reunions for first-time greeters

“Wow,” Sora said in awe, eyes wide and mouth agape as he took in his surroundings, “It’s almost as if Tron got a hold of the Coliseum.”

Cloud hummed, remembering Sora mentioning the man from time to time and all the technology that made his head spin. It was a fair comparison, he thought, Sora’s attention currently focused on the large screens at the end of the room, displaying the current brawl. “Yeah, guess so.” 

The other fighters were currently camped out in the room, some entertaining themselves with the equipment the arena provided, others munching on snacks and taking it easy, and a select few had begun to prepare themselves for the upcoming match. 

Cloud made a note to check the lineup before the next tournament started. He looked around, wondering who he could entrust Sora to in the chance he was up next. Normally, Mario was there to greet newcomers, but seeing how the man was currently fiddling with his medical supplies since the doctors on standby had stepped out for lunch, it would be a safer bet to find someone else. 

“Hey, Cloud,” Sora stared up at him, arms crossed behind his head as he shifted his weight to one foot, “Do you like it here?”

On the screens, Sephiroth flew about; the camera focused on the tense struggle between him and Link. The man currently had the upper hand, but Link could potentially send him flying with the slightest slip-up.

“For the most part,” Cloud said quietly, “It’s not that bad.” He huffed when Sephiroth slashed downward, sending the young warrior flying. The clock showed about thirty seconds remaining, so there was still a chance Link could turn things around, not to mention Bayonetta and Dante slowly catching up. He turned back to Sora, “Donald and Goofy?”

“Oh,” Sora scratched at his cheek sheepishly, “King Mickey said there were some things that needed to be taken care of, so they couldn’t come along this time.” He patted at his hoodie. “Jiminy said they could send letters, though.” His shoulders seemed to droop a little as he thought back to his close companions, “I hope they’re doing alright.” 

Cloud shuffled on his feet, never having been all that great at comforting people. He placed his hand on Sora’s shoulder and gently squeezed it, attempting his best. “I’m sure they are.”

It wasn’t hard to see that the boy was feeling a bit at a loss. While Cloud had always known Sora to be cheerful and friendly—one of the only people Cloud knew capable of befriending everything and anything—Donald and Goofy usually accompanied him, no doubt bringing out the best in him. So it was understandable for the boy to feel at a loss without his other friends by his side.

Sora smiled up at him, a little more upbeat. “Thanks, Cloud.”

They roamed about the room, Cloud handing Sora a bag of gummies to chew on as he continued to survey the room for someone that could be of some help. The screens showed that the fighters were currently in an intermission, Mario no longer to be seen. He hummed, walking over to an empty bench with Sora following along. Cloud couldn’t help but smile, remembering when Denzel would follow him around in that manner.

Maybe I should find Zelda or Peach, Cloud thought, Daisy, tends to be pretty good at this, too. I know Sora’s the type to befriend the world, but he should probably stay clear of people like Wario and Dedede for the time being—

“So, you’re Sora!”

The two looked up to see Pit standing before them, the angel rocking on his heels with barely hidden excitement.

Sora sat up, swallowing the gummies in his mouth. “Y-Yeah,” he smiled, “That’s me!” He held the bag of snacks out to Pit, who merely shook his head, too excited to eat, his wings spreading out.

Cloud coughed out some feathers after a wing smacked him in the face.

The angel leaned in, examining Sora. After a minute, he nodded and held out his hand. “It was really cool how you flew back there. Name’s Pit, by the way!” He smiled wider when Sora grabbed his hand, shaking it firmly, “It’s nice to meet you!”

Sora perked up at that. “Oh, Tink lets me do that,” He seemed at ease as he talked about his friend. “She’s really nice once you get to know her, and her magic’s super fun!”

Pit tilted his head. “Tink?” He held his chin in thought, “Is she like Lady Palutena, then?”

“Lady Palutena?”

As the two continued their chatter, Cloud looked around the room, alert. It wasn’t that Pit was a problem, but more that wherever Pit went, usually—

“So you’re the new guy.”

Cloud glared as Dark Pit came up, scrutinizing Sora. He scoffed and turned his nose up, “Doesn’t seem like much.”

Sora blinked as Pit frowned at the clone, his wings curled back in. “Hey, Pitto, that’s not nice—”

“Don’t call me that!”

“Well, don’t say that to Sora!” Pit turned to Sora, apologetic. “You’ll have to forgive Pitto here. He gets crabby after getting sidelined—”

“I wasn’t sidelined!”

“For more than three rounds,” he leaned in close, whispering loudly to Sora, “between you and me, he’s not the most exciting person to wa—”

Cloud pulled Sora back in time as Pit went flying to the floor, Dark Pit attempting to strangle him.

“Ouch! Don’t pull my wings! Stop! Lady Palutena said I wouldn’t get another pair if I messed these up again—”

“Then quit ignoring me and saying those things!”

“Well, quit being annoying, then!”

“You’re the annoying one!”

“No, you are!”

“Dumb bi—”

“Let’s go, Sora,” Cloud said, sidestepping the two wrestling each other on the floor. Usually, there were rules in place that banned serious brawling outside of the stadium grounds, but in the case of the two angels, the managers found it more effort to separate them and only stepped in during severe situations.

(Which had drastically gone down after one particular talk with Lady Palutena that both Pit and Dark Pit shuddered at when asked about, refusing to speak of the incident.) 

“Um,” Sora stepped over to Cloud’s side, glancing toward the two. Pit currently had his fingers in Dark Pit’s mouth and was forcing him to smile. He yelped when Dark Pit bit down, refusing to let go. “Will they be okay? Should we help them?”

Pit managed to break free and headbutted Dark Pit, the two releasing identical yelps and holding their heads. 

“Best not,” Cloud said, leading Sora away. The banner on the screen showed five minutes left before the next match started, and Cloud wondered if he should try to find Marth instead. The prince usually wasn’t too hard to find in a crowd, Ness, Lucas, and Toon Link usually performing tricks nearby. There was just something about him that the children seemed to find soothing, so Cloud reasoned that if anyone here could really welcome Sora, Marth would be the best fit.

Sora gasped all of a sudden. “Are those dream eaters?” He asked excitedly, pointing to a corner. Cloud turned to see Red waxing Squirtle’s shell, the Pokémon dozing off in his lap. Ivysaur and Charizard were seated nearby, happily eating their meals.

“Ah, no, they’re Pokémon,” Cloud replied. Sora turned to him, waiting for further explanation. Cloud shifted his weight, trying to find his words. “They’re like pets, but,” he mulled the words over in his head, trying to find the best explanation, “...magical.” He coughed to hide his embarrassment when Sora giggled at that.

“That’s amazing!” Sora rocked on his heels, hands crossed behind his back, “There’s really a lot of awesome heroes here, huh?” Sora paused and quietly said, “...wonder if I’ll fit in.”

Cloud’s brow furrowed. He opened his mouth—

“You will.”

The two blinked at each other, the voice new.

Cloud was surprised to see the older Ike standing there, the man typically the type to keep to himself. Ike was staring at Sora, who seemed almost skittish beneath the man’s intense stare.

“Sora.”

The boy straightened up, “Y-Yes?”

A rare smile showed on the man’s face, and Cloud felt his jaw drop when Ike placed his hand on Sora’s head, giving it a firm yet gentle pat. “You’ll do good. You’re a part of the family now,” he removed his hand, and Cloud couldn’t help but narrow his eyes when he noticed that the man almost seemed embarrassed by his following words. “There are more than enough partners here to help you out... if you’d like.”

Sora’s lips were parted open, silently staring up at the man in awe. Ike’s face was dusted red, and he turned his attention to Cloud. “...your tournament starts next.”

“Ah, right. Thanks,” Cloud nodded, placing his hand on Sora’s shoulder. “Do you know where Marth i—”

“Ike, can I train with you?” Sora blurted out. Ike and Cloud stared at the boy as he rambled on. “You remind me a lot of Herc, and well, since I’m still new, I think it’d be cool to get a feel of things, right?” His words slowed down, ending in a nervous laugh as he scratched the back of his head. “If it’s not a bother, sir?”

Cloud made a face. Sir? Sir?

“Hey, Sora!”

Before Ike could answer, two bodies came hurtling forward, Cloud thankful that Ness and Toon Link stopped before they rammed into the boy. Behind them, Lucas and Young Link followed, their arms filled with small rockets. Ness held out his hand, smiling up at Sora. “Nice to meet you! Is it true you can use magic?”

Toon Link raised his brows, asking the same. 

Sora perked up. “Yeah!”

Ness grabbed hold of Sora’s hand. “You wanna come play with us? Link here—the other Link! We have a lot of Links, but this Link here learned something really cool that’s like magic. I think you’d like it!”

Marth sent us.

Cloud looked toward Lucas, who bowed his head slightly.

He knew you’d be worried. Lucas glanced towards Ike and then back towards the floor. He said you need to prepare yourself for the brawl, and then you can focus on the other fight.

Cloud frowned. Other fight?

“Goodbye, Mr. Strife! Bye, Mr. Ike!” Ness waved at the two, his fingers already entwined with Sora’s. “We’ll make sure Sora’s in good hands.”

The two Links had already walked off, Ness guiding Sora away. Hurriedly, Sora waved toward Cloud and wished him luck before turning to Ike and shyly bid him farewell, asking if they could spar another time. Lucas nodded to them and then quickly took off with the others.

Once they were out of sight, Cloud turned toward Ike and stared at him.

Really, really stared at him.

Ike stared back. “Yes?”

“You don’t normally greet new fighters.”

“I know,” Ike seemed a bit bashful, “He... just seemed a bit lost… And reminded me of Mist.”

“Mist?”

“My sister,” Ike said and looked toward the direction where Sora and the others had gone. His stare was kind. “He seems like a good kid.”

Oh. Oh, no. Cloud felt dread build in his chest, suddenly realizing why Squall was always worried about Sora if the letters were anything to go by. He opened his mouth—unsure if it was a threat forming on his tongue—when a hand landed on his shoulder.

“Oh, afternoon,” Ike nodded to their new, unwanted visitor.

“Afternoon,” the voice said with such haughtiness that Cloud was tempted to throw the man over his shoulder.

Instead, he turned slowly to see Sephiroth standing behind him, shirtless and with minimal damage. The man smiled, his grip tight on Cloud’s shoulder. “Our time starts now,” he tapped Masamune against his shoulder. “I do not wish to wait for my next victory.”

Cloud clicked his tongue and brushed the man’s hand off. He’d have to deal with Ike later. 

Right now, he’d send Sephiroth flying off the stage in twenty seconds flat.

“The boy has returned,” Sephiroth commented as they made their way toward the stadium entrance, “I wonder how far he’ll fly when thrown.”

Cloud grit his teeth.

Five seconds flat.