~Friday December 31st~

~Zexion Shiki~

The clock seems to take forever to tick down to midnight. I've stayed with Axel all day and night, just waiting. He felt it safer to take me back to where he's been living with his comrades. Of course they had long since been gone since the early morning. I never saw them. Then again, I was simply happy not to see Marluxia at all. His presence was gone the second I woke up and has yet to return. And I know why.

He's just biding his time, reserving and gathering all the strength he can. He's done playing around and wants to end this. Personally, I can't wait for it to be over.

I sigh and lean back on the pillows, gazing over at Axel as he strides into the room. He gives a heavyhearted smile as he leans on the door frame. "Ready to go?"

Sitting up, I grab at the jacket I had left on the bed. I slip into the heavy material and step into my shoes at the edge of the bed. "Where are we going?"

"Some place others can't get hurt."

I pause at those words and for the first time today, I'm concerned. Something in me thought this would be easy. Maybe say a prayer here or throw some salt there and Marluxia would be gone in no time flat – especially if it comes from an Angel. But to hear the hardness in Axel's voice makes me want to jump back on the bed.

I hate fighting; the thought, the act, everything. I'd much rather sit off to the side and maneuver things so that it doesn't come to that. But I realize there's no getting around it this time. I have to dirty my hands and do something. No more side line sitting.

Raising my eyes to Axel's I notice how scantly dressed he is for someone pretending to be a human about to walk out while it's snowing. Only in a pair of jeans, boots, and a thin t-shirt he looks as though he lives somewhere much warmer. But I shove it to the side as he leads me out of the room as well as the apartment. There's no one around as we step out onto the street and make our way to wherever Axel has planned.

I glance over at him as he shoves his hands into his pockets. Prepared to say something, I don't ever get the chance as he immediately dives into a conversation all his own.

"Heh... I guess I've proved them wrong." He looks at me from the corner of his eye and must notice my puzzled expression. "I came here with Cloud as my... superior. My mission is to prove that I'm not like the Demons, that I care despite what I've done." Axel stops at the entrance to a rather dilapidated park, one that probably hasn't seen a child in years. He turns to me and shakes his head softly. "No matter what happens, stay away from him. The less he can do to you the easier this will be. He feeds off of your negative emotions so keep it happy, got it memorized?"

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes and pry into his past, I let him see a nod to calm his nerves. Or so it seems from the way his shoulders straighten and he takes a deep breath. As we stride into the park I find it easier than usual to detect a certain being's presence. It's much more prominent and demanding than any other time before and it makes my stomach drop to my feet. Axel holds out an arm, telling me to stop, before he takes a few more steps forward.

Just as he seems to get into place, by that creature's standards anyhow, Marluxia appears from thin air. He's as solid as Axel and it makes worry replace the hope I held. In his hands is a long green and pink scythe while a smirk curls his lips. Unlike before, his voice surrounds me in a sense that almost feels tangible.

"I'm surprised you showed up. Although I'm happy I don't have to hunt you down now."

"Quiet, traitor." Axel holds his arms away from his sides and his all too familiar chakrams spin into his grasp. "Let's get this over with."

The next thing I know I'm knocked off my feet by what can only be a surge of power. Propping myself up, I barely catch a glimpse of sparkling white wings that contrast to Marluxia's own coal black ones. They're surging toward one another, flying high into the air where my eyes can't see them. It makes me angry, angry that I can only sit here while someone else fights for my freedom. Even though I know Axel's only trying to keep Marluxia as far away from me as possible.

So I wait with bated breath. Anticipating the end of the fight any second. But it seems to rage on for an eternity. All I can hear are the sounds of weapons clashing. Or perhaps I'm just wishing I do, wishing I had something that's for certain. I rise to my feet and stare up at the sky, staring. The urge for a sign consumes me and my senses. I don't even hear the shout until it's too late.

"Zexion! Move!"

Axel slams into me and we tumble down to the ground, snow flying up around us. I ache more than I can imagine but the groans coming from Axel are much more painful to listen to. He props himself up, trying to stand and get away from me. He just can't move quick enough. The blood trickling down his face from a cut on his forehead and the way he winces every time he breathes. I glance to my right, following his line of sight, to see his chakram planted into the snow. Axel stumbles to a stand, turning around immediately to take whatever hit Marluxia might thrown while we're down.

Unfortunately I can see exactly what ails him – exactly why he came falling at me.

The back of his shirt is mostly gone and the sink is marred and punctured. The only thing that comes to my mind is his wings; where are they and why aren't they here now?

Marluxia floats back down to the ground and flicks his scythe, sending a spray of red onto the whitened ground. He takes several steps forward with a mad gleam in his eyes. And I panic. I can't stop the fear from spreading to every cell in my body as Axel charges at him with only one chakram. Marluxia easily parries and shoves Axel to the side. The tip of the scythe hovers over Axel's chest and it's only then that Marluxia looks over to me.

"And what are you going to do little boy? Your last strand of hope is about to disappear. Although, since I'm such a nice guy, I'll make a deal with you. Hand over your soul and I'll spare him."

I grit my teeth, holding back the vile words I want to throw at him. The fear dissipates and all that's left is pure, unadulterated anger. I lean over and haul the chakram out of the snow. Raising it up, I charge at Marluxia with everything I have. Although I know in my heart I won't be able to do much of anything.

Marluxia swiftly draws his scythe in an arc and catches the tip through one of the chakrams holes. He rips it from my grasp and fling sit to the side, effectively implanting it into the side of a dying tree. His hand swings around and reaches for my throat. His fingers grasp at the scarf around my neck and raises it hit in the air. The cloth tightens around my throat and I reach up, trying to pull it away so I can breathe. The sadistic look on Marluxia's face is the only thing I can see.

"You're a foolish human, just like all the others. And you will die be-"

His words cut off suddenly and his grasp loosens considerably. The sound of words, chanting perhaps, reaches my ears but I don't know what is being said. The language is like none I've ever heard and it makes my ears ring. Dropping to the ground, I land on my knees as Marluxia's scythe vanishes altogether. He looks up to the sky and smirks, accepting his fate as he seemingly implodes – disappearing completely.

All that's left is Axel dropping to his knees as well. He smiles over at me before falling to the side. The snow puffs up around him and it takes every ounce of strength left in my body to hurry to him. Lifting his head out of the snow, I brush some of the white specks from his face and hair. Through half-lidded eyes he looks up at me. "Stupid... I told you to stay back."

"Are you going to be okay?"

He chuckles, although it's one filled of pain and bittersweet thoughts. I tighten my hold on him as he blinks slowly. "I might not be able to go back. My wings... It doesn't matter. I'd rather be here anyway." The words hit me like a ton of bricks. It's all too much and too fast, reminding me of the day he admitted his purpose of being near me. I can only smile down at him for a moment and then lean down, gently ghosting my lips over his.

Maybe it's selfish...but I don't want him to go, not anymore.

~ Squall Leonhart~

I know I can't be around them – anyone. I'll put them in danger of the oncoming threat. Of Sephiroth. And no one should have to shoulder this with me.

Which is exactly why I find myself standing on that very beach Cloud had taken me too. Every time I glance over the water I can feel the weight of it on my shoulders. As if I'm drowning under the sheer pressure. It's not just Sephiroth. It's everything. Every ounce of my past clashes with my present; from Hojo to Grimoire or Cloud to Zack. And every part of me wants to go a different way.

"How brave... Isolating yourself to save those you care about."

I don't bother turning around. I refuse to allow him to see the pained expression I know has wormed itself onto my face.

"Will you give me the joy of taking away everything you treasure in this life?"

Finally, I turn around to face this Demon. Unlike usual he's completely solid in appearance, not that he wasn't before. But this is different and so is the way he brings up his long, slender sword. It gleams in the moonlight and part of me thinks it's rather beautiful. That is until Sephiroth reaches it forward, the tip leveling under my chin. Sephiroth's eyes shimmer with what can only be excitement and it sends a chill up my spine.

"I hope you have said your good-byes. I won't be making stops after I have your soul."

"He's not going anywhere with you, Sephiroth!"

The silver haired demon withdraws his sword – to which I can only assume he's been anticipating this fight. A second later, Cloud lands in front of me. A large sword is clasped in both of his hands and his shoulders are tense. Resisting the urge to reach out and touch him, I take a step back instead. Still, Cloud spares a single glance over his shoulder before locking eyes with Sephiroth.

"Giving up isn't like you."

Is all he says to me before launching forward, slamming his sword against Sephiroth's. They parry each other again and again. But Sephiroth manages to keep Cloud at a distance and produce scrapes and cuts all over his body. My eyes get lost within the fighting, unable to truly hold onto their places as they get faster and faster.

That is until black wings sprout from Sephiroth's back and he takes to the air. Those powerful wings are so much faster than any reaction I could hope to have. I stare up at the way those ebony feathers ruffle as he soars straight for me. My mind screams to duck, dodge, something – anything. Yet my feet stay rooted to the spot as that sword creeps closer – as if stuck in slow motion.

The next movements are so quick that I can barely keep up. My body moves to the side just as Sephiroth levels back out with the ground and thrusts it forward, aiming for my heart. Cloud's sword slams into the ground, his left hand still gripping the hilt, as he holds me in the crook of his arm. My eyes stare not at him, but down at the sword right before me and how it goes straight through Cloud's chest.

The coal-colored vest he wears tinges an even darker color as the blood begins to run from the wound. Cloud isn't done yet as I watch him raise his left hand, gripping hard onto the blade impaling him. He looks to me and our eyes finally lock, those bright blue eyes that are steadily losing the light in them. He nods towards his sword and I hurriedly look over to Sephiroth who is about to give up his sword and rush us instead. His voice is lower than a whisper as he takes deep breaths.

"You have to kill him. Take my sword."

"I... I can't-"

"If you don't defeat him, he'll take your soul. Just distract him."

I don't understand his plans. I have a clue, but I just can't wrap my mind around what he could be thinking. But I don't argue with my dear angel and instead turn around and grab the hilt with both my hands. It's heavy, like trying to lift a bag of duffel back full of bricks. And I don't stop trying. Moving away from Cloud, I drag the tip of the broadsword against the ground as I near Sephiroth.

The latter has already relinquished his sword and has moved several steps to the side, amusement shadowing his features. "You think you can wield an angel's weapon?"

Gritting my teeth, I use a surge of a surge of pure will to lift it just enough to swing at him. Sephiroth doesn't even dodge. Instead he holds out a hand and catches it, as if he's trying to hold a feather between his fingers, and shoves it back toward the ground. My hands can't let go of the sword fast enough and I'm sent to my knees from the force. Eyes snapping up, I stare up at him.

One gloved hand darts for me and wraps around my neck, proceeding to lift me into the air. His fingers tighten against my skin and it gets harder and harder to draw a breath in. My lungs begin to burn as he can only smirk at me – pleased with himself.

Suddenly the pressure is gone and I inhale sharply. I drop to the ground, wobbling on my feet as I take several steps backwards. My eyes sweep the area as the nerves catch up with what just happened. Sephiroth falls to his knees as his own blade sticks through him. He vanishes a second later, leaving no trace behind whatsoever. I watch as behind where he had been, Cloud slumps to the ground and falls onto his side in fractured motions. He looks at me, lips moving, but I can hear nothing.

And it's then that I realize my ears are ringing. From what exactly I'm not sure. But it doesn't stop me from hurrying over to Cloud's side and rolling him onto his back. The hearing slowly comes back to me as I reach out for where his wound is, preparing myself to heal such a dire injury. Just as the warmth begins to make my fingers tingle, Cloud's hands push mine away.

"No..."

"Why? You'll die."

"It's fine. My mission was not to save myself. But you." He looks away from me, glancing out towards the dark water. "As long as you have learned, I'm happy. Now go to him."

And he doesn't move to look at me. He doesn't blink his eyes back open, they simply stay closed. His fingers still on top of my own and I beg for them to move. I pinch my eyes shut, hoping – wishing – that when I open them everything will be fixed.

As I open my eyes I find the opposite of what I want.

The weight of his hands is gone and all that's left is the soft glow of where Cloud had been lying. Pain surges through my chest as I sit there, waiting for reality to slam into me. The reality that it's over. It's all over and those supernatural creatures are gone.

Cloud is gone.

I close my eyes again, refusing to open them and let anything spill out. I keep it all tightly bottled inside – so much that it hurts even more. My shoulders shake softly as it begins to prove too much to resist and I want nothing more than to collapse. As I feel myself falling forward and my hands go out to try and catch myself, someone else does it for me.

Looking beside me I find Zack smiling softly at me. Something deep down begs for me to ask how much he's seen, how did he find me, and so much more. But the thoughts die before I can even begin to form the words on my tongue. He opens his arms and pulls me close. And I let him draw me into his lap and peck my shoulder, wrapping me in warmth and love.

Because Cloud is gone forever... But he's right here waiting for me.

~Sora Kaze~

"I don't expect you to believe me."

"Sora, I don't have any reason to not trust what you say. Anything is possible."

Even so I can't imagine Vincent looking back with an encouraging expression. To tell someone that a demon has snagged my brother and I don't know what to do is insane. On top of that, I couldn't help but let it slip that one is following me too. Not that Vincent even asked. When I called him earlier and asked for him to come over he readily agreed. The next thing I knew he was at my door trying to calm me down.

I glance over to the clock on the wall and I can feel the anxiety beginning to build up. I just wanted to see him and apologize for anything I may have gotten him involved in before it's too late. The hands of the clock warn me just like they have done for Cinderella in the story books. My time is running out and if I don't hurry, it'll all vanish before I can pick up the pieces. There's no telling when Riku will come for me, to protect me.

If only I can defeat her myself.

Standing up, I smile down at Vincent. "Thanks for coming. And I'm sorry... for everything."

He goes to reach for me but I pull away. All ready for the oncoming feat, I hurry down the hall of the apartment and out the door. Even as Vincent calls after me I can't stop – won't stop. If I do he'll follow me and get caught in the middle. That's the last thing I want to happen especially after losing Roxas. I refuse to let another person get hurt because of me. I'll finish this myself.

I go straight to the one place Roxas and I use to call our own. The port is vacant of any activity or people, something I'm very thankful for. The stretch of sea extending out around the ships loaded and ready to set sail in the morning is pure nostalgia. I take a deep breath and wait – just wait.

"So this is where you went."

Turning around I come face to face with Riku. He smiles as he walks past me, his hands in his pockets. "Nice spot."

"You can see the sunset really well here."

Riku glances over his shoulder with a smirk, "We should watch it together some time."

Our eyes connect and for a moment I don't even think of what's coming. It's just the two of us. No angels or demons or special gifts. Just us.

"How cute. I could almost vomit."

Eyes narrowing, Riku holds his hand to the side and summons a rather unique blade in a flurry of light and translucent feathers. The blade is deep red and blue but the hilt looks to be made of a bat and an angel's wing. He rushes over to me, standing before Larxene. Her shrill laughter seems to fill the atmosphere as she flicks her wrist. Between each finger materializes a small knife. She grins from ear to ear as electricity jumps between them. Wielding them like they're her fingers instead – or perhaps claws even – she lunges forward toward Riku.

They clash again and again as Riku tries to redirect the fight away from me so that I won't be harmed. But it only works against him. Larxene slashes at him with ease, drawing blood from more than one cut on his body. They get too close to the edge of a dock that's lacking a ship. Larxene uppercuts and sends Riku's sword flinging from his hands. It skids down the length of the dock, teetering on the edge. Riku glares at her as she levels the points of her knives at his throat. "Is this all a mighty Angel has? How pathetic."

The sounds of the water beating up against the edge of the city drowns out so much. Even the hints of shoes slapping against the ground before they run past me. The dark blur slams into Riku and knocks him into the water. Righting, the man ducks just as Larxene swipes at him with a growl. "Why can you see me human!?"

My heart sinks as the tall man stands back up and his crimson eyes glance over to me. Vincent gives a curt shake of his head. "I know what your kind look like."

"Aaah!" she screams as she jumps and kicks at Vincent.

He draws his arms up just in time for her boot to slam against his raised arms. Even still he flies backward and lands with a thud. Unable to stay still, I run over to him and drop to my knees. "Vincent, are you alright?" I peak over of my shoulder to see Larxene approaching. He groans and I can only imagine the pain in his head is beyond tolerable.

"Sora!"

Riku's holler does little to warn me. I know she's behind me. I can feel her pulling her arm back and stabbing it forward. The shock of electricity surging through me hurts far more than the blades actually piercing through my back. It doesn't stop the scream that rips from my throat. I can only try and grit my teeth, to not let the pain push me over the edge. But it's not working. The white hot pain rages through me and the second she pulls away, it only dulls slightly.

The lack of electricity only makes the throbbing in my back worse. I can't stop myself as I feel my body falling to the side. But meeting the hard ground is almost a welcomed distraction to the pain that's already there. Barely even registering what's happening around me, I can only roll onto my back and stare up at the dark sky. It's comforting in so many ways. I loll my head to the side as my breathing begins to slow.

Dripping wet but not daring to back down, Riku ducks and weaves around Larxene's stabs and kicks. It doesn't take him long to catch her while in her blind spot and stab his blade deep into her chest. As he pulls it out and dismisses it, she falls back into the water as she begins to fade into darkness and then nothingness – not even leaving a splash.

Riku runs over to me and drops to his knees. He takes my arm and tries to find my pulse, but I already feel it leaving. There's nothing scary, especially with him at my side. I can only smile up at him. "It's fine Riku, it doesn't hurt."

He pinches his eyes shut before opening them half a second later. Gritting his teeth, Riku takes a shaky breath. "I'm sorry. I failed you."

I want to shake my head but even that is too much effort. "You didn't. Because… I love you."

The last of my breath begins to leave me but it's nothing definite either. Even as I feel myself lifting out of my body, I can see Riku leaning down to peck my lips one more time. It's only then that he brushes the back of his hand over my cheek and then stands. The last thing I see is him striding over to Vincent and lifting him into his arms, taking him home so that he won't be suspect. Or I hope not at least.

Perhaps I'll come back and see him.

Happy Birthday to me XD /so not what I wanted but I'll take it, woo I'm done!/

Ahhh... I want to write other fight scenes than these. But I hope it wasn't too hard to follow. Anyways. ;n; I don't even know what to say. Just um... Merry Christmas? Happy Holidays? Happy Valentine's Day? Happy New Years? April Fools! Lol And whatever other holidays I sailed right through. Ah just have a blast for me okay?

XP No Epilogue though. I changed my mind and adjusted the outline properly. I mean, open-ish endings are funner in so many ways. Buuut I'm so done with this and I hope someone managed to enjoy it. Thank you all for staying with me! /if you did/

lol Now all that's left is Twisted Love and God only knows when I'll have enough time to crank that one out.

Much Love!