For a flashback sequence
that you had to really look to find.

For bullets that would not stop,
a spiky black polygon curling in on itself.

For a buster sword in the rain.

For Neo Delusion #5.

For two seconds of FMV shot with a camcorder,
at a game conference in Japan.

For "You're a Zax fan,
you should know another word for 'perforated'."

For an aluminum foil buster sword,
made on a summer afternoon.

For a bad leg, a white streak,
Darklighter's Bar and Grill, and 200 pushups.

For the sound of a Coleman lantern
on a hot summer night.

For the founding member of the "Shot Fulla Holes Club."

For fingernail scratches on glass.

For five years.

For Kryptonite.

For materia earrings.

For a Wal-Mart dog tag:
Zax Darklighter, SOLDIER 1st Class, M.I.A.

For slick color doujinshi pages,
at Christmas, when we couldn't really afford them.

For a random insert card in a random pack,
in line at a con, while I was wearing his clothes.

Because I didn't even know he was the hidden figure
until he slid into my hand.

Because that isn't lime jello.

Because he could have left Cloud behind.

Because he is the man
who should have been the hero.

Yeah, and we could run like lightning
Through the pouring rain
And we'll be standing like a soldier
Who comes marching home again
-Bon Jovi, 'Never Say Die'