MARVEL I AM DRAGON GOD

The next few days were a blur of intense preparation.

Arthur, Tifa, and Barret spent hours poring over maps of the Sector 5 Mako Reactor, discussing entry points, patrol routes, and potential escape strategies.

Arthur's observations during his time in the hideout proved invaluable.

He pointed out weaknesses in Shinra's security protocols that the others had overlooked, and suggested alternative approaches to neutralize their automated defenses.

'Well, if something bad were to happen. I just need to use my magic.'

Tifa, with her sharp mind and extensive knowledge of Midgar's underbelly, was a master strategist.

She meticulously planned every step, accounting for every contingency.

Her calm demeanor was a stark contrast to Barret's fiery enthusiasm, but together, they formed a formidable leadership duo.

Barret, for his part, was a powerhouse of motivation. He rallied the troops, kept spirits high, and ensured everyone was trained and equipped for the dangerous mission ahead.

Arthur noticed the subtle ways Tifa and Barret interacted. There was a deep respect between them, forged in countless battles and shared sacrifices.

Tifa would often temper Barret's impulsiveness with her logical reasoning, and Barret, in turn, would push Tifa to take bolder risks when necessary.

Their arguments were rare, but when they did happen, they were quickly resolved, always with the shared goal of protecting the Planet at the forefront.

One afternoon, as they were finalizing the mission details, the heavy metal door to the hideout creaked open, and a figure stepped inside.

Arthur looked up, and his jaw almost dropped.

'Shit, am I in an AU version…'

It was Cloud. Or rather, it was Cloudia.

The woman standing there had the unmistakable spiky blonde hair, the piercing blue eyes, and the lean, powerful build of the hero he knew.

But this was unmistakably a woman. She wore the familiar SOLDIER uniform, though it seemed a little more form-fitting on her.

She carried a massive Buster Sword on her back, the iconic weapon gleaming under the dim lights of the hideout.

A wave of confusion washed over Arthur.

Cloudia? He knew the multiverse was a thing, but to see such a fundamental change to a core character was genuinely shocking.

He remembered Tifa and Cloud being childhood friends, and a romantic tension often simmering between them. How would that dynamic play out with Cloudia?

Tifa, who had been studying the map intently, looked up at the sound of the door.

Her eyes widened slightly, and a flicker of something unreadable crossed her face – surprise, perhaps a hint of unease, and then a quick tightening of her jaw.

"Cloudia,"

Tifa said, her voice surprisingly flat, devoid of the warmth Arthur had come to associate with her.

There was a subtle stiffness in her posture, a tension that hadn't been there a moment before.

Cloudia's gaze, as sharp as he remembered Cloud's, swept over the room, settling on Tifa. A small, almost imperceptible frown touched her lips.

"Tifa,"

Cloudia replied, her voice a low contralto, just as cool and measured as Tifa's.

"I heard you were planning something big."

Barret, who had been observing the exchange with a bewildered expression, finally spoke up.

"Who in the blazes is this, Tifa?"

He boomed, his gun-arm instinctively twitching.

Tifa glanced at Barret, then back at Cloudia.

"This is Cloudia,"

She explained, her voice still neutral.

"An old… acquaintance."

The way she said "acquaintance" made it sound like anything but.

Cloudia's eyes flickered to Arthur, assessing him with a quick, piercing glance before returning to Tifa.

"Old acquaintance, huh?"

Cloudia mused, a hint of something unreadable in her tone.

"Is that what we are now?"

The air in the hideout grew thick with unspoken history. Arthur could feel the weight of it, a tangible tension between the two women that was far more complex than a simple childhood friendship.

He had expected a reunion, perhaps awkwardness given Cloud's amnesia in the game, but not this palpable sense of distance, almost like a rift.

"What brings you here, Cloudia?"

Tifa asked, her arms crossing over her chest. It was a defensive posture, Arthur noted.

"I heard Shinra was getting bolder,"

Cloudia said, her gaze unwavering.

"And I heard Avalanche was making some noise. Thought I'd see what all the fuss was about."

She took a step closer to the table, her eyes scanning the maps.

"Looks like you're going after a Mako Reactor."

"That's our business,"

Barret interjected, stepping forward slightly, placing himself protectively between Cloudia and the table.

Cloudia finally broke eye contact with Tifa and looked at Barret. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk played on her lips.

"Is it? Last I checked, Shinra's Mako Reactors are everyone's business, especially if you're trying to take them down."

Her voice was calm, but there was an underlying current of challenge.

Tifa finally moved, walking around the table to stand beside Barret.

"We don't need any help, Cloudia,"

She said, her voice firmer now.

"Don't you?"

Cloudia raised an eyebrow.

"From what I hear, Avalanche is lacking manpower and especially good skilled fighters. Shinra's not going to just roll over and die."

Arthur watched the exchange intently. It was clear there was a deep-seated issue between them, something that went beyond simple professional disagreement.

Was it about the past?

Something that happened before Cloud now Cloudia joined SOLDIER, or perhaps during her time with them?

He remembered the amnesia arc from the game, and wondered if this Cloudia had the same fragmented memories, or if her history was entirely different.

"We handle our own,"

Barret grumbled, though Arthur could sense a slight hesitation in his voice. Even Barret seemed to recognize Cloudia's powerful presence.

"So I see,"

Cloudia replied, her gaze lingering on Tifa.

"And who is this?"

She finally asked, her eyes sweeping back to Arthur.

"This is Arthur,"

Tifa introduced, the stiffness returning to her voice.

"He's... helping us."

"Helping, huh?"

Cloudia's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Arthur. There was no warmth in her gaze, just a shrewd assessment.

"You don't look like a typical slum dog."

Arthur decided to stick to the same vague truth he had offered Tifa.

"I've seen enough of Shinra's work to know they need to be stopped,"

He said, keeping his voice even.

"And I'm here to do what I can."

Cloudia simply hummed, a low, noncommittal sound. She seemed to be weighing his words, but Arthur couldn't read her expression.

He knew Cloud, or Cloudia, was naturally reserved, but this felt different, more guarded.

"Alright, that's enough,"

Barret said, stepping between Cloudia and the others.

"If you're not here to help, then get outta here. We got a mission to plan."

Cloudia's eyes met Barret's, and for a moment, the tension in the room ratcheted up. Arthur braced himself, wondering if a fight was about to break out. But then, to his surprise, Cloudia took a step back.

"Relax,"

She said, a hint of something that might have been amusement in her voice.

"I'm not here to cause trouble. Just… observing."

She paused, then added,

"And perhaps offering my services. Shinra's the enemy, isn't that right?"

Tifa remained silent, her expression unreadable. Barret, however, seemed to deflate slightly, caught between his distrust and the undeniable advantage of having a former SOLDIER on their side, especially one of Cloudia's apparent caliber.

"You really want to help us?"

Barret asked, his voice still gruff with suspicion.

"I have my own reasons for wanting to see Shinra fall,"

Cloudia replied, her gaze briefly flickering to Tifa.

"And I'm good at what I do. You can use me, or you can watch Shinra burn the Planet to a crisp. Your choice."

Barret looked at Tifa, clearly seeking her input. Tifa met his gaze, and for a long moment, a silent conversation passed between them.

Finally, Tifa gave a subtle, almost imperceptible nod. It was clear she didn't like it, but pragmatism seemed to win out over personal feelings.

"Alright,"

Barret grumbled, still not entirely convinced.

"But one wrong move, and you're out. Got it?"

Cloudia gave a faint, almost imperceptible nod.

"Understood."

She then turned her attention back to the map, her expression neutral.

"So, Sector 5 Reactor, huh? What's your plan?"

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