Introduction: 3rd Floor
The third floor was the first floor to have only six rooms, instead of seven. But that didn't make it an empty floor by any means.
~*Room 301*~
Samus Aran was lying on her bed in her room. Things in other universes seemed a lot different than from hers. That much was apparent by those who she shared a common room with alone. Not to mention all of the other participants in the contest. Yes, things were very different throughout the multiverse.
In the other room, were Princess Zelda and Yuna. Both were well respected members of their worlds. Zelda was the Princess of Hyrule -- born into Royalty, but it was her wisdom that had gained her respect in her world. Zelda wasn't the type of princess that Samus had imagined. Not only was she wise beyond her years, but she was kind beyond any simple words. She cared for her people in a way that only a princess could. She may have had the title Princess given to her at birth, but in the eyes of the people she had earned it through her actions, not her bloodline.
Yuna, on the other hand was a bit spunkier than Zelda was. Not quite as wise, but her eyes told a story. On the outside, was a smiling girl -- who looked just as calmly as Princess Zelda did. But Samus could see through her eyes the pain that she held deep within. Samus had heard all about Yuna's pilgrimage. How she sought to vanquish Sin -- a great beast -- from her world. How she was willing to sacrifice herself to save the world. Even if only for a little while. Yuna was stronger than she looked -- much stronger, and Samus respected that. The High Summoner's calmness was nothing more than a facade, one well put on. The only time she really smiled, was when she saw... him. Tidus. He was on the same floor, and seemed every bit as spunky as Yuna. Samus could tell why the two had fallen in love. it seemed that he too was willing to sacrifice himself -- in fact, his entire world, just for Yuna. It was a gesture that couldn't be measured by words.
Zelda and Yuna got along well, and with good reason Samus thought. They were both calm, they loved their worlds more than they loved themselves. They were selfless beyond measure. As a bounty hunter, Samus had never quite so selfless.
Then she had her own room mate -- Tifa Lockheart. Tifa looked more like a model than any kind of fighter. But Tifa's skills with Martial Arts had impressed her. Tifa was attractive, and didn't hide behind a protective suit. She was tough, yet at the same time still had a feminine side that clearly showed. She was very different from Zelda, and Yuna, as well as herself.
Samus stared up at the ceiling. Yeah, things were very different here. She would have to adjust a little. Just then, Tifa came out of the shower, wrapped in nothing but a towel. Samus sized her up. She was absolutely gorgeous, and on top of it an amazing fighter.
"Hey, Samus! I'm heading up to the Locke, Celes, and Smoking Barret Bar. Barret can't fix a drink for anything. Wanna come with me?"
Samus laughed to herself. "Sure."
Yeah, things were different here. But it was.. nice
~*Room 302*~
[FREQUENCY 141.12]
*Snake*
Otacon, do you read me?
*Otacon*
I'm here, Snake! I see you made it to the castle. How's your room assignment?
*Snake*
It's odd. My roommate is Cloud Strife. And get this--
*Otacon*
I know, Snake. He was genetically engineered based on the strongest SOLDIER in his own world. A man by the name of Sephiroth. It seems that the two of you have quite a bit in common. But I don't think that the Patriots influence could extend to other worlds.
*Snake*
That's not all. It looks like Sephiroth and Liquid are roommates as well.
*Otacon*
That's not good. We need to keep a close eye on them. Squall Leonhart seems like he would be our best bet for an inside man. He's a bit of a loner. His thinking isn't too far off from The Boss's. He believes that every side in a war sees themselves as the good guys. But I think we can convince him that Liquid and Sephiroth are dangerous. Vincent Valentine may be able to help us there. According to the files Sunny obtained for me, Vincent Valentine knows just how dangerous Sephiroth can be.
*Snake*
Big Boss is here too. Looks like he's roommates with Tidus's father. Tidus is in our common room as well.
*Otacon*
According to the records, it seems like Tidus and his father never really got along. Sounds kind of like your relationship with Big Boss.
*Snake*
I'm not sure you could call him my father. That's kind of stretching it, don't you think?
*Otacon*
The Boss and Revolver Ocelot are also on the same floor as you. It seems like everyone from our world was put on the same floor. There has to be a reason for that. I've asked Sunny to take a look into things. It also seems like we can get some help from Drebin. He runs the gun shop on the same floor you're on now. You'll need to aquire some weapons from him at some point. He may be able to help us.
*Snake*
It seems like Naomi Hunter is here as well. She's at the Clinic, right?
*Otacon*
Yeah... with Dr. Styles. But I'm not sure how much help she'll be able to be.
*Snake*
One more thing...
*Otacon*
Yeah, Snake?
*Snake*
Lloyd Irving, Tidus's roommate. He doesn't seem too bright. But his father is here as well. Kratos Aurion.
*Otacon*
Yeah. And he's rooming with Auron, who comes from Tidus's world as well. Auron was like a father to Tidus according to his files. It seems that Tidus and Lloyd share a lot in common. Both were bodyguards for a religious pilgrimage designed to take the life of the one who was on the pilgrimage, in order to bring hope to the people. It seems like not just you and Cloud have a lot in common.
*Snake*
Yeah. But what really bothers me, is that Kratos sounds just like Liquid.
*Otacon*
WHAT?!
*Snake*
Yeah. When I heard his voice for the first time, there was no mistaking it.
*Otacon*
That's because they have the same voice actor Snake.
*Snake*
What?
*Otacon*
Uhh... never mind. Anyway, I'll see what I can find out about Kratos Aurion for you. Is there anything else you need?
*Snake*
Yeah.
*Otacon*
What do you need? I'll see what I can do.
*Snake*
See if you can't get me a pack of cigarettes.
*Otacon*
Snake....
[CODEC OUT]
After the Codec call ended, he thought back to when he was recruited for this 'mission'. Yosuke and Junpei didn't seem too serious. In fact they talked more to Otacon than anything. "You watch Death Note? Awesome!" Snake could remember Junpei saying. All the talk about anime confused Snake as much as math confused Lloyd.
Snake could overhear Lloyd talking to Tidus in the other room.
"Wow! Blitzball sounds like a lot of fun! I'd like to try it some time! But wait... what if I drown?! I can't even swim! Wait... that would actually make it easier! Since I can't swim, I can't drown!"
Snake shook his head. At least his own room mate seemed competent. It felt weird. He was an old man, rooming with a twenty-something who's story was very much similar to his own.
"If you're worried about Sephiroth..." Cloud had told him earlier. "A few of us are meeting at Locke, Celes, and Smoking Barret free to join us."
If he wasn't worried about Sephiroth before, he certainly was after what he heard from Otacon. "Maybe I should meet up with them... even if they are just a bunch of kids.."
And with that, Snake headed for the bar. "Maybe I can find a pack of Marlboro's while I"m there..."
~*Room 303*~
"Hey, Auron! What do you think about me getting an eye patch? I think it'd look pretty awesome!"
Auron laughed. "You haven't changed a bit, Jecht"
"Neither have you, old man." Jecht told him. "Hard to believe we were assigned the same common room."
"Not that surprising." Auron said. "Tidus is on the same floor, you know?"
"Hmph..."
Big Boss walked over towards them, joining their conversation. "Tidus is... your son?"
"Yeah, hard to believe that crybaby son of mine made it into this contest." Jecht answered. "Hey, Kratos, your son's in this too, right?"
"Yes. I believe he's roomed with your son, Tidus."
"Huh. An idiot and a crybaby roomed together."
Kratos walked over towards Jecht, raising his sword to him. "If you know what's good for you, you won't call Lloyd an idiot again." Jecht waved him off, and Kratos lowered his blade. "...or your son a crybaby for that matter."
"Well I know I'm no ideal father." Jecht said. "My kid hates me. You and your kid are enemies too, right Bossy?"
Big Boss, not liking Jecht's new nickname for him, grunted. "Don't call me Bossy."
"How bout' Patch then? Yeah, that has a nice ring to it..."
Big Boss ignored him. "I'm not sure you could call Snake my son. We're more like... brothers."
"And what about Liquid?" Auron asked him. "Would you say the same about him?"
"I've never thought of either of them as my 'sons'. I've always respected Snake as a man, and as a soldier though. Liquid on the other hand, I have no respect for. Anyway, I've got important things to do."
With that, Big Boss left the room.
"Bet he's going to Drebin's guns." Jecht said. "Listen, Kratos... about what I said before."
"Don't worry about it."
"Yeah.. thanks. Anyway, Auron! What say we go pick up some chicks! Think an old man like me has a chance with someone like Tifa? Or maybe that Elle Block. Yeah, a contortionist!"
Auron laughed. "You really haven't changed."
~*Room 304*~
Room 304's common room was empty. All occupants were in their rooms, staying away from their common-mates.
On the left side, Sephiroth and Liquid were getting to know each other, and learning much about how they could use each other.
"So... you were the clone of your own world's most powerful soldier?" Sephiroth asked Liquid. "A pity.. that you weren't reocnigzed as the replacement for Big Boss. From what I gather... your failure comes only from plots that were far beyond your own control."
"Snake didn't stop me. Foxdie did. That damn Naomi Hunter..."
Sephiroth smiled. "She's here too, you know?"
Liquid nodded. Yes, Naomi Hunter was one of the doctors at the clinic.
"They may have labeled you the failure, Liquid. But I know a man once they called a failure. Someone they discarded. But he was the one who was the true success. The only one who was even able to closely match the original. In fact.. he's here in this very contest. I have big plans for us, Liquid. Very big plans."
"Plans?" Liquid asked. "You do realize that Snake, and Cloud are paired together don't you? I'm sure that those kids who brought us here did that to keep an eye on us. I heard the red haired one tell the girl in pink to keep an eye on me."
"Cloud is no threat to us." Sephiroth assured him.
"He defeated you, didn't he?"
Sephiroth laughed. "Cloud and I are not enemies! We are one in the same! He is my puppet! When I say Dance, he dances. If I told him to fight, he would fight. And if I told him to Die for me! He would do it!"
Liquid shook his head. Sephiroth seemed delusional. Not only were Cloud and Snake a threat, but their own common room mates were a threat. Vincent Valentine. Squall Leonhart. Neither of them seemed like the type to sit by idly while they plotted and planned.
"We're going to the top, Liquid. And not just to the top of that silly tower. We're going to make a universe for ourselves! One where we are free!"
Liquid stared at the ceiling. Sephiroth told a good story, but he wasn't sure if he was buying it. He'd have to deal with Snake, himself. He couldn't rely on someone else to help him. But Kratos Aurion.. he might come in handy, Liquid thought. The two sound alike. And that could be advantageous. Not to mention the Cardboard box he had brought with him...
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room...
"Sephiroth is dangerous." Vincent told Squall. "We're going to want to keep an eye on him."
"...Whatever."
"You need to take this seriously. It is through my sins that Sephiroth was created. Thus it is my duty to keep him from causing any more harm than he already has. If you're not going to help me, then at least agree not to stand in my way.."
"Sephiroth tried to destroy your world, right?"
Vincent nodded. "He's one of the most dangerous people here. He'll most likely manipulate Liquid into doing whatever he wants him to."
"You do your thing, and I'll do mine. I' don't intend to let Sephiroth run wild in this place. But at the same time, I'm not going to join your little group focused on keeping a watch on him. Headmaster Cid asked me to come here, in order to find this 'very powerful' thing at the top of Tartarus. That's my priority."
"So be it. But if you change your mind..."
"You'll be at the bar. Got it."
With that, Vincent left satisfied that he had gotten through to Squall.
"I have a feeling this is going to be a pain.." Squall said to himself. "The least he could have done, is waited until Sephiroth was out of ear shot..."
~*Room 305*~
"So... Mewtwo. Tell me, how did you wind up with two losers like them?" Revolver Ocelot asked.
"HEY! Who are you calling losers?!" Jesse shouted.
"Yeah, we're not losers!" James added.
"Mewtwo belongs to the boss!" The two said in unison. "And when he gets here, you're going to be in real trouble."
Ocelot laughed, twirling his revolvers. "Is that who you think is coming? You think your boss is THE BOSS?"
"Of course, who else would be called the boss?" James asked.
"That'd be me." said The Boss, walking in. "I see you still haven't lost that habit of playing with your guns, Adamska."
"Wait... The Boss isn't the boss?" James asked. "I'm confused!"
"You would be, you're simple minded." Mewtwo told them.
"You're a lot older than I would have imagined, Adamska." The Boss said, ignoring the feuding between Team Rocket and Ocelot.
"Nice to see you again, Boss."
The Boss grunted. She gave Ocelot a look over. In her eyes, he was still the naive kid who she had to scold for playing with his weapons. In her eyes, he hadn't grown as a man. But also in her eyes, he was her baby boy. The one that the Philosophers had taken from her. After all, at her core she was still a woman, still a mother.
"Snake's here. Three of them in fact..." Ocelot told her.
"I know. I met him on the way down here."
"You mean Big Boss?" Ocelot asked, laughing. "The man who killed you."
The Boss nodded. "It looks like we're going to be sharing a common room. Try not to shoot anyone's eye out while we're here, Ocelot."
"Yes ma'am." Ocelot said. He didn't like being scolded. But it was by the legendary Boss. He wasn't going to complain.
"I'm going to go meet my room mate. If you need me, you can talk to me later. I do... want to catch up."
With that, The Boss left the common room for the left side bedroom.
"Well, looks like we're going to be roommates!" Ocelot said. "This ought to be fun."
"WAIT! I have to room with two other guys?!" Jesse shouted. "I have to have my privacy! James! You're sleeping on the floor! You too old man!"
"I don't think so. See I've got... a bad back. Bedrooms mine. Ya'll can have the couch though. Well, this old man's off to bed. Nighty night!"
Ocelot had also left for his room, leaving Jesse, James, and Mewtwo in the common room alone.
"I hate him!" Jesse said. "Can't you control his mind or something you worthless pokemon?!"
"No." Mewtwo replied.
"Why not?!" demanded James
"I can't." Mewtwo told them. "I can't even read his mind."
"WHAT?!" Jesse said. "You're supposed to be a psychic pokemon! You can read anyone's mind!"
"Not his... I've tried. I don't know why. But I can't."
Jesse and James were resigned to sleeping in the common room. James got the floor, while Jesse got the couch. Mewtwo, not needing to sleep, watched in on Ocelot. The old man had interested him. Of all the contestants here, Ocelot was the only who's mind he could not read.
The Boss meanwhile was getting to know her new roommate, Terra.
"I'm The Boss. Leader of the Cobras, a military unit. You can think of me.... as a soldier."
"Terra Branford. I'm also... a soldier."
"Nice to meet you." The Boss said, sitting down on her bed.
"...Have you ever known love?" Terra asked.
"What?!" The Boss asked.
"Have you ever known love? Is it possible for a soldier to fall in love?"
"Of course." said The Boss. "Let me guess, you've had guy troubles?"
"Most men are interested in me for only one of two reasons -- my beauty or my abilities."
The Boss laughed. "Join the club."
Terra half-smiled. "Sometimes I think it's unnatural for me to love. I'm not even completely human, you know? But those children... even though they aren't my own children. I feel like a mother to them. I want to protect them with everything I've got. And if that means using my powers.."
"Don't worry about it." The Boss told her. "I know how you feel. Everyone in my unit, is like a member of my family. In fact, they call the Cobras "Sons of the Boss." I have my own son, you know? Ocelot... he's in the other room. Yeah, I'm a mother. A woman. Not just a soldier. None of us are. None of us should have to be. I get you, kid. Stick with me, and everything'll be alright."
"Thanks." Terra said.
"No problem."
~*Room 306*~
In room 306, both sides were keeping to themselves fairly well. The common room was empty, but it wasn't as if they were all avoiding each other.
On the left side, was Zack and Prinny's room. Zack didn't like having to share his room with this... thing. But he'd live with it for now.
"Dood! Come on, let's do something fun!" Prinny said.
Zack shook his head. It had already given him a headache in the short time they had been there. "Why'd they room me with this penguin."
"Dood! Prinnies aren't penguins, dood! That's totally not cool!"
Again Zack shook his head. He was afraid he'd be there for a long time -- a very long time.
Meanwhile... in the other room.
"So… You like guns?" Soap asked the Chief.
"Yeah."
"And you like… killing bad guys."
"Yeah."
"I guess you don't like small talk, then."
"Nope."
"Good, because neither do I."
"Excellent.