Hi everyone!

Well, here is the next chapter of Silent Destiny! I'm really sorry about any of the spelling and/or grammar mistakes you may have seen in the previous chapters, I was never good at that stuff ;P. Hope you all like the chapter though!

Disclaimer: I own this computer, this idea, my brain and the Easter eggs in the fridge, Square-Enix own Final Fantasy VII.

Chapter Three: The Test

Hojo tapped his bony fingers on his desk. What to do now? He wondered. He started pacing around his office. As he did he kept his eyes on the TV screen in front of him. Each screen had a different cell. He looked at the one with the Ancient and his other specimen. They were both asleep.

What could he possibly do with the Ancient? He knew if found the Promise Land it could lead to so many possibilities. He could keep the discovery for himself or he could tell Shirea he found it and let them use the mako stored within it. It would be wise to tell Shirea about it. But he wasn't focused on the Ancient right now. His other experiment was nearly complete. Just a few more injections and he would be ready.

But how would he test to find out? Zack, his specimen, what could make him break? What would send him into such a rage to find out if it had worked?

Suddenly, it hit him. His eyes widened at the idea. Then he laughed triumphantly at his own idea. He quickly rushed over to the screens. He took the tap from yesterday's surveillance and pushed it into the VHS. He watched the scene unfold before him.

He suddenly paused a moment later. He rewound the tape a few seconds before letting it play again. Did he hear the specimen right?

His words were:

"I wanted to get back to Midgar to see you again. I wanted to help you sell flowers, I wanted have a life with you and I wanted us to be together. Even if the whole world was against me, I went through hell to get back to you. But then Shirea stopped me and I couldn't. Just please believe me, I love you, Aerith, and I always have."

Hojo grinned, his laughter filled the room. Now he knew what to do...

I woke up feeling a little light headed. I still remembered what happened last night. Zack told me what happened to him. I felt like I was going to cry again. I had to stop thinking about it. I looked around my cell until my eyes landed on something out of place.

A bowl?

I got up and walked over to it. It was near the door. I looked down and saw what was in it. Food…I think. My nose wrinkled at the stench of the sloppy muck. It was the colour of vomit. Maybe it was vomit, it sure smelt like it. I noted the spoon sticking out from the mixture. I took the spoon out and licked the mixture. It tasted better then it smelt and looked.

I sat down against the wall and began to eat.

I wonder if Zack is awake yet? I pressed my ear to the wall. I couldn't hear anything. I put the spoon back into the half empty bowl and tapped my fist against the wall "Zack?"

There was no response. I knocked a little harder this time "Zack?" Still no response. He must have been taken this morning. Oh no, I just pray Hojo doesn't do anything painful to him. Of course that hope was useless. Hojo was a cold hearted man with no pity for anyone or anything. I didn't feel like eating all of a sudden and I put the bowl down next to me.

I began to go into a train of thought. What did Hojo want with e? I think he wanted me to find the Promise Land. All I knew was He wasn't getting anywhere near it. He'd only use it for pure evil. Even if I had to sacrifice myself I would. No matter what it takes.

But what about Zack? What did Hojo want with him? What was he going to do with Zack? What would Zack become? These questions ran in my head all at once almost burning my mind. Worry began to take over my system. I know what happens with Hojo's specimens; I've seen them. They become hideous, corrupted and evil. I could never imagine Zack ever becoming something like that. It was just like when I found out he was in SOLDIER I could never see him having anything to do with them. He was too gentle and cheerful to be a SOLDIER.

Just like he could never be a monster...

I needed to do something, but I didn't know what. What could I do? I wish I knew.

Do not worry, my child It was the planet. I don't know how the planet could contact me in this structure.

'Planet, please, please, please help me to find a way to help Zack. I don't want him to become a monster. I don't want him to end up like Hojo's other experiments. Please help me...' I pleaded.

There is no way we can, child.

'No...your wrong. There must be a way! There is always a way for everything!'

I am sorry, child... I felt the planet presence leave. The planet had to be wrong. There was no way it could be right.

I vow to find a way to help Zack. If he becomes a monster, I'll find a way to change him back. I will find a way...

A pained scream filled the air. I immediately stood up. Zack...

No! Please not be Zack. I dearly hope that wasn't Zack. No, it couldn't be Zack.

Another scream, this one was one of agony. I felt tears run down my face. Zack...no...please. Stop, Hojo...please...

I heard footsteps coming down the hallway. I didn't care. All I cared about was Zack. I hated to hear him in pain. I didn't want to see him in pain either. The door slid open and two SOLDIERs appeared. One grabbed either of my arms and dragged me away from my cell. The door slid to a close behind us. I didn't bother to fight, because I knew they would just catch me again. As we went up into the elevator I began to wonder what they were taking me away for. Hojo was ready to experiment on me when he was done with Zack.

He truly was a sick man...

The elevator doors opened. They opened to a lab. The whole room look awful. I felt the shivered run up my spine as I looked at all the instruments. Most of them were sharp and look almost brutal. They gleamed in the light from the ceiling. There was a table in the middle of the room with restraints on the top and bottom. I dreaded to think what happened when Zack was put on that table and had injections put into him.

"Fine! Let's try a different approach!" I heard Hojo's voice boom out. Zack winced in pain. "Send her in!" The SOLDIER's pushed me in. I fell to the floor. I looked up in fear. Two black polished shoes were only centimetres away from me. He chuckled "Good to see you again, Ancient." He reached down and grabbed my hair. I winced in pain trying my best not to scream. Hojo forced me to stand up and look to my left.

I felt my eyes widen. My lips parted. A gasp escaped from my mouth...

Zack, his head lolled against his shoulder and his eyes closed, had large bruises starting to form on his arms. His wrists were restrained to a steel table half turned upwards. He must have had so many injections or Hojo was beating him.

"So, instead of beating you half to death, we'll try something different!" Hojo yelled.

Zack opened his eyes. He looked up. His eyes widened and he looked almost in agony "No, please! No! Not her please"

The next thing I knew I was falling back. I felt my back hit against the wall. I winced in pain trying to bite down the scream of pain that wanted to escape. I tried to keep standing but I collapsed to the ground again.

Hojo stood over me. A chilling grin flashed over his face "This won't hurt a bit..."

Dah! Cliff hanger! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it! If you have time, please review. Thanks again!

Keep Writing!!