Round 5:
Cloud vs. Sephiroth

Bout 1

A grainy news report appeared on screens all over Smash City. The watermark boar a date that Quinn recognized as late January, but the year made it seem like the calendar had been reset recently.

"Breaking news, the meteor has been averted by some yet-unknown brand of Materia. Newschannel 5 is investigating whether these events are connected with the deaths of Shinra executives Scarlet and Heidegger…" narrated a distinguished, aging newsman

The screen cut to Sephiroth, who sat in a chair, a scowl on his face.

"That day," hissed Sephiroth, "Was the worst day of my life, the end of it. But, how could I ever know it would get worse?"

Another grainy news report, this one from a few years later.

"This mysterious swordsman has vanquished Sephiroth," said a much younger woman, "Records indicate that he is Cloud Strife, an ex-SHINRA soldier presumed dead. WRO spokesman Reeve Tetsui has also informed us that he was instrumental in averting the cataclysmic meteor years ago."

"What do you want me to say?" Cloud snapped as he appeared on screen, arms crossed in the interview chair, "I beat that clown twice, and I'll do it again. He thinks it'll be different with Wario on his side, but it won't be, it can't be."

In contrast, Sephiroth shivered, a faraway look in his eyes.

"Different," he said in a near whisper, "It has to be different,"

Meanwhile, in AVALANCHE's private suite, Tifa Lockheart cast a glance around the room at her AVALANCHE compatriots. Everyone had just had the same chill go up their spine.

"Short but sweet words from the combatants in our main event," 9-Volt proclaimed, "Futaba, who ya got?"

"Cloud," said the girl without hesitation, "He's picked up the duke twice now, the odds swing in the favor of the ole threepeat."

"Alright, and we can throw down to…" 9-Volt suddenly paused, pressing an earpiece, "I've just received word from President Mario that our main event tonight will be anything goes. The competitors will not be limited to their Smash movesets at any point during the potential three matches."

"Surprised it took this long to get some MUGEN bullshit quite frankly," Cranky muttered.

Melancholy music filled the arena as Sephiroth floated down in his usual manner.

"I've been told the entrance music Sephiroth chose for this fight is called Seven Seconds till the End a variation of…"

"The hymn of the City of the Ancients," Aerith growled.

Murmurs echoed all around the AVALANCHE suite at this revelation, but Yuffie summarized it best, shouting, "That little bitch."

"Soooo, either Sephiroth doesn't know about the therapy Cloud got…" Jessie began.

"Or doesn't care," finished Biggs.

As the occupants of the suite began to murmur again, three strums of an electric guitar silenced them. The video feed cut to Cloud Strife riding his trusty motorcycle Fenrir through the empty streets of Smash City.

When darkness, may it be.

That he should see the light

When Reaper calls, may it be

That we walk straight and right.

The foreboding lyrics of Metallica's Now That We're Dead continued as Cloud zoomed through a loading bay and into the stadium proper, skidding right to a halt in front of an unamused Sephiroth.

Tifa couldn't help but grin as Mills went through the introductions. Despite what was riding on the line, Sephiroth and Cloud stared each other down completely stoic. Maybe that's why her beloved had idolized Sephiroth as a youngster, Tifa pondered. Perhaps he had seen himself in the megalomaniacal warrior all along?

Tifa was snapped out of her musings by Cloud whispering something to Mills. The Wire Frame referee whispered something to Sephiroth in turn, who nodded.

"Per the request of both combatants, all bouts in this series will be contested on the Northern Crater. The rules, however, will remain the same. Best of Three, three stocks about. Smashers, are you ready?"

Both nodded, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Stage: Northern Crater

Rules: Best of 3, 3-stock, items none

Music: "One Winged Angel" (FF7 Remake)

3

In a burst of darkness, Sephiroth appeared.

2

Cloud's Buster Sword hit the ground, Cloud falling after it

1

Instead of taking their combat stances, the two stared each other down.

GO!

"Cloud," purred Sephiroth, "Going with the classic look today are we?"

"Took you long enough to notice," spat Cloud.

"Usually, your comings and goings are beneath even the most fleeting of my thoughts, but it is staring me right in the face."

Cloud struck his fighting stance, "Let's dance asshole,"

Sephiroth, in turn, took his own stance, "I thought you'd never ask."

The two took to the air, Cloud's strikes unleashed faster, a triage of slashes cutting at Sephiroth's cloak. Cloud ascended further into the air, slashing down. As they hit the ground, Sephiroth slowly rose to his feet, while Cloud cocked back, blue energy telegraphing his next attack.

"Light's out!" Cloud cried

Sephiroth was caught in a Finishing Touch whirlwind, but the seasoned warrior broke out of it just as quickly with his signature Octoslash barrage. Cloud fought back with a Triple Slash, but yet another Octoslash overtook him.

"Your fairy tale ends here Cloud," Sephiroth snarled.

"I'm just getting started," Cloud snapped back.

The two seemed to teleport all over the stage at the speed that they moved, the audience only catching one instance of clashing swords before they were on the move again. Sephiroth paused, energy begetting a new attack.

"I shall-"

Sephiroth's bravado was the opening Cloud needed, jumping up and cleaving down. Sephiroth managed to knock Cloud away with two unrefined swings, but the silver-haired swordsman was still stunned, and it was plain for all to see. Cloud charged back, unleashing his usual Crossslash into Triple Slash combination, with a blast of Braver for good measure. Unfortunately for Cloud, this shook Sephiroth awake, who fired back with an incredible duo of Octoslashes.

"How will Cloud ever come back from that?" exclaimed Cranky.

"I think we're about to find out," yelped 9-Volt.

Sure enough, Finishing Touch followed Triple Slash as Sephiroth was knocked away. Unlike Cloud's first attempt, it put Sephiroth down. Despite being on the ropes, Sephiroth stood confidently, raising his hand to the sky.

\ "Skewer them on lances of ice," he commanded.

The still air of the Northern Crater became thick with ice and snow, as the gigantic visage of the Goddess of Ice, Shiva loomed over them. Despite the wrath of winter pelting him, Cloud advanced forward, the two of them clashing once again in a barrage of clashes. Cloud began to dart around the arena angling for an opening, but Sephiroth sidestepped him on each exchange. Braver and a Triple Slash were all that was needed to put Sephiroth back on the defensive.

"Back and forth the momentum goes," Cranky said exasperatedly.

Now, Cloud found himself covered in snow, his strikes slowing significantly.

"Ready to give up?" Sephiroth taunted, snapping back into his stance.

"You heard what I said earlier jackass," Cloud defiantly snapped into his stance, "Let's dance!"

The two zipped around each other, once again moving faster than the human eye could process. Sephiroth landed first with his finishing downward cleave, Cloud landing his as the two stared each other down.

"You can't," Cloud grunted through chattering teeth, "You can't beat me,"

"Oh, but I can," Sephiroth smirked, "Heartless Angel,"

At those words, Cloud collapsed. His damage read 999 percent, and Sephiroth only grinned wider as Cloud's body was covered with an increasing pile of snow. Sephiroth only had to deliver a single boot to send Cloud careening towards the Blast Zone!

Cloud: 2

Sephiroth: 3

Cloud wasted no time getting off of the Revival Platform, Sephiroth chuckled.

"This has been fun but," Sephiroth said, hunching into a running stance, "That's enough,"

Sephiroth streaked past Cloud, the aftereffects slicing Cloud as he collapsed yet again. But, through gritted teeth, Cloud unleashed a bevy of unwieldy sword strikes.

"Enough I said," Sephiroth snapped authoritatively, "Give into the darkness,"

Orbs of darkness appeared, launching towards Cloud at the same time that Sephiroth overwhelmed his defenses with yet another OctoSlash.

"And Cloud's damage careens out of control!" narrated 9-Volt.

"When will you learn when you have overstayed your welcome?" Sephiroth asked.

Once again, Sephiroth zipped past Cloud. This time, however, Cloud managed to channel his chi to avoid the deadly aftereffects. Sephiroth glanced over his shoulder, frowning at what he saw.

"Perish. Now," demanded Sephiroth.

Pillars of fire erupted around Sephiroth sending Cloud aloft. As Sephiroth followed him up, Cloud fired back, the two legendary swords once again clashing faster than the audience could comprehend. At this, Sephiroth bore a wide smile.

"The time has come," purred Sephiroth

A barrage of meteors pelted Cloud, knocking him away from Sephiroth, and into the Blast Zone.

Cloud: 1

Sephiroth: 3

Cloud immediately jumped from the Revival Platform, but Sephiroth remained unmoved.

"Quit wasting my time Cloud," Sephiroth sneered, "Heartless Angel,"

Once again, a blast tore through Cloud, leaving him limp. With a chuckle, Sephiroth booted him to the Blast Zone.

SEPHIROTH WINS BOUT 1!

"Cloud brought a lot to the table but can he tie it up?" 9-Volt asked.

"We'll find out after the one-minute break,"