Heartwarming / Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

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In General

• The Lifespring sidequests. They're low key compared to some of the others - all the player has to do is follow a springseeker owl to a spring of green crystals and do a small timing mini-game. But the Lifesprings themselves are peaceful places - a calming version of the main theme plays against a backdrop of green crystals.
• Compared to the first game, Rebirth gives Cloud a lot of dialogue choices to make his opinions on matters, and while some of these lean into being a Jerkass, there's also plenty of opportunities for Cloud to buck his usual standoffish nature and actually compliment, try to ease the minds of and generally be supportive of the other party members. Cloud may still try to play some of it off or dip into Brutal Honesty, but it allows him to show some major gold to his Jerk with a Heart of Gold behavior that he practically made iconic to the genre.
• Aerith and Tifa are consistently the ones to console Yuffie after she gets motion sick riding man-made transportation, like looking after their little sister.
• A lot of focus is given to Aerith and Tifa's friendship — they confide in each other, make fun of Cloud together, spend a lot of time together (the game directly refers to their outing in Costa Del Sol as a date, even), and unless the party is lucky enough for everyone to get individual rooms, whenever they rest at an inn they're roommates. Particularly sweet is their mutual relationship with Cloud; both women clearly have feelings for him and they know it, and in fact talk about Cloud (both romantically and otherwise) in private often. Furthermore, whenever one of them gets to spend time with Cloud alone in a romantic setting, the other is happy for them and shows (almost) no signs of jealousy or resentment. It really shows how close they've become that they won't let their friendship be ruined fighting over a guy they like, and were mature enough to seemingly work out some sort of understanding about it in private. Both girls also look out for the other on multiple occasions, such as when Aerith warns Cloud to be careful about how he treats Tifa, placing their friendship above any individual desires. Out of everyone in the group, Tifa is the most upset over Aerith’s supposed death and Aerith takes the time to comfort her from a distance even if she can’t directly interact with her.
• Cloud's relationships with his love interests Aerith and Tifa get a lot more focus in Rebirth. While both girls vie for his affections and some interactions will depend on the player's choices, in every playthrough all of them can be said to care very deeply for the other two.
  • Aerith, despite her Stepford Smiler nature opens up to Cloud about her past on multiple occasions, and feels comfortable enough to express how she really feels in various intimate conversations throughout the game. In several instances such as at Costa del Sol or Cosmo Canyon she seeks out Cloud as her main source of comfort and support over Tifa. On Cloud's part, Aerith is consistently able to draw him out of his shell and often makes him smile or laugh with her antics, and he is extremely protective of her when anyone threatens her harm, to the point where simply seeing her in danger allows him to throw off Sephiroth's corrupting influence.
  • Tifa constantly supports Cloud throughout the game, especially regarding his memory problems and worries about SOLDIER degradation, and is incredibly understanding of and patient with Cloud's various issues. The two mutally support the other upon returning to Nibelheim, and Tifa even cites Cloud as giving her the strength to come back to their home town to begin with. Cloud confides several of his health fears to Tifa, which he generally keeps to himself.
• When it comes to relationships with the rest of the party, Cloud and Barret in particular get along much better, and look out for the other. Cloud himself takes the time to support Barret at difficult moments like in Costa del Sol or Corel, and Barret displays clear concern on multiple occasions as Cloud's health deteriorates over the course of the game.
• It comes in brief flashes given some characters are still guest party members, but the occasions the entire original gang is together warrant a mention, especially when they travel together in the Bronco and alternately support and tease one another on the journey. Everyone is finally rounded up by the end of Chapter 12, although Vincent is still incredibly distant at this stage (though he does come around to encourage Cloud to go after Aerith near the end of the game and provide support in other ways, usually by providing escape routes or intelligence) and Cid is the group's pilot for most of the game, but makes a point of taking the second trip to the Gold Saucer with them and making sure the Bronco is on hand for quick getaways.
• The genuine concern the party shows for the Robed Men throughout the game. Most other people treat them as a nuisance or lack concern for their well-being, so seeing the party treat them as actual people is a nice change of pace, especially when considering they're aware of the connection the Robed Men have with Sephiroth.
• Whenever you repair a chocobo stop, you always have the option to have Cloud pet the adorable baby chocobo that hangs out there.
  • The animation Cloud does changes form region to region, too!
  • If the player uses a cushion to rest at the stop, the baby chocobo takes a nap along with you.
• Several of the party's synergy attacks have moments of this. Barret and Cloud catch Aerith and Yuffie respectively when the move takes them off balance. Aerith also ruffles Red's head affectionately before they launch a combined assault.

Chapter 1: Fall of a Hero

• In the alternate timeline: When Zack saves Aerith, he sincerely thanks Red XIII for his help, as he was the one who attacked the pilots to forcibly ground their helicopter, giving his life in the process.

Chapter 2: A New Journey Begins

• While Aerith doesn't know the specifics, she does know Cloud has upset Tifa, and warns him to be more careful with how he acts with his childhood friend.
  Aerith: I would've given anything to have a friend when I was growing up. Don't take her for granted.

Chapter 4: Dawn of a New Era

• When Cloud gets up to the tanker lift controls after riding Mr. Dolphin, he executes a perfect Three-Point Landing and a small grin crosses his face. It's one of the few times his tough SOLDIER facade lets up and you get a glimpse of the real Cloud underneath.
• When the gang board Priscilla's boat to get up to Junon, Red XIII is standing on the bow with the face of a puppy hanging its head out the car window.
• While Cloud is in disguise as parade captain, he can listen in on the conversations between Shinra troopers, especially the troopers of the 7th Infantry. When the troops are on leave, they're about as human as the average player, with several talking about their hobbies (like building scale models of the Sister Ray), dreams, and whatnot. And after Cloud starts rounding up the platoons, they will happily greet him in the street and shopping plazas, ready to follow him to the mustering point.
• It's funny and heartwarming that Rude actually has a place to chill and relax: The Glabrescent Bar.
• One pair of female troopers discuss the fact that one of them is getting transferred to a counterterrorism unit, location unknown. The girl who's staying with the 7th Infantry says they'd best make the most of the time they've got before the parade ends.
• When Cloud falters during his inspirational speech to the Midgar 7th Infantry, Aerith and Tifa pick up the slack and help him deliver a truly rousing speech. In fact, it's so inspirational that the Seventh Infantry don't hesitate to follow Cloud into battle against the other units when Yuffie's ill-timed assassination attempt causes things to go sideways—not even considering that he might be the enemy spy they've been ordered to hunt down until they reach the end. When Cloud thinks his cover is blown and prepares to fight them, the trooper who asked the question diffuses the situation by claiming he was joking. The Seventh let Cloud leave in peace, understanding at the very least that their Captain has things to do that he can't involve them in.
  • When Cloud thinks the Troopers have found him out, he tells them that for whatever it's worth, he's sorry for the fight he thinks is about to ensue.
  • Their parting words:
    Trooper: Will we see each other again, sir?
    Cloud: [turns and returns the salute] Count on it!

Chapter 6: Fool's Paradise

• Aerith and Tifa's friendship continues to be adorably charming, but especially so in their afternoon out in Costa del Sol, where you can switch between them at any time as they act more like close siblings.
  Aerith: Guide me, o Tifa...!
  Tifa: Come, my child!
• After defeating the Grasptropod, Cloud has the option of reassuring the other party members, who are upset for various reasons:
  • In an intimate discussion, Aerith admits to utterly hating Hojo, and wanting to inflict pain and cruelty upon him as revenge for everything he has done to her and Ifalna, to the point of being scared by her own dark thoughts. Cloud can reassure her that she's a good person, that Hojo completely deserves it, and that whatever action she decides in the future he will support her.
  • Red is berating himself for not maintaining his composure around Hojo. Similar to Aerith, Cloud can reassure him:
    Cloud: Anyone would wanna to punch that smug asshole. I know I do.
    Red XIII: Your fists and my fangs.
  • Barret is upset that he couldn't do more to help the Sephiroth clones, and Cloud can tell Barret that he tried his best, which is the most important thing. While Barret deflects the comment, it results in the biggest Relationship Values increase, suggesting that he does appreciate the gesture.
    Cloud: You tried. That's all you can do — and all that matters if you ask me.
    Barret: You trying to cheer me up? Now I've seen everything.
  • Tifa after all the chaos mixes herself up a drink, which reminds her of the now destroyed Seventh Heaven. When she expresses a desire to forget all the "worst stuff" that's happened, Cloud offers support. When turning down Tifa's offer to make Cloud a cocktail, he cites a promise to Barret he made to only have one at the new Seventh Heaven.
• Due to Johnny's help in defeating the Grasptropod, the town declares him a hero and makes the mayor cancel his debts.

Chapter 7: Those Left Behind

• Thanks to no longer being optional, Yuffie has a chance in this chapter to prove her worth to the team and integrate with them socially. After Cloud nearly loses himself to the reunion urges and has to take time to rest, she takes charge going into the mines to lower the bridge ahead:
  • While she isn't as strong a leader as Barret or Cloud, Yuffie shares cheerful thumbs-ups with Tifa and Barret after activating elevators for them.
  • The three work together to defeat the Gigatrice at the top of the mines, and she and Tifa share a cute moment bonding over a baby chick they dub Cloud Jr.
  • Lastly, when the three radio Cloud, Aerith and Red XIII at the end, Yuffie asks if Cloud is okay and if he's feeling any better.
• Upon reaching Corel, the villagers all greet Barret with a hail of abuse. While Barret insists that the party not intervene, Yuffie is so furious that she defends Barret anyway.

Chapter 8: All That Glitters

• After the impromptu boxing match between Cloud and Dio, win or lose, Dio holds Cloud's arm up high as everyone cheers for him. Cloud smiles as he soaks up the crowd.
• As Cloud is not feeling too well due to experiencing constant headaches and memory issues while on the way to the Gold Saucer, Barret suggests that Cloud takes it easy for a bit while everyone else has some fun, and takes Cloud over to the park's hotel to recuperate for a bit while showing a great deal of concern for his well being.
• If Aerith or Tifa show up for the date sequence, their main reason for dropping by is to see if Cloud is feeling better.
• The Gold Saucer date sequences don't have quite as many moments as in Chapter 12, but they do have some:
  • Aerith: Being her natural upbeat self, she's thrilled to have the chance to explore the park with Cloud, and encourages him to have some fun with the various minigames despite Cloud's standoffishness. Cloud starts to loosen up, and even plays along with Aerith's commentary in Chocobo Square.
  • Tifa: While Tifa is naturally a little shy when asking Cloud to join her, he readily agrees. Like Aerith, Tifa also encourages Cloud to enjoy the minigames, especially the G-Bike game. Upon encountering Jessie's portrait in the theatre, Tifa also reminisces about how much Jessie helped her when she came to Midgar. When they attempt to ride the Skywheel, Tifa is visibly nervous, but works up the courage to hold Cloud's hand.
  • Yuffie: A lot of the dynamic comes across as Cloud looking after an annoying younger sister, but he not only agrees to accompany Yuffie in the first place, he does joke around with her and tolerates her antics. Yuffie also talks up Cloud's motorcycling skills, based on what Aerith and Tifa have told her.
  • On both Aerith and Tifa's dates, if Cloud encounters Yuffie, the girls kindly extend an offer to tag along instead of letting Yuffie remain by herself. Yuffie for her part declines to give the two some time alone together, instead of being a third wheel.
• Zack's budding friendship with Marlene is a sight to see as he comes to rely on her for things he missed out on during his absence in Remake.
• Barret and Cloud's exchange after Dyne's death:
  Barret: He said...he wanted me to live with the guilt.
  Cloud: Well...we're here for you.
  Barret: To "help take the load off", huh?
  Cloud: I mean it, man.
  Barret: Yeah, I'm startin' to think you might.

Chapter 9: The Planet Stirs

• Seeing Cissnei in Gongaga is this, as she's keeping the promise she made to Zack to look after his parents for him towards the end of Crisis Core. And as revealed in the Chapter 12 side quest, she also feels guilty in having stolen part of his life away from him, and is protecting his hometown in his memory.
• Aerith encounters Zack's parents and asks them if they've had any contact from him, which they haven't ^note For those unaware, Zack from the original timeline is dead and died before the start of Remake; Aerith suspects this, but doesn't know. Cloud's memory issues mean at this point he can't remember who Zack is, or that they were best friends. Aerith then beats herself up for being so inconsiderate, and Cloud offers some support. While Cloud does put his foot in his mouth by calling Zack a "loser" which Aerith and Tifa respond to with a glare, it does stem from Cloud's heart being in the right place and Zack supposedly leaving Aerith "out in the cold".
• Tifa would have been in her rights to steer clear of Cloud after experiencing a near-death experience in Gongaga thanks to his paranoia kicking in. Instead, she doubles down on her devotion for him after remembering how he watched over her in their childhood. Rather than being scared for her safety, she sticks with him out of concern for her dear friend's mental health.

Chapter 10: Watcher of the Vale

• Aerith's speech during the lantern ceremony starts off with a long list of why being a Cetra has sucked, and the poor girl ends up on the verge of tears and unable to continue until she catches sight of Cloud in the crowd. Cloud can then encourge her, with the second part being far more uplifting and heartwarming.
  Aerith: (barely keeping her composure)
  Cloud: (softly) It's okay.
  (Aerith visibly perks up)
  Aerith: So, my blood's been a curse... but it's also been a blessing. It's brought some wonderful people into my life. Friends that I love. And for once... I think I'm okay. Happy even. And all that pain... feels worth it. Even if I can't lead a normal life... there is one thing I can do — return their kindness. And try to make the most of what I've been given.
  (crowd applauds)
  [a little later on, as Cloud joins her by the fire]
  Aerith: (sheepishly) Pretty sappy huh? Meant every word though.
• Bugenhagen encourages Red XIII to continue accompanying Cloud and the others in order to further open his mind to new experiences.

Chapter 11: The Long Shadow of Shinra

• When Cloud remembers Zack, part of his memory is of Zack gushing about how cute Aerith is. And while he ends up being Right for the Wrong Reasons as to why Zack was missing, the fact that he actually remembers him at all as a close friend is a big heartwarming moment, considering how he completely forgot about Zack in the original game up until the Northern Crater.
• Cloud can climb the water tower with Aerith and starts to open up about his past, reminiscing about some of his childhood experiences growing up in Nibelheim alongside Tifa. When Cloud worries that he's said something to upset Aerith after this causes her to reflect on what she's missed out on, she reassures him that he hasn't done anything wrong. Cloud even volunteers to bear the brunt of Aerith's feelings if it would make her feel better, while she declines the offer as she doesn't want to hurt Cloud by taking them out on him. Despite her uncharacteristic moroseness, she thanks Cloud for trying to cheer her up.
• Overlaps with Tear Jerker but after the boss fight against Galian Beast, the party doesn't attempt to fight Vincent any further. Instead Cait Sith offers him compassion, relating that he read Vincent's file and knows he had something to do with the JENOVA Project, going as far as to offer he join the party instead to find Sephiroth. Given Reeve is controlling Cait, it's likely he feels some responsibility for all the people hurt by Shinra when he himself is still on its board of directors and has to take meetings alongside Hojo, who has been able to hurt many of the party with Shinra's complete blessing. Given Hojo's proclivity for experimenting on anyone he can get his hands on, it's likely Reeve has put some of the pieces together why Vincent is the way he is. This compassion pays off, as Vincent eventually decides to tag along just for some "unfinished business."

Chapter 12: A Golden Key

• Jessie's dance performance during the LOVELESS play elicits a heartwarming response from some of the characters, particularly Barret and Tifa (and Cloud himself noting that 'she was a star').
• The LOVELESS play itself is generally adorable - from Cloud's stiff acting to Cait being a seasoned pro and everyone else giving their best and getting into their performance.
• While Aerith sings "No Promises To Keep", Cloud and the other party members off stage all encourage her. Cloud at the end also takes her hand to give her center stage, and the acclaim from the audience her performance deserves.
  • If Aerith is Cloud's date, a yellow flower magically falls towards him near the end of Aerith's performance (the very same flower that represents Aerith herself), and Cloud gently takes it into his hand and holds it close to his chest, symbolizing his growing feelings for Aerith. Aerith for her part also shoots Cloud several tender looks during her performance.
  • If Tifa is Cloud's date and plays the part of Rosa, both her and Cloud are there to encourage their friend's performance, which so moves them that they wordlessly hold hands. Tifa is also the one to verbally encourage Aerith just before she starts singing.
    Tifa: You got this.
  • If Barret is Cloud's "date", he will put his arm around Cloud's shoulder in an affectionate and fatherly manner as the two of them listen to Aerith's performance, showing the growing bond between them.
  • During the performance itself, apparitions of Jessie, Biggs and Wedge can be seen in the audience cheering Aerith on. While much of the play is done in VR, here it's implied that these are the spirits of Jessie, Biggs and Wedge and not holograms as there's the telltale green glow of Aerith channelling the Lifestream beforehand.
• It speaks to the game's willingness to adopt modern social virtues that each date with the core party members is respectful and results in character development; it's almost enough to make one want to see all of them in one playthrough.
  • Red XIII: He's so giddy that he speaks in his "little kid" voice and adopting lupine behaviors the entire time; even Cloud can't help but smile at his enthusiasm as they board the Skywheel. While aboard, he confesses about how he and Aerith both had visions of the future, and he makes Cloud shake on a promise to keep Aerith safe. Once they disembark, Red admits Cloud is good company, and he gets his head affectionately ruffled in response.
  • Aerith: Cloud, being his naturally awkward and shy self, is reluctant to sit down next to Aerith at first. Then a holographic space battle simulation causes them to panic and grab each other for comfort, culminating in an Almost Kiss. They then sit a lot closer as Aerith confesses to Cloud that while he reminded her of Zack, she's searching for the real him, before gently reassuring Cloud that she genuinely wants to be with him, not a Zack imitation. She then takes his arm and rests her head on his shoulder, and when Cloud pulls her hand away, Aerith starts to move back right before Cloud links their fingers together for the rest of the ride as brilliant fireworks light up the night.
  • Barret: He wants to see Loveless to pay respect to Jessie's time as an actress, and unlike the original game's Barret grumbling about why Cloud is dragging him onto the gondolas, he's ready for some peace and quiet that the ride will bring. While aboard, he hilariously thinks the holograms are real and gets ready to shoot them down, but Cloud thankfully puts a stop to that. He then tells the story of how he met Myrna and the mistakes he made courting her, ending with a fatherly advice for Cloud to learn from them in the event that he finds his own soulmate, or else he might lose them forever without even getting the chance to express how he really feels.
  • Tifa: They start awkwardly waiting for the other to board the Skywheel, until Cloud finally dashes into the car and pulls Tifa in. What follows is an even more awkward but cute "old friends' first real date" full of shy silence, before Cloud finally breaches the topic of Aerith and her relationship to Zack; Tifa deflects the topic, then worries that she's being too forward about being so close to Cloud. Cloud denies this and offers his hand; she accepts it, and he pulls her into an intimate hug. The Big Damn Kiss soon follows, lit with brilliant fireworks.
  • Yuffie: True to still being an excitable teenager, she goes nuts with the gondola's spinner at first, but once things calm down, it sinks in that she's alone with Cloud, and she tries to make small talk about having a crush on a boy who ultimately just played along with her "energy blasts", which irked her at first, but she realized that he was being nice, not condescending.^note The Rebirth Ultimania reveals that her crush was Zack, having left an impression on her in Crisis Core Reunion. After Cloud offers to help, she comments that neither of them are very good in the "feelings" department, then steps over and kisses his cheek. Cloud is stunned into silence, and Yuffie totally denies it meant anything deeper. They finish by play-acting her energy blasts, having a little laugh about it.
  • Cait Sith, Vincent and Cid: It's mostly played for laughs, but it's still sweet seeing Cait Sith trying so hard to get the others to have a good time. For their part, Cid and Vincent might have lacked enthusiasm for the ride but they still came along.

Chapter 13: Where Angels Fear to Tread

• Seeing Tseng gravely wounded by Sephiroth is enough for Aerith to show concern to the point of admitting she never hated him.
• Yuffie is awestruck by Aerith's ability to manipulate the Lifestream, which begins their bonding process. Much like Chocobo Riding in Chapter 10, it's a unique moment of Yuffie having an interest beyond just Materia, and is especially meaningful here as the Lifestream is Materia. Yuffie even later opts for Aerith to rest before moving on, showing fondness and care for the Cetra. Tragically, this is likely the reason why Yuffie says "It's not fair" in the game's ending: she was just starting to become friends with Aerith before she was ripped away.
• For Aerith herself, too. When she first begins to channel the Lifestream she's clearly overjoyed at being connected to her heritage for the first time. Even when she worries she's done it wrong, Yuffie just encourages her to try again and she takes the encouragement to keep going, saying confidently that she's got it this time later in the chapter.
• Crosses with a funny moment, but later on Cloud, Tifa and Barret encounter Reno and Rude struggling against some fiends. Since Sephiroth's influence on Cloud is making him impatient to get the Black Materia, Cloud insists they help out the Turks so they can keep moving - leading to the player getting to fight alongside them for the first time. In a cutscene Rude protects Tifa from a fiend - and then awkwardly clears his throat when she thanks him, showing his crush on her is still ongoing.
• Even later on the other group of Aerith, Yuffie and Red run into Elena and Tseng. A boss fight ensues - and after the player beats the Turks, Elena jumps in front of Tseng to protect him. The second phase of the same fight has the two attacking in perfect harmony.
• When Cloud is about to kill the Turks (minus Tseng), Aerith calls out to stop him. Despite everything the company has put her through, she's known most of them her whole life (minus Elena) and still doesn't want to see them hurt.
• When the group has left the injured Turks behind, Vincent appears and speaks to them. Given he's the one who secures the group's exit later in the chapter it's likely he also showed the Turks the way out. As in other entries in the Compilation, it's reinforced here that the Turks are likely more loyal to each other than the company, even ex-members like Vincent who have no loyalty to Shinra anymore.
  Vincent: Death doesn't suit a Turk.
• In a messed-up sort of way, Cloud taking the Black Materia from Aerith. While clearly unhinged, he just pleads with her to hand it over. And when she does, he genuinely thanks her for cooperating. Compared to the original game when he beat her up, it’s like he never really had any intention of harming her.
• While Aerith is visibly terrified, both of Cloud and for Cloud and what Sephiroth is doing to him, she reaffirms that she is there for him when handing over the Black Materia.
• Despite the seemingly iron grip Sephiroth has on Cloud's mind at this point, the moment Aerith starts to fall he immediately snaps out of it and grabs her hand to stop her falling. For all of Sephiroth's corrupting influence, Cloud simply cannot be made to stand by and watch Aerith get hurt.
• When the second Cait reveals himself after the Temple collapses into the Black Materia, Aerith happily picks him up and hugs him.
  Aerith: Welcome back.

Chapter 14: End of the World

• As the Shinra group are flying back to Midgar from the Temple of the Ancients, Reno and Elena are still concerned over Tseng's injuries, which Hojo comments about to Rufus in their helicopter, prompting Rufus to show one of his rare Adaptational Nice Guy moments.
  Hojo: Tseng is in grave condition... Perhaps I could help?
  Rufus: No. The medical team will see to him. I think you have enough "material."
  (camera shot of a comatose Black-Robe Roche behind Rufus)
• As much of a Mind Screw it is, both for the player and a very confused Cloud, the alternate timeline date sequence with Aerith has a few moments when it isn't going for the exact opposite emotion instead, especially if Cloud has a high affection value with her.
  • In addition to having fun posing for a photo (the player can choose from several options here), Cloud gets Aerith a gift, and upon reaching "[their] spot" at the church, Cloud casually says she'll have to give him a harder question next time. When Aerith teases him over this ("Oh? 'Next time?'"), Cloud's response is much more enthusiastic with a high affinity ("Yeah. Next time.") to which Aerith is quite gleeful about. Aerith confesses to Cloud that she likes him, before hugging him intimately and telling him not to blame himself for whatever happens.
  • When that timeline's version of Aerith hands over her white materia to Cloud, his first reaction is to decline since it's something Aerith's mother bequeathed to her. Aerith for her part is doing it to save the world, but more importantly Cloud.
    Aerith: This isn't about me, though. It's about saving the world — and you.
• When Cloud is in a fugue state following the fall at the end of the previous chapter, and Aerith is seemingly unconscious, Barret wanders over to check on Cloud, and Tifa immediately goes over to Aerith, both with very worried expressions of concern on their faces. The party also repeatedly checks on Cloud while navigating the Sleeping Forest, and Barret is supporting/carrying Cloud the entire time until Cloud snaps out of it.
• The remaining party all combine forces to make a hole in the barrier the Whispers have created, in order to allow Cloud to proceed to reach Aerith. When they falter and the gap almost closes, Vincent steps in to assist.
  Vincent: She needs you. Go.
• What above anything else is Aerith praying to the planet for? To keep her True Companions safe.
  Aerith: O planet and its faithful stewards... Please... lend me your strength. [...] All I want... is one thing. To keep the others safe. They mean so much to me. So, please... tell me how to do that. I'm begging you.
• Tying in to the end of Chapter 13, Sephiroth again tries to force Cloud to harm Aerith, and Cloud shows his largest example of Heroic Willpower yet by resisting the Black Whispers trying to force him to strike her down. When Sephiroth himself then tries to do the deed instead, it not only gives Cloud so much strength and resolve that he literally defies fate and immediately breaks free of the Whispers, but he also puts so much brute force into the block that he disarms Sephiroth. Do not try to harm Aerith while Cloud is around.
• As Cloud sobs while cradling a dying Aerith in his arms, she suddenly wakes and reassures Cloud that she's fine as she puts her hand on his cheek, before giving him a soft smile. The sheer happiness and relief on Cloud's face is unlike any other expression he's made so far in Remake or Rebirth. When engaging Jenova Lifeclinger he lets her go with extreme reluctance as she wordlessly encourages him, and puts her back down with a degree of tenderness he very rarely displays.
• For the party (sans Cloud) who see Aerith as apparently dead, they're all filled with righteous fury, showing just how much they care for our resident flower girl. Barret in particular is so enraged that his immediate reaction at seeing Aerith seemingly lifeless or dying in Cloud's arms is to scream at Sephiroth on the spot that he will kill him, and everyone but Cloud starts the next battle with a Limit Break.
• Zack's joy at seeing Cloud facing down Sephiroth, seeing how Cloud found his own strength, and him being thrilled when Cloud naturally takes the lead in the ensuing boss battle. Activating their Synergy Attack "SOLDIER's Honor" has Zack playfully tapping Cloud's right shoulder in a brotherly gesture.
• When Zack and Cloud are able to stagger Sephiroth.
  Zack & Cloud: (simultaneously) Let's bring it home!
  Zack: (chuckling) Great minds!
• Right at the start of Zack's solo segment against Sephiroth Reborn, both he and Cloud (who is a world away) recite Angeal's creed, synchronized on holding the Buster Sword in front of them.
  Zack & Cloud: (simultaneously) Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens... protect your honor as a SOLDIER!
• While Zack has the more traditional Synergy Attack with Cloud heartwarmingly named "Together as One," ^note Description: Zack offers a hopeful prayer to his blade, hones his focus, then strikes in tandem with his brother-in arms. he actually has a quasi second one. By standing in the magic circle that's provided by Aerith and charging with Triangle, the circle can condense into a ball and Zack can hit it straight at Sephiroth Reborn for a good amount of Pressure. Also, despite being forcibly transported to another timeline near the end, separating him from Cloud, Zack can still call on his best friend to perform "Together as One" with him via Cloud appearing as a Lifestream apparition, showing how strong the bond between these two men are that they can willpower their way across the boundary between worlds, even if only for a few moments, to come to the other's aid in their hour of need.
• With help from the White Whispers, Aerith not only joins Cloud in his duel against Sephiroth within the Edge of Creation, but also thanks him for coming to her aid.
• After their victory against Sephiroth while back to back, Cloud and Aerith simultaneously reach out to each other and intertwine their fingers, showing not just their closeness, but their resolve to remain together, despite the universe's best efforts to force them to part.
• In Zack's final scene, he quotes Sephiroth saying worlds come together and part, then confidently says they can come together again, eager to meet Cloud once more.
  Zack: "Just as worlds unite, so too do they part." But who's to say they can't unite again?
• The moment when Cloud kneels down and says, "Aerith, wake up." And she does! And her smile when she looks up at Cloud is breathtaking. Never mind that this just adds another layer to an already confusing situation; this is something many fans have wanted to see for more than twenty years.
• Cloud manages to get some form of closure with whatever happened to Aerith compared to the original game. Because Cloud managed to defy destiny and save Aerith in a branched timeline (symbolized by the tell-tale rainbow flash like the one seen when Zack made a branching choice to help either Cloud or Biggs), he is able to continue communicating with her like normal. While it's slightly marred by her being unable to interact with the other party members and having to be separated from Cloud, she comforts him during their last moments together and vows to do everything in her power to help them stop the Meteor from destroying the Planet.
  • Even though she can't directly interact with the party, Aerith takes the time to crouch next to a mourning Red XIII and Tifa for a few moments out of sympathy towards them, with Red XIII even feeling her presence. It shows how much she cares for them that even if they don’t know she's there, she's looking over them.

Side Quests

• Flowers from the Hill: In a callback to the first game, there is a sidequest to help Aerith pick flowers to make flower crowns for the two siblings who run the Chocobo Ranch, as their mother used to do for them. Unlike last time, Cloud tries to take the lead on which flowers to pick and Aerith alternately explains the flower's meanings and teases him about it.
• Livestock's Bane: A farmer asks for help tracking down a fiend in Kalm. He suggests using Red XIII's nose to track it, but Red is unable to do it so the group uses chocobos instead. It's clear through dialogue that Red feels insecure and at the end of the quest he reveals his nose hasn't been the same since being trapped in the Shinra building, coming to view the chocobos as mentors to get his senses back rather than rivals. Cloud also offers to let Red XIII take over tracking at a point during the quest, trying to accommodate him.
• Lifeline in Peril: Kyrie may be annoying, but she does fix the mako pipe just like she promised. She is grateful enough for Cloud's help that she gives him credit and leaves 3,000 gil for Mayor Fritz to give to him. Looks like she can be selfless when she wants.
• Stuck in a Rut: To get a chocobo in the Junon area you have to help the local ranch owner fix a broken chocobo carriage. Cloud realises the owner is less hard done by than he claims and it's implied he's afraid of competing against Shinra for business, resulting in him neglecting chocobos who are still loyal to him. Aerith volunteers to help without realising she's being duped, but even after Cloud explains she insists they do the quest anyway - for the chocobos' sake. Then when the party fix the carriage she tells the owner off for good measure, motivating him to start his business up again properly.
• When Words Won't Do: After taking Rhonda's request to escort her dog Salmon delivering 5,000 gil to her son Dillan at the Crow's Nest, Barret and Cloud discuss about parents wanting to protect their children but still knowing the need to let them go. Barret bringing up about how he worries over Marlene in a gushing manner - both wanting to let her "soar" yet still wanting her to stay his baby forever - shows that for all the tough guy he actually is, he's still a mushy teddybear to his daughter. Regarding the 2,000 gil fee that Cloud asked for in Remake, Barret figures that Cloud asked for that amount out of sentiment due to Claudia having offered it to him before he left Nibelheim (which Cloud had rejected).
• The Spice of Life: Cissnei and Aerith interact and bond over cooking in Gongaga, which can bring to mind that Cissnei had a crush on Zack back in Crisis Core, and Zack had at least a crush on both of them (and as revealed in Chapter 12, Cissnei knows this). It's lovely to see the two be friendly towards each other in the face of over 15 years of shipping wars, similar to Aerith and Tifa's close friendship.
• Beneath Still Waters: This quest sees Cloud cross paths with the Midgar 7th Infantry, who are surprised and glad to see him again. When Cloud returns to the Junon region, a fiend has broken out of a research facility in the area. The Midgar 7th Infantry troops, who have been denied reinforcements due to bad blood between them and Junon's own garrison, ask for Cloud's help in killing the fiend, citing its danger to the civilian population. After the fiend in question has been put down for good, the unit's commander rewards Cloud, even though she and her adjutant know the truth about Cloud and his friends. As a result, the 7th Infantry leave Avalanche to sort things out peacefully.
  • Once the monster first appears, Cloud immediately orders the troopers to fall back. Even if they are Shinra military, Cloud is fully aware of their newfound Undying Loyalty to him, and yet he still chooses to put himself as risk.
  • Despite being shocked at best to see the "parade captain" again, the commander decides to trust Cloud and company with eliminating the rogue fiend. Once it's over, she sees that Cloud has some questions and is willing to give him answers. She's even willing to submit a false report in order to not get Cloud and his fellow Ragtag Bunch of Misfits into trouble, and the other members of the Seventh roll with it.
• Rendezvous in Costa del Sol: Cloud and Aerith go on a date to help some designers get inspiration for swimwear. While Cloud is his usual cranky self, Aerith gets into the scenario so enthusiastically she even volunteers to play Run Wild - a minigame designed for four-legged animals - herself! Despite his tetchiness, Cloud also starts to enjoy their time together - when the pair ride chocobos to find shells, Aerith teases him about being nervous and the two banter after each one they collect.
• Bonds of Trust: Running alongside the main story of Shani regaining her confidence in Cosmo Canyon is Yuffie discovering a love of chocobo riding. Cloud notices after wrangling Aponi that Yuffie suffers from zero motion sickness while riding a chocobo (something present from the end of INTERmission), making Yuffie notice herself since they aren't man-made modes of transportation. Yuffie is then the one to take on the gliding courses, has an exhilarating and fun time doing so, and even makes up her own lyrics to Electric de Chocobo. It's incredibly heartwarming to see Yuffie discover this for herself, especially since before this point materia had been her one singular interest since the original game in 1997.
• The Cosmo Canyon Region Protorelic Phenomenon: While going about resolving the Lifestream fonts scattered throughout Cosmo Canyon, Barret and Tifa reminisce how their cell of Avalanche had wanted to visit the canyon. The less serious reason of visiting was for easier access to the Canyon salt that Tifa could use to make the Cosmo Candle drinks (Wedge bought five shakers' worth of the salt, which is considered a premium in Midgar), while the more serious part was wanting to learn more of planetology. When Nayo, Billy Bob, and Polk lament at how useless they feel on trying to repair the fonts, Barret remembers Wedge's own lament of feeling as if he wasn't contributing enough to their cell, and gives verbal encouragement to the trio from Avalanche HQ.
  • Barret was initially against going to Cosmo Canyon because they didn't have that kind of trip in the budget, but once he tasted the new drink, he realized they had to go.
  • After the flashback ends, Tifa notes that they finally made it. She's almost certainly thinking of Jesse, Wedge, and Biggs as she says this.
• The Adumbral Throng/Testing the Waters part of the Nibel Region Protoreliec Phenomenon: When Yuffie notices the numbered tattoos on some of the Black Robes and Chadley comments how some of them were tattooed due to being Shinra experiments in the Nibel region after picking up a protorelic piece, Red XIII angrily comments how "no one should be marked like cattle—no one." Yuffie quickly ruffles his face reassuringly, agreeing with him.
• Trouble in Paradise: When Cloud threatens to "take care" of Kyrie at Costa del Sol at Mayor Kapono's request, Mireille intervenes, still trying to convince Kyrie to be the next Guardian Angel of the Slums. Yuffie steps in, sympathizing with Kyrie on mutual frustration of adults "knowing what's best" for their children. Actually humbled, Kyrie explains to Mireille that she wants to be herself, instead of just becoming the next Guardian Angel. This in turn has Mireille offering that they become equal partners of being the Guardian Angels (the end result of them emptying out Mayor Kapono's secret safe together).
• Lament of the Damned: Someone in Nibelheim can hear a wailing woman coming from Shinra Manor. The party go to look, letting Vincent take the lead. It turns out the "woman" was actually the voice of a fiend—yet another of Hojo's experiments. Once the party beats the fiend, they wonder why it appeared to be calling out. Vincent suggests the fiend may have been crying out in distress and suggests that fiends can have emotions and complex thought. At first, Barret dismissively asks if monsters can have feelings, then when Vincent looks away he seems to remember who he's talking to and softens up. Completion text for the quest says Vincent has pondered the question of whether monsters can grow to have feelings over the years, so Barret's awkward attempts at extending an olive branch might have helped. Cloud also empathizes with Vincent earlier, telling him not to beat himself up too much for past mistakes and Vincent in turn starts to show signs of getting on better with the party, mostly in the form of teasing Barret about being afraid of ghosts. There's also an instance earlier on - when Barret suggests the female staffer who used to work in the manor was as bad as Hojo, Vincent indignantly says 'that's not true', more than likely thinking of Lucrecia's involvement. It's both tearjerking and heartwarming that Vincent still immediately thought of Lucrecia after all this time, despite - or possibly because of - knowing what other people are likely to think of her on seeing what became of Sephiroth and the JENOVA Project if they found out.
• Absence of a Sign: While taking photographs of constellations for several planetologists in Cosmo Canyon, Cloud can take the chance to snap some photographs of Aerith in various poses, who clearly finds the whole thing a lot of fun, even when she mock glares at Cloud at one point. Later she suggests that Cloud takes a selfie of the two of them, providing a pretty cute photo.
• Queen's Blood: Multiple instances, though special mention should go to Cloud and Regina's developing rivalry. After saving her from the Shadowblood Queen, Regina reflects that she got caught up in winning, and both Vincent and Cloud reassure her; Cloud going as far as to point out she got as good as she is with the game through hard work and not some genius talent. Cloud also gets the opportunity to play against numerous people, including the party during the Junon tournament and Chadley, and many of his opponents are magnanimous after losing. The Junon tournament also features Red XIII disguising himself so he can play, and it looks ridiculous but after Cloud wins he sincerely compliments Red on getting so good at the game when he was only able to observe others play it to learn until that point.
• Escape from Endless Writer's Block: Barret is delighted to meet Maeve Mabel, the author of Marlene's favorite book and she in turn is delighted to meet a fan. Barret is only too happy to volunteer Red XIII's services in posing for pictures to inspire Maeve through her writer's block, and while Red is initially hesitant, he gets really into posing. The sidequest ends with the party listening to Maeve do a live reading of her draft of her new story and she promises to send Barret, Marlene, and Red free copies as soon as they are published.
• Protorelic Phenomena/Fare Thee Well, Gilgamesh : After Chadley opens up a portal for Gilgamesh to travel, Gilgamesh shows genuine gratitude to Chadley and bids the team a heartfelt farewell while doing so in dogeza, prostrating before them with hands in front of his head, showing his deference to Cloud and the others as a very high form of respect. ^note Dogeza is usually used to express a deep apology, but it's also used to express requesting a favor from the recipeint.
  Gilgamesh: 'Tis time I took leave of you—and your world. May we meet again upon the field of battle, should the fates allow. I shall pray for it. (enters dogeza pose gracefully) O valiant souls! I bid you good health, good fortune, and goodbye!