Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core: The Beginnings of Heroes

So this is Chapter 3 of Beginnings of Heroes. This chapter will be on Zack's reaction to Angeal's desertion, and Cloud and LeRoy's friendship. I'm trying as hard as I can to make this story follow the Crisis Core timeline/order of events, so there will be little, if any deviation from the story.

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own anything having to do with the Final Fantasy series or franchise, or any military terms, equipment, etc. It all belongs to Square Enix and any related military companies, organizations, departments, etc. Any questions refer to the first underlined statement.

Italics=thoughts of character

2140 hours, October 13, 0000 (Military Calendar)/ 49th Floor, Shinra Building, Midgar

2nd Class SOLDIER Zack Fair

The helicopter ride back to Midgar was silent. Zack was thinking hard. Why would Angeal decide to desert Shinra? Zack was his own pupil, and they spent enough time training and socializing for him to know that Angeal would never pull a stunt like that without a very good reason. Once the helicopter landed on the helipad, Zack was the first one off, and was off towards the elevator, Sephiroth in tow. The 1st Class SOLDIER seemed unperturbed that one of colleagues had disappeared. His face gave away nothing either to what he was thinking of. Finally, not able to take it anymore, Zack exploded.

"How can you be so calm, considering that one of your colleagues and friends has just disappeared? You didn't even defend him! Angeal isn't the type of man to do that kind of thing, and you know it."

"I'm positive, that I have known him longer, which doesn't give you the right to say that. The evidence speaks for itself. If Angeal was still working for Shinra, he would have stayed, or rendezvous with you," Sephiroth calmly replied, his anger only evident in his narrowed, silvery green eyes. Zack faltered for a moment, before nodding.

"You're right, sorry Sephiroth it wasn't my place or right to say that." A curt nod was the only thing that Sephiroth did to acknowledge Zack's apology. Zack wished that the elevator ride would go faster. They were only on the 65th floor.

"We will find Angeal. I do know him, and if memory serves, he will eventually show himself to us," Sephiroth announced flatly. Zack breathed a sigh of relief, as he knew that Sephiroth wasn't mad at him.

"Zack, be careful with what you say though, especially in front of important Shinra employees. They will not be as forgiving as I in regards to your outburst." With that, Sephiroth walked out of the elevator. Zack stormed out of the elevator. He was angry. Why would Angeal do this? How could he? Zack continued to trudge down the hall, deep in thought.

"Whoa, why the long face? You do know that if you keep that face on long enough, it's gonna stay there permanently? Or are you actually thinking, cuz that will be the day that chocobos fly? Kunsel, Zack's best friend and fellow 2nd Class SOLDIER joked.

"Not now Kunsel," Zack warned as he pushed past his friend. He knew that Kunsel was frowning underneath the SOLDIER helmet by the way his friend slightly tilted his head to the left. Not bothering to elaborate or care, Zack reached his room and locked himself inside of it.

"Angeal, what are you doing right now?" Lying on his bed, Zack stared at the ceiling of his quarters, until he fell into an uneasy sleep.

Bright light filtered into Zack's room. Groaning, he tried to blot out the abysmal light by covering his face with a pillow. After a few seconds, he decided he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, and he should probably do something besides staying in his room. After stretching, Zack stood up and opened the door.

"Hey Zack! So I was wondering if…" SLAM. Zack slammed his door on Kunsel's face and turned around. Sniffing himself, and grimacing, he decided he needed to change. After taking off his shoulder armor, and other equipment, Zack took off his dirty uniform, until he was in his boxers.

"Hey Zack! So I was wondering if you would want to grab some chow with me!" Kunsel's cheerful voice filled the room as said person opened Zack's door.

"Kunsel!" Zack shrieked in a very manly way, before trying in vain to cover himself and save his modesty. Kunsel smiled cheerfully and waved.

"I see your temper tantrum has somewhat subsided. Wanna go eat, cuz I'm starving!" he remarked.

"Yeah, I'm good."

"But, but Zack, there's spaghetti and meatballs, clam chowder, and Mystery Meat! We should try it out!"

"Uh sure, wait, mystery meat?"

"Yeah, it's the… the, uh, stuff made from meat. No one knows really what it is, but I've heard its meaty tasting…or something… similar. "

"Uh, yeah, get me some spag will ya?"

"Zack, you…you're not gonna raid the cafeteria with me?" Kunsel asked in a heartbroken tone.

"Uh, fine, but you are NOT feeding me that "mystery meat"."

"Hmmm, I won't be feeding you mystery meat, you're gonna feed yourself mystery meat." Zack smiled at his best friend.

"Lemme change, and I'll be right out." After slipping on the off-duty gear, Zack followed Kunsel towards the Cafeteria.

"So Zack, why the moodiness yesterday? I've been hearing piece of crap rumors that Angeal deserted along with Genesis, but I don't believe it."

"Wish it weren't Kunsel, but it's true."

"Damnnnn, sorry Zack, I probably wouldn't be as annoying if I knew."

"Yeah, that would be impossible," Zack snorted at the last comment. After both SOLDIERs entered the mess hall, and grabbed their meal, they went to the normal area in which they sat. Kunsel had the Mystery Meat, and sniffed at it tentatively.

"Huh, it sorta smells like Tonberry."

"What? You've eaten Tonberry?" Zack yelped incredulously.

"Once I went two weeks without food, and it was already half dead," Kunsel defended.

"… How was it?"

"Eh, kinda salty with a hint of stagnant water."

"Hmm, that sounds…" RING, RING, RING. Zack picked up the phone, and listened. Nodding a few times, Zack smiled apologetically at Kunsel.

"Some higher-ups need to debrief me on the mission, and Angeal's disappearance."

"Yeah, go get 'em. I'll send a PHS message whenever, unless I get sick from the Mystery Meat…but I doubt it, it's not that bad."

Zack rushed into the elevator, and finally made it to Floor 51, Director Lazard's office. The automatic doors slid open to reveal several people in suits, including Lazard. A figure in a suit walked up to Zack.

"Ah, hello 2nd Class SOLDIER Zack, we have much to talk about."

1800 hours, October 14, 0000 (Military Calendar)/ LOVELESS Avenue, Midgar

Cloud strolled down the bustling streets of LOVELESS Avenue, staring in wonder at all of the different attractions and eateries this place had to offer. The survivors of B Unit, and several other units were granted leave for a few days. This meant every soldier would be off-duty, and free to do as they please, as long as they report back to had barracks at the set time. Some of the soldiers had spouses and families, in which they would return to, while the majority of the men would go to LOVELESS Avenue and enjoy themselves. Cloud had never been there before, and was bewildered by its bright neon lights, and the sheer amount of people. As soon as the bus dropped off the soldiers, each of them formed groups and melted into the crowd. Cloud was left alone, as usual. He walked around, just enjoying the freedom and peace. As he was crossing a street, he saw a familiar brown-haired figure stumbling around. Cloud rushed over to the stumbling man and steadied him. The man looked up and smiled.

"Hey Cloudy-woudy. Guess what? I can fly!" Private Andrew LeRoy slurred, before drunkenly running around with arms outstretched, pretending to be a plane, then tripping and falling on his face.

"Y'know, it's been one hour since we were granted leave, and you are already drunk off your arse," Cloud remarked.

"Haha, how'd you know? I betcha it's the glasses, and the suit."

"First, you're not wearing any, second, you're drunk. Come on, let's get off this street."

Cloud led Andrew towards the fountain, and sat him down. LeRoy leaned back and almost fell into the fountain, had it not been for Cloud, who grabbed his uniform, and pulled him upright.

"Thanks Cloudy."

The sky was suddenly lit up with explosions of bright color. Cloud looked up and saw fireworks exploding throughout the sky, and heard the shrieks and cries of many pleasantly surprised tourists. Cloud held his breath at the fireworks. The many colors and flower-like explosions were amazing. Mid-way through the firework show, LeRoy leaned into Cloud.

"Y'know Cloud, you are my best buddy. We're one of the few survivors of our unit. You're like a brother to me, y'know?" Andrew announced randomly, with a serious expression on his face.

"Mmmhhmm," Cloud nodded his agreement.

"No 'mmmhhhhmm', Cloud. We have to back each other up."

Cloud stared at Andrew. He seemed awfully serious and sober for someone as drunk as he was. Finally, Cloud nodded and smiled.

"Promise me, we'll always stick together, and make it outta this war alive."

"I promise."

"Good, now I gotta find a hot girl for you!"

"No."

"What do you mean no?"

"No."

"What about my sist-"

"Heck no!"

"Fine, we'll find one for me!"

"How about we find a bus to take us back to barracks?"

"Fine, you party pooper. Tomorrow, I decide what were gonna do."

Cloud found a bus, and boarded it.

"Please drop us off at the Shinra Military Barracks, please," Cloud told the driver. The driver nodded, and waited a bit before several other soldiers and people boarded.

"Next stop is Sector 8, then the Shinra Building. Third stop will be the Shinra Barracks," The driver announced.

Cloud leaned against the bus window, and admired all the sky scrapers and buildings that towered over Midgar. Cloud committed as much of these nice sights to memory, because in a few days, he would be re-deployed, and there was a chance he would never be able to see Midgar again.

And that's a wrap! Third chapter finished. There wasn't much action or fighting in this one, since it focused on Cloud and LeRoy's friendship(no homo), and Zack's reaction to Angeal's desertion. The latter was never touched upon in great deal during Crisis Core. Next chapter will have action, PROMISE. It will take place in Banora, and Shinra's hunt for the missing SOLDIER, Genesis Rhapsodos. As I have said before, this story will be in chronological order with Crisis Core, and focus mainly on Cloud.

As usual, FLAMES are WELCOME! Bwahahaha, bring on the flames!

And thanks to the people who review, its much appreciated.

Till next time,

CrunchyWrole