Chapter 1: A Past Forgotten
He was only five, but he was already forced to fight. His parents abandoned him at birth and he was forced to live out his life working for Shinra. The only true things he got from his parents were the name Sean Larkin, a childhood loneliness and intense training, and a future filled with war and bloodshed recruted in the Shinra Soldier division army.
Today was the first time he had ever held a sword. For the past two hours he had been listening to his instructor about the art of sword play and the deadliness of the weapon he held. He learned to thrust, parry, slash, and block. All of the basic manuvers and attacks. He was even taught about the gruessome details of warfare. The way a sword sliced through the skin and magic could burn, freeze, or do anything else to the human body. Looking at the photos of the dead and dying, he had to puke more than once. As he stood there swinging his blade to mimic his instructor, he thought to himself, "So this is going to be my life, slash, thrust, kill, mame, and destroy. How can I withstand this torture of the soul?"
Over the years he grew hardened to the horrors of war and bloodshed. His soul and compassion withered away to a blackened lump. He sat in his room, barely a boy of ten and already scared, inside and out. There was a sharp knock on the door and it was abruptly opened. Seeing the man's rank, Sean stood immeadiatly and saluted.
"At ease. You are Soldier trainee Sean Larkin, correct?" asked the man.
"Yes sir, I am Sean Larkin."
"Good, it is time for your next step in becoming a member of Soldier."
"Yes sir. May I ask, What step is that sir?"
"You are to be showered with Mako to increase your physical and mental performance."
"Yes sir."
Sean followed the man through a series of hallways to a security door. Taking a key card from his pocket, the man slid the card through a slot on the wall. The lock on the door released and the man opened it. They walked into another hall and the door locked behind them. Sean could hear machinary buzzing in the rooms along the hall. They walked past a few doors and entered a large room filled with tanks and computers. Sean could see other kids his age through the windows in the tanks. A tall man in a lab coat walked up to them.
"This the one Heinz?" asked the tall man.
"Yes Jack." answered the man named Heinz.
"Ok, Sean Larkin right?"
"Yes."
"Alright Sean, the Mako tank is ready. Go ahead and step in."
Jack led Sean to an opened tank and gestured for him to step in. Sean stepped in and Heinz buckled him into the tank. Jack closed the lid and walked over to a computer. As he pressed a few buttons the tank started to hum.
"So that is what I heard." thought Sean.
As the humming grew louder, a light blue-green liguid started to fall from the top of the tank. The liquid Mako washed over him making his worn body feel renewed. He felt his strength increase dramaticly as the liquid poured over him. His heart began to pound and his blood pulsed in his veins. The power of the Mako flowed through him. He felt like he could do anything, even take over the world. A second more and it was over. The humming stopped and the Mako ceased flowing. Sean could see Jack opening the tank. Heinz picked up something from his desk and joined Jack.
As soon as Sean was out of the tank they helped him over to a chair. His body felt weak again. It was like his strength left with the Mako.
"Ok Sean, you are now ready for your second part of your training." said Jack.
"Here are your first materia: Fire, Ice, and Restore. Equip the to your sword as soon as you get to your room." said Heinz.
"Thank you sirs." was all he could say.
He grabed the three glowing green balls and left the room. He headed back to his dorm and equipt the materia to his sword.
Sean spent the next six years practicing with his materia and his sword. On his sixteenth birthday he finally reached his goal. He attained Soldier 1st classs. He celebrated that day, achieving his only goal, but his celebration didn't last. The next day, President Rufus held a meeting with Soldier.
"As you all know, Shinra is fighting Fort Condor. I am planning on sending a large group there in a few days and I need ten Soldiers to head the battle. I need ten of you to volenter." said Rufus.
"I'll go!" said Sean as he jumped to his feet. He was restless for batle and thought this would be a good opprotunity to show off his skill.
"Good. Now I just need nine more."
Slowly, nine more Soldiers rose to their feet and requested to go.
"Good. You ten get packed. You leave tomarrow." said Rufus as he left the Soldier baracks.
On to Chapter 2: The Battle at Fort Condor
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