The dark ball that Ansem had shot flew towards Cloud and Aerith. Quietly stepping in front of her protectively he drew his buster sword. This darkness wouldn't affect him now. Eyes narrowing he drew his buster sword using it as a sort of sheild. He flinched some still keeping his footing as he swung his sword the large dark ball slamming into the ground. Quickly shifting his attention back to Squall he couldn't really leave him like this. "No..come on." He sort of waved him over moving towards an off shot alley with Aerith.
Tide opals following Aerith as in slow motion he quickly took off at a run. By passing Squall he knocked Aerith basically away with one arm. The first dark ball connected with Cloud's right arm as the second collided with his chest. Cloud's body seemed to move slowly as he crashed into the ground skidding across it. His whole body felt like two semis had hit it and he wouldn't be moving anytime soon. Only a half pitiful yell escaped him. "A.....aerith!" His whole body seemed to slump at an odd angle eyes still remaining wide open.
Cloud's eyes slowly blinked as he heard Aerith's voice. He wouldn't let it die or be silenced. Not by this supposed dark entity. Aerith would be his light. Slowly struggling to his feet he stepped some almost falling. Getting his bearings he had one eye closed shut trying to pinpoint Ansem. He was almost seeing double as he gripped his sword panting some. "Nn..a...ansem." Drawing his buster sword he went into a run. Suddenly crouching he seemed to disappear in thin air. A sudden yell sounded from above. "Up here!" It was almost like a bomb as Cloud fell towards Ansem buster sword aimed directly downward towards the being's crouched form.