Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Facing a ticking clock, Cloud and the other AVALANCHE members must track down Sephiroth to stop his nefarious plan for world domination. As they adventure, the group picks up some new friends including Cait Sith, Vincent Valentine, and Yuffie.
Along with his new friends, Cloud attempts to unravel the mysteries of the Shinra company and the connection between the Cetra and the Soldier Program. However, as he unravels his past, Cloud realizes that the Soldier program is more sinister than he could have ever known.
Part two of a three-part series, the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a stunning adaptation of the classic 1997 video game. This work in progress enhances the original story by expanding on the beloved characters and adds additional world-building to compliment the franchise's extensive lore. Part 3 of this sprawling epic is in the works, but no official name or release date has been announced.
Story Summary
After the destruction caused by Sephiroth and the Shinra Electric Company, much of Midgar lies in ruin. After battling the Shinra soldiers, Zack returns to Midgar carrying an unconscious Cloud on his shoulder. Zack learns that Shinra forces have captured the AVALANCHE members during their raids. Although he cannot save them all, he does manage to rescue Aerith before they are sentenced to death.
He takes Aerith and Cloud to Elmyra’s home while he searches for Biggs, the last remaining member of the Shinra resistance. While Biggs was meant to die in his original timeline, he was transported to Zack's timeline by the Whispers. This change placed him in a world in which the world was on the brink of collapse, as Shinra had completely depleted the planet’s Mako supply.
In their original timeline, the AVALANCHE members rest in Kalm as Cloud explains what he knows about Sephiroth. He discusses his time in Nibelheim and Sephiroth's discovery of Jenova. After determining the nature of his origins, Sephiroth killed many of the people in Tifa’s hometown and burned the city to ashes.
Unfortunately, Cloud’s memory is fragmented, causing him to forget much of what happened that day. As Tifa discusses these events with Aerith, she informs her that she doesn’t recall Cloud being in the city on that fateful day.
The following day, Shinra raids the city of Kalm, searching for the AVALANCHE members. Having nowhere to go, they follow the robed men in the hopes that they will lead them to Sephiroth. As they travel, they explore numerous towns in the area and learn more about their friends. They also pick up some new adventuring members such as Cait Sith, Yuffie, and Vincent Valentine.
However, as the group tracks down Sephiroth, Shinra continues their plans in the background. They reveal that the planet has generated large monsters to protect itself. These monsters, known as Weapons, contain massive Materia that the company plans to use to defeat the Wutai government.
Little do they know that Sephiroth is currently engaged in a war with the Weapons. Each one trying to control the fate of the planet and everyone on it. As war and destruction loom on the horizon, the AVALANCHE members learn that Sephiroth plans to locate and use the Black Materia to destroy the planet. When they locate this Materia in the Cetra Temple, Sephiroth informs them that defeating the Arbiter of Fate has created numerous timelines of the planet. He intends to create a union, or merging of these timelines, to rule over as Jenova’s heir.
In the Cetra holy land, Aerith performs a ritual to disrupt Sephiroth's plans for destruction. Unfortunately, Cloud is being mind controlled by Sephiroth and fails to protect her from Sephiroth's wrath. He drops from the ceiling of the temple and drives a blade through her body, killing her.
Luckily, Aerith can travel through the Lifestream. An alternate version of her summons Cloud to her timeline. Although this timeline is about to be destroyed, it allows her to express her true feelings for Cloud and offer her White Materia.
Back in his original timeline, Cloud joins with the other AVALANCHE members to battle Sephiroth. Although they manage to defeat him, the group knows this is not their last battle with the mighty warrior.
Even the defeat of Sephiroth cannot lift the spirits of the brave warriors. As they reflect on the loss of Aerith, Cloud toys with the White Materia he received from Aerith. However, as he does so it turns into the Black Materia. He tucks this Materia into his weapon and gathers the remaining fighters.
He instructs the group that they will head north in search of Sephiroth. As they do so, Cloud returns to the field to talk with the alternate Aerith that only he can perceive. She instructs him to be safe and promises to find a way to stop Sephiroth from achieving his goals. As the team flies north, Aerith whispers a weary goodbye to her lost friends.
This page written by: Cameron Mcfarland