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FF Odyssey
Fan Fiction
Final Fantasy VII Movie Script
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FINAL FANTASY
CRY OF THE PLANET
Character Listing for Part 11
CLOUD STRIFE
BARRET WALLACE
TIFA LOCKHEART
AERIS GAINSBOROUGH
NANAKI / RED XIII
YUFFIE KISARGI
CAIT SITH
VINCENT VALENTINE
SEPHIROTH
RUFUS
HEIDEGGER
SCARLET
HOJO
REEVE
BUGENHAGEN
TSENG
RUDE
RENO
ELENA
VENDOR
DRUIDS #1 - #7
SHINRA SOLDIER #24
SHINRA SOLDIER #25
SHINRA SOLDIER #26
MALE GUEST
FEMALE GUEST
JUNON BUSINESSMAN
BUTLER
NIBELHEIM WOMAN
ASSISTANT
WUTAI BODYGUARD #1
WUTAI BODYGUARD #2
LITTLE BOY
HOOKER
DREAM VOICE (VO)
GODO
STANIV
SANTOS
Set Listing for Part 11
Interiors
SHINRA MANSION - PASSAGE
SHINRA MANSION - BEDROOM
SHINRA MANSION - LIBRARY
SHINRA MANSION - HALLWAY
SHINRA TOWER - BALLROOM
SHINRA TOWER - BALLROOM BALCONY
SHINRA TOWER - DINING ROOM
SHINRA TOWER - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
DINING ROOM - BACK ROOM
SECTOR 4 SLUMS - CHILD CARE CENTER
TRAIN STATION - HALLWAY
TRAIN STATION - BACK ROOM
NIBELHEIM INN - ROOM
CLOUD’S HOUSE
BUGGY
CAR
Exteriors
COSMO CANYON - CANYON
SHINRA TOWER
NIBELHEIM - STREETS
NIBELHEIM - ENTRANCE
NIBELHEIM - CLOUD’S HOUSE
NIBELHEIM - ALLEY
NIBELHEIM - NORTH END
MOUNT NIBEL - PATH
MOUNT NIBEL - PEAK
SHINRA MANSION
OPEN WORLD - TURK CAMP
MIDGAR - TRAIN STATION
MIDGAR - HOTEL
SECTOR 4 SLUMS - STREETS
TRAIN STATION - DOCK
OPEN WORLD - SKY
OPEN WORLD
Part 11: Reunion
EXT. COSMO CANYON - CANYON - DAY
FADE IN
CLOUD STRIFE, BARRET WALLACE, TIFA LOCKHEART, AERIS GAINSBOROUGH, CAIT SITH, and YUFFIE KISARGI all stand around their damaged buggy. Nanaki is missing.
The VENDOR from before is finishing fixing up the buggy. He is knelt down with TOOL patching up the holes.
YUFFIE
How much longer?
VENDOR
Anyone ever tell to be patient?
Yuffie scorns the vendor. A few beats; then
VENDOR
(wiping ADHESIVE off final patch)
That should do it.
The vendor stands up and wipes his hands and forehead off with a DIRTY CLOTH.
BARRET
How much will it be?
The vendor looks at the newly repaired buggy as he contemplates.
VENDOR
2000.
BARRET
(slightly angered)
2000 gil?
CLOUD
It would have been 8000 back in Midgar, Barret.
Cloud walks forward and grabs a POUCH of coins. He tosses it to the vendor.
He looks inside and quickly counts. A beat.
VENDOR
(pocketing the pouch)
Looks about right.
CLOUD
There’s an extra 500 in there for the effort.
The vendor smiles.
Meanwhile, Aeris looks off in the distance and sees BUGENHAGEN and NANAKI walking toward them.
AERIS
(to the party)
Guys, Nanaki’s back!
The party turns and sees the two walking. A beat; then
VENDOR
If you don’t mind, I’ve got shop that opens in an hour.
The vendor gathers his tools and puts them back in his TOOLBOX. He gets up and shakes Tifa’s hand.
TIFA
Thanks for the help.
The vendor nods and walks away.
VENDOR
(nodding ‘hello’ as he passes Bugenhagen)
Bugenhagen.
Bugenhagen nods and the vendor heads back on his way to the village.
CLOUD
‘Morning, Nanaki.
Nanaki smiles and nods.
YUFFIE
The buggy’s all fixed. So how about getting the hell out of here?
BARRET
Hold your horses!
CLOUD
(snapping back)
No she’s right. We got some ground to make up.
Cloud walks to Bugenhagen and shakes his hand.
CLOUD
Thanks for your help and insight.
BUGENHAGEN
And thank you for returning Nanaki in one piece. However his destiny is not complete.
CLOUD
What do you mean?
BUGENHAGEN
He will join you for the rest of your journey.
Aeris looks to Nanaki with a wide grin.
AERIS
(excited)
Is this true?
NANAKI
Yes, it is what my father would have wanted.
AERIS
That’s great!
A few beats of silence; then
CAIT SITH
What did you find on your trip, Nanaki? Anything interesting?
Nanaki lets out a slight chuckle.
NANAKI
I found the rest of my people. They’ve been hiding in caves for years.
TIFA
(interested)
Really? How many are there?
NANAKI
Sadly not many. Only about 30, but I’m hoping to change that after this whole thing is settled.
Barret holds back laughter. Nanaki sees this.
NANAKI
What’s so funny?
BARRET
(holding back a smile)
Nothing.
The two stare at each other. A few beats; then
BARRET
(CONT’D)
I’m just getting the impression that you and that female have already started.
NANAKI
What?
BARRET
You know...repopulating the canyon.
Nanaki rolls his eyes.
NANAKI
(sighing)
Humans...
He walks to the buggy. It is still on its side.
NANAKI
(CONT’D)
Let’s flip this contraption back upright.
Cloud signals to Barret and the two walk over to the buggy and grab hold.
CLOUD
Ready?
Barret nods. A beat; then
CLOUD
...Lift.
The two grit their teeth and flip the buggy back upright.
They brush their hands off. Cloud opens the door and then walks over to Bugenhagen.
CLOUD
We’re off to Nibelheim, my hometown to look for Sephiroth. If there are any clues they’d be there.
BUGENHAGEN
You’re making the right decision.
CLOUD
I hope so.
(walking back to the buggy)
The place was quite a mess when I last saw it. Should be an interesting visit.
Cloud gets in the buggy. One by one the rest of the party follows him.
Everyone is inside except Nanaki. He hesitates then walks over to Bugenhagen.
NANAKI
I will return, Grandfather.
BUGENHAGEN
Tell your friends to visit if they ever need help.
NANAKI
(nodding)
I shall.
The two look at each other. A few beats; then Nanaki turns around and heads for the buggy.
He stops.
NANAKI
You need a lift?
BUGENHAGEN
I’ll be fine. You go on ahead.
Nanaki nods and jumps in the buggy. Inside, Barret shuts the door.
A beat; then the engine STARTS. Cloud waves at Bugenhagen from inside. Bugenhagen smiles.
The buggy drives off.
FADE TO
EXT. SHINRA TOWER - NIGHT
Two SHINRA SOLDIERS stand at attention, guarding the entrance.
A black CAR pulls up and a MALE GUEST and FEMALE GUEST get out. Both are laughing.
We follow them as they walk up to the entrance.
SHINRA SOLDIER #24
Invitations?
The male guest pulls out a DECORATED ENVELOPE from his inner jacket pocket and hands it to the soldier.
MALE GUEST
(as the soldier grabs the envelope)
Here you go, sir.
The soldier skims the invitation. He hands it back to the guest.
SHINRA SOLDIER #24
You’re clear. The reception is on the 50th floor.
The guest nods and him and his wife walk inside.
We do not follow them. We merely see the automatic doors slide shut.
SLOW PAN upwards
The camera slowly pans up Shinra Tower. Its movements gradually SPEED up.
SPEED PAN upwards
The camera moves fast as it pans up and CIRCLES around the building.
We STOP on the 50th floor and ZOOM IN though the WINDOW and onto the scene--
INT. SHINRA TOWER - BALLROOM - NIGHT
A Shinra-sponsored ball is being held. The room itself has gold colored walls and shiny marble flooring.
There are many GUESTS and among those there are: RUFUS dressed in a white suit and red under vest; HEIDEGGER, dressed in a black tuxedo; SCARLET, dressed in her usual red dress; REEVE, dressed in a black tuxedo; and TSENG, who’s still dressed in his Turk uniform.
We ZOOM on Rufus as he talks with a JUNON BUSINESSMAN. Both are drinking MARTINIS and are in mid-conversation. Festive classical MUSIC plays in the background.
JUNON BUSINESSMAN
As I told Heidegger, Junon’s profit flow comes straight from Midgar. The more reactors you build the more business we get.
Rufus smiles.
RUFUS
Indeed. Have no worries though, with the re-launch of the Neo-Midgar Project, money will no longer be an issue.
JUNON BUSINESSMAN
Yes, but what about those terrorists running around blowing up your reactors?
Rufus’ smile disappears. He take a sip of his martini; then
RUFUS
They’ve been disposed of.
JUNON BUSINESSMAN
(smiling)
So your little attack on the Sector 7 Slums did the job, eh?
RUFUS
The attack was far from little, my friend.
The businessman chuckles. A beat.
JUNON BUSINESSMAN
So construction on more reactors is in the midst, I assume.
RUFUS
Soon. After we reach the Promised Land.
The businessman nods and drinks his martini.
Suddenly Heidegger walks on screen. He taps Rufus on the shoulder and WHISPERS something in his ear. We cannot hear what he says.
Rufus nods. A beat; then
RUFUS
(to the businessman)
You must excuse me, but I have some business to attend.
JUNON BUSINESSMAN
Yes, sir.
Rufus shakes the man’s hand and walks off with Heidegger.
We follow them as they walk.
RUFUS
Ignorant sons of bitches. All they care about is money. My father poisoned them with is pathetic ideals.
HEIDEGGER
He did have that effect on people.
RUFUS
Since when did money become Shinra’s prime objective?
HEIDEGGER
Profit and income became priority the second your father took office. I remember his inauguration speech. He made it quite clear.
RUFUS
Yes, I remember. You were just a little piss ant then.
HEIDEGGER
Well just remember that not everyone sees that world as you do.
We continue to follow them as they walk out onto--
EXT. SHINRA TOWER - BALLROOM BALCONY - NIGHT
Tseng stares at the view of the city sipping a drink. He turns around and sees Rufus and Heidegger.
RUFUS
Tseng! You’re a long way from your comrades, no?
TSENG
We think we found it.
RUFUS
We don’t want to think. We want to know.
TSENG
Then we know where it is. The Turks are awaiting transportation.
HEIDEGGER
We’ve got Palmer on it. He’s bringing back the Tiny Bronco.
TSENG
Why not just use the Highwind?
RUFUS
I don’t want to draw attention. A huge airship like that will lead Cloud right to us.
TSENG
But we have a spy! It won’t matter!
Rufus takes a few paces forward towards Tseng. He shows a face of slight anger.
RUFUS
I’m not sure I like your tone.
A beat.
RUFUS
(CONT’D)
Reeve has redeemed himself in finding this spy. Don’t worry. We’ll make it to the Temple of the Ancients and kill Sephiroth before they do.
Rufus and Heidegger walk back inside the ballroom. A BEAT; then Tseng pulls out his cell PHONE and dials a number.
EXT. OPEN WORLD - TURK CAMP - NIGHT
We see the Turks have set camp on the open world. RENO, RUDE, and ELENA are there.
Reno’s phone RINGS. He answers it.
RENO
Tseng?
INTERCUT RENO AND TSENG
TSENG
Sit tight, transport’s on its way.
RENO
Did you ask him for the Highwind?
TSENG
Yes, he refused. If I didn’t know any better I’d say he was a bit paranoid.
A few beats.
RENO
What do you want us to do?
TSENG
Sit tight. I’ll arrive back there with the Tiny Bronco.
RENO
Alright.
Reno hangs up and pockets the phone.
QUICK CUT TO:
INT. SHINRA TOWER - DINING ROOM - (LATER THAT) NIGHT
CLING! CLING! CLING! Rufus lightly hits the side of his WINEGLASS with a FORK getting everyone’s attention.
The table is filled with all the GUESTS and all await dinner. Rufus, who is standing, and the Shinra Heads sit at the end of the table.
RUFUS
Can I have your attention?
Everyone looks to Rufus.
Meanwhile a BUTLER escorts an elderly man, with Asian features and his son to two open SEATS near the foot of the table next to Rufus and the other Heads.
The two men are GODO and STANIV of Wutai.
BUTLER
(pulling out two chairs)
Here you are sirs.
Without talking the two sit down. Rufus continues his speech as the butler walks away. Behind Rufus on the wall is a large PORTRAIT covered in a purple sheet.
RUFUS
As President of Shinra, I thank all of you for attending. It’s such a rare honor to have representatives from every city on the planet to meet for dinner. I hope tonight we can bury all rivalries of the past and present and enjoy each other’s company.
He picks up his glass.
RUFUS
(CONT’D)
I would also like to take this opportunity to say something else.
(serious)
Not long ago my predecessor, the former president of Shinra, was slain. For those who don’t know, the president before me was my father. And now I would like to formerly express my grief and the grief of the other Heads of Shinra. The world has lost a great man, in my father. Without him, I would not be the man you before you.
Suddenly, the butler from before pulls the sheet off the portrait. The portrait is that of President Shinra posing heroically.
RUFUS
(raising his glass)
Here’s to the memory of my father.
Everyone at the table raises their glasses.
RUFUS
(with his glass raised)
May he peacefully return to the planet from wince he came?
Everyone takes a sip of their drinks. A beat; then
RUFUS
Now, without further--
REEVE
(interrupting)
Give us a speech.
Surprised at Reeve’s actions, Rufus looks at him.
RUFUS
What?
REEVE
Tell of the great acts your father did for Shinra and the rest of the world.
Rufus, angry, tries to keep a smile. He looks at everyone at the table and then back at Reeve.
RUFUS
(struggling)
Among the many...great things my father’s done, perhaps the most amazing...in my eyes, was his...uh...leadership during the...the war. Plus his financial abilities...really taught me a lot of things.
He pauses searching for words and looks at Reeve. A beat; then
RUFUS
(calmer)
You all knew my father. You knew the kind of man he was. Why should I continue to ramble? You’re all hungry and frankly so am I? So without further adieu, let us eat.
Everyone CLAPS and Rufus sits down. He looks at Reeve with a disgusted look on his face.
Meanwhile the SERVING CREW comes out and puts are variety of FOOD on the long wood table.
Scarlet leans over to whisper into Rufus’ ear.
SCARLET
(whispering)
Nice save.
RUFUS
(whispering and looking at Reeve)
The balls on that son of a bitch...
SCARLET
Let it go. No need to exploit yourself.
RUFUS
You’re right.
Scarlet smiles and sits back in her seat. Meanwhile, Rufus smiles and unfolds a cloth napkin. He places it on his lap and looks at Godo.
A beat.
RUFUS
You know Godo, I’m surprised you decided to accept my invitation, what with Shinra and Wutai’s violent history.
GODO
My son and I are here out of good faith. To show that conflict has ended and no more bloodshed is needed.
RUFUS
That was goal in asking you to attend.
Rufus starts to grab food from the serving trays.
GODO
Wutai has not forgotten though. We will never forget nor forgive.
Rufus looks up at Godo and Staniv smiling.
RUFUS
(arrogantly)
Forget what?
Angered Staniv slams his hand on the table and leans forward.
STANIV
The blood that was spilled by Shinra’s hands! Those endless bombing raids that destroyed our culture’s art!
RUFUS
All those were ordered by my father, not me.
GODO
Were you not one of who served?
Rufus stops eating.
GODO
(CONT’D)
You were there as firing squads murdered my people!
RUFUS
I was following orders.
GODO
Dogs follow orders. People think before they act!
RUFUS
(angered)
What did you say to me?
Godo is silent.
RUFUS
(CONT’D)
Are you implying that I, the President of Shinra, am no better than a dog?
GODO
Take my statement however you want.
Rufus, furious and insulted, stares at Godo and balls a fist. A beat.
RUFUS
I ought to rip your fucking tongue out of your mouth.
Godo and Staniv ignore Rufus and silently eat their food.
Rufus continues to stare at them with a clenched fist when Scarlet places her hand on his forearm.
SCARLET
Take it easy.
Rufus loosens his fist and calms himself. A beat; then he continues eating...
A few beats; then Rufus drops his utensils and stands up.
RUFUS
Heidegger, I need to speak with you!
Rufus quickly walks away. Heidegger sighs - wipes his mouth - gets up - and follows Rufus.
INT. DINING ROOM - BACK ROOM - NIGHT
Rufus violently pushes the door open and walks into the back room of the dining area. Heidegger follows him in.
RUFUS
(furious)
He insulted me! Me!
HEIDEGGER
What are you gonna do? It’s not like Wutai holds the highest respect for Shinra.
RUFUS
Then we’ll beat respect into them!
A beat.
HEIDEGGER
Sir, you are talking about acts that could restart the war!
RUFUS
No. They’re smarter than that. Wutai won’t declare war on us.
HEIDEGGER
But still, beating or murdering a leader of a village in front of everyone will have negative repercussions.
RUFUS
I don’t care! I want Godo dead! I want his whole family dead! I want his fucking village burned to the ground!
HEIDEGGER
Now is not the time, though. With all that’s going on, an assassination of world political figure is the last thing you need.
Rufus sighs heavily calming himself. A few beats.
RUFUS
If we can’t kill him, we’ll do the next best thing.
HEIDEGGER
What do you mean?
RUFUS
Godo and his son will encounter respect after they leave.
Heidegger realizes what Rufus is saying and nods his head.
RUFUS
You know anyone that can do it?
HEIDEGGER
Yeah. I know a guy named Santos who commands one of the army’s platoons. They hold guard around the train stations.
RUFUS
Good. Get in touch with him. Tell him he’s working overtime tonight.
Rufus leaves the back room.
EXT. OPEN WORLD - NIGHT
TRANSITION SHOT of the buggy as it speeds across the land toward Nibelheim.
INT. BUGGY - NIGHT
The majority of the party is asleep except Cloud and Tifa.
TIFA
Should be interesting.
CLOUD
What?
TIFA
Nibelheim. It’s been so long since I was last there. I wonder how it looks.
CLOUD
Oh yeah.
TIFA
You don’t sound very enthusiastic about it. Aren’t you looking forward to it at all?
CLOUD
I don’t know. What’s to look forward to? I’m just hoping Sephiroth’s there.
A beat.
TIFA
You know that’s another thing.
CLOUD
Huh?
TIFA
You always seem to have Sephiroth on your mind. You should loosen up and live a little.
CLOUD
I’ll start living when this is over.
TIFA
There ya go. Still being a hard ass.
A beat.
TIFA
(CONT’D)
Don’t you think about things besides your mission?
CLOUD
Like what? Food?
TIFA
No, not food. ...Love for example.
CLOUD
Love? Why would I think about love?
TIFA
I don’t know. But from my point of view love is what you’re missing in your life.
Cloud laughs.
CLOUD
When did you come to this conclusion? Yesterday?
TIFA
I can’t really say, because I don’t know. But I do know that love is what you’re missing.
CLOUD
Really?
TIFA
You’ve never wondered what it feels like to be in love?
CLOUD
I never said that.
TIFA
So you do think about love!
CLOUD
From time to time, but I choose not to fall in love. It’s not that I was born without a heart.
TIFA
You can’t choose something like that. Love is something that just happens.
CLOUD
Yes, but I can fight those feelings.
TIFA
But why? Love is a good thing. It makes people happy knowing that there’s a human being who cares more about you then anything else. And that feeling you get when come in contact with, in your case, a woman’s flesh. You’ve never thought about that?
Cloud sighs. A beat.
CLOUD
I choose not to fall in love because the evidential outcome of happiness is always sorrow. You reach the highest of highs emotionally and then there’s nowhere else to go except down.
Tifa stares at Cloud in awe of what he just said. A few beat; then
TIFA
Someday you will experience it, Cloud. And when you do, you’ll know you’ve found a reason to live.
The two grow silent and Tifa shuts her eyes. She starts to fall asleep.
INT. SHINRA TOWER - BALLROOM - NIGHT
ON SCREEN we see that small ORCHESTRA playing festive music.
PAN BACK to see that many couples are dancing to the music.
Rufus and Scarlet swing onto screen as they dance. The whole time Rufus stares at Godo and Staniv who are talking with some DIPLOMATS.
While they dance, Scarlet sees Rufus staring at Godo.
SCARLET
You said it’s already being taken care of. Why don’t you ease up?
RUFUS
I’m making sure he doesn’t leave early.
SCARLET
He won’t. Believe it or not, the man has friend here.
Scarlet pulls Rufus closer as they continue to dance. A beat; then
RUFUS
You know, I wonder sometimes.
SCARLET
About what?
RUFUS
You’re dancing with me and pulling me closer. I can’t help but notice you pull this kind of thing whenever you want something.
SCARLET
Can’t I just dance with the President of Shinra without having any sort of hidden agenda?
RUFUS
I don’t know. Can you?
A beat.
RUFUS
(CONT’D)
I’ve spotted you doing this sort stuff with my father when he was alive. If I’m not mistaken, that’s how you became Head of Weapon Development.
SCARLET
What’s wrong with using a little sex once in a while?
RUFUS
I’m just wondering, are you that much of whore?
Scarlet looks at Rufus in the eyes, surprised. A beat; then she grins and the two continue dancing.
EXT. OPEN WORLD - SKY - NIGHT
We see the moon lingering in the sky.
FADE TO
EXT. OPEN WORLD - SKY - DAY
The moon FADES into the sun showing a new day has begun.
EXT. NIBELHEIM - ENTRANCE - DAY
The buggy pulls into the entrance of Nibelheim and stops off to the side. The town appears to be normal. There are no signs of the fire that took place and TOWNSPEOPLE are walking about normally.
The buggy door opens and the party gets out. Cloud is the last to exit the buggy. He exits and stares at the town.
A few beats; then
BARRET
Is it wise to leave the buggy here?
YUFFIE
(sarcastically)
Who’s gonna take it?
BARRET
I don’t know...spies maybe.
Yuffie looks at Barret angry at the mention of the word ‘spy’. Barret smiles; then
BARRET
So what’d ya think your homecoming, Cloud?
Confused, Cloud takes a few paces forward.
CLOUD
(semi-shocked)
Something’s not right.
He frantically walks around the entrance and sees the townspeople going about business as if nothing happened 10 years ago.
NANAKI
They rebuilt your town quite quickly.
(a beat)
...and repopulated it, too.
Cloud rubs his face and looks at Tifa. A beat; then
CLOUD
(to Tifa)
Do you know what’s going on?
She shakes her head.
Cloud sighs heavily and walks up the path into town.
A beat.
YUFFIE
Something’s wrong with him. Everything seems fine.
AERIS
That’s what’s bugging him. He was excepting this place to still be in the process of rebuilding.
Barret looks at Tifa and notices a concerned look on her face.
BARRET
Tifa, you know a place where we can crash and maybe get something to eat?
TIFA
(hesitant)
Yeah. There’s an inn...down the road.
CAIT SITH
What about Cloud?
TIFA
I’ll get him after he finds what he’s looking for.
The party walks up the road following Cloud.
INT. CLOUD’S HOME - DAY
The door slowly and silently opens in Cloud’s old house. He slowly steps inside. The house appears to be normal.
Cloud looks around, extremely confused.
CLOUD’S POV as he looks around the house. We PAN DOWN to see a [NIBELHEIM] WOMAN, who is COOKING at the STOVE.
Confused, Cloud slowly walks completely in the house and towards the woman.
CLOUD
...Mom?
The woman turns around and JUMPS.
NIBELHEIM WOMAN
Who are you?
CLOUD
(walking forward)
Mom, it’s me.
A beat.
CLOUD
(CONT’D)
I thought you died in the fire 10 years ago.
NIBELHEIM WOMAN
(scared)
What are you talking about? Who are you?
CLOUD
Your son, mom!
Frightened, as Cloud continues to walk toward her, the woman steps backwards.
A beat.
CLOUD
(confused)
You don’t remember me?
NIBELHEIM WOMAN
No. I never had a son. Please you’re scaring me. Leave!
Cloud acts as if hit by a car. He backs up and COLLAPSES onto a nearby WOOD CHAIR.
The woman watches as Cloud fights his growing frustration.
CLOUD
(to himself)
What is going on?
(to the woman)
You’re not my mother?
The woman shakes her head. Cloud’s head drops and he starts to BREATHE HEAVILY.
A few beats; then he QUICKLY stands up - grabs the chair - and HURLS it across the room. It SMASHES against the wall.
The woman SCREAMS.
CLOUD
(yelling)
There was a fire! 10 years ago this village was decimated by Sephiroth!
NIBELHEIM WOMAN
(covering he ears)
Stop! Stop screaming!
CLOUD
Tell me what happened!
A beat.
CLOUD
(CONT’D)
What happened to my mother dammit!
Immediately after Cloud finishes, Tifa walks in through the door...
Cloud stares at her.
TIFA
Cloud...
CLOUD
(calmer)
What happened here?
He looks back at the woman...
CLOUD
This is all a cover-up. It has to be.
A beat.
NIBELHEIM WOMAN
I’ve lived here my whole life.
CLOUD
(snapping back)
Bullshit.
Cloud stares into the woman’s terrified EYES. A few beats; then
Tifa slowly walks over to Cloud. She puts her hand on his arm.
TIFA
(calmly whispering)
Let’s go.
Cloud looks at her then back at the woman. He slows his breathing and storms out of the house.
A beat.
TIFA
(to the woman)
I’m sorry.
She walks out and the woman continues to stand trying to calm herself.
EXT. NIBELHEIM - CLOUD’S HOUSE - DAY
Cloud walks out onto the porch of what he assumed was him home. He tries to regain his focus. The rest of the party stands a few paces away looking at him.
AERIS
Cloud...are you alright?
He doesn’t respond. A beat; then Cloud COLLAPSES down to one knee and starts to weep.
CLOUD
This isn’t my home! Where am I! Who am I?
BARRET
You’re Cloud.
Cloud looks up. A beat; then the LOUD BUZZING returns yet again inside his head.
Cloud grabs his head and falls to the ground.
AERIS
Cloud!?
The buzzing grows more intense and Cloud’s body starts to rapidly twitch. In the midst of the buzzing, the DREAM VOICE returns.
DREAM VOICE (VO)
(inside Cloud’s head)
Welcome home...
Cloud SCREAMS in pain.
DREAM VOICE (VO)
(inside Cloud’s head)
Can you see me? I can see you.
Tifa walks out onto the porch and GASPS at the sight of Cloud twitching on the ground.
TIFA
Cloud!
She rushes to his aid.
TIFA
(grabbing him)
Cloud! Cloud! Look at me!
The buzzing continues and Cloud SCREAMS again. Then as if something else is controlling him, his eyelids SHOOT open. His eyes gaze at Tifa.
TIFA
Cloud!
He tries to shut his eyes but cannot. He SCREAMS again trying to turn his head.
DREAM VOICE (VO)
(as Cloud stares at Tifa)
Look at her.
CLOUD’S POV
He stares at Tifa.
DREAM VOICE (VO)
(CONT’D)
Is “this” your friend?
A beat.
DREAM VOICE (VO)
(CONT’D)
She is weak. Stop her!
Tifa reaches to pull Cloud’s hands away from his head when IN ONE SWIFT MOVEMENT he SHOVES her off - UNSHEATHES his sword - and SLASHES her across the chest.
The buzzing stops. Tifa SCREAMS and falls back. The party gasps.
Barret grits his teeth aims his gun-arm at Cloud. Possessed, Cloud demonically looks up at Barret. SWOOSH! He swings his sword and cuts through Barret’s gun-arm.
BARRET
Shit!
Cloud stands upright and slowly paces toward Barret as if ready to kill him.
NANAKI
Cloud?
He ignores him and continues to slowly towards Barret, who slightly frightened, starts to back up.
BARRET
(backing up)
Cloud, what’s wrong, man? You’re freaking out? Get a hold of yourself.
CLOUD
(possessed)
He’s here...
BARRET
What?
Cloud continues to PACE toward Barret with his sword raised...
The party watches in confusion.
Barret stops as Cloud’s sword is an inch away from his neck.
BARRET
(frightened)
Cloud...what’s wrong with you, man?
Cloud’s eyelids start to shut. The intent of killing Barret shows. He pulls back to slice Barret’s throat when...
AERIS
(DIVING on Cloud’s back)
No!
Aeris LUNGES herself on top of Cloud - he throws her off and she falls to the ground.
His eyes lock with hers.
CLOUD
(as himself)
Aeris?
He RESISTS whatever is in his head as he stares deep in Aeris eyes.
The BUZZING returns - Cloud SCREAMS - drops his sword and collapses.
A beat; then
DREAM VOICE (VO)
I’ll be seeing you soon.
The buzzing VANISHES. Cloud catches his breath. The party watches, horrified.
Meanwhile, the Nibelheim Woman watches from the WINDOW inside her house. She looks awestruck.
TIFA
(on the ground)
Cloud?
Cloud shakes his head quickly and stands himself up. He looks around, dumbfounded.
A beat.
CLOUD
What just happened?
NANAKI
You cut Tifa and damn near killed Barret!
Cloud looks down at Tifa as Yuffie helps her to her feet. He looks at the wound, he inflicted on her.
CLOUD
(to Tifa)
I...cut you.
Tifa looks down at her chest. She GASPS when she sees that Cloud’s cut matches perfectly with the scar Sephiroth gave her 10 years ago.
BARRET
I’ll be damned...
Cloud’s breathing intensifies. He starts PANICING. Aeris gets up, scared.
CAIT SITH
What’s wrong with him!?
AERIS
Cloud?
He shields his face with his hands.
CLOUD
(freaking out)
No! Don’t look at me!
AERIS
Cloud!
CLOUD
No!
Cloud rushes away from the party. He speed walks between HOUSES and finds himself in--
EXT. NIBELHEIM - ALLEY - DAY
We follow him as he stumbles down the wet alley behind numerous houses.
A few beats; then he stops in front of an old TRASH CAN filled with DIRTY WATER that was collected from rain. Cloud cups his hands and SPLASHES water on his face.
He rubs his forehead and turns his head to look down the alley. His JAW DROPS when he sees a DRUID in a black cloak disappear behind one of the houses.
CLOUD
Sephiroth!
Cloud RUNS down the alley and out into --
EXT. NIBELHEIM - OUTSIDE SHINRA MANSION - DAY
Cloud chases the druid out of alley. He finds himself outside of Shinra Mansion, the large hundred-year-old mansion.
Cloud looks around for the druid. We FOCUS on his FACE as he looks.
CLOUD
(awestruck)
What!?
QUICK 180 DEGREE PAN away from Cloud’s face TO his surrounding environment.
Instead of one druid in black, we see SEVERAL DRUIDS walking like zombies in front of Shinra Mansion. Cloud takes a few paces forward.
One of the druids turns his head and DEMONICALLY looks at Cloud. The eyes GLOW BLUE.
INT. SHINRA MANSION - BEDROOM - DAY
PAN BACK from the window in a dusty old bedroom on the 2nd floor of Shinra Mansion. We see HOJO peering through the curtains at Cloud. He has a sinister smile on his face.
A few beats; then
HOJO
My children...
He continues to stare. A beat; then we hear his ASSISTANT walk in. Hojo turns away from the window to speak to his assistant.
HOJO
Is he ready?
ASSISTANT
Yes. He will wake up in a few minutes.
HOJO
Excellent.
Hojo starts to pace back and forth anxiously.
ASSISTANT
Sir, are you sure that Cloud will come here? What if he just leaves with the others?
HOJO
He won’t.
(directing him to the window)
Things have gotten a little too screwed up for our friend, Cloud. He knows something’s wrong. And he knows that this town that he once called home has a secret.
ASSISTANT
You sound like you want to toy with him before you kill him.
HOJO
If it were up to me, I would let him live. Seeing how he reacts to his torment.
ASSISTANT
What good would that do?
HOJO
He’ll prove that every one of my theories were correct thus branding me as the world’s genius...the scientist that is above Professor Gast.
ASSISTANT
Is that all you want? Power?
HOJO
(angry)
I’m not paying you to ask questions! I pay you to follow orders.
His assistant nods.
ASSISTANT
Yes, sir. I apologize.
A beat; then Hojo walks over to the window again.
HOJO’S POV: We see Cloud below scampering around outside trying to figure out what is going on.
Hojo smiles.
HOJO
(looking out the window)
It’s a pity he’ll have to die.
(turning back around)
But orders are orders, no matter how much of a fool Rufus is.
ASSISTANT
May I ask you something, Professor?
HOJO
Again with the questions!?
ASSISTANT
I was just curious, what do you know about Cloud?
Hojo starts to walk towards the door.
HOJO
Curiosity is a weakness, my friend. Though it also is the mother of science.
He leaves the room.
HOJO (OS)
(CONT’D)
Come. We don’t want to be here when Cloud arrives.
His assistant SIGHS and follows his boss out of the room.
EXT. SHINRA MANSION - DAY
Cloud rubs his face trying to regain his focus. When he opens his eyes he sees that the druids have surrounded him in a CIRCLE. They all stare at him.
Unsure of what to do and unarmed Cloud stares back.
CLOUD
...Who are you?
DRUIDS
(Simultaneously)
Reunion.
CLOUD
What?
DRUID #1
...Jenova.
Cloud’s eyes widen immediately upon hearing that word.
CLOUD
Who are you?
The druids don’t respond. Cloud looks around unsure of what to do. A beat; then
One by one, the druids EXTEND their HANDS to Cloud like they are reaching for him.
CLOUD
The hell’s going on!?
DRUIDS
(all with their arms raised)
Reunion.
CLOUD
What are you talking about?
Suddenly Cloud GASPS. We see that each of druids has a number tattooed on his hand. The numbers start at 1 and end at 7.
CLOUD
(looking at the hands)
Sephiroth?
A beat; then one by one the druids moves their arms and point at Shinra Mansion. Cloud looks up at the mansion.
CLOUD
In there?
DRUID #2
He’s waiting for you...
Cloud looks up at the mansion again and the druids slowly disperse. Cloud drops his head and watches the druids walk away.
A beat; then he sighs and slowly walks toward the mansion.
INT. SHINRA MANSION - HALLWAY - DAY
We follow Cloud as he walks down the old hallway in Shinra Mansion. GHOSTLY and DEMONIC NOISES follow him.
INT. SHINRA MANSION - PASSAGE - DAY
FIXED CAMERA SHOT as Cloud walks down the dark stone passage of the Shinra Mansion basement. His head and eyes are straight ahead allowing nothing to distract him.
INT. SHINRA MANSION - LIBRARY - DAY
The door SQUEEKS open and Cloud enters the old library. The room is just as he left it 10 years ago. Some of the shelves are still knocked over and Sephiroth’s research books are on the ground.
Cloud slowly walks down the hall of bookshelves. His eyes and head both still straight forward. SWOOSH! He sees a ghost-like image of SEPHIROTH walk past.
CLOUD
Sephiroth!
Cloud runs to the end of the hall of bookshelves. There is nothing.
SEPHIROTH (OS)
Now doesn’t this bring back memories?
Cloud QUICKLY turns back around and sees the ghostly image of Sephiroth floating right behind him.
SEPHIROTH
(CONT’D)
Glad to see you could make it.
CLOUD
(serious)
Sephiroth...I’m glad to be here.
Sephiroth LAUGHS.
SEPHIROTH
So you’ve come to participate in the Reunion.
CLOUD
What reunion!? What the hell’s going on?
SEPHIROTH
You know, Jenova will be at the Reunion. She will join us becoming the calamity from the skies.
CLOUD
Us?
SEPHIROTH
Yes. Us!
CLOUD
You said, calamity from the skies. You mean Jenova wasn’t an Ancient?
Sephiroth sighs.
SEPHIROTH
So be it. You don’t think you have the right to participate. I’ve wasted my time.
He turns around and starts to float away.
CLOUD
Wait!
Cloud starts chasing him.
CLOUD
(CONT’D)
I’ve been after you for so long! I’m not letting you slip away!
SEPHIROTH (OS)
Then follow me. We both know you will.
CLOUD
Enough running! It ends now! Face me!
SEPHIROTH (OS)
You expect to defeat me, with no sword?
Cloud reaches back for his and finds nothing.
CLOUD
Dammit!
Sephiroth laughs.
SEPHIROTH (OS)
Exactly! You’re powerless.
A few beats.
SEPHIROTH (OS)
(CONT’D)
Hojo was here not too long ago. I can tell he has something up his sleeve. You might want to be careful. I sure wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.
CLOUD
What?
SEPHIROTH (OS)
I’ll being seeing you later, old friend.
CLOUD
Where will you go?
SEPHIROTH (OS)
Follow me north, past Mount Nibel.
CLOUD
Why are you helping me?
SEPHIROTH (OS)
I’m not. You are.
CLOUD
What’s that supposed to mean!?
No answer. Sephiroth has vanished.
CLOUD
(CONT’D)
And who are those druids outside!?
No answer.
CLOUD
(CONT’D)
Answer me!
Again, there is no answer. A beat; then
CLOUD
Sephiroth!
AERIS (OS)
Cloud?
Cloud rushes to Aeris’ voice. He runs out of the library and into--
INT. SHINRA MANSION - PASSAGE - DAY
He BURSTS through the doorway and runs into the stone passage. He sees Aeris, Cait Sith, and Barret walking toward him.
BARRET
(pointing to Cloud)
There he is!
The three start running toward him. Suddenly Cloud hears some NOISES from the room off to his right.
He looks back at the three running toward him - and then back at the door. Tension is rising. The door starts to CREEK open.
SEPHIROTH’S VOICE
(replaying in Cloud’s head)
Hojo was here not to long ago. I bet he has something up his sleeve.
The door off to the right BURSTS open.
CLOUD
(to Barret, Cait Sith, and Aeris)
Look out!
CRASH! A STRANGE MAN dives out from inside the room and TACKLES Barret. The man has long black hair with streaks of gray showing aging. He is wearing a red scarf that hides his face.
Barret kicks the man off violently. He lands on his feet. In one sudden movement the strange man pulls out two pistols and FIRES at Barret. He rolls out of the way.
AERIS
Barret!
CAIT SITH
I got him!
Cait Sith charges at the strange man ready to ram him. The man slides out of the way and FIRES a bullet at Cait Sith. The bullet buries itself in his stuffed Mog.
The strange man squints his eyes, slightly surprised. Cloud DIVES after the man. Swiftly, the man moves out of the way and Cloud impacts the ground.
AERIS
(pointing to the wall)
Cloud! Your sword!
Cloud looks and sees his sword up against the wall. He runs for it. Meanwhile, the man sees Cloud running and FIRES his pistols.
Cloud leaps in the air and somersaults down grabbing his sword in the process. He twirls the sword around in his hands and gets in a fighting stance.
Meanwhile, Barret gets up and shakes off the pain. The strange man RELOADS his guns and Cloud stands ready to fight.
BARRET
Who is this guy?
CAIT SITH
He was obviously waiting for us.
The man aims his pistols at Cloud.
AERIS
He’ll slaughter him. Bullets against a sword!?
BARRET
Have some faith. I’ve seen Cloud in action. He can handle it.
Cloud stares at the man, with his sword raised. The two stare into each other’s eyes.
Suddenly, BAM! BAM! The man FIRES two shots. Cloud deflects them with his sword and charges at the man. The man continues to FIRE.
CLICK! The man’s guns run out of ammo. He throws them aside and using his long red scarf, quickly dodges blows as Cloud swings his sword.
In one swift maneuver, - the man shields himself with his scarf - pulls out a double barrel SHOTGUN - and FIRES through his scarf and at Cloud. The blast hits Cloud’s sword and he flies back dropping his sword.
BARRET
(awestruck)
Holy shit.
Cloud, having the wind knocked out him, lies on the ground. The man walks and towers over Cloud. He loads two fresh shells in shotgun.
AERIS
Perhaps now is the time for us to do something.
CAIT SITH
(frantic)
Barret shoot him or something!
BARRET
With what? He broke my gun-arm!
CAIT SITH
Damn!
The man locks the tow shells in his shotgun and aims precisely at Cloud’s head.
AERIS
Do something!
CAIT SITH
Alright I got an idea!
Like magic, Cait Sith reveals a card in his Mog’s hand.
BARRET
I don’t he came here to play poker, you retard!
SWOOSH! Cait Sith FLINGS the card at the man. The card SLICES the man in the back of his neck. His head jerks forward and he looks back at Cait Sith.
BARRET
Now he’s pissed!
The man aims his shotgun at the three. CRASH! BOOM! Cloud trips man causing him to FIRE at the ground. He flips himself up and grabs his sword. SWOOSH! Cloud brings his sword to an inch from the man’s neck.
CLOUD
Game’s over.
The man looks up at Cloud.
BARRET
This asshole can start playin’ his tango of tears, cause he’s about to die.
CLOUD
(to the man)
So you’re the trick Hojo had up his sleeve.
(to Cait Sith)
No pun intended.
STRANGE MAN
Hojo? It was you who disturbed my sleep.
CLOUD
I didn’t disturb anything.
STANGE MAN
My long sleep gave me a chance to atone myself.
CLOUD
Your nightmare’s over.
STRANGE MAN
Yours is just beginning.
A beat.
CLOUD
We didn’t come here to wake you up from whatever sleep you were in. I came down here to confront a man named Sephiroth.
STRANGE MAN
What do you know about Sephiroth!?
CLOUD
More than you can possible imagine. What the hell do you know about him?
STRANGE MAN
He was created 10 years ago and then disappears. But now he’s reappeared. Sephiroth has taken many lives and seeks the Promised Land.
BARRET
(surprised)
Who is this guy?
STRANGE MAN
My name is Vincent Valentine, formerly of the Turks.
CLOUD
I’m Cloud, formerly of SOLDIER.
VINCENT
You mind relinquishing your sword from my neck? I’m harmless.
CLOUD
Didn’t look that way to me.
AERIS
Wait, you said you were a Turk?
VINCENT
Correct.
AERIS
You don’t remember me?
VINCENT
Should I have?
AERIS
When you were a Turk and when I was a little girl you came to my home and tried to have me ripped away and taken to Shinra.
Vincent is silent. A beat.
AERIS
You don’t remember, do you?
VINCENT
I apologize for the disappointment. My memory is hazy.
BARRET
That’s what a long sleep will do to ya.
CLOUD
What do you remember?
VINCENT
All I remember was being part of the Shinra Manufacturing Department in Administrative Research. Basically I just remember being a Turk.
A beat.
VINCENT
(CONT’D)
You said you were in SOLDIER. Perhaps you know Lucrecia.
CLOUD
Who?
VINCENT
Lucrecia...the woman who gave birth to Sephiroth.
Cloud squints his eyes.
CLOUD
Gave birth? Jenova is Sephiroth’s mother.
VINCENT
That isn’t completely wrong, but it’s just a theory. Sephiroth was born from a beautiful woman named Lucrecia. She was an assistant to Professor Gast.
(staring off into space)
She was so beautiful.
AERIS
You knew her?
VINCENT
I was in love with her. But I failed her.
AERIS
How?
VINCENT
That human experiment...I should have stopped her. But I didn’t that is my sin. And for years I was asleep in my coffin trying to atone for my sins.
BARRET
You failed your girlfriend, and now you sleep in a box?
Cloud pulls away his sword from Vincent’s neck.
VINCENT
Thank you.
Vincent gets up and dusts himself off.
CAIT SITH
We’re letting him go?
VINCENT
I promise I shallnt hunt you.
AERIS
Where will you go?
VINCENT
Wherever I need to, to get brought up to speed. I’ve been asleep for quite some time.
AERIS
Stay with us.
VINCENT
(picking up his guns)
No. What I’m doing I must do by myself.
AERIS
Are you sure?
Vincent nods.
VINCENT
Perhaps our paths will cross again.
(to Cait Sith)
By the way, that was some fancy card throwing.
CAIT SITH
Thanks?
CLOUD
Before you go...
Vincent looks at Cloud.
CLOUD
(CONT’D)
Do you remember anything about a fire 10 years ago?
VINCENT
I’ve been asleep longer than that. I don’t even remember my own age. So I guess my answer is ‘no’.
Vincent turns around and walks away. The four watch him as disappears.
A beat; then Barret looks over at Cloud.
BARRET
(arrogantly)
Glad to see you’re back to normal.
CLOUD
It’s good to feel appreciated. Where are the others?
BARRET
The Inn. Tifa’s cut was deeper than we thought. Good job.
CLOUD
I wasn’t being myself. Cut me some slack, will ya.
A beat.
CLOUD
(CONT’D)
Let’s go.
EXT. MIDAR - HOTEL - DAY
BINOCULAR POV: We see the doors of a hotel in Midgar open and Godo and Staniv walk out with two WUTAI BODYGUARDS. A CAR waits for them.
NORMAL CAMERA SHOT: Godo searches his pockets.
GODO
(to Staniv)
So you have our passes?
Staniv pulls out two PASSES from his inner jacket pocket.
STANIV
Right here, father.
GODO
Good now we get out of here.
Godo nods to one of the bodyguards. The bodyguard opens the car door for him.
GODO
Thank you.
WUTAI BODYGUARD #1
Yes, sir.
BINOCULAR POV: Staniv follows his father and gets in the car. The bodyguards enter and the car drives off.
INT. CAR - DAY
SANTOS, a ruthless Shinra army captain pulls the binoculars away from his face and places them on the seat next to him. He then pulls out a cell phone and dials a number.
INT. SHINRA TOWER - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - DAY
Heidegger and Rufus are in mid-conversation when the phone of Rufus’ desk RINGS. Heidegger answers it.
HEIDEGGER
(on phone)
President Rufus’ office.
A beat as Santos talks on the other line.
HEIDEGGER
(to Rufus)
It’s my guy Santos.
RUFUS
Put him on speaker.
Heidegger presses a button on the phone counsel and puts down the phone.
RUFUS
Santos? This is President Rufus.
SANTOS (VO)
(on phone)
Hello Mr. President. I’m calling to tell you that the package left the office.
RUFUS
Good. I thought he’d never wake up.
SANTOS (VO)
(on phone)
Shall I proceed as planned?
RUFUS
Yes. Intercept the package at the train station and wrap it.
SANTOS (VO)
(on phone)
Yes, sir.
INT. CAR - DAY
Santos hangs up his phone and pockets it. He then starts the ENGINE of his car and drives off.
INT. SHINRA TOWER - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - DAY
Rufus presses a button on the phone counsel thus hanging up the phone.
HEIDEGGER
Are you sure this is wise?
RUFUS
You were the one who convinced me not to kill him.
HEIDEGGER
It’s just that Santos can be quite rough. I’ve seen the reports, sir.
RUFUS
As have I. He’s the right man for the job.
HEIDEGGER
Perhaps you haven’t read about the raid in the slums.
RUFUS
What?
HEIDEGGER
We had intelligence six months ago of rebel activity in the Sector 4 Slums. Your father sent Santos and his platoon in to take care of things.
INT. SECTOR 4 SLUMS - CHILD CARE CENTER - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
BLACK AND WHITE:
Santos and his PLATOON of SOLDIERS, each armed with rifles, burst into a small building filled with CHILDREN. The building is nothing more than a shack.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
The suspected front was that of child care center where hookers would leave their kids when they went to work. Santos was a Colonel at the time.
We see the soldiers rounding up the children who are all CRYING. The soldiers line the children up against the wall. Santos paces around in front of them. He starts to speak, but we don’t hear what he is saying. Instead, Heidegger narrates the scene.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
He said he start killing children if they didn’t reveal who the rebel was.
Santos stops talking. He stares at the children. A beat; then he extends his hand to one of the soldiers.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
After the kids didn’t say anything, Santos was given a gun by one of his soldiers.
One of the soldiers slaps a gun in Santos hand. He cocks it.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
He gave the children one last chance to reveal which one of their mothers was a rebel.
The children are silent. BAM! Santos shoots a LITTLE BOY in the forehead. BLOOD splatters on the wall. The children SCREAM.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
Santos killed one of them. Then one of the mothers entered the building.
The door opens and a HOOKER walks in. She GASPS at the sight of the dead child. The soldiers grab the hooker and get her on her knees.
Santos bends over and yells in her face. Once again Heidegger narrates the scene.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
He asked her if she knew who the rebel was and if she didn’t talk he would murder another child.
The woman cries and Santos aims his gun at another child.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
Right before Santos was going to kill another one, the woman confessed that she was in league with the anti-Shinra organizations.
Santos holsters his gun. He bends over and talks to the woman.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
He told her punishment would be watching the children die. He gave the final order to his troops.
We see Santos bark and order to his soldiers. Three Shinra Soldiers line up aiming their guns at the wall of children. The woman begs for mercy.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
The woman offered herself to Santos in return for the children’s lives. He was disgusted at the offer and called her a whore.
SLAP! Santos slaps the woman hard. He then gives the final order to his soldiers. BAM! BAM! BAM! The soldiers fire on the children.
FADE OUT
INT. SHINRA TOWER - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - DAY
Rufus sits in his chair listening to Heidegger’s story on Santos.
HEIDEGGER
Not one child survived.
RUFUS
What about the rebel?
HEIDEGGER
Santos put a moon roof in the back of her head. It’s what they did with the body that’s disgusting.
EXT. SECTOR 4 SLUMS - STREETS - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
BLACK AND WHITE:
We see a soldier tie the woman’s feet to the bumper of their JEEP. Santos looks back and sees that she’s secure. He starts the ENGINE.
HEIDEGGER (VO)
They dragged her body through the streets as a message to other who were thinking of joining rebel organizations.
The jeep speeds through the streets with the woman’s body bouncing grotesquely.
INT. SHINRA TOWER - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - DAY
HEIDEGGER
And the rest is history as they would say.
RUFUS
How did Santos get demoted from a Colonel?
HEIDEGGER
Your father hit the roof when he found out what happened. He demoted Santos and moved his soldiers to some remote part of Midgar.
Rufus gets up.
RUFUS
Are you trying to change my mind?
HEIDEGGER
I’m just having second thoughts, is all.
RUFUS
If my memory serves me right, it you who recommended Santos, no?
HEIDEGGER
Perhaps you should call it off.
RUFUS
I don’t think so. He insulted us, and he’s going to pay for it.
INT. NIBELHEIM INN - ROOM - DAY
Tifa lies on a BED looking out the window. Her cut is bandaged up and her clothes are blood soaked. Nanaki is lying on the ground trying to sleep, and Yuffie is twirling a SHURIKEN in his fingertips to pass time.
YUFFIE
(twirling the shuriken in your fingertips)
Cloud’s fucked up.
TIFA
(looking out the window)
He’s going through a lot and it’s just taking a toll on him psychologically.
YUFFIE
You sound guilty.
Tifa looks at Yuffie.
TIFA
What would I have to be guilty about?
YUFFIE
I don’t know. You just sound like it’s your fault Cloud is so screwed up.
Tifa sighs.
NANAKI
(with his eyes closed)
I’m trying to sleep here!
TIFA
Sorry.
She lays her head back and closes her eyes.
Bored, Yuffie HURLS the shuriken at the CEILING. It imbeds itself halfway in.
The DOOR opens. Tifa sits up and Nanaki wakes up to see Cloud standing in the doorframe. He walks in followed by Barret, Cait Sith, and Aeris.
TIFA
Cloud.
BARRET
Don’t worry, he’s back to normal.
Cloud goes to a wooden countertop and sees a BUCKET of water. He SPLASHES water at his face.
YUFFIE
He alright?
CAIT SITH
It’s been a rollercoaster.
The group watches as Cloud leans against the counter with his eye shut. He BREATHES heavily.
BARRET
We ran into a guy in that mansion. He started a fight so don’t be surprised if we’re a little low on energy.
Tifa nods.
AERIS
His name was Vincent.
NANAKI
The guy who attacked you?
AERIS
Yeah. I remember him from when I was little girl. He was a Turk.
YUFFIE
Whoa! The Turks were there?
AERIS
He said he wasn’t a Turk anymore and he didn’t look it.
BARRET
The son of a bitch has been sleepin’ in a box for who knows how many years.
NANAKI
A Turk who now sleeps in a box...interesting.
CAIT SITH
If you thought that was interesting, wait until you hear what he said about Sephiroth.
TIFA
(interested)
What’d he say?
Cloud turns around to face the group.
CLOUD
He said a woman named, Lucrecia was Sephiroth’s mother.
TIFA
Lucrecia?
CLOUD
Ring any bells?
Tifa, Nanaki, and Yuffie all shake their heads. Cloud sighs and grabs a rag. He wipes his face.
CLOUD
(sarcastically)
Great. This is exactly what I need right now.
He throws the rag to the ground. A few beats; then
AERIS
So what now?
CLOUD
There’s nothing here anymore. We’ll cross Mount Nibel tomorrow.
BARRET
Why can’t we just go around?
CLOUD
Sephiroth is crossing Mount Nibel, probably right now.
BARRET
How do you know?
Cloud sighs.
CLOUD
He told me.
The party all look at Cloud shocked and interested in what happened.
NANAKI
You saw him? Where?
CLOUD
Inside Shinra Mansion. It’s like he was expecting me.
A beat.
CLOUD
(CONT’D)
But before I went inside...I saw these druids walking around outside the mansion.
TIFA
Druids?
CLOUD
Yeah. These are the men we’ve been chasing.
BARRET
What are you talking about? We’re chasing Sephiroth.
CLOUD
We’ve been chasing a man in a black cloak that we thought was Sephiroth.
TIFA
Are you sure these are the same guys?
CLOUD
They had numbers tattooed on their hands.
TIFA
Numbers?
CLOUD
Yeah. One through seven.
There is a brief moment of silence as the party members ponder what Cloud just said.
BARRET
This is getting complicated.
CLOUD
All we can do is stay put until the morning. There’s nothing left here.
FADE TO
EXT. MIDGAR - TRAIN STATION - DAY
Godo’s car pulls up in front of the train station. One of the Wutai bodyguards gets out first followed by Godo, Staniv, and the final bodyguard.
GODO
(to the driver)
Thank you.
The car drives off. Godo, Staniv and the two bodyguards walk to --
EXT. TRAIN STATION - DOCK - DAY
A passenger train waits and PASSENGERS board. Waiting in front of one of the cars is Santos with a wide GRIN. He watches as Godo and Staniv walk towards him.
GODO
Staniv, get the passes.
Staniv nods and pulls out the PASSES. The four walk up to Santos who blocks their passage onto the train.
SANTOS
Greetings, sir.
STANIV
(handing the passes to Santos)
Hi. Here you are.
SANTOS
(grabbing the passes)
Thank you.
Santos looks at the passes. Meanwhile, Staniv and Godo wait impatiently. A beat; then Santos FROWNS.
SANTOS
I’m sorry sir, these passes have expired.
GODO
(shocked)
What?
STANIV
There’s got to be some mistake. We were given these by the Shinra Company.
SANTOS
Shinra doesn’t give out false passes.
STANIV
(angry)
Are you implying we stole them!?
Godo puts his hand on his son’s shoulder, calming him.
GODO
Calm down.
Santos hands the passes back to Staniv. Staniv rips them from his hand.
GODO
(to Santos)
My son and I were guests at President’s Rufus’s ball last night. Perhaps you heard about it?
SANTOS
(nodding)
Yes. I wish I could have been there.
GODO
Yes well anyway, we need to get back home to Wutai. We were given these passes as our ticket home.
Santos nods his head.
SANTOS
I understand your dilemma.
(gesturing for them to come with him)
Please follow me inside. We’ll clear this and get you home.
Godo nods and they follow Santos.
INT. TRAIN STATION - HALLWAY - DAY
Santos leads, Godo, Staniv, and the two bodyguards down a hallway in the train station.
SANTOS
So did you have fun at that ball last night?
GODO
I’d prefer not to talk about it.
SANTOS
I apologize.
GODO
Don’t. Just clear this ordeal up and get us home.
SANTOS
As you wish.
They reach a DOOR at the end of the hallway. Santos digs in his pocket and pulls out a KEY.
SANTOS
(unlocking the door)
You know, I hear someone cause quite ruckus and insulted President Rufus at the event.
GODO
Did you?
SANTOS
Yeah. I find it funny how the President is going to just let him off the hook.
Santos opens the door and gestures the men to go inside.
INT. TRAIN STATION - BACK ROOM - DAY
Godo, Staniv, and the two bodyguards walk into the backroom. It is near pitch black.
STANIV
What is this place?
Santos enters and closes the door.
SANTOS
Let me just turn on the light.
He flips a SWITCH and the LIGHTS turn ON. Godo GASPS at the sight of two SHINRA SOLDIERS on their knees with their guns aimed.
2 SECONDS AFTER the light go on; BAM! BAM! The soldiers SHOOT the two bodyguards dead.
GODO
What is this?!
SWOOSH! Staniv pulls out a small KNIFE.
SHINRA SOLDIER #25
Freeze!
Staniv stands on guard ready to protect his father.
STANIV
They set us up! Father!
SANTOS (OS)
I’d put that knife down I were you.
Staniv turns around to look at Santos. He sees Santos aiming a PISTOL at him.
SANTOS
Put it down or put one between your eyes.
Staniv drops the knife and raises his hands in surrender.
GODO
Who are you?
SANTOS
We’re just messengers. I am Santos of the Shinra army.
GODO
Rufus sent you? I should have known!
SANTOS
Yes, but you just proved to yourself how much of a dumb ass you really are.
A beat.
STANIV
You kill us, and you’ll have the wrath of every man, woman, and child of Wutai knocking on your door.
SANTOS
Get over yourself, you slanted-eyed prick. You’re no martyr. You think Rufus wants to restart the war? It would be bad for business.
GODO
If you’re not killing us, then what? You’re keeping us here...as hostages?
SANTOS
I’d rather shoot myself than be trapped in a room with you for more than an hour.
A beat; then
SANTOS
You spit on Rufus and all of Shinra at that ball. You disrespected us.
GODO
I will not smile and act like I’m happy when I’m in the presence of the genocidal organization that nearly killed all my people during the war.
SANTOS
I was Colonel during the war. I remember black operation I ran. I’d take my team into the heart of your precious village and kill everyone alive.
GODO
You destroyed everything during that war. All we have left of our art and culture is in ruins.
SANTOS
So rebuild.
STANIV
It’s not that easy!
SANTOS
Then perhaps a people with no culture are a people with no purpose.
GODO
Finally something we agree on.
Santos nods then; POW! He drills Godo in the nose with the BUTT OF HIS PISTOL.
STANIV
Father!
Staniv LUNGES at Santos as Godo falls to his knees with BLOOD pouring from his face.
Staniv SCREAMS as he punches Santos. The soldiers look at each other unsure of what to do.
SANTOS
(to his soldiers)
What are you doing!? Shoot him!
BAM! BAM! The soldiers fire at Staniv. The bullets hit his back and he falls over.
GODO
Staniv!
BOOM! Staniv collapses with the ground. He breathes heavily, still alive. Godo rushes to his son.
STANIV
(dying)
Father...
GODO
(rubbing Staniv’s cheek)
My son...
Santos catches his breath.
SANTOS
(jokingly)
You’d better get him out of here. He might not make it.
GODO
(to Santos)
You bastard!
Santos presses the barrel of his gun against Godo’s temple.
SANTOS
I hope you’ve learned never to insult Shinra.
A beat.
SANTOS
(CONT’D)
Looks like your son will have the privilege of watching his father die, right before he does.
Godo stares into his son’s eyes with Santos’ pistol against his temple. A beat; then Santos PULLS THE TRIGGER.
CLICK! Godo flinches at the sound an unloaded gun. Santos laughs.
SANTOS
(holstering his gun)
My orders aren’t to kill you.
(to his soldiers)
Patch up the bullet holes on the son.
SHINRA SOLDIER #26
Yes sir.
The soldiers move in and grab Staniv. They turn him over and rip off his shirt. Meanwhile, Santos pulls out a THIN KNIFE from his belt. He looks at Godo and smiles.
EXT. NIBELHEIM - NORTH END - DAWN
The party stands at the north end of Nibelheim. Ahead of them is the rocky path to Mount Nibel.
CLOUD
This is it.
BARRET
Well what are we waiting for?
CLOUD
(looking around)
Nothing. I’m just recalling memories.
Tifa walks to Cloud and puts her hand on his shoulder.
TIFA
Cloud, you’re not crazy.
CLOUD
Thanks.
He looks up at the path to Mount Nibel and sighs.
CLOUD
Here we go again.
He starts walking up the path. One by one the party follows him.
EXT. TRAIN STATION - DOCK - DAWN
Santos stands at the train station holding a small WOODEN BOX. He smiles as a TRAIN starts to slowly move down the tracks.
SANTOS
(at the train)
Good-bye Godo.
Santos laughs and walks away.
INT. SHINRA TOWER - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - DAWN
BUZZ! The telecom in Rufus’ office rings as he paces around inside.
VOICE (OS)
(on telecom)
Mr. President, Captain Santos is here for you.
RUFUS
Send him in.
The telecom BUZZES off. A beat; then the DOOR OPENS and Santos enters Rufus’ office with the small wooden box.
RUFUS
Santos my friend, how’d it go?
SANTOS
Fine. Your friend and his son are on their way back home.
RUFUS
Excellent! Any casualties?
SANTOS
Two expendable bodyguards.
Rufus nods. A beat; then
RUFUS
(pointing at Santos’ box)
What’s in the box?
Santos smiles. He opens the box for Rufus. We cannot see what is inside.
SANTOS
My trophies.
Rufus smiles.
CUT TO:
A BLOODY HUMAN EYE in the box.
SANTOS
The son, Staniv, will have some trouble seeing, I think.
Rufus pats Santos on the shoulder and laughs.
EXT. MOUNT NIBEL - PATH - DAY
We see the party pass one by one past the camera as they walk the path of Mount Nibel.
EXT. MOUNT NIBEL - PEAK - DAY
We see a higher viewpoint of the party walking along the path.
PAN BACK to see the ghostly image of Sephiroth floating with his arms crossed and smiling.
SEPHIROTH
See you soon...friend.
He VANISHES.
PAN BACK MORE to see the druids CIRCLED around the area where Sephiroth was.
FADE OUT
THE END