| GCB Fanfics: Vs. Mode |
Vs. Mode - Cloud vs. AuronThe scene opens high above a mountain, where a small town rests at the foot of it. The camera zooms downward to reveal the town's buildings, many of which look like they were built recently. The most notable exception is the mansion at the rear of the town, but the large stadium next to it is definitely a new addition. Many of the townsfolk are lining up outside as the camera zips quickly over their heads and into the venue. "We are live on Pay-Per-Play, coming to you from Nibelheim Center, where the second round of the GameFAQs Great Character Battle continues!" The camera pans back to show the familiar pair of hosts. "To everyone watching throughout the multiverse, welcome once again to Vs. Mode! I'm Brock, and she's one girl who you won't find drooling over Sephiroth, Lucca! The second round of this year's GCB has started off with plenty of action and drama from the North Division. Now, it's time for the fighters in the East Division to take it up a notch as well." Lucca adds, "Indeed, Brock. Some of the first round battles were admittedly cakewalks for the winners, but as we have seen, the degree of difficulty has been bumped up significantly in this latest phase of competition. We've also witnessed quite a few surprises and upsets, so almost nothing can be taken for granted as we progress onward." The crowd erupts into cheers as their hero enters the stadium to the theme of his game. "Cloud is definitely getting a hometown reception from the fans here in Nibelheim. Saving the world usually merits that, but all these people are cheering for him to make a run all the way to the GCB championship. I can almost guarantee that most of his supporters here saw his complete mastering of CATS at the Gold Saucer, and today, they expect another big win from Cloud." Aeris follows Cloud to ringside, where he leaps into the ring and acknowledges the crowd's cheers with a simple raised hand. "Cloud," Aeris says, "I'm worried about you. You lost control during your battle with CATS, and I don't want that to happen again." Cloud sighs, "I'll try, Aeris. It won't be easy since Auron is a much stronger opponent. He could easily get me to the breaking point, and the same goes for me pushing him too far. I'll have to watch out for that." The frenzy of the fans abates slightly as the trio of Auron, Tidus, and Yuna make their way in as Final Fantasy X's theme is heard. "The boy hero may not have as easy a time as some expect from the lone member of the tenth squad still in the contest. Auron had a couple of problems against Tails, but the ronin snatched the victory by using Tornado on the Cyclone and forcing the two-tailed fox to capitulate." Auron enters the ring, leaving Tidus and Yuna to watch the veteran warrior. "Fighting against a teammate is never easy, but only one of these two swordsmen will be able to move on after this battle. Who will it be, Brock?" "It's tough to say," Brock begins, "Both of these guys have powerful swords, effective magic, and their oh-so-deadly desperation moves, but I believe Cloud's experience from being in last year's GCB will be the difference that gives the leader of the seventh squad the victory." "And it looks like this match is about to-" Lucca is cut off as a chocobo taps its beak on her shoulder. In its mouth is a scrap of paper with some scrawled writing on it. "What's this?" The scientist takes the paper, and she gives the chocobo some greens and a pat on the head before it leaves. Upon reading the document, Lucca announces, "Well, it seems the two fighters have requested Ref-Bot to delay the match. I'm guessing they want to talk about something before their swords cross. So, we'll take a quick time-out and let them have their brief chat. Sorry for the inconvenience, folks, but we'll be right back." ---- Down in the ring, Auron grasps the jug he carries with him everywhere, and pours a good amount into his open mouth. "Ah, the taste of good sake should be experienced by all warriors before they die. Would you like some?" "Um, no thanks. What I wanted to say was that even if we are on the same team, I won't hold back any of my strength against you." Auron smiles slightly. "I would have expected nothing less from you. I will make the same promise as well. You are going to need a strong adversary to better your skills for the battles down the road." "I'm glad we understand each other." "Then from one swordsmen to another, let us have an honorable duel," Auron finishes before bowing to his foe. Cloud does the same, and the two move away to their respective starting squares. "The conversation is over, and the battle you've all been wanting to see is just about to get underway! Once again, we apologize for the delay," Brock says. "In what's sure to be an exciting sword duel and much more, here's Ref-Bot to kick this thing off!" "Players, to your positions. Player 1, ready?" "Ready!" Cloud responds after a swing of his Ultima Weapon. "Player 2, ready?" "Ready," Auron answers, dropping into a stance with his Masamune. "Combatants ready. Raise force barriers. Match 37, Cloud vs. Auron. 3, 2, 1... fight!" "Power's on; game's started! The two of them start by advancing quickly towards each other and locking blades. Cloud's bigger sword may give him the advantage though, with better leverage." "Auron kicks Cloud away, and the two begin a dance of swords that could be deadly if one of them makes a wrong move. The Ultima Weapon's massive girth is helping Cloud parry Auron's strikes, but the samurai doesn't seem to have trouble blocking Cloud's attacks either." "It looks like they're at a stalemate when it comes to sword technique, so that means they'll have to resort to magic to gain the upper hand. Auron retreats back to do just that, but Cloud is also starting a cast of his own. They just hit each other with their strongest fire spells, Fire 3 and Firaga!" "They must have been thinking the same think, Brock. The two fighters trade spells once again. Auron receives a Bolt 3, while Cloud gets Thundaga. Those two have both taken serious damage, and it looks like they'll both be dealing even more to each other. That look they have means they're at their respective limits, and there they go!" The swordsmen charge toward each other, starting their attacks the moment they meet. "Omnislash!" "Banishing Blade!" For a split second, time seems to pause. Their arm movements become blurs as they execute their desperation attacks before both fighters move past each other and fall to the ground. "Unbelievable! Both fighters are down! Ref-Bot has come in to start a simultaneous count. Could this battle end in a tie? No! Cloud and Auron are getting up, but Auron looks like he's in serious pain, and Cloud doesn't look that great either." "You have to admit that no one would feel good after either of those attacks, Brock. Omnislash is Omnislash, and Banishing Blade will pretty much break you in every way. Now, it's all a matter of who wants it more." The two swordsmen breathe heavily as they face each other, both down on one knee. Auron feels his body burn with each cut of Cloud's sword, while Cloud is in shambles from the effects of Auron's Bushido Overdrive. Despite their fatigue and their agony, both are able to look up and smile at the other, knowing that they had fought with all they had. The blonde-haired swordsman slowly rises to his feet, persisting through his ailments. The samurai, on the other hand, flops onto his back, his body refusing to continue. After the mandatory ten seconds, the match was over. "Winner: Cloud." "And yet another unforgettable battle is over!" Brock raves. "Cloud advances to the Sweet Sixteen in a hard-fought win against Auron. Can you believe that this is only the first match of the day? The action is just getting started!" "Jumping into the fray next are two competitors who have been in melees before. It's a monstrous turtle against a cute dinosaur, when we return on Vs. Mode!" Next Entry Back |