Filed Under: Final Fantasy VII: Before Crisis

Prologue

Player

(Thought) This is it… Club Duel.

[You are in a rude hall of some kind. The floors are nothing more than packed dirt, the lights dim. Six burly men stand guard in the hall. You pass them and enter another room where many men and women are gathered around a pair of duellists.]

Spectator

Go King! Get ‘em!

Spectator B

Don’t let him get you!

Spectator C

Mess him up good!

[The fight ends when one of the duellists kicks the other, sending his opponent flying into the wall.]

Spectators

King! King! King! King!

King

Come on! Isn’t there anyone here that’s tough enough to beat me?

Player

(Thought) That’s him. He’s strong, just like they say.

[You run into the duel hall.]

Thug

Hey, you can’t just come in here. You know what kind of place this is?

Player

Of course I do. Now get out of my way. I’m working.

[You knock out the thug.]

Spectator

No way.

Spectator B

She took him out with one blow?!

King

Gwa ha ha ha ha ha! Looks like I’ve finally got an interesting challenge.

Player

You’re King?

King

That’s right. I’m King. The strongest person in this club is called that, and I’ve been called that for a very long time now. Who are you?

Player

I can’t tell you that.

King

What do you want?

Player

Everybody in this club. You’re all going to become SOLDIER candidates.

King

And if I refuse?

Player

Then I’ll take you all by force!

0001/3/16

3:00 p.m.

Costa Del Sol

[NARRATION: The search for the SOLDIERs President Shin-Ra wanted had the Turks running all around the world scouting for candidates. The last place they came to was Costa Del Sol…]

[Reno and Rude stand on the deck of a large cargo ship.]

Reno

I guess we’re finished here. We’ve sure rounded up a lot of people.

Rude

We’re just waiting on Rosalind.

Reno

She’s at Club Duel.

Rude

She’s doing pretty well for a rookie.

Reno

Yeah. There are some pretty promising SOLDIER candidates over there.

Rude

…on the other hand, there’s a pretty big risk involved.

Reno

Uh huh. They’re a rough bunch of goons.

Rude

…it’s our job. If she can’t handle that, then she’s not fit to be a Turk.

Reno

Yeah. Just a day in the life of your average Turk.

Rude

How are the SOLDIER candidates? (1)

Reno

They’ve finally settled down – for now. Who knows when they’ll try something again, though. Let’s go back as soon as we can, eh?

Rude

We’ll leave as soon as Rosalind comes back.

[We are shown another part of the ship. A large pen with a solid electrified fence is keeping the SOLDIER candidates trapped inside, prisoners.]

Prisoner A

That guy’s fucking huge… There’s something in that guy’s eyes I don’t like!

Prisoner B

Shh! He’ll hear you.

Prisoner C

Don’t look at him, then, if you want him to leave you alone.

[At the back of the pen a tall man wrapped in heavy looking garments and a head wrap stands. The other prisoners are giving him a wide berth.

Back in Club Duel, one of the bouncers comes in.]

Bouncer

Take all of us away? Don’t kid yourself. You think we’re just going to let you do whatever you want?!

[FIGHT: Bouncer [x1]]

Player

(Thought) He just came at me. This place doesn’t have any rules.

King

Gua ha ha ha ha! You got it? The rules here are simple. The strongest person in the club decides all the rules. In other words, I’m the rules in this place!

Player

That suits me just fine. Then fight me! Right now. I’m going to become the new King.

Thug

(Off screen) You, fight King? Don’t you know anything about this place?

[The thug runs into the room.]

Thug

There’s only one way you’re gonna fight King. You’ve got to get through the four strongest guys here!!

Player

Okay. Once I’m finished with you, then I fight with King.

Thug

Too bad for you. You’re not going to fight King today. That’s ‘cause you’re gonna lose right now!

[FIGHT: Thug [x1]]

Player

Next! Bring out the next guy! (2)

Thug

(Off screen) Don’t act so big! I’m next!

[Another thug comes in.]

Player

You’re next?

Thug

Yeah. You’re not gonna be able to stand when I’m done with you.

Player

Come on!

Thug

Fine. You want to go? Then we’ll go. I’m gonna finish this!

[FIGHT: Thug [x1]]

Spectator A

You’re kidding me!

Spectator B

That’s the first time he’s ever been taken out.

Spectator A

Who the hell is she?

Player

What? Isn’t anybody else going to come up?

Thug

(Off screen) Brag while you still can.

[The last thug enters steps up.]

Thug

I’m looking forward to this. It’s been a while since anything interesting’s happened here.

King

It has been a while. I haven’t seen you get so fired up in a long time. This is gonna be fun to watch.

Player

Enough talk! Let’s fight.

[FIGHT: Thug [x1]]

Player

King! Come out and fight!

King

Huh. You’re no ordinary person, all right. I came up like that myself a long time ago. (3)

Player

(Thought) Finally… King… Just how strong are you?

King

All right. Let’s get going. Entertain me.

Player

King, prepare to be dethroned! (4)

[FIGHT: King.]

Player

This is the end.

King

Wh…at…How could I lose…?

Spectator A

King lost!

Spectator B

She’s the new King!

Spectator C

She… Impressive.

Player

Are there any other challengers?

[Your player looks around at the assembled thugs and rowdies. Nobody speaks.]

Player

No one? Then let’s go.

[End of Chapter 4.1. You may save here or move on to Chapter 4.2.]

[On board the cargo ship. You’ve brought the patrons from Club Duel to the electrified pen. King is the last one to go in.]

Player

Please get inside. We’re keeping all the candidates in here. I can’t think of anyone more worthy of being in here than you.

Former King

…

[The gate slams shut behind him.]

Player

(Addressing the prisoners) Stay in there and keep quiet. As long as you behave, we won’t have any problems.

Prisoner

Let us out of here! What’s the big idea, keeping us in this electric cage!

Player

We’ll be arriving at Midgar soon. Once you’re there, you’ll go through the Mako transfusion process and you’ll become members of SOLDIER too.

[You join Rude and Reno up on deck.]

Rude

Good job, Rosalind. You’ve brought more candidates than we expected.  

Reno

Not as many as we have, but you know. There’s that. (5) One day you’ll catch up to us.

Player

Yes, sir. One day.

Reno

I’m looking forward to it. So. I’m going to take a nap until we get to Midgar. It’s really comfy down there, so don’t wake me.

Rude

We’ll take care of it.

[Reno goes below deck. There is a moment’s pause.]

Rude

How did it go?

Player

I didn’t think we’d have to force them. I always thought entry into SOLDIER was voluntary.

Rude

We have to resort to using force sometimes. It’s not something we can do anything about.

Player

Why is that? You and Reno have scouted for SOLDIER before, right? Now that I think about it, the SOLDIER ranks haven’t increased all that much in the last while, have they?

Rude

You have to be strong to enter SOLDIER. Only a handful of those people we’ve gathered will make it into the ranks.

Player

Really?! I didn’t know that. There’s still a lot I have to learn…

Rude

It’s a company secret. You couldn’t have known.

[From below deck, a voice shouts.]

Voice

Quit it! Eaayyggh-!

Player

What was that? I’ll go check it out.

Rude

Hey! Wait!!

Player

Yes?

Rude

Be careful. There’s one guy down there that you should specially watch out for.

Player

Yes, sir!

[Below deck, you stop, caught up short. All the prisoners in the pen have been knocked out.]

Player

T- This is horrible… Hold on a second there!!

[You run into the pen in time to see the tall, heavy cloaked man from before knock the former King out.]

Former King

Ugh…

Player

(Thought) He did this to all of them?! And he took down King so easily…

[The cloaked turns around and rushes you. Caught by surprise, you are not able to defend yourself. He punches you hard in the face.]

Player

?! (Thought) A surprise attack?! That’s so rude!! Who does he think he is?!

???

Fight me!

Player

(Thought) What’s his problem?

???

The only time I truly live is in the heat of battle.

Player

Settle down!

???

Fwahahahahaha! You presume to give me orders? The only people worthy of giving me direction are those who prove their strength to me in battle. The only way of proving your strength is by fighting me.

Player

It looks like I don’t have any choice… Fine. We’ll fight.

???

I am called Asul. We will fight to the death.

Player

Let’s go.

[FIGHT: Asul. You’re fighting inside the pen, so if you hit the walls, you’ll take damage. It’s a small space, and Asul moves fairly quickly, so your best bet if you’re a close range fighter is to stick to him like a burr while staying in the centre of the pen, and if you’re a long range fighter try dodging him while shooting, though this won’t always work.]

Asul

Impressive! Truly impressive! You’re stronger than you look. Let’s go some more.

Player

Stop fooling around. I’m going to finish this right now.

[You attack each another at the same time. The force of Asul’s blow sends you skidding back.]

Player

(Thought) He’s strong! He’s beyond anything I’ve encountered before.

Asul

That was a lot of fun. But this will have to end. I will journey the length and breadth of this Planet fighting, looking for one worthy of me. That is why I have been put on this earth.

Player

It’s the same with me. That’s why I’m not going to lose to you!

Rude

Rosalind, move!

[Rude bursts into the pen and knocks Asul back with one punch.]

Asul

Ugh… You again…

Rude

Settle down.

Player

(Thought) Rude. That was impressive.  

Rude

Let’s go, Rosalind.

Player

R- Roger. (Thought) Asul… I’m sorry but our fight will have to end here.

Asul

Insolent… I have to become stronger…

[End of Chapter 4.2. You may save here or proceed to Chapter 4.3.]

[You and Rude are standing above deck again. Rude is standing just in ahead of you. His back is turned. Neither of you speak.]

Player

…

(Thought) I would have won if Rude hadn’t come along.

Rude

Are you frustrated? Rosalind… But you know, we were ordered to gather these candidates.

Player

…yes, sir.

Rude

We’re Turks. We aren’t here to fight.

Player 

…

But there are times we do have to fight, sir. I was justified in doing it this time.

Rude

…

[Rude’s PHS rings.]

Tseng

It’s Tseng. We’ve just received reports that AVALANCHE is heading to the docks. Don’t let them get near the ship.

Rude

Understood.

[Rude hangs up and turns around.]

Rude

Rosalind. AVALANCHE is coming here.

Player

(Thought) They’re on the move again. I knew it wasn’t going to end there… (6)

Rude

I’m going to leave the ship. You stay here and make sure AVALANCHE doesn’t come on board. (7)

Player

(Clipped) Yes, sir.

[At the dock, a contingent of AVALANCHE members runs forward. They stop halfway across. Shears gives the men a pep talk.]

Shears

Our target is the Shin-Ra vessel. First, we’re going to get inside. Then we’re going to release the SOLDIER candidates they’ve got in there. The goal of this mission is to prevent them from getting those men to Midgar.

[Shears’ men salute in unison.]

AVALANCHE

Yes, sir!

[You come out of the ship and spot Shears and his men.]

Player

!! (Thought) Shears is with them. This is going to be tough. But I have to protect the ship!

[AVALANCHE advance further and stop several yards away from you.]

AVALANCHE

All right, men. Prepare to board the vessel! There are three entry points: One on the left, on in the middle, and one on the right. Split up and take the entrances. Try to avoid getting into a fight with the Turks if at all possible. Move out!

[You are given control. As the AVALANCHE member said, there are three entrances, which you must guard. You can run out to meet AVALANCHE head on or just wait until they come to you. It’s entirely a matter of preference. If one of them gets in, you will get the following dialogue:]

Player

They got in!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x8-10]]

Player

That’s the last of them…

[You start to head back to the ship but another contingent of AVALANCHE comes up the dock.]

Player

!! (Thought) They’re trying to overwhelm us with numbers. It might be kind of hard taking them all on by myself…

AVALANCHE

We’re moving to Stage 2 of our battle plan. Find the Turks and kill them.

[They run up the dock, split off and form a circle around you.]

Player

(Thought) Trapped… What should I do?

[Rude comes out of the ship.]

Player

Rude!

Rude

Rosalind. There are intruders on board.

Player

No one else is going to get in.

Rude

Obviously. Let’s get to work!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2] You’re fighting with Rude here, so don’t worry too much about getting hurt. He generally relies on Grand Spark to do the job.

Rude

(In battle) (8) Don’t let your guard down! They’re coming.

Player

(In battle) Right.]

Rude

Are you all right?

Player

Yes! Are you?

Rude

Hmph. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll hold up. Don’t get complacent.

Player

Yes, sir.

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]]

AVALANCHE

Even with just the two of them, they’re pretty strong. Just as we expected of the Turks. But we’re going to stop you, no matter what!

[FIGHT: AVALANCHE [x2]]

Player

That’s it… (Thought) …but something’s not right. (Out loud) Shears was here a moment ago, but I don’t see him anywhere.

Rude

Are you sure?

Player

Yes. I’m sure of it.

Rude

Let’s go back inside. Hurry!

[Meanwhile, Shears has managed to get inside the cargo hold and is standing outside the pen.]

Shears

I’m Shears, of AVALANCHE. I’m here to rescue you. If you guys want to stay normal men, get out of here as fast as you can.

Prisoner

Thanks a lot. Now open the door.

Shears

If you guys stay here, you’ll be forced to undergo Mako transfusions. Those transfusions will do some pretty scary things to you. We’ll make sure the Shin-Ra Company pays for pulling this kind of shit. You all came close to losing your humanity today. If you want to join me and show the Shin-Ra, come with me! I’ll be waiting for you. Let’s fight together!

[Shears breaks the door open. You reach the outside of the pen room. The prisoners dash past you.]

Player

Rude, sir! The candidates?!

Rude

Damn…

Player

They’re getting away! (Thought) But I don’t see Asul with them.

Shears

Back already?

[You and Rude spin around.]

Player

Shears! (Thought) Who’d have thought we’d run into him here!

Shears

The Turks, huh. Good timing.

Rude

You’re Shears…

Shears

You’ve saved me the trouble of finding you. You’re both going to die right here.

Player

Rude, sir! This guy’s tough.

Rude

…

[You start to move, but Rude stops you.]

Rude

Wait! Where are you going?

Player

I’m going to get Reno!

Rude

Forget about Reno… let him sleep.

Player

You can’t take him by yourself.

Rude

…I’ll take care of him. You go and find the escaped candidates! Those are your orders.

Player

…

Understood!

[You hesitate at the exit.]

Player

I’ll be back as soon as I can!

Rude

…

Shears

Not very smart. Trying to face me alone. What can you do by youself?

Rude

I heard about you from Reno.

Shears

Ha ha ha! You must mean that redhead. He was all talk and he couldn’t even live up to that. If this is how strong you Turks are, all we’re going to have to worry about is SOLDIER.

Rude

Shut up…

Shears

What’s the matter? You’re thinking you want to avenge your little redheaded friend?

Rude

I told you to shut up!

Shears

Rude: the most powerful of the Turks.

Rude

…

Shears

Sorry, but that power is nothing in front of me.

Rude

We won’t know that until we try and see.

Shears

Just as I thought. You’re all the same. The redhead said the exact same thing. The results this time are going to be no different!

[Rude comes at Shears head on, but Shears feints and decks Rude, sending him skidding back.]

Rude

Ugh. He’s strong…  

Shears

Playtime’s over. It’s time for you to die.

[Shears knocks Rude out.]

Shears

Reno, Rude, they’re both this weak, huh. I didn’t even have to come here. Well, Elfe will be happy with today’s results.

[He leaves. Reno comes down the gangplank.]

Reno

It’s frigging noisy down here. I can’t sleep with all this banging going on…

[He stops when he notices Rude passed out on the deck.]

Reno

Oi! What happened?

Rude

…nothing.

Reno

It doesn’t look like nothing.

Rude

That’s not important… Sorry… AVALANCHE released the captives.

Reno

?!

I see. They’ve started to move again, huh?

Rude

Go after the candidates… I’ll… catch up with you…

Reno

I got it…

[Reno stops at the door.]

Reno

Hey Rude. Who did this to you?

Rude

…

Reno

Hunh. Stubborn. Well, back to work, back to work.

[Switch to the outside of the ship. A prisoner and Asul run out of the ship. Asul stops.]

Prisoner

Oi, aren’t you going to run?

Asul

I cannot run. There is something here I must do.

Prisoner

Do what you want!

[End of Chapter 4.3. You may save here or move onto Chapter 4.4.]

[You are now in Costa Del Sol proper, just outside a bar.]

Player

(Thought) Where… did everybody go…? I guess I’m going to have to search building by building!

[You step into the bar.]

Player

Did you see any runaways come in here?

Barkeep

Nobody like that’s come through here.

[You come out of the bar and run down the stairs. You make a right and enter a villa house.]

Prisoner

!! (To himself) I didn’t think they’d find me that fast… I don’t have a choice. I’ve gotta fight.

[FIGHT: Prisoner [x1]]

Player

Where are the others?!

Prisoner

I don’t know. I came here by myself.

Player

That’s too bad.

[You continue right on the street. There are stairs leading down, or you can continue to follow the road. If you choose to follow the stairs:

Player

Now’s not the time for me to be on the beach.

You follow the street up and into another house. Two prisoners are hiding in there.]

Prisoner

A Turk!! I didn’t come all this way just so I could get caught again!

[FIGHT: Prisoner [x2]]

Player

Where are the others?!

Prisoner

Like I’d tell you even if I knew…

Player

…

[You come to Club Duel. A doorman stands by the entrance.]

Doorman

Club Duel is closed right now. All the patrons just disappeared.

[You make your way back to the boat. At the stairs leading up to the pub, you stop, taking cover. One of the prisoners looks around furtively, then ducks into the bar.]

Player

That’s one of the captives… 

[Inside the bar.]

Prisoner

 I’ve been found, huh…

Player

Get back to the ship.

Prisoner

There’s no way I’m gonna!

[FIGHT: Prisoner [x1]]

Player

Where are the other candidates?

Prisoner

How would I know?

Player

Is that right… Then… I don’t have a choice. I’ll ask you again.

[FIGHT: Prisoner [x1]]

Prisoner

(On his knees) Stop… I’ll tell you…

Player

Where are the others?

Prisoner

They were all getting on the AVALANCHE boat. They should be at the dock.

Player

Okay. Sorry about that…

[At the docks, you see three of the escapees. One of them is the former King.]

Prisoner A

Geh!! The Turks are here.

Prisoner B

Shit. Where the hell is the AVALANCHE ship?!

Player

Get back on the ship.

Prisoner A

I saw her… she was going after one of the others.

Prisoner B

If we take her all at once, we can win!

[FIGHT: Prisoners [x2], King]

[You receive a call.]

Rude

Rosalind. Come back to the ship.

Player

Rude! You’re all right.

Rude

Yeah. Hurry.

Player

Okay.

[End of Chapter 4.4. You may save here or move onto Chapter 4.5.]

[You meet Rude outside the ship.]

Rude

There you are… We’ve gotten most of the candidates back.

Player

What about Reno?

Rude

He’s still out there looking for the last of the runaways.

[The PHS rings.]

Tseng

We’ve got an update on AVALANCHE’s movements. Their ship is moored (9) at the beach. Shears is there too.

Rude

Understood.

Player

Was that Tseng?

Rude

It looks like the AVALANCHE ship is at the beach.

Player

I think the other candidates might be on that ship. Let’s head to the beach!

Rude

…I’m sorry, Rosalind.

[Rude knocks you down.]

Player

Rude… Why…

Rude

There’s no permanent damage. Stay here.

Player

Rude…

Rude

We… aren’t here to fight. But I owe Shears something. It’s one of those things that have to be done… I can’t just leave it alone.

[Rude runs past the bar and down the stairs. Reno is waiting for him just around the corner.]

Reno

Are you going alone?

Rude

…

Reno

The beach, right?

Rude

…

Reno

What a surprise. I was just on my way to the beach myself.

Rude

…do whatever you want.

[They run in the direction of the beach. Back at the dock, you are lying where Rude left you, unmoving.]

Player

Wow. My body’s still numb.

[You get up with some difficulty. When you’ve righted yourself, you feel a presence behind you and turn around.]

Player

!! Asul.

Asul

I picked up some rumours in the city. I have changed my mind - I want to join SOLDIER. I want to become stronger. I want to feel the heat of battle.

Player

…

Asul

That is exactly what I want. I want to be born anew. (10)

Player

Then get back on the ship.

Asul

Not yet. There is something I must do before I do that. We will finish our battle.

Player

You’re on. I was just thinking the same thing.

[FIGHT: Asul.]

Asul

Ugh.

Player

(Thought) I won!

Asul

Urrrggggh! I want to become stronger!! More! More! More! I will become a SOLDIER, and I will become the strongest!

[Out on the beach, Reno and Rude catch up with Shears.]

Shears

Have you come to get your asses beaten again? You people never learn.

Reno

Shut up.

Shears

Fine. We’ll finish this, since it’s what you two want. You’ll feel the extent of my full power to your bones! 

Reno

It’s the other way around.

Rude

We…

Reno

Came here to win!

[Rude throws a punch. Shears dodges easily and connects with Rude. Reno closes in, but Shears dodges again, getting a punch in before backing off.]

Shears

Do you get it now? Neither of you are a match for me!

Rude

You may be strong…

Reno

But!

[Reno dashes for Shears. Shears attacks him, but Reno feints and moves out of the way. Shears’ back is turned, which gives Rude the opportunity to land a hit on Shears. Shears swerves around to counterattack, but Reno closes the space. Shears is trapped between the two Turks.]

Reno

We…

Rude

Have no intention of losing.

[They attack Shears simultaneously, Rude using his Grand Spark attack and Reno tossing a lightning based attack at Shears with his EMR. The impact stuns Shears.]

Shears

(To himself) Ugh… I underestimated them… I wasn’t able to predict their moves when they worked as a combo. It looks like we’ll have to keep an eye on the Turks, too. (To the Turks) Remember this! It isn’t over!

[Shears escapes.]

Reno

Whew.

Rude

It looks like we were able to return the favour… Hmph.  Always doing what you want. Be more careful next time.

Reno

Right back at you, Rude. I wasn’t the only one in trouble there. What would you have done if I wasn’t here?

Rude

…dunno… But… I knew you would come.

Reno

Why’s that?

Rude

I’ve known you for a long time. I know how you think.

Reno

Hey! I’m a lot more unpredictable than that!

[They stand in companionable silence as the sun sets over the beach.

Back at the dock, you are standing outside the ship. You look agitated.]

Player

(Thought) I wonder what happened to them.

[You spot Reno and Rude.]

Player

Rude! Reno! What happened?

Reno

Just something we had to take care of.

Rude

But we’ve done it, somehow…

Reno

How about you?

Player

I’m all right.

Reno

Well, then. How about getting back to Midgar…

Rude

Right. We’re leaving.

A few days later, at the Junon harbour…

[Two soldiers stand guard in front of a ship. From somewhere off screen, a voice shouts.]

Soldier

All right! We’re heading out! (11) Cloud!! Get on the ship!

Cloud

All right, I’m coming.

[We pan down to see a young, blonde boy in uniform standing some yards away on the dock, holding a machine gun in one hand. His back is to us.]

To be continued…