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The Mystery of Bugenhagen

by Ambigore

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      One of the most overlooked mysteries of Final Fantasy VII is the fate of Bugenhagen. As one can recall, this fateful guardian of the Planet and Cosmo Canyon disappears during disk 3 with no real obvious reason. While he showed signs of old age and weakening, did he really die at all? Was the lively Bugenhagen that really frail, or did he have something greater in mind?

      Let us recall the events surrounding Bugenhagen's death. Before Bugenhagen dies, he and Red XIII have a quiet chat inside the observatory, where Bugenhagen gives Red XIII his Ultimate Weapon - the Limited Moon. We then read Bugenhagen's last laugh, "Ho, ho, ho...".

      The scene blacks out and we see Cloud outside in front of the fire of Cosmo Candle. Red XIII then appears. Read the following dialogue...

      Cloud: "Red XIII, is Bugenhagen...?"
      Red XIII: "... Grandpa told me that he's going away again!"
      Cloud: "Away...?"
      Red XIII: "It seems like he really liked that Airship. He told me he couldn't stay still and just zipped out of here! He even gave me a gift, look! (Limited Moon) Wait a minute. Aren't you you supposed to give gifts AFTER you come back? Ha ha... Grandpa sure is strange! Haa... ha ha... ha..."
      Cloud: "Hmm... so maybe we'll run into him again somewhere."

      Re-read Cloud's last sentence - "...maybe we'll run into him again somewhere." This sentence alone suggests Bugenhagen may still be alive. Bugenhagen may not have died at all, but that he faked his death. But why would he want to fake his death?

      Elder Bugah may have the answer. Speak to this Elder in Cosmo Canyon, and he will reply, "Where is the Promised Land...? Maybe Bugenhagen knows." Bugah's words provides us with Bugenhagen's reason to fake his death - he went off to search for the Promised Land. Red XIII words support this fact, "He told me he couldn't stay still and just zipped out of here!" This suggests Bugenhagen is in fact alive and well, on a quest to find the Promised Land.

      Thus, Bugenhagen is not dead. He can very well be alive. If he's alive, then that can only mean one thing.

      A sequel to Final Fantasy VII. Remember what Cloud said, "...maybe we'll run into him again somewhere." In order for this sentence to be fulfilled, perhaps we'll see Bugenhagen in Final Fantasy VIII?