Having risen to the top class of SOLDIER, Cloud signs up to accompany the army's most respected general on an unusual mission. With Sephiroth and a handful of guards, Cloud returns to his hometown of Nibelheim to investigate a nearby reactor buzzing with suspicious behavior.
The star-struck town honors the pair with a hero's welcome, including requesting the duo to pose for fan's photograph. The biggest surprise for Cloud, however, is discovering that his childhood friend Tifa is to be their guide to the reactor; although concerned for her safety over the perilous trek, any doubts are overshadowed by what the reactor holds for them.
Leaving one of the lesser guards and Tifa at the entrance for security, Cloud and Sephiroth advance inside. It is not long until they find themselves in an open room filled with row upon row of metal pods. Upon further investigation, one begins to thrash back and forth until it finally bursts open to reveal a monster inside. The creature falls to the ground almost immediately, writhing and shrieking pitifully in a manner that is simultaneously both savage and strikingly human. Both SOLDIERs are irked by the sight, though it seems to strike deeper into Sephiroth; he becomes lost in thought, withdrawing to the town inn before spontaneously leaving for the abandoned Shinra Mansion that rests on the outskirts of town. Once there, he retreats to the basement laboratory where he becomes engrossed with the reports and books left by Shinra scientests decades ago.
His bizarrely reclusive behavior causes the remaining men to become uneasy. They choose to board in the rooms of the Shinra Mansion to stay close to their general, all the while a sinking feeling of dread begins to swell in the group until Cloud can no longer take it. He runs down to the basement only to find Sephiroth lost to insanity.
Sephiroth: Hmph... traitor.
Cloud: Traitor?
Sephiroth: You ignorant traitor. I'll tell you. This Planet originally belonged to the Cetra. Cetra was a itinerant race. They would migrate in, settle the Planet, then move on... At the end of their harsh, hard journey, they would find the Promised Land and supreme happiness. But, those that disliked the journey appeared. Those who stopped their migrations built shelters and elected to lead an easier life. They took that which the Cetra and the planet had made without giving one whit in return! Those are your ancestors.
Cloud: Sephiroth...
Sephiroth: Long ago, disaster struck this planet. Your ancestors escaped... They survived because they hid. The Planet was saved by sacrificing the Cetra. After that, your ancestors continued to increase. Now all that's left of the Cetra is in these reports.
Cloud: What does that have to do with you?
Sephiroth: Don't you get it? An Ancient named Jenova was found in the geological stratum of 2000 years ago. The Jenova Project. The Jenova Project wanted to produce people with the powers of the Ancients..... no, the Cetra.... I am the one that was produced.
Cloud: Pr... produced!?
Sephiroth: Yes. Professor Gast, leader of the Jenova Project and genius scientist, produced me.
Cloud: How... how did he...? Se... Sephiroth?
Sephiroth: Out of my way. I'm going to see my mother.
Sephiroth exits with a frighteningly determined air, leaving an overwhelmed Cloud to collect his thoughts. Having regained his head as much as he can, Cloud races out of the manor only to find the town in flames. Outraged, he pushes on to the reactor where he finds Tifa gravely wounded after attempting to avenge her newly late father. He careful gathers her into his arms and leans her against one of the pods where he hopes she will be out of harm's way for at least a little longer. Seeing what the general has done to his town, family and now even his best friend fires fierce determination and hatred within Cloud, and he rushes by the pods to a previously inaccessible room. Inside is Sephiroth.
And Jenova.
Sephiroth seems oblivious to the other presence in the room and focuses completely on his "mother" Jenova -- coaxing her as he breaks the restraints and promising to take back the Planet the "traitors" had taken from them so long ago. Unable to take it any longer, Cloud attempts to knock some sense into the other man, asking him to think about what he has done and compare the sadness they share from their respective losses. Sephiroth smirks and retorts that he has no sadness; he is the chosen one who will restore the Planet to his mother. This final betrayal sends Cloud over the edge and he grasps his sword to attack. Sephiroth notices and leisurely reaches for the hilt of his own.
Then the world is bathed in a brilliant white light, and Cloud can remember no more.
Source: Final Fantasy VII
