As Zack stepped back into the church, Puck and Ivalera quickly scrambled into hiding—one diving into Johnny's jacket pocket, the other slipping behind Aerith's long hair.
Johnny and Aerith stood up. Tension still hung thick in the air, but the murderous aura had dissipated.
Zack scratched the back of his head, even though it didn't itch, his face a picture of sincere regret. He slid the hilt of his broken SOLDIER sword onto his back.
"So... I really want to apologize, guys. Seriously. For the roof, for the flowers... and especially for that joke about the date." Zack laughed awkwardly. "It seems I interrupted a rather... intense couple's moment."
Aerith chuckled softly, and the ice began to melt. "You just fell, Zack... from the sky, no less. How did you survive that?"
"Mission at Reactor 5," Zack answered, his voice lowering. He pointed a thumb at the hole in the roof. "Had a little... difference of opinion with an old friend."
Johnny stared at the hole in the roof, then back at Zack. To fall hundreds of meters into the Slums and still be standing? This guy's physique was no joke.
"You fell hundreds of meters and didn't turn into paste. That's worthy of a thumbs up," Johnny said, his voice heavy and calm.
"Heh, well, SOLDIERs are trained to be tough," Zack grinned, then looked at Johnny with newfound respect. "But you... you withstood an assault from a SOLDIER. That's insane."
"Forgive me too, Zack. I lost control," Johnny extended his massive right hand. "We haven't been properly introduced. My name is Johnny."
Zack took the hand. Their grip was firm.
"Zack. Zack Fair. SOLDIER 1st Class!" (Zack announced it proudly, though doubt gnawed at his heart).
Zack hated to admit it, but the man in front of him was terrifying. Incredible strength. If that fight had continued to a Limit Break, this church would have been leveled.
Johnny noticed blood seeping from Zack's shoulder where his sword had struck. Without being asked, Johnny placed his hand over Zack's shoulder.
"Cure."
A soft green light wrapped around Zack's wound, sealing it instantly.
Zack's eyes widened, then he smiled. He returned the favor, placing his hand over the bruise on Johnny's chest from his own attack.
"Cure."
Both healing each other after trying to kill each other. It was a strange situation, but that was the language of warriors.
Aerith clapped her hands once, dispelling the remaining awkwardness.
"There, that's better! And you, Mr. Sky-Man! Be careful what you say next time. My Johnny is very sensitive and protective, you know!"
"Yeah, I learned that the hard way," Zack winced. "It's just... everything feels heavy today."
"Do you want to sit down? Among the flowers?" Aerith offered gently. "You can tell us about it."
Zack nodded. The three of them sat cross-legged beside the remaining patch of lilies.
Zack stared at Johnny intently, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Seriously, you're crazy, Johnny. No joke. Your physical strength... it's on par with my Mentor, Angeal. Maybe rougher, your fighting style is wild."
Then Zack noticed something. He stared into Johnny's eyes.
"Your eyes, Johnny... Bright green. There's a Mako glow there. Are you a SOLDIER? But I've memorized the personnel database, and there's no Johnny in there."
Johnny's heart pounded. He had to lie.
"Of course not," Johnny answered firmly. "I'm just a Slum guy."
"Then how are you that strong? And those eyes?" Zack pressed.
"Killing monsters," Johnny answered flatly. "It's hard down here, Zack. I've killed thousands of failed experimental monsters flushed by Shinra into the sewers. Maybe I mutated from bathing in Mako monster blood too often. Besides... I work with the Turks."
Zack was surprised. "Turks? You mean you know Tseng? Rude? Reno?"
"Yeah, the three of them. I see Rude and Reno on almost every mission. But Tseng, I haven't met him in person," Johnny bluffed smoothly.
"That explains it!" Zack slapped his knee, believing it instantly. "If you're a secret Turk agent, it makes sense. They do have some weirdly strong people."
Zack then looked up at the church ceiling, his face turning gloomy again.
"Actually, I was on a mission today, Johnny. Trying to save Angeal and Genesis. They... they're called 'Project G'."
Johnny's ears pricked up. Project G. Genesis. Angeal. This was high-level intel. Johnny didn't know what it meant, but his instincts told him it was big trouble.
"I know Angeal and Genesis," Johnny said, fishing for info. "Genesis Rhapsodos, right? He's a hero too. His 'LOVELESS' posters are everywhere in Sector 8."
"Right," Zack sighed deeply. "They're my mentors and friends. Angeal... he taught me everything. About Pride, dreams, honor... 'Embrace your dreams, and protect your honor... as SOLDIER!' That was his motto."
Zack squeezed his knees. "But he's the one rebelling. He says he's a monster. Shinra ordered me to eliminate Genesis and Angeal, and their Copy troops."
Johnny fell silent. Hearing words like "Dream" and "Honor," Guts' memories of Griffith stabbed at him again. Griffith also spoke of dreams. And for that dream, he sacrificed everything.
Also, There is no pride in being a soldier, Johnny thought. "Once guts convinced Adolf that his son dying in war was his pride". That motto was a mistake.
For Johnny (guts) right now living peacefully with loved ones was enough.
To him, this Angeal sounded like an "honorable fool."
"He sounds like a man of firm conviction," Johnny commented carefully.
"He's the best," Zack's eyes teared up. "Johnny, you said you work with the Turks, right? If you see Angeal... please, don't kill him."
Zack reached into his pocket, handing over a card with his PHS number. "Contact me."
Johnny took the card. "Tseng, Reno, and Rude haven't given me details on Project G yet. But alright... if I meet them, I'll call you before I act."
"Thanks, Johnny. You're a good guy."
===============================================================
Just then, the church doors swung wide open. The sound of disciplined footsteps echoed.
Four people walked in wearing crisp black suits. Tseng, Reno, Rude, and a young woman with short hair—Cissnei.
Zack, Johnny, and Aerith stood up in unison.
"Talk of the devil," Johnny muttered.
"Tseng?" Zack raised an eyebrow, surprised to see the leader of the Turks down in this slum. "What a surprise to see you here. Don't you usually sit pretty in your office? My PHS broke when I fell, so I couldn't report in."
Tseng stared at Zack with a flat expression, then his gaze swept the room, pausing briefly on Aerith, then on Johnny.
"Our sensors detected an unnatural surge of Lifestream energy from these coordinates," Tseng answered calmly. "I decided to investigate it myself. Turns out I found a missing SOLDIER."
"All good, Tseng, all good!" Zack interrupted quickly, nervous that his assumption about Johnny and Aerith's secret might be exposed. "That energy surge... uh... was just my emotional overflow from sparring with my new friend here!"
Johnny stepped forward, taking control of the situation.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tseng. First time we've met face-to-face. I'm Johnny, the 'contractor' your boys often hire," Johnny said in a deep voice. He turned to Reno and Rude. "Hello, Rude, Reno. Getting tired of seeing your faces."
Then Johnny looked at the woman beside Rude. She held a large shuriken, her eyes sharp but hiding a trace of worry as she looked at the wounded Zack.
"And this lady..." Johnny greeted.
"Cissnei," she replied curtly. "Nice to meet you, Johnny."
"Mr. Tseng," Johnny continued, "Is your arrival related to the 'SOLDIER Deserter' mission? I assume the target is nearby?"
Tseng nodded. "You catch on quick. Our intel reports traces of Genesis Copies in Lower Sector 4. I suspected their movement was heading towards this church to capture Aerith."
Reno suddenly stepped forward, staring intently at Johnny's face.
"Wait a second..." Reno squinted. "Since when are your eyes green, Johnny? I swear they were dark brown yesterday."
Aerith's heart stopped. Zack held his breath.
Johnny didn't blink.
"Cosmetic modification. Mako-Lenses," Johnny answered quickly. "To look cool like a SOLDIER. Word is it's the trend in Wall Market. Scares the enemies."
Reno snorted, then laughed. "Tacky. Trying to copy us, huh?"
"Enough, Reno. This isn't the time for jokes," Tseng cut in firmly. "Johnny, since you're already here... I need you to secure the Sector 4 perimeter tomorrow. If there are traces of Copies, clean them up."
"Copy that. But my fee just doubled," Johnny bargained.
"Approved. I'll send the details tonight, please answer your PHS," Tseng nodded. "And guard Aerith."
"Of course. I will guard her until my dying breath," Johnny answered seriously.
"Very well. Zack, Cissnei, we need to head to headquarters now. There's a Copy incident in Upper Sector 7. Rude, Reno, you're on standby."
Zack exhaled in relief. He waved to Johnny and Aerith as he walked backward, following Tseng.
"See you later, Johnny! Aerith! Oh, by the way..." Zack asked mischievously, "Are you two married yet?"
Aerith smiled playfully, then suddenly hugged Johnny's arm tightly. "We're engaged!" Aerith chirped happily. (A complete lie).
Johnny's jaw dropped, but he didn't deny it because he was still in shock—and secretly happy about the direction of their relationship.
Zack slapped his forehead. "Aw... figured as much. Too slow." He sighed in disappointment, his shoulders slumping.
Johnny watched the dejected Zack. Then, his gaze shifted to Cissnei standing next to him.
Johnny—or Guts—had spent a lifetime reading the body language of warriors. He saw how Cissnei stood just a little closer to Zack than to the other Turks. He saw the flash of relief in her eyes when she knew Zack was safe.
Johnny smirked faintly.
"Don't be sad, Pal," Johnny said. He signaled with his eyes toward Zack, then jutted his chin toward Cissnei. "Right next to you... there's someone sweet looking out for you, you know. Don't look too far."
Cissnei jumped, startled. Her professional mask cracked for a second, a thin blush appearing on her cheeks. She looked away, pretending to check her weapon. "I... I don't know what you mean."
Zack turned to Cissnei with an innocent face. "Huh? Cissnei?"
Reno burst out laughing. "Ooooh! So that's it! No wonder you were stuck to Zack like glue during the Sector 8 battle, Cissnei! You've got sharp eyes, Johnny!"
"Reno, shut up or I'll shock you!" Cissnei snapped, flustered.
"Time to go," Tseng ordered, cutting the teenage drama short.
They left. The church doors closed, leaving Johnny to exhale a long breath, his legs turning to jelly instantly.
"That was close..." Johnny whispered. "We almost got caught as lab rats."