Ivalice, from a bird’s eye view, is an elegant, well kept castle that is truly luscious to the human eye… But once you see it in a full degree, you can see corruption, chaos, complete anarchy that makes its citizens rebel. The leaders hardly care about the humanitarian response. Greed… Wrath… Pride… It is all here. You’ll feel unwelcome once you step in the crushed floors… Blood, perhaps… murder, stealing… truly despicable. Perhaps then you’ll see the place as a secret hell on the inside. A few years ago, Hell was unleashed upon this very kingdom. The Zodiac Warriors were revived to bring peace to the non-ending war. To the people’s dismay, this only brought more Chaos and havoc. One man fought these demons and finally brought peace to this land.

During that war, Mustadio Bunansa, a friend of Ramza found a strange machine under the slums of Goug. Ramza scanned the mysterious machine and was shocked that it reacted with a Zodiac Stone. He continued scanning it and found a strange symbol on the rear. It was the symbol of ‘Cancer’. He tested it and soon, the machine released a mysterious foreigner from another dimension. The foreigner was soon realized to be Cloud Strife. Soon the malevolent war has ended. There was nothing left for this foreigner.

“Ramza.” Cloud sighed heavily looking down on the green grass of Mandalia planes. He grabbed a tiny pebble and toyed with it for a bit.

“Yeah Cloud?” Ramza’s eyes met with his blue mako eyes. The ex-SOLDIER stood up watching the golden sun drift down the horizon. “There is someone waiting for me in my world.”  A moment of silence surrounded them.

“I understand. I’ll ask Mustadio if he can repair the machine which sent you here.” Ramza stood up joining the ex-SOLDIER watch the sunset. “You’ve done enough for us in this world.”

“Tifa…” Cloud sighed painfully. Ramza looked a bit puzzled about this person Cloud is missing. “I’ll go on ahead.” The ex-SOLDIER left the blonde lad and headed for Goug.

“Okay, I’ll stay a bit longer.” Ramza kneeling down snatching a small blade of grass then blowing it to make a beautiful whistle sound. “Don’t stay too long.” Cloud requested showing a slight smirk.

On the way, Cloud contemplated about the memories that when he was still part of AVALANCHE. He remembered the good times when they would replace Barret’s bullets with little pieces of tissue then would eventually clog up, he also remembered the time when they rescued Yuffie from Don Cornelio the infamous pervert of Midgar. “Good Times.” He whispered to himself. Suddenly he paused and remembered a certain promise that he made to Tifa. His slight smirk suddenly vanished and was replaced with a bitter frown.

“Tifa… I… miss you.” He stuttered a bit and finally said it straight. Suddenly a group of rogue Chocobos appeared behind the unsuspected ex-SOLDIER. One of the gigantic fowls roared and the ex-SOLDIER finally noticed. Cloud grabbed his immense sword from his back and was ready to battle the furious Chocobos. The fuming birds took advantage lone warrior. Two of them charged at him knocking the ex-SOLDIER of his feet, the others followed and started pecking him viciously.  Soon the ex-SOLDIER was down to knee and was bowing before the cocky fowls. “Ugh… Not now…” The fallen warrior moaned. Soon a thunderous piercing sound surrounded the silent meadows. It was Ramza firing rapid arrows at the Chocobos edging his friend Cloud. Soon the rogue birds made a hasty retreat, leaving the ex-SOLDIER slightly hurt. “Are you okay?!’ Ramza yelled at the distant ex-SOLDIER he rushed to his aid and offered several x-potions. “Thanks for the help” Cloud groaned as he stood up languidly. Cloud placed his shoulder over Ramza’s neck to gain some leverage. Soon the peerless duo made its way to Goug Machine City.

“So, who’s this Tifa you kept whining about earlier?” Ramza questioned the injured lad beside him. Cloud looked a bit uneasy as he tries to respond.

“Tifa, is a childhood friend of mine.” Cloud stuttered. He freed himself from Ramza’s support and walked sluggishly on his own.

“I see. I’m sure Mustadio can fix the Time machine.” Ramza smiled at his lonesome friend. Cloud ignored his reply and continued marching.

“I understand how it is to be separated with the ones I love.” Ramza stopped glanced down at the green blades of grass. “When Alma was taken away from me, I felt like…my entire world was being tortured.”  Cloud was speechless that Ramza too felt the pain he was feeling. “Ramza…” Cloud sulked.

“Cloud?” Ramza questioned. “DO you really love this ‘Tifa’ you speak off? Ramza felt curious about Clouds emotion towards this person. The ex-SOLDIER was silenced and could not think of a proper reply.

“Well…” Cloud mumbled to himself. “I just care about her.” He directly replied. Ramza felt a bit disheartened that he would not let out his emotions towards the ones he cares about.

“It’s never easy to express your emotions towards a person you truly desire.”  Ramza explained. “I mean, I never showed my brothers on how much I appreciate them until I was forced to kill them.” Ramza soon wore a guilty frown on his face and a tear crawled down his cheek.

Ramza wiped the lone tear from his face and continued their journey to Goug.
“I envy you Ramza.” The ex-SOLDIER stated as he gazed at the drifting sun.
“Why is that?” Ramza felt somewhat confused on why he would say something like that.

“You fought for what you believed in and gained what you desired.” Cloud closed his fists and felt frail. “I fight because I’m told to. Not because I seek justice.”

“You have no right to envy me. You think I’m that good?” Ramza countered. “My hands aren’t as clean as you think. I’ve seen so much innocent people die before me, yet I could not do anything about it. You on the other hand can still make a change in your world. You still have a chance to gain what you really desire. It may be risky, but trust me my friend, take that chance.” Cloud glanced at Ramza and felt inspired about the words he just spoke. “I will.”  He nodded his head and showed a confident smirk.


Finally the two reached the hazardous city of Goug. Upon entering the city Ramza felt a bit cautious. He felt that something was amiss. “That’s strange. Normally in the afternoons there would be tons of people lurking around.” Ramza stated. He browsed through the houses to check if they were there, but they weren’t. Cloud followed the anxious Beoulve into the sinister slums of Goug. Soon, heavy rain drops fell down the murky skies. A thunder emerged from the heavens above which rattled the ex-SOLDIER a bit.

“Mustadio!” Ramza ran to his friend who seems to be in trouble. “What’s going on!?” Ramza inquired.

“Bart Company is back.” Mustadio directly replied. He brought out his gun incase any thieves ambush them.  “They’re after the Stone.”  He reloaded his gun with several gold bullets.

“Where’s the stone?” an ill voice questioned. “Where are you!?” Ramza roared at the mysterious being lurking around them.

“Names really don’t matter, but if you must know, I am the son of the great Bart Rudvich. I am Redderick Rudvich.” The mysterious trespasser emerged from an obscure corner. “Rudvich?” Ramza examined the ill-looking man.  

“Yes. Now hand me the stone or else, we’ll take it by---“Suddenly Cloud interrupted the evident speech.

“By force?” Cloud continued. “You’re delaying my plan. If you want a fight, we’ll give you a fight.” Again he wielded his sword and was ready for a fierce battle.

“You’re a cocky little bastard aren’t you?” the ill man stated. He placed his fingers on the surface of his pale mouth and made a piercing whistle. A number of thieves and rogue knights surrounded the trio.

“Don’t show mercy! Hand us the stone!” He yelled with rage.

A thief charged at Mustadio slashing him at the shoulder. Cloud countered the sly thief and slashed him to his demise. Mustadio fell down on the moist wooden floor holding his bleeding shoulder. “Are you okay?!” Ramza rushed to his aid. “Watch out!” Mustadio yelled. A fierce knight almost slashed Ramza’s head off. The knight missed by a thread, Ramza took advantage and fired a lethal arrow through his chest. The knight slowly fading, practically staring at the sinister eyes of death. Ramza paused for a while and felt somewhat sorry for the dying knight. “Tough one are you?” The ill-man yelled, he soon made a speedy retreated leaving the trio to battle a couple more thieves. The peerless duo of Cloud and Ramza stood side-by-side planning a strategy against the blood thirsty thieves. “How many can you handle?” Ramza inquired. “Let’s just say, all of them.” Cloud leaped in the sky releasing a deadly omnislash, sending each thief into a gory death. One-by-one each thief fell down bowing before the likes of an ex-SOLDIER. Mustadio was amazed by how Cloud defeated five or more thieves in one attack.

“I need to go home…” Cloud sighed. He knelt down on the floor feeling frail. “Tifa… Please wait for me…” He stood up entering the petite cabin where Mustadio found the mysterious machine which sent him into this world.

“He must really miss this person.” Mustadio sighed feeling slightly sorry for the depressed ex-SOLDIER. Ramza approached Mustadio and helped him stand up.  “We’d best get him home.”

“Here it is.” Mustadio removing the bleach blanket covering the enormous machine. It seemed rather dusty. Several cobwebs hanging from the top portion. Mustadio wiped the edges removing some of the dust surrounding it


Soon Mustadio grabbed some tools in a small closet and started fiddling with the machine; he seemed rather perplexed it has been years since he last saw that gigantic machine. Soon he finally finished repairing the ancient contraption.
“I think it’s ready.” Mustadio stood up as he wiped some dirt of his sweaty face. Cloud rushed to the machine wondered how it would work. “Does it have like a switch?” Cloud seemingly puzzled. “No, it reacts with the stone. So I’m guessing that if you stand beside it, it’ll bring you back.”  Ramza brought out the jade stone and placed it beside the enormous machine. The stone shimmered and it was ready work. “Farewell my friend.” Ramza extended his hand towards Cloud and shook his hands for the last time. “Goodbye.’ Cloud was starting to fade and soon vanished into thin air. “He’s a brave guy.” Mustadio whispered to Ramza.
“Yeah, he is.”

Meanwhile, the ex-SOLDIER was traveling in a strange portal. Several flashes of color blurring through Cloud’s eyes, everything was twirling as if it was a trance. Soon he felt dizzy and became finally became unconscious.

------------------------------

“Hey, d’ya think he’s dead?” an unfamiliar voice stated. “Let’s not hope.” Another voice appeared.

“Ughh…” The ex-SOLDIER starting to feel some life again. “He’s alive! Get him out of the water!” Soon several hands surrounded him and pulled him inside a mysterious ship.

“Ugh… Where am I?” Cloud inquired to the gentlemen staring at him. He coughed rapidly to release the excess water inside him.

“Man, look’s like you’ve been one a wild adventure kid.” The man felt sorry for the weakened lad. “We’re on the border line of Corel.” Cloud rose up and his eyes widened with shock.

“Hey easy their kid, you barely made it alive under the sea.” Another man stated. He offered several medicines to Cloud but he refused. “Please, take me to Midgar.”  


“Midgar huh? Well, that’s a long trip. Have some dinner with us. We caught a big catch today. You can have extra since you look really hungry.” The gentleman smiled at the ex-SOLDIER. “Thank you.”

Very soon it was getting dark, strong winds blew the golden hair of Cloud. He was sitting down in the deck covered with an enormous towel drinking a cup of steaming coffee. “Hey kid, get in here, we’re having dinner!” the sea captain yelled. Cloud removed the towel covering him and marched inside. He grabbed a chair and swiped several slices of fish from the table.

“Hey kid, sure you can finish that?” the first mate inquired. “Let’s hope so.” Cloud smirked at him while the captain started to chuckle. “I like you kid. Ever think about joining the navy?” Cloud paused for a while and stopped chewing. “Well, I was a member of SOLDIER.” He continued chewing the scrumptious bass.

“So that explains yer’ strange glowing eyes” The captain grabbed his slim pipe and started smoking. “Yeah, people always notice my eyes first. This strange glow is a mark of being a SOLDIER.”  Cloud stood up and brought his plate into the sink and wiped the leftovers in a small dish. “Thank you all for your kindness.” The captain smiled and nodded his head towards the east part of the room. “That be your room over there.”

Cloud marched sluggishly to his room while covering his mouth while yawning. He opened the rusty door and saw a bleach bed with a petite window hanging above it. He jumped into the stiff bed and immediately fell asleep.

“Welcome back.” A female voice emerged from his dream. “You again? Who are you?” Cloud searching the dark slums, it was pretty obvious he was back in Midgar, as he notices the foul stench in the air and the greasy streets.

“It’s me silly.” Suddenly, a beautiful lady, in a silky pink dress emerged out of no where. She has elegant curls and a silky ribbon on top that compliments her features. She was holding a basket, full of crimson roses, perhaps a flower girl? Her well sown dress moved elegantly as she comes close to the young warrior.

“Aeris!” Cloud rushed to the lovely damsel giving her a tender hug, Aeris returned the hug by giving Cloud a light kiss on his cheek. “So good to see you.” Cloud released himself from the warm hug. “Same here.” Aeris gave him a sweet smile.

“Cloud, it’s been so long.” The young flower girl sighed putting her basket aside. “I’m afraid I have terrible news.” Her sweet smile soon turned to a melancholic frown.

Clouds smile soon vanished as well as he was waiting for what Aeris had to say.
“When you were gone… something happened.” She stuttered nervously. Cloud looked anxious, his eyes widened with anticipation. “An accident.” She mumbled. Cloud looked petrified he was silenced “What accident? Who got hurt?” Cloud urgently asked. Aeris bowed her head and crystal like tears crawled down her pale cheek. Before she could finish her message, she started to disappear. Cloud reaching out to her but he couldn’t, his hand pierced through her body like a ghost. “To who!?” Cloud roared at the fading woman. “Damn it…” he mumbled silently.

He soon woke up from that mysterious dream of his. He rubbed his eyes and scanned the room. He was sweating heavily. “It felt so real.”  He whispered to himself. He stood up folding the blankets and tossing it aside. He barely brushed his hair and marched outside to talk to the captain. He was shocked to see that they were already in Midgar. The captain sitting in a rigid rocking chair smoking his pipe. “So you’re finally awake? Well good news we’re here.” He chuckled a bit blowing the excess smoke from his mouth. Cloud still silenced from that dream he grabbed his black jacket and rushed outside. “…thank… you…” He groaned at the distant ship. He felt really exhausted, his dream made him feeble. He thought to himself, maybe seeing his friends can relieve him of this stress. He rushed at the visible murky city feeling really anxious. He was contemplating about the dream he had last night. The message Aeris sent him in his dream, felt so real. He was worried, he was tense. He was shaking violently as if he had a high fever. He finally reached the infamous 7th heaven bar. It never changed. The walls slightly broken, the wooden door still dirty. He felt somewhat relieved that he finally arrived home. He sighed heavily before entering the rigid bar and finally made his way inside. Upon entering he first saw Yuffie hogging the living room sofa watching her usual cartoons.

He coughed a bit and suddenly caught Yuffie’s attention.

“Cloud? Cloud!!!” she shrieked. She jumped out of the sofa giving Cloud a warm hug. “Where have you been?! We thought you were dead!” she released herself and ran upstairs to tell the others about it. Cloud never got a chance to speak; he marched to the sofa lying down to rest his aching head.

Soon he heard thunderous footsteps march down the wooden stairs.

“Damn it! Spiky is that you?!” Barret yelled. He ran to him wrapping his broad shoulders around him. He messed up Cloud’s golden hair as he was laughing his heart off. “Good to see you too Barret.” Cloud groaned as he was trying to free himself from the clutches of a beefy dark man.

“Listen man, damn! So good to see ya!” Barret seemingly jolly to see his old friend. “Don’t get all mushy on me.” Cloud chuckled. He finally freed himself then faced the two AVALANCHE members. Yuffie wearing her usual smile, happy to see that Cloud was well.

“So where are the others?” Cloud browsing through the living room. “Well, Vinnie and Cid left and headed for Rocket town, Cid had to pick up some mail from the rocket company.” Yuffie explained. “How ‘bout Red XIII?” Cloud scratching his head slightly disappointed that the others weren’t here to welcome him.


“Well, he’s at Cosmo Canyon. He decided to stay there for a while since his granpa’s sick.” Barret explained. “Well that’s a kill joy.” Cloud sighed wiping the tiny drops of sweat crawling down his forehead.

“Hey, man you don’t look so good.” Barret placed his arm on Cloud’s shoulder. “No, I’m fine.” Cloud struggling to think of a straight answer. “Where’s Tifa?” He wondered. He left the two and headed for the kitchen.

“No man! Don’t go in there!” Barret and Yuffie yelled running towards Cloud. The blonde ignored the pairs order and went inside. As he entered the petite door leading to the kitchen, he saw Tifa preparing breakfast. “Tifa!” Cloud yelled with joy. He approached the lovely damsel and gave her a big hug, Barret and Yuffie staring blankly at the distant couple. “Tifa, I’m so glad to see you…” Cloud whispered into her ear. “Excuse me… But, do we know each other?” Tifa wondered at she released herself from hug. “What?” Cloud stuttered. Tifa looked enraged, as if she was talking to a stranger. “It seems a bit rude to hug someone you barely know.” She raised her eyebrow while pouting.

“Uhh… I don’t understand.” Cloud looking rather pale ”Hey, can I talk to you outside?” Barret pulling Cloud’s arm into the living room. The ex-SOLDIER was still silenced he could not speak or give any reactions. “I forgot to tell ya’ man, their was an accident.” Barret sighed. Suddenly Cloud remembered the dream he had the night before. “An accident?” Cloud again was sweating heavily.

“Yeah, when you were gone, their was a conspiracy that took place in Nibblheim. Tifa decided to investigate on what happened.” Barret was suddenly interrupted by Cloud. “Conspiracy? He wondered. “An experiment got loose. She decided it was best to check it out.” Cloud sat down on the pink sofa holding his forehead.
“Then… ‘It’ happened.” Yuffie interrupted.

“What happened?” Cloud questioned. “She accidentally slipped into one of the Mako tanks. She was lucky to survive.” Yuffie painfully explained.

“What does have to do with her acting weird on me?” Cloud still puzzled. “She has Amnesia.” Barret directly replied.

“…W..h.. what?” Cloud finally received an answer, but still he seems confused. “Listen man, we still don’t know. It seems weird to us, that she can fully remember me or Yuffie and the others, but when we try asking her’ bout you, she always comes up with blanks. I dunno man, it’s like you don’t exist to her.”
Cloud obviously disheartened to learn the truth. At that point he was getting more ill, his fever was rising, his face turning pale and he was sweating rather heavily. He soon collapsed falling down at the cold floor.

“Cloud?! Are you okay!?” Yuffies voice invading Cloud’s mind. All he heard was voices.  “What happened?” A voice emerged, it was Tifa. Soon the voices vanished and all he heard was the cold wind blowing outside the rigid window.


“Hey.” A mysterious voice appeared in Cloud’s head. “Is that you Aerith?” Cloud wondered as he tries to look for her inside his dream. The lovely damsel emerged from the shadows wearing a bitter frown. “I’m guessing you didn’t take it to well.” She sighed while looking down at the floor. “What went wrong?” Cloud inquired as he started pacing around looking daunted. His eyes starting to swell up with dire tears. “Cloud…” The damsel holding Clouds shoulder. He closed his moist eyes. Then he felt Aeriths gentle touch disappear. He was waking up. He opened his eyes and immediately sat up from his bed. He browsed the room searching for a clock. He saw a tiny clock hanging from the wall; it was 11:00 in the evening. “What went wrong?” He whispered to himself.
“I have nothing left.” He stood up leaving his room, and rushed to the exit. He left the blunt bar, taking one last look at it as he fears that he will never return.

Meanwhile, Yuffie was at Tifa’s room consulting the troubled lass, Tifa.

“Yuffie, who’s that Cloud guy you helped out earlier?” She felt insecure, as if she really knows him but just could not remember.

“He’s our long time chum, buddy, and amigo! Well, at least you two were.” She sighed bitterly. She stood up from the bed and approached a small desk to her east. She started browsing through some old papers, looking for something.

“How long have Cloud and I been… friends?” She felt a bit uneasy that she’s only finding out about this just now. “Why didn’t you tell me Yuffie?” She demanded solemnly.

“We didn’t want you to get hurt. We thought Cloud was gone for good, so we didn’t bother to tell you. When Cloud vanished a few years ago, you were really depressed, you wouldn’t even eat, hell you wouldn’t even sleep.” She explained sorrowfully.

“I see…” Tifa moaned. “But, how long have we been friends?” She wondered as she stood up approaching Yuffie. The petite ninja faced the depressed lass and handed her a small picture. “Does this answer your question?”

It was an old photo that contained a scene when Cloud and Tifa were young. They seemed pretty happy together. Tifa soon sobbed anxious tears as she glances at the photo. “Tifa I’m so sorry.” Yuffie sighed. She left the room feeling guilty. Tifa sat down in the bed, trying he best to remember Cloud, but just couldn’t. “Why did this have to happen?” More tears crawled down her eyes, and soon fell down at her bed. She stood up and wanted to apologize to Cloud for being insensitive. She climbed the wooden stairs leading to his room. Se took a big breath and finally had the courage to knock. She knocked gently waiting for Cloud to open. It had been five anxious minutes still the door would not open. She lifted the knob and was surprised Cloud wasn’t there. She was worried; she was also panicking, afraid that Cloud might do something drastic. She rushed outside the bar. It was raining heavily, loud thunder storms roared through the obscure sky. She could barely see anything. The heavy drops of rain fell down on Tifa as her tears merged with the rain. She ran quickly trying to search for Cloud. She went practically everywhere at Midgar, she had searched almost all the sectors yet, he wasn’t anywhere.

“Cloud, where are you…” She mumbled to herself, trying to catch a breath. There was one place where she had not searched, the border of Midgar. She ran swiftly making her way through a damp and irriguous alley. She finally made her way at the Border and was amazed that Cloud was there. He was sitting down a blunt bench holding his forehead.

“Cloud!” She yelled. The silence was soon broken as she made her way to Cloud.
“Tifa!” Cloud startled as he rushed to the ill lass’ aid. “What are you doing?!” as he was helping Tifa sit down at the bench.

Tifa was cold, she was also afraid. Worst of all she was sick. “Cloud, I’m so sorry for what happened.” She was barely looking at him. She was also shivering from the cold breeze that surrounded them. “Please, don’t talk.” Cloud feeling concerned.

“Cloud, I’m sorry.” Tifa continued to murmur to Cloud. “You remember me?” he felt astonished that she had finally mentioned his name.

“No… But…” She then coughed interrupting her speech. “We’d best get you home.” Cloud suggested.

“No wait. Cloud, I still don’t remember you. But I do know about our past, Cloud our friendship may have gotten off at a wrong beginning. And I’m hoping we can start of all over again, this time no more flaws.” She whispered to Cloud, she was actually smiling despite the fact she was really ill.  Cloud was speechless, he felt happy yet disheartened.

“Of course Tifa.” Cloud returned with a serene smile as he gazed at the ill lass beside her. Cloud hugged her giving her a gentle kiss in the forehead. The couple remained under the elegant rain, enjoying the moment as their friendship will soon have a new beginning. A better start.