'A Promise'

[The chocobo carriage slows down, then stops and the driver dismounts. As he stretches his limbs, the door to the cab opens and Ioz steps out, scowling.]

Ioz : (annoyed) What is it now?!

Driver : It's nearly dark. We have to stop and let the birds have a rest.

Ioz : We've already had too many delays.

Driver : Can't help that bit, mister. But we'll be arriving at the Corel mountains tomorrow, and we need to concentrate fully if we've got to get through that belt of rocky ground.

[Sekar exits the carriage and helps Yuffie out as well. Yuffie, looking green around the gills, promptly falls to the ground, retching.]

Sekar : (to Ioz) He's right, man. We need to get some rest before we can tackle the mountains tomorrow.

Ioz : (disgusted) Damn trip's taking too long... I'll feel a whole lot better once we reach Utai and meet up with the rest. (turns to Yuffie) Don't you ever stop throwing up?!

Yuffie : (weakly) Not my fault... (coughs)

Sekar : Come on, let's just set everything up for the night, okay? We'll probably feel a bit better tomorrow morning.

[Ioz scowls even more, but begins to unload their tents from the carriage's luggage racks. As Yuffie sits in her spot, her head reeling, the driver approaches Sekar hesitantly.]

Driver : Er...

Sekar : (sighs) What?

Driver : About the money you promised me...

Sekar : What about it?

Driver : Are you sure you have enough on you?

[Sekar glares at the man, his patience finally wearing thin. The driver weathers his stare admirably, though he shrinks back a little.]

Sekar : What makes you think we don't have enough?

Driver : Let's just say that I'd heard that you might not have the money that's owed to me.

Sekar : (narrows his eyes) And just where might you have heard that from?

[The driver glances towards Yuffie, who's trying her best to appear innocent. Sekar transfers his glare over to her this time.]

Sekar : (to driver) You actually believed her? Come on! She's got every reason to say those kinds of things to you!

Driver : Then you do have the money?

Sekar : (nods) Of course we do.

Driver : Then you won't mind my asking to see it. (pauses) Just as a... well, an incentive for me to carry on.

Sekar : (growls) The agreement was that we pay you once we reach the midwestern shore. Not a moment before.

Driver : I'm not asking you to pay me now. Just to show me that you really do have the cash on you.

[Ioz approaches them as the driver speaks. He slings an arm across the man's shoulders, grinning lazily.]

Ioz : You wouldn't happen to be having doubts, now, would you?

Driver : (sweats) Er...

Ioz : Because I'd really hate to have to... convince you of our sincerity in honouring our agreements.

Driver : (weakly) Well, you see...

Ioz : I'm sure you understand...? (glowers)

[The driver gives Ioz a long, considering look, then caves in.]

Driver : Ah, sure. I was just... you know... making sure. (fidgets)

Ioz : I know you were. (pats his back) Now, why don't you go back to your little birds? I'm sure you've lots to do.

Driver : Uh, yeah.

[Sekar and Ioz both watch him carefully as he leaves. As soon as the driver is a safe distance away, Sekar turns to Yuffie.]

Sekar : You little... I've half a mind to kill you on the spot!

Yuffie : You're only partly right, Sekar: you have half a mind. (raspberries him)

[Sekar turns an impressive shade of red, and looks like he's about to explode. After several moments, however, he seems to deflate, and slumps his shoulders in defeat.]

Sekar : (mutters) Damn you, you little snit.

Ioz : (snorts) You're lucky we're so considerate to Godo's wishes, otherwise we'd've ditched you in the desert long ago.

Yuffie : Hah! 'Considerate' my butt! I don't believe that my dad would want me tied up and hustled halfway around the world by a pair of $&#*ing morons!

Ioz : (to Sekar) Why don't we gag her for the night?

Sekar : (nods) Good idea.

Yuffie : Hey! You wouldn't...!

Ioz : (winks) Wanna bet?

[Tied up, Yuffie can do nothing as Sekar gags her with an old bandanna he had fished out of one of their packs.]

Sekar : There. It's not too tight, but at least we won't have to listen to you swearing at us for the rest of the night.

Ioz : You're too soft, Sekar.

[Ioz turns to leave, but then he pauses a moment to pat Yuffie on the head.]

Ioz : Behave.

[Yuffie glares lightning bolts at his back as he goes, and it almost seems as if there is steam coming out of her ears.]

Yuffie : (fumes) You are so dead, Ioz. Once I get out of these damned ropes, you're a dead man!

=========================

'North Corel'

[Late morning, the next day...
[The balloon ship begins its descent towards the small town of North Corel. There are noticeable improvements to the whole place. What once was a community of tents and wooden shacks, there now stands a small town on the mend, with sturdier buildings and a less haphazard and defeatist air about it.
[Tifa leans over the edge once more, a smile on her lips as she sees the small girl waving enthusiastically at her from the ground.]

Tifa : Marin! (waves back)

Cloud : Tifa, get back. We're about to land already.

[Tifa pulls away from the edge almost reluctantly and waits as the ground finally comes within leaping distance. Once they are about ten feet away, she takes hold of the anchoring rope and leaps overboard. As soon as she plants her feet on the dusty ground, she hastily anchors the ship, then turns towards Marin, who is running towards her at top speed.]

Marin : Tifa! (hugs her)

Tifa : Hi, there, Marin. How've you been?

Marin : I'm doing okay. It's great here... (pauses) I kinda miss our old home, though.

Tifa : (smiles slightly) I think I understand.

[Cloud approaches them, clearing his throat slightly. Marin disengages herself from Tifa's embrace and looks him up and down cautiously.]

Cloud : Where's Barret?

Marin : Daddy said he'll come over as soon as he can. He's in a meeting with the others.

Tifa : How is your dad?

Marin : He's getting fat.

[Tifa laughs out loud, unable to stop herself in time. Marin looks at her, confused.]

Marin : (defensive) Well, he is!

Tifa : I wasn't laughing at you, Marin. (chuckles)

Marin : Well...

Cloud : When will Barret be finished with the Mayor?

Marin : (shrugs) Dunno. Could be anytime. (to Tifa) Wanna see our house, Tifa?

[Tifa turns to Cloud, who nods to her.]

Cloud : Go ahead. Cait and I will join you in a bit.

Tifa : You sure?

Cloud : (nods) Don't worry. I'm sure Cait and I can find Barret's house all by ourselves.

Tifa : Okay. (to Marin) I'd love to go to your house, Marin. Where is it?

[Marin takes Tifa's hand and leads her past the crowd of children who have gathered around the balloon ship.]

Marin : Daddy had the house built at the place where the old ShinRa train used to be.

[Tifa, surprised, looks ahead and finds that she cannot see the train that had once been en route to smash into North Corel.]

Tifa : (astonished) You mean you managed to move that thing?

Marin : (nods; smiling) Took a long time to do it, too.

Tifa : But I thought Cid said that the engine couldn't work anymore.

Marin : Daddy and some of the other men from town fixed it up a little, so they could start it up. They screwed it up the first time and crashed into a couple of houses.

[Despite the severity of the statement, Tifa has to stifle her chuckling.]

Tifa : Was anyone hurt?

Marin : (shakes her head) No. Everybody was out watching them so there wasn't anyone in the houses. Anyway, after they fixed everything up again, they managed to move the train back to the old ShinRa plant.

[They arrive at the door to a small house. Marin runs up and opens the door.]

Marin : Doesn't it look great, Tifa?

[Tifa looks it over. The house isn't the best example of architecture but it seems solid enough to hold Barret and Marin without danger of collapsing. It's a plain, nondescript house, although there are signs of ongoing work being done on it. She figures that perhaps the pink, bunny-patterned drapes are examples of Marin's personal touches to the house's decor.]

Tifa : It looks very nice, Marin. (pauses) Did you choose the drapes?

Marin : (nods) Yeah, and daddy put them up himself.

[Tifa imagines the huge, gun-armed man putting up cute drapes.]

Tifa : (grins) Remind me to compliment your dad on a job well done...

Marin : Come on! It's even better inside!

[The little girl pulls on Tifa's hand, effectively dragging the amused woman into the house. It's quite an empty house, drably furnished. Tifa looks about the place, taking in the odd childlike pictures hanging from the walls, the lone table at one side, the old but still functional couches and chairs in the main room, and, finally, Marin's beaming face. The little girl looks expectantly at her.]

Tifa : (thinks) This place... It's nothing like their place in Midgar, but... (smiles; aloud) This feels nice.

Marin : (looks around) Well, it's not much to look at now, but at least I'm here with daddy. It's home.

Tifa : (nods) It's a great place, Marin.

[A loud booming voice comes from outside the house, accompanied by heavy footsteps. Marin grins widely.]

Marin : Wait'll daddy finds out you're here!

[Before Tifa can reply, the door swings open quite suddenly, revealing Barret, who's in the midst of arguing with Cloud and Cait, following close behind him.]

Barret : ... what you say! You can't barge in there like... (sees Tifa; grins) Tifa! How you been, girl?

[The big man sweeps her up in an enormous bear hug. In spite of his crushing grip, Tifa can't help laughing in delight at seeing her old friend again.]

Tifa : (wheezes) I'll be fine with a little more air, Barret.

Barret : (laughs, puts her down) Geez, it's good to see you again. Why didn't you come see us sooner? Been fun hanging around with Cid's bunch?

Tifa : I've been travelling a bit with Yuffie. Incidentally...

Barret : (incredulous) That little thief?! Why the f... (sees Marin; pauses) ... er, blazes have you been hanging around her for?

Tifa : It's a pretty long story, and it's actually the reason why we're here now.

[Barret looks at each of his visitors, then heaves a sigh that's full of amusement and exasperation.]

Barret : She's in trouble again.

Cloud : That's not such a big surprise, is it? We need to talk.

Barret : Yeah, sure. (gestures) Have a seat.

=========================

'Family Ties'

[That evening...
[Tifa leans casually against the wall of Barret's house, idly gazing at the people of North Corel as they go about their ways. Every once in a while, she greets the passersby with a smile, but mostly keeps to herself.]

Tifa : (thinks) So many things changed. It's inevitable, I know, but... (sighs) Why do I sometimes feel like I'm the only person in the world who's still back at the same place she started out?

Barret : Nice night.

[Tifa whirls in surprise, unconsciously dropping into a defensive stance. Seeing Barret standing nearby with an amused expression on his face, she relaxes, inwardly annoyed at having been caught off guard like that.]

Barret : You mind if I join you?

Tifa : (shakes her head) No. I'm not really good company now, though.

Barret : (shrugs) No big deal.

[He leans against the wall, much like her, pausing a bit when the wall creaks in mild protest.]

Tifa : (chuckles) Guess you are putting on a little weight.

Barret : (frowns) It ain't my fault. It's not like I get that much exercise nowadays.

Tifa : Yeah. You're North Corel's mayor.

Barret : Not really. I don't have the head for that sorta thing. I just... help around.

Tifa : (smiles) You can't 'not really' be the mayor, you know. Are you, or aren't you?

Barret : (grunts) We ain't got any mayors in this place anymore. But, like I said, I help around a bit. Get people moving when something needs doing.

Tifa : Sounds like a mayoral job to me.

Barret : Yeah, well, what do you know about it? We ain't laid eyes on one another since Marin and I came here, and you're getting all bossy on me, now?

Tifa : (silent for a few moments) I wasn't being bossy.

Barret : That's not what I meant! (frustrated) Arrgh, damnit! Now you got me all confused!

[Tifa cracks a tiny smile.]

Tifa : You don't have to try and soften the blow, Barret. Say what you want to say.

Barret : (pauses; sighs) Damn, Tifa. You that worried about Yuffie?

Tifa : (indignant) Of course I am! What kind of stupid question is that?

Barret : (looks at her) No. That ain't all there is, is it?

[Tifa scowls and turns away. Her former comrade-in-arms shakes his head sadly.]

Barret : Well, I can't really tell you what to do or not to do...

Tifa : Then please don't say anything, Barret.

Barret : (goes on) ... but I'd'a thought you would've figured out what to do about it by now. Damnit, I hate seeing you all bummed like this.

Tifa : I know, Barret. I know.

Barret : Then, tell me.

Tifa : (pauses; sighs) All right. Barret, what've you been doing after Meteor?

Barret : (frowns) This supposed to be one of those rhetorical things?

Tifa : Barret...

Barret : Why you wanna answer to that? You already know what I'd say, anyway. Get to the point!

[Tifa throws him an annoyed look.]

Tifa : Do you want to listen to what I have to say, or not?

[Barret stays silent. After a moment, Tifa begins again.]

Tifa : What I wanted to say was that after Meteor, after helping evacuate Midgar, I've been doing practically nothing. Nothing of any type of significance. Just hanging around, waiting for... something to happen.

Barret : (grunts) Do I get a prize for guessing what that something is?

Tifa : Barret...

Barret : Okay, okay. Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt. (gestures) Go on.

Tifa : Well, to keep it short, that's basically what's bothering me. I mean, am I supposed to wait the rest of my life for one event to happen? Is that why I'm here -- just for that? (closes her eyes) I guess I'm just wondering about what to do with myself. I mean... I can't live my life depending only on another person's opinion of me. (glances at Barret) You know what I mean?

Barret : (nods) Yeah.

[Tifa looks relieved for a second, then seems to be embarrassed by it.]

Barret : What?

Tifa : Heh, nothing. (gazes upwards) I needed some time and distance to think. So, when I found out about Yuffie's plans, I decided to go along with her for a while.

Barret : (shakes his head) What kinda fool logic is that? You know damn well nothing ever goes right with that no-good bum around.

Tifa : (chuckles) 'Flawed' pretty much sums it up, I think. I was planning on following her up to Midgar, then striking out on my own for a bit, but, well... One thing led to another, and I got caught up with her search; so, here we are now.

Barret : Where were you planning on going to?

Tifa : (shrugs) Anywhere my feet took me.

Barret : Until you figured out what you wanted to do.

Tifa : (nods) That's it in a nutshell.

Barret : (grunts) Guess you got your wish, huh? With Yuffie kidnapped, you got something to do, now.

Tifa : (shocked) That's nuts! You think I'm enjoying this?!

Barret : Naw. But you do have something to focus on now, right? Rescuing Yuffie; beating the crap outta those Utai idiots; and getting the new materia back.

Tifa : I... I guess you could look at it that way. (snaps) But it's still a nasty thing to say about anyone!

Barret : You can kick my ass after we get that fool materia thief back, but I don't wanna have to see you all wrapped up in self-pity again!

[Tifa blinks in surprise, but smiles a little wider now.]

Tifa : Thanks for caring, 'Uncle Barret'.

Barret : (groans) Why'd ya have to call me that? Makes me feel old. (glances at her) C'mon, Tifa. You'd better be getting some sleep. We're all pushing off tomorrow, right?

Tifa : Yeah.

[As the two make their way back into the former Avalanche leader's house, though, Tifa pauses and turns to him.]

Tifa : Thanks, Barret.

Barret : (embarrassed; shrugs) Hey, we're family. Gotta look out for one another and all that. Go to sleep.

=========================

'Daylight'

[The Corel Mountain belt stretches on as far as the eye could see, effectively dividing the entire continent into two separate parts. Although there are a few paths that would allow a well-prepared and experienced party to cross the mountain belt directly, not many people would willingly take them. The stories of previous failed expeditions always seem to succeed in dashing such thoughts from peoples' heads. It's been said that only the desperate and the terminally idiotic would ever take the risk.
[The chocobo carriage stands paused a kilometre away from the foot of the uneven, rocky wall that forms the mountains of the Corel region. The driver, still seated at the fore of the carriage, takes the opportunity to light up a cigarette. Beside him, Ioz glares upwards at the peaks, as if they annoyed him just by being there.]

Sekar : (watching Ioz; thinks) Of course, knowing Ioz, he might just feel that way... (aloud) Hey, you done giving them the evil eye, yet?

Ioz : (lightly) Shuddup. (to driver) So? Where's that path of yours?

Driver : (takes a drag from his cigarette) It's just a little ways southwards.

Sekar : (regards the carriage, then turns to him) Are you sure this carriage can make it over the mountains?

Driver : (grins) No.

Sekar : (blinks) But you said...

Ioz : You're not trying to get more money out of us again, are you?

Driver : (quickly) No!

Ioz : Then, explain! You said you could take us across the Corel Mountains without having to detour.

Driver : (nervously) I will! I can! It's just that we won't be going over them, you see.

[The two would-be ninjas look at him for a moment before understanding finally dawns.]

Sekar : You got a path going right through them, then?

Driver : (nods) My old master showed me where it was, and we used it to get our shipments from Costa del Sol to Nibelheim before anyone else could.

Sekar : (looks around) I've never heard of a path going right through the Corel Mountains...

Driver : Only a few people know about it. My master was one of them, and he only told his apprentices if he really trusted them.

Ioz : How lucky for us that you happen to know about it.

[The driver nods absently, taking a long pull from the cigarette.]

Driver : (hesitantly) There's only a tiny problem...

Ioz : Oh, no; here it comes. (frustrated) What kind of problem?

Driver : It's nothing for a couple of good fighters like you, I'm sure.

Ioz : (growls) What problem?

Driver : Well, you see... (slowly) The way through is a little... rough.

Sekar : Rough? What do you mean -- the road's uneven?

Driver : (shakes his head) No; there's no road. Just a narrow path, and it's not too bad for me and my chocobos.

Ioz : Then exactly what do you mean when you said the way through was 'rough'? And no beating around the bush! I'm in a bad mood, already!

Driver : (chuckles nervously) Um, there's a lot of wildlife in there.

[Ioz and Sekar stare at the man piercingly before snorting in disgust.]

Ioz : Oh, is that all?

Sekar : (grins) No problem. We'll handle the animals, while you just concentrate on driving.

Driver : It's not just animals. It's plants, too.

Ioz : What're you so worried about plants for? You got some sort of weird phobia, or something?

Driver : (shakes his head) No. I meant that the plants there aren't the same sort you'd find out here. There's lots of weird things in the mountains, and they're not all that friendly.

Sekar : (slumps, his good mood deflating) Okay, so what about them?

[The driver settles himself back into his seat, looking like he's about to launch into a long storytelling session.]

Ioz : (scowls) Get on with it!

Driver : Sure, sure. I've only seen them a couple of times, mind. My master's always made it a point to get through the route as quickly as possible, and to avoid any kind of encounter at all costs. 'Delays cost us gil and life,' he used to tell me.

Sekar : (interrupting) Get to the point, you fool.

Driver : Um, anyway, I can't really say for sure what's in there now. Or back then, for that matter. I've never really wanted to hang around inside there to find out, you know what I mean?

Ioz : (sighs) In other words, you have no idea what we'll find in there.

Driver : Er, that's one way of putting it.

Yuffie : (yells from the inside the cab) Hey! I'm not going in through that damned mountain! It's bad enough being tied up and sick out here, but I'm not in the mood to try being tied up, sick and claustrophobic at the same time!

Ioz : Shuddup! And get back in there!

[Yuffie scowls, but pulls her head back into the cab, muttering beneath her breath.]

Driver : (looks worried) Are you sure you still want to go through?

Sekar : No, but we're in a hurry. Besides, you've obviously managed to get through without encountering anything there before, right?

[The driver nods.]

Sekar : Well, then. (clasps his hands together) I hope your master taught you well, man.

Driver : (miffed) I'll have you know I was his best student.

Ioz : Glad to hear it. But if we do run into trouble in there, you'd better make sure you come through for us, or... (draws his hand across his neck)

Driver : (laughs nervously) Eheheh... Leave it to me!

[With a final, hesitant look around, Sekar and Ioz prepare to enter the cab.]

Driver : Hey! I'd like to have someone up here riding shotgun, if you don't mind!

[Both would-be ninjas look to one another, then Ioz shrugs.]

Ioz : I'll go. You keep an eye on our 'old friend' in there.

Sekar : You sure?

Ioz : (nods) At least I won't have to endure the sight of her getting sick all over again.

Sekar : (slumps) You leave me all the cushy jobs, don't you?

Ioz : (pats him on the back; grins) That's what friends are for.

=========================

'Darkness'

[The carriage moves across the rough, long-unused tracks. They are making good time, considering the poor condition of the place. Ioz sits up front next to the driver, leaning back against the cab. He looks pretty bored.]

Ioz : 'Wildlife', hah! We haven't seen or heard anything beyond a bat or two since we got in here.

Driver : (snaps) Believe me, that's good news!

[Ioz shrugs. The driver is putting full concentration on keeping the carriage moving steadily, deftly steering the nervous birds to avoid catching the wheels on any deep pits or ruts. Ioz suddenly shifts and peers into the cab.
[Sekar is sitting as close to the windows as possible without actually hanging out of the cab. Seeing Yuffie's sickly pale face, it's easy to know why.]

Ioz : (grins) Having fun in there?

Yuffie : (scowls) ... gonna kill you... (groans) ... if I make it... through this...

Ioz : (laughs) Nice to see you're keeping your spirits up, little girl.

Sekar : This isn't funny, Ioz!

Ioz : Not to you, at any rate. (sees Sekar's angry face) Take it easy, Sekar. We'll be outta here in a couple of hours, tops.

Driver : (mutters) A little longer than that, actually.

Ioz : Well... soon enough, anyway.

Sekar : (sighs) Just as long as it's soon. I don't know how much more of this tension I can take.

Ioz : Aw, come on! You're not still nervous about meeting all those things he was talking about, are you? It's been hours since we came in, and we haven't seen a thing! Geez, just relax, you big baby.

Sekar : I'll relax once we're out of this place!

Ioz : (shakes his head) You're too uptight.

Sekar : Just get back to work, Ioz! Keep an eye out. I don't want us getting caught off guard by anything that happens to be feeling peckish.

Ioz : There's nothing out there! (sighs) All right, all right.

[He returns to his seat and renews his watch with not much vigour. A glance at the driver shows that the other man is also in no mood for small talk.]

Ioz : (thinks) I suppose I should be grateful that nothing bad's happening. Damn, but this is boring...

[The chocobos suddenly hesitate. The driver is quick to spur them onward, but they carry on with a bit more reluctance.]

Driver : Come on...

Ioz : What's wrong?

Driver : There might be something coming our way. The birds are getting cautious.

Ioz : (cracks his knuckles; grins) All right! Finally, some action!

Driver : (incredulous) You're still hoping for a fight after what I told you?

Ioz : That's the point; you didn't tell us anything, moron!

Driver : (shrugs) Suit yourself. If you're so eager to die, I guess I can't really stop you.

Ioz : Oh, yes, you can. Remember: if my friend and I don't make it, you won't either. (smirks) Think of that as your incentive for getting us out of here in one piece.

Driver : Er... Listen, if it does come down to a fight, try to make it a fast one, okay? It's not a good a idea to stay in one place for too long.

Ioz : Yeah, whatever. (leans back; to Sekar) Heads up! We might be getting some company.

[The next several minutes are spent in watchful suspense and anticipation. Unable to see much past the darkness, even with the torches mounted on the carriage, Ioz strains his ears, trying to pick up anything out of the ordinary. After a while, he huffs and collapses back into his seat.]

Ioz : Another false alar--

[The chocobos give a loud, simultaneous squawk, and stop in their tracks so suddenly, both Ioz and the driver are pitched forward. Landing heavily on the ground, the ninja-to-be gets to his feet as quick as he can, only to be tripped up by something behind him.]

Ioz : (thinks) Shit! I can't see a thing!

[He draws his daggers from their sheathes. Confusion reigns as the chocobos keep squawking and stamping their feet in panic. Feeling a sudden movement of air in front of him, he swipes at it with his weapons. He's rewarded by a loud, high-pitched shriek of alarm.]

Driver : Ooww!!

Ioz : Damnit! (grabs the driver) You okay?

Driver : (glares) You sliced up my leg!

Ioz : Get back up on the carriage! And try to give me more light!

[Ioz shoves the driver away from him, turning about in an effort to locate the source of the threat. He hears the driver swearing as he makes his way back to the carriage. He inches his way back towards the vehicle, still holding his daggers out before him.]

Driver : I've got the torches!

Ioz : Then throw a little light here!

[The driver grumbles, but does as he's told. Almost as soon as the beams of light are directed in his general direction, the ninja catches sight of a flash of movement a few feet in front of him, and this time he hears a sound coming from a source other than the chocobos; a low, deep throated growl. Swallowing thickly, he backs away, moving for the carriage.]

Sekar : Ioz! You all right?

Ioz : So far. Get ready. Sounds like there's some kinda animal here.

[As soon as he's finished speaking, a large grey blur barrels toward him. Reflexively, he skips away, but the thing lands just next to the carriage, blocking him off from the vehicle. The chocobos, already frightened, strain against the restraints that keep them to the carriage. Unable to free themselves, they begin to lash out at the grey shape with their clawed feet. The thing growls, and takes a swipe at them.]

Driver : No! Not my birds!!

[To Ioz's astonishment, the driver pulls out a gun from his jacket and fires off several rounds at the beast. The bullets strike it, but only ricochet off its grey hide, causing them all to duck as they whizz about the subterranean passage.]

Ioz : Stop shooting, you idiot! You'll kill us all!

[The carriage door opens and Sekar rushes toward the front of the vehicle, his short sword brandished and ready. Pausing a few feet from the beast, he concentrates, activating a materia, and casts his spell.]

Sekar : Thunder!

[A flash of tremendous electricity seemingly leaps from the very walls of the passage towards the attacking creature, and it howls in pain and fury. Stumbling back, away from the chocobos, it turns towards Sekar and raises one of its arms. Sekar dodges its clumsy swing, as Ioz manages to take a good look at the creature.
[It's easily the ugliest thing he's ever seen, with a great single horn mounted on the top of its narrow, elongated head. Its forelimbs are long, bare, and tipped with wicked-looking razorlike claws while its shorter hindlimbs stand tucked like a cat's, though not as fearsomely armed as its front. The entire body is impressively built, and looks to be covered in pale scalelike plates that resemble armour.]

Sekar : (yells) Don't stand there staring; fight!

[Ioz blinks, and starts to move cautiously. Sekar is moving quickly in and out of range of the animal's strikes, dancing madly in order to keep from being hit. Ioz notes that while Sekar does manage to land a hit or two, his blows have no effect on the creature. Ioz looks down at his daggers.]

Ioz : (thinks) Can't hurt it with these... There's got to be another way. (glances down at his bracelet) Guess Sekar had the right idea...

[Ioz concentrates as hard as he can, noting that his materia begins glowing brighter and brighter until its green light is almost blinding.]

Ioz : (mutters) Star fire, awake and deliver your judgement...

[To his consternation, the glowing materia has attracted the creature's attention. As if sensing his imminent attack, the creature digs its claws in, and prepares to launch itself at him again. Sekar unleashes another strike at its unguarded back, but is too late. The creature leaps into the air, on a straight trajectory towards Ioz.]

Ioz : (panics; shouts) FIRE!

[A huge column of flame explodes from the very ground under the creature, enveloping it entirely. The creature cries out even louder this time, and its flaming body hurtles onwards toward Ioz, who stands rooted to the spot.]

Sekar : Ioz!

[Another body knocks into Ioz, pushing him off to the side. With a mighty crash, the creature hits the ground just inches away from where he'd been standing a moment ago. It doesn't move after that.
[Ioz groans and tries to get up, but finds himself wieghed down by something. Opening his eyes, he sees the driver's face looking down at him in concern.]

Driver : You okay?

[Sekar rushes up to them both, gasping.]

Sekar : Man, I thought you were dead for sure!

Ioz : (groans) So did I. (glances at driver; mutters) Thanks.

Driver : Don't mention it.

[They carefully approach the still burning body, peering through the flames. The smell of cooking flesh permeates the entire place now.]

Driver : Looks like you baked him in his own armour.

Sekar : (grimaces) Come on, let's get going while we have the chance. This is only gonna attract a whole lot of other things our way.

[After hurriedly calming the chocobos as best as they can, they move out. Ioz is put into the carriage to rest while Sekar takes his place beside the driver.
[In the carriage, Ioz takes several deep breaths, trying to calm himself. Seeing Yuffie still seated, he scowls.]

Ioz : Fat lot of help you were.

Yuffie : How the hell am I supposed to help you while I'm tied up?

[Unable to deny her that, he simply grunts and shuts his eyes.]

Driver : (from outside; yells) Maybe now you won't be in such a hurry to get into another fight.

[This time, Ioz is too tired to tell him to shut up.]

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