Leon stared in amazement into the dusk, looking at Cloud. Cloud stood, Buster Sword proud on his back, sinking sun in front of him, throwing his shadow back. His eyes narrowed, struggling against the light, trying to make out what he saw.
It was another man, standing by Cloud's side, Buster Sword over his shoulder. But the man… The man was see through. His spiky black hedgehog hair, the black turtle neck and pauldrons and the dark blue trousers… It was all see through. As one, the man and Cloud reached over their shoulders and gripped their Buster Sword's hilt, fist tightening, then swung it to in front of them. Then, still as one man, they pressed the thick, cold metal to their foreheads. He heard them, speaking softly…
"Embrace your dreams, and protect… Protect your SOLDIER honour…"
He watched as Cloud thrust his Buster Sword into the earth and fell to his knees, still gripping the hilt. But the other man replaced his Buster onto his back and looked up to the darkening sky. Then he sighed and started walking away from Cloud, toward Leon.
It was eerie. The see through man approached him, bright blue eyes filled with life now lost, love never to of been spoken, sadness, and regret, lips pulled into a sad little frown, scar along one side of his jaw standing out.
It was only then Leon noticed the bullet wounds through him. There was no way this man could have survived them.
He was a ghost. An image from the Lifestream, Aerith had told him one day. An image from the Lifestream of those who have passed, that wish for vengeance, remain from sadness, or wish to watch over those they had protected in life. Memories. She had been sad when she had told Leon that.
The man stopped in front of Leon, still looking sad.
"…watch over him for me… I know he's strong, but he's still so fragile… He's just a kid…" He sighed looking up at the sky again.
"…Cloud is no kid."
"…he still is, mentally… I regret… I regret not saving him sooner, for not protecting him… For giving him my burden…" A tear flowed down the man's face.
"…men cry not for themselves, but for their comrades…" Leon's features were surprisingly gentle as he tried to comfort the shade.
The man nodded and wiped at his face. "…he told me that once." He straightened and pushed his hair back in an easy motion. "…Leonhart, give my best to Aerith. Tell her I love her, and I wait for her. When the time comes, I'll reach for her. And tell Cloud… Tell him he filled his promise to me." He started to fade.
Leon nodded slightly.
"I will, Zack, I will…"
The fading man nodded, turned to the sky once more, and disappeared.
I promise to tell them. I promise to watch over them. I swear. I won't let them down…