One rare quiet day, Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie, Barret, Red XIII, Cait Sith, Cid, and Vincent rested together.

(Barret) Man, it feels nice takin’ a break from fightin’ Shinra. Though I’d never say no to kickin’ some more Shinra ass!

(Tifa chuckled, arms crossed) (Tifa) You say that all the time.

(Barret puffed out his chest) (Barret) Well I ain’t wrong.

Laughter rippled through the group, though Aerith’s eyes lingered on the horizon, troubled.

(Aerith) Hm…

Red XIII stiffened, fur rising. (Red XIII) Something feels off.

(Cid snorted) Eh? What’re you talkin’ about?

(Red XIII) It’s too quiet.

(Aerith) Red’s right. Something isn’t right.

Cloud’s hand slid to his sword. (Cloud) …Could be a threat.

(Yuffie waved him off) (Yuffie) Pfft. Out here? If it was Shinra we’d know. Besides— (She twirled dramatically, sing-songing) (Yuffie) 🎵 My precious materia, here I come! No need to be shy come out—Yuffie’s gonna take you home! 🎵

(Cait Sith groaned) (Cait Sith) Of course ye’d go for the materia. But I don’t think it’s Shinra this time, lassie.

(Yuffie scowled) (Yuffie) Then who—

(Vincent, cold) …Sephiroth.

(The name froze Cloud in place, knuckles whitening on the Buster Sword.) (Cloud, low) If he’s here… only trouble follows.

(The sky answered, darkening, mist thickening. Then he appeared—Masamune gleaming, emerald eyes locked on Cloud.)

(Aerith whispered) …Sephiroth.

(Cloud drew his blade with a snap) (Cloud) You bastard…

(Sephiroth smiled faintly) (Sephiroth) Hello, Cloud.

(Cloud) What do you want?

(Sephiroth) You know what I want.

(He vanished, reappearing at Cloud’s side. Steel rang like thunder as Cloud blocked. The others launched into action—Yuffie’s stars slicing the air, Tifa’s fists flashing, Barret’s gun roaring, Cait Sith summoning his Moogle, Red XIII snarling, Aerith lifting her staff, Cid twirling his spear, Vincent’s gun glinting. The fight was chaos. Sephiroth glided through it—dodging, striking, each move graceful and cruel. But his focus never left Cloud, driving him back with blow after blow. Finally, Cloud clipped him—barely—leaving a small cut across Sephiroth’s flawless cheek.)

(Sephiroth smirked) Not bad. But we both know…I’m stronger.

(With a brutal kick, he sent Cloud crashing into a jagged boulder. His head cracked against stone.)

(Cloud) Agh—! (Blood blurred his vision.)

(Vincent, sharp) Cloud!

(Tifa & Aerith, frantic) Cloud!!

(Sephiroth didn’t linger. His gaze lingered on Cloud—half mockery, half promise—before he vanished. The silence that followed was heavier than battle. Cloud’s consciousness slipped, voices fading. One thought echoed as darkness swallowed him:)

(Sephiroth is my nemesis… and he will pay…)

(Days later, Cloud awoke to hazy light and a throbbing head.) (Cloud, weak) Ugh… where… am I…?

(A gentle voice broke through first.) (Aerith) Cloud!

(Then Barret, rough but relieved.) (Barret) Hey man, you alright? That was some blow you took.

(Finally, Vincent, quiet and steady.) (Vincent) Cloud… how are you doing?

(Cloud blinked at their blurred faces, confusion thick in his voice.) (Cloud, hoarse) …Who… are you?