He grew up believing he was just another boy in a world of men. He was raised under a false name in order to protect his past; he grew up as Dave Linshire. At the age of twelve he received his heirloom, the Atma Weapon. At the age of sixteen he entered SOLDIER and was removed a year later after the reactor explosion in his hometown of Gongaga. The one who fought in Wutai, the one who gave him his heirloom, his friend, told him the truth after he returned. He was the last descendant of a hero of old. He was Dav Cole.

"The Adventures of Dav Cole"
By Dyne

Episode One - Returning a Favor

Dav lay with his hands behind his head as he rested on the rock. He had spent all day riding across the ocean between the continents. His chocobo was taking a water break after the long day. Dav was heading for Fort Condor in order to assist the people there. The fort had suffered a huge loss after the last battle with Shinra and their sponsors hadn't shown up. He decided that since dusk was approaching, to camp for the night.
"All right, girl," he said, "that's enough for today, we'll camp here."
His chocobo, Jessika, replied with a heartfelt "Wark!"
"I knew you'd be happy."
Dav couldn't help to smile at his partner. She was the last wild gold chocobo on the Planet. He found her being attacked by an Iron Golem near Cosmo Canyon and the goodness of his heart took over. The chocobo took to him right away. Dav didn't race her since her leg was injured during the attack and it hurt her to run too fast. He named her after his girlfriend who had been killed in the reactor explosion. The two would often travel around the world looking for jobs or other assorted activities.
"I guess here's as good as any place," Dav said to himself, and sighed. He was thinking about his past again. Growing up under a false name left him shocked after his friend Rand Leifa, the old weapon shop owner of Gongaga, told him the truth. How he knew about it Dav didn't know, but proof enough lay in one of his two swords, the Atma Weapon. He had to carry two swords since the Atma Weapon was thousands of years old and therefore held no materia slots. After getting the thoughts out of his head Dav sighed again and began to set up camp.

The following day Dav rode into Kalm to pick up supplies since his food was running low and he needed a Lightning materia in order to fight any Shinra troops while at Fort Condor. Five minutes after buying the necessary equipment Dav walked into the bar to catch up on the local gossip. The bartender wasn't there so he decided to wait; he walked into the kitchen.
"Stay out of the kitchen!" the cook yelled.
"Sorry," Dav said, "I was just looking for the bartender."
"He had to run home for some sort of emergency, I don't know what the hell it was so I have to run the place while he's gone."
"Anyway I'm starved for news, anything going on lately?" Dav asked.
The cook was more than happy to answer, "You'd better believe it kid! Last thing I heard was that President Rufus Shinra had boarded a cargo ship headed for Costa Del Sol. Turned out that Sephiroth was aboard."
"I thought he died five years ago."
"Can't believe everything you read today kid, turns out he was responsible for the former president's death last week."
"Yeah, I heard about that but didn't know who killed 'im."
"Also there are rumors that the rebels are following Rufus for some reason."
Dav nodded, he had seen the signs about the rebel group AVALANCHE while in Midgar. He knew that they weren't responsible for the Sector 7 incident and that was another reason why Dav was fighting the Shinra.
"Thanks for your time." Dav said.
"Anytime kid," the cook replied, "just get out of my kitchen!" Dav promptly did so.

Three hours later after crossing the Midgar plains Dav stopped once again at the Chocobo Farm for some greens. It was going to be a long ride after that.
"Hey Billy!" Dav said to his young friend, "how's life on the farm treating ya?"
"Just fine," Choco Billy said. "What do you need?"
"Just some greens, I've got to ride to Fort Condor for a few days. After the way the people there helped me I have to repay 'em."
"I know, you already told me." He handed Dav the greens. "That'll be 500 gil."
"Dang, I'm going to have to raise my fees." Dav grinned.
"You'll have no trouble with all of the increasing monsters these days," Billy sighed. "Why don't you spend the night here?"
"Can't," Dav said, "I want to get to Condor before nightfall."
"But your chocobo!"
"She can handle it. Remember, it's only another three hours and she'll have plenty of rest."
"I guess. Bye Dav."
"See you later." Dav waved and walked away from the farm and approached Jessika. "You ready, girl?"
Jessika replied with her usual "Wark!"

Three hours later after crossing the mountains Dav found himself finally arriving at Fort Condor. His friend Lionel, the one who hired Cloud, was there to meet him.
"I'm glad you're here, Dav," Lionel said.
"What's the problem?" Dav asked.
"Well," Lionel replied, "we lost most of our money in our last fight with Shinra and it appears they're preparing for another attack."
"How soon do you think they'll be here?"
"They'll probably attack in about five hours."
"Damn. That means I'll have to get ready without rest."
"I'm afraid so. Come, I'll take your chocobo in and father will brief you on the details."
"Aye aye." Dav smiled slightly at the mock salute and walked into the fort, climbed the ladder, and found Lionel's father, Richard, sitting at the table as always. After hearing someone approach Richard raised his head and noticed Dav.
"Oh hello young man," he said. "I thought we wouldn't see you here anymore."
"I came to help," Dav said. "If your lazy sponsor won't show up then I'll lend a hand. I have to, after the way you guys helped me after I had to run from Shinra after being thrown out of SOLDIER."
"I don't know if it was a good idea or not," Richard chuckled. "You went back and sabotaged their airship."
"I had to do some immediate damage, I don't want them to be able to get anywhere fast."
"Too bad you couldn't do it again with all of these attacks we've been having lately."
"Anyway, Lionel said you'd give me a briefing."
"Ah, that." Richard chuckled again. "They always attack from the southern hill since that's they only way they can get up to the doors."
"That jerk," Dav snickered, "I thought this was going to be a large-scale attack from all sides."
"Just remember that not everyone has a gold chocobo."
"Yeah, I guess so."

Four and a half hours later, after a time of conversing, meditating, and eating, Dav climbed into the observatory and stood by Lionel as he watched for the incoming soldiers.
"It looks like there are about thirty this time," Lionel observed. "They just keep sending more."
"That's a waste of men," Dav said. "They must be desperate for the reactor."
"They must really want the big materia that Father found."
"Well, if you're not going to say anything else I'm going to go out there with the troops and wait."
"Good luck, Dav."
"Thanks. But just remember I used to fight with 'em. I know their strategies." Dav said this and walked out the door and onto the hill.

Dav watched and waited for the troops to start climbing, Lionel was right about the better view up there. "They're coming!" yelled the lookout.
"All troops fall in!" the commander ordered. His soldiers promptly obeyed. "Men," he said, "this is a decisive battle. They have a man from SOLDIER and we must take him out at all costs."
"Hey commander!" Dav shouted from his spot on the other side of the hill, "leave him to me! You take care of any lesser troops!"
"All right then," the commander replied. "Troops! You must defend Mr. Cole as he takes out their commander."
"Yes sir!" the troops said.
Nobody said anything else for that was when the Shinra soldiers reached the base of the hill.

Dav wasn't exactly sure how much time had passed since the battle started when the enemy commander arrived. He'd been assisting any soldier who was wounded and dispatching many of the reinforcements.
"The commander has arrived!" asoldier yelled. "Repeat, the enemy commander has reached the front!"
Dav thrust at a wyvern that had appeared behind him, killing it, and started to move toward the base of the hill. His gaze met that of a member of SOLDIER, first class.
"Well, well," he said, "somebody stupid enough to fight me."
"I think you'd better worry more about yourself," Dav countered.
"Ooo... a threat. I'm so scared," taunted the SOLDIER.
Dav drew his Mithril blade and yelled, "Just remember, I am free!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that I've detached myself from those bastards!" Dav ran in to meet his opponent. The two crossed blades over and over, almost like a dance. The soldiers on his side had dispatched of the Shinra troops and were watching the battle before them.
Dav didn't know how long he had been fighting this guy, he was definitely first class, but that didn't mean he'd give up that easily. The SOLDIER slashed upward. Dav back-flipped and used the time wisely. "Bolt!" he yelled. The quick jolt of lightning was enough to temporarily stun the SOLDIER and Dav took the time to heal himself. He could hear his team cheering him on as if this battle were only a game. They'd be singing a different tune if there'd been more casualties, he thought. The SOLDIER quickly recovered from the jolt and ran back into battle so quickly that it took Dav by surprise and the SOLDIER knocked his sword loose.
"Ha!" he shouted, "You're mine!" He gave a thrust.
Dav jumped to his left, "I never give up until I'm dead." He then drew the Atma Weapon.
"What good is a sword without a blade?!" Dav wasn't sure if that was a question or another taunt.
"I'll show you how." Dav grinned and slashed. Unbeknownst to the SOLDIER that the Atma Weapon used its user's power to become a sword. When Dav started the swing the energy blade cut right through the SOLDIER's blade.
"D-d-d-amn!" he gasped, "how'd you do that?!"
"I have something you don't." Dav then thought about how SOLDIER had ruined his life, how Shinra had destroyed his only family. The buildup of anger was enough for Dav to lose his temper!
The SOLDIER had no idea what to do but wait and see if he could counter in any way, but all of his magic materia had been in his sword. He looked at his opponent with a quizzical expression as he crossed his wrists in front of his face and shouted. And then it happened... "JUSTICE-SLASH!!" his opponent yelled, the wind carried the shout across the plains and his foe then rushed at him with his blue sword. The SOLDIER had no time to react; the attack came on faster than lightning. The SOLDIER felt completely new pain; his foe has stabbed him, cut off his right hand, his left leg, and he then spinned around several times forming multiple gashes in his chest. But that wasn't the end, his opponent thrust his sword into his heart, lifted him, and threw him behind his shoulder. The SOLDIER rolled down the hill leaving a trail of blood, when he hit the bottom there was only blackness.Dav was still breathing hard after he threw the SOLDIER behind him and down the hill. He didn't care that his fellow troops were shouting cheers of praise at him, he had come and done what he wanted, another shot at Shinra.
"Cole," the commander clapped his shoulder, "you did a fine job."
"Commander, I don't want any praise," Dav replied coldly, "I just want to rest and get out of here." He then walked up the hill and into the fort.

Two hours later as Dav was sleeping, the battle commander, Ys, talked to Lionel.
"I don't understand what happened to him," Ys said. "Before the battle he was ready for anything. But afterwards he was as cold as ice."
"I know it too," Lionel replied, "he seems to love battle, but any time he uses his power he distances himself from everyone for a while afterwards. I don't know what it is."
"Could it be that fighting Shinra reminds him of what happened in his lifetime?"
"I have no idea. I just wish he would talk about it."

Three more hours later Dav had woken up, eaten, and was in the makeshift stables readying Jessika.
"Dav," Richard's voice said. Dav turned around and Richard continued, "Why don't you stay with us for a while longer?"
"Can't," Dav said. "I don't like staying in one place for too long and I need some gil. I heard that a monster recently attacked Junon right before Sephiroth appeared on their cargo ship. I thought I'd try and find some more monsters that need taking care of."
"Too bad you won't stay, you did really well at that last battle."
"That's what I trained for."
"Their commander dropped this when you cut his sword in two. Take it." He handed Dav an HP Plus materia.
"Thanks," Dav took it and put it in his armlet. "I guess I'll leave now. See you around, Richard." Dav climbed onto Jessika's back and began to ride out of the Fort.
"So long, Dav." Richard waved.

"Well girl," Dav said, "looks like we're going to have to find more to do." Dav was now riding to Junon Harbor in order to find some work. He smiled at the fact that he helped his friends and it gave him a feeling he loved. "Time for a new adventure," he said. Jessika replied with another heartfelt "Wark!"

This is my very first serious fic, I hope the next one turns out better since I'm used to writing in script format and it was a little hard writing the battle scene. Episode Two of the Adventures of Dav Cole is coming soon, but not too soon.

Dyne