Cloud's Strength Test- Cavern
"This is a battle. You must defeat the monster you are fighting against. If you are defeated you fail." Quistis warned.
Cloud smiled.
"Here's our monster!" Quistis announced.
A red dragon came rumbling through the wall…
The red dragon was a monster with 9999 HP with fierce claws and powerful magic. Its element was fire. This creature could easily barbecue Cloud.
Okay…don't panic…what do I have as armour? Cloud
checked his handbag. A Fire Ring…that should help me a bit…and my Aurora
Armlet. With my Restore, Shiva, Ice, Odin, Kjata and Barrier materia that should help me.
The dragon came towards Cloud with roar. Cloud braced himself gripping the Ragnarok in his hand. There was a clash as man and beast collided. They was a struggle…and then Clash!
Claw and sword met.
Cloud jumped into the air and pulled out a materia.
Shiva appeared holding in her hand a wave of powerful energy. The energy in her hand condensed to a huge wave of ice and snow. Shiva spun around hurling the energy into the Red Dragon.
The Red Dragon roared and charged towards Cloud. It rammed into Cloud's chest with high impact.
Cloud lay on the ground in critical condition. He drew out another materia.
Cloud slowly got up from where he was sitting. His Limit was reaching its peak. He just had to hang in there.
The Red Dragon used its Fire Breath but Cloud's Fire ring absorbed it.
The Dragon roared as it trumpeted its rage as a huge claw came and slashed Cloud across the chest.
Cloud fell gripping his chest in pain. Again he cast Cure3 on himself.
Then he realized…
His limit was at its peak!
He gathered his strength and stood up.
Meteorain!!!
Cloud spun his sword in a perfect circle and leaped in the air. A dozen meteors came crashing down on the dragon inflicting infinite energy.
The dragon roared once.
Then fell dead.
Cloud breathed heavily. He had won.
"Great job Cloud. That was a wonderful job you did out there in the field. You can see your score on the bulletin board." Quistis announced.
Cloud breathed heavily then left the caverns.
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Aeris and Tifa's Strength Test- Caverns
"Eyaaaaggggghhhhh!" screamed Tifa.
Aeris used her cover materia to block Tifa from the Red Dragon's slash.
"Aeris!" cried Tifa. "Are you alright?"
Aeris lay on the ground gripping her chest in pain. Tifa grabbed her materia and chanted
Aeris got up and stood in her battle stance. Gripping her staff, she swung and hit the Red Dragon with all her might. She inflicted critical damage on the monster as it roared in pain.
Tifa jumped into the air and jump kicked the Red Dragon 4 times using her Double-cut Materia.
The monster fell to the ground and slowly rose to its feet.
It opened its jaws and breathed.
Flames surrounded Aeris and Tifa as they both fell to the ground. The flames had inflicted maximum damage leaving only 1HP to both girls. The situation looked for the worse for both of them. But then they realized…
Both Aeris and Tifa's Limit Breaks were now at their peaks.
Aeris cried.
Great Gospel.
Four angels came from the skies and Full cured the girls. As well as healing them, the angels cast an invisible shield that would protect them from any attack.
Tifa stood up and used her Limit attack!
Somersault!
The Dragon roared in pain.
MeteoDrive!
The Dragon fell dead.
Both girls breathed a sigh of relief before hobbling towards Quistis.
"Well done girls. One of the best strategies I have ever encountered. You may leave now." Quistis applauded.
Aeris and Tifa high fived each other triumphantly and left the caverns.
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Zack's Strength Test- Caverns
"Eyaghhhhh! This thing is huge!" exclaimed Zack staring at the Red Dragon.
He gripped his sword readily.
I can handle this…now this monster's element is fire…so water and ice must be its weaknesses he analysed.
Zack jumped up in the air and slashed the Dragon with a powerful blow. The Dragon trumpeted its rage and opened it mouth to use its fire breath.
Oh no...I'll be toast…thought Zack. What
fights Fire…Water!
Zack leaped high in the air to avoid the attack! Then he dug in his bag while still in the air and cried out…
Leviathan slithered towards the Red Dragon and glared. As the Red Dragon exhaled its flames Leviathan exhaled its water breath.
Fire and Water met.
At a point it seemed that no one would victor as both sides continued to fight. But then Water beat Fire and the Dragon's Breath was extinguished.
Zack readied his sword then gathered his energy…
He slashed the Dragon on the head with critical damage!
The Dragon fell dead.
"That was wonderful Zack! Now go back to the Garden and see your marks." Said Quistis.
Zack marched triumphantly out of the caves.
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Balamb Garden- Bulletin Board
"That was a hard one. I hope we did okay…"said Tifa turning to Aeris.
"Yeah I know." replied Aeris.
Quistis walked up to the bulletin board and placed the scores on the board.
TEST SCORES- STRENGTH
Aeris Gainsborough and Tifa Lockhart 20/20
Cloud Strife 20/20
Zack Tribal 20/20
TEST SCORES SO FAR
Tifa Lockhart and Aeris Gainsborough 40/40
Cloud Strife 40/40
Zack Tribal 20/40
"Yes!!!!" Zack, Cloud, Aeris and Tifa cried in unison.
"Now it's the harder one…the test of heart. This will be done differently then the other tests. You will all be transported to a cavern full of obstacles, monsters and a mission. At the end of the mission you will encounter an enemy. To pass the test you must demonstrate a true action of the heart…" Quistis explained.
"What kind of mission?" asked Aeris.
"You will need to travel in the caves and find the Heartarian Stone. A stone that possesses powerful magic." explained Quistis.
"Are you coming with us?" asked Tifa.
"No.." said Quistis sadly. " I will be watching from the cameras inside the cave which allow me to see you from the Garden. But you must be careful. The most important thing is to demonstrate heart but also to come out alive…"
The four young Soldiers in training stood there in shock.
They might not come out alive??