I remember when Cloud Strife made it to Super Smash Bros, even though that was before I started to check out that game.
He is a pretty cool character, but I felt bad for him when he lost his two close friends. If I was there, I would comfort him.
I felt like making this and I based it off a bit of the episode: Mid-Life Crustacean from Spongebob Squarepants. Though I also gave it a bit of originality. So I consider this a combination of parody/originality.
I'll warn you that this may not be entirely accurate to the Final Fantasy and Xenoblade Chronicles franchises, but I tried my best to keep the facts accurate. There might also be a bit of spoilers from those games.
I'm not sure if I'm entirely proud of this, but this is fanfiction, so I don't mind. Though, I'll admit that this was hard to write.
NOTE: A reminder that this takes place in Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS, or as everyone calls it, Sm4sh.
Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: Smash Bros is owned by Nintendo, Bandai Namco, and Sakurai. Final Fantasy is owned by Square Enix.
Cloud Strife was the brand new newcomer to the fourth Super Smash Bros tournament, and it was a pretty big surprise to many of the fighters. Once being a SOLDIER of Shinra, before he fought as a mercenary against that corporation he served once before. He fights with his Buster Sword given by his deceased friend, Zack.
He has faced many dark and traumatizing moments in his life, including the times when he lost two close friends from his worst enemy, Sephiroth. Despite facing hell, he tries to stay strong for his friends.
It was morning at the Smash Mansion, many woke up for breakfast. Cloud slept in, until Tifa Lockhart called him.
"Morning, Cloud." Tifa greeted.
"Morning Tifa," Cloud greeted back, "How are things going?"
"They are running fine," Tifa answered, "How is it in Smash?"
"It's okay, I guess." Cloud asked as he got out of bed, "Tifa, do you think I'm feeling depressed?"
"Well, if you do feel depressed, don't worry. You have friends who care for you, and will try to help you." Tifa replied, "Including me."
"True," Cloud replied.
"Cloud! Breakfast is ready!" Peach exclaimed.
"I'll call you later Tifa," Cloud said as he ended the call and walked out to get breakfast.
Breakfast in the Smash Mansion was served by Peach and Zelda, and it looked delicious. Cloud ate his food slowly while Mario came to greet him.
"Heya, Cloud!" Mario greeted, "How's things going for you at Smash?"
"Fine." Cloud replied, "It's okay so far, though I didn't expect that many fighters to be here."
"You'll get used to it," Mario said as he ate his breakfast. Suddenly, KIrby opened the door and was ready for breakfast.
"(Good morning, Smash Fighters)!" Kirby cheered as Shulk walked by.
"Hey, Kirby! Are you all ready for the big night out tonight?" Shulk asked loudly, agitating Cloud.
"(Yeah, it's gonna rock)!" Kirby called.
"Are you ready to go crazy?" Shulk yelled.
"(I'm already hearing voices!)" Kirby cheered as Cloud became even more agitated.
"Are you ready t-" Shulk replied before Cloud interrupted him angrily.
"WILL YOU TWO SHUT IT?!" Cloud screamed before calming down, but was still agitated, "I'm just going to eat in my room."
Cloud left the table and went into his room, slamming the door. Shulk and Kirby looked at each other in confusion.
"Is he okay?" Shulk asked.
"He's fine," Mario replied, "He's just having a rough day. His life wasn't easy, but he prefers not to speak about it. He wants to keep it quiet."
"(Poor, Cloud)" Kirby felt sorry for the swordsman, "(I wish we could help him,)"
"I think it's best to do it later," Mario reassured, "It might be a better time."
"(I don't like seeing people sadder than sad.)" Kirby frowned, "(How could we help him without making things worse?)"
"I know what to do," Shulk smiled, "Why not let him join our night out together. You told me about it one time I felt upset, and I enjoyed it. If it worked for me, I bet it can work for Cloud."
Later that afternoon, Cloud was resting in his room. After a Smash Bros battle, he was now calm and relaxed, until he heard some voices.
"Whoo! I've been looking forward to this night all week!" Shulk cheered.
"(What do you think we should do first?)" Kirby asked.
"What shouldn't we do first?" Shulk replied, "We're cool, we've got wheels, we're like cinnamon rolls, and the world is our-"
They stop when they realise they are near Cloud's door, and they knock on the door quietly.
"Hey, Cloud. You okay?" Shulk asked as Cloud opened the door.
"I'm fine," Cloud replied, "I wasn't in the mood to get annoyed earlier though."
"(Sorry if we got a bit crazy.)" Kirby apologized. "(To make it up, we want to take you somewhere.)"
"That somewhere is a night out with us!" Shulk beamed.
"So let me get this straight." Cloud said, "You guys are having big plans, and you want me to come with you to a night out?"
"(Of course.)" Kirby answered.
"Do you wanna come with us, Cloud?" Shulk asked
"Oh, that hadn't even crossed my mind. But I guess I'll give it a shot." Cloud replied. "Show up at my room at eight o'clock, alright?"
"I just wanna warn you, Cloud." Shulk smirked, "We're always fashionably late."
8:01 PM
It was now nighttime, and Cloud was waiting for them. They both knocked on the door, and were excited.
"Hey there, Cloud! Are you ready to party?"
"I'm ready." Cloud replied, "What about you two?"
"(Oh, I'm ready to party! Are you ready to party, Shulk?!)" Kirby cheered.
"I'm ready to par-tay! Are you ready to par-tay, Kirby?!" Shulk cheered.
"(I'm ready to party! Are you ready to party?!)"
"I'm ready to party! Are you ready to par-"
"Stop it! Just stop it!" Cloud interrupted. "So, what kind of hot rod will we be cruising in tonight?"
"Only the most powerful chick magnet in town." Shulk grinned. "The Monado Heartbreaker!"
It is later seen that they were riding a bike with two streamers on each handle.
"It's more like a chick repellent." Cloud sighed. "And there's only two seats."
"Calm your swords, Cloud." Shulk reassured. "I modified this little baby myself."
It was revealed that Shulk and Kirby were riding at the front of the bike, while Cloud was in a wagon behind them.
"Are you sure this is what cool people are driving these days?" Cloud asked.
"(Yep!)" Kirby replied.
Suddenly, Bowser flies by with his Koopa Clown Car, with Bowser. Jr riding it.
"Hey, you guys must be lost!" Bowser laughed. "Dumb Drive is around the corner!"
"We're not lost, I've got my compass." Shulk showed them the compass.
"So long, dummies!" Bowser Jr. guffawed as Bowser sped away with the Clown Car.
"(Goodbye, pals!)" Kirby smiled.
"We used to beat people up for saying things like that!" Cloud said in shock. "Everything's all topsy-turvy now."
They pull up to a building that is called "The Wash''.
"Here we are!" Shulk beamed. "The Wash!"
"They sure are giving these clubs some crazy names," Cloud stared at the sign before turning to Shulk and Kirby. "So what now?"
"Just follow our lead, Cloud." Shulk replied. "And, above all, keep it cool."
"Got it." Shulk and Kirby walk away jumping up and down in a goofy way, and Cloud does the same.
"Hello, gang!" Shulk smiled as he opened the door. "Guess who's back!"
"(Let's party!)" Kirby cheered.
"Any port in the store—!" Cloud then realized sometime, "Wait a minute...this is a Laundromat!"
It was revealed that the entire room is a laundry place. Some Smash Fighters were washing their clothing.
Later, all three looked at their reflections in the washer. Shulk and Kirby were cheering, but Cloud stared at it blankly. The washer then stops.
"You guys want another rinse cycle?" Shulk asked, "I'm buying."
"You know, I love staring at delicacies as much as the next guy, but it's just that I thought we'd see more of the nightlife." Cloud replied. "Something that feels a nice and awesome feeling that actually helps, if you know what I mean.
"Oh, I know what you mean, Cloud." Shulk answered. "This is just stop number uno on our night of debauchery!"
"(Debauchery!)" Kirby cheered.
"Debauchery Indeed." Cloud smiled.
Later, they were near the road where all three were picking up trash.
"Debauchery?" Cloud questioned, "I never thought of picking up trash under the highway as hot-blooded, but if it's what the kids are into…"
"So, are you feeling that wild and crazy feeling, Cloud?" Shulk asked.
"Not yet." Cloud replied.
"(Don't worry, you will.)" Kirby beamed.
Later on, all three are in a kiddie swimming pool.
"Are you feeling it now, Cloud?" Shulk asked again.
"I'm feeling a warm spot." Cloud answered.
"(Sorry.)" Kirby squeaked.
They are now seen riding kiddie rides outside the Smash Mall.
"Are you feeling it now, Cloud? Are you feeling it?" Shulk asked again.
"(I'm feeling it, Shulk!)" Kirby replied.
"Kirby, that's not a ride!" Shulk exclaimed.
It is revealed that Kirby is riding on Sonic's back.
"Um, I'm not a riding machine you know." Sonic groaned.
Later, they were getting their teeth pulled at the dentist. Shulk kept asking him the same thing.
"Are you feeling it now, Cloud?"
They are now redoing a roof.
"Are you feeling it now, Cloud?"
They are now dressed in costumes playing Dungeons and Dragons.
"Art thou feeling it now, Cloud?"
They are now in the library.
"You're feeling it now, Cloud?"
"Shhh!" Female Robin shushed.
Now they are in a place called "Bunny Buns," an area for kids to play in.
"How about now? Can you feel it, Cloud?" Shulk asked as the Smash kids in the room ran around Cloud, who was wearing a hat that connected the kids on it. He was wearing clown make-up on his face.
"Can you feel it, Mr. Cloud? Can you feel it, Mr. Cloud? CaN yOu fFeL iT, Mr. ClOuD?"
The Smash Kids saying that phrase over and over again angered Cloud.
"So, you wanna know if I can "feel" it?" Cloud asked, trying to hold in the anger.
"Yeah!" Shulk and Kirby cheered.
"Do you really wanna know if I can "feel" it?" Cloud asked again, louder.
"Yeah, yeah!" Both cheered again.
"Because I can feel it!" Cloud replied, with his eye twitching. "You wanna know what I'm feeling?!"
"Yes!" Both answered in a singsong voice, before Cloud lost it.
"I'M FEELING LIKE A TOTAL CHOCOBO HEAD!" Cloud screamed as he swung the screaming Smash Kids around and around until they flew off his hat and crashed somewhere. "YOU THINK THIS IS COOL?! HOW ABOUT THIS!"
Cloud swings his sword, chopping the animatronic bunny head off and he crushes it with his sword.
"AND THIS?! AM I WITH IT NOW?! YOU GUYS WOULDN'T KNOW A GOOD TIME IF IT BIT YOU IN THE LAST END!"
Cloud left the building angrily.
"I'm going back to the mansion!" You guys aren't cool! You're LAME!"
"L-Lame?!" Shulk gasped.
"Lame!" Cloud yelled, "You're nerds! Geeks! Creeps! And babies!"
"Not babies!" Shulk and Kirby whimpered as they sucked their thumbs.
"You guys were saying that this would help me, when in reality, it didn't! So good night to you!" Cloud yelled as he stormed off to the Smash Mansion angrily. Shulk and Kirby stared at him, feeling guilty. They both ran inside to try to help him.
'W-wait, Cloud!" Shulk replied, "Don't-"
Before Shulk could continue, Cloud slammed the door and locked it. Mario heard the noise and walked nearby.
"Whoa! What was that all about?" Mario asked.
Shulk and Kirby stared at each other in guilt before they looked at Mario.
"We tried to cheer up the newcomer, Cloud." Shulk replied, "We thought our nights out could help him. But it didn't help, it just made it worse."
"Well I'm glad you tried to help," Mario said, "But trying to take him on your night out wasn't a good idea. You could've done something different."
"(I thought It would work for him,)" Kirby frowned.
"Not everything will work for everyone," Mario continued. "We can't expect it to always work."
"He has a point," Shulk agreed as he felt more guilty. "He must be even more unhappy."
"(What could we do to actually help him though?")" Kirby asked, "(We want a solution that actually helps him.)"
"I don't think he is in the mood to talk about it." Mario replied as he grabbed some Hot Chocolate he made himself.
Shulk sighed sadly, and he and Kirby walked away.
The next day, it was snowing outside, and Cloud was sitting near a tree. He was angry and upset after what happened, and he felt like staying away from everyone.
Shulk and Kirby were walking nearby him slowly, and their faces looked upset with guilt.
"Hey, Cloud?" Shulk asked.
Cloud stayed silent and looked away from them in anger.
"We wanted to say that we are sorry." Shulk continued. "We didn't expect you to become upset."
"(We wanted to help,)" Kirby sniffled, "(But all we did was make it worse, and we want to apologize for making you feel that way.)"
Cloud turned to them to see how sorry they were.
"We understand if you don't forgive us." Shulk replied.
"I know you guys were trying to help, and I'm proud that you at least tried." Cloud said. "But why did you want to help me anyway?"
"Because that's what friends do for each other." Shulk smiled. "They help comfort someone who is sad."
Cloud looked at them before he started to tear up.
"Sorry if I'm getting a bit emotional here," Cloud sniffled. "You guys reminded me of an old friend I lost a long time ago."
"Who was that friend?" Shulk asked kindly.
"His name was Zack," Cloud replied. "He was a great friend that would help along with my adventures."
"(W-what happened to him?)" Kirby asked tearfully.
"When we were heading to Midgar to reunite with Aerith," Cloud sniffled harder. "The Shinra army ambushed him, and he… he didn't make it out alive."
Shulk felt sorry for the swordsman.
"He gave me the Buster Sword that I continue to use." Cloud showed the Buster Sword he got. "I continue to promise to fight for him and Aerith. The reason I kept this quiet is because I didn't want to overwhelm everyone."
Shulk put a comforting hand on his shoulder as Cloud buried his face on his arms and started to sob quietly.
"I'm sorry you lost him," Shulk comforted. "I know how it feels to lose someone close. I lost close friends as well, for me, it was Dickson."
"(For me, I lost Robobot.)" Kirby whimpered, "(He was a close friend like you were with Zack.)"
"You're not the only one to lose someone close," Shulk replied. "Losing someone close isn't a good thing, and I understand how it feels. But don't worry, you've got friends who will be by your side to comfort you when you lose someone close."
"(And trust us,)" Kirby beamed, "(We're glad to help.)"
Cloud looked at them for a little bit and smiled happily.
"Thank you, guys." Cloud thanked, happy that his friends in Smash Bros truly cared for him like his friends in his world, as well as Zack and Aeirth. He suddenly felt some small arms hug him, and he saw it was Kirby.
"(Group hug?)" Kirby asked.
"I guess I'll join in." Cloud smiled as the three joined in a group hug.
Mario was walking outside and saw them in the group hug. He smiled happily, seeing that they were able to help him after what happened yesterday.
"I'm proud of you two." Mario thought as he walked away.
This took months to write because I was mostly focusing on other stories and oneshots, but at least I got this done.
I'm glad that I at least finished this, because this was kind of hard to make. I didn't know too much about Final Fantasy VII/Crisis Core or Xenoblade Chronicles, so I had to use the internet. It may not be entirely accurate, but at least I've tried.
Thank you all for reading this, and if you enjoyed this, give it a follow and favorite. And if you're up for more stories, favorite and follow me so you can see more of them! Also, feel free to leave a review, as long as it isn't negative, but constructive criticism is fine.
Until next time, see ya!