Disclaimer: I do not own any Final Fantasy VII characters.

Turning Points

Of Disappointment And Despair

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The figure sat in the preparation room. Surrounded by shiny new lockers and benches. It was pretty much empty that time of day. Most of the troops were out on leave. Enjoying their precious free time by delving into the sins the grimy city, Midgar, had to offer. All save one. The figure of man around the age of Eighteen clad in a blue standard shinra uniform. His bright blue eyes staring fiercely at his boots as he slid them on.

He let out a small sigh as he finally managed to squeeze them on. Giving a quick glance around the room he rose to his feet, scooping up his helmet from the bench beneath. Sliding the head gear on over his Spikey Blonde hair he cringed slightly. He mulled over the fact the outfit was slightly loose hanging and not to comfortable. Never the less he was proud to wear it. Slamming shut his locker the young low ranking soldier headed towards the door. A determined yet nervous expression plastered on his thin face.

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The heavy door swung open after some effort, giving way to a large warehouse. It was overflowing with crates and barrels all of which seemed like they best not be interfered with. Evening light shone down through one of the warehouse' many grimy skylights. In the center of the room was a transport truck being prepped for departure. The young low ranking soldier approached, his head lowered. Ahead of him he made out another soldier such as himself dressed in the blue garb leaning against the truck inhaling a Cigarette deeply. The blonde scrunched his nose under his helmet. He hated smoke, most likely derived from living near a Mako reactor in his youth. To the back of the truck a man dressed in a first class soldiers uniform with spikey black hair was practicing squats. He looked around the age of the Blonde give or take a year or two over. A confident grin adorned his face.

The young soldier stopped in front of the raven haired Soldier and stood attention saluting him quite clumsily.

"C.. Cloud Strife reporting for duty SIR!". Cloud stuttered unwilling to move from the spot.

The Raven haired soldier stopped his activity and glanced at Cloud, blinking a few times. An awkward silence hung in the air for a moment only interrupted by the puffing of smoke emitting from the left.

"Ahahahaha!". The Soldier keeled over clutching his sides with his hands. "Ahahahahahha!!! Sir?!"

The laughing lasted longer than was called for. Cloud slouched and sighed deeply.

"Great!! I've made a fool of myself! Whats more I've made a fool of myself infront of a First Class Soldier..". Cloud thought how was he ever going to gain respect around here. He was constantly the butt of every joke. In his training classes his skills were below average, the blonde haired soldier had a hard time making friends.

Suddenly he snapped out of his thoughts when a hand touched down on his shoulder. "You don't need to call me Sir."

Cloud blinked.

"The names Zack Fair, you can call me Zack". The first class beamed down at Cloud.

"Yes SIR, Zack!". Cloud sputtered.

Zack smirked slightly and stepped back towards the truck. "Cloud... How come you signed up for this mission? Its gonna be kind of dangerous out there."

"I..". Cloud started but stopped ubrubtly as the sound of boots on concrete echoed behind him. Turning around Cloud came face to face with something he never expected. A figure clad in a long black leather coat and white Pauldrons approached him, long silver hair gliding behind him. With a sword possibly as tall as he was cutting the air is it hung behind the man.

"Sephiroth..". The name fell from his lips like a whisper.

Sephiroth had been his Hero for countless years now. He was the whole reason Cloud was stood in the Warehouse right now. His idol, his hero standing before him. General Sephiroth.

"Sephiroth?". Zack chirped up. "You're coming too, I thought it was just a little malfunction in a Nibelheim reactor?"

Sephiroth stared stoicly through Cloud towards Zack. His head bobbed slightly indicating a yes.

"They don't want any chances taken. We shall clear this matter up and be back within a few days.". Sephiroth uttered. His very voice commanding respect Cloud noted.

The four soldiers turned to board the truck when a voice yelled out from the background. The small group stopped suddenly. Each addorning a look of confusion as though something was not right. Each sensing something different.

"Umm excuse me sirs! We just recieved word from Heidegger." A warehouse worker hurried infront of the party.

"And..?" The silver haired general demanded.

"The mission to Nibelheim has been cancelled. The cause has been determined to be that of a leek. A repair party is being sent in your stead." The worker hung around for a few moments but after feeling four pairs of eyes bore into him he left quite hastily.

Clouds heart sunk into his Stomach. A bitter taste of disappointment in his mouth.

"Guess it can't be helped." Zack shrugged.

"A waste of my time." Sephiroth uttered and began to walk away. Cloud watched him leave the room.

Cloud slowly removed his helmet and slinging it under his arm. letting his hair spring back to its normal spikey style. Thankful that it atleast was intact.

"Don't be so down Cloud." A hand came down onto his head scrunching it up as Zacks voice came from his side. "Want to grab a drink?"

Cloud turned his head to face Zack, a frown permantly fixed on his face. He shook his head slightly. Zack seemed to understand and bid him farewell.

"Next time then". He waved to the lower rank as he headed to the exit.

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Cloud thrust his sword at the target. The armoured doll springing back upright after each hit yet he persued. Blow after blow, striking the doll. The training room around him was empty. The targets and weapon racks were the only things keeping him company in the windowless room. The sword clattered to the ground as Cloud fell to a crouch panting heavily as beads of sweat dripped from his nose.

"My chance to finally proove myself here and it was all for nothing." The blonde panted.

The door parted as someone approached. Cloud turned his head towards the door. His face dropped. He scrambled to his feet.

"Well well well, if its isn't the class weakling. Good old Cloud." A boy around Eighteen with greased back dull blonde hair grinned at him.

"What do you want Seifer..." Cloud frowned.

"I thought I told you to stay away from here Chocobo head." Seifer grinned as he was joined by a few more classmates each with the same shinra uniform.

Seifer drew a few steps closer to Cloud.

"Now you'll have to pay for being smart!" Cloud gasped as a clenched fist connected with his stomach.

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The Training Area was empty once more. All but a lone figure lay on the ground. His outfit torn slightly and his face smeared with blood. The spikey haired boy attempted to climb to his feet but couldn't find the strength. He rolled on his back wiping his face with his torn sleeve, drenching it in blood. He groaned. Since arriving the barracks he had made few friends. By few it meant none. People were warey of his loner personality and picked him out for it. He scrunched his eyes. This was typical. This was meant to be his big day. Fighting alongside Sephiroth and on his way back to his hometown of Nibelheim but instead he lay there. He wondered breifly. How things would have turned out if the mission had gone underway. Pictures of Dragons and happy townsfolk filled his head as he tried again to climb to his feet.

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Aimlessly Cloud wandered through the streets of Midgar wearing now Black baggy trousers and a longsleeved black top. He had left the barracks over an hour ago and was glad to be rid of the place. He'd wandered pretty fare and the streets became grimier and dirtier. Soon the sky was blocked from view, he figured he was now beneath the plate. The Blonde laughed slightly. Maybe that was where he belonged.

A sign came into view. 'Walmart'. This place was full of shady characters. Cloud glanced around. This place was full of every sin possible. Bars littered the area along with gambling stalls and a place called 'The Honeybee Inn'. The streets were dimly lit and a foggy smoke hung around. People barged past him not bothering to appologise.

Cloud cast his mind back. His nails dug into his palms as he thought about returning to the barracks. He growled as he drove his fist into a wall with some force. Pain surged through his hand followed by a numbing sensation. The blonde haired soldier stared down. Blood dripped from the knuckles of the right hand. He spun around against the wall and slid down it to the floor his knee's propped up as he burried his head in his hands. Ignoring everything around him.

"Excuse me." Cloud stared up wide eyed at the source of the gentle feminine voice. "Are you alright."