You must be talking about the PC version. I was never left with any materia, even if I bought extra or mastered a materia to birth a copy. All of MY materia disappears from my equipment and from my stock. I'm not allowed to leave the continent to buy more. There is no more to be found on the continent itself. In the city, the materia you find is instantly stolen again by Yuffie. The shops initially don't sell to you. How the f are any of you left with materia?