Cosmo Canyon - Nanaki

Arrival at Cosmo Canyon

Exploring Cosmo Canyon

Bugenhagen and His Machine

Around the Cosmo Candle

The Gi Cave

Leaving Cosmo Canyon

---

The party may choose to stop at Cosmo Canyon, but if they attempt to bypass it instead, the buggy sparks.

Cloud
!?

It continues to spark and then breaks down. Cloud gets out.

Cloud
Oh man... a breakdown? Now?

They head to the nearby village of Cosmo Canyon in search of a mechanic. Red XIII runs ahead when they reach the gate.

Red XIII
I am home! It is I, Nanaki!

Gatekeeper
Hey, Nanaki! You're safe!
Come on, and say hello to Bugenhagen!

Red XIII runs on up a staircase along the side of the canyon.

Cloud
...Nanaki?

Barret
I finally made it... So this is... Cosmo Canyon!

Aeris
Cosmo... Canyon? I wonder if there's any relation to the planet or the Ancients...

Tifa
Red XIII seems different, doesn't he?

Yuffie
Hmmm... Any Materia? Any Materia around?

Cait Sith
Hmmm... So this is Cosmo Canyon.

Cloud and the others approach the gate.

Gatekeeper
Welcome to Cosmo Canyon. Are you familiar with this land?

Cloud
- Yes
- No

Barret
Wooooooooo!
I always wanted to come here!

Gatekeeper
Ummgah! It's full capacity at present, so I'm afraid I can't let you enter.

Red XIII comes back down the stairs.

Red XIII
They helped me some when I was on the road. Please let them in.

Gatekeeper
...Oh, is that so? You helped our Nanaki? Please, come in.

Cloud
Who is Nanaki?

Gatekeeper
Nanaki is Nanaki. That's his name.

* Note: From this point on, that's how I'll refer to him. It's his name, after all.

Cloud and the others enter the village and go up to where Nanaki is waiting on the stairway landing.

Nanaki
Here is where I was... I mean, ...this is my hometown.
My tribe were protectors of those who appreciate this beautiful canyon and the Planet.
My brave mother fought and died here, but my cowardly father left her...... I am the last of my race.

Cloud
Cowardly father?

Nanaki
Yes. My father was a wastrel.
And so the mission I inherited from my ancestors, is to protect this place. My journey ends here.

Bugenhagen (from above)
Hey! Nanaki--! You're home!

Nanaki
Coming, Grandpa!

He dashes off up the stairs.

Barret
Good timin'. Let's take a breather.
I got stuff I want to find out, too.

Aeris
Let's rest for a bit. There are some things I want to find out about anyway.

Tifa
That's perfect. Why don't we take a break too? We can meet back here in a while, OK?

Yuffie
Rest, rest, rest! I wanna rest! There! It's decided!

Cait Sith
I'm just dead tired. Everyone, how 'bout some rest?

The others all wander off.

Sign
Tasty Cocktails! Pub "Starlet"
Fluffy Beds! In "Shildra Inn"
Come in today!
It's right near Cosmo Candle!

Cloud finds Tifa and Aeris at the pub.

Barkeeper
Welcome. How 'bout our original cocktail, 'Cosmo Candle?'
A drink now and then is good for you. It'll relax you a bit. ...If you know when to stop.

Aeris
Maybe there are some people here that know about the Promised Land and the Ancients.

Tifa
Nanaki...... I wonder what's happened to Nanaki...? He's as excited as a little boy.

Elder Bugah
Is that so? You brought Nanaki back here?
Yeah, thanks.

Upstairs is the inn.

Innkeeper
Welcome to 'Shildra Inn'.
It'll be 100 gil a night. Would you like to stay?

Cloud
- Yes
- No thanks

Flyer on Wall
[Turtle's Paradise] No. 5
Our cocktails are good but our wine is the best!
Please stop in to "Turtle's Paradise"!!

Back outside...

Man
So this is Cosmo Canyon... Quite a mysterious place.
Have you come to seek the 'Study of Planet Life'?

Cloud
- That's it
- No

Kid near the Cosmo Candle
Yaaay! Nanaki! Nanaki's back! It's all thanks to this flame!
This fire is called 'Cosmo Candle'. It has burned for generations.
It is a holy flame that protects this canyon.
I heard once, it only went out once, long ago.
The elders said something horrifying occurred, but I really don't know much about it.

Item Shopkeeper
Hello. Looking for anything in particular?

Gatekeeper
Since you're here, why don't you listen to Bugenhagen's story?

At the Tiger Lily Weapons shop...

Weapons Shopkeeper
Oh, welcome.
The people of this canyon hate to compete. So almost everything here are replicas.
But that's all right. Some of them you can really use.

Flyer on wall
[Turtle Paradise Newsletter] Number 4
Now hiring!
Looking for someone who can stand long hours of boredom!
For details, contact Pub "Turtle Paradise"!!

In the Elder's Room...

Elder Hargo
Where did I put it...? I know it's around here...

Barret
There was this guy who studied 'Planetary Life' here.
He couldn't take things the way they were, so he went to Midgar to form AVALANCHE.
Wanna hear more?

Cloud
- Go on
- Not really

Barret (on choosing "Go on")
Guess you could say this is where AVALANCHE was born.
I always wanted to come here... And... I finally...... made it.
A lot... happened...

Cloud
- And then?
- Yeah, whatever...

Barret (on choosing "And then?")
And then...? I don't know what's going to happen, now that there is no AVALANCHE...

In the Materia shop...

Yuffie
Oh man! This place looks like a real drag. And their Materia sucks, too.

Materia Shopkeeper
...num... yawn... Sir,... You... forgot...... your...... change.
...num... Yes, I'm coming...
Are you here to shop?

Cloud
- That's right
- No, what's your problem?

Inside a woman's living quarters...

Woman
Oh man, I'm so busy. I need more help. Mummer... complaint...

If Cait Sith is in the party...

Woman
Those two... uh, Anyway, are you two friends? It really seems strange.

Cait Sith
Hmm, this place seems like it has a lot of secrets.
So, when's dinner?

Woman
All right, all right. I'm making it right now.
...But I wonder which one is going to eat...

Kid outside Sealed Door
Bugenhagen sealed this door shut.
How'd he do that? With super glue?

Cloud continues on up to the observatory, where Nanaki and Bugenhagen are.

Nanaki
Cloud, this is my grandfather, Bugen.
He is incredible. He knows everything.

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. I hear that you looked after Nanaki a bit.
Nanaki is still a child you see.

Nanaki
Please stop, grandfather. I'm 48.

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. Nanaki's tribe has incredible longevity.
So you see his 48 years would only be equivalent to say that of a 15 or 16 year old in human reckoning.

Cloud
15 or 16!?

Bugenhagen
He's quiet and very deep. You thought he was an adult?

Nanaki
......grandfather. I want to be an adult.
I want to grow up to be able to protect you and the village.

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. No Nanaki. You can't stand on your own yet.
To do that now would destroy you in the long run.
Reaching up into the heavens, threatening to snatch the very stars from the great city of Midgar. You've seen it, haven't you?
Well, that's a bad example. Looking up too much makes you lose perspective.
When it's time for this planet to die, you'll understand that you know absolutely nothing.

Cloud
......When the planet dies?

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. It may be tomorrow, or 100 years from now... But it's not long off.

Cloud
How do you know this?

Bugenhagen
I hear the cries of the Planet.

A throbbing noise starts up.

Cloud
What's that?

Bugenhagen
The sounds of the stars in the heavens. While this goes on, planets are born, and die.

A keening noise joins the throbbing.

Cloud
What was that?

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. That was a scream from this planet.
Didn't you hear it? As if to say... I hurt, I suffer......

Nanaki
They have come here on a journey to save the planet.
Why don't you show them your apparatus?

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. To save the planet? Ho Ho Hoooo!
But, then again, I guess it wouldn't hurt to show him.

Kid (walking in)
Bugenhagen!
Several odd looking people have come.

Bugenhagen
The whole place has gotten busy all of a sudden.

Nanaki
He brought friends too. I'll go get them.

Nanaki starts for the door.

Cloud, please call one of them.
Only three people can fit in grandfather's machine.

Bugenhagen
Don't worry. My machine won't run away. You go and invite your friends.

Cloud runs off to invite someone.

Barret
What?

Aeris
Hmm?

Tifa
Are you going somewhere?

Nanaki (in his room)
Don't worry about me. I've seen it many times.
It's my first time back in a while. Let me rest for a bit...

Yuffie
God. I HATE studying!

Cait Sith
What did they say?

Gatekeeper
Did you get to see Bugenhagen's contraption? If you haven't yet, you must!

Back to the observatory...

Bugenhagen
Here, over here. The door's unlocked, come on in.

Cloud enters the room housing the machine. If he tries to activate the machine himself...

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. That's a machine only I can use.

Cloud approaches Bugenhagen.

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. It looks like you have them all together. Then let's begin.
I'll be stand there.

Cloud gets on the machine, and Bugenhagen switches it on. The platform lifts, taking them up to an interactive model of the solar system.

Barret
This is really somethin'!

Aeris
So pretty... It's just like the real thing!

Tifa
Wow! It's just like the real thing!

Yuffie
Woa! Wooooah! Pretty good, surprisin' me!

Bugenhagen
Hmm, yes pretty good. This is my laboratory.
All the workings of space are entered into this 3D Holographic System.

Barret
Whoa! Shootin' stars!

Aeris
Hey! A shooting star!

Tifa
Look, look! A shooting star!

Yuffie
Wh, what the? A shooting star?

Cloud and the others watch the model for a while.

Barret
This's really somethin'!

Aeris
Wow, how wonderful.

Tifa
Oh! This is amazing!!

Yuffie
Whew!!

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. Yes, it is something, isn't it?
Well, let's get to the subject.
Eventually... all humans die. What happens to them after they die?
The body decomposes, and returns to the Planet. That much everyone knows. What about their consciousness, their hearts and their souls?
The soul too returns to the Planet.
And not only those of humans, but everything on this Planet. In fact, all living things in the universe, are the same.
The spirits that return to the Planet, merge with one another and roam the Planet.
They roam, converge, and divide, becoming a swell, called the 'Lifestream'.
Lifestream... In other words, a path of energy of the souls roaming the Planet.
'Spirit Energy' is a word that you should never forget.
A new life... children are blessed with Spirit energy and are brought into the world.
Then, the time comes when they die and once again return to the Planet...
Of course there are exceptions, but this is the way of the world.
I've digressed, but you'll understand better if you watch this.

On the Planet model, a man is born, and dies. His spirit energy enters the Lifestream and forms a tree elsewhere. The tree dies and returns to the Lifestream. A new man is born, and dies, etc. Eventually the Lifestream covers the entire Planet.

Bugenhagen
Spirit energy makes all things possible, trees, birds, and humans.
Not just living things. But Spirit energy makes it possible for Planets to be Planets.
What happens if that Spirit energy were to disappear?

Bugenhagen takes all the Spirit energy away and the Planet model crumbles and dies.

Bugenhagen
......These are the basics of the Study of Planet Life.

Cloud
If the Spirit energy is lost, our Planet is destroyed...

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. Spirit energy is efficient BECAUSE it exists within nature.
When Spirit energy is forcefully extracted, and manufactured, it can't accomplish its true purpose.

Cloud
You're talking about Mako energy, right?

Bugenhagen
Everyday Mako reactors suck up Spirit energy, diminishing it.
Spirit energy gets compressed in the reactors and processed into Mako energy. All living things are being used up and thrown away.
In other words, Mako energy will only destroy the Planet...

He turns off the machine.

The story of the planets... and those who lived with them...
You want to know more? Then you must listen to the words of the elders.
Nanaki? His father a coward?
So that's it... Nanaki's been thinking that all this time...

Cloud and the others leave to explore the place further.

Elder Hargo
Ahh, here it is.
My job is to gather all the legends and the knowledge of the planet and to make a book.
Then, even when I return to the planet, the children may still be taught about many things...
Mmm? Oh, we have guests. Good, good.
I know, I know.
You came to ask me something, right? Am I right?

Cloud
- It's about the Promised Land
- Not really

Elder Hargo
By the way, those that came with you are all at the Cosmo Candle.
Are you leaving?

Gatekeeper
Leaving already? But it appears your friends still want to learn more about the planet...

In the Pub...

Elder Bugah
Mmm...
What is it?

Cloud
- The story of the Ancients...
- Nothing

Elder Bugah
By the way, your friends are all in front of the 'Cosmo Candle'
Are you all leaving now?

Cloud joins his friends by the Candle.

Nanaki
......

Barret
Cosmo Canyon... This's where AVALANCHE was born...
I promised my guys someday... when we saved the planet from the Shinra, that we'd all go to Cosmo Canyon and celebrate...
Biggs... Wedge... Jessie...
Now they're all gone... died for the planet.
...Really? To save the planet?
We all... we all hate the Shinra...
Do I even got a to go on?
Will they......... will they ever forgive me?
...Right now, I really don't know. But I know one thing.
If there's anything I can do, to save the planet... or the people livin' on it... Then I'm gonna do it!
I don't care if it's for justice or revenge, or whatever. I don't care...... let 'em decide for 'emselves.

He gets to his feet.

Urrrrrgh! I'm gonna do it!!
Again... Again... AVALANCHE's born again!

Aeris
I learned a lot. The elders taught me many things.
About the Cetra... And the Promised Land...
I'm...... alone... I'm all alone now...

Cloud
But I'm...... we're here for you, right?

Aeris
I know. I know, but... I am the only...... Cetra.

Cloud
Does that mean we can't help?

Aeris
......

Tifa
Cloud...
Bonfires are funny, aren't they?
They make you remember all sorts of things.
You know, Cloud. 5 Years ago...
......It's nothing.
No, forget it. I'm afraid to ask...

Cloud
What is it...?

Tifa
It feels like... it feels like you're going far away...
You really, really are...... you... right?

Yuffie
What a boring place, just like I thought. I wanna go somewhere! Let's go find some Materia!

Cait Sith
I wonder how many years it's been... Gosh, it brings back memories......

Nanaki
...Long ago.
...When I was still very small. We were all around this flame...
No, never mind...

Cloud
What happened?

Nanaki
It's about my parents.
When I talk about my mother, I am full of pride and joy...
And that's fine. ...But when I remember my father, my heart is full of anger...

Bugenhagen
...You really can't forgive your father...?

Nanaki
Of course. He...... left mother for dead.
When the Gi tribe attacked, he ran off by himself, leaving mother and the people of the Canyon!

Bugenhagen
...Come, Nanaki. There's something you should see.

Nanaki
...?

Bugenhagen
The place may be dangerous.
Cloud. Will you and one other person come with us?

Barret
...Where're they going?

Aeris
I wonder what he wants to show Nanaki...?

Tifa
Can I go too?

Yuffie
Does he want to show him THAT? You know, maybe there's some Materia that's been passed on for generations in this Canyon!?

Cait Sith
Dangerous? Count me out......

Elder Bugah
Mmm. I'm starting to feel good now. That bartender's cocktails always hit the spot.

Gatekeeper
Hm? If you're looking for Bugenhagen, he went to the Sealed Door.
Remember, there's a steel door on the way to Bugenhagen's room.
What's that door there for anyhow? It's been closed forever...

Cloud and the others join Bugenhagen by the sealed door.

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo
Are we all set?

Cloud
- Yeah
- Just a minute

Bugenhagen
Not ready yet? Tell me when you are ready.

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. Shall we go?

He hits a switch to open the door.

All right. Come in, come in.

Nanaki
Hey? Aren't you going with us, Grandpa?

Bugenhagen
What are you crazy? It's dangerous in there. I told you that!
You want an old man like me should go first? I'll be right behind you.

If you try to go back out...

Bugenhagen
What is it, you're going back? I'll be waiting here for you when you're ready.
I can't leave this door open forever.
Good. Then we shall proceed.

They enter the cave and climb to the bottom. After passing through the first chamber, Bugenhagen stops in the doorway.

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo.
Everyone here's a Ghost of the Gi tribe. Killed in a certain battle.

Nanaki
A certain battle...?

Bugenhagen
The vengeful spirits of the Gi didn't disappear, and couldn't return to the Lifestream...
We still have far to go. Ho Ho Hoooo.

They continue on through the second chamber, and Bugenhagen stops again.

Bugenhagen
As you can see, this cave leads to the back of Cosmo Canyon.
It was unfortunate that the Gi were larger than us. If they attacked through here, we wouldn't have stood a chance.

Nanaki
......

Bugenhagen
Let's move on.

They move through the third chamber.

Bugenhagen
This warrior went through the cave all alone.
Fighting attackers one after another...

Nanaki
Grandpa...... That warrior...

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo... We're almost there.

They enter the final chamber, where an evil-looking face is blocking the far exit.

Bugenhagen
What is this......?

Nanaki
Grandpa, is he...!?

Bugenhagen
After death... The ghosts of the Gi... Like stagnant air......
This... can't be!!

Cloud and the others fight the Gi Nattak.

Bugenhagen
...Thank you, Cloud. Because of you, we survived.
Nanaki, you have grown strong, too.

Nanaki
......Oh yeah?

Bugenhagen
Now I know that it wasn't a mistake bringing you here...
Come, I have something I want to show you. Right over here.

They continue out of the cave.

Nanaki
This is...

Bugenhagen
...The warrior who fought against the Gi.
He kept them from taking even one step into Cosmo Canyon.
But he was never able to return to town...
Look, Nanaki. Look at your father, at the warrior, Seto.

Nanaki looks up to where Seto stands on the cliff above, turned to stone.

Nanaki
...That... That's...... Seto...?

Bugenhagen
Seto continued to fight the Gi tribe here. ...To protect this Canyon.
Even after the Gi's poisonous arrows turned his body to stone......
Even after they all ran away... Seto, continued to protect us.
And he continues to protect us, even now.

Nanaki
Even now...

Bugenhagen
You thought that he was a coward and ran away. But he, alone risked his life to protect Cosmo Canyon.
That is your father, Seto.

Nanaki
That...... that is Seto? ...!? Did mother know?

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo... She knew. The two of them made me promise to keep this cave shut.
They asked me to seal it myself and not to tell a soul.
They said we should forget about this cave.

Nanaki
.........

Bugenhagen
Cloud... Would you mind leaving the two of us alone?

Cloud nods and leaves the cave.

Bugenhagen
Nanaki. I want you to continue your journey with Cloud and the others.

Nanaki
Grandpa!?

Bugenhagen
Listen, Nanaki.
Cloud says they are trying to save the planet.
Honestly, I don't think it can be done.
For even if they stop every reactor on the planet, it's only going to postpone the inevitable.
Even if they stop Sephiroth, everything will perish.
But, Nanaki. I've been thinking lately.
I've been thinking if there was anything WE could do,
as a part of the planet, something to help a planet already in misery...
No matter what happens, isn't it important to try?
Am I just wishing against fate?
I am too old to do anything about it...
This year, I'll be 130. Ho Ho Hoooo.
That is why, Nanaki, you must go with them! For my sake.

Nanaki
Grandpa...

Bugenhagen
I wanted to show you your real father before you left...
I'm so glad that you came back while I was still alive to show you.

Nanaki
Grandpa... don't talk like that. I don't want to think of life... without you......

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. Well, I've had a long life.

Nanaki
Grandpa! You must live!
I'll see to it.
I'll see to what's happening to the planet. And I'll come back to tell you.

Bugenhagen
Nanaki...

Nanaki
I am Nanaki of Cosmo Canyon! The son of the warrior, Seto!
I'll come back a warrior true to that noble name! So please, Grandpa...

He turns and looks up to see that Seto is crying.

Bugenhagen
That's... Seto's...... Seto......

Nanaki
Seto....... Fa... Father...

He leaps up higher and lets out a keening howl.

Back outside, the others are gathered around the Cosmo Canyon.

Barret
They said they finished fixin' the buggy.

Cloud
Shall we get going?

Aeris
So this is it, Nanaki...

Barret
That's just the way it goes. ...You came in handy at times...

Man
The repair on your car is completed.
Now you should be able to go where ever you want.

Cloud
- How much do I owe...?
- Much obliged

Man
Mmm...... I think the teachings of the 'Study of Planet Life' are true.
But can people used to Mako energy ever go back...?

Kid outside Sealed Door
Nope... It doesn't open... How'd he seal it? With a huge magnet?

Cloud starts for the gate, and Nanaki comes running after him.

Nanaki
Wait for me! I'm coming too!

Cloud
Mmm?

Bugenhagen
Cloud. Please look after Nanaki.

Cloud
What happened?

Nanaki
I think I grew up a little. That's what happened!

He runs off down the steps.

Bugenhagen
Ho Ho Hoooo. Come back whenever you need my knowledge.

Cloud and the others return to the buggy and continue north.

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