The pilots of the Sierra were apprehensive at first about going to Mideel.

'The captain says…'

'Mr. Highwind is always telling us…'

'…and that's why he demands that we never to go there.'

Rena leaned over to murmur in Cloud's ear. 'Why does the old man hate Mideel so much?' she inquired.

Cloud grimaced. 'About a year back, he was checking some machinery for a friend. There were some larger parts they brought out into the forest and put near the Sierra. His friend kept boasting about Mideel having the best parts in the world, such fine metals in Mideel, basically, Mideel this, Mideel that. Cid was just about to shut him up when…'

'When…' his sister prompted.

'A few of the parts were faulty and blew up. They killed Cid's friend and blew off half of the Sierra. Cid himself broke an arm. Set the forest on fire and burned for quite a bit before the fire brigade got it under control.

It wasn't really Mideel's fault, but that's who Cid blamed. Badly made parts, false guarantees, that kind of thing. So he's hated the place since. Poor guy.'

Rena sighed. 'Yeah, that must've sucked. But still, you can't blame a town for a few faulty parts. And also, considering everything, he didn't put up much of a fight going there when you asked him, either. All he said was that it was going to take a while. And when you first mentioned it, he was the first to get going!'

Cloud grinned. 'Shera's there at the moment. Cid already had it out with her about going a week ago. It's out of his system. He just wants to see her, now,' he replied. Rena smiled. 'That's sweet.'

Once Yuffie talked (screamed at) the pilots into flying to Mideel, she retired to her spot by the cargo. 'Another fun trip,' she told Rena ruefully, before slapping a hand to her mouth and gurgling as she stumbled past.

Rena sought out Popo, Cloud's blue Chocobo. He had brought all seven of them along in the Sierra in case there was an emergency. There was a good, a great, a blue, a green, a black and two golds. Rena had immediately chosen Popo. Yuffie commandeered Maelys, the green one; Vincent took Ferme (black, naturally); Tifa had Tetra, the great, Cid rode Laurie, the good; and Cloud had one of the golds, Coon. Barrett, because of his immense weight – 'all muscles, I tell ya!' – took the remaining gold, Alex.

Rena had always found the smell and the presence of Chocobos comforting. They were like chicks… only massively so. She sat with Popo as the Sierra sped across the cliffs surrounding Ocean Village. Past the cliffs… over the valleys… across the beach…

Before Rena knew it, she dozed off, head resting on Popo's wing.


When she woke up, it was night, and they were just passing Cosmo Canyon. By morning they would reach Mideel.

Getting up gently – Popo was fast asleep – Rena left the stable-room and headed for the main deck. Tifa and one of the pilots were there, talking quietly. Smiling as she past them, Rena headed to the front window and leaned on the rail, looking out.

The view was gorgeous; stars winked in and out between vast curtains of obsidian sky. Underneath her, shadowed grass stretched out for acres, dancing gently in the wind. A couple of frogs looked up from a river as the airship neared Gongaga.

Looking at the clock, Rena saw it was four in the morning. She peered up at the moon. It was getting close the horizon, the sky a little lighter where the infant sun's weak rays shone. Yawning, Rena returned to the stable-room, settling against Popo to sleep till morning.


AN: Yes, those are what I called my Chocobos. Except Laurie, I made that up cuz I couldn't remember that one's name. :x

I've got ideas for a battle scene; I just need to write the chapters that will take me to that scene.

Don't worry, they'll get to Mideel… eventually.