Disclaimer: I do NOT own Crisis Core, Final Fantasy, or any of its character.

Warning: Crisis Core Spoilers.

Angeal his mentor, someone that had become a dear friend and maybe even a father figure.

Sephiroth, someone he had admired and respected and than got to know as a partner when he had moved up in the ranks.

Genesis who had perhaps unintentionally taught him a thing or two of what a first class really was and of how a dream could be corrupted.

Cloud, once an acquaintance but now the person who held the closest ties to him.

Aeris, his beautifully sweet girlfriend who he treasured dearly

But now he was laying in the mud slowly dying and it didn't matter anymore. It wasn't fair but he didn't regret a thing, he wasn't afraid. He had done it for them because he loved them. He had gotten to know them, each on a personal level, and all of them had changed him in some way, for the better. They had taught him experience, they had helped him to grow up and learn what life was really about. They had been his support when he had doubted everything around him.

Despite everything he was glad he had met them. His life had been full if not long. He was glad for what he had been given during his time.

As he faded he could hear Cloud's scream and somehow, he knew, that through everything, in spite of the fact that Cloud would come out a broken man, it would eventually be alright. As Cloud's voice faded so did Zack's awareness.

Maybe dying really wasn't the end of it all.