Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Lifestream: Shadow Blood ❯ Chapter 7: Zack! ( Chapter 7 )

Cid, Rude and Barret clambered out onto the destroyed plate, hovering above the slums below. Looking down, they could have seen the Sierra, snuggled in between the wreckage. The three men slowly walked across the thin bar making their way to the old Mako cannon. At one point, it seemed, Rude almost slipped but kept steady heading for the centre. As they reached ground that wasn't as dangerous they made their way to the cannon.

 

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Cloud dodged out of Zack's sword slashes, rolling to safety, before attacking Zack, who parried him off. Denzel watched the two men fighting: the power; the wisdom; the will. They were something else, highly skilled and never giving up. Zack stabbed his sword into the ground, boosting himself of it and kicking Cloud down to the ground, his sword flying. Cloud lay on the ground, blood dribbling lightly from a gash on his head. Zack walked over to him, grabbing him by his shirt, sneering in his face. He threw him into the metal and laughed. He only stopped laughing when the sound of running footsteps came up behind him, and he swung round to face Denzel, carrying Cloud's sword, who was rushing towards him, Zack grabbed his sword out the ground and sliced downwards, but Denzel slid under him bringing the sword up, slicing Zack's hand off. The sword fell to the ground, Denzel smiling to himself. He jumped up, ready to finish him off but stood back in shock as Zack held a sword to him, with both his hands.

 

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The three men had reached the cannon, which proved the quickest root back to the Sierra. Cid led the way, Reno following, Barret tailing, huffing and puffing as they ran. The sky was starting to brighten, dawn was breaking. Edge was already making movement, with people running around getting early morning shopping or heading to work. The town seemed to be in full repair already. As they reached the bottom of the cannon, the Sierra stood in front of them.

`Something's wrong,' Cid said, throwing his hand out to stop them. `I just have a feeling.' Barret walked forward, looking at the ground. He stared at a single thin line, cutting into the ground.

`A sword?' He questioned, looking at Cid who had followed his gaze. `It's to thin for Cloud's, and there is only one man that I remember wielding such a sword!' He looked up, and stared around.

`Perhaps we should go check on Elena,' Rude said, making for the airship. Suddenly laughter burst out, echoing through the area. All three men jumped backwards, facing back to back, looking around them.

`Time will come!' A voice echoed over them, and then all went silent. They all stared around, waiting, watching for any sign of movement. None came. Rude walked to the door and walked in. The other two stared at each then followed Rude. Rude was stopped at the cockpit door, staring. Following his gaze then caught eyes with Elena's body. Rude walked forward, falling to his knees. He held her head. She was pale, cold empty. Barret and Cid bowed their head in memory.

`Rude, let's take her somewhere else,' he walked forward. Rude nodded, picking her up and followed Barret. Cid stared after them, a small tear falling from his eye.

 

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Denzel stared into the eyes of Zack, searching for a sign of remorse from him. There was none. The sword came down, the air slicing with a deep black cut. A shining piece of metal flew through the air, catching Zack in the chest, causing him to fall to his knees. Cloud hobbled over, one leg dripping with blood, his left side of his face covered in thin lines of red. Smiling he fell to the ground. Denzel made to run for him, but stopped and faced Zack. His face had light in it, his eyes not so dead.

`Denzel…' he spluttered out, gasping for breath, `finish me now, while I am like this!'

`What?' Denzel looked puzzled. Zack stared at him, begging him with his eyes. Denzel bent down and picked up Cloud's sword. He stood hovering the sword over Zack's head, before backing off. `I…I can't!'

`I will become a Shadow one again, one of the Shadow Spirits again. You must, for your sake and Clouds' he said this, whilst looking over at Clouds collapsed body. `Once you have done this, head to the City of the Ancients. More truth will be there.' He grabbed Denzel's hand and raised it. `Do it!'

 

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The Sierra engine started up. There had been no contact from Vincent, Reeve or Cloud. Cid decided he would do a search of the area before heading to Edge. The engines started up, the rumbling flowing gently over the ship. Cid closed his eyes and breathed, he was in a comfortable place. The door opened, making him quickly dart opens his eyes.

`He's stayin wi her.' Barret said, lumbering in. `There is a sword cut, a stab.' He stared at Cid. `Is HE back?'

`I know as much as you,' Cid shrugged, `Let's not think about it.' The airship slowly rose up, shaking the streets.

 

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Denzel stood over Zack holding the sword, Cloud lying bleeding and unconscious next to him. The airship rumbling shook the wreckage, metal came crashing down pushing Denzel and Zack to the ground. Pulling himself quickly out, he faced Zack, or his Shadow self. His stared at Denzel, grinning. Zack jumped on top of the wreckage pile darting over, jumping over Denzel's head. Griping his sword hard, Denzel ran up one of the trash piles, clashing old garbage cans, desks, seats, railings out the way as he clambered up. Zack swung down, Denzel dodged parrying his attack. The airship passed over. Barret stared out at Denzel fighting Zack, and Cloud lying dying on the ground. He motioned to Cid to get down there fast. Denzel was knocked to the ground by a piece of metal tripping him. Zack came over him and threw the sword down through the air with all his might. Denzel quickly dodged, and brought his hand up, clenched into a fist like Tifa had taught him, punching him clean in the jaw. Zack was knocked backwards, but quickly focussed again, running for Denzel. Barret started to fire his gun, closing slowly in on Zack's feet. Denzel bent low, sweeping Zack's legs away, bringing him crashing down into the wreckage. Denzel smiled looking down at his brought down enemy. Zack had gone through a metal bar. Denzel backed off as his skin started to blacken, and disappear into nothing, even his sword whisked away. Denzel jumped down to Cloud, not thinking about Zack's fate just now. He picked Cloud up, holding him up with his arm over his own shoulder. The airship closed down.