Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core, or any other part of the Compilation.
Pairings, for those who are interested, are probably going to be Zack/Aerith and Cloud/Tifa. Those are the only ones really I can really say for sure. Basically just a "what if" where Zack survives.
"Talking"
Thoughts
Leo Foran wasn't anyone special. He was just another aging, overweight man who picked up a couple of kids who looked like they could use a ride. He didn't have a fancy car, just some run of the mill yellow pickup truck that was decent enough to help him with his delivery business. But his brother was slightly different. His younger brother Neth was the pride of the family. The young, idealistic, athletic type. So Leo had been surprised when the kid joined the terrorist organization known as Avalanche. Of course, he supported their ideals and kept in contact with his brother, he just didn't have any way of aiding them other than making some deliveries once in a while.
It seemed he might have the chance to change that.
Suddenly, the young man with spiky black hair in the bed of the pickup was asking him something. "Hey old man, what do you think I'd be good at?"
"What're ya yappin' about? You're still young, ain't ya? Young folks should try everything! Go out and see what you really want."
The kid mumbled something again, before he started up again.
"Hey, that's it! I've got lots of skills that other guys don't! That settles it, I'm going to be a mercenary. Thanks pops!"
What? Where did that come from? "Did you listen to a word I said?"
"Listen, I'm going to be a mercenary and that's that. Boring stuff, dangerous stuff, anything that pays. I'm goinna be rich! How about you, Cloud?"
Why wouldn't he know? Wasn't he taking care of the blond kid? What's wrong with him anyway? He hasn't said a word for miles. Wait a minute! "Hey, wait! You got it all wrong! I wasn't saying-"
"Just kidding Cloud. You know I wouldn't leave you hangin' like that. We're friends, right? Mercenaries Cloud, that's what you an' me are gonna be."
Honestly, kids these days just don't listen to ya. Why'd he even ask me. Suddenly he swerved to the side as he heard something hit the roof. The 'ell was that? Sounded like a gun. Wait…The uniforms those two are wearing! SOLDIER!
"Damn, it's Shinra! Hey pops, speed it up!"
Leo automatically followed the command, the "kid's" voice suddenly far more commanding than before. Shinra…But aren't they SOLDIER? Why would Shinra be after 'em? After thinking for a moment, though not too clearly with bullets flying at him, something occured to him. What if they...deserted? As he looked in the rear view mirror, he noticed a small object moving towards them from behind. "Helicopter." He breathed. Wait…SOLDIERS. SOLDIERS fighting Shinra. Neth could use people like that watchin' 'is back. The idea coming to him faster than he thought he could even come up with a plan, never having been the brightest of his family, he suddenly reached for the small cellular phone his parents had given him years ago before he moved out to join the delivery business. It was aged, but it should work well, close as they were getting to Midgar. Dialing Neth's number, slower than he would have liked, but unavoidable at the speed he was driving, he waited for the response.
"Ello?" His brother's strangely tired voice was a relief right now.
"Neth, this is Leo! I got a problem!"
"Can it wait?"
"Shinra! SOLDIER!" Another series of shots, this time much more wild. Is he actually blocking bullets?
Suddenly Neth's voice sounded completely awake "What?"
"Picked up two kids in SOLDIER outfits. Now I'm driving towards Midgar getting shot at by a buncha Shinra! Think they might be useful to ya" The black-haired kid was putting the sword on that weird thing that held it on his back.
"Where are you!"
"I'm on route thirty-nine. We're goin' west towards Midgar!" At least they'd stopped shooting.
"I'll talk to the boss. Just drop 'em and get outta there!"
"I'll take 'em a bit longer."
"Just don't try to be a hero." And suddenly his voice was gone.
No worries there. I know I ain't a fighter. "Hey, you kids okay back there?"
"Fine for now pops. Listen, just drop us off. You don't need to get involved in this."
"Just a little longer an' I'll drop you off."
"…Thanks old man."
"Name's Leo."
"Thanks, Leo."
They'd been driving for about an hour, with no sign of Shinra reappearing. That came to an end not too far from Midgar, on a nearby cliff overlooking the dreary city. There had been a blockade in the works, and he'd sneaked around the side while they were still busy. He hated what he was about to do, but if he tried to go any longer, he had no doubt they'd be targeting him too. Sorry kid, but I got a life. I can't take ya any further. "Hey kid, I-"
"Just drop us off here pops." What? He voiced the thought a second later.
"You've taken us as farther than we should have asked. It's time for us to take it from here."
Damn kid. How can he be so calm? There musta been a hundred of 'em out there. The kid was pulled his quiet friend over his shoulder, and jumped off the back.
"I'm sorry." And he was.
"Don't worry about it. This fight was bound to happen eventually." He gave the kid a nod, then hit the gas, wanting to get away before the guilt got to him and he changed his mind.
Good luck, kid.
Zack didn't hesitate getting off the truck. He would have expected the guy to drop them off as soon as the shooting started. Not everyone was cut out for the military after all. At least the man had done something. He'd heard him on the phone, saying something about Avalanche. Still, he knew his skills, knew his limits, and knew that he wasn't coming out of this one. He was SOLDIER, First Class, but he wasn't Sephiroth. He couldn't go up against that much firepower with nothing but a sword and hope to come out of it in one piece. So as he sat Cloud down against the nearby rocks, he couldn't give him any encouraging words. The only thing he could do was hope that his friend stayed safe during the fight, and got over his Mako Poisoning soon enough to get himself somewhere safe.
Well, time to go.
Not looking back at his friend, he stepped out from behind his cover, and started walking towards the soldiers collecting on the various outcroppings of rocks. As one of them noticed him, raising his rifle in preparation, the others quickly followed, three helicopters circling the area for support.
"Heh. Man," he shook his head, "Freedom sure is pricey, isn't it?"
At their silence, he began to draw the Buster Sword. "Tough crowd, eh?"
Placing the Buster Sword in front of him, and lowering his forehead to the side of the blade in both a quick salute and a personal method of calming his nerves, he took a moment to attempt to draw strength from what he'd learned from his mentor Angeal, and the ex-SOLDIER, Genesis. He knew it wasn't likely, but he hoped Cloud heard the message as well.
"Never lose your dreams. Also, no matter the situation, never let go of your pride as a SOLDIER." Flipping his sword around to a combat position, he charged towards his enemies, releasing a cry of challenge as his shocked opponents attempted to react. Apparently, they hadn't expected a head on charge from someone so limited on options.
And as heard the deafening roar from above him, as he saw one of the helicopters explode into flames from the corner of his eye, and crash down onto the soldiers to his left, he couldn't help but wonder if there really was someone up there, Angeal perhaps, who was watching over him.
It seemed that Avalanche wasn't in so much trouble that they couldn't spare a little manpower.
Any reviews are appreciated. Praise, criticism, flames, anything. I know there have been "Zack Survival" stories before, but I haven't read many, so I hope that it's not too cliche.