Cloud enjoyed the week he spent with Rinoa, but it came to an end the day he received the letter from SOLDIER. He opened the letter with his trembling hands unable to cope with the suspense. He read the first line of the letter, “Mr. Cloud Strife, we are happy to say that you qualify to attend the SOLDIER training camp…” Cloud stopped reading to jump for joy.

“Look,” he said rushing to Rinoa, “I was accepted to SOLDIER.”

“Oh, Cloud,” Rinoa said smiling, “This letter just says you have to go to the training camp before you’re accepted to SOLDIER “

Cloud frowned, “Oh…so what will I have to do there?”

“Well, they’ll teach you discipline, how to fight, and use Materia.” Rinoa explained, “You do know what Materia is, right?”

“Yeah, they’re colored stones that make it possible to use magic.” He said.

“Absolutely!” she said clapping her hands, “And they’ll teach you how to use magic properly.”

Cloud smiled at Rinoa and said, “Thanks for everything.”

“It was great having you around, little Cloud,” she said giving him a hug.

The next day Cloud was off to the SOLDIER training camp on Duma Island never to see Rinoa ever again. Twenty individuals between the ages of twelve and sixteen were accepted to the training camp, but only four were going to be allowed to become SOLDIER. Cloud felt confident he was going to be one of the four.

They were to train for two years where they would learn how to fight, use weapons, and the proper use of Materia. After the end of the second year the council would pick the top four applicants based on their strength, spirit, and vitality. Cloud would need to prove to the council he was SOLDIER material.

Back in Nibelheim, Tifa never went a day without thinking about Cloud. She wondered if he was healthy, eating right, or if he missed her at all. When the new edition of the newspaper surfaced, Tifa would thoroughly look through the page to see if Cloud ever made it into the paper. She never did find any information on Cloud. Tifa wished he would write her. At least then she would know he’s all right.

The two years of the training were rough for Cloud with all the harsh training and strict discipline. Nonetheless, he was a furious fighter and skilled with Materia. There was another student that could be considered Cloud’s rival. His name was Zack. The boy Zack was the same age as Cloud and just as skilled, maybe even more so. They both had the same dream of becoming the next Sephiroth.

After two years of intense instructions, the day had finally come when the council would read the four names of those blessed enough to make it into SOLDIER. The council read the names aloud for all to hear, “The following students have made it to become part of the most elite group of warriors in the Planets history. Congratulations to Gau Lore of Veldt, congratulations to Setzer Gabbiani of Mideel, congratulations to Celes Chere of Junon, and congratulations to…”

Cloud closed his eyes tightly and hoped beyond hope the next words from their lips were, Cloud Strife of Nibelheim.

“Zack Dincht of Gongaga,” they finally said.

For a moment Cloud’s heart stopped. His mouth ran dry and his fingers began to tingle. His head turned in a daze as he saw the four lucky individuals jump up in hysterics crying and cheering. After the ceremony Cloud set off to his sleeping quarters and cried himself to sleep. All his life he felt weak and useless. Joining SOLDIER was a way of proving to himself and to others that he wasn’t scrawny and worthless. But he couldn’t even accomplish a simple dream. What else was there, Cloud thought. He felt there was no sense of going back to Nibelheim. He was too embarrassed to look into his mother and Tifa’s eyes and see their disappointment. Cloud was mortified at his lack of strength. He decided he wasn’t going back home to Nibelheim.

Cloud enlisted in the military to become a Shinra Trooper. Because of his training in SOLDIER he was quickly accepted. By the time Cloud joined Shinra Troopers the war against Wutai had already been over. Wutai lost the war with millions of casualties. They were forced to accept Mako Energy and prohibited from using Materia until it was seen fit otherwise. Because the war bankrupted the small continent, Wutai became a tourist resort to boost its economy. With the war over, Cloud was surprised when he was assigned to his first mission. He thought there was no more need to be on active duty.

What was special about the mission was the fact that Sephiroth was going to lead that particular group with another member from SOLDIER. That other member from SOLDIER was Zack. The mission was to begin the following day.