Materials on the worldview and terminology, with many parts in common with the final game. Additionally, we have included “Another Hypothesis” which, while quite different from the final game, is an interesting interpretation.

Worldview

When they die, everything abandons their physical body and becomes solely spiritual energy.

For a while this spiritual energy wanders, but gradually they meld into a larger body of spiritual energy. Like a drop of ink in a glass of water, which at first retains its shape and colour but gradually diffuses, they start to assimilate into the larger spiritual mass. This large spiritual body is, in other words, the life of the planet. The life of the planet undergoes divisions in small units. These become new lives. All life exists within this cycle.

Spiritual energy grows through a process of separation, joining and diffusion. This occurs in the same way on a biological, planetary, and galactic level. In other words, the universe is a developing giant body of spiritual energy. And when its energy increases, the universe divides a smaller mass of spiritual energy, like giving birth to a child. This is an egg for a universe. The egg goes to another dimension and ignites a big bang, and there it creates a universe and by dividing itself creates galaxies, planets, lifeforms… And it grows through the process of division and joining.

The universe didn’t begin in nothingness. It started in a state of highly concentrated, pure spiritual energy. The world of this story has turned this spiritual energy into a source of power and is at the height of its prosperity. But behind the surface the planet, due to having its spiritual energy drained out of it, is sick and verging on death.

[About magic]

On the surface magic doesn’t exist, and is something only very few people can use.  Only people with the ability to materialize spiritual energy as they will it and utilize that can cast magic. In the modern world only SOLDIER exhibits this power. The Ancients (people who flourished in ancient times) were said to be able to use magic.

[The Mako City, Midgar]

In the pitch black darkness, beams of light rise up as if that place is the opening to another dimension. The Mako City, Midgar… The cultured people, despising the slums where the lower classes gather, constructed pillars 50 meters tall, and atop a plate upon those pillars they built a city.

The size is enough to completely encompass all of Tokyo’s 23 wards, but due to rapid development it is a chaotic city with erratically constructed buildings with pipes of various widths carelessly sticking out. That said, it’s not necessarily like rows of modern buildings, it’s a world where stone pavements and pipes seemingly made up of tin-plate and strange streetlights (powered by mako energy) and gimmicky tram engines co-exist. In the center of the city stands the massive Shinra Company building. Wastelands surround the pizza-shaped circular city, and monsters sent out by Shinra keep the people of the slums from escaping.

[Note "Tokyo's 23 wards": Tokyo is made up of 23 separate districts which make up the city: You can read about them here.]

[Shinra Co.]

A company from a certain country, with Old Midgar as its capital. They developed and constructed weapons, and practically monopolize the defense industry. Received vast profits from a long-lasting war with  another nation (they also secretly exported weapons to the enemy country as well. The traces of this can been seen in various towns and cities afterward. Characters such as Barret notice this.)

At the start of the war they had already began practical use of mako energy. Towards the end of the war they create “SOLDIER” utilizing mako energy. Due to the actions of SOLDIER, the country on Shinra’s side obtained an all-out victory in the war.

After the war, because of their monopolizing of technology relating to mako energy, they control the country economically. After changing Midgar into a plate city, that control structure was perfected.

[Shinra's Goal]

Shinra discovered a technology to mine the spiritual energy hidden underground. Large cylindrical structures known as mako reactors suck up the energy from underground like a well, and preform the function of purifying it. The one who took control of this energy and extended their ruling power was the Shinra (SINRA) Company, with President Shinra at its top. Making use of that financial power, they created many secret organization within the company.

[SOLDIER]

Warriors bathed in mako energy. Can use magic. An army formed to suppress regional rebel elements opposed to the construction of the mako reactors. However, what is there true motive?

The war with another nation which took place on this planet dragged on due to the strength of each country being equal. That was when SOLDIER appeared. Only those whose aptitude had been acknowledged, having been selected from the general army or civilian population and after undergoing many examinations, were able to enter the SOLDIER training facility. At the training facility, in addition to training, were also exposed to mako energy.

Although only those who had been selected in the first place could enter the SOLDIER training facility, only a handful of them manage to make it into SOLDIER. Many people, perhaps due to the mako energy, become physically and mentally ill and drop out. These were dealt with in secret. So there are an extraordinary number of accidental deaths and suicides at the training facility. (There may be some people somewhere who have successfully escaped. They may be able to tell you many secrets.)

The SOLDIER operatives who were sent to the war were an elite few, and with guerrilla warfare shifted the state of the war to favor the nation on Shinra’s side. The activities of their new weapon “SOLDIER” were broadcast in detail, and the people view SOLDIER as heroes. They are idolized by children. Cloud was also one of these children…

- After the end of the war… In an time without war, the duty of SOLDIER turned towards ‘maintaining the peace’. This of course includes ‘suppression of rebel elements’.

- Difference from the government troops… To the people the government is as good as worthless. Only Shinra will protect them. The fact is the government will do nothing for them. The government does have an army. However, the one who actually commands the army is Shinra. Just like the government, they are under Shinra’s power.

Yuffie

Job: Ninja (assassin) Age: 25 Weapon: knives, boomerangs, origami (throwing objects)

A kunoichi. Who’s a little foul-mouthed.

“Argh! Just quit running ’round, sit your ass down and think about it!”

A young girl. As agile as a mouse. A bounty hunter. There are wanted posters strewn around, but each time you see one her appearance, age, and bounty is different. An Ex-SOLDIER?

-=Episode=-

::Introduction:: Right from the opening, wanted posters for Yuffie are scattered around towns. Every time you see one, her appearance and age are different.

::Getting her to join:: Face her in battle. Or, she attacks Cloud while he’s sleeping in an inn. You can get Yuffie to join you any time after passing Elm (*note: the early name for Kalm). Yuffie’s appearance (and level) is determined at the point she first joins you. This is based on the last poster you saw. When you want to get your preferred Yuffie on your team, just look at the poster you want last.

::Motive:: Yuffie wants money (reason mentioned below) so she became a bounty hunter. She was drawn by the large bounties for Cloud and Sephiroth.

Cloud: “Why are you after me?”

Yuffie: “As if! I just want the money.”

Cloud: “If I bring you in now, I can get your bounty. So two bounty hunters are after each other, huh.”

Barret: “I don’t know why you want money so bad, but if you help us out you might find yourself a bigger bounty.”

Yuffie: “You don’t mean… Sephiroth?”

Barret: “Now that’s a bounty hunter, keepin’ in the know.”

Yuffie: “I’m a ninja, Yuffie from the Kisaragi family.”

Barret: “A ninja? Now I get it.”

●Events in Wutai
{Characters in Wutai}

- Izayoi…… High priestess of the Wutaia faith. An old woman. Not just Izayoi, but all of the most important positions in the Wutaia faith are traditionally dominated by women. Their god is also, of course, a woman. Due to the young age of the hierarch Sasame, at present Izayoi is effectively the leader of Wutai. Wishes to preserve the tradition lifestyle, not reliant on technology. Yuffie’s father left Yuffie in Izayoi’s care, and she raised the girl.

- Sasame…… Officially Sasame-no-Himemiko. The 89th hierarch of Wutaia. 15 years old. Because she grew up pampered, she is slightly spoilt. She isn’t happy about Izayoi treating her like a child, and her showing favour to Yuffie.

- Sera…… An representative sent from Shinra. Actually a wicked woman plotting Wutai’s destruction.

- Godo Kisaragi…… Yuffie’s father. He is the head of the Kisaragi family, who have served the hierarch for generations and undertake their dirty work. Presently, he is on an investigative mission in another area on the order of Izayoi.

- Kasumi Kisaragi…… Yuffie’s mother. Died from an illness when Yuffie was a child.

Wutai is a temple town which developed around the Wutaia temple. Right behind the town is a large crag, and there are several massive statues resembling Guan Yin, dozens of metres high. Commonly known as the “Ten Faced Mountain.”

When you enter the Wutai town, Yuffie suddenly disappears.

Barret: “Huh? Our money, our money’s gone! Yuffie, that sneaky little…!”

They walk around town looking for Yuffie.

Townspeople: “Lady Sasame is our hierarch now. But she’s still a little girl, so it’s her mother Izayoi who actually does all the work.”

Yuffie is taking the money to a temple in the center of the town.

For several years, Shinra’s reach began to extend to Wutai. After finding out there is an abundance of mako energy in the ground below Wutai, Shinra planned to build a new mako reactor there. However, due to opposition from the conservative Izayoi and the townspeople, the project breaks down. And so Shinra hatched a plan to impose high custom charges on goods entering Wutai, and indirectly make the people of Wutai suffer. The remote town of Wutai cannot oppose Shinra through military force. So in order to save the people of Wutai, Yuffie made money and brought it back here.

Cloud: “… Why did you take the money?”

Yuffie: “I was raised at this temple since I was little. I’ve never once learnt ninjutsu from my father. I’m not accepted as a member of the Kisaragi family. But that’s not what everyone in Wutai thinks. They say it’s a cursed family, involved with dirty work. I don’t belong on either side. So if I didn’t do this, I’m scared I might lose sight of who I am…”

However, the present ruler Sasame says that Yuffie’s money is tainted money gotten through murder, and won’t even accept it. Far from it, she says that they should cooperate with Shinra, thanks to the clever persuasion of Sera, a woman sent by Shinra several months ago.

Sera: “Lady Sasame, these people are terrorists who have attacked the Shinra Company. And furthermore Yuffie is a traitor who once worked for Shinra’s SOLDIER. Lady Izayoi knew of this, but shielded Yuffie. Surely she must love this girl more than she does you…”

Yuffie and the team fall into a trap because of Sera’s scheme. With Izayoi’s assistance they get out of trouble, find evidence of the plot, and go into the temple. Yuffie faces off with Sera and defeats her. However, Sera had already launched her final plan. She aimed to blow up the Ten Faced Mountain towering over the town to destroy the town, and build a mako reactor over its ruins. As the team head for the mountain to stop the explosion, Sasame asks them a question.

Sasame: “Why are you doing this? You’re not even from this town.”

Barret: “… I know a town like this, one that was wiped out because of Shirna’s tricks. I know a stupid man who was taken in by their promises, and lost his home, his family, his future. The world only needs one idiot like that… that’s all.”

* Her position as a ‘ninja’ being fleshed out with various episodes, and the characters events in Wutai and such are quite different from the final game.

-=Cloud’s Return=-

Expanded map, after the cave-in on the eastern island of Mideel. Cloud and Tifa have nearly drowned. They are rescued by the party. Barret checks on Tifa. Tifa wakes up, but Cloud’s heart has stopped. Everyone is dejected. Tifa gets up.

Tifa: “CLOUD!! Cloud, you idiot! Why, after you finally realised who you are! Everyone’s worried about you! Going off on your own… I’m not going to let you do something so selfish!”

Tifa starts to perform a heart massage and artificial respiration. See the event in Under Junon. But this time it isn’t comical. The party watches over. Cloud’s monologue is overlaid on top of the scene. A sort of out-of-body feel.

Cloud: “… When I came to, I was in… a white room. Bright and…”

(White out. The following is voice only)

Voice: “No: 00048, Type/YM, serial number 397808″

Cloud: “Who’s voice was that. That’s right… Hojo.”

Hojo: “And what about you, then? Hmph… what beautiful Mako eyes. Can you speak?”

“Uh…. a…. ah”

Hojo: “Do you feel something? Can you hear someone calling you? Do you want to go somewhere?”

“…… I want to go…. home….. Mom…. Tifa….”

Hojo: “Hm…. this one’s a failure. Just dump him in the mountains or something.”

- Zack and Cloud escaping from the Shin-Ra mansion
- Zack talking in the back of a truck heading to Midgar
- Just before reaching Midgar their pursuers attack, and Zack runs out of strength. Cloud takes his sword

☆

Cloud: “Tifa, thank you. I’m coming back.”

Cloud is resuscitated (guaranteed). Everyone is overjoyed.

[ After Returning to the Party in Mideel ]

Tifa: “Why didn’t you tell me when you came back to the village?”

Cloud: “I was disappointed in myself. When I left I made a promise, said I’d make it into SOLDIER, but I was just a regular grunt. I couldn’t bare to have to people in the village see me like that, so pathetic.”

Tifa: “What do you mean? It doesn’t matter if you didn’t make it into SOLDIER, as long as you tried your best.”

Cloud: “But I hated seeing myself like that. And I couldn’t stand myself even more for trying to hide it. Sephiroth hadn’t erased me from existence. Maybe I was already gone, ever since I tried to hide myself from my childhood friend. Sephiroth just took advantage of that…”

~omission~

Yuffie: “Before, Cloud said that Sephiroth took over his mind, right. Does all that paranormal stuff really exist?

Vincent: “I remember now… Cloud… that name. You were a test subject in the Jenova Activation Sephiroth Project…”

Cloud: “That’s right… I came to Midgar dreaming of being a SOLDIER. And I was brought into Hojo’s experiments… That was the Jenova Activation Sephiroth Project.”

Vincent: “Sephiroth Project… the case I once investigated.”

Cloud: “SOLDIER doesn’t just involve mako injections. They’re also composed with Jenova cells.”

Vincent: “All of SOLDIER are injected with energy from Jenova in some form or another. Sephiroth is an example of a successful subject. But we were totally against that, toying with human life… Because of this the Sephiroth project was suspended, as far as the public was concerned, but Shinra continued with the experiments in secret. Those involved implanting Jenova cells into an adult human being.”

Cloud: “That’s SOLDIER. And me too. But since, unlike Sephiroth, our bodies have already fully grown, we couldn’t become Jenova life forms as perfect as Sephiroth. The human spirit wins out in the end. So even though Sephiroth’s spirit laid hidden within my mind, it was held back by Cloud’s personality. But my complexes covered up the present Cloud personality. So my memories of the past… Sephiroth started to take control over me.”

Vincent: “Within the hearts of those who sense a weakness of will within themselves, Sephiroth gradually awakens… That was a side-effect of the project.”

* At first the Reunion concept didn’t exist, and Cloud was Sephiroth’s alter ego. Also, the things in the crater were not the WEAPONs, but evil monsters created by Sephiroth.

-=The Truth About Cloud=-

[ Materia Chamber ] (* note: Inside the crater in the finished game)

A dome, filled with around 500 materia the size of a person lined up in a radial pattern. Among these are some even larger materia. In the centre is an energy crystal (Ultimate Materia), and inside that is a new life form. It resembles Sephiroth. However, its body is complete naked, and the contours of the body are closer to that of a woman’s.

Tifa: “So the one who is trying to crash Meteor into the planet and bring about a Big Bang…”

Vincent: “That is what Sephiroth, the new life form before us, desires. But he didn’t know the key to calling forth Meteor. Even after obtaining the knowledge of the Ancients that had fused into the mako energy, he wasn’t able to learn of it. In order to obtain the Black Materia, the secret to casting Meteor, he required someone who was able to move around freely.”

Tifa: “Jenova?”

Vincent: “No, not Jenova.”

Rufus: “So that was your plan, Sephiroth?”

Turning around, you see Rufus standing there.

~omission~

Rufus: “Now, would you step aside? This toy is too much for you.”

Red XIII: “Forget about it. Look at the materia.”

Inside the 500 materia evil life forms (monsters) are now awakening.

Red XIII: “Sephiroth’s will must be very powerful. He has the power to draw out all the malevolent energy within the planet. That evil desire crystallised to form these materia. And he’s created soldiers to form an unholy army. You could say these materia are eggs waiting to hatch. With just the slightest shock the materia will shatter, and those devils will awaken.”

~omission~

Cloud is acting strange. He doesn’t respond to the player’s commands, and starts to walk towards Sephiroth in the huge materia. No matter what button you press, it feels like he’s being controlled. Cloud breaks the surface of Sephiroth’s materia with his sword, and places the Black Materia there.

Tifa: “Cloud! What are you doing? You mustn’t! If you do that, Sephiroth will cast Meteor!”

Tseng: “Is he insane?”

Rufus: “No, he’s not. This is who he really is.”

Red XIII: “What did you say!”

Rufus: “It’s just as Sephiroth said, that man doesn’t exist in this world. He’s a shadow created by Sephiroth. (To Cloud) When Sephiroth died when he fell into the mako reactor, he had a strong desire to live. Born as a result was Sephiroth’s shadow. Cloud, that’s you, isn’t it?”

Cloud: “To complete my will, I needed to obtain Meteor. However, to do so I required a body able to move freely. That powerful will created the one called Cloud. Cloud’s memories are not his own. They are Sephiroth’s memories. The image of ‘Cloud’ created within Cloud’s memories is nothing but phantom. He’s the manifestation of a fraction of Sephiroth’s emotions.”

Rufus: “So you thought you were trying to stop Sephiroth’s plans, but you were just being used all along.”

Cloud: “But Cloud’s mission ends here.”

In the Train

Having gotten through the ID check point and put on their disguises.

Barret: “Nnn~~!! Hey! Do you lot want some time off?”

Wedge: “Y, yes!! Ah…. never mind…”

Barret: “Alright!! All of ya, listen up!! If we complete this mission safely, we’re gonna have to lay low. I’ll take you lot with us! To the birthplace of AVALANCHE. The holy land for protectors of the planet, Cosmo Canyon.”

AVALANCE: “Whoo~!!”

Jessie: “Do they have hot springs?”

Barret: “Maybe there is.”

Biggs: “Can I wear this? I’ve always wanted to try wearing something like this, at least once.”

Barret: “Sure! Maybe you can.”

Wedge: “Do they have good food?”

Barret: “You bet they do. And good booze. A sky full of stars, as far as the eye can see. The sounds of bonfires in the distance. All that ’round you while you eat. How’s that, not bad, huh?”

Jessie: “Hey, what about Cloud?”

Barret: “Oh… him too.”

Biggs: “But his payment… we can’t afford it, right?”

Barret: “Don’t you worry about that!! If we can’t pay him, we’ll grab him by the scuff of his neck and drag him there!”

AVALANCHE: “Hooo~!!”

Barret: “See ya! You guys finish up here!”

* In the game Barret only talks about how he ‘swore with this friends that they would have a toast by the Cosmo Candle’, but it seems the details of that promise is in the above scene.

-=Kalm Flashback=-

[ In the Basement of the Shinra Manor ]

Sephiroth: “Cloud. That mako reactor is no ordinary power plant. Shinra’s true motive lies elsewhere.”

Cloud: “What do you mean?”

Sephiroth: “The energy that permeates the earth of this planet is no mere energy. Where do you think it comes from in the first place? Where does this substance, unfathomable by our science, originate from? Does it just come from nothing? Does the planet make it? And where does this energy end up? Is it just electricity to power a light? No, it’s not. Shinra started to catch on to its true potential. Their test of that is this mako reactor. And me, as well…”

* The voice saying ‘This isn’t just a reactor!’ which Cloud hears in his mind during the bombing of the #1 mako reactor in the final game originated from this conversation with Sephiroth.

[ Tifa's Diary ]

Last night I read a book by a man called Mon Mos. It said that Mako energy was like the blood of the planet, and if we keep using it like we are now it’ll shorten the life of the planet.

***

I wonder if Wel, Dan, Meiday, and the other boys who left the village are doing alright?
All the boys left for the city. They all called me out to the water tower. They all said the same things.
Ah, except for Cloud. He said something about joining SOLDIER?
I wonder how long he’s been thinking about that. He was always pretty distant from everyone else, but still bothered about everyone else.
To be frank, he was kind of a strange kid. Always getting into fights. It wasn’t like he was fighting because he was angry, more like he was testing something. What was he trying to test? His own strength?

***

I thought about Cloud today.
Since when did he change?
I think the boys started to hate Cloud when he was 8. That’s when he used start fights with anybody.
When Cloud was 8… I was 7. The year mum died. I don’t remember much about that year. It’s kind of a strange feeling, like being myself but at the same time not. But even since then, it’s felt like I’ve been obssessed with Mt. Nibel.

* Originally there was to be a diary in Tifa’s room, and you were able find out what she thought about Cloud. It shows an impressive display of Tifa’s popularity, being called out to the water tower by everyone.

-=Nibelheim=-

[ A Fabricated Past ]

Man: “This town was rebuilt with the hope that what we know as the ‘Tragedy of Nibelheim’ won’t be repeated. Although the public opening isn’t until next year. Do you know the Tragedy of Nibelheim?”

Select ‘Tell me about it’

Man: “Well then… *cough*. Our story begins 25 years ago. It was here in Nibelheim that the world’s first mako reactor for practical use was built. The pleasent life mako energy brought with it mean the population of Nibelheim shot up fast. However, there were some amongst them who were up to no good. They came up with the despicable idea of taking the mako reactor for themselves, and selling off the mako energy. And what’s more, every single one of the townspeople approved of that diabolical scheme. Finally they ran the Shinra employees out of the village, and seized the mako reactor. All this happened 5 years ago. President Shinra, who’s only concern is the well-being of people all over the world, was terribly saddened by this. Because the people of Nibelheim used to be such good people, but how completely they changed. President Shinra felt responsible for what had happened, and in the end he reached a decision. It was a decision made for the world’s well-being. He ordered for SOLDIER to be sent there, and to remove the people how had seized the reactor. They say that because he expected many people would die, there were tears in the President’s eyes as he gave the order. *sniff*… The SOLDIER sent there was the great hero, Sephiroth. Sephiroth tried to fulfil his mission, but he must have felt some resistance at having to fight people who weren’t even trained to fight. They took advantage of this lapse in his guard, and in the end he lost his life… (goes on a bit) … This is the Tragedy of Nibelheim.
That’s not how it happened at all! > 01
…… Is that so. > 02

01> Man: “Well now, what’s your proof? This is based on the Shinra Company’s official data, you know.” > go to 02

02> (Cloud’s head hurts)
Cloud: “No… that’s not how it is. That’s just some convenient story Shinra created.”

Man: “Huh? I can’t just ignore somethin’ like that. I don’t know what you think you know, but isn’t THAT just some someone’s conveniently created story?”

[ Tifa's House ]

Tifa and Aerith are talking. You can hear their conversation.

Tifa: “Don’t tell Cloud.”

Aerith: “Alright.”

Tifa: “But I can’t believe it, you knew Zack…”

Aerith: “… I wonder why Cloud doesn’t know about Zack? I mean, they were the same class in SOLDIER.”

Tifa: “Don’t talk about that either.”

Aerith: “… Yeah, you’re right.”

Tifa: “What should I do about this?” (*note: her locket pendant contains the photo taken 5 years before)

Aerith: “You should hang on to it. I feel like it’ll come in handy one day.”

Tifa: “… Yeah.”

* A secret conversation between those who know Zack. In these early plans, Tifa kept the photo taken in Nibelheim 5 years before in a pendant which she wore.

[ Meeting Zangan Again ]

Cloud: “Did you find something out?”

Zangan: “An immensely vital secret… and it was right here.”

Cloud: “To keep a secret? Shinra shouldn’t have had to go to all that trouble. They could just send in the troops and raze the town. That way everything would be erased.”

Zangan: “If they did that, don’t you think people would start talking a bit? I think Shinra wanted to avoid that. All of the true residents of this village are dead. Several have returned here… and it seems they were killed. You’ve seen the boorish lot who were prowling around here, didn’t you?”

Cloud: “What are they hiding, that they’d go so far..?”

[With Tifa in your party when you speak to him]

Zangan: “Tifa!! Looks like you’re all better now! At that time, I thought you were done for.”

Tifa: That time……I……I don’t really remember that time. All I remember is going into the mako reactor after papa…After that, I was attacked by Sephiroth……and that’s it. And when I came to, I was in a hospital in Midgar……

Tifa: Yes……After I left the Hospital I started working in the Seventh Heaven bar. But, instantly after that the bar’s owner died, and I inherited the shop. At the time, I was moved by what I heard from this person, and joined this organization……

Zangan: Hahahaha! Some people, some organization……Mm.
When you become an adult, your secrets have a tendency to increase! But all that matters is that you’re well.

Tifa: …… Was it you who saved me, sensei?

Zangan: I don’t know if you could call it help……That time, I was sleeping at the Inn. The noise and the heat woke me up to the village as a sea of flames. I went from house to house to help the villagers. But it was futile……

The ideas of many staff members went into creating the story for FFVII, and there were a lot of scenario ideas and scripts that ultimately got rejected. Here is a sample from that massive document.

-=Opening=-

“Mako Energy… Energy residing within this planet… In a short span of time, its existence has changed the lives of people. Just as people once drew water from wells to quench their thirst, the mako energy drawn out of the earth by mako reactors has illuminated this world. Street lights, locomotives, factories, guns, towns, the world… everything ran by the power of mako energy.

But wellsprings will one day run dry. Those who called themselves cultured left behind the fractured earth, and took up residence in a misshapen city built in the sky, covered in iron plates and the stench of sewage. Towering high at the center of this city was the building of the ‘Shinra Company’, the corporation who planned to gain control of the world through its monopoly of mako energy.

And on this day as well, somewhere, another battle wages against ‘AVALANCHE’, a terrorist organization who directly oppose Shinra’s energy policies.”

[movie starts]

The pitch black void of space. Countless stars scattered throughout. The camera slowly drifts amongst it. A deep red star enters the frame at the center of the screen. Suddenly the star in the void sparks and bursts into flames. Just like a match being lit…

As the camera pulls back, we find that it really was a match. What looked like space was a dim back alley. And what looked like stars were sparks from a bonfire. As the camera pulls back further…

A girl, Aerith, takes the match she just lit over to a lamp. She picks up a basket containing bouquets of flowers and stands up, then leaves the alley. As she exits the alley, we see the hustle and bustle of Midgar. The camera gradually rises up into the sky. Finally, the full view of Midgar’s contorted form comes into vision. The girl is no longer in the view of the camera.

The camera once again begins to near the ground. Its view is directed towards a train speeding along the surface. The camera closes in just above the train. All of this has been one single shot. The train arrives at its final stop, at the center of Midgar. An everyday scene of the commuters getting off the train.

-=Battling Jenova=-

[ Cargo Ship ]

The stomach area of Sephiroth’s cape seems to flutter, then something comes shooting out from inside it. The object just misses the team and smashes into the wall behind them, and the team is knocked down by the impact. When they get up and look toward Sephiroth, he is no longer there. The wall where he was has been destroyed, and he has escaped through there. Cloud looks at the object Sephiroth threw. It’s a mummified right hand.

Tifa: “That’s disgusting, what is it?”

Red XIII: “This was in the lab at the Shinra building. A specimen of the Jenova mummy.”

Aerith: “Sephiroth’s mother’s…”

Barret: “Yeah, the beaker there was all smashed up, wasn’t it? That means Sephiroth took that mummy from there?”

Aerith: “But why?”

Cloud: “Because it’s his mother?”

Tifa: “Look at the hand! It’s moving!”

Jenova’s right hand transforms into a monster (Jenova 1 – Jenova: Right Arm).

[ On the Road from Cosmo Canyon to Nibelheim ]

Man in Black Cape: “Cease following me… Cloud! If you persist any further, you will end up losing sight of yourself. Of who you really are…”

An object flies from his cape. The main body of the man in the black cape runs off ahead. The object transforms (Jenova 2 – Jenova: Thumb). When you defeat it, the dead body shrinks into a thumb.

Red XIII: “First an arm, and now a thumb.”

Cloud: “Lose sight of myself…?”

Red XIII: “I wouldn’t give much notice to the ramblings of a monster.”

[ Temple of the Ancients ]

Suddenly, the man in the black cape appears. He steals the Black Materia and disappears. As if to block the party in chase, the man in the black cape throws something at them. It is a part of Jenova’s body. It transforms into a monster (Jenova 3 – Jenova: Knee).

[ Forgotten City ]

Cloud is in a rage at the death of Aerith. The man in the black cape quickly flies off into the air and escapes, leaving behind a glowing object… The object transforms into a monster (Jenova 4 – Jenova: Leg). A 1-on-1 battle between Jenova and Cloud.

Jenova: “Cloud…. You think you have won, but are you so sure? Sephiroth heads for the Great Northern Glacier. However, the closer you get to Sephiroth, the closer you walk towards destruction. But will you still go on?”

[ The Promised Land ]

Man in Black Cloak: “My mission was to lead you this far. To lead the one who had visited the ruins of the Ancients, and gained knowledge of Meteor…”

Cloud: “Knowledge of Meteor…?”

Man in Black Cloak: “…This is the end… my mission… is over… my… Jenova’s mission. Jenova…”

The man turns to face Cloud. He slowly takes off his hood and… he has no face! He takes of the whole cloak, revealing he has no body… Save for a single part. A heart floating in midair.

Cloud: “Jenova’s… heart!? Then where’s Sephiroth?”

Tifa: “Then who have we been chasing so far? It wasn’t Sephiroth?”

Cid: “Oi! What’re you two standing around for! It’s coming right for us!”

The heart transforms (Jenova 5 – Jenova: Heart). After the party defeats it, they find the Black Materia left behind. The party successes in retrieving the Black Materia.

* Originally, it seems the reason that the different parts of Jenova kept the name of that part of the body was to make it easy to realize that the Jenova from Shinra Building was detaching parts of its own body as it heads towards Sephiroth.

(Editor Note: Sephiroth’s followers in Black Coats were originally parts of Jenova concealed by their cloaks, capable of thought. It was from them that pieces of Jenova would be cut off and fought by Cloud and the group. They were to be around the same size as Sephiroth while also not being Sephiroth himself. EDIT: Hitoshura has suggested that rather than there being more than one, there was just one man in black, Jenova, who was cutting off bits of her body as she went towards Sephiroth until finally she’s just a heart. That’s…even creepier.)

-=Sector 7 Slums=-

[ In Seventh Heaven: A Suspicious Drunk ]

Behind the counter is a staircase leading underground. Down there is the hideout for AVALANCHE. A suspicious customer (one of the Turks) comes in pretending to be drunk.

Tifa: “Oh, I’m sorry, sir. We’re closed for today.”

Customer (stumbling around): “I haven’t had enough to drink. Just one more. Ooh, aren’t you a pretty one!”

Tifa: “Please stop teasing me, sir!”

Customer: “Now, don’t get mad, don’t get mad! I am a customer, you know.”

Tifa: “Well, we’re closed for today!”

Customer: “… Alright, ma’am. (Just before leaving) Lady, you’re one fine looking woman. … So this is my last look…. what a shame. Well, if you’ll excuse me.”

Cloud: “That guy… he wasn’t drunk, was he..?”

Tifa: “No…”

You can follow him if you want, but you lose sight of him. Tifa stays behind.

[ Conversation with Johnny ]

Johnny: “You didn’t look like just another average guy, but bloody hell, her childhood friend… My Tifa’s… Just what are to my Tifa now, then!”

“We’re just childhood friends.” >Choice 01
“That’s really none of your business, is it?” >Choice 02

Choice 01 Response> Johnny: “But Tifa don’t feel like that. Aaah, why did she ask you! Why not me? I’d save her if she were in trouble! But that’s not gonna happen. I ain’t got nothin’. No memories under starry skies or talks of childhood dreams. The most I’ve got is coming to the bar everyday and havin’ her pour me drinks. Oh, the pain! You! Childhood friend! Don’t think I’m gonna let you just up and leave now! Grr~!! You made a promise, didn’t ya!! You better not make my Tifa cry now!”

Choice 02 Response> Johnny: “Oh, I get it!! But don’t think I’m gonna let you just up and leave now! Nngh~! You made a promise, didn’t ya!! Tifa’s an angel in these slums, you better not forget that!”

Johnny: “I’m gonna go out into the world and become a proper man! Sayonara, baby! Hey, childhood friend! You better look after Tifa!”

** It looks like the reason Johnny left the Slums was because he was heartbroken at having Tifa stolen (?) from him by Cloud.

Aerith

Job: Geomancer Age: 22 Weapon: Rods

An ordinary girl. Kind of cheerful. She is not a woman who worries about things. She can use magic because she is descended from the Ancients.

-=[Episode]=-

Her mother was of Ancient lineage. Her mother was captured by Shinra shortly after Aerith’s birth, and used to produce artificial Ancients like Sephiroth. Afterward, her mother dies. Aerith lived with a foster mother in the Slums. Despite growing up in the Slums, it hasn’t left her hardened emotionally. The run-down church is her sanctuary. She is, in fact, a ‘late bloomer’ and hasn’t ever dated a man. There are some rather naive parts to her. (The following is still undecided) Aerith had an unrequited love once. Because he always bought flowers from her, she soon found herself taking a liking to him. Aerith speaks about these many memories. Cloud tries comparing her memories with Sephiroth’s actions, and starts to feel certain that Aerith’s unrequited love is Sephiroth. On their journey when situations occur that look like Aerith will realize that Sephiroth was that man, Cloud tries to keep from spoiling her image of him, as he ends up hiding it or trying to follow up afterwords.

● At Green Park

Cloud: “Want to rest a bit?”

Aerith: “Yeah.”

Cloud: “So why are you being so nice to me, anyway?”

Aerith: “You bought a flower, didn’t you? I’ve been selling flowers for a long time now… but they’re not exactly in demand. I guess people just don’t have the time to enjoy flowers in this world.”

Cloud: “That’s it?”

Aerith: “I like men who buy flowers from me. That’s how I met the first man I feel in love with.”

Cloud: “Your first love…?”

Aerith: “No, nothing like that. But I adored him. He always used to buy a flower every time he saw me. When you bought one, it just sort of reminded me of that. Ah, but forget about it. That’s all in the past now. Come on, let’s go.”

* There was a lot of ideas for Aerith’s relationship with Sephiroth, from Sephiroth being the character Aerith had feelings for like above, to being brother and sister.

Red XIII

Job: Beast Age: ??? Weapon: Infighter (physical attacks)

A tiger-like animal, with Native American ornaments adorning his body. The end of his tail has a burning effect. He’s a beast-type SOLDIER, and can use magic. He can also understand human language. Originally worked for Bugenhagen, but Shinra took him away for mako reactor experiments. He joins with Cloud’s group because he wants to return home. Red’s species has protected the Buga tribe (Bugenhagen’s people) for 100 years. But, because Red’s father Seto ran away from the battle with the Gi tribe, Red holds his father in contempt.

-=Episode=-

In a town, the party hear that one of the 3 Saints (*note: important characters in the early drafts) is in a Shinra facility near by.

Barret: “What’re the 3 Saints doin’ in a Shinra facility? Didn’t Sephiroth kidnap them?”

Cloud: “If it’s true, then they should know something about Sephiroth’s whereabouts. It’s worth making sure.”

The party arrive at the entrance of facility. Saying “if it’s about the 3 Saints, I know the most out of all of us,” Red XIII automatically puts himself in your party, and you sneak in through the rear entrance. In the passage way Red XIII stops walking.

Red XIII: “Humph, what a disgusting smell. I remember this stench… Like I could forget it, it’s HIM…”

Ahead in the passageway an image appears in the air. A hologram of Hojo.

Cloud: “Hojo?!”

Hojo: “So you’ve come with Cloud and his lot, Red XIII… I guess SOLIDER failures like to flock together, don’t they?”

Red XIII: “(growl)”

Hojo: “Your intentions are so easily read. It’s Gandalf… the Saint, isn’t it? You know I won’t hand him over so easily. Are you still going to try?”

The hologram disappears. Red XIII howls then runs away. You’re forced to go with a two member party.

After a while, you see Red XIII waiting in front of a door. Change back to three party members. When you open the door, and shadow jumps out. It’s Red XIII!

Barret: “T-, two XIIIs… what the hell!?”

Red XIII: “He’s a fake!”

Red XIII: “Don’t be fooled, HE’S the fake!”

Enter battle. The Red who appeared from the door is displayed as an enemy. After taking damage, his body changes color and turns blue. The name in the window is “Cobalt 14″. After taking a certain amount of damage he runs away. The following is displayed in the battle screen.

Red XIII: “Hmph…. you let him get away?”

Barret: “Who the @#!& was that!?”

Red XIII: “A clone… he’s a clone of Red XIII. Cultivated by Hojo from Red XIII’s somatic cells.”

Barret: “Oh God, what the…..!”

Cloud: “… You really do know a lot about this.”

Red XIII: “Of course… after all, I am one of those clones!“

Red XIII attacks the playable character then quickly jumps back. His body also turns blue. The name in the window is “Indigo 15″. The battle starts as is. When you defeat him, he also runs away.

Once again, you go forward with a two member party. They arrive at Hojo’s location. But standing before him are 3 Red XIIIs!

Hojo: “Oh my, now which one is your friend… heheh”

3 Reds: “Hey, I’m the real one!” “I’M the real one!” “It’s me, I am!”

Battle with the 3 Red XIIIs.

- The graphics on the details for the real one and the clones are slightly different.

- If you attack the real one by mistake, one of the clones says “hahaha, over here!” and counterattack.

- For each time the clones attack a player character, the real one attacks the clone.

- Every few turns the three switch places, confusing you as to which is the real one.

They defeat the two clones, and the real one rejoins. The three party members battle Hojo (who has altered his own body). However, if you took out the real Red before you defeated the clones, you are forced to fight with two party members.

They defeat Hojo. But behind the door at the back is Gandalf, practically crippled.

Hojo: “Hehehe… He’s not going to be any use to you… You deserved it, you worthless…. failure….”

Hojo dies. Obtain materia. The two clones are still breathing.

Red XIII: “Do you think you could let these two off… There’s not many of my kind left now, and they were made from me… They’re like my brothers…”

*

At the end of the story, near the last dungeon, Cobalt 14 and Indigo 15 appear before the party once again. They each have half of their bodies mechanised; 14′s right side, and 15′s left side respectively.

Red XIII: “You two… Hojo’s long dead, Shinra’s in ruins. You don’t have to fight anymore! What are you gonna get from fighting?!”

Indigo 15: “We don’t care about Hojo or Shinra… Red XIII, as long as you’re around, we’ll always be your copies. Do you know what that feels like…? I’m no one’s copy! We’ll beat you and prove it…!”

Battle. The clones are naturally powered up. But if you still win…

Red XIII: “Don’t feel bad about it… I guess I am the original after all… But, I never cared about any of that… Really…”

* In the game, the effects of Hojo’s experiments on Red XIII were unknown, but initially episodes related to the experiments were also considered.

Cait Sith

Job: Toysaurus (beastmaster) Age: 9 Weapon: Whips, Cards

A fortune telling machine at a theme park. A kitten. He rides on the back of a fat moogle. He gathers monsters using cards, uses slots… He’s really a puppet controlled by Reeve (actually an ‘Inspire’) of the Shinra Company. At first he comes along as a spy, but through his interactions via the Cait Sith puppet, he develops a friendship with the party.

-=Episode=-

Reeve is the head of Shinra’s Urban Development Division. He is an ‘Inspire’, with the power to breathe life into and control nonliving objects. At first he approaches Cloud’s party using the Cait Sith puppet in order to keep an eye on their movements and spy on them. For some reason, wherever Cloud’s party goes Shinra isn’t far behind.

Although his manner of speech is strange, from what he talks about you can see he’s serious and fixated with theories. That is Reeve’s honest personality coming through. His original motive was solely spying, but through his conversations with Cloud and the others via Cait Sith, little by little he starts to feel an attachment to them.

Cait Sith: “I dun’ think that attitude is very logical~”

Cait Sith: “It’s a one in a hundred chance we’d win against that guy.”

Reeve harbors doubts at any ideas that are destructive towards Shinra’s cities. Eventually, the party members discover that Cait Sith was leaking information about them.

During the journey, he sometimes gets into arguments about the role of mako reactors and how people should live. Sometimes he finds himself torn between Shinra and Cloud…

Cait Sith: “Why do I have to go through all this?”

In the end, he develops friendship for the party.

● In a situation where, if the whole world’s mako reactors aren’t taken offline, they won’t be able to defeat Sephiroth.

Tifa: “It’s no use. Time’s running out. There’s no way we’d be able to shut down the world’s mako reactors now.”

Cait Sith: “There might be a way…”

Cloud: “You have a plan?”

Cait Sith: “But if I did this, I’d be finished with Shinra for sure.”

They persuade Cait Sith. Reeve is revealed to be an ‘Inspire’ as well. Reeve, who has complete control over the mako reactors, shuts down the power from the world’s mako reactors.

Cloud: “The way’s opened up!!”

* The last part of this event was the prototype for the final version’s out of control mako cannon event. This event originally involved the party splitting into two teams: a team to stop the mako cannon, and a Great Cave team.

Cloud

Job: Mystic knight Age: 21 Weapon: Swords, katana

Protagonist. Ex-SOLDIER. Now a wandering ‘jack-of-all-trades’. Employed by rebel group AVALANCHE. Symbolized by the large sword held on his back by magnets.

Barret

Job: Gunner Age: 35 Weapon: Guns, machinery

A powerfully-built black man, and the type to force their way. One of his arms is a gun. Born in Corel Village. The village of Corel is now ruins buried in sand. He had a wife called Meena, but she died in the past. Has a connection with Duel (*note: Dyne in the game), a workmate from his time in Corel.

-=[Episode]=-

Barret’s whole village was dependent on the mines, and not only Barret but most of the men worked in the mines. Barret was an able foreman, and working with him as his assistant was a man called Duel. They each had a wife; Meena for Barret, and Eleanor for Duel.

One day, ownership of the mines switched to a company called Shinra and Barret and the other men, instead of mining, were made to build a structure the likes of which they had never seen more. This structure was called a mako reactor, and it was said that on its completion everyone’s lives would become much easier.

After a year and a half of construction the mako reactor was nearly complete, and in the village a festival was being held to celebrate it. But while Barret and Duel were away, explosions and fires suddenly broke out around the village. When they rushed back, they saw their homes in flames.

They each rush back to their own homes. When Barret reaches his house, he sees Meena coming out from the burning building. Meena collapses. In her arms she is holding Barret’s newly born daughter, Marlene. Barret rushes over to Meena. Then another figure appears behind Barret. It’s an employee from the Shinra Company, the owner of the mines. Barret begs for help, but the employee draws a gun, and shoots Meena through the chest. Having discovered mako energy, a substance of unlimited potential, the Shinra Company feared that secret from being leaked to other companies, and decided to dispose of the people involved with the construction of the mako reactor, village and all.

Barret manages to escape, with Marlene in his arms, when he meets Duel again. Duel’s wife Eleanor has already passed away. Barret and Duel climb up the mountain where the mine is located to escape. On a narrow mountain path, Duel loses his footing. With his right hand, Barret grabs hold of Duel’s left hand just in time. But the pursuers mercilessly shoot Barret and Duel’s hands. Their hands lose grip with each other, and Duel falls down into the dark ravine below.

● Reunion with Duel

Barret: “After that I wandered ’round, until I finally reached Cosmo Canyon and learnt what I had to do. And Duel, I believed you were somewhere, fighting Shinra too just like me… But, why!? Why are you doing this!?”

Duel: “… You still had Marlene… But I only had Eleanor… She was all I… I don’t want here to feel lonely there, so I’m going to send everyone to be with her… heheh… “

At that time, the Shinra army arrives at the settlement after realizing something is wrong. A fierce battle between Cloud’s team and Shinra’s army! In the midst of this, Duel with Barret in pursuit head for the ruins that was once their village. Barret and Duel battle one-on-one. Barret reluctantly shoots Duel.

Duel: “Hah… Sorry, Barret… I’m going to see Eleanor before you…”

Barret: “Duel, you…!”

Duel: “It’s not time for you yet… Stay here… Don’t worry… I’ll tell Meena you said hello… How old’s Marlene…? She doing… well… ?”

Duel’s head drops sharply. Harsh winds and a sand-storm envelope the two men.

Note: << Duel…… Image-wise, in contrast to the sturdy Barret, he’s a slim and tall man, and his left arm is not a Gatling gun like Barret but a narrow one like a rifle >>

* This episode can also be see in Corel Prison in the game, but there are slight differences such as Dyne’s name being Duel and Marlene being Barret’s real daughter. Furthermore, although not listed here, there were many proposed names for the character of Dyne, such as Vicks. The Shinra supervisor who burnt down Corel was also changed many times before the final decision was made, such as being Reeve or Heidegger.

Tifa

Job: Shooter (martial artist) Age: 20 Weapon: Bare fists

An ordinary woman. Her personality is rather cheerful. Martial artist. Born in Nivelheim*. The like-minded people who gathered in her bar formed AVALANCHE. Tifa is also a member of AVALANCHE herself, but isn’t taking part in the current missions. She is more the type to cheer everyone up and support from behind-the-scenes. An old acquaintance of Cloud’s, it seems she likes him but she won’t show it. On her back is a large scar she got from Cloud*. Due to the shock of receiving that injury she lost her memories from around that time.

* [note: not a typo on my part, either it's a typo in the book or they were doing to have a 'v' in the original. Although strictly speaking, it could be translated as "Nivelheim" in the final version as well. And it isn't a mistake, the scar.... was from Cloud.]

Fans love what FFVII became, that is true. But what about…a Red XIII…that was blue?

There were quite a few things that never made it to the original game, and that’s where the FFVII Ultimania Omega’s Early Material Files come in. While you await the arrival of AC Complete, Thelifestream.net will take a look at what FFVII could have been by doing translations of the Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega’s EARLY MATERIAL FILES. You may just be surprised at what was left behind.

• Character Files: Page 518
• Character Files: Page 519-520
• Character Files: Page 520-523
• Worldview & Terminology: Page 523-525
• Scenarios & Scripts: Page 525-526
• Scenarios & Scripts: Page 527-528
• Scenarios & Scripts: Page 528-529
• Scenarios & Scripts: Page 528-529 (Part 2)