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FF Odyssey
Fan Fiction
Final Fantasy VII Movie Script
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(Part)
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FINAL FANTASY
CRY OF THE PLANET
Character list for Part 1
CLOUD STRIFE
BARRET WALLACE
TIFA LOCKHEART
AERIS GAINSBOROUGH
JESSE
WEDGE
BIGGS
MARLENE
PRESIDENT SHINRA
RUFUS
TSENG
SHINRA GUARD #1
SHINRA GUARD #2
SHINRA GUARD #3
SHINRA GUARD #4
SHINRA GUARD #5
SHINRA CAPTAIN
Bugenhagen (VO)
Dream Voice (VO)
Sephiroth
Reno (Turks)
Rude (Turks)
Elena (Turks)
Set Listing for Part 1
Interiors
TRAIN – PASSENGER CAR 1
TRAIN – PASSENGER CAR 2
TRAIN – COCKPIT
REACTOR COMPLEX – CORRIDOR
REACTOR COMPLEX – CROSSWAY
REACTOR COMPLEX – ELEVATOR
REACTOR COMPLEX - CORE WALKWAY
SHINRA TOWER – PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
7th HEAVEN BAR
Exteriors
MIDGAR – STREETS
OUTSIDE TRAIN STATION
SECTOR 7 SLUMS – STREETS
SHINRA HQ – HELIPAD
NIBELHIEM – TOWN SQUARE
SECTOR 7 SLUMS – BAR STOOP
PART 1: Cry of the Planet
FADE IN – SPACE
OPENING CREDITS
A vast sea of stars plays as the backdrop for the opening titles. In the background the voice of a wise elder begins speaking. The voice is that of BUGENHAGEN.
BUGENHAGEN (VO)
The planet is dying. A battle is being fought to save it. Chained together by fate and destiny, a select few will be soldiers in the final fight. Their adversaries will be powerful. Whether it be the corruption of the SHINRA CORPERATION, or the black heart of a forgotten warrior, the chosen ones will face their biggest challenges. The planet’s final fate has yet to be decided, but now is the time for these few to rise up. They must open their ears and hear…the cry of the planet.
PAN LEFT to a small planet.
ZOOM IN and watch as the planet gets bigger. We ZOOM in through the atmosphere, through the clouds making the rugged landscape visible. Soon a large circular city is targeted. The city is that of Midgar, the largest city on the planet.
EXT. MIDGAR STREETS – NIGHT
Suddenly the face of young girl in her early 20s is seen. Her long hair is brown and twisted back. She wears a dirty pink gown with a red vest and holds a basket filled with flowers. It is AERIS GAINSBOROUGH, a flower girl from the slums of Midgar.
(MORE)
AERIS opens her eyes. Her head is illuminated by a bright green light which quickly vanishes. AERIS turns and walks out into the slum streets and into the small crowds of peasants. She slowly disappears into the darkness of the city.
EXT. MIDGAR SOUTH EAST SECTOR – NIGHT
Overhead view of a speeding train. The iron vehicle continues on its track toward its destination.
INT. INSIDE TRAIN - NIGHT
Inside the train two guards are sitting at a wooden table playing a game of cards. They are dressed in red uniforms and have weapons holstered at their sides. Their employer is SHINRA, the corrupt cooperation that runs the city of MIDGAR.
SHINRA GUARD # 1
(angered)
Aint nobody that lucky!
SHINRA GUARD #2
This just isn’t your day.
(beat)
Play again?
SHINRA GUARD #1 throws his cards on the table.
SHINRA GUARD #1
No. Frankly I need the money I have left.
The train door to the next car slides open and the SHINRA CAPTAIN enters the car.
SHINRA CAPTAIN
Gather your things. Our final checkpoint’s coming up.
SHINRA GUARDS 1 and 2 nod and quickly gather everything up.
INT. TRAIN CAR 2 – NIGHT
Inside the south adjacent car, a young WOMAN is bent over on one knee. Her clothes are dirty making it apparent she came from the slums. She has a red bandana on over her head and wears black gloves with the fingers cut out. Suddenly a quiet SCREECH echoes in her ear.
VOICE (V.O.)
Guards are fortifying, our destination is near.
Another SCREECH and the voice ended. The WOMAN stands up and reveals a pistol. She cocks it and hides the weapon behind her thigh.
The train door opens and SHINRA GUARD #1 enters holding a rifle. He sees the WOMAN and his eyes widen in shock.
SHINRA GUARD #1
(confused)
Who are you?
The WOMAN smiles, aims her gun at the guard, and fires. Three bullets bury themselves in the chest of SHINRA GUARD #1 killing him.
INT. TRAIN CAR 1 – NIGHT
The roar of the WOMAN’S pistol sends shivers through SHINRA GUARD #2 and the SHINRA CAPTAIN. The two men load their rifles and aim it at the door leading to the second car.
SHINRA CAPTAIN
Go investigate. I’ll cover from here.
SHINRA GUARD #2
Yes sir.
SHINRA GUARD #2 cautiously approaches the door. After about five steps the door automatically opens. Inside, the guard sees nothing. The WOMAN is gone. All that is left is the corpse of SHINRA GUARD #1.
SHINRA GUARD #2
We got a man down.
SHINRA GUARD #2 bends down to inspect his comrade’s body. He turns the corpse and sees the bullet holes.
SHINRA GUARD #2
He’s been shot.
SHINRA CAPTAIN
I should report.
Before the SHINRA CAPTAIN can act, a deep thunderous voice rings throughout the car.
DEEP VOICE (O.S.)
I don’t think so.
Both the SHINRA CAPTAIN and SHINRA GUARD #2 turn around to see a large African male wearing slum clothing. His right hand is gone and replaced with a circular machine gun. The man has dark eyes and a black beard. His name is BARRET WALLCE, one of the leaders of the rebel organization called AVALANCHE.
BARRET, using his machinegun-arm, backhands the SHRINA CAPTAIN, knocking him unconscious. Frantically SHINRA GUARD #2 aims his rifle at BARRET. Before he can pull the trigger a bullet pierces through the back of his head. He falls to the train floor. The WOMAN, from before, appears holding her gun, which is still aimed out in front of her.
BARRET
(pressing a switch in his ear)
Front car is neutralized.
BARRET calmly sits down in a passenger seat and awaits for the train to reach its destination.
BARRET
(to the WOMAN)
Relax, JESSE.
JESSE
(discouraged)
I can’t relax.
(beat)
By the time we reach the reactor, they’ll be an army of the SHINRA waiting for us.
BARRET
This is a covert operation, JES. The SHINRA have no idea that we just hijacked the train. Plus, WEDGE is driving.
JESSE
What about the guards waiting at the reactor?
BARRET
That’s something our new friend will handle.
JESSE sits next to BARRET in the seat.
JESSE
I don’t trust mercenaries. As far as I know your hired-gun could be with SHINRA.
BARRET
And if he is…
(beat)
I’ll be the first to cut his heart out.
EXT. TRAIN STATION OUTSIDE MAKO REACTOR – NIGHT
The train station outside one of SHINRA’S MAKO REACTOR, was quiet and dark. Guards dressed in red uniforms patrolled the area. Even a large platoon of SHINRA soldiers were stationed there. Each soldier was heavily armed and dressed in their full blue uniform.
Two SHINRA GUARDS patrol the tracks where the train willing stopping. They wait patiently for the next shift to arrive.
SHINRA GUARD #3
(pulling out a cigarette)
You want one?
SHINRA GUARD #4
No, I quit.
SHINRA GUARD #3 lights his cigarette. He blows large puffs of smoke in the air. The guards’ moment of silence is broken with a quick SLASH sound. SHINRA GUARD #4 falls to the ground as his lower back spews blood. He has been cut by a large sword. Before SHINRA GUARD #3 can react another SLASH occurs and SHINRA GUARD #3’s head flied free from his shoulders. In the darkness a silhouette of man is seen holstering a large sword on his back. The silhouette disappears into the darkness leaving the two corpses.
INT. INSIDE TRAIN – NIGHT
AVALANCHE members, BARRET and JESSE both wait patiently as the train speeds down its track. BARRET is relaxed with his legs crossed and his head leaning against the seat. JESSE, however is anxious and shows signs of nervousness.
BARRET
I told you to relax.
JESSE
I can’t.
BARRET
You should. By the time we get to the reactor, all of the SHINRA will be gone. I have faith in the guy I hired.
JESSE
BARRET, what makes you think one guy could take on an entire squad of the SHINRA?
BARRET sits up in his seat and takes a deep breath.
BARRET
The guy’s an ex-SOLDIER. He was once part of SHINRA’S top elite training organization. Now he’s with AVALANCHE.
JESSE
Only because you pay him.
Their conversation is interrupted by the train’s intercom system. AVALANCHE member, WEDGE, who is driving the train, speaks.
WEDGE (V.O.)
We’re about to dock. Get ready for any action.
The voice sounds off and the train starts to slow down. BARRET gets and checks the ammunition in his gun-arm. JESSE too gets up and readies her pistol. The two walk to the train’s exit and watch it. After a brief moment the train’s doors slide open. BARRET aims his gun-arm at whatever is out there waiting.
EXT. TRAIN STATION OUTSIDE MAKO REACTOR – NIGHT
BARRET cautiously exits the train followed closely by JESSE. Both have their weapons
(MORE)
raised. The two scan the area. They lower their arms when they see the corpses of two SHINRA guards. They then inspect the whole station as a whole and see even more corpses. Blood is splattered on the walls of buildings and pools of it flow down the sidewalk.
JESSE
(in awe)
What happened here?
BARRET
Told ya’ he was good.
JESSE
This is a massacre.
BARRET
They were SHINRA. They deserved it. Now let’s meet up at the rendezvous point.
BARRET and his comrade journey into the dark abyss of the train station. As they walk, ready for any combat, a small whisper echoes in their ears.
WHISPER (O.S.)
BARRET.
BARRET turns toward the noise but can’t see anything in the dark. JESSE too scrambles trying to locate the person who whispered.
Finally after a few brief seconds the two make out a figure at the end of the darkness. The figure is male and has a large sword sheathed at his back. BARRET and JESSE move forward as light illuminates the figure. The man is dressed in dark clothing and has short spiked hair. He is our hero, CLOUD STRIFE.
BARRET moves in and lowers his weapon. He is followed by JESSE.
BARRET
What the hell happened here?
CLOUD
(cocky)
I cleaned house.
JESSE
You butchered them.
CLOUD sarcastically smiles to himself and turns his back. He walks toward a lit door that leads to the MAKO REACTOR.
CLOUD
We don’t have much time. Let’s go.
BARRET grunts and walks with CLOUD and passes him up as they make their way to the door. JESSE stands still and glares at CLOUD.
JESSE
Wait.
CLOUD stops.
JESSE
(CONT.)
Who are you?
(beat)
CLOUD
Your hired gun.
CLOUD progresses forward again when he stopped by JESSE again.
JESSE
Don’t you have a name?
CLOUD sighs heavily and hesitated before answering the girl’s question.
CLOUD
CLOUD STRIFE.
FREEZE FRAME:
“CLOUD STRIFE”
“Ex-member of SHINRA’S elite military force SOLDIER” appears on the screen.
REAL TIME:
CLOUD follows BARRET, who has opened the door into the MAKO REACTOR COMPLEX and pulls out his sword from his back holster.
INT. MAKO REACTOR COMPLEX CORRIDOR – NIGHT
The inside of the complex is a quiet yet brightly lit. The group of CLOUD, BARRET, and JESSE are on their guard while walking down the corridor. They stop when whispers can be heard. Everyone stops except CLOUD, who moves in to investigate.
CLOUD tip-toes down the hall until he reaches the end. The hall leads to a large open room with three SHINRA SOLDIERS. CLOUD peeks his head out from behind the corner and scans the room.
CLOUD
(whispering to BARRET)
There are three of them.
BARRET nods and starts to silently walk towards CLOUD. Before he can catch up CLOUD arrogantly walks out into the open and into the vision of the guards. Upon seeing him the guards pull their weapons on him.
SHINRA GUARD #5
Stop!
CLOUD raises his arms in surrender to the guards.
SHINRA GUARD #5
Who are you?
The three guards move in slowly on CLOUD. CLOUD, with both hands still raised, lets one of the guards pull his sword from his back holster.
CLOUD
I’m from SOLDIER.
SHINRA GUARD #5
SOLDIER? I get any report on one of you coming.
CLOUD slowly lowers his hands while still looking down the barrels of three rifles.
SHINRA GUARD #5
(CONT.)
What’s your purpose?
CLOUD
I was sent from PRESIDENT SHINRA. He got a report of AVALANCHE breaking into one of the reactors.
Behind the corner BARRET quietly snarls to himself thinking CLOUD had betrayed him and was blowing the whole operation.
JESSE
(whispering)
What’s he doing!? I told you he was spy!
BARRET
That sonvabitch!
Back in the room the guards hear BARRET’S comment and look up to the corner leading to the corridor.
SHINRA GUARD #5
Who was that?
CLOUD
The rest of my squad. I was ordered by PRESIDENT SHINRA not to come alone.
SHINRA GUARD #5
Tell them to show themselves, now.
CLOUD
You don’t trust me?
SHINRA GUARD #5
You walk in unannounced claiming you’re from SOLDIER to handle a break-in, and you expect me to trust you?
(to other guards)
Go check it out.
The guards acknowledge and slowly progress to the corner with their rifles ready.
CLOUD
Pull your men off!
The guards stop and look at CLOUD.
SHINRA GUARD #5
You do you think you are giving me orders!
CLOUD
Pull them back.
SHINRA GUARD #5 walks up to CLOUD and stares at him face to face.
SHINRA GUARD #5
If I refuse?
CLOUD smiles and grabs the guard’s shoulder with his right hand.
CLOUD
Fine then.
Almost instantly the green sphere of
(MORE)
condensed Mako energy in CLOUD’S body reacts and small sparks of electricity shoot out of his fingertips. SHINRA GUARD #5 looks at the hand clenched to his shoulder. Before he can react, the sparks increase into huge bolts of electricity. The bolts shoot out of CLOUD’S fingertips and into the body of the guard.
The other two guards see and change their focus to CLOUD. Before they can fire at him, BARRET emerges from behind the corner with his gun-arm aimed at the two guards. He fires a burst of automatic rounds, all of which hit their targets killing them.
Meanwhile CLOUD lets the body of SHINRA GUARD #5 fall to the floor.
CLOUD
Let’s go.
CLOUD goes and picks up his sword and holsters it at his back. JESSE finally walks out and witnesses the scene.
JESSE
How’d you do that?
CLOUD starts to walk toward a large steel blast door at the east wall that blocks their passage.
CLOUD
Do what?
CLOUD notices a control panel to the left and goes to inspect it.
JESSE
Shoot lightning from your body?
CLOUD
(smiling)
All the elements of the planet are stored in its blood.
JESSE
What’s that mean?
BARRET
It means that he’s equipped with materia.
JESSE looks at BARRET awkwardly.
BARRET
(CONT.)
Condensed Mako energy.
CLOUD
JESSE, this door has a pass code. Can you override it?
JESSE walks forward and looks at the panel.
JESSE
Yeah. This’ll be no problem.
She starts configuring the panel attempting to override it while CLOUD and BARRET patiently wait. After a few brief seconds the large steel door slides open.
JESSE
Code decrypted.
The group progress through the door.
INT. MAKO REACTOR COMPLEX – CROSS WAY – NIGHT
The three members find themselves in another corridor; only this one is darker and trails four different directions. The corridor straight ahead leads outside towards the reactor whereas the other lead further into the complex.
CLOUD
The reactors not far.
Before anyone can respond a stranger’s voice echoes in the darkness.
MALE VOICE (O.S.)
You’re late.
Everybody turns to see a SHINRA SOLIDER standing in the left corridor. CLOUD starts to pull out his sword.
BARRET
Wait! He’s with us.
CLOUD stares at the soldier as he takes off his helmet revealing himself as BIGGS, a rugged man wearing a red bandana, like JESSE, and a member of AVALANCHE.
BARRET
(CONT.)
That’s BIGGS. He smuggled in the bomb for us.
CLOUD quickly shakes hands with BIGGS.
BARRET
Now, you have the bomb right?
BIGGS digs in a large pocket on his uniform and pulls out a brick of plastic explosives, and hands it to BARRET.
BIGGS
That should be enough to blow the reactor. If not, the complex will crumble and destroy the reactor anyway.
BARRET
Good.
BARRET stashes the bomb away.
BARRET
Alright then, here’s the plan.
(BEAT)
CLOUD and I will go to the, JESSE,
(MORE)
you come with us and override any locked doors. BIGGS you head back to the train and meet up with WEDGE. Tell him he has about 15 minutes to get that train ready. Understand?
BIGGS
Yeah.
BARRET
Good. Now get going. If planned correctly we’ll be outa’ here in a few minutes.
BIGGS runs down the south corridor on his way back to the train. JESSE runs opposite and goes forward toward the reactor.
CLOUD
By the way,
BARRET stops before progressing.
CLOUD
(CONT.)
I never formally got your name.
FREEZE FRAME:
“BARRET WALLCE”
“Leader of rebel group AVALANCHE”
appears on screen.
REAL TIME:
BARRET
BARRET.
BARRET runs forward to catch up with JESSE. CLOUD follows only he casually walks and then looks up. In front of him he sees the large circular reactor that is the Mako Reactor.
INT. MAKO REACTOR CORRIDOR – NIGHT
CLOUD catches up to both JESSE and BARRET who are both waiting at an elevator.
CLOUD
How far up is the core?
JESSE
It shouldn’t take long.
The elevator door opens and the three walk in.
INT. MAKO REACTOR - ELEVATOR – NIGHT
JESSE
(CONT.)
The elevator will take us right up to the walkway that leads to the core.
BARRET
This your first time in a reactor?
CLOUD
No. I’ve seen a few of these before.
BARRET
Good then you know what SHINRA is doing then.
CLOUD is silent.
BARRET
The planet’s filled with Mako energy, which is the blood of this planet. SHINRA is turning the blood of the planet into a fossil fuel. The reactors keep suckin’ it all up.
CLOUD
I don’t need a lecture.
The elevator arrives at its destination and the doors open.
BARRET
Little by little the reactors suck up Mako energy from the planet. When there’s nothing left, the planet will die.
CLOUD
It’s not my problem.
BARRET
(enraged)
The planet is dying!
CLOUD
All I care about is getting the job done before SHINRA’S arsenal come.
CLOUD exits the elevator and a very angry BARRET follows.
INT. MAKO REACTOR – WALKWAY – NIGHT
With JESSE waiting in the elevator, CLOUD and BARRET begin the way to the core. The two are walking on a narrow steel path that is suspended hundreds of feet in the air. Below is nothing but a dark abyss.
CLOUD
There’s the core. Give me the bomb.
BARRET hands the bomb to CLOUD.
BARRET
This place aint gonna be anything more than a pile of scrap.
CLOUD begins to walks closer to the core when all the sudden a tremendous buzzing rings in his head. He lightly shakes his head but the noise doesn’t stop. The intense screech causes CLOUD to fall to his knees. He drops the bomb and both hands clutch his head. In the midst of the noise a voice emerges. We are introduced to the mysterious DREAM VOICE.
DREAM VOICE (V.O.)
CLOUD!
(BEAT)
The reactor…
With that, both the voice and noise cease. CLOUD lets go of his head and looks up to see BARRET with his hand extended.
BARRET
(helping CLOUD up)
What the hell’s the matter with you, boy?
CLOUD
(shaken)
What?
BARRET
Jus’ hurry up and let’s get outa’ here.
CLOUD picks up the bomb and walks to the end of the walkway to the steel door that leads into the core. CLOUD bends down and sticks the bomb under the door.
CLOUD
You got the detonators?
BARRET pulls them out and hands them to CLOUD. CLOUD sticks the detonators in the explosive and sets the timer to 0:10:00.
CLOUD
(standing up)
We’ve got ten minutes.
As CLOUD and BARRET start their run back to the elevator the alarm trips.
BARRET
Shit!
CLOUD
C’mon hurry!
Before they make it to the elevator, CLOUD notices that the wall above the elevator appeared to be moving. He stops are glares at the sight. Suddenly, a giant machine scorpion jumps off the wall and clings on to the walkway.
BARRET
What is that?!
CLOUD
One of SHINRA’S defense toys.
CLOUD unsheathes his sword and readies himself.
CLOUD
(CONT.)
Time to take it apart.
The machine sends out and scanning laser from its eye and sees CLOUD and BARRET. It begins attacking.
INT. ELEVATOR – MAKO REACTOR – NIGHT
Inside the elevator JESSE pulls out her pistol and begins firing at the colossal machine.
INT. MAKO REACTOR – WALKWAY – NIGHT
CLOUD and BARRET continue to fight the machine, hacking with a sword and firing with a gun-arm.
CLOUD
We don’t have time for this!
CLOUD dashes between the machine’s legs and dives into the elevator with JESSE. BARRET sees CLOUD but the machine has him cornered and he cannot make it to the elevator.
INT. ELEVATOR – MAKO REACTOR – NIGHT
JESSE
You’ve got to help him!
CLOUD stands up and extends his arm with his fingers pointed. Almost instantly, use volts of lightning shoot out from CLOUD’S fingertips. The electricity travels into the machine frying its circuits.
INT. MAKO REACTOR – WALKWAY – NIGHT
BARRET seizes his opportunity and runs under the machine and into the elevator.
INT. ELEVATOR – MAKO REACTOR – NIGHT
The lightning from CLOUD’S fingers stop and the elevator doors close.
CLOUD
(picking up his sword and sheathing it)
Are you alright?
BARRET
I’ll alright when he make it outa here.
CLOUD
(to JESSE)
Can’t this thing go any faster? We’ve only got about eight minutes before this place goes up.
JESSE
It’s going as fast as it can. It’s only an elevator.
INT. MAKO REACTOR – COMPLEX – NIGHT
The elevator arrives back at the intersecting corridor and the doors open. The three run out and head back toward the train station.
BARRET
WEDGE better have the train ready!
EXT. TRAIN STATION – NIGHT
The group finally makes it to the train station and sees that the train is fully ready. The doors are open and BIGGS is there.
BIGGS
Hurry!
CLOUD, BARRET, and JESSE make it to the train and climb on. BIGGS shuts the door quickly.
INT. TRAIN – NIGHT
BIGGS
(yelling to WEDGE)
WEDGE! Full speed ahead!
CLOUD, BARRET, and JESSE get up and dust themselves off.
BARRET
How much time do we have left?
CLOUD
About three minutes.
BIGGS sighs and runs to the cockpit.
INT. TRAIN COCKPIT – NIGHT
BIGGS slams through the door where WEDGE, another member of AVALANCHE awaits.
BIGGS
We have three minutes!
WEDGE
I’m working on it.
BIGGS
Get this thing moving!
WEDGE
It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
The train slowly starts to move and speeds down the track away from the rigged Mako Reactor.
INT. TRAIN – NIGHT
Inside the other car, CLOUD, BIGGS, BARRET, and JESSE brace themselves for the explosion.
BARRET
Everyone, hold on!
INT. MAKO REACTOR – WALKWAY – NIGHT
The timer on the bomb slowly ticks down to the deadline.
0:00:04…
0:00:03…
0:00:02…
0:00:01…
0:00:00
BAM! The bomb explodes engulfing the entire reactor in flames.
EXT. MIDGAR – NIGHT
ZOOMED OUT SHOT of the entire circular city of Midgar. A small tower in the south east corner of the city is on fire and crumbles.
INT. TRAIN – NIGHT
The explosion rocks the train hard and derails it. The train flips over on its side and skids on the ground. CLOUD and the others tumble and all scramble for something to grab onto.
EXT. MIDGAR – SECTOR 7 SLUMS – NIGHT
The explosion caught a little bit of the Sector 7 slums causing a few small buildings to collapse. Everyone is running around manically as the train with CLOUD and the others on it, skids down the street and crashes into the side of weak concrete building. After a few seconds a hand appears from inside the train. The hand pushes open the train doors and BARRET emerges from the wreckage. He is followed by WEDGE, JESSE, BIGGS and finally CLOUD.
WEDGE
Look at this place!
(BEAT)
How much of that stuff did you use?
BIGGS
More than I thought.
BARRET
We’re going to have to walk from here.
CLOUD
When do I get paid?
BARRET
(snarling)
Later! Right now we’re headed back to base in the Sector 7 slums. We’re going to a bar called 7th Heaven.
CLOUD
I don’t care where we’re going. Just pay me.
BARRET ignores CLOUD and the AVALANCHE
(MORE)
members start walking down the dirty streets of the slums. As CLOUD starts to follow he hears a small whimper from under the rubble.
WHIMPER (O.S.)
Help.
CLOUD stops a sees that someone is stuck under a large piece of concrete. The ex-SOLDIER bends down and flips the piece of rock over and sees that it was a woman who was stuck. The beautiful woman has long twisted brown hair tied with a ribbon. She wears a pink gown and red vest and holds a basket of flowers of which some have spilled on the ground. The beautiful woman is AREIS GAINSBOROUGH, the flower girl that appeared in the very beginning.
AERIS
(gathering up her flowers)
Thank you.
CLOUD
It’s no problem.
As CLOUD starts to walk away, AERIS speaks again.
AERIS
What happened here?
AERIS stands up with her basket.
AERIS
(CONT.)
Did SHINRA do this?
CLOUD
(turning to face AERIS)
I don’t know.
CLOUD glances at the girl’s flower basket, and looks at AERIS.
CLOUD
(CONT.)
You don’t see that many flowers around here.
AERIS
These? Do you like them?
AERIS pulls a flower out of her basket and holds it out.
AERIS
(smiling)
They’re only one gil.
Strangely, CLOUD returns the smile with one of his own. It is the first time we see the mercenary actually smile. He reaches in his side pocket and pulls out a small metal coin and hands it to AERIS.
AERIS
Thank you.
CLOUD grabs the flower from AERIS and looks at it while he twirls it in his fingertips.
CLOUD
You never know when you’ll need one of these. Who knows, flowers like these could save my life.
AERIS
(laughing)
What are you talking about?
CLOUD
I’m just rambling.
AERIS
Oh.
(BEAT)
Well, bye then.
AERIS starts to walk back down the streets of the slums when CLOUD’S voice halts her.
CLOUD
Wait.
She stops and looks at him.
CLOUD
(CONT.)
Who are you?
AERIS
(smiling)
Just a flower girl.
She turns and walks away. CLOUD gazes at her as if he’s been struck by lightning and is unable to move.
INT. SHINRA TOWER – PRESIDENT’S OFFICE – NIGHT
PRESIDENT SHINRA, a middle-ages bald man dressed in a red velvet suit sits at his desk with his hands folded in front of him. He is the president of the SHINRA COPORATION thus ruler of the entire city of MIDGAR. His office is very large and all the walls are windows thus allowing the president to have a close eye on all of Midgar. SHINRA stares at his vice president who is also is son RUFUS.
RUFUS, who has dark blonde (almost orange) hair) and wears a light gray trench coat, stands in front of a large window surveying the damage AVALANCHE caused. His back is to the camera and we are unable to see his face. PRESIDENT SHINRA has passed his hatred for peasants and AVALANCHE down to his son.
RUFUS (O.S.)
They attacked us.
PRESIDENT SHINRA
Are we certain it was AVALANCHE?
RUFUS
(his back to the camera)
Who else could it be?
(BEAT)
I have warned you of AVALANCHE before, father, and yet you didn’t listen.
PRESIDENT SHINRA
What do you expect me to do? These rebels hide in the slums. It’d take too much man power to hunt them down. I already have the troops on full alert.
RUFUS (O.S.)
There is where you’re wrong, father.
RUFUS turns around to finally face the camera.
FREEZE FRAME:
“RUFUS”
“Vice President of the SHINRA CORPORATION”
types across the screen.
REAL TIME:
RUFUS
You are right. AVALANCHE is hiding in the slums. I have a plan, however.
PRESIDENT SHINRA
And what plan might that be, my son?
RUFUS
In due time I will tell you. I know it will work.
PRESIDENT SHINRA
Who will carry it out?
RUFUS
The TURKS.
(BEAT.)
Trust me father. When this is all over, AVALANCHE will be gone and SHINRA will have gained even more fear from those pitiful peasants that live in the slums.
RUFUS smirks and turns back around to look out the window.
EXT. MIDGAR - SECTOR 7 SLUMS – NIGHT
BARRET, JESSE, CLOUD, WEDGE, and BIGGS walk down the streets of Midgar making their way to Sector 7. CLOUD has caught up to the group and still holds the flower he bought from AERIS.
BARRET
(looking at the flower)
Where’d you get that?
CLOUD
I bought it.
BARRET
From who?
CLOUD
A flower girl in the slums.
BARRET
A girl, eh?
CLOUD
It’s not like that.
BARRET
(sarcastically)
Sure. Maybe you’re not the selfish son of a bitch that I thought.
CLOUD pockets the flower to end the conversation.
CLOUD
You don’t have many friends, do you?
BARRET
Shut up.
CLOUD
So where’s this base so I can get paid.
BARRET
(snarling)
Selfish asshole.
CLOUD
I just asked a question.
BARRET sighs.
BARRET
It’s a bar that’s just a few minutes from here.
JESSE
It’s a place called 7th Heaven. The proprietor is one of BARRET’S friends.
BARRET
She’s a girl named TIFA. She’s been with AVALANCHE since the beginning.
CLOUD looks at the ground as if something had just popped back into his memory.
BARRET
What’s wrong with you now?
CLOUD
I knew a girl named TIFA. I doubt it’s the same person though.
BARRET
You remember her last name?
CLOUD
LOCKHEART.
JESSE
(smiling)
They’re the same person.
CLOUD
Holy shit, are you serious?
JESSE
Unless there’s another TIFA LOCKHEART out there.
CLOUD
Whoa.
There is a moment of silence as the group continue to progress down the streets. BARRET looks up at the sky and sees nothing but a large black steel plate suspended hundreds of feet in the air.
BARRET
Would ya’ look at that.
The group all stop and look up at the huge plate.
BARRET
I’ve never seen the plate so clearly before.
(to CLOUD)
You know what that is?
CLOUD
Yeah. The whole city is two levels separated by a large circular plate that stretches over the whole city.
BARRET
You can’t tell whether its day or night anymore, even if you live on top of the plate. It’s so polluted. Plus we got reactors suckin’ up all the planet’s energy.
CLOUD
Why don’t people just move to the slums on top of the plate?
BIGGS
They have no money. And they love the land down here no matter how polluted it is.
JESSE
It’s really quite sad.
CLOUD
No one lives in the slums because they want to. It’s like a train. It can’t run anywhere except where its rails take it.
The group suddenly stops speaking and continue their walk to the base.
EXT. SHINRA HQ – 65th FLOOR – HELIPAD – NIGHT
Vice President RUFUS walks out of SHINRA Headquarters and out onto the helipad. There waiting for him is a helicopter, whose blades are already spinning. TSENG, a young man with semi-long black hair dressed in a suit waits for RUFUS.
FREEZE FRAME:
“TSENG”
“Leader of Shinra Secret Service force, the Turks”
types across the screen
REAL TIME:
RUFUS
TSENG. Have you been briefed on the plan.
TSENG
Yes, sir. The plan is in full effect. RENO will soon get word and he will personally carry it out.
RUFUS
Good. My father should have done this a long time ago, but all he cares about is money.
TSENG
I agree sir.
RUFUS
I want this plan carried by tomorrow.
TSENG nods and RUFUS boards the helicopter.
EXT. MIDGAR – SECTOR 7 SLUMS – NIGHT
CLOUD, BARRET, and the others have made it to the area of the slums where the base is. A white house with a neon sign reading “7th Heaven” is seen 50 meters away from the group.
BARRET
There’s the base.
CLOUD
What are we waiting for then? Let’s go in.
BARRET
Let me clean house first.
BARRET runs ahead and into the bar acting as a bouncer. Outside, JESSE, WEDGE, BIGGS, and CLOUD survey the slums. They watch as peasants and poor people walk around in rags.
JESSE
Terrible isn’t it?
CLOUD
I’m just glad it isn’t me.
WEDGE
(annoyed)
Have you no compassion? These are people we’re trying to save.
JESSE
I was under the impression you were going to join us in our struggle, CLOUD.
CLOUD
I’m a mercenary. All I want is my money so I can get the hell out of here.
WAM! The door into the bar bursts open and a group of seven people storm out frightened. BARRET emerges on the stoop of the bar.
BARRET
It’s all clear. You can come in now.
INT. 7th HEAVEN – SECTOR 7 SLUMS – NIGHT
The group has followed BARRET into the bar and all sit down except for CLOUD. BARRET sits down in a wooden chair. He starts twisting his gun-arm off. When it’s all the way unscrewed, he let’s the weapon drop off his arm revealing his stump hand.
CLOUD
Nice place.
Suddenly a little girl runs out into the bar from the back room. The girl is no more than five years old and wears a purple dress. She is MARLENE, the adopted daughter of BARRET. MARLENE runs into BARRET’S arms.
MARLENE
Papa!
BARRET smiles, grabs the girl and stoops her on his leg.
BARRET
MARLENE!
MARLENE
I was worried about you.
BARRET
Well I’m here now. You don’t have to worry.
CLOUD stares at BARRET until a gorgeous woman appears from the back room. CLOUD locks eyes with the familiar face. The woman has very long dark brown hair a gray top with suspenders and a black miniskirt. We are introduced to CLOUD’S childhood friend TIFA LOCKHEART. TIFA looks up at CLOUD and her jaw drops.
TIFA
(shocked)
CLOUD!
CLOUD
Hello TIFA.
FREEZE FRAME:
“TIFA LOCKHEART”
“Member of AVALANCHE. Longtime friend of CLOUD STRIFE”
types across the screen
REAL TIME
TIFA
(to BARRET)
You shoulda’ told me that CLOUD was mercenary you hired.
BARRET
How the hell was I supposed to know you two knew each other?
BIGGS
So you and CLOUD know each other, eh?
CLOUD
Sure. We grew up together in Nibelheim.
TIFA walks behind the bar and pours herself a drink.
TIFA
It’s been a while, CLOUD.
CLOUD
Too long.
TIFA
Can you get you something to drink?
CLOUD walks over to the bar and sits at a stool.
CLOUD
No, I’m fine.
TIFA finishes her drink and polishes off the glass.
TIFA
I take it the mission was successful.
WEDGE
Indeed it was.
TIFA
Good.
(BEAT)
Did you fight with BARRET, CLOUD?
CLOUD leans forward.
CLOUD
(whispering)
Yeah, I did.
TIFA chuckles to herself.
TIFA
I should have known. BARRET’S always trying to push people around and you’ve been getting to fights ever since we were little.
CLOUD
Hey, those fights got me all the way up to SOLDIER First Class.
Both CLOUD and TIFA laugh briefly.
TIFA
But you quit.
CLOUD
Right.
(BEAT)
How about a glass of water?
TIFA smiles and grabs an empty glass and fills it with water. CLOUD grabs the full glass and quickly gulps it all down.
TIFA
Wow!
CLOUD places the empty glass on the bar. There is a moment of silence between CLOUD and TIFA. CLOUD gazes into TIFA’S eyes and TIFA gazes back. She notices a dim green glow in CLOUD’S pupils.
TIFA
Your eyes, they still glow.
CLOUD
I know. It’s the Mako I was showered with.
BARRET puts MARLENE off his leg and on the floor. He stands up.
BARRET
I hate to break you two away from your reunion, but we need to have a meeting. Everyone gather ‘round.
JESSE, WEDGE, and BIGGS join BARRET, TIFA, and CLOUD at the bar. They all stop talking to hear what BARRET has to say.
BARRET
First things first,
(BEAT)
CLOUD, was there anyone from SOLDIER fighting us at the reactor?
CLOUD
No.
BARRET
Are you sure?
CLOUD
If there were, none of you would be alive.
BARRET
Good then there won’t be any at the next reactor.
(BEAT)
You’re strong CLOUD. Probably everyone in SOLDIER is, but don’t forget that your skinny ass works for AVALANCHE now. Don’t screw us over.
CLOUD
(angered)
Could you get to the point and pay me.
TIFA
Wait CLOUD.
BARRET
Just shut up and listen, CLOUD.
CLOUD
Wait the hell is this? I just want my money. That’s all.
BARRET
I said shut up.
CLOUD
Whatever then. I’ll be outside.
CLOUD storms away from the bar and starts to walk toward the exit.
TIFA
Dammit BARRET.
BARRET
Let him go. Looks like he still misses the SHINRA.
CLOUD
Shut up! I don’t care about SHINRA or SOLDIER.
(BEAT)
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t care about AVALANCHE either.
CLOUD exits the bar.
EXT. BAR STOOP – SECTOR 7 SLUMS – NIGHT
CLOUD, angered, stands out on the bar’s
(MORE)
stoop. He takes out his sword and leans it up against the wall of the bar. He then walks to the stairs and sits down. Inside the bar he can hear BARRET continuing the meeting.
CLOUD
(whispering)
Stupid bastard.
CLOUD lifts up his shirt places his palm on his side. He clenches his teeth as green dust-like waves fly out of his body and into his hand. The substance forms itself into a solid celestial green sphere in CLOUD’S hand. It is materia, the sphere responsible for shooting lightning from his fingertips. CLOUD stares at the sphere when TIFA walks out of the bar and onto the stoop. She sees the materia in CLOUD’S hand.
TIFA
Materia?
CLOUD
Yeah. Members of SOLDIER get this stuff. We’re trained to use it.
CLOUD stashes the materia in his side pouch. TIFA walks a few paces and sits next to CLOUD on the stoop.
TIFA
I’m sorry about BARRET.
CLOUD
Don’t worry about it.
TIFA
He doesn’t trust you yet. Just give him time.
(BEAT)
Listen CLOUD, I’m asking you. Please join us.
CLOUD
Sorry TIFA, but this isn’t my struggle.
CLOUD closes his eyes and takes several deep breaths. TIFA puts her hand on CLOUD’S shoulder and moves closer to him.
TIFA
The planet is dying CLOUD. Slowly but surly. It’s everyone’s struggle.
CLOUD
BARRET’S more than capable of handling it. Him and his band of buddies.
TIFA
We need all the help we can get. Please CLOUD.
CLOUD
I’m sorry.
CLOUD stands up and looks as if he’s about to leave.
TIFA
So you’re just going to take your money and leave then?
CLOUD looks at TIFA, who has a saddened look on her face.
TIFA
You forgot your promise.
CLOUD
Promise?
TIFA
So you did forget it.
(BEAT)
It was eleven years ago on the water tower in Nibelheim.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE - NIBELHEIM – NIGHT – FLASHBACK
Both CLOUD and TIFA, eleven years younger are sitting on top of a wooden water tower in Nibelheim. Both are glaring up into the night sky mesmerized by the stars.
PRESENT DAY TIFA (V.O.)
It was cold that night. And you got there late.
PRESENT DAY CLOUD (VO)
I remember. I was sitting there thinking you weren’t going to show.
The young TIFA walks toward the young CLOUD on the water tower.
TIFA
Sorry I’m late.
(BEAT)
You said you had something to tell me.
CLOUD
You’ve been my friend since as long as I can remember. I’m sorry but this spring I’m leaving.
TIFA
Leaving?
CLOUD
I’m going to Midgar to join SOLDIER.
TIFA
SOLDIER?
CLOUD
I want to be like the great SEPHIROTH. I want to work with him and serve under him.
TIFA
Do you know how hard it is to join SOLDIER? You’ll never make it. Plus it’s even harder to serve under SEPHIROTH.
CLOUD
I probably won’t be coming back to town for quite some time. I’m sorry TIFA.
TIFA moves closer to CLOUD and puts her head on his shoulder. A small tear develops in her eye.
TIFA
Will you be the papers?
CLOUD
I’ll try.
TIFA looks up into the stars and wipes away her tears.
TIFA
Make me a promise.
She takes her head off of CLOUD’S shoulder and looks at him square in the eyes.
TIFA
(CONT.)
If you ever become famous or as great as SEPHIROTH, and when I’m in trouble you come and save me, alright?
CLOUD lets out a slight laugh.
CLOUD
What?
TIFA
I want my hero to come and rescue me. I’ve always wanted to experience it.
CLOUD laughs again.
CLOUD
What?
TIFA
Come on! Promise me!
CLOUD
Okay. I promise.
TIFA kisses CLOUD on the cheek and leans her head on his shoulder again. The two look up into the stars.
EXT. BAR STOOP – SECTOR 7 SLUMS – NIGHT
With the flashback over, CLOUD stares off into space remembering the event TIFA had just explained.
TIFA
You promised, CLOUD. Now’s the time. Be my hero.
CLOUD
I’ll help you with the next mission. How’s that?
TIFA
It’s a start.
(BEAT)
Come on, everyone’s inside.
TIFA gets up and walks back the bar. CLOUD waits and continues to sit on the stoop. He stares at all the slum residents.
FADE OUT
THE END