams...and honor."
End of Flash-Back.
Sighing and suddenly finding that he deeply misses his own mentor, Zack stared up at his ceiling wishing to see his close friend again. "...Angeal."
Now Zack knew he had to find his answers of his dreams.
Later that morning after preparing himself for his trip towards the countryside and journey to the Temple of Zeus, Zack arrived at the docks to catch the boat that would travel across the sea to his destination. Hercules, Phil, Meg and Pegasus joined up with him to say goodbye and wish him the best on his journey.
"Well, time to get going." Zack declared.
(~Friends in My Heart-KH2~)
"Bye." Zack said to his friends as he turned to them. He felt sad for leaving them behind but he promised himself he would come back safe and sound.
"Hey, Zack. I hope you'll find your answers, so you can come back to become a true hero too." Hercules said, hoping for the best for his friend.
Zack nodded, "Thanks, Herc. I hope I can find my answers too." he replied.
"No flirting with any ladies while you're at it." Meg told him in a somewhat motherly tone, much to Zack's dismay.
Okay granted, Zack was a bit of a ladies man but that was part of his nature. Could he help it that he liked to greet and hang out with pretty girls and ask them on a single date? He pouted, "Aw, c'mon!" before sighing in defeat and slumped, "Fun-crusher."
That's when Meg giggled, and stated, "I'm just kidding." making Zack puzzled and slightly baffled, before she continued, "Be careful out there, country-boy."
Zack chuckled at this, whispering to Hercules, ""Country-boy" she says." as the two of them both grew up in the country, so thus, both of them are country boys despite they grew adapted in living in a city like Thebes.
"Kid, remember to come back." Phil began, then added with a hint of warning, "Because other wise I'll do two words: Knock, your, head!"
Despite that the Goat-Man said the wrong number of words again, Zack flinched at the trainer's words and muttered an awkward, "Uh, thanks?"
Herc on the other hand laughed as he pointed out to make Zack feel better, "You know Phil, Zack. He's only looking out for us."
"Hey!" Phil blushed heavily, before he and everyone else all laughed.
After they finished laughing Zack waved, saying his last goodbye, "Thanks, guys. See you soon!" before he raced up the ramp and onto the deck of the ship, turning around and gave his friends a final wave of goodbye while the crew worked on getting the ship into sailing.
As the boat was finally sailing away Zack was waving at his friends who waved back, all of them promising they would meet up again soon, while the ship Zack was on slowly disappeared into the horizon of the ocean.
(End Friends In My Heart)
However, fifteen minutes after Zack's ship left, while Hercules and the others were walking back into town, talking about how they missed their friend already, hiding behind near a building where the dock is, was the familiar tall gray skinned, blue-fire haired man in the black robes and sharp teeth, non other than the God of the Underworld; Hades.
(~Villians of Sort-KH2~)
"So the Mosquito is searching answers, huh? What kind, no clue." Hades was saying to himself, as he overheard of Zack's departure. Other than Hercules, and that Mickey Mouse who wasn't seen for a year Zack was another annoying bane in the Lord of the Dead's existance-all thanks to Terra and Grovyle, and even Aqua and "Sailor Moon". What was with them these days?
"Jeeze-louise." Hades grumbled to himself. He then formed an evil plan in his mind, and grinned, thinking of this as his advantage to overwhelm "WonderBreath". "Oh well, I'll just make sure that he's so out of the picture with a little..." he paused dramatically, before concluding, "Octopus-soup!"
Oh yes. This would be delicious for Hades, for had a plan to see Zack's soul in the Underworld. But little did any of them know...that someone else had Zack's fate in mind, and it was not death.
But something worse. (End Villians of Sort)
A/N: Please review, and look out for the next chapter.
Edited-Redone.