-1Life as a SOLDIER
Disclaimer: …
A/N: I be bored too…. At least this fanfic give me something exciting to do. WHEEE! ahem Let's begin.
Chapter Three: The Finishing Move of Doom!
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Cloud was sleeping in his room when Zack came in at about 6:58 AM. "Cloud?" asked Zack, coming closer. "Cloud?"
Cloud groaned, and rolled over. "Turn that light off…"
"That light would be the sun coming in through the window. I'll close the curtain if you like."
"Do that…and get out of my room…"
Zack was about to close the curtain, but stopped. "Wait, I'm supposed to wake you up!" Zack opened the curtain even wider, and strode over to Cloud's bed. "Cloud! If you don't wake up when it'd 7:00, I'll get a cold bucket of water and pour it on you!"
"No!" said Cloud, putting a pillow over his head.
Zack threw the covers off. "Come on, rise and shine, spikey!"
"Spikey?" asked Cloud, reaching for the blanket even though it wasn't there.
"Yeah, after that cute Chocobo yesterday! Remember, the one with those huge blue eyes that were exactly like yours?"
"You mean the Chocobo with the chicken legs that chased me and pecked my face?"
"That same one!" said Zack cheerfully, folding the blanket and tossing it in a corner. "It's gonna be your code name too!"
"Wouldn't that be kinda obvious?" asked Cloud, glaring at Zack with one eye. "As far as I can tell, I'm the only SOLDIER with spikey hair."
"There are a few others," said Zack taking the pillow away from Cloud.
"No…" whined Cloud, placing his face onto the bed.
Zack tossed the pillow into the corner too and dusted his hands off. "Come on, Cloud, you have a meeting with Sephiroth at 7:30 sharp this morning!"
The word "Sephiroth" must have jolted Cloud awake, he shot up, and yawned. "Oh… That's right, I asked you to wake me up at 7:00..."
"So here I am!" agreed Zack. "Glad you're awake!"
"What's to eat?" asked Cloud groggily, wiping his eyes.
"Uh, nothing, they don't serve breakfast this early on a Saturday."
"What?"
"But I brought you something!" said Zack cheerfully, bringing out a small chocolate bar. "Here, eat up!"
"Ooh!" said Cloud excitedly. "Where did you get this?"
"You're backpack," answered Zack with a gesture to an upside-down backpack on the ground.
"Aah! What did you do to it! Why is everything dumped out?"
"I smelt chocolate so I decided to go find it. We're not allowed to have snacks."
"We're not? But, all those snacks in your room…?"
"I… have special privileges," said Zack carefully, tossing to Cloud the chocolate bar.
Cloud caught it and sighed. "Whatever you say," he said, opening the chocolate bar.
"Oh, by the way, I got some info on Sephiroth you'll find useful!" said Zack. "Here, read this!"
Zack held out a paper with a picture of Sephiroth on it. Cloud took it and read it one-handed.
Sephiroth:
The One-Winged angel who needs little introduction. He wields
the legendary blade Masamune, a katana so long that it is rumored
that only he could wield it.
Cloud raised an eyebrow. "One winged angel?" he asked.
"I bet it's a fake!" said Zack. "I mean, no one's ever seen Sephiroth's wing…"
"And his sword is called Masamune? That's a nice name…"
"Hmm-hmm," agreed Zack, nodding.
Cloud polished off the rest of the chocolate bar, and put the paper down on the table. "Where'd you get that footage, anyway?" asked Cloud, pointing at the picture of Sephiroth.
"Oh…uh, got it from the private folders of the sachoo," answered Zack with a carefree wave of his arm. "I'm a good hacker."
"Okay…" Cloud stood up off the bed, and looked out the window. "…"
"What?" asked Zack.
"Well… I guess I'd better get going," Cloud said, and he walked out of the room.
"Don't worry!" called Zack. "You'll be fine!" Cloud muttered something indistinct and disappeared down the stairs. Zack glanced at his laptop. "…you'll be just fine."
With Cloud…
Cloud walked down the stairs as quickly as he could, but it was still a long way to go. By the time he got to the door to Sephiroth's room, it was 7:26 AM. I hope he doesn't mind that I'm slightly early, thought Cloud as he opened the door. He was surprised to see that two potted trees stood on either side of the doorway. A pair of leather boots sat beside the small set of stairs leading up to a small living room. The living room looked comfy enough, with a small sofa and a recliner, a table in the center of the room, and a rug leading to a balcony, where Sephiroth was standing now.
Wow, Cloud thought in awe. This certainly is a comfy room… I wouldn't mind living here… Cloud looked down at the leather boots, and saw a pair of light blue fluffy slippers with "For Visitors" labeled over it. I suppose I'm supposed to wear those… Cloud took his own boots off, and slipped on the fluffy light blue slippers. I'll just take a seat and wait for him to talk, decided Cloud, heading for the sofa. "AH-CHOO!" yelled Cloud suddenly.
Sephiroth jumped and reacted almost immediately; he unsheathed his katana and charged at Cloud, stabbing the shoulder blade, pinning Cloud to the wall. "Are you suicidal!" hissed Sephiroth, glaring down at this visitor.
"I-I-I'm sorry!" stammered Cloud. "I didn't mean to surprise you!"
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes. "Ah… it's you." Sephiroth unstuck his Masamune from the wall.
"That--That was brilliant aim," said Cloud, indicating the fact that the katana missed Cloud by an inch.
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?" he asked, sheathing the Masamune. "I missed." He turned around and sat down on the sofa.
Cloud stood stunned for a second, and hurried to sit down, looking down at his own hands anxiously. Oh, my… he's still a bit scary…
Sephiroth leaned back casually in his chair. "So," he started, "who are you?"
"…my name is Cloud Strife," said Cloud to his hands.
"Cloud Strife?" repeated Sephiroth. He eyed Cloud. "You don't look like the usual build for a SOLDIER… You sure you came to the right place?"
"I--I came here to become stronger," said Cloud. "I--I promised a friend of mine that I'd become stronger…"
"A girl friend or a boy friend?" asked Sephiroth.
"A--A girl, her name's Tifa…she's a good friend of mine…"
"Tifa…" repeated Sephiroth. "She's a good friend?"
"Yes, the best…"
There was a small silence between the two of them.
"What's the matter?" asked Sephiroth. "Moogle got your tongue?"
Cloud didn't answer.
Sephiroth sighed, stood up, and strode over to Cloud, standing in front of him. "What's wrong, why won't you look up at me?" asked Sephiroth, taking Cloud's face by his hand and making Cloud look up at him.
Thought Cloud as he looked up at Sephiroth's green eyes. He--he just…!
Sephiroth released Cloud and paced back a few feet. "I want you to talk to me now, and do make sure to look at me in the eyes when you talk."
Cloud continued to stare in shock at Sephiroth. He--he wants me to talk…! What--What should I say?
"Well?" asked Sephiroth.
"Uh… the weathers beautiful today--" Cloud cut himself off. Oh, no, the weather… I commented on the weather…!
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes. "What was that?"
"Uh… You--You any good with that Masamune?" asked Cloud before he could stop himself. Oh, no, I wasn't supposed to ask about his weapon either…!
"My Masamune?" asked Sephiroth. "You want to find out? I could challenge you to a fight right now if you like."
"Uh---no--no, no thank you!" stammered Cloud.
"Why not?" asked Sephiroth. "I insist, I love challenging newbies to fights. Come on, I promise to go easy on you," said Sephiroth with something like a teasing gleam in his eyes.
Cloud hesitated. Zack said he only challenges people when he's feeling particularly murderous… But, I can't decline now… I'll just do my best… "O-Okay, Sephiroth, I'll fight you…"
"That's the spirit!" said Sephiroth happily, turning around and heading for the door. "Come on, I'll wait for you at the fighting hall." Sephiroth took off his own slippers (fuzzy silver ones) and changed into his leather ones. "Hurry up." Sephiroth took off towards the dueling hall.
Cloud sat there for a few seconds. Why--Why do I feel so flustered…! thought Cloud to himself, putting a hand on his face and shaking his head. It--It meant nothing…! I have to go now! Cloud stood up, took the fuzzy light blue slippers off, put his boots back on, and hurried out the door.
A few minutes later, Cloud made it to the dueling room. "Ah, so you're here! I thought you wouldn't show!" Sephiroth looked pleased. "That's good! Let's fight now!"
Up with Zack…
Zack, who went back to his own room, was watching the progress Cloud was making. "…!" said Zack suddenly, sitting up. "What's this…! Sephiroth challenged Cloud to a fight… and… he…accepted…!"
"What's wrong?" asked another SOLDIER who was with Zack in the room, along with the other SOLDIER. "Cloud's gonna fight Sephiroth, so what?"
"So what!" repeated Zack. "Sephiroth is gonna maul Cloud!"
"Really?" asked the other SOLDIER. Both he and his companion crowded over Zack's shoulder. "Sweet, watch this battle!"
This is bad…! thought Zack. He narrowed his eyes. But my orders are direct… Sachoo wants me to see if it works…So… Zack clicked up the "programs" file, and went to Cloud's programming. Sorry, buddy, but it has to be done!
"Ooh, what program are you gonna use?" asked one SOLDIER.
"I'm going to use… the… BESERK!" yelled Zack, typing in huge font "berserk" on Cloud's programming three times in a row.
With Cloud…
Cloud flew through the air and hit the wall and landed with a thud on the ground. "Ouchie…" he gasped, sitting up.
"What, is that all you got?" asked Sephiroth. "You're pathetic!"
Cloud stood up shakily, and was about to drop his sword in defeat when suddenly… Cloud glared up at Sephiroth with a dark-green evil-ish glare.
"…" went Sephiroth, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
Cloud held his sword up, and jumped high into the air, waving his sword around a few times.
Sephiroth looked up at Cloud suspiciously.
With Zack…
"Zack!" exclaimed one SOLDIER. "That program hasn't been tested yet!"
"What?" asked Zack. "But, I thought… Sachoo said…! Oh, no!" Zack glanced back at the visual. "What'll happen now!"
"No idea, but Cloud looks ready to kill…" said the other SOLDIER quietly. "Look at Cloud's eyes!"
"They're evil looking," agreed the other SOLDIER.
"Oh, my god!" exclaimed Zack, running a hand through his hair. "I've made Cloud possessed! I have to undo this before anything serious happens…!"
"Too late," said the other SOLDIER, pointing to the screen.
With Cloud…
Sephiroth looked up at Cloud. What is he doing…?
He didn't need to wait long for the answer; Cloud suddenly charged down at Sephiroth, catching the silver-haired SOLDIER off guard. Sephiroth hit the wall, and recovered quickly but Cloud was faster. Cloud attacked hard and fast at Sephiroth, Sephiroth quickly defending himself.
What happened…! When did this strength appear…! thought Sephiroth with gritted teeth. Cloud was suddenly very powerful.
Cloud's eyes still had that evil green look in them; it was as if he was possessed.
Sephiroth dodged a sharp blow from Cloud and jumped high in the air to dodge the other attack, but this evidently was a bad idea…
With Zack…
Zack was typing frantically, trying to undo the program as the other two SOLDIERs watched the battle eagerly. "Wow, look, Sephiroth is on the defensive! I've never seen him do that before!"
"Cloud's like a fighting machine!" exclaimed the other SOLDIER.
"Guys, this isn't helping at all!" cried Zack as he continued to type frantically to undo the program.
"Oh, wow! Zack watch this! Cloud's doing something new!"
Zack stopped typing for a second, and curiously checked the progress of the fight. "Oh…!" exclaimed Zack, seeing what Cloud was about to do.
With Cloud…
Cloud, noticing Sephiroth jumping into the air, jumped after him, waving the sword one final time. Seven of the eight swords jumped from Cloud's blade; the eighth one stayed in his hand.
Sephiroth tried to move, but the seven swords kept him suspended in the air. He stared at Cloud in surprise. He's…strong…!
Cloud took the first sword and slashed it through Sephiroth, then grabbed the second sword and slashed through him again; he did the same with blades three through five; on the sixth blade, he cut across Sephiroth; he seventh blade struck Sephiroth from behind; and finally, the final blade, combined with the other seven blades, came down hard on Sephiroth. Cloud landed perfectly with seven of the blades surrounding him, catching the eighth blade smoothly as Sephiroth fell into a heap behind him, brutally defeated…
With Zack…
"Did you see that!" yelled one SOLDIER. "Look at that Cloud move!"
Zack let out a huffy sigh. "This isn't doing us any good…!" Zack stood up hurriedly and took off downstairs with his laptop.
"Hey, Zack, wait!" called one SOLDIER. "It was just getting good!"
"No--I have to stop Cloud before he kills Sephiroth!" called Zack over his shoulder, leaping down the stairs three at a time. I have to get to Cloud right away…! Before he does anything serious!
Zack bolted into the dueling room, seeing Cloud about to turn to the fallen Sephiroth. "Cloud!" yelled Zack.
Cloud stopped, turning his head slightly to give Zack a sideways glance.
"Cloud! Stop what you're doing! Thank about it!" Zack slowly walked towards Cloud. The program I wrote should calm him own in a little bit…
Cloud narrowed his eyes, and turned to Sephiroth, sword at the ready.
"No, Cloud," said Zack. "Leave him be, Sephiroth is down… He can't fight no more. Come on now, come to your senses…"
Cloud stopped for a second.
"That's right," said Zack. "You calm now?"
Cloud, however, showed no signs of calming down. He readied himself to charge at Sephiroth again…
"No, Cloud!" yelled Zack, taking out his own blade, jumping in front of Sephiroth. "Please calm down! Cloud, he's no harm to you now!"
Cloud growled, pushing down on Zack's blade.
"Cloud," said Zack urgently. "It's me! It's Zack! You don't want to attack your best friend, would you?"
Cloud stopped again, confusion in the dark green eyes.
"Yes, Cloud," said Zack more gently. "It's all right, there's no more danger."
Cloud gasped out loud, dropping his sword, his eyes returning to blue again. He looked around in fright. "Za-Zack…?" he asked. "Wha--What happened? Where am I?"
Zack sighed with relief, sheathing his own sword. "You…you lost control of yourself. You beat Sephiroth up pretty badly…"
Cloud stared in horror at Sephiroth's collapsed form. "Oh, no…! Did I kill him!" asked Cloud frantically, his blue eyes ablaze with fear.
"No, he's not dead," answered Zack calmly. "It'll take more then that to kill a SOLDIER."
"But--he's on the ground, unconscious! His blood is on the wall…!" cried Cloud faintly. "And… and I did all this…!"
"Blood..?" Zack glanced at the blood on the wall, then shook himself. Be strong, man, Cloud needs you! "Sephiroth will be fine, once we get him to the infirmary, which is what you need, too," remarked Zack, as Cloud was nearly as beaten up as Sephiroth.
Cloud was only half-listening. "Sephiroth will be angry…!" he said to himself, shaking with fear slightly. "I defeated him in battle… I practically murdered him…!"
"Cloud?" asked Zack as he ordered some SOLDIERs to bring Sephiroth to the infirmary.
"I don't remember… I blacked out… Zack, what happened to me?" asked Cloud, looking up at Zack with fearful eyes.
"…Cloud…I…" started Zack, but he didn't finish, as Cloud collapsed right into Zack's arms. He blinked, and held Cloud steady. "Yep, bed rest for you definitely," he said cheerfully. Zack picked Cloud up and hurried him to his room. Right now, it'd be best to make sure Cloud doesn't wake up in the same room as Sephiroth… He can stay in his own room, I'll watch him…
Zack placed Cloud into his bed, put a pillow under his head, and covered Cloud with a blanket. "I'll see to those wounds," said Zack to himself. "Don't worry, you'll be all right in a jiffy."
Cloud stirred slightly, and rolled onto his side, his expression fretful.
Zack saddened slightly, sitting at the edge of the bed. Am I really a friend…? Zack asked himself. Forcing untested programs on him like that…? Cloud seemed very easy to program according to sachoo, but… For Cloud to be able to defeat Sephiroth… Zack looked out the window. Whatever your plans for Cloud are, sachoo… I wish you'd spit them out instead of testing Cloud like this…
As Zack looked out the window, he could see the sachoo's office from right here. And the sachoo was looking directly back at Zack. Oh, my god…
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Whee! How do you like it so far? Intense, no? I tried to make it a bit dramatic at this point, though I think I overdid it… --; oh, well, melodrama is my thing. See you later! And thanks for the reviews, you two! Bye!