Chapter 2.
The truth.

Sephiroth and Thomas got off the bus as it stopped at an old apartment building on the outskirts of the city. It was named after the concrete statue of a tree in front of the small garden by the front door. "Here it is! Concrete Tree Hills. My current home." said Thomas. In front of the two was a giant, red brick building with ornate windows and canopies.

"So Thomas, which apartment are you in?"
"apartment 756. C'mon! Let's go inside!"

The two entered the building into the reception area. The wooden tile floors creaked as they walked over it, and the reception desk had nobody there to greet them. Not a single soul was in sight. Bored, Sephiroth saw there was what looked like a radio on the desk. He decided to turn it on to see if he could gather some more information about this world he was transported to.

*click* he turned the knob, and a female voice could be heard.
"combined with the recent attack on the Vatican, as well as the assassination of the pope, many people in the Magic community have been devastated to hear this tragic news. Supposedly, our sources say that a group of necromancers staged the attack, calling themselves 'the Acolytes of the New God'.
We will now go live to the scene of the destruction. Take it away, Bill."

(so, magic DOES exist in this universe. So why was my magic taken?)

A male voice came on the radio. "Well Delores, I'm here at the site of the attack, and the Vatican Building is heavily damaged. The surrounding area of the city doesn't look to good either. Earlier, authorities had the rubble blocked from the general public, blocking our recovery team from looking for any survivors. however, we were able to negotiate with said law enforcement to allow our team through. This let our news crew, as well as rescue services, through to search the wreckage for survivors."

*click*

Thomas turned the radio off. he was done listening to the news for now.
"wow. someone's got real balls and a hard grudge to wipe out the Vatican like that." he said.

Sephiroth turned to Thomas, and asked "What is the Vatican?"
"dunno. Some religious place where a Catholic Church is. I think. I don't pay attention to these things. Anyways, let's go up to my room. I got somethin' to show ya!" Thomas replied as he headed towards the staircase behind him.
"lead the way."

After climbing some flights of stairs, they reached Apt# 756. "home, sweet home. C'mon Sid, I gotta show you somethin'!" said Thomas.

Sephiroth entered the Apartment after Thomas. In the living room was a couch, a shelf, and TV. As well as an electric fan plugged in to the wall.
A figurine of Sephiroth sat on top of the CRT TV.

(that figurine looks just like me. Am I... Or is that a different Sephiroth that happens to look like me?)

Thomas went scrounging in some drawers near the TV. "where is it, where is it, where is it?" he muttered looking through the
neatly organized collection.

at last, he found what he was looking for. pulling it out of the drawer, he put it behind his back to surprise Sephiroth.
or rather "Sidney Dawnstone" as Thomas knew him as.

"hey Sid!" he said while approaching Sephiroth.

"huh?"

"TA-DA! A sealed copy of Final Fantasy 7. And it's in mint condition! Worth a fortune!" said Thomas as he reveals the box in a preservative case. Sephiroth's eyes widened. Cloud Strife was on the cover. No. it couldn't be. is Cloud also the name of a fictional character that just so happens to look like him? Sephiroth. Gil. and now Cloud himself. This can't be mere coincidence. If Cloud Strife is on the cover, then that could only mean one thing.

Thomas took notice of his expression. "you alright bud?"
Sephiroth made an excuse to go downstairs.
"I... just realized i dropped something downstairs. Mind if I go get it?"
"not at all! Go for it buddy!"

With that, he rushed out the door of the apartment, and headed down the stairs. his footsteps
could be heard echoing through the lobby as he went outside into the wind through the front door, dropping his Gil coins in the process.

He looked down at his own hands.
"That box... Cloud... am... Am I even real? Am I just some fictional character.
That box. Cloud was on it. That 'Sephiroth' that looks like me. If Cloud is on the cover, then that would mean THAT
'Sephiroth' IS me. Am I... just a Video Game character?" he said, clenching his fists.

"If so, what is my purpose in existing? Is my purpose just to entertain people? No! It can't be!
I have a will! a way! I exist! I... I..."

Sephiroth slowly kneeled to the ground, and shed a single tear.
Only the coldness of the hard concrete would cushion the blow of his realization.

A smirk slowly built on his face. His sanity was declining.
Sephiroth came to a grim realization.

"heh heh heh heh heh.
Ah ha ha ha ha.
AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAAA!
I'm a freaking VIDEO GAME CHARACTER!
AH HA-AH HA-AH HA HA HA HAAAAAA! I DON'T EXIST! I'M JUST A TOY TO THEM!
something to entertain them! Well SCREW IT! I'm gonna get my magic back!
And after that, I'll lay waste to this damned universe and it's inhabitants!
Anyone who gets in my way will F*CKING DIIIIEEEE!
AH HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAAAA!
Ha ha ha.
Ha, ha, ha.
Hah. Hah. Haaaaaaahhhhh..."

Sephiroth collapsed from exhaustion, with his head seemingly being coddled by the pavement.
the wild wind was blowing over his body, almost as if it were a blanket to warm him.

"but... What's the point? If I don't exist, why bother?
Why am i even here in the first place? If I do destroy this universe, then what?
*sigh* I guess I'll just... Live a normal life if I have to.
As long as I get a kick out of it, I guess it's alright." he said to himself looking at his own hands again.

Sephiroth finally gained back the strength to stand back up.

The wind seemed to be getting stronger.

"who knows? Maybe I'll find new meaning in this world. Maybe I'll be a... Good... Person... For fun. Heh. Guess I'll wait and see."
With that, Sephiroth gained enough confidence to go back inside.

After going back inside, Sephiroth noticed an old man near the Reception Desk. he was wearing a black Fedora and Trench coat. what looked like a broomstick handle was emerging from some sort of sheath on the man's back. His belt also held a holster for some sort of weapon. He must also be going to ComiCon for that Cosplay thing. The man turned his head to Sephiroth, and just grinned at him.

"here. you dropped something." said the man in a gravelly voice. he outstretched his left arm that was holding
his Gil coins. "they special or somthin'?"

Sephiroth was more worried about the fact that this stranger might have overheard his existential crisis than the fact he dropped his money.

"y... y-yes. they're collectors coins." he replied.

(why does this guy intimidate me? I should be the one who intimidates people!
not the other way around! Alterna, what did you do to me?)

the strangers grin grew bigger.
(he looks like he knows something I don't)

"here. take it."

Sephiroth put his hand under the stranger's as he drops the coins into his palm.

"th-thanks."

"say, Stranger. That's an odd outfit you're wearin'. you goin' someplace special?" the man asked Sephiroth.
"y-yeah. ComiCon. there's a reward for having the best costume."

the stranger put his index finger over his chin, replying with "I see... as it turns out, I'm going there as well. just for a bit of shopping. I don't expect to win anything.
anyways, good luck to you stranger. You might need it for that competition."
"yeah, thanks."

afterwards, Sephiroth walked up the stairs to Apt# 756 as the stranger let out a quiet laugh.

"heh heh heh. You're welcome. 'Sidney Dawnstone'..."
his wicked smile remained.

at the top of the stair case, Sephiroth opened the door to Thomas' apartment. he was sitting on his couch drinking out of a soda can. presumably waiting for Sephiroth to return.

"HEY! You're back! What did you drop?"
Sephiroth took out the Gil he had from earlier, with the response "The Gil coins I had. Fell out of my pocket."

"Say, Sidney. Where did you get those coins from?" asked Thomas.

"I... bought them. From last year's ComiCon."

"oohh. Okay. So. What do you wanna do now? Play some games? Watch a movie? Get some food?"

Sephiroth did feel hungry since arriving in this strange world.
"Let's... Get something to eat."
"GREAT! I'll order some Pizza. Wha'chya want, Cheese or Pepperoni?"
"Cheese." answered Sephiroth. So at least they still have Pizza here.

"Gotcha."
Thomas took out his phone, and called a Pizzeria.
"hello? Gulami's? yes, I would like 2 large Pizzas please. one cheese, and one pepperoni.
yeah, and can I get that with a drink as well? oh, any will do. I don't care which.
yeah. yeah. ok, thanks.
bye."
Thomas hung up, and turned off his phone.

After he ordered, Thomas sat down on the couch. he got out a pair of glasses and a monocle from inside
the coffee table drawer and began to speak in a professional sounding tone with a straight face.
"So. Sidney. Tell me about yourself. Any hobbies? Favorite foods? Favorite books? personality?
Before we can become friends, you must fill out this form first." he said in a professional British tone.

Thomas took out a piece of paper. The sheet dumbfounded Sephiroth, who replied with "This is blank."

"yeah. I was just kidding about the Form.
But seriously. I wanna know about you." said Thomas, throwing away the sheet of paper.

Sephiroth tried to think of something to say. He couldn't say what exactly he was like.
It's as if his mind was completely blank.

"well... *sigh* I'm not very interesting. I couldn't tell you a single thing about me other than that I'm... a collector.
I collect things. That's why I have Gil coins from 'Final Fantasy.'
other than that, I can't really say what I'm like. guess I have a hard time describing things." fabricated Sephiroth. Kind of.

Sephiroth reasoned that his blank mind might have been due to Alterna. Could it be that when Sephiroth was transported here,
not only did his magic and rage go away, but his entire being was "wiped clean" as a result?

(that must be the reason I can't think clearly. curse you Alterna. I'll make cloud pay for this.)

"oh. Well forget I asked then." said Thomas as he stood up and turned the TV on with his remote.

10 Minutes passed.

The two were sitting on the blue leather couch with Sephiroth watching Thomas play Final Fantasy 7 on his CRT TV.
he was at the very beginning with the opening bombing mission.

(heh. I was right. My existence is a lie. Oh well. I don't really care.) Thought Sephiroth.
He had a slight smile on his face.

suddenly, the Doorbell rang loudly.
"Sid, could you get that? I got this battle to do." Thomas said to Sephiroth. He didn't know that he could pause a battle at any time.
"okay."

Sephiroth got up from the couch and walked over to the front door. After opening the door, Sephiroth saw that a man in a Pizza uniform was standing there, holding 2 Pizza boxes in one hand and a 2-Litre soda bottle in the other.
"Gulami's Pizza! Here's your order! That will be $15.99."
Sephiroth turned around to Thomas, who was still playing his game. he let him know that "The Pizza has arrived."
"Got it. I lost anyways." Said Thomas turning off the console.

Thomas got up and walked towards the delivery man.
"How much?"
The delivery man replied "$15.99."
"got it." Said Thomas getting out his Debit card.
The delivery man held out a card scanner in a stiff manner, and Thomas quickly put the card over the device. A beep was heard.
"Have a good day."
"you too." replied Thomas as he put the card back inside his wallet.
He closed the door.

Laying the warm Pizza boxes on the coffee table in front of the couch,
Thomas asked Sephiroth "Cheese, or Pepperoni?"

"I'll have a little of both." said Sephiroth.
He took a slice from both pizzas. Taking a bite from the pepperoni pizza, his eyes widened with amazement.
(this... This is the best thing I've ever eaten! It tastes like heaven! Or at least this world's equivalent.)

Thomas got a good look at Sephiroth's face. With a smug grin, he said "good huh? it's been said that Gulami's uses some form of
Fire magic to cook the pizza, as well as other magic ingredients. Or at least, so I heard."

"wait, magic? So it exists?" Sephiroth asked.

"yeah. You didn't know? quite a few people can use magic. although not everyone knows about it or has access to it." replied Thomas as he
sat down in front of the TV.

"so, Thomas. can YOU use magic?"

Thomas shook his head.

"not really. Unless you count being able to make a moving object go a bit faster or slower than it's current speed.
though I'm told it's not magic, but rather something called... uhhh... what was it again?
E... Esp... something ability? I don't know."

"so, nothing special. that's okay. I'm not really anything special Either." said Sephiroth.

but then, Thomas suddenly remembered what it was he was going to say.
"WAIT! I got it! it's an Esper power! yeah. Esper.
they call it, 'Velociraptor' or something like that."

"ohhh. that's interesting. wait, what exactly does it do?" asked Sephiroth reaching for another slice of pizza.
Thomas grabbed another slice as well, and stuck it in his mouth. of course, this meant he was talking with his mouth full, which
Sephiroth couldn't understand a word of.

"I... can't exactly hear you. maybe don't talk with your mouth full?"
"*gulp* sorry. as I was saying: Velociraptor is an ability where I can change the speed of any moving object. for example, if someone were to throw
a pebble at me, I could reduce the speed and just get out of the way. but doing that gives me a crazy headache, so I try to avoid using it if possible."

"cool. how'd you get it?" said Sephiroth taking a bite out if his pizza. Thomas' ability couldn't have been due to Materia. it probably doesn't exist here.
"I used to live in a place called Academy City. students there develop Telekinetic powers by studying... yeah I forget what it is we do there. I'm a level 3 Esper. If the city hadn't been Nuked to oblivion, I might have been first ranked!"

Sephiroth another bite from his pizza as he asked Thomas "Nuked? what's that?"
Thomas thought to himself (Really? has this guy not heard of a nuke before?)
"basically a big bomb was dropped on the city a few weeks ago, and there's radiation all over the place. nobody knows who launched it, though the missile was reported to have come from Montana. Good thing I moved out before it hit."

Finishing his pizza slice, Sephiroth asked why anyone would target a city.

"Dunno. but I think they did have it coming to them. By the way, your Sephiroth cosplay. How did you get it? And your hair as well. Is it real?"
Sephiroth ran his hand through his long hair. his hair isn't that strange is it?

"well, my hair is naturally white and it IS this long. I don't see why it's so odd. And I got this 'costume' from an actual Armor smith a long time ago."

"Awesome! You look just like him, Sid."

"Yeah. Heh. Thanks."

after a while, the two of them began playing a fighting game on Thomas's console and eating Pizza. Tekken it was called.
It's been too long since Sephiroth actually lived a real life instead of just fighting. Maybe he had made... a friend?

The two of them played until about 11:25 PM.

*Yawn* "yeah, I'm getting tired Sidney. Let's call it a night." said Thomas, turning off the PlayStation.
"So, where am I sleeping?" asked Sephiroth. For all he knew, he was sleeping on the floor.

Thomas replied "You can sleep in my bed. the bedroom is right over there. I'll sleep here on the couch." while pointing in the direction of the room.

"ok. Thanks."
"no prob."

With that, Sephiroth went into the bedroom, and laid down on the bad bed.

Tomorrow is another day.