Resolving Crisis

Chapter One

"Everything will be all right..."

It felt like a dream, a dream that you couldn't wake up from… a nightmare, but then… "Hello, hello!" Aeris? "Oh! He moved! Hello!"

The light blinded him as he cracked his eyes open, but it was all worth it for the smile that greeted him. "Heaven…"

"Nope, a church in the slums, you fell from the sky! Gave me a fright." The girl giggled.

He sat up with a wry grin. "An angel?"

She shook her head in amusement. "I'm Aeris." This was one of his fondest memories of Aeris, the first of many. However, it didn't feel like a memory at all. It was almost like, he was there. The last thing he remembered, before seeing this memory again, was watching Cloud visiting his grave from the life stream with Aeris. "Are you okay?"

Zack blinked in surprise, that wasn't how the next part of the memory went. "Better than ever! I'm Zack." He gave her a reassuring grin before showing off his skills by flipping back onto the ground with his back still on the ground. He paused again when he noticed something else. His body was aching… Wait, aching? He can feel pain, that's a surprise, given that he is dead… unless he's not?

"Are you sure?" Aeris' worried tone snapped him out of his thoughts yet again.

He couldn't help but grin at her. "Are you worried?" He crossed his arms and leaned forward.

She gave a giggled and shoved him away playfully. "Oh you're horrible!"

He felt it, her soft and gentle touch. I'm alive… "Am I?" He continued teasingly. Is this… a second chance? "You know what? I have to repay you somehow… hmm… how about… a date?" But even in second chances, I don't want this to change…

To his delight, his meeting with Aeris hasn't changed in the slightest... The way she conversed with the locals, the way she scolded that boy for stealing his wallet. (He allowed it to happen this time.) It was not unlike the Aeris he knew; she was kind, yet playful. The only difference here was watching her live her life instead of floating in the endless green of the life stream. Her brows furrowed as she's pondered over which ribbon she wanted and pouted when he asked if that was all she wanted to do.

Yet, he couldn't help but think of the Aeris that had died for the planet. While it was still her, it wasn't her at the same time. Did he leave the Aeris of his time? Is she lonely? Is she angry with him?

"Do you think the slums are strange?" Aeris' curious question snapped him out of his thoughts again. One look at her angelic face, gave him all the answers he needed.

No, Aeris could never be angry with someone… not for long anyway. "Not at all, it's a bit stuffy though…" He glanced around before hitting his hand with a fist. "OH! I know! You can't see the sky from here!" He felt a sense of déjà vu as he spoke these words.

"The sky… scares me…" Aeris looked away. "It's like it would swallow you up whole."

Zack saddened, there were so many reasons to fear the sky that Aeris does not yet know. A bubble of anger rose at the thoughts of Jenova and the meteor. These things were what took away the beauty of the skies from Aeris the first time. This time, he'll make certain that he'll take Aeris to see a sky not darkened by the Calamity Jenova.

Boldly, he grasped onto Aeris' hands and held it up to his face. "I promise you. One day, I'll take you to see the sky and it won't be scary… Because I'll be there with you."

She seem startled by his forwardness, but a warm smile graced her face. "I'll hold you to that." She whispered gently.

Ring, ring!

Zack reluctantly released her hands and pulled out his cell phone. "Zack, return to the Shinra building now. It's Genesis, we're being attacked." He gripped tightly onto his phone and the familiar voice of an old ally.

Sephiroth…

"I'm on my way." I won't let the same thing happen to him either. "Sorry, I have to go." He turned to Aeris with a sheepish grin and a guilty head scratch.

"Can I… call you?" She asked shyly.

"By all means!" Zack grinned brightly.

"Stay safe!" She said before he ran off towards the highway to the upper plates.

It was the same as the last time; a hoard of Genesis copies swarmed the highway as he hurried towards the Shinra. Like the last time, he had little to no trouble defeating these third-rate copies. Despite the ease he had, nothing could have prepared him to see Angeal again. His friend, his ally, his mentor.

Zack blinked rapidly to ward the tears from his eyes before he racked his mind trying to remember how to respond to Angeal. He vaguely remembered being angry, but he could hardly be angry now. "Angeal… It's good to see you again…" He murmured.

Angeal chortled and shook his head in amusement. "I would never think you would ever mature so quickly."

"Sephiroth is doing his best at the Shinra Building against Genesis. We should back him up." Zack strapped his sword to his back. Genesis… another person that was damned by Shinra… Can I save him too?

He waited expectantly for Angeal to say otherwise before the one-winged angel carried him off to the Shinra Building via flight. He hadn't noticed it before, but the view from above was quite beautiful, even if the view was the old beaten Midgar. The Genesis army grew more so each time he looked about. Most of them showed signs of degradation; specks of silver peppered their hair. It wasn't long before they've reached the Shinra Building and entered from one of the broken windows.

"You're late," came the cold crisp voice of Sephiroth.

"Sephiroth, have you lost weight?" Angeal's comment nearly made Zack laugh at the oddness of this situation. His mentor still alive, his war ally still sane, the obsessed Loveless fan still running amuck Shinra causing havoc and here Angeal had the galls to exchange pleasantries with Sephiroth.

"Angeal, a pleasure to see you again." Sephiroth said almost stiffly. "Genesis is somewhere in the building. It'll be faster if we split up. Zack, guard Hojo. Hollander's grudges grew when Hojo became the head scientist."

Hojo… That bastard. "Got it." After what he did to all of us…I'll tear him limb from limb...

"Zack?" Angeal's voice broke him from his murderous thoughts. "Don't lose your focus."

A wry grin cracked at the corner of Zack's lips. It was nice to be lectured by his mentor again, but the instant the man turned away, he lost his smile.

"SOLDIER doesn't mean monster." His mentor paused and glanced back to him. "You're not one, Sephiroth's not one and Genesis isn't one either."

"Are you okay Zack?" Angeal asked, concern laced his voice.

"… I'm fine, Angeal. Just wanted you to know that." Zack forced a smile.

He didn't want Angeal to die again, but he could only watch as Angeal disappeared around the corner. Zack clenched his fists tightly, angry with himself for not knowing what to do. How can he save Angeal? There was little to no time to do any real planning. In less than a few hours he'll be assigned to the mission to Modeohiem, by then it would be too late. Shaking his head he hurried off to the 67th floor. He doesn't have time to think about this. If he remembered correctly, Genesis would be at Hojo's lab… and after that, Angeal would chase after him.

He felt no joy or relief upon stepping onto the 67th floor. The stench of sterility and chemicals attacked his enhanced senses. The mako fumes were present as well. Despite his discomfort, Zack hurried through the lab. His heart raced with each step and he was hardly straining himself. When he caught sight of the white lab coat, he saw red.

A person like him shouldn't have the right to wear white. "Professor Hojo?" He strained to keep his voice even.

"What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?" The deranged scientist snapped as he went over his notes.

"Shinra is under attack, you might be in danger." Zack repeated coldly.

"Then it's your duty to protect me is it not? Don't bother me with such insignificant details. None of you SOLDIER have a great mind such as myself, so just stick to your duties. There's nothing for me to fear over Hollander's degenerate experiments." He paused when someone else entered the room. "Speak of the devil."

"Genesis." Zack murmured as the other one-winged angel landed before them. His hair streaked with silver and his once majestic red leather faded considerably.

Hojo shook with laughter. "Do you really think that second-rate scientist Hollander can stop your deterioration? How sad! How truly sad!"

"Genesis! Stop this!" Angeal's commanding voice came from above as he landed softly on the ground next to Zack.

"Isn't this a sight?" Hojo said in amusement. "All of Hollander's monsters, here in one place!"

"Shut up Hojo!" Zack snapped.

Genesis glanced over to him with a raised brow. "It is fated, your dreams and pride are no more. From the goddess's bow, the arrow has released."

Zack shook his head furiously, trying to rid of the memories echoing in his mind. "You're not monsters." He shouted.

"Then what am I?" Genesis chuckled. "Am I an angel, as what you have called Angeal?" He glanced over to Hojo. "Loveless Act 4."

He's not listening to me. Zack gritted his teeth as Hojo continued on with his commentary about Loveless.

"It's a worthless epic story from long ago, the best of three friends duels one another; the ending is unknown, since the last act was lost." Hojo snorted and waved off the play as insignificant.

"Ah, but there is an ending." Genesis drawled with a grin. "What meaning do you think the Goddess's gift has for us mortals?"

No, not again! Zack bit his lower lip in frustration.

"Revenge has scarred my soul." Genesis destroyed the wall with an explosion. "Agonizing for its' end, my wish becomes my relief—and your peaceful slumber." A glow came from his hand as a rampaging Bahumut appeared.

Zack felt numb when Angeal picked him up and tossed him at the dragon, telling him to take care of it while he went after Genesis. He wanted so badly to tell Angeal to not go, but like before, he watched his mentor leave. His body ran on autopilot via self-preservation against the Golden Bahamut.

Ring, ring!

He flipped his phone open as he dodged Bahamut's attacks, answering it in mid-air. "Hello!" Warmth bubbled from his chest as he smiled fondly.

"Hey Aeris." He greeted cheerily as he landed and side-stepped away from a barrage of attacks.

"What's that noise behind you? Did I catch you at a bad time?" She asked.

"I have a guest at the moment." He commented as he fended off an attack with his sword. "Hey, Aeris, I'll call you back a little later."

"Don't keep your guest waiting!" She chirped before ending the call.

He chuckled shaking his head. "Some things never changed…" His smile slowly faded. If some things can't be changed, then what can I change?

Despite his blood pulsing from the fight and adrenalin, there was no glee in winning. It was an empty victory. There was nothing to gain and so much to lose. With a heavy heart, he dragged himself back to Shinra, but he couldn't even make himself step into the building. Instead he took the train down to sector five slums. He wanted to see Aeris.

However, just as he stepped out of the slums' market a voice called out to him. "Zack!" His mentor glided down to him.

"Angeal." Zack said tiredly.

"Genesis and Hollander have gone to Modeohiem… Are you okay?" Angeal's voice tinged with worry. "Was the summon too much for you to handle?"

"I'm… fine…" He lied.

"I've already told Lazard of the situation."

No. Zack thought desperately.

"I'm supposed to meet him now." Angeal commented as he crossed his arms with a stern look in his eyes. "Are you completely certain you're fine?"

You're the one that's not fine! He desperately wanted to scream, but his answer was completely different. "I'm fine."

Angeal nodded. "Take care of yourself." He took off to the sky.

Zack's punched his fist into his hand, trying to get himself to stop shaking from the anger and agony. "Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT ALL!" He couldn't hold back any longer and let out a frustrated roar. He took a deep breath and attempted to calm himself as he walked briskly towards the church. He wanted to see Aeris, he needed to see Aeris.

He was about to push the doors open to the church when Tseng stepped out from behind the pillars. "Zack we have a mission in Modeohiem…" He paused. "You look stressed."

He gritted his teeth. "I know, just wait a bit."

"Aeris isn't here." Tseng continued.

"Are you stalking her?" Zack commented almost sarcastically.

"It's complicated." Tseng answered.

"You don't say." Zack said as he pinched the bridge of his nose trying his best to calm down.

"Are you stalking her?" Tseng repeated his question almost mockingly.

Zack found himself chuckling pathetically. "It's complicated."

"You don't say." Tseng repeated Zack's answer.

Moments later, they boarded a Shinra helicopter. In the copter were two troopers both waiting expectantly for them to board. Zack plopped himself down next to a trooper before closing his eyes and released a deep breath. Tseng tossed him a headset, which he pulled on dutifully. He relayed the orders probably passed down by Lazard.

Zack nodded expectantly at the right places, but his mind was back on Angeal once again. It was probably no more than a few hours before they reach Modeohiem. It shouldn't end like this. Angeal shouldn't have to die! The copter shook as something rammed against it. Zack's eyes snapped open.

"Sir! The engine's been damaged! Brace yourselves for emergency landing!" The pilot's voice came through the headset. Tseng and Zack automatically grabbed onto the sidebars to keep from being violently tossed. The trooper sitting next to him had a hand over his mouth as if he was about to be sick.

The copter shook furiously as the pilot tried his best to pull them into a safe landing. The ride was rough, but eventually it crashed into the side of the snowy mountains of Mt. Modeo. The propeller's motor exploded and the flames spread across the copter. Tseng and Zack quickly dragged the men out of the copter before collapsing into the snowy grounds to stop whatever fire might have caught onto them during the explosion.

"Is everyone okay?" Zack asked as he dragged himself off the ground and clapped away the snow that stuck to him, before it melted.

"No signal." Tseng murmured as he checked his phone.

Zack sighed as he glanced back to the troopers. "At least we're all in one piece… Guess we'll have to rough it the rest of the way."

"It would seem so. We'll be depending on you to get us through this harsh terrain." Tseng commented as he pocketed away his phone.

Zack snorted. "Just because I'm a country boy. All right then! Let's go!"

While he had no desire getting closer to Angeal's death; he knew it was not wise to drag down the morale of his group. Especially, in these artic conditions, the only way to get through them does not only require stamina, but a positive mindset. Negativity would only put more stress over everyone. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he nearly forgot to turn back to check if everyone was still with him.

"Hey, catch up if you don't want to get left behind!" Zack shouted back to them before he noticed someone was actually keeping up with him. "At least someone is keeping up."

The trooper paused for a second as if not knowing what to say. "I'm a country boy too."

Zack was startled by the familiarity of the voice, but quickly covered it up. "Really? From where?"

"Nibelhiem."

He cracked up laughing; it wasn't because the name was funny. Nibelhiem held the worst memories for him when he was still alive. He was laughing because of who was under that mask. He had nearly forgotten that this was the first time he met the young man that became his living legacy.

"What about you, Zack?" He asked.

"Me? I'm from Gongaga," Zack said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. The other started laughing. This is how he should be… not the man he became after my death. "What's so funny about Gongaga? You know something about it?"

"No." He hid his grin, "But it's such a backwatered name."

"Touché! Same goes for Nibelhiem." Zack retorted back with some spirit.

"Like you've been there!" The other responded with good humor.

"I haven't, but there's a mako reactor there right?" One that destroyed so many lives. "A mako reactor outside of Midgar usually means…" A ticking time bomb that's waiting to explode.

"…there's nothing else out there." They recited together before laughing. It brought a smile to Zack's face at the genuine laughter he was getting from the other.

If I can't save Angeal… I'll at least try to save Cloud from all the misery he's gone through… I promise. "Good news Tseng!" He shouted back to the Turk that was a good distance away. "Me and…" He looked over to his friend expectantly with a grin.

The trooper pulled off his helmet to reveal a young blonde. "Cloud."

"With me and Cloud around, we'll make it through this mountain!" Tseng and the other trooper had stopped walking in favor for a short break while he and Cloud shared a knowing smile and continued on. "So Cloud, how do you like working Shinra?"

Cloud paused for a moment at the question, but quickly responded with a standardized answer. No one who works for Shinra would outright say anything against Shinra, if they don't want to get fired. The conversation continued on with more common topics, until it eventually led back to their personal lives. But something strike him as odd about Cloud… wasn't there something he was supposed to ask?

"Let's wait here for a second." Zack said as they stopped to wait for Tseng and the other infantryman.

"Zack, over there." Cloud turned his attention towards a building a short distance away.

"A mako-testing faculty." Tseng informed them as he got closer.

Zack frowned as his memory was slowly refreshed. Genesis and Hollander are in this faculty and it was here that Genesis turned his sword against Hollander and nearly killed the man.

"In other words, just sneak in without getting into battles." Zack released a warm breath into the cold air and watched it mist over. "No problem, SOLDIER isn't all about just fighting." He glanced back to Cloud with a grin. "You're backing me on this one right?"

The blonde nodded before they hurried down towards the factory. While he had done remarkably well with sneaking around the first time, he really didn't want to bother with taking the wrong routes again and just hurried off towards the correct path. As if Cloud would know any different.

"Zack?" He snapped out of his thoughts and glanced back over to Cloud.

"Nothing, hey this is your first mission outside of your normal duties right?" The blonde nodded. "Definitely different from typical boring old guard duty right? If you get nervous, just take a few long deep breaths to calm you nerves. Just you watch; everything will turn out fine."

Zack mentally released a breath of relief as the look of reassurance crossed Cloud's face. However, when they've taken the elevators to the lower levels, he noticed Cloud was stunned by something. He followed Cloud's vision and spotted Genesis in his degenerated glory with his sword pointed threateningly at Hollander.

"What are you doing!? You need me!" Hollander backed away fearfully. "Without me, who would be able to stop your degeneration?"

"Jenova cells." Genesis swung his rapier at the man's head.

Zack was half tempted to just let the old bastard die… but glancing back at the stunned face of Cloud, he knew he couldn't let him see death again. He had promised to protect him and he will. Quickly grasping onto his sword, he swung it just in time to block the blade. Hollander used the moment of distraction to escape, but Cloud was quick to snap out of his stupor and catch the man.

"Good work Cloud." Zack said, but his eyes were focused on Genesis.

"You don't know where the cells are stored! Even if you went to Hojo, he won't help you! You're a failure!" Hollander shouted.

"Don't listen to him Genesis." Zack whispered, almost pleading the other man to stop.

"Is it my fate to rot away? Even so, the world has lost its path!" He slashed at Zack, whom parried again.

Hollander broke way from Cloud and ran. Personally, Zack didn't care much for the outcome for Hollander, but he was worried about the blonde. "Cloud, after him!" He didn't want Cloud to watch this battle. The other quickly dragged himself off the ground and pursued the scientist, leaving Zack and Genesis alone in the facility. "There's no point in this anymore Genesis."

"My wish for tomorrow shall shatter my soul. For the price of my pride. Flight is no more… for my wing has shattered… such is a fate of a monster."

"I've told you! You're not a monster! None of you are! Why the hell won't you listen to me? Does everyone have to die in order to resolve this?" He pushed Genesis back and counter with his own blow. "What kind of resolution is that?" Zack snapped furiously.

The two exchanged blow after blow. Zack notice Genesis was beginning to tire before the one-winged angel took flight and flew a distance away from him to land on a banister. "Even the world turns against me."

He won't listen to me… but would he… "Genesis! Sephiroth and Angeal still want to help you! They're not against you! There's still a chance to stop the degeneration process! You don't have to end it this way!" Just like they didn't have to end theirs their way. Please, let me convince at least one of them!

Genesis chuckled as a wry smirk danced across his lips. "Why is it, that you're so determined to help… a monster? What is it that you gain from this?" He strolled casually on the banister with perfect balance as he continued. "Do you feel a sense of empowerment doing this?" He motioned his hands upwards to exemplify his point. "Does it make you feel like a hero? Or do you truly believe that this is purely out of goodwill? Zack, the puppy?"

Zack sighed as he latched his sword to his back and shoved his hands in his pockets. "You're right; I'm doing this out of selfish reasons."

"Oh? And what reasons are those?" Genesis narrowed his eyes at Zack but was startled when the other smiled sadly back at him.

"To keep the promises I made." Zack said with determination.

"To keep… a promise…" Genesis rested his fingers lightly over his brow before he let out an amused chuckle. "The world has truly lost its path." He lowered his hand to glance at Zack one last time. "Nothing shall foretell my return. Even if the morrow is barren of promises."

"Genesis!" Zack shouted as he ran towards the one-winged angel; Genesis fell off the banister and into the depths of darkness of the warehouse. "It's no use…" He sighed sadly before stepping away from the side.

When he walked out of the facility, Cloud and Tseng were already gone. A trail of footsteps told him that they had gone on ahead and into Modeohiem that was at the foot of the mountain. He glared up at the sky furiously. "What's the point of a second chance if I can't change anything! Is this some kind sick joke! To send me back here, only to watch everything happen the same way it did before? Is this funny? Well, I'm not laughing!"

He kicked up a cloud of snow, angry and reluctant to follow the train of footsteps. The anger drove him forward, but as he got closer, his anger melted away. There was no use in being angry, it won't bring anyone back, nor would it change his situation. Modeohiem was just as dead as he remembered. There was no need to go through the other buildings; there won't be anything there just like the last time.

With a heavy heart, he dragged himself towards the bathhouse. Upon entering, he was attacked by another Angeal clone. He really didn't want to kill it, but had no choice when it came close to biting his head off. The silence followed by the battle was maddening, but eventually he made it up to the final floor to find Cloud and Tseng lying beaten on the ground. With a quick check of the two, he found no lasting injuries. Tseng struggled when he relayed what happened. Zack left him a bottle of potion before he left for the room where Angeal was waiting.

"I should have been the one to fight Genesis," murmured Angeal as Zack neared.

Zack couldn't speak; it was like a reoccurring nightmare. The only thing he could do was listen to Angeal's monologue on self-hatred as he merged with the Angeal copies.

"Do you remember the promise?" Angeal's mutated voice broke through. "To fight against anything that torments this world… I am that torment…" There was a chuckle, Zack glanced up in surprise. The mutated Angeal had an unreadable face as it was stiff and almost statue-like. "Cease the torment."

I haven't noticed how tired he was… tired of living.

Zack stood there unmoving as the trident slashed across his cheek.

He had wanted me to put an end to his suffering...

As Angeal pulled the trident back, Zack pulled out his sword.

He knew…

Angeal thrust the trident in rapid succession as he pressed against Zack's defense. The other SOLDIER repelled the attack and returned with his own fury of attacks. Metal against metal, the sparks flew and bounced off the metal flooring. With a forceful shove, Zack found himself sliding across the room before crashing into the wall.

Had it been Genesis or Sephiroth… they wouldn't be able to handle being the ones to end his life...

Zack pulled up his sword the last second to block a vital slash from Angeal. Breathing heavily, he dodged and rolled a short distance away l before quickly chugging down a potion and tossing the bottle aside. The burning from his muscles melted away as the minor cuts slowly closed. His mind still felt a little fuzzy, but he quickly shook it off. He gave a torn battle cry as he charged at Angeal again.

I wonder what dreams… do angels have.

With a final blow, the mutated Angeal falls. His monstrous features crumbled away as he lay beaten on the ground. Streaks of silver adorned Angeal's once black hair. His mako infused eyes no longer glowed; in its place were a pair of blank silver eyes. Zack quickly knelt down to his mentor, awaiting his last words.

"You did well… I'll leave the rest to you… Don't forget your pride… and hold onto your dreams." At his final words, he passed his sword to Zack.

Zack gingerly took the blade from Angeal's hand. "I will…" His mentor smiled fondly at him before his eyes slowly closed. He watched sadly as the green wisps of life stream came to take Angeal away, leaving only the white feathers as a reminder. "Good night Angeal…" He whispered, closing his eyes as a stream of silent tears escaped.

Angeal was gone. He couldn't have done anything to change his mind. Was this really how it is going to be? Did fate send him back, just to have him watch and unable to do anything? What about Sephiroth? Cloud? What can he do to save them? What wouldn't he give to save them from this suffering? Aeris certainly gave up a lot to protect everyone… He wanted to see her smile, to hear her laugh.

"It's time to go!" He faintly heard someone say, but he hadn't paid much mind to it, until he heard a quiet murmur, so quiet that if he hadn't had his enhanced hearing, he would have missed it. "This isn't supposed to happen to you Zack…"

Zack glanced up from Angeal's white feathers and spotted Cloud standing near the entrance. Not supposed to happen? The blonde had a solemn look on his face that made him look almost older than he actually was. His heart jumped. No, it can't possibly… He didn't dare to believe it… but it doesn't hurt to try right?

"Cloud, give me your mail address." The other gave him an odd look, but gave it to him nonetheless. Without a saying anything, Zack text him the following words: Flowers, Church, Prayers, Ancient, Forgotten and Holy.

The blonde blinked in surprise when he phone rung, but when he saw the contents of the text, he just murmured one thing. "Aeris." He glanced up to see Zack with a hand covering his eyes and his shoulders shaking uncontrollably. "Zack?"

"Hey Cloud… What was it that we were going to do when we get to Midgar?" Zack choked out as a stream of tears escaped his eyes again.

"… You said… we were going to open a business that did everything…"

Zack wiped away the tears from his eyes before holding out his arm in a customary greeting. "Together again like the last time eh?"

Cloud slowly raised an arm to meet his as a return to the greeting. "Yeah." He returned with a small grin.

It wasn't certain to what was going to happen, but at least for the moment, there's a sense of relief that they weren't alone.