I understand this is a short chapter, but I want to end it slowly. The next chapter IS NOT the last, so stay tuned

Zack walked out to the SOLDIERS, perched on the jagged cliffs like vultures, waiting for their wounded prey to just give up and die.

He shook his head gently, resting a gloved hand on his hip.

"Boy oh boy. The price of freedom is steep."

The SOLDIERS were silent, the only sound was that of the wind, whipping of a cloud of dust as it passed, bringing with it the grumble of thunder as the ashen skies overhead threatened

them with rain.

Zack slowly raised his hand to the hilt of his buster sword, unsheathing it with a gentle click and holding it up to the sun, where it glinted sharply.

The SOLDIERs remained completely still, as if in silent vigil, awaiting their opponent to strike.

Zack brought the sword inches away from his nose, repeating the words his mentor had taught him long ago.

"Embrace your dreams- and, whatever happens, protect your honor as SOLDIER."

He faced the SOLDIERs, and raised the Buster Sword, a look of pure hatred on his face, with the hint of a smile he always wore.

He waited for a moment before bounding towards them.

"Come and get it!"

___________________________________________________________________________________

Cloud could hear gunfire, smell gunpowder, taste blood in the air as the stale wind brought it to him.

He could hear footsteps approaching, but knew they weren't Zack's.

Zack had left him, as his presence was no longer near.

Cloud had seen his silhouette disappear, managing to reach out to his friend, but it was too late, and all went blindingly white.

"Well, well. The little runt actually made it this far with you eh Strife?"

Cloud remained the motionless rag doll he'd become.

"You gonna answer me punk, or what?"

A sharp pain in his side- a flash of darkness as his head connected with rock, and he was sprawled on the ground.

The only sound that escaped his lips was a feeble moan.

"Thought so. The President said you're no longer needed, you know what that means don't you?"

Cloud remained silent, screaming for Zack inside.

"That means-" the voice said, the click of a trigger following. "You don't need to exist no more."

Loud banging as the last of the cartridge was emptied-

Immense pain-

and then blissful darkness.

______________________________________________________________________________

Zack could feel his strength waning.

There were so many, and his limbs felt as if they were filled with led. His sword was heavy in his arms, and blood ran rapidly from his wounds, resulting in a light headed dream-like reality.

He gave a sharp cry, parrying a jarring attack from a claymore and ending the life at its hilt.

That was two hundred.

Only a couple left. He thought, but knew there were more and more and more.

Aerith, Cloud give me strength.

He gave another startled cry as a bullet ripped through his shoulder.

Two hundred and one. He thought, destroying the SOLDIER who'd attacked him from behind.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Lifestream isn't so bad. Cloud thought, his consciousness floating through drafts of warm and cool air.

He sighed, letting his mind drift, float away from reality.

'What about Zack?' His other voice prodded.

'I need to go back and help him. He needs me. He needs me to protect him this time.'

'I'm so tired though. How can I protect him. I can barely think.'

'Zack needs me. Now get up and help him. He needs me.'

Cloud I need you...

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Zack smiled halfheartedly to himself, wiping off his hilt, rendered slick with blood.

Finally, they had been silenced.

Every last one.

I did it. Me and Cloud are finally safe- for now. But they'll send more -

'Click.'

No.

Zack looked up at the three SOLDIERs standing before him, about ten feet away, their rifles aimed to kill.

Zack grit his teeth, raising his sword with shaking arms.

There were two more clicks as the other rifles were loaded.

"For Cloud." Zack said to himself, advancing on the SOLDIERs.

"Too late for your friend Fair. We took care of him."

"What did you do with him?"

Zack growled, one hand at his bleeding side, the other wrapped fiercely around the hilt of the Buster Sword.

"Have I got to spell it out for you? He's dead."

Dead.

The word struck him like a punch to the gut.

"NO!"

Zack yelled, jumping at the SOLDIERs with a new ferocity.

He brought one down easily, destroying him with a violent stab.

The element of surprise was lost, and gunfire rang once more through the bloodied clearing.

He was blind to the pain now, wanting only to avenge the death of his friend.

"CLOUD-ISN'T- DEAD." He yelled each word with an unfathomable rage, each stab more violent than the last.

One left.

The third SOLDIER had disappeared completely. He whirled around, the clearing unearthly silent.

"Missed me."

A voice hissed.

There was a loud bang, and he flew towards the darkness, spiraling into oblivion.

____________________________________________________

Flint paused, looking back in the direction of Midgar. It had begun to rain, and Flint had an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach.

"Keep an eye on Zack. Keep him safe Flint. Protect him just as I would, and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. He's prone to accident that one. His heart may be full of courage, but his head

is full of air. He's only a puppy you know."

Angeal said with a slight smirk, patting Flint on the shoulder as he walked towards the door.

"Angeal- are you leaving?" Angeal turned slightly, half of his face covered in shadow.

"I'm a monster Flint." He said quietly,

"There is no place for me here. One day, I won't be able to control it, and I will take the true form of my being."

He paused-

"I only hope that Zack won't have to see me like that- but I fear he may be the only one able to destroy me."

Angeal's voice reverberated through his head.

He raised his head slowly, coming out of his memories, wondering if even now he was too late. He sighed, wheeling Fenrir around and urging him into a gallop towards Midgar.

"I promise Angeal."

There you have it, chapter thirty one, The Price of Freedom. Thankyou everyone who's added me to favorites or story alert, and to those who've reviewed. If I haven't replied, and you want me to, make sure to be logged in. I hope I did okay with Angeal, I've never played Crisis Core, so I have no real basis on what he's like. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter.

Thanks to all,

Lucifer