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"They what?"
"S-Sir," the tall cadet, still helmeted, stumbled over his words in the presence of his superior. "A detailed report will be available shortly. But we... The squad was blindsided, sir-"
"It’s classified until we have more information," another deep voice interrupted, appearing suddenly at Zack's right. "Rein it in, Zack. It's being handled."
"Angeal, I'm a First," Zack insisted. "Don't tell me you forgot already."
The older man rubbed at the near-permanent crease between his brows in irritation, recalling exactly why he had ordered the returning members of the squad to keep their mouths shut – at least until the situation could be properly assessed. Angeal turned to the shaken cadet before him and said, "You're dismissed. Try to get some rest. I'll take care of things from here, but be aware that you may be called in for questioning."
"Sir." The cadet saluted and made a prompt exit.
Zack immediately began to plead with his mentor. "Ang – "
"Zack, please. I promise you that we are doing all we can."
"I-Is it true they just left him there, though? How could they do that?"
"They did exactly as they were told. This was unprecedented – way above their rank," Angeal spoke in controlled, hushed tones. "They were in no way equipped to handle something like this. We're lucky so many of them managed to return."
Zack huffed and flexed his fingers anxiously. "I just... I just don't understand it. I can't imagine leaving my squadmates to fend for themselves like that. Especially Cloud."
"I get it, Zack. I do. But from the beginning you are taught to do what is best for the team as a whole. And Cloud knows that."
"I know he knows, that's what pisses me off," Zack muttered. "They probably used him as bait."
"Zackary."
"At least let me go look for'im. I'm sure it's nothing I can't handle. I'll get him, get out, and be back just like that." With a quick snap of his fingers Zack broke out the best puppy eyes he could muster given the situation.
Angeal sighed heavily. "You can't just go off on some self-appointed rescue mission. We'll send out a unit to secure the perimeter and make sure whatever it is hasn't left the area. If that thing ends up in one of the villages we're gonna have even bigger problems."
Angeal was right. Of course, the man often was. But Zack had gotten himself out of trouble more times than he could count by disregarding protocol and relying on his own instincts; surely that counted for something.
News traveled quickly through the grapevine as the frazzled cadets made their way back to the base from the aborted mission. Zack picked up bits and pieces as he sought out concrete information. Routine guard duty gone awry; missing cadets, dead cadets, giant monsters? Upon learning that Cloud was one of the cadets unaccounted for, Zack felt his stomach sink to somewhere in the vicinity of his knees.
Zack didn't want to compromise the work currently being done to ensure the safety of Midgar's inhabitants and his fellow members of SOLDIER. He may have garnered a reputation for being stubborn and impulsive, but he wasn't stupid. He had made First after all. Zack also wasn't one for following blindly and his heart was telling him that he desperately needed to do something before nothing could be done.
He ran a hand through his thick mess of dark hair, unsettled. "I hear you."
"I know. You're a good kid. I was sorry to hear of Cloud's disappearance." Angeal's demeanor changed from authoritative to something almost fatherly. "I know he really admires you."
Angeal's words prompted a flush of warmth to spread across Zack's face. "Well, 'admire' might be a little strong."
Angeal smiled a little. "Not from what I've seen. He's vastly improved in quite a few areas since he first arrived."
"That's on him, not me. He works harder than anyone I know," Zack replied, trying to keep his voice even. "I won't take credit for that."
"I think you're both too hard on yourselves. I'll be honest with you, I had serious doubts that he would make it past the first six months," said Angeal. "But I think working with you has improved his confidence."
Zack recalled the Cloud he spoke of who had arrived in Midgar alone, wiry and scrappy with little more than 500 gil to his name. Shinra was well versed in shattering the spirits of less-than-desirable recruits, but Cloud was quite aware of its reputation and was hellbent on sticking it out. If anything, it was Zack who admired Cloud.
"Promise me you won't do anything irrational. If the scouts find anything significant you'll be the first to know," said Angeal.
"I'll hold you to that," Zack replied. "I'll keep myself in check, don't worry."
Angeal nodded and gave Zack a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. He appreciated the gesture, but it did little to quell his nerves.
Once Angeal was out of sight Zack quickly returned to his apartment to prepare.
-
Courtesy of his alarm, Zack awoke from his power nap and peered at the clock.
11:30 p.m.
He checked his PHS for any messages that could deem his entire plan unnecessary but there was no news, good or otherwise. Self-appointed rescue mission it was then.
Zack pulled on a pair of dark green cargo pants, boots and a worn black t-shirt, and gathered his hair into a ponytail so it would be out of the way. He hoped it would make him less recognizable upon first glance, given that he was often seen in his SOLDIER uniform with his hair down. In his backpack he kept an array of smaller weapons that he had both owned and "borrowed" with the help of Kunsel.
He shot Kunsel a text to let him know that he was heading out. At least one person would know where he was should the rescue mission go awry.
< omw out. thanks for the help
Zack chewed his bottom lip and set the phone down to triple check his supplies; he had packed triple of everything for if – when he found Cloud. He had to stay positive. If he could somehow convince himself that this was just a regular mission, maybe he could get out of his own head a little.
Soon his phone buzzed with Kunsel's reply:
> np man. Stay safe. Let me know if you need backup
He slipped the PHS into the pouch attached to his belt loop, squared his shoulders and fled the building.
The curfew set in place made leaving the building a bit of a challenge, but it was nothing Zack couldn't handle. Firsts even having a curfew to begin with was just a halfhearted attempt to keep the members of SOLDIER on a short leash. They snuck out regardless.
His destination was a desolate wooded area on the outskirts of Midgar. One of the few places within 10 miles of the city that hadn't had life completely sucked out of it, it was often a hotspot for travelers. Drug trafficking was a major problem hidden amongst the trees which resulted in cadets patrolling the area on a regular basis. He assumed Cloud's squad had been doing just that before they were attacked.
After what had seemed like ages, Zack was outside of the city and began his trek to the "woods" (if one could even call it that anymore) in the distance. It was in rough shape with shriveled trees and dead branches hanging precariously. Only a few animals remained; mostly birds.
Upon reaching the area Zack took a moment to recenter himself with a granola bar and a swig of water. He had no idea how long his search would take and he certainly wasn't leaving without Cloud. He wasn't sure how Cloud hadn't made it out already unless he was... well. Zack shoved those thoughts aside. But Cloud couldn't have traveled that deep into the woods for a simple patrolling mission.
Zack kept an eye out for signs of struggle but it was difficult to tell due to the poor state of the area. He ventured through the thick brush lightly and quietly, careful not to disturb anything that would see him as a late dinner.
It wasn't until he came across the first smear of dark, dried blood that the adrenaline coursed through his body and spurred him on, stealth be damned. He no longer felt like “SOLDIER First Class Zack Fair” - now he was terrified. The urge to call out for Cloud became lodged in his throat. He couldn't draw attention to himself as that only had the potential of screwing them both over.
Zack searched for hours with no sign of the blond cadet. He stole a glance at his PHS – 4 a.m.
"Fuck," he breathed. He was exhausted.
Any adrenaline that had been spurring him forward began to dissipate rapidly. Normally he was full of boundless energy but the previous day had been jam-packed full of teaching and training a group of Thirds. There wasn't a granola bar in the world that could help this.
I just need to sit for 20 minutes or so, he thought as he lowered himself to the ground, joints cracking loudly. He grimaced. Alright, grandpa. Maybe an hour.
He breathed out a heavy sigh and rubbed at his burning calf muscles. He took a few gulps of water to wet his cracked lips and the next thing he knew, he was fast asleep.
-
Thunk.
...
Thunk.
Zack startled awake and rubbed at the sharp pain in his forehead. His dry eyes burned and he rubbed at them furiously. Sunlight dappled his skin and Zack soon realized that he had slept into the early morning. God, his head was throbbing now. Why didn't he pack any painkillers? He groaned loudly.
"Shh!"
"What –" Zack jumped and scrambled to his feet, looking around frantically and brandishing a machete.
When he was shushed again, he looked up. And there, many feet above the ground, sat a blond cadet in a tree. Zack nearly collapsed in relief.
"Cloud!" he cried and grabbed the tree as if that would make it release Cloud from its clutches.
"Zack..." Cloud began before he cut himself off. Asking Zack to be quiet rarely had the desired outcome.
Zack's hands grasped at his hair. "Buddy! You're alive! Shit!"
Cloud's voice barely reached Zack's ears. "I'm coming down."
"W-Wait, hold on! I'll come get you!"
"This tree's gonna snap any minute. Just let me..."
Cloud slowly began his descent as Zack watched the old tree tremble with the weight. Zack braced for disaster, positioning himself underneath Cloud so he could at least cushion the fall.
Eventually Cloud made it to the ground and his knees buckled. Zack rushed to his side and sat next to him in the dirt, resisting the urge to scoop Cloud into his arms as tight as humanly possible. Zack spared him the embarrassment and settled for rubbing his back in soothing circles.
Despite the lack of life-threatening injuries, Cloud looked like he had spent an entire week in the woods. He was covered in dirt and sweat, missing his helmet, and his face was bright red with a sunburn. His blue eyes were glassy and he was definitely too warm.
"You're overheating. Why the hell do you still have your jacket on?" Zack quickly unzipped the article of clothing and tossed it aside. With the jacket gone and the much thinner, sleeveless shirt underneath, Zack saw the scarf being used as a makeshift bandage around his arm. "Are you hurt?"
Cloud sighed and relished the feeling of the light breeze on his bare skin. He grabbed his jacket from the ground and tied it around his waist. "No, I'm fine. Just nicked."
Zack brushed the sweaty blond hair from his forehead. "I'm so glad you're okay, man. Everyone is freaking out, you have no idea."
"Really?" Cloud asked.
"Of course! They're saying you guys were attacked by some sort of giant mutant? Like, monsters are everywhere but this sounds like something else."
"It was something alright. Never seen anything like it," Cloud rubbed at his nose and abruptly stopped when he felt the burned skin. "Don't get too excited, it’s probably dead."
Zack blinked owlishly. "You... It's dead? You killed it?"
"I dunno, maybe," Cloud sighed again. "Last time I saw it it looked pretty spent. Managed to shoot it between the eyes but I got really lucky. It was tough. I didn't actually see it die though."
"That's... incredible." The First was at a loss for words.
Cloud gave him a weird look. "I mean, it was going after Ivan so I had to do something. I couldn't just leave him."
"That's what the rest of your squad did," Zack muttered.
"They were just following orders."
"Yeah yeah, you and Angeal," Zack rolled his eyes. "God knows where you'd be if you 'followed protocol.' You could've gotten your ass handed to you."
Cloud grinned. "I didn't though."
Zack laughed, shoulders sagging in relief. "Right. C'mon, this place sucks. Let's get you outta here."
He helped Cloud to his feet. The cadet was still unsteady, so Zack took it upon himself to wrap an arm around Cloud's shoulders. They tried to remain as quiet as they could, but Zack was so glad that Cloud was relatively unharmed and alive that he had difficulty containing himself.
"So, what was with the tree? Just enjoying the view, or...?"
"I wanted to get as high as I could so I had some advantage," said Cloud. "I got turned around running from that thing and didn't know where I ended up. Thought I'd wait it out until morning."
Zack hummed. "Makes sense. I thought you just enjoyed throwing rocks at my giant head."
The cadet gave Zack a halfhearted kick to the shin and Zack made a dramatic show of avoiding it. Cloud was smarter and more resourceful than people gave him credit for. Zack obviously saw it, what was everyone else's deal?
"I just couldn't take your snoring anymore. Not that your giant head isn't good target practice," said Cloud.
Zack scoffed, incredulous. "I do not snore!"
"Are you kidding? It sounded like a malboro's mating call."
"Just for that I'm leaving you in the dirt."
"Oh no, how will I ever make it without big, strong First Class Zack to protect me?" Cloud pretended to swoon.
"Says the guy who just shot a mutant square between the eyes."
"You're right. They should make me a First."
"Honestly? They probably should.”
Cloud rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"No no, I'm serious! I can't name one First who took out something like that as a cadet by themselves. That's amazing stuff, man."
Cloud went silent. When he refused to continue the conversation, Zack gave him a little nudge. "What's up?"
"Just..." Cloud began. "I can't even make it to Third. I've already failed twice. I don't know what else to do."
Zack hadn't known that Cloud attempted to get into the SOLDIER program more than once.
"... Well that doesn't mean anything. There are other ways to get into SOLDIER, yeah?"
Cloud shook his head. "They don't think I'll last. That I'm too... small, even though I do nothing but train. Even weight lifting. I've definitely put on muscle since I started."
Zack grinned as Cloud perked up a bit. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. Especially my arms," he flexed his good arm a little. He wasn't lying.
Zack whistled. "Damn, put those guns away!"
"Oh shut up."
It wasn't long into their journey back to Midgar before Cloud spoke up again, “Not to be a complete pain in the ass, but did you bring any snacks with you?”
Zack stopped on a dime and rifled through his backpack, procuring a granola bar. "Sorry! I meant to give you one hours ago. Actually, here – you could probably use a couple."
"I just need one. Don't waste your whole supply."
“Like I haven’t had five myself. C'mon, just take'em."
"... Alright."
Zack handed Cloud three bars and it suddenly dawned on him that Cloud had next to nothing on his person.
“Where’s all your stuff? Surely they didn’t make you come all the way out here with nothing.” Zack rapped his knuckles on the side of Cloud’s head, noting the missing helmet.
“Who knows,” Cloud spoke around a mouthful of granola. “I took my helmet off to see better when I was running from that monster and it pretty much crushed it. A lot of good that would’ve done me, right?
“Huh. That’s... probably something to bring attention to.”
Cloud shrugged his shoulders. “They know it’s cheap shit. We’re not supposed to fight stuff like that anyway.”
“Yeah, but…” Zack muttered. “If the monsters around here are getting more vicious somehow, they probably shouldn’t be skimping on the gear.”
“Probably not,” Cloud said softly, shoving granola bar wrappers into his pocket. He paused before continuing. “Why do you think that’s happening anyway? The big monsters?”
Zack chewed on the inside of his cheek. He really wished he had an answer to give. “Honestly? I dunno. Could be just about anything these days.”
Cloud seemed to mull over those words for a moment as Zack observed him. Cloud was still unsteady on his feet, which Zack chalked up to exhaustion or possibly an injured ankle. He figured Cloud wouldn’t tell him regardless so Zack wanted to get him to the infirmary as quickly as possible.
In an attempt to lighten the mood, Zack grinned and shook Cloud’s shoulders a little. “Everyone’s gonna be so glad to see you, y’know? I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when they hear what you did. They’re gonna be like, ‘holy shit’!”
Cloud scoffed and smiled a little. “Right.”
“Man, I’m serious! You should’ve seen how spooked your squadmates were,” said Zack. “They’ll wanna hear everything.”
“Maybe. I doubt they’ll believe me though, they’ll probably just think I ran off in the wrong direction and got lost."
“No way, why would they think that?”
“Because it’s me.”
“That’s not a very good reason.”
Cloud rolled his eyes. He knew how his team would react, but Zack was adorable in his attempt to cheer him up. The guy traveled all the way out to the middle of nowhere to find him, so Cloud would ease up on the self-deprecation. “It’s fine. They can think whatever they want as long as I get to sleep in tomorrow. I feel like I’m gonna pass out the second I get through the door.”
Zack laughed. “We’ve gotta get you some lunch and take care of that sunburn first. That looks nasty.”
Cloud had somehow forgotten about the sunburn, his pale skin blistering in the sun like a campfire marshmallow. The pain returned with a vengeance. “Thanks for the reminder.”
“Sorry,” Zack grimaced — and then it hit him. “W-Wait! Hold on, I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner!”
“What?”
Zack stopped and threw his pack to the ground, digging around furiously. Soon he had in his hands a small green sphere that glistened brilliantly in the sunlight.
“Aha! I’m not the greatest with healing materia but if I can’t heal a sunburn, what good am I?”
“You think that’ll work?” Cloud asked. He was willing to try anything to soothe his angry skin, even if Zack’s abilities were questionable.
“Worth a shot. It’s either this or ice materia,” Zack shrugged. “Not to brag, but I healed a whole-ass papercut one time.”
“Wow, my hero.”
Zack motioned for Cloud to lean in closer and took a deep breath. Using materia to its full extent required the caster to enter a certain meditative state, something Zack always found difficult, especially during combat. He was much more comfortable expending his pent-up energy as a swordsman. Nevertheless, Cloud needed healing and Zack was determined to get it right.
He focused as best as he could, fishing for the invisible connection between his body and the materia. Once he felt it he nearly lost it in excitement; getting a grip, he harnessed a small amount of energy and raised a hand to Cloud’s face. Zack gently brushed his fingertips along Cloud’s cheeks and the bridge of his nose.
After a few seconds Zack felt his concentration slip and the connection with the materia was severed. He felt a bit winded, but that was probably due to his current state more than the act of healing. Cloud stood before him, still frozen in place with his eyes closed. Sure enough the redness was gone and in its wake left smooth, pale skin, and more freckles than Zack remembered. Not that he was counting.
Cloud opened his eyes and scrunched up his nose. “I taste mint.”
“Really?” Zack glanced at the materia in his hand. “Is that supposed to happen?”
“I dunno, is it?”
“Uhh…” Zack put the materia away and slung an arm over Cloud’s shoulders. “Let’s get you to the infirmary.”
-
“Zackary.”
“... Sir?”
Zack watched as Cloud was whisked away by more than a few doctors, leaving him to face the swift and certain wrath of his mentor.
Angeal’s mako-blue eyes were stern, his face indecipherable. But Zack already knew what he was in for.
“I recall telling you specifically not to run off on your own,” said Angeal. “My memory isn’t that bad yet, Zack.”
Zack laughed nervously. “Of course not!”
Angeal let a hand rest on his hip. “Care to explain yourself then?”
“Look, Ang. What do you want me to say? I’m sorry, alright?” Zack began. He ran a hand through his hair and it snagged on his messy ponytail so he removed its tie. “You know I couldn’t just leave him there; it could’ve been too late. I just…”
He paused and Angeal’s expression remained unchanged. He was still exhausted from his expedition and frankly didn’t feel like explaining, but Zack supposed he should count his blessings. At least it was Angeal he was dealing with and not someone like Genesis or Sephiroth.
“It won’t happen again,” Zack sighed. “You have my word on that.”
Angeal ruffled his own hair. “You know I can’t let you off the hook.”
Zack nodded. Of course.
“Let’s say we just… keep our mouths shut about this. If anyone asks, it was a special mission appointed to you. I’ll discuss it with Sephiroth,” said Angeal. “You’ll be training the Thirds for an entire week. Squads will be assigned and you will cycle through all of them. Distribute written tests and have them graded by the end of the week —”
Ew. He supposed he deserved that.
“— Starting next week.”
Zack blinked. “Huh?”
“That gives you four days to help Cloud out while he recovers,” Angeal replied and added with a smile, “Don’t do it again, Zack.”
Zack couldn’t help the relief that spread through his entire body and jumped a little. “You got it! The Thirds won’t know what hit’em!”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“You’re the best, Ang.”
“I know— oof!”
Zack nearly bowled Angeal over with enthusiasm alone as he enveloped him in a tight hug. After it lasted a few seconds too long, Angeal untangled himself from Zack’s limbs.
“Okay, okay. See ya later?” said Zack, slowly walking in the direction of the infirmary.
Angeal waved him away, wondering when this would come back to bite him in the ass. But after seeing Zack and Cloud stumble through the door together that afternoon he couldn’t say he cared much.