Post by Red400 on Oct 4, 2008 17:49:47 GMT -5
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.user.information.
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Username: red400
Gender: Male
Other Character(s): Nino, Karel
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.canon.character.
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Only applicable to canons.
Audition Thread:
Zack Fair's Audition Thread
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.general.character.information.
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Name: Zack Fair
Alias: None
Age: Early 20's
Gender: Male
Race: human
Alignment: Hero
Origin: Gaia
Appearance:
Zack stands at about 5'7" and has a lean body. He has blue eyes that are bright blue from all the Mako energy inside of it. His hair is pulled back, although a few strands fall to his face. His hair is spiky and black that reaches a little passed over his shoulders. He still wears the typical 1st Class SOLDIER uniform. Shoulder pads with a sleeve-less shirt, pants, and boots that are completely black. As a 'belt' he wears the SOLDIER symbol. He also has gloves on both of his hands that are also black.
Zack Fair Image
Personality:
Ever the optimistic, Zack seems to look at the brighter things of situations, weither it looks dim or not. He usually has a smile on his face and acts friendly towards all who approach him with no threat. Zack appears to be a person who likes to take a lot of 'breaks', but that is far from the truth.
Zack Fair is a very hard working, diligent SOLDIER member. He tries to finish whatever he does with everything he has and the best he could do. He follows the typical hero; always defending the ones he cares about and keeping his honor. He would never do anything that would betray his SOLDIER honor. There are times when Zack acts a bit...dull, but he is a bright person.
On the other side, Zack Fair can act 'serious' if the mission calls for it. Smiles go away as he focus on what he is given in front of him. He is also tormented from what he experienced while he served under Shinra, although he tries his best to keep it lock away from others.
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.battle.information.
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Class: Warrior
Weapons:
Abilities:
Items:
Equips:
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.story.mode.
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History:
Zack was born in a world known as Gaia. Not much is known about his past, except for that he lived in Gongaga with his parents. One thing was clear about Zack Fair: He wanted to become a SOLDIER for the company of Shinra. Not only become a SOLDIER, but become a hero in his own rights, much like Sephiroth. He got his chance when he managed to join SOLDIER and was under the guidance of a 1st Class SOLDIER, Angeal.
Angeal taught him what it meant to be in SOLDIER and having honor with it, although it didn't appear that way at first. Zack was constantly scolded by Angeal for not knowing one thing or doing something wrong during a fight. At first, Zack thought that Angeal was doing this to torture him, but as time passed, he became comfortable with it. Zack still didn't understand the whole method behind his teachings, but he went along with it.
Zack was a Second Class SOLDIER, when he was given his first mission. His mission was with Angeal and Sephiroth, who was considered to be the 'greatest hero' that ever lived. Before they went off to the mission, Angeal gave Zack one of his lectures. However, this one was quite different from the others. It was short, and straight to the point.
'Embrace your dreams,' He said, 'If you want to be a hero, then you need to have dreams..and honor.' Zack was baffled with the 'speech' and decided to put it off.
There was another 'mission' that was included in the one he was going. Another SOLDIER operative, named Genesis, suddenly disappeared, along with a bunch of 2nd and 3rd class SOLDIERs. It was their mission to find them, while trying to 'end' the war with Wutai.
The original mission was successful, but as the group was leaving; they were ambushed. Angeal held off the enemy as Zack and Director of Shinra left. Shortly after all of this, Sephiroth arrived, saving Zack's life. When Sephiroth asked where Angeal was, Zack said he had no clue. Then, the 1st Class SOLDIER said something that Zack could never believe.
Angeal...betrayed them.
As time passed by, Zack learned more about Angeal and his connection between Sephiroth and Genesis. It was believed that Angeal joined Genesis because they were old friends. Zack met both Genesis and Angeal while on a mission at Banora with Tseng, a Turk operative. It was there, where he learned why Angeal joined Genesis. They considered themselves to be 'monsters' and wanted revenge on the company that made them; Shinra.
Zack denied everything that Genesis told him. He still believed that Shinra was doing the 'right' thing for Midgar, the city that they held their base. He thought that Angeal would stop this act and come back to Shinra...
But that never happened.
Eventually, Zack was promoted to 1st Class, which was the thing he wanted to be before the mission at Wutai. But so much had happened....becoming 1st seem to be the least of his worries. From there, Zack protected the city of Midgar from Genesis' attacks and learned more about the past of Angeal's and Genesis' 'powers'.
He also learned that Sephiroth was a friend to both of them during that time. Zack listened to Sephiroth's stories, still not understanding why Angeal joined Genesis. Didn't Angeal think of the friends he left behind in the company? Apparently not, Zack thought. Zack and Sephiroth managed to learn who was responsible behind all this; a former Shinra scientest, known as Hollander.
Hollander wanted revenge because the company didn't choose him as the 'head' of the Science Department; instead, they choose Hojo. So, he formed an alliance with Genesis, which would explain why there were clones of him running about. Zack gave chase to Hollander as Sephiroth 'dealt' with Genesis, but he was stopped by the appearance of his mentor, Angeal.
Zack tried to convince Angeal that he was not a monster; that he was something not so horrid. But Angeal wouldn't listen as he let Zack fall down to the slums of the city.
He found himself waking in a strange, unknown place. The sound of a girl's voice woke him up and he soon discovered her name was Aerith. Aerith was no older than he was and...to say the least, Zack was in 'awe' when he first saw her. During his time with Aerith, Zack finally had time to stop working and relax...he could forget all the troubles that were 'above' the slums, although he couldn't; he didn't want to 'leave' his SOLDIER honor.
He went back to Shinra and help defend against yet another Genesis attack. Once again, he met Angeal. However, it seem like he had 'peace'; He wasn't against Zack anymore. In fact, he wanted Zack to help him fight against Genesis. Zack was relieved at the thought of working with Angeal again, although it was short-lived.
He was sent to another mission, to find Genesis. He was sent with a normal infantry man, named Cloud, along with Tseng and others. Zack quickly befriended Cloud during the mission, but he still focused on his mission. He eventually found Genesis and defeated him...but there was one person missing; Angeal.
Zack found his way into an abandoned town, where he found Cloud and Tseng, injured. Tseng had mentioned that Angeal was up ahead, which Zack followed. He found Angeal with Hollander, who began to explain everything. Angeal was unlike Genesis; His 'cells' were able to create clones without fading, like Genesis was. He was also born from the 'mother' of the project, who was called, "Project G".
Angeal told Zack to raise his sword against him, much to Zack's destestment towards this. Angeal eventually became what he said he always was; a 'monster', but Zack defeated him. The wound was too deep for Angeal and he used all of his energy.
In his final moments, Angeal gave his family's prized weapon, the Buster Sword, and his final words were the same as his 'final' lecture.
'Embrace your dreams...'
Zack finally knew what it meant...
Zack mourned for his friend and spent most of his time with Aerith. After a few weeks, Zack returned to Shinra, with his new look and sword. He approached infantry men and new recruits to SOLDIER. Specially, he looked at Cloud and said to him "So you want to be in SOLDIER, huh?" Zack walked up to the middle of the group and looked at everyone. He gave them his own lecture, which ended in the same way that Angeal did.
"Embrace your dreams....and whatever happens; Protect your honor, as SOLDIER"
Zack was sent to missions from time to time, and for a couple of months; things settled down. Almost everyone had forgotten about the whole incident with Angeal and Genesis, and Zack was told to go on vacation. He did so with Cissnei, a fellow Turk Operative.
His vacation didn't last long, though. He soon heard from Tseng that Genesis' clones were attacking a city near-by. Even worse, the Director of the Shinra Company was gone, so the SOLDIER members were in a mass of confusion.
Zack arrived at the site of the mission, to find that Hollander was kidnapped. There, he learned more behind the attack; the original Genesis was still alive, and that the person who was 'funding' Hollander's experiments was no other than the Director of Shinra himself. He was told to find and 'protect' Hollander, but failed.
He eventually met up with Aerith again, just to get away from the company. Then Tseng had told him that he was going to go on another mission. This time, he was going with Cloud and Sephiroth. Before the mission, Sephiroth had told Zack that, depending on this mission, he might 'leave' Shinra. But until then, his loyalty remained with SOLDIER. Zack 'sneaked' off to spend some more time with Aerith, then eventually came back to the company. Zack had asked Sephiroth where they were going, and he replied
"To Nibelheim"
Zack, Cloud, Sephiroth, and another infantry men was sent to the isolated city. They were going to 'investigate' the mako reactor near the city. Apparently, the reactor was attracting a lot of monsters into the area, and it was Shinra's duty to 'eliminate' them. The group was led to the Mako Reactor by a girl named Tifa. Her father was a photographer, who wanted to take a picture of the 'famous' hero of SOLDIER.
Sephiroth and Cloud went inside the Mako Reactor, just to make sure that there was no monsters inside. There, both of them found a 'horrible' truth. There was a...body, inside one of the pods in the reactor. There was probably more than just that. Sephiroth explained that SOLDIERs were infused with Mako energy....not enough to make them 'monsters' but certainly enough to make them stronger than any average human.
Zack did wonder one thing. Sephiroth also mentioned that 'average' SOLDIERs, like Zack, received the right amount of mako energy. So...what did that mean to Sephiroth? When Zack asked him, he realized that Sephiroth had a head-ache of sorts. He was mumbling to himself, although he didn't understand what he was saying. Then, Sephiroth began to explain about himself.
He said that ever since he was a child, he knew he was....different from the others...but he didn't mean like this. He always thought that he was human, but it turned out...he wasn't. He told this by an unexpected person; Genesis. Genesis managed to get into the Mako Reactor and he decided to tell the 'truth' about Sephiroth's existance. He told him that Sephiroth was not 'human'....he was actually an expeirment conducted under the project named 'Jenova'. Sephiroth once said that his mother was Jenova, but he never knew how his mother exactly looked like. Genesis had told him that 'Jenova'...was actually an old rock layer found by the scientest of Shinra.
Zack couldn't believe what Genesis was saying, and Sephiroth couldn't either...at first. Zack looked at Sephiroth and noticed that his expression looked like he had just 'found' the truth. Genesis went on to explain that Sephiroth's cells were much better than Angeal; his cells could actually stop the 'degrading' process, as he called it.
Sephiroth refused and went back to the mansion. Zack tried to follow, but he was stopped by Genesis clones. They were attacking Cloud and Tifa, and Cloud was 'knocked out' while defending Tifa. Zack came to the rescue and helped them get back to the town of Nibelheim. Once they were safe, Zack found out that Sephiroth was in the 'Shinra Mansion' and he found him in an under-ground lab. He saw him flipping through books, trying to find something. Zack wanted to ask, but all that Sephiroth told him was to leave him alone....
Zack left him alone in the mansion, to see if he would come back. But he never came back.....then on the 7th day, it happened...
Zack found the city of Nibelheim set in flames, and all of the citizens were gone. He also saw Cloud lying in the middle of the ground. How could this be happening?...He saw that Sephiroth was standing in the middle of debris, saying a very disturbing message to Zack. Sephiroth....he had an insane look in his eyes. Zack connected the pieces together, and was about to fight him right there.
But Sephiroth had disappeared and went to the Mako Reactor. As much as Zack wanted to help Cloud...he wanted to find out what was going on with Sephiroth. He couldn't understand why Sephiroth would do such a thing...Zack always thought that Sephiroth would be the last person to 'betray' Shinra...
Zack reached to the Mako reactor, and found Tifa lying on the floor. He tried helping her up, but she refused. Zack knew why she was upset...and he couldn't blame her. He was walking up stairs, and heard Tifa say
"I hate you! I hate SOLDIER! I hate Shinra!"
Zack looked down in bitter disappointment. Shinra's and SOLDIER's job was to protect the people...and Sephiroth did...He couldn't take it anymore. He confronted Sephiroth, who was in a room with a strange 'pod' on the other end of the room. Sephiroth referred to it as 'Mother', which meant that this must be Jenova. Sephiroth was rambling non-sense...at least, that's what Zack thought. It was at that moment, Zack realized that Sephiroth was not going to come back to his senses...he was going to burn down this entire place, if he had the chance and Zack wasn't going to give him that chance.
Zack tried to defeat Sephiroth, but failed. Sephiroth went back to his mother, only to be 'stabbed' by a lone infantry man. It was Cloud, holding Zack's Buster Sword. Cloud returned to Tifa and Zack, but Sephiroth was still standing. Zack was telling Cloud to 'finish off' Sephiroth, although he couldn't see what happened.
He could only hear the sound of what was going on. He was almost unconsious, when he saw that Cloud was next to him, completely knocked out. Zack smiled as he said 'Good job....'
From there, everything was a blur to the 1st Class SOLDIER. He remember hearing voices, but nothing else. He was soon asleep, and he felt like it was a long dream. His dream eventually showed him in the same lab that Sephiroth was near by, and he saw Angeal. He remember hearing Angeal saying that he 'disgraced' the SOLDIER named, which was more than enough to wake up Zack.
Zack finally woke up, only to realize that he was in a glass pod. He looked to his side and saw Cloud, still asleep. Zack busted out of the pod, with the Mako still 'pouring' out of him. He saw a scientest near-by, and to prevent any 'alarm', Zack quickly took care of him. He busted Cloud out of the pod and started to make his way out of the building. He decided to regroup in the town, although he thought it was still in poor condition from the incident that happened yesterday...
They got out of the mansion and arrived at the town, only to find it completely repaired. Zack was obviously shocked to see it...but before he could even question it, he saw infantry troops coming in. They were saying that 'The experiments escaped' and 'Get them!' Zack was confused by what they meant but they were coming at them with weapons, so Zack did his best to protect both himself and Cloud. He thought that they were no match for a SOLDIER member like himself.
Eventually, he managed to hold them off, but he realized that he struggled a lot more than he realized. It must of been from staying in that pod with all that Mako...he noticed that Cloud wasn't up yet; he was still probably feeling the effects of being in that Mako. Unlike himself; Cloud was just a 'normal' citizen, and wasn't that immune to the effects of it. Zack decided to head back to the mansion to get a little rest; even if it was only for minutes, it was better than staying out in the open.
Zack dragged Cloud to the mansion and found him a new set of clothes. He put the clothes on Cloud, which happened to be SOLDIER clothing. Even though Cloud was out cold, Zack felt like talking to him. He explained that there was a gir waiting for him in Midgar, and he promised that he would come back. At that moment, Zack decided to move again, and he promised Cloud that he would take him back as well.
Zack continued to talk to Cloud during the travel, although he never got a response. Zack always left Cloud in a safe place, and 'cut through' a safe path for them. Eventually they were walking on a trail that led to a dead end with the ocean. It was night-fall, and he looked up at moon, asking Angeal for guidance. Then, a sound came from behind. He looked back and saw that Cissnei was behind them.
Cissnei began to explain the situation to Zack. She told him that apparently, he and Sephiroth were Killed In Action, along with
two infantry men. Zack couldn't believe what he was hearing; how could Shinra say a thing? He was still alive! He only spent in the pod for what he thought, a couple of days at the most. Cissnei explained that both Zack and Cloud were 'expeirments' for Shinra, and that both the army and the Turks were looking for them.
Zack now realized what Shinra was doing. They were...'burying' the evidence. He realized there that he could no longer trust the company....the one place that he always thought that they had nothing to hide; he thought that they were completely 'perfect'...until now. However, that news wasn't as worse as the other one.
The Turks were also looking for them? He could possible slip pass the army...but the Turks were compeltely different. They were a small group, but they were well known for not 'failing' a mission...and Cissnei was one of them. Cissnei tried to bring Zack in, but Zack retaliate. He blocked her attack, and warned her, 'Next time...I'll kill you'.
Zack went back to Cloud and found that Cissnei followed them. Cissnei looked at Cloud and realized what was happening to him. Mako poisioning...that explained why Cloud couldn't wake up. Cissnei had a change of heart and gave Zack a pair of keys to a motorcycle. She then told her leader that she didn't find the targets...She was giving them a chance to get away, and Zack took the offer.
Along the way, he confronted Genesis, who was continuing to degrade. He was now saying that Zack and his friend now had Sephiroth's 'cell's. and with their help; they can stop the degragation process. Zack helped, against his own will, but with a fail attempt, Genesis left. Zack decided to get out of the area as fast as possible and rode the motorcycle to a familiar city; his own town, Gongaga.
When he arrived at the gates, he saw Cissnei. She gave him another chance to escape, but then something caught Zack's attention. He saw a person...who looked exactly like Angeal. He couldn't believe it, but he decided to follow him. He followed him to a cliff, but soon saw that he was once again; against Genesis. This time, he had someone else with him; Hollander. Hollander was now the same as Genesis; his body was 'degrading'.
Hollander tried to steal their 'cells' but Zack stopped him. He got him from 'Angeal'....or at least, he thought it was. It actually turned out to be the former Director of Shinra, Lazard. Lazard was using Angeal's body to get around...although he wasn't motivated by revenge, unlike last time. He wanted to 'help', which Zack accepted. Zack told Lazard that they were going to Banora, the city of Angeal and Genesis. Before they left, Lazard asked what was Zack's dream, and he told him the exact same thing before his first mission.
'To become a hero'
The city was completely different from the last time he came here...after Shinra had 'bombed' the town, he never expected to come back again, but he was back. Zack followed a 'trail' that led into a cave. He eventually came to an area, where a red orb was being held. There was a person on the floor....Genesis.
Genesis used the 'gift' from the red orb and tried his best to kill Zack, but Zack came out on top. By the time Zack beaten Genesis; he realized that his body wasn't 'degrading'. It was the same as when he first met him...it was like everything went in a circle.
Zack carried Genesis back to the 'top', where he found Cloud and Lazard near a tree. Lazard said that Shinra had attacked them, and that he had 'help' from a thing. Zack looked back and saw that it was same creature that helped him protect Aerith....he always felt like that he had the true 'Angeal Spirit'. But it was now dead...then, Lazard eventually lost his strength and died as well. Zack bowed his head down, then he said 'Thank you'.
Zack saw that the bodies of the Angeal clones were disappearing, although there was something 'special' about the Angeal clone that helped Lazard. After it disappeared, it left a note. It was a letter from Aerith....explaining she was waiting for him for 4 years now and this was going to be her 89th and final letter that she was sending to him. Zack was in absolute disbelief; how could it be 4 years? Then he remember the pods....and the experiments....maybe he spent all those 4 years, rotting in that pod.
Zack picked up Cloud and told him that he was going to make it back to Midgar. He still wanted to keep that promise that he made to Aerith; to show her the sky. So, he was on the move again, now getting closer than ever to Midgar. He was closing the city, when he saw the army of Shinra waiting for him. Cloud was knocked-out still....and there was no way that they could escape when they were this close. So, Zack decided that if they were going to 'face' them; then the only one that they would get was Zack. He promised that he would protect Cloud from them, no matter what.
Zack faced the Shinra Army, but despite his best try; there were too many of them. The numbers caught up to him and evenutally got to him. The Shinra Army did their best to 'silence' Zack for all the trouble they caused him; They shot him down, to make sure he wouldn't be a threat to them.
Cloud had woke up during this time and Zack was, by now; on the verge of death. Zack looked at Cloud and told him that he was going to be his 'living legacy'. He gave him a similar speech that Angeal gave to him, and Zack passed down the Buster Sword to Cloud. He told him, as he passed the sword,
'My honor....My dreams....they're yours now'
Zack died at the last words of Cloud's as he closed his eyes. He thought that this would be his last moments....
But it wasn't.
Zack soon found himself in a strange, new place, in a town that was in between light and dark. The city had a bright 'glow' of orange and yellow as it was reflected by the buildings. At first, Zack thought of it to be 'heaven' but he soon found out that he was in a town called Twilight Town.
Zack is now in Twilight Town, completely unaware of the whole situation. What was his purpose of being here? Was he here to do something more or was he was just going to relax? There was a whole new world to explore, and, as he will be find out soon enough; Other worlds to find.
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.other.info.
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.user.information.
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Username: red400
Gender: Male
Other Character(s): Nino, Karel
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.canon.character.
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Only applicable to canons.
Audition Thread:
Zack Fair's Audition Thread
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.general.character.information.
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Name: Zack Fair
Alias: None
Age: Early 20's
Gender: Male
Race: human
Alignment: Hero
Origin: Gaia
Appearance:
Zack stands at about 5'7" and has a lean body. He has blue eyes that are bright blue from all the Mako energy inside of it. His hair is pulled back, although a few strands fall to his face. His hair is spiky and black that reaches a little passed over his shoulders. He still wears the typical 1st Class SOLDIER uniform. Shoulder pads with a sleeve-less shirt, pants, and boots that are completely black. As a 'belt' he wears the SOLDIER symbol. He also has gloves on both of his hands that are also black.
Zack Fair Image
Personality:
Ever the optimistic, Zack seems to look at the brighter things of situations, weither it looks dim or not. He usually has a smile on his face and acts friendly towards all who approach him with no threat. Zack appears to be a person who likes to take a lot of 'breaks', but that is far from the truth.
Zack Fair is a very hard working, diligent SOLDIER member. He tries to finish whatever he does with everything he has and the best he could do. He follows the typical hero; always defending the ones he cares about and keeping his honor. He would never do anything that would betray his SOLDIER honor. There are times when Zack acts a bit...dull, but he is a bright person.
On the other side, Zack Fair can act 'serious' if the mission calls for it. Smiles go away as he focus on what he is given in front of him. He is also tormented from what he experienced while he served under Shinra, although he tries his best to keep it lock away from others.
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.battle.information.
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Class: Warrior
Weapons:
Weapon Name: Buster Sword
Weapon Description: The Buster Sword is a wide, broad sword. It's thin on the sides, but it makes up for it by the size of it; the sword reaches past Zack's chest. The handle of sword is thin, compared to the rest of the sword.
Unique Notes: This weapon was given to him by his mentor, Angeal.
Abilities:
Base Ability: Sword Techniques
Sub Abilities:
Assault Twister: Zacks spins himself and causes a 'tornado' of sorts, cutting anything that its near the sword's range.
Jump: Zack jumps high in the air and causes a little blast wave around him as he lands.
Exploder Blade: Zack holds his sword as far back as he can, and then slashes at what's in front of him. If the sword makes contacts, it will cause an explosion, hitting anything near the target.
Items:
Equips:
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.story.mode.
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History:
Zack was born in a world known as Gaia. Not much is known about his past, except for that he lived in Gongaga with his parents. One thing was clear about Zack Fair: He wanted to become a SOLDIER for the company of Shinra. Not only become a SOLDIER, but become a hero in his own rights, much like Sephiroth. He got his chance when he managed to join SOLDIER and was under the guidance of a 1st Class SOLDIER, Angeal.
Angeal taught him what it meant to be in SOLDIER and having honor with it, although it didn't appear that way at first. Zack was constantly scolded by Angeal for not knowing one thing or doing something wrong during a fight. At first, Zack thought that Angeal was doing this to torture him, but as time passed, he became comfortable with it. Zack still didn't understand the whole method behind his teachings, but he went along with it.
Zack was a Second Class SOLDIER, when he was given his first mission. His mission was with Angeal and Sephiroth, who was considered to be the 'greatest hero' that ever lived. Before they went off to the mission, Angeal gave Zack one of his lectures. However, this one was quite different from the others. It was short, and straight to the point.
'Embrace your dreams,' He said, 'If you want to be a hero, then you need to have dreams..and honor.' Zack was baffled with the 'speech' and decided to put it off.
There was another 'mission' that was included in the one he was going. Another SOLDIER operative, named Genesis, suddenly disappeared, along with a bunch of 2nd and 3rd class SOLDIERs. It was their mission to find them, while trying to 'end' the war with Wutai.
The original mission was successful, but as the group was leaving; they were ambushed. Angeal held off the enemy as Zack and Director of Shinra left. Shortly after all of this, Sephiroth arrived, saving Zack's life. When Sephiroth asked where Angeal was, Zack said he had no clue. Then, the 1st Class SOLDIER said something that Zack could never believe.
Angeal...betrayed them.
As time passed by, Zack learned more about Angeal and his connection between Sephiroth and Genesis. It was believed that Angeal joined Genesis because they were old friends. Zack met both Genesis and Angeal while on a mission at Banora with Tseng, a Turk operative. It was there, where he learned why Angeal joined Genesis. They considered themselves to be 'monsters' and wanted revenge on the company that made them; Shinra.
Zack denied everything that Genesis told him. He still believed that Shinra was doing the 'right' thing for Midgar, the city that they held their base. He thought that Angeal would stop this act and come back to Shinra...
But that never happened.
Eventually, Zack was promoted to 1st Class, which was the thing he wanted to be before the mission at Wutai. But so much had happened....becoming 1st seem to be the least of his worries. From there, Zack protected the city of Midgar from Genesis' attacks and learned more about the past of Angeal's and Genesis' 'powers'.
He also learned that Sephiroth was a friend to both of them during that time. Zack listened to Sephiroth's stories, still not understanding why Angeal joined Genesis. Didn't Angeal think of the friends he left behind in the company? Apparently not, Zack thought. Zack and Sephiroth managed to learn who was responsible behind all this; a former Shinra scientest, known as Hollander.
Hollander wanted revenge because the company didn't choose him as the 'head' of the Science Department; instead, they choose Hojo. So, he formed an alliance with Genesis, which would explain why there were clones of him running about. Zack gave chase to Hollander as Sephiroth 'dealt' with Genesis, but he was stopped by the appearance of his mentor, Angeal.
Zack tried to convince Angeal that he was not a monster; that he was something not so horrid. But Angeal wouldn't listen as he let Zack fall down to the slums of the city.
He found himself waking in a strange, unknown place. The sound of a girl's voice woke him up and he soon discovered her name was Aerith. Aerith was no older than he was and...to say the least, Zack was in 'awe' when he first saw her. During his time with Aerith, Zack finally had time to stop working and relax...he could forget all the troubles that were 'above' the slums, although he couldn't; he didn't want to 'leave' his SOLDIER honor.
He went back to Shinra and help defend against yet another Genesis attack. Once again, he met Angeal. However, it seem like he had 'peace'; He wasn't against Zack anymore. In fact, he wanted Zack to help him fight against Genesis. Zack was relieved at the thought of working with Angeal again, although it was short-lived.
He was sent to another mission, to find Genesis. He was sent with a normal infantry man, named Cloud, along with Tseng and others. Zack quickly befriended Cloud during the mission, but he still focused on his mission. He eventually found Genesis and defeated him...but there was one person missing; Angeal.
Zack found his way into an abandoned town, where he found Cloud and Tseng, injured. Tseng had mentioned that Angeal was up ahead, which Zack followed. He found Angeal with Hollander, who began to explain everything. Angeal was unlike Genesis; His 'cells' were able to create clones without fading, like Genesis was. He was also born from the 'mother' of the project, who was called, "Project G".
Angeal told Zack to raise his sword against him, much to Zack's destestment towards this. Angeal eventually became what he said he always was; a 'monster', but Zack defeated him. The wound was too deep for Angeal and he used all of his energy.
In his final moments, Angeal gave his family's prized weapon, the Buster Sword, and his final words were the same as his 'final' lecture.
'Embrace your dreams...'
Zack finally knew what it meant...
Zack mourned for his friend and spent most of his time with Aerith. After a few weeks, Zack returned to Shinra, with his new look and sword. He approached infantry men and new recruits to SOLDIER. Specially, he looked at Cloud and said to him "So you want to be in SOLDIER, huh?" Zack walked up to the middle of the group and looked at everyone. He gave them his own lecture, which ended in the same way that Angeal did.
"Embrace your dreams....and whatever happens; Protect your honor, as SOLDIER"
Zack was sent to missions from time to time, and for a couple of months; things settled down. Almost everyone had forgotten about the whole incident with Angeal and Genesis, and Zack was told to go on vacation. He did so with Cissnei, a fellow Turk Operative.
His vacation didn't last long, though. He soon heard from Tseng that Genesis' clones were attacking a city near-by. Even worse, the Director of the Shinra Company was gone, so the SOLDIER members were in a mass of confusion.
Zack arrived at the site of the mission, to find that Hollander was kidnapped. There, he learned more behind the attack; the original Genesis was still alive, and that the person who was 'funding' Hollander's experiments was no other than the Director of Shinra himself. He was told to find and 'protect' Hollander, but failed.
He eventually met up with Aerith again, just to get away from the company. Then Tseng had told him that he was going to go on another mission. This time, he was going with Cloud and Sephiroth. Before the mission, Sephiroth had told Zack that, depending on this mission, he might 'leave' Shinra. But until then, his loyalty remained with SOLDIER. Zack 'sneaked' off to spend some more time with Aerith, then eventually came back to the company. Zack had asked Sephiroth where they were going, and he replied
"To Nibelheim"
Zack, Cloud, Sephiroth, and another infantry men was sent to the isolated city. They were going to 'investigate' the mako reactor near the city. Apparently, the reactor was attracting a lot of monsters into the area, and it was Shinra's duty to 'eliminate' them. The group was led to the Mako Reactor by a girl named Tifa. Her father was a photographer, who wanted to take a picture of the 'famous' hero of SOLDIER.
Sephiroth and Cloud went inside the Mako Reactor, just to make sure that there was no monsters inside. There, both of them found a 'horrible' truth. There was a...body, inside one of the pods in the reactor. There was probably more than just that. Sephiroth explained that SOLDIERs were infused with Mako energy....not enough to make them 'monsters' but certainly enough to make them stronger than any average human.
Zack did wonder one thing. Sephiroth also mentioned that 'average' SOLDIERs, like Zack, received the right amount of mako energy. So...what did that mean to Sephiroth? When Zack asked him, he realized that Sephiroth had a head-ache of sorts. He was mumbling to himself, although he didn't understand what he was saying. Then, Sephiroth began to explain about himself.
He said that ever since he was a child, he knew he was....different from the others...but he didn't mean like this. He always thought that he was human, but it turned out...he wasn't. He told this by an unexpected person; Genesis. Genesis managed to get into the Mako Reactor and he decided to tell the 'truth' about Sephiroth's existance. He told him that Sephiroth was not 'human'....he was actually an expeirment conducted under the project named 'Jenova'. Sephiroth once said that his mother was Jenova, but he never knew how his mother exactly looked like. Genesis had told him that 'Jenova'...was actually an old rock layer found by the scientest of Shinra.
Zack couldn't believe what Genesis was saying, and Sephiroth couldn't either...at first. Zack looked at Sephiroth and noticed that his expression looked like he had just 'found' the truth. Genesis went on to explain that Sephiroth's cells were much better than Angeal; his cells could actually stop the 'degrading' process, as he called it.
Sephiroth refused and went back to the mansion. Zack tried to follow, but he was stopped by Genesis clones. They were attacking Cloud and Tifa, and Cloud was 'knocked out' while defending Tifa. Zack came to the rescue and helped them get back to the town of Nibelheim. Once they were safe, Zack found out that Sephiroth was in the 'Shinra Mansion' and he found him in an under-ground lab. He saw him flipping through books, trying to find something. Zack wanted to ask, but all that Sephiroth told him was to leave him alone....
Zack left him alone in the mansion, to see if he would come back. But he never came back.....then on the 7th day, it happened...
Zack found the city of Nibelheim set in flames, and all of the citizens were gone. He also saw Cloud lying in the middle of the ground. How could this be happening?...He saw that Sephiroth was standing in the middle of debris, saying a very disturbing message to Zack. Sephiroth....he had an insane look in his eyes. Zack connected the pieces together, and was about to fight him right there.
But Sephiroth had disappeared and went to the Mako Reactor. As much as Zack wanted to help Cloud...he wanted to find out what was going on with Sephiroth. He couldn't understand why Sephiroth would do such a thing...Zack always thought that Sephiroth would be the last person to 'betray' Shinra...
Zack reached to the Mako reactor, and found Tifa lying on the floor. He tried helping her up, but she refused. Zack knew why she was upset...and he couldn't blame her. He was walking up stairs, and heard Tifa say
"I hate you! I hate SOLDIER! I hate Shinra!"
Zack looked down in bitter disappointment. Shinra's and SOLDIER's job was to protect the people...and Sephiroth did...He couldn't take it anymore. He confronted Sephiroth, who was in a room with a strange 'pod' on the other end of the room. Sephiroth referred to it as 'Mother', which meant that this must be Jenova. Sephiroth was rambling non-sense...at least, that's what Zack thought. It was at that moment, Zack realized that Sephiroth was not going to come back to his senses...he was going to burn down this entire place, if he had the chance and Zack wasn't going to give him that chance.
Zack tried to defeat Sephiroth, but failed. Sephiroth went back to his mother, only to be 'stabbed' by a lone infantry man. It was Cloud, holding Zack's Buster Sword. Cloud returned to Tifa and Zack, but Sephiroth was still standing. Zack was telling Cloud to 'finish off' Sephiroth, although he couldn't see what happened.
He could only hear the sound of what was going on. He was almost unconsious, when he saw that Cloud was next to him, completely knocked out. Zack smiled as he said 'Good job....'
From there, everything was a blur to the 1st Class SOLDIER. He remember hearing voices, but nothing else. He was soon asleep, and he felt like it was a long dream. His dream eventually showed him in the same lab that Sephiroth was near by, and he saw Angeal. He remember hearing Angeal saying that he 'disgraced' the SOLDIER named, which was more than enough to wake up Zack.
Zack finally woke up, only to realize that he was in a glass pod. He looked to his side and saw Cloud, still asleep. Zack busted out of the pod, with the Mako still 'pouring' out of him. He saw a scientest near-by, and to prevent any 'alarm', Zack quickly took care of him. He busted Cloud out of the pod and started to make his way out of the building. He decided to regroup in the town, although he thought it was still in poor condition from the incident that happened yesterday...
They got out of the mansion and arrived at the town, only to find it completely repaired. Zack was obviously shocked to see it...but before he could even question it, he saw infantry troops coming in. They were saying that 'The experiments escaped' and 'Get them!' Zack was confused by what they meant but they were coming at them with weapons, so Zack did his best to protect both himself and Cloud. He thought that they were no match for a SOLDIER member like himself.
Eventually, he managed to hold them off, but he realized that he struggled a lot more than he realized. It must of been from staying in that pod with all that Mako...he noticed that Cloud wasn't up yet; he was still probably feeling the effects of being in that Mako. Unlike himself; Cloud was just a 'normal' citizen, and wasn't that immune to the effects of it. Zack decided to head back to the mansion to get a little rest; even if it was only for minutes, it was better than staying out in the open.
Zack dragged Cloud to the mansion and found him a new set of clothes. He put the clothes on Cloud, which happened to be SOLDIER clothing. Even though Cloud was out cold, Zack felt like talking to him. He explained that there was a gir waiting for him in Midgar, and he promised that he would come back. At that moment, Zack decided to move again, and he promised Cloud that he would take him back as well.
Zack continued to talk to Cloud during the travel, although he never got a response. Zack always left Cloud in a safe place, and 'cut through' a safe path for them. Eventually they were walking on a trail that led to a dead end with the ocean. It was night-fall, and he looked up at moon, asking Angeal for guidance. Then, a sound came from behind. He looked back and saw that Cissnei was behind them.
Cissnei began to explain the situation to Zack. She told him that apparently, he and Sephiroth were Killed In Action, along with
two infantry men. Zack couldn't believe what he was hearing; how could Shinra say a thing? He was still alive! He only spent in the pod for what he thought, a couple of days at the most. Cissnei explained that both Zack and Cloud were 'expeirments' for Shinra, and that both the army and the Turks were looking for them.
Zack now realized what Shinra was doing. They were...'burying' the evidence. He realized there that he could no longer trust the company....the one place that he always thought that they had nothing to hide; he thought that they were completely 'perfect'...until now. However, that news wasn't as worse as the other one.
The Turks were also looking for them? He could possible slip pass the army...but the Turks were compeltely different. They were a small group, but they were well known for not 'failing' a mission...and Cissnei was one of them. Cissnei tried to bring Zack in, but Zack retaliate. He blocked her attack, and warned her, 'Next time...I'll kill you'.
Zack went back to Cloud and found that Cissnei followed them. Cissnei looked at Cloud and realized what was happening to him. Mako poisioning...that explained why Cloud couldn't wake up. Cissnei had a change of heart and gave Zack a pair of keys to a motorcycle. She then told her leader that she didn't find the targets...She was giving them a chance to get away, and Zack took the offer.
Along the way, he confronted Genesis, who was continuing to degrade. He was now saying that Zack and his friend now had Sephiroth's 'cell's. and with their help; they can stop the degragation process. Zack helped, against his own will, but with a fail attempt, Genesis left. Zack decided to get out of the area as fast as possible and rode the motorcycle to a familiar city; his own town, Gongaga.
When he arrived at the gates, he saw Cissnei. She gave him another chance to escape, but then something caught Zack's attention. He saw a person...who looked exactly like Angeal. He couldn't believe it, but he decided to follow him. He followed him to a cliff, but soon saw that he was once again; against Genesis. This time, he had someone else with him; Hollander. Hollander was now the same as Genesis; his body was 'degrading'.
Hollander tried to steal their 'cells' but Zack stopped him. He got him from 'Angeal'....or at least, he thought it was. It actually turned out to be the former Director of Shinra, Lazard. Lazard was using Angeal's body to get around...although he wasn't motivated by revenge, unlike last time. He wanted to 'help', which Zack accepted. Zack told Lazard that they were going to Banora, the city of Angeal and Genesis. Before they left, Lazard asked what was Zack's dream, and he told him the exact same thing before his first mission.
'To become a hero'
The city was completely different from the last time he came here...after Shinra had 'bombed' the town, he never expected to come back again, but he was back. Zack followed a 'trail' that led into a cave. He eventually came to an area, where a red orb was being held. There was a person on the floor....Genesis.
Genesis used the 'gift' from the red orb and tried his best to kill Zack, but Zack came out on top. By the time Zack beaten Genesis; he realized that his body wasn't 'degrading'. It was the same as when he first met him...it was like everything went in a circle.
Zack carried Genesis back to the 'top', where he found Cloud and Lazard near a tree. Lazard said that Shinra had attacked them, and that he had 'help' from a thing. Zack looked back and saw that it was same creature that helped him protect Aerith....he always felt like that he had the true 'Angeal Spirit'. But it was now dead...then, Lazard eventually lost his strength and died as well. Zack bowed his head down, then he said 'Thank you'.
Zack saw that the bodies of the Angeal clones were disappearing, although there was something 'special' about the Angeal clone that helped Lazard. After it disappeared, it left a note. It was a letter from Aerith....explaining she was waiting for him for 4 years now and this was going to be her 89th and final letter that she was sending to him. Zack was in absolute disbelief; how could it be 4 years? Then he remember the pods....and the experiments....maybe he spent all those 4 years, rotting in that pod.
Zack picked up Cloud and told him that he was going to make it back to Midgar. He still wanted to keep that promise that he made to Aerith; to show her the sky. So, he was on the move again, now getting closer than ever to Midgar. He was closing the city, when he saw the army of Shinra waiting for him. Cloud was knocked-out still....and there was no way that they could escape when they were this close. So, Zack decided that if they were going to 'face' them; then the only one that they would get was Zack. He promised that he would protect Cloud from them, no matter what.
Zack faced the Shinra Army, but despite his best try; there were too many of them. The numbers caught up to him and evenutally got to him. The Shinra Army did their best to 'silence' Zack for all the trouble they caused him; They shot him down, to make sure he wouldn't be a threat to them.
Cloud had woke up during this time and Zack was, by now; on the verge of death. Zack looked at Cloud and told him that he was going to be his 'living legacy'. He gave him a similar speech that Angeal gave to him, and Zack passed down the Buster Sword to Cloud. He told him, as he passed the sword,
'My honor....My dreams....they're yours now'
Zack died at the last words of Cloud's as he closed his eyes. He thought that this would be his last moments....
But it wasn't.
Zack soon found himself in a strange, new place, in a town that was in between light and dark. The city had a bright 'glow' of orange and yellow as it was reflected by the buildings. At first, Zack thought of it to be 'heaven' but he soon found out that he was in a town called Twilight Town.
Zack is now in Twilight Town, completely unaware of the whole situation. What was his purpose of being here? Was he here to do something more or was he was just going to relax? There was a whole new world to explore, and, as he will be find out soon enough; Other worlds to find.
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