It was nighttime when Sara and the others made it to the heart of Midgar and stood in front of a colossal skyscraper, the Shinra Building.

The building is seventy stories tall, looming over the city surrounded by endless pipes and roads. The red Shinra logo was engraved at the front of the building; anyone could see the building miles away.

Cloud and Sara looked at the building with stern expressions; simultaneously brought one hand to their weapons as Barret and Tifa joined them.

"Rolled out the welcome wagon."

Barret chuckled as he and the others watched Shinra foot soldiers guarding the front entrance.

"Gotta say," Tifa spoke doubtfully, "I can't help but wonder if this is a lost cause."

She did have a point, coming to the most well-secured place in all of Midgar. Knowing all the risks and consequences, anyone would turn back and say that it's not worth it.

But Barret smirked and said, "Well, ya know, some lost causes are worth fighting for."

If it came to saving a friend, Tifa was willing to do it.

"Let's just think this through," Cloud suggested.

Barret nodded and began to explain his idea, "So, I got an idea. Frontal assault, guns blazing, make for a good story."

Cloud rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Why'd we bring you along again?"

Sara crossed her arms, "If we want to avoid any unnecessary battles, we need to take the entrance where they least expect us. I vote for the back door."

"Back door?" Barret grunted.

Sara nodded, and Cloud explained, "She means the rear entrance. It's one of the few places in the building that's not gonna have a lot of guards. We'll get inside via the parking garage. As Sara said, we need to avoid any fights as much as possible."

"Being too cautious for my taste," Barret grumbled.

They began to walk along metal bridges, and as they did, they continued their conversation.

"Security's looking pretty tight," Tifa said.

Sara agreed that there seemed to be too many soldiers at the front entrance. There were a lot of military vehicles along with armored machinery. Why would there be a lot of soldiers at the front?

"Ha! So they know what they're up against." Barret grinned.

Cloud frowned, "Somehow, I don't think it's all for us."

"I'm with Cloud," Sara nodded, "I think that they are getting ready for something else. It could be for Avalanche or Wutai even."

"Can't be for Wutai. What about the cease-fire?" Barret asked.

"That only put the war on pause," Cloud replied.

"Either way," Barret scoffs, "I'm gonna put the fear of Avalanche in 'em! Their days of sittin' smug in this glass tower are over!"

"We're here to rescue Aerith, remember? We don't need more attention than what we're gonna get. We need to be smart." Cloud reminded Barret.

"Yeah, I hear ya!" Barret rolled his eyes then exclaimed, "But my soul's screamin! for payback, you know? I'm a ticking time bomb, and sooner or later, I'mma have to blow up!"

"Then blow up only when we don't have much of choice," Sara retorted, "This is the highly secured place in Midgar."

"Don't cha worry," Barret smiled at Sara.

They reached the bridge that goes over the split road, one road that leads to another entrance and the other that leads to the rear door. While they wait, Sara pulls up her hood and covers her lower face with a mask that form fits.

Noticing this, Tifa asked, "Why are you wearing a mask?"

"Haven't you forgotten?" Sara said, "I worked closely with the president and the higher-ups. Suppose security or any employees finds out that I'm inside the building. You can bet that Warhorse will turn that place inside out. Wearing a mask will at least provide some cover for me."

Barret scoffed, "I would walk in no matter what. You left Shinra, so why bother?"

Sara shook her head and sighed, "It's not that simple."

Tifa spots a familiar truck on the road heading their way.

"That one there," She exclaimed, "That's a Shinra truck, isn't it?"

"Yup," Sara nodded, "Time to jump."

"C'mon," Cloud said.

Barret seemed a bit hesitant. He never did like heights. But, he was willing to set his dislike aside then jumped over the bridge with the others as they landed on the truck with ease. As they hoped, the vehicle made the turn to the rear entrance.

The truck pulled up to the underground parking garage and stopped in front of a security gate. Three security guards were in front of it. As the truck stopped, the guards began to inspect the vehicle. Everyone held their breath as the guards continued to their check. The two soldiers stopped at the end of the truck and looked at each other.

"Anything?"

"Nah."

One of the guards waved at the guard by the gate and said, "All clear!"

"Roger." The guard tells the driver, "Okay, head on in!"

Everyone let out a sigh of relief. Barret couldn't help but feel all giddy, "So far, so good."

But he spoke too soon. When the truck started to drive through the gate, Barret lost his balance and started to fall. However, Sara managed to catch his hand and pull him back before he went overboard. Yet, Barret grimaced when Sara pulled him back; his wrist was hurting, that he felt Sara's powerful grip was crushing his bones. Luckily for them, the guards did not notice them.

The truck pulled into a large parking lot that had fancy cars and military trucks. Many boxes are full of Shinra products and supplies stacked on wood pilates and forklifts parked in several areas. The truck stopped near a service entrance and parked. The driver came out and made his way towards a few other guards near a storage unit. It looked like the driver was chatting with guards as if they were buddies. Once the driver and guards were distracted, Sara and the others jumped down from the truck and quickly went through the service entrance.

Tifa let out a massive sigh of relief, "That was a close one."

Barret nodded, "Well, stealth isn't my style, but damn Sara, that grip of yours almost crushed my bones."

Sara lowered her head, "Sorry,"

"Nah, it's all good." Barret patted her shoulder.

"Let's go, " Cloud said.

The four of them walked over to an escalator and went up to the next floor. The next floor had several black leather couches against the wall; the floors were black and grey marble tiles and several vending machines. The group went up another flight of stairs with automatic doors leading to the main lobby at the top.

The main lobby is a vast open space to the height of three floors reached via parallel staircases. Several balconies across the upper floors also overlook the entrance. The massive room is illuminated by a large lamp high above with smaller lamps hanging from it to light up the exhibition on the bottom floor and the scaffolding around the pillars. A reception desk is near the middle of the bottom floor. A showroom exhibits cars, motorcycles, and locomotive parts on a display stand near the back, though this portion is locked behind a forcefield when closed off. Both the layout and the decor of the room looked clean and professional like any high-class business.

"Nobody's home," Barret said, looking at the empty lobby.

"Yeah," Cloud nodded. This made Sara uneasy; she didn't like the fact that the lobby was empty.

"Do you two have any idea where they might be holding Aerith?" Tifa asked Cloud and Sara.

"I'm thinking a research facility," Cloud replied, "That'd make the most sense."

Sara nodded, "Mmn, I bet a million Gil I know which research facility she will be."

Tifa, "And that is?"

"Hojo's lab," Sara answered, "Anything scientifically that is top-secret or value at that is most likely what will be in Hojo's lab."

"And where is his lab?" Barret asked.

Cloud muttered while looking up, "Upper floors...maybe near the top. That's where you are."

Cloud felt a strange feeling coming somewhere above where they stood. He wasn't sure why, but he assumed that it might be Aerith or something calling him. Sara felt a similar feeling but, she felt a slight jolt of pain in her heart. She made sure not to make a face or give away that she was in pain. Now is not the time to show any weakness.

Barret exclaimed, "Maybe?!"

Tifa suggested, "Maybe we can use the console at the reception desk to find out."

"Yeah, but how do you suppose we get to it? With that force shield?" Sara asked. Tifa didn't notice at first, but Sara was right. There was a force shield around the reception desk that seemed to protect it from intruders.

"Shit making life harder," Barret clicked his tongue.

"Let's just keep heading up," Cloud suggested. Nothing else to do; the group headed up the stairs. Tifa couldn't help but admire the decor of the lobby.

"This place is incredible," Tifa commented.

Barret sneered, "Hah! A shining monument to corporate greed. One of these days, I'm gonna tear it down and burn the rubble."

"But not today," Cloud glared at Barret.

"Yeah, yeah."

The group went up to the upper level of the lobby. Then Barret wondered about something.

"So, how do we get upstairs?"

"Either the elevator or the emergency stairwell," Cloud replied.

"Isn't the lab we're looking for on one of the top floors? I vote we take the elevator."

Barret didn't like the idea of going up the emergency stairwell, being that the building had many floors. But Sara wanted to use the emergency stairwell over the elevator. Because using the elevator, they will run a risk of running into one of the higher-ups or even the president. That is something Sara wants to avoid unless the circumstances change, then she will have no other choice but to reveal herself to those big wigs.

The upper floor of the lobby had three exits that led to a section of elevators and emergency stairwells. However, both entrances had doors that could only be open by a keycard.

"No getting upstairs without a keycard, huh?" Barret grumbled.

"Think we're gonna need a few before this is over," Tifa groaned.

"Pretty sure I saw one lying around," Cloud said.

Sara looked around, and she pointed down below, "Look!"

Everyone looked down, and they saw a keycard, but there was one problem.

Barret scoffed, "The reception desk!"

"Yeah, but how to get in?" Cloud wondered.

With the force shield protecting the desk, there was no way they could force themselves in without getting injured.

"Go up and over, maybe?" Tifa suggested.

The guys were confused at what she meant, but Sara noticed something and understood what Tifa meant. There was an opening in the small roof above the reception desk.

"Look," Tifa pointed at the lights and explained, "Pretty sure we could reach it if we hop across those lights."

The lights were shaped around a small platform in a hexagon form while hanging down from a metal scaffolding, and there were dozens of them. They look like they could be used as something to stand on, but at the same time, they didn't seem to be sturdy.

"I don't know," Barret said doubtfully.

"I got this," Sara declared while stepping forward.

Tifa tilted her head and asked, "Um, why not let me try?"

Sara gave Tifa a smirk, "Tifa, I don't doubt your determination, but we're still on the clock, and we cannot waste time. Besides, I can get to that reception desk faster before you call for a Chocobo."

Sara unstrapped her katana before tossing it, "Cloud, hold my sword will you?"

Cloud caught her sword one-handed before rolling his eyes and clicking his tongue. Sara walked a few steps back before turning around looking at the lights. She dashed at such speed, Tifa thought that she might break one of the lights. However, in one small jump on the railing, Sara took a giant leap avoiding the scaffolding, almost as if she was flying above the lobby; her figure was perfect. Her body arched before brutally landing right through the small opening of the reception desk's roof.

The others rushed down the stairs with excitement and awe.

"That's some fine work!" Barret commented.

"Great job!" Tifa smiled.

Sara chuckled as she took the card key while having one hand on her hip before looking at the computer in front of her.

"I'll see if I can disable security from here," Sara said. But before she even touched the keyboard, the force shield was immediately gone.

"Hah! Hot damn, girl!" Barret exclaimed.

But Sara looked at Cloud and Tifa suspiciously, "That wasn't me."

"Shit, I'll take it." Barret grinned happily.

"Can you use that to look up what floor Hojo's lab is on?" Tifa asked.

"Gimme a sec," Sara replied while typing on the keyboard, "Got it! It looks like his lab is on the 65th floor."

She began to read more on the monitor and noticed something else, "Unfortunately, we can only get to the 59th floor via the elevators or stairs. To access any level above that, we need to check-in at the Skyview Hall reception."

"59th floor it is then," Cloud nodded, then he tossed Sara's sword back to her.

"Thanks," Sara smirked while catching it one-handed.

After strapping her sword back to her hip, Sara quickly took the lead or, more like running beside Cloud. They went through the lobby's left entrance using the card key and walked through an automatic door that led to the emergency stairwell.

"You have got to be shittin' me," Barret groaned while glared at Cloud and Sara.

"Nope," Cloud retorted, "We're a lot less likely to get caught this way."

Cloud didn't like that the force shield went down on its own, which means someone might be pulling the strings on them. He wanted to take the safest route possible, and he also thought of Sara. Without a doubt, Sara would much rather go for the safest way, and he was right. Sara silently thanked Cloud for choosing the stairs.

"But a lot more likely to die of boredom," Barret retorted. Yet, when Barret looked up, he was speechless at how many stairs they had to climb. It was like a neverending stairwell.

"It's only fifty-nine floors," Cloud said; Barret only shook his head.

"Nothing to it," Tifa smiled.

"Think of it as a warm-up before the real show begins," Sara added, trying to lighten Barret's mood.

Barret sighed, "Well, at least it ain't a race, a small blessing."

And so they begin to climb the stairs.

Tifa, "Wonder what's it like up there?"

Cloud answered, "More security and restrictions. It's not gonna get any easier."

Barret, "We're gonna be exhausted by the time we finally get to the top."

Cloud, "Long as you pace yourself, you'll be fine."

Barret, "Maybe we should take a quick break."

Tifa, "C'mon, Barret."

The girls went ahead of the guys walking at a brisk pace. While Cloud continued to walk at an average speed and Barret decided to take his time.

Barret, "You can stop if you want. Can even say it's for me."

Cloud rolled his eyes, "Just say you can't hack it."

Barret snapped, "I'll hack you, jackass!"

Tifa, "That's enough from both of you. Stupid arguments aren't going to get us there faster."

Cloud, "But Tifa, I wasn't..."

Tifa, "Not now. Save it for the top!"

Sara, "Less talk, more climbing."

They had already climbed thirty floors, but they still had more to climb. Barret was already starting to wear down and falling behind. The girls were still going, and Cloud was still pacing himself.

Barret breathed heavily while talking, "Guess these labs...and shit...are all the way at the very top?"

Cloud, "Yep. The very top."

Barret, "That's...good to know..."

Tifa looked down at the railing and exclaimed, "Cloud! Keep an eye on Barret!"

Cloud groaned, "Copy."

Tifa, "What was that? I don't think I heard you. Speak up!"

Cloud snapped, "I'll keep an eye on Barret!"

Barret laughed while panting, "Thanks for the assist."

Cloud rolled his eyes, "Whatever."

They had climbed up thirty-nine stairs, and fatigue had started to come over them. However, the girls were still three floors above the guys.

Tifa, "Hey guys! Where are you!?"

Sara, "You both okay down there!?"

Barret, "Hey! Just a few floors behind you!"

Tifa, "Oh? You're sounding better!"

Barret, "Think I've got, like, a stairclimber's high!"

Tifa giggled, "Glad to hear it!"

Sara cheered, "Keep it up!"

Yet, the more they climbed, the more their bodies were starting to feel weary. Cloud was still pacing himself, but even he was beginning to feel the fatigue. As Cloud was climbing, he saw Tifa standing at the top of the stairs ahead of him. He noticed that she seemed out of breath.

Cloud asked, "You tired?"

Tifa sighed, "I was, but I'm feeling okay now."

Barret panted while grinning, "Hahhh... Hahhh... Hahh... Then what're we waitin' for!? Let's roll!"

Tifa smiled, "You really are doing better!"

Barret, "Hahhh... We...we gotta keep movin' ...to keep movin'! Hahhh..."

Tifa, "Hard to argue with that. Let's go."

Tifa caught up with Sara while the guys were still behind even though they had reached the forty-floor level.

Barret, "But tell me, these stairs...are these stairs ever gonna end!?"

Tifa took several breaths before answering, "I dunno! Ask the stairs!"

Cloud retorted, "I don't think the stairs are talking."

Barret, "Well, duh. I mean...duh."

Cloud, "I was joking."

Tifa, "That's enough from both of you."

Sara, "Yeah, so shut up."

But the climbing had already started to become harder. Everyone's legs felt heavy and ready to collapse at any moment, along with their feet burning like fire. Barret couldn't help but complain.

Barret, "Worst route ever! Gimme a suicidal last stand. At least... At least... at least that'd have an end!"

Cloud, "Let's shut up."

Tifa, "Yes, let's."

Barret, "Why?"

Tifa, "Because wishing for trouble might bring it."

Cloud, "Yup, and you're in no state to fight anyway."

Sara, "And we don't need trouble."

Barret, "So...what should I do?"

Cloud, "Shut up and move."

They were getting closer to the top. They only had five more floors to climb. But they were dragging their feet up the stairs.

Barret whined, "This sucks! I wanna go back!"

Tifa, "You want to go down all those stairs you just climbed?"

Barret didn't reply, but he then started to sing. As if he was singing his pain out.

"Another day, another struggle... Climbing stairs is so much trouble."

Finally, they reached the very top. Once they made it, one by one, they all stopped and took a break catching their breaths and giving their legs some rest.

"...The end," Tifa muttered.

"Made it," Barret grinned before taking a few more breaths.

"Now...comes the hard part," Sara said while breathing heavily.

Cloud nodded and said, "The real challenge starts now. Okay, let's go."

And so they walked through the door that leads to floor fifty-nine.

Meanwhile, in the basement of the building on level thirteen, in one of the rooms that contain materia floating in tanks while being monitored by men in lab coats looking at computers. At the same time, the researchers were doing their work. Scarlet watched them while sitting on an oversized purple leather chair propping her feet on an infantryman who's on fours like a footrest.

"Seventy, eighty, ninety, one hundred percent, one hundred ten..."

"Mako supersaturation confirmed."

Scarlet let out a small giggle hearing the researchers informing her what was happening to the materia. While the poor infantryman groaned in pain while having Scarlet's legs resting on his back.

"Engaging materia cooling to reduce temperature."

Scarlet watched the three orbs floating in the tank. She was enjoying the sight; she loved watching a discovery unfold for new weapons. Behind her, a door opened, and another infantryman walked in, one of her subordinates.

"Madam Director, you have a meeting shortly."

Scarlet raised her hand and scowled, "Stop. You're timing is impeccably atrocious."

Her subordinate tightened his lips while Scarlet placed her left foot over her right bring more weight on her human footstool. The researchers continued their ongoing announcements.

"Mako density and materia integrity are both holding steady."

"Registering mass increase in core materia!"

Scarlet was starting to get excited; even the security guard who was looking at the security cameras couldn't help but watch the tank. However, he didn't notice that one of the cameras showed Sara and the others walking through one of the doors. But the camera cuts off the footage, and it goes back to an empty hallway as if Sara and the others never set foot in the hallway. The security guard looks back at the screens, continuing to monitor.

While the tank starts to glow slowly as the materia inside starts to change color from green to red, Scarlet's eyes are filled with excitement that she couldn't help but comment.

"Now...show me something truly exquisite!"

However, the materia started to grow abnormally large, and the emergency lights flickered to red, and an alarm went off.

One of the researchers looked at the computer and exclaimed, "Contaminants registered!"

Scarlet frowned and kicked her human footstool in the stomach, which the poor man yelped in pain. She didn't even bother to know what would happen next since the researchers failed another experiment.

"We're leaving," Scarlet declared while getting up from her chair. She, her subordinate, and her footstool exited the room as the researchers continued to panic.

"Materia growth accelerating! Outpacing models!"

"Registering crystallization within the reserve tanks!"

"The reaction is out of control! We have to stop it quickly!"

Yet, a loud explosion was heard after the door closed; Scarlet waved at her subordinate while walking.

"Clean up the mess, would you?" Scarlet asks her subordinate.

Her subordinate bowed and replied, "Madam."

Scarlet went on while her human footstool continued to follow her, crawling like an obedient dog.

Back at the fifty-nine floor, Sara and the others made it to Skyview Hall.

Barret looked around and said, "So this is the Skyview Hall, huh? Bet this place cost a fortune and then some."

"Let's look for the reception," Cloud suggested.

The group walked around the floor, but they couldn't help but take a look at the view of Midgar. The scenic view of Midgar was beautiful. Buildings all lit up, making it look like stars and moving vehicles going in and out on the roads. No wonder why this hall was called Skyview Hall.

"Damn fools," Barret grumbled.

Tifa and Sara looked at Barret curiously, wondering what he meant. Barret continued his little rant.

"Ones who come here at night to "take in the view." So pretty and marvelous and beautiful. But every little light burning bright runs off her blood. And bit by bit, they bleed her, never stoppin' to think how it'll end for them."

Tifa could only lower her head and agree with Barret, "Yeah."

"Terrible, but beautiful all the same," Barret said while admitting the beautiful view of the city.

"Come on, I think the reception desk is this way," Sara muttered while leading the others.

Sara found a desk that was similar to the one from the lobby. However, this one had a holographic female receptionist. Sara took out the card key from her back pocket and placed it on the key console in front of the receptionist. The holographic receptionist began speaking in a robotic voice.

"You must be here for our grand tour. Visitors have access to floors 60, 61, 62, as well as floor 63. You will proceed in that order. By the exit of each floor, you will find a device that will allow you to update the keycard in your possession, thereby allowing you to access the next floor and now begins your grand tour. Please enjoy the Shinra experience!"

The holographic receptionist waved with a smile and vanished.

"Why's this whole thing gotta be such a big pain in the ass?" Barret complained.

Barret didn't like the idea of going through a tour of the one place that he didn't enjoy in the first place. But, Tifa had a different opinion.

"I don't know about you, but this is kinda weird," Tifa said worryingly.

"You think everything's going too well?" Cloud asked.

Sara nodded, "Definitely too well for my tastes. There hasn't been a single security guard coming after us, and I know that there are security cameras all over this place."

"Do you think this is a trap?" Tifa wondered.

"Ha! If it is, then bring it on," Barret exclaimed, "Let's get this party started!"

They left the reception desk and found another console that Sara used to open the door next to the device.

Seeing this, Barret couldn't help but let out another complaint, "Man, why we gotta get all these damn keycards just to get anywhere?"

"This is Shinra HQ," Cloud retorted, "The hell did you expect?"

Barret humphed, "Says the former company man himself. Guess you'd know about all the rules, regulations, and red tape. It's like coming home, huh?"

"Coming home isn't the right word," Sara grumbled, "More like coming back to hell is more like it."

Neither Barret nor Cloud said anything else after hearing those words. But Cloud silently agreed with her.

While Cloud and the other made their way to where the tour began, on the sixty-third floor in Urban Planning Administration office, Director Reeve had spent many hours in his office making phone calls ever since the fall of Sector 7.

"Yes, every reactor, every pillar," Reeve insisted while talking on his cellphone, "Like I said, a full inspection. There's no telling what kind of damage there might be. If you see anything, anything out of the ordinary, I want to know."

After that, Reeve hung up and put his phone while his assistant walked in carrying a folder. The assistant noticed that Reeve was done with his phone call, but her boss seemed frustrated and approached him cautiously.

"Sorry to bother you, sir..." The woman spoke.

Reeve looked at her and said, "No, it's fine."

She nodded and handed him the folder, "I've brought the damage assessment for Sector 7 you requested."

Reeve took the file, but his assistant couldn't help but noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

"Sir, perhaps you should try and get some sleep, "She suggested.

"No, not yet," Reeve politely declined, "I need to finish preparing my draft of the reconstruction plan before tonight's board meeting."

The assistant nodded solemnly, yet Reeve made a groan in frustration.

"Whatever reasons they might've had, destroying an entire sector is...It's beyond the pale."

The assistant gasped and quickly said, "Director!" Reeve looked at her as she continued, "I would strongly advise you not to say such things outside of this room."

Reeve sighed heavily, "Don't; I know it."

Reeve knew all too well how those who say things out of line. The president would find a way to shut them, and he did not want to be one of those folks. However, little did the two people in the room knew that someone was watching them through the security cameras.

As Cloud and the others walked on the escalator leading to the sixty floors, they came across a door with a large sign above the door in gold lettering that read Museum. Sara took out the card key and placed it on the console opening the door. Once they went inside, Barret's jaw dropped. Inside the room was a giant golden statue of President Shinra that stood on a white pedestal and pictures of him throughout the room. As the group walked in, a virtual female tour guide spoke throughout the room.

"Welcome to the Shinra Building, our humble home!"

"Oh, hell no!" Barret exclaimed, knowing precisely what was about to unfold.

The virtual guide continued, "Here in the Memorial Museum, you can learn all about our president as well as the various divisions that make up the company and, of course, the city of Midgar and the miracle of mako energy. Whatever takes your fancy, you're sure to learn something new!"

"Yeah, yeah, shut up," Barret said annoyingly.

The virtual guide said nothing else. The group walked through the room, noticing the president's pictures in his younger years, even a picture of him and the Mayor of Midgar. The room didn't have just pictures but even specific tools that looked antique. Yet, everyone felt sick to their stomachs seeing how the whole room was dedicated to the President.

"I think I just threw up a little," Tifa grumbled.

"Man thinks very highly of himself," Barret rolled his eyes.

"What would you expect from a tyrant like him? Even in person, he always thinks nothing more than himself." Sara said while her eyes glared at the rest of the pictures of the President.

Cloud said nothing or more like he had no interest at all. Cloud only focused his mind on rescuing Aerith.

The group walked through another set of doors. That led to a dark hallway; suddenly, all the walls in the hallway became screens. Showing what appeared to be pictures of certain people, it was the higher-ups of Shinra. The virtual tour guide spoke again with enthusiasm as the screens showed off more pictures.

"Hey, everybody! How's the grand tour? I hope you're all enjoying yourselves! Wasn't it fun to learn about Shinra and our esteemed president? And to get a peek at the president's mementos, that was super cool! Now, moving along! The next exhibit will teach you about the important work we do here. By giving you a closer look at each of our divisions! I hope you're ready to be amazed because you simply won't believe all the exciting adventures we have here!"

Barret and Tifa were getting sick of playing the tourist along with Cloud and Sara. But, they had to play along to move up to the next floors. As they walked to the next exhibit, the large room was filled with models, robots, and others. But the stuff in the room was vaguely familiar.

"These all look so familiar," Tifa said while looking at the robots.

"Cause we've destroyed a bunch of 'em already." Barret reminded her, and Tifa agreed.

Next to the robot models was a hologram of Scarlet and a large sign that reads, 'Advanced Weaponry.'

When Sara approached the hologram of Scarlet, a robotic voice spoke, "The Advance Weaponry exhibit is currently undergoing maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience."

"Hah!" Barret laughed, "So much for hearing that bitch's speech."

Sara rolled her eyes, "Or they don't even have one because Scarlet hates doing speeches and only cares for weapons."

"What about that guy?" Tifa pointed towards a hologram of a short puggy man.

Sara looked over and saw the hologram of Palmer. The director of Space and Aeronautics.

"Well, this should be interesting," Sara raised a brow in amusing.

Everyone walks over to where the hologram of Palmer stood. Next to the hologram was a rocket model along with a sign that reads Space and Aeronautics. As they approached the exhibit, the hologram of Palmer began to talk with an actual voice, but it still had a hint of robotic feedback.

"What, what? Read this? This paper right here? Give me a moment..." The hologram Palmer exclaimed, making Sara giggle and shaking her head.

"Welcome to the Shinra Building," The hologram Palmer said, speaking professionally, "The Space and Aeronautics Division has taken rocket systems development for military applications and adapted them to a different purpose. The search for new precious resources in the infinite reaches of space. That being said, since we have plenty of mako at present, those plans are currently on hold. It's a...bit of shame, really."

After the speech, Sara couldn't help but comment, "And now he's nothing more than a freeloader in this very building and only cares for nothing but tea and living the carefree life."

"Freeloader or not, the man still works for Shinra," Barret dictated.

"I wouldn't take your hatred on Palmer because he's not even worth it, " Sara shrugged, but she noticed a familiar higher-up that made her blood boil.

"Now that guy, you can take all your hatred on to him all you want," Sara growled.

Barret looked at where she was looking and saw the hologram of a man wearing a lab coat. It was Hojo, the head of Research and Development. Beside the hologram of Hojo stood a model of a SOLDIER along with three test pods. Like so as they approached the hologram of Hojo, it began to speak.

The hologram let out an annoying sigh at first before speaking, "Welcome to Shinra headquarters. My duties as director of Research and Development are, in all likelihood, far beyond your ability to comprehend. So there will be no presentation, as it would be a waste of my time and yours. But rest assured, we are making great strides. Albeit not at this particular moment, because I'm filming this rubbish instead. I believe I've wasted enough of my precious time as it is. Science waits for no one, after all. So good day."

"What a lame presentation," Barret commented with a groan.

"Honestly, it's better than if he had told the truth on what goes on in those research labs," Sara stated.

Cloud nodded, "Yeah, way better."

"What if he did tell the truth?" Tifa wondered.

"Do you remember what we found at the remains of Wedge's home?" Sara questioned.

Tifa gasped as she remembered the lab they had found and those terrifying creatures and those tests pods filled with dead people. Barret recalled the memory too.

"Lame presentation is indeed better—no need to reveal that to a kid or an innocent civilian."

They moved on and saw a hologram of Heidegger, which, like what happened with Scarlet, was undergoing maintenance. However, next to the hologram of Heidegger were models of Shinra infantrymen. The next exhibit had pictures of blueprints and a giant robotic arm that could lift large, heavy pieces. Next to one of the blueprints is a hologram of the director of Urban Planning, Reeve.

Seeing the hologram of Reeve, Sara smiled warmly, "Wish I could see him again."

"Old friend?" Barret asked.

"Yeah," Sara nodded, "Out of all the higher-ups, Reeve is by far the one I enjoyed being around with, and he had a more sense of humility than the others."

Sara approached the hologram of her old friend, and it began to speak.

"Welcome to the Shinra Building. Our mission here at Urban Planning is to supply the residents of Midgar with energy created from mako. We also take pride in maintaining public infrastructure, the pillars, and railways that run all throughout the city. Currently, we are working to construct an intra-plate expressway. When this project has been completed, it will provide much easier access to numerous locations all across Midgar. We appreciate your patience and understanding in the meantime."

Sara chuckled, "Typical of Reeve, being professional but does have a bit of sincere."

Barret humphed, "Don't care; anyone that works for Shinra is an enemy of Avalanche."

The group continued with the tour. As they walked through another hallway, the walls revealed another slideshow along with the virtual guide speaking.

"Impressive, wasn't it? I hope you enjoyed learning about our divisions and the wonderful ideas and solutions that are produced to benefit us all! Here at Shinra, we strive to ensure the safety of all residents around the clock! Now, moving along! The next exhibit will teach you all about the miracle of mako energy and our reactors, as well as the city of Midgar itself. So come on!"

The group walks through another door leading to a massive dim-lit room containing Midgar's vast scale model. Another virtual guide spoke throughout the room, and this time it was a male voice.

"This is Midgar, our home recreated in 1/10000 scale. As you can see here, the eight mako reactors form a ring around the center of our city and keep Midgar running day and night. The mako which flows beneath our feet is a truly limitless resource. At Shinra, we have developed technologies to extract it and transform it into the fuel and electricity that powers everything we do. Thanks to the miracle of mako energy, our lives are richer and better than ever before. Mako keeps our lights on at night and made Midgar into the city that never sleeps. A triumph of technology and testament to man's potential."

"Nothin' but a buncha lies!" Barret ranted after the virtual guide finished speaking.

Cloud scoffed, "Except that mako has made people's lives better."

There was no room for argument on that statement. Mako has made everyone's lives better. But, Barret thought differently.

"It's made people blind, "Barret stated, "Blind to the cold hard truth."

He looked down at his gun arm and remembered something that he did not want to dwell on and spoke coldly, "Even I used to buy their bullshit rememberin' that...makes me even madder."

Not wanting to stay any longer, Sara led the group to the console nearby and opened it with the key card. After hearing a few clicks, the virtual female guide spoke again.

"Congratulations! You can call yourself a proud Shinra scholar! Now, moving along! Next, you'll learn about our progress in advanced science and technology. Please proceed to the 61st floor, the Visual Entertainment Hall."

The door opens, and the group walks in and starts climbing on the staircase as the virtual guide continues.

"Welcome to the Visual Entertainment Hall, where we showcase Shinra's cutting-edge technology through an immersive visual and audio experience. Please relax and enjoy the show!"

They walked to the next floor that had two doors on either side. One entry had a sign called Cosmos Theater, and the other had another console device. Knowing that they had to go through the tour, the group proceeded to the Cosmos Theater. Inside the theater was a dome-shaped room with a few stage seating.

"This place is empty," Barret looked around at the room, expecting some people around.

Suddenly the room turned dark, and at the center of the room, a small pillar formed up from the floor and did a green scan at the whole group. Everyone was startled and started to worry if Shinra caught them. But instead, the entire room transformed into a virtual reality world. They were surrounded by trees, grass, mountains, and people dressed up in strange clothes as if they were handmade. Even more bizarre was that the people were casting magic. When everyone knew that they were watching and walking into a virtual movie and confirming it, a male virtual guide began to speak.

"In the distant past, our planet was home to a people we call the Ancients."

So the people that the group was seeing were the Ancients, Aerith's ancestors. Everyone began to wonder if this is what it was like many years ago. The guide continued speaking.

"Many millennia before we discovered mako, these precursors were already pioneering its use. Somehow they learned of the great reservoir of energy pulsing beneath their feet. And once they had, the Ancients developed the means to harness this bountiful energy and bend it to their will. The fruits of their labors have survived to this very day in the form of certain kinds of materia. Their scripture, too, has endured: "We who are born of the planet, with her we speak. Her flesh we shape. Unto her promised land shall we one day return. By her loving grace and providence, may we take our place in paradise." Alas, the Ancients themselves are long gone."

Suddenly the whole landscape began to change from a land of green to a land of dust. Then in the sky above was a beautiful yet terrifying meteor.

"Two thousand years ago, a meteor brought an end to their civilization. But before their fiery end, did the Ancients find their promised land? Even now, we have only to wonder."

The scene began to change once again, and this time. Midgar stood before the whole group. Then taking the group to a sky view of Midgar and the entire planet showing green streams of light floating across the earth.

"Times have changed, and the Shinra Electric Power Company is committed to changing and evolving with them. Like the Ancients, we have harnessed the power of mako."

The next scene that flashes before them is another breathtaking view of mountains filled with valleys and rivers. A different Midgar stood at the valley's center; it looked cleaner and brighter than its former self. Sara looked at it in wonder. Was this the real reason why Shinra wanted Aerith? To find the promised land and build a new Midgar?

The virtual guide continued, "Are they out there, watching us? Waiting for us to join them in some blessed corner of the world, a green, and verdant land, where boundless mako energy will provide for our every need? Shinra is working for you to fulfill the hope of the Ancients and lead us to that promised land. We shall not rest until our dream is realized."

The whole scene goes pixelated as if it transported the group back into the dome-shaped room. However, the Shinra logo floated in the middle of the room before vanishing; thus, the movie was over.

"That it?" Barret wondered; he did enjoy the movie a bit.

However, the whole area changed suddenly. They were standing in the middle of a city square that's a part of Midgar. The sun was setting, or it appeared to be. Yet, Cloud and Sara both looked up and saw a blacked-robed man standing on a building. But, behind the man, what seemed to be the sun was a meteor. Then everything around them was chaotic, people running and screaming, winds were howling. Sara looked at the meteor again, and this time it was landing right on top of the Shinra building. The blacked-robed man vanished, and dozens of tornadoes were around the city. The tornadoes were destroying everything in its path. At the same time, she and Cloud both grunted painfully and began to have flashes of visions in their head. Images of a vast meteor impacting the planet and Aerith praying. What are these visions? What do they mean? Both Cloud and Sara wondered.

However, the moment they looked up and saw Tifa, who was standing around confused. They saw the black-robed man who transformed into a familiar silver-haired man wielding a long katana, Sephiroth. In a split second, Sephiroth killed Tifa; Cloud's eyes widened in horror.

"No!"

"Tifa?!" Sara screeched.

Cloud rushed over to Tifa, but then she vanished. He looked back and saw Barret, who Sephiroth also killed. But Barret disappeared too, just like Tifa.

Cloud and Sara were so confused about what was happening as they stood back to back—watching all the Midgar citizens running around panicking as the enormous meteor crashed on top of the Shinra Building.

During the chaos, Cloud and Sara sensed someone in between them. Time seemed to stop as both fighters knew who was right behind them. Sara tightly gripped her chest while Cloud narrowed his eyes as both of them muttered.

"Sephiroth."