The Shinra Building

Arrival at Shinra Headquarters

The 60th Floor

The 61st Floor: Lounge

The 62nd Floor: Mayor's Office + Shinra Library

The 63rd Floor: Coupon Exchange

The 64th Floor: Gym

The 65th Floor: Model of Midgar

The 66th Floor: Conference Hall

The 67th Floor: Hojo's Lab

Captivity

A Trail of Blood

Escaping the Shinra Building

---

Cloud, Tifa, and Barret stand before Shinra Headquarters.

Barret
Hey, you oughta know this building well.

Cloud
...Not really, now that I think about it,
This's the first time I've ever been to the Headquarters.

Barret
I heard about this place before.
Every floor above the 60th is special and not easy to get to even for employees.
Must be where they took Aeris.
The security's pretty light now. Awright, let's go!!

Tifa
Wait a second! You're not thinking of just going right through the main entrance, are you?

Barret
Well what else does it look like!? I'm gonna kick some Shinra butt and......

Tifa
That's not going to work! We've got to find another way...

Barret
Ain't gonna be no other way! If we keep wastin' time like this, Aeris'll...

Tifa
I know that! But if we get caught here...
Hey, Cloud. ...What should we do?

Cloud
- Let's bust on in!
- Let's sneak in quietly

If Cloud tries to go back down...

Barret
Hey Cloud!
You come all this way, you thinkin' of goin' back down to the 1st floor?

Cloud
- Yeah
- No......

Some soldiers are standing by the next set of elevators.

Soldiers
Destroy the intruders!

Cloud and the others fight off the soldiers, one of whom drops something.

Cloud
What's this?

They take the elevator up to the 60th floor.

Tifa
I hope Aeris is all right.

Barret
This is the real thing. Don't let your guard down.

The Shinra employee meant to be watching the security cameras is asleep on duty, so he doesn't see Cloud as he steps out of the elevator onto the 60th floor. A series of bust statues and a pair of guards block the way to the stairwell up.

Guard
What're you doing here!? No unauthorized people are allowed here!!

Guard 2
People like you don't belong here! Go on, get out!

They proceed into a side room.

Barret
Lookit that, all them guards is runnin' around.
Cloud, you go on ahead and signal us when it's safe to come.
When those guards turn around, MOVE!

Tifa
Stay in the shadows!

They continue on to the 61st floor, the door to which is stuck open so they can get through without a keycard. It is a lounge area with a huge tree in the center and a number of employees milling around.

Woman
I don't remember seeing your face before... You new here?
Say, you're cute. Let me teach you some... things.

Cloud
- Things?
- Um, I'm kinda in a hurry...

Man
This is the lounge floor. Above us are the special floors for the big wigs in the company.
It's tough working under someone. Tires you out.

Man 2
What's keeping her? Did she forget her keycard?
Even employees can't walk around above the 60th floor without a keycard.

Man 3
The hell are you? What're you doin' around here?

Cloud
- Where's Aeris?
- ......

Woman Sitting Down
I thought I heard a ruckus downstairs a minute ago. Do you know what that was all about?

Man Sitting Down
No idea. But no need to worry because everything above the 60th floor is safe.

Having obtained the next keycard, they continue on to the 62nd floor, which houses several different libraries. They find a man waiting outside someone's office.

Hart
How do you do?
This is the Midgar Mayor's Office. Mayor Domino is in his office.
I am the Deputy Mayor. If you should have any questions feel free to ask me...

Domino
Hmm? Oh, and who might you be?
You all must be those... ahem... Me? I'm Domino, the Mayor of Midgar.
Actually, I'm Mayor in name only. The city and everything in it is really run by Shinra, Inc.
My only real job is watching over Shinra's documents...
Me! The Mayor! A librarian! Ohh......
You want to get upstairs? I tell you what, if you can guess the password, I'll give you my keycard.
Yes, that's it. Guess the password and I'll give you my keycard!
Get it on the first try and I'll even throw in a special item!

Hart
Did you speak with the Mayor?
What? A password? Oh, I get it...
He's got way too much time on his hands. But you can't really blame him, Everything in Midgar is controlled by President Shinra.
Maybe I can help you.
What do you want to know?

Cloud
- HELP
- Forget it

The placement of the books and the numbers vary each time, but below are the titles in their correct libraries without numbers. In each library there is also a television screen displaying a notice.

[Shinra, Inc. Urban Dev. Research Library]
Reactor construction chart
Problems with Plate construction in Midgar
New plans for Urban Planning
Midgar City map: Sectors 0-4
Midgar City map: Sectors 5-8
An illustrated guide to City Planning

[Shinra, Inc. Scientific Research Library]
Biological characteristics of the Ancients
Data on experimental animals living near Midgar
The Jenova Project
The Ancients in History
File on Dr. Gast, Biologist
Final evolutionary stages in land dwelling life

[Shinra, Inc. Space Dev. Research Library]
Diminishing Mako energy and Planet movements
Modern history of Midgar space program vol. 1
Modern history of Midgar space program vol. 2
Results of failed space mission "YA-79"
Economic report: Space Dev Program
Shinra rocket space travel

[Shinra, Inc. Peace Preservation/Weapon Dev. Research Library]
Special peace keeping law
Materia production and its military uses
Ranks and extended use of Mako weaponry
Heidegger's Shinra peace keeping law
Plan for new land weapons
Economic report: anti-Shinra activities

After obtaining the password, Cloud returns to Domino's office.

Domino
Got it?
Then tell me.
So, what's the password?

Cloud
- BEST
- KING
- ORBS
- BOMB
- MAKO
- HOJO
- Wait a second

Domino
Why would I do something like this, you ask?
To mess with them, of course! Shinra's been torturing me forever.
That's why I was a little rough on you all just now. Now go up there and really make them suffer.
This ought to make us even! Heh heh heh......
But my card will only get you to the 65th floor.
Can you believe how they treat me? ...ME! Like some common employee...

Hart
If you run into President Shinra please don't tell him about this.
I can't be a partner to anymore trouble for Shinra.

Having obtained Domino's keycard, Cloud and the others continue on to the 63rd floor, which is a maze of small storage rooms with locked doors. Near the escalators is a room with a computer.

Computer
...beep... beep... ......verifying key card...... ...........................
Level B employee: verified. You are permitted to open doors on this floor up to three times.
blip...... If you receive an item coupon, remember to exchange it for an item.
...warning... refrain from entering the air conditioning ducts recklessly - they are very dangerous...
...bing... bing... Enter command

Cloud
- All clear
- Coupon Change

There is an air duct next to the computer.

Cloud
An air-duct... It doesn't look like I'll be able to climb in here.

The ducts can, however, be reached from some of the other rooms. By using the air ducts and the three doors, Cloud can manage to get all three coupons and return to the computer.

Computer
...bing... bing... Enter command

Cloud
- Coupon Change

Computer
You can exchange your coupons for items. Here are the items you can have...
A coupon.........'Star Pendant'
B coupon.........'Four Slots'
C coupon.........'All' Materia
Please use caution... once you have exchanged coupons for items you may not use 'All Clear' function.
Exchange coupon?

Cloud
- Yeah......
- Naw

Computer
...... ......... ...... Coupon exchange complete.

Computer
...bing... bing... Enter command

Cloud
- All clear

Computer
...beep... beep...... After you have exchanged coupons you may no longer use 'all-clear'.

Cloud and the others move on to the 64th floor. Here, they find an exercise room, a nap room, and a locker room.

Receptionist
You must be a visitor. Please feel free to use any unused machines.

Man Lifting Weights
Hmph, hmph... Since I'm head of security for this building, stamina's very important to me.

Woman on Treadmill
...huff... puff... If you're tired, you should get some rest in the next room.

Man on Treadmill
...huff... weeze... I'm starting to worry about my belly......

If Cloud approaches a free treadmill...

Cloud
.......
- Should I try it?
- This is so stupid

Vending Machine
Take one to restore your energy!! 'Shinra Gym Special Drink'
Only 250 gil!!
- Try it out
- Don't try it

Man in Nap Room
...zzz... Please...... let me...... get some... rest......

Sign in Bathroom
Out of Order
Please use a different Floor
Shinra Company Repair Management Department

In the locker room, some of the lockers are unlocked.

Cloud
What is this...... a Megaphone?
Hanging on to this won't do any good...

They move on to the 65th floor, where there is a model of Midgar in a central room, and treasure chests placed around in side rooms.

Cloud
A model of Midgar... born from Mako sucked right out of the earth.
Parts of the model are missing...
- Place the Midgar parts
- Leave it alone

Cloud
...Sounds like something opened up...

Placing all the parts in the model opens up the treasure chest with Keycard 66 in it.

Cloud and the others move on to the 66th floor, which is dominated by a large conference room. Several offices and a bathroom take up the remaining space.

Secretary
Whew, I'm so sick of carrying all these files...
But I get to meet lots of guys. I guess that's the benefit of being a secretary!

If Cloud speaks to her after she enters one of the offices, she will say any of the following depending on the room:

Secretary
Hello...!! (He's kinda cute. But looks like that girl's with him... But that's kinda exciting!)
Hello...!! (Just concentrate on work...)
Hello...!! (Looks so serious. I guess it means the man's fastidious.)
Hello...!! (Wow, Pee-U! No thanks.)

Man
Is it just me or does the Conference Room smell? There's some sort of stench coming from somewhere...

Man 2
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
Phew!

Man 3
Hey, when you're in the bathroom, do you ever hear whispers coming from somewhere?

Man 4
They're having another executive meeting. I wonder if it's about that Plate incident.

Man 5
It gives me the feeling that I AM alive. The feeling of moving this world, just with my hands.

Woman
Come on, we're building the future of Mako!

Cloud enters a stall in the bathroom. Above it is a vent.

Cloud
- Flush?
- Climb up?
- Get out of here

Cloud climbs up and enters the duct system. Together he, Barret, and Tifa peer down through the next vent at the conference room below, where Shinra's executives are having a meeting.

Barret
Geez--! That's a lotta suits!

Reeve
We have the damage estimates for Sector 7.
Considering those factories we already set up and all the investments, the damage is estimated at approximately 10 Billion gil...
The estimated cost to rebuild Sector 7 is...

President Shinra
We're not rebuilding.

Reeve
What?

President Shinra
We're leaving Sector 7 as it is.
And restarting the Neo-Midgar plan.

Reeve
...then the Ancients?

President Shinra
The Promised Land will soon be ours.
I want you to raise the Mako rates 15% in every area.

Palmer
Rate hike! Rate hike! Tra, la, la! And please include our Space Program in the budget!

President Shinra
Reeve and Scarlet will divide the extra income from the rate increase.

Palmer
Oh man!

Reeve
Sir. If you raise the rates, the people will lose confidence...

President Shinra
It'll be all right.
The ignorant citizens won't lose confidence, they'll trust Shinra, Inc. even more.

Heidegger
Ha ha ha!
After all, we're the ones who saved Sector 7 from AVALANCHE!

Barret
That dirty #$*$^

President Shinra
Hojo. How's the girl?

Hojo
As a specimen, she is inferior to her mother. I'm still in the process of comparing her to her mother, Ifalna, but for now the difference is 18%.

President Shinra
How long will the research take?

Hojo
Probably 120 years. It's probably impossible to finish in our lifetime. Or in the lifetime of the specimen too, for that matter.
That's why we're thinking of breeding her. Then we could create one that could withstand our research for a long time.

President Shinra
What about the Promised Land? Won't it hinder our plans?

Hojo
That's what I need to plan. The mother is strong... and yet has her weaknesses.

He starts giggling.

President Shinra
That concludes our meeting.

They all get up and head for the door. Scarlet pauses to look up.

Scarlet
Something stinks...

She, too, walks out.

Cloud
They were talking about Aeris... right?

Barret
I dunno.

Tifa
Probably.

Cloud
Let's follow 'em.

They climb back out of the ventilation shaft and into the bathroom. Hojo has fallen behind the others in leaving the conference room, and they follow him at a distance. They stop to wait for him to reach the top of the escalator before entering the stairwell after him.

Cloud
Hojo... huh...?

Man 4 (after the meeting)
Sittin' here facing the monitor... day in, day out... I kinda feel...... forced... into doing it. And I just don't have any motivation.

They follow Hojo up before the door can lock after him, thereby reaching the 67th floor. Here sprawls the lower level of Hojo's laboratory. The three pause by the escalator.

Barret
I remember him.
That Hojo guy. He's in charge of the Shinra's Science Department. Cloud, don't you know him?

Cloud
This is the first time I've actually ever seen him. So... that's what he looks like...

They continue on.

Man
Let's see... The specimen Hojo asked me for is...

Cloud and the others head down the hall and enter the lab, in the center of which is a glass chamber holding a lion-like creature. Someone is coming, so they hide behind some crates.

Man
Is this today's specimen?

Hojo
Yes. We're starting right away. Raise it to the upper level.

The man walks away, and Hojo leans forward to touch the glass.

Hojo
My precious specimen...

He turns and leaves. Tifa walks up to the glass.

Tifa
Precious specimen...?
Is it going to be used for a biological experiment?

Cloud suddenly takes notice of a chamber to his right, and looks through the window.

Cloud
Jenova...

He clutches his head in pain and collapses. Tifa runs over as he gets up.

Cloud
Jenova... Sephiroth's... So... they've brought it here.

Tifa
Cloud, be strong!

Cloud
Did you see it?

Barret
See what?

Cloud
It's moving...... still alive?

Barret looks inside.

Barret
Where's its $#&*&@ head? This whole thing's stupid. Let's keep goin'.

They go upstairs to find Hojo standing before a corresponding glass chamber directly above the other, inside of which is Aeris.

Cloud
Aeris!

Hojo
Aeris? Oh, is that her name? What do you want?

Cloud
We're taking Aeris back.

Hojo
Outsiders......

Barret
Shoulda noticed it earlier, you...

Hojo
There's so many frivolous things in this world.

Barret runs over and aims his gun-arm at Hojo.

Hojo
Are you going to kill me? I don't think you should.
The equipment here is extremely delicate. Without me, who could operate it? Hmm?

Cloud
Ugh.

Hojo
That's right. I recommend you think things out logically before you make any rash moves.
Now, bring in the Specimen!

The elevator within the glass chamber raises, bringing the lion-creature up to join Aeris. It starts growling at her and she runs away to pound on the glass.

Aeris
Cloud, help!

Cloud
What do you think you're doin'?

Hojo
Lending a helping hand to an endangered species... Both of them are on the brink of extinction...
If I don't help, all these animals will disappear.

Tifa
...animal? That's terrible! Aeris is a human being!

Barret
You're gonna pay!

Cloud
Barret! Can't you do anything?

Barret
Awright!! Step back!

Hojo
Stop!!

Barret fires at the glass chamber, and it starts glowing brightly. Hojo rushes to the door.

Hojo
Wh... what are you do-- Oh! My precious specimens...

The door opens and the lion-creature jumps out, pouncing on Hojo.

Cloud
Now's our chance to get Aeris!

He runs inside the chamber.

Aeris
Thanks, Cloud.

She runs out. Cloud starts to follow, but stops and turns around.

Tifa
Cloud... what's wrong?

Cloud
...The elevator is moving.

Hojo
This is no ordinary specimen. This is a very ferocious specimen!

The lion creature looks up from attacking Hojo to address them.

Red
He's rather strong. I'll help you all out.

Tifa
It talked!?

Red
I'll talk as much as you want later, Miss.

Cloud
We'll take care of that monster.
Somebody take Aeris somewhere safe...
- Tifa, I'm countin' on you!
- Barret, take care of her!

Aeris runs out with either Tifa or Barret.

Cloud
What's your name?

Red
Hojo has named me, Red XIII. A name with no meaning whatsoever to me. Call me whatever you wish.

Cloud
Come on!

They dispatch Hojo's specimen, and Aeris rejoins the group.

Cloud
Aeris, you all right?

Tifa
She seems all right, ...in many ways.

Red XIII
I have a right to choose, too. I don't like two-legged things.

Barret
What are you?

Red XIII
An informed question. But difficult to answer. I am what you see.
...You must have many questions, but first, let's get out of here. I'll lead the way.

Aeris
Cloud... so you did come for me.

Red XIII
I apologize for what happened back there. I was merely acting to throw Hojo off guard......

Barret
Now we've saved Aeris, ain't no need to be in this buildin'! So let's get the hell outta here!

Cloud
If all five of us go together, we'll be noticed. Let's break up into two groups.

Whoever he doesn't choose to come with him says goodbye:

Barret
Later! Meet up at the 66th Floor Elevator!

Aeris
I'll see you later!! We'll be waiting at the 66th Floor Elevator.

Tifa
We'll be going first! Meet at the 66th Floor Elevator.

Red XIII
Don't be late. Do you know where the Elevator is? The 66th Floor!

The other team leaves.

Man
No! Please don't kill me. I only did what Hojo told me to do.
To prove it to you... here, this is the key card to the 68th Floor. Would I be doing this if I was the enemy?

The man then flees.

If Cloud attempts to go anywhere but the elevator...

Barret
Where you goin'? Everyone's waitin' at the 66th Floor Elevator.

Aeris
Not that way! Everyone's on the 66th Floor Elevator.

Tifa
Where are you going? Everyone's waiting for us at the 66th Floor Elevator.

Cloud and the others get on the 66th floor elevator. Rude of the Turks enters behind them.

Cloud
H, hey! What is it?

Rude
Would you press 'Up' please?

Cloud
Turks? Must be a trap...

Rude steps aside and Tseng enters.

Tseng
It must have been a real thrill for you... Did you enjoy it?

Cloud
Ggh...

The Turks take them up to the 70th floor, where they find the others also taken captive. Aeris is missing, though.

Cloud
You all got caught, too?
Where is Aeris!?

President Shinra
In a safe place.
She's the last surviving Ancient...
Don't you know? They called themselves the Cetra, and lived thousands of years ago. Now they are just a forgotten page in history.

Red XIII
Cetra... That girl, is she a survivor of the Cetra?

President Shinra
Cetra, or the Ancients will show us the way to the 'Promised Land.' I'm expecting a lot out of her.

Red XIII
The Promised Land? Isn't that just a legend?

President Shinra
Even so, it's just too appealing to not to pursue.
It's been said the Promised Land is very fertile.
...If the land is fertile...

Barret
Then there's gotta be Mako!

President Shinra
Exactly. That is why our money sucking Mako Reactor is necessary.
The abundant Mako will just come out on its own.
That is where Neo-Midgar will be built. Shinra's new glory...

Barret
@$#*^%! Quit dreamin'!

President Shinra
Oh really, don't you know? These days all it takes for your dreams to come true is money and power.
Well, that is all for our meeting.

Rude
Come on! Outta his way!

Cloud, Tifa, and Red XIII turn away without protest, but Barret hangs back.

Barret
Hold it! I got a lot I wanna say to you!

He starts towards President Shinra, but Rude drags him away.

President Shinra
If you need something else... talk to my secretary.

The scene changes to the detainment area, where they've been placed in cells. Cloud with Tifa, Barret with Red XIII, and Aeris by herself.

Tifa
Psst (Can we get out?)

Cloud
- (Leave it to me)
- (Kinda hard)

Cloud
I wonder how Barret is doing

Barret
Hey!
Aeris is an Ancient and the real name of the Ancients is Cetra.
The Ancients know where the Promised Land is and the Shinra is searching for that Promised Land.
I only heard stories 'bout the Promised Land. I don't know if it really exists.
Is that right?
The Shinra believe that the Promised Land is full of Mako energy.
Which means, if the Shinra get there, they'll suck up all the Mako energy.
...and the land'll wither away. The Planet's gonna get weaker.
I can't just leave 'em be. I'm recruitin' new members!!
Me, Tifa, Cloud... and Aeris too.

He turns to Red XIII.

How 'bout you?

Red XIII turns away and lies down.

Barret
You're so damn boring.

Cloud
I wonder how Red XIII is doing

Red XIII
............Grandpa.

Barret
Grandpa!? Ha, ha, ha...... Grandpa, hmm...... ha, ha, ha......

Red XIII
What's so funny?

Barret
Nothin'...... ha, ha

Cloud
I wonder how Aeris is doing

Aeris
Cloud, are you there?

Cloud
Aeris!? You safe?

Aeris
Yeah, I'm all right.
I knew that Cloud would come for me.

Cloud
Hey, I'm your bodyguard, right?

Aeris
The deal was for one date, right?

Tifa sits up from where she's been lying on the cot.

Tifa
............oh, I get it.

Aeris
...!? Tifa! Tifa, you're there too!

Tifa
EXCUSE me.
You know, Aeris. I have a question.

Aeris
What?

Tifa
Does the Promised Land really exist?

Aeris
...I don't know.
All I know is...
The Cetra were born from the Planet, speak with the Planet, and unlock the Planet.
And...... then...
The Cetra will return to the Promised Land. A land that promises supreme happiness.

Tifa
...What does that mean?

Aeris
More than words...... I don't know.

Cloud
...Speak with the Planet?

Tifa
Just what does the Planet say?

Aeris
It's full of people and noisy. That's why I can't make out what they are saying.

Cloud
You hear it now?

Aeris
I, I only heard it at the Church in the Slums. Mother said that Midgar was no longer safe. That is... my real mother.
Someday I'll get out of Midgar... Speak with the Planet and find my Promised Land.
...That's what mom said.
I thought I would stop hearing her voice as I grew up, but...

Cloud
Let's just get some sleep

They settle down to rest. Cloud wakes before the others, finding the door to his and Tifa's cell open.

Tifa
......

Cloud
The door's open... When did it open?

He runs out into the hall to find the guard dead.

What's happened?

He runs back into the cell.

Tifa... Wake up!

She sits up immediately.

Tifa
What's wrong?

Cloud
Something's wrong. Look outside.

Tifa runs out, and Cloud joins her.

Tifa
I wonder what happened...

Cloud
He should have the key on him...
Come on, Tifa, get Aeris. I'll go help Barret and the others.

Cloud runs into Barret and Red XIII's cell.

Barret, Red XIII... come with me. Something's wrong.

Barret
How'd you get in? Why's the door open!?

Barret and Red XIII run out.

Tifa
This's kinda eerie...

Aeris
Must've been attacked by...

Barret
The hell's goin' on'!?

Red XIII
No human could've done this.
I'll go on ahead.

Barret
I'll clean up back here, so you guys go ahead. And don't get caught by Shinra!

Tifa
Come on, let's follow Red XIII!

Cloud, Aeris, and Tifa follow Red XIII to where the Jenova specimen was kept, finding a huge bloody hole in the front of the empty chamber, with a trail of blood across the floor.

Cloud
...Did it get away? Jenova...?

Red XIII
Jenova Specimen... Looks like it went to the upper floor using that elevator for the specimens.

Red XIII heads for the elevator and the others follow.

Red XIII
It looks like it leads up...

They follow the trail of blood to the 70th floor, where they find President Shinra dead at his desk, impaled by the Masamune blade.

Barret
He's dead... The leader of Shinra, Inc. is dead...

Tifa runs around behind the desk.

Tifa
Then this sword must be...!?

Cloud
Sephiroth's!!

Tifa
...Sephiroth is alive?

Cloud
...Looks like it. Only Sephiroth can use that sword.

Barret
Who cares who did it!? This is the end of the Shinra now!

Palmer
Uh!

He comes out from behind a pillar and tries to run, but Cloud and Barret catch him.

P, p, p, please, don't kill me!

Cloud
What happened?

Palmer
Se... Sephiroth. Sephiroth came.

Cloud
Did you see him? Did you see Sephiroth?

Palmer
Yeah, I saw him! I saw him with my own eyes!

Cloud
You really saw him?

Palmer
Uh! Would I lie to you at a time like this!? And I heard his voice too!
Um, he was saying something about not letting us have the Promised Land.

Tifa
Then what?
Does that mean that the Promised Land really exists and that Sephiroth's here to save it from Shinra?

Barret
So he's a good guy then?

Cloud
Save the Promised Land? A good guy? No way!!
It's not that simple! I know him! Sephiroth's mission is different!

Palmer frees himself and runs off as a helicopter arrives outside.

Barret
Rufus! &*%$! I forgot about him!

Tifa
Who's that?

Barret
Vice President Rufus. The President's son.
I heard that he's been assigned somewhere else for a long time...

Aeris
I've heard that no one's ever seen him bleed or cry.

Red XIII
I only know his name.

Tifa
I wonder what kinda person he is...

They run outside to where Rufus and Palmer are, Palmer apparently just finishing up a quick report.

Rufus
So... So Sephiroth was actually here. ...By the way.

Palmer runs off.

Rufus
Who are you guys?

Cloud
I'm Cloud, former SOLDIER First Class!

Barret
I'm from AVALANCHE!

Tifa
Same here!

Aeris
...a flower girl from the slums.

Red XIII (growling)
...a research specimen.

Rufus
What a crew.
Well, I'm Rufus. The President of Shinra, Inc.

Barret
You only President, 'cause yer old man died!

Rufus
That's right. I'll let you hear my new appointment speech.
...Old man tried to control the world with money. It seems to have been working.
The population thought that Shinra would protect them.
Work at Shinra, get your pay. If a terrorist attacks, the Shinra army will help you.
It looks perfect on the outside.
But, I do things differently.
I'll control the world with fear. It takes too much to do it like my old man.
A little fear will control the minds of the common people. There's no reason to waste money on them.

Tifa
He likes to make speeches just like his father.

Cloud turns to Barret.

Cloud
Get outta this building with Aeris!

Barret
What?

Cloud
I'll explain later! Barret! This is the real crisis for the Planet!

Barret
The hell's that supposed to mean?

Cloud
I'll tell you later! Just take my word for it now! I'll go after I take care of him!

Barret
Awright, Cloud!

Barret and the others run back downstairs. Aeris hangs back.

Aeris
Cloud... I just thought of something.

Tifa
...I'll wait for Cloud! Everyone, get to the elevator!

Aeris nods, and she, Red XIII, and Barret run on.

Aeris
Hmm, it's going to get pretty ugly from here on. We should check on our equipment.

They get on the elevator, and a combat robot attacks them from the other car. They defeat the robot and continue down.

Back to Cloud, as he and Rufus face off...

Rufus
Why do you want to fight me?

Cloud
You seek the Promised Land and Sephiroth.

Rufus
Hm, exactly.
Mm? Did you know that Sephiroth is an Ancient?

Cloud
...A lot has happened. Anyway, I can't let either you or Sephiroth have the Promised Land!

Rufus
I see. I guess this means we won't become friends.

Cloud fights Rufus and his pet Dark Nation.

Rufus
Heh, heh, heh...

Ultimately, Rufus decides to beat a dignified retreat.

Rufus
Heh... That's all for today...

Rufus grabs hold of the helicopter and it flies off with him. Cloud runs downstairs to where Tifa is waiting.

Tifa
Where's Rufus?

Cloud
I couldn't finish 'em. Looks like this's gonna get complicated.

Back to Aeris and the others as they arrive on the first floor. If you attempt to get back on any of the elevators (depending on the floor):

Aeris
Quickly! We'll escape out this way......
Quickly, we can escape this way...
Quickly, we have to get out of here...

They head for the front entrance.

Barret
I'll go on ahead!

He runs out, firing his gun-arm, but soon comes back in.

*&^%(*... surrounded, huh?
If I was alone this wouldn't be a thang but, I gotta reputation to protect.

Aeris
You all get out while you can.
It's not you they're after... it's me.

Barret
Yeah, well that ain't happenin'.
You got caught up in this over Marlene. Now, it's my turn to watch out for you!
Ok, playtime's over for you jackasses...

Aeris
...thank you, Mr. Barret!

Barret
Who you callin' Mr. Barret? That don't sound right!

Red XIII
Well then...
If you are through talking, may I suggest that we think of a way to get out of here.

Barret
Huh? Oh, oh yeah... You a cold man. Just like someone else 'round here I know.

Red XIII
Did you say something?

Barret
Notta thing. So what're we gonna do?

Tifa
Barret!!

Tifa comes running down from upstairs.

Barret
Tifa! Where's Cloud?

Tifa
Everyone, over here!

Barret
Huh? What's up? Where's Cloud?

Tifa
I'll tell you later! Hurry, Hurry!!

They all climb into the display truck and drive it out the window, following Cloud on the motorcycle. Shinra troops follow on motorcycles, but Cloud dispatches them with his sword. They reach the end of the road, and a large, armored tank/robot attacks from behind. They defeat the robot, and find themselves standing at the edge of Midgar.

Barret
Well, what do we do now?

Cloud
Sephiroth is alive. I... I have to settle the score.

Barret
And that'll save the Planet?

Cloud
...Seems like it.

Barret
Awright, I'm going!

Aeris
I'll go too. ...I have things that I want to find out.

Cloud
About the Ancients?

Aeris
......Many things.

Tifa
I guess this's good bye, Midgar.

They climb down a cable to the ground level.

Red XIII
I'm going back to my hometown. I'll go with you as far as that.

Tifa
...I guess this is the start of our journey...

Cloud
- You hate traveling?
- It's dangerous. You sure you want to go?

Aeris
You know what? This is the first time I've ever left Midgar...

Cloud
- Really? ...You worried?
- It's dangerous. You sure you want to go?

Barret
We told Aeris's mom to go somewhere safe, so Marlene should be safe too.

Cloud
- Yeah, she should be
- Hmm, I don't know

Cloud
Then...
- Let's stay here for a while
- Let's go!

Barret
We need a group leader for our journey. 'Course only me could be the leader.

Tifa
You think so...?

Aeris
It would have to be Cloud.

Barret
^#$^%...... awright. Go Northeast to a town called Kalm. If something happens, we'll meet up there.
'Sides, we can't have 5 people strolling down the fields. It's too dangerous. Split us into 2 parties...

They otherwise depart without comment.

< Sector 5 | The Shinra Building | Kalm >