Filed Under: Final Fantasy VII: Before Crisis

[Shin-Ra soldiers arrive for patrol duty in the area around the Sector 8 reactor. At the same time in the sewers, members of AVALANCHE – of which there are many – line up in front of a stocky man wearing a bandana.]

??? (Shears)
Our revolution begins tonight! This is the beginning of our fight to bring down the Shin-Ra Company. Down with the Shin-Ra!

AVALANCHE (1)
Down with the Shin-Ra!

Shears
Move out!

[Four AVALANCHE members come out of the sewers.]

AVALANCHE A
We’re going to secure the main forces. Move out.

[The four AVALANCHE members run across the street. As they are about the turn into a corner on a building, they see the two soldiers from the intro on duty.]

AVALANCHE A
Shin-Ra soldiers!? We’ll kill anyone that stands in our way!

[They run out to meet head on with the soldiers.]

Soldier
Entry into this area is forbidden!

AVALACHE A
Down with the Shin-Ra!

[They dispatch the guards.]

Soldiers
Gwaahh!

AVALANCHE A
All right. We’re splitting into two groups from here. You two stay here and wait until the main body arrive.

[Two of the AVALANCHE members break off and head for the reactor. The other two remain behind to keep watch.

You enter the scene. Your PHS rings.]

Tseng
These are your orders. You’re to patrol Sector 8. This is standard work for all new Turks. It’s company tradition. Your seniors Rude and Reno, and even I started off with this work. The war is over and the town is peaceful, so I doubt you’ll run into any big problems. Look at this work as you would a real mission. This job should get you used to your future duties.

Player
Roger. Leave Sector 8 to me.

Tseng
Before you start working, make sure you’ve got some Materia on you. If you don’t already have some, return to headquarters and get some ready. From the HQ menu select Materia Creation. You can create Materia that way. If you’ve got Materia, you can use magic when you’re in battles. If you use magic, battles will become a lot easier for you. Make use of it.

Player
Yes, sir.

[You run into AVALANCHE on your patrol. They are having a conversation around the corner from you. You eavesdrop.]

AVALANCHE C
The long awaited day of Shin-Ra’s downfall is in sight. Don’t go messing things up now. Down with the Shin-Ra!

[AVALANCHE C salutes. AVALANCHE D salutes back.]

AVALANCHE D
Down with the Shin-Ra!

Player

Downfall? Of the Shin-Ra? What’s going on here?

[PHS(2) Goes off.]

AVALANCHE A
Who’s there?!

Player
Damn!

AVALANCHE C
That uniform… The Shin-Ra company’s Turks?!

Player
What do you think you’re doing?!

AVALANCHE C
You overheard our plans. We’re going to have to get rid of you!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x1]]

Tseng
Rosalind(3)?! What’s going on? Why are you engaging? You do know how to fight, right?

[At this point, you have a choice as to whether you want Tseng to teach you about how to fight or whether you want to be spared the explanation. Your choices:

Please teach me.
I already know.]

AVALANCHE B
How dare you do that to my comrade! Die!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x1]]

[Your PHS rings.]

Tseng
Give me a report of what happened.

Player
I was attacked suddenly by two men who seemed to be plotting something. They were saying something about ‘Down with the Shin-Ra!’

Tseng
‘Down with the Shin-Ra…?’ Who could they be…? We need to know more. Go see if there are more of those men around.

Player
Understood. I’ll get on it right away.

Turks Headquarters

Tseng
Veld, sir! There seems to be a disturbance in Sector 8. There have been reports of men planning an attack on the company.

Veld
What?! Are they working alone? Is this the work of a group? How are they planning to attack?

Tseng
I’ve got our newest recruit, Rosalind, looking into the situation.

Veld
I don’t feel comfortable just letting a rookie handle it. Keep me apprised of the situation and see if you can get someone else in there to act as support.

Tseng
Roger.

[Some of your HP/MP is restored to you. You are asked if you would like to go onto the next part of the chapter, or your next "mission". If you choose to move forward, you will be taken to Chapter 1.2. If you choose not to, the game will save at this point and you will be returned to the main menu (HQ menu).]

[A street outside the Sector 8 reactor. The two AVALANCHE members that went ahead to secure the reactor are speaking.]

AVALANCHE A
I’m going to take the front. You stay take the rear.

[They run toward the Sector 8 reactor. Your character arrives in the street where the AVALANCHE members were a moment ago. The PHS rings. It’s Tseng, and he’s giving you new orders.]

Tseng
I want you to capture these men and try to get information out of them.

Player
Yes, sir.

[You run up the street where the AVALANCHE men have stopped. They are having a conversation just around the corner from you.]

AVALANCHE A
We’ll secure this route. Don’t let anyone through.

[They run up the street a ways. One of the two AVALANCHE men stays behind, while the other one runs toward the reactor. The one that stayed behind is the rear guard mentioned earlier. The one heading for the reactor is the front guard. You turn the corner.]

AVALANCHE B
The Turks! I’m not letting you get past here.

[Various members of AVALANCHE – the contingent that are supposed to come after the first men secured the route to the reactor split off into various streets. Two of those contingent run up behind you.]

AVALANCHE B
There’s no getting away now!

AVALANCHE E
We’re not letting you get away with this, Shin-Ra traitor! (4) Don’t think you’re getting out of here alive!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]]

[Your PHS rings.]

Tseng
What’s your situation?

Player
I’m engaged with two AVALANCHE operatives from the rear of the street [leading to the reactor].

Tseng
!! If you’ve got a number of opponents to fight at the same time, use magic. It’ll make things easier for you. You do know how to use magic, right?

[Once again, you have a choice of whether you want to listen to Tseng’s explanation. Your choices are:

Please tell me.
I know.]

Tseng
I know this is a tough situation to be in, but hang in there!

[When you’ve taken both men down, your character speaks.]

Player
What are your motives? What are you trying to do here?

AVALANCHE
As if we’d tell someone from Shin-Ra…

AVALANCHE E
Down with the Shin-Ra!

[At this point you can engage AVALANCHE 5 in a battle or you can run towards the reactor. If you run towards the reactor, you’ll run into another member securing the entrance to the street in front of the reactor.]

AVALANCHE
You’re not getting past me!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x1]]

Player
Who are you people?

AVALANCHE
Hmph. This is the end for Shin-Ra.

[You run to the reactor entrance. Three more AVALANCHE men come running in from another route and stop in front of the entrance.]

Turks Headquarters

Tseng
Sir! It looks as if these men are working in a group.

Veld
Tell any of our men that are close to the reactor to get down there straight away.

Tseng
I’ve already gone ahead and done that.

[Some of your HP/MP is restored. You may save or continue on to Chapter 1.3]

[AVALANCHE have blasted open the entrance to the reactor]

AVALANCHE A
Okay! We’ve opened a path to the Mako reactor. I’ll set up the explosives. You guys keep watch at the entrance.

[Two AVALANCHE members stand guard on either side of the entrance, while the third guy goes in. Four more AVALANCHE members are standing by on the right side of the street.]

AVALANCHE B
We’ll enter the reactor as planned. Move out!

[They enter the reactor.

Back at Turks HQ…]

Tseng
!! Sir! There’s been an explosion at the entrance to the reactor!

Veld
What?! So They’re targeting the Mako reactor? We’ve invested a lot into those reactors – if AVALANCHE destroys any of them, the company will be in turmoil.

Tseng
Sir, if that reactor explodes, it’ll take that entire sector with it!

Veld
Stop them! Don’t let the intruders get to the reactor!

[Tseng calls you on your PHS. You are close to the entrance to the Mako reactor. From your vantage point, you can see one of the AVALANCHE members on guard.]

Tseng
This is really important, so I want you to pay close attention! The entrance to the reactor’s underground entrance has been blasted open.

Player
It’s my fault. I’m sorry.

Tseng
Don’t worry about that right now. Now listen to me. The intruders are aiming for the reactor itself. Stop them from reaching it.

Player
Roger.

[You run in front of the AVALANCHE members standing guard.]

Player
You there! Whatever it is you're trying to do, stop it right now! (5)

AVALANCHE
Shut up! Get her!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]]

[Three members of AVALANCHE come running at you.]

Player
Three of them?! This isn’t good…

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x3]]

[Six AVALANCHE members surround you.]

Player
?! Now there are six of them. I can’t take them all on…

AVALANCHE
The Turks?! Hmph, not even you can take on 6 of us at the same time, though. Get her!

[Reno comes running in from the right, taking down two of the AVALANCHE members.]

Reno
Hey, rookie! Looks like you’ve gotten yourself into quite a mess on your first day, huh?

Player
Reno?! I thought you had other orders?

[Reno runs to join you. The ranks are closed up again when two more members of AVALANCHE close the gap that Reno had made.]

Reno I’ve been called in to be your support. Don’t worry about it. All right, rookie – let’s finish this up as quick as possible!

Player
Okay.

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x3]]

Reno
There are too many of them… When you run into this sort of thing, you should fall back on Materia. Want me to teach you how to use it?

[Choice:

Please tell me.
I already know.]

Reno
Well then, I’ll leave these guys to you.

[He goes off to take care of the other three AVALANCHE members. When you finish dealing with your opponents, you see Reno taking down his last opponent with a clean swipe with his EMR.]

Reno
Mission complete.

[Three more AVALANCHE run and surround you.]

Reno
They just keep coming… is there no end to them?

Player
At this rate, they’ll get to the reactor. That’s what they want.

Reno
Seems like it. Okay then, rookie. You go on ahead. I’ll take care of these guys. Don’t worry about it. I’ll catch up with you in no time.

Player
Yes, sir. Be careful, Reno.

[You run into the reactor.

This is the end of Chapter 1.3. You may now stop here or continue on to Chapter 1.4.]

[Reno takes down three AVALANCHE members in one go and starts to run toward the entrance of the reactor.]

Shears [From off-screen]
Impressive.

Reno
?!

[Shears runs to meet Reno.]

Shears
Just what I would have expected from you, Reno: The fastest of the Turks.

Reno
You sure know a lot about me, don’t you?

Shears
It’s only common sense – know thy enemy. It’s basic battle strategy. But that speed of yours is no match for me.

Reno
Oh, really. We won’t know for sure until we test that out, will we?

Shears
Interesting. Then I’ll have you test your skills out against me. Let’s see the true strength of the Turks!

[Cut to the inside of the reactor.]

AVALANCHE A
I’ll guard this area. Hurry up and set the explosives!

[The second man goes ahead. He is standing by the front of the entrance to the reactor proper.]

AVALANCHE B
Once we break through here, we’ll have access to the Mako reactor.

[You have entered the reactor. Tseng calls you.]

Tseng
They’re after the reactor. They’re going to try to breach the main passage to the reactor by blasting through it. Stop them at any cost!!

Player
Roger.

[You are now given control and must run through the various passages within the reactor facility. You run into AVALANCHE.]

AVALANCHE
The Turks?! Down with the Shin-Ra!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]]

[You run down the length of another passage.]

AVALANCHE A
It’s the Turks! Bring reinforcements!

AVALANCHE B
Take this! You Shin-Ra dog!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]]

[The AVALANCHE member supposed to set the bomb turns around.]

AVALANCHE
We’ve been found out, huh? I’d better set the bomb quickly.

[You run toward the AVALANCHE member guarding the man setting the bomb.]

AVALANCHE
I’m not letting you through!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x1]]

[The guy setting up the bomb gets angry.]

AVALANCHE
Don’t get in my way! We’re so close!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x1]]

[You report to Tseng on your PHS.]

Player
I’ve stopped them from setting up the bomb.

Tseng
Good work. You’ve helped avert what could have been a disaster. Come back to HQ with Reno.

Player
Yes, sir. (Thought) Reno didn’t come after all… [End of Chapter 1.4. You may stop here or move onto Chapter 1.5.]

[You come out of the reactor in time to see Reno being taken down by Shears.]

Reno
Get out of here, rookie! This guy’s trouble!

Shears
You’re finished.

[He knocks Reno unconscious.]

Player
Reno!

Shears
He was all talk. You’re next.

[FIGHT: Shears]

Shears
So you can fight a little. But playtime’s over. I’ll make you regret having anything to do with Shin-Ra!

[Shears rushes you and knocks down.]

Player
(Thought) He’s strong! Who is he?

[An AVALANCHE flunky comes and reports to Shears.]

AVALANCHE
Mr. Shears, sir! I have a message. Fuhito is saying that we’re all to gather at Junon.

Shears
All right. You take care of these Turks here. They’re just about finished, anyway.

[Shears runs off.]

AVALANCHE
I’ve got to kill these two quickly and get to Junon.

Player

(Muttering) (6) Right in front of me… (Out loud) I’m not going to let you get away with this!

[You get up and go into a

FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x1]]

Reno
You saved me, huh…

Player
I guess I did. Who were those guys?

Turk Headquarters

Tseng
Sir! Our intelligence reports have come in. According to them, we’re dealing with a large terrorist organization. They call themselves ‘AVALANCHE’. We’re still looking into them, but that’s all we’ve been able to establish so far.

Veld
Have you found out anything about their movements?

Tseng
They seem to be gathering in Junon, sir.

Veld
Junon? That’s not good. The President is there right now.

AVALANCHE Headquarters

??? (Fuhito)
We’ve confirmed that President Shinra is in Junon. He seems to be there doing a military inspection. We’re going to head out immediately and meet up with Shears’ group.

AVALANCHE
Understood, sir. Preparations are complete.

Fuhito
Have you been able to find the whereabouts of that man I ordered you to track?

AVALANCHE
The ‘Silver Haired Soldier’… no sir. We haven’t been able to confirm anything as of yet.

Fuhito
Please try to establish his whereabouts as quickly as possible. If they bring him in, all of our plans will have been for nothing.

AVALANCHE
Yes, sir.

Fuhito
Now then, everyone. To Junon – let’s move out. Down with the Shin-Ra!

AVALANCHE
Down with the Shin-Ra!

[NARRATION: This is where the long fight between Shin-Ra and AVALANCHE begins. As time goes by, Rosalind and the other Turks will become increasingly involved in this epic battle.]

[In a Midgar street, four AVALANCHE men meet up with Shears.]

Shears
I’ve gotten a notice from Fuhito! We’re all going to Junon! Move out! Down with the Shin-Ra!

AVALANCHE
Down with the Shin-Ra!

[They move out. Elsewhere in Midgar, we come upon your character and Reno. Reno gets a call from Veld.]

Veld
These are your next orders. The both of you are to go to Junon. The President’s life may be in danger.

Reno
The President’s?! Roger, we’ll leave right away.

Player
Is the President is being targeted?!

Reno
Yeah. We’re to head out to Junon straight away.

Player
Yes, sir. Let’s hurry!

To be continued…