Vincent,
Why exactly did you leave me here? Not that I don't appreciate Nanaki and Bugenhagen's hospitatlity, but we are supposed to be saving the world right now. Not to mention what I still don't know what you did in the lab, or how you got the receptionist to let you in. Tell me.
Cloud
...
Reassignment Form
Name: Reno
Transferring To: Apprentice shadowing Agent Rude in routine above plate rounds.
Transferring From: Cadet surveillance.
Reason for Transfer: The position was no longer necessary.
Signed Tseng
...
Cloud,
Discussing such matters through writing is not safe. Do not write any critical information and burn letters promptly after reading. I will only tell you this much as the elder Chaos requests you know all as well.
Largent is a code among Hojo's subjects, letting any resisting them access to the lab that without immediate care disaster will strike. Normally this is accompanied by a security force. I do not know why it was not that time.
The purpose of entering the lab was to kill Hojo, but as he was absent the secondary goal was release Nanaki. That was successfully completed.
You are in Cosmo Canyon because as you are now you cannot provide adequate support to completing our cause. In light of this information I am currently in Rocket Town, as you know, garnering support there. You are to stay in Cosmo Canyon and Bugenhagen will assist in returning your memories. Once you have regained the majority of them you are to attempt the to destroy reactors in the way you have in the future. Until then, remain where you are.
Vincent
...
Dear Angeal,
I don't know why you're making me write letters when I can just call you or mom or whoever, but since you are I figured I'd write one to you. Kalm is really... calm. It's stupid. This is stupid. Why am I here "monitoring public safety" when I could be back in Midgar, training? Get me out of here, please. I'm dying of boredom. Seriously. See the red dots all over the page? That's me coughing up blood.
Just kidding, I swear, don't put me on forced leave or whatever, it's just ketchup. Don't shake your head like that, I don't want to waste time writing this letter so I am doing it while I'm eating. Not that there's anything to do here anyway. SAVE ME!
Your bestest student ever who really needs some more training,
Zack Fair
...
Vincent
What do you mean "I cannot provide adequate support?" I may not have extreme levels of mako, but I still know what I'm doing. I am not going to just sit around waiting to maybe remember something useful. You want reactors destroyed? I'll destroy them. I'm not useless.
Cloud
...
NInccnt
Donl worny I stoqbed hImn. Rut yoo shoutd really qet a hew phonc. WnItInq wIthovt bandz Is nard
oººo
..O
...
Dear Mom and Dad,
I got promoted! I'm Second Class now! I mean, you'll already know by the time you get this, 'cause I'm going to call you and all, but Angeal's making me write letters and I couldn't think of anything else to say. He says he's making me write so that when I get all awesome like he is I'll be able to do paperwork at least semi-legibly, but I think he just likes watching me suffer. Seriously, sometimes he makes me write letters to him when we're in the same room, it's so dumb.
Anyway, remember that kid Spiky I was telling you about that one time? Well a few months ago he disappeared and no one has even done an investigation or anything! I mean, a little while before he was going to quit, and I guess sometimes people just bail without a word, but I really didn't think he was like that. What if he's been murdered or something?! I tried to get Angeal to let me look for him, but then he sent me to Kalm. I actually kind of felt betrayed. And as if that's not enough, whenever I try to talk to Reno about it he just kind of changes the subject.
Kunsel's been great though! He was promoted a little before me, but now he thinks he's going to go into information instead of combat, which kind of sucks. I mean, he still spars with me and stuff, but now he's busy a lot of the time doing who knows what. Sometimes I think he just likes to gossip. I could never do whatever it is he's working on, but you already know that. Too much paperwork. I think this is long enough for Angeal, so that's all for now.
Love you both,
Zack
...
Notification of Change in Status
Name: Reno
Current Position: Apprentice
New Position: Turk Ensign, Junior Partner of Agent Rude
All changes effective immediately. For more information file a report to your superior.
...
Shinra Message Stationary
To: Zack, SOLDIER (I don't know his name or class, sorry, I don't really know him at all, really sorry.)
You probably don't remember me, I haven't seen you around for about a year, but you were friends with Cloud, right? It's probably nothing, but I have an aunt in Rocket Town who heard Cid arguing with someone named Cloud, and it's probably not him, but I thought maybe you would want to know. If you see him, tell him to come back, he actually had a chance at getting in.
From: MP Ian
...
Reassignment Form
Name: Reno
Transferring To: Solo surveillance of Rocket Town
Transferring From: Routine rounds under-plate with Partner Agent Rude
Reason for Transfer: New information reveals possible anti-Shinra sentiment.
Signed Tseng
...
Vincent
I'm not going to remember anything. Let me leave.
Cloud
...
Heyyyyyyyy, Cloudy!
You know, I knew you hadn't gone all traitory and crap, yo. It was that guy with the cape, Vincent, right? Yeah, I knew he was blackmailin you or somthin. Yo, you're so lucky I was stationed here and not, like, Rude or someone. I love the man to death, but sometimes he can just be an itty bitty too much of a rules follower. Technically I'm not supposed to be talkin to ya, cause you're all suspect and whatever after that whole leavin with Vincent bit, yo, but I forgive ya. This note you sent is totally proof that you're being held against your will and stuff. Don't worry, I'll get Zack to go rescue you, yo. It'll be like one of those movies Cissnei forces me to watch, except without the kissing. To tell you the truth, I actually kind of like those movies. Don't tell Ciss though, she only has them cause her grandma has delusions of her being a girly girl. Anyway, Vincent's not here, he left awhile back. Yo, if he's not where you are, Cosmo Canyon judging by the return address, you might try escaping by yourself? I know he's a bit scary, but surely a tough little trainee like you can take out a few grunts yeah?
Glad to know you're alive, don't give up yet,
Reno, Turk Ensign (I'm a Turk!)
...
Reassignment Form
Name: Reno
Transferring To: Routine rounds under-plate with Partner Agent Rude
Transferring From: Solo surveillance of Rocket Town
Reason for Transfer: Incompetence in the field.
Signed Tseng
...
Dear Mom and Dad,
Reno said he found Cloud! Well, he didn't find him find him, but he knows where he is, or where he was anyway. Spiky's not dead! Maybe I can go rescue him. Reno says he's being held hostage by this crazy dude going around telling people mako's bad for the environment and is killing the planet, and it's all part of Shinra's plan to take over the world. How crazy is that? I gotta go, Angeal says I don't have to write any more this week.
Love,
Zack
...
Shinra Goes to War Wutai!
In retaliation of an alleged ambush on a group of ambassadors negotiating to install mako reactors, Shinra makes a bold move and declares war on the nation. Hopefully our brave troops will be able to overthrow the totalitarian government currently oppressing the people of Wutai and reveal to them the benefits of mako energy. Pictured at left is President Shinra giving a motivational speech to the first troop to deploy. Earlier this week...
...
Obituary
Those lost in the conflict with Wutai this week: Gareth Anderson, Margaret Astashinski,...Ian Renner...
...
Dear Mom and Dad,
We found Spiky! Kunsel told me he was found being held captive in Wutai. Since he technically never resigned do you think they'll still let him become a SOLDIER? It's been so long, and I doubt they've been letting him train in that time. It's weird though, I know he's back in the building somewhere but I haven't seen him yet.
Just talked to Kunsel, he said they're detaining him as a traitor until further notice, but that's outrageous! Cloud would never betray the company, he's the one who was kidnapped. I'll have to get Angeal to do something, I'm sure the little Spiky's confused and scared.
Oh, I almost forgot. Angeal told me I'm not going to Wutai any time soon, which kind of sucks. I want to go and do something heroic before the war ends, you know? But at the same time... I'm kind of relieved. I mean, people are dying out there. Just a few days ago I was looking through the paper Angeal had out on the table and this kid Spiky was friends with, Ian, I think, he died in battle. He was a cadet like Cloud, you know? He wasn't as good as Spiky, so he didn't make the cut for SOLDIER and was sent to the Military Police instead. It scared me. It's different when it's someone you know dying, and he was just a kid.
Best wishes,
Zack
Dreams of the Morrow, Chapter 21: Letters. Updated March 20, 2014. 1,656 words.
I don't know how this time skip will be received, but that's alright. Who knew Ian was going to be character development for Zack, right? Also, as of an hour ago I received the FFX/X-2 HD Remaster, so be very thankful I decided to do this instead. Very Thankful.
Good night and good life. Until next time, this was Dreams of the Morrow with HippiestHop
A translation:
"NInccnt
Donl worny I stoqbed hImn. Rut yoo shoutd really qet a hew phonc. WnItInq wIthovt bandz Is nard"
"Vincent,
Don't worry, I stopped him. But you should really get a new phone. Writing without hands is hard."
(The circle thing was supposed to be a paw print, it's from Nanaki.)