After the cinematic for Chapter 7, upgrade Barret's newly acquired Light Machine Gun. Following this, traverse the path leading to the far side of the room.
Descending through a nearby pipe, regroup with Barret and Tifa. Before moving forward, it is recommended to equip Fire and Lightning Materia.
Upon reaching the door on the opposite side of the room, proceed through a tunnel into the next expansive area. Here, they are ambushed by four Monodrives.
Descending a ladder to the left, find 2 Echo Mists in a chest near the railing, a useful remedy for Silence. Continuing along the path as it veers left, discover some Shinra boxes, and after descending the stairs, engage in a battle against 2 Slug-Rays and 2 Monodrives.
In the following battle, encounter 2 Sweepers and 2 Laser Cannons that come to life. Defeat the Laser Cannons with Thunder or other spells and focuses your attacks on one Sweeper at a time for a quicker elimination.
After the fight, they descend the ladder to the right and continue along the left wall.
Find a chest containing a Bulletproof Vest. Then take the ladder down to the reactor core and approach the reactor core platform, where Cloud experiences another vision.
At the main console, interact with it to set the bomb. However, as they turn back and retrace their steps, Heidegger retracts the ladder used for their entry.
An ambush ensues upon exiting, consisting of an Elite Shock Trooper and several Shock Troopers. Activating Punisher Mode and countering their attacks efficiently Pressure and Stagger them.
After defeating the Shock Troopers, go through the sliding double doors and to the Assembly Hall, activating a button situated to the left of the next set of doors. This triggers a brief cutscene.
Following the cutscene, face off against 4 Security Officers and 2 Elite Security Officers. Dispatching them with the Triple Slash ability, they then move to the left side of the room to obtain the first Sector 5 Reactor Keycard.
Approach the console responsible for tampering with the construction on the right side of the room. Using their keycard, they tag the M Unit for disposal and proceed to the far side of the room, using a terminal to unlock the exit.
Throughout this section, you will collect a total of 6 Shinra keycards. Each keycard allows you to divert specific items, such as BBs or AI Programming Cores, which will influence the boss's attacks.
Further down the corridor, the player encounters 2 Monodrives and 2 Laser Cannons. Wind and Lightning attacks prove effective in defeating them. They then proceed to B7, engaging Elite Grenadiers, Officers, and other troops. In the right side of the room, they collect the second keycard.
You can either remove an M Unit, AI Programming Cores, or Big Bomber Shells based on their available keycards. Making their choice, they activate the corresponding terminals. Proceeding down the corridor, access a terminal near the B5 door to unlock the path forward.
In the back left corner of the room, the player uncovers a stack of Shinra boxes and a purple chest containing the Sonic Strikers weapon for Tifa. Proceeding to the right and up the ramp, they open the door to B5.
Within B5, the player faces Elite Grenadiers and Security Officers. Turning right, they find the fifth keycard in the corner. Heading to the left side of the room, they pick up the sixth keycard located behind Barret.
Completing this process, access the terminal next to the B5 door to unlock the final door leading to the Airbuster.
Upon approaching Tifa to review the Airbuster's threat assessment, they encounter a new enemy, the Cutter, emerging by slicing through a barricade.
The Cutter is defeated, and the player continues their journey, ascending to the platform on the right. After eliminating the Shinra boxes, they open the chest to claim an Ether and proceed to the next level.
Circling around, the player destroys the Shinra boxes before reaching the elevator. Upon arrival, they use the control terminal to unlock the door on the far right side, leading to the control room.
In the control room, the player manipulates Barret and Cloud's levers simultaneously with Tifa's levers to unlock the main room's door. Heading right, they access a terminal, requiring synchronized lever manipulation four times to open the door to the discarded equipment vault.
The door grants access to the purple Magic Up Materia and any items diverted from the Airbuster. Returning to the main room, proceed through the door and find a vending machine offering discounted items.
Before engaging the boss, ensure Lightning Materia is equipped on all characters, with Baret binding it to an Elemental Materia due to his ability to target the Airbuster regardless of its location.
The player commences the battle by accumulating ATB charges and unleashing Thundara on the Airbuster.
Upon depleting the Airbuster's HP, the player emerges victorious, successfully completing the chapter.