junon: the execution
The screen is pitch black except for Cloud who can be seen crouched in the distance.
TIFA
Cloud. Cloud.
Cloud lifts his head, stands up, and slowly walks away into the darkness. Tifa runs on screen, after him. She falls to the ground as Cloud disappears and then disappears herself.
TIFA
I didn’t know what to do. I’ve always been like that.
The scene changes to a flashback of the District 7 train station in a rain storm. Cloud is slumped by the stairs. The train attendant and a dog are investigating his body. Tifa approaches them.
TIFA
Sir, is everything okay?
The screen flashes.
CLOUD
Urgh…
Cloud shakes his head, but remains slumped. Train Attendant NPC sighs and shakes his head.
TRAIN ATTENDANT NPC
…Poor guy.
Cloud shakes his head again.
CLOUD
…Ooough…
Tifa runs over and puts her hand on Cloud’s head and leans in. Train Attendant NPC walks away.
TIFA
Are you all right?
Cloud shakes his head.
…Oh…urgh…agh…
Tifa gets down on her knees to look more closely at his face. Cloud instantly looks up, the screen flashes, and he grabs his head.
CLOUD
Ugh…uh…Tifa…?
The screen flashes again and Cloud jolts.
Tifa…?
Cloud jolts again, the screen flashes white and stands up. Tifa stands up. Cloud runs his hand through his hair.
Tifa!
Tifa puts her hands up in a thinking pose.
TIFA
…?
She drops her hands to her hips and looks Cloud up and down.
Cloud!
Cloud raises his sword in a warrior like pose.
CLOUD
That’s right… I’m Cloud.
TIFA
It’s really you! I never thought I’d find you here of all places!
Cloud lowers his sword and runs his hand through his hair.
CLOUD
Yeah, it’s been a while.
TIFA
But what’s happened to you? You don’t look so good.
Cloud shrugs.
CLOUD
Really? Nah, I’m fine. It’s nothing.
Tifa turns away from Cloud, the screen flashes and Cloud clutches his head. Tifa turns back around as Cloud stops clutching his head.
TIFA
How long has it been?
Tifa assumes a thinking pose again. The screen flashes and Cloud clutches his head again. He stops and slicks his hand through his hair.
CLOUD
Five years.
Tifa reassumes her thinking pose.
TIFA
…
Cloud shrugs and puts his hand on his hip.
CLOUD
What’s wrong?
Tifa slowly shakes her head.
TIFA
…N-nothing. It’s just been longer than I thought.
The screen darkens.
TIFA
Actually, it had been seven years. You told me you made it into Soldier, just like you’d hoped… …but that you quit after the Sephiroth incident and were now a Jack of all trades. You spoke a lot about what had happened after you left Niblheim. But… …something was wrong. There was something strange about what you were saying. …Not knowing things you should, and knowing things you shouldn’t. I tried to figure it out. …But anytime I brought it up, it was like some darkness came over you. You were drifting somewhere far away…
The screen goes even darker except for Cloud and Tifa’s flashback forms.
It… scared me. I just didn’t know what to do. I needed more time. That’s why I told you about the Avalanche job. I had to be by your side—to watch over you.
The screen goes white, the cries of the planet can be heard in the background. The scene changes to a medical holding room. Tifa is lying on a medical bed, while Barrett sits in the background. Blinds covering the windows are closed. The room appears very bright.
TIFA
…ight…
BARRETT
Huh?
TIFA
…Bright… …Too bright…
BARRETT
Hang in there. You’ve been out for some time.
TIFA
I’m… hungry.
BARRETT
Ain’t you gonna ask?
Barrett stands up.
Y’know… about him.
The scene gets less bright as Tifa sits up and turns her head to face Barrett.
TIFA
…I’m afraid to.
Barrett walks over closer to the windows and stops.
BARRETT
Well, don’t be. I dunno what’s happened to him.
Barrett scratches the back of his head.
Uh, mebbe that didn’t help.
Barrett drops his arm.
I ain’t got no clue how the others are either.
Tifa turns her head, facing forward now.
TIFA
I’m… sure they’re all still alive.
Barrett nods. Tifa turns her head back to face him.
How long… was I out?
Barrett crosses his arms and looks up.
BARRETT
Lessee now, must’ve been about seven days.
Barrett lowers his gaze back to Tifa.
TIFA
What about Sephiroth?
Barrett walks over and stands in front of Tifa.
BARRETT
He ain’t come ‘round yet. Remember those bright flashes at the Great Crater?
Tifa turns 90 degrees, facing the camera with her legs swung over the side of the table that she sits on.
Well, since then, the whole thing’s been surrounded by a huge barrier of light. It’s protectin’ Sephiroth while he’s asleep down there. And we can’t do a damn thing about it, ‘cept wait ‘til he wakes up.
Barrett takes a few steps forward, toward the fourth wall.
On top’a that, these big-ass monsters, known as ‘Weapons’, have been on a rampage.
Tifa turns her head to face Barrett.
TIFA
Weapons?
Barrett turns to face Tifa.
BARRETT
Remember the huge monsters that were with Sephiroth at the bottom of the crater? Well, they’re up here now. Supposed to be legendary beasts from the past.
TIFA
Are they protecting him, too?
Barrett shakes his head.
BARRETT
Dunno, but they’re destroyin’ shit all over the place. Rufus is fightin’ ‘em. Hate to say it, but he’s got guts.
Tifa jumps down to the floor while Barrett walks over to the other side of the window blinds.
It should be us out there, but we ain’t got the time.
TIFA
Time…
Tifa turns to face Barrett.
…Hey! What about Meteor?
Barrett pushes a button and the window blinds come up. Outside the windows, Meteor can be seen in the sky. Tifa walks over to Barrett.
TIFA
…Do we have to give up?
BARRETT
…I dunno.
The door to the room opens and Rufus steps through.
RUFUS
I thought Cloud might show up to save you. Professor Hojo was looking forward to see him.
TIFA
What do you want with Cloud!?
RUFUS
…Sephiroth’s shadow.
Rufus runs his hand through his hair.
Now that Meteor’s been summoned, he’s superfluous to requirements.
Rufus takes a couple steps forward.
Which goes for you two as well. No. Wait. There is one last thing…
Heidegger steps into the room and stands behind Rufus.
HEIDEGGER
Mr President, preparations for the execution are complete.
Barrett shakes his fist.
BARRETT
Executions!?
RUFUS
Yes. You are to be executed for causing this situation.
Barrett runs a few steps toward Rufus and clenches his gun arm.
BARRETT
I take back what little praise I had for this damn jackass!
Barrett calms down.
RUFUS
Well, enjoy your final moments together.
Rufus exits the room.
HEIDEGGER
I’ll tie your arms now.
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A Shin-Ra trooper escorts Tifa and Barrett, with their hands tied behind their back, into a press room. Scarlet is in the room with several press members. One of whom is in a trench coat and quite rotund.
SCARLET
Is everyone here? These are the ones who brought this madness into our world!
Barrett looks around.
BARRETT
Who the hell are these people!?
SCARLET
We will be broadcasting your miserable deaths live on national television.
ROTUND PRESS MEMBER NPC
Miss Scarlet, a question if ah may? Why a public execution in this day an’ age?
Scarlet takes a few paces to the right.
SCARLET
With all the chaos resulting from Meteor, we need to rally public support. It’s better that we punish somebody. Anybody.
TIFA
You make me sick.
SCARLET
Kya, ha, ha, ha! They might not admit it, but everyone loves this stuff!
Scarlet turns to face Tifa.
All right, we’ll start with the girl.
BARRETT
If you’re gonna do it, then do me first!
SCARLET
Camera! Make sure you get this. The audience just eats up tearful goodbyes.
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The scene changes to a chamber with a chair. A Shin-Ra Guard stands by it as Tifa and Scarlet enter the room. Scarlet pushes Tifa toward the chair, causing her to stumble. Tifa straightens back up and turns to face Scarlet.
TIFA
What are you doing!?
Scarlet walks over and faces Tifa as she stands in front of the chair.
SCARLET
This is my special gas chamber. Sit back and enjoy a slow, painful death.
Shin-Ra Guard NPC unties Tifa’s hands and Scarlet pushes Tifa into the chair. Shin-Ra Guard NPC and Scarlet restrain Tifa into the chair. Tifa looks up at Scarlet.
Stuck up bitch!!
Scarlet slaps Tifa and walks out of the chamber. The Shin-Ra Guard NPC follows her. A key falls out of his pocket and lands on the floor near Tifa.
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Scarlet walks back into the press room.
SCARLET
Let the show begin! Kya, ha, ha, ha!
The screen begins to flash red.
ALARM TEXT
Alert! Alert! Weapon attack imminent! All units report to your positions!
PRESS MEMBER NPC
Oh no! It’s a Weapon! Run!
Press Member NPC runs out the door. The other press members follow him, leaving Barrett, Shin-Ra Guard NPC, Scaret, and Rotund Press Member NPC in the press room.
SCARLET
H-hey! Wait, you idiots! Damn! Just when things were getting interesting!
The Rotund Press Member NPC walks up to Scarlet and holds a microphone to her.
ROTUND PRESS MEMBER NPC
Miss Scarlet, what are yer feelin’s oan this latest development?
SCARLET
Hmm, you didn’t run? I’m impressed. My feelings? Well, uh, I…
A gas shoots out of the microphone, causing Scarlet to fall backwards to the floor.
Nyaaaaaah!
BARRETT
Huh? Sleeping gas?
Rotund Press Member NPC spins around and transforms into Cait.
Special Note: For some reason, the mod calls the Shin-Ra Guard Soldier here.
SOLDIER
Bastard!
Two soldiers run to Cait and fight him. After defeating them, Cait runs over and unties Barrett.
CAIT
Ah’m here tae rescue ye!
BARRETT
YOU!? But ain’t you with Shin-Ra?
CAIT
Ah’m against capital punishment. Besides, ah despise that woman. C’moan, we’ve got tae save Tifa. Ah’ll keep a lookoot.
If Barrett checks on Scarlet…
SCARLET
…Fools… I’ve already pushed… the button.
Barrett tugs on the door to the gas chamber.
BARRETT
It won’t open!
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The scene changes to the command center with various computers. Rufus is staring out of a large window overlooking the ocean. Heidegger runs into the room and stops just a couple steps behind him.
HEIDEGGER
It’s a Weapon.
RUFUS
There have been so many attacks lately. Can we handle it?
HEIDEGGER
We’ll manage. Permission to engage the enemy?
Rufus runs his hand through his hair.
RUFUS
No need to ask.
Heidegger salutes Rufus and three sailors come into the room.
HEIDEGGER
Let’s see how it likes a taste of our great cannon.
Heidegger turns to the sailors and pumps his fist in the air.
Open all gun ports! Set the main cannon to target Weapon!!
Heidegger turns back toward the windows. The three sailors salute and then leave their side. Junon goes into cannon mode and the cannon moves into position. A sailor runs back to Rufus and Heidegger and salutes Heidegger.
SHIN-RA SAILOR NPC
Preparations complete!
Heidegger nods and faces the window.
HEIDEGGER
Ready……
Heidegger thrusts his hand forward.
Fire!!!
The cannon fires into the water. There is a moment of tense silence.
RUFUS
Did we get it?
HEIDEGGER
Seems so…
A red light begins to flash and an alarm sounds.
Special Note: There’s three text boxes here. So, my guess is it’s the three sailors operating different computers in the control room off screen.
SAILOR 1 NPC
Weapon approaching!
SAILOR 2 NPC
It’s heading right for us!
SAILOR 3 NPC
Speed: 50 knots!
HEIDEGGER
It can’t be! That was a direct hit!
RUFUS
What about the cannon?
HEIDEGGER
It’ll take time to reload.
RUFUS
Then use regular fire-power in the meantime!
Heidegger runs and pumps his fist at some men off screen.
HEIDEGGER
Yes, sir! Target the Weapon! Don’t let it ashore!
Weapon approaches, swimming through the ocean, as Junon’s smaller cannons fire down upon it.
SAILOR 1 NPC
Speed: 70 knots!
SAILOR 2 NPC
The Weapon’s closing in!
SAILOR 3 NPC
It’s no use! Collision is imminent!
Shin-Ra Infantry and small cannons continue to fire at Weapon. As it gets close, the men run away and Weapon rams into Junon.
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Inside the gas chamber, the room shakes and begins to fill up with gas. Tifa looks up.
TIFA
Gas!!
Tifa leans toward the chamber door.
Barrett! Help!!
BARRETT (From the other side of the door.)
Hold your breath! Hang on just a little longer!
Tifa looks back up at the pipes bringing in gas and tries to wriggle out of her chair.
TIFA
(Easy for you to say! I can’t hold it forever!)
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Back outside the chamber, Barrett yanks on the door one last time and pounds it with his fist.
BARRETT
Shit!
Barrett runs over to Cait.
The gas chamber must be locked from somewhere else!
CAIT
There’s nothin’ we can dae. Time fer a change o’ plan… Let’s get oot of here first.
Barrett runs a few steps toward the gas chamber and pumps his fist in the air.
BARRETT
Tifa! I’ll save you! I promise!
Cait joins Barrett, as they leave the press room, the door behind them locks. Barrett turns around and tries to tug on the door.
BARRETT
Damn!! This one’s locked now, too!
SCARLET (From inside the press room.)
You stupid fools. Now you’ll never save her. Kya, ha, ha, ha!
Barrett pounds on the door.
BARRETT
Goddammit!!
CAIT
Hm. Another change o’ plan… We’re runnin’ tae the airport!
BARRETT
The airport? An’ just leave Tifa behind?
CAIT
It’s okay. It’s okay. We’ve got tae take a chance.
If Barrett goes the wrong way…
CAIT
Where ye gawn? The airport’s the o’er way.
Barrett and Cait run outside and come across a young female reporter, with a camera man off to the side filming the Weapon. She stops them holding a microphone to Barrett. The cameraman films the attack.
YOUNG FEMALE REPORTER NPC
I’m sorry to intrude, but… if I could just get a quick interview…
Barrett thrusts his arms at her to shoo her away. She leans backward.
BARRETT
Shut yer trap! I’m in a hurry!
YOUNG FEMALE REPORTER NPC
Aaah! Not so loud! It’s me! It’s me! Yuffie!
BARRETT
The hell’re you doin’ here?
There’s a crash sound. Barrett and Yuffie turn to look as Weapon emerges from the water. Yuffie turns back toward Barrett.
YUFFIE
I’ll explain later… We’ve gotta hurry to the airport!
Special Note: if Yuffie has not been acquired at this point, the camera man will be on his own and no one stops Barrett on his way to the airport.
The three of them arrive at the airport, near the Highwind.
BARRETT
You sure this is the right way? Looks like a dead end to me…
CAIT
Huh? Did ah make a wrong turn?
BARRETT
You idiot! What the hell’re we gonna do now? They’ll be stompin’ up to us any minute!
Barrett runs a few steps forward and adjusts his gun arm.
Watch my back to the very end… partner!
Barrett strikes a pose, ready to fight.
------------------------------------------------------
Back in the gas chamber, Tifa sits in the chair
NON-CHARACTER TEXTBOX
Move your arms, feet, and head to escape the chair.
[Triangle] Head [Square] Right arm O Left arm X Legs
Don’t keep repeating yourself. Try combining two movements at once.
Tifa wriggles in the gas chamber chair, grabbing the key with her feet and freeing herself.
TIFA
Which button stops the gas?
Tifa presses a button and the gas stops. She then tries to pull open the door.
Open, dammit!
Outside, Weapon fires an energy blast from its mouth, creating a hole in the gas chamber’s ceiling. Junon’s large cannon returns fire, hitting it square in the face. Now headless, it plummets into the ocean. Tifa turns and looks up at the new hole in the ceiling.
SCARLET (From the other side of the door.)
What the hell was that? Hey! Open up!
TIFA
First you lock me in this crazy place, and now you want me to come out. Make up your mind!
Tifa climbs up the wall and out through the hole in the ceiling. She climbs down the outside of Junon’s large structure. Three Shin-Ra Infantrymen climb down after her, with Scarlet watching, but one of the men slips and falls to their death. Tifa makes it to the main cannon and runs along the length of it, but stops when she can go no further.
SCARLET
Our little game of tag ends here.
Tifa turns her body toward Scarlet, while also avoiding eye contact.
The gas chamber might have failed, but watching you slam into the water below could still prove quite exquisite. Do you not think so?
Tifa continues to avoid eye contact, as though purposefully ignoring her. Scarlet walks up to Tifa and slaps her.
Stuck up to the end.
While holding her cheek with her left hand, Tifa begins to wind up her right.
TIFA
Quit slapping me, you old hag!!! (Press O!)
A slap fight begins.
SCARLET
While slapping Tifa.
Now you’ll pay!
You…!
That hurt!
You’ll give up before long!
Now you’ll pay!
TIFA
While slapping Scarlet.
Take this!
How do you like it?
Quit it!
Shut up!
Take this!
If Scarlet loses the slap fight, she’ll fall to the ground.
SCARLET
Kyaaa! I can’t stand it!
Scarlet will stand up and turn to her men.
Don’t just stand there… Grab her! Take her away!
If Tifa loses the slap fight, she’ll fall to the ground. Scarlet will turn to her men.
SCARLET
Take her away.
Tifa stands up.
SCARLET
The Shin-Ra Infantrymen get closer.
Let’s end this. Come quietly or I’ll give you the drop. Kya, ha, ha, ha, ha!
MYSTERIOUS VOICE TEXT
Run…
Tifa looks around.
Run to the end of the cannon!
Tifa turns around to face the cannon end, just as the airship comes flying up. Barrett is on the deck, waving both of his arms. He grabs a rope and drops it over the side. Tifa runs along the rest of the cannon length, jumps, and grabs onto the rope. The airship flies away from Junon to safety.
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Once Tifa makes it to the deck of the airship, Barrett and Cait stand near her with Yuffie laying flat on her back some distance away
BARRETT
You okay?
Tifa faces Barrett and nods.
TIFA
My cheeks hurt a little. But never mind that. What’s all this about?
Barrett scratches his head and Cait takes a couple steps closer.
CAIT
Th’ details can wait a wee while, ‘til the time’s right. At any rate, the airship Highwind is noo yours.
Cait and Barrett head inside.
YUFFIE
…wheeze…wheeze… …urk… …wheeze…I’m glad you’re okay. I’ll… be staying here a while longer. …urrrk… Doesn’t matter if it’s sea or sky—I just can’t handle ships.
Tifa goes inside the Highwind. There is a crewman working outside the Operation Room.
CREWMAN NPC
I have my hands full right now, so I’ll have to keep working. Is everything okay?
TIFA
-
What are the airship controls?
-
Let’s have a chat
CREWMAN NPC (What are the airship controls?)
[D-Pad Up] Decrease altitude
[D-Pad Down] Increase altitude
[D-Pad Left] Turn left
[D-Pad Right] Turn right
O Thrust
X Land
[Triangle] Call bridge
L1 Rotate left
R1 Rotate right
[Start] Toggle map
That’s it—more or less. When you want to take off, just let the pilot know.
CREWMAN NPC (Let’s have a chat)
Um, uh… What shall we talk about? I know! I can tell you about our mutiny?
TIFA
-
Okay
-
No, thanks (If selected, nothing happens.)
CREWMAN NPC (Okay)
Heidegger worked the Highwind crew hard, each and every day. Whenever he got yelled at by the president, he’d immediately take it out on the crew. We had to just put up with it, no matter how often he beat us. Having worked so hard to make it onto the Highwind, we couldn’t just leave. Then… Well, it must’ve been about seven days ago… We were ordered to the Great Crater of the North. Everyone boarded the Highwind with Scarlet and the president. Among them was the legendary pilot, Cid! Mr Cid was looking around the ship, filled with nostalgia. He even gave us the honor of his company. He was unbelievable—such an inspiration! What we’d heard about him was all true—he has a heart burning with passion. Mr Cid said that the Highwind would make the trip a lot easier. Who would have thought it was a trip to save the planet? I’m so deeply moved by all this. So, anyway, we decided to help. When we arrived in Junon from the Great Glacier, I ran around screaming ‘Fire! Fire!’ In the middle of all the commotion, we stole the ship from Shin-Ra with Mr Cid’s help. And that’s the story of our mutiny. It wasn’t THAT underhanded when you consider what our superiors got up to. You and Barrett were captured by Heidegger. We had to wait a week for a chance to rescue you. That’s why, Miss Tifa, I’m so happy the mission was successful and we could see each other again! …And thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my rather long story.
To the right is a Chocobo Stable, a lonely crewman stands inside of the stable room.
LONELY CREWMAN NPC
I’m so lonely. Please bring a chocobo on board.
TIFA
-
How?
-
I will do eventually.
LONELY CREWMAN NPC (How?)
All you do is ride on into the Highwind with one you’ve reared. The chocobo will be placed into this pen, and I’ll take care of it for you. What? How do you rear a chocobo? Hm, can’t say I know much about that. You should go talk to the folk at Greene & Grean’s farm, near Midgar.
LONELY CREWMAN NPC (I will do eventually.)
Oh dear.
Inside the Operation Room, a large crewman stands in the corner.
LARGE CREWMAN NPC
E-excuse me… Please speak with Captain Cid, first.
Back in the main area, there’s a catwalk that leads to the cockpit, Barrett and Cait are standing on it.
BARRETT
You damn…! Why didn’t ya tell me we had the airship!?
Barrett turns to face the camera and shakes his head.
I thought… Tifa was gone for sure.
CAIT
Sorry, but ah had tae dae somethin’ tae fool the enemy.
Cait waves his arm and faces the camera.
Come oan, everyone’s waitin’!
Tifa briefly raises her arms and does a little hop.
TIFA
Everyone? Everyone’s here?
Once Tifa follows Cait and Barrett into the cockpit, Cid runs up to her.
CID
Welcome aboard my airship, the Highwind!
Tifa walks past Cid, further into the cockpit and looks around.
What’s wrong? You should be more excited than that!
NANAKI
Cid…
Cid faces Nanaki and scratches the back of his head.
CID
Oh. Yeah…
Cid turns back to Tifa.
TIFA
We’re… short on crew.
If Tifa talks to the people in the large cockpit…
TRAINEE PILOT (LV 3)
Eyaaaaargh! Please don’t talk to me right now!
COCKPIT CREWMAN 1 NPC
D-don’t worry. We’re just fine being in the background.
COCKPIT CREWMAN 2 NPC
Ah, uh… Whenever anyone talks to me, I get all nervous and mess things up.
CID
After Tifa talks to either cockpit crewman.
Hey! You! What the hell’re ya doin’!?
BARRETT
What’s with the sad face?
CAIT
Ah’ll be givin’ you all sorts o’ stuff oan Shin-Ra. Ask me if there’s anythin’ ye wantae know.
VINCENT
I’m glad to see you’re safe, Tifa.
CID
Well, uh, life sure is full of ups and downs.
NANAKI
So, we need Cloud for this? We can’t save the planet without him?
Barrett runs over toward Nanaki and Tifa.
TIFA
Meteor is coming… The Weapons are on a rampage… Right now, I don’t know what I’m to do.
Tifa faces away from Nanaki and shakes her head.
I just don’t know.
Barrett waves his arms.
BARRETT
Get a grip, Tifa! We’ll think this through together. Remember, there ain’t no gettin’ offa this train we’re on!
TIFA
If Cloud were here, it’d feel like everything was going to work out.
Tifa turns to face Nanaki and Barrett.
He’d… stand in that cheeky way he always did and tell me…
Tifa nods.
…’It’ll be all right, Tifa’.
Tifa faces away from Nanaki and Barrett again. Barrett shakes his head.
BARRETT
Hey! When’d you become so weak!?
Tifa nods.
TIFA
Sorry, Barrett. I’m a little surprised myself… and disappointed.
Barrett waves his arms and runs away a few steps.
NANAKI
Yeah, but… remember what he said back at the crater…
Tifa nods.
TIFA
I know. That’s why I have to see him again. I want to be sure.
Nanaki shakes his head.
NANAKI
Please don’t be sad, Tifa…
If Tifa talks to Barrett, Barrett turns to face Tifa and shakes his head.
BARRETT
You can’t go on thinkin’ it’s hopeless without Cloud. We did fine without him in the beginnin’… …right? An’ what happened to the tough girl I used to know? Where’d she go, huh?
CID
Well, I sure didn’t hate the guy. Gotta admit, though, I thought he was a bit of a wacko. Just when you thought he was cool, he’d go and do somethin’ real boneheaded. And he came across like he was so clued up about stuff, but then he’d not know the most obvious of things.
Cid taps on the back of his head.
Somethin’ about the way he moved and spoke didn’t sit right with me. Thinkin’ about it now—yeah, it all makes sense. Well, as long as he’s still alive, you’ll see him again someday. So, cheer up, sis.
Cid briefly puts his hands on his hips and laughs. Tifa nods.
TIFA
Yeah… I will.
CID
As soon as we find out where his spiky ass is at, the Highwind’ll have us there in a jiffy.
Nanaki runs over.
NANAKI
Maybe when… …the ground collapsed deep inside the Great Crater, Cloud… …was pulled even further below?
TIFA
Further below? You mean… to the Lifestream?
NANAKI
The lifestream passes just under the seabed and occasionally gushes out to the surface. I’ve heard stories about a place where it happens.
Nanaki runs away from Tifa and Cid and sits back down comfortably.
Maybe—just maybe—Cloud’s…
Cid turns to face the trainee pilot.
TRAINEE PILOT (LV 3)
Eyaaaaargh! Captain Cid!
CID
Sorry, sis, I gotta teach this moron how to land. Come on. It’ll be over soon. Oh, and, sis… Whatever the plan, you’ve gotta be ready, right? Go to the operations room and start makin’ preparations.
If Tifa talks to Cid again…
You can prepare yourself in the operations room. Go and get ready.
Tifa goes to the Operation Room.
LARGE CREWMAN NPC
Hello, Miss Tifa!
Tifa chooses her party members and heads back to the cockpit.
BARRETT
Shakes his head.
Whenever I think of Cloud, I jus’ don’t get it. I mean, there’s no way Shin-Ra or Hojo really have the power to create human bein’s. But… it’s ‘cause of Cloud the Meteor’s on its way… To tell ya the truth, if I did meet him again, I don’t have a clue what I’d say.
NANAKI
There should be a small island near to the Lifestream. They say it sometimes gushes unexpectedly to the south. My father used to tell me about it when I was very little, so I don’t remember anything else. I’m sorry, Tifa.
CAIT
Shin-Ra arenae up tae much at the minute. So noo’s the time tae look fer Cloud. Ah wonder where he could be. Ye dinnae think he’s…
VINCENT
Hope and despair are both equals and opposites. Too much love will kill you… in the end.
CID
All right. Just let the pilot know when you wanna set off.
TRAINEE PILOT (LV 4)
Yaaaargh! Are we leaving?
TIFA
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Yeah! Go!
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No, we’re staying put (If selected, nothing happens.)
TRAINEE PILOT (LV 4) (Yeah! Go!)
Yaaaargh! We’re off!
The Highwind heads off in search for Cloud.