A/N: Welcome to my fifth one shot! This is a continuation of A Light in the Darkness.

A Light in the Darkness Part 2

Zack woke up the next morning to see the light of dawn. He felt a strange urge to get out of the barn as fast as he could. He looked to Cloud for his opinion. His companion didn't move at all, Zack felt a rising worry as his best friend didn't even acknowledge him.

"Cloud, do you think we should leave the barn? Do you think Shinra will find us?" Zack asked. No response. "I'll take that as a yes, let's get out of here. Hang on tight, I don't want you to fall off the motorcycle, not when we're so close to Midgar. I can just see it over the horizon. "

Cloud didn't reply he just stayed still, his eyes closed and his head down. Zack sighed sadly and stopped the motorcycle for a moment. He looked Cloud over and saw that his hair had gotten a little dirty from the ride on the motorcycle. He smiled and ruffled Cloud's hair like he used to.

"Come on, let's get you to Midgar. Aerith should be waiting there. You'll feel better in no time," Zack said. Cloud didn't respond, he just continued to sleep. Zack saw Midgar just up ahead and smiled triumphantly. "See, Cloud. We'll make it there in less than thirty minutes if we pick up the pace!"

He smiled as he sped through the desert at full speed. Suddenly, the motorcycle stopped. Zack looked down at it and saw that it had lodged itself on a small cactus. Zack moaned in frustration and took Cloud off of the motorcycle. After they had been walking for what seemed like hours in an endless desert, a sign of hope appeared in the shape of a car.

"Hey!" Zack shouted. The car slowed to a halt and the person looked out at him, a concerned look in his eyes. It must have been Cloud who was still stuck in his Mako induced coma. "Would you be willing to give us a lift?"

"Where you headed?" the person asked.

"Midgar," Zack replied.

"Okay, hop on in," the person said.

Zack entered the trunk and gently placed Cloud in the corner of the truck. The person started up the engine and drove over to Midgar. Zack sat next to Cloud and playfully ruffled his hair.

"Sure is a good view, isn't it, Cloud?" Zack asked. No response, only the wind ruffling through their hair. The person driving looked through the rearview mirror at Zack and Cloud. "He's looking at us isn't he? That doesn't matter. Talk to you in a bit, I am going to stand for a while."

Zack stood up and closed his eyes, savoring the fresh air. A sudden gunshot got Zack's attention. He looked around for the source and saw that it was Shinra.

"Damnit, they found us! Hey, Pops, pull over!" Zack urged the driver. The driver pulled over and Zack jumped out of the trunk, leaving Cloud in the trunk. "Take him and leave! Go to the Slums. There's a young girl there that will know what to do. Just get out of here!"

"What about you?" the driver asked, worry in his eyes.

"Don't worry about me. Just get as far away from here as possible," Zack replied.

"How did I get mixed up in this?" the driver muttered as he sped off, leaving Zack to face the Shinra troops alone.

Zack watched as the vehicle sped off and glared at the troops. They were everywhere, spreading around the rocky region like a plague. They all had a deadly glint in their eyes. Zack sighed and unsheathed his Buster Sword. He placed it to his head gently, his eyes closed.

"Embrace your dreams. And whatever happens, protect your honor... AS SOLDIER! Come and get it!" he shouted, charging.

He felt bullet after bullet piercing his skin, he killed SOLDIER after SOLDIER. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. He looked down and saw that a sword had gone right through it. Zack closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the battle more than the pain. He felt blood trickling from the many wounds on his body as if challenging him to collapse. Soon, he felt his eyes closing and he collapsed.

He felt his chest heaving with each breath and fell unconscious, willing Cloud to safety.

Zack shook his head to clear it of these memories. Those days were over and he still had his Buster Sword when needed. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Aqua smiling at him.

"Can I give you something?" Aqua asked.

"Sure, what is it?" Zack replied, looking around.

Aqua summoned her Keyblade and said, "Take hold of this blade so you may receive it's magic."

Zack uncertainty took the blade and suddenly felt lighter. He felt the power of countless battles that this Keyblade had been through. Zack drew in a sharp breath, shocked by the strength of the magic. Soon, the feeling of the magic faded and he stood, blinking. He gave Aqua her Keyblade and she chuckled.

"Try to summon it," she said.

"How?" Zack asked.

"Just imagine it and it will come to you. It should help you fight the Darkness and Heartless when needed," Aqua said.

"Okay," Zack said uncertaintly.

He imagined a blade in his mind and suddenly a large blade appeared in his hand. It looked exactly like the Buster Sword, but Zack could feel it's magic. He was shocked by how easily it had come to him.

"That's a big one. It looks like it brings you comfort," Aqua said, a shocked look in her eyes as she saw how big it was.

"This is the Buster Sword. At least, it reminds me of it. My mentor, Angeal, is the one who gave this to me. He always told me that he chose to take me on because of my heart. I didn't know what he meant until now," Zack said, a small smile on his face.

"What did happen to him?" Aqua asked.

"He told me to kill him, forced me to fight him until he died. Just the thought of that moment makes me feel guilty. I miss him a lot," Zack said, sighing sadly.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. Do you wish he was still alive?" she asked.

"Of course, he just wanted to leave me for a reason that I am still trying to figure out. Anyway, let's try to find a way out of here. Nobody would want to stay out here for much longer. This place is driving me crazy," Zack said.

Aqua nodded and followed Zack. They would have to work hard if they were to get out of there.

A/N: And there will be one more part left. See you next time, remember to review favorite and follow. See you soon, Nerd.