Cloud wakes to find himself at Gongaga Inn. Tifa and Barrett are by his bedside.

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BARRETT

Looked like you were havin’ a nightmare. How ya feelin’?

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CLOUD

1. I’m alright, I think

2. Awful

3. Don’t really know

BARRETT (I’m alright, I think)

Good to hear. Man, I was startin’ to fear the worst.

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BARRETT (Awful)

Heh. Well, that can’t really be helped.

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BARRETT (Don’t really know)

Yeah, I guess that makes sense. No point worryin’ about it though.

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TIFA

Um, Cloud… Aerith has disappeared.

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BARRETT

Everyone’s out lookin’ for her.

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Cloud sits up and shakes his head.

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CLOUD

The City of the Ancients—that’s where Aerith is heading. There might be a way to prevent Meteor.

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BARRETT

By herself!? Why’d she go by herself? Okay, we’re goin’ too.

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CLOUD

Only an Ancient… Only Aerith can stop Meteor.

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TIFA

What if something happens to her? If Sephiroth finds out, she’ll be in trouble.

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Cloud shakes his head.

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CLOUD

Sephiroth… already knows.

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BARRETT

What!? So, why’re ya still sittin’ there!?

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TIFA

Let’s go, Cloud.

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CLOUD

No.

Cloud clutches his head.

I might lose it again. If Sephiroth is near me, I might…

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BARRETT

Yeah, it’s your fault Sephiroth got his hands on the Black Materia. It’s time for you to man up!

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CLOUD

Man up?

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BARRETT

We all know you got problems. Hell, maybe you’re not even sure who you are anymore. But, Cloud, there ain’t no getting’ offa this train we’re on.

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TIFA

We came this far… Aren’t you going to settle things with Sephiroth?

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Cloud clutches his head and shakes it.

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CLOUD

No… I’m scared. If this keeps up, I might lose myself altogether. I’m afraid.

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BARRETT

Goddamn hopeless, that’s what you are. Think about it… How many people in the world really know themselves? Everyone worries when it’s a problem they can’t deal with or understand. But they go on livin’. They don’t just hide away. An’ you’re no different.

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Barrett heads out the door.

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TIFA

You’ll come with us, won’t you? I still believe in you.

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Tifa heads out of the door. Cloud keeps clutching his head.

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CLOUD

What… am I supposed to do? Just turn back? Turn back… to where?

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From the other room, Tifa is facing Cloud’s bedroom, while Barrett is facing the exit.

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TIFA

Cloud…

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Barrett turns to face Tifa.

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BARRETT

Hold on, Tifa. Give him some time. He has to decide this for himself.

Tifa turns to face Barrett and he nods.

You said you believe in him, right?

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Barrett turns and walks out the door. Tifa turns and faces Cloud’s bedroom one last time and then follows Barrett out the door. Cloud sits on the edge of the bed, clutching his head.

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CLOUD

Am I afraid to know the truth? If so… why?

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Cloud stands up.

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INNKEEPER NPC

Back among the living, I see. Those people were so worried that they stayed by your side the whole time. You sure have good friends.

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Cloud walks outside to find Barrett and Tifa waiting for him.

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TIFA

Cloud…

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BARRETT

Yo, how you feelin’? There’s jus’ one thing I gotta know… Which is it gonna be? You wanna find out about yourself? Or you afraid to find out? Either way, if you stay ‘round here, all you’re gonna do is worry. Even if you go nuts next time we meet Sephiroth… Look, if it happens, it happens. I’ll just have to smack your silly, spiky head ‘til you come ‘round!

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TIFA

It’ll be all right. We’re with you.

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CLOUD

But…

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BARRETT

Like I said, if it happens, it happens. Stop worryin’.

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Facing Barret, Cloud crosses his arms and taps his foot.

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CLOUD

Yeah… you’re right, You’re right.

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TIFA

Come on. Let’s go find Aerith.

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Together, they leave to go after Aerith.

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Special Note: If Cloud, Barrett, and Tifa enter Zack’s house without having previously gone in earlier in the game, it’ll playthrough the original Gongaga dialogue with Tifa.