"He can't be serious, right?" Cloud had heard the news his little birds brought him.

All of them described a Soldier, First Class, with spiked black hair. Going around openly challenging Fenrir to a duel.

This had to be a set up.

It had to be.

Since he caught a Turk capture his photograph and managed to slip away, Cloud expected something big. But this? This was absurd.

He moved out of Sector 7 and made his way to Sector 6. Although he hated the change of scenery, his distaste for Wall Market ran deep, but he had several eyes here. And although he didn't like to use Don Corneo, he could send him after anyone sniffing around.

After a few days, word spread like wildfire of the challenge.

And then it was on the news.

Cloud heard it over the radio. He did a double take upon hearing Zack's voice. Nothing about him has changed.

"Yeah, I went around under the plate proclaiming my challenge. But when I heard nothing, I decided to try the whole media. Who knows where this Fenrir lives? So, I challenge him again. One on one, no tricks, no traps, just an interested party against this legendary man that's been the talk of the Slums."

Yeah, right.

Cloud trusted Zack. Just not the company he represented. This was definitely a set up. Besides, he wasn't interested.

After a month of silence on his end, Cloud awoke to another surprise. Apparently Zack's declaration caught major attention. And now Commander Genesis had his own public announcement.

"I thought the puppy was being funny. Until I began to dig into the reports about this Fenrir. Apparently he's good. I thought, why not a friendly spar? So now it's my turn to announce that I would like to challenge Fenrir. One on one."

On the screen was a number to call to set an arrangement. Cloud crossed his arms. He can understand Zack being pulled into this mess. But Genesis? He wouldn't cooperate with the Turks.

Unless he followed Zack's example out of pure curiosity and did this of his own accord. That Cloud could believe. He frowned that something still bugged him.

Shouldn't Genesis be AWOL by now?

Events weren't taking place. Was this all a ripple effect to his decision to walk out? Cloud wished he could ask someone. But he couldn't recall where she stayed. She would have a better understanding of the planet and the changes he caused.

Cloud had tried to keep an eye out for her. But each time he searched for a pink dress, he met a different face. And he grew frustrated over time.

"Someone is sour. So why haven't you taken up these challenges?" Andrea wondered.

"Even a blind man can see these are set ups to capture me." Cloud almost rolled his eyes.

He had taken to laying low. And although Cloud hated the memories associated with the Honey Bee Inn, he decided it was best to be a dancer. It would keep him in shape while he remained idle of his usual mercenary duties.

"But wouldn't it be fun to go toe to toe with Commander Genesis Rhapsodos? Such a beauty, wasted on the battlefield." Andrea chuckled at his own observation.

"He's too chaotic. Prone to anger and heavily uses materia. All I would be doing is deflecting his magic and whatever summons he decides to throw at me." Cloud knew the man loved using his summons often.

"And what will you do if the general himself decides to take the stand and challenge you?"

"Why would he do that?" Cloud turned to Andrea with a raised eyebrow.

"You've ignored his lieutenant. And now you plan to ignore his Commander. This will of course gain his attention. He will read you as either a coward, or you view yourself too good to fight either of his best men."

"Yeah, right." This time he did roll his eyes.

A month later Cloud would eat his own words. He had just finished a routine dance when Andrea pulled him along.

"What's going on?" Cloud sensed the urgency.

"You need to see this." Andrea didn't say anything more on the matter, only bringing him to a television.

And there was General Sephiroth.

"So you're saying you're challenging Fenrir to a one on one fight?" The reporter asked.

"Yes. He has disregarded my friend Zack. And further disgraced Genesis by ignoring his challenge. I believe it is time I take matters into my own hands. This time, I won't offer a phone number. Just a vague location. A warehouse, this Friday night."

Those eyes turned to the camera. And Cloud felt his hair stand on end. It was as if he was staring right at him through the screen.

"It makes me wonder if he's a coward. Or perhaps he sees himself too good to fight Shinra? If he's a Soldier turned rogue, then shouldn't he uphold his honor? It's merely a friendly fight. A test to one's strength."

"Is there any plans should Fenrir actually show up?"

"No. I just want to fight. And maybe talk. Get a better idea if whatever wrong had been done can be held accounted for."

What the hell did he mean by that? Cloud was close to a full on panic attack. It was if Sephiroth was trying to talk to him through the screen. As if he stood there in front of him.

"Don't disappoint me." Sephiroth stated before turning away, apparently done with the interview.

"See, I told you." Andrea watched Cloud as he snapped out of his thoughts.

"I'm going to take my leave. I'll be in touch." He promised, taking to his room to change out of costume.

"Good luck! Be sure he doesn't capture you. I would surely mess my favorite canvas."

He exited the Honey Bee Inn in his dark outfit and sword on his back. Cloud was quick to check into his network. They were all going crazy. An open challenge from the General Sephiroth.

Cloud set what few people under his secrecy on topside to work. Within twelve hours they got a lead. A warehouse in Sector 5, suddenly scheduled to be cleared for a whole evening this Friday.

Sephiroth was serious.

And so were the Turks, arranging this.

For the first time Cloud felt apprehension. A part of him wanted to test himself. But something told him he would literally be walking into a trap.

Cloud got his hands on blueprints of the warehouse. It seemed simple enough. He memorized all possible exits. It seemed he would have an advantage, when there was a second floor that had complete view of the ground floor. And many places to hide.

But he couldn't shake this feeling. This screamed trap. All of it.

Yet he couldn't shake the image of Sephiroth, looking at the camera, as if personally challenging him in person. Even went so far to say he better not disappoint him.

Cloud couldn't help the racing thoughts. They never met. Never talked. They only met in passing, and no words were exchanged.

And yet Sephiroth made the challenge personal.

Why?

For a few days Cloud spent figuring this out. In the end it only drove him worse. He was plagued with nightmares he had long put behind him. He wasted time planning for escapes.

He thought of running.

It would be so easy. A whole world out there. Maybe he could meet some of the faces he knew only in dreams.

And then do what?

He didn't know. It's not like he could walk up to them and explain he had dreams of their adventures in the future. Either he would be looked at like he was crazy or try to kill him for talking nonsense.

Then what of Sephiroth?

And yet it was against his nature when it came to Sephiroth. Even now, he couldn't ignore the magnetic pull. The need to see for himself. To see Sephiroth in person.

To see what he knows.

Decision made, Cloud decided it wouldn't hurt to have a look. One look, then high tail out of there. Whether he actually will fight Sephiroth, he wasn't sure.

He went over his plans carefully hours before the fated evening. Cloud had made his way topside that afternoon and found himself a spot to lay low. Once again he went over the blueprints just to double check.

Nervousness crept on him. His stomach turned. Cloud focused on breathing exercises. Although it helped his nerves, it did nothing with his thoughts.

His endless questions that plagued him.

Why would Sephiroth go out of his way to do all of this? Why would he make it personal? What did he know? Did he remember, too?

That thought horrified him.

Cloud did his best not to go down that rabbit hole. Instead he opted to wonder how the fight would go down. He quickly put a stop to those thoughts as well.

He needed to stay focused. Take a peak, see if he can learn anything, then make a very quick escape and hope he can make it out of the city alive. And if he couldn't learn anything then there was no harm to just leave and live another day.

As the night took hold of the sky, Cloud decided it was time to make his way. It would be better to sneak his way into the warehouse and wait for Sephiroth. If he took too long then he would definitely be noticed.

Cloud climbed into the window. He was surprised at the lack of security running the place. He didn't trust it, not one bit.

Nearly an hour later, just when he thought it wouldn't happen, the doors to the main entrance opened. The sound nearly startled him. Cloud pressed himself against some crates as he cautiously looked.

Sephiroth was alone.

Cloud frowned. This really meant to be one on one? Then why did it still feel like a trap?

"I'm here, Fenrir." Sephiroth spoke, glancing around the whole warehouse.

Cloud felt his heart race. This was too much. How would he know that he made it inside? Were there cameras he missed? He made sure to avoid being seen by them.

After a long pause Sephiroth sighed.

"Maybe he hasn't come, yet." He said to himself.

And the blond relaxed. Maybe he didn't mess this up yet. He focused on his breathing. Cloud did his best not to make a sound as he did so. He checked Sephiroth again, who remained where he was, arms crossed.

He seemed almost bored.

Cloud was so taken aback he didn't know what to think. He was so used to the dreams, the nightmares, that seeing this man unlike what the nightmares portrayed him as was strange to him.

He had to remind himself that events hadn't happened yet. Although it should be close to the breaking point. The point of no return.

Cloud nearly gasped at being so close to him. It must have been loud enough for him to hear. Sephiroth turned with sudden interest at the direction. Cloud felt his heart race at the sight of that smirk.

"I know you're here. Well, why hesitate? Come down here." Sephiroth challenged calmly.

"...You alone?" He asked, silently cursing himself at the shaking in his voice.

"I hold my honor as general. I am alone."

Cloud breathed in. When he exhaled, he leaped over the crates with ease. He stuck the landing, some seven feet away from Sephiroth. To his surprise the general remained still to allow him to stand.

"It's good to finally see you." Sephiroth smirked, eyes burning with something Cloud wasn't sure what it was.

Was it just him, or was that desire? No, couldn't be. He shook his thoughts aside. He was getting distracted.

"What do you want?" He hardened his gaze.

"Only to see the mysterious mercenary taking the Slums by storm. And see what he's made of. After all, you did dishonor my friends by ignoring their challenges."

Cloud glared. He had every reason not to answer their obvious traps. And yet he allowed himself to walk straight into this one.

"Sorry, but I'm not here to fight. Just answers." He stated firmly.

Before Sephiroth could reply, helicopters were swarmed all around outside. There was movement all around and Cloud scowled.

"You said you were alone!" He snarled.

"I was. I told Tseng not to make any moves." Sephiroth frowned.

Cloud bolted as the Turks barged inside.