To those who loved this world...
...and knew friendly company therein:
This Reunion is for you.
498 Years Earlier
Why did mankind even bother?
You throw away everything you've ever made, and start over.
Like that'll make any difference in the end.
I supposed we're not good at facing our memories,
We'd rather kill the past .
Find something worthwile among the rubble and build the future with that.
And that's the reason why you hid Mother?
To kill the past?
We were trying to rid ourselves of a more immediate problem.
You don't mean the stigma?
But you're the ones who brought that on yourself in the first place.
I see.
I guess you really do have a short memory.
No, not me.
You see, I simply choose to forget.
2 Weeks Ago
Tseng! Look at this.
Hm?
Pay dirt.
Not a pretty sight, is it?
Who cares? Just get the damn thing.
Reno, the chopper.
You got it.
Whoa!
Reno, hurry!
Reno!
Who the hell is that?
Elena!
Go! Get out!
Tseng!
You are going to give her back eventually.
The Lifestream.
That's what we call the river of life that runs through The Planet...
... giving life to the world and everything in it.
The Shinra Electric Power Company discovered a way...
... to use the Lifestream as an energy source.
Because of Shinra's energy, we were able to live very comfortable lives.
But wasn't that because we were taking away from the planet's life?
A lot of people thought so.
Shinra used their power to try and stop anybody who got in their way.
Shinra had a special group of warriors called SOLDIER.
And all the SOLDIERs had Jenova cells put inside them.
Jenova was a calamity that fell from the sky a long, long time ago...
... and tried to destroy the planet.
But there was one SOLDIER named Sephiroth...
... who was better than the rest.
But when he found out about the terrible experiments that made him...
... he began to hate ShinRa.
And then, over time, he began to hate everything.
ShinRa and the people against them.
Sephiroth, who hated the planet so much...
... he wanted to make it go away
And the people who tried to stop him.
There were a lot of battles.
For every battle, there was more sadness.
Someone I love went back to the Lifestream too.
And then, it came.
The chosen day.
In the end, the planet itself had to make the battles stop for good.
The planet used the Lifestream as a Weapon...
... and when it burst out of the earth...
... all the fighting, all the greed and sadness...
... everything was washed away.
"Sadness was the price to see it end. "
It's been two years since they told me that.
Move it, move it.
Whoa.
Sis, let's go.
Yeah.
But it looks like the planet is a lot madder than we thought.
They call it Geostigma.
Well, Marlene? How does it look?
Please. Please don't take Denzel away from us...
The commission report released this morning has reveal,
That the concentration of Lifestream in the atmosphere
has been dropped to a mere hundredth of a level since 2 years ago.
However, the levels remain toxic around the ShinRa company main building
as well as the company's Mako reactors. He's not here anymore.
To prevent the onset of Geostigma
The Commission advises that you stay away from these facilities
and the surrounding areas.
Next up. Should Shinra be held financially responsible for the crisis?
Cloud, where is he now?
Strife Delivery Service. You name it, we deliv...
May I ask who's calling?
Yeah, I remember you.
You got a call from Reno. He's at the Healin.
Says he's got work for you.
Cloud, how have you been?
You have no new messages.
Hey, Kadaj? Is that where Big Brother lives?
Yeah.
Think he'll be glad to see us?
Not a chance. <i.Don't cry, Yazoo.
But Mother's with him?
Maybe not.
Oh, don't cry, Loz.
Look, here he comes.
Where's Mother?
We know you hid her, Brother.
Don't tell me you're leading me on?
Because I think you do have Mother there.
No need to shout.
Put the president on.
You're starting to bother me.
Come back soon...
What up fool, it's me, Barret!
I am the man! OIL, Cloud! I just found an oil field!
The biggest goddamn one you've ever seen
Surveying's done, so I should be able to get out there and see Marlene real soon!
You let her know, all right, Spiky?
Reno called again.
He says to hurry, and he sounded kind of strange...
Be careful, okay?
Okay, so you're good.
Yeah, Rude, looking sharp!
Good. You fight like the SOLDIER you once claimed to be
You haven't lost your touch.
Rufus ShinRa? Do I feel sorry for you.
The day of the explosion... - What do you want?
...I managed to get out... - Who were the guys that attacked me?
...before it collapsed... - I'm leaving.
We need your assistance, Cloud.
- Not interest... - I acknowledge that Shinra...
...owes the planet a lot.
It goes without saying that my company and I...
...are the ones who put the world in the sorry state it's in.
Therefor, it's our responsibility to set things right.
I'm still out here!
We've already taken the first step...
...by conducting an investigation in Sephiroth's wake.
It's been 2 years, and now that that the world is racing foreward, what's new threat?
Well, that one's easy, Geostigma.
And we're inclinde to think Sephiroth is the one responsible.
The people blame Mako energy, Mako reactors, even the Lifestream for causing the stigma
But doesn't it seem wrong that it would be responsible?
The Lifestream existed as long as the Planet and even Mako evergy has been part of our life for 40 years.
And yet there's no mention of Geostigma in recorded history.
So, what happen during our time to change all that?
I can only think of one thing.
Sephiroth's awakening.
Sephiroth is dead.
His body, but what about his mind?
What if somehow his life force infected the Lifestream coursing through the Planet.
I know, it's merely my speculation.
But, there are possibilities right?
And we can't cure the Stigma untilwe know the truth.
So we took the first step, and went to look for traces of Sephiroth.
Do you by any chance,still remember where it all took place?
At Northern Crater!
What do you think we found?
Nothing. Nothing at all. You can relax.
However, not all went as planned.
We were interrupted. By the three who attacked you.
Tseng!
Kadaj's gang.
Kadaj?
Really, what could they be thinking?
What does that have to do with me?
You are going to give her back eventually.
Your ties with Sephiroth run as deep as ours, Cloud.
And if Kadaj’s goal is to prepare for an imminent reunion?
We should be prepared for the upcoming threat.
Prepare?
Sephiroth...
...resurrected.
Are you done talking?
Let's make things clear.
Will you join us?
Ex-SOLDIER, Cloud.
In my head.
What's this stuff about 'Mother'?
Beats me. Did Kadaj mention anything to you?
Rufus.
Are you hiding something from me?
I never keep a secret, especially from a comrade.
I'm sure you wanted to learn more about the stigma.
I hear you're there are orphans with the Stigma living with you...
Think about it. Don't you want to put smiles back on their faces?
All we want in the end is to rebuild our world, Cloud.
- But I... - Come on, Cloud.
Together, we can rebuild Shinra!
Not interested.
- Reno! - Reno!
Does Cloud live here?
I guess he does.
What's this?
It's just like Denzel. Is Cloud sick?
Why didn't he say something?
Did he leave because he's sick?
He just... wants to fight alone.
- Fight? - No.
I don't that think he will...
Tifa?
Let's go home, Marlene.
We can't! Cloud's not here yet!
I know, sweetie.
- I miss him too. - Yeah.
Hey, what should we do when he gets here?
We'll all go home!
Not until he gets a lecture.
Agreed!
Now we just have to find Elena and the Director.
The other employees give you any leads?
No, nothing yet.
Who'd have thought, ShinRa's re-open for business.
Now that's motivating! I'm telling you, this going to be a fresh start.
Well, we survivors have a lot to atone for.
It's been 2 years already, right?
It seems a lot longer than that.
What a nightmare, huh?
The world was almost done for.
And we were a part of it.
Seriously though, how are we supposed to atone for that?
Too bad the Director's not around.
Elena too.
I hope they're still alive.
It's alright.
Tseng is just like the President. They always escape the grim reaper.
They're always lucky.
You got that right.
Found you
Church?
Ah, I know that one.
I'll be waiting.
Your call to Sector 7 cannot be completed at this time.
Cloud?
No it's not.
Who's this? Isn't this Cloud's phone?
I don't know.
Who's are you?
I don't know. Please, I don't know what to do, I can't do this.
Are you crying?
What's happening? Are you okay?
Cloud! Cloud! -Where are you?
Oi!
Are you alright?
I hate liars.
I apologize. This time you'll get the truth.
The object you seek fell from the helicopter...
...while we were running from you. I'm afraid we were careless.
Is that right?
I swear it.
Fine. Then swear on these.
- Why are you doing this? - We need Mother's power.
The Reunion is coming and we need her.
Reunion?
My brothers and sisters who share Mother's cells will all assemble.
And together, we'll take revenge on the planet.
We've already sent out the invitations, but you know.
Someone's gone and hidden the guest of honor.
Invitations?
The stigma. But you know all about that.
Mother's memetic legacy lives on in the Lifestream and makes it happen.
She does so much for us, and we don't even know where to find her.
But what can we do, we're just remnants of Mother's legacy.
Until we find Mother and receive her cells, we can't be whole again.
Geostigma and a legacy aren't enough.
Not for a true Reunion.
What do you mean?
Mr. President, surely you've noticed?
Sorry, sorry.
Geostigma?!
Can't you people just stay indoors?
This is...
I said I'd live out both our lives.
Easier said than done.
You wanna be in SOLDIER? Hang in there!
Hey, how're you doing?
What're you gonna do once we get to Midgar?
We're friends, right?
Old man, stop the truck!
Cloud, we’re getting off!
My honor, my dreams...
...they're yours now.
You'll be...
...my living legacy.
I swore...
...I'll never forget.
Don't pretend you're sad.
Why tremble with anger that's not even there.
Face it, Cloud.
You're just an empty puppet.
Wanna play?
I guess that's a no.
Where's Mother?
Gross!
- Hey, where's Mother? - There's no one here!
Fine. Play with me.
This'll be fun.
Tifa!
She's not here.
I'm not crying!
Bring the girl. Got it.
Where were we?
Cloud...
Run!
About earlier, I'm sorry.
Thank you.
My brother...
Isn't around anymore.
I see.
You've got the Stigma too?
Come on, they say they're gonna fix us.
Tifa?
Tifa!
You're late late...
Who did this?
He didn't say.
Marlene?!
Damn!
You know, you're pretty heavy.
Weren't there some kids living with you?
Because they ain't here.
You don't care?
I just...
You're a real handful.
Tifa said to take you home, kid.
Hold on tight.
Who are these people that're going to fix us?
I don't know.
Anyone is fine.
Look at what big brother was hiding.
Power forged in the Lifestream.
This materia will give us renewed power.
So, those were a gift from Mother?
Yeah, you could say that.
Then, Brother is hiding Mother too?
No. It's that President guy.
He's very good at keeping things hidden.
Then we have to look everywhere that has to do with ShinRa.
Pretty soon, we'll have plenty of help.
This is fun!
But first...
We need to have a talk with Brother.
He likes to pretend like he's not a part of the family.
He makes me upset. Very upset.
Right?
Reno and Rude are out looking.
You have Geostigma, don't you?
You're give up and die. Is that it?
So it is.
There's no cure.
Yeah, but that's not stopping Denzel, is it?.
Don't run. Let's fight it together.
We can help each other, I know we can.
Or do we have to be a real family for that to work?
Tifa...
...I’m not fit to help anyone.
Not my family, not my friends.
No one.
Dilly-dally, shilly-shally...
I think she wants you to move on, man.
Did you find them?
Only a witness.
Kadaj's gang took the kids.
- Where are they? - They're at their base now.
The Forgotten City.
Mother has given me a very special gift:
The power to fight...
...against a planet that torments humanity.
She gave this gift to all her children.
That's right.
You and I are brethren.
Brothers and sisters chosen...
...when we inherited Mother's memetic legacy through the Lifestream.
But...
...the planet doesn't like that.
It's doing everything it can to hold us back.
That's why it's been racking our bodies with pain, filling our hearts with doubt!
I shall heal you.
Then we will go to Mother.
We will join as a family and strike back at the planet!
Do as I do.
Denzel.
Denzel!
Mother, look.
All my new siblings.
They will keep me company until I found you.
You came.
Even though you're about to break.
That's a good sign.
So...
...why did you come?
I think... I want to be forgiven.
More than anything.
By whom?
Glad you could make it.
I'm only here for the kids.
See this man? He's our big brother.
But alas...
In our happy flock...
He's what you call a black sheep.
Cloud!
See? I knew I'd be no help.
Vincent. What do you know about this?
I come here often.
I've seen what Kadaj's group is doing.
The Stigma.
Inside our bodies, we all have a current like the Lifestream.
When alien matter infests the body, this current is what fights it off.
There's a flow through the body like the Lifestream...
It fights off any malevolent intruders.
What do you mean by intruders?
The Sephiroth gene. Jenova's memetic legacy.
Call it what you want.
You're well-informed.
Tseng and Elena.
They were brought here half-dead.
They must have been brutally tortured.
I did what I could to save them...
...but it was ugly.
Tortured?
They had it coming.
They got their hands on Jenova's head.
Then when Kadaj says he's looking for "Mother..."
Heaven's dark harbinger. The calamity, Jenova.
If they wanted to, they could recreate Sephiroth.
Kadaj...
What is he?
I'd rather not know.
Marlene!
Cloud! Denzel and Tifa!
Tifa is all right.
I wanna talk to her!
May I?
You don't have a phone?
Vincent, will you take Marlene back to the bar?
I'm gonna go see Shinra and get a few answers.
- You know I can't. - But...
Forget it, Cloud!
Why don't you ever pay any attention to us?
Marlene, please give me some time.
There's a battle to be fought...
...but it's not as simple as just fighting it. You understand, right?
No, I don't!
Cloud, is this really about the fight?
Where are they?
The Forgotten City.
Ajit.
Please take care of it.
- I have to talk to Rufus. - Stop running!
I know.
Even if you find the kids, you might not be able to help them.
Maybe something will happen that can never unhappen.
That scares you, doesn't it?
But you need to think about now. Take it in.
Look at you! You think you've got it so damn hard!
Sharing your life with other people is hard.
I know you don't want to be alone.
You might not answer the phone, but you won't throw it away either.
You go. Ajit is all yours, Cloud.
Which is it? A memory, or us?
But I let you die.
Dilly-dally, shilly-shally.-
Isn't it time YOU did the forgiving?
Are sins ever forgiven?
I've never tried.
Tried it?
Tried it...
Marlene, let's go.
Well, I'm gonna try.
I'll let you know how it goes.
It's me, Reeve.
How's work going?
I saw your flyer. How the hell do you stay in business?
You never change, Cloud.
I was thinking about helping you out, but I guess I'll call back another time.
- Later. - Surprise! It's me, Yuffie.
So, hey, all the kids are missing from Wutai.
Have you heard anything? Give me a ring and fill me in, okay?
I never blamed you, not once.
You came for me. That's all that matters.
- Hey, are you listening? - Why the hell are you doing this?
Denzel?
Denzel. Denzel!
And what are we up to?
Mother's here, isn't she?
How do you figure?
This... whaddya call it...
Monument?
I bet Shinra made it.
Oh no! You're just too clever.
Am I wrong?
Who knows.
We don't know anything about it either.
I see. As if anyone would trust you peons.
Does it hurt?
Yeah.
But, not as bad as Denzel's.
Can it be cured?
I don't know.
For Denzel's sake, you've been trying so hard to find a cure for it.
You knew about that?
Cloud, you should clean-up your desk sometime.
I guess so.
Did you leve because you can't fix Denzel's Stigma?
Or is it because you had the stigma too?
I just thought I could take care for myself.
That's what I thought.
How can you look after your family if you can't even take a good care of yourself.
Or, at least that is what daddy would say.
Cloud, don't give up.
You, Denzel, and Tifa are always there to help me.
You're always there whenever I needed you.
Now, it's my turn.
Sure.
Say, Kadaj. I've got a question for you.
And I've got an answer.
You said you needed Jenova cells in order to be whole again.
What did you mean by that?
Him. He's coming back.
Sephiroth.
The nightmare.
So they say.
You mean...
I've never known Sephiroth.
I just... sense him there.
It gets under my skin.
What if Mother loves him more than..?
Poor little remnants.
It doesn't matter who she picks. You'll all meet the same end!
Mother came to this planet after a long journey.
To rid the cosmos of fools like you.
But you know as well as I do
Nothing's changed since Mother came here.
I have to change it. To make her happy.
There's nothing I wouldn't do, if she only asked.
Hmph. The Nightmare Junior, huh?
As long as you exist, the nightmares will come again and again.
The Lifestream courses through our planet...
... back and forth across the borders of life and death.
If that cycle is the very truth of life...
... then history, too, will inevitably repeat itself.
So go on, bring your Jenovas and your Sephiroths.
It won't matter.
We'll do as life dictates...
... and stop you every single time.
Mr. President, is that an excuse for going after Mother yourself?
Don't tell me you're feeling remorse?
Remorse?
Why, I've never had this much fun.
Good..
Then let's put an end to all this.
Denzel, we've got to get away!
This is...
Is it coming after us?
Why don't you go ask it?
Having fun yet?
The time of my life!
Can't you guys just call it a day?!
We will...
Just as soon you give back Mother, that'll be the end of everything.
Damned punks...
...what do you need Jenova's head for?
Forget your little Reunion and get a grip!
All we want is to be with Mother!
Mother will know what's best. She'll tell us what to do.
Now, where is she?
Mother, shmother. It's Jenova's friggin' head!
- Hey! - I will not have you referring to mother that way!
You MEANIE!
Our apologies.
Your ma's cool...
What the hell am I saying?!
Tifa?
Son of a bitch!
You look after Momma.
Barret!
Marlene better be safe, huh?
Jings, crivvens! We can't handle this!
All right,Who's touching my materia?!
The bad guys, naturally.
Dammit!
Who's that?
She's a beaut! My Sherra, the latest model.
I'll give you the grand tour afterward!
Where can I buy a phone?
Who's he?
They're are our friends.
Denzel, can you make it to the bar?
Stay down!
Tifa!
Denzel!
Cloud!
Sorry I'm late.
It's alright.
Are you alright?
Marlene's safe. I took her home.
I feel a little lighter.
I was ready to drag myself along until there was nothing left.
I'm going back to the bar. I'll be waiting with Marlene.
We'll see you there, won't we Cloud?
I can do this!
Where the hell you been?!
Isn't this fun, Mr. President? What should we summon next?
- Mother? - A good son would have known.
Alley-oop!
Haiya!
Fly!
No giving up!
Ready?
Mother!
- Sir, no! - Sir, no!
Boss!
You messed with the wrong guy.
Rude!
This is bad! This is bad! This is bad!
Ooh, Rude. You're alright.
Yeah.
I'm just peachy.
Reno!
Hey, partner.
This thing got any bite to it?
ShinRa technology at its finest.
Oh, so you made this.
If nothing else, it's... flashy.
Oh-hoh!
You like flashy, don't you, partner?
Looks like today, we're clockin' out early.
Mother!
Mother...
Mother!
Let's go, Cloud.
Brother! I'm with her at last.
So, what happens now?
Mother will tell me, you'll see.
I guess a remnanet wouldn't really know.
So what if I'm a puppet.
Once upon a time... You were too!
Cloud, I brought you materia!
- Hey, watch it! - Yo, Cid! Land this junk heap.
Shut up! You want off, then jump! Get off my back!
He can handle this alone.
Kadaj is an remnant of Sephiroth.
Think of him as a sort of larval form.
Larva? You mean he's an insect!?
Lassie, shut yer haud!
So that punk's gonna become Sephiroth?
Vincent, does Cloud know about Kadaj?
One would think.
Then you're right.
It's his fight now..
I don't get it! Someone explain it to me!
This is man talk.
Sexist. Sexist!
Crikey, lass, shut yer geggie!
Some of the men ain't following either.
Two years ago... During our last battle
...think of the stregnth we all had.
It's only been two years...
...but already, that feeling has slipped away.
But I think Cloud's found it again.
Tsh. He's got 10 minutes.
That Cloud's a royal pain in the ass. Like always.
At least he's honest.
I'll show you my Reunion.
It's been a long time, Cloud.
Your Geostigma is gone?
That's too bad.
Just what are do you really want?
The souls of Geostigma victims.
Those remnants will rejoin the Lifestream and girdle the planet...
Choking it... corroding it...
What I want, Cloud...
...is to sail the darkness of the cosmos with this planet as my vessel...
...just as my mother did long ago.
Then one day we'll find a new planet...
...and on its soil we'll create a shining future.
What will happen to this planet?
Well, that's up to you, Cloud.
Sister?
Where did you find this strength?
I'm not about to tell you!
I've thought of a wonderful present for you.
Shall I give you despair?
On your knees. I want you to beg for forgiveness.
Recognize this pain, Cloud?
Let me remind you again,
And this time, I'll engrave it into your memory.
Tell me what you cherish most.
Give me the pleasure of taking it away.
So, what if things look hopeless?
If it were me, I still wouldn't give up.
Embrace your dreams.
And whatever happens protect your honor as SOLDIER.
You never made as a SOLDIER
But it's the feeling that counts.
Zack.
Hey, do you need help over there?
You already beat him once didn't you? This should be an easy one, right?
Yeah.
Never forget.
I am...
...your living legacy.
How sad. I pity you. You just don't get it.
There's not a thing I don't cherish!
Stay in my memories where you belong.
I will never be a memory.
Brother...
Kadaj?
You don't have to hang on any longer
Mother, is that you?
Everyone's waiting, if you're ready.
-Oh yeah! -See, what'd I tell you fools?!
That a boy, Cloud! Yer the chips n' gravy.
See? Just like I told you. He can do anything if he puts his mind to it.
Y'all calm down and hang on to your britches!
You never left us, did you?
Thank you.
We'll all go together...
Together... We'll play...
Cloud!
Cloud said he'd come home.
Let's go.
Mother?
Why does everyone keep calling me that?
I guess they must be fond of you.
I think this one's outgrown me.
Tough luck, friend. Looks like your place isn't here.
It's like she said. Wait here and Cloud will come back.
Welcome home.
I'm home.
There are still children with the stigma.
Okay, it's time to get fixed up.
It's okay. I'm here.
Be strong.
- Last one in is a rotten egg! - It worked, it worked!
You see? Everything's all right.
I know. I'm not alone. Not anymore.
Is this a grave?
No.
This is where a 'hero' began his journey.
translation by k3rry86 Edited by maX Volnutt