Disclaimer: I Own Nothing


There has to be at least a thousand of them. Black clad, helmet wearing soldiers, wielding anything from guns to swords. Crouched on a rooftop, Leon and Cloud watch them march through the city. It's a show of power a parade to show off their latest captive, who just so happened to be Sora.

"This is a suicide mission," Cloud states. And really it is, while both men may be skilled swordsmen they can't stand up to a thousand well trained Core Guards and Soldiers.

"Probably, but maybe in the confusion Sora will get free." Leon replies. The troops are getting ever closer to the imposing black fortress that now sits in the middle of the city. Once Sora is inside it there's no hope for rescue, nobody comes out of the fortress alive. Leon is about to stand and jump into the throng of warriors when Cloud puts a hand on his shoulder.

"There's something happening, towards the back." Cloud says, pointing. There are muffled sounds, grunts and gasps, the distinct sound of bodies hitting the ground. Leon watches as five soldiers drop dead in a matter of seconds. Then the same thing happens, only further away, a heartbeat later. Leon is able to spot a flash of silver hair and a dark sword - slashing in a wide arch just as the soldiers turn to face the threat. Further up there's a sudden explosion and that's when the screaming starts, that's when the soldiers start to shout and the guns start to fire and steel is drawn. That's when it becomes clear that the others had decided to help after all.

"Maybe it's not a suicide mission after all," Cloud says as he draws his sword. The blond gives Leon a small smile - as a sign of reassurance, of trust, as a goodbye? - and jumps from the roof into the chaotic battle raging below. Leon looks ahead and can see two soldiers running, a shackled brunet rag doll in between them. That's who Leon is after and without further delay Leon starts running along the rooftops, just hoping to catch up before they reach the fortress.