"You could power an entire Planet on 'what ifs,' Cloud," Zack chided. "It doesn't do anyone any good to keep looking back when you need to keep looking forward."

Shake the dust off of your feet and move on. Never forget, but do not dwell. All time, eventually, leads to the future. No one can go back. That wasn't how things worked. Still, the fact that Cloud relaxed and even smiled a little made it a little better. He released the kid and put his hands on his hips.

"It's not easy doing the right thing," he agreed. "But the people we care about will carry on for us."