Chapter 5

The three stood together against at least 200 armed men wanting to take their lives and worse their freedom. The Sound of guns safeties could be heard, Zack knew that this fight was inevitable. "Guys don't let fear over take you. They can only kill our bodies they will NEVER take our souls! 'Put down your weapons!!! And we'll let you live! If not, every one of you shall die!' Cloud, Nanaki, don't give them mercy, kill every last one. Nanaki do it for your loved ones, Cloud we have to do it for our freedom, and for those left we care about." Zack turned and looked at the horde of warriors. "Hey guys breakfast is ready Come and get some!!!!!" Zack, Cloud and Nanaki charged at the horde.

Nanaki had bull rushed through 15 men, man of which we on the ground were screaming in pain. Nanaki had broken their legs with his power. He continued to sprint through the group knocking down each and every one of those who were in his way. Nanaki ran up the side of the bar and he jumped up on the roof. He let out a booming howl. He looked down at the Shinra infantry who were shooting at him. Red's eyes were glowing, he was feeling intense rage. He wanted nothing more than to kill each and every one of them. Red jumped into a crowed and bit a SOLDIER in the throat. Blood was everywhere on Red's face. He used the SOLDIER in his mouth as a club. He spun sharply around knocking down at dozen men. Red dropped the man in his mouth and jumped on the nearest man that was on the ground and started to maul him. There were screams of pain and cries for their loved ones. One SOLDIER was crawling away his leg had been severed from either Zack or Cloud. He was screaming for his wife. Red had jumped on his back Put his paw and claws on the man's head.

"Please don't kill me!!! I was only following orders!! Just let me go I won't tell anyone that you were here!!! Please!!!" The SOLDIER was begging for his life and it fell on closed ears.

"Were you just following orders when the people in the Canyon begged for their lives!!? Did you care about their pleas!!?? No you didn't!!!" Another man tried to sneak up on red and Nanaki had smelled him coming. He turned and pounced in a flash. He had mauled the man quickly. Nanaki turned his attention to the man whose leg was missing. He had crawled farther away. Nanaki followed him slowly. Every passing warrior Nanaki bit out their Achilles tendon to immobilize them. Nanaki was being ruthless. He did not care at all no matter who got in his way they were going down. A rather large man had his back to Nanaki, his guard was down, and he did not know he was behind him. With a jump and a spin Nanaki's tail had hit the man in the back, severing his spine,. The man did not move. Big Red moved on to his legless friend. Nanaki gave a great roar and sped through a small group. He had jumped over two SOLDIERS and landed on his target.

"Please!!! I'm sorry!!! I was only following orders!! Please!! I have a fam…" Nanaki gave a twist with his paw. The man lay lifeless. Nanaki howled at the Moon that was slowly fading away. Morning was rushing towards them. Nanaki looked over at Cloud who was fighting brilliantly. Over the battle field laid lifeless warriors and those who were returning to the lifestream. A green mist lay over the battle field; the planet was taking them back, and letting them rest. But the battle was far from over.

Cloud stood back to back with Zack. Both their swords were stained red. Zack had seemed like an invincible opposite no matter how many men charge at Zack the fell from the way side. Zack was brave and he was truly strong, Cloud really looked up at him.

Before Cloud knew it Zack was no longer behind him. Cloud was fighting on his own for the time being. But He knew that he needed Zack, he would be there faster than he could finish saying his name. Until then Cloud wanted to show Zack that he could hold his own in battle. Cloud tightened his grip on his sword, ready for anything. Cloud looked up at his sword, it was truly perfect for him, and he could handle it with ease. A 3rd class SOLDIER and swung at him, he was barely able to dodge it. He had to focus. Cloud blocked every shot the third had shot at him. Cloud was doing very well, especially sense he hadn't made it into SOLDIER. Cloud ducked under a swing of the 3rds sword, he had taken out his feet with the blunt side of his buster sword. The 3rd laid on the ground seemingly knowing his fate. Cloud made it quick for the 3rd. With one slash it was all over. Cloud then saw a group of infantrymen who were closing in on Nanaki. Cloud jumped into the crowd. He spun around with his sword and all but one had fallen. Cloud ran after him, as he caught up to him, and he threw a punch at the man and he had fallen. Cloud turned and stabbed the man with his sword. His body faded into the lifestream. Cloud felt the power in his hands. He liked it. It felt good to be in control of his destiny. Cloud saw another 3rd class SOLDIER who wasn't aware of Clouds presence. Cloud charged with his sword and stabbed the man in the back and his sword went into the inn's wall.

Before Clouds eyes he was back in the reactor in Nibleheim. He looked down to the ground around him. He saw Tifa, his best friend, the person he loved most in his life. She lay lifeless. Cloud felt the burning in his eyes his tears were dripping down to his boots. Cloud looked to his left and he saw Zack, his hero, his best guy friend, barely moving. Cloud walked up the steps to go see if he was ok. Zack was bleeding all over; he must be inches from death. Zack reached out and handed him his sword… "Finish him Cloud". Cloud grabbed the heavy sword, tears almost blinding his vision. Clouds family, his best friend, and his love, he lost the mall to the hands of Sephiroth. He had reached his breaking point. He charged up the steps, he entered the room in which his idol stood, glaring into the glass. Cloud screamed at the top of his longs "SEPHIROTH!!!!!!!!!!" and with one quick move he had stabbed his former hero, his blood dripping to the ground. His sword was stuck in the glass…

"CLOUD!!!! CLOUD!!! CLOOUDDD!!!! PAY ATTENTION!!!" Zack cried. Did he just hallucinate? Now is not the time for him to figure this out. There was a battle to be fought. He wiped the sweat from his brow. Him and Zack turned around and let out a scream as the charged into the battle field together.

Zack was proud to have his best friend by his side in battle. He wanted nothing more than to just get back to Midgar and introduce him to Aerith. Just imagining the three of them hanging out made my so happy. The people he loved most together. A day with his best friend and the love of his life, all he needed is a good warm meal and he could die a happy man. Zack wanted that chance for his own happiness, he would fight his way there if he had to, and seemingly that's the way it would have to be. He wouldn't die inches away from seeing Aerith, it would crush his soul.

Zack stopped in the middle of the battle field. He saw a familiar face. Across from him with his sword drawn was Kunsel. He was Zack's closest friend in SOLDIER after Angeal died.

" Zack put your sword down! Surrender and Shinra will go light on you!"

"Kunsel I am not going to lose my freedom again!! No matter what I will have it. Please don't get in my way!! I'm begging you to go home! Leave Shinra, just go!!"

"Zack I don't know what you did to become a wanted man, but I have orders to bring you in! I don't' want to have to hurt you Zack!"

"Kunsel!!!"

"Zack give in!! This is the last time I will ask you!! I will kill you and your friends!" Little di he know that there were no more warriors left. Cloud and Big Red were leaning against the wall. They knew this battle was Zack's and Zack's alone. Zack stood starring at his former friend. Zack knew what he had to do. Zack put his sword against his forehead. What would Angeal do? His freedom, his happiness was on the line. His friends stood there watching. He would be risking their lives if he had let Kunsel live. Kunsel would got tell Shinra Where he last saw them. There is a good chance they would be caught. Life would be nothing but that tube again. There would be no Aerith, he would never feel her warm hug again. Never feel her soft lips. He loved her he was coming home to her arms. He would make it there God have pity on his enemies, because he won't!

Before anyone had realized what had just happened Zack stood behind Kunsel and his sword was dripping with blood. Kunsel stood with his sword ready to defend. The sword slid to the ground. Zack had sliced right through it. Kunsel gasped for air. He fell to his knees, and then he fell on his chest. His body had been cut from shoulder to waist on the other side. The two parts of Kunsel had drifted into the lifestream. The battle was over. He and his friends had made it through the battle with only a few cuts and bruises, nothing a potion couldn't cure.

Zack put his sword in the ground, and put his hand over top of the handle. He looked up to the sky which was a light blue. "Aerith I'll be home soon. Just wait for me… I love you." A hand touched Zack's Shoulder. "We need to get going Zack."