A.N: Hi, I edited this because 14 year old me was cringy as hell, and I kinda wanna get back into the fandom now that the Remake is out. Seven years later, and I feel like this definitely needs to be updated. Noel's still annoying, but he's less of a perverted jackass and more of a reserved fanboy now.

I'll be updating this frequently now! Hope to see you some more.

- Rivai

Save File 1

Ten hours before it actually happened.

My name's Noel, just that is fine. What else is there for you to know more about me? Well, I'm currently 20 years old. I skipped some grades and was able to graduate earlier than the average young adult, and now I'm employed at a local public high school as a teacher.

What else…hm, I'm living on my own in a beat-up apartment in Manila, Philippines. Oddly enough, I have dark green eyes and brown mousse hair for a Filipino. I guess some strange, foreign blood got mixed up in the family tree that I don't know about. But as a Filipino, I got that browned skin of a kayumangi. I'm currently an avid gamer, not to mention a computer geek and an amateur when it comes to computer technology. I have a pet Ascal dog, Leeroy, who's really not right in the head since he accidentally knocked himself over a wall last week. And well, I guess that's pretty much about me being me…

The morning I woke it was already raining. Typical of this tropical country to be raining in the middle of July. Today's a Saturday, so I don't have any work today. I slowly got up from bed, washed my face to get the sleep off, and prepared my breakfast. Living alone (the dog doesn't really count) has its appeals. I can only worry for myself, and of course for Leeroy, but mostly about myself. Not to sound like an ungrateful jackass, but that's what I am. Dad's dead, mom's retired, sister married and immigrated to America, other sister went touring the world, and the younger brother's getting used to school now. And here I am, frying nearly burnt eggs and spam, trying to balance my own life. But hey, like I said, living alone has its charms…

I figured I'd go walk Leeroy today, but the rain made it impossible. I wasn't in the mood to go through the test papers of my students, knowing I'd have to steel through their dumbass questions and kiss-ass remarks. So, after breakfast, I immediately took my wallet, my headphones and phone, and the keys to my apartment. I was getting into a black windbreaker with my spare yellow shirt, charcoal pants and the worn sneakers I've been wearing since I was a teenager.

I patted Leeroy on my way out of the apartment. The rain softly pelted down from the sky as I rode a bus going to the center of the metropolis. I put on my headphones, listening quietly to some ripped song off the internet.

To be honest, I've been doing this a lot lately. Just aimlessly leaving the apartment and walking around the city. I've gotten mugged at some points but that didn't stop me from doing this weird habit. Whenever something boring comes up, I would just walk around, listening to some random music while feeling a little more insignificant each day. I should be worrying about my job, my family who I haven't talked to in years, myself getting more isolated, checking social media and seeing the accomplishments of my classmates during our Uni days.

I got off the bus and realized I stopped at a department store. Huh, might as well do some window shopping while I'm still here. I said all that, but I went straight towards the only place I'm familiar at, which is this run-down stall at the very back of the store. The guy there's been selling old video games for really cheap prices. They're usually for old gen consoles, like the PS1 or the Atari, but this place is literal gold mine. I love old school games, and they're cheap, so why not, right?

As I looked through the old games I spotted a beautiful gem. With the success of the Remake, it was so refreshing to see the original one still hanging around a place like this. The casing looked old, but it was still wrapped in its tight plastic, despite the dust collecting around the edges, "Final Fantasy VII? That's a classic, sir." The clerk said with a smile as I flipped it over to check the price.

Just a little over 200 pesos, perfect. "It is, yeah. With that new Remake you probably should've hiked the price of this one." I said with a smirk as I handed it over to him while pulling out my wallet.

"Haha, I know. But nobody comes out for the games anymore, everything's digital now."

I didn't say anything as I paid up while the clerk checked it out and even placed it in a plastic bag for me. The last time I played a Final Fantasy game was...I don't know, a decade probably? When the Remake finally came out, I watched some streamers play the game, but never actually got to play it myself. This salary of mine isn't enough to buy a PS4, sadly enough.

Even then, an unfamiliar feeling was growing inside of me. It's been a while since I felt...excited. Maybe I should play this game again; bring some spark back to my mundane life, you know? I still have my old PS1 literally collecting dust in the corner of my apartment, but it should still work.

As soon as I bought the game I bounded back to the bus stop. I even made sure all of my stuff's safe from getting mugged; I do not want someone to steal this game even if I have to die for it. The rest of the day was just a whole blur, and before I knew it, I was on the bus on my way home.

"Noel..?"

I shook my head and closed my eyes. Not now. I can't deal with that today. I finally found time to do something for myself; no amount of hallucinations and mania can ruin this day for me. Everyone around me found me...odd. Maybe I was a little bit crazy, maybe, somewhere down the ancestry line, my great-great-great grandmother was a witch and I'm cursed or something, as the local witch doctor of my neighborhood once told my mom. I'm not sure, but for all my life I've been hearing things I shouldn't be hearing. It's not that bad, I just take my prescription meds and I'm good, but it did become worse as I grew older.

"Noel… Please…"

My thoughts were interrupted when the bus screeched to a halt in front of my stop. Shakily, I got out and strode back to my apartment, briefly saying hello to my neighbor who was out to her work. The rain's heavier now. I was soaking wet as I shivered violently. Even though my windbreaker provided the small warmth it never did anything to comfort me in this situation.

"Damn, it's cold…" My teeth chattered as I fumbled with my keys and unlocked my door. Surprisingly, Leeroy was asleep on the rug in the kitchen. Usually he'd be a barking mess and I have to throw some food in his direction to shut him up. In my rush and excitement, however, I completely forgot about my cold and quickly went towards my old console. I opened up the lid, placed in the much awaited game, closed it, and readied my controller. I could always just change clothes during the course of the game; it's a weekend, and I'm all alone.

At that time, I guess you could say I was too excited. I thought I could finally get back on my gear and forget about my miserable, normal life, my worthless job teaching students who won't care, forget about all of the things in this world, which I regretted and guilted over. I waited excitedly for the startup screen, my eyes lighting up with giddiness.

Suddenly, the sky boomed an ear splitting roar which scared the shit out of me. Thunder growled as rain pelted some more at the windows. Chocobos began appearing from the Square Soft logo when I flinched at another crack of lightning. H-hey, wasn't that too near my window? The lights at my place started flickering, but the power didn't go out. I was frowning but I didn't mind it; I was already at the menu screen, where Cloud's lone Buster Sword stood in the middle of the spotlight. A little storm can't ruin my gaming mode right now.

"Didn't know there's a storm right now…" I motioned for Leeroy to sit next to me, but the dog's nowhere to be seen. Just as Aeris's face appeared on the screen with that green glow came another flash of lightning. This time, I heard the roar as if it was right next to me. Unfortunately, it IS right next to me!

I couldn't remember what happened next. I know about this myth in college that you could calculate the distance of a lightning bolt by counting the seconds before you could hear the sound. If the sound comes immediately, that means it's near the area. I do know that lightning is extremely dangerous when the seconds that you counted would be three, which is what I counted. I didn't scream as the bolt hit my tiny apartment, I didn't make a sound when the electricity flowed right out of my TV and zapped me with its excruciating charge, I never once opened my eyes when I felt the pain fight its way through me and how impossibly bright it was that seeped through my closed eyelids. It was all I could think about; my fingers felt the disintegration of my controller as I gave in and let god take me wherever I'm supposed to go now.

When I regained consciousness, the first thing that came into my mind was that I felt cold. Again..! "Fuck…what happened..?" I groaned as I clenched my hands. I felt a bit stiff, probably from all that electric shock that was zapped inside of me. My head was pounding. Seriously, I feel like shit. Like I was fresh out of the hospital. Although I could still move my body, my mind is in a jumble.

I slowly opened my eyes. They widened in disbelief as I took in my surroundings. I'm not in my apartment anymore. Apparently, I'm in some street outside, the air was thick with pollution, one which I was forced to cough a bit. It was still raining, the water pouring steadily, albeit okay from the storm that I reckoned had passed. I realized I was propped up on a street lamp, looking like a piece of trash. I groaned again as I palmed my face.

Wait, I shouldn't be worried about that! What I should be worried about was that me, my dog and my apartment were hit by a lightning bolt! A lightning bolt for fuck's sake! I sighed as I turned around to observe my environment. It's kinda… gloomy. Wait, scratch that, it's wild and chaotic. There are some bright lights lighting up the streets while people in drab clothing milled here and about. I looked around some more. Now that I can see properly, I was surprised to know that I'm not familiar with this area. Usually, I know my way around Manila, but now, it was nowhere near the places that I knew. Everything looks hectic, and wait, was that..?

I stopped motioning my head as my green eyes stared at the thing dead on. It was a bill board of LOVELESS, the play in the game. I stared at it until my jaw dropped. There are many more posters about LOVELESS; some were even on marquees while others were pasted on brick walls. Now that I noticed it, the vehicles seemed a bit off too. I was used to four wheels and three wheels for the tricycles, but A CAR HAS THREE WHEELS?! That's freaking insane now…

I don't even want to think anymore. But all I could think about now, is that a giant, looming structure is now in front of me, bearing the logo I never once forgot since I played the game: "Shinra Electric Power Company"

I found myself in an alley, shamelessly throwing up. Midgar… This is Midgar. No way in hell that this is Midgar! I wiped my sweaty face with the back of my hand as I threw up again. Okay, when things go to shit, it's best to just have a quick recap: I was gonna play FFVII, got hit by lightning, and then I was mysteriously teleported inside the video game. Hell, I can't even make sure if I'm inside the game or not.

Pressing my back against the wall, I slumped down to the ground as I groaned again heavily. I caught sight of the Shinra logo once more and felt sick. How am I going to get home? More importantly, am I ever going to get home? My shaking hands roamed the ground to get a better perspective. Trash, some leftovers of my sick, few rocks and dust, yes, I'm in the game alright. I hit my head at the wall, feeling incredibly stupid to play under a lightning storm.

I checked through my pockets. Yes, I still have my wallet, my phone, and my headphones were still clipped on my neck. All are still in working condition, even when my headphones are wet, they're still working. Even when I was struck by lightning, everything managed to stay the same when I entered the game.

Wait, if this really is the game, and I'm in Midgar, then that means…

I stood up at the newfound revelation as I stormed off the alleyway. I was determined to find her. If she's here, then everything is true. I sprinted into the street, my eyes finding a flash of that color. LOVELESS Avenue, so I'm most likely at Sector Eight, near the Shinra building. At this time, she may be here, selling flowers.

My green eyes finally found the familiar flash of pink in the sea of grey and pollution. I was overjoyed to see her; maybe thrilled. A basket of flowers in hand, she's holding up a pink umbrella to keep her safe from the rain. She has brunette locks that were tied into a long braid, keeping it secured with a pink bow and a heavily hidden materia. Her long pink dress looked nice on her; it shaped her curves really well that I realized I was staring.

She has the most wonderful set of forest green eyes I've ever seen...

This really is Final Fantasy VII.

I know what you're thinking. I should be happy that I'm inside the game and that I should help the team and save the world. But I'm just a normal person. I can't do magic nor have the strength to wield a sword, only 'they' can do that. You may think I'm overly dramatic but I'm just being realistic.

Wait, how can I be realistic when I just entered a game..?

I smacked my face at the thought. Dammit, this is too frustrating. I don't know what to do. Should I go with the flow of the story or should I find a way back home? Now that I think about it, what timeline am I in the story right now? Is this the part where AVALANCHE is going to do the bombing missions or before that?

"Ah, shit… This is so messed up…" I cursed loudly, ignoring the stares from the citizens. To also make it clear that I'm in the game, there are some Shinra MPs littered around here. Some were patrolling, others were bullying some of the residents, while a few were just lazing around. I realized I was already soaking wet if not for an umbrella that took place over me. I turn my head to see who was kind enough to do that, and I was surprised to see Aerith giving me a worried expression, "Are you all right, sir?" She inquired softly while I stared. Aerith cosplayers back in my world couldn't even be compared to her. Her eyes are big and so full of life, while her lips curved into a small yet concerned smile.

Wow… "Y-yeah… Just a bit lost, heh." I let out a nervous laugh as I rubbed the back of my head. Aerith stared at me then giggled as well.

"You're new to Midgar then?"

"More or less. I've only just arrived."

"Well, my name is Aerith. What's yours?" Whoa, introductions already? Well, just go with the flow then…

"Noel. Just Noel, Miss Aerith." I managed to crack one of my goofy grins at her while I held my head to keep me from my goddamn mania.

"Okay, Noel. Just Aerith, then. What are you doing here in Midgar?" She asked as we moved to the front of a convenience store to shelter our heads. The cold is still there, but I'm starting to warm up already. Aerith motioned me to sit on a bench in front of the store as she shook the water off her dress.

"Right, I was..." I was scratching my head again as my thoughts trailed back to what just happened in my apartment. "I was looking for a job." Okay, that's a good start. The flower girl nodded at me as she closed her umbrella.

"Those look interesting." She pointed to my headphones and I instantly moved to touch it. "Er, yeah. It's a gift from a friend." I said carefully, warily trying to hide the headphones from view. Darn, those eyes are just freezing me in place that I don't know what to do.

"Where are you from?" Oh shoot. I know somebody's gonna ask me that soon. I shifted my eyes, trying to remember a backwater town name."Uh, Gonggaga… I lived there for as long as my life." I gave her a toothy grin when her face fell into a short frown that I now realized my mistake. Fuck. That's where Zack used to live. I cleared my throat as I looked away, determined to change the subject. "So, um, do you know where I could get to Sector Seven train station, Aerith?" I asked her as politely as I could.

I have this hunch that I know at what timeline I am in. Aerith smiled brightly at me, which inexplicably made me flush under her gaze, as she took my arm and guided me through the busy streets of LOVELESS Avenue.

I always wondered what it's like to be inside a video game.

When Aerith showed me the way, I wasn't shocked at how big Midgar is. The footage from the Remake showed exactly how it looked like and it's what I'm looking at. Still, there were people of different sizes and shapes, people with a mix of languages and curses, with different eye and skin colors. It was bizarre to think that this is the inside of that video game, nor was I any different from them because I already looked the part of an ordinary citizen of this city. My face was rugged and a bit dirty from throwing up in an alley and my clothes were soaked from the rain, which thankfully stopped into a drizzle. I wish I was right about my hunch; otherwise I have to backtrack again and figure out where Cloud is right now.

Aerith stopped walking at a train platform, in which I stopped as well. It's pretty much midnight already just from the huge clock overlooking the station. A sleepy train conductor stood by the opened train doors, trying his best to stay awake. "You just take this train to Sector Seven's station." She motioned to the train as I nodded. There was an awkward silence after that. I made a sideways glance at her with my hand at the back of my neck. It was when I noticed the flower basket again.

An idea suddenly formed in my mind, "Hey, those flowers…" I crossed my arms, Cloud-style, and motioned my head to the pretty little things. Aerith brought it up near her chest and beamed proudly. "Oh, these? They're only a Gil…" Oh, crap I forgot that the currency is Gil here… Anyways, time to improvise, "Hm, how about I buy one, for a date?" I continued to grin at her, whose mouth gaped in shock then closed as she blushed.

"Pretty smooth there, how many times have you used that line now?"

"Maybe once or twice, this is the only time it succeeded though." Pretty much whatever I'm spouting is already embarrassing, but it seemed that it's working. Aerith blushed red again, giggling as she covered her mouth with her hand.

I waited patiently for her answer. "Okay then." Nice! The flower girl rummaged in her basket and produced, what looked like a yellow lily. I know her favorites are white and yellow lilies so I wasn't surprised. I took the delicate flower, but not before leaning down to gently kiss her wrist. She gasped just as I pulled back and patted her shoulder with a smile.

"See ya around, flower lady." I walked into the train and waved at her, earning me another giggle and a shy wave. Alright, time to see Cloud and the rest of AVALANCHE.