Phase 10: Hero PT. 2

Cloud hadn't expected this. He had thought Zack was dead, but Aerith insisted he was still alive, just lost. He had never stopped looking, even when he had been tempted by darkness spurred by his failure to find his fellow swordsman and friend. At one point they had been as close as brothers. They fought, pulled pranks, but at the end of the day they where family and held closer ties than most biological siblings.

However, Zack had changed; he was tainted, dark, mutated into evil. His over whelming desire to become a hero had blinded him, the darkness and Sephiroth welcomed him eagerly. Cloud looked him over; Zack was skeletal, pale and grey a mass of bones with clothing and skin stretched across his frame. He looked like death and the darkness that emitted from him smelt worse. Aerith stood behind the group weeping. She had the most hope for their lost friend, but looking upon him now, her worst fears took over and rattled her body as she wept.

If Sepiroth was anyone else but himself he would be dancing about giddy, his exuberance over flowing much like Kefka Palazzo. Sephiroth looked over the fighters before him and Zack. Cloud and Leon, the ever present heros stood in front of the group, while Yuffie and Tifa stood behind trying to convince Aerith she did not need to be there.

"Cloud, didn't send that runt first this time? Why, how noble of you."

Cloud reached back, clenching the hilt of the First Tsurugi. This was the end; he had searched years and years, failing each time he got close. Every step he took he was confronted by Sephiroth, and when he got close enough he was already repelled. Sephiroth smirked, pulling Masamune to the front. He was ready for Strife's challenge. In a flash they were both gone, the only sign that they were still present where the sound of clashing blades as they met, the flashing of light as the two fought for dominance in the battle. Leon turned to the three women behind him, glad to see them further back than they had been before. As he turned back to confront Zack, his face connected with a solid fist. Visions of his lost love ran threw his mind with each hit, the pain of her disappearance and death fueling the over whelming darkness that controlled the blind man.

He began to feel weak, the darkness draining him of his energy as the memories started coming faster. He could hear Zack, his voice was low, out of body and menacing. He tempted the man who was known for having the heart of a lion, pulling him deeper into the abyss that had been created by Rinoa's disappearance. He heard Tifa and Yuffie yell for him, encouraging and strong as they reached out to their friend. Nothing worked.

As Leon lay there twisted in agony as the darkness covered him Zack turned his attention to the others. Tifa and Yuffie slid into their defenses in front of Aerith. In the distance Cloud and Sephiroth's fight could still be heard. Aerith knelt behind her friends, her head bowed, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. A breeze picked up and the air filled with the smell of rain. The skies grew dark as the wind grew stronger.

"Please come back. To be a hero, you must be able to save are your friends, we love you"

Zack halted in his march towards the girls. Sephiroth and Cloud had separated from their frenzy. Rain pattered against the ground, soon becoming a rain shower. Aerith lifted her head looking at the remnants of her love.

"Please come back to us.." She whispered. Sephiroth growled flashing away from Cloud to appear beside Zack.

"Do not listen to that harlot. She is lying to you. You are already a hero; these people are not your friends."

Zack turned away from the silver haired man. Sephiroth had left him at End of the World, allowing the darkness to consume him. Yes, he had trained him, they had defeated many enimies but not once was he ever considered a hero. His memories of his friends creep into his mind. Cloud and the Chocobo chicks, this first time he met Aerith and subsequently the first fight he and Cloud had over a girl. Tifa moving to Radiant Garden, Leon, Cloud and him running through the streets playing with wooden swords and a young Yuffie pestering Cid flooded his thoughts. He remembered everyone, Jessie, Biggs and Wedge, Rinoa, Scrooge McDuck and his nephews, this was his home. The months, weeks and days that lead to him leaving to train under Phil to become a hero, all so he could save Radiant Garden from the Heartless invasion. His parents, smiling and proud of their only child, and the vision of their lifeless forms as heartless crawled over them fighting over their hearts. He was there when his home was destroyed, his family killed by the one thing that had taken over him – darkness.

Sephiroth turned to Aerith, her prayers becoming louder, the wind and rain grew in ferocity. He stepped towards her clenching the hilt of Masamune, if she would not stop willingly he would force her. Tifa and Yuffie rushed him, each narrowly dodging the swipe of the Masamune. Cloud stared, helpless as Sephiroth swung to attack the defenseless Aerith. She looked up at him defiant and strong. As the Masamune came down on her she flinched, closing her eyes as bright light erupted, the sound of steel meeting steel rang threw the gorge. She opened her eyes seeing Zacks frail figure standing over her.

The darkness that had surrounded Leon, sucking the life from him slowly dissipated. Tifa and Yuffie rushed to his side, helping him stand. Sephiroth jumped back, landing gracefully between Zack and Cloud.

"Just as well, I do not need some defective prodigy." He glanced over at Cloud then to Zack, smirking, "both failures. Nothing but puppets." Both Zack and Cloud rushed toward Sephiroth, following as he became airborne. The three clashed in the air, Cloud and Zack simultaneously attacking their once great hero. Tife, Yuffie, Aerith and Leon watched from the ground trying to keep up with the battle only to see the three fighters disappear into thin air. Aerith smiled, she could feel the light growing in both Cloud and Zack as they fought to defeat their common foe. Slowly the four made their way back to the town of Radiant Garden. Tifa and Yuffie helped support Leon as they climbed the path.

Yuffie glanced at Aerith who lead them up the pathway, "Are they coming back?"

"Yes, I can feel them. They're strong together, apart they are lost." Aerith couldn't help but smile. Soon they would all be back together, and with their help Zack would be back in no time.

"Hey, how does Cloud jump that high?"

Tifa chuckled a little, "He does a lot of squats!"