Ugh. This one just wouldn't quite flow -_-; Gah! I wanna go to the exciting parts!!! So yeah, sorry for the lateness And then I got frustrated and found out that Sleeps With Coyotes wrote FFVII and I adored her FMA fics and I'm not really generally much for slash in FFVII-verse for some reason but daaaamn. She might have me turned just the littlest bit XD This is still not going to contain slash though.
"He's gonna be a beast when he gets his shots!" Zack exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Oh?"
"You know, he started out being defeated in, like, five minutes, and that's really good anyways for a cadet, right? I mean, against a fully trained SOLDIER, even if I am going easy one him. But after two hours, less really, it took me almost fifteen minutes to corner him. And he's bloody stubborn too." Pride warred with amused exasperation at that. "Won't accept defeat unless you have him pinned, I swear."
"That doesn't surprise me." Not after the kid had pulled a limit break for a training lesson. Sore loser, that one.
"Shrewd as an old elfadunk too, he caught on after the second time."
"I see." It was really kind of funny, the way Zack seemed eager to boast about his friend. His pup had never been boastful, had always seemed rather disparaging of people, who felt the need to boost their ego by telling everyone else how good they were. Obviously the same rules didn't apply to boasting about other people's accomplishments.
If he let him, Zack could probably keep going for the rest of the night.
"I really don't know how long I can keep it up, yanno. I'm not generally a tactics sorta person, besides there are only so many ways you can defeat one guy."
"Oh, really? Sephiroth might disagree with you on that." He grinned. Zack's expression of dismay really was nothing short of priceless.
"I can't believe you just compared me to Sephiroth!"
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because Sephiroth is, well, Sephiroth!" He gestured emphatically. "SOLDIER extraordinaire, a tactical genius, strategical genius, sword-fighting genius, in short! All-round genius. I'm just, what did you call me, oh right! "Talented"." He inflected that last word, making quotation marks in the air and grinned, all good humour.
Angeal shook his head, still amused. "I see no reason why you shouldn't try to be just as good, you wanna be a hero, don't you? If Cloud Strife really is as good as you say, then I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to learn something as well." Leaning back he just watched the range of emotions going over Zack's face. It truly was astounding how many emotions the Second Class was able to express and it was... truly refreshing when you dealt with the general or Genesis on a regular basis. Zack hadn't developed their guards and Angeal hoped he never would or ever have reason to.
Zack finally settled on an emotion, somewhere between extremely pleased and slightly surprised. "You think I could become as good as Sephiroth? Seriously?"
"Seriously. Don't get me wrong, you are nowhere near and you probably won't ever be able to wield the Masamune like he does, but you're a different kind of fighter, so you shouldn't aim to. What are your strengths and what are your weaknesses? You should aim to make your strengths better than anyone else and your weaknesses so minimal, they won't be used against you."
"I see. Better all 'round it is!"
- - -
Every single cadet in ShinRa knew that Cloud was getting special treatment by now. Angeal had of course explained that they couldn't risk that Cloud lost control of a limit break if he was sparring with the rest of the cadets, but it was generally speculated that Cloud was just too good.
The speculation divided into two theories; that Cloud was so good and therefore it would be useless for him to train with the rest of his class or that Cloud was getting so good because he was being trained separately. The agreements seemed to split between those who envied him and those who'd rather avoid the periodic bruising and shallow cuts he received when he trained with Zack.
As it was, Cloud was the one who was the one most surprised when he was moved to a more advanced class in both biology and mechanical engineering.
Surprised and a bit annoyed that he was going to have to catch up again.
- - -
Blocking a punch to his face, he drew a hand back to retaliate and had to avoid another hit, this time to his midriff. He threw his fist forward at the place where, he blinked, where Cloud had been, but his lithe opponent was already crouched on the floor, ready to sweep his legs out from under him.
Adulio hit the floor hip first and rolled but either he wasn't fast enough or Cloud had known where he was going, because he rolled straight into a fist, smashing into the floor terribly close to his face.
Cloud was grinning above him.
- - -
There was something truly calming about the regular rhythm kept in most of all weight training exercises. Back and forth, up and down, whichever kind of exercise you performed, whichever muscle group you were working on, the rhythm had to remain steady and the movements precise. Depending on how much weight you pulled, you could cause some serious long-term injuries to your body.
Cloud was currently working aerobic muscle on his legs, which basically translated to endurance training. Relatively low weight, many repetitions. Running was good for this, except running only really trained so many muscles. He needed muscles to be able to stay in a low stance for as long as possible. Training with Zack over the past month had clearly shown him that and now that he was free of kitchen duty, he had the time to spare. Irwin's constant comments about how scrawny he was had absolutely nothing to do with it.
Which led him here and to the leg press.
"Oh, is the little whore trying to better himself? Ya really think dear Zack will fancy you just 'cause you get a little muscle on your scrawny ass?"
Of course, expecting to be alone was just too much to ask for.
"The fuck!" Irwin exclaimed as he neared. "Oi, guys, take a look at this! Ha, I take more in a bench press!"
Rolling his eyes, Cloud continued the steady rhythm of push and give. The three No-Brains continued their ridicule, trying to get a rise out of the quiet blonde.
"Don't you guys have better things to do?"Breathe in, retract legs, push, breath out. "I mean, I know this isn't my business," but then neither was it their business how much weight his legs could stand or for how long, "but aren't you all behind in the academic classes?"
"Psh, as though those matter. As long as you're a good fighter, they're not gonna care how well you know the company's history or if you can put together a chopper."
"If you say so." All the firsts were more or less known for their intellect though, was Irwin really that stupid? Of course, this was Irwin, so it might not be all that far-fetched that he really was.
"It's not like you friend ever passed the academic classes."
Cloud blinked. They were talking about Zack? "Yes, he did."
"Come on! Are you telling me that idiot can actually read?"
Cloud blinked again. "Are you, of all people, questioning Zack's ability to read?" The idea was so ludicrous Cloud couldn't muster the incentive to be angry.
"Whaddya mean 'of all people'?"
"Well, you're not exactly a shining example of intelligence and wit." He was still too flabbergasted to hold his mouth, or he would simply have grunted something non-committal. With a start he realised that his rhythm had come to a halt. He began again, counting in his head. He had at least made fifty before Irwin interrupted him.
"Oh yeah? And I suppose a little farmyard nobody like you would know." Grunts laughing.
That was actually a clever response. By Irwin's standards. "I suppose the fact that even a 'farmyard nobody' like me can see it isn't speaking in your favour." Why had he let himself get dragged into an exchange of insults again? Reacting in any way with more than grunts couldn't possibly end well.
"Hey, shut up, loser!"
"Yeah, shut up!"
Cloud eyed No-Brain #2 and #3. He had no idea what their names were and frankly he didn't care. He had wondered once or twice about why they just let Irwin run the show, but then, Irwin was bigger than they were and they weren't intelligent enough to realize they were in bad company.
He sighed and locked the machine so he could get up. Dismissing the two grunts he stood facing Irwin, eyes narrowed. Maybe the constant name calling and derisive comments really was getting to him, but obviously his relative lack of response hadn't been discouraging enough.
"Call your lackeys off, Irwin. Their wit's even duller than yours and that's saying something."
"What, don't think you can handle us?"
"Is that an insult to me or you? Don't you think you can handle me on your own?"
"Oh yeah? Well, you're just little slut wanting to suck Fair cock!"
"Isn't that an old insult already? You can't figure out anything original?"
"Ooh, you're just so sad because Zack won't give it to you."
"And you're fucking stupid if you think that."
"Hit a sore spot, did we? Don't worry, whore, I'll let you suck mine."
Cloud looked at the idiot for all of three seconds, trying to judge if he had actually heard right. Deciding than Irwin actually had said those words to his face, he spat on the floor, barely missing Irwin's toe. "That is the single most disgusting idea you've ever had!" For a while, wit had left, taken over by sheer disbelief and a a feeling of nausea. He looked away briefly, trying to dredge up an image of something, anything, less trauma inducing than what Irwin had just... suggested.
He missed the pointed look passed from Irwin to his two lackeys. When they both kicked him hard at the back of his knees, he was completely unprepared so when his knees buckled, he ended on them in front of Irwin, now staring a great deal further up than he was before. The snarl that broke out was entirely unrestrained.
"Come on, Blondie. Jail bait like you're just waiting for proper cock." But as Irwin reached out a hand to get a hold of the blond spikes, Cloud ducked even further, and swept out a kicked aimed precisely at the larger boy's ankles.
Rolling just far enough to not be in immediate reach, Cloud rose in a crouch, ready to attack at the first weakness he saw. He had never felt so absolutely disgusted in his life and he was going to make sure that Irwin would feel it. He smirked. The kick had brought Irwin down, and probably with a sprained ankle to boot.
The two grunts took a second too long to digest the situation, which hadn't exactly gone as they expected. Cloud was on them fast, delivering a black eye to one before they realised that they had gone too far this time. The other received a split lip, and then Irwin was up again as well. Cloud backed off a little in a defensive crouch, hoping they wouldn't have enough sense to surround him.
Unfortunately his hopes were dashed as Irwin quickly motioned for the two to go to either side, and Cloud cursed in his head. Irwin might not know real wit if it bit him on the nose and danced a tango in a purple thong, but he did know fighting.
To some extent, Cloud mentally corrected himself. Neither of them had been fighting against a SOLDIER for a month and he had noticed how, even if those sparring sessions were exclusively with sword, that it had begun aiding him in his bare hand fighting too, the mental exercise of calculating moves and devising tactics working both with or without a weapon. Even Adulio couldn't defeat him any more, although of course that was one-on-one.
So with three-on-one, he'd have to be a bit more careful.
Or a lot more aggressive.
While Irwin had obviously figured they'd have a better chance if they surrounded the blonde, he had never had an opponent good enough that any further tactics were necessary. True, they had been taught to synchronise and coordinate attacks, in theory, and obviously Irwin and his cohorts didn't much care for theory.
Cloud easily dodged three simultaneous hits at his head, kicking up, he hit on of the grunts under the chin while the boy was still withdrawing his first for another attack. Barely blocking Irwin's kick in time, and thanking the gods that Irwin couldn't put full weight and strength in it due to his ankle, Cloud dropped himself to the floor, rolling backwards, right past another punch from No-Brain #3.
Coming up again he noted that the guy he kicked was probably down for good. Which left him with only two enemies, one with a twisted ankle and one with an eye already swelling shut. He rolled his shoulders briefly, feeling sort of elated from the knowledge that he could take these three down on his own.
He didn't wait for the two brutes to attack this time, instead leaping forward and delivered a short but powerful punch to Irwin's solar plexus. He blocked the wild swing Irwin sent his way and focused on the last No-Brain. Irwin would take a few seconds to get his breath back which would give him time. He jumped out of reach of a sweeping kick, then jumped back in, too close for the buff teenager to kick with any weight behind it thus making it all but ineffective.
Blocking two consecutive punches, and noting the rising desperation from his opponent, Cloud smirked. He coiled both hands around an only half-decent block, hitting Irwin's sidekick in both temples. Not enough to cause serious damage, although he would most likely suffer from a similar headache as the one already on the floor, but enough to make him unconscious for a few minutes. He dropped like a sack of potatoes.
Turning to Irwin, who was staring in a faint sort of shock at his two friends, Cloud raised an eyebrow. "You gonna run?" The question was cheeky at best, insulting at worst, and he knew it. He didn't want Irwin to run, although of course that would be another sort of victory, he wanted the idiot to actually try and challenge him. To know who was the best.
Zack would say something about being a sore loser right about now.
"You wish!"
"Not really," he grinned, sliding out on the outside of Irwin's charge and hitting the guy in the ribs as he passed.
He hadn't truly noticed how fast he'd gotten, only ever sparring with Adulio and Zack these days, but fighting with these three lumps of muscle made it abundantly clear that while he might not have quite their strength, it didn't matter as long as they couldn't hit him.
Flipping out of reach of a low sweeping kick, keeping an obnoxious smirk firmly in place, the blond cadet contemplated the merits of seriously beating Irwin up or just ending this as fast as possible. Zack would be disappointed in him if he used this opportunity to torture another cadet, no matter who that cadet was or what he had done to deserve it.
He aimed a short punch against Irwin's nose, just because he had decided to be merciful didn't mean he had to leave Irwin still looking his best, but was blocked. Barely. Well, Irwin had earned himself a spot in the advanced sword class, it wasn't all that improbable that he'd be able to block such a straight forward punch.
He punched again, once again aiming straight for Irwin's nose, and was blocked again. He kept up a steady rhythm of those punches, never aiming anywhere else, forcing his opponent into a rhythm of blocking.
The punches were coming in quick enough succession that Irwin had no time to retalite and he cursed furiously under his breath. The little imp was following though just enough that he couldn't afford to take one, but not enough that they threw the agile little bitch off balance.
Irwin just had enough time to register that one punch was suddenly surprising light before a fist was planted squarely in his stomach, almost making him double over. His hands flew down automatically and a second after that he was out like a light as Cloud took the opening and pushed all his weight into the punch to his unprotected face.
Cloud rolled his shoulders lightly. That had been one of the simplest tactics he had ever used. Adulio would never have fallen for it and he wasn't even going to compare Irwin's idiocy with Zack's increasingly interesting and creative ideas.
He left with just the slightest bounce in his step, self-assured that Irwin wouldn't dare tell anyone about this; it would be too embarrassing to have jumped someone smaller, three against one, and lose.
- - -
Official notice
The cadets of August 2000 are now eligible for missions.
The notice was ridiculously short and really gave no information at all. Well, except that they were in risk of getting a mission any minute if ShinRa felt like it.
"Guess they figure three months are enough to learn the basics," Adulio commented on his left. Somewhere behind him, Irwin was shooting him death glares announcing to the entire mess who was responsible for the bruise covering the left side of his jaw from chin to ear. Cloud had hit rather precisely just next to the chin, although most likely Irwin hadn't been out for an entire minute even so.
Enough that he would know himself defeated.
"You think they decide who goes by drawing lots?"
"Probably or they would've posted individual notices."
"What kinda missions do you think we'll get?"
- - -
They usually didn't do anything interesting in the materia & summons class. It was all theory about how the materia worked and how they were created. At least they had progressed from the history of who found out how to use materia and how many times It Went Gruesomely Wrong.
Their teacher had warned them about some sort of important test two days previously, but he hadn't disclosed anything more. Half the class was on the verge of a nervous break down, thinking they hadn't studied enough, and so, when Patton entered with a crate full of what looked to be pale green glass balls, it was all anyone could do just to stay seated.
The energy of the class went rapidly from nervous to thrumming anticipation.
"Okay, boys, if you haven't guessed it already, these are materia. Too low-level to be of any use on a battle field, which is the only reason we get to play with them, mind. At most, the fire'll give someone standing three or four feet away a first degree burn, which, yeah, it might make them pause if you catch them unawares, but mostly likely, you'll get skewered and gutted while doing the spell. I don't suppose I have to tell you how ineffective any other type materia of this level would be.
"I'll give you each one materia. You will not use it. You will tell me what magic it contains and then I will give you a new one. When you have identified three correctly, you will be allowed next door to practise with one, although don't expect to hear the song within at least the first half an hour. It should be easier with the second and third, but if you don't make it today, you'll always have next time.
"When you're practising, remember what I've already taught you and remember to keep each other at least arm length away. The materia might not be very experienced, but there's no reason to invite accidents." And with that, he started handing out the glowing orbs.
Cloud eyed the other side of the class, where everyone was already sitting with eyebrows drawn down in abject concentration. Patton was handing out materia to the middle row, not in any particular hurry, but not dawdling either. No one was speaking.
When he got the materia handed to him, Cloud bit his lip. The song was faint, but... it sounded like... damage, hightolowtohigh, and animationstopstart but he wasn't even supposed to be able to hear it yet, maybe he was wrong.
But then he wouldn't gain anything if he didn't at least try. He raised his hand.
"Yes, Strife? There a problem?"
He hesitated just slightly before voicing what he had guessed. "I have a lightning materia."
The teacher sucked in a quick breath, then accepted the materia. "You're right." He eyed the young teen, wondering if it had just been a lucky guess, then shrugged. He collected a new materia, faintly noting its type and handed it to the boy.
"Restore." The reply had been almost instantaneous. Considering how alike restore, heal and revive materia was, that was truly impressive.
Trying almost absent-mindedly to hide his shock, he took the time to search for a slightly more difficult type and handed it to the cadet. Cloud had always struck him as bright. True, he had had some real trouble at the beginning, obviously far behind everyone in his education, but the kid had made some truly insightful observations. Still, there was no way he could have anticipated this level.
Cloud furrowed his brows, wondering why this one's song was different than the others. Not because the song was another, but where the song in the other two materia had seemed far away, this one seemed, well, almost wispy. Like its shape hadn't truly formed.
"Time?" And even less experienced than the other two, obviously.
Patton nodded mutely. They didn't usually give such young and advanced materia to absolute beginners. Considering how many more AP a time materia needed, they often was much more difficult to read.
"Uh," his student ventured, looking around at his fellow students. "Should I try some more?"
The instructor focused once more on the class, all of which had forgotten about their own materia and was staring at Strife, eyes expressing either awe or jealousy and any number of less pronounced variations.
"No. No, that won't be necessary. Just go next door, uh, take the lightning materia to practise with."
- - -
It was raining hard and the air had a certain chill to it, although it wasn't particularly windy. They were escorting a minor transport of now-useless chocobos to Kalm, either too old to continue life in the army or refusing a new rider after the one they had carried had deceased. Supposedly there was another farm on the other side of the marshes but no one from Midgar was willing to risk the midgar zoloms to go there.
The chocobos would be judged for breeding at the ranch; if they passed, they'd live the rest of their life being cuddled almost as much as the racing birds in the Gold Saucer, if they didn't... ShinRa had no use for feeding birds with no purpose.
Cloud thought that was rather sad. The birds had done their best their entire lives, had served ShinRa to the best of their ability and then they were just put down when they couldn't do anything any more.
They were only there as back-up, though. Three SOLDIER Thirds had the responsibility of taking down any monsters that tried attacking the slow-moving truck. The five cadets assigned sitting on the roof with their riffles in case something got past the Thirds. They hadn't been allowed to carry swords either, even though Cloud was pretty certain he was more efficient with an edged weapon than with the firearm leaning casually against his shoulder.
He was a fairly decent shot, true, but... he just wished he had a sword.
"And what would you do with it, Spiky? Would you trust the other cadets to aim around you?"
No, he answered Zack's voice in his head. It wasn't that he couldn't see the logic. If the truck was attacked, if something actually got past the Thirds, it wasn't like he'd be able to cut it down himself, but I would feel better.
The mission went fairly uneventfully, the Thirds handling the kalm fangs and single prowler they happened upon. They returned to Midgar only having missed one and a half day of classes.
- - -
It surprised him somewhat less than before when he found he had been transferred to more advanced classes in the compulsive academic subjects. This time, however, he found that he didn't have to catch up at all in history (small blessing, considering all the extracurricular work he'd been forced to do although it was surprising that Oernstrup had recommended him) and getting his hands on some more experienced materia would be fun.
He found that the advanced classes in strategy was a lot more interesting as well. Not because the teacher was very interesting as such, however planning how to take Ford Tamlin, with any resource ShinRa had at disposal (except Sephiroth, but everyone knew Sephiroth would simply go in there and conquer everything without breaking a sweat, so using the general in a strategy game was rather pointless) was intriguing to say the least.
Personally, looking at the proposed stats of the troops stationed there, Cloud thought almost any First should be able to do it. Zack, who was a Second, might even be able to, but Cloud hadn't seen the full extent of his abilities, so he couldn't be entirely certain. Regardless, if you could just get in, there was no way for the entire battalion there to hit you all at once, and that was a serious tactical advantage to super soldiers. The only way for normal people to win against SOLDIERs would be using sheer numbers.
It was a relief that Adulio wasn't prone to jealousy, but then, Adulio had followed him in both history and strategy, as the only other one in their year.
- - -
"So... they found a new teacher?"
"Mh-hmm."
"Is he any good?"
"Well. He's not a SOLDIER."
"Ah. You gonna do anything special to... celebrate?"
He couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sure most of them will be celebrating. I can't imagine Tillens will make them go through quite the rigorous workout I do. Strife got his control of his limit down, right?"
"Of course. I thnk the only reason he did it in the first place was because he hadn't a clue what it was. So what'll you do?"
"I actually think Mårdh had an idea."
"Huh? Angeal, you okay? Are you actually saying something positive about that bastard?"
"Just because you don't like him, doesn't mean he can't have good ideas. Dismissing him purely out of spite is dishonourable." He hid a grin at Zack's vague grimace.
"So what's his good idea, then?"
"Simulations." Angeal didn't bother hiding his smile as his protégé immediately perked up. "We've been trying to teach them more combat oriented swordplay, however there's no real way for a cadet fighting another cadet, an ally, to simulate a real fight, no matter how hard they try, especially when I'm there to supervise. The knowledge that they're safe makes a huge difference."
"But a simulation is still a simulation. They'll still know they're safe."
"I suppose, but regardless, the monsters will do real damage."
- - -
When Zack entered with no Angeal everyone knew something was up.
"Heya, troops," he called happily, not perturbed in the least at the looks he was given. Angeal wasn't all that much of a stickler for etiquette, although if you talked while he was giving you a message, he would find ways to make life hell for you, so while the line they made was as linear as normal, the salute wasn't quite as crisp as it had been the first time Angeal had entered with Zack in tow. Zack, however, had no concept of etiquette to begin with and waved them down distractedly.
"So, you're all wondering why Angeal isn't here. That's an easy question to answer; he's setting one of the simulation rooms up. Yeah, it's gonna be hella fun seeing you all run rampant up there and you'll probably have loads of fun too. But first! How much did Sergeant Mårdh tell you about simulation rooms? Ivanov?" Because he might not stand on ceremony, but even he knew better than to show Cloud special attention in an official setting. Or semi-official as the case were.
"Nothing, sir. He told us what the mission would consist of and when and where to meet him, but nothing of the rooms as such."
No one missed the flash of rage, however brief, in Zack's eyes. "Okay, then. Since I know one or two of you will eventually get the bright idea to go there alone to train, here's the deal. You don't ever go to a simulation room alone. Ever. Monsters does not stop attacking just because you're not moving. The rooms can't tell if you're unconscious, since it can't measure brainwaves and heartbeats are too unreliable. My heart, for example, beats with about the same frequency when I'm simply not fighting, like now, as yours will when you're unconscious. The simulation rooms are geared to SOLDIERs, by the time it registers a pulse slow enough to stop the simulation, you'll be bleeding out." He valiantly kept his continuous cursing of Mårdh to himself. Suspecting that the man had shown them the simulation without giving warnings didn't change the fact that it had been extremely irresponsible. Of course, now he had planted the idea in their heads that it was possible, but there were ways to seriously discourage the idea.
"I kid a few years ago got the bright idea to sneak into a simulation room at night. He did bring a partner, however when the partner was caught by a Turk, the Turk didn't quite bother to listen when he was told there was another cadet." He eyed the cadets seriously, imploring them to take heed.
"The Turks aren't evil, but they're really ruthless. The cadet left alone died, trying to fight on a level too high for his abilities and with no one to stop the simulation for him. So! Bottom line is, don't go sneaking into the simulation rooms. There's a very good reason why you don't have authorisation for those floors. Instead, work harder to get into SOLDIER. We get time slotted."
Cloud swallowed. How Zack had turned such a serious tale into an encouragement speech was beyond him. The rest of the class seemed just about as stunned as he was, if not worse.
"Any questions so far?" No one moved. "Great! The simulations will be like those you did with Sergeant Mårdh, except that you won't be required to stand around waiting for everyone else. I'll send you there in groups of four. Since it'll obviously take half the day to go through you all, we won't cancel your classes again, we'll just drag you from them kicking and screaming when it gets to be your turn. Carman, Folley, Solberg and Hamm, you're up first."
Zack worked the rest of the class while the first team was with Angeal. Cloud was sent many a commiserating glance, once they realised that the pace Zack had started out with, he intended to keep for the rest of the lesson. The first group came back, looking just a little bit spooked, a bit worse for wear, but mostly whole. Zack sent the next group and continued the gruelling sword kata he had been teaching.
Cloud, of course, wasn't called upon until he was halfway into his mech class. When Zack poked his head in and asked for 'cadet Strife' his teacher simply waved his hand while the rest of the class, by now used to the much younger cadet although they didn't engage him, stared.
When he got to the simulation room, Zack had picked up Adulio and two others, Faulkner and Wyatt, on the way.
"Last batch Angeal!"
"Thank you, Zack. At ease, cadets." They relaxed their salute. "So... you'll be sent in one at a time. I'll follow you in just in case, but no worries. Each simulation should correspond with your level. Enough to be challenging but still well within your reach, got it?"
"Yes, sir."
He nodded, satisfied with their respectful but relaxed reply. "Those who remain out here... please keep an eye on Zack for me. Faulkner, you're first." and with that, he entered the room, ignoring how Zack was grimacing pointedly.
They heard the faint hum of the illusion starting up inside. Zack immediately started doing squats.
Cloud and Adulio relaxed against the wall, while Wyatt eyed the Second Class dubiously. "Is he always that hyper?" He whispered, not aware that the Second could easily hear him.
"You just be glad he's using his excess energy on squats and not on trying to pull you into some ridiculous prank," Cloud commented unapologetically. Zack grinned, wondering if maybe... "Don't even think about it."
In the end, Cloud was the last one in.
NOTE: Imagining Cloud in a bench press makes me laugh XD Especially young Cloud. Hence why he isn't.
Unsexy facts: I've pecked Cloud's height at the very beginning at 5'1 (155cm), he's grown two inches since then (growth spurt. Yay). His weight is currently around 132lb (60kg), allowing for his 'scrawny' look but with a great deal of muscle still. He would be pushing around 50 kg for endurance training (leg press). Probably 75-80 for actual strength training. 'cause he's stronger than he looks and all. I pushed 60kg when I weighed 50, but that was years ago, when I was 16 and doing horseback riding to boot. Anyway, theory is that you should at least be able to push your own weight, since that's what you're carrying around all day.
Sorry, this is only one of those "Time passes, not all that much stuff really happens" chapters. I wish I could've given you guys something more interesting when it took me so long, but then that last scene got a little longer than I anticipated, so I guess a slightly longer chapter makes up for it? Just a little?