A/N: Readers probably already know this has been previously posted, but I've added a bit since finishing Crisis Core. It freaked me out a little to see how closely the shorter version came to the end of the game, but I didn't like the old one and thought it needed to be tweaked a bit.
NEVER
Giving up wasn't in his nature.
Even facing down an army of SOLDIER, former allies and friends, did surrender ever cross his mind. Instead, he met them head-on with a grim smile, Buster Sword drawn, and fiery determination blazing in his vibrant, unnatural blue eyes. He had made a promise after all, and he was going to keep it.
Even if it killed him.
The first bullet ripped into his shoulder, causing him to stagger back, and he grit his teeth against the white-hot pain, hoisting his sword higher. More bullets pinged around him, and he rolled, dodging them all the best he could until his muscles screamed in protest. He hefted the heavy blade again and again to attack, blood staining the flashing steel, but his movements were becoming increasingly sluggish, his breathing labored and sweat matting his jet black hair to his forehead.
Another bullet hit him in the thigh, taking him down. Then another...and another...until he lost track of them all together.
The next he knew, he was flat on his back, his ears ringing as he stared vacantly at the roiling thunder clouds above him. Blood pooled around him, mingling with the rain water, but he paid it no mind. An image of a green-eyed, brown-haired beauty floated before his bleary vision, and she arched him an achingly familiar smile that would haunt him eternally.
His life seemed full of regrets, but only one lingered, close to his heart as he started to fade away.
He'd never taken Aerith to see the sky.
*End*
A/N: Only Zack could die and not be bothered with the actual "dying" part.