(Note: when a character, or Mario, travels to a new world, time may act differently. Remember this for the beginning.)
Time passed by, and Ike and Lucina continued their sparring sessions. Lucina felt that she was definitely getting better. However, her feelings for the Radiant Hero of Legend had changed. Feelings of... affection. Little did she know that Ike had starting getting the same affections toward her. Today, the two had just finished their daily spar.
"You're getting better, Lucina," Ike said, putting his sword on his shoulder.
"Thanks. It's all thanks to you," Lucina replied with a blush, as she sheathed Falchion. That was when Cloud walked in. However, upon coming in, he didn't say a word.
"Can I help you with something, sir?" Ike asked.
"No, not really," Cloud said, as he leaned in a corner, closing his eyes. Ike noticed the handle of Cloud's sword, behind Cloud's head.
"You're a swordsman, aren't you?"
"Yeah. What of it?"
"Do you want to spar?" Ike asked. Warning sirens went off in Lucina's head.
"Hmph. Sounds like fun. I could use the exercise," Cloud said, walking toward the center of the room where Ike and Lucina sparred. Lucina kept off to the side. She wasn't sure what Ike was getting into. Ike got into his stance. That was when Cloud pulled out his sword. That was when Ike and Lucina gasped.
"You like it? I call it the Buster Sword. Six feet long, two feet wide. It's pretty handy, if I say so myself," Cloud said, in his same bored tone. That was when Lucina pulled Ike back.
"Are you crazy?" Lucina said in a loud whisper.
"What? I can't resista challenge," Ike whispered back, in a calmer tone.
He could kill you!"
"It's fine, Lucina. It's just a spar. I'll be okay, trust me," Ike said assuringly.
"Okay. Just be careful," Lucina sighed, stepping back.
"Okay, I'm ready, Prepare yourself!" Ike called, charging toward Cloud. Cloud grinned as Ike went up for a strike. As he came down, Cloud put up his Buster Sword. Both blades clashed, making an impressive wave of energy. Lucina braced herself, her hair whipping around from the force. Ike and Cloud's spar continued. Ike went for big strikes, which were all blocked by Cloud with ease. Eventually, Cloud got enough distance, before launching green beams toward Ike. Ike clumsily dove out of the way.
"He's definitely the toughest opponent I've ever faced. His power is insane," Ike thought to himself, getting to his feet. Ike was able to get up, and charge at Cloud too. The two swung their blades, together with an explosion of sparks. The two continued battle until Ike got a plan. Cloud went in for a finishing blow.
"Gotcha!" Ike said, countering the attack, sending Cloud back, sending him to one knee. Seeing his opponent down, Ike jumper up, preparing for the finishing blow. Suddenly, Cloud arose, and blocked the strike. Ike looked in shock. Cloud looked refreshed, his body now omitting a blue color.
"What!?" Ike said in shock. Cloud was able to push Ike back. He finally took the offense, rushing in and delivering quick swings, something which he hadn't done before. Ike was able to block most of the strikes, but the Cloud's speed began to drain him. Seeing an opportunity, Cloud launched a blue beam from the sword. It hit Ike, sending him into a wall. Seeing this, Cloud went for the final blow.
"Breaking my limits!" Cloud yelled, jumping up, coming down quickly. Ike braced for contact. Suddenly, a wave of force very close to him occurred. He looked up, to see Lucina blocking Cloud's blow with Falchion. Cloud landed on his feet. The blue faded.
"That was fun. Hope to do it again sometime. See ya," Cloud said, calmly. He twirled his sword, sticking it behind his bag, as he walked out of the room. Once he had gone, Lucina turned to face Ike, her face beet red.
"You really are insane, aren't you?" Lucina asked angrily.
"What? I lost, so what?" Ike shrugged, getting to his feet.
"You're not really thinking of doing that again, are you?"
"Of course. I lost. I want to get a chance to beat him. No interference," Ike said with a smirk.
"Real funny...," Lucina huffed as Ike left. She really wasn't sure what to think of Ike now. But she saw something in him she hadn't before; determination. She knew that no matter how many times he would get knocked down, he would always get back up. Such thought made Lucina smile. Meanwhile, the other Zelda was still wandering around the castle. She was amazed how beautiful the place looked, and how nice everyone seemed to be. She was heading for what she heard was the training area. That was when she saw Cloud. Zelda felt her heart skip. She knew something about this boy made her feel something she hadn't felt in a long time. She quickly went up to him.
"Hi, I'm Zelda," Zelda said quickly.
"Oh, hi," Cloud said, continuing to walk.
"That's a nice sword. You must be great in combat," Zelda said. She knew that she was mainly swinging at air, hoping to get something. Luckily for her, Cloud grinned.
"You know, you remind me of a girl I used to know," Cloud said. As for him, he wasn't really sure what to think of this girl. She seemed nice, but he didn't know her.
"Really, who was she?" Zelda said, feeling like a child.
"You don't mind any boring details, do you?" Cloud asked. Zelda happily shook her head. Cloud nodded, then began to tell the story of a young flower girl he'd met in Midgar...