I do not own Final Fantasy VII or any of the characters.
Lead
Cody jumped as the Ark Dragon, a human-sized dragon-type creature like a drake but with insectoid wings, flew over the group. He slashed it across the torso, splitting it in half, then landed just in time for Jessie to step past him, slashing a small black worm with a forked tail and its body swollen into a ball just behind its head, one which was able to exhale frozen air that would freeze their victims solid, as one had done to Barret's Gatling Gun.
"Thanks," Cody said. "You're getting better with that sword."
"This is easy," Jessie said. "They don't have swords to block with."
Cody chuckled just as Cloud split a pair of crabs that were blocking the thin path they were following along the wall of the mine, a deep pit waiting below them on their right side. Cloud glanced back at them and Cody nodded, so Cloud turned, continuing along the path toward a small opening in the wall ahead. They all walked into it, Boco having to lower his head to fit, and walked through the tunnel for a short ways, the tunnel curving left gradually. Finally, they stepped out of it onto a slightly wider path along the right wall of another cavern, with a pit just as deep as the last to their left. However, as Cody stepped out of it, Rude stepped into view from behind several roots that were growing from the floor ahead on the left, then twisting together as they ran up the wall there to the roof of the cavern.
"Trap," Cody said calmly, everyone looking around before turning to Rude, Barret and Jessie aiming their guns at him as Aerith readied a spell and Cody turned to launch himself at him.
"We're not here to fight," Rude said.
"We?" Cody asked. "What, is Reno here too?"
"No," Cody said, looking up at a ledge off to his left. "Elena." He smiled. "It's nice to see you again."
"Elena!" Jessie smiled brightly, waving. "It's so good to see you!"
"You too," Elena smiled. "I remember you this time, Cody."
"I could say the same," Cody said. "Sorry I didn't recognize you before. I thought the name sounded familiar, but you looked so much like your sister that it threw me for a loop. Sorry we tricked you before."
"It's alright," Elena smiled. "I understand. You had to save your friend. And it could have been worse. You could have just killed me and been on your way, but you were as polite and kind as ever about it."
"You two know each other?" Barret asked.
"The Turks used to hang out at the bar in Wall Market where she used to work," Cody said.
"And you knew her sister?" Cloud asked.
"She was also a Turk," Cody said. "She used a pistol and was about as deadly with it as I am with my gunblade. What about you, Elena? I remember you didn't want to be like your sister."
"I use martial arts, mostly," Elena smiled. "But I carry some explosives."
Cody chuckled. "I bet Rude makes up excuses every time you beat him, huh?"
Elena laughed. "No, he's a jerk and won't fight me."
Cody nodded. "What about Reno? Mop up the floor with him yet?"
"No," Elena said. "He's too quick."
"You'll get there," Cody said. "What about Tseng?"
"Uh...what about him?" Elena asked.
Cody snorted. "Nevermind. I already know."
"Look, I'm real glad you two are best pals and all, but what the fuck are you two doing here?" Cloud demanded.
"I was hoping not to meet you again," Red XIII said.
"You here to try and capture us again!?" Barret demanded.
"As I said, we're not here to fight you," Rude said.
"You're not laying a hand on Aerith!" Tifa said, stepping in front of her, as did Cloud, holding his sword more tightly.
"We're also not here for the Ancient," Rude said. "Since Cody's in your group, you probably have some grasp of what it is Turks do."
"Kidnapping," Cloud said.
"Assassinations," Tifa said.
"Shinra's dirty work," Aerith said.
"Protect Shinra's lies," Jessie said.
"That's right," Rude nodded. "But there's more to it than that. It's...It's hard to explain." He paused, then opened his mouth to speak, only to hesitated. A moment later he did it again, then again.
"We do what we're told," Cody said. "That's the easiest way to put it. I'm assuming if you're not here to fight, or to take back Aerith, you've been given a new mission. Probably something to do with Sephiroth. And being as kind-hearted as you are, Rude, you two came to let us know we didn't have to worry about you kidnapping Aerith again for the time being. Sound about right?"
"Wow!" Elena said. "You really are good! No wonder you were one of the top Turks!"
"Right behind Cissnei and Tseng," Cody said. "Say, where's Reno?"
"He's still recovering from what you did to him on the support pillar," Elena said.
"Ah, yes," Cody said. "Well, to be fair, he was trying to kill the people I care about."
"Oh, I know," Elena said. "He doesn't hold a grudge over you beating him up. Though he still hates you and won't say why."
"Yeah, I know he does," Cody sighed.
"Anyway, we're supposed to track down Sephiroth," Elena said. "And we're supposed to keep you away from him. But, wait..." she frowned, beginning to think out loud. "It's the other way around, isn't it? You all are getting in our way."
"Elena, you talk to much," Tseng's voice said as he walked out of a tunnel on a ledge behind Rude.
Cody grit his teeth, narrowing his eyes and holding an arm in front of Jessie in case he needed to pull her behind him. "Tseng!"
"You don't need to tell them all about our orders," Tseng said.
"Sorry, Mr. Tseng," Elena said, deflating slightly and staring at the ground.
"I thought I gave you your orders," Tseng said. "Now go. And don't forget to file your report."
"Oh!" Elena gasped. "Right!" She stood at attention. "Very well! Then Rude and I are off to Junon Harbor to head off Sephiroth!"
Cloud grinned. So innocent and inexperienced in being a spy. He hoped she would stay as good a person as she was currently.
"Elena," Tseng said after a moment of staring at her. "You don't seem to understand."
"Oh!" Elena gasped, covering her mouth. "I'm...I'm sorry!"
"It's alright, Elena," Cody chuckled. "You'll get the hang of it."
She smiled gratefully.
"Go," Tseng sighed. "Don't let Sephiroth get away."
"Yes sir!" Elena and Rude both said, saluting.
"Bye Elena!" Jessie waved cheerfully.
"Bye!" Elena smiled back. "By Cody! See you around!"
"See ya," Cody waved.
She turned and headed into a tunnel behind her and Tseng sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose with his right hand's thumb and index finger while his left hand supported his elbow.
"Reno said he'll be coming for a rematch after he finishes healing," Rude warned Cody.
"And I'll give him some new ones to replace them," Cody said. "But thanks for the heads up."
Rude nodded before climbing up onto the ledge Tseng was on before walking into that tunnel.
Tseng sighed again, then looked over at them again. "It's good to see you again, Aerith. I'm sure you're happy to know you've escaped Shinra for a while, now that Sephiroth has reappeared."
"So what are you saying?" Aerith asked. "That I should be grateful to Sephiroth?"
"Not at all," Tseng said. "Well, I won't be seeing you too much, so take care."
"It sounds weird coming from you," Aerith said.
Tseng grunted in acknowledgement before his eyes flicked to Jessie before pausing, then moving to Cody. "You take care as well, Cody. Both of yourself and her. It'd be a shame for you to let another woman you love die."
"You lay a hand on her, and I'll cut it off and shove it up your ass then let you bleed to death," Cody snarled.
"Eloquent as always," Tseng said. "Why she ever chose you as her partner, I'll never know."
He turned, walking into the tunnel and Cody clenched his teeth, gripping his gunblade tightly before taking a steadying breath.
"Come on," Cody growled. "We know where we're going next. And hopefully I'll find an excuse to shove my gunblade through Tseng's face there."
Jessie slipped her hand into his free one and he sighed, calming himself. The other looked at him worriedly for a moment before all turning to continue through the mine. After about ten minutes, they found a winding path Boco could follow them along that led to the exit from the mine, and they all stepped out of it and Boco warbled happily, stretching and flapping his wings a few times. Cody sighed, stroking the feathers of his neck before looking around, seeing Tseng and the others were already gone.
"Are you alright?" Jessie asked.
"I'm fine," Cody said. "Tseng just irritates me when he tries to act like he gives a damn about anything beyond following orders. And then he topped it off by threatening you."
Jessie nodded and climbed up onto Boco, holding her hand out to him. He smiled, climbing up behind her and holding her against him, resting his chin on her shoulder. The others all gave them dirty looks, besides Aerith, who gave them a supportive smile, but everyone began to walk, Boco following along beside them.
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