Chapter Text
*Akai POV* Zack, Angeal, and I are currently on a training mission, sitting in the helicopter. We all hear a voice as it begins to explain the mission.
“Wutai troops have hijacked Shinra Express MK93 ||.
The train is currently headed to Midgar Sector 8. Two SOLDIER operatives will be inserted to neutralize the situation.
We are to proceed as scheduled.
Commence mission in 3 2 1 mark.
Begin mission.”
As soon as Zack and I hear those words we go towards the opening of the helicopter door.
“Operatives are ready for insertion.”
“The train has been overrun by Wutai troops. Eliminate them and regain control of the train.” Ageal says this as Zack and I look back at him with a nod.
“Oh yeah!” Zack gives a small smile and a thumbs up before jumping out.
I hear Angeal say get serious to Zack as I jump out after him.
We both land on the train safely and stand up.
“Zack!” We both hear Angeal’s voice and turn around.
“Zack, Focus.” Zack gives a small glare at Angeal but stays silent.
“There are no Shinra troops on this train. Understood?” Zack stays silent and continues to glare before turning away from Angeal. He punches his hand and smirks running down the train.
“Akai.” I turn to him, giving him my attention.
“I trust that you'll keep him out of trouble… And stop holding back.” I nod running after Zack.
Never knew he noticed.
Catching up to Zack as we both get shot at. Zack starts to lose his balance while trying to dodge the bullets. I pull out my sword blocking the bullets and grab onto Zack’s shoulder so that he doesn't fall forward.
He gives me a nod in thanks before running farther down the train, bullets missing him.
While we're running, more Wutai troops in Shinra outfits climb on top of the train holding their guns aiming to fire.
“Come and get it!” Zack says this with some enthusiasm pulling out his sword.
As soon as he said that, they started to shoot us.
Zack is blocking the bullets covering for me as I cut them down. He smirks until more gunshots are fired.
This time he keeps blocking while jumping into the air, cutting some of them down.
Zack then keeps running and then jumps over most of the Wutai troops smirking.
I sigh but follow in his lead.
“SOLDIER 2nd Class Zack, on the job!”
I don’t say my rank outloud but Zack didn’t seem to care. Zack disconnects a part of the train and I jump onto the moving side standing next to him. Zack puts his sword back on his back as the helicopter light shines on us.
“Train MK93 || re-routed to Sector 1 near Mako Reactor 1. Proceed to mission phase 2 and change surveillance rank…”
The train then stops as Zack has to flip to get to the ground. I just jump off the train walking behind Zack. Zack then stops walking looking around until his phone rings. He answers the call while I stand next to him.
“Zack speaking.”
“Making progress, Zack?”
“What’s going on, Angeal? Why are we fighting Shinra Troops?”
“They're Wutai Troops in disguise. Now, head to the open area above.”
“Towards Sector 8?”
“Yes. But first, you have to clear a path.”
“Clear a path?”
As soon as Zack says this Wutai Troops come running out of the opening holding their guns. I pull out my sword as Zack is still listening to Angeal.
“You’ll see what I mean. Be careful.”
The Wutai Troops start to shoot at Zack and I’m blocking the bullets for him while he’s finishing up his call.
“So, I can cut loose, right?”
“Use some discretion.”
“It’s showtime!” Zack shouts hanging up before setting his phone back in his pocket
Zack then pulls out his sword and I see him start to use some fire, lightning and ice Materia while also using his sword. Some of the Wutai Troops hit us with their bullets but they were taken down quite quickly after the fact.
Zack gets another phone call from Angeal and answers it.
“Not too bad.”
“Piece of cake! I’ll make 1st in no time!”
“Go up the stairs at the end of the platform.”
“You got it!”
Zack then starts to run up the stairs and I follow him, sighing. No wonder his nickname from Angeal is Zack the Puppy.
As we're running up the stairs Zack stops looking at all the people running down.
We then keep running up the stairs dodging all the people. As we get closer to the platform there seems to be a monster up there.
It slams its paws and tail on the floor roaring at us.
Zack and I pull out our swords looking at the beast.
It tried to swipe its claws at us but we were able to move away somewhat. It was able to swipe a small piece of my hair but I was fine with that. I got to keep the act up anyway.
Zack then attacks one of its legs, distracting it. I then attack one of its back legs using fire materia.
The monster then begins facing me trying to attack me.
“Zack. We can keep switching like this so we don’t get injured as much and take down the monster faster.”
“Alright!”
Zack then uses fire Materia seeing as it was pretty effective.
The monster then spins doing a tailwhip. I managed to jump up high, getting a power surge and being able to see its neck cutting the monster down.
After I got the final hit on that monster we both put away our sword. Standing next to him a long sword is pointed at us. I start putting my hand closer to my sword just in case.
“Showing your back to the enemy… Overconfidence will destroy you.”
Zack puts his hands up and sighs turning around. I turn around staring at the sword pointed at us.
Sephiroth SOLDIER First Class.
Zack gasps looking at him.
“W-What is this!?” He looks shocked as Sephiroth just lets out a hum.
He moves his sword going to stab Zack until I block it. We start to engage in combat as Zack has no idea what to do. I parry Sephiroth’s attacks before he pushes me away. I drop my sword as Sephiroth is about to plunge his sword into me.
Zack blocks, struggling against the force.
Sometimes I hate having to pretend but to me it doesn't matter that much.
“Damn it, you're not the only hero!”
“It’s over.”
As soon as Zack tries to attack, Sephiroth flings him away causing him to break Zack’s sword. Standing up and running to grab my sword Zack falls to the ground.
As Sephiroth looks at Zack on the ground he gives a small laugh and smiles. He then positions his sword about to kill Zack.
I only watch as I don't think I could make it in time. But I have a feeling, I’m waiting for something to happen.
I opened my eyes to see that I was correct that something would happen. Angeal blocked Sephiroth’s attack with Zack’s broken sword. He lets out a sigh as Sephiroth pulls his blade away.
Zack then sits up looking at Angeal.
“Thanks, Angeal.” Zack says this in a thankful tone as Angeal pulls out his phone doing something.
The room starts to fade back to normal and I sheath my sword.
“Training’s over.”
“Wha-? why!?”
Angeal then points Zack’s broken sword at him. He stumbles back a little but regains his composure.
“You serious? I was just getting warmed up! Zack takes off the headset, throwing it on the floor while walking closer to the tip of the broken sword.
I take my headset off holding it in my hands.
Angeal then flips the sword around waiting for Zack to take it. Zack then takes the sword looking at it. He sighs as Angeal walks over to the exit.
“Zack, Akai. Embrace your dream.” He waits as Zack turns around confused.
“Huh?”
Angeal seeming to understand this stops walking.
“If you want to be a hero you must have dreams… and honor.” He turns his head and looks at the both of us. He then walks away as Zack looks at him.
“Hm…”
Zack rubs his head as the door closes behind Angeal.
“I still barely get what he’s trying to tell us. Do you know Akaki?”
“Yes.”
“Could you tell me what it means then?”
“You will figure it out Zack, don't worry.”
He pouts when I say that but then just smiles running out of the training room