REUNION EP:1 (Zack, FF7 Canons)

[Cloud Strife]

Cloud stood on the shores in the unfamiliar place he had ended up at. The crash of the waves against the shore calmed him, and his mind was clear.

The sun had dipped low in the sky, basking the island in an orange glow, warming the sand and Cloud as he stood, letting thoughts tumble and cascade in and out of his mind, a look of deep thought on his face as he blankly stared ahead.

What was he to do now?

He didn't know. He just... showed up on this island, Cid having modified the Fenrir to allow him passage between worlds. No longer on a whim was he to jump here and there... This time, he chose his own path. The mako eyed warrior sighed, and turned slowly, looking towards the small islet that stuck out in the water, and decided to check it out. There was no darkness in this world, no Heartless popping out to try and de-heart him, and no other beasts like what was on his world lurking in the shadows. The perfect place to think.

Cloud nonchalantly took out the base of his Fusion Sword, and looked at it, the blade gleaming in the light.

"...What do I do now...?"

Sephiroth was nowhere to be found. Cloud wondered if Sephiroth was nothing but a trick of his mind, but then he remembered, Sora had fought Sephiroth, and did quite well, the young Keybearer earning Cloud's respect in the process... but Sora wasn't anywhere nearby, and Sephiroth vanished without a trace, not even showing up to taunt him...

Suddenly, he felt another presence nearby, and spun on his heel, landing in his stance, blade in front of him, looking for whoever else was there...

Sephiroth? Who...

[Zack Fair]

The gentle lull of a wave.

The soft sound of water on sand.

Was this … another dream?

Zack groaned, his body stiff and pained from having not moved in some time. Glowing blue eyes opened slowly, barely taking in the glowing orange color of the sky. It was taking much longer to process his surroundings than it normally would have, he noted. Orange sky … Sunrise or sunset? Probably sunset, as the air was very warm, cut only by the cool, salty water coming in. The sand felt comfortably warm under his hands and neck, cooled by the waves that gently splashed around him. That would mean a … beach? But, how could he be on a beach?

Quickly sitting up, the Soldier confirmed that he was, indeed, lying on the beach staring out at a never ending sea of blue. Zack took a moment to try and adjust, but the feeling wasn’t coming. His heart was fluttering quickly, mildly surprised and panicked that he had just no clue where he was. Zack mumbled a few incoherent things under his breath, cursing a few names, and ran a hand through his wet hair. He could barely recall the feeling of flying, or was it floating? Weightlessness.

Panicking wasn’t something Zack Fair was known for, however. He stood up, as calmly, but quickly as his body would allow. His uniform was heavy from being soaked with water for Gaia knows how long, but it was far from difficult to move around in. How long have I been here …

More importantly, where is here?

Zack turned and began walking down the edge of the shoreline, nonchalantly picking up the Buster Sword, which had been buried in the sand nearby, and replacing it on his back. It still felt heavier than normal. Not the weight of a burden, but something .. he couldn’t quite place. The weight of confusion.

Trained eyes studied the distance and saw a figure standing close to the water. His boots splashed in the wet sand, faster and faster as he picked up speed. There was no no mistaking that hair style. There was no way, though, it couldn’t be him. But as Zack ran closer, he knew that it really was just the guy he was looking for, his best friend, and a (wow, when did he get older) kid he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Cloud Strife.

His tired, sore body was long forgotten to the wind as he felt a classic, large grin take over his face. He gained speed, laughing, and leapt, “CLOOUUUDD!” Zack continued to laugh as he smacked into his friend's side (avoiding that, holy moly when did he get a big sword), who he never thought he’d see again.

[Cloud Strife]

"CLOOUUDD!!"

The cry from the familiar voice rang out, causing the Chocobo haired warrior to at first lower his sword in confusion, then panic slightly before the form of Zack Fair tackled him to the ground.

"Zack?!" he exclaimed, his usually reserved nature vanished and was replaced with the shock and awe that his friend, the man who saved his life, and actually died protecting him... Cloud had taken the buster Sword and...

He didn't know what to do. He had seen Aerith, and actually went off to be alone to break down, the heartache of his friend's death still fresh. Even after everything that happened when fighting Kadaj, even fighting against Sephiroth reborn, when Aerith and Zack both helped him through it, giving him the confidence and the drive he needed to strike Sephiroth down once and for all...

He sat up and stared at Zack. Does Zack remember? Does he remember Cloud standing behind him, bloody, battered, and on the verge of giving up? Cloud's emotions hit a fever pitch for a split second, and he, at first, looked afraid. Fear lined his eyes for a moment, then he calmed down, remembering Aerith, remembering "Just... like Aerith." he said quietly, looking at Zack, realizing what he said before he said it. If Zack remembers, then he remembers... if not, then... Cloud would have to tell him everything.

"How, Zack? How did this happen? I thought you were de-" he couldn't finish the sentence, the image of Zack's dying body still burned into his memory... He then stood up, replacing the base form of his sword on his back.

[cloufka]

It was a dark, quiet night with stars twinkling in the sky as the full moon shone down upon the landscape. The only that could be hear was the quiet fluttering of a wing, and then the soft ‘click’ of boots hitting the ground. Shortly after the LOVELESS Angel slowly descended up the cliff that overlooked Midgar, his mako blue eyes gazing over the flowers that marked Zack’s grave. The EX-SOLDIER was careful not to step on them as he made his way towards the cliff’s edge, running a hand through his bangs as he let out a small sigh. Looking over the ruins of the great city that had once been the capital of the world, he couldn’t help but think at how much the world had changed. There was no turning back, and now more than ever the planet needed Genesis. But first, he had to reassemble the three friends before he could save it and truly reenact LOVELESS.

It all started when the Heartless targeted The Planet and its heart. Cloud and the others valiantly fought to defend their home, but were overwhelmed and pushed back. Forced off world they abandoned everything they’d ever known, leaving the fate of The Planet in its own hands. Thankfully it still had an ace up its sleeve, and reached out to the newly awakened Genesis. He, together with the resources he quickly restored from his initial defection and the aid given to him by The Planet, managed to fight off the Heartless invasion and save the world like the hero he truly was. It had been a tough battle, of course, but with the determination and wit that allowed him to climb the ranks of SOLDIER Genesis proved himself once again and ensured that all was not lost to the creatures that robbed innocents of something so precious as a heart.

Still, on this day he felt as if there was something more that was needed of him by the goddess, but he couldn’t quite place what it was. He couldn’t risk dipping into The Lifestream too terribly often, after all hero or not he was still a mortal man. Unable to ask her directly Genesis had to rely on his gut, and something told him that there was something beyond this world that he needed to accomplice. Was that were he’d be able to accomplish his mission? He could only hope it was the way, and, running a hand through his hair Genesis stretched his wing before he took off into the sky with a single flap, vanishing in a cloud of black feathers as his voice echoed across the landscape.

“...Even if the morrow is barren of promises... Nothing shall forestall, my return...”

Blue, that was the color that stood out to Genesis the most when he reappeared in a blue of feathers that quickly scattered down the beach through the wind. The sand crunched underneath his boots, and the soft rippling waves rolled across his feet as he gazed out to see. He smirked a little, enjoying the feeling of the wind as it blew through his hair and feathers. The scent of the ocean was refreshing, reminding him of his several vacations at Costa De Sol. The memories however, though good, brought a grimace to his face. How dearly Genesis missed Angeal and Sephiroth, and yearned for their company once again. As he started to think about one summer in particular, Zack’s voice snapped Genesis out of his thoughts and turned his gaze upwind towards both another familiar face and something he shouldn’t be seeing.

Cloud had definitely changed since Genesis has personally last laid his eyes upon him as an infantryman all those years ago. He was visibly stronger, from the Jenova cells transferring Zack’s traits no doubt, and hardened by the harsh experiences that plagued his life. He’s also cut his hair, finally getting rid of that ridiculous spike and joining the rest of the world in something somewhat more natural. Still, Genesis couldn’t get over the fact that somehow Zack Fair was standing before him. Was this a trick? No, what purpose would there have been in that? Fate had led him here, to show him that something was going on and that it needed to be dealt with quickly to prevent disaster. At first it brought hope into Genesis’s heart, if Zack was alive then possibly Angeal was somewhere to be found. However, it also meant that any of their enemies could’ve returned as well... Something Genesis could only hope wasn’t the case.

With Zack’s back to him and Cloud’s focus completely frozen upon the other true EX-SOLDIER, Genesis found it rather easy to walk up to the duo from his home world. It seemed from the blond’s words that Zack wasn’t the first that he’d run into that should’ve been dead, and with a nod Genesis listed to Cloud before picking up right where he left off.

“-dead? It would seem that you shouldn’t be so surprised Strife, after all if this Aerith you speak of is also of the dead then you should’ve expected that you’d find Zack sooner or later,” Genesis said with a smug smile as he made his way to Zack’s side, teasingly shoving him to the side with a shoulder before he continued. “Or perhaps you should’ve thought that perhaps if people were returning to life than maybe worlds were as well? Though The Planet never fell thanks to my efforts, it would’ve been nice to have run into you before. We have much to discuss, since the puppy has passed down Angeal’s spirit to you.”

[Zack Fair]

Tumbling into the sand, and somehow having avoided the massive sword, Zack continued to laugh like a man gone mad. Well, maybe he had gone mad. After all, he’d just tackled his long, lost buddy to the ground as if he were holding a football. The huge grin on his face felt like it would take years to get rid of, and the Soldier stopped his laughter for a moment, only to give the former blonde infantryman’s head a quick, light noogie.

Glowing blue eyes took a moment to sweep over Cloud. It really, truly was Cloud Strife that he’d smacked into. He’d grown a bit since the last Zack could clearly remember seeing the kid. He was taller, and he carried himself a lot differently. Those blue eyes, orbs he could recall before they were glowing, looked as if they’d seen a lot more, well, however long it had been. Heck, if it weren’t for the blonde’s soft features, Zack would be willing to bet that Cloud was as old as he was now.

That thought sobered up the good-natured Soldier very quickly. He tried not to let it show to his friend, he tried his best to keep the questions, doubts, and fears from showing in his eyes. Instead, Zack let a good-natured smile rest on his face, “Yeah, it’s me, buddy. And it’s been a long time.”

Zack moved so that Cloud could sit up and continue to stare at him with that look of disbelief. He wanted to continue to laugh and rant and rave, to show all of the excitement that was bubbling up inside of him at the sight of his friend. They’d been through hell and back together … He’d died to make sure Cloud kept on going, passed on everything he had left to the blonde infantryman. And did it ever look like Cloud had taken it all to heart. The Cloud he was staring at now wasn’t a teenage infantryman any more. He was a full-scale warrior, and while he wasn’t totally Soldier-sized, Zack would even bet Cloud might beat him. Though, to be fair, he would be fighting with a just-came-back-to-life handicap.

Aerith … ?

The Soldier frowned. That was … weird. How did Cloud know Aerith? Had he really managed to find her and pass on Zack’s final hello to her? The Soldier scrunched his face in confusion as he stood alongside his friend, and prepared to ask, not wanting to interrupt Cloud’s how did you question. Something was very, very off about Cloud. Not that he expected the blonde to be immediately excited and tackle Zack back for existing once more, but … Well, Zack couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Dead

Zack immediately stiffened up at that word, not only because of the flood of memories that came with it, but the poetic voice that was now flowing around him. It took a moment for the memories to clear, the exhaustion of battle, the extreme pain of bullet wounds, the rain, the blood, Cloud’s face looking down at him- Fair shook his head, the black locks shifting around on his shoulders before he turned to look at Genesis with another look of disbelief, but not one immediately followed by a grin or laughter.

“Genesis? How-?” He supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised that the Crimson Soldier continued to speak over his question. Genesis still seemed to be the same typical Ex-Soldier he remembered. Zack opened his mouth to try and get another word in edgewise, only utter out a small, indignant “Hey!”, as he was playfully shoved to the side by the auburn haired man. He straightened himself back up, moving forward and shoving Genesis with his own shoulder after the man had finished speaking so that he could be the focus of Cloud’s attention once more.

He raised a hand and pointed a gloved finger at Cloud, “Alright, you,” he then pointed the same finger to Genesis, “and you have some explaining to do. What the heck are you guys talking about? Am I actually dreaming?” Zack frowned at the two of them, obviously frustrated and confused, and put his hand on his hip as he waited for an explanation of what the heck was happening. How had he managed to find Cloud, and get found by Genesis all at the same time? Not only that, but something Genesis had said disturbed Zack instantly to the core.

… What had happened to Aerith?

[Cloud Strife]

So much. So much Cloud had to tell his old friend, the entire story, everything that had happened. How he walked around, believing himself to be Zack, believing himself to actually have been a SOLDIER, but... It was a lie.

Cloud looked up and opened his mouth to speak, but then a man in Crimson walked up, a familiar sight to Cloud, which made Cloud gasp. This was Genesis Rhapsodos...! He had never formally met the man, but he remembered hearing about him fighting alongside Sephiroth and Angeal Hewley. the stories were magnificent, the stories were what made him want to join SOLDIER to begin with. Now, a Legend stood before him, playfully shoving Zack and acting as casual as the rest of the people Cloud knew. Incredible...

Cloud looked up to Genesis as he said something about "Angeal's spirit" being passed on to him. What did he mean? Did he speak of the Buster Sword? Zack had passed it on to him, but he left it at Zack's place of death, then moved it to Aerith's church, going back every day to clean, polish, and condition it, sometimes even taking it up and training with it like before. He loved the sword, but that was only because by extension, he loved Zack, his best friend, the one who saved his life. To take care of the sword was to take care of Zack.

"I... don't understand what you mean." the reserved warrior said quietly, looking at Genesis with a puzzled look. He looked between Zack and Genesis and crossed his arms, awaiting Genesis's explanation before talking completely to Zack. The depressing parts of the story can wait, right now, Cloud might have a home to go to...

But now, Cloud had something to be concerned about.

The Weapons. Jenova. Weiss. Deepground. Were they alive? Would they be crossing the worlds, attacking everyone now? What would he do now? He furrowed his eyebrows, his glowing eyes, looking down. He wasn't a hero. He gave that up after defeating Sephiroth, becoming a delivery boy, working in peace, only carrying his weapons with him to defend himself against the regional monsters. What was he to do? What did Genesis want with him? Answers to hopefully come soon, Cloud thought bitterly.

[cloufka]

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] [atrb=style, width:500px, bTable] [atrb=style, background-image: url(http://colourlovers.com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/patterns/958/958192.png); border-top: solid 2px #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-radius: 20px 20px 0px 0px, btable] Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess...

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] [atrb=style, width:500px, bTable] [atrb=style, background-image: url(http://colourlovers.com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/patterns/958/958192.png);border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000, btable] [atrb=vAlign,top] Tags Genesis, Zack, Cloud Words 634 Notes Sorry for the wait. SH is launched and I've returned!

“I... don’t understand what you mean.” Genesis let out a sigh. Did Cloud not inherit Zack’s memories, or even remember his stories about Angeal? Certainly Zack had spoken of his old teacher, of that much Genesis could be certain. He didn’t have long to think about this before Zack playfully returned the shove and demanded an explanation as to what was going on. Certainly Zack had to have just recently awoke, there was no way that he would’ve been so clueless otherwise. Then again, his attention span was about as short as a puppy’s; thus the nickname so affectionately given to him by Angeal. Deciding, for now, that Zack’s questions could wait Genesis ran a hand through his bangs then thrust his arm out to his side while he thrust his wing to the side to clock Zack upside the head. He didn’t care what the blow did to Zack, simply chuckling to himself before he set his eyes upon Strife once more. Before he could open his mouth however, he noticed that the Imaginary SOLDIER’s attention was no longer on the two of them. Was he lost in thought, unable to face his past and tell Zack of the events that had transpired since the EX-SOLDIER’s death? Genesis thought that Cloud had overcome these doubts after aiding Vincent in dispatching DEEPGROUND and Omega WEAPON, but this obviously wasn’t the case. Was he worried about what had happened to the world before? As Genesis had stated before The Planet was safe and sound, and Strife wasn’t death so surely that wasn’t it. Was he worried about how he’d abandoned the world? No, after all Genesis showed no ill will towards him. Maybe it was the fact that Zack was alive that was making Cloud realize that perhaps past foes had also returned and were potentially wrecking havoc on the worlds. To Genesis’s knowledge this wasn’t the case, but he had to ease Strife’s mind if he was going to get anywhere with his discussion. So, with a sigh, he decided to pursue Zack’s line of questioning before delving into his own. “Certainly you’re not ashamed of the exploits that made you a hero, Strife. Even with the faults you bore, you still managed to overcome the obstacles that you faced with your friends by your side. Besides, you know Zack won’t hold a grudge knowing everything. He was your best friend, no? He’s very understanding and merely wishes to know what has transpired since his death at the hands of the Shinra Army. Though I can merely speculate at the forces that have returned him to us, much less to this world, he deserves an answer after all that he’s done for the two of us. Of course, if the burden is too much for you to bear then I could be of assistance and tell him what I know. After all, I was connected to the Lifestream and Minerva in my stasis and know very much about the events that transpired during my slumber.” Genesis glanced at Zack, wanting to see his reaction before turning his attention to Cloud. A little push was all he needed to get him to talk. Then, once the three of them were on the same page he could divulge of them the purpose he had in mind for the successors of Angeal’s spirit. Even if Strife was unwilling to do so at first, perhaps the combined work of Genesis and Zack would be enough to sway him. He knew that Zack cared for Sephiroth as well, and would jump at an opportunity to save their old comrade from the days of SOLDIER. All Genesis needed was a little patience. Just one thing at a time, and soon his goal would be realized, the worlds safe once again.

[atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] [atrb=style, width:500px, bTable] [atrb=style, background-image: url(http://colourlovers.com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/patterns/958/958192.png); border-bottom: solid 2px #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-radius: 0px 0px 20px 20px, btable] template made by Rosalyn & ɳicu of {BTN}

... We seek it thus and take to the sky.

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