Chapter 26: Memories of Cloud, Escape from Junon
Tifa: Link…... Cloud...
(A tiny Cloud and a tiny Link stands, the tiny Cloud vanishes never to return and the tiny Link runs off into the darkness. Tifa runs onto the dream and chases him into the nothingness.)
Tifa: ...I didn't know what else to do. I was always like that...
(Tifa begins to think back to a time at the Sector 7 train station. It is raining. Cloud, his sword across his lap, slumps by the stairway to the train platform. The train conductor is looking down at him as Tifa and Link enters.)
Tifa: What's the matter?
(The area flashes electrically white.)
Cloud: ohhh...
Conductor: ...poor kid.
Cloud: Ooouugh...
(Tifa and Link run up to Cloud as the train conductor leaves.)
Tifa: Are you all right?
Link: He doesn't seem to be injured.
Cloud: oo... uh... agh
(Tifa kneels by him and tries to lift him up. The dream flashes electrically white again.)
Cloud: Uh... uh... Tifa... Tifa...?
(He stands.)
Cloud: Tifa!
Link: You know him, Tifa?
Tifa: ...?
(She brushes his face.)
Tifa: Oh, Cloud! Link, this is my friend from Nebilheim, when I was a kid!
Link: Oh, so this is the friend you told me about.
(Cloud raises his sword in an offensive posture.)
Cloud: That's right. I'm Cloud.
Tifa: Is it really you, Cloud? I never thought I'd find you here!
Cloud: Yeah, it's been a while.
Tifa: What happened to you? You don't look well.
Cloud: ...Yeah? It's nothing. I'm okay.
(Tifa and Link walk a short distance away. The area flashes again. Cloud clutches his head, shaking, for a brief moment. He stops before Tifa turns around.)
Tifa: How long has it been?
(The area flashes again. Three times. He grabs his head, in pain, but Tifa does not seem to notice.)
Cloud: Five years.
Tifa: ...
Link: ?
Cloud: What is it?
Tifa: ...It's really been a long time.
Link: I'll be over here for a bit, so you two can catch up.
(The area darkens, but does not disappear.)
Tifa: Actually, it's been seven years. Cloud got his wish and joined SOLDIER, quit after the Sephiroth incident, and was now a mercenary... He told me a lot about what happened after leaving Nibelheim... But... ...Something was wrong. I felt there was something strange about the things he talked about. All the things he didn't know but should. And other things he shouldn't know but did... I wanted to make sure... But then I heard... he was going far away...
(The area finally fades completely.)
Tifa: And I didn't want that... I didn't know what to do. So, I thought I needed more time. And that's why I told Cloud and you about the AVALANCHE job. I wanted to be with you Link, and wanted to watch Cloud too. But, now Cloud's gone, and Link... the one I fell in love with... you're gone too...
(The room begins to come in to focus as Tifa starts to wake up)
Tifa: Ding...
Barret: Huh?
Tifa: The glare...
Barret: You'll be better soon. You've been asleep a long time.
Tifa: I'm hungry...
Barret: Hey, why don't you ask? About him.
(The room fades the rest of the way in. Tifa has been lying on something resembling an operating table, in an auxiliary room in Junon. Slowly, she sits up. She looks at Barret, standing by the far wall.)
Tifa: ...Because I'm scared.
Barret: Don't worry. I don't know what happened to Link either.
(He scratches his head.)
Barret: Guess I shouldn't tell you not to worry... None of them know if he's all right or not.
Tifa : He's still... alive at least, right? (Barret nods) How long... was I asleep?
Barret: Lessee now... Must've been about 7 days.
Tifa: What about Sephiroth?
(Barret walks over to Tifa's bed.)
Barret: You ain't over it yet. Remember that huge light, in the Northern Cave?
(Tifa swings her legs over so that she is sitting on the edge of the bed.)
Barret: Since then, the crater's been surrounded by a huge barrier of light. Everyone knows Sephiroth sleeps in that big hole, protected by the barrier. We can't do a damn thing about it. We just gotta wait till he wakes up. And the crazy thing is, it's bein' said that it's ain't Sephiroth no more... it's Ganon! (He faces a wall.) And on topa that, some huge monster called Weapon's been on a rampage.
(Tifa looks at Barret)
Tifa: ...Weapon?
Barret: Remember that huge monster that was made with Sephiroth, at the bottom of the crater? Well it's up here now. They say it's some legendary monster from the past.
Tifa: Weapon... is protecting Sephiroth? Err … Ganondorf?
(He shakes his head.)
Barret: Dunno. But he's up here goin' around tearin' shit up. Right now Rufus' fightin' it. I hate to say it, but he's got
guts. (He turns and walks away. Tifa hops off the bed.) We shoulda been the ones to destroy it, but we ain't got no time...
Tifa: Time...
(She turns to him.)
Tifa: ...Hey! How about Meteor?
(Barret doesn't say anything. Instead, he walks further away and presses a button. The window shades open up, Tifa looks out the window to see Meteor hanging in the sky like a dark sun.)
Tifa: Do we have to give up?
Barret: ...Dunno.
(The door to the room slides open with a hiss and President Rufus walks in.)
Rufus: I thought Link would show up to save you all... Professor Hojo wanted to talk to him too.
Tifa: What are you going to do to Link?
Rufus: The holder of the Triforce of Courage... (He flips his hair.) Meteor has been summoned... Essentially, it's all but over now. So, there's no need for you now. No, maybe there is an important task for you...
(Heidegger enters behind Rufus.)
Heidegger: President! Preparations for the public execution are complete.
(Barret jumps)
Barret: Execution! What're ya gonna get by executin' us?
Rufus: You are to be executed for causing this situation. People are ignorant. They'll feel better as long as someone is
punished.
(Barret runs forward, up to the President, trembling with rage.)
Barret: I take back what little praise I had for this damn jackass!
(He straightens.)
Rufus: Well, enjoy your last moments together.
(With that, he turns and leaves.)
Heidegger: I'll tie your arms now.
(He does so. Barret and Tifa are then led, bound, to the bottom floor of Junon Military Base. To the gas chamber. They arrive at a large auditorium, with rows upon rows of seats available to watch the event. A rather large, round
fellow sits in the front row. Scarlet speaks at a podium.)
Scarlet: Is everyone here? These are the ones who brought this madness into the world!
(Several cameramen set up their cameras. Barret looks around at them)
Barret: The hell are these people?
Scarlet: We will be broadcasting your miserable deaths live on national television.
(The large fellow turns to her.)
Man: Scarlet, why a public execution in this day and age?
(Scarlet walks toward the gas chamber)
Scarlet: With the chaos resulting from the Meteor reports, we desperately need to rally public support... it's better that we punish somebody, anybody.
Tifa: You make me sick...
(Scarlet starts laughing. A cameraman moves forward to film her.)
Scarlet: Ha, ha, ha, ha! They'll never admit it, but everyone loves this stuff! (She turns to Tifa) We'll start with this girl.
Tifa: Link... where are you... I... need you.
(Barret struggles against his cuffs.)
Barret: If you've gotta do it... do me first!
Scarlet: Camera, this way! Make sure you get this, the audience just eats up tearful goodbyes!
(A cameraman films Barret. Tifa enters the gas chamber, followed by Scarlet; who kicks her toward the chair.)
Tifa: What are you doing!
(Scarlet moves so that Tifa is between her and the chair.)
Scarlet: This is my special gas chamber. Take your time, and enjoy a slow, painful death.
(A guard moves forward and removes Tifa's cuffs. Scarlet punches her into the chair. The guard fastens her in.)
Scarlet: Stuck up ^%$#&!
(She slaps Tifa again and leaves. The guard follows, but drops something on the way out. The scene fades back to the auditorium.)
Scarlet: Well now, the show's about to begin. Ha, ha, ha!
(A red light floods the room and a siren begins to sound.)
P.A: Emergency! Emergency! Weapon's approaching! Attention all military personnel: take your positions!
Woman: Oh no! It's Weapon!
(One person rushes out of the auditorium.)
Man: Run!
(Everyone else follows except Barret, Scarlet, the round fellow, two guards, and, of course, Tifa.)
Scarlet: Hey, hey, all of you! Damn! Why now?
(The big round one hops up to Scarlet.)
Man: How does it feel now, Scarlet?
Scarlet: Hmm, so you didn't run? I'm impressed. How do I feel? Right now...
(With a sound of escaping gas, Scarlet passes out.)
Scarlet: Nngaaaaaahhhh!
Barret: Huh! Sleeping gas?
(The fellow spins around, shedding his coat. It's Cait Sith. The two guards ready their guns.)
Guard: Weirdo!
(Barret and Cait Sith take down the guards)
Cait Sith: I'm here to help!
Barret: Why you...? Ain't you part of Shinra?
(Cait Sith raises a paw)
Cait Sith: Let's just say I'm against capital punishment. Besides... I hate this broad. Come on, we gotta help Tifa. I'll keep watch at the entrance.
(Cait Sith stands by the door while Barret runs to the gas chamber entrance. He grabs and pulls. It doesn't budge.)
Barret: It won't open!
(Meanwhile in President Rufus' office. Rufus is standing by his desk, gazing out at the sea through a huge picture window. Heidegger comes rushing in.)
Heidegger: It's Weapon.
Rufus: There's been so many attacks lately. Can we handle it?
Heidegger: I believe so. Your orders?
Rufus: No need to ask.
(Heidegger salutes. Three sailors dash in.)
Heidegger: We'll give it a shot from our big cannon. (He turns to the sailors and thrusts his fist in the air) Open cannon doors! Activate cannon. Target: Weapon!
(He turns back to the President as the sailors run off. Huge steel plates emerge to protect the buildings in the residential area. A huge port opens in the street by the sea; a smaller cannon extends from it. The huge main cannon rotates into place, aiming at the sea. Back in the office, one sailor comes back in and salutes.)
Sailor: Preparations complete!
(Heidegger nods.)
Heidegger: The cannon... (He thrusts his fist towards the bay window, to the sea.) Fire-!
(The cannon releases a huge burst of energy out at the sea. It recedes toward the horizon; a pregnant pause as they wait for it to hit its mark. It does. A large explosion rises from the water, sending a tidal wave in all directions. Back inside the President's office. Heidegger slowly lowers his arm. At several points around the Base; soldiers stand expectantly, waiting, watching the sea. Rufus and Heidegger both stare out at the sea. Rufus turns his head.)
Rufus: Did we get 'em?
Heidegger: Seems so...
(Another red alarm goes off through the base. Heidegger looks around, disoriented.)
P.A: Weapon approaching! Speed, 50 knots! It's heading right toward us!
(Heidegger looks at Rufus)
Heidegger: It can't be! We hit it dead on!
(Rufus turns)
Rufus: How about the cannon?
Heidegger: It'll take time to reload.
Rufus: Then use regular firepower in the mean time!
(Heidegger runs toward the door and thrusts his fist in the air)
Heidegger: Yes sir! Open all artillery doors! Target: Weapon! Don't let it land!
(Weapon closes in through the water, fishlike, rising out of the water. Soldiers placed all around the Base fire their weapons. The smaller, secondary cannons fire energy bursts at the Weapon. None have any effect. It comes closer. Soldiers switch to their bazookas, sending trails of smoke towards the Weapon, ending in explosions. It continues, ripping a huge wake in its path. Inside the President's office, Rufus shakes his head in disbelief and steps back from the window.)
P.A: Speed, 70 knots! Weapon closing in! Not good! It's attacking!
(As Weapon begins to reach the base, the soldiers flee inside. One faints on the ground just before Weapon crashes into the base, creating an earthquake throughout. It slowly sinks back into the water. Meanwhile back in the gas chamber the gas jets turn on around Tifa.)
Tifa: Gas!
(She tries to cover her face with her arm.)
Tifa: Barret, help!
(Barret screams in from outside the chamber.)
Barret: Hold your breath! Hold on as long as you can!
(She puts her head back and kicks her feet.)
Tifa: Come on! I can't hold on forever!
(Barret jerks on the door a few more times before giving up. He pounds the door with his fist in anger.)
Barret: Shi-! (He runs over to Cait Sith.) The Gas Room's probably locked from a different room!
Cait Sith: Hmm, we gotta go with a different plan. Let's get out of this room first.
(Barret turns back to the chamber door.)
Barret : Tifa! I'll help you, I promise!
(Barret and Cait Sith run out of the auditorium. The door slams behind them. Barret yanks on it.)
Barret: No! They locked this too!
(Scarlet yells through the door.)
Scarlet: Fools. Now, you can't save the girl.(Barret lets go of the door.) Ha, ha, ha, ha!
(He bangs on the door.)
Barret: Goddammit...!
(He turns to Cait Sith.)
Cait Sith: OK, OK time for Plan B. Let's run to the airport!
Barret: Why the airport? An' leave Tifa there?
Cait Sith: Trust me, trust me. We gotta take a chance.
(They run off. Outside the base, they find a cameraman filming the action. As they try to pass, there is a huge flash of light. Weapon rises out of the water, majestically, deadly.)
Barret: Damn, man!
(They continue to the airport. The airship hovers overhead.)
Barret: Yo! You sure this is the right way? It's a dead end!
Cait Sith: Uh oh? Did I make a wrong turn?
(Barret throws his fists in the air)
Barret: You damn cat...! What the hell're we gonna do now? They all be comin' soon!
(Barret turns to face the only way out and rubs his gun-arm.)
Barret: Yo, better watch my back till the end... partner!
(He raises his gun. Meanwhile in the gas chamber, Tifa is still alive. She uses her feet to grab the item the guard dropped before- a key. She uses her teeth to unlock one hand, then the other. She rises from the chair.)
Tifa: Which button stops the gas...?
(Covering her face, she presses the button by the chair, shutting off the gas. She tries the door with all her strength, but it doesn't budge.)
Tifa: Open it-... what would Link do at a time like this ...
(There is a sudden explosion. Outside, Weapon pulls itself up to its full height. It shakes violently as its maw begins to glow, brighter and brighter, then releases a beam of pure energy at the Base. It lands on one tower, ripping a giant hole into the gas chamber. Weapon begins to gather energy for another salvo. A split second before it releases its beam, the Junon cannon- the Sister Ray- fires square in its face. As the smoke clears, Weapon sinks into the ocean.
Back at the gas chamber, Tifa escapes through the giant hole as Scarlet yells through the door.)
Scarlet: What d'you do? Hey! Open it!"
Tifa: First you lock me in this weird place, and now you're telling me to come out? Make up your mind!
(She climbs through the hole out onto the side of the tower, then nimbly begins to descend the side of it. Scarlet and her guards give chase, without much success. The guards lose their grip and tumble past Tifa to the ground. She jumps the last twenty feet or so and lands in a heap. Picking herself up, she runs blindly away. The only route available is directly onto the top of the Sister Ray. She arrives at the end. There is no way out except down.)
Scarlet: Our little game of hide and seek ends here.
(Scarlet catches up with Tifa. She stands between Tifa and the only exit.)
Tifa: Link...
Scarlet: The execution may have been unsuccessful, but your death by falling from here and crashing into the water below might be pretty exciting. (She walks up to Tifa and slaps her.) Stuck up to the end!
Tifa: Quit slapping me! You old wench!
(Tifa and Scarlet exchange slaps and insults until Scarlet falls on her rear end.)
Scarlet: God! I can't stand it! (She stands and faces the way she came.) Take her away.
(A guard comes onto the Sister Ray. Scarlet turns back to Tifa.)
Scarlet: Now it's time to pay up. I'll really drop you if you don't settle down!
(She laughs)
Scarlet: Ha, ha, ha, ha!
?: Run...
(A voice comes from somewhere up above. Tifa looks up)
?: Run to the end of the Cannon!
(Tifa does. When she reaches the end of the cannon, she sees the Shinra airship rising before her. Barret stands on deck, waving to her. He grabs a rope and tosses it over the side. Tifa makes a running leap for it, but misses. She falls toward the ocean, but catches the rope at the very end as it swings toward her. The airship flies off, into the sunset.)