Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.
A/N: There is also another version of this story on Tifa's POV. The title is Angel's Advocate. Check it out for more fun! Please enjoy my story and review! x3
Cloud… Cloud… Cloud…
He slowly opened his eyes revealing a brilliant blue with a shade of green, a sign of Soldier. Everything was white, a wide empty space of endless purity. Somehow, he felt the tenderness of the atmosphere about him, like one being laid onto a feathery bed and embraced with silk blankets. He liked this feeling…this was what matters now. He didn't know nor wanted anything else.
"Cloud… do you hear me?"
A shady apparition appeared before him that grew solid after it reached out to touch his face. It was a silhouette of a fragile woman; pale skin covered by a pink dress and a red mini-jacket, blushing cheeks, and eyes so…evergreen. Her voice was light and soft just like the vast room that surrounds him. The fake Soldier stared up at the woman with eyes that held neither familiarity nor emotion. He only gazed at her eyes that were evergreen.
"Cloud…"
She cupped his face with her hands but only for a moment for they were transparent. She was no longer with the living, she knew that. Yet, just for this moment, she yearned to touch him, to make him feel that everything's ok. He did felt it. He felt the tiny warmth that exuded from the pale hands that held his face. Tilting his head, he sought more of this sensation like it was an addicting drug. The girl watched him with sad eyes as he burrowed his face in her hands and tried to stop the painful urge to hold him in her arms. She wanted to break down and allow herself stumble in her own weakness but that wasn't the same flower girl he knew.
"Aerith, he's gonna end up somewhere in the Planet right?"
The girl straightened and faced the voice that spoke. As if he recognized the voice, Cloud looked up and saw a face that he thought had appeared many times in his dreams. A faint image took a step forward with concern furrowing his brow. He was the infamous First Class Soldier who betrayed Shinra at the cost of freedom and dying for it. Cloud's vacant stare lingered on the man's face that became prominent by the presence of the girl. Bits of memories flashed through his broken mind like pieces of a puzzle. The stranger's face was a familiar picture he saw once while looking at his polished buster sword.
"Mideel." Aerith glanced at Cloud and at the newcomer. "Mideel has an open crater near its shores."
The man nodded and turned to crouch beside the silent blonde. He grinned and tried to ruffle Cloud's head with his translucent hand but to his dismay it just passed through. Cloud raised his blue eyes to the similar ones the man had. What was about this man that brought him incoherent memories? With his mind shattered and filled with despair, he had no room to think. What was he? Who was he? The raven-haired man stared at his hand and curled it into a fist.
"Zack…"
"I'm jealous of you, Aerith." He put on a sad face as if he was sulking but then smiled carefree. Aerith watched him, admiringly. It was the same smile that he gave her when they first met in the church. "I wanted to touch his chocobo head again."
Cloud shifted his eyes from Zack to Aerith and back again. There was a longing feeling in his heart as he watches them smiling and looking at him. He didn't know why but he wanted to stay in this peaceful place with them. Zack opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted when a great wave passed through their bodies. Parts of the Lifestream swirled into a portal behind them. At that moment, Aerith placed a hand on both Cloud and Zack's shoulder.
"That's our exit."
"Time to go, Cloud of Nibelheim!" Zack grinned at him and turned to Aerith. "Sorry I can't go with you… Me, not bein Cetra and everythin…"
The girl shook her head and beamed widely at Zack. The Soldier knelt on one knee and tried to ruffle Cloud's hair again. This time, with Aerith's intervention, his hand felt the spiky hair of his friend run through his fingers. Zack's blue eyes widened at the sudden miracle. He took the opportunity to pat Cloud's head and lightly punch his cheek. The blonde looked up at Zack's face that held no regrets. Who was this person that treated him like a brother and friend? Finally, Zack swung Cloud's arm on his shoulder and helped him approach the swirling portal.
Aerith watched the two struggle towards the exit and couldn't help but shed a tear. They must have experienced so many difficulties and were there for one another each time. She felt her heart being crushed at the thought of such a strong bond broken by worldly selfishness. Aerith looked up and let the whispers of the Planet drown her sorrows away. She needed strength to continue with her journey. Cloud needed her and so did everyone living in the world above. Her mission is not yet over. For now, Cloud was the one who needed her most.
Zack's eyes never left Cloud as they walk towards the portal. He remembered each memory they had before he met his demise. He never regretted saving his friend. Even if he never fulfilled his dream of becoming a famous hero, he knew deep in his heart that he became Cloud's hero. And now, it was Cloud's chance to become a hero he never was. Cloud would make it through his own way. Cloud will become the Planet's hero. Cloud is Cloud…that's the way it would always have been.
"Cloud… Don't forget the people who were there for you. Don't forget who you are." Cloud stared at Zack as he spoke. The feeling of longing returned again and it was more intense this time. He felt as if this person was saying goodbye. "Stay as you always were…my best friend."
Aerith disappeared and reappeared at the swirling gateway. Zack's image gradually turned hazy and Cloud slowly slipped from his grasp. The girl quickly supported Cloud's body with her own and intertwined her fingers with his. The blonde's eyes were still fixed upon the First Class Soldier as he slowly sank into the Lifestream.
"You take care of Aerith, you hear me? If something happens to her I'll haunt you whenever, wherever, whatever!"
Giving a boyish grin and a wave, the First Class Soldier dissipated completely, settling down to sleep to save his energy. Aerith tightened her grasp at Cloud's hand and smiled. Looking ahead, their bodies began to float and were getting caught with the current.
"Don't let go, Cloud…" She gazed upon him with kind eyes. "I'm here. I'll always be with you...till the end."
The two jumped into the swirling vortex of Mako connected only by their intertwined fingers. They know not what will happen in the future. All they know is that they have each other. The Soldier and his Flower Girl.
