Chapter 2

Cloud Strife, The Newcomer

7th Heaven Bar, Midgar

Cloud's POV

I was actually talking to My friend Tifa when the invitation arrived. I had an attraction to Tifa, but I knew I could never have a relationship with her. She always thought of me as her loner brother, thinking that she has to look over me. I always felt sad over this fact, but I always liked others when she liked me, so I guess it's my fault. But the invitation was like a chance for new beginnings.

The invitation came when I was laying down in my bed, a year after Sephiroth came back, and I defeated him. Tifa was lecturing me about the shop, like always. I don't really blame her, since I lacked the conviction to even take care of the place. It basically was up to Tifa, Marlene, and Denzel to keep up the shop. Despite the events that occurred a year ago, I still went to the Church where the girl I fell for, Aerith, to talk to her. Or I feel like I'm talking to her.

"Seriously, why do I even bother? I feel like I'm talking to a wall here! Just because you saved our asses many times, doesn't mean you can just laze around for the rest of your life! Geez, where…" Tifa said to me, failing to recognize my disinterest. I cast a small spell I learned, weaving a snowflake through my fingers, doubtless that it was a summer day. Laying down, and looking up at the snowflake weaving through my fingers, I eventually zoned out Tifa altogether. That is, until above my head, a bright light appeared, in the shape of a circle. Tifa was caught off guard, and leapt from the bedside. I too, jumped from where I laid, into a fighting stance, reaching for my Buster Sword that was at the other side of the Bed.

"Cloud Strife" A loud Voice rang out in a trembling tone. I Jumped, even with the buster sword in my hands. "You have been called to participate in the Smash Tournament. You have all the requirements to participate in this event. Your arrival will not be an easy one, so it will take some time. You will be the last arrival, since your preparation for arriving will be the longest one yet. Your quarters will be room 288, in the Romana Suite. Please, if you accept, grab the object floating in front of you. We will be arriving soon, if you accept."

I took a closer look at the "object" floating in front of me, and realized that it was a floating sphere, with a cross inside of it, a little to the left instead of centered. The typical Smash tournament symbol. But instead of a plain red background, there was a wave of blue flames being able to be seen inside the cross. I have always heard of the smash tournament, watching the other three from the sidelines. I never fathomed that I would be invited.

"Go." Tifa caught me off guard. I always imagined that she liked my company, and she would refuse me of going. I stared blankly at her. "You need something to get your mind off of her, even though you have done almost everything. Hell, you even saw her. And not a lot of people have that chance to see their loved ones again! This may help you Cloud. And then when you get back, and If you win, Ill work the shop, and you could rest for I dunno… a month. Nag free. And plus…" she came closer to me, drawing me into a hug. "I know you will."

I smirked at her. She always had a soft spot for me leaving her. I guess I am the reason for it. I turned and grasped the sphere with my left hand, my right holding onto my buster sword. I felt a tremendous pull forward. And my surroundings around me changed to something you would see if you were traveling through space, just like in Star Wars, in light speed. A voice rang in my ears, stars passing like when I'm in my motorcycle, traveling around Midgar; "Hello Cloud. My name is Taboo. We need to prepare you for arrival. But if we are to do these preparations, you need to sleep. Here, take this, and you will fall asleep, and I will awaken you when we are arriving."

I looked around confused. "Taboo? Weren't you the major challenge inside of the third tournament, said to wreak havoc anywhere you go?"

"Hah, very intuitive. I'll keep you in mind for winning the tournament. Not a lot of people remember that. But yes, and I am also one of the hosts for the Tournament, and there is a new challenger for fighters this year." A man glowing blue appeared in front of me, his hands in the thinker pose. But please, eat this;" Taboo held out a red pill to me. I didn't really like this, and all my instincts pulled me to go against it. But nonetheless, I grabbed the pill from him and I swallowed it. Instantly, I felt woozy, and my head felt a dozen times heavier.

"Good, Preparations are about to start." I heard Taboo say, as I drifted into unconsciousness.

"We are approaching the manor, young Strife. I suggest you bear yourself a little nicer. Preparations are complete." I awoke to see that instead of stars around me, we were now floating above a vast Greenland, and a huge castle coming into view.

"Wait, That's the manor? I thought we might be going to a hotel, not a freaking Castle!" I exclaimed us coming into view of the ceiling where anyone could spot us.

"Everyone's assembled inside of the crystal room. Your intro is now starting, because the other fighters have all arrived. I have to drop you in a second. Aim for the hole in the ceiling. When you enter, you have to keep your calm, it intimidates your opponents. This isn't a beauty pageant or a get together. You want to win. You want to get respect. You want the reward." Taboo stopped suddenly, looking down. "I am going to drop you in three…two…"

I braced myself, my buster sword held firmly inside of my hand. It felt heavier than I thought, and I felt different than normal. Maybe it was just the nerves, but I had no time to think about it.

"…one."

I felt the air rush about me, me falling into a freefall, feet first two the hole that held contesters that I would be up against. It was a weird feeling, as I fell into the hole and landed almost silently. I looked around the room, and saw that there was a large amount of people, way more than last time. Mega-man, Ryu, along with so many other revered fighters. Everyone just seemed to stare at me, some even had their faces in the most stupid looking surprised looks I have ever seen.

I looked into the room around me, and saw it was filled with mirrors. Then I saw myself. I was younger, with my spikey hair more prominent, and the hair leaning more forward, instead of back like it almost always was in the current time. My buster sword was that of Zack's, and had a familiar feel to it, being the reason for it being heavier. I still liked my new one, but it was a good feeling to be holding it again. I realized what Taboo said to me before, and stood up straight, feeling myself and my younger clothes clank. I walked out of the room, completely pokerfaced. The manor that I entered was a vast lobby, stained glass everywhere, along with red cushions, and in the floor underneath my feet was the portals to other worlds, such as Green Hill Zone, Dreamland, Princess Toadstool's castle, and others I didn't recognize.

I walked up a grand staircase, with a feeling of happiness creeping up. I found my room in record time, and laid down on my bed. My room was also very amazing, as it was in a Victorian style, with gold lacings on everything. I didn't have this type of leisure inside of Midgar, so I was in heaven. I buried my head into one of the soft pillows, and laughed a laugh that I have never heard come from me in a while.

I was here. I was prepared. And I was going to WIN.