#this isn’t me being team zack or team cloud—i just want aerith to be well written and i don’t think they did her justice in cc

[lettuceflower]

starting to realize that my indifference to zerith has nothing to do with the actual ship (it’s a great ship on paper as far as i’m concerned) but more to do with aerith’s (imo) lackluster personality in crisis core?? zack is a treasure and i love him, but i’ve never felt a strong connection to aerith in cc. something about the way she was written feels off.

and because crisis core is the piece of media that has the majority of zack and aerith’s on-screen interactions, i don’t find zerith *that* compelling just due to me not liking aerith that much in it :/

let’s hope the remake finally salvages the ship for me, because at the moment i find it very good on paper but meh in execution (sorry.)

[nimbostrxtus]

Since the subject of Tifa’s character has come up once again, I felt like throwing in my two pence because I had a similar conversation with a friend a while back about why the internet adores Aerith but far too often shoves Tifa to the side.

I appreciate Square Enix turning Tifa into a role model. She is the most heroic character out of the rosta; with Cloud only being in it for the money, Barret being blinded by his hatred for ShinRa and hiding behind the excuse he's fighting for the planet, and Aerith who is dealing with her own issues at the moment and is the damsel in distress in later chapters. Tifa is the only one whose moral compass never sways and she is a pillar of support for the other characters to lean on. She knows what the right thing to do is and will not compromise her morals, even for the greater good.

Tifa as a character is fine, she's one of the best in both the original and remake, her role as "Team Mum" keeping the party together and her friendship with Aerith and eventual grief over losing her best friend is just as tragic as Cloud's loss.

The only reason fans seem to take issue with Tifa as a character and put Aerith on a pedestal is because Tifa does not have a backstory. Let me re-phrase that. Tifa does not have a backstory that belongs to her and her alone. Tifa’s entire character revolves around her relationship with other people and supporting their character arcs. Every other character in the party is dealing with baggage that is unique to them. Aerith is the last of the Cetra and the only one who can stop Sephiroth, Barret lost his home town and had to raise his best friend's daughter by himself while becoming an eco-terrorist, Nanaki was experimented on by Hojo, is the last of his species and has issues with his father, Cait Sith is a ShinRa employee who wants to help the people in Midgar but feels trapped, Cid never got to fulfil his life long dream of going into space before Shinra cut the space program budget, Vincent has an entire backstory revolving around Lucretia and shines some light on Sephiroth's own backstory, and Yuffie's home of Wutai is a major factor in the game's lore since the very beginning. In comparison, Tifa doesn't have a backstory that belongs to her and her alone.

Now, Tifa obviously has a history, but the problem is her backstory is Cloud's backstory. Tifa's loss over her mother, Cloud leaving her, her father dying at Sephiroth's hands and her hometown burning to the ground isn't given as much weight as it deserves, because we only see it from Cloud's perspective and we're meant to feel his pain over the events, not hers. A lot of fans seem to forget Tifa knows Sephiroth and has just as much grudge against him as Cloud does. It just takes a backseat over Cloud's rivalry with Sephiroth.

You can take Tifa out of Cloud's backstory, but you can't take Cloud out of Tifa's backstory. Cloud still exists without Tifa. We still have his friendship with Zack and the damage Zack's death left on Cloud's fragile psyche and shaped him into the person we see at the beginning of the game, as well as his hero-worshipping over Sephiroth and the eventual betrayal he feels when Sephiroth kills his mother and burns Nibleheim. You don't really need to know anything about Nibleheim to understand Cloud as a character.

Tifa, in contrast, lost her mother at a young age and went into the mountains to go and be with her, leading to her and Cloud falling off the bridge. But this backstory only exists to further push the idea into Cloud's head that had he been stronger he would have saved Tifa. Tifa’s own turmoil about her mother is never brought up again after that flashback. Even her martial arts instructor, Zangan, we only ever see in a flashback sequence and is only brought up again when you find a letter he left Tifa in her piano. He only exists to explain to the audience why Tifa fights monsters with only her fists.

And that is very disappointing because there is a lot to work with here. The game never flat out states whether Tifa was feeling suicidal or genuinely thought her mother was waiting for her in the mountains, but her perspective of events after her friends abandoned her on the bridge and the bullied outcast was the only one who tried to rescue her would have been interesting. Tifa wanting to get close to this kid who proved to be her only friend and feeling lonely after he leaves would have been good motivation for her to become stronger too. Perhaps she meant for their promise to go both ways, Cloud will come help her when she needs him and she'll do the same for him. Maybe that was the motivation behind her learning martial arts, so she can become strong enough to protect the people she loves so she'll never have to worry about them leaving her.

I really hope the remake delves deeper into Tifa's time without Cloud and how she became her own person, her relationship with her mother, the strain between her and father,  and her time training under Zangan.

[eleamaya]

Zerith and Cloti Lines & Quotes Parallels

FFVII Original Game, Advent Children (sequel), and Crisis Core (prequel) are written by Kazushige Nojima.... so it’s not surprised to see how he wrote both pairings in similar way as I found these parallels:

Parallel #1: KOIBITO ( 恋人 )

Zack and Aerith

The two characters deeply involved with Aerith were Zack, who would become her lover (koibito), and Tseng, her guardian.  (CC: FFVII Complete Guide)

One day, Zack is suddenly landed in a church in the slum. His cheerfulness and dependability capture Aerith’s heart and they’re being in a (koibito) lovers-like relationship. Although they can only see each other periodically, their thoughts keep them close in spirit. (Aerith’s profile, CC: FFVII Ultimania, pg. 22)

Aerith gently embraced Zack, who came back sad. The atmosphere makes them feel like lovers (koibito).   (Aerith’s profile, FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania)

Cloud and Tifa

“Is Tifa your girlfriend (koibito)?” (Aerith asking Cloud, FFVII Remake Chapter 8)

There are many dimensions to Tifa’s character. She’s like a mother, also a sweetheart (koibito), and a close ally in battle (Advent Children Reunion Files book, pg. 19~ Nomura’s interview)

Parallel #2: SWEET YOUNG LOVE, WHAT SHE LIKES ABOUT HIM 

Aerith about 16 years old Zack: 

“He’s strong, kinda funny, and there’s something special about him.”  (Crisis Core Chapter 5 - First Date) 

Tifa about 14 years old Cloud: 

“You were so small then … and cute.”  (Original Game scene 116 - Cloud Dark Past) 

Parallel #3: THE GIRLS’ DESIRE TO BE WITH HIM, JUST THE TWO OF THEM

Aerith, before Zack went to Nibelheim

Thinking that he would at least be of help to Aerith now, Zack began to make the flower-selling wagon as he had promised to make before. The two struggle to get use to the unfamiliar task, but they relish the happiness of spending time together. When Zack is called for duty, Aerith writes down 23 tiny wishes on a piece of paper and gives it to him. The note was filled with her earnest desire to be with Zack.

(FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania, Crisis Core Story Playback)

Tifa, before Cloud went to Midgar

"It was just an idea, but from the moment it was made, it became an irreplaceable promise. And that night, when Tifa realized that the Cloud she admired was just an ordinary boy, she fell in love with him. The kind of "love" that made her want to be with him, just the two of them. "

(Traces of Two Pasts, a novella written by Kazushige Nojima)

Parallel #4: SHE DRESSES UP FOR THE PROMISE THEY MADE

Zack and Aerith

For when they meet again on their next date, Zack’s specific suggestion was Aerith wearing pink. Aerith–who continued to wait for Zack’s return–starts to wear pink after making this promise (CC: FFVII Complete Guide--Keyword Collection)

Cloud and Tifa

Believing in Cloud’s promise, Tifa’s waiting to see Cloud become a SOLDIER like Sephiroth. Tifa dresses herself in a pretty and sexy look. Does she do that to spirit up herself in preparing for a touching reunion? (Tifa Lockhart Character Profile from CC: FFVII Ultimania)

Parallel #5: SHE ASKED IF HE KNEW A CERTAIN SOLDIER

Zerith: Aerith asked Cloud about Zack in SOLDIER in the Playground (FF7 Remake)

“Did you have any SOLDIER friends? Any war buddies? So Cloud, you were SOLDIER 1st Class, right? Weird. Just that you were in the same rank with the first guy I ever loved.”

Cloti: Tifa asked Zack about Cloud in SOLDIER via mails (Crisis Core)

“Are there any blond guys in SOLDIER?  Well, it's just a dream... Any girl would love to have a blond SOLDIER guy protect her when she's in a pinch. I almost forgot. Please don't tell anyone in SOLDIER that I asked about the blond guy. Okay?” 

Parallel #6: THEY THINK OF EACH OTHER UNDER THE SKY

Zack and Aerith -- the cloudy & azure sky

Zack think of Aerith:  “I wish I could show this sky to…” (Crisis Core DMW Cloud Scene #4: Cloudy Sky)

Aerith think of Zack: “He was like a cloud drifting through the skies. As we peered skyward through the rafters of a heavenless Midgar, we made a promise. And that was the last time we spoke.” (Crisis Core 1st Official Trailer)

Cloud and Tifa -- the starry & night sky

Cloud think of Tifa: “I was just thinking about the past.”  (Crisis Core DMW Cloud Scene #3: Starry Night At The Well)

Tifa think of Cloud: “Like the sky that night, the heavens were filled with stars. Did you imagine the sky? The stars were gorgeous. It was just Cloud and I. We talked at the well.”  (Original Game scene 116 - Cloud’s Dark Past)

Parallel #7: PROMISE AT THE NIBELHEIM WELL/WATER TOWER

Zack and Aerith --  CC Chapter 013: I Promise

Aerith: Hello… (calling by phone) Zack: Aerith! Aerith: Finally, got through to you! Zack: Ah, sorry about this but I’m in the middle of something right now. I’ll  give you a call a little later . Aerith: No. it’s okay. You don’t have to. Zack: I understand. I’ll come visit. Aerith: I’ll be waiting. Zack: I’Il see you. It’s a promise.

Cloud and Tifa --  OG scene 6: A Childhood Promise

Tifa: You said you wanna tell me something. Cloud: This summer… I wanna leave this town to Midgar. I wanna join SOLDIER… like Sephiroth. Tifa: Is it tough being SOLDIER, isn’t it? Cloud: Yeah, I probably could not go back to this town for a while. Tifa: Hey, why don’t we make a promise? Mmm… if you really get famous and I’m ever in a bind, you’ll come save me, alright? Whenever  I’m in a trouble, my hero will come rescue me. Cloud: Alright, I promise.

Parallel #8: SHE WON’T BE AFRAID WITH HIM, HE PROMISED

Zack and Aerith -- CC Chapter 8: 23 Little Luxuries

Aerith: “When you come back from your assignment, let’s go sell flowers under the sky together. I won’t be afraid if you’re with me.”

Zack: “Yeah, I’ll go with you. That’s a promise.”

Cloud and Tifa -- OG Scene 136: Understanding

Tifa: “But, it’s alright even if no one comes back. As long as I’m with you… As long as you’re by my side… I won’t give up even if I’m scared.”

Cloud: “Afterall, I promised. That if anything were to ever happen to you, I would come to help.”

Parallel #9: MUTUAL AFFECTIONS/RECIPROCAL FEELINGS

Zack and Aerith

Zack and Aerith meet by chance in a church in the Slums. They become intimate with each other. (FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania Compilation Timeline)

From the boy’s profile

Having fallen into the sector 5 slum church during a mission, Zack has a fateful meeting with Aerith, a young girl who was tending to flowers in the church. They share a “puratonikku koi” / chaste romantic love, satisfied just to be together. Those joyous days seemed like they would last forever… (Zack’s Profile, CC: FFVII Ultimania, pg. 13)

From the girl’s profile

CC shows her meeting and relationship with Zack, and the budding love between them. However, fate would tear the couple apart. (Aerith’s Dengeki Profile)

At that chosen day, she accidentally met Zack, SOLDIER 1st Class, and they were attracted to each other. (Aerith’s Profile, FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania)

The destined encounter with Zack makes them becomes the irreplaceable existence to each other.  (Aerith’s profile, CC: FFVII Ultimania)

His cheerfulness and dependability capture Aerith’s heart and they’re being in a lovers-like relationship. (Aerith’s profile, CC: FFVII Ultimania)

Cloud and Tifa

When their companions disperse to the places where people important to them await, Cloud and Tifa, who remain, reveal their feelings for each other together. (FFVII Ultimania Omega, pg. 198; story summary)

When Cloud and Tifa remain behind alone, in their final hours, together they disclose their feelings for each other. (FF 20th Anniversary Ultimania File 2: Scenario guide, FFVII Story Summary, pg. 232)  

From the boy’s profile

Declares that the team should dissolve in the final hours before the final battle, and communicates his feelings together with Tifa, who remains behind at the airship with him. (Cloud’s Profile, FFVII Ultimania Omega, pg. 15)

From the girl’s profile 

She ventured into Lifestream together with Cloud. Amidst the course of him trying to ascertain his memories, they became aware of the thoughts/feelings which each other was holding. (Tifa’s Profile, FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania. pg. 42-47)

In FF7, Tifa is the only one who knows Cloud’s childhood, and furthermore, she holds the key to people involved in the story of Nibelheim’s burning down, which is also depicted in CC. She and Cloud came to realize their feelings for each other in the end of the story, and live together in AC and DC.(CC:FFVII Ultimania, Tifa Lockhart Profile)

For many years, Cloud and Tifa have been holding favor for one another. At last facing the impending final battle with Sephiroth, they confirm together their feelings of desire toward partnership. (Tifa’s Profile, FF 25th Memorial Ultimania)

Parallel #10: THEY GO BACK TO WHERE THEY BELONG

Zack and Aerith -- Afterlife

Zack Profile in FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania: In order to help Cloud recover, he assured him from the Lifestream together with Aerith.

Aerith Profile in ACC Dengeki: She joined the Lifestream, but even then she carries on watching over the planet and Cloud. At all times, her first love Zack is always by her side.

Both are mentioned: ...She starts to leave, together with the friend who had given his life to Cloud. Cloud no longer has to suffer in loneliness. And so they too go back to where they belong. Back to the current of life flowing around the planet. (FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania--Revised Edition, ACC Playback)

Cloud and Tifa -- Living World

Cloud Profile in FFVII 10th Anniversary Ultimania: With the help of his friends, he defeated Bahamut SHIN, which Kadaj’s gang had summoned. He defeated Sephiroth after his Advent, and returned to Tifa and the children.

Tifa Profile in ACC Dengeki: At the end of a long struggle, she gently welcomes back Cloud on his return home after settling things with himself.

Both are mentioned: “Inside, I felt one thing was for sure: Cloud and Tifa would be together. Everybody would be living back home where they belonged.” (Kazushige Nojima-the scriptwriter, Advent Children Reunion Files book)

Parallel #11: DESCRIBED AS A SINGULAR ITEM / A PAIR

Zack and Aerith described in ACC

For Cloud, they were people whom he can never forget. The two irreplaceable people; Zack, “who was sent to death because protecting me” and Aerith, “who met a tragic fate as I couldn’t protect her” became “the unforgivable sins” in his heart.

(Advent Children Complete Post Card Book)

Cloud and Tifa described in CC

Cloud and Tifa are childhood friends, both born in Nibelheim. When Cloud leaves the village, he calls Tifa out to the water tower and promises that he will become a SOLDIER. At the same time, he is also made by Tifa to promise that he will come to rescue her if she is ever in trouble.

Following this, the pair experience many hardships, such as the Nibelheim incident which also appears in CC, and the Jenova War in FFVII, and through these the distance between them shortens. And in AC they live together, with Barret’s daughter Marlene, and a boy named Denzel. Though there was also a period later where Cloud lived away from them after having contracted Geostigma, they finally reach a commune with each over and return to living together once again. In DC, they rush together to Vincent’s aid, in his battle against Deep Ground SOLDIER.

(CC:FFVII Complete Guide Book)

Parallel #12: NOBUO UEMATSU COMPOSE A MUSIC SCORE BASED ON THEM IN THE SCRIPT

Zack and Aerith - “Aerith’s Theme”

I really like “One Winged Angel”. I guess, I also like “Aerith Theme.” I’m happy that it’s always well received when it’s played at concerts. Honestly, when I made it, I didn’t think it would be popular. In the scenario, there was the line “Aerith waited. Every single day, she waited and waited.” So I made the song to match that scene which means, it wasn’t made for the scene in Forgotten City. The scene where Aerith waits for Zack at the station was first. It’s a song about “a poor girl who waits for someone who doesn’t come.”

(Nobuo Uematsu’s interview from Game Symphony Japan FF7 2014 concert pamphlet)

Cloud and Tifa - “Cloud’s Smile”

One of the staff’s favorite scenes was where Cloud smiles in embarrassing way towards Tifa. Nomura liked it as there was almost no dialogue and the expression of Cloud’s face communicated his expression to the viewers. Composer Nobuo Uematsu commented, “It sounds cool!”, considering the fact that gamers who have finished FFVII (OG) would find it hard to imagine how Cloud smiles. Upon reading that scene in the script, Uematsu was inspired to write the score

(FFVII Advent Children Distance: The Making of Advent Children)

[iaintyourbro]

Even as a CT fan i still stand by what i say that Tifa deserves someone better than Cloud she’s too good for him in AC i hated how he treated her the girl was so vulnerable she needed someone to be there for her ,she’s a selfless person who thinks about other before herself ,yes as a CT i still think he was insensitive toward her esp after everything she’s gone through just to save him i still cringe the moment he become sonic just to save A but he was meh toward saving T if it wasn’t for A (1)

Sorry if i seemed like an anti C but for a girl he liked and known since childhood he sure put A before her many time a girl he knew for short period of time in the OG and a bit of the remake, sorry about that i just try to accept him but I can’t he still didn’t prove he deserves Tifa i want to see more care from him ,enough with LTD SE give is a good story this time i want to see more of Tifa, a heroine like A is so outdated she so 90s people want to see more badass heroines like T(2)

Hey anon.

I had to take a bit to think about this one last night. For one, there’s been a lot of discourse over on Twitter, and I’ve seen this rhetoric thrown around that Cloud was casting Tifa aside in favor of Aerith. It seems to upset Cloti fans and they start to question everything. 

There’s going to be links to other posts in here as well, I’ll put them as subjects come up.

I think a lot of people think Tifa deserves better. She is selfless and definitely puts others before herself constantly. The thing is, we may feel that way, but Tifa doesn’t. Tifa loves Cloud. 

What sucks about this is how much trauma both of them have been through. Cloud is just a mess. He’s seen his village burned down, his mother killed, he thought Tifa was killed, then he’s stuck in a tank and experimented on for four years, they get out, he sees his best friend die in front of him, and he mentally completely collapses and creates his false persona. Then while that’s going on, when he meets up with Tifa and fully assembles this new Cloud personality, we go on the adventure.

Then Aerith pops in. You’re with her for a very short time and she’s killed in front of him. Cloud also attempted to kill her twice before this. Add this to the already compounding shit that’s happened to him. 

Cloud ultimately was Aerith’s bodyguard. Cloud historically takes these types of responsibilities very seriously. He did in BC with somebody he barely knew. He knew Aerith, so that makes it even worse. He couldn’t protect her.

I also think that CoT does Cloud some justice. AC is where things get hairy and he got that Emo Cloud reputation that seemed to never leave him. Remake is clearing that up. The devs keep saying Cloud is an awkward dude. He’s not emo. 

Case of Tifa and The Kids are Alright

Tifa and Cloud deal with their guilt differently. Tifa pretends everything is fine. Even then, Cloud picks up on the issues in CoT and tells her that he’ll remind her to be strong. This scene takes place before the downward spiral starts with him. 

I feel like with AC they’ve released a lot of information to clarify that Cloud’s issue with Aerith was guilt related not pining. In these discussions, Zack is also forgotten, and I’d say Zack had an even bigger impact on Cloud due to their relationship and the amount of time he knew the guy. 

Why Zack is Important to Cloud

I have my thoughts on why they did what they did with AC. They also changed AC and rereleased it which in itself says they realized they may have made a few mistakes and/or just wanted to clarify the story. 

In terms of Cloud putting Aerith as a higher priority,  I need examples. Many of the ones I’ve been presented with over the last week are pieces of scenes to justify a point. The whole scene isn’t taken into account.

For example, the Train Graveyard (full of fun scenes, honestly), before Eligon when Cloud saves Aerith, this moment is regarded as so romantic. Fact is, he gets her out of the way, gets up, doesn’t even check on her and walks away. Tifa takes the baton and deals with Aerith’s well being. 

One of the funnier ones to me that they will blatantly ignore is when the train falls. He clearly diverts to his left to cover Tifa. The screenshots and analysis for that scene are below. There are also things to look at on the cargo container fall and the triple arm grab. (Part 4 of this series was more of a parody)

Train Graveyard Part 1 Falling in the cargo container Triple Arm Grab

Train Graveyard Part 2   Triple Arm Grab

Train Graveyard Part 3  Part 1 of the RUN scene

Train Graveyard Part 3.5 Part 2 of the RUN scene

Train Graveyard Part 5 Cloud and Tifa nope the fuck out

We’ve got Chapter 17 with the Whisper Tornado that Aerith gets stuck in. Tifa is the one who saves her from it. Cloud is standing right next to her and does nothing. 

The Shinra building rescue is often brought up as well. They claim Tifa didn’t care about saving Aerith, but it’s so far from the truth it hurts. Tifa and Barret both know the situation with Elmyra the first time they talk to her about this is escalating. Remember, Cloud is mentally 16. He thinks he can keep pushing and get his way. Ultimately the team calms him down and they go back to Sector 7. 

Cloud was very concerned about Tifa during Chapter 13. He didn’t seem to be in a rush at all to get back to Elmyra’s house. He was happy they found Wedge. 

So we go through the night, you get one of three resolutions. The next morning, Tifa and Barret back Cloud up in going to the Shinra building. They make it up there and Tifa gets discouraged because there is a very large security presence. Some say SEE SHE DIDN’T WANT TO GO, CLOUD HAD TO TELL HER.

Except it’s BARRET that says that. Tifa thinks it may be a lost cause. Barret says some lost causes are worth fighting for. Cloud then says “Let’s just think this through.” He wasn’t disagreeing with Tifa. Then Tifa is the one who points out the truck to get them in. Seems like she’s helping.

Once there, you have a few times when Cloud has to remind Barret to stay the course. There’s one time he reminds Tifa and that’s if you take the elevator. She’s also going down a bad path. Their goal is to rescue Aerith. He’s trying to keep her on track. 

Don Corneo’s basement is another one brought up. Cloud helps Aerith up. Why wouldn’t he? Girl just got knocked out with gas. He doesn’t blow Tifa off.

We can talk about how he blows Tifa off in Chapter 9 as soon as he sees the Chocobo Wagon too. Except once Aerith is up and goes over to see Aerith. 

Chocobo Cart: Cloud in Screenshots

Cloud and Chocobo Sam

I’m not really sure why they’re so hellbent on making people think that he only cares about one person. Cloud cares about EVERYBODY he meets. They show it with Avalanche, they show it even with Barret and Red. He’s not a douchebag.

In terms of Cloud deserving Tifa, I am really torn on it. Yes, she deserves the best. I then look at Cloud and think of how much has happened to him (and to Tifa) and if he really does make Tifa happy, then my opinion doesn’t matter much.

I think once we get through Remake, we’ll have a better idea of how Cloud will be. He’s already pretty affectionate towards Tifa, so I’m not sure. 

I am curious about specific examples though to the second part of your question about him caring more about Aerith. 

This post has other links to other users’ blogs in it to go over the LTD discourse. 

The Future of the LTD

[dansantcaparet]

I keep hearing the argument "lots of OG CxA scenes were omitted in the Remake" & "Tifa got way more scenes in Midgar than she got in the OG."

Well, SE stated they wanted to keep it "equal" due to the social media discourse: "Team Aerith" vs. "Team Tifa"

But if that is the case, doesn't that suggest Aerith will be getting "equal" screen-time later in the game?

Does that suggest an alternate reality? Or her death occurring later in the game?

SE said major plot points will stay the same. Aerith likely still dies. But does she have to die at the same point in the game?

Cloud could save her this time but ultimately, Aerith still has to die so she can direct the lifestream from within the Planet to help Holy stop meteor.

Even if Cloud saves her, Aerith knows the future, and knows she has to die to direct the lifestream from within the Planet to assist Holy.

Killing Aerith later in the game keeps the major plot points the same (ie: Aerith dies), but allows us to be shocked (yet again) because we don't know exactly when it will happen.

It also ensures Aerith will receive "equal screen time" later in the game just like Tifa got in Midgar. Gotta keep it equal, right? If Tifa gets more in Midgar, doesn't that suggest Aerith will get more later?

In 1997, SE was bombarded with letters from fans about reviving Aerith. Gamers spent endless hours trying to bring her back. Maybe now they want a version where gamers can play with her to the very end of the game, but still keep the main plot points the same -- which would mean that Aerith still dies, but much later in the game.

Shock value? Check. Equal time? Check. Main plot points the same? Check.

And I know this isn't technically about the Remake, but it fits with the idea that Tifa is supposedly going to dominate the second half of the Remake once Aerith dies:

Bugenhagen takes Cloud and everyone back to the Forgotten City for an extended amount of time to talk about Aerith. REAL Cloud states he remembers Aerith "a lot."

This is both an underrated and forgotten moment of the OG.

Aerith's presences looms large over everyone. Aerith also comes back at the very end of the game and reaches out to Cloud from within the lifestream. Cloud's question to the Planet has been answered -- he can meet Aerith in the Promised Land.

Aerith's face is the last image we see -- just as it is the first image we see. Aerith's face is the "full circle" moment that ties everything together in a pretty pink ribbon.

If the main plot points stay the same, Aerith will still loom large over everyone during the second half of the Remake.

Furthermore...

Our "omitted" scenes are more than made up for with picking flowers at Aerith's house, high-five's in the tunnel, the Wall Market battle arena, and the dream scene where Cloud wants HIS OWN SAY on loving Aerith.

If we are going to talk about who got what scenes omitted, I think it is fair to further analyze the scenes as they are placed within the narrative.

To me, Tifa's scenes felt overshadowed by Jessie (Tifa's promise scene is during Jessie's side-quest). I also believe new gamers probably forgot about Tifa's scenes by the end due to Aerith's storyline being the main narrative. Not only does Aerith propel the storyline to Shinra HQ, but she is the one who confronts Sephiroth and asks everyone to join her in stopping him.

I know I'll get criticized for bringing this up again, but if you look at this from the perspective of someone new to the FFVII fandom, I don't see how my analysis is far off.

Sure, if you already love Tifa and CxT, you will disagree. But I'm looking at it from the perspective of someone who played the Remake with no prior knowledge.

After all that transpires, what would a casual gamer likely think by the end of the game?

To me, the answer is obvious: Aerith. Aerith. Aerith.

Tifa's scenes happen way too early and are overshadowed by Jessie. On the contrary, Aerith's storyline drives the main narrative forward for the majority of the Remake.

Point is -- what CxA lost from the OG in Midgar was more than made up for with what we gained. We literally have a scene that discusses LOVE. What more could we ask for? Cloud wants his OWN SAY on loving Aerith. That's f'ing amazing.

And why do people keep bringing up Zack as if he disqualifies Clerith?

We know the REAL Cloud grew to care for Aerith. That's why he has has feelings for her in AC. Can we just stop with the Zack nonsense? HE IS NOT IN THE OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED LOVE TRIANGLE.

Zack is only brought up to delegitimize Clerith despite Aerith saying she wants to move FORWARD with her life & despite the REAL Cloud showing feelings for Aerith *AFTER* regaining his memories.

But as it pertains to the LTD, I think Aerith will die at a later point in the game.

If equal screen-time is a big factor for SE in the Remake, and Tifa got more scenes in Midgar, then Aerith will likely get more scenes later on. This suggests to me that Aerith will die at a later point in the game so we can play with her until fairly close to the end.

Just like with the dream vs. hug, will Aerith now have the possibility to be an option under the Highwind?

I know this suggestion will make everyone's heads explode.

But if you look at it objectively, the Highwind scene was always inherently variable from day 1. And if SE is going to continue with "equal time" (dream vs. hug), I bet we will see Aerith being an option for scenes like the Highwind scene later in the game.

I don't see how Tifa can get more scenes in Midgar without Aerith getting more scenes later on. According to SE, they are going to keep it equal.

[turkleader]

Final Fantasy VII Remake Demo Spoilers Below

[ooc]

Let’s talk about something that’s been gnawing away at the back of my mind since I first got the chance to play this demo: Stamp.

For those of you who haven’t gotten the chance to play the demo yet, this is a new mascot character that has been introduced with the Remake, a little puppy that wears a round army helmet on his head. We see two posters in the demo’s areas featuring him, and we get a handful of lines of dialogue from Barret comparing Cloud to Stamp.

Now at first I wasn’t certain what Square was getting at with this new addition, but I know Square well enough to know that adding “random” content that wasn’t in the original FFVII isn’t something they’d risk if there wasn’t some reason behind it. My partner and I listened to Barret’s lines, we studied the posters, and an idea began to emerge. Because another thing that’s notably different about the opening portions of the Remake’s demo compared to the original game is... the absolute lack of any mentions of Zack Fair.

So my theory is... what if Stamp is Zack Fair?

Many people who have played Crisis Core remember the line where Angeal compares Zack to a “restless puppy” (during a DMW flashback). It’s become one of the most endearing terms given to Zack’s character. But my reasoning doesn’t stop there. Barret’s comparison of Cloud to Stamp hammers home the relationship between Cloud and this new mascot, to the point where it’s almost overwhelming. And perhaps that’s the entire point, a way to nudge the audience playing the Remake (new and old fans alike) into paying more attention to this than they initially would be inclined to.

Before Entering the Elevator that Leads Down into the Reactor Barret: SOLDIERs may attack on command, but I hear they make good guard dogs too. Bet you've seen a few reactors. So how do we get to the bridge above mako storage? Ain't holding out on me, are you? Stamp scared to bite the hand that fed him? Or is he a loyal little doggie!? [Cloud gets a flash of static and pain, and grabs his head with one hand] Have it your way, mutt. We can do this with you, or we can do this without you. Cloud: [We cannot see Cloud's eyes at any point during these lines of dialogue; is this done on purpose?] Different reactor, different layout. Depends when it was built. Never seen one like this, but I'll manage.

Right Before Planting the Bomb at the Reactor Core Barret: All right. Let's see if little Stamp really can bite the hand that feeds... [He holds out the bomb] Go on. Do the honors. Prove to me you're the man Tifa says you are. That you're one of us. Cloud: Never said I was. I'm just here for the paycheck. Barret: Then do the damn job!

What we can take away from this, at the very least, is that Square wants us to connect Stamp to Cloud, and vice versa. But how do we get from here to Stamp representing Zack?

Part of it, beyond Zack’s “puppy” nickname, and Zack’s experiences with Cloud immediately prior to the events of FFVII (experimentation at Nibelheim, their escape to Midgar, Cloud’s severe mako poisoning, Zack’s death and passing on his “legacy” to Cloud) is the knowledge that many of us (those that have played the game before) have of Cloud’s fractured mental state, his haphazardly pieced together self-identity, mingling the strongest aspects of Zack, the things Cloud admired so much about his friend and closest companion at the end, and the harsher aspects of Cloud himself, still broken and tormented in so many ways by the things done to him and those he cares about (the razing of Nibelheim by his hero, who goes on to murder his mother and horrifically injure his childhood friend, Tifa; the torture he endured for four years at the hands of Hojo; being so close to freedom, only to lose it all at the very end, with Midgar on the horizon...).

It’s fairly common knowledge that the Cloud we meet at the beginning of FFVII isn’t 100% Cloud. And we see hints of that in Cloud’s reaction when Barret yells “Or is he [Cloud] a loyal little doggie!?” at him: the static, the pain, the fact that during Cloud’s reply to Barret we never see Cloud’s eyes once... Then the static and pain returning with the hallucination of the black feather as Cloud plants the bomb at the reactor core, the moment where in the original game Zack speaks to Cloud and says, “Watch out! This isn’t just a reactor!!” Zack, deceased but still able to keep his individual sense of self in the Lifestream, has multiple instances throughout the original game where he speaks to Cloud in this manner, aiding him, nudging him closer and closer to the truth, and helping him in whatever way he can. So it’s very possible that when Barret speaks to Cloud in the Remake’s demo, he’s speaking to Zack, who is watching over Cloud, as well.

But then things get interesting. Specifically because of one poster.

It depicts Stamp on a background filled with fire, carrying another injured puppy on his back. The writing at the bottom reads, “Stamp stands up for his friends!” Now I would argue, by the familiar flaming background, that this is representing Nibelheim. Stamp is Zack, carrying an unconscious and injured puppy, who is Cloud, out of Nibelheim; a depiction of their escape from the burned-down and rebuilt town. The unnamed puppy even has bandages wrapped around the forearm of his front-left leg, much like a certain ex-SOLDIER has bandages that peek just from beneath his bracer on his left arm. The parallels are striking.

“Everyone’s Favorite Series!” -- Final Fantasy? Maybe even referencing Final Fantasy VII specifically, as one of the most popular, if not the most popular, individual game in this long running series?

“The Adventures of Stamp Book 3″ -- Perhaps a hint, that we’ll find out what really happened to Cloud or get more content regarding this scene (the truth behind Nibelheim) in the third installation of this multi-part Remake of Final Fantasy VII? It’s something we won’t know until we get there, but I can’t help but consider it.

This poster alone seems too coincidental to disregard, even if my interpretation won’t end up being completely accurate because of how little we’ve seen of the game so far. But I can’t deny the fact that I’ve made the association between Zack and Stamp, and I’ll be on the lookout for any more clues once the full game is released to see if we can find out more.

We also have this poster, which reads “Mineral Water, Clear Icicle” with Stamp at the bottom-right holding up a bottle of water, and Japanese text that I believe might be Stamp saying, “Oiishi!” or “Delicious!” (If anyone can confirm or deny what Stamp is saying, I’d appreciate it.) Are we supposed to be looking out for something about Zack after we reach Icicle Inn in the coming installations of the Remake? Icicle Inn is where we find out some of the backstory to Aerith’s birth, about what happened between her mother Ifalna and Professor Gast. Are we to expect something else now that specifically concerns Zack? Or is this just a poster to flesh out the world and not something we should be on the lookout for once we get up to that part? Time will tell.

One of the things that does incline me to think that this theory might be on the right track is that recently a video came out on the Official Playstation YouTube channel featuring two of the individuals from Square Enix’s Marketing Team, where they specifically mention to be on the lookout for more instances of Stamp in the Remake. (You can watch the video here, and the approximate time stamp for when they mention the portion I’ve quoted below is at about 10:44-11:34.)

"So interesting thing to call out there. Barret calls Cloud 'Stamp' and we never really explained what that is but he keeps referring to Cloud as a mutt or a dog or a lapdog of Shinra, and that's a new thing that's fleshed out even further. I won't spoil too much, but you can look for Stamp, for more of Stamp as you go through [the game]."

It’s a lot to take in, but it’s the little things that fascinate me. Like my realization only now, after doing all of this digging that all of Cloud’s idle animations (him adjusting his gloves, kicking his boot on the ground to make sure it’s snug, shifting the position of the Buster Sword as it sits on his back) may all be subtle indicators to the fact that Cloud isn’t used to wearing a SOLDIER’s uniform or carrying the weight of the Buster Sword. These things are still foreign to him, things he has to get used to, because he’s never worn these clothes before, never wielded the Buster Sword or worn it for long periods of time.

The tiniest things are there, giving the nod to Zack’s existence, and struggle, and sacrifice for Cloud right before this point in time. Maybe Stamp is just one of the additional ways that Square is making sure the puppy isn’t forgotten.

[synnefo-nefeli]

I’m a die hard Clerith shipper since 1997, you can’t change my mind but the one thing I won’t tolerate in FFVII aside from shipping wars, is anyone shitting on Tifa.

Don’t. You can like Clerith without hating Tifa. You can find other reasons to not to like Tifa as character, that isn’t “I don’t like her because she gets in the way of my ship”

Personally, Tifa isn’t one of my top tier FF characters, but I am not going to ignore how much of a badass and important person Tifa is to Cloud’s story.

People cite Aerith’s death and burial as the most important moment of FFVII, and yes it’s heartbreaking and an iconic scene. But you know what’s also an important scene?

Tifa in the lifestream with Cloud setting his memories straight. Tifa who up until this moment unbeknownst to the player, is aware that Cloud as he’s presented himself thus far *isnt* the Cloud he thinks he is. She’s been patiently going along with Cloud’s story trying to figure out *what happened* to him/ how he appeared in Midgar boasting of being a SOLDIER while clearly suffering from Mako poisoning/how will she ultimately break this story to him.

Think how hard it was for her to watch Cloud have ptsd episodes and not know how to ground him other than to say “it’s okay. Pull yourself together, let’s keep moving”, because she doesn’t know how or why Cloud is suffering.

But then they fall into the Lifestream together and Tifa helps Cloud sift through the memories warped and altered by the poisoning and Cloud’s severe PTSD.

Only Tifa could help Cloud here- she’s the only one on the Team who has known Cloud since they were young/understands Cloud’s motivations for wanting to become stronger in joining SOLDIER.

This part of the game is beautiful and emotional, and very ahead of it’s time in its portrayal and meta-discussion of PTSD; Cloud isn’t magically healed and back to normal, he never will be, be he’s reclaimed his identity enough that he can begin to heal. I’m replaying the original atm and the moment still holds and I’m hoping that the remake nails this moment. It’s as important and impactful to Cloud as a character as Aerith’s death.

Speaking of Aerith.  Aerith and Tifa become friends from the jump.  Aerith is so respectful of Tifa that twice she makes sure that she isn’t encroaching on Cloud and Tifa’s relationship. She asks Cloud if Tifa is his girlfriend, she reassures Tifa in Don Cornero’s Mansion that she’s not there to steal Cloud from her.  

And yeah, Aerith isn’t trying to steal Cloud or anything - she helped a cute buff guy recover from a fall, asked him for an escort because this time the Turks brought backup to capture her, and got swept up in the ensuing events.  

Hell, Aerith is ride or die for Tifa BEFORE THEY EVEN FORMALLY MEET EACH OTHER. Aerith sees Tifa being carted off to Wall Market and her “some bad shit’s about to happen to this woman if we don’t move NOW” senses go off.  

Cloud’s like “oh let me take you home first and I’ll get my teammates...” and Aerith’s like “YOU NAIVE FOOL? DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO CUTE GIRLS IN WALL MARKET? (tbh, considering how naive Cloud can be, I am going with ‘nope’.) WE GOTTA GO! QUICK GET INTO THIS SEXY DRESS BECAUSE MR. SOLDIER YOU’RE NOT COMING UP WITH A BETTER PLAN WE CAN WORK WITH!!” Aerith drives the entire plan to get into the Don’s mansion. She negotiates the dress, the wig, the makeup, EVERYTHING, to make sure that Cloud can pass as a women to come into the Mansion with her.  

Heck, Aerith was going to go into the mansion HERSELF to get Tifa when the guard was like “No dudes allowed.” The only reason they went looking for dresses in Cloud’s size, was because Cloud got all “No, I can’t let you go in there a lone if it’s as bad as you think it is”, (as if he hadn’t just spent the last day with this woman watching her completely kick ass in battle). So Aerith was like, “Fine, you wanna come with me? Get in the Silk Dress, Cloud” with the same energy as Shinji’s Dad.

And when Aerith gets captured, Tifa was like “WE GOTTA GO AND SAVE HER FROM SHINRA!” as well as protecting Aerith through the whole ShinRa office building mission when the groups had to split up.  So yeah, these two queens love and respect each other from the get-go, they put Cloud in his place, tease the shit out of him and Barret, probably had hair-braiding trains at camp, and support the hell out of each other . 

Also, as we see from the rest of FFVII and in AC, Tifa is devastated by her friend’s death and continues to grieve with Cloud.  Tifa is emotionally intelligent enough to see that Cloud’s grief and guilt over Aerith’s death is killing him, but also respects his need for space.  However, when she finds that he has Geostigma and has staying away from everyone so he can just waste away and die as some sort of penance for not being able to save Aerith and zack, she get’s PISSED at him. Tifa is instrumental in bringing Cloud back (again) to his senses.  Making him see, that he doesn’t only belong to himself, he belongs to their family, just as much as they belong to him. The love and fierce protection Cloud has for his family?  They have that for him and believe he’s more than worthy of that love. Tifa takes none of Cloud’s mopey and self-loathing bs, and sets him straight.

So if you think Tifa is only there for fan-service, an annoying bitch who is there to be jealous of Aerith, is there just to make a love triangle so SE can pander to fans on both sides, you clearly

a) didn’t play the games b) missed one of the best female relationships and examples of women supporting women in gaming c) missed how equally important both Aerith and Tifa are to Cloud in their own ways

IMO I see her and Cloud as platonic soulmates- kinda like Black Widow and Hawkeye- they have history, they have shared trauma from their childhoods and in the destruction of Nibelheim, they know what it’s like to grow up in a poor country town that’s been exploited by Shinra on so many levels from the natural resources to it’s culture of military indoctrination and idealization.

Yes, there was an innocent first love, but after certain events, to me- it’s moved beyond romantic attraction between them. They’re always going to be important to each other and in each other's lives.  

Their innocent first love to me, mirrors Zack and Aerith’s, but Aerith moved on and fell in love with Cloud. Yes, Cloud reminded her of Zack, she probably wanted to remain close to Cloud to get closure on what exactly happened to him. 

People often forget, Aerith *knows* Zack’s died and returned to the Lifestream in the way that she knew her adoptive mother’s husband had died before word reached them. When she has her awkward moment in Gongaga it’s not because she’s now realizing that he’s dead, she’s now realizing that these are Zack’s parents and they still don’t know what became of their son. Zack was scrambled into Cloud’s memories due to trauma and because Zack was someone Cloud looked up and was his ideal, combined with the fact that Zack was the only person talking to Cloud for 9 months as Zack carried his catatonic self back to Midgar. But Cloud didn’t *become* Zack, only Zack’s plans of becoming a mercenary and being a former SOLDIER were impressed upon him. If Cloud actually became Zack he would have been chipper, this energetic “I’m a hero!” all around good-guy hero Zack made himself out to be. The Cloud we first meet...isn’t- yes he thinks he’s a former SOLDIER turned merc, but he’s sardonic, arrogant, and too much of “tough guy/lone wolf”...he’s more like his child-like self who was made to feel like an outsider and wants to showoff how much cooler and stronger he’s become.  He didn’t find Aerith because Zack was some how possessing him.  Aerith and Cloud meeting was destiny, and their subsequent relationship is independent of their past histories with Zack. And if Aerith is interested in Cloud because she reminds him of Zack - well...the woman is allowed to have a type.

I digress.

Cloud was in love with Tifa in that - “hey! notice me! If I go off an become this awesome guy, I’ll be worthy of your attention” sort of way, that teens get.  He was a lonely kid, often bullied by the other children in the village (Tifa included), and probably didn’t know *why* he wanted Tifa’s attention- it was most likely Tifa had the most social capital among the kids. And despite her hot/cold treatment of him,Cloud who was desperate to prove himself, figured that if he somehow “won” Tifa’s attention, it would “show them”.  I am not saying that Cloud was using Tifa or didn’t care about her- he does love her. He blamed himself for not being strong enough to save her when she tried climb Mt. Nibel.  But you can’t ignore that his thirst to prove himself wasn’t wrapped up in his crush.  It’s your typical “become a hero, get the girl” idealization.  Cloud was 14 when he left Nibelheim for Shinra’s military. He was a child, just like Tifa, with a naive idea about how the world worked- and the world slapped them both in the face, HARD.  Relationships mature and change over time. Outside forces can and will shift your dynamics in how your relate to the people you love.  Sometimes your first crush, becomes one of your very best friends (happened to me personally so maybe this informs my take on Cloud and Tifa) because when you’re young you don’t understand that loving someone, outside of your nuclear family, isn’t only constrained to romance. This is what I believe happened to them. Cloud and Tifa had the quintessential school yard crush, and when they were reunited years later in Midgar, they still care deeply for each other in a different way than they did when they were 14 and 13.

But those are MY feelings, it’s how I play the game’s attraction mechanics; I am afforded to shape Cloud’s relationships as I, the gamer, see fit. I understand why Cloti shippers ship Cloud and Tifa, and they’re just as valid as Clerith, Zarith, Clack, etc.. but I’m a sucker for M/F platonic soulmates because there needs to be MORE of that in media. I rather Cloud and Tifa be platonic soul mates, co-parenting Marlene and Denzel with Barret, than Cloud “settling for Tifa because Aerith died”. which that explanation for Cloud x Tifa, often used by Clerith shippers, just undermines who Tifa is as a character and her’s and Cloud’s relationship.

But anyway, even though I don’t ship them and Tifa is not my #1 girl for VII, she is a vital character. She’s not there for fan-service.  She’s not there exclusively for a love triangle and to cause tension between Aerith and Cloud.  Tifa is VITAL to Cloud’s story, to the story of VII, to the planet of Gaia. You wouldn’t have VII’s core story without Tifa. And I will go to the mat for her just as hard as Aerith did when she saw Tifa in the cart bound for Wall Market.

So again: you may not ship her with Cloud, or she may not be your fave in VII, but in this house we forever respect the badass queen whose name is Tifa Lockhart

[zachsgamejournal]

COMPLETED (for now): Final Fantasy VII

Midgar section complete, and at just under 6 hours.  Boom. It was a fun ride.

So, in the prison cells. Aerith talks about her planned date with Cloud, and Tifa hears. it’s a brief moment of love-triangle-ness, but Tifa and Aerith move past it quickly. Aerith and Tifa don’t quite get the bonding that they do in Remake, but they’re not quite the rivals I assumed them to be. Barret is trying to keep track of how everything is so much bigger than him. This is interesting. I think Barret had a singular vision--get revenge against Shinra (and maybe save the planet). Now he’s learning there’s more factors at play, and his goal isn’t as clear.

Then he calls Red XIII “boring”. Haha. Cloud wakes up to find his prison cell door open. Checking outside, the guard is dead/knocked out. Spooky. I liked this moment, but Remake kinda skipped over it. Instead we got stupid destiny-ghosts and long-ass Hojo dungeon. Following the trail, it’s interesting how the monsters are different. Hojo experiments or Jenova spawn? Speaking of Jenova, she escaped. Curious how it got out. In Remake a Sephiroth “clone” rescued her. But here...maybe she saved herself? Then made a Sephiroth sword to murder President Shinra?

Anyway, I love finding dead President Shinra. It’s interesting to have Shinra boast in front of the team after capturing them, then to have all his dreams whisked away. It creates a fragility to his sense of strength and power. While he may have had massive influence over the world--he’s still just a mortal human. Maybe that’s why the designers wanted a bigger enemy (Sehpiroth/Jenova). But them not being Ancients weakens that for me. I do love how Barret asks if Sephiroth is a “good guy”. But Cloud sets him straight. This is a weakness in this game’s story. Out of nowhere, Cloud is dropping a lot of Sephiroth bombs and no one has bothered to ask Cloud who this guy is or why Cloud hates him so much. I know we get the details in Kalm, but I wonder...if this back story was presented before the attack on Shinra--would the Sephiroth sword in Shinra’s back have been even more alarming? I think it could have created some great context for this moment.

Rufus shows up and he’s a total jerk. We’ve changed antagonists, but not really. Rufus makes a good switch because he’s younger. It makes sense that he would want to chase Sephiroth across the world when his father would likely have preferred sending proxies. I do love how everyone introduces themselves: Ex-Soldier, from Avalanche, flower girl, and science experiment. 

Cloud takes on Rufus, while Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII fight TWO bosses back-to-back, and Tifa waits in the lobby. Knowing what to expect, I equipped the Barret team well enough for their fight. Super easy. But the Rufus battle was more worrisome. I set the battle speed to max. I really like it. Seems like I’m never waiting for ATB bars to fill. But also with bosses, it means I’m constantly getting bombarded with devastating attacks. I opened with poison on Rufus, which was wise. But they kept hitting me back-to-back with attacks, so I got to 50% health pretty quick with a filled Limit Break Bar. I opted for the Limit Break, hoping that between that and the poison, it would be enough to end the fight. Soon, I was down to 25% with two foes. I was just able to give Cloud a Hi-Potion before they could kill me, and it only took one hit from my Fire-Elemental sword to end the battle. Thought I wasn’t gonna make.

Barret, Aerith, and Red are in the lobby. Not sure how they’re gonna get out. I guess it made sense that Remake boosted this scene a little bit with Heidegger. But I was so ready for this game to be done, I couldn’t enjoy the smallest of “improvements”. Tifa gets the team together to hop in a car. It’s a fun little cinematic with some glass busting action!! Now we’re off to one of my favorite mini-games:

The Motorcycle sequence! I was blown away as a kid playing this game, even  more blown away thinking they could have gotten away with something simpler--but they actually invented a whole gameplay mechanic just for this one moment. That’s what I love about FF7--how they find ways to switch up the conventional RPG formula with neat mini-games that often help better serve the story!

Maybe cause I was playing on my phone, but I didn’t defend my team as well as I usually do. They got a little beat up. Weird wheeled-robot boss fight and boom, done with the Midgar section.

No stupid fight with Destiny. Though, I do like how Remake brought Sephiroth into play here. For this game, though, it makes sense to have a somber moment post Motorcycle chase. It’s been pretty non-stop with huge plot twists, new characters, and four boss fights. The players deserve a break. And they’re gonna get plenty of Sephiroth in Kalm, five minutes from now. 

It was interesting hearing the characters’ motivations. Cloud wants to settle the score with Sephiroth. You’re not supposed to know what that means, but apparently Cloud thought he was dead. Now that he’s “not”, he wants to get this resolved. He’s also aware of Sephiroth’s murderous schemes. Cloud, in his commitment to saving Aerith, has committed himself to being a hero. Feels clear to me now. He seems quite willing to align with others that have a similar goal. This isn’t just revenge, but it’s also not NOT revenge. Barret, seeing Sephiroth as the greater threat to the planet has shifted his focus. But Also, President Shinra is dead. While Rufus is terrible, and Shinra is still very much alive...to know that the one person most responsible for your pain and misery is now dead has got to be a little disorienting. A little bit, here, Barret is also becoming a hero.

Aerith admits to having never left Midgar and says there’s things she wants to know. Cloud asks if it’s about the Ancients, and she says “many things”. She’s actually a pretty complex character. I think she has feelings for Cloud, which is somewhat mixed up with her feelings for Zack. She knows Shinra is a threat to the world but also seeking her out personally, so she’ll never truly be safe or carefree. And she’s a pretty decent person that wants to do the right thing. She has a lot riding her shoulders that she didn’t ask for. I think she’s interesting in that she wants to live in her small bubble within Midgar, but her destiny and fate are tied to much bigger things!

Tifa--sadly, Tifa doesn’t have a lot going on right now. I really love her in Remake, but much of that felt added. I think she’s similar to Barret in that she suffered a great loss because of Shinra and wants revenge.  But she’s not as aggressive and violent as he is. Clearly she’s a bad ass. I think this is the one place where Remake has the edge over the original--they did a better job with Tifa.

Then Red XIII. He just kinda wants a lift. Hah!

Well, I wanted to replay the Midgar section as a compare-and-contrast with Remake, and that task is done. I often play this section (once or twice a year) never quite committing to playing the whole game. But it seems I tend to gloss over the dialog (I know this already). But I made myself read it, even talk to most of the NPCs, and it’s just a great game, story, and world.

To say Final Fantasy VII hasn’t aged well is ridiculous. Nothing truly ages well, especially a work of media that represents a growing and evolving craft. Tons of RPGs were inspired by gameplay and technical feats attempted and pioneered by Final Fantasy VII, and the game’s legacy is still strong. The graphics aren’t great by today’s standards, and they were a little weird by 98′s standards, but they still helped tell a great story and provide iconic gameplay moments. And those moments are timeless. Even if the translation is bad. Even a modern Remake can’t erase the original’s greatness.

I’m still a fan!              

[selenityshiroi]

FFVII REMAKE SPOILERS

Okay, I’ve given it a few days since the official launch. I have to give my thoughts on this game. Don’t read if you are still playing through, as I WILL be talking about the ending and some things that diverged from the original game.

First off, this game was so good in so many ways.

I was worried about the gameplay, because I’m not really an Action RPG gamer. But the gameplay was smooth, fun and well planned. I played the game on easy, so I could focus on getting through the story, but I WANT to play the next difficulty because I feel like I will enjoy the challange.

Then there was the graphics. Oh. My. God. This game is SO BEAUTIFUL. The scenery (even though it’s not always supposed to be beautiful, it’s so intricate and detailed and has such a scale and world building to it), the characters, the battle animations, the attacks...even the grotesque monsters look so well done. We KNOW the FF series is always known for it’s stunning visuals, but they really outdid themselves. And, yeah, there are a few texture bugs that’ll probably be patched at some point, but even things like the lighting and the facial expressions and body language...it’s all SO GOOD. If this was a movie they would be fighting for art direction awards.

But the part they totally blew my expectations away on, everyone’s expectations, is the character and story development.

When they said they expanded Midgar they really, really did. But not by senselessly bloating it out. Everything they did led to making you more and more invested in the events. Spending more time with Team Avalanche meant that you cared about Biggs, Wedge and Jessie. Spending time talking to the NPCs in Sector 7 meant that you really, really wanted to stop that plate from coming down. And every time you spent time with one of the main characters, you felt like you knew and understood them better than you ever did.

By the time we got to the plate collapse I actually felt GUILTY for doing side quests and looking for treasure etc. Because it felt like I’d failed the people in the slums (even though, obviously, taking your time doesn’t change the story). And they’d done SUCH A GREAT JOB in making the slums feel real.

Now...before I go into characters and relationships, let me be clear and upfront. I always have and always will ship Cloti. But I don’t hate Aerith. I never actually played her much in the original game (I was spoiled for her death and was very pragmatic in not wanting to waste my EXP). This game is my first real taste of Aerith as a character and not a lost friend, so I’ve loved getting to know her.

Let me get the Cloti talk out of the way, first.

HOLY SHIT.

I’m sure there are fans of other pairings who won’t agree, but most people are in agreement. Cloud and Tifa got a LOT of ship fuel in this game.

From the start, Tifa is the one person Cloud isn’t standoffish around. He tries but within a few minutes of them teamed up in Sector 7 they are gently teasing each other in banter, and he is SOFT AS HELL towards her. Since this comes directly after the opening mission (where he and Barret are openly antagonistic to each other and he barely tolerates the rest of the team) it’s very obvious. As the chapter goes on he also listens to her and offers support and encouragement, which is completely different to the rest of his interactions thus far.

As the game goes on this difference continues, even when he starts to open up to others. Despite the fact that he has encouraging and impressed battle dialogue with Tifa and seems to respect her ability to take care of herself, the game has him constantly protective of her. They also touch each other A LOT (both initiated by Tifa and Cloud) and far more so than anyone else. There are some super charged moments between them, too (the train jump scene alone has enough sexual tension to start a baby boom) and there are several gratuituous scenes of them grabbing at each other in danger and showing extreme concern both physically and emotionally (and more of Cloud being SOFT AS HELL when it comes to Tifa). Plus their optional scene is super romantically suggestive (with the hug and his concern for her emotions and the hints at their shared history).

I could spend so much time going over all of their interactions and little moments because WOW. But I wanna go over the other relationships.

Cloud and Barret have such amazing development through the game. They start out as super antagonistic to each other. Barret doesn’t trust him and Cloud doesn’t care. But Barret is a softy at heart and he can’t help but soften up a little. By the time of the second reactor mission they start to tolerate and appreciate each other a little. But by the time they are fighting to save the plate? At that point Cloud is invested in the Team and Barret knows he’s a good fighter and maybe a good guy. The optional scene (I haven’t triggered it but was linked to a video) they have is such a good one where is shows how far they’ve come (Barret unloading his thoughts and emotions onto Cloud and feeling comforted by having spoken with him and Cloud willing to listen patiently and willing to be part of the Team).

Barret and Tifa have a rather familial relationship (Barret is super protective of his team and you can see this really early on) and their mutual respect and care for each other is wonderful. They know each other so well and are so emotionally open to each other.

Cloud and Aerith start out with him being pretty standoffish and barely tolerating her. But when she encourages him to save Tifa from Don Corneo they start to bond and their friendship starts to develop.

The slow build to Cloud finally sharing a high five (a few ‘how do you human’ moments with Avalanche, Tifa and Aerith and then misqueing one with Aerith before finally getting one right) was so damned adorable and is one of my fav moments!

I mean, I don’t ship them (and with the SHEER VOLUME of Cloti moments plus the increased hints towards Aerith’s relationship with Zack I don’t feel like I’m supposed to) but I am 100% behind their friendship. Also...Aerith knows how to flirt with Cloud and then back off when he’s uncomfortable...unlike Jessie who was well out of order several times. She is cool.

But talking about friendships I am 100% behind and very much grateful to Squeenix for giving us?

Hello Aerti!

DAMN these girls got a lot of moments together and plenty of chance to interact and develop a bond and I LOVED IT. Cloud was totally a third wheel to them, most of the time, and so he should be. Thank you for giving us girls being friends and not letting a man get between them. Tifa and Aerith protecting and defending each other felt so good after seeing so much toxicity spread around by the less stable parts of both ship fandoms.

Between letting Tifa and Aerith spend time together and having Barret help Aerith out of Shinra Tower it felt like Squeenix are trying to spend more time on developing Aerith’s relationships with the whole team. And I LOVE that because it’s needed before we get to THAT moment in future games. Nanaki doesn’t get much time with the others but it’s nice to see the starts of the bonds forming.

As much as I love shipping I love one thing just as much. FOUND FAMILY TROPES. And I want the next game to definitely go down this route for the entire Squad.

As for the characters individually...thank god we finally have the (not quite) real Cloud back. The emo fanon contruction is gone and we have our awkward, dorky, snarky boy back. I love him. He tries his best to be cool and all, but he’s a good boy at heart and it leaks out all over the place.

Same with Barret. Soft Team Dad hidden under a gruff guy who tries to come off as all tough and deadly. His moments regarding Marlene were super sweet and, like before, are such a contrast to his ‘big bad activist’ self that it’s great to see him in both stages and the inbetween.

Tifa was ~chef’s kiss~. A little playful but also a little shy. Full of compassion but not a pushover. Tough as nails, when needed, but also emotionally open.

Aerith was super playful and fun. But there is an undercurrent of sadness and insecurity around her and there is a lot of speculation that she may Know Things. Possibly even her future death.

We don’t get much of Nanaki or Reeve but I can’t wait for more from them (in Reeve’s case, through Cait Sith who got a small cameo during the plate collapse) in the next game. It looks like we might get Nanaki being a proper teenage wolf kitty which is gonna be great!

Team Avalanche were all pretty great, except for Jessie’s outrageous flirting going totally over the line...Cloud was very clear with his refusals but she still didn’t back off and was a step over the borderline of harrassment. That being said, other than the flirting, the team had some great moments. Jessie’s concern over how much of Reactor 1 was her fault and her GUILT was amazing. Biggs and Wedge, too, felt real and dimensional. Cloud building a small bond with the three of them (THEY GOT HIS FIRST TRUE AND BRIGHT SMILE) was so good and made the plate fall EVEN WORSE (despite the possibility of survival for them).

But now...the ending.

Oh boy.

There is a lot of talk and speculation about the ending and I’m sure it’ll be a hot topic until the next game comes out.

There are a few things it could mean on a scale of ‘barely anything will change but this means that Squeenix have given themselves some wiggle room with future events’ all the way up to ‘everything is gonna be totally different to the original game from here on out’.

Everyone is mad at the thought of the next game going in the latter direction and it’s the biggest drawback of the game to most. The one thing holding them back from thinking this game a perfect adaptation of the original game.

Personally, I think that the game is not going to change that much. I DON’T think Zack is still alive (the game was very clear to show us that Cloud still had the buster sword...so much so as to equip it on him during the cut scene after Zack’s appearance, even if it wasn’t his equiped weapon...Cloud probably wouldn’t have the sword if Zack was alive). I do think the Sephiroth we saw could be from the future. I do think the game will mostly keep to the same beats and events but that certain things will change in execution in order to keep some element of surprise and suspense. The biggest of things being that I think Aerith will still die, but not in the same set of events.

Overall, this game was utterly fantastic in almost every way. As a fan of the original I was so, so happy with what they did. The production team should be so very proud of the effort and detail they put into this game. The love they have for the original was obvious in the presentation.

10/10 would and will play again!

[nyaawn]

Whew. I finished FFVII Remake.

*spoiler of course*

After almost exactly 58 hours over 19 days. Wow, didn’t expect it to take longer than XV, iirc I finished that in forty something hours. Though good chunks of that probably spend on standing around eavesdropping npcs conversation or left it idle while I tending to my cats.

The verdict? Positively, excitedly pissed-off.

As some may had seen from my previous post, that motorball fight before the last boss left me throwing expletives. So I decided to take a break, even when I could felt the finish line just a step away. When I picked up my controller again, I thought all that’s left is fighting Sephiroth then and there. But I was wrong. It’s never that simple, isn’t it.

Game: “We have to stop Sephiroth!�� Me: “Okay sure.” Game: “But before that we gotta fight DESTINY ITSELF.” Me: 

Seriously, why? Is it because the characters think what little pieces of future they privy to don’t look good enough? Because they think their fate shouldn’t written in 1997’s game discs stone? Because Aerith said so?

Since Aerith had been consistently acting fishy throughout the game, I came to the ending waiting for the other shoe to drop, for her to maybe explain to Cloud, “Things happens in the future. Sephiroth keep coming back but you keep kicking his ass. So he goes, "Ah, screw this”, pulls some antics in the lifestream and coming back to before it all began. And somehow I was brought along to here.“ Or something along that line. But she didn’t. Aerith and Seph remain cryptic to the end.

And so I going along for the ride without understanding the how and the why. We fought and, uh, did we just kill the personification of established canon itself..? Then we fought Sephiroth, which probably just an excuse to have throwback galore to Advent Children. But hey, I like AC. Stupidly cool, logic-defying, totally over-the-top action scenes? Gimme. More throwback to the original game ensues. Seph throws confusing lines and keep being the fairy-godstalker he is before vanishing completely. Ookay? Cool fights, but I still understand nothing.

However all my question marks so far pales to what’s coming. The game shows Zack’s scene from Crisis Core and I brace for the feels, but, this time, his last stand…… was not his last..?

…… …. … *brain.exe stop functioning. rebooting.. .. .*

…..WHAT?! HOW?? Game, you don’t just drop Zack on me out of nowhere and then run away! HEY, GAME!? EXPLAIN THIS?!!

But it’s too late. The game had ran away cackling ‘To be continued!’

Shit. I should expect that they would throw something wild at the end considering the episodic nature of this game, to keep us at the edge. I’m both amazed at how they did it and want to slap them with buster sword at the same time. There also a strong feeling of deja vu as this was what I felt after Kingdom Hearts.. and then I remembered this too is Nomura’s game. Aah, I should have known…

Am I happy at how in the end the game answers almost nothing but throws more question? Nope. Am I angry at how the game change things big time? Noope. Overall I like this game. The highs overcomes the lows and I’m highly amused at the meta and how the characters are fighting against the script. All those memes of Cloud having to redo everything?

The remake gives us his answer.

I’m excited if the story diverge from the original in later episodes. However there’s also trepidation because, well, we all know this team didn’t have good track records for expanding their stories (Nojima with FFX-2.5? Toriyama and the whole Lightning saga?? Nomura and his Xehanort saga??? Heck, the FFVII Compilation entries itself range from decently serviceable to complete whack). But they are doing great job on writing characters in this first remake, so fingers crossed? Maybe by teamed together they will keep each other in check with no one going too wild. And if it really end up to be KH-level trainwrecks… oh well, we’ll always have the original FFVII to appreciate. ..Eh, who am I kidding, I’ll most likely close my eyes and eat up whatever crazy plot lines Nomura and crew can concoct if it means Zack lives and lead a happy life. I had done that for Axel anyway. But that means they have to keep Aerith alive too, because having one lives while the other dead is still a tragedy (Yes, I’m Zerith shipper 4lyfe).

And now, we only need 3-5 years to find out… Sigh, I’m excited, but I admit being left hanging on this cliff for years is not my idea of fun. I like your FFVII Remake, Square, but I still want to slap you with buster sword.

[omegasquire]

Rose Gold: Ch 9

Cloud walked with Zack down a relatively empty street. Though the civilians were starting to come back, most of them were probably still in hiding. Seeing them and the state of the harbor made him feel guilty even though this wasn’t his fault.

It was.  

He spotted a few men on the lower tier hauling some of the dead monsters into the back of a truck, likely to be disposed of in a discrete area. The slices that dismembered the monsters were clean, as if someone had taken a ruler and drawn along its edge. Cloud had a feeling he knew whose work this was: Sephiroth. Who else could be so precise?

He glanced at Zack who was also watching the workers. Zack was also clean in his attacks, though Cloud couldn’t remember if they were on par with Sephiroth’s. The Buster Sword was completely different from something as slender and refined as the Masamune.

“That’s gotta be Sephiroth’s work.” Zack looked at him. “I bet you can tell, too, huh?”

Cloud looked at the crew again. “Yeah. He has a certain method of fighting.”

He’d learned to anticipate each strike, familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of Sephiroth’s sword. But anticipation didn’t equate matching speed or skill. He remembered how he had pushed himself to keep up with Sephiroth’s speed. The chase in the ruins of old Midgar had his heart racing like mad, his eyes always searching for Sephiroth.

Always, his eyes were searching for Sephiroth.  

“Yeah, he does.” Zack chuckled and looked at him. “Do you use all six swords in a fight?”

“Not unless I have to.” Sephiroth was the only one who made him use all swords at once. Cloud generally got by with just one sword, maybe two if he needed to. “First Tsurugi’s basic form is enough.”

“First Tsurugi, huh?” Zack’s tone was thoughtful. “You’ll let me take it apart, right?”

It wasn’t something he thought about on a conscious level, but First Tsurugi had only ever touched his hands. Having someone else handle his sword was like touching a part of who he was.

Zack would be able to look into the core of who he was, a skeletal frame with nothing special within, made whole only when all his jagged pieces were pressed together. Cloud was a bit apprehensive about being laid bare before someone else, even if it was just his sword. Zack was the one who asked, though, and he had a hard time saying no to Zack.

Cloud nodded.

Reeve followed the small dot as it weaved its way along a stenciled map of the harbor. He had sent Cait Sith after Zack and Strife to monitor them while the rest of the team remained on the premises. It looked like the pair were making their way back, though Zack was taking the scenic route.

Sephiroth remained in the room with him, head bowed over a screen of his own. They were feeding the information they had gathered to Midgar. While Sephiroth was contacting the others of AVALANCHE, Reeve was delivering his information to Shinra.

Much of Shinra Company was under heavy reformation, but those left were playing a careful game of restoring the balance. Many had their doubts about the company, but there were few other sources that could support such a large task. If Shinra Company had any hope of surviving, it had to adapt.

Now, more than ever, they needed their cooperation. With Strife -- Cloud -- in their midst, everyone had to be on the same page. That included letting Rufus and the Turks know what was going on.

Reeve hoped they could work together in this. Rufus had a stubborn streak and cold grip on what he perceived was his, but under the right motivation, he was a strong ally. He was a man who hated showing weakness, much like certain key members of AVALANCHE’s ragtag group.

It was still clear in his memory when Rufus had turned up alive after the assault on Shinra Building. They made it in time to save Rufus’ life, but not without some casualty. One of Rufus’ legs received enough damage he had to use a cane when he walked.

Rufus, proud as he was, pretended it wasn’t a burden but an accessory to his image. How he managed to pull it off Reeve didn’t know, but he could respect the younger man for that.

Now they just had to find a means of working with Rufus on getting to the bottom of this madness. While damaged, much of Shinra Building was left intact. Parts of Midgar couldn’t say the same, but at least the casualties weren’t as severe as they could’ve been if they hadn’t acted as swiftly as they had. It was a constant race against time back then. Their lives were on a short countdown, faced with a threat they weren't certain they could defeat.

This situation felt just the same. Cloud was supposedly going to fight with them, but it wasn’t clear if that was beneficial or a hinderance. He was obviously fighting a battle they had no control over, and if this was a battle of endurance and will, it was uncertain if he would win.

Reeve was alarmed when Sephiroth suddenly grabbed Cloud. He hadn’t expected Cloud’s eyes to turn green, and the sight of them was unnerving. The image likened to Strife’s eyes, how they had the same green tint and narrow pupils. In that instant, Reeve saw their enemy, and it was hard to shake the image off despite Cloud’s eyes changing back to blue.

This was a war they would be facing on two fronts: whatever Jenova attacked them with directly, and Cloud. Cloud might be innocent of Strife’s crimes, but it was already made clear Jenova was inside him, and if Jenova managed to win over Cloud, then they would be facing yet another apocalyptic event.

Reeve dreaded the possibility.

They couldn’t do anything about Jenova’s external approach right now, but they did have Cloud with them. At least they could work to solve the issue there. Sephiroth played a vital role in keeping Cloud in check.

Zack, too.  

Reeve slid his finger across the screen and switched windows. He saw through Cait Sith’s eyes Zack and Cloud were talking. With the audio muted, Reeve could only watch the display of emotions and gestures made between them. Whatever they were talking about drew out a small, hesitant, but definite smile from Cloud.

Reeve had to smile a little himself. Zack had that charm to him that drew others in. It was hard to get mad at him -- or stay mad at him even when it finally happened. From the looks of things, Zack was sure to twist their unexpected guest around his finger.

Feeling eyes on him, Reeve glanced up and saw Sephiroth looking in his direction. It wasn’t exactly him the man was focusing on, but the screen before him. That unreadable expression was ever present on his face, making Reeve wonder just how hard it was for Sephiroth stomach this. No doubt the old General would rather kill Cloud than tolerate his presence.

Reeve switched to the report he was dictating. It would go straight to Tseng, who would pass it on to Rufus. Tseng was another unfortunate casualty in the attack on Shinra Building. He suffered scars on his face -- a feature that reminded Reeve of the previous leader of the Turks -- and damage to the right side of his body when he protected Rufus. The man had been incarcerated for months, but once he was on his feet, he, like Rufus, didn’t let his handicap stop him from carrying out his duties.

Really, the Turks were something else.  

“They’ll want to meet him, but taking him to Midgar will bring monsters to the city...”

“It’s better than staying here. We didn’t expect there to be an invasion on the harbor, and Junon isn’t properly equipped to guarantee the people will remain safe if it happens again.”

Reeve tapped the screen to send off his report. “At least it was better than the Highwind; you have no means of defense there. It’s fortunate the attack had been on a small scale. Do you think this is Jenova testing us?”

 He lifted his head. Sephiroth’s gaze was on the windows, a slight frown evident between his brows.

Reeve frowned as well. He didn’t want to think of it this way, but if this was just a tease, then what was the real assault going to be like? What did Jenova have waiting for them? For Cloud?

“If Cloud...” Reeve broke off and thought better of continuing his current train of thought. “Zack and Cloud are on their way back. If Zack doesn’t take any detours, they should be back in a few minutes.”

“Good. We’ll leave when everyone’s gathered.”

“Of course.”

 Tseng stood a polite distance behind the President, retaining a centered stance that belied his injury as he waited for the other man to respond. He’d just received Reeve’s report and handed it to Rufus. He was patient as Rufus digested the information, using that time to do the same.

The mountains had hidden the beacon of light that heralded Strife’s arrival yesterday. To hear that the son of the Calamity was walking the planet’s surface was staggering news. Not only that, Reeve attested Strife was innocent of the massacres. He’d sent with the report a video recording of Strife’s talk with Red and Cait Sith, as well as what they had learned of him during the conversation in Reeve’s office, as evidence of the differing personas. Tseng didn’t know what to make of it, but he had his skepticisms.

“This is interesting.”

Tseng pulled himself out of his thoughts at Rufus’ musing. “Sir?”

“Cloud Strife among the living, and not only that, he’s foreign to this world. Don’t you think that’s interesting?”

“I find it concerning. Even if Strife is a stranger, we should be cautious of this turn of events. An attack on Junon happened because of him.”

“It’s inevitable. Whether he’s Jenova's offspring or not doesn’t matter. If their theory holds, Jenova will come. She wouldn’t snub a chance like this.”

“Shouldn’t we eliminate him? Regardless Aerith’s testament, he’s going to cause destruction.”

Rufus looked at him over his shoulder, lips turned into a smile. Genial as it appeared, Tseng knew the cunning in its shadow. “This is an opportunity for us to see the evolution of the planet. I admit our actions aided in its deterioration, but with Strife’s advent, it could turn around. The world will commit to a new course. We should help it along.”

Tseng knew it wasn’t solely for the planet’s sake the President would offer his assistance. Rufus always had layers to his plans, and while Tseng didn’t know all of them, he could take a fair guess and surmise the young man found this situation entertaining. Rufus would doubtlessly play his part as benefactor, but for his own personal reasons.

That slyness made Rufus a unique and dangerous employer, certainly a far cry from his father. The former President was very bullheaded, more keen on plowing his way through obstacles and flashing money where need be. Rufus found crafty ways around the obstacles and when he couldn’t obtain what he wanted on his own, he utilized his pawns to their utmost.

“Yes, sir.”

Rufus turned back around, facing the windows. Tseng took his leave and headed back to the Turks’ headquarters, sliding his keycard to pass through one of the various security mechanisms that assured no unwanted company could gain access to Shinra Company’s secrets. There waited a few of his faithful subordinates, their attention turning from the main monitors to him as he entered.

“Boss?”

Tseng glanced at the monitors and saw the feed from Reeve’s report looping. He faced the other Turks: Reno, Rude, Elena, Shotgun, and Cissnei. The others had been spread out to other parts of the world, leaving them six at Midgar and its surrounding territory to keep everything secure. They had lost a great deal of their team over the years, some even falling victim to the chaos of Strife and Meteor. It had hurt them greatly to know a few of their members had been corrupted by Jenova, and the civil unrest put a strain on everyone.

Tseng controlled what he could, and constantly suffered from the guilt of being unable to save everyone on his team. He knew the others didn’t fault him for what happened, but as their leader, it was still his responsibility to assure they made it out okay.

“The President wants us to help the General and his guest when they arrive.”

Reno straightened up. “Whoa, whoa, we’re talking about Strife here.”

“I know, but that’s what he wants. We’re to support Sephiroth and the others as they fight the threat on the planet.”

“You mean Strife.” Shotgun’s brows rose, her hand on her hip.

Tseng shook his head. “No. Jenova. The attack on Junon will likely recur here. We don’t know on what scale, so we are to secure the city. This is to remain as contained as possible. No infantrymen or SOLDIERs. The less the people know, the better.”

“It would cause widespread panic if they figured out Strife was alive, same or not,” Cissnei murmured.

“Yes. We’ll need to stay alert until we learn more. Spread out and keep your eyes open for any threat. Radio in if anything happens. I’ll be with the President when they arrive.”

There was a chorus of affirmatives, the team leaving to split up and cover as much ground as they could of what remained of the broken metropolis. Rude was the last to go, stopping next to Tseng. When Tseng looked at him, Rude nodded at the screen.

“The others of their team. Tifa Lockhart and Barret Wallace. Do they know?”

“Most likely, but that isn’t our concern.” Tseng studied the other man. He knew the question before it was asked. Rude had a bad habit of being interested in the wrong women; he had taken a liking to Tifa. “...I understand, but what happens between them is their affair. Keep your emotions under control.”

Rude nodded and left. Tseng waited for the doors to close and the locks to tumble into place before looking at the monitors one more time. He still recalled those days when their only concerns were rebels and a petty war. The escalation toward global disaster threw everyone off kilter. He didn’t think anyone had regained that balance yet.

Would Strife’s return help or hinder that process? 

Cloud sat with Zack at the benches, the interconnected blades of his sword scattered around them. Upon returning to the Highwind, Zack took him aside so they could look at First Tsurugi. It was a little nerve-racking, but he let Zack take it apart.

Zack had done so with care, laying out the different swords after studying them. The knot in Cloud’s stomach slowly unraveled as he watched. Zack didn’t make too many comments on them, just quietly admired each piece before setting it aside.

There were times when he saw intrigue light up Zack’s eyes and he would take an extra minute to marvel at the sword. He reminded Cloud of when he’d first crossed upon First Tsurugi. He had marveled at it, too.

When he’d finally retired the Buster Sword and turned it into a monument, Cloud felt naked without a weapon. He felt himself stripped bare, left with just the core of himself. He had laid to rest Zack’s overlapping personality along with his sword, so it was time to find him. Find something that was solely his, that spoke of who he was, and made him whole.

That was First Tsurugi. His sword.

Cloud’s eyes traced the deadly curve of the blade in Zack’s lap. They were like secrets only he knew and understood, visible only when he was made to show them. He remembered the fight with Sephiroth when all six blades had separated. They’d unfurled like a flower, each sharp petal like a part of who he was. All the insecurities, the doubts, the imperfections -- they came together as one when at last he’d brought down the final strike. Then, just as they’d fitted into a single piece, they separated, piercing the roof around him.

In retrospect, he supposed that was who he was. A man whose life had fallen apart over years of turmoil, and came together when he'd finally found peace with himself and his shortcomings.

Was this the part where he fell apart again? In this foreign land?  

Reaching out, Cloud lightly slid his fingers along the handle of one of the blades. He still didn’t know what metals his sword was made from, but they had incredible durability, perfect balance, and just enough weight to settle comfortably in his hands.

“Where did you learn to use large swords? Me?”

Cloud pulled his hand back. “No, you never taught me any sword fighting, but for a while you had a lot of influence on my technique. As I traveled, I developed my own style.”

Zack turned the sword over in his hand, pointing the tip up toward the ceiling. “I never thought of dual wielding before.” He grinned. “Show me sometime.”

Cloud looked at the main blade of his sword. “Sephiroth wouldn’t like that.”

Zack grimaced and lowered the sword to rest across his lap. “Well...”

“Can we expect you to fight against Jenova?”

Cloud whipped around at Sephiroth voice. The room was without doors, offering no signal to warn someone was coming. He straightened his spine, conscious of the difference in positions as he remained seated while Sephiroth towered over him.

“Yes.”

He held Sephiroth’s gaze. He would fight to his dying breath against Jenova. He’d done it before, he would do it again. The same went for Sephiroth.

“You can have your sword if you help us, but if you betray us, I will cut you down.”

Cloud’s eyes narrowed. “I won’t.”

They locked stares, a silent challenge and promise passing between them. Cloud knew Sephiroth would hold true to his words, just as Cloud would hold to his. Though it discomforted him to fight alongside Sephiroth, he would bend for the sake of Gaia. He couldn’t hope to get anywhere if he didn’t reach common ground with the man.

“Zack.”

“Yeah?”

“Undo the spell and give him his sword. We’ll be landing in Midgar shortly. If Jenova is after you, then we’ll be facing more monsters.” Sephiroth’s expression matched Cloud’s. “Don’t make me regret it.”

Cloud didn’t respond.

A sudden slap on his shoulder jarred him; he looked at Zack in surprise. The man was grinning at him. “This is great! I can’t wait for you to fight with us, Cloud. This is how it’s supposed to be. All of us together. You two on the same side.”

Doubt ran through Cloud, but he didn’t argue. Zack was happy. He’d make an effort for him as well and tread this dangerous path with Sephiroth.