This was, by far, the best story I have read on this site. I literally couldn’t drag myself away from it! Thank you so much for taking the time to create this. I am a big fan of this game and always wondered myself what had happened in the years leading up to their escape. You are very creative and great at describing scenes and the way the characters are feeling! I almost wish the actual creator of the game would read this and make a movie out of your story. Thank you so much again for this! I am definitely one of your fans! :D

Sorry, ignore the previous review, the link got messed up.

I ended up making a playlist of songs that I listened to when reading the story and felt went with it, and if anyone wants to listen to it go to YouTube and look up Reduced to Specimens and you'll see a playlist with my username. Unfortunately, I can't seem to figure out how links work on this site.

I definitely recommend listening to So Far by Olafur Arnalds as I feel like the song goes with it so well.

This story was so good! It's something I didn't even know I wanted to understand more about what Zack and Cloud might have gone through in the four years they were experimented on. The game glances over it and just jumps to when they escape so it doesn't feel like that long or painful, but reading what their daily life was like during those times shows the truth of how hellish a time it was for them and how it felt they'd be there forever. All of the chapters were so detailed and realistic, and it was interesting seeing all the experiments and what could have gone on during these years. Thanks for making such a great story!

Sorry, ignore the previous review, the link got messed up.

I ended up making a playlist of songs that I listened to when reading the story and felt went with it, and if anyone wants to listen to it it's here:
https playlist?list PLwCwa8zkvtDPjjjFUqDI Qheknseb1kqCy

I definitely recommend listening to So Far by Olafur Arnalds as I feel like the song goes with it so well.

This story was so good! It's something I didn't even know I wanted to understand more about what Zack and Cloud might have gone through in the four years they were experimented on. The game glances over it and just jumps to when they escape so it doesn't feel like that long or painful, but reading what their daily life was like during those times shows the truth of how hellish a time it was for them and how it felt they'd be there forever. All of the chapters were so detailed and realistic, and it was interesting seeing all the experiments and what could have gone on during these years. Thanks for making such a great story!

I ended up making a playlist of songs that I listened to when reading the story and felt went with it, and if anyone wants to listen to it it's here
playlist?listPLwCwa8zkvtDPjjjFUqDIQheknseb1kqCy
I definitely recommend listening to So Far by Olafur Arnalds as I feel like the song goes with it so well.

This story was so good! It's something I didn't even know I wanted to understand more about what Zack and Cloud might have gone through in the four years they were experimented on. The game glances over it and just jumps to when they escape so it doesn't feel like that long or painful, but reading what their daily life was like during those times shows the truth of how hellish a time it was for them and how it felt they'd be there forever. All of the chapters were so detailed and realistic, and it was interesting seeing all the experiments and what could have gone on during these years. Thanks for making such a great story!

Okay, I have to get this out of the way first. I REALLY hate this story. It makes me cringe and get really angry and upset. It's very difficult to read.

Having said that... perhaps it is TOO convincing. What Zack did in this chapter... horrible, but completely convincing. Zack, it's really hard not to admire you.

And thank you to Cloud for manning up to the problem. It sounds like he's really learning courage.

I haven't read ahead, but I'm hoping the scene with the girls a couple chapters back is foreshadowing.

Hi there, this has been a long time coming. I first came across RtS WAY back when you first started writing it, however at the time, I was like...13 or 14? I was kinda scared off by the M rating and wasn't sure if my innocent eyes could handle it.

So, here I am now! Finally writing this review. First off, once I started reading, I couldn't stop. What I really enjoyed was how you strengthened the bond between Cloud and Zack. To me, Crisis Core seemed a little lackluster in giving some background on how/why Zack was such a vital part of Cloud's life (as Square Enix/Tetsuya made is seem in Advent Children). This story solidified it and filled in the gaps of what I also wondered what happened to them between the Nibelheim incident and up to their escape.

My obsession with this first started with FFVII: Advent Children as well. I wondered...who is this guy? Who is Zack? Why is he so significant?! I bought the Final Fantasy VII (which at the time, I was pretty easy at the time to find, but in reality I just got lucky that some flea market vendor just happened to have it in 2006-ish). I played it through, and went back to the Shin-Ra Mansion just to see the cutscene of Zack and Cloud's escape. While it was eye-opening, I still wondered more about this hidden character. Then Crisis Core came along and kinda sorta gave more of a glimpse of what kinda guy Zack was. But! It still didn't really answer my questions about what happened!

Anyways, onto the finer details. I thoroughly appreciate that you explained how Zack and Cloud managed to even get to the other continent! I was like...really...how did they even cross the ocean on a Shin-Ra motorcycle.

Also, how you added why Cloud wears gloves more often than not. I always assumed it was from the experiments, but you added an extra level of detail that I couldn't even imagine!

Another thing I very much applaud you for is not turning this in a yaoi fic. And no offense to anyone who enjoys yaoi! I don't mind reading it from time to time, but Cloud and Zack fics are so saturated in things beyond friendship, it becomes stifling. I'm totally fine with yaoi, but I feel like Cloud and Zack's relationship exists on a mutual love, a brotherly bond, and as soulmates but not in the traditional sense of the phrase. I think it's pretty awesome how to kept the characters true to their depictions in the games and movie. It could have very easily gone a different route, if ya know what I mean.

So! To conclude my review. This story, had me wincing, biting my nails, angry, sad, hopeful, hopeless, and probably just about every other emotion under the sun! I actually cried at the end as was recalling the ending of Crisis Core (initially I didn't cry for the game) and it as lined up to your story. But now knowing what both Cloud and Zack had to go through really did it in for me.

But the ending! YES! Zack lives! I was quite surprised honestly, I was just like...THIS IS IT...ALL THEY'VE FOUGHT FOR TO KEEP EACH OTHER ALIVE AND IT JUST...ends here. But it doesn't. And I am...happy?! Torn?! I'm a bundle of emotions right now and feel like drawing some fanart for this story. When I do, I'll let ya know. Some parts really struck me and made sure to write down what scenes really had me amped to draw!

Thank you for your contribution to the FFVII fandom, I think you've done this plot hole great justice. Just perfection.

*sneaks away to read the rest of your fanfictions that was afraid to read as a kid* :D

Hello! I just finished this story and wow, was it a roller coaster of a ride. I really enjoyed it. Your writing feels real and you always came up with something engaging. I can’t believe this was your first story! I can’t wait to take a look at some of the other stories you’ve written!

I loved this story! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!
I really loved how you focused on friendship and brotherly love. Your story was so heartbreaking and painful in moments, I hate Hojo even more now. Please kill him off some day for me.

I am definitely going to read the sequel next and the prologue too.

Also I love how it's focused on their friendship but of course my imagination runs wild still

I was about to cry if I had to see him die again CC hit me hard even though I knew he was going to die but the way he died kilt me lol no joke

It's sad how before I read the next line The voice in my head automatically was in sephiroths lmbo
"It's good to see you…Cloud."

I want to cry but then I wouldn't be able to see and I WANT TO READ SO I HAVE TO SEE it's like this every chapter waaaaaahhhh

very good

-rubs eyes tiredly- Three days...I read this in three days lol. I love how you made such an elaborate story out of this whole thing starting from the defeat of Sephiroth, to the Gunfight (Where my beloved Zack would have originally died and I thank you for not killing him off.) I feel said for all the pain the went through and the loss of Syrus, Dr. Anna Marsh, and Doner... they were all good people in that bottomless hell pit they were stuck in. I would seriously love to tear Hojo limb from ever bloody limb and make him suffer unimaginable tortures of my own, but alas I will have to see what comes from the next part...if he gets his just deserts. Can't wait to get started on the next part x.x but since it is now 7:35 in the morning and I haven't slept much in the last few days XD I must bid you farewell until I read the next one.

And so it ends and begins. But there are some things...doesn't Cloud still have those metal things in his body? And don't they both still have those things that make the simulations possible? They should go out as soon as possible. How will they make it to Midgar, how will Zack survive until then? Also, Cloud's lack of memories and lack of absorbing Zack's, even though Zack, for all intents and purposes, died. I'm looking forward to the sequel and once I again I thank you for writing this and for staying true to the characters and relationships. That is so rare to find.