Chapter 11
The church doors slammed open with screams for help. "Aerith!!!! Help!!! Get help now!!! No Shinra!!! Get a doctor now!!!" A voice said with great fear in his tone. Aerith was hurrying past the blood dripping group. She looked down and saw a man half alive. He was covered in blood and it was hard to see who it was. Her heart told her that it was Zack, he was hanging on by an inch. Cloud had lain down in a pew he was in so much pain that he could breathe without intense pain. Nanaki had lain next to the flowers, he started licking his wounds. Fear was filling the room, their leader was on the verge death, and there was a very good chance he might not live. Zack had begun to regain consciousness, he gasped for air. He started coughing choking on his blood, all he could see was white lights, Zack drifted again, this time he stopped breathing.
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Zack woke up, lying in a field. He felt good, nothing hurt, nothing ached his heart felt light. He turned around to take in his surroundings. All that could be seen was a tree in the middle of the grassy plain. The tree was beautiful, it just absorbed his attention. He didn't know why he was here or what he was supposed to do. He started walking toward the tree, it was the only thing he could think to do. He walked up to the tree and put his hand on the trunk. "What am I suppose to do" Zack said out loud. There was a man sitting on the other side of the tree, just laying back on it. Zack noticed that the man had looked very familiar. The man spoke "are you going to come over here or are you just going to feel up the tree?" Zack walked around, he knew it was Angeal, but he wasn't excited. "Not happy to see me huh?" Angeal asked. "I am, just I don't know why I'm here. I couldn't have died. Did I? Or am I here for a bigger purpose?" Zack asked with a puzzled look.
"Zack I'm not going to lie to you. You're dead. Dead as a doornail. This is the halfway point. The lifestream takes souls here until the planet decides if you live or die. I'm here as your friend. To give you guidance and give you information." Angeal said in a very warm voice. Zack sat down next to Angeal. He was overwhelmed, he was dead and so close to achieving his goal. He clenched a fist and pounded the ground in anger. How could he have let this happen? He had Weiss defeated, he just got distracted for one second, and his life ended. His face went cold, it hit him harder than it ever did before. Aerith had waited for him, after all these years he had gotten back to her within reach and he died. "This fuckin sucks. Was I not meant to find happiness, or does the fucking planet like me to live a life of pain. What the fuck Angeal! What am I suppose to do!?"
"Zack calm down and listen, we don't have much time. You were on your way to destroy Shinra for what they did to me and everyone you cared about. It's a very honorable goal. But it is far bigger than you or me. Shinra is killing the planet. Zack let me finish" Angeal said as Zack was ready to chime in. "The planet is dying, Shinra is sucking the life from it. I'm sure you're more than well aware that Shinra uses mako to power everything. Your personal little mission against Shinra has now become your duty to save the planet. Destroy Shinra Zack, you must, but that isn't the most pressing threat to the planet. There is something else; it's powerful, very powerful. I don't know what it is, but you must find it and destroy it." Zack and Angeal both stood up, and started to walk together."Zack it was really good to see you. I'm glad we had the chance to see each other once more. Just remember what I said Zack, destroy Shinra and save the planet. Hahaha I'm not asking too much from you am I? O well. Zack, it's time to go." Before Zack could say anything Angeal had punched him in the face. He had begun to fall, getting closer and closer to the ground. Once he hit the grassy floor below him he woke up in agonizing pain.
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Zack was back in the land of the living, everyone was standing around. He saw Aerith crying, she had lost him even for a second. He looked over to Cloud who was blank in expression, clearly overwhelmed by what was happening. He couldn't find Big Red; he had begun to fear the worst. He looked around him, he saw a doctor covered in blood, and a young lady, standing handing him supplies. Zack looked to his left and saw Tseng who was dripping in Zack's blood, something was odd. Zack started to feel light headed again. They had sedated him.
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Zack had awakens in a unfamiliar bed, he looks around to find out where he was. He looked down on the floor there had been blood soaked towels laying there. Had he really lost that much blood? He tried to move, but the pain made him scream. Moments later Aerith came rushing in followed by Cloud and Tseng. Aerith came to his side and knelt down next to him, "Zack just lay back and rest please. Don't worry I'm here, I'll take good care of you I promise." She said with a smile. Zack laid still on the bed looking up at everyone. Tears were in his eyes from the pain and worry for his allies. "Is…ugh everyone ok?" Zack asked with a tremble in his voice. Everyone looked at each other not knowing who should answer. Cloud step forward, "Everyone is fine Zack…but". But the worst word Zack wanted to hear. He wanted to hear that Genesis was recovering in the next room, but he knew he was gone. He was there during his last breathes, but he still hoped that someone had saved him. Zack turned away from everyone, crying into his pillow. His weeping had reopened some of his wounds, making them bleed all over again. The pain didn't stop Zack from crying, he knew that it was his fault. He was the leader, he lead them straight into the battle. Zack felt a claiming hand come over his head, it was Aerith. She started to rub his head and put her fingers through his hair. She started to hum and sing a peaceful tone. Zack turned to her tears running down his face; he noticed the others had left. They knew Aerith would calm him best. He took a deep breath "Aerith, why did you wait for me? It's been years, why didn't you move on? What made you wait?" Zack said in a low voice to avoid farther pain. Aerith just smiled, she didn't say a word. She just got closer to his face; Zack looked deep into her eyes to find the answer. Aerith's smile faded, she just got closer and closer. Her lips touched his ever so softly. A kiss that made every pain or worry go away. Zack felt at peace. He looked at her with tears once more, just this time they were tears of happiness. How could something so pure exist in times like these. The planet was dying, his old friends were gone, and he had to stop an evil empire he once would have given his life to defend. He truly loved her, and he was starting to get that feeling from her in return. She continued to rub Zack's hair until he fell asleep once more.
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Several days pass
Zack had awoken in his room alone. He got up, this time with no pain. He removed his SOLDIER shirt and looked at the dark red bandage on his chest. The wound was inches from his heart, which would have been a fatal blow. He removed the bandage from his chest to see how his wound was healing. He looked under and saw that the wound had already scarred. Zack put his finger across it, this was his memento, his motivation. His friends lost their lives and his had been spared. "I won't forget" Zack said as his finger we pulled away.
Clearly his SOLDIER body had held the wound at an accelerated rate, but he didn't have his energy back just yet. He walked down stairs to see everyone at the table getting ready to eat what smelled like breakfast. They all looked up and smiled. It was good to see everyone alive and kickin. Zack walked past Aerith who was serving everyone eggs, Zack grabbed her by her wrist so she would turn back into his arms. She landed face to face with Zack. Zack kissed her gently on the lips. "Thank you for the kiss of life Aerith" he whispered to her. She blushed instantly as she softly slapped him. Zack sat down next to Cloud and Nanaki. He gave a quick ruffle of Cloud's hair. He gave a quick look at Nanaki and gave him a hug, which was very awkward for Nanaki due to Zack had yanked his head. "I'm Glad you're alright Red. I didn't see you in the church, I was worried. I'm glad everyone's alright." Zack said to the table. Breakfast was served and everyone had started eating. It wasn't long until conversation started.
"Tseng I thought we were going to meet you outside of Kalm. What happened to that plan?" Zack said as Tseng lifted his head and began talking. "Well Zack plan had to be changed quickly. I was flying over the mountains, when I saw the army waiting for you guys. I tried to turn as fast as I could but Weiss and his men had shot my helicopter down." Zack had dropped his fork in shock and surprise. It took Shinra very little time to sign Tseng's death order. Tseng continued, "I had survived the crash, how I'm not quite sure. I had to walk on foot to get to the battle as fast as I could. I found a man who would drive me there and straight to Midgar after. We had gotten there 20 or so minutes after Weiss had fled. I saw his chopper fly over head. We saw how bad you injuries were, we through you into the truck as fast as we could. You should really thank your friends Zack. They gave up all there potions and continually used cure to keep you alive until we reached Midgar. They had needed the potions as well, but they gave them up for you. It was very honorable of them." Zack looked at his friends with teary eyes; he nodded to them in thanks.
Zack looked at everyone, he paused before he talked. "Guys look here this is important. We will rest for the next few days but we must move on Shinra when there guard is down. Shinra must fall.." Zack said as his fists tightened, bending the fork into an unrecognizable piece of metal. "For our fallen friends, for our loved ones, for our freedom, and most of all, the planet." Everyone but Tseng looked in awe. "What do you mean for the planet Zack?" Cloud asked clearly confused.
"He means that Shinra is destroying our planet. Both figuratively and literally. Those mako reactors on the top plate, the suck mako from the planet and the planet needs mako to survive. If we don't stop Shinra soon we may be too late and the planet will never recover. We must break Shinra's back, quickly and swiftly. I have the plans mapped out and everything, but we can go over them tomorrow." Tseng interrupted before Zack could answer. Everyone had finished their breakfast asking several questions about their impending battle.
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"Tseng you me and the boys should go to a bar tonight. No if ands or buts everyone's going." Zack said to Tseng as they sat outside enjoying the cool breeze.
"I think I know a place in sector 7. We will go there." Tseng replied.
"Guys I think I'm just going to stay here" Cloud spoke softly.
"Nonsense, you of all people should come, just trust me, come." Tseng said as if he knew something Cloud didn't.
"Sounds like a plan to me" Big Red spoke up.
There was a loud thud as the door to Aerith's house closed. "What about me!!!?? I want to go!!!" Aerith said with a huge smile.
"Sorry babe, it's for guys only tonight." Zack said with a smirk. He knew he was gunna get wacked later for it, but he didn't mind any kind of attention he got from her. Good or bad, as long as she was around.
"This sucks! Hmf!' as Aerith crossed her arms and frowned.
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