I'd think a ditch of the Buster sword would be found confusing, as the sword was never made a big deal before, to Cloud or anyone else. Or people might think Sephiroth is just forcing him to disarm himself as a precaution against him doing something stupidly awesome at the last minute a la Nibelheim reactor.
...Though the second one would, sadly, be too smart for Sephiroth.
But the thing is, by that point, the sword is just not that big a deal by itself; it's simply another part of his SOLDIER ensemble. According to Yinza's script, his sword is only referenced twice... once in that Honeybee Inn roleplay of all things, and once when Hojo asks him what he's planning to do with his sword (you know, maybe chop Hojo up).
For something that the POV character does at that climactic, closely-paced moment to lack meaning unless you've experienced other entries (even though the game itself should be able to stand alone) or complete a later,
optional sidequest (and then still lack impact because there is no reason to believe Zack had any significance in Cloud's mind then-- he wasn't remembered) just seems like...bad storytelling.
The rest of AVALANCHE wouldn't have to know about the significance of the sword for the symbolism to work. The player would know though.
What I meant was that if they have no idea what the significance of the sword is, they have no reason to stop and pick it up while they're busy worrying about what Cloud's doing or escaping the devastation of the crater, which starts as soon as Cloud's handed the black materia. Who would think of a sword when their eyes are glued to Cloud because he may or may not be about to hand over the end of the world? And then after that they have to run. Once Cloud hands over the materia, no one hesitates over
him, not even Tifa, even though past experience could have told them Sephiroth would likely discard Cloud like a used tissue once he got what he wanted. Shock, horror, probably some betrayal, and simple survival of immediate threat to their lives are the dominant mindset. No one's going to think of a memento of Cloud; one week later, Tifa seems to still be processing his loss.
The sword is simply unimportant to them in face of what's happening. That's why AVALANCHE thinking to take it strikes as odd.
In the OG, it shows that even though Sephiroth's manipulating him, Cloud is still in his head somewhere. If Cloud dropped it, it would show exactly how much control Sephiroth has over him.
But this would contradict his apologies. Having his body levitated, spasming several times before he finally hands over the materia, apologizing to his teammates even as he betrays them... I think these all really emphasize how much control Sephiroth has already. It's also crueler in a way that Cloud is never completely mindless, but always aware of what he's doing, which fits in with Sephiroth's mindfuckery with him: he wants Cloud to suffer. He does not want a blank puppet that looks like Cloud. He wants Cloud writhing in the dirt, wishing he'd never raised a sword against Sephiroth. So really, I prefer it the way the game has it now: Cloud is in his head, suffering all the more for it.
Shademp said:
for example, for Tifa to pick it up as a sign that even in this dark hour she will not give up on him one day coming back to retrieve it.
- Tifa shows increasing uncertainty in the illusory Nibelheim. Cloud first thinks to ask if Sephiroth is really telling the truth after Tifa turns away and gives no response to the taunt about showing everyone what's in her heart.
- Cloud gives a whole mini-speech about how even if he's confused, he knows he's Tifa Cloud because she said "long time no see", and that it's her attitude that counts; she is only able to respond with doubt and a plea for more time.
- When Cloud tells Tifa that he's not her Cloud, and maybe someday she will meet the real one, she is unable to protest or respond at all, instead falling to her knees.
This dark hour is directly tied to Tifa losing faith in Cloud, though she regains it later. Grabbing the sword as a sign of faith would be a major change in tone and bring in question why she didn't... you know, try encouraging him by saying she believed instead. Maybe it'd work as a sign of desperation, that she wants something to hold onto that badly, but we get back to her desperation being spent yelling at Cloud to stop before he hands over the Black materia and running for her life afterward and please, god, let the writers have her keep the sense to put her life over a memento that heavy.
Though it
would be really nice to know what he did with that sword in Don Corneo's place.
) explains the origins of the key.
I felt tingly inside reading that.
No wonder he didn't want Cloud coming back.