Filed Under: Final Fantasy VII: Before Crisis

0002/8/9

Midgar Slums

[After a night of drinking with your fellow Turks, you wake up alone in a bar in the slums.]

Player

What?! Hey, everybody’s gone. I got left behind. Well, that’s okay. I have tomorrow off anyway, so I’ll just take my time getting home.

[Once you are outside the bar, you look around.]

Player

(Thought) It’s been years since I was last down here…

[You end up in front of a house with a red roof and a rather large garden.]

Player

Huh…? (Thought) Where is this place? Everything’s changed so much. I don’t know where I am… Oh! It’s so bright out here… but it’s the middle of the night.

[Then you notice the garden.]

Player

It’s beautiful… I didn’t think flowers could bloom here. The ground here in the slums isn’t made for growing things. (Thought) Someone planted these…?

[The door to the house opens. You turn away from the flowers, surprised. A young girl in a pink halter top is standing at the entrance to the house. She seems to be thinking about something.]

???

…… (Thought) I want to see the world outside of Midgar. I’ll come home, so don’t worry, mom.

[The girl spots you and gasps.]

???

(Thought) That uniform!

[She runs away.]

Player

(Thought) I wonder what’s wrong. She looked like she was in a hurry. Is she going to be all right, a young girl like her wandering around in the middle of the night? (Out loud) Huh?!

[The girl has come rushing back in your direction.]

Player

(Thought) That girl from before. What is she doing? (Out loud) That’s - !!

???

(Thought) What should I do?

[She runs a little closer to you, though still keeping a distance. Suddenly it becomes clear what she was running from. Two AVALANCHE members come to a stop a couple of feet from her.]

???

(Thought) I’m trapped.

AVALANCHE

You’re a Turk!

Player

(Thought) Why is AVALANCHE here?! (Out loud) Hold on right there. Don’t get other people involved in this!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]

The girl is with you in this battle, but she isn’t any help. She runs around the screen in a panic, and oftentimes gets in the line of AVALANCHE fire. Your job is therefore to incapacitate AVALANCHE while making sure she doesn’t get hurt.]

Player

Are you hurt?

???

Um…

[She backs away.]

Player

You don’t need to worry. I’m not going to do anything to you. Um… would you mind telling me something? Why were those people after you?

???

I don’t know.

Player

Oh… Oh! I know. It’s because you were walking all alone out here in the middle of the night. It’s dangerous, so maybe you should head back to your home, you know?

???

Um…? (Thought) I can go home…? Could it be that… this person doesn’t know who I am? (Out loud) What are you doing out here?

Player

I was looking at the flowers.

???

Really? That’s all?

Player

Yeah. I didn’t think I’d find flowers blooming down here. They sort of pulled me in.

[The girl walks deeper into the garden.]

???

Do you like flowers?

Player

Yes.

???

I planted all of these.

Player

You did? Oh, wow. It must be hard, taking care of them all.

???

Not at all. I enjoy this sort of thing.

[Just then, an AVALANCHE member sneaks up behind the young girl.]

Player

Behind you!

???

Huh?

[She whips around. The AVALANCHE operative calls out to his comrades.]

AVALANCHE

I found her! She’s with a Turk!

AVALANCHE B

Get her back!!!

Player

Come with me!

???

Why?

Player

Those people are after me too. Let’s run – we’ll try to lose them!

[In a derelict building, an AVALANCHE operative reports to Elfe, Shears and Fuhito.]

AVALANCHE

Reporting in, sir! We’ve found the Ancient.

Elfe

Where is she?

AVALANCHE

A Turk has got her.

Elfe

What?!

AVALANCHE

The troops are searching for them as we speak.

Elfe

Get her back at all cost. We can’t allow the Promised Land to fall into Shin-Ra’s hands.

AVALANCHE

Yes, sir!

[The AVALANCHE operative turns to leave.]

Elfe

Whatever you do, don’t let any harm come to the Ancient.

AVALANCHE

Yes, sir.

Shears

Funny… there wasn’t anything about the Turks being dispatched…

Fuhito

It seems that this wasn’t planned.

[Back in the Sector 5 slums…]

Player

Are you all right?

???

I’m fine.

Player

Whew. We ran this far, maybe we’re safe now…

[You spot a couple of AVALANCHE members several feet away. They look like they are searching for someone.]

Player

They’re still searching… It looks like they’re desperate to find us. Wait here. I’ll take care of this as fast as I can.

???

Okay.

[You head off AVALANCHE by running in front of them.]

AVALANCHE

We’ll take that girl, thanks.

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]]

???

Hee-----y!

[The girl joins you.]

Player

There might still be more of them close by. Let’s go.

???

Okay. Oh, that’s right! Let’s head northeast!

Player

Northeast?

???

We can get to the residential ward from there. There’s a lot of hiding places there.

Player

Okay. Let’s head for the residential ward, then. (Thought) But… If I get into another fight, the girl might be in danger. (Out loud) Hey.

???

?

Player

I’m going ahead to make sure it's safe. If I tell you to follow, follow. If I tell you to stay where you are, stay where you are.

???

All right.

[You are now given control. You must head in a generally north-eastern direction. You will run into AVALANCHE members on the way. If you spot one, tell your charge to stay put, otherwise she will be pulled into the fight with you. Once you are finished and ready to move on, tell her to come with you.]

???

Maybe… it’s okay now? No, there are more of them coming.

Player

There's no use running. (Thought) There’s too many of them… This might take some time. (Out loud) You! Go ahead and find a place to hide!

???

But –

Player

I’ll catch up with you soon. Hurry!

???

Okay.

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x3]]

Player
(Thought) I’ve got to hurry and find that girl. Still… why is AVALANCHE after her?

[You run in the direction the girl took off in. AVALANCHE operatives chase you.]

AVALANCHE

Damn it. Call the second unit.

[End of Episode 11.1.]

Player

(Thought) She should be around here somewhere. (Out loud) Oh!

[Through a crack in between a pile of wreckage and a wall, you see AVALANCHE operatives pouring into the area.]

Player

(Thought) AVALANCHE! Tell me she hasn’t been caught.

AVALANCHE A

Have you found her?

AVALANCHE B

Not yet. It seems like she’s in the area, though. When the Commander gets here, we’ll start Operation Laura.

AVALANCHE A

What’s our posting?

AVALANCHE B

The southern passage. We’ve got orders to capture that girl and the Turk, too.

[They head off to start their search.]

Player

(Thought) Sounds like they still haven’t found her. I have to get to her before they do.

[You are given control. There are a number of houses in the area where the girl could be hiding. You must find out where she is while avoiding AVALANCHE operatives. If you pick the wrong house or get caught in fights with the operatives, they will be one step closer in finding her.

Once you have engaged the first AVALANCHE operative, the Commander followed by two lackeys will enter the area. You are now working against the clock to find the girl before them.]

Commander

Sorry I’m late. We’ll begin Operation Laura now. I’ll head the search.

[The Commander dashes into the first house closest to him.]

Commander

Not here…

[This will go on until either you or the Commander has found the girl. If the Commander finds her first, it will be Game Over, and you will have to start from Episode 11.2 again. When you’ve found the girl…]

Player

Thank goodness…

???

Oh… You came.

Player

I’m glad you’re safe. Let’s stay here for a while. They’re still out there looking for us.

[Several hours later…]

???

Oooh! Why does this have to happen to me?

Player

I don’t know.

[The scene switches to AVALANCHE patrolling the area. There is a guard standing just outside the house you have taken shelter in.]

Player

Where were you trying to go this late at night, anyway?

???

The wind was calling me. (1)

Player

Huh?

???

I think I can hear the wind calling me. That’s why I’m going on a journey.

Player

Hmm…

……

???

But really… I want to know what the world outside of Midgar is like. Do you know what it’s like?

Player

Yes. I do a lot of traveling.

???

It must be nice.

Player

It’s work. If it weren’t for my job, I wouldn’t know either.

???

What are the other cities like?

Player

Some of them have oceans, others are covered in snow.

[AVALANCHE is still patrolling the area. You continue your conversation with the girl.]

???

They sound like they’re different from this place. I wonder what kinds of flowers grow there…

Player

There are beautiful flowers out there, too.

[The scene switches back outside and pans to the far left. An AVALANCHE operative is patrolling the area.]

???

(Sighs) I’d love to go on a journey. Just float away somewhere, like a flower petal, or get carried away on the wind.

[The AVALANCHE member leaves. Something shiny glints on the ground where he was standing. The girl starts.]

???

Oh!

[She starts searching the ground inside the house frantically.]

Player

Wait! What’s wrong?

???

I dropped my Materia. I’ll go get it back.

Player

What are you thinking?! You can’t go out there right now!

???

But…

[An AVALANCHE operative reports to the Commander.]

Player

No. If you want Materia that badly, I’ll give you mine.

[The Commander and the AVALANCHE regular run off to another part of the slums.]

???

It can’t be any one but that one. It’s the only thing I’ve got of my real mother.

Player

Your real mother?

???

I have two mothers. Both of them are important to me.

Player

All right. If it’s that important, I’ll go find it.

???

Really?

Player

You wait here.

???

I’m not “you”. I’m Aerith. What’s your name?

Player

Rosalind. Well, Aerith, stay put – don’t move, okay?

Aerith

Rosalind… thank you.

[You leave the house.]

Aerith

(Thought) I didn’t know… there are people like Rosalind in the Turks, too.

[Outside, you spot the Materia embedded in the ground.]

Player

There! It’s this, right?

[You grab it and run back into the house.]

Player

Here. Don’t lose it again, okay?

Aerith

Thank you! I’m so glad…

Player

All that’s left… is to wait for those people to leave.

[Aerith stiffens.]

Player

What’s wrong? Sh-Shears…

Shears

The girl is coming with us.

Player

Why?! Why are you after Aerith?!

Shears

To protect her from scum like you.

Player

What?! I haven’t done anything!

Shears

Don’t try to make excuses!!

[FIGHT: Shears

Shears

(In fight) (Grunts as he falls) You are getting stronger every time we meet. But!

Shears knocks you down. Everything is black. Before losing consciousness, you mutter:

Player

Aerith…]

Shinra HQ

President Shinra

It seems we’ve received reports of the Ancient’s movement.

Veld

Yes, sir. I’ve sent Tseng out to apprehend her.

President Shinra

How many years have you been trying to capture her with no success at all, Veld?!

Veld

We’re using all available resources to locate and capture her, sir.

Rufus

Send out the army, President. The Turks will only take up precious time and labour. (2) The Ancient won’t be able to put up much of a resistance if she’s got a bullet in her, will she?

Veld

Let’s think about this rationally for a moment. We need to get the location of the Promised Land from her.

President Shinra

That’s right. The Promised Land is a legendary place nobody but the Ancients would know the location of. If she is harmed before we can get the location, all of our efforts will have been for nothing.

Rufus

……

President Shinra

The Promised Land… A place that spews forth boundless Mako. If we have the Promised Land, we can draw Mako out without using the reactors. We’ll be cutting costs and ensuring that the company stays at the top for ages to come. When I think about it that way, the time we’ve invested isn’t a waste.

Rufus

Hmph. The time that’s being wasted with all these unnecessary precautions cancels out any good that might come from it.

Veld

……

[End of Episode 11.2.]

Shears

This way.

[Shears leads Aerith down a junk strewn path. He keeps running, but Aerith stops. Shears does not seem to have noticed.]

Aerith

(Thought) Now’s my chance…

[Shears turns back to retrieve Aerith.]

Shears

What are you doing? Keep running.

Aerith

(Thought) Too late…

[They stop in front of the Sector 5 church. Shears nods to the guard, who moves out of the way.  They enter the church. Shears and Aerith join Elfe and Fuhito. Elfe approaches Aerith.]

Elfe

Welcome, Miss Aerith. Thank you for coming. I am Elfe, the leader of an anti-Shin-Ra organization.

Aerith

I was brought here against my will. You’re worse than the Shin-Ra.

Shears

Against your will? We saved you from getting caught by the Shin-Ra back there.

Aerith

You’re wrong. Rosalind protected me from you. She didn’t know who I was.

Elfe

I’m terribly sorry about that. I’ll take responsibility for my subordinates’ behaviour.

Aerith

What do you want?

Elfe

We have brought you here for one reason, and one only. We have a proposition for you.

[Meanwhile, you’ve arrived at the Sector 5 church. You shoot the guard before he can call for help. You try the door.]

Player

No good… it won’t open. What should I do…?

[You glance around.]

Player

That’s it.

[You have climbed into the church from the roof and are now standing on a rafter beam.]

Player

(Thought) Okay, I’ve gotten in. Where’s Aerith…?

[You walk to where the rafter has split apart and look down. You spot the AVALANCHE leaders and Aerith below.]

Player

(Thought) There she is. But all the leaders are there. I wonder what they’re talking about. I’ll try to get closer. I have to take care not to be seen.

[You are given control You must navigate the rafters and find a way to get closer to the group without being seen. Eventually, you will find a set of stairs and come out at one of the entrances to the main part of the church.]

Elfe

We would like your cooperation.

Fuhito

As the last surviving Ancient, you are constantly under threat from the Shin-Ra. We want to topple Shin-Ra and prevent them from further utilizing their Mako reactors. Do you understand? Don’t you think it would be in both of our interests to work together?

Player

(Thought) Ancient?! Tseng’s been assigned to her capture from a long time ago. So the one Tseng was assigned to capture was Aerith. Is that why she wants to get out of Midgar? She wants to get away from Shin-Ra?

Aerith

You want to know where the Promised Land is?

Fuhito

That’s right.

Elfe

We would like to protect the Promised Land from the Shin-Ra.

Fuhito

But we can’t do that if we don’t know where it is. We’re looking out for you. So please, tell us where the Promised Land is.

Aerith

But I really don’t know where it is.

Shears

That can’t be right! You’re an Ancient. You should you know where it is!!

Elfe

Step down, Shears. Yelling at Aerith is uncalled for.

[Aerith approaches Elfe.]

Aerith

Y… you…

Elfe

Is something the matter?

Aerith

An old voice…

Elfe

Have we met somewhere before? Unfortunately, I don’t remember too much about the past. All my memories start from when I joined AVALANCHE.

Aerith

I don’t think we’ve met before. The voice inside you is familiar, but… it’s in pain…

Elfe

Inside me…?

Fuhito

Ae – Aerith, please wait a minute.

Elfe

Why are you trying to stop her?

Fuhito

The Ancients can hear the voice of the Planet. Th – So that voice isn’t coming from inside of you…

[Shears whirls around to face Aerith.]

Shears

Who is it!!

Player

(Thought) Damn it!

[You dart back through the door.]

Shears

The Turk! Eliminate her!

[Several AVALANCHE Specials chase after you. You find yourself back on the beams.]

Player

(Thought) What should I do?!

[You are given control again. You must avoid the Specials. If you do get caught, you’ll have to fight them.]

Fuhito

It seems as though they’re having trouble dealing with her.

Elfe

Shears.

Shears

Understood.

[Shears heads for the rafters.]

Player

(Thought) I need to get back down there. Aerith, hang in there just a little longer.

[At that moment, Shears makes it onto the rafters. You run across a beam, trying to avoid him.]

Shears

You again.

[He pursues you, but you dart across another rafter.]

Shears

You just don’t know when to quit, do you?

Player

(Thought) A dead end…

[Shears catches up to you.]

Player

(Thought) Then I’ve got to fight!

[FIGHT: Shears. After you have defeated him, you will get the following dialogue:

Shears

(In fight) This is the end for you.

Player

?!]

Shears

Die.

[Shears pulls back. You are standing at the end of a broken beam. If he hits you, you’ll go flying down and hit the church floor. You scream. Shears connects, and you topple head-first through the gap.]

[End of Episode 11.3.]

[You are free falling. You land hard – in a flowerbed.]

Player

Ugh…

[You get up. Shears has already come down and is standing in front of you.]

Shears

She’s still alive.

[From off screen, Aerith shouts.]

Aerith

Stop! Don’t hurt the flowers!

Fuhito

Please, set your heart at ease, Aerith. We will be finished with her soon.

[Fuhito joins Shears.

FIGHT: Fuhito, Shears.

Player

(In fight) Both of them at once?!

Aerith

Stop! Don’t step on the flowers!

You battle some more. Throughout the battle, Aerith keeps pleading for you to stop. Finally…

Aerith

Oooh, stop it!! Just stop!!

Aerith runs in front of Shears and Fuhito.]

Fuhito

Aerith, please move. She is a Turk. She is one of the people that want to capture you.

Aerith

No, you back off. Don’t you trample my flowerbed!

Elfe

Uuuu….

[Shears and Fuhito turn around.]

Shears

Elfe!!

[Shears rushes to Elfe’s side.]

Fuhito

It looks like it’s time. Well, then. Why don’t we just stop here for today?

Shears

Yeah. Let’s not make Elfe push herself any further.

[Shears goes to Elfe’s other side to escort her.]

Elfe

Shears, you can’t help me. It’s just the same thing again. Don’t worry.

Shears

……

[Elfe leaves the church. Shears follows along.]

Fuhito

Miss Aerith. Think about what we’ve said.

Aerith

What’s wrong with Elfe?

Fuhito

She’s got something like an illness. The cure for her can also be found in the Promised Land. Well then, until next time.

Aerith

…but I really don’t know where the Promised Land is…

[Aerith comes to stand before you.]

Aerith

Are you all right?

Player

Yes.

[You get up.]

Player

Say, Aerith. You want to go on a trip, right?

Aerith

Yes…

Player

Then you should go. If you want to travel, then you should go. To a place where nobody will ever find you. As long as you’re here, Shin-Ra can come after you.

Aerith

Oh… So you want to know where the Promised Land is too?

Player

I’m… not interested. And besides, I’m off until tomorrow. I won’t do anything, so you don’t have to worry.

Aerith

Thank you. (Pause) But… (Pause) It’s (Pause) All right now. I’m not going anywhere.

Player

Why not?

Aerith

If I run, I’d just be letting them win. And the flowers in this church, in the garden, if I’m not there to take care of them they can’t grow. Mom will worry too.

Player

…oh. That’s what you’ve decided, then.

Aerith

Yeah.

[You limp around the flower bed.]

Player

Well, let’s go home. I’ll see that you make it safely back home.

Aerith

Rosalind, thank you.

[Outside the church, you run into Tseng.]

Player

Tseng.

Tseng

Rosalind… Aerith?! Why? Why are you together?

Player

Aerith…

[Aerith scurries away from you.]

Aerith

I –

[You limp over to where Aerith has backed away.]

Player

(Whisper) Can you get home by yourself?

Aerith

(Whisper) I’ll be fine.

Player

Then leave everything to me!

[You stand in Tseng’s way.]

Tseng

Rosalind?!

Player

Aerith, run!! Hurry!

[Aerith starts running. Tseng makes to follow her, but you block his path again.]

Tseng

What’s the meaning of this?

Tseng

Tseng, I’m sorry. I’m off.

Tseng

……

Aerith

Rosalind, thank you.

Player

I’m sorry I couldn’t see you home! Take care of your mother, and the flowers.

Aerith

Right!

[Aerith leaves.]

Player

Tseng… don’t go after her.

Tseng

Rosalind, get yourself under control. I’m not going to do anything to her.

Player

But… the company wants Aerith, right?

Tseng

That’s true. They’ve placed much on her capture.

Player

And that’s why you’re after her.

Tseng

No, you’re wrong. I wanted to see if I could get Aerith’s cooperation. I’m not just doing this because it’s my job. It’s all part of my plan.

Player

Your plan?

Tseng

Aerith’s cooperation is the world’s salvation. Her cooperation means that the world will be a better place for everybody. That’s why I want her cooperation. But… She doesn’t want anything to do with Shin-Ra.

Player

I see. That’s why this isn’t over. (3)

Tseng

It doesn’t matter how long it takes. I’ll wait for her as long as I have to.

Shin-Ra HQ

Veld

Mr. President, we’ve got an emergency situation. The employees stationed at the Nibelheim reactor have all disappeared without a trace.

President Shinra

What? Find out what happened.

Veld

Yes, sir.

President Shinra

Our most important reactor is there. It’s a historically significant place – our company’s first reactor. There’s also what’s inside the reactor itself…

Veld

I understand perfectly, sir. The secret in that reactor can’t get out.

To be continued...