AN: Hello everyone! This is Noelle Strife speaking. Welcome to my first self-insert of Final Fantasy VII! Wooo! Yeah~! I was truly inspired by acebrainbuster's 'The Stranger From The Sky' and Botoingness's 'Chosen' which by far are the most excellent self-inserts I ever read. Granted, my self-insert (which by the way is a guy coz it's more cool to be like that) Noel will be on first person point of view so that it won't be that hard. Also, I have taken up the liberty of choosing an FFVII girl for him so, yeah. Go male me!

If any of you have noticed, I use the words 'Save File' as Chapters, since it will be more fitting from now on.

Disclaimer: Don't own FFVII, just me, myself, and I.

Alright here we go! Don't forget to review after this! If you don't then the hell's wrong with you? Wait, that was a joke, okay?

Edit: Got rid of some mistakes and grammar burning shiz.

~Rivai

Through The Worlds To You
by Rivaille D'Anzelotte

Save File One

Ten hours before it actually happened.

My name's Noel, just that is fine. I'm 20 years old and I'm living in a beat up apartment in the Philippines. Oddly enough, I have emerald green eyes and brown mousse hair for a Filipino. I guess some strange, foreign blood got mixed up in the family tree. But as a Filipino, I got that slightly browned skin of a kayumangi. Anyway, I have a job as a teacher at a renowned school in Laguna. Another odd thing about me is that I'm too young to be a teacher. Oddity's always at my side so, there you have it. I'm currently an avid gamer, not to mention a computer geek and an amateur when it comes to computer technology. I have a pet Ascal dog, Leeroy, who's really not right in the head since he accidentally knocked himself over a wall last week. Well, that's pretty much about me being me…

The morning I woke it was already raining. Typical of this tropical country to be raining at the middle of July. Today's Saturday, so no work for me today. I slowly got up from bed, washed my face to get the sleep off, and prepared my breakfast. Living alone (the hound does not count) has its appeals. I worry only for myself and of course for Leeroy, but mostly about myself. Not to sound like some damn egoistical jackass, that's what I am. Father's dead, mom's nearly retired from her work, older sis is married to Jackson, other older sis is out touring the world, and younger bro's getting used to school now. Here I am, frying nearly burnt eggs and bacon, trying to balance my own life. But hey, like I said, living alone has its charms…

I reckoned I'd go walk Leeroy today, but rain's negating the shit. No matter, I think I should go through the test papers of my class. …Fat chance, all I get will be the usual failing marks from the normal ones and the perfect tens from those smart-alecs. After breakfast, I immediately took my wallet, my black-and-white headphones and mp3, phone, and the keys to my apartment. I was getting into a black windbreaker with my spare yellow shirt and navy pants, plus I'm having on my Converse shoes which I'm somewhat proud of. This is not my usual wear in this hot and dusty country; I would've dropped dead of heat exhaustion here. No, this was passed on to me from my elder sis (the other one) when she was in America and it was just for the weather. I waved half-heartedly to my pet, got out and locked the front door. From here on out, I commute to other places. The rain softly came down from the sky as I went along a bus going to a green in the center of the metropolis. I put on my earphones, listening quietly to the rhythm.

To be honest, I wasn't actually aiming for the park. Hell, there wasn't even a park in the city; it's just crammed with traffic, noise, and people. No, the first place I visited was a computer shop somewhere at the outskirts of Manila. It was small and dingy, with only a few computers to be used and a small window showing the smogged-up sky. "Oy, welcome back, Noel. I finished fixing the CD; it should work fine already." A rugged young man held up a small disc for my PlayStation one; Final Fantasy VII. It was considered Square Enix's jewel since it was a block busting hit in the video game genre, initially making Enix as the king of RPG.

I know, pretty nerdy of me, huh?

I grinned at the owner while I handed a few bills to pay up. "Thanks." I said as I pocketed the disk and rushed out again, into the fucked up city and back to my peaceful apartment. While on the bus, I was listening to my headphones again when I heard something. I raised a brow since it wasn't really embedded in the song, but it was a soft, faint voice, calling out to me in a gentle whisper:

"Noel… Noel…"

I shook my head and closed my eyes. To feel this mania once again, I can't help but curse my weak stature. I was born with low immunity so I always get sick and tired. Asthma's my number one problem when I was a kid, but to this day, I was able to counter it with sports and some swimming. That voice though, is really pissing me off. Before I could get really pissed, I realized the voice was a female's, and it was a bit familiar to me…

"Noel… P-please…"

My thoughts were interrupted when the bus screeched to a halt in front of my stop. Shakily, I got out and strode back to my apartment, briefly saying hello to my neighbor who was out to her work. The rain's heavy now, raining cats and dogs is more like it. I was soaking wet as I shivered violently. Even though my windbreaker provided the small warmth it never did anything to comfort me in this situation. You must think I'm crazy to go out in a stormy day just to get a game, right?

"Damn, it's cold…" My teeth chattered as I fumbled with my keys and unlocked my door. Surprisingly, Leeroy didn't bound at me or greet me. He was asleep on the rug at the kitchen. In my rush and excitement, I completely forgot about my cold and quickly went towards my old console, the PlayStation One. I opened up the lid, placed in the much awaited game, closed it, and readied my controller. Don't get me wrong, I already played FFVII so I'm not a newbie (I'm too cool for that), it's just that after the game I decided to play it once again, only to end up with a broken disk and I had someone repair it for me. Now that it's here again, I could finally get back on my gear and forget about my miserable, normal life, forget about my worthless job teaching students who won't care, forget about all of the things in this world, which I regretted and guilted over it. I waited excitedly for the startup screen, my eyes lighting up in giddiness.

Suddenly, the sky boomed an earsplitting lightning roar which scared the shit out of me. Thunder growled as rain pelted some more at the windows, making it look like someone was washing it with thick water. Chocobos began appearing from the Square Soft logo when I flinched at another crack of lightning. It flashed from my window that was too damn near me! I was frowning but I didn't mind it; I was already at the menu screen, where Cloud's lone Buster Sword stood in the middle of the spotlight. A little lightning can't ruin my gaming mode right now.

"Didn't know there's a storm right now…" I motioned for Leeroy to sit next to me, but the dog's nowhere to be seen. Okay, now this is getting weird now. Just as Aeris's face appeared at the screen with green glow came another flash of lightning. This time, I heard the roar as if it was right next to me. Unfortunately, it IS right next to me!

I couldn't remember what happened next. I know that you could calculate the distance of a lightning bolt when it touches the ground by counting the seconds before you could hear the sound. I know that the lightning is extremely dangerous when the seconds that you counted would be three, which is what I counted. I didn't scream as the bolt hit my tiny apartment, I didn't make a sound when the electricity flowed right out of my TV and zapped me with its excruciating charge, I never once opened my eyes when I felt the pain fight its way through me and how impossibly bright it was that seeped through my closed eye lids. It was all I could think about; my fingers felt the disintegration of my controller as I gave in and let god take me wherever I'm supposed to go now.

When I regained consciousness, the first thing that came into my mind is that I feel cold. AGAIN..! "Fuck…what happened..?" I groaned to myself as I clenched my hands. I felt a bit stiff, probably from all that electric shock that was zapped inside of me. My head was pounding. Seriously, I feel like shit. Like I was just someone fresh in the hospital. Although I could still move my body, my mind is in a jumble.

I slowly opened my eyes. They widened in surprise (Wait, did that just rhymed..?) as I took in my surroundings. I'm not in my apartment anymore. Apparently, I'm in some street outside, the air was thick with pollution, one which I was forced to cough a bit. It was still raining, the water pouring steadily, albeit okay from the storm that I reckoned that passed. I realized I was propped up on a street lamp, looking like a piece of trash. I groaned again as I facepalmed.

Wait, I shouldn't be worried about that! What I should be worried is that I, my dog and my apartment was hit by a lightning bolt! A lightning bolt for fuck's sake! I sighed as I turned around to observe my environment. It's kinda… gloomy. Wait, scratch that, it's wild and chaotic. There are some bright lights lighting up the streets while people in drab clothing milled here and about. I looked around some more. Now that I can see properly, I was surprised to know that I'm not familiar with this area. Usually, I know my way around Laguna and Manila, but now, it was nowhere damn near the places that I knew. Everything looks hectic, and wait, was that..?

I stopped motioning my head as my green eyes hit the thing dead on. It was a bill board of LOVELESS, the play in the game. I stared at it as my jaw drop. There are many more posters about LOVELESS; some were even on marquees while others were pasted on brick walls. Now that I noticed it, the vehicles seemed a bit off too. I was used to four wheels and three wheels for the tricycles, but A CAR HAS THREE WHEELS?! That's freaking insane now…

I don't even want to think anymore. All I could think about now, is that a giant, looming structure is now in front of me, bearing the logo I never once forgot since I played the game: "Shinra Electric Power Company"

I found myself in an alley, shamelessly throwing up. Midgar… This is Midgar. No way in hell that this is Midgar! I wiped my sweaty face with the back of my hand as I threw up again. Okay, recap: I was gonna play FFVII, got hit by lightning, and then I was mysteriously teleported inside the video game. Hell, I can't even make sure if I'm inside the game or not. Pressing my back against the wall, I slumped down to the ground as I groaned again heavily. I caught sight of the Shinra logo once more and felt sick. How am I going to get home? More importantly, am I ever going to get home? My shaking hands roamed the ground to get a better perspective. Trash, some leftovers of my sick, few rocks and dust, yes, I'm in the game alright. I banged my head at the wall, feeling incredibly stupid to play under a lightning storm.

I checked through my pockets. Yes, I still have my wallet, my phone, my mp3, and my headphones were still clipped on my neck. All are still on a working condition, even when my headphones are wet, they're still working. Even when I was struck by lightning, everything managed to stay the same when I entered the game.

Wait, if this really is the game, and I'm in Midgar, then that means… I stood up the newfound revelation as I stormed off the alleyway. I was determined to find her. If she's here, then everything's true. I sprinted into the street, my eyes finding a flash of that color. LOVELESS Avenue, so I'm at Sector Eight, near the Shinra building. At this time, she may be here, selling flowers.

My green eyes finally found the familiar flash of pink in the sea of grey and pollution. I was overjoyed to see her (translation: thrilled). It was still raining and she's holding a pink umbrella up to keep her safe from the wetness. She has brunette locks that were tied into a long braid, keeping it secured with a pink bow and a heavily hidden materia. Her long pink dress looked nice on her; it shaped her curves really well that I realized I was red in the face just staring at it. A basket of flowers in hand and the other holding onto the umbrella. She has the most wonderful set of forest green eyes I ever seen. Yeah, you could say that I'm also a nerdy Aeris fan boy, but damn…

This really is Final Fantasy VII.

I know what you're thinking. I should be happy that I'm inside the game and that I should help the team and save the world. But I'm just a normal person. I can't do magic nor have the strength to wield a sword, only 'they' do that. You may think I'm overly dramatic but I'm just being realistic.

Wait, how can I be realistic when I'm in a game..?

I smacked my face at the thought. Dammnit, this is too frustrating. I don't know what to do. Should I go with the flow of the story or should I find a way back home? Now that I think about it, what timeline am I in the story right now? Is this the part where AVALANCHE is going to do the bombing missions or before that?

"Ah, shit… This is so messed up…" I cursed loudly while I ignored the stares from the citizens. To also make it clear that I'm in the game, there are some MPs littered around here. Some were patrolling, others were bullying some of the residents, while a few were just lazying around. I realized I was already soaking wet if not for an umbrella that took place over me. I turn my head to see who did it and I was surprised to see Aeris giving me a worried expression, "Are you all right, sir?" She whispered softly while I just stared. Aeris cosplayers back at my world couldn't even be compared to her. Her eyes are big and full of life while her lips curved into a small yet concerned smile.

Cute… "Y-yeah… Just a bit lost hehe." I let out a nervous laugh as I rubbed the back of my head. Aeris stared at me then giggled as well.

"My name is Aeris Gainsborough. What's yours?" Whoa, introductions already? Well, just go with the flow then…

"Noel. Just Noel, Miss Aeris." I managed to crack one of my goofy grins at her while I held my head to keep me from my goddamn mania.

"Okay, Noel. Just Aeris, then. Is this your first time in Midgar?" She asked as we moved to shelter our heads. The cold is still there, but I'm starting to warm up already. Aeris helped me sit on a bench in front of a store as she shook the water off her dress.

"Hm, you could say that." I was scratching my head again and thought about my home back in the Philippines. "I'm looking for a job though." Okay, that's a good start. The flower girl nodded at me while closing her umbrella.

"What's that on your neck?" She pointed to my black and white headphones while I instantly moved to touch it. "Er, it's something that makes me listen to music." I said carefully, warily trying to hide the headphones from view. Darn, those eyes are just freezing me in place that I don't know what to do.

"Where are you from?" Oh shoot. I know somebody's gonna ask me that soon. I shifted my eyes, trying to get a backwater town name.

"Uh, Gonggaga… I lived there for as long as my life." I gave her a toothy grin when her face fell into a short frown that I now realized my mistake. I'm such an ass! That's where Zack used to live! I cleared my throat as I looked away, determined to change the subject. "So, um, do you know where I could get to Sector Seven Train Station, Aeris?" I asked her as polite as I could. I have this hunch that I know at what timeline I am in. Aeris smiled brightly at me, which inexplicably made me turn red, again, as she took my hand and guided me through the busy streets of LOVELESS Avenue.

I always wondered what it's like to be inside a video game.

When Aeris showed me the way, I wasn't shocked at how big Midgar is. The game only shows specific places that Cloud needs to go to, some were very important like the plaza where he first met Aeris, or Tifa's Seventh Heaven bar. Others were less important or just red herrings like the poor people's houses at Sector Five and other places with no treasure or loot. There were people of different sizes and shapes, people with a mix of languages and curses, people with different skins and eye color. It was bizarre to think that I was different from them because I already looked the part of an ordinary citizen of this city. My face was rugged and a bit dirty from throwing up in an alley and my clothes were a bit soaked from the rain, which thankfully stopped into a drizzle. I wish I was right about my hunch; otherwise I have to backtrack again and figure out where Cloud is right now.

Aeris stopped walking at a train platform while I stopped as well. It's pretty much midnight already from the huge clock overlooking the station. A sleepy train conductor stood by the opened train doors, trying his best to stay awake. "You just take this train to Sector Seven's station." She motioned to the transportation which I nodded. There was kinda an awkward silence after that. I made a sideways glance at her with my hand at the back of my neck. I then noticed the flower basket again.

An idea suddenly formed in my mind, "Hey, those flowers…" I crossed my arms, Cloud-style, and motioned my head to the pretty little things. Aeris brought it up near her chest and beamed proudly. "Oh, these? They're only a Gil…" Oh, crap I forgot that the currency is Gil here… Oh well, time to improvise, "Hm, how about I buy one, for a date?" Huh, where did those words came from? I paid no attention to it as I continued to grin at her, whose mouth gaped in shock then closed as she blushed.

"Pretty smooth there, Romeo."

"Well, I guarantee you that those words are only for you, Juliet." Score one for me! Aeris blushed red again, giggling as she covered her mouth with her hand. I waited patiently for her to answer. Okay, I may be an Aeris fan boy, but damn, she looks hot.

"Okay then." Woohoo! The flower girl rummaged in her basket and produced, what looked like a yellow lily. I know her favorites are white and yellow lilies so I wasn't surprised. I took the delicate flower into my hands when I leaned down to her good smelling head, and kissed the soft locks. She gasped just as I pulled back and patted her shoulder with a smile.

"See ya around, my flower lady." I walked into the train and waved at her, earning me another blush and a shy wave. Alright, time to see Cloud and the rest of AVALANCHE.

AN: Yes I've only managed to get it at the 3,000 word spree, so I might've sucked out the first chapter. I'm already working on the second one, where Noel will finally join AVALANCHE and meet the main characters, particularly Cloud, Tifa, Barret, you know the drill. Plus, there'll be a lot of twists and turns here, and depending what I feel will fall in the chapter. That's just how I write, people!

Please don't forget to review! If I'm going to be inspired, it will be coming from you, dear reader/reviewer. That will just be fifteen seconds of your life I promise!

Thanks for reading 'Through The Worlds To You'

~Rivai