Does Zack Ever See Aerith Again? A Deep Dive into Their Reunion (and Lack Thereof)
The question of whether Zack Fair ever sees Aerith Gainsborough again is a deeply poignant one for fans of the Final Fantasy VII universe. The simple, yet heartbreaking answer is: yes and no. He sees her again, but not in the way he, or we, would hope. Their encounter, or rather encounters, are complex and often influenced by the fractured nature of Cloud’s memories and the events of the Crisis Core narrative.
Zack’s last true encounter with Aerith, the one they both consciously experience, happens in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, where their relationship blossoms and they promise to see each other again. However, Zack’s tragic death just outside Midgar, at the hands of Shinra forces, prevents any real, happy reunion from ever occurring. This event is one of the most significant and heart-wrenching moments in the entire Final Fantasy VII saga.
While Zack physically dies at this point, his influence, and the echoes of his existence, continue to ripple throughout the narrative, creating fragmented “reunions” with Aerith. These are not genuine moments of face-to-face interaction but rather instances where her knowledge of Zack comes to the forefront through Cloud and, more recently, through the Remake project’s expansions on the narrative.
The Complicated “Reunions” and Echoes
Cloud’s False Memories and Aerith’s Recognition
When Cloud, suffering from Mako poisoning and trauma, constructs a false persona based on his memories of Zack, he becomes a living reminder of Zack for Aerith. When Aerith first meets Cloud, she is immediately drawn to him, subconsciously recognizing the same traits and mannerisms she loved in Zack. This is not, however, a real reunion with Zack, but rather Aerith interacting with a character heavily influenced by him. She feels an emotional connection to Cloud due to his similarities to Zack, which confuses and compels her. She isn’t so much seeing Zack again as she is remembering him through Cloud.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion, a remake of the PSP classic, expands on the bond between Zack and Aerith, and this enhanced portrayal further highlights their connection. The game emphasizes the devastating loss of Zack, making it all the more poignant that they never have a true reunion. Their relationship in Reunion is a compelling romantic pairing highlighted through careful cutscenes.
Echoes in the Remake Project
The Final Fantasy VII Remake project delves deeper into the concept of alternate timelines and the possibility of other outcomes. These narrative choices raise the possibility of Zack potentially surviving and meeting Aerith again in some capacity, but such encounters aren’t shown in the Remake project itself. Instead, we see the echoes of their relationship through Aerith’s interactions with Cloud.
Zack in Remake Intermission (Yuffie DLC) and Beyond
In the Final Fantasy VII Remake: INTERmission (the Yuffie DLC), the ending of the DLC hints at a different outcome for Zack. This ending has Zack arriving at Aerith’s Church, alive. While a direct interaction with Aerith is not shown, this implies that Zack may be alive in some timeline or altered reality, offering a glimmer of hope for a reunion – but crucially, it doesn’t confirm a reunion within the main continuity of the story. This event is left ambiguous and open to interpretation. Zack’s survival might not mean an easy reunion, but rather a different trajectory altogether.
The Heartbreak of Lost Possibilities
While there are “encounters” or echoes of Zack through Cloud, their true reunion never occurs. Zack’s death was meant to emphasize loss, the unfairness of life, and the heavy impact of war and corporate greed. Aerith mourns his death, even if she doesn’t fully understand the intricacies of Cloud’s altered memory. The core tragic beauty of Zack and Aerith’s story stems from their relationship’s potential cut short by tragedy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Aerith love Zack?
Yes, it’s explicitly stated that Aerith loved Zack. He was her first love, and their relationship was deeply meaningful to both of them. Crisis Core clearly establishes a romantic bond between them, filled with affection, shared dreams, and promises for the future.
2. Did Cloud know about Zack?
In the original Final Fantasy VII, Cloud had no conscious memories of Zack. Due to trauma and Jenova’s influence, Cloud’s mind fabricated a persona that was a mix of his and Zack’s experiences. He believed he was a First Class SOLDIER, when in reality, that was Zack’s role.
3. Why does Aerith seem drawn to Cloud?
Aerith’s attraction to Cloud stems from the fact that he carries traits and mannerisms similar to Zack, due to Cloud’s altered memory and personality. She senses this subconscious connection and feels a pull towards him, creating a complex emotional triangle between her, Zack’s memory, and Cloud.
4. How long did Aerith wait for Zack?
Aerith waited for Zack for four years, sending him letters regularly during his time held captive by Shinra. She firmly believed he would return to her, showcasing the depth of her commitment to their relationship.
5. Did Tifa love Zack?
The games imply that Tifa had some feelings for Zack, perhaps due to his charisma and care for others. However, it’s Cloud who she has a much deeper connection with and she also seems to recognize the similarities between Cloud and Zack. She is ultimately in love with Cloud.
6. Does Aerith know Cloud isn’t really Zack?
In the original Final Fantasy VII, Aerith likely senses that something is off about Cloud’s story. She never fully believes that Cloud is the person he claims to be. In the Remake, the characters seem more aware of Cloud’s fragmented nature, hinting at a more meta understanding.
7. Is Zack in Final Fantasy VII Remake?
While Zack doesn’t appear directly for a long time, his presence is strongly felt in Cloud’s memories and dialogue. The ending of INTERmission for Final Fantasy VII Remake shows that Zack may be alive in a different timeline/reality, but we are left unsure what that means for him or Aerith.
8. Who is stronger, Zack or Cloud?
At the end of the original Final Fantasy VII, Cloud was stronger than Zack. While Zack was an exceptional SOLDIER, Cloud had a greater capacity for growth and power, largely because of his connection to Jenova’s cells. Zack never had a chance to achieve the same levels.
9. Why did Cloud become like Zack?
Cloud’s persona was created out of trauma, Mako poisoning, and the influence of Jenova’s cells. He inadvertently absorbed much of Zack’s personality and history, leading him to believe he was a SOLDIER with Zack’s past instead of the reality of what happened.
10. Did Zack ever tell Cloud about Aerith?
No, Zack never had the chance to tell Cloud about Aerith directly. He did tell him to greet any girl they came across. Cloud only has fragmented memories and assumes the female is one he would have met in his military past.
11. Did Aerith love Sephiroth?
During early development, Aerith was meant to have a past relationship with Sephiroth. This idea was eventually changed, and her first love became Zack, rather than Sephiroth. There is no romantic connection between Sephiroth and Aerith in the finalized version of the game.
12. Does Cloud end up with Tifa?
Yes, it’s very heavily implied that Cloud and Tifa are together. They live together, raise children together, and their relationship is a central part of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII universe. The Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children film further implies this as well.
13. Why did Aerith tell Cloud not to fall in love with her?
Aerith’s warning to Cloud about falling in love was meant to allow the romance between him and Tifa to blossom. She was, in a way, removing herself from the equation, believing that Tifa was the better match for Cloud.
14. What is Geostigma?
Geostigma is a terminal illness prevalent in Advent Children caused by Jenova’s cells in the Lifestream. Cloud contracts this illness and struggles with its effects, which also manifest in a feeling of guilt over his failures.
15. How did Zack die?
Zack died after being gunned down by a large Shinra force near Midgar, just after escaping Hojo’s lab along with Cloud. This event is one of the defining tragedies of the Final Fantasy VII story.
The complex relationship dynamics and poignant circumstances of Zack’s fate make his reunion—or lack thereof—with Aerith one of the most powerful and heart-wrenching elements of the Final Fantasy VII narrative. It’s a testament to the developers’ storytelling prowess, continuing to resonate with fans even today.