A Tale of Heroes

Chapter 4

Cloud the Sky Knight


When your big brother is the best of the best people expect so much out of you. My brother gets all the attention and me…all I am is just the child in his shadow. It makes me sad just to think about it. My brother makes me so mad sometimes. But then there are those who come up to me and say that there are some traits that I have that they wished my brother had as well. I prefer not to fight unless it absolutely needed. I think it's a trait that all the hunters need. I tell you for a fact I'm completely opposite of my big brother. I'm kind, gentle, and wouldn't hurt a soul unless that soul had hurt another. But there is one thing that my brother and I have that is exactly alike. When we are angry our faces are practically the same. The only other thing my brother and I have that is the same is our hatred for the Mavericks. My name is Cloud and my big brother is Zero.


The sound of two swords clashing was the noise that filled the training room. The two swordsmen jumped back and dashed at each other once more blocking their opponent's attack. The two blonde warriors jumped back one more time and finally decided to call it quits. They sheathed their weapons and gave a respective bow.

"You're getting better," complemented Zero.

Cloud smiled. It was such an innocent smile at that. "Thank you, Brother." Cloud respected many people. Of course he respected his older brother the most. Most of the time, you never found the angelic reploid calling Zero by his name.

The older brother liked seeing his brother smile because it was so innocent. Innocence…every time he looked at Cloud he almost envied him. It was something that had been long gone for him. He shook the thought from his head.

The younger brother looked at Zero confusedly. Cloud saw the 'thinking look' on his face. "If we're finished here then I'm going to go to the recreational room. It's been a while Axl and I got a chance to hang out." Cloud left the training room floating. Hardly did his feet touch the ground. Even when he fought he didn't let a toe touch the floor unless his weapon collided with another.

Out of all the Maverick Hunters, Cloud was the youngest of them all. Most said he was the complete opposite of his older brother, others just called him an angel and that just wasn't because of the silver-white angel wings coming from his back of his armor and the angel wings that went back on his helmet. His armor was silver and a bit slimmer than the armor you see on most hunters. On his helmet just above his helmet was a blue V-shaped gem and on his armguards both had three small green gems lined vertically. On his left shoulder pad was a symbol. It was a blue letter 'C' with a lightning bolt going through it. Coming from the back of his helmet was long platinum blonde hair that reached his knees and it was tied back with a red ribbon nobleman's style. But his eyes were really something to remember, not only were they innocent but they were two different colors. His right eye was a soft cobalt blue and his left eye was silver like his armor. Sitting on the side of his tail guard was his weapon of choice; it was his trusted beam rapier called "Angelic Mirage".

The young angel yawned entering the recreational room. He hadn't realize how tired he as until he had entered the room. He sat down and yawned again. There weren't very many people in there. He guessed the same fatigue that came over him came over everyone else. The young reploid took notice that Axl was not there. Not wanting to go to his room he lied down and slowly fell asleep.

He dreamt of eyes that glared at Zero. The glare was full of hate and vengeance. But these emotions filled these lies became of the lies he was told. These lies said how his brother thought he was useless and worthless. Because he was a naïve child-like reploid he believed these lies. Being filled with anger and rage Sigma was able to manipulate him to his will. Along side Rose he was one of Sigma's top Generals.

Cloud charged for Zero aiming for the quick kill, a slash for the head. Zero took advantage of his enraged opponent and just stepped to the side. Zero knew Cloud was filled with anger and rage and knew he was unfocused. He fought him back effortlessly and just wore the young reploid down. Though Zero was a fearless fighter he still had a heart. He couldn't just retire his younger brother; it'd leave his heart heavy. Once Cloud was tired enough he gripped his saber and stabbed Cloud. But he had stabbed in a place where it wasn't enough to kill the young angel. Just before Cloud could hit the floor Zero caught him just dropping his saber where he stood.

"I'm sorry…Zero—I mean, Brother. He came and—"Cloud wanted to explain what had happened but Zero had just placed his index finger over Cloud's mouth.

"Shut up…you talk too much," said Zero with a smile. He picked up Cloud when the flying warrior fell unconscious. He spoke as if Cloud was still awake. "Idiot…how did you believe such stupidity? I thought the repliforce taught their soldiers better than that. I don't blame you though…you're still child-like."

Cloud awoke and quickly sat up. He yawned again and examined the room. He was in his room! He looked around and saw a pair of blue eyes looking at him. Cloud smiled and leaned his head against his chest. "Hello, Brother. Were you the one brought me in here?"

Zero took his hand and placed it on the back of Cloud's head and rested his chin on the top of his head. This is was a side of Zero he never really showed in front of everyone. "Yes, Cloud…I was the one that brought you in here. You know Commander Signas doesn't like it when we sleep in the recreational room."

"Oh, I guess I was that sleepy," responded Cloud rubbing his eyes. "Is there anything that needs to be done?" he asked.

"Nope…I took care of it all. All duties for today are taken care of. So I'm using my extra time to be with the ting that us most important to me." Zero stroked his brother's hair. He liked the feel of Cloud's hair. It was always so soft and felt like silk. It matched his kind and gentle nature. But on the other hand he did feel bad for Cloud. He was good…very good and people expected the same from the young angel.

Cloud wrapped his arms around his older brother. This was the first moment they had together in a while and he wasn't going to let it go to waste. He liked it when Zero decided to be nice and kind instead of cold and keeping people at arms length. Though he was his younger brother there were still many things about Zero he still didn't know. He didn't want to think about that now. He just wanted to enjoy the moment. "How are—"

"Jet is fine, Falcon is relaxed, and Rose is happily in Eden…" answered Zero. Sometimes he saw right through his brother like a piece of glass. "You've got to stop worrying about them. You matter too you know." That was a constant reminder he made to Cloud because the young angel would always put everyone before himself.

"You could have at least let me finish my question." Cloud giggled and relaxed a bit more. But it quickly turned into a bit of sadness remembering what happened to them. "I worry about them because the four of us all suffered the same fate. We were all Mavericks at some point, Brother. It's a memory that's hard to release." As Cloud spoke he held his brother more and his voice broke a bit. Eventually he started sobbing with his face buried in Zero's chest.

The red warrior tried to stop the sobbing by keeping a smile. He said nothing and just continued to stroke Cloud's hair gently. He noticed the ribbon in Cloud's hair was loose. He untied it and then retied it tighter so Cloud's hair wouldn't flail around and he loses his ribbon. He remembered what he had told Cloud about the ribbon when he gave it to him. "Cloud? Do you remember what I told you about that ribbon?"

Cloud stopped sobbing and looked at Zero. "Of course, Brother. How could I forget such a thing? You told me to give it to someone special weather it be a friend or a girlfriend. I never forget the thing you tell me." Thinking of the ribbon Cloud had thought of someone special. He finally released his grip on Zero and stood. "And I know just the person to give it to."

The angelic warrior floated gracefully out of the room and knocked on another door close by. The door was opened and there was Jet standing there. The Tragic Warrior was a bit taken to see the young angel there.

"Lord Cloud, what bring you to my dorm?" asked Jet.

Cloud had a gentle smile on his face. "I came here to give you something." Cloud reached behind him and untied the ribbon. He held it out to Jet. "Give it to someone you think is special weather it be a friend or a girlfriend." He repeated Zero's words.

Jet looked at the ribbon and then at Cloud. He took the ribbon from his hands. "Thank you, Lord Cloud. I shall cherish this."

The angel giggled again. "You're welcome, Jet." With those words finished he walked off back to his room.

Jet watched him leave. "Angels…they are kind and gentle. They are real knights of the sky."

Next chapter
James "Sidewinder" Dalton. A human among reploids who is ready to prove himself at any moment. He's the noblest of them all and the most respected. He leads the Maverick Hunters along side Signas.