1: RebeLLioN BeGinninGS
[Disc 1]

Everything began when the train rolled up the tracks and arrived in the Midgar Sector 8 Station.

The AVALANCHE rebels got off. They were 'welcomed' by two guards. Four members of the gang run off, leaving a new comer alone.

This new comer whipped out his sword and fought the two guards. Then, he followed the others.

He met them at the North Gate. The other members looked at him suspiciously. He sighed. He wasn't really like this. He was a SOLDIER, a force of Shinra Corporation. Now, he was a mercenary working on a rebellion against Shinra. This new comer was Cloud Strife.

"So, you're the new comer, huh?" a guy sarcastically said.

"Shut up, Biggs," interrupted a girl, "He's from SOLDIER."

"SOLDIER?" the fat guy asked, "Then, why's he with us?"

"He was from SOLDIER, and now, he's with us. Hey, didn't catch your name..."

"Cloud...Cloud Strife," he answered.

"What the?!" a big guy thunders, "I thought I told you guys never to move in a group."

Stirred, the rest of the group moves on to the Mako Reactor #1, leaving the big guy, and Cloud alone.

"SOLDIER, huh? Don't trust ya!"

'So, this is that big ol' Barret guy. I could easily kick his ass,' he thought and grinned.

Following the others, he, and Barret move on. Wedge stood guard. Jessie, and Biggs deciphered the codes. Barret, and Cloud went to the valve chamber. On the way, they found cure materia.

After setting the bomb, a Scorpion Guard appeared and attacked them. It started by scanning the two fighters with its searchlight.

"Target: Set."

It delivered its Rifle Attack on them. Cloud used Bolt on it. Barret used his gun on it, and Cloud used his Bolt again. The Scorpion Guard's tail shot up. Barret shot it again, and it delivered its Tail Laser. It was a fatal attack, which could cause a lot of damage. They jumped out of the way, nearly safe, though one got his foot shot.

"Barret! If you attack with its tail up, its gonna counterattack with its Tail Laser."
After the tail was put down, they fought hard and managed to beat it. Then, there was 10 minutes to detonation.

The rebels ran out of the Mako Reactor as fast as they could. Just as they got out, flames came rushing out of the Reactor.

"Lots of explosions, huh?" Barret said, "Hang in there. That's just the start of the mission. Split up, and we'll meet at the train station."

"Wait..." Cloud spoke.

"If it's about your pay, wait until we're back at the hideout," he told him.

Cloud went into town, trying to find the station. Lots of Midgar employees were rushing out of their homes, going to the reactor. One of them bumped a Flower Girl.

He helped her up.

"Uh...Excuse me," she said, "Would you kindly tell me what's going on?"

"Uh...Nothing...," he murmured, "Hey, listen...Oh...Never mind."

"What is it? Tell me," the girl demanded.

"...Don't see many flowers around here."

"Oh, these! You like them? They're only one gil."

Cloud bought one. She thanked him and left.

Cloud went around a block. Suddenly, Shinra soldiers started running after him.

"Halt!" they shouted and started shooting him.

From another direction came other soldiers. Cloud was surrounded.

Fortunately, they were on a bridge over the subway. Cloud went to the edge of the bridge and jumped off. At the nick of time, the train came from under and broke his fall.

He went in the last car of the train. Barret, and the others were there.

"Cloud!" they all exclaimed.

"Sorry, I'm late," he said.

"Damn right, you're late!" Barret yelled, "Come on."

He transferred to another car.

"You were great back there," Wedge commented.

"Don't worry, Cloud. We'll get them next time," said Biggs.

"Cloud," Jessie approached, "You're face is pitch-black. Let me wipe it for you. There."

Cloud followed them to the next car.

"Last train out of Midgar Sector 8. Midgar Sector 7, arrival, 12:23 AM," the conductor announced.

Jessie motioned Cloud to a little screen by the train doors.

"Cloud, this is the Midgar Train Railmap Monitor. Watch. It's about to start."

They watched, as the screen flashed a green-lighted building.

"This is a model of the city of Midgar. It's in about 1/1000 scale. There are 8 sectors. No one in Midgar remembers their names, that's why we refer to them as numbered sectors...The #1 reactor we blew up is here, Sector 8. Now this is the route this train is on. It goes in a spiral movement around the plate. There is an area where an inspection will be made. A red light will be flashed, and the lights are turned off. They study the background of every passenger on board. They log them to the master computer at SHINRA headquarters...Anyone can say we look suspicious, that's why we use fake IDs."

Suddenly a red light flashed.

"Oh, man!" Jessie said, "At least, we're almost back here. That's a relief. Hey, I'll make an ID for you."

"Thanks," he replied, "Looking forward to it."

"Great, I'm gonna make it with a bang just for you," she giggled, "...I think you've lit up my fuse!"

Cloud approached Barret, who looked like he was engaged in some heavy thinking.

"Damn, that plate!" he thundered, "That's the reason people under are suffering. $#@%^&, pizza pie! You can't even see the sky here."

"Why don't the people move on the plate?" Cloud asked.

"Dunno," he replied, "I guess they got no money or love their land no matter how polluted it gets."

"I know," Cloud spoke, "They're like this train. It can't go anywhere, only where its rails take it."

"Huh? Never expected to hear that from someone like you. You're jes' full of surprises."

Cloud looked outside.

'Hmmm, that plate,' he thought.

It was quite big and had several posts supporting it. It was also quite high. On top was the Shinra building.

They arrived in Sector 7 a little later and got off.

"Hey, fools!" Barret called, "Move out, and let's meet at the hideout."

They met in front of a bar, Tifa's 7th Heaven. Wedge, Biggs, and Jessie entered.

"Hmmm...You're probably excited to see you baby, huh?" Barret joked.

"What do you mean?" Cloud asked, confused.

"Stop yapping, and go in!"

"Papa!" a little girl with brown hair exclaimed as soon as he entered.

She saw Cloud, turned around, and she wept in disappointment.

A lady ran to her, "Aren't you going to say anything to Cloud, Marlene?"

The girl remained silent.

"Sorry, Cloud," the lady said, Marlene seems to be shy..."

"So, have you fought with Barret yet?" she asked.

"Nope, not this time."

"You've changed. You used to get into fights at the drop of hat when we were kids...Hmm...A flower?" she interrupted, "You almost never see them here in the slums."

"Oh, this..." Cloud spoke, "Here, Marlene. It's for you."

She accepted it with enthusiasm, and happiness in her eyes.

As soon as he sat on a table, Barret came barging in.

"Papa!" Marlene called him with happiness in her eyes.

"Hi, Marlene," he greeted and carried her on his shoulder, "What's that? A flower? Where'd you get it?"

"Cloud gave it me," she replied.

"Did you thank him?"

"Hmm...Thank you, Cloud. We'll take care of you!"

"Well, come here, fools!" Barret yelled, "We're starting the meeting."

He pushed a button on the antique jukebox, which was a secret elevator. Under was a secret room where AVALANCHE stays. They followed him and left Tifa, and Cloud.

"How about something to drink?" she asked.

"No thanks."

"Hmph...I happen to make the best drinks here."

Cloud stood up.

"Uh, Cloud," she spoke, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Nothing...You better get down there before Barret gets mad."

He went down.

'What a homely place,' he thought.

It had tan-colored couches, a center table, boxes, a huge TV, a punching bag, some dumbbells, and Jessie's computer which had unknown access to the SHINRA main computer.

"Cloud," Barret spoke, who stood by the corner, training with his punching bag, "Was there anyone from SOLDIER fighting us today?"

"None."

"You sound pretty sure."

"I'm positive," he replied, "Otherwise, you wouldn't be standing here right now."

"So, this is what makes those guys in SOLDIER so great. Yeah, you're strong, probably all them guys in SOLDIER are. But don't forget. You're skinny-ass is working for AVALANCHE now."

"Look, you asked a question, and I answered it," Cloud told him, "I'm going upstairs. I wanna talk about my money."

"Shucks, money..." he whispered.

"Cloud!" Tifa shouted running to him.

"Let him go, Tifa...Looks like he still misses the SHINRA," Barret said.

"I don't care about the SHINRA or SOLDIER," Cloud told him and turned to Tifa, "But don't get me wrong, I don't care about AVALANCHE or the Planet for that matter."

He stormed out of there.

He walked towards the door when Tifa called, "Cloud, wait! The Planet is dying. Slowly, but surely it's dying. Someone has to do something."

"So why don't you let Barret, and his pals do something?"

"This is how it's gonna be? You're just gonna walk out ignoring your childhood friend?"

"What?" he said, "How can you say that?"

"You forgot about the promise, too," she blandly said.

"What promise?" he asked her with a puzzled look.

"So, you did forget."

"Remember, Cloud? The well...?"

"The numerous stars in the sky? It was pretty late, I was getting cold, and thought you'd never come."

"Yes. I apologized, remember? You told me you were going to Midgar come spring."

"I was gonna join SOLDIER."

"Yeah, 'I wanna be like Sephiroth' were your exact words."

"Then..."

"The promise, Cloud. 'If I'm ever in a bind, my hero will come to rescue me.'"

"Yes. It was the promise."

"So, you remember."

"Tifa," Barret entered and interrupted, "Stop wasting your time...Here, wise guy, a promise is a promise."

Cloud reached down and grabbed the stash. It had 1500 gil in it.

"This is my pay? Don't make me laugh. You got the next mission lined up? I'll do it for 3000."

"What the?!" he exclaimed.

"It's okay, Barret," Tifa whispered to him, "We're really hurting for help, anyway."

"But that money is for Marlene's schooling...Umm...2000!" he yelled and went down.

"This means you're joining us?" Tifa turned to me.

"Yeah..."

Next morning, Cloud woke up and saw no one. He went up to the bar.

"Good morning, Cloud," Tifa greeted him, "Did you sleep alright?"

"Barret's snoring kept me up."

"Shhh...He might hear you. He's always edgy before an operation. I'm going this time."

"Hey, Cloud, umm...I don't really know how to use materia. I'll give you that materia we found in the Reactor, if you tell me," Barret told him.

"Okay, I'll explain it to you. You see these slots in your weapon? You place your materias there. It enables you to use the powers within that materia. There are different combinations for materia, so try lots."

"Marlene, take care of the shop, okay?" Tifa spoke.

"Yes, good luck."

On the way to the subway, they saw villagers all around Johnny, a childhood friend. He was going away, and everyone was saying goodbye to him.

They went in Johnny's house.

"Is our baby gone? It seems like it was just yesterday that I first held him in my arms," his mother said, which made her burst into tears.

"I wonder what's gonna happen to him. Hey, where you from?" his father asked Cloud, "I forgot where you're..."

"I'm from a town called Nibelheim."

"Oh...Nibelheim...Wasn't it in the papers a few years ago?"

They bid them goodbye and left. Johnny, Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge went to the subway together.

"Good morning, Midgar. First train out of Midgar Sector 7. Next stop, Midgar Sector 5. Arrival, 11:03 AM."

"Cloud!" Tifa called, "Come here, and look at this."

'Oh, the Train Railway Monitor again,' he thought.

"Looks like you've seen this. That's okay, come closer. You know about the Security System? It's further down, so there's nothing to worry about."

Suddenly, it turned dark, and red lights were flashed.

"What the?!" Barret exclaimed, "We were supposed to have 3 more minutes."

"Barret!" Jessie came barging in, "We've been discovered. We have to move out."

Every car was being locked down, so they had to hurry. They reached the last passenger car just in time. Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge were dressed as Shinra employees.

"How do I look, Cloud?" Jessie asked.

"Great. Just like a man."

"Yey! I'm so happy...I think."

"Scary, huh?" Tifa spoke.

"Too late to be saying that now," Cloud told her, "Why'd you come along anyway?"

"Because..."

"You two!" Barret called, "Enough of that now. Get out of the train!"

"Okay, I'm gonna jump, Cloud. Watch closely," Tifa said.

"Sure you don't want to be first?" Cloud asked Barret.

"A leader always leaves last. Hey, Biggs, Wedge, Jessie, later!"

They roll into the gravel beside the tracks.

"Jessie says the way to the reactor is down there," Barret told them, "C'mon."

On their next turn, they came across a way, which was guarded by eye dogs. Luckily, they found another way. They went through a maze of ducts and proceeded to the Mako Reactor #4. Once in, they didn't waste anytime and rushed to the valve chamber. They set the bomb and left.

When they were on the bridge-like way leading out, they were stopped by Shinra soldiers. Then, from the Reactor came President Shinra.

"The President..." Tifa murmured.

"Are you all that...What was that?" he asked.

"AVALANCHE!" Barret yelled, "And don't you forget it!"

"My...My..." Cloud stepped closer, "Long time, no see, President Shinra."

"Huh? Who are you? Oh, you're the one who quit SOLDIER and joined AVALANCHE...What was your name again, traitor?"

"Cloud."

"Forgive me. I'm not expected to remember names. Unless, you become another Sephiroth."

"Sephiroth?"

"Yes. He was brilliant. Perhaps too brilliant."

"Stop, yapping!" Barret interrupted.

Barret went on shouting stuff about Vermin, and President Shinra being the King of Vermin.

The President cut in and said, "I don't have time. I have a luncheon to attend. Don't worry I have arranged a playmate for you all. Let's see what data he will extract from your bodies."

With that, he went on his helicopter and left.

"Wait, President!" Cloud called.

A big robot suddenly charged from behind Tifa, and Barret. Luckily, they got out of the way. They surrounded the enemy, Tifa, and Barret on one side, and Cloud on the other. Cloud started to attack. He used Bolt on it. It turned to him and used its bomb. With his gun-arm, Barret shot the robot. It counterattacked with its rear gun. Tifa decided to help. She started punching and kicking. Cloud whipped out his sword, charged, jumped high into the air, and slashed the robot to pieces.

He smirked and said, "Heh...That's my first limit break, Braver."

The robot got critical and exploded. This caused damage to the bridge-like way. Cloud, who has stood beside the robot before the explosion, was subject to falling from the Reactor to the Slums below.

"Barret..." he said.

"Don't be crying like a woman..."

"Just take care of yourselves."

"Sorry about this, man..."

"Barret, don't talk like this is the end..."

"Okeih, then, later."

"Right, later." Cloud lost his grip and fell.