The Challenge
Cloud entered Seventh Heaven and opened the box that stood in his and Tifa's bedroom. He reached in it and pulled Tifa's Premium Heart out, followed by his Ultimate Weapon. He strapped the huge sword to the sheath on his back and made his way down the stairs to the Highwind. Tifa greeted him with a smile and strapped her gloves on. "Cid's waiting in the Highwind. We better hurry, or he'll curse at us again." Tifa informed Cloud. "Yeah, you may be right." Cloud chuckled, ignoring the slight sting of pain that came from his wound when he did so. "C'mon Tiff, let's go." He took Tifas hand, and the two walked on to the Highwind.
While Cid flew the huge airship to Cosmo Canyon, Tifa called up Reeve, Vincent (it was rather hard to reach him, but Tifa did it) and – after a short argument with Cloud – Yuffie. "You really think it is a good idea?" Cloud asked her about calling the ninja. "Cloud, you asked me that question the millionth time now, and I will tell you the millionth time: yes, it is a good idea. Yuffie is a good fighter, and we don't have any materia she could steal." "Okay you win." Cloud sighed. He unconsciously rubbed his abdomen, and Tifa noticed. "Does it hurt?" she asked gently. "Yeah, a little bit. But I'll live." Cloud grinned. "You better do." Tifa whispered and gently kissed him on the lips. "Watch out guys!" Cid yelled from the steering. "We are landing!" The airship landed with a soft *thud* noise, and the three climbed out of it and made their way to Red's house.
Red was pacing up and down in his room when Cloud, Tifa and Cid entered. "Hey Red, what's up?" Cloud asked, curious about the obvious nervousness of his animal friend. "I have to tell you something." Red answered. "About...that guy who attacked you and Tifa, Cloud." "Really? What do you know about him?" Tifa asked. Red inhaled a very deep breath before he started to talk. "I am not really sure if it's the person I think, but it seems so. See, after we destroyed ShinRa, a lot of people were without work. Almost all of them decided to go on with their lives, but one person didn't." "And so he decided to attack the people that destroyed his work and career at ShinRa." Cloud added. "That's right, my friend." Red looked at Cloud and gave him what seemed to be a smile. "The mans name is Kevin Dexter. He was a ShinRa security employee. He knows how to handle a gun" – Cloud looked at his abdomen meaningful – "and he's a good martial artist." "Just one question." Cid interrupted the elder. "Why do you know so much about that $&%§ guy?" Red thought for a moment, before he slowly answered: "He was here and told me what he wanted to do."
"What?" Tifa called out. "You knew about him and didn't inform us? Cloud could be dead now, do you know that?" "Yes, and I'm very sorry for the pain I caused you and your partner." Red apologised. "But Kevin seemed so full of rage that I though he would calm down soon and give up his insane plan." "Apparently he didn't." Cid said. Cloud put one hand on Tifas shoulder to calm her down. "Don't blame Red, Tifa." he begged her. "He didn't know what was going to happen." "You are right. Sorry Red." "It's okay." Red smiled at Tifa and wagged his tail aroung, almost setting Cid on fire. "Hey!" the pilot cried out. "Watch out what yer doin' with that @&§$% tail of yours!" Red hung his head low in embarrassment, and Cloud and Tifa burst into laughter.
Yuffie Kisaragi was busy with training her ninja-skills when suddenly her cell phone rang, with the original ringtone "The Real Slim Shady". "Crap!" Yuffie cursed. "Why is this phone always ringing when I'm a) in the shower or b) out in the garden training?" She ran into the house as quickly as she could, grabbed the phone from the small desk standing next to the door and answered it. "This is Yuffie K. speaking, and who the fuck are you?" "Yes, I also wish you a good day." Cloud replied angrily. Yuffie blushed slightly. "Hi Cloud. What's up?" "Tifa told you about that guy who attacked us, didn't she?" Cloud asked. "Yeah, Spike, she did. Why? Anything new?" "Yeah...well at least we know his name. Kevin Dexter." Yuffie gasped at the mention of the guys name. "Yuffie? You alright?" Cloud asked concerned. When Yuffie didn't answer, Cloud suddenly grew a bad feeling. "Yuffie? Yuffie! You there? Answer me!" Suddenly Cloud got his answer, but it was not what he had hoped to hear. "Hello Strife." Kevin Dexter said.
"Dexter!" Cloud called out in shock. Tifa looked up from the newspaper she had been reading and stared at Cloud with wide eyes. "I see you know my name, Strife. Too bad it won't help your little ninja brat to survive." Dexter chuckled, and Yuffie could be heard cursing in the background: "Set me free immediately! Dammit, open that cage!" "Dream on, brat." Dexter answered before talking to Cloud again. "So, Strife, I'll give you a chance to save your little friend here. If you are here in at less than 30 minutes, I'll still be there. You'll battle me, and if you win I'll let Yuffie live and tell you were you find Marlene. Deal?" "Deal." Cloud answered coldly. "See you in Wutai, sucker." And with that, Dexter hung up the phone.
"Cloud, are you nuts?" Tifa yelled at her boyfriend. "You can't fight him! You're hurt! Maybe he'll kill you!" "I have no choice, Tifa." Cloud answered, trying to calm her down. "If I don't fight him, he'll kill Yuffie and maybe even Marlene." "And if you do fight him, he'll kill you!" Tears welled up in Tifas eyes, and a sob escaped her lips. "Cloud, please don't do this! You are hurt, and I...I don't want to loose you." Cloud hugged his girlfriend tightly. "You won't, Tifa. Don't worry." he whispered to her. Tifa cried on, her face buried into his broad chest. "I love you." she managed to say between two sobs. "I love you too." Cloud answered gently. The Highwind landed in front of Wutai, and Cloud prepared for the fight with Kevin Dexter.