'Exit'

Driver : We've reached the main path. I think the exit should be an hour away.

Ioz : Finally. (peers ahead) I don't think there's anything up ahead.

Driver : It's always been fairly quiet on the main paths.

Ioz : You thought that it'd be quiet during our trip through here when we hired you. (snorts) If this whole trip has been what you consider 'quiet', I'd hate to see what you mean by 'dangerous'.

Driver : Well, we -- my mentor and I, that is -- never had this many problems when we were going through these passageways before.

Ioz : No monster ambush? No crawling roots that snatch people straight out of their seats?

Driver : Definitely not. (ponders) I wonder...

Ioz : What?

Driver : Maybe my mentor did something, or knew something about this place and the monsters that helped him avoid being attacked by them so much.

Ioz : (sarcastic) Information like that would've come in handy earlier on, don't you think?

Driver : If he did know something like that, I wonder why he never told me.

Ioz : Maybe he thought it was better if you learnt about it yourself. Or maybe the monsters weren't quite so dangerous back then. (grins) Then again, maybe he just didn't like you enough to tell you about it. (pauses) Yeah, I think that might be it.

[The driver glares at him, but Ioz is unfazed.]

Driver : I should charge you extra for having to put up with this.

Ioz : We've already agreed on the price, man. Hike it up some more and I'll be sure to have you drawn and quartered.

Driver : (mutters) Somehow even that fate sounds better than spending another day with you lot.

Ioz : What did you just say?

[The driver doesn't answer, but simply urges the chocobos to move faster. After a moment, Ioz turns about in his seat to look into carriage. Sekar is sitting in his place, looking alert and tired at the same time. Yuffie, still looking a little green, is almost nodding off to sleep. She looks up as Ioz pokes his head over to speak.]

Ioz : Main path's here. We'll be at the exit soon, this time for real.

Sekar : Nothing up ahead?

Ioz : Nope. Not that we can count on that too much. (grins) You know, in a way, I'm gonna regret getting out of here.

[Both Sekar and Yuffie look at him strangely.]

Sekar : What are you, crazy? You want to stay in the mountain?

Ioz : (rolls his eyes) No, I meant that I'm going to miss the challenge.

Sekar : Well, I'm not! Better be careful of what you say, Ioz. If Da Chao starts feeling generous, she may just grant you your wish.

Ioz : (snickers) You still believe that old fairy tale, Sekar?

Sekar : Whether you think it's a fairy tale or not, it's still not smart to tempt fate with a remark like that. Things've been bad enough on this crazy expedition without any of your smart-alec comments.

Ioz : (thinks) Spoilsport... (aloud) That's what I like about you, Sekar; you're always the voice of reason.

Yuffie : So, which way are we headed for once we're outta here?

Ioz : None of your business, little girl.

Yuffie : It bloody is my business, you jerk! I'm the one being held hostage here!

Ioz : Hah! Real hostages aren't half as much trouble as you've been to us!

Yuffie : (smirks) That's because you deserve all the trouble that's coming to you.

Ioz : (mockingly) Oh, now I really am hurt.

Yuffie : Funny, I wasn't even trying to hurt you; I was only stating a fact.

Sekar : By Holy, don't you two ever stop? You're acting like a screwed-up married couple.

[Both Yuffie and Ioz turn to look at him, expressions of horror on their faces.]

Ioz : I really hope that was a joke.

Yuffie : (to Sekar) Yuck! What're you trying to do, make me sick?

Ioz : That shouldn't be too hard; you've been throwing up almost non-stop since we took you.

Yuffie : It's not my fault I get motion sickness!

[Sekar shakes his head wearily and turns to look out the other window.]

Sekar : (thinks) I need a vacation.

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

'New Arrivals'

[Tifa strides purposefully toward the waiting Cid Highwind as Barret and Cloud moor the balloon ship to the ground. The grizzled pilot gives her a grin but it changes to a puzzled look when he catches sight of her expression.]

Cid : Hey, Tifa. What's up?

Tifa : How's the Highwind? Why isn't it finished?

Cid : Man, you sure know how to make a guy feel appreciated.

[Cloud comes up to them, giving the pilot a terse nod before turning to Tifa.]

Cloud : (softly) Tifa, take it easy. We just got here. (louder) Cid, we'll hear your explanations over at your place.

Cid : Hah! Inviting yourselves into my home now, are you? (sighs) Okay, okay. Let's go.

Barret : Hey, wait up!

[In Cid's house...]

Cloud : Where's Vincent? Is he back here, yet?

Cid : (shrugs) Dunno. Haven't seen him since he left for Costa del Sol.

[The pilot pauses to pull out a fresh cigarette.]

Cid : Make yourselves comfortable. Shiera's at the Highwind supervising the repairs while I'm playing host, so if you want anything to drink, get it yourselves.

[Cid slumps down onto a chair, drawing deeply at his cigarette. The others take their seats, Barret doing so carefully. The big man gives an almost-hidden wince at the chair's groan when he settles himself down.]

Cloud : What's happened? The ship looks worse than when Cait and I left.

Cid : Aw, it was some freak storm. Blew in and dropped a ton of frogs on top of us. Those so-called 'technicians' we got here don't know a damn thing about how to cover up equipment on the field, so you can guess what happened next. (snorts) Raining frogs... I dunno what the world's comin' to these days.

Barret : Hold on a sec. You're sayin' the only reason the Highwind's not up to flying's because some frogs got into the thing?

Cid : Not even 'some' frogs, Barret. More like the entire froggy population of the whole $@*$ing continent's holed up in the ship.

Cloud : How long ago was this storm?

Cid : 'bout four or five days ago, I think.

Tifa : You haven't gotten rid of them yet? How hard can it be?

Cid : (glares) Try fishin' twenty frogs outta the power core without blowin' the whole damned town to the moon, and ask me that again. It's no help when the frogs start throwing all that weird*&% magic stuff at us all the time, either.

Barret : (chuckles) This' almost too funny...

Cid : (yells) Glad you think so, ya $*#@, 'coz I've just recruited you for night cleanup duty! Report to the Highwind this evening!

Barret : What?

Cid : You can help keep some of the more restless frogs occupied.

Barret : (blinks) You want me to what?

Cid : (growls) Look, those @&$#ing things keep frogging my techs! It's costing me a bomb to keep morphin' them back to normal. I want you to take care of that problem so I don't have to waste more time than necessary on cleanup. Got it?

Barret : (slowly) You want me to babysit your people from a buncha frogs...? (angry) I didn't come all the way here for this!

Cid : Well, if you want the Highwind fixed, you'd better help.

Tifa : What if we just use the balloon ship to take us to Utai?

Cid : That thing? I don't think so. It looks like it'll fall apart on the way. (leans back) You're #*@& lucky it brought you this far in the first place.

Cloud : Can you fix it?

[Cid's eyes narrow in irritation.]

Cid : No. (quickly, cutting off Tifa's protests) That's final. I have to work on the Highwind, and I ain't gonna leave it to those kids again.

[The pilot crosses his arms across his chest and scowls at the others, almost daring them to protest. However, seeing the plethora of emotions that crosses Tifa's face, his own expression softens.]

Cid : (gruffly) Besides, even if I do get it fixed, it's still gonna be slower than if we used the Highwind. You just gotta wait a bit, okay?

Cloud : How soon can you get the Highwind airborne?

Cid : (pauses) Well, I guess I can put off the extra modifications and all for a little while and concentrate on the essential stuff... Nothing's really in bad shape, except for the extra tenants we got right now. Once we get rid of the frogs, we'll only need a day or two to get everythin' up and workin' again. Once we're in the air, we can get to Utai in about a day.

Tifa : What about a boat to Utai?

Cloud : (shakes his head) It'd probably take too long to cross the ocean by boat, and there's still that overland hike from the beach to Utai to go through. We'll wait for the Highwind.

[Tifa frowns, unsatisfied with the decision, but having no alternative solution, decides to acquiesce.]

Cid : Okay. Now, are any more of you gonna help, or are you gonna laze around the house all day?

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

'Into the Fire'

[The picturesque western slopes of the Corel Mountains counts as one of the most enchanting sights in the world. The looming mountain belt stands tall and firm, an impenetrable wall. The peaceful surroundings, usually lit alive by the various shades of vibrant green and stern grey, and the orchestra of birdsong, would normally lull most viewers into thinking that no one else had ever set foot in this place before. Those same viewers would be hard-pressed to think so now.
[Birds which were a moment ago hopping from branch to branch, and small creatures which were just now hunting and gathering, take to their heels; each of them filled with a survivor's instincts to be somewhere else. All the better to escape from the noises that seem to come from within the mountain itself.
[Inside...
[With a loud rumbling and a cacophonic amount of yelling and screaming, the chocobo carriage thunders though the final leg of the tunnels of Corel, leaving thick amounts of mud, grime and other things in its wake.]

Ioz : (screams) Faster! Faster!

Driver : (retorts) We're going as fast as we can!

[Ioz glances behind his shoulder. Catching sight of the pursuing beasts, he grips at his daggers tighter still.]

Ioz : They're gaining on us! Hurry up!

Driver : (angry) If you want to go faster, then get off and push! Otherwise, shut up and leave the driving to me!

[Loud thumping sounds can be heard from inside the carriage. Ioz, already hanging on for dear life to his perch, risks a quick look inside. He pulls his head back just in time to avoid getting hit in the face with a rapidly evacuating mass of roots.]

Ioz : Sekar, you okay?!

Sekar : (from inside) #@*%@$!

[Yuffie's head pokes out of the window.]

Yuffie : He's just got a few scratches. Where's the damned exit?!

Ioz : We're getting there--!

[A yell from inside the carriage prompts Yuffie to slide back in. Mere moments later, there are more sounds of fighting inside.]

Driver : There it is!

[Ioz turns around in his seat again. To his horror, all he sees is a black wall lined with glowing streaks, like fine marble.]

Ioz : (panicked) What kind of #*&@ing exit is that?!

[The driver pulls something out from his jacket and brandishes it in his hand. All Ioz sees is a metallic object with a some protruding nubs.]

Ioz : What the--?

Driver : Shut up and make sure nothing comes too close to us! I need a bit of time to work the stone...

[The ninja shoots a quick look behind him. Their pursuers are now close enough to be seen by the lights of the carriage's torches. In some part of Ioz's mind, he idly wonders just how close "too close" is supposed to be.]

Ioz : (mutters) Leviathan help me... I really should have kept my mouth shut about this place.

Driver : (triumphant) Got it!

Ioz : What?

Driver : Hang on, everyone!

[The man's face takes on a look of total concentration. He grasps the device in his hand tightly and mutters something that Ioz can't make out. Even as Ioz watches, fretting about the fact that the carriage is moving towards a solid wall without any kind of guiding hand at the reins, the device begins to flash brightly, much like a materia would when its magic is activated. After a moment, the driver smiles.]

Driver : Yes! We're outta here!

Ioz : What did you...?

[Ioz trails off when he realises that the driver is spurring the chocobos even faster towards the wall.]

Ioz : What the hell are you doing?!

Driver : Trust me, you won't feel a thing!

Ioz : (screams) What?!

[The wall looms ever closer, but the driver is still urging the birds on. Ioz considers jumping off the carriage for a second before common sense rules it out. Yuffie emerges from inside and is about to say something when she catches sight of the wall, too. With speed that would put a cobra to shame, she pulls herself back into the carriage once more and rolls herself into as compact a protective ball as she can.]

Sekar : What's going on?

Yuffie : You hired a suicidal fruitcake to drive you through a granite mountain filled with homicidal vegetables, that's what!

Sekar : Huh?

Yuffie : Just shut up and keep your head down!

[Outside, Ioz can do nothing but to throw his hands up in front of his face, yelling incoherently. The driver grits his teeth as he steers the chocobos straight on to the wall, determined to milk every ounce of speed from the birds. The host of creatures just behind them give a loud cry as the whole entourage gets within mere feet of the wall.
[Just as the chocobos touch the barrier, the glowing lines seem to spread across the entire wall, swallowing up the black rock with blinding light. The device in the driver's hands flare brightly and the vehicle, along with its passengers, burst through as if the side of the mountain was nothing more than air. As the back of the carriage makes it through, the lines dim and the mountain solidifies once more. Their pursuers, too close to stop in time, are left with no choice but to run headlong into the newly reformed wall of the mountain.
[After making sure that they are completely out, the driver pulls back on the reins, gradually slowing the chocobos down until they come to a complete stop.]

Driver : We're out. (pauses) You can stop screaming now.

Ioz : (still yelling) -eeaaaaahhh... huh?

[The driver dismounts and goes over to the birds, who are staggering in place. Ioz looks around in surprise.]

Ioz : How did...?

Driver : I can't tell you that. (grins) Besides, if you'd kept your eyes open the whole time, you'd know how.

[Before Ioz can summon a proper retort, the driver turns his full attention to the exhausted chocobos. Knowing that the man would not answer anything now, Ioz dismounts. He takes a few moments to pull himself together, then goes on to check the inside of the carriage.
[He finds Sekar almost doubled over in his seat, covering his head with his hands, and Yuffie curled up in one corner.]

Ioz : (thinks) I wish I had a camera with me... (aloud, as calmly as he can) We're on the other side.

[Slowly, at the same time, Yuffie and Sekar lift their heads from their own sheltering arms. Blinking at the sudden absence of frantic activity, they throw quick glances out the window.]

Ioz : Really. You can come out.

[The two carefully exit the dirty carriage, blinking and shading their eyes from most of the light of the sun. The absence of anything resembling a threat to their health greatly assures them. The soft sounds of the driver talking to his chocobos drifts over.]

Sekar : Where're the... things? The ones chasing us?

Ioz : (shrugs) I don't know. Still in the mountain, I guess. Who cares, anyway? They're not breathing down our necks now.

Yuffie : (mutters) And you were the one who said you were going to miss that place...

Ioz : (narrows his eyes) What?

[Yuffie ignores him. Stretching her arms, she takes a step forward, away from the carriage. Ioz's hand shoots out to grab her by the arm, almost yanking her off her feet. She yells, struggling to regain her balance.]

Yuffie : Hey! What the--? (glares)

Ioz : Where do you think you're going?

Yuffie : (snatches her arm back) Just stretching my legs, Ioz. Do you mind?

Ioz : Yes, as a matter of fact.

[He gestures to Sekar, who brings out a length of rope. Seeing it, Yuffie shakes her head.]

Yuffie : Oh, no. No way... Not again!

Sekar : (looks uncomfortable) Sorry, but we really can't take the chance on you running off again.

Yuffie : But I helped you against those things in there!

Ioz : That was then, and in the mountain where you had no place to run off to. Now that we're outside... Well, you should be used to this by now.

Yuffie : Goddamnit, you $&@*@!

[She pulls an arm back as if to deliver a punch at Ioz, but the other ninja skips back. He brandishes a materia and, a moment later, Yuffie is on the ground, groggily fighting off the effects of a sleep spell. Sekar kneels down beside her, carefully tying her arms.]

Sekar : (to Ioz) Couldn't we have let her walk around a bit?

Ioz : If she still wants to walk, she can. But she's got to have one of us around holding on to her leash.

[Sekar is quiet for a moment. When he is done with Yuffie's bonds, he leans in closer to inspect her. She's looking drowsy, shaking her head occasionally as if to banish the sleepiness from her mind. Her whole defiant posture is now gone, and she slumps heavily against him. He sees her mouth moving slightly but he's unable to make out what she's saying.]

Sekar : (softly) I'm really sorry, Yuffie. Please don't make this any harder.

Yuffie : (mumbles) 'viathan... damn.... Swear... won't get 'way... with this... bas--

[Exhausted, she finally falls asleep.]

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

'Reprieve'

[Morning finds Tifa in the back yard of Cid's house. The light from the rising sun silhouettes her moving figure, accentuating her actions. She twists, pivots and steps in a series of strikingly graceful movements, executing punches, blocks and kicks. Her face seems carefully neutral, but there is a strange look in her eyes, as if her mind were a million light years away from her body. She moves slowly and fluidly. When she is done executing all the movements of the kata taught her by Zangan so many years ago, she immediately begins all over again.
[Cloud steps away from the doorway leading to the house behind her, watching her silently. Approaching as quietly as he can, he's careful not to disturb her. When he's a short distance away, however, she freezes and breaks off from her kata. With her back still to him, she speaks.]

Tifa : What is it?

Cloud : Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt.

Tifa : (turns to face him; shrugs) It's okay. I should be at the Highwind to give Barret a break, anyway.

[She walks past him, pausing to pick up a small towel and wiping the sweat from her face and arms. Acutely aware of Cloud's gaze on her, she looks back at him, conscious of her own effort not to blush. His face bears nothing but concern.]

Tifa : What? Is something wrong?

Cloud : Not really. (pauses) Tifa, are you all right?

Tifa : (blinks) I'm fine. Why do you ask?

Cloud : You looked... preoccupied during breakfast. I was just wondering if there was anything bothering you.

Tifa : I'm worried about Yuffie, that's all. (glances in the direction of the Highwind) All these delays are just frustrating. I wish we could get moving right now so we can get her back, but...

Cloud : You know what Cid said. It's just until we can clear the airship of the frogs.

Tifa : (chuckles weakly) Frogs... Whoever heard of a daring rescue attempt being postponed by a bunch of frogs?

Cloud : (smiles) Never, but this is hardly a typical fairy tale of kidnapped princesses and noble knights riding to her rescue.

Tifa : (laughs) No. There's too many things going wrong here for it to be a fairy tale worth telling. (trails off; smiles slightly) I'd better be going. I don't want Barret to chew me out for slacking off.

Cloud : I'll come with you. Maybe I can draw some of the flak away from you. (grins) You know how much he likes to yell at me, after all.

[Tifa, feeling suddenly embarrassed for some reason, says nothing. They walk in silence for a while, stopping by their respective rooms to pick up their equipment. Leaving the house, they make their way to the grounded airship.]

Cloud : (nonchalant) I noticed you looking over Nibelheim the other day.

Tifa : Yes?

Cloud : Were you thinking of landing there?

Tifa : No. I just... had some things on my mind. Why?

Cloud : (shrugs) I was just wondering if that was why you've been a little... off-kilter the past few days.

Tifa : Cloud, I'm all right.

Cloud : (softly) No, you're not. Not really.

Tifa : (frowns) What makes you say that?

Cloud : You've been awfully distant. Like you'd rather be someplace else, or something. (glances at her) So, I was thinking if that was why you left with Yuffie so suddenly.

[Tifa says nothing yet again. They continue their journey to the site in silence. Once they arrive at the airship, however, Tifa pauses and turns to him.]

Tifa : Cloud, you don't feel any doubts about what's happened, do you?

Cloud : Some. There're some things I wish I could have changed, and... (hesitates) Well, in spite of how much I try, there're some things that I'm not sure I can change.

Tifa : I feel just like that.

[Cloud looks at her, waiting for her to say more, but she simply gives him a sad little look.]

Cloud : Tifa...

[He breaks off suddenly. A tingle seems to spread through the atmosphere, followed by a sudden chilling wind. Near the airship itself, they catch sight of several large shards of ice forming and then fragmenting. Shouts and sounds of gunshot drift over.]

Tifa : Looks like Barret's just about reach the limits of his patience. (to Cloud) I'd better be going.

[Still, she doesn't seem to be making a move. Instead, she stands beside him, seemingly waiting for his response. Cloud nods and, brushing her hand almost timidly, gives her a firm but gentle smile.]

Cloud : I'm coming with you.

[Tifa's face is unreadable, but the look in her eyes says it all. As one, they turn and enter the site.]

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

'Awakening Conscience'

[Five hours...]

Ioz : Is she awake, yet?

Sekar : (shakes his head) No. How much magic did you put into the Sleepel, anyway?

Ioz : (shrugs) Not much. Should've been enough to give her a short nap.

[He moves forward, peering closely at the slumbering ninja girl. Yuffie had barely moved an inch since they had put her into the carriage, not even shifting in her sleep.]

Ioz : (thinks) It couldn't have been the spell. Not for a sleep this severe, anyway.

Sekar : Feeling guilty?

Ioz : (surprised) Huh? Guilty? About what?

[Sekar simply points toward Yuffie's form.]

Ioz : (snorts) Yeah, right. Why would I feel guilty about getting a quiet ride for once?

Sekar : (sighs) You know, we could have gone a little easier on her. I mean, she did help us a lot in the mountain.

Ioz : That's because it was her ass on the line, too.

Sekar : Even so, we probably don't have to keep her tied up all the time.

Ioz : (scowls) You want her to run off again?

Sekar : We can keep a closer eye on her. Make sure she doesn't get too far off. We don't have to tie her up while we're moving. Maybe just at night, or something.

Ioz : Geez, Sekar, you're not getting soft, are you? Feeling compassionate about a hostage? (gives him a sly look) Or maybe you're the one who's feeling guilty.

[Sekar frowns slightly, squashing down his initial denials. Taking a deep breath, he speaks, but doesn't even lift his gaze to meet Ioz's.]

Sekar : I guess I am. (glances at Yuffie) It's not easy to do this sort of thing, especially to someone I sorta grew up with.

Ioz : Just keep thinking back to Godo, and our graduation. Concentrate on getting to Utai as fast as we can, so we can call this quits once and for all.

Sekar : Yeah, you're right. But... (sighs) I'd rather not be doing this. Not this way.

Ioz : (annoyed) Just a few days ago, you were feeling fine about all this. What's got you so penitent all of a sudden?

Sekar : (leans back) I don't know. Maybe I am just getting too soft.

[Ioz nods. Time passes as the carriage moves at a steady pace. The rocking motion of the vehicle is enough to make any person drowsy, and they are no exception. Even after a night's rest, they are still exhausted from their constant flight and fight in the mountain. After a while, Ioz looks toward Sekar to find his partner fast asleep in his seat. He grins to himself.
[Looking over at Yuffie, though, his amusement fades. The young girl is still in her place, propped against one side of the carriage. Her whole body is slack and, for an uncomfortable moment, it almost looks as though she isn't even breathing, but he banishes the thought almost immediately. Through the motions of the moving carriage, he can see the steady rise and fall of her chest. There's a slight trail of drool trickling from her mouth.
[With a slight grimace, he shifts in his seat. After making sure that Sekar is still asleep, he leans forward and slowly unties the ropes that bind Yuffie's arms. After another moment of thought, he bends lower to loosen the ropes around her ankles.
[As he settles back into his seat, though, he feels unaccountably embarrassed with himself.]

Ioz : (thinks) Damned conscience. (sighs)

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

'Eviction'

[Tifa arches her back, wincing as she stretches her aching arms. She stands on the open deck of the Highwind, trying to get some feeling back into her limbs. Her face is streaked with dirt and grease, but even those aren't enough to cover the bruises she had managed to acquire during her recent stand-offs with the stubborn amphibian population of the airship.]

Tifa : (thinks) Damn, these frogs have gotten tougher somehow. (pauses) Either that, or my fighting skills have gotten worse.

[A gust of wind brings a waft of acrid smoke. Frowning, she goes over to the rails that line the deck and looks over the edge. Far beneath her lies a smoking great puddle of grease. Technicians, engineers and townfolk alike rush in and out to keep the flames from spreading.
[Cloud comes up beside her and takes a look. He scowls when he sees what's happening.]

Cloud : Looks like they have their hands full for a while.

Tifa : We should go down there and give them a hand.

Cloud : (shakes his head) There's enough people there already. Besides, Cid's probably got everything under control. We've still got a nest to flush out.

[Tifa grimaces, but returns to the centre of the deck. There is a small hole on the floor and, kneeling, she peers cautiously into it. Two pairs of round eyes return her gaze and she draws back.]

Cloud : How many did you see?

Tifa : Just two. (looks at him) So, do we pry the floor open, or what?

Cloud : (grins) And get another lecture from Cid? I've had more than enough profanity bellowed to my face to last me a lifetime, thanks.

Tifa : We're out of frog bait. Not that they worked that well in the first place.

Cloud : Hmm. If I'm not mistaken, this is just above the chocobo hold.

Tifa : (curious) So?

Cloud : I don't think Cid's people have finished fixing all the ceiling plates in that part of the ship yet. I'm going to go down there and see if I can drive these frogs toward you.

[Tifa nods and checks her fighting gloves once more as Cloud leaves. A glint from the new materia she'd gotten catches her attention. For a long moment, she stares intently at it, but, seeing nothing else, returns her gaze to the hole.
[Minutes pass. A muffled bang and some faint swearing can be heard. She shakes her head slightly, recognising Cloud's voice. She feels a tingle in the air, alerting her to a materia being invoked nearby, but she is unsure if it's from Cloud, or the others below.
[Seconds later, three frogs burst out. They catch sight of her and immediately begin to channel their magic.]

Tifa : (thinks) Not today.

[She moves in quickly and, with a leg sweep, manages to knock two of the frogs away. Their concentration broken, the spell they'd been in the midst of weaving dissipates into a mere shower of sparkles. Tifa turns to face the third frog, which hops a short distance away from her. Taking a couple of long strides, she strikes out with a fist, but misses when the frog jumps further away.
[Now aware that she has only moments before the frog's spell is complete, she concentrates, pulling energy into her hands. Bright light surrounds her fists, seeming to highlight the very bones in her hands, visible even through the tough leather of her gloves. In a split second, she has gathered enough power to make her strike effective. Driving both her fists towards the frog, she releases all the energy stored in her hands. A shimmering shockwave is sent forth like a bolt of lightning, striking the frog dead on. The poor amphibian only has time to give a strangled croak before falling to the floor, a smoking husk.]

Cloud : Tifa!

[She turns and sees Cloud emerging from the lower levels of the airship. He has his sword drawn and, seeing that she has managed to finish off one of the frogs, heads on over to another. Tifa whips her head around, trying to locate the remaining frog. She spots it trying to move unnoticed behind Cloud. She leaps toward it.
[It senses her assault and moves away so that Tifa overshoots her target. Upon landing, however, she immediately rushes for it, fist drawn back. The frog is frantically gathering its magic for a spell, but it is too late.
[Suddenly, a loud explosion from below rocks the entire airship, throwing everyone off balance. Surprised, Tifa pauses for only a second to regain her footing. It's enough time for the frog to cast its spell.]

Tifa : No!

[The magic hits her before she can even try to dodge. Crackling; burning; itching; a sensation not unlike getting a hundred splinters embedded underneath her fingernails... and the world seems to have grown a hundred times in size.
[Cloud, having dispatched his adversary turns and finds two frogs on the deck with him; one trying to hop down into a hole in the deck floor, the other too stunned to move.]

Cloud : (astonished) T-Tifa?

[The unmoving frog blinks and lets out a squeak. Suddenly furious, Cloud whirls to the other frog and activates his materia. Before the amphibian can hop another step, it's encased in a solid block of ice. Breathing heavily, Cloud grimly sheathes his sword and takes a few tentative steps to what had been Tifa just moments ago. Bending down, he gently picks her up. With her safely cradled in his hands, he runs down the steps, yelling for a counterspell.]

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

'The Frog Princess'

Cid : Look, I'm sorry, kid. But I already told you that the materia's buried underneath that pile of smokin' parts there!

[He points towards the area that had previously been on fire. There is a large mound of alloy, still steaming from the heat. They had just managed to put out the flames a few minutes ago.]

Cloud : How the hell could you have lost the materia in the first place?!

Cid : (snaps) Watch your tone of voice, mister! I got enough troubles already. That impromptu barbecue just fried a bunch of our new circuits for the Highwind's navigational computer. I don't know what we're gonna do for replacements.

Cloud : Damnit! I need a counterspell, now! We have to change her back!

[Cid turns to look at Tifa. The new member to the frog club is slumped on a nearby crate, generating an aura of pure depression and humiliation. Barret is sitting beside her, trying his very best not to intimidate her with his own girth and size. Cait Sith stands quietly, trying not to stare at Tifa's new form.
[Despite the fact that he sympathises with her plight, Cid finds it hard not to burst out laughing. Desperate to cover up his amusement, he inhales very deeply from his cigarette.]

Cloud : Cid!

Cid : Yeah, yeah. (to Tifa) Sorry, girl. I wish I had a spare materia to spell you back to normal, but I don't. You'll have to wait 'til we get the rubble cleared up, sort through all the junk and find the materia we lost in there.

[If at all possible, the frog has an even deeper expression of despair.]

Barret : What about the materia shop in town? They got one of those--?

Cloud : (relieved) Of course! (takes off toward the shop)

Cid : Hey! What about the ship?

Cloud : (yells) Barret and Cait can handle it.

[With an exasperated sigh, Cid shakes his head. Barret starts to shout a retort at Cloud's rapidly diminishing back, but in the end decides it's not worth it. He looks down at the frog beside him and lifts a hand, as if to comfort it, but changes his mind, too. Finally, at a loss for words, he gets to his feet and signals to Cait Sith to get moving.]

Barret : I guess it's up to us again...

Cait : (to Tifa) Hang in there, Tifa. We'll get you back to normal soon. (hops off)

Cid : (grunts) %&#*. Damned kids.

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'Western Shore'

[The carriage pulls up to the waiting party of ninja. There is a small boat beached behind them, and a larger boat anchored a little distance from the beach behind that. As the sand settles, the door of the carriage opens and Ioz steps out, smiling. He's carrying one of their packs in his hand.]

Ioz : Finally!

Driver : Where's my pay?

Ioz : In a minute. (to the group of ninja) Sorry we're a little late, fellas.

[One ninja, a tall, thin man armed with a shortsword, speaks.]

Ninja : 'A little late'? We were expecting you two here three days ago!

Ioz : We had some unexpected misfortune.

Ninja : (shaked his head) So, did you find anything?

Ioz : (grins) Yep. A materia and Godo's missing link. (louder) Sekar?

[Sekar sticks his head out of the carriage.]

Sekar : I need a hand here.

[The ninja who had spoken earlier lifts an eyebrow, curious. Still, he gestures to his other three companions and one of them rushes over to the carriage.]

Ninja : (to Ioz) The new materia?

[Ioz reaches into the pack and pulls out Yuffie's shuriken. The other ninja's eyes widen as he recognises the weapon and snatches it from Ioz's hands.]

Ninja : (hisses) Th--this is...

Ioz : (nods) She's in there right now, Gray.

[The ninja, Gray, looks behind Ioz and sees Sekar and the other ninja carrying Yuffie's body out of the carriage. He whirls to face Ioz.]

Gray : Is she--?

Ioz : (shakes his head) Asleep. I cast a Sleepel on her earlier.

[Gray watches as the two move Yuffie onto the boat. Once she is settled down, he hands the shuriken back to Ioz and kneels to give Yuffie a closer inspection. Ioz motions to Gray's remaining companions to help him unload their stuff from the carriage, and goes over to talk to the driver.]

Ioz : Well, you fulfilled your end of the bargain.

Driver : My pay?

Ioz : Yeah, okay. (reaches in, pulls out a bag of gil) Here. Should be the amount we agreed on.

Driver : (narrows his eyes) 'Should be'?

[The man opens the pouch and begins counting the money inside. Ioz turns and makes his way to the boat. Gray is still checking up on Yuffie, but looks up as Ioz approaches.]

Gray : How long has she been asleep?

Ioz : (glances at Sekar) Since the day before yesterday.

Gray : She hasn't woken up at all?

[Ioz and Sekar shake their heads.]

Gray : How much magic did you use on her?

Sekar : We gave her a small spell. She should have been sleeping for an hour at the very most.

Gray : (pauses) This isn't good. She's not even responding to any kind of stimuli. It's like she's in a coma, or something.

[Ioz and Sekar exchange worried looks.]

Ioz : Can you do something about it?

Gray : (shakes his head) I'm no doctor, and I don't know of any materia that can spell this one away. We'll just have to hope for the best. (gazes levelly at the two) I don't need to tell you what'll happen to you two if things do get bad for her.

[Ioz and Sekar shuffle uncomfortably on their feet, mumbling and red-faced. Gray stands up and leaves to assist with the unloading. As soon as he is out of earshot, Sekar turns to Ioz, a frantic look on his face.]

Sekar : (hisses) Ioz! What'll we do?

Ioz : (frowns) Relax, Sekar. She's all right for the moment. (takes a deep breath) We'll handle things as they come, okay?

Sekar : (groans) Da Chao save us... What if she doesn't wake up?

Ioz : Shut up, man! She woke up before, remember?

Sekar : (pauses) Yeah. Yeah, I remember. That three day sleep she was in while we were in Costa del Sol. (pauses again) You think this is the same thing?

Ioz : (shrugs) I don't know. We'll just have to see.

[Gray returns to the boat with his men. Together, they heave the boat off the beach. Taking up their places by the oars, they begin to row. They aren't too far out from the beach before the driver runs toward them, shouting at the top of his lungs.]

Gray : What's he saying?

Ioz : Can't hear. The wind's blowing the wrong way.

Gray : (frowns) He looks mad.

Ioz : You don't say. (grins) I'm pretty sure there was enough cash in that pouch I gave him.

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'Undone'

[Cid's house, that night...]

Cloud : Okay, the materia's here.

Barret : (to Tifa) You ready?

[The little frog nods as best as she can and steels herself for her transformation. Cloud concentrates, activating the slightly charred materia. Seconds later, the form of the frog glows as it ripples and stretches, its bones elongating. The skin losing its greenish tint, it grows and wraps around the changeling body like a tight cloak. Thick hair sprouts from the top of her head, cascading down her back like a dark waterfall. Her limbs grow and right themselves, becoming hands with long tapered fingers, and forming shapely, humanoid legs beneath her.
[Finally, the glowing subsides, leaving Tifa kneeling on the floor. The itchy-burning-painful effects of the magic leaves her mind reeling, but quickly fades to a mere tingle. She slowly stands, trying to get used to the sensation of being bipedal once more. To Tifa's relief, all her clothes are still with her. She gives a weak laugh, but it is cut off by a bear hug from Barret.]

Barret : Damn, girl! You're a sight for sore eyes!

Cloud : How do you feel?

Tifa : Hungry.

[Minutes later, she is at the table, a plate of hot food in front of her. The others are seated around her, watching her as she quickly puts the food away.]

Cid : Never known anyone to've stayed frog for more than a couple of hours. You must've set a new record, Tifa.

Barret : (growls) If you hadn'ta lost the stone, she'da been back to normal a lot sooner.

Cid : (snaps) Well, excuse me, but when a fire breaks out near a load of oil and grease, I'm more worried about stopping the flames from spreading than saving a hunk of rock.

Cloud : That's enough. At least we found the stone and got her back. (leans back, looking at the materia in his hand) That's the last time I underestimate the usefulness of this materia.

Cid : (chuckles) Well, you'll be glad to know that we've got all the frogs out. My men are fixing up the Highwind as we speak. With all the work on the cockpit and making sure the blimp's seals are intact, we should be able to push off by tomorrow evening at the soonest.

Cloud : (nods) Do you need our help?

Cid : (snorts) Not bloody likely. You guys'll probably slow things down for us. At least Shiera's not as slow now. Speaking of Shiera, she's at the airship right now. I'd better go and relieve her. (to Tifa) You go get some rest. You don't look too good.

Tifa : (darkly) Being a frog for two days isn't exactly anyone's idea of a holiday getaway.

Cid : Heh, ya got careless, kid. Long as you don't make the same mistake, we won't hold it against you.

Tifa : (mutters) Thanks. Just make sure you don't mention any of this to Yuffie. I don't think I can handle any more humiliation from her.

[Cid leaves, but his laughter doesn't make her feel any better.]

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