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Character Listing for Part 9

CLOUD STRIFE

BARRET WALLACE

TIFA LOCKHEART

AERIS GAINSBOROUGH

RED XIII/NANAKI

YUFFIE KISARGI

CAIT SITH

BUGENHAGEN

RUFUS

HOJO

HEIDEGGER

SCARLET

RENO

RUDE

TSENG

ARMY CAPTAIN

DIO’S ASSISTANT

TOWNSWOMAN

ANNOUNCER (VO)

DIO

MR. COATES

ESTER

JOE

ZACK’S FATHER

ZACK’S MOTHER
Set Listing for Part 9

Interiors

OBSERVATORY - BEDROOM

OBSERVATORY - LAB

SHINRA TOWER - LABORATORY 1

GOLD SAUCER - DIO’S OFFICE

GOLD SAUCER - CHOCOBO SQUARE

GOLD SAUCER - GARAGE

ELEVATOR

CHOCOBO SQUARE - STABLES

CHOCOBO SQUARE - RACETRACK

CHOCOBO SQUARE - WINNER CIRCLE

GONGAGA - ZACK’S HOME

BUGGY

Exteriors

DESERT PRISON - STREETS

DESERT PRISON - ELEVATOR

DESERT PRISON - JUNKYARD

OPEN WORLD - DESERT

OPEN WORLD - OUTSIDE DESERT

OPEN WORLD - BUGGY

GONGAGA - PATH

GONGAGA - REACTOR RUINS

GONGAGA - TOWN

Part 9: The Lost Son

FADE IN

INT. SHINRA TOWER - PRISON CELL - DAY - FLASHBACK

BLACK AND WHITE

BAM! BUGENHAGEN’S unconscious body impacts with the stone floor.

FIRST PERSON VIEW through Bugenhagen’s eyes

HEIDEGGER (OS)

See to it that he’s delivered back to Cosmo Canyon.

SHINRA SOLDIER #14 (OS)

Yes, sir.

The SHINRA SOLDIER [#14] walks toward Bugenhagen. He hoists him up on this shoulder and carries him out of the cell. Bugenhagen’s eyes close.

INT. OBSERVATORY - BEDROOM - DAY

BLACK AND WHITE

The soldier throws Bugenhagen on the ground of his bedroom. The soldier then exits.

FADE OUT

INT. OBSERVATORY - BEDROOM - NIGHT

FADE IN

COLOR

Bugenhagen opens his eyes. He sits up and looks around. His glasses lie next to him.

BUGENHAGEN

There you are.

He picks up his glasses and realizes that they’re broken. Bugenhagen sighs.

BUGENHAGEN

Bastards.

He stands up and walks to a small wooden desk. He places the broken glasses on top of the desk and grabs a new pair from a drawer.

BUGENHAGEN

(adjusting his glasses)

There we go.

He walks over to a small circular window and looks out. His eyes lock with the bright full moon in the sky.

FADE TO:

EXT. DESERT PRISON - STREETS - NIGHT

the same bright full moon. RED XIII looks up at the moon in the sky. Meanwhile CLOUD and TIFA are talking with the ARMY CAPTAIN. We do not hear what they’re talking about. A beat; then the captain walks away. Cloud and Tifa walk to join Red XIII, AERIS, YUFFIE, CAIT SITH, and BARRET, who looks depressed.

CAIT SITH

What’s the verdict?

CLOUD

They can’t get us to see Dio. They can’t even find us a way back up. It’s against regulations or something.

YUFFIE

After all we did for them!?

BARRET

You didn’t do anything to help. You back backstabbed us, remember?

Yuffie sighs.

TIFA

Can it wait, please? We’ve still got to find a way back up into Gold Saucer.

Meanwhile, a prisoner named MR. COATES (40) eavesdrops on the party’s conversation from inside the back of a large disabled truck. A beat; then

YUFFIE

Whatever happened to Gatta?

CLOUD

You broke his neck when you hit him.

YUFFIE

Sorry, Gatta.

AERIS

Perhaps we should talk about how we get out of here.

MR. COATES (OS)

I can help you.

The party looks over and sees Coates sitting in the back of the truck. They walk to the truck.

MR. COATES

So you want to get back up to Gold Saucer, eh?

BARRET

That’s right.

MR. COATES

There is a way. However there are things your have to do first.  You got to get the boss’s permission and win the Chocobo…

BARRET

(interrupting)

Dyne’s got his reasons and can’t speak. So, I got this.

Barret shows Coates Dyne’s pendant. Coates squints his eyes.

MR. COATES

How’d you get that?

CLOUD

Can you find us a way up or not?

MR. COATES

You killed Dyne, didn’t you? You must have. He’d never give away his late wife’s pendant.

Coates sighs heavily.

MR. COATES

(CONT.)

So Dyne’s dead. Maybe this place’ll calm down a bit. Dyne ran things down here like a dictator.

Barret reaches in the truck and violently grabs Coates and pulls him out onto the ground.

BARRET

(clutching Coates’ shirt)

What the hell do you know about it?!

MR. COATES

Listen, I’ve been down here for fifteen years. I know more than you believe.

Barret releases him.

CLOUD

Can you get us out of here?

MR. COATES

As I was saying, the only real legal way to get out of here is to win one the Chocobo Races.

CAIT SITH

That’s right! Owners come down here from Gold Saucer and recruit prisoners to race their chocobos in the races.

MR. COATES

He’s right. That’s how I earn my living too. I gather up people like you and offer them to the scouts.

CLOUD

We’re not slaves.

MR. COATES

Of course not, but I always get something extra from the owner if one of the racers I introduced win. The problem is Dyne kept taxing me because I didn’t join his resistance.

AERIS

Where are these scouts?

MR. COATES

They’re around. I can introduce you to one.

TIFA

(to Cloud)

Should we do it?

RED XIII

It looks like we have no choice.

BARRET

But who’ll race?

Everyone looks at Cloud.

CLOUD

Me?

AERIS

We’re all looking at you.

CLOUD

I can’t race one of those things! I’ve only ridden on one once before.

TIFA

Never too late to learn.

A beat; then

MR. COATES

Have you decided?

CLOUD

(hesitant)

Yeah. It looks like I’ll be the one racing.

MR. COATES

Splendid! Follow me.

EXT. DESERT PRISON - ELEVATOR - NIGHT

Coates leads the party to the elevator that leads up to Gold Saucer. There waiting is ESTER, a female Chocobo owner. Next to her are two BODYGUARDS. Ester sees Coates and smiles.

ESTER

Coates!

MR. COATES

Ester. How ‘ya doing?

The two embrace.

ESTER

What’ve you got for me today?

MR. COATES

A top notch rider looking for freedom.

ESTER

You said that about your last

rider.

MR. COATES

Hey, it wasn’t my fault he tried to escape and the guards blew his head off.

ESTER

You should have told me he was hostile.

MR. COATES

Ester, I found out when you did.

A beat; then

ESTER

Who is it today?

MR. COATES

(smiling)

Come, come, let me introduce you to…

CLOUD

Cloud.

Cloud shakes Ester’s hand.

ESTER

Nice to meet you Cloud. I’m Ester. I manage Chocobo jockeys.

Ester looks at the party.

ESTER

Am I managing all of you?

CLOUD

Just me, but all our freedoms are at stake.

ESTER

This one guy is representing all of you?

AERIS

That’s right.

Ester sighs.

ESTER

(to Cloud)

Looks like you got a lot riding on your shoulder, no pun intended.

CLOUD

It’s certainly appears so.

ESTER

Any experience?

CLOUD

Well,

MR. COATES

(interrupting)

He’s a champion, this guy. Chocobo racing runs in his blood.

ESTER

Let him answer, Coates.

(to Cloud)

Well?

CLOUD

I’ve only ridden a Chocobo once.

ESTER

Sorry Coates. No deal.

Ester starts to walk away with her bodyguards. Coates chases after her.

MR. COATES

You’re not just going to let these innocent people suffer down here, are you?

ESTER

I need riders with experience.

MR. COATES

This guy can do it.

ESTER

Come on, Coates! Do I look like a fool? You probably just met this guy.

Coates sighs.

CLOUD (OS)

He’s right though.

Ester and Mr. Coates look behind them and see Cloud walking toward them.

CLOUD

(CONT.)

I can do it.

ESTER

Convince me, Cloud.

CLOUD

I was in SOLIDER a few years back. I’ve had more intense training than any of your jockeys.

ESTER

You were a member of SOLDIER? As in not anymore?

CLOUD

That’s right.

ESTER

How do I know you’re telling the truth?

CLOUD

Look at my eyes.

Ester walks forward and looks into Cloud’s eyes. She notices the strange glow.

ESTER

They’re glowing.

CLOUD

Every member in SOLDIER is showered with Mako energy. The glowing eyes are a reaction.

Ester sighs and thinks while Coates looks on with anticipation. A beat; then

ESTER

Fine. I’ll put my faith in your skills. If SOLDIER can put together guys like Sephiroth, I know you’ll do.

CLOUD

Thank you.

Cloud, Coates, and Ester with her bodyguards walk back to the others.

MR. COATES

Good news my friends.

TIFA

What?

ESTER

I’ve decided to sponsor your friend here.

Tifa and the rest of party’s faces light up with excitement.

ESTER

(CONT.)

If he’s as good as he implies, you should all be free in no time.

Ester looks at Barret. She notices Dyne’s pendant around his neck. Barret sees Ester looking and fists his hand around it.

CLOUD

So anyway, where do you take me?

ESTER

I’ll be taking you up to the Chocobo Square. Then to the stables. The rest of you will have to wait down here.

YUFFIE

Why can’t we go up and at least watch the race?

ESTER

Because technically you’re all still prisoners.

AERIS

It doesn’t matter. We know Cloud will win.

RED XIII

Yes, about that, you say winning will ensure us of our freedom.

ESTER

That’s up to Dio. Most of the time depending on your crime, he’ll let you free.

A few beats; then

ESTER

Follow me, Cloud. I’ll take you to the stables.

Cloud nods and follows Ester into the large cargo-sized elevator.

TIFA

Good luck!

CLOUD

Thanks.

BARRET

You better win, man!

CLOUD

(smiling)

Trust me.

The party watches as the elevator starts to rise. They watch until the elevator disappears behind the wall of the stem of Gold Saucer.

CAIT SITH

So you think he’ll do it?

BARRET

He better or we’re all screwed.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - DIO’S OFFICE - NIGHT

DIO is in his office talking with the army captain. There with the two is DIO’S ASSISTANT.

DIO

Give me your report.

ARMY CAPTAIN

The resistance leader, Dyne, has been neutralized.

Dio stands up from his desk with a wide grin.

DIO

(happy)

You’re kidding!?

ARMY CAPTAIN

(maintaining seriousness)

No, sir.

DIO

This is great news.

A beat.

DIO

(CONT.)

Who did it? Who killed that bastard?

ARMY CAPTAIN

Some of the other prisoners. One of our fortune tellers gathered the troops down in the prison and with the help of another group of prisoners, we stopped the resistance.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

A group of prisoners?

Dio looks at his assistant.

DIO

(joyous)

They did it! I thought it was impossible, but they did it. Fuckin’ amazing! Are they still down there?

ARMY CAPTAIN

Yes, sir. They asked to be brought up but it was against our regulations.

Dio sighs heavily.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

He’s right. We should have thought this through, Dio. There’s no way the board will allow prisoners to be brought back up no matter what they did for us.

DIO

They aren’t prisoners. Hell, they weren’t even criminals. Besides, the board doesn’t own Gold Saucer. I do.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Is there a way for them to get back up?

DIO

We should certainly look for a way. We owe it to these people.

ARMY CAPTAIN

That is unless they’ve already found a way up, sir.

The three exchange glances.

INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT

Cloud, Ester, and her bodyguards wait in the elevator silently as it rises. A few beats; then Ester breaks the silence.

ESTER

That pendant on your friend’s neck,

CLOUD

Who? Barret? What about him?

ESTER

I heard the leader of the resistance down there had a pendant just like that one.

CLOUD

So what if he did?

ESTER

No big deal, I just find it fascinating.

CLOUD

(sarcastic)

Well, thanks for sharing then.

They all wait in silence again. The elevator stops.

ESTER

This is our stop.

Ester leads Cloud and her bodyguards into--

INT. CHOCOBO SQUARE - STABLES - NIGHT

They walk through the stables. The stables are filled with Chocobos. Few of the stables are empty and several JOCKEYS tend them.

CLOUD

Never seen so many of these birds in one place.

Ester leads Cloud to a stable with her name above it. There waiting is a decent sized normal yellow Chocobo.

ESTER

Here he is.

Ester CALLS the Chocobo over with a sound. The Chocobo gets up and walks over to her. She pets it.

ESTER

(petting the Chocobo)

His name’s Pacco and he’s one of my fastest.

CLOUD

Yeah?

ESTER

He’s still only in the A-Class though. I’ve got to keep working him to get him up to the S-Class where the real champions are.

Cloud looks over to a different stable and sees a green Chocobo.

CLOUD

What’s with that?

Ester looks and sees the green Chocobo.

ESTER

It’s a green Chocobo.

CLOUD

I can see that, but I thought all chocobos were yellow.

ESTER

Those are special ones. They come out through special breeding methods.

CLOUD

Oh.

A beat; then

ESTER

I’ve got to go register you for the next race. Why don’t you and Pacco get acquainted?

Ester and her bodyguards start to walk way.

CLOUD

And how do I get acquainted with a bird!?

ESTER (OS)

Talk to him. Tell him your life story.

CLOUD

Yeah right.

Cloud sighs and looks at the Chocobo.

EXT. DESERT PRISON - STREETS - NIGHT

The party, minus Cloud, walks the streets of the Desert Prison with Mr. Coates.

RED XIII

Might I ask when the next race is?

MR. COATES

The dawn race is in four hours.

BARRET

What the hell are we going to do down for four hours!?

AERIS

C’mon Barret, it’s not that bad.

YUFFIE

I’m with Barret on this one. Four hours can seem like a long time. Besides, what if those loyal to the former resistance want a little revenge.

MR. COATES

I heard the army took care of all the resistance members.

The party continues to walk on. Red XIII falls behind. The party’s conversation morphs into silence as Red XIII fully stops and sits down. His head raises and he again stares up at the full moon. A few beats; then

THE PARTY AND COATES

TIFA

So how much you get if Cloud wins, Coates?

MR. COATES

Enough for me to survive.

Aeris looks around and sees that Red XIII is gone.

AERIS

Where’s Red?

YUFFIE

What?

AERIS

Red XIII’s gone.

They all look around. Tifa looks behind her and sees Red XIII staring up at the moon.

RED XIII

RED XIII

(hypnotic)

…Grandpa.

TIFA (OS)

Red!

Red continues to stare up at the moon. The party arrives on screen.

TIFA

Red!

Red XIII snaps out of his trance.

RED XIII

What?

CAIT SITH

What are staring at, my fury friend?

RED XIII

Nothing.

Red glances back up at the moon. The party then all looks up at the moon.

AERIS

The moon?

BARRET

Eh, I’ve seen it before.

(looking down at Red)

What’s so mesmerizing about the moon?

AERIS

The moon can be beautiful, Barret.

BARRET

I know, but why stop and just stare?

RED XIII

It just brings back some memories is all.

Red XIII starts to walk forward.

AERIS

What kind of memories?

RED XIII

Memories of things back home. I remember having a great view of the moon.

MR. COATES

Where do you live?

RED XIII

I lived in Cosmo Canyon.

The party walks up to join Red XIII.

MR. COATES

Cosmo Canyon, eh? I’ve never been there.

TIFA

Isn’t Cosmo Canyon also called, Valley of the Fallen Star?

RED XIII

Yes. It was a glorious name, ‘Cosmo Canyon the Valley of the Fallen Star’.

A beat.

RED XIII

(CONT.)

Before the time of today’s humans, even before the Cetra, they say that there was a tremendous meteor shower.

AERIS

And the crashing meteors created the canyon.

BARRET

So this place is nothing but craters?

RED XIII

No. The planet cured the damage caused by the shower and out of the rubble it created Cosmo Canyon.

MR. COATES

The planet can do things like that!?

AERIS

The planet can do lots of miraculous things.

FADE TO

INT. CHOCOBO SQUARE - STABLES - DAWN

Cloud waits patiently in the stables. As he waits a JOCKEY walks up to him.

JOCKEY

Hey, how you doin’?

CLOUD

Fine.

JOCKEY

(extending his hand)

My name’s Joe.

CLOUD

(shaking Joe’s hand)

Cloud.

JOE

Nice Chocobo.

CLOUD

Thanks.

A few beats; then

JOE

I’ve never seen you around here before.

CLOUD

I’m new.

JOE

Oh yeah? It’s always nice to have new blood to race against.

Ester walks in.

JOE

(looking at Ester)

Ester!? You’re being managed by Ester?

CLOUD

Yeah.

ESTER

You seem surprised Joe.

JOE

It’s just you haven’t had a winning rider in months.

Cloud looks at Ester.

ESTER

(sarcastically)

Thank you for reminding me.

A beat.

ESTER

(CONT.)

Listen, I need to talk to my rider alone.

Joe nods.

JOE

Pre-race preparations. I got some to do myself. See you on the track, Cloud.

Joe leaves.

CLOUD

So you haven’t won a race in months?

ESTER

The manager can’t do everything.

CLOUD

(sarcastic)

Very encouraging.

ESTER

Forget about that. I’ve registered you in the dawn race. We should head out to the track.

Ester opens the stable and grabs Pacco’s reins. She leads him out. Cloud follows.

INT. CHOCOBO SQUARE - RACE TRACK - DAWN

Cloud hops on his Chocobo. He is joined by seven other jockeys including Joe.

ESTER

Be careful.

CLOUD

I will.

ESTER

Watch out for Joe, he races dirty and he’ll try to knock you off.

CLOUD

I assure you that won’t happen.

Ester pats Pacco.

ESTER

Good luck.

Cloud nods and Ester exits the track. Cloud meanwhile sits on the Chocobo patiently.

EXT. DESERT PRISON - JUNKYARD - DAWN

The party, all bored, is standing around the junkyard. Coates looks at the sky.

MR. COATES

The race should be beginning soon.

BARRET

Finally! We’ve been standing here with our thumbs up our ass for hours.

TIFA

It’s all up to Cloud now.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - DIO’S OFFICE - DAWN

Dio is sitting at his desk smoking a cigar when suddenly his assistant excitedly hangs up the phone.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Sir, you’ve to see this!

DIO

(sitting up)

What?

DIO’S ASSISTANT

Look at the lineup for the dawn Chocobo Race.

DIO

(standing up)

Bring up on the monitor!

His assistant presses a series of buttons and the Chocobo Race appears on the large monitor. Dio smiles at the sight of Cloud.

DIO

Son of a bitch.

INT. CHOCOBO SQUARE - RACETRACK - DAWN

The riders all wait anxiously for the race to commence. Cloud too readies himself.

ANNOUNCER (VO)

Riders take your mark!

INT. GOLD SAUCER - CHOCOBO SQUARE - DAWN

Ester watches the race on a monitor from the gambling room. Her hands are folded in nervousness.

ESTER

(to herself)

C’mon, Cloud!

INT. CHOCOBO SQUARE - RACETRACK - DAWN

The riders have all taken their mark.

ANNOUNCER (VO)

Ready!

Cloud and Joe glance over at each other. Joe shoots Cloud a smirk.

ANNOUNCER (VO)

Go!

ZOOM! The Chocobos speed off. An exciting race scene begins.* The announcer covers the entire race and Ester watches from the gambling room. Throughout the race Cloud competes with Joe. On the home stretch Joe and Cloud slash at each other. Cloud pushes Joe into a low hanging rail knocking him off his Chocobo.

Cloud crosses the finish line first. He sighs in great relief.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - CHOCOBO SQUARE - DAWN

Ester cheers from inside the gambling center. Other customers cheer as well.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - DIO’S OFFICER - DAY

Dio smiles while watching Cloud celebrate on the large monitor.

ANNOUCER (VO)

Cloud Strife wins it! A newbie from the Desert Prison wins it all!

DIO’S ASSISTANT

He did it!

DIO

Is there anything is guy can’t do?

DIO’S ASSISTANT

We can legally free him and his friend now without the board on our backs.

Dio smiles again.

DIO

I want to meet with them.

EXT. DESERT PRISON - ELEVATOR - DAY

Mr. Coates silently talks with one of the soldiers near the elevator. He smiles and walks to join the party. They all wait with anticipation.

AERIS

Well?

A beat.

MR. COATES

He did it!

Simultaneously the party all CHEER.

TIFA

I knew he’d do it!

MR. COATES

Yes! I’m rich!

INT. CHOCOBO SQUARE - WINNER CIRCLE - DAY

Cloud steps into the winner circle where Dio waits with a tremendous grin.

DIO

Congratulations!

CLOUD

Thank you.

DIO

I should be the one thanking you. You did me a huge favor yesterday.

Ester walks onto the scene. She congratulates Cloud.

DIO

(to Ester)

You’ve found yourself a fine champion, here Ester.

Ester smiles. Meanwhile, Dio pulls out a microphone.

DIO

(into microphone)

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present…the winner of today’s race…Cloud!

INT. GOLD SAUCER - CHOCOBO SQUARE - DAY

The crowd in the Chocobo square gives Cloud a mixed reaction.

INT. CHOCOBO SQUARE - WINNER CIRCLE - DAY

Cloud, Ester, and Dio pose for a few pictures. A few beats; then the cameras turn off and the lights dim.

ESTER

That’s it?

DIO

We’re not high on post-race ceremonies.

Ester nods. A beat.

CLOUD

You’re going to let me free now right?

DIO

Of course!

CLOUD

And my friends?

DIO

I’ll see to it that they’re brought up from the prison.

CLOUD

(smiling)

Thank you.

He starts to walk away.

DIO

Hey Cloud!

Cloud stops and looks back at Dio.

DIO

Follow me to the garage.

EXT. DESERT PRISON - ELEVATOR - DAY

The army captain gathers up the group near the elevator.

ARMY CAPTAIN

Step inside.

The elevator gates open and the party walk inside. Coates watches.

AERIS

What about Coates? If it weren’t for him, we’d all still be stuck down here.

They all look at Coates.

MR. COATES

I’m fine down here. When Ester comes back down I’ll be living an even better life.

TIFA

Are you sure?

Coates nods.

BARRET

Thanks for the help. We owe you.

The gates shut and the elevator begins its ascent.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - GARAGE - DAY

Dio, his assistant, and Cloud walk into the garage. Around them are many vehicles of all kinds.

CLOUD

Where are we?

DIO

My garage. This is where a lot of Gold Saucer’s mechanic maintenance takes place.

CLOUD

But why are we here.

The three stop.

DIO

We’re here because I owe you, Cloud.

A beat.

DIO

(CONT.)

I apologize. You and your friends were wrongfully accused.

CLOUD

Don’t worry about it.

They look behind them and see Barret, Tifa, Aeris, Red XIII, Yuffie, and Cait Sith all walk toward them. Cloud smiles. Aeris looks up and sees Cloud. She runs to him. They briefly hug.

AERIS

Cloud!

They release each other.

BARRET

You did it, man.

Cloud nods.

CLOUD

I did.

He glances back at Aeris and loses himself in her eyes. A beat; then

YUFFIE

So Dio,

Dio looks at Yuffie.

YUFFIE

(CONT.)

What next?

Dio smiles and looks over and sees Tifa.

DIO

(looking at Tifa)

It’s you.

TIFA

Yeah.

DIO

How did you get down to the prison? I didn’t help you.

TIFA

Your fortune teller here aided us.

Dio looks at Cait Sith.

CAIT SITH

It was the least I could do sir after what we did to them.

DIO

You did a fine job.

CLOUD

Sorry to interrupt, but we really have to be leaving.

BARRET

He’s right. You see, we’re chasing someone.

DIO

The man in black?

CLOUD

(slightly shocked)

Yeah. How’d you know?

Dio chuckles.

DIO

(looking at Tifa)

I ran into your friend yesterday. She told me.

Cloud looks over at Tifa.

DIO

(CONT.)

The man in the black cloak came to me and asked me for the Black Materia.

AERIS

(awestruck)

Black Materia?

DIO

Yeah, you know about it?

AERIS

(hesitant)

No.

A beat.

TIFA

You also said you saw a tattoo on the man’s hand.

DIO

Yes. The number ‘1’ was tattooed on him.

CLOUD

The number one? I don’t remember Sephiroth having a tattoo. And what about this Black Materia?

DIO

It’s a materia sphere.

CLOUD

(cocky)

Yeah, that much I can guess. But what’s it for?

A few beats; then

RED XIII

Grandfather would know.

They all look down at Red XIII.

BARRET

Who?

RED XIII

My grandfather in Cosmo Canyon.

BARRET

Oh yeah. He’s that guy you were talking about.

CLOUD

Cosmo Canyon’s too far. It could be too late by the time we get there.

(to Dio)

Did Sephiroth say where he was going?

Dio shakes his head.

CLOUD

Damn!

TIFA

What now? We’ve lost the trail.

DIO

You merely asked me if Sephiroth told me where he was going.

CLOUD

Yeah?

DIO

After our…”meeting”, I had him tailed. I thought he was a member of the resistance. He was heading toward Gongaga.

TIFA

Gongaga?

YUFFIE

What the hell is Gongaga?

CLOUD

It’s a small village beyond the desert back where there’s vegetation.

BARRET

We should be heading out then. It’s a long journey across the desert.

DIO

You’re planning on walking the entire desert?

Barret nods. Dio lets out a laugh.

DIO

The desert’s all quicksand. You’ll all be sucked in.

BARRET

(angry)

What’s your plan!?

DIO

(laughing)

Please, please, follow me.

Dio leads the party over to a large bus-like buggy. They all marvel at the vehicle.

YUFFIE

You’re giving us this thing!?

DIO

It’s the least I could do.

Cloud circles around the vehicle.

AERIS

It’s nice isn’t it?

DIO

It runs on a battery. It’s fully charged.

Cloud walks to Dio and shakes his hand.

CLOUD

(shaking hands)

Thanks.

Dio’s assistant opens the buggy door.

DIO’S ASSISTANT

It’ll fit all of you easily.

Dio glances at Barret as he boards the buggy with the rest of the party. He sees Dyne’s pendant around his neck.

DIO

So you did it?

Barret stops.

BARRET

Did what?

DIO

That pendant. The symbol on there was the symbol for the resistance.

BARRET

Yeah?

Dio nods. Barret sighs and enters the buggy.

DIO

(to Cloud)

You should make it across the desert by tomorrow in this thing.

CLOUD

Thanks.

Cloud hops inside.

INT. BUGGY - DAY

Cloud maneuvers to the driver’s seat and sits down. He looks at all the buttons and the steering wheel.

YUFFIE

You know how to run this thing?

CLOUD

…Yeah.

Cloud starts pressing buttons. He hits a square green one and the engine starts.

CLOUD

Easy enough.

He looks into the back and sees Cait Sith making himself at home.

CLOUD

What are you doing here!?

CAIT SITH

Hey, I still got to see if that fortune turns out to be right.

BARRET

You sure we have room for his big fat body?

CLOUD

It’ll be fine.

(to Cait Sith)

Don’t step on anyone’s toes.

Cait Sith nods and Cloud turns back around. From inside we see a huge gate opening up from the garage. Waiting is the huge desert.

RED XIII

So where are we headed?

CLOUD

Dio said Sephiroth was headed toward Gongaga. So that’s where we’re going.

Red XIII sighs in disappointment.

AERIS

What?

RED XIII

I was hoping we could stop back home.

CLOUD

We can’t. Sorry.

A few beats; then Cloud presses the pedal and the buggy accelerates.

INT. GOLD SAUCER - GARAGE - DAY

Dio watches as the buggy speeds out of view. He smiles and leaves and we continue to stare into the open desert from inside the garage.

BUGENHAGEN (VO)

The wound…it’s there where the Mako concentration is at its highest. He is there too.

FADE TO

INT. OBSERVATORY - LAB - DAY

Bugenhagen paces back and forth his small laboratory.

BUGENHAGEN

(CONT.)

But then who are the others? Gast never spoke of them before.

He sighs and removes his glasses.

BUGENHAGEN

(CONT.)

The Promised Land…

He puts his glasses back on. He is stricken with a thought and stops walking.

BUGENHAGEN

(CONT.)

Hojo!

A beat.

BUGENHAGEN

(CONT.)

Hojo…what have you done?

INT. SHINRA TOWER - LABORATORY 1 - DAY

HOJO walks into his lab. There sitting at his desk is RUFUS.

HOJO

(smiling)

President Rufus! What an honored surprise.

Rufus stands up and shakes Hojo’s hand.

RUFUS

(shaking hands)

Hello Hojo. How was Costa Del Sol?

HOJO

I wasn’t on vacation.

Rufus chuckles and Hojo walks over to his lab equipment.

RUFUS

(as Hojo walks)

Oh yes, your “re-unification” theory.

Hojo looks up at Rufus. A beat.

RUFUS

(CONT.)

You know the Turks have reported back to me. It appears you were right about where Sephiroth is headed.

HOJO

(smirking)

When am I ever wrong?

RUFUS

I’ve already sent Palmer to get us transport.

HOJO

The airship?

RUFUS

No. A smaller vessel. It’ll be more than capable to get the job done.

Hojo walks over a shelf and grabs a leather-bound book. He opens it and begins to read. Rufus sees ‘Professor Gast: Diaries 5 of 43’ embedded on the cover.

RUFUS

Still reading Gast’s work, I see.

HOJO

(eyes in the book)

It was his research that spawned mine.

A beat.

HOJO

(CONT.)

What’s this hear about Reeve?

Hojo looks up at Rufus. The two exchange looks.

RUFUS

(serious)

Reeve is in the process of proving himself to Shinra.

HOJO

If it were up to me, I would have taken him out immediately after your ceremony in Junon.

RUFUS

Then let us be thankful that it is not up to you.

A beat.

RUFUS

(CONT.)

Reeve’s an important man. He’s a great asset. There’s no one else you can do his job. No one else is willing to deal with the slums.

HOJO

And that’s why you didn’t kill him?

RUFUS

Don’t get me wrong, Hojo. I’ll kill Reeve myself if his heart is not with Shinra.

Hojo chuckles and looks back down into his book. A few beats; then Rufus’ phone RINGS. He digs his pocket grabs his phone and answers it.

RUFUS

(on phone)

What?

The voice on the other end speaks to him. We cannot hear what he says.

RUFUS

(pleased)

Really?

The voice speaks again. A beat.

RUFUS

You are certain that they’re headed to Gongaga?

A beat.

RUFUS

Heidegger, did you get this directly some him?

Another beat. Rufus laughs.

RUFUS

Give him my thanks.

Rufus hangs up and pockets his phone. Hojo looks up.

HOJO

Who’s headed for Gongaga?

RUFUS

Cloud and his little band of “heroes”.

HOJO

I ran into them in Costa Del Sol. The Ancient was with them.

RUFUS

Don’t worry about him. Scarlet and Tseng are already headed toward Gongaga to check for any materia from the reactor.

HOJO

Those large chunks of materia.

RUFUS

Yes. I cannot have Cloud or his friends interrupt.

A beat.

RUFUS

(CONT.)

I think it’s time for Reno and Rude to go on a little detour.

EXT. OPEN WORLD - DESERT - DAY

We watch as the buggy rides across the desert.

FADE TO

EXT. OPEN WORLD - OUTSIDE DESERT - DAY

The buggy speeds out of the desert and back onto normal land.

YUFFIE (OS)

(inside buggy)

So how long until this Gongaga place?

INT. BUGGY - DAY

CLOUD

Not long.

Yuffie sits back in her seat and sighs. She looks over and sees Aeris asleep. A beat; then

TIFA

Amazing how she can sleep during this whole thing.

RED XIII

Perhaps it’s what all of us need?

TIFA

Sleep?

Cloud chuckles.

CLOUD

In my experience, sleep is the biggest time waster in life.

TIFA

No. You just can’t sleep. The rest of us are normal.

He looks back at her. A beat; then he smiles.

(MORE)

CLOUD

(turning back around)

Still poking fun at me, just like when we were kids.

TIFA

Some things never change.

Barret looks out the window and sees the ruins of a Mako Reactor in a nearby forest.

BARRET

(looking out the window)

What’s that?

Cloud hits the brake and the buggy stops. He leans and looks out the window.

CAIT SITH

They’re some kind of ruins in the forest.

TIFA

Where are we, Cloud?

CLOUD

Let me check.

He hits on button on the control panel. Some coordinates appear. He reads them and looks back out the window.

YUFFIE

Well?

Cloud gets out of his seat and opens the door.

BARRET

Where are you goin’?

CLOUD

Those ruins are Gongaga.

BARRET

No shit?

Cloud shakes his head. Barret looks back out the window.

YUFFIE

Why don’t we just drive up instead of walking?

CLOUD

(grabbing his sword and sheathing it)

We don’t know who operates out of Gongaga. Those ruins look like a Mako Reactor.

BARRET

A reactor! Out here?

CLOUD

It’s possible.

BARRET

Hell, if Shinra’s there I got to come with you!

CLOUD

No! I need someone here to stay and protect Aeris.

Aeris’ eyes open. She yawns.

AERIS

(rubbing her eyes)

What’s going on?

RED XIII

We’re at Gongaga, my dear.

AERIS

(to Cloud)

We are?

Cloud nods. Aeris gets up and makes for the door.

TIFA

You’re going?

AERIS

Why not?

She exits the buggy.

TIFA

I’d like to go to, Cloud.

Cloud sighs.

CLOUD

Fine.

BARRET

I’m ready when you are.

CLOUD

No! I don’t want you going off on another rampage like in Gold Saucer.

BARRET

It’s over though.

CLOUD

No it’s not. Your best friend just died. A wound like that doesn’t heal in two days.

Barret is speechless.

CLOUD

That’s what I thought. Yuffie, keep an eye on Barret.

YUFFIE

Gotch’ya.

CAIT SITH

What about me?

CLOUD

You…you just sit there. I don’t know. Since when did I become your master?

He exits the buggy.

CLOUD (OS)

Guard the buggy. And keep your PHS on, Barret.

EXT. OPEN WORLD - BUGGY - DAY

Cloud, Aeris, and Tifa start to walk toward Gongaga.

RED XIII (OS)

Cloud!

They look back and see Red XIII running toward them.

EXT. GONGAGA - PATH - DAY

The four walk down the path to Gongaga. Cloud is ahead of the other three.

AERIS

(to Red XIII)

You didn’t have to come, you know.

RED XIII

I’d rather be here than with those three.

TIFA

Yeah. Barret can be a real hardhead.

RED XIII

He just killed his best friend. How do you think that feels?

AERIS

Has to be devastating?

A beat.

TIFA

You’ve gone through that same thing, Red. You had to watch your people die at Shinra’s hands.

RED XIII

It wasn’t Shinra parse. But they were involved.

CLOUD

He walks as if he senses something. His eyes constantly move.

TIFA (OS)

Shinra’s certainly done a lot of murder over the years.

RUSTLING! Cloud looks to the bushes.

RED XIII, AERIS, TIFA

RED XIII

It must be a hard war for AVALANCHE.

CLOUD (OS)

Shhh!

Aeris, Tifa, and Red XIII look at Cloud, whose eyes are locked on the bushes.

TIFA

What’s going on?

CLOUD

CLOUD

(cautious)

We’re not alone.

A loud WHISTLE, echoes along the path. Cloud looks and sees RENO emerge on top of a large rock. Cloud draws his sword.

CLOUD

Reno!

Tifa, Aeris, and Red XIII look at Reno.

RENO

Cloud! What a small world!

CLOUD

Too small.

RUDE (OS)

Yes…it’s been so long.

They look ahead on the path and see RUDE.

CLOUD

Two on four, you think it’s a bit in our favor?

Reno and Rude laugh. A beat; then

RENO

It was truly funny how you managed to fail her back in Junon.

RED XIII

(to Tifa and Aeris)

What does he speak of?

RUDE

Oh! He hasn’t told you?!

AERIS

(worried)

Cloud, what’s he talking about?

Cloud hesitates.

RENO

Go on! Tell them how you failed to stop the Turks.

A beat.

RENO

(CONT.)

You shouldn’t blame yourself. There’s no one who can stop us.

TIFA

What’s going on?

Cloud turns and faces Aeris, Red XIII, and Tifa.

CLOUD

(hesitating)

Aeris…it’s Elmyra.

AERIS

(worried)

What happened?

Cloud is unable to speak. A few beats; then

RENO

(stepping down from rock)

She’s dead, Aeris.

Aeris looks as if shot in the heart.

RUDE

Surprising that Cloud here never told you. She was bait and Cloud played out his allotted part.

RENO

Hook, line, and sinker.

Cloud looks at Aeris. Tears swell in her eyes. A beat; then she SCREAMS. Reno and Rude laugh. Aeris goes after Reno - Tifa holds her back.

CLOUD

(turning to face Reno and Rude)

Enough! Move aside.

Reno and Rude draw their guns.

RUDE

You think we’re just going to move aside? Our orders are to eliminate the rebels.

They aim their guns at Cloud. BOOM! BOOM! They fire. Cloud dodges the bullets and charges at them. The three engage in battle*.

Red XIII joins the fray and knocks away Reno and Rude’s guns. Aeris and Tifa grab the pistols and aim at the Turks.

TIFA

It’s over!

The battle stops and Cloud and Red XIII back a few paces away. Cloud retrieves his sword. A beat; then

RENO

You’re going to shoot us now?

RUDE

(jokingly)

What? No showing of mercy?

AERIS

Did you show my mom any mercy?

Reno smiles.

RENO

You should have seen it, Aeris. You should have seen how pathetic your stepmother looked begging for her life…weeping and pleading like an animal.

Aeris struggles trying not to pull the trigger.

TIFA

Aeris…shoot him!

She continues to struggle.

RUDE

She can’t. It’s in her blood to preserve life. The Cetra never take lives.

RENO

Pitiful. She let’s herself be chained to how she is programmed.

TIFA

Aeris, shoot him!

Aeris looks over to Cloud.

CLOUD

Shoot him.

She starts to pull the trigger, but still struggles.

RENO

Go on, do it! Kill me the same way we killed Elmyra.

A beat.

RENO

(CONT.)

You should have seen her as we all fired…watching all those bullets tear apart her flesh.

RED XIII

Aeris…

AERIS

(shaking)

I can’t.

RED XIII

Shoot him!

RENO

Yes shoot me…shoot both of us. Come on!

A few beats; then

TIFA

If you won’t then I will!

Tifa starts to pull the trigger when;

ELENA (OS)

Don’t move.

PAN LEFT

We see ELENA behind Aeris and Tifa aiming an assault rifle in the back of Tifa’s head.

ELENA

Drop them.

Aeris and Tifa let their pistols drop. A beat;

CLOUD

I forgot. The Turks always come in threes or fours.

Reno smiles. He goes and retrieves his pistol with Rude.

RENO

(to Aeris)

Too bad you didn’t kill me. I thought the Ancients were stronger.

Reno and Rude back away.

RUDE

Let’s smoke these assholes.

Rude aims for Cloud’s head.

ELENA

No! There’s no time! Tseng and Scarlet will be landing soon.

Rude lowers his gun.

RUDE

(to the group)

Consider yourselves lucky.

Elena moves ahead of the group and walks backwards still aiming at Tifa. The Turks start to walk down the Gongaga path.

CLOUD

Retreating?

RENO

We may be retreating but we’re still victorious.

Elena turns around and they all start running down the path. They exit. A few beats; then Aeris drops to her knees. She fights back tears.

CLOUD

Aeris, I’m sorry.

A beat.

TIFA

Wait, something’s wrong. It’s like they knew we were coming.

RED XIII

They did know. You could see it in their faces. They were just waiting for the perfect time to reveal themselves.

TIFA

Who knows how long they were stalking us.

CLOUD

But there weren’t any signs of it. That can only mean…

TIFA

A spy?